#safflower writes

[safflowerseason]

Hi omg i cant believe i am seeing u on tumblr. I found ur danamy wip like aboit a year after u last updated and ive been obsessed ever since like u have mo idea how much i reread it and how i wish u were in the writers room😭i hate to even ask this but do u know of u will ever finish it? If not, just plz never take it down😭its so in character of them both and so well written its ART🩷🩷

Hi! I'm sorry it took me so long to answer!! Thanks so much for writing in and for your super kind words about Bring Me to Light! It's so nice of you, I'm always so happy to hear of new people discovering the fic, even though, as you note it's been a while since I've updated. I would like to finish the fic one day - I have a rough draft of the next chapter and just need to sit down and take the time to plan out the details for the final chapter. But unfortunately I can't really give a specific timeline or anything like that - I'm starting a new job at the moment so have a lot going on, haha. But I can promise that I will definitely never delete it (at least not anytime soon) so you can continue to reread as much as you want! And my inbox is always open for BMTL asks/commentaries...it's honestly a form of writing motivation, haha.

[creativenicocorner]

Chapter 9: “I Don’t Know” (Part 2.2) Arrow

Fic Summary: A strange case takes Reigen and Serizawa to a small (intimately so, a detail Reigen might be hesitant to comment on) village North in the mountains, where they quickly discover things are far stranger than they both realized. Not only that, but they might be more than just a little out of their depths.

Nature, the past, it all has a way of being heard - even to those reluctant to listen.

Reblogs, Comments, and Kudos are deeply appreciated ♡ (manga cap from Daisuke Igarashi’s ‘Little Forest’)

[elizadraws]

Bulgarian Music in Studio Ghibli films

”Myth has it that Orpheus was born in what is now Bulgaria. It seemed to be fact, not myth, that his daughters are still singing there”

These words were written by the New York Times in the remote 1963 — the year in which the largest Bulgarian folk ensemble crossed the Iron Curtain to conquer an entire continent with its cosmic art.

The 1975 release of Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, a compilation album of modern arrangements of Bulgarian folk songs, further popularized Bulgarian music, and in 1977, a vinyl record featuring the folk song “Izlel ye Delyo Haydutin” (Eng: Come out rebel Delyo) began its journey aboard the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecrafts.

From this point on popularity from the West spread to the East, and Bulgarian folk music made it to the entertainment industry, including legendary Japanese anime films, like the cult cyberpunk “Ghost in the Shell” or the heartwarming Studio Ghibli features.

In this short article I write about two occasions of Bulgarian music playing in Studio Ghibli’s films.

The record that inspired the creation of “Only Yesterday”

“Only Yesterday” is a 1991 Japanese animated drama film written and directed by Isao Takahata, based on the 1982 manga of the same title by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone. Set in rural Japan, the film draws parallels with the peasant lifestyle present in Eastern Europe.

The original work is a compilation of short stories about 11-year-old Taeko’s daily life in 1966. Director Takahata had a hard time making it into a movie since the manga, told in the form of a memoir, has no plot to hold a feature. Together with producer Toshio Suzuki, they came up with the solution of bringing the narrator of the story, adult Taeko, into the movie. But there is a curious anecdote about how this idea came to mind.

Taeko picks safflower as the Bulgarian song “Malka moma dvori mete” plays in the background. © Studio Ghibli

In a 2021 interview with students from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, producer Suzuki recounts how a record of Bulgarian songs performed by the children choir “Bodra Smyana”, introduced to him by director Takahata, inspired the creation of the movie. Moved by the cosmic voices of the children, they decided to make “Only Yesterday” a musical. He also recalls what a tiring process it was to acquire the rights to the music, but if you’ve seen the movie, I am sure you will agree that it was worth it; the haunting, beautiful songs with the pastoral images of farmers picking flowers contribute to one of the greatest scenes created in cinema.

Producer Suzuki showing the record that inspired the creation of ”Only Yesterday”. Source: Studio Ghibli’s Twitter

In “Only Yesterday”, we can hear two songs from the album Bulgarian Polyphony I by Philip Koutev Ensemble. The upbeat “Dilmano Dilbero” [Eng. beautiful Dilmana] sets a happy mood as the protagonist gets changed and ready to go on the field. As the scene shifts and Taeko starts narrating a sad story about the girls in the past picking safflower with their bare hands, the song and mood shift as well.

While the first song has a fast rhythm, with lyrics about pepper planting that can also be interpreted figuratively, the second one, “Malka Moma Dvori Mete” [Eng., a little girl sweeps the yard], is a ballad about a young girl who is forced into marriage but has never known true love.

Both compositions sing about life-cycle events like marriage and the regular coming of the harvests, with lyrics perfectly fitting the setting and plot of the movie, which makes me wonder if the filmmakers chose them by chance or if they had someone translate the words.

Bulgarian Cosmic Voices Enchanting Howl

“Howl’s Moving Castle” is a 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, loosely based on the 1986 novel of the same name by British author Diana Wynne Jones. Set in a fictional kingdom the movie draws inspiration from various places in Europe. One of them being Bulgaria.

The story focuses on a young girl, named Sophie, magically transformed into an old woman, and a self-confident but emotionally unstable young wizard, Howl, living in a magical moving castle.

A sketch of a Star Child. Source: The Art of Howl’s Moving Castle

If you’ve seen the movie, you surely remember the scene when Madame Suliman ambushes Howl and tries to strip him of his magic powers. Star Children encircle him and his companions; their shadows grow big, dark and intimidating. They start dancing and chanting unintelligible magic words and are almost successful in their devilish act.

This scene, together with the music played in the background, have been a favourite of many fans of the film. Some even recount it giving them nightmares when they were children.

