#oh and spirit truly tragic… the start of it all… ;)

[bleue-flora]

i didn't remenber cdream had a parrot. Now o need to rewatch. Cdream has a curse or something bc why alll his pets die or are killed

Yea… for real. And most of them have really tragic and strange deaths. :’( It’s no wonder he has such attachment issues, only furthered by the death of his horse then later endangerment of his friends and blackmail…

Here’s the link to the parrot stream

Time stamp for finding the parrot: 2:23:21

Time stamp for the death of the parrot: 3:18:02

Here’s the link to the memorial (which I actually mentioned in my recent Dreamcatcher blooper)

Though to truly understand how tragic it is you should watch the whole section of the stream where he has his parrot, because he really goes through so much trouble to bring the parrot (and Spirit) back home with him.

“I loved him like a son he was a like father to me.” — Dream —

[writingoddess1125]

Yes Buggy and his hot wife are Roger and Jessica Rabbit, but if I may submit this comparison to the council:

✨Buggy and his wife are The Grinch and Martha May Whovier✨

Oh It Is ON!

In the spirit of the Winter Holiday Spirits! We are doing a Christmas Spin on My Effect Series!

So get you a egg nog with 90% rum maybe some holiday 'cigarettes' sit back and enjoy this clusterfuck idea! 🍃 🚬

P.S IM REALLY HIGH WHILE WRITING THIS SO ITS PROBABLY ALL OVER THE PLACE! ENJOY!

The Grinch and Martha May Effect 🎄

If you like my shit, support me on Ko-Fi because recession!

Link to Main Masterlist

• This Crusty Bastard has had the heart of the most beautiful women in the world.

• And didn't even realize it-

• You had all met on Gol D Roger's ship- Buggy being a snot nosed apprentice with his gaggle of friends- While you being one of the few girls on the ship was a cup bearer for your father. Silvers Rayleigh.

• This made you incredibly off limits to all, Sheltered by a life of luxury your father provided as your only real 'job' was to fill his cup. Even Gol D Roger the famed Captian spoiled you in cute dresses and expensive bows.

• Turning you into the Doll of the Oro Jackson.

• A Princess Wrapped in Silver and Gold

• You still remembered the first day you ment him-

• Both of you 13 years old, fresh faced kids still needing the guidance of adults.

• You'd snuck off from your normal areas, wanting to explore the ship some more. That's till you saw a boy- His face covered in what seemed to be gunpowder as he filled homemade bombs with total care.

• His blue hair peaking out of the red hat and drawing you to step a big closer to get a better look.

• The Tull of your sparkling dress catching the corner of his eye as he spun around quickly holding a knife out.

• Then, Ocean eyes met Your own and time seemed to slow. Ever so slightly- Your cheeks warming as you gave a soft smile.

• "Hello" Your little voice slipped out, Buggy stating at you with unsure interest. A crooked smile on his lips as he greeting you quickly- "H-Hi!"

• "Is something wrong with your nose? It looks kinda funny" Buggy glares hard at you, making you blink in question at his reaction.

• Buggy covering his face, his ocean eyes starting to cloud with tears like a storm eyed he stared at you. "Whats so funny about my nose!? Huh!"

• "Well don't get angry- I don't mind. I think its cute. Im sorry if i offended you" You smile so sweetly, feeling bad for making his sad as Buggy felt his face start to glow.

• "You think.. My nose is cute?" He questioned, making you nod honestly. He giggled into his hands, a high pitch squeaky laugh that made you smile and your heart flutter.

• "Whats your name?" He grins at you, Hearing you actually want to know about him. "Buggy! What about you pretty girl?" Your face flushing at his words.

• "I'm-"

• "(Y/N)!" You heard your name being called before you could speak, recognizing the voice of your father.

• "(Y/N)- That's such a pretty name.. Will I see you again?" Buggy asked, his eyes sparking at such a chance. Your delicate hand reaching forward and tucking a strand of his blue hair back into his hat. "I will try"

• And try you did. For a year the two of you would meet, talking on the deck of the ship for hours till you had to sneak away again. Buggy even using his Chop Chop abilities to help you get back to your room.

• It was tragic to say, but you'd never get a chance to see Buggy for many many years after your 14th birthday- Your Father sending you to an Island to keep you safe as you entered your teens.

• The disbanding of the Roger Pirates aiding in this as well-

• The death and heartache Seeming to follow you as you found yourself handing in the hands of Sir Crocodile.

• Crocodile having had an interest to whoo you for years- as he too had met you on Gol D Roger's ship, finding you the only person more then suitable to be at his side.

• You had never truly accepted his advances, Despite his power, status and more. He didn't have your heart, and you wouldn't give him any part of yourself in compensation.

• Decades it had been like this, still the girl wrapped in silver and gold. Hoarded like treasure for everyone to admire, however nothing more.

• But it seemed the tides were beginning to change- After Crocodile time in Impel Down- as well as the formation of the Cross Guild- You would meet your blue haired friend once again. Just in a unique Flashy way

• AKA by his head being punched off by Crocodile and accidently flung into your waiting chest.

• "(Y/N)?-" He mumbled against your bust, your cheeks flaring deep crimson as he floated his head up to lock eyes with your flushed face.

• He got his ass beaten for that by Crocodile of course-

• But for you it was like your heart was Kickstart again!

• At the Cross Guild, you'd always attend. Crocodile assuming it was because you were warming up to him, But in truth it was to see Buggy-

• The two of you talking to each other constantly. He was so fascinating to you-

• Like you two were children again falling in love- Sitting out under the stars talking for hours. You tucking strands of his blue hair back into his hat, him fixing any Imperfections on yohr dresses as you sat next to him. Which often lead to Buggy giggling into his gloved hands while turning away from you

• You accepted him as he was, and adored him for it. You loved his mind, his passion, even his laziness and lewd humor.

• As time went on, you noticed the same for him. How he would ask you YOUR interest, what things YOU actually liked.

• Something no one had asked you since you were a child. Most just assuming your taste and interest.

• Hell when he came for meetings he would bring you something you'd actually want. Not just shiny things to make you look more valuable.

• "Hey (Y/N)!" Buggy cloaked towards you excited as he held out a old dirty crate to you. "I remeber you said you really liked weird plants, so I found these old books and scientist-y samples of the weirdest! Hope you like them!"

• You'd almost cried at the gift, so overfill with you you hugged Buggy. Before spending hours going through the crate and organizing it all to your liking.

• However with the sweets, came the sours...

• There had been countless times you'd walk into the Guild and see Buggys face. Beaten and bruised- How Crocodile and Mihawk kicked his ass as their own personal stress relief or just to show dominace.

• It broke your heart.. truly- Buggy humiliated like that infront of everyone time and time again... You would try to comfort him after the meetings but he would just run away- You swore you saw tears in his eyes a few times.

• You'd want to many times to have him run into your arms, so you could whisper how good of a man he is and deserving so love.

- It had been a particularly festive day in the Guild Hall, Crocodile dressing in a nicer suit as better food was served and fancy alcohol was served. You even being gifted a dress by the Desert King himself to wear today, you didn't refuse but felt rather uncomforble at how attentive he was acting with you.

And uncomfortable that he had purposely sat Buggy so far away from you..

As dinner was being served, Crocodile stood up from his seat next to you. Slapping his hand on the table to gather everyone's attention.

"I have an announcement-" Crocodile voice boomed through the room, you glancing up as the hook handed man gestured for you to stand. Which you silently did-

Oh No...

"(Y/N)- Daughter of Silvers Rayleigh. A women of greatness and deserving of only the finest of riches"

No...

"I ask for your hand- I swear I will give you all the wealth you desire"

Please No...

"From Riches, Silks and even the One Piece if your little mind wishes for it"

NO!

"Will you Marry me?"

Something inside you just snapped. Staring at Crocodile face that had the crooked cigar hanging from his lips.

Crocodile taking your silence positively as he handed you a velvet box with a massive diamond ring inside of it.

You stared at the ring box that had been placed in your glove hands and felt... nothing. Absolutely nothing...

Before A fire of rage filled your insides-

"We- We aren't even dating!-" You shouted, everyone looking to yoh in shock as you looked around wildly.

"What makes you think I want to stay by your side!? You were just ment to protect me not use me as a Scudo Girlfriend! I'm not yours nor will I ever be!-" Crocodile face starting to turn red, his eyes glancing around him before setting on you with a harsh glare.

"So I-I can't accept this" You finally hissed out, bright red in the face from both embarrassment and anger. Everyone in the Guild Hall staring at you in total shock.

"Besides My Heart... Belongs to someone else-" Crocodile eyes widen as he clenched his hands in rage. You handing the ring box back to him delicately, before turning to look at Buggy who had been picking his nose diassociating heavily at the dramatics. Only coming back to reality when he saw everyone was staring at him-

Buggy stares confused, 'Why are you all looking at me?' He looked behind himself first, Then around to see who you could be talking about, that had your heart. Realizing quickly he was alone and you actually ment HIM!

"Wait Me!?"

• After such a stunning yet shocking reveal, Crocodile cut you lose. Feeling you embarrassed him infront of everyone- Which had been the greatest day of your life!

