#sal dot post

[kordate]

we need to get march 25 on good friday so i can post about frodo dying for my sins

^ la pieta. if you even care

[kordate]

can i get a cycad sweep?

they’re such weird shrubby plants! they’re as old as the dinosaurs, and they still look like it! they’re dry, they’re tropical, they’re hot, they even tolerate snow!

my favorite is the cardboard cycad. the leaves along each branch (or the leaflets on each leaf if you’re particular) are so thick and flat. i love its chunky crunchy look! the botanical name, Zamia furfuracea, refers to the fuzz on each leaf. (also look at the cones in the close up!)

if you need another reason: the real official common name of this cycad is Coontie… she’s the coochie plant, the cuntie plant

Phylum Round 1

Not Quite Palms vs Not Quite Moss

Cycadophyta (cycads) -- while cycads look like palms, true palm trees are in magnoliophyta. Cycads are gymnosperms, meaning they have seeds but do not have flowers or fruit, and are most often pollinated by beetles. Many can grow in very low water conditions, some out of sand or even rock. Bread palms, a type of cycad, have edible stems. Cones of the Modjadji cycad can weigh more than 40 kg (88 pounds).

Marchantiophyta (liverworts): There are approximately 9,000 known species of liverworts, non-vascular (and therefor relatively small) plants with a dominant gametophyte stage, which can either have leaves or flat thalluses. The name comes from an ancient belief that they could be used to treat liver problems. Liverworts have important roles in the ecosystem: preventing the erosion of streambanks, collecting and retaining water in tropical forests, and forming soil crusts in deserts and polar regions.

[startheskelaton]

Can you tell us more about Landlot(Sparkplug's ex boyfriend)please?

Oh gosh I'm gonna go on a huge tangent about this guy, mostly because I feel like it.

So Landlot is the newest version of a character that belonged to my own ex boyfriend. However I was the one to properly flesh out his character, the most my ex did was give him a color pallet and basic personality.

For context, One Spark first started as a fanfiction called "End of the rode" made by my ex. It was a post apocalyptic transformers au where the Optimus and Megatron are dead, the autobots are trying to make another arc to get to Cybertron and the decepticons are now led by Starscream. The story only really got a proper threw line when I suggested adding a character I had thought up, Sal Witwicky, the orphaned daughter of Spike Witwicky. Sal's deal was that she resented transformers because they not only destroyed her world, but let her family die, now she's one of few surviving humans. She gets found by Hound and reluctantly agrees to go back with him to the autoboot base.

At one point, Sal was supposed to be horribly injured by Ravage (who was only there because I really liked Soundwave, and his addition helped fill in plot gaps), to the point she was about to die. However they put her in a experimental protoform body... she would now be known... as Sparkplug. (I also came up with this plotline)

Why am I going on about this? Well because it's important to why Land lot exists on my current story. Landlot in the old fanfiction was a twin and was one of the first transformers built on earth, post Sparkplug getting put into robot body. He was supposed to be the leader of his group, as he was kind of a hotrod wanna be. He was also vary clearly a self projection character for my ex, similar to how I tend to project onto Sparkplug. I had offered the idea for Sparkplug and Landlot to be a couple, I can't remember if my ex was on board for the idea or not, however I do remember it being the only thing close to romance in the whole story.

So here we are a good maybe 6 years later. I had a lot of trauma from that relationship to the point I still dream about him, and the moment I realize it's him in my dream, I try and get away from him, not wanting to be with him at all. I won't say I was a saint during that relationship, but I do resent him for being able to find some sense of peace with intimacy. A lot of shit happened... So when I decided to remake the Transformers AU, I was mean to Landlot.

So who is Landlot in the One Spark AU?

Well he's a 1970's Plymoth GX, who emerged with his twin sister, Defender. They emerged pretty soon after the matrix awakened the energon on earth. They emerged vary close to the autobot base and were taken in and trained like any normal sparkling would be trained back on Cybertron. He fit in vary well as he remined a lot of the autobots of the older days, just a bunch of guys who turned into cars acting like heroes and messing around. He would become a poster boy for the transformers born on Earth.

How did he end up dating Sparkplug? Well I'll tell yah. Despite a lot of my art showing people dotting over Sparkplug, that wasn't the case for a majority of the autobots, yes a good amount of them formed bonds with her, but it was only because they were related to prime. Bot's like Ironhide, sideswipe, Blur, Proceptor and a good amount of other autobot's being vary against Megatron and Soundwave being allowed to join, and some are still convinced that Sparkplug is just part of a secret plan of Megatron to try and take over earth again.

So a lot of bots stayed away from her, and this bias would trickle down to the new earth born bots on the base. So Sparkplug never had any friends her age, the closet being Rumble and Frenzy who were basically teenagers when she was born. However Sparkplug did grow up to be rather pretty... well... as pretty as you can be while being a weird combination of two bots. Even though she tried to talk to the other young bots, her awkwardness and bluntness only made them stay away from her. However Landlot slip in, seeing an opportunity to have a cute/shy girlfriend. Sparkplug fell hard and fast for him because she had never had anyone interested in her romantically. He would try and mold Sparkplug into a sweet, dotting and helpless shy girl that would hang on his arm to make him look cooler. Because how badass would it be to show that he was able to get the notorious Megatron's daughter to be his side chick.

Eventually, Sparkplug got tired of getting the short end of the stick and decided to break up with him after seeing that he was trying to get with other bots behind her back, bot's that vary clearly didn't like her.

So that's where they stand as of now. Landlot is still a celebrated leader for his heroics and fun personality, while Sparkplug just only got passed to go on missions and was put on the most mind numbing job imaginable.

sorry that this is so long, I just really wanted to share all this info

[emberdragon34]

SHOOTING STARS AU - CHAPTER 5

Triggers in tags

PoV: Scar

Disclaimer -- Prologue -- Previous chapter -- Next chapter

My attention drifts from Skizz’s crazy lunch-break story to my phone as Jimmy tries to get me and Lizzie as backup on some HotGuy argument. And then to the post itself, the video. What it very obviously is.

‘Um- guys- it’s gotten out,' I say, showing my phone to the group.

‘What’s gotten out?’

‘Mumbo. Jellyfish. The case. It’s blowing up on SymNet.’

‘Oh, of course it is…’ Martyn sighs, searching for the video on his own phone. ‘Yep, that’s the video Jellyfish posted on Hub. I thought people would at least follow the gentleman’s rule and not fucking share it to everyone…’ He plays it, placing his phone in the middle of the table for us all to see. Grian immediately excuses himself.

