#maybe i should make a book of all the things misunderstood

[ded-inside-anonymous]

When I was a little kid I was fantastic at misunderstanding things. To be fair, I am still great at misunderstanding things. Anyway here is a story of how I thought Killer Whales (Orca Dolphins) had two sets of eyes.

To preface, I believe what I was actually told was, 'killer whales have white eye spots so that predators attack those spots and not their real eyes.'

However, what my mushy child brain took from that is, 'oh my gosh, killer whales have eyes under the white eye spots! If their real eyes get damaged, the white eye spots fall off and then they can use their back up eyes!'

I fully believed this until I was eighteen. The only reason I realized this was not true was because I got halfway through explaining this to someone and thought, 'huh, this is kinda weird, I should probably Google it to fact check myself.'

Anyways welcome to Misunderstandings of Avia's Small Brain.

[no-light-left-on]

hot take but taking every hearsay or rumor or book in a fictional universe for fact is bad understanding of the world as the story presents it, actually

[rose-maidenn]

Pac : what are your hidden talents ?

Heyyy welcome to my reading , take a deep breath and choose a Pile with your intuition take what resonates only . If you liked it and would like book a reading dm me 🫶

Pile 1 :

Your powers are first of all all around you and it's visible to the people around you, however you are blinded to them , you need to pay close attention to what brings you joy and fulfillment , therein lies your true salvation, you have the power to create abundance and I know everyone has that but trust on me that what you have is so rare so special and also so subtle and you yourself are unaware of it ,but in everyday life try to create from what you have and soon you will see your power gleaming . Along with that you have the power to dance at the face of danger you're a calm person and nothing gets to you, if you haven't been that calm trust that with time universe will bless you with calmness that defeats enemies . Apart from that you might be potent in sexual sensual and glamour magic .

Pile 2 :

You have the power to wake up from anything , to let things literally go , a cycle breaker a true incarnation of getting up after a fall . Your energy is misunderstood because how could it be you know life requires necessary sacrifices and you do it , people however don't get it . Your discipline is one of your greatest gifts and your energy of being undefeated . You also maybe good at pranic and energy healing . Also honey always remember that your advise is very worthy and can help so many people so advise people only who deserve you and your energy.

Pile 3:

Your hidden talent is your dark feminine or masculine energy that believes people deserve what they do to others , it's the energy of righteousness and in a way proclaimed and beautiful. You hold the power to give people a taste of their own damn medicine and let them know that you're not one to be messed with you're the light of the night doesn't matter black or bright. You have a very strong crown chakra , you get messages very easily and your interpretation to them is very correct . Keep working on making it stronger. Your concentration powers are also freaking amazing when you desire something you work so hard for it it's like you get obsessed but you make things work . You're the very dedicated artist kind.

Pile 4 :

Your hidden talent is to have a balance between optimism and pessimism , people mostly fail to have that but you do you know when to feel your emotions and when to just let them go . You will be very famous if you can keep your emotions in control . You also have a very good throat chakra so speaking skills is something you should really work on you will be a master of it in no time . You should also know that best ideas come to people when they're spending time in leisure and as much as you stay grounded and give yourself the rest and leisure that you deserve , good ideas will automatically flow to you , you're a medium of divine gods , blessed be youu .

Thank you so much for reading ❤️

[shutupineedtothink]

More ep 7 thoughts, now that I’ve watched it twice and processed 🫠

Bookending the episode with Lilia’s fall but first it’s down and then it’s up - sick, twisted, beautiful, devastating, I’m crying

The soundtrack really goes hard in this ep

The wildest part about the “ex best friend” line is all of those things are equally insane - ex, ex best friend, or best friend. Like ma’am what hex were you living in

Babysitter is likely a reference to the comics, but interesting also in terms of WV because we saw Agatha babysit the twins only once I think. Does this mean she actually spent more time with them than we know?

Wow once again Kathryn Hahn is doing so much work in this first scene with Billy, she’s going from snarky to wary to calculating to hurt to i don’t even know. She’s doing a masterclass in face acting.

When they start to climb toward the castle, Agatha has her hands clasped behind her back and initially I was just like ma’am, why are you like this, but then I realized oh. Her hands are tied right now.

Waning moon for the Crone trial babyyyyyy called it

Fun and fast transition to get us into the trial, since we know the deal by now

She’s based on me you know — sooooo, tragic, misunderstood, secretly suffering her whole life, constantly judged by others, uh huh uh huh

Prove it - he really doesn’t believe a word she says! And she looks so hurt by it!

The way Agatha sits in the chair omg girl please chill

This is such like an Indiana Jones trap I love it

God I love Lilia’s visions, changing the perspective to hers, the blurring around the edges - sometimes you don’t need to do much, but it’s hella effective

Actually a lot of good camera tricks in this ep I’m not going to point them all out

It’s about limiting beliefs baybeee - once again the writers showing they know their psych

I’m sorry that tea leaves to the underground transition??? Spectacular

“Well tell me what more I should see when I look at you. No, I mean it” - hey nonviolent communication, how’s it going 🤌

God can you imagine how scary it would be to have these visions as a CHILD

Did you not see imminent impalement in your future?? Lol why did this get me

I get the fake nose on Agatha but idk maybe I could’ve done without it

Teenager his full name LOLOL underrated joke

Dory OMGGGGG

Jen being the ultimate Lilia champion this ep and I love it. Also seems to contradict her behavior even more in Agatha’s trial, but she’s still more snappy with Agatha here too

What are you wearing, I don’t wanna talk about it - bruh every line. EVERY LINE.

Did I mention the transitions are killer

Your task is not to control but to see. - I, I can’t keep writing down every line but

I love that as soon as Jen knows what’s going on, she’s totally on board, just asking Lilia for intel, like yep this is normal now

Ahhh the spell book. Interesting that Lilia finds it.

Ohp - I wish Lilia was here. Ask and you shall receive - see the Billy’s Road theory

She calls him baby again 😭

Is snappy dialogue one of my biggest joys on this earth? I think it is

Proper tarot takes time and care. And leads to large gaping wounds - …. You mean like internal wounds? Like trauma? Like you have to bring up the trauma to heal it? Uh huh uh huh cool cool cool cool you said it Agatha not me.

The Magician, the ability to turn all of your goals into reality - Agatha immediately side eyes him. Bruh.

I’m a forgotten woman. Then remember yourself. 🤌🤌🤌

I was falling. I will fall. - CAMERA. MOVEMENT.

What will you do with your remaining time 🤝 all we can do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us. Iykyk.

The subway baybeee get that House of R theory

God this tarot spread scene is so epic.

Ok Jen being the path ahead… I gotta come back to that

Agatha is the obstacle yep that makes sense (but the obstacle is the way)

Windfall - Billy, miraculous transformation uh yep ok

Destination - Death. Such a good reveal, even if I already knew it. Once again the power of good writing. In the end all roads lead to me. UGH WTF

NOT THE GREEN VINES SPELLING A BIG OL “R” WHEN THE DOORS OPEN

The original green witch…. Ok so she is in the coven… but also Billy’s in the coven? It’s a shared black heart? Or it means you can go one direction or the other… hm.

Ughghghghhh her just giving them each what they need before she sends them onward. She’s the GOAT.

Did I mention the music????

