#not a human in a conventional sense vs

[lyricalchrysanthemum]

Mizuhikishipping is like the fourth secret option outside of yaoi yuri and straight to me

[venomvalley]

just found myself MANIACALLY GIGGLING over my BLORBOS!! HUMILIATING behavior!!!!

[p0orbaby]

could you maybe write some pregnant smut with either alexia or leah please and thank youuu 🤭

this isn’t at all what you asked for because my mind went blank… but i wanted to give you something. a follow up may be on the horizon

rich!reader, postpartum sex ban, let’s gooo

-

You are experiencing what can only be described as an emergency.

Not a life-threatening emergency, no. Not in the conventional sense. There is no fire. No armed robbery. No medical professionals are needed.

And yet—despite the complete absence of immediate danger—you are suffering. You are in crisis.

Because it has been six weeks since you have been able to have sex.

Six weeks.

Forty-two days.

One thousand and eight hours.

You do the maths frequently. It brings you no comfort.

Because your wife—your unreasonably attractive, infuriatingly smug wife—has been making it worse.

You don’t think she’s doing it on purpose. But then again, you also didn’t think you were the kind of person who could be undone by the mere existence of another human being, and yet—

Here you are.

Postpartum. Horny. Not okay.

Your last shred of dignity clings to the edge of a cliff, gripping so desperately you might cry.

And then, because the universe hates you, you are forced to endure the absolute worst possible setting for your suffering: a Champions League match.

Barcelona vs Lyon. Quarter-finals. Home leg. A packed stadium. Your baby in your lap. Your wife on the pitch.

It is the worst possible arrangement of things.

Because Alexia, captain, leader, heartbeat of the team, is also—unfortunately—a menace to your well-being.

She is everywhere. Commanding. Dominating. Bossing the midfield. Calling for the ball. Intercepting play. Creating chances.

And she is sweaty.

She is so sweaty.

Her shirt clings to her back. Her thighs glisten under the floodlights. She is locked in, sharp, a threat. She pulls her shorts up—a little habit she has before every free kick—and your stomach drops to your knees.

You are not okay.

You have not been okay for weeks.

You shift slightly in your seat, trying to focus on anything else. You fail spectacularly.

Isabel, blessedly oblivious to your suffering, sleeps peacefully against your chest, one tiny hand curled into a fist against your shirt. She has not known suffering a day in her life.

And then—because life is cruel—Alexia scores.

The entire stadium erupts.

She roars, fist in the air, running to the corner flag, chased by teammates.

And you—seated in the most privileged of all possible seats—are struck with the deep, undeniable realisation that you have never been more attracted to anyone in your entire life.

Which is a problem.

Because you are in a box, surrounded by people.

Important people.

The president of the club is to your left. His wife is beside him, clutching his arm, thrilled, eyes wide. Across from you, executives are clapping. Your in-laws—who insisted on coming—are beaming.

And yet—all you can think about is how badly you want to jump your wife in front of all of them.

You clench your jaw. Adjust your grip on the baby. Breathe through your nose. Try to survive.

Twenty minutes later, Barcelona win.

The final whistle goes. The team celebrates. Cheers. Applause. The smell of fresh beer being flung into the air in the stands.

And then—the worst possible thing happens.

Alexia jogs off the pitch.

Your body, betraying you completely, tenses in anticipation.

You know what’s coming.

You have seen this play out a thousand times before.

Ten minutes later, the door swings open.

You brace yourself.

And then she walks in.

And you—like a complete idiot—forget how to breathe.

Because she is fresh from the shower.

She is in a navy tracksuit. The zip is low. Her hair is still wet, damp against her skin.

She smells like soap.

Like her.

And she knows.

She sees the way you tense. She sees the way your grip tightens on the baby. She knows exactly what she is doing to you.

And then—because she hates you—she leans down and kisses Isabel’s forehead.

Soft. Gentle. Devastating.

Your stomach drops through the floor.

She sits down next to you. So casual. So smug. She touches your thigh, her fingers barely brushing against the fabric, like she isn’t completely destroying you.

And then—to make things worse—she focuses entirely on the baby.

You stare at her.

You cannot handle this.

She hums softly under her breath, rubbing small circles into Isabel’s back. Her fingers move so lightly, so effortlessly, and your stomach flips.

Your entire body is on fire.

She adjusts the blanket. Fixes a tiny sock. Makes a soft, affectionate noise.

And you—you actually whimper.

She laughs.

The kind of laugh that makes you want to throw yourself into the sea.

She leans in slightly, voice low, amused, calculated.

“Three more days.”

Your eyes slam shut.

You are in actual, physical pain.

Seventy-two hours.

You might not survive.

God help you.

[raine-dance]

Tbh Red vs Blue didn't really intend to lean too far into the dissociative lens with Leonard Church as far as I can tell. He's an AI that's a reconstruction of a real person, through the use of brain-mapping technology. Church, the AI, became a system through... conventional traumatic means, and that's almost where they leave it in terms of direct reference to the disorder. But it's still interesting to look at things within that lens, and while I do eventually intend to collect my thoughts into a video essay, I think I'd like to share one train of thought here because I think it's legitimately interesting.

Everyone knows about the cliché of the murderous alter. Red vs Blue's most notable example is Sigma. Now I know that on this sentence alone, many would criticise me calling Church the best DID representation I've seen in media, especially given that they also misnomer the disorder as MPD, but I think Sigma is the most interesting example of the trope, because he actually has something to say about the treatment of those with dissociative disorders.

For one, I think that character context is important. Church (as in Alpha) was created to be a murder machine - the Director would force Church to split and extract the new split into its own AI unit, given to Freelancers with the express purpose of making them more effective soldiers. Almost everyone in the series is a killer, although some are more effective than others, and nowhere is this description more applicable than Project Freelancer.

With that in mind, the Freelancers were given seminars on the workings of AI - in the series, an AI fragment might try to "metastabilise," or reconnect with other fragments of the same AI, to achieve a sense of wholeness. If I recall, AI were supposed to remain inactive for these seminars, but Agent Maine was fond of Sigma due to Sigma's ability to act as a mouthpiece for him after an injury, and Sigma was made aware of the concept of "metastability." As such, he decided that he wanted to achieve metastability, and this decision kicks off the vast majority of RvB's plot.

There are many things getting in the way of Sigma's plan, however, and first and foremost is the fact that all of the other AI fragments have been allotted to other Freelancer agents. While there may have been a conflict of interest for Maine, Sigma had a clear goal in mind, and was ultimately conditioned to achieve it - the AI units were made to kill, and this is a large part of why he proceeds with his plan.

So, why am I mentioning this? I'm not just here to defend this writing decision, I said this plotline had something to say about the treatment of systems, and it does, either intentionally, or, more likely, not - first, it deals with how the world surrounding systems form how they react to the issues the world involves them in, something that is true of not only us, but of everyone. Second, it challenges the idea that final fusion is the healthiest and only acceptable treatment for systems.

The only reason Sigma strives for something analogous to final fusion is because he was told by someone who should be an expert that this is the only way forward for him. The only way to achieve, in direct quote, "humanity," a goal he had already been striving for. And the tragic thing is that he believed that this was the case when the viewer looking at the show through a dissociative lens already knows it isn't, both in real life, and in the series.

Church, as in the Alpha AI, and later Epsilon, is one of the most human characters in the show. He's a lot of things - a bit arrogant, very brash, and often pissed off, but he cares about his friends, and does everything in his power to help them succeed, even sacrificing himself as Epsilon for them. He was human once, and as an AI, is a reconstruction of that former humanity, and he still manages to retain it. As Epsilon, he achieves functional multiplicity until the plot forces him to go through final fusion to save his friends, and the act, in the timeline of Seasons 15-18, at least, literally kills him.

The treatment of systems matters so much to me. And despite starting out as a crass comedy show about the shittiest soldiers in the galaxy, with the relevant seasons having released 13 years ago, the series still manages to treat us with more respect and challenge more issues relating to how society treats us than most, if not all media that deems us interesting enough to be plot-relevant does now. I have a lot of thoughts about it all, and whenever I feel like it, I'll probably write more about it. Thanks for reading, if you did make it this far, I'm just rambling and all, but if this matters even half as much to someone else as it does to me, that makes me happy.

[siswritesyanderes]

i mightve asked this before, in which case go ahead and ignore this lmao. which characters would be the best vs worst when handling an autistic darling?

Oooh, this is a cool question! I would say it depends on the particular symptoms the person has, so I'll go over some symptoms and which yanderes would respond best vs. worst.

avoidance of eye-contact

Obviously, shy, autistic, or autistic-coded yanderes would work really well with this (and other) symptom(s). Your Donatello's, your Newt's, arguably your Peter Parker's. Also, yanderes who are able to sense when their darling's attention is on them supernaturally or just out of sheer social aplomb. Elves, for example, would be great with someone who doesn't like eye contact, because their body language conventions differ as a result of being able to communicate mentally.

Roxanne Wolf would be distinctly bad for this, based on her need for attention as demonstrated in Help Wanted 2. But she's also not beyond reason when it matters, as we've seen in Ruin DLC, so I'm sure communicating about it is on the table.

sensory reactivity

Okay, I think Dr. Strange would very specifically be bad for this, because his movies are all swirling kaleidoscopes of magic that would definitely be sensory overload in real life, and I have mentioned before that I don't see him as a considerate yandere. If anything, he might enjoy inducing sensory overload for the express purposes of making his darling require comfort, care, and isolation from others.

On the other hand, and maybe a weird pull for this, but Zafrina from Twilight would be great. Alec, too. Both have powers that would be super helpful when darling is overwhelmed.

Druig is able to just make everyone nearby shut up, which he would employ liberally.

food sensitivity/pickiness

Yanderes who enjoy cooking could go both ways on this. I could see some being offended by negative feedback and some taking it as being gifted with the challenge of meeting their darling's standards. Teruteru from Danganronpa and Esme from Twilight would both probably be good about receiving feedback and making changes. Super eager to please. Esme more so than Teruteru; he might get offended at first.

Rich and royal yanderes would delight in someone picky. They would love to be able to send food back with new, highly specific orders because darling doesn't like grapes with soft spots. Your Tony Stark's, your Byakuya Togami's, your Toph Beifong's, your Coriolanus Snow's.

Ralph from DBH would be a problem. He has a very weak grasp on what humans eat and a very high sensitivity to negative feedback. (Wait, he's just like me...)

resistance to changes in routine

This one would be a problem for yanderes who feel a need to go on adventures and trips with their darling. Which isn't necessarily the same as adventurous yanderes. Some adventurous yanderes might enjoy the idea of their darling staying behind at home keeping to a comfortable routine. But the ones who want their darling along on the adventure would be problematic. The Doctor, for example. Especially Eleven; he gets bored easily.

Whereas I think a lot of superheroes would like the idea of keeping their darling sequestered away, living predictably and comfortably. Clark Kent, Steve Rogers, Druig...The only catch is that some of them (Druig) would probably be a bit condescending about it.

I think Daycare Attendant would be great for routine. Coloring time, snack time, naptime, same time every day, sign them up! Also condescending, but they genuinely can't help it because it's how they're programmed.

