#mai your are a delight

[arthurs-puppygirl]

UWU ÙWÚ ŪWŪ

[canisalbus]

May I offer a little drawing of your dogs?

.

[skizabaa]

"It's a lovely night in Freddy Fazbear's Mega Pizza-Plex, and you are a horrible goose."

One of the most unique, silly and joyful fics ive read, it's been an instant favorite! Fanart of the lovely Untitled Goose Fic by the wonderful @eyndr-stories!

[ask-enchantingdelights]

how the bakery going for you canela. do you ever get prank called

Canela: It's been..going! It's been a slow day today but we haven't had any prank callers as of right now. We still do occasionally get customer's who like to shake up the day with some 'mischief'.

Canela: I'm told to answer EVERY call that comes through so I've experienced a lot of calls that fit the bill.

[vaguely-concerned]

powerful mental image of lucanis expounding passionately about any given one of his limited but extremely deep areas of interest (the wyvern/knives/coffee/cooking/murder continuum of lucanis dellamorte special interests if you will) while rye lounges around and Beholds him with palpable twink boutta pounce energy

[yokofox6]

@quasar-crew

How to Solve a Murder and Incite a Rebellion lives in my brain rent free but this particular scene has had me in a death grip since chapter 5 was posted

[rabarbarzcukrem]

The eternal opposing relationship between the two sides of a mirror

or: In defense of Shiori

I feel like Shiori is one of the most controversial characters in Utena. Some love her, others despise her. And I don't have a problem with people having strong opinions on her character. What bothers me is the tendency to exaggerate her most negative traits, focus on her most harmful actions, completely ignore any redeeming qualities she might have and then paint her as a one dimensional villainous caricature, a mean straight girl who plays with the lesbian's feelings for the sake of it, without anything deeper going on.

I'm aware of the fact that some people refer to her like that in endearment or in a satirical fashion, and I'm not saying that you can't consider her your favorite problematic evil girl representation. I'm only trying to make people realize that it's her complexity that actually makes her such a compelling character.

I've seen people call Shiori all sorts of names, some of which were baffling enough to make me wonder if they even remembered what happens in the show, and weren't just judging a version of the character that they made up in their head.

So, let's look at the things Shiori actually does, throughout the course of the story.

Disclaimer: I'm only going to take the series into the account here, because I think we can all agree that everyone's characterization and personality differs at least slightly in the movie. Background characters also get a lot less screen time to explain their motivations in order to fully focus on Anthy's journey and struggles, which is understandable.

1. She "steals" the boy from Juri.

This is her biggest crime, which seems to define her from the very beginning. Even though Juri didn't actually have any romantic feelings for him, this action is detrimental to their relationship - it breaks the trio apart, isolates Juri from the pair, is an act of betrayal against her and proves it was done with full awareness that it would hurt Juri emotionally.

Shiori is a deeply insecure person, who constantly feels inadequate and beneath other people. The only reason why Juri seemed to actually like her that Shiori could think of was pity, and even when she found out she was the object of her romantic affection all along, she still struggled to comprehend it. Her self loathing and constant perceived inferiority make her desperate to gain any sort of control over her life and relationships, but they're also the exact reason she feels that the only way she could ever do that is by hurting others. She's always one step below and incapable of crossing that distance, therefore the only way to become equal to people is to bring them down to her level, by humiliation.

When she "steals" the boy from Juri, she achieves that. For a moment, she feels good about herself and leaves Ohtori thinking that she has found the answer, the solution. But she's wrong. From that moment on, it becomes more and more apparent to her that what she did was never out of love for the boy, even though she doesn't let herself acknowledge it fully. Because the truth is, Shiori actually regrets hurting Juri, which she admits herself during her elevator confession.

When the guilt starts getting to her, her confidence high wears off, and she ends up feeling ever worse.

That's why she breaks up with him and comes back. She's not ready to leave yet, not ready to progress. There's still something binding her to Ohtori - Juri, and Shiori's unresolved feelings for her.

2. She tries to set things right with Juri and to fix their relationship.

Even though at this point Shiori still thinks that Juri only ever associated herself with her out of pity, she still makes several attempts to get closer to Juri, who understandably (albeit coldly) turns her down ever time. This is a very clear sign of conflicting feelings Shiori has for Juri - jealousy and admiration, resentment and longing, hate and love. After all, Shiori admits that the two practically grew up together. Their friendship may have always felt fake to Shiori, but she clearly cherished it deeply.