• As you fly into Buggy's (Who got beaten senseless once again) arms. Who accepts you happily into his life-

• Frolicking away to his Circus Themed Ship in what can only be described as total Joy!

• "HAHAHAHAHA I WIN!!" He yells out, holding you in his arms as he flips off Crocodile once more and holds you in his arms.

• You adore his Flashy Crusty ways, the way he weirdly cackled and utter lack of emotional control.

• Oh How you love your Crusty Clown!

[muiitoloko]

If your requests are still open, could you please write an imagine in which reader comes home from the hairdresser all frustrated and in tears because he didn’t do what she asked and Alan Rickman tries to cheer her up and keeps giving her compliments

(I am sobbing because I wanted a bob and my hairdresser wouldn’t cut it the length I wanted and ends up making me feel bad for criticizing his work. I am not a very confrontational person)

Title: The Haircut Catastrophe: A Husband's Remedy

Summary: After an unintentional haircut disaster, you seek comfort in Alan’s humor and warmth. His witty charm helps you embrace the new look, turning heartbreak into laughter.

Pairing: Alan Rickman × Fem! Reader

Warnings: None

Author's Notes: Of course, I'd be happy to write this for you! I'm so sorry your experience at the hairdresser made you feel this way—it’s incredibly frustrating when you don’t get what you asked for, especially when it’s something as personal as your hair. But I promise, Alan Rickman (in the imagine) will make you feel like the most beautiful person in the world, no matter what.

Also read on Ao3

Alan looked up as you entered, the loud slam of the door a clear announcement of your mood. He put his script aside, his gaze instantly softening as you appeared in the doorway with a new haircut, one you'd been excited about all week. He smiled warmly, attempting to play the part of the doting husband, "Well, look at you, darling," he said in that familiar baritone, his words gentle but laced with the charming humor only he could pull off. "You look absolutely radiant. What did they call that one? ‘The Stunning Goddess’?”

At his compliment, your expression crumpled. A small, miserable sob escaped you, and you looked away, fighting back tears. "It’s awful,” you cried, your voice thick with frustration. “I asked them to cut it just a little, Alan—a little—and now it’s so short, it’s horrible. I look like...like…someone trying too hard to be sophisticated and failing miserably.”

Alan's face softened further, though his eyebrows raised just a tad. "Come now, love," he murmured, standing and crossing the room to wrap you in a hug, his arms warm and steady around you as you buried your face against his chest. "It’s hardly a disaster. If I had a pound for every bad haircut I've had—well, I'd have at least six pounds by now."

You let out a teary chuckle despite yourself, feeling the first hint of a smile tug at your lips as he continued. “And frankly, I think you look stunning. More stunning than I could’ve imagined. In fact, I might have to start keeping an eye on you when we’re out, what with all those admiring looks you’ll be getting.”

"But look at it!” you wailed, pulling back to gesture wildly at your hair. “It’s so much shorter! I look like…like a disheveled librarian who lost her way in a windstorm.”

Alan tilted his head, eyeing your hair as if studying a particularly intricate painting. "Darling, disheveled librarian is in right now, didn’t you know? I’m starting to think you’re secretly on the cutting edge of fashion."

You sniffed, half-laughing, half-crying. "Oh, sure, Alan. Go ahead and make jokes. I’m a walking disaster.”

He chuckled, gently wiping a stray tear from your cheek. "Alright, if you insist on seeing yourself as a disaster, then let me say this: I have a bit of a soft spot for you as a ‘walking disaster.’ It’s endearing, truly.” He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head. “And just think, if they hadn’t cut it so short, we’d have been deprived of this moment where I get to be your dashing, charming, long-suffering husband. My chance to shine, really.”

You couldn’t help but laugh, rolling your eyes but feeling your spirits lift a little as you looked up at him. “Only you could turn my tragic hair into an opportunity for your own theatrics.”

"Precisely,” he smirked, one brow quirked in that playful way that made your heart flutter, "and just think how much money we’re saving on shampoo now. Plus, with this new look, you’ll hardly recognize yourself in the mirror, and that’s rather exciting, isn’t it? A fresh start each day.”

You shook your head, feeling laughter bubble up despite yourself. “You’re ridiculous, Alan.”

"And you’re beautiful,” he said, his voice suddenly more serious, his gaze warm as he looked at you. “New haircut, old haircut, wild haircut—makes no difference to me.” He leaned down to brush a soft kiss against your forehead. “You’re my stunning goddess, through and through.”

You sighed, finally letting yourself relax in his arms, the frustration melting away under his warmth and humor. “Alright, Mr. Rickman,” you murmured, resting your head against his chest, “you win. I suppose I’ll survive this haircut after all.”

"Of course you will," he replied smoothly, his voice rumbling with amusement. "And in the meantime, I’ll be here to remind you just how unfairly enchanting you are—disheveled or otherwise.”

You sighed, resting your head against Alan's chest, letting the last traces of frustration ebb away in the warmth of his embrace. But as you relaxed, another thought weighed on your mind, stirring up a different kind of guilt.

“Alan,” you began, voice muffled against his shirt, “I…I have to confess something. I think I may have been a little too harsh on the hairdresser.”

He tilted his head down, his eyes softening as he studied your face. “Oh? What did you say, darling?”

You let out a groan, squeezing your eyes shut as you remembered. “I…well, it wasn’t exactly polite. I told her—very bluntly, might I add—that her own haircut looked like a ‘lopsided bird’s nest.’”

Alan’s lips twitched as he stifled a laugh, a mischievous glint sparking in his hazel eyes. “A ‘lopsided bird’s nest’? My, my, that’s quite the scathing critique. You’re becoming rather bold, aren’t you?”

You covered your face with your hands, shaking your head. “It was awful of me. I’ve never been a confrontational person, you know that. But I was so upset, so frustrated by the cut…I just snapped.”

Alan gently pulled your hands away, a sympathetic smile softening his face. “You’re human, love. It’s perfectly natural to feel upset, especially when something doesn’t turn out as you hoped. And besides, perhaps that hairdresser’s ‘lopsided bird’s nest’ look was her attempt at edgy avant-garde. You might have inadvertently provided her with some much-needed feedback.”

You laughed despite yourself, nudging him lightly. “Don’t encourage me, Alan. I feel terrible. I just… I’m not used to being rude. I try so hard to be kind, but this time—”

He shook his head, cutting you off with a gentle kiss to your forehead. “Darling, we all have moments. Even I have, on occasion, let my frustrations get the better of me.” He gave a theatrical sigh, his tone exaggerated. “I once told a fellow actor that his delivery was ‘a bit like a dying goose’… Needless to say, that didn’t go over well.”

You gasped, eyes widening as you laughed. “Alan! You didn’t!”

“Oh, but I did,” he admitted, with a look of mock horror, “and I still wince whenever I recall it. But I like to think it was a humbling moment, for both of us. Besides, if you can’t occasionally tell a hairdresser her hairstyle resembles a bird’s nest, what’s the point of being married to an actor who excels at saying utterly terrible things in the most charming way?”

You rolled your eyes, chuckling. “Only you could make my rudeness sound like an art form.”

“Exactly,” he replied, his tone sincere as he lifted your chin to meet his gaze. “And remember, no one’s perfect. A moment of frustration doesn’t make you any less kind. But if you’re truly feeling guilty, I could always accompany you back to the salon. We could tell her that the ‘lopsided bird’s nest’ look has really grown on us.”

“Oh, please, Alan,” you laughed, shaking your head. “That poor woman would never recover.”

He shrugged, his lips curving into that playful smirk you loved so much. “Then perhaps we’ll simply enjoy your new look in peace and let bygones be bygones. After all, it’s hardly every day I get to comfort my lovely wife as she mourns the tragic loss of a few inches of hair.”

You sighed, finally smiling without reservation as you looked up at him, the last of your guilt fading away. “Thank you, Alan. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

He smiled, leaning in to press a tender kiss to your forehead. “Fortunately, you’ll never have to find out. And in the meantime, I’ll be here to remind you that, whether you have long hair, short hair, or no hair at all, you’ll always be my stunning goddess.”

[mousathe14]

So who here knew Young Justice’s favorite android, Red Tornado, is a father?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

Anyhow, I found out days ago when I started reading but now I’m in the mood to talk about it because it’s pretty neat.

Well finding out he decided to go by John Smith is less neat but I guess the courts had to call him something. Stupid name. Why not Ryan Twister? Randy Twirl? Rhys Turner?

I wonder how long he was standing in the Young Justice cave before feeling the spark of hatred again. Because that gave him enough feeling in his old circuits to see his partner and daughter again.

That’s right, Red Tornado has a partner, Kathy, and they adopted a little girl together named Traya.

And they love their weird spirit in a tin can.

Tell me this isn’t blood adorable, I dare you. This machine that slowly felt disconnected from his humanity happily spends quality time with the partner and child he loves. It’s so sweet how excited Traya is to see him!

