#so this isn't really a problem like it doesn't matter

[cometconmain]

I have someone who comes to groom my dog because I physically can't keep up with it. He's extremely good at his job.

He also thinks Trump isn't all that bad a guy, the Democrats are the anti-human rights party, had no idea the Supreme Court was a thing/is controlled by Republicans and that's why so many human rights are being rolled back in America, refuses to actually use his privilege of having a preferential voting system to not have to vote for the two major shitty parties because he insists on believing nothing good has been done despite numerous proving points to the contrary in his own life let alone others' lives, thinks climate change is a hoax and can't wrap his head around why university studies need to be checked for a donor list and a fossil fuel company supported 'study' isn't reliable actually, hasn't even learned the most basic empathy concept of "you not suffering from a problem other people suffer from doesn't make that problem less important/you should care about people whose lives you don't experience", outright said with his full chest that maybe we should racially segregate the Olympics again actually, and a number of other toxic to downright rancid things I would have just written him off and slammed the door in his face for last year let alone a few years ago.

Don't get me wrong. Talking to him is fucking EXHAUSTING and I feel physically disgusting afterward having to just calmly listen to all these things he spouts which have historically resulted in entire groups of people being targeted for genocide and numerous other human rights abuses when left unchecked and allowed to fester at the societal level.

BUT HE LISTENS WHEN I CHALLENGE HIM.

I can see him actually seeing me as a human being worth listening to. He's older than me and definitely been down way too many right-wing rabbit holes for me to pull him onto the surface any time soon. But I'm giving him things to chew on and hopefully if we're lucky I've planted some seeds which will eventually grow into some semi decent human being plants one day. He's really ignorant and clearly under-educated and that itself isn't his fault and biting his head off isn't remotely going to make up for that gap and is only going to drive him further into the arms of whatever fucked up extremist conservative groups he's been listening to.

He is reachable. He's just also a very long project I only get to work on for an hour at a time every 6 weeks.

And some of the things I've said which I think were part of what got through to him involved showing empathy for him being a single father(? I may have mixed that up with someone else but I think he is) with a disabled kid. He shows empathy for disabled people because he's the father of one (and probably is neurodivergent himself I believe but unsupported and doing his best to give his son the support he didn't get from the sounds of it).

But yeah.

Listen: you don't have to take shit to the face if the person is solely malicious and trying to hurt you. No one is obligated to meet that with kindness and anyone saying otherwise can get fucked. There is a limit to how much bullshit someone can cop while the bullshitter acts like any emotional response to their bullshit is unreasonable/out of nowhere and that is valid on the part of the person copping the crap.

However, if you a) can handle coping long enough to break down those walls with unexpected kindness/it isn't dangerous for you to try that method (VERY IMPORTANT. PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE DETAILS. DON'T TRY THAT ON SOMEONE WHO IS ACTIVELY THREATENING/DANGEROUS TO YOU), or b) can tell it's soft bigotry/general ignorance driving the otherwise yuck things being said, do give the compassion and patient education route a try.

I've had numerous instances of me holding shitty ignorant beliefs I had no idea were actually harmful. The people biting my head off didn't get to me. The people who took the time to see I was just ignorant and under-educated on the matter (and hadn't yet developed the empathy for a group I didn't belong to) taking me aside and patiently dealing with my idiocy long enough to explain things to me in a way that got through my skull (and eventually into my heart as well) were the ones who fundamentally improved me as a person. I still have plenty of things I always have to work on. But I can tell you now I would be much MUCH worse without those patient, kind, educational interventions by people who could tell the difference between malice and ignorance.

The same applies to everyone else.

Human beings are human beings. All of us. Re-humanising each other is the last thing any of the politicians and extremist groups want us to do BECAUSE IT WORKS. IT BREAKS THE WARPED MODEL OF THE WORLD THEY PORTRAY AS REALITY TO DIVIDE US AND KEEP US ALL AT EACH OTHER'S THROATS INSTEAD OF CUTTING OFF THE FOOD SOURCE FOR THEIR WEEDS AT THE ROOT.

When we remind a hurting person that we are a person too, not the bogeyman the extremist groups paint us as, it shakes their warped worldview to the core. It makes them think. It makes them QUESTION. It makes them look at the flower the 'evil' Pride-pin wearer gave them because no one gave them flowers when their mother died and their hate begins to crack at the seams.

The things the world teaches men hurts men too. Teaching them they DON'T have to subscribe to that mentality all the way down to the roots of the patriarchy weed is the best and most effective way of cutting that mentality off at the source. Even if you struggle to empathise with men because you've been hurt; ok, valid. But it is demonstrably more effective, sustainable and long term changing to just get rid of all of it by addressing their pain and showing them how much healthier and happier they can be just in their own life let alone others' lives by casting off the system that hurts them too.

I'm pretty sure I'm just rehashing the same points here, sorry, but the concept of deradicalisation as a healing and long term change tool has been my social justice special interest this year so talking it out helps it solidify in my own head too. (And gives me strength to deal with bullshit because it reminds me it's worth copping what I can personally handle in order to get someone to think, change and grow, one exhausting person at a time).

part of the reason i love how bell hooks talks about masculinity is that she shows real compassion towards men suffering from the effects of toxic masculinity. she was conscious of how we need to unlearn the ways we talk about men + masculinity just as much as we need to unlearn the same for women + femininity. so many times ill see someone talking about toxic masculinity like (hyperbolizing here but only slightly) “these FUCKING STUPID BABY BITCHES won’t MAN UP and go to a therapist!!!” and like. i get the anger. but you see feminists recreating patriarchal manhood by only promoting good behaviors through patriarchal frameworks. any use of the term “real men” is bad because it reifies the idea that manhood is a special title you must earn, and it is something possible to fail and fake. & as important as it is to promote sexual equality + the pleasure of non-cis-men, lots of people are essentially still working with the idea that men need sexual prowess to have worth but just shifting it slightly so there is more emphasis on women’s pleasure. but I want cis men to think about their partners’ pleasure because they care about their partners, not because they need to check a box in order to keep their man card. and don’t get me started on small dick jokes– and the absolutely pitiful excuse people will use that “well, I don’t believe it, but misogynistic men get upset when I say it, so it’s okay!”

basically bell hooks is so fucking right. in order to create loving men we need to love men, simply for being alive, whether or not they are performing. as much as we need to actively unlearn misogyny (and we do), it’s equally vital we unlearn patriarchal ways of seeing manhood. we can’t just assume that taking a feminist perspective automatically means there is no work to be done there.

