#omigod EVERYONE WITH SWORDS

[personinthepalace]

[oneatlatime]

Sokka's Master

pleasebegoodpleasebegoodpleasebegoodpleasebegoodpleasebegood

Strange choice of master but we'll see where this goes.

The meteor shower animation is quite meditative. I wouldn't mind it as a screensaver.

How to describe something exceptional to your blind friend: "You've never not seen anything like this." It's amazing the quality put into even the tiniest of throwaway jokes.

Are meteor strikes flammable?

I love how whenever Sokka's disappointed he gets noodle arms. A surprisingly consistent characterisation.

Momo butt skate.

Iroh. The fuck?

ok. So he's playing a part for the guards. Why?

Pretty.

Funny to think about, but as a former WWE character, Toph's probably had more hero worship than the Avatar.

Lots to say about this! First, I stand corrected! i honestly thought that Sokka would be immune to this specific insecurity by virtue of him not being a bender. I was wrong! Second, I love how, as soon as Sokka expresses that he feels that he isn't as talented as the rest of them, the others respond by listing his actual, invaluable talents, without which the group would be completely at sea. They don't respond with "no you're perfect!" they respond with "no one can read a map like you can" and how he keeps their spirits up with jokes. They're not using false praise. They are using specific facts. I love that an episode that looks like it's going to deal with a character feeling down on themselves establishes from the get go that the character is invaluable, actually. So often, the 'low self esteem stock episode' puts the affirmation of the character's value at the end. Which means the viewer spends the whole episode being convinced that the character in question might actually be useless. Here, we're told from the start that the character is invaluable - the problem is that they do not perceive themselves to be so. Quite on the nose for a show that deals so much with identity.

OMIGOD IT GETS BETTER!!!!!!!!!!

Validating Katara sweeps in and a) validates his feelings, while b) clearly explaining that his self-perception is not in line with how the others see him, which c) doesn't invalidate a) !!!!

Katara has such emotional intelligence when she chooses to use it.

Nuanced intelligent discussion of the complexities of emotions and self-perception in a Sokka episode I am so happy I am blessed the gods are shining on me today I'm sitting here twirling my hair and swinging my feet and doodling hearts on the corner of my journal

SHOPPING!!!!!

btw that's the same face he makes when he says SUKI!!!

"Reinvigorate my battling" this boy. just. this boy.

He lasted a lot longer than I would have with nun chucks.

Aang the Happy Meal toy.

Some say that Halberd is still spinning today.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present: the 45 degree Sokka.

Some Foley artist had the time of their life with this weapons sequence.

Why thank you for that exposition, Mr. Exposition. Now walk away and we'll never see you again.

Toph does NOT move ONCE this whole scene and it's ever so slightly freaking me out.

Toph tells you she learned from Badgermoles and no one wants to discuss this further?!? We're going to gloss over that?

So this episode has a training montage theme.

Sokka goes freestyle on those door knockers.

That's one hell of a castle. Must be dark in there though. Tiny windows.

Which explains the several hundred candles. This show. Set up with one hand; slam dunk with the other.

This guy's reciting Sokka's s1 introduction on Kyoshi Island.

Sokka: Actually. I am a dumb. The Master: Sold.

The face of someone who is definitely picking up what you're putting down.

It's been ages since I watched the episode, but is some of what the Master saying here about swords an echo of what Zuko says to the kid in Zuko Alone when he's decapitating sunflowers?

A Sokka-less Gaang. Depressing and they know it.

The way Katara's voice actor says "oh everyone's a critic" is gold.

Multidisciplinary education vs. kid who's never been within a mile of the box he's being told to think outside of. Fight!

Yikes that was a meaty hit. Does Sokka have a nose left?

They're wearing beehives on their heads.

Was Sokka always this short?

The greens in this episode are such a delight.

The way he says "I'm finished!" Sounds like "Am finished" and you can actually hear the smiley emoji he throws in.

He's good.

What do they FEED him?

Sokka's voice actor had a great time this episode. All the voice actors had a great time actually.

Sokka invents the La Z Boy

Katara inadvertently invents a fandom war by attempting a joke.

They're all so useless and it's wonderful.

That was all only one day? That's a lot of outfit changes for one day.

"You mess things up in a very special way." Compliment? Let's go with compliment.

Sokka is so very Sokka this episode.

A reason to live is coming!

*thundering herds of shippers in the distance*

That's clever. The inciting incident gets smelted. Haven't seen that before.

This whole Iroh gets buff montage has been completely dialogue free on Iroh's part. Crazy levels of inner peace, that he'd doesn't need to snark back at the guard.

Seriously. What are they FEEDING these children. Also how is that door that shiny.

Sokka really has it in for those door knockers.

Apropos of nothing, the clouds in this episode are all so yummy. All these soft slate colours and misty layers.

Meteoric iron is actually a thing, right?

Ok but aren't mold made swords crappy?

HI YUE

I love how they managed to made a crafting montage where the character who does the least work is the one who looks like he's working the hardest.

"I saw a heart as strong as my garden decor"

"No it certainly wasn't your skills. You had none."

Creativity, versatility, intelligence, meat, sarcasm.

