#most of it was in speed up

[punchy-mchurtyfist]

I beat Inclement Emerald! Even on challenge mode it was wayyyyy easier than Radical Red but still a whole lot of fun!

[felassan]

Dragon Age: Inquisition - Game of the Year Edition is currently available FREE on Epic Game Store as part of the Epic Mega Sale 2024! This edition of the game includes all of the DLC. This offer is available from now until May 23rd 11am EDT. [source, two] juuust in time for Dreadwolf Summer hhhh.

(Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is available to wishlist on Epic Game Store btw.. 👁️)

[shedeltaonmyrune]

I can do what I want

[maskofnova]

I think its a rite of passage to make an au at least once, and ive been thinking super hard about how Sonic raised tails lately. So obviously an age swap au had to happen. Aka, the au in which they are both team turbo nerd and Tails needs a Vacation as a dire medical suggestion. (more rambling in tags)

[serafisolaris]

just a snippet

[kotdish]

I read hiraeth by RoarinDongal and realized it was sooo fun to draw “historical” western clothing + misc scout sketch below

[positivelyadhd]

sending my love to people with slow processing speeds.

you should be allowed to take your time to do things and I am so sorry if people have ever made you feel like you can't.

you and your contributions are just as worthy as everyone else's, the speed in which you do them should not impact that.

I am so sorry if you ever been made to feel like you weren't good enough because you "couldn't keep up".

you are good enough. you are trying enough. there is nothing wrong with you and it's not your fault.

[yes-asil]

Dream Team is going to turn 10 this year, so a decade passed with me giggling at Luigi on the bottom screen doing a little jolt in his sleep whenever I jump.

Also; headcanon that he has been nothing but sleepy since he arrived on the island and Mario is constantly worried Luigi's gonna fall flat on his face during battles in real life/is hurting him while traveling through his dream world.

[phoenixcatch7]

Loz fandom stop being angsty and give the daydreaming kids on big fun adventures with a cool glowing sword some actual whimsy and joy challenge

[feverdreamsandlucidnightmares]

My aroace ass is trying so hard to be sympathetic to Andrew Minyard’s down bad horrendous behavior but it is so so funny baby you are never going to live this shit down what do you mean you’d let him ruin your life what if he hadn’t liked you back you ridiculous bastard

[scarlet--wiccan]

Quicksilver + Speed, illust. Dauterman

fan edit/recolor, plz reblog if you use/save

[fever-project]

First half of my gift for @wispywinds for the LoZ AU gift exchange! Second half is being posted right after, just for like, pacing? Tagging, it’ll be better for my sanity in regards to tagging and images and junk.

This is an outfit swap between different Minish Cap(and a bit of Four Swords) Links from different Links Meet AUs. Under the cut is an explanation of who got whose clothes, and also the flat colors and drafts of this piece. Bonus.

Monstrous Fusion Minish has Mina’s Linkverse Minish’s outfit, Linked Universe Four has Bonus Links Minish’s outfit, ML Minish has LU Four’s outfit, and BL Minish has MF Minish’s outfit. I used a wheel picker to chose who got whose outfit.

[cerbreus]

3 months with my partner today :-) ♥

[fried-manto]

I'll hand it to you.

[muninnhuginn]

In Defence of Qiao Ling

I've been musing on several threads relating to Qiao Ling in the last few weeks and have seen a few posts going around that have pushed me to actually try and put all my Qiao Ling thoughts into words and in one place.

Despite the title, I don't fully agree with the show's handling of Qiao Ling, but I do think she has been provided with a clear ongoing arc and so that's what I'm going to be focusing on here.

This got quite long so most of it is under the cut, but shout-out to @lizzieonka and @oceaniche for their previous posts on Qiao Ling, which definitely ended up inspiring some parts of this.

So, let's start with: what do we actually know about Qiao Ling?

