#nick is so relatable btw

[oceanwithinsblog]

yesterday i finally found time to finish watching heartstopper season 3 and, as always, i've adored it! tbh there were some changes from the webtoon that left me a bit speechless (such as the ferris wheel scene with tori and charlie), but it's okay i trust alice and know they've got more wonderful stuff to look forward to in the future season(s) ~

i don't think it's just me but this show sort of feels like a warm hug, even for people like me who aren't teenagers anymore and haven't come out of the closet yet...

i'll always cherish the stories and characters created by alice oseman! sadly they weren't part of my adolescence (i would have loved reading/watching heartstopper in my teenage years, it would have been so immensely helpful), but they're helping me now that i'm in my 20s to better accept myself, among other things 𔓘

hopefully n3tfl1x will renew the show for season 4 soon !!

[lunarharp]

more phoenix wright situations

[ereborne]

Song of the Day: February 26

“Diamonds in the Mud” by Gerry Cinnamon

[whispersofjupiter]

reading hell followed with us rn and i just have to say cocoon by catfish and the bottlemen is nick and benji’s song

[yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere]

❤️🤍💙 #RWRB #RWRBMovie #RedWhiteAndRoyalBlue

Casey being iconic-i just love Them so much!!

#CaseyMcQuiston

. https://twitter.com/ThisIsGSage23/status/1791335511728013403?s=19 .

"I just really wanted to explore both of those characters and I wanted to do it in a way that I hadn't really seen before, and also just like as a queer person I want to make queer art and that's what I'm drawn and that's what I'm interested in. So I kind of had these two different ideas, it was like one idea was that I would write a book about this rebellious first kid who's like figuring out that they're queer and what does that mean for their like political aspirations; and the other was about you know sort of a member of the royal family under all of this pressure to carry on this legacy and like what does that mean if they're gay. Um-And I'm just like kind of weighing these two different stories and deciding where I wanted to go and then I just kind of had this moment of like What If I didn't have to choose and it was the same story because they fall in love with each other? And-Um-You know in a classic bisexual fashion I was like I'm gonna have both, so I did!"

"It was really important to me that Alex was explicitly bisexual because like, you know, I really wanted the representation of like this bisexual character and then it was important to me that he was also Mexican like he is in the book and that he was played by a Mexican actor. (..) It was really important to me that, um, I didn't want any, I didn't want Alex or Henry, no matter how their stories were translated to the screen, I didn't want either of them to have any type of, um, like shame or resentment towards themselves for being queer, it was really important to me that the stakes of their lives and their like inner conflict was much more based on like the circumstances that they're in. It's like they don't hate themselves for being gay-or for being bi-they just wish that it was easier to be who they were in the world that they live in."

"..Taylor embodies that so beautifully. (..) I think he's just killer in that role. And Nick, I mean, if you like turned me upside down and shook me like he would fall out my brain as Henry (..) doesn't have blue eyes but they sure are sad eyes and that is exactly what they need to be."

"I see myself in Alex, tremendously, I'm very much in Alex, I relate to him so much, uh, truly, I think he's the most like me of all my characters."

"I very much would love screenwriting to become part of what I do, I'll say it that way."

BTW for everyone interested: Red, White & Royal Blue: Collector's Edition Henry PoV bonus chapter by Casey Mcquiston : https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/752528941905018880?source=share

CMQ spotify (characters' playlists!!) https://open.spotify.com/user/p873j0jdmqn5hye7cakdnub7e/playlists

+ also queer history/facts from RWRB(Alex engaging with queer history)(thank you SO. MUCH. CASEY MCQUISTON!!)-GREAT POST here on tumblr!!-many links here, lots of information! (Waterloo Vase, Stonewall, SCOTUS decision 2015, Walt Whitman, Laws of Illinois 1961, The White Nights Riots, Paris Is Burning, THAT David Wojnarowicz photo 'If I Die Of AIDS-Forget Burial-Just Drop My Body On The Steps Of The F.D.A' https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/757305651356729344?source=share (I encourage you to research more about David!!) , Thisbe & Pyramus, The V & A, James I & George Villiers and MORE!!) https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/757308307835895808?source=share (Learning about things referenced in Red, White & Royal Blue, thank you @ elipheleh)

+https://www.vulture.com/article/casey-mcquiston-red-white-and-royal-blue-the-pairing-interview.html

+https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/taylor-zakhar-perez-casey-mcquiston-interview-red-white-royal-blue-1235975977/

.https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/758778031058862080?source=share

+

[ashipiko]

WHATS THIS? ASHI HAS APPEARED W A NEW TWST OC? CRAZY!!!!! <3 introducing niko cimarron!!!

FEEL FREE TO COME INTO MY INBOX AND TALK ABOUT HIM BTW IT WOULD SOOO HELP ME DEVELOP HIM 🫶

“What’s it now, Carrots? Got yourself in another mess?”

INFO UNDER CUT!

• HE KINDA??? IS MAGICLESS? while in NRC. THE MAGIC SCHOOL.

