#kv 1 spoilers

[tiptoputop]

Hahaha. Toute la francophonie en psychothérapie à la fin de la trilogie 🥲

Les ami.e.s je suis de nouveau dans mes ✨Kaamelott feels✨, et je tiens à dire que si Arthur meurt à la fin de la trilogie, je dresse un autel au culte de la barbarie 

[droctaviolovecraft]

TW: Spoilers, body horror, violence/gore, indulced body deformation

Site's link:

"Not all gems shine."

Identification: Echoes of a Long Forgotten Cartoon

Responsible Researcher: Dr. Öctavio Kalev

Abomination #: ANM-586-KV

Classification: Apocalypse ☠️ | Contained ⭕️

Anomaly Type: Entity, collective, ore

Damage Type: General-affective

Confinement: ANM-586-KV and all associated instances (ANM-586-A, ANM-586-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) are to be contained in separate high-security humanoid containment cells within the Heavy Zone, each one installed with self-destructive devices. Interaction with any ANM-586 instances requires Level 4 clearance and approval from at least two personnel with Level 5 clearance. All personnel must wear auditory and visual dampening equipment when engaging with ANM-586 entities to reduce the psychological impact.

Instances of ANM-586 must be kept under 24/7 surveillance, with motion sensors and automatic security measures in place. In the event of a containment breach, on-site security personnel are authorized to use lethal force, Elite-task Force "Foxhound", "Tropa de Choque" and "BOPE" are instructed to take action in these cases, authorized to use lethal force to recontain the instances if explosive devices have no longer been sufficient. Under no circumstances should any ANM-586 instance be allowed to come into contact with the other gems of any kind.

Description: ANM-586-KV is a collection of anomalous entities consisting of a primary humanoid figure, designated ANM-586-A, and several associated "gems" (ANM-586-1 through ANM-586-7). ANM-586-A resembles a heavily distorted and grotesque humanoid figure, wearing torn versions of what appear to be childlike clothing. Its face is perpetually fixed in a wide, unnatural smile filled with numerous small, needle-like teeth (counted more than 130). ANM-586-A's eyes move unnaturaly, being wide open, with the red side of the eye sockets prominent. Its voice is described as grating, constantly fluctuating in pitch and tone, echoing faintly like a distorted child's voice. He is relatively short (1.3m tall) with a thick, stocky build, wears jeans, along with a pink shirt with a yellow star in the center, hair is big and curly. The entity demonstrates acute arachnodactyly, with sharp, yellow, long nails capable of easily tearing human skin.

ANM-586-A has the ability to "summon" deformed, monstrous versions of individuals associated with various gemstones (referred to as ANM-586-1 to 7). These entities appear to be twisted parodies of characters from a well-known animated series, entitled "Steven Universe. Each "gem" manifests from a gemstone embedded within ANM-586-A column, which changes color and shape depending on the entity being summoned. The gemstones themselves appear to have some level of sentience, twitching and glowing in response to external stimuli.

Addendum: The crystals in ANM-586-A column were surgically removed and the adjacent entities were transferred to different containment cells in the Heavy Zone.

• ANM-586-1 ("Pearl"):

ANM-586-1 manifests as an elongated humanoid creature standing approximately 3 meters tall, with unnaturally stretched limbs and a skeletal frame. Its facial features include a long, proboscis-like nose resembling a mosquito's. The skin of ANM-586-1 appears translucent, with veins visible beneath its surface, glowing faintly with a pale blue light.

ANM-586-1 displays obsessive-compulsive behavior, frequently attempting to "perfect" its surroundings. This "perfection" often involves reshaping objects or even other living beings into unnaturally symmetrical forms, often causing harm or fatality. Its movements are jittery and "glitch-like," often accompanied by the sound of static or distorted music. ANM-586-1 exhibits extreme hostility when obstructed from "correcting" perceived flaws.

• ANM-586-2 ("Amethyst"):

ANM-586-2 appears as a nude, obese humanoid with exaggerated features, including swollen limbs and a distended abdomen. Its skin is covered in dark purple bruises and discolorations, and its eyes appear sunken in. ANM-586-2 personality is disturbingly affectionate, often attempting to hug or cuddle any living creature it encounters.

When ANM-586-2 makes physical contact with a person, it will begin to exert abnormal pressure, crushing bones and suffocating its victim while softly whispering reassurances of "love" in a distorted, womenlike voice. If left undisturbed, ANM-586-2 will "embrace" its victims to the point of internal rupture. Afterward, it may consume parts of the victim's remains.

• ANM-586-3 ("Garnet"):

ANM-586-3 manifests as a tall, muscular humanoid figure, approximately 2.5 meters in height. It has unnaturally elongated arms that stretch well past its knees, ending in oversized hands with fingers tipped by blackened, claw-like nails. ANM-586-3 skin is a dark maroon shade, and its surface appears cracked, with glowing red fissures running across its body. The entity possesses three faces: two smaller faces on either side of its head and one central face. These faces shift rapidly between expressions of anger, sorrow, and euphoria, often changing mid-sentence or even mid-word, also affecting the entity's personality, which can be interpreted as high bipolarity.

