#mr roote

[pinteresk]

Harold Pinter as Mr Roote in THE HOTHOUSE Chichester Festival Theatre (1995)

[beescake]

i am in love with your sollux i think

sollux love party :]

if you’re interested heres some of my personal fondness thoughts on him.. big warning for the mega long read ahead aye

as we alr know sollux's rejection of participation somewhat mirrors dave's rejection of heroism, but even without getting cooked to completion i still find sollux's character v compelling beyond the fourth wall

as someone who doesnt get a pinch of that Protagonist Sparkle to begin with, he can openly say he wants to leave anytime…. and unlike dave, he actually Can leave the scene anytime. but he can never be truly Free from the story via permanent character death like the other trolls.

his irrelevancy is indeed relevant - he’s there so u can point him out.

while his image is intended to be a relic of past internet subculture, his role is not only about hehehaha being a Chad or a 2000s cyberforum 2²chan haxxor ragequit gamebro.

his continued existence also happens to add a Bit to the overarching themes of homestuck! a Bit that gives him longer-lasting thematic relevance compared to the trolls who could’ve had more character potential but didnt get to survive beyond the main story.

the Bit in question:

his defiance contributes to the illusion of agency (treating characters = people with autonomy). he’s “aware” of it, and that recognition is worth noting enough to forcibly keep him alive as both reward and punishment.

considering how his personality & classpect is designed its definitely a very haha thing for hussie to do LOL. he’s made to be op asf so he's resigned to doing dirty work, gradually deteriorating along the way but never truly dying. as fans have mentioned before, him openly rejecting involvement after a while of grim tolerance is like if the sim u were controlling suddenly stopped, looked up and gave u the finger while u were step six into the walkthrough for Every Possible Sim Death Animation.

but since he’s just a sim… the more he hates it, the more you keep him around. if ur sim started complaining abt your whimsical household storyline you’d definitely keep that little fuck.

but yeah i like that sollux is just idling. the significance of his presence being that one dude who's always reliably Somewhere, root core Unchanged, no individual ambitions (possibly due to fear of consequence?), and design-wise: a staple representative product of his time.

compared to dirk's character, who has aged phenomenally well into the present (themes of control + AR + artificial intelligence, clearer exploration around navigating relationships/sexuality, infinite possibilities of self-splinterhood and trait inheritance), sollux's potential is really... contained. bitter. defeatist. limiting and frustrating in the way old tech is.

the world continues moving on to shinier, brighter, more advanced automated things - minimalist and metaverse or whatever but sollux is still here 🧍‍♂️ going woohoo redblue 3d. (tho personally i imagine his vibe similar to what the kids call cassette futurism on pinterest mixed w more grimy grunge insectoid influences eheh)

conceptually-speaking,

at the foundation of it all, the rapid pace of modern development was built off the understanding of ppl like sollux in the past, who were There actively at work while the dough was still beginning to rise

thats one of the cool things abt the idea of trolls preceding humans! the idea that trolls like sollux excelled back when lots of basic shit still needed to be discovered, building structures like networks and codes from scratch, and humans will eventually inherit and reinvent that knowledge in ways that become so optimized it makes the old manual effort seem archaic, slow, and labour-intensive.

but despite information/resources/shortcuts being more accessible now, much of the new highly-anticipated stuff released on trend still end up unfinished, inefficient, or expiring quickly due to cutting corners under severe capitalistic pressures

meanwhile, some of the old stuff frm past generations of thorough, exploratory and perfectionistic development still remains working, complete, and ever so sturdy.

those things continue to exist, just outside our periphery with either:

zero purpose left for modern needs (outdated/obsolete)

or

far too important to replace or destroy, bcs of its surprisingly essential and circumstantial usefulness in one niche specific area.

which are honestly? both points that sum up sollux pree well.

dramatic ending sorry. anw are u still on the fence or are u Sick abt him like me </3

[cidade-tempero]

GUYS . i need 5 more business days to recover

my girl .. wtf are they doing ☹️☹️

[itsatorchwoodthing]

torchwood season one

[dearestgentlereaders]

the fact that we never got this confession scene is a crime

[the-great-anteater]

Rusty Lake characters reacting to your coming out

[f1-enjoyer]

me finding out that my fear of williams giving logan the repaired chassis is coming true

[mikaorangeart]

A family history of getting crushed under the wheels of Fate

[mr-laveau]

"Let him feel the pain that his mother felt and rot."

Listen, do I know that I'm supposed to want Odysseus freed? Yes, I do know this but also! She kinda ate with that.

