#is it not enough to simply read about crabs?

[im-jesus]

ALL TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

BLACK TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

LATINO TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

INDIGENOUS TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

EAST ASIAN TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

SOUTH ASIAN TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

WHITE TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

FAT TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

SKINNY TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

FEMME TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

MASC TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

PRE T TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WHO WENT OFF TESTOSTERONE ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WHO DON'T WANT TESTOSTERONE ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WHO DON'T BIND, WHETHER FOR HEALTH REASONS OR SIMPLY NOT WANTING TO OR LITERALLY ANY OTHER REASON, ARE VALID.

TRANS BOYS ARE VALID.

TRANSMASC LESBIANS AND ENBIES ARE VALID.

ARO/ACE/AROACE TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WHO HAVE NO SURGERIES YET ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WHO DON'T WANT SURGERIES ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WITH TOP SURGERY BUT NOT BOTTOM SURGERY ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WITH BOTTOM SURGERY BUT NOT TOP SURGERY ARE VALID.

BROKE TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

RICH TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WHO FIGURED OUT AT A YOUNG AGE THAT THEY WERE TRANS AND WENT ON PUBERTY BLOCKERS ARE VALID.

TRANS MEN WHO DIDN'T REALIZE OR ADMIT THAT THEY WERE TRANS UNTIL THEY WERE TEENAGERS OR ADULTS ARE VALID.

DISABLED TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

THERIAN/FURRY TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

KINKY TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

GAY TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

BI/PAN/OMNI/ANYWHERE-ON-THE-MULTISEXUAL-SPECTRUM TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

STRAIGHT TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

TRANS DADS ARE VALID.

CLOSETED TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

ALL TRANS MEN ARE VALID.

No, there is no universal trans experience. Yes, there will always be trans dudes who have it easier than you, or were lucky enough to get their gender affirming care younger or cheaper or easier than you. They're still trans. The second we stop fighting with each other about which of us are valid is the second we can start fighting the real enemy; those motherfuckers teaching crabs how to read.

[liv2post]

Late Night Zoomies

Word Count: 500 Summary: Animagus!Reader get the zoomies while Severus is grading.

Read here or on ao3

The quill in Severus’s hand had been scratching away at potion papers now for the past couple of hours, a recent delay in his schedule costing him what could’ve been a relaxing evening. His gaze was fixed on a line when he heard the sounds of something scraping stone and a blur of orange run by his peripheral. The writing tool ceased, his eyes flicking up to the couch where he swore he saw the shape disappear behind. No sounds, no movement. He returned his attention down to the paper. 

The shape entered his sights once again, retreating back to the bedroom. He turned his gaze up again, this time looking at the clock on the wall. Ah. 1AM. He cast a quick protective spell on his legs before turning his eyes towards the bedroom.

You came sprinting out of his room again in your animagus form, an orange cat. This time you had opted to use the coffee table as a platform to leap onto the couch, your claws gripping into the upholstery as if prey as your gaze darted around the ceiling like you were seeing ghosts. He should’ve known the second he heard the scratching of your claws against the stone. You were having what you had told him were called “zoomies.” They usually struck around or past midnight. Even in sleep you’d awake restless and go to the living room to shift into your animagus form to burn off energy before returning to the potion master’s side in bed. One too many drive-by swipes at his legs were enough to make the professor cast a spell on himself when they occurred.

“Are you having fun tearing up my couch?” he drawled teasingly. 

You snapped your blown out eyes to him, raising from your pounced position so that you were crab-walking along the top of the couch, your back arched like a croissant, ears splayed back and tail poofed up and flailing around wildly as you angled your head downwards while your pupils made direct eye contact with him; like he was a mere mortal who dared to challenge you.

While you were very smart as a human, he suspected you lacked a few brain cells when in such a form. Out of nowhere, as if someone snuck up behind you and scared you, you jumped a foot or so in the air, limbs flailing about as you fell down the front of the couch onto cushions, the stimulation riling you up more and prompting you to attack the corner of the rug and batter it with your hind legs.

After a good five minutes of chewing on it, you suddenly stopped and shifted back into your human form, cheeks blushed with embarrassment as you got up from the floor and made your way back to the bedroom.

“Shut up,” you huffed, having caught the amused expression on his face. The potion master simply chuckled to himself under his breath and returned to the papers at hand.

______________________________________________________________

This is my first time posting work on Tumblr. Check out my other works on ao3 here.

[wraithdance]

The Five Year Plan | Gaz x Reader

Note: F!Reader, Fat/Plus sized Reader, Reader is implied to be Black but can be read as WoC, Readers nickname is 'Siggy', there will be no y/n use Content warning: none; besides a terrible grasp of british-isms, this is a poorly edited filler pov for Kyle because I'm burned out from prepping for the semester start next week :'(

Chapter Two: Should I Get Her Cake?

Kyle was deeply confused.

He stared at the sad little wreath on Siggy's door (a relic from Christmas she never took down) pondering what exactly he did to set her off this time.

He's of course not thrown off by the door being slammed in his face or being told to piss off, as Siggy was prone to dramatics and made it a mission to do one (often both) at least thrice during the week. Kyle furrows his brow trying and failing to understand what cake had to do with anything.

He hadn't mentioned it whatsoever, just the tea.

He'd really never say anything about cake as he didn't really enjoy it very much, or really any crumbling confection. He'd been on one too many ends of an ear cuffing as a child for getting sugar or icing on his school uniform. His solution was to avoid the matter altogether.

With his arms crossed and head cocked in thought he tries to replay the last 15 minutes in his head again.

He'd come back from his run, said hello to the doorman, chatting with him about Kyle's mum and her new found bridge obsession. Then he'd checked the mail (nothing but junk so he tossed it with a sigh) and had come back upstairs. He wasn't exactly surprised to see Madelyn crying, she often cried, often cried on this floor in particular for some reason. 

It'd been how he'd met the younger woman actually. He'd opened his door to her knocks and come face to face with big green eyes and a quivering lip.

Kyle had not been in the best mood- honestly he'd been murderous, one would be after being in fucking Urzikstan of all places, where he'd been a stones throw away from death by falling out of a helicopter. He'd finally gone to a dreamless sleep after returning home from the nightmare of an operation, when he'd woken to the timid knocks. He'd landed on his ass from the couch and cursed every deity known to man as he stomped to the door.  

They'd both been confused by the other upon his answering, Madelyn more so then him. The petite woman had squeaked up at him in fear. With an eye twitch Kyle had asked Madelyn what the issue was. She'd simply burst into tears and said something about her sink being broken.

He'd calmed her down eventually, neck heating from embarrassment when she'd launched herself into his arms. Siggy had chosen that moment to walk by and had given him a look of complete judgment- eyebrow raise and a look up and down- and all. He'd tried to explain that he didn't know what was happening and Siggy had just snorted, crab walking inside with her obscenely large shopping bags of clothing and slammed the door.

(She really was big on that.)

Kyle had gotten Madelyn to calm down enough for him to learn that the building's handyman had lived in Kyle's apartment previously. Madelyn had thought to ask him for assistance on fixing the overflowing sink in her bathroom but hadn't known he'd moved out. 

That was strange to Kyle as he'd been living in the flat for at least two years at that point. 

Madelyn had explained that away saying she'd been on an extended sabbatical in Prague helping rescue stray cats. Kyle didn't really want details on that, so he'd offered to help her with her sink in the interim. She'd bounced about happily when he'd tightened the loose handle of her faucet. Ever since she'd been coming to his floor for different odds and ends or to drink tea and watch Downtown Abbey.

He hadn't known she knew Siggy at all, so he was completely taken aback by what he would consider a low threat hostage situation. Considering Kyle's career he knew this was nowhere on the scale for dangerous situations but Siggy looked ready to jump out of the nearest window.

He'd thought he was being helpful by offering himself up to Madelyn as a distraction but that had only seemed to make Siggy angrier. Her lips had curled up in utter disgust the moment he'd offered tea for Maddy and it had avalanched into his current confusion about the cake.

He gives up figuring it out after a spell, turning towards his door with a furrow in his brow. He reaches for the handle when a sudden thought stops him in his tracks.

Siggy was vengeful.

In a way that put some of his more mischievous methods of retaliation to shame. He'd thought he had reached peak pettiness when he'd gaslit Johnny into believing he was prematurely balding for three weeks straight. He'd done it by shaving small coin sized spots of hair on the Scot's body and keeping a poker face when accused.

(Soap should have learned not to wake Kyle up at ungodly hours with useless chatter. Then to have the nerve to make fun of a man's silk bonnet of all things?)

(Besides, if anyone was traumatized it was KYLE, the hyperactive man was hairier than a dog and Kyle still had nightmares about it, but he digresses.)

When Siggy was upset and feeling particularly vindicated about it, she had a nasty habit of playing mind games or being an outright bully. She was single-handedly responsible for more than one neighbor’s decision to move out after declaring war on them for some reason or other.

He'd witness her stealing welcome mats, making noise complaints, using her law degree to intimidate, or getting into outright yelling matches with offenders. Hell, Kyle had suspected she was behind the great trash bin brawl.

Trash bins on the floor had gone mysteriously missing and reappeared in odd places within the building. The result was accusations being thrown and Mr. Haversack and Mr. Dudley coming to blows.

Kyle, who had come off of another long mission abroad, had walked into the aftermath of the chaos. He'd sidestepped the police who'd had his neighbors in cuffs and were taking down statements, to stand at a self satisfied Siggy's side as she watched on.

She was eating a sweet and chuckling to herself. She'd been far too invested in the goings on to be unkind to him standing so close, she'd even told him what happened.