ANM-586-3 displays enhanced strength and is capable of tearing through reinforced materials with its bare hands. It is also able to emit a powerful, disorienting sound wave from its mouths that induces severe disorientation and auditory hallucinations in those who hear it. The sound wave is described as a distorted mix of heavy bass and echoing screams. When interacting with personnel, ANM-586-3 exhibits a disturbing form of affection, sometimes referring to those around it as “fusions” and attempting to "combine" with them by forcibly merging its limbs or head into the bodies of its victims, often resulting in fatal outcomes, such as severe bodily trauma or crushing of limbs. ANM-586-3 expresses frustration when these attempts fail, and its hostility increases in intensity.

• ANM-586-4 ("Lapis Lazuli"):

ANM-586-4 appears as a humanoid figure with a waterlogged appearance. Its skin is a sickly blue-gray, with patches that appear to be flaking off, revealing a gelatinous, translucent substance underneath. The entity's eyes are dark, with no visible sclera or pupils, and it constantly weeps a black, tar-like liquid. ANM-586-4 limbs are abnormally long and appear to be constantly dripping with a viscous substance that resembles water. Instead of legs, it has a tail-like appendage that tapers off into a jagged, fluid form, making its movements unsettlingly smooth and serpentine.

ANM-586-4 exhibits severe depressive tendencies and will often vocalize incoherent sobbing, interspersed with distorted phrases such as “I’m drowning” or “There’s no way out.” It has the ability to manipulate liquid substances, including bodily fluids, with telekinetic precision. ANM-586-4 has been observed creating water-like constructs that resemble human hands, faces, or other limbs, using them to attack or interact with its environment. When agitated, ANM-586-4 can cause nearby liquids to solidify into sharp, crystal-like structures, which it uses as weapons. Personnel who spend extended periods near the instance report increased feelings of despair and suicidal ideation.

• ANM-586-5 ("Jasper"):

ANM-586-5 manifests as a bulky, 4m tall malformed humanoid creature with an asymmetrical build. Its right arm is significantly larger than its left, ending in a abnormal swollen hand with three fingers. The entity’s skin is a mottled mix of orange, red, and gray, with deep cracks running along its body, through which a faint, fiery glow can be seen. ANM-586 face is misshapen, with one eye noticeably larger than the other and a long jaw, similar to that of a "goblin shark", (Mitsukurina owstoni), having a predatory grin that exposes rows of sharp teeths, positioned within an ejectable "double jaw" within its mouth. The hair of ANM-586-5 appears to be made of coarse, rock-like material that is constantly shedding gravel-like debris.

ANM-586-5 exhibits extreme aggression, targeting anything in its vicinity with violent hostility. It appears to have a particular hatred towards ANM-586-1 and ANM-586-4, often attempting to attack or provoke these instances when nearby. ANM-586-5 demonstrates the ability to harden sections of its body into a nearly indestructible state, using this trait to batter through obstacles and attack personnel. When in a frenzied state, it has been observed to repeatedly smash its head or limbs into the walls of its containment, creating loud reverberations and causing structural damage. This behavior often seems driven by self-loathing, as it is accompanied by incoherent shouts of “It’s not enough” or “I’m not complete.”

• ANM-586-6 ("Peridot"):

ANM-586-6 is a short, hunched humanoid figure, standing just over 1.2 meters tall. Its body is covered in patches of metallic plating that are irregularly placed, some of which appear to be forcibly grafted onto its flesh. The entity’s fingers are elongated and tipped with needle-like points. ANM-586-6 has a large, reflective eye in the center of its face, and two smaller eyes located on either side, giving it a distinctly insect-like appearance. It is capable of producing a mechanical clicking noise from its joints, which often accompanies its movements.

ANM-586-6 exhibits a compulsive need to "upgrade" itself and its surroundings, often scavenging metal, electronics, or even biological tissue from its environment in an attempt to augment its own body. The instance is highly intelligent and capable of manipulating technology with precision, often using nearby machinery to construct makeshift weapons or tools. When confronted, will attempt to incapacitate its target by launching metal projectiles or using its needle-like fingers to deliver paralytic substances. ANM-586-6 has also been known to tamper with containment protocols, hacking into the facility's systems to create temporary breaches or disorient personnel.

• ANM-586-7 ("Rose Quartz"):

ANM-586-7 appears as a large, vaguely humanoid entity standing approximately 3.7 meters tall. Its skin is pale pink and appears to be covered in a fine, crystalline dust. ANM-586-7 torso is disproportionately large, with a gaping cavity in the chest where its gemstone should be. Instead of a face, has a smooth, featureless head with a hollow void where the mouth should be, which emanates a constant low-constant hum. The entity's hair appears to be composed of thin, fibrous crystals that sway and shimmer with a disturbing, life-like quality.

ANM-586-7 exudes a calming aura that induces feelings of trust and affection in those nearby, often causing personnel to ignore containment protocols or approach the entity willingly. Once close enough, the instance will attempt to envelop individuals in its hair, drawing them into the cavity in its chest. Victims absorbed into ANM-586-7 are never seen again, and the entity’s crystalline hair has been observed to grow slightly following these incidents. The entity speaks with a soothing, motherly voice that echoes faintly, often using phrases like “I can make everything better” or “You belong here with me.”

Behavioral Notes: ANM-586 instances have demonstrated signs of collective awareness. When any of the instances are distressed or threatened, ANM-586-A expression becomes more agitated, with its smile widening further, accompanied by the sound of cracking bones. ANM-586-A has been observed communicating with other instances through unidentifiable whispers.

