#it’s always a good day to love restoration ecology

[letraspal]

“But if no one’s here, then we don’t have to—”

Baz draws back, his eyes wide. “You don’t want to?”

I don’t even know what he’s offering.

“Don’t be stupid. Of course I want to,” I say, like Baz is the mad one here. For once, he doesn’t seem to mind my tone.

Tribute to chapter 4 of Restoration Ecology by @captain-aralias aka one of the finest pieces of fanfiction I’ve ever read.

[tranquilwilds]

Some wolfish games to try out!

- Wolfquest, a classic, both the original and anniversary edition are amazing to play, though anniversary edition is a lot more accurate to real life wolves. You play as a yellowstone wolf, you can roam the lands, find a mate, claim territory, raise pups, etc! There is a multiplayer function too, so you can invite the whole pack to play, awoo!!

- Neva, an upcoming game where you play as a woman named Alba, who shares a bond with a wolf cub. It’s an action adventure game, and over the course of the story your wolf cub will grow, and you will fight together. The art looks gorgeous, and it looks as if it will be a tear jerker, likely with environmentalist themes. It can be wishlisted on steam now!

- Werewolf: The Apocalypse, always a great go-to for tabletop RPGs, I have never personally played this one myself, but I have heard great things and hope to get a group together one day!

- Skyrim, now hear me out here, play as a werewolf! especially with upgraded perks like being able to call upon different wolves to aid you, it can be really fun and feel very wolfish! if you want a little more unpredictably, go to falkreath and get the ring of hircine so you will transform at random. Now you are a true uncontrollable beast of the night!

- Lonley Wolf Treat, this is more for calm, cute story-based game lovers. You play as Treat, a wolf who is just looking to find a calm place to settle down. Along your way you’ll meet rabbits, foxes, witches, cats, other wolves, etc. This is a much more human than animalish portrayal of all of the characters, but still a fun game, with a lot of cute moments and plenty of callbacks to them being actual animals. It is also free!

- Okami, this game is well known to be a masterpiece, you play as Amaterasu, the japanese sun goddess in the form of a white wolf, as you restore the lands. It was originally made for the ps2, and you can somewhat tell, but it is another of those ps2 games that knows what it was doing with it’s console and made something beautiful to work alongside it. Very good game, and actually playing as the wolf is a huge positive!

- Tyto Ecology, may be an odd addition to this list, but it’s a super good game to really feel out how ecosystems balance themselves. You play in a birds eye view in a little dome where you build your own ecosystem by adding plants and animals into the area strategically. Can be a little tough to keep everything stable at times, but a nice calm game and a good one for learning about our ecosystems.

- Lost Ember, a truly beautiful experience, you play as a shapeshifter, though for a large part of the game you play as a wolf. It’s all about exploration through your many forms. It is currently for sale on steam!

- Werewolf, looking for a fun in-person game? Find someone to run your game as you and a group inhabit the bustling town of Miller’s Hollow. This game is not dissimilar to ‘Mafia’ but it’s with werewolves! Strategically kill and pin blame on others in your group as a wolf, use your powers to hunt down the wolves amidst your town, or use your precious vote wisely. This is the most fun with a group of around 15-20 people, but can be enjoyed even in a smaller group of 5 or with more players than that. There are official card games and such of this, but really all you need is someone who knows the rules to run the game!

I hope at least one of these games caught your eye, if you give any of them a go, feel free to leave your review in the comments or in a rb! I would love to hear your thoughts!

Happy howling!!

[thetwistedrope]

Can you walk us through the ecology of your backyard?

so i have been thinking on this for a few days trying to figure out what is meant by "ecology" in this instance (idk why my brain just doesn't quite understand what i'm being asked). so this is my best attempt at answering the question, but uh, it may not actually be answering it at all.

there are three principles that we try to embody when we make changes to teh land out here. we want to 1. improve water retention, 2. reduce erosion, 3. cover the ground wherever possible. imo, these three pieces are key to making any progress with land restoration.

so i sit on about 3.5 acres of property, and i mention this because i guess i want to make it clear that i don't touch every part of the land under my supervision. i would love to really terraform the place to really improve the land, but that requires money and energy that i simply don't have.

so a lot of the land is just left alone. my grandparents had horses, which denuded the back third of the property, and they got into this habit of cutting down anything that grew in the middle third where human activity was most present. so in the places we can't afford to really improve/change, we leave the space alone. if nothing else, we make sure that nothing is cut down and we let nature take whatever course it wants.

on the fringes of where we work, i've gone to dragging branches and other pieces of wood or stone out onto flat surfaces to allow dirt and sediment to accumulate when it rains. it also allows for water to move slower across the land, which can aid in retention. i forget what this method is called, it does have a name, tho.

for places right up by the house, we've covered every square inch of ground in mulch, which is what has really helped with growing bugs. i had no idea we had so many cockroaches out here until we put mulch on everything. the birds then love to pick through teh mulch to get the bugs. we have a wider variety of birds here now than we have before.

we have also dug the ground out to allow the water that comes off of the roof to go away from the house, but to also stay in teh yard to water the trees. gma used to always complain her trees would never grow beyond a certain size, and i'm almost positive its because they didn't get enough water.

i think photos/video show it better than words, tho:

like, my yards aren't pretty, but i think it's hard to deny that there is more stuff growing. all the dead growth will eventually be taken down by rain and critters, and that forms the layer for the next year's growth.

also keep in mind we have only had half an inch of rain since april.

a good example to see how my land looks compared to most people around us:

you can see right where our fence line ends. and the property next door didn't used to look like this. the barren spot you see on teh left side further away also didn't look like this until someone came and bought it and clear cut it all for houses.

white middle class people seem to really love denuding land, and it's disgusting :)

idk if this answers the question, but this is my attempt.

[swaglet]

How did you make friends?

I'm kinda weird like you and I have aspergers and it's so hard for me to make friends and maintain friendships

UNDER DA CUT BECAUSE I STARTED YAPPING. THIS SHIT IS LONG. BUT I GOT U NONNIE

honestly i'm 100% with u on the "maintaining friendships" struggle... i love my friends sm but maintaining our relationship like hanging out regularly and having average conversations (idek what that means) has never come naturally to me and people worry i don't like them or that i'm ignoring them so i have to let them know that i just go MIA a lot and my favorite thing to do to communicate with people i like is to tell them about my day and then show them things i think are funny that i have on my phone. i always get the "i miss you we need to hang out more :(" from everybody so this summer i've really been working hard on making plans (even if it's just driving down to a cafe or a public beach at a dam and hanging out going for a walk) with my friends every so often and following thru with those plans. ever since i was little i have ALWAYS always struggled sooo hard with the maintenance part i wish i had more advice but honestly the best way i've found to mitigate that is sending them memes and things that make you think of them, and then every so often being like "do you want to go do this thing we like to do when we're both free" and stick with it. it can be completely free like just go drive around and go to walmart and touch the stuff on the shelves and laugh. this is the hardest part for me. i lose so many friends to my lack of maintaining friendships and seeming like i'm completely disinterested when i 100% am not and don't know how to appropriately ask people to hang out or do friend things (like. how often is normal, what activities are normal for friends, etc. but i try not to worry about it and just be myself). if anyone has better advice about this than me feel free to add on

for me i don't struggle as much with making friends as i do with keeping them, i can't tell if it's either me just ending up not clicking with someone after i get to know them better and we don't fit well so i drift away and keep them at acquaintance level, or if i do actually like them and am just kind of inept at remembering how & when to plan hangouts and how & when to communicate with friends in the proper way, but it's probably a mix of both for sure. to make friends i just go about my daily life and do whatever i would normally do, like go to class (which involves a lot of entomology and ecology stuff), go to rehearsal for band and theater and choir, and other stuff that i am passionate about and interested in.

the "DO STUFF YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT AND INTERESTED IN" has been a very important part for me because by just being in a place doing something i'm interested in, there is a high chance that other people who share my interests will also be there. my bug classes are full of people who like to go outside and run around in the grass with bug nets and catch & identify bugs. i actually met one of my best friends rn through my intro entomology & plant systematics classes that i was taking sophomore year and we are still friends to this day and after we both graduate we will both be working on a local restoration project together, because back then we bonded over our passion for natural habitat restoration & educating the public and we figured why not work together on that. most of my other friends come from being in band and choir because we spend a lot of time together (at least 8 hours per week every single day) and when you're in a band with like 30 people you all eventually talk to each other, especially if you're really good at what u play and ppl come to u asking for advice.

idk if this is cringe or not but another thing i do is like, i put little trinkets of things i like onto my bags. just on my lanyard, i have a bunch of things: a drumstick keychain charm, a ferret decal keychain charm, a pikachu figurine keychain charm, another mallet charm specifically for the steel drums i play that my hs director made for all of us. i sometimes have a pokemon card in my phone case and i also have stickers from The Last Of Us inside my phone case as well. and i have a bunch of stickers on my laptop and my water bottle and a bunch of pins and keychains on my bookbag as well of stuff that i like. people will come up to me or be sitting near me and say "hey, i really like that thing too!" or "what is that thing (steel drum mallet) on your keys?" and then it opens an opportunity for a somewhat easy conversation. i do this to people all the time; "hey i saw your butterfly pin on your bag, i think it's really cute! where did you get it?" and sometimes they just aren't interested in talking and that's ok but sometimes other people ARE interested and then you guys talk. one of my current best friends is someone i met in band camp; he was wearing a The Last Of Us shirt, it was his very first week on campus as a new freshman at our meet and greet bonfire, and he unfortunately had his blood sugar drop super low and he got really sick and had to sit down, so i sat down with him and made sure he was ok, and i always carry apple juice in my car and snacks in my bag like peanut butter crackers and gummies and stuff like that so i gave him some and we hung out and talked about his shirt while he sat and waited till he felt better. he also wanted to take his shoes off because he was really hot but didn't want to be weird so i was like "do it bro make yourself comfortabe, i'll take my shoes off with you if it makes you feel better" so then we were just sitting in the grass with our dawgs out. Bonding experience. anyways moral of the story is have things that you're interested in and ppl might ask u about them. i also go up and ask ppl about stuff because i am way too brave. also if someone is drawing i will be like "hey not to bother you but i saw that you were drawing! mind if i sit next to you and draw too or could i see?" this one is harder to execute i will not lie but i like being around other artists

going to college and doing as many activities and joining as many clubs as you can is like a cheat code to make friends. i'm sure it's even easier if you live on campus but i commute so i'm not around people 24/7 like my friends were. i met my bf and all my close friends through band, choir, or theater and we all have just stuck. even if you don't go to college, try to join a local event like a town theater club if you're interested in that or a book club or go to like axe throwing classes or sum shit that interests you, anything you can find in town that meets regularly and is a public thing where anyone can come to and it's about shared interests. i have no idea how to be friends with people if i don't share interests with them so having that common ground to start with is like a necessary step for me Always

i like to go bird watching with my friends a lot or go bug catching with them and we bring some stuff like watermelon and sandwiches and fruit and veggies to have a little picnic while we do. just chill little hangouts like that

Umm i hope this helped. i have never been very shy not even as a kid i've always been really loud and kind of obnoxious and very interested in what other people are doing since i've been very little and i get really bored and weird when i'm alone so sometimes i just go out of my way to talk to random people and over the years i've learned how they'll respond if they don't want to speak to me so i can either keep speaking if they're fine or say bye and walk away if they aren't interested. i kind of just do my own thang and people are charmed by me so they come up to me most of the time. i love to yap so i'll yap to whoever wants to listen and then we become friends. one of the things i do to people who i've recently become friends with is send them silly pictures of birds and be like "look at this weird looking bird picture i found" and if they aren't bothered by that then we can be good friends

another thing is that like, once you make friends with one or two people they will mention you to THEIR friends who also probably like similar things and then you can express interest in meeting them as well and all hanging out together. and then it's like. Free friends!

[you-remind-me-of-the-babe]

Trope Grading Game

Thank you for the tags @aristocratic-otter and @artsyunderstudy! I really love hearing what y’all are into and why.

Rules: How much do these tropes affect your decision to click on a fic?

-10 -> very dissuaded

0 -> don’t care either way

+10 -> very enticed

nope -> if it’s a hard no and you’d never click on a fic with that tag or or you even have the tag blocked or you’d insta click out of the fic if it wasn’t tagged

Bonus points for explaining the rating and whether it’s conditional.

So the short answer is 0 for everything because I don’t read tags anymore because they never affected my choice to read a story the way a summary, snippet, rec or author gushing about their work would. But! even choosing with these methods the tropes bleed through so here are my rankings

Age gap: -1

I’m not opposed to it per se, I just don’t see the appeal. I just finished a book with side characters in a relationship with a big age gap and I tried to be open minded but it creeped me out a bit. Although I did write Baz as a 200 year old vampire so I guess there’s that! 😅

Codependency: +5

Yeah, give me two people leaning on each other. I think we suffer in silence too much. I think we need human connection. Gimme two people who aren’t afraid to ask for what they want. Yeah sure, it can be problematic but mostly I think it’s nice.

Obsession/possessiveness, jealousy: +5

I fucking love possessive Simon. Sometimes this trope isn’t done well in other stories but with Snowbaz I eat that shit up.

Opposites (grumpy/sunshine etc): +8

I looooove it. Working past your stereotypes? Becoming more open minded? Seeing someone on a deeper level? Grabby hands

Enemies to lovers, Enemies with benefits: +8

This is the majority of Snowbaz so obviously, yes. Sometimes I’m not a fan outside the fandom, but here it’s so good. And enemies with benefits??? Please. Cue me foaming at the mouth reading Restoration Ecology by @captain-aralias or it’s fabulous remix by @royalasstronaut.