But unfortunately on this night Trays watches a baby show ironically and that show was infected by a cult that makes children kills their families. And Kathy was tragically nearly stabbed and fell a few stories out a window…

… and into a coma. She almost didn’t make it but Secret being dead allows her to do some freaky stuff. Imagine going towards the light and then this smoke girl comes in tells you have to live to see your family or the law will tear this family apart.

Anyhow, while Kathy is in a coma Traya needs a guardian. But uh… there is a sliiiiiiiiiiight problem with that predicament.

You know, maybe they would’ve been more willing to hear you out if you had a more realistic and interesting name.

Anyhow, apparently not being completely human is grounds to deny you of your rights as an adoptive parent.

Now there are real monsters in this world that we allow to be parents because genetics say so.

But this man… this machine cannot care for the daughter he willingly adopted because they deny him his clear humanity?

Apparantly yes. They even call him a car. Twice.

He’s having his “The Measure of a Man” moment from Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode where android Commander Data is having his right to self determination challenged and possibly be considered property of Starfleet rather than a sentient individual. Because a scientist wanted to dismantle, kill, and replicate Data; essentially to create a race of sentient robotic slaves.

Now imagine if he lost that case but because he was being tried in child custody case.

Imagine. A judge’s final declaration on the sentience of machines, set as legal precedent, decided in family court!

Also, just look at how heartbreaking it is to see Traya being dragged away from Reddy.

She truly is her father’s daughter because she was having none of that. Violently.

Oh hey, look, here come Fite n’ Maad!

Oh hey, look, there goes Fite n’ Maad!

Reddy and Traya are not taking this lying down.

Red Tornado: Ah, you think the air is your ally, but you merely adopted the air. I was born in it, molded by it.

Needless to say, he was held in contempt of court.

Despite Kathy waking up and declaring Reddy as a legal guardian.

Now where was Young Justice in all this? Well they tried to bail out Reddy and Traya by taking down the force field and went to hell on their way out. So Reddy and Kathy were tricked by the law.

Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut while Young Justice were in hell they aggravated the torturer, Dante, so demons got released.

So uh, needless to say, the mayor needed Reddy’s help.

I love every bit of this. The fact that he could’ve walked out at any time. The fact that he would’ve helped without the full pardon.

The fact he took the pardon anyway with this awesome finishing line:

See, no unfeeling machine would be this sassy.

You’re a good ‘un, Red Tornado. Maybe don’t stay in stasis for too long.

[darklinaforever]

Listen to me.

I don't see what was shocking about Lestat lightly pressing Claudia against the cupboard, and taking her arm a little roughly, in beginning of episode 5, especially with what she had done.

Lestat had reason to be angry because what she did was very serious, putting them all in danger.

He was at the end of his tether and his fears about Claudia's future before transforming her were essentially coming true, even worse than expected.

Logically he is derailed with saying she was a mistake in this optic.

It wasn't just a harsh reply born out of malice or a lack of love for her. But because tragically Claudia is truly a mistake because a child / young teenager should never be turned into a vampire. She is an anomaly and what she does during this episode essentially confirms this classic thinking of the vampire race in Lestat mind.

That doesn't take away from the fact that Lestat screwed up horribly by saying that to Claudia, but the fact is that it's a lot more complex than it seems.

And I think it's mainly because of this event, that the things really went off the rails and created the big divide on Lestat's side (cause for Claudia the divide had already started to create before this event but effectively go worse after). The enormous serious thing she had done.

Because yes, until then, Lestat has never been mean to Claudia.

(And after that, things got worse when he started worrying that Claudia would take Louis away from him because of his abandonment issues)

Oh, and yes, for me, even making Claudia watch Charlie burn wasn't supposed to be mean or really toxic from Lestat part, but in contrary in the spirit of making her understand her mistake and its seriousness in order to teach her a lesson.

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC REVIEW: When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley

4.5/5. Releases 4/29/25.

—hot merman summer

—1910s Coney Island freak show

—Puerto Rican hero

—found family among the othered

The Basics:

Benigno "Benny" Caldera is a metalworker on the outskirts of his New York community, treated differently because he's Puerto Rican, brown, and "different". Roped into a madman's scheme to dominate the freak show scene with a real, live merman, Benny finds himself captivated with the being he calls Rio... who seems to understand him better than anyone, even his newfound friends in the show, can. But the longer Rio stays in the very tank Benny helps maintain, the clearer it becomes that there's a limit to how long he can stay away from home—and with Benny.

The Review:

Oh, you get two great things for the price of one here—beautiful writing and beautiful illustrations, both executed wonderfully by Kelley. When I read a book about sea people, I want something lyrical. Something seductive. Something that truly hammers home the sense of the separate, of being thisclose to home yet so far away. When the Tides Held the Moon nails those flavors perfectly, while at the same weaving a romance that's both melancholy and funny, sweet and striking.

There's an obvious parallel between Rio being far from home and Benny being far from Puerto Rico—neither one by choice. Kelley makes a great choice from the jump to make Rio understand Spanish; and yet, often he and Benny stick to English. Just as Rio finds it almost too intense to speak his mer name to Benny, so too does Benny have to ease into allowing Rio this vulnerability. They're kindred spirits, while at the same existing in the reality that, as hard as they're falling for one another... Benny is working for Rio's captor (to whom Rio refers as "the Shark"). He's protecting his love, but he's aiding and abetting in an imprisonment that's killing him.

Similarly, those in the freak show—well-drawn, complex supporting characters with their own motivations and contradictions—protect each other while furthering a system that hurts them. Because, well; what choice do they have? One character I won't name due to spoilers is a particularly excellent example of this paradox, and Kelley makes wise choices about their identity and place in the story.

This is a deeply empathetic novel, with a variety of characters who aren't white, who aren't straight, who have disabilities, who live separately from society for other reasons. And while they support each other and relate to one another, there isn't like... a one-to-one, simple "We're all freaks! There are no differences and no clashes and we're all equal!" perspective, a la The Greatest Showman. There's a lot of room for nuance here, and a clear "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions" sense.

And she does all of this while being careful to keep the focus on Benny and Rio's relationship—no easy task. It takes them a while to start getting to know each other, but once they do, the chemistry leaps off the page. Benny is so worried about letting people know who he really is, while at the same time deeply longing to live as he wishes. He's a super practical character, and has convinced himself that he accepts his lot in life... but does he?

Where Rio has the privilege of coming from a society totally world from ours, with different expectations—merfolk aren't homophobic, for the record—and power. But that's gone now, so all he can really do is go "Well that is STUPID, Benny" while trapped in place. It's like, tragic but funny at the same time.

And as their bond grows more intimate... Note that I didn't include a Heat Index rating in this review. Because it's honestly kind of hard to define? Kelley has a very unique approach to "But how do merfolk do it?" which honestly, I always appreciate. It almost felt freakier than anything I would've thought of. There are so many jokes and words I want to make up, but I literally can't without spoiling it.

Conclusion:

Simply put, this is a beautiful fairy tale about love—the love of your lover, the love of your friends and family, the love of home. It's a very queer romance, and it's a romance with Benny's identity as a gay Puerto Rican man front and center. Which makes the ending... all the more satisfying. Can't wait to see what Kelley does next.

Thanks to Erewhon Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[extra-vertebrae]

Picked up Tears of the Kingdom for my birthday this year and played it over an art sabbatical. After beating it, I have some thoughts about a pair of critters.

Consider this a "spoiler" line for those who haven't beaten the game.

I've been pondering over the Light Dragon and the Tears associated with her transformation. When you take everything given about the transformation at face value, this dragon bursts into being with no sense of self, but presumably still carrying intact though likely scattered memories of when she was still Zelda. Her first act is to shed tears, presumably created through an intense sorrow borne out of thoughts, concerns, and memories that she no longer understands. Her "new" mind is struck with immense emotional pain that now probably just repeats itself over and over as she aimlessly patrols the skies of Hyrule for thousands of years until a man pulls a toothpick out of her forehead. Alternatively, the shedding of tears is symbolic of the final vestiges of Zelda's self as it ebbs away in her new existence, leaving her mind a blank slate unable to recall, process, or attribute anything to anything.

Of course, the game pulls a cop-out and goes "oh, she was just sleeping this whole time!" at the end, which I think is bullshit, but fine, we can't have Zelda scarred for the remainder of her life. We'll just say her memories of flying aimlessly for however long were just yeeted by the mercy of Sophia and Rauru and leave it at that. The implication is probably a reversal via some super powered Recall, but still.

Then comes Ganon, who takes the same road in an effort to cling to power. A new dragon that, just like Zelda, has no self - just a ream of memories and what is probably a deep, directionless, unfathomable anger towards an insignificant entity. How awful must these paired existences be? How aware are they, truly?

A repeated note in the compendium entries for all of the dragons is: "it causes [x deadly phenomena when people are in close range], but it means no harm." I thought about this later and played with the idea that, what if, even taking story circumstances in hand, Ganon's dragon was the same as the rest in this specific regard - creating phenomena out of no actual intent to harm so much as an instinctual self defence mechanism against an unknown "thing" approaching him. Does Ganon still actually recognise Link from all of 30 seconds ago? Or is he just an animal with the same blank slate as Zelda? Whichever the case, despite all the damage he's done, this feels like an especially tragic end for Ganondorf in the sense that, he technically becomes an entirely new entity that has done absolutely nothing except be confronted by a pair of unfamiliar creatures, and is smote in barely a few minutes. Minutes of existence either fraught with confusing memories of anger and violence, or a blank mind with no comprehensive ability, snuffed out due to an inherent danger he poses through, in a way, no "fault" of his own in this new body and mind.