This whole scene is so EPIC. The tower upright fuck it up queen

Oh my God Lilia took her power back 😭

We didn’t see a body unlike Alice I’m holding onto that “see you at the end” lyric with all my might at this point

Time in a bottle was sick and twisted and beautiful I love it

I just… can’t believe this is something I got to witness. Like it’s so good I’m mad about it.

A few other quick thoughts:

Jen being the path ahead… if she was birth in the first trial (see my maiden mother crone trial theory), then maybe she’s also REbirth? It’s a circle sewn with fate… we’re going back to the beginning but emerging from the Road this time. Eh??

Patti…. PATTI!! Where’s her Emmy? Where’s the show’s Emmy???

Not only was this a better time travel plot than the rest of Marvel as I said in another post but it’s also better than time travel in Doctor Who for the last 10 years and that pisses me off low key.

Not to jump ahead but buckle up kids cuz if we’re following the loose structure of WandaVision then ep 8 is our flashback/reliving the trauma episode for Agatha and as much as I was destroyed by this ep I am so not ready for all of that.

Anyway. What a masterpiece. I’m DONE.

[f6bron]

sequoia.

pairing : iso x gn!reader

notes : mutual pining ? i’ll let the audience decide , might be ooc since i wrote this based on all of his available voicelines so far ( . — . )

The echoing clang of bullets hitting metal targets reverberated through the shooting range as you took aim alongside Iso, the new recruit to the Valorant Protocol. You’d been itching to get to know him better, and what better way to break the ice then some target practice?

“Clean shot! I should let Chamber know he has a rival now.”

Iso shrugged and chuckled, as an acknowledgement to your compliment.

“So, Iso… I heard you isolate your enemy into that domain of yours? Interesting…” you remarked, keeping your eyes trained on the target as you shot a bullet straight to the head.

Iso nodded shyly, his fingers still gripping the handle of his pistol. 

“Y-yeah… Just my way to secure a 1v1 duel…”

Oh, what the hell am I saying, Iso thought, mentally facepalming at his awkward response. He felt silly for acting awkward in front of you. To be honest, he finds you really, really beautiful. Maybe that’s the reason.

But to his surprise, you merely gave him a soft smile. 

“That is sooo freaking cool ~! Can you bring me there someday?” you asked, your tone playful and light.

Iso was surprised, his eyebrows knitting together. 

“Why would I bring you there? I don’t think having a gun duel with an ally there is a good idea–”

You giggled, which interrupted his words. “Not in a gun duel, silly. I just wanna know what it looks like in the dimension.”

Warmth crept onto Iso’s face, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment at having misunderstood your context. “O-oh… Yeah, sure. I hang out a lot there even though there’s nothing much… Mostly when I need alone time to read my books or… listen to music.”

“And, having company once in a while would be nice.” He smiled, his eyes glanced at you.

“Mhmm, then I’ll be waiting ~” you replied, your curiosity piqued. You adjusted your stance, firing a few more rounds with precise accuracy.

“Oh ! Talking about music,” you continued, gesturing to the earbuds that Iso always had whenever you saw him. “I always see you got your earbuds on all the time. I assume you’re a music enthusiast, yes?”

Iso nodded, his fingers fumbling with the gun’s magazine as he exchanged it. “It helps me to stay relaxed and focused. Music has this way of grounding me, you know?”

You smiled, appreciating his honesty. “That makes sense. What kind of music do you listen to then?”

As Iso put his pistol down, he began to list off his favourite genres and artists. You noticed the way his purple-coloured eyes lightened up. You were surprised by the variety of his tastes, from classical compositions to high-energy EDM tracks. Your conversation flowed seamlessly, as Iso continued geeking over his profound hyperfixation.

“So, do you have a favourite song?” you asked, genuinely interested.

Iso took a moment to think before answering. He has so many favourites, heck, he could create millions of playlist when he thought of it. Then, a song came to his mind, “There’s this one song that I find myself going back to quite often. It’s called ‘Helena’ by My Chemical Romance.

The name caught your attention, “Wait ! I know that song ! What’s the worst that I can say ~”

Iso chuckled, he continued singing along, “Things are better if I stay ~”

“So long and goodnight, so long and goodnight.”

Both of you started giggling, which lightened up the mood surrounding the both of you.

Iso started to fiddle with his gloved fingers, his expression softening. “To me, that song carries a powerful and cathartic expression of one’s emotions surrounding the loss of a loved one, so it has become one of my favourites.”

You were touched by his description and decided to make a mental note to listen to the song again later. As you both finished up with the training at the shooting range, you couldn’t help but feel a connection forming between you and Iso. He’s slowly getting along with you, no longer the quiet and reserved recruit. 

Someone you could genuinely relate to.

As the both of you left the shooting range, the two of you talked and laughed, not just about combat training but about music, books and everything in between. His giggles caught your attention, the way he would bring up his hand to stifle his laughs. 

Goddamn, he’s cute.

You didn’t expect the training you had with him could be the perfect time to bring you both closer. You couldn’t wait to explore Iso’s unique dimension with him, discovering not just his hidden talents but the beauty of the world he had specifically created for himself.

“So, about that dimension visit,” you teased, “When can we make that happen?”

Iso grinned, the embarrassment from earlier dissipating. “Whenever you’re ready. I’d be happy to show you around the place.”

“Can we make that a promise?”

“Yeah, promise.”

(A/N): my love for iso is growing… he’s so cutie patootie… do u get me…

masterlist.

[yup-thats-me]

—memories• William J. Moriarty

paring: William x wife!reader summary: Hair holds memories. Something that William had said in the past. did it mean anything to his darling wife? yes. more than he could imagine. warning: hurt/comfort, manga spoiler, angsty, rapunzle-hair, like lots and lots of hair. a/n: this came to mind while doing my haircare. Enjoy.

The first thing William had looked for immediately after entering the mansion and sharing brief greetings with his dear brothers and comrades was to ask them about his wife. During his time in New York with his now close friends Billy and Sherlock Holmes for the better half of three years, he had never forgotten the treasure he left behind in London; the treasure he was forced to part from—his darling wife, Y/n; she had stayed by his side when the world had mistaken him, misunderstood all the crimes he patriotically committed; measures needed for the greater good.

Not once could he stop his tears nor the hurt that crushed his entire being when he thought how miserable Y/n was. After all, everyone believed Lord of Crime, William James Moriarty was dead.

He did not expect to see the heads of all the people in the hall droop. Some of them had sighed, and some of them could not meet his eyes.

“Where is my wife?” he had asked again, growing impatient. He had frankly believed that Y/n would have moved on by now and perhaps jumped in his embrace the moment he revealed himself to the MI6. He was more worried than disappointed.

It was Louis who spoke up. “She’s in her—your room…” but he did not finish the sentence.

And William did not need him to. Without wasting another second, he rushed up the stairs through the all familiar halls; his feet did not stop, not until he was standing outside of their room; and the scene before him broke his heart to a million pieces.

The moonlight dimly illuminated the room, as if adding life to the atmosphere. There were no sound save one—the soft humming coming from the open balcony.

William had carefully treaded his way to where Y/n was sitting with her back towards the door.. However, his feet stepped on something dark, long. Hair.

Was this Y/n’s hair? How did this get so long? Was this some kind of rope? Why would she grow out her hair? Unless…

“I like your hair, my love,” a youthful and lively Moriarty declared as he played with his wife’s lose hair. The woman blushed, hiding her face with the book she was reading.

