#stop trying to limit people's creative abilities

[midnight-gardener]

No way this is actually happening guys! They're limiting fanfiction sites now?! What happened to freedom of speech? Wtf is going on? Please tell me this is old news and is NOT happening in 2024. Fanfiction is letting people be creative with their writing and letting them explore their imagination.

We all know about the DDOS attacks on AO3 as it is still down. So it is very important we talk about the KOSA(Kids Online Safety Act) that is going to hit the floor soon. Because if that act goes through this could very much be the new reality of not only AO3 but online fandom spaces within the next year. The point of this act is to limit queer media and to eliminate online queer spaces.

Let me stress, the politicians are lying to you. Democrats and Republicans are lobbying for this. It is not pro trans rights and it is not pro lgbtq rights. This is very reminiscent of the Restrict Act! Politicians can SUE websites for having QEEER CONTENT. This act will not protect kids, it will further separate and marginalize the queer community!

If this bill goes through AO3, Wattpad, TikTok, Tumblr, and Twitter will be limited and fanfiction websites could be wiped out all together. If you are apart of fandom spaces pay attention and ACT! Call and email your senators! AND SIGN THE BELOW PETITIONS!

Reblog this! Send the links to people who aren’t on Tumblr! If you care about fandom, fandom spaces, your ships, your blorbos, fanfiction writers’ works, freedom to create, etc. Spread this!

If you aren’t American you can still sign/send some of these!

[chaoticallyfluffy]

"What are you, a cop?" and "Now you see me now you don't" both sound interesting

For "What are you, a cop?"

Billy is deaged (actually deaged. He goes from 15 to 10 or something and doesnt remeber the league) during a mission. He suddenly woke up in the middle of a battle so he's freaked out. the Justice League take down the threat then try to calm the boy down, explaining that theyre heros and here to help.

Billy takes a moment to take that in... then bolts.

It takes a bit to catch the kid, he's surprisingly agile for his concerningly small size, but they manage to get him into the jet and hes pouting in the corner looking angrier than the league has ever seen him.

They try to ask questions. Are you okay? Are you hurt? Why are you so thin? Is there anyone we should call? But Billy stays silent and his glares stay intense until he finally speaks.

"I don't talk to pigs." he spits out, giving them the nastiest look as if his glare alone could poison and kill them.

They stare at him for a moment, processing that.

"We're not cops???" Clark says, unconvincingly. Hes never been more confused in his life and has definitely never been confused for a cop.

"Whats wrong with being a cop?" Barry, the forensic scientist, pouts.

They knew that Marvel had a bit of a weird relationship with cops but they didn't realize he hated them, and especially not with such a passion!

The league spends the whole jet ride back to the tower trying to convince Billy that not only are they not cops, but that cops shouldn't be something to be afraid of anyway.

Billy spends the whole trip explaining ACAB to them and that yes, they are in fact cops, and here's all the things that the police system has done wrong that the league have probably also done or been complicit in..

I just want to write Billy radicalizing the Justice League and the league helping to reform the police system.

---

For "Now you see me, now you dont"

In the original comics Billy can and will transform in front of anyone at anytime and they wont realize that it was a transformation. Why?because plot armor. They will just think that the boy ran away right as Captain Marvel appeared or something, and when Billy reappears they don't question it either.

In the fic, its a magic perk that came with the whole Champion of Magic package and its a perk he uses often and irresponsibly. He takes it to the extremes by transforming in front of large crowds (no one questions it), while being recorded (The camera shorts out and stops working completely), and even in front of villains (they curse when the captains escapes yet again, completely ignoring the little boy standing in the middle of their secret base)

The last one is how he figured out that even if he is very much Not supposed to be somewhere, he wont be questioned as long as the only people who see him there also saw Marvel transform in that area. If someone who didn't witness the transformation were to see him, they would realize he wasn't meant to be there and call him out which would cause the witnesses to notice it as well. Leaving the room and then returning would also snap them out of it and he would be questioned.

Its a pretty overpowered ability for a child to have access to and when your a street kid without any video games to play who gets chased out of public parks for being too 'dirty' and can't afford any toys, you have to get creative with your entertainment.

Billy wants to see just how far he can take this power, and decides to transform in front of as many people in one day as possible while on the most highly secure facility in earths orbit- the Watchtower.

Follow Billy as he stretches his powers to their limits by transforming in front of the Justice League while praying he doesn't get caught and see what pranks he's able to pull off in that time!

I really like both of these ideas and I definitely want to write them someday. I already have lots of ideas for ways Billy can abuse that particular power! For now I am focusing on a few other fics but these ones are somewhere in the queue.

[cozycottagetarot]

Messages From Your Pet

How To Pick A Group:

I recommend going with the image you find you keep coming back to after giving each of the piles a once over.

Notes:

Thank you @getbellsgetbitches and @bowtothemallard for suggesting this reading. 💕

This reading is for entertainment purposes only. ✨

LINKS: Reading Masterlist | Dividers | Ko-Fi | Patreon | Paid Readings — Open 🫧

Pile 1 (Corgi)

You are in such a productive season right now, so use it to your ability to propel yourself forward so you can transform. You think you’re protecting yourself by not acting, but not really. It’s normal to be a little bit fearful and have your reservations. However, the thing you’re sitting on is the thing that can change the game for you. Where’s that sense of hope you used to have? That sense of hope you still have buried within. You loved to dance or loved when I danced, and loved when I did tricks for you. It always put a smile on your face. Do the same for yourself. Get out there and act! You are not meant to stay in this state; you’re meant to transform.

Pile 2 (Cat)

Stop pouring into other people, please! You deserve to give yourself your love and your energy. Stop trying to please everyone. What about you? Who’s trying to please you, hmm?

It’s time to set and stand firm in your boundaries. Who cares who says what? If they don’t like that you’re taking care of yourself, then that’s too bad!

There’s an opportunity (likely creative) waiting for you, bestie. But unless you start focusing on yourself, it’s going to pass you by. I know you might be worried they’ll get mad at you, but if they’re meant to be in your life, they’ll be in your life. No sweat. And at the end of the day, it’s better to walk away knowing you can heal rather than stay and deteriorate. New beginnings are on the horizon, but first, you’ve got to do you. Trust that it’s going to all work out for you.

Notes: I hear the lyrics "They just want my love and my energy. You can’t talk no shit without penalties." 🎵 There's a bit of a hyperactive energy. My yoga mat also randomly fell near the end as if someone pushed it and then I heard little feet skittering by.

Pile 3 (Bunny)

Sweetness, I know you dream of love, and love awaits you. But you have to put yourself out there—out into the world. There’s no need to keep hiding away under the guise that you must be fully healed before the one you want can find you, for healing is a never-ending process. What matters most is that you are at peace. You know yourself well enough to understand what strengthens and weakens that inner peace you’ve worked so hard to acquire.

You are beautiful and lovely as you are now; anyone would be lucky to have you. You only need to believe in yourself as you move forward. I know you’ve been hurt before, but don’t let the pains of the past limit you. Just breathe.

Notes: It felt like a whisper. A loving grandparent type of energy so maybe this could be a grandparent's bet or a pet that’s been around for a while. It also reminded me of Julie Andrews in Bridgerton (Lady Whistledown’s voice). Very doting energy.

[freyatarotreadings8]

How Can You Improve Your Life Till The End Of This Year | PAC

Pick a picture 1 - 2 - 3

PILE 1

Hi, sunshine! I hope you are doing amazing. 3 of Cups signifies the importance of social connection and celebration. To improve your life, stop isolating yourself! Focus on strengthening your bonds with friends, family, folks around you. Engage in social activities. Let go of toxic people and surround yourself with supportive people. Positive social interactions can significantly contribute to your overall well-being. Don't forget to celebrate achievements. Share your successes with others and bask in the positive energy of accomplishment. The Magician is a card of manifestation and empowerment. Set clear intentions for what you want to manifest in your life by the end of the year. Tap into your creative power and try different practices to manifest your desires, but don't forget to take practical steps to bring your wishes into reality. Identify your goals, use your skills and resources effectively. Remember that you have an ability to shape your own destiny. 9 of Cups is wish card, represents emotional fulfillment and contentment. To improve your life, focus on what brings you joy and satisfaction. Surround yourself with positivity. Use affirmations, meditate, spend time in nature, drink more water. You also can create a harmonious space for yourself. Your emotional well-being is key to a fulfilling life. Identify your deepest wishes. If you have a goal, it means that you have inner source to reach it.

Personal tarot readings are available! Hurry up to book a reading about your 2024.

PILE 2

Hi there, sweetheart! I hope you are okay! The Hanged Man reversed indicates a release from a period of suspension or feeling stuck. To improve your life, consider what emotional blockages you may be holding onto. You need to release and let go of any limiting beliefs, outdated perspectives. You need to adopt a more open and optimistic mindset and start moving forward. Embrace a fresh outlook on challenges and opportunities. Consider alternative approaches and be open to change.

