#of them being with other people. as part of a story especially

[madelinenerdfighter]

Please can the Communists take away my bad air.

Today 54 pm2

At is worst 90pm2

I live in social housing in BC Canada. This has been going on since august. Now taking them to the residential tenancy board who seem to be taking it seriously as they triage the hearing much earlier than is normal.

It's making me so sick. Before they put me on mega doses of antihistamines this happened

Ventilation ductwork has not been cleaned in the 27 years that I've lived here

I have to keep the heat off or it sucks up the bad air through the walls. I have to keep my window and balcony door open. Temperature inside my apartment

There's more terrible to the story, but I think that sums up why I definitely want the Communists to take away my bad air!

Also please can the communists also take away my bullying property portfolio manager as well? Rather than deal with what was clearly a bad air issue before my air got bad this is the notice he sent to the whole building populated by low income seniors and persons with disabilities under the guise of protecting people's right to enjoy their apartment rather than buying a vowel and realizing that the sudden increase in complaints means the there is something wrong with the valentilation system.

FYI marijuana is legal here and it is designated is allowing smoking inside residents apartments. Also FYI I am very allergic to all these substances, but even so thought this was a ridiculous notice especially considering it was the middle of summer, beyond hot, and this is a population that can't afford air conditioners

Notice reads on pale pink paper like that makes it okay:

dear residents

(bold) RE unacceptable behavior marijuana tobacco smoke and other substances smoke

Recently our office received at several complaints regarding the strong smell of marijuana as well as tobacco smoke emanating from some of the suites into the common areas of the building and property. Another problem that was brought to our attention is the issue of some tenants smoking tobacco marijuana and other substances with open windows/doors

I would like to remind to all tenants that this behavior is clearly taking away from the other residents their right to have enjoyment of their homes and / or property as it creates public nuisance. Please note this unacceptable behavior may result in and steps being taken to end tenancy

If you wish to discuss this forever you can contact me at, redacted

Sincerely, redacted

So yes, can the Communists please come take away this ppm who has confused property portfolio manager with a feudal Lord

Especially as I've been dealing with fighting for survival. Info in petition

Bad air on top of that is more than I have in me. It's breaking me. And for low-income people like me especially low income disabled people the extra Health pressure and the extra energy of dealing with unhealthy housing situations on top of not being able to get basic supports can be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

The communists want to take away YOUR MOLD

[threeacttragedy]

Entry 19: The One Where I Perform Mis-Directed as a Three Act Comedy, Act II

“Before you started the bumpers cars act, for the record unless you’re eight years old trying to make your dolls kiss, smashing your teeth together is not an ideal approximation of romance.”

“And [Hattie’s] gaze fell to [Anthony’s], felt as if somehow it was attached to his, as if there were filaments between them hooking together every time their glances connected.”

“Maybe there had already been the faintest glimmer of this horrifying attachment even then. His first steps on a map to a very unexpected destination but somehow it still felt as if there’d been no warning at all. As if a thousand insignificant moments and incidents had quietly woven together until one day he’d turned and he’d fallen and he’d been caught by a net of those impossibly unbreakable threads which he hadn’t realized existed.”

“…[Anthony] was not a touchy-feely person… But when he and Hattie, when their characters had kissed each other into the wall, he’d almost purred against her like a damn cat.”

“It was a closed set this morning so thankfully a very minimal number of crew personnel…On the flip side, the team reserved this level of set closure, basically a skeleton crew, for only the most explicit scenes and semi-nudity.”

“But she never had to worry in the past about being more involved in the dance than she ought to be. Not once had she arranged herself in a castmate’s arms and felt as if they were doing something truly, genuinely intimate…"

“Quite clearly the issue here was her scene partner and the potential for an amped up repeat of what had happened last time. Hard nipples, damp thighs, and a heart trying to burst out of her chest, all from a fully clothed screen kiss. This time, they’d both be all but naked, writhing on a bed, gasping, grinding, sighing.”

“This mattress feels very sturdy.”

“The moment Iris bounces him into the mattress in episode 8..."

“If millions of people were going to watch her ride Anthony like a mechanical bull…”

“Stevie pointed at the ornate mirror near the bed. Her gesture a spectacular symphony of sarcasm. ‘As your pre-seduction routine appears to involve a great deal of hair flicking and smokey glances at yourself, have at it.’”

“Are you looking for something?”

“‘Falling buckets,’ Hattie said. ‘Or collapsing bedframes or beams coming loose…’”

“…when the floorboard beneath [Anthony’s] boot performed a preemptive strike. The wood tilted inwards, just enough to throw off his footing…and his full body weight surged forward. She could see later in hindsight that he had attempted to both shield her head and not crush her underneath him…"

“Anthony landed on his knees with a painful grunt but had barely hit the floor before he was at her side, touching the back of her head and her shaking shoulders. She just had time to register a little too much cool air on the backs of her thighs, then he was smoothing her skirts down protecting what remained of her dignity in an automatic gesture.”

“’Gentle, this bit,’ [Stevie] said. “Romantic, soft.”

“But in the ways that mattered, especially in the context of an intimate scene and the scripts that they all dreaded most, he’d been surprising. If she wanted to expand into the territory of actual truth, he’d been the most confusing, unsettling, and fun scene partner she’d had in four years.”

“They were still holding hands. They realized this simultaneously and let go immediately.”

“’She’s my baby,’ [Cassidy] explained as she turned the key in the ignition. ‘The first thing I ever treated myself to with my own money, and she’s been with me for the whole crazy ride.’ She patted the gear box fondly. ‘I could never part with Penelope.’”

When discussing the underdog love story on Leicester Square, Hattie commented, “If she were a viewer, she’d be shipping them hard.”

While Anthony and Hattie were looking at gravestones, one caught Hattie’s eye…

“The dates here coincided with the time period of Leicester Square… Below the words was a symbol of a V-shaped flying dove. At first glimpse, it strongly resembled two raised fingers.”

While reminiscing about growing up, Hattie recalled, “...her mother reading aloud to her from a battered old copy of The Magic Faraway Tree.”

“’Do you remember the day we first met,’ [Hattie] asked suddenly."

“In all honesty, no. His early days on various TV and film sets had all blurred into an archived jumble of long hours, interchangeable costars, despised hotel living. As difficult as it was to imagine now, he had no distinct memory of the very first time he had ever seen Hattie. Although, he might have a vague recollection of earrings shaped like miniature garden gnomes. He did, however, have a crystal-clear memory of the first time he’d actually seen Hattie with all that the emphasis on that word implied.”

“She’d obviously read the ‘no’ in his expression, and her smile widened.”

“’It was a Tuesday morning at Malvern Abbey.’”

“And now she felt excessively wrong sharing close whispering breaths with Patrick especially with Anthony sitting on a folding chair a few meters behind the camera awaiting his queue to slip in for the daydream portion of the scene, and currently watching their every move. His pose was typically lazy, one boot crossed over the other, his fingers tapping on the arm of the chair, but he hadn’t looked away from them once. Something in his demeanor had the usually easy-going Patrick antsy as hell, probably the twitching eyelid.”

“’A definite improvement,’ Stevie’s voice came from behind them, very dryly. ‘And if we’d actually started shooting yet, we could probably call it a day.’”

[neon-zipperooni]

in light of the new costume implying some things.. boy howdy, here comes a hot take, the crk fandom needs to understand the prospect of shadow milk being redeemed is not the end of the world

cookie run rarely even does redemption stories, the only big example of villainous characters being redeemed is in ovenbreak with lotus dragon cookie's growth and lychee dragon cookie building up to a redemption, which while i think on lotus's end it was kinda rushed they've been handling lychee very well, so its not like redemption stories in cookie run are "overdone" (also im sick of the "nooo im tired of redemptions" argument when 1. not everyone is, i personally love a good redemption story and 2. there are plenty of villains out there who are plain evil with no redemption, it's not a dying genre)

also it would be way more interesting than the more obvious resolution to the beast storyline of just sealing them away again, i think finding a way to appeal to the shreds of.. humanity? cookiemanity? still within them is a much more interesting narrative and lends itself to more stories to potentially tell with these five very interesting characters. and there are implications that the cookies they used to be are still in there somewhere, especially with burning spice, given how he full on bluescreens for a moment when reminiscing on the first kingdom he [....] (my money's on watched over, but we dont know what he was gonna say) when talking w/ nutmeg tiger in the kingdom

i've seen a lot of people say they'll lose interest in shadow milk if he gets redeemed which baffles me because for me at least, while a decent chunk of the appeal of the beasts is how interesting and entertaining they are as villains, one of my favorite parts of them is the heroes they once were, what they could've been like during those days, and the tragedies that led to them falling so deep into villainy: witnessing the worst in cookiekind and becoming disillusioned and deciding nothing should exist, witnessing their denizens live grow and die over and over and to the point they get sick of it and end up embracing destruction to take control of the cycle, and.. whatever we end up learning about the other three and what corrupted them.

for me, i see it like this lmao

and like, don't get me wrong, i know all the beasts really aren't good people but a redemption story doesn't necessarily mean a slap on the wrist, a redemption story can be about atonement just as much as it is about changing for the better, it can be messy, a sobering moment realizing everything you've done and everything you need to do to make up for it, there is sooo much story potential in delving into their pasts and delving into a redemption story of the beasts atoning for their deeds and growing as people it's crazy.. and besides, they were heroes once before, who's to say the potential to be that again isn't still within them?

i personally really wanna see a beast redemption and i'll never fathom why so many people are so against it when it's so much better of a way to conclude their story as the current main threat than just sealing them away again, i just hope that if this really is the route the devs go they'll handle it well because it can just as easily be done wrong, i have faith though

also i've seen a lot of people say the shadow milk costume looks ugly and they're WRONG it looks amazing i love blue and gold as a color combo

[fluffmonger]

So, in my experience growing up as a deeply curious child in an Evangelical (tm) church..... We *did* read the Bible, we had Sunday school, and Bible studies, all kinds of things. My church used the New International Version as a standard, which keeps some of the poetics of King James, but is a lot clearer and cleaner to read, more modern English. Reading the Bible wasn't the issue at hand.