Qiao Ling's Background

She's first introduced as the "landlady", for all it quickly becomes apparent that her relationship with Cheng Xiaoshi isn't quite that simple. Her family "took Cheng Xiaoshi in" but there's always been some distance and that's reinforced by the whole "rent" deal. (The fact that Cheng Xiaoshi is still adamant his parents will return likely also factors in to this.) Still, Qiao Ling herself clearly sees Cheng Xiaoshi as her younger brother and is willing to stake her claim on him as family to near-strangers (we've seen it both when she met Lu Guang and Li Tianxi).

Qiao Ling's social life is clearly contrasted with that of Cheng Xiaoshi. Where Cheng Xiaoshi's first "proper" friend was Lu Guang, Qiao Ling has her own circle of friends and is fairly sociable in general (she literally found a client by befriending a stranger when she came to learn martial arts). Xu Shanshan, for instance, is very much Qiao Ling's friend despite hanging out with the collective group at uni. Qiao Ling also spoke of Cheng Xiaoshi's childhood as something that happened to him specifically, implying that she herself was spared the bullying (which makes sense considering the fact that she wasn't the one with missing parents) and so had a more "normal" upbringing. Whether she spoke up back then or stayed quiet isn't fully clarified (not speaking up against adults is one thing but what about classmates?), but Cheng Xiaoshi doesn't seem to hold it against her either way.

Nowadays, Qiao Ling's role in managing the photo shop's side-business has her interacting directly with most clients. She's the most customer-facing of the three, relaying information between clients and shiguang. This is despite her not actually knowing the full details behind shiguang's diving process until season two, which in retrospect makes it more impressive. Qiao Ling taking on the managerial role (and what is also implied to be social media advertising) also has the (unintended?) effect of obscuring shiguang's roles in the business from the public, as it's Qiao Ling who earns the nickname of "witch". It took until Xiao Li saw Cheng Xiaoshi in the CCTV footage during the Doudou case for anyone to see through this.

Key Character Moments

In terms of Qiao Ling's key moments, we have four main ones.

In Doudou arc, Qiao Ling admits she saw Doudou being taken three years ago;

In season two, at the hospital, Qiao Ling asks for some trust and to not be shut out anymore;

Qiao Ling bonding with Li Tianxi and using their shared aspects to bring her out of her shell so she would help the investigation;

The revelation that Qiao Ling did, in fact, receive some form of Lu Guang's memories from Tianxi and her dismissal of their implications.

The main thread behind all of these scenes is that they are about information and what you choose to do with it.

My thoughts are two-fold here. First, how these scenes connect with Qiao Ling's arc specifically, and secondly, how they connect with the broader themes of the series.

Qiao Ling's Arc

Doudou

Let's begin with Doudou arc. In this arc, Qiao Ling reveals that she saw the kidnapping of a child several years ago. She hadn't told anyone about this for three years and likely would have continued to have kept it to herself if not for Doudou's father approaching the photo studio. In this arc, there is the following exchange:

Qiao Ling's main regret is that she didn't do something or say something as she saw Doudou being taken away. That her inaction may have ensured that Doudou's kidnapper was able to get away with him. And she specifically says "I didn't even have the courage to step forward and provide any information." (Tangent: Funnily enough, Lu Guang is the "star of courage" in the Star Warriors later in the episode, not Qiao Ling. Qiao Ling is "star of wisdom" who is meant to "light the way". Still fitting, but in a less straightforward way.)

Now, to me, this is clearly setting up an arc, not resolving one. Qiao Ling wouldn't have offered the information if not for the circumstances. And it tells us that for all Qiao Ling has friends and is sociable, she still holds certain cards close to her chest. She doesn't want to confront the past so instead she will hold her guilt tight and not say a word. Though, as this exchange shows, she does want to have that courage. And I'll get onto this later, but this ties in very clearly with the information she later holds regarding Lu Guang.