‘Look at this guy… Mumbo J Cutler. Just an innocent photographer for the Hermit Herald. And yet, we found him, abandoned, at a phone booth for us to capture again, after we thought HotGuy rescued him. Turns out he was abandoned. And the last we saw of HotGuy, he was running away with his tail between his legs for the nearest sewer to hide in. Fucking coward. And now, the police are going to do fuck all to stop me tearing this fucking idiot to shreds, live on Hub, for everyone to see, if they don't tell us what we want to know. And some sweet, sweet reward money for anyone who sees HotGuy getting involved again… we’ve got some great plans for him, and the close friends he claims he doesn't have.’

My mind is racing. I have the location. In fact, I already knew it, I remember it from the ConVex blackmail records. I could go over to Codfather’s right now. Or, return home, get into my gear, and do it as HotGuy. He can redeem himself, by saving Mumbo. But how would HotGuy have that information? Without a crazy complex web of lies and half-truths, and links back to me or Skizz? And I can't go out as HotGuy without Cub knowing and being there to help, if needed. And now everyone in Hub is on the lookout for HotGuy. Just so they can hurt him and Cub.

‘Scar?’ Skizz shakes me from my thoughts.

‘Just thinking,’ I reply. ‘I’m alright.’

‘This is only going to get bigger, but it’s mostly against HotGuy. It doesn't change our course of action.’ Martyn decides. ‘It’s shot from the same angle as the other one, so they haven't moved… ‘Catching Angelfish’ means it must be Big Salmon. We’ve still got Sal and Hypno. We can question them about Big Salmon’s location, find where Mumbo is, and then stage a rescue mission. Hopefully arrest Jellyfish and Barracuda at the same time.’

‘Sounds good.’

My phone buzzes again. 

I frown. Cub doesn't run out of food. Ever. He’s always stocking up before he does.

He’s going somewhere else.

Where’s he going?

Then I catch the video post comments again.

UrsaMinor135

We can't jump to conclusions based on one video. Something could've happened to HotGuy and he needed to get away.

That’s when I realize. 

Cub knows the location too.

And Cub will do anything to help me.

Including going to a mafia base alone to save HotGuy’s reputation.

‘I need to go,’ I excuse. Skizz and Martyn turn to me.

‘Of course. Is everything ok?’

‘Yeah, yeah, Cub’s got a cake emergency down at Stargazer's that needs an extra set of hands,’ I lie easily.

‘Of course. Go and help.’

On my way. I text back, before speeding from the police station as fast as I can.

As I go, I pull up the tracker on Cub’s phone, see how far away he is. Still walking. I’ve got some time, but still make the most of every downhill slope, pushing my way along until my arms are exhausted. I’m not armed. Hopefully it won't come to that. But knowing my experience last night, it probably will.

I just keep as much of an eye on Cub as I can, while dodging civilians and cars in the busy city centre and out to the grimmer areas of Hermicropolis. 

Cub reaches Ocean Avenue.

I’m still a few streets out.

I call him, one last chance to slow his progress. The little dot of Cub on my map stops. He answers.

‘Scar? Is everything alright? Did something happen at Stargazers?’

‘Don't play dumb, I know you’re going after Mumbo.’

Silence, as Cub considers his 0% chance of finding a lie that’ll fool me. 

‘It was obvious, Cub. Just wait outside, I’m on my way.’

‘Scar-’

‘You’re lucky I’m not sending you straight back to Stargazers to explain why you haven't got sprinkles.’

Another pause.

‘I had to do something.’ There’s a quiet insistence in Cub’s voice. My anger softens.

‘I know. But we’ll handle it together, ok?’

‘Ok.’

Cub hangs up. I let out a deep breath, pocketing my phone to wheel the last couple streets, slower now I know Cub’s stopped. Soon enough, Ocean Avenue and Codfather’s appeared around the corner.

Cub’s not there.

I check the tracker. Nothing. A glance down the streets of rundown takeaways and boarded buildings. Codfather's is one of the largest of the lot. Lights off, blinds down, sign peeling, a FOR SALE sign painted over the dirty window. 

And a wide open door.

Fuck.

Cub’s gone inside.

I wheel after, silent. The place looks utterly deserted, a stench of decay, salt, and rotten fish I have to cover my nose to block before I throw up. Cobwebs grow over the counter, through the remains of fish in what must’ve been frozen once, but is now covered in a black fur of mold and creeping dark vines. There’s a door back here, ajar. No sign of Cub. He must be through-

A scream.

Cub.

I burst through the door, into a tiled kitchen. Knives and saws to my right, a metal torture-chair in the middle. No Mumbo. But Cub’s struggling against the grip of Barracuda, who shifts grip at the sight of me. He holds his cleaver to Cub’s neck, forcing his head up with the sharp blade. Cub freezes. There’s panic in his eyes. I stop in my tracks. Blood streams down his bleeding arm from a deep, straight cut. Behind, the fencer draws their rapier.

‘So there are two of you.’

‘You want me, not him,’ I insist. ‘Do whatever you want to me, but let him go.’

‘Why?’

‘I know who Angelfish is.’

There’s a moment of hesitation. Before Barracuda holds the blade closer to Cub’s neck. There’s a dribble of blood. He whimpers. 

‘You work for the police force, don't you?’ the fencer asks. ‘Very helpful of Angelfish to lead you here, right?’

Fuck.

‘You really think we’d stay in the same location when we know Angelfish compromised us?’ Barracuda asks with a laugh. ‘Sold us to the police?’

‘What’s your name, Poe-Poe?’

‘Fuck you.’

Again, Barracuda holds Cub tighter, the cleaver cutting even deeper. 

‘What’s your name?’

‘We would just look through your friend’s phone, but ‘Partner in Crime, heart, cat, rocket ship, flower’ wasn't very helpful to us. So…’

The fencer holds up Cub’s phone, smashed beyond repair. I wheel towards the knives as focus turns to it.

‘Nothing? Well, I guess this is going to take a little longer than expected then…’ Barracuda drags Cub into the chair, keeping the cleaver in place. The fencer starts to strap him down. I catch the metal spikes on the leather, cutting into his ankles, then his wrists.

I reach the counter.

And strike.

In one movement, I snatch a small knife and throw it. Barracuda stumbles back, hit, grip lost, dropping his cleaver. Cub grabs it, swinging for the fencer. A scream. Blood sprays. Cub kicks them, right in the head. They fall back. He fumbles to free himself. I grab another knife, wheeling right over the fencer’s arm as they try to grab their rapier again.

‘Where’s Mumbo?’ I snarl.

‘Not saying.’ There’s blood everywhere, a brutal cut through the mask and right across their face. I wheel further, a little more pressure, a little more pain. Through the crack, the fencer winces, terrified. Part of me, buried for years, claws free with a high pitched giggle. 

‘Where’s Mumbo?’ I repeat. In my periphery, Cub gets free, approaching Barracuda.

‘Either of you can answer,’ he says, still wielding the bloody cleaver. ‘Barracuda? Anything to add?’

‘The name might- uh- might ring a bell.’ he says, some kind of clue from the emphasis.

 ‘Don’t fuck with us.’

