#such a moment of self-discovery and exploration and trying on different ways of being in the world

[whentherewerebicycles]

WORKSHOP WENT SO WELL!!!! the students got really into the activities and just did SUCH a good job in the debrief conversation at the end. one of the students also works for our office under my coworker's supervision (although i'd never met her before) and my coworker said the student messaged her after to rave about how fun the workshop was and how good the group discussions were. and at the end one of the professional staff who worked at the center just got up and spontaneously gave a little speech about how much undergrad research had meant to him and how much doing community-engaged work helped him untangle these complicated questions and feelings about his identity and his relationship to his community. it was just really nice!! good group, very good energy, and i think/hope they are going to want to invite us back to do more programming with their students this year. fingers crossed!!!

[myrtlebranch1019]

Why Davrin is my favourite companion in DA:TV.

With characters like Neve and Emmrich in the game—both of whom are well-written and fall under my favorite character archetypes—it was surprising to find Davrin climbing into the number one spot on my list. For starters, I’ve never been particularly invested in the Grey Warden storyline outside of Origins and my Hero of Ferelden. I don’t typically gravitate toward Grey Warden romances either. All things considered, I would’ve expected Davrin to rank lower for me, certainly not first. But I always try to keep an open mind about characters, even if I’m not initially drawn to their subplots. Surprisingly, not only did Davrin become my favorite, but the Grey Wardens turned out to be the only faction whose writing I genuinely enjoyed.

Why Davrin stood out to me

Let’s start with what made me connect with Davrin specifically, because at the end of the day, preference is deeply subjective, and relatability is often a key factor. Nonetheless, I do feel Davrin's writing doesn’t get enough credit for how realistic his arc is. Everything we learn about his past points to him being the classic "small-town misfit" (in his case, a Dalish clan misfit) who wanted to break free of his bubble. Growing up, I had a similar mindset. I believed there had to be more to life than seeing the same faces, hearing the same perspectives, and following the same predetermined path.

In one conversation, Davrin mentions how his clan felt rejected by his decision to leave. That resonated with me, but what struck me more was the subtlety in how this rejection was portrayed. In my experience, the person who leaves often carries the weight of perceived rejection far longer than the community they leave behind, which typically moves on. This nuance was reflected in Davrin’s journey—how that sense of rejection motivated him to pursue his path without looking back. It’s a mix of choice and pride, and it’s telling that he only becomes eager to reconnect with his clan near the end of the game, after he’s accomplished what he wanted.

Then there’s the moment of failure that every person faces when they leave behind everything they know—when the unknown turns out to be far more brutal than anticipated. Davrin doesn’t shy away from this, admitting that he “got his ass kicked” and went broke. That particular conversation during his first personal quest hit close to home for me. As a Dalish elf, Davrin likely faced additional obstacles, such as the pervasive discrimination elves endure in this universe. His banter with Bellara (easily missed but incredibly insightful) sheds light on those early days of hardship: how he came to appreciate the things he’d once taken for granted, how he desperately sought purpose to make all his struggles worthwhile.

What I appreciated most was how realistic and difficult his journey felt. He didn’t simply leave his clan and immediately flourish; he had to mold himself into who he wanted to be, enduring setbacks and moments of doubt along the way. Leaving wasn’t painted as an objectively good or bad decision—it was a necessary step for his self-discovery. It also wasn’t framed as a critique of Dalish culture, which I found refreshing given BioWare’s frequent criticism of the Dalish. Davrin wasn’t used as a narrative tool to disparage their way of life; instead, his story highlights that he didn’t fit in and needed to explore a different path. Which is why he is the perfect character to decide the future of the Griffons, whether they will follow tradition or the road less travelled. (By the way, I felt the moment lost its impact when the final decision was left to Rook. I firmly believe that Davrin should have been the one to make the ultimate choice, with the outcome influenced by prior conversations.)