You've known him like two days and you can already tell he's more worthy than any man you've ever trained? Sounds like you had poor taste in students.

"No. This is my fight. Alone." Bro you are going to DIE. The first time you held a sword was two days ago. You might need the avatar on this one.

Guard who never shuts up actually kind of has a point here. He's a dick about as usual, but it's entirely possible that the rank and file of the Fire Nation army view Iroh's actions as a betrayal. Does anyone remember in Star Wars movie number 7, or maybe 8, when that Trooper sees Finn after he's switched sides and yells "traitor!" and it's the best part of the movie? Yeah, like that.

This episode throws the concept of linear time out the window. In two days, Iroh gets swole and Sokka masters sword fighting.

Do you think Sokka's realised yet that this is his final exam?

Yummy yummy clouds.

One in a million pocket sand shot.

One in a million stick placement.

So this master is like a sword spirit or something. He can't be human. There's no way he could get the scabbard to fly on perfectly without seeing.

"Try Lee, There's a million Lees. There's a tea shop in Ba Sing Se that has a super cranky waiter called Lee."

This guy's just this side of committing treason and I love it.

I see this Master is a devotee of the 'Hakoda school of shoving outrageously over the top compliments into Sokka's thick skull in the hopes that 1% of them will stick.' I approve.

This last scene has gorgeous hills and skies but you'll have to take my word for it because I've hit the image limit.

Sokka's been inducted into the super secret boy band!!!

He saved space earth for Toph! He's so considerate! He's fuelling the ships!

Let's compromise and call it space dirt instead.

Final Thoughts

This episode every two minutes: Sokka, you are currently flawless and you're about to get better. Me: Yes. Yep. Yeah. Seconded. I concur.

I like it! It's great! It's 24 minutes of the writers and characters fangirling over Sokka! Of course I like it! It made me criminally overuse exclamation marks! What else can I say?

Hands down my favourite episode is Bato of the Water Tribe. For Sokka's story, this episode is Bato of the Water Tribe part 2. Of course I'm going to love it. This episode was lab grown specifically for me.

Now let's see if I can say something about this episode that isn't poorly disguised squealing.

I love how the characters respond to Sokka saying he's not special with an evidence-based refutation rather than blanket reassurance.

I love how shopping cheers up Sokka. I love how Katara knows that shopping will cheer him up. This must be something she's learned since the show started. I don't think there were malls in the South Pole. So Katara was paying attention when Sokka and Momo went through the bag saga.

I love how much the master is baffled yet impressed by Sokka. He seems almost charmed by this breath of fresh air. I think it's hilarious that, when Sokka first approaches him, he's expecting early season 1 Sokka. He'd better send Suki a thank you card.

I also really like "The way of the sword doesn't belong to any one nation." It seems obvious to us, but in a world where there are weaponisable skills that are quite literally inseparable from the nations their wielders inhabit, it's probably something no one in the Gaang has ever heard before.

Obviously the episode is a little rushed - half hour kid's show and all that - but it's still pretty crazy that you can apparently impart a solid basic knowledge of swordplay in two days.

Toph going all tsundere is funny, and makes Aang and Katara unapologetically desperate for Sokka's company twice as funny as it already is. Toph's like "whatever" and the other two spent the day making a welcome home banner.

I love how Sokka's happiness is always so loud and shameless. It makes it contagious.

This episode highlights what Sokka's actual strengths are, by instructing him in what he thinks his strengths are. If that makes sense? Sokka is brain, which he's finally starting to realise by attending brawn lessons.

He's also heart, and I'll die on that hill.

Iroh getting swole was honestly just a thing that happened. No comment really, except it was interesting to have a reminder from the guard that a character we perceive as the good guy is currently perceived as the bad guy by everyone but us. When the Fire Nation does inevitably get defeated, a whole nation is going to have to reset their worldview and that will not be an easy process.

More like this please!

[stormieeessstoriesssss]

[~My Hero Academia: Fantasy A.U~]

Hello! I wanted to make a bnha fantasy au but just a quick warning I put my OC name in the story! You can easily replace the name if you want!

Yuki Okami 

I hide my ears and tail with my dress. Here, people don’t accept wolves, they find us dangerous, rabid, and savages. Well most are those but not me! I’m a hard worker, I don’t steal from people like my pack! I am the majestic snow wolf. Now yes, I am the only one who has white fur in my pack! Even the alpha is concerned! Once I was born they named me Yuki Okami! It means Snow wolf. 

