#most of them are like ??? circumstantially toxic

[musicalmoritz]

Glazing TBHK again idk

There are absolutely valid critiques to be made about the writing of TBHK but I keep seeing teenagers on TikTok make the most mind-numbing takes about how the manga is problematic because it has toxic relationships. Sure there are some questionable scenes that I hate but of all the things to bitch about, you choose the relationships??? And not even a take about the way they’re written, you think a manga having toxic relationships in any capacity makes it bad???

I specified teenagers because I wanted to cut them a little bit of slack but I’ve seen grown ass adults make similar takes. Do ya’ll not watch adult shows with adult themes??? Where the relationships are much worse than what you find in a ghost romance manga aimed at tweens???

I wouldn’t even say the toxicity is glorified, they just don’t tell you how you’re supposed to feel about it 24/7. Like when Hanako says he wants Nene to live the life he gave her, or when Kou wants Mitsuba to be completely reliant on him, you’re supposed to understand that these are severely traumatized characters who’s baggage is going to weigh down their relationships. They don’t give a disclaimer every chapter that you’re not supposed to agree with them because they expect their audience to be sensible enough to come to their own conclusions on how they should feel about those scenes.

I hate to break it to ya’ll but mentally ill people have relationships irl, whether they’re ready for them or not. These relationships may go poorly or they may turn out to be very beneficial depending on how they’re handled. All types of people, whether they deal with trauma/mental illness or not, have flaws that sometimes follow them throughout life. Not all of these flaws will go away, because no human being is 100% perfect. Sometimes we hurt the people we care about even if we’re generally good people. Fiction that falls under the category of magical realism (aka TBHK) is meant to reflect reality, so we’re often going to see characters deal with flaws that they may or may not overcome.

Not to mention, half of these characters are dead, they’re not going to be capable of having normal healthy relationships. They behave realistically for their circumstances, it doesn’t have to have a moral tied up with a pretty pink bow. Most of the ships are doomed to fail anyways so them being toxic is a relevant part of the natural decline of their development. The toxicity doesn’t automatically make the series bad, in fact I’d argue that element is well-written and necessary for the progression of the story. If HanaNene weren’t a little bit toxic, we wouldn’t have gotten the Picture Perfect arc or the Severance arc

It’s perfectly fine to dislike toxic ships in fiction, but don’t ridicule authors for wanting to depict more complex themes in their work. AidaIro have certainly included some weird fan service scenes/official art in their series, but those criticisms should remain separate from creative choices you personally dislike.

[dcdreamblog]

Followup, the Joker has claimed a few times that he was the original Red Hood--do you think there's any credibility to that?

Am I placing much historical stock in one of the many, MANY manifestos written by a murderous sociopath? No honestly I can't say that I am. Thankfully, I do not have to because as any Gothamite will tell you, the Joker is not as slick as he likes to think he is. SO, let's talk some dates and times.

(The Ace Chemical Process Planet located in Gotham City, NJ) The raid/robbery that The Joker cites as his "one bad day" in his manifesto DID happen. That much is a matter of public record. Generally, here is how it went down.

(All times are taken in EST)

2:00 AM: The Gang makes their way, unnoticed into the factory's central processing area

2:02 AM: The Gang's gunmen are spotted by Ace security, a call to the GCPD is made and the security guards open fire against police advice.

2:03-2:15 AM: Most of the Gang members are killed in the resulting firefight before the police arrive outside the building. Leaving only "Red Hood One" the Gang's assumed leader.

2:16 AM: Batman arrives on the scene, breaking through the skylight of the processing area. His presence is noted entering the building by the GCPD and within the plant by Ace security

2:17-2:20 AM: Batman and Red Hood One engage in a short scuffle and chase through the processing plant, eventually ending up on a catwalk overhanging vats of caustic chemicals. Red Hood One is characterized as "nervous", "jittery" and "terrified" by Ace security

2:21 AM: Red Hood One backs up against the railing of the catwalk, seemingly over committing his weight he falls backwards over the railing. Batman lunges forward in an attempt to catch him but Red Hood One's loose evening glove slips free and he tumbles into the vat below.

2:25 AM: GCPD arrives on the scene, all members of the Red Hood Gang are marked DOA by paramedics.

1 Week: The tanks are drained in full, their contents and the drainage pipes, outflow stream and factory grounds are searched. Red Hood One's body is never recovered. Ace Chemical releases a statement saying that full immersion in the chemicals within the vat is "incompatible with human life". On their advice, Red Hood One is declared legally dead, his identity never established.

1 Month: His single evening glove is left in a sealed evidence bag on the desk of Gotham's then new police commissioner, Jim Gordon. This is taken as evidence that even Batman has declared the case cold.

4 Months: The Joker makes his first public appearance, attempting to release toxic chemicals into the Gotham reservoir. After his defeat and arrest, the chemicals are tested. They are the same chemical from the vats at the Ace Chemical Planet where Red Hood One went missing. The chemical is not publically available for purchase and is a controlled substance, meaning it is only purchasable in bulk for corporate and government manufacturing. This means the only missing batch is the one drained from the vats to search for Red Hood One's body.

It's that last detail that I think will leave this door open until the end of time. Famously as it has been noted though, it's impossible to prove beyond circumstantial evidence.

The Joker has no fingerprints (consistent with them being burned off, which is a common enough criminal tactic that it doesn't prove anything), dental and DNA records matching his own do not exist on any public database.

If Red Hood One left skin, hair or prints on the inside of that glove it's not in the case file and Batman's not telling.

[hihopelessromantics]

Fantasy Tails

Messing around with magical biology with some rough sketches and lore :) Tagging some who might be interested :3

@librathefangirl @zorria @7-ratsinatrenchcoat @theprinceofliones @stvrlightthearts

Demon

Another take on the traditional (?) demon tail! The heart on the end protects the demon's retractable, venomous (or just very pointy) barb.

Tails, venomous and nonvenomous, are used for balance, especially while the demon is maneuvering in mid-air. whether they are jumping or flying. flight. They're deceptively strong even though their mechanisms seem delicate and the fluff covering them doesn't appear as tough as the rest of the demon's skin. A younger demon’s tail reaches full size before they reach their adult height. Coloration depends on the demon’s primary colors, including features like hair, eyes, teeth, skin, and tongue.