Star Children encircle Howl in an attempt to strip him of his magic powers. © Studio Ghibli

It turns out, however, that these aren’t any incantations, but the lyrics of a folk song. In Bulgarian. And a love song! Contrary to popular belief, the lyrics have nothing to do with magic and are actually about a boy taking his sweetheart, Dona, to the market to buy her new clothes. The excerpt used in the movie is very short and a bit altered from the original, but the words used go like this: Trendafilcheto, kalafercheto, Done mamino, translated as “the rose, the costmary, my darling Dona”.

I am planing a follow up article where I will post the translated lyrics together with a brief explanation on how they are related to the movies.

If you want to comment on or add something, I would love to hear!

Source

[astrolovecosmos]

The Planets & Random or Obscure Associations

~Sun~

Creativity, vitality, head of state, the father, games, yellow and orange clothing, articles of value, jewelry, gold, brass, power, diamonds, citrine, topaz, jasper, amber, rhodochrosite, mistletoe, almonds, citrus, succulents, sunflowers, fevers, heart, back, spine, grapes, walnuts, rice, chamomile, frankincense, juniper, saffron, marigold, rosemary, rue, palaces, towers, luxury.

~Moon~

Eternal, cycles, silver, aluminum, pearls, moonstone, opal, selenite, chest, glands, lymphatic system, nervous system, emotions, mother, ancestors, nurture, rebirth, tides, baths, ocean, brew, boat, sap, willow trees, succulents, pale color plants, white flowers, cucumber, cabbage, lettuce, melons, shellfish, pumpkins, lakes, fountains, ports, fishponds, pools, springs, sewers, dairies, toys, reflection, blankets, objects of comfort.

~Mercury~

Communication, journal, pen/pencil, any writing tools, wings, phosphorous, mercury, agate, tiger's eye, brain, nervous system, eyes, respiration, thyroid, speech, hearing, intellect, vehicles, money, bills, paper, books, pictures, parties or social gatherings, scientific instruments, butterflies, messages, mail, hazel, mulberry, myrtle, seeds, aniseed, dill, fennel, lavender, liquorice, marjoram, parsley, valerian, hazelnuts, beans, mushrooms, pomegranates, carrots, celery, libraries, schools, markets, fairs, public spaces, tennis or badminton court, studies, banks, bowling greens, offices, blue, white, or light colored flowers.

~Venus~

Love, relating, lust, high-quality fabrics, copper, bronze, sodium, malachite, tourmaline, emerald, rose quartz, kunzite, sapphire, pastels, throat, kidneys, lumber region, art, music, aesthetics, social life, fashion, jewelry, wine, pleasure, alder tree, fruit trees, paint, ash tree, birch, pomegranates, early flowering, daisy, mint, marshmallow, meadowsweet, mugwort, plantain, tansy, roses, thyme, vervain, yarrow, potatoes, strawberries, wheat, sugar, nectarines, ballrooms, bedrooms, dining room, gardens, fountains, wardrobes, theaters, looking and feeling good.

~Mars~

Lust, conquest, desire, flaming sword, red things, fights, iron, brass, bloodstone, carnelian, cinnabar, pyrite, magnetite, ruby, garnet, hematite, muscles, reproductive organs, blood, kidneys, immunity, heat, action, arms, pepper, sharp instruments, cutlery, attacks, scissors, weapons, physical intimacy, bites, stings, scalds, burns, accidents, hawthorn, pine, thorns, cactus, aloes, anemone, arnica, belladonna, garlic, ginger, hops, mustard seed, nettles, wormwood, chives, onions, leeks, radish, rhubarb, tobacco, labs, furnaces, distilleries, bakehouses, ovens, smiths, butchers, fields, anger, passion, self-focus.

~Jupiter~

Expansion, optimism, religion, religious sites, tin, seduction, turquoise, chrysocolla, topaz, citrine, jasper, liver, pancreas, pituitary gland, sciatic nerve, excess, abundance, prophecy, philosophy, knowledge, universities, foreign travel, luggage, honey, oil, silk, fruit, distinct clothing, merchandise, horses, domestic birds, gambling, indulgence, entertainment, oak, dandelion, sage, endive, chervil, asparagus, figs, churches, temples, palaces, altars, courts, mansions, woods, orchards, winery, cornucopia, connecting with the soul.

~Saturn~

Limits, boundaries, father time, lord of death, shadows, lead, iron, steel, calcium, asbestos, sulphur, diamond, onyx, calcite, skeleton, spleen, skin, teeth, nails, joints, structure, crystallization, old age, blockage, anything dark, wool, heavy materials, agriculture, wheelbarrows, spades, farm houses and buildings, cold, laws, aspen, blackthorn, buckthorn, cypress, elm, toxic plants, hemlock, henbane, belladonna, hellebore, barley, beetroot, safflower, parsnips, spinach, deserts, woods, valleys, caves, church yards, ruins, coalpits, sinks, wells, mud, institutions.

~Uranus~

Eccentrics, mavericks, invention, genius, revolution, change, trends, disruptive science or tech, uranium, magnesium, lapis lazuli, sapphire, aquamarine, azurite, chalcedony, electricity, neon lights, plaid, nervous and circulatory system, pineal gland, chaos, violence, upheaval, astrology, steam engines, coal, machinery, coins, baths, fishponds, dangerous places, computers, magnets, quantum physics, research, welfare, humanity, hypnotherapy, railways, banks, gas, psychiatric hospitals, offices, hospitals, dispensaries, fortified places, chemicals, mingled/mingling, spirit and matter.

~Neptune~

Illusions, veils, diffuse, deception, water, oceans, mysticism, enlightenment, artistic pursuit and understanding, zinc, potassium, amethyst, fluorite, jade, sugilite, coral, aquamarine, pineal gland, lymphatic and nervous system, spine, mental processes, addiction, psychoses, disease, photography, music, substances, gas, religion, poetry, mimicry, chameleon, anesthetic, telepathy, empathy, dancing, psychic gifts, places near water, hospitals, places of healing, jeweler, painters, brewers, musicians, visionary.

