#messy politics yikes

[imustbenuts]

i finished metaphor refantazio which means i can talk about this game's themes with a working braincell now.

under the read more: pre-ww2 japanese history and religion fuckery. word vomit for anyone who might be interested in my perspective

Major spoilers head

i was RIGHT about louis being enamored with the royal family in some way and having a buttfuck ton of the royal family flowers in his room in his airship. i think this plot point is now heavily hinted at but currently discarded due to development/writing hell. i think louis probably followed hythlodaeus v out of the sanctum in extreme admiration. he has a lot of similarities with More in that they both had reality + lonliness crushed into their faces. his current self in the game is driven by despair and fear.

this is interesting bc theres actually also a lot of allusion to japanese pre-ww2 history going on from my admittedly very limited knowledge. so here goes:

There's a lot about Louis that reminds me of the whole shitshow going down during the Meiji era up until ww2. the gist of this past 200 odd years was that the western world came in knocking with christianity as a tool for colonization. which was understandably yikes, so they shut themselves off, only to then get another visitation later with pretty intimidating technology in the form of iron steamships with cannons. gunboat diplomacy. this meant that a previously imperialistic japanese society build on conquering had to react/adapt to this drastic force like fucking whiplash.

so they pretty much went from pro-military samurai shogunate to pro-emperor. the gist is there was a very pro-emperor-god-king rhetoric going on that sought to rid anything inconvenient towards that narrative. to keep people in line yes but to also get japan big and powerful enough to sit with the same western colonial powers.

so in place of the old caste system under the shogun, there eventually were now oligarchies, far right military factions etc under the emperor. only something like the top 5% of the population had a say in this new democracy system they set up too. (it got way more democratic in the 1930s? not sure. but what im saying here is 1860s-1900 ish at least)

so things were going. for a while. messy, full of 'expel the foreigners, revere the emperor' rhetoric but it was going.

then more depression happened and the overall economy went to shit in 1900. that era leading up to ww2 had a lot of young men in Japan being extremely nationalist and pro military, in part due to a whiplash of culture change and in other due to poverty. (ive come across the topic of white rice being offered for those who conscript. white rice was seen as the emperor's luxury food so that was somewhat of a draw to young men back then.) There were a lot of far right political factions and assassinations going on. international relations were also imploding bc the military had this idea that japan was the superior divine race and they were destined to conquer the world/asia. so they did some sabotaging false flag operation shit in manchuria in order to try and start a world war. (Mukden incident. 1931)

Which is then not a surprise that in 1932 a prime minister by the name of Inukai Tsuyoshi got assassinated by a bunch of far right pro military guys in their 20s. They were even then praised by the judge bc of their act being seen as pro-emperor and therefore patriotic. Bc again emperor god king delusion.

(read up on the League of Blood incident where these people also plotted to kill the oligarchs and liberal politicians. they uh actually succeeded in some cases btw. look, too much shit.)

meanwhile, the emperor, Hirohito, wanted peace, wanted better foreign international relations and relayed his desires to the same Inukai Tsuyoshi, but the military was going out of control. (and Inukai got assassinated so the position of prime minister is now Not Safe.) so out control they eventually became beyond any civilian/state control and bam ww2. pearl harbor and all that stuff.

(i havent read up on what kind of person hirohito actually is so ill refrain on commenting on his character. but in terms of actual power over his country hes VERY Hythlodaeus V in metaphor)

so while there isnt an organized religion in the form of a church, there is absolutely an element of religious and military fanaticism in that era.

So Louis has a lot of this vibes going on. He was also a young military boy. Is young probly in his 20s. Has a lot of royal flowers in his skyrunner that points towards this royal family worshiping thing. Seized control of a military faction that went completely out of control from the state. Is of some 'pure blood' race if his elda bloodline is any indication. Murdered the pro-equality but failed figure head bc he did not live up to Louis' expectations and was responsible for a lot of failures in the state policy. started a false flag operation that resulted in people dying and forced to leave an area.

also, did i mention lowkey eugenics? yeah that same imperial military was big on this too. the strong will survive the weak will be culled etc etc.

Meanwhile the mc gels well with the benevolent emperor narrative that is popular in JP media even today. I think it could be some indicator of how the general japanese feels towards the royal family, since supposedly an emperor is sworn to an oath of leading with valor, wisdom and benevolence. These are also represented by 3 regalia, a sword, a mirror and a jewel, presented during the official coronation ceremony.

The regalias might be treasures from different tribes originally, at least that's what some scholars think.

So I won't be surprised if the Drakodilos lance ends up being a part of the imperial treasure thing after the mutsari tribe gets protected under law. the mustaris here are the aforementioned 'different tribes' thing.

in fact, more on this topic with the mustaris. these people arent just random tribal people, to me they are more south/south east asian people. their biome is jungle island like, which means polynesian, and places like philippines, vietnam, thailand, indonesia etc.

the brown/tan skin is found in a lot of SEAsians, and the third eye is too a popular asian mysticism thing. it is especially prevalent in hinduism and buddhism. the idea is that a 3rd eye means enlightenment, or at least the ability to perceive the unperceivable.

if we subsitute sanctism with shinto, then theres some parallels here to be had with whats going on at the time too. bc the funny thing im seeing here is, shinto is sanctism, and mustari's religion has big buddhsim vibes without the name.

(that mustari arc boss looks like a twisted banged up buddha/boddhisattva what with the prayer position and multi arms thing going on)

in that pre-ww2 time period, shinto buddhism was going through a split and defining in order to prop up the emperor god king narrative. this process meant suppressing elements of buddhism. wont get into the reeds of this, but know that buddhism originated in india in a response against the hindu caste system. so in a way, a 'foreign' religon.

now, there is absolutely a thing going on here where Me:Re can come off as inherently pro-emperor and even a little pro-japanese nationalist, what with the whole 1 nation of vaguely SEAsians under a (japanese written) king thing. frankly, as a SEAsian this is gross but nothing surprising considering how hard Me:Re feels like an echo of pre ww2 jp politics. and also how jp media tends to be with topics surrounding this. im iffy on the japanese nationalist part, bc the needle is definitely moving in terms of racism/colorism today, and in the game lacks certain elements for me to see it as a big red flag.

that said, i wont immediately napalm the intentions behind this game to the ground. this game has got excellent commentary on racism and some stuff about policies. its got nuance. it is even a criticism against how the old japanese empire tried to go about doing things. it is open to the idea of democracy and even seems to say that politics arent perfect and can fail but its better to try than not at all.

this is far more valuable than blatant doomerism imo.

all this is why in the final segment, we fight More in the middle of shibuya scramble. this isnt just meta for the sake of meta, its allusion to their history specifically. this game is NOT so much a criticism about organized religion as it is about governance in relation to its people. this game is talking about politics without specific policies.

i can respect that despite all the major ick i might have.

this is why despite saying oppression is bad, it doesn't have any queer representation because it's leaning towards a conservative pro emperor ideology on the overall spectrum. Queerness is not part of that century old conversation at all in this context so take this as you will.

(personally the fact that queerness is not even remotely touched on means the overall thoughts on opression hasnt radically changed. Personally, this, specifically, sucks. Bc this means this narrative feels like it could've been easily released even 20 years ago and brought the exact same challenge to the table but ymmv. I suppose this is why people have been saying the game reminds them of old jrpgs.)

sooo yeah Me:Re is very much a big middle finger to fanaticism, but is also very japanese history at its roots. i had fun, and it def made me think

[sirianasims]

The Don Diaries

Most people have gone to bed, but as Nathan leaves, the night takes a decidedly weird turn.

GINA NO

WHAT ARE YOU DOING

Big yikes. Sidney, having just found the love of his life, politely declines and takes his protein plate to bed with him.