Friends with benefits: +8

Yes please. As long as there’s some deep feelings involved, even if they come later, I’m there. And often with friendship you’ve got the platonic love there that sometimes builds to more so yes. More Than Friends by @fatalfangirl is an EXCELLENT example of this where they are just pining idiots from day 1 and I’m obsessed.

Sex to feelings: +10

FUCK YES. I will take it every time. I love sex, I love a good slow burn, I love sex with feelings. Make them earn it? PLEASE. Someone Wicked does this so well. @artsyunderstudy is the queen of sex with feelings.

Fake dating/relationship: +8

Yup, this is a goodie. even just fake friendship a la RWRB. Lovely. But yeah when their dating and they gotta kiss to sell it? And the other thinks they are faking but really that’s how they feel? Mmm hmm. Yummy.

Friends to lovers: +10

Y’all know this is my thing. I’ve written it several times. They love each other SO MUCH but they are too afraid to ruin their friendship so they feel they can’t make a move. The angst is right there and I love it.

Found family: +1

This can be great, but if that’s the whole premise I might pass. Fluff can be fun but if that’s all there is, I usually pass. But! If this is a theme in a longer fic with more complex plot? Then it can be really good.

Hurt/comfort: +1

Idk why but I associate this tag with shorter fics that just doesn’t actually hit that hard. Like, the hurt is little and immediately followed by the comfort. Give me the BIG angst. Hurt me good before you make it better. I looooove angst with a happy ending. So if that’s what we are doing then give it to me good.

Love triangle: -3

Meh. I always feel bad for the odd one out. I don’t like seeing the pining and angst without the pay out. And usually this is how it goes. If the third person is an asshole you just have to nudge out of the way, then maybe.

Poly, open relationship: -3

I’m actually quite curious about this and I bet it can be done right, but I usually go for a single OTP. Give me your recs though, I’d love to be convinced otherwise.

Mistaken/hidden identity: +10

Hell yes. They didn’t know it was that person all along? And they fell for them anyways? Fantastic. Even better is when they fall for the same person twice. Both hidden and not. And then! All is revealed and it’s the same person! Think love letters from a secret admirer, masquerade, etc. I mean there’s a reason network connectivity problems is the highest kudosed fic in the fandom.

Monsterfucking: +10

And bless this fandom for introducing me to it and going whole hog with our boys and their monster parts.

Pregnancy: -3

Been there, done that, don’t find it sexy. There’s some good mpreg fics in this fandom though so there are exceptions! Orange Juice by @orange-peony is a GREAT one that I really adored. This fandom just really delivers in any area.

Second chance: +9

Yes please! Unless own person is truly awful and doesn’t deserve it, but typically I love someone getting a chance to try and learn from their mistakes and try again. Don’t we all wish we could have a second chance at something?

Slow burn: +10

ITS SO SATISFYING! The payoff is so good after they’ve worked for it. My favorite.

Soulmates: +1

I love when characters can choose each other despite their destiny. I need conflict. I don’t know if I’ve read any Snowbaz ones. I think because I like them at odds and assume they won’t be. @artsyunderstudy is giving me recs to help me see the light LOL.

Who hasn’t done this? Tagging those above who haven’t done it plus a few more, if you’re up for it @whogaveyoupermission @iamamythologicalcreature @facewithoutheart @bookish-bogwitch @cutestkilla @thewholelemon @ivelovedhimthroughworse @ileadacharmedlife @raenestee @valeffelees

[captain-aralias]

Aralias's fic year in review, 2022

not going to write anything new in the next 3 days, so here's my 2022 round-up. thanks @dragoneggos for tagging me into yours <3

fics i wrote alone:

Restoration Ecology - Explicit, 51k

Hopelessly Miscast - Explicit, 24k

We all fall down - Mature, 18k, based on art by @technetiumai

Thank Magic (Thank Niamh) - Explicit, Brobelove, 2.5k

Unintended - Teen, 47k, based on art by @asticou

Work It - Explicit, 4k

Simon Snow and the Third Gate - Teen, 5k, Unpublished, with art by @cutestkilla

7 fics of which 6 published, 151.5k words

fics i wrote with others:

We Were Always More - Teen, 9k (5k? mine), with @facewithoutheart

Call Me Maybe - Teen, 12k (<1k mine), with @forabeatofadrum

Shiver - Mature, 8k (<1k mine), with @facewithoutheart

Birthday Man - Explicit, 38k (<1k mine), with the Carry On Discord, join here

Seven Minutes - Mature, 6.5k (3k mine), with @facewithoutheart

about 8k mine - in total, call it 160k words this year.

some questions under the cut

although first, in a break from tradition, i thought i'd play back what i said i was going to write in 2022 at the end of 2021:

finish restoration ecology. 

some sort of smut for dem. 

???

might be time to write my vampire simon fic, not sure. the moment might have passed, and i might push it back and push it back until once again it doesn’t happen. 

i was thinking i’d quite like to write a thing where they get together at watford and it’s not because magic made them do it… and it’s not 50k+ words long, either. there have to be other ways. 

maybe some more experiments, like - i like the idea of them becoming friends after watford not boyfriends. a. few people started writing this and it’s interesting and fun - i dont have an idea for it. 

i do have an idea for the agatha-baz bodyswap. i guess i might write that. nothing the people like more than dubcon het sex, am i right?? (i mean, maybe some people). i’m trying to not think about this story until marta posts hers, and until i’ve written restoration ecology - see above. but yeah, i feel like there’s some quite significant impetus behind this one in my brain… (magic made them do it at watford, eh? it’s my favourite.)

(full 2021 answers)

i failed at vampire simon - that's basically never going to happen. i didn't write a watford get together that wasn't about magic, but i DID write a friends to lovers, the agatha-baz bodyswap, and restoration ecology! so - i consider that a win.

Best/worst title?

best title is 'Restoration Ecology', although i'm also a big fan of 'Shiver' - which i did not come up with. worst title is 'Thank Magic, Thank Niamh' - like RE, it’s a quote from the text, but one works on multiple levels, the other is just.... to do with niamh? i mean, i tried a bit harder than that. it's kind of to do with how agatha prefers niamh to magic, and that's the point of the story.... but yeah. it's poor. sorry brobelove.

also - no offense discord, but 'birthday man' is a bizarre title 😂 it absolutely makes sense in context, but seems weird before you read the fic. (i wrote the summary of this fic, which is why it's super generic like all of mine)

Best/worst summary?

all the summaries i wrote this year are at least all right! the brobelove one is actively good (phew). the best is probably restoration ecology again, although someone told me at some point they were worried about reading it in case baz really had ruined simon's life at some point (that was just simon being dramatic in the summary, it's ok).

'We all fall down' has a classic aralias-friendly summary i.e. [quote sets up normal situation] ; [now something else is happening]. it's elegant and (i think) intriguing, and only doesn't get to be the best summary of the year because it's so reminiscent of every snowbaz hanahaki summary ever...

Baz has been hopelessly in love with Simon Snow for years, he thought it was killing him. Now it really is.

worst - Work It is clearly phoned in (though it does the job). but i'm going to go for a surprise choice of the 'Unintended' summary, which i never really liked. it describes the premise of the fic but not very elegantly. i think i wrote it in the few hours before posting chapter 1, which is usually not a good sign.

Best/worst first line?

excluding the ones i didn't write...

best is probably 'Well. This is Awkward' - from the brobelove, although 'Friendship is magic' (Unintended) is also good fun and plays off later, obvs, in a way i totally planned...

also, a shout out to 'Call Me Maybe':

By the time I get off the plane, I already have three missed calls from Penelope and a voicemail.

i thought that was a good beginning.

worst - 'There’s music playing when I get home.' (Work It)

interestingly, that beginnning is also dull... on purpose. as i was thinking 'i always open fics in media res, lemme do something different. so this sentence has nothing to do with the rest of the fic (except that the music is 'work it', i guess) unlike all my other first lines. and it ends up on the worst first line podium! harsh.

Best/worst last line?

best - “I’m Agatha Wellbelove.” (Hopelessly Miscast)

boom! i dont know if people even noticed the chapter titles, i tend not to notice chapter titles, but this is a call back to that, as well as her feeling so secure in her own body. that's why it gets top spot even though i wrote a few not-crap endings this year. (n.b. for new readers, i tend to dislike my endings/writing endings.)

i really really like the ending of 'We Were Always More' - i wrote this kiss for simon way earlier in the narrative and then thought 'wait, this is classic ending material', and it works super well. even 'Work It', which is kind of doomed to be the fic that isn't as good as most of the others... has a solid ending.

i wrote a crap ending for 'We all fall down' - but fixed it at the last minute!! 'Spring's come early' works.

'restoration ecology'............. would probably end up in last place (what???) because it's a classic lazy aralias ending, but i've just remembered Third Gate fizzles out much much more obviously at the moment, so - that's the worst.

i still have time to make that one work, though.

Looking back, did you write more fics than you thought you would this year, less than you thought, or about what you predicted?

interestingly, the answer is - far far fewer fics.... than i thought i had written this year/than i thought i would write. but quite a few more words than i usually write, despite that.

i wrote.... 4 big chunky fics of which 2 were very chunky.

and clearly - see above - the content was approximately what i predicted! although i had no idea it would fall out like this.

What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted last year?

brobelove is the obvious answer here - although the fact that it's queer means that it's not so unlikely - particularly after i ended up spending so much time with agatha in 'hopelessly miscast'.

i didn't expect that fic to end up so much about her, either.

What’s your favourite story this year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you the happiest.

i answered this question recently, the answer is 'restoration ecology' :) but as i say, lots of good stories this year, i thought.

Okay, NOW your most popular story.

RE is still more popular than 'Unintended' but maybe not forever.

Story most underappreciated by the universe?

hmm.... maybe 'work it' but it's a throwaway wingfic, so i feel like it got the attention it deserved.

Call Me Maybe is probably the answer - it's genuinely BRILLIANT, i was overwhelmed when i saw what had been done with this premise. i wrote the opening, so it's my fault if people are not being sucked in. and i know it's because it's agatha gen fic but i would love more people to read it.

Story that could have been better?

'work it' - but did it need to be much better? i mean, i definitely rushed the end/the sex, because the deadline was approaching...... but there is sex. and there are wings.

the beginning of 'restoration ecology' still bugs me, too. so much exposition - it only gets good when they're having sex. and then there's exposition again, and we have to wait for the sex again.

Sexiest story?

i only really wrote porn this year... and 'unintended'! probably the answer is 'restoration ecology', although if you like strap-ons, and who doesn't, perhaps you would like the brobelove.

Saddest story?

usually i have no answer for this, but ...... actually i think arguably 'restoration ecology' OR 'we all fall down' qualify, even though i can't really sustain angst without wanting to put in some jokes and simon saying 'everything's going to be ok now'.

restoration ecology is about healing, so it has to start fairly bleak and hopeless - and i think baz's breakdown is pretty sad, even though by the time we know about it, everything's basically ok for him.

meanwhile 'we all fall down' is about how baz is dying beautifully and simon can't love him ..... it definitely is the winner of this category, even though as i recall it, they mostly spend time holding hands and talking about how much they like each other. so it's not that sad.

Most fun?

'we were always more'! aka amnesia baz. how could anything else be the winner when i got to write a baz who purrs and wets flannels for simon? facewithoutheart is a writer of extreme range, but one end of that range is being extremely funny, and this set up is all her.

Story with single sweetest moment?

not sure....... my instinct says it's one of these:

1 - restoration ecology, partners. “Is that better, sweetheart?” (btw, i like that i just dropped these endearments in without comment and we have to wait a whole chapter for simon to tell us he's in love with baz)

2 - we all fall down, “It did work,” I agree. “Which means my father and stepmother were bound in holy matrimony by Buzz Lightyear.” although the sex is very reminscent of what i like about the Wales sex in RE

3 - Unintended chapter 5: Baz smiles. Swallows. Presses his forehead against mine. “Then marry me.”

Hardest story to write?

i find it very amusing that last year i was whinging about restoration ecology, but by the time i was doing the ao3 wrapped ask meme this month i'd forgotten it was hard to write at the beginning. it was hard. but then it was easy for the end.

this year's hardest story was.......... Simon Snow and the Third Gate.

it's not it's fault - it had too much plot, no romance arc (although i accidentally made baz the second main character despite saying i wouldnt) and i was in deep pregnancy first trimester tiredness.

'Unintended' also took months longer than i wanted it to. first chapter was quite easy, but later chapters where simon was more in his feels took.... more than the 2 weeks-per-chapter that i wanted them to take. a lot more.

Easiest/most fun story to write?

since i've remembered RE was a ballache at the beginning, gotta be 'Hopelessly Miscast'. i wrote a chapter of that a week, i think, and it's genuinely really good! i enjoyed it a lot.

'birthday man' was also really easy - i was a bit worried about it, but it's so free-ing to know that you don't need to finish what you started, and by the time i wrote anything, i felt confident enough not to have to write that much either. (by which i mean: there was a bit of me that wanted to be like 'is my bit the best??' which would have stressed me out. what i actually wrote is not the best bit, it's a bridge. but it's fine. i enjoyed writing it.)

Did any stories shift your perceptions of the characters?

'hopelessly miscast' made me think i could write agatha and really enjoy it. that's almost certainly why i ended up writing the strap-on fic later.

Most overdue story?

'Unintended' - it wasn't really overdue, but i wanted it to be finished months earlier than it was. but i think it was ok. it gave time for asticou to make art, which was lovely.