What we weren't taught was how to interpret the Bible in Context, as a document that was written by historic humans in historic societies and cultures, across several hundred years. There's... Depending on the church, and pastor or Bible study, you may get some emphasis on the difference between the gospels and the letters, or a rundown of the "parts" of the old testament ... But that's usually it. There's no digging into it, and absolutely no questioning. There's very little, if any, acknowledgement that it is in fact, a bunch of separate texts all compiled by a small group of Christians, decades or more after the death of Jesus. To many Christians, I'd wager it feels like the Bible just appeared fully formed out of the air one day, as their holy book. And of course you can't question it, it's *the word of God* so it has to be correct and right, and if you question you're Doubting and not Having Faith (etc).

I hadn't connected the fact that many of the writings of Paul, and John the Revelator were done in the Reign of Emperor Nero until recently, when my classicist partner saw the dates and went "wait what". And if you know anything about Nero well..... Is it any wonder that Paul might have some Concerns about things like morality, and public display of faith and other things? And again! I'm someone who was asking questions and such, all the time, even back then. I was deeply nerdy about it and trying to read it like I read in English class. This made me..... Unpopular. And also felt kind of blasphemous? Like, I always felt odd about that approach while I was in the middle of it because it was *not* standard.

Likewise, a lot of the old testament gets written off as "a collection of stories" and treated more like.... Parables or fables?? Instead of a written collection of Jewish oral history about their history, laws, traditions, and culture. It's all set vaugely "in the past, in Bible times" without any rooting to real history or landscapes or cultures. And of course, because the Bible is all that matters, most Protestants and evangelicals don't think at all about any of the scholarship that goes back millennia on any part of it, the writings of Rabis and later on Christian scholars. The Bible as I was taught, wasn't a living document or a record, it wasn't something to be debated about or argued with, or even questioned, no matter how weird it outdated it seemed. It was *law*, ironclad, and to the claims of many, perfect as is (despite being a work in translation with a lot of nuance and no understanding of translators bias or how a translation should work).

It's.... Pretty fucking dire, and horrific, especially to me now, because the things I've learned about the time periods that the Bible is from? Are actually fascinating, and make it *so* much richer as a text! And then understanding the world of early Christianity, how it became what it is today, how those beliefs and practices became established.... Man, it's fascinating. But again, there's this culture of "Christianity has always been like this and will always be like this" that's very present in those spaces that make it really hard to gain sight of it all.

And... Of course at the end of the day.... The reason people like me didn't realize some of this, is because we weren't told. We werent given the tools to ask the questions we needed to. You can't explore what you don't even know exists, and when you're just told that we don't associate with "those people" and are discouraged from thinking about other faiths except to convert them..... Well.

So yeah. It's not (just) that people don't have reading comprehension.... It's also that they quite literally arent taught the context and origins of their faith for.... Reasons. Also, American Christianity has always just been... Very extreme. Probably bc of the puritans but hey.

Since posting that "how many mass graves and extinct cultures" post last month, I've had multiple Christians in the notes whining that there isn't a "specific instruction of belief that Christianity needs to wipe out every other religion in the world" in Christianity's teachings, and that it's all just The Church/King James/etc.

And every time, I point to the literal text of the passages of The Great Commission.

And nearly every time, that shuts them up; the only time it didn't, it was to engage in some disgusting semantical goalpost moving.

But it's like...

Why do Christians not know the content of their own texts? Is your faith really so tribalistic and totemic around the concept of "Jesus" that you all don't bother to actually read the religious texts?

It feels like it must be--I've heard of too many instances of Christians walking out of readings of The Sermon On The Mount because they think it's "liberal nonsense" and the like, but I just find it baffling and more than a little sad that I, a Jew, apparently knows the New Testament's text better than the people who swear by it and ostensibly believe and follow it.

[antinousletmehit]

˚₊‧꒰ა Chapter 27 ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

⋆˚࿔ Book 2 𝜗𝜚˚⋆

୨୧┇Pairing: Telemachus x reader

୨୧┇druses🤤🤤

────୨ৎ──── ────୨ৎ──── ───

For weeks, Druses kept himself in the background, always watching, always listening. It was second nature to him—observing people, learning their patterns, unraveling their weaknesses. And y/n… she was a puzzle he needed to understand.

She was careful. Everything she did was deliberate, controlled. The way she carried herself, the way she spoke to the servants, the way she handled Raphael—especially Raphael. It was a delicate balancing act, one built on years of survival. Druses noticed the way she tensed ever so slightly when Raphael entered a room, the way her eyes flickered toward exits, toward Adonis and Phebie, calculating escape routes she never took. She was never openly defiant, never reckless. She played her role well—the loving wife, the devoted mother—but beneath it, he saw the cracks. The small hesitations. The fleeting moments of disgust when she thought no one was looking.

But Raphael was always looking.

If Druses had thought Telemachus was obsessed, he realized now that Raphael was deranged. He doted on her with a suffocating, obsessive intensity. Every morning, he brought her gifts, jewels, silks, perfumes, things she never asked for. He kissed her forehead, whispered sweet nothings in her ear, always touching her in some way, his hand on her waist, his fingers brushing through her hair, his lips lingering just a moment too long against her skin.

She never recoiled. Never pulled away.

But Druses saw it. The way her shoulders stiffened. The way her jaw clenched when Raphael’s lips grazed her temple. The way she swallowed down every impulse to shove him away. Raphael was too in love with his own delusion to notice. Or maybe he did notice, and he just didn’t care.

He would speak of their “perfect family,” of how “happy” they were, how “lucky” she was to have him. And when she didn’t respond the way he wanted, when she was too quiet, too unenthusiastic, he would cup her face in his hands and whisper, “You’re not still mad at me, are you, love?” She would smile. Say nothing.

And then she would let him kiss her. Druses had to resist the urge to kill him where he stood. But the worst part—the part that made Druses’ stomach turn—was the way Raphael handled Adonis and Phebie.

He adored them. Smothered them. Adonis, being older, was treated like a little prince. Raphael would ruffle his hair, scoop him up in his arms, tell him grand stories of the battles he fought, the kingdoms he conquered. “One day, you’ll be just like me.” The boy always nodded, always smiled, but Druses saw the hesitation, the unease in his young eyes.

Phebie, on the other hand, was his pride and joy. His daughter. He would kiss her chubby cheeks, rock her in his arms, promise her the world. Whenever she so much as whimpered, he was there, shushing her, soothing her. “You’re daddy’s little girl, aren’t you?” And every time, Druses watched her face—watched the way she buried her revulsion, swallowed her rage.

She didn’t love Raphael.

She didn’t even hate him.

She endured him.

And Druses knew, without a doubt, that she was just waiting.

Waiting for her chance.

Waiting for Telemachus.

The only question was—would he get here before her patience ran out?

——

Druses moved through the palace halls, careful not to let his presence linger too long in any one place. By now, he had memorized every corridor, every guard rotation, every blind spot in the estate’s defenses. The longer he stayed, the easier it became to slip out unnoticed. He had waited months for the right moment. Now, it was finally here.

The outskirts of the palace were eerily quiet under the cover of night, the only sounds being the occasional rustling of leaves and the distant crashing of waves against the cliffs. He moved quickly, keeping to the treeline until he reached the hidden meeting point where Pisistratus waited, arms crossed, his expression tense.

“You’re late,” Pisistratus grumbled, keeping his voice low. “I was starting to think you got too comfortable playing Raphael’s little bed warmer.”

Druses shot him a glare. “Say that again, and I’ll make sure you leave here with fewer teeth than you came with, besides he doesn’t sleep with his concubines—not anymore at least.”

Pisistratus smirked but didn’t push further. “So? What do you have?”

Druses exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “It’s worse than we thought.”

He explained everything—Raphael’s obsession, the way he hovered over her like she was some delicate, breakable thing, the way he controlled every aspect of her life under the guise of devotion. He spoke of Adonis, of how the boy was treated like a prince, how he was being conditioned into something dangerous. “The palace is fortified, but it’s not impenetrable,” Druses said. “They’re comfortable here. They think no one will dare try to take her back.” He glanced at Pisistratus. “We’ll prove them wrong.”

Pisistratus listened carefully, his usual smirk replaced by something far more serious. “And the queen?” Druses hesitated. He thought of the scar on her arm, the way her fingers trembled whenever Raphael kissed her hair, the way she held her children close like they were the only things anchoring her to reality.