Technically, Phineas and Ferb keep to a very specific routine, albeit a pretty tiring/potentially overwhelming one.

sorting things

This would be great for the disorganized genius character type. A Bruce Banner, if you will. An organized genius probably already has a system and might have trouble with someone sorting things differently than they have them. A distinctly slovenly character probably wouldn't mind either way.

hyperfixation

Yo, Queen from Deltarune would be the best for this. She would create an inescapable palace of the thing darling likes. Swatch and the Swatchlings would be involved.

stimming

There might be a problem if the yandere is easily distracted and needs to focus on something else. The main one I can think of who fits that description is Percy Jackson. That's not a distaste thing; just a pragmatic issue. Yanderes who experience sensory overload might also have an issue with it. My first thought was Queen Elsa.

On the other hand, Leo Valdez would love to make little stim toys for his darling. Donatello, too.

[gremlinpenguin]

Some semi-coherent analysis threads bc my dumb ass needs bullet points to stay organized:

—SEASON FINALE SPOILERS BELOW!!!—

I’ve been dissecting some of allegorical elements of the story- I’m not sure if these are intended or even completely accurate to the story, just my interpretation of how every single narrative element potentially ties together, which is insanely impressive. Some of these are speculations or extrappolations; it’s hard to confirm some things until we know Buddy’s backstory, but this is based on his statement that he’s “never been the hero in any story, not even his own” (AAHHAHAHLSJHSKHSSKJ)

Sorry if some of these thoughts make no sense feel free to me for clarification lol, and I might be repeating things that have been said before but idk. And if i quote anything then I pulled it from the finale

BUT THE WHOLE STORY WORLD IS A METAPHOR FOR ROLES, CONVENTIONS, AND BREAKING EXPECTATIONS

The stories and their roles parallel the characters’ interiority

- chase is defiant of his role

- Buddy believes that his role defines him

- “What the stories want” > the characters wanting to break out of their roles

“Maybe this isn’t the ending that was supposed to happen” > DEVELOPMENT

- difference between who we are vs. who we think we are

- Think we’re “supposed to turn out” one way according to roles

- World where hero <3 villain = breaking conventions and expectations

- Ties in with the roles were given

“Our roles are gone, the world is gone, but we’re still here”

- we are our cores, not the roles we’re assigned

- The world cannot change who you truly are

- The world/roles getting destroyed = allowed them to be themselves

- Buddy became the hero

- Chase showed his vulnerability

Character complexity: buddy is and isn’t a “hero”

- there is no black and white answer

- He’s a complex person who made mistakes that he deeply regrets

- At the same time, he never caused any physical harm to chase- and when he did, he was instantly remorseful

If you think about buddy’s perspective, he fits the role of a hero

- in a bad situation

- Needs something to fix that situation

- Someone is in his way of achieving that goal for what he’s been trained to believe are selfish reasons

BUT THE METAPHORICAL PARTS!!!

Every storybook fantasy world was fake

- literally the entire setting wasn’t real

- The whole story is a giant metaphor

- Roles in stories = roles we think we fit into

- How roles inhibit you from who you really are

We can all be heroes or villains, regardless of what role we’re given

- chase defies his role as a kid who can’t go to college and needs to make money > still dreams big despite the hand he’s been dealt

“Stories just want an ending even if it’s not the one you’d expect”

- direct metaphor- ppl want to be themselves regardless of their roles

- You can’t control who someone is going to be

- All that matters is that they like themself, no matter what they expected

- They want to be enjoyed > people just want to live

The story ending = just living regardless of roles

- the stories are all fake but a direct parallel to the human personality

- We put up walls and fake facades to hide what we actually are/want

- The roles don’t matter as long as we just live

- Roles are put in place to try and create smoothness/structure

- we confine ourselves into fantasy book roles - ie deacon being the helper - without realizing that we have full power to get out of those

- We tell ourselves stories of what’s real/what we’re capable of

-the stories themselves are confining to the multi dimensional nature of human possibility

And Chase was literally invented to defy the stereotypical isekai tropes. Every character is strongly defiant of what someone might expect a stereotypical hero, villain, and sidekick to be- they’re so much richer, they all have motives and desires. And they each want to feel like “the hero” but it’s so far out of their grasps. The storybooks set an expectation of what a hero is - by literally fitting people into roles - I mean come on how much more symbolic can it get than literally ASSIGNING ROLES with the keys - but they all have a complex idea of how “being a hero” fits into their lives.

But as silver said, people love the hero because they tried- and Chase, buddy, and deacon are all trying so hard to find peace in their lives.

Back to the finale-

All the story wants is a true loves kiss > it just wants them to be themselves

- love is love lol

- Roles don’t matter, you matter

Roles > chase never fit into his role

- strong foil for buddy, who fully defined himself by his role

- Chase believed he could choose his role regardless of what life gave him

Chase is all about breaking conventions and doing the impossible

- Embodiment of unconventionality

- First to break out of role/callous hero expectation

Buddy is the embodiment of surrendering to his role

- letting it control him through fear and low self-esteem

- Surrendered to his role because he feels like a villain irl

Something always goes wrong in the stories- people are not meant to fit into roles

- chase defying the stories = rebelling against societal roles and expectations

- Buddy being a stickler for accuracy- he doesn’t know how to escape his role

“Our roles are gone, the world is gone, but we’re still here”

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHSJDKFKSDJFHSKSKSJFJSJSHAHDJGKKSJAHSHDHD

- BIG HEALING MOMENT BC NOTHING IS THERE TO CONFINE BUDDY AKA HIS BELIEF SYSTEM THAT TELLS HIM HES THE VILLAIN HES LITERALLY SHEDDING HIS ROLE BC THE WORLD HAS BEEN DESTROYED SO THEIR ROLES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED TOO AAAAHHH THIS QUOTE NEEDS TO PAY RENT BC ITS SPENT WAY TOO MUCH TIME IN MY HEAD

- I mean come on. Yes I am a simp for metaphorical apocalypses but THIS. THEIR ROLES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED. THE TWO OF THEM ARE LITERALYYYY ALL THATS LEFT

anygay

Dreams by night episode-

- the hero’s dreams come true- but not really

- In real life, your happily ever after doesn’t always happen

- The coffin: Buddy is mentally trapped in his villain role

- He doesn’t know how to get out

- The coffin is an emotional box that he’s stuck in

- Doesn’t believe he could be anything but the villain

- Buddy’s dream could be a flashback

- Blood on his clothes- possibly had to fight other “contestants”

- I think buddy was pit against other ppl but there was one who he really cared about and let down

- He’s definitely missing someone in his life who’s no longer here

- Fighting could have convinced him he was the villain

- Or failing to save the person he cared about

- Could have made him think he’s selfish = villain

- Or survivors guilt

- Mirror = reflection of himself

- Sees chase in his reflection = sees the part of him that he knows isn’t a villain

- Chase is making him believe that he could be good/worthy of kindness and love

- Chase symbolizes the part of himself that’s fighting to break out of his villain role

- Chase gives him hope

- Not even fully aware of his internal journey

- Chase is so clearly a fresh and new viewpoint in his life

- Surprised bc he hasn’t been cared for like that before

- “This is how it has to be” - he cannot break out of his villain role

- It’s been so deeply ingrained in him

- He doesn’t think there’s any way out

- Mirror is dark > conforming to the darkness of his role

Buddy was never the bad guy > he has a very strong motivation for getting the keys back, aka turning human again

- he never lied to chase

- He helped chase finish the stories

- He told him that he needed the keys back and Chase refused

- His pranks were only ways to accomplish his goal

- Trying to get chase’s location in beach boys > couldn’t comprehend why Chase would be genuine

- Used to humans being manipulative and unkind

- Why should he think Chase is any different?

Buddy has never done something outwardly bad and not apologized for it

- so fast to apologize when he cut chase’s face

- He’s aware of the line between good and bad

He never fights back when people attack him

- Just accepts all the bad things that happen to him

- Doesn’t try to stop people from hurting him

Both buddy and Chase have done “good” and “bad” things but Buddy has never had bad motivation

- all his motivation was in self-defense

- Chase also triggers him in many ways

- Reacting to his own past through his experience with Chase

Buddy doesn’t get <that> upset with Chase when he finds out about the key - “you think I’d kidnap a poor child?”

- he’s aware of others’ perceptions of him

- The fact that he doesn’t seem super betrayed or disappointed is even sadder

- “Why would anyone think that I’m good/trust me”

- Matches his original expectations and views of himself

- Probably felt like Chase was too good to be true

- He’s used to humans betraying him

- Chase lying = affirmation that his belief system is correct

Why buddy is kinda mean to chase at first- he thinks he’s the same as the ex libris guys

- Thinks chase is making selfish wishes

- Associates him with the people who (presumably) abused buddy to get their wish

- He sees chase as a threat

Chase is threat = have to fight back

- his pranks on Chase are meant to tire him out but also to look stronger

- Insulting Chase over his weaknesses = trying to be the tougher guy

- Literally boxed and suppressed

- Matches his need to be in control of situations

- Needs everything to go the right way > triggered by his helplessness irl

main reason why he’s mean to chase- thinks chase is privileged in the ways he’s not

- calls him a brat- oblivious, doesnt think he’s suffered

- thinks chase is just playing around, which buddy can’t afford to do

chase triggers one of his deepest insecurities- having what buddy doesn’t (or so he thinks)

- don’t know buddys backstory but it has a lot less kindness/goodness

- jealous of chase but also resentful of his attitude (initially)

why buddy messes with chase - he’s a pretty big attention seeker

- he gets annoyed when deacon is around

- wants his “rivalry” with chase all to himself

- attention seeking = byproduct of surroundings

- given a lack of positive attention

punko confirmed that buddy is lazy > lack of motivation

- people without love/support can lack motivation to accomplish things

- buddy is mistreated > no reason to strive for what he wants

- Could possibly feel undeserving

- Especially if he failed to save someone he cared about

- “laziness” is interloped with symptoms of depression

Chase uses the stories as escapism

- his real life is much harder

- Mom is sick, family judges him for not having a corporate job

Buddy insulting his voice on the heels of his visits to the aunt and uncle’s house- OUCH

- chase is so strong fr I’d prolly react more like franny

Buddy starts saving chase / being the hero after beach boys

- sick day- saves deacon and brings chase to safety

- Jailer- rescues chase from creepy guy

- Still waters- saves chase’s and everyone else’s lives

That’s all I have now! I love dissecting stories and picking them apart, but oh my freaking god the storytelling in this webtoon is next-next-tier. I’m just stunned at how incredibly detailed the characters are and how every scene is packed with subtext and emotion- funny moments, sad ones, heart wrenching ones, devastating but hopeful ones. I’ve been trying to find what makes Chase + buddy’s dynamic so strong between characterization, internal conflict, belief systems, behavior, backstory, etc. and I’m sure it all comes down to punko’s imagination and her unfettered love for the story. But if you’re a chronic overthinker and obsessive analyzer like me I’d looooove to hear your thoughts, theories, analyses, or anything at all!! Especially about the dreams by night episode IM GONNA CRACK THE CODE I KNOW I WILL

[ingravinoveritas]

“Who do you cast before you cast Michael Sheen?… Brad Pitt.”

Even if Brad isn’t actually the most attractive, and even if it turns out he’s not a great guy, he’s still like the Meme of Attractive Male Actor. I thought that was interesting.

Oh, my. I hadn't even clocked David mentioning Brad potentially being in the context of him thinking about attractive leading men actors, but yes, let's discuss...

I think there are a couple of possibilities here. One is that David could've just completely picked Brad's name at random and that's all there is to it. Especially given that right before this, he mentions that Johnny Depp was nearly cast as Aziraphale in the adaptation that would've been directed by Terry Gilliam in the early 2000s. So it would make sense for David to be thinking of heartthrobs of that era, which Johnny and Brad both were.

Another possibility is that, in thinking of David's attractions to men--and while I agree with you about Brad not really being a great guy--he definitely can be categorized as that sort of proto-Hollywood conventional standard of attractiveness. He's like a "gateway drug" of male crushes, in a lot of ways. And that also calls to mind something David said in an interview in the Guardian around that same time (1999), about what he would write in a personals ad if he were looking for a relationship:

So if David was really starting to navigate his same-sex attractions back then and realizing that his "type" very broadly was someone who looks not the same way he looks, it makes sense that someone like Brad would come to mind. Another example in that same vein is David on Graham Norton in 2019 calling Chris Hemsworth "a human god" as Thor, because Chris is cut from the same physical cloth as Brad (thinking especially of Brad as Achilles in Troy, as he very much looks like Chris there).

And then I think all of this further ties into what we heard Michael talk about on Kathy Burke's podcast, about his first crush being on John Taylor of Duran Duran and processing that crush by trying to make his hair look like John's. It's very much that thing of, "Do I want to be like him, or do I want to be with him?" that is specific to people of David and Michael's age, because they grew up in a time and place where it wasn't safe to be open or forthright about bisexuality or queerness.

But it's fascinating how similar that feels to the possibility of David thinking of 2000s-era Brad Pitt as hot, and working through those emotions and moving from aesthetic appreciation to physical/sexual attraction. So, in that context, "Who'd you get before you get Michael Sheen?" feels like a parallel to that--that David went for something more conventional before he knew what kind of men were his "type," and once he did figure it out, he found Michael. Male crush then vs. male crush now, as it were...

Oh, I love this. Thank you for giving me so many interesting things to think about this morning, Anon! This was such a delight to answer. Thanks for writing in! x

[machinesonix]

Somehow I have made it this long without realizing that none of the screen adoptions of Dune so much as mention the Butlerian Jihad. Like I guess it's burned into my brain so hard I sort of assumed it was part and parcel of the universe. Don't get me wrong, I think that's probably the first thing you learn if you want to dive deeper into the setting, but it still hits me like if the LotR movies showed us the big flaming eyeball tower and was like ‘Oh, that's why there are bad things, but don't worry, that's just background stuff.’ Yeah, you can understand the movie, but if the story is just like Frodo vs. The Witch King you are losing out on any of the conversation about the corruptive allure of power or theological undertones. So without further ado let's pretend this is for the benefit of interested new fans roped in by the movies and not part of my desperate attempt to silence the howling specters of literary analysis that live in my blood.

The Butlerian Jihad is an event set ~10k years prior to the events of Dune in which humanity won their freedom from the machines that they had enslaved themselves to. As a result, it is a religious taboo to create a machine that thinks like a human. That's frankly the bulk of the information presented by Frank Herbert in the text without dipping into books 7+, but whether or not those are canon is frankly an enormous can of worms, which really makes sense when you consider the size of the worms. But boy howdy, Frank loved his subtext and parallelism. Everyone has a foil character, every theme is hit from multiple angles, and Villinueve has been doing an excellent job of capturing a lot of that in repeated imagery and dialogue. The Butlerian Jihad happens off camera, but it's themes are absolutely critical to the big picture.

The Butlerian Jihad was a holy war. It was not merely a rebellion against the machines, it was a crusade against them. The prohibition against thinking machines isn't just a law, it's in the pan-universal Bible. Absolute psychopath Pieter DeVries himself claps back at the Baron for insinuating he might have a use for a computer, and this is a guy who has been hired specifically for his preternatural absence of morals. Let's hold onto that idea for a minute. 

Probably my favorite scene in the first book is the one where planetologist Liet-Kynes is dying out in the desert. As the last of his strength fades to dehydration he hallucinates conversations he had with his father concerning terraforming Arakkis for human habitability. He's told that the means are not complicated. There is already enough water on the planet, the Little Makers just have it all trapped deep underground as part of the sandworm reproductive cycle. You just need to isolate enough water to start irrigating plant life, and once it's established that'll keep the water on the surface on its own. The hard part is making sure everyone on the planet is environmentally conscious enough to foster a developing ecosystem. Nobody can drink any of that water while it's being collected, because they'll just introduce it back into the water cycle where the Little Makers are. It's going to take generations, so that sort of water discipline is going to have to go above and beyond a social convention. People need to be willing to die before they'll take a sip and compromise the plan. Ghost Dad Kynes concludes that the only mechanism in the human experience to enforce this consensus is religion. 

In the context of this whole parallelism thing, you have probably noticed that the Butlerian Jihad is not the only holy war in the narrative. Paul sees a new jihad as the only way of creating a future where humans can flourish. Now you might be saying ‘Wait now, Machines. I thought the point of Paul’s holy war was to avenge Leto and disempower established power structures by taking away the control of the spice!’ And you’d be right. The thing is, without getting into spoiler territory, Dune Messiah is not going to be about how everything just gets so much better now that Paul has destroyed the economy, government, and untold billions of human lives. This isn’t the endgame. Dude can see the future and the way he does it involves looking into the past. Paul lives in a society defined by a holy war and his goal is to redefine society. 

Putting it all together you can see what I mean about the Butlerian Jihad being essential to the themes even though the story never shows us a thinking machine or a narrative beat where the absence of computers changes the outcome. It helps us see the big picture. I’ve seen a lot of dialogue lately on whether Paul is a tragic hero or a consummate villain and I’m not here to answer that, but I am here to underline the critical detail. Paul intends to be seen as a tyrant. Just like Kynes’ hallucination says, religion is the lever to make a value stick around forever. He wants to traumatize humanity to hate chosen ones and emperors the same way the machines traumatized humanity to change them forever. The Water of Life ritual doesn’t invert his values, it lets him realize these visions of war are the means, not the ends. He is absolutely not happy about it, but this is Paul’s terrible purpose. 

[crowhoonter]

KotOR's Sith vs SWtOR's Empire

It's rather interesting to look at the "True Sith" as described by Kreia in KotOR 2 vs the Sith Empire we got in SWtOR. Back in KotOR, the True Sith were implied to be something near cosmic horror. Beings that had been changed by the Dark Side beyond any convention of human understanding, things that could no longer be reasoned or compromised with in any fashion, and would very possibly pose a threat to all life when they returned. Granted, what we know of them from KotOR is part conjecture and most of it comes from Kreia, who is an untrustworthy source at the best of times.

Then SWtOR roles around with the Sith Empire and they are... very much not that. They are a functioning, if dystopian, society with actual values and culture. They have wants and desires, goals outside just blind slaughter and killing. Y'know, like real people. Granted, I suppose the threat to all life did carry over with Vitiate and his whole deal, but he hardly is representative of everyone in the Empire. He is just a freak like that.

This drastic change in portrayal does make sense when you look at the writing teams goals with the faction. Obsidian and Chris Avellone in particular wanted to make a major big bad for what they thought would be the upcoming KotOR 3 (may it rest in peace), and wanted that threat to be something different than the typical Star Wars fanfare. As we know however, KotOR 3 never got made and instead became SWtOR, and Bioware wanted to make it palatable to more general audiences so they copy-pasted the Galactic Empire over into the past with some minor changes.

Of course, in doing this, they could no longer follow with the original idea of the True Sith. Making an entire society innately evil and desiring to wipe out all life has some... icky implications. So instead we got the Sith Empire, a still terrible and evil state, but one that is an actual society. The True Sith of KotOR were just made into one man, Vitiate, and everyone else in the empire is a mostly normal person, or as close as they can be to being normal.

While I would have loved to see the original vision of the True Sith, I can't help but believe the Sith Empire is the better than what we would've gotten. Vitiate, being honest, sucks as an antagonist. He's boring, uninspired, and lacks the charisma that made Palpatine fun. He got a bit better in Knights of the Fallen Empire, but still was overall underwhelming. I can't imagine something where legions of people like him are the main antagonist. The conflict would probably be reminiscent of the Fate of the Jedi books once Abeloth got introduced. Boring, impersonal, and just tedious to get through.

Granted, a villain like that can be done well, as exemplified by KotOR 2's own Darth Nihilus. He works because he is completely void. Nihilus' discerning feature is his lack of personality, being subsumed into his own hunger. Power has destroyed and reduced him, but even in such a state, you can make out the faint outline of the man he once was. His last shred of humanity showing through when he spared Visas Marr. A twisted sense of compassion, but compassion nonetheless. He is tragic, but still thoroughly inhuman and evil. The problem would arise in trying to make legions of characters like this. It would wear thin fast.

Side tangent aside, I really love the Sith Empire we got. It is, as of now, maybe the most complex view we have gotten of the Sith outside of books. They are still thoroughly evil, but it gives some insight into what made them into that. Whether it be trauma, ambition, grief, or even a sense of duty, the Sith have actual motivations besides kill and rule. It demonstrates that at their core, they are still people, not just evil caricatures.

This got longer than I expected, sorry about that. Just have a lot of thoughts about these fellas.

[dapper-lil-arts]

One underrated thing that makes the first EQG movie so good imo is the inclusion of one of my favorite troupes: “Character from magical/medieval world has to adjust to modern technology”.

Honestly, I kind of wish we had another special that was just Twilight and SciTwi swapping notes on this stuff…

Twilight: “So if Princess, I mean, PRINCIPAL Celestia doesn’t have magic in this world, then who raises the sun every morning?”

SciTwi: “Uhhh, no one?”

Twilight: “What?! You mean to tell me that the Sun just raises itself every morning?!”

SciTwi: “Well, no, not exactly. You see, the sun doesn’t actually “raise” or “set” in a conventional sense. It’s just that the planet itself slowly rotates throughout the day, thus giving the illusion that the sun is moving.”

Twilight: “…The planet is WHAT?!?”

And so on…

I feel like since theyre both highly intellighent and love learning, researching magic vs researching humanity would be a field day for them

[faustfaust9]

reposting a thread here from twt on my interpretation of ivan and love because why not

ivan so beautiful when you consider his love a proof of self. wym his love for till can be seen as an attempt to abstract value from suffering. wym he calls it shallow in the sense that ivan views it as inherently selfish

ivan being pragmatic by nature and achieving through observation and replication as he cannot naturally "feel" his way through interpersonal relationships and express a true "self". he holds many things in concept "do you like anybody" "i wouldn't know what closeness entails"

i wouldn't say that ivan dislikes sua, only the concept of her. because if someone of the same exact disposition, the same exact variables, manages an irreproducible love then the fault lies in the self: it is an admittance of being fundamentally broken and "different"

that is why he finds superiority over sua when he finds out of her plans of sacrifice: her love is just as selfish as his. it's ok if they're BOTH freaks it's just not ok to be the ONLY freak. i do not think it's an envy of mizi's reciprocation note how he comments on her eyes

and how they had a light that disturbed him. she already found simple joy from the broken environment they were both brought forth from. "I should've been nicer" is just ivan realizing how selfish it is trivialize other people for experiencing and finding joy easier than him

because the difficulty in his happiness vs others does not makes his any more valuable or "genuine". he can view his approach superior and calculated, jaded towards the rest, but at the end of the day he was the sole person who didn't find his peace

NOT entirely true he did find it go go ivan smile smile. but yeah i do not think being raised in a human farm for the giggles of bougie aliens + severe depression helped his case. look at how moe actor au is. so much more lively and expressive, no longer victim of circumstance

"ivan when the sloppy beast symbolizes his love 🤯🤯 it's monstrous and unsightly yet he cannot maintain his curiosity since its first discovery. at the end of it all he lays peacefully in its maw of the all-loving, he has accepted the lovelessness of it all"

bringing this up again because YES he is sleeping peacefully in a monstrosity of a love he has come to accept. YES this art is actually an expression of self love

at the end of the day he does love till just not in the conventional way he has sought in concept

[kalinara]

Why is Charles constantly held up as this leader for mutants when there are many other mutants who would be a way better leader than him and he at times is not very good at it.

I don't know if I'd agree with the word "constantly", since I do think that Xavier's reception both in universe and out tends to fluctuate.

Xavier, at his best, is a man of high ideals, who took in five kids with the intention of giving them a safe place to learn how to use their powers.

It's a genre convention for kid/young adult stories, for the parents and mentors to be, at best, uninvolved and clueless. Because that's how the kids go off and have adventures to begin with. Spider-Man for example gets away with superheroing because Aunt May doesn't know what he's doing. And Uncle Ben is dead.

Xavier takes the genre convention a bit farther though, because rather than being completely clueless, he's the one who actually sends them into battle. And well, when you start to look at it from an adult perspective, you quickly go "wait, what the fuck?!"

It probably didn't help that Lee and Kirby were pretty fond of stories where Xavier would fake impairment and depowerment, or just go off and do his own thing, so that the kids could take charge and act on their own. Or the way he was actively involved in lying to Warren or Jean's parents about what their kids were up to. He starts looking a bit manipulative at best.

So we have a guy with two warring sides at work: the visionary benefactor vs. the manipulative plotter.

And well, X-Men is a franchise that's been ongoing for sixty years, so we have multiple generations who go from kids having fun to adults boggling at the characters' decisions, and I think that tends to get reflected in which traits get the most focus when.

It's probably fair to note that from about the early 2000s onward, Xavier really wasn't involved in a leadership position at all until Krakoa. He got kicked out twice for bad decisions, was hovering around in advisory capacity, and died twice to boot. The second, biggest time ushering in the post Avengers vs. X-Men period, which I think was great for really shaking up the universe.

It also though introduced a lot of really bizarre (Watsonian) veneration for the dude. Maybe it makes some sense, Scott Summers, a character who'd been recognized as a paragon by even his enemies, has proven himself flawed in his own right, so maybe that inspires people to look back at the previous guy more fondly?

(Or we could go with my theory, that Scott-as-Phoenix accidently mind-whammied everyone to love Xavier and hate Scott as much as Scott himself did at that moment.)

But then there's Krakoa, which was a pretty grand, pretty new experiment. And while I may gripe about certain aspects of the storyline, I can't deny that it was definitely a big, earth shattering concept change.

It also wouldn't have worked with anyone but Xavier at the head. Even though Rosenberg's X-Men arc had ended with Scott and Jean reunited, and positioned to lead what was left of mutantkind together, they're not really nation builder types. (Scott had Utopia, but that was less a nation than a garrison, IMO.)

For Krakoa to work, it needed nation builders. Xavier has the influence over mutant kind, and has the characterization of a benefactor. Which very much fits with Krakoa's modus operandus: giving humanity things for recognizing mutant kind, and scheming and manipulating when they don't.

And it makes sense, I think, that he was successful. Not only does he have the benefit of the absence makes the heart grow fonder veneration from his death. But he's offering mutants something tangible and amazing: safety, a home, freedom from death and persecution, a lot of their lost loved ones back.

That's a big deal. It's just unfortunately, Xavier has that other side of him too, and his blind spots and worse impulses play a big part in why Krakoa ends up falling.

(Though, to give him something: there IS a version of Krakoa still out there, in the White Room, where a nation of mutant kind has grown and developed beyond Xavier and the Council's flaws. But it's notable that they did this without him. It always seems to work like that.)

[serendipitysparks]

Yusuke Urameshi – The Hero's Journey and Identity Formation

Yusuke's character arc showcases the concepts of Erikson’s Psychosocial Development and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Initially, he struggles with the identity vs. role confusion crisis, a stage defined by Erikson, as he seeks meaning beyond his rebellious, self-destructive tendencies. The transition from an apathetic, indifferent delinquent to a self-aware hero speaks to a transformation through self-actualization in Maslow's framework.

Defense Mechanisms: Initially, Yusuke exhibits reaction formation (acting tough to hide insecurities) and displacement (taking anger out on others, such as Kuwabara).

Motivation: His motivations evolve from basic survival instincts to a more altruistic desire to protect others, eventually reaching the pinnacle of self-actualization, where his goals align with higher purposes.

Kuwabara Kazuma – Ego Strength and Group Dynamics

Kuwabara represents the superego in Freudian terms, often acting as the moral compass and adhering to a rigid sense of justice. His role as the "big brother" and protector of the group can be examined through the lens of attachment theory—his deep emotional attachment to Yusuke and his friends serves as a foundation for his secure attachment. This is evidenced by his protective behaviors and selflessness, even when his abilities seem to fall short in comparison to the more powerful characters.

Defense Mechanisms: Kuwabara exhibits sublimation (transferring his aggressive tendencies into the pursuit of strength) and identification (aligning himself with strong figures like Yusuke, who help solidify his self-image).

Cognitive Dissonance: Kuwabara often experiences cognitive dissonance when reconciling his desire to be a tough fighter with his genuine sensitivity and care for his friends.

Kurama – The Dark Side of the Psyche and Moral Dilemmas

Kurama embodies the dual nature of human psychology, showcasing the tension between id and superego in Freudian terms. His duality, born from his past life as a ruthless demon and current life as a compassionate human, illustrates the Jungian shadow—the repressed aspects of the self that he must confront. Kurama’s journey reflects the tension between his primal instincts (from his demon form) and the cognitive-behavioral need to integrate these traits in a socially acceptable manner.

Moral Development: Kurama's internal conflict speaks to Kohlberg's stages of moral development. Initially, his actions may align with pre-conventional morality, focusing on self-preservation, but over time, his decisions increasingly reflect post-conventional morality, where universal principles of justice take precedence over personal gain.

Narcissistic Tendencies: At times, Kurama displays traits of narcissistic personality due to his deep-seated belief in his superior intellect and control over situations, which leads to conflict with others when his plans fail or are disrupted.

Hiei – The Shadow Self and Narcissistic Traits

Hiei’s character can be understood through the lens of Jung’s Shadow and the False Self concept. As a character who projects an image of coldness and emotional detachment, Hiei often hides his vulnerabilities, which is indicative of the psychological phenomenon known as splitting—viewing the world in binary extremes, such as good and evil, or his relationships as either allies or enemies.

Object Relations Theory: Hiei’s relationships reflect object relations theory, especially his deep connection to his sister, Yukina, which he hides under a façade of indifference. His emotional detachment results from early disruptions in attachment or attachment insecurity.

Existential Psychology: Hiei’s nihilistic worldview represents an existential struggle with meaning, particularly the need to reconcile his past as a demon with his more human-like emotional growth.

Toguro – Power, Trauma, and the Corruption of the Will

Toguro’s arc is an exploration of existential psychology and tragic heroism. The overwhelming trauma of his near-death experience and the subsequent death drive (Thanatos) manifests in his desire for ultimate power and self-destruction. His quest for power is a form of compensation—attempting to offset his earlier weakness and perceived failure. Toguro can be viewed as embodying the self-destructive tendencies that occur when someone is unable to overcome early traumatic experiences.

The Id and Aggression: Toguro represents the id, acting impulsively on his desires for dominance, devoid of any moral or ethical restraint. His obsession with power is a direct result of an unprocessed trauma.

Masochism and Sadism: His complex relationship with pain and pleasure points to sadomasochistic tendencies, where he seeks both physical pain (as a symbol of his strength) and emotional suffering (to demonstrate his dominance over others).

The Dark Tournament – Group Dynamics, Hierarchies, and Power

The Dark Tournament serves as a macrocosmic display of social hierarchies, power dynamics, and group behavior. Using Brehm's Reactance Theory, characters like Toguro exert control to manipulate opponents, forcing them into submissive roles. The tournament structure exemplifies social comparison theory, with each fighter attempting to validate their self-worth by surpassing others in a zero-sum competition.

Groupthink: The tournament itself can be seen as a breeding ground for groupthink, where members of teams (especially Yusuke’s) must cooperate to overcome individualistic tendencies for collective success.

In-group vs. Out-group: The tournament also highlights in-group favoritism and out-group prejudice, particularly seen in the interactions between the human fighters and their demonic adversaries.

[grey-sorcery]

Title: Dimensions & Planes: A Comprehensive Look

Related Reading:

The Energetic Senses Visualization, Reiki, & Fascism Astral Projection Basics Conceptualization Vs. Visualization Bias in Witchcraft Basics of Warding Introduction to Gnosis

Important note: A lot of information in this post has its origins from Theosophy (The core of New Age ideology) and is an integral part of a fascist pipeline. All high-risk concepts will be highlighted in red. Please use discretion when researching further into these topics. Researching for this article myself was very difficult and time consuming. The last thing I want to do is misinform others or provide sources that will lead my readers into a fascist pipeline.

The exploration of dimensions and spiritual planes has captivated human curiosity for centuries. From scientific inquiries into the nature of space and time to metaphysical explorations of unseen realms, these topics invite us to contemplate the mysteries that lie beyond our ordinary perception. In this comprehensive study, we delve into the intricate concepts and implications of dimensions and spiritual planes, transcending the boundaries of conventional knowledge and venturing into the realm of the unknown.

Understanding Dimensions

Dimensions, in scientific parlance, are fundamental parameters that define the structure and geometry of the universe. They serve as coordinates within the framework of space and time, facilitating the measurement and description of physical phenomena. Dimensions provide the framework through which the spatial and temporal extents of objects and events can be comprehended and quantified. It is important to distinguish between physical dimensions and their metaphysical, spiritual, & energetic counterparts. Physical dimensions relate to observable spatial and temporal extents that can be directly perceived and measured.  Beyond the dimensions that our senses can apprehend, there are postulated higher dimensions that transcend our perceptual limitations. These higher dimensions are hypothesized to exist based on various scientific theories. While we can't directly perceive these dimensions, their existence is inferred through mathematical models and theoretical frameworks such as string theory and M-theory. These dimensions can become intuitive with study and regular exposure to conceptualizations of their behavior and properties.

String theory postulates the existence of additional compactified dimensions that are curled up and imperceptible at macroscopic scales. These dimensions are believed to influence the behavior of subatomic particles and underlie the fundamental forces of nature. M-theory extends this notion by encompassing multiple possible geometries and allowing for a broader range of dimensions. Multidimensional models, built upon principles of topology, provide mathematical frameworks to explore the complex structures and dynamics of higher-dimensional realms.

It is important to note that String and M-theory has been mostly dismissed in the scientific community as a purely mathematical experiment rather than an operable model.

Exploring Spiritual Planes

It is so important to discern genuine information from the influence of the Theosophical Society, which has at times distorted and popularized certain aspects. The society's appropriation and misrepresentation of spiritual concepts, such as the astral plane, have led to a bastardization of authentic beliefs. For example, the Theosophical Society popularized the notion of the astral plane as a realm inhabited by disembodied entities, deviating from its original context within esoteric traditions.

The concept of spiritual planes spans across diverse belief systems and religions, each offering unique perspectives and interpretations. For instance, in Hinduism, the concept of "lokas" refers to different realms or planes of existence, such as the physical realm (Bhuloka), the celestial realm (Svarloka), and the abode of the divine (Brahmaloka). Similarly, in Buddhism, the notion of "Buddhafields" represents different realms where enlightened beings reside, such as the Pure Land of Amitabha Buddha. Throughout history, spiritual planes have played a significant role in the practices and rituals of various cultures. Ancient Egyptian civilization, for instance, held a strong belief in the existence of the Duat, an underworld realm where the souls of the deceased traversed. Indigenous cultures worldwide have embraced the concept of otherworldly realms, such as the Aboriginal Dreamtime in Australia, which encompasses the spiritual dimension of creation and ancestral connection.

While the specific characteristics of spiritual planes may vary, some common elements emerge across different belief systems. These include the presence of heightened consciousness, divine energies or entities, transformative experiences, and access to higher knowledge. Spiritual planes are often described as existing beyond the physical realm, serving as realms of expanded awareness and connection to the divine or transcendent forces.

Spiritual planes encompass a range of realms beyond our immediate sensory perception. The astral plane, often discussed in esoteric traditions, is considered a realm of psychic and emotional energies. The ethereal plane is described as a realm of subtle energies and spiritual beings. Beyond these, the celestial planes are associated with realms of higher consciousness and divine presence. It is important to note that the categorization of these planes can vary across different belief systems.

The interactions between dimensions and spiritual planes are subjects of great interest and contemplation. While dimensions pertain to the structure of space and time, spiritual planes exist beyond these physical dimensions, yet are intricately connected to them. Spiritual planes are often described as existing in parallel or interpenetrating dimensions, coexisting alongside the physical realm. They are accessed through altered states of consciousness, deep meditation, prayer, mastery of energetic practices, or ritual practices. These interactions enable communication, guidance, and spiritual experiences, providing opportunities for personal growth, enlightenment, and union with the divine.

The Astral Plane

The astral plane is believed to exist parallel to the physical realm. It is often described as an interconnected network of subtle energies and vibrational frequencies that permeate the universe. However, it is important to note that the astral plane does not occupy a specific location in physical space as we understand it. Rather, it is a realm of consciousness and energy that can be accessed through altered states of awareness.

The history of the astral Plane is closely intertwined with esoteric and mystical traditions from various cultures (*1a) throughout human history. However, it is crucial to distinguish between genuine esoteric teachings and the popularization of the astral plane in certain New Age and Christofascist movements. Some individuals and groups have appropriated and distorted the concept of the astral plane, aligning it with their own ideologies and personal narratives.

A prevalent misconception surrounding the astral plane is the belief that it is inhabited by spiritual entities or beings. However, it is important to note that the astral plane itself is not a dwelling place for independent entities. Rather, it is a realm of energy and consciousness that reflects the thoughts, emotions, and intentions of individuals who access it. The perception of entities in the astral plane often arises from personal narratives, personal beliefs, or symbolic representations rather than the existence of actual separate beings. These narratives often stem from individuals who do not genuinely access the astral plane.

Perception and interaction with the astral plane vary among individuals and spiritual practitioners. It is commonly experienced through altered states of consciousness, such as deep meditation or astral projection. (*2a) However, it is important to note that the astral plane is not accessed through visualizing or imagining specific entities or landscapes. In fact, relying heavily on visualization during astral experiences can be a sign of failing to enter the authentic astral plane, as it indicates a reliance on mental constructs rather than a true connection. In order to enter the astral plane, one must break away from their physical body and move into their subtle body (astral form). Visualization is a mental and physical process and will keep a practitioner locked in their body.

For witches, the astral plane can serve as a valuable tool for spiritual exploration (*3a), self-discovery, and magical practice. By accessing the astral plane, witches can tap into aspects of their own being, gain insights, and work with potent subtle energies that they normally have difficulty accessing. They may engage in astral travel to gain knowledge, receive guidance (*4a), or create complex and sprawling energetic constructs. The astral plane can also be a space for ritual work, spellcasting, and experimentation.

1a: When trying to research the history of the astral plane, nearly all the information originates from the Theosophy Society.

2a: Many of the altered states and meditations (often guided) that are online or are in texts are mostly, if not entirely, based in New Age practices. 3a: Spiritual exploration, if not done responsible can very easily lead to cognitive bias. 4a: Seeking knowledge or guidance from the astral plane without experience and critical thinking leads to logical fallacy.

The Dream Plane

The dream plane is a fascinating realm of consciousness that exists parallel to our waking reality. It is a domain where dreams unfold and where the mind explores and experiences a multitude of scenarios and emotions. Unlike physical locations, the dream plane is not bound by conventional notions of space and time. It transcends the limitations of the physical realm, offering a platform for profound exploration of the subconscious mind.

Throughout history, dreams have held significant cultural and spiritual importance in various societies. Ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Native Americans, recognized the profound insights and messages that dreams could convey. Dream interpretation was considered an art, with dreams being seen as portals to hidden truths, divine messages, or glimpses into the future. These cultural perspectives highlight the belief in the dream plane as a gateway to the mystical and the profound.

One common misconception regarding the dream plane involves the belief in the existence of entities or supernatural beings within dreams. However, it is important to understand that dreams primarily originate from the depths of the dreamer's own mind. The various characters, events, and environments encountered in dreams are often representations of personal experiences, emotions, and subconscious processes, rather than external entities or supernatural phenomena.

As far as science understands, the dream experience is a complex interplay of psychological and physiological processes. While dreams are commonly associated with the processing of subconscious thoughts and emotions, they offer more than mere symbolic representations. Dreams can provide profound insights, creative inspiration, and problem-solving abilities. They offer a unique window into the mind's inner workings, allowing for personal growth, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of one's own psyche.

The dream plane is a realm of limitless possibilities, where the dreamer can navigate and interact with a rich tapestry of dream environments and experiences. Within this realm, the dreamer's thoughts, emotions, and beliefs shape the dream landscape, influencing the unfolding events and the overall dream experience. The dream plane becomes a canvas upon which the dreamer's subconscious and conscious mind converge, creating a personalized and dynamic dream narrative. During a dream, the dreamer becomes the space and is capable of experiencing any and every aspect of the space from any and every vantage point. While the dream plane is technically a zero dimensional space, the mind and subtle body generate as many dimensions as necessary in order to facilitate the dream. Small pocket spaces are generated that house aspects of the dreamer’s subconscious which are pulled from during the generation process. Time within the dream plane often behaves in a nonlinear and fluid manner, defying the constraints of our waking reality. Dreams can compress or expand time since they exist outside of time and space, enabling the dreamer to experience a significant passage of time within a brief dream episode or to condense extended periods into a fleeting moment. This time dilation and distortion within the dream plane add to the surreal and immersive nature of dream experiences. Furthermore, due to the method dreams are generated here, the dreamer moves through areas of the space that are dedicated to their subconscious. This is typically where the “vibe” of the dream is ingrained. Most of the dream is actually in these areas.

Dreamwalking is a unique phenomenon that involves consciously traversing the dream plane while in a state of lucidity. It differs from regular lucid dreaming as it encompasses the intentional exploration of other dreamers' dreams or venturing beyond the confines of the dream plane itself. Dreamwalkers possess an extraordinary ability to navigate and interact with dreams beyond their personal realm, connecting with other dreamers or accessing extradimensional realms within the dream space or beyond. This practice opens up a realm of possibilities for expanded consciousness, interconnectivity, and multidimensional perceptions. Think of the dream plane as a nexus where all planes and spatial dimensions connect. From this nexus, Dreamwalkers may leave and traverse anywhere. Due to the lack of time in the dream plane, a Dreamwalker may also traverse through any point in time when they leave the dream plane. 

It is important to note that Dreamwalking is not an easy or common practice. The improper practice of Dreamwalking (or the narrative that one is doing so when they aren’t) can lead to cognitive bias. Some of the best ways to identify Dreamwalking are: Waking not feeling rested at all, remembering 100% of the dream- even the subconscious areas, waking with bloodshot eyes, feelings of being disconnected from the body for several hours after waking.

The Mental & Causal Planes

These planes originate 100% from Theosophy. Please use discretion when reading about or researching them. 

The mental plane represents a realm of consciousness that transcends the physical and material dimensions. It encompasses the vast landscape of thoughts, ideas, and cognitive processes (*1b) that shape human experience. Within the mental plane, the mind operates on a heightened level of awareness, exploring the depths of intellectual inquiry, analysis, and creativity. It is a realm where abstract concepts, mathematical principles, and philosophical musings come to life (*2b). Examples of the mental plane's characteristics can be found in the insights and intellectual breakthroughs experienced by scholars, scientists, and artists (*3b). It is a domain where the mind's potential is unleashed, offering glimpses of universal truths and the interconnectedness of knowledge.

The causal plane resides beyond the realm of thoughts and ideas, diving deeper into the essence of existence itself. It represents the underlying causes and fundamental principles that shape the physical reality (*4b). The causal plane is the realm of pure potentiality, where the seeds of manifestation are sown. It transcends linear time and holds the blueprint for the unfolding of events and experiences in the physical world. Understanding the significance of the causal plane allows for a deeper comprehension of the interplay between cause and effect, and the power of intention to shape reality.

Consciousness plays a pivotal role in accessing and navigating the mental and causal planes. It is through consciousness that individuals can transcend the limitations of the physical world and tap into the higher realms of existence. Higher awareness enables a deeper understanding of the workings of the mind and the interconnected nature of all things. It allows individuals to transcend the confines of ego and tap into the collective consciousness, accessing profound wisdom and insights that surpass individual intellect (*5b).

Various practices can facilitate the exploration of the mental and causal planes, enabling individuals to expand their consciousness and delve into the depths of their inner being. Meditation serves as a powerful tool for quieting the mind, enhancing focus, and cultivating a state of heightened awareness. Through meditation, individuals can access deeper levels of consciousness and explore the realms of thought and intuition. Additionally, practices such as mindfulness, self-reflection, and introspection provide opportunities for self-discovery and accessing the wisdom of the mental and causal planes.

The mental and causal planes hold immense potential for practitioners of witchcraft. By tapping into these realms of consciousness, witches can enhance their magical practices and expand their understanding of the interconnectedness of all things. The mental plane provides a platform for the formulation of spells, rituals, and intentions, allowing for the cultivation of focused and directed thought energy. The causal plane, on the other hand, holds the keys to the underlying causes and forces that shape magical manifestations. By aligning with the energies of the causal plane, witches can amplify their intentions and manifest desired outcomes in the physical world (*6b).

1b: I have found zero support for these concepts that can’t be explained by imagination or visualization. 2b: Nearly all descriptions I’ve come across are all misunderstandings or misinterpretations of concepts found in science and math. 3b: I found zero first hand testimonies from qualifying individuals. 4b: This can easily be used to justify biases and elitism. 5b: See cognitive and confirmation biases. 6b: While alone, this idea isn’t inherently an issue, in the context of the rest of the topic, could easily lead witches to ineffective practices.

Intuitional Plane

This plane originates 100% from Theosophy. Please use discretion when reading about or researching it.

The intuitional plane represents a realm of consciousness that taps into the depths of inner knowing and wisdom. It transcends the limitations of rational thought and linear logic, allowing individuals to access insights, truths, and guidance that arise from a deeper, intuitive understanding (*1c). The intuitional plane is a gateway to the realm of instinct, gut feelings, and subtle perceptions that reside within each individual (*2c). It is a realm where knowledge arises effortlessly, bypassing the need for conscious analysis or external validation. The intuitional plane invites individuals to trust their inner guidance and connect with the wisdom that lies beyond the realm of ordinary perception (*3c).

The intuitional plane operates beyond the realm of visualization, offering a profound experience of direct knowing. It is not dependent on mental imagery or pictorial representation but rather arises as a deep inner resonance and understanding. Perceiving the intuitional plane involves a heightened sensitivity to subtle energies, a receptivity to inner nudges and whispers, and an openness to the spontaneous flow of intuitive insights. It is a realm that can be accessed through stillness and quieting of the mind, allowing the intuitive faculty to arise naturally and effortlessly.

Within the intuitional plane, individuals can explore a wide range of uses and applications. It serves as a wellspring of creativity, enabling artists, writers, and innovators to tap into new ideas and inspirations. It offers guidance and insights for decision-making (*4c), helping individuals navigate life's challenges and make choices aligned with their deepest values and purpose. The intuitional plane also provides access to spiritual insights and transcendent experiences (*5c), offering glimpses into the interconnectedness of all things and the nature of the divine.

Cultivating a receptive and open mindset is key to expanding intuitive capacities. This involves letting go of preconceived notions, suspending judgment (*6c), and embracing a sense of curiosity and wonder. Engaging in practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and self-reflection can help quiet the chatter of the mind and create space for intuitive insights to emerge. Developing self-awareness and attuning to one's inner sensations and feelings can also enhance intuitive abilities, as it allows individuals to discern the subtle cues and signals that arise from the intuitional plane.

There are various techniques that can be employed to access and utilize intuitive guidance from the intuitional plane. Journaling and reflective writing can serve as powerful tools for tapping into intuitive insights. By engaging in free-flowing writing and allowing thoughts and impressions to emerge without judgment, individuals can access the intuitive wisdom that arises from within. Engaging in creative practices such as art, music, or dance can also facilitate the expression of intuitive insights and enhance the connection with the intuitional plane. Additionally, practicing active listening and deepening one's capacity for empathy can help individuals attune to the intuitive messages that arise through interpersonal interactions and subtle energetic cues.

1c: This mentality can very quickly lead to cognitive bias.

2c: I found no supporting arguments for this plane’s existence outside of personal narratives and visualization.

3c: Giving too much trust to spiritual means of acquiring information will lead to multiple logical fallacy.

4c: No one should ever rely on magical or mystical means when making life changing or major decisions.

5c: This concept can easily be used to enforce personal narratives.

6c: Letting go of judgement when dealing with concepts and practices within a new age practice is asking to fall into fascism. See new age conspiracy theories and fascist propaganda.

Other Esoteric Planes

Beyond the realms of the astral, mental, causal, and intuitional planes, there exist a myriad of other esoteric planes waiting to be explored. While the exact number and nature of these planes may vary across different spiritual traditions and belief systems, they collectively contribute to a lot of esoteric knowledge and offer diverse avenues for spiritual exploration. Each of the following planes either originate from or were heavily influenced by Theosophy. Please use discretion.

The Ethereal Plane: a realm of subtle energies that underlie the physical universe. It is often described as a bridge between the physical and spiritual dimensions (*1d), serving as a conduit for the flow of life force energy. In this plane, one can explore the interconnectedness of all things and gain insights into the energetic dynamics that shape our reality. This plane is also inhabited by spiritual entities.

The Celestial Plane: The Celestial Plane represents realms of heightened spiritual consciousness and divine presence (*2d). It is often associated with celestial beings, transcendent states of bliss, and profound spiritual insights. Exploring the celestial plane offers seekers the opportunity to connect with divine wisdom (*3d), experience states of unity and oneness, and deepen their understanding of the cosmic order.

The Akashic Plane*: The Akashic Plane, also known as the Akashic Records, is described as a vast reservoir of collective knowledge and information. It is said to contain the records of all past, present, and future events, as well as the thoughts, emotions, and experiences of all beings. Accessing the Akashic Plane allows individuals to tap into this expansive library of wisdom and gain insights into their soul's journey and the interconnectedness of all life (*4d).

The Transcendent Plane: The Transcendent Plane represents the highest realms of spiritual realization and non-dual awareness. It transcends the limitations of form and duality, offering seekers a direct experience of the timeless and formless nature of existence. Exploring the Transcendent Plane involves surrendering the individual ego and merging with the infinite consciousness that underlies all creation (*5d).

1d: As far as I could find, the type of spiritual entities aren’t ever really specified beyond “angels”.

2d: Typically anything that heightens spiritual consciousness and connections with the divine or anything along those lines is a set up for bias and godphoning/manipulation.

3d: Given the context of this practice, “divine wisdom” is a means of spiritual elitism and gatekeeping.

4d: See cognitive bias. This practice can be used and manipulated to justify nearly any action, ideology, prejudice, or preference. Creates an environment perfect for elitism.

5d: A bastardization of the concept of enlightenment found in some Buddhist and Hindu practices.

Navigating the Spiritual Planes

Embarking on a journey to explore the vast realms of the spiritual planes requires the utilization of various tools and practices. These tools serve as gateways to higher states of consciousness and facilitate the exploration of multidimensional realities. By engaging in specific practices, seekers can enhance their capacity to navigate the spiritual planes and connect with the profound wisdom and transformative experiences they offer. 

Meditation stands as one of the foundational practices for navigating the spiritual planes. Through focused attention and mindfulness, individuals can quiet the mind, transcend the limitations of the physical body, and tap into higher states of awareness. By cultivating a deep sense of presence and inner stillness, practitioners can access expanded states of consciousness and explore the depths of their being.

Lucid dreaming serves as another powerful avenue for multidimensional exploration. This practice involves becoming aware within the dream state, enabling individuals to consciously interact with and navigate the dream environment. By honing the skill of lucidity, seekers can harness the potential of the dream plane as a platform for spiritual growth, self-discovery, and even interaction with non-physical entities or aspects of their own psyche.

Out-of-body experiences (OBEs) offer yet another avenue for traversing the spiritual planes. During an OBE, individuals perceive themselves as existing outside their physical bodies, allowing them to explore different dimensions, realms, or even visit other states of existence. Through various techniques such as astral projection or remote viewing, seekers can expand their consciousness beyond the constraints of the physical body and venture into uncharted territories.

Gnosis is one of the most reliable methods for entering a spiritual plane. Through a state of gnosis, a practitioner may become so engulfed in the conceptualization of the plane that their physical body almost seems to melt away. 

Shamanic practices, deeply rooted in various indigenous traditions, provide profound methods for navigating the spiritual planes. Shamanic journeying involves entering an altered state of consciousness through rhythmic drumming or other techniques, enabling individuals to connect with spirit guides, ancestors, and the energetic realms beyond the ordinary perception. Through the use of sacred rituals, plant medicines, and spiritual ceremonies, practitioners can access profound states of consciousness and engage in transformative experiences within the spiritual planes. Be very conscious when trying shamanic practices as a lot of them are either closed or appropriations of closed cultures. Remember to be respectful and aware.

Seeking guidance from spiritual teachers and traditions can provide valuable insights and support in navigating the spiritual planes. These teachers, who have often dedicated their lives to spiritual exploration and practice, offer wisdom, techniques, and guidance based on their own experiences. By studying under the tutelage of these teachers, individuals can receive guidance on the practices, rituals, and approaches that facilitate safe and transformative journeys through the spiritual planes. However, please bear in mind that a lot of these concepts have their root in New Age practices and ideologies. Due to this, many “guides” and “teachers” actually commodify their services, which will likely not even be genuine. Many predatory capitalist practices exist within the New Age community. Reiki is an excellent example.

Spatial Dimensions & Witchcraft

Spatial dimensions play a significant role in the practice of witchcraft, offering a framework through which magical energies can be understood and harnessed. By exploring the connection between spatial dimensions and witchcraft, practitioners can deepen their understanding of the metaphysical realms they work with and enhance their magical abilities.

Incorporating dimensional concepts into magical practices allows witches to tap into the vastness and complexity of the multiverse. It involves recognizing that the physical world we perceive is just a small subset of a larger reality encompassing multiple dimensions. This expanded awareness enables witches to navigate and interact with different energetic planes and dimensions, facilitating more profound connections with spiritual forces. Rituals and spells focused on exploring and harnessing spatial dimensions serve as gateways for witches to access properties of space that most typically do not consider. For example, by perceiving and working with higher dimensions of space, witches can expand their perception and influence beyond the limitations of three-dimensional reality. This expanded awareness can enable them to sense subtle energies, communicate with spirits, and navigate intricate energetic networks.

Incorporating higher dimensions into the creation and maintenance of wards significantly enhances their potency and effectiveness. Wards, which are protective barriers or enchantments, can be fortified by utilizing the spatial dimensions to create complex and multi-layered structures. By extending the wards into higher dimensions, witches create a more intricate and resilient defense against negative energies, malicious entities, or unwanted intrusions. The incorporation of higher dimensions allows for a broader scope of protection, encompassing not only the physical realm, but also the spiritual and energetic planes. Furthermore, the utilization of higher dimensions in spirit and energy work opens up new avenues for witches to connect with and channel divine forces. By aligning their energy with the higher-dimensional aspects of the spiritual realms, witches can access heightened states of consciousness and tap into the abundant energies present in these dimensions. This can enhance their ability to communicate with spirits and manifest their intentions with greater clarity and potency. A lot of spirits exist across a multitude of higher and lower dimensions. Becoming aware of and working within these dimensions can give a practitioner a better understanding of how these entities experience their realities, granting the practitioner a sense of empathy for the spirits they interact with.

It is essential to note that incorporating dimensional concepts into witchcraft requires a balanced approach, grounded in knowledge and discernment. While working with spatial dimensions can be empowering and transformative, it is crucial to maintain an awareness of cognitive bias due to the lack of methods of confirmation. Practitioners should be mindful of the interconnectedness of all dimensions and the potential consequences of their actions. This includes practicing consent and respect when working with spirits or other entities from different realms and being aware of the potential impact on workings.

The Limitations and Challenges of Understanding Dimensions and Spiritual Planes

The study of dimensions and spiritual planes is not without its limitations and challenges. Skepticism and criticism from scientific and religious communities often arise when discussing these topics, as they may be perceived as esoteric or outside the realm of empirical observation. Scientific rigor demands empirical evidence and reproducibility, which can pose challenges when investigating phenomena associated with dimensions and spiritual planes that may transcend the physical world.

Subjectivity and interpretation also play a significant role in the understanding of spiritual experiences. Each individual's perception and interpretation of these experiences can vary, making it challenging to establish objective criteria for evaluating or measuring spiritual dimensions. Personal beliefs, cultural background, and individual experiences all contribute to the subjective nature of spiritual exploration.

Moreover, spiritual exploration is not without its potential dangers and pitfalls. It is essential for individuals to approach these realms with caution and discernment. Without proper guidance and understanding, one may become susceptible to misinformation, manipulation, or falling into the trap of self-deception. In the quest for spiritual enlightenment, individuals must exercise critical thinking and discernment to avoid being led astray by misleading ideologies or dogmas.

Furthermore, the quest for knowledge and further research is an ongoing process in the study of dimensions and spiritual planes. As our understanding of the universe and consciousness evolves, new insights and theories may emerge, challenging existing frameworks and expanding our understanding of these phenomena. The scientific community continues to explore and investigate these topics, utilizing diverse methodologies and interdisciplinary approaches to shed light on the nature of dimensions and spiritual planes.

However, it is crucial to be aware of the potential dangers of encountering fascist propaganda while researching spiritual planes. Theosophy, with its historical associations with white supremacy and fascist ideologies, has left a lasting impact on spiritual communities. Therefore, it is necessary to approach information originating from theosophical sources with caution, critically evaluating its content and context to avoid inadvertently perpetuating harmful ideologies or misinformation.

