#people stop being weird about religion for a second please?

[greenflower21]

I wish people would stop treating Kira’s faith like something detrimental to her strength as a character— like, as if being religious makes her any less “good” in their eyes.

Kira is a deeply religious person- it is one of my favorite things about her as a character. It does give her a layer of complexity we don’t usually see, but I wish we could re-frame this and stop thinking about her religion as a type of complexity usually looked at by fans as a moral shortcoming.

Yes, I know it is difficult for socially “progressive” people in our current political climate to see religious characters and not immediately equate their religion with bad things and oppression. But in reality religion, like people, is many layered, diverse, complicated, and so so important to so many people and societies. Religious belief does not always equal Political conservatism and/or oppression: equating the 2 is actually harmful to communities like mine. Like the Bajorans, Jews have survived countless tragedies, and yet we are still here: we are still here, because we didn’t relinquish who we are, which in many cases (not all) is our faith and religious practice. The Bajorans were almost obliterated— their faith united them and kept them going— THIS, is why people like Kira felt so threatened when the federation tried to come in and suppress it (even though they meant well)— Kira’s opposition to Keiko O’Brien teaching Bajoran students about the wormhole isn’t bc she has some kind of moral flaw bc of her religion, it’s because she almost saw that essential piece of their culture destroyed. And if the Cardassians didn’t manage to destroy it by force, the federation just might destroy it by way of “benevolent” assimilation. She isn’t being “anti Science,” she’s just not on board with the idea of the federation totally ignoring and rejecting her people’s autonomy and cultural beliefs. And as a religious Jew, I can definitely understand where she is coming from.

As a socially progressive person, AND as an Orthodox Jew, I love representation like Kira Nerys, because it makes me feel so seen. I too care about fighting injustice. I also love Hashem and I love my culture and I resent the way that secular people talk about us as if we don’t live up to their moral standards because we believe in G-D and have a lot of intricate practices to show that belief that don’t make a lot of sense to them. (Assimilation is in itself a form of oppression you know)

Kira being religious is a beautiful part of her character. Yes, it makes her “complicated,” but not in that it adds flaws. It adds culture and love and faith and community and passion and so so many things. It makes people like me feel seen and valued. You know what doesn’t make people like me feel seen and validated through? People talking shit about faith and acting like it’s a character “flaw” that hinders someone’s ability to be the perfect paragon of “progressive” virtue. .

[mrplantfr]

☆MR.PLANT HEADCANONS!!!♡

(TW: Mentions of religion, murder)

*Was diagnosed with ADHD/ Autism at a very young age, but it took a really long while since he had to constantly write stuff in pen instead of talking.

*Has hated pens since he first learned to write because his shaky hands write terribly in pen.

*Despite not being able to talk, he can laugh, scream, and hum. He really likes stimming by laughing because it feels like the one chance he gets to sort of talk. (That felt really sad-)

*Grew up in a Christian household, and even though he isn't religious now, when he's really scared he'll pray just in case. (I'm really sorry if that came off as disrespectful or anything, please let me know if it did I'm not Christian so I wouldn't know that well)

*Has really noticeable eye bags due to his lack of sleep, when he was a teen he used to put some of his mom's makeup on that specific part to cover it up but stopped after he got bullied for it.

*He was definitely a mama's boy and still is, he visits her weekly to take care of her and Emails her often to talk with her.

*Is a workaholic to a dangerous level but can never keep a job as he always murders someone in the end.

*His special interest is knifes, he has a lot for cooking and eating, along with to kill people. He always looks for new ones whenever he can, like a kid in a candy store but he limits himself to only buy 2 at a time. He also looks up facts and articles about them a lot, it feels very comforting to him.

*Speaking of knifes, he cooks really well! Ask him to make anything and he'll be amazing at it to a whole new level. He has at least 2 cabinets filled to the brim with spices and herbs and tea packets. Whenever Argos comes over he likes to bake some new treat he learned how to bake and insist he tries it. (They're usually French or Italian)

*He has a Funk Pop Keychain he got in High School of Deadpool and pirated all the movies with it and read all the comics as a kid. He knows the second one word- for- word and summarizes the movies and stuff when he's bored.

*He has very good hygiene to an impressive level, and he still has one of those hand sanitizer rubber things from a few years back. He has a weird habit of carrying around tooth picks despite not being able to open his mouth.

*He'll grab onto Argos' hand and just start squeezing it out of nowhere. Don't ask why, not even he knows. Not like he could answer anyway.

*He watched Aqua Teen Hunger Force as a kid (if ykyk) and his favorite was always Master Shake because of his voice and risky humor.

*When he uses a computer he always minimalizes tabs, never keeping an unnecessary one open because he gets really frustrated at computer lag. He also plays music on one tab when he wears headphones. And his favorite game to play on it is Yandere Simulator because he likes to make all the characters really upset at his answers. (Took inspo from Ashur Ghravi there)

*He always picks at his fingers when he gets stressed. He tried a picky pad but he hated the noise the beads made and the texture of the silicone so he threw it away along with his other failed attempts at stopping the habit. He gets really insecure when people talk about his hands, he always thought they were too boney and cold for anyone including himself to like them. (He cries when they leave him alone after)

*When talking music his favorite artists are John Leher, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, and Lemon Demon. (Don't tell him he has to pick just one.) He really likes music from the 70s - 90s music, old- times music always brings him nostalgia from his parents and grandparents playing it when he was little, it brings back memories to playing around in the summer heat and relaxing at home.

*He enjoys dressing simple a lot because it feels like he doesn't have to worry about dressing himself too much. But he ADORES looking at really stylized outfits, the more complicated the better! He watches Rupaul's Drag Race so he can judge the outfits along with the actual judges (But who doesn't???)

*He's grown really good at slow dancing over the years. But he always waits for someone (Argos) to ask if he wants to dance because he doesn't want to seem like he's showing off. But when I tell you he feels like a brand new person, swaying along with the music, taking in every word and step and tap while he dances, I mean he feels like he could become the next background dancer for Mitski. And he feels so proud of himself for that!

*Hes definitely a salty over sweet kinda guy, with sugar he can only take so much of it before he has to be excused. Yk? Thats why him and Argos always go to the same place, because he feels like when he knows what he can get each time he can prepare himself more for what he will eat. (In other words, safe food) And when I tell you he gets picky about food, I don't mean he only eats a handful of things and refuses anything else. No. I mean he's a.. Selective eater. Like, he loves trying new foods and he's willing to try anything. But for example, let's say that he hates mustard (same) and you give him something with mustard. Now, he will eat it and be nice about it, but that doesn't mean he'll enjoy eating it. Got what I'm tryna say? Okay.

*He loves watching old black & white films to try and decipher their 1900s talk to now. He often has to pause the movie to look up what certain words mean, but usually he knows what they're saying and he just laughs along about it.

(WRITER TALKING) Okay, so, thanks for reading this!!! I really hope you liked it! :0 I adore TWOMP so much its ridiculous, but I obviously have a favorite. Mr.Plant is honestly the most relatable character I've ever seen in my life, everything about him makes me go "HE'S SO ME!!!!!" if I'm honest. Anyway, I hope you liked it. Bye. :3

[lokigodofaces]

Okay just wanted to say something real fast to any fellow Christians reading this. Within the past year there have been massive disasters in the two countries I hold dearly. Last April and May many parts Rio Grande do Sul, a southern state in Brazil was flooded. It was the worst flood in Brazil for a long time. I was not living in that state, I was living in the northeast so I never saw the floods. But this was a huge deal nationwide, every time I talked to anyone they would ask if I had heard of the floods, donations were being sent, and I was really touched by the support many gave the people who had lost everything in Rio Grande do Sul. I also have a close friend who is from Porto Alegre. Thankfully her family was safely rescued. But through her I heard lots of stories about how horrible it was.

And now in the US LA is on fire. It is absolutely horrible. I don't live in California, I'm not personally affected by the fires. But I have friends that live there too. And the US is shaken up about it in many ways. This is the talking point for many people today. And I've seen many generous people donating and volunteering. There has also been lots of criticism against the politicians that created circumstances which make fighting the fire more difficult (ie defunding the LAPD, LA mayor not even being there, etc) which does have a place in these conversations because those people need to be held accountable. But I have seen so many people support LA one way or another.

But unfortunately in both instances I saw some stuff from Christians that drives me insane.

Stop saying that people going through a natural disaster deserve it.

I heard similar things about both places. LA isn't known for being Christian. It's also seen as "richer," though that's not necessarily true. And as for Rio Grande do Sul, I can't be for certain because I've never been there but also I didn't live in Brazil for super long. But I got some some weird vibes about the relationship between the south and the northeast. The south is more prosperous I'm told and more white. The northeast is on the poorer end in Brazil I'm told and I'm told there's more blacks. Also I knew some people that worked online and did Zoom calls and they would initiate an accent from São Paulo or another more central state because they felt they weren't taken seriously when using their own accent. They also all said that the south had lots of rude people. And I'm told the northeast is more religious. Listen, I can't confirm any of this. Everyone I know from the south was super nice, but I've never been there. I'm just being told stuff. But regardless of what's true and isn't true there is definitely a cultural divide and some weird stuff because of it that is a little similar to how some people see California.