Tail venom develops during late adolescence- an evolutionary process that serves two purposes. One, that the baby and toddler cannot injure its parents, itself, or its other potential packmates with a potent and uncontrolled poison. Second, that the toxin may adapt to whatever might suit the demon best as it grows. Environmental conditions are thought to play a direct role. High-level demon venom has no ‘antidote’ because it, structurally, is one-of-a-kind; antivenom would require an (albeit slightly) different formula even between identical twins. There are three official categories this venom can fall into: defensive, offensive, and constructive. Some demons will inject their venom into themselves or other demons on a circumstantial basis to help, not harm! A few toxins specifically adapt to treat a temporary condition their demon frequently suffers from- for instance, to treat extreme insomnia or muscle cramps, to dissolve abscesses from the inside, or to reset one of the body’s natural cycles. Level of toxicity can fluctuate throughout the demon’s lifetime.

Goddess

Goddesses’ legs are built for flight - not just for landing - they are very strong! 

Feathers all along the tail can fan out and adjust individually, though, of course, the tail end has the most maneuverability. For potion recipies requiring the physical essence of a goddess feather, it is not usually specified whether it need be a tail or wing feather. Instead, the recipe will reference a specific altitude or bloodline. The wings and tails of goddesses contain special adaptations per their homeland and family line. A feather separated from the body of some goddess species becomes serrated and sharp like a blade, for instance, and these contain a potent defensive energy. Coloration also depends on place of origin and closely resembles that of the wings. 

While aiming for the wings is considered a legitimate battle tactic, aiming for the tail is considered an extreme insult and foul play, a sentiment largely reciprocated and respected by the Demon Clan. 

Fairy

The creatures known as fairies / fae / faerie display immense biological and magical diversity and that's fascinating to work with, so I added them to the list for funsies.

A fairy’s tail begins as a simple prehensile limb and grows into a symbol of the fairy’s power as they mature. In their base form, tails are most often used in dancing and in daily nonverbal communication. Fully awakened fairies’ tails transform in the likeness of their wings, sprouting insect-like appendages which greatly increase the speed and maneuverability of the fairy’s flight. For those of the highest ability, it becomes near-impossible to disorient them or to knock them from the air.

Some examples I thought up!

[samkerrworshipper]

(if you feel comfortable talking about it) whats it like with the adf? im in year 12 about to graduate and am looking into doing a gap year in the adf, hopefully something air force related but im lowkey terrified

okay disclaimer this is my personal experience of being in the adf for a short amount of time so please don’t feel influenced by it!!

i personally love what i do in the adf but it’s also circumstantial based on where i was when i signed up.

when i joined the adf i was in a pretty dark place. i’d just been forced to retire from the sport i loved most in the world and had seen myself having a serious career in due to persistent injuries. i was pretty depressed, anxious, not treating myself well, etc.

if i hadn’t of joined the airforce i don’t know where i would have been in life right now. i wouldn’t recommend it for a person who doesn’t like routines, has a super active social life or is super reliant on having complete freedom. for me, i needed all of those things and it worked for me. i moved out of the toxic environments i was living in at the time and moved on and it was perfect for me.

i can’t really speak on what a gap year is like but i’ve loved my experience working on humanitarian missions and aids (that’s been most of my job working as AUSMAT)

it’s definitely not for the faintest of heart but if it’s something you want to do and think would work for you then i’d definitely say look into it! there’s no harm in exploring your options and if you look through them and think it’s not for you then that’s that

i hope that maybe helped or made sense if not i’m happy to answer more questions!!

(although the benefits, free food, accommodation and money is a massive bonus and definitely isn’t one of the main reasons i’m still working rip)

[jor-elsemissary]

Just encountered a very rare pair that I didn’t even know existed. It only has one fic on Ao3. It was okay and would fit just fine on a multiverse Earth.

But I’m one of those people that gotta figure out how to make it work in canon with as few tweaks as possible.

The rare pair?

Lois Lane and Lionel Luthor. What would that even be called? Loinel? Luthis? (I’m gonna fucking turn off autocorrect now) Luthois? Lionois?

Haha.

It’s a rabbit hole ship for sure.

But for it to work, Lionel cannot be behind the attempt on Chloe’s life. Her murder is what motivated Lois to come to Smallville in the first place and hating on Lionel Luthor, and not trusting Lex Luthor.

I think I’d have to take her line she said to him about being set up to take a fall for the attempt and actually make it a setup. *scratches head* Cause the plausibility is there and I wouldnt put it past Lex to do that in the hopes it would cement his father’s conviction.

Frankly Chloe being infected with a truth inducing gas and making Lionel confess his crime so openly is flimsy evidence and not enough to really get a conviction in a real court case. They would need Morgan Edge’s confession and evidence of sabotage/arson from a 30+ year old accident.

From what I remember, they only had the transcript from Lionel and Chloe’s conversation and she was antagonizing him, and his defense could easily make it sound like he was humoring her. The audio was destroyed after all. Lionel would not have been convicted on circumstantial evidence.

So yeah the whole attempted witness assassination quite possibly might not have been Lionel’s doing. I just find it very convenient that there was an Underground Railroad passage in that safe house and Lex finding out about the bomb.

I mean I know he sent the T-1000 assassin after her but that was not until after Lois’ visit and he realizes Chloe is not dead.

Anyway I digress.

Lois & Lionel.

No attempt to assassinate Chloe is a must for such a pairing to work.

It would be an amusing pairing to be honest. Don’t think Lionel would know what to do with Lois’ snark and sass, and whatever sarcastic pet name she would give him. She’s not like Lillian or Martha, or any of the other women he’s dealt with and dated.

Marrying Lionel is out. He’s not interested in marriage anyway and she doesn’t hedge all her bets on one horse either, even if he does have a shit ton of money and nice hair. There would most certainly be fights, no real relationship fails to have them. People do form deferring opinions after all.

She would frustrate him to no end and he’d be a glutton for it. She would be a puzzle he’d want to solve and that is how he gets hooked. He thinks he knows her type but she keeps proving him wrong.

Lois plays the dumb college girl on purpose. She’s a hellalot smarter than she lets on and he learns that quickly and early in the relationship that isn’t romantic or sexual and they’re not even sure if it’s even friendship yet.

