#it's hard to choose a lesser evil

[celticwoman]

election day and i still don't know who i'm voting for 💪🏻

[therevengeoffrankenstein]

i kinda wanna make a critical post about Some Notable People not speaking up and outright endorsing anyone this election but i also know that it probably wouldn't've changed very much and therefore 'doesn't matter' but actually, yes, it does matter because it sets a good precedent. and besides. why would they be out there hyping obama or even biden the fuck up but then talking about voting harris in hushed voices. like it's probably a mix of misogyny and just plain old liberal democrat cowardice. because i KNOW these People probably don't care that much about any differences in their policies, at least not significantly enough for it to seem unreasonable to hype up harris as the better choice.

[fairuzfan]

Would you rather have a president that enables a genocide? Or would you rather have a president that vilifies immigrants, promotes facism, dismantles the rights of women and minorities, emboldens white nationalists, worsens the wage gap, defunds vital services, AND enables a genocide?

It's an unfair and unreasonable question to ask. I know. Unfortunately those are our choices for president. It sucks, but it's a 2 party system. And until any change is made where a 3rd party vote is no longer equivalent to not voting at all, it's better to just vote blue for the presidential election. Not because Democrats are the "lesser evil", but because NOT having a Republican president will prevent further suffering of Americans and will lessen the risks of minorities' rights being threatened and revoked.

The president chooses the members of the supreme court who hold lifelong positions and whose legal decisions have decades-long ramifications. Trump picked 3 of the 11 current members who currently hold a Republican majority. It was that supreme court that overturned Roe V Wade and that decision is harming thousands of people today in multiple states.

Biden already nominated one SCOTUS, and in his next term he could appoint 1-2 more Democratic members who would work to protect rather than erode American rights.

The Trump administration was lethal for thousands of Americans for a multitude of reasons, including his failure to properly respond to and then proceeded to politicize the COVID-19 pandemic.

As awful as it sounds, as hard as it is to believe in the moment, ESPECIALLY with the atrocities Biden is perpetuating in Palestine right now, don't believe for a moment that this genocide would be even slightly less cruel under Trump. The difference is Trump's cruelties would extend to Americans as well— especially immigrants.

The point I'm making is the only ethical choice for this election is to vote for Biden, but at the same time that vote is not the same as condoning his actions. Don't let voting be the end all for political action, and I hope you understand why this choice is necessary in an unfair voting system. Please participate in your local elections, Call your representatives. Continue demanding a permanent ceasefire and an end of Israel's occupation over Palestine. And please keep helping Palestinians.

I think it's quite wild to say people domestically haven't been dying under Biden. Hundreds of thousands disabled people have died during the Biden presidency due to covid. I myself only got covid because people around my family stopped masking. Even some of my family members stopped masking because of the CDC thing. There have been countless other things that I'm too tired to list as well that directly contributed to the death of people.

I'm sorry I don't know why you sent this I'm not going to change my mind. I'm not voting for the man that killed people I know and lied to our faces about it.

[contemplatingoutlander]

Noam Chomsky on "Lesser Evilism"

“There’s another word for lesser evilism. It’s called rationality. Lesser evilism is not an illusion, it’s a rational position. But you don’t stop with lesser evilism. You begin with it, to prevent the worst, and then you go on to deal with the fundamental roots of what’s wrong, even with the lesser evils.” [color emphasis added] —Noam Chomsky | Scheer Intelligence podcast | Jan. 17, 2020

Chomsky further explains why it is a rational decision to vote for the lesser to two evils:

"Even if there’s core, deep problems with the institutions, there still are choices between alternatives, which matter a lot. Small differences in a system with enormous power translate into huge effects. Meanwhile, you don’t stop with a lesser evilism; you continue to try to organize and develop the mass popular movements, which will block the worst and change the institutions. All of these things can go on at once. But the simple question of what button do you push on a particular day? That is a decision, and that matters. It’s not the whole story, by any means. It’s a small part of the story, but it matters.” [color emphasis added] ——Noam Chomsky | Scheer Intelligence podcast | Jan. 17, 2020

We witnessed how "small differences in a system with enormous power translate into huge effects" in the first Trump administration, as evidenced by how Trump's decision to stack the Supreme Court with far-right justices has resulted in Roe v. Wade being overturned, the Voting Rights Act being weakened, and the Bruen decision further weakening the nation's ability to control guns.

And Trump did all that damage just in his first term, when he still had "adults" in his administration willing to rein him in.

Imagine what changes to our nation Trump could make with only sycophants in his administration who want to implement Project 2025, just for starters.

Noam Chomsky's message is important to remember as we approach the 2024 election. If you are on the left and choose to sit out the election or vote for a third party because you view Biden as a "lesser evil," you are wittingly or unwittingly supporting the "greater evil" that is Trump. We learned that the hard way in 2016. Please don't let history repeat itself. Our nation could not survive a Trump dictatorship.

___________ Norm Chomsky image source (before edits/ quote)

[varibean]

The update is that you take the high road and try to relieve yourself of these frustrations by joking around with your coworkers and a spatula instead

Worst thing about working with knives is that you weigh out the pros and cons of just letting it ‘slip’ and slice you open

[ghoulish-yellowcake]

When I first got into Fallout and was delightfully babbling to my friends about all the fucked up vault experiments and such they looked at me like I was crazy and asked why the hell I liked it so much. At the time I didn’t really have an answer other than I liked the contrast of how silly it could get compared to the darker qualities—how it bounced between the two or combined them into a wonderful satire on capitalism.

After watching and rewatching the show, logging hundreds of hours across multiple games, and several posters up on my wall later, I think I finally understand why.

The games are set up for you to be the hero, to make your slice of the wasteland a better place, but unlike a lot of other media, being the hero is an active choice that you have to make over and over again. You are presented with a cruel, violent world that brings out the worst in humanity, and yet these games ask you to be kind, to help out an NPC with a small favor, or sacrifice something important for the greater good. It isn’t easy. A lot of times the best choice isn’t going to be perfect either, with many ethical decisions boiling down to harm reduction or the lesser of two evils—whatever gives the wasteland the best chance at survival. Sometimes you need to bloody your hands, but other times the better outcome results in maybe not forgiveness but refusing to act on revenge. Heroism is often challenging and morally grey at times.

Sure, you could choose to be evil, but it’s almost too easy—I find it so much more satisfying to be empathetic, to surprise characters with hope that the world doesn’t have to be so bleak. I guess in many ways it’s a type of Superman fantasy, having not only the desire to be kind but the power to be so in a world filled with darkness.

And it’s not just the player character vs the world, there are plenty of companions and other NPCs surviving and working to make things better. Here you are at the end of the world, yet people endure and life goes on. People grow crops, tend to livestock, and set up trade. They build communities and carve out homes in the ruins of the old world.

I guess in simpler terms, I like Fallout because it’s a hopeful display of humanity persevering. War may never change, but men can. I think a light in the dark is always going to get me, especially when that light is a spark trying to illuminate an entire sea of darkness. That spark may be hard to find, but goddamn how impressive is it that it’s trying so hard against all odds.

[itsthestutterforme]

“Lesser of Two Evils” (Frank Castle x black!reader)

Summary: A man comes by your house with his business card, telling you to pick a side. His or Franks.

Notes: GIF is not mine, all mistakes are my own, best friends to lovers trope, Frank is a little soft in this one guys 😂

**

“Did you get a good look at the guy?” Frank asks, examining the business card that was given to you.

Yesterday, a man with red shades and a can knocked on your door.

He claimed that there was a war brewing and that he didn’t want you to be on the wrong side. He also claimed that he was the lesser of two evils.

Then he gave you his business card and left. You were pretty shaken up at the intrusion because you could have sworn that you saw him at the coffee shop last week..

And at the gym before that..

He was watching you. And he must of followed you home when you weren’t paying attention.

Frank has always told you that you needed to be more aware of your surroundings. Says that you’re a potential victim in the eyes of criminals.

“You’re pretty and way too nice. Someone is going to try and take advantage ode that.” Frank lectures.

“What makes you think they haven’t tried already? I’m not as vulnerable as you may think.”