Did you take any writing risks this year? What did you learn from them?

yes! there was that bit in the middle of the year where i signed up for too many things. two CORBs and WIP fest - it was probably too much, but i like all the things we made! so i guess i learned - it's fine?

my other major risks were things like saying 'i don't know if i can keep posting every week!!' from this i learned - i can do it. for a while. but not always - i shouldn't beat myself up for 'unintended' not being written in 5 weeks.

the other major risk i thought i took was writing the baz-as-agatha sex. i think if i'd been less established as a writer in this fandom i would have been more worried about how it would go down. as it was, i was still a bit worried, but i also put up the framework of consent early on, and people were so nice about chapter 1 that it turned out fine. i feel other people have done lots more risque things this year than anyone has done so far (this is not really up there) - and it's been good! well done, fandom.

This year’s theme and the story that demonstrates it most:

i can think of two obvious ones.

the first is - collaboration!!! i barely wrote any collab stuff before this year, and yet this post has a huge list of things i either wrote with other people, or wrote based off art. i'm going to choose 'Seven Minutes' as the exemplar (even though it's probably 'Birthday Man') because it's the one that i asked to do, off the back of all the other collaborations going really well.

the other theme i noticed this year is ........ they aren't together but they're still kissing/having sex from almost the beginning of the story. i dont know whether there's a better name for that, but i didn't do it on purpose. i just like a slow burn AND for there to be sex. now i've noticed it, you'd think i would try and stop, but the only fic i know for sure that i will write next year is exactly this.

it's also a collaboration :)

What are your fic writing goals for next year?

let's keep it simple.

i want to:

a) fix up the ending of Third Gate b) write the strangers to lovers fic for/with @krisrix

if i do nothing else before the baby in May, but i do those two things, then we'll be ok.

otherwise, twigs_in_my_hair and i will hopefully write something together, watford era, her idea, but it's right up my street.

i think anything else is probably too ambitious! but if there's something you'd like me to write, or you want to work on something together, please do ask - i might say it's not possible or a project is not for me, but at the moment it feels like a good way to get me to possibly write! (and collaborating works well, as it means there's definitely someone to bounce ideas off/i know i have someone to pick up the slack if necessary.)

see y'all in 2023!

[journeydb]

September 4 2022 Boulder County

Our Boulder Valley UU Fellowship in Lafayette's service this morning focused on unions and organizing, to celebrate Labor Day. A representative from the local Teamsters' Union visited us to tell us about what they are doing for workers in Boulder County. Our music director and other musicians also led us in singing union organizing songs. It was rowdy and inspiring.

After the service there was a blessing of Martha's Garden, which had been destroyed during the last stages of the remodeling of our building. Because there was a lot of trauma for those of us who planted the garden in Martha's honor so many years ago and tended it over the years, Reverend Lydia thought we should come together and have restorative justice sessions, which we have done over the past year.

The blessing, led by Reverend Lydia, our board president Janet, and members of the Grounds Committee team working on this project, Wendy, and Robyn, as well as another friend, Wendy, who has been tending a small part of what remained of the garden, was lovely. Theresa, representing our Soul Sisters group which originally planted and tended to the garden over the years, also took part. People at the service were invited to attend after the service and a small group showed up.

The bench in this photo of Janet beginning the service was purchased by our Soul Sisters in the early days of the garden and was painted every few years to maintain it. Once the garden was destroyed we stopped our involvement until decisions were made as to what would happen to the garden but another member of the Fellowship, Rich, took it upon himself to paint the bench the same way we had done in the past.

Robyn, who is a dear friend from a covenant group at the Fellowship to which we both belong, spoke about the garden's history, as did Theresa.

It was wonderful to hear that the Fellowship, led by the Grounds Committee, has a plan for future landscaping around our building and that there is a commitment to replanting Martha's Garden, if not on this spot, then somewhere else appropriate, as well as to extending the memorial gardens program to planting more memorial gardens.

Martha Arnett was a dear friend to many and a member of the Fellowship for many years. I first met her when I was opening our Ecology House retail store and Theresa, who had been friends with Martha over the years, suggested I interview her. Martha was my first employee and my best employee. She had retired from her work as an administrative assistant and was happy being retired but she liked the concept of the store and she really enjoyed working there for the first few years of the business.

This was our first store on the Pearl Street Mall where Martha worked. After a few years we opened another store in Denver but closed that within a year because it was losing money, unlike the Boulder store, which was always profitable.

Martha, pictured here with other Boulder store employees, Priscilla, Fran, Barbara, Wolf, and Priscilla's son, Benjamin. We were one big happy "family" and everyone got along very well.

We dressed up in costumes often, like during the store's grand opening. Martha was also a talented designer and Barbara a talented painter so they created a lot of beauty in our front window and around the inside of the store.

Everyone at the store adored Martha and she was like a mother and grandmother to us. When she retired in 1991 we missed her enormously but she was happy to be home gardening and spending more time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. We maintained our friendship because she joined our women's support group, which we later named Soul Sisters.

Martha and Theresa convinced me to join the Fellowship when Hobie was a toddler. I would often pick up Martha, who never drove and always took the bus, or walked, at her apartment complex and drive her to church so she and Hobie became good friends. She was, in fact, cherished by all the children of the members of our women's support group and it was a big blow to all of us when she died in 2003, a year before we also lost Doris in, in the blue shirt, in 2004 and the following year, 2005, Robin, in front of me in this photo, also died of cancer. These deaths, after so many years of us all being together, and happening in such close succession, were traumatic for the remaining Soul Sisters. We have been together since then, just the four of us, honoring the memories of our dearly departed "Sisters".

This was our group's last Christmas holiday luncheon together before Martha died the following Easter. Robin couldn't be at this luncheon, unfortunately.

When I came up with the idea to create Martha's Garden at the Fellowship as a memorial garden to Martha, Shannon, Julia, and Theresa were excited about the idea and we pledged to make it happen and to take on the costs of creating and maintaining it. The Fellowship board agreed that we would have that space in perpetuity and that even if there would be a remodel, the garden would be protected.

We all worked in the garden for many years since its inception, as well as with family members and people from the Fellowship, and watched it grow and change over the years.

I could feel Martha's presence as we paid tribute to this wonderful woman who we all miss so much. I'm grateful for her love and mentorship over the years and for all she gave of herself to everyone. It is comforting to know that she is still appreciated and that her memory will live on in the new garden, however it may come to pass.

[whimsicaldragonette]

ARC Review: Kids' Nonfiction for April 2023 - Our Changing World Edition

*Summaries, Ratings, and Reviews for both books below the cut.

Evolution Under Pressure: How We Change Nature and How Nature Changes Us by Yolanda Ridge

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Publication Date: April 25, 2023

Synopsis:

Immersive non-fiction with STEM and social justice themes that proves that the future of the environment is in our hands–and helps pave the way forward. Evolution isn’t just a thing of the past. It is happening right now, in every species across the world–and our influence on the future of the plants and animals around us is much bigger than we might think. A closer look at the science behind evolution shows how human behaviors like hunting, farming, and urban development have contributed to major physical changes in everything from rhinos to pigs to lizards. And these changes impact us in turn–triggering environmental shifts and contributing to climate change. The good news is there’s hope: by learning to see how everything is connected, we can weigh the consequences of our choices and help shape a world that works for plants, animals, and humans alike. Making connections across anthropology, biology, and ecology, award-winning author Yolanda Ridge takes an intersectional approach to a challenging topic–examining the factors that influence human behavior while looking forward to explain the changes we can make and the ethics of those choices. Profiles of young activists and innovators highlight the ways readers can contribute to restoring ecological balance, while vibrant illustrations by Dane Thibeault evoke the energy and beauty of the natural world we are working to preserve.

My Rating: ★★★★★

My Review:

This is an excellent introduction for kids age 8 and up to evolution and the way humans impact it and the planet. There is a lot of very good information here, and it is presented in a clear and easy-to-understand way. All of the information presented is vital to understanding our world and our place in it and very important for kids and teens to know. It provides specific examples of ways humans have altered the world and animals around us, predictions of what will happen if we continue to do so without thought for the consequences, and ideas for ways to mitigate the damage. It also provides just enough of the relevant science to give a deeper understanding of each point. It runs the risk of being very depressing, but I think there is enough of a message of hope at the end to alleviate most of that. Definitely something to be aware of though, if your kid is sensitive (like mine). I will be reading it with him and helping to provide context, more information, and reassurance as we read. Topics tackled include urbanization, poaching, the rise of agriculture and industry, climate change, genetic modification and gene editing, and, of course, evolution and natural selection. This would be great as an introduction to the topics for elementary students (especially those who are interested in science) and a refresher for older students or to be taught alongside more in-depth material on the subject matter. It would also be great as an introduction for adults who are not well-versed in science. I just finished reading this to kiddo (8) as a break from the series we've been binge-re-reading at bedtime and he was VERY into it. We read it over the course of three nights. He listened, engrossed, each night and then chattered about what he had learned from it to me and his dad the next day. He has always been very into nonfiction, especially science books, and he loves animals, but I suspect many kids his age and a bit older would really enjoy this.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing an early copy for review.

-----------

Climate Warriors: Fourteen Scientists and Fourteen Ways We Can Save Our Planet by Laura Gehl

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Publication Date: April 4, 2023

Synopsis:

Who do you think of when you imagine a climate scientist? Maybe a biologist? Or a chemist? But economists study the climate too!

Meet fourteen different scientists who are working to solve the climate crisis and the surprising ways they are doing it. Along with explanations of different areas of science and the many ways scientists are working to save the climate, readers will find tips for how they too can work for change. Climate Warriors informs young readers and gives them the tools they need to make a difference.

Author and neuroscientist Laura Gehl introduces readers to these incredible scientists, the projects they are working on, and what inspired them to choose their fields of study. From ecology to civil engineering, computer modeling to food science, we have lots of ways to combat climate change. Along with explanations of different areas of science and climate solutions, find out what you can do to make a difference.

My Rating: ★★★★★

My Review:

Kiddo listened, engrossed, as we read this at bedtime. Whenever I paused to see if he was ready to put the book down and sleep he would say "Why are you hesitating? Read another one." Which, to me, says he was definitely enjoying it. It was great to read about what scientists from different disciplines are doing about climate change. There were many that you don't usually hear about, like economists. The text was written at a level my third grader could understand with minimal explanations and he definitely found it interesting. I also really liked the "what you can do" sections at the end of each chapter, with suggestions for what individuals and children can do to help with fighting climate change. The whole book felt very empowering. It was very much "yes, this is a major problem and an urgent one, but there is still a chance to change things" Kiddo says "I liked everything about it." I would definitely recommend this to all upper-elementary school students. Maybe 3rd grade and up. And younger students who are interested in science and have the vocabulary and background to understand the text. *Thanks to NetGalley and Millbrook Press for providing an early copy for review.

[demenior]

Dem’s Big Post About The Spn Fics Part 1/2

aka The Wrap Up to celebrate To Exist Again and To Become a Man now being finished!

(This will be a long post. This is your only warning.)

Admittedly this is a bit of a weird thing to be doing, but I wanted to try it out for 3 reasons: 

I love talking about my own work and 

It functions really well as a self-reflective tool for me to improve on, and 

I can answer some big questions people might have because there was a LOT of worldbuilding in these stories. 

We’ll start off with reflective stuff, and move into the juicier world-building focused stuff later into the post. There will be major spoilers for both fics to come!

To begin with a funny anecdote, Why Did I Write These Stories?

I was beginning to write and work out the story that I wanted to write for Spn (what will now be To Destroy a Man. As I was writing the scene, I realized I had a LOT of ideas and while I was trying to avoid as much exposition as I could, it became quickly apparent that I was needing to create my own au (this scene eventually became chapter 34 of To Become a Man). A short prequel seemed like a good idea, to quickly hash out the ‘prior’ events that I needed to go through so all the readers could be on the same page. While plotting out prequel points, I realized Sam and Dean were going to have drastically different experiences during the same time period, and I was trying to figure out who’s pov would be better for which scenes, and how to keep momentum when they’re going through such radically different types of changes. Ultimately I decided to split their povs, which I also thought would be a fun project! And I naively assumed each pov would take about 2 chapters each, rounding out to maybe 15k total.

I had my ending points: Dean n Cas soul-merged and (basically) married, Cas on the lam from heaven and a complete anomaly, and Sam juiced up full of powers and a weird mix of archangel and antichrist but still 100% human and ready to fight God. 

Now I needed to add weight to these changes, so I wrote 200k of build-up.

Am I proud of these fics?

OF COURSE I AM!!! These are the longest fics I’ve ever written AND finished AND in the fastest freakin turnaround ever (both were finished writing, barring edits, in like 6 months holy shit)

I didn’t write a single scene that I “didn’t” want to write. If I had trouble writing it, as in it was fighting me, I scrapped it. Most obviously was the scene in Dean’s pov where he and Sam were intended to meet some other hunters and Dean declines working with them because he’s nervous about being outed as queer. It was meant to be a good scene! I wanted to introduce some new characters! But it just wasn’t working so I said ‘thank you, next!’. 

But it means this story was an absolute joy to write. Because for a while all I was doing was ‘if I wanted to write one scene into supernatural, what would I write?��� and then just DID that!! It’s why there’s a lot of ‘Salmondean do dumb shit or have really dumb heartfelt conversations’ scenes.

Would I change anything?

If I’d been less eager to start sharing, I might have planned out the story beats a little tighter so there were less ‘soft’ chapters and a draw/pull for people to come back and keep reading. I felt Dean’s story specifically lagged at points and could have used some tighter editing (there was a noticeable lull in directed movement between Dean n Cas getting together, until Sam corrupts Amy).