I walk to the town and decide I want to get some food for my pack! Usually they either hunt or steal, but not me! I chose to get a tiny sewing job and buy myself food. Obviously the alpha doesn’t know but my siblings do. My brother Youkai knows, and although my pack calls him a devil wolf hes the most loyal and hard working. He may be loyal to the alpha but as his sister hes more loyal to me, hes keeping my secret as long as I share my food. “OI MOVE IT” an agressive blonde says pushing me out the way. When he pushes me my hood falls down and everyone looks at me. Crap crap crap I’m in trouble! I’ll be judged! I can’t com back here! I run while my thoughts drown me, but I realize the agressive blonde is chasing after me so I stop. “I mean no harm please don’t hurt me or my pack please...” I’m practically begging for his mercy. The blonde clears his throat and says “I know what your thinking and no my names not no blondey shit its Katsuki Bakugo, and of all people I should probably be hunting and killing its not you, I’m looking for a wolf named Takeshi Okami.” Omigod hes looking for my alpha? Well if he’s gonna hunt him then I do not care! He is the rudest person ever! But...this will be considered treason...”I’m guessing you know the bastard by your silence, where the fuck is he?” I back away out of fear and take off running! I accidentally run into Youkai “Yu-Chan whats wrong? You seem like you saw a bear? Or Takeshi-San.” I start studdering when I speak but just burst into tears, My mother Akari, steps out with my baby sister Yuna was on her hip. “Baby whats wrong..?” I can’t stop crying! My whole pack steps outside, The alpha included! I panic and start pushing him inside the cave, “INSWIE NOE PEAS” (Common english: INSIDE, NOW, PLEASE” Then I hear the same harsh and raspy voice from agressive b- I mean Katsuki Bakugo. I see him draw his sword and all my pack runs inside, my baby sister Yuna, confused, goes toward the angry blonde. He rolls his eyes then picks her up by the ears. My mother panicked, out of instinct the alpha runs up to the blonde then tries fighting him, but sadly before he knew it he was stabbed...The blonde dropped my baby sister and right away she runs towards me. The angry blonde turns around and leaves, but my sister had her ears down from the shock. Everyone stands then bows their head in tribute to our leader. “Well I guess it’s time to pick a new alpha...Takeshi-San would want Youkai to lead next from his loyalty, so Youkai? You are officially the alpha of the pack!” I was so proud of my brother but I’m sad my alpha is dead, but now my brother is the alpha...and I don’t care if its gonna be the death of me but I will be my brothers right hand woman.

                                    ~Next part coming soon~

[key2mym1ind]

ACOSF Part 3: Valkyrie and Part 4: Ataraxia MAJOR SPOILERS

Gwyn makes me so nervous. She's sweet. But she makes me so nervous. Especially after her saying "I dread you and Emerie learning my history. I know that once you do, you’ll never look at me the same again.” That seems skettchhhyyyyy.

"Based on scent alone..." YESS BABY THEY ARE MATTEESSSS

Omigod. Omigod. Omigod. THE HARP OPENS UP THE DIFFERENT WORLD DOORS?!?!?!?

What is with Cassians fucking wings getting fucked up?!?! Also thank GOD SHE HAD THAT FUCKINNNGGG MAGIC SWORD

EMERIE HAS A CRUSH ON MOR I FUCKING SHIP IT SO HARD

Azriels gift for Nesta. I think they just became best friends 😭

Listen. I need someone to MURDER DEVLON PLEASE. Fucking bastard stealing the girls in the middle of the night. Pos. Im so angry.

I totally forgot about feyre and rhys' bargain. If feyre dies then that means Rhys dies but what happens if the baby lives? That means that that poor baby...🥺

Holy shit the blood rite is brutal. But my heart. I'm so proud of them and how much of badass' they as a unit are. I mean the amount of illyrian males they've killed is insane.

....Omigod. Gwyn. 😭😭 Poor poor Gwyn. Im so sorry I ever doubted her. I feel so bad.

Sighhh. Cassian getting caught and winnowed away. I kind of saw it coming.

Emerie and Gwyn made it 🥺 I'm nervous for Nesta though.

She accepted the mating bond in the most badass of ways possible.

OMIGOD. NO. OMIGOD. BRIALLYN YOU BITCHHHHHHHH. I did not see that coming when she took cassian. I forgot her whole thing was to get revenge on Nesta. I forgot and now here we are and I'm sobbing.

Ugh I love that cassian said something funny right after that 😭😭

The sobbing immediately resumed the second Feyres name was said. And holy shit it was deserved.

I'm so glad that it was a happy ending. I know that everyone thinks that someone of the inner circle should have died but I don't. I literally don't think I could handle it. I love these books so much. I'm so glad that we got to see Nesta blossom and that we got to meet Nyx 😭 I'm ready for the next one!!

[aerinmelina]

Talent Night

A short broppy oneshot :) Song by Taylor Swift. (And yes, I changed one of the words on purpose to fit the trolls a little better IMO.)

——

Branch applauded along with the rest of the crowd when the troll on stage finished their performance, although he did so with considerably less vigor than Smidge and Biggie, who were ecstatically vibrating in their seats.

“Did you see what they did?!” Smidge shouted.

“The swords? The flames? Those amazing dance moves?” Biggie asked. Branch could’ve sworn he saw stars in the larger troll’s eyes.

“Amazing! It was amazing! Branch, what’d you think?!” Smidge couldn’t contain herself. Her enthusiasm was over-the-top, but amusing nonetheless. He made eye contact with Milton, Smidge’s boyfriend, and the two men smiled over the little troll’s antics.

Milton took hold of Smidge’s hand while Branch replied, “It really was a pretty impressive performance.” The applause finally died down just in time for the entire congregation of trolls to hear Smidge exclaim, “Pretty impressive?! It was magnificent! Astounding! Hypnotic! Action-filled! Dangerous! Daring! Omigod, Branch, it was way beyond pretty impressive!”

