#meri talks.

[maerrine]

I got the results of my work capability assessment back!! And the tl;dr is that I’ve been judged as having a limited capability for work and work-related activity.

Honestly?? It’s kind of a huge relief to feel validated in a sense of like, yes, my issues (and especially executive dysfunction) exist and affect me hugely - I’m not imagining or making it up?? It’s not just finding work next to impossible, but struggling with doing the things I want to do and enjoy as well, on top of even really basic tasks...

I’m not happy that I struggle with those things, but I’m working on becoming less ashamed about it. I want to look for things I can do like volunteering even if I can’t manage full time work, because there are a lot of causes that are important to me that I want to make a difference with, but it’s nice to feel less guilty that I can’t always do as much as everyone else.

Staying active here and talking to people (online and irl) is another thing that’s hard for me, and I’ll probably never be as active as I want to be here/slow to respond to messages as well, but I do want to try and be around more too! So I’m gonna work on that from now I think. No guarantees, but still - I really enjoy reading everyone’s thoughts here and I’d like to get to know more people, so we’ll see how it goes!

[mattastr0phic]

Meri Wojciechowski - SCP 166

Meri currently works as cleanup/recovery for environments that have been damaged or otherwise polluted by Foundation intervention. While she's technically covering up their involvement, she takes the opportunity to study native flora and restore any area to its prime, growing back plants stronger than before and cleaning water to a livable standard for the native fauna. There are even protocols for moving manmade objects out of an area she's meant to cover.

Since it's getting closer to that time of year, I find that a lot of people still frequently confuse white tailed deer with reindeer/caribou. This is not me nitpicking about what's stated in the SCP article, and people can draw what they like! I just want to see reindeer more widely known as well, since they're beautifully unique in comparison.

Reindeer eyes change color throughout warmer and colder seasons from gold to blue to compensate for the differing light levels, their hooves have a wider spread to act as snowshoes, and they're extremely fluffy, being the only deer to have a completely furred snout structured so that they retain moisture even in cold, dry environments, so you're unable to see their breath in the cold like people. That's not even the end of the list of interesting things they can do.

I recommend the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd if you want references (and cute pictures) of reindeer! It would be genuinely amazing to see more actual reindeer Meri's exploring the neat features of these underrated creatures.

Bonus note: Reindeer calves (reindeer utilize the same male/female references as bovines, being bulls and cows respectively) do NOT possess the same spots as a juvenile white deer. Please observe: the adorable little Svalbard reindeer calf, the smallest reindeer species in the world.

[lukeskylovr]

THAT SAM AUDIO WAS EVERYTHING HELLO ?!!?? nothing to say but i missed him and the healing?! tanks wolf form?! tank fighting in video?!!!!! we are so back

[hellonerf]

i love crazy contrasting 1p2p in every way(not every way). so i always subconsciously have 2P rusame be friends. unlikely friends etc. in whatever weird school au theyre friends. meri was probably bullied until he started hissing at other kids or something while rus2 was just like huhh okay yeah okay what fine. rus2 found him in a broom closet and it was as awkward as it sounds. in the weird stuckin1Pcoldwar au i have theyre friends also in the torturous existence. 1P rusame is too weird life is too short lets tomodachi✌️

[funtime29nm]

When I die I want to reincarnate as @/7roaches nightmare drawings please

[hannibalismos-jaaneman]

armand in a lehenga is one thing and armand in an anita dongre lehenga + amrapali jhumka-choker set is another. bhai armand's entire wardrobe from kucha mahajani, turkman gate, karol bagh, lajpat nagar and khan market + meherchand market just... mwah kasam se do minute mein flat ho jana hai maine by god. aye haye inn haramzado se patakha kuddiya sambhali bhi toh nahi jati na lekin.

[eruisapenguin]

i wonder what scarlet child mc's relationship with some of the senior staff would be? Especially Clef

You first met Kondraki when he's there to renew your picture for your document, you guessed.

"How is Draven?" Asked you to make a small talk; he tensed.

"Fine." "How about James?" The man looked up from his camera, "who?"

A soft smile on your face contrasts with his frown. "Not yet then." It's better to leave some things in the dark.