Just a fun thought I had. I've been wondering since I started playing and seeing all of the Memories, if at any point Ganondorf (or Link and Zelda for that matter) has ever actually possessed free will in being the manifestation (?) of the Triforce of Power (or its spirit? My Zelda lore is rusty as hell and super limited).

ETA: also, I really appreciate the addition of a pig's nose on Ganon's dragon form. A+, I love it.

[malleablemusic]

in the spirit of remaining genuine and honest in this article, i will be fully transparent and say i have heard the titular song of this album and am obsessed and in love with it, but i've never cared to listen to the rest because i no longer have a good relationship with the boy who introduced me to neutral milk hotel. because of our falling out i now have (perhaps misguided) negative notions of the people i picture to be fans of neutral milk hotel. i am now braving a listen through of this album due to my passion for using this blog to expand my mind/break down barriers of preconceived notions i have, but also because my boyfriend's best friend highly praised it, and he is a good man :) anyways, heres my review of in the aeroplane over the sea by neutral milk hotel:

king of carrot flowers pt. 1: 4.2/5 stars

the second it started with "when you were young" i knew i would be emotional

the imagination of childhood... and how it naturally disappears for us all as we grow up..but specifically this song insinuating it happening because of the domestic/family abuse the "king of carrot flowers" experienced...ouch

love how tender is sounds. how he sings is so raw and makes the awful story he's telling sound sweet

king of carrot flowers pt. 2: 3.9/5 stars

oh. where did jesus christ come from

"mouths open wide and spilling snow/ i will spit until i learn how to speak" and "i will shout until they know what i mean" perfectly encapsulates the feeling of not being able to communicate your anger

in the aeroplane over the sea: 5/5 stars

when i first heard this song, i sobbed and wasnt sure why. after hearing it a thousand times since, i know why the song feels so tragic. i heard it when i was 19 and in my freshman year of college. i think that was truly when i understood how important of a time my teens to early twenties were, and felt afraid that it was slipping away or i would blink and miss it.

"but for now we are young/ let us lay in the sun/ and count every beautiful thing we can see" i vowed to remain curious and appreciative of my youth. never discount the small joys in life !

"cant believe how strange it is to be anything at all" i wish i could scream this off a rooftop

two-headed boy: 4.4/5 stars

was immediately reminded of the two-headed calf poem, and my chest caved in

i am really in love with the way he shout sings, and especially how they do not seem to fix the clipping that happens when he does

i like the way he pronounces the "k" sounds so sharply

the fool: 4.2/5 stars

obsessed with the imperial sounding trumpets, feels like a king is marching in but instead im picturing a jester walking down towards the throne

feels like it belongs to the soundtrack of a movie

holland, 1945: 3.8/5 stars

i kind of wish i didnt google the song title first, because it made me more confused.

i do love how the song paints the picture of an profound story

communist daughter: 2/5 stars

did he. did he just say what i think he did. i had to pause and collect myself. "semen stains the mountaintop" HUHhhh?

no i wont lie i dont know what the song is about and tbh i dont care to?

oh comely: 3.2/5 stars

i would love to know what this man' sounds like when h's speaking voice sounds like. i wonder if he always rounds out his syllabus soo much (if so, love that) and also where his accent originates from

just as i was typing that i felt there wasnt enough modulation and i was bored, he did that high noooote (or his attempt at one) and i kind of love that it sounded so hard for him and his voice barely went up in register HAH. sounds like its really coming from the depths of his soul

ok. no actually what is this man's obsession with mentioning semen. "smelling of semen all under the garden" dude what actually is your problem that is a CRAZY line

ghost: 3.3/5 stars

i like the drums that come in at "and she was born in a bottle-rocket in 1929" and how its a delayed drum entrance

doesnt sound different enough from the rest of the songs it followed to be specially noted in any way tbh

[untitled]: 4.5/5 stars

i genuinely love pipes (apparently this song uses a uillean pipe) and think modern music needs to utilize its fantastic sound more, loving this so much

two-headed boy pt.2: 4/5

i really enjoy the two part songs, the narrative this album weaves is very well thought out

i love the motifs of the album and how he finds different ways to tie back to them (especially the flowers in her eyes)

i really enjoyed the album overall, and will definitely be taking the time soon to delve deeper into the album's lore. i;m glad i went in blind and without any preconcieved notions of the narrative, and look forward to learning more about the tale (or ideas/opinions of what it could be about!). im glad i gave the album a try, and would rate it overall 3.8/5 stars

[androgynousblackbox]

Welcome to Hazbin Vale. 2 [Appleradio]

Good morning, listeners. Your good friend Alastor is here once again. Today you may forgive me for not being on my usual high spirits, for I find myself rather annoyed.

But Alastor, I know you must be asking. What could possibly annoy the always friendly and law abiding radio host that we know and love? That doesn't sound like you at all! I know, I know, I am nothing if not patient, dear listener, but even I have my limits. There are certain things in this world that must not be tolerated.

That weird static is there again. Please ignore it.

Unfortunately, until that weird static calms down, I am afraid that I will have to keep the suspense alive. For now, let's start today with our favorite piece of news: the obituary!

It seems that last night the old man Jenkins has finally passed away. This morning his neighbors were congregated around his house, in front of the open door. It was a disaster inside, you could see it even from the street, like a hurricane had stopped by and stayed a bit longer than planned. Tragic, absolutely tragic. Jenkings was a tolerable member of this community who we all could more or less remember clearly.

If only his own curiosity wasn't getting the best of him. That was always one of his biggest flaws, whether he would admit it or not. And his imagination, my! He had a bit too many, especially after just a few beers in the local pub. Oh, I know that those who were there know exactly what I am talking about.

Babblering on and on about all these strange and unexplicable murders that happened in our town. Talking about how once this was a pacific and normal place where everyone could feel safe. Truly delirious, that poor man. I almost felt pity siting next to him and hearing his incoherent conspiracy theories. He was convinced that someone in our precious and wise community could be the responsible for those deaths! I could not believe my ears when I hear it.

He even said he had some kind of proof that he was planning to give some friend reporter. But I am sure that if someone were to have a look all over his house, like that hurricane seem to have done, they wouldn't have found anything at all out of the ordinary.

So, clearly, that man was just suffering of some kind of brain tumor that was pushing against whatever rational thinkings he had left after a lifetime of wasting away being a parasyte for society. Quite pitiful.

Of course I had to help him out get home. What kind of monster I would be if I left someone so obviously unwell to go completely on their own at the mercy of the night? Obviously I don't mean it for anyone in our town.

But there are beasts out there who won't stop no matter how much you beg. Creatures that feed on your screams and laugh on the face of your demise. Things that no sane mind could ever hope to comprehend.

I am talking about raccoons, if it wasn't clear enough. Those damn monsters have been making a disaster out of everyone's garbage lately. So this is your friendly reminder to please lock up your garbage tight and keep it close, where it should have stayed in the first place. Don't share no matter how much you want to make a conversation out of it, like some other people could. Some things are best left unsaid.

After a lovely conversation about the stock market, I was off my way. For any police officer who may be listening right now, Husk, first of all, fix your hair, you shouldn't be judging anyone with a hair that messy. Second of all, how about lay it off with the donuts? If you want a heart attack so badly, goodness me… you just have to ask.

Indeed, everyone is going to miss old man Jenking. If I may give an advice, save the ink on the wanted posters. There are dogs who would appreciate the attention so much more and it would be infinitely more productive. At least with the dog there is a possibility to find them.

Unless a raccoon got them. But who would want to hurt the best friend of men, right, listeners? Only if they barked at the wrong moment, I suppose, bringing unwanted attention when it's the least convenient for everyone else. But they tend to be smarter than that. Beasts know to bow down when a bigger predator is around, after all.

The family of old man Jenking haven't officially dennounced his death yet, so I guess this is kind of a spoiler? I imagine it will take around a week for the idea to fully sink in. Someone could probably accelarate the process by showing what was left of our dear old pal. If only something was left in order to do that.

Please, forgive me if I laugh a little too much. I just keep thinking of an old joke I heard one time, one that has nothing to do with what I am talking about right now. I can't help it. Oh, but you wouldn't get it, dear listener. You should have been there.

Ah. I did needed that pick me up. I think I am on a better mood now to relay to you what soured my morning. After I do, I do hope you understand my state of mind.

I was on my way to the station when I remembered, silly me, that I forgot to buy something for lunch. I had a bunch of new meat to prepare, but nothing to accompany it! I was thinking so much about that old joke that it completely slipped my mind. Naturally I went to the supermarket and there, right there, in front of the dairy products, was the single most offensive view I have ever seen on my life.

