#nick is so relatable btw

[sceebybeeby]

nowhere else to go

[lunarharp]

more phoenix wright situations

[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.

[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://ew.com/taylor-zakhar-perez-honors-nicholas-galitzine-entertainers-of-the-year-2024-8759399 +CAST OF RED WHITE & ROYAL BLUE |FYC Panel - Consider Amazon:https://www.tumblr.com/yourartmatters-itswhatgotmehere/769737016086839297?source=share

.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~”

[throatgoat4u]

hello, hello, hello, hello to all my lovely people out there. i wanna start of by saying happy valentines to every single one of you. whether you're single, in a relationship, or have just broken up, i hope you all enjoy this amazing day of love and share it with their loved ones.

today's not just about a romantic partner, but to people who you just love. tell your family how much you love and appreciate them for all they've done for you and if that's not an option, share your gratitude with your friends or people who have constantly been there for you and have made you feel loved.

do something kind for someone. give them a hug, write them a letter, compliment them, whatever. you don't have to make some big gesture or go all out, just let someone know you appreciate them.

but most importantly, make sure you love yourself. self love is just as, if not more, important than anything else. how are you supposed to put in your time and effort in loving someone else if you can't do that for yourself? so whether you want to go out and spoil yourself or stay in and take a nice bath and watch movies, make sure you're putting your love for yourself first.

but, loving yourself isn't just about spa days and self care (but like that shit's like amazing so like i definitely recommend a nice everything shower if you're not doing anything today.....) it's also about speaking to yourself kindly, forgiving yourself for past mistakes, and acknowledging that you deserve just as much love as everyone else on this amazing day!

now, that being said, i'm gonna spread all my love to some of the most amazing people on this app! (this is where my formality ends, trust 🤞)

@onevison. i literally love you so much omg. you are one of the nicest people ever and you're actually so creative with your aus. i love talking to you and always enjoy when we chat. i love you!

@freshloveee. you're so so so good at writing and genuinely one of my favorite writers on this app. you're honestly so sweet and kind. i love you!

@chrepsi. you're genuinely one of the funniest people on this app, i cannot. i love your vibe and your music taste is just so ugh. you're so cool. i love you!

@muwapsturniolo. so you're literally amazing?!?! like you're so gorgeous and funny and such an amazing writer. idek how many times i've reread your shit but it's too many to count. anywho..... when's the next album coming out sza????? i love you!

@leoslaboratory. i just binge read your fics last night btw. you're fucking amazing and i love everything you do. dealer!chris is amazing and i absolutely love it. your fics for black history month are eating btw. i love you!

@phone4pills. so so so cool. you're theme is so cool, you're fics are so cool, you are so cool. i'm genuinely sooo happy anytime i've seen that you've posted a new fic or something and am always looking forward to when you write more. i love you!

@mattscoquette. you're just sooooo like awesome. i love everything you write and i love scrolling through watching you answer asks cause you're so funny. i'm still heartbroken over a change of heart (and the fact that you've ruined that song for me 💔). also like petition to bring back my man perv!matt. he doesn't get the love he deserve. anyways, when i was lurking here, i would always stalk your page and you were the first person i found on sturniolo tumblr. you were genuinely such an inspiration for me and one of the biggest reasons i started posting what i write. i love you!

@thenickgirl. you're my favorite nick girl out there. i love how you write for him and give him the attention he absolutely deserves. just cause he's gay doesn't mean we should leave him out guys 😞💔. you're such an amazing writer and you're so funny. i love you!

@t0riiiis. you're literally like so relatable and i feel like i can always talk to you without getting bored. you're there for me and you've shown your love for me countless times and i cannot even begin to say how much it means to me. i love you!

@oopsiedaisydeer. i'm sooo happy that we're like friends now because you're such a nice and cool person. you're an amazing writer and i love when i see updates on your ponyo au. you're so sweet and show me so much support on literally everything. i love you!