—

It's been many years since you were born. You're a teen now, you think, contrary to what the people believe; you are not omniscient. It's weird, you're supposed to be an adult yet your body said otherwise. They had given you the privilege to roam without a guard breathing down your neck every second, cooperation and good behaviour does wonders. It's easy now for you to do stuff beyond your so called privilege. While usually the anxiety is ever so present, there's barely any crawling.

You wanted to meet Meri, your sister; physically, not through dream. You wanted to meet 999, your brother. You do not want to meet 682, nor Clef, ever. But does the universe ever gives you what you want?

He knows immediately. Type Green meets Type Green. Clef is technically your dad too, right? It's weird. You hoped he cared enough about a child he never hold for him to not snitch on their ass.

"You—" "Hi there, I believe you're my dad?" He let out an ugly snort immediately; almost dropping his ukulele.

You didn't even let him reply your first question. "Do you think they'll let me meet Meri one day?" "Do you think they're that generous, kid?"

"is that a no, then?" You tilted your head.

Clef grinned, ah, there's the third eye. "Did I ever said no?"

—

(Not a senior researcher but bear with me okay I love talloran)

Being an adult that's supposed to be older than your supposed current age is truly an odd experience. It's the Foundation after all, you guessed. Well, it's certainly weirder than facing the famous Talloran though scarless and with shorter hair; 3999 must had not yet happen then. You wonder if Kondraki had yet killed himself or not.

"I think it's better for you to quit." He looked quite jumpscared by you suddenly talking. "W-wh—are you talking to me?" Does he know you're an SCP under the tactical gear you are wearing by the way?

"I just think you shouldn't girlboss too hard or close to the sun, you know."

"What does that even mean??"

"Your boyfriend's here; think about it, okay?" And you left without uttering a single goodbye.

[me-uglypretty]

spoilers for the marvels x

carol keeping a newspaper cutout of monica then going "your mom said you like space :)" as if she didn't follow her life and her not coming back because she didn't herself as the hero her family expected of her, when they just needed her with them like its giving me a lot of natasha not finding yelena after she thought she ended the red room. monica saying she doesn't wanna talk to her aunt carol and carol's face after made me wanna scream and cry cause WHY IS LIFE HARD. why is this giving so much black widow vibes bro like leave me alone fuck

kamala is everything, she's asunshine, she's my child, i am protecting her with all my powers, HER LITTLE FACE WHEN SHE'S SCARED OR SAD??? I WILL FIGHT EVERYONE CAUSE HOW DARE YOU HURT HER, and her family is the best, absolutely am living for every hindi dialogues cause my language spoken in my favourite movie is everything. also, kamala thinking she's getting tested for the avengers then going nah bro i will make my own! YEAH YOU DO IT I TRUST YOU.

monica touching thing she shouldn't is giving OH SHINY I WANNA TOUCH like she is a CHILD alright, did you see the way her eyes light up like ARE YOU TELLING ME THIS ISNT A SINGLE MOTHER ADVENTURE WITH HER TWO KIDS???

goose's having a whole country worth of kittens wasn't expected, but that scene? CINEMATIC MASTERPIECE. the editing is so beautiful, vfx is good, music hits right, THE MARVELS IS EVERYTHING.

honorable mention, carol and valkyrie fucked.

and kate bishop special appearance? she looks older??? AND STILL GIVING LUCKY PIZZA. but i was giggling smiling like i love her alright. is2g i want to be apart of the young avengers LIKE SIR GIVE ME THE CHANCE FUCK. I WANT TO ACT WITH THESE PEOPLE PLAYING THESE CHARACTERS AND PRETENDING LIKE I'M ACTUALLY A SUPER HERO PLEASE.

i'm done. here's the poster i got from the theater:

note: how does one find the correct frame for framing posters cause i've never framed my poster but kept it aside and i really wanna frame it x

[chromiollies]

MERIAM?? WHY CHROM ?? WHYE

I HAD TO 😭😭 WE’RE ENTERING A NEW ERA IN THE STORY DEVELOPMENT!!!!!!! NAME WAS JUST TOO OUTDATED

you can also just call her meri if you like. something something ironic play on pronouncing it like merry. which is obviously not her thing lmao

This also acts as a character reintroduction post!!!!!