He was a tiny man. Minuscule even. Such a small being that I could probably hold it on my pocket and squish it until his eyes pop out. Even at a distance I could see that his head wouldn't even reach my own chest. What kind of man lets himself be so small and vulnerable? Don't you have any dignity or it doesn't fit inside that microscopic frame? At least use some heels, women do it all the time!

So that was the first insult, dear listener.

But then this tiny man took out the sun hat that he was wearing and his hair was so stupid that I wanted to vomit right there. Yes, listener, as you heard! So stupid, shiny and silky, as if nobody in this town has anything better to do than to stare in awe and imagine what would it be like to caress it with your fingers. What a grostque display of vanity! How is that even allowed in public? Who gave this tiny man the right to have that stupid perfect hair? Second insult!

Oh, if only had ended there, dear listener. Maybe then that could have been just an unpleasant memory and it could be it. But he wasn't alone, you see. He was talking with that clerk with an eye patch that says "my creepy comments" on here are hilarious. I think her name was Cherri? I don't know what she means by that, but as long someone appreciate my work I guess they can't be that bad. I might even forgive her for what she did next.

She presented us! Right there! With no warning or preparation prior! Because I talked about that damn new toy maker that just moved to town on the last episode, she thought she was doing me a favor by just telling me that this tiny man with the stupid hair was that toy maker all along.

The one time that the youth decide to pay attention to what I say and this is what I get!

Lucifer Morningstar, said his name was. Have you ever heard about anything more pretentious than that? I seriously doubt that is his real name at all. Husk, if you ever want to do anything useful in your life, you should check on that. Someone with that hair and that tiny body and those big stupid blue eyes could never have a name like that. It can't be real. The feeling in my gut is telling me so.

And he said that oh, I was just getting to know the town and everyone told me about you. Oh, and are you really the radio host of this town? And oh, that must be so fun and your job must be great! Oh, I will have to take a listen sometime!

He just wouldn't stop! I wanted to grab him by the collar of his shirt and shake him until he felt as dizzy as I was getting listening to him! I would shake the answer out of him if I had to!

WHY IS YOUR SMILE SO WHITE!? WHAT ARE YOU HIDING?! I KNOW YOU MUST BE HIDING SOMETHING. NOBODY IS THAT NICE AND PERFECT!

AND CAN SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT STUPID STATIC ALREADY, I CAN BARELY HEAR MYSELF HERE.

Oh-oh.

FUCK!"

"Apologies, dear listeners. We seem to have an sudden power outage. Luckily we have back up power regenerators while the fusebox is getting repaired. It seems to have exploded out of nowhere for no apparent reason at all. How completely unrelated to anything we were talking about here.

I had time to calm down now. I am good. Just don't pay any mind to the red splatters outside of the building, I am sure it's nothing. Maybe some teenager's new graffity or something as inocuous as that. That would explain the abandoned shoes I had no time to pick up.

Anyway, I think I didn't even finish my story, did I? Well, after that very horrible and disgusting encounter, "Lucifer", if that is even his real name, said that he was looking forward to opening the toy store with some of his new inventions real soon.

Clearly a money laundering scheme. Husk, look it up. Why it has to be me the one to tell you to do your job?

I think we all learned a lesson today, dear listener. Some things are best left unsaid and sometimes people should stay on their own towns and not comes to new places to talk with new people who didn't ask for them to be there. Sometimes change can stay unchanged. Sometimes change can be bad and quite upsetting. Why would you wanna risk it?

Ah.

Now, the weather…"

[martialartslover7]

Asuka awakens to her Heritage

Yun has won...

This was it...

We are all going to die here...

These thoughts raced through Asuka's mind, as she clinged to Hwoarang, cradling her onto her thighs, as she sits on the ground, looking badly dented and battered from her previous encounter with Han Jee...

...but this time, there really seemed no way out of this anymore. As she gazed all around herself, having to helplessly witness her friends and teammates fold, due to the severe effects of Yun's snake venom, which began spreading like a toxic gas, all around them. He planned for them to die, not a scream, but a mere whimper.

Slowly suffocating to death, as the venom burns off their inner organs, once it enters through their nostrils or mouths...

This was the best they could do. They have all reached their limit on what an average human being can accomplish, fighting against supernatural beings of the underworld. And there they were, Xiaoyu, Hwoarang, Paul and Lidia collapsing onto themselves, as they tried to fight the poison gas from entering their bodies, but being too weak to even stand anymore...

...the only one, who was still somewhat standing tall, was Jin, but he was too injured to continue fighting. His Devil Gene slowly subsiding, being too drained to keep it consistently running along.

Eventually, even he had to admit:

"I cannot believe this...! Losing to these failed science experiments... of all people...! You will not... get away with this... Yun...!"

Being too overwhelmed by pure exhaustion and his wounds getting gradually the better of him, he fell to one knee, as the poison gas is slowly enveloping him next...

The younger Kazama, who was usually the first to act tough and confident, even in the face of adversion, this time, she lacked the heart to. They have fought a number of times together already, but tried as she might, she just couldn't see an end to this misery. No silver lining on the horizon to be found.

And just this once, despair truly began consuming. She felt so helpless. She hated herself for not being able to save her entire team from certain death. Tears began prickling from her eyes, as she gently presses her face against the now unconscious Hwoarang's neck from the front, as she shakily told him:

"Hwoarang... Everyone... I am sorry... I... I love you all... I-I am so sorry... Some help I am... for being a Kazama... I couldn't even save my teammates from measly henchmen of an accursed Mishima... If only I... I have gotten to you all sooner... I may have been able to prevent this catastrophe...! Always late when it matters... Story of my life...!"

Yun began speaking down on her, as, in his monstrous Devil hybrid form, he loomed tall over the dying heroes like a wall, closing in on them, ready to squash them all to death with his snake venom. Having grown supersized, as all the forms of his teammates he had taken all their powers from, had turned him into an unholy Chimera beast. A tall, curled up snake body, the size of a warehouse, accompanied by frontal horns from the boar, the fox tail replacing the rattler, and the wings from the owl giving him an unholy presence, ready to soar to the skies and spread the venom everywhere, telling the Kazama below with maniacal laughter escaping his lips:

"How tragic. You came oh so far, but alas, this is exactly why, human connections are doomed to fail eventually. The moment you start growing too dependant on them, that is the moment when you leave yourself wide open. It may work for a while. But once it counts, they are never there to have your back. And now look where we stand. You are all alone... In this world, bonds are a myth. All of you just stick together, to lick each other's wounds, but once push comes for shove, they will all leave you behind, at the faintest sight of trouble. ...Now you know, how that felt for me. Have fun with this knowledge. You can take it to your graves."

But despite the bleak situation, Asuka's spirit didn't waver, as she glared up at Yun, feeling nothing but pity for this miserable man, who dared calling himself a leader. Only to then kill all his teammates, once they outlived their usefulness to him. She could already smell the contradiction, telling him in a cold tone of voice:

"That's so rich coming from you, y'know that? You wanna lecture me about what "bonds" are, while you happen to be the same individual to kill your own team, just wanting their powers for yourself...! You have no right criticizing either me, or Jin for being "horrible leaders", when you're as exploitative as they come... Kiss my ass in hell, you piss stain on the fabric of mother nature!"

"Very well, then. You keep on yapping, it will just make your death come way quicker. Fine by me. If it means shutting you up. And first of all... These people were never my true teammates. Only Hwoarang was. And he stabbed me in the back--"

"Shut your mouth, you delusional asswipe! Hwoarang never backstabbed you, that was Han Jee! Don't you DARE talking smack about that one person on your squad, that didn't feel like killing people, when it best suited your interest...! Hwoarang is an amazing person, he is a good man, a cut above many...! He may not be able to see it, because of what you have done to him, but I am living proof, that everything you ever claimed him, was a bold-faced lie! He risked his life to save mine, time and time again...! WHAT DID YOU CONTRIBUTE TO HIS EXISTENCE, OTHER THAN BEING HIS PERSONAL TORMENTOR FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE?!?!"

"...Hmph. Die. Trash."

He lets the poison fog engulf the entire area...

...but as Asuka and Jin felt their lungs burning up, coughing violently, with their vision going blurry...

...out of nowhere, a snow-white dove landed right in front of Asuka. Seemingly unbothered by the smoke. She was covering her mouth, being genuinely confused as to how the bird wasn't even reacting to the venom...

...until she remembered Jin telling her, that his mother's messenger bird, was a white dove. She wondered, if she could send a warning signal with the bird...

...but out of nowhere, the bird telepathically began speaking to her, and the voice belonged to Jun:

"Asuka... It is time. This fight isn't over yet. You should start embracing your heritage, it is the only way you can save your friends, now. I thank you for taking care of Jin for me. My time is limited, as the darkness threatens to envelop me, one more time. But for now... Rise forth. Save those, who are important to you."

The young Kazama responded to the voice in her subconscious, feeling puzzled in many ways. Yet somehow, this power felt so familiar. As if, this is where she belonged.

"...I... Have no clue of who is talking to me right now, but... If it means saving them... What do I have to do?"

"Touch the bird... From this day forth, you shall protect all that is precious to you... as Maiden of the Kazama."