Additionally, while the stoic warrior archetype isn’t typically my cup of tea. (For example, while Blackwall is a complex and well-written character, I never really connected with him). With Davrin, I enjoyed that the stoicism is tempered by his snarky sense of humor, boldness, fiery passion and a softer, nurturing side that emerges in his relationship with Assan. Beneath these layers, there are moments in the game when his dialogue hints at deeper fears and vulnerabilities. His line about Wardens having an “expiration date” stood out to me, overall, the post-Weisshaupt conversation is a fascinating moment that deserves more attention. While the game resolves it quickly, there’s something poignant about how Davrin’s overwhelming need to belong and have a purpose makes him the quintessential "army dreamer." This aspect of his character—the drive to prove himself and tie his self-worth to a cause and subsequently an accomplishment is subtle and easy to miss beneath the more heroic motivation to protect others, but it’s still there.

For the Adventurous Misfits

I could write much more about Davrin (and probably will in future posts), but ultimately, he’s my favorite because he represents the adventurous misfits. He’s for the ones who leave their safety bubble only to get brutally punched in the face by life. For those who tie their self-worth to their achievements and set impossible standards for themselves. Anyone who tries to avoid caring, because they’re only capable of caring too much. And lastly, for those who despite everything, refuse to give up. Davrin’s journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and growth, and it's a story that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable.

[sageandred]

Some Positives of Heartbreak High S2 + Hopes for Possible S3

The camping episode was the best-group coming together for chaotic and hilarious moments ever-the high crawl, Malakai hallucinating, Ant + tree, Darren's mocking of Rowan

Amerie's abortion-was portrayed in a way I don't think is seen often, and wasn't what I was expecting when she was late

Quinni's storyline-She had some powerful lines; I loved her owning her truth and being a bad b*tch when ignoring Darren and friends, because she was in the right.

I want to see more of Quinni's self discovery journey.

I'd like to explore more with Darren and Cash. I do think it's great to see 2 characters who are less visible in media be in a full-on relationship; I like both of those characters individually though I'd have liked to explore more in depth the context of how their relationship works, regardless of whether they stay together or not.

I like that they showed Malakai explore his bisexuality.

Malakai come home! Or at least do a time jump to show Amerie and Malakai reuniting. They're gonna be that deep-seated "what could've been" type love, I can feel it; they've been through so much now; I think they need to grow, but a lot has shaped them while they were involved with each other that I think they are gonna have a tough time moving on from it when it's all unfinished business.

It doesn't have to be a diversity tick, but can they have more queer couples? It did feel lacking in some way after last season. If they never added more queer ships outside of what we had, hypothetically it would be fine, but we've missed some pieces and development as the show's progressed (we've only heard abt some couples from the map; also what is Ant's sexuality?)

the Cash and Harper scenes; I liked that Harper didn't blame Cash, but also didn't try to make him feel better about the situation (that was a good scene).

They actually shocked me with Bird Psycho; they had me until the 2nd half of the szn, which seems uncommon now in shows so props there and the extra twist was a good one.

More parents-it felt lacking this season

Another theme-type/campy episode-they showed a few different elements with this in this season, but I'd like to see another whole focussed episode like the camping; like some wildly out there event or special day that's mandated

Wondering what will happen with school now that theirs burned to the ground...Kind of want them all split up at the beginning of the szn for like an episode-see how that changes them & doing their own thing

[griffinborn]

ARCANE ENDING ANALYSIS

****obviously SPOILERS ahead****

Everyone is debating whether jinx is alive or dead so here’s my thoughts first I’m going to try and explain my view on WHY jinx is alive but made to look dead and then I’m going to prove HOW she is Alive. And why air vents have nothing to do with it.

WHY JINX IS ALIVE

With ARCANE coming to an end we are to believe that The piltover part of the show is over, the reason?

Well… we all think this season felt rushed, the beats didn’t land properly and character development felt shallow. That is because it was rushed it’s been 9 years since they started writing this story arc and they wanted to end this story arc that had to end at this point in this way.

if they could have produced the more quickly over a shorter period of time they would have streched the arcs and have had better pacing but it’s a long time and they wanted to move on to the next arc of this universe.

That doesn’t mean this is the last we’ll see of these characters or even piltover as a lot of piltover champions haven’t been introduced because this wasn’t the arc for that yet. We get hints of that as we see sevika become a councillor but be met with distrust and being looked down upon so now the class division and healing will go on in the background as we explore different parts of runterra (cause the writers don’t have the competence to write engaging happy stories).

The characters will come back to begin the next arc of their character growth.