We quickly send Don out to distract her messy ass. I mean, if Gina is in a flirty mood...

Miracle immediately appears out of nowhere and I've started to imagine the JAWS theme whenever she's nearby 🦈

Miracle. Miracle, go to bed and leave them alone, they're having a moment here.

Wait, what's this? Don, don't! You better be telling her that marriage is not an option!

Whatever he actually said about marriage, Gina is pissed off and chews him out. I don't think you're getting lucky tonight, my guy.

Everyone goes to bed upset, but a little later, Don wakes up early to watch a movie. Alone, until...

🦈 cue JAWS theme 🦈

Miracle immediately appears and moves in for the kill. Don is an easy target, sad that his not-girlfriend Gina is mad at him.

Don. Don, she literally shares a room with Gina. Are you sure this is a good idea?

Sigh. I worry that Don will end up learning some things the hard way soon.

Right now, though, he doesn't care.

[salteytakesonmanga]

This is the part of Kuromarimo’s character that really makes me flinch. The fact that Oda designed a Black character with an afro isn’t the problem, but turning his afro into a gimmick is… kinda bad. Especially when the politics of Black people wearing their natural hair are so fraught.

Though the conversation is much more common here in the States, Japan has its own issues with racism, and people with curly hair in Japan face a lot of negative stereotypes. Things like their hair is messy, dirty, unprofessional, or indicative of poor character. It’s not limited to Black or mixed race people, either. There’s a lot of variety in hair color and texture among people with 100% Japanese heritage but people dye and straighten their hair to avoid these types of comments.

I’m not trying to condemn Oda here, but this is just something that is kind of yikes.

[smallraindrops-blog]

Hades 2 impressions/rambling

Putting everything under here. Long post beware.

Spoilers spoilers everywhere!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay I am doing my best to keep everything understandable but no promises. I am still pretty early on in the game but I felt like I got enough to talk about.

Using a list format to help my brain.

Melinoë

Heavens help me, she is too precious for this world. Her genuine effort to help/befriend any one that comes across her is so heartwarming to see.

She definitely giving the honor student and perfect daughter vibe to the family even she and her family doesn’t know it.

It is clear how similar Zagreus she is with her determination and smart comments however they did a great job of making Mel her own character in her polite manners and studious attitude along complex relationships.

I love that the creators acknowledged Melionë feeling like she is fighting for both an impossible future and a family she never knew. I feel like we don’t often get see that kinda of thing.

The fact that Hecate kept reminding Melinoë that Hecate is not her mother and never will be is a kick in the teeth.

It is so painfully clear that just like Zagreus, Mel is looking that sense of belonging but unlike Achilles, Hecate had openly rejected even the possibility.

Then having Mel not right out stating that she find her worth in Hecate’ opinions before they fight and Hecate scolding Mel for her behavior.

Oof, knife to the heart.

I can’t wait to see how Mel and Hecate’s relationships changes and grow.

Hecate

For whatever reason, she won’t let anyone close to her, even the child she rised and played with and loved so deeply.

Maybe because of that love she won’t show it, in fear of getting her or worse, her enemies using her love for Mel as a weak point.

Like Nyx and Hades, she put Queen Persephone on a pedestal. Which I completely understand. It also clear that to Hecate, Mel and her mother are more like than not, both kind and seeing the best in everyone.

What I am really interested in is the break between her and Demeter. I wonder if she did really had to hide Mel from everyone or was she just trying to control everything and everyone? Could she really not trust anyone?

Even the grandmother would do anything for her grandchildren. Who maybe learn her lesson from losing her daughter and grandson from the first time.

Dora

her roommate/best friend/sibling relationship with Dora is amazing too. I just how Dora tries to be completely shallow and shameless in her lack of ambition and refusal to engage with other shades but not able to completely pull it off.

I don’t know if ties in with the box or her refusal to accept what happened to her, but I am invested.

Nemesis

I adore their messy/bully relationship.

She had a similar function to Thanatos but she is actively unhelpful ( for me anyway) which is definitely a fun game mechanic.

I do think she is good for Mel since she keep the princess on her toes.

but depending on how the story plays out, her unwillingness to work or listen to anyone will definitely end up hurting their causes (which might end up being a turning point for her. I am putting my full faith in SG and their storytelling)

Odysseus

ahhhh, the man, the legend! I love his voice, definitely a good fit for him and feel like smooth butter.

He is definitely that uncle who gave the kiddos candy when the parents were’t looking. And I love his character design, and his grin is so prefect for his character.

He and Mel have a better relationship than most I think however it is clear he is putting on his best face for her and not being entirely upfront with her.

Which i understand, he probably still see that little girl she once was, the one who just want to play hide and seek and make others happy.

So understandable. *sobs*

I am little concerned that in his entry, it mentioned a weakness for witches. Which yikes. But I need to remember the EPIC take on Odysseus is just now slowly becoming the normal.

What I will in mind is that Odysseus is two things above all. He is nobody and he is always lying.

So it definitely possible he is playing it up in order keep his family safe.

Also the fact he find peace in the garden??? Omg I can’t with this sad man.

Schememeus

ahhhh! He looks so good! My man got himself a big, beautiful beard! I love that we are getting more of the lore about him! (I am so glad I gave him more attention in northern star)

He is still so wonderfully supportive and I know he would do anything for the princess.

Charon/Hermes

They are married, your honor!

Gosh, I think they might be one of the top highlights for me.

For Charon, I’m glad that more people are appreciating the work and effort he putting in for them. Esp since they definitely didn’t in the first game.

The fact he doesn’t even hide how concerned he is for Hermes make me cry especially since one expects him to act cold in front of others. His relationship with Mel is a little more softer than it was with Zagreus which I appreciate.

Hermes is still perfect, no notes. I haven’t gotten much time with him but his updated design is the perfect way to tie his relationship with Charon.

So far I would say he treats Mel much like Zagreus but we have to wait and see.

I love that we can get to see Shelly a lot better now and she looked so happy just to be with her master even if there was an horrible war.

Moros

He is such babygirl.

In all seriousness though, his calm demeanor and polite manners makes him the perfect emissary for the Fates.

He takes no pleasure in his duty nor does he pity the morals, he just simply is.

It is clear that he understands that he often isn’t welcomed by many and is keeping a distance. Which hurts that he stays just outside of the circle.

His relationship with Nemesis is interesting to me. They clearly worked together and i would say it seemed like they even have an amicable relationship. But i am curious if we will find out more.

Selene

Ahhh, they did so good with her design! Her eyes even look like full moons with no noticeable pupils ( i wonder her eyes will match with the moon phase, i haven’t see it in the game but i ma making it my HC now)

Her crown/helmet is so amazing, the fact it hold the moon ( or at least appear so) was a fantastic idea. Her moonstones and the celestial jewelry is pure eye candy to me.

If it was possible, I would do anything to have her luscious hair. I am glad they really play with the colors with her design, it reminds me of opals.

The first time one meet her, you can immediately tell she is a regal goddess/titan and can’t help but in awe. Her Pegasus looked just like a little girls’ dream horse and i am here for it!

Selene is also a genuine kind person even if she is a tad nosy. ( I am nosy too so)

I do need to spend more time with her to get know her better but I love that she keeping a watchful eye on Mel and I can’t wait to see how everything goes.

Arachne

Her silk dressses have saved my behind so many times.

I like how complicated her and Mel’s friendship is. I don’t believe Mel have the full story of what happened and don’t understand Arachne’ distrust of the gods. Doesn’t help Arachne doesn’t want to speak of it as well, hiding things from Mel as well.

It seems like she is waiting for Melionë to act like the others, kinda setting her for small tests.

I do hope they will reach an understanding. I don’t think she will betray Mel ( I hope) but it isn’t outside the realm of possibilities. If she and the Time Titan meet, and she falls for the lies…

Demeter

This poor woman can’t get a break.