@bernardsbendystraws. dare i say that you're the mother of sturniolo tumblr?!?! you're genuinely such and amazing and funny person and make the tumblr fandom a much better place. i love how during that whole pedo scandal, you were there for absolutely every single person and were so helpful in the whole ordeal. you aren't scared of what anyone says about you and you're so confident, it's so admirable (this also goes for @muwapsturniolo, cause if i recall correctly she called her workplace or something like that which is honestly a boss ass move). your writing is also just amazing and never disappoints. you're like a breath of fresh air (that sounded better in my head but it's okay). i love you!

and i've saved the best for last, @snoopychris. idek what to say. like i'm being serious. i love you so much and you're my absolute favorite person on here. i love being able to talk to you everyday and ik you'll be there to listen without judgement. you're so funny (and a bit odd) and i love you for it. you're genuinely like a big sister to me in a way and i just feel like talking to you makes my day. whether it's about an au or just yapping (or saying some weird shit about chris) it always makes my day just so much better. i literally trust you soooo much even if we’ve only known each other for a short time. like when i say i trust you, i mean like i TRUST you. atp, i trust you enough to know what my face looks like, my actual name, and other personal info. like genuinely i feel so comfortable talking to you and you never fail to make me happy! you're such a fun person and so creative. also you're writing?!?! i literally love it. i love you 🧠!

obviously there are so many other people who i absolutely love, adore, and cherish with my whole heart, but these people stick out to me! anyways, i love you guys so much and am so thankful for everyone's constant support. i'm so happy with all the new friends i've made on this app and am looking forward to making many many many more! with lots of love...

toodles sluts :)

(i felt it was necessary to bring back sluts for this post...)

also the fact that i actually wrote that shit at the top from my heart impresses me….. like what?!?!

also one last note, if there’s some misspelled words or i’m just repeating myself like an idiot, please note that its still early and even tho i woke up over an hour ago, im still like half asleep

[kitkat-the-muffin]

Random tangent but Johnkat never happening in Homestuck is so important to me

Karkat having a genuine canonical crush on John and it not being reciprocated but rather met with a genuine request of friendship that he can’t emotionally process, that’s so important to me

John being canonically heterosexual (or at least attracted to women specifically, in regards to June’s later existence) is so important to me, because it builds up the dynamics around him

Both Karkat and Dave have crushes on John in the beginning, and John is incapable of meeting those feelings with equal value. It’s the same situation that Dirk is in, where he really greatly values Roxy and wants to give her the world, but he’s not attracted to girls and can’t be what he wants to be for her. He literally says this in an Act 6 monologue!

And John does love Dave and Karkat, and he values their friendship and constantly misses them during Act 6. But he’s not romantically attracted to them, and doesn’t even consider ever being that. He considers dating Rose, Vriska, Roxy, and Terezi throughout the story but when he learns of Karkat’s crush, he reluctantly turns him down. It’s kind of like that Ace Attorney quote where Larry says something like “sorry Nick, as much as I try I’m just not into men”

And that’s kinda important to me. I like John as that token straight guy in the main story. He’s the bridge for the old-internet culture into the new one, where LGBTQIA+ topics are more openly discussed and acknowledged. John’s blank slate “cishet white boy swag” makes him the perfect vessel for an introduction to the discussion of homosexuality (headcanons notwithstanding)

And John being this bridge allows others to consider their options. Like rays of light, they bounce off him to understand themselves (especially Vriska). Dave struggles with his internalized homophobia and simultaneous crush on John until he can talk to Karkat, who relates to him for having the exact same crush! Plus, they both liked Jade and Terezi for a while too, so they had a lot to relate to. And Karkat has never understood gender exclusivity as a concept, so he kind of had the opposite arc to Dave in a way

And it’s all because John rejected them. That’s why seeing mlm John ships kinda irk me, because the whole point of his character is being not gay in this context. To me, it’s like if you paired a canonical aromantic character in a romantic ship, or a canonical lesbian in a flm ship. John being straight is just important to me for these reasons

This post is not really about June Egbert btw, but I do acknowledge her as a secondary stage of the “Egbert progressional character arc” much like Dave’s bisexual awakening. June Egbert being transfemme does not take away from how important everything I just said about John is, it just adds a new layer of growth to the character

[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]

[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!