[tin-bt]

Much Rusty Lake 🥺

Robertrobertroebrtrobert i love robert robertrobert

[yugiohz]

league of villains teen gang au ^-^

comparing each other’s strength and mange is winninggggg, shigaraki stops trying 2sec into the contest, dabi and spinner are too stubborn to give up, toga has been rooting for magne from the start, and compress doesn’t want anyone to get hurt kyaaa

[highseas-swede]

...I seriously cannot stress how much I hate tags like "Give us BAMF Aziraphale" because it seems to imply that he's not badass.

He IS. Tell me how well most people could endure 6000 years of consistent, persistent demoralization, harassment and shitty treatment without snapping?

Do you know how HARD it is to be kind when you've been put through a system that actively discourages kindness and softness, a system that tries to beat it out of you - not physically, but still. The fact that Aziraphale got through all of that and is not just still kind, but still has the capacity to be kind to the very people who hurt him, is fucking remarkable.

Aziraphale is badass. Period. Full Stop.

It's well past time that we stopped equating physical and fighting prowess as a measure of badassery. Just about anyone can exercise and get strong enough to fight someone. Just about anyone could possibly get weapons training. Neither of these things is half as brave as putting yourself in front of a crowd of people and holding off 70 demons with just conviction and a candleholder because it's the RIGHT THING TO DO.

EDIT: I had to add this while I was thinking of it.

I feel like people are buying into Heaven's version of badassery. Angels were made to FIGHT. To fight the last big battle against demons and Hell.

Aziraphale is a deviation because he DOES NOT WANT THAT. He doesn't want to fight a war that will hurt billions and destroy the world. His defining moment in Season 1 is when he stands in the face of the quartermaster and refuses to fight the way they want him to. Instead of a weapon, he chooses to find another way.

If anything, I would think it's leading to the idea that Aziraphale feels he must fight, that he has no choice, and then, when it comes right down to it, finding another way. A kinder way. A BETTER way.

By the standards of Heaven, Aziraphale picking up his sword and fighting would be Normal. Him refusing and finding another way is what makes him Unique. THAT'S what makes him badass.

[stephofromcabin12]

Cooking up something real special lol

[loupy-mongoose]

Randy sat outside, leaning against the wall of Fuji's house. Pens of small Pokemon were dotted around the area, with people bustling among them, feeding, playing with, and talking sweetly to the Pokemon. He found himself wondering if this was Fuji's work.

A breeze kicked up, and Randy lifted the collar of his sweater around his neck. Boy, glad I grabbed a turtleneck before coming here...

As he huddled against the cold of the changing seasons, he could already feel his mind starting to calm down. Still, he sighed for the hundredth time that day.

Why does it always have to come back to this?

Why can't I just... be me?

What do I have to do to be free of it?

Short of...

He didn't finish that thought.

He curled in on himself, tucking his head in his arms.

He sat like that until he heard the door open and approaching footsteps. Looking up, he craned his neck to see Mr. Fuji's face.

Here you are.

As Randy stood up, Fuji held out a hot mug of steaming tea. He gave Fuji a grateful smile as he took them. Thank you, Mr. Fuji.

The old man's face lit in a wide smile. Not a problem, my boy!

Randy looked down into the mug, smelling the inviting aroma, eager for it to cool.

Do you mind if I join you on your walk?

He looked up, startled by the request.

You struck me as having more you wanted to say. But if I'm wrong, feel free to tell me off.

Randy looked down at his drink, watching ripples shimmer on its surface.

He wasn't wrong... but...

If... If you want to, I guess... I don't feel like I'll be good company right now, though.