‘Sorry, that’s all you’re getting,’ the fencer says. ‘More than you should’ve gotten, Barracuda.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry, Swordfish, he’s pointing a fucking meat cleaver at me.’

‘May I remind you that it’s your meat cleaver, Barracuda. Same one you used to cut off Mumbo’s hand?’

Cub’s tone is dangerous. He crouches down next to Barracuda, and holds the cleaver to his arm. Barracuda struggles, panicking.

‘Should we make it two in a day?’

‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry- please - please if I tell you, Jellyfish will kill me, he knows where my family is, I- I can't let them hurt my family…’

‘Not my family.’

I desperately try to think through the clue he gave us already, before Cub does something I know he’ll regret. Ring a bell. Ring a bell. The name might ring a bell. Something to do with bells. Bells ringing. The clocktower, perhaps? Is there a clocktower? Or something chiming? Jingling?

Jingling.

Oh.

‘I’ve got it. Let’s go.’

I wheel back, letting Swordfish, the fencer, go. They pull away quickly. Cub doesn't move.

‘Cub.’

He pauses, for a second, as if realising what he was about to do. Then slams the cleaver down, into the ground, inches from Barracuda’s head. He before standing. 

‘If this is another fucking trick…’

‘It’s not.’

I’m still incredibly aware of the blood down Cub’s sleeve and neck, staining his shirt dark red. He’s wobbly on his feet, but hides it well as he strides after me. I keep my eye on Swordfish and Barracuda, watching as the former grabs their rapier and-

‘DUCK!’ I shout as they swing one last shot. Cub does, just in time, and the blade digs into the 

wall instead. As they’re distracted pulling it free, we flee from the room, past the counter, and outside. Cub slams the door behind, I wish we had some way to lock it. But we don't have time, continuing around the corner and away, as far as we can, cutting down alleyways and into another area of town, hoping we’re not being followed. Until Cub slows, stumbling, half collapsing against a lamppost. I stop short as he sinks to the ground.

‘Cub- oh shit- are you ok?!’ I question. He nods, taking deep breaths.

‘Yeah, yeah…’ mutters Cub. ‘Sorry- just- I can't keep going I- I think the bloodloss is kicking in.’

‘Shit- ok, I’ll call Skizz. He can collect us… I’ve got a first aid kit in the back of the wheelchair. Use that.’ I try to roll away from the people on the sidewalk, staring and murmuring. A few take pictures. I block their view of Cub, as much as I can, glaring until they hurry on. 

‘Skizz’ll be suspicious,’ Cub mutters back, dabbing at the cut on his arm.

‘He already knew Big Salmon used to be here, and I said I’d check out this place anyway. That’s how I knew to go here… Notch, Cub, what were you thinking?!’

‘I had to do something, Scar! I didn't realise this place would be closed, I was hoping to buy something, scout out the area, and be back without any trouble. Help you out a little before your mission.’

‘It was never going to be that simple. You know it never is- Notch, just hold on, ok? I can't do anything if you pass out, and I doubt there’ll be any helpful strangers about…’ I find Skizz's personal contact in my phone and call. After far too long ringing, he picks up.

‘Scarface?’

‘We need help. We’re halfway down Boatem Road… there's a coffee shop… an old hat shop…’

‘I got you. Uh- we?’

‘Me and Cub. Cub’s hurt. We explored Codfather’s. It was a trap. Barracuda got us. We have info on the actual location though.’

‘Rubbadub-Cub got involved?! What about the cake emergency?’

‘Cub lied about it.’

I glance back at Cub, but he’s too focused on his injuries, taking deep, pained breaths.

‘Ah. On my way with stuff now.’

‘You’re the best, Skizz.’

‘See you soon.’

And I hang up.

[apollabarnes]

oops okay zahraa thank you for this post

"have you ever run into the guy?" "sure, we've overlapped with the 118 on calls over the years. solid firefighter. less cocky than he used to be. a little high strung." tommy pointed at him in triumph. "did i ever tell you about howie's bachelor party?" "still a little bit disappointed i never got an invite for that," sal mused. he broke when tommy looked sideways at him, laughing. "okay, i'm not, but it would have been fun." "evan spent a month putting it together." "i need you to connect a few more dots than that, buddy." tommy sighed. "if howie hadn't had encephalitis he would have showed up and he would have loved it. but evan spent a month on it." it had been… it had been really fucking sweet that evan loved howie so much he wanted to give him the perfect bachelor party, but he'd stressed out about it in a way that had tommy clenching his own jaw in sympathy. he'd been tempted to distract evan in some decidedly interesting ways, but he'd held himself back to crowding evan against his kitchen island and kissing him until they were both breathless. "so he likes the details. is that a bad thing?" not when it meant that evan was learning and remembering all the ways to take tommy apart, and letting tommy do the same. "what's in a month, sal?" "val… oh," sal looked over at tommy, laughing at whatever look was on his face. "what, are you worried that he'll try to plan something over the top, or that he won't?" tommy shrugged. it was a good question, and one that he didn't have an answer for. "i've never really been into celebrating it anyway." "yeah, okay, i'll remind you of this in a year." "if i talk to him and it goes well, i don't want him spending the next month worried that if the night's not perfect then…" "couple of problems with that plan, bud." "oh, i can't wait to hear this." "first of all, you're assuming that it goes well. don't get me wrong, i love the optimism — it's a new look for you. still some fatalism mixed in there, but the baby steps are promising. second, you're assuming that he's not seeing anyone right now. third, you're assuming that he'll still be single after valentine's day. or before." "sal." "yeah, i know. shut up." sal clinked their bottles together. "you think i'm being stupid, don't you?" tommy asked, turning his beer bottle in his hands. "what would you want to be doing for valentine's day?" sal looked over at tommy, wrinkling his nose. "oh, gross. keep that to yourself." "i can't help what my face does!" tommy protested. "okay, well since your face says you want to spend valentine's day making sweet, sappy love to your boyfriend, it's probably a good idea to wait so that you have a whole year to convince him that's what you want."