3. The Black Rose Arc.

First of all, we should establish what is the purpose of this arc and how it functions. It explores the motivations of background characters and shows their worst side to the audience. The characters that end up in the elevator are the most unstable, vulnerable ones, with the least power in the system, in unequal and/or exploitive relationships with the duelists and their agency under threat. Mikage offers them a way to gain that power by making them follow their most toxic, negative emotions. And despite all other characters doing exactly that, from what I've seen Shiori is the one that gets the most hate for it. I don't think she should be judged any harsher for what she did under the influence of the black rose than, let's say, Wakaba or Kozue. Especially because the reason all of them ended up in that elevator is because they recognized that these urges were harmful and were seeking help and counseling.

What this arc does do is reveal how Shiori's inferiority complex drives her to act against her own desires. Even though she longs for things to be different, even though she is not happy at all with how her relationship with Juri looks like, she is unable to fix it, because that would require her to consider her own affection for Juri. And she can't do that, because it would mean admitting that she's not stronger than Juri, that she hasn't beaten her, that she's doesn't have control and an advantage over her. Although she tries to keep up this smug, self-assured facade, the reality shines through.

They key to understanding Shiori is noticing that she specifically doesn't want to acknowledge that Juri's feelings are reciprocated, and the obsession is mutual. If you paint their relationship as one sided, you're actually falling for her act.

4. She enters a relationship with Ruka.

Ruka is a handsome (arguable), respected boy who appears out of nowhere and starts showing interest in Shiori. It's obvious that for an insecure girl, who in addition struggles with confusing repressed feelings, this would be something unthinkably wonderful. The affection and praise she gets from him is exactly what her low self-esteem craves. You might be wondering why she didn't perceive Juri's feelings for her in the same way. And a part of the answer might be that, post nameless-boy-incident, Juri was nothing but cold to her. She might have been pining after Shiori from afar, but in the end she's distant and untouchable, and they're divided by their messy past. Meanwhile Ruka is a clean slate, seems openly affectionate, engaged in their relationship and he pays attention to her. But I think the main thing that makes Ruka so different from Juri is the fact that...he's a boy. Because, as Revolutionary Girl Utena establishes, gender plays a crucial role in interpersonal dynamics. Attention from a boy is fundamentally coded as romantic, desirable, necessary and most importantly: increases the girl's worth in society's eyes. It makes one a princess. Meanwhile Juri's advances could only be seen as an invitation to friendship, at best. But Juri's status and beauty make her special, while Shiori is not. Therefore, it can only be pity and mockery.

Of course, Ruka only uses Shiori to influence Juri and dumps her as soon as he achieves his goals. It's true that Shiori could have listened to Juri's warnings, but then again... why should she? From her perspective, Juri's her ex-friend that doesn't want anything to do with her, who only suddenly comes to Shiori when she's finally happy and fulfilled, and encourages her to end it. She doesn't know the wider context of the situation, nor does she remember the Black Rose arc. Juri's warnings don't sound sincere to her.

And so, Ruka gets rid of her in the coldest, most indifferent way, not explaining anything or showing even the slightest sign of compassion. Before that though, he makes an interesting remark, about Shiori putting on an act and polishing somebody else's sword.

Honestly, I don't really know how to interpret it in any other way than Shiori actually having feelings for someone else, despite trying her hardest to conceal it. Are my shipping lenses not allowing me to see any different possibilities? Am I going crazy? I don't know.

Nevertheless, Shiori begs him to stay, devastated. Her life got turned around so suddenly, she found appreciation, status, comfort and stability, and now all that's been taken away from her as abruptly as it was given. It's a public humiliation.

I once heard someone say that this would be the perfect moment for Juri to step in and defend her. And to be honest, although it may be true, I'm not completely sure. It may have been the one display of open care that Shiori needed from her, but it might as well have been interpreted by Shiori as Juri affirming her superiority over her and feeling sorry for her again. We will never know. In my opinion, so much of their relationship is going on in their own heads that the only thing that could ever cause positive progress is communication (which neither of them seem to be a fan of).

Instead, Juri only tries to console her after the fact, when Shiori's at her absolute lowest. In the context of all the assumptions Shiori holds and Juri's previous indifference, it quite understandably comes off as a sneering attempt to gloat.