2 of Cups represents a harmonious connection, soulmates. Focus on building and nurturing meaningful connections (romantic relationships, friendships, collaborations). Seek harmony and mutual support. Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Communicate openly with loved ones and seek to strengthen your connections. Share your thoughts and feelings openly. Honest communication fosters understanding.

9 of Swords indicates mental distress, anxiety and overthinking. Address any worries or fears that may be keeping you awake at night. Practice mindfulness, seek support and consider practical solutions to alleviate mental stress. You can also practice meditations, deep breathing exercises, self compassion and self love. If you really need help, seek a professional.

Personal tarot readings are available! Hurry up to book a reading about your 2024.

PILE 3

Hello, darling! I hope you are doing pretty good. 7 of Pentacles indicates a need patience. Take a step back and evaluate your current situation. Consider what is working well and what may need adjustments. Celebrate the small wins along the way. King of Wands represents leadership, passion and decisive action. After a small pause, set clear goals and have a vision for your future. What do you want to achieve? Develop a plan of action and start taking bold and confident steps toward your goals. Don't be afraid to make decisions. Lead with passion, enthusiasm. Take responsibility for your own life and the future. While taking bold actions, remember the importance of patience. Page of Swords represents curiosity, studies, being online and a willingness to learn. Adopt a curious mindset. Seek new information, explore innovative ideas and be open to learning. Start developing or improving skills that can contribute to your personal and professional growth. Work on your communication. Clear and effective communication is crucial. Be articulate, honest and open. The Page of Swords also encourages effective communication.

Personal tarot readings are available! Hurry up to book a reading about your 2024.

[sapphic-agent]

You wanna know who the #1 beneficiary of the tech power creep is in this series? Momo. One thing this mech suit shows is that Momo totally wasted her time trying to beat people with sticks. The idea of trying to create items in a battle as a form of problem solving is stupid, or at best, should be done as a last resort. Her power was always meant for technology. That's the true power in this world. She should have been trying to be Ironman. You know how All Might spent his fortune on the suit, and that was meant to be a limiting factor as to why this tech can't be widely used? Well, guess who has the ability to generate materials with no cost. Even the idea of her inventions requiring studying to make things more complex stops holding water when you look at the torture device she tried to strap Midoriya into during Class A vs Deku. She made that in an instant and it posed an immediate threat. What could she make if she wasn't trying to do it during stressful battles with enemies right in front of her? So, her limiting factor really is her ability to study advanced concepts and have people explain them to her, and most importantly, what an author is willing to let her do. The path forward for her was always to pay people smarter and more educated than her to invent things and then she can have them explain it to her so she can recreate it. If her family had paid the cost to design that Iron Might suit, then she'd pay it. Once. And then be able to use the schematics to create as many of them as she wants. Or better yet, make killer robots except use the tech inside of the suit. Create an entire army of them so she never has to be in any sort of danger at all. Control them remotely. UA has been shown to have advanced AI robots who have personalities. Said bots have enough restraint to never kill any of the kids in the sports festival or entrance exam. This could be used for hero work. This also gets into what a valuable resource Mei Hatsume is and how if you wanted Momo to be a god, you could just have them meet in middle school. Mei just has to design a working device, once, and then Momo can study it and forever use it. What could she come up with, if the idea was that Momo would hide somewhere, perhaps in an APC, while she uses drones and robots to fight at a distance? Energy/food costs for her also aren't a concern. She's clearly able to output more energy than she takes in, given she can create cannons and things that weigh more than her. So she could use up all of her lipids creating a dead meat cube that contains as many calories as she's capable of packing into an object, then eat it. And repeat this process as needed.

This is definitely interesting.

Momo absolutely has the potential to be the most OP in the series. Horikoshi originally wanted to give her quirk to a pro but recognized that someone experienced would nerf the entire story.

I don't necessarily think that making things for problem-solving is the issue; I think it's way more that Horikoshi just didn't have the creativity for it. Like you said the entrapment device she made during 1A vs Izuku was maybe her most effective creation. Instead of disinfectant, imagine she made poison gas and simply knocked Kendo and the other 1B students out (not sure if she can create chemical reactions, but she could theoretically cause one by using components right).

I doubt she would be comfortable doing next to nothing as a hero. I do wish we knew her motivations, but relying purely on her money while doing minimal work doesn't paint a great picture for her. I like that in canon she doesn't rely on her status or wealth for hero work, she relies on her intelligence.

Momo should be an underground hero. She could be the equivalent of Batman (no this isn't my love for Batman over Iron-Man talking), strategizing and having any gadget she needs at her disposal. I would love to see more tech incorporated into her work as a hero. I also wouldn't mind the bo staff if she was allowed to actually use it like a bo staff (seriously she barely does anything with it what's the point of giving it to her. Nah give my girl a sword and let her cut people)

[neptunes-sol-angel]

Title says it all! Pick the picture(s) that you're drawn to the most, then scroll down for their corresponding message.

Paid Readings | Patreon | Tip Jar

Pile One

What Needs Protection?

You need to be more private about the things that you're trying to manifest and any spell-work that you do. If you're in tune with your psychic abilities, then I'm getting that any plans in store for you that your spiritual team sends you messages about, KEEP THEM TO YOURSELF. It seems like anything related to the occult that you practice, needs to be discreet when it comes to family members, friends, and what you post on the internet. Knowledge is meant to be shared, but some things reside in the occult for a reason, your gifts, relationship with spirituality and the divine, is not for everyone's eyes to see or for any and everyone that you believe to be trustworthy. Even though no one can mess up what's for you in the end, protection is still needed to prevent any unnecessary drama from others trying to bring obstacles your way.

What Needs Exposure?

I feel like a lot of you are actually new in your spiritual journey and are receiving intuitive downloads or seeing more signs that remind you of someone that's no longer living, but very close with when they were still alive. Whether you are new or a little bit more seasoned in this journey there's this message to move inward in this path, some of you could still be on the superficial side of spiritualism which could be insulting to some of your guides because it's giving off the impression that you're in it for the aesthetic when there's an actual calling for you to partake in. There's a need to be more trustful with with your guides (god(s), ancestors, angels, etc) and to communicate with them more, as well leaving offerings for them. It's very important to build a connection with them instead of just leaping in with them to ask them for guidance and assistance for rituals.

Pile Two

What Needs Protection?

You need to be more protective over your time and energy! You know that quote "givers need to learn boundaries, because takers don't have any"? That's exactly the message that I'm picking up for this pile. There are attributes that you have that remind me of the sun, you're resourceful, regenerative, you create your own energy and produce your own light effortlessly that makes others gravitate towards you, but you must be careful with burning yourself out sooner with the way you're not limiting yourself on how much you give. People could rely on you for direction, money, emotional support, or even insight that they plan to take all the credit for. I'm sensing mainly that if you guys are creatives, keep your ideas to yourself, do not tell what you plan to create unless it is finished. Another is that some of you need to have more credence, you give away your visions and ideas because you don't believe you're capable of executing them yourself and you need to stop shortchanging yourself like that. I notice you guys keep saying "no" to yourself a lot on the things that could benefit you, try working on exerting that no onto the people that you should set boundaries with, especially if there's someone that you've been having a bad feeling about for awhile.

What Needs Exposure?

People in this pile have a story that needs to be shared. Whether it's autobiographical or fictional, there's something very personal that you've worked hard on in your life that needs to be public. Maybe you've triumphed over situations that would have broken other people, and the experience and wisdom that you've gained from this could inspire others who are going through situations that they feel that they won't make it out of. You may downplay what you've persevered because you it's something that you've adapted to, but what you may view as easy, can show people that when they encounter a big mountain, they don't need to be intimidated by the thought of how they're going to get over it, they just need to go around it.

Pile Three

What Needs Protection?

You're sitting on some tea that needs to be kept to yourself. Someone or a group of people could be trying to involve you in some mess, but you need to know that that drama has nothing to do with and that you need to stay out of it. Don't give in to the peer pressure of joining cliques, because that bond together out of gossiping about others, will not have long until they're turning on each other and you. If there isn't any drama that's going on, then there's a message for people in the pile who are going through a phase of wanting to impress others or do things for a person or a group who are either high in status or something else that you'd like you to be a part of. Your self esteem and individuality needs protection, do not place everybody on a pedestal or put so much of your faith into regular people. You may see yourself as the diamond in the rough thinking that you need someone or something to give yourself meaning, but that's the quickest way to fall into manipulation and a spiral of confusion about who you are.

What Needs Exposure?

Your ability to stand on your own needs more exposure. Maybe you have a parent or someone in your work/school environment that's underestimating you by believing that you're codependent and incapable of having a mind of your own with a backbone to follow it, but you gotta show these people better than you can tell them, that you're not someone to push around or someone to discredit when it comes to your accolades and the things that you've worked hard for. Maybe some of you are hesitant to make a certain move that involves parting ways with someone who's toxic towards you, but you have to acknowledge that you've lived a life before them and that you are safe and strong enough to create a life without them. And once you do, I feel like there's this boost of prosperity, positive attention, or a period of luck that you may experience as a confirmation that these people are not the reason for your success, you're blessed because you are, not because they were in your life, especially if they were creating blockages in your money and opportunities.