“She’s alive,” he finally said. “That’s all that matters.”

Pisistratus narrowed his eyes. “You’re leaving something out.”

Druses clenched his jaw. Of course he was. He wasn’t stupid. He knew what would happen if he told the truth—if he revealed that she had another child, a child that wasn’t Telemachus’. Antinous would lose his mind. Telemachus would lose his cool and do something stupid.

So, he swallowed the truth.

“I told you everything you need to know.” His voice was sharp. Final.

Pisistratus stared at him for a long moment before sighing. “Fine. Have it your way.” He shifted his weight. “But Telemachus isn’t going to wait much longer. We need to move.”

Druses nodded. “Then tell him to get ready.” He turned back toward the palace. “Because the second I find the right opening—” He glanced over his shoulder. “—we’re taking her back.” And this time, Raphael wouldn’t be able to stop them.

___

She had learned to savor the rare moments of solitude. Raphael was busy—off dealing with whatever political matters or military affairs occupied his time. It didn’t matter to her. What mattered was that, for now, she had space.

Adonis stood a few feet away, his small hands gripping a wooden sword as he hacked at a training dummy with all the concentration his young mind could muster. He was determined, fierce—Telemachus’ son through and through. Phebie, meanwhile, was perched in her lap, happily chewing on the fabric of her mother’s chiton, her chubby fingers curling into the soft material.

For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to breathe. Then, she heard him.

“You actually get time to yourself?”

She didn’t jump at Druses’ voice—she had grown accustomed to his presence these past months. He was careful, subtle in his movements, but she always knew when he was nearby. She lifted her gaze, finding him standing close but not too close. His disguise as a concubine was still intact—his dark hair cascading in loose waves, his sharp features softened with just the right amount of careful presentation.

She wasn’t fooled. Druses was a wolf in silk, and she had no doubt he hated every second of it. She shifted slightly, adjusting Phebie in her lap. “For now,” she said, her tone unreadable.

Druses crossed his arms, watching Adonis with mild amusement before his gaze flickered back to her. “Do you like it here?”

It was a simple question. And yet, it was everything. She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she gently pried Phebie’s tiny fingers from her chiton and smoothed out the damp fabric. “I survive here,” she said at last. “That’s all that matters.”

Druses scoffed. “That’s not an answer.”

Ehe finally looked at him, her expression calm. “It’s the only one you’re getting.”

Druses’ lips curled slightly, but there was no humor in it. “You play the part well.”

She tilted her head, feigning curiosity. “What part is that?”

“The docile, loving wife. The content little queen in her golden cage.” His voice dropped lower, his sharp gaze scanning her face. “But I see you, my queen. I know you. And you’re not happy here.”

She exhaled slowly, her fingers brushing over Phebie’s soft curls. “Happiness isn’t what keeps people alive, Druses.” Her voice was quiet but firm. “Caution does. Obedience does.”

He studied her for a moment before shaking his head. “That’s not living.”

A ghost of a smile touched her lips. “It’s enough.” Druses wasn’t convinced. He knew a survivor when he saw one, but he also knew something else—she wasn’t just surviving.

She was waiting. Phebie’s tiny feet wobbled as she toddled across the garden, her chubby fingers reaching out for balance. She was determined—always wanting to follow Adonis, to keep up with her older brother. But the uneven stone path was unforgiving, and it only took one misplaced step before she tumbled forward.

A sharp cry broke through the air.

Druses instinctively moved to rise from his seat. His body tensed, muscles coiled, ready to scoop her up before she could even register the fall. But before he could so much as shift forward, a firm hand latched onto his wrist.

Y/n

She yanked him right back down onto the bench, her grip deceptively strong. “Let her be,” she murmured, her tone unreadable.

Druses blinked at her, baffled. “She fell.”

“She’ll get back up.”

Phebie was still crying, her small form curled on the ground. She sniffled, her tiny hands pressing against the stone as she struggled to sit up. Druses frowned. He cast a glance toward Adonis, who had fallen plenty of times during his training with his wooden sword. But every single time, she had been at his side in an instant, wiping his scraped knees, brushing back his hair, soothing him with quiet words of encouragement.

Yet now, she simply watched.

Phebie hiccuped, looking around, waiting for someone to come to her aid. But when she saw her mother sitting there—calm, expectant—her crying quieted to soft sniffles. Slowly, she pushed herself onto unsteady feet and continued walking, albeit more carefully this time. Druses leaned back, crossing his arms. “So that’s how it is,” he muttered, his tone laced with something sharp.

She didn’t look at him. “She needs to learn.”

Druses scoffed. “Right. But Adonis never had to.”

Silence.

Her fingers brushed over the fabric of her chiton, smoothing it over her lap. “Adonis can’t afford to fall.”

Druses tilted his head, watching her carefully. “And Phebie can?”

She finally turned to face him, and for the first time, Druses saw it, the unspoken truth behind her quiet, measured actions. Adonis was the son of Telemachus. A prince by blood. His father’s heir.

Phebie?

Phebie was the daughter of Raphael.

And that made all the difference.

Phebie, still sniffling from her fall, hesitated for only a moment before crawling toward her mother. Her tiny hands pressed against the ground, her breath shaky as she made her way to the only comfort she knew. Druses watched as the little girl reached her mother, her small fingers grasping desperately at her chiton. Without a word, she buried herself against her chest, curling into the warmth of her mother’s embrace.

She exhaled softly, her hand instinctively coming up to stroke Phebie’s dark curls. She didn’t coo at her or murmur words of comfort like she did with Adonis—no, there was only quiet acknowledgment. A simple acceptance that Phebie needed her. Druses leaned back, watching the scene unfold with a strange feeling twisting in his gut.

She had let her daughter struggle, let her stumble and learn to stand on her own. And yet, when Phebie sought comfort, she didn’t push her away. It was an odd contrast—harsh in one moment, gentle in the next. Druses’ gaze lingered on them, his sharp eyes reading between every movement, every unspoken rule of her motherhood.

She would not make things easy for Phebie.

But she would never abandon her, either.

 @procrastination20 @jackiepackiee @barrythestrawberry041 @blessedbyahuntress @f3r4lfr0gg3r @permanently-nothere @eyuunho @jackintheboxs-world @simpingmyassoff @sunshinewhosketches @sugarlillycookie @kaguraaaa @doodle-with-rhy @0anodite0 @cocosparkel @tati-the-fangirl @dazedemery @tsmaruchan @xo-cuteplosion-xo @galaxygurlll @pjopinkk @h0ne4bee @minteaspoon @zendoesstuff @yuvany @i-liketoast

[naomihatake]

LaDs' Rafayel rambling — "Oceanic Nightfall" tender moments

!!!!!slight poilers ahead. I also made a comparison with Caleb after his return (*cough*, coming back from the dead - it's written in a small font if you wanna avoid reading it)

This man is so special to me, to be honest. Last night I watched one of his limited Tender Moments card, Oceanic Nightfall — and when I tell you that I was absolutely flabbergasted with how angsty it was. I saw the card's image and thought "oh, this is gonna be spicy". I was so mistaken, oh Gods 🥲

That card is anything but spicy; sure, there's a lot of tension between them in the second half of the card, my heart was doing gymnastics when she entered on him being ass naked in the bathtub with a paintbrush in his hand. I hadn't expected him to be so shameless, considering I don't think at that point they were exactly lovers (or probably just at the delicate line between friends and lovers). Not that surprising, because it's Rafayel, after all; he does act strange a lot of the time if we take into account the usual standards.

I adore the fact that MC didn't walk away and the fact that she didn't give in easily. She told him square in the face that his manipulation tactics don't go unnoticed by her and I absolutely adore that, lol. Yes, gurl, say it out loud for everyone to hear.

Also, she calls him annoying and he seems to be pleased by that. Rafayel is so pleased with the fact that she does view him differently than others.

I have to admit that his tantrum with the glass had my jaw drop to the floor because I absolutely despise such behavior — I am hater through and through of that gesture, especially since she hadn't done something deserving of such a reaction.

Let's take another scenario as a comparison: when MC throws a glass at Caleb for what he's done to her, for locking her in his apartment and being an ass with his overprotective, obsessive tendencies. I completely understand her point of view and I think he deserved it, to be frank (as someone that appreciates and loves him as a character overall). I think she should've done worse, if you ask me, but that's another story (I am a hater of controlling behavior, sorry not sorry)

Actually, Rafayel's gesture triggered me. It took me several seconds to process what happened because I couldn't believe it — to the point I'm not even sure if the glass just slipped from his hand or if he really threw it on the floor (I'll do a rerun of that card just to be sure, but I don't think I misinterpreted it).

Despite it all, that made me fall for his character even more. This is a card from the beginning of their relationship, since before they even got a chance to kiss, so I think that makes it even more interesting. In later cards and events, it is shown how complex Rafayel is; he is deeply in love with her and stops his manipulative tendencies. The only people he's cruel with have nothing to do with her. Their begining seems very abrupt and he does act like an absolute menace, like a pitiful crybaby sometimes.

Later on, these moments just end up being part of who he is as a person. I know I kind of bullied him in this post until now. Truth be told, he's very mature and he's shown as being a very wise person, regardless of his childish tantrums — and they're not even exactly childish, they're just part of a very troubled personality. He's shown taking care of MC, protecting her, giving her wise advice in a way someone very old would. His soul is, indeed, old, especially since he remembers his past lives. He's watched the world change and crumble before his eyes and he's still there, in Linkon.

