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Becoming a Fear Entity Avatar in The Magnus Archives, and Trauma

The characters who become monsters – or avatars – in The Magnus Archives also become something else: traumatised. The Magnus Archives, a horror fiction podcast written by Jonathan “Jonny” Sims tackles nuanced topics such as personality change and addiction due to trauma, as well as the perpetuation of the cycle of violence, through the lens of becoming an avatar.

Personality change is hypothesised to be a symptom of trauma, specifically childhood and complex trauma (Rutkowski et al.) (Taycan and Yildirim). Helen is a formerly human character in The Magnus Archives who gave a statement of her supernatural experience to the Magnus Institute but was taken and transformed into the same monster which took her (Sims, “MAG 47”) (Sims, “MAG 101”). Helen is the character with the most drastic change when she becomes a monster, as even the fact that she was ever Helen is called into question, because of the way the Distortion, the creature that she has turned into, functions. Helen’s transformation into monsterhood is directly paralleled, by the Archivist’s. Both she and the Archivist are afraid or are stated to be afraid of what they are becoming and what them becoming means for their identity.

ARCHIVIST. You’re still wearing her face. HELEN. Not this again. I’m not “wearing” anything, Archivist. I am at least as much ‘Helen Richardson’ as you are the ‘Jonathan Sims’ that first joined this Institute. Things change. People change. It happens. ARCHIVIST. We’re not people, though, are we? Not anymore (Sims, “MAG 131”).

This dialogue is after the Archivist chooses to wake up from a six-month coma by sacrificing his humanity. He is having a difficult time coping with his loss of humanity, as evidenced by this quote. Both Helen and the Archivist use different titles to their actual name, the Distortion instead of Helen and the Archivist instead of Jonathan Sims. The Archivist’s acceptance of his title is directly correlated to his monstrosity, as he begins to call himself “Jonathan Sims, the Archivist” in his introductions to reading statements only after he chooses to become a monster (Sims, “MAG 122”). Additionally, he is called only “the Archivist” in the description of episode 142 – an episode mainly about the Archivist’s growing monstrosity – and throughout season 5, when he is much less human than he was in seasons 1 to 4 (Sims, “MAG 142”). In this quote, the Archivist and Helen use their names as shorthand for their identity, and their identity changing as they became monsters.

DAISY. And of course, for John there’s survivor’s guilt in there too. He thinks he’s not human. Makes him very... self-destructive. MARTIN. Yeah, well, we’ve all had trauma. DAISY. And everyone’s changed (Sims, “MAG 142”).

This dialogue takes place during episode 142, immediately after Martin, a main character and the Archivist’s boyfriend from episode 159 and beyond, takes the statement of one of the Archivist’s victims, a woman named Jess Tirrell who was forced to recount her traumatising supernatural experience to him (Sims, “MAG 142”). The Archivist’s friend and former supernaturally influenced corrupt cop, Daisy, has no idea that the Archivist has been hunting for victims. She is discussing the Archivist’s decision to go to a Norwegian town to stop the potential end of the world due to a ritual planned by a cult based there (Sims, “MAG 142”). Martin is worried about the Archivist and does not understand why he repeatedly puts his life in danger for seemingly no credible reason (Sims, “MAG 142”). Daisy explains that the Archivist is suffering from trauma, survivor’s guilt, and a belief that he is not human, which makes him believe he does not deserve to live (Sims, “MAG 136”) (Sims, “MAG 142”). Due to the context of this episode, Daisy is unknowingly referring to the Archivist’s change into the kind of person who would perpetuate the cycle of violence and harm an innocent bystander at a café. The Archivist’s personality changes due to becoming a fear entity avatar are equated with the personality changes that come from the many traumatising events he has experienced. This is most notable in episode 142, when both Daisy and Martin are commenting on the Archivist’s changes, though Daisy’s perspective is of the Archivist’s guilt and feelings of inhumanity, and Martin’s perspective is of his victimisation of innocent people and repeated, unexplained, self-destructive actions.

            Many avatars go through a similar change to the Archivist, beginning their journey to become a monster due to a traumatic event or events. For example, Daisy Tonner – a corrupt detective who killed many, both monsters and people, while working for the police – experienced a traumatic event when she was eleven years old, when her friend was influenced by the supernatural and attacked her (Sims, “MAG 82”). This directly led her to becoming an avatar, as her former friend was the first human she killed (Sims, “MAG 82”). This parallels the Archivist’s reasons for working at the Magnus Institute. The Archivist had an encounter with a giant spider monster when he was eight years old that ended up eating his childhood bully (Sims, “MAG 81”). Trauma is linked to becoming an avatar, connecting to the hypothesis that victims are likely to become victimisers, also known as the cycle of violence. The Magnus Archives also tackles the abuse of power, and how this relates to the cycle of violence. In season 5, the Archivist gains significantly more power over other avatars, and uses this power to kill the avatars who hurt him in previous seasons. At first, Martin encourages this, seeing the Archivist killing avatars as a righteous quest for vengeance, however in episode 174, the Archivist decides not to kill an avatar, who, notably, had not hurt the Archivist, but had hurt Martin (Sims, “MAG 166”) (Sims, “MAG 174”).

ARCHIVIST. I just— This whole... avenging angel thing, I, I'm not… It doesn't feel right. MARTIN. (With a humourless laugh) It seemed to feel right when we were avenging all the wrongs done against you. ARCHIVIST. I-I know. I, I, I know, alright? But well ah—That's kind of the problem; I-I have all this power, and, and I, I want to use it totry to help, but I — (under breath) I don't know — (normal) I mean, I do. (emotional) I-I've done so much damage, and- and anything that might help to balance that is— (composed) But killing other avatars is, is not— I, I don't think it makes anything better. I think it just makes me worse (Sims, “MAG 174”).

This quote is from a conversation between Martin and the Archivist. Martin asks the Archivist to kill Simon Fairchild, an avatar who threatened to throw Martin off a rollercoaster. The Archivist feels guilty over his role in perpetuating the suffering of billions of people and wants to make it up as best he can, however he recognises that making more people suffer is not fixing the situation. Martin is angry as well, and he too is perpetuating the cycle of violence by encouraging the Archivist to take revenge on both the Archivist’s and his victimisers. The Archivist’s acknowledgement of the fact that killing other avatars is repeated back to him in episode 194, where Martin corelates the Archivist’s satisfaction in seeing his victimisers suffer with the desire that the supernatural entity that made him into an avatar, The Eye, gives him to replace the main antagonist of The Magnus Archives in the Panopticon, which would grant him immeasurable power (Sims, “MAG 194”).

MARTIN. I know what it’s like to be powerless. A-and I know you do too. And I also know what it’s like once you get a taste of— wh-when you’re finally able to— ARCHIVIST. That’s not what this is! MARTIN. I’ve been out there with you. I saw the kick you got out of making them scream for once. ARCHIVIST. (Snarky) What happened to “Kill Bill”? MARTIN. You weren’t meant to enjoy it this much! ARCHIVIST. Why won’t you believe me when I say that this isn’t something I want to do? MARTIN. Because I saw your face when we walked into that room! (Despondent) That wasn’t fear, it, it wasn’t even anger. It was envy. And it scared me more than anything else I’ve seen (Sims, “MAG 194”).

This quote takes place during an argument between the Archivist and Martin. The Archivist believes that right course of action is to take his place in the Panopticon and try to make the world fairer to the billions of people he trapped in eternal torment. Martin believes that this desire is borne out of the Archivist’s self-sacrificial, and oftentimes suicidal, tendencies, in addition to his feeling of empowerment when those who have victimised him suffer at his hand. During season 5, the Archivist perpetuates the cycle of violence, due to desires that originate from trauma, and desires that originate from the supernatural entity influencing his mind. These desires are often equated, and it is unknown where one begins and the other ends. This is especially apparent in episode 174 and 194, where both the Archivist and Martin recognise that his revenge on other avatars and desire to take his place in the Panopticon is borne of a desire not to feel powerless or guilty, emotions often seen in trauma survivors.

            The Magnus Archives is influenced by the writer, Jonny Sims’, personal experiences and fears regarding addiction (@jonnywaistcoat). This is apparent in the Archivist’s hunger for statements and its in-text parallels to addiction (Sims, “MAG 107”). The Archivist experiences both supernatural and mundane addiction, relapsing in his smoking addiction in episode 80, and struggling with his addiction to statements in season 3 and 4 (Sims, “MAG 80”).

GEORGIE. So, what? You were just packing this away? ARCHIVIST. Georgie, I just, I needed to do one more. GEORGIE. I asked you not to record them here. ARCHIVIST. I’m sorry, I… I honestly forgot. It’s been a hell of a week (Sims, “MAG 93”).

This quote is from episode 93, where the Archivist and his friend, Georgie, have a confrontation regarding the Archivist’s self-destructive habits and recording statements in Georgie’s home when she asked him not to. Their conversation has parallels to a conversation regarding addiction, with the Archivist stating he “needed” to read one more statement. Self-destructive behaviours, such as risk-taking and substance abuse, are common in trauma survivors and are symptoms of PTSD. Here, the Archivist’s compulsion to record statements is directly related to the traumatising events of the past week and are implicitly connected to addiction. This becomes more explicit in season 4, particularly in episode 147.

So, I thought perhaps I should leave a little something to reassure you that, yes, your actions and your choices have all been your own. Have they been controlled? No more than gravity controls you when you walk, or hunger controls you when you choose your meal. There are certainly new forces, new instincts and desires that influence you and shape your actions. Perhaps you’re unprepared for them, but if you choose to believe in free will, then yes, all you have done has been of your own free will. They have all been your choices (Sims, “MAG 147”).