First her daughter and her grandson are hidden from her then when it seemed like everyone was a fresh start with princess Melionë only for her Father to come in and steal away what must like hope itself for her.

Her grief in losing her family, not once but twice, is so painfully clear in every single conversation with her. She never even got to see her grandkids grow up.

While she is like that rich grandma who scold people who use the wrong spoon for soup, it is clear she is ride or die for her grandchildren.

Artemis

If my heart didn’t belong to someone else…

I love everything about her, despite of the war she really has grown into herself and feels far more confident in this game. I’m so happy get to see more of her personality shine through!

No wonder she and Zag got on, she is just as cheeky sometimes. I love how she is with Mel, praising her often during their share battles and letting her closer than most.

Also ‘my woodsy goddess’????

um?????

The Olympians

keeping this part short since I want to wait until i get up there to interact with them more.

I love how everyone is like ‘oh it happened again with Hades’ kids, oh well- hello long lost family member! We love you, *mawh* now have this godly power and um. Go kill the old bastard, k thanks.’

Chronos

Ewwwwww- Botha- what is that????

He is a bee in my bonnet and i hate him. (Can’t wait to have more conversations with him, he is a fun villain)

I already have a few run in with him and I can see why the morals fell for lies. Like if someone could bring back a golden age, I can definitely see it being him, the titan’s portrait just oozes power but it won’t be. Never will be.

Even Zeus admitted that.

Also the fact he claims he will never wonder in the woods but he sure seems pretty comfortable getting close to it. I just hope he doesn’t try to find the crossroads.

(Also anyone had that conversation with Hestia, where she muses over how to permanently be rid of him?? How to kill a god indeed.)

Narcissus

I hope they never move the veil. Every conversation with this guy both delighted and frustrated me.

He had been surprisingly useful for me.

Scylla and the sirens

baby I will get you as many morals as you want- just stop killing me please.

They did great on everyone’s designs, feel very much like Josie and pussycats ( the animation one from the 1970ish). Scylla’s shell is such a pain in the ass.

Hypnos

I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN! 😭 my babygirl!!!!!!!!!

Design

His updated portrait looks so effing pretty. While sleep, he looked so peaceful. I love they went with the longer hair, it works for him along with being another way to note the passing of time.

My only is note that I wish it was more proofy and less flat. However if his hair is super thick, it possible that it just weight the curls down, along with being against a pillow all the time.

Also his little wing is now missing from his new portrait. Maybe it flat against his head while sleeping. so maybe it only appears when he is wake.

It might just be me, but he also looked like his face looks a little more grown up as well.

I love how the eyemask had hanged colors as well. The purple is making wonder if it supposed to tie with someone else possibly with his mom or Hecate. (There had no mention of his canon wife so I am going to assume for now she isn’t in this game.)

His cloak had changed as well, with gold buttons ( or coins stitched in it?). The gold isn’t seen in the first game as per his model sheet so that is an interesting change. i wonder if that is supposed to be a nod toward Charon or just a style choice.

Also all those poppies! Ahhh, i love it they tied it in. However I wonder where they are coming from. It is likely Melinoë herself had been putting them there but she had made no mention of doing so yet.

Another possibility is that Hypnos is creating them his sleep or maybe the witches added as it way to help him with his powers.

Location

He is given his own area/garden with one of Hecate’s more bigger guards looming over him. He is also given gentle lights and surrounded by plant life. Which I love.

I love this sign of care and effort Hecate is giving Nyx’s son, she is showing so much respect and hospitality for him and I am for it.

Most people would be resentful of someone sleeping all the time but I haven’t sense that from Hecate.

Relationships

With Hecate, I suspect ( and everyone else) she know more about hypnos then she is letting on. She obviously respects Nyx and that shows in the way she cares for Hypnos and his siblings.

Melinoë doesn’t seem to know what to do with him. In the book of Shadows, he isn’t considered part of the crossroad but is put in the same list as Chaos ( another person Mel seem unsure of) However it is called ‘The Rest’ so it just might be a pun on Hypnos always sleeping.

I do think she cares and admires him even when others dismiss Hypnos. I think his cheerful demeanor is exactly what she needs rn and will make them great friends.

Nemesis still hold little respect for Hypnos however she like with almost everyone so not unique.

Charon mentioned that Hypnos was more useful sleep than wake. However it was more like he was completely serious than rather being mean to Hypnos (like Hecate, he knows more but is likely waiting until Mel is ready)

So I am hoping that means his relationship with Charon had improved.

I still haven’t gotten anything from Moros or the others so I am curious as to when I will be able to learn more.

I have heard in the new update there are new Hypnos stuff but I am trying to go in blind for now. So no comment on that.

Anyway I rambled on enough ( congrats if you made this far lol)

In conclusion, I can’t wait for more!!! They did so good with this game!

[louisisalarrie]

i've been reading your posts about industry topics and the current h & b*n situation (and the az*offs) and i just can't comprehend how someone can sell their voice and values and morals for money? to continue their career? it just seems so money-hungry to me yk? and weak-minded, i don't want to sound rude because i don't know everything about the whole situation but yeah. i get having a dream, wanting to fulfil that dream and once one has it its hard to let go but how can one just turn off one's consciousness, ignore it all? for money, fame, a dream? my biggest dream is to be a model, i got castings and offers but i'd rather not achieve that dream if that means supporting a system that glorifies anorexia, is fatphobic etcetc, i was 17 back then. it was so easy to choose my morals. idk i'm rambling sorry for that, i just had this in my head. also when he does say political stuff etcetc why is he also supporting people like w*nstok az*offs etc? you cant be an ally and concurrently support antis yk... i mean yk ok i'll. stop rambling sorry for my english, not my first language :/

Don’t apologise for rambling, and certainly not your English!!! It’s fantastic, and thank you for sending this in!!

I think the modelling industry has been exposed for its problematic issues to the wider public a lot earlier on than the music industry has. Sure, both industries are very messy, but it’s a lot easier to point out “oh the modelling industry is fatphobic/encourages eating disorders” than “the music industry is corrupt and artists are forced to be closeted and overworked to the point of taking adrenaline shots before shows and barely ever actually seeing any of their own money the whole time” for the general public, because a lot of them just don’t have the awareness of how bad the music industry truly is, unless they’ve done research, been in this fandom (or one similar), or have come across info on social media about it, which is happening more and more these days. The technology to now communicate to massive groups of people and expose people/industries/artists and everything is an excellent tool to encourage change. The modelling industry has certainly seen a shift, and the music industry is slowly moving a bit as well. It’s just… an absolute mess though.

At the end of the day, they were kids who auditioned for a singing show because their mums encouraged them to, and they had no idea what was gonna happen if they did “make it”. Shooting to fame from the X Factor where you already get a huge amount of PR from being on TV, as opposed to working your way up slowly and seeing how it works, and understanding what you want, and choosing labels/managers etc. to work with who you know for a fact aren’t gonna do what Coward did, is just vastly different. I didn’t understand so much about the industry until I was already in it. And those kids were locked in with contracts, groomed, and thrown into the spotlight. And now they’re men. And we know they are good guys. But… it’s not as simple as just dropping everything to stand up for what you believe in, ya know?

I mean, obviously all the great stuff that they love about their job they want to keep, but they’re also tied up to a million contracts. So it’s actually a really long legal process to cut ties with it all without going entirely bankrupt/sued/having your whole career ruined. It’s very yikes but they’re already in the thick of it, and at the top of it. So yeah. Even just speaking up could mean a breach of contract. It is very disappointing he’s not at the very least cut off W*nston though.

Both industries are profiting at the expense of young hopefuls, both industries have produced incredibly inspiring and fantastic people, and both industries have burnt people out to nothing. It’s extremely frustrating to watch.