Take Vi for example she is not even a person in her own right, right now she’s just ‘dirt beneath Caitlyn’s fingernails’ that does not seem like a fulfilling way to live your life for anyone. But makes sense for Vi, she needs to grow relax not be a person for a while because for her being a person means sacrificing everything she is to save others live for others but she’s never successfully done that she needs to do that live for someone else (1 person- cait) be successful in protecting them so she one day live for herself, find herself, find the meaning of being a person, her own goals. Till now we haven’t seen the story of Vi - just Powder’s sister her keeper since the first scene when she became wholly responsible for her a role that Vander did nothing to deter her from but pushed more heavily onto her.

And we kinda got a happyish end for jinx, NOT because she died so is free, NO, but because she finally got to save Vi not just from death but also stop Vi from killing herself (cause that’s what she has doing staying on that ledge not because she thought she could save Vander but because she left his dead body behind once). Show her that she has to rise above her self sacrificing bulshit, cause that only works when she is the only one protecting others not when she is fighting with others together, cause in those scenarios if she puts herself uncaringly in danger someone else will protect her and get hurt doing so.

She is alive but more importantly ready to go go on a journey of self discovery and define for herself her identity (herself not silco as Vi’s sister but not one dependent on her) away from Piltover and Zaun. Truly find herself, and be ready to come back on her own terms not bcz the outside forces dictate it.

HOW IS JINX ALIVE

I want to preface this by first cursing the guy responsible for camera work on Ep9 May seven generations of your family cry tears of blood!!

it was so hard to figure everything out!

let’s start with our North Star the stationary point around which everything revolves.

You’ll understand that in a moment.

I’ll like to draw everyone’s attention to this Frame.

Aww… Sob.. jinx hugging Vander while she kills them both… 😢 Forget that focus on the background!

the glowing runes the circular shape with an opening in the middle in 3 rings like oh? The hex gate beam!

but that could just be a pretty backdrop yeah I wouldn’t believe that even if this was the first time I was seeing it but it’s not. We’ve seen it before…

here

Here

Directly followed by

then after cutting to jayce and victor in the tunnel, different backgrounds for a sec but none of them from a consistent camera angle

and we’re back here again

Then another cut to jayvik, them finally entering the sphere, and again different backgrounds for jinx/vi/vander

and then? We’re back here again

And it’s here that jayvik enter

Disrupting the vi/jinx/vander fight and creating the ledge.

now the North Star why do I mention it? Because the existence of the gate itself is not enough to prove that the hexgate turned on, so what is?

let’s go back to the image of the blast

Notice that rune in the corner?

that’s also a repeating marker it first appears not when we get the first look at the inside of the hex gate where where jinx/Vi/Ekko/Vander have crashed but after jayvik have started their ascent and the tunnel lights up.

and again when jayvik finally enter the sphere

and again after Viktor has blasted through the ledges and is exiting the sphere

notice the lack of light entering the scene from the hole created by Vi/jinx/ekko But in all these instances the rune has the top horizontal straight line facing away from the tunnel but when the explosion happens the line is facing inwards towards the tunnel that means a the rune turned in its casing implying that a mechanism was activated.

vs

also notice how the tunnel is between the tube on which jinx lands and the ledge vi and vander land on no way that somebody moving like this

will fall towards the centre of the tunnel.

also take these 3 frames

vander gets a hold of jinx

cut to vi coming to rescue

Back to vander with jinx in his grasp turns his head towards incoming vi

The camera in the first and second image is the same, a split second has passed but the background changed.

because the sphere started rotating the moment the tunnel light up the first time, the first time we see the North Star.

Let’s have a positive outlook for the future and until then see you all on ao3

P.S. - If you think my theory makes no sense or the evidence is insufficient or disapproved do let me know….

[illicien]

What drew you to winterbaron as a ship? What kind of content do you read? Is it different from the kind of content you write? Would you like to rec a few winterbaron works? My friend is into the ship and I'm trying to see if it's something I might like but all the fics they've recked me are kind of the same in tone so I'm looking for others opinions for some variety.

Hmm! I've sort of answered some of this in the past so sorry to my moots getting this rehash.