Hospital confrontation

Throughout this entire scene, even before it becomes a "confrontation" Qiao Ling is clearly feeling guilty. She runs after Cheng Xiaoshi when he tries to leave to help the police so that she can *do something*, make up for it the best she can. Guilt and avoidance are key traits for her and they both manifest here. They're still holding her back.

And, of course, there's her statement to Cheng Xiaoshi: "You're always trying to protect me. I really appreciate it. But what I need more is your trust." Qiao Ling knows what it's like to be locked out of the loop. She didn't know the specifics of diving for months (possibly years?) and it didn't really seem to bother her (or at least she didn't give the impression it bothered her when "Xu Shanshan" asked her about it). But she has her limits. And being locked out when the situation is actively dangerous? That's clearly past those limits.

Li Tianxi

Grouping together the final two scenes, because the first Li Tianxi scene is more a demonstration of character traits as well as digging in those sibling parallels between LTC-LTX and CXS-QL. Anyway, the first scene adds more evidence to the idea that Qiao Ling is more sociable and a people person. That she could could get Li Tianxi to open up by taking a more understanding approach and showing that she gets it to some extent. She's in the same boat.

Which means when we get to the final scene, this is what ties it all together. Qiao Ling has inherited the memories Li Tianxi saw from Lu Guang. She has seen Cheng Xiaoshi's "death". She has information now. But her first instinct is to dismiss it. To avoid it and refuse to confront it because the implications are too much.

But, see, she's been in this situation before with Doudou. She's had information and done nothing with it and regretted. She wanted to have the courage to do better. This is her goal.

And the implications of these memories? Do they mean Cheng Xiaoshi is in danger? Wasn't danger her red line in the sand? Didn't she tell him that "protecting" people and "trusting" them aren't mutually exclusive?

And finally, Lu Guang isn't Li Tianxi, but isn't the scenario here at least somewhat similar? Isn't Qiao Ling in the same boat as him here, wanting to keep Cheng Xiaoshi safe? Hasn't Qiao Ling shown she can connect with people through their shared experiences?

Qiao Ling isn't a confrontational character. She's avoidant. She will wallow in her guilt and not let on until it gets too much. But she wants to do better and isn't this her chance to do something? Say something? To not just be a passive observer and be left with regrets? I don't think it will be immediate by any means, but I think for her arc to conclude properly, she will have to conclude for herself that she needs to be open with the information she has and share it. If she's pushed into it, then it's just Doudou again. But if she chooses to share the information, then that's the pay-off set up back in season one.

Broader Themes in the Show

Broader themes regarding information and withholding of it. We see time and again in this series, that characters withhold information from others.

Liu Xiao and Lu Guang with Li Tianchen and Cheng Xiaoshi respectively, both holding more information than their "partner". Refusing to share it so that they can control them. Their reasons may differ, but the dynamics mirror each other in that respect. Unhealthy dynamic number one.

Li Tianchen and Li Tianxi, never addressing what Li Tianchen is doing with their powers. It allows Li Tianchen to pretend to himself that he is protecting Li Tianxi and carrying out justice. Li Tianxi is heavily implied in her telling of their backstory to know more than she lets on with regards to Li Tianchen's actions. But the refusal of both siblings to broach the topic eventually leads to Li Tianchen going where Li Tianxi cannot follow in his pursuit of vengeance and puts Li Tianxi in the very danger Li Tianchen wanted to avoid. Unhealthy dynamic number two. (There are more than this but I'm just sticking to these to keep this from getting any longer)

To go back to the hospital confrontation, when Qiao Ling says: "You're always trying to protect me. I really appreciate it. But what I need more is your trust." When she says this? It's a direct hit against the idea that protection should involve keeping people out. And in this case, Cheng Xiaoshi does start to let her in. They do manage to have healthy communication here now that Qiao Ling has been let in on the dives and is allowed to do something to help. She doesn't want to be passive.