But because of these different problems people have with LA and Rio Grande do Sul, people have blamed the citizens or said they deserved it. Obviously Christians are not the only ones doing it, there is the political divide and that political/economic divide might be influencing religious beliefs. But I need y'all to start pondering on that for a bit and whether that's a very Christ-like thought or not. Also I'm going to start saying some doctrinal stuff, but I get that there's a million ways to be Christian. I'll try my best to be broad, but please don't nitpick over something small and try to understand the main idea.

First off, not every bad thing in the world is a punishment from God. The vast majority of bad things aren't. Sometimes we're victims of the actions of others or natural events because we live in an imperfect world. Things happen that we can't stop. But not because God is punishing them.

Second off, get off your high horse about your religion. Not everyone is Christian, deal with it. And non-Christians deserve love and support just as much as Christians. If you don't like me saying that, boy do I have to tell you something about the gospels because Jesus was constantly being hated over the fact that he would interact with publicans and sinners and Gentiles and Samaritans. We're taught to love and support everyone. So start doing that.

Third, stop trying to frame it as being political and anti-rich people. First off house prices have gone up so much in LA that those people just bought them when they weren't costing an arm and a leg. Second off doctors aren't the problem. People that got a good job and do well aren't the problem. Stop trying to reframe your weird hate towards moderately successful people as religious and/or political when that isn't helping anyone.

Fourth, I'm gonna remind you of John 13:34-35 (KJV):

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Stop with the condemnations, stop with the moral loftiness, because Jesus said it himself: the way to show you truly are his follower is by loving others.

Look, I dunno why I'm saying this. This is Tumblr, the Christians on here probably aren't doing this since we probably have like queer tolerant Christians here. I think I just had to get it off my chest. But I'm tired of hearing Christians victim blame during natural disasters. It isn't your place to do that. As the verses above say, your duty as a Christian is to love others. So that's what you should be doing, not condemning people who have lost everything. So, yeah, in guessing many of you are doing great! But please try to help others understand this!

[hotchocolatefanfics]

My Thoughts on Hazbin Hotel

I don’t think there’s much about Harbin Hotel that hasn’t already been said but here’s my two cents on it. Please note that I am only discussing the show’s plot and maybe a little of the characters! Also feel free to share your own thoughts if you’d like!

Let me start off with the setting itself: 

Hazbin Hotel is one of only two shows I know of that takes place in heaven and hell and actually expands those two worlds (or the ‘afterlife’ world). I actually really like the way the show introduces us to heaven and hell and how it uses some characters from the bible but is open ended and doesn’t force religion down your throat. 

I am a littler disappointed that the show doesn’t really explore Hell beyond Charlie’s hotel or doesn’t play with the concepts of good and evil or who is truly deserving of a second chance and what can and can’t be forgiven though. I say this because the show, mostly, takes place in LITERAL Hell! 

Like, ok, put all the characters in the show aside for a moment; this is the place where people like serial killers, SA’ers, dictators and all the worlds worst of the worst, most evil and disgusting individuals go to when they die. People who have done things that are so heinous, so terrible that not even Charlie (I don’t think) would want anything to do with.

(Speaking of Charlie for a second, I found her to be very naive but innocent in a weird way? I don’t know, it’s like she knows she’s in Hell and that the people around her are technically ‘sinners’ but she never stops to think about what they might have done in life to end up in Hell? Seeing the good in others is great and all, but where’s the critical thinking here?)

Another thing that kind of bothers me is the whole show starts off with Hell being overpopulated as a problem (yes I will get to the extermination day in a second here) but it’s never said WHY that is. 

The show (and only other TV show I know of that’s similar to Hazbin Hotel) ‘The Good Place” does tackle a similar problem to this by having the rules of Heaven being so black and white and not recognizing the complexity of how the living world changes that no one can make it to Heaven because they do not fit the out dated requirements. 

Seeing as the Angels themselves don’t know how a soul can get into Heaven, I don’t see how or if they could do anything to allow more souls into Heaven if this is the case but I can’t understand why they didn’t consider that before deciding to exterminate the sinners in Hell. Like, seriously? That was your first option? You’re so concerned about going to war with Hell that you give them a reason to go to war with you? (Yeah, I think the Angels are stupid here).

Side note, I kind like that the show portrays ‘Adam’ as a spoiled brat who thinks he owns Heaven because he’s the ‘first human man to come to Heaven’ and blah, blah, blah. I just thought it was an ironic and hilarious take on the guy lol. 

Now then, here’s what I think should have happened in the show:

Charlie’s hotel is actually her private castle. A property that was given to her by her father but she has since converted it into a safe house for anyone who survived Extermination Day or trying to escape the darker sides of Hell (this would have worked for Angel, as a p*rn star whose trying to get out of an abusive situation and for Vaggie, a former Exorcist whose also wanted for betraying the Angels). 

Redemption isn’t the goal of the hotel until Charlie finds an old loop hole in the laws of Heaven and Hell and then she tries to redeem the Sinners around her but when the Angel rejects her like they did in the show, then the war and fighting begins.

I get that the show only had eight episodes but surely something like that could have been accomplished with that many episodes, right? 

But all that being said, here’s my quick list of things I didn’t like about the show:

- No one really feels that evil and the ones who do (Val, Vox, Velvet, and Adam) aren’t utilized enough. 

Velvet could have been used to fan the flames of war and Vox seemed to control the media and news of Hell. Maybe he could have spread propaganda about Heaven? And also, how much power and liberty did Adam have as the ‘golden boy’ of Heaven? I mean, if he was allowed to suggest and lead the exterminations, what else was he allowed to do? 

I’m not saying Adam wasn’t ‘evil enough’ here, he just didn’t feel like a real threat to Charlie and the others until the last three episodes of the show.

- Too much tell and not enough showing. 

I’m mainly talking about Angel and episode 4 here but this applies to the whole show too. Now I admit that Angel Dust and the Poison music video are kind of the main reasons I got curious about the show but, honestly, the song scene felt very jarring in the show and, worse than that, the show never truly acknowledges the abuse again and it never feels completely resolved either.

This whole episode and (kind of) backstory also makes the other characters seem kind of dull and underdeveloped as episode 4 is the only episode (thus far) that is mostly dedicated to one character’s issues. Wheres that level of context for Niffty or Sir Pentious? Yes we get a little bit of Husk’s issues in it but the ‘Loser Baby’ song scene kind of ruins it for me.

There’s a million other things I can add about this episode but, for the sake of not making this any longer than it already is, I’m just gonna move on to my last issues with the show.

- Over usage of ‘fuck’ variations.

This doesn’t really bother me too much but that’s only because the characters curse so many times in the show that I stoped hearing it. Lucifer saying he’ll “f*ck Adam’ and forgot the ‘up’ part and everyone stared at him got me giggling though and that was mainly because I didn’t expect Lucifer to be unfamiliar with that variation and thought it was funny and unintentionally charming lol!

And lastly and my most controversial take, 

- The singing didn’t have to be there. 

Yes I’m being biased here (I find it very difficult to follow musical movies) but please hear me out! I’m not saying the songs are bad or anything like that, it’s just they don’t do much to move the plot along and considering there are 16 of them in the show and all together they’re 38 minutes, I can’t help but feel some of them could have been shorter or cut from the show.

Or! The musical numbers themselves could have been changed or re-used but used differently. Songs like Happy Day in Heaven, Stayed Gone, or Poison could have stayed the same but what if Hell is Forever were changed to a sadder song about hope despite feeling defeated? Maybe It Starts With Sorry could have been about Sir Pentious reflecting on how and why he agreed to spy for Vox (or how he ended up in hell to begin with) and, instead of Loser Baby, what if a slow instrumental version of Poison played in the background while Husk and Angel talked? 

Changes like this would have also build on what the character went through or thought in an episode and/or set in the events of said episode. Slower and sad songs tend to give us a moment to breathe and sit on whatever happened before that whereas faster songs feel more in the moment. 

For example: If the song Hell is Forever were a lullaby that Lilith sang to Charlie when she was little and Charlie recited it to herself after her meeting with Adam, it might have highlighted the hopelessness and disappointment Charlie felt in that moment (assuming the lyrics of the song were something like: Hush now my dearest one, dry your eyes and dry your tears. Hell is forever but so is love. And as long as there is Hell, I will love you) (I know, I’m not good at song writing lol). 

I have other thoughts and questions but I’ll post them separately. 

TLDR, I like the idea of Hazbin Hotel but I not so much the plot itself.