Rafayel can be a child in a good way, like the time when they ran in the rain together because he never did that (he's a Lemurian, it doesn't rain underwater); in several tender moments, he encourages MC to be kinder with herself, to find herself in the small things of life, to pursue her little dreams and the bigger ones. His devotion to her is undeniable, and as time passes by, there are less and less tantrums from him. It's almost as if he's found his own emotional security and stability once she appeared in his life.

Even in this card, Oceanic Nightfall, Rafayel tells her that he's changed since she appeared in his life. She questions his strange behavior and it seems like he's a bit self destructive — that makes him such a relatable and real character.

Rafayel is full of flaws and insecurities and they make him so much more beautiful; he's perfect because of his own imperfections and I love him that way. He shows that he tries to change for the better, even if it's shown as a slow process. Also, he does that for her alone. He doesn't care about other people and I think that's very interesting. I like him a little cruel, a little heartless; he has all the rights to be, considering his life (or lives) as a Lemurian.

Also, if anyone has some thoughts about this, you can share them <3 I'd be happy to hear some more opinions on this (I know that the Rafayel girlies are down bad for him exactly because he's got a twisted personality and I wholeheartedly agree 😫)

[postcardsfromheapside]

So I finished my DA2 replay, and I had wondered if I would feel differently after taking my time with it, and with the perspective of Veilguard. And yes, in small ways I do, but about the series and about Anders, I don't. That is to say: I think Veilguard is a fucking fantastic capper to the series (I mean, pray there is more, "hope for the best, expect the worst" as the Mel Brooks song goes), and Anders is relatably angry, even if the "betrayal" is frustrating and heart-breaking.

Also, there's just too much Dragon Age just the same way there's too much Tolkien, it's just that I can relisten to Tolkien via audiobook while I work and don't have time to constantly replay Dragon Age to absorb every little detail that my broken brain forgets (and I'm pretty good with lore) and I wish parts of this fandom were more curious than scathing about things they've obviously forgotten. Or skipped through, according to some of them, because I guess the context of dialogue and a cut scene isn't necessary for some of them to weigh in on things.

Word vomit of notes below the break:

First of all.

Can these two just fuck already. Watching Cassandra go from throwing him around to absolutely ENTHRALLED by Varric's complete bullshit is just going to make it so much better when I hit the "Guilty Pleasures" quest again in DA:I. This woman is SEDUCED by his story-telling, and you *cannot* convince me he wasn't gagging on his power trip.

Second.

I never played Mark of the Assassin before, and had completely forgotten Felicia Day was in DA2, and laughed like hell. I really enjoyed it. I haven't really used a stealth option in a game since leaving Skyrim for other stuff (do we ever really leave Skyrim?) and it was really fun, but I think the wyvern at the end of the DLC was actually the best fight in the entire game, even more than Corypheus. It hinted at the dragon battles to come in Veilguard. Also, I loved how Anders' dialogue got more relaxed outside of Kirkwall, like shedding the city let him loosen up. The back and forth with Hawke about his fantasy for being rescued was completely unhinged - after I accused Hawke of being feral and lacking social graces, I've decided the two of them match each other's freak and they're fine.

Third.

All the people who were losing their minds about the line "A crow never abandons a contract" and acting like the devs forgot Zevran.

He literally addresses it in the game. I keep having these moments where shit that people bitched about regarding Veilguard is addressed right *there.*

"The crows do like saying that, but I am living proof it's a lie."

No one actually forgot, but I'm sure the Dellamorte's wish to the Maker a motherfucker could.

When people complain the writing in Veilguard is too modern, I'm going to remember Hawke complaining exactly like this. She sounds like I do when I'm side-eyeing my friends in the year of our Maker 2025.

Fourth.

I had planned on romancing Blackwall this DA:I run, finally, because I'm a little obsessed with this Warden throughline from Anders to Blackwall to Davrin. From a cage, to hope/redemption, to a more meaningful path of positive change and impact.

They both haunt Veilguard's narrative and dialogue.

And then of course:

hrm.

Fifth.

I do hope we get another DA. Or supplementary material. Because I want to know what the fuck is going on with this story I had forgotten the details of, especially with the decision regarding the Nadas Dirthalen.

These two fucking idiots. I can't believe in different lives I've schtupped them both. (I can absolutely believe it)

Sixth.

The worst part of Meredith is she sounds like conservative family members of mine. 'Better to punish the innocent than risk even one guilty person go free', rather than the opposite. To them it sounds so reasonable. To us, it's abhorrent to punish everyone else for other people's crimes.

I couldn't bring myself to feel betrayed by Anders, even though I tried to play my Hawke as I think she would have felt: betrayed by the secret-keeping, if nothing else. The shock and hurt at the innocent lives. But it's hard not to feel an understanding when I sit here in a political situation with - maybe not less fraught, but at least less fantastical - implications and certainly still feel like violence is inevitable and we are way past the point of compromise and words.

Anyway.

This dwarf.

[linderosse]

Are Founder’s Call and Interlude of the Past still being worked on? This isn’t me asking when the next updates are or pressuring an update; I’d just like to check on the status of the comics. I love your art style and I love your take on connecting the Links and the Zelda’s even more; take your time with it. Have a wonderful day/night and week!

Masterpost

Tl;dr: Yep, both Echo of the Past and Founder’s Call are 100% are still being worked on! No promises on the deadline, but I’m really looking forward to sharing :).

And this goes for The Secrets We Keep as well! I’ve been writing a fair amount on the Links’ side, now that I’ve got not only the overall plot, but also all the small details planned out for the whole story. (shoutout to my friend AvianReader (Ari) for brainstorming with me!)

I’m so glad people are enjoying my Wisdomverse, and I absolutely love creating it. I have many, many ideas for it. I do, however, also work a full-time job, and have a bunch of other responsibilities to deal with that makes it very hard to draw as much as I’d like.

So I also want to take this opportunity to reiterate to you, and to everyone here who has sent me their comments, messages, and thoughts: thank you for your kind words— and your patience :).

I have nearly 100 messages in my inbox at the moment— not counting other social media sites— which to me is quite a lot! And the great part is that almost all of them are either wonderful, thought-provoking questions, or kind words about my art and characters. Both of those things are amazing, and are a huge factor in motivating me to find the time to do what I love and share what I make.

I love reading them all, and will of course continue answering them between working on chapters and extras. But it may take some time, especially since I’m prioritizing finishing up new chapters at the moment.

Keep ‘em coming! And thanks again for your support!

[evienyx]

Hello! I adore your Concord fic so so much, to the point that it's actually now my favorite Sonic fic. Your characterization for Shadow is fantastic and I'm right there with you in thinking that movie Shadow wouldn't hide how much he likes Sonic or be mean to him, not after how much they bonded on the moon and during the fight afterward. Actually, your characterization for everyone is very on point, and Sonic is an absolute delight. I'm so sad that he and Maria never got to be friends for real, because Shadow (and you) is 100% right that they'd get along like a house on fire lol

Anyway, there's a song that I think fits Shadow and Sonic in Concord perfectly, and I wanted to share it with you! It's called "Stargazing" by Myles Smith, and I think it's especially fitting for this latest two chapters. :3

Also, I don't know much about the Superbowl, but I'm told that they do a lot of cool stuff during it other than just the game and that people have parties and stuff when they watch it, so I hope you had a fun time!

One of the most important things for this fic for me was making sure that the characterization for Shadow was Movie Shadow and not Games Shadow.

Now, of course, Movie Shadow is an adaptation of Game Shadow, there are a lot of similarities. However, his backstory is different, and more importantly his dynamic with Sonic is different. If we're being totally honest, in the movies at least, they don't even have the rivalry thing going on (yet at least). They were legit just straight-up enemies (reluctantly on Sonic's side until Shadow almost killed Tom and Sonic decided to lock in) until the conversation on the Moon, and from there they are (oddly in-sync) allies.

This is not to say I love Movie Shadow more than Game Shadow, I love the both of them for different reasons. Nor do I love Movie Sonadow more than Game Sonadow. They're both wonderful, and both have so much potential. It is very different potential from one another. Game Sonic would have to work double time to get that conversation out of Game Shadow compared to Movie Sonic who had it in all of two seconds. This is fine, and lovely to explore on its own, but it is important to me to acknowledge the difference and write these stories with the difference in mind.

I do plan on writing more fics for them, because oh lord this ship is so fun, and there are so many things that can be done with them. Obviously we've already got the more angsty fic that I'm planning for after Concord finishes (I'll release the first chapter on the same day as the last chapter of Concord), but even more than that I've got a few too many ideas sitting on a doc. I've got ideas for the movies, for the games, and even ones for complete AU fics that would probably use a blend of their personalities from both. I'm mentally ill.

Anyway, holy mother of god are you right about that song fitting them. It's actually kinda ridiculous, and makes me wish that I could draw at all because there is nothing I want more now than an animatic of the two of them with that song for this fic. I'm gonna be sick, thank you.