Kyle wasn't an idiot, far from it and he prided himself on that fact. It's what got him into such an elite military squad in the first place. One does not get awarded medals for their counter-terrorism efforts by being a numpty. So he without a doubt, knew Siggy had been the one behind the trash bin debacle and told her so.

She'd gazed at him under lowered lashes and cocked a brow as if to say 'Oh, really?'

Kyle won't admit he was a bit lightheaded watching her lick icing from her fingers while maintaining eye contact with him. Instead he'd told her of his thought process on why he thought she was the culprit. Siggy had shrugged neither confirming nor denying, and very obviously did not care about his opinion on her innocence.

He'd still given it nonetheless, she hadn't taken well to being called childish.

Siggy had sworn at him (again something Kyle will never admit got his blood racing) and had gone on a tangent about the neighbors she'd been menacing. It took Kyle awhile to stop watching her flashing eyes and heaving chest in interest to understand what she'd been saying to him.

According to Siggy, some of the neighbors had been reporting the only Asian family on their floor to the home office for made up infractions. Mr. Dudley had rallied up a few others sympathetic to his cause, to assist in the targeted harassment of the family of four.

Siggy was enacting justice on the scared families behalf as they'd been frightened about possible retaliation impacting their immigration status if they spoke up.

Kyle had felt like a right dick and apologized to Siggy profusely.

She'd tilted her chin to look down her nose at him, preening at his groveling. She'd accepted after some time and Kyle had asked about Mr. Haversack's part in the fray. Siggy had just shrugged, polishing off her sweet, citing that Mr. Haversack had closed the lift on her when she'd been attempting to juggle groceries.

Her bag with her carton of eggs and strawberries had dropped when she'd raced to the lift trying to make it before the doors closed. She claimed Mr. Haversack had given her a dirty look and pressed the buttons to close the doors when she'd stared down at the mess on the floor.

The memory gave Kyle a pause.

Siggy did seem to take food related offenses very personally. Kyle looks at her door again in consideration.

“Should I get her some cake?” he questions into the air of the silent hallway. 

After a beat he makes plans to pick some up at the market next to the shady burger shop in the morning, as an apology for whatever he’d done. The last thing he needed was another reason for Siggy to steal a package off his doorstep.

With that in mind Kyle finally walks inside his flat to join Madelyn for tea.

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[fakescenariosbeforesleepblog]

By fire and heart.

PT.2

Daemma Targaryen. Second daughter of King Viserys and queen Aemma, you're the living portrait of your mother with the character of a true dragon, as a second daughter you don't have right to the throne but certainly, you will protect your sister's succession by heart.

You can read Pt.1 here and Pt. 3 here

Warning ⚠️: Credits of this images goes to whoever they belong to, I found them on Pinterest. Grammatical and spelling errors, maybe this won't be good enough but In my head the story was a good one.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters nor do I claim to own them. I do not own any of the images used nor do I claim to own them.

After the ceremony your routine changed, your training became harder, you study until midnight, now you and your sister attend the council meeting.

«Both have to learn and listen to what those meetings are»

So here you are, listening about a lord who died, at least he died in his sleep, he didn't suffer, that's what they were commenting when Corlys Velaryon appeared.

- 4 ships burned, destroyed! The last one had the flag of my house! You sit here and talk but there's no solution about nothing!

- We already heard, and the council will consider...

- I want to know what will be your solution about my men and my ships.

- The crown will compensate you and will make an offer to compensate the families...

- I don't want compensation, I want you to do something about the crab feeder and I want to take the step stones by force!

- I will not start a war with the free cities.

(...)

Finally your father talks, but doesn't say nothing that could be interesting. You are waiting for him to say yes and have some action on the battlefield.

«You have Dragon riders, Father. Send us.»

Suddenly you feel Rhaenyra's hand squeezing softly on your forearm, you take that as a plea to support her idea.

- That would show our force, Rhaenyra is right Father...

- At least the princesses had an idea.

Corlys says clearly exasperated, but your father still looks uninterested.

- It's not that simple, girls.

- Perhaps the princesses can help us to pick a new guard, Lord commander would you take them with you?

- Good idea my Lord...

You roll your eyes, that asshole thinks he can control everything. But it's not time to complain, you and your sister simply walk away. Once you're there you decide to leave that to your sister, you have better things to do.

You were walking to your dorms when you stopped, Alicent was waiting outside your father's chambers, of course it was suspicious for you, once she was inside you approached to the door and tried to hear what was going on.

«Sometimes I would prefer to confront something else than my daughters»

Since for you it's suspicious but still those words weren't precisely something that could make you think there was something dark in the situation you decide to save it for you, your sister doesn't need more worries over her shoulders.

The king requested your presence for dinner, the most silent dinner you ever had.

- We barely talk since...

Rhaenyra breaks the silence and your father quickly talks.

- I Know... You are free to talk whenever you want, after all, you're the king.

They exchange some words and just when it seems like everything is going well, your sister talks about the council meeting, which your father quickly rejects, he never wants to talk about war or about what happens around the kingdom, he pretends everything is peaceful. So once more, everything goes back to silence.

None of you know that your father, is now, considering the possibility of a marriage, none of you expected it.

It's until the next morning you and your sister observe with surprise and annoyance the walk your father is taking with the very young Lady Laena.

- Does it make you feel angry?

Rhaenys your aunt and Laena's mother asks, apparently it's not only you who feels uncomfortable with this situation.

- Our father's the king, it's his duty to eventually get married again.

- I didn't ask that, I Asked if this annoys you.

- Laena is your daughter, doesn't it bother you?

- Of course, but I understand the order of the things. I doubt you do.

Your sister looks annoyed by all the conversation, but somehow, you understand what your aunt is trying to say, your father's marriage will bring more children, one will be a boy and the council will prefer to put him on the throne, they will not want to support your sister's right to the throne.

But your sister insists, she will break the wheel, she will change the order, but once more, your aunt's words are not more than true.

«The kingdom demands me to give them a new queen.»

«The Velaryon's offer me their daughter's hand»

Your father's words are like knives in your chest, but your uncle's words echo in your mind, someone needs to be strong to support your family. You're hidden in your father's chambers, you still believe there's something strange in those Alicent's visits. Suddenly Otto Hightower appears informing about an emergency council meeting, your father demands for you and your sister's presence.

Once there, the news of your uncle's future second wife, the stolen egg that belonged to your baby brother and him calling himself future and legitimate heir, send shivers to your spine and a strange rage grew inside your heart, you couldn't hear the rest, or the actions the council would take but you're sure of one thing, your loyalty now rest at Rhaenyra's side, whatever she decides to do you will follow.

Otto Hightower offered himself to travel to dragon stone to recover the stolen egg and bring your uncle back to the capital.

But your sister had different plans. You saw her getting ready to ride on Syrax, you're maybe not so close but you know she's planning something.

- Where do you think you're going?

- I'll go by my own to bring and confront Daemon.

- Rhaenyra, let that idiot of Hightower do his job, you can't put yourself in danger!

Rhaenyra sighs, frustrated and angry she looks at you with a determined look and simply takes your hand.

- Daemma, Otto Hightower will start a war, I can prevent it... come with me, You say I'm putting myself in danger, then come with me, you promised you would be at my side...

She's right, the hand and his hate against your uncle would start a war, there's no need for it, you made a promise, now you have to attend her call.

- Seven hells... Fine, let's go.

You nod and go to your dragon, whitefyre, a dragon as large and majestic as Syrax, white scales that shine in the sun as a diamond, a magnificent and loyal beast.

Both dragons flew side to side all the way to dragon stone, for the first time you felt close and connected to your sister, you could say you felt happy and excited until you saw the sea of soldiers and Caraxes roared, you and your sister's dragon roared too, all the people on the ground now looks at your dragons flying over their heads.

As soon as both land, Otto Hightower questions your sister, what is she doing there? Does the king know about this? He sends Ser Criston to take her to a safe place but before Criston could walk to her you give a step first, in front of her.

- If I were you I wouldn't put a finger over the princess head, Syrax is very protector with her.

Your defiant attitude pisses Otto, clearly he doesn't have the control of the situation. Your sister continues her walk to Daemon, you can see them talking, Daemon doesn't seem happy or pleased but there's something in the way he looks at Rhaenyra, it's not an evil look, maybe he's angry but not with her, he has a soft spot for her.

Both stay quiet, you're only observing, prepared to jump and protect your sister when suddenly, Daemon leaves the dragon egg and walks back to the castle. Rhaenyra looks at you and nods, both walk to your dragons and leave the place.

The trip was full of laughs and races between sisters and dragons, jokes about the faces of Otto Hightower, you clearly know how to piss the poor man.

The king was notified about you and your sister's little visit to dragon stone, as soon as he knew about your arrival, he requested your presence. Both rolled your eyes, you know what is coming, another discussion about how dangerous it was.

- Father, Did you want to see us?

- You disobeyed me, you escaped without saying anything... And you, Daemma, followed her, did you think about the consequences? Both acted against the crown's lead!

- Can we sit?

- Father, Rhaenyra made something good, something that Otto Hightower couldn't do without spilling blood!

He leaves a small laugh escape, you were right, your sister prevented the violence and blood, and then with a loving look he smiles at your sister and talks about how similar she is to your mother, a small talk about how much all of you miss the Queen. Suddenly the news you and your sister were expecting, whether you like it or not, this is something that needs to be done and the only thing you can do is support the family.

The next day, at the council meeting, all of you are expecting your father's decision.

- I've considered and decided to take a new wife.

He looks at you and Rhaenyra who kindly smiles at him, but her smile vanishes as soon as she listens to your father's next words.

- I decided to marry Lady Alicent Hightower.

You don't remember much, the anger inside you doesn't allow you to remember what happened after that, Corlys Velaryon opposed to the king's decision, meanwhile the rest was quiet, Corlys disappears and right behind him were you and your sister.