[contentloadingandstuff]

Relationship Headcanons - Ganyu x Male!Reader

A/N1: This is a new format, and as such, it includes just one character. Do you think it's comprehensive enough, or is there something I missed? A/N2: When I looked for a gif for this one, I found that the gif I used in the "at the dead of night" Ganyu fic is one of the first results when you search up her name. Nice to know I have somewhat of an impact, small as it may be. A/N3: While I was thinking of making a Christmas special, I decided that the best gift for you guys would just be getting posts out more regularly - so I will post them at least twice a week for the next three weeks at the very least. Anyway, happy Christmas, and enjoy!

Loving Ganyu requires patience and the gentlest approach, but her affection eventually blossoms on its own. She just needs a bit of time and guidance - it's her first time, after all. 

Being a notoriously hardcore worker, at first she'll be absent from home for most of the day. Her work-life balance is completely off the rails, and Ganyu will need all the help she can get in overcoming her centuries old habits. Now she has someone, remind her. Tell her that this special someone cares for her very much and would rather not see her worn out like an old pair of boots each night. 

An important skill you have to teach her is saying the word “no”. “No, I won't accept overtime”. “No, I have plans this evening”. “No, putting the entirety of Qixin paperwork on my shoulders is not ethical or healthy - Ningguang needs more than three secretaries”. In time, Ganyu will find it in herself to set healthy boundaries on how much she works. True, helping Liyue grow and prosper is her passion, but enough is as good as a feast. 

Walk alongside her on this road. Visit her at work, if only to give her a simple kiss on the forehead. Make sure she comes up from the underworld of bureaucracy to the real world. Bring her light snacks. Ask her about her day. Remind her that there is someone waiting for her back home - she will appreciate that beyond words. 

Working for the Liyue Qixing means basically swimming in Mora - especially that Ganyu leads a rather humble lifestyle. She does, however, live in a very nice multi-story house with a large garden in the most scenic part of Liyue Harbor, with a skeleton crew of staff to maintain in her absence (that being most of the time). But besides that, her expenditures are very small and everything she doesn't need or put aside, she donates to charity. 

While having a boyfriend is nice, she would feel much better if she’d be able to refer to you as her husband instead. Especially that she would prefer to save herself for the wedding night, and make your first “proper” time really beautiful and special. Ganyu is also a bit subservient to you, used to the idea that the husband is the head of the house - no matter if she has more money. At the same time, she is happy to be taken care of and protected, so as long as you treat her right, she’ll be comfy. 

While Ganyu isn't one to insist on much in a relationship, she will encourage you to live with her. Her house is big and quite empty… Having you there would liven it up and surely make it much cozier. Coming home to a warm hug and a kiss from her lover is a dream come true…

In terms of past times, well… Ganyu doesn't have much. Her work is her main pastime, or was anyway, and she didn't really see a reason to look for other things to do in her spare time. Just a few conversations with you made her realise that, while you have a broad range of things to talk about, she doesn't quite compete in that regard. Hundreds of years of paperwork made poor Ganyu quite a one-note person, but she will work on that, don't worry. 

And so she will frequently come up with things to do, together. Would you like to go to a museum? Or see a movie from Fontaine? You don't have to go with her, but… It would be really nice if you did!

Have any problems at school or at work? Personal Secretary Ganyu is on the case! She's had lots of experience in all sorts of matters and will gladly put it to use in helping out her favourite person succeed. She's a patient teacher and never raises her voice, no matter how hard it is for you to learn or do something. With her backing you up, nothing is impossible. 

Ganyu, by her own admission, gains weight easily, so while the urge to fatten her up with love and Qixins is huge, she'll be grateful if you hold your horses. Her thoughts always spiral into self consciousness about weight, so it might be a good idea not to include chocolate. However, a more tender approach to her and her beautiful body - with countless kisses and words of affirmation - may change her outlook on herself. If you do get her something to eat, make sure to feed her - she couldn't say no to you. 

Arguments with Ganyu are white crows in your day-to-day life. Being a timid and easy going person, it takes an impossible amount of pressure to make Ganyu lose her composure. If that somehow happens, she will be so upset that her anger will almost instantly fade into tears. She just cannot fight with you. You mean far, far too much for her to be angry. No matter if it's her fault or yours, she will end up apologising for it profusely, hoping to get past this dreadful road bump. Ganyu knows that she is prone to doing this, and will try to be a bit more decisive, only to fail spectacularly. No matter - she trusts you to never abuse that part of her character. 

And don't you dare, Ganyu has to be protected at all costs. 

At home, she’s a quiet and busy presence - even if it happens to be that time of the month. Ganyu doesn’t really struggle with illnesses or bodily discomfort that much, for which she is really thankful to the fates. At most, when afflicted by either, she’ll get extra sleepy and will love some extra cuddles to make the pains go away. 

You are probably the only person in Teyvat that has the right to touch her horns. They are indeed sensitive, but with the right guidance, the feelings of having these caressed are simply divine. Having their horns touched is a very intimate experience for Qilin, and Ganyu is no different. It will always be in bed, cuddled into each other and falling asleep, or while engaging in more lively bedroom activities. 

Ganyu has some friends and family, and they are quite happy to keep an eye on her. Xianyun will make sure that you are a proper man worthy of her disciple’s hand, and when she does confirm that fact, expect to hear all about Ganyu’s early life, as well as past hobbies and habits; knowing them might prove useful even in the present day. She will also make frequent visits, if that’s something you are okay with. Shenhe, on the other hand, will not follow you around per se - not you as a couple, that is. Because she will keep an eye on you. If you ever raise your hand at Ganyu, expect to be skewered and served at the next Lantern Rite’s banquet. But as with Cloud Retainer, if you prove yourself to be a good man, expect the same level of protection for yourself - Shenhe knows that your safety is Ganyu’s happiness, and if anything were to happen to you, her adoptive sister would cry her soul out. 

Zhongli, being Zhongli, will gladly officiate the wedding. 