A ripple of giggles and laughs washed over the otherwise quiet audience. Branch felt a little self-conscious because of the very public berating he’d just received, but he had to laugh when Smidge clapped her hands over her mouth and sat back down, apparently having realized that she’d just yelled over a quiet crowd.

“Omigod, I’m sorry, Branch,�� she said in a low voice.

“No worries, Smidge,” he cheerfully replied.

“Everyone, shhhh,” Biggie said in a dramatic whisper. “It’s Poppy’s turn!”

Branch looked back toward the stage and his brain stopped processing rational thoughts when he caught sight of his princess in the sparkling dress she was wearing. Princess. Queen. Whatever. She was absolutely stunning.

Poppy approached the microphone in front of her in a somewhat subdued fashion, which was very strange for her. Where was her usual energy? That unrivaled and perpetual pep in her step? When she’d asked him to make sure he made it to Talent Night and said she was going to perform, he had pictured a cheerleader-level of spirit and animation (per usual). Was something wrong?

She looked toward the table where Branch, Biggie, Smidge and Milton sat, and flashed them a grin before she started strumming her guitar.

Interesting. She seems happy, but why so... I don’t know... serious?

He continued to ponder that thought for a moment, then realized that she was actually singing and he’d missed the first part of whatever she’d been playing because he was lost in thought.

Oops. Dial it back, Branch. Focus.

He tuned back in, then shook his head and narrowed his eyes into a squint as he tried to make sense of the words she was singing. It took him a couple of seconds, but when she reached the chorus and sent what looked like a somewhat shy smile his way, his hair stood up on end and he felt very suddenly aware of every eye that was slowly turning his way.

Can I go

Where you go?

Can we always

Be this close?

Forever and ever and ah-

Take me out, and take me home

You’re my, my, my, my

Lover

Wait. Hold up. Wait. Was she singing about him? Did he dare to hope? Then again... who else would she be singing about? Unless she’d secretly been spending time with another troll behind his back... Branch shook his head at that thought before it was given a chance to develop any sort of credibility within the paranoid section of his mind and instead listened more closely to the song while he tried to fight off the blush that he could feel was creeping into his cheeks. His heart made pleasant leaps inside his chest.

We can let our friends crash

In the living room

This is our place

We make the call

And I’m highly suspicious

That everyone who sees you wants you

I’ve loved you three summers now, honey

But I want ‘em all

Can I go

Where you go?

Can we always

Be this close?

Forever and ever and ah-

Take me out, and take me home

You’re my, my, my, my

Lover

He stared at Poppy while she sang, utterly speechless. She passed her instrument to Guy Diamond, who seemed to have magically appeared out of nowhere beside her on stage, and started walking toward Branch as she sang the next part. Poppy held constant eye contact with him while singing, and Branch felt goosebumps start to rise along his skin when she finally reached him and took hold of both of his hands.

Ladies and gentlemen, will you please stand?

With every guitar string scar on my hand

I take this magnetic force of a man to be my

Lover

My heart’s been borrowed and yours has been blue

All’s well that ends well to end up with you

Swear to be overdramatic and true to my

Lover

She winked at him, and he couldn’t help the enormous grin (and magnificent blush) which broke out across his face in reaction.

And you’ll save

All your silliest jokes for me

And at every table

I’ll save you a seat

Lover

He spun her around and then pulled her close, into a dance, while she finished the rest of her song. She was so warm and soft, and she sang the song so beautifully and earnestly... he was pretty sure he could have lived contentedly in that moment for the rest of his life.

Can I go

Where you go?

Can we always

Be this close?

Forever and ever and ah-

Take me out, and take me home

You’re my, my, my, my...

Oh, you’re my, my, my, my...

Darling, you’re my, my, my, my...

Lover

The song came to an end, and the entire crowd of trolls all seemed to wait with baited breath for something to happen. No one applauded, but when Branch tore his gaze away from Poppy he found every troll staring at the two of them with giant smiles and expectant eyes.

He looked back at Poppy, who simply asked him, “Well? What do you think?”

His brain wasn’t functioning properly. She’d shattered all of his thought processes. At least... that’s what he’d say later. Maybe it’d make his actual response sound less stupid.

“Huh?”

He heard a chorus of stifled snickers and an “omigod” and facepalm from Smidge, but above all that he heard Poppy’s laughter ringing. Her beautiful, delighted, contagious laughter. He grinned at her, and realized later that it was probably an incredibly dopey grin. Whatever. He was caught up in the moment. Can’t blame a troll for enjoying the present! It’s a gift, for crying out loud!

“Branch! I just sang you an entire song about—oh, you know what? Forget it.” She maintained her grip on one of his hands, still grinning, and knelt in front of him. “Branch, you are the troll for me. You give the best hugs, you listen to me rant about whatever I want to rant about, you encourage me to be a better queen and leader, you help everyone around you in whatever capacity you can, and you do your best to keep everyone safe. You are selfless, you’re honest, you’re brave and smart and funny, and you drive me absolutely crazy sometimes, but I love it anyway. I love you. Will you-?”