• 😭😭 you may be wondering how exactly. he doesn’t know either. I FEEL LIKE MIRACULOUSLY HE DID IT AS A JOKE AND SOMEHOW GOT INTO NRC????? as for the entrance ceremony IM STILL WORKING ON IT but magicless fox boy. OK

• <3 scarabia 2nd year!! he vibe checked himself and was like “yk what this one is convincing enough” and here we are

• he doesn’t necessarily LIE despite people sayin that he does all the time 🤔🤔 more so that he’s really good w his words and he just kinda dodges questions in a creative way 🫶 does this sound familiar

• rumor has it he’s made out w azul once and no one knows if it’s actually true or not </3

• everytime he sells his little “pawpsicles” outside of montro lounge (like RIGHT outside) and Azul tries to kick him out he pulls the “oh I GET IT you’re just salty I’ve moved on aren’t you” and suddenly it’s like no one believes Azul 😭😭 ITS KINDA FUNNY

• the tweels LOVE him because of how entertaining he is espec w azul!!! THEY SUPPORT NIKO WRONGS!!!!

• best friend is crowley FR I feel like azul’s TRIED to talk to him about niko but he’s just “a student trying to make a profit. much like you, ashengrotto!” so it doesn’t work. AZUL OUT HERE STRUGGLING

• as for relations w the prefect I FEEL LIKE THEYD BE A LOT LIKE NICK AND JUDY. considering the fact that’s he’s also a magicless student in a magic school I can see a small scene where it’s like “you’re not alone, all right? hey— that doesn’t mean you can run off telling everyone, carrots.” BUUUT. he kinda has issues

• trying to keep up the act of him seemingly having magic because he doesn’t want to be exposed as a phony at NRC……. he doesn’t wanna give into that fox/playboy stereotype and now he’s kinda in this big mess of a lie that he can’t get himself outta 😔 so I imagine telling the prefect is a whole big thing with vulnerability

• he doesn’t care too much about the other guys at nrc but w the prefect who’s given him a chance to be smth more than just a flirt or playboy or scammer he’s kinda scared to tell them he’s been lying to their face this whole time. YK? HES JJST A LITTLE GUY!!!! 🫶 he’s attached to the prefect whether he’d admit it or not <3

• DID I MENTION HE KINDA HAS A PLAYBOY PERSONA?

• ALSO W CALLING THE PREFECT “CARROTS” I can imagine a scene at lunch where he meets the prefect and he’s like “oh you must really like carrots, huh? there’s a bunch on your plate” and yuu gets the decision of either “no, I hate carrots” or “yes, I love carrots!” and either way he goes “huh. well, carrots is your name now~”

[heretyc]

How Outlast Characters Respond To "Can You Buy Me Pads?" [HEADCANONS]

Walrider would be confused. Bless him. You'll have to show him what they are.

Miles lowkey steals them. Fuck the government, fuck taxes, and fuck people who get compensation from a natural biological process. He'd also steal your favourite sweets.

Waylon would love to but we all know that dumbass (affectionate) would fall over everything. It's the intent that matters.

Nick would also do this.

Eddie, once informed of what a period and pads are, gets upset on your behalf and pretty much buys you anything you want. He's a big hulking guy, he doesn't care for the stares he'll get by weirdos lol.

VAL. WIFE.

Val would send Heretics to buy you pads [assuming Val's in their Mud Era]. This is what occurs after:

...They're doing their best, that's all I can say.

To ease any cramping, Val will get you all cozy, whether it's in a bed or against them. Oh, also, sex. Penetration helps break up clots [which then help with cramps]. TMYK!

When Val ISN'T coated in mud and is instead wearing their cassock and boots, they'll bring you with them to pick out the brand you want. They leave the Heretics in the carriage/car [obviously rofl].

Jeremy's a prick, what did you expect? [He'll get them if you beg real prettily, though.]

She says this in a joking manner. She'll 100% buy you some.

He's happy to help. He might also shout "LYNNNNN" at the top of his lungs because he doesn't know what the different colours mean and his wife isn't around to help lmfao

Knoth is one of those assholes who thinks that periods are "dirty", and therefore, won't have anything to do with them, even though "God" made females have them, so. Laird is the same way.

Val's the person to call when it comes to period-related issues lol.

She can. And she will. Menopause is a bitch but she doesn't miss her menstrual cycle.

Whether it's because he's a doctor [your doctor btw] or because he's obsessive, he'll have your cycle tracked. Weirdo.

[felassan]

this post is just some info on yesterday's DA:TV Fandom party at SDCC. :>

What was this party? [Here] is a post with the pre-event information that was made available. [Here] is a pre-event article that contains an interview with the organizer. And [this article] on the event contains some additional information, like on the versions of this party held in previous years, which helps for context. There was no new DA:TV information of note from the party

Links to Fandom (the company's) Twitter account, their Instagram. If you look at these (including on the Instagram Stories), you can see some pictures and stuff from the party. for those interested in watching a video version of some of these, Ghil Dirthalen posted a video recording that she made last night of Fandom the company's Instagram posts [here]. there are also more pictures and stuff from the party that you can see if you click through to [some of] the source links below here in the rest of this post.