[level2janitor]

how to run an OSR game

a while back i made this post to help people who were interested in OSR games but didn't know where to start, explaining the general design philosophy and going over a bunch of different OSR rulesets you can run a game with. so this is a follow-up post about how to actually run these (especially bc not all of them have much actual GM guidance)

note this is a highly opinionated post and some people from the more meatgrinder-y end of the OSR might take issue with this. but this is advice that works extremely well for my games.

how to prep situations and not plots

this is good advice for most games but OSR especially because OSR gameplay is so driven by player scheming: don't ever include "and then the players will..." in your prep, because you do not know what the players will do.

if your prepped scenario hinges on the players taking a specific action or the whole thing falls apart, you're digging your own grave as the GM. trying to account for every action the players can take is a trap, because players are creative and clever and their options are only limited by their ideas. that's the game.

so "prep situations, not plots" has become popular advice in TTRPG communities, especially OSR circles. but how do you actually do that

the most important elements of prep you want to figure out are:

what do all the NPCs involved in this scenario want? what social levers (wants, fears, habits, allegiances, guilty pleasures, relationships) do they have that the players can pull?

what will happen if the PCs never interfere? what conflicts and schemes are brewing in the background?

what locations are there to explore? who and what is inside them, what dangers and treasures are inside?

the best prep is stuff you can't improvise, or stuff that's unsatisfying when improvised. you should probably know monster stats ahead of time, know the layout of dungeons, that sort of thing. elements relevant to challenging the players are important to prep.

stop rolling for everything

coming from nearly any other TTRPG to an OSR game, your instinct when a player says "i want to do X" is "okay, make an X roll" through a skill system or a pbta move or something.

if you do this in an OSR game, you run into problems.

player characters aren't very strong. they have single-digit hit points, few if any class abilities, and whether they're carrying a crowbar, a grappling hook, a lantern, etc. is as impactful as their choice of class.

this is because the game is about using your head more than using your character sheet - the sheet just lists tools to apply your creative thinking to. scheming and managing your resources is the game.

and this means if a player has a clever idea, you should almost never reward them with a die roll to see if they succeed. a skill check is just a random chance of failure. instead most actions should succeed or fail automatically.

here's a good checklist to determine whether something succeeds:

is it something a normal, untrained person could do? if yes, you succeed.

could a normal person do it with the right tools, training and/or time to work? if yes, you succeed if you have any of those things.

if you don't have any of those, you can't. find another approach or get ahold of those conditions for success.

die rolls are for resolving uncertainty and risk. picture a version of 5e where there are no ability checks, only saving throws - dice you roll when something's gone wrong and you're in danger.

which leads into the next point...

communicating information

one of the worst sins of roll-based task resolution is when it's used to determine perception. players making informed decisions is the heart of the game, and they can't do that without information.

give information freely. if your character could know it, they probably do. try to do this too much. never gate information behind a die roll, especially the PC's surroundings.

part of this is always informing the player what is at stake. if a player's in a dangerous enough situation that success comes down to a die roll, you must let them know that before they opt into making that roll, and what the consequences for failure are.

OSR games are about risk management, so tell your players what is at risk when they make those decisions.

entering combat

combat is one of the most dangerous things in an OSR game - it's unpredictable, lethal, and entering it is always a big decision.

if you're coming from a game like 5e, often your first instinct when an encounter occurs is, "roll initiative!" but this is a mistake. you always, even when combat is about to start, ask players for their approach. do they fight? flee? negotiate? surrender?

because combat is so risky, forcing players into it unprompted fundamentally changes the dynamic of your campaign. keep in mind, once combat starts, you don't get any input between rolling initiative and taking your turn. your fate is up to the dice - your tactics matter, sure, but they can't save you from losing initiative, being crit, and dying from bad luck.

if players willingly choose combat as their approach, they should know the risks and what they're getting into. sometimes combat is the best way to achieve your goals, so it'll still happen.

[gingerrtarot]

◌ ｡ PAC “I am feeling lonely…” - why? and how to deal with that?

hello, everyone! welcome to the reading.

here, as you can see, we will talk about loneliness. it’s not about just not having a lover or spouse, so if that’s your problem this may not resonate, as my intentions were different. with this reading i want to provide some help to people who feel alone in general.

with that said, let us get to the reading. remember that this is a general reading, so it may or may not resonate with you.

so, let’s pick a pile :)

pile 1 pile 2 pile 3

°｡ Pile 1. ◌

Hello, pile 1! definitely workaholics pile here. i see people with a strong will and self discipline. you can limit yourself greatly and set strict boundaries for yourself. sometimes this can be good, but you can overdo it. whether intentionally or not, you are closed to other people.

You probably take on a lot of responsibilities, be it work, study or self-development. you spend all your energy creating some kind of stability and confidence in the future for yourself. working hard to become your best self, and you may simply not have any energy or time left for others. You can also deliberately refuse to communicate and interact with people, so as not to be distracted from what you consider to be more important matters.

a saying comes to mind: “instead of catching butterflies, you need to build a beautiful garden and they will fly there themselves”. but in this case, you may devote all your time to building this garden, making it better and better and waiting for the butterflies to finally arrive, and at this time the butterflies are waiting near this very garden, which they cannot get into because it is closed. here i definitely see people around that share your ideas and ideals and are willing to be friends with you, and it is you - the one who don’t “let them in”. so advise here is simple, start to open up a little, let your guard down, “open the gates to your garden” :).

another message i get here is that people in this pile may be born leaders and they are used to talk to people in a manner where it sounds more like you are commanding. you may be as well too harsh with your words and that pushes people away from you. so you should watch your behaviour, because you probably don’t even notice it. you should try to be more gentle with others.

°｡ Pile 2. ◌

hi, pile 2! creative people over here. you have good and well developed imagination. you can be escapist. books, TV series, movies and other hyperrealities seem more attractive to you than ordinary life. maybe this happens because the conditions in which you live do not give you the opportunity to live the way you want. I feel that people from this group have problems with dealing with reality, fear of the future and a feeling of their own powerlessness in front of life. it feels you have no one or nothing to rely on, there is no feeling of support. such oppressive loneliness. the song by mitski- nobody comes to my mind. this pile probably suffers the most of all 3. you may feel almost isolated from others. the world is a cruel place to you. but it is still beautiful.. and you wish to be a part of it.

the reason for these problems may lay some differences with other people around you. Especially financial and status vise. but it may be just that you are different as well. not in a bad way, just the opposite. i see here people with unique talents and abilities, creative vision and truly interesting personality. your perception of this world, your ideas, thoughts and hobbies, even external attributes like style, appearance and so on are something that is not commonly accepted and approved. you may have been neglected many times. the experience of bullying, ridicule and misunderstanding may also have taken place here. it's caused you to stop expressing yourself and shut yourself from others. but still there is a desire to share whatever it is that you want with others. this pile has huge infp vibes, if you’re into mbti.

The advice here is to share whatever you value. and it’s not even about material values. well, it may be, if your high material status creates a gape between you and others, it may be great to do some charity. but, in general, it’s about your ideas, thoughts, creativeness. if you have a hobby, whatever it is, share it with others, let the world see your art. whatever it is that is important to you - share it. and you will be surprised by just how many people are out there will support you and will be willing to cooperate with you. i know it is easier to be said that done, but you can do it step by step, little by little. the things that we are afraid to do the most are the ones that will lead us to the biggest happiness.

°｡ Pile 3 . ◌

loving to be alone pile, huh? hello, pile 3. definitely, a group of introverts. and you are totally okay with that. you feel like you are “full” on your own. I feel that people in this group are extremely intelligent and spiritual. you have a lot to tell. and it’s not just idle talks, it’s something important and valuable. i see you may be into philosophy and may even have your own philosophical thoughts and ideas. with this pile I don’t see that your loneliness is a burden to you. people here strive for a deep special connection. you don’t need a big company of friends or a bunch of followers. you may have people around you but they are different. you don’t feel like you can have this connection with them.

I also think that people here believe in the divine timing.like, you know, the right people will come to you in the right time. so they just expect everything to happen naturally without doing anything (same guys).

I kind of see you like this princess in the tower. She is super smart, she has read thousands of books in her life, she knows so many things, but she has no one to tell it to. she, may be, has some birds and squirrels to chat with, but birds and squirrels are not able to understand princesses and so she stays there and waits for her lovely prince on white horse to come, whereas prince doesn’t even know about her existence. kind of similar to pile one.

advice here is to take actions. I think that some of you have this person in mind that you want to build this deep connection with, but you wait for them to take the first steps. and what you should do instead - you should do it yourself. take the initiative. even if you don’t have this particular person in mind you should still be more proactive. go for walks, travel, let the world know that you exist. don’t be afraid to draw attention to yourself. maybe, you won’t meet your “prince” right away, but it’s still better than to wait. don’t hide yourself from this world, let yourself experience all kind of experiences!!

well, that’s all for today. thank you for letting me read for you!

you can like this post or subscribe for some energy exchange, hehe

i will be super happy if it resonates, so please please please, let me know if it does!

bye bye ^^

[ourfatherwhoartinhell]

"You're set free..."