[catiiicore]

bro, my "bsf" is obsessed/in love with my ex 💀💀💀 (we broke up a month ago and she had some participation on it), so let me vent about shit she done/said

how can i explain how she's born a pick me, this girl was defending my friend TOXIC EX, that fucking destroyed my friend mental health. she was saying how much she wishes he was someone better, not in a, he deserves or he must learn way, like "he's doesn't what hes doing 🥺🥺🥺 he must learn", like he's some toddler that pissed his pants, GIRL HE DEFINITELY WASN'T MANIPULATING HER BECAUSE HE DID KNOW WTF, and then she talks how much young he is (he's older than us) and that he still isn't aware of how shit he was

but the worse is coming, she talks shit about a 12/13 yo girl in our school because she sends those kinda pics to guys in my school, including to my friend toxic ex, and everytime I try to explain to my friend that this most have something really fucked going on to consider doing that, she slut shames her, and say that she knows damn well what she's doing, like girl stop please, shes like 3 years younger than, SHE'S BARELY A TEEN WTF, HOW CAN SHE KNOWS DAMN WELL AND A 17 YEAR OLD GUY NOT?

im so fucking tired of her defending guys and attacking girls, like doesn't matter what guy said she will try to defend him

other thing that's super annoying is how much she's super religious and intolerant, like when me and my ex was still together, he kinda "came out" as an atheist to her, and poor soul was so fucking scared of her stop being friends with him he cried, because he didn't believe in god (canon event not gonna lie), she didn't say anything but she wasn't happy at all and their relationship got weird, and when we broke up he went back to religion (still don't know why) BUT THAT GIRL ALMOST MADE A PARTY TO CELEBRATE THAT, she was so fucking happy because he now "believed" in god, and after that she became best fucking friends with him, like wth, she talked like her mom got cured from cancer, it's was super weird

theres other thing, she's homophobic, not a bit, but a lot, she got better by the time, but still she talks how much gay people will go to hell in our friend group (we are all queer and she know damn well) and gets super uncomfortable with jokes around sex or sexuality/gender, BUT ONLY WHEN WE MAKE IT, like if I say something I'm like unholy, but with my ex said that she would laugh her ass of

but now comes the title story :333

so i met this guy because we liked the same streamers/animes/music LIKE WE HAD SO MUCH IN COMMON, so like in 3/4 months we started liking each other, but my "bsf" was his friend too, and here comes the catch, she made us be friends, but she wanted to interfere in our relationship, like, she could make comments and stuff, trying like manipulate our relationship, she even was involved in his confession, like girl, he's trying to confess his and you got in the way, but like she was clearly not happy with us being more close with each other than with her (I get it but not like that) and every time I did something that she said something got wrong, when i did what I thought it got better, but was when the break up came

(for context I'm really insecure in relationships, not only romantic ones but in general, right now I'm kinda feeling like shit because my friends are definitely tired of me, and my ex isn't always good to talk or has energy for me, and that had been causing a lot of problems between us)

I was thinking on breaking up with because you know, like, 'I'm being a shit as girlfriend' and stuff, before I could break up, she came up to me in a random afternoon saying that he wanted to break up, since I got like tired of stuff I just ended like in the same second with things with him, no explanation or anything, we were supposed to still friends and maybe get that kinda friendship back, but didn't work (don't know why too lol)

but after that she became obsessed with my ex, like unhealthy, and she tried to force some sort of responsibility of his part in their friendship, like "don't treat like your friends" (from what I know they always had the most casual friendship ever and he never cared too much about her lmao) and like she did everything to kinda appear they were bestis or something else, like last school project we need to make like letters to people we really liked, and guess who she made to, MY EX, everybody actually realized that from her, even people not even close to us saw that and said how weird it was

like is super weird the fact like he doesn't care so much about her but she tried to make everything about him, and since we broke up she never tried to kinda cheer me up, she just said like "get over him he's like super chill and your crying" or kinda were super insensitive towards my feelings, never considering the fact, he wasn't only my bf, he was my best friend and one of the only people that understood

im getting better, I will change school next year so no more her and I'm just waiting for holidays and other events to try be friends with my ex again (he is actually super chill and great as a person, im just kinda healing from other shits that happened in between this conflict), because she will not be a problem again

I dont know if he's 100% over me, because in school he still looks at me like he's deeply in love and look my reposts every week lol

but that's it, maybe the #ihatemybsf isn't so wrong 💜💜💜

I put here the most important facts, but there's more, a lot more but I kinds got tired of writing

[spongebobafettywap]

The anon is right in saying Nightcrawler replaced Rogue in the plot : Krakoa had Mystique resurrect Destiny after years of being dead and she didn't even tell Rogue about it or get her to help out. The only scene we got between Mystique and a child of hers tied to Destiny was with Nightcrawler where he gave a yes vote to having Destiny in the mutant government because he wanted, and I'm not pulling your leg, "to please Mystique". There was no bonding scene or story between them in the 2 years before this happened so it came out of nowhere and just made fans go "Kurt, that woman won't hesitate to throw you off that same cliff again. Why are you like this". At the end of the day Nightcrawler's yes vote didn't matter because Destiny ended up being useless. The writer, who came up with that scene and left the plot nearly 3 years ago, said in interviews he actually planned to get Rogue involved in that plotline but scrapped everything about it last second. Then the retcon happened and the remaining writers and the fans doubled down on undermining Rogue's relationship with both Mystique and Destiny while pushing for one between Nightcrawler, Mystique and Destiny. There are really people out there that say Destiny actively always used Rogue as a tool, never seeing her as her child, with Rogue being fine with it since "she knows her".

For the Excalibur weird moment, Rogue was part of the same team Nightcrawler had in the 90s with Jubilee and Gambit too. That team never interacted with Nightcrawler since he got on Krakoa and even pushed him aside during an event that involved lots of sword fighting. Why ? The plot gave no reason except that "his teleportation was too weak" (you and the anons said he had a big upgrade long before Krakoa so this is all a bull argument) but I just think the only thing that could have stopped Nightcrawler and his "making a religion, becoming its cult leader and creating an inquisition for it" plot was a friend or two asking him if he dropped his brain off somewhere while teleporting because THAT IS NOT SOMETHING HE WOULD EVER DO so they cut him off from all his friends for a whole year in story then 2 more for good measure until the retcon.

I'm a Rogue fan and the Nightcrawler ones have been very very annoying for 5 years now and it keeps getting worse.

I don't understand how there are Nightcrawler fans who like all this stuff, back when I interacted with them they hated the dull overly religious Nightcrawler but now apparently as some deluded cult leader who wants to please his deadbeat mother that's something to defend?

Because let me tell you I would much rather my favourite characters be underused than overused in such a stupid, insane manner.

[automatismoateo]

I stopped believing in God and I want someone to congratulate me via /r/atheism

I stopped believing in God and I want someone to congratulate me I love myself enough to not believe that I was created by a guy who hates me and I'm sure I sound like the stereotypical "14 year old atheist" right now but religion was making my life so much worse and I feel so much better just saying "I don't believe in God." Everyone I've talked to about this has taken a tone of "Oh this must be so hard, I support you" or stuff that's the opposite of what I want like "Oh, you should get into the occult, here's how I pray to Lucifer" and I kind of just want people to be happy for me that I feel like I'm kicking a bad mental habit. Again, I'm sure I sound edgy as fuck here, but my emotional relationship to religion felt like an alcoholics relationship to the bottle and I feel like I stopped self-harming and it's just weird that people are being so artificially gentle about it rather than actually encouraging. Anyways, if you have a second, please just indulge me and say something nice about me rejecting God. Submitted March 10, 2024 at 11:20PM by roxxxorzzz (From Reddit https://ift.tt/qa7B4MJ)

[searous]

Director Disrespected

writen by: Ash prompt: Main character meets an alley cat that offers them a deal for magical powers

So, strangest thing I've ever seen? Oh, I know just the thing.

• • •

Sundays. I hate Sundays. Most people say they hate Mondays, but nope, I hate Sundays. Why you ask? For some reason, we decided as a society that Sunday is the universal day off which means that everything is closed--that or will be soon.

So anyway, this story starts on a Friday. I was walking home from school. I live in one of those big cities where that's a thing you can actually achieve. Somewhat anyway. Decided that day to take a shortcut I normally don't. There was some construction going on on the route I usually take and I just didn't want all the noise. Slipped in behind some restaurants, some guy was digging in one of the dumpsters for something. I think he said something to me, but I can't be bothered to remember it. Walked a few blocks, taking a couple of turns in order to go in roughly the right direction. The dim and slightly damp city atmosphere was somehow relaxing to me.

The Alleys were quiet. I didn't even notice until this little black cat jumped out a window landing about ten feet in front of me. It just stood there staring at me. I say it was black, but that's not completely right. It was, but it had a white circle around one of its eyes. Its eyes were purple too. I wasn't even paying attention, but something about how off this thing felt pulled my attention. Remember I said it was quiet? Yeah, well, I mean it--no sound, no cars or nothing just pure silence. Creepiest thing I've ever experienced.

I stopped and just stared at it. It must've been only like five seconds or so, but it felt like minutes.

"You're a strange little fella aren't ya?"

The cat turned to me, sat down, and--this isn't a joke--it spoke to me. It said,

"Indeed. More than you know."

Immediately I looked up from the cat, but I didn't see anyone behind it in the alley. Turned around and no one there either.

"Hello?" I called out to whoever just spoke.

It sighed "Right here. Yes, me. You've been staring."

"What?"

"The," it, cleared its throat? "cat. Right in front of you."

"No way."

"Oh if you only knew."

This time when it talked I was watching. It didn't even open its mouth. It's like it was talking to me in my head.