“You don’t have to pretend to be tough with me, baby doll.” He condescends and you rolled your eyes.

“This is New York, Y/N-“

“You don’t have to tell me, Frank. I didn’t fail geography class. I know where I am. And mind you, I am a grown ass woman. Sometimes I think you forget that,” you interrupt, standing from the couch and made your way over to the kitchen.

Given it was nine o’clock and night, but a little coffee wouldn’t hurt.

“I don’t forget that,”

“Seems like you do and it definitely seems intentional.” You retort, plugging in your Keurig.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He questions.

When you don’t answer, he pulls on your shoulder and gently turns you around.

“Come on, say it with your chest.”

“You claim to respect me as a woman but you lecture me like I’m a child,” you said firmly.

Just because you choose to stay quiet in some situations. That doesn’t mean that you were afraid of confrontation. You simply picked your battles wisely, preferably ones you knew you would win.

“I don’t treat you like a child, Y/N.”

“Whatever you say, Frank.” You move to turn back around but Frank stopped you.

“Hey,” he starts. “I know that I can be a hard ass, but I’m looking out for you. I’m not always going to be there if something happens. Even if fight to make sure I am, there’s a chance that I won’t. I need to make sure you’re capable to looking out for yourself.” He says, his hands holding your arms in place.

“Say what you really want to say, Frank. Come on, I know you want to.” You say, stepping closer to him.

“I care about you and I don’t want to see you hurt.” He stumbles, his eyes refusing to meet yours.

He was holding something back.

“What else?”

He huffs and loosens his grip on your arms. He takes a step back and rubs a hand over his face. He knows what you want him to say.

You crossed your arms in anticipation.

“I worry about you.. because I love you.” He says softly.

He’s said I love you to you before, but it was always so hard for him. Whenever he says it, he remembers when he used to say it to his kids and his wife.

It served as a dark reminder for him.

“Okay, then what would you like me to do about this?”

“I want you to go to that kickboxing gym on the 5th street. And I want you to take a police led self defense course.”

“Well why can’t you teach me?”

“I can’t,”

“Why not? You trained Kelly.” You pointed out.

“Because I can’t think objectively when it comes to you, alright? It’s not that I don’t take you seriously. I know myself and you make my head feel fuzzy. I just can’t train you, alright?”

“I.. make your head feel fuzzy?” You repeated slowly as he starts pacing around the kitchen.

“Yes, you do. And it drives me insane. I can plan secure raids with my eyes closed. I can take guns apart and put them back together again in seconds. I’m a soldier. But one look at you and suddenly I forget whatever the hell I was thinking about.” She confesses.

Your lips part in surprise. Sure he’s your best friend, but this is the most he’s ever talked about his emotions.

He pressed his hands against the corner and b bowed his head for a moment. He lets out a sigh when you call his name.

“Okay, I understand.”

“That’s all you have to say to that? ‘Okay I understand’?” He challenges, looking directly into your eyes.

“Well what do you want me to say? You’re the one that said we couldn’t cross that line.”

“It’s only going to make things harder,” he says with a sigh.

“Harder for me? Or for you?”

“It’ll make you a target, Y/N.”

“I’m already a target, Frank. A man literally came to my door saying to choose the right side. And don’t think I don’t know this is about your time as the Punisher.”

His gaze hardened at your words.

“He said that?”

“He didn’t have to.. I’ve seen him before,” you hesitated, already knowing how he’s going to react.

Crossing his arms, he waits for you to elaborate.

“When I was mugged last month, someone stepped in and beat the mugger unconscious. He gave me back my purse afterwards and told me I needed to be more careful.”

“Yeah, I know. You told me about the mugging-“

“Right, but I didn’t tell you that eventually, I pieced together who he was. His license fell out of his pocket. He later found out and went to my place to retrieve it.”

“You know the name and address of the guy who saved you from getting mugged?”

“Yeah,”

“And it’s the same guy that gave you this business card?”

“Yes, and there’s something else too.”

“You’ve go to be kidding me,”

“He’s been following me for the past month,”

“What the hell, Y/N? Why have you been keeping this shit from me? It’s important information.”

“What? You have a crush on him or something?” He adds with a tinge of jealousy in his tone.

“No, I don’t have a crush on him. I just don’t see him as a threat.”

“The guy is a psycho,”

“Other may say the same about you,” you retort.

His eyes narrow at you as he comes around the counter until he was directly in front of you.

“You’re defending him?” He seethes.

“This is why he felt comfortable enough to swing by your house in the first place.” He adds.

“I’m not defending him necessarily. I just understand him is all.”

He sighs at your words.

“While we’re still clearing the air, is there anything else you want to tell me?” He questions.

“Are you actually upset with me, Frank?”

“You’re intentionally putting yourself in danger by associating yourself with him.”

“What’s his name?”

“Daredevil,” you hesistate, watching his shoulders tense.

“And you know his real name?”

You nodded.

“You know what? Don’t tell me. I’ll kill him.”

“For what?”

“The list is long but most importantly? For even looking in your direction.” The intensity of his gaze softens just a little and it made your heart skip a beat.

“Listen I me very carefully,” he starts, stepping closer to you until you were chest to chest.

“You’re going to stop enabling him to contact you. I’m going to install surveillance outside your house. And you’re going to take the classes I suggested. In that order, do you understand?”

A snarky remark was on the tip of your tongue but something told you to keep it to yourself.

“I understand,”

“If I catch you talking with him, I’ll-“

“Don’t even bother finishing that sentence, you and I both know you’re not going to do anything,” you pat his chest before stepping away to finish making your coffee.

His hand caught your wrist and pulled you into his arms. His free hand slides up your frame and wraps around your throat loosely as a warning.

“What was that you said? I’m not young to do anything? Care to repeat that, baby doll?”

[lair-of-platonic-yanderes]

Hello! Can I request a Platonic! Yandere! Alhaitham x GN! Child! Nahida! Reader? Thank you!

There is a sick God child in Scribe's house

Platonic! Yandere! Al-Haitham x GN! Child! Nahida! Reader

Description: Alhaitham has repeated time and time again, that he is only an Acting Grand Sage. But life of the nation can't just freeze until new Grand Sage is appointed. So, Alhaitham doesn't have a choice and should work with Dendro Archon to clean up the mess, that was from former sages' actions.

Grudges are petty. Smart person could either to stop holding it, or take revenge. Azar, exiled, striped of all his power and influence, has a grudge. Azar still has his intelligence. Azar still has an ace up his sleeve.

_______

Warning and tags: OOC. Platonic Yandere. English is my second language. Spoilers for Sumeru's AQ. Reader are Gender Neutral. Azar is a bastard. Mentions of attempted murder. Poisoning.

Alternative timeline (I guess) - Wanderer's Interlude happened before Fabulous Fungus Frenzy Event).

Wanderer's name is Azra (after character from "The Arcana" game).

Detect quotes from Nahida's voicelines and special dish description.

Alhaitham made one comment about raising a child together with Kaveh. Take it as you want (as a joke, or a pre-relationship).

_____________

Alhaitham's life goals were, in the eyes of some fellow researchers, unfit for an Akademiya Scribe.

"Having an easy job and living a simple live? Are we really talking about star alumnus of the Haravatat Darshan and not about someone from Vimara Village?"

For a few years, that «ridiculous» situation remained a relatively popular gossip between students. "Mysteriously" it was brought up only when Alhaitham was in an earshot.

Alhaitham didn't care about gossips and being a talk of the Akademiya. He liked his life and that was all that matters.

However, after Lesser Lord Kusanali were freed from the captivity, his normal and comfortable life was, while not outright destroyed, disturbed. Acting Grand Sage was still a Grand Sage, whose duties did not compare with the duties of a scribe. Alhaitham wasn’t oblige to accept the new position, but, the overthrow of sages left Sumeru and Akademiya in chaos, and Alhaitham’s normal life would be disturbed anyway. While choosing between more work and rebuilding his life from scratch, he chose the lesser of two evils.