This quote is from Annabelle Cane, an avatar, in a statement, regarding the Archivist taking statements from innocent bystanders. In this quote, she compares the Archivist’s dependency on statements to a hunger, however it can and has been compared to an addiction due to the Archivist’s compulsion to take statements, and how it feels like it’s out of his control. In her statement, Annabelle states that “addiction is one of the strongest vectors of control there is” (Sims, “MAG 147”). A common stigma around addiction is that it is a choice or a moral failing, and a common result of that stigma is hiding one’s addiction and being afraid to get help (Canada). This is what the Archivist experiences throughout season 4, as he is repeatedly blamed for his choice made under duress to become an avatar, and once his addiction to statements is found out, he blamed and threatened for that as well. The Archivist’s addiction to statements is paralleled to real life ones, in how it affects the Archivist, how the Archivist and those around him view it and how it affects his morality, and its formation because of an experience that can be equated to a traumatic one.

            The Magnus Archives uses the process of becoming an avatar as an allegory for trauma and its effects. It highlights this in many ways, such as personality change because of trauma being compared to the loss of humanity that comes with being a fear entity avatar; the Archivist’s revenge on avatars who hurt him in the past as a way he perpetuates the cycle of violence; and the comparisons between mundane and supernatural addictions, both in how they directly affect the Archivist and his actions, and in how the stigma around it causes him to hide it.

Works Cited

Canada. Health Canada. “Stigma around drug use.” Canada, 2 May 2023, canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/opioids/stigma.html. Accessed 19 June 2023.

@jonnywaistcoat. “Just to say, this episode of Magnus is a lot, so please read the content warnings. A few people have asked, so I'll say that this episode mainly comes from my own experiences with addiction and the fears I associate with it and, like all of season 5, it is about fear, not truth.” Twitter, 18 June 2020, 12:38 p.m., twitter.com/jonnywaistcoat/status/1273656411025784832. Internet Archive, 7 November 2020, web.archive.org/web/20201107031909/https://twitter.com/jonnywaistcoat/status/1273656411025784832. Accessed 19 June 2023.

Rutkowski, Krzysztof, et al. "Effect of trauma onset on personality traits of politically persecuted victims." BMC Psychiatry, vol. 16, no. 149, 17 May 2016. Gale OneFile: Psychology, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A452641704/PPPC?u=ko_k12hs_d73&sid=bookmark-PPPC&xid=a8229ab3. Accessed 13 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 47 – The New Door.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 47, Rusty Quill, 12 January 2017, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag-47-the-new-door. Accessed 13 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 80 – The Librarian.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 80, Rusty Quill, 31 August 2017, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag80-thelibrarian. Accessed 19 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 81 – A Guest for Mr. Spider.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 81, Rusty Quill, 23 November 2017, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag81-aguestformr.spider. Accessed 19 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 82 – The Eyewitnesses.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 82, Rusty Quill, 30 November 2017, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag82-theeyewitnesses. Accessed 19 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 101 – Another Twist.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 101, Rusty Quill, 17 May 2018, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag101-anothertwist. Accessed 13 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 107 – Third Degree.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 107, Rusty Quill, 28 June 2018, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag107-thirddegree. Accessed 19 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 122 – Zombie.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 122, Rusty Quill, 17 January 2019, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag122-zombie. Accessed 14 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 131 – Flesh.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 131, Rusty Quill, 21 March 2019, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag131-flesh. Accessed 14 June 2023.

Sims, Jonathan. “MAG 136 – The Puppeteer.” The Magnus Archives, Episode 136, Rusty Quill, 25 April 2019, play.acast.com/s/themagnusarchives/mag136thepuppetter. Accessed 15 June 2023.

[libraford]

It is possible to interact with people whom share opposing views and no this is not about pineapple on pizza. In fact, it is imperative that you learn how to be civil with some people who you may find difficult to agree with.

At work, Youngin would often tell me that the guy that trained him (Ginger) was a misogynist. I had never met Ginger, and I had very little to say on this matter. But I would ask Youngin some questions about him because I like to know the other seasonal workers a little. I ask about Ginger- first words from Youngin's mouth 'he's a misogynist.'

I asked him why he thought that. (There are many misogynists at this location, as someone that is woman-shaped I see it often, I am comparing notes.)

"We were on our way to a location and a driver was going really slowly. When he got around her he said 'fucking women drivers.' Like he was going out of his way to prove that the driver was a woman."

The last month or so, Youngin worked exclusively with me because I knew that it was a matter of time before he said something that pissed off one of the guys. He was not going to get along with people here, it just wasn't happening.

When he left, everyone wanted to know what he was like to work with. And I finally got to have a conversation with Ginger.

"I'd like to ask you something a little strange- he said that on his first day there was an issue with a driver going slowly. Can you tell me about that?"

"Oh yeah! She was going super slow and when I got around her I said 'yup- little old lady driving.' And he was like 'what's that supposed to mean?' And I just kind of dropped it, but I hear he was saying I was a misogynist over it?"

So I give Youngin some grace because he's young, he's got a social bubble that's very liberal, he has not met very many people that weren't part of that kind of scene. But he often talked about how every person here has said something that pissed him off and he seemed really surprised that I (woman-shaped queer liberal) would be okay working with all these sexist homophobes.

And I give grace to Ginger because he had no reason to think that his words would be interpreted like that. What he was saying was normal to him. This is... somewhat the culture of landscaping jobs. And its not even close to the worst thing I've heard out of these dudes mouths. (Literally had one of the dudes comment that he would like to 'motorboat' one of the pedestrians.)

It was weird for Youngin to carry that with him for the whole two months that he worked here, over a very... small comment.

Every single person I've worked with here has said something that has given me pause and I tuck it away to rant about later and then I let it go. If it gets out of hand, I talk to one of the bosses about it. I know how to contact HR. I came into this place knowing that I was going to disagree politically with most of the people that I work with because I'm coming in to a culture that is fundamentally different from my own.

If I am being frank, I find the overt bigotry somewhat better than the corporate bullshit of 'we value your contributions, but won't be granting your accommodations request out of fairness to other workers' or the glass cliff or literally being fired for my sexual orientation but phrased with 'oh you just weren't a good fit for the culture here.' I at least know what I'm getting into when I come to work. I know what not to talk about. Last time I thought I was safe to talk about something queer with my boss she blindsided me with some transphobic garbage.

Its admirable to stick up for the marginalized people in your life, but part of changing minds is knowing the time and the place to comment. I think I've changed more minds at this warehouse by being a visibly out lesbian at work than I have by making carefully crafted speeches.

That is fine. It is fine to disagree. Sometimes you have to work with racists, homophobes, and assholes. That is part of being an adult. You talk about things like... sports or TV or weather or some cool bug you saw. Finding common ground with people who are different from you in many ways is an important part of socialization and it sucks to think you have anything in common with a jackass but look- you're spending 7-ish hours with these people and at some point some of them are going to say stupid shit. You are going to say stupid shit also. I have said my fair share of stupid shit. Deal with the fact that you're all stupid shits.

And for fuck's sake, wear your hardhat.

[margridarnauds]

Hi,

So I finished the novel Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Freemantle and am now extremely angry need to decompress and filter out her garbage I'm shocked that Penguin House published this book and that it is getting made into a movie. To portray young Princess Elizabeth as willingly seeking Seymour out and seducing him is vile. Parr's bitchy handmaid Dot finds them in bed together. What on Earth? No evidence for that. Then Catherine Parr gets angry, blames Elizabeth and they don't reconcile after she leaves. Heartbreaking. Plus, the portrayal of Catherine Parr is horrid there is no evidence she or her stepdaughter Meg were raped during the Pilgrimage of Grace, a devout woman like Catherine wouldn't be contemplating killing either of her husbands, or rejoicing in the prospect of being damned to hell as she puts it after Henry VIII dies. (Maybe with Henry she would think about it but not actually go through with it). I got the impression that this author had an anti-Christian as well as anti-Elizabeth attitude. Tried Sisters of Treason another book of hers but it was also bad. I want to send her an angry letter now calling out her disgusting portrayal of young Elizabeth. Did you send in a review or a note to the author after you read it?

Don't forget Dot's final monologue about Why Elizabeth Is Such A Bitch -- It's Almost Understandable That She's Such a Bitch-Slut.

It's common with historical fiction, really, to not understand the way that religion historically worked. It's very easy to put our feelings on religion, whatever they might be, onto historical figures in an attempt to make them More Like Us, but the simple reality is that they were living in a totally different cultural context. Characters are either religious fanatics so extreme that they make Frollo think "Hm, maybe they're overdoing it a tiny bit", they're Secretly Atheists, or religion just doesn't cross their mind ever (unless, in Tudor media, it's to establish them as a Cool Modern Protestant.)

As for what I did...honestly, put the book aside and thought about every single decision in my life that had led to me both reading and finishing it. As you can see by the fact that I still remember it in vivid detail, it holds a special place in my Hall of Shame. (And it isn't even batshit insane enough to be FUNNY, unfortunately.)

But, my piece of totally unsolicited advice that you are perfectly free to discard at your earliest convenience? ...when you do medieval Irish stuff. Or medieval Celtic stuff in general. You will NEVER see your field faithfully or even sensitively portrayed on page. Every single depiction you get will be based on old stereotypes, colonialist tropes, and outdated information. I've read things about my faves, in particular, that would make most people's hair stand up on end. Things that are truly, deeply vile, that are on par with the depiction of Elizabeth here, or even worse. And it is easy to be angry, it's understandable to be angry, and God knows that my friends have heard me ranting in the DMs. And when I was younger, I was, regularly. And then I got exhausted, because anger is exhausting, especially when it's you and your anger versus a tidal wave of misinformation. I didn't stop getting angry, no. But I started to use it as a tool, not as an explosive -- I let it fuel me, I used it for my scholarship, putting all these different pieces of pop culture about my field in conversation with one another and noting common trends, as well as making comparisons to trends in other areas to figure out what, in our contemporary cultural landscape, is causing us, as a general group, at this point in time, to portray these things in a certain way, as well as how we have portrayed them over time. I have built my career, at least in part, on defending the undefendable, on studying the ink blotches of historiography to see where the historical or literary records meet the popular image, specifically looking at figures who are frequently portrayed as villainous and monstrous. I don't deal in happy endings, I can't when I step in after their final death scenes, after the point where even the possibility of their deaths meaning *something* is gone, because they don't even get the satisfaction of being well remembered. I never expect to see my faves well portrayed -- sometimes, I'm surprised, but it is truly, deeply, RARE.

