#it's easier to be useful than lonely i guess. so to speak

[muzzlemouths]

NO WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

I made a quiz

find out now on short quiz

supportive

yummy

VERY LARGE

brian

[mcflymemes]

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT - THE ANTHOLOGY BY TAYLOR SWIFT PROMPT LIST *  assorted lyrics from the album, some lines slightly adapted for meme purposes but feel free to adjust as necessary

even if it's handcuffed, i'm leaving here with you.

trust me. i can handle a dangerous man.

i love you. it's ruining my life.

does it feel all right to not know me?

i am who i am 'cause you trained me.

quick. tell me something awful.

i loved you the way that you were.

we were just kids, babe.

i can fix him.

you and i go from one kiss to getting married.

you said i'm the love of your life.

way up there, i actually love it.

i just don't understand how you don't miss me.

do you hate me?

did you think i had it in me?

what if i told you i'm back?

i still miss the smoke.

i'm not trying to exaggerate, but i think i might die if it happened.

you look like stevie nicks.

it's hell on earth to be heavenly.

i still can't believe it.

this happens once every few lifetimes.

didn't you hear? they called it all off.

it's happening again.

my friends say it isn't right to be scared.

i might just die.

fuck you if i can't have us.

tell me about the first time you saw me.

are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me?

no one's ever had me... not like you.

stay away from her.

there wouldn't be this if there hadn't been you.

i don't think you've changed much.

that's where i was when i lost it all.

life was always easier on you than it was on me.

i hoped you'd return.

do you believe me now?

what if your eyes looked up and met mine one more time?

what are the chances you'd be downtown?

is it something i did?

oh, we must stop meeting like this.

they say what doesn't kill you makes you aware.

i'm not a donor, but i'd give you my heart if you needed it.

looking backwards might be the only way to move forwards.

the story isn't mine anymore.

what a charming saturday!

none of it is changing.

wild winds are death to the candle.

one bad seed kills the garden.

i'm bitter, but i swear i'm fine.

this place made me feel worthless.

i didn't want to come down.

everything had been above board.

blood's thick, but nothing like a payroll.

you can mark my words that i said it first.

the professor said to write what you know.

all of this to say, i hope you're okay.

your words are still just ringing in my head.

i built a legacy which you can't undo.

who do i have to speak to to change the prophecy?

the effects were temporary.

no, i'm not coming to my senses.

babe, you gotta fake it 'til you make it.

you know you're good when you can even do it with a broken heart.

i guess a lesser woman would've lost hope.

thought of calling you, but you won't pick up.

you're a professional.

long may you reign.

you're an animal. you are bloodthirsty.

now i seem to be scared to go outside.

i don't believe in good luck.

i hate it here.

if i'd been there, i'd hate it.

only the gentle survived.

i'm lonely, but i'm good.

you have no room in your dreams for regrets.

i thought it was just goodbye for now.

are you still a mind reader?

let it once be me.

i haven't decided yet.

i still dream of him.

i'm so afraid i sealed my fate.

it was always the same searing pain.

i can't forgive the way you made me feel.

it wasn't a fair fight or a clean kill.

she used to say she wished that you were dead.

tell me all your secrets.

they tried to warn you about me.

you're in terrible danger.

i'm the life you chose.

yes, i'm haunted, but i'm feeling just fine.

no one asks any questions here.

tell me i'm despicable. say it's unforgivable.

i'm running back home to you.

you should see your faces.

you knew the price going in.

was any of it true?

who the fuck was that guy?

i don't ever want you back.

did you sleep with a gun underneath our bed?

you don't get to tell me you feel bad.

you wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me.

am i allowed to cry?

there's no such thing as bad thoughts. only your actions talk.

they're going to crucify me anyway.

i know i'm just repeating myself.

that's the closest i've come to my heart exploding.

[eunchancorner]

Unfamiliar Old Friends (TTT)

I kept thinking about how sad and lonely Henry was, then realized I had every reason to un-lonely him

-

“Right, so we need to reallocate the funds from the rocket to the mountain base…” Henry murmured as he and Carol went over the finances that came with canceling the rocket project. He shifted some of the papers on his desk, the early-afternoon light making them look almost luminescent.

“And the jungle base, we’re keeping that, correct?” she asked, earning a nod.

“Yeah, it’s a good position to hold, maybe we can turn the rocket into some kind of housing, or something? It’ll be good for expansion, especially with this weird influx of high-school aged recruits… Speaking of which, we really need to set them up into a different class, we don’t want something happening to them before they even become adults.”

”Chief, we have a new recruit here to join us,” the report suddenly came in over his radio, eliciting a sigh from the leader.

Speak of the devil.

“Let me guess, another teen?” he asked, tired of the amount of underage Toppats that had already been brought in so fast.

”Actually, she’s an adult this time. Says her name’s Ellie Rose, she escaped from the Wall? Wasn’t that where we got you out of?”

Oh my god. Oh my god it’s Ellie. Oh my fucking god.

He thought he’d never see her again. He thought this was one of those endings where he was doomed to isolation. But Ellie was here. She was here to join. One of his best friends he’d ever had in any lifetime was here to join him.

And she’ll never know it. She’s not going to even know me. She might not even recognize me. But goddamn it, even if she doesn’t it’ll be so awesome to see her again!

“I- uh- yeah, send her in!” he replied, doing his best not to sound nervous or excited, despite being both. He could almost feel the look Carol was giving him as he stood, dusting himself off and making sure his hat was on straight.

God, I probably look half dead. I can’t believe she’s really here! It’s like Toppat Civil Warfare except she’s not here to dethrone me! And she’s not mad! Because she wants to join! Peacefully!

His thoughts raced in the moments it took for Ellie to reach his office door. She stepped in, looking around at the room, before locking eyes with Henry. For a single, solitary instant, he swore he saw recognition.

“Uhm, hello. My name is Ellie,” the redhead introduced herself, “You must be the Toppat Leader. I heard you broke out of the Wall, and I thought, ‘If that guy can do it, I can too, right?’ and, uh… I’ll admit, it was a little easier than I thought it would be, since the warden’s still pissed you got out. I… I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before?”

Oh my god, does she know? No, no she can’t know. Only Chaos Control and I know.

“Oh, yeah, we were in the same transfer room, I think? You seem pretty strong, it’s not too big a surprise that you were able to get out, too. I mean- I know it’s the Wall, but still! O-oh, and smart! You seem smart, too!” Henry rambled, trying his best to stay on her good side.

I sound so awkward, like I have some kind of crush on her. What is this, middle school?

“Heh, is that so? Is that because I decided to join the Toppats?” she asked, a smile on her face as she tilted her head a bit.

“N-no! W-well, yes, that’s a smart idea, but, I mean, it takes a certain kind of intelligence to escape from the Wall! After all, I had help but, you, you did it alone! That’s very impressive! I-I mean, not for you specifically, just, like, in general!”

Now I just sound stupid.

His heart leapt as he heard her laugh softly at him, crossing her arms.

“Are you always this awkward around new recruits, or is it just me?”

“It's just you, Ms. Rose,” Carol interjected, reaching over to shake Ellie's hand. “Carol Cross, Henry's Right Hand Lady. I act as his second in command, closest advisor, main guard and next in line to lead the Toppats. Pleasure to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you, too. That's a… lot of titles to have at once,” she chuckled, almost nervously.

“Being a Right Hand is a very important position. It's typically given to spouses or family, however I gained it by being the main coordinator behind Henry's rescue.”

“Yeah, it seemed like the best way I could repay her! She's been really helpful, especially when it comes to keeping me safe,” Henry added.

“What, are you, like, in danger? Is there something going on I should know about?” she looked towards the door as if expecting someone to suddenly charge in.

“Someone wants Henry dead. An attempt has already been made on his life and we're not taking chances anymore,” the ravenette clarified. “Not one.”

“Oh, shit, why?”

“Could be jealousy, or they just don't like him, or how he came to lead. He took over after betraying the American Government.”

“Oh, that's awesome. Not the someone wanting you dead thing, the betraying the government thing,” Ellie clarified.

Henry fought the urge to ask her if she really thought so, though he could feel himself smiling.

“So, yeah, tell me a bit about yourself. How'd you end up at the Wall?” he asked, as though he wasn't already very familiar with the story.

“Well, I was a contract killer for a while, but when that started running dry, I turned to theft. Turned up some pretty big profits until the Wall got ahold of me. I mostly based it out of Texas at first, but I got pretty nomadic when things started getting too bad. I've been all over the US.”

“Wow, sounds like you've got the exact kind of skillset a good Toppat needs!” Henry feigned shock. He already knew she was perfect for this. He was just happy she was here to prove him right yet again. “All that's left to do is get you familiar with the Airship and get you fitted with an outfit!”

“I'll send for Thomas for a tour-” Carol started before Henry cut her off.

“No no, I-I can bring her around myself! As someone who's also broken out of the Wall, I-I feel that I can give her a more… uhm… a clearer understanding of uhm… I-I want to take her on the tour.”