~Pluto~

Power, influence, darkness, new life, what's hidden underneath, seeds, volcanoes, deep earth or ocean, bury, explosions, eruptions, abduction, plutonium, smoky quartz, obsidian, jet, pearl, deep reds, reproductive organs, the unconscious, nuclear, transformation, death, birth, rebirth, underworld, riches, earthquakes, big business, murder, detection, detective, invisibility, sneak, enforced change, hidden places, underground, drains, sewers, radioactive places, the occult, black magic, sacrifice, renew.

[diaphin93]

About Edelgard-Discourse

I think the most funny aspect of Edelgard Discourse is how her detractors have build this immense echo chamber for themselves, including their own slangs and dogwhistles and even some really obscure readings of what the story actually says and does, while framing the Edelgard Fanbase as this actually niche insane and delusional crowd in this attempt to contextualize themselves as the moral majority...but then you have mainstream video game outlets doing articles like this:

I'm really curious on what the edelcrit crowd, especially parts of it which have a very incel-esque rhetoric surrounding the allegedly really seductive properties of Safflowers and strong opinions about women who don't wanna talk with them, thinks about articles like this. And its not really just Kotaku, the very article also links to a Vice article appreciative of the very revolutionary core of Edelgards route? I would suspect quite some seething from it.

But yeah, I think its easy to come to the believe that liking Edelgard is this forbidden sin and this minority position in very invested online echo chambers that treat hating Edelgard as a form of social activism (which coincidentally often happens towards wlw favs in fandom in general), but in the real world, you have mainstream gaming publications write articles like this and Edelgard being the most voted character in FEH history. It is really only a minority that is this obsessively negative about Edelgard. As this linked discussion shows:

Its also a minority that is clearly not acting rational, but is projecting some really pathetic grievances on Edelgard. Like, you can't tell me t hat OP doesn't read like somebody who writes rants about how women like Edelgard dismiss nice guys like him.

[dark-corner-cunning]

Crown of Glory: A Hair Growth Working

This is a simple working that is meant to be a fun addition to your hair care routine. I am using this as a weekly hair oil treatment. Feel free to use all of it, parts of it, or none at all. It’s your hair journey, so make it your own! Go wild and create your own working if you would like, too. I will post updates in the next few months of the results.

Hair, that crowning glory atop our heads, has long been revered as a symbol of power, vitality, and spiritual connection. It is said to be an extension of the self, a tangible manifestation of inner strength and identity. In bygone eras, hair was so cherished that its loss was often seen as a sign of misfortune or a weakening of the spirit.

This working is a form of Wortcunning, where magick and medicinal plant knowledge intertwine. This hair growth oil is infused with herbs known to help stimulate hair growth, combat hair loss & thinning hair, breakage, and nourish the scalp. It is essential to remember that while magick can be a potent tool, it is not a replacement for proper hair care and a healthy lifestyle. Nourish your body from within, and let this working be a catalyst for transformation.

As with all workings, approach this spell with reverence and intention. Harness the power of nature and your own inner strength to cultivate a Crown of Glory worthy of royalty.

Ingredients for the Crown of Glory Hair Growth Oil:

To harness the power of nature for lush, thriving hair, I have carefully selected a blend of potent herbs and oils.

Rosemary: Renowned for its hair-growth-stimulating properties, rosemary has been shown to rival the effects of commercial hair growth treatments.

Nettle Root: Rich in nutrients, nettle root helps combat hair loss by inhibiting DHT, a hormone linked to thinning hair.

Saw Palmetto Berries: Traditionally used to address hair loss, Saw Palmetto Berries offers support for overall hair health.

Garden Sage: Stimulating blood circulation to the scalp, sage encourages thicker hair growth and pairs beautifully with rosemary.

Horsetail (Herb): Packed with silica, this herb strengthens hair strands, preventing breakage and promoting growth.

Evening Primrose Oil: Nourishing both new and existing hair, evening primrose oil contributes to longer, healthier locks.

Safflower Oil: A lightweight carrier oil, safflower oil aids in absorption of the herbal properties while also stimulating hair growth at the cellular level, and nourishes the scalp. Liquid Coconut Oil can also be used.

To maximize the potency of the ingredients, the oil infusion process spanned a full 30-day moon cycle. However, a rapid infusion method can also be employed for those seeking a quicker remedy. There are plenty of resources and videos on YouTube on both of these methods.

______________________________________________________________

Ingredients Used For Working:

I painted my workspace with chalkboard paint, but don't worry if you can't! Any flat surface or even paper will work as long as your candles are safe and sound in holders while burning.

Hair Growth Oil or Your favorite hair growth oil

4 green candles ( I used chime candles)

Green chalk (white is a good sub)

Blessing oil (I use a mix of Frankincense & Myrrh with clear quartz crystal inside the bottle... all charged by a full moon)

A Bluetooth speaker

Frankincense & Myrrh Incense Cones

____________________________________________________________

Steps For My Working:

First, let's get your space ready for magick! Cleanse everything up, and give your candles and tools a little cleansing & consecrating. I love burning Frankincense & Myrrh incense for this part.

Next, you can write "Hair Growth" or whatever phrase/keywords work for you on your green candles, starting from the bottom and going up. Put them safely in their holders and drip your blessing oil on each candle.

Next, draw a spiral with green chalk, starting from the outside and working your way in. Then, draw little arrows pointing from your candles to the spiral. This is like focusing all the candle magick into one powerful spot!

Now at the spiral's heart, position the speaker and place your bottled hair growth oil on top of the speaker. I used a hair growth frequency to pulse through it, like a sonic energy spell to charge and attune the oil.

Then you will want to turn on the music and light those candles. Remember to light them going clockwise ��� it's like winding up the working.

Now as the music plays and the candles flicker, close your eyes and picture your Crown of Glory! While you’re visualizing your dream hair, say this:

By the power of nature's might, May my hair grow strong and bright. Roots deep, strands long and free, A crown of glory, wild and free. Grow, my locks, strong and deep, Let ancient powers your spirit keep. With every drop, a potent spell, To break the bonds where tresses dwell. Crown my head with growth anew, May hair flourish, strong and true. Let follicles awaken, deep and sound, As vital force is richly found. As this oil is blessed and shaken, May hair growth be fully awakened.