I also probably would have held Sam’s story until I’d finished Dean’s so I could make the two line up better! Probably could have inserted more scenes into Sam’s fic that way, and made sure things were a little more consistent. In an ideal world one concept I had was to release 1 chapter from each pov every week that would correspond to the same time frame so we’d be getting real-time SalmonDean pov narrative. Unfortunately that didn’t work!

The biggest takeaway overall is for me to focus more on what moves the plot, and to make my scenes do more than 1 thing so I can cut down on wordcount and increase my efficiency. 

Of course every writer will find things they want to fix in anything they’ve ever written, so these are minor “mistakes” at best. I’m so dang proud of these fics. 

Onto more interesting things!

How Did I Put These Fics Together (because it’s different than anything I’ve ever done before)

Normally when I write a story, I plan out the beats I need to hit, see where I need to insert any kind of foreshadowing/buildup, and then write from A to B to C and so on and so forth. Hence, this is why I can normally post things as I complete chapters, because it’s all a linear progression. 

For these two stories, rather than linear plot/a normal story structure, I just sat and free-wrote any and every scene that came to mind and then pieced them into a kinda-linear form like putting a quilt together. You’ll note that this is why there’s not a lot of internal callback or a feeling of sense of time flowing within the fic (save for points where I went back and specifically edited it in). How long does the story take place over? Hard to say! Your author has the barest grasp on linear time even on a good day (how many times did I say ‘see you on [wrong day]’ at the end of chapters lmaaoooo)

This also meant EXTENSIVE editing on the back end once I decided in what order I wanted my ‘quilt pieces’ to be. Hard to say if this is a bonus or a negative!

But I did want to try and capture the vibe of the lives they lead, as a bit of a ‘slice of life’-style story, when the slice of life is the profound weirdness of the Winchester roaming life, and how things are status quo- until everyone almost dies oh shit!! And then they have to keep living because no therapy we die/undie like Winchesters. Do I think I captured this effectively? Hmm. Good question. 

Dem where the FUCK did the inspiration for a lot of the magic and creature weirdness even come from?

Honestly? Music, primarily. And completely mishearing lyrics!

Nightwish ‘Ever Dream’: the line is ‘my song can but borrow you grace’ and because my brain is scrambled eggs on a good day, I heard ‘grace’ ‘song’ and ‘borrow’ in that order and have had, for YEARS, the mental image of Cas borrowing Dean’s soul to power himself up for battle.

From there I’ve always been enamored with the ‘wavelength of celestial intent’ descriptor that Cas drops in s6 for “what he is”. 

I also really like ocean metaphors mostly because I’ve been obsessed with the ocean and things in it since I was like… 5??? So really this was me just rolling with what I know lmao. I love using (somewhat) accurate scientific metaphors for very intangible things!

I was also finishing my degree in biology/ecology while writing these fics and I think it shows

Stars ‘The Night Starts Here’ gives us the series title and the fic titles. Except for ‘To Exist Again’. TEA was almost titled ‘The Upwards Fall’ because I wanted all 3 of the Main Stories to have titles from this song, but I couldn’t make anything else work in tandem with the series name ‘The Love It Takes’ while also working for Sam’s personal story. So Sam, as always, is the rebel <3

Stars ‘Up In Our Bedroom, After The War’ is basically the vibes of the whole story. TFW has been, literally, to hell and back!!! There’s a bit of melancholy and sadness, a lingering dark, but the chance of a bright new tomorrow and a soft start.

Let’s Talk About Themes in The Story! What were you looking to accomplish? 

My earliest notes for TFW are, as follows:

Dean’s journey of self-discovery (who am I when I’m not trying to be Dad?)

Dean wants to settle down! He wants a big family! He wants to be domestic!

Basically: Dean doesn’t want to have a short life of hunting. He wants to live!

Dean’s journey of realizing he’s bi, and him accepting that

Dean’s relationship to Sam is both older brother/parent 

And continuing Dean balancing these roles while also letting Sam be an adult 

Dean’s Big Issues/Fears about never being good enough for people to want to stay with him (these are effectively highlighted in that Cas thinks he’s not useful enough to be wanted)

Sub Plot:

Castiel’s autonomy

Cas’ fall from grace, to trying to restore Heaven, to wrecking it further

He’s majorly depressed by the end of s7 (before purgatory)

Wants to stay in Purgatory but doesn’t tell Dean

Remains depressed after leaving, but resolved to keep living on because he’s clearly meant for something

After the seraphim reveal: does he have free will?! How does he grapple with this? How does he live in a way he can be proud of?

And lastly

Sam gets his powers back CAUSE THATS HOT

where tf did they go????

he got them from Lucifer?????

sleeper agent??????

Sam is The Chosen One

Accepts that he is More Than Human and to celebrate all parts of him

Lucifer and Sam friends?? Work together????

Sam needs autonomy in his choices/his life

If you compare these to the overall arc of TFW within the two stories, I think I got a lot of them! But you’ll also note a lot of these things aren’t concrete goals that are easily measurable (ex: Dean wants to learn to bake pie. In chapter 1 he starts a fire in the kitchen. By the end of the story he finally makes A Good Pie.) part of the lack of concrete milestones was why I felt it was important to tell Dean (and Cas’) story by going back to the point they meet, in s4! Dean’s gradual change towards his feelings for Cas, his relationship to Sam (heavily influenced by the s7 events of this fic) and then his own relationship with himself were such slow burns that I felt it would be a disservice to try and cram a change like that into a timeline like “1 year”.

I felt like these subtle changes and adjustments actually felt a lot truer to life-- people often change in very small, gradual ways over time, even without realizing it and often times not consistently! If only we could all gain skills like the sims, where we can easily level up and remain at that high level of performance! 

So the Guy Who Ate Satan, A Celestial Nuke that Developed Sentience, and Dean walk into a bar…

Sam’s story in Spn The Show has always been a ‘chosen one’ kind of narrative. Sam is living with one foot in the realm of the monsters, and I wanted to bring that back full force! It really makes sense for him that he should only continue to grow in power, might, and magic!! As the story progresses.

Cas also got a power up! I do desperately love in the show that he was kind of a grunt/nothing angel, and so even when he defected to TFW he was a huge help for them, but in the scale of things he was an annoying fly to most other angels. It really worked for the underdog story of s4/5. In this I wanted to give him a power up, and originally it was actually going to be close contact with Sam that eventually changed Cas into something unknown (you can still see traces of this in ch34 of TBAM, where Death remarks ‘Castiel could be [Sam’s] first creation’. But for a combo of reasons: how Sam’s magic needed to have intent, the entire concept of free will and consent, and how much I wanted Dean and Cas to have their effect on each other, I decided to go with the route that Cas has actually always been something angel-adjacent rather than becoming something new. TFW/Supernatural has always been about free will and making your own story, so I amplified that with Cas.

Dean has always been A Normal Guy, which is part of the appeal of him and Sam (2 normal dudes!) taking on the Very Not Normal. As explained above, Sam’s story is ‘normal guy finds out he’s the chosen one’ and so, in a story about very large concepts and huge monsters and acts of magic, I felt it was very important to keep Dean as normal as possible. To the point it became a running gag to me, personally, in that ‘no matter what cool shit happens around him, Dean has to stay as Just A Guy’. And it’s a very humanizing role that allows the story to have the scale it does!

What were the most important themes in your story?

Sam’s Autonomy

I wasn’t even going to include the plot about Lucifer’s death in this story— that was going to come up in a later story, actually! And rather than Sam having ate Lucifer, the original idea was that they’d become a SamandLucifer entity (this harkens back to a concept I wanted to write when Swan Song first aired). 

That storyline would have involved a lot of mental ‘Sam and Lucifer discuss what it means to live, which one of them is more worthy of life and if they do deserve to destroy the world for the pain they’ve been forced to go through, just to create the dichotomy of good and evil for everyone else’ discussions. There would be a lot of talk about how Sam hates and fears Lucifer for the pain Lucifer put on Sam, how Lucifer hates Sam because he and Sam are the same but Sam’s brother loves him anyways, etc. 

Ultimately that was scrapped because Sam’s entire story in the show is always about how the world and everyone around him manipulates him and that he never actually gets to make choices about his own life or body that aren’t influenced or part of someone elses’ design. And that always bothered me that Sam was never allowed to be himself without having to be ashamed of it, and I wanted to make sure that Sam’s triumph of being proud of himself/proudly choosing to exist (again) was evident in his story

In the end I needed Sam to have this visceral win over his tormentor. As the story shows, in this case Lucifer was abused and put into a position where he was incapable of empathy and could only express himself in violence. Sam even understands this! But it doesn’t change the fact that Lucifer tortured Sam in unimaginable ways for thousands of years. 

With that in mind I didn’t like the idea of Lucifer and Sam having “co-ownership” of their new identity, so I made the choice that Sam had to be the survivor. This tied in well with Sam’s new crusade to restore free will to the universe, because he’s breaking the narrative of his own story!

While Castiel wasn’t a pov character, his own autonomy and free will was equally as important. You’ll note that many, many paragraphs and conversations revolved around that theme and that in the end Cas followed himself (and love!) which ensured his freedom of self <3

The Brothers are WEIRD PEOPLE!!!! And Codependent to a Worrying Degree, but It’s Also How They Survive

It’s very hard to show “unusual” relationships when you’re writing from the pov of the two people who don’t think there’s anything weird about their relationship. Sure, they say ‘yeah it’s probably weird that we still share a bed’ but that’s kinda more in line with ‘I had a nightmare and I want to be close to the person who makes me feel safe’. Hashtag normalize co-sleeping when you need it!!!

From there I did try to point out how the boys have a weird perception of lifestyle in the little things they did. 

From thrifting everything from clothes to appliances to books (thrifting is a valid lifestyle! It’s incredibly handy when you’re on a budget.) 

To never actually having condiments or knowing how to use a dishwasher cause they’ve lived in a car, a motel room, or squatted in old houses their whole life.

I tried to have them wear each others’ clothes or casually swap things as much as possible. They live out of each others’ pockets!

Also the brothers are just weird people!! It’s hard to show from their pov, cause they don’t know how far off from normal they are, but like…

Everything about Sam and Amelia was NOT right like holy shit those two were wilding in their grief. They are very lucky things worked out for them and that they got to be hashtag Weird Girls together

Dean explicitly, in the story, gets horny after killing stuff!! Violence has done a number on his psyche and he’s gotten some wires crossed that maybe shouldn’t have been, or maybe could be worked out in a safe space but… uh… how likely do we think Dean is gonna go find a safe space to deal with any of his shit???

LOVE!!! Love is truly what this whole story is all about

If you’ve read the stories, you know how much emphasis I put on love. Love is the strongest force in the Spn Universe! It’s what averted the apocalypse and saved the world (Swan Song), it’s what created free will (Cas’ entire arc!) I love love!!!!

I went out of my way to not put any definitions on platonic love vs romantic love because I think love is love is love and how you express that is the difference. Neither is more powerful than the other because LOVE is powerful!! Sam and Cas are the most important people in Dean’s life and he loves them equally! He shows this by giving Cas kisses and stealing Sam’s socks.

It’s a personal pet peeve of mine when I have to hear explanations like ‘I love you, like a brother’ or ‘I love you, but like, as a friend because I’m a lesbian and you’re a man’ etc etc in media. If you have to continuously define how your characters love each other, then I don’t think you’re doing a good job of portraying their relationship. So you’ll see that I never put those parameters in any conversation. Dean DOES muse that he loves Cas differently than he loves Sam or Bobby, specifically because there is a romantic and sexual tone that his feelings for Cas takes, but not because he loves Cas more or less than he loves Sam or Bobby.

Which means, if you haven’t realized it yet, the Series + Fic Titles are meant to be a complete sentence because the power of love IS the thesis of this series:

The Love It Takes To Exist Again (Sam’s journey!)

The Love It Takes To Become a Man (Dean’s journey!)

The Love It Takes To Destroy a Man (TBA)

And now for fun stuff. Behind the scenes!!

What’s Something People Probably Don’t Know?

The demonic fungal/hydrothermal vent growth on Sam’s arm was thrown in literally as I was posting the chapter because I had just finished a 48 hour cram session of writing a report on tube worms for an ecology class (I was chanting my tube worm song as I wrote it) and it ended up being a HUGE hit with both readers and myself. But it was so last minute I had trouble fitting it in more throughout the rest of Sam’s story!

Cas’ orders? That may or may not have bound him to Dean and removed his free will? Were written into Sam’s story and I went ‘oh SHIT that’s compelling’ and then left them there as a ‘guess I’ll figure that out when I get to Dean’s story lol’

Originally Dean and Cas were supposed to get together after having their souls bonded, and have been in a UST limbo the entire time before that. Mostly because I think the entire concept of ‘we just got married of the soul I guess we should try dating?’ is very funny. CLEARLY the two of them were way more eager to fall in love than I anticipated (thank you Cas for your honesty) but you can still see shades of this original idea here and there (especially in ch35 of TBAM)

I never intended Dean and Benny to connect so well!! Benny was going to reunite with Andrea, she was going to live, and they were going to go off into the world and leave the story. And, uh, here we are. I’m still debating if I need to adjust the relationship tag or not haha. Polyamory is fun, especially when I was planning for Sam to be the polyamorous brother...

Speaking of, I can’t believe I forgot about Sam and his sexuality! If I rewrote TEA I would have had Sam contemplate more on his lack of sexual appetite due to trauma, up until he meets Benny and he gets to rediscover how he wants to be a sexual person

Many of Sam and Dean’s absolutely stupid sibling conversations were lifted near-verbatim from conversations I’ve had with my siblings

And lastly...

Dem where’s Kevin????????????? Where is our sweet baby boy????????