And, uh, yeah, the Superbowl has got kinda three big parts to it: Game, Half-Time, Commercials. The Game is the big final NFL American football game for the season to see who's the best team. It's the last game in the playoffs. Half-Time is when they have a super famous musical artist do a fifteen-ish minute show during the break that comes after the first half of the game. The Commercials are whatever ads play when you're watching at home, and they used to be really good, big productions with like storylines and stuff, but this year they weren't all very good, and I suspect it might be the use of A.I. but you didn't hear that from me.

I'm not a fan of either of the teams that were in the Superbowl this year (the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs), but I only vaguely dislike the Eagles and I really hate the Chiefs, so I was perfectly happy to see the Eagles win. Any love toward them is gone now that the game is over, though, and I am back to solely wanting to see my own team win.

[bluedalahorse]

Felice Week Poll: Who should be Felice’s S4 Love Interest?

Posted for YR characters month, hosted by @youngroyals-events.

This is part analysis, part poll.

I have contradictory emotions about the way Felice’s brushes with romantic relationships are handled in Young Royals.

On one hand, I like that Felice’s storyline does so much to center friendships, especially her friendship with Sara. I’m aromantic, so these kinds of stories that privilege friendship matter to me, especially in stories where there’s a heavy emphasis on a romantic plot.

On the other hand, we never see Felice in a fulfilling romantic and/or sexual relationship. Neither August nor Wilhelm treats her 100% great, and we are informed that many other boys have crushes on her, but we never get to see her enjoy casual moments of flirtation or fun.

Unfortunately, these writing choices don’t exist in a vacuum, and also I can’t help noticing that Felice’s story falls into a broader trend of Black characters frequently being unlucky or unchosen in romance. Martha Jones and Bonnie Bennet are other characters who are emblematic of this trend, but the more you look, the more you see it all over.

I highly recommend watching Princess Weekes’s videos where she discusses this trend in more depth with examples from lots of different TV shows. She does an especially good job of addressing how people will say “but isn’t it empowering for a female character to be strong on her own, without a romance?” For white female characters, who are often sheltered and framed as delicate by the patriarchy, forgoing a romance is often empowering. On the other hand… for Black female characters, it’s different. Black women and girls are often discouraged from showing vulnerability or softness and often end up as the unlucky leg of a love triangle, so it’s a departure from the status quo to actually have Black female meaningfully engage in an onscreen romance!

Which is why, in some parallel universe where YR gets a season 4—or at least in more fanfics centered on Felice’s POV and set in the future—I’d love to see her get to have a storyline where she falls in love with someone and they love her back in return. Big swoony teen drama first love stuff, like we get to see Simon have with Wilhelm and Sara have with August. Maybe with a little less in the way of princely drama, but I think you know what I mean. It doesn’t have to be a love story where we assume the relationship lasts forever, and it doesn’t have to undermine Felice’s friendships. Simon getting together with Wilhelm doesn’t undermine his friendships, after all, and Sara and August aren’t together at the end of the series. The point is it should be significant. Let Felice feel the big feelings! Let someone else also feel them back for her!

(I’m also in favor of Felice having an aro or ace storyline as long as it is explicitly named as such, although that isn’t the focus of this post. It is the focus of my fic Doubles Over Couples though.)

So with all that established, I now ask you…

I left off options where Felice would be breaking up an existing ship (wilmon or stedrika) or dating a character we assume to be gay (Nils or Marcus, who both I guess could be bi, you never know.) But you know what? If that’s your jam, go ahead and tell me in the tags. I hold nothing sacred after all.

You can also tell me why you chose the character you chose in your tags. Maybe you have an idea for giving a character a lot of development and taking their arc in a new direction. (Like, idk, why not envision a story about Felice and Alexander?) If you do, I’d love for you to share it and tell me the arc you have in mind.

Please reblog the poll for reach! This should be fun.

[rookflower]

it's annoying because you can never have a nuanced discussion about those two (brambleclaw and squirrelflight) yes, brambleclaw does, within the text, have noble qualities and is capable of caring for squirrelflight, which is part of why she stays with him. but it is important to take into account the power imbalance within them that existed since the beginning of their relationship, and how squirrelflight's wrongdoings in the relationship are never as personal or reprehensible as bramble's. a lot of people see marriage/romantic love as some all-powerful, moral entity, but i think it's what makes them most interesting as a couple to show that even while he's capable of loving her, it doesn't lessen the fact that he has the capability to hurt her and how that has affected her. i feel like you can be fascinated with them as a couple without necessarily endorsing that dynamic irl idk.

OH yeah, absolutely. Brambleclaw is a really frustrating character to me because I see the intrigue there- intentionally or not, he's very flawed in a way which is fairly consistent and that I would genuinely enjoy as a part of the story, if it has a sense of intentionality or if the books had him face literally any consequences for his actions, but at the end of the day he is ALWAYS framed as a good or understandable person, is never humbled or forced to change, and his actions are never reflected on much past when they happen. I don't think he is intentionally abusive to squirrelflight, I think he is ambitious and self centered and very insecure, and his dynamic with her as older and more responsible -> deputy and warrior -> leader and deputy, combined with squirrelflight 's defiance and tendency to do what she feels is right over his authority makes him treat her like absolute shit. Yes I think he has a *reason* to be furious about her lying about the kits, but I don't think that he has the moral high ground about it especially when you mirror it with the hawkfrost shit in tnp which also involved lying to your partner about a wrongdoing in favour of your sibling. He never tells her about all that, does he.

The reason why I find "they're both as bad as each other" or "squirrelflight is worse" or "squirrelflight is morally grey" or whatever so fucking annoying is because that's what the books ALREADY DO to avoid framing bramblestar as in the wrong for literally anything and I think it is sexist as fuck and lazy cowardly writing. and I also think it is blatantly not true because any time she undermines his authority or lies to him I think she is sympathetic and/or genuinely right in doing so, which I can't say the same about most of his failings LOL.

TLDR I could like brambleclaw if he faced consequences for his actions towards squirrelflight or the text acknowledged his abuse for what it is, but he doesn't and it won't. I think bramblesquirrel is kind of fascinating in its unhealthiness and instability and it's a crucial part of both characters. It's just uh (gestures around to warrior cats misogyny moments that change it from being a tumultuous long term abusive and dysfunctional relationship into a wholesome nostalgic classic couple where they "just bicker a lot" but are perfect for each other)

[barblaz-arts]

Thank you for taking my ask so seriously!!!! A lot of people would have just said no and move on, but now you've activated my secret infodumping card >:3

First of all, I went through the notes and I promise you the comic isn't as angsty as the premise makes it out to be. A very central theme is friendship, and connection, and how relationships can save us even in the worst times. These guys are already dead and they're finding time to have group hugs and blood pacts <3 they're so stupid n I care them a lot 💖💖💖💖

And all the characters have such fun designs!!! They're all very distinct and full of personality, with very fun interactions, and I genuinely think you'd have a blast putting those beasts in situation. Since their personalities are so unique the fandom (me) looooves making silly little aus where they can do whatever and not. Yk. Fight for their lives.

The art is great and the whole world building with the spectre forms (kind of similar to the full demon forms from hazbin) are genuinely so cool and so fun to speculate about, and wonder what else is going on in the very vast world of the story.

But, ultimately, the best part is the lead romance. And girl. If you like couples who are devoted to each other Annabel Lee and Lenore are the best thing to ever happened. That devoted that's leaning into "Oh there might be something toxic goin on here!!!!" They have burnt down houses, trapped friends in walls, and almost fell of balconies for the other. Absolutely bonkers bananas.

They're honestly what makes the comic so if you think they're not your style idk if it's going to be an enjoyable experience. There's also some bloody scenes (ex: someone's eye getting scarred) but they never get gory, and some heavier themes (esp madness and the condition of women in the early 1900s).

Soooooo idk. I'm mostly sending this ask bc I love being in the same fandoms as you and hearing your takes :D

I mean, both my hyperfixations are on hiatus rn and there aren't lot of content for them anymore, so why not? I could try other media while im waiting.

Ngl the toxic element im hearing about the romance isn't pulling me in all that much cuz I'm not a big fan of that. I'm more for wholesome shit. But the plot itself does interest me. Especially the spectres. I love seeing transformations.

And im fine with gore so long as it isn't straight up, idk, torture porn. I've ended up seeing some nasty shit because of previous hyperfixations lmao the most violent media I got into was this game called Corpse Party when I was a teen(if you dont know it, it's fine. Ur probably better off. But in denial baby gay me was obsessed bcuz of the yuri) so yeh I'm fine with a little violence

Thank you tho! It's one thing to be liked for my art or fic, but to have my insight valued too means a lot! I can't promise if or when I'll check it out, cuz i dont wanna get anyone's hopes up, but I'm not gonna write it off. It does genuinely seem interesting.

[epickiya722]

I'm gonna be frank, I don't think I'll be understood here on my stance (especially since I'm just not good with my words) and I know some of you isn't going to agree with me. That's fine. I'm okay with different perspectives.

I'll be honest, 431 isn't the most well written epilogue and yes, I don't particularly like it.

But it wasn't the only thing that made me irritated. It was just the tipping point of "You know what, I kind of had it".

The writing definitely didn't do Midoriya justice, neither for Uraraka and Toga. But let's not act like Bakugou had great writing there either because for me, him asking Midoriya to work at his agency didn't feel like Bakugou to me.