[im-probably-crying-rn-ngl]

fuck it, book recommendations based on your favourite driver

+ age rating, summary and rambling disguised as explanation as to why

if your favourite driver is Lewis Hamilton...then i would recommend Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

(historical sports fiction, standalone) "Carrie Soto, a fierce and determined retired tennis champion, comes out of retirement at thirty-seven to reclaim her record and face personal challenges, coached by her father partnered with the man she almost opened her heart to, in Taylor Jenkins Reid's novel about the cost of greatness and a legendary athlete's epic comeback."

the connection between this book and lewis is what inspired this whole post in the first place. a comeback story even if you have proven all there is to be proven? trying to beat all the odds against you even time? being an all-time champion AND an underdog? there are so many links that can be made between carrie and lewis not just with their careers and relationships but also what adversities they have had to face. idk but is this like manifesting that lewis is going to be "back" for his 8th wdc?

if your favourite driver is George Russell...then i would recommend A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

(young adult mystery thriller, book 1 of 3) "In 'A Good Girl's Guide to Murder,' Pippa Fitz-Amobi reexamines a closed case, challenging the conviction of Sal Singh for Andie Bell's murder, unearthing hidden secrets that threaten her safety as she seeks the elusive truth."

ah mr wannabe investigator (we all saw him checking out that redbull) but seriously there's something we grussell sprouts must enjoy about someone who seems so straight-laced and uptight be absolutely blatantly unhinged both on and off track. it's just so george to choose literal murder inquiry as a school project, from the ambition bordering on arrogance of believing a high schooler could do what the authorities couldn't to the genuine heartfelt sincerity in wanting the truth and to bring justice for those already deemed outcasts by society. he's OUR good girl that's not-so-secretly "bad".

(main ship are george and alex coded btw like im just saying)

(+ bonus rec bc i am incredibly biased) if your favourite team is Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team (had to google the name for the nth time)...then i would recommend The Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee

(adult fantasy, trilogy, best books i have ever read) "The Green Bone Saga is a fantasy trilogy by Fonda Lee, exploring the intricate power struggles and conflicts within and around the Kaul family. Set in the fictional city of Janloon with ability-enhancing jade as it's lifeblood."

my faves with my faves. mercedes aren't a national institution/emotion (ferrari), a team (red bull racing), a villains' lair (ashton martin) or a pop band (mclaren) but a family. a dysfunctional, awkward, barely concealed hot mess of a family, but family nonetheless. chasing victory while trying to survive the horrors of life and each other is the merc way and you will see the same in this trilogy. *toto voice* loyalty!

family is duty. magic is power. honor is everything. <- literally them

if your favourite driver is Oscar Piastri...then i would recommend The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

(young adult fantasy, book 1 of 5) "In 'The Lightning Thief' by Rick Riordan, seemingly troubled teenager Percy Jackson discovers his divine lineage as a demigod, embarks on a perilous quest with his friends to prevent a war among the gods."

wow guys i don't know what to tell you except oscar JACK piastri, SON of nicole and chris piastri, might literally be percy JACKSON (i have connected the dots, you haven't connected shit). your guy might have had a former illustrious career in undertaking dangerous quests and asking greek gods to pay child support, you should check.

if your favourite driver is Lando Norris...then i would recommend Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

(adult contemporary romance, check tws, book 1 of an ongoing series) "In 'Magnolia Parks' by Jessa Hastings, a tumultuous love story unfolds between the beautiful and self-involved London socialite Magnolia Parks and Britain's notorious bad-boy BJ Ballentine, as they grapple with a dysfunctional relationship marked by heartbreak, secrets, and the enduring pull they feel towards each other."

picked this based on vibes, just pure vibes but immaculate ones. the drama, the glitz, the glam yes but also the family, friendship, and love found within the pages of this series. this is british gossip girl. i am telling you there is a vision here people.

(+ bonus review because this might be the only book on this list that has less (3.84) than 4+ stars on goodreads and i can't do him and y'all dirty like that: i personally didn't love the first book but the series really comes together and you truly get invested in these characters and their happiness, actually pretty excited to read more.

also if nothing else it's fun, just some brain popcorn)

if your favourite driver is Carlos Sainz...then i would recommend The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh

(young adult romance fantasy, check tws, book 1 of 2) "In a land ruled by a murderous boy-king, Shahrzad vows vengeance for her friend's death and becomes the next bride of the tormented Caliph Khalid, discovering unexpected love as she navigates the perilous palace of secrets and stories, torn between survival and the promise of retribution."

wow like you think he didn't step out of a magical retelling of 1001 nights? mhm but let's leave aside the fact i am still not convinced otherwise. carlos this year has shown his insane mega ultra galaxy brain, so i believe the plot of the wrath & the dawn would be something that would resonate with you. the quick wit and guile of the mc as she tries to carry out a revenge plot while trying to not get executed is only comparable to carlos coming up with his own race strategy mid race and cementing himself as the only non-rbr race winner in 2023. wow.

if your favourite driver is Charles Leclerc...then i would recommend The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

(historical romance fantasy, standalone) "The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller is an Iliad retelling, focusing on the deep and complex relationship between Achilles and Patroclus."

he has that sadness in his eyes that you only see in tragic greek myths etc etc. i will have to say, achilles walked so charles leclerc could race. *soft longing sigh* il predestinato and aristos achaion, the predestined and the best of the greeks. beloveds born and bathed in golden light. it just makes sense to me.

if your favourite driver is Alex Albon...then i would recommend Beach Read by Emily Henry

(adult contemporary romance, standalone) "A romance writer who no longer believes in love and a literary writer stuck in a rut engage in a summer-long challenge that may just upend everything they believe about happily ever afters."

i mean alex is a living-breathing romance novel of a man. BUT it hasn't always been sunshine and rainbows (helmut marko if i catch you). so i think any emily henry book but especially beach read captures the ups and downs of alex's journey so well compared to just any ole romcom (...but if i had to give one for the alex enjoyers then it would be Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, coincidentally also george and alex coded lmao).

but was it his remarkable drive back to f1 or the recent holiday beach pics that was the reason behind this rec? i guess we will never know

if your favourite driver is Logan Sargeant...then i would recommend Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

(young adult fantasy, book 1 of 3)"In 'Howl's Moving Castle' by Diana Wynne Jones, eldest daughter Sophie is cursed to age prematurely, the key to break the spell lies in the enigmatic Wizard Howl's castle. Sophie embarks on a quest to confront the Witch who cursed her all the while unraveling hidden truths about herself and Howl."

"let's bring it in and call it a day - let's look after of you." to "that's my girl" pipeline and vice versa. i know what you are.

but logang (the only one i know frfr) you deserve it okay? a cozy lil fantasy full of whimsy and wonder. tuck in and have some tea and cookies, pookies.

(i wanted to do the full grid but keep the teammates together and i haven't yet come up with something for all of em so there will be a part 2...? hopefully...?)

sources for summaries: thestorygraph and goodreads

[dotrousersmatter]

What does Iggy's room look like?

One thing that's for sure is that it's warm and cozy. Obviously it evolves in style as he grows up, but there's always little hints of how it used to be. Toys or art or the overhead light fixture. When Sonny and Rafael initially set it up as his nursery, they paint it a light yellow colour, and I can see him keeping it like that until his teen years. Then, he repaints it something darker, like phthalo or navy or evergreen, something like that. A deep, rich colour, maybe just as an accent wall against a linen cream, if not the whole room.