“…then should I grow out my hair?”

The man shook his head, a loving smile on his lips. “Whatever you wish, darling,” he had pecked her lips. “Speaking of hair, I read somewhere,”

“Hair holds memories.”

The present-day Y/n asked her hair as she combed it without a care in the world. “Do you think he had a rebirth? No. Maybe he went to heaven…if it exists. He was a good man…”

William’s heart ached. Ached he could do nothing to make up for the pain he inflicted on her. Ached for he had no words to apologize with, nor the face. All he could do was call out to her, in a soft, trembling voice.

“Y/n, darling…”

 Y/n had stopped her humming and looked out at the night sky before her. “William?”

She thought she had finally lost her mind. How could you hear voices of dead people? That was nothing but her imagination. Imagination where William lived…and was before her.  

“Darling,” William called out again, now walking towards the woman.

Y/n stood up, frantically looking all around her to search for the source of the voice, when her eyes finally landed on him. There he was, standing with his arms wide open for her; like he always had.

She cautiously walked towards him, as if still making sure she was not daydreaming again. “Are you really here?” She had asked while she gently caressed his face.

Without a word, William had embraced her and held her close. So close but still not enough. It was not enough for the two. They needed more than touch, more than words. They needed more.  

Eventually, the two could not hold back anymore and cried. Cried for the hurt they felt, the hardships they went through, and the pain they suffered; but also for the immense joy they felt. Especially Y/n. How many people in this world could say they met the person they had lost to time? It was no less than a miracle. And this time she would not let go, even if the gods came asking for him.

But all of that could wait. William gently held her meter-long hair and asked, “…why?”

She had kept quiet for sometime when she at last said “…hair holds memories.”

The tears did not stop, rather they increased but William still had that gentle smile on his lips. He hugged her yet again. Slowly, he grabbed the small knife he always hid in his socks and began to cut the thick hair gently, while whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

“Now I’m here. We will make more.”

Memories.

do not steal, copy or translate my work to any other site. All belongs to yup-thats-me™ on tumblr

[determinate-negation]

I’m being 100% genuine here. And I’m not the same anon from before:

I guess the question is then how macro can we get before the idea transitions into being “American culture”? Like, even saying a “black” culture exists is combining lots of disparate groups from Chicago to New Orleans to LA with very different cultures, of course, but I think you would support the existence of categories like “black American” culture, right? Unless I’ve misunderstood you. So, clearly we can take very distinct cultures and create a broader idea regardless of the way colonialism fractures cultures. So can we posit a larger, say, “southern American” culture? Or maybe smaller, a Texas culture? Which is cross racial? Or is race a crucial element here? Is it purely the identification with the nation/national that is problematic here, and anything smaller than that is fine? Because I’m not 100% sure I’d buy that, but I’m trying to think about these lines.

if the main thing unifying these disparate cultures is a shared history of oppression and forced incorporation into the american project, why should identification with the american project or american national identity be seen as a positive, or neutral thing. all types of national identity are built upon what people imagine to be the national body. thats a really political thing and ultimately i dont think its a good thing to recuperate american identity. and as ive said a lot of oppressed people have always rejected being incorporated into what it means to be american. anyways benedict andersons book imagined communities is a good overview of nationalism, and i just think that american nationalism or identity in a positive sense is a dead end and just makes people support imperialism

[lilithofpenandbook]

In Snape's memories in DH, one line that's stuck with me is 'Perhaps we Sort too soon'. It's clear Dumbledore's implying Snape isn't truly a Slytherin, despite being Sorted there. Maybe he's saying that when Snape was a first year, he might have shown Slytherin tendencies, but Dumbledore thinks that if he hadn't been put there, if he'd grown a little and had become a little more stable, the Hat would have put Snape elsewhere.

And here's the thing: students can influence the Hat. What's most likely is that Snape asked to be put in Slytherin, and the Hat agreed. But maybe if he'd been given more time to adjust, he wouldn't have made that request because he could have seen all four houses. And honestly, I see that moment, when Snape got put in Slytherin as the moment he was doomed. Lucius Malfoy was the person to welcome him, and I doubt that he's in any way a good influence. The other Slytherins were definetely not a good influence, and Slughorn probably wouldn't have even noticed what's happening to the smaller, weaker slytherins. By Snape going there, in his state, he's just been doomed to make every wrong choice and end up the way he did.

Either way, the idea that Snape isnt a true Slytherin just interests me, and so I was thinking which house Dumbledore thinks he should have been. Part of me thought maybe Gryfindor, considering Dumbledore had called him brave just before that. But Snape doesn't really seem like a Gryfindor to me. Actually, he seems to be more of a Ravenclaw, really. He likes strange subjects that most people misunderstand- just like how they misunderstood his interest in the dark arts, most people misunderstand Luna Lovegood later on. He's intelligent, a trait always accosiated with Ravenclaws. He's cunning, yes, but he's just intelligent in general. Heck, he basically rewrote his potions books (I doubt he only did it in that single text book), and invented spells, and I dont think any other character did so. Ravenclaw would have fit.

Well, I was nosing around the offical site's articles, and I found one on how people could have been missorted and who. And Snape was one of them. And I'm just gonna show the paragraph

Hufflepuff. The one house I was sure he didn't fit in, and yet... it's not wrong. Snape's primary motivation is love. And it always has been. He's the way he is because he was completely unloved. He took a definite dive down a darker path because he lost love. Calling Lily a mudblood killed their friendship, and that's his worst memory, not nearly being murdered, his worst memory is on love he destroyed. It's love that led him to betray Voldemort, to leave the group where he was respected and feared and return to the place where he had some of the worse memories of his life, surrounded by the adults who were not there when they should have been. His loyalty and love for Lily led him down that path. His loyalty to Dumbledore is what let him kill Dumbledore even though he knew he was gonna lose everything he'd gained. And his loyalty to Harry is what made him so furious when Dumbledore wanted Harry to die.

Ultimately, ironically one of the most hateful people in Hogwarts is actually ruled by his loyalty and love. And so now I'm starting to think maybe he actually was always a Hufflepuff. Maybe, he was always supposed to be kind and helpful, but instead the universe decided to break Severus Snape and make him the way he is. The kid who got Sorted into Slytherin wasn't whole, wasn't okay. Slytherin just doomed him on that first day.

Just changing that one detail could have saved everyone.

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Feel the need to push back on a couple of things.

New Orleans (even post-Katrina) is not a "third world country." Also, the preferred nomenclature is "developing country" or "global south." But NOLA doesn't qualify, no matter what term one uses.

"Succession by popular vote instead of by hereditary primogeniture." -- even Harry's not that stupid. What Harry means by "modernizing" is to split the Duchy of Cornwall and then Lancaster, and for him to get all the perks - security, grace and favour home, staff, etc - without having to read the red boxes or meet the PM weekly or be sent somewhere he doesn't want to go. What Meghan means by it is what she's still trying to do: let me use my title to get fame, freebies, and financial remuneration, without having to live in the UK or do any work.

Lastly, I don't want to denigrate Earthshot or Homewards but as I understand the projects (and maybe I'm misunderstanding) their impacts won't be measurable for a while either. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I have no objections to the Homewards project (as I understand it) and my sole - but fierce - objection to Earthshot is the galas. (I don't care if that's how most non-profits make money, it's the wrong move for an environmental org.)