With her rapidly fleeting strength, feeling her vision growing blurry, she reached out to the bird, losing strength by the second to keep herself up right...

...but once she touched the bird, a golden light began engulfing the younger Kazama, as she felt her strength returning to her, rising back onto her feet, feeling no pain. No suffering. No nothing. She felt... alive. And the blue-golden light that enveloped her like a cloak for protection around the poison fog, Yun went:

"What...?! How can you still stand after all that...?! Tell me! How did you survive?!"

"...I am short on time... so I will leave it at... Thank my aunt for this."

She felt the power surging within her, as she decides to gather the light between both her hands to form a sphere...

...before throwing it in the air to cause a light explosion to go off, which dispersed not only the venom fog, it also caused her friends and teammates to heal up, instantly. Feeling their bleeding wounds close up, as the poison inside their bodies was also erased from existence, returning them back to their relatively healthy states.

And once they awoke, Asuka took the opportunity to smile in a cocky, looking at her hands in astonishment, commenting:

Follow me...

I am standing on the border of everything...

"Wow... I feel amazing...! Is this how it feels to be... "complete" again? It's strong... My aura... I feel like I can take on anyone now...! Hehe, you're in deep shit now, buddy!"

"Impossible...! This victory was meant all for me...! After all that I have sacrificed... YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!"

Yun angrily began firing off multiple poison mud bombs at the heroes, from his mouth...

Listen close...

Can you hear the spirits sing...?

Lost messages of long ago...

...but they could never reach her, as she just raised her right hand, generating a blue barrier, that encircled all those who were down out cold. And no matter how hard he tried, the attack was futile.

But once Asuka threw an earnest glance at Yun, she coldly goes:

"Go on, keep trying. I'd love to see you doing so, until you keel over. Unfortunately, I don't have time to be dealing with you any further! This is where it ends! Prepare yourself, Yun!"

Feeling rejuvenated by Asuka, they all joined up together to gang up on the unholy chimera snake body, with her going:

"Heh... The hunted, become... the hunters. Anyone up for grilled snake meat for dinner?”

[et-ceterra]

this poem but make it royai

I Am Not Yours I am not yours, not lost in you, Not lost, although I long to be Lost as a candle lit at noon, Lost as a snowflake in the sea. You love me, and I find you still A spirit beautiful and bright, Yet I am I, who long to be Lost as a light is lost in light. Oh plunge me deep in love—put out My senses, leave me deaf and blind, Swept by the tempest of your love, A taper in a rushing wind.

Sara Teasdale, "I Am Not Yours"

Obviously there are different interpretations of this text, I'm just going to point out what stuck out to me. Also for anyone curious here's linked below I Am Not Yours arr. Z. Randall Stroope as well as my biased overanalyzed Royai reading of this lol.

Today I was listening to the above choral arrangement with this text and since I happen to be rewatching Fullmetal Alchemist at the same time I couldn't help but draw parallels from this poem and, of course, Roy Mustang and Riza Hawkeye.

Side note, coincidence but the text was also first published in 1915 which is right after the climax of the FMA storyline. So I imagine this being from both Roy and Riza’s perspectives, after everything has happened and Ed and Al have their bodies back.

In this poem, the narrator longs to be loved so deeply and intimately. And yet this juxtaposition exists in which the narrator cannot allow themselves to be lost in the other person, or perhaps they are refusing to lose all self control. They want to, need to be their own person and their s/o is their own person as well. It paints this beautifully tragic picture of something that the narrator feels they can never achieve. The fact is that no matter how much they want to experience this love, they feel that they never can because of their circumstances.

Taking some of the imagery more literally, let’s talk about the “lost as a candle” line. As the Flame Alchemist, Roy is extremely powerful. On a smaller scale, a candle is powerful in that it cuts through darkness; a spark can start a flame. But a candle's range is limited. For all the light and warmth he can produce on his own, Riza is Roy's true light in his life; she is "noon" in this scenario. So much of what he does, he does for her. She in turn is the light that keeps him from going astray and giving into his burning desire for revenge against Envy. She keeps him from performing human transmutation (of his own free will).

If Roy is warm, burning, charismatic, driven, Riza is cold, calculated steady, and distant, at least on the outside. Her time in Ishval and in the military has left her hardened. She does not hesitate to take others' lives if it's to protect her loved ones. She also does not hesitate to point a gun at her very own colonel when she knows he is doing something he will regret. I find it interesting that the two similes in the first stanza are so opposite, and yet the meaning is the same. Roy and Riza are two different sides, but the same coin. Roy is the hot, passionate fire, and Riza is the cold winter snow, but they equally desire to be loved by each other.

Although both Roy and Riza may wish for something more between them, and they know that the other is a "spirit beautiful and bright," there are all these legal and emotional barriers that prevent them from being together. Roy has dreams of becoming Fuhrer, Riza has people to protect, the military has laws in place preventing any sort of romance between officers. Riza and Roy long to be loved, completely accepted in the face of the horrible burdens that they carry. But even if they acknowledge that they do love each other, there are so many obstacles that they face to doing anything about it.

The third stanza culminates in what the two deep down truly desire - to be completely enveloped in love and companionship and acceptance. And Roy is the only one who can do that for Riza and vice versa, because of this long, scarred history that the two share. This is something so raw and intimate, something that the two feel they cannot admit - have they even admitted it to themselves? But the reality is that they would give up everything for each other. Roy literally did go blind at one point in the story, after an act of immense love and trust for his lieutenant.

This is a final, silent plea to the other to not hold back, seen in the expression (pain? jealousy?) in Roy's eyes when he watches Ed and Winry get happily married. Seen in Hawkeye's stolen glances across the office to her colonel's desk. Yearning silently, yet desperately, for the day that they can unashamedly be swept up in the other's love and desire, but unsure if that day will ever come.

[wall-legion]

Shiverpeaks Sylvari PS: Food for Thought

This is the first quest for any sylvari who has aligned themself with the Spirit of Sun during CC. As a reminder, your character awakes at the base of the Pinefather, and is greeted by your season's esus. The following cinematic happens after you have loaded into Ochtachtoft: Esus: Newborn! At last. I was starting to think you might sleep the whole day away under Father's branches! PC: My apologies, sibling. This is my first time waking up. I'm still new to it. Esus: So you are. My name is (PC's season's esus). I am the esus of (PC's season). Welcome to the world, young one. PC: Thank you. It is a wonder, isn't it? Esus: Indeed, it is. Pinefather's roots truly took hold in a beautiful spot. PC: I must ask you a question, though. The Spirit of Sun has made a request of me. Esus: Is this true? How remarkable. What was asked of you? PC: Sun says something called a "pineshade" is trampling our gardens, and that I must help someone named Emlyn. Esus: I see. Emlyn has been deeply concerned about this problem for some time, and they will gratefully accept the help. Head to the Verdant Haven, and you will see the path to our gardens. That's where you'll find them. PC: I'll head there now. Thank you for helping me. Esus: Of course, newborn. We are family. We aid our own. Open World Upon leaving Ostachtoft, you head into the Verdant Haven and have a quest marker heading to the west. This leads to the point of interest named Emlyn's Bounty, where you find another sylvari pacing back and forth and muttering to themself until you approach. PC: Erm... excuse me. Are you Emlyn? Emlyn: Oh! Oh, yes, I am. Sorry, I was just- I'm sorry. Who are you? PC: I'm (character name). I came to help out. The Spirit of Sun said as I was awakening that there's a pineshade- Emlyn: Oh you'd better believe there's a pineshade! A terrible, awful, gigantic one! PC: Uh... let's pretend I don't know what a pineshade is, Emlyn. Emlyn: What? Oh right, you're new. Well, a pineshade is a big creature, looks like it's an overgrown sentient tree. Usually they're very docile. But this one is... well for some reason it's mean! PC: So you don't know why it's mean? Emlyn: No, not this one. Usually they only get angry if you hit them first. PC: And how do you fend it off? Emlyn: I've been building fences, and that at least slows it down. I've been too busy trying to keep everything watered, since the nearby spring is unusable to go find what's angering it. I'll just be happy to be able focus on that again, if you can figure this out! At this point you'll get a popup of your choices: Charming - Let me see if I can figure out what's bothering it. Dignity - Let me help you build the fence first. Then I can attempt to deal with the pineshade. Ferocious - It seems like the time for reason has come and gone. I'm going to take care of it. If Charming is chosen: Emlyn: That would be wonderful if you could! It would be tragic to cause the loss of a life if we could avoid that. If Dignity is chosen: Emlyn: Oh, that would be lovely! It would make things much easier here, and I can go to get water while you go to the pineshade. If Ferocious is chosen: Emlyn: Oh. If you think that is best. Please try to be swift about it. You head further west after that, into a region called the Silver Needles. At a point of interest called Folly of Toke, you will find the pineshade you are looking for. Like all pineshades, it cannot speak; unlike all pineshades, it is immediately aggressive. After it is defeated, it drops a shard of ice, and your quest marker moves back to Emlyn's Bounty. Emlyn: You're back! What happened? PC: I'm not quite sure, to be honest. I found the pineshade, but it attacked me as soon as it saw me. I don't know if anything could have been done to help it, Emlyn. Emlyn: Well if nothing else, we were trying to help. Thank you. PC: I did find this when it fell, though. Does this hold any meaning for you? Emlyn: Hm. Doesn't spark anything for me, but perhaps someone back in Ochtachtoft will know. PC: Then I'll return there. Thank you Emlyn. Be well.