He’s SAFE!! He’s in the Hunter pipeline somewhere cause Sam handed him off to Bobby’s people. He and his mom are safe and at some point they probably got rib sigils like SalmonDean did against angels, but for demons. I didn’t have room in this story for him!!! But my baby boy is SAFE and I want to get him back to university because it’s WHAT HE DESERVES!!!!

To that point: god there were/are SO many characters that I just didn’t include in the story so far because I didn’t feel comfortable including them without stalling the story for them. To that point: pretty much everyone who is alive/dead in s8 is that way in this story, except Bobby who gets to live.

[Check Out Part 2 for reader questions!]

[lovelystreet2010]

Guide to Backpacking For Beginners

If you love camping and hiking you probably want to learn how to go backpacking, but the great outdoors can be overwhelming for first-time backpackers. You are camping in the wilderness -- miles from roads, facilities, and other people but, the solitude is one of the best reasons to get on the trail and go backpacking.

Don't let the unfamiliar landscape or worries of being in the wild keep you from going backpacking. Here are some tips and advice to help beginner backpackers get started.

Couple eating, camping on cliff overlooking ocean Hero Images / Getty Images What Is Backpacking? Backpacking -- tramping, trekking or backcountry camping -- is essentially the combination of hiking and camping in the backcountry. A backpacker carries camping gear: a tent, sleeping bag, cookware, food, and clothing, in a backpack and hikes to a backcountry camping destination.

Backpacking trips range from short one-night trips to multi-day trips. Some trips start at one trailhead and end at another. And some backpackers even set out on months-long distance end-to-end treks called thru-hikes. Popular thru-hikes include the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT).

But to get started backpacking you don't have to walk thousands of miles. There are many short and moderate destinations that are scenic and beautiful.

Now that you are interested in going backpacking let's get prepared for your adventure.

Lost Creek Wilderness Patrick Lienin / Getty Images What Is Wilderness? The Wilderness Act of 1964 is a federal designation of protected land. According to the Wilderness Act, lands that are designated wilderness must be under federal ownership and management, the land must consist of at least five thousand acres, human influence must be “substantially unnoticeable,” there must be opportunities for solitude and recreation, and the area must possess “ecological, geological, or other features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value.”

Father with two teenage children hiking in the Alps Ulrike Schmitt-Hartmann / Getty Images Getting in Shape for Backpacking If you are a first time backpacker or heading out for the first time in the season, make sure to get in shape before you hit the trail. Backpacking is more difficult than hiking because you are carrying the added weight of your camping gear.

To get in shape for backpacking, start hiking with low mileage and carry a lightweight pack. Build up your mileage and add weight to your backpack as your trip gets closer. The more fit you are for your backpacking trip, the better you will feel when you are on the trail.

No time to train? It is understandable if your backpacking trip is just around the corner and you haven't done much training, but make sure to lighten your load. Take only essential and lightweight gear, and consider choosing a destination that is only a few miles from the trailhead.

So you are in shape for your trip, but what should you pack in your backpack?

Man with axe and backpack in forest Westend61 / Getty Images Backpacking Gear The goal of most backpackers is to keep their pack light, but still carry all the camping gear they need to make their trip comfortable.

Ultimately, you only need food and shelter for a successful backpacking trip. There are a few essential backpacking items that each backpacker will want to carry and a few items that a group of backpackers can split up to share the weight.

Before you get packed to go, use a backpacking checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten anything and try to leave non-essentials at home. Each pound you shed from your pack will make your hike easier and more comfortable.

You are packed and ready, now where should you go?

Woman hiking outdoors Jordan Siemens / Getty Images Where to Go Backpacking National and state parks, wilderness, and forest areas are popular backpacking destinations. Check with the ranger station in your region for popular routes. And your local camping and outdoor retailer should be a good resource for books and maps.

Look for a destination near a creek, river, or lake so that you have a source of water. Once you have selected a destination, make sure you obtain the appropriate permits and check the regulations for food storage, camping, and fires.

Now that you selected a destination, what precautions can you take to stay safe in the wilderness?

Curious boy hiker looking at compass Hero Images / Getty Images Backpacking Safety Do you have a map and compass or a GPS device? And do you know how to use them?

Always let someone know when you'll be gone, your destination and route. And make sure to call them when you return.

A small first-aid kit is an essential item to bring along on any backpacking trip. Also, know what your emergency resources are in the region you'll be backpacking. In a wilderness emergency, remain calm, determine an action plan and seek help.

Affectionate father and son backpacking, holding hands in woods Hero Images / Getty Images Backpacking Ethics The Leave No Trace Foundation is a non-profit organization that has a set of values and recommended ethics for campers and wilderness travelers. Most backpackers agree that you should "leave no trace" and "pack out what you pack in." The Leave No Trace core principles include:

Dispose of waste properly Leave what you find Minimize campfire impacts Respect wildlife Travel and camp on durable surfaces Be considerate of other visitors Also, make sure to check with the park or forest service ranger station for regulations specific to the area where you will be camping. Depending on the region and time of year, special regulations may not allow campfires, may require specific food storage containers, and sometimes specific areas are closed for restoration. It is generally recommended to camp at least 100-feet from the water. Following regulations, and core backpacking ethics helps to conserve the wilderness for generations to come.

[queen-of-bel]

Which (j)rpg classes do you think the Devil Survivor characters would fit into? (Also please specify which series you are thinking of irt classes)

Good afternoon, lovely anon! Thank you for your question, this is a super fun one to think about!

That being said, I am probably the worst rpg fan alive LASDKFJLADS

I always get so confused with classes, so I’m absolutely going to embarrass myself with this question... That being said, I got a refresher on D&D classes, so I’m going to try my best!!   (ง •̀_•́)ง

putting under a read more bc length

Atsuro 

Warlock, for sure. Warlocks get their powers from a nonhuman entity, and I think that really mirrors the student/teacher relationship that he has with Naoya. I mean, Naoya is technically human, but his punishment has given him god-like intelligence and abilities. Atsuro is always looking for ways to apply what he’s learned, just as warlocks do.

From the very first day of the lockdown, he’s interested in tinkering around with the server and learning more about it, saying 

“If we CAN get to the server, though, we can monkey with the demon program all we want.”

Yuzu

This was difficult, but ultimately, I’d say bard. I’d say Yuzu is a bard because she doesn’t particularly excel at anything. She may do decent magic damage (although not as much compared to other characters like Naoya or Amane, and it takes her a while to reach 40 magic), but her movement is also limited to 3 spaces. She is, however, what I would say to be one of the most empathetic characters in the game.

She stops Atsuro from berating Keisuke on day 2, interrupting him and saying:

“Hey, c’mon… We’re all safe now, so let’s not fight, okay?”

She then turns to Keisuke and changes the subject:

“But, uh, Keisuke, was it…? It’s great that your number has increased!”

She is the only one who tries to understand why Midori acts the way she does. On the fourth day, she muses:

“I wonder why she’s so bent on being a hero.”

And on Amane’s 8th day, she is the only one who tries to reach out to Naoya on a personal level and empathize with him.

She clearly has some confidence in her ability to convince Naoya, as she asks Kazuya: 

“Oh, it’s Naoya! Hey, Kazuya… Could I try talking to him first?”

And later, when actually talking with Naoya, she says:

“I mean… it must be terrible to be reborn with all your past memories…”

I think that the kindness she shows, and her confidence in said kindness, fits with the charisma that bards possess.

Gin

Druid. Druids revere nature and are concerned with ecological balance. I think that this matches his desire to restore Tokyo to how it was before the lockdown. He knows that the world was a mix of good and bad, but he loved it all the same because that’s the Tokyo that Aya loved.

He says:

“It’s an amazing world, y’know. One big stew of thoughts, desires, emotions… The good and the bad… This city gives it to you all lumped together. … I want the demons out of Tokyo too. That’s when this world will be back the way it was.”

The only thing he wants is preserving that balance; he doesn’t care for a world where that happens.

Interestingly, this also ties into why I think the only 8th day Gin shows up in is Yuzu’s.

Even though some form of peace comes for humanity in both Amane’s and Naoya’s endings, Gin is noticeably absent. From what we know about Aya, she would’ve been content with either Amane’s or Naoya’s no kill endings. Aya loved the world, and was the type of person to find beauty in anything. Someone like that wouldn’t be averse to change. In fact, she might even welcome it.

But Gin is different. Gin never learned what Aya was really trying to teach him. Gin learned to appreciate the things about the Tokyo Aya fell in love with, but that’s not the point Aya was trying to make. Aya was trying to teach Gin how to appreciate the beauty in any situation. Aya would’ve wanted Gin to learn to find something to love in any world, but Gin couldn’t see the big picture. This is why he’s so obsessed with restoring Tokyo, and why he doesn’t show up in Amane’s or Naoya’s eighth days. Neither of these outcomes will bring Tokyo back to how it was.

Kaido

Barbarian. I’m sure right now you’re thinking “Well, duh, Amelia”. But other than his hot-headedness and pure rage in battle, I think there are some overlooked aspects of Kaido that make him a good fit for a barbarian.

Kaido is absolutely a “ride or die” kind of man. He’s willing to put himself in danger’s way, not only for the ones he cares about, but complete strangers as well. He teams up with Honda because he wants Honda to be reunited with his son as quickly as possible. Additionally, when he first meets Kazuya, he offers to find Naoya for him, saying:

“Well… Things are pretty bad around here, so I’ll help you look. Got a photo or anything?”

After Kazuya shows Kaido a picture of Naoya, Kaido says:

“This is the guy, huh…? Send me the pic over IR. Cool, got it. Alright, once the cells come back on, I’ll spread it around my crew.”

This wasn’t something that Kazuya asked him to do. This was something that Kaido volunteered to do. He didn’t have to do this for 3 strangers, but he did anyway.

Another aspect of Kaido that makes him a good barbarian is his metaphorically nomadic life.

Kaido has no real convictions in life. He’s just aimlessly doing what life handed to him. His brother died? Well, guess he has to take over his gang. Being stuck in the lockdown? Gain more power to help him survive and protect the person he cares about. The messiah is working to save humanity? Time to side with the angels. His personality and convictions are shaped by his environment. The only thing that is a constant with Kaido is that he feels the need to protect those he works with.

Keisuke

Cleric. Need I say more? Clerics are those who wield magic in service of a higher power. When Yama is initially summoned, he says:

“I am true justice, the raging sword. This righteous blade shall pass judgement on evil!”

With the power that Yama bestowed upon him, Keisuke can make sure that evildoers receive the justice they deserve.

Midori

Monk. She idolizes her late father who was a stuntman before he died in an accident, and wishes to be just like him. She tells Kazuya:

“My daddy’s job was to be a hero! … My own daddy was a defender of justice! … Soooo, that’s why I wanna be a hero too!”

Just as monks use their power to pursue physical and spiritual perfection, Midori wishes to be both physically and emotionally strong enough to be a defender of justice.

Haru

Bard, although for a different reason as Yuzu. While I believe Yuzu’s bard-like tendencies come from her lack of any particular skill and her empathy for others, Haru demonstrates traits that are more aligned with what people think of as a “traditional” bard.

She certainly has an affinity for story-telling, as she opens up to Kazuya fairly easily, wanting to tell him her life story. On the third day, she talks to Kazuya, saying:

“Let’s take a breather and chat sometime. It’ll be on me.”

She also (very obviously) fits in with the musical traits that bards have, as Aya’s song is a critical part in Devil Survivor’s lore. After the battle with Belial, she tells Gin:

“When I sang the song with Aya’s sequencer and that demon appeared… She helps a total stranger pick up her life, then summons demons and disappears!? ...I’m going to help these kids. If Aya summoned the demons, I’ll get rid of them!”

Using her musical talent, Haru is able to guide the party through perilous situations.

Amane

Another fairly straightforward answer. Sorcerers have inherent magical abilities from which they draw their power. Remiel says:

“Amane has had a power to hear the voices of the holy and the unholy since she was young. That is why Belberith turned his attention to her, and used her as a catalyst for Jezebel.”

This innate power that Remiel says Amane has is what then allowed the Shomonkai to defeat Jikoku. When Izuna asks Amane how she was able to defeat Jikoku, Amane simply replies:

“I borrowed the power of Jezebel, who is Master Belberith’s subordinate.”

While Amane’s innate abilities to hear non-human voices did not by itself defeat Jikoku, it certainly is what allowed the Shomonkai to do so. This drawing on an inherent power is much like what a sorcerer does, no?

Mari

Oh, this is a fun one. Mari is an extremely complex and multi-faceted character, and I can see aspects of her in many different classes. Ultimately, though, I think given her character development throughout the game, I’m going to go with barbarian-lite.

She doesn’t possess the same unbridled rage and primal physicality that barbarians typically do, but the strong emotions are absolutely there, as that is what allowed her to summon Kresnik in the first place. She’s just… better at hiding these emotions.

The character trait of hers that I find to be the most barbarian-like is how, by the end of the game, she has absolutely zero regard for anything other than loyalty to the party. Civility be damned, Mari is happy to slaughter innocent civilians if it means she can be loyal to Kazuya. Remember, it was Kaido who forced Mari out of the group during the Despot route. The conversation between the two of them unfolds as follows:

“Mari… You get out of here. We’ll handle the rest.”

“What are you saying, Tadashi? I can still--”

“No! ...C’mon, listen to me. Throw your COMP away, right now.”

“No. I don’t want to lose another…”

Clearly, Mari has no desire to leave the group, as she is worried that means she will lose another person that she loves. She has a very primal instinct to protect those in her immediate circle. 