When all the candles are finished burning, you can clean up your space. You can throw away or recycle things as you normally would.

____________________________________________________________

May the Gods, Goddesses, and Moon bless your workings, and may the universe conspire in your favor. Happy Casting Seekers!

[recurring-polynya]

Izakaya Kamenoya

I am re-watching the Captain Amagai arc, which I love because it has just a shit-ton of Seireitei slice-of-life worldbuilding. Early in the arc, Kira goes to the bar with Renji and Iba to sob about how his new Third Seat is better than him, and it made me wonder-- do the lieutenants always go to the same bar, or does the anime just make up a new one every time? Episode 172 had a nice shot of the exterior:

I immediately went to Episode 355 (the second New Year's episode), because I'm always thinking about Rukia shotgunning that beer while Renji gazes on lovingly, and it certainly *looks* like same place, but again, maybe that's just a very standard-looking izakaya.

I decided that trying to translate the kanji might help. They're more visible in the first image. The ones on the paper lantern, 酒処 were easy, because they just say izakaya (literally, "alcohol" and "place"). That just supported the idea that this was just some generic bar. For the kanji on the wooden lantern, which appeared to be the same as the ones on the sign above the door, I managed to puzzle out the bottommost one, 屋, which means "shop" or "restaurant." Hmm.

At this point, I was feeling a little stumped, so I went looking for other screen shots.

Other bar scenes I could remember took place in: Episode 179 (Ukitake and Kyouraku try to angle Amagai into a threesome). This had a clearer shot of the sign, and it's definitely the same as the lantern.

Ep 305 (Kira and Hisagi go for drinks after work and run into Unohana having "Ladies' Night" with Soi Fon, the Kotetsu sisters, and Yachiru ????)

And finally, Episode 265 (the end of the Sword Beasts arc, Ladies' Night again, I guess, this time with zanpakutou)

and bingo, they actually translated it for me, this time!!

In, the only one that didn't turn out to take place at Izakaya Kamenoya was from Ep. 303, the first New Year's episode. The SWA holds their holiday luncheon here (the sign says 茶屋, or "tea house") .

It is also not the place where Rukia and Renji announce their engagement in WDKALY, that place is called Safflower, and it's fancier and it's specifically mentioned that it's way classier than everyone's usual digs.

That's neither here nor there, let's get back to Izakaya Kamenoya!

Later on, like when I was 90% of the way through writing this post, I realized there was an earlier shot of the sign in episode 172 that was also translated (which I thought I remembered and then assumed I had hallucinated when I couldn't find it, but it was from a separate trip to bar with Kibune and Kira's shitty subordinates). Conveniently, it's also probably the most readable out of all of them. EDIT: I didn't notice when I pasted this in here, but they translate it as Kamegameya here, which seems like a mistake? B3 suggests they might have read the second character as a repetition (with the k turning into a g, which I don't know all the details of, but I assume it's that thing that happens in Japanese when a word is in the interior of another word and it gets a harder consonant, the same way the s in "sakura" in Senbonzakura becomes a z). Google also tells me that the name of Yugi's grandfather's game shop in Yu-Gi-Oh is called Kame Game, so I wonder if the subtitler here was just working on muscle memory 😂. I'm sticking with Kamenoya, although Turtle Turtle Bar has its own charm)

The three characters in the upper left are 居酒屋, which is just a different way to spell izakaya.

"Kame" was easy to translate, it's the leftmost large character on the sign, 亀. It means "turtle", but the second meaning is "heavy drinker," so I'm guessing this might be a bit of a pun. Unfortunately, googling didn't turn up any further detail on this.

I puzzled a little over the middle character, until I realized that it might be 之, which is an older version of の. Oh, says me, who only speaks the Japanese I picked up from anime, it's Kame no ya, the way all the inns in Kakuriyo end in "ya." It just means "House of the Turtle", or "Turtle's Pub."

Turtle's Pub. Can we just take a moment to reflect on the fact that the lieutenants (and sometimes captains) like to hang out at someplace called Turtle's? I am so charmed by this. I have not been so excited since the time I realized that Renji was wearing the koi hoodie in the Bount Arc OP.

It's possible that it was just named by a guy who has "kame" as part of his name or who likes turtles, or as I said, maybe it's a pun, but there are two other possibilities I thought of:

In line with this post on the naming scheme for the Seireitei Gates, perhaps it's in the north part of the city, and named after Genbu the Black Tortoise-Snake

When I am making up business names in my fanfic, I often like to associate them with the squads they are near-- dragons for stuff near Squad 10, fish for 13, firebirds for things that are more city-wide. It's partially trying to tap into squad solidarity, and partially so people have a clue where your place is located in this stupid maze city. I love the idea of some former captain with a turtle-themed zanpakutou, whose is fondly remembered because someone happened to name a good bar after them.

I looked up that extremely questionable Blood War era Seireitei map, wondering if maybe Squad 3 was near the north gate:

It turns out it is not (assuming the unlabeled squads just go in order), but you know what is? Squad 10. So if Kamenoya is named after the North Gate, I assume everyone drinks there because it's close to Matsumoto.

(thank you very much to @kaicko for checking my work)

[maceofpentacles]

financial stability spell jar

creds to @crxptid-teeth for giving me the idea to actually do this,, i haven’t done a spell jar in a while so my brain was not thinking of this

ingredients:

black salt + regular salt

rice

rosemary

cinnamon

bay leaves

eucalyptus leaves + essential oil

dandelion leaf

safflower

pyrite + tigers eye

taglock ((i used my own hair that i chopped off a while ago and was already planning on using for a spell))

money, i used coins but you could write $ on a piece of paper as a substitute!!

seal with orange and green candles

feel free to add/subtract/do whatever you want with your own spell jar, i was just using what i had available to me :)

[anulithots]

Dear creatures of songbirds and safflowers,

I might have to reuse some of these

We could do some fun things here. I'd like to try the not-been-done-before because the adhd makes me think I can be overambitious I suppose.

