#is this a hot take i don't even know

[aroace-number-eight]

I wish that instead of passively acknowledging Nine being an asshole to Five and the other Garde telling him to just brush him off, there should have been more tension in that and calling out Nine going "dude what's you're deal he's one of us."

The whole thing was done to put Five as the victim of the situation while also being a bit of an off-putting guy for everyone and not easy to interact with. Then both of these facts are inverted by his infamous traitor reveal at the end of FoF, which puts Nine in the right for being an asshole (and makes a second read through feel more justified and satisfying for readers who hate Five) and makes Five's awkwardness entirely purposeful so that he appears less of a threat for a majority of the book. Because Five is the antagonist working for the main villain and is willing to put his own people behind him to get what he wants (later questioned as actual brainwashing though it never gets touched on any further than that because Five sucks ig)

Aside from that it would have felt more sensible for the characters who actually really hate asshole behavior to get on Nine's case during the book, I feel like the tension would have brought up a really good defining point about the Garde's situation and who they pick and choose as their allies. Nine was an asshole, but he was also one of their best fighters, teachers, and knew how to be sensitive when it called for it. He's rude, but he's honest and charismatic about it and knows how to play up a joke. He's annoying, makes crude comments, and is difficult to get along with, but dropping him from the team meant shrinking their chances at fighting Setrákus Ra. The Garde are all united under the same cause, and it's unlikely they'd all get along together if someone was constantly putting them on edge (something they did with Five going forward from FoT, so the writers knew how to pull this one off). So pointing out how Nine is difficult to be around for frustrating reasons puts to light the necessities of allies and community needed to fight a common cause, how not everyone you work with will be your friend, and how everyone has to deal with it when working with someone they would rather not be in the same room with. And instead of an anti-hero/villain-turned-ally character who creates the tension, it's a character who has sworn up and down he will fight for any Loric in his introductory book

It also brings out Nine's characteristic behavior from RoN that made his chemistry and parallels to John so interesting, and expands them to show how he creates tension and discomfort with other characters and how they deal with a person like him. Eight tolerating him because of his passive nature and revealing his discomfort for fights and unease because of his history and regrets with Reynolds and Lola. Marina having dealt with abuse and shying away from Nine when he starts getting riled up, and feeling conflicted because she thought the Garde would make her feel more confident and safe and learn to stand for herself, though maybe it's dealing with Nine that gives her a voice after all the shit she went through. Ella romanticizing Nine (whatever this meant to her character according to what the writers wanted) and ignoring his faults and finding him cool anyway, being on his defense and revealing to the reader's that this kind of romantic mannerism is integral to something deeper in her character, like finding comfort after Crayton's death and seeing Nine in a really protective and fun perspective that she admires, or having a regular crush like any pre-teen would and holding something so remarkably normal for what her life has been ever since she joined the Garde. Six having beef with Nine while respecting the way he holds himself in a fight, and hating it just a little how he's a good team player as opposed to her and her independent survival style that she has to learn while working with the others

It would have spiced up the dynamic between the whole group and maybe led to a different branch of character development for everyone if things went as they did in canon

And I wish there was a good reason for Nine being an asshole to Five in the first place, because what we got first and foremost was that he made the mistake of marking his presence via crop circle (understandably knocks on Five a couple pegs for a decision like that had he actually been running from the Mogs, but not a whole book of being ridiculed), and every instance after that had been a crude fat and lazy comment (consistent because Nine made similar comments to the truckers in RoN, still not great)

[bloggingboutburgers]

...Maybe queerbaiting can only ever mean homobaiting or transspecbaiting

Idk don't kill me those are just cans of worms

[dailyloopdeloop]

loop and mirabelle. That's it that's the ask

DAY 84: enrolled in the gossip wars

[solarpunkani]

"Oh no, someone's attracted to the aesthetics of my -punk movement but doesn't know the praxis and history behind it like I do--"

OK. Tell them. Make it a teaching moment. Everyone who's in your movement learned the background from somewhere at some point, maybe this is that point for that person. Give them a jumping off point that they can dive into later.

"Oh but I shouldn't be responsible for teaching baby -punks about the history and the how-tos and--"

OK. Then don't tell them. You don't have to be responsible for teaching people with a budding interest in your group the ins and outs and how-tos. That's fair and valid! It can be a lot of work. Someone else will handle it

"But I'm annoyed that they would try to claim to be part of/be interested in my community without knowing all the details that I know after being in it for months/years/decades, they're dumb, they're posers, they're--"

OK. Then don't engage with them, if it's that bad. Maybe someone else will come around and tell them the history, maybe they'll pick it up on their own, maybe they'll just enjoy the fashion elements for awhile.