“Are you sure? Touring with a new recruit while someone wants your head is a… I don't want to say it's a bad idea, but… that's what it is.”

“I mean, you can come with me if you think I need protection. You're pretty intimidating, just you walking with us will be enough. I just think it would be a good way to help her feel welcomed. Ellie, would you be okay with that?”

“Are you kidding? That'd be awesome,” she assured him, “Plus it’d be nice to have someone who’s not some random guy show me around.”

“Great! Well then, Ellie,” Henry began to walk around the desk, ready to lead her around the Airship, “Shall we?”

[propheticpanickingnerd]

Tim!!! The silly :)

Explanation and a little fic under the cut ⬇

So, initially, i was thinking of this as Tim in a casket of his making, him thinking even if he died no one would be there for the funeral and therefore it would be his responsibility to lay himself down on his bed of roses, attend his funeral, live as lonely as he thought he was. And so, dying alone.

But!! I actually really like the Immortal!Tim Aus so it could also be that.

Imagine this: [Death and apathy to death TW]

Tim discovered he was immortal at a younger age than most, neglected toddlers have a high death rate, so he died as a baby. He doesnt remember much, if not for the one and only scar on his neck, easily hidden by his hair. He assumes he broke his neck, falling out of something, but no one was there to tell him how he died, so he will never know. With that, started the deaths. Never any scarring from them, if not for the first one, but he died a lot.

When he turned into Robin, he didn't think to hide that. Sure, Batman has a "no metas" rule, but he has no activated meta gene. He is not a meta. He is just... unusual. So he died. A lot. He always came back, but he thought at least someone noticed it. If only for a bit, anyone noticed his heartbeat stopping.

If he had asked any of the supers he met, they would've told him his heart stopped all the time and they thought he had a mechanism for that, to throw them off his tail, like Batman did. He didn't though, never thought to ask, and so it happened.

The Incident, so to speak. It was another patrol day, going to the docks to bust a drug smuggling, meeting up with Nightwing for some paired patrol for a few hours and go back home. However, they got caught in an ambush, close to the last hours of patrol, just some goons. But, Tim hadn't died in a couple weeks, as he hadn't slept for the same time. And, usually, death takes the same effect as sleeping, if less peaceful. He thought of resting after his shift, actually.

So, really, when the goon, gun in hand, positioned himself to shoot Tim in the head, he didn't think to dodge. His only thought was "Huh, that's an easier way". So he got shot. In front of Nightwing.

But, at the time, he still thought they knew. They knew he died and came back, that the "Dead Robins Club" that he was not invited to was a joke, because they could count the amount of times they died and Tim couldn't. That they knew him.

He wakes up gasping. Not an unusual reaction. Whats unusual about this is that it's dark and he can feel petals beneath him. And that there is little oxygen and he just wasted most by gasping for air.

His next few deaths are asphyxiation. His next many deaths are asphyxiation too, this time with lungs full of dirt.

He doesnt know how much time he spends alive, nor how much time he spends dead. He just knows, far too many deaths passed when he gets out of his grave. So many deaths in fact, he learns a new thing about this ability of his. Dying repeatedly for a long time makes his healing factor only heal the cause of his death. He notes that as he finds his fingertips and fingernails bleeding. He will have to fix that in his next death.

He guesses he can finally join the Dead Robins Club. Having to crawl out of his own grave seems like a good enough reason. Still, his clothes are soiled and torn and he bets the autopsy scars have faded by now. So, all he has to do is fix his grave and prepare a new identity. After that, he can go look for another name Jason used before for him to steal into his new persona.

Would he tell the others he was alive? Maybe eventually, not in the same way Jason did though. But he does feel a bit of joy just thinking ways he could mess with them. It's their fault anyway, for thinking he could stay dead.

[a-lonely-dunedain]

65 + 70 for mini fellowship (or whatever combo of them you desire)

oooh “what’s left/remnants” + “false promises” that's a good combo! I suppose there's two mini fellowships in the game now lol, but I'm going with the Before the Shadow one! (from this ask game. so far the only ask I got from it so do feel free to feed the askbox!)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The two of them watch as Boromir departs, and a little longer still, even after he disappeared beyond a bend in the road. The two brothers stand alone, just as they had begun this journey, all that remains of their little group.

Neither of them had expected it to dissolve so quickly, and especially not with betrayal at the root. Tossdir regrets that those Rohirric folk songs Egfrith taught them around the fire will likely always leave a bitter taste in his mouth. He finds he is more saddened than angered by that realization.

After a while Meneldir sighs heavily, “Well Tossdir, unless you too wish to leave me, I think we should return to Herne-”

Tossdir laughs despite his mood “Me? Leave? Have you forgotten who you are talking to?” He elbows Meneldir’s arm “I’m afraid you will not be rid of me that easily.”

Meneldir breathes a humorless laugh “Hah, suppose you’re right. I wish the same could have been said of our other companions...” they turn to walk the long road back to Herne

“I had hoped it might be easier to face the scorn of the Dúnedain with more friends at my side.” Meneldir’s shoulder hang “But Boromir is gone and Egfrith was no friend at all, in the end.”

“She might have slain us in our sleep, but did not.” Tossdir quietly reminds him.

“Aye, perhaps a foe with some fragments of a conscious left, but a servant of the Enemy all the same.” he remarks sadly

“You’re right, she was, but those fragments might have been enough. If only we could have caught up to her! Maybe she could have been reasoned with...” Meneldir is silent. He guesses that if they had caught up to her, Boromir’s sword would have done the talking long before Tossdir would get the chance. And Meneldir would not have tried to stop him.

“...Sometimes I think you put a little too much faith in people’s willingness to change.” he finally says “One cannot be so easily talked off such dark a path. Especially not with a Wizard involved.”

“I never said it would have been easy,” Tossdir says quietly “but I wish we could have tried, that’s all.”

There is silence for a long time as they walk, the sound of their footfall only ever joined by an occasional lonely birdsong, but that too eventually leaves them as they sky turns to dusk.

“I wish you could have tried too,” Meneldir finally breaks their silence “Perhaps you would have had better luck than myself or Boromir. I... don’t think I meant what I said earlier, about you having too much faith in people. Maybe that faith in and of itself could have done something.” he flashes a halfhearted smile “I mean, it worked on me, after all. I think anyone else should have given up on me a long time ago...”

Tossdir’s expression brightens, then falls again. “Somehow, being told that I’m right only fills me with deeper regret. We will never know now, as she has fled beyond our reach...”

Meneldir gives a resigned sigh “That is why it’s probably best not to dwell on wishes and what ifs. Right now, we should focus on finding Narndir. After all this, I will be doubly glad to see him again.”

The next day, they find Narndir, and bury what is left of him.

Meneldir does not speak for a long time after that, not until they come to Sarn Ford, and to Halbarad’s scorn. Meneldir did not speak to defend himself, but Tossdir bristled at the captain’s remarks. Though there was little time to dwell upon bruised feelings, once they learn of the true horror that befell Sarn Ford mere days ago.

They help gather Rangers at Caranost, and following the rumor of some new terror awakened by the Nine, come to Amon Firn, to Tyrn Gorthad, and then to Dol Ernil.

In the end they succeeded in finding the Grey Fear. Or rather, it succeeded in finding them.

Even when Tossdir was overtaken by it and used as the Grey Fear’s new vessel, Meneldir did not waiver in his defiance of it, and tirelessly hunted it down in desperate hope of saving his brother.

It cost Meneldir his life, but Tossdir was saved, and Grey Fear was at last banished from these lands evermore.

As he breathes his last, Meneldir remembers a promise he made to Tossdir some time ago, he promised that he would not leave him, that for a long as Tossdir lacked the sense to abandon him and go home, they would remain together.

Even as his spirit slips free from his body, he wills himself to remain at his little brother's side. Unseen, unheard and unfelt, but present all the same.

This promise, despite everything, will not prove false.

[deancasbigbang]

Title: Any Way That You Want Me

Author: nhpw

Artist: LeafZelindor

Rating: Mature

Pairings: Castiel/Dean Winchester Background Sam Winchester/Jessica Moore Previous Castiel/Balthazar

Length: 25128

Warnings: No Major Archive Warnings Apply

Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics Mpreg Alpha Castiel Omega Dean Winchester Unsafe Sex Practices Pregnant Dean Winchester Angst and Fluff Castiel and Dean Winchester Need To Use Their Words John Winchester's A+ Parenting Happily Ever After

Posting Date: October 5, 2023

Summary: Dean, a hyper-independent omega, meets alpha Professor Castiel at a bar on a Wednesday in September, and they come together for one night of passion. And that's it. That's all. That's the end. Or maybe it's the beginning. Maybe Dean was right on the edge of his heat, and maybe they weren't as careful as they should have been, and maybe Castiel teaches at the very same school where Sam Winchester is a high school senior, who just wants his brother to be happy.