[dirtsoilmulch]

I saw ur tags on my post and consider….Autistic Nick…like high functioning, smells and gross stuff being sensory issues, having stims like smokin and fidgeting with his gun and/or rings, his shirt being silk cause texture issues etc etc. but curious about ur takes about the gangs neurodivergence! :3c I think Ellis being ADHD is canon for sure lol

WOOOO I GET TO YAP ABOUT MY FAVS HUZZAH:

nick:

definitely picky sensory-wise, but decent and high functioning socially. maybe a bit too blunt but it comes off as he's just a bitch instead of he's just autistic (those two ideas coexist btw. he's a autistic bitch)

arguably the world's number one hand sanitizer fan. but still particular about the kinds he'd use even in an apocalypse, just because there are some that don't dry right on his hands, don't smell good when opened, etc etc

EXTREMELY particular about his clothes. no wonder he complains about that 3000 dollar suit whenever he gets shit on it, it's the 'safe' one

(also only one considering the situation but shhhhh)

(i'm sure pre-apocalypse he had like 5 different pairs of the same suit)

fidget king. turning his rings on his fingers (definitely comfort items even if he doesnt admit it), unloading and reloading his guns, unbuttoning and rebuttoning his jacket. there's so much he would fuck with

he can make rings and shit when he smokes it's impressive

(i had a lot to say abt nick oopsie)

ellis:

my glorious adhd king

"I don't know what hd is but my doctor said I had 80 of them bitches"

he thinks too fast for his mind and body to keep up with so he'll just say shit (that's not even a headcanon he just does that)

IF we are entertaining the autistic ellis headcanon as well (we are) his special interest is cars. both mechanical stuff and stock car racing (nascar and the like)

((i may or may not have an f1 nellis au in my brain because l4d2 and f1 are my fav things rn... idc if a nascar au makes more sense f1 is more epic))

collects the mini hotwheels stock cars. just hotwheels in general. look at him he would

can and will list of everything he knows about any given subject he likes, but he'd get distracted making a reference nobody understands and then explaining it with another reference nobody understands

im projecting idc

struggles socially just because he lacks the ability to understand subtle social cues. you have to say it directly to his face and Then he'll get it

nothing is a sensory struggle. he fucks w literally everything even the weird shit. maybe the textures and smells of certain foods (probably fish)

rochelle:

honest to God i don't think she realizes that her dear survival team are all neurodivergent (but I doubt they even realize it themselves)

token neurotypical it's a hard job but someone has to do it

accidentally mimics the actions of the people around her (intentionally just to give them shit for it, but it becomes habit overtime). nick will fidget with his rings, she'll mess with her bracelets. ellis will stand with a wide cowboy stance, she'll copy.

would also be the type to respond for someone else just because she knows what they'll say, but in a very bad imitation of their voice

just rochelle imitating ellis' fuckass accent. (literally everyone imitating ellis' fuckass accent. nick does it in game bro)

nice enough to pick up on the tiny things of everyone else and offers little trades for preferred weapons and such

coach:

oh coach... how I love you...............

adhd

a similar vein to ellis where he just has a lot going on in his brain at all times, but since he's grown (possibly medicated) he has a better grasp on it

definitely talks to himself under his breath tho, it helps him lock in

struggles with volume level definitely not based on me and my friends playing with the loud coach friendly fire mod but he tries his best and will shut the fuck up when asked

coach telling dad jokes.... not even a related headcanon its just on my mind

really elaborate ones but he loses it midway thru and remembers like 4 hours later (but forgets the intro to the joke)

(now it's related)

would attempt to help ellis manage his adhd better but that guy does not listen (or care to listen)

this was an accidentally very long post (oopsie). send more asks l4d2 fandom i could yap for DAYS

[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.