[drchiropterajones]

Saw the Barbie movie with friends last night! It is a very well made and very thoughtprovoking movie, but I can’t say that I... agreed with it. Some poorly organised thoughts below the read-more!

This movie is regressive gender politics wearing the skin of progressive gender politics. The core audience it’s aiming for seems to be women who have vaguely positive feelings about ‘girl power!’ but don’t consider themselves feminists because they like makeup and feminism is a downer and uncool? My husband called it TERFy which seems mean but also not unwarranted. I’m not sure to what extent any of this is the intended reading or the actual beliefs of any of its writers.

- For a movie that has been so aggressively marketed as being feminine/for women/all of the women in pink business suits, this movie is about masculinity more than it’s about femininity. Ken is more the main character than Barbie is (arguably more sympathetic). The movie has a lot to say about what is masculinity but... nothing really to say about what is femininity. I guess because that would require you to collapse the waveform of “feminine means pink and pretty and bubbles and fun and this is good!!” and “womanhood is serious and real and not always pretty” it attempts to simultaneously contain.

- I would sum up one of the, uh, morals? as: “Men’s toxic behaviour towards women is rooted in a thwarted/perverted need for real human connection and warmth! But it’s still OK to be cruel to them about it and you don’t actually need to address it in any way”

- Holy gender essentialism. This is the bit that DOES read as TERFy, in that the main thrust of the movie is that men and women are inherently different creatures, and relations between them is a zero sum game. Women can only gain something if men lose something, and vice versa. The goal of ‘feminism’ is to turn things on their head so that YOU are the one oppressing the other guys.

It seems like maybe the inclusion of Allen and Earring Magic Ken on the Barbie side was intended to fend this off a little, but it does not work at all.

- Yeah, this is the brand of feminism-lite in which the solution to “Only beautiful women are considered to have worth and that sucks for non-beautiful women” is to expand the definition of what ‘beautiful’ means so that everybody can be beautiful, rather than to consider that it shouldn’t be the arbiter of worth at all.

- The whole ‘Being real is messy and imperfect and painful but it’s worth it’ message is undercut by the fact that the only pain and imperfection the movie wants to talk about is... cellulite? Like, we have the whole “I can’t in good conscience let you choose to be real without showing you what it means”, and then we have a montage of happy soft-focus moments. You needed to have some pain in there for that moment to have any meaning at all.

- Again, Ken is way more sympathetic than Barbie. Kendom is not really any better or worse than Barbieland, in terms of inequality, it’s just a flip of who’s on top.

So are we doing a ‘ah, you see, Kens in this movie actually represented women all along’ bit? Because if so, movie is really pessimistic and bleak. If not, and I’m just supposed to take all of it at face value, yikes, this view of gender dynamics stinks.

SO yeah. Not sure if the writer’s views are accurately represented here, or if they originally had more radical things to say but it got cut back, or if it’s not actually that deep and none of it is intentional. Who knows.

[the-savage-garden]

Nitpicking ACOWAR Ch 18

This chapter is just a continuation of the dinner from the previous chapter. More info-dumps and repeats like before. Messy and confusing worldbuilding. This is also where I realized why Nesta is such a hot button for Feyre stans (even though Feyre just blatantly tells Nesta she wants to use her trauma with Hybern for political gain in front of everyone, yikes).

Chapter 18

-[“Please don’t say we need to go to the Court of Nightmares,” Cassian grumbled around a mouthful of food.] I’m having bad flashbacks of that writing mess from ACOMAF. Ugh.

-[“What is the Court of Nightmares?” Nesta demanded.] Why is Nesta demanding to know this exactly? I’m guessing so that we can awkwardly explain the backstory.

-For some reason Lucien answers Nesta’s question. The rest is just the other characters info-dumping about the Court of Nightmares.

-Nesta is confused by all of this and I relate to that.

-Mor looks upset when her father is brought up and Azriel is hung up on her reaction.

-Excuses for why the NC can’t order around the Court of Nightmares. Rhys says his ancestor made the decision that the Court of Nightmares remain in that mountain and can’t bother the NC and also have the right to decide to assist them in war. I know it’s stated that they’re ‘subcourts’ but this almost reads like they were 2 distinct courts before, not sure if that’s the intent though.

-[“The steward of the Hewn City is legally entitled to refuse to aid my armies,” Rhys explained to Nesta, to me. “It was part of the agreement my ancestor made with the Court of Nightmares all those thousands of years ago. They would remain within that mountain, would not challenge or disturb us beyond its borders … and would retain the right to decide not to assist in war.”] I’m copy-pasting the quote just in case.

-[“And have they—refused?” I asked. Mor nodded gravely. “Twice. Not my father.” She nearly choked on the word. “But … there were two wars. Long, long ago. They chose not to fight. We won, but … barely. At great cost.”] Keeping note of this.

-[“We leave in two days,” Rhys said. “He’ll say no,” Mor countered. “Don’t waste your time.”] Wait, didn’t Rhys injure Keir in ACOMAF? Why exactly would he listen to Rhys at all?

-[“Then I shall have to find a way to convince him otherwise.” Mor’s eyes flashed. “What?”] I don’t like where this is going already.

-[“He fought in the War,” Rhys said calmly. “Perhaps we’ll be lucky this time, too.”] Which war? 3 were literally brought up, why just write “the War”?

-[“There will be new rules.” “You will not be in a position to make rules, and you know it,” Mor snapped. Rhys only swirled his wine again. “We’ll see.”] Rhys is both an asshole and an idiot.

-[I glanced to Cassian. The general shook his head subtly.] If Cassian is friends with Feyre why is she internalizing him as ‘the general’?

-[The shadowsinger held her stare, his face unreadable. Considering. I tried not to hold my breath. Defending the female he loved or siding with his High Lord … “It’s not my call to make.”] Is… is this the reason we’re getting this argument in the first place? Because of relationship drama?

-[“That’s a bullshit answer,” Mor challenged. I could have sworn hurt flickered in Azriel’s eyes, but he only shrugged, his face again a mask of cold indifference. Mor’s lips pursed.] And it continues.

-[“You don’t need to come, Mor,” Rhys said with that calm, even voice. “Of course I’m coming. It’ll make it worse if I’m not there.” She drained her wine in one swift tilt of her head. “I suppose I have two days now to find a dress suitable to horrify my father.”] This doesn’t make any sense, why does Mor even feel compelled to go at all? And why would her not being there make it worse?

-Apparently Mor’s comment about horrifying her dad is a joke because both Amren and Cassian laugh about it.

-[But Rhys watched Mor for a long minute, some of the stars in his eyes winking out. I debated asking if there was some other way, some path to avoid this awfulness between us, but … Earlier, I had snapped at him. And with Lucien and my sister here … I kept my mouth shut. ] Ugh, this dinner is all over the place.

-[Well, about that matter. In the silence that fell, I scrambled for any scrap of normalcy and turned again to Cassian. “Let’s train at eight tomorrow. I’ll meet you in the ring.”] Back to having an awkward change of topic.

-[“Seven thirty,” he said with a disarming grin—one that most of his enemies would likely run from.] Why would a disarming grin make his enemies run from him? I know it’s just a me thing but I hate the way this is written, it comes across as awkward and unnecessarily edgy.

-Feyre asks Nesta if she wants to join, Nesta says no. Honestly really relating to Nesta here.

-[Then I said to none of them in particular, “I want to learn how to fly.” Mor spewed her wine across the table, splattering it right across Azriel’s chest and neck. The shadowsinger was too busy gawking at me to even notice.] Some manufactured humor now. I’m also really confused by this reaction.

-[Cassian looked torn between howling at Azriel and gaping.] Another point of me hating Cassian.