Iggy's not messy per say, but he's still has mess and clothes around, random books out and old mugs on the bedside table, sports gear in a pile by the closet. He deffo shoves his matress into a corner and makes a nest out of everything on his bed. He has a lot of blankets. He was never a big stuffed animal kid, but does have a small collection of them that are near and dear to him; with Sal the raccoon being pride of place, of course. The bookshelves are heaving, without a doubt, and are faux built-ins that Sonny's dad helped them install. He has a few indoor plants dotted around too, and soft lighting, maybe string lights and/or various lamps, so he doesn't have to turn on the overhead. Iggy also has a small space for his instruments, which I am still hemming and hawing over what he actually plays (I'm leaning towards piano and something else, I've gotta go through some older asks and my own notes to pin down exactly what I think he'd like. There was discussion of a cello. Maybe sax? Guitar? I'm feeling something bluesy...).

It's not a massive room, by any means, but he still loves it. It's a sanctuary for him. And he really enjoys that his window can get him out onto the fire escape. Sonny and Rafael make sure to have a kidsafe lock on it until he reaches his teens.

Tbh, I'm someone who really likes to build character's spaces in the Sims, so I'm sure I'll eventually make Iggy's room (in all it's age interations) at some point. Maybe I'll even post it, lmao.

[kordate]

happy hobbit day!

i drew this the last time i re-read the series, it’s a quote from the first chapter

[kkoffin]

“no one takes this seriously” “okay well yeah they do but why r u hanging out with them anyways it’s actually ur fault”

anyways it’s not a matter of “don’t listen to this person they hurt my feelings” it’s a matter of talking to you being a literal waste of time. everything you say is intellectually dishonest, you have no actual intention for honest debate, you speak in fluent rhetoric. You just want “terf destroyed” moments you can brag about on 4chan or some shit, so your bubble of equally stupid, misogynistic buddies can circlejerk to it.

Literally anything else i can imagine is a better use of time than arguing with you. reading a book, going for a walk, calling your mum, making a tea, watching a movie. Literally anything else would intellectually develop a person more than engaging with some brain dead take you’ve placed on their blog.

yes i engage with you; only because i enjoy sharing your stupid comments with friends and laughing at how ridiculous they are, and how seemingly everything goes over your head. You are a brilliant example to provide when someone asks what intellectual dishonesty is. Alas, i will confess, it’s still a better idea for me to spend the time reading. I don’t block people on tumblr, but from here on I’ll be attempting to pick up a book instead, every time i’m tempted to reply to something you’ve reblogged of mine. I’ll also keep note of each reblog, including previous ones, and i’ll be donating a dollar to women’s sex-based rights groups for each, starting with helping fund Sal Grover’s legal fees.

If any radfems r reading this please be inspired to do the same for this guy and other trolls. A) it’s really funny, and B) if ur taking the time to read it or type something else, you may as well spend the same time reading that literature you’ve been meaning to finish

i will be posting screenshots of donations, assuming it doesn’t include any personal information.

I’d also hope this inspires you, dear hobsgamchill, to do the same. every time ur tempted to reply to some radfem on tumblr dot com, take a tally of a dollar to donate, and go read something. sometimes im honestly concerned for ur health the way you seemingly spend 23 hours a day scrolling radfem tags on tumblr

I just think it’s funny how “no nut November” turned every male friend, every feminist boy, every so-thought “ally” into my extremist muslim step dad for the month.

Suddenly it’s funny and cool again to tell women to cover up, get mad at them for existing, telling them they should stay out of men’s sight.

Very revealing to realise almost every man sexualises almost every woman, even his friends. Funny how women don’t act at all the same when chaste.

The fact that the words give me, a woman, a horrible feeling in my stomach should be proof enough of what i’m talking about

[deancasbigbang]

Title: Half Empty

Author: sinnabonka

Artist: varlovian

Rating: Mature

Pairings: Destiel

Length: 30000

Warnings: canon-compliant temporary major character death, canon-typical violence, alcohol, blood, past abuse mention, temporary memory loss

Tags: psychological thriller, case fic if you squint, unreliable narrator, horror undertones, mind games, if you think some small detail matters it most probably does, metaphorical use of original characters for purposes of narrative, angst with a happy ending, fix-it fic

Posting Date: November 12, 2021

Summary: Raging storm, boundless cornfield surging, churning, like an angry ocean crashing its waves over steep shores. Dean comes to in the passenger seat of his car with no memory of what could have possibly brought him to the oddly named bar on the outskirts of the small town in the middle of nowhere. Investigating what first looks like a regular, run-of-the-mill missing people case and trying to bring back memories he’s lost, Dean ends up discovering truth he’d rather remain hidden. Welcome to Half Empty, where nothing is as it seems, and even shadows have secrets of their own.

Excerpt: “We should probably talk about what happened,” Sal starts carefully. “Remember anything? A name? A year?” Dean feels something twitch in the back of his head, as he spins the plate with the burgers mindlessly. “I know who I am,” he says with a huff. “Don’t Momento me just yet.”  A memory is fragmented: Rain patient in waking him. Cold touch of glass on his palm. The smell of gasoline.  Not puzzles, he realizes, but strips of paper out of a shredder. Lesser than words, just syllables, sounds.  “It was dark, couldn’t see shit,” Dean stumbles on the thought, shaking his head. He closes his eyes, marveling at the gleam and shine, finding no real worth in it -- just shards of glass smoothed by the ocean. Unprecious gems.  “Headlights were barely enough to see the lines on the road. Happened so fast...” he grabs at his head with another sharp pierce of pain. Growls, “The car started to skid.” He waits through the pain, breathing deep and slow. Outside the storm rages, the roar of the wind disturbingly resembling the one of the beast.  Sal’s voice startles him, soft: “What about some ice for your head, hon?” Dean looks through his fingers at her getting up and walking toward the bar, a low rumble of thunder following her like the train of a dress. Rolling through the place, the sound shudders and finally dies among the glasses clinking on the counter.  As Sal pulls the fridge door open, Dean’s eyes catch the poster taped to it (“Glass half empty? Just put more vodka in it!”). He picks up his burger and gets a bite of it. It tastes like nothing.  With his eyes trained at the front door, he keeps chewing -- waiting for the door to swing open. It doesn’t.  \*\*\* The road snakes among hills, endless. There’s turn after turn after turn, each next one bringing nothing but a new shade of black. The headlights cut through the veil of rain like flaming swords, fighting off the evil creeping on both sides of the road.  White dotted lines disappear under the hood, like the end credits of an old movie. The one he’ll never grow tired of. “What are we in the mood for?” Dean hears his own voice; distorted, but there can be no mistake.  He’s not driving and it never bothered him less, his fingertips running against the backs of cassette tapes in the box in his lap.  “Whatever you choose is fine,” comes the second voice, but the sound of it is odd, as if muffed by cotton in his ears.  Dean feels his lips curve into a smile, but the joy doesn’t follow. He looks down at the tapes’ names written with a black sharpie, but can’t make out any of them. His hand hovers over one, then moves to another.  And when he wants to turn his head to look at the face of the driver -- He can’t.