Frenemies?

It would certainly be unrequited at first. Lois isn’t interested right off the bat, especially over a man who was acquitted for murder. She believes Chloe that he did do it and it would take a lot for her to believe otherwise. Might have to get him to open up about his childhood to her or reveal it in some way. Murder is still murder but she might be more understanding if he had done it to save himself and the money was just a means to an end.

Yep I’m going down the rabbit hole.

It would be a slow burn relationship that requires a lot of build up and work from both sides to even make it work. Lionel definitely would try his manipulative tactics on her when he’s not getting his way and she might fall for them a couple times but quickly wisens up to them.

I can see her giving him a taste of his own medicine that gives him whiplash. Is it toxic? Yes. Does it last? No. Lois, despite her bimbly portrayal in Smallville, is no pushover. She comes from his world and knows how to play that tune effectively. She just doesn’t like it because it’s not honest and she’s an honest person.

Which, I think, is one of Lionel’s attractions in women he’s serious about. Lillian and Martha were honest, and unyielding women. Lillian had the misfortune of dealing with an ambitious and ruthless, younger Lionel while Martha dealt with a more humbled older version and easily cockblocked Lillian’s older version from Earth-2.

Lois would be dealing with a Lionel in between. Still ruthless and ambitious, but his experience with the Stone of Transcendence set him on the path of humility.

Hey anyone got a light in this rabbit hole?

Would they end up together in the end? Seriously? Probably not. He’s old enough to be her father. She will want a family and the father around to raise them. Even if I were to set his age back by a decade (why people insist on making birthday-less characters the same age as the actor is beyond me), any offspring he gives her will not have him around in their late teens when it matters the most.

They would more than likely part as Lionel gets older. Barring any murderous children offing him, he’d probably let her go. Especially when she starts working for the Daily Planet. His presence would do her career no good.

This leaves her open to falling in love with Superman. Which is the Lois & Clark relationship I prefer anyway. She’s not suppose to know who Superman is until after he’s been on stage for a while. Half of her career is made by her stories on the mysterious superhero, and the other half dredging up Lex Luthor’s oil barrels from the river.

Yep rabbit hole.

[doxolove]

I guess I do one of these every year on Tumblr since it's okay to yap behind a read more, but here's a review of my 2023. (tw: mental health, death mention)

I honestly don't know where this year went. I spent a good portion of it in crippling mental pain which was a wakeup call in a lot of ways. I went to therapy, I was serious about a self-help journey and freed myself from a tremendous amount of negativity. I learned to put value into my own needs, which has been a new concept as a whole. Codependency was ruining my life and it fucked up it's good share of connections along the way– I was finally sick of it.

I lost a lot of connections and people in my life, circumstantial or not. My grandmother also passed away and it brought in a whole new avenue to grieve. It's never been easy to say goodbye to people, I've let too many in the past long live their stay. I let people I was convinced cared for me unconditionally walk all over me on purpose. I gave too much of myself willingly to any and everyone I have met–

And now I'm finally feeling those repercussions. I'm mentally checked out more than ever, I can't focus on one thing for too long. I had to stop taking artwork commissions, I'm deeply struggling with my craft. I am incapable of letting someone in too close or even give them the appropriate energy, I'm overwhelmed with a lingering trauma I wish would go away already.

Even through all of that, I'm allowing myself to feel disappointed in others. The lack of communication is astounding me, how anyone would just let a decade+ friendship end because they couldn't conjure the strength to talk to me– or outside input influenced them, I just don't know. I'm disappointed in the people I had what seemed like healthy and chill relationships with just die because there was no urge to communicate (or again, most likely influenced)... It's just really upsetting. I don't know what made someone that assured me they had no issues with me start being a toxic asshole any time I was matched against them in pvp? It's all baffling. I wish it was easier to just ask what went wrong -- but I know sometimes it's nothing particularly logical. It just happens.

They all still haunt me, but I have learned most people don't actually want lasting or meaningful relationships and it was hard to come to terms with that. My science and fact-driven mind always wants to know why– but sometimes (most of the time) I'll never get to know that answer.

I still feel really broken, I'm not going to lie. I don't know how long I'm going to feel like this– but I've gained a newer appreciation for the people that are still in my life and understand that my social battery has deteriorated. I'm still learning how much energy to give to new people, but I am tired of being afraid to be social. The right ones are out there and it's not fair I rob myself of the chance of meeting more.

In summary, be kind to yourself going into 2024. You can try as many times as you need to, just go at your own pace. Surround yourself with individuals who reciprocate, communicate often. Not everything works out, and that's fine. I can only hope this next fever dream of a year will be a little better.

[patchworkcowboy-archive]

✿ stands in ur inbox cutely with this relationships flower

THE PRE-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP MEME 0.2 send me a  ✿  and i’ll fill out the template below. bold for things i could definitely see or want, italics for things i could see or am unsure of and striked out for things i don’t want or cannot see.

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

I would very much like to see Puck's reaction upon learning about PJ's past and about Gortash sending him to kill the party in hisBG3 verse. I know a lot of my mutuals like to joke that PJ isn't dangerous but no one has actually done a combat thread with PJ so like.... The man is bringing guns to a swordfight and should NOT be messed with. Anways PJ likes the Bhaal-babe as long as Puck shows interest in rejecting the urges + remorse for his actions.

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

When PJ falls for someone he falls hard. PJ loves Puck despite the fact he uses bones as puzzles and craves blood and I just think it's a very freak 4 freak relationship. I promise this is supposed to be a compliment. I hope we someday explore a thread where PJ finds a non-warlock way to practice magic again bc he is a BEAST with spells and I think him casting magic makes him 1000 times hotter/cooler. Puck can cuddle with him or rail him any day honestly.

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

I adore a close friendship vibe but I personally don't get a familial vibe from them.

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /�� exes turned enemies  /  other 

Considering the fact Gortash was originally trying to get PJ to kill the party this made the most sense to me lol. Also dark Puck where he gives into the urges would make PJ very sad and angry and lead to their relationship detoriorating.

[magnusmodig]

PRE-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP MEME 0.2 / @particlexxdealer / ACCEPTING !

╰┈➤ ✿

✿  and i’ll fill out the template below. bold for things i could definitely see or want, italics for things i could see or am unsure of and striked out for things i don’t want or cannot see.