Later, weeks later you heard the news of your dear uncle joining and supporting Corlys Velaryon In the battle at the step stones against the crab feeder.

It was in the middle of a warm night before spring ended when you made the decision, you left your home, maybe the king wouldn't support and wouldn't care about this war but you certainly wanted to help, and your adventurous spirit pushed you to fly away from your father and sister.

[factual-fantasy]

23 asks! Thank you!! :}} 🎀

what

Originally I added the bandages to mirror my real hands being covered in Band-Aids when I made my sona. :0 (It was due to cat scratches and dry skin don't worry-)

Now they represent my "artist hands".... and my still really dry skin XDD

Oh yeah absolutely. His crab arm is so heavy that if he falls into the water he'll sink 😬 he cant move it fast enough to help him swim to the surface.. good thing Blue Beauty is always nearby! <XD

It also takes a lot of energy to move and he deals with sore back/shoulder muscles a lot. The way the crab arm formed, its like all the muscles in his back are used to lift and operate it. When he walks around he kind'a uses it as a crutch or a third leg. His legs each take a step and then his crab arm lifts forward and clunks on the ground.

"tap tap.. CLUNK. tap tap.. CLUNK."

Despite all this though, Louis still really likes his new arm and isn't bothered much by all the hardships it brings :)

@neo-metalscottic

Thank you so much!!! :DD I'm hoping I get over this soon 🥺

As for Grim's eyes, I mention that coloring mistake in the tags of this post. It was simply a matter of me misremembering what Gengar looks like :// But I'm thinking I'll keep his white eyes anyways. He looks a lot more friendly that way :}}

THEY HAVE SPARKS?? THEY'RE INDIVIDUALS?? I thought they were just mindless clones! Man.. That makes things in the show even darker-- <XDD

And ohhh, yeah I can see it. I wonder why they decided to add him of all characters? He does have cool shades tho XDD

@holly-opal

Yeah, that's the idea. <:/ I have yet to plan out how she died tho-

@glitchhayden418

There she is!! :DD She looks great!! :}}

And thank you, I'm hoping I get well soon too 🙂💔

She never has to stop! I've decided that my characters can eat as much as they want, whenever they want, however they want, and suffer absolutely no consequences what so ever.

Cici just seems to be taking advantage of this ability more than the others <XDD

@artblock200322022

:DD Thank you!! I'm so glad you like my interpretation of the Octonauts! :}}

@possibly-astraeus

Oof. Always disappointing to hear people finding me through stolen artwork..

But yeah, you're at the source now! :} Just remember, if you find my artwork anywhere else other than here? Its stolen ://

@shallow-isles

I simply misremembered what Gengar looks like and colored his eyes wrong :/// (I talk about it in the tags of this post) But I think I'll keep them white. He just looks so friendly and soft with white eyes.. 🥺

As for Sylveon, I like to think that tying his ribbons around others like that is his way of giving them a hug :}} Since Grim is so r o u n d, there's not many places the ribbons can comfortably tie and not be in Grim's way. His ears are the perfect spot! :}

@tallchest13-blog

THANK YOU! :D WOULD YOU BE UPSET IF I GAVE THIS TEA TO CICI THO? SHE REALLY WANTS TO TRY IT :((

@aishutoon

Ohh! They look so round and cozy!! :333

@yourstrulylightstar283 (Referencing this post)

Thank you! :}}}

@circadiananomaly (24k post in question)

Thank you! I'm hoping this is all over soon as well. :'(((

@candyglumboy

Like, my Pokémon Violet team? :0 There will not be any new members no.. you can only have 6 Pokémon in your party at a time!

...Then again there's Patty.. the Hoppip that Anastasia replaced.. I miss her.. 🥺💔💔💔

I hope I feel good too.. 😔😔😔

@graminos

:DD Thank you! I'm glad you like them!! :}}}}

(Post in question)

Me reading this ask ksjnakjn 🥺🥺💞💞💞 that was all basically on point!! :DDD

@youlikwjazz004

I'm afraid I have absolutely no idea how to explain that :'(( 💔💔

The very best I can explain my art process is; "I just.. draw it. And if it doesn't feel right, I just draw it differently until it does feel right." Its all down to muscle memory and drawing what "feels" right. I don't think I'm able to explain that-- 😭😭😭 I'm very sorry! <:'(((

@askladyinwhiteandfam

Woah! What a critter! :00 ✨✨It looks great! :DD

@square-the-cyan-idiot542

WAAAHGG THANK YIU!!!- Oh crap you ok tho--

@littlelightfish (Post in question)

:DD Thank you! I'm so glad you like him!! :}}}

@beryl-shade

He'd be amazed! :00

[chimerahyperfix]

CW: Graphic depictions of violence, lots of Death and Gore, Psychological horror for like 3 lines, mentions of drowning. Please read the tags and take caution. This one's more than a little visceral.

-----

The King is here.

You walk through crowded halls of rushing Housemaidens getting into defensive positioning. It's like fighting a wave in the ocean, hard to push through the crowd. You make do anyways, curling through paths you normally wouldn't take.

It's a big deal to everyone but you, at this point. This is the big event, the big fight; to you it's simply where time loops back. Just another day, y'know? You've done it over and over, and you'll probably keep doing it anyways.

It's odd, pushing through the crowd. Everyone is going one way and you are going another. Rushing versus strolling. Your hands are in the pockets of your lab coat. You're practically whistling, for crab's sake!

You simply cannot be bothered this loop. It's a failure from the start: you crabbed up making the bomb, which means you're crabbed from the very beginning. You climbed up the Favor Tree and wedged yourself between the braches for a few hours to pass the time, because looping back would be too much of an inconvenience, and you could just wait until the tears started spawning in the house to go back. The birds had a good time at least, one starting to craft a nest next to you.

You ghosted throughout the day, and now its go time. Everyone else is prepared and ready to fight for time itself, and here you are just. Walking. Realistically you're searching for a tear to stop it all before it starts, but luck isn't on your side this loop.

You can hear it, hear it-- the horrors. All the screams of those unfortunate enough to cross the King's path and fight back. It would be easier, for them, to just bow back and let themselves be frozen-- but no one wants to be frozen, because that's having choice itself stolen from you, a cage of ice to lock yourself in forever. It's just as bad as being dead. Stagnant and eternally screaming.

So they march to their deaths.

The King does not take kindly to the Housemaidens fighting back. Some loops, the House isn't prepared for his attack. Those loops are the nice ones, the less gorey ones. Less dead and more frozen bodies, because no one was prepared to brawl with the monster. He can just... swoop on through and take the House without more than a handful of casualties. This loop is one of the bad ones, because your fellow housemaidens were all prepared. You always think your prepared, too, to see the outcome, but you never truly are.

You turn into the main hall, and freeze still.

No matter how many loops you go through, the carnage always gets to you. There's a nasty, overpowering smell of iron in the air and big dark stains painting the walls, the floors and the roof. Bits and pieces of mashed guts and viscera. There were people in this hallway, once.

Not anymore.

It makes you sick to your stomach like every other time. Just the thought of it. There were people here and now there's only parts of them left. Just ten minutes ago or so, there were people here.

There were people here.

The gore goes in a trail down the hall. Paints practically everything-- including frozen people, if you look down the hall. All frozen with shock and absolute horror on their faces. You recognize some of them.

You try not to think about it.

You push on. Try to ignore the way the blood seeps into your shoes very fabric so they become damp. Try to ignore the fact you're trailing someone's very life behind you now with bloody shoe prints.

There are still no tears.

Plan B, then. The King himself.

You hate going against the King. It always ends terribly with you in agony. But that's the only option left right now, so you chase him down on his little path carved from the blood of the innocent. You find him quickly, too- just down the hall.

He stops before you can get too close. The smell in the air is overpowering, the sharp tang of blood and the burning sensation of the sugar.

"Burning one." He says to you. You're not sure where he pulled that one from: the nickname was something different at some point, but you've long forgotten what it was. Maybe it's the smell of burnt, rotting sugar or maybe it's the potions that burnt your throat. You're not sure anymore.

He just... stands there. Turns around and looks at you. You can feel the dead expression you're pulling as you stare back. Blood glints on his armor, shining and the worst sight in the world and all the same kinda beautiful in its own way? Like the lightless gore is the night sky itself, sparkling with little dots. Makes you feel sick just thinking that.

"How have you done it?" He asks. He asks it every time the two of you face off, the same five words. How. A inquiry. Something you have done, you shouldn't have, and he knows it.

You... think you've gotten it, now. Your hypothesis: How you wished. It's not something you were supposed to do. You did something different something WRONG, and it did something to time itself, tearing a hole in the fabric of space. It's wrong. It's wrong, and you know it and so does the King.

He stares in your direction. You think? Despite his hands, blood-stained as they are, not being infront of his face, the mop of hair is still in the way. You can feel the glare still. Enraged. Daggers in your side.

"I don't know." It's the truth.

"You don't know?"

"I don't remember."

The King goes silent. It's odd, having an actual conversation with him. Even if it was a tiny exchange, it still throws you off. He's willing to talk, even if just a question. He's never really talked to you-- or anyone, to your knowledge-- before.

"Ouuuuhhhh... of course you don't." He wails. It sounds like nails on a chalkboard to you. "You shouldn't have been able too, oohhh... not at all..."

He raises a fist up. It sparkles like the night sky, dark dripping from between his fingers. There's still someone's remains painted on them. Preemptively you brace and throw your arms up in an attempt to block.

It's a different thing that hits you. A new attack. A giant open palm slams into your chest, and you go flying backwards into the wall. The world turns to slow motion as something in you SNAPS. Crunches. Your bones shatter and explode with the force and speed, shooting little shards of agony everywhere.