Word count | 2653

⚠️ Warnings | Satanic subject matter. TW for guns, murder ghouls, blood, injuries, violence, and death (implied).

Plot Summary: It's initiation day at the Ministry and Terzo is welcoming the newest group and leading them in their first unholy sermon. A Christian rat from a neighbouring church is sent to kill him, but realizes too late that his body guards are not exactly human and they are very protective...

A/N: I thought of this on the train yesterday, I didn't expect it to be so long but I hope it's somewhat enjoyable to read!! 🖤 xo Emery

It was no secret that the Ministry of Ghost was an ambiguous topic for many of the townsfolk. Some often thought of them as a branch of the Church. Some thought of them as a type of religious cemetery – worshipping the dead and helping to guide lost souls to the other side. Some thought they were a group of creative LARP extremists who decided to live out their fantasies in the previously abandoned ancient church that sat on the edge of the town limits.

None of these ideas or thoughts would be considered wrong, for the Ministry is whatever you need it to be. For those who turn to them in search of salvation and redemption will always find it and much more.

The Ministry held a unique standpoint with the neighbouring Churches. For most of the year tensions were low. Discourse and disagreements were quiet, settled through written correspondences. One left the other to their own devices for the most part. However, there was always an uproar of displeasure when the Abbey held their initiation day.

The Clergy would never try to hide when it was; printing a section in the newspapers, and posted dates on flyers spread around the town encouraging all those who wish to be a part of something more to come and explore what they had to offer. For Terzo, it was his favourite day. Always eager to be the first face the new initiates met. His charm and charisma often won over the masses within minutes.

A new initiation day was just around the corner. Terzo was in his office reviewing the applications with great fervor. It was his responsibility to guide these impressionable and naive people towards a better life, one not bound by the strict rules and conditions of the God they thought they knew. Once they swore into the Ministry, Terzo took it upon himself to help make sure they found a job most suited to their interests and abilities.

A knock on his office door was heard before Sister Imperator made her entrance.

“It’s nice to see you finally working and not off galavanting with that ghoul of yours.”

Terzo smiled, his fangs peeking through. “Oh we plan to later, Sister. Thanks for your concern.”

She rolled her eyes and moved to the plush armchair that sat on the opposite side of his large wooden desk.

“How does it look this time? Any concerns?”

“Not at the moment, no. There’s a lot of women of course, which is always a blessing. A few more men this time as well, I’m sure the ghoulettes will be happy to have some fresh meat around here.” He flipped through the pages, making small notes as he went along.

“That’s good. If any of them cause trouble, I suppose the ghouls haven’t had a good hunt for a while. I’m sure some of them would enjoy a chase through the forest after being cooped up in here for so long. They worry me sometimes you know? How feral some of them can be. Are you sure they’re safe to be present during this important occasion?”

Terzo immediately stopped his browsing and set the papers down to look at her. “Sister. I would trust my ghouls with my life. They are fiercely loyal. I will not have you question my ability to control them.”

She just scoffed and rolled her eyes before standing. “I don’t want another incident.”

“You won’t get one. There’s a reason the new summons aren’t allowed near the chapel on initiation days. Being chosen to protect me during a service is a great privilege, and one that has to be earned over time.”

Sister nodded and said no more on the topic as she left to get ready for the night’s festivities.

The Abbey really came to life during this time of year. The autumn leaves of the tree’s turning shades of yellow, golden, and green. The chill in the air set the tone just right. The bare branches poking out along the walkway made the gothic church look picturesque in the moonlight.

The stained glass windows flickering as images of the Emeritus brothers in their Papal attire were lit by the many candles burning inside. All the Siblings of Sin chosen to help with this momentous occasion lined the path, guiding the newcomers to the front doors dressed in their best habits and dark makeup. 

Terzo awaited at the top of the front steps, he was always excited to meet new people. It was the one thing he sorely missed about not being on tour anymore. He loved interacting with the crowd and seeing new faces every night. When the new initiates began to walk slowly up the path, he may have let out a giggle of excitement, a smile never leaving his face but remaining his charming self.

To his left and right were his two most protective bodyguards. Standing proud like statues in their old uniforms from Secondo’s days. They didn’t appear in their full ghoulish form, instead they were a normal acceptable human height (although neither Alpha or Omega could glamour themselves to be less than 6’2” without it being quite uncomfortable).

Their piercing violet and ember eyes intensely watched over those entering the sanctuary from behind their black masks. Ensuring the safety of the Siblings, the Clergy and of course, Terzo was their biggest priority and greatest achievement.

The group of newcomers walked up the stairs and past the ghouls, Terzo shaking hands and welcoming each and every one of them with a warm appreciation for coming. Most took a look at the ghouls and thought they were there as a deterrent to ward off unwanted visitors, no more than static, spooky gargoyles.

However, one man in particular stood in front of Alpha and studied him intensely. The ghoul never once directly acknowledging him, still focused on surveying the rest, but letting out a low growl that sounded like crackling embers as his eyes moved slowly scanning the crowd. 

The man was in his mid 40s, not the fittest but not heavy. His hair was cut short, the grey streaks becoming prominent around the sides and within his short beard. He was not a large man either, only standing about 5’8”, yet both ghouls sensed he was capable of something sinister.

Saying nothing, he scoffed and walked through the open double doors past the others without acknowledging Terzo in the slightest.

Once the last soul passed through the doors, the Siblings trailed in behind before returning to their previous duties. The two ghouls followed them in, making sure to scan the grounds for threats before locking the doors.

The congregation made their way into the chapel, finding a seat in the pews waiting for the sermon to start. Some spoke softly to their new friends, some were taking in the unconventional decor. Each window showcasing one of the brothers, starting from Papa Nihil whose likeness was displayed closest to the front.

As they faced the stage, behind the altar was the largest window of them all. Elegantly designed in shades of red black and orange, the dark one himself prayed over those before him with arms open wide. The room was lit with a wide arrangement of black and red candles on the most beautiful gothic candle holders. At the back was a grand piano and an assortment of instruments.

The chapel doors were always left open during dark mass to allow any passerby’s to join if they so wished. Today was no exception. Alpha and Omega once again emerged to stand guard at their respective sides of the stage before Terzo appeared and stood before the altar, causing the initiates to rise.

“Oh! Please do sit down, you’ve walked a long way. You all must be very tired. Please sit.” He gestured for his prospects to take a seat with a kind smile.

“The walkway is long, no?”

This earned a quiet chuckle.

“I appreciate you taking the time out of your night to come join us. We are very happy that you are here. Let me just begin by saying, this will be a very different experience than anything you have ever imagined. The doors are always open to leave at any time. This is the idea our Ministry is based on, the ability to make your own decisions. Free will.”

He paused, scanning the crowd.

“Free will is what we teach here. It is what so many of us only think we have. When in all reality, you do not. I know many of you have lost faith in the idea of this so-called ‘God’ and are here looking for answers. I cannot guarantee you answers, but I can guarantee we will help you find whatever it is you seek. All of your truths, questions, and desires can be found within these walls. You need only ask for them.”

It was Omega’s turn to find the suspicious man in the crowd. The grey haired man sat alone in the 3rd pew from the back. Glancing around he looked almost disgusted at the others eagerly listening to Terzo’s speech. To him they looked like hopeless children desperately begging for someone to lead them into the light. Omega’s pointed ear twitched under his hood at the sound of the man’s low scoff and his eyes were drawn immediately to where he sat.

“The Ministry of Ghost has been a lot of things for a lot of people. That’s the beauty of it. We do not operate off a book. There are rules but they are for the safety of those who choose to devote themselves to our cause. They are not there to decide what is right or wrong, they are not there to deny you what you yearn for. Let this be your first day of light. Let this be your first day of being who you were truly meant to be without fear of sin or abandonment. Let this Ministry guide you and let you give in to what you only dreamed was possible. 

“This is a chance to be reborn, to give your soul a new life in the light of Lucifer. Lucifer who is not the devil everyone fears. He is the devil who holds your hand through your toughest battles and protects fiercely his loyal companions. He gives you the ability to make things happen without fear of damnation. He will not shun you or cast you aside for your sins, he will embrace and encourage you to take control of your life knowing he is the force that made you be.”

There was nodding amongst the majority as Terzo projected such safety and passion. His willingness to help washing over them like a safety blanket as they started to finally see what they truly wanted. What they truly needed and had been denying themselves for too long.

This was the breaking point for that one gentleman.

“You are demon worshippers. Nothing but a no good satanic cult, and this just proves it!” He stood and yelled, his voice echoing off the chapel walls and up into the tall ceiling.

Normally bodyguards would be at the ready at such a display of aggression, but the two ghouls stood stoic and still, never even flinching. Terzo was also not phased in the slightest as he stepped away from the altar and started speaking to the troubled man directly.