[worth-this-and-more]

my speculations on how bree's purple power would be like: which majorly stems from when i was wondering how bree's power smells like and half the post is just that

[spoilers for legendborn and bloodmarked, read at your own caution ;)]

so there are a few...things related to magic in the legendborn series; it's abilities, specialties, weaknesses, aftereffects, smells, color, common form etc etc so i wanted to make some headcanons which may or may not be true but yeah these are my thoughts;

so now that we are here, let us begin;

her power is purple as everybody and their mamas know but just let's get into this?? purple has been like a symbol of yk rarity and royalty in literature since ages before, which goes perfectly with the fact that bree is our king. now since it is so rare her powers will have the usual and added benefits, which i have headcanoned before but i just wanted to put them in one place.

firstly, aether was usually used to cast hard constructs, harder than diamond if needed, but selwyn has proved that aether could be forged into practically anything you wish to as long as you're capable and willing. so bree's power can surely be used like an all-encompassing building block to forge everything from weapons to mundane things like i said here. so this is aspect one.

secondly, rootcrafting is mainly for healing and perseverance. so bree could now possibly have the ability to heal herself, and because she is seen to have at least some knowledge of medical field or can like basically guess which part is hurting and which one is not, i mean isn't it possible now she has her own unlimited (debatable since she collapsed after jessie healed alice but i have a point for that too??) healing powers?? surely she will be able to heal herself pretty fine, yk like a quick break between things because rootcraftng doesn't allow use of much power because it is borrowed but like now she has her own furnace so yeah.

about the collapsing part, it is possible that because in legendborn she hadn't completely unlocked and accepted her powers yet, she was running on a limited-time root that was supposed to be an "emergency" supply. and also that it was used by someone else through her, she did not willingly give it like she did in bloodmarked (she wouldn't have refused to, just that she didn't realize quick enough what jessie meant when she said you'll have todo from your side so like kind of different from when she gave her root to selwyn) and in bloodmarked she also had like yk 70% set unlocked ig.

thirdly, because these powers are now merged, it would be so badass if she is able to actively defend herself and heal herself at the same time, after mastering her control over powers now that arthur is no longer manipulating her with his "too much aether, too fast" strategy.

along with this, we saw that bree's healing gave alice like permanent immunity from mesmer, either triggered by pain or just not able to stick properly in the head, but either ways mesmers don't work now. so after they all reunite, one task in her to-do list could be to have sel or anyone mesmer everyone and then to reverse the mesmer so that everybody now has immunity from mesmer. yk for future reference or relevance to the plot perhaps. and ofc you can't forget anna (nick's mom) i strongly believe her mesmer is gonna be broken by bree.

also, THE DAGONNN. so the question is about her fuel and sustenance, so like if she's in her dragon form can she eat what dragons eat (obviously meat i don't think vegetarian dragons exist?? and also does bree eat meat is this ever mentioned?? if not then i hope she eats meat she gonna need that protein to fly) will it affect her?? like in her human form ofc she wouldn't want to eat uncooked meat but like become a dragon breathe fire and you have your medium rare steak ready. is this possible. same question for selwyn btw, can he eat worms in his owl form or does he like throw up after turning human or have food poisoning like is this a thing guys.

anyways, back to topic, so these are like her abilities, but what about the physical descriptions?? now her rootcraft was mage flames, and aether was the solid armor construct. so her new powers could either be something in between or a combination that she can wield in whichever way she needs. technically it should be a combination, harder constructs for weapons and armor, flames for large defense and flowy to make her own wards (i mean she would need them sometime?? ig?? after they reunite and shit so yeah)

and the smell, her new power should have different smells and purple is the rare royal color and hella nostalgic vibes there don't ask me why so here are my guesses;

petrichor; the smell of earth after the first rain. not exactly rare, but it is kind of a nostalgic smell that has been on earth hundreds of years even before humanity. like it ties with the fact that bree's power was more from the shadow king so the smell is also like yk ancient af.

i don't know the name but the smell of salt on the beach, waves rolling in and the sprayed misty scent. correspondence to, again, it has been here since ages and is one of the smells that has a different type of nostalgia. anybody who has ever been to a beach or water body will know but it just smells different.