“No! Poppy! Stop! This is wrong!” He suddenly came to his senses. What was he doing?! He couldn’t let her be the one to ask him-! Not after he’d already been planning to propose tonight! Unacceptable!

...although it was also very reassuring and heart-warming.

Oh no. Wait. Why’s she biting her lip like that? She usually does that when she’s trying not to cry. Is she about to cry?!

His brain screamed at him to “fix it” when a crestfallen expression flitted across her face, and with a quick motion he pulled Poppy to her feet, gave her a brief-yet-hopefully-comforting hug, and then knelt down in front of her instead.

“I’m, uh... I’m nervous,” he began, and another round of snickers made it to Branch’s ears, reminding him that they were not as alone as he’d originally intended. “Poppy...” he trailed off.

Oh, come on. I’ve practiced the words at least a million times by now. Why can’t I just say them to her?

“Cat got your tongue?” Poppy prompted after several long moments of silence.

“Ha ha, very funny,” he replied.

She stuck her own tongue out at him. “I’d be happy to finish my sentence if you’ll let me.”

He shook his head. “No. Now stop talking and let me think.”

She smirked, and he glared at her for interrupting his thoughts for at least the hundredth time that evening.

His distractedness was totally all her fault, of course.

Branch cleared his throat and started over. “Poppy, you have brought me so much happiness. You’ve taught me how to take a step back and relax sometimes. You’ve shown me how to make friends, and how to be a good friend in return. You’ve helped me to really trust again. You’ve shown me that there’s hope for today, tomorrow and all of the rest of the tomorrows, too.

“Your presence is like the sun in what would have otherwise been my cold, dark life-“

“Branch, will you marry me?!” she blurted out, absolutely demolishing his poetic tangent right as it was just about to begin.

“Really?” he responded. “You just had to get there first, didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry,” she said, covering her mouth with her free hand. “I couldn’t help it.” Judging by the way she was starting to bounce up and down on the balls of her feet, she really couldn’t help herself.

“I wanted to ask you,” Branch said. “I had a whole spiel planned and everything-”

“Omigod, Branch!” Smidge yelled. “We’re all dying over here! Just say yes already!”

Poppy laughed at her friend’s outburst, then pulled Branch to his feet and shrugged her shoulders. “What do you say?” she asked. “Marry me? Be my man?”

He chuckled and rolled his eyes at her in a good-natured fashion, then pulled her face toward his so he could plant a kiss on her lips. The crowd oohed and aahed in response.

I really wish we were alone...

He broke apart from her and asked, “Does that answer your question?”

She smiled and pulled him back in for another kiss, which was interrupted by a certain troll shouting, “Will one of you please just say yes already?!”

“Yes!” both Branch and Poppy yelled. He made eye contact with her, and she burst into bright laughter which wound up eliciting a similar reaction from him as well.

This woman would be the death of him.

I’ll die a happy troll.

The rest of the trolls in the crowd cheered and clapped, which turned into a whole lot of whooping and whistling when Poppy again smashed her lips against Branch’s.

“I’m sorry I stole your thunder,” she said to him when they broke apart. He could barely hear her over the din of the crowd, but he could tell that she most certainly was not sorry. Not in the slightest.

Branch shrugged his shoulders. “Oh, no problem. I guess that’s just one less poem you’ll get to hear.”

Her eyebrows drew together in a pout. “Wait... you won’t say it for me? Ever?”

He shrugged again. “I dunno. Guess you’ll have to marry me and find out.”

Poppy poked him in the chest. “Oh, you’re so on. I’m gonna marry you so hard!”

Branch felt his face immediately heat up again. Poppy winked at him and took a turn to shrug her shoulders herself. “I said what I said,” she stated. “Interpret it how you will. Now I’m gonna head over to the stage to get this show back on track. Bye! Love you! See you later!”

He fumbled for words as a hundred images flashed through his brain all at once. “Wait - Poppy!” he called after her, but it was too late; she was already almost at the stage.

He watched as she ran to the microphone and asked everyone to take their seats once more in preparation for the next performer, as what was surely another dopey smile decided to grace his countenance. He found his seat along with everyone else, and wondered if Poppy was planning to come over and sit with him at any point in the near future.

Branch didn’t have to wait long. Within a few minutes, he felt Poppy’s lips softly press against his cheek. When he turned to face her, she pulled up a chair next to his and wove her arm around his, then leaned against his shoulder and sighed.

“I love you,” he quietly muttered to her, in an effort to not draw attention away from the troll who had taken the stage after Poppy.

“I love you more,” she replied, tearing her gaze away from the new performer in order to make eye contact with him.

“I’ve loved you longer,” he countered. She lightheartedly punched him in the arm.

“Yeah, well I’m gonna love you forever,” she vowed.

Branch smiled. “I’ll love you forever, too,” he promised.

[sorensfw]

Hello!! I hope you are doing well, wonderful person! I was wondering if I could have a tarot reading? I wanted to ask the cards what obstacles are in my way and how can I overcome them? Also, can I ask the cards where should I look to continue to find strength and resilience? Thank you so much!!! Sending you lots of love.

Aww! Thank you. Having these readings really picked me up today, so...I’m doing well now. On to your reading, which kind of got big.