“I can see you are troubled with what we have spoken about here today. It’s okay if you aren’t ready to submit to the will of the dark saviour just yet, he appreciates you–”

“Enough with the lies! Enough with poisoning the minds of these god fearing people!” The man starts to address the crowd. “Can’t you see that this is wrong? How can you all be okay with eternal damnation? An eternity in the fiery pits of Hell. An eternity of service at this… demons will!” He pointed towards Terzo, who had to fight back a laugh.

“I assure you sir, I am no demon. I am no more or less than any of those among us here tonight.”

The gentleman’s anger raged on as he became more unstable. “You are a demon. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. Spewing nothing but deception and sin.” He reached into his pocket and looked around to find all eyes were on him. “I will prove you are not of this Earth. You were created by the devil himself.”

A small gun was drawn and pointed in Terzo’s direction, yet his ghouls once again never moved from their places, although their senses were on high alert. Being ghoul’s they were able to sense and notice things a lot quicker than the average human, but still were waiting for orders to do anything other than stand at Terzo’s side.

“There is no reason for such anger, my son. There’s no need for such hate. Is this what your God has taught you? Unfortunately you are not ready to receive the unholy blessing, the doors that were open to welcome you are now closed.”

Terzo slowly looked over his shoulder to Omega, who used his Quintessence to get into the troubled man's mind and force him to drop the gun, never moving from his position at Terzo’s right hand side. The man's arm was pinned at his side, Omega simply turning his head looking for his next command.

“What…. What trickery is this?!”

“No trickery. You just got it wrong, mio fratello. I am no demon, but there are demons who walk among us. Demons that are willing to do whatever I command without question or hesitation. Demons that are here to serve as our loyal friends and protectors from people like you.”

As Terzo spoke, the two ghouls rose to their full height, their ghoulish form still obstructed but were unnaturally tall. Their eyes glowed aggressively through the eye sockets of their masks, their tails revealed along with their long claws and fangs extended that put vampires to shame.

“You are all going to Hell. They will find out and they will–”

“Who said they would find out?”

Omega’s mental hold on the man ceased and he stumbled forward before turning around to run through the doors of the chapel. Terzo gave a slight nod and both ghouls pounced after him, never once grazing those who were nearby. They knocked the man to the floor with loud growls, their claws eagerly latching onto his back.

“Ah-ah! Alpha, not inside please.”

The ghoul was about to rip into the man's throat before recoiling to look at Terzo and nodding in acknowledgement. Settling for digging his claws further into the naysayers back, hoisting him up by his ribcage and skillfully avoiding puncturing his lung as he carried his bleeding body out the doors.

Omega followed close behind, his quintessence shutting the door so the rest could finish their initiation. In their stead, Chain and Earth stood dutifully.

“I’m sorry you all had to see that. You are not in any danger here. The ghouls are normally very approachable and kind.” Terzo cleared his throat nervously.

“While you live within this Ministry, you will never have to look over your shoulder or run in fear. I hope this unfortunate situation was a testament to that. The ghouls are bound to serve us, and do so quite happily. Please treat them as your friends, turn to them if you have issues. They are not to be feared but make no mistake, they are still born of Hell and deserve to be respected as such. Your false prophet gives you no such protectors. Now come, let this dark blessing be the first actions of true free will.”

Terzo opened his arms to welcome them all. Lining up for their first unholy sacrament as the screams of the true sinner were heard off in the distance.

[spottedenchants]

For the reverse unpopular opinion meme: Shadowgast fanfic tropes!

!!!!! I absolutely absolutely love how the flexibility of their dynamic is reflected in the breadth of tropes people apply to them effectively!! They're readily capable of gritty angst and crystalline doublespeak and marshmallow fluff and impeccable humor and there's so many clever and creative ways to express them :3

Some specific tropes! (thank you @quinn-of-aebradore and @rainbowcaleb for the list :D)

Aeor hurt/comfort: Truly wizards in their natural habitat with all the weird magic and secrets and dangers and isolation and excitement. I consider Aeor wizard dates (round 1 especially) to be the SG equivalent of getting stuck in a cabin during a deadly blizzard, only the cabin is also trying to kill them.

Fugitive Essek/Adventurer Essek: Whether post-canon explorations or AU shenanigans, I love the idea of Essek trying new things, and what's newer than a life of adventure :D shout out to the hurt/comfort variety and especially a hurt Essek turning up on Caleb's doorstep. Let Caleb stretch those caretaking skills \o/

Professor Widogast: SLICE OF LIFE MY BELOVED. I adore imagining Caleb's post-canon day-to-day and love seeing how people blend his past, his present work against the Assembly, and his future working with students. I love the kids people make as his students and I love it when Essek gets written as a substitute or visiting cat or is somehow involved in teaching alongside Caleb :3

Essek knits: I've always loved the thought of Essek having some sort of a string/yarn/thread creative pastime, so seeing him knitting in fic makes my heart very warm and I looooove when Caleb gets his knitted scarves.

Trancing/sleeping together: gimme the weird 'dreams', gimme the threshold of consciousness, gimme the 'I know you're watching over me rn and I'm going to pretend I don't notice so you won't stop', gimme the 'how can you lay down to die every night', gimme the 'Essek reads while Caleb sleeps'. Good good stuff.

Telepathy/shared dreams: it's the drift compatibility of it all... I also really like this when it's taken in a 'you stared into my soul and for once did not flinch when you saw yourself staring back' direction.

Misuse of magic: They're wizards. They're experimentalists. Testing the limits of magic and their arcane abilities is part of their job description and it seems very them to get creative with spells both for utility and for fun :3

Timeline mishaps (and subsequent fix-its): Essek is a time wizard, Caleb wanted to change his past; there's sooooo much interesting stuff to dig through with this and so much can go wrong. Maybe they fix the T-Dock but get stuck in the past, maybe they make a time spell and erase the present as they know it, maybe they're summoning echoes who are themselves from a different point in time or maybe from an AU all their own. I also like it when they can wiggle their way back home.

-

Thank you for the ask! :D

Reverse Unpopular Opinion meme

[neobiohazardus]

Kaijune2024 - Day18: Spirahedrul

Kaijune 2024 - Day 18 [Chiral] It took way to long for me to land on a design for such a basic-looking kaiju lol

[I'm following this prompt list]

===== BIO:

The second kaiju to appear simultaneously alongside The Royal Throne, Spirahedrul was a snake-like kaiju twirled around itself. One of the largest kaiju on record, it lazily floated towards the city of Sydney, Australia soon after spawning. As the KDF were occupied at the time, and the Ascent had limited resources, it landed on the Eco-K to attempt to move Spirahedrul away from Syndey.

As an interdimensional being, it was unclear what Spirahedrul would do, but some birds flying into the translucent shield around its body disambiguated it's ability as turning anything it touched into spirals. Seeing the obvious danger this would cause, and already being in viewing distance of the city, Eco-K had to act fast. None of their Nailgun mechs were able to stop the kaiju, as the giant brackets they shot were simply deflected off. Multiple of the mechs had to risk themselves in trying to punch and tackle the kaiju, each of those mechs sustaining heavy damage as people were ordered to evacuate.

It eventually took some creative thinking by one of their experienced pilots, Yutaro, to defeat the kaiju. Finding a damaged Skipper drone in a local junk heap, Yutaro shoved the dron into the bracket gun of his suit, using the spire-like antenna as a makeshift baton, repeatedly smacking Spirahedrul into the ground, eventually ejecting from the mech as he body-slammed the kaiju, turning the entire machine into a giant bracket, spiraling itself into a metal cord due to the influence of the kaiju's ability. Getting stuck in the dirt, the kaiju dissipated, leaving a giant spiral gouge in the city where the kaiju had been.

Eco-K is looking into ways to subdue kaiju from other dimensions, as well as figuring out ways to defend against attacks non-lethally, as the attack proved that Nailgun suits alone were insufficient.

[letteredlettered]

Hi!! Have you ever struggled with burnout, depression, or overwork? Currently in my first job post college and it’s been very intense as we are currently like 3 people doing the work of a team designed for 7 people (two roles they are working to fill and two people are out on leave -> one is out on vacation and the other on parental leave). Have spent many ours on overtime (around two days a week I usually sleep five or six hours and spend a few more hours working —> other days I work a bit less but still some overtime) for the last few months. It’s really hard to decompress and stop thinking about work as I work remotely. I need to get better at setting limits and advocating for myself but I think one issue I’ve been dealing with is getting caught in a cycle of having a lot so having not a lot of time to do an analysis of like what needs to change and this is my bandwidth. Also it’s hard to predict bandwidth sometimes because I’m still very new to this industry and department, so I’m still learning how much coordination is necessary to get something done. Another problem is that everyone is stretched to their limit and extremely busy, so I feel kind of bad rejecting projects. I think an issue is that I also have relatively low self-esteem and confidence but a deep desire to be “good” from like an academic perspective and a work perspective, and the main leader of my team is someone who I like a lot and appreciates what I do, so I keep trying to do more or at least meet expectations. I also receive assignments from different people (five people total, usually), so people generally don’t have visibility as to my bandwidth unless I speak up. One person in particular gave me a lot of assignments with a good deal of time pressure and was the person that I was working the closest with —> still trying to catch up to some of the more evergreen projects I had with him because the other projects I’ve had in the last two months have even way too intense to do anything else. I’m really grateful for this job and I like a lot of the people I work with, but I’m kind of struggling.