-[My magic was still too weak to grow those Illyrian wings, but I gestured to the Illyrians and said, “I want you to teach me.”] I still don’t understand the magic system. Now, I don’t expect a detailed magic system or anything, but when shapeshifting is equated to ‘growing’ I’m going to be confused how that works.

-Apparently Feyre didn’t tell her friends that she can shapeshift. Lucien now understands why she had wings from ACOMAF.

-[“I can—shape-shift,” I admitted. “And with the oncoming conflict,” I declared to all of them, “knowing how to fly might be … useful.”] How exactly does having Feyre learn to fly be useful in a conflict? Wars are very different from a 1v1 fight. Ugh.

-[Cassian whooshed out a breath. “I don’t know if it’s technically even possible—time-wise. You’d have to learn not only how to fly, but how to bear the weight of your shield and weapons—and how to work within an Illyrian unit. It takes us decades to master that last part alone. We have months at best —weeks at worst.”] How exactly can someone fight in mid-air? I don’t think even SJM knows how difficult that would be.

-[“Then we’ll teach her what we know until then,” Rhys said. But the stars in his eyes turned stone-cold as he added, “I’ll give her any shot at an advantage—at getting away if things go to shit. Even a day of training might make a difference.”] I almost want to give credit to Rhys here for considering it as a way for Feyre to escape out of a fight but this sounds like he’s bringing her into the war and that’s stupid.

-[Azriel tucked in his wings, his beautiful features uncharacteristically soft.] I will continue to not get over how often SJM uses the word ‘beautiful’ to describe people. It’s also odd that it’s done in Feyre’s POV.

-Azriel says he’ll teach Feyre how to fly. Apparently Cassian and Rhys were taught to fly when they were too young they barely remember it.

-[But Azriel, locked in his hateful father’s dungeons like some criminal until he was eleven, denied the ability to fly, to fight, to do anything his Illyrian instincts screamed at him to do …] Azriel’s ridiculously edgy backstory. This was also info-dumped back during the awkward dinner from ACOMAF.

-[Darkness rumbled down the bond. Not anger at me, but … as Rhys, too, remembered what had been done to his friend.] I hate the way this is written.

-[It was an effort not to look at the brutal scars coating Azriel’s hands.] I completely forgot he has scars on his hands, I also don’t remember how he got them either.

-[“We’ve taught plenty of younglings the basics,” Cassian countered.] Whenever younglings are used I’m just going to think of Star Wars, I doubt I’m the only one either.

-[Azriel shook his head, shadows twining around his wrists. “It’s not the same. When you’re older, the fears, the mental blocks … it’s different.”] What does that have to do with flying?

-Azriel tells Feyre he’ll teach her to fly after she trains with Cassian and then tells Lucien he’ll meet him after lunch. Lucien doesn’t react to Azriel’s shadows.

-[I swallowed, but nodded. “Thank you.” And perhaps Azriel’s kindness snapped some sort of tether in me, but I turned to Nesta.] What does that mean?

-Feyre immediately changes the subject again to the King of Hybern. Tells Nesta about the Cauldron. Amren says she’ll help train Nesta tomorrow morning and tells Rhys the both of them will go to the Court of Nightmares so they can use objects of power there.

-“There may be opportunities to practice. Let the girl get a feel for what something like the wall or the Cauldron might be like.” Keeping note of this.

-[I waited for her outright refusal, the cold shutdown of all hope.] Why does Feyre assume this about Nesta?

-[But Nesta only asked, “Why not just kill the King of Hybern before he can act?”] Yeah, why aren’t we planning for this instead?

-[Amren said a bit softly, “If you want his killing blow, girl, it’s yours.”] What does she mean by that? Like the King is somehow too strong? As far as I know he’s not even a High Lord, couldn’t the other High Lords just kill him? Or poison him?

-[“What happened to the human queens?” I blinked. “What do you mean?” “Were they made immortal?” This question went to Azriel.] I find this interaction funny, like Nesta just wants to know what happened to the human queens but Feyre seems confused by this so Nesta moves her question to someone else.

-[Azriel’s Siphons smoldered.] How does this make sense?

-Cassian questions Nesta for asking about the queens. They gaze at each other while Nesta explains her motivations to everyone. She’ll only help if they kill the King and human queens.

-[“Fine,” I said. “And we might need your assistance during the meeting with the High Lords—to provide testimony to other courts and allies of what Hybern is capable of. What was done to you.” “No.”] Wait, why would this help at all? I can see why Nesta says no, it doesn’t make sense for her to do that.

-“People’s lives might depend on your account of it. The success of this meeting with the High Lords might depend upon it.” HOW? Ugh.

-“You have no idea what it was or was not. None. And I am not going to grovel like one of those Children of the Blessed, begging High Fae who would have gladly killed me as a mortal to help us. I’m not going to tell them that story—my story.” Huh, something I actually like.

-“The High Lords might not believe our account, which makes you a valuable witness—” How exactly does telling the High Lords about the King using the Cauldron help in getting them on your side?

-“Then it is not my problem if you’re unreliable. I’ll help you with the wall, but I am not going to whore my story around to everyone on your behalf.” Nesta is getting quite interesting.

-[“And if you even dare suggest to Elain that she do such a thing, I will rip out your throat.” Her eyes lifted from mine to sweep over everyone—extending the threat.] Ok, so I don’t exactly get why Nesta is so protective over Elain but doesn’t extend it to Feyre. Is it because Feyre is the reason that Nesta and Elain got in this mess so now she’s angry at Feyre? I remember in the 1st book when Nesta told Feyre she went out in the woods to rescue her, so this development is interesting to me.

-Mor gives Feyre a wine bottle and says she can drink from it directly.

-[“I’d say Nesta rivals Amren for sheer bloodthirstiness,” Rhys mused hours later as he and I walked alone through the streets of Velaris. “The only difference is that Amren actually drinks it.”] I find this kinda dumb honestly, because I’m pretty sure Feyre is far more bloodthirsty than Nesta. Feyre has literally upended the Spring Court just because of what Tamlin did and Nesta has only said words.

-Feyre and Rhys take a stroll down the Sidra river. Feyre notes there’s still destruction from what happened in ACOMAF. They reach some restaurant they’ve dined at before and apparently it was left untouched during the battle, what a coincidence.

-[Something tight in my chest eased as I beheld the untouched building, the potted citrus plants sighing in the river breeze. And on that breeze … those delectable, rich spices, garlicky meat, simmering tomatoes … I leaned my back against the rail along the river walkway, watching the restaurant workers serve the packed tables.] The grammar for this looks so messy to me.

-[“Who knows,” I murmured, answering him at last. “Perhaps Nesta will take up the blood-drinking habit, too. I certainly believe her threat to rip out my throat. Maybe she’ll enjoy the taste.”] It kinda bothers me how the story treats Nesta like this, her lashing out at her sister is apparently seen as some unforgivable crime and I find that weird.

-Rhys says Nesta is difficult. Feyre admits to making a mistake in asking Nesta publicly. Even though I’m pretty sure the problem is that Feyre told her sister that she was going to use her trauma for a political advantage but whatever.

-Feyre asks Rhys how he can balance between High Lord and family. He reassures her that it’s never easy.

-“I should have considered that telling strangers what happened to her in Hybern might … might not be something she was comfortable with. My sister has been a private person her entire life, even amongst us.” That too. And no duh.

-[“Earlier today—at the loft,” he said, pulling back to meet my eyes. Unflinching. Open. “I didn’t mean to insult her.” “I’m sorry I snapped at you.”] He doesn’t even use the word ‘sorry’ but then Feyre does.

-[He lifted a dark brow. “Why in hell would you be?...] Is… is hell a thing in this world? It’s jarring to see it every time the story uses it.

-“I didn’t mean to … undermine you.” That doesn’t even make any sense.