now this one a kind of hard to explain but yk when you go to your grandparent's house, maternal grandparents, and it has like this distinct smell that is different for every family?? the smell of generations of mothers growing up in the same house, like their childhood, puberty, old age everything in one place. (yes i thought of this while i was at my own grandma's house and i wondered what it would be like if bree also had the chance to be in a house which had all the memories and elements of her line of mothers lives). it will be a difficult smell to explain because i do not have the proper vocabulary to say it but it is a guess of mine and probably possible.

yk that very powdery smell of silk?? the one that doesn't go away even after washing the cloth many many times, its very hard to explain but silk has been a major symbol of royalty in history (yk the silk road?? yeahhh) so it could also be one of the scents, depending on which type of royalty you mean.

i ran out of scents but you get the point now.

now, weaknesses. i am hoping she doesnt have to like yk collapse after every fight, at least not until the adrenaline wears off. i hope her powerhouse can heal her and replenish her energy levels. at least for short term, like yk coffee makes you forget you're tired. not exactly good but will be good while she's on the run. may or may not happen but hey I'm just making theories.

this is all ig?? could make a pt.2 or add something here but yeah this is all i guess.

[nosebleedsturn]

About Me !

Hi I’m Summer or Autumn or Winter whatever floats your boat I guess! Here’s a short Q & A to answer some basic questions so we can get to know each other!

Birthday: march 14, 2006 Pisces baby for life ♓️

Fav Singer? Currently it’s Nessa Barrett and Sabrina Carpenter

Fav Color? I LOVE PURPLE #still team nick!

Fav Band? 5 Seconds of Summer (I’m a micashcaluke girl) & The 1975

Fav Triplet? I was originally a nick girl but I eventually fell for Chris and then Matt caught my eye cause he was quiet and mysterious and I love that. But ultimately I can’t pick (most of my books are about Matt though so take that as u will)

Fav Friend of the Triplets? I loved when they were friends with Nessa. I love Madi and Madison and I LOVE NATE (I’m a Nate girl most definitely)

Fav Songs? Sex by The 1975, Constellations by Jade LeMac, Breakup by Ashton Irwin, Collide by Rachel Platten, Romance by My Chemical Romance, Heartbreak Girl by 5SOS, Out of Oklahoma by Lainey Wilson and SOO MANY MORE

Fav Movie? I loved The Florida Project, Descendants 2, Sleeping Beauty, Alice in Wonderland, Mall Cop, The Hangover and like SO MUCH MORE

Fav Tv Show? The Vampire Diaries, Teen Wolf, Outer Banks, Bones, Supernatural, The Walking Dead & SO MUCH MORE

Fav Emojis? 🪩💌🌪️🩰🦚💋🪽👒🦋🦢🐚🪸🌷🥀🌙🪐💫✨🌩️🫧🫐🥭🥥☕️🧋🎱🏹🎬🎲🎰⚓️🎠🎞️🔮🧿🩻🔑🧸🎀🪞🪭📍❤️‍🔥🤎

Fav Place? I prefer LA lifestyle to New York (I’m a true tumblr girl btw I’ve been here for years so LA speaks to me so differently than NY speaks to yall) I adore Disneyland, I want to travel to Italy, France, Greece, Dubai and yeah

Fav YouTubers? I really love Sam and Colby, Baylen Lavine, Jake & Johnnie, Jesssfam, idk I don’t follow people on YT who aren’t related to the triplets in some way, or aren’t my friends

Extra Stuff About Me:

I’m 18, a dancer, I’m not currently in school or working so I’m kinda bored. I’ve always dreamed about being a YouTuber since before YouTubers even made good money to live off of, and I’ve started my YouTube career ofc… Anywho, my other dreams are traveling, being in music videos, and learning new languages.

I’m French, Native American, and Mexican with a bit of German and Irish (☘️?? I think) mixed in there. So I’m pretty well rounded and I HATE TRUMP MAKE AMERICA BLUE AGAIN !!

Huge Larry Stylinson girlie even in this big year of 2025. But I’m not an insane shipper I love them as friends too

I hate enemies to lovers tropes, one bed, fake dating, & bully tropes… but I love long time friends to lovers, incredibly painful slow burn, bad boy x good girl, “I don’t wanna be saved” x “I’d do anything to save you” and yuh!!!