However, on days like this, when sage’s table was almost bursting under the weight of papers, when there were an archon, who offered their help, and who were now lost among mountains of old documents, that had to be placed on the floor, Alhaitham thought, that starting life from scratch was not a bad idea.

In theory (or in a book) after the coop, Sumeru’s problems should be easily resolved. Archon were free and ready to rule Sumeru again, traitorous sages were stripped of their powers and exiled, and the problem with appointing new sages shouldn’t be that hard. There were enough people, who didn’t dirty themselves with betrayal, and, Alhaitham admitted, Dendro Archon have all necessary means to investigate new sages. Alhaitham himself would gladly assist in choosing Azar’s (or his, if he is counts) successor. Ask him, and Alhaitham will confess, that he made a bet that problems would be resolved quickly, and he would not have to stay Grand Sage longer than necessary.

And then, history and laws reminded of their existence.

_______

If someone read books about Akedemiya's history, they might find a very strange name in a list of previous Grand Sages. Strange in a way "Aren't Grand Sages (or just Sages), normally, are chosen from people of Sumeru? How someone from Fontaine managed to become a head of Akademiya?"

The truth is, Grand Sage Dupont, who lived three-hundred years ago, despite the name, technically, wasn’t from Fontaine. His parents, two Driyoshs, conducted research in a land of Hydro, and, during that time, future grand sage was born. The reason behind his name was lost in time (Did his parents plan to stay in Fontaine at first? Did someone named Dupont saved them?), but, when young Dupont reached schooling age to attend Akademiya, the family returned to Sumeru.

Information about Dupont's Akademia’s days were vague, except of few moments.

First, and the most obvious one, Dupont was smart, and his academic success was undeniable. However, some books from that period mentioned, that Dupont has an annoying trait of skipping from one topic to another in his research papers, using long, overcomplicated (even for Akedemiya's standards) words. Despite that, he never mentioned insignificant information, and, at the end, everything would play its part. That turned an annoying trait into a valuable trait for a researcher. It was a question of time, before Dupont became a Great Sage.

Second, he was obsessed with proving his loyalty to Sumeru. It was unclear, where it came from. He never mentioned, that his peers looked down at him, or if he had troubles with professors.

Third, after spending a childhood in a nation of Courts and Justice, was enamored with lawmaking.

Fourth, he wasn't hiding his tendency to overcomplicate texts (Alhaitham read some of the Dupont books, and, if he was one to judge, "overcomplicate" was a major downgrading), mad loyalty to Sumeru and dreams of making laws.

His days as Grand Sage were unofficially called The Age of Web of Laws.

Age, when Sumeru was flooded with new laws each day, Dendro Archon were pronounced a captured traitor, and people realized, why researchers, who use long words and could jump from one important point to another, probably, should stay away from lawmaking.

Law, after law, on top of three others laws, that connected to unreleased laws made Sumeru's law system a knotted mess.

And then, he remembered about Dendro Archon in Sanctuary of Surasthana.

Lesser Lord Kusanali, during their capture, were ignored. Dupont, for some reason, decided, that Archon, who lost their power and memories during Cataclysm are a traitor and should be treated as such.

He couldn't exile them or execute them. So, as a person in charge, instead, he hopped to make their life a living hell.

There were few hundreds of laws, forbidding or complicating Dendro Archon's possible return to power and rulership. A few dozens laws of making their life in captivity hard (Like a "Seafood law", by which allowed feeding Dendro Archon seafood and only seafood for breakfast/dinner/lunch. Grand Sage failed to realize, that Sumeru, at that point, wasn't a fishing nation, and the required amount of seafood need to be bought from other nations and will cost a lot of mora). Then, the laws, that prohibited the worship of Dendro Archon came. And, when Dupont mentioned, that he will look into possibility of executing Dendro Archon followers, people finally realized, that situation got out of hand.

After a long battle of wits, public opinion and bureaucracy, Dupont was exiled. Most of his laws were banned or cancelled. Even laws about Archon's followers were taken care of.

But, no one cared about Dendro Archon. All laws, that were focused on them were ignored, but never were cancelled.

So, when Lesser Lord Kusanali got on the throne, that useless laws were remembered. Sumeru was in a dire need of sorting them and dealing with them.

_______

That's lead to Alhaitham's and Lesser Lord Kusanali's current situation. To finally get rid of Dupont's laws, Acting Grand Sage and Dendro Archon were working together for the last few days.

Thankfully, it was the last of the bunch, and, if everything went well, in three days the work will be over.

The closest paper mountain tilted, but was stopped by a pair of small hands, emerging from the paper bowels. The next moment, the rest of Dendro Archon followed.

Lesser Lord Kusanali, or, [Y/N], as they called themselves, were almost hugging the much taller tower slowly moving around it, trying to prevent its fall.

[Y/N] managed to not only hold papers back, but also get in the front of the unstable mountain. For one second it looked like papers will stay in place. But, [Y/N] hold a metal container in their right hand and weren't planning on dropping it to stabilize the paper tower better.

Like on a clue, papers on top slid down, ending up on [Y/N]’s head. Alhaitham, without stopping reading the papers before him, grabbed Dendro Archon by the pale green cape. Scribe picked them up, saving from being buried under the paper avalanche. Just in time. The tower fell, and [Y/N] dangled in Alhaitham's grip. Ignoring the blatant blasphemy (who could dare to hold the ruler of a nation, God of Wisdom, as if they were a naughty puppy?), Alhaitham lowered them back on the floor, putting an archon back on their feet.

[Y/N] took off papers from their head with free hand, looking at them in displeasure. They glance at the pile of papers on the ground, reading the titles. They mumbled under their breath, mostly to themselves, not expecting Alhaitham to speak.

“And the Seafood Law is found.”

He looked up from his current documents (Law of "forbid Dendro Archon to walk down the street") looking at the archon with faint interest. As if sensing his gaze, they turned the document in his direction. Alhaitham, quickly reading through the first page, hummed. Without taking away the document, Alhaitham wrote a "Cancelled" on top of the first page.

One more centuries old foolish law that poisoned the life of current Sumeru were dealt with.

Without care, [Y/N] dropped the document on the floor. With a small smile, they turned towards Alhaitham, placing the container before him, on top of the (finally cancelled) "Street law". Alhaitham raised an eyebrow.

"I thought, that you need a small break." [Y/N]'s voice sounded soft and a tiny bit shy. "So, I brought some Candied Ajilenakh Nuts."

They don't seem like traditional Candied Ajilenakh Nuts. Instead of familiar rectangles, Alhaitham was looking at the four-petaled flower, laying on top of the four green-white leaves. He took one of the "leaves", taking a small bite. Syrup melts upon contact with his mouth, nuts easily crumbed under his teeth. Alhaitham swallowed the delicious treat,

Alhaitham, despite spending almost a week working together with Dendro Archon, didn't take them for a cook. Yet, here we are.

"Why?" Alhaitham wasn't sure, if it was a simple curiosity, or just an attempt in small talk. Child god looked at him with big warm eyes.

"Why I decided to give you a gift? The sea anemone has helped the little fish and witnessed its growth, so it's only natural for the little fish to give something back. Why Candied Ajilenakh Nuts?" their gaze became a little bit dreamy. "One little bite makes the brain starts chugging away at top speed, and suddenly there's no problem too difficult to solve."

Alhaitham hold back a smile. Lesser Lord Kusanali had a moment of "normalcy".

Alhaitham wasn't a believer. Gods were just gods, a part of biological hierarchy, perhaps, a product of evolution. He wasn't the one to defy Dendro Archon's divinity, but he won't pray or worship them. At least, that's how he was. Before he started working with Dendro Archon.

It was easy to be an atheist in "old" Sumeru. For years, Dendro Archon was an idea, an echo of the past. Even history books has no clear images of pre-Cataclysm Dendro Archon. Just a schematic drawing of a human head with large green headpiece. Akasha Terminal only provided information on who Lesser Lord Kusanali were, not on who they are.

Then Alhaitham helped to rescue Lesser Lord Kusanali. Dendro Archon stopped to be an idea. It wasn't enough for Alhaitham to start bowing before the divine. The week of working together with Dendro Archon wasn't enough.