Excerpt: Dean is halfway through his burger, and his rumbling stomach has quieted, when he sets the sandwich down and finishes chewing the bite in his mouth so he can speak. “Anyway, point is we’re here now.” He gestures vaguely to his growing belly. “And I thought I’d be going it alone, but that was… well, I guess I was wrong.” There. He’d said the word. His shoulders felt lighter already. “So you wanna… I dunno. Make dates out of doctors’ appointments? Set up a custody arrangement?” Castiel laughs softly, and he has a much easier time setting his food aside than Dean did. “I want those things very much,” he confesses, and Dean can’t help noticing an adorable blush creeping into the alpha’s cheeks. “More than that, though, if you’ll let me, I…” There’s a heavy pause. Dean looks down, grabs two french fries, and puts them in his mouth while he waits. “I didn’t want to wake up alone that morning.” Ouch. “And the past five months have been just… lonely and empty. Like something was missing from my life that was supposed to be there.” Dean probably looks like an owl at this point, all wide eyes and frozen face, but he can’t think of anything to say. He slowly feeds himself a fry. “I want to date you, if you’ll let me, Dean. I want to– I know we didn’t plan on this, but I would really like to date you.” “I mean I said– you know, doctors’ appointments and–” There’s that chuckle again, warm and soft. Dean wants to curl up inside it. “Yes that, but I want… to date you. Like this, but… nicer. Candlelight dinners, walks on the beach…” “We live in Kansas, dude.” “On the prairie, then. Or downtown. Dinner and a movie, let’s start with that. And yes, doctor’s appointments, and let’s buy a stroller, and register at Target, and–” Dean holds up a hand, and the alpha halts, eyes going wide. “I’m– sorry. I’ve just never been a dad before.” And that, at least, is something they can start from. Dean smiles as he feels a flutter in his belly. He picks up his burger. “Yeah. Me neither.”

DCBB 2023 Posting Schedule

[lightlycareless]

it just crossed my mind I ought to explain why there's such a huge gap between Naomi and your second kid. sneak peak under the cut, still not finished:

Discreet is not a word many would use when describing you.

When you want something, it’s nothing but obvious, clear as water to those attentive enough.

From the lingering gazes, the twinkle in your eye whenever seeing them…

To the absentminded searches on your phone of surrounding topics, constantly daydreaming that you often have to be pulled back to reality…

It’s plain to see—you were showing the same signs you did many years ago once your life began to feel a little lonely, empty.

To claim otherwise is nothing but silly:

You wanted another baby.

Oh, but that didn’t mean you’ve grown tired of Naomi. No! Far from it…

You loved her so, so much—your little blessing, just a smile from her and all your worries would melt away.

However, whenever you pictured a family… there were always more members in the equation.

A sibling for Naomi to play with after coming home from school and both her parents were busy.

A baby for you to no longer feel lonely when Naoya and Naomi went away, keep you company through the coldness that seemed to engulf the estate as of recently.

Perhaps your desire for such stemmed from how you were raised; you didn’t have a big family, but you weren’t an only child either. And the moments you shared with your siblings are ones you’ll greatly cherish—even the ones where they seemed to get the worst out of you.

It was simply how families were, and that was something you wished Naomi to experience as well.

But as much as you wanted so, desperately craved to welcome another baby in your life—

It just hadn’t happened. In the almost 7 years of Naomi’s life, your expectations for a second child, even third, were not met.

Nowhere to be fulfilled. Not even close.

And this made you miserable. Everyone could see so, lament that this was your present circumstance.

But only your most trusted ones would be brave enough to speak up.

“Y/N, why don’t you speak to Naoya about this?” Your sister would suggest. “It’s clear that you want to have another baby—so why keep denying yourself?”

“I… I don’t know.” You murmur, look down at the plate you’ve barely taken a bite of—topics like these always sucked the appetite out of you. “I guess I just didn’t think it was important.”

“I’d say welcoming another member into your family is important enough to discuss.” She retorts, you sigh.

“Well then, let me help you.” Hinata suggests. “If we can dissect the issue then it’ll be much easier to find a solution.”

“I guess…”

“Let’s see… is Naoya going through a financial issue?”

“No.” You blink. Never. Far from it, really; since now that he’s of a higher rank he’s getting paid much, much more. Perhaps even enough for the grandchildren of your grandchildren to live comfortably…

Though he also gets deployed on far more dangerous missions that always have you praying for his safe return. Even when his skill and talent is one few, if any, could surpass—there’s no true risk in his work, yet…

But returning to the money, if his salary wasn’t enough, the Zen’in were more than kindly obliging to give you whatever you desired in hopes of inspiring you to have more kids. More heirs.

A change of tune from their initial disdain, all thanks to Naomi proving to be quite promising for the future of the clan.

“Ok… we know dad is more than willing to move in with you if needed, so… are you no longer assisted by your staff?”

“No, it’s not that.” You respond. In fact, they seem to have taken Naomi as a niece of sorts: whatever she needed, she had. And that naturally extended over to you too, of course. The one they considered a sister of sorts.

“And it can’t be that you’re actually doubting your skills as a mother, can it? You’re by far the best mother I know! And Naomi is a testament to that. She’s such a sweet child… you’d hardly believe she’s Naoya’s daughter!”

You frown.

“You know I’m just teasing.” Hinata gives you a sheepish smile. “But if it’s none of these things… then why are you still so against having another child? Certainly, you’re nothing but overqualified!”

“I… don’t know.”

“Oh no, is Naoya planning to separate?”

“What? Why would you even suggest that??”

“Are you sick, then?”

“I hope not.”

“Do you no longer love him?”

“Hinata!”

“Then what is it? Why are you holding back from one of your greatest wishes?”

“Because I’m—

I’m—"

I’m afraid.

I’m afraid of going through the same horrifying thing I did when Naomi came to this world.

I want to make smut out of this but I don't know how. :) pray for me.

[wenellyb]

Hello, I know you’re new to the fandom so I just want to tell you you two things:

1. You can be mad a Ryan for what he said but believing he only apologised for keeping the job is just projecting. Oliver was mad too and not only him but more members and he didn’t speak to Ryan in years, they’re friends now, that means that Ryan is human and he has learnt, because we all made mistake and we all have to unlearn and educate ourselves.

Also, and please I love Tommy, but it’s also fun seeing how a lot of people (who hates Ryan/Eddie and Buddie) defend Tommy when he was racist and misogynistic when we met him. And he didn’t apologise, we just saw him talking with Chim and helping them and assumed that he did. So, if people can forgive a character and defend him saying “he has grown up and he has learnt and he made mistakes because he’s human and Chim and Hen have forgiven him”, we can say the same to a real human who was also forgiven by Oliver, Aisha and other members.

2. As people said, Roben from lone star (I don’t even know if that’s how you write his name) supports the genocide. He’s also problematic in different ways, and he hasn’t apologised, not even once. In fact, he has done the opposite and he hasn’t taken the time to unlearn and educate himself.

I’m not here to make you love Ryan, but we can learn from our mistakes. And maybe, if you can’t see just that, maybe it’s because you’re not ready and that’s why you’re projecting your feelings towards his apology. Anyways, that’s all! Bye!

Hi Anon!!!

Please don't mix 2 things:

- Tommy: fictional person

- Ryan Guzman : Actual real person

No matter how bad Tommy's actions have been, you can't compare the 2. It's easier for me to believe that a character has grown than a real person even though it happens all the time.

Now that we made that clear, please show me the post of people defending Tommy's past actions, because I'm not saying there aren't any, I'm saying I haven't seen any.

The post I have seen were posts calling out Tommy's past actions but saying he has grown since then , especially he made up with Chimney and Hen, exactly everthing you are saying about Ryan Guzman. You're saying there hasn't been an onscreen apology but with the kid of show 911 is...there are always scenes missing, where we have to guess what happened in between.

And again no!!! Fictional characters are not the same as real people! I love Anakin Skywalker but would hate him in real life (extreme example I know). Moving past Tommy's actions isn't the same as moving past Ryan's actions.

What you can do is compare Ryan's actions to Lou's actions: two actual people.

And take a look at your fandom, that is calling for forgiveness , education and growth for one, but calling for the other one to get fired??

Can you see why I'm annoyed by the double standards?

Especially since Lou's video was taken out of context.

This isn't against you anon personnally it's more a general statement, but fandoms will select whether or not to be mad based on whether the person involved is their fave or not.

So let me tell you the timeline of what happened and you'll let me know when I "projected my feelings about his apology":

1. I saw an interview where Ryan Guzman was defending the use of the n-word by non-Black people adding the classic "I have Black friends..."

2. I reblogged the interview and tagged it "wtf"

3. I received asks telling me about it and how bad it was, and pointed out the hypocrisy of the fandom because they wanted Lou to get fired for his "teasing" comment about Tommy but didn't want the same for Ryan.

4. I pointed out that the apology didn't feel genuine because instead of apologizing right away he, at first, doubled down on what he said.

Mind you, I never told anyone to get mad at Ryan, or ask for him to get fired, I was just pointing out the double standards.