Stick around a while I hope I don’t disappoint

(Things I want to write for are in tags and there’s probably stuff I missed but feel free to ask questions too I don’t mind)

[conanssummerchild]

Season 2: Episode 5 "Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy"

next

hi !! if ur reading this welcome to my Gilmore Girls episode reviews, for a little context i'm gonna be doing these only on the episodes jess is in (but i won't only talk about him, i will talk about all the characters) bcs i don't care enough to watch the whole show but have become hyperfixated on jess and wanna share my opinions. ps: i do know other things about the show and have seen some other episodes bcs my sister has seen the whole show twice. and as i said in my other post abt this: im a lesbian so i promise to offer my fully unbiased opinon unaffected by how cute jess is (adorable). but my father doesnt love me so my opinion will be biased by that. hope u enjoy !!

It's always so weird to me that Lorelai brings up some genuine concerns in this episode---like she's the first one who asks "Hey, how does Jess feel about this?" tells Luke he should actually talk to Jess abt it, reminds Luke "A seventeen year old who's been getting into trouble and now is being shipped off without his consent." may not be mr sunshine---but then as soon as he says ONE minimally rude thing to her suddenly it doesn't matter what he's feeling, she doesn't care, he's an irredemable monster. This is way before he even starts anything with Rory so that's not even her excuse. Btw- I'm not saying trauma means that you just get to treat everyone like shit but Lorelai needs to cut Jess some slack.

When I first watched this episode I thought that Lorelai was worried about Jess's wellbeing but now on the 3rd rewatch it seems like she may have been more concerned about Jess being too much of a handful (which is valid, she's looking out for Luke, just an observation, idk).

Here I'm sure Lorelai had the best of intentions but I'm not sure inviting Jess over so soon was a good idea. I mean, he just got here, he doesn't seem very happy about it, I know that I would've found it a bit overwhelming especially because Sookie, Jackson and Loreali are... a lot. I think she probably should've given him a least a couple weeks to kind of get to know Luke a bit better and get a bit more comfortable. Not that it would've changed that much I don't think but it might've made things a little less uncomfortable idk.

"Wanna play some poker? 5 bucks a hand?" "No." "10?" "No." "I can't go any higher than ten." "Jess..." "Okay, 15. 😏" Will always be funny to me, I know Jess was being a jackass this whole scene but he's so funny and Luke is so awkward. Also Milo Ventimiglia's delivery is just so on point, I don't think I can imagine anyone else at all playing Jess, he nailed it. I do feel bad for Luke because my guy is trying SO hard and Jess is giving him nothing but I get why Jess is so pissed. Also I doubt he thought this would last very long, so why bother?

I actually really liked Rory and Jess's meeting scene, she was really nice and the only person who actually treated him normally, which I think was probably a big part in Jess liking her, as well as his need to be a little shit and wind up Dean. Oh and also their shared interest in books obviously.

UGH the porch scene. Okay: 1. "Oh, Jess, let me give you a little advice. The whole 'my parents don't get me' thing-- Ah, I've been there." Not Lorelai equating her rich parents not approving of her lifestyle to Jess growing up with an addict mother and no father with his mum cycling through shitty boyfriends constantly and having no stability in his childhood including financially, likely having to raise himself because we know Liz wasn't doing shit and then when he started acting out due to all of that getting shipped off to stay with an uncle he barely knew. I don't doubt growing up with Emily and Richard was a nightmare and people who are suposed to care for you not supporting you is horrible and I do recognise that Lorelai has worked so hard and is very strong but she is not being relatable™ like she thinks she is. She's just being obnoxious and condescending. And, hey, maybe get to know him first before trying to psychoanalyse him, jesus christ.

2. ISTG Lorelai is fucking stupid because Jess is clearly angry, what did she think he was gonna say? "Oh, Lorelai, you're not like a lame mom, you're a cool mom! you're so relatable and wise!" Like ffs get a grip. Anyway, insane how all it took for Lorelai to decide Jess was evil was him saying "What, are you sleeping with him (Luke) or something?" Yes, he was being very rude but What Did She Think Was Gonna Happen ?!?!!?!!! and is that it? he gets one chance? Be careful guys if Lorelai catches you on a bad day she'll hold a grudge against you forever. And Jess was right, she DOESN'T know anything about him or his life or his mom (i'd say she does knows more than Jess about Luke, though) which is why it comes off as so patronising that she pretends she knows exactly what he's going through and proceeds to tell him to just, what, move on?