(ANd why not put even more effort into the thing I've been avoiding my responsibilities for?)

What if novel but also not novel because art is needed because tree fairies and I only write description if it's a metaphor and yada yada

but also it updates every week? or multiple times a week? Two or three -ish? They don't do that with bookish things. I think it would be fun to do that with bookish things.

Now I'd actually need to finish before I'd try this.

... but - if I remember correctly - there was this one shakesphere play that used to have a part shipped out every month? What if this was like that but digital and with print out versions? (separate covers??????? DIY book thing????)

Sorry my thots aren't coherent. I don't exactly know why but they aren't.

But

~books~

there should be some cool ways to do book-adjacent things.

[randomnameless]

"We need our vassals to believe the Empire will always come to their aid. Always." This is actually kinda interesting, considering Edelgard's ideals amount to "people need to rely on their own strength rather than relying on others." There's a case here that she's keeping that from her vassals, and by them relying on her they're ultimately seen as lacking merit in her eyes and giving her room to dismiss them. Then there's the Hubert/Shez support saying that she's coddling the nobility while oppressing the commoners, and her reforms attracting nobles from the Kingdom opposed to Dimitri's pro-commoner reforms while Hubert and Monica's makes it out that she's going to free the nobility from their responsibilities to do whatever they please. Hopes is just another flavor of Safflower. In Safflower, she needed to rely on the Agarthans for her war, but had made them dance to her tune according to the Japanese text before ultimately disposing of them. In Blaze, she relies on the nobility for support, but her support ultimately gives her grounds to strip them of their power after the war. It's the same Edelgard, just working with a different group of scumbags.

Tbf,

Idk if the devs bought their own lie or something like this with Supreme Leader, but damn if sometimes her writing - and the reaction to her actions - is completely different whether you think about this "PR" mindset, or not.

I could even compare this to the fandom surrounding her, you have the very devoted fans thinking #griffithdidnothingwrong because Supreme Leader wondered once in an anonymous ask what to do with Rhea if she refuses to surrender, and "turn her in shiny double axes" wasn't an option, just like her asking Rhea'n'all to surrender in the last chapter of Tru Piss...

And yet, she also has her lines where she congratulates herself and Billy for getting the world of those pesky pointy ears, saying as early as chapter 12 to motivate her troops that her path leads to Rhea's death and telling to Billy, before the "plz surrender" speech that she wants to eliminate the evil lizard lady so...

We can see the same about her parents' romance in Garreg Mach - debunked by a nameless who says no imperial heir has attended in recent ages - Aegir being responsible for the experiments when Hubert says it was Thales, or even, "Willy's sekrit history"... Are we supposed to buy Supreme Leader's words - as she is known to lie to her allies "Rhea so BaD she launched nukes in Arianrhod!", or at times are completely wrong/misguided "the church divided Adrestia Fodlan in three entities to control them" when we Know Loog's rebellion was supported by Agartha and Rhea only acted the end of the War because the Emperor of that time lost against the barbarian and Faerghus was independant in all but in name?

Jerry, as much as I like the guy, says it best : Supreme Leader's words are meaningless.

In an usual setting/VG, people would judge her for her various actions... but Flamey is forgotten by the plot because the "slapping my ass" cipher card had to be sold, characters become vapid and moan about "uwu IdEaLs" when no one notices that, uh, any ideal that goes "you are from race B you cannot rule over race A" sucks no matter what...

So what is the "real" Supreme Leader (Watsonian wise, of course, Doylist wise, she's Fodlan's resident waifu)? #griffithdidnothingwrong or, what we've been saying since day 15, someone who, just like Arvis and arguably Ashnard, manipulates people by creating/seizing opportunities to further her own agenda?

I love Gustadolph and I love Arvis, but if their games treated them with the same kiddy gloves they used for Supreme Leader, aka not having anyone call them out on their actions and slobber over the "IdEaLs" regardless of the means and immediately backing off when they could actively discuss about those "IdEaLs", I would like them... less, I guess.

Supreme Leader's PR "line/plans" here reveals her cunning - even if there is the "only one supply line" issue - because she is actively working to "build" an image of a leader whose people/vassals will be loyal to, at the same time, she is fully aware it is nothing but an image because she just has to pretend to care, not care for real, but it also reveales what she thinks of "chivalry" in general and all those notions of mutual help/assistance.

As you pointed out, for someone who's all "might makes right" + "bootstraps", Lonato goofing the plan they devised is just a moron who's going to run to his own death. Let he be a vassal or ally of circumstance, she doesn't really care about his death, aka, about the death of the people who bought her flag and are now on her side.

What bothers her more is the reputation Adrestia will have if it doesn't pretend to "assist" one of their vassals when they need help.

(Compare this to the Kingdom and the Church always helping, when they can, their allies and Rhea's doctrine being to help whoever needs help, regardless of their background, religion or whatnot!)

Imo, it's as cynical as Ashnard trashtalking Bryce in FE9, save that Lonato isn't here, like Bryce, to hear what his "Lord" really thinks of him :

Supreme Leader mocks and loathes "chivalry" and the idea of "people supporting each other" - which we can see more clearly when we slaughter Baron Dominic in Supreme Bullshit - thinking the Dominics felt pressured to protect their lands, people and loved ones when, uh, they just, don't want to see the people they love die? And want to help and save them?

In a way I'm glad I found this line, for my morning salt because it hurts again to even imagine what Fodlan could have been if Supreme Leader wasn't designed as the mascot whales/target audience was supposed to simp for and buy nightgown cipher cards, but also for the confirmation bias (i know i'm petty) that Supreme Leader is indeed closer to Ashnard and Oldvis than fandom!Griffith, and again as another window in Adrestia's decadence and fall.