"Well, since you've taken an interest," the cat spoke again.

It jumped up onto a pipe that happened to be about eye level with me. It walked along it until it was right next to me and sat down once again.

"My name is Chaliya. Pleased to meet you." It held out a paw like it was offering a handshake.

I hesitated for a moment, and it seemed to notice.

"Well, go on, I won't scratch you."

Slowly I lifted my hand and shook its paw. It did actually shake back, it wasn't the one sided limp way that animals normally do.

"Wait," I said, "are you a boy or a girl?"

The cat sighed "Of all the questions to ask, that is the first one you think of."

I let go of its paw, and it immediately started licking it. Weird thing too is it kept talking while doing this. It felt like the voice and the cat in front of me were two completely separate things.

"I'm neither," It continued. "but that's not here nor there."

"Are you even a cat?"

"Ah, that's more like it. Of a sort, yes. I am what is known as a Director. But first, I need to ask you something personal." It paused for a moment. "Do you believe in magic?"

"Magic?" I laughed. "Of course not, what?"

"I see. What about religion? God perhaps?"

"Nah, I'm not really into that sorta thing. Thought of there being some big guy controlling everything scares the hell outa me."

"That isn't much an uncommon opinion." It cleared its throat again. "However, what if I told you it was real?"

"I'd say you're full of it."

"Hold out your hand for a moment, please."

I did so. For some reason, I felt like I could trust this thing. Thinking back on this I should've been terrified, but I was calm, maybe calmer than I've ever been. The cat placed its paw on the pads of my middle and ring fingers. It then exhaled slowly, and as it did, a cool mist poured out from its paw surrounding my hand. The mist was thick, thick enough I couldn't see through it. When the cat was done with whatever it did, it retracted its paw.

"Now move your hand."

Again I followed its instructions. When I moved, the mist stayed clinging to my hand. And this is when I started to panic a bit.

"What the-!" I swung my hand around, waving it in a vein attempt to free it from the mist.

"Easy, easy," The cat spoke in a soft almost bored tone. "here."

The cat made a sound like someone blowing out a candle and the mist quickly dissipated like you'd expect mist to do.

"Now that you've seen that magic is real, and what I say is true, what are your thoughts?"

"Uh, cool I guess." As I spoke, I leaned down to scratch my leg.

"Now, what if I told you I could give you that power, and much more? There is a price, of c-"

Finished with my scratching, I straitened and interrupted it. "Eh, nah. I'm not really interested."

"Wait, what?" The cat responded, sounding confused and surprised.

"Yeah, it just ain't my thing." I put my hand back in my pockets, turned and began walking away.

"Hey!" The cat called after me. "Where are you going!?"

"Home. Where do ya think?"

The cat sat there on the pipe staring at me as I walked away. Last thing I heard was it sigh and say "Teenagers these days."

• • •

"So yeah, that's the strangest thing I've ever had happen."

"Kyle," my friend spoke.

"Hmm?"

"You turned down, actual magic?"

"Uh, yes?"

"Why would you do that!? Actual. Magic. Who even are you?"

"Eh," I leaned back in my seat. "Like I said, it's just not my thing."

"I seriously cannot believe you right now."

[tommycorriander]

I'm throwing my hat into the ring because I've needed to work on expanding my understanding of worldbuilding and deconstructing Hazbin has been (lol) a great exercise for that.

So, first off. Chinesegirl brings up a good point, the difference in approach to mythical creatures to religion-based creatures. Putting aside that some of these mythical creatures are also connected to religion (primarily Celtic pagan religions; this applies to fey as mentioned, but also things like elves and unicorns which weren't mentioned) the difference largely comes from perception. A creature can be anything, it's not going to offend someone if you make a vampire that's not based on Dracula and is more like Edward from Twilight. At least, it won't offend them in a way that matters. Religious iconography however, ESPECIALLY Christian iconography, is considered largely untouchable. There is a reason Jesus and God won't appear in Hazbin; Viv was raised religiously, and there are some lines you Do Not Cross when you're religious. Hell, even if she wasn't religious, she'd probably get enough backlash from evangelicals anyways to not make it worth her while.

So religious iconography and mythos are largely untouchable if you're trying to piss off as few people as possible. But clearly Viv on some level *wants* to piss off people, she is raunchy and edgy after all, so she'll take some liberties. On the face of it this is fine, but like Chai here says, it comes back to inconsistency. It's established at one point, somewhere (please bear with me keeping track of where this information comes from is a headache because... Viv) that sinners have a more monstrous form depending on the severity of the sins they committed. This is, of course, not followed, because Alastor is *right there*. You also have smaller things, such as how angels supposedly can't be hurt except by angelic weapons, but there's multiple instances of that... Not being true?

And while lore that is established is inconsistent, there's also the equally infuriating 'unexplained' lore. I want to make it clear that on the face of it, having something be vague or unexplained is not an inherently bad thing. Sometimes you don't need the show to stop the action to tell you exactly how x power or y gadget works. But imagine for a second if, say, Steven Universe never explained fusion. Like, at all. That would be pretty weird, right? They put enough focus on fusion that it would demand at some point some explanation. For Hazbin, this lack of explanation comes in the form of contracts and deals. They're very much plot important, both are introduced in the pilot (which is canon) and have emphasis placed on them within the series proper. However we aren't ever given an understanding of how these work, or even how they functionally differ. This leads to the audience asking questions like 'Why can't Charlie just free Angel Dust?' or 'Why is it such a big deal Charlie made a deal with Alastor?'. These are things the show should be explaining but just... Isn't, for some reason. My best guess is that Viv suffers from the very common amateur writing flaw of assuming the audience is already on board with your world and characters, but it's also entirely possible there were explanations that were cut for time, or they will be explained in later seasons. I'd argue having an entire season with these two important aspects being completely unexplained is terrible for the plot, but I'm splitting hairs.

Now here's the real meat and potatoes for why the demons and setting of Hell don't work: they don't mean anything. Really, what is lost about Hazbin Hotel if you change the setting to a high-fantasy and swap 'demons' with 'creatures' or the like? What about a sci-fi setting with aliens? You could do functionally the same story, because while redemption is supposed to be the central theme, it barely comes up to the point that you could cut it from the plot entirely and have the show work almost the same. "Oh but how would the trial work?" Mystical orb in a court in a castle for the high fantasy, holograms or some other gadget thing for the sci-fi. "What about Pentious getting redeemed?" Reincarnation, becomes a robot, something like that. "What about Charlie's goals?" Her goals completely shift to a rebellion after episode six, and even then prior to that episode the idea of redemption was always presented as a diplomatic solution to a conflict. Just nix the wording of redemption and have it be, I dunno, equal rights or the like. Or fair treatment of criminals, that works too.

Do you see what I'm getting at here? Hell isn't ever used to say something, it doesn't mean anything that they're demons. Hazbin lacks substance, and this is reflected in its world: it's all a veneer of depth but as deep as a puddle. To borrow a metaphor from Scott McCloud, it's a shiny red apple, but when you really try to sink your teeth into it, it's hollow.

In general, it is accepted that there are multiple different ways to interpret mythical creatures such as vampires, werewolves, dragons and fey, as for vampires they can be anything from supernatural, immortal undead like in classic and gothic horror, inhuman abominations that spread like parasites like in The Strain, corpses risen from the grave to feed on the living in folklore or even lovable and sympathetic heroes that are just misunderstood in child-friendly media such as Hotel Transylvania.

With this in mind, I would like to receive an explanation on why Helluvaverse's depiction of hell and demons is dissatisfactory from a worldbuilding standpoint, if other mythical beings and settings can be interpreted in such diverse ways and still work.

I've never had a problem with the fact that Viv's take on demons and Hell isn't always Biblically accurate; I care that she can't keep her worldbuilding straight and picks and discards bits of lore as it suits her.

Writers, take note: Fictional worlds don't have to follow all the rules of the real world, but they do have to follow their own.

[why-horror]

This comic is called Galatians 4:16 due to many reasons. I had (and still do) have a rocky relationship with both religion and God. I was once a believer and a strong one too. 

The first panel is of me with the galaxy as my face (which is a common theme in this comic) as I still have agnostic views. The galaxy bubble represents how I have a lot of space in my mind and how I allowed his figure to fill up my head with what I believed was true  where I strongly believed I was chosen by God simply because I was able to see and talk to Him. The second panel shows how I would pray constantly, begging to hear something from him, until I one day heard his voice. I remember praying “why my brother” and hearing him say “because it’s you, Nathalie. You are the reason why” and I believed it ever since. After I heard him talk for the first time, we would talk all night when it was my bedtime. I remember being so young, but filled with joy whenever it was time for bed because that meant useless conversations with God. And we would talk and talk until I fell asleep. He stook with me, but when I woke up he’d disappear. After years of talking, I slowly found myself discovering myself more. I would slowly stop praying and stop going to church frequently. I could tell it made him angry. But I still lived my life. Until the day after Valentines, I attempted. I remember praying asking for help, but I did not get a response. “Should I do it? Answer me, please?”. Instead, I had a full blown psychosis episode and attempted. After that attempt, I never heard from God for a while. I remember praying in the hospital bed, praying in my room at the mental hospital, constantly reading the bible, still believing I was the chosen one, because that’s what He said, right? 