I mention all of this because I really respect the way you are able to commit to creative projects and create incredible works and really focus on making something. I’ve never really had an ability to stick to a creative project or hobby for an extended period of time —> frequently I disappoint myself in my lack of consistency or follow-through for a lot of my personal goals. I also really appreciate the way that you engage with certain themes in your work and value your perspective. So just kind of curious if you’ve been through this before or have any thoughts about this sort of thing

I've thought a lot about what to tell you here.

What anyone would recommend is that you set boundaries and take care of yourself. They'd say that your well-being is more important than your work. If they read your ask carefully they'd realize that maybe your performance in this job is connected to your well-being in your mind. If they're looking at the strings that control the system they're going to tell you capitalism has brainwashed us into thinking that we should sacrifice our health for the sake of production, and then they'll tell you you should do what you can to break out of the capitalist mentality. If they're not excited about seizing the means of production then their in-universe advice (in-the-capitalist-universe advice) is going to point out that you cannot produce more for the capitalist machine if you're burnt out (I'd call these people the neoliberals of tumblr but I'm not sure that exists; I haven't seen it).

But none of that is really addressing the problem here, because you already know all of that, or if you don't know it, knowing that isn't going to help you. You don't need to be told to set boundaries. You know you accept too many projects; you know that you haven't been clear with your colleagues about your bandwidth. You know you're trying too hard to please others and that part of the reason is you have a low self-esteem.

Something that people don't talk about enough is how bad it feels to set boundaries. When people advise others to "set boundaries" it's always as if it's never occurred to anyone else to stand up for themselves. The problem is that it usually has occurred to us, but it's hard to do and feels bad. Hearing "stand up for yourself!" repeatedly can sometimes help us feel like we did the right thing when we do manage to stand up for ourselves, but it can just as often make you feel even worse when you can't stand up for yourself. You're being overworked and you're not doing the thing that everyone tells you you should do.

And another thing that people do not talk about enough is that most workplaces do not like employees who set boundaries for themselves. They like people who say yes. You often won't get in trouble for setting reasonable limits for yourself, but you won't advance. The ones who work late and work on weekends and take on every project and say nothing about bandwidth are usually the ones who get promoted. I'm not saying this because it's right or okay. It's another flaw in the capitalist system. But it is very often true, and I've been a little frustrated that in all these glorious discussions about boundary-setting, this is not something that gets talked about more.

So what to do, when you know the answers, but it doesn't feel great, and might not get you where you want to go?

Spend time with your feelings. A lot of time with your feelings. Imagine ways to communicate your bandwidth. Imagine how you would feel in each scenario. Pick scenarios that feel more comfortable and less intimidating for you. Imagine saying no to a new project. Imagine how you would feel doing that. Pick a way of doing it that feels the most manageable.

Think about your colleagues, what you like about them and why. Imagine how they would feel if they knew that you were struggling. Imagine having an honest conversation with them about how hard this is for you. Would they listen open and compassionately? Would they try to make changes that could help you? Or would they say, "We're all going through it," and "there's nothing to be done?" Imagine saying to them, "I know we're all going through this, because of the staffing challenges we're facing," and "I know there's not much to be done about this, but this is how I'm feeling." Would they accept your vulnerability? Would it make you feel bad to be vulnerable in that way? Would it make you feel worse to be vulnerable in that way or to say nothing?

That's not a leading question. Saying nothing is okay. There have been many times where I am facing a problem and I realized that doing nothing was the thing that made me feel best. There were other times when I really didn't want to do something and I knew it would be incredibly hard, but I knew I would feel much better having done it.

Think about your self-esteem and confidence. Why don't you feel confident? When you imagine saying no, and it feels bad, what makes it feel so bad? Is it because other people don't say no? Are you measuring yourself against those other people? How can you stop doing that? Or is it because you feel like a good worker always says yes? Where did you get that idea? Was it an idea communicated to you by people who love you? By society? Are there people who haven't made you feel that your worth as a person was predicated on how much you were able to accomplish? When is the last time you spent time with them? What makes you feel good about yourself? When is the last time you did it? Are there things you can do outside of work to boost your confidence? What are they? Can you do them? Why not? If work is holding you back from doing them, is it worth it?

It's okay if work feels worth it. I'm not endorsing the capitalist machine when I say that it is okay to do something that is really difficult or unpleasant for a certain amount of time to get where you are going. But if that's what you're going to do, then develop a plan of escape. Ask yourself how long you're willing to put up with this. Ask yourself what the next step in your career or life journey is. Ask yourself what you will put up with to get there and what is unacceptable. Write it down if you have to, then try to abide by that, and if you are unable to bear your plan six months down the line, make a new one.

I am fortunate in that these kinds of questions come really naturally to me, and I think they must not come so naturally for a lot of other people. Definitely, there are blocks in my mind; I'm not always able to understand myself or my own feelings; I don't know what's best for myself or how to make myself do things I want. But this kind of thinking is not going to give you immediate answers. Instead, it's going to build the skill of getting to know yourself.

The ultimate question you should be asking is "What will make me happy?" It sounds like a simple question, but it is in fact the most difficult of all. It is the question we struggle with every day, and every book that was ever written, every song that was ever sung, every painting that was ever painted is about that, in the end. The answer to that question is the meaning of life. Most people never find it, but the search is worth it.

It's definitely worth it.

[obsidianstrawberrymilk]

If you did a rewrite, what would you do with Bakugou's character?

​

I have three answers to this, actually

A) I would just remove him from the larger narrative. Bakugo's current character is a leech who has taken away screentime and development from much more interesting relationships and characters and exists only to put Izuku down. He has undergone almost no development and yet continues to be rewarded by the narrative for nothing. I would have him disappear after his initial appearance as Izuku's bully, not get into UA, and never be mentioned again.

B) I would have him be treated realistically. This means that I could either have him be expelled following his attempt to fucking murder Izuku in the simulation training in S1, which could lead to point C, or I would have him still be a dick but not actually attempt murder so UA keeping him around doesn't come across as so weak of them. I would have him be a small fish in a big pond, at the bottom of his class and barely scraping by. His attitude would drive everyone away from him, as his refusal to acknowledge people as equals and his violent temper hardly make for someone people would want to be friends with, and he doesn't have power going for him either. I would have him forced to come to the realization that he's not the specialest boy ever, that he is just another UA student and that these kids have been training and working way harder than he has. Then I would have him actively start to try and improve himself - one thing about Bakugo is that he really is determined when he puts his mind to something, so I would use that for him to start training and studying and pushing the limits to see what creative ways he can use his Quirk beyond just "bigger explosions", because he's still an ass and more likely to acknowledge combat ability flaws than personal ones. I'd have him stop insulting people constantly and start acknowledging his classmates strengths and abilities - especially Izuku - thorugh this, as he would begin to pick up more on what they have that he doesn't. It would be slow, for sure, and definitely more of a background arc, but I would have him lose his arrogance and impulsivity and realize just jumping into combat doesn't work and he should start taking different approaches. He would be forced to work with his classmates, and start to understand that they can make up for him not only in fights but also as a person - which would translate to realizing that he's not only ass at combat, but also as a person. Maybe he could gradually make some friends as he grows as a person and begins to realize he has to work just as hard as everyone else, and that he isn't inherently better, so his attitude improves. I'd also have him privately, wholly apologize to Izuku, directly talking about how he used to bully him and still did even after they got into UA for a while, and acknowledge that Izuku does not owe him forgiveness. Basically, I would give him an actual redemption arc.

C) I would have him become a villain. Probably after getting expelled from UA, and angry about how hero society didn't 'give him what he deserved'.

[brrypiiix]

I'm sorry but...Clay x Trollex? Why? Clay doesn't even know Trollex! To me and some, their ship doesn't make any sense...at all. Sure, I know people can ship whatever they like but this ship, it's a big...nah for me.

🙂🙂🙂🙂.

I’m gonna try and put this in the nicest way possible. Bare in mind, I’ve dealt with this sort of comment since the third movie came out. I’m sick and tired of this comment.

If you TRULY want to know why I ship this ship just look at my blog and look at the art Ive made along with the hcs I wrote about claylex. All listed under claylex tag. Easy to find and read. I wrote a lot about how I view their relationship and how it’d work. Just look if you truly are curious.

Im so glad you gave me your opinion that I didnt ask for. Im sure you feel very fulfilled. “To me and some” oh trust me I know. You and some sure like to make it known that yall dont agree or like with the ship. I get “I dont ship them” every time I post Claylex.