I appreciate yoy sending this, and again, as I said this isn't "against" you I'm just taking the opportunity to share how I see this whole thing.

I'm of course new to this fandom, but I'm not new to fandoms in general, and this is the Sebastian Stan take a knee instagram post all over again. I know how it goes, I'm not surprised by the influx of messages about growth and forgiveness etc... But when those scandales involve people who are not your faves they get feral...

[dangerous-advantage]

throughout usagi yojimbo, there is this running theme of fatherhood, with usagi generally enjoying interactions with kids. if possible, he tends to seek them out (this is just as adorable as it sounds, btw)

as somebody who has long been iffy about the subject of kids/kid fics and media with a big focus on this, i'm surprised to find just how much i like sakai's exploration on the subject.

so, i've decided to delve into (a part of) why i think this works so well for me. for this, i'm focusing on UY issue #54: the return of the lone goat and kid.

(beware spoilers <3)

(caption: a cropped image of the cover of usagi yojimbo issue #54.)

within this issue, we witness the return of the lone goat and kid, betrayed samurai turned legendary assasin mercenary, with his young son, gorogoro.

i immediately liked these characters when first reading, not only because of the general badassery that they tend to exude, but also because they are very autistic-coded (/pos /lh), and gorogoro is depicted as non-verbal.

(note: he could be very young, but i'm fairly certain he just prefers not to talk, and saves his words for very specific occasions. either way, i love him a normal amount totally definitely /j.)

seeing their return was a welcome surprise, and though usagi and yagi are very autistic when interacting (/pos), usagi's soft-spot for kids plays a big part in their relationship, having saved gorogoro from falling to his death the last time they crossed paths.

even more welcome of a surprise was the plot and focus on gorogoro and usagi's relationship. i love to see usagi allowed to just... hang out with kids. you can tell he really enjoys doing it w/out the story putting a huge emphasis on that fact, which is part of why i enjoy it so much.

(the kid in question.)

now, to break this all down nice and simply, sakai's comics are generally so well done that i think you could just read the comic yourself and glean the same idea, probably in a better, more meaningful way than i can explain it.

but i've already committed, so here we go.

when we first meet gorogoro, he's being chased by a bunch of henchmen who intend to use him as bait for the capture of his father (being a very, very, very wanted man. er, goat.)

usagi stumbles upon him being threatened by one of the few other rabbits in this series and proceeds to suplex him after his hat is ruined. after that, we get the first good-parent-role-model-usagi moment:

(usagi participates in 10 out of 10 parenting/responsible adult behavior. to avoid writing this out ten million more times, i will simply be referring to this phenomenon as usagi being 'father material.')

he (re)introduced himself, puts himself in the (well-earned) position of "trustworthy adult" and then tries to figure out where tf yagi is. gorogoro, of course, does not speak, but instead of pushing him for an answer, he comes up with a conclusion and offers a solution.

usagi: "i guess you two have been seperated, huh. well, it's dangerous in these woods. there could be more of those guys around."

usagi: "there's a town not far away. your father will have an easier time finding you there."

he then invites gorogoro to come with him, saying he can escort him to the town. gorogoro seems unconvinced.

this might be the point where a lesser protagonist would try and convince/force the kid to come with them, or even manipulate them in some way (i.e. offering false promises/reassurances or just straight up lying.)

usagi, however, is not a lesser protagonist.

(several more panels of father material usagi content.)

quick side tangent: you could argue this is somewhat irresponsible, but i disagree.

usagi has met yagi and gorogoro before, and he knows that gorogoro is a smart kid. he doesn't have the full story for why gorogoro is here. for all he knows, gorogoro is on his way to meet up with his father somewhere farther on in the forest.

the point is: he doesn't try and make a decision for gorogoro or try and coax/force him into making one. he instead treats him like an equal and offers him the choice of whether to follow him or not.

when gorogoro doesn't seem to actively seek his help, he walks away, giving gorogoro full reins of his decision while also respecting an unspoken boundary that gorogoro has made.

(though, to be fair, he did assume gorogoro would follow him-- an assumption that paid off.)

("i see you decided to come along after all.")

what's important here isn't that his guess paid off, it's that he allowed gorogoro to make the decision. not to mention, he still hasn't quite figured out how to best work with gorogoro, as is showcased in the following panels:

(usagi participates in ableism /j /lh /not serious)

usagi is shown to be "good at kids." he gets along with them, and they tend to like him in turn. but that's not just an innate talent (though aptitude to kids does play a big part of it.)

he invests in positive relationships by treating children not as we often see/think of in parent-child or adult-child platonic relationships, but by treating them like equals. simply, he offers them the same respect he would offer anyone else.

which is so fucking important.

anyway, they get to the town and go to an inn inside, where usagi buys gorogoro food. once again, he exhibits king and father material attributes.

gorogoro doesn't look interested in eating the food. this is the exchange that follows:

and then:

(the 'king shit' in question)

now. let's break this down.

usagi offers food, but gorogoro is distrustful. he employs a tactic that may have worked on other children to try and convince/reassure gorogoro that eating it is fine. gorogoro is, in fact, unconvinced.

then, instead of getting irritated, or continuing to try and (unsuccessfully) convince gorogoro the food is convinced, he uses what he's observed about gorogoro/what he knows about gogoro's life to understand what he is actually saying.

he does not force him. he doesn't get annoyed. when he calls him 'weird,' it feels less like an insult and more like a neutral observation, one that he then uses to better work with/communicate with gorogoro.

('does [he] know kids or what,' indeed.)

in the space of two pages, usagi was able to figure out how to better work with gorogoro, not by changing gorogoro, but by changing his methods.

his outlook is not the one we see depicted in much of modern media-- "the parent is always right, and the child must do as they are told."

instead, it introduces a sense of respect, and therefore trust, into their dynamic. i thought i could only get something this good from roald dahl's matilda, but of course, i should've known to never doubt stan sakai /lh

this of course, isn't the end (but we are close!). a bunch of plot stuff happens, and in the search to reuinte gorogoro with his father, usagi ends up on a bridge, with enemies after gorogoro's head (and associated reward) flanking either side of it.

gorogoro, while still maintaining his distance/boundaries, shows that he trusts usagi by running behind him when threatened.

not only that, when usagi orders him to stay behind him (for reasons of protection,) he does so and continues to do so. because usagi has earned his trust, he feels comfortable entrusting usagi with his safety, where he was less comfortable doing so at the beginning.

(the bridge show-down, with the addition of usagi's killer clapback of a line. 10/10, i laughed.)

there's only one other moment i want to mention, but despite how small of a detail it is, it's what got me thinking about this whole thing.

after usagi realizes he's been flanked on either side and will need to fight his way out in order to keep gorogoro safe, this exchange happens:

one of the very first things usagi must have noticed is the silent boundary that gorogoro put up, one that he's been maintaining this entire time. he prefers space-- i.e., he would rather not be touched, at least not without permission.

in this scene, a lesser protagonist would have snatched gorogoro up by the arm, let loose some feral battle cry, and then rushed all seven henchmen using only one arm.

usagi is not a lesser protagonist.

he takes a moment, however small, to communicate his intentions to gorogoro. "i need to carry you" doubling as a silent question: can i carry you?

while he probably would have had to either way, usagi already built up trust between himself and gorogoro. so, gorogoro obliges.

and then usagi single-handedly (literally!) fights his way through seven guys.

ok, well, that's not quite true-- yagi, the 'lone goat' of the duo (more like G.O.A.T -- yes, i have been waiting for a time to make that godawful pun, and no, this is not an appropriate time, but i had to make it. you don't understand /j /nsrs) shows up on the other side pushing gorogoro's cart, and also contributes to the slaughter.

which leads to this epic, two-page panel:

(its so good ITS SO GOOD--)

after this, the story is wrapped up, the kid is returned to his goat, and usagi and the lone goat and kid go their separate ways (for now.)

as you can probably guess, this depiction of platonic child/adult relationships is very, very important to me, not only because i feel we need more of this in the general media, but also to me, specifically, as a member of the neurodivergent community.

seeing a character that i genuinely like respecting the unspoken boundaries of a nonverbal child character means a lot to me. whether he meant it to be interpreted this way or not, it really feels like we get to see an autistic character having different needs/wants and not being shamed for that by the narrative.

this is only one aspect of what makes usagi yojimbo so great, but it showcases some of the many details that sakai uses to create a well-paced, interesting, and engaging narrative.

gone are the annoying, one-dimensional kid characters and the terrible tropes that usually follow them. instead, sakai treats the children in his characters the same way that usagi treats them: as people, characters that have motivations and reasons and that deserve time and respect as well.

as i stated before, i have long shied away from kid-related stories, especially those with younger kids. but lemme tell you. UY has won me over.

i would happily pay away my livelihood to read 700 more panels with usagi toting around a 6-month-old while he talks about conspiracies with the town inspector (see: usagi yojimbo issue [blank]: [name]), or usagi letting the kid of the family he's staying with admire his blades [insert comic here.]

sakai just gets kids, and now when i'm faced with the question of: is this an example of positive parenting/guidance?, i just ask myself, "would usagi do that?"

and it answers my question.

bonus: usagi and yagi being absolutely not in any way incredibly autistic at each other during The Exchange.