But received nothing.

Not even a peep.

And I caught myself feeling guilty. And the cycle would start again where I tried to get his attention. And I’d feel guilty again. 

Until over the summer, I found myself in a healthy state of mind again. After my attempt I was diagnosed with Bipolar with Psychotic symptoms, OCD, depression, and more. It all started to make sense when I realized my OCD and psychosis played a huge role in how I viewed religion. The OCD symptoms where it feels like God was constantly watching me, judging my every move which then developed to the delusion that I was chosen and that I was meant to do something big in the world (thanks psychosis!). I remember getting better with medication and hearing his voice one night. He apologized, but instead of forgiving Him, I ignored him. And ever since, we haven’t had a conversation. I still struggle with the occasion guilt and “are you sure I am not the chosen one?” feelings, but they are so much easier to manage. They don’t fill my head with anxiety like they used to.    

Artist Statement:

I was inspired to talk about my OCD and Spiritual Psychosis because I want people to know what it actually is like to have these very detrimental mental health issues. I remember finding out what I had for the very first time and feeling like I was crazy because there are so many misconceptions of OCD and Psychosis that makes the issues seem less than what they actually are. OCD Is not about “perfection” and “straight” although that is a trait, does not mean that everyone has it. As for Psychosis, people think these people are “violent” and “weird” for seeing/hearing things that are not there or believing in something that is not true. 

I was inspired to put this comic on the internet because of Qahera. This artist puts their comics in the way I have mine set up and describes a little about the comic in the description. I really like this because it makes it easy to navigate and read. I was also inspired by Zahra’s Paradise, especially at the end where she is grieving the death of her son. I wanted something similar in the sense that I wanted the reader to feel the emotion. I added the one panel with mainly words about how I was feeling at the time. Adding a lot of text to one panel just shows how crowded my head felt when I would pray. 

This is not the original comic nor idea that I had when I was making this comic. I was originally going to have a sex superhero who was going to educate people on sex, kinks, and fetishes, however, as I was about to finish, I dropped my laptop and broke my screen. I was very upset at the fact that I had to restart again. And I dreaded it until last minute and now I am here posting this very late. I am glad that I got to get feedback on my last comic, but sad I could not get any for this comic. it is okay, though. I was able to do what I can in the time frame I was given. I learned that it is not okay to procrastinate, but it is okay to start over, even if it means again and again. I learned how to be patient and do things when I am in a better state of mind.

[nexus-nebulae]

Hello!

We are the Nexus Nebulae (or Nexus Collective), a polychimera system of 500+. If you don't know who's fronting, you can just refer to us as Nexus, Nebula, Echo, or Guardian, they/them (plural form).

We accept all system origins here. We aren't debating it. Don't send discourse, we will immediately block you.

More information is packaged below vvv

Previously [echovoidsystem]

Bodily we are over 20. If you are a minor and us interacting makes you uncomfortable, feel free to say so and/or block us- we understand (/genuine).

We are physically disabled on multiple fronts, and have autism, ADHD, GAD, MaDD, and a handful of other things. We post about these things frequently. You can block the tags [#meds talk], [#doctor moment], [#not eating tw] and [#low health] if those particular things bother you.

We really really like getting asks and messages, however due to the aforementioned GAD we struggle answering them literally ever. So unless you ask a direct question that needs an answer, we might just never respond. Just know that we definitely saw it, and we definitely were happy about it, but we're just too much of a sopping wet cat to answer.

If you need to ask for certain trigger tags, feel free. We will never judge you, no matter how "weird" or obscure it is. Just know that certain things (e.g., swearing, all caps) are things we won't tag simply because they're too frequent of topics here, so at that point it may be better to just unfollow.

Also, we have multiple memory disorders, so there is a chance we may forget to add tags. We do usually manage to keep up with it though.

We currently have tags for [#emetophobia] and [#scopophobia].

SIDEBLOGS!

@thestarlightindex: our 'second main' where we mostly reblog terms we like and talk more in detail about our system & sources & MaDD

@echo-reblogs-creatures: self-explanatory. you want some Creatures?

System member sideblogs:

The Nameless Echoes, collectively: @nameless-beasts

The Hermitcraft/Empires Introjects™, collectively: @crowningachievementsmp

DNI-ish

We know DNIs don't work, but this is just a way for us to say what we do and don't support here. We block people we're uncomfortable with.

WE SUPPORT:

ALL system origins, be it nontraumagenic, created/tulpa, or anything else

ALL GOOD FAITH QUEER IDENTITIES. YES this includes all aspec people, INCLUDING CISHET ASPECS. YES this includes people with tertiary attractions. YES this includes mspec lesbians and gays. YES this includes xenogenders and neopronouns. YES this includes fags and dykes and she/hes and lesboys and he/him lesbians and multigender people and everything fucking else.

Sex work, drug addicts, people with stigmatized disorders such as ASPD or NPD. No, "narcissistic abuse" is not a fucking thing, stop being a fucking ableist.

Otherkin, or anyone who falls under the alterhuman label.

All races and religions (though we may be clumsy with this and accidentally say the wrong things. We're white, raised in a solely christian community, so we're still trying to learn how to shake off the bigotry our parents taught us. We genuinely want to learn and get better with this. If we say something wrong, please tell us, but please be patient with us and don't just yell. Most of the time we aren't even aware what we're saying is harmful. That isn't an excuse, but is an explanation.)

Other notes:

if you have "mcyt/dsmp" in your DNI we will just block you. We have introjects. Just leave us alone.

CREDITING

Dividers from here (eyestrain & flash warning for the blog this links to)

Current header was from google i don't know where it came from ;-;

Current pfp was edited by us :)

[ransprang]

Namor x Asian!reader praying to water gods

Note:- saw this request earlier and decided to write it! Admins are Asian so hit close to home ;)

Your parents had always taught you about the power of mother earth’s elements. In your religion praying to sun meant asking for light and abundance, water for prosperity and a good farming season, earth for fertility. Thanks to your culture being surrounded by nature was your go to, it helped you feel relaxed and happy.

This season the rain was scarce, farmers were complaining. It was a nationwide issue, there was food shortage and people were suffering. You knew what your mother would have done, so after waking up that day you made your way to the lonely mountain lake nearby. The water from the springs collected into this small lake as it further flowed into the ocean. You stood there joining your hands and closing your eyes. You began reciting a chant you had learned in a scripture that your grandmother used to own, it was to summon the water king. Whispering to yourself for the ancient one to descend and make it rain on your land, making it fertile and luscious again. As you prayed, the wind blew faster against your skin and the sky began darkening. You weren’t sure if the wonder was done by your prayer or a coincidence, but you walked away with a smile regardless.

A few days of rain later there was a dry spell once again, despite there being no actual crisis, you thought back to the time you prayed and it rained. You liked rainy days better anyways, so you made your way down to the lake, followed the stream and reached the coastline. Staring into the horizon that seemed to blend in with the sky, you decided to say a quick prayer once again. “Oh lord of water, please listen to me again. Make it rain, let the plants feast and animals bathe.” You said in your native tongue. As you opened your eyes this time there was no change, everything was still the same. You embarrassingly giggled to yourself and turned around to leave when you heard splashes behind you, something seemed to be drawing closer.

Bracing yourself you turned around in haste, only to see a man fit to be a king, stand tall and wide before you. He had beautiful honey skin, dark eyes and hair, green shorts with ornaments that only made him glow more. As your eyes scanned him, the only jarring thing was the wings attached to his feet. Your heart began beating fast out of fear. He had lines of worry or annoyance on his forehead as he spoke in a thick accent “you’ve been calling for me.” For a moment you were shocked but finally realising he had heard your prayers. You softly spoke “are you the sea god?” He smiled widely “some might say…yes. What do you want?” you will-fully said “did you make it rain that day? Can you make it happen again” you felt naive. This could very well be a prankster who could shockingly hold his breath for long and weird feet. He laughed “No I didn’t, that was the skies. I do not make it rain”. You knew this was too weird to be true. He gave you one final smile before turning around to swim deep into the ocean again.

The incident had you reflecting back at home, it was almost funny and you had been an idiot to even believe him for a second. The next day early morning you decided to go back to the beach and pray again, and there he was. This time you saw him swim from the deep end to the shore, this man surely did not live in water right? He walked out “what is it now? You need to stop this.” You laughed “Wow you’re a dedicated prankster, where were you hiding?” He shot you a disgusted look and in no mood to entertain this conversation, he once again left.

Over the next few days you tried forgetting about it, but a part of you had more toxic thoughts. He was a friend on demand! Whoever he was and whatever he was up to, he would come to you when you called. A week down, you tried the ancient prayer once again, he showed up just as expected. This time you were convinced he was some sort of mermaid. He was visibly annoyed “You have to stop this. You will get yourself in trouble, you don’t know what you’re messing with” you responded nonchalantly “sure sure, mr olympic swimmer. How long can you even hold your breath for?”. He walked forward, closer to you, his chest close to yours, looking down into your eyes. You were lost in his black orbs, but, he was angry “do this again. And you will suffer the consequences.” You being a playful person, tippy toed and kissed his cheek. The man before made an expression he didn’t even know he could make, disgust mixed with shock. You chuckled, as he once again turned around and left this time a little embarrassed. Clearly his threats were futile.