-[“I get why, though. A solid, unified front is important.” I scratched at the smooth wood of the rail with a finger. “Especially for us.”] Does this even make sense or is it just me?

-“We can make whatever rules we want. You have every right to question me, push me—both in private and in public.” I could swear Feyre had called him out before but now that she’s in a relationship with him, she doesn’t anymore?

-[“We can question each other through the bond if we’re around people other than our friends,” I said.] That is so lazy and boring.

-Overexplaining about calling each other out. They talk about Keir and Mor.

-[I considered. “The last time we went to the Court of Nightmares, I played your whore.” He winced at the word.] I will forever hate this.

-[“To get Keir to agree to aid us … Any tips on what mask I should wear to the Hewn City?” [...] “You’ve seen how I am there—how we are. It is for you to decide how to play into that.] Even more plot I hate.

-[“I doubt he’ll come, given that he is Hybern’s ally and knows we’d kill him.”] Assumptions being made on Tamlin.

-“The meeting will occur with a binding spell that forces us all into cease-fire. If someone breaks it while the meeting occurs, the magic will demand a steep cost. Probably their life. Tamlin wouldn’t be stupid enough to attack—nor us him.” I know this’ll be relevant later.

-Explaining why Tamlin is invited. Talks about the other High Lords. I get the impression that all this talking is more for SJM in trying to figure out her own world than to help the readers.

-[Rhys’s brows lifted. “Right now? Your work ethic puts mine to shame.” I hissed, “Tomorrow, smartass.”] Something I found actually funny.

-They talk about Lucien then Hybern. They’re literally talking about the same things again. Feyre doesn’t know if she trusts Lucien, she also doesn’t like using Elain as a pawn. They attempt to have a touching moment in between boring conversations.

-[“We deserve to be happy,” he said, his eyes sparkling enough to tell me that he recalled the words I’d given him on the town house roof after the attack.] No, you don’t.

-[Too much. He had given too much already, and still seemed to think it was not enough.] Haha, so funny. He’s a dick.

-“When you told Sevenda that you felt awake while eating her food …” Keeping note of a minor character’s name.

-[... when we’d heard that music he’d sent to my cell Under the Mountain.] I find this funny that Feyre had found that touching.

-[Let the debate over who’d give the most in this war rest for now.] Ugh.

-[“Walk with me—through the Rainbow.”] I’m sure SJM thought she was being real slick about this corny shit.

-[I linked arms with him before saying, “You and this city helped wake me up—helped bring me back to life.”] Uh huh, right. I still hate how Velaris exists just for Feyre to have a safe space while spitting on worldbuilding at the same time.

[wolfsbanemanor]

Headcanuary Day 14: Memory

(Oh, boy. Yikes...alright. I'm going to post under a cut.)

Caleb is plagued by painful, vivid memories of the night he was turned into a vampire. They keep him awake when he should be sleeping. So many times, he finds himself in that bathroom, pinned under a punk-rocker woman he had never met before that night. So many times, she violates his mind and body. So many times, he can feel her cold hands on him, with their sharp nails. So many times, he tries to fight her off, tells her to stop, but she doesn't listen. So many times, no one comes to his aid, or even realizes that unspeakable horror is happening behind that door, too wrapped up in their own goings-on, unable to hear anything because of the loud music. So many times, he feels her cold wetness, her strong grip, her sharp fangs, the fuzziness in his head. So many times, he hears her voice. So many times, he sees those glowing green eyes, boring deep into his soul. So many times, she seals the deal by biting him, and then forcing him to drink her blood. So many times, he's left there, alone and bleeding on that cold, dirty tile. So many times, he wakes up screaming and shaking. He is also plagued by memories of a biiiiiiig mistake he made when he was a new vampire. He had let his Thirst level get too low, because he had been trying to resist it, and found himself drawn into the bedroom of a girl named Inna Cents. (No, not like that.) He wasn't fully in control of himself, and bit her, and ended up taking too much blood from her. When he finally came to his senses, there was this dying girl in his arms, and the only way to (sort of) save her was to turn her into a vampire. He had never felt so rotten in his life. He felt as if he'd become as bad as Vlad, or even worse, Miss Hell. To make matters worse, Vlad found out about this incident, and praised him in front of the other vampires, and threw a big party in his honor. Caleb didn't feel like he deserved it. Like, at all. He decided that he wasn't going to abandon Inna, that he would do whatever he could to do right by her as her Maker. They did end up having a relationship, but because of Caleb's guilt, and Inna being a little bit unhappy with him, it didn't last long. Inna moved in with Elle DeVampiro and Vlad Bloodvein when she was turned, but after her rather messy breakup with Caleb, she moved out on her own. Where to, he isn't sure. Her number has been disconnected...or at least, that's what that polite, automated voice says. He hopes she's okay. Memories of seeing Miss Hell again at Straud Mansion. Memories of raising a toast with her and Vlad, and having to pretend everything was okay, even though a million alarms were going off in his mind. Memories of hiding from her after that, only for her to find him and attempt to make him woohoo her again. Luckily, Lilith intervened. Memories of finding out that Vlad was the one who had turned Miss Hell, and being enraged. Did he know? Did he care? It's one thing to turn someone into a vampire, but to do what she had done is quite another. Memories of standing on the edge of the railing over that balcony at Straud Mansion, about to end it all. He just wanted this nightmare to end. (He knew that even vampires could meet their end from a high-enough fall.) Memories of being grabbed from behind by a tearful Lilith, and deciding not to go through with it. Looking back now, he's glad he didn't...mostly. And also, some happy memories. Memories that are actually welcome. Memories of playing the piano for his family. Helping his mom make cookies. How unexpectedly supportive his dad was when he caught him fooling around with another boy. Playing with Lilith and Lily. Opening presents on Winterfest. Being held by his mother. The fridge, covered in artwork produced by himself and Lilith, and A+ schoolwork. Summers spent playing in the waves at Brindleton Bay. It's these memories that keep him going.

[norcumii]

Also also and and: RexObiTerribleExDemon and ZygerrianAphrodesiac????? 👀👄👀

(regarding this post)

Both of these are the fault of the internets!

First one is because I somehow (don't ask me how 'cause I still don't know) wandered into finding a post with this suggestion:

Bad news: your jerk ex summoned an eldritch entity from beyond reality with the order and gave it your information and the order to, quote, "f**k them up". Good news: the eldritch entity has decided to, with your consent, creatively interpret that command.

And my brain went "Obi-Wan the demon with the British accent and poor Rex, check! :D And inappropriate use of the phrase 'yeah that guy's not gonna be walking right for awhile', check!" And bonus getting to use the terrible Modern!AU thing I keep thinking of but not getting on posted page where Krell is Rex's terrible terrible ex!

The downside, of course, is I still need to write so much smut. -_-;;

***

(WHY ARE THOSE HUGE IN THE EDITOR, I DO NOT LIKE THIS STOP THAT)

So the second one! At one point, as I am wont to do, I was browsing over the Rex/Obi category on AO3. And there I found someone's fic (titled Zygerrian Aphrodisiac) and the description starts:

On Zygerria, Rex got dosed with an aphrodisiac. However, since he’s a clone and manufactured to be resilient, it doesn’t affect him until he and Obi-Wan are back on board the ship and getting checked out by the medic.

WELL. That sounded neat! But it quickly became apparent that all the things I was intrigued by and wanted to see the messy details of...were of absolutely no interest to the author.

Which is 100% a me problem, just to be totally clear. And of course my brain immediately kicked in with "well, then how would I write it?", and I spent somewhere between a few hours and a few days fretting because on the one hand two cakes; on the other the last thing I wanted was to somehow convey this snobbish concept of "Well I could do it better!" because yikes and no, absolutely not.

The plunnie would not leave me alone, so I caved and started writing it - only to realize that this version of Rex was WILDLY ace, and this version of Obi-Wan was WILDLY aro.