DCBB 2021 Posting Schedule

[fat-cat-cathy]

Via Crystal McBootay & Sal W Hanna dot com #faceswap #boud

https://curvypinup.tumblr.com/post/115293663758/boudoir-shoot

[pigtailpoll]

BRACKET FINALLY DONE !!

bracket finally sorted , 128 characters ( out of over 500 submissions ) . i tried to make things as even as possible , but some pairings are a little lopsided because unfortunately things dont match up ideally liek that irl ^^;;

most ppl wanted to either include iconic characters or have them in an adjacent bracket . i agree that you cant have a pigtail poll and NOT include these icons , but i also agree that its not very exciting to have them in tha main race -- liek , you know theyre just gonna crush all tha little guys and make it to the end . so what we'll do is have tha eight most iconic pigtail wearers ( decided by highest number of submissions and also liek . generally popularity / we know theyre icons ) compete in their own bracket against eachother , and tha winner of THAT bracket will face off tha winner of tha main bracket in a final showdown . so basically this'll be liek what they do in real sports ( or so im told lol ) , where certain teams will get to skip some matches and move straight to tha finals

i cant zoom out far enough to take a screenshot of the bracket , it physically wont let me ( i used bracketfights dot com on desktop because it kept crashing on mobile ) . so i will put the pairings in order , going straight down the left side and then straight down the right side , in a bracket that looks like this ( ill purrobably edit this template with the names later but its almost 3 am and im dead tired , i just wanted to post tha update orz )

LEFT SIDE

RIGHT SIDE

1 asa mitaka ( chainsaw man ) 

2 izumo kamiki ( ao no exorcist ) 

3 ashley spinelli ( reccess )  

4 creepie ( growing up creepie ) 

5 bloody eye ( bloody mary ) 

6 boo ( monsters inc )

7 choso ( jjk ) 

8 muffet ( undertale ) 

9 sakura hanazono ( kaichou wa maid-sama ) 

10 mikan sakura ( gakuen alice ) 

11 shizuku mizutani ( my little monster ) 

12 retoree ( show by rock ) 

13 chiyo mihama ( azumanga diaoh )

14 maka albarn ( soul eater )

15 black rock shooter ( brs )

16 lyra ( pkmn ) 

17 jill ( drill dozer ) 

18 penny ( inspector gadget )

19 elizabeth midford ( kuroshitsuji ) 

20 anne halford ( sugar apple fairy tale ) 

21 lilie ( princess tutu ) 

22 jess ( badanamu ) 

23 yaya yuki ( shugo chara ) 

24 sana futaba ( magia record : pmm ) 

25 sana kurata ( kodomo no omocha ) 

26 makima kirameki ( re : creators ) 

27 cherry cookie ( cookie run ) 

28 twintelle ( ARMS ) 

29 bubbles utonium ( ppg ) 

30 yokune ruko ( UTAU ) 

31 entrapta ( she-ra and the pop ) 

32 ling xiaoyu ( tekken ) 

33 garu ( pucca )

34 sarasa watanabe ( kageki shoujo )  

35 mio naganohara ( nichijou ) 

36 joon yorigami ( touhou ) 

37 eleanor miller ( alvin and the chipmunks ) 

38 gosalyn mallard ( darkwing duck ) 

39 mallow ( pkmn ) 

40 love momozono ( fresh precure )

41 nadeshiko kagamihara ( yuru camp ) 

42 lotta zehybe ( charlie and lola ) 

43 gretchen grundler ( reccess ) 

44 angelica pickles ( rugrats ) 

45 pinky cooper ( pinky and pepper forever ) 

46 brat plutonium ( ppg ) 

47 dynamo ( ppg ) 

48 jinmay ( super robot money team hyperforce go ) 

49 xinyan ( genshin impact ) 

50 miyuki hoshizora ( smile precure ) 

51 hu tao ( genshin impact )

52 sal fisher ( sally face ) 

53 natsuki mamiya ( gogo sentai boukenger )

54 dee dee ( dexter's laboratory )  

55 princess morbucks ( ppg ) 

56 trixie carter ( american dragon jake long )   

57 popuko ( pop team epic ) 

58 biscuit krueger ( hunter x hunter ) 

59 celestia ludenberg ( dangan ronpa ) 

60 kagami hiiragi ( lucky star ) 

61 juliet starling ( lollipop chainsaw ) 

62 ruru amour ( hug itto! precure ) 

63 aki narukami ( misao ) 

64 rabi en rose ( di gi charat ) 

65 brianna dulce ( rainbow high )

66 aria blaze ( mlp : equestria girls )

67 ame-chan ( needy girl overdose )

68 aoi kanzaki ( kimetsu no yaiba )

69 sylvia christel ( no more heroes )

70 ginger breadhouse ( ever after high )

71 kohane azusawa ( project sekai )

72 bronya zaychik ( honkai impact 3rd )

73 saki tenma ( project sekai )

74 riruka dokugamine ( bleach )

75 draculara ( monster high )

76 ichigo momomiya ( tokyo mew mew )

77 ann takamaki ( persona 5 )

78 yayoi takatsuki ( THE iDOLM@STER )

79 hana makihatayama ( ojamajo doremi )

80 nina sakura ( ultra maniac )

81 rise kujikawa ( persona 4 )

82 shushang ( honkai star rail )

83 mei kusakabe ( my neighbor totoro )

84 lily hoshikawa ( zombie land saga )

85 dj cookie ( cookie run )

86 pippi longstocking ( pippi longstocking )

87 pink ( mahou shoujo magical destroyers )

88 piper pinwheeler ( robots )

89 valerie amaranth ( magical warrior diamond heart )

90 twin turbo ( uma musume : pretty derby )

91 tart ( tokyo mew mew )

92 nagisa shiota ( assassination classroom )

93 drossel von flügel ( fireball )

94 najika kazami ( kitchen princess )

95 chinatsu kuramoto ( flying witch )

96 vendetta ( making friends )

97 sorano appare ( appare-ranman! )

98 sunny madison ( rainbow high )

99 jenny wakeman ( my life as a teenage robot )

100 barbara ( genshin impact )

101 nico yazawa ( love live! )

102 ichika usami ( kirakira precure a la mode )

103 ruli ( aikatsu planet!)