Addendum 586-Beta: Analysis of ANM-586 entities suggests a possible connection to ANM-███. Investigations are ongoing into the origin of ANM-586 gemstones, as their material composition does not match any known terrestrial minerals. The presence of faint, childlike voices and disturbing lullabies during interactions with ANM-586 remains unexplained.

Note from Dr. Öctavio Kalev: ANM-586-A appears to be some form of "parasite" mimicking familiar and comforting figures while introducing elements of horror and distortion. It is theorized that ANM-586-A exploits nostalgia and affection for these forms, making it a uniquely dangerous memetic and physical threat.

Expedition Record: Mars Terrain Exloration

Date: [REDACTED]

Mission Designation: MOTHRA/NASA Joint Mars Expedition – Expedition Alpha-67

Objective: Geological and Biological Survey of Martian Surface Anomalies

Location: Olympus Mons Region, Mars

[...]

Expedition Personnel:

Dr. Victoria Ramirez (Lead Geologist, MOTHRA)

Lt. David Harris (Mission Specialist, NASA)

Dr. Ethan Kimura (Xenobiologist, MOTHRA)

Specialist Mark Jensen (Robotics Engineer, NASA)

Dr. Alina Rivas (AI Systems Analyst, MOTHRA)

Mission Briefing:

The MOTHRA-funded joint expedition with NASA aimed to investigate an unusual energy signature detected beneath the Olympus Mons region on Mars. The anomaly was identified through recent satellite imaging, showing thermal fluctuations inconsistent with the geological activity expected in the region. The primary objective was to collect rock samples, analyze possible subsurface activity, and determine if the fluctuations were of natural origin or indicative of artificial structures.

Expedition Log:

[Day 1]

The team established a forward base near Olympus Mons' eastern ridge. The initial scans detected minor geothermal activity, but nothing substantial was found on the surface. Anomaly sensors, however, indicated a weak energy field roughly 300 meters below the surface. A series of exploratory boreholes was initiated to reach the source of the signal.

[Day 3]

After two days of drilling, Specialist Jensen’s robotic excavation unit breached a hollow cavity approximately 340 meters below the surface. Subsequent deployment of the drones equipped with cameras revealed a large cavern system, extending further than initial scans predicted. Visuals captured metallic and crystalline formations along the cavern walls, unlike any known natural Martian structures. A decision was made to descend manually for a closer inspection.

[Day 4]

The team, equipped with portable life support units, descended into the cavern via a modular lift system. Upon reaching the cavern floor, Dr. Ramirez noted the peculiar structure of the crystalline formations, which seemed to exhibit faint luminescence, pulsating in a rhythmic pattern. The origin of the energy fluctuations appeared to be an object embedded in the cavern wall, obscured by layers of crystal.

Dr. Kimura approached the object and used a geological plasma cutter to remove the crystalline material surrounding it. As the layers were stripped away, the object was revealed to be a cluster of gemstone-like structures attached to a large, distorted humanoid figure, approximately 2.5 meters in height. The figure resembled a grotesque effigy, with its limbs twisted into unnatural positions and an abnormally wide, fixed grin. This was designated ANM-586-A.

[Day 5]

The anomaly exhibited faint bioelectric activity upon closer analysis. Dr. Rivas initiated a diagnostic scan using the AI suite to probe the object’s composition. As data was collected, an unexpected power surge emanated from the figure, causing disruptions in the team's communication devices. Specialist Jensen reported audible distortions, resembling distant voices and whispers, through the comms equipment.

Suddenly, one of the gemstone-like structures embedded in the figure’s chest emitted a burst of light. This event was immediately followed by the materialization of a humanoid entity within the cavern, resembling a distorted version of a human form with elongated limbs and an erratic, glitch-like movement pattern. The entity exhibited high levels of hostility, later designated as ANM-586-1 ("Pearl").

[Emergency Log – Day 5]

The sudden appearance of ANM-586-1 led to a breach of containment protocols. Lt. Harris attempted to engage the entity using the standard-issue energy pulse rifle but reported that his shots had minimal effect on the creature. ANM-586-1 displayed erratic behavior, vocalizing phrases related to "perfecting" the cavern and repeatedly attempting to manipulate nearby equipment. Its unpredictable movements and strength made it difficult for the team to contain it effectively.

Dr. Kimura and Specialist Jensen were tasked with sealing the cavern entry to prevent further incursions while Dr. Rivas continued monitoring the bioelectric signals emanating from ANM-586-A. As the sealing procedure was underway, additional entities began to emerge from the crystalline clusters on the humanoid figure, leading to the manifestation of ANM-586-2 ("Amethyst") and ANM-586-3 ("Garnet"). These entities displayed distinct physical traits and behaviors, each more aggressive than the last.

[Day 6]

With the cavern’s entry sealed, the team regrouped and transmitted an emergency report to Mission Control. It was decided to terminate the expedition early and implement immediate containment measures. ANM-586-A and the entities were placed under a high-level quarantine protocol pending further analysis.

Addendum:

Post-expedition analysis confirmed that the crystalline formations were not native to Mars, suggesting either an extraterrestrial origin or dimensional anomaly. The gemstone-like structures appear to exhibit characteristics akin to biological tissues, though the exact nature and function of these materials remain undetermined. Further study is necessary to understand the relationship between ANM-586-A and the manifested entities.