As was previously reported the other week, Jason Derulo headlined the party (like as in a gig). Here's an image of him there [source] (the him singing DA stuff part was a joke tho btw hh). They considered having an orchestra because of DA's musical score but they got Jason Derulo

One of the party props was a big background of the DA:TV key art [source]. Here you can see the DA:TV logo on another backdrop. [source] This tweet contains both of these backdrops from a different angle

There was also an archway prop based on this DA:TV key art, and big screens which projected images from the game (including of Varric and this screenshot) [source]. It looks like these images were also projected to television screens? [source]

This tweet contains the questions and the answers to the DA-themed scavenger hunt (transcription of this at the end of this post), as well as a partial look at the map layout of the party

This is how photos taken in the DA themed photo booth look (this DA:TV screenshot was the backdrop) [source]

There was a VIP section at the party [source]. Gary McKay, the General Manager of BioWare, was there [source], as were John Epler and Zach Mendez (Lucanis) [source], Ali Hillis (Harding) [source], Nick Boraine (Emmrich) [source], Kari a BioWare Brand Director [source], Jessica Clark (Neve) [source] and Corinne Busche [source]. Erika Ishii (Rook) also visited but got kicked out of VIP hh [source]. Some cosplayers from the DA community were also personally invited by BioWare & PR at EA Games and attended! like Ladytoxie as Bellara ^^ [source, two], and some celebrities also, such as Doug Jones [source]

Ladytoxie mentioned that they will be posting a Vlog of their experience and coverage of the event, "probably next week" [source], having documented it at the time [source] (tysm!!)

Ladytoxie reported that it was a good, memorable experience and that everyone was lovely [source]

There was supposed to be some DA:TV-related pins and lanyards being handed out at the party, but these got stuck at customs, so there wasn't any goodies being handed out [source]

Links to some more images from the party: [one], [two], [three]

Scavenger hunt text (questions and answers) transcription:

"Clue 1: Step up to spot the flames where Fandom's 20-year tale burns bright, celeberate twenty years of worldbuilding where this terrifying Dragon Age wiki takes flight. Answer: Archdemon Clue 2: Follow the path and find the shining blue gem, discover the wiki of this Dragon Age elven hedge mage for your chance to win! Answer: Solas Clue 3: Search for the place where steel balls ricochet, where the flippers dance and the wizards gather to play. Find the wiki of a dwarf and son from the House of Tethras, known as a Dragon Age rogue with his crossbow, Bianca. Answer: Varric Clue 4: Venture to where 360 degree views are spun, where fans share your favorite #/fandom20 with props that are comically fun. Scan the QR code to reveal this order of warriors who defeat the Blight, and with the invasion of darkspawn, they put up a legendary fight. Answer: Grey Wardens Clue 5: Finish your scavenger hunt quest where Dragon Age lore comes alive, a photo booth adventure where fantasies thrive. Pose in a setting of this wiki's southern continent vast, two moons overhead, in a world built to last. Answer: Thedas"

[source]

[xanderomeister]

MY TOP 10 CATS LIST

* this is an assortment, not a ranking; I don't like being forced to pick favourites

Relevant: animals, monster hunter, red dwarf, delicious in dungeon, heartstopper

Cats chosen for various, sometimes drastically different, reasons. This is like, a really stupid list to make, admitedly.

1. Izutsumi

Comment: She is a cat, and not happy about it. Izutsumi has some really funny panels/shots, although there are more serious narrative aspects to her character too, among others the nature of her soul and mind as a werebeast. Props to Ryōko Kui for cooking up some really interesting worldbuilding concepts in Dunmeshi in general.

2. Jaguar

Comment: The muscly, meaty jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag.... Honestly just a really cool cat in vibes. They are also really adaptable, and it shows in the range of places they inhabited historically, not just presently. Also possibly hoping for reintroductions in the US. I really like wildcats in general, but jaguars really strike me among big cats.

3. Charlie Spring

Comment: Reportedly catlike, has meowed at least once. Not the main thing that strikes me about him though. I think he is a well realised and compelling character in the comic and series. Admitedly he is not the most relatable in his experiences, but he is far from unlikeable. Charlie and Nick are also a really sweet couple.

4. Xenosmilus hodsonae (no common name)

Comment: The maddest (real) cat. This is one of the sabretoothed cats found in North America during the Pleistocene, alongside the famous Smilodon and Homotherium. Unlike these two, Xenosmilus is seemingly limited in distrubution, only known insofar from Florida iirc. It had insane teeth; the huge incisors stand out especially. It was also very heavily built among cats, and likely used its paws to wrestle down prey. Gnarly beast, love it.

5. Barioth

Comment: 90 screeching tons of cat-shaped wyvern. It has a lot of really weird details and cool design influences which I really like. Barioth is a very good fight imo, or at least one with considerable potential. It's also got a sick title for its BGM track: the Subzero White Knight. Overall, one of my favourite monsters in the whole of Monster Hunter.

6. Cat

Comment: A cat 3 million years in the making. My favourite Red Dwarf character, with Lister coming at a close second. I especially like his portrayal in the first two seasons. He just roams about yowling and doing all sorts of random bullshit. Basically, the worst parts of a cat in human form (though, he is a LITERAL cat by descent so... he's a cat.)