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

ooc notes:

It's no surprise to anyone that post!Infinity War Thor onwards is a bit of a mess. A bit volatile, more than a bit depressed ... He's lost a lot, and has a ton of ground to cover in the way of recovery. What I love most about Scott is just how fluid he is. He's amicable. He's able to go with the flow – and very good at lifting others up. Thor, by nature, is an extremely similar person. They share an easy-going, generally docile nature. Thor is just largely more .... explosive intense in comparison. I'd love to explore their dynamic as friends in a world without the original Avengers (save Thor and Hulk). A world post!snap... Thor could really use a friend like Scott in the mcu. He hasn't got a lot of them left. 🥲 And! even beyond the scope of post!IW, I'd imagine Scott and Thor would largely get along anyways! They both value and respect Steve greatly, and if Thor were on Earth, he would've been Team Cap all the way.

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

✿ (for robin, because we have a thread and such)

✧ ━━ 𝐏𝐑𝐄-𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐄 𝙻𝙴𝙰𝙶𝚄𝙴 𝚅𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴 𝙱𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚍𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝙸𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚌𝚜 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚙𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚂𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚜𝚎𝚎

━━ Sivir Sivir Sivir, these two really do make my brain itch with possibilities. It's rare that Robin truly gets to interact with someone on the same moral alignment as him, and I can see the two of them bouncing off of eachother in really curious ways. I think they'd have a very business oriented friendship based around their personalities and desires - and Robin would encourage Sivir to dip into her greed. I think ultimately these two would have a high amount of respect for the other that could possibly turn into genuine care; but I suspect it will most likely stay professional. I think it would be good for both of them!

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ Sivir ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ Robin ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

[unmeiha-arc]

✿ !!!!!!!!!!!!!

send me a ✿ and i’ll fill out the template below. bold for things i could definitely see or want, italics for things i could see or am unsure of and striked out for things i don’t want or cannot see. | @abystal

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends / work buddies or coworkers / family friends / flirtationship / friends with benefits*  / smoking buddies / adventure buddies / fake friends / recently friends / party buddies / friendship of need /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  / [your muse] is the good influence  / [your muse] is the bad influence  / [my muse] is the good influence  / [my muse] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  / penpals /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  / other

ROMANCE.*     childhood sweethearts / [your muse is mines] childhood crush / [my muse is yours] childhood crush / exes / exes to lovers / forbidden lovers / highschool sweethearts /  secret relationship  / opposites attract /  long distance  /  unrequited [from your muses side] /  unrequited [from my muses side] /  unrequited [from both sides] /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  / enemies to lovers /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ] /  soulmates  [ literal ] /  awkward  / turning toxic / toxic love / cheating [on your muse] / cheating [with your muse] /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [half]/  siblings [step]/[my muse] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /[my muse] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /[my muse] is a parental figure to yours  /[my muse] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /[your muse] is taken under mines wing  /[my muse] is taken under yours wing  /  found family

ANTAGONISTIC.*     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  / based of off circumstance /  based of professional matters  / based off misunderstanding or lies / conflict of ideology /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other

* heavy discussion and/or plotting required

disclaimer: i tend to default to co-wol interactions because i don't have a non-wol verse, so that's what i've kept in mind while answering this!

we very briefly talked a loooong time ago a bit about how their dynamic would start during the coerthas arc in arr, a place where both of them are at higher risk, helping each other out of some kind of heresy accusation related situation and bonding over both effectively being outcasts — koharu as an au ra in a place where au ra are rare at best (and in a place where they were massacred under the mistaken impression that they were dravanians), shivali because of their claw and their History™ with the cult. misfits finding solidarity with each other.

i'm bringing this up again because i loved that direction and also because it's a time in msq where koharu is extremely guarded and keeps people at arm's length, deliberately avoiding meaningful connection, so something like this would be very, very important to her that early on and would absolutely lead to regarding shivali in a very ride-or-die way end down the line because of this foundation, regardless of whether the relationship stays strictly platonic or they end up kissing in the gayest, most lgbtq way possible in front of the biggest halone statue at the holy see. vive la révolution, baby!

but more to the point, in a co-wol setting it would be almost impossible to not know each other before this and i feel like coerthas could be the turning point in their relationship from passing acquaintances with the same role to a genuine friendship. it's an opportunity to learn a little bit about each other on a more personal level and grow from there.

potential bonding moments outside of having a shared occupation:

both of them are competitive, which in and of itself is rife with possibility. not only is it something that can be fun, it can also push them both to do better. by having... not necessarily a rival, because i don't really see the relationship being so competitive that it's a rivalry, but someone to measure themselves against and strive to match. keeping each other on their toes. but obviously there's also the fun things like small, inconsequential challenges throughout their days, card/dice games in the rising stones with the scions, sparring matches to train. little things!

less of a bonding opportunity, more of a a potential plot point, but also kind of a (long distance) bonding opportunity: shivali's fear of drowning/open water no doubt poses a bit of an issue for them during stormblood. for better or worse, the story's decision to divide and conquer works very well in their favor: koharu heading east — heading home — to take up arms on the doman front, and shivali heading the ala mhigan front. linkpearls are probably a thing but i like to think there's a maximum distance for those, so instead of that: writing to each other. keeping each other apprised of the situations in their respective locations and providing moral support for each other with their letters.

i've always had a little headcanon for multi- or co-wol interactions where all involved have some kind of memory crystal made for them à la azem's crystal because canon is my bitch and i do what i want with it, but also because kore's memories (but also fray/her esteem) are a key part of koharu later on in her story, regardless of whether or not koharu is the azem shard. where shivali struggles with her darkness, koharu struggles with her sense of self. both of them have a need to be enough, to be themeselves, and i think they can both be very steadying presences for each other while struggling with these things, further cementing the ride-or-die theme.

bonus i'm-comfy-enough-to-suggest-this round:

listen. they both had a fwb with thancred in arr and i just think they can cut out the middle man, so to speak. or not, that's cool too. i'm sure thancred won't mind.

[no1psychic]

✿ For serizawa let’s go !!!

pre - established relationships prompt, @raytm, accepting.

things striked out are things i cannot see happening at all, italics are a "yeah i can see this vibe", and bold are things i can for sure see happening. answers under the cut!