It hurts. It HURTS. Pain rips through your entire body, and you realise you've started to scream when your chest begins to hurt. Blood splatters onto your glasses, blotting out your vision.

You look up at the King. How'd you get on the floor? How are you breathing, with no lungs? You can see fragments of bone stuck between the metal of his armor.

"Let this be a lesson to you, Burning one."

Metal clinks, and your vision swims-- dots in the corners, figures blur. Blood drips down into your left eye and paints half of your vision a dark shade. Nothing but pain.

Make it stop. Make it stop, make it stop make it stop-- it hurts, it hurts it hurts it hurts.

You

Simply stop thinking. Just for a moment.

So your brain can catch up! Yeah, sure. That's a good enough excuse.

Just. Pain. You are pain incarnate, and that's all you will be until you die slowly and loop back.

You

Blink,, and

The King. Is gone. You can hear him leaving, loud stomping footsteps dissapearing down a bloodstained trail, and you just stare.

How lucky, HOW LUCKY of you to be left alive this time. Like this isn't a fate worse than death. You gasp for air, and realise all you have left is blood filling your lungs.

It hurts. You want it to end, now. It's hard to see, over the blood and spots dancing across your eyes, but you see them; tears, floating around you. A quick out. You reach out, and the pain in you flares alive, ripping and tearing you apart. You feel like your flesh is going to peel off.

Your fingers brush into one of the tears, and you sob as the ice rolls down your arm and consumes you. It feels a hundred times better than what you were feeling before.

You freeze in time-- and luckily theres no nightmare you have to endure, you just wake back up at your desk. You spend a good chunk of the morning curled up in the bathroom getting sick, because, wow! That's the worst one yet! It's curled into your very being, the feeling of breaking your bones like rock candy, the feeling of drowning in blood.

You just... have to do it better this time, or... something. Hope is fading away into background static. You can't... do this anymore. It hurts too much. You want it to stop. Please make it stop.

[silverag09]

5am rambling about Sky cause my sleep schedule is severely wack - includes personal headcannons about lore lmao- everything below the cut so you don’t get blasted with a billion words ✨

Heads up: this is not a fun silly Headcannon. It is

s a d.

You’ve been warned. There is a cute little doodle at the very bottom of this to make it up to anybody who reads this tho

This mainly pertains to moth players and Eden, I came up with this after watching a few folk’s own lore videos on their sky kid’s backstories and whatnot- imagine

Yknow all the moths you’ve adopted, guided through the world and befriended in the process? Once they enter Eden, that has the potential to determine their entire fate.

The moth’s who enter Eden, with or without your help, have to make it through. One way or another. Or, they don’t. They quit halfway through because they’re too afraid, or they don’t understand what they’re meant to do. Some manage to make it through Eden, but then think that’s the end of the game. No more, no seasons, no travelling spirits, no upcoming events, nothing.

I imagine the moths who never fully make it through Eden simply just.. die, in a sense. Their light, their soul, whatever you may call it, was not strong enough to withstand the storm and they simply perish and become one of the many statues trapped there, until you eventually come for your next run and free them.

Alternatively, the ones who make it out but quit shortly after - they were corrupted in some form by Eden - namely, the same power that may or may not have corrupted Resh - the Eden elder and/or king. I have my own theories about Resh too- but that’s for another time. They don’t continue, so their light/wings don’t grow stronger. Almost like an infection, they don’t have the strength to fight off the ‘virus’ (the corruption) as time passes, they remain stagnant and the corruption chips away at them until they ‘die’.

The sky kids who’ve fallen to corruption eventually return to either the wasteland or eden. Those who find themselves in the wasteland deteriorate slowly over time, transforming into crabs or simply dying, their bodies becoming seeds for dark plants to take root. Those who end up back in Eden aren’t so fortunate to have such a peaceful end. And I’m using the term peaceful very, very lightly.

Those who returned to Eden are back in the direct line of contamination from, as stated previously, the same power that corrupted Resh - their bodies rapidly deteriorate and give out on them, their remaining light unable to stay strong enough to stave off death. They don’t remain ‘dead’ for long though, the remains mutating into dark dragons or other beings of pure darkness. They wander aimlessly, trying to find any source of light in the hopes that they can relight the fire they lost, have the hope that - as minuscule as it may be - they can return to the lands of Sky and return to their normal life. The consciousness of the child who’s been mutated remains partially intact, that’s the only reason they’re still hunting down anything that gives off warmth - but they’re not aware of what they’ve become. All they know is that they’re cold, and that other sky kids run away from them no matter what they do.

In other words, the sky kids who don’t make it through are eternally trapped, until you provide them brief respite through freeing them during your weekly/monthly/etc runs. That’s why you see them in orbit sometimes. Those who can’t or refuse to continue perish, to put it very bluntly. I imagine after a certain length of time, their remaining consciousness fades entirely and all that’s left is a monster of darkness, wandering with nothing but subjecting others to the same fate as it fell to on its mind, taking out the envy, anger, and spite that got left behind on the poor souls it finds - those that have wandered where they should never have gone.

———————————————————

Ngl the only reason I came up was this is cause I wanted all the players who’ve quit at Eden, before/in/after, to have a purpose. It sounds bad when I put it like that but idk how else to put it— my old account, I started just before season of dreams started and I quit the same week cause I didn’t want to go through Eden, and I was unaware there was more to the game aside from “fly through pretty world, talk to old spirit looking things, die.” I returned to the game midway through season of remembrance, and I’m very glad I did. I don’t have a lot of headcannons for lore or anything like that, but this is one of them, and as sad as it is- I like it. I love the krill, I love the dark creatures and I love the light creatures too. I feel like the dark creatures don’t get enough love sometimes and I wanted to make something dedicated to them - and, again, it’s sad, but this makes me love them even more- even if I fell asleep by accident while playing that one time and got attacked by the krill and crabs so many times that I got sent to the pity room. Meh.

Anyways, here’s a doodle of my skykid and his buddies to make you less sad 👌

[mothfables]

Ravioli Ship Week Day 4: Beach Episode

“Do you have everything? Books? Bathing suit?” Ravio asks.

“Mhmm!” Link hums. Bun woke up little today, but Ravio hadn’t wanted to let their trip go to waste. He wants his bunny to enjoy the beach no matter buns age, so he makes sure to pack some of buns favourite stories and snacks. Toys are staying home to keep them from getting covered in sand.

Link bounces on buns toes as bun waits for him to finish double checking and closing the door. The moment the key clicks in the lock Link is grabbing his arm and tugging him towards the path. Ravio laughs and tugs bun back to link their hands together.

“Slow down, bunny! The beach isn’t that far, we can take our time.”

It’s true- they live about an hour away by foot. Plenty of time to get some of Link’s excess energy out, but short enough neither of them will be too tired to enjoy the beach when they arrive.

True to Ravio’s word it isn’t long before they make it to their destination. He sets their things down a good distance from the water and manages to get Link out of buns shirt and shoes before sitting back and watching the boy make a dash for the waves.

Ravio settles on a towel with one of his books, content to simply sit and read for a while. He makes it through a few paragraphs before there’s a loud squeal followed by childish laughter from further down the beach.

He glances up to see Link dancing away from an oncoming wave, a bright grin lighting buns face.

“Be careful, bunny!” he calls.

“I am!”

Time passes, the sun climbing higher in the sky. Ravio is thankful he chose to wear shorts and a loose shirt today as the temperature rises further. Link comes back a few times, dropping off interesting seashells or rocks before scurrying away again.

Ravio is deep in his book when he becomes aware of something rustling through the bag at his side. He looks over to see Link pawing through it, tongue sticking out in concentration.

“If you want a snack or something, you can just ask,” Ravio says. Link gives a startled squeak.

Link pulls buns arms out of the bag to reveal a familiar patchwork purple bunny plush clutched in thin hands. Ravio raises an eyebrow in surprise.

“You brought Lola?” A nod. “What happened to leaving your toys at home so they don’t get sandy?”

“W’nted t’ show her th’ beach,” Link mumbles, holding the toy close. Ravio sighs.

“Well, alright. Just be careful with her, okay? I don’t think she’d like being dropped in the water very much.” Link nods enthusiastically and springs to buns feet. Ravio watches bun go, shaking his head.

Link spends another hour or so exploring the beach with Lola in hand, peeking into tide pools and watching crabs and other creatures crawl along the sand. Ravio’s sure there will be plenty of stories once they pack up and head home for the day.

Eventually, though, Link tires of running back and forth and splashing in the waves, coming over to plop down next to Ravio for a break. The merchant hands over a snack and some water, which are accepted gratefully, before brushing some of the sand for buns hair. Amazingly, there doesn’t seem to be a speck of it on Lola.

Unbidden, a chuckle escapes his lips. Link blinks up at him, curious, and Ravio gives bun a smile. “Just happy to be here, that’s all.”

Link nuzzles his hand with a smile of buns own, which only grows when Ravio leans down to place a kiss on buns brow.

They stay like that for a little while before Ravio glances up to see the sun notably lower than it was before. He nudges Link gently.

“Are you ready to head home, little bunny mine?”

“Mhm.”

The pair of them get to their feet and begin collecting their things. Back in the bag go the towels and Ravio’s book. Link shakes off the sand before wriggling back into buns shirt and shoes, Lola in hand.

Then they set off for home.

[littleplasticrat]

Writer Interview Tag

I'm grateful to have been tagged by @tellmeallaboutit, @my-favourite-zhent and @beesht. Sorry it took so long for me to get around to. Honestly I am blown away that anyone would put me in a 'writer' bucket with the other word crabs

Tellmeallaboutit's interview

My-favourite-zhent's interview

Beesht's interview

My answers below the cut for some NSFW discussion

When did you start writing?