Conclusion:

The MOTHRA/NASA Expedition Alpha-67 resulted in the discovery of a previously unknown anomalous entity on Mars, designated as ANM-586. Its exact nature and origin remain unclear, with evidence pointing towards non-terrestrial influences. The containment of ANM-586 and its related entities is ongoing, with additional research teams being deployed for follow-up missions.

[purpleyin]

Warning for SOC book spoilers. A while back I casually asked my tank enthusiast housemate about what a real world equivalent could be for the tank near the end of Six Of Crows. We had quite a discussion about the book descriptions and while there's not a lot to go on, and no perfect fits for what it does say about the tank in the book, he came up some suggestions. Eight overall, though some are similar models. For anyone curious (or anyone interested in them as art references?) they are:

Swedish Interwar era - Landsverk L-10 & L-60 Early ww2 era - Stridsvagn m/41 & m/42

Soviet Interwar era - BT-7 & T-26 Early ww2 era - T-34 & KV-1

My 4 favourites out of those are pictured below

I kind of leant towards picturing something simpler like the T-26 (bottom left) initially, but seeing the T-34 (bottom right) with its hatch open at the front and someone visible there just makes me picture one of the crows poking their head out of that which would be a fun visual as they trundle along 😁

[kitxvoss]

adorable engaged idiots in love

[notallwonder]

First impressions! Criminal Minds Evolution/CM 16, episodes 1 & 2.

Spoilers below the cut!

I'll also be tagging with all the variations of CM spoilers I can think of so you can filter/avoid going forward.

Vindication! Nicole Pacent for the win(ning Tara Lewis' heart)!

It's great to see these characters again so far. I love them! In the first episode everything still feels a little wooden though, a little stiff. Second episode things start to loosen up a bit more.

Unfortunately the CM writers still have a habit of writing dialogue divorced from the way real people talk. Not all of it is bad, but you can feel the difference when the actors have enough to work with/relax into. In fairness, good dialogue is a non trivial task, but I want the pros to do better!

I'm enjoying Rossi. His anger and grief are a bit heavy handed in the writing esp in the first ep, but it suits his character and Mantegna wears it well. I appreciate the way this motivates one on one scenes with other folks. Esp with Garcia! And with Prentiss! I just love their relationship, it's nice to see again. Also I think I'm still weirdly charmed by the microwave mac and cheese dinners too. #relatable

Also appreciating:

+JJ's big guns and wardrobe's very correct decision to put AJ Cook in a sleeveless shirt. *praise lesbian jesus*

+the Tara / DOJ Pacent reveal was pretty low-key, if expositional, as was the confirmation that Tara's bi. Also Emily's teasing & support warmed the jaded-by-network-TV cockles of my heart.

+that callback to Garcia's pink sticky note! nice

+Garcia, babe, I love ya. I'm so glad we get to see more of your substance. KV is crushing it. The scene with Rossi was wonderful. I don't remember if those two have ever had such a great moment together previously.

+I think this may be one of the few times I actually believe the JJ/Will chemistry? Will's "Am I in trouble?" was hilarious.

+I died, DIED, Wheezing Laughter, at Emily's exasperated "am I the only one not getting laid?" YES MORE OF THIS PRENTISS SASS MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE, I am Greedy for it. I'm so happy they're letting her have a personality again!!!

+I laughed so much I missed all the rest of that scene, the Rossi joke, JJ looking surprised (in a teeny tiny bit mad kind of way? as opposed to laughing kind of way?) at the Tara's girlfriend comment, good thing I watched it again like 5 times

+I appreciate that the first "fuck" of the series was uttered by an otherwise innocent civilian when presented with crime scene photos in an interview

+I agree with Rossi that they should name the guy Fuckhead rather than Sicarius. A+ no notes. Luke concurs.

+y'all, we're going to have a new problem in the fandom now - sexy serial killer thirst. I guess that's not completely new, are there folks out there who love Foyet? I haven't been paying attention to the men when it comes to shipping etc. Anyway Zach Gilford is lovely as always, except in a sinister way.

+I was incorrect before to be sad about Emily Prentiss' fancy office duds. If lesbian jesus ever chooses to bless me with another appearance of Cargo Pants Prentiss I will scream for joy and prostrate myself in gratitude, but I'm just happy to see her on my screen again.

+JJ/AJ lookin' good.

My wishlist:

+bureaucratic antagonists that are like....not so cartoonishly villainous/inept/out of touch. Honestly I miss Strauss in that role, Jayne Atkinson was great. The new guy (whom Prentiss could/should snap like a twig) Bailey is a silly little noodle compared to Barnes but they both just...tired treatment of institutional conflict imo.

+I still want a little nostalgia reunion tour with some favs: Jordan Todd, Morgan (at least a mention! A text thread! A voicemail! A photograph in Emily's office! s o m e t h i n g), Roxy cameo, Grant Anderson, Kate Jackson (her last acting credit was Ambassador Prentiss, very unlikely this would happen but can you imagine!!), Hotch or Jack cameo, Blake, Grandpa Rossi, SERGIO, etc etc etc

+Someone to call Prentiss a fox to her face, she deserves to flirt

+honestly, just a little more Prentiss personal life. I don't even necessarily mean romantic life, just some time in her world where she's not fighting with budgets and silly noodles and giving boss lady exposition. In case it is not clear from my blog, I'm here for Prentiss first and foremost.

+Y'know what also would be Great? An Emily gives Luke advice or shit (or both) about Garcia scene.