A friend of mine dragged me into WinterBaron (kicking and screaming!!!) rather simply, actually, though what kept me here was the more grand implications of her simple origins. I'm kind of a sucker for a true power bottom, and fanart my friend kept sending me implied the fandom saw Zemo as such, and I was at least a little bit intrigued there. Enough to take a deeper look, at least.

The better discovery wasn't that the fandom had decided he was a power bottom, but that there was a strong push and pull of power in their dynamic. Bucky has all the physical power between them, it's a big thing, he's strong as hell. On the other hand, Zemo is just a guy, and yet despite that Bucky should logically have all the power between them, Zemo's intelligence and knowledge tend to leave him with an edge. That continues to be the fascinating concept about Zemo to me, but that's a different matter.

So for me, it's the manipulation, the push and pull of power, it's Bucky trying to break free of being the Winter Soldier and Zemo trying to decide if Bucky's just like every other super soldier. But it's also about understanding that Zemo knows Bucky in ways most people alive don't. He knows and understands Bucky's history as the Winter Soldier both through his research, and as a man who did horrific things on behalf of his country. And that thought can sometimes lead to softer moments of understanding, I think, that can be enjoyable in fic.

As for content I read vs write: I generally gravitate towards dark fic with these two, though there's plenty of really good stuff that isn't. There are some excellent explorations of kink in the fandom for them which is refreshing. I don't really write them as dark as I read them, since I enjoy writing the power dynamics more than the overt manipulation, but if you're looking for more tonal variety I'm sure I can make some recommendations! (Under the cut!)

** Please make sure you read all of the tags thoroughly. What I enjoy in fiction may not be to your taste, and I respect that, but the best I can do is to link to the site with the tags. 💜

Recs (under 20k words)

Just A Little More by @six-demon-bag epitomizes a lot of what I've said above, and if I didn't start out with it on the list here I'd be doing myself a disservice for how often I reread this.

Bucky goes into a painful rut and Zemo seizes the opportunity to sink newer, more subtle hooks into him.

Breathless by @zsparz is one I like to return to whenever I'm looking to feel sad but don't have a lot of time to read. I can't explain why this one hits me so hard but holy smokes does it make me weepy. Sparz is great at making me cry, though, so like - anyway.

The water kept rising. Bucky could hold his breath a long time underwater, and he remembered vividly how he’d acquired that knowledge. Sam might find him in time.

But Zemo would be long dead by then.

Past Indiscretions by @sagegarnish makes me laugh, genuinely. The whole idea of it brings me a lot of joy, and the execution is delightful.

Bucky and Zemo are trapped in 1941.

Unfortunately Bucky's past self is the only one who might know where the missing Pym Particles are that they need to get home.

When young!Bucky pulls Zemo into an alley, Bucky is forced to watch as a drunken forgotten night from his past becomes a lot clearer.

Recs (20k+ words)

That Which You Fear by @spintwinwb is a trilogy that starts off feeling like an AU and turns into something really fascinating imo. Lots of extra goodies here for comics fans, too.

Instead of freeing the people of Westview, Wanda pushed out across multiverses to get her brother back, and the entire world was caught in the crossfire. Cast in a new, peaceful life in upstate New York in a world with mutants, no Avengers, and no HYDRA, Bucky Barnes struggles to reconcile memories and dreams that no longer make sense with what he thinks he knows about himself.

One Two Many by @six-demon-bag is sweet and fun and complicated, and I really did try not to double-up on authors here but agh. What am I supposed to do??

Bucky and Zemo meet on an anonymous dating app and find a deep connection in each other. In the meantime, they grow closer in person without realizing they’re falling in love online too.

Too Good To Be True by AnadoraBlack is really one of those fics where the tropes are used so well, imo. A very enjoyable read.

Bucky wakes up with no recollection of where he is, how he found himself there, and what the heck is going on. There's also a ring on his finger, and time lost. What the living FUCK?!

The Original Sin by @zsparz because I might as well completely fail at the "only one per author" in spectacular fashion. This sits here because it sits on a very peculiar line between canon and AU and just... like I said. Sparz makes me cry. This isn't a departure from that fact.

Bucky and Zemo keep meeting over the course of several lifetimes. Zemo remembers everything. Bucky doesn’t, but there’s an eerie impression of familiarity he can’t shake — an old pain he can’t explain, with roots too deep for him to reach.