The most recent bout of writing started in December 2023 and was prompted by being insatiably horny for Gortash. This is the first time I've written fanfiction.

I wrote a short novel from 2012-2013 and would put that in the fantasy YA category about a magician who falls in love with a phoenix.

As a kid, I wrote a lot, up until around the age of 16 or so when I realised that I didn't want to live the life of a struggling artist and so set my sights on getting work with more consistent pay than writing books.

I actually do quite a lot of writing for my current job. It's industry-specific instructional writing but I feel that some of the meta-skills are applicable between the two genres.

Are there different themes or genres you enjoy reading than what you write?

I really only read horror short fiction recreationally, and I've only written one horror story - which I found super challenging and wouldn't really want to tackle again. Luckily, I'm able to excise the horrors by running TTRPG games and thus don't have to deal with the difficult challenge of making something sound scary.

Is there a writer you want to emulate or get compared to often?

I haven't been compared to any writers - I simply haven't written enough stuff that isn't solid filth XD

Can you tell me a bit about your writing space?

Up until I moved house last week, I had a dedicated home office with a large drawing tablet and my mother's boarding school desk from the 1960s. Until I can get an office set up in the guest bedroom of the new house (I'm in no rush), I'm on my laptop at the dining table downstairs or a local cafe.

What's your most effective way to muster up a muse?

I try to preach that a hobby should be treated like self-care and so not be a source of stress, but I have the heart of a procrastinator and the bones of a perfectionist; if I waited for the muse to strike me with creative stuff, I wouldn't get anything done.

So, if I'm feeling wigged out about life, I'm not going to force anything, but otherwise I have a 'smash it out' approach of breaking down the work as much as possible and going from there. Any writing I do therefore starts life as a series of bullet points of what exactly I want to happen and in what order, and I build out methodically from there.

Are there any recurring themes in your writing? Do they surprise you?

The thrill of fancying someone a lot? Horniness? Butt stuff? LOL

What is your reason for writing?

I want to be the freak I want to see in the world.

Is there any specific comment or type of comment you find particularly motivating?

Any comment I get is like JAZZ HANDS. Seriously! It's so flattering to have someone slow down and look at my stuff, let alone acknowledge it.

How do you want to be thought about by your readers?

I once read a shitty horror novel where the villain was able to destroy the protagonist's life, because she'd read all his books and so knew him. That rattled me so hard! There's no way I'm skillful enough to develop an authorial voice that isn't my own. So, like, don't think about what my disgusting fanfics say about who I am as a person please [jk]

What do you feel is your greatest strength as a writer?

I'd say the action is pretty clear, and I can crack a joke at the right time. What more could a reader ask for?

How do you feel about your own writing?

I would like there to be more of it but my art will take priority for now <3

I think most people I know write on here have already been tagged several times, so I shall not tag further.

[adarkrainbow]

Tales from Broca Street: Prince Blub and the mermaid

Now we move into some of the lesser-known tales of Gripari's Broca Street. This one, while still modernized, is a more traditional fairytale with no actual Parisian landscape involved. Note that this whole tale can actually be read as quite a twist on Andersen's Little Mermaid. (Which honestly isn't surprising at all given... well you know, Gripari was openly gay, Andersen's Little Mermaid is a famous gay allegory...)

Once upon a time there was an old king who ruled over a beautiful tropical island in the middle of the ocean. He had a young son whose full name was Henri Marie François Guy Pierre Antoine, but it was a name so long that when people asked him, as a king, how he was called, he preferred to say "Blub", and so everybody started calling him Blub. Since there was no winter on this tropical island, instead of washing himself in a bathroom the prince went every morning to wash himself in the sea by a little private beach next to the palace, belonging only to him - and there, every day, he met a mermaid. The mermaid was a good friend of the little prince Blub - she carried him on her back to go around the island, she plunged with him in the water to collect seashells, fishes, crabs and coral, she told him by the sand all of the wonderful tales of the ocean...

One day, young prince Blub declared that when he would be old enough he would marry the mermaid. The mermaid simply laughed at this idea, saying he would marry a human princess with two legs instead, as his fate was to inherit his father's throne. But the child-prince insisted, and the mermaid decided that they would only speak of this again when the prince would be fifteen of age.

The prince finally turned fifteen, and was a handsome young man. And on his fifteen birthday, he told the mermaid that he was still in love with her and still wanted to marry her. The mermaid answered that she did not doubt his feelings, but that he clearly didn't know the consequences of what he was saying: she told him that, since she could not live on land like humans, if he married her she would have to follow her to her father's Realm of Waters, where he would become an ondin (male form of "undine"), his legs turning into a fish tail. Blub is all like "Perfect, let's do this!" and the mermaid answers "No, it is not perfect!". She tells him of how these kind of weddings usually go, because Blub wouldn't be the first human man to marry a mermaid - but even putting aside the men who only marry mermaids out of interest (because turning into an ondin means gaining immortality), most of the time these new ondin come to regret their old legs and their life on land, and they are doomed to eternal boredom and endless sorrow... Blub still claimed he didn't care, and the mermaid said "When you're twenty, we shall talk of this again".

... Problem is, the young prince refused to wait anymore.

Prince Blub went to his father and told him everything about his marriage plan to the mermaid. The king at first is amused, believing mermaids do not exist, but in front of his son's insistence, he calls the priest of his court to know about these sea-maidens. And the priest tells his version of what mermaids are: according to him the mermaids and ondins are demons. His logic is: they are immortal, since they are immortal they cannot die, since they cannot die they can't go to Heaven, and since they can't go to Heaven they should be sad ; but instead they are all merry and joyful. So the only conclusion possible s that they are demons.

Blub of course refuses to believe his mermaid is a demon and claims the priest is lying ; the priest meanwhile is horrified of learning about the prince's love, and he frightens the king by pointing out how, if his son becomes an ondin (I'm going to call it a "merman" for simplicity), he won't be able to inherit the throne... The king decided it was time to split the mermaid and the prince, and asked his son to organize a meeting between him and the mermaid. When Blub announced this to his love, thinking his father would approve of the union, the mermaid simply answered: "Your father is clever, and it is all a trap! But it doesn't matter: he shall come, and I shall be there. And you, do not fear, because I am immortal, and even if we are separated, I will always know how to find you." She proceeds to explain to prince Blub how if he ever wants to see her, all he has to do is find a bit of water (any water, since all the waters in the world are actually one and the same, and the mermaid's father rules over all), and if he sings "Un et un font un / Sirène ma mie / Je suis votre ondin / Vous êtes ma vie", she shall appear. (One and one make one / Siren my love / I am your ondin / You are my life)

The following day, the meeting the king had asked turned out indeed to be a trap, as he had brought with him policemen, and fishermen, and fish-sellers, all armed with ropes and nets and revolvers, and they captured the mermaid. Prince Blub, who tried to save her, was bound in ropes and taken aay. The king ordered the mermaid to be taken by fishermen, for her tail to be cut into slices and sold as regular fish ; while his son as to be sent by an airplane to the king's cousin, the emperor of Russia.

The mermaid was sent to the largest fish-shop of the capital-city, and there a man with a large knife cut off her tail. Mind you, the mermaid didn't seem to care - she was all smiling and calm, on the cutting table. The man turned around to put the fish tail somewhere else, but when he returned, what a surprise! Not only has the mermaid a new fish tail, it also changed color. From pink it turned green, and the smile of the mermaid became a creepy grin. The fisherman, troubled but determined, cut the green tail, but the moment he turned his back, the mermaid grew a third tail. She was green now, and her face was grimacing. The fisherman was afraid but he tried one last time: he cut off the tail, put it alongside the others, then turned back... A new tail had grown, entirely black, and the face of the mermaid had turned so ugly that the fisherman ran away in terror and went to the palace to report the strange events. The king followed the fisherman to his shop... only to discover the mermaid missing. The tails were still there however: three tails, a pink, a green, a blue.

Meanwhile the prince is living in a private apartment at the Kremlin in Moscow, unable to get out and spied on by the Russian Emperor's servants. As soon as he was alone, the prince poured water in his bathtub and sang the magical song: immediately the water boiled and the mermaid appeared. She asked him if he still loved her, he said yes. He asked her to marry him, but she only answered "Wait a bit, your trials just begun." One of the servants had spied the scene through the keyhole. He reported all to the Russian Emperor, who immediately forbid the prince Blub to use the bathroom. He was just given a bowl of water to wash his face and hands - but Blub still sang the song and a miniature mermaid appeared within the bowl. The same dialogue as before happened, except the mermaid said "You are in the middle of your trials". The spies however reported this, and so the Emperor forbade Blub from ever washing himself. However they could not forbid Blub from drinking - and the prince used a cup of water to summon a tiny little mermaid, who ended up their usual dialogue with "Wait a bit more, for your trials are over." (Also, since by this time Blub had understood all the servants were spies, for this third encounter he asked actually his servant to stay in the room while he summoned the mermaid, and once she was gone he threw the water in the servant's face saying "Now, traitor, do your job").

The Russian Emperor (whose name is just revealed, Nikita the First, Emperor of the Russian Union) ends up sending back Blub to his father, explaining he can't just have the prince dying of thirst. The king, despaired, asked the priest for help, and the priest decided to undertake a drastic measure. Use magic to turn the prince into a stamp, and stick it in the driest part of the palace. The king agreed, and sent his son to the priest, who recited a comical magical formula to first turn Blub flat, then small, then into paper, finally into sticking paper and tadaa! Prince Blub was now a sentient stamp of 30 cents, printed in three colors. The king asked the prince if he still wanted to marry the mermaid, the stamp answered yes, and so the king had the stamp stuck with glue on a wall of his office, leaving it there until Blub changed his mind. The priest explicitely said to not bring any water near the stamp.