"But they shouldn't claim to be part of the -punk community if they don't know the--"

I feel like we have a few options here. People can either talk to them, share the history, share the values, share the praxis. Or they can just chase off anyone who even thinks about dipping a toe in their community, and then wonder why it's dying off later down the line.

I dunno, maybe I'm too naive and patient or whatever. But if people are entering your -punk spaces without knowing The Rundown of what you feel they need to know, maybe being nice about it and informing people instead of immediately assuming stupidity and malicious intent could help you make a new friend. Even the loudest voices in a space had to learn from somewhere, and not everyone has the luxury of being in the space as the History was Happening--whether it's an age thing or a not being aware of the space thing. Or maybe I just don't see what the big deal is behind people hating people who like the aesthetic of something and don't know the behind the scenes history about it yet.

Because I believe in the word 'yet.' No one comes into this world knowing everything about everything, and we're all constantly learning new things. I'm not gonna degrade someone and call them a poser for not knowing what I know. Because if it were me, interested in a scene but getting chased out and called a poser? I wouldn't hit the books and study up, I'd go 'that fuckin sucks, those people sucked' and then avoid anyone and anything having to do with it.

So chase people off and call them posers if you want. But if your community starts dwindling, don't be fucking shocked.

[somewhereincairparavel]

[TW: grooming] Gentle reminder that Luke castellan was a 19 year old adult going after a 14 year old Silena, emotionally manipulating her and basically grooming her into giving him information. (Luke was said to have recruited Silena sometime after he left chb, which is basically the ending of TLT and Silena was 14 in TLT while Luke was 19) and continued to do so for 4 YEARS (the time between TLT and TLO is 4 years, and Silena only stopped falling into the trap after Charlie died, which was in TLO)

I hope the pjo timeline is an eye opener for the naive as fuck fans defending and justifying Luke's behaviour and having the audacity to deny that Silena was indeed groomed.

There's a difference between appreciating well written complex characters vs actually glossing and meat riding their problematic and questionable behaviour. A huge fucking difference. I think Luke is a good written character, but seeing the amount of fans justifying him being a creep scares me.

"Grooming" (I took the definition straight out of the internet for the detectives that will probably scrutinize and chew on my post lmao) is when someone builds a relationship, trust and emotional connection with a child or young person so they can manipulate, exploit and abuse them.

Luke took advantage of Silena to BOTH manipulate AND exploit her for information.

Don't even get me started on the "he had a terrible home life, he was traumatized as a kid, what else can you expect?" yeah he was, but how was that Silena's fault? She shouldn't have to be taken advantage of , suffer without even realizing it, and pay the price to Luke's insanity, just because Luke had internalized issues like other demigods did?? How is that a fucking excuse??

Look me in the eye and tell me that Luke was "so hot because of how crazy, messed up and unhinged he is"

I dare you.

[sciderman]

Do any of the boys wear jewelry?

Wade seems like the type to have those grandma box full of jewelry but Peter would probably have one pair of earrings for the occasion?? 

they're too broke for any kind of jewellery save for the edible kind

[add1ctedt0you]

What a plot twist you were. [x]

[moralcandy]

q!étoiles whiteboard fox drawing :D (close-up and extra doodles under the cut ^^)

the drawing of the eye is q!slime's :D also was rewatching sanders sides while drawing (hence the snake janus doodle) ^^

[creative-hanyou-girl]

Kagome: InuYasha.

InuYasha: Hm?

Kagome: I don't like that you don't have a last name.

InuYasha: Excuse me?

Kagome: You have no last name. It sucks!

InuYasha: Well what's wrong with that?

Kagome: It doesn't suit you. You deserve a last name.

Kagome: You should get a last name.

InuYasha: Get one??? And to what???

Kagome: Higurashi. *walks away*

InuYasha *flustered*: D-did you just-!

InuYasha: DID YOU JUST PROPOSE TO ME!!!!????

InuYasha: DON'T YOU WALK AWAY!!!!

InuYasha: ARE YOU GIGGLING!!!???