That's about it. You may have noticed that I've summarized all Shiori's appearances into 4 points, and only one of them includes an instance of Shiori hurting Juri voluntarily, out of her own free will, not influenced by anyone. I'm not saying that she was forced to taunt Juri during the Black Rose Arc, I'm not trying to diminish the suffering she's caused or trying to paint her as a perfectly good person. I am trying to make it clear that she is not some cunning plotter, dedicating every minute of her life to finding ways to make Juri suffer that some people seem to take her for. I am trying to humanize people's perception of her a little bit. Especially considering the fact that last scenes of her include those when she waits for Juri and follows her so that they can go home together, and then joins the fencing club. If this doesn't show that she's capable of change, I don't know what does.

She's not an innocent princess, that's true, but she's not just an egoistical, manipulative liar either. She's a bit of both. After all, if Revolutionary Girl Utena is supposed to teach you anything, then I think it's that we're all just people, and the complexities of human experience make it impossible to fit anyone into a box, assigning them definite labels like "princess" or "witch".

And if you look at a teenage girl who, like all people in Ohtori, struggle under the system of patriarchy and heterosexuality, and all you see is a wicked, sinister witch, then you may have just fallen into the trap that the narrative had set for you.

[ghostinacardboardbox]

CC is one of my new favourite things ever but ill respect your dislike of it far more than i ever will going "I'm not saying you cant criticise the musical but" then express discomfort with people calling out the antisemitism

CC is my least favorite Starkid show ever but I'll respect your appreciation of it far more than I ever will people who go "there's nuance here" in a post that is fully just using polite language to shut down criticism. I genuinely don't know what's so hard about this.

Anyway it's been a Rough Time to be in the Starkid fandom and actually want to complain about things I disliked in a show I was incredibly excited for. Somehow having literally any issues with the show at all means I must be someone who is only here for Hatchetfield and is just trying to bully Starkid back into doing Hatchetfield stuff. Piss on the poor website.

[librarydilf]

i have been very '[takes a slow sip of water] INTERESTING.' about this for weeks now.

[shootingstarpilot]

y'all folks already in 2025 better tell me what the vibes are

[vivitalks]

It's more than just the worn sofa cushions and matching silverware sets. Any asshole can paint their clapboard baby blue and retrofit a gas cooktop into the kitchen, just like any asshole can stash a go bag beneath hardwood floors — having stuff doesn't make a home. Not that Bucky has any way to know that, having always had fewer personal belongings than fingers on both hands. But he suspects that if the Wilson family found themselves transplanted into Bucky's Brooklyn shithole, that dump would become a home quicker than blinking.

post-tfatws family feels with bucky & the wilsons

[an-inky-fingered-lass]

Let Me Speak: A Character Study

(A story of life, love, and hope; of sorrow, struggle, and rebuilding after loss. A story of everything a life can be, and all the ways it matters. A character study of Melinda May, and the parts of her story they didn’t tell.)

. . .

PART ONE

At the age of six years old, Melinda Qiaolian May knew two things:

One—regardless of the cheerful ribbing from her father about children and the things they would understand when they were older, she would not, at any point in her life, enjoy coffee. (This assertion stood the test of time, as it turned out, a fact Melinda maintained with righteous dignity throughout her life).

Two—she was not afraid of heights. 

There were other things she knew, of course, and things she was very much afraid of. But — there are priorities. As she grew older, Melinda liked to keep a count of all the things that didn’t scare her, and practiced leaning into the way those certainties weighed steady on her spine when shadows stretched strangely in the night. 

Continue reading on ao3.

[thebeanestbad]

from a peter enthusiast to another,,, my question would be: why >:) (in a why do you like him way)

for me i loveloveleovllvlevolev his character development. from eg to shadow of the giant he’s so bad at doing things its so endearing,, he’s simultaneously trying his best whilst somehow doing his worst,,, he either thinks he has no idea what he’s doing or he thinks he knows everything when the reality is always the opposite. and he’s funny. he’s the only character that OSC doesn’t take too seriously which makes the Weird Racist/Sexist OSC Opinions that come out of his mouth just that much more bearable

YES you get it omg. Like in Enders game he was an interesting character but not really a lovable character, if you get my drift. But then in the shadow series you get the experience of him slowly becoming the worlds most powerful leader while also being a desperate 20something who just wants his mom to say that she’s proud of him.