But things would not go well...

It was a terrible year. There was an earthquake, followed by a tsunami, which destroyed a part of the island. Hopefully the castle was strong and in the heights, so it was spared. The following year, there was a war, as the President of the neighboring Republic decided to attack the tropical monarchy and sent airplanes to bomb the castle. The royal family escaped the bombs by going into their sheletered basement, but then a fire started spreading out. The King, realizing his son was still in the office and would die, ran through the crumbling, smoking, flaming palace until he was in his office. Unable to turn back the stamp into a boy, he decided that only the mermaid could save him, and realized his mistake. He kissed the stamp saying "Be happy, my son", and got a glass of water to throw it on the wall... Only to discover the stamp was gone when he turned back. As he kissed his transformed son, a tear fell from his eye onto the stamp - enough water to summon the mermaid... Blub had now joined the seafolk under the sea.

Immediately, a heavy rain fell onto the palace, stopping the fire. The old king, who had passed out, was saved and healed. As soon as he healthy again that an alarm announced how the neighboring Republic had sent its war-ships to attack the island. The king summoned a war council but it all was grim: the enemy's boats were more numerous and had more powerful weapons. It was likely the island would be defeated. The king went to the beach and cried for his missing son, saying "Look, my son, in which state you leave your country!". But as soon as he said this, his son appeared - he was in the faces, entirely naked, his two legs turned into a beautiful fish tail. The merman comforted his father: "Do not cry, father. You saved my life, and you learned you should favor my happiness over your wrath. Be at peace, for you shall not regret it". Prince Blub proceeded to use his new powers as a prince of the sea to summon an army of sea monsters that destroyed the enemy's fleet in a chaos of maws and jaws and tentacles and maelstroms. In half an hour, the sea was empty and quiet again...

The mermaid joined her husband before the king, and the latter apologized to her. The king asked the mermaid if she would ever have children, only to be told immortal species do not care or want children precisely because of their long life. The king was quite troubled by this answer, and so was prince Blub, because they realized the throne was without any heir. The mermaid then said "Don't worry, I will solve everything". She asked the king to go take a swim by the sea the following day with his wife the queen, and to allow a little silver fish to play around them. If they did so, they would have an heir. The old king and the old queen did as they were told, and indeed, one week after encountering the silver fish, they had a young human prince...

All of this happened a very long time ago, but the prince Blub and his wife are still alive by the sea. Blub's parents are dead, of course, and it is currently their grand-children who are ruling over the island - and no enemy dares to attack it, knowing it is protected by the forces of the sea.

[typellblog]

Hitagi Crab - An Analysis

Let’s start with Oshino’s story about the boy who sold his shadow. It’s present in the anime only as text flashing on screen at the start of the episode, which feels like the kind of thing you do not when something is unimportant, but rather when it takes up too much space to fit in the anime adaptation.

I think it’s a good jumping-off point, though.

To summarize, the boy sells his shadow to a strange old woman for ten pieces of gold. This is already strange, raising the question of what value we place on something as unimportant yet natural as one’s shadow. Losing the shadow doesn’t inconvenience the boy in any way – the problem arises when he returns home and the townspeople find his lack of a shadow to be creepy. As Oshino puts it, what the boy sold wasn’t just his shadow, but “what ought to be”.

The shadow itself is nothing, the reflection of an absence.

The parallel to Senjougahara is clear. While her weightlessness inconveniences her directly in some ways, by far the biggest is the social consequences – or rather, what she does to ensure that there are no social consequences. In order to live a normal life with her condition she must ensure that nobody gets close enough to her – literally, physically close to her – in order to find out.

The school setting is interesting in this respect. There’s a certain mandated closeness between students, but an equally mandated distance, like the arrangement of seats in a classroom. Senjougahara isn’t bullied or shunned, but nor is she approached.

She didn’t simply lose her weight, she also lost her presence, becoming “ethereal”, like she isn’t there at all.

This, however, is a deliberately maintained act. She reads books during class as if “building walls around herself”. She uses stationery to fend Araragi off. She builds a shell around herself, like a crab, and then uses her claws to snip at anyone who gets close.

Let’s talk about misconceptions. This is a theme that’s present early on, when Senjougahara refers to herself as a tsundere, implying that her cold persona will be pulled back to reveal a loving attitude. (Araragi doubts this.)

Many things are revealed about her, in this story.

Take, for example, how long she spends changing, Araragi assuming that she’s showing off when in fact she genuinely isn’t that good with wearing clothes. She hides the surgery scar on her back by giving him the full frontal view.

Acting tough in the cram school, an environment that poses real danger to her. Being reluctant to trust Oshino after already being fooled five times.

At every turn, what Araragi takes to be rudeness or arrogance is bravado, trying to distract from and cover up old wounds.  

Perhaps his most significant misconception is that she’s already given up, “resigned herself” to a life of weightlessness. But why see five different con-men about it – why trust Araragi, despite being willing to cause significant injury in order to make him go away a minute ago? Part of it is witnessing his vampiric healing (and the self-sacrificial nature it represents), of course, but even so some part of her still wants to believe she can be cured. She only half-trusts Oshino, but put the other way around, that still means she’s giving him half of her trust.

Because – and this is the root of it all – Senjougahara wants to hold on to something.

Now is probably a good time to bring up oddities. It’s not particularly original to point out that they serve as physical manifestations of a person’s specific mental and emotional issues. Their very existence is questionable, a “trick of perspective”, the reflection of an absence. The important bit here is that their existence is also metaphorical, a sort of pun-as-narrative, as you can see with the Weight Crab’s name also being interpreted as ‘Emotion God’.

The Weight Crab does not only take away Senjougahara’s weight, but also her emotions, her memories, and crucially her ties to other people, snipping them up with its great big claws.

To link back to what we were talking about earlier, the reason why she distances herself from others isn’t really to hide her weightlessness. The deeper cause, the reason why the Weight Crab visited her in the first place, was to repress her trauma, to lighten her burden, to make it easier to go on without being bothered by her connections to others.

She lives a kind of ethereal half-life, untroubled by her poor relationship with her mother and the memories of nearly being raped, but equally troubled by her lack of feeling towards them, unable to properly move on.

All the bells and whistles that Oshino sets up - the priest outfit, the ritual site, the ‘purified clothing’ – exist simply to get her in the right mindset. He isn’t helping her; he helps her help herself. She is the one that must make a genuine request of the Weight Crab, to truly want to confront her own trauma.

She addresses Oshino more formally, more hesitantly than she does Araragi. I think she’s scared, a little bit. Scared that Oshino won’t want to help her. Scared that he will want to, and end up being another scammer.

But it’s interesting that she treats Araragi that casually in the first place, isn’t it? He’s someone who caught her without a second thought, someone who keeps running after her despite all her snipping. Someone that’s quick enough to respond to her biting humour, but not quite quick enough at picking up all the things she’s hiding beneath its surface.

She needed someone like Araragi to get her there in the first place. Oshino, for all his knowledge, wouldn’t have cared enough.

That’s part of why I find it such a moving line when she tells him that she can do it herself. Talking to Oshino, she means, but the same tone is also there when she begs Oshino to let her try and talk to the Weight Crab again. Despite everything, she really did want to hold onto those emotions, and was brave enough to try and reclaim them on her own.

At the end of this story, Araragi realises that Senjougahara might actually be a tsundere. What this means in practice is that despite how bluntly she is capable of delivering a vicious joke, she is equally capable of bluntly delivering a heartfelt thanks, shifting from irony to sincerity in an instant in a way that catches Araragi off-guard.

She’s more vulnerable than she first appears, but she’s also brave enough to confront that part of herself. Nothing will change, Oshino says, pointing out that her relationship with her mother will still be poor, her family will not come back together.

But it’s not as if everything will stay the same, either, she responds. In overcoming the crab, she also formed a new relationship with Araragi. The world keeps turning.

I am reminded of the imagery from her opening, staplers drawing lines across a grey cityscape. Slowly, surely, one step at a time, they create their own paths.

I don’t have an epilogue or a punchline (this time round, at least), but I’ll give a quick explanation of my plans here. Basically, I’m going to be reading the light novel version of each Monogatari arc followed immediately by the anime adaptation, and then writing up an essay on my thoughts for each one. This is sort of like what I’ve already done with Fate/Stay Night (and I’ll try to keep moving those posts over here while I’m doing this) so I’m sure this is going to end up increasing in scope and effort the longer I carry on.

Anyway, next time I’ll be writing about- well, I guess you already know, huh. That’s gonna take some getting used to.

[kitwasheree]

OC INTRODUCTION - AXEL LOTTO!!! 💗💖

Behold! My son my boy (sobbing crying) 📸

GENERAL INFO

[Name] : Axel Lotto

[Dorm] : Octavinelle 🌊

[Class] : 1-B, 27

[Birthday] : 4 March (Pisces)

[Age] : 16

[Height] : 163 cm/5'4

[Dominant Hand] : Right

[Homeland] : Coral Sea

[Club] : Mountain Lovers' Club

[Best Subject] : Astrology

[Hobbies] : Crochet

[Pet peeves] : Azul won't let him make coffee for him.

[Favourite Food] : King Crab

[Least Favourite Food] : Sashimi

[Talent] : Waiting tables

A chatty and loyal first-year that works at the Mostro Lounge as a waiter. Unsuspecting and friendly at first glance, but dangerously perceptive. He looks up to Azul, Jade and Floyd, and acts as Azul's source of information from around the campus.

• His birthday, 4 March, is also Employee Appreciation Day.

• Think of him as Octavinelle's stray cat that they picked up and decided to keep, or perhaps Octavinelle's younger brother that has chosen some very questionable role models.