Deep Images[1], what obstacles are in Imisterk's way, and how can she remove them?

Deck: Silicon Dawn

This is going to be interesting, because the SD is the most Occult Magick X-Filezzz Mysterious deck I have. I keep expecting it to tell me where the aliens are landing and how to help them dethrone the reptilons embedded in the secret one world government. Adjust your tinfoil hat psychoacoustic filters accordingly. I recommend setting Alpha-six point Gamma on the flourenstein scale[2]. It's also capable of rendering serious doom and gloom readings, which is probably why it was right for reading obstacles.

Obstacles (first row, in order):

1. Fleeing ghosts of the past is leading to doing something Foolish--but this might be Foolish in the tarot sense (the physical version of this card has reflective overprinting that catches the light at the right angle and shows phantom butterfly wings on the Fool and ghostly tentacles chasing them), because it is a Fool card (this deck has four Fools).

2. A fight that just wont end, but would if you could just talk things out. Probably with someone close to you--think seventh house relationships in the astrology sense (enemies are 'close' because why bother being enemies with someone you can just forget about).

3. (Shadowed, incomplete reading here) Something about masks over your uniqueness rubbing it out (The physical version of the card looks completely black unless seen from the right angle). You're special and unusual, and this is an obstacle against having a face that isn't just the mask you wear to fit in at the party. Something I can't read for, which could be shrouded by something really powerful, or could be that I'm running into reading someone's private thoughts who isn't consenting, which is something I specifically intend my readings not to do.

4. (Shadowed again) There's a place inside you that's always watching a lightless black sun go down over the edge of a dying world where even the swords made of rusted shards of Before The Fall the last survivors have been using to squabble over the dregs of lost joy are played out. It's making everything feel as apocalyptic as that vision looks, and it's sapping a precious bodily fluid spiritual resource in a way that's not obvious, because this whole drama is happening in darkness where you don't see it going on.

Solution (second row, read left to right): Don't do complicated magic or call for help. Small actions will accumulate into world-shattering consequences if you trust and fall with it and don't make a big deal of things or try to rekindle stuff whose time is past.

This a surprisingly un-Silicon-Dawn answer, so take that into account.

Phew. Onward:

Deep Images, where should Imisterk look to continue to find strength and resilience?

Deck: Mystic Manga

...when it didn't come up Silicon Dawn again I was going to say we were back to the real world, but with the Mystic Manga it's more like we're off to read right-to-left about about the hapless Fool not noticing that all sixteen court cards have a crush on his bishie ass and are vying for his hand in mawwiage--but it's also off to a colorful happy fantasy land where everyone including you is suave and sexy and omigod those outfits right?

The reading is a mini-love-story spread, but that can mean self-love, too. Left to right the cards go:

1. Your role

2. Your work

3. Happily Ever After

4. Their work

5. Their role

It's read from the edges in.

Because of my other-people rule this usually means both partners are the querent, but that might be false if you have someone I don't know about who wouldn't mind contributing to this reading, so I'm going to read that aspect ambiguously and let you decide which you think it is.

Your role: R. 5 Wands. Something's happening. Whatever it is, don't fight it, even if the fighting-it doesn't seem that serious or is like a game. If and only if that feels fucking wrong, instead it's the other extreme: go nuclear and fight for your life--but I really doubt that for such a happy-cuddly deck.

Your work: 5 Cups. Things look kind of wrecked, and feeling better feels as far away as that castle, so the work is to see where they're not wrecked. It might seem like only two small little cups out of the many you had before, but there's enough water there to throw a party like the star is throwing in the next card. It may or may not be necessary to doff that wonderfully melancholy cape-and-buckles grief-chic ensemble, but I notice the Star's going for a more minimal look fashion-wise.

Their role: R. 6 Cups. Nostalgia, however much old times might look good, they're not a kid anymore and it's time to grow up.

Their work: High Priestess. Take a critical look at things, and don't hide your disgust (she's clearly editing her Abridged List of Things She Hates), but remember to look to your intuition, not what logically makes sense, or you'll end up just as Scroogy as she looks. Traditionally, there's a body of water peeking through the High Priestess' veil, and I read that as present here, too.

Happily Ever After: Star. Clothes have been a huge theme in this reading, and we weren’t even the doing anime-standard Deep Cleavage, when suddenly--! Both work cards have unhappy people in super-restrictive clothing and a distant body of water, and now here we are having a relaxing bath in the magical flowery lagoon of innocence with an expression that says to me “why yes I did suplex the angel with a flaming sword that turns every which way to get in here, and I’d do it again and still not give any fucks at all”. This is what happens when you and whoever it is move beyond your respective challenges and leave the armor behind. Maybe it means being vulnerable together, maybe it means sexy sex, or maybe it literally means busting out the bath bombs and essential oil diffuser and giving yourself a spa night every so often. The concrete advice depends on who's involved and whether you're in a position to figuratively or literally get naked wth them--but if you can, it will be like drinking the nectar of the gods for you both. Whatever it is, you may need to throw down a manifestation of patriarchal or religious shame or guilt or two to get at it, so don’t be afraid to rush the gatekeeper if they look like a republican senator. This would be that nuclear option from before, actually.