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /[your muse] is the good influence  /[your muse] is the bad influence  /[my muse] is the good influence  /[my muse] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /[your muse is mines] childhood crush  /[my muse is yours] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [from your muses side]/  unrequited [from my muses side]/  unrequited [from both sides]/  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]/  soulmates  [ literal ]/  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [on your muse]/  cheating [with your muse]/  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [half]/  siblings [step]/[my muse] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /[my muse] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /[my muse] is a parental figure to yours  /[my muse] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /[your muse] is taken under mines wing  /[my muse] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

chucks input: ya know em ya love em, serirei. anyway, i love these two very much. so for secret relationship in italics i just think reigen and serizawa trying very hard to keep their relationship secret at first from the spirits n such gang and them both failing very hard bc they're simps for each other smh. anything antagonistic i think would most likely happen due to reigen being garbage at talking about his true feelings or admitting when he's having a hard time. i think that could give us some sweet sweet hurt comfort vibes.

[dcwnthercbbithcle]

✿ - for Rosie

PRE-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP MEME || OPEN & ACCEPTING! || ESPECIALLY TO NON-MUTUALS/NEW MUTUALS/NEW FOLLOWERS

Bolded text are relationships I can really see between our characters. Italicized text is for relationships that could be explored and/or presented in small amounts but would need to be plotted more. Crossed-out text are for relationships that are NEVER present.

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

It's such a complex situation that it makes my heart ache. Poor Rosie, Zuriya is that last of so many doors she and her family have opened in an attempt to give her some peace of mind, and Zuri knows this. It's nothing she holds against Rosie; in fact, that aspect of their friendship makes it all the dearer for Zuri. Rosie and her parents trust Zuriya with not only her protection but finding a way to help with her affliction in the long term, and it's heartwarming. Zuriya... she's not ignorant of how her persona leads her to be perceived. Usually, she prefers not being taken so seriously but to have her efforts and magics respected enough to warrant that honour, it gives fire and fuel to make her want to prove them correct in their faith. Her ethics may be non-existent, her honour, well dubious at best. But she will live to ensure they never regret trusting Rosie and her care to her and that she will learn to protect herself against the spirits and the terrors that plague her. It's that one meme: 'I've only had Arlo Rosie for one day and a half, and if anything happened to him her, I would kill everyone in this room and then myself,' Zuri has been trusted to create the warding spells and find conjurations that can give Rosie strength to block out the access of spirits but not impact her development or spiritual load for no longer than a week. She feels for this child so much. She is her newest younger sister, and even though there is that knowledge that after her work is done, she will most likely never see her again, she's happy. Because Rosie is worth fighting for, Rosie is worth every minute toiling over magic, and frankly??? Rosie makes Zuri a better person!

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ZURI IS SO IRRESPONSIBLE, BUT SHE'S TRYING SO HARD TO BE THE SISTER SHE ALWAYS ENVISIONED AND DREAMED OF. Throughout her childhood, I've kind of highlighted that Zuri's siblings were resentful and little to non-present, but that doesn't mean she never wished and prayed she had her siblings and that they loved her. Day in and day out, she wished she had an older sister to look out for her, to scare off the bullies, to teach to braid and style her hair, to have her back when the nuns and priestesses were on her case. She wished she had someone who, no matter what, had her back and loved her unconditionally and on some level. Now that Rosie is turning to her with that same sad, hopeful expression. She wants to embody everything she prayed for as a girl. To be someone who can help, even this one child, not grow up with nothing but dreams and unanswered prayers and have someone who can look out for her and love her and guide her as a friend and family!

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

I HATE TO CALL ANYTHING ABOUT THEM ANTAGONISTIC, because, let's be real, Zuri feels ZERO antagonism or hatred in her body towards Rosie. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, Zuri is going to introduce her to sorcery through all the magic she is using to protect Rosie, and Rosie is allowed to feel all kinds of 'WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK,' about it! It is dangerous, even though the danger isn't that 'holy fuck,' given Zuri's skill and experience!

[jikoku-a]

✿ / jun & judai

breathes in deep ....... you underestimate how much i adore this duo

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  / [ your muse] is the good influence  / [ your muse ] is the bad influence  / [ my muse ] is the good influence  / [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

i love their friendship ..... truly brainrot over them ! i just adore the rivals to reluctant friends trope hehe, with judai being completely apathetic to jun's grumbling and groaning and just being happy to have a rival who constantly challenges him to get better (: they truly are the best adventure buddies and the fact that they can eventually both see ka too !!! they're sort of frenemies if only because i don't think jun would ever admit that he and judai are friends, and there's some baggage attached to their relationship on jun's side, but i think their friendship is tried and true either way. they're so goofy and ridiculous together that i just adore seeing them interact no matter what form it's in or what it's about.

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  / [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  / [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ] /  unrequited [ from my muses side ] /  unrequited [ from both sides ] /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ] /  soulmates  [ literal ] /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ] /  cheating [ with your muse ] /  other 

i do really adore these two as a ship and i think they vibe romantically as they get to know each other ! judai's carefree nature and genuine acceptance of who jun is eventually forces him to grow as both a duelist and a person, and that sort of openness is what jun needs in a relationship imo. their dynamic is just a bunch of different applicable tropes that have me by the throat: cat and dog, red oni and blue oni, tiger vs dragon. i love them as a friendship and love them as boyfriends.

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ] /  siblings [ step ] / [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  / [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  / [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  / [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  / [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  / [ my muse] is taken under yours wing  /  other

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

it's a little funny to say that they're enemies because judai just doesn't even see jun in that way, even when he's at his most intense ? at most they're rivals and fucked up little petty frenemies. i love the slice of life episodes like the duel festival one because even though they're constantly bickering, they're really just two idiot dorks who love this card game, and the more lighthearted settings in the anime let them just be normal students and highlight how petty their beef actually is at times. still, their rivalry is not only important to help both of them learn and grow, but i don't really think they'd be the same people without each other hehe c:

[patchworkcowboy-archive]

✿

THE PRE-ESTABLISHED RELATIONSHIP MEME 0.2 send me a  ✿  and i’ll fill out the template below. bold for things i could definitely see or want, italics for things i could see or am unsure of and striked out for things i don’t want or cannot see.