You send a note to an author, no matter how well-intentioned, and it's easy to write off. The author submitted that work for publication, it's done. They're still getting royalties off of them, whatever that means in the current hellacious publishing landscape, in this case, she even has a movie. They might care, but honestly? They probably won't. They can dismiss you as a crazed, unhinged fan, regardless of how much thought and effort you've put into the critique. You've wasted all that high quality, undiluted anger for something that won't have any tangible effect. My advice, instead? Feel your anger, let the hate flow through you, especially when it reflects biases like sexism, racism, and homophobia, sharpen it, and then use it -- it doesn't have to be in conference presentations or journal articles or any of the trappings of academia, but use it.

Write reviews, absolutely, put it into conversations with other pieces of Tudor and Elizabethan fiction, especially about young Elizabeth (Hell, compare it to, say, Elizabeth R, Becoming Elizabeth, Young Bess, or Lady Bess (Toho 2014/2018), just for examples of the young Elizabeth's life off the top of my head that dramatize the life of Elizabeth), see what other people have said, in journal articles, sure, but also in blog articles or GoodReads reviews online, without necessarily even talking to them, but just to get a survey of what they think and why they think it, and see what you can do. Why do we want to portray Elizabeth this way? Is it a desire to "knock her off her throne?" Portray her as a nymphomaniac bitch slut to contrast with the "Gloriana" image? Is it that we're uncomfortable with the topic of CSA? Or we don't like to think of it as something that historically occurred? (Especially when you compare it to the ongoing bimboification of Katherine Howard, even in allegedly sympathetic biographies.) Is it that we still don't want to believe that it could have happened? That we're willing to give more sympathy to a man than to a child? Some combination of all of them? And are we seeing progressively more nuanced portrayals, or are we seeing more of the same across the board? (I feel like Seymour, at least, has gone from being a romantic hero in Young Bess to being portrayed as genuinely manipulative, even if the execution is still lacking.) On the reverse side, are people more willing to defend, say, Elizabeth I and Catherine Howard than other historical women, specifically because of what they represent and because of their high profile status? Is there a double-edged sword here? Let your anger fuel you.

[ordinaryschmuck]

"Ooh, look! Another Amphibia critique from Schmuck!"

Yeah, yeah, blame Twitter. This one came to me last night because of a post and it's been stewing in my brain ever since.

I'm learning more and more that nothing causes an Amphibia fan to foam at the mouth more than when you tell them that the first season is mostly filler.

Cause here's the thing: I've seen that first season THREE times. And every time, it felt like a chore to get through as I'm forced to watch characters go on silly adventures as the show dangles this carrot on a stick in front of your face, promising something interesting with a grander story.

"Ooh, look! Something's going to happen with the music box!"

"Ooh, look! Sasha's here and she means business!"

"What will come of this? Tune in next time to find out!"

And when you tune in next time, you're met with Anne and Sprig pretending to be cops or the town having a literal shipping war. And sure, that can be funny, but when you promise a grander story and take too long to get to it, it leaves people WANTING that story feeling a little disappointed.

Or worse: Annoyed.

Even MORE worse: Angry.

And when you bring up that season one is mostly filler, you're given the usual three responses:

"It's to build the world and develop characters!"

"It's starting off fun to suck people in before getting darker like [Insert show here]"

"[Insert show here] had a first season that was mostly filler and people loved THAT. Y'all just hating."

And those are good arguments, but there's also good counters to all of them.

Infinity Train is a series that has a new cast of characters every season, each one having only thirteen episodes to grow and develop while showing off the world around them. The writers make each episode count though, not wasting time as every goofy adventure the characters go on it either reveals something about themselves or about the lore of the train. You can absolutely let characters go and do something silly for ten minutes AND have it feel like the plot and development of the world and characters are moving forward. You just gotta do more than something as inconsequential as Sprig learning to be more patient when watching a hog or Hop Pop learning how to be honest instead of selling literal garbage. The meat of those episodes (I.E. the LESSONS) can be brought up in smarter, better ways that leaves EVERYONE satisfied, especially when they learn these exact lessons later in the series anyway.

As for starting off by being fun defense, it's a fair one until you realize what show everyone's trying to copy.

You see, Adventure Time is a great show. One that nailed the "silly at first but serious later" mindset. It changed the landscape for serialized animation, and shows have been trying to do what IT did ever since. BUT they forget one essential factor that's the reason to Adventure Time's success: It had NO plan. It started off silly and fun only to get more serious over time, but in a similar vein to your favorite comic series. The writers just wanted to have goofy fun times and nothing else, but the longer the series went, it would get more and more serious as it started to evolve into serialized storytelling. There was never a singular arc in Adventure Time or even an endgame in mind for how the show would conclude. There were definitely arcs but they were treated as small webs of something the show COULD build upon if the writers wanted to and less as a part of this grand narrative to a complete story. Even the latest spin off, which has a singular story in mind, is something based on an idea that NEVER went further beyond being something silly upon its conception. The writers just wanted to do something fun and would LATER come up with a good and expansive story through it.

Basically, the reason why Adventure Time nailed the silly THEN serious style is because it improvised the whole thing. When a show like Amphibia tries to go through the same style, it does it WITH a plan in mind and forgets that Adventure Time succeeded because it didn't HAVE one. The writers know exactly where they want the show to go and plan out how to reach that finish line, leaving behind crumbs of the grander narrative every now and again. But in Season One, so much of the focus is about characters going on fun adventures and leaving behind those crumbs not as often as they should. The end result might just be one of the weakest examples of a show being silly THEN serious because of it tries to be one thing while also wanting to be another.

And as for the final defense, about how other shows tries to be silly THEN serious too, let's look ANOTHER series made by Disney: Gravity Falls.

Gravity Falls' first season, let's be honest with ourselves, is a lot like Amphibia's. There's hints of a story there, but much more time is dedicated to Dipper and Mable going on goofy one-off adventures while the second season takes a much more serious direction towards the plot and characters. It still leaves crumbs as well, like what's going on with Gideon and the Journals, but the majority of the season is still stuff like Mabel freeing a merman trapped in a public pool or Dipper using a video game character to intimidate Robby. So while it's the same as Amphibia it terms of tone, there's ONE difference: Episode length. Within the first season, Gravity Falls has twenty episodes where Amphibia has thirty-nine. Amphibia has ten-minute episodes stitched together to meet the twenty-minute runtime that Gravity falls have, and the end result is making a series feel MUCH longer than it actually is. It drags out the silliness longer, making Gravity Falls more digestible because we're watching random nonsense ONCE per week and not TWICE. So when the bigger, more serious story stuff comes, it feels like less time was wasted to get to it.

You can argue all you want about how Amphibia's first season doesn't have filler or, if it does, it's not a detriment. And if that's how you see things, that's fine. But not everyone is going to feel that way.

Look, filler can be fun. It can give you an enjoyable little adventure in between the meat of this grander narrative the writers are building. But filler isn't fun ALL THE TIME, and you need to find a right way to space it out between the story bits if a serialized story is what you want to make. As fun as it can be, it's not the necessity that people claim it is for a good show to exist. Some amazing series exist when they're all killer and no filler. Just because the characters don't randomly go to a casino for an episode, that doesn't mean it's a lesser form of storytelling.

And the same goes for shows WITH filler. If you like Amphibia's first season because of how silly and fun it is, I don't blame you. To me, it was a show that got my attention because there was a hint to a bigger narrative, but it's not what the show tried to do in it's first season. It took its time and the end result was a finale that legitimately brought me to tears, so SURELY it isn't all bad, even if most of those silly adventures weren't my cup of tea. It's DEFINITELY a season of filler, but whether or not that's a detriment to a show is depending on who you ask.

[repelprotect]

Total Pest Protection Safeguarding Your Space from Unwanted Guests

In every home or workspace, the idea of unwelcome critters roaming freely is enough to make anyone uneasy. From tiny ants to resilient rodents, pests come in all shapes and sizes, each capable of wreaking havoc on your property and well-being. Ensuring total pest protection means more than just a few traps here and there; it involves a comprehensive approach designed to keep these invaders at bay. In this blog post, we’ll explore what total pest protection entails, why it’s essential, and how you can implement it effectively to maintain a pest-free environment.

Pest Control in Nairobi

Understanding the Need for Total Pest Protection

Pests are more than just a nuisance; they can be detrimental to health, safety, and property. Many carry harmful pathogens, contaminate food, and can even compromise the structural integrity of buildings. A single infestation often signals broader issues, as pests can quickly spread and multiply if left unchecked. A total pest protection plan provides a shield against these unwanted guests, preventing them from taking over.

Key Reasons for a Total Pest Protection Plan:

Health Concerns: Pests like cockroaches, mosquitoes, and rodents carry diseases that can affect humans and pets alike.

Property Damage: Termites, rodents, and carpenter ants can chew through wood, wiring, and insulation, causing costly repairs.

Peace of Mind: Knowing your space is safeguarded from pests allows you to focus on what matters most without worry.