Meriam Paulo - the local tower patroller of the Standby who has zero issues whatsoever /j

[spurgie-cousin]

i'm watching the new Sister Wives and at one point Meri is reminiscing about how she used to be in charge of the Thanksgiving turkey every year bc Kody loved the way she made it *until* he met Robyn and then, in her words, "he just liked hers so much better" or whatever so Robyn did it from then on

and like the full weight of Meri's situation has never really hit me until I heard her say that tbh. bc I also have particular thing I make for holidays only because my husband likes it, so much so that he'll make comments the whole year about how he can't wait for it, and thinking about going from that to where Meri is now.........

like at first they were each others only special person. and then the years went by, he married 2 other women in rapid succession, and by all accounts she no longer felt very special to him but at the very least, every Thanksgiving she had the turkey. Kody loved her turkey and it was one day where she could feel like the special person again.

and then Robyn comes into the picture and she doesn't even get that any more. Like after Leon leaves, she doesn't get anything and to think that every year at the holidays she maybe had a knee jerk "oh I can't wait to make Kody some turkey" thought only to remember that only Robyn's is good enough for him now just made me tear up more than a little.

[maerrine]

Just binged all of Jigokuraku in a day and aaaaaaaaaa I loved it so much!! The characters are all great, I love them all, and the themes of the story resonated with me so hard. I might make some more posts on it later, it’s late now, but I definitely recommend it!

[foundgirlpigeon]

Zoro and Sanji when they find out both of them are transmascs

[lukeskylovr]

save me lesbian sci fi protagonist save me

[infernaltenor]

the third (and... maybe final?) niki shiina analysis

thats a lie there's a nonzero chance i'll do more <- i really like reading into his character

the focus of this is intended to be the foil relationship of niki and mayoi. this is something observable between all members of alkaloid and crazy:b, with clear distinctions between who is meant to be a foil/mirror of who: rinne and hiiro, kohaku and aira, himeru and tatsumi. while i would love to do a full in depth analysis of every member in this particular grouping, i've been avoiding any discussion of events that are out on jp but haven't been on en, if only because i want to experience the stories myself, which is why, for the time being, i'll be skipping the rest of the alkaloid and crazy:b units.

there's a second major factor as to why i'm focusing on niki and mayoi: they have the weakest link. that is to say, everyone else in the group has a clear connection in their pasts. niki and mayoi lack this. while you can extrapolate and make guesses (mayoi living in the basement of es and having a surprising amount of information in the building construction and hidden rooms; niki's father being kicked off the air in preference of idols; my conclusion here is that mayoi's parents probably run es and likely ran niki's off the air. is there proof? no. that's why i'm not counting it.), nothing for them is as explicitly stated as it is for the rest: rinne and hiiro through the nature of being brothers, kohaku and aira's childhood friendship online, whatever the hell is happening with himeru and tatsumi's complicated fucking relationship. niki and mayoi have... none of that. and arguably, that's a connection in and of itself, that they have no past in common, but given the care taken for the rest of the units it feels almost like an oversight.

no matter! i'm not here to discuss what ifs; i'm here to read far too much into the silly goofy character of what is otherwise an incredibly sad and tragic unit (despite their rather goofy construct) because i love him and need his depth to be at the front page rather than ostensibly passed over. enstars where's my niki shiina breakdow-

anyway. with that out of the way, let's start with the most basic parts! game design and character design. for game design, they also typically are in the same spot (spot 4 for the live mechanics), although i'm willing to ignore this due to the fact that kohaku and aira, as well as tatsumi and himeru, do not adhere to this particular criteria. niki and mayoi are the two characters within their unit that have long hair; niki's side ponytail and mayoi's side braid (hey where's the niki shiina hair down car-). interestingly, niki and mayoi's main hairstyles occupy opposite shoulders. while it's something that's easy to overlook, i'm counting it because it's something i think is also an easy way to put differences together, the same way color palette is. and for niki and mayoi, color palette isn't really a concern (the same dictates the rest of the crazy:b and alkaloid pairings, however), but niki's hair is more blue-toned, while mayoi's retains a level of red in his purple (shinobu's, for instance, is way cooler in tone).

but this is all superficial stuff. things you can simply observe. beyond the unspecified parents, where's the digging in way too much?