FRIENDSHIP.     childhood friends  /  work buddies or coworkers  /  family friends  /  friends with benefits  /  smoking buddies  /  adventure buddies  /  fake friends  /  recently friends  /  party buddies  /  friendship of need  /  dying friendship  /  circumstantial friendship  /  partners in crime  /  old friendship  /  [ your muse ] is the good influence  /  [ your muse ] is the bad influence  /  [ my muse ] is the good influence  /  [ my muse ] is the bad influence  /  opposites attract  /  ride or die  /  frenemies  /  roommates or flatmates  /  penpals  /  exes to friends  /  enemies to friends  /  other

I feel like they'd have a bit of a rocky friendship at first, especially considering his BG3 verse. Still, if Astarion gives him the chance to get to know one another there is the fun parallel of Astarion being held at Cazador's mercy and PJ being held at his ex-patron's mercy. I feel like PJ's story gives him the ability to understand Astarion in a way some of the others can't.

ROMANCE.     childhood sweethearts  /  [ your muse is mines ] childhood crush  /  [ my muse is yours ] childhood crush  /  exes  /  exes to lovers  /  forbidden lovers  /  highschool sweethearts  /  secret relationship  /  opposites attract  /  long distance  /  unrequited [ from your muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from my muses side ]  /  unrequited [ from both sides ]  /  skinny love  /  friends to lovers  /  enemies to lovers  /  spurious relationship  /  power couple  /  newly entered  /  soulmates [ metaphorical ]  /  soulmates  [ literal ]  /  awkward  /  turning toxic  /  toxic love  /  cheating [ on your muse ]  /  cheating [ with your muse ]  /  other 

PJ is the type to develop crushes on friends so if they become friends he'll likely develop a crush on him at some point. That being said PJ isn't typically the type to make the first move. And honestly he prob would assume Astarion is out of his league lmfao.

FAMILIAL.     siblings [ half ]  /  siblings [ step ]  /  [ my muse ] is an older sibling figure to your younger sibling figure  /  [ my muse ] is a younger sibling figure to your older sibling figure muse  /  [ my muse ] is a parental figure to yours  /  [ my muse ] is a child figure to your muse  /  guardian figure  /  legal guardian  /  adoptive child  /  foster child  /  [ your muse ] is taken under mines wing  /  [ my muse ] is taken under yours wing  /  other

I adore a close friendship vibe but I personally don't get a familial vibe from them.

ANTAGONISTIC.     dangerous to each other  /  dangerous to others  /  unpredictable  /  rivals  /  petty  /  developing into sexual or romantic tension  /  based off family matters  /  based of off circumstance  /  based of professional matters  /  based off misunderstanding or lies  /  conflict of ideology  /  betrayal  /  hero - villain dynamic  /  enemies  /  fight club  /  friends turned enemies  /  lovers turned enemies  /  exes turned enemies  /  other 

Considering the fact Gortash was originally trying to get PJ to kill the party this made the most sense to me lol.

[sk-lumen]

Hey Lumen,

Is it normal to outgrow people when you’re ”leveling up”? Because I feel like my current friendships don’t align with me anymore and at this point I’m kinda holding on just because I’ve known them forever and see them often...

And if this is normal how could I distance myself from them without causing any drama? Thank you!

Hi love,

The answer is yes! It’s completely normal to outgrow people when you’re improving every aspect of your life.

The truth is, you cannot holistically level up, if something as foundational as your circle of friends or acquaintances is a group of people that are scarcity-oriented, bitter and unsupportive. They will inevitably only bring you down and hold you back from evolving, instead of the opposite - lifting you up as any friends should!

I know because I struggled with this for many years. I was stuck in an environment that had this exact effect on me. Because things were complicated at the time, I had no choice but be exposed to such groups of people, and I thought that by pure will or self discipline I could minimize or alter the effects it had on me. And it was a fool's errand, because you can’t! We’re human, and our peers are inevitably the most influential on our wellbeing, daily habits and success.

Change your environment, and your mindset will follow along.

Remember when some while back I wrote that you cannot bloom in a toxic soil? That’s it. You need a healthy, fruitful foundation in order to really start thriving and blooming, and part of that healthy foundation is having people around you that at least have a neutral, if not positive effect. Otherwise, it’s like trying to climb a mountain while carrying the unnecessary baggage of “doubt, judgement, evil eye, misunderstanding” and whatever else results from having the wrong people around you. Why fight against gravity, when you could just let go of the unnecessary baggage?

It’s okay to ougrow people. Nobody says you have to be indiscreet and just cut people off. You can part ways in a classy and diplomatic way where everybody is all the better for it. You, because you’ve made more space in your life for equal-minded people who are ambitious, open minded, with a growth/abundance mindset, eager to become a better person and happy to support those around you, your loved ones doing the same. And the people you leave behind, with values that don’t match yours, will likewise be better off because they can find more people that align with their views. It’s a win-win situation.

By staying in the wrong circles, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

It’s the same with staying in an unhappy relationship where you don’t feel seen, or even worse, is a toxic one. By staying in it, you’re not giving yourself the opportunity of actually finding the right one, the healthy one, one that makes you actually happy.

When you let go of the old, you’re creating space to let in the new. It’s a universal law.

Darling, I know this step can be hard — letting go of people. But you should be honest with yourself and ask, are these people really your friends? Do you feel supported, seen, loved, understood? Do they bring light into your life? Or is it just an “acquaintanceship”, where they use you for their benefit, or you hang out simply out of habit because you see each other every day (circumstantial)? Outside of those circumstances, does the connection actually hold up? Only you can decide, but once you do, let your life goals reflect your friendships as well.

As for your last question, you can move on in an elegant way, and it depends on you entirely how you go about it. For easily triggered people, you can be diplomatic by saying you’re busy and have a lot of tasks/projects going on. For the rest, you can be honest and say you want to focus on improving yourself so you have other priorities right now — and they can either join you on the journey, or you can gently part ways.

Hope this helps, and I wish you the best. 💖🥂

-Lumen

[redrobin-detective]

Delayed Mourning

Going Angst Day 5: Death

_________________________________________

It was 3pm when there was a knock on Maddie Fenton’s door. She huffed and set down the meal she’d been working on. Of course the one day she had time to pre-plan a nice meal from her family was the day she’d get interrupted. 