The following month, you were spending the day with your family when an argument broke out. You felt berated and upset, spending most of your time at home with these people how could such disagreements even break out? Why was there no understanding? Crying you left for a walk alone at night. Just as you remembered your mysterious friend. Going to the secluded beach you chanted while crying, you were on the verge of breaking down, god you needed someone to talk to. But, nothing happened. He didn’t come…you chanted repeatedly, feeling like the boy who cried wolf, you sat there on a rock defeated.

Suddenly the waves rose, crashing louder against the shore. A built figure emerged, he finally came. He seemed to have heard your crying with your calling, this man brought sympathy with him this time. He sat next to you but you thought of him someone close to so you instantly hugged him tightly. Not sure of what to do he politely kept his hands on your back and comforted. “Please tell me your name…” you finally asked reeling yourself back in. -“Kukulkan or Namor” he said strongly. You had read about him before, in the stories of mythical heroes of Mayapan. You didn’t see him in that way though, your perception of Kukulkan was simply a friend from the sea. He saw the look in your eyes and said “what is it? Today I’ll stay”. You both sat on the rock together as you kept your head on his shoulder wrapping your arms around his bicep. You didn’t feel uncomfortable around him, after all spending nights thinking of him had made you used to the idea of having him close. Kukulkan didn’t seem to mind either. Spending the whole night talking to each other, he seemed to confide about Talokan in you too.

Kulkukan became your friend, he became a confidant and perhaps someone much closer. Over the next many years, he came when you called, he watched you change and grow as a human. Kulkukan listened and shared, till one day he took you with him into the waves of the ocean far far away.

Your Prayer,

Admin Sav

[writingforatwistedworld]

Dear Silver,

First, please don't tell others of the content of this letter, I want it to be just between us. Second, I know we don't talk much, but I hope you could be honest with me, you know, human to human. Why are Sebek, Lilia, and Malleus acting so weird?

Lilia has offered to kill for me like five times, and I haven't really noticed him offering that to anyone else (thank God). Plus I walked in on Sebek calling a bunch of students worthless humans, and then when I was offended he fell prostrate on the floor and begged for my forgiveness. Like, I gave him it, and then he just ignored the people he was insulting? Like I was the only one who's opinion mattered? And Malleus has straight up offered me, a magicless commoner, to be his co-ruler. Like, I know I'm his first friend, but I don't think Briar Valley's citizens would be impressed.

So I just want to know, is this a fae thing? Could you explain why I'm the only one they act like this to? Like what makes me more special than everyone else?

Thank you!

Reader

(Reader is in their world. Feel free to throw this letter out or respond with any length you desire. A completely oblivious reader is just so funny to me, because I know that's how I'd react.)

(also I love your writing and I hope you have a nice day! :) )

This made me laugh. The (not so) small hints to some of my works and more... just pure comedy material! XD

Also, this letter is longer so it's a “write your heart out” one.

Self-aware au

I do not take any responsibility for you reading this no matter which age group you are from!

WARNINGS: Yandere themes, religion, stalking, death, murder, obsession, obsessive themes, power imbalance, blood, violence

Silver-Not a “fae thing”

Hearing someone knock on the door of Ramshackle you went up from the couch. In the night it had suddenly began to rain which made you sleep in the entrance hall to see over the buckets and when you needed to empty them, a timer waking you up every two hours. Just what would you do for a small spark of magic so you could fix this? Finally reaching the front door you opened it just as you looked down on yourself. Good lord, you looked even worse than how the ghosts must have looked before they died. To your surprise it wasn't the usual face of a Heartslabyul student. Riddle sometimes send one over as a servant so that you “could live up to your standards”. The color of his hair immediately gave away who he was. Just what did he want from you? And whY wAs HE KNEELING??! Holding out a letter like you had seen knights hold out a sword to their queen in historical dramas you were finally saying goodbye to your sanity. Just why the heck was Diasomnia always so weird when sketching was about you? Taking it you gave him a smile before excusing yourself with “I need to look after the buckets and if the cealing stopped to dropping with water.” Closing it you were trying to shake off the feeling of someone still drilling holes into your head. Wait a second... did you just see Lilias face for a moment in a hole in the cealing??!

Dear Overseer,

I am apologizing for our behavior. I swear that we always had good intentions in mind! It is not a “fae thing”. We decided to make sure that everything would go well as long as you stood here with us. All we are trying to do is making you as comfortable as possible. Never would we have ever imagined that our actions would be seen as weird or something like that. But dear Overseer, is this a test? Are you trying to find out if a simple letter would shake the foundation of my belief? You are of course our dear Overseer. The gentle gaze that watches over the world it created. Of course we would behave differently towards you.

But there have also been other things you are curious about. My fathers offer as a example. I am aware that he could be a bit off-putting with such a thing. He is just concerned. There have been many individuals who dared to try to usurp your throne and make themselves the highest being in our world. Because of that, my father has become rather extreme with his measure when it's to whom to end and whom not to. I have to say, although I understand your side I also understand his. Let all the sinners that dared to attack your divinity be cleaned off of this world. I shall help if the situation ever arises. I promise you that.

Sebek has done that! Oh dear Overseer, please forgive him! H can be someone very hard to work with but at the same time I have to ask for your forgiveness! He and I grew up and I know that deep down he cares for everyone. I'm happy to hear that he made up for his rude behavior. Just begging for forgiveness was a bit weak though. He should have begged for forgiveness and sworn to be yours for all eternity. I will never understand how he is able to call himself a true follower.

My master has already asked you that? I thought he would give himself a but more time. You see, he was always so nervous whenever the topic of you becoming our dear ruler came up. We all care about you without limits so don't worry about anything.

I do have to admit though, that I am jealous. They all have so much to offer to you whilst I can only write you this letter. I am not such a great general that I can promise you neverending punishment for the heretics neither am I of royal descent, able to give you a life in luxury. I am just a simple human. But I promise that I would do anything for you. Tell me whenever you need something and you shall have it. Just please, grace me with a glimpse of yours. I am aware that to you I am nothong more than vermin. Let me at least serve you with my life.

Sincerely yours,

Silver

[demoisverysexy]

For reals though, how would you improve the church in a more socialistic and queer friendly manner? (Answer cannot involve defenestration)

So, to get the church to a more progressive place would be a tall order. So I’m not gonna aim for “socialistic” quite yet, at least at first. Rather, I would first want to lay the groundwork for more radically progressive things in the future, while making some changes that should have taken place already. These include, in no particular order:

Allowing for gay marriage and full participation in the church for trans folks: perhaps the most radical change on the list, and the most needed.

De-emphasize the idea of eternal marriage, and expand the idea of what eternal family is: Essential for aro/ace people, and goes hand in hand with the first one

Apologize for past wrongs: This includes doctrines such as the priesthood/temple ban for black members, past and current colonialism, and the current practices of LGBTQ exclusion from church ordinances and participation.

Give every worthy member the opportunity to have the priesthood: Also needed to make the church less patriarchal. This would hopefully lead to more diverse leadership in time

Get rid of the idea of “unchanging truth”: This hurts us more often than not, and leads us to defend ideas that are harmful. Better to be committed to focusing on all the “many great and important things” God has “yet to reveal.”

Developing and spreading a unique mormon theology: We need some ideas and thinkers to be popularized that are more uniquely weird and Mormon. People like Patrick Q. Mason, Fiona and Terryl Givens, and Adam S. Miller come to mind, and I am sure there are many more. We cannot be content to crib notes from evangelical Christianity.

Get inspired by other faith traditions: Idk, Mormons could really stand to gain inspiration from Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc. I mean, we do believe that most if not all religions have truth in them, and we should do more as a church (and as a culture of individuals) to seek to learn from other religions.

Keep encouraging reliance and interdependence, but stop defending capitalism: Mormons being thrifty and resourceful is good. Just not when they’re encouraged to treat capitalism like a nigh spiritual doctrine. Stop it.

Get rid of the American Exceptionalism: This speaks for itself.

Really embrace the Book of Mormon: A lot of the power of the BoM goes untapped, I think. The BoM is a document about how to be a Christian when the world crumbles around you, how to have faith in Christ in a faithless and hopeless world. It describes in detail the evils of xenophobia and fascism and class division, and tells us that while a better world is possible, we must never be complacent, lest division arises and plunges us into chaos. It is a book of religion unlike any other, and while our reliance on the D&C is important, I think we cannot be content in thinking that simply having the BoM makes us different from other Christian faiths. We have to look at what about the BoM is different compared to what came before in order to be truly Mormon.

Focus more on Christ and his love and forgiveness and grace and mercy: Please for the love of God we don’t have nearly enough of that, as much as Mormon weirdness is great, we often get lost in the esoteric weeds and miss the forest for the trees. Bring it all back to Christ please and thank you

More tolerance for those who leave: This speaks for itself. Mormons tend to get too defensive about their faith, and are scared and intimidated by people who decide it is not for them, in part or in full. We should do more to listen to them and be welcoming to them without trying to force them to return.