First off, why I ship them is due to my ability to think about how other trolls could fit Clay well as a character. That lead to me evolving how I view claylex. Limiting characters from being shipped with other characters just cause they never met is seriously the most uncreative thing ever, I’m sorry. You dont have to ship it, but dear lord let people get creative and enjoy their ships because they can in fact create entire lore of how and why the relationship works. I could go on and on about why I absolutely love claylex, but I don’t wanna waste it on a comment like this. You may have not intended for it to come out rude, but when someone comes to another who they see ships something to such an extent only to go out their way to say “I dont see it”, “I dont ship it”, “Thats a nah for me”, Like I dont WANT to make you ship claylex and I dont want to put you down for not liking it, but you are going out your way to say this about my most favorite ship that brings me so much powerful comfort. I really dont care if you dont understand it. But seriously, this goes to everyone who comments stuff like this to people who ship characters, if you comment “I dont ship them but” or “I dont ship them and here’s why” It just puts down that person who ships it. Even the ones that are meant to be compliments like “I dont ship it but your arts cute”, like why do you have to add that in? If we didnt ask just move on. You telling me you dont like the ship will NOT make me stop. So why tell me this??

[girldragongizzard]

Chapter 16: First Megnitude

There are a handful of vacant wooded lots around town, similar to the one that Säure just torched. And they are each, in their own way, important and meaningful, and really shouldn’t be touched or harmed.

They can, however, be repaired. In a way. And it has also been fairly easy to keep them free of people.

So, we’re sacrificing them for this. And he’s the one that is going to end up on the hook for it. Because everyone can recognize just who he is, and they see him doing it.

One after another, we draw Säure to each, and he torches them. Just like he did before. The exact same maneuver.

At least, for the next three.

The final four, however, are fairly close together. Which means he has to wheel about more, and slow down his flight.

And then, afterward, he continues to circle, confused as to what has just happened and why nothing more is vying for his attention. The scanning has stopped.

And instead of chasing him all over town, I had decided to make my way to that general area and do my circling at near street level, below the tree tops.

I was really hoping to catch him early, but we’d set this up just in case I couldn’t.

And now comes the really tricky bit.

Now I have to try to take advantage of his confusion and slower flight, and his ridiculously enormous skyscraper sized bulk, to get as close to him as I can.

Doing things this way did feed his belly with the fear of the people, of course. He’s stronger now than he was when he first took flight.

It’s a calculated risk.

But the thing is, I now need to make another calculated risk on top of that, and it’s terrifying.

And I didn’t plan this out in detail, because I had no idea what he’d be doing at any given moment. It’s totally an engage-and-adapt kind of situation. But I got the idea from my last encounter with him.

I think I want to get higher than he is to do this.

—

Sirens fill the air with their thin wailing.

Eight columns of smoke rise from the Fairport landscape all around, and he has caused them.

And suddenly, the incessant taunting message has stopped.

By the third signal, he knew that he wouldn’t find the Physicist at any of the locations he was drawn to. It was too obvious what was happening. And he would have flown off and returned home, in disgust and a refusal to play the game, if he wasn’t so buoyed with power and sustenance by the third attack.

Each subsequent wetland destroyed fed him less fear than the last, but the rush overall was so much more sustained and filling that he decided he might as well keep going.

It was as if the wiley Architect was personally inviting him to feed on this municipal buffet of popular terror.

A strange choice in strategy, since it has only made him stronger and more ready to defeat the jaws of any actual trap that may be set.

But now there’s nothing at all.

Is he being invited to keep rampaging of his own initiative? Has he been shown “safe” targets that endanger his source of food as little as possible?

It’ll only work for so long. There’s only a limited source of unpopulated properties within the city limits. Over the course of time, he’ll just have to get more creative if he wants to keep this surge of power up. And eventually, he won’t see any other option but to start killing people, and he knows that way leads to his ultimate destruction. Starvation being only the long term risk. Even now, he’s made himself the target of the U.S. military, who are likely holding back in order to watch him and attempt to find his weaknesses.

There’ve been a small handful of other dragons his size around the world, and a couple of them have had their run-ins with modern weaponry. Säure isn’t looking forward to that. 

But they were ugly beasts, clearly inferior to him. He suspects he has power that they did not. He just has to unlock it, like he did his ability to transform himself into something smaller.

Is that what this is? Has he been chosen by the Architects for one of their plans? Is he being given the opportunity to grow and learn at their hands?

He doesn’t want to believe it, despite how insistent the thought is. They’re nefarious and capricious beings, proving themselves untrustworthy and ultimately villainous. So, if he is being fed for some purpose of theirs, the day that he is to be discarded violently and ignobly cannot be far behind that moment of fruition.

No.

He must learn more and come to understand it.

So he’s making a figure eight low around the last four marked targets, which are now growing into larger conflagrations.

The neighborhood is the true center of the city, which has grown mostly Northward over the past few decades. Right on the edge of Downtown, the old Faiportian name for it being the Alphabet Ghetto, it’s no longer an area of any particular poverty. People who consider themselves to be middle class, as laughable as that is, have collected there. And now he can feel them cower so deliciously every time he makes a pass over their homes.

It’s full of old stick-built houses of various styles and so many trees. If the fires he’s started do spread, it could be a disaster for the city, and the people know it.

And his movement is spreading smoke all around the neighborhood.

If he wanted to, he could reach down with one claw and remove most of the roof of any one of the houses. Just one crushing swipe, and that family would have shelter no longer. They’d fear for their future more sharply, and he’d get the rush.

But his business right now is to find clues. To keep an eye out for movement or markings that indicate the actions of the Architects, or the Physicist specifically. Maybe a sign has been left to direct him further.

So, he’s focusing on that in the low and cold afternoon sun, only barely obscured by the smoke.

In the very edge of his peripheral vision, he catches a flicker of denser, darker fluttering movement in one of the smoke columns, and his head snaps to the side to allow his eye to center on it.

One of the city whelps is carrying something bulky up into the sky, using the heat of the fire as a concentrated thermal.

Bold.

He wonders how it can exert so much effort while breathing all that smoke. It should be weak and easy to snatch out of the air.

He turns and glides in under it, opening his jaws, and recognizes Meghan with a duffle bag just before he gets so close he has to use his memory of her location to zero in on her. With a maw as big as his, he doesn’t need a lot of precision.

He feels a bump and a scraping up his snout and forehead, once again.

Damn!

She’d done that before. He was certain she wouldn’t be able to evade him a second time, especially with all the power he’d just soaked, and the lack of oxygen in the air her tiny lungs must draw from.

This time he bucks his head back, in order to throw her and disrupt her flying, and then beats his wings hard to rise as fast as he can, leveling out quickly to pick up speed and turn as swiftly as possible. 

If he can just catch her falling and flailing with that ridiculous duffle bag in her claws…

—

Monday, September 2, over a month ago.

Dusk was falling fast in the Fairport Arboretum, and Wentin had already helped me confirm once again that I can tap into reserves of stamina and strength that should not exist. When pushed by circumstance to desperation, I can fly and fly and fly and fly.

The monster had suddenly stopped, and was now watching me from the ground while I clung to the highest part of the last tree I’d flown to that was still strong enough to support me.

It had been chasing me about the clearing that contained the observation tower.

Now it tilted its head at me and said, “Next lesson.”

“Yes,” I responded, feeling ready to do this.

“I forbid you to fly higher than the tree tops above you,” it said. “Which means, you cannot even cross this clearing. To evade me, you must enter the woods and remain there. And height will no longer be your savior.”

And with this proclamation, I knew I would not physically be able to do what it had just forbade of me. Unless I expressly refused to continue my training. If I wanted my lessons, I’d be bound in every way by its arbitrary rules.

But this felt familiar and doable. I’d only been training with Wentin since I could remember. It had been chasing me in my nightmares since my very first one, since before I was born. And when these memories gripped me, and I knew myself to be within one of those nightmares again, I could do the things I’d done before but had forgotten upon awakening.

This time, I would not forget.

But then Wentin ran at the observation tower, leaping up at it, and bounced off its supports to launch itself directly at me.

And all I could do was dive right into the woods, flapping briefly and as strongly as I could between trees to change my direction and keep moving, never to rise too high but also never to touch the ground.

And Wentin was ever closer behind me, leaping from trunk to trunk as if gravity fell in the direction that its toe beans pointed.

One moment above, and the next below me, it very nearly caught me in its claws or teeth countless times, on into the night.

And all I could do was push my ability to dodge and weave amongst the trees well beyond the bounds of my own belief.

—

But Meghan isn’t there.

She’s nowhere to be found. Not behind him. Not to either side. Not anywhere.

Not even on the ground, what there is of it he can see.

So he accelerates and twists and turns, trying to find her, hoping that she’s not found some way to cling to him like a remora or lamprey or something horrible like that.

—

Having Säure rise up beneath me as I’m trying to fly up and gain much needed altitude while carrying a bag full of electronics is worse than the first time.

Previously, I had been diving toward him, and had very little time to decide what to do, but I saw him head on with my own eyes. I was facing danger and in a split second would either die or evade it.

This time, I had been flying away from him and he was still catching up to me. It reminded me viscerally of all my chases with Wentin, from as early as I could remember in my life.

But, Säure’s enormous rising bulk and hot breath gave me the boost of air I needed to sail over his mouth and nose, and drop down to his brow yet again, scrambling over it and his skull to the space between his horns.