6. Flat headed cat

Comment: I found out about this little freak this year, and I love it. Shoutout to the other Prionailurus cats, who tend to look less weird overall. Interestingly it is semiaquatic and eats fish. For further clarification, this is indeed an adult cat shown here; they are one of the smallest species out there.

8. Pete

Comment: The least "catlike" cat. I assumed he was like a bulldog or something when I was little, but cat does make sense (yknow, cat and mouse, with one towering over the other). I like how ugly, clumsy and brutish he is, but at the same time amusingly pathetic in some situations. I have only fairly recently begun looking into Mickey Mouse shorts; I mostly grew up with Donald Duck comics.

9. Jones

Comment: The only other cat on this list in space. He is one of the few pleasant things in Alien, as the film is quite grisly otherwise. Fortunately, he is safe. I really don't have much to say about him given his fairly small role beyond a few jumpscare antics. I moreso just like Alien because it is such a multilayered and interesting film.

10. Eurasian lnx

Comment: My country's only wildcat. Lynx are pretty peculiar looking with their ear tufts, bobtail and long legs. They aren't huge among cats as a whole, but their size is still distinctive. At the same time they are normal in a sense because of their widespreadness. Btw they climb, which is something I remember every now and again and become amazed at.

HONORABLE MENTION: Felynes

Forgot about these guys as a whole, somehow, but I like them. They are a very distinct part of Monster Hunter, and pretty charming overall. Also not able to embed more images, sadly.

[talleryn]

What do you expect from oathbound

Okayyyy I’ve had quite a few asks from this guy but they’re all oathbound related so I’m gonna answer them all in a oner (Legendborn and Bloodmarked spoilers btw)

My predictions for OB here we go:

• Nick is dying (I’m sorryyyyy but it just feels like the most likely outcome. Also I have a hunch. Anyway a corruption arc is also a distinct possibility here)

• Tor is gonna get her shit rocked. This is more of a wish than a prediction tbh bc I hate tor.

• Training arc with Bree and Erebus and POSSIBLY a time skip (I’m only talking a few months though) because I feel like she needs to level up a bit. Don’t get me wrong she could solo most of the verse as of right now but with the introduction of the shadow king being a major player, potentially more balanced cambions, and potentially demonised Sel, she’s gonna need a lot more firepower

• speaking of demonised Sel, I think we’re gonna have some altercations with him before he’s hopefully cured. There was that huge amount of tension in Legendborn where Sel wanted Bree dead so bad, but we never really got a fight out of it. We got the hellfoxes but no proper Sel/Bree battle. I feel like having in that in Oathbound would be a great way of having Bree question her morals and what she values most, and also generally it would be a cool scene

• something to do with oaths. I know this sounds super obvious (it’s in the title DUH) but I don’t think Bree will be the one it refers to - she probably knows better than to take any oaths at this point. It could very possibly be Sel. It could be Nick trying to break everyone’s oaths and destroy the lines. It could be about how Natasia survived on her own.

• Lark and Will get together. No more notes I just think they’re cute.

• honourable mention - Alice. She’s hit or miss right now. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of her but at the same time I don’t think she’s off the hook just yet. We might see her in a blood walk or something while she’s still in a coma.

Any more additions stick em in the comments!

[sniigura-archive]

ok we know what adam and reader think and do for their children, unconditional love etc... and im going to assume the relationship between the kids are just like normal siblings, taking that little paragraph were one of them cursed at another kid for insulting their sibling; and they know that their parents love eachother, the constant sibling factory and accidental walks in are enough proof. But what are the kids thoughts about their parents? most of them are mom kids and since reader is the ruler in the house i think they are alright with reader, but what about adam? since teenagers are his least favourites, they have more troubles with him but now im courious of what do they think of adam and reader?

i sorted the kids by birth order btw

eden opinion on reader: respects her and loves her. comes to her mother when it comes to emotional support. thinks reader should enable adam less (she tries ok)

eden opinion on adam: capable guy. she thinks adam should take some deep breaths before acting (he does already 😭). she likes working with him together on their car projects and she always knows she can count on him if shit ever hits the fan

kane opinion on reader: he’s a total mamas boy which causes him to put reader on a pedestal. he was a highly sensitive child with undiagnosed ADHD and reader was the parent who handled his outburst and emotions the best. reader always suspected that adam also has ADHD and after kane finally was diagnosed and adam was like „what that’s what everyone does“ she forced him to get diagnosed. kane takes his meds regularly while adam. doesn’t. kane and reader work together on the garden!!