I mean, how could a country founded by Rhea herself, with close ties to what she is still preaching aka "help everyone!" fall so low to the point where assisting those who need help if frowned upon, and only to be done if it leads to something useful, like, good PR - saving the bozo who's rushing to his death though? I'd say it's much like Monica's rescue in Nopes - kill two birds with one stone, but well, one bird was prioritised while the other just, kind of, died on its own which happens to be a good thing for us, I guess?

-> Which gives us the magical ending of Supreme Bullshit, the two birds killed each other!

[fantasyinvader]

So, if I had to boil down my thoughts on Three Houses/Hopes it would look like this:

I do appreciate that the game has served as a learning experience for me regarding Buddhist beliefs and symbolism. I’ve always had a love of mythology, so reading about the stories that go with these symbols was fun for me. However, I do feel that the game leans to hard on the symbolism to get some things across to the audience, like how we all took Claude’s core issue to be his lack of knowledge when it was his own hatred towards the Church of Seiros that was holding him back, while at the same time uses other compatible symbolism like some of the Christian or tarot stuff. Just a lot of symbolism in lieu of telling a more direct story. Likewise when the translation changes some of those elements it upsets the reading. Like how Safflower was changed to Crimson Flower with the Edge of Dawn linking the flower to a rose, as roses and safflowers hold different meanings. I feel like if the game had toned down the symbolism and was more overt in it’s storytelling, than a lot of changes would have been harder to justify.

Tying into the first point, it’s also annoying how the game dances around the truth. Let me put it like this, there are singular lines of dialogue that are supposed to inform us about the setting or characters. Yet since they’re optional and easily missable, characters will act like they aren’t common knowledge. It makes the characters and the world feel less cohesive, like they don’t actually live in that world. I want characters to be informed by their setting and backstories, not feel disconnected from them.

That said, I do appreciate how the game doesn’t hold your hand on this stuff rather than beat you over the head with it, but there’s already a lot of exposition in the game. I feel like there had to have been a way to do this more organically.

The characters really grew on me as I looked deeper and deeper into them and their relationship with the story and setting. As I’ve said a couple of times now, the Black Eagle class are my favorites because they symbolize the moral decline of the Empire and the fact they become villains after White Clouds if not recruited away from Edelgard makes me feel that they need me more than anyone. I do like how Ingrid and Felix’s endings are weaker outside of Azure Moon, Ingrid not being able to follow her dreams and Felix’s grief pushing him into seeking more conflict despite Byleth’s influence. And the Deer are a lovable bunch of misfits. Claude is my favorite lord, though admittedly his writing is pretty messy possibly due to his role being changed in development.

The fact is, I keep buying Cipher cards for Houses characters. While I would like Cipher cards for Engage, the fact that I mostly go for Houses followed by the Elibe lords of my youth ultimately shows my connection to these characters. I have a complete set of the Eagles (with the Wolves on their way) in their academy uniforms, thinking of finishing off the Deer next followed by the Lions if they’re still available. I just really like the character designs in this game, definitely up there with Echoes (my favorite game design-wise).

I like Byleth’s intended arc but I wish there was more ways to show their character. Just because a character is a silent protagonist doesn’t mean they can’t be characterized properly. Shez I just feel bad for, because they’re not meant to overshadow Byleth and therefore even on their best behavior they can’t lead the Eagles, Dimitri or Claude down their more heroic paths. Guess it would highlight a key difference between the two, while Shez isn’t emotionless they just see themselves as a mercenary and just go along with their leaders. Byleth, meanwhile, secretly dislikes the merc life and the teaching gig is their ticket out which in turn gives them growth. But the fact that Shez is nothing more than a failure hero/ine in their own game, that sucks. At least give us an option to recruit Shez in Houses as a bonus or something.

I’ve said before I do feel Edelgard is pretty well done. The fact that she’s a villain means that we aren’t supposed to simply see her as eye-candy, and we’re meant to pay attention to what she’s saying and what she’s actually doing. She can make you think you’re the good guy if you’re not paying attention to the world, and while the effects could have been more pronounced she is a toxic influence on those around her. Hell, considering the links between what we see of the Empire in Hopes to what is said to happen post-Flower, it’s clear she doesn’t get character development even with Byleth (instead, causing Byleth’s regression). She’s a damn good villain, and helps supply a feminist message about treating women as people.

As for the stories, due to the symbolism Silver Snow felt the most fulfilling to me because so much of the game was built around it. Moon followed that due to how it feels the least reliant on the symbolism. The fact that we’ve been wrong about Claude’s core issue shows an issue with Wind getting it’s point across, while Flower suffered in the translation.

The game’s runtime feels excessive and the idea that we were only ever expected to play one route is a joke. Each route takes as long as some RPGs to finish, and the monastery is a big issue because of this. While time is always going forward, too much is spent faffing about and if you skip exploration you can miss some vital details to actually understanding some things.

Gameplay-wise, it works well enough. Load times are a pain in the ass, I don’t like how I have to assign skills after learning them and wish that when I learned a skill a popup would give me the opportunity to equip it. I hate how the weapons triangle needs to be recreated through assigning skills. I love the battalions though and hope that makes a comeback in future installments. The game overall leans a bit much on the easy side, and the gameplay is a definite step down from Fates.

I don’t like the model of character growth. I’m a firm believer that characters should be expressed through their classes, both main and alts. The fact I can put anyone into any class, even if they aren’t suited for it, takes that away. Don’t get me started on each character having their own personal spell list either, because while I would appreciate this otherwise it only serves to punish players for making certain units into magical classes especially when I can give most classes any weapon. That and it just feels wrong that I, the teacher, get to decide how these guys end up being trained and can ignore the students desires. I should be helping them become who they want to be, not what I want them to be. Also prefer characters leveling up every 100 exp like in other games, rather than Houses being more like regular RPGs.