(note: their smiles in that end panel make it all worth it, i think.)

[casanovawrites]

reneé rapp sentence starters

i can't be everything to everyone.

who do you talk to when you can't talk to no one?

forget all your problems, you know that i'm gonna solve them.

i can't take it. i hate when you're crying.

i need the guts to go and give you up.

it's you that i'm missing.

we're too young, too dumb, too in love to afford it.

now it's just me and a hundred square feet of bittersweet memories.

i'm too scared to delete all our videos 'cause it's real once everyone knows.

falling in love, it ain't for the weak.

it's funny how time shows you, you know nothing.

i used to love you, but now you're dead to me.

who am i kidding, i'm addicted to the chip on my shoulder.

this is hell, but i'll stay right here.

i worry about you. don't worry about me.

you don't even get it, you don't understand.

i know i'm only one of your friends.

i know all about you, all your favorite things. i listen to your stories, all your wildest dreams.

you know you're too good for him, but if it were me, i'd give you everything.

i just wanna say it, but i'm scared if i do you ain't looking at me the way i'm looking at you.

i'd rather keep on lying than to tell you the truth.

i'll be here forever wondering, what can i do?

i swear that you feel it, but then i second guess. i don't know if you see us how i do in my head.

today, i woke up in a good mood for once.

first time in six months, i don't hate you as much.

you weren't there in my dreams, i could finally sleep.

i felt good, but it sucks, i don't hate you as much.

it's easier holding a grudge. i'd rather be angry than crushed.

i'm back where i started again, crying and calling my friends.

this shit never ends.

i get so sick of myself, can't stop overthinking.

i heard you're happy somewhere else.

i don't miss you 'til the moment when i flip off the lights and i'm still in this room.

now it hurts, i know you're somewhere out there still existing.

you split my world in two, now i'm half the one you knew.

how can i be dead to you when we're looking at the same moon?

are you lonely?

in the stars, i can see your eyes. all the stars make me feel alive.

i go through six different moods at a time. i'm happy, then i'm losing my mind.

i'm so sensitive, just one touch and i feel pain.

i bruise easily.

it didn't feel like a dream.

woke up, and you looked so cute.

don't think i could love you more.

so what the hell does it all mean?

i know it's crazy, but what if it's right?

i'm here again, talking myself out of my own happiness.

i think i talk too much.

god forbid, you're not the center of attention.

as far as i'm concerned, they should just burn the whole city down.

you get on my nerves, you're so fucking annoying.

you could poison poison, you're the worst.

forgiving you is pointless.

it didn't have to be like this. i didn't wanna have to use the knife behind your back.

you almost got away with it.

i hate that bitch.

i talk shit, then i bite my tongue.

you're so fucking perfect.

yesterday was heaven, now i'm bored.

i bet you're sick of it. believe me, so am i.

i'll make it through the winter if it kills me.

smiles hide what secrets keep. can't tell a lie if you never speak.

i tried so hard. i came so far.

i met a boy, he broke my heart. i blame him 'cause it's easier.

i wish i went a different way, but if i went back, i would do the same.

i found out from a friend of a friend that you're here again.

so what now? should we talk?

do you tell your friends that things ended well? that i'm overdramatic, it was chill, do you lie and say you don't wanna see me again?

both of us like to pretend, so we feel like we're cool.

i might kiss you, but i also might fight you.

you think that i'd be flattered. it's pathetic, 'cause you're right.

it's a blessing and a curse.

i can predict this shit line by line.

keep on pretending, pretty girl.

some goodbyes are forever.

thought we'd always be together.

how can the person who taught me to breathe take their last breath right in front of me?

i wish i could still see the world through those eyes.

stay a little longer, i'm not ready for you to go.

i have been mourning since ten years old.

stay a little longer.

jesus, you're hard to rely on.

i just want some recognition for having good tits and a big heart.

i wanna ask how you're doing and mean it.

i feel like everyone hates me.

how old do you have to be to live so young and careless?

if i'm being honest, when you look at me, it's like kissing a million angels.

i had to be strong, i'm still scared of it all.

i know one day i could wake up, and you'll be gone.

i'll just be lonely, missing holding your hand when we're half asleep.

that's what scares me the most, knowing you could just let me go.

don't know why, but i like that.

you don't notice one red flag, 'cause on the surface i'm too perfect.

loving me gets messy.

you don't see us like i do.

when we're saying "i love you," i mean it different than you do.

i never stood a chance.

thoughts of you are soft as snow.

[stormoflina]

Domi interview, part 5 (final part)

About loneliness

D: "Whoever says they don't ever feel lonely, is lying. There are moments, when I feel lonely. Sometimes, there are days, when I'm sitting at the sofa, thinking "well, what do i do, they don't [friends] have time, they are not here", I haven't been here that long that I would just say it to somebody let's hang out. In dayslike these, I put on a movie and hope that I can fall asleep quickly and tommorrow can come quicker. There are days like that, they are not easy."

About getting recognized

I: "At the moment, in Liverpool or Manchester, can you just walk down the street [without being recognized]? Back in Hungary, Budapest, it wouldn't really work, I think, to like go to the grocery store?"

D: "It doesn't really work here either. Well, I don't really walk around in Liverpool, because I live in Manchester. only been there once, when I signed the contract, but even back then it was weird, even tho I didn't even play in a match back then. It happens in Manchester, but it's easier there, there are more teams, City, United. A lot of players live here, from Liverpool, Everton, you can get around easier, but you still have to be mindful, they recognize you, watch you."

I: "Is it tiresome, a part of it? Sometimes you must be like, okay, I just want to go to the mall. Can you make that happen, or are you like, I won't go, because it's too much trouble."

D: "There are ways to work it out. We have connections here and there, they can make it easier, more comfortable for us."

About the English press

D: With me, they have been fair so far, so I can't say anything bad about it. I guess, I haven't been here that long to say anything about me, but in time, we will see how it is."

About the Salah-Szoboszlai-Trent triangle

D: "I really like this box-to-box and the rotations we have going on. We all know what to do, we all pay attention to each other, I really like my position."

About his running capacity and speed

Asked if he feels like he always had this speed and runnin capability in him, or it's something new he had developed since joining Liverpool.

D: "I had it Leipzig too, I don't even understand... Speaking of the NT, in the NT, every single match, I get leg cramps. Here [LFC], never. Yet, when I look at the stats, I run much more in LFC, than I do in the NT. At the end of the Everton match, I started sprinting once again (...) But I'm not the only one. If you ask Milos (Milos Kerkez, his hungarian NT teammate, who also plays for Bournemouth), he says the same thing.

Maybe, because the pressure is bigger [in the NT], I'm the captain, I have to pay attention to more things, the others. I try to take the pressure from the others, so they can play more freely, I try to help everyone, so maybe this is why I get cramps. I do everything the same, I eat the same things, vitamins, everything."

---

There were some other questions in the end, but they were not that interesting, about stats and stuff, so I left those out. Hope you guys enjoyed it, thanks for all the kind messages you left me!

[the-way-astray]

hi so this is not anti-strieefe but it's aldella. for medicinal purposes and palate cleansing. hope you like it <3

angst because what else. takes place while alden's mind is broken, so during book 2.

*

Sometimes, in the deepest recesses of her thought, Della had wished that Alden were dead.

There. She'd said it. Sometimes she'd found herself wondering what her life would be like without Alden Vacker. Found herself wondering what she could be if she wasn't bound to being a Vacker right along with her husband.

Now, she had her answer.

Outside, it was night-time, and the moon was clouded over. A soft breeze fluttered into the sickroom (Della couldn't bear to think of it in any other way, it was not a mausoleum despite the silence and her lonely presence), blowing the curtains about like the 'ghosts' she'd read about in human stories. As it brushed across her skin, its cold fingers sent shivers coursing through her.

Almost unconsciously, her hand in Alden's hand grew tighter.

'You must be happy now, somewhere,' she murmured to Alden's inert form. It was easier speaking to him this way, when he couldn't answer. 'You got the last laugh, after all. You got to fulfil my deepest, most secret wish.'

She'd told him once, that she'd wanted him dead. On the day when Alvar had come home with an infected cut on his arm and neither he nor her husband had been able to give her a straight answer. She'd known where he'd been, or at least suspected. And she wasn't fool enough that she did not know about humans and what could happen to them if their cuts were infected.

After that, they had not spoken for weeks.

'You hid from me, I spied on you, bu not for you. We were never perfect, were we?' she asked him. 'We were never perfect. Oh, we were good at playing happy families—better than anyone else.' Her voice broke a little, before she continued, 'But I don't think we ever trusted each other.'

And now, we never will.

For some moments, there was silence.