[poke-bon]

Hello! I'm doing a rewatch of Supernatural! I started this halfway through season 9 and it's the first time I've done this. I've seen the first 6 seasons multiple times over the 18ish years but never caught up so I'm doing that now and having a wonderful show. I would honestly watch these two idiots do anything! Hope you enjoy the ramblings!

- deans boys home episode fucking had me crying. John Winchester I will fight you

- Kevin and Miss Tran is the most tragic story in this show to date.

- Kevin: just be nice to each to each other, yeah? Sam: yeah, promise. *Walks away*

- we're going to need snorkels, we'll be swimming in so much p-

- Not Moose.....hah

- Crowley's Winchester Intervention. This show is a comedy

- oh no, deans on the hooch again

- Shirley McLain??

- Gabriel!!! I knew they'd bring him back somehow

- wait that's not Gabriel is it

- why is he sacrificing himself again when he wants to be the king of heaven? Why is he pushing Castiel? Why is everyone pushing Cass?

- There it is....

- How fucking deep has Metatron gone??!!

- lmao Metatron burdening Cass with the knowledge of Fandom

- for a person who loves vampires, I really find the vampire eps in Supernatural so fking boring. I don't know what it is.

- look at me, bitch - I know between this and stabbing #thinman it's heralding Dean turning dark(er) but why was that kinda.....????

- Sammy sit down babe, you have no blood

- Taylor Swift reference last ep and now this ep, please let it end there

- I could go into detail but I'm not going to - is something I'm going to adapt into my life

- I love it when the boys aren't the main stars of the episode, it's so much fun

- David and Ennis buddy show when?

- I've always wanted to see more day-to-day monster life, this is cool. Real urban fantasy hours.

- I do feel like I'm watching a soap opera episode tho. What's gonna happen with the monster mob??

- oof seeya Abaddon

- I am a big fan of Crowley and I am an even bigger fan of seeing Crowley struggle with humanity

- did Dean just wake Sam up like George McFly?

- Dean claiming his fine about the blade.... Winchesters be honest with each other challenge

- Agent Spears and Aguilera LOL

- Metatron thankyou for gracing us with Castiel pop culture references

- Metatron with all due respect - you suck

- Castiel's Angels HQ

- I honestly love Castiel the Angel after he's experienced humanity too. Its so interesting.

- I didn't really get Samstiel before this season but now I do. I like the private moments between Sam and Cass, it's like they understand each other on a level they don't see elsewhere.

- jesus christ Metatron is such a slug (no hate to slugs)

- "a nerd trying to be one of the popular kids" NAILED IT

- ooof, Winchester toxic masculinity. They are doing alot of work on themselves but it still shines through every now and again

- Tessa Tessa??!!!

- Tessa!!!!

- oh no, she's in the cult

- I truly was hoping that Metatron would lose the bowling game. Suck shit loser.

- I'm very pop culture savvy now - AND I LOVE IT

- Dean Winchester does not like rules....I am concerned

- Indiana Jones trials bitch!!!!!!!

- this is a dictatorship - jesus Dean, did the spirit of you father just fly out of your mouth or did you mean to say that?

- ooof gadreel came in peace. not hot anymore, just gross. Dean get help.

- CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SON

- good lord, these boys will just throw themselves at anything that solves a short term problem forgetting down the track it will ALWAYS come back to haunt them

- is this Cain and Abel thing going to be prophetic of things to come I wonder

- I hate Metatron so much. Flame. Flames! Flames....down the side of my face. Breathing. Breathless. Heavy breaths.

- Sam is going to be so pissed when he wakes up

- okay, Metatron is cooking with the god doesn't care spiel...like I get it but there had to be another way bro

- Use the force Dean

- oh shit

- wake up buddy 😭😭😭😭

- Just a hunch, considering there's going to be 6 more seasons...I think he'll be right

- what did they do to my boy??!

End of season!! Hope you enjoyed. Will probably do this again.

[mew-mewachu]

🎶✨when u get this, list 5 songs u like to listen to, publish. then, send this ask to 10 of your favourite followers (positivity is cool)🎶✨

Oh, Wisy, you're a treasure, thank you SO MUCH for this!! ^.^ I have an absolute WEALTH of music on my Ryou playlist, which I'm now delighted to showcase!! 1. In the Garden by Red Vox This song is the Ryou song to end all Ryou songs- between the lyrics, melody, tone, atmosphere.. Everything about this track tells a tragic story of Ryou's gradual descent into the jungle, Millennium Ring right there tangled in ivy with him. It so perfectly captures all his thoughts, feelings- fears, adjustment, and eventual content being buried so deep in the ground, with the ring, that's all that's left after a long, arduous journey together... If you're a Ryou enjoyer of any kind PLEASE give this track a listen!! 2. The Temple by Red Vox Another Red Vox classic, this one I IMMEDIATELY picture the Dark RPG, Ryou in such a state of desperation to reach out, connect somehow with Bakura, he puts his entire heart into crafting the most intricate stage for the Spirit's final battle- even if he can never have the connection he yearned for, he can at least be sure Bakura will go out in a fireworks display. Again- the lyrics, melody, tone, atmosphere.. All of it captures everything so incredibly perfectly, I'm in awe whenever I listen to this and hear the parallels between Ryou and Bakura. 3. Burnt Out Star by Pond Now for a smoother track.. This one is so delicate and serene, I feel like it reflects so much of Ryou's heart, tender and self-sacrificing, whilst also being so very worn down, of his own volition, and quietly existing in any space he comes to awake in. It's a longer track but goes through so, so many moods and sensations, that which I've just shared is only the first half of the song- the rest is an absolute feast for the ears in its own right. And between that melody, lyrics, mood.. I feel it captures Ryou's essence so very well. 4. Little Dark Age by MGMT Oh, THIS song.. This song was the track that started it all- the very first thing I heard that truly resonated with my Ryou muse.. It's spectral, with a softness amidst the sharp lyrics, and once more, everything contributing to its atmosphere paints the perfect picture of Ryou. Every time I hear it I have such vivid images of Ryou, standing upon a stage, presenting the endless shadows of himself before a stunned Bakura.. And it's CAPTIVATING.....! I really could sing so much more praise for this track, and all the others on this list, but for the sake of keeping it brief I'm holding back, gahaha! 5. Too Sweet by Hozier A recent addition to the playlist- there's so much here again, with the lyrics, mood, atmosphere.. I can't separate this from Ryou if I tried. Ryou of course has an inherent sweetness about him, he cares so deeply for his friends.. Though- if you're daring to peel back enough layers, the sweetness you get is one so potent, pungent, and raw that it's sickening- a syrup that tastes so incredible you fall a victim to its delicious taste, and never leave the forest.. This song I feel captures that realm of Ryou so perfectly~ And that's it!! Of course, I can't share all of this without linking my Ryou playlist- if you've read this far here's your reward, please enjoy for plenty more hand-picked music with such delicious, satiating atmosphere and lyrics!! I've put plenty of love into my Ryou playlist over the months and I'm always adding to it~ ^.^

..Now then, I won't pass this on directly to anyone else- if you're reading this and by chance have music you want to showcase please go ahead! But I can't think of Ryou and music without drawing upon @crush3dmary's incredible Philosophy playlist..! Sair, if you have some recent tracks from it you want to showcase, myself and I'm sure others would be so very eager to hear it~ I personally LOVE what your playlist has done for my own music tastes, casting a net out so far I'm now enjoying such a wealth of songs~ Thank you so much for your incredible playlist!! ^.^

[talesfromasnarkylisa]

Lacey: Chapter 24

Darian and I were walking to the movie entrance when he noticed something was up with me.

“Is something going on?” Darian asked.

“I’m fine,” I told him. “Anyways, have you watched any of the previous Guardians of the Galaxy movies before?”

Darian chuckled.

“I’ve only watched the first movie once with a cousin,” he revealed. “Never watched the second one, ever. What about you?”

“Well,” I hesitated, “I’m also basically completely new to the franchise. Looks like we’re both in for some surprises…”

The advertisement lights shone brightly on the theater room.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Darian inspected my face.

“Yeah,” I responded. “There is something I want to talk about privately after the movie, though, if you’re fine with it.”

“Of course!” Darian whispered. “I’ll always be here for you if you need me.”

10:30 PM

Darian and I walked out right when the credits rolled in. Neither of us could’ve cared less about whatever post-credits scene Marvel might have put in. That sort of stuff could be easily searched on the Internet.

We went to a field hidden behind the cinema building. It was dark green, as the sky was dark and there was little light. I wasn’t entirely sure at this point what I wanted to talk to Darian about. Inez and I? But she was his ex-girlfriend now, and I didn’t want to make things awkward between the three of us. Lacey in vague terms? There was a good chance that he wouldn’t approve, as my most recently noted scandal had just resolved itself a few months back and my main drama from the previous year did involve him.