The secretary is a girl that goes to sleep and wakes up early. She eats healthy and exercises just enough to keep herself from rusting over. Her house is perfectly clean, both thanks to her own efforts and those of her staff, and full of well-tended plants. She's a neat, well-organized and healthy little goat. If it makes you feel bad for your own lifestyle (and it should), Ganyu will be happy to help you care for yourself by cooking healthy meals for you, reminding you of your goals and helping you be consistent. For what? Why, for the delightful moment when you look at yourself in the mirror and finally smile at all the work you have done. Your happiness is her happiness. 

Acts of service are her form of love. If you happen to come home later than her, you'll arrive to a nice bowl of warm soup, held by your dear wife. You casually mentioned that you need to, say, iron your shirt tomorrow? Ganyu's got you - even if she had to wake up that little bit earlier to do it. Maybe you're talking about a difficult achievement in one of your video games? If you teach her how to help, she'll be glad to tune in and grind with you. Whenever you act surprised at her actions, or say that she ‘didn’t have to’, Ganyu will always replay with a kind smile and reassurance - she does it because she loves you. 

She's the most receptive to physical touch. Sometimes things are going badly and the reasons for it are exhausting to put into words. Those days Ganyu would like nothing more than a simple embrace, your hand in hers, a gentle kiss on the forehead. Your touch reminds her that everything will be alright, and that she does not have to brave the world alone anymore. 

Thanks for reading!

[tackykachowch]

You know, I thought about it for a while, and it's literally so jarring that Jinx's mental illness is treated as a plot device in s2. And because of this people in the fandom try to find a reasonable explanation for this change, because writers couldn't possibly do something stupid, right? "Jinx isn't in such a hostile environment anymore so that's why she's more stable", "She's not conflicted about being Powder or Jinx anymore so she's better now", "Silco forgave Jinx and called her perfect so her hallucinations disappeared", "Isha brought her inner piece" etc etc. Like. Mental illnesses don't work like that. At all. And the fact that writers just let this bunch of crap stay in the script and be turned into the actual season of a television show just baffles me. It's not like I'm genuinely shocked - I'm really not, I know that society doesn't care about mentally ill people at all, but to do this in such a way.....it's just plain insulting and idiotic. Like, imagine if Viktor's leg suddenly got better in season 1 act2 because he's not an assistant anymore, he's closer to realizing his dream than ever before, and he has a best friend/lab partner who always supports him. What? Viewers are not stupid? Physical disabilities don't work like that, you say? *Then what is the damn difference*. Mental disabilities are the same as physical, and the fact that they're generally unseen by other people doesn't change anything. They should be treated with the same level of responsibility, seriousness and respect as any other physical disability/disease. Treating this topic any other way is insulting to the mentally ill people in general, it's insulting to viewers' intelligence, and it's insulting to the very nature of human experience. If you can't be bothered to try and understand, to emphasize with people who are going through the problems you want to touch on in your work, why would you want to even create such a work? For what purpose? To stroke your own ego or try to look more "noble" or something? No matter how you look at it, this situation is disgusting. I understand that people in the fandom want to approach Jinx's mental state change in s2 in good faith, but I personally won't take any of it. This is an extremely harmful thing to do, whether intentionally or not. But the thing is, they didn't have the right to be unintentional with this, because they're writers on a big project with a massive audience. If you're willing to take a chance with such a work, well....I won't have you in a high regard, to put it lightly.

[cottoncandyafterdark]

Stanley Snyder SFW Alphabet

Fandom: Dr Stone

Character(s): Stanley Snyder

Warnings: None

Notes: This one was requested by C_L_E_O on ao3! Next up is gonna be Xeno, just some form of Xeno lol. Enjoy!

ao3 | Ko-Fi

A: Affection (How affectionate are they with a s/o?)

More than you might think. He doesn't get super sappy about it, and isn't too into PDA, but he can be pretty affectionate in private, and even in public it's not strange for him to put an arm around you or give you a quick hug sometimes.

B: Breath (What can their s/o do to take their breath away)

You could dress up real nice and take his breath away with how gorgeous you are, that's the easy route. If you want to really impress him, show off some skills he's invested in. He'll try to appreciate any hobbies you might have, but cares the most about strength and combat related skills. If you have any interest or prowess in those, you'll be able to really grab his attention.

C: Cuddle (Do they cuddle? If they do, how and when do they cuddle?)

When he really loves someone, he can be pretty casual with touch, so you'll be cuddling with him, probably more than you expected. It's not exactly planned, he doesn't make a big deal of it, he just pulls you closer when you sit next to him and wraps his arms around you pretty much whenever you're close by.

D: Dream (What do they dream of doing with their s/o?)

He wants to eventually settle down. Not retire, not completely, not yet, but when things have calmed down a little, he'd love to live a bit more quiet a life with you; a nice house, maybe a couple kids, a dog. That kind of thing.

E: Effort (How much effort do they put into a relationship?)

He does things pretty effortlessly, honestly. He has a decent amount of experience with relationships, and more or less knows what goes into making one work, especially once he's gotten to know you and what you want specifically.

F: Fear (What do they do if their s/o is scared? How do they handle it?)

Stan is a protector, and his first priority is always going to be keeping you safe. He has more experience with fighting physical threats than dealing with anxiety or irrational fears, but no matter what's scaring you, he'll do his best to neutralize the threat.

G: Gifts (What type of gifts do they give their s/o? Do they want a gift in return?)

I don't think he really knows how to give a good gift, he's not particularly interested in gifts as a display of affection. He'll get you something on your birthday and Christmas, but he'll likely need to be advised on what to get and doesn't really expect anything in return.

H: Hugs (Do they hug their s/o? How often?)

Yes, pretty often. Only when you're in private, though, he's not one for PDA.

I: Intimacy (How romantic are they? Do they have problems with intimacy?)

It depends a little on your definition of "romantic". If you want physical intimacy, no problem! He can be very physical with someone he loves. But if you're more into spoken affirmations or candlelit dinners, you might be out of luck.

J: Jealous (Do they get jealous? How do they act when jealous?)

Surprisingly, given his protective attitude, not really. He might feel jealous on occasion, that's only natural, but he doesn't really... Do anything about it? He'll step in if someone is making you uncomfortable with their flirting, but generally, he trusts you to make good decisions. He's not up for a completely open relationship, but he might even be okay with introducing a third to your relationship of it was someone you both knew, liked, and trusted (like, say, Xeno-)

K: Kiss (Are they a good kisser? Do they like to kiss? How often do they try to kiss you?)