“Yes? May I help you?” Maddie asked, opening the door. She had expected a salesman. Possibly even a neighbor coming to complain, again, about the noise or the smells that came from Fentonworks. Instead she found a small woman who couldn’t have been much taller than 5 ft with dark brown hair tied up in a tight bun. She was wearing a sharp white shirt and suit jacket with a matching white skirt.

“Mrs. Fenton, hello,” the woman gave a polite little head nod. “I’m from the the Government Institute of Interdimensional Warfare though I hear the locals like to call us the Guys in White.” She said with a knowing smiling, “of course, as you know, it’s not only the guys who are interested in ghosts. May I come in?”

“Oh yes, hello,” Maddie blinked, opening the door to let the agent in. The petite woman stepped inside, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor. Her small frame, her oversized glasses and soft nature seemed so at odds with the meatheads Maddie usually found in the GIW. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“Perhaps,” the agent demurred. “It’s more there was something I wanted to inform you of. If you’re not too busy, may we sit down and talk? Your husband and children are not home.” Maddie thought that last statement was a bit odd, framed as a statement of fact rather than an inquiry but moved on. 

“Yes, Jack’s out of town visiting a relative and my kids won’t be back for a little while,” Maddie said. “Let me just finish putting this roast together, I’m almost done. Can I get you anything? Water? Tea?”

“No, thank you,” The woman said quietly. “And please, continue while you’re doing. Let me give you a little bit of background.” The agent adjusted her large glasses with her tiny hands. “Let me introduce myself, you may call me Agent S. I work primarily out of Washington for the Institute but sometimes I am deployed on site for... special cases. And, as I’m sure you’re aware, your town is very special.”

“Now, as you may have noticed, I am not particularly built like the normal Institute agents you have probably come across. That is because I do not work in the field but behind the scene in Investigations. My job is study the history and happenings of hauntings and spectral entities.”

“Oh that sounds fascinating,” Maddie beamed as she finished with her final preps and put the roast in the over. She looked over her shoulder at Agent S while she washed her hands. “Jack and I dabble a bit in history and folklore but we’re more versed in the hard sciences of ghosts.”

“Yes, I’ve read some of your papers, you and your husband truly are the frontrunners in the field,” Agent S nodded. Maddie preened at the praise and sat down, delighted to have a sophisticated conversation with someone in her field who she wasn’t married to. If more of those GIW agents were like Agent S then Maddie would get along a lot better with them. “So, Maddie, may I call you Maddie? What date and time did your portal start working?”

“It was August 28th,” Maddie said proudly. “It didn’t work at first when we first plugged it in. I’m afraid I don’t have an exact time it started up as we weren’t here. Jack was convinced one of the electrical conduction pieces wasn’t fully connected and was preventing ectoplasmic distribution. We ended up driving 4 hours to Springfield and back for some specialty parts only to find the portal working when we returned.”

“I can help you there,” Agent S said with a soft smile reaching into her white briefcase and pulling out several thick folders. She laid them out gently on the table and Maddie was unnerved by some of the information: schematics of Fentonworks, past and present financial records, transcripts of public statements. Her shoulders tensed when she saw Jazz and Danny’s names on some of the files. “Toll camera captured your vehicle on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway at exactly 1:26pm on August 28th. We can confirm you and your husband’s vehicle traveled to Springfield and back via video feeds and credit card statements at 10:45pm that same day and were therefore out of the city all day.”

Maddie suddenly felt very trapped by the woman’s sharp grey eyes as she plucked a piece of paper and pressed it towards Maddie. 

“At 3:18pm, the majority of the residential power in town went out for a period of 2 and a half hours. The cause was determined to be from a massive power surge that blew out the transformer. You may recall being blamed for this outage given your history with previous outages but the news that you were out of town settled that argument. However, I was not convinced.” She pulled out another piece of paper and Maddie bristled to see it was a Casper High attendance sheet.

“Your daughter, Jasmine was at her final summer cram session which ran from 2pm until 5pm. I spoke to her tutors and she never left the whole time and, in fact, stayed late to help a fellow student work through her study materials. But what about your son?” Agent S asked with with a curious smile but her eyes belied the fact that she had her own answers. 

“How dare you spy on my family, on my children,” Maddie hissed, crumpling one of the papers in her fist. “Get out of my house, I will sue the pants off of your organization for this invasion of privacy! Get out!”

“Now Maddie, don’t you want to know how your son started up your Portal?” Agent S asked coyly, that drew Maddie up short. Danny? No, he couldn’t have possibly. He had no interest in their work, in fact, now that she thought about it, Danny had been sick that day. Agent S pulled out a set of blueprints for the Fenton Portal. Some small component inside the Portal was circled.

“You left at approximately 1pm and your daughter presumably left not long after. Phone records indicate Daniel called both Tucker Foley and Samantha Manson. Your neighbor, Mrs. Benson, saw them coming into your house not long after but before the 3pm power outage which I was able to triangulate did in fact originate from your home.” Agent S tapped the circled part of the inner portal mechanisms. “Now did you happen to push the on button in the Portal before plugging it in?”

“On button?” Maddie asked with a dry mouth, overwhelmed by the amount of information being thrown her way. All she could think about was how Danny hadn’t seemed sick when they’d left that afternoon but had looked awful when they returned. Would he have really gone downstairs and messed with the Portal? Had he gotten hurt? Been contaminated down there? Images of Vlad’s sickly visage after his accident flowed through her head. She should have paid more attention but she’d been so excited about the Portal working...

“It’s right here in the blueprints you submitted to the patent office, buried under dozens of other hardware bits. Its small, such a little thing compared to all the moving parts required to open up a dimensional portal. Daniel was a bright boy, his middle school records prove it. A bright mind, friends to impress, no parents around to chastise him... I think you can see where I’m going with this.”

“No, no,” Maddie said, burying her hands in her hair. “No, I’m not. You’re saying -what? - that my teenage son turned on the Portal when we were gone? No, my Danny wouldn’t lie to me about that... Why wouldn’t he say anything?”

“I don’t blame him for not mentioned in because, if my hunch is correct, he was inside the Portal when it turned on, killing him instantly,” Agent S said with a carefully neutral face. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I’m afraid this haunting has gone on long enough.”