Over the story, we see that Bakugou had grown to be more open towards Midoriya. So why did he go about skirting around to ask Midoriya about the agency, let alone ask him at all? And in front of Kirishima who had to act like a translator? So you're telling me Katsuki Bakugou who has freely been straight forward, after learning to be because sometimes Midoriya does need people to be blunt, before couldn't have a conversation with Midoriya about working at the agency?

You're telling me Bakugou couldn't have a discussion with Midoriya like "hey, can I talk to you" and they go from there to having coming to an agreement of sorts?

All that development of their relationship getting better that they could confine in each other that Bakugou and Midoriya couldn't have a scene where they sat down at a restaurant or somewhere, just them and discuss the agency?

No, that had to be sprung up and hinted at Midoriya in a car with Kirishima present? Before they met with their friends?

Maybe it's just me, totally just me, but I don't think Bakugou would have went about it like that. I would have figured that Bakugou would have asked Midoriya to meet with him and together they would have a proper discussion. Like by then, those two would have learned better communication.

Even before Kirishima had to say anything, Midoriya voiced that he enjoyed being a teacher and still thankful that he has a hero suit thanks to everyone.

Actual Bakugou, at least not my Bakugou. wouldn't be framed totally butthurt by Midoriya wanting to still be a teacher. Not when they know can still be heroes and rivals and whatever else together. Bakugou wouldn't let Midoriya being a teacher and not working at his agency keep him awake at night like "can't believe he rejected me, can't believe he rejected me".

Heck, I doubt he would have even brought up an agency in the first place because what mattered to him was that he and Midoriya were heroes together.

If their teachers were able to do it, them why Bakugou would even question Midoriya about still teaching?

So Midoriya isn't the only one at fault here and he's not the only character done dirty. Bakugou didn't have perfect writing here either to me.

But I feel like some people are stuck on "Midoriya betrayed Bakugou" that maybe that's the part not being caught on. That frustration towards Midoriya is blocking from seeing Bakugou was not written well in this chapter.

I wouldn't even say either are at fault here, the chapter just wasn't that good. We had some highlights but it just wasn't the best epilogue and as much as I know a lot of people want to blame Horikoshi since it is his manga, let's not forget who he works for. I don't know the man, but we all have seen what any kind of entertainment industry will do when it comes to any kind of media.

And again, it's not just the writing of the chapter that rubbed me the wrong way. Sure, some bits I could try to make sense of it, even if I don't like it (frankly, something I think should be learned).

But again, as I have said it multiple times before, it was indeed the fandom's reaction to Midoriya and just Midoriya that irked me to the point.

And here's the thing... IT ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THIS EVEN BEFORE THE EPILOGUE.

Like, no, epilogue sucks or whatever, but now I feel like it's just being used as an excuse to further hate on Midoriya more.

Every other character had gotten some kind of "Oh, they got done dirty" by the fandom, but no, not Midoriya. I saw quite a few people framing him as the bad guy when he is also a victim of flawed writing, too!

Even if admitting he too had flawed writing, he still gets hate for it while other characters are felt sorry for.

But even, again, before that the fandom had shown me how much they don't care about him at all. I would say it's always been evident from the start.

Haters, supposed fans... it doesn't matter.

No, I don't expect everyone to like him or see him the same way.

What frustrates me is that some people act like they don't do Midoriya dirty, too, whether you like or not and it's not always the fault of the narrative. The narrative could be flawless and some of you would still hate him for whatever reason or twist him to fit how you want to see him.

[fandom-susceptible]

The Dragon Prince Rewatch Liveblog

Echoes of Thunder

Knowing who Aaravos is makes this intro hit different. How did Ziard discover dark magic again bro? Huh? What exactly caused that to happen? You wanna share that part of the story bro? Or how humans weren't the only ones displaced by the divide of the continent? No, because you're not here to share history, you're here to manipulate people.

Neat - so the first named characters we see in the show aren't the dragaang by a long shot. It goes Sol Regem, Ziard (not that he matters as much later), Aaravos, Avizandum, Aditi, and then Amaya.

Callum being startled by the thunder but instantly going into big brother mode to comfort Ezran when he hears Ezran yelp is such a good moment.

I rewatched the first elf scene recently to analyze Runaan's behavior here and I still love everything about it. Runaan is so fucking massive compared to the other assassins. He had to know she would hesitate. But he had to know if she would hesitate now or when it came to their targets, so he tested her - and she makes the worst mistake she could make as a Moonshadow elf, but unwittingly sets off a plot that will allow her to save even more people.

Wtf do Harrow's guards think about Viren? This dude just bursts into the king's bedroom unannounced apparently regularly enough that he has an ongoing discussion with Harrow about it.

I'm convinced Viren was planning on getting Harrow killed from the beginning. That's why he didn't want to send for Amaya.

Knowing that Runaan is her dad now makes the soft tone of the "Well done, Rayla." And her flustered response hit even harder. He tested her. She lied. He thinks she passed. She knows she's lying to him. She's not just lying to her boss, she's lying to the one person in the world whose opinion matters to her more than anyone else (except perhaps Ethari).

The jelly tart theft scene makes me so happy because it's so clear they've done this before, especially when Barius lets them do it later.

I love how Soren actually does try to make Callum look good in front of Claudia. I love how being a big brother is so firmly part of his personality that he goes into that mode even with Callum even during his "bully" phase.

Harrow tries so hard to make this a happy thing for the boys, and Callum tries just as hard to support that worldview for Ezran, and my heart hurts over it.

"What are they, minstrels or something?" And Rayla says Soren doesn't understand sarcasm. He's SO sarcastic with his dad, I love it.

They build up the Moonshadow elves as being "unstoppable" under the full moon, and work so hard on these magical solutions, but I can't help but notice/remember that Soren did in fact manage to stop them. Like that is in fact a thing that happened. Even sparing barely any time to actually prepare for defending, it wouldn't have mattered that Ezran and Callum left the castle that night, because none of the assassins actually made it past Harrow's room. They only got one target and that's with the Crownguard having virtually no time to brace for the attack. Viren's been undermining the military defenses since the very beginning.

Soren may have been a dick about forcing Callum to stay behind but he was in fact correct to do so, Callum doesn't have the training to be going into all out battle at this point. He's safer staying behind.

The contrast between Callum's "Your Majesty" but also so easily calling Harrow "my father" to Soren, and everyone in the room knowing Runaan is her father but Rayla using his name

This fandom really takes you through a series of opinions about the oath the assassins take, doesn't it? First watch as a kid I was like, yeah, ok, this makes sense to me. Second as a teenager I was like, oooh, very flawed vengeful system, anyone who survived this would need a redemption arc. Now, as an adult, having the full context of a couple graphic novels up to Season 7 . . . yeah, it's a flawed system. But it's a flawed system based on over a thousand years of marginalization. These elves didn't make this call; Zubeia called on them, and what were they going to do, say no? Last time they started a fight with the rest of Xadia they lost miserably. They do not have the numbers to justify arguing with the Queen of Dragons. They're doing the best they can with a culture older than any of them can remember and the information they have about current events. We should criticize their culture, sure, but the individuals are less to blame than we might think at first.

Soren's been leading the Crownguard since he was 16 and you can really tell from how his older subordinates just sigh at his stupid jokes

I forgot about Runaan poisoning his arrows. Dude is thorough. Also, the lore of how arcanum magic works is fascinating; Runaan's said to be one of the best with moon magic, but still uses the moon opal necklace Ethari gave him to cast the spell to hide them.

Also, "I saw the fear in his eyes!" "Of course he was afraid! But you had a job to do!" is such a loaded exchange. Runaan isn't trying to argue with her reasons. He doesn't contradict her. He just says that she should have done it anyway, because now her own people are in danger instead. It's also interesting because she reacts that strongly to fear of death; which makes so much sense with the Moonshadow cultural view of death as being nothing to be afraid of, because it's just the next phase of existence. Of course she thought she could do it; she didn't expect her targets to be afraid, because she doesn't know anyone who would be.

[russilton]

Hiiiii I saw your post where you said that you wrote 400 words of the red bull george au. First of all, yayyyyyyyyy that’s amazing. I am very happy for you :) every word counts and the fact that you wrote 400 of it is truly great. I am so invested in the story and can’t wait for it (not pressuring you in anyway to release it soon. I’ll happily wait for it because i know the wait will be worth it)

I wanted to ask something if you don’t mind. You don’t have to answer of you think it’s big of a spoiler or it’s something you would like to keep a secret. I understand. First question: Would the fans eventually learn about George and Lewis’ relationship and that they are together? Second question: Will Susie and Toto be like George’s non official adopted parents? I live for those dynamics where Susie and Toto practically adopt George.

Another one I waited a year and a half on I’m so sorry whoever sent this—

Honestly I’ve basically plotted the majority of the story onto tumblr already so it’s legitimately hard to find spoilers, but I do intend for the fic to mostly wrap up either directly after January 2022 or mostly thereabouts, because I’m hesitant to dive too far into the 22 season because it would end up drastically different from reality and honestly I think what made the original au so easy to plot is the developments of the 2021 season make it really easy to tie plot points to— with the strong exception that without Perez in the Red Bull, Max has no chance for Masi to cheat and hand him a win in Abu Dhabi. Because in fic I refuse to allow that reality.