Good luck, and I hope this helps, and if you’re totally weirded out I hope you at least laughed along the way.

[1] It’s what I call the collective-unconscious imagery galaxies that underly the tarot archetypes and many other visual oracles. Past life thing, long story.

[2] I'm reasonably sure none of that is a real thing, but you never know.

[spread images created using BlackMirror]

[buhbuhbuhbuhbeanz7654]

omigod i was JUST talking to someone about this the other day! i was riding my bike in the park where i stopped to take a picture of a squirrel, when one of my friends from sword fighting camp came up to me, and i was like hi!. she was actually the person that i binge watched all 15 seasons of supernatural with several years ago. so anywasy, we were talking about this squirrel when she was like, “hey, i used to work at a pet store where i trained squirrels to duel with those tiny plastic drink swords.” And then i was like, “woah dude, you totally made that up like those ppl on Tumblr who make stuff up”. She denied it, and said she would never lie about her squirrels, who happened to be named Sam and Dean. i told her those were horrible names for squirrels. Then we had a fist fight in the woods, which i won of course, because i actually do boxing every tuesday. our fight in the park had gathered quite an audience, and everyone clapped when i won, and a small child told me i was their hero.

we need to bring back people lying for no reason. i want elaborate stories that end with "and then everyone clapped" again. nothing will ever fill the void in my heart like a person on tumblr dot com saying they had an experience irl that involved fighting with someone over supernatural.

[kevoreally]

#BuffyAt20 - S03E03 “Faith, Hope, and Trick”

This here’s a major one, folks! Season 3, Episode 3, “Faith, Hope, and Trick” - which does not technically have that Oxford comma in it but I can’t really help myself.

> To start, this is definitely a very special episode to me. I'm not sure why. I think this was the first episode of Buffy I ever watched both live AND completely caught up.

> Plus, Buffy getting back into school, Faith being introduced, the ostensible villain and love interest are introduced, it's a lot!

> The opening scene in particular is one that always makes me smile. "Oh I like you giddy." Squee.

> I don't think we were allowed to go off campus for lunch, even as seniors. We did have our own cafeteria though.

> "Prepare to uncouple. ... Uncouple."

> "I don't believe she slays either." "Oh I hear she can but she doesn't like to."

> "You're supposed to stop me when I do that." "I like when you do that." Oz was dream boyfriend.

> “He didn't try to slit our throats or anything. That's progress.” CORDELIA, WHY DO YOU TALK.

> Thanks for making me think calling my female friends "slut" was permissible, Xander.

> "Yes, date, and shop, and hang out and got to school, and save the world from unspeakable demons. You know, I wanna do girlie stuff." Hero ✌️

> Also there's something to that last line mirroring her encounter with the First Slayer at the end of Season 4.

> Happy Burger? Where's The Doublemeat Palace??

> I really loved Mr. Trick, he should've survived to wreak more havoc in the future.

> Drive-Thru Guy is cute.

> I was super fascinated back in the day with the concept of Kakistos, like The Master, devolving into a more animalian form.

> Jeez, twenty years later and this theme still gets me pumped. Can't wait to see what it's like in 2048.

> OMIGOD, THIS DREAM SEQUENCE. We were OBSESSED with interpreting these dreams. Now, as an adult writer, I get that it was probably mostly nonsense.

> "GO TO HELL! ... I did." Dat face. And like, yea, what was that even supposed to mean?

> I've literally worn a Claddagh for 20 years because of this show. It's only incidental that I'm Irish. No lie.

> Buffy, why are you playing with the letter opener in front of Snyder? Why would you goad him? Sigh.

> "I think what my daughter is trying to say is: nyah nyanya nyah nyah" Joyce for days.

> There's a real and palpable shift in tone from the last time Buffy stood in this library.

> Demon Pizza is a great band name

> When asked about the Acathala ritual, knowing it’s a lie, Giles gives a great performance as someone who is used to the teens telling him his stuff is boring so he doesn't bother filling in the details.

> They really go full throttle on Willow being a "Wicca" from Episode 2 and just don't stop, huh?

> HAHA, you can see Faith sexydancing in the first shot of the Bronze scene. Not too obvious though.

> Scott is uncomfortably earnest.

> "Plus bonus points for use of the word 'mosey.'" Yes, Oz.

> THERE'S THE WORD "SLUT" AGAIN - thanks, Cordy!

> Disco Vampire is pretty cute. Also, I love the way Eliza moves in this scene.

> "I don't think that guy thrives on sunshine." Yes, sometimes this is just me tweeting Buffy quotes I love.

> OH, SCOTT, WHYYY.

> Weekly shout-out to Christophe Beck for his amazing work. Love you, bro.

> "It's okay, I got it. You're, uh, Buffy, right? I'm Faith." HOLY CRAP, I ACTUALLY LOVE HER FROM LINE ONE.

> Buffy always did a great job of crafting scenes that could later be used perfectly in the Previously's.

> Ugh, and Faith calls her B right away. I love it. I'll say right up front, I don't personally ship it, but I see it.

> "Wow, they should film that story and show it every Christmas" is something I said a lot for ten years.