+JJ & Emily exchanging meaningful, possibly amused, looks. Context hardly matters to me at this point, since Jemily has long since graduated into the realm of AU/canon divergence. I just like to look at them looking at each other, I'm a simple gal.

+Tara and Rebecca go on a date, smooch, or generally continue to be cute. It's so much fun to see Nicole Pacent again. I first encountered her in the Anyone But Me web series lo these many years ago. That was really important to me at the time it was coming out because I was also coming out around then. Go check it out.

+more hugs all around. Garcia is on the right track there.

[supercantaloupe]

on Aelwyn Abernant, the Reformed Villain Squad, and redeeming teenage antagonists

an analysis on antagonist character development in Fantasy High. spoilers through sophomore year and (mildly so) the most recent roll20 oneshot. essay under the cut bc i am very long winded

the turnaround with Aelwyn in s2 is handled so well  i cant get over it. she was such a major antagonist in the first season and just. despicable. she had no pathos. we hated this bitchy older sister who tried to kill Adaine and her friends and raise an evil dragon, and when she gets knocked on her ass and thrown in jail, we cheer.

and then s2 fucking starts saying “hey she’s in jail still if you’d like to look into that” and pursuing that thread ends up being almost as comedic an idea as it is a reluctant one; it’s also quickly shunted to the background as soon as more pressing leads present themselves, to the point where we almost forget about her until Adaine is kidnapped and then the first time you see her it’s just. viscerally upsetting.

she’s bad. she did evil. she got what she deserved.

but she already got what she deserved. last season.

she got her ass handed to her by a bunch of 14 year olds including her little sister (how embarrassing!). her plans were thwarted. she got punched in the face and made fun of. she already got her punishment.

it just……immediately registers as over-the-top Wrong to be told “hey, remember that antagonist you beat last season? she’s still being punished for that, except it’s way worse than just going to mumple.”

and there’s that reminder that like…this is a teenager. a child. who has been manipulated and abused. which is a really fascinating look at this character we used to see pretty much unilaterally as a one dimensional bitchy villain.

i mean we got a more in depth look at Penelope’s and Biz’s motivations in s1 (Penelope being the popular rich girl sorceress obviously hungry for power and the alllure of the high school clout that is being prom queen, but also we know that her having to turn on her best friend Sam Nightingale as part of the scheme was something she was reluctant and not happy to do; and Biz being that predatory incel creeper type dude besides just a nerd with computers and a lack of social graces). and they were as much willingly active in the plot as Aelwyn was. yet in s1 they really never do bother to explore Aelwyn’s motivations. i remember after watching s1 but before s2 that was one of my biggest lingering questions: why tf was Aelwyn involved?

well. she was manipulated and abused. her terrible parents raised her in an awful environment that conditioned her to Listen and Obey and Behave and Be Perfect, and then Kalina helped cinch the noose around her neck with threats and coersion into the KVS Kaper and the NMK crown debacle. she doesn’t freely choose any of it; she’s coerced, manipulated, abused.

and she already got justifiably punished for her bad actions in s1. the torture is almost literal overkill. it’s just……there’s this immediate turnaround in sympathy and view of the character. on first watch, it’s viscerally upsetting to see her getting so brutally punished for actions she already faced consequences for, and on rewatch, it makes your skin crawl to know she’s being tortured for terrible things she had little choice in carrying out. and tortured by some of the very same people who coerced her to behave terribly in the first place, to add insult to injury.

and it’s still fucking frustrating when they rescue her and her memory gets reset and she goes back to her parents because it’s like “well shit, she’s evil again, and we just wasted all that effort for nothing” but it’s also sad cause we know she’s running back to her abusers and she isn’t happy about it but doesn’t feel like she has a choice. and it’s sadder still that what eventually inevitably gets her to turn to good for good (i.e. away from her parents) is just. a full dissociative mental breakdown.

(but then she survives and it’s gonna be good!!! until Adaine dies in her fucking arms. which is. almost funny. she’s been through so much shit and that isn’t something that Brennan would have just. preplanned. like a written in plot point. no, that was just an unpredictable consequence of the battle. what a juicy fucking moment. she’s been through All That Shit™️ and has finally turned to fight for good and her sister just fully dies in front of her. yeowch)

and she turns out okay in the end. she comes out the other side alive and whole and supported by her sister and her friends, with the hope of a future and recovery. there is an acknowledgement that A) she can and will grow from her mistakes and damage, B) it’s going to be really hard, and C) the post-s2 one shots both prove that she’s doing okay now. hell, she has a whole squad now of other former-teenage-villains-turned-good-guys. she has friends now, Ragh and Zayn, with common ground, and a secret handshake and everything. they’ve all grown from the mistakes of their past into better, happier, healthier people

and about Zayn and Ragh. we’ve seen a lot of characters, protagonist and antagonist, teenage and adult, PC and NPC do some really fucked up shit and get punished for it. but why do they get happy endings? why are Aelwyn, Ragh, and Zayn the only members of the RVS and not someone else like Biz or Penelope or Dayne? 

well, the latter two are dead by then; but then again, Biz and Ragh were also killed by the Bad Kids in s1, and subsequently resurrected. (Zayn died too, but was neither killed nor revived at the Bad Kids’ hands, so i’ll get to him in a sec.) and there are plenty of adult antagonists the Bad Kids face who are killed and left that way by the Bad Kids without second thought: Johnny Spells, Coach Daybreak, Captain Wicklaw, the Abernant parents (presuming Arianwen doesn’t survive in the forest for very long, which i doubt). why do some characters get second chances while others don’t?