I looked myself up on my phone for more comments when Darian noticed the light coming on.

“What’s up?” Darian wondered.

“Well,” I started, “I’ve been having a lot of feelings about certain people lately. They seemed shitty when I first met them, so I put my guard up. But now…”

“You know it’s possible to change and grow as a person,” Darian lightly snarked, “right?”

I sighed.

“Yeah,” I answered, “but this seems too sudden. No big apology or actual steps to rectify it, just…a total 180 in behavior.”

“People aren’t always what they seem on the outside,” Darian explained.

No shit I know that, I thought. Fucking Augusta and Sanjay, those hacks.

“Maybe if they haven’t truly righted their wrongs,” Darian continued, “they’re just pretending to change for the better to get on your good side and manipulate you.”

“Right,” I told him. “I don’t want to end up in a repeat of the 2023 cycle again.”

“Exactly!” Darian exclaimed. “That’s the spirit!”

I got into the redhead’s car as he shut the door next to the driver’s seat. He drove us on the drive back to his place.

“Okay, so you know what I talked about earlier?” I said to Darian. “The 180 person?”

“Yeah?” Darian braked the car.

“Well,” I narrated, “they opened up about some of their struggles. I opened up a little, too. That was kind of the main reason I started trusting them more. Not enough to spill out my whole life to them, but…”

Darian gave me a brief glance before focusing on the road again.

“Whatever you do,” Darian straightened himself, “never let a sob story make you let down your guard just because. Believe me, I learned that from Eleanor all too well.”

“So real,” I responded.

I realized that Lacey giving me such a tragic backstory was no reason for me to back down from continuing the plans I laid out for her. 

She’s 18, I figured. An adult. Old enough to know the consequences of her actions. Old enough to know she’s done wrong by taking the places of truly dedicated and professional people in the world of publishing. Fuck her.

I was just about to divulge a little more about what I wanted to do to Lacey when I heard a sound going CLINK hitting the car.

“Oh no,” Darian looked into the car mirror.

Someone had just hit my best friend’s car from behind.

September 2, 2023

Studying, studying, and more studying. I hardly minded: math and English were my favorite subjects. After that, it was housekeeping (or rather, apartment keeping since that’s where I cleaned), Music Refined submissions, and catching up on my social media accounts. I did a brief livestream of me screwing with the code of a choose-your-own-adventure game with the inspect element.

Darian was busy handling phone calls about sending his car to a mechanic to get it fixed, so I couldn’t really talk with him too much. I did manage to converse with him and Corianna in our group chat, though.

Archer J (09/02/23, 7:30 PM): Hello Cori.

Artsy Carolina (09/02/23, 7:31 PM): Hey James. What’s up?

Archer J (09/02/23, 7:33 PM): Doing fine. Well, an offline friend and I got into a little car crash last night, but no one got hurt. The car will probably be up and running soon.

Artsy Carolina (09/02/23, 7:35 PM): Dang. At least you two seem to be doing okay.

D. Noir (09/02/23, 7:36 PM): Yeah, I’m just chilling out. I’m the friend James is talking about, FYI.

Artsy Carolina (09/02/23, 7:38 PM): I should have figured that out by now. You’re such an interesting driver.

Archer J (09/02/23, 7:40 PM): Anyways, how’s life been for you - Cori?

Artsy Carolina (09/02/23, 7:42 PM): Back in university now. It’s okay. Like, I’m getting more work than last year. But I can manage. Besides, Betty has been such a boon to my Folkin publication lately. Ever since she’s come in, I never have had to worry about not having enough time for weekend work and classes.

Archer J (09/02/23, 7:43 PM): That’s amazing! 

Artsy Carolina (09/02/23, 7:45 PM): She’s so kind and hardworking. And I never have to worry about some angry writers coming after me when she always manages to calm them down right away by telling the truth well no matter who.

D. Noir (09/02/23, 7:47 PM): Even the obnoxious ones?

Artsy Carolina (09/02/23, 7:50 PM): Well, it’s always important to stay as transparent as possible when it comes to professional communication - even with some…not-so-great people, to say the least.

D. Noir (09/02/23, 7:51 PM): Very true. Right, James? Archer J (09/02/23, 7:52 PM): Yep.

Right, I thought. Right. Now I know for sure they’ll never accept me if I let them in on what I wanted Lacey’s fate to be. Oh well - I’ve lied to them before. I can do it again.

I sent Oscar a sneak peak of my next article so we could do some draft trading and checking later. Just after I sent him the piece, Lacey sent me a little text.

Lacey Hannah (09/02/23, 7:59 PM): Wanna call some time soon?

Of course, I agreed to it.

(Wattpad version: https://www.wattpad.com/1516917055-lacey-chapter-24)

[brooklynislandgirl]

@thebiggestlies {{xx}}

The knife slides from its sheath, poised between clever teeth, and yet it fails to strike true. If anything that sharpness glances off the edge of emotional armour that she's spent a lifetime honing against more brutal weapons wielded by less civilised men. Never let it be said that Beth has ever given any man something simply because he asked. No, she's afraid Lawrence Lynch will simply have to earn it the hard way, and part of her is curious if he even knows how to do that basic thing. "I am certain you understand when I say da unlike da rest of my peers, I savour privacy for its own sake and I need not make my personal affairs foddah for every tabloid and bar stop between here an' Barbados." There. The smallest pinprick offered almost carelessly. More than words, the breathtaking arrogance of a single gesture. She is no pet, not trained to be beckoned by a gesture and that he forgets that he is the trespasser here, that she is a guardian of lost things and that there is a seed of hatred for certain kinds of men burning in her belly. With a single whim she could return his bones to the earth, his blood to the sea with no one the wiser. Would there be anyone to truly lament his loss? Anyone bold enough to prompt an investigation from a small and corrupt village police department that has none of the resources or manpower to competently investigate his tragic disappearance? If trace evidence were discovered, well, she is a resident here of Montauk. One could invent a hundred different reasons why they would find something of her on this special place to her heart. If she turned to Andy, there is nothing her brother wouldn't do to protect her and proclaim her innocence. What stays her hand from doing just that is the almost genuine sounding tale he starts spinning into being. She recalls relishing that very same little book. It sits in her bedroom at the manor on a shelf of favourite texts, some fictional, others natural history and local lore. As a child she was enthralled but as the young woman she has become it takes a certain amount of willpower not to interrupt him with a contemptuous snort. The home of sirens tended to all be surrounded by sea cliffs and rocks rising up from her Mother's waves. But originally they were half-women, half birds whose gorgeous songs could entangle a man simply listening to them. It wasn't until the medieval era that a siren became half woman-half fish. The common thread though was the fact that it was always a woman as a symbol of dangerous temptation. Heaven forbid the genders know equal footing concerning sin. Or monsters be allowed their natural place in balancing the Triat. It's the last part of his tale that earns Lawrence a true prize, an honest and unmasked reaction that has one perfectly manicured brow rising high over her eyes and the rest of her drawn aback, hand on her chest. Oh his pronunciation is that which she would expect from both a haole and a dirt-walker, as her cousins would call him, but there's a sliver of truth there. C'et is the mysterious sibling of the undersea Triat. She who created the perfect symmetry of spiral shells, mother of crustaceans. Pearl Mother. The Shelled One. She of many names and many aspects, subtle but important. He calls her a haunting spirit and perhaps she is just not quite the way stories can describe. "Just how much of da stories ~verbal an' written~ d'you believe? Could it not simply be a case of shared delusion? When dese stories came into bein' around here, psychology was not as well understood today. An' lighthouse men are notorious for goin' mad." Half question, half diatribe. What she's digging for is how he'd come upon the legends and what made him delve this deep into the mysteries. He desires power but to what end? What will satisfy his deepest urges and why this? Why not the safer halls of temporal power? Money? Mortal things.

There's a lick of prime that flickers around him, the lifeblood of the universe and the source of creation. She feels its essence the moment he touches his chest and she once again has to re-evaluate the situation. It seems Larry isn't a Sleeper, not truly. A sorcerer perhaps? She would have to get closer to really know for sure and as loathe as she is to be within his grasp, she moves cautiously up beside him.

She places her hand on the door and feels the power of the wards hum beneath her skin. It feels soft as a lovers kiss and vibrant as lightning. It sings in her blood. "T' be hones' wi' you, Mistah Lynch? I'm hopin' t' find cobwebs an' t'ick yellowed walls under layers of heavy dust. I hope t' find echoes an' adrenaline an' mebbe no kine at all. Because da alternatives you present? A goddess is notoriously hard t' bargain wi', especially one who has been neglected all dese years. An' where as I t'ink I can stand toe to toe wi' a monster, if only for a little while? I don' see you fairin' as well as me."

She never takes her eyes off the door when she half covers his hand with her own. A moment later a particularly sharp sliver of wood peels from the door and by some strange chance manages to pierce his flesh and hers, though the blood does not commingle. "Are you a man willing to sacrifice for knowledge?"