Thanks for this. A few things.

You misunderstood what I meant by post-Katrina New Orleans. I wasn't talking about post-Katrina today or post-Katrina 2010s. I meant immediately post-Katrina, as in September 1, 2005 post-Katrina. New Orleans, and especially the Lower 9th Ward, was left in really horrific conditions that absolutely were reminiscent of developing nations. Celebrities with no connections to New Orleans (like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) flocked there for years to do charity work and many of them used their New Orleans-based humanitarian aid efforts for self-promotion. I should have been clearer about that.

And by the way, while today most of New Orleans has largely recovered from the effects of Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, there are still parts of it - especially in the Lower 9th Ward - still dealing with the impact, long after the rest of the city and the rest of the world moved on. For example, it took 10 years for residents to get a single grocery store after the storms. Many residents are still tied up in financial problems from storm damage, insurance, and rebuilding. And there are buildings condemned from the storms still standing, still with FEMA search and rescue symbols on them, still with mold and personal belongings and flood damage in them, and there's reasonable belief that some missing/unaccounted-for people from the storm may still be in those abandoned structures. (And also let's not forget the ethical and moral issues being debated still today.)

If you still don't believe how horrific post-Katrina was or that a city in the US could feel so abandoned that it paralleled developing countries, I encourage you to read memoirs or listen to stories from Katrina survivors and New Orleans residents about what it was like after the storms. (This book is hard to read, but it's worth it. There's an Apple series made if you'd rather watch it instead.)

To your third point about Earthshot projects not having results yet, nope. The Earthshot projects may not have global results yet or large-scale results, but they do already have results, even if small. Because Earthshot isn't funding brand new initiatives - Earthshot is funding small, proven, existing projects and awarding the winners grants to scale up their operations. It's right there on the website:

"Proven prototypes" and "signs of success" means that the projects must have outcomes and results to report in their applications. They can be small datasets, but they're still datasets, outcomes, and results that Earthshot winners are able to compare their grant-funded work against to measure the effectiveness of those grants.

Further, Earthshot's Roadmap, which describes how they evaluate nominations to determine finalists and winners, has specific requirements for nominees to demonstrate actual impact of their work:

So, yes, Earthshot projects are able to deliverable measurable results quickly. And we know they're delivering measurable results immediately because Earthshot and William are promoting it. That's the whole point of those "come see what Earthshot winners are doing" videos on social media and engagements - it's to show how the companies are using their prize grants to deliver on the metrics they were required to support in their nominations.

[gojosrighteyebrow69]

The Deal

Bully!Gojo Satoru × Fem!Reader

SMUT 18+ (1.7k)

Where you find yourself making a special deal with your bully

🔞NSFW🔞 kissing, oral f!receiving, vaginal fingering, protected sex

"Where are you running off to princess?"

Here he is again, Gojo Satoru. The golden boy of your college. Tall and muscular guy with his ego in the clouds. He has been tormenting you since the start of college, and now you're in the last year.

"What do you want?" You don't even bother looking at him and just arrange your books in your locker.

"It's always a pleasure to see you too princess, Miss me much? " Gojo says in a cocky tone which makes your blood boil.

"Oh shut up, and stop stalking me for once" You reply while closing your locker and finally facing him. He had a smug grin which you just wanted to slap off his face.

"I'm not stalking you princess, I'm just observing you." He says and leans against the locker, his large frame blocking your path.

"Well then stop observing me, I'm not some science experiment. Go and bother the girls who actually give a shit about you" You say while crossing your arms and staring right at him.

"You know... if you let me fuck you just once, maybe I'll stop making fun of you."

Did he really say that? Did he really had the audacity to say that?

"I'm sorry what?" Your eyes were widen in shock still comprehending what you just heard. Did the guy who did nothing but bully you all these years said he wants to fuck you?

"You heard me princess, Let's fuck" He says nonchalantly.

"Are you out of your mind or something? Why would I wanna fuck you?" You had no idea what happened to him all of the sudden. Yesterday he was making fun of you and now all of the sudden he wants to sleep with you?

"Because it's the last year of college and you're still a virgin, princess. Oh and I also overheard you fucking yourself with that dildo of yours last night. I can tell it's not doing much for you" Gojo says with a smirk.

You were speechless. "Excuse me? That's none of your business! And how the hell do you even know about my personal stuff?!?"

"The walls of the dorm are pretty thin you know? And I also remember your friend giving you a dildo on your birthday, so I figured it out. Anyways I think I can do much better than that piece of silicone" The white haired man says smugly.

"And why the hell should I give away my virginity to you of all people?" You look at him while frowning.

"Because" Gojo says, his voice low and seductive now. "I promise it would feel much better when it's done by someone who knows what they're doing." He smirks, knowing he has you hooked.

You could feel your cheeks heating up. This bastard.

"But we hate eachother, why do you wanna fuck me? What would you get in return?" You knew that Gojo Satoru would never do anything unless he gets something in return.

"Oh princess, I don't hate you" Gojo says, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I just wanna help you loose your virginity, or maybe I just wanna fuck that attitude outta you. You never know"

"So you just wanna fuck me because you have some fetish for virgins?" You remember how some of your classmates used to say that Gojo would sleep with you and disappear the next moment.

"You misunderstood, princess" Gojo says, leaning down so your faces are inches apart. "I don't just want to fuck you. I want to make you mine. And trust me, once I've had a taste of you, there won't be anyone else who can compare."

"How many girls have you said the same thing to?" You knew Gojo was the typical playboy, He finds a girl to fuck, and then leaves her the next second.

"The fact that you doubt me only fuels my determination," Gojo says, his smirk growing wider. "But to answer your question, none of them were as stubbornly resistant as you."

"I wanna loose my virginity to someone who actually cares, not some playboy who just wanna fuck me for fun" You wanted to resist him so bad, but the way his blue eyes were piercing into yours was making it a lot difficult.

"You're wrong" Gojo insists, stepping closer. "I promise you, I care more about making you mine than just another conquest." His voice lowers, filled with an intensity that makes your heart race "Give me a chance to prove it."

You knew this was wrong. He was your bully, the man you hated all throughout you college. But he was also the man you had a secret crush on. When the most handsome guy of all college comes up to you and offers to take away your virginity, what are you supposed to do?

"Fine. 9pm, my dorm. Don't forget to bring condoms"

"I'll be there," Gojo promises, his gaze lingering on your backside as you walk away. He couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and satisfaction at their arrangement. Tonight was going to be incredible.

As the clock struck nine, Gojo found himself standing outside the designated dorm room. His heart raced with anticipation as he knocked on the door. He'd spent the entire day thinking about this moment, wondering how you would look the moment he claims you.

"You look beautiful" Gojo says as you open the door and let him in.

"Just to be clear, I don't like you or anything. I'm just doing this because I want to loose my virginity before college ends. Understood?" You lie effortlessly. You didn't want to fuel his ego by letting him know about your feelings.

"Yes ma'am" Gojo said, his voice even. "And I promise you won't regret this." He winks

"Did you bring the condoms?" You sit back on the bed and look upto his tall figure.

"Yes, I did" Gojo confirm, pulling them out of his pocket and placing them on the bedside table.