“My child is alive!” Maddie screeched, standing up in her chair. “Danny is alive and healthy and he is not a ghost!”

“I will admit the evidence of how he died is circumstantial but the fact that Danny Fenton is deceased is not.” Maddie fell back into her chair as he legs gave out underneath her. 

She watched the agent put paper after paper in front of her and detailed all sorts of data about her son that Maddie, who lived in the same house as him, had missed. Unusually high ectosignatures picked up by GIW (and their own) detectors, Danny being spotted in some form before most ghost attacks, faked signatures of hers getting him out of nurses’ visits. Maddie barely felt alive herself as she stared at a red light camera photo of her baby sitting atop a light post late, late at night. His eyes were a toxic green color.

“I know this must be distressing as a mother but your child never left that basement, never attended high school and will never achieve his dream of working for NASA.” Agent S said with carefully measured sympathy as she gathered up her papers and put them back in her case. “But you are a brilliant scientist, unlike your husband, you should be able to look past your emotions and see that your child is gone and the ghost he left behind is dangerous.”

“My husband?” Maddie asked blankly, running a finger down Danny’s unnatural photograph.

“I approached Jack two days ago, mistakenly believing he would be the most understanding of you both. He refused to believe the evidence and was, in fact, going to warn your son’s ghost that we planned on taking him. He is safe but he presently being held at one of our facilities until the capture is complete.” Maddie should feel outraged at her husband’s kidnapping but all she could think about was the fact that her son was dead, dead, dead, killed by her own invention over a year ago and she never noticed. How could she not have noticed?

“Daniel’s ghost is extraordinary, not only able to pass as human so accurately for so long but immensely powerful. We need to make sure he doesn’t harm anyone else. Think of his friends who are probably being forced to aid him and keep his death quiet. Think of your husband, your daughter, living in the same house as a dangerous ghost.” Agent S dropped some of her professionalism and plucked the photo of Danny out of Maddie’s hands and replaced it with her own tiny hand. 

“I know this is impossible thing to ask but I must do it anyway, will you help me capture what remains of Danny? There is a chance with his charade exposed, he will be able to move on and so will you. You have been wronged, Maddie. You have been denied the right to process and grieve your child by his own ghost. But a delayed mourning is better than none. Danny’s death is a tragedy but please don’t let it become someone else’s.”

“Maybe he’s not-” Maddie’s breath hitched, “he’s never shown any signs of aggression. Jasmine spoke of benevolent spirits... maybe-” Agent S sighed roughly and retracted her hand to grab another photo from her case. Maddie was surprised when she held up a picture of Phantom. 

“Ignore the glow,” Agent S instructed. “Change his white hair to black, his green eyes to blue. Think of how often Phantom is spotted in your neighborhood, around Casper High. Remember how he always has his hands on your technology,” the agent frowned. “Think of how he grins when he sees you, like he knows something you don’t. Like it all just a big joke you’re not a part of.” Maddie felt like she’d been slapped.

“Your son is dead,” Agent S said more forcefully, throwing the picture of Phantom next to the spooky one of Danny. “And his ghost has taken his place, taunting you, stealing energy from your family, from the portal that killed him. Phantom’s power is increasing too rapidly and soon we won’t be able to contain him. It’s why I was brought in to identify his haunt so that he could be stopped before anyone else died.”

“I will state this plainly, I am giving you the chance to participate in putting your child to rest but you are not required for this operation. If you refuse, you will be confined with your husband until Phantom is taken down. Do not let this monster with your son’s face trick you any more. So I ask again, Maddie Fenton, will you help us stop Phantom from making a mockery of your son’s memory?”

XxX

“Mom! Jazz! I’m home!” Danny announced, kicking off his shoes and grabbing a paper out of his backpack as he walked into the kitchen with a grin. “And I have a present! Jazz’s tutoring paid off, look at this A I got on my history test! Well A- but a solid A-!” 

“Oh... that’s great,” Mom muttered quietly. She was sitting at the kitchen table, not cooking or tinkering with some gadget. Just sitting there quietly, twiddling her thumbs and not looking at him.

“Is everyone okay?” Danny asked, dropping his bag on the floor and walking over to his mother. “I saw Jazz at school but is Dad okay?”

“No, everything is not okay,” she said turning and looking at him with tear-filled eyes. “Someone died, someone I love dearly and I’m not ready to let them go,” she sniffed and wiped at her eyes. “But they've been gone for a long time, even if I’m just hearing about it now. I’m upset but it’s better to know and be grieve than to go on in ignorance, living a lie.”

Danny was about to ask who had died when something was jammed into his neck and he was shocked within an inch of his half life. His body spasmed to escape but his mother was gripping his arm to hold him in place. He transformed unconsciously but that only made it worse. He fell to the floor, ectoplasm leaking off his form as he could barely hold himself together.

“Mom,” he croaked, reaching for her despite everything. She stomped on his hand which was practically goo from such a vicious, destabilizing ectoplasmic shock.

“Don’t you ever call me that,” she hissed through angry tears. “I didn’t want to believe it but the proof is right in front of me you horrible, selfish ghost.” She kicked him in the side and half of him ended up on her boot. “How dare you, how dare you impersonate my son! How dare you string me along all this time, make me look like a fool who had to told that her own child was dead! I bet you just laughed and laughed at our stupid, human ignorance of what your were!”

“‘lease,” he begged through the ectoplasm in his mouth. “I’m still your....”

“My son is dead and he has been for a while,” Mom said, throwing the ecto-taser away from her. Danny vaguely heard the door being kicked in and in his rapidly diminishing vision, he saw black boots and white suits. “With you gone, I can finally come to terms with it and not be tormented by an inadequate replacement.” She turned her back to him. “Get that filth out of my house, I never want to see it again.”

“Of course,” a quiet feminine voice said as his goopy arms were restrained with ghost proof cuffs. “I know this is hard, Maddie but you made the right choice for your family and Danny’s memory. Jack will returned to you within the hour. I spoke to my superiors, for your cooperation, the Institute will take care of declaring Danny dead as well as covering costs for your boy to be laid to rest, the first step in moving on.”

“No, the first step will be removing that duplicitous monster from my home. It’s stolen enough of my baby’s life. Now please leave, I have - I have a funeral to plan.”