in the case of Zayn, his death was pretty much out of the Bad Kids’ hands, and they later found out he was manipulated by Daybreak into being bad anyway because of his sad living situation. he was a pretty minor antagonist in the scheme of things, and when we re-meet him as a ghost in the s1 epilogue, he’s pretty obviously remorseful for his actions. and dying seems like a steep enough punishment to me for the shit he did to contribute to the KVX caper; returning as a ghost, free from the trappings of his unfortunate living life, he now has the room and freedom to grow into a better person.

in the cases of Daybreak, Spells, Wicklaw, and the Abernant parents: these are bad people who should know better. these are fully grown adults who actively choose to do evil. whether they think it’s the right thing to do or not (in Daybreak’s case), whether they think it will benefit them and don’t care about anyone else (in the Abernants’ case), or whether they don’t care much at all and are just doing shit because they feel like it (in the cases of Spells and Wicklaw), these are all adults who consciously make the decision to do terrible things and hurt other people. of course Johnny Spells, who is generally a punk thief and thug, is not on the same level of bad as Angwyn, who kidnaps and tortures his own daughters for political gain, but the point remains. these fuckers should know better. they’re grown ups. they had their chances to be good and they chose not to heed them. their minds are set on bad actions and they are a continued danger to other people as long as they are alive. when they die, the Bad Kids do their damndest to make sure it stays that way.

now, in the cases of Penelope and Dayne: these are teenagers who actively chose to participate in an evil plot. Penelope, Dayne, and Biz were all fully cognizant of what they were doing trying to raise KVX back to his former power. why? well, to some extent, we can only speculate. i suspect Penelope was just one of those Regina George bitches who is rich and popular and powerful and obsessed with power and popularity within high school as if that’s the end-all-be-all of existence (which, like, when you’re currently in high school, is a somewhat understandable worldview i think). Dayne being her boyfriend and a musclehead jock probably falls into a similar line of thinking. they are actively and willingly trying to cause harm, and teenager or not, must be stopped. they’re killed, anyway, during the Climactic Battle™️ anyhow; it’s not like the Bad Kids were going to gain anything at that point by keeping them alive.

now, Biz: Biz is the creepy Nice Guy incel type, sees woman as a prize he deserves to win, yadda yadda. he does, like Penelope and Dayne, actively choose to help KVX. there might be something to be said about his motivation the Bad Kids discover after the arcade battle by detecting his thoughts (that being to upload the captured maidens from the palimpsests to “call the shots” himself) is an altered memory; whether this was his original motivation from the start or not, i’m not sure. but the Bad Kids do kill him – and then resurrect him for important, time-sensitive information. and they beat it out of him – he gets two of his fucking fingers blown off. and Riz reattaches them once they have their info, and they realize his memory is altered. of course, the Bad Kids don’t know at this point that the altered memory was something he, Penelope, and Aelwyn had planned and agreed on and done to themselves, but this points to something important in my opinion: the Bad Kids, and the narrative/show as a whole by extension, acknowledge that external manipulation affects how guilty someone is in a crime.

which brings us to Ragh. Ragh, introduced from episode 1 as the meathead jock. Ragh the archetypical one-dimensional high school bully. Ragh who works with the harvestmen in effort to (ostensibly) end the world/provoke international war. Ragh, whose low intelligence but high loyalty and internalized homophobia led him to be fully swayed and blindly led by his coach and captain, who have actively chosen to do evil. Ragh who is killed in combat by the Bad Kids and resurrected for information, not Daybreak. Ragh, who the Bad Kids realize was probably not aware of exactly what he was being made to do and how bad it really was. Ragh, who by their kindness in sparing his life and directing him on a better path, becomes a well-rounded character and an active ally to the Bad Kids during and after prom, an invaluable companion during their quest in sophomore year, and overall a really good friend and person. 

(it might also be worth considering the case of Jawbone here, too, who started out a very minor antagonist in a fight but ended up becoming a major NPC because the Bad Kids talked to him, found out he came from an unfortunate situation and set of circumstances, and showed him kindness in offering the school guidance counselor position, a kindness that isn’t really owed but given anyway and ends up changing his entire life for good.)

and then, Aelwyn, whose case is already discussed above. so, why is the RVS what it is, why them but not others?

if you’re familiar with Avatar: the Last Airbender, you’re probably familiar with Zuko’s character arc, and how it’s often lauded as a masterful example of developing a villain into a hero over the course of a narrative. what makes Zuko’s arc so well done and exceptional is that he starts out as a kid in a bad situation under the influence of bad adults seeking to do bad deeds, but he later realizes the error of those ways, actively removes himself from that situation despite the difficulty and danger in doing so, goes through a lot of shit and reflects on his past mistakes and learns from them, and then actively chooses to fight for good in the end with the help of close, trusted friends, found family. 

this, i believe, is the same in the case of Fantasy High and its treatment of the RVS. its members, like Zuko, are all teenagers who came from shitty situations and were manipulated by evil adults to do bad. they are punished for their bad actions, and they learn from their errors and mistakes. with the kindness and help of good people, friends and chosen family, they are able to escape their abusers and bad situations and grow into their own people. and they actively choose to improve themselves with that help and fight for good.