Going Public

If George and Lewis were to ever come out as together in that universe, it would be long, long after the end of that story. Honestly it would likely come some point after Lewis’ retirement, I doubt even the most trusted would know about the extent of it with very few exceptions like MAYBE Bono or Shov. Perhaps Toto years down the line.

Part of it is really because the shape of their Relationship in the Red Bull au is so massively different to what we normally approach on fanfic- they spend a good 6 months fighting and antagonising each other, and the next 4 months barely speaking because George is deep in his own hell. Lewis and George basically go from on top of each other every weekend to cold turkey from the summer break through to Abu Dhabi, It’s a rocky start to any relationship, even without adding the hell George is personally going through joining a new team and building what little trust he had from the ground up, and Lewis trying to balance looking after himself and trying to figure out how the hell to look after George or if George even wants that.

It’s a rough first year or two is what I’m saying. The last thing they would want is anyone finding out what’s going on between them, and how that would effect their lives or reputations— they’re already facing weekly prying by the media to see if they’re trying to kill each other yet— but it’s better than when people question if they’re too close, and queries about if George was ever loyal to Red Bull or if he was a plant start flying. People find pictures of young George chasing Lewis for autographs, it’s not hard for accusations to grow, and Horner or Marko would waste no time lying about it if they could bring George down a peg further.

So among that, their relationship is kept as wrapped tight as possible. George moves to Monaco like all f1 drivers do, so it’s easier for them to meet quietly without anyone seeing, but they don’t really go out together for anything more than dinners around the globe as teammates in restaurants that know how to be discreet. They’re not a naturally affectionate pair, it’s not hard to act like they’re just friends in public— RB George is about 5 times as neurotic as canon George and isn’t really chill and goofy, spending your formative years being micromanaged by assholes and then getting a brutal public reality check will do that— so it’s not something they find especially hard to maintain for a few years, it’s only when they’ve been at it a while that Lewis starts to get nagging feelings that it would be nice to be able to sit by George at pool sides when he’s tanning, or go running together, or get George a little drunk in a club so he could see that rare affectionate side. But he also keeps that to himself since George still seems antsy about it, and even years out from his move, George finds it hard to shake the media linking to his past as a bull. It’s hard enough being the man who publically fell out of his team into another one. Being the first Gay f1 drivers would be a lot to add to that, without adding accusations George slept his way into his seat.

But I think, quite a few years down the line when George is creeping up over 30, and Lewis into his mid 40’s, they might get quietly married. They’re not really interested in being in the centre of a big event like that, especially as Lewis expands further on his brands outside of F1 and George chases championships at his side, they have a lot going on. It’s a paperwork thing, but they still don’t tell many people.

It’s only when Lewis has fully retired, and George wins his second Championship that they might quietly let things build. A congratulatory instagram post from Lewis that leans a little into fond, George’s reply’s back that seems just as affectionate. Fans chalk it up to a good teammate relationship until George shows up with Lewis at an event for one of his charities, and more questions swirl about how they ended up so close. They’d probably end up dropping it on everyone in some end of year socials post years after they got married, something about celebrating an anniversary together. They don’t specify which. They’d probably be annoyingly short about the whole thing, tell people as little as possible about how it happened until they’re both retired. It’s such a big story as it is they don’t really need to complicate people’s shouting by adding confusion about timelines and team politics. If George is asked about it while racing, he’d probably say he’s no different than before, it’s just now people know about it. If people tried to pry, he’d shrug and tease them to wait for a future book about it. There probably would be a book some day tbh.

It’s a weird one- I genuinely go back and forth on if they would ever willingly tell anyone, as much as I’ve described this scenario here, I think they’re an equal chance they would just tell absolutely no one until they’re both retired, only to drop it one day with little to no explanation and tell the world that’s all they need to know. They’re both progressively minded and would want to use themselves to further acceptance in their sport, but RB George is so dictated by the trauma he goes through, and that has echo effects. He spent so long isolated and aggressively private despite a veneer of cockiness, I think he would find that hard to move from from the need to keep himself to himself, and Lewis honestly isn’t much different. When you’ve had your entire life paraded across a stage to be criticised, there’s part of you that wants some things to stay yours and yours alone, and after all they’ve both achieved, I can see how they don’t really want their relationship to be put infront of that.

Toto and Susie

George and Toto is such a complicated dynamic in this au, for so many reasons. For one, Toto doesn’t half paternally raise him through his formative years, when they meet and begin to interact properly, George is Toto’s shiny new driver he’s not sure what to make of, because Lewis essentially coached Toto into choosing him.

Toto is shrewd and business minded when he’s not letting his heart rule his head, and he doesn’t have any kind of bond with George to do that. He treats George similarly to how he likely treated Valtteri at first, he’s looking for someone who falls in line and doesn’t fight or cause problems with the team, to set them up and maybe win a few times till they find some future champions material- Toto doesn’t necessarily think George isn’t, but he doesn’t really know what to make of George. He shows up with two wins under his belt and some sparks of potential that could be gold dust, or they could just be light catching water. He has to be realistic no matter how much Lewis throws his weight behind George.

George doesn’t fare much better when it comes to being approachable. He is, for lack of a better word, traumatised by how Horner treated him like a beloved team member and then a pig for slaughter the second he faltered. Marko was even worse, George is used to being berated for any kind of car damage, or having his seat threatened if he fumbled more than one race in a row. The first time George has a horrible session and qualifies low, he probably has to stave off a panic attack. He’s trying to be strong and capable, trying not to act like a fragile wuss, but a cloying part of him is terrified the rugs going to be pulled from under him again, and then he’s truly fucked bc Red Bull would demote him, but Merc might fire him, and he’d have no one.

George is a good liar, Red Bull made him one, but he’s not that good, Lewis would probably drag him aside for a chat, try to reassure him sessions are shit sometimes and Lewis has had plenty of bad ones, the team doesn’t care as long as he’s trying, but for a guy like George that doesn’t really help much, even as he tries to fake a grin and wave Lewis off. That’s probably when Lewis would have to step in and speak to Toto himself.

I don’t want to set a precedent of Lewis fixing George’s problems, because George very much has independence a lot of the time, but this early after the move, George is handling a lot, and not wanting to really talk about any of it for fear of losing it all again. Toto knows some of why George split from redbull, he has to to even consider hiring him, but he’s not especially aware of how George ended up in that situation, how quick the switch up was, how deeply that fear sits in George’s gut. Lewis can’t share all of that, but he can fill in some of Toto’s gaps with what George has told him, and at least point out that when he’s comfortable, just how fucking fast George is.

With that knowledge I can see Toto developing a kind of softness for George, and at least attempting to learn more. He might ask to meet with George a little more in brackley, ask him about his history, and point out they’re not going to fire him over a shitty result or two, he’s not Christian. Toto’s bluntness would be… comforting to George, it may be harsh at times but he knows Toto doesn’t really seem to care to lie to him about it. He tells George bluntly about what they don’t want him to do, and well, George can work with that.

There’s probably also a time Toto tells George that Mercedes intended to offer him a junior seat, but by the time they’d got a contract drafted, George had signed with Redbull. George probably goes slightly white at that, and when probed, will try to say ah well, can’t change the past, all while sounding like he desperately wants to. Susie probably slaps Toto for that one.

I think with time George and Toto would build their own rapport. George learns to relax and tease Toto with maybe a little less ease than Lewis, and Toto learns George will always laugh when he insults Horner, and that part of George is still a kid who grew up too fast and could still use some praise. Toto has three kids, he can do that. George won’t ever say he needs it, but he might lean a little harder on Toto after a mechanical DNF when Toto tells him it’s not his fault, and he gets more comfortable grabbing Toto for a celebratory hug when they do win. The trust takes a long time to develop, it’s a little less paternal than in real life, but it is there. Toto is an authority figure George doesn’t have to be quite as terrified of.

As for Susie, I think George would like Susie a LOT. Lewis loves her, it’s an easy introduction. She’s a smoother voice than her husband and even if George isn’t Scottish, it feels closer to being home, the same ways Lewis does. Susie has whip fast whit and an energy about her that just makes people relax, and George is no different, he likes when she visits the team and always gets a good laugh out of him. George particularly would enjoy watching her and Lewis poke and tease each other, she’s known Lewis so long her quips dig deep, and that’s particularly hysterical to George

Maternal is difficult for George- she’s forever linked to Toto and it’s hard to forget that, so that keeps George at some distance. But she’s also so very different, and when Toto invites him and sometimes Lewis over to their home in Oxford, she’s always the one to greet him at the door and welcome him in. Susie knows all about hostile team environments and would probably happily insult Redbull with a glee and ruthlessness that would make George choke but actually relax a bit. George wouldn’t be caught dead calling her a maternal figure any day, but if he finds Susie’s presence eventually relaxing, that’s between him and God.

[crooked-wasteland]

"Vivziepop sees the aristocracy, the ones who were born into a legacy of wealth, as “hardworking average folks”

So to make this point we need to reaffirm these things:

A) it isn't that Stella is able to abuse him, but the fact that he allows her to despite having all the power in the situation. The use of "allows" is not universal to all victims of DV. This interpretation is extremely specific to the dynamic between Stolas and Stella due to the context of power in their dynamic and outside of it.