But now Alhaitham didn't know, how to view Lesser Lord Kusanali anymore.

They were an Archon, ruler of the nation.

They were a winner of Archon War, who lost their memories and powers during Cataclysm.

They were a poor soul, who were locked in their own home for five hundred years.

They were a wise person, whose somewhat simple metaphors hide true answers.

They were a child, who have a sweet tooth, liked big gatherings (Aether told him about "A Moment of Dreams") a toy box with handmade toys, who, sometimes, were clueless about proper social interactions.

[Y/N] were too many things, and their picture in Alhaitham's mind became more and more conflicting each day.

He should be respectful, but not a fanatic. He should see them as a god. Not as a child.

So, where does the surge to protect that poor child came from?

Alhaitham's facial expression became neutral again. He closed the container, putting it away.

"Thank you, Lesser Lord Kusanali, but right now I don't have time to enjoy it. There is still a lot of work to do."

Dendro Archon simply nodded, turning back to paper mountains.

"Understandable. Now, where is the law, that forbids children to wear green, gold and white colors is?"

Alhaitham perked up, looking slightly uncomfortable.

"Did he forced you to...?"

[Y/N] immediately shake their head.

"No! He was planning to release that law, but, fortunately, the same day he was finally accused of power abuse. Still, not hurt to check out if he managed to sign it. And, if we are lucky, we will finally found that little paper sheet, according to which I can't cancel laws."

Dendro Archon slowly moved among the paper towers.

Alhaitham was back to work. But, from time to time, his gaze lingered to the metal container with Candied Ajilenakh Nuts.

For last week, Lesser Lord Kusanali arranged food for the two of them, and now make something for him.

He cooked before, but never tried to make dessert. Well, we live, we learn.

__________

It was a given, that Alhaitham and Kaveh split the house chores between each other. Yes, Alhaitham might use the owner's status and make Kaveh, who was living here rent-free, do all the chores, but he would never do that. To be frank, the thought of blackmailing Kaveh (or anyone else in a dire situation) was making Alhaitham sick.

So, the cooking was split between them. Of course, if someone wanted to add something to the table when it wasn't their turn, they were free to do it.

Tonight, Kaveh appreciated the dessert Alhaitham brought home.

There were some minor passive-aggressiveness during dinners (Kaveh preferring making soups, or Alhaitham making spicy dishes), but, mostly, there weren't any conflicts, and they will eat each other cooking without complaining, commenting or making a scene and cooking something else.

So, when Alhaitham, who, after dinner, grabbed the cookbook Kaveh brought home a few months ago, and occupied the kitchen, he expects questions from Kaveh.

For now, he was silent. Kaveh observed, how Alhaitham was mixing ingredients.

"You are making a dessert." Kaveh's voice sounded flat. Alhaitham barely glance at him, before returning his attention to cooking. Baklava wasn't an easy thing to make for a newbie baker, but it was the only dessert he has all ingredients to make.

"Since when do you have a sweet tooth? First candied nuts, now this." Kaveh refused to drop the subject.

"It's just a small treat for a child who gave me candied nuts today" answered Alhaitham

"For a child?" Kaveh raised an eyebrow. "Did you take in an apprentice? Or..." Kaveh expression became worried. "Or are you planning to adopt a child?"

Alhaitham's mouth moved, before he could think about his next words.

"What if I am?" Alhaitham send a heavy glance towards Kaveh. "What if I am thinking about taking in a child?"

Kaveh expression dropped.

"Spare an innocent soul, Alhaitham. Kids, especially orphans, need attention and emotional involvement and attachment. And you are... I can't picture, what kind of parent would you be."

Alhaitham, who didn't stop cooking, finally finished forming baklava, put it in an oven. With his back turned towards Kaveh, he shrugged.

"I will be a fine parent. And, as for emotions. Well, I have you for that. Together, we will raise a normal child."

His roommate was silent. When Alhaitham turned around, he saw, that Kaveh was closing and opening his mouth, just staring at Alhaitham with an unreadable emotion in his eyes.

Alhaitham sighed.

"I am not planning an adoption or having an apprentice. [Y/N] are a child from Akademiya I have been working with for the last few days. They were quite helpful, and I just want to show my gratitude."

Kaveh was silent. He spoked in a hushed voice.

"[Y/N] from Akademiya. Child, you have been working with. Alhaitham, I respect your take on gods, and Lesser Lord Kusanali might be a kind and forgiving archon, but, don't you think, that calling them a child and by name is disrespectful?"

Alhaitham didn't flinch.

"I don't think, they would mind. They are kind and forgiving."

'Too forgiving.' mentally noted Alhaitham. 'Azar is still out there. Who knows, what he might do.'

Alhaitham glance back at the oven.

"I just want to show them some kindness. They don't have their memories and for five centuries no one show kindness to them. It's not right."

Kaveh pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Since when you became so emotional, hm?" He didn't wait for an answer, turned around and walked out of the kitchen. Before leaving, he looked back at Alhaitham.

"I hope, that you know what you are doing."

Alhaitham knew. He knew, that [Y/N] need some warmth and parental care.

Also, Alhaitham wondered what Azar was up to?

_____

Since he was a child, Azar knew, that he was born to be great. He was from the family of great researchers. He was smarter, than his peers. He was the best student of Rtawahist. He knew, that he will be a Grand Sage one day. It was his birthright.

In his previous life, he has everything. Power, respect, authority, live of luxury.

Now he has no power, he was despised, under constant supervision of forest watchers and matras and was living in an old hut.

Azar hated Avidya Forest. He hated to have nothing, while the traitorous Alhaitham, Tighnari and Cyno and the joke of an archon have everything.

Azar knew, that he can't change anything. But, he will be damned, if he won't try to get revenge.

He glanced at the night sky. It was hard, he only had one shot.

Lesser Lord Kusanali put him in this position. And they would be the one to pay the price.

It wasn't an option, to kill an archon. It wasn't the most common knowledge, but Azar was aware, what happens, when god die. But, what if an archon became so weak, they will lose a human form?

When they were working together, Dottore mentioned, that he made a poison, that will weaken an archon. He didn't test it. Nations won't take kindly to poisoning their archons.

Thankfully, Elchingen wanted to prove himself to Dottore by all means.

Azar didn't care, what would happen to Dendro Archon. They could either die, or became a twig, he didn't care.

He hated them ever since he, a newly appointed Rtawahist Sage, was allowed to enter Sanctuary of Surasthana. When he saw that thing, that dared to called themselve a God of Wisdom. A meek child, who everyone called forgiving, and who exiled him, instead of forgiving.

For a crime of offending the prodigy, Dendro Archon have to pay.

_______

"Are you sure, that you don't want to have something with your tea?" you tilted your head, looking at your guest. Wanderer, who now calls himself Azra, rolled his eyes.

You two were having tea in your living quarters in the Sanctuary of Surasthana. You rarely invited someone here, but Azra was a special case.

"No, I don't want any sweets."

You just smiled, taking a bite of baklava Alhaitham made for you. It didn't look pretty, but it was tasty. You didn't expect him to give you a present in return, you just wanted to give him something sweet. But, you won't complain.

Azra was silently drinking his tea.

"How is your trip going on?" asked you. "Are aranaras a good company for you?"

Azra shrugged.

"Nothing interesting. Aranaras are fine, nation is calm. Someone is planning a tournament focused on overgrown mushrooms."

You hide a smile behind the teacup.

"Yes, I knew. Yesterday, Kautilya and Elchingen came here, asking for permission to uphold the tournament. They even send gifts." You pointed at a few colorful boxes that were standing on the small table in the corner. "Do you want to participate in the tournament?"

Azra raised an eyebrow.

"Is it an order?"

You shook your head. It wasn't the time to order him around or force him to an interaction. Small steps, time will come.

"No. While it will be a good thing, if you will be more social, I won't force you into talking to other people."

Azra huffed.

"Then I will pass. I still have some parts of Sumeru to visit."

You just smiled.

"As you wish."

You take a candy from the box. It was one of the Elchingen's gifts. It was sweet, and the flavor was a little bit overwhelming, but, still, it was good. Not as good as Alhaitham's baklava.