'I'll make you a bargain,' she said then, suddenly. 'I'll make you a bargain, Alden Vacker. If you wake up from this, if you wake up, and don't leave me alone to pick up the pieces of this mess, we'll be better than we were before. We'll tell each other everything. We'll stand on the same side. We won't keep secrets. We'll love each other like we should have—not like the twisted, rotten thing we let fester.'

She paused, and ran a soft finger over his face, tracing the curves of his nose and lips. 'Because no one's understood me quite the way you have, even if you never knew me as well as you should have,' she whispered, bending close to his lips. Sedated, he made no move. 'And I'd rather spend a thousand years pretending to be perfect with you than have to mourn you. Because I'm not so good at acting to pretend that I'd loved you, and certainly not good enough to hide that I had loved you.'

He said nothing. Of course not.

Della sighed, and pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

Then, she continued her vigil in silence.

*

who is even doing it like them......

hope that's enough of a cleanser! sending on anon under the assumption that you will probably very easily guess who i am.

read this fic like sixteen times and now i am shaking and shivering. them . . .

"Sometimes, in the deepest recesses of her thought, Della had wished that Alden were dead." OMG YOU GET IT!!!! YOU GET THE ISSUES!!!!

"There. She'd said it. Sometimes she'd found herself wondering what her life would be like without Alden Vacker. Found herself wondering what she could be if she wasn't bound to being a Vacker right along with her husband." SO DESTRUCTIVE THE VACKER LEGACY IS THAT IT DRAGS DOWN PEOPLE THAT MARRY INTO IT JUST AS IT DOES PEOPLE BORN INTO IT. THE PEOPLE BORN INTO IT ARE USED TO IT BUT THE PEOPLE THAT MARRY INTO IT HAVE KNOWN A DIFFERENT LIFE AND MIGHT EVEN BE HELD TO HIGHER STANDARDS THEY'RE SO AUGH

"'You must be happy now, somewhere,' she murmured to Alden's inert form. It was easier speaking to him this way, when he couldn't answer. 'You got the last laugh, after all. You got to fulfil my deepest, most secret wish.'" SOBBING ON THE FLOOR. HE'S BROKEN. HE'S BROKEN. HE'S BROKEN. HE'S BROKEN. HE'S BROKEN WHICH IS A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH

"She'd told him once, that she'd wanted him dead. On the day when Alvar had come home with an infected cut on his arm and neither he nor her husband had been able to give her a straight answer." THEY ARE SO FUCKED YES FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT!!!!

"'You hid from me, I spied on you, bu not for you. We were never perfect, were we?' she asked him. 'We were never perfect. Oh, we were good at playing happy families—better than anyone else.' Her voice broke a little, before she continued, 'But I don't think we ever trusted each other.'" I'M DEAD. I'M DYING. THEY'RE SO FUCKED

"And now, we never will. For some moments, there was silence." AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

"'[ . . . ] If you wake up from this, if you wake up, and don't leave me alone to pick up the pieces of this mess, we'll be better than we were before. We'll tell each other everything. We'll stand on the same side. We won't keep secrets. We'll love each other like we should have—not like the twisted, rotten thing we let fester.'" THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK. THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT TO THINK. THAT'S WHAT YOU- *gets shot*

"'Because no one's understood me quite the way you have, even if you never knew me as well as you should have,' she whispered, bending close to his lips. Sedated, he made no move. 'And I'd rather spend a thousand years pretending to be perfect with you than have to mourn you. Because I'm not so good at acting to pretend that I'd loved you, and certainly not good enough to hide that I had loved you.'" i'm simply dead on the floor. you get it. you get it!!!! you get it . . . you get them . . .

who even is doing it like them indeed. who is. who . . . this was so cleansing and constructive i needed that

in conclusion: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. ahem. i rate this a 1000000000000/10. fantastic job

[denimbex1986]

'The creator behind All of Us Strangers, Andrew Haigh, has shared his thoughts on whether audiences and Hollywood are more accepting of LGBTQ stories than they were 10 years ago.

All of Us Strangers stars Andrew Scott as a lonely gay man who looks back into his past to confront his trauma. The film also stars Paul Mescal, Claire Foy, and Jamie Bell.

Speaking at a Q&A following a screening of the film at the BFI on Wednesday (17 January) Andrew was asked by moderator Russell Tovey about his filmography and its queer themes.

On whether audiences and Hollywood had become more accepting of LGBTQ stories in the last decade or so, Andrew, who felt All of Us Strangers could have been made 10 years ago, gave his verdict.

“I think that there’s an illusion that everything has changed. And it’s much easier. But I don’t know if that’s true.” Elaborating further, Andrew, whose work includes Weekend, Looking, and Greek Pete, revealed he had pitched queer projects and had not had an enthusiastic response. “I don’t think it’s because of the queerness,” he added. “It’s about what you’re saying about queerness.”

An example he gave was: “A historical love story where you’re saying it was rough in the past, and now everything’s fine,” would be “All good,” by Hollywood’s standards.

Andrew then shared that he had tried to make a TV show around the Act Up grassroots political organisation. It was set up in the 1980s to help people living with Aids. The series, Andrew indicated, would have been based on Sarah Schulman’s book Let the Record Show: A Political History of ACT UP, New York, 1987-1993.

“We pitched it to everybody, to all the studios,” Andrew explained. “I thought, ‘This will get made.’ It’s political, it’s queer, it’s really fascinating.” Asked why the idea wasn’t picked up, Andrew theorised: “They didn’t want to do anything that had Aids in it.” This, he then revealed, all happened “a year or two ago.”

He continued saying the response “was hard” to take. “It was political and it was angry and very queer and dealing with really traumatic events, I guess. I was really surprised that no one would make that.” Coming back to the original question Andrew summarised that some things are still easier to make than others. “But I think maybe that’s just the case of TV and film in general. Safe projects are easier to get made,” he concluded. “Especially TV, I think it’s getting better.”'

[balanceoflightanddark]

Hello @balanceoflightanddark how are you doing?

I’ve got a few questions (and also comments!) about your story “The monsters we create”. (Which is really good so far btw) I hope that is okay?

Why does everyone in the Fire Nation have a warriness and fear of Azula and not just the citizens of the other (formerly warring) nations? Comparatively, Azula’s own actions on the war were less (outright) destructive than say Iroh or Zuko. She never burned down a village (Zuko) or subjected a megalopolis to a grueling 600 day siege (Iroh). When she took over a city, it was bloodless and via espionage. She’d didn’t do so out of charity mind you, Azula just saw other alternate means to win the war. Still, people are judged by actions.

I guess what I’m asking is, if Iroh and the White Lotus have been spreading propaganda (making use of Azula’s breakdown and her stay in the “asylum”) to further destroy her reputation and secure Zuko’s reign?

I’m wondering about the population levels of the Western Earth Kingdom in your story. Yu Dao specifically. I removed reading somewhere that most of the Fire National population had been kicked out of their conquered territories following the war’s conclusion (at least I think it was your story?). The lone exception being Yu Dao and it’s surrounding lands.

What are the population levels of Yue Dao. Does it have a majority Fire National population? Or just a polarity? Or are Earth Kingdomers (best Demonym I could come up with) the majority still. Has a hybrid Fire Nation/Earth kingdom culture spawned in Yu Dao?

Full disclosure but I’ve never read any of the comics. The only info I know them is either from wiki or excerpts online. Coincidentally, most of those experts were from your own post on the matter! As well as a few from others that discussed how Azula’s raw power levels have increased significantly. With instant lighting and all that. As well as other examples.

But from these excerpts, Zuko is a rather poor leader. And an even worse sibling. What with going to Ozai for advice and all. Also leaving his sister to sequester in an abusive “asylum”.

But I do have a question for your story from this. If Zuko is so determined to hold onto Yu Dao, it must have a not insignificant population of Fire Nationals in it. Is Zuko trying to intergrate the Colby into the Fire Nation directly? Like is he trying to establish a sort of Imperial Federation? Like some British politicians suggested in the 19th and 20th centuries. Or is Zuko just being stubborn?

Speaking of the citizens of Yu Dao. I like this new take on Kori Marishta. I’m digging the archery! I also like secret air bender Maina. I’m excited to learn more about her people and their connection to Moth. Hopefully the two prove to be less…treacherously inclined than Azula’s two previous friends. Though with Azula beginning to abandon the imperialist mindset of her father, that will hopefully be easier.

I also concur with Kyoshi in her little talk with Aang. Azula is a bit like Yun. Both prodigies, who at their full strength outclass pretty much everyone in their elements. They had both been betrayed by Guardians Jianzhu for Yun and Ozai/Ursa for Azula (I’d say that Iroh abandoned Azula as well, but that would imply he was ever actually their for her in the first place). As well as been betrayed by friends (though I’d argue that Yun betrayal by his friend was more his perception than truth, but Azula was in actuality betrayed by friends (and brother).

In regards to pairings in the story, I noticed you tagged it Katara/Aang. I also remember seeing you in a reblog post to a tag by @waterfire1848 that you also liked Azutara and Azulaang as ships as well. What do you think of the Azula/Katara/Aang ship? It it possible? I know it’s unlikely, but a shipper has to ship, no?