kane opinion on adam: thinks his father is an idiot and likes to act like they aren’t related (he’s very much like adam and hates when it gets pointed out). likes to make divorce jokes which adam HATESSSSS like don’t wish evil like that upon him!!!! the older kane gets the more he mellows out and is able to properly connect with his father. so what if they hug properly for the first time when he’s in his 30s

abram opinion on reader: respects his mother a lot and sees her as a role model. has autism and reader makes sure all his needs are met. it was his idea to get chickens and he loves every pet a lot that the family has. he thinks his mother can be very unempathetic, since reader has the tendency to think if every physical need is met that the children shouldn’t complain (what childhood poverty does to someone)

abram opinion on adam: good husband and ok father. he’s aware that adam tries his best so he can’t stay mad at him. they both work on projects around the house like making their own furniture, they build the chicken coop together etc which he enjoys a lot

setha (comes out later as Nick!) opinion on reader: good mother but they don’t share many interests together. still loves his mother a lot. the first person he came out to as trans masc but only because adam can be so insensitive

setha (comes out later as Nick!) opinion on adam: thinks his father is the coolest actually. have lots of shared interests and opinions. was scared to come out as trans masc but it all went well in the end. picked out his new name with adam!! plays drums and it pains adam but he tries to smile through it

ada opinion on reader: got into anime and nerd stuff in general because of her mother so loves her for that. has a tendency to hide away in her room which reader tries to push against. poor girl is just a huge introvert but knows reader only has good intentions

ada opinion on adam: coolish guy but they don’t have much in common. get along well. takes her father to conventions and sends him links to figures and mangas she wants since reader has a tendency to forget birthdays. adam on the other habd makes every birthday a blast for the kids. he suffers through the conventions because he wants to make sure his daughter is always safe

isaac opinion on reader: when he’s older he appreciates that reader forced the whole family into signing lessons, since he was born deaf. takes out his hearing aids and closes his eyes when his family annoys him. thinks reader babies him too much

isaac opinion on adam: fave parent because adam rough houses with him. gets his love for martial art thanks to his dad. randomly jumps on adam’s back for a surprise attack

lazarus opinion on reader: thinks reader is an amazing cook and loves cooking with their mother together. had their coming out as non binary by simply saying at the dinner table to only use they them pronouns from now on and everyone just nodded. knows that their mother tries to make it right for everyone and appreciates the effort

lazarus opinion on adam: wants adam’s rib recipe but he refuses and says they will get it as their inheritance. it’s his secret (he’s just being extra). adam is sad he couldn’t convince his child to change their name to smth band related. thinks their father should be more open minded but from the stories reader tells they know adam improved a lot

delilah opinion on reader: too strict 😔 (the only one who says no to her. youngest child privileges), has a tendency to bump heads because of that. at the end of the day they love each other but in the mornings and afternoons they want each other dead

delilah opinion on adam: daddy’s girl, loves her father. probably because he spoils her a lot. she’s very obvious adam’s favourite, since she’s a girl and looks completely like reader

[nickssidewitch]

How is Matt, Chris, and Nic when they're in love? ❤️❤️❤️ And who do you think is the most clingiest in a relationship? I think it's Nic, idk why tho 😭

This could be based on astrology or even tarot or just your intuition! It's up to you! I love your blog btw and no, your social anxiety definitely doesn't show here on the internet 😭 I can relate cuz I've social anxiety too 🥲

That's it, take care.

Love ya, human 🫶

Aww I love this!! Thank you and love you, anon! 😭🫶🏾🤍 My social anxiety twin 🤝 😭

I’m gonna make an entire post about what each of them are like in love and in relationships, so stay tuned for that!

Using my intuition and just a basic understanding of some of their astrological placements, none of them are truly “clingy”, but they’re all not afraid of PDA or showing physical attraction, appreciation, or desire. They like being by their partners, but allow their partners their independence just as they would want their partners to do as well. I think the best and most basic way to see how they are with their partners is to see how they are with each other and their other close family and friends. It’s like that sort of bond, but deeper since now we’re talking about romantic relationships.

Who do I think is the clingiest? Hm, it’s definitely not Nick actually! 😭 Nick is only “clingy” when he’s in a certain mood to be clingy (really needy, upset, or silly). I feel like his boyfriends would cling to him more than the other way around. He mainly likes to be the tree I feel, but doesn’t mind to be the koala from time to time.

The most “clingy” is Chris!! Or at least he’s the one who shows the most physical affection. He’s very much the type of guy to have his arms all over you in public, no matter the situation. Even at home, he’ll just be by your side, holding you or hugging you randomly. And if you ask him why he decided to hug you all of a sudden, he’d respond “I dunno” or “I just love you… so much 😁🥰”. He’s definitely the one who just hugs or shows his physical appreciation for you just because he can. If you’re in a bad mood, his first instinct is to embrace you and just hum into your body. He’s pretty much the human embodiment of the “🥰” emoji when he’s clingy.

Matt is very close in second place, but I feel like Matt isn’t usually the one to hold you as much in public like Chris would. It would be little waist grabs when he’s trying to walk past you and little hand holds and squeezes when you guys walk or sit next each other. Or he’d have his head in between your neck and shoulder from behind to look down and watch what you’re doing, no questions asked. The most “clingy” physical stuff I can see him doing with a partner is making them sit on his lap in public, but that’s when he’s feeling extra protective, especially at large social events because he wants you around him at all times. He would be afraid to lose you at parties or large crowds, so having you sit on his lap or his arms wrapped around your waist from behind would make him keep you safe and keep him satisfied. So, he’s clingy but in a “protective” way.