If Stella and Stolas were merely separated, she would be entirely powerless. It is also not unheard of for aristocratic marriages made by design to result in separation. King George IV abandoned his wife Caroline after producing their daughter. He literally banned her from attending his coronation.

The amount of power and wealth associated with the upper class, especially those with titles, is something that has to be valued in terms of world building. He didn't need to divorce Stella and could still have cheated and simply been separated from her. The cheating would have been under less scrutiny in such a scenario, and Stella would still have her title as well. Which would have more appropriately centered the conflict over Blitz being an Imp rather than Stolas being a cheater and Stella being an abuser. Which ties Stolas' character and story in better with the overarching plot of a group of working class assassins while still allowing Stella to be horrified and embarrassed and continuing Stolas' story without needing it to overshadow Blitz's story.

B) On the other hand, if the abuse Stella implemented was more psychological and manipulative, where we see her performing politics in a way to elevate her position and Stolas is left relying on her to survive the Goetia courts, then we would understand why he kept her close and tried to make the relationship work. Because she proves he is inferior to her. And she would abuse him to take control over his position and physical capabilities.

But that requires Stella being actually intelligent and shrewd in how she engaged with her friends. It's all about perception, and she would rightfully understand that superceeding her husband would remove her own credibility. So playing nice about him in public only to tear him apart in private would have been a necessity.

C) I'm not sure how many ways to explain the deeper meaning aside from Circuses and Bread. It is a coined political ideology to stave off rebellion when a government is failing. Give them food and distract them. Utilizing art and leisure and wealth to benefit those in power by maintaining goodwill with the proletariat. So when Stolas does the one thing that we know is about his job, it doesn't seem to exist for any reason other than a celebration. It's the Super Bowl Halftime Show but with none of the multi billions of dollars to give it any credibility. Additionally, he is not one of the people simply financing the "circus" and doing an Elon Musk in making himself the center of attention to channel this power towards himself/his position/the aristocracy. He is the performer on stage, playing his part for no coherent reason other than "he's supposed to".

Otherwise, we don't actually see any of the demon aristocracy do anything that looks like a job. Everything else is simply a hobby. Why is Ozzie running a sex toy manufacturing facility? That's not his job as a sin, that's a hobby. Why is he the owner of a club? That's a hobby. Those aren't related to him being the King of Lust, those are not examples of someone with kingly power.

This point falls into the trap that on one hand you can ask “How are the goetia more like celebrities” or you can ask, “In what ways are the Goetia and even the deadly sins, functioning as nobility?” And the crickets respond. This is a dialectic issue where if they functioned as nobility, we should see some evidence of social responsibilities in their practical forms. Taxes, laws, bureaucracy. We see none of that. So the real question has to be how do they function as nobility. The short answer is they do not.

And the point to remember in this category is that Celebrities are still working class. They are wealthy, but working class. They must perform labor. Even in regards to nepotism in the industry, that still requires some form of merit to maintain. While people from the celebrity class can be born into the wealth of their parents, they will need to find other avenues to maintain that wealth. But they are incapable of enacting direct change on a societal level to maintain their wealth.

The peak of their abilities falls upon influence. And the one thing you realize with influence is that it entirely depends on the disposition of those who are being influenced and why they respond to this influence. With nobility and politics, specific behaviors are compulsory. Laws are the guidelines of compulsory behavior. Influence is purely suggestive and unwieldy. A celebrity can support a weight loss supplement and their viewers can either disregard it entirely or suddenly change their whole world view to where they believe there are literal toxins that form in their bodies that need to be released (you have organs for that) and anywhere in between. Influence is a form of power, but those that have it are just as much at the mercy to its outcomes.

You cannot predict how influence will affect others.

The point in belaboring the details is because the exact dimensions of why this doesn't work is wholly unique to Helluva Boss in specific. This goes back to my point in how the show will inherently slant its narrative through the perspective of the creator. So when I say "The Goetia feel like celebrities with noble titles rather than aristocracy" it's a critique of that lens the show is being filtered through.

There is not going to be a singular action or moment that proves my point. The point isn't a flash bang of evidence, but the pervasive attitude she exhibits through the series:

Medrano doesn't understand the nature of power.

Power is not stagnant. It is alive and dynamic, needing to adapt to be maintained. Power has different faces, like we discussed in Hard vs Soft power. But power at best seeks to maintain, and at its worst is a cancer that seems to grow infinitely. It is why people say "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". Power is alive and an entity independent from those who wield it. Because power can also be lost. And power can be unclaimed, which is called a "power vacuum".

Like a parasite, Power moves to places where it seems to benefit in a chaotic manner, no matter what. To simply maintain and confined Power is to work against the nature of Power.

Because Stolas is doing nothing with his power, it would naturally move away from him and into the hands of someone more ambitious, like Stella. And Stella would seek to maintain control of the power by abusing Stolas. It now becomes a logical progression of how true power behaves.

On the other hand, there is another saying: "Power reveals. When you give a guy the power to do whatever he wants, you see what the guy always wanted to do."

And this quote is going to be slightly reverse engineered. Because how the show depicts power reveals entirely what Medrano thinks power is. And that simple answer is Fame.

And Fame is synonymous with Celebrity. Meaning that the reason I say the characters feel more like celebrities rather than aristocracy is because Medrano cannot actually see the top of that mountain. She thinks the summit, the highest form of power one can achieve, is celebrity status. Not at all realizing that the true peak is miles higher above the clouds.

Again, the quote at the beginning is not going to be found in physical evidence, but as a pervasive attitude through the narrative.

So when Medrano treats the lowest form of power the same as true power, unable to conceptualize the nature of power in the world she has created like a god, it's all because she didn't think world building was all that important.

And I think we've finally come full circle.

I've seen your tweet which criticizes the worldbuilding in Helluva Boss and how the Goetias feel like "Hollywood with royal titles" rather than true aristocracy, and I would like you to elaborate on that, if that's OK.

Thank you so much for this ask as I never got to expand on this point at the time. For those not in the know, the user is referencing this exchange on Twitter.

As much as the elites of our world would like to disperse the truth, the reality is that all societies are constructed around power. Who has power, how and why. That is the fundamental basis of every social dynamic from children on a playground to the politicians in our governments. So the very first thing we should even approach in regards to the narrative is how does power work in this universe?

So when I responded to Elcee in the tweet being referenced, I am evaluating power and power structures. Mainly there are two wholly different constructs of power between something like the aristocracy and celebrities.

The closest thing to an aristocracy we have in our modern day are the financial oligarchs of Capitalism. Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Bill Gates, etc. They have control everything from how our political parties engage with us to how we think based on the wealth they were born into. They curate our lives behind the scenes in ways that sound worthy of a tinfoil hat, but isn't a conspiracy. The wealthy were threatened in the 1970s by an educated proletariate. In response to our questioning the Vietnam war, the higher education that was once free or at least extremely affordable suddenly became prohibitively expensive.

So much so that only the financial aristocracy could access it. Whereas working class individuals are forced to jump through hoops and prove themselves suitably subservient to the existing power of the oligarchy in the form of scholarship applications, teacher recommendations and application letters before being granted access. This is not a mistake or how it's always been, this is by design.

Meanwhile, Celebrities are not elites. While we think of celebrities as being overpaid and living in luxury, it only takes a glance over at Chappell Roan to see the difference. When Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk or any large corporate CEO walks the red carpet, they are treated as royalty. When celebrities walk the red carpet, they are commodities.

Celebrity is the modern day face of the American Dream. Gone are the days of a single family home and a white picket fence. The boom of content over art, luxury over practicality, and excess over comfort is directly the result of selling to the world the idea of capitalistic success, which just amounts to perpetuating the system of turning humans into money. And for as much money as these celebrities make, it has been proven over and over again that they are just as susceptible to poverty as any other working class individual.

Celebrities are products we buy, and when we stop buying them, they vanish.

Meanwhile the aristocracy, the financial oligarchy, thrives in obscurity.

The difference in power is about who still has it when we no longer see them. And the more invisible and pervasive it is, the more real it is. However one as an individual thinks about the celebrity class, they are simple a different type of specialized tool to the true power behind the scenes.

With that differential in mind, the Goetia function more like celebrities rather than CEOs, and while Elcee fails to see the bigger picture, that subliminally tells the audience that someone with the title of prince, with armies sworn to his allegiance and infinite cosmic power, is no different than a working class joe.

This isn't intentional propaganda, however. It's not her trying to further the agendas of Jeff Bezos intentionally. Just like my other post covering how Medrano tries to excuse cheating, not realizing the only time one can argue such a blanket concept of forgiveness for such a betrayal can only happen when the option of choice is non-existent (ie Divorce is not on the table for reasons outside of the characters’ choices), this is the danger of not engaging with media with your mind turned on. You will innately, no matter how careful someone tries to be, engage with the material through the eyes of the creator.

Celebrities and average people are the same: commodities in the face of real power. But Medrano cannot tell the difference between someone like Elon Musk and his employees. She sees the aristocracy, the ones who were born into a legacy of wealth, as “hardworking average folks”. And if you aren't thinking, you might find yourself implicitly believing that too. Deeper entrenching the power they have over you as an individual and society as a whole.

How we got to where we are in our real lives is mirrored in the media we consume. And that isn't an accident.