Maybe not. Fuji shrugged, and Randy noticed for the first time that he already had a jacket on. But what will be, will be. Nothing wrong with just taking a quiet walk around town, eh? And if you want me to leave at any time, just say the word!

~~~~~~

They perused the streets of Lavender Town, Randy taking in the sights of the unfamiliar location. He tried to ignore the Ghastlys and Haunters he saw hovering around, but shivered nonetheless.

I know this town doesn't have the friendliest atmosphere. Fuji gazed around, his face warm. It's home to me, but I know others can be turned off by it.

I'm just not fond of Ghost types...

The older man nodded, a solemn, knowing glint lighting his eyes. That's understandable.

They walked on in silence for a while, Randy now sipping on his drink occasionally. He closed his eyes and took in the scent of the lavender flowers planted throughout the town. Despite their sweetness, he still found them soothing.

In time, the walk came to be quite relaxing. Randy and Fuji started chatting about little things here and there.

They made their way to the dock-laden route south of the town. There they stopped to lean on a rail, watching waves bob leisurely on the ocean surface.

After a while in silence, Randy turned to his companion. I'm sorry you got wrapped up in my mess, Mr. Fuji. That's not fair to you. I hate dragging Akoya and Lav into it, let alone a stranger like you.

I'm sorry it's something you're going through. I never would've expected a Mew to have that kind of power, nor would I have thought of the effect it would have on one's psyche.

Yeah... It... It's been a journey...

He let out a deep breath.

Most of the time these days, I'm fine. I can ignore the doubts, if they pop up, and be the husband and father that they need... That I want to be.

I love them, with all my heart, and want nothing more than to be there for them...

But sometimes... sometimes I can't figure who I actually should be... Sometimes I feel like it's wrong for Randall to be here. Like it... should be Mo...

Mo was the one who should've made it out... Not Randall...

He looked down into the water, watching his shadowy reflection waver beneath his feet. Mr. Fuji's image, beside his own, appeared thoughtful.

We here in Lavender Town have saying for people like you, Randy.

Randy looked at the older man.

You were touched by the White Hand.

He raised an eyebrow. Uhhhh, what by the what now?

It's something we say about people who are, by all means, supposed to be dead, but somehow are not. Be it by a stroke of mad luck, fate, intervention by a higher being, a random miracle, what have you... Kind of like the personification of a second chance.

People here call that miracle force "The White Hand".

Okay... But why a hand?

I don't know why it's called that. As far as I know, it's an ancient legend that has devolved into a mere phrase for understanding the unknown. I have no idea if this "hand" is something to be taken literally or just as a metaphor.

Unfortunately, it has also been twisted into a joke that townsfolk will play on unsuspecting visitors. Claiming to see a white hand on their shoulders. Lav told me this morning that someone played it on her before I stumbled into her.

I prefer to see it as a force for good.

And I think anyone touched by it is meant to be here.

~~~~~~

PREVIOUS NEXT (Not yet)

ARC START | CHRONO

Happy Thanksgiving, to those who celebrate today! ^w^

It was actually a coincidence that I ended up posting a "thankfulness" leaning part today of all days. Happy little accident~

[themyscirah]

Complaining abt Suicide Squad yet again but the fact that they have Waller exposing the alien community to space racist attacks and talking abt how she got to her position through deceit and being a terrible person and stuff is just. Ahsfiwueh JUST SAY YOU DONT KNOW WALLER.

Anyways literally the 3rd mission of the Squad ever (and the first framed as smth Waller picked and not orders from above) was the Squad discrediting and stopping a rogue vigilante who was only arresting POC and funneling white people into white supremacy groups (of which he was the most prominent member) in SUICIDE SQUAD #4. and it's explicitly framed as this mission being personal for Waller that she's hiding from the government bc its illegal like. Guys. Please why are we having her incite (space bc comics) racist attacks now

Also the whole "Amanda got her position through deceit and being a terrible person" NO. she KEPT her position through being shitty and playing complicated political games!!! She wasn't always that way like there is a difference and it is IMPORTANT ppl PLEASEEEE. In Secret Origins #14 we learn Amanda's backstory and she used to be a normal, caring person! Like even after she entered into working in government and politics she wasn't automatically morally bankrupt like please people. She was originally given control of the Squad by Reagan (*sigh* 80s comics...) to distract and get rid of her because she was so successful at pushing progressive social policy in Congress. Acting like she's this static pillar of evil is such a waste of her character and so fucking uninteresting and disrespectful to her arc it drives me MAD.

Like I am NOT saying Waller is all sunshine and rainbows, she fucking SUCKS (said w love <3) but like there's a human being there. It's a progression, she has a character arc like please, DC, please!!! They've fucked up Waller so bad and made her so opaque and uninteresting she can't even be the protagonist of her own story for fucks sake!

Like I don't know how many times I have to scream it until DC hears me or remembers but WALLER IS THE MAIN CHARACTER OF SUICIDE SQUAD. ITS HER BOOK. yet right now she's a cutout to be used as the villain wherever the writers please. Even in her book we get none of her perspective really displayed, no exploration of her thoughts with any kind of understanding of the role she traditionally has played and was made to play in the story.

[mediacircuspod]

Louis and Armand run into each other at the “wanting to fuck that old man” convention and then proceed to yell at one another for showing up like the complete hypocrites they both are.