Either way I’m happy with any the story develops! Though part of me does wonder if all the characters will end up eaten by Godzilla.

————————————————————————

Those were the last of my questions about your story. But I also noticed several of your other post mention that you are fan of Mass Effect. I am as well, and I’ve had a little plot idea regarding the series and everyone’s favorite Firebender. And I’d like to run it by you.

Say when Azula is in the “asylum” there is some sort of dimensional disturbance that takes her out of the hellish place. This exposes her to element zero. Making Azula a biotic as well. This disturbance sends Azula to the planet of Mindoir. Where she is found and picked up by a local family. A family by the sir name “Shepard”. Over the next two or three years Azula becomes closer to this family. They help her deal with her past (her guilt and feelings of betrayal) and Azula comes to know what a true familial bond is like.

Everything is great, until Batarian slavers arrive in the Skillan Verge. Azula tried her hardest, even manages to defeat quite a few of the slavers. But it’s not enough and her new family is cruelly taken from her. Azula is only saved by a passing alliance patrol (colonist background)

She is recruited into the navy under admiral David Anderson. Who would quickly become a father figure to her. Azula’s own “uncle Iroh” in a sense.

Azula would likely also follow the Ruthless service history, and become the butcher of Torfan.

But how do you think the story of Mass Effect would play out with Azula Shepard? Would she save the council of leave it to die? Who would she romance (if anyone)? Would she choose either control, destroy, or integrate? Would she choose to save or destroy the collector base? Etcetera What do you think would happen?

Hey, thanks for asking.

The first question is that the perception of the Fire Nation towards Azula, at least from Zuko and Iroh's point of view, is very skewed. She's very non-traditionalist in terms of being a Princess that's accomplished so much and was made the heir apparent to the throne when usually it's the male royals who could lay claim to that. Not to mention in a society that's dominated by social darwinism (weakness being frowned upon) and her breakdown, she's not going to be very highly regarded among the elite since she's got some "flaw" that they're going to use. Plus given how much hold the role of Fire Lord has over the populace (we see how much presence Ozai has over commoners with building huge ass statues and plastering his face all over academies), the fear and hesitation that Fire Lord Zuko would have about Azula is going to be reflected in at least some portion of the populace that's conditioned to live under such a rule.

Doesn't mean she's universally disliked though. We're going to get more Fire Nation characters both from the military and the populace as the story goes along that not everyone really buys Zuko's word. The next arc in particular.

As for Yu Dao, I'd describe it as a fairly sizable population. It has been hinted at in the past for being one of the origin points for Republic City, and in the comics, its influence and economic value was enough to prompt Zuko to make a bid for them, particularly in the face of Kuei's aggression. Which we see in The Monsters We Create. So I could imagine the colonies (Yu Dao in particular) having a fairly sizable population using those indicators we have in canon.

The population I imagine would also be an even mix between Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom. I mean they've been there for 100 years, so it's likely there would've been plenty of intermarrying and offspring that comes with any clash of cultures like in real life. Plus, I think it would be a good way of showing how the Earth Kingdom would've fared under Fire Nation rule. Mainly with the Fire Nation on top and hoarding the wealth while the Earth Kingdom citizens get scraps.

In regards to Zuko, his main argument about hanging on to the colonies was keeping the economic value for the Fire Nation. I could see him deescalate and allow the colonies to secede, but mainly as client states in order to keep the ties with the Fire Nation strong. Mainly because...I don't think his arc was complete yet in the series. He's getting there, but I don't think he was fully redeemed yet. At this point, he is trying to do the right thing, but like Azula, he's going at this from a background of Fire Nation superiority. Even if he knows they did wrong, he doesn't quite know how to...well "be good". Hell, it's something he pointed out to himself with his "WHY AM I SO BAD AT BEING GOOD?!" Trust me, as much I don't like him, I'm not going to keep him in this state though. It's just a bit of a work in progress. He'll get better as the story goes along.

Anyways, thanks for my take on Kori. I do genuinely like her (Not just because she tried to kill Comics!Zuko) and want to do some stuff with her and Maina (I actually did base her off a character from the Godzilla anime trilogy where she's one of the twin priestesses of Mothra). I see them as a fresh start for Azula. As for Kyoshi, I wanted her to bring Yun up since...well she did have experience with people like Azula in the past and there's no way she wanted the same thing to happen twice.

I'm...also not aware of Azula/Katara/Aang. I mean, I have read fics where either Aang or Katara gets demonized for the ship to work, but I don't think that's fair for them. I just included Aang/Katara cause I figured it would be important to their character.

As for Godzilla...next chapter is not going to be pretty.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh hell, people are recognizing I'm a fan of Mass Effect.

I could definitely see her being a human supremacist at first. I mean having her have history with the Batarians is a really bad first impression. Plus she already has a bit of a ruthless streak to her. But I don't think she'd be too...cold-hearted either. She's efficient in series and it's not really like her to go execute enemy combatants (she did take the Kyoshi Warriors and the survivors of the Black Sun Invasion prisoner after all). Plus I could see her trying to be cordial with the Council ("In our country, we say hello") until they start getting under her skin.

That being said, I'm not sure if she'd let the Council die or not. On the one hand, it would put humanity in a better position to rule the galaxy. On the other hand...by this point, she'd know that the Reapers ARE a thing so I'm not sure if she'd want to attract scrutiny to the Alliance by making a blatant power grab with those things lurking about. Maybe make the Council in debt to her and make them hold an "IOU" once the Reapers come around. Or she could believe that a human-led Citadel would be more effective at preparing for a Reaper Invasion. There's arguments for both sides and it would depend on how far along her character development is. Personally, I'd think she'd see the value in having strong alien allies since she did rely on the Dai Li in her takeover of Ba Sing Se so...maybe leaning towards sparing the Council? But that's me being charitable.

Romance: Miranda. There's no competition. At all. Both are conditioned supporters of human supremacy from childhood and being conditioned to strive towards perfection. Both are professional and keep their problems close. And both have issues with their families. If they don't see the similarities then I don't know what else to say.

Alternatively: Garrus. I mean, both have black-and-white morality worldviews and were raised in militant societies. Not to mention either one is willing to get dirty if the situation calls for it. I could see the two bond over that sort of thing.

I...might have to go into a more detailed post since this one has gone on long enough, but thanks for the ask!

[perspectivestarters]

Perspective's Sentence Starters; Speak Now (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift (Part II)

ENCHANTED

"There I was again tonight."

"Same old tired, lonely place."

"Walls of insincerity, shifting eyes and vacancy, vanished when I saw your face."

"All I can say is it was enchanting to meet you."

"Have we met?"

"This night is sparklin', don't you let it go."

"I'm wonderstruck, blushin' all the way home."

"I'll spеnd forever wonderin' if you knеw."

"I was enchanted to meet you."

"The lingering question kept me up."

"Who do you love?"

"I wonder 'til I'm wide awake."

"Wishing you were at my door."

"This night is flawless."

"This is me praying that this was the very first page, not where the storyline ends."

"My thoughts will echo your name until I see you again."

"These are the words I held back as I was leaving too soon."

"Please, don't be in love with someone else."

"Please, don't have somebody waitin' on you."

BETTER THAN REVENGE

"Now go stand in the corner and think about what you did."

"Time for a little revenge."

"I had him right there where I wanted him."

"I never saw it coming, wouldn't have suspected it."

"I underestimated just who I was dealing with."

"She had to know the pain was beating on me like a drum."

"She underestimated just who she was stealin' from."

"She's not a saint and she's not what you think."

"She's an actress."

"He was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches."

"Soon, she's gonna find stealing other people's toys on the playground won't make you many friends."

"She should keep in mind there is nothing I do better than revenge."

"She looks at life like it's a party and she's on the list."

"She looks at me like I'm a trend and she's so over it."

"I think her ever-present frown is a little troubling."

"She thinks I'm psycho 'cause I like to rhyme her name with things."

"Sophistication isn't what you wear or who you know."

"They didn't teach you that in prep school so it's up to me."

"No amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity."

"Think about what you did."

"I'm just another thing for you to roll your eyes at, honey."

"You might have him, but haven't you heard?"

"I always get the last word."

"Can you take it back?"

"Do you still feel like you know what you're doin'?"

"Show me how much better you are."

INNOCENT

"I guess you really did it this time."

"Wasn't it easier in your lunchbox days?"

"Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything?"

"It's alright, just wait and see."

"Your string of lights are still bright to me."

"Who you are is not where you've been."

"You're still an innocent."

"At night, you live it all again."

"If only you had seen what you know now then."

"Wasn't it easier in your firefly-catching days?"

"Wasn't it beautiful running wild 'til you fell asleep before the monsters caught up to you?"

"It's okay, life is a tough crowd."

"(Age) and still growing up now."

"Who you are is not what you did."

"Time turns flames to embers."

"You'll have new Septembers."

"Every one of us has messed up, too."