Barbarians also have a tendency to charge headlong into that danger so that their party members don’t have to. She tells Kaido on the second day:

“I’m sorry, Tadashi… I know you worry about me… but I can’t back down.”

She worries that she will lose Kaido to the bloodless murderer as well, and charges ahead with her dangerous plan to defeat Kudlak. She knows that it’s selfish, but she just can’t stand to lose anyone else she cares about, so she jumps straight into the danger, hoping to protect the ones she loves in her immediate circle.

Honda

Yet another barbarian. I feel like this is probably the most self-explanatory of the bunch. Honda is just absolute chaos incarnate. Not only is he willing to murder for his son, but he is absolutely the most animalistic of the characters in this entire game. He is the only character who ever pushes for a truly chaotic world, as we see in Yuzu’s 7th day ending. In Yuzu’s 8th day, Honda has no qualms killing the SDF soldiers, viewing it as a favor to Kazuya and the group. When Atsuro berates Honda for killing the soldiers, Honda nonchalantly responds:

“You mean those guys just now? I only wanted to help my friends out of a tight spot. … Hahaha, guess I overstepped my boundaries.”

At this point in the game, Honda is driven by blind rage. A fierce fighter, his son has died, and the only thing that matters to him is killing the SDF soldiers, all in the name of revenge for his son.

Izuna

I think Izuna is simply a fighter. She’s adept at combat, with insanely high strength, agility, and vitality stats. An extremely brave and selfless person, she volunteered herself for the mission despite knowing that she would probably die. She tells Fushimi:

“Commander… I volunteered for this to save Tokyo and the lives of its citizens. Not to protect the unit’s honor!”

Later, in the tunnel, she pleads to Kazuya:

“There must be a way to save everyone… That’s why we volunteered for this mission. But if it raises the slim chance of this mission’s success… Please help us!”

Even Atsuro notes that everything Izuna does is for the sake of the mission, saying:

“Haha… The mission before everything, huh? I dunno… But I’ll let it slide for you.”

With Izuna’s primary goal at all times being the success of the mission, I think she’s perfect to be classified as a fighter.

Naoya

This man is absolutely a rogue. Rogues have a broad expertise that few other characters can match. They also would rather make one precise strike, placing it exactly where the attack will hurt the target most, than wear an opponent down with a barrage of attacks.

Thanks to his punishment, Naoya is a genius at predicting how people will act and behave. He is a man of few words, but boy, do those words hit hard. He can almost always twist a situation to get any outcome he wants. The best display of this is in his 7th day, where he is successfully able to extend the government’s deadline to use the UEM field. Kaido is impressed at how the negotiation with Fushimi went, saying:

“Negotiation? Hah! That was more like an order!”

Rogues are also not above using deception and trickery for their own gain. Naoya tells Atsuro:

“Every side plays dirty to get what it wants.”

Naoya also goes to great lengths to prevent the party from learning his true identity. When the angels fight Kazuya in front of Hills building, they attempt to reawaken his memories as Abel. Naoya panics, saying:

“Tch… Kazuya! Don’t listen to a word he says! He’s only trying to confuse you!”

Later, when Kazuya and Atsuro question about what Abel is, Naoya refuses to answer, simply responding:

“Unfortunately, I don’t plan on answering that question. Even if you knew, it has no relevance to the objective.”

Naoya is a deceptive man with god-like brilliance. Absolutely fitting for a rogue, if you ask me.

Thank you so much anon!! This was really fun, and I’m hoping I’m not embarrassing myself too much LOL（´ω｀♡%）

[jeanandthedreamofhorses]

Wouldn't it be disappointed ih Eren is doing all of this for Historia & the child? I love erehisu but it would be so silly if this is the case

I don’t think he’s just doing it for them. He’s doing it for all Eldia, so that they can all live peaceful, free lives once the enemy has been decimated.

He’s also doing it for all the friends he loves, and for all Eldians who have a right to exist by virtue of being born into this world.

But yes, the reason he has gone down this most extreme of routes rather than attempting something more moderate is because of Historia.

I’ve heard the argument before that it would be silly to do all this just for one person. But if someone you made such a strong connection with, someone who restored your will to live and right to exist against the will of the majority, against the will of the world, were put in an utterly hellish situation simply because of their birth, could you really stand by and let that happen? Wouldn’t it make you the most disgusting hypocrite?

Furthermore, can everyone reading this really say they put the interests of the majority above those of the minority all the time? The very fact that most of us live ordinary, day-to-day lives instead of spending our days and nights struggling under dangerous circumstances to tangibly enact widescale social, political, or ecological change according to our beliefs proves that we are putting the interests of a minority - ourselves - over that of the majority. We may be the most considerate of friends to our friends, but are we doing the same to every poor sod we bump into in the street?

We feel more of an obligation, and a desire, to help the people we have formed close connections with, and I think this is wholly right and just. When you enter into a close friendship you enter into a promise that you did not make with the stranger.

This is just my personal ethics, but to put a twist on the old trolley problem, I think it is worse to let one friend die than five strangers because in only one scenario do you betray a promise. This is the morality we instinctively feel and instinctively prefer, so why rail against it? Who wouldn’t rather save their friend? And were I one of the strangers in that scenario, I couldn’t blame my killer for making the choice they did. If there has never been anything or anyone in the world that you die for, or if misfortune came down to it kill for, then you have never truly loved, or ever truly lived.

Eren loves. Strongly, powerfully, he loves. And just as powerfully does he hate. His hatred is borne out of love. He hated the titans because they stomped over his beloved freedom and bit the head off the mother who reared him. Eren has lost, lost, and lost again.

Should he lie down and let himself lose more of the people he loves? Just as love is the twin of hatred, so is protection the twin of destruction. He destroys to protect. He is both saviour and villain.

Both god and devil.

Eren has seen the world in all its raw and gruesome colours, and everywhere he has searched for good and evil he has only found self-interest. His moral fundamentalism has been battered by the storm of experience after seeing the world through Marley’s eyes, where his own people are the titans who need to be massacred.

Even the man who ruined his life was driven by the same weakness he was.

Who truly acts in the interests of ‘good’? Who can even declare what that is?

Erwin did not sacrifice huge numbers of Survey Corps soldiers for the greater good, but to find out the answer to the question he asked his father all those years ago.

Levi did not make his choice at the Serumbowl according to the greater good, but out of love for his friend.

Zeke does not seek to commit euthanasia for the greater good, but to satisfy his self-loathing.

Marley does not want to take down Paradis for the greater good, but to maintain their status as the world’s greatest superpower.

Hizuru does not seek to help a struggling and misunderstood nation for the greater good, but for access to resources and riches of the highest calibre.

How, then, is Eren meant to do the ‘right’ thing? How is he to have any understanding of what it is anymore?

All he has ever seen it used for is as a smokescreen for self-interest. So perhaps that’s all it is. Why, then, shouldn’t he act to preserve the world that he loves, just as everyone else has been doing since the dawn of time? 

Is that self-interest itself not what we call ‘freedom’?

By opposing the wills and value systems of others that are themselves rooted in self-interest, Eren preserves his own will and his own freedom. Can his self-interest rightly be condemned, then? 

It is the Eldian government’s self-interest to sentence Historia to the titan-birthing cycle, because they are not Historia. Eren’s self-interest is to liberate her from that fate, even at the expense of the Eldian government - because he is not the Eldian government. Like all struggles in this series, it is simply a conflict of self-interest. Fighting is the consequence of freedom, and it is freedom - not righteousness or peace - that Eren has always sought.

His self-interest cannot even be properly called selfish, as for the sake of his loved ones he has put himself through an enormous amount of trial and tribulation.

What Eren is doing is not good, but nor is it evil. It is out of love that Eren acts, probably the only morality that truly exists, and whoever has known love surely knows that as Nietzsche said, “That which is done out of love always takes place beyond good and evil.” Thence comes our most sympathetic villains and, likewise, our most human and relatable anti-heroes.

[elbiotipo]

Gordon Freeman Saved My Life!

City 17 wasn’t on its best shape before the Citadel exploded; now, the quaint European streets and brutalist apartment blocks were little more than random piles of concrete scattered around. Many people left already after the final defeat of the Combine and the liberation of Earth. Even if Dr. Kleiner insisted that the radiation left by the explosion was “harmless, by the most part”, in all common sense, there was little reason to stay there.

But the thing is, City 17 was inhabited by humans. And where some humans just see devastated ruins, others see things worth cherising, a place worth rebuilding.

“I think a couple greenhouses would look good up there in that roof. Plenty of sun, and the rest of the building seems mostly intact, it would look downright decent with a new coat of paint. A good place to start anew... many people would love something like that... What do you think, Doc?”

Alyx looked at Gordon, deep in his thought. Even such little dilemmas of (now) daily life put the gears on his mind to work. She didn’t really expect an answer; a verbal one at least, it was rare from him after all (though more common lately...). But she did know he would respond with action, as he always did. He scratched his beard -he was letting it grow lately- and fixed his glasses. Frankly, of all the crazy things she’d lived with Gordon, the most amazing one was the fact he didn’t lose his glasses once. Good thing, too; the optical industry was just barely being rebuilt.

Gordon nodded at Alyx. He went ahead and entered through the broken windowshop and climbed the stairs of the abandoned building, crowbar in one hand, the gravity gun on his hip. Ecological restoration was going on steadily, but headcrabs were still a nuisance in urban areas -as much as a jumping rotisserie chicken that can horribly zombify you can be called a ‘nuisance’- luckily, this building was clean. He got to the roof. He felt the wind on his sweat, the soft spring sun on his skin, and thought, after some brief calculations, that it was good.

So he took out the gravity gun and started his job. With the patience of a kid on his last coin in a crane machine, he unloaded the supplies from the boxes labeled “FOR EARTH RECONSTRUCTION - BLACK MESA SCIENCE TEAM”; metal beams, rolls of plastic, pipes, soil, planters, seedlings, and other materials to build greenhouses to feed the citizens of what was still one of the world’s largest cities; and then slowly started to bring them to the roof of the old 20th century building.

He was very good at theoretical physics, but he could had been a good engineer too. Or a farmer. Physical work suited him, Alyx thought. A lot.

Even if the gravity gun did most of the job.

Heh. Physicist, physical.

“You’re an eager worker antlion today, Gordon. You didn’t even wait for me, huh?” she teased from below.

“You were right, Alyx.”

Gordon, of course, seldom spoke, and when he did, it was always in a serious tone. Even when talking from the top of a building. Despite spending so much time together, it still caught Alyx off-guard sometimes; while she felt easy to talk to him most of the time, to answer him often made her blush and stammer, no matter the topic.

She should just spit it out one of these days and be done with it, she thought. Goddamn it, wasn’t it time already? How long would she wait?

“W-what do you mean?”

“The angle of the sun is excellent here. And the roof has good space. Perfect for a greenhouse. Good eye, Alyx.” he said, not taking his eye from his work, like always.

“Oh. Right. Yeah, you know...” she scratched the back of her head. “Anything to make the work of my worker antlion easier.”, and gave a thumbs up with a wink. Gordon smiled, and while he was a bit far away, she swore he blushed. Yep, cute names worked. The wink couldn’t have hurted either.

As she watched Dr. Gordon Freeman manipulate the laws of physics with the amazing power of science, she had a fun idea.

“Hey, hey, Gordon!”

He looked at her.

“Pick me up!”

Gordon lifted his eyebrows.

“With the gravity gun! Bring me up to the roof!”

Gordon looked away, thinking. He was unsure.

“Come on, it’ll be fun! I’ll help you out when I get up there, promise!”

Gordon sighed.

“I’ll be careful! Come on, antlion!”

‘It was him who needed to be careful!’, he worried.

She would either keep at it all afternoon or be dissapointed later. And Gordon never wanted to disapoint Alyx. So he carefully checked the settings, and finally pointed the gravity gun at her and engaged it.

The graviton particle beam of the Zero Point Energy Field Manipulator surrounded her and produced a sensation on her skin that could be best described as ‘tingly’. She slowly lifted from the ground and she couldn’t help but smile.

“Oh yeah, this rules!” She said, and struck a Superman pose, while humming the theme from an old movie, as she got higher. She was getting close to the roof.

“Higher, Gordon!” She said, as she did a loop in mid air. “Woo!”. Gordon couldn’t help but smile, despite the anxiety that seeing her floating in the air sensibly provoked.

She ‘flew’ right in front of him. They both smiled, face to face, although he was standing and she was resting on an invisible air couch. Alyx giggled.

“Hey, take me higher! I wanna see the city from above!”

Gordon was, on his mind, nervously calculating vectors, trajectories and forces so that Alyx didn’t fall down. Even her weight, though maybe it was a little rude. It wasn’t the first time he thought about Alyx’s body, though, as much as he wouldn’t admit it at all...

The beam was on a weird setting to begin with, and as she flew over him, he was worried on how much longer he could keep it up. She was too high, and the gravity gun wasn’t as reliable as one would like, and if she fell down she definitively could hurt herself, and after all it happened, it couldn’t be like that, and he had to do something!

“Alyx...”

“Wooo! What is it, Gordon?”

He was trying to bring her down, when the beam grew fainter and she started to fall, walking in midair. It was just as he feared. He dropped the gun and ran to her.

He catched her on his arms. He wasn’t wearing the HEV suit (fortunately it was needed less and less...) but his arms were strong enough to carry her.. like a princess, maybe? He wouldn’t say that to her face.

The both of them gasped and then exhaled. Alyx was smiling. It got a little scary at the end, sure, but she had worse. It was more of a thrill than anything.

And another thing that was thrilling right now was being princess-carried by the One Free Man.