For a few moments both of you were silent again. Then Azra spoke once again. He frowned.

“Elchingen… That name sounds familiar.”

You waited to Azra to tell you more. After few more moments, he shook his head.

“No, I can’t remember, where I have heard it.”

You tilted your head.

“Don’t worry about it. Perhaps, he wasn’t that important for you to remember him.” Azra just shrug, not looking at you. With a sigh, you put your teacup back.

“Azra, your desire to travel is a good thing, and I did support you. However, if I can suggest, staying in one place is also good. Spent some time in Akademiya, attend some public lectures. Try to have a taste of life in Sumeru.”

Azra didn’t look interested in your idea, but, he nodded anyway.

“Fine, I guess I will put wandering on hold for now”.

If he heard your chuckle, he didn’t show it.

_________

Another day of work was over. Alhaitham and you did a great job, and almost all old laws were dealt with. Azra left, prefering to camp in the wild instead of staying in the capital. You were alone in the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

And you felt sick.

It sounds impossible, but archons also can become sick. While the symptoms will never be as serious as mortal's symptoms, it still will be an unpleasant days.

The most serious "sickness" you had was that one time, when you spend all night, hopping from one dream to another, helping sick children. All of them had fever dreams, and you had to go through multiple strange dreams. It ended in you having a headache for whole day.

You curled on your bed, feeling a wave of nausea. You were hot and cold at the same time, you had a headache, you were trembling.

You hold back tears. For that one moment, you didn't feel like an archon, a victor of a war, a ruler of a nation.

You felt like a lonely, sick child.

You were a lonely, sick child til the morning. Until Alhaitham, who wondered, why you were late, didn't start looking for you.

______

"What do you mean they have been poisoned?" barked Alhaitham, grabbing Tighnari by the hood. Tighnari's ears dropped, he felt, how the fur on his tail stood on end. He didn't expect to be disturbed by Alhaitham.

Alhaitham, who has never raised his voice, looked like an enraged abyss monster. He was breathing heavily, his eyes were narrowed, and his teeth were clenched. And, Tighnari could swear, he heard a quiet growling sound.

"It is true, Alhaitham. Lesser Lord Kusanali aren't sick, they aren't having some sort of godly rebirth. They have been poisoned. They show all symptoms of the poisoning."

Alhaitham breathe in and out. He let go of Tighnari.

A quiet whine got their attention. Dendro Archon were laying on their bed. They were laying under the blanket with their eyes closed, with a wet towel on their forehead.

The bed already was big enough to have two adults comfortably laying in it, and it would look even bigger, when a child were laying here. And now, when Dendro Archon were sick, when they looked smaller and weaker, then they truly were.

Alhaitham automatically moved forward, sitting on the bed's edge. He carefully took the towel and, after dripping it in the water bowl, put in back on their forehead. His hands linger above archon's head, before he made a decision. He carefully pet archon's head.

"How?" Alhaitham's voice was barely a whisper. Tighnari opened his mouth in shock. Alhaitham was surprisingly emotional today. And if his reaction to poisoning was understandable (more problems to Sumeru means him being an Acting Grand Sage longer, than he wants to), but the unexplained tenderness was... unexplained.

"How, Tighnari? How they got poisoned?" Alhaitham turned his head towards the forest ranger. Tighnari, whose thoughts were interrupted, shake his head, trying to focus. It helped for a bit.

"It's not a simple poisoning. Not from bad food, or wrong ingredients, or wrong tea mix. The poison looks complicated. It's..."

"An assassination attempt." finished Alhaitham. Dangerous light flashes in his turquoise-orange eyes. Tighnari stayed silent. There was no need for words. He sat down on one of the chairs, rubbing his temples. Why Dendro Archon can't catch a break? First sages, then old laws, now...

Alhaitham stand up.

"Tighnari, help me transport [Y/...] Lesser Lord Kusanali in my home."

Tighnari jumped up so fast, he felt slight dizziness.

"What?! Wh- You- They- Why?!"

Alhaitham spoke slowly. Like he was trying to explain the situation to a kid.

"There is a traitor, or traitors on the loose. And, it seems, Sanctuary of Surasthana isn't the most protected place. And [Y/N] need to be protected. And I can only trust myself right now."

Alhaitham noticed a change in Tighnari's expression. "You and Cyno too, but, Cyno will be busy with an investigation, and you are living too close to the former sages."

Tighnari's gaze soften for a bit.

"It does make sense. But, are you sure, Alhaitham?"

Alhaitham, who was now looking around, making mental notes on what to take with him, nodded.

"More than I ever have been."

______

You were barely conscious. You heard voices, that sounded, like they were speaking from the great distance.

You felt, how multiple blankets were put around you, and you were carried somewhere.

You woke up in a strange place. It wasn't your room. The bed was smaller, than yours, and there were too many books there. For a moment, you thought, that you were laying in the library.

The room's door opened. You focus your gaze on an 'intruder'. Alhaitham walked inside, carrying a tray with a bowl on it. Judging by a steam raising from it, you assume, that it was soup.

Kaveh tried to follow after Alhaitham. The architect looked agitated, but, the moment he looked at you, his gaze softens. But, before he can step inside the room, Alhaitham kicked the door, closing it right before Kaveh's face.

"Oh, you are awake, [Y/N]."

You tried to talk.

"Where..."

"In my home." Alhaitham's voice was soft. You might even call it "parental voice". Alhaitham put the tray on the bedside table and helped you to sit down. He put his hand on your forehead, like he was checking the temperature. He frowned.

"How do you feel, [Y/N]?" Alhaitham looked concerned. You whispered. Your mouth was dry and there was a terrible bitter taste.

"Bad. Thirsty and hungry."

Alhaitham nodded. He frowned. He picked up the soup bowl. You get a better look at it. It seems, that you have mistaken. It was a simple plain broth, not a soup. Meanwhile, Alhaitham scooped up some broth with a spoon. He blew on it then hold the spoon towards you.

On better days, you would take the spoon in your own hand. But, you felt so tired. You weren't sure you can move a finger.

You let Alhaitham spoon-feed you.

While you were eating, Alhaitham spoke.

"Someone tried to poison you, [Y/N]. To keep you safe, I volunteer to house you, until the danger is gone."

You stay silent. You didn't know what to feel. Were you that bad of an archon? Only deserve to be imprisoned, or dead?

Suddenly, a pair of arms were carefully put around you. It wasn't a real hug, but still a hug.

"I promise, [Y/N], I will deal with it."

After he let you go, he gave you more broth. Then he gave you water. He gave you some medicine (from stomachache and fever).

He tucked you in.

"Rest, [Y/N]. Rest and get better. If you need company, Kaveh is in a next room."

Alhaitham carefully pet your head, before leaving. The door was left open, and you could see Alhaitham's and Kaveh's silhouettes.

Alhaitham's gestures were nice. But, there was something in his voice. Something strange.

It was wrong to read others' thoughts.

But, you wanted to understand.

You reach your shaking hands towards the door. You made a gesture with your fingers.

You release your powers.

______

"Acting Grand Sage, what an honor. How Dori Sangemah Bay could help you?" Dori's tone was anything, but not friendly. If she could, she would send him away. But, she can't. If she didn't want to get arrested by Cyno.

General Mahamatra was standing behind Alhaitham, observing. Near him was standing another person. Another investigator.

A strange wanderer in a big hat volunteered to help with investigation. Of course, no one would consider allowing him to help, but after Lesser Lord Kusanali themselves confirmed, that wanderer is their old acquaintance and can be trusted, he became a part of investigation team.

It was impossible to cover up the poisoning. So, all of Sumeru knew about the investigation. Including Dori.

Alhaitham's voice was calm. Terrifyingly calm.

"Do you knew, who tried to poison Dendro Archon?"

Straight to the point. Dori focused her attention on her fingernails.

"There is some information. But, I really want to hear, what Akademiya can offer for..."

"ALHAITHAM, STOP!"

A pair of hands grabbed her by the shoulders. She was picked up and shoved into crates, where she had stored goods she planned to sell during the upcoming tournament.