Elements of Effective Pest Protection

A successful pest protection strategy focuses on proactive prevention, monitoring, and environmentally safe treatments. Here are the key steps to safeguard your space:

1. Inspection and Identification

The first step in pest protection is understanding what pests you’re dealing with. Conduct a thorough inspection to identify problem areas like cracks, moisture sources, and entry points. Different pests are drawn to specific environments, so proper identification ensures targeted solutions.

2. Seal Entry Points

Pests typically enter through small cracks, gaps, and poorly sealed doors and windows. Sealing these entry points with caulk, weatherstripping, or mesh screens can effectively block pests from coming in. Pay special attention to areas around plumbing and electrical lines where gaps are common.

3. Maintain Cleanliness

Pests are attracted to food, water, and shelter. Regular cleaning eliminates these attractants. Keep surfaces free from crumbs, store food in airtight containers, and avoid leaving pet food out overnight. A tidy environment makes it harder for pests to find what they’re seeking.

4. Proper Waste Management

Waste, particularly food waste, is a major attractant for pests. Dispose of trash regularly, use sealed garbage cans, and keep compost bins properly managed. Outdoor trash cans should be tightly lidded to keep larger pests, like raccoons, away.

Pest Control in Nairobi

5. Moisture Control

Many pests thrive in damp environments. Regularly inspect plumbing for leaks, clear gutters, and ensure proper ventilation in attics and basements. Fixing water issues reduces the likelihood of pests such as termites, cockroaches, and silverfish setting up residence.

6. Safe Pest Control Products and Professional Help

For those persistent pests, choose eco-friendly pest control products that are effective yet safe for pets, children, and the environment. In cases of severe infestations, professional pest control services offer targeted treatments and preventative measures to keep pests away for good.

Long-Term Pest Prevention Tips

Once you’ve implemented the basics, maintain your pest-free environment with a few simple habits. Regularly inspect your space, especially after seasons change, as pests often seek new habitats during temperature shifts. Keep landscaping neat to reduce hiding spots, and store firewood and other materials away from the house.

For maximum results, consider investing in a regular pest control service. Many companies offer quarterly or bi-annual inspections and treatments to ensure your home or business remains protected all year round.

Pest Control in Nairobi

Conclusion

Achieving total pest protection requires a balance of preventative measures, regular maintenance, and, when needed, professional intervention. By staying vigilant and proactive, you can safeguard your space from the threat of pests, allowing you to enjoy a cleaner, safer, and more comfortable environment. Whether for your home or business, total pest protection is a wise investment in peace of mind and property protection.

[jalso01]

How a Freight Dispatcher Course Can Shape Your Career in Logistics

Lake Arrowhead’s natural beauty comes with its own set of challenges. While the serene landscapes and outdoor activities are what attract many to the area, it's also an inviting environment for various pests and wildlife. Whether it's unwanted insects, rodents, or bats, homeowners in the Lake Arrowhead region need reliable and effective pest control services. For those looking for peace of mind, Outback Zack offers top-tier solutions to keep your home safe and pest-free.

Why Pest Control in Lake Arrowhead is Essential

Living in a region surrounded by nature can increase the likelihood of pest problems. From ants and spiders to raccoons and skunks, pests can quickly become an issue, not just for your comfort but also for your health and property. The need for effective Pest Control Lake Arrowhead services is more crucial than ever. An untreated pest infestation can lead to costly repairs, damage to your home, and even pose health risks.

Outback Zack offers comprehensive solutions tailored specifically to the region. They understand the unique challenges of Lake Arrowhead and have developed pest control techniques that are both environmentally friendly and highly effective.

The Importance of Professional Bat Removal Services

Bats are an essential part of the ecosystem, helping to control insect populations. However, they can become a problem when they take up residence in your home. Bats tend to seek dark, secluded spaces like attics, where they can quickly create a large colony. Although they aren’t typically aggressive, bats can carry diseases, and their droppings can lead to respiratory problems in humans.

Attempting to remove bats on your own can be risky. Professional bat removal services are the safest and most humane way to handle the situation. Outback Zack provides bat removal services that prioritize both the safety of your family and the well-being of the bats. Their team is skilled in safely relocating bats and ensuring that your home is sealed off from future invasions.

Signs You Need Pest Control Services

It's important to recognize the signs of a pest problem before it gets out of hand. Common indicators that you may need pest control services in Lake Arrowhead include:

Unexplained damage to walls, floors, or furniture

Droppings, nests, or other signs of pests in or around your home

Unpleasant odors coming from hidden areas

Scratching sounds in the walls or attic

Actual sightings of pests such as ants, rodents, or insects

If you've noticed any of these signs, it's time to call a professional pest control service like Outback Zack. They will conduct a thorough inspection of your property, identify the pests, and create a customized treatment plan to address the problem.

How to Prevent Pests from Entering Your Home

Prevention is key when it comes to pest control. While professional services are essential for treating active infestations, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of pests entering your home. Here are a few tips to keep pests at bay:

Seal entry points: Check for gaps in doors, windows, and walls, and seal any openings that pests could use to enter your home.

Keep your home clean: Regular cleaning and proper storage of food can help reduce the chances of attracting pests.

Trim your yard: Keeping your yard free from debris and overgrown vegetation can discourage pests from making their way inside.

Proper waste management: Ensure that garbage is sealed tightly, as pests are often attracted to waste.

Even with these preventive measures, pests may still find their way into your home, especially in nature-rich areas like Lake Arrowhead. That’s why having access to trusted Pest Control Lake Arrowhead services is essential.

What to Expect from Bat Removal Services

If you're dealing with bats in your home, professional bat removal services will ensure the problem is handled safely and legally. Bats are a protected species in many areas, which means it's illegal to kill or harm them. Outback Zack uses humane techniques to safely remove bats from your home and relocate them to an appropriate environment.

The process generally involves:

Inspection: A thorough inspection of your property to locate the bats and identify potential entry points.

Exclusion: This process involves sealing all potential entry points except for one, which is equipped with a one-way exit valve. This allows bats to leave but prevents them from re-entering.

Relocation: Bats are relocated to a suitable area, where they can continue to contribute to the ecosystem without causing problems for homeowners.

Sealing and prevention: After the bats have been removed, the remaining entry points are sealed off to prevent future infestations.

Why Choose Outback Zack?

Outback Zack is not just another pest control company. Their expertise in Pest Control Lake Arrowhead and bat removal services makes them the ideal choice for homeowners in the area. They offer:

Eco-friendly solutions: Outback Zack uses environmentally responsible methods that are safe for your family, pets, and the ecosystem.

Tailored services: Each home is unique, and Outback Zack provides customized pest control plans based on the specific needs of your property.

Fast and reliable service: When pests invade, quick action is essential. Outback Zack offers timely service to ensure your pest problems are addressed as soon as possible.

Humane wildlife control: When it comes to bat removal and other wildlife control, Outback Zack uses humane techniques that prioritize the well-being of the animals.

Get Rid of Pests Today!

Don't let pests take control of your home. If you're in need of professional Pest Control Lake Arrowhead services or expert bat removal services, contact Outback Zack today. Their team of trained professionals is ready to handle all your pest control needs with efficiency, care, and attention to detail.

You deserve to live in a safe and comfortable home, free from pests and wildlife. Call Outback Zack now to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards a pest-free home!

[pandajunkremoval]

Eco Renew Waste Solutions: Revolutionizing Sustainable Waste Management

In today’s world, sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it's a crucial aspect of responsible living. At the forefront of this movement is Eco Renew Waste Solutions, a trailblazer in innovative and environmentally-friendly waste management practices. As we strive to reduce our ecological footprint and promote green living, Eco Renew Waste Solutions offers a comprehensive approach to waste management that aligns with our collective goal of a cleaner planet.

What is Eco Renew Waste Solutions?

Eco Renew Waste Solutions is a cutting-edge waste management company dedicated to providing sustainable and efficient waste disposal services. Our mission is to transform the way we handle waste by integrating advanced technologies and eco-friendly practices. From residential garbage collection to commercial waste management, Eco Renew is committed to delivering solutions that not only meet but exceed environmental standards.

Innovative Waste Management Strategies

Advanced Sorting TechnologiesAt Eco Renew, we utilize state-of-the-art sorting technologies to ensure that waste is processed efficiently and effectively. Our automated systems sort recyclables from non-recyclables, reducing contamination and increasing the efficiency of our recycling processes.

Comprehensive Recycling ProgramsRecycling is at the heart of our operations. We offer extensive recycling programs for paper, plastics, metals, and organic waste. By diverting materials from landfills, Eco Renew helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserves natural resources.

Green Energy SolutionsIn our commitment to sustainability, Eco Renew Waste Solutions invests in green energy initiatives. We harness energy from waste through advanced waste-to-energy technologies, converting waste into a valuable energy source while minimizing environmental impact.

Eco-Friendly Waste Pickup ServicesOur waste pickup services are designed with the environment in mind. We use fuel-efficient vehicles and implement route optimization strategies to reduce our carbon footprint. Our team is trained to handle waste responsibly, ensuring that it is disposed of or recycled in an eco-friendly manner.

Why Choose Eco Renew Waste Solutions?

Sustainability CommitmentChoosing Eco Renew means choosing a company that is deeply committed to sustainability. Our practices are designed to minimize waste, conserve resources, and protect the environment. We adhere to the highest standards of environmental stewardship.

Efficiency and ReliabilityWe pride ourselves on providing reliable and efficient waste management services. Our advanced technologies and optimized processes ensure that waste is handled promptly and effectively, reducing inconvenience for our customers.

Community EngagementEco Renew Waste Solutions is dedicated to fostering environmental awareness and community engagement. We offer educational programs and resources to help individuals and businesses understand the importance of sustainable waste management and how they can contribute to a greener future.