"I hope you remember."

"Today is never too late to be brand new."

"It's never too late to get it back."

HAUNTED

"You and I walk a fragile line."

"I have known it all this time."

"I never thought I'd live to see it break."

"I can't trust anything now."

"Something's made your eyes go cold."

"Don't leave me like this."

"I thought I had you figured out."

"Something's gone terribly wrong."

"You're all I wanted."

"Can't breathe whenever you're gone."

"I'm haunted."

"Stood there and watched you walk away from everything we had."

"I still mean every word I said to you."

"He will try to take away my pain, and he just might make me smile."

"The whole time, I'm wishing he was you instead."

"Something keeps me holding onto nothing."

"I can't go back now."

"You're not gone."

LAST KISS

"I still remember the look on your face."

"The words that you whispered for just us to know."

"You told me you loved me, so why did you go away?"

"I can still feel your arms."

"All that I know is I don't know how to be somethin' you miss."

"I never thought we'd have a last kiss."

"I never imagined we'd end like this."

"Your name, forever the name on my lips."

"You're showin' off again."

"I'm not much for dancin'."

"I love how you walk with your hands in your pockets."

"There's not a day I don't miss those rude interruptions."

"I'll watch your life in pictures like I used to watch you sleep."

"I feel you forget me like I used to feel you breathe."

"Hope it's nice where you are."

"I never planned on you changing your mind."

LONG LIVE

"Remember this moment."

"The crowds in stands went wild."

"We were the kings and the queens."

"The night you danced like you knew our lives would never be the same."

"You held your head like a hero on a history book page."

"It was the end of a decade, but the start of an age."

"Long live the walls we crashеd through."

"How the kingdom lights shined just for me and you."

"Long live all the magic we made."

"One day, we will be remembered."

"All the years that we stood there on the sidelines wishin' for right now."

"You traded your baseball cap for a crown."

"The cynics were outraged."

"A band of thieves in ripped up jeans got to rule the world."

"Long live all the mountains we moved."

"I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you."

"Long live that look on your face."

"May these memories break our fall."

"Will you take a moment?"

"Promise me this."

"When they point to the pictures, please, tell 'em my name"

"Tell 'em how I hope they shine."

"I had the time of my life with you."

OURS

"Strangers' silence makes me want to take the stairs."

"If you were here, we'd laugh about their vacant stares."

"Seems like there's always someone who disapproves."

"They'll judge it like they know about me and you."

"The jury's out, but my choice is you."

"Don't you worry your pretty little mind."

"People throw rocks at things that shine."

"Life makes love look hard."

"This love is ours."

"You never know what people have up their sleeves."

"I don't care, 'cause right now, you're mine."

"It's not theirs to speculate if it's wrong."

"Your hands are tough, but they are where mine belong."

"I love the gap between your teeth."

"I love the riddles that you speak."

"Any snide remarks from my father about your tattoos will be ignored."

"My heart is yours."

"They can't take what's ours."

SUPERMAN

"It's the same thing to me."

"He's got his mother's eyes, his father's ambition."

"I wonder if he knows how much that I miss him."

"I hang on every word you say."

"I love you forever."

"You've got a busy day today."

"Go save the world, I'll be around."

"Come back, I'll be with you someday."

"I'll be right here on the ground when you come back down."

"He's complicated, he's irrational."

"I hope someday you'll take me away, and save the day."

"He's not all bad like his reputation."

"I can't hear one single word they say."

"You'll leave, got places to be, and I'll be okay."

"I always forget to tell you, "I love you"."

"I loved you from the very first day."

"I watch you fly around the world."

"I hope you don't save some other girl."

"Don't forget about me."

"I'm far away, but I never let you go."

"I'm love-struck and looking out the window."

"Don't forget where I'll be."

"Wishing the flowers were from you."

"Wishing the card was from you."

"Wishing the call was from you."

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers LOST EDEN ー Ruki Maniac [09]

CHAPTER MASTERLIST

ー The scene starts in the entrance hall of the Sakamaki castle

Kanato: Good evening.

Yui: Kanato-kun...What’s wrong?

( It’s unusual for him to drop by...Did something happen perhaps? )

Kanato: I’m here to deliver a message from Reiji. He was wondering if you would like to have dinner together at the other castle. 

Ruki: Dinner...? With us?

Kanato: Tonight we’re holding our monthly dinner banquet so it seemed like a fine opportunity. Of course, you don’t need to come if you don’t want to.

Selection

→ I’m not against it

Yui: Oh no...We’re not against it. Right, Ruki-kun? 

Ruki: ...Right.

→ Wait for Ruki-kun’s answer (❦)

Yui: ( I’m not against it but...This isn’t up to me to decide, is it? I’ll wait for Ruki-kun’s answer. )

Kanato: So, what will you do? Like I said before, we’re not forcing you.

Ruki: ...Sounds good. We’ll take you up on that offer. 

Kanato: Then please come whenever you want. I delivered the message, okay?

ー Kanato leaves again

Yui: ...I wonder why they’d suddenly invite us over for dinner? 

Ruki: I don’t know but we can’t turn down the invitation of the Vampire King out of all people. 

...I just hope no trouble arises.

*TIMESKIP*

ー The scene shifts to the ballroom

Reiji: So you have come. Please take a seat over here.

*Rustle* 

Yui: ( Wah, what an elaborate feast...I wonder if Reiji-san made the food? )

Ruki: Oi, don’t look around too much. How shameless.

Yui: Ah, m-my bad.

Laito: Such a strict master you have~ No need to be so serious. It’s just a happy family gathering, right? 

Subaru: Enough talkin’, just shut up and eat.

Yui: ( I-It doesn’t look like a happy gathering at all... )

*TIMESKIP*

*Cling*

Ayato: ...

Kanato: ...

Shuu: ...

Yui: ( ...Nobody has spoken a word. )

( I thought they invited us over because there’s something they want to talk about but....I guess I was wrong. )

Ruki: ...

Yui: ( Ruki-kun’s simply eating in silence as well. In which case, I need to keep quiet as well... )

...

( I didn’t think it’d feel so lonely when nobody’s talking... )

( Things are always super lively at the dinner table over at the Mukami’s, so I never realized. )

*TIMESKIP*

Ayato: Ahー I’m totally stuffed.

Kanato: Today’s dessert is...Heeh. Crème brûlée, huh? 

Yui: Looks delicious...! Right, Ruki-kun?

Ruki: ...

Reiji: Is it not to your liking?

Ruki: To be honest, it’s difficult to focus on the taste of the food when there’s an obvious elephant in the room. ...There’s something you want to talk to me about, isn’t there?

Laito: Fufu, you’re more sensitive than one would expect. Shuu, why not bring it up to him already?

*Rustle* 

Shuu: ...Reiji. 

Reiji: I have to tell him? ...Good grief.

We had a solid reason for inviting you here today. ...Ruki, there is something we would like to ask of you.

Monologue

Following Shuu-san’s order,

Reiji-san began to speak. 

A request. It was something unexpected,

both for myself,

as well as for Ruki-kun. 

ーー Would you perhaps be willing,

to support Shuu-san as his right-hand man? 

That is what Reiji-san asked.

Ruki: Sakamaki Shuu’s...right-hand man...? Me...?

Yui: ( So they’re basically asking him to become the Vampire King’s aide, right? I can’t believe they’d ask that... )

Ruki: ...Why me? Can’t you do it, Sakamaki Reiji? 

Laito: You see, this is actually what Shuu asked for himself. 

Yui: Shuu-san did...?

Ruki: What do you mean? ...What are you scheming? 

Shuu: Nothing, really. I just figured that you’d do a decent job and it’d make things easier on me.

You don’t seem nearly as much of a nitpicker as Reiji is either.

Ayato: Hehe, I honestly doubt there’s anyone out there who’s a worse nag than Reiji is.

Ruki: ...Do you need an answer right away?

Shuu: I don’t mind waiting until you’re ready to make your decision. Although I might have to press you a little if the Vibora start being difficult. 

Ruki: Then I’d like to wait until then. ...Please give me some time to think it over.

ー Ruki gets up from his seat

Ruki: Thank you for inviting us. ...Let’s go, Yui.

ー He walks away

Yui: Ah, yeah...Thank you very much for having us. It was delicious. 

ー She follows after Ruki

Subaru: ...Are you sure you shouldn’t have had him choose now?

Shuu: It’s not like I’m in a rush or anything. ーー As long as the Vibora don’t make their move, that is. 

Monologue

Please become his aide.

I immediately had to think back to what Ruki-kun said. 

About wanting to confirm (証明) that whether or not he’d give in,

if everything he has ever wanted was right there within his reach. 

Those are the words he spoke. 

If he were to become Shuu-san’s aide,

then he would be more directly confronted with the embodiment of ‘Adam’.

In which case, Ruki-kun might once again end up hurting and punishing (罰し) himself,

by being forced to spend his days in pain and suffering. 

This might be selfish of me,

but I did not like the sound of that at all. 

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー