#not really i just used the translate function on word

[raskies456]

learning python rn and nothing boosts your confidence like finding the bug while the person teaching you is coding live

[prettyboysdontlookatexplosions]

i appreciated this study: "They Can't Read Very Well: A Study of the Reading Comprehension Skills Of English Majors At Two Midwestern Universities"

[ETA: if you are somehow finding your way here pls note some - not exhaustive!!!! - follow up notes in this reblog. sorry again i mixed up megalodons and megalosaurs]

essentially, a pair of professors set out to test their intuitive sense that students at the college level were struggling with complex text. they recruited 85 students, a mix of english majors and english education majors - so, theoretically, people focusing on literature, and people preparing to teach adolescents how to read literature - and had them read-while-summarizing the first seven paragraphs of dickens's bleak house (or as much as they made it through in the 20 minute session). they provided dictionaries and also said students could use their phones to look up whatever they wanted, including any unfamiliar words or references. they found that the majority of the students - 58%, or 49 out of the 85 students - functionally could not understand dickens at all, and only 5% - a mere 4 out of the 85 students - proved themselves proficient readers (leaving the remaining 38%, or 32 students, as what the study authors deemed "competent" students, most of whom could understand about half the literal meaning - pretty low bar for competence - although a few of whom, they note, did much better than the rest in this group if not quite well enough to be considered proficient).

what i really appreciated about this study was its qualitative descriptions of the challenges and reading behaviors of what the authors call "problematic readers" (that bottom 58%), which resonated strongly with my own experiences of students who struggle with reading. here's their blunt big picture overview of these 49 students:

The majority of these subjects could understand very little of Bleak House and did not have effective reading tactics. All had so much trouble comprehending concrete detail in consecutive clauses and phrases that they could not link the meaning of one sentence to the next. Although it was clear that these subjects did try to use various tactics while they read the passage, they were not able to use those tactics successfully. For example, 43 percent of the problematic readers tried to look up words they did not understand, but only five percent were able to look up the meaning of a word and place it back correctly into a sentence. The subjects frequently looked up a word they did not know, realized that they did not understand the sentence the word had come from, and skipped translating the sentence altogether.

the idea that they had so much trouble with every small piece of a text that they could not connect ideas on a sentence by sentence basis is very familiar to me from teaching and tutoring, as was the habit of thought seen in the example of the student who gloms on to the word "whiskers" in a sea of confusion and guesses incorrectly that a cat is present - struggling readers, in my experience, seem to use familiar nouns as stepping stones in a flood of overwhelm, hopping as best they can from one seemingly familiar image to the next. so was this observation, building off the example of a student who misses the fact that dickens is being figurative when he imagines a megalodon stalking the streets of london:

She first guesses that the dinosaur is just “bones” and then is stuck stating that the bones are “waddling, um, all up the hill” because she can see that Dickens has the dinosaur moving. Because she cannot logically tie the ideas together, she just leaves her interpretation as is and goes on to the next sentence. Like this subject, most of the problematic readers were not concerned if their literal translations of Bleak House were not coherent, so obvious logical errors never seemed to affect them. In fact, none of the readers in this category ever questioned their own interpretations of figures of speech, no matter how irrational the results. Worse, their inability to understand figurative language was constant, even though most of the subjects had spent at least two years in literature classes that discussed figures of speech. Some could correctly identify a figure of speech, and even explain its use in a sentence, but correct responses were inconsistent and haphazard. None of the problematic readers showed any evidence that they could read recursively or fix previous errors in comprehension. They would stick to their reading tactics even if they were unhappy with the results.

i have seen this repeatedly, too - actually i was particularly taken with how similar this is to the behavior of struggling readers at much younger ages - and would summarize the hypothesis i have forged over time as: struggling readers do not expect what they read to make sense. my hypothesis for why this is the case is that their reading deficits were not attended to or remediated adequately early enough, and so, in their formative years - the early to mid elementary grades - they spent a lot of time "reading" things that did not make sense to them - in fact they spent much more time doing this than they ever did reading things that did make sense to them - and so they did not internalize a meaningful subjective sense of what it feels like to actually read things.

like, i've said this before, but the year i taught third grade i had multiple students who told me they loved reading and then when i asked them about a book they were reading revealed that they had absolutely no idea what was going on - on a really basic literal level like "didn't know who said which lines of dialogue" and "couldn't identify which things or characters given pronouns referred to" - and were as best as i could tell sort of constructing their own story along the way using these little bits of things they thought they understood. that's what "reading" was, in their heads. and they were, in the curriculum/model that we used at the private school where i taught, receiving basically no support to clarify that that was not what reading was, nor any instruction that would actually help them with what they needed to do to improve (understand sentences) - and i realized over the course of that year that the master's program that had certified me in teaching elementary school had provided me with very little understanding of how to help these kids (with perhaps the sole exception of the class i took on communications disorders, not because these kids had communications disorders but because that was the only class where we ever talked, even briefly, about things like sentence structures that students may need instruction in and practice with to comprehend independently). when it comes to the literal, basic understanding of a text, the model of reading pedagogy i was taught has about 6 million little "tools" that all boil down to telling kids who functionally can't read to try harder to read. this is not productive, in my experience and opinion, for kids whose maximum effort persistently yields confusion. but things are so dysfunctional all the way up and down the ladder that you can be a senior in college majoring in english without anyone but a pair of professors with a strong work ethic noticing that you can't actually read.

couple other notes:

obviously it's a small study but i'm not sure i see a reason to believe these are particularly outlierish results (ACT scores - an imperfect metric but not a meritless one IMO for reading specifically, where the task mostly really is to read a set of texts written for the educated layperson and answer factual questions about them - were a little bit above the national average)

the study was published last year, but the research was conducted january to april 2015. so there's no pandemic influence, no AI issue - these are millennials who now would span roughly ages 28-32 (i guess it's possible one of the four first-year students was one of the very first members of gen z lol). if you're in your late 20s or early 30s, we are talking about people your age, and whatever the culprit is here, it was happening when you were in school.

i think some people might want to blame this on NCLB but i find this unconvincing for a variety of reasons. first of all, NCLB did not pass because everyone in 2001 agreed that education was super hunky-dory; in fact, the sold a story podcast outlines how an explicit goal of NCLB was to train teachers in systematic phonics instruction, because that was not the norm when NCLB was passed, and an unfortunate outcome was that phonics became politicized in ed world. second, anyone who understands anything about reading should need about ten minutes max to spend some time on standardized test prep and recognize that if your goal is truly to maximize scores... then the vast majority of your instructional time should be spent on improving actual reading skills because you actually can't meaningfully game these tests by "practicing main idea questions" (timothy shanahan addresses this briefly near the top of this post). so i find it very difficult to believe that any school that pivoted to multiple choice drill time in an attempt to boost reading scores was teaching reading effectively pre-NCLB, because no set of competent literacy professionals would think that would work even for the goal of raising test scores. third, NCLB mandated yearly testing in grades 3-8 but only one test year in high school; kansas set its reading and math test year in high school as tenth grade. so theoretically these kids all had two years of sweet sweet freedom from NCLB in which their teachers could have done whatever the fuck they wanted to teach these kids to actually read. the fact that they didn't suggests perhaps there were other problems afoot. fourth, and maybe most saliently for this particular study, the sample text was the first seven paragraphs of a novel - in other words, the exact kind of short incomplete text that NCLB allegedly demanded excessive time spent on. i'm not really sure what universe it makes sense in that students who can't read the first seven paragraphs of a novel would have become much better reader if everything else had been the same but they had been making completely wack associations based on nonsense guesses for all 300 pages instead. (if you read the study it's really clear that for problematic readers, things go off the rails immediately, in a way that a good program targeted at teaching mastery of text of 500 words or less would have done something about.)

all but 3 of the students reported A's and B's in their english classes and, again, 69% of them are juniors and seniors, so like... i mean idk kudos to these professors for being like "hold up can these kids actually read?" but clearly something is wack at the college level too [in 2015] if you can make your way through nearly an entire english major without being able to read the first seven paragraphs of a dickens novel. (once again i really do encourage you to look at the qualitative samples in the study, lest you think i am being uncharitable by summarizing understandable misunderstandings or areas of confusion that may resolve themselves with further exposure to the text as "can't read.") not to mention the fact that most students could not what they had learned in previous or current english classes and when asked to name british and american authors and/or works of the nineteenth century, roughly half the sample at each college could name at most one.

the authors of the study are struck by the fact that students who cannot parse the first 3 sentences of bleak house feel very confident about their ability to read the entire novel, and discover that this seeming disconnect is resolved by the fact that these students seem to conceptualize "reading" as "skimming and then reading sparknotes." i think it's really tempting to Kids These Days this phenomenon (although again these are people who in some cases have now been in the workforce for a decade) and categorize it as laziness or a lack of effort, but i think that there is, as i described above, a real and sincere confusion over what "reading" is in which this makes a certain logical sense because it's not like they have some store of actual reading experiences to compare it to. i also think it's pretty obvious looking at just how wildly severed from actual textual comprehension their readings are that these are not - or at least not entirely - students who could just work harder and master the entirety of bleak house all on their own. like i don't think you get from "charles dickens is describing a bunch of dinosaur bones actually walking the streets of london" to comfortably reading nineteenth century literature by just trying harder. i really just don't (and i say that acknowledging i personally have had students who like... were good readers if i was forcing them to work at it constantly... but i have also had students, including ones getting ready to enter college, who were clearly giving me everything they had and what they had was at the present moment insufficient). i think that speaks to a missing skillset that they don't know are missing, because they don't have any other experience of "reading" to compare it to.

just wanna highlight again that although they don't give the breakdown some of these students are not just english majors but english education majors a.k.a. the high school english teachers of tomorrow. some of them may be teaching high school english right now, in case anyone wishes to consider whether "maybe some high school english teachers can't read the first seven paragraphs of bleak house?" should be kept in mind when we discuss present-day educational ills.

[bigfatbreak]

Me thinks Clark didn't realize until now how bad the situation in Paris really is and might just interfere now.

Correct!

I don't know if I'll have the time to draw it, but essentially higher-powered supers are banned from entering France, in the very least the Paris area, because an akumatized superhero with more power than Ladybug or Chaton could lead to devastating results. Due to this, media outlets regarding Hawkmoth and that situation are throttled to specifically France, as no one wants Hawkmoth gaining allies through outside supervillains via the media. HM/Gabe hasn't caught onto that fact yet, since its something hush-hush between LB and the local government, but Marinette did publish a paper regarding a character profile of Hawkmoth and how current Akuma function, as well as a deep dive into how its effecting the Parisian population.

Chock full of primary sources, interviews, and even one on one dialogue with Chat Noir and Ladybug, naturally the study gained attention. It was meant for France, for the public to understand the current stakes and how now more than ever, people need to extend sympathy, patience, and understanding to each other, and how negativity is as healthy as positivity and must be nurtured and resolved with care. It was meant as a public notice - to not destroy one another or shut down, to instead have faith in one another and to work as a community, even if their faith in LB/CN was to waiver, that you can always trust your friends and family to help you in times of great tragedy and stress.

It was popularized both as a letter to the public, and as a research paper regarding Akumas; as a result, it was eventually translated and squeaked out under the French censors accidentally, as its spread was entirely minimal. However, it wasn't so minimal that it wouldn't eventually end up on the desk of a woman looking into Superhero news, aka, Lois Lane. It was a solid read, if not a bit garbled, since auto-translators were used instead of a real person, and it was passed to Clark to read.

The issue in France didn't seem so terrible from words on a page, and not only that, the League agreed that all in all, major supers needed to stay out of France for their own protection.

however, looking at the face of the girl that published the article speaks of a different story.

[scentofhydrangea]

for @vershautece, based off of this and a little of this 🩷 enjoy!

warnings luigi is a baby making machine! sahm themes, let’s just assume he never had back problems shhh, all italian is translated at the bottom, breeding, oral (both receiving), missionary + doggy, orgasm denial (?), rough sex, ass slapping (i don’t like the other word), reflection ;), half-assed proofread

a/n i am actually so sorry this is so late, i’ve been stacked today and then i scheduled this to post and it never did… ALSO THIS IS WAY LONGER THAN I ORIGINALLY INTENDED!!! and i’m sorry the smut is kinda vague i haven’t written actual smut in SOOOO long it’s embarrassing… i’m gonna be a hornball on your dash!

getting accepted to upenn was definitely in your top three most exhilarating moments of your life. with plans of majoring in art, you were over the moon to start your independent life at an ivy league school! you rarely let boys get in your way — enjoying life in the moment was a top quality of yours as an artist.

that was, until you met luigi. oh god, he’s so beautiful. you only picked up one digital class that you really didn’t even know the name of because you’d wanted to get into digital art and you thought it’d be fun to learn the functions. as soon as you saw him about two weeks into the course, you were swooning. unbeknownst to you, most other girls were also swooning.

you only had a few tight friends, but your kind personality was a trait everyone noticed about you as soon as you would approach. also how good you smelled. and your beautiful smile. and your full, happy cheeks when you laugh. really just everything — and you’d had no idea that boys in your courses would pine after you, too.

a few trusty years later, you and luigi were to be wed! babies came shortly after, and you had the most beautiful twin toddlers. after you’d been granted maternity leave from your job as a high school art teacher, you’d gotten a little too used to staying home and tending to the house, rather than scrambling every weekend to get everything done as well as take care of your husband and children.

you had a talk with luigi and determined that the money from his job would be enough to keep the family steady going as well as a few pieces you’d make and sell on ebay every now and again. almost as quickly as you could, you sent an email to the superintendent and principal of your school saying that you would unfortunately not be returning due to personal issues.

luigi had never asked you to be a sweet little tradwife for him, but he damn sure enjoyed it. today in particular, your three year olds’ daycare was closed so you were fortunate enough to leave them with their godparents. this was good for you, they’d likely ask to spend the night with their padrini*, so you can have tonight and tomorrow morning without a ‘bedtime’ for you and your children!

in the morning after dropping them off, you went back home to get cute and dolled up — you usually made breakfast wearing a silk pajama set that luigi bought for you last christmas. then you went to the grocery store and to the bank to deposit a check from a painting you sold for a little under $500. then back home to make a small lunch — you were planning to cook a big dinner — and then onto housework. you played music while you worked, and once beds were made you retreated back to your bedroom to tweak your hair and makeup for dinner.

you also made sure luigi knew not to come home before 5:45 because you wouldn’t be done with your dishes, and checked in on your kids to confirm they’d stay the night at their padrini’s house.

when luigi came home, just like out of a scene of a movie, he shouted from the front door: “tesoro, sono a casa!*” followed by the door closing and locking mechanically behind him. he strutted into the kitchen to see you putting plates together — exactly 6:00. he must have waited in the driveway to give you some extra time!

with a gentle hold of your waist and long kiss on your cheek, you suddenly felt much more comfortable; almost feeling safe that he was home. anxiety was sometimes a struggle when you’re home alone all day and your husband working half an hour away.

as you plated the food and brought the bread out of the oven, luigi went upstairs to change into something more casual. when he opened the bedroom door, he noticed you had left a precious little lingerie set laying on the bed, likely accidentally. his interest was certainly piqued! quirking an eyebrow and grinning a little to himself, he took a few minutes to change and mess with his hair a bit in the mirror.

luigi came down the stairs with happy haste.

“thank you for making this meal, babydoll, smells so good,” he compliments, kissing your cheek again.

your face burns excitedly. “thank you,” you kiss his lips a few short times.

over dinner, you chat about each other’s day and the children. he seems to be deep in thought for a moment, and when he notices you staring he speaks again.

“you think we should have another baby?” he asks cheekily.

you nearly choke and your heart rate runs rampant, looking as if you hadn’t had sex before. “do you want to?”

“would i ask if i didn’t want to?”

there’s a rush between your thighs almost immediately. you place your fork down onto your plate and stand up, but before you can walk off he’s up and scooping you into his strong arms. he cascades up the steps with you bridal style.

as soon as he steps into the bedroom, he places you down on the fuzzy chair in front of your vanity. a finger points to the lacy set laying on the neat bed.

“you wanna tell me what you got this out for?” he presses, kneeling down on the ground in front of you. luigi’s pretty lips pepper kisses on your ankles, lifting each one up slowly to remove your kitten heels. once each shoe is off, he places the now bare calf on his shoulder.

“please, lu…” you plead pathetically.

his eyebrows furrow upwards, looking at you with big eyes full of faux empathy. “please what? use your words, mio amore. dimmi cosa vuoi*.”

words are quick to fail you. your brain is blank, almost static. most times you have sex it’s quick and hushed because the twins are in the house.

he’s kissing up your legs again, attempting to get a rise out of you. once he gets to your thighs, you’re getting a little restless.

“taking too long,” you mumble, and he lifts his head to look you in the eye again — this time much more stern.

“what was that?”

“said you’re taking too long,” you repeat yourself louder, locking your gaze with his.

within a second, he’s snatched you up and thrown you onto the neat bed.

“you and your goddamn bed decorations. i never know why you put all these pillows on here when we’re just gonna throw them all off later,” he grumbles, clearly angry and clearing the throw pillows from the bed, tossing them to the floor.

luigi pushes your maxi skirt up and nearly tears your little cotton underwear off of you. his tongue darts between your warmth and his nose harshly rubs against your clit, catching you off guard and sending your spine into electric shock. your hands fly to grip his hair in one hand and the tightly made bedsheets in the other.

“y’taste so sweet, tesoro,” he groans against you, leaving open-mouthed kisses on your thighs before going back to devouring your sex.

he’s already working an easy orgasm or two from you. he pulls you from your stupor and unzips your dress, gingerly pulling it off of you — he knows how upset you got last time he accidentally ripped the hem of your dress.

his shirt is gone, his chin and parts of his cheeks are still wet, and removing his belt as quickly as he can. as soon as his pants drop, you grab the hem of his boxers and pull them down. every time you see his cock, it never fails to surprise you that the tip touches his fucking belly button.

you pop his throbbing pink tip into your mouth, giving it little kitten licks and short kisses. you work your way down, or as much as you can, using your hand to pump what you can’t fit in your mouth. you’re moaning and slobbering around his cock, vibrations from your voice sending chills up his spine and down into his arms. his hands find their way to the back of your head, carefully urging you to take more.

your throat is constricting and you retract from his cock, looking into his eyes for validation.

“you’re taking too long,” he mocks in a faux whiny voice. luigi pushes you back onto the bed by his shoulders and holds his heavy cock. he teases your folds, rubbing his hot tip through to spread your own spit and cum from him eating you out. slowly, he pushes in. he always waits a little for you to adjust to how big he is.

“fuck, m’so full…”

“you’re so tight, mio amore.”

his eyes are boring into yours and his hands press down onto your womb to see his own cock buried into you.

“gonna cum if you don’t breathe for a second and relax, holy fuck baby,” he reminds you with a deep, raspy tone.

you take a deep breath and mid-exhale he starts to pound into you with a feverish and eager alacrity, causing you to almost scream.

“mmmmy fucking god!” your voice shakes with each impactful thrust against your hips. one of his hands grips your waist and the other attaches to your boob, his head following shortly. his tongue laps around your peaked nipple rapidly.

then both hands are on your waist and he briefly pulls out to flip you onto your stomach and prop your ass up to his liking. he’s shoving his cock back into your soaked cunt and returns back to his relentless pace.

“gonna fuck a baby into you, bella ragazza, gonna get you nice and swollen with a pretty baby, hm? isn’t that right?” he pushes his hand down onto your lower back, arching you up higher for him. both of his big hands find your frizzed up curly bun and he snatches your head back.

“feels so fucking good, m’gonna cum, lu!”

“aht,” he slows down exponentially, “you’ll cum when i tell you to.”

your eyes roll to the back of your head with adoration and you swear your ovaries start jumping at the demand. he’s back to slamming into you and a hard hand comes down onto each ass cheek three or four times. he adds to the torture by holding your hair in one hand and moving his other arm around your hip to grind his palm on your clit.

“oh my god, i’m gonna fucking cum luigi…” you breathe out between a moan, a scream and a whisper.

“what’d i tell you?”

“to wait ‘til you tell me to cum!”

“do what i tell you, be a good girl and listen to me.”

your brain is numb and your head falls limp, his grip in your hair is the only thing holding your body close to his.

“you’re so fucking pretty, mio amore, can i take a picture?”

you just nod obediently, not really caring too much at this point. he reaches over to the bedside table where he put his phone before dinner and opens the camera, showing your mascara dripping down your face from tears you didn’t know were flowing and an agape mouth, moans slipping through with every motion.

“you see why i love fucking you s’much? hm? look at yourself while i fuck you, baby,” he’s shoving the phone into your hand to palm your clit again. you’re bucking your hips against each form of stimulation with your jaw wide open, breathing shakily.

“there you go, tesoro, y’wanna cum?” he taunts, to which you nod your head and moan a hearty ‘yes!’

his index and middle finger focus on your clit, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves as tightly as he can. your eyes go crossed, no longer paying any attention to the reflection in the camera. luigi’s hand drops from your hair, pushes your head down and arches your back up one more time. he pressed record on the camera and kept up with his cock bullying into your cervix over and over.

“go ahead and cum with me baby, take it like the good girl you are.”

when he gives you permission, almost like a stage cue, you totally let go. your cunt squeezes around him entirely and traps him in. his cock twitches rampantly inside you as he meets his release, watching your face through the camera that you’re gripping onto with your life.

it takes a few minutes to cool off after he lays down beside you, stopping the recording and kissing all over your face. “you did so good for me, baby. sei una brava ragazza*.”

you don’t even have it in you to respond, your chest heaving.

“you think that one will take? should we go for another round?”

this gets a breathless chortle from you. “can i catch my breath first? also, you messed my hair up.”

“so that’s a yes?” he asks, already burying his face into your chest and carefully pressing kisses to your hot skin.

🌺🩷💋

italian words and phrases:

padrini: godparents

tesoro: sweetheart

sono a casa: i’m home!

dimmi cosa vuoi: tell me what you want

sei una brava ragazza: you’re (such) a good girl

[ducksido]

Hai! Evil evil Idia anon back😝😝😝 okay so Idia with a pommefiore reader, like a super duper pretty reader, on day someone tries to hit on reader in hallway (think pick up lines like « hey, are u wifi, cause I feel a connection ») and reader’s just staring at them with disgust, but here’s the catch, Idia has access to the school camera’s cause ofc he does and he can’t see readers face from the camera angle and he closed the cameras before finding out if reader accept the random hoollagins flirting, so later reader goes to idia’s dorm and idia’s all like « how’s ur new boyfriend » and being emo as hell, so reader has to comfort Idia and be like « ew I would never date that guy, ur the only Apple of my eye 😘 »

Yayayaayyaayayayay

(welcome back you menace [affectionate])

It was a normal day in NRC.

Translation: chaos in the form of enchanted books throwing themselves off shelves in the library, some Spelldrive brawl in the quad, and a tragic soul trying to hit on you in the hallway.

“Hey… are you Wi-Fi? ‘Cause I’m really feeling a connection.”

You blinked. Slowly. Once. Twice.

The Pomefiore aesthetic was about elegance and beauty, and right now you were channeling utter disgust with the poise of a queen.

“…No.”

You turned and walked off without another word, your heels clicking with purpose, while the guy stood frozen in awkwardness behind you.

Meanwhile— In the depths of Ignihyde dorm… (Idia's room)

“Wha—who the HELL is that?!” Idia hissed, eyes glowing as he squinted at the grainy hallway footage on his screen.

The camera angle was trash. Of course it was. All he could see was the back of your head, silky and shining as always, while some… normie had the audacity to stand that close to you.

His fingers flew over the keys, adjusting zoom, replaying footage, enhancing audio, muttering like a man possessed.

“Why would they use that line?! That’s not even tier 2 flirt material—who taught him this? A middle schooler??”

He leaned in, cheeks burning. “No no no—don’t tell me—are you smiling? Did you like that? No no no no—”

He slammed the “off” button on the cameras.

He couldn’t watch this.

Later…

You showed up at Ignihyde dorm like nothing happened, knocking lightly on the door to Idia’s room. You’d gotten used to his delays in answering—he needed to prep his courage like a mini boss encounter.

When the door finally slid open, Idia didn’t greet you. He just swiveled in his chair dramatically, wrapped in his hoodie, blanket, and angst.

“Oh. It’s you,” he mumbled, eyes glowing a dim blue. “Shouldn’t you be with your boyfriend right now?”

“…Huh?”

“That guy in the hallway,” he said darkly. “Wi-Fi boy. Smoothbrain McGee. I saw everything. On the cameras.”

Your face contorted into a scandalized grimace. “You mean that dude? The walking pickup line generator?”

He didn’t reply. He just turned back to his monitor, whispering, “It’s fine… I always knew it would happen. I’m not main character material… I’m like the NPC you befriend on side quests before you get a real romance arc—”

“Idia,” you said, flat. “Idia, look at me.”

“…No.”

“Look. At. Me.”

He finally peeked over his shoulder. You leaned in, arms crossed, expression deadpan.

“I would never date that guy. He looked like he got his lines from a cereal box. I was five seconds away from using my Dorm Uniform magic on him.”

“…For real?”

“For real real,” you said, then added with a smirk, “Besides… you’re the only Apple of my eye.”

Idia.exe has stopped functioning.

You swore you saw his soul leave his body and ascend like a pixelated ghost.

“I—I—wha—you’re the one saying pickup lines now?? Is this a reverse Uno??”

You reached out and gently tugged the edge of his hoodie. “You’re lucky I like nerdy reclusive geniuses with surveillance access and low self-esteem.”

He slumped forward with a strangled noise, hiding his red face in his blanket cocoon. “I’m never emotionally recovering from this…”

You giggled, pulling him into a hug despite his dramatic protesting flails.

“Next time you see something on camera, just ask me. I’ll remind you who’s the only person I want to ‘connect’ with.”

“…Can I record you saying that?” he muttered from inside the blanket.

You raised an eyebrow. “For what, your emotional support audio folder?”

“…Maybe.”

You kissed his forehead, and he immediately short-circuited again.

Bonus: Back at Pomefiore dorm, you told Rook the whole story.

He wept.

“Magnifique! The beauty of your loyalty—and your devastating rejection of such a weak pickup line! Truly, your heart belongs to the one who sees you even through camera static!”

“…Rook please stop narrating my love life.”

[chiiroptereh]

I've been thinking a lot about Euclydian biology lately, specifically in regards to pigmentation thanks to this awesome ask I got on a side blog, and wanted to illustrate some of the ideas I had. Super quick lazy sketches but hey, maybe some of you will dig this! Nerdy stuff under the cut, will make a bit more sense if you read the aforementioned post

Euclydians have a genetic predisposition towards a "resting" color (in Bill's case, yellow). The opposite of this state (full "flexing" of chromatophore-controlling muscles) is also predispositioned, which is what's seen in the threat display. This rapidly stimulates the individual's metabolism and gets their blood really pumping in preparation for conflict, but is also somewhat costly in terms of energy, so is typically only flashed rather than maintained as Bill does it

"Teeth-peeking" is the cute zoology term I came up with for when a Euclydian displays a couple teeth overtop their eye without fully switching into mouth-function, usually as a threat but sometimes a sort of stim when they're hungry

Communicative flashing ("Chromatic") has a few languages. The most primitive is Simplified Emotive which is a quick display of mood, while the most modern is Traditional Chromatic, wherein patterns of color serve as words. Words in Traditional Chromatic are not ciphers like they are in TBoB and there aren't always direct translations into English

There are a couple accepted ways for a naturally colorful Euclydian to signal an emotion or "syllable" that matches their color, typically either by a subtler change in value along the edges or by changing everything BUT the edges

It's probably worth noting that Chromatic of any variant is considered a secondary, uncommon language in modern Euclydian society. It's simply more efficient and easier for most to speak, though I think Simplified Emotive probably stems from the natural threat display and so it's more intuitive. It's not unheard of for someone's edges to flash "angry/surprised" (◼) for a second if you bump into them on the sidewalk

A memetic blush is a learned behaviour in which individuals appear to fluster by a reddish shift in color along the face, edges and vertices. This might just be something Bill (or hypothetically other Euclydians who come into contact with humans) does I'm not sure yet but it's cute so

Given the body needs to conserve more energy when fighting illness, it's not uncommon for chromatophore muscles to weaken or spasm in order to lessen metabolic strain, giving the individual a patchy look that often reveals the naturally white skin below the chromatophore layer

When rigor mortis occurs in a dead Euclydian, all the minute muscles in control of chromatophore dilation contract all at once, rendering the entire body white. Because of this, white is considered a bit of a grim color in Euclydian culture; you know emos are wearing all-white instead of all-black

Conversely, a perfect, non-tinted grey is a regal shade because it's seen as a sign of fitness and strength. Maintaining a neutral grey requires very precise control over one's chromatophores to get the balance right and hold it there

Euclydians are capable of training the muscles that control their chromatophores like any other, and as a result can change their resting color with enough discipline! They can also use this technique to give themselves markings. Haven't decided the cultural implications of this entirely, but I think the idea of someone training themselves to match their threat display so nobody can tell when they're angry, for example, is a cool idea. Possibilities!

[rikkahonyaku]

Japan Housing Websites (part one)

Want to move to Japan? Me too! Lately I’ve seen a lot of Instagram pages dedicated to showing off cheap homes in Japan. These pages usually just link back to a Japanese real estate website, so I’d like to list some handy vocabulary to help you navigate the sites and find some houses on your own!

Note: This post was made with intermediate level Japanese learners in mind. It's meant to be a vocabulary list with visual examples, not an all-inclusive house buying guide. A complete list of vocab words can be found at the end of the post. For general website navigation, I’d recommend the RikaiChan / RikaiKun extensions which will display a translation of each word you mouse over.

What Websites?

I really like SUUMO, so that will be the site I use for the example pictures. But any website will have more or less the same words!

Navigating the Website

[ 1 ]　Creating an Account会員（かいいん）登録（とうろく）：Member Registration

[ 2 ]　Search探す（さがす）：Search / Find This word will come up a lot! The search function may also appear as... 検索（けんさく）：Search 物件（ぶっけん）検索：Property Search

Suumo has a nifty map on the front page. If you know the region you'd like to search in, you can choose it here.

[ 3 ]　Renting 借りる（かりる）：Rent (Borrow) 賃貸（ちんたい）：Lease / Rent

[ 4 ]　Purchasing買う（かう）：Buy

[ 5 ]　House Terminology If you've taken a Japanese class, you may have learned that the Japanese word for house is 家 or いえ. Unfortunately, this short and simple word isn't used much on real estate websites. The following terms are typically used instead.

一戸建て（いっこだて）：Detached Building A standalone house, as opposed to an apartment or condo.

新築（しんちく）一戸建て：New Buildings

中古（ちゅうこ）一戸建て：Old Buildings 中古 can mean "old", "used", or “secondhand”, none of which sound ideal, but all it means is that the house that has been lived in previously. This is where you find the cheap ones!

Finding Houses

Once you have the region and building type selected, you’ll see a new map you can use to select the prefecture. I'll highlight a few key search methods on this screen.

[ 1 ]　Search by Area（エリア）

Click on a prefecture to bring up a checklist of cities and districts. At the bottom of the list, you'll see two options: refining the search further or proceeding with the checked options.

「チェックした市区郡の町名を絞り込む」 "Narrow by town names of checked cities/wards/districts"

市区郡（しくぐん）："City Ward District" 町名（ちょうめい）：Town Name 絞り込む（しぼりこむ）：Narrow / Refine

「この条件で検索する」 "Search with these conditions"

条件（じょうけん）：Condition / Term

The orange number shows how many total properties were found with the checked selections. Click the blue search button if you want to jump straight to the houses without refining the search.

[ 2 ]　Search by Railway（沿線）or Station（駅）

Click on a prefecture to bring up a checklist of railways. At the bottom of the list, you'll see two options: refining the search further or proceeding with the checked options.

「チェックした沿線の駅を絞り込む」 "Narrow by stations of checked railways"

沿線（えんせん）：Railway / Track 駅（えき）：Station 絞り込む（しぼりこむ）：Narrow / Refine

「この条件で検索する」 "Search with these conditions"

条件（じょうけん）：Condition / Term

Once again, the orange number shows how many total properties were found with the checked selections. Click the blue search button if you want to jump straight to the houses without refining the search.

[ 3 ]　Search by Map（地図、ちず） Clicking here will open up a much more detailed map that you can scroll through! Definitely the easiest option, which is why I put it last. :)

The End.

Here's the complete vocab list for ease of viewing:

会員（かいいん）：Member 登録（とうろく）：Registration 探す（さがす）：Search / Find 検索（けんさく）：Search 物件（ぶっけん）検索：Property Search 借りる（かりる）：Rent (Borrow) 賃貸（ちんたい）：Lease / Rent 買う（かう）：Buy 一戸建て（いっこだて）：Detached Building 新築（しんちく）一戸建て：New Buildings 中古（ちゅうこ）一戸建て：Old Buildings 市区郡（しくぐん）："City Ward District" 町名（ちょうめい）：Town Name 沿線（えんせん）：Railway / Track 駅（えき）：Station 絞り込む（しぼりこむ）：Narrow / Refine 条件（じょうけん）：Condition / Term

[nightcolorz]

“Armand was lying to Louis about how Marius used to pimp him out to his friends bcus he wanted him to feel bad for him” is perhaps the stupidest and most insane take in the amc iwtv fandom. It’s stupid bcus ik that the ppl saying this r only saying it from a delusional place of “I really don’t want amc iwtv to portray Marius as a bad person so I’m hoping that every instance we have so far of Marius doing bad things isn’t actually canon” and the people who believe this don’t actually think about it in the context of the plot and what a lie like that would mean, bcus if they did they’d realize that it makes no sense and they r delusional.

The craziest part of it is the “Armand is lying about this specifically to try to make Louis feel bad for him” aspect, bcus that implies that armand is 1: willing to vilify Marius (the most important person in his life who he continues to love and admire and hold in deep regard) to gain favor in his relationship with Louis (hot guy he just met) and 2: That Armand somehow needs to make up more bad things that happened to him bcus apparently being enslaved and raped as a child wasn’t enough and he had to throw in a random detail about his makers friends cuz otherwise Louis wouldn’t sympathize with him enough.

Yep that makes sense. Not even to mention how Armand explicitly softens the way he words the fact that Marius pimped him out in a way that makes Marius *look better* bcus he loves him and clearly based on performance context and actual dialogue isn’t looking to make Marius out to be a bad guy when talking about him to Louis. That is definitely the tone in which someone lying about being abused for attention would talk about their abuser! Also, the insinuation that Marius would not do this so it must be a manipulation of the truth is hilarious, bcus Marius sending Armand to have sex with house guests seems to me like a very clear adaption of his actions in the books where he sends Armand to go have sex with ppl at brothels to try to “flesh out his worldly experiences” or whatever. In an adaption where Armand is more explicitly and functionally Marius’s slave (and also a poc with less social privileges) it makes sense that marius making Armand have sex with other people for his warped reasons would translate to house guests instead of prostitutes. Marius does arguably so many more worse things in the books then tell Armand to have sex with his house guests so I don’t see how this is the line that can’t be crossed for some people. I don’t mind if anyone rlly likes Marius or stans him but nothing bothers me more then seeing huge mischaracterizations of my boy Armand so like in conclusion shut up.

[dedalvs]

it's fascinating to me how endlessly complicated High Valyrian seems to be when you answer questions about it. Is there any language in the world more or less at the same level of complexity?

It depends how you're thinking of complexity. All the languages of the world are equally complex. They have to be, because they all need to perform the same function, and they're all used by the same human brains living inside the same humans living human lives. I think English speakers (and hypothesize that, by extension, the same would be true of Chinese speakers, Hawaiian speakers, Vietnamese speakers, Swedish speakers) look at certain other languages and think of them as more complex in the meta sense because they are more morphologically complex.

By this, I mean in English, for a noun you need to know its singular and plural form—that's it. For a verb, you need to know its -s form, its -ed form, its -ing form, and, very rarely, its -en form. There is some irregularity in form for almost all of these (-ing appears to always be regular), but there aren't more forms, outside of "to be", which has a unique first person singular form.

And...that's it, really. We have adjectival comparison, I guess, but even that can be traded out for an expression (aside from "better" which can't be replaced easily by "more good", most comparatives can be replaced—e.g. you can say something is "more red" than something else even though you can also say it's "redder" than something else). There aren't many word form changes in English a user has to learn in order to be able to use those words in a sentence. The same is true of those languages I listed in the parenthetical phrase above.

Compare that to Spanish, where there are more word form changes for verbs in the present tense (indicative and subjunctive) than in the entirety of English. And that's just one tense for verbs! There's loads more that needs to be memorized; many more word form changes you need to know to be able to use words effectively in a sentence. And there are irregularities on top of that!

Is it the case, therefore, that Spanish is more complex than English?

Certainly, Spanish is more morphologically complex, but does that mean you can express more in Spanish than you can in English? Certainly not! So then what does it mean when we say Spanish is more morphologically complex than English? What's the upshot? What does it mean for the language user?

Perhaps it would help if we compare some Spanish verbs and their English translations:

hablabas "you were talking"

hablé "I spoke"

hable "you would speak"

The precise translation of these verbs will depend on context, but this is a fine example. These are all single words of Spanish. They're different forms that must be memorized, but they're single words. The English requires at least two words for each concept.

So which is more complex? On the one hand, you have fewer words but more forms. On the other, more words, and more words = bigger.

And that, essentially, is the crux of it.

Any time you have complexity baked into single words morphologically in one language, you'll find complexity in the form of multiword expressions in a less morphologically complex language. The meanings are always there(*), but they're expressed in different ways.

As English speakers, we're used to having to express things in multiword expressions, and a speaker of a given language will find their own language to be simple just because. We extend that to think of languages like ours as simpler than those that are different. But, in truth, it's six of one, half dozen of another. Furthermore, there's just as much complexity in languages with less morphological complexity. Consider the following expressions in American English:

I walked to the store. ✅

I walked to a store. ✅

I walked to store. ❌

That's pretty standard. English has articles and you need to use them, right?

I ate the dinner. ✅

I ate a dinner. ✅

I ate dinner. ✅

All those are okay. They don't mean the same thing—and, indeed, the first two have much more restricted contexts—but they're all okay. That's a little weird, isn't it?

Not as weird as this:

I made it by the hand. ❌

I made it by a hand. ❌

I made it by hand. ✅

The first two aren't just weird: they're yikes-a-doodle-do wrong. You might try to brush it aside and say that it's just an expression, and, sure, it is, but ask yourself this: how'd that expression come about in the first place? This one is actually from Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) and still works the same way in American English:

You kiss by the book. ✅

You kiss by a book. ❌

You kiss by book. ❌

And just for funsies:

He won by the nose. ❌

He won by a nose. ✅

He won by nose. ❌

You might think the way these shake has to do with what they stand for—that the semantics of the noun in question condition whether or not you can use articles—but consider the first one "store" and compare it to this one:

I walked to the Barnes & Noble. ✅

I walked to a Barnes & Noble. ✅

I walked to Barnes & Noble. ✅

Barnes & Noble is a store, but refer to it by title, and suddenly it's all okay.

Now, if your native language is English, ask yourself: when and how did you learn all of this? Did someone sit you down and tell you where to use which articles and where not to? I'm sure there was some level of instruction you got in elementary school (whether it was accurate or not), but how much of a difference do you think that made? Did you just not use articles before then? And even now, could you explain this? Do you even think about it? Or do you just do it—flawlelssly and effortlessly? Adult learners of English will tell you learning this stuff is a nightmare. Throw in phrasal verbs (pick up vs. pick out vs. pick on vs. pick up on vs. plain old pick) and suddenly English doesn't look too simple anymore.

Bringing this back to your question, when you look at High Valyrian, is there a natural language with an equal amount of morphological complexity? Sure. Maybe something like Latin. But understand that any language will be as complex—not more, not less: as. The only difference with High Valyrian, actually, is its vocabulary isn't as large (give me a couple decades), and it doesn't have nearly as many users as any natural languages. It's also being kept artificially small, in that the language is built up to fit a fictional reality, rather than being expanded to handle anything, the way modern languages are. But pick up any language and it will be equally complex.

(*) From above, it is not always the case that the same "meanings" will be in the equivalent translation of a given sentence. A good example is gender. If you say El río es largo in Spanish it means "The river is long" in English. Like, exactly that. There is no question that these two phrases are functionally equivalent. HOWEVER there is more information in the Spanish sentence. The words el, río and largo are all masculine gender. What does that mean? Nothing more than that they're not feminine. If you hear el in Spanish there are a limited number of words that can legally follow it. When you hear largo, you know that what it refers to has to be in the same class. The function of this is simply to enrich the signal. If you only hear "is large" in English from the previous sentence, you have no idea what noun is large. If you hear es largo in Spanish, you also don't know—but whatever that thing is, you know it has to be masculine. That means that if a Spanish speaker has to guess what es largo they were trivially have a better shot at guessing correctly than an English speaker guessing what "is large" (e.g. if an English speaker has a one in a million shot, a Spanish speaker has a one in 500,000 shot, because roughly half the nouns of Spanish are masculine and half feminine). This means, technically, there's more information in the Spanish sentence than the English sentence, and that information is not represented at all in the English sentence, and is, essentially, unrecoverable. But that "information" is more morphological in nature than semantic.

[from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras]

Do you have any specific idioms that you’ve come up with for Rohan?

Yes! I’ve got a huge mishmash of adages, idioms, little sayings and turns of phrase that I’ve made up over time for use among the Rohirrim. A bunch of them are in old posts, which I can’t locate because Tumblr’s search function is garbage, so here’s just a random helping from memory in all of the above categories:

“Crumbs will do when crumbs must do” (often shortened to just “crumbs will do”). Leftover from the famine of the Long Winter, it means “stop whining and make do with what’s available.”

“The proof is on the tongue.” This refers to the cultural tradition that the way to recognize whether a stranger is a friend or foe is to see if they can speak Rohirric, but it gained added nuance after the reign of Thengel, when he came back from Gondor speaking Sindarin and Westron all the time, which rubbed people back home the wrong way. Now it’s used as sort of a general expression about whether something or someone is genuinely of Rohan.

“Cirion didn’t win alone.” Based on Cirion coming to Eorl to ask for his assistance (which ultimately led to the Oath of Eorl and the founding of Rohan), it means “don’t be too proud to ask for help when you need it.”

“[Person] rides with their hands at their chest.” Proper riding posture has your hands at hip level, but amateurs often end up raising them higher to keep their balance (rather than making the correction in their seat as they should). Basically, this is one of the harshest insults you can fling at someone by insinuating that their horsemanship is bad.

“He’s going to hear Béma’s horn.” Referring to Oromë’s sounding of his great horn as he rode against the servants of Morgoth, it means that someone did something very stupid and now he’s going to face wrath for it.

“The glory of the grass is the glory of the field.” I stole a version of this from one of my favorite books, Matrix by Lauren Groff, but I think it’s perfect for a kingdom of plains and grasslands where collectivism is necessary for survival. One blade by itself is nothing, but a field has shape and substance and beauty. And if your field is not doing well, your personal glory as a single blade is still diminished even if your blade is thriving.

“[Person] has gone with Ácith.” Ácith is the Rohirric name for Béma’s wife. Flowers bloom in her wake, and so they believe that the appearance of simbelmynë on their graves means that she’s been there to escort the dead person on to their after life. So to “go with Ácith” means that someone has died.

I *also* really like thinking about unique words that would exist in Rohirric and not in other languages. I’m already on record as saying that I think they have DOZENS of words for “horse” that recognize different distinctions and nuances that no one else bothers with, but I’ve also speculated that they’ve got words like something that translates directly as “oath honor” and means the pride of having fulfilled your promises/commitments at great personal cost.

I totally LOVE this stuff and could sit around thinking about these all day every day, so if anyone else has examples that they want to throw out there, please do. I would LOVE to see them!

Check out part two here!

[scariusaquarius]

rehab. 40.

Avenger! Bucky Barnes x Winter Soldier! Fem! Reader

Summary: While on a mission to find any more possible super soldiers that were a part of the Winter Soldier program, Steve and Bucky make a discovery in an abandoned HYDRA base that was cleared out a few years prior to their mission. They discover the Reader, a long-forgotten soldier that was still asleep within a functioning cryostasis pod; still awaiting orders. While Bucky isn't happy about it, he is put up to the challenge of helping to rehabilitate the soldier in Wakanda where she may be able to become a person again.

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A/n: I'm so sorry if last chapter felt a bit ooc or counter-productive. It was kind of the point for it to be a big 'wtf' lmfao but hopefully, we'll get some good clarification and THE AVENGERS CAN STOP BEING STUPID. Also, if you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee! If you would prefer to read Rehab on Archive, you may do so right HERE!

This is an au where Bucky joined the avengers but still rehabilitated in Wakanda (sometime before Infinity War [canon divergent cause NOPE]). I am NOT fluent in Russian, so I did use google translate cause I couldn't find a good translator that I trusted. If anything is wrong, PLEASE let me know!! Also, I tried to list as many warnings as possible so you know what the story will contain as chapters are posted. Stay safe!

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Genre: Slowburn, Enemies to Lovers/Friends to Lovers, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Fluff, Humor, Drama, Dark Content Rated: Explicit Warning: Angst, Dark Content: Graphic Depictions of Sexual Assault, Blood and Gore, Mentions of Manipulation, Kidnapping, Canon-Typical Violence, Body Horror, Nonconsensual Body Modification/Scarring, Emotional and Physical Abuse, Mentions of Murder, Mentions of Suicidal Thoughts/Ideation, Graphic Depictions of Human Remains, Mentions of Sexual Coercion/Manipulation, Death, Misuse of Drugs/Forced Drugging, Self-Harm (Graphic Depictions and Mentions), Nightmares

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Author: ScariusAquarius

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rehab masterlist. / rehab masterlist 2. chapter 38 / chapter 39

She didn't know exactly where she had ended up, but she was seated in a garden beneath a tree that was bearing a strange fruit she had never seen before. (Y/n)'s breathing was heavy and labored, and she was beginning to feel cold. The familiar sensation of frost crawling over her body had (Y/n)'s mind reeling with fear and forcing a barrage of voices that she never wanted to hear again breaking through her mind again.

Why would the Avengers do this to her? Why would they send her back? Did her progress, her mission, mean nothing to them? After all of that talk about how things hadn't been her fault, that she was a victim who deserved a chance at a normal life...was it all a lie?

They were just like HYDRA. She should have never trusted them.

Her knees came up to her chest, and she held them tight, sobbing into them softly. However, her ears pricked at the sound of footsteps, and she tensed up. Bucky's voice was quiet, and though she was still suspicious, her head slightly lifted to stare at his legs as he addressed her softly.

"(Y/n)?"

"Go away. I should have never trusted you."

Bucky's heart shattered within his chest, but he didn't relent nor give up. Instead, Bucky sat down on the ground in front of her, and he murmured.

"I'm sorry. I tried to tell them that this was a bad idea, I really did."

His voice was broken, a sadness lacing his words that she hadn't heard before, and it only made her more upset. She cried softly, asking.

"Why do they want to send me back? I...I thought that I was...I was being good...I thought they...they wanted me here...to help me...to...to keep me from HYDRA...what did I do?"

Bucky whispered softly, maneuvering to sit beside her as he replied.

"No, no, baby doll, that's not what they wanted to do."

"That's exactly what they wanted to do! You heard them, and you were going to help!"

She snapped, digging her nails into her arms deep enough to begin bleeding, and Bucky begged her softly.

"Please, look at me for a moment."

Despite her not wanting to, (Y/n) glanced at him from the corner of her eye, swallowing thickly as she shook. Bucky's eyes were downtrodden, a sadness deep within them that swirled like a storm, and she was almost surprised by how much the man looked as though he was a kicked puppy.

"I promise you that we weren't sending you back there because you did something wrong. It's not that at all. I didn't want you to go and I still don't. Hell, I want to fight everyone for even suggesting this."

She whispered after a moment of silence, furrowing her brows with confusion.

"Then why? Why do they hate me?"

It didn't seem possible, but the broken pieces of his heart were ground up into dust as he whispered soothingly, gently placing his hand on hers and rubbing his thumb against her skin comfortingly.

"Doll, nobody hates you. We could never hate you. Would you...be open to listening to me and allow me to explain what was happening?"

His touch was comforting despite the suspicion that (Y/n) wore like a safety net, and she nodded wordlessly.

"We found where the rest of HYDRA is, but we can't destroy them once and for all the way we normally do. HYDRA is always one step ahead, and you and I both know that. The best way to end HYDRA is from within. Shuri thought that you might be able to help with this because unfortunately, I can't. HYDRA knows that I'm no longer under their control, but they don't know that about you for sure."

Bucky took a shaky breath as he watched her face contort slightly into an expression of pain, and Bucky continued.

"Shuri knows that you've been making a lot of progress, and we're all proud of you for that. Shuri only suggested using you for this mission because you've become stable...at least, enough for all of us to trust you to succeed in this."

She became quiet, her lip trembling, and she whispered as she shook her head.

"I don't want to go back there...what if I can't get out...what if...what if I...what if I hurt someone again?"

"That's why I am here."

Strange's voice made (Y/n) jolt a bit, and Bucky whipped his gaze to the man who was standing before them both. (Y/n) looked guarded, curling in on herself more as Strange took a seat in front of (Y/n); a stool manifesting beneath him so he didn't have to sit on the ground.

"I am not here to convince you, but to give you the full truth in its' absolute entirety that you deserve...if you are willing to listen."

(Y/n) didn't give him a verbal response, but her eyes glanced up at him, her trembling lessening by the second. Strange took her gaze as confirmation before he sighed and continued.

"The plan is for you to infiltrate HYDRA, but not to become them again. HYDRA wouldn't think that someone that they see as their own would try to dismantle them. Shuri picking you for this...it's not a judgement...it's trust that you will do what's right."

(Y/n) furrowed her brows, hiding her face slightly behind her arms again as Strange continued.

"If you were to do this, then I would place a ward on your mind that would protect you from HYDRA's reprogramming attempts. I would also put reinforcements in place that would protect your mind and keep you emotionally stable."

(Y/n) frowned slightly, wiping her nose with her arm before she asked quietly.

"Like...like a wall?"

Strange nodded, stating.

"Well, more like a fortress with a very skilled sorcerer on the battlements."

(Y/n)'s lips twitched up slightly, and Strange took it as a good sign.

"But I’m not going to do any of that unless you decide it’s what you want. No tricks. No manipulation. No orders. You say no, and I’ll make damn sure Fury and everyone else hears it loud and clear. No mission is worth tearing you apart again."

(Y/n) was surprised by how firm his voice was, and she whispered to him.

"You...you won't...control me?"

Strange shook his head, his expression becoming steely.

"I would be able to tell what is going on, but there would be no control involved. Just me seeing through your eyes and being able to sense if their programming is getting through."

(Y/n) became quiet as she whispered, her lip trembling as she sniffled.

"I just...I just wanted to be better...to...to make things right."

Bucky's voice was full of conviction as he comforted her, saying carefully.

"You are. You are so much better than any of them."

Strange murmured after a moment of careful consideration.

"Just you saying that tells me that you're way ahead than they think you are. You know what you can handle and what you can't, so this is completely your call. I will not allow them to try to sway you if you say no."

(Y/n) then gave Strange a serious look.

"And if I...if I lose control...would you stop me?"

While Bucky didn't pick up on what (Y/n) was implying, Strange did. His jaw clenched slightly, and Strange nodded.

"In order to ensure the safety of the world, yes. I would."

(Y/n) nodded slightly, and she placed her head into her arms. Clutching her arms, she whispered softly in a broken voice.

"I don't want to hurt anybody...but...but I know...HYDRA...they won't stop. They never will."

(Y/n) then looked back up at Strange with a defeated and dejected look as her eyes became watery again.

"I don't know what to do."

Strange looked torn, unsure of what to do or say. Bucky, in turn, glanced at Strange, and the men both shared a look before Strange sighed and said.

"Do what you think is right, but don't push yourself. I'd really hate to have to get on your bad side."

(Y/n) shook her head slightly.

"I don't...I don't want anybody to be ever again...I don't want to become that again."

Strange comforted her then, reassuring her.

"I wouldn't let you if I can help it. I'd remind you of who you are...make sure to replay the memories that you hold close that way you don't lose sight of that. Especially the pretty woman in the sunlight."

(Y/n) head shot up, her gaze wide and mouth agape, and she asked with disbelief.

"How do you...how do you know about Rebecca?"

Strange smirked then and placed his finger to his head quietly. (Y/n) and Bucky shared a look of disbelief, and (Y/n) swallowed thickly before glancing down at her arms. Bucky then murmured finally, keeping his hand upon her shoulder gently.

"(Y/n), you don't have to do this if you don't want to. Just say the word, and we'll tell Fury to fuck off."

(Y/n) was quiet, her mind seeming to wander before she asked quietly.

"Would...would destroying HYDRA make...make everyone safe?"

Strange shrugged.

"From the current threat, yes, but there's always going to be some group of whackjobs that think they're above everyone and need to make it everyone's problem."

Strange let his words hang in the air before he rose from his conjured seat. The seat disappeared in a flash of golden sparks that made (Y/n)'s eyes widen, and Steve brushed his robes free of invisible dust. He murmured to Bucky, glancing between him and (Y/n).

"I'll give you two a moment."

Bucky nodded, and Strange then looked at (Y/n).

"You wouldn't be alone in this if you agree to go on this mission. Although you wouldn't be able to see you, I'll be with you every step. And I can pull you out at any time that you want to stop."

(Y/n) nodded and Strange opened a portal, the gust of wind from his powers brushing against her face and making the leaves of the plants around her rustle. The golden orange sparks danced around in the air, casting her in a pumpkin glow, and Strange said to her gently before he stepped through the portal.

"Remember the sunlight."

Then, Strange was gone. Silence fell over (Y/n) and Bucky, the weight of the situation falling on each of their shoulders again, and Bucky turned to (Y/n).

"Listen, you don't have to decide right now. Hell, you don't even have to decide at all. If you don't want to do this, then you don't have to, alright?"

(Y/n) bit her lip, furrowing her brows as she whispered.

"But...if I don't, then what if...what if someone gets hurt? What if they try to create another me all over again?"

Bucky was firm as he replied, shaking his head.

"Then we'll fight like hell to stop it. With or without you. This isn't worth losing you."

His words were heavy, carrying a weight that Bucky didn't even realize was there, and (Y/n) wasn't sure what to make of them. She wasn't used to someone being afraid to lose her; the person that she was, not her as a weapon. (Y/n) looked away, shaking her head.

"What if I'm the only one who can?"

Bucky was taken back a bit, clenching his jaw slightly before he stated.

"Then we do this together. Strange and I will be with you the whole time. Strange can remind you of who your are...can make sure that you're shielded and your memories are protected...and in the chance that you start to lose yourself or that you start to think you're alone...I'll be there to guide you back."

Bucky's fingers carefully interlaced with (Y/n), making her glance down at their hands as Bucky affirmed to her softly.

"Together."

(Y/n) bit her lip before her voice became a ghost that was complimented by the subtle breeze within the air.

"I'm scared, Bucky."

Bucky was quiet for a moment before he replied softly.

"I know. Me too."

Doctor Strange's words began to echo through her mind like a whispered mantra, his expression engraved into her brain as he spoke.

Remember the sunlight.

Shifting slowly, (Y/n) slipped out the picture of her and Rebecca, untangling her fingers from Bucky's to ghost her fingers over Rebecca's face, and a sudden memory hit her.

She was sitting on a porch that she recognized to be her Aunt Mavis' house from the picture. It was a sunny day; the heat warming her skin and causing the trinkets within the front garden to cast rainbow-like light against the ground. The breeze was warm, brushing against her face that she remembered hurt from smiling so much.

In the background, (Y/n) could hear children laughing and the voice of her Aunt telling them to stay out of the kitchen. Beside her, Rebecca was sitting on the step with her, her journal open and pen scribbling with an urgent fervor that displayed only excitement.

At the feeling of (Y/n) staring at her, Rebecca looked at her and smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear. The sunlight lit up her face, blue eyes turning into a beautiful whitened gold, and she spoke softly.

"Would you like to see what I've written?"

"Well, yeah. What are you writing?"

Rebecca smiled gently, a somber gaze settling on her face as she replied.

"It's a letter...to my brother. I like to write to him every now and then...force of habit, I suppose."

(Y/n) remembered the way Rebecca stared down at the words on the page before she whispered.

"Sometimes, I'll hear the door open, and though I know it's my husband...but there are nights where I hope that it will be my brother coming home finally."

"Don't think like that! I'm sure James will come home at some point!"

Rebecca looked surprised for a moment before she smiled widely despite the glassy sheen within her blue eyes, chuckling breathlessly.

"You think so? He always was a stubborn fathead."

The girls both giggled before Rebecca handed her journal to (Y/n), and she remembered how beautiful her handwriting was as Rebecca spoke.

"There are times where I find myself hating him for leaving, for not writing more, but with the draft, he didn't have much of a choice. And deep down, I always knew he had a drive to do something right."

"What do you mean?"

"James always looked out for the little guys...even when it didn't benefit him. It's just who he is. Always trying to do the right thing...even when it hurt."

Always trying to do the right thing even when it hurt.

Remember the sunlight.

The memory faded, but that familiar warmth of the sun never left her body; chasing away the frost that had been crawling over her. A feeling was settling into (Y/n)'s chest, one that she didn't really understand no recognize, but she was able to discern that it was something...good.

Her eyes fluttered open slightly, and the Wakandan garden seemed more alive than it had before. Sunbeams were scattered all over, increasing the colors of the flowers and the leaves. In a way, it felt safe.

Rebecca's image stayed within (Y/n)'s mind; burning like a fire that began to roar as (Y/n) began to think.

From the moment that she had begun to remember things and saw the picture of herself from before HYDRA, (Y/n) had felt a strange sensation since. It was a feeling that kept bubbling up in the back of her throat; trying to come out and be understood, but then, (Y/n) hadn't known what it was.

Now, however, it seemed that (Y/n) finally knew what it was.

It was hope.

It wasn't the loud and boisterous hope that many knew. It was gentler; quieter; warmer. It filled her body up with such a raging fire that it was the one thing that was keeping the internal cold away, and even though (Y/n) was still terrified and scared of going back to HYDRA, there was a sense of determination coming over her.

Always trying to do what was right...even when it hurts.

"But what if I fail? What if I never...make things right?"

Steve then gently spoke up, his voice gentle as he looked at (Y/n) the way a brother would their younger sibling.

"You can, and you're going to. Everyone here believes in you and wants to help you achieve that. It's not going to be easy, but even if it's hard, we're going to make it."

And then, another voice reached towards her.

"I...want to be good. I want...I want to be me again."

Sam's lips tugged gently, and he gently rubbed her back, the woman flinching slightly before relaxing for a second, glancing at Sam.

"That's just the first step, which means you're already doing pretty good, little lady."

Then, finally, a comforting voice that had her chest caving in with a feeling of yearning as her mother's voice seemed to whisper to her.

'Hush, now, I'm about to tell you. Even if you find yourself walkin’ through the dark, sweetheart… don’t let it convince you that’s where you’re meant to stay. The darkness and mean people can strip a gal of just about everything, but they can’t touch your heart nor your soul, honey. That part’s yours to keep—and it will always find its way back home."

A giggle, and a shushing noise.

"And, honey, if the world ever tries to make a weapon outta you, you make ‘em sorry they ever laid hands on you in the first place."

When the memory faded, (Y/n) took a moment to stare down at the picture in her hands; vowing to never forget. After a moment of silence, (Y/n) looked up at the garden around her; admiring the environment before she closed her eyes.

For the first time in a long time, (Y/n) took a deep breath, and she began to breathe.

A weight seemed to lift from her shoulders; a conviction coming over her from Steve's honesty, Sam's kindness, and her mother's grace, and she finally didn't feel like a ghost that was stuck between the past and the present.

Instead, (Y/n) began to feel as if she was truly real.

(Y/n) (L/n). Not the Winter Soldier; not a weapon of HYDRA.

Herself.

Suddenly, (Y/n) looked over at Bucky. He was sitting comfortably, a knee bent and his arm resting on top of it. His gaze was gentle; patient and kind.

"Are you alright?

(Y/n) just stared for a moment before she nodded and murmured.

"I...I think I understand now."

A confused expression came over Bucky, tilting his head slightly as he waited for (Y/n) to elaborate, and the woman swallowed thickly before her voice came out; not a tremble or shake twinging her voice as it once had.

"I think I understand now what it means to do right. It's...it's not about victory or loss...it's about trying...even when it's hard. Even when it's terrifying."

(Y/n) bit her lip slightly before she whispered, looking down at the picture within her lap once more.

"I don't want to run anymore. I...I want to do good because...because I can. I know I can...even if I'm still unsure of what that might look like. Even if I forget what the sunlight feels like, I want to remember that I chose to stand in it.”

The tears within her eyes finally fell as she looked back at Bucky.

“If what I’ve known—all that darkness—can help stop them, then I want to try. I want to do what’s right… because I believe I can.”

Bucky was in awe; a mixture of surprise and something akin to pride coming over him, and a small smile graced his lips as he replied firmly, his fingers brushing down her arm to clasp her hand within his metal one.

"Then I'm with you till the end of the line."

-

STORY NOTES: The scene opens with (Y/n) in a Wakandan garden in the midst of a panic attack. She is angry and in disbelief, questioning why the Avengers would suggest this of her. (Y/n) is feeling betrayed, and she begins to think that she should have never trusted the Avengers and likens them to HYDRA. Bucky comes to comfort her, but (Y/n) is reluctant, telling him to 'go away'. Bucky is remorseful, and pleas with her to hear him out that he tried to convince the Avengers not to go through with asking her to infiltrate HYDRA. (Y/n) begins to ask Bucky why the Avengers would do this, and she states that she thought that she was doing better and that they wanted her to heal. She begins to believe that she has done something wrong, and Bucky is quick to tell her that they didn't want to send her back to HYDRA because they were giving up on her or that she did anything wrong. (Y/n), however, does not believe him.

Bucky begs (Y/n) to look at him, and when she does, she is taken back by how sad Bucky looks. Bucky then says reaffirms that the Avengers did not want to send her to HYDRA just to send her back. He tells her that he didn't want her to go, and (Y/n) then asks why the Avengers 'hate' her. Bucky is completely shattered by this question, and he asks (Y/n) if she would be willing to hear him out. She agrees, and Bucky begins to explain how the Avengers have located the rest of HYDRA. However, he notes that the Avengers can't go after the HYDRA the way that they always have because HYDRA always seems to be a step ahead. Bucky tells (Y/n) that Shuri thought that (Y/n) would be able to help because Bucky is unable to. He makes sure to mention that Shuri knows that (Y/n) has been making incredible progress with her rehabilitation and Shuri thought that she would be stable enough to carry out such a mission.

(Y/n) is skeptical and asks Bucky about the hypothetical of her hurting someone, and Strange makes his presence known. Strange tells (Y/n) that he isn't there to convince her to say yes, but rather to tell her the entire truth about the Avengers' mission. (Y/n) is willing to listen, and Strange begins to explain the potential plan to her. He reassures her that if (Y/n) were to accept the mission, then Strange would place magic wards and reinforcements to keep her mind in-tact and protected from any further traumatic experiences (i.e. shutting her mind down during torture, etc). (Y/n) questions if it would be like a wall, and Strange essentially agrees. He then reassures (Y/n) that he would not do anything unless he had her explicit consent and she was sure that she wanted to do the mission, and (Y/n) clarifies that Strange wouldn't control her. Strange tells her that he would be able to see through her eyes, but no control would be involved. (Y/n) suddenly states that she wanted to be better and make things right, and Bucky tells her that she is 'better than any of them'. Strange says after careful consideration of his words that her stating she wants to be better tells him that she is, and that she knows what she can handle. Therefore, the mission is completely her call.

(Y/n) asks Strange that if she lost control if he would stop her, meaning kill her, and Strange agrees reluctantly. (Y/n) tells Strange that she doesn't want to hurt anybody, but she understands that HYDRA will not stop. She then becomes vulnerable, telling Strange that she isn't sure what to do. Strange tells her to do what she thinks is right. (Y/n) becomes anxious, telling Strange that she doesn't want to become the Winter Soldier again, and Strange reassures her that he wouldn't let that happen. He makes sure to mention Rebecca, and (Y/n) is surprised by this. She asks how Strange knows about her, but Strange just gestures to his head to imply his magic. Then, Bucky tells (Y/n) that she doesn't have to do anything that she doesn't want to, and (Y/n) asks if destroying HYDRA would make everyone safe. Strange agrees, but adds that it would be until the next set of villains decide to show themselves. Strange offers to give Bucky and (Y/n) a moment alone, but cryptically tells her to 'Remember the Sunlight' before he leaves.

Bucky repeats that (Y/n) doesn't have to do the mission, but (Y/n) asks him that if she doesn't, then what if something bad happens. She is worried that HYDRA will try to create another Winter Soldier, and Bucky tells her that the Avengers would do everything in their power to stop HYDRA with or without her. (Y/n), however, asks what if she's the only one who can stop HYDRA, and Bucky states that they would do it together with Strange. He reassures her that he would be with her every step of the way, and (Y/n) reveals that she is scared. Bucky reveals that he is as well, and suddenly, Strange's cryptic message begins to play in her mind. Suddenly, (Y/n) begins to have a memory of her and Rebecca sitting on the porch of her Aunt Mavis' house. She remembers that her and Rebecca were writing together, and that Rebecca was writing a letter to Bucky out of habit. Rebecca opens up to (Y/n) about hoping that Bucky would come home someday, and she goes on to tell (Y/n) about how Bucky always had a drive to do what was right and fight for those who couldn't fight for themselves even when it hurt.

The words strike a chord within (Y/n), and she suddenly realizes that the feeling that kept settling within her since she arrived to Wakanda was hope, and she remembers Steve's words of encouragement that she could make things right and that she wouldn't fail in her mission to become rehabilitated. She then remembers Sam's words to her that her acknowledging she wants to be herself again was the first step and that she was already doing good. Then, (Y/n) remembers her mothers words about not allowing herself to sit within the darkness and that her heart will always find its way home. Moreover, that if the world tried to make her a weapon, that she make the world regret doing so.

(Y/n) comes out of the barrage of memories, and she tells Bucky that she thinks that she finally understands what it means to 'do right'. She says that it's not about victory or loss, but the matter of trying even with it's hard and terrifying. She tells Bucky that she no longer wants to run from HYDRA and that she wants to do good because she can; even if she doesn't understand what that looks like. She states that even if she forgets what the sunlight is, she wants to remember that she chose to stand in it. Finally, she states that if her time in HYDRA can help her to take them down, then she wants to try because she believes that she can do what is right. Bucky is moved by her words, becoming proud, and he simply tells her that he is with her until the end of the line. End scene.

TRANSLATIONS:

None

TAGGING: @mggslefttit @softpia @thebl00dwyrm @buckvoidsyy @chonkybonky @seemsxsketchy @tilldeathripsusapart @vicmc624 @mgchaser @aash3 @samfunko @seventeen-x @valckenaux @babybeeelle @sc4rrc @cjand10 @bane-y-zane @notsostrangerthing @thenameswinter99 @bumblebeebutter @torntaltos @highhopes1008

[weenwrites]

Can I have a cybertronian S/O with TFP Shockwave who’s really REALLY into weaponry and is really invested in his canon arm? Like, analysing and taking notes and asking questions about it, even manoeuvring it to look it up and down but carefully enough to not distract from his work (when he’s working at least)

[ Please do not repost, plagiarize, or use my writing for AI! Translating my work with proper credit is acceptable, but please ask first! ]

"Ooh, a vented barrel shroud—or perhaps that's a compensator?"

Y/N leaned over his shoulder here and there, observing the new device as they strode here and there to fetch all the necessary tools to assist him with the new upgrade.

Shockwave reached for the ammunition belt and and detached it from his arm, setting the end of the cord down on the table before he answered, "A fusion of the two devices, in order to ensure that my armament works to its fullest capacity with minimal interference due to recoil or muzzle movement."

"Both in one?" They repeated, passing him a tool as he held his hand out, before laying the rest out all over the table, "Given all your preexisting modifications, I feel like you're going to get less of a return with each new change to your hand gun."

"The law of diminishing returns indeed renders the percentage of the return into an infinitesimal value." He confirmed, attaching the device with ease before tilting it here and there to observe the weapon as a whole, "As such, any further efforts to improve the firearm would prove futile."

"Would? Let me guess, you've already made some ground-breaking discovery that will drastically improve its performance, haven't you?"

"Your hypothesis is a gross exaggeration, yet you are correct." He picked a device from the sea of tools in front of him, "I have engineered a device that will increase fuel efficiency and decrease the time spent reloading the gun, thus increasing the number of shots fired per round of ammo supplied by the ammunition belt."

"And you don't have to make any sacrifices for it? No switching out parts or anything?" They asked as he simply began to install the device without a hitch.

"No, it functions in conjunction with the rest of my modifications seamlessly." He held his hand out, and naturally they passed him the correct tool he needed.

"You have to make me a gun just like that one day. I won't accept anything less if you're planning on making me your official conjunx endurae somewhere in the future." They joked.

"You say that as though I would not give you the magnum opus of my work, that notion is illogical." He momentarily set his tool down and met their gaze, "As my equal, you will be given gifts naturally appropriate for someone of your caliber. Anything less would constitute as unacceptable."

"And here people say that you don't have a way with words!" Y/N smiled bashfully, "ah, they just can't understand your mind the way I do."

[thedwarrowscholar]

How would a dwarf introduce themselves? Among other dwarves and among outsiders? And if a dwarf does not know their parents? (I love everything you do - it genuinely blows me away you have managed to come up with all this)

Well met!

Firstly, thank you kindly for the warm words — it really means a lot. And thank you for your patience as this reply found its way up from the deeper layers of the archive — it would seem that some questions, like mithril, must lie hidden deep before they gleam in the light once more.

Now, on to your question!

The way a Dwarf introduces themselves is closely tied to both cultural tradition and situational context. Much like the careful forging of a axe, no element of their self-presentation is accidental — every name, title, and word is chosen with precision and purpose.

🪓 Among Fellow Dwarves:

In formal or ceremonial contexts, a Dwarf’s introduction typically follows a set pattern:

Outer-name, followed by patronymic (or multiples ones), title, and occasionally a clan or lineage reference.

For example:

“Thorin, son of Thráin, son of Thrór, King under the Mountain” (he might even add “of Durin’s Folk.”)

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson's film trilogy adaptation of The Hobbit

This is not just a matter of pride — it’s identity, legacy, and belonging, all in one breath. Among kin, especially those of status or in situations of importance (clan councils, oaths, or legal disputes), it would be customary — even expected — to name one’s line.

In more casual or familiar settings among fellow Dwarves, a shortened version may suffice:

“Balin, son of Fundin.”

But even then, omitting one’s parentage entirely would be considered odd — perhaps even impolite — unless there is a known reason.

Your inquiry also touches upon a fundamental aspect of Dwarven culture—the significance of ancestry and how it is conveyed in language.​

Usage of the "-ul" Suffix in Lineage:

In Khuzdul, the suffix "-ul" serves multiple functions, one of which is to denote lineage. This is exemplified in the inscription on Balin's tomb: "Balin Fundinul," which translates to "Balin, son of Fundin." The "-ul" suffix here signifies "son of," linking Balin directly to his father, Fundin.

Balin's Tomb as seen in LoTRO (the second line being "Fundinul")

It's noteworthy that while many Semitic languages distinguish between "son of" and "daughter of" through different terms (e.g., Hebrew uses "ben" for son and "bat" for daughter), Khuzdul employs the "-ul" suffix universally for both sons and daughters. This uniformity would align with the Dwarves' cultural emphasis on privacy and their protective nature regarding their kin, especially their women. By using a single suffix for both genders, Dwarves maintain a level of discretion about familial relationships, reflecting their secretive tendencies.

🌐 Among Outsiders:

Dwarves are famously reserved when it comes to personal matters, particularly outside their own kind. So among total outsiders, introductions tend to be far more restrained. One might share only the outer-name, or the outer-name and patronymic if some formality is required:

“Gimli, son of Glóin.”

And that, frankly, is more generosity than most strangers would earn. Unless they represent their clan at a meeting with outsiders, then the full formal lineage would no doubt be included.

It’s worth noting that while modern depictions have gifted Dwarves with a Scottish brogue and a certain loud-mouthed cheer, Tolkien’s Dwarves were anything but casual with such things. The inner-name, for instance — that sacred name given at birth and known only to the Dwarf and their closest kin — was never shared publicly, and certainly never used in an introduction. To do so would be to bare the soul.

❓And What of a Dwarf Without Known Parents?

Ah, now here lies a more delicate matter — though not a shameful one. Even without known parentage, a Dwarf’s worth is measured in more than blood alone. A Dwarf without known parentage — whether orphaned, fostered, or otherwise — might substitute a guild, mentor, or place of upbringing in place of a patronymic. It would still serve to root them in the stone of their making, so to speak.

For example:

“Narin, of Thorin’s Halls.” “Varni son of the Last Erebor Grand Mason.” “Lornis, raised by the Stonehewers of Steadmere.”

Alternatively, a Dwarf might take on an earned title or epithet in lieu of lineage — a practice often seen among warriors or craftsmen of note. These names reflect deeds rather than bloodlines:

“Walli the Hammerfast” “Brogni Stone-hand” “Hanni the Flame-tempered”

In such cases, identity is forged in action, not ancestry — still a source of pride, but of a different kind.

So, in summary:

Among wide kin, or when in formal situations, introductions are rich in family and clan context. Among everyday outsiders, they are brief, sometimes guarded. In the absence of known family, a Dwarf will root their identity in a guild, hall, profession, or earned name. Always with pride. Always with purpose.

Ever at your service, The Dwarrow Scholar

[gallifreyinstituteforlearning]

I know we have the circular Gallifreyan language, but do we have any pinyin like examples of Gallifreyan words? Also what language is primarily spoken by the populous since there’s several different types of Gallifreyan

What Gallifreyan words do we know?

We don't have very many. The problem is that Gallifreyan languages were never really designed for easy translation because, subtextually, many Gallifreyan words are impossible for humans to pronounce.

Gallifreyan languages are also layered, poetic, and sometimes have magical subtext that will literally rewrite your DNA. But! We do have a few written examples of Gallifreyan words like pinyin – aka, they give us Earth-based phonetic clues:

Arkytior – rose (Old High)

D'Arvit – a curse word, unspecified (likely Modern Low)

Gallifrey – they that walk in shadows (probably Ancient)

Gjara'vont – of darkest thought

Karn – winter (Old High)

Meyopapa – master

Mi'en Kalarash – blue fire (possibly Old High, could be metaphorically or ironically named)

Osuda – Fate (Ancient or Old)

Swowana – possibly snow

Tegorak – black mountain

Toclafane – a catch-all for bogeymen

Which Gallifreyan language is actually spoken?

The quick answer is Modern High Gallifreyan.

However, Gallifreyans don't just have one language—they have an entire linguistic caste system. Here's the basic family tree (Ancient, Neo, Sollifreyan are all theoretical):

📜 Old Gallifreyan

Old Low – Rooted in Ancient Gallifreyan phonics, it's the 'default' old Gallifreyan for general ye olde Gallifreyan chit-chat, packed with lots of swear words and probably lots of words for farming. ⤷Modern use: Unlikely anyone speaks it. Being Low, it's the language of the lower classes, so therefore, it is of no interest to Gallifreyan academics. 

Old High – Rooted in Ancient Gallifreyan phonics but far more complex, it's a language for the developing scientists and aristocracy of Gallifrey. It's attached to the Dark Times, so it holds coded powers. It is used in grimoires. If conjugated wrong, it could blow up a small moon. There are 10,000,000 letters in its alphabet and a lot of them look quite Greek. ⤷Modern use: Gallifreyan language experts at the top of their game probably know a fair amount. It's on the Time Academy syllabus as one of the more difficult subjects.

💬 Modern Gallifreyan

Modern Low – Related heavily to Old Low Gallifreyan, this would have developed alongside Modern High as the language of the lower classes, retaining its swear words and slang forms that the upper classes despise. It has however moved on to accommodate more mathematical principles and Time-related language and has 1,000,000 characters. ⤷Modern use: None of the elite in the Capitol would be interested in this, however, it's likely members of the lower classes living in the lowtown or as outsiders will know this language and use it fairly often.

Modern High – AKA the familiar 'circular Gallifreyan' (although it's been written in other forms, too). An incredibly secure language that's difficult for non-speakers to decode, and even the TARDIS has problems translating it for other species, which is why companions never see the TARDIS monitor in their native language. Posh, polite and functional, it's the one seen most regularly. ⤷Modern use: Spoken as the 'default' language of the Capitol in pre and during Time War Gallifrey.

🏫 So ...

We don't have much, but a few phonetic words exist. We also know that the most commonly spoken language is Modern High Gallifreyan—especially in the Capitol—although one day I'll tell you about the rest.

Related:

💬|🗣️👽Can humans/non-Gallifreyans learn to speak Gallifreyan?: How possible it would be to see a human speaking Gallifreyan.

💬|🗣️🤬Do Time Lords have their own curse words?: Taking you through all the bad words/phrases of Gallifrey.

💬|🗣️✍️How do Time Lords write coordinates?: How coordinates get written and work in TARDISes.

Hope that helped! 😃

Any orange text is educated guesswork or theoretical. More content ... →📫Got a question? | 📚Complete list of Q+A and factoids →📢Announcements |🩻Biology |🗨️Language |🕰️Throwbacks |🤓Facts → Features:⭐Guest Posts | 🍜Chomp Chomp with Myishu →🫀Gallifreyan Anatomy and Physiology Guide (pending) →⚕️Gallifreyan Emergency Medicine Guides →📝Source list (WIP) →📜Masterpost If you're finding your happy place in this part of the internet, feel free to buy a coffee to help keep our exhausted human conscious. She works full-time in medicine and is so very tired 😴

[haru-dipthong]

Fansub release + translation notes for Utena ep 32

I thought I might do an entire post about just one exchange in this translation. It’s the most important part of the episode, and Anya and I made an effort to align timezones so we could talk about it. Much of the credit for this analysis goes to Anya. Getting their interpretation on what’s happening here narratively was so helpful and the translation wouldn’t have been possible without it. It’s this:

Utena: そんなことは重要なのか？形はどうあれ、思いがあれば。。。 Nanami: あんたは信じていればいいわ！その思いの結末を！

When translated literally, it seems to make little sense

Utena: Is that really important? Whatever shape it takes, if there is love/feelings… Nanami: If you want to believe*, fine! *In that love’s conclusion!

There is a lot of vagueness in the phrasing here. Is Nanami talking about “that love’s conclusion” being incest? Or is she talking about it being an ego trap? How letting herself be consumed by love for Touga made her shed her own identity, which is what this duel is about: making a new identity for herself that isn’t tied to Touga.

But beyond those two simultaneously true interpretations of what Nanami is talking about, the vagueness has another function. Looking back at the egg episode, which highlights the importance of sexual education for kids and teens, we know that Nanami doesn’t even understand the concept of sex. Her lack of understanding of sex and her body is the point of the episode. Nanami is being vague here because she doesn’t have the words to describe what she saw. “I can’t even say it… It’s too horrible,” she tells Touga in the car.

The vagueness is incredibly important, so the translation needs to preserve that.

I’m using the asterisk above to show that the “in that love’s conclusion” bit is referring to what Nanami thinks Utena “should believe in”. When translated literally, all the meaning conveyed by word order and tone/delivery gets kind of lost, but she’s saying “oh sure, you go ahead and believe in that love’s natural conclusion, you naive idiot” or “Why don’t you try believing that and see where that love ends up!” She’s saying “you can afford to believe that. you haven’t seen what I’ve seen”.

Let’s take a look at another translation, from the dub of the internet archive files:

Utena: Does there have to be a bond? Whatever the form, as long as the feelings are there… Nanami: Believe it if you want! I know where those feelings lead!

As you can see, they translate 思い as “feelings”. But I really think “love” is a better translation in this context. Of course, 思い can mean “feelings” as in “what about my feelings?” (ep 24), but we’ve also seen it mean “love” in another key Utena line (ep 7):

奇跡を信じて。思いは届くと。

Believe in miracles, and your love will be returned.

Utena and Nanami are both obviously talking about her love for Touga, and to call it “feelings” doesn’t have the same punch to it. And Anya and I agreed that this line needs to PUNCH. It needs to be horrifying — this is the culimination of Nanami’s arc, and the height of her emotions and desperation. Her final line here needs to hit hard whether its interpreted as her horror at real incest, or her desire to be her own person.

This is also why I translated Nanami’s final line quite differently from how the above translation did. I looked at what she was really saying, and tried to find the most gut wrenching, emotional way to phrase it.

In the end, this was the final translation:

Utena: Does it really matter? Whatever you call it, as long as it’s love… Nanami: Of course you’d believe that! You don’t know where that love leads!

Obviously a huge thanks has to go to @dontbe-lasanya for your editing, especially with this line!

Follow the blog for new episodes as they're released. You can find all the episodes released so far here:

Rose divider taken from this post.

[caineinthecorner]

Language (The Demon Brothers)

★ Based on my language general hcs. Part 2 is here.

Hi. Today we have the demon brothers language hcs, brought to you by a single dumbass bilingual. :D

I include mentions of bilingual/multilingual MC, but I use the term MC and you interchangeably in the bullet points. It's the same thing who cares (you can also add whatever languages you think fit I am just going off vibes tbh)

★ Lucifer.

Since he was the strongest and highest ranked out of the brothers, his innate abilities were muddled the least.

This is to say that he remembers a lot from his innate knowledge as an angel, and can actually fare incredibly well on his own if you leave him in the human realm.

(the language he preferred back in his angel days was Archaic Latin, which is also Simeon's preferred language)

When Diavolo brought up the idea of the human exchange program he was like "(: ok" and binged human language for like two months straight like a total psychopath

He's like one of those fancy 10+ languages fluent polyglots (how)

Despite his fluency, it is rare to ever see him speak them. He has better things to do and prefers demon tongue.

Or if he does, the Loquar Ad Vos that was applied to you once you arrived in Devildom doesn't allow you to hear it.

You try to swear in your native language around him and oh boy it backfires

That is how you learn he's fluent in everything under the sun (exaggeration)

Frustrated, you grumble that you will learn demon tongue just to one up him

He takes it like a challenge. Enjoy reading a million books on the demonic language and having double the homework for your little joke.

(he gives you hard material to learn on purpose to see you fail. Enjoy hell buckoo. Double hell? Hell²)

You kept misspelling good morning in demon tongue as a demonic death threat and that somehow turned into an inside joke between the two of you.

He has to keep himself from chuckling whenever MC screws up words

Your accent is lovely though. Keep it up

★ Mammon.

Spanish and English.

Ok I actually can't justify myself further than "Mams would absolutely fucking go to Vegas" and the fact that USA has a large Latino population but hear me out

You cannot tell me that he would not watch telenovelas. Like. C'mon.

he has the vibes of a Spanish speaker is what I am saying

he was SO frustrated about having to learn human languages you have no idea

In fact he probably still struggles a bit and that makes him really mad

Why is it so complicated all of the sudden?! It wasn't complicated Before!

He unconsciously associates human languages with the trauma of the fall, and the stress and hurt and turbulent emotions it conveys

So learning new languages besides the two he knows is a touchy subject for him

(but like, he will learn MC's native language despite this. Whining to hell about it, but he will. Everything for MC)

You are actually very lucky that you have Loquar Ad Vos with you, bcs he actually switches from demon tongue to either English or Spanish mid sentence sometimes.

Not that you notice with your crusty translator (Loquar also works for human languages it supports), of course.

"Ayo can you [Spanish phrase], oh and give me a [English word], for a [spanglish nonsense]" <- Mammon's dumbass not functioning in trilingual

Also he has an accent but he's trying

The others are used to it so they don't question it anymore, but they deadass could not understand Mammon at some point because trilingual was not computing

It was frustrating to say the least

You two play charades with each other when the other forgets a word in your respective languages

"MC WHAT'S THE NAME OF THE ANIMAL FUCK THAT CHANGES HOME" "... Hermit crab?" "THATS THE BITCH"

★ Leviathan.

Japanese (very decent) and English (bad) are musts.

You cannot tell me for a second this fuck watches anime subbed OR dubbed. He's too weeb for that. He will watch the original dub version for the full emotional impact

He wanted to know what happens in the weeb world of the west (and internet discourse), so he learned English through shitty 2000s anime forums and Duolingo

Probably plays Duolingo competitively and/or cries if he loses his streak

His hearing and speaking English is okay, his writing is literally so so shit

Tried to learn a romantic language to be corny but failed miserably.

(He steered clear of languages his brothers know so he isn't self conscious)

It was probably Portuguese or something since Mammon kept talking about being good at figuring it out as a Spanish speaker (due to it being a romantic language)

The diacritical marks killed him on the spot

Meu português não é bom... (crying)

Victim of the you're* corrections

Runs his several-paragraphs-long rants about weeb stuff through Satan so the grammar is legit

Actually thinking about it would be absolutely fucking hilarious if he knew russian just for funsies. Yeah add Russian to the list

He sends you crusty Russian memes at unholy hours in the morning. Calls that bonding

Would absolutely swear in loud ass Russian while playing Valorant or smt

"ПИЗДЕЦ" "LEVI IT'S 2AM SHUT THE FUCK UP"

Ah + he knows Morse code (obviously). He was really excited when he discovered it and proceeded to obsess over it for like three weeks straight.

Although by the time he learned about it humans had already moved on from its wide-spead use at sea (post-1999), the Devildom Navy adapted Morse code for their own use as per Levi's command.

He teaches MC how to use Morse code (bashfully) and they send lil' messages to each other for fun

★ Satan.

He inherited a good chunk of Lucifer’s angel-knows-all-languages innate talents.

He doesn't have the angel knowledge of every language, of course, but he definitely has a really high count since birth; Unlike his brothers who had to relearn their languages of interest.

However, he can tell™ that the topic of languages is kinda taboo-y, as it signifies the traumatic fall he himself was not there to witness, and kept quiet about it.

The others (mostly) think he just learned languages in his free time.

He is the designated google translate person. When the other brothers need translations, they ask him.

He gets very frustrated when he has to translate something on the spot

Absolutely knows Chinese and Latin just to read fancy old human books and be a menace about it

He has a copy of the Art Of War in Chinese I will fight you on that

Actually he probably owns every important human book in its native language

Culprit of the you're* corrections

If he has to read another thesis-length essay abt weeb shit by leviathan he will actually lose his shit

You know the Voynich manuscript? He's probably trying to decode it for funsies.

If you and him (unfortunately) share a language, he will absolutely correct the living shit out of you when you speak it

Look me in the eyes and tell me he wouldn't "erm ACtuAllY" MC. You can't.

His ass does not understand slang. At all. You tell him See You Later Alligator and he'll be like "tf you smoking ಠಿ⁠_⁠ಠ?"

★ Asmodeus.

French. And Korean. Maybe very mid English.

Ok so french is the language of lOVe and whatever + Korea is known for their heavy beauty-focused culture

I can see Asmo definitely picking up Korean just for makeup and self care brands purposes.

Like it is easier to browse for products he wants if he can actually browse the original places/websites himself

It's just more convenient and he's actually very good at language learning

+ Korean it is a "cutesy" language so it fits his vibe.

Like he absolutely would go "안녕 teehee (⁠ ⁠ꈍ⁠ᴗ⁠ꈍ⁠)" to look disarming is what I am saying

He flirts to hell with Solomon in French. It is a language they both know and isn't supported by Loquar for translation so nobody can snoop their conversations

If you have the misfortune of knowing French I am so sorry for you bcs they are NASTY

Solomon is teaching him English. Asmo fakes being bad at it on purpose

★ Beelzebub.

He knows a decent amount of English.

What does he use it for? Order food. Obviously.

In fact everyone kinda assumes he just knows a few food orders and that's it but no he's actually very decent at English (borderline fluent)

He learned through clunky conversation with small restaurant owners

Beel actually makes a great effort to enunciate every word clearly, so he doesn't like speaking long sentences

"Would you like Salsa with that, sweetheart?" "... Yes," <- Beel has no fucking clue wtf salsa is but it tastes good so who is he to defy food gods (a nice Mexican grandma with a killer Pozole) whom have blessed him

I also think he would probably know some kind of sign language

Fingerspelling maybe, solely because it allows him to talk while having his mouth full or bcs his games are loud and he can't hear words very well

That and, like, the Devildom equivalent of sign language. DSL or something.

Look at him. Absolute sweetheart. He would absolutely want to include deaf or hard of hearing ppl.

★ Belphegor.

Ok so

I am going to be very fr with you

I believe Belphie would be the only monolingual (demon tongue "native") of the brothers

at most he would remember a few phrases of a few languages from back when he was an angel, but not any specifics

Like this dude has ZERO interest in human culture I cannot think he would sit down to (re)learn anything

he would fall asleep trying to learn human verbs actually

He only knows how to tell you to fuck off on 4 languages (/hj)

None which you speak. So that's kinda awkward

He doesn't know how to cast Loquar (nor has any interest in learning how)

Beel casts it for him if he needs it

He can and will deadass just remove the translator spell from you if you try to annoy/interact with him (except if Beel is who casts it on you).

(so Beel now also casts Loquar for you)

Begone >:(