Patron Shoutouts!

Megan Kipp Jinsu Ing Mar Cosmicaquamarie

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This post was reviewed and edited by ChatGPT.

[vyorei]

I got distracted with this email set up I found, I'm dropping it here for you all

Take these emails:

j.donoghue@icj-cij.org; K.GEVORGIAN@icj-cij.org; p.tomka@icj-cij.org; r.abraham@icj-cij.org; m.bennouna@icj-cij.org; a.yusuf@icj-cij.org; h.xue@icj-cij.org; j.sebutinde@icj-cij.org; d.bhandari@icj-cij.org; p.robinson@icj-cij.org; n.salam@icj-cij.org; y.iwasawa@icj-cij.org; g.nolte@icj-cij.org; h.charlesworth@icj-cij.org; l.brant@icj-cij.org

Take this subject:

South Africa VS Israel in the ICJ.

Take this letter:

Dear Madam President and esteemed panel of Judges,

I hope this message finds you well and resolute. My name is [your name], I am a concerned citizen of [your country]. I am reaching out to you with a sense of urgency and sincere apprehension which prompts me to break my customary silence.

I have always held the belief that individuals in positions of authority, such as yourself, harbour the best interests of humanity at heart. However, recent developments in the Middle East and the global response to them have stirred doubt in my convictions, compelling me to express my concerns directly to you.

As I explored the International Court of Justice's website, I took solace in the fact that it consists of "independent judges, elected regardless of their nationality from among persons of high moral character." With this understanding, I address you regarding the impending South Africa v. Israel matter, the provisional measures hearing of which is scheduled for Thursday, 11th and Friday, 12th January 2024.

I am sure that you are acutely aware of the gravity of the case before you, and I believe that your ability to discern the truth, resist external pressures, and deliver a just judgment is foremost on your mind. The Genocide Convention, a cornerstone of international law, was established in 1948 as a commitment to 'never again' allow atrocities akin to those committed by the Nazi’s in WW2. 152 states out of 194 nations of the world honourably signed up to the convention. It is a testament to our parents and grandparents that their generations committed to a set of standards that constitute the basic principles of right and wrong, which underpin the fabric of the world we live in and form the basis of the lives most of us are lucky enough to lead.

The very fact that the responsibility of adjudicating on this case has fallen upon your shoulders underscores a disheartening truth – the failure of existing systems of checks and balances within the international community. It is disconcerting that national interests have tainted the operations of our global systems, allowing the mass killing of civilians to persist without intervention. I find this reality appalling, as do countless citizens around the world who have expressed their horror through protests on the streets of cities across the globe.

The upcoming case is a litmus test for humanity's commitment to the solemn pledge of 'Never Again.' Generations have been educated about the horrors of the Holocaust, and this case challenges us to live up to the principles we profess. It is a stark reminder that the values we hold dear are being tested in real-time, with devastating consequences.

In March 2022, the International Court of Justice ordered Russia to immediately suspend military operations in Ukraine and ensure that affiliated units take no further steps in furtherance of the military operations. Despite this intervention, an estimated 10,000 civilians have tragically lost their lives in Ukraine since Russia's military operation in 2022. Moreover, and by comparison, the death toll in Gaza has already surpassed 22,000 since October 2023, with a staggering 70% of the victims being women and children.

In an age where mainstream media faces scepticism due to perceived biases, the global community has been witness to Israel's actions in real-time through various social media platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, and Telegram.

We find ourselves in a world where trust in global institutions is eroding rapidly. The International Court of Justice, in particular, cannot afford to make an erroneous judgment in the South Africa v. Israel genocide case. A misjudgement in this matter would not only underscore the ICJ's ineffectiveness but also prompt scrutiny regarding its autonomy from nation-state political influences, potentially compromising the esteemed moral character of the individuals involved.

In 1945 we celebrated Winston Churchill as the leader that brought the world together in war to put-down the threat of Nazi Germany and the horror it inflicted. That war claimed over 50 million lives. We do not wish to celebrate a wartime hero again; we wish to celebrate new heroes who averted a war by presiding over justice without fear or favour.

I humbly beseech you to approach this case with the utmost diligence, impartiality, and commitment to justice. The eyes of the world are upon you, and the outcome of this particular case will reverberate through history, shaping perceptions of the ICJ's impartiality and moral standing.

Yours sincerely,

[your name]

Email that shit and do your part, we are fucking obligated as living beings on this planet.

[sepdet]

Killing Time Excerpts #5

Ensign Kirk vs. Captain Spock (p. 78-90)

See my Killing Time Excerpts tag to bring you up to speed. Another scene from the first edition, pre-censored version of Della van Hise's Star Trek novel.

ENSIGN KIRK STARED at his feet while trying not to let the nervousness he felt show on his face. Despite repeated efforts to avoid a confrontation with the ShiKahr's Vulcan captain, he'd finally been trapped—quite efficiently and embarrassingly—by none other than Donner himself. It seemed to Kirk that the other ensign had taken remarkable pleasure in bodily dragging him to the lift and forcibly depositing him in the captain's quarters. Now he stood waiting. He'd heard a lot about Captain Spock—some good, some bad, all stern; he suspected he'd have little success attempting to explain his personal situation to the firm Vulcan commander.

The bruises on his face had been carefully concealed with medicinal makeup he'd stolen from the ship's store; but his left eye still ached, and his muscles were stiff and sore.

As he stood there pondering the floor, he could see the Vulcan methodically rustling through a stack of papers and computer tapes on the neatly arranged desk; and though Kirk had heard the usual scuttlebutt about some peculiar orders, he hadn't expected the captain to leave classified material so easily available. He looked more closely at the captain, remembering the dream of the night before; something—someone—shivered inside him.

"Ensign Kirk?" the deathly quiet voice asked after what felt like centuries. Still, the Vulcan did not look up.

"Reporting as ordered . . . Captain," Kirk returned, willing himself into a subordinate stance, which hurt almost as much as the bruises. It felt so out-of-place to be addressing the Vulcan in such a manner. The majority of his instructors at the Academy had been Vulcans; but there was something about this particular starship captain which defied conventional explanation. At the Academy—before the incident which had led to his dismissal from Command training—he'd gotten used to the quiet mannerisms, the lack of praise even when work was exceptional. But he sensed something more in this particular Vulcan—a fire beneath that coolly logical command pose. In a brief flash which had no explanation, Kirk suddenly saw their positions reversed. He was sitting on the other side of that big desk, wearing the familiar maroon silks of command . . . yet even that vision didn't quite hold true. His inner eye saw gold and blue, merging and twining together, forming a union and a rapport. A perfect balance upon which starships were run.

But reality slowly returned. That type of balance did not exist, Kirk told himself, blinking the absurd image away.

He waited in silence.

The Vulcan raised his head at last, studying Kirk carefully—and one brow suddenly shot up in surprise. T'lema. He who walks in dreams. For a long time, he continued holding the other man's gaze, feeling the moment solidify around him. There was no mistaking the intense hazel eyes, the almost defiant stance, the muscled body, the lock of errant hair which fell to the middle of the human's forehead. Yet he could see no sense of recognition in Kirk. The eyebrow slowly lowered as logic intervened. It was not impossible, the Vulcan told himself, that he had merely seen a holograph of Kirk along with the other new transfer documents. It was equally as possible that he could have seen him on the FleetCom transmission tapes; Kirk was not unknown—especially following the incident at the Academy.

Still . . . there was something different; something which logic could not define. The young human ensign had been assigned to the ShiKahr when all other disciplinary measures had failed, and although Spock did not approve of the Talos Device—which had essentially deepened this human's problems—neither did he approve of drafting personnel to active starship duty against their wishes. Ship's safety could depend on the performance of any individual at any time, and since Kirk had no desire to be on the ShiKahr, it was nothing less than bureaucratic politics which had been instrumental in having the human assigned. Illogical at best.

To Spock, it was irrelevant that the young ensign had once been in Command training, but had lost the scholarship—and the personal interest—when a bizarre series of events had pointed the finger of guilt at him following the murder of Chief Instructor Sorek. Once convicted, Spock recalled, Kirk had been incarcerated for over a year, subjected to the Talos Device in an effort to discern the truth behind the murder, and finally shipped off to the Draft Academy once it became apparent that he either did not remember the night of the murder, or was too strongly disciplined to reveal the truth even under the harshest of methods. At any rate, Spock surmised, Starfleet must have considered him too valuable an asset to waste.

The Vulcan leaned back in the chair, continuing to observe the human's arrogant attitude . . . and the contrasting downtrodden expression.

"Ensign Kirk," he repeated presently, "you were scheduled to report for duty at 0800 hours on Monday morning, and at the same time for three subsequent days. Might I inquire as to why you did not deem it necessary to do so?"

Kirk's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Captain Spock," he began, tone defensive and cold, "I'm sure you're aware that I don't want to be on this ship. And it's obvious that other members of your crew are just as opposed to this posting as I am myself." He raised his eyes, but chose a point above the Vulcan's head as a focal area. "I'm requesting a formal discharge immediately— dishonorable or otherwise; it's not important."

Spock heard the clipped tone of the human's voice, yet sensed something deeper. "Surely you realize, Ensign, that you were drafted into Starfleet because of your history of resistance to more conventional forms of discipline on Earth—combined with the fact that you were once in Command training yourself." He paused, eyes scrutinizing. "If you were to be discharged now— which is an impossibility under present circumstances—you would be sent to an Orion rehabilitation center for the rest of your life. And I assure you that you would find that far more degrading than any prejudices you might encounter on board this vessel."

Kirk shrugged with disinterest. "I'm not so sure about that," he said sharply, ignoring the urge to open himself to the compassion he heard in the familiar voice.

The Vulcan did not respond, then rose and paced the width of the quarters. He turned, studied the ensign through quizzical eyes, then returned and sat down in the chair once more. He looked closely at the human, and thought for a moment that he detected a hint of medicinal powder on one cheek. He dismissed it. Lighting could play tricks even on the most trained observer.

"Ensign," he said at last, "I will speak freely with you in the hopes of allowing you to comprehend the circumstances before you make an irrational decision which could adversely affect your entire future." He paused, brows furrowing. For a moment, time flip-flopped, then righted itself again. But for that single moment, he felt a rapport with this human, a knowledge that trust could be given . . . and received in return. Illogical under the circumstances, he thought. But nonetheless an accurate impression. "Other humans have been assigned to this vessel—men and women who did not initially wish to be here—yet all have eventually adjusted in one manner or another. Since you obviously attended the Academy with higher goals in mind at one time in your life—"

"That was six years ago," Kirk interrupted, still not looking at the man behind the desk. "Things were different then . . . I was different then." I was different then. There was a ring of truth in that. For an instant, Kirk felt as though he was listening to another person—a person he'd once known; maybe even a person he'd once been . . . or had wanted to be. He discarded the irrational thought, telling himself it was nothing more than lingering effects of the mind probe, the demon machine . . . the Talos Device.

Presently, the Vulcan indicated a vacant chair with a gesture of his hand. "Please be seated, Ensign," he entreated. The discussion was going to take longer than he'd originally intended, and though he certainly had more pressing matters than the attendance record of one single ensign, he found himself unable to dismiss the subject.

But the human shook his head. "I'd prefer to stand, sir." The proud flaring of the nostrils, the almost unconscious tension of broad shoulders.

The Vulcan noted it. "As you wish," he acknowledged. "At any rate, you have no doubt heard rumors concerning our current orders, Ensign?"