Turquoise-orange eyes met with golden brown. Alhaitham hissed, while Cyno tried to pry him off Dori.

"A life of poverty and exile, if you don't cooperate. A good deal, don't you think?"

Dori tried to struggle, but Alhaitham's grasp was too strong.

"Alhaitham!" growled Cyno. Alhaitham almost spit his next words.

"I have a sick child in my home. A child, who was poisoned and who still suffer from it. And you want me to be calm, when she is demanding a price?!"

A million thoughts were raising in Cyno's head. He was aware of Alhaitham's views on gods. But, thinking about gods as a product of evolution is one thing. And thinking about rule of the nation as a child was another.

Meanwhile, Dori shouted.

"I will help! I will! But, please, I do need a protection! If rumors are true, Fatui might be involved."

Alhaitham let Dori go. His voice was hard as steel.

"Speak. And I promise a protection.

And Dori spoke.

About a man named Elchingen. About strange purchases of rare herbs he made. About him being seen in a company of Fatui solders. About Elchingen mentioning "Master Dottore". And rumors of Elchingen meeting with former Grand Sage.

______

You were sitting in the common room of Alhaitham's home, next to the man himself.

Well, perhaps, at this moment, you should probably call it your home.

Kaveh was working on some project in his own room, while you were trying to focus on the book in your hands. It was hard.

Instead of a text from the book, you have been remembering some articles from "Steambird".

"Fontaine merchant was torn apart during the tournament in Sumeru"

You knew the truth. Azra made sure to leave you a message through aranaras, before leaving to Snezhnaya.

You got lucky, that the poison Elchingen gave you weren't the original one, but a replica. Without all necessary components, it wasn't lethal for an archon.

"Former Grand Sage tried to assassinate Dendro Archon"

"Former Grand Sage is under arrest"

"Former Grand Sage hang himself in the cell"

Alhaitham didn't tell you the truth. But you understand, what really happened.

Traitors were dealt with. You felt much better. You could return to the Sanctuary of Surasthana.

You can't.

"Because you are still in danger, [Y/N]."

"Because after one will come others, [Y/N]."

"I will make sure, that you are safe. I will change Sumeru and make it safe for you."

You cast a quick glance at Alhaitham. You spoke.

"If you need help with something, I could..."

Without looking at you, he put a hand on top of your head, ruffling your hair.

"Don't worry, [Y/N]. Leave it to adults. Have a happy childhood, my child."

You probably could fight. You could order him to knock it off. You could exile him.

But every time you try to do it, you will remember his thought.

The thought you read a few months ago.

"I wish, that [Y/N], that my child lead a peaceful life"

And you let him coddle you, to parent you. You let him to constantly watch over you. You let h be a gray cardinal, staying a Scribe, but manipulating the current Grand Sage. You let him reshape Sumeru in your honor. You shoved Azar's demise in the deepest corner of your mind.

Sages' actions came from their greed for power.

Alhaitham's actions came from the parental love.

If you were a bird, that never knew the taste of freedom, that sages were a cage, and Alhaitham was an indoor garden. Both were a captivity. But the garden was a better illusion of a freedom.

[blueishspace]

Hero, Villain God 18

(Prev) (Next) (First)

Chapter 5

*Grian's pov*

You show up to the Hero association, you wwnt in your "Grian" form but nobody is able to notice you anyway, just a little manipulation of the mind...nothing too drastic.

The first part of the whole process is nothing more then a written test, which you didn't expect from an hero sidekick application...you tought mortals limited these specific tortures to their schooling.

You are able to answer all of course but it's so mind numbingly boring... Especially since you are forced to wait in the hall for hours after you're done...you are almost considering saying screw it and grabbing elation itself by the time they call you back in.

You pass to the next part of the evaluation, around two thirds of the initial group are gone already... Was it really that hard of a test? It isn't that surprising, most humans don't have billions of years of knowledge... Scratch that, no human has billions of years worth of knowledge...but like, still disappointing.

The second layer of this whole thing is combat related, of course, a hero like hotguy needs a sidekick that can at least not immediately get themselves killed in a fight... Not a problem for you of course but likely a problem for the average non superhero.

Looking around you realize that the Hero Association must have a lot of money to trow away because you are pretty sure this is a whole arena that was built for this test.

You are alone, this one is done individually...probably as a scare tactic, but it's not like you care that much... And then Sheriff enters the room....Interesting.

*Jimmy's pov*

They told you that you were perfect for testing the fighting skills of the people trying out for the position, apparently Hotguy is "too busy" and "too advantaged" to do it.

You call bull, you might be number three but you also have much more important stuff to do instead of this...and It's not like Hotguy is that much stronger then you... It's like a very masked insult. You, of course, spent the entirety of last night complaining to Lizzie about it.

The first two go down almost immediately, the third one takes less then a minute ... You aren't really feeling hopeful about this, none of them are even getting a hit in and the associaton said to avoid going easy on them so you aren't even allowed to make them feel any better about it.

At this speed you doubt any of them are going to even come close to getting to the final interview.

Then, in front of you is a winged man, in a way you are kinda rooting for him already. It would be nice to have another winged hero, you could be bird buddies... You try to not get your hopes up too much though, you don't want to be disappointed.

"So, are you ready?"

The man looks at you, something about his eyes makes you viscerally unconfortable for a few moments, you shake it off.

"Yes"

And just like that he jumps at you, holy cow this one is fast! You jump in the air with a laugh.

*Grian's pov*

What starts as a fight quickly devolves into you and sheriff flying and jumping after eachother, it is quite fun actually. It's a bit like jumping around as Poultryman but it's also different, you can't exactly explain why but it is, Sheriff seems to be enjoying it as well so you don't really question it too much... after all if he isn't saying anything why should you?

You make it easy for him, you have more fun with it then anything... Isn't that what this is all about anyway? The fun you have along the way? ... Nah, that's too much even for you...too sweet.

Perhaps you end up going a bit too easy...you get a bit distracted and you don't notice him preparing a punch until it is too late and it has punched your stomach... This strong of an hit would have caused a human to kneel over and here comes a choice: Reveal your identity as a god or lose the fight and fail... in the end you choose the lesser evil, you fall back holding your gut and fall to the floor.

...

Well, time for plan b-

"Congrats, you passed!"

... Huh?

"Huh?"

"What? Did you think you had to beat me?"

You did, what would be the point otherwise? Is he dumb?

"Mate, I'm the third strongest hero, you were just supposed to last a long enough time"

... You are a god, this is by all counts the most embarassing thing to happen to you.

"Which you did in case it wasn't clear, I didn't expect anyone to even make it halfway!"

You were worrying over nothing it seems, well then.

"Thank you then"

You go to leave but he seems to remember something.

"Oh and if you do end up being Hotguy's sidekick come and find me! I have a lot I can tell you about fighting with wings."

You aren't sure how much you believe that but you suppose he did win the fight, even if you were putting very little effort in it, so it couldn't hurt to hear him out... You definitely aren't bitter about that. You are above that... Yes. Definitely. ... You start to think you might have been in a mortal form for too long.

He waves you away, you wave back with a slightly forced smile as you leave.