AU Recs

Removing Bucky and Zemo from the context of their complicated history in the MCU can highlight different aspects of their characters that are really interesting to explore, as someone who finds their unique characters quite interesting as well, though I also know it isn't for everyone. Neither of these recs are short so if you don't mind an AU, set some time aside for these ones.

It Started Out With a Curse by Thorny is a fun AU I never really expected to find in this fandom. I personally have a history of writing in fantasy settings so this one has a special place in my heart.

What happens when the King and Queen of a human kingdom slight a powerful fae Lord known only as "The Baron"?

Enter a world of FairyTale/Fantasy Shenanigans as Prince James navigates his deadly curse and his confusing feelings for one (seemingly) cold and untouchable fae Lord. Meanwhile, something sinister is afoot trying to gouge a rift between the feywilds and the human kingdoms...

A Gentleman and a Scholar by EternalBeta is a no powers exploration of their dynamic that's... Beautiful. It also tackles a lot of things about kink that it feels like most fic and stories generally seem to ignore. There's also an amazing sequel series.

(this series doesn't have an easy summary available so I uh... I'll give it a go here: college student Bucky has a thing for his professor, and a whole series of bad decisions behind him. The trouble is, Bucky is impatient, and Professor Zemo doesn't fuck students. So Bucky better hurry up and graduate.)

Many of the writers above have at least a few WinterBaron fics, and I do highly recommend checking out their collections. Sparz and Six-Demon in particular have some really widely varied concepts and stories they tackle, and if you're curious at all I'd also recommend checking out Sholio who has some excellent Sam/Bucky/Zemo fics! I didn't toss recs here because they weren't the heart of the ask, but I gobbled those up easily for some very sweet treaties.

[sleepingdeath-light]

realising he might be gay after falling for trans masc reader hcs ; ford

requested by ; a common simp (28/07/23)

fandom(s) ; gravity falls

fandom masterlist(s) ; here

character(s) ; ford pines

outline ; “Ford Pines realizing he may be gay after he falls in love with a transmasc reader?

-A Common Simp”

warning(s) ; self discovery related angst, mostly fluff!

something important to recognise about ford is that he grew up in a very different time — he was never bigoted, nothing of the sort, but he didn’t really know all that much about non cishet people, identities and communities (he was much too focused on his research to even consider dating anyone himself, let alone who anyone else dates) — so him meeting you may very well have been his first experience getting to know someone who wasn’t, well, cis or het

all of those factors (never dating/exploring his sexuality, never being exposed to non cishet people, etc) meant that when he started to fall for you, ford started to have a mild panic — he’d never felt this way about anyone else before and didn’t even realise it was ‘love’ and ‘attraction’ until stan started bullying him for his crush, and the first person he’s ever fallen for is another man which would be especially confusing for him as he’d just assumed he was straight his whole life

(which, naturally, was quite a long time to be blatantly incorrect about something — which further adds to the mess he’s gotten himself into)

so then ford does what ford does best in a time of personal crisis and locks himself away from everyone in his lab, using his research to distract him from his confusing feelings and shooing everyone away using a half dozen excuses about ‘dangerous materials’ and ‘hazardous experiments’ — which stan knows is complete bs so he tells you the truth the moment you ask (after all, you and ford had become quite good friends at this point and it was only natural you’d worry about him in a situation like this)

and that leads to the brothers getting into an argument because ford was very much so not ready for you to know about his feelings, he’s just been outed by his brother to his crush, and he’s still trying to process everything whilst a new stressor has been thrown into the mix — and you’re trying to calm him down whilst stan is rolling his eyes and telling ford to ‘thank me later’ before walking away to continue watching whatever was on the television

which leaves the two of you alone just outside of his lab — no stan to fight, no great grand niece or nephew to use as an excuse, just you and him and the silence between you as he refuses to look you in the eye and tries to find any excuse to leave (mind drawing a blank every time — for once the brilliant scientist/stubborn old man is out of his element and he just doesn’t know what to do)

what happens next depends on if you return his feelings or not.