I would have definitely preferred if we had the more visual novel-like cutscenes and supports over using the 3d models for those, especially when they talk about items that the game does not have models for.

If I think about any sort of conclusion to this, I like the stories and characters but it was a case of me investing into fully grasping it that did it. I wouldn’t still be talking about them otherwise, as the more I learn about they symbolism the more things felt like they clicked. I generally feel bad that the intended messages got messed up by the translation and further obscured by fanon. But that just props up gameplay that should have been refined more, as in many ways it suffers from poor optimization and excess. That is always going to be a roadblock to me going back and replaying it.

[safflowerseason]

sometimes writing involves staring into space for three hours before you finally figure out how all the pieces fit in your head.

[creativenicocorner]

Chapter 8: "I Don't Know" (Part 2.1) Arrow

Fic Summary: A strange case takes Reigen and Serizawa to a small (intimately so, a detail Reigen might be hesitant to comment on) village North in the mountains, where they quickly discover things are far stranger than they both realized. Not only that, but they might be more than just a little out of their depths.

Nature, the past, it all has a way of being heard - even to those reluctant to listen.

Reblogs, Kudos, and Comments are deeply appreciated ♡ (manga cap from Daisuke Igarashi's 'Little Forest')

[abramsbooks]

RECIPE: Kate’s Buffalo Tofu Wings (from Fake Meat by Isa Chandra Moscowitz)

Let’s start with the OG of vegan wings. Once again, we take a trip to the golden era of veganism, the 1990s. We were lousy with veggie burgers and scrambled tofu. Packages of vegan cheese didn’t even bother to advertise “IT MELTS,” because we all knew it didn’t. And no one, but no one, even considered that a wing could be vegan. Except Kate’s Joint in Alphabet City. I could write a whole think piece on the place, but let’s just focus on the buffalo wings. Fat rectangles of chewy tofu in an herbed breadcrumb coating, and dripping with buffalo sauce. On the side, a pinch dish of creamy tofu ranch. No table was without a few orders. On your first bite, everything just burst into your mouth in the most obscene way. Now you can create that feeling at home! So scruff up your tables, hire some crust punks to sit outside your window, and enjoy.

Makes 16 wings

1 (14-ounce/400 g) block extra-firm tofu, sliced into 16 rectangles

1 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup (240 ml) cold unsweetened soy milk

1 tablespoon tamari

2 cups (160 g) panko breadcrumbs

3 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

Safflower oil, for frying

FOR THE SAUCE:

¼ cup (55 g) vegan butter, melted (I like Miyoko’s)

¾ cup (180 ml) buffalo hot sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot)

FOR SERVING:

2 cups (200 g) carrot sticks

2 cups (150 g) celery sticks

Rescue Ranch Dressing (see below)

HOT TAKES

I don’t press the tofu for these. I don’t know, Kate’s might have, but I like the moisture when you bite into one, as well as the fact that it cuts down on a lot of prep time.

Kate’s tofu wings were rectangles, so I re-created the shape for mine. You can use any shape you like, but don’t expect any points for authenticity. Here are directions for butchering tofu to end up with the correct shape: sixteen stubby little rectangles. Don’t press the tofu; a drain and a quick little squeeze with some kitchen towels to keep it dry are all you need. Now let’s proceed.

Use a 14-ounce (400 g) rectangular block of tofu; this will work best. Place the tofu on one of its long sides and slice it in half down the middle into two planks, like you’re making an open book. You should have two large rectangles. Now slice both of them in half the short way. You’ll have four rectangles. Take each rectangle and cut it vertically into four pieces.

Press each tofu rectangle with a paper towel to quickly dry it. Place in a single layer on a small baking sheet. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt and drizzle with the olive oil and lemon juice. Toss to coat. Let rest while preparing everything else. You will be using this same tray for the breaded tofu.

Now make the slurry and breading: Scoop the cornstarch into a wide-rimmed bowl, add half the soy milk along with the tamari, and stir well until it’s a thick smooth paste. Mix in the remaining milk. On a large rimmed plate, mix together the panko, rosemary, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt.

Dip a piece of tofu into the the slurry with one hand, letting the excess drip off. Transfer to the panko bowl and use the other hand to sprinkle a handful of breadcrumbs over the tofu to coat it completely. Return it to the tray and bread all the other pieces in the same way. Make sure you use one hand for the wet batter and the other for the dry batter, or you’ll end up with crumb hand.

Preheat a large cast-iron pan over medium-high heat. Pour in a layer of oil, about ¼ inch thick. Fry the tofu in the hot oil until golden on the top and bottom, working in batches if necessary; it will take about 8 minutes total. The sides will get fried in the process, but add a little more oil if needed. Use a thin metal spatula to flip.

While the tofu is frying, make the sauce: Simply mix the melted butter with the buffalo sauce. You can melt the butter in a large ceramic bowl in the microwave then mix in the hot sauce to save on doing dishes.

Lift each wing from the oil and dunk it into the buffalo sauce to coat. Transfer to serving plates and serve immediately with the carrots, celery, and ranch.

RECIPE: Rescue Ranch Dressing

If we replaced all the dairy ranch dressing on earth with vegan ranch dressing, we would reverse the climate crisis and save millions of lives. It’s a fact, look it up. But I’m not here to preach, I’m here to give you a creamy, herby, zesty dressing that you will want on hand at all times. You don’t need any tips on what to do with ranch dressing; you will naturally dip anything and everything in it. Wings, obviously. But being in Nebraska, I’ve seen people take this dressing in some weird directions. Pizza? OK. Nachos? You do you. Except that one person who dipped samosas in it. What were you thinking?

Makes about 1 cup (240 ml)

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh dill 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives 1½ teaspoons onion powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon salt, plus more if needed 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ¾ cup (180 ml) vegan mayo

In a small mixing bowl, add the parsley, dill, chives, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Drizzle in the lemon juice and give it a stir. Let sit for about 5 minutes, soaking up the flavors and wilting the herbs.