104 hay lin ( w.i.t.c.h )

105 teto kasane ( UTAU )

106 marnie ( pkmn )

107 robin ( f ) ( fire emblem awakening )

108 hikaru hoshina ( star twinkle precure )

109 hilda valentine goneril ( fire emblem : three houses )

110 falulu ( pripara )

111 kagura izumi ( ressha sentai toqger )

112 nico niiyama ( kiznaiver )

113 tsunade ( naruto )

114 lucia nanami ( mermaid melody pichi pichi pitch )

115 raki kiseki ( aikatsu on parade! )

116 ranmaru kirino ( inazuma eleven go! )

117 emiru aisaki ( hug itto! precure )

118 q84 ( hello charlotte )

119 nozomi tojo ( love live! )

120 klee ( genshin impact )

121 mimi valentine ( vtube )

122 gerti giggles ( spy kids )

123 kitty cheshire ( ever after high )

124 orange blossom ( strawberry shortcake )

125 miku imamura ( denji sentai megaranger )

126 agitha ( loz : twilight princess )

127 glenda ( petite princess yucie )

128 pepper ( pinky and pepper forever )

[birdmitosis]

LOL I'M SORRY, I feel a little bad but 😍 this is such a beautiful post... aaaahhhhh thank you for answering..........

"she felt like a shelf full of glass jars constantly shaking and dropping everything onto the floor" is such an amazing way to put it... :D AND LOL Cold never seeing anything it does as flirting is so funny, she would.

IT'S TRUE WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED THAT ONE I could've skipped it but it just feels like such an obvious one to ask, dglhsdgkjghs. I love all your thoughts on them anyways :3

Their imposter syndromes break my heart, Sal 😭 how dare you /vvpos -- I just love how they're both aware of how others respond to their particular forms of trauma response and it bothers them in ways they don't want to admit even to themselves -- weh.

Awwweh, the "Dots" nickname! That's so cute? I love Cold turning those markings she hates into a slightly more positive thing! I also like Para liking to use the nicknames the others give Cold, though, and knowing to avoid the ones that make them feel bad, she's so insightful and pays so much attention 😭

Everything about the argument makes perfect sense (I too think Para apologizes pretty quickly once she calms down, and it fits so well that Cold doesn't usually apologize verbally but tries to make up for it + fix the behavior)... AND THE WHISTLING... I am melting. I love everything about the whistling headcanon, help 💞💞💞

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING THIS SAL, I am so so happy :D I love it all and it all feels sooooo fuckin accurate, I always adore your thoughts on these two! 💖

For ParaCold... Pre-Relationship 6, General 6, General 13, Love 11, Love 13, and/or Domestic Life 12? (Yes I am asking a lot, feel free to only answer one of these if you'd prefer! I just love your thoughts on them always~)

(I freakin' knew you'd come at me with the asking sheet lol /aff /pos)

Ship Questions Redux

Pre-relationship 6. What was their flirting stage like?

Veeeeery awkward. At least from Paranoid's perspective; the moment she started consciously flirting, she felt like a shelf full of glass jars constantly shaking and dropping everything onto the floor. She'd go out of her way to compliment Cold's additions to any convo or their appearance, all while sweating bullets and feeling like a giant fuckin' buffoon.

Cold, meanwhile, never registered anything he did as 'flirting', but when they saw Para actively flirting, it found the sight very amusing, and started going out of its way to compliment her back and even say some suggestive lines (cue Paranoid.exe stopping working and going into overdrive)

General 6. How do their personalities complement each other? How do they clash?

I mean– we already talked about this at lenght like aikskdmdjdmd

Cold is uniquely equipped to help Paranoid calm her nerves and look at situations with a more pragmatic view, while Para can make Cold consider being less reckless if only for other sakes, how they can read each other, the way their actions often clash but also helps them grow– aaaaaaaagggghhhh

General 13. Which one thinks they aren't good enough for the other, if at all?

Oh, they both have their own form of Imposter Syndrome.

Para knows she can unlikable to others, with how intense and inquisitive she can be, and she knows it's hard to approach her when she's already expecting the worst from others. And that's fine!! She can live like that, it's safer if others don't even try to approach cuz she seems a bit too prickly. And she often wonders if Cold would've felt the same if they weren't born from the same being–

Cold knows it's difficult. Knows others find it unsettling or menacing. And it's fine with that, really, it's a flattery that so many people think of it as an uniquely evil being. And Paranoid is no exception, she was definitely afraid of it in multiple occasions, but she still puts it aside to try and work with them. They're sure she wouldn't want anything to do with it if it didn't insistently follow her and got into her personal space, but it selfishly wants her attention. And if they're evil and scary and dangerous anyway, why bother if it's being a little selfish too?

Love 11. What kind of nicknames do they call each other?

I like the idea of Cold calling Para 'Dots' cuz of her plumage patterns. A cuter way to look at the markings that triggers Paranoid so much. She was very taken aback by it when it was first used, but didn't mind it and even came to like it.

I think Para definitely calls Cold some of the many nicknames the others gave her to tease her. 'Cool Guy' is one of her favorites for this. Avoids names like 'heartless' tho, cuz she noticed how those seem to actually get to Cold (it's very subtle, but she learned to read him at this point).

Love 13. How do they make up after an argument? Who is the first to apologize?

Depends on the argument, and how much one was at fault over the other. Para definitely apologizes as soon as she realizes she was being unfair/going a bit too far. Cold doesn't verbally apologize– almost never, but it does change its behavior when they notice how it upsets others and tries to make up for their actions through other ways.

Domestic Life 12. Who likes to dance with, or sing for, the other?

I know many have Cold with good singing voice hcs, but personally, I think he'd rather whistle than sing. And they have a very haunting but weirdly beautiful whistle, and can make many melodies with it. Para finds it weirdly comforting, so Cold will sometimes whistle for her.

[atsukashii]

ily and ur writing so much 🥺🥺 I'm caught up on practically everything u've posted, so while I wait (im)patiently for new works NO RUSH THO, can u rec any writers u may follow that post stuff u just lOVE to read???

I usually use fics as a distraction from anxiety/panic attacks and my heart doing the palpitating thing which actually makes me wonder if my heart med is working??? bc its happening rn yay 🙃 so I usually go for fluff or h/c stuff

holy shit everything?!?!? 😮😮 aaahhhhh thank you so much 💕 i’m so glad that my writing can give you some sort of escape. send you all the hugs in the world anon!!!

also can I rave about my fave writers on a public platform? ummm fuck yes I can.

These are in no particular order and I think I’ve missed some people but if you check my recommended tag there are even more there too!! Oh I’m also recommending fics here!

haikyuu!