InuYasha: COME BACK HERE YOU LITTLE-

And that's how InuYasha became InuYasha Higurashi (and married Kagome)

[dilf-of-the-endless]

jeremy allen white has me in a virtual headlock right now why am I spiraling because of his arms

and eyes

and his hair

and the way he goes red

it's only been a week since I first saw s1 and finished s3 and carmy already joined my blorbo roster

[pjharvey]

tumblr is the place to be if you want to see posts about politics by people who don't really know how politics work. i also don't really but that's why you don't see me confidently making posts about it unlike lots of ppl who were drawing an eye in their high school government class

[team-118]

thinking 201 thoughts...what do you think 911 fox's plan was when they introduced eddie like That and had buck react Like That. like what was even the goal

[adreamingrevenant]

[royalarchivist]

undefined

Techno imitating Phil and his iconic “Hey mate” line during MCC5

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

Okay, here are my current notes on the Markarth Incident. This is more of an evolution of thought rather than a final product, 'kay? 'kay. XOXO

4E 174 – The Empire recalls all Legions from the far corners of the Empire to participate in the final assault against the Aldmeri-held Imperial City. Every town and city not on the frontlines is left with a skeleton garrison. 

The Reachmen of Western Skyrim chooses to capitalize on this movement. The Reachmen populate an area of Western Skyrim, Eastern High Rock, and Northern Hammerfell. Although they appear similar to the Bretons of High Rock, they are wholly distinct, worshipping gods completely detached from those of Breton culture. During the Second Era, they once ruled Cyrodiil as the Longhouse Emperors; in recent history, they have lived subject to other races, primarily the Nords, who rule much of the Reach. More often than not, Reachmen are second-class citizens, though very rarely have they received decent though not preferential treatment from a Nordic Jarl.

When the Empire recalls their Legions, the capital of the Reach, Markarth, is left functionally undefended. A Reachman leader, Madanach, takes this opportunity to seize the city and install a Reachmen government in place of the Nords. Madanach declares himself King of the Reach and succeeds the Reach from Skyrim. Contemporary Imperial documents show that Madanach sent emissaries to Emperor Titus Mede II in an attempt to have the Reach recognized as its own Imperial Province wholly separate from Skyrim. Titus Mede appeared to have taken this into serious consideration, though he was unable to give it his full attention as the Empire was planning their attack on the Imperial City. 

Conflicting reports on the time frame of the Reachman takeover exist. Reports vary between the takeover beginning in Fourth Era 174 and 177 when the conflict was over. Contemporary Imperial and Forsworn documentation claim that Madanach’s rule was relatively stable, saying he was fair to the Nords, his people ousted from power, and allowed them to remain in the city so long as they recognized his government. It is said that live around Markarth continued in the same way as before, though under the Reachmen rather than the Nords. It may be important to note that Nord landholders who “mistreated” their Reachmen servants were put to death. 

The Nordic perspective (as shared by Jarl Igmund in Fourth Era 201) claims that the Reachmen takeover was violent, leading to a chaotic period in which Nords were heavily discriminated against and no civil cooperation between races. 

[Madanach’s version of events MAY be closer to the truth. N.B: During his rule, he seems willing to help a group of dissident Blades in exchange for a favor.]

The White-Gold Concordat is signed 11th of Sun’s Dusk, Fourth Era 175; Surviving veterans of the Battle of the Red Ring return to their homes, including large populations of Nordic legionnaires. Talos worship is outlawed. Talos temples are closed, though many continue to worship him in private. Ulfric Stormcloak takes offense to the banning of Talos worship, viewing it as a central aspect of Nord culture. His father, Hoag, the Jarl of Windhelm and Bear of Eastmarch, does not legalize Talos worship despite Ulfric’s religiosity. It may be that he wishes to avoid a conflict with the Empire. Jarl Hrolfdir of Markath, in exile by Madanach’s government, promises Ulfric and his supporters religious freedom should they take back the Reach from the Reachmen. This is in blatant disregard of the White-Gold Concordat. 

Ulfric leads a militia across Skyrim to the Reach where they took back Markarth. A few Reachmen leaders were imprisoned, though others were killed, along with most of their warriors, though some were driven off into the surrounding wilds. The survivors in exile began to call themselves the Forsworn. They attack Nords and the Empire indiscriminately due to anger and feelings of betrayal.