How to Get Started

Getting started with Eco Renew Waste Solutions is easy. Whether you’re a homeowner, business, or organization, our team is here to help you find the best waste management solutions tailored to your needs. Visit our website or contact us directly to learn more about our services and how we can assist you in making a positive environmental impact.

Conclusion

Eco Renew Waste Solutions is more than just a waste management company; we are a partner in building a sustainable future. By embracing innovative technologies and eco-friendly practices, we are redefining the waste management landscape and paving the way for a cleaner, greener planet. Join us in our mission to make a difference—choose Eco Renew Waste Solutions for all your waste management needs and be a part of the solution for a better world.

[vamosaespana]

Llegamos a España!!

Good morning travelers…let’s wake you up gently by dropping the temp in the plane to 40 degrees 🥶 I look over to see Andrew looking so miserable as he is trying to wrap himself up in the blanket provided. Libby’s actual teeth are chattering upon waking up…well at least we are up and ready to greet them as they serve us breakfast. Good actually again not to shabby. A smoothie pouch, bread roll with cream cheese and slice of cheese and a slice of pound cake. Carb forward but I am not complaining😋 Love me my carbs. Drinks on the plane I found to be very minimal. You don’t get your own can. Instead a small up with a Dixie size pour it provided. So you make sure you enjoy it but then again cuts down on using the bathroom so I guess that’s a win 🤷🏻‍♀️ Luckily it’s only about 2 hours in the cold we suffer and then we land in Paris…the longest part of the journey is over. Little did we know that our 2 hours in Paris seemed like an eternity 😩

Now we have 2 hours…should be plenty of time to grab something to eat and head to our next gate. Oh no…the Parisians had other plans. Now keep in mind it’s summer but I think they are working on saving money for the Olympics and air conditioning was definitely one of the cuts to the airport. I guess Air France knew what they were doing when they blasted us with cold air….enjoy it while it lasts suckers😈 was I’m sure what they were thinking. As we get off the plane we have to go back through security and get searched which of course took forever. It’s the law of lines…whichever one the Bransons are in get out because it will be the longest! We pass through security and now head to customs. Again another long line of waiting…spoiler alert we made it to our plan but now writing this I honestly don’t know how with how line we waited for everything😧 We pull up to our lovely customs employee where she asks us how long will we be in Paris…sorry to disappoint but only 2 hours…we are headed to Spain. It’s then that the Spanish Inquisition starts. Where in Spain, where are you sleeping, for how long, why, who with? Again it’s my family of 5, so I just think she’s bitter that we aren’t staying in her country and is just reading us the riot act because looking at my family I’m not quite sure what she thinks we are “up to” She finally lets us go and we head to our gate. Here’s where the temp actually turns up and I can only guess they are testing their heat for when it gets to winter time🥵 We pull up to our gate and it has to be the smallest area with the most possible gates that they could squeeze in. So our littlest now is 1. Hot and Sweaty 2. Having to use the bathroom since landing 3. Says her stomach hurts!!!!! Cue the psycho shower music because that is what is running through my head. We are currently in line to board and she looks at me and tells me she’s going to throw up. Now we honestly are surrounded by 150 of our closest friends on this plane and there is no where to move!!!! I then do a mom yell of “excuse us my kid is going to throw up so I advise making a path” I now know how Moses felt when he parted the Red Sea🙏🏻 there was a clear line to a garbage can and we made it with no casualties. Luckily there was a cooling vent near the garbage can that she was able to sit down on the ground and get cold air to cool off. Moms came to support with Lysol wipes and a hand held fan. Luckily no cleanup necessary and her skin returned to freckled peach again. Just in time to finally board! The flight to Spain was a little bumpy but 3 sailed smoothly through it and that’s all that mattered! I took a nap during the flight and woke up to 2 telling me to look out the window. I was giddy like a school girl…it was SO BEAUTIFUL!!! The water honestly bluer than the blue of any filter you could possibly use. You could see La Sagrada Familia and beautiful church steeples dot the landscape. I was so excited and completely forgot about the lack of sleep. The minute we got off the plane I said “see ya” to France and hello to Spain! We stepped off the plane and it literally smelled like a spa…I kid you not! Even the kids noticed!!!! We got our bags without a hitch and headed for the Taxi. We were worried about how we would manage all of us and our baggage (remember we traveled SUUUUUPPPER light🤦🏻‍♀️) Luckily the taxi hearder found us a passenger van taxi and we were on our way to the apartment! 3 fell asleep immediately now officially cooled off and comfortable in the van with actual space and leg room. The rest of us just enjoyed the drive. We arrived to our downtown apartment and the taxi lady laughed again at our luggage and of course GB had to flash his winning Spanish phrases….”soy muy guapo” “soy muy inteligente “ and his favorite “soy un buen amante” of course he got a good chuckle…GB is always one for making people laugh😆

We pull into our apartment and the kids went immediately to their rooms. It was tricky finding a place with enough separate beds as our kids don’t share beds (first world 🙄) plus the whole teenage boy girl thing just makes for hot mess express when too close for comfort. I, as I am sure all you moms do, start unpacking everyone out of the suitcases and get everything settled in. By this time now it’s about 4:00 dinner time here and we’ve been traveling a day and a half so our bodies are all sorts of messed up. Hanagriness sets in worse with GB and 2 and that’s the cue we need food stat! Luckily we are downtown so everything is walking distance and my legs sure needed the stretch. What’s the first thing GB wants to eat….Burgers 🤦🏻‍♀️🙄😩 so off to a burger place we go. Kids are happy with that, well really 1 and 3 are happy, of course kid 2 couldn’t agree but luckily I think being tired she didn’t have too much of a fight in her. We have learned it’s near impossible to have all 3 so we consider 2/3 a win by default. I found this burger place “Central Burger” to be a win and knew I was with my people. On the table, in easy access, without having to ask separately, was my mayo in large jug form (cue angels in glorious song). We entered hangry but exited happy. Once food was in, there was definitely an air of peace and happiness that consumed us😌

As we headed back to the apartment we were all back to joking around and laughing. Ready to go to bed but also going to bed much happier. Excited for the day ahead but also excited to just sleep with full bellies in an actual bed. Good night Barcelona. Tomorrow we seize all the moments you have to offer us 😍

[go-to-the-mirror]

Every day I think about episode 160 and cry. Like. Like. Jesus christ! The. Everything. Like. Every so often I think of TheOestOfOCs’ tag on their Dracula fusion fic, “this is still a fix it fic compared to canon” AND IT IS??? Fucking. Apparently Elias kidnapping Jon and turning him into a vampire and generally being the most awful person ever is a FIX IT FIC compared to what we’ve got.

And I’m like, I’m not complaining, I signed up for this, but like yeah, signed up for this (emotional ruin), but that doesnt make me HAPPIER ABOUT IT?

Okay, so, it’s three years, about. Starts in 2015, 2016. Ends in 2018. Because. Goddamnit. And it’s just. He gets eaten by fucking worms. You know that line, “one hand on the gas release from the start”? That line lives in my head rent free, because it’s… Elias is holding the cards, he has Jon’s fate in the bloody PALM OF HIS HAND and just… yknow how. Like. Fucked up Jon is in MAG 40? How he keeps asking them to Please Not Talk About The Worms, I Know About The Worms, Stop, I Beg Of Thee. And Elias is there, Elias is talking, Elias is seeing all of this and he’s just like “jolly good, job well done, 11 more to go!”

And just… Sasha. Tim. Melanie, Martin. Basira and Daisy. Everyone who got caught in the crossfire. Sasha, who died, unintentionally on Elias’ part, for a mark that was redundant. Tim, who died saving a world Elias knew was never in danger from the Unknowing. Melanie, who had to gouge her bloody eyes out, because Elias decided she was useful to him.

Useful. Fucking bastard.

And then, and then, season 3, right! God, I’m just thinking about Jude Perry’s mark, because that’s a burn, he probably didn’t go to a hospital, since he was on the run for a murder, so considering Lightless Flame nonsense, that’s probably a severe burn that probably caused nerve damage, caused a difficulty moving that hand, presumably the right hand, because I don’t think they were doing a scouts handshake. And while I do try make all my blorbos left-handed, Jon’s most likely right-handed. And even if he’s not, he still probably can’t move his right-hand right because someone decided to end the world through him, like a fucking bastard! That’s what gets me, right. It’s that everything, everything Jon’s bloody been through for Elias’ plans is immortalized on his skin, with his scars. Psychological trauma just isn’t enough for him, there has to be a constant reminder every time Jon looks at himself.

And then! And then! Speaking of season 3, what the fuck was that second kidnapping? Like, first kidnapping was horrifying but it was “for the plan” and the third kidnapping was in America and somehow “not that bad,” yknow, compared to finding out you’re like, physically dependent on reading horror stories, and your fucking awful bastard of a boss decided to drop that bombshell on you while you were actively, yknow, GETTING SICK FROM IT! Oh Joy. But second kidnapping was a) redundant, he’d already gotten the Stranger mark. b) completely fixable.

Completely fucking fixable. Just. Tell them. Tell them where he is, or tell them that’s he’s been kidnapped, if Elias doesn’t know, I think he did, because I think he’s exactly the kind of bastard who would just let it happen despite knowing exactly how to stop it.

And you know why? Why I think? Because that’s easier, right. It’s harder to be self-destructive, it’s harder to throw yourself into Situations, it’s harder to be isolated when you have one extra month to reconnect with your colleagues.

A month. Maybe the month would have done nothing. Maybe the month would have helped Jon and Tim. Or Jon and Melanie. Or Jon and Basira. Jon and Martin were already fine, and Jon and Daisy at that point is… ah… Nope.