And while I do think Jess was a lot more screwed up than Luke thought he was, Lorelai is insane to come to that conclusion from ONE talk like girl he's just acting like an angry teen you haven't even gotten to half of his issues yet. Lorelai needs to learn how not to jump to conclusions based off of minimal evidence. I hate how she talks to Luke in this episode too, like he's an idiot and she's just the smartest person in the world and knows everything. She butts into issues that are none of her damn business and she is not as qualified as she thinks to intervene in and then gets mad that she sucked ass at it and Luke is upset with her. Go mess up your own kid, god knows she could've done some better parenting with Rory before getting involved with a new kid who needs therapy not Lorelai Gilmore. Luke was an icon in this scene though, you go king.

I think Luke was right to be mad because Lorelai had no right to get involved, Luke is trying his best and he did not ask for Lorelai's help, but if she's so insistent that she knows everything she can try to give Luke advice and support him NOT go and talk to Jess like she knows him because she thinks she can fix years of trauma with one conversation because she's just that cool.

"I'm trying to help you!" "Well, stop trying!" I think this is an important line for Jess's character, sums him up pretty well, and this whole scene is important for Luke and Jess's relationship moving forwards. I like that we get to see a lot of Jess's frustration laid out here.

Luke pushing him in the lake is pretty funny, he just goes flying lmao, while it probably wasn't the MOST appropriate course of action I think it actually might've helped in Luke and Jess's relationship. While sometimes I wish Luke would be a little gentler with Jess, in this moment I think what he needed was Luke getting serious and laying down the rules and maybe even being pushed in the lake, idk. But I think it is important that Luke shows that he cares about Jess and that's why he's being stern, which I think he usually does an ok job of. "I am not letting you just fall of the face of the earth. You will not drift, I won't let it happen." I thought was really sweet.

"Where are you going?" "Out." "Well, at least I asked." Lmao, you go Luke. You're getting there.

Jess's lame little magic trick gets me every time. He thinks he's so cool, everyone thinks he's such a bad boy. Wrong, NERD.

Other thoughts:

Funny how Lorelai was the one that suggested Jess meet Rory and then spent the rest of the show wanting them apart lol.

Rory looks so tiny in the early seasons 😭 she's just a baby. Then she grew up and her superiority complex grew with her, these are the good old days when she was only a little bit annoying. She was an icon in this episode let's be real though.

I know Paris is more of an asshole than Rory but I just can't help but be obsessed with her.

Madeline's look is so iconic and always will be.

Am I the only one that thinks that Jess carrying books in his back pocket is criminal... what happens when he sits does he just sit on it

I didn't comment on the whole Rory and Lorelai/Max situation because all I know is Max proposed, Lorelai said no and idk any context so I don't feel equipped to say anything.

Luke was so right about kids always having jam hands what is up with that i would cry if i had a kid in my house always stickying things up ugh, no hate to kids though, we've all been there.

And to finish off, since Lorelai seems incapable of remembering what a horrible mother Liz is when they actually meet and continues hating Jess but gets along great with Liz I thought I would help her out by collecting all the things that have been said about Liz's parenting style. In blue if Lorelai heard them herself:

"So she's just sending him here, just like that?" "Oh, no, I'm sure she put at least five or six minutes of thought into it."

"Apparently, he's been getting into some trouble, and Liz is afraid he's heading for something bad, and rather than handle it herself, she's given up."

"Look, his problem is obvious-- It's his mother. We never could count on Liz for anything."

"He doesn't have a choice. His mom's a flake, he's coming here-- end of story."

all blue today, well, isn't that fun.

this one was pretty centred on Jess becasue it was a sort of central episode for him, but going forwards not all of them will be so Jess-heavy I swear.

[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.