Kirk glanced sharply at the Vulcan. How did you answer a question like that? Admit it, and admit to being a ship-board gossip—to listening to scuttlebutt and receiving classified material. Deny it and get caught in a lie . . . worse yet. He wondered momentarily if the Vulcan was testing him, and managed a devious smile.

"If I heard that the entire Fleet had been diverted to transport Denebian slime worms to bait stores back on Earth, that wouldn't make it true, now would it?" he asked pointedly. "So, with all due respect, a rumor's only as good as the source."

Spock leaned forward, steepling his fingers in front of himself, elbows resting on the desk. His eyes darkened. Getting through to this stubborn human was going to take more time than he'd expected; and time, he reminded himself, was a scarce commodity. Within five days, two starships would be arriving at the Neutral Zone. And according to details contained in Admiral S't'kal's transmission, the attack on the Romulan Empire was scheduled to begin two days after that. He would have to come straight to the point.

"Ensign Kirk, you need not engage in the art of evasion with me—for I am not here to judge you. In truth, we may all be dead within a very short span of time—unless Doctor McCoy and I can find some solution to an unknown force which appears to be pushing the Alliance into undeclared war with the Romulans." He continued holding Kirk's gaze, almost compelling the human not to look away again. It was a difficult task.

Kirk fidgeted uncomfortably. "Why are you telling me this?" he asked at last.

The Vulcan rose, leaned across the desk, and came face to face with the human, almost surprised when the other man did not attempt to back away. "Because I am convinced that you are somehow . . . involved." The Vulcan's eyes closed, and he wished he were better with the Terran language. His statement sounded more like an accusation than a possible answer. "In other words, Ensign Kirk, I suspect you could prove to be a valuable asset to Doctor McCoy and myself."

Kirk squinted curiously. "Why?" he demanded.

The Vulcan sat back down, indicating the chair once more, surprised when Kirk relented and sank into it.

"I am familiar with your personal history, Ensign," the Vulcan explained. "And though it is now irrelevant that the Talos Device has been banned as a method of punishment, you need not fear it any longer." He paused, feeling an odd empathy with this human stranger. "However," he added, "you must understand that the Talos Device can also be used for the benefit of the Alliance— particularly in our present situation."

Kirk blinked, brows narrowing suspiciously. "What are you getting at, Captain?" he asked.

Leaning back in the chair, Spock studied the human for only a moment longer. "I require your assistance—yet I cannot directly order you to cooperate. Doctor McCoy has discovered that the . . . insanity . . . which appears to be spreading generally throughout the Alliance is based deep within the brain itself. In order to better understand the phenomena, we are accepting—on a volunteer basis—crewmen who are willing to submit to a complete vid-scan."

Kirk felt himself go cold inside. He turned away, refusing to meet the dark eyes which seemed to be almost pleading. "Forget it," he murmured to himself, suppressing the shiver which slid up his arms. "I've already had enough vid-scans to last a lifetime." And yet, in refusing the Vulcan, he experienced a deep sense of personal failure—as if he'd somehow disappointed a close friend.

The Vulcan remained silent for a very long time. "Very well," he responded at last. "The choice is yours alone, for as I stated, I shall not force you to cooperate." He paused, continuing only when it became obvious that the ensign had no intention of responding.

"It is on record that I do not approve of the Talos Device; it is a dangerous tool despite its reputed effectiveness." The Vulcan forced himself to remember that he'd dealt with men far more defiant than Kirk, and he knew he could deal with this one if they could reach some type of understanding. But . . . the fear had to be obliterated first. And yet, men like Kirk didn't accept kindness easily—even when offered under a logical pretense. "If you are still troubled by the nightmares which are resultant from your previous experience with the Talos Device, I shall instruct Doctor McCoy to—"

"I don't have nightmares!" Kirk lied, voice rising defensively. He wondered what embarrassment there should be in knowing that the Vulcan could see right through him, but still it came. "I just don't enjoy having my brain picked like a goddamned fruit tree!" The Vulcan leaned forward in the chair, choosing another angle. Time pressed forward. "Initially," he began, "you claimed to be innocent of the crime for which you were convicted; but later changed your plea to one of guilty. Why?"

Kirk said nothing, and as the Vulcan noted the blank expression on the ensign's face, he saw it slowly harden to one of stubbornness.

"Is your resentment of this posting due to the fact that you are innocent? To the fact that you feel you should perhaps be a commander rather than an ensign?" He knew he could not spare the human's feelings now—not if he wanted to approach the source of the problem. And yet, there was an emotion very close to pain related to what he was doing. Somewhere, buried and hidden beneath years of Vulcan discipline, there was pain. He closed his eyes for an instant, searching for the logical balance which suddenly seemed very far away.

"Does it really matter now, Captain?" Kirk demanded quietly. "And besides, what difference would it make anyway? I was convicted, wasn't I?" But he didn't remember the night Sorek had been murdered; he'd been too drunk from Finnegan's spiked-punch party to even remember walking across the grounds to the dormitory, much less whether or not he'd murdered his Vulcan instructor.

"It is true that you were convicted," the captain agreed. "However," he pointed out, "conviction does not necessarily denote guilt." He was also aware that Kirk had already served a worse sentence than most men could endure. As a starship commander, he knew of the Talos Device; as a scientist on Vulcan, he'd once been foolish enough to test it on himself. The psychic nightmares which had resulted had been enough to make him demand that the Vulcan High Council ban use of the machine in all Alliance territory. After lengthy debate, the Council had agreed—but not in time to prevent its use on Kirk. For that, Spock felt a twinge of illogical guilt. He should have been there—Raising one eyebrow at the thought, he commanded himself back to reality.

"I have also been informed that your mind was resistant to Vegan thought probes and truth drugs which would, under normal circumstances, prove your guilt or verify your innocence." He hesitated, taking a deep breath as he noticed that Kirk actually appeared to be listening. It was a welcome change. "The psychiatrists assigned to your case could not understand the peculiar resistance, and you were convicted largely on circumstantial evidence as I recall."

Kirk shrugged noncommittally, masking the memory of the Talos Device with disinterest. "Kill anything you don't understand. Isn't that the law of nature?" He winced slightly when the muscles in his face tightened.

"No, Ensign, it is not," Spock countered, his voice unaccountably gentle. "It is, unfortunately, the law of many primitive cultures—but not the law of nature." He rose from the chair, looking more closely at the ensign's pale, drawn face. "And it is not permissible on board this vessel."

Taking a step nearer, he tilted his head as the very faint scent of makeup came to his nostrils. Absently, he reached out to touch the human's cheek for confirmation, but stopped when Kirk's eyes widened fearfully. The eyebrow climbed once more; Kirk's reaction was proof enough.

"Who is responsible for this?" Spock asked sternly.

Kirk turned away. "Nobody," he lied as the hot red color of embarrassment came to brighten his face. "I . . . I got drunk in my quarters and fell against the bulkhead in the dark." But he recognized it for the transparent lie it was. He glanced nervously at the door, and thought of running.

But the Vulcan moved to block his path, almost as if sensing the impending retreat. "Perhaps you would do better assigned to a nondrinking roommate, Ensign," he suggested casually. For a moment, he felt himself inadequate to deal with the delicate situation. Humans maintained such a fragile balance—a balance between pride and compromise, between anger and complacency, between truth and deception . . . between love and hatred.

"Donner has been troublesome to me in the past," he continued as if to himself, "and despite his abilities, I have considered transferring him planetside on more than one occasion." He looked at Kirk, wishing the human would meet his eyes. "I should have realized that his aggressive nature would eventually assert itself again." For an indefinable reason, he felt unnaturally protective of this human.

"It wasn't Donner, dammit!" Kirk exploded angrily. He felt the rage building silently behind his eyes—the same rage which had gotten him into brawls in the stagnant prisons on Terra, the same rage which always seemed to come at the worst possible times. "It was just my own clumsiness, that's all! And I don't want another roommate; I want a discharge!" Finally, he lifted fiery eyes, masking fear with a blink of fury. "Do I have to kill someone else to get thrown off this floating Alcatraz, or will you grant that request before I do, Captain Spock?"

Unprepared for the psychic outpouring which accompanied the verbal assault, Spock stepped back.And yet, there was familiarity in the brief touch of minds. Even in anger, hatred . . . familiarity lived. He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and reburied his own sudden emotions somewhere beneath the mask of command. Recovering his composure, he moved back to the desk.

"Let us understand one another, Ensign Kirk," he began. "Threats pull no weight with me, and I shall not tolerate them." He paused for a moment, studying the angry denial in Kirk's expression. "Nor shall I tolerate the physical abuse of any member of this crew," he continued, tone considerably more gentle. "I am ordering you to tell me who is responsible for your injuries."

But Kirk remained mute and immovable. In his prison days, he'd learned what it meant to keep a confidence. "I'm responsible for my own problems," he stated at last. "And I don't need a keeper! Keep your half-breed sentimentalities to yourself, Spock!" He started toward the door, stopping only when he heard the auto-lock activated from somewhere behind him.

The Vulcan moved to stand between him and the door. Half-breed. The word hung somewhere outside reality.

"Very well," he murmured. "I will accept that as your answer for now. However," he continued, "I will also be advising the quartermaster to change your living accommodations; effective immediately."

Kirk felt the color drain from his face at the note of finality in the suddenly ominous voice. Now he'd really done it. Not only was he a weakling and a coward and a drug addict in Donner's eyes—but to be assigned new quarters for his own protection . . . He could already hear Donner's taunts, could feel the slap of the big man's open palm across his face—the type of slap one might administer to a disobedient animal. He looked up, desperation filling his eyes as he shoved pride in the background for one of the first times in his life.

"I—Captain Spock—I . . . apologize for my outburst." But it hurt to apologize when it shouldn't have. Spock was different—"If you don't intend to discharge me, I'd like to stay where I am." He waited, listening to the pounding of his own heart.

Spock studied him coolly for a very long time. "I have already denied your discharge request, Ensign," he reminded Kirk. "And since you will not tell me who is responsible for your injuries, you leave me no alternative but to transfer you to other accommodations and alter your work- assignments as well." He paused briefly. "Despite what you may have heard about Starfleet duty or about me personally"—halfbreed!—"you will discover that your life here can be rewarding—if you permit it to be." And in the event any of us survive beyond the next week. . . . He waited and, as expected, received no response other than a closing of the ensign's eyes in defeat. For an illogical moment, he found himself thinking of the future—with Kirk at his side. . . . Somehow, he told himself, he would find a way around S't'kal's orders. Somehow . . . they would live. "In the meantime," he said, drawing himself back to the problem at hand, "you are to report to Sickbay to have the full extent of your injuries determined and treated."

Hardened hazel eyes looked up at last. "I'd prefer not to, sir," he said in a voice which might have been defiant, might have been pleading.

"That is precisely why I am making it an order rather than a request, Ensign Kirk," Spock replied, using the authority which felt alien and unnatural. He turned away. "Dismissed."

For a long time, there was no sound. Then, after what seemed like empty hours, footsteps retreated. Carefully, the Vulcan glanced out the corner of one eye to watch the human go; and a thought crept into his mind which might have come from a dream he'd had a very long time ago.

I'd make one hell of a lousy ensign, Spock.

And though he'd never personally met Kirk before, he was certain of one thing:

The voice in his mind precisely matched that of the man who had just left his quarters.

He glanced at the chronometer. Sooner or later, the human would come around. He only hoped it wouldn't be too late. . . .

–•–

Next time: McCoy and Spock discuss Kirk, and he narrowly avoids being a redshirt