And you think a month is bad? 6 months. And I know, everyone was suffering — Martin especially— while Jon was gone, and I know that it’s other people’s trauma that he’s watching and actively perpetuating, but! That’s also traumatizing!! It’s traumatic to have to watch other people’s worst nightmares for six months straight with no end in sight. It’s traumatic to have to. Everything??? Fucking everything in MAG 120??? I can pull quotes but that’ll detract from the rambliness of this. I’ll do that sometime, I will.

And honestly, season 4 is just a fucking mess, it’s. It’s. I’m sad about it. I’m Very sad about it, and. God. Like. It’s just. Melanie hates him, and part of that is because Elias used him as a meat shield in MAG 101, not all, not most, but part. Jon’s a monster now, and he’s hurting people, and there’s got to be a little voice in his head telling him he’s just like Elias when Elias is the one who made him like this. And they’re tearing each other apart and Jon is diving into Situations and Elias is watching from prison all fucking smug and then MAG 158 happens, god. damn. MAG 158 happens.

“I called you.” Like a fucking dog. Like. Like. “Are you scared, Jon” “Yes” “Good”

I have the words for MAG 159. A bet. A fucking bet. A motherfucking bet. I do not think I need to detail how horrifying and dehumanizing and horrible that is???? I don’t think I need to do that.

A bet. A bet.

And it brings us back to MAG 160. Make him monologue every fucking time this happened, every fucking time Elias used him to end the world, marked him, can’t word. But. Horrifying. Jesus.

2, 3 years. “You are a living chronicle of terror” what kind of fear. Over two years, just. Two fucking years.

But it’s not two. Not three.

It’s his whole bloody life, his whole life, leading up to this. End the world. Spread it. This is it, his purpose, he’s spent so long hurting himself for a purpose.

And at the end, after everything he’s done, after everything that’s been done to him, by Jonah Magnus, by the Web or fears or-

He can’t break free. He follows his purpose. He dances the steps he was assigned.

[idealhome]

Finding Your Ideal Home: Mobile Home Lots For Sale Near Me

Finding the perfect place to call home is a journey that many of us embark on with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade, the search for an ideal home involves careful consideration of various factors, from location and amenities to affordability and long-term suitability. In recent years, mobile homes have gained popularity as a practical and cost-effective housing option, offering flexibility, comfort, and a sense of community. If you’re currently in the market for a mobile home, you might be wondering where to start your search for mobile home lots for sale near you.

Why Choose a Mobile Home?

Before diving into the specifics of finding mobile home lots for sale, let’s explore why mobile homes have become an attractive choice for many homebuyers. Mobile homes, also known as manufactured homes, offer several advantages over traditional houses. They are often more affordable, making homeownership a reality for individuals and families with limited budgets. Additionally, mobile homes are customizable, allowing homeowners to personalize their living spaces according to their preferences and needs. Modern mobile homes are also equipped with a range of amenities, from energy-efficient appliances to spacious layouts, providing a comfortable and convenient lifestyle.

Factors to Consider When Searching for Mobile Home Lots

When searching for mobile home lots for sale near you, there are several key factors to keep in mind to ensure you find the ideal location for your new home:

Location: The location of your mobile home lot is crucial. Consider factors such as proximity to essential amenities like schools, shopping centers, healthcare facilities, and transportation options. Additionally, assess the neighborhood’s safety, overall ambiance, and future development plans.

Lot Size and Layout: Determine the size of the lot you need based on your desired mobile home size and outdoor space requirements. Consider factors such as yard space, parking availability, and landscaping options.

Community Features: If you value community living, look for mobile home lots in communities or parks that offer shared amenities such as recreational facilities, social events, and maintenance services. These communities often provide a sense of belonging and camaraderie among residents.

Utilities and Services: Ensure that the mobile home lot you’re interested in has access to essential utilities such as water, electricity, sewage, and internet connectivity. Check for any additional services provided, such as garbage disposal and landscaping.

Zoning and Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local zoning laws and regulations governing mobile homes. Ensure that the lot you choose complies with zoning requirements and has all necessary permits and approvals.

Finding Mobile Home Lots For Sale Near Me

Now that you have a clear understanding of what to consider when searching for mobile home lots, it’s time to start your search. Here are some effective ways to find mobile home lots for sale near you:

Online Listings: Utilize online real estate platforms and websites dedicated to mobile homes to browse listings of available lots in your desired location. These platforms often allow you to filter your search based on criteria such as price range, lot size, and amenities.

Real Estate Agents: Work with experienced real estate agents specializing in mobile homes and manufactured housing. They can help you navigate the buying process, provide valuable insights into local markets, and assist you in finding suitable lots.

Mobile Home Communities: Explore mobile home communities and parks in your area that offer lots for sale. These communities often have onsite management teams that can provide information about available lots, community amenities, and resident requirements.

Networking and Referrals: Reach out to friends, family members, and acquaintances who have experience with mobile homes or may know of available lots for sale. Networking within mobile home communities and attending local events can also lead to valuable connections and opportunities.

Local Newspapers and Publications: Check local newspapers, magazines, and classified ads for listings of mobile home lots for sale. These publications often feature properties that may not be listed online, providing additional options for your search.

Conclusion

Finding the ideal mobile home lot requires careful research, consideration of key factors, and exploring various resources available to homebuyers. By prioritizing factors such as location, lot size, community features, and local regulations, you can narrow down your search and find the perfect place to place your new home. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat in a rural setting or a vibrant community with amenities galore, there are mobile home lots for sale near you waiting to be discovered. Happy house hunting!

[nsfwhiphop]

🚨 IMPORTANT REMINDER: 🚨 Music Industry is not the same anymore. There is an Evil agenda now, evil men run the business now. Beware of what type of music you listen to. Not all music is good for your ears.

To my cherished readers, particularly those who reminisce about the golden eras of the 80s and 90s music scene, I pose a crucial question: Have you noticed the stark degradation within the music industry? Can you recognize how the once pristine quality of lyrics has plummeted into a sea of mediocrity?

Let's face the stark reality: The music business, currently helmed by nefarious entities, is orchestrating a sinister agenda. They are actively eradicating any semblance of mercy from our musical landscape. Love ballads, altruistic anthems, and community-minded tunes are being ruthlessly suppressed.

Gone are the days when songs served to uplift, educate, and inspire. Instead, a troubling trend has emerged—a relentless push towards the propagation of malevolent messages. They inundate the airwaves with glorification of drug culture, senseless violence, and degrading discussions on trivial matters.

This is a wake-up call, a clarion call to arms against this insidious manipulation. The powers that be do not wish for you to indulge in music that nourishes the soul. They crave your consumption of depravity, feeding you a steady diet of negativity and amorality.

The rap and R&B communities, in particular, find themselves ensnared within this web of suppression. They are shackled, forbidden from expressing kindness or mercy through their lyrical prowess.

So, my friends, heed this warning. Realize that the melody you hear today is not the melody of yesteryears. It is a discordant symphony, orchestrated by those who seek to poison the hearts and minds of our society.

Stand vigilant. Demand better. And let us strive to reclaim the purity and compassion that once graced our musical landscape.

Together, we can usher in a new era—a renaissance of music that uplifts, empowers, and inspires.

#WakeUpCall #MusicRevolution #DemandMercyInMusic 🎶🌟

P.S:

Here is a ghetto version of this speech for my ghetto readers:

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

"I want to give a reality-check to my readers, especially the ones from the 90s era and 80s era, I want to ask them a question, have you noticed the degradation of the music industry? Did you notice how the quality of lyrics have gone from good to very bad quality? This is the agenda of the criminals running the music business, they don't want to see any songs that have merciful lyrics in them, no more love songs, no more altruistic songs, no more protect the community songs, no more teach your knowledge to the youth songs, they refused to see any of this mercy in our songs, they blocked all lyrics that have mercy in them, all they want to push is evil lyrics, do drugs, kill each other, talk about stupid topics like ass and titties, this is the agenda they're pushing in the music industry nowadays. That's why I'm giving you this wake-up call, you have to realize that they don't want you to listen to good music, they want you to listen to evil music only, it's happening to the Rap community and the R'n'b community as we speak, they are not allowed to be kind in their lyrics, they are not allowed to be merciful in their lyrics."

Guess what? Oh, yeah, I said it, sue me, see if I give a fuck, I'm telling you that you all listen to garbage music, just because it's on your TV screens doesn't mean it's good music, I encourage you to turn off that garbage.

Listen to the 90s and early 2000s music when the artists were allowed to be kind, loving, full of mercy in their songs, nowadays they aren't allowed to have any merciful lyrics, all they talk about is evil topics.

Do you see what I see? Or are you just dumb? Which one is it?

Back in 1980s:

The Principles of Hip Hop was: Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun

Nowadays in 2024:

The Principles of Hip Hop is: Violence, Hate, Division, and Having drug addicted listeners.

A lot of people don't know because they're dumb, stupid, they are the sheep that are being misled and you have to help the sheep by warning them to not listen to this evil music business anymore and go back to the 90s era, when the music business was full of mercy and kindness, it was all about having fun and good manners, but nowadays they are pushing only evil topics now.

Christian quotes :

#1 - If sheep do not have the constant care of a shepherd, they will go the wrong way, unaware of the dangers at hand.

#2 - The mere presence of the shepherd puts the sheep at peace. When he is near, they don't panic, and they don't fight. They can lay down in peaceful slumber.

The older generation are the sheperds.

The new generation are the sheep.

You have to teach them and show them the way or they will never know, they are all sheep, they are sleeping, you have to give them this wake-up call.

I encourage you to read this wiki page and learn the meaning of the term "Each one teach one", click on the link:

WATCH THIS VIDEO:

The Principles of Hip Hop: Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun

Inspire positive change in young people through an exploration of the roots of hip hop culture with Hip Hop Fundamentals! This ensemble of dynamic and energetic dancers use breakdancing and abundant audience participation to explore hip hop’s rich cultural history and how Black youth changed the world. The performance focuses on youth empowerment, creativity, and working together embodied by hip hop’s four principles: Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun!