• The reason why Azul doesn't let him make coffee for him, is because Axel is infamously terrible at preparing drinks. They found this out when he was first hired and being trained, 😭😭 and somehow, something always went wrong.

• This is likely due to the cultural and environmental difference. As Axel is a first year, he hasn't spent that much time on land, living most of his life in the Coral Sea. 😭 He's trying his best... But they ended up putting him on waiter duty because it seems he's good at interacting with customers.

• Axel addresses Azul most often as "Boss".

• He addresses Jade and Floyd with the "-senpai" honorifics, and then it changes to "-nii" later.

• Axel's favourite out of the Octatrio would be Floyd, and they hang out the most. He admires the capabilities and good parts of the Octatrio, and aspires to be as capable as them.

• He's often enthusiastic enough to follow along with Floyd's whims, even if it leaves him panting for breath trying to catch up as Floyd changes his mind from tennis, to basketball, to soccer and then to swimming. Which also encourages Floyd, too.

• The Tweels are frankly, bad influences, and Axel gets caught up and participates in any mischief or schemes they get into.

• For instance, there was this one time Axel bought a bath bomb from the shop, curious as to what it does. Apparently you're supposed to put it in water, so he tried it out at the Octavinelle pool. Floyd, seeing this and amused by it, has an idea to see what the pool would look like if they filled it with bath bombs.

• So they ran back and forth buying as many as possible, just to see it out of curiosity, and Jade caught them doing this while they were on their way. And then he joins in, helping his brother and Axel fill the pool because he wants to see Azul's reaction.

• Axel's curiosity also made him join the Mountain Lovers' Club, because he wanted to see and learn, after trying to grow mushrooms once with the help of Jade. He thinks the trekking and exploring is fun, but Jade's mushroom obsession leaves Axel a little confused as Jade points and names every mushroom along the way with facts about each.

• He also has an uncanny ability to read people, which is extremely useful. Adding to that, his friendly demeanour and face allows him to attract more potential customers to make a deal with Azul.

• He's not afraid to call out bullshit, and he does this in a rather blunt but polite manner too. Not because he's trying to be mean, he's simply oblivious. He does this the most with Iris (his oc intro will take 500 years to complete i am sorry), because Axel finds that his upperclassman can be rather complex and contradictory, which confuses and ignites his curiosity.

• Also, since Axel is meant to be more of a comedic, silly little guy character, I gave him the ability to break the fourth wall because it would be funny to me, and it affects nothing whatsoever. He just occasionally looks at the camera or Yuu and say something out of left field.

• He's just a silly little guy with.. Eyes that pierce into your soul and see the universe.

• What character is he twisted from? The answer is none, unless you want to count the axolotl from Gravity Falls. I don't twist my twst ocs from Disney characters, I like to keep them as background characters. And maybe I just want to make gijinkas.

• His signature spell is " Echo The Heart ", which allows him to copy the signature spell of other people, with limitations and specifics that I have not yet thought in detail.

i hit the image limit thank you for reading 💖💗 i think ill add more in reblogs

[robertdowneyjjr]

In recent years, Tony has taken using the Robert Pattinson interview technique ie: lying about answers because he’s bored. Fav movie? Footloose. Fav food? Spaghetti. Fav band? Steely Dan

Again, non of these are true and he changes the answer so often people catch on he’s lying, which wasn’t a problem until he got a new set of friends that want to get him a birthday present and if they google anything about him the get…conflicting info. And asking him about what he wants makes him go all awwww no need i don’t need presents. Which is unhelpful

Unfortunately Steve is still too new to the future to catch the issue and give Tony some very thoughtful gifts based off his recent answers and Tony smiles and says he loves them and oops he’s committed

(Also please picture Steve planning a first date with Tony with them watching Footloose and eating spaghetti while listening to Steely Dan. And Tony did not hate any of them but they weren’t his actual fav but now they might be???)

And Steve does find out the problem on his own but makes Tony continue to pretend he enjoys his fake favs until he confesses lol

LMAO oh my god yes absolutely all of this.

to be fair, tony had never really given the press real answers whenever he was asked things that were too personal, even back in his younger days. he was already in the spotlight enough, he didn’t need the whole world to know every single thing about him. but he always had the same scripted answers just for consistency’s sake, and he always had some bullshit reason to explain it all. favorite food? new york pizza (because new york will always be home). favorite movie? the godfather part ii (because it reminds him of his mother’s stories about immigrating to america, and he doesn’t get to visit his grandparents nearly enough). favorite band? abba (who doesn’t like dancing queen?)

but after he comes back from afghanistan, after the ultimate wake up call, he just can’t be bothered with keeping the press happy anymore. he still doesn’t much care for letting people know too much about him, but he also doesn’t put too much effort into appeasing the press because he has other things to worry about. so the next time he gives an interview and the reporter asks him one of these inane questions, he tells her his favorite band is steely dan. then twitter goes wild. his ultra fans pull up the receipts from his past decade of interviews and calls him out on it. “i thought it was abba??” someone tweets, and it gets thousands of retweets. tony replies simply with, people change ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

from then on he makes it a point to give a different answer every single time he gets asked something personal. in 2008 his favorite band was steely dan. he was paramore’s biggest fan in 2009. in 2010 he became the world’s first and most famous directioner. 2011 rolled around and he told some random reporter on a red carpet that he only ever listened to duran duran. then in 2012 he wore a black sabbath t-shirt and everyone figured out that was his “favorite” of the year.

then he meets steve. sweet, wonderful, thoughtful steve, who has finally built up the courage after four years of friendship and asked tony out. steve, who wants nothing more than to impress tony and show him that he pays attention and wants to make this work. although tony had told steve early on that he should never trust what he reads on the internet, steve is adamant about planning the perfect first date. he wants a second date. and a third. and a fourth. you get the point. he needs tony to know he’s serious about building a relationship together.

so he googles. he bypasses all the opinion pieces and the articles that are clearly from gossip rags or less-than-credible news sources. but he figures official interviews that tony gives should be fair game, right? and man, does steve find out a lot about tony and the things he likes. he figures out quickly what he should cook for dinner: singaporean chilli crab (people magazine circa 2009). he sets the table with the loveliest carnations he could find (reddit ama circa 2014). he queues up footloose to play on the tv while they eat a homemade chocolate soufflé (vanity fair circa 2011 and tonight show circa 2015). steve’s done the research. he knows tony will be happy he’s put so much effort into this night.

and tony, well. he doesn’t hate all of those things but they were never really his favorites. his real favorites? his mama’s carbonara. ac/dc. back to the future. sunflowers. but he doesn’t want to burst steve’s bubble. none of that matters, anyway, when he gets to spend time with his ultimate favorite person.

(steve finally figures it out when rhodey comes to visit one day with a box of tiramisu from the hole-in-the-wall he and tony used to go to in boston and tony lights up in a way that he’s never done when eating steve’s chocolate soufflé. he still keeps making the soufflé though, just to see if tony would ever confess)

[hopelessdazai]

hi! I read your kunikida nsfw headcanons and I loved it. He's so underrated and I find it hard to find fanfics about him.

Can I request mermaid reader x kunikida whom he meets one day at the beach?

of course anon! this is a pretty long one, so buckle up and I hope you enjoy!! AND THANK U FOR THE KINDNESS

Where the tides meet

contents ; kunikida x reader, fluff, kunikida is a soggy cat, hand holding ( gasp ), mentions of eating humans??,

kunikida had always loved the beach, since he was a little boy he'd always sit by the shore and write away his troubles, or simply listen to the waves drift by. its a rare chance he'd go in, he didn't like the cold. but feeling it just about reach his ankles during the summer was delightful.

today was no different to how he usually relaxed. with a weekend off away from work ( and dazai ), what better way to clear his mind then to listen to the sounds of the beach?

azure waves climbed over the rock where he sat, just barely dampening the ends of his shorts, his sandals threatening to come off too as the sealine threatened to swallow them with vigor.

the man sighed, tucking his knees to his chest and looking down. from the stone where he was relaxing, he could see a few fish that swam underneath him. he smiled, he did truly love this place.

you'd always loved the beach. since you were only young, you enjoyed to go up and scare the humans that came by, or even feed your curiosities and learn more about the habits they held. and when the beaches were packed during the summer, it was delightful.

you were just about to go up to the shore and peep from your usual rock when you saw him. him being kunikida. you'd never seen a human being up this close before. your ear fins laid back against your head as you poked a head from the surface of the water. his eyes were closed, he didn't notice.

holding back a giggle, you used your tail to splash him. that got the reaction you wanted. kunikida gasped a little, the cold of the ocean waters dampening his clothes and removing almost all body warmth he held. he was about to scold you, but he paused.

you're not human.

"..hi?" He mumbled, leaning forward and sliding down the rock a little. he was tall enough for his torso to be above water. you swam closer, tilting your head as you examine him.

"I can't tell if you're a mermaid or a siren, but I'll have you know, you just made me very cold."

you cover your mouth as you giggle again, nodding. no claws on your hands in sight. for sure a mermaid. the man sighed, examining you fully.

"can you talk?" He reajusted his glasses. they had water on, but with the rest of his clothes being in the state they were, there wasn't much he could do.

"sometimes." you reply, swimming circles around him as you take his full image in. you'd never seen a human up this close, so you had to treasure such a moment with great appriciation.

"sometimes? is there certain specifications for that?" kunikida tried to turn with you, but you were quicker then he, so he gave that up pretty quickly. you shook your head, handing him a crab you'd grabbed. he grimaces, placing it on the rock he was previously on.

"thanks.. I guess.." He mumbles, "so mermaids are real. I don't have much knowledge on your species, I'm sorry?" you nod, taking his hand and examining it. the differences between human and mermaid hands fascinating to you.

yet, his were still bigger. you giggle again, interwining your fingers and watching his face heat up. though, he doesn't object to it, and clasps your hand back.