She knows what it's like to be locked out, to be "protected" without having her own agency respected. But now, as of end of season two, she's on the other side. She has the information and Cheng Xiaoshi is locked out.

When Qiao Ling was assigned as the "Star of Wisdom, to light the way" in the Doudou arc, that's because it's her role in the show overall. Lu Guang certainly isn't going to push forward with healthy communication; he's too committed to his path for that. Cheng Xiaoshi meanwhile doesn't have the information needed to even start a confrontation. Qiao Ling is the only one in the position to lead the way with her knowledge. To provide the route to healthy communication once more.

She is the catalyst.

[punkforkos]

👁️👁️ can you drop the Dante meta design lore :3

ERMMM yes I can 👀💕

hi tumblr, you don't know who Dante is yet but you're about to!!

Extremely brief overview for anyone who doesn't know: Dante Inferno (they/he) is my drow fathomless warlock, pirate captain, and awful babygirl who wants the world to burn. Dante took on their warlock pact to get power and bring suffering to those who wronged them and hopefully find the daughter that was stolen from them many years ago. However, this pact comes at a price... it's actually Dante's misery that the patron is most interested in. 🥀 They may be in too deep to figure this out though!! For years, they've been self-destructing and falling deeper into corruption... and are quickly hurtling towards a future where they may be left with nothing of who they once were.

Anyways!! This corruption is represented heavily within their design!! This is most apparent with their tattoos, which reflect how much power/abilities Dante has accrued. Their body itself serves as their warlock tome.

📌 Each of their "tattoos" are actually scars that Dante has left on their own body, carved into the skin by ritual dagger, to imbue their body with power. The scars have blackened as though frostbitten, but this is more for visual effect.

Here's what each tattoo symbolizes:

(LEFT ARM) Abyssal/Deep Speech Runes: Each symbol correlates to a different spell ability that they’ve been provided by their patron. Spells like Eldritch Blast, Hex, Cause Fear.

(RIGHT ARM) Sea-Serpent: This is their summons arm! Dante, as a warlock, tends to lean more into the control + summoner type! This arm corresponds to their ability to summon different abyssal/deep sea entities to assist them in battle. Spells include: Evard's Black Tentacles, Summon Undead, Tentacle of the Deep (ability).

Back Tattoo: These deep speech/abyssal runes spell out the word TREACHERY. It was carved into their skin by their patron and represents the abilities granted by their Eldritch Invocations.

(Back of) Neck Tattoo: A marking left by the Spider Queen when Dante made an agreement with her. YEP! They've made two deals with different demonic entities. This tattoo basically represents her eyes at the back of her neck. (I can explain their pact with her but. that's for another post FSGHSJ)

Gills: The first marks they carved into their body when they took on their pact. This gives them the permanent ability to breathe underwater.

X on chest: This one actually isn't related to their warlock abilities at all. It's actually a promise they made to their daughter... to find her again. X marks the spot. (They had cut an X into her cheek when they were separated so that they'd be able to recognize her in the future. So much more to say abt this but that's the gist!)

They were going to keep gaining more marks as the campaign went on longer... And eventually, the tips of their extremities were going to begin to blacken from all of the corrupt power they were storing!

📌 Also, fun fact for you, Tooth! Dante was eventually going to take the Eldritch Invocation that would allow them to send messages to others by writing on their skin. They were going to have some of the Bleeding Hearts carve their names onto their body so they could do that :3

And for the rest of the meta design lore, I'll also put those into bullet points for ease:

Their eyes have split heterochromia (red and blue halves in both iris) and slit pupils. The heterochromia was brought on by their pact and just kinda gives them a rly freaky look!

They've usually always got some spider motifs on em,, they have an extremely complicated relationship w the Spider Queen and their identity as a drow. But we can also say that it's just because the spider motif drip goes hard.

This isn't smth that can be reflected in art easily but their skin is COLD to the touch! Warmth no longer feels the same to them anymore.