In a sex pollen fic. Also, I was feeling WAY too seen because my brain was clearly projecting my own levels of aro ace onto them wherein relationships are "polite puzzled blinking" and sex is "eh, can maybe be fun with a partner who's into it I guess though there's way too much squelching noises and too many elbows and knees."

Which is why it ground to a halt and I haven't gotten back to it since, because I keep getting distracted by shinier plunnies with less self disclosure.

Though I really do want to get back to it because I want more fic out there wherein aro folks being in some kind of a relationship isn't considered bad/weird, and 'ace' isn't used as code/excuse for 'I didn't want to ship them'.

[blueikeproductions]

A battered and tired Dan and JD stand in front of Dan’s house after the boiler room incident, JD carrying a duffle bag with his stuff.

Dan: You ready?

JD: -looks nervous but takes a deep breath- Y-yeah.

Dan: -unlocks the door and they walk in- Ma? I’m home!

Dan’s mom upstairs, Liam can be heard making baby noises: Daniel? You’re home already? What about the pep rally?

Dan: Um. -rubs his bandaged arm and JD just looks mortified and embarrassed- Let’s just say it got too intense and leave it at that. Can you come down for a minute? Uh, Jason’s here too!

JD: Uh greetings and salutations, Mizz Danny-boy’s ma!

Dan’s mom still upstairs, but they hear excited thumping as she runs down stairs: THE infamous JASON? I finally get to meet this dark horse of a pal of your-

Dan’s mom, a portly almost middle aged gal with a tattooed arm, her messy grey-brown hair tied up in a haphazard bun, cocooned in a AC/DC bandana stops in front of the boys, stunned upon seeing JD- Oh my god, Jocelyn…?! -she grabs JD’s face and gives him a look over-

JD: -muffled- Ack, that was my mom’s name…!

Dan’s mom: -tearing up- You’re the spitting image… Oh my god…!

JD: -thinks back to his angry dad, still muffled- So I’ve heard…

Dan: Wait, you… you KNEW Jason’s mom?

Dan’s mom: Of course I did, Daniel! You never told me your bestie was MY old bestie’s boy! -releases JD- Oh Jocelyn and I were inseparable in middle school and high school, she was a delicate, sweet thing but … well she had her demons like we all do, but we completed each other like PB&J! And then she met that rotten banana Bud Dean Senior Year. Ugh, what an asshole.

Dan and JD look at each other awkwardly.

Dan’s mom: I dunno what she saw in that grease ball, but after graduation I never heard from her again. Bud inherited his father’s construction business and took Jocelyn away to Ridgemont, California. Anyhoo, look at me ramble, how IS your mom, Jason?

JD: She’s … uh dead. Died when I was eight.

Dan’s mom: …What…? Oh no. Honey I’m so sorry. -sighs- Dammit Jocelyn I knew this would happen, you poor angel. I guess that means you’ve been stuck with Dud Bud during your formative years…

JD: Not anymore. Big Bud landed with a big thud earlier today. …So I heard.

Dan’s mom can’t help but get a perverse glee out of this, but tries and fails to keep it contained: Hohoho, so THAT’S what all that hullabaloo on the news was about earlier. I was busy with Liam and wasn’t paying attention. -clears throat- Still, I’m -dark snickers- so sorry for your loss, Jason. -snrks, but clears throat again-

JD: Yeah no, no need to be …polite, I get it. Dad was a shit slurping bastard. Er pardon my French…! But uh that’s kinda what Danny-boy and me wanted to talk about… -gently sets his duffle bag down, Fangry’s beast mode head pokes out of the bag slightly. -

Dan: Yeah, JD and his Pop were squatting in the apartment complex down town, but since Pop … popped, the landlord kicked JD out and his dad’s stuff was repo’d.

JD: Yeah I’m pretty much wearing all that I own at the moment, and with all the rough patches and moving around growing up I don’t really have a place t’go… -shuffles his feet awkwardly, blushing, looks embarrassed but hopeful- I … I was hoping I could stay here for a while? At least until I get my shit together… Danny-boy offered and…

Dan’s mom gives the suddenly sheepish Dan a look: Oh he did, did he? -smiles and hugs them both tightly- Of course you can stay! It’ll be a little cramped, you’ll have to room with Daniel and Liam since that’s the only other available room. And before you ask, forget the couch: we’re in the middle of trying to get a new one, y’see, but Roland refuses to throw that dreadful moth ridden monstrosity out. -points to the living couch which cartoonishly coughs and collapses to one side, a spring pops out of it for effect-

JD: -looking at the couch- Yikes… -shakes head- I mean, NICE! T-thank you. -looks more relaxed and happy-

Dan’s mom: -smiles still hugging them both- It’ll be nice to catch up with Jocelyn too, indirectly… but I’m sure you have stories. -pauses, sniffs them both, releases the hug and recoils slightly- Yeesh, I dunno what went on at that pep rally, but you two reek of sweat and wood smoke.

Dan: Aw Ma we can’t be THAT ba- -sniffs his arm- Holy cats, is this what was meant by smelling gangsta?

Dan’s mom: -pushes them towards the stairs- You boys go upstairs and wash up, and neither of you come back down until you smell better! I’ll get supper in the meantime and tell Roland what’s happening. You boys in the mood for KFC?

Dan: Sure…? JD: It’s finger licking good…?

Dan’s mom: I think you’ll fit in just fine here, Jason. -gets her keys and heads out the door-

JD: Fit in, she says. Me? -smiles- Who’d a’thunk it.

Dan: Better late than never, right? Welcome home, bro. -one arm hugs him and they go upstairs-

[mothmanssweetsucculentass]

Am I the only one who thinks BEN would be friends with Lost Silver and other game creepypastas, trickster like Kagekao, and villains like Monokuma/Junko, Bill Cipher instead of mainstream creepypastas? Since most urban legends can be manipulated by Ben Drowned. I feel like BEN Drowned deserves so much love and attention within YouTube communities along with Sonic.EXE. Jadusable is awesome :D

Alright I’m gonna try and answer this ask in separate sections for clarity’s sake (/nm! I love the enthusiasm there’s just a lot to comb through here lol)

Firstly, for entities like Lost Silver, Sonic.exe, etc, in my HCs Ben can’t really befriend them since he created them. Yeah he’s got a superiority complex but in his defense he’s a major computer science genius, he created the BEN AI and by proxy is also the creator of any “digital” based Creepypasta. There’s probably some sort of soul bonding magic going on considering a lot of the digital character Creepypastas have some sort of paranormal or dead person plot point, I may delve further into that at a later point if I’m able to see it working as more plot/development for Ben. As for the urban legend thing, I think we can all agree Ben is the king of spreading those online urban legend challenges, or the playground video game rumors. (“If you press these buttons in this order it kills all NPCs on screen!” Typa shit y’know?)

Secondly, while I love crossovers, and I wholeheartedly agree that Ben would be friends with Bill, I fucking love Bill Cipher as a character myself (cannot comment on Monokuma and Junko since I haven’t played or consumed any DRP media and don’t plan to), I wanna keep outside source crossovers kinda at a minimum for my Creepypasta HC universe. I’m open to crossing them over with things like horror movies (especially slashers, I need more excuses to make ghostface content) and potentially other horror games like FNAF, but unrelated media sources (like anime) I will politely have to decline a crossover with.

Oh he’d definitely be friends with KageKao tho, in all honesty I forgot he was a pasta for a sec, my bad lol

Lastly, I can’t really comment on the Jadusable thing either. Credit where credit is due, he made an awesome character and story with BEN, but I personally feel the ARG should’ve ended at the moon children cult arc, the 2020 continuation feels…messy and all over the place, to put it lightly. I’ve also heard rumors that Jadusable has used/supported/promoted NFTs, and if that’s true, yikes, I would like to not associate myself or my specific BEN HCs with him. BEN of course belongs to him, I make no claims that the character is my own, all I own is my interpretation and HCs of the character.