Change the focus of missionary work from proselyting to service: Some good strides have happened here with the introduction of service missions, but to me, I think all missions should be service first and proselyting second. And we need to be a lot less door to door salesy. It’s creepy and a bit manipulative a lot.

Let us say Mormon again: Nelson, buddy, the devil ain’t laughing at us. But a lot of people are laughing at you for this one, bucko.

So yeah. Not a conclusive list, but some helpful first steps to make progress down the line, hopefully. Thats how I would start I think.

[kimjongness]

Finished Tiny Pretty Things and I was extremely disappointed.

Rape - TW

What is up with writers adding rape into a show like it’s spice and not addressing it? This is the second show I’ve watched that did that.

“No” means no!

And Shane sounding so predatory by saying that Oren liked it, shoving his hands in his pants after he Oren said he wanted to stop like wtf?!

Tf is wrong with people! And ofc they make their gay rep a rapist 🤮 so many stereotypes

Neveah (Race Baiting)

They promoted the show as Neveah being the female lead who was defying things. Damn near every clip was of her dancing. Then what actually happens is they give her all these stereotypes, pushes her whole storyline to the side, and she barely dances...

This reminds me of what John Boyega had said about promoting black people as important but then not treating them as such in the actual storylines.

They did gave her the regular backstory, you know the trauma porn that they love giving black characters. They don’t even wrap up her storyline with her family. They just disappear.

I wanted to see her perform and become the best but all we get is an angry mammy.

Did the white writers really think that would resonate with black viewers? Or was their goal to enforce stereotypes for non black people?

Do they think the only life black people can live is one without their parents and can only get things because white people need a sob story? It was giving Dance monkey dance.

Then Neveah and Oren being pushed together with no build up? Seriously? They really did not give a fuck about her character. The actors had great chemistry, which honestly saved them for me, but they didn’t write for them.

Pedophilla

Stop. Just stop. Writers please! Stop!

All the adults were predators.

I’m happy that Caleb���s relationship with DuBois was addressed. Her saying that Caleb would hate her for doing what she did, regardless if he consented. I’m happy about this because often times this side of the story isn’t told. The story of children looking back on a relationship that they thought they wanted only to realize that the adult had manipulated them.

But then why tf are we supposed to shipping Shane and Dev? I like them together I do. But at the same time, I’m creeped out because Dev is a aware that Shane is a teenager. It’s weird! He is a pedophile!!!

Islamophobia

The fact that Nabil doesn’t get an apology from Caleb after all the bs he put him through because of his religion, but they’re “besties” now 🤮

The shit that’s just brushed under the rug in this show.

They made sure Shane got his apology from Matteo, but not one for Nabil??

White Favoritism

You could tell the writers favored Bette & Cassie which was disgusting because they spent the entire promotion portraying Neveah as the focus.

Out of all the characters the girl in the damn coma and another one, who wasn’t the female lead, had the fleshed out story’s 🙄

They didn’t give a fuck about June’s half assed relationship with Nabil or Neveah and Oren’s, but gave Bette and Matteo so much writing???

They wrote more for Shane and Oren, Bette and Oren, Bette and Ramon, Ramon and Delia more than they did for the WOC. It’s fucked!

They did give June a good backstory, but of course she was constantly at Bette’s side because she’s just a Angel 😇 (not serious) and criminalized the black woman who had June’s back. So fucked.

Then the forced relationship between Bette, June and Neveah. No one ever apologized to Neveah she just forgave everyone and wanted to solve all their problems like the good Mammy she is 🙄

Also Neveah going to visit Cassie???? That didn’t even make any sense. They didn’t know about each other yet she was dreaming of her before she met her???? Gotta squeeze the white girl’s storylines in. Forgo how much sense it makes for the black lead. Who cares about her character? Am I right? :)))

Then also having Nabil worship Cassie who didn’t even treat him right 🤮🤮

Conclusion

I’m saying all these things because I want better. This show really fucked over Neveah.

And shown extreme amount of White Favoritism the entire time.

Constantly, showing the white characters as saints and all the awful shit they do is address for two seconds with no repercussions and not writing for the black woman other than when she’s saving the white characters.

I hope they learn from this and do better. I want a season 2 for Neveah so they can write for her.

[deexchanel]

New York

Word Count: 2,655

Pairing: Avengers x BlackFem!Reader. Justice League x BlackFem!Reader but more specifically Clark Kent x BlackFem!Reader.

Warning: Arguing, mention of miscarriage, angst.

Summary: After not being in contact for so long, someone decides to make a visit.

A/N: The title has nothing to do with the one short. Oops. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy!😁 below is Y/N’s outfit for the first half.

A long day after helping the team on their mission, Y/N wanted some pizza. It was around 10 p.m. when she decided to leave the tower. Tony was asleep in the chair, Steve was asleep on the couch. Natasha and Bucky were on the floor watching a movie. Thor was rummaging through the refrigerator, he was watching the movie as well but stopped to get some snacks.

Loki was in the library reading a book. Peter was on patrol so that’s why she felt safe with being out so late. “Loki I’m leaving to get some pizza okay?” He closed his book, preparing to stand up.

“Alright, I’m going with you.”

Y/N placed a hand on his chest so he could stay sitting. “ I want to go by myself Loki. I’m going to be perfectly fine, Peter’s patrolling right now.”

Loki sigh trying to push down his overprotective feeling. “Alright, just be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Y/N hummed kissing his forehead, she then walked to the living. Everyone in their same position except Thor was now back on the floor.

Y/N kissed each of their foreheads, “I’m going to go get some pizza. Anyone wants anything?”

Natasha shook her head,“ No, be careful though. I really want to pause this good movie to save your ass.” Y/N rolled her eyes playfully, grabbing her purse from the hook.

“Bring me back some pizza? I’m rather hungry.” Thor said with his eyes glued to the tv.

“You’re always hungry Thor. Bring me some too. Better yet, why don’t I just come.” Y/N heard shuffling from behind her. She wanted to take a peaceful by herself to get pizza, is that too hard to ask? “No Bucky, I want to go by myself. I can handle it.”

She turns around to see him looking at her hesitantly. “You sure Y/N? I don’t mind coming-”

“I got it, really. Go enjoy the movie Bucky. I’ll be right back.” Y/N cut him off, walking out of the door. Bucky stood there dumbfounded, “Is she acting weird or it’s just me?” He pointed to the door, looking at Natasha and Thor.

“She seems alright with me.” Natasha shrugged and Thor didn’t reply.

Y/N took a deep breath hearing the new york life sparkle in her ears. Taxis coming and going. The roar of the subway beneath Y/N’s feet. Everyone talking but still being able to hear your own conversation.

Lights flashing brightly, babies crying, the homeless constantly asking for money. The smell of 1,000 vendors, many selling gyros. Broadway fans going insane when their favorite cast member walks out of the stage door. People of every race, color, and religion.

“Finally,” Y/N mumbled after a good minute of walking, she arrived at the pizza store on the corner. She ordered and stood in line for 15 minutes then left with 5 boxes of pizza. Stopping at the park, Y/N sat on a bench eating pizza enjoying the night air.

Y/N was happy with life but sometimes a person just wants to be alone. A little part of her misses the old lifestyle she had. Bruce, Barry, Diane, Victor, and Arthur. She missed them so much, especially Clark but he was the last person she wanted to see.

They were old lovers, at one time there wasn't a thing Clark wouldn't do for Y/N. Time skip, Y/N found out she was pregnant but due to stress from Clark, she miscarried. No one knew because of the genuine smile she held on her face. He was probably so caught up with Lois to not notice that she'd been gone for a year now.

She loved Clark, Y/N was his best friend. Lois came into the picture and he dropped everything just for her. Heartbroken, Y/N came to new york searching for happiness. She found it in the avengers who she now calls family.

Today was the anniversary of her baby and she just wanted to be alone. She was alone when it happened so she rather be alone now. Y/N stared off into space not even hearing someone land beside her. You read right, land.

"Y/N?"

The deep voice took her out of her gaze. Y/N turned to see Clark in his superman attire. Shocked, she could barely get anything out. "...Clark??"

Clark's face held worry," Y/N..." Y/N furrow her eyebrow confused cutting him off.

"What are you doing here Clark?"

"I can't come to see you now? Y/N I haven't seen you in months."

"Clark I don't wanna talk about that right now. I want to know how did you know I was here??" Y/N stood up, placing her unfinished pizza in the box. She couldn't even enjoy alone time without being bothered.

"Bruce's been track you this whole time Y/N. Come home, we miss you. I miss you." He reached out for her hands. Surprisingly Y/N let him grab her hands. She shook her head.

"Clark I can't just leave. I have a life and family here. You have Lois now, that's who you need. Not me."

Clark looked down," She left me Y/N. Lois said me being superman was too much."Y/N sigh knowing how to hurt he was. Yes, she was mad at him but sometimes not everything needs a reaction. Keeping it calm, she gave him a hug.

"I'm so sorry Clark, I should've been there for you."