if you don’t then he’ll accept your answer and back off (honestly he never had any intention of confessing in the first place) — withdrawing for a while to sort out his feelings so that you can go back to being close friends again

if you do then you get a grumpy, awkward, old scientist of a boyfriend who is both incredibly protective over you and so unsure of himself that even the slightest bit of physical affection or verbal reassurance can leave him looking visibly more relaxed and calm — even if he struggles to call you his ‘boyfriend’ and instead refers to you as his ‘life partner’ (he just feels it’s a bit silly for someone his age to be using that term)

you’ll catch him staring at you sometimes because he’ll end up stuck in his own head about how much he’s attracted to you and how much he loves you — don’t bring it up because he’ll withdraw again to get over himself

[warningsine]

We Are Lady Parts, a British series about an introverted engineering Ph.D. student who is roped into playing the guitar for a local all-women Muslim punk band known as Lady Parts, was one of the most delightful and original television debuts of 2021. Its absence these past three years has been deeply felt—but luckily, Lady Parts is now back onstage, returning with a second season of antics and self-discovery, streaming on Peacock (in the U.S.) and Channel 4 (in the U.K.).

Music has always played a major role in the series thanks to Nida Manzoor, We Are Lady Parts’ showrunner and creator, who, alongside her siblings, also writes and supervises the music for the show. Season 1 blessed us with original songs like “Bashir With the Good Beard” and “Voldemort Under My Headscarf.” Not only are there some great new additions in the second season—from “Malala Made Me Do It” to “Villain Era”—but the music this time around boasts both a tighter sound and a stronger voice. There are even some standout covers, like a stunning punk take on Britney Spears in Episode 3. Slate chatted with Manzoor to discuss We Are Lady Parts’ musical evolution, a surprise (and instantly iconic) cameo, and how we can pay homage to the trailblazers who came before us. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Slate: While music has always been the central impetus of the show, it seems to drive even more of the plot this season. After establishing themselves and growing a fan base, the members of Lady Parts are trying to make the band a real deal by recording a debut record. This means that you got to play with the music a bit more this season. For example, there are a few more cheeky covers in there. What was your intention with writing and supervising the music this season?

Nida Manzoor: Music is at the heart of the show. It’s the heart of Season 1, and I had such a joyful experience writing the songs with my brother and sister. For Season 2, I wanted to challenge us, and thereby challenge the band. I wanted the songs to be more complex. I brought in my collaborators more on a ground level. All I came with were song titles and styles. I wanted to do a Western-sounding song called “Malala Made Me Do It” because I wanted to see the band just be silly and go different places. With the song “Glass Ceiling Feeling,” which comes later on in the show, I wanted to see the band feel like they’ve evolved from Season 1. Moving away from their traditional punk songs and seeing them explore different ways of expressing themselves was really exciting to me.

Let’s talk about “Malala Made Me Do It.” The sentiment sort of reads as an alternative to the mantra “What would Jesus do?” in so many clever ways. How did this idea come about? What does “Malala made me do it” mean to you?

“Malala Made Me Do It” was one of the first ideas I even had for Season 2, before I had any other deeper story ideas. And then, as I was writing the script with Bisma’s story arc, where we see her being challenged as a mother with her daughter moving into adolescence, I wanted to explore this idea of motherhood and her tension through the song. But with the song itself, I was like, “It’s just going to be a Malala hype track. I want it to celebrate this incredible woman who’s done so much real, meaningful work for girls and women.”

I must spoil this moment for readers because I have to ask about Malala’s cameo in the show during the fantasized music video for “Malala Made Me Do It.” What was your pitch to Malala to get her on the show? 

Initially, I had no intention to reach out to Malala. I was like, “She’s not going to want to be in the show. She’s a very serious person in the world.” But then I went to a talk of hers, and she was expressing her love of comedy, and she had this incredible dark sense of humor, this great wit. And I’m like, “Maybe I have a chance for Malala to be in the show.” So I wrote her a long letter of why I’d love her to be in the show and how I think she’s an inspiration, and sensing her love of comedy really emboldened me to do that.

She was immediately like, “Yeah, let’s do this,” and was so chill, so kind and gracious on the day. So full of love, so easy to work with. I feel like there’s a lot of reverence around her, but she’s a woman in her 20s—she contains multitudes. She does a lot of meaningful, serious work, but she’s also a really fun, joyful person. I really wanted to celebrate that.