[senshilegionnaire]

[Image description: A screenshot of the tags on the previous reblog. Hashtags and multiple exclamation points are omitted in this description, one comma and one question mark were added for purposes of inflection, and tags were joined where the limit cut off the end of a sentence.

Begin text:

a stands for ally!

a still stands for ally!

allies are welcome in the community!

we want allies here!

not just "closeted" people

we want allies here too, there's a space for allies in the community

how will allies learn about us and get to know us and interact with us in the community if we don't let them in?

End image description.]

This is a great point! I should not have implied, however unintentionally, that allies do not belong anywhere near the community. Hell, it would be even more self-destructive to exclude straight spouses and partners of LGBTQIA+ people from the ability to support.

The original inclusion of the "A" in school clubs was, in fact, ALSO for actual allies-- helping the community using voices that are not marginalized in these specific ways is immensely invaluable, and the more intersectional activism gets, the better.

The problems arise when a) heterosexual cisgender allies speak over LGBTQIA+ voices, b) exclusionists within the community use the definition "allies" to gatekeep aro, ace, and agender people, and c) other exclusionists chop off the A entirely saying none of them belong. There are other issues, I'm sure, that I can't think of right now.

BUT!! The reason I made this post is because of all of the 'it has never stood for ally' posts flying across my dash, and it IS so important that closeted people have a place.

What I did not explicitly state is that if there weren't actual allies adjacent to the community, the camouflage would not work.

So, yes, leave room for actual allies in the space adjacent to the community, but make sure they get an intersectional education so they don't gatekeep thinking that they are protecting, or speak over the people whose identities are not cisheteronormative.

We have enough of a problem with that in the actual ranks of queer identities-- including the fact that "queer" itself is under assault by exclusionists because it's an inclusive, one-word, easy-to-remember umbrella term for the whole gigantic acronym. It even includes identities that haven't been defined yet!

So please understand that my intention was to highlight the fact that LGBTQIA+ people are actively and directly being hurt by the "ally was never part of the acronym" rhetoric. I felt that this particular conversation was not the place to muddy an address aimed at the people who would be most concerned with protecting closeted teenagers and members of conservative families or communities. Pride is not about cisheteronormative people. They can march in support, they can help normalize, they can be *allies*. But people who are uncomfortable with that need to know that the word is a shield for people who are not safe.

REALLY importantly, though? Nobody should be asking for anyone's community ID card in PRIDE in the first place omggggg. That shit is b-a-n-a-n-a-s!

TL;DR:

yes for specific reasons in specific ways, but not right this second! people in actual danger first please 😅

in LGBTQIA+ the A stands for:

Asexual

Aromantic

Agender

AllyCloseted

shoutout to the 90s and early 2k kids who were in the closet but could get away with going to their schools' LGBTQ clubs when the A got added so they could tell their parents they were Allies and supporting their queer friends, or even just The Idea Of Gay People Existing Somewhere depending on the level and brand of conservatism surrounding them.

There are still kids out there for whom this is true. There are still adults out there for whom this is true. Please don't leave them out in the cold. Let them be safe and also stay sane without having to uproot every part of their lives.

You don't out someone without permission, and you don't bully people if it's not safe for them or if they feel uncomfortable or if they're not there yet. You all know that, yes! But then what happens to them if they need support WHILE they're in the closet?

PLEASE don't cut them out of a safe space they've managed to find, one that they can have without putting themselves at risk.

Let them be "allies" and get to know people IRL who can be their support once they're ready.

...

but yeet any motherfukcin jizzrag that DARES to say it DOESNT stand for aro, ace, and agender because THOSE assholes are just exclusionist turtle pimps

sincerely, a 40yo aroace enby substitute teacher

[marvelsmostwanted]

The CBS moderators are letting this get completely out of control; they called on Bloomberg and so far Biden and Steyer started bickering and then Klobuchar jumped in 

[qqueenofhades]

As an European I do love to shit on American politics of course, but at the same time, the moment you're a little bit aware of world politics as European you know to watch the USA.

Like. This is of utmost importance to us too. Look at the massive right in far right fascist ideas in Europe right now. I am willing to bet on Trump paving the way for these idiots. (In fact the night after Trump was elected, I dreamt he nuked the world outside of North America just because he felt like it).

In 2008, the crisis started in America and it spread from there. I remember watching with baited breath and it was rough. Tumblr's Americanocentrism is frustrating and unwarranted and must change, but American politics definitely DO affect the rest of the world in tangible ways. America is used as precedent. (I know you know this, mx. Queen, but idk about your followers which is why I'm saying this!)

These elections aren't just the most important to American citizens. They are extremely important to non-American too.

Ps I think it is bullshit you need to register to vote. I assume this is another Republican attempt to stop people from voting? Coming from a country where you're sent an invitation to vote when you're 18+ and they've voting offices at universities and train stations to increase the number of voters... Yikes. Fuck the Republicans and any politician abroad who supports them!

If, God forbid, American democracy was to end, the damage to both America itself, and the rest of the world, would be utterly incalculable. America is the oldest democratic republic and also the most powerful country in the world. We know the "freedom" thing is abused and misused, has been invoked to justify countless ill-omened imperial and foreign adventures, done plenty of very real harm to many places, and is built on a systemic and deliberate misreading of history. But if that's the case even in a flawed liberal democracy, how many orders of magnitude worse would it be in an unabashed theocratic fascist dictatorship? Can you even begin to imagine the damage that regime could and would do to EVERYONE?

America is a flawed, messy bitch of a country in so many ways, and it has never once actually lived up to its founding ideals. But at least it has been a democracy, and the influence it exerts on the rest of the world, for better or worse, is incalculable. It would be an absolute, unmitigated, unbearable, irreversible tragedy if fascism was allowed to have free rein here. If anyone is like "I hate America": I GET IT. I GET IT SO HARD. But if your response to that is "I don't care if it becomes openly fascist and won't act to stop that," that is a huge problem.

[femmesandhoney]

reading my global politics book and saying to myself "yikes, thats messy" and turning the page

[agentrouka-blog]

saw your post about jon/sansa choosing each other for love > political marriage and i just want to say: YES!! i think the appeal of the arranged marriage route is that its neat, justifiable, somewhat rational (apart frm echoing nedcat) i'd argue that for jonsa to work in the universe grrm created, it'd have to be messy as fuck. there'd be no shying away from the incest angle and the irony of jon actually being a targaryen, and bro/sis incest instigating their family's downfall in the first place

You get me, anon.

I don't see this playing out in a truly dark and messy way. Jon and Sansa are both deeply romantic people with a generally ethical core. Also they are both still teenagers, especially Sansa. Wee babies. This isn't going to be terribly grim compared to what the adult characters can get up to, so much as emotionally dramatic.

They can only ever be foils to Jaime and Cersei, whose true ethical failure lay not in loving each other (Yikes, but harmless.) but in what they did to other people in order to enable acting on it without consequence.

That's why I am particularly fond of the angle of exploring that darkness somewhat retroactively. @cappymightwrite very credibly - in my opinion - makes a case for GRRM laying that conflict into their shared past, which makes it both hyper-Byronic and low-key innocent because they were children. (See her Manfred meta series of utter excellence, Part 1 of 3 and Part 2 of 3. )

Introducing it as a past issue (shame, denial), and then continuing it in a transformed way (conflicted acceptance) and resolving that conflict in the present setting (cousin ex machina) would touch on all the things you mention, emphasize the parallels within the text, and still allow for the foil situation to sparkle.

Messy but also sweet.

(ETA: my post as referenced )