He's a great kisser with plenty of experience, and you'll get to experience that a lot.

L: Love (When do they say they love you? How often do they say it? Do they prefer to say it or show it?)

He doesn't outright say it very much, he prefers to show it through his actions. He does say it sometimes, though, when the time is right. He says it once in a while when you're making love, he'll say it when he proposes, and he'll say it at your wedding, don't expect to hear those words much otherwise. You'll feel them through his actions and devotion instead.

M: Marriage (Do they want to get married? If so, what kind of ceremony?)

Stan always pictured himself getting married back home in a small ceremony with just family and close friends in his mom's backyard. He's probably going to wait until that becomes possible again to propose- if that can happen in a reasonable amount of time, anyways, if a few years pass and it's not looking like "home" will be rebuilt any time soon he'll bite the bullet and pop the question anyways.

N: Night out (What type of dates do they like to go on? How often do they like to go on them?)

He doesn't like to go out much, per se, he's more into home dates and such. You can definitely convince him to go out every once in a while, but don't expect a lot of PDA or anything, it's likely just going to be the two of you doing a normal fun activity together.

O: Out of the Ordinary (What’s something they don’t normally do for/with their s/o?)

He's not one for PDA, and traditional "romantic dates" in public places aren't his style either. He prefers to keep things mostly private and low-key.

P: Playful (Are they playful in a relationship? If so, how do they play around/mess with their s/o?)

He doesn't joke or play around much, but he can be a bit teasing, sometimes. He mostly jokes by poking fun, and sometimes a darker sense of humor slips through. He... Usually avoids taking it too far, though.

Q: Questions (Do they ask their s/o their opinion on things? Do they share theirs?)

He's used to being in command at this point, but he tries. He doesn't want to just unilaterally make decisions when it comes to his personal relationships. You might sometimes need to remind him you also need to weigh in on the matter at hand, though, because he may not always remember to ask.

R: Random (How spontaneous is their relationship? Do they do things on the spot or plan ahead?)

It's a pretty solid mix of spontaneity and plans with him- he doesn't really have a strong preference for one or the other, he appreciates both ways of doing things.

S: Sleep (How do they sleep with their s/o?)

He sleeps on his back and likes to hold you on top of him so you're laying on his chest, like a pillow. He makes a pretty good pillow.

T: Trust (How much do they trust their s/o?)

If he didn't trust you, he wouldn't go out with you, especially not with the world as it is, so by necessity the answer is "a lot".

U: Unique (What makes them unique as a s/o?)

To put it bluntly, strength, skill, and renown. He can fly a plane, he can shoot a gun, he can lead an army. He was one of the astronauts that went to the moon. Now, how often are you going to need or see those combat skills, especially post-canon? Hopefully not much, and he's not exactly going to be going around with his medal bragging about his achievements, but it's all still felt and seen.

V: Vulnerable (How long until they can be vulnerable around their s/o? What are they like in this state?)

Yeah, he's not exactly the "vulnerable" type. Don't get me wrong, he has a soft side, especially for his romantic partners, but you're not going to see a lot of weakness from him unless things are fucking dire.

W: Wild Card (Random domestic headcanon)

He's a terrible cook. Look, the guy's never had to worry about his own meals in his life, he went straight from his parents to the military and he definitely wasn't doing the cooking post-petrification. Put him in a kitchen and he'll have no clue what he's doing.

X: X-Ray (What would they do if their s/o got injured?)

Hopefully the injury was an accident because if someone else hurt you he's going scorched earth on their ass. Besides that, though, he'd take you to the nearest medic and do what he can to help until you're healthy. He might be able to do some basic first aid himself, but he's not the most experienced in medical things.

Y: Yuck (Do they have any pet peeves about their s/o? Are there any habits that might bother their s/o?)

He smokes. He can try making accommodations, he'll avoid smoking indoors or around you, but you're not going to get him to quit.

Z: Zeal (Are they passionate as a s/o? Do they want or like passion?)

Oh, is he ever. In his own way. He can come across as a cold, distant person, but his devotion to someone he truly cares for is unmatched. He'd do just about anything for you. And he might not like PDA, but when you're in private and he's comfortable showing affection, he'll be all over you.

[semper-legens]

132. Running Close to the Wind, by Alexandra Rowland

Owned: No, library Page count: 433 My summary: Avra Helvaçi has a problem. He's in possession of the world's biggest secret - the formula that wards off the sea serpents that swarm the shipping lanes in this season. If he can find a buyer, he could sell it for a fortune. If he can find a buyer. He thinks he's got a chance with his ex, pirate captain Teveri az-Haffar. Who hates him, currently. And to make matters worse, the statuesque and perfect Brother Julian has eyes on him - a shame about Julian's vow of chastity. No, despite being blessed by luck, Avara always finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Will he survive his brush with the seas once again? My rating: 5/5

This book. Hoooooooooooo boy. This book. I picked it up for reasons that, if you know me at all, are entirely obvious. Pirates! Magic! Fraught relationships! Characters sparking off each other on the high seas! And when I cracked it open, I…gotta say, I was not expecting what I got. This book is silly, it's horny, it's absolutely ridiculous and very much not for everyone. I spent most of the first quarter of it unsure whether I liked it or not. But by the end, I couldn't help it. I was invested. Something about this silly, silly book drew me right in, and I was absolutely hooked. Gotta hand it to the author, they really know how to keep things interesting, and by the end I was completely sold on this world and these characters and everything going on. What can I say, it's a pirate's life for me!

So, like I said, this book is silly. And yet, there's still a grounding in reality that is much appreciated. For example, a large part of the plot is that the sea is impassable at certain times of year because sea serpents are breeding - typically referred to in crude terms. Characters angsting about not being able to traverse the giant fuckpiles of sea serpents is, in itself, funny! But the danger they pose is real, and the consequences of trying to sail is grave for the characters. The pirates have an annual cake contest which is the most serious business in the world to them, and once the narrative begins exploring that, the reader understands it on a deep level. It's not silly no-consequences land, characters that are under threat of pain or death are still under serious threat. There's just fuck serpents and horny ghosts and spooky dentists and spooky dildos, too.