"Let's start by some kissing first princess" Gojo says softly, leaning down to capture yout lips in a slow, deep kiss. His hands begin to roam around your body, tracing every curve.

You find yourself kissing him back and giving into the the situation.

As the kiss deepens, Gojo's hands slide up your dress, feeling the smooth skin of your thighs and stomach. "You're so fucking beautiful"

Gojo moans into the kiss, his desire for you growing stronger by the second. His hands continue their exploration, finally reaching the hem of your dress and sliding it upwards, revealing your perfect body to him for the first time.

As your bodies continue to press together, his hands slide up your thighs and to the edge of your panties, slipping them down. He groans into the kiss as he finally gets a look at what he's been dreaming about for so long.

He starts to tease your folds with his slender fingers while he effortlessly unhooks your bra with one hand. He leans down and licks each of your nipples, flicking them with his tongue and sucking.

He starts to rub your clit while sucking your nipples in his mouth. You can't help but moan at the overwhelming situation.

"Wanna taste you so bad princess" He gazes down over your wet folds, his desire for you reaching its peak, Gojo finally positions himself between your legs. He kisses along your inner thighs, teasing your sensitive skin before finally claiming you with his mouth.

The sensation sent a jolt of electricity throughout your body making you moan his name. "Gojo!"

"Satoru, It's Satoru princess" He sucks and licks your clit, using his tongue to tease your sensitive bud. As he continues, he starts to slide two fingers inside of you, stretching and filling you.

"S-Satoru! a-ah fuck!" Your back arches off the bed as you start to feel a knot tighten in your stomach

Feeling your body react so powerfully to his touch, Gojo increases the intensity of his actions. His fingers thrust deeper inside you while he sucks harder on your clit, seeking to bring you to the peak of pleasure.

"S-Shit Satoru gonna c-cum!" You grip tightly on his hair while your thighs squeeze his head under them.

"Cum for me baby, cum hard," Gojo growls as he continues to lap at your clit, his other hand sliding down to rub your sensitive G-spot.

Youd cries of pleasure fill the room as you finally experiences the most intense orgasm of your life.

He wastes no time to get in position and align his throbbing cock with your entrance and quickly rolls on the condom "Ready for my cock now princess?"

You nod and hook your arms around his neck for support. You couldn't believe this was happening as you looked deep into his eyes. He leans down to capture your lips in a deep kiss and slowly thrusts himself inside. You could feel your walls burning due to his size. "Shit you're so tight baby"

"It'll hurt a bit but it'll be fine princess" He starts to kiss and lick all over your neck while slowly moving his cock inside.

You find yourself adjusting to his size as he increased his pace.

Feeling your tightness around him, Gojo starts to move faster, his hips slamming against yours in a primal rhythm. He leans down, capturing your lips again as he takes you harder.

Your passionate kisses mingle with Your ragged breaths as you both lose themselves in the intense pleasure of the lovemaking. Gojo's eyes roll back into his head, feeling your body clench around him—your orgasm triggering his own.

As he feels your walls pulsing around him, Gojo's muscles tense and he releases his seed, filling the condom to the brim.

He pulls out and throws away the condom and kisses you softly, laying down by your side. "You were so good princess"

'He'll be gone by the morning' You remember your classmates who slept with him previously telling you. 'He never stays the night, he fucks and he leaves' You remember another girl telling you.

Yet you find him sleeping next to you, his face buried in your breasts as the morning sun shines through the window.

A/N- I hope you guys enjoyed it. And thankyou for reading

[blueberrypancakesworld]

Fantasies, Reality and Desire

Michael Gavey x fem!reader

warning : masturbation (m), drugs/alcohol, obsession, stalking, no use of Y/n, Michael is a creep (kind of incel but not really)

Summary : Fantasies of a fellow student he couldn't get rid of and didn't want to, the reality that he's a loser and she's one of the richest you can be and the desire he desired her but did she desire him? In the end, what was the truth that Michael saw and what was the bitter reality?

Info : After a long time something for Michael the sweet even if I initially had something shorter in mind it came here to much fun reading ;)

cover from me

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Fantasies can be many things Fantasies that you will graduate with an impeccable grade point average and perhaps be the best in your class. Fantasies can be about the future, a good job with lots of money, maybe lots of friends…but most of all, fantasies can make you see the world as more beautiful than it actually is.

Above all, fantasies were also there for when thoughts, stress and life become too much. If you were a loser, a misunderstood genius who was the best at maths in any subject and outperformed even the professor who was teaching him at the time.

The bespectacled man whose blue-green eyes looked at the maths book on the desk in front of him knew that most of his ‘students' minds were not on him, he knew he was wasting his time on these stupid ones but it was just too tempting, at least in his mind, to be above them when he was teaching them and could give each one a bad mark in turn because they didn't get it anyway.

But when he looked up again, he saw her, the girl of his fantasies, the fellow classmate who always looked at him and smiled at him.

She wanted to tell him something like, I'm watching you, please go on for me Michael he could almost hear her voice and he always smiled back a slight almost mischievous nervous smile and pushed up his glasses.

He always gave her a better grade he studied her handwriting felt the paper between his hands and from the way she smiled cutely, her pretty eyes looking at him and her elegant handwriting she was everything to him in this class.

Above all, he remembered a moment it was the week before the first important exams everyone was still trying to get into his head, cheat or bribe but his angel came to him.

She came to him after class and sat down on his table, her gaze showing no disgust and he felt himself cringe when her body was so close. He had always just watched her or seen her and had only ever met her by chance at parties, in the bar or in the library.

She had always been nice to him. Once she had even ordered him a shot that night in the bar and he had wanted to thank her for everything, but in reality he had only managed a stuttered, ,,T-Thank you".

But when she sat in front of him, her skirt pushed up even higher and the black fabric of her knee-high socks clung to her soft thighs, the tasks he was supposed to go through with her seemed completely uninteresting.

It was the day of the afternoon that had burnt itself into his brain when he first felt her against him, her ,,Thank you Michael, you're the best" made him blush and he froze when he suddenly felt her arms around him.

The sweet earthy smell of her perfume that he knew embarrassingly stood in his nightcap he knew exactly what he was doing was wrong that he was truly a loser who had a chance in his imagination.

But this fantasy that she liked him mingled with the reality of feeling her body on him for a moment only to stand there like a pathetic outsider, almost unworthy of her but she was everything.

,,You should come to my party this Saturday to relax after the exam," these words were still echoing in his head as he made his way back to his room in the late afternoon, having thought about going to the party all week. Oliver wouldn't be there, it was the first weekend of the holidays and it was the party before everyone went back to their homes.

Whereas home was more of a millionaire mansion and Michael was studying here as usual and looking around the city a bit…maybe he would finally dare to go to the red districts…maybe it was better to face the reality that he would never lose his virginity to his dream girl.

My angel…she doesn't pay me any attention when I pretend and yet…she's just so kind he thought to himself and had to think back to the moment of the hug he knew in reality it was just a gesture but his emotions, his fantasies, this hope in his sick heart, his mind that wouldn't let him rest twisted everything.

Every look was for him, the smile was for him when she crossed her legs a moment too long and he could only catch a glimpse of her underwear but it was for him, the hug as her breasts pressed against his torso.