At the end of the day, most books in the series are about being Just Some Kid being put into the absolute worst situation of your life. And while EG is the pinnacle of that, Ender always has a bit of a Main Character Polish on him. He’s allowed to fail, he’s allowed to make bad decisions, and he’s allowed to be insecure, but Peter is allowed to be pathetic. Ender fails way beyond the point where most people would break— and to his credit, so does Peter. But while Ender goes semi-comatose in his military officer’s space barracks after being forced to unknowingly commit xenocide, Peter gets depressed after failing to notice that his guest was planning to murder him, and his parents have to drag him out of bed and pour water on him. And then they have to go live in Ender’s space barracks so Peter doesn’t get murdered by the guy he invited into the Hegemony compound (for… some reason).

Also, there’s something very… uniquely 20-something about Peter. He’s in the odd place of being able to choose what he wants to do, and basically be considered an adult, while also having the ever-looming sense of “who the HELL let me be in charge of ANYTHING”. He has a touch of relatability that’s missing from a lot of characters.

In addition to all of that I love to see a cringefail losing.

[deliriousblue]

thoughts on wheel of time season one:

enjoyed it more as the season went on. which is a good direction for it to go in! they did a good job of developing the different characters and i found all the main ones likeable (where so far i'm counting. the five of them plus moiraine and lan? am i forgetting someone obvious?)

speaking of moiraine and lan!! i'll admit i do enjoy a soulbond/can-feel-their-pain trope (and. nynaeve calling him a lapdog. by apophasis but it counts) but even beyond that they care for one another deeply, want to be around one another and protect one another.....and at the same time both of them explicitly have romantic and sexual entanglements with other people despite a major core of the show's narrative being about the relationship between them; i don't tend to see friendship placed at or above romantic love like that very often.

love the costuming: the aes sedai all being very differently styled from one another apart from the bare fact of the color; the flashback to the previous cycle being instantly visually obvious as more like sci-fi than fantasy (and such a good way of making the point about cycles!). i covet nynaeve's green coat desperately.

the gender of it all is. hm. i did know this going in but it’s striking the way it suffuses everything; not just the central conceit of “only women can use magic without being driven insane” but the way that spreads out through everything else. and i mean it’s complicated? it does offer opportunities for lots of different female characters with complex relationships amongst them. at the same time what am i supposed to make of the whitecloaks or of the red ajah and what i’m tempted to gloss as an allegory for....radfem separatism? ("the red ajah never have warders...")

the flashback to the previous cycle with the male aes sedai was interesting contextualization but it also kind of makes the gender aspect weirder for me? in a way i'm not sure is entirely fair. but up until then it's sort of parseable as "some people can use magic safely and others cannot; the fact that these categories appear to exactly match 'women' and 'men' is an accident of fate". but the reveal much more strongly suggests that men and women a) exist as natural categories and b) interact with magic in some way that's fundamentally distinct from one another and passed down through time. i do feel weird about it!

was going to say something about rand’s tradhusband fantasies (which to be clear i don't ultimately find unsympathetic) but then approximately the third sentence in his dream at the eye of the world was about mat being the deadbeat failureuncle who is In This Relationship. okay <3 yay :)

[desceros]

Recently went to the aquarium and thought of the date in symphony. I kept looking to my friend to gush about it because they have also read your work and their husband kept getting in the way of important turtle discussions!!!!! (Jk jk)

anyway love that even in a low tmnt interest point for me rn your work still pops back into my head every now and then. Makes me happy.

the turtles will always be here for you to come home to, anon-chan. something something never forget you are here forever

[thecindercrow]

Pretending to be People is a mystery/horror/comedy actual play podcast using the roleplaying systems of Delta Green and Pulp Cthulhu. Created by a group of best friends with prior experience roleplaying together in this system, it's able to dive right into the action and take off running. And boy howdy, everything sure does happen so much.

Features homebrew stories written by the GM and an original soundtrack created by one of the cast. With a completed season 1, an ongoing season 2, (both of which are separate campaigns) and several 3-4 episode mini-campaigns, there are a lot of options for choosing a spot to stick your feet into the water, so go check it out on their website or wherever you listen to podcasts!