Our main character is Avra, an ex-spy who was supremely bad at his job and is also the ex of Teveri, longsuffering pirate captain. Avra has stolen a secret that might be the reason how one of the countries can get through the sea serpents, but he doesn't know how to use it, and he's hardly in anyone's good graces. That's what being a silly little s1ut will do for you. He's honestly delightful - his manner of speaking and the repetitive nature of his toadying and weaselling his way out of trouble might be grating to some, but I enjoyed him immensely. Tevari's stoic, no-nonsense, gruff mien provides a great foil for Avra. I like that they have some kind of Tragic Past, but that the narrative decides it isn't the focus and, while it sometimes comes up, doesn't spend too much time mining it for angst points. And I like that Tevari isn't humourless! They just tend towards the sarcastic rather than the silly, balancing Avra and some of the other characters perfectly. Rounding out our protagonists is Julien, a monk of unparalleled hotness, who provides the heart of this story. He's sincere, he's heartfelt, and he's passionate about his convictions, which is interesting to see for his character archetype. I think he wound up my favourite, just for his antics around the cake contest.

For a book that's so, so deeply h0rny, I'm legitimately impressed with how well I, a sex-repulsed ace, could get along with it. The conclusion that I have reached is that it is horny but not necessarily erotic, which is a huge distinction for me. Characters have sexualities and wants and desires, but they have other facets to them too, and actual sex is more of a punchline than a Drama. Sex seems to be quite casual in this world, at least among the pirates, and that goes a good way towards establishing this fact. What else? I liked that the book committed to its premise and its worldbuilding. I really enjoyed how a lot of the names and cultures seemed more Arabic-inspired than European - Europe is often seen as the default model for fantasy worlds, but there's a wealth of history in literally every other continent too! Overall, this was just fun. I loved it, and I'd highly recommend it.

Next, an island full of magical children faces down the government.

Editor's note: the author uses they/them, which I didn't know when first writing this, so I've sneakily corrected a pronoun or two!

[lastoneout]

tbh I think my new answer any time someone calls americans dumb for using imperial or fahrenheit is going to be “okay, what do you want us to do about it tho? ask our government to change it?? our government??? the one that just had one major branch freeze entirely because after like three straight days they couldn’t decide something as basic as who’s in charge???? that government?????”

[possamble]

do you have any particular thoughts regarding marcille being a half-elf? its interesting to me considering the fact that she seems self-conscious about being a half-elf, but denies it when its brought up

i remember marcille looking visibly uncomfortable over laios simply asking her how old she is, which i think the only reason she might feel nervous about this is because it might reveal her as a half-elf to him.

she's never corrected anybody whose called her an elf either.

never mind the circumstances of the reveal, in which thistle goes on about how half-elves are inferior and accusing her of wanting to become full blooded elf, she seemed particularly upset like he struck a nerve-

i wish the half-elf thing was built upon more. also, underrated marcille line:

okay so i revisited this sequence just to make sure I could back myself up and it's just... man. there's a lot going on.

the first reaction we get from Marcille is this huge panel that takes up half of the page

she is viscerally affected. flushing to the tips of her ears with the intensity of it. and we see it again, a few pages later

so it might seem like she's embarrassed about it and lying to herself, but... I really think it's just that Thistle is accidentally hitting sore spots. If you really look at what he says to get these reactions

"you'll live out your entire life [...] and die that way too"

"a hundred years from now, nobody will be there"

Hear me out. I think, if he stuck to harping on about her inferiority without bringing up how terrifyingly long-lived she is, she wouldn't have been as bothered. But right now, Thistle is accidentally hitting all the marks on Marcille's deepest fears-- and this is after the Winged Lion promised her that her dreams could come true in an extremely vulnerable moment, so it also hits her slightly guilty conscience as well.

I do truly believe that Marcille isn't bothered about being a half-elf the way that people assume she'd be bothered by it. To her, the biggest problem with being a half-elf is that it's isolating.

On one hand, it's not hard to imagine why she'd distance herself from elves in the west. A lot of them can clock her as a half-elf on sight, unlike other races, and therefore she's always branded with this weird stigma of being Othered -- I would even say that she considers herself lucky for being born outside of elven culture instead of having to grow up in it. I mean, just... look at the way elves talk about her.

Skipping past the uncomfortable implication of what 'not tolerating the existence' of half-elves would actually entail, this is incredibly fucking annoying. You can see why she wouldn't want to be around elves much. You see a lot of Marcille reacting badly here, but honestly, almost all of it can be attributed to her freaking out that her bluff completely failed. She's honestly more paying attention to Izutsumi's footsteps and trying to coordinate an opportunity to escape.

And in the end, you see her built-up frustration at being asked if she wants to be a full-blooded elf like 2-3 times in a row.

Yeah, yeah, "the lady doth protest too much," and all. But we know Marcille. We know that she's a lot more embarrassed and horrendously unconvincing when she's being prodded about something she's actually self-conscious about.

Moving onto the flipside of things, it might seem weird that she "pretends" to be a full elf around other races, but it's not really that strange if you think about it. Again, people are weird about her being infertile or whatever, and a lots of them don't even know much about what sets half-elves apart from everyone else. I mean, look at how uncomfortable Laios is just asking her about it

and look at how exasperated and resigned she looks

And like... she's right. Where would that come up in normal conversation? Why would she go out of her way to tell them? She's functionally a normal elf to other races anyway -- got the ears, the abnormally long "childhood", and the huge mana capacity. Unless it's directly relevant or important for people to know, I don't think it's all that strange or indicative of insecurity that she prefers not to bother with it.

(This combined with her sense of being an "outsider" to elf culture also explains why she thinks elf superiority is embarrassing. She sees the way elves treat short-lived races from the "outsider" perspective nonetheless, and thinks it's obnoxious; especially more so because she usually has to play the elf around short-lived races and deal with the reputation of arrogance that elves have built up.)

The sad thing is, this all means that... she doesn't actually fit in anywhere. She doesn't like going out West much because of how elves treat her. But she's also an outsider in the continents she was born in, treated like this exotic long-lived alien choosing to live among short-lived races for some reason. She is always an outsider, the Other, no matter where she goes. Add in the fact that she'll live longer than literally anyone she knows, and it's honestly kind of heartbreaking.