[trellabrazil]

It Came back in my Dreams...

the crazy phase i went through during moving and covid and a narcissist debacle... and at first i beat myself up about it - like, why do you have this cesspool of hate, fear, insanity in your subconscious that keeps coming back when you dream or when you wake up during the night? But then I did a reset to: If anyone had gone through what I did they would have those same reactions- and if they come back in the night so what - states of mind and feelings are not monsters that can terrorize me, they are just ideas, beliefs, but: they are not "the truth" about who I am....they are the WORST version of life gone off the rails - what I would be like if I keep dwelling on them and remaining in the STATE they generate - they are merely a set of neural pathways - ones that i refuse to etch into me anymore.. (as I was doing when my life was all fucked up)

I learned in a book about Native Americans, when their uncle got hit by lightening and died, they had to go on and not keep reliving the awfulness that they felt about his death - because it was not doing any good for them or anyone else to keep reliving it. Instead, they went out to work tending the land, with joy and light inside them. They went outdoors and felt beauty and love and light from the wondrous nature they were living in - the trees, birds, flowers, and also the people in their tribe who were their friends. they told stories, and loved having meals with their group, working together outdoors, and they had much gratitude for all that was going well. Their elder explained that in past times their tribe was being attacked, women raped, their crops stolen, and now was a peaceful and good time yet they were focused on grumbling instead of being grateful for the peace and the food, and the work they did, the friends...

In the same way, I am in a new time, not the fucked up period during covid and moving, I have been here 4 years. Yes, I will move again in April 24 but it will be where I want to. I will follow God to show me where to rent. Yesterday on nextdoor there was a rental in my price area that would have been perfect, but i will not look now, i will remain here in the mountains with their extremely beautiful sweeping landscapes for 4 more months, then make peace with the compromise of moving to a suburb - i will make peace with it by promising myself that it will be a setting i enjoy -without awful parking, garbage or traffic - not all parts of suburbs are bad - just the over cramped ones.

[sunbeamstress]

i struggled for a very long time to understand why i didn't want to make art.

it was such a mystery! some blind spot in my psyche i couldn't get a fix on.

"why haven't i drawn in months?"

"why am i sitting here playing video games? i still can barely draw hands"

"why don't i post my work online?"

"why haven't i started a webcomic yet? i wanted to over a decade ago"

why? why? why?

why was i torturing myself? all i could see in the back of my mind was my mother, seated in her armchair, the dated old phone stretching across the living room with her at the center of its web. she would always couch the phone against her cheek and shoulder and lay her knuckles against it for stability; her left hand - the one i use, myself - would reach for a pen and fill page after page of doodles into a notepad.

i remember beautiful filigree designs and landscapes and pretty flowers and sometimes an instance of something lovely in the faces of her husband or her children, captured on paper without her even having to think about it. entire worlds spilling out of her fingertips while her mind was occupied with other things.

but she stopped.

she can't draw, now. she no longer has the talent. she used to beg me to sing because my voice was a gift to god, but she had a gift from god and she left it in a dumpster. these days i don't believe in god, and i don't believe in my mother, either.

in a circumspect way i'm grateful to her for this. i'd think about her every time i picked up a pencil. this unforgivable act of waste, in my eyes, was a fire under my ass that kept my hand moving. it gives me pleasure to admit, with honesty, that while i rarely sketch or paint, i only ever seem to get better at it. to this day, i'm not half bad. in my late thirties, i'm at a skill level that i was seeing out of the very most gifted artists in their mid-twenties.

but isn't that a silly way of looking at it? "i'm 37, and i draw at least as well as a really good 24 year old". what nonsense is this? this is the sort of invasive thing that likes to run amok in my head. what sense does it make to compare myself like we're talking shonen manga power levels? why am i racing other artists? why do i have to compete?

it took me a very long time to realize that Competition Itself had supplanted what i loved about art. it wasn't something i did consciously; it just sort of happened when i was in my late teens, my early adult years, and the internet's artistic community had exploded, a detailed landscape peppered with talented people, all with their own gifts from god, gleaming and gilded and razor-edged. they were doing things i'd never imagined. they were making comics and putting their work in indie video games. they were doing animations in flash. holy shit - they were making porn! this might sound quaint to you, O reader, but by internet standards i'm what you call an "old-ass bitch" and in those days, this was pretty novel.

god, i wanted what they had so bad. i wanted a webcomic. i was going to call it "Absolute Vertigo", whatever that meant, and it would have been garbage, but i didn't care. i wanted "Absolute Vertigo by <SCREEN NAME>" at the top of a kitschy website and i wanted people to gush about how cool it was and put it into their RSS feeds and--

this was the beginning of the end, in many ways. i really wasn't cut out for competition. it would take a really long time to figure this out. my peers were putting out improbably cool stuff and i felt like i was flagging. i didn't realize it yet, but the internal language i was using to talk to myself about art was changing. suddenly i was "worse" or "better" than other artists. suddenly they were "doing more" or being more "successful" than me.

art had become a commodity.

it's wild how this sort of mindset can take a mind of its own, can build its own character, can work its way deeper into your brain. at first art was discouraging - it was this thing my mother was good at but neglected. it was this thing i felt like i was worse at than everyone else. but then it became depressing. Art, this platonic ideal of it, this idea of it in the abstract, was turning into a weapon i was using to torture myself. reader, you have no idea how many nights i couldn't sleep. to merely ideate failure was to hurl myself back through time, back to the moment i realized my mother had given up.

"why haven't i drawn in months?"

"why am i sitting here playing video games? i still can barely draw hands"

"why don't i post my work online?"

"why haven't i started a webcomic yet? i wanted to over a decade ago"

i didn't have an answer for these questions, but still they were there. they weren't important or meaningful questions, they were tools i used to torture myself. i was supposed to improve for the sake of improvement, and to enjoy art as an act of pure creation, but instead it was a hammer i would hit myself over the head with because i wasn't doing it good enough. crazy how you can talk about your own talent the way you can talk about a dead-end job.

looking back now, it's astounding that i didn't understand all of this. it seems to make so much more sense. i've always had stories and characters floating around in my head - it's literally my favorite pastime - but it took me a very long, very painful time to realize that having stories and having characters doesn't mean you're a failure if you don't immediately march to the nearest sketchbook and jot them down.

the gift of art does not obligate you to produce it. if you cast it aside, the world isn't made better or worse.

your art exists for you. it should please you, should bring a smile to your face or evoke feelings you don't dare face on your own. art should help you work through trauma. it should express when you're happy. art is a frame for the picture of you.

it should even be okay to let it go.

it's going to take me a long time to forgive my mother. but i think i understand her a little better.

[aulistings]

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[real-estate-in-bhubaneswar]

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Bhubaneswar is one of the most popular cities in India, and it has several advantages for those considering buying a home. Here are some of the reasons why you should buy a home in Bhubaneswar.

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Once you have decided to buy a new apartment in Bhubaneswar, the next thing that buyers look for is whether they can get the best deals for their money. A decent apartment housing project should provide facilities as listed below for a fair price:

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[gdcee]

Old Friends

Summary: Loki doesn't meet his three counterparts in the TVA's garbage dump at the end of time but someone else entirely.

Warnings: Some sexual innuendo. Troubling possessive childhood behaviour. Mention of unwanted sexual advances (not perpetrated by either of the main characters in the fic).

==============

Loki considers the words neatly painted in bright red letters on the large signpost.

NO LOKIS (except for the kid and alligator they're cool)

He squints, wondering if his earlier rough landing has jumbled some connections in the language processing bits of his brain. He shakes his head and reads again.

Nope, he evidently did not misread the bit about the alligator.

"What in the name of Buri's wrinkly left-"

Before Loki can finish uttering the obscenity, an overwhelming aura of powerful magic smothers him. He barely has a chance to retaliate before he's swept away like a pebble in a fluvial flood.

He finds himself lying on the half-withered gray-green grass, staring incredulously at the softly glowing incorporeal fetters wrapped about his chest and ankles.

There's only one person he knows with this particular type of binding magic.

But no, no it couldn't be. It couldn't possibly be-

"You have a lot of nerve," her achingly familiar voice rings out in the desolate silence. Her equally familiar face comes into view as she leans over his prone form, "Coming here."

"Sigyn," he can only manage a hoarse whisper at first, but giddy elation soon overtakes shock, and his mouth widens in a cheeky grin, "Oh, I'm certainly not doing that at present but since you've already skipped past dinner to the bonda-"

Sigyn whacks him sharply on the head with her staff. Not hard enough to cause any pain, but hard enough to startle him into silence.

"Brazen," she sighs, sounding more exasperated than offended, "Every single one of you."

"I prefer cockyyy-" Loki trails off at the unamused glare she shoots him, "-shutting up now."

"Good choice."

Sigyn shakes her head and dispels the fetters that hold him. Though familiar, in truth, Loki hasn't felt her magic so close to him in centuries. Not since they were children and he was showing her how to conjure fireworks in her hands.

He wonders briefly if her hair still smells like apple blossoms.

"Come on," she reaches for his hand and pulls him to his feet without waiting for his assent, "Time to go. You know the rules."

"I don't actually," Loki tries not to look upset when she lets go of his hand (pathetic, Norns, he is pathetic), "I don't even know where...what this place is." He frowns, considering. "Probably not Hel since you're here."

Sigyn coughs a short, sharp bark of a laugh. There's no humour in it.

"This is Hel," she says, "In all but name."

"So...I'm dead?"

Sigyn sighs again, closes her eyes and blows at the loose strand of hair hanging in her face.