And there I’ve ducked into the draft of his head. There’s a pocket of air there as he passes through the sky with any speed, and it takes very little effort on my part to hide in it.

I’ve been practicing nightly since my last training with Wentin, and honing my ability to turn on my tail like a dragonfly. I can’t do it if I’m not in The Zone as they say. I have to be in the same state of mind I’m in when having a nightmare and taking control of it.

But Säure rising up beneath me to swallow me like a bug was certainly enough to put me right in that mental space.

Now, I’m surrounded by six gigantic horns, each the size of a hundred year old tree.

I examine the nearest one and find that it has these nice long crenulae, ridges with grooves between them, where I can stick a bone conduction speaker such that even I’d have trouble reaching it afterward. Nothing’s going to knock it off once it’s in there.

The trick is that I didn’t think to unzip the duffel bag beforehand, so now I have to do it while maintaining flight behind a rapidly and erratically moving dragon cranium.

I have to dodge and weave with the visual cues of Säure’s movements, and it’s no different for me than dancing with Wentin in its woods. Pure adrenaline and reflexes and some kind of violation of physics. And then, while I’m doing that, I reach down with my right foreclaw and grasp and grasp and grasp to hook it through the large loop of thin webbing strung through the zipper pull that I put there to allow me to open it while in dracoform.

In a lucky flurry of movement, I do open it, but nearly lose the bag.

It flutters precariously in the grip of my left rear claw, the speakers inside remaining there thanks to centrifugal force pulling them into the far corner of the bag, away from its opening.

My rear claws aren’t really meant for gripping. They���re my running feet. But I can strain to clench them around something if I absolutely have to, and I’ve been doing that this whole flight.

And I’m about to lose the bag entirely, it’s so precariously gripped between one claw and my big fat pad.

With the next strong downward beat of my wings, I arch my back, bringing that rear claw forward and grasping with both my foreclaws for the bag.

And I get it. It’s secured.

And I have to dodge and weave some more, and I nearly get slammed by gigantic dragon neck, and I find myself doing a barrel roll before having a moment where everything is relatively steady and easy to deal with.

Säure is pausing to think or choose his next move.

I let the bag hang from my left claw, and shove my right claw into it, reaching for a speaker. It’s the size of a bacon cinnamon roll.

It’s designed in such a way that I can easily feel where the adhesive side is, and can adjust my grip accordingly, its textures obvious even to my digits.

The adhesive isn’t sticky while I’m holding it. It’s a pad of foam-like material with Sharpie drawn circuit patterns all over it. All I have to do is touch it specifically to Säure’s horn, and it’ll stay there.

So, arm held out, speaker aimed appropriately, I dive in toward one of his horns.

—

Suddenly there’s a pop and a hum in his own skull. 

It feels like it’s coming from his lower left horn. Like an audial dimension of space has opened up in his head, unfolding from a point just outside of his usual perceptions.

And then another one, from the lower right horn.

He lets loose with the loudest screech of fury and indignant rage he can muster. And then, mid flight, reaches up with his right foreclaw to attempt to scrape whatever it is off of his horn.

The effort nearly has him plowing full bodied into the city, and he hardly avoids clipping the tallest trees with his rolling left wing. But he manages to right himself and pull up enough to flap safely to a higher altitude, slowly and agonizingly free from destroying his own hoard below.

Two more pops in quick succession increase the sensation of space opening up in his consciousness, and he shakes his head.

He can’t seem to stop this from happening!

He tries to duck his head as fast as he can, sharply and unexpectedly, but there’s two more pops, and all six of his horns are humming and his entire skull with them.

—

The next time he rises to gain altitude, I leap off the back of Säure’s head to give myself as much velocity as possible and dive toward the city below and behind him. I’ve already discarded the duffel bag, letting go with the last two conduction speakers placed.

I’m sure that bag is fluttering to the ground slowly enough it won’t really hurt anyone. I tell myself this.

It’s certainly less of a concern than the laser breathing angry aircraft carrier in the sky that’s literally feeding on the emotion of fear.

The turbulence caused by the work of Säure’s wings is fierce and buffets me this way and that, but I manage. It feels like dodging invisible trees.

This next phase will have to be up to everyone else.

—

Briefly, static fills his mind, followed by a distinctly feminine voice that's low and full of smoke, algae, and seashells, tinted with an accent that wobbles between something vaguely Scottish, what could be French, and a Vancouver B.C disc jockey.

He knows this voice. He's heard it before, nine years ago.

“Good afternoon, Daniel Aurelius Säure,” the Poet of the Architects says to him in his head. “Welcome to KFEN, the impromptu radio station that's in your head. I hope you've enjoyed your buffet of nightmares. Now we have a special after dinner act to serve up just for you, on behalf of the people of Fairport.”

He climbs as high as he can to see if he can leave the range of the transmission, but to no avail. But this gives him the aerial room to attempt to scrape the contraptions off his horns without crashing.

While he reaches for one of his horns with his claws, the Poet continues.

“Please relax. This will only take a minute or two,” it says. Then, as if to a sound tech while still on the air, “Can we have a mic check? Testing? Testing? One, two, three.”

And on the beat that would be four, a cacophony of whelp cries rises up from the neighborhoods of Fairport furthest away from him. It's like a circle of sound, faint on the wind, made of disparate calls.

And on the next beat, those from the next closest territories call out.

He can’t quite reach the device that's on his horn. He can’t feel it. He can tell it's still there by the ambient hum in his head. It's just too small, and hidden too well in a crevice of his horn.

And the next closest whelps cry out, as he works to regain altitude.

What if he folded himself up into his human form? Would these radio receivers follow him and still plague him, unreachable? Or would they fall off?

And then the whelps directly below him, including Meghan, call their challenges.

So, she's done her work and left him.

Immediately, he starts circling to change his location constantly.

Then the call cycle repeats, starting with this furthest from him again, and narrowing in, like an audial bullseye.

They all know where he is, and they're that coordinated. The bullseye adapts as he moves.

And of all things, the fear of the people he’s been feeding on begins to abate, sharply.

All he feels is the sudden loss of the flow of nourishment. There’s no other sensation.

But in its absence, it's too hard to not imagine a smugness, a pride, and a sense of regained confidence aimed at him.

The whole city begins to feel like his enemy, and he doesn't like it.

And then the cycle of calls occurs a third time.

He noticed something last time. Meghan’s distinctive cry has moved. Not only is he weaving and circling, but she is making a bee-line to the stadium.

Last time she was in the third circle of calls. Now she's in the second.

And she makes a point of crying out, too.

Is she trying to lead him there?

If she is, she's making herself a target. 

Säure has no qualms about burning her in the middle of a nearly defunct sports field. So he turns and follows.

“Now that we’ve got your attention, Säure,” the Poet’s voice cuts through his skull and mind again, “I’d like to recite you some of my poetry, if you don’t mind.”

[racefortheironthrone]

Thoughts on generative AI or AI in general? Especially its impact on history, economics, politics, and society at large? Huge topic obviously but would love your perspective.

I consider "generative AI" (to the extent thatterm is even accurate) to be kind of bullshit.

I've already written about the fundamental commercial problems that AI suffers from. I think this will severely limit the actual value of "generative AI" to the vast majority of people. A lot of these yahoos trying to gold rush what they think is the next revolution by spamming magazine submissions and the like are going to find that they've wasted their time.

When it comes to the personal use issue, I find it a bit concerning from the position of personal development. This may make me sound a bit like Grandpa SImpson yelling at clouds, but it is noticeable that a lot of people seem to be using generative AI either to outright cheat (doing their homework, plagiarizing essays, taking remote exams for them) or otherwise get out of having to do the heavy lifting of intellectual labor - and that's a problem, because practice is the main way our brains learn, so I do worry that there are going to be a lot of people wh'll gradually eliminate their own ability to actually do important forms of intellectual labor without the crutch of a computer program doing the work for them. Again, it's a bit of a kneejerk "hard work is good for you"/"back in my day" reaction, but as someone who's had to teach remedial essay-writing for more than a decade because the high schools have stopped teaching this stuff, I do think it matters.

I also find it a bit concerning on another level, because what AI researchers seem to be automating isn't the boring busywork of modern life that should be automated out of existence, but the creative work that people tend to find compelling and rewarding. When I read about D&D players using ChatGP to write an adventure for them or DM for them and the like, it makes me sad, because that's the stuff I do for fun and I don't get the idea of wanting a machine to do the fun stuff for them because it's less work.

And then finally there's the issue of ego and ownership. One of the things I've noticed time and again in discussions of AI on various discussion threads and social media sites is that people often develop a largely-unearned sense of ownership and accomplishment over the products of generative AI: over and over again, I see people say "look at what I wrote" or "look at what I painted" when all they did was enter a prompt and let something else do the actual creative work. (Even as they often admit that they used AI because they couldn't be bothered to muster the effort to learn how to do it themselves or because they're too cheap to pay working writers and artists a fair rate for their labor.)I find that attitude a bit insulting to actual writers and artists and more than a bit pathetic.