“Wow.” She sighed. “Uh, t-thanks for the, the catch, Gordon...” She stammered. She looked at his face. She expected to see him blushing and looking away, like he did lately. Instead, he looked at her with worry, breathing heavily.

“Don’t worry, I’m OK, Gordon!” she said, as she climbed down from him -not that she wouldn’t have minded staying a little more like that, but even she was a bit shy sometimes...- and stretched her arms, now in safe ground once again. “Thanks to you, of course! Gordon Freeman saved my life! What a legend. Though I guess you’re used to hearing that, huh?”

He just stared and smiled akwardly. He was really worried. Oh no. Ugh, now she felt really bad. If only she could rewind back what she said...

“Hey, it’s fine, it’s fine. You got me at the nick of time. Don’t worry.”

Gordon nodded, but his face was still concerned.

“H-hey, how about I help you with the greenhouse like I said?”

He nodded. She grabbed her tools and they put their minds and hands to work.

...

“You know what we should plant? Chili peppers. There’s this guy down the street, he was from City 9, I mean, Mexico, before they sent him here... He makes damn good tacos. He would be so happy to get his ingredients from here. Pretty sure they could grow in the greenhouse. It’s a good thing so many people brought their recipes and such here. Now that we have lots of seeds once again, things here might get a lot more tasty...”

The spring sun was setting in the horizon. While the reconstructed building wasn’t very tall, most of the city could be seen from there. Scattered here and there, there were neighboroods -those that have been deemed safe- turning on their lights. Most houses had patches of green on their roofs; some parks and gardens were already having flowers. And beyond them, in the center, the twisted alien metal of the ruins of the Citadel still stood, mostly out of inertia, as nobody could be able to remove it. It was part of the city now, in a way.

Gordon and Alyx were sitting -at a safe distance from the edge- in the roof of the building, with a brand new greenhouse behind them. A couple of bottles of cold water, scattered tools, and some pigeons kept them company.

“...I mean, I didn’t have much to choose when I grew up, with, you know, the alien invasion and the Combine regime and all, but I miss some good ol’ homemade food every now and then, you know? I’m sure you have some favorite foods you miss from the old times, too.”

He just nodded, looking at the sunset.

Alyx looked at him, and then again at the city horizon.

She sighed.

“Are you still mad?” She finally asked, softly, looking at her feet.

Gordon took quite a while to answer. She wasn’t worried about that; he always did. What she was worried about was the answer.

“...I’m not mad...”

Well, off to a good start.

“...I was just worried you could get hurt. That’s all.”

“Sorry. I... I just wanted to have some fun. And I did! but... I Didn’t want to make you worry. Sorry. Won’t do it again.”

Gordon’s idea of fun was more about reading about new research or watching bad old sci-fi movies. But to be fair, making Alyx fly was a little fun, it really was!

But he still felt uneasy.

“You’re fine, after all. It was just a little scare. And it WAS a little fun.” He clarified, smiling. “It’s fine.” He said.

And then Gordon found her looking at him, her eyes drifting away from the sunset to him.

It was time for Alyx to think. She stayed silent for so long that Gordon became a little worried.

“I’m... I’m always fine with you.” She finally said, softly. “If I’m in danger, you always come to save me. And you can trust I’ll ALWAYS do the same for you, too. You’ve always saved me. And I’m so glad. I’m so gald you did. So I could be with you.” She looked away, blushing. It was as close as a confession she could get. Even if maybe it wasn’t the best time.

She glanced at Gordon for a second. He was blushing. She was sure he got what she meant. In a way, it only made her feel more embarrased.

Another silence.

“Alyx... I... Don’t want to save your life anymore.” What? Before she could say something, he continued. “That is not the life I want for you, or me. I want... to live my life with you.”

Alyx stared at him, her mouth open, her entire mind blank, only a soft, tingly warmth, one that she felt so many times, yet like never as before.

“Gordon...”

“I don’t mind a little adventure every now and then...” he uncharacteristically added. “But... I would like to live a quiet life right now.” He paused, as if couldn’t continue.

He was absolutely red.

She wanted to say so many things. In fact, she didn’t expect Gordon to say all of this, at once, even.

“I’ll... try to... give you less headaches, then.” she giggled. “But you better do your part too, I mean... I know you like jumping in portals and crawling in sewers, Doc. You aren’t as innocent as you look.” She giggled. It wasn’t even that funny. She just tried to make jokes to lighten the mood. And she was feeling extremely happy after all. “Sorry, stupid joke.” Gordon didn’t mind. He nodded and sighed, smiling.

“And I’m up for it every time. But I... Really want to live a nice life with you too. I think it’s time.” she finally said, her words becoming softer at the end.

She got closer to him and took his hand. It wasn’t the first time they held hands, but it often was in more dire circumstances. Today, there was just the spring breeze and the soft smell of garden earth.

Earth.

He held her hand back. Alyx got closer. And a little bold, again. As she liked.

She rested her head on his shoulder. Gordon was frozen. But still very warm.

“Hey. Dr. Freeman.” She whispered. “Do you mind if we kiss?”

She was surprised when he answered instantly.

“Not at all.”

They returned very late to Black Mesa East that night.

[cardandpixel]

RocketBook Flip - a rare review and it’s not a game!

Before I go any further, I feel I must point out that I don’t have any financial connection to RocketBook whatsoever – this isn’t a piece that was requested or courted by RocketBook or affiliates and I’m not receiving any reward or sponsorship either in product or direct payment for this article. I just like the damn thing and love it when an innovative piece of tech (in this case quite low key) just works. Hi I’m Paul, and I have a bit of a problem with notebooks – A4 lined, sketch, reporters, Black & Reds (ohhhh the sheer number of B&Rs), goofy ones, serious work ones, battered ones, pristine ‘for best only’ ones – and they all fill at an alarming rate. I make notes on everything. Working as a sound engineer and designer, there’s always mix notes, soundscape plots, ideas, VO notes and scripts, SFX ideas etc etc. At home it’s a very different story – it’s much worse. Game notes; blog notes; hurriedly scribbled quiz questions spurred by watching another episode of Mental Floss’ 500 facts about cheese; RPG notes and story ideas; my own script writing; world building; sketches; other creative ideas; song/music notes and ideas; and that’s before we get to to-do lists; and the dreaded ‘things I must remember’. So my journal life is many, varied and plenty. The usual issue is… ‘what frakking journal did I put that amazing idea in????’, and that’s way before we get to the utter horror that is possibly losing a whole journal or forgetting to bring one home from work. I’m 53, I forget more than I recall, and journals help bring some semblance of order to a massively chaotic and fertile brain. What I’ve needed for a long time is some way of organising all this info or centralising it in some way. Sure I’ve looked at apps – I used Things, Evernote, Notes, and One Note for years, and they are really, really good, but they relied on either having a charged device exactly when I need it (yeah – me too) or net access, which for a new-ish theatre, is surprisingly a bit of an issue at work. And the most important part – I actually enjoy the physical act of handwriting long-hand. I still write actual physical letters to people, it’s adorable and a bit creepy in this age, but I call it charming and leave it at that. Handwriting, for me, allows me time to think and process in a way that typing just doesn’t. Handwriting is slower, I rarely cross anything out, and so I always have the whole of the thought. So what I’ve ideally wanted for years, was a reliable way of organising all my notes and storing them electronically so I have access even without the actual journal, with OCR so they’re editable, and still being a tactile handwritten experience. I’m naturally a sceptic (I actually subscribe to Fortean Times – yeah – I card carry!) and so online ads and particularly FaceAche ads are a field day for critical thinking triggers. I don’t think I’ve ever received from Wish, exactly what I ordered from Wish. And so when an ad from RocketBook constantly kept popping up on my timeline a few weeks ago, I was naturally “it’ll never work” But their website looked legit enough – they had a dedicated UK shop, it was relatively steep to buy in but not so wild that if it didn’t work I wouldn’t be crying too much about the money wasted, and at the end of the day it was a 10th the price of a ReMarkable 2 which is actually what I thought would solve my problem. I’m furloughed at the mo and though I could argue the case for £300+ notebook (test me, I could), I just couldn’t justify it now. And RocketBook had a good summer intro offer. I ordered on the Wednesday, and the impressively glitzy and graphic-design-playbook poly package was dropped on my doorstep just 2 days later by my cheery postie who yelled up the drive “Package for ya, looks very exciting!!!!” I like that our postal service is still invested in the hopes and dreams of their customers. It was exciting. All the instructions for getting started with my new Teal RocketBook A4 Flip were right there before you even open it. The main body houses the pad and a cleaning cloth, and a clever little side pocket houses the supplied Pilot Frixion pen.

RocketBooks come in several models, all configured slightly differently. I have the Flip which is a top spiral-bound softback pad with 21 double sided ‘pages’ giving 42 pages in total. The Flip has lined paper one side, and dot paper on the reverse (great for D&D maps, impromptu tables, mixer channel plots etc)

DELIVERY & FIRST IMPRESSIONS The pads are nicely made, with sturdy covers (available in some really nice colours too) and a solid, thick plastic ring binding. Initially, The RocketBook does feel a bit odd. Its ‘pages’ are actually a synthetic polyester blend and feel quite shiny to the touch. The sort of surface you just instantly feel is not going to be great for ink! Each page is edge-to-edge lined or dotted with a heavy black border. At the bottom is a prominent QR code used for scanning and some very feint icons. These 7 icons are the key to the ease of use of the RocketBook series. But more later.

THE APP

The pads work with a companion app, that is absolutely free and available for Apple & Android. In fact, RB even do downloadable printable pages so you can try the whole system absolutely free before you buy – I didn’t, I just bought one, y’know. The app allows you to set up your destination locations, your preferences and does the actual scanning. Just one quick note, I have the app on both my phone and iPad and had to set-up the app the same for both, there appears to be no way of swapping preference settings between devices, though I can see why this may be intentional.

Currently, the RocketBook allows you to choose from the following locations to send files to: GoogleDrive, box, EverNote, DropBox, slack, OneNote, iCloud, OneDrive as well as simply to an email (or multiple) addresses and iMessage. Impressively, these are not fixed either, so you could choose your 7 destinations to be 7 email addresses of team members. These 7 locations are the icons at the bottom of each page. To select a destination for your file, you just make a mark in that icon box (tick, circle, something unsavoury) and that page will be sent to whichever you select. This makes the system very flexible indeed as not every page is necessarily sent to every destination. You always decide every time you fill a page. Change your mind on a second revision? No problem, add or change icons at any time and re-upload.

There’s a really handy table on the inside front cover for you to note what icon sends what where. This is also wipeable, so can be changed anytime.

I have mine set by default to:

Rocket > main email address (either as PDF, JPG, OCR embedded or as separate txt file)

Diamond > GoogleDrive (you can specify exactly what folder too)

Apple > iMessage

Bell > OneNote

That actually still leaves me 3 spare: shamrock; star; and horseshoe.

The app took me maybe 20mins to set-up, that included decision time for destinations and setting up a few target folders. It also included a few ‘test firings’. I didn’t get everything right first time and a few things didn’t send, but crucially, a tiny bit of digging revealed very simple troubleshooting (including the aforementioned issue with no sync’ing of phone and iPad), and all in I was finding the files in all the right destinations within about 30 mins. The website, FAQs and community are immensely helpful with any other issues as well. I had a tiny issue with OneNote seeming to take ages to sync, but I think that’s an issue with my OneNote settings, everything else was almost instantaneous. You can also handily set the app to auto-send as soon as it scans, or allow for manual review.

CLEAN UP ON AISLE ROCKETPAD The main reason I wanted to look at the RocketBook was the issue of reusability. My journal shenanigans are by no means the biggest ecological disaster on the planet, but if we are to believe Tesco (who probably issue as many receipts at our local Tesco Express in a day as journals I’ve ever used), every little helps. If I could find an ecologically better solution, I should at least take a look. The RocketPads work by partnering with Pilot pens called Frixion. The really clever bit is RB’s paper technology and how it works with the Frixion ink. At present, the pads only work with the Frixion pens – except the RB Colour which works with Crayola’s dry-erase crayons. When you write on the ‘paper’ with a Frixion pen, it remains wet for a few seconds and then dries pretty quickly. There’s no smudging whatsoever in transit, which is pretty cool. From then on, it may as well be permanent, until you have transmitted your page and decide you don’t want the text anymore.  To wipe the page clean, you can dampen the supplied cloth and just wipe the surface clean, it’s weird but it works! But then damp cloth in your bag? So I use kitchen roll to dampen, then wipe dry with theirs. Others even have an adorably kitsch spray bottle in their kit. RB reckon if you are not going to use the pad for a few months, to clean the pages as the ink can get trickier to shift after a long time, but for day-to-day use, I’ve tried writing and wiping well over 20x and the page hasn’t become discoloured or tarnished at all. The only pad different in the range is the Wave which cleans by microwaving! Do NOT do this with any of the others, bad things will happen. The ink doesn’t take scrubbing or any time to come up, I clean my pages in about 10-15s. The page can feel a little tacky when it’s damp, but leave a minute or so and the page will be back to normal. RB do say that odd things can happen if the book is left near a heatsource or in a hot car, vis-à-vis, the ink can completely disappear horrifyingly enough. They say that putting the pen or the pad in the freezer for a little while will actually restore the ink, but I’ve not tried it yet so can’t confirm or deny how that goes. Handy for spies in hot countries though, so there’s another target market. If you are always going to send your pages to the same places, then don’t erase the marked icons, and the page is ready for new notes straight away, otherwise, scrub them too.