Fantasy High, through the arcs of Jawbone, Zayn, Ragh, and especially Aelwyn, asserts that it is not your fault if you come from a bad situation and are forced to behave badly as a result. it does not pretend that you are absolved of any responsibility for those actions; quite the opposite, as even though they were externally manipulated into their evil actions, all of those mentioned characters face tangible consequences for their actions and later express remorse for their mistakes. but Fantasy High also asserts that even if you have made great mistakes in your past, even if you came from a bad situation beyond your control, even if you were manipulated and abused, with care and love and support and a hell of a lot of work and effort, you can improve your situation and find good, happiness, peace, you can thrive. evil adults who should know better don’t get redeemed. teenagers who aren’t coerced but actively choose evil don’t get redeemed. but abused kids deserve another shot at happiness. with enough work, and some love and help along the way, they can get there, even from the lowest imaginable point, from rock fucking buttom. it’s possible. 

[jordan202]

Hi Jordan, how are u? Did u watch premiere? Although who knows what’s coming down the road for Omelia we should be happy with what we got last night, they are so great together! So, Teddy didn’t take the job? But she will be regular? Hm... Where do u think that is going? Also KMK said on twitter and in an interview when asked who does he think Owen will choose, that he might not get a choice. What do u think of that (once u see the eps)? I have a theory but will wait for urs before I share mine.

hey :) I am doing well, how are you doing?

I confess I still haven't watched the entire premiere (not because I haven't wanted to, I simply haven't had the time to sit down for an hour and a half to watch the whole thing) and thats the main reason why I haven't commented on that yet but I have received so many lovely asks from you lovely people that I thought I should at least comment on what I have seen. I did however watch all the Omelia scenes (which is something I really don't like doing, spoiling myself, but it was Omelia and I couldn't resist it after being bombarded with spoilers), so that’s why I feel I can comment on those.

I agree with you that the drama will come at some point for Omelia, but you know, I am glad they are kind of giving them a break and letting them be for a while. :)  We have had such an unfair balance of good to bad moments for Omelia lately (much more rough stuff in the last batch of episodes than the sweet stuff we got on seasons 11 and 12) so it’s good seeing them have a chance to shine and at least enjoy life for a bit. Life is full of ups and downs, not just downs, so having characters miserable all the time is kind of unrelatable.  And watching scenes such as the ones we saw on episodes 1 and 2 really put me in the vibe I have been missing for so long! :) 

About Teddy: yeah, she didn't take the job but to be honest I didn't expect her to. I haven't been reading much about whats going on BTS but a very good friend of mine has mentioned in several occasions that KR doesn't seem to be doing a lot of filming on set and to be fair, I think they are going to drag this “Teddy has yet to tell Owen about the pregnancy” drama for a while (I think that based on what we know is coming for Maggie - she is gonna have a hard time keeping this secret that she’s learned through a medical confession, so I am assuming she will watch Owen and Amelia building this amazing thing together while unable to say anything and that’s gonna eat her alive. Because let’s just be honest, Owen has the right to know). So I wasn't expecting them to keep her around much, I actually had a feeling from the start that they would bring her in to tell the audience about the current condition but not really make Owen and Amelia aware yet. That gives the show the opportunity to explore some of Omelia’s past and present and really solidify what’s going on between them, make them closer, more attached... only to drop the bomb at the most blissful moment.

We all know Grey’s. Its how they operate (no pun intended). There is a crescendo, expectation, you come to a point where you think “oh this is great, FINALLY things are working out!” and then they take it down by crashing it to the ground. Sometimes literally. And the narrative goes on in this roller coaster kind of rhythm, where they are bringing characters to a high and low periodically. So, I think for now Omelia will enjoy their break (and we will surely enjoy watching that :D) but I wouldn't be surprised if they had Teddy confessing the “Yo I am pushing 55 but I got knocked up on the first time we had sex even though you have been trying to plant your seed in every women you’ve met since you were like 19 and that has never worked before but for some reason it has worked perfectly with me!” to Owen in the winter finale, just to torture us with another hiatus of an unresolved situation.

I really don't think they are solving this quickly. I mean, I know KV and friends have seriously turned the pace last time around (we went from a very dragged and depressive/deep season 13 to a very fast paced, shallow season 14) but I think (or at least hope) that from now on the show would find more balance. So yeah, if I had to bet, I’d bet on Teddy not breaking the news anytime soon. That keeps expectation, torture us (and Maggie) because we see Amelia and Owen building something while knowing there is a huge bomb coming their way, drags the story for a lot of episodes and gives the writers the chance to rebuild Omelia (not making a reference to Owen’s speech on 11x22 about building themselves to be destroyed again over and over but yeah, I am lol)

I haven't read KMK’s twitter about the statement you quoted, but I would assume there is no choice to be made because clearly he’s already chosen. I mean, Teddy reappeared out of nowhere and while one could expect Owen to be puzzled by the sudden reappearance and try to go after her, at least to make amends regarding their friendship, he didn’t even bother digging a little deeper. Instead, he was focused on Amelia and when she said she’d understand if he went after Teddy in the case he had feelings for her, Owen’s reaction was to kiss Amelia and reinforce he wants them to be steady and serious and have strings. So I really don't think the show could fit a “Owen and Teddy love each other and wanna be together” scenario, especially after the many ways Owen has proved Teddy was absolutely right about assuming the things he said to her were completely untrue. So I am guessing the drama won’t come in that shape but rather something entirely. What exactly, there are many possibilities. 