Add the mayo and stir well. Depending on the kind of mayo you used, you may need to add a little water to thin it out. Do this by the tablespoon until the consistency seems correct, thick but pourable. Taste again for salt and seasoning. The flavors enhance as it sits, so it’s even better the next day! Seal in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.

Bestselling author Isa Chandra Moskowitz shows you how to create your own vegan meats, like deli slices and ground beef, that will satisfy every craving

“I’m an animal lover and that love doesn’t end when I get hungry. Do I miss meat? Not really. But here’s what I do miss: Aromas. Experiences. Methods. Traditions.

“I remember all the tastes and sensations from my omnivore days, even though they were so long ago. My grandmother’s meatballs, burnt on one side. Slurpy seafood pasta at a café along the bay, my teeth scraping against the hard oyster shells. My favorite pizza burger from a diner underneath a Midtown office building, the feel of the vinyl seat as I bounced with excitement at the sight of the melty mozz arriving at the table.

“These are the moments you could say I miss. Maybe you do, too. But we don’t have to.” —from the Introduction

Fake Meat is packed with 125 recipes that will satisfy every kind of meat craving, from a vegan Philly cheesesteak and a basket of wings to a rich, gooey lasagna.

For more information, click here.

[works-of-magic]

Pelipper Mail!

A self care package! It’s a little basket full of aromatherapy bath bombs, some are scented with lime, cedarwood and rosemary, while some are more citrusy, scented with cassia, clove spices, and safflowers, all to enhance healthy and glowing skin. The basket also comes with a mini face towel, decorated with mini face towel with a cartoony spirits pattern, and a matching spa headband.

There is a note, in pink glittery writing, that says “srry if itz not ur style! >_< enjoy tho! ^.^”

it seems like this came from none other than @liepardprint !

Oh, that towel is absolutely ADORABLE. My skin care routine could probably use some work, eh-heh... and everything will be fun to try out! Bath bombs, too. New Experiences!

Thank you, a thousand times thanks, Xio! I'll be sure to put them to good use. ^^

[fantasyinvader]

It's not so much that the writing failed Edelgard, more that the translators failed the writing.

If you go into the Nintendo Dream interview released just after Cindered Shadows, the creators explained Edelgard's depth as a character. It essentially boils down to gap moe, that there are two conflicting sides to her. On the one hand, there's the noble girl and on the other the villainous conqueror. The latter was meant to be a twist for the franchise, Edelgard was playing a role that has always been assigned to males in Fire Emblem. Therefore, Edelgard as the noble girl is meant to be our initial impression of her, causing the other side to stand out more. And if we supported Edelgard, it was meant to lead to what is known as hadou where she her power to impose her will upon others, either through government or through violence.

The translators flipped the gap moe, making her come off harsher in the beginning which in turn emphasized her softer moments later on. They also toned down Flower's ending, pushing the idea that Edelgard brings freedom though these endings are contradicted by other endings that do lean more into the Japanese version of her. It made it seem like Byleth could get through to her, helping her abandon the beliefs she states in Moon and instead believe in working with others.

It also downplayed heavily that Edelgard was manipulating everyone around her. Including Byleth, who she flat out says she was attempting to sway to her side in White Clouds should they fight. Not “I would have done anything to have you on my side,” it's “I did whatever I could to get you on my side.”Petra also calls out Edelgard for using the Black Eagles during the school year in the Holy Tomb, and in Byleth's support with Ferdinand he says he'd have been Edelgard's puppet if he had stayed with her. That's still in the English, but the English tries to make Ferdinand as someone not thinking and just following orders if he fights Hubert in Enbarr.

The Japanese name of the route is Safflower, a flower who holds a specific meaning. It's not love like the red rose Edge of Dawn identifies the Flower as, it's attraction. Attraction, as well as saying you want to ensnare a romantic partner or good luck. That last one is important considering the devs admitted they wanted to play a trick on players, and made Flower easier to access when no player could in testing.

This was even hinted at during the prologue with something Edelgard says. “You will prove a lacking ruler if you cannot see the truth behind a person's words. If you don't see the truth behind Edelgard's words in the Black Eagles route, what the true intent under the surface is, you won't end up being the ruler of Fodlan. Going back to that whole Hadou thing, it's even tied into the Japanese name for the Sword of the Creator, there it's the Sword of the Heavenly Emperor. The Heavenly Emperor, or Jade Emperor, oversees the Mandate of Heaven which judges if a ruler is worthy. Rulers who embrace hadou are meant to be removed from power by the masses, and if Byleth fails to do this like they do in Flower they lose the ability to use the sword. The game decides Byleth is unworthy if they support Edelgard

The Jade Emperor is also the one, in Chinese folklore, who banished the Asuras down into the depths of Agartha.

In that same interview, the devs literally said that they built the world around supporting Silver Snow's story, and in the game itself it frames choosing to side with Edelgard as changing the story. Byleth, and by extension the Eagles, would join the Church to fight against Edelgard in the Black Eagles route rather than join her. It's the natural progression of events.

In summary: The Flame Emperor wasn't meant to be the mask Edelgard wears, the mask was the disguise of the noble girl, and the translation badly mischaracterized her.

I suppose it is my lack of attachment toward Edelgard that makes me feel that way (me shaking Edelgard like : you were almost my favourite but your writing fails you) because I see people saying that of course the Eagles siding with Edelgard makes sense in the Tomb (CF) because can you imagine seeing the Archbishop condemning your house leader without trial ? Someone you admire getting condemned without any fair process ?

Meanwhile I'm like

The Eagles siding against Edelgard makes sense in the Tomb (SS) because can you imagine learning that your house leader is involved in almost all the shit that went down during your academic year, including sending the Death Knight against you multiple times, and you almost died, and saw death around you, multiple times... And she was actively involved in it ? She was an active participant in it ?

It's interesting. I think.