"Wonderful. You're a new one then. You remember being pruned, yes?"

"Yes. Not very pleasant."

"Quite. Well, this-" she moves one arm in a fluid, graceful arc, gesturing in grandiose fashion at the depressing panorama of refuse and ruined buildings littered about the grey landscape. "-is where the TVA sends their rubbish. Everyone they prune, any physical material from a reset timeline - it ends up here."

"Everything?" Loki quirks an eyebrow, "Seems a little empty of clutter if the refuse of millions of dead timelines is being dumped here."

"Ah. Yes, that would be the work of the giant purple cloud monster of eternal, ceaseless hunger that devours all within its path."

An ominous sounding growl underlaid with the rumble of thunder sounds faintly in the distance.

Loki looks towards the distant horizon and sees a large dark, purplish smear like a fresh bruise in the grey sunless sky. Light flares and something that vaguely resembles a galaxy-class battlecruiser falls from the heavens. Immediately, the great bruised mass is upon the hulking remains.

He is uncomfortably reminded of that ridiculous nightmare he used to have about being phagocytosed by a giant amoeba (he longs for such innocent days, when his bad dreams were the result of his overactive imagination processing tedious microbiology lessons and not recollections of the various horrors he has experienced).

"That would be Alioth. The giant purple cloud monster. Don't ask me who came up with that name. Now if you'll excuse me-" Sigyn turns briskly on her heel and heads off in the direction beyond the NO LOKIS sign.

"Wha- hold on! You're just going to leave?You're leaving me to that thing??"

"Oh please, you'll have plenty of time before it gets here. Besides," she mutters, "You're a Loki. There's a thousand of you in this Norns forsaken wasteland. Trust me, if there's one thing you all do very well, it's survive."

Her words hurt more than he wants to admit. That bad memory loop with Sif had been more painful for obvious reasons, but...he knew what Sif thought of him. Even back then, those words she'd thrown at him had not surprised him.

As a child, he'd always felt special to Sigyn. She'd wanted to be his friend, his own true friend and not just Thor's friend who didn't mind having Loki along for the ride. She'd liked the same things he did. She'd always laughed at his jokes and pranks.

He'd felt like he mattered to her.

Of course that had only made him abominably possessive. He just couldn't abide any other child having her attention. The fear of an insecure wretch - so terrified that if Sigyn looked away even for a moment, she would see something better, that she would find him wanting.

He shouldn't have been surprised when Sigyn did not protest at her father sending her to live with her late mother's relatives on Alfheim when her true powers manifested on the cusp of puberty.

He'd...he'd said such awful things to her before she'd gone. When two people have been friends for centuries, they know exactly what to say to make it hurt. Sigyn had given back as good as she got, but instead of petty childish insults, her accusations had rung with truth.

She'd known why no one wanted to be her friend, she'd known exactly what he'd been doing behind her back - all the tricks, all the schemes, everything he'd done to ensure that none would take his friend from him.

As a parting shot she'd declared that even though he'd been horrid, she had stayed his friend because she had cared about him. That he had been special to her and she hadn't wanted to lose him either.

It was one thing to lose his only friend besides his brother - it was another to know that all his fears had been naught but smoke and mirrors. That he had been awful, that he'd made Sigyn sad and disappointed for absolutely nothing.

She had returned to Asgard.

Eventually.

Týr could only use the excuse of his daughter's magical education for so long. Someone of her abilities was too important an asset for the Allfather to ignore.

In the end, they had come to a reconciliation (of sorts) because they were tired of avoiding each other.

Or perhaps, the more simple truth (that neither would have admitted to) was that they missed each other.

They were never again as close as they'd been as children, but they'd stayed friends (or friendly at least). On good enough terms that the Warriors Four had not sought her out to spin their tale of treachery and magical incursion (Sigyn certainly would have been the ideal person to subdue a treacherous, power-mad and magically gifted regent). But not on good enough terms that he would have approached her for help in his ill-conceived scheme to delay Thor's coronation (perhaps events would have played out more favourably if he'd had someone to bounce ideas off).

That had been his Sigyn anyway. The one who didn't even exist now. Reset into non-existence by the TVA along with everything else on the timeline he'd been taken from.

Did you mourn, he'd asked his brother.

We all did.

He wonders if the Sigyn he'd known had mourned him.

The Sigyn briskly walking away now seems ill-inclined to mourn any Loki. What had the Loki of her timeline done to make her want to have nothing to do with him? He isn't sure if he wants to know.

He is tired. So very, very tired. Tired of feeling responsible for things he has not done (yet? is it really destiny if your life is just a series of bullet points on a checklist created and enforced by a totalitarian bureaucratic organization built by person or persons unknown?). Tired of not being able to do anything to make amends for the things that he actually is responsible for.

Except...he can.

Sigyn isn't a memory construct, she is real, she is here.

It's just one thing, one little thing and it is paltry compared to the other ill-deeds he has committed (and the ones he is fated to commit)-

But it's something at least.

Loki catches up to her easily (being roughly a head taller has its advantages) and grabs the end of her staff.

"Sigyn-"

She fixes him with those sharp, dark eyes and he realises he doesn't know how he's supposed to start this. He swallows past the lump in his throat and says the first word that comes to mind.

"Please."

Her eyes soften just a little, but her mouth remains set in a firm, hard line, and she tries to tug the staff out of his grasp.

He doesn't let go.

"Stop trying to stall me."

"I'm not-" Loki bites back the instinctive protestation and soldiers on. "I need to tell you I'm sorry about what I said before Alfheim and for everything I did before that. I'm sorry that I was selfish, I'm sorry that I didn't trust you, I'm sorry I made you cry and...I'm sorry I wasn't a worthy friend to you."

"...Loki," her voice is soft, "That happened centuries ago. I'm not...I'm not even the Sigyn you need to apologize to."

"You're still Sigyn. You deserve one regardless."

Sigyn has that look on her face. That gentle, pensive consideration tinged with something soft and tender that he can't quite name. She used to look at him like that whenever he did something nice (whether unprompted or as an apology for something not so nice he'd done earlier).

Norns. This is getting awkward. Existential fear at the potential cessation of his existence and his childhood night terrors featuring improbably large unicellular organisms notwitstanding, Loki thinks he might not mind if that giant purple cloud trundled in right now and swallowed him up.

"Well, I'd best get on, hadn't I? Surviving and all that?" He coughs, "I...I'm...it was good to see you again. Thank you for not kneeing me in the crotch mid-apology. I appreciate it."

He turns to leave. He doesn't have a clue where to go, but the opposite direction from the purple cloud monster seems like a good start.

Maybe he'll survive long enough to come across Mobius. Half of him wants to find the man as soon as possible (perhaps also be complimented on his intelligence and the betterment of his moral condition). The other half hopes that he never sees him again (because brainwashed amnesiac variant or not, Mobius has subjected him to very unpleasant situations designed to psychologically shatter him. Loki is the last person in the universe who would hold someone entirely responsible for actions undertaken after their minds have been tampered with, but still. Just because he understands doesn't mean he can forget.)

As for Sylvie...Loki doesn't want to think about it, but if the TVA is smart, they wouldn't prune her. They wouldn't risk a repeat of whatever had happened on Lamentis-1, and since he is already here...

"Catch."

The improbable sound of Sigyn's voice startles him from his ruminations and without thinking his hand shoots up to intercept the small rectangular object wrapped in plastic and foil before it hits his face.

Loki stares at the granola bar (expiry date 12/12/2075) incredulously and then at Sigyn, walking briskly at his side and keeping pace with his long strides.

"I thought you-"

"You looked hungry."

"Sigyn, I believe this is what the Midgardians call 'giving mixed signals'."

"Look," she sighs, "I've been looking for...someone very dear to me for a very long time. I can't deny I feel some resentment for everyone I meet wearing his face. My baggage isn't an excuse for my rough treatment of you. It was unfair of me, and I apologise."

He blinks, not quite sure what to make of what she's telling him. Sigyn had never been one to mince words, she either said exactly what was on her mind or nothing at all.

That she is being deliberately vague and yet throwing up strong implications with her choice of words means that she does not want to lie but believes the truth is not something that he will be happy to hear.

Well, by now he's had a lot of experience dealing with unpleasant truths. Another one added to the pile is hardly going to hurt.

Sigyn has just started drinking from a battered metal canteen when he voices his suspicions.

"It's Theoric, isn't it?"

She chokes and spits out half of her drink.

"What?!" She wheezes, "What in Ymir's hoary arse gave you that idea?!"

"Didn't you fancy him back in-" Loki grimaces, snapping his fingers as he tries to pinpoint the date in question, "That year when burgundy was all the rage. Burgundy, scandalously low necklines and uncomfortably tight trousers."

"I went on a date with him because he was handsome, he was annoying me and I was young and stupid," she sneers, "He tried to put his hand up my skirts an hour into the picnic so trust me, after that I wanted nothing to do with the louse."

Something a little too much like that old familiar selfish anger bubbles up in his chest.

"He dared," he growls, "He dared to put his hands on you. He should have had his filthy paws struck off at the wrist for the insult to your dignity."

"Eat your granola, don't crush it," Sigyn says calmly, "In any case, I resolved the situation quite easily and without bloodshed."

"Shame," Loki mutters. He takes a bite of the now somewhat crumbly Midgardian snack and wrinkles his nose at the taste. "So how did you handle that son of a bitch?"

"I rendered him impotent for a year. I would have kept it permanent but he came crawling on his hands and knees begging for my forgiveness, swearing on the souls of his ancestors never to trouble me again, vowing to gift me his firstborn as my thrall etcetera etcetera..." she shrugs, "What can I say? I'm soft."

Loki doesn't remember the last time he's laughed this hard.