@elysianslove (sfw + nsfw) - sal writes some of the best hc’s and drabbles ever, and the way that she writes for kuroo has my heart going boom boom every time.

faves : unintentional flustering things & the little things

@kotarotea (sfw) - guys don't get me started on alyssa's writing okay, because her blog has made me laugh and cry more times then i can count (I'm looking dead at you in another life) her writing is top notch and is definitely one of my absolute favourite people on this site. Oh also her fake texts are pretty neat!

faves : the waiting game (read it ages ago and is one of my fave iwa fics to this day) & random text with bf iwa this one gives me all the feeeelllsss

@hvnlydmn (sfw)- ains writing can heal all of the worlds problems i stg. her atsumu is simply divine and i frequently read her writing. but seriously she will make anyone into an atsumu simp and you'll thank her for it.

faves : haikyuu boys comforting you & haikyuu boys reactions when they accidentally wake you up from a nap its just too fucking cute i can't not share it

@adoringhaikyuu (sfw + nsfw) - if you don't know who they are then y'all aren't living. their drabbles are honestly some of the most amazing haikyuu pieces i've ever read. And they write for a whole lot of people - also the angst will kill your soul

faves : when they realise they want to marry you & rejects you and regrets it - this made my heart actually hurt when reading it

@taurue (sfw) - jin has written my favourite iwaizumi fic that i have ever read (bad news) and is one of the main reasons i love that man with my heart and soul. she also writes for mha as well as haikyuu so literally you're getting double with this one. shes a treasure and her writing is *chefs kiss* perfection

faves : bad news (iwaizumi x reader) seriously read it, you'll thank me later & down bad (atsumu fluff that is so fucking precious i love it with all my soul)

my hero academia

@dimplesum (sfw) - faye writes for both mha & hq, but it doesn't matter what you read, her work is god tier. her blog is so aesthetically pleasing and her writing even more so, she's one of my top recs for suuurrreeeee

faves : i'm not your fangirl (bakugou x reader) & baked love (bakugou x reader)

@myherowritings (sfw+ nsfw) - sof is the king of bnha x reader as far as i'm concerned and her smau's are on another level. even if you aren't a massive fan of the character of one of her smau's i promise you will be by the end, no joke this is what happened to me in her shinsou smau turn on your airdrop.

faves : number neighbour (bakugou smau) & turn on your airdrop (shinsou smau)

@katsuverse (sfw + nsfw) - i cannot say enough about this talented girl. I have been watching mich's blog grow since day one and the way that her writing and style has evolved is really fucking beautiful. her writing is the bomb dot com and her katsuki is ✨ f l a w l e s s ✨

faves : bakugou's reaction to his crush's haircut, made with love (bakugou x reader) & hypothesis honey (bakugou nsfw smau)

Also i cannot stress this enough, if one of these blogs requests that under 18's do not interact or if they state that under 18's should not view some of their content please for the love of god respect their wishes.

thank you.

[somediyprojects]

Sew by Row stitched by Julie Rumans of Hemlock and Rye Stitchery. Pattern ($9.98) designed by Lori Holt.

“I finished It’s Sew Emma Sew By Row almost on time with the Fat Quarter Shop SAL, but I never posted my FFO! I left off the very bottom row of the pattern and used Lady Dot Creates velveteen to finish into a pillow. Stitched on 36 count Picture This Plus linen in “Zephyr” with Aurifil Aurifloss from the Prim set curated by beelori1, fqsxstitch, and itssewemma.”

[lovecolibri]

SaL anon here and I've been holding back on this song for a Pod Squad centric episode (Dallas makes it all the better), so I'm excited for us to talk about Mars. While any song about going to war makes me think of Alex (and "there is goodness in the heart of every broken man" is such a good Malex line after this season), I really think this song captures past Pod Squad's (Nora, Theo, Louise) war leading into present Pod Squad struggles both with their own identities and with Jones in general.

So, first things first! I got some early sneak peek news about something amazing that’s coming inspired by our little chats I can’t wait to flail with you all about it so stay tuned!! Now, on to the song!

 I was hoping we would get more on Alex’s military background this season and we could talk about this song then because it’s very Alex, but this is such an interesting concept and I’m very excited to talk about this one! 

we laid our names to rest along the dotted line. we left our date of birth and our history behind.

we were full of life, we could barely hold it in. we were amateurs at war, strangers to suffering.

Oooooh, this is giving me thinky thoughts about all the alien kids and how they basically had their memories and histories wiped out and were tossed into a hostile world in the middle of wars and conflicts they knew nothing about. I’m especially thinking of the “strangers to suffering” line and how that doesn’t apply so much to teen Alex, Michael, and Dallas, but very much so to Isobel and Max and how that moment in the desert as kids changed them.

we made our families proud but scared at the same time. we promised we’d be safe, another lie from the front lines.

our backs against the wall, we’re surrounded and afraid. our lives now in the hands of the soldiers taking aim.

Now this one for sure gives me vibes for everyone! Liz, Rosa, and Kyle all lying to their parents who have NO idea what’s going on, Isobel and Max lying to Ann when Isobel was sick and dying and when Max DID die and was in the pod, and Michael and Alex lying to each other about how they each tried to keep the other safe by pushing them away 😭😭😭😭 I’m also thinking about how often so many of them have had their lives in the hands of the enemy and barely escaped. It’s too much!!😭

our questions ricochet like broken satellites: how our bodies, born to heal, become so prone to die?

Well this is just Max vibes all over the place! But I’m also thinking about Liz dying and being brought back and wanting answers to all those questions, and also Alex and how he survived three tours and a catastrophic injury and still has been consistently in danger of death since he got back home and how much more worried he and Michael will be about each other now that they know how good things can be, and how much worse it will be now to loose the other.

though time is ruthless, it showed us kindness in the end, by slowing down enough, a second chance to make amends. as life replayed, we heard a voice proclaim:

“lay your weapons down! they’re calling off the war on account of losing track of what we’re fighting for.”

so we found our way back home, let our cuts and bruises heal. while a brand-new war began, one that no one else could feel.

This is a show about second chances (especially with young love which is why I’m so sad we didn’t get the “Noah suppressed Isobel’s connection to a possible high school sweetheart” storyline but that’s another post entirely *cries in Belmanes*), and making amends for long old wounds (NOT YOU Wyatt!) and how that can help bring healing. And “calling off the war” is something I HOPE we get to see in the future because I’ve been waiting for a “warring forces team up to defeat bigger evil” (where is Flint? This would be a great way to work in a redemption arc for him!), but I do like that no matter what any of the groups parents were fighting, our present day team is forging a new path forward. And I love the nod to PTSD here, and how each person struggles with the mental and emotional scars of the past.

our nights have grown so long. now we beg for sound advice. “let the brokenness be felt ’til you reach the other side. there is goodness in the heart of every broken man who comes right up to the edge of losing everything he has.”

we were young enough to sign along the dotted line.

now we’re young enough to try to build a better life. to build a better life.

“let the brokenness be felt/’til you reach the other side” makes me think of what Arizona told Michael about reopening the wound in his mind in order to fully heal and how (almost) everyone is working to better themselves, and own up to and apologize for mistakes they’ve made that have hurt other people, which helps that person in their healing journey. I also love the very end which is, of course, very Malex, but it’s also what Dallas and Heath are working on, what Liz is trying to do with her science, what Kyle hopes to achieve, and what Isobel is feeling called to do, and what Sanders tried to provide for Michael as best he could, and what Max wants to make sure happens even at the expense of himself, and all Rosa ever wanted a chance to do: build a better life.