If you have any more questions, let me know! 🤍🤍🫶🏾🌻

[itsnotmourn]

SONG RAMBLES | the curse of milhaven (skidad)

───── YOU DO NOT KNOW THE DAY NOR THE HOUR ...

if there's a song that captures the overall lore of spooky month and skidad as a manipulator and possible god complex, i think it's the curse of milhaven.

you might be familiar it by the band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds BUT i'm using the polish cover by Bartek Kulas & Katarzyna Groniec specifically (explained below)

───── ONLY GOD KNOWS THAT !

i want to note that the lyrics in the video are apparently a little inaccurate so i'm using this translation instead!

Millhaven is a small, colorless town Neighbours treat the cold-hearted with respect Though there are unnerving days When the golden evening sun Burns hearts with a caring kiss I warn against danger Reciting the Bible with devotion

An introduction to the town in Spooky Month and Skidad's feelings towards religion. He's dedicated.

I don't know if he grew up in the cult or joined in his adulthood (I think it's only implied that he met The Eyes as an adult) but regardless, he is dedicated.

You do not know the day nor the hour - only God knows that!

This repeats throughout the song and it's very important. Keep note of it for later!

I'm fifteen years old, though they assume I'm older

I don't actually have any specific opinions on this but I thought it's a fun line for people who think about the cult's motif of immortality; I kinda think Skidad will gain his immorality in the series, or has already gained it pre-series.

You've had to have heard that there's a curse on Millhaven ... Blake's son - Billy, disappeared somewhere ... Priest O'Rye has went crazy ... When someone found the Handyman's cut off head It was splashing around in the town's fountain ... Next, old lady Colgate's soul had left her And before she became one with God She wheezed out, with her last breath Loretta* killed me with her own hands

*Loretta is the MC/singer in the song btw; that's Skidad

All is not as it seems in the small town. There are a number disappearances and murders happening in the area, regardless of age or status. No one is safe.

It is finally revealed that Skidad has been involved or did the crimes above.

I was named the spawn of devil and the town's curse! But it was Millhaven that brought me bad luck ... All fall down to your knees! I know the easiest road to the Lord ... This inquiry is depressing and unfair How do you dare to punish me in the name of the law The earthly passions aren't for me I was the one that crossed the step to eternity I know very well that death is not a game Over the world rings the bell of despair So may God's hand protect you ... It was me that drowned Billy, and while stabbing lady Colgate I unfortunately hesitated for a moment But while I took care of the Handyman I was happy, because I saw The sunrays reflecting on the chainsaw I didn't crucify the dog, though* I always had an A+ for religion class!

Now, he is facing the consequences of his actions... but why are they consequences if he is doing God's work? He is angry; he knows what is right! These people in the court and town do NOT.

In the bold text, it emphases his path to immorality.

I don't exactly believe Skidad is directly involved in the disappearances or child sacrifices for the cult but he's somewhere there.

*Not necessarily related to the Spooky Month lore but this is an interesting thing to think about as, apparently, there's a number of religious believes of animals not having souls; or at least not the same souls as humans (I'm only familiar with Buddhism lol). If the dog was killed, was it not seen as a true murder...?

I'm quite content on the daily the doctor helps me When I fall into depressive states sometimes Electric shots or hypnosis the golden medicine for everything - Prozac And I can imagine my euphoric plans again I dream about fast recovery

A dramatic change from the violent words from before, these ones are soft and soothing, as if to manipulate or gaslight someone... (looks at Lila).

When I get out, I'll show you all

This foreshadows Skidad's eventual arrival in the series; "out" of death's grip.

You do not know the day nor the hour - only I know that

Finally, I can finally talk about the importance of this specific phrase. Throughout this song, Skidad has always been saying it piously; only God knows this and that.

However, with this one, it's finally confirmed that he has had a God complex all this time. He is the God.

[jeannereames]

Hero Alexander vs. The Real Alexander

Moving to the second half of a recent question:

And if I'm not wrong, you mention at one place that you don't "heroize" Alexander. That's interesting, since he's often worshiped as a mythical hero. Why did you move away from that?

As a writer (and a reader), I’ve always been intrigued by the challenge of humanizing the “inhuman” (which can also include the ridiculously talented).

When I fell in love with Tolkien as a girl, I wanted to know what it would be like to be an elf, to have magic, to live that long, etcetera. Maybe that’s also why I always preferred Marvel superheroes over DC. Their hallmark was to make the fantastic (mutants, etc.) more human.

Now, I love me some traditional mythopoetic fantasy, but I’m no good at producing it myself. What is mythopoetic style? Peter Beagle, Patricia McKillip, Nancy Springer, C.J. Cherryh’s sidhe novels, my friend Meredith Ann Pierce … and of course Tolkien himself, where magic is real and magical creatures are…well, magical. Inhuman. Elves … not hobbits. Like a fairy tale…a myth (hence “mythopoetic”).

Anyway, I love reading that, but can’t write it to save my soul. When I write epic/historical fantasy (and I do see SFF as my home genre), it’s closer to anthro SF than to any mythopoetic style. My current MIP (monster-in-progress) is a 6-book series set on a secondary world where two branches of humanity survived, one of which, the Aphê, have super-convenient prehensile tails. 😊 The character journey for one of the protags across the first three novels is to recognize the Aphê as human and fallible rather than as a “noble savage” wise people. (Yes, questions of “What does it mean to be ‘civilized’?” are among the series themes.)