It was the same thoughts that haunted him when he saw her on his bed, the tingling in his groin increasing as he closed the door and drew the curtains, almost paranoid, but this fantasy mixed with the reality that he was kinky and his desire for her made him want to do his thing in secret.

His room almost became a place of shame, she would come here and smell her perfume, see her lost top after swimming in his drawer next to the photos. Photos he had taken since the first day, photos in all positions and photos that were on his mobile phone, photos that he had pulled from his laptop.

Videos he had taken with his own laptop camera, it was easy for a genius like him to hack them. Another disgusting thing and yet what could he do? when he had lost himself to her with everything.

His fantasies were with her, his harsh reality was with her and his desire was for her. Was it his fault if he desired her when she smiled at him so kindly and was so pretty that it came to such a thing again?

He had to reach for those pervy recordings, his glasses slipped down slightly and it only took his own shame to feel the tug in his groin and the tightness of his boxers as his body began to react to the video faster than he would have liked.

It was harmless, just showing her coming back in the evening he looked at her unifomr again and went to her thighs and wished he could cuddle her in front of him and just wanted to touch her.

,,You must be so soft," he murmured, feeling himself swallow hard, his hand moving over his centre a few times, stroking his hardness lightly, and he shuddered, imagining his imagination showing him slowly removing her clothes.

The buttons of her shirt which sometimes showed him her bra through the bright white, how the dark fabric of her bra hid her breasts and on cold days he could see how she tried to cover her slightly hard nipples with her arms.

,,Wonderful," he whispered as he saw her slip the shirt off and his fingers wander over her torso, grazing her soft smooth skin and kissing any birthmarks, scars and stretch marks if she would let him.

She was a goddess, her body was everything and he would give anything to disappear between her thighs, to put his lips on hers and finally have her listen to him, a muffled moan escaping him as his thumb ran over the tip of his thigh, a twitch going through his hips and he wanted more of the pleasure.

He got out of his trousers and underwear, unbuttoned his red shirt as the room slowly became too warm and his glasses slipped slightly as he lay down on his bed, his eyes showing remorse as he reached for his bedside cabinet.

,,If only I were with you,’ he murmured, looking up from the video that was still playing and she had taken off her bra by now, he let out a pathetic whimper as his movements quickened and he saw her breasts in the dimmed light and felt the urge to touch them.

Letting his fingers massage the soft flesh Are you sensitive? Threw me for sure he thought to himself the hint of a smile which was followed by another grunt and moan as his fingers ran over the sensitive tip again he turned on his side and held the phone closer in front of him.

Watching her elegant fingers run over her body, looking at her breasts, he saw her say something he wished she wanted him to say, but that wasn't the reality.

Running his tongue over his dry lips he wished he could kiss her, taste her as she slipped out of her skirt and he saw the light-coloured panties with the lace he also knew.

When she played tennis in sports with her friends, he was always there at the window with a camera, behind a wall with binoculars, or on the court with his tasks and his eyes.

He took in everything he got from her and the image that presented itself to him, his hips moving rhythmically towards his hand. He knew the video would only go on for a few minutes while he looked at her body and she would change her clothes, but it was also a moment worth savouring.

Another twitch of his cock as she sat down on the bed and he could almost look at her centre, if only the fabric hadn't blown...if he hadn't been such a disgusting pervert it wouldn't make him so lustful.

So he gripped the mobile phone even tighter, held the top he had taken sprayed with perfume to his nose and greedily took in her scent, closed his eyes, gave in to his desire and groaned into the garment a few moments later, spilling himself into his hand.

Giving his high a moment before he turned on his back, breathing heavily he put her top aside and adjusted himself into a sitting position before reaching for the tissue box and cleaning himself adjusting his glasses and picking up new clothes with a sigh of satisfaction and shame.

He had done it again, had given in to his fantasies again, had taken her and made her his again, had touched her body and inhaled her scent like a lecher.

His slightly sticky hand rebuffed him, it wasn't hers, it wasn't her who had fondled him, he hadn't come inside her, he couldn't put his lips on her body...it was all just his disgusting fantasy. Fantasy is not reality he thought and threw the tissue into the garbage can with the others before looking at the clock and seeing that the party was starting.

But he felt the desire inside him that he should have just satisfied telling him to go there, that he could see her, dancing, drunk, maybe she would need help, maybe she would lean on him, maybe he would feel her body against his.

Michael Gavey knew he had fantasies, obsessive fantasies, he knew the reality was sad and scary but he knew his desire was stronger and he would go out with the camera, his cell phone and a pair of gloves if he accidentally let something go because in the end he was just the weird math nerd Michael Gavey to her and not her stalker since she started at Oxford University.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@sapphirespiders , @aemondslove , @ateliefloresdaprimavera , @moonygirlsworld , @liannafae , @

[matherofdragons]

Guys Alicent totally misunderstood, if she knew if it was about Aegon the Conqueror she would have asked for Rhaenyra to be the queen! See, see it's all her fault. War would have been avoided!

I swear to God, if I read something similar again I am throwing myself out of the window of Aegon's room Tommen Style.

The Green Council would have happened anyway. But let's say it haven't. Let's say Rhaenyra sat on the throne, you think Daemon would have allowed for Alicent's children to live? 3 male heirs, who can raise an uprising? You think the lords of the realm would have allowed such thing to happen? To have a bastard put on the line of succession. The moment Jace became a king, if Daemon doesn't accidentally kill him, and makes one mishap the realm will go wild. People need to open their eyes and maybe hit them history books and stop viewing the show through modern lenses.

But but but, it's not Medieval! You think there were dragons irl?

The show is based on Medieval British history. The politics we've seen are similar. We need to dissociate ourselves and if we're to have a proper discussions about the show it should reflect the time period and the established rules.

Also friendly reminder, the Council of 101 has never been disputed!

[merwgue]

Okay, but can we talk about how Nesta is so autistic-coded and the Inner Circle is just... completely missing the memo? COMMING FROM AN AUTISTIC PERSON🥳

Look, I’m not saying Sarah J. Maas intended to write Nesta as autistic, but come on. You’ve got a character who struggles with social interactions, needs her own space to recharge, has intense, specific interests (ahem, reading), and who’s constantly being misunderstood by the people around her. If that doesn’t scream autistic-coded, I don’t know what does.

1. Social Interactions? Nope.

Nesta’s social skills (or lack thereof) are a big flag. She’s always being criticized for not fitting in, not behaving “the right way,” or not being all warm and fuzzy with everyone. Sound familiar? People on the autism spectrum often get labeled as “cold” or “aloof” when in reality, they just don’t vibe with the social expectations around them. And what do the Inner Circle do? They constantly expect her to be like them instead of trying to understand her on her terms.

Feyre’s over here like, “Nesta, why are you so difficult?” And Nesta’s probably thinking, “I literally just need some space from all you over-hugging, over-talking, too-much-energy people.” But instead of giving her the tools to communicate or cope better, they just drag her to a cabin in the woods. Sure, lock her up. That'll definitely fix everything.

2. Sensory Overload, Anyone?

Nesta’s reactions to stress and overstimulation are spot-on. The whole time she’s in the Night Court, it’s just noise, noise, noise. Between Feyre’s incessant meddling, Cassian’s loud warrior energy, and Rhysand being... well, Rhysand, it’s like Nesta’s surrounded by sensory overload. So what does she do? She shuts down. Classic move when the world is too much.