[shorthaltsjester]

oh liliana. oh boy. fantastic night for family tragedy lovers. oh to see a woman who abandons her daughter to what she knows to be a horrible fate in search of Answers and she gives that daughter nothing but a carrot on a stick of ominous dreams for a mother. and when imogen finally catches up to her, as liliana guaranteed she would when she found answers and gave imogen none, and she stares in imogen’s face and gives her words to console the Infant she left behind and the woman who stands in front of her finds them lacking. the dream liliana has of a home she can return to with a daughter crying in her arms because she doesn’t have words yet is shattered by the reality of a daughter crying at arms length because she can’t trust her words. liliana clinging to that dream so hard that she tells imogen that she is committed to the cause imogen doesn’t understand because there’s children here and in the same conversation liliana reminds imogen that she chose this for her, to save Her, and liliana doesn’t notice that imogen’s no longer a child that can be included in that sentence. because liliana’s been hungry — for answers, for a life she gave up —and so is the monster that’s embedded in the moon and maybe if liliana does this right she can finally be full, she can finally feed her daughter with the knowledge of their power. she can go home to a table set for dinner and see imogen sat across from her.

except. except. except. the world is near ending and her daughter is dying in a tunnel that would become her tomb if liliana’s coworkers — y’know, the ones on the side that’s For Imogen — got what they wanted. and then liliana seemingly realizes, as she stumbles through helping imogen and her friends, being prodded by them as imogen strains under being both herself and the daughter who was abandoned, and she seems to actually Hear when imogen asks her to make her own choices, and to stop making them in her name (implicitly, making ones imogen is explicitly asking liliana Not To Make and then saying it’s all for her). and maybe liliana is still hungry for answers, but maybe imogen trusting her, piece by piece, fills a different kind of hunger.

and then. the image of imogen as an adult — her daughter certainly, but one with agency, and one with power, whether she has the satisfaction of knowledge guiding her or not — seems to settle in, but only now that it’s too late. only now, with the image of ludinus fading as fast as imogen’s does, revealing instead the conman and the woman she finds herself stuck between. and liliana finally sees imogen and realizes there will be no home, there will be no full bellies, no relief at the end of all this, because this is the end. because the man who promised a way to be full has found it, but this was never about liliana being full, and it was never about bringing home enough answers to ensure imogen never starved. it was about ludinus keeping his own plate full, ensuring he always had a meal at his side should he ever need it. and he’s hungry, and her use has finally failed to outweigh his gluttony. and when thinking of herself, her own power, liliana thought ludinus unbeatable, she thought him beyond anything but just influencing him to choose lesser evils, but she reaches out for her daughter, pain and storms surrounding their conversation as they have never failed to, and she tells imogen to stop him.

oh temults we’re really in it now. extremely obsessed with a family who loves each other enough to distance themselves from one another but not enough to stay.

[writingquestionsanswered]

This may be a silly question, but in your personal opinion is it a bad idea to offer up a “bonding” moment early on in an enemies to lovers trope? (Like possibly within the first two chapters)

I don’t want to take away from the tension, but I’m having a hard time picturing one of my MC’s willing to spend any sort of time with this other person if they don’t give them a small something to work with (they’re meant to be brought together by reluctantly teaming up to achieve a mutual goal).

The thing I worry about is ruining the classic movement of a story like that by revealing a little too much about a character too soon. This is my first time writing enemies to lovers and I really want to get this right.

"Glimmer of Humanity" Too Early in Enemies to Lovers

I think rather than making it a "bonding moment," per se, you would want it to simply be a "glimmer of humanity..." something that shows the MC that maybe the enemy isn't ALL bad... that maybe there's a little bit of good in there somewhere. This can be enough of a tipping point between your character choosing to team up with them or not. For example, let's say you have a situation where you have Team Good, Team Bad, and Team Even Worse. If MC's Option A is to fight Team Bad and Team Even Worse alone and almost certainly fail, but Option B is to team up with Team Bad and fight their common enemy of Team Even Worse, having seen that "glimmer of humanity" in Team Bad can be enough to make Option B "the lesser of two evils." At least with Option B they have help and there's a chance (albeit a small one) that Team Bad won't completely screw them in the end.

This way, you're not creating a bonding moment too early or otherwise throwing off the tension between the MC and the enemy. You're just making it believable that they would even consider teaming up with Team Bad, because there's some glimmer of hope that it will turn out okay. More hope, anyway, than fighting both enemies all alone.

I hope that helps!

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[walks-the-ages]

Some important graphs for all the vote-scolds/blue maga blaming third party voters for Kamala Harris losing:

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/approval/kamala-harris/

This woman never had her Approval rating rise higher than her Disapproval rating after September 2021.

If Democrats actually wanted to win, they could have stopped committing genocide and actually run a candidate people wanted to vote for.

Instead, they choose a deeply unpopular VP from a deeply unpopular current administration that no one even had a choice in, dumped a few million dollars into her campaign via big corporations to try to make it seem like most Americans were donating large sums of money to her overnight, tried to frame her campaign as being Super Popular and Cheerful and Powerful...... and then made the absolute worst decisions ever by constantly reaffirming literally that she would not do anything fundamentally different than what Biden was doing.

You know, the guy so fucking unpopular he had to drop out of the Presidential race because he was unelectable???

Anyways, I just went through the top #US Election posts in the tag and blocked hmm, maybe 6 people saying "fuck anyone who voted for third party" instead of actually taking a long hard look at their "lesser evil" candidate and it really, really, really is telling how all of these posts:

don't have more than maybe 2k notes compared to a few hundred thousand notes on other posts that don't blame third party voters

the replies are full of actual logical people who care about other people pointing out that third party voters did not make up nearly the margin Harris is currently losing by, and that if Democrats wanted to win, maybe they should have actually tried to win

I can pretty much guarantee you that all of the people making "Fuck third party voters, fuck pro-palestine crowd, are you happy now?" -- I can pretty much guarantee you that if you search these people's blogs for Palestine, that they have literally never interacted with anything to do with it except to vote scold in advance of the election or are full on active zionists who support israel's war crimes.

Anyways, feel free to share these graphs for all the racist assholes, and please make sure you're blocking shithead anons, and especially reporting shithead anons.

If you wanna respond to a shithead publicly, just screenshot it before you report and block.

The people screaming about "those darn jill stein voters!!!"* literally do not give a single fuck about marginalized groups that they, personally, are not a part of, and they are going to bury their head in the sand of the racist, genocidal cesspit they are in to refuse to listen to actual real facts so they can continue to spout their racist, genocidal, fascist victim blaming, not the least of which I've already seen is the infamous "I will laugh when they come to drag you to the concentration camps!"

Like. Hey now, are you sure you're anti-fascist when you say such things gleefully, Liberals? To people who didn't elect your genocidaire in a blue hat because she is part of the people actively committing genocide as we speak?

But yeah, Vote Bluers screaming at third party voters right now are literally just fascists in blue, and they are no one's allies.

Screaming at and wishing death and torture on minorities is what racists fascists do, if they actually wanted to work towards change they would have changed their tunes on the Democrats when it became clear they fully supported a genocide.

Block them, both on the dash and in your inbox. Unfollow the racist shitstains who reblog their posts uncritically. These people are cowards who are happily willing to punch downwards instead of actually stepping up to the plate and working to do good in their communities to bring people together.

Kamala Harris had a 49.% Disapproval rating the night before the election.

Are you telling me you seriously think she could have won?

* fun fact: more people voted for Chase Oliver than Jill Stein in all the states I've looked at that have that data, looks like the 'moderate republicans' are going libertarian, not democrat! Gee, who could have foreseen that? 🙄

Anyways, don't forget your daily clicks:

and if you have money to spare, please consider donating to Karim, one of the folk who were scammed out of their evacuation funds by a white woman in the USA who organized his campaign months ago, and he had not reached his goal after she tried to steal the funds only to get caught and be forced to return the money for a full refund to gofundme, so none of the raised funds went to him and were returned to the original donors, who didn't see his new campaign:

[princesssarisa]

Reading so many international Cinderella stories has reminded me of a common complaint we hear about the story: "Why does Cinderella put up with her stepfamily's abuse? Why doesn't she run away?"

Actually, in many lesser-known Cinderella tales, she does run away.

In these tales, she usually becomes a scullery maid or an animal herder, either at the royal palace or at a farm nearby. At best, she's slightly better off than she was with her stepfamily, if only because no one actively hates her. But she's still dressed in rags, still has to do hard menial work, and in many versions is still abused. And she's "lucky" to have found this job, because the alternative would have been homelessness and begging.

With this in mind, I don't fault any version of Cinderella either for choosing to stay with her stepfamily or for running away. It's not a matter of strength or passivity, it's a matter of deciding which of two evils is the lesser. If her stepfamily's abuse is too much for her to bear and she decides she'd rather take the risk of seeking work elsewhere, that's perfectly fine. But if she decides that the latter is too risky, and she would rather stay in the house where she at least has regular food and shelter, that's fine too.