When it comes to historical fiction, I take the same tack. Alexander is interesting to me because he was a real person who accomplished extraordinary things.* What might he have been like in real life?

Making him too perfect—good at everything, no/few mistakes (just misunderstood), always honorable, etc., bores me. That’s the Alexander of his own marketing campaign. (laugh) It was adopted and refined by some later historians such as Arrian, and Plutarch in his rhetorical pieces (less in the Life but still there). That’s why I’m not a huge fan of Renault’s Alexander, and generally prefer her other Greek novels. Manfredi and (sorta) Pressfield do the same. Tarr and Graham also keep him deliberately at a distance to allow him to remain heroized, but it bothers me less because he’s at a distance. (Btw, I do not dislike Renault's ATG novels; they're just not among my favorites, either on Alexander, or of hers.)

Yet I’m not a fan of the other approach, either: to “humanize” him by taking him down a notch—making him NOT all that, just lucky (Lucian, and Nick Nicastro). Or by upending the heroic narrative altogether and turning him into a megalomaniacal “wicked tyrant” ala Pompeius Trogus/Justin or Seneca (and Chris Cameron).

I want something (and someone) more relatable, even while letting him remain truly astonishing. To humanize the “inhuman.” I realize that’s a challenge as, the moment we do humanize him, it removes him from the realm of the hero, which in turn makes it harder to allow him to be “all that.” For some, any fault is “too much”—the proverbial clay feet—because they’re desperate to have an idol, a hero…not a person. So the haters come out when, for instance, Simone Biles pulled out of the Olympics for mental health and the Twisties. How dare she!

I’m interested in the person. Even if Alexander wanted to be Herakles Take II, he wasn’t inhuman (divine). He was just a guy, and for me, the fact he was “just a guy,” yet still accomplished all those extraordinary things, is the most remarkable part.

I’ll conclude with what I wrote at the end of the author’s note in the back of Dancing with the Lion: Rise (also available on the website):

In the end, whatever approach one takes to Alexander, whatever theories one subscribes to, more or less hostile to the conqueror, we are left with the man himself in all his complexity and contradiction. The phenomenon called “Alexander the Great” has evoked vastly different interpretations from his era to ours. It’s tempting to seek internal consistency for his behavior, or to force it when it can’t be found. Yet no one is consistent. Even more, history itself is distorted by those recording it in order to serve their unique political narratives, whether then or now. Conflicting politics create competing narratives, and histories of Alexander were (and are) especially prone to such distortions. That, in turn, brings us back to where we began: history (like historical fiction) is about who we are now, and what it’s possible for us to become. So Alexander was neither demon nor god, whatever he wanted to believe about himself. He was a man, capable of cruelty and sympathy, brilliance and blindness, paranoia and an open-handed generosity. As remarkable as he was, he was human. And that's what makes him interesting.

--------------------

* That some of these extraordinary things would be—and should be—reviled by modern standards is part of the uncomfortable contradiction, and legacy, of the ancient world. This is something I also try to depict in the novel. So there is never a “simple win” in a battle. There’s something ugly shown in or as a result of every single one. On purpose. Battle is, and should be, deeply disturbing.

[noodle8]

btw maybe this is just me but it kinda sucks that the fallout 4 sphere is so critically centered around the companions and the theoretical romance that involves them. I don't believe that shipping is bad at all as a concept but fo4 content is so bloated by every single little factor about the conventionally attractive companions that it all just blends into mindless white noise I think. Not to mention how the most milquetoast danse/nick/hancock/deacon whatever post will get hundreds of notes even if it's the most basic trope abiding thing ever, while I've seen genuinely incredible art relating to deeper themes/imagery in the game or written content that examines concepts I've never seen anyone bring up get largely ignored.

It also sucks on a practical level because god forbid you do explore the tags looking for original content, you're gonna have to go extremely deep to find anything that isn't a companions react! or a companions in bed! post that ignores X6 or most of the female companions and adds maxson or sturges instead lol

[devyuence]

Controversial take: People's hatred for Mew is related to their attachment to real life ship which takes the fun out of Only Friends (at least on their end)

This is going to be my random thoughts and I had a couple of shots of gin and tonic while writing this so excuse me. I am gonna mix up the real-life and fictional scenarios so sue me, I guess.

Before anything else, I like ForceBook a lot but I can understand if TopMew will not end up together. For the most part, I see Top as a person I can never like in real life and you cannot blame me if he just gives me bad vibes.

However, I want to know more about him and how their story unfolds. I actually want TopMew to pull a 188 Men's Group wife-chasing crematorium trope (look it up) or an ending like Cruel Intentions.

In addition, even if I will be proven wrong soon, I will still defend Mew. He is just complex and reminds me of myself. Someone who just wants to graduate with flying colors in an Asian society (SEA to be exact) then came along Boston pestering him about his virginity.

Now you know my biases, let's get to the real reason why I used the said title.