But does anyone ask, “Hey, maybe this isn't about her being rude, maybe she’s just overwhelmed?” Nope. Instead, it’s more like, “Nesta’s broken, let’s force her to train and socialize until she magically becomes like us!” Not how it works, guys. Not at all.

3. Obsessions Aren’t Just a “Phase”

Nesta’s love of reading could be seen as a deep special interest, which is a common autistic trait. And yet, what does the Inner Circle do? They act like it’s some sort of escape or avoidance mechanism rather than a source of comfort and grounding for her. Of course she’s going to retreat into books! They make sense, they don’t demand anything from her, and they’re not trying to change her every two seconds.

4. Bluntness? It’s Called Honesty.

Nesta’s “rudeness” is really just brutal honesty. She doesn’t sugarcoat things. And why should she? In her mind, it’s more logical to say things as they are. But the Inner Circle constantly misinterprets this as hostility or coldness. Why? Because they’re all about emotional theatrics, and they just don’t get someone who communicates in a more direct, matter-of-fact way.

5. Let’s Talk About the Whole “Locking Her Up” Thing

So, Rhysand’s big idea for dealing with Nesta is basically to isolate her in a house she doesn’t want to be in and force her to follow his "recovery" plan. Yeah, because forcing someone who is already struggling to conform to your idea of healing works so well. The whole thing feels like they’re punishing Nesta for not fitting their mold. It’s like, “Nesta, you’re not behaving the way we want you to, so we’re going to fix you.” Cue the eye roll.

What They Should’ve Done Instead:

Instead of forcing Nesta to be like them, maybe — just maybe — the Inner Circle should’ve, oh I don’t know, accepted her for who she is? Maybe they could’ve recognized that she doesn’t process the world the same way and that’s okay. Give her the space she needs, stop trying to mold her into their version of “normal,” and for the love of everything, stop treating her like she’s broken just because she’s different.

Maybe Nesta just needs some sensory breaks, a quiet space, and people who actually listen to what she needs. Instead, she gets dragged through the mud, labeled as a problem, and forced into a version of recovery that only works for everyone else.

So yeah, the Inner Circle missed the memo — and that memo was: Nesta’s not the problem; their complete lack of understanding is.

Ty @fenrysmoonbeamswife for the idea!!! I loved your posts pookster

[olderthannetfic]

Maybe I'm just dumb and uneducated, but the publishing world just sounds a bit like a scam. Not in the traditional sense, but more in the sense that everyone for some reason thinks they'll make the break through so you should aim to get a publishing deal because you might end up being the next big star! You'll be the one who's books will lead to having a movie made*, you'll get the merch, the comics, the games, you'll be lauded and remembered for your writing and how YOU changed the publishing world. You just need to be a human machine who managed to write exactly what the publishing chefs at the top want. Please keep individuality to a minimum. In reality you might get a boost in money maybe if your book ever gets deigned to be bought up, how much is the average? 10-20K? Everything after that is just dead air. You will probably never be able to survive on the royalties, your book is most likely gonna end up side by side with books with the exact same premise as yours, because publishing prefers just copy pasting the same things over and over. Maybe you'll be the rare "token" #NotLikeOtherBooks that's there to test the waters for the next big trend, but most likely not, because those spots are for nepotism publications or big social media names. Oh but maybe you'll be the super big social media star who managed to get a huge social media following, so maybe you'll get a publishing deal that way, not because you're a good writer, but because you already got an audience. Oh the writing of this famous person is subpar? Oh who cares, just buy their book, we can sell with their name! While you're at it, do all the advertisement yourself, we don't really want to bother anymore. What do you expect us to do? Actually promote your book? Pfff, do that yourself. Oh you don't have social media? Welp, goodbye!

*from what I've seen studios might buy movie deals but that just means they'll keep the right to making a movie, not that there ever will be a movie, and you obviously lose the tiny nugget of chance that another studio does it.

--

I think you're being unduly pessimistic, not because this stuff isn't true of publishing but because this is how most sexy jobs work.

You become an accountant because the pay is steady. You might also enjoy it, but it's not one of those sexy jobs with a zillion people flinging themselves at the opportunity to be perpetually underpaid. Most arts jobs and a fair number of other over-mythologized ones, however, are in this same category where people have romantic ideas that they'll be the lone success... and they won't be.

Sure, it's sad that the dream of buying a mansion from your book royalties is out of reach, but... lots of life is like this? I don't think it's a big deal.

--

Now, as for the movie deal thing, you've misunderstood that one totally. What studios buy is options. That means they're tying up your movie rights for a few years so nobody else can have them.

The key feature here is that options run out.

If you keep being successful for a long time, you can sell an option on the same work over and over and over. It's a great deal for the author!

The chance that your thing will actually be made and that, if it is made, the adaptation won't be an absolute abomination is low. It's not worth worrying about. (If you want to make movies, go pursue that, not book writing.) But that sweet, sweet option money is great if you can get it.

--

A lot of people like to get huffy about how "good" books don't sell and "bad" books do, but this is short-sighted nonsense.

Like other commercial art, a good marketing campaign can sell an inferior product, but a lot of what makes the difference is a book being appealing or not. Yes, yes, the plebes have bad taste, boo hoo. More people want to buy a romance novel than a very depressing and dense literary one in general. News at 11.

But for every genuinely shitty book with a lot of buzz, there are a number of solid genre fiction works that are obviously fun for the audience for that genre.

Celebrity memoir sells, sure, but the majority of novels aren't by famous people. There are some gimmick books on the market, including, yes, novels by social media stars, but a lot of "bad" books sell because people just actually do want a Wattpad-sounding crap romance with an alphahole dude and a girl who's pretty when she takes her glasses off—or whatever other cliche you can name.

--

Like other products, books benefit from a strong brand. An author who's been writing for years is more of a sure thing. As a reader, one has limited time and energy to vet newbies.

This is sad for us as authors, but think about it as a reader! How much of your free time do you want to spend magnanimously giving a chance to people who are probably wasting your time vs. picking up something you know you'll enjoy?

And also from a reader's perspective, I don't want surprises. Sure, I don't want a book that's so predictable it's boring, but when I pick up a romance novel, I want a happy ending. When I pick up a mystery novel, I want the mystery to get solved. When I'm reading on AO3, I expect your ship tags to be accurate.

It's a great mistake to focus on how ~nobody likes originality~. This is just pretentious art student puffery that ignores how normal human tastes and emotions work. People with this attitude are ill-suited for creative professions.

--

I think that, in general, most publishing pros, whether authors or not, are fairly up front that it's hard to live on royalties and that most authors have day jobs. This isn't new. It's something people have been trying to educate prospective authors on for decades.

I'd blame starry-eyed outsiders for these kinds of misconceptions more than I'd blame the industry.

I do support trying to inform hopefuls about the realities of choosing this as a career though. They need to know they're not going to be making rent money in most markets on writing alone.

--

All of that said, the two big changes that I do see are a couple of things related to publishing companies getting ever more beholden to corporate overlords. The profit margin has always been slim, and this can be an issue when the bean counters are too involved.

First, editorial standards have slipped a lot. 1990s trash fiction did often get at least a little bit of developmental editing from the publisher. 2020s trash fiction might get that from an agent, but often, it's expected that an author shows up with a publication-ready manuscript.