And I think that's the crux of it. Marcille really doesn't act like she's at all self-conscious about being a half-elf because of any feelings of inferiority or being half-made or whatever. She considers herself a perfectly legitimate being and might even, in some ways, consider herself superior to normal elves because she's not blind with elf supremacy or whatever. (And whatever "elven biases" she displays, all of them are born more out of the fact that she's kind of bad at conceptualizing how other races age and mature compared to herself, not that she actually considers herself better or more mature simply for being an elf.)

I think that whatever self-consciousness Marcille has about being a half-elf is, instead, related to terror and loneliness. The reminder that it ensures she'll never truly belong anywhere for the rest of her very long life. The reminder that, in truth, even she's not actually sure how old she is by other races' standards (hence the discomfort when asked how old she is). She doesn't want to not be a half elf, or be a full elf or full tall-man-- in her ideal world, she's still a half-elf. She just gets to live out her life at the same pace with the people she loves and doesn't have to say goodbye again and again and again until she dies.

and one last very important panel, right after Mithrun tells her that all her desires would be devoured

In her ideal world, she's still a half-elf and reality magically starts marching at her pace. But failing that, the second best thing is that she's still a half-elf-- but one who is able to accept reality and let go of her fear.

(But the rest of the story pans out the way it does because, to Marcille, taking reality apart and reshaping it was less scary than simply and fully reconciling with it.)

[oddyseye]

I see where you're coming from with the musical choices, and yeah, I can respect that the sound and structure of the saga are definitely strong. The vocals and the narrative arcs do tie together really well, I can give you that. But from a literary perspective, the issue is that what the characters are doing doesn't always hold up. Music can amplify the emotion, sure, but if the foundation isn't solid, it doesn't matter how great or symbolic the vocals are.

First, let’s talk about Athena and Odysseus. You’re saying it’s a ‘gentle reminder’? Sorry, but I can’t get on board with that. He brushed her off. She is laying her heart bare, and he actually cuts ties with her. The relationship that was so complex and crucial earlier just gets reduced to him rejecting her for the sake of a “monster arc.” It doesn’t track, and that’s a problem. This moment could have been so much richer, but instead it feels hollow and forced. She’s literally been absent from his life for ten years because of his disobedience, yet when he’s at his lowest, stranded, helpless, and begging for help, who does he call for? Athena. And what does she do? She defies Zeus and goes to bat for him. She risks everything for Odysseus, and when she finally does show up to help him and his son? He just blows her off. That doesn’t sit right with me.

The emotional depth of their relationship isn’t just about ‘him choosing revenge and violence,’ it’s about the history between them, and the rejection of her is such a disservice to everything they went through. She could have stayed away, she had every right to. But she didn’t. She’s been there for him despite his mistakes and disrespect, forgiven over ten thousand mistakes and now, at the pinnacle of his journey, she’s left vulnerable and questioning everything — and he rejects her. That feels like a betrayal of everything Athena has done for him. It’s one thing for him to grow darker, more monstrous, but to dismiss Athena in that moment just feels like an easy plot device rather than a meaningful emotional choice.

The whole idea of Odysseus ‘moving on from Athena’ because he’s now a ‘monster’ just doesn’t work — literally or thematically. This isn’t a natural progression of his character. This kind of rejection could have been poignant if there was a deeper exploration of Odysseus’ corruption, but instead, it’s treated like a cheap plot device. If Odysseus truly is a ‘monster’ now, his rejection of Athena should have been earned, showing us how far gone he is and how he’s lost everything that made him human.

Odysseus had this ideal: ‘‘If I become a monster, it’s to everyone but US.’’ That was the rule. This means that, as long as he’s ruthless, violent, and feared by the world, he’s still loyal to the people he cares about — back then his crew, and now his family. Think about how Poseidon’s a monster to everyone except his family, or how Circe’s seen as ‘‘insane’’ by everyone but her nymphs, or even Polyphemus, who kills without guilt to protect his sheep friends. They’re all monsters in the eyes of the world, but to their inner circles, they’re still the same. Now, if Odysseus really becomes this monster — if he truly embodies this brutal, ruthless version of himself — why on earth would he push Athena away? Athena is his circle. She’s not an ‘enemy’ or a ‘casualty’ of his monstrousness; she’s the exception. The idea that Odysseus would reject Athena after everything she’s done for him completely contradicts the logic of his own ideals. His monstrousness was never supposed to extend to the people who matter to him. Thunder Bringer was different because there was some heavy shit at stake. Here? There is literally nothing. His wife and son are home, they are safe. If he’s truly become a monster, then Athena should be the last person he pushes away.

It doesn’t matter how far Odysseus has fallen — his rejection of Athena doesn’t make sense, even within the monster arc. We know Odysseus hasn’t moved on from his humanity because, in the very scene after that, he’s asking Penelope if she’ll still love him once she knows the extent of what he’s done. That’s not the behavior of a monster who’s totally detached from their past or their relationships. That’s a man who’s still grappling with the consequences of his actions and desperately seeking validation from the one person who’s always had his back. It’s not like he’s acting irrationally. He knows exactly what he’s done, and he’s worried about the consequences. It’s that self-awareness that makes his rejection of Athena feel completely forced and out of place. He’s still searching for connection, still longing for understanding. So for him to reject Athena, who’s been the one constant presence in his life, just feels like a completely forced move. The scene doesn’t track with the rest of his journey. He hasn’t moved on from her, so why would he push her away in such a harsh, unnatural way?

Now, Telemachus? Oh, no, no, no, I definitely disagree with that one. Telemachus being docile isn’t some deep character development. It’s just lazy writing. I get that it's a retelling, and sure, characters can change, but when you strip away everything that made Telemachus a force to be reckoned with, you’re left with a shadow of the character that actually existed in the Odyssey. The kid who nearly strung Odysseus’ bow? Yeah, that kid would not be the one just standing around waiting for daddy to come in and save the day. Sorry, but that’s just not Telemachus.

If the idea is that Telemachus doesn’t need to copy Odysseus, then why in the world should it make sense for him to copy his younger self or even someone like Polites? I mean, come on, this whole ‘open arms’ approach is supposed to be this big moment of character growth, but we’ve got no reason for Telemachus to suddenly become this merciful, welcoming guy. From a literary perspective, it’s even worse because it completely ignores the fact that Telemachus is angry at the suitors. We know this. What happened in the story to make him do a 180? Absolutely nothing. And that’s where the story fails: Telemachus doesn’t need to copy Odysseus, but he sure as heck doesn’t need to copy some version of himself or another character that doesn’t even fit the narrative.