Most of the Reachmen leaders are killed. However, allegedly at the request of the Silver-Blood family, Madanach is taken prisoner and held in the depths of Cidhna Mine. The Forsworn claim that the Nords, under Jarl Hrolfdir and Ulfric Stormcloak, took back the city through an excess of unnecessary violence, putting to death or imprisoning anyone who had even spoken to Madanach or said his name. It is also said that the family members of those who were deemed to be against the Nords’ rule were imprisoned or killed, even down to young children. Purported Imperial propaganda puts forth that Ulfric himself killed everyone in Markarth who would not join his cause. 

It is true that there was bloodshed and death of innocents during the retaking of Markarth. The factuality of this claim can be traced to those Reachmen who survived the incident, sharing their experiences twenty-five years afterward. 

Jarl Hrolfdir was assassinated during attempted peace talks with the Forsworn after the retaking of Markarth. It may be that the incident only grew violent after this point due to Nordic retaliation. 

Why would Ulfric and Jarl Hrolfdir use that much unnecessary violence and brutality against the Reachmen if they intended to negotiate with them afterward?

Perhaps Igmund instigates the brunt of the violence against the Reachmen following his father’s death.

Jarl Hrolfdir was marked for death by the Dark Brotherhood. It is unknown who performed the Black Sacrament on the Jarl. It is possible someone from outside the conflict placed the contract on Jarl Hrolfdir’s head as a means of sewing chaos between the opposing sides (it could have been Igmund or Raerek [crack theory; maybe the brother was trying to Lion King his way into power and failed miserably? Or one of them opposed making peace with the Reachmen], or perhaps it was the Aldmeri Dominion?). Regardless, the Jarl’s death is the probable instigator for the deaths of many of the Reachman remaining in Markarth. 

The Imperial Legion shows up not long after the city is retaken. They are seemingly thankful that Ulfric’s militia took back the Reach. When Ulfric lets them into the city, he asks that they recognize the free worship of Talos that Jarl Hrolfdir had legalized in the Reach; otherwise, the Legion would be fought off. The Imperial Legate (or general?) present at the time okays Ulfric’s request, effectively breaking the White-Gold Concordat. Again. Not long after, the Thalmor discovered this and took issue with this breach of treaty. They give the Empire an ultimatum: disband Talos worship in the Reach or prepare for the Great War to be renewed. 

Ulfric and his followers are arrested and imprisoned by the Empire as Talos worship is again banned. The Empire must crack down on cases of Talos worship across the province. In consequence of the incident, the Thalmor gain access to Skyrim for their Justiciars through an Embassy. This is allegedly to enforce the terms of the White-Gold Concordat after it had been broken by the Nords in Fourth Era 176/7, but on an underground level, this allows the Thalmor to hunt, capture, and torture suspected Talos worshippers. The coming of the Thalmor Justiciars to Skyrim is technically a domino effect caused by Ulfric’s demand for free and open Talos worship.

Jarl Hrolfdir’s assassination happens during Ulfric and his supporters imprisonment. It may be possible that it was Ulfric OR one of his men who performed the Black Sacrament (though how could they do this while in an Imperial prison? Ulfric had to smuggle out his eulogy for his father’s funeral – what is the Imperial prison smuggling system like? Could any of them have had access to a dead body? Smuggled in or that of a fellow prisoner?). Whoever performed the Black Sacrament on Jarl Hrolfdir is the root cause for the retribution killings of the Reachmen. (Perhaps it was Thonar Silver-Blood?)

Ulfric is an uncooperative asset to the Thalmor, not because he ever cooperated with them in the first place, but because he is the (unintended) reason they have such a strong foothold in Skyrim now. 

[themoonking]

im all for making fun of and criticizing the way booktok (and booktube) aestheticize reading to an insane degree, making it more about being percieved as a reader more than like. actually reading. but some people on here lump the most normal things ever into the booktok consumerism pile?

like yes, booktok/tube places a lot of emphasis on the visuals of "reading", but then someone on here just went and said that simply "not wanting to damage your books" is a stupid booktok thing??? what? it's not vain or pretentious to care about your posessions, especially if they mean a lot to you. simply wanting your books to remain in good condition is not the same as having 100 unread books, or five editions of the same book, or books you hated, purely because they look nice.

and someone else said that having a yearly reading goal was also a stupid booktok/tube thing? since when? i've met people who set themselves yearly reading goals before youtube even existed. it's literally just a new years resolution, but tailored to a specific hobby?