Clark held her close smelling her wonderful smell of lavender. "It's okay Y/N. I know this life is treating you well."

Y/N could feel that it was getting late. "Clark I have to go, but I do have to ask you something." He pulled back glazing into her brown eyes.

"What is it Y/N?"

"Tomorrow evening bring the team to the tower. I want everyone to meet each other. I'll cook! It'll be so much fun."

Clark looked at her with hesitation, "I don't know Y/N.."

Y/N gave him the puppy dog eyes, "Please Clark? You get to see me in a nice outfit." He smiled giving in.

"Oh alright."

-------

"A little bit of this," Y/N murmured pouring grated cheese on top of the macaroni. She placed it in the oven, closing the door with her butt. Dinner consisted of steak with tarragon mushrooms with a side of macaroni. Y/N had been in the kitchen all day while the team did their overview with Fury for missions they have done.

"Smells amazing in here Y/N! What you make?" Steve's voice came from behind while she grabbed plates out of the cabinet. "Food Steve. You'll see when it's dinner time and if you don't mind, can you help me set the table?"

Steve nodded his head with a smile, "Sure I don't mind Y/N." The two joked around while they set the table. Clark and everyone were to be here in about 20 minutes. When she got home from the park last night, Y/N told the avengers about this evening dinner, and boy it was some weird faces.

She didn't know who was harder to convince, Tony or Steve. Maybe because they had been on the team longer. Once finished Y/N ushered Steve to go get dressed. She was so caught up with finishing the meal, that she didn't check the time. "Fuck!"

It was 10 minutes until Clark and the rest got there. She was nowhere near ready. "Y/N why aren't you ready?" Tony asked in disbelief when he walked into the kitchen. Y/N pulled at her hair.

"I know, I know! I was too caught up in finishing the steaks. Can you watch the food so it won't burn? please?"

Tony sigh,"If that makes you get dressed faster then I'll watch it." He opened the lid, the food smelled amazing. "Yeah hurry up, this smells good. I'm ready to eat."

"Thank you!" She kissed his cheek, rushing past so can get dressed.

---------

"Y/N they're here!" Steve called up the stairs. Y/N hopped around on one foot trying to put on the other boot. When it finally slid on her foot, she stood in front of a mirror taking a deep breath. She wanted all her favorite people to come together and be her support. To make her forget about the pain she went through a year ago yesterday.

Y/N walked downstairs with all eyes on her. Clark's mouth was agape from how good she looked. "Arthur! Diana! I've missed you guys!" Y/N hugged her with passion.

"Me too. You look beautiful." Diana hugged her back. Y/N moved towards Arthur giving him a hug. "Thank you."

"Yeah you look too good, don't make me have to beat anyone up from looking too hard." Thor snorted which made Arthur glance at him for a second. Y/N moved to Bruce.

"I hope you're doing good Bruce other than Barry getting on your nerves."

"Hey!" Barry said in defense.

"I'm good, just missed having you around."Bruce expressed which kinda shocked Y/N because he wasn't so open. She then gave Victor and Barry a hug. "I've missed you, two knuckleheads, together."

"We've missed you too." Victor smiled.

"What are we eating, it smells so good in here," Barry said excitedly. Y/N laughing gesturing towards the dining table. "We're about to find out, let's eat!"

Everyone cheered a bit sitting at the table, you know they didn't mingle but sat on the opposite side. Y/N walked over to the stove trying to bring the food to the table but Natasha stopped her.

"I got it Y/N, go sit down. You've been on your feet all day, I can bring the food to the table." Natasha grabbed the glass casserole dish out of her hand. She wasn't lying about her feet hurting but Y/N wasn't going to admit it.

Y/N sigh, "Fine, I'm bringing the champagne to the table though." She hurriedly grabbed two bottles of champagne before Natasha could protest. She definitely needed a sip before dealing with two rival heroes.

----------

There were conversations here and there but most of Y/N. She had all her favorite people in one room. Dinner was running smoothly until...

"So Y/N, Clark told us that you were coming back to stay permanently. I'm excited to have you back." Barry used his knife to cut the steak. Y/N didn't know who to look at crazy him or Clark. She could feel the hard glaze from Bucky.

"What's speedy boy talking about Y/N?" Tony asked tilting his head. Steve sat down his knife.

"Yes please do explain."

"I uh haven't said anything like that. I had planned on visiting, it wasn't official." Y/N scratched her arm out of nervousness from all eyes on her.

"I knew I wasn't going insane. Y/N wasn't going to go back permanently, she's not that crazy." Thor chuckled drinking his champagne.

Victor glanced at him sideways."What's that supposed to mean? Y/N wouldn't be crazy if she came back permanently. That's honestly the perfect decision if she does."

"Guys.." Y/N trailed off but was ignored by everyone. "Y/N is right where she belongs. Do I need to say more?" Loki wiped his mouth with a napkin.

"If she wants to come back permanently then she can. Y/N's only been with you guys for what ? a year? She's been with us forever so you know who she's going to choose." Arthur leaned back in the seat.

"Sure fish boy." Tony let his smart mouth get the best of him. Y/N took a sip of her champagne to calm her nerves.

"Guys..."

She was ignored again. "Y/N is coming with us and that's final. That's the only reason why I came to this wretched place was for her." Clark crossed his arm and Bucky narrowed his eyes at him.

"She's not going anywhere with you. I stand on that."

"Barnes right, you think I was going to let her leave with you after what you did? That's really funny." Natasha chugged the rest of her champagne down. Y/N winced at what she said.

"Guys please."

"Does that matter? Y/N is coming whether you like it or not." Bruce said setting his fork down. Diana nodded in agreement.

"I don't have to anything. Just know I'm not going down without a fight?"

"You people are so petty and tiny." Thor laughed using his fingers to indicate how small they were.

"If Y/N doesn't want to leave she isn't going to leave. it's her decision." Steve sat forward in his seat. They were getting louder by the minute.

"She isn't going, you weaklings," Loki growled sitting forward in his seat as well, not taking eyes off Arthur. Both Clark and Bucky held an intense stare.

"We should go few rounds." Tony stood up and so did Bruce.

"Let's do it then Stark."

Y/N chugged down the rest of the champagne. "Stop." The argument between them grew louder. "Stop!" Y/N stood up placing her hands on the table, no one noticed.

She slammed her hands against the table. "STOP! JUST STOP IT!" Everyone stared at her in shock.

"ENOUGH WITH THIS! I brought you altogether because I wanted support. I needed support."Y/N gritted through her teeth, tears welling in her eyes. "The one time I step out, you all can't even put your petty egos aside. I don't care who I'm staying with and I don't fucking know why it's an argument. I just wanted it to be a normal night."

Y/N lips trembled as she cried, "I can't hold on to this no longer. I was pregnant before I left Clark. I lost the baby. I lost it the day I went to find out the gender." Clark squeezed his eyes closed, his heart broke hearing the news. "And I hate myself so much for even letting myself stress so much that I lost it. When it happened I was alone. I didn't have you, Bruce, or Diana. I didn't have no one. I came to New York heartbroken."

She looked at the Avengers, they held a sad face. Natasha's cheeks were coated with tears."You guys mended my broken heart. You made me feel welcome and I don't know how I could ever repay you." Y/N wiped her tears.

"But I can't deal with this between all of you. I'm leaving so you can have your big ego contest."

She slid the chair back, walking to the elevator. "Y/N!" Bucky called for her but she ignored him. "Shit!" Clark curses under his breath getting up from the chair. Tony shook his head at him.

"Leave her be Clark. She probably went up to the roof or to the park for fresh air."

------------

Y/N sat in the chair at the airport. She was only going out of the country for a couple of days just to clear her mind. Bruce and Tony have been blowing up her phone none stop. She was tired and waiting on her flight to be called. "Ugh, I'm so tired." She mumbled rubbing her temple. She got up going to the bathroom.

It was oddly quiet until she heard panicked screams. "What?" She murmured looking over her shoulder. Parademons were everywhere. Y/N scrambled to grab her phone trying to be quiet. She slid down the wall, covering her mouth trying to contain her breathing so she wouldn't be heard. The vibration from her phone caught one of their attention and she didn't know.

Still scrambling, Y/N declined the call somehow. She knew she was fucked, tears raced down her melanin cheeks as she held her breath. The parademons appeared beside Y/N, one inspected making sure she was the right one. It snatched Y/N up and she screamed.

"CLARK!"

--------

The two teams were either sitting around or cleaning up. Clark stood in front of the wet dishes drying them off while Bucky cleaned them. He froze hearing Y/N scream in his ears. Diana noticed and instantly spoke up.

"What is Clark? What's wrong?"

"Y/N's been kidnapped."

-------

Omg, I feel like this is so weird😂😂😂. I am going to make a part 2 I just gotta think about how it's going to go. I have a busy weekend ahead so I won't update until Monday.

Yk i had to make Y/N damsel in distress 😉. Clark is her lover but Bucky does like her. This is kinda a part 2 of Vacation. I love Marvel and DC so why not put them together 😁!

I hope you guys enjoyed this weird post even though the title has nothing to do with the plot of the story, I just couldn't think of anything 😂😂.

Stay slutty my friends 💜