I think the idea that the publisher wanted to sit around with their thumb up their ass workshopping your baby forever was unrealistic even back in the day, but there has been a change and most people acknowledge it. I've also seen way worse basic proofreading in recent books that I don't see in used books from years ago. It's still rare to see many errors because publishers do provide this type of editing, they're good at it, and correctness is far more objective than for developmental editing, but I used to see basically zero typos and malapropisms in big publishers' books, and that is no longer true.

I'm no insider, but from what I hear, the basic issue is that publishers are being squeezed and they just don't have time or budget to do more than cursory editing now compared to some times in the past. (Of course, plenty of greats did come out of the world of pulp fiction, and I'm sure that was edited in ten seconds too, so...)

Second, yes, publishers offer very little in the way of marketing help, book tours, etc. now and expect a lot from authors. Again, I gather they're being squeezed.

It's that latter issue that made me just not bother to pursue traditional publishing. I don't trust them to understand BL-y type aesthetics in most cases. I don't want to write books within the word count that is most profitable in traditional print. And I really, really don't want to be asked to do marketing within specific parameters while not being given access to timely sales data like a normal marketer who works for the publisher or a selfpub author would have.

--

But all in all, people who work in publishing are not the enemy. They like books. If they have to make some commercial decisions over artistic ones or bow to popular tastes you don't like... well, that's life.

[decadentpostnachos-evil-twin]

This is why you can't have a discussion nowadays. People's narrative being "My opinion is the only opinion, Idc what you say you are wrong."

Bitch Honey, if you can't deal with someone else's opinion, maybe don't post shit in the internet for everyone to see.

You can't put up with morally dark characters who are actually morally dark and not trying to justify their actions.

Besides, the worst thing we actively see Eris do in all of the books is saying that Morrigan dresses like a slut and calling Cassian some slurs. Plus we know that he left Morrigan at the border without touching her (what was he supposed to do, take her to Beron? Srsly, use your brains people. Please.)

None of these things were nice.

But how does this in any way compare to slaughtering a whole village of people for revenge (Cassian)?

Or better yet, to leave a head on a spike in the garden of someone else for shits and giggles, be a ruler for centuries and yet not manage to stop women in your territory from being mutiliated, even though you call yourself the "most powerful High Lord to ever rule" or some shit. Or SA your apparent future wife, also just for fun because he could have left Feyre in the cell in acotar and no one would have given two shits except for Tamlin and Lucien who would have been worried for her. Stealing millenia old artifacts. Threatening to kill everyone who doesn't share your opinion, constantly and therefore jeopardizing an alliance against the main enemy. Keeping mass destruction weapons in your posession without telling anyone outside of your "family" about it. Misusing your wife and mate as a breeder and not even informing her about the fact that she will likely die in childbirth, instead leaving your sister in law to sacrifice the brunt of her own magic to safe her sister. Belittling a man dealing with heavy depression and PTSD for really no apparent reason other than your own petiness, telling him he should kill himself when he's at his lowest AFTER he saved your mates life, your life and essentially turned the tide in a war. And I could go on.

How are the narrative and part of the fandom able to find excuses for Rhysand's fucked up behaviour over and over and paint him the misunderstood hero, but Eris is evil incarnate because he did what again? Left Morrigan at the border, most likely knowing she would be found and taken care of (at the ripe age of...very much younger than her, too, mathematics say) and called Cassian a brute.

"Good to know that after five hundred years, you still dress like a slut." -Eris in acowar to Morrigan. This is him saying she dresses like a slut. Not calling her one.

I'm not trying to make excuses for Eris here. He's an asshole, I'm aware of it, and the absolute majority of his stans are aware of it. But that's about it. So if you make some post about "abusive men", and include Tamlin and Eris, then reflect on what fucked up shit your favs did. Because if saying someone dresses like a slut and leaving her lying around injured but untouched by you (when you have no responsibility for her state at all) is horrible and abusive, I'd like to know what you would call all the shit Rhysand pulled.

On the other hand, I'd like to say something about Neris shippers being racist, because I don't see how? I could honestly care less for how Cassian looks or his ethnicity, this is about him having literally no backbone and treating Nesta like shit throughout acosf when she was clearly not in a good place, mentally. If y'all wanna be degraded for having ugly trauma I can't help you. I liked Nessian in acowar, they had potential. But acosf? Nah.

[bungone]

Actually no im not done because I know it gets talked about a lot but Lolita is such an interesting piece of media; not just the book itself but people's attitudes towards it.

like, first off, there's the actual author (nabokov) who goes out of his way to talk about how childish, mokeyish, immature and whatnot Dolores is in the most unnappealing possible ways, and then specifically said that he didnt want the kind of cover that every single fucking published edition of Lolita has?? With girls who are either being sexualized or very obviously having "a good time" which is absolutely not what Dolores was doing in the book?? I really, really, don't think anyone who designs these covers has even opened the first page because what. the. fuck.

It's so obvious that my man Humbert Humbert is an unreliable narrator, but gee, I guess we learned to take everything we read at face value, and also everything that comes from a protagonist's mouth as the "correct" way of viewing things, both in the book and in real life?

And even then, maybe, just MAYBE I can excuse the people who talk about how the book is fucked up because it's "glorifying pedophillia".

Maybe they had a really shitty english teacher. At the very least, they're reading it and understanding that the actions of Humbert Humbert aren't okay? They got to the halfway point. Maybe their education sytem failed them.

Maybe they had a really shitty high school english teacher that never taught them the skills necessary to understand this kind of writing. Maybe they're just dense, that's who they are as a person, and it would take someone going out of their way to point it out for them to consider the possibility.

But then there's the fucking apologists?? Like, putting aside the whole Dolores being 12 (which, yeah, is akin to putting aside the whole book, but bear with me for a second), Humbert Humbert not only kidnaps her (illegal), lies to her for a long time about her mother (not illegal but generally shitty), but is implied to have committed murder (illegal, not sure if implied is the right word here because it absolutely happened and everyone knows it), and sexually abuses Dolores (very illegal). These are crimes. He is a criminal. Say what you want about the justice system these are crimes that absolutely should be crimes.

He's clearly not an upstanding citizen, and I fail to understand how some people look at all his behavior and go "oh yes, the the man who killed a woman and kidnapped a 12 year old girl is just misunderstood, and he did those things for true love" like fuck no.

I like Lolita. It's an objectively good book. The quality of writing (high quality, I mean, I normally hate first-person writing but I actually liked Lolita), it's a great psychological horror piece that doesn't rely on things like shock value and overused tropes. The characters are all multi-dimensional and frankly, act realistically. But that's all it is. A psychological HORROR piece. It's not romantic. If anything, it's meant to make you sympathize with Humbert, and then you're supposed to take a step back and be like, "Wait. Why am I sympathizing with him? I'm not a pedophile." Because yeah, he's a complex character but that only goes to make him realistic in terms of the kind of pedos that exist in real life.

Pedophiles are people too. Mentally ill people, really, really shitty people who need serious help, but reducing them to "not human" only makes them an "other", which makes you forget that on the outside, they look like normal people. That have friends and family and go to school or have jobs and order coffe and read in libraries and yeah, maybe you sat next to one of them an entire year in organic chemistry. They're not weird stalkers that hang out in bushes in parks. Some of them, maybe, but not all. Nowhere near all.

man that derailed fast.