well.

crazy:b is a unit that is altogether kind of goofy, but the individual characters are by and large, tragic. niki shiina reads as an outlier to this specific set up.

alkaloid is a unit that is altogether serious down to their aesthetic, but the individual characters are largely kind of silly. mayoi ayase reads as an outlier to this specific set up.

as an author's note, right here in the middle of this analysis, i know both units are not so clear cut, and that you can see incredible amounts of angst and silliness in the characters i have decided not to focus on. why i am focusing on niki and mayoi is because of their decidedly obvious contrasting personalities to the larger construction of their unit. niki, more often than not, serves as the crazy:b character who has no indication of what is going on, not to mention how much his personality is driven by his own unspecified condition and his relation to food; mayoi is the alkaloid character who has such a clear indication of his tragedy, as opposed to hiiro and tatsumi, both of whom acknowledge it less, and aira, who does it moreso through inner monologues. i digress.

with both niki and mayoi serving as the contrasting element to their respective units, this does include that they are not always that contrasting element; think, whenever niki puts himself down or reads rinne like a book, or mayoi's clear serious relationship with teaching the other members of his unit.

another aspect that i think contributes to a foil relationship more than the mirroring is the opposite ways they talk about themselves and even moreso, how they think about themselves. niki, by and large, puts himself down as an idol; it's expected, especially since being an idol was never his intention (for fun and profit! and also rinne), so he tends to think of himself (frequently) as someone with less experience. while mayoi's full story (afaik) hasn't been touched on, he shows considerable knowledge to the background and teaching of idols (dropping notes in on unsuspecting juniors, teaching alkaloid the choreography throughout the main story, just to name some off the top of my head), even showing in some ways his mastery of the skills for being an idol. what mayoi lacks for in confidence of himself, he makes up for in being confident in his ability to guide others with advice and teaching. this places niki and mayoi in clear opposite corners of their idol positions. that being said, mayoi hardly does think himself an expert in the industry, but while niki recognizes himself as not being an idol expert, he does frequently call up his cooking expertise, something that cannot be overstated. just with these two skills you can see how niki and mayoi treat their own expertise: niki acknowledges his with frequency, mayoi tries to push people away from knowing his.

niki is a character that tries to stay silly on the surface. to be fair to crazy:b, rinne also attempts this. the difference is that rinne's silliness has been broken clearly before, notably in the main story for the game. niki's character, at the point that i'm writing this post, has not had such a break yet. another aspect of niki is he does try to stay as clueless as possible (try isn't quite the word i'm looking for; he seems genuinely uninterested in the politics of the idol world! this is something i count in contrast to his fellow unit members, as much of crazy:b is focused primarily on that political atmosphere). without such a drastic break, niki's character does read as one intending to be seen as a silly character.

mayoi's character, while being silly in his own over the top reactions to, well, everything (alkaloid and mayoi is bocchi the rock if btr was yaoi, but that's... that's a different post), is probably one i would argue meant to be taken much more seriously in alkaloid. for one, his character does frequently deal with intrusive thoughts, which imo makes his overall character feel more serious. another aspect of this matches him with tatsumi for overall being what i feel to be the more seriously read parts of the alkaloid unit, as tatsumi is shown to be levelheaded often; there are some clear breaks for this particular formula with tatsumi imo, for instance, both his driving and technology usage serve to lighten his character considerably. mayoi's character, i think, due to the heavy usage of self-deprecating language, is meant to be read much more seriously than he sometimes ends up being.

my conclusion is basically... well niki and mayoi occupy (what i think) is an interesting balance for the foil/mirror imagery of crazy:b and alkaloid. their unit structures and symbols, as well as intentions feed into this, as do their character pairs, but due to niki and mayoi's own (mostly) untouched connections, their place in the structure feels much harder to nail down. this doesn't mean it doesn't exist, but it does mean that i can (and more importantly) will tear into this gacha game like its a piece of literature.

[merinomeri]

going back and forth between the 80's Akuma-kun and the 2023 version, now knowing the later is a sequel, is really fun!!

there's a lot of little nods and stuff- this one's probably my favorite.

[yin-shimo]

chris grey songs got me acting up especially cuz they literally just make me think of Abel LMAO