This whole thing could’ve actually made sense if we had the one character who could’ve shaped that decision for him: Peisistratus. In Epic, though? Peisistratus doesn’t even exist. That’s a huge missed opportunity. Peisistratus is the perfect person to guide Telemachus toward mercy. We see in the Odyssey how Peisistratus’s presence helps balance Telemachus’ youth with his sense of responsibility and honor. The two of them have a bond that could’ve very easily translated into Telemachus developing a more measured, merciful approach to his father’s enemies. They share something deeper than just friendship after all, though we could go into that conversation another time, I’m not about to open that can of worms right now. Without Peisistratus, though, Telemachus' decision to have 'open arms' feels completely disconnected from everything we know about him. He’s spent years watching the suitors destroy his home, and suddenly he’s the one calling for mercy? That doesn’t track. If Epic had kept Peisistratus, his quiet wisdom could’ve been the perfect foundation for that decision. Telemachus could’ve struggled with his own instincts to take vengeance and found the courage to adopt a different path because of the influence of his friend.

But no. In Epic, Peisistratus isn’t even around to be that grounding presence. Instead, we get a Telemachus who acts out of character, with no real justification. If they’d just kept Peisistratus in the story, it would’ve given Telemachus’ arc the depth it desperately needed and made his 'open arms' thing make sense. Instead, we get an empty, confusing decision that comes out of nowhere and leaves you scratching your head. If you actually take a look into their characters, that is.

So no, it’s not just about not copying Odysseus — it’s about the fact that Telemachus has no reason to be copying anyone. That kind of transformation needs to have substance, and without it, we’re left with a character who feels more like a plot device than an actual person. If Telemachus were to have a change of heart like that, it would need to be earned. Which it was absolutely not.

I get the whole musicality thing. Yes, I’ll give you that: the music is brilliant. It’s a whole different level of genius, and that’s clear. But we’re not talking about music here, are we? We’re talking about story, character arcs, and how the narrative holds up in its own right. The music is amazing, but it doesn’t get a free pass to paper over the fact that the story drops the ball in some key places. I can respect a musical for its execution, but if the writing falters in its foundational elements, I can’t just ignore that. This is all coming from a place of respect. Debate like this is important, and it’s how we really dig into stories and their meaning. But I’m going to be honest: I can’t agree with these takes. At all. It’s not about trying to tear anyone down; it’s about looking at the story critically. I respect other perspectives, but when the reasoning behind something doesn’t hold up, I’m going to call it out. There’s a difference between an intentional creative choice and one that just doesn’t make sense, and I think we crossed that line here. So, no shade, no hate — I just can’t agree.

Things I did NOT like in the Ithaca Saga.

Okay, it was fine, but there were just...choices... There’s just stuff in that section that had me rolling my eyes so hard I thought they’d get stuck.

First up: "Hold Them Down." I get that Epic is trying to make the suitors worse villains, but the way they went about it was disgusting. That song outright says the suitors were planning to force themselves on Penelope, which is not even remotely in the Odyssey. Yes, the suitors are terrible — they’re greedy, arrogant, would-be killers who exploit her hospitality — but this crosses a line that feels like shock value rather than staying true to the source material. They included that song, but erased Calypso’s actions toward Odysseus? In the Odyssey, she held him captive for years and forced him into a relationship. That is literally such an important part of the story. Yet, not only did Epic omit it, but they also banned people from even discussing it in their Discord server. How does that make sense? You can explore one kind of assault but not acknowledge the other, especially when the one they ignored was actually canon? The double standard is infuriating, and it completely undermines the narrative’s integrity. Yet somehow this suitor nonsense made the cut? Make it make sense, because I can’t. Next, Telemachus. Why did they do my boy so dirty? In the Odyssey, he was brave, capable, and growing into his own. He fought beside Odysseus, killed suitors, and even comes this close to stringing Odysseus’ old bow, which is supposed to be impossible for anyone but...well. Odysseus. That’s a huge moment! It shows how much he’s grown and how much of Odysseus’ strength and legacy he carries within him. But in Epic? They turned him into some weak, helpless little thing who can’t do anything without Odysseus. Like, hello? Telemachus isn’t just Odysseus’ son; he’s a fighter, a prince, and a man trying to defend his home. Stripping that away to make Odysseus look like more of a hero is just lazy and disrespectful to the original story. They took away his courage, his growth, and his ability to hold his own. It’s like they didn’t trust the audience to see Odysseus as a hero unless Telemachus was made to look useless by comparison. And then we get to Odysseus and Athena. What even was that? Yes, the idea that Odysseus has become a “monster” is a fascinating angle—he’s been through so much that revenge, violence, and survival have completely overtaken who he once was. But Ithaca does nothing to earn this shift, and it outright ignores the groundwork laid in earlier sagas. Two sagas ago, we saw Odysseus at his lowest. He was stranded on Calypso’s island, completely defeated, and begging Athena for help. Let me say that again: begging. And this wasn’t just any goddess he was calling out to — this was the mentor who had abandoned him as a student. She had walked away, and he still reached out, still trusted her to save him when no one else could. That moment showed Odysseus’ faith in Athena and their deep, complicated bond. Calypso.

And Athena? She didn’t just listen—she fought for him. She went up against Zeus himself to make sure Odysseus could leave that island. She defied the king of the gods because she believed in him. Odysseus doesn’t know that detail, but we do, and it makes her devotion to him so much more impactful. She risked everything to give him another chance at life, at home, at redemption.

Fast-forward to Ithaca, and what do we get? Athena shows up, vulnerable and introspective, questioning the path they’ve taken and the world they’ve built, and Odysseus just brushes her off. He doesn’t just say no — he dismisses her entirely. His response boils down to, “Not my problem. I’ve got a wife to see.” Excuse me, now? This is the same man who was crying out for her intervention just two sagas ago. The same man whose survival has always depended on his intelligence, resourcefulness, and the help of others — Athena most of all. Now he’s too proud to even engage with her? It doesn’t track. It’s inconsistent, and it cheapens their relationship. She’s opening her heart, showing her vulnerability, wondering if there’s still a way for them to fix what they’ve broken. She didn’t owe him anything, but she did it because she believed in him, because she had invested in him from the start. So for him to now completely disregard her — when she’s in front of him, showing empathy and pain — feels like a betrayal of everything that came before. Odysseus’ monster arc didn’t need to erase Athena. In fact, rejecting the one person who literally raised him, who fought for him, who saved him so many times, doesn’t even make sense for his character. That’s not the arc of a man who’s become a monster; that’s just cruelty for cruelty’s sake.