[rius-cave]

Funny thing is if the show goes that Adam has always been an asshole they would also be contradicting themselves. Because the other plot, which ties in with Lucifer in that there was no free will before the apple. So they’re telling me there was no free will yet, Adam was able to be an asshole and Lilith was able to leave? To me that’s either fishy or a big plot hole.

If Adam was controlling I don’t think there was any malice behind it. Maybe he was more loyal to heaven as he saw them as their creators and Lilith had issues with it, idk. It is interesting that maybe Lucifer didn’t care and saw them like pets. He was an angel with different outlooks than a human. Maybe that’s why he gave up on sinners quickly. He never thought about the negative side of free will. Meanwhile Charlie grew up seeing sinners and now has the hotel. Unlike Lucifer she has an emotional tie to her cause.

I won’t be surprised if there’s more to the Eden story. 

So I absolutely think Hazbin Hotel could JUST have that plot hole and make Adam an asshole from the start lol, no offense to Hazbin. But you are ABSOLUTELY right that it wouldn't make any sense.

In fact, if we go to biblical doctrine, sin isn't even introduced to humanity until after the apple, so bad attitudes and bad behavior and all that didn't exist before it. But even if we don't go to that, Hazbin does explicitly say that the apple gave them free will, it's the knowledge of good and evil and getting the will to act upon that knowledge. Adam didn't know what was good and what was wrong, he just did what he was told.

Lilith is definitely an interesting case because she didn't want to obey from the start, and unlike Eve, she wasn't tempted by an outside influence. I'm not expecting Hazbin to adhere to the christian theology I was taught though, so what do I know lol

But yes I absolutely think the concept of Lucifer seeing humans differently is interesting. If I had to choose, I'd say Heaven saw them as kind of pet projects, experiments, creations of God, etc. Lucifer probably humanized them more and that's why he fell in love with Lilith and treats Lilith as an equal, but I think his angelic nature combined with the fact that he was raised by angels, means that he has just that tiiiiiny disconnect from humans. Maybe he doesn't see them as outright pets, but still much lesser beings than him, with the only exception being Lilith probably.

And then Charlie, as you said, having grown up around sinners, sees herself pretty much on their level, even if she IS more important and more powerful, she's managed to get into relationships where they both feel like equals. This is often to her detriment, since she's shown multiple times to have a hard time getting into her princess role, but it's made her relationships with sinners much more balanced.

[fromthemouthofkings]

A thing about LOTR that I actually find quite charming and endearing is that a lot of our protagonists are so good, wise, thoughtful, articulate, poetic, kind and emotionally astute, they are constantly asking those wiser than them for council, discussing what weighs upon their hearts, supporting each other, reciting songs, making Very Serious Plans and listening to each other–they are so Good and emotionally literate that it almost, at an uncharitable reading, starts to feel a little bit like Ye Olde therapyspeak.

Except it never hits, for me at least, that threshold of "he would not fucking say that" such that it breaks my suspension of disbelief, which is what makes therapyspeak so annoying to me personally in writing. Partly I think it's that there are plenty of other characters who inhabit this world that clearly don't talk and behave this way, so our protagonists stand out, but it feels intentional–but also I think it's just because it feels true to the characters that they would fucking say that. They would make these choices. And it's just very interesting and comforting to read a story that is actually full of very kind, decent people. Our protagonists are not always perfect, not always in agreement with each other–but they are allowed by the narrative to struggle really really hard against impossible odds while remaining good, kind, honorable people, and they aren't forced to sacrifice that for the sake of doing the right thing. Tolkien is, in general, very very leery of the idea that you can put in bad means and get out a good end result–he emphatically does not believe in using the devil's own power against him. To a one, everyone who tries to do that fails because their choices end up biting them in their own ass.

And Tolkien is realistic about the fact that those who choose to hold true might be dooming themselves to death or failure by doing so. He's honest about the fact that it's fucking hard. I don't think anyone could read Frodo's journey in particular and come away with the idea that choosing to do the kind, decent thing is easy, or glamorous, or destined to automatically succeed. But these characters are allowed to keep faith anyway, to hold out hope, to do the kind, decent thing trusting that, even if they don't succeed, it matters that they tried.

And yeah, it's oversimplified. In the hands of a lesser writer, I think this world could end up feeling very flat. Like oh, we have our heroes who are good people, and the bad guys who are ontologically evil and a lot of boring sometimes-misguided ordinary folk in the middle. And there are major criticisms to be made for sure–like how the orcs are handled, for instance.

But still, it's comforting, it's aspirational. It's escapist in a hopeful kind of way, a gentle kind of way–self-aware, I mean, that this goodness isn't destined to win, but–wouldn't it be nice? What if we tried–what if we hoped–what if we charged out and did our best, to whatever end? What if that was enough?

I don't know that I believe it, exactly, but something something about how humans need the little lies to help them believe the big ones. Show me one atom of justice, one molecule of mercy. Maybe it's a lie–but it's a good one.

[queen0fm0nsterz]

I said this many times before but I will say it again:

I find the conflict between Six and the Lady to be so much more interesting when viewed through the lens of them not being the same person, but rather being a metaphor for each other -- someone who is like the person you used to be vs the threat of the person you could become.

Them having a similar past and reacting to it in completely different ways makes the dynamic incredibly interesting. The reason why I am so deeply attached to the theory that the Lady is the girl in the paintings who wears a yellow raincoat is because, narratively, it would make her the perfect foe to Six.

The coat itself is not really important: what matters is what it signifies. It means freedom, hope, light, but most importantly it means not losing yourself. When Six finds the coat, she finds herself. She finds her True Colors, as the OST itself will tell you.

And Six sticks to it.

In spite of everything pointing her to the Maw, Six categorically refuses to go there. Shadow Six points her to it, but the comics let us know that Six did not go to the Maw as she was pushed to do: the Ferryman had to drag her on it. He had to tie her up to take her there -- which, when considering the Ferryman's usual methods, really points just how hard Six fought to avoid the Maw.

Six does not want to be on the Maw. She rebukes it. Exactly the opposite of the Lady, who instead sticks in it for dear life.

The Lady is a deeply fascinating villain through many lens, but what makes her the most interesting to me is the fact that, when picking her arguments apart barebones, she reasons exactly like the children of the Maw do. In the Refugee Boy's story, it is explained why he prefers being on the Maw rather than being left to the outside world.

Safety.

With this in mind, here is an extract from the Lady's official character description:

"Amidst the chaos of the world outside, The Maw is the only place that makes sense. (...) The guests must eat. The Maw must survive."

The Lady sticks to the Maw because it's beneficial to her. Because it is the only place whose (horrific) structure she can comprehend. The world outside is chaos, we have seen it ourselves. The Maw, as terrible as it is, has a clear routine that repeats every year. It has dangers that can be avoided as they become more and more known.

The children would rather stay here, rather than face the unknown outside. And the Lady would rather uphold a system that kills and takes advantage of innocents if it means she can live in peace and safely just one more day.

The Maw is the lesser evil. And the Lady lost herself to it. Or rather, it would be more correct to say that whoever she used to be when she got on the Maw is gone... and all the Lady is, is nothing if not the Lady of the Maw.

((Which is why she can't bear to look in the mirror. Would you stare in it, knowing that the person starring back is someone you don't know?))

But Six is not like the Lady. Six is Six.

She does not want to be safe, she wants to leave. The institution of the Maw means nothing to her, no matter how many outside factors push her towards it. Even if strategically speaking staying the Maw would be the safe option, by leaving, Six chooses her true self. It's an act of defiance to a generational cycle that has been upheld for who knows how long by simply taking a leap of faith.

One stayed. The other left.

Ironically, the two of them are not a mirror of each other, like the Thin Man and Mono are. They instead walk on two parallel lines.

The Lady turns right, and Six turns left. The Lady turns down the stairs that lead back inside the Maw. She lets the raincoat fall off her shoulders. Six turns up the stairs, outside of the submarine. She clings to her raincoat as hard as she can.

They are two strangers who happen to be just a little similar, but so incredibly different that they end up going different places. And that's what gives them nuance.