"a real mermaid.. I'm holding a mermaids hand.." kunikida muttered to himself, almost in disbelief, you shook your head, still grinning.

"claw! we call them claws. not hands. that's a people thing. we aren't people." you reply, he nods. that's only natural.

"ah, of course.. you don't have much claw definitions to it though, my apologies for bringing it up, however.. a claw is a sharp and curved nail at the end of-"  you cut him off, putting a finger over his mouth.

"no rambling! rambles are boring." the man flushes out of embarrassment, clearing his throat and looking away.

"can you swim?" you tilt your head, dipping yourself in the water for a moment to rehydrate. he shakes his head, though very hesitantly.

"well, sure. I can swim, I used to take classes and I got a gold medal in one for best improved. but I wouldn't be able to keep up with your speed." kunikida looks out at the ocean for a moment. almost a sense of longing in his eyes.

"I can carry." you reply, he shakes his head, his cheeks going red again. as much as he loves the ocean, he didn't particularly want to be lugged around by a mermaid, much less one he'd just met.

"no thank you, I'll pass on that one.." the man let go of your hand, you whine. "sorry. you know, you're less.. slimy and scary then one of my coworkers hyped you up to be." He remarks, you giggle.

"we can be scary! I can eat you," you open your mouth, just to show him your fangs. he goes white for a brief moment, clearing his throat.

"n-no thank you, I believe you." He turned, clambering back onto the rock and pitifully wringing out some of the clothing he had on him. you tried to climb up with him, failing badly. he chuckles.

"I want to see the human town!" you eagerly call, kunikida hesitates for a moment. dragging you through town was a problem in itself, keeping you hydrated in his car, and how people would react..

"I'm sorry. another time." He pushes his glasses onto his head, his bangs being tucked back as a result. you huff and pout, spitting water at him.

"I don't have the sort of preparation for something like that, you know? to keep you moist enough to live, to keep you out of sight from anyone who'd want to cause harm. I have a water cooler in the trunk if that'd work. it's a little cramped, though."

you huff, crossing your arms and shaking your head. that wouldn't work, you liked your room and wanted at least enough room to lay straight.

"then I'm afraid I don't have anything to offer you," he stood himself up, hopping down from the rock to the sand. you couldn't watch as close with the shallow waters, so you whine loudly.

"I'm sorry. if I'm not home in 15 minutes my schedule for the evening will delay, and will be ruined." He checked his watch, smiling at you before bowing.

"my name is Doppo Kunikida. as much as I'd love to take you home and learn about you, there I'd urgent matters to attend to. I assure you, I'll be here tomorrow if you wish to meet again"

you nod eagerly, and the man swore your eyes shone brighter then the sun. he could feel his heart melt a little. you were adorable.

"I'm [ Name ]! a mermaid!" you wave vigorously, very energetic to have met him. he nods, chuckling under his breath.

"well, [ Name ], suppose we can make this a frequent thing?" you nod, laughing as you swim in a circle in the water.

maybe an aquatic best friend is just what he needed to take the stress away.

hes a little ooc at times but I hope you guys enjoyed anyway!! I could lowk do a part 2 for this. - zai

[suryp]

Run.

That's what I'd done, what I'd been doing, for days.

I'd gotten quite good at it, too. Even with hellhounds or d'roge nipping at my heels, even cradling a wolf-pup in my arms, even after the things teeth bit into my tits, which fucking hurt, by the way, I was good at running.

It helped that hellhounds always tried to tire their prey out rather than simply running it down, and that d'roge preferred most anything else, but human hunters didn't have those issues, and I was quite certain banshee didn't either.

So when I eventually saw them on the horizon, I started moving as quickly as I could.

Or, I would have, had I not been quite, ah, busy.

At least they'd grow up faster than a human child, and hopefully faster than most Skei'yd considering the size of my breasts.

They were, at least, already showing interest in meat.

Welp. No time to experiment now, I had to keep the both of us away from danger, and that meant heading even further south.

Unless they truly believed we were dead, they'd keep coming, and that meant we had to either make a convincing set of corpses, or leave no trace of our existence for at least...

Well, I didn't think either was going to happen out here on the open steppe. They'd see us miles off, and it seemed like they'd gotten professionals on our tail, so the only hope we had was...

The Forest. The Banshee Forest. A place people only went to if they were truly desperate, even if the potential profit was thousands or millions in a single trip.

And I had to, somehow, survive there, well enough to take care of a Skei'yd pup, for years.

Well. Time to go.

I'd learned star mapping from my father, who learned it from his. On the deserts and open prairie of their home, it was a needed skill, and I enjoyed learning. If I kept with it, I may have even been a matriarch, but when he eventually believed I was old enough to truly make that choice, I'd learned a lot of things from other people.

Glad I remembered his lessons, though. Keeping the sun off my back was generally necessary, and the animals here had much better insulation than any of the old clothes I still had.

The march was still long, and every few... days? The first sunset occurred not too long ago, but every once in a while, just when I'd forgotten about them, I saw traces of smoke behind me, heard faint shots ring out.

Always put a spring in my step.

eventually, I'd reached the ice. I knew from reading that there wouldn't be any food out there, and that if it was too warm, It'd break underneath me and I'd be stuck in a freezing ocean, with big fish below and ever moving ice above. I resolved to start out as late, and as cold and southerly, as I could.

Plenty of time to gather good food, freshwater, and warm clothes.

So I began gathering. And hunting. D'roge started burying themselves when the first night came, and now I hadn't seen one in days, so I began looking for where they might've gone. There were also plenty of other burrowers, and a few plants with edible roots, as well as the moss itself were I so desperate, but I was lucky.

A dead hippogriff.

Or at least, some ornitherian. The skull was missing, probably from D'roge, and the guts and ribs were mostly gone, but there was still a lot of good meat left, if you were desperate and dexterous.

Well, I was human, so I had plenty of both.

That night, I continued along the coast of the frozen sea, taking any easy resources I could spy. The rocky beach held a few crabs and some specks of green, but I'd expected less, considering the sea was iced over.

And then, I saw it.

Firelight. Closer than it had ever been before.

Close enough to see the sillhouettes of horses, and their riders.

So, I did the logical thing.

I booked it.

-

part2.

so. uh. we've still got some places to go. the RUN storyline isn't finished. we're gonna loop it back i prommy.

anyways, obligatory explanation of certain bs, ie, the d'roge.

these are weird frog dogs, effectively stolen from @alphynix's Running Frogs, albeit with a few other ecological changes that aren't explored in this story (or at least, not this section :3).

In other news, it's real difficult for frogs to breed when there isn't much water around.

now that we've covered that, y'all can expect part 3 (the final for RUN) pretty soon. I'll be sure to put em all together in at least one post, so it's easier to read, but until then, bye!

[johnbierce]

I once knew a guy who got adulthood and growing up confused with Marx's Alienation of the Worker.

The guy I knew was, without a doubt, brilliant in many ways. Brilliant musician, widely read, an in-depth student of Heidegger. (Which should have been a red flag, fuck Heidegger.) But he was persistently convinced that a fundamental part of adulthood was "setting aside the things of childhood, cartoons and Star Wars and all of that." That a grown man simply couldn't have the time for these things, or he wasn't a grown man. (And his assertion was, of course, about manhood, not adulthood.)

This was patently absurd to me. "Lack of free time" and "lack of fun media in your life" as diagnostic criteria for adulthood would have some very silly logical consequences, like an overworked AP high schooler being more "adult" than a retiree. But, even taking his argument in better faith than that, it mistakes chronic overwork, insufficient community support for families, and exhaustion for adulthood.

For me, adulthood has always been about maintaining emotionally mature relationships with your family, friends, and community; being a person others can rely on; and doing your best to positively impact the world around you on whatever scales you have the power to impact (even if that's just your own mental health sometimes). The idea that it's "giving up cartoons" was and is patently absurd to me. As I said above, it's just... mistaking the fundamentally isolating and hostile elements of our society that need changing for the human default; stigmatizing joy and silliness as "childlike" and "immature" instead of simply being HUMAN.

I don't know if I convinced him of this, though he at least listened. (Whatever else I will cast shade on that former friend for, and there is much, I will not accuse him of being close-minded nor unwilling to consider ideas counter to his own. Dude was thoughtful, if nothing else.) I hope it stayed with him, because setting "lack of silliness" as an aspiration is hardly a worthy goal for anyone, and that dude tortured himself more than enough already.

It doesn't matter if you watch cartoons, if you're doing your best to take care of yourself. It doesn't matter if you engage in nostalgia for stuff from your childhood, if you do your best to offer support to your friends, family, and community- and accept support in return. (Only helping while rejecting help is NOT maturity, it's just a way of walling yourself off and hiding vulnerability.) It doesn't matter if you play- games, free play, whatever- so long as you're following a worthy ethical and moral code to the best of your abilities. (What counts as worthy is a WHOLE 'nother conversation.) It doesn't matter if you crab walk around the house trying to pinch your loved ones while claiming that you're being possessed by a crab ghost if you treat yourself and others with respect.

You can be silly and still a proper adult.

As a coda to this- I knew the guy's dad, and he was a goofy, fun dude who loved puns and bad jokes, and is having a blast with life post-retirement. A very silly person who was absolutely a mature adult.

(This line of reminiscence was brought up by reading Ursula Le Guin's essay collection Language of the Night, which was just reissued- I wish I'd read it before now, it's fantastic so far, and I'm just starting. In the first essay in the book, Why Are Americans Afraid of Dragons, Le Guin dives into an exploration of why so many Americans- particularly grown men- reject fantasy, even imagination. )