This is someone who has given everything to Odysseus, and in this moment, she’s realizing that the person she fought for is no longer the man she thought he was. And that’s what’s tragic.

But Ithaca doesn’t explore that. Instead, it uses Odysseus’ rejection as a cheap plot point, stripping away the emotional weight of his relationship with Athena. She was the woman who raised him, who guided him, who saved him — and they reduced her to a mere plot device to show how “monster-ified” Odysseus has become. It’s lazy, it’s cruel, and it completely disregards the depth of their bond. The pain in Athena’s voice, the heartbreak in her words, is completely wasted.

Odysseus doesn’t need to be a monster who rejects Athena to be a tragic figure. The tragedy would have been in him choosing revenge and violence at the cost of his humanity, not in cutting ties with the one person who raised him into the hero he became. Ithaca could’ve explored that, but instead, it gave us a shallow, hollow portrayal that didn’t respect the characters, their history, or the emotional weight of their relationship. Ithaca is a hot mess, and it’s honestly embarrassing. It had all this potential, and yet it chose to phone it in with lazy writing and shallow plot twists. It throws out big ideas and then does nothing with them, leaving us with empty, unearned moments that just fall flat. Instead of digging into anything meaningful, it relies on cheap drama to get a reaction. The story feels rushed, disconnected from the other sagas, and like the creators couldn’t be bothered to put in the work. They had an opportunity to make something impactful and then just decided to half-ass it. If you're looking for a mess of missed potential, Ithaca is your go-to. That being said, the songs are sick and I will sob again over the last song. Thank you.

[brionysea]

if stranger things 5 comes out and they're like 'omg! the upside down has been a product of someone's dark and twisted mind this whole time! it's... WILL!' I'll immediately lose interest

[multishipper-baby]

Not publishing the ask yet because I want to reply with the playlist but I have to comment on it because

Anon. You just gave the biggest neuron activation.

IT'S 2 AM. BUT HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO SLEEP WHEN I'M THINKING ABOUT THEM.

[selfinflictedgunshotwound]

sorry for only saying this type of shit lately but i kinda wanna drive a car straight into a brick wall at the highest speed possible

[warpaway]

linhardt has to smile some. that is just the wrong question to be asking after eating one. "of course not," he says, waving one hand dismissively. "that would be rude, wouldn't it? you've already eaten one."

they lean back, raising their cup of tea to their face. it isn't to drink, no, they just like the way it smells. it could so easily lull them to sleep, but they should stay awake until the sweet roll problem is solved. that, or class lets out and they can pretend to be charitable to their classmates.

"as you can see," he continues, eyes still shut. "i've overestimated how many i can eat myself, so your help would be greatly appreciated. i imagine as a knight, you'd probably be able to pack quite a few away. training can be exhausting, eh?"

these are assumptions, of course. linhardt doesn't know anything about this knight. they aren't even sure if they want to. all that matters to them is that he helps them eat these sweet rolls and he doesn't snitch on them for taking too many from the dining hall.

he can snitch on them for skipping class, though. that's not really something linhardt keeps secret.

the elites don't want you to know this but the cakes at the dining hall are free, you can take them home

[toastysol]

I don't get why everyone's surprised that the brotherhood use the correct pronouns with Dane. I think people have forgotten a major aspect of the fallout environment. The bombs falling destroyed conventional societal norms. This includes any political agenda to erase trans people from history and the future. Also this is fiction. The brotherhood of steel are not a conservative christian political party. They care about what they dub "abuse of technology", this includes the biproducts thereof. The only people who fit that category are synths and mutants who they view as abominations that need to be exterminated. If trans people even counted as abuse of technology (which they don't and shouldn't, as the technology used for transition is helpful and not hurtful), they would be so far down the list the brotherhood wouldn't care. Why would they care. It's really not a big deal imo. It's a big deal in OUR world, but not theirs. Not by a long shot.

[wonder-worker]

Any judgement on [Richard III's] reign has to be seen as provisional. The critic of the reign only has to consider how the Tudors would now be regarded if Henry VII lost at Stoke, to realize the dangers of too many assumptions about the intractability of Richard’s problems. But it would be equally unrealistic to ignore Richard’s unpopularity altogether. The fact that he generated opposition among men with little material reason for dissent, and that the disaffection then continued to spread among his own associates, says something about what contemporaries regarded as the acceptable parameters of political behaviour. There is no doubt that Richard’s deposition of his nephews was profoundly shocking. To anyone who did not accept the pre-contract story, which was probably the majority of observers, the usurpation was an act of disloyalty. Gloucester, both as uncle and protector, was bound to uphold his nephew’s interests and his failure to do so was dishonourable. Of all medieval depositions, it was the only one which, with whatever justification, could most easily be seen as an act of naked self-aggrandizement.

It was also the first pre-emptive deposition in English history. This raised enormous problems. Deposition was always a last resort, even when it could be justified by the manifest failings of a corrupt or ineffective regime. How could one sanction its use as a first resort, to remove a king who had not only not done [nothing] wrong but had not yet done anything at all?

-Rosemary Horrox, Richard III: A Study of Service

[sysig]

Looking his very best, as much as he can anyhow (Patreon)

[britneyshakespeare]

You know I have a cousin who is a trans woman who is visibly and openly trans online, and because she is my family member and I have known her all my life I think I can say on good authority that she is nothing close to a faultless person. I actually had a lot of problems with her growing up and she still often posts inappropriate and objectionable things online that perhaps make her a bigger target than just the fact that she is trans by itself. And I like know that she's quite an easy target and I see herself put herself online in ways that make me worried and concerned for the kinds of comments she gets. She has people scroll her public Facebook page and on any post, especially if it mentions being trans or queer, whether it is innocuous or not, she'll get all these laugh reacts, because Facebook transphobes are evil. But it also feels like, I just wish she'd stop posting like she does. This is not blaming her, and I know transphobes seek her out whether they at first find her saying something respectable or not. It's not fair at all. But I do very much see that she cannot resist feeding the trolls and it's just hard to fucking watch