People are hating Mew for cock-blocking Ray and Sand. Calling him names and anything but never Ray. Never Ray. I am actually glad that happened because at least Sand knows that Ray is still hung up on Mew—even if some viewers will say that it is not love but more of the idea that he loves Mew. Again, Ray is still hung up on Mew (or has lingering feelings) and I am glad he stopped what they are doing. At least Sand had a heads-up, a warning that he is just a rebound.

If we go back from last week, people hate Mew for ditching Ray and P'Jojo had to explain that Boston and Syrup forced him to go home with Top. You will not see people making threads gaining hundreds of likes of how Boston is a bad friend for Ray—it is always Mew that is the face of betrayal. Never Boston because he is not a threat. Or Neo. Or Mark. Unless Nick hooks up with Sand. Lol.

This leads me to the conclusion that some of the viewer's hatred for Mew (or Book) stems from how he intervenes with the existing ship. People nitpick everything he does. Some shippers feel threatened about his existence—may it be in the series or real life. His ghost ship with Khao (or Ray with Mew) annoys the hell out of people. In some clips with Khao and Book sailing RayMew, fans are saying First is jealous and Khao should pay attention to him. This is somehow converted to how people pity Sand even more and dislike Mew in the series. Ray can be an alcoholic and Mew saves his ass multiple times but Ray can never do wrong. Even if he wants to drive while drunk. Never Ray because Ray is Khaotung. LOL.

Some are also saying that only Ray cared for his friend group when in the very first episode, the first cut at that, Mew is picking up Ray's drunk ass. Hell, he even reprimanded him (R) for picking fights while drunk. Now, people are saying that Ray should have continued the deed with Sand instead of taking care of his friend who does not care about him. That or people throwing a pity party for Ray by being a true friend when it was implied that Mew is always the table keeper, taking care of his drunk ass and it did not happen only once.

I know some of you are raising your eyebrows right now but I mean, everyone just tends to nitpick about Mew. Or Book. Before, I had seen people calling him bland and boring. Like a cardboard without personality. People are like: How the hell Ray even like him? Now that he is showing his true colors, people are calling him scheming and manipulative.

When Mew did not let Top go further from his advancements, some are criticizing him for acting like a kid and virgin (he is btw). When Top did not pick up his calls, people are saying that he is evil and manipulative. That he deserves it. When Boston does something problematic, people will say he just have insecurities and unresolved daddy issues. When Nick installed that in the car, people will say that he is just in love and obsessed. When Ray wants to crash his car, it is because he has mommy issues. That they are just kids and needs guidance but Mew? Mew is hated for acting like a kid aka stopping Top when he realized he is not ready. That he deserves getting cheated on. That he is the most evil guy. Hell, even Top, according to viewers cannot be an assault victim because he is not played by an actor who is a crowd favorite.

See what I mean people? Like make up your minds. You love to psychoanalyze other character's personalities and why they are behaving but Mew (even Top) has no excuses. Heh.

In addition, people are questioning why Mew did not call Syrup or Boston. Bruh, Syrup cannot drive. Boston is yeah, Boston. Also, some viewers say that Ray does not really love Mew but is in love with the idea of him or because Mew cares for him. Some even theorized that he has an Oedipus Complex. Now tell me, Mew does not care about Ray but the reason why Ray is still hung up on Mew is because he is caring? Make it make sense, please.

Some viewers will disagree with me, especially those who have a strong attachment to their own ship, but I wonder if they are still having fun going through hoops and hoops and throwing pity parties over characters? I, for real will still defend Mew but I acknowledge that he is gray. I wonder if they will combust if we get a RayMew kiss in the next episode? I wonder how they feel seeing everyone in the Only Friends casts are friendly with each other?

Anyway, I just said what I said.

If your hatred for a character is unreasonable and you see him as a threat (esp in real life). I think you need to reevaluate and ask yourself why. Or maybe you just need a Sand, a shrink. Either way, everyone in OF needs therapy.

Cheers to people who consume this drama for pure bliss and whatnot. The not-too-invested crowd with real ships. The messy crowd.

If the show is not for you and you want chummy cutesy BLs, you can save yourself, honey. This is Jojo we are talking about. If you think that you have the right to watch despite nitpicking everything (I mean we all have the freedom), okay. Please feel free to do so.

However, if you think this will not affect how others, even the directors, will see your fandom, I am speaking in general, well, you are in for a ride. Idk, be sensible I guess.

I do not even know how from an OF meta, I ended up saying something about fandoms. Guess alcohol in your system really does wonders. I will never hate the actors for their fans though. I just think that this is something that people need to think about.

Like if you have seen the reception in the F app and T app, it's more welcoming but the former chicken app? It is a more restrictive echo chamber that dismisses discussion because again, it is dominated by big accounts of shippers.

We are only in Episode 3, I hope everyone is ready for the chaos not just in the show but in the fandoms.

Anyway, I am done editing this. Hate me but I said what I said.

PS. For the Mew defenders out there, hi! I love you! For my cutesy Forcebook fans, how is it that we like unproblematic besties? Toughen up though! It's gonna be a war zone.

From your resident Mew defender until the end

XOXO, Yue.