There is also the point of: does Teddy really want to be with Owen? After everything he’s done, said and showed to her? I don’t think that’s any woman’s dream, being with a guy who obviously doesn't love her (at least not in a romantic sense), who clearly has feelings for another woman (and by another woman I mean a very adorable, very sassy brunette neurosurgeon) simply because she is carrying his child. Allegedly. Hahahaha. let's leave it at that for now. But seriously, Teddy might not want to be with Owen anymore. Especially after everything she’s witnessed and the painful bucket of ice cold water she has received upon seeing Omelia living together, as a couple. So I think in there lies the question of Owen having a choice too. Because he can’t choose Teddy if she doesn’t present herself as a choice (ffs Teddy, don’t. You’re already looking pathetic enough).

So these are my two cents on what you’ve asked, sorry that these two cents look more like ten cents, I have written a lot. But you said you have a theory too and be more than welcome to share it, I will post it here on the blog and I am sure people will enjoy reading that as well :) . Have a good week and thanks for the message!

[praisethetea]

Implementing a KVS - Optimizing Data Structures for SSDs (6)

By the time I’m writing this article, I now already know that we’ll be implementing a hashtable using Robin Hood Hashing. So, as an extra step, Emmanuel explored hardware considerations for implementing QueenDB (or KingDB, whatever); in terms of I/O optimization and how our DS will be stored on disk.

I will try to sum up what’s been said in this article and what I personally understood (correct me if I’m wrong) : 

1- In-place updates are useless : no point in trying to come up with some fancy in-place updating algorithm because SSD’s don’t overwrite and they have to apply change to the entire page in an internal register and the new version is written in a totally different location in the SSD.

2- Avoid metadata : coming back to the idea that every change requires rewriting the entire page unless its size is 4/8/16KB.

3- Data’s not sequential : two pages that are sequential in the logical space aren’t necessarily sequential in the physical space. It would be good to try to write below the size of a page, and to just avoid rearranging data to be sequential logically.

4- Random writes are fast if they’re large enough : basically, clustered blocks can be accessed concurrently and are about 16/32MB, so writing these sizes can be internally parallel.

5- Random reads are fast : cc clustered blocks and internal parallelism in SSDs

6- Log-structured storage : LevelDB uses this approach in the form of Log-Structured Merge-Tree. The premise of LSS is that you apply all changes sequentially like they’re all coming in on a log. So updating a key’s value doesn’t mean you will make the change in-place (spoiler alert: SSD’s don’t even do that, look up), it means you will store the new value in the free space available after the latest operation, then point the key to it. Aaaand don’t worry about extra lost space, all is recovered during a compaction process.

7- Sys calls have a cost : that’s it

8- Memory maps :  they’re pretty cool, you map an area of a file to an address in memory which you can access in both write/read modes. 

9- Zero-copy : copies happen from user space to kernel space because that’s what sys calls do lol. Hence the use of memory maps and not using sendfile() and splice() methods. 

[mikec8604-blog]

Spider-man Into The Spiderverse Review, The Punisher Season 2 Trailer, & Coming To America 2? | Pop Culture Comedy Podcast

Follow Us On Twitter: @giantleap4geeks Contact Us officialoglfg@gmail.com

Episode 53 What You Been Doin' 3:02 The Punisher Season 2 Trailer 10:15 Gamestop Up For Sale 19:25 Benwah's Wabbit Whole 38:33 Dumb Shit Of The Week 43:08 Coming To America 2 1:06:49 Spider-man Into The Spiderverse Review 1:33:01 SPOILERS 1:55:29

MUSIC Teknoaxe: Stripped To The Bones, Hardcore Training KV: Reach, Hide JayJen Music: Fruits, Rainbow Kevin MacLeod: Happy Happy Game Show, Sneaky Snitch

Check out this episode!

[jordan202]

1) What do u think is happening with GA? Lot of criticism and outrage all over media. ABC is quiet. KV and Shonda too. Crisis? Is it temporary? Can we still be positive about Omelia? I am worried that we will again get disappointed and not get anything resolved or addressed this season. I read this morning that Teddy will be in ep 17, and last 3 eps. Hard not to think her storyline will not involve her being with Owen. Why are they dragging everything so much? Also there is still no news that

I dont think the show has a crisis on, tbh. I think they are going through a season of changes and reinventions but I don’t see it as crisis. I am very positive about Omelia, more than I was during the last hiatus because we have seen promising signs of good things bound to happen. 

About Teddy, I haven’t see any indications that KR has filmed anything other than episode 17. If you have any sources, please share because I am sure other people would be happy to see them too. I am not very good at digging up info online but I checked her instagram account and some websites like tvline and tvguide and they all seem to mention the fact KR is staring in Designated Survivor, nothing about Grey’s. 

I really think Teddy’s presence will have more to do with April than Owen this time around. And the reason why it hasn’t been covered by the media is to avoid spoilers about April’s exit. The show probably didn’t share much either. The actresses’s exits may have seemed “sudden” to fans but I bet BTS it was in the works for a while. So much that this episode was filmed weeks prior to us knowing JC and SD were leaving the show.

[tiptoputop]

Les ami.e.s je suis de nouveau dans mes ✨Kaamelott feels✨, et je tiens à dire que si Arthur meurt à la fin de la trilogie, je dresse un autel au culte de la barbarie