I CAN’T READ YOUR WRITING – ARE YOU A DOCTOR? Initially, the RB pads send their files as scans of the pages in high contrast monochrome (colour is available) when you snap the page in the app (which auto-frames for you and takes maybe 10s to capture). The formats are either as images or PDF. If that had been it, I would have been quite happy, but the RB pads have another trick up their sleeve. Firstly, they have a function called ‘Smart Titles’ which allows you to name your files directly from the page by writing a filename between double hashtags ie ## this is my scrawl 24/8/20 ## and the file will pop up in your destinations with the filename “this is my scrawl 24/08/20” – this is insanely handy – there’s no protocol except your own and the hashtags, and it makes your files super easy to search. You can even send groups of pages as a single PDF. But the notebooks go even further. They actually offer full searchable OCR which the app can be set to send embedded in the PDF or image, or more usefully, as a companion separate .txt file. Now, my handwriting isn’t the neatest, but it’s not bad so I was prepared for some editing to be necessary, but impressively again, the OCR was about 90-95% accurate. In a page of text it missed maybe 3 or 4 words and even those not badly. This is all considering their full OCR is still only in beta! It gets confused with diagrams on the page, but that’s to be expected.

Text Generated by OCR: ## Blog post och test Aug 2020 ## This is a little demonstration of the OCR capabilities of the Rocket Book pads and app. I've told the lovely people that the hit rate is about 90-95% so please dant let me down here flip pad. Hopefully the file name will also prove another point further up in the section and not make me look like some charlatan or snake-oil salesman.Hope you enjoyed this demonstrahen, now go away and leave me to write the next great novella.Bye!

HOW MUCH? On average, I pay anywhere from £4-8 for a decent A4 notebook/journal, so at £30-37 (dependent on model), the RocketBook pads are not a whim purchase. That said, I get through a lot of journals in a year, and given that I would expect to easily get 2-3 years out of a RocketBook pad, then I’ve saved money. Will it replace all my notebooks? No. You need to be thinking of carrying this round as a kit: pad, Frixion pen (at least 2), and cloth.  RB do a series of portfolio sleeves for the pads but it does push the price up a bit still, but for a rep, engineer or salesperson, this still makes sense. They’re less bulky than a normal A4 pad too. What I would say is Tesco and Sainsbury’s currently stock Frixion pens and at much better prices than buying them from RB directly, I just paid £3 for 3 pens on offer at Tesco compared to £10 from RB. You get one pen with the pad, but you’re going to want more soon, so stock up next time you’re shopping for truffle oil crisps. If you use whiteboards a lot, RB also have you covered. Instead of the pad, £16 will get you a 4 pack of ‘beacons’ – little self-adhesive triangles that effectively do the same thing as the QR code in the pad. You don’t have the icon options obviously, but if you’re looking to distribute quick meeting or group notes, this would be a boon. CONCLUSION Considering this was a fairly speculative purchase on my part, my early experiences with the RocketBook Flip have been really impressive. The flexibility, the ability to store every page in a different location if you really wanted to make it fantastic for organising my notes, which can save me hours of finding the right ^^$&^$&$ notebook in the first place, then scouring that for the one paragraph I was looking for etc etc. The searchable text facility, in-app history for re-sending etc and last but no way least, functional handwriting OCR, makes the RocketBook not only novel, but actually useable! Would I buy another? As a second notebook – yes. I look forward to seeing what the actual longevity of the product is once I come off furlough and start cramming my day bag with all my junk and a notepad again, but yes, I’d probably just have one at home, and one for work, but make the last 5 mins of each day, scanning and sending work notes so I have them with me wherever. Impressively, the RocketBook Flip just works and it works well. ‘Er Across The Table has already sold several folk at her work on the idea and she doesn’t even have one herself yet! I love it. It’s taking a little adjusting to, but it’s all good. The most important thing though is the writing experience, and I have to say, the combination of the Frixion pen/ink and the polymer technology of the Flip, again, just works. It’s smooth, doesn’t skip or smudge for me (I know some right to left users and left handers have reported some issues) and feels great to write on. If anything I have to slow down a bit as the contact is so smooth that your writing can get a bit ahead of you! RocketBook have produced a cracker of a product. It might not seem like much, but if practical working journals are your thing (ie not create and keep things) then I can highly recommend the RocketBook series.

[dragimalsdaydreams]

man, I think this is the first time I’ve ever had a legitimate ponysona... before this, I could never figure out what class of pony I wanted to be-- and even more frustratingly, if I even wanted to be a *pony* in the first place. I eventually just cut my losses and bound myself to specifically a ponysona or else I’d still be going around in circles still (changeling? deer? kirin??), and I finally figured out an interesting approach to my ‘sona’s class that I think rly fits me

anyways, her info under the cut

Name:

Willowsprout. most folks just call her Willow, though her parents call her Sprout/Sproutling

Class:

most folks assume Willow’s a full-blood unicorn due to her more obvious physical traits. legally she’s an earth pony, since newborn unicorns (in my lore) don’t grow a horn til a few weeks after birth, so her non-unicorn parents just assumed she was full-blood earth and registered her as such. in reality, she’s a bicorn (a concept I describe in more detail here), with most of her magical ability influenced by her earth pony side, and most of her physique influenced by her unicorn side.

Parents:

I usually don’t care to think up parentage for my personal ‘sonas b/c history/family doesn’t matter to me so much as their current/individual state, but this time I might?

see, I’ve always joked that my personality is basically the love-child of Fluttershy (talent with and compassion for all creatures, social anxiety) and Treehugger (hippie aesthetic, mellow vibes, talent with plants), so it makes sense that I’d make them my ‘sona’s parents. BUT a unicorn/earth pony bicorn is p unlikely to result from pegasus/earth pony parentage. not to mention Willow’s white/green palette compared to their respective yellow/pink and green/red...

even so, I still like the idea of them being Willow’s parents, so IF I were to go with them, I’d make Willow an unplanned pregnancy from a fling b/t the two. I like to imagine Discord/Fluttershy/Treehugger in a loose poly “angle”, where Discord/Fluttershy are a solid romantic pair, while Fluttershy/Treehugger sort of vacillate b/t close friends and partners. Discord, despite his tendency towards jealousy, has come to affectionately tolerate(?) Treehugger, and is happy that his wife is happy with the both of them. Willow, however, was born a bit before Discord/Fluttershy became an official couple, and it threw their relationship into a bit of a spiral until Fluttershy, Discord, and Treehugger all finally sat down and worked out their feelings and relationships. since then, Willow has been raised with all three acting as her parents

now if I were to instead just make up parents for Willow, then I’d make them both earth ponies. I like the idea of Willow being entrenched in earth pony culture w/ very little unicorn cultural influence. I especially like the idea of at least one parent (if not both of them) being a farmer of some sort

Special Talent:

while Willow can do magic-based dexterous tasks and pick up reasonably-sized objects with the grace and precision of any full-blood unicorn, she has 0% aptitude for any kind of active spell-casting. even the most simple of spells that a unicorn foal could produce are simply impossible for her. Willow’s true power lies in her earth pony side, with complex, intimate connections to the earth. despite the weakness of her spell-casting, Willow has found a unique way to combine the overt magical influence of unicorn magic with the more subtle influence of earth pony magic

with this combination, Willow can connect to and sense the physical/psychological states of individual organisms and broader ecosystems around her. this can be used identify and help heal ailments, soothe troubled minds, abstractly communicate with other organisms, and even navigate new environments. the Special Talent that Willow typically uses this broad-scope ability for is monitoring broad ecological systems and restoring these systems to balance

one interesting trick of Willow’s Talent allows her to meld seamlessly with the environment around her as a sort of “camouflage”. this doesn’t change anything about her physically, but rather slightly alters the perceptions of those around her so that she simply doesn’t register under any senses. this allows her to quietly observe the environment around her without actively disturbing it. of course if someone knows Willow should be somewhere near them, they can break this passive magic fairly easily, but most creatures aren’t expecting a quiet pony observer, so it’s still a great boon to an ecologist such as herself

despite the control she can exert with her talent, Willow never had much of a taste for the strict monitoring of pony-controlled ecosystems like those around Ponyville. she thinks it best to leave a system to its own devices unless absolutely necessary. thus, Willow’s taken to casually traveling the land, documenting flora and fauna, and stopping to help any systems that need to rebalance

these travels have brought her into contact with several other species, and given her a broader perspective on pony relations with the land and other creatures. she’d never been able to put a hoof on exactly what bothered her about pony-controlled systems, but she’s since learned what it means to live in and among systems, rather than ruling and subduing systems as ponies tend towards. she’s now an active supporter of non-pony sovereignty and land rights, and always works directly with locals whenever she finds an ecosystem in need

Cutie Mark:

Willow’s mark is a stylized aspen tree forest hanging down into the shape of an aspen leaf, representing the concurrently individual and collective nature of nature

(yes, I know her name is Willow, but willows are close relatives of aspens, and “willow’ flows better for her name..)

Personality:

Willow is generally laid back and accommodating, taking situations as they arise with the patience of a rolling wave. she used to be rather timid in her youth, but has mellowed out a bit in her adult years. her social anxiety is definitely still there, but it’s far more manageable now. while Willow is polite when confronted, she’s still not an especially sociable pony, even without the immediate threat of anxiety

Willow tends to shut down in crowded, loud, high-stress environments/situations (this issue is compounded in areas without much plant life, like cities). a thousand-yard stare and one-word responses are clear signs she probably needs a breather with fresh air and a potted plant or two

while Willow’s “camouflage” magic is certainly an active choice at crowded social events, she’s prone to unconsciously pulling the shroud around herself as she simply goes about her life. she prefers to quietly observe the world around her even when she’s not working, and the shroud helps her pass through the day undisturbed. this often leads to spooks when she unintentionally creeps up on a friend to say hello

despite not being very talkative with other creatures, Willow’s prone to idle chatter with plants, and even sings to them on occasion. this likely doesn’t help them grow, but she at least enjoys it

while Willow certainly has strong opinions on social issues-- especially those intersecting with her work with nature and other creatures-- she’s more likely to quietly observe and catalog the opinions of others and act accordingly, rather than state her opinion outright. she’s just not one for outright conflict

Hobbies:

beyond her work with all things natural, Willow loves visual art-- especially drawing and various crafts like sewing, knitting, and found-object sculpture. she loves to collect any interesting rocks, dried plants, and various animal bones she finds out in the field, which she sends back home to later arrange into elaborate displays. her drawing skills are highly refined, and she’s a well-known name among zoological/botanical illustrators. she often takes commissions from fellow researchers who need visual aids for their own work, completing them while trekking around the world

Willow’s interests slant towards the macabre in some respects, which sometimes shocks strangers who judge her to be too meek to enjoy such subjects. usually this interest is academic, such as dissecting a corpse for study/reference, or exploring abandoned areas for curiosities. though she won’t deny that she enjoys the fear-driven thrill of a good spooky tale~ Willow’s humor also tends towards the dark and self-deprecating, especially in the company of close friends

Willow loves a good book-- when she’s not out in the field, she’s most content to curl up in bed with a biology journal, fantasy book, or supernatural/horror novel. she dabbles in writing, but mostly in the form of field journals and poetry

Physicality:

Willow takes strongly after her unicorn side in this respect, with very little built-in strength or stamina to speak of. her work serves to fortify these physical aspects of course, but any time she takes an extended break, she’s right back to square one

Willow’s one physical reminder of her earth side is her small hoof-nails, whose color often blends into the color of the surrounding hoof anyways

Willow is rather short and slight compared to most ponies. while unicorns aren’t the tallest of classes, they usually aren’t the shortest either, so her size is a bit odd to see in a so-called unicorn lineup. her height may be influenced by her earth side since earth pony sizes can vary a lot, but it could just be a simple genetic fluke in this case

[mandoratheevilchaser]

Ras for the character ask!

Interesting one!

How I feel about this character: As a villain, Ra's is one of my favourites. He's elegant, he's got swag for days and there's no one really quite like him. He's a really interesting foil to Bruce as well (I always get a sense of satisfaction whenever he's classified as Batman's arch-enemy), because he's really his only villain on an international scale, as opposed to all the Gotham villains. As a father to Talia is where my conflicting feelings towards him come into play, because she's one of my all time favourites and he didn't always treat her all that well, particularly under Dixon. Also, their relationship is laced with sexism, but I guess that can be attributed to them being created in the early 70's + Ra's' age.

All the people I ship romantically with this character: He and Sora were really sweet. I think she's the only woman Ra's ever really loved, and as he said himself, he'll grieve her forever. Even though his relationship with Evelyn and Dinah has certain romantic elements, I think he mostly wanted an heir from them. The sexism applies here too; expressing your wish to marry a woman so that she can give you a son is Not It, Chief, and neither is restoring a woman's youth, then bedding her and calling it a marriage ceremony, again in order for you to have a son.

My non-romantic OTP for this character: Despite what I said above, Talia, because he's been truly shown to care about her, especially in the early stories by O'Neil and Wolfman.

My unpopular opinion about this character: Even though his name is pronounced "Raysh" in other media, people should recognise that it's incorrect and disrespectful and make an effort to pronounce it the correct way. Also, I'm not sure how unpopular this is, but I don't like Sensei being his father at all. I much prefer his origin in Birth of the Demon. And, despite all the racism and sexism attached to him, Ra's is an infinitely better character than the Joker ✌️

One thing I wish would happen/had happened with this character in canon: He should be brought more into play today. He's never been more relevant. He fits perfectly into the current ecological crisis and should be way more utilised based on that (he can actually have a point every once in a while). I also wish DC would drop the orientalism already. And that applies to the majority of DC's asian characters. It's twenty-fucking-twenty, it's gotten real old (older than Ra's hgsdfdhgy). DC (and on a larger scale the western world) needs a good, hard slap in the face.