> Like, I get the need to explain how this situation with Faith being called happened to the audience, but why is Cordy the mouthpiece here?

> "Xander, find a new theme." For real tho.

> Buffy bringing up The Three here is FASCINATING, because now they seem more like a footnote in the grand scheme of things. And as someone who had spent the summer catching up on Seasons 1 and 2, I *LOVED* it when it came up.

> "It's a long story." "I got bit." "Apparently not that long." They will definitely reuse this joke.

> FIVE BY FIVE!!!!!

> Omigod I love Giles's wistful waxing on about the Watchers' retreat.

> Like. But if they don't like Giles, why is he in charge of the active Slayer? Are they just hoping she'll die soon and they can just have the next one better-trained? ... I withdraw my question.

> "Raise your hand if ew." Also something I said a lot. I love Willow's smirk, though. Sexuality is a spectrum, baby.

> I need a coffee mug that says "Sunnydale: Home of the Big Brewin' Evil"

> Buffy is way over this second Slayer WAY fast. Girl, Kendra died. Think about that.

> "Acathala. Angel. Me. Sword."

> "Next time I kill Angel, I'll video it." Today that would be "Livestream it."

> As a continuity buff, I really love the stroll through Sunnydale High that they give Faith.

> I also say "aboat" a lot because of the way Faith says it here.

> It's just TOO RANDOM that Faith ALSO bumps into Scott Hope and hits it off with him. TOO RANDOM.

> What hair color does Cordelia think Faith’s hair is, if not brunette?

> It's, like, not even homecoming, it's not weird that Buffy hasn't made a move on Scott yet, everyone needs to chill on her ass.  

> "I don't care if there are 100 Slayers." Snerk.

> Mr. Trick needs to stop eating all of the food service industry workers in this town. That's two in one episode!

> I don't know how we're supposed to feel about Joyce doting on Faith but I love it. Especially because it's not at the expense of Buffy.

> JOYCE *IS* THE BEST MOM EVER, BUFFY, DON'T FRONT.

> "It's probably good you were an only child." SNERK AGAIN.

> Legit, though, stuff like that's wild. When this aired, that had a whole different context than it does watching the completed show.

> "Two of you fighting is safer than one, right?" "I guess." ...How is the answer to that not just yes? It’s math.

> Oof, "Slayer Pride Parade." I thought that was cuter at 12 than I do now.

> Buffy really does start way too agitated every time with Faith in this episode. It's not a good color on her.

> "What is it, the Angel thing?" Oh Faith, I was rooting for you.

> "Why are you lips still moving, F?" That's still a great mic-drop moment.

> "My dead mother hits harder than that." But not as hard as that anvil.

> "She has almost no deck. She has a three."

> "I used to love a good kayak."

> Fun fact: my dad came home with our Honda CRV during this scene. It was my first car. RIP, Serenity </3

> "Maybe he lived for taquitos - What?"

> Leprechauns still aren't real in the Buffyverse, right? I hope so.

> Scott seems really sweet but he's way too pushy. Then again, soft virgins often are. I would have wasted a LOT of time being in love with Scott Hope in high school. Only for the bastard to come out in college, rrrgh.

> 20 years later, I've still never seen a single Buster Keeton film.

> Getting her a ring is SO PRESUMPTIVE that it makes me root against him. If they wanted the imagery, they should've been, like, a Claddagh keychain or something. Not literally the same prop.

> I was definitely surprised to learn Faith's Watcher was dead, legit.

> Faith's landlord looks like Greg Brady, and I have literally always thought this.

> "Broads like you"? What?

> "Like you took care of your Watcher?" On the one hand, harsh. On the other, retaliation for the Angel stuff. But mostly the first one.

> It's weird that Faith just returns to this same hotel room to live in after this. You don't even take a different room? Another hotel? If this was Power Rangers, she would go and live with Buffy, just saying.

> “First rule of Slaying: don't die.”

> I love when Buffy kicks things at bad guys, haha.  

> I also love this ENORMOUS STAKE. Truly fantastic.

> "You hungry?" "Starved." Okay we get it.

> They ultimately never assigned a new Watcher to Faith. Wesley was sent because Giles was fired. Huh.

> I listened to the audio clip of this "Angel was cured" scene, like, a BILLION times. (Thanks, Psyche Sound Archive!)

> "So I told him that I loved him, and I kissed him, and I killed him." 💔

> I love that it's Willow and Giles here for this.

> "There is no spell." Classic Giles.

> Considering Buffy was, like, expelled and wanted by the police, Scott should ABSOLUTELY be reasonable about how weird she is if he is at all genuinely interested.

> I'm sad we didn't get more of this "Buffy has a normal boyfriend" arc. We don't even get many episodes of it with Riley, and anyway surprise he also hunts demons. Buffy never had a Harvey Kinkle.

> Oh hey, Mansion, we're gonna be seeing a lot more of you this year.

> As "Close Your Eyes" was one of the themes that made me fall in love with television score, obviously this scene laying the ring to rest meant a GREAT DEAL to me: https://youtu.be/6rom5MQhaMY

> And then there's dat ass! Welcome back, David.

As Dark Willow would say, two to go!