Speaking of celebrating women, one of the focal storylines in the season, with the character of Sister Squire, explores what it means to pay homage to those who have come before you by doing something meaningful with the space that they’ve created. Who are some of your inspirations that you tried to honor with this show, particularly with Season 2?

One person for me is the actor who plays Sister Squire, Meera Syal. She is a comedy legend and hero of mine. She co-created a sketch show called Goodness Gracious Me, which is all about the South Asian experience. It was so witty. The show was so inspiring because it was impressive, it was cool, it was edgy. It made me, as a young brown girl, feel cool. To get to have her play Saira’s hero in the show was honestly a dream come true. Between working with her and Malala, I was like, “I can retire now.”

In terms of women in punk specifically, there’s the singer of the band X-Ray Spex, Poly Styrene. She was a woman of color in punk in the ’70s. It was just so rare. Her music really talks about identity, self-expression, these really meaningful feminist themes. It’s so contemporary, yet she was writing this stuff in the ’70s with such a playful tongue-in-cheek vibe. She’s been a hero and inspiration as well, making the show.

I want to talk about the covers this season. You cover three of my favorite songs: “The Reason,” by Hoobastank; “More Than Words,” by Extreme; and then, of course, “Oops!…I Did It Again,” by Britney Spears. How did you decide what songs to cover? 

I knew I wanted to do a Britney cover. I am a millennial, I came up at a time when Britney was just everything and a goddess and a queen and so much a part of my childhood. Getting to do a cover of her song, but in a punk way, was just joyful. I think it was one of the most fun days to shoot on set because we felt like we were getting to perform such a brilliant and iconic song, but also making it Lady Parts, in those iconic costumes with their suits. Even now, when I rewatch the show and when I was working in the edit, just watching the Britney performance was my favorite thing. It was everything.

Hoobastank, “The Reason,” it’s just that classic early 2000s, very cheesy, but still such a great tune. It was so fun to get to honor that song and that band because they were such a formative part of my childhood. It was something my sister suggested. We were initially going to write an original that Amina sings to Ahsan. She’s like, “Oh, it should sound like Hoobastank’s ‘The Reason.’ ” I’m like, “Wait, Hoobastank’s ‘The Reason’ is perfect. Why don’t we just try and get that song?” Because it’s nostalgic and brilliantly cheesy and it’s perfect for the rom-com storyline. So that was a no-brainer.

Oh my God, do you remember the music video for “More Than Words”? Black and white and the two of those guys with their long hair and guitar. Again, such an iconic moment growing up. That song was so phenomenal. So much of making Lady Parts is an excuse to just bring in all the music I loved growing up, and that was one of those songs that I would watch the music video for and just sing along to. Me and my siblings would sing those harmonies. So, again, it was like, “Oh, I love this song. Can I have it in my show?” It’s such a romantic song, and having Amina and Billy play that and sing that to each other was perfect for the story.

Throughout Season 1, music was a way for the members of Lady Parts to get what they really wanted, whether it was control or creative agency or freedom from self-imposed religious ideals and traditions. Would you say that it still serves the same purpose this season, or does it function slightly differently?

I hadn’t thought of that. I definitely wanted the music of Season 2 to feel like an evolution. I still think music is a way that we see the characters express themselves and express their frustration with how they feel they’re boxed in and limited. With a song like “Glass Ceiling Feeling” or “Villain Era,” it’s that traditional pop-punk sound, but what was new and different was that it was Amina leading that song, so you got to see her really enter her villain era and lead it. “Malala Made Made Me Do It,” for me, was a big move away from Season 1. I was like, “What if Lady Parts did a Western?” It was just trying to push and evolve the music from Season 1, but, in much the same way, I wanted the songs to feel organic, coming out of the storyline and the truth of the characters and grounding it in their experiences.

We wanted the songs to be fun, but we wanted them to also evolve from Season 1 in terms of style and complexity. All the songs are much more difficult to play in Season 2. The actors really upped their game because the songs are faster, they’re more intricate, there were more harmonies in them, so there was a level of difficulty that was much higher this season. But I think, in many ways, the songs operate in a similar vein of allowing the characters to express themselves through music.

[leitereads]

Poor Things, and how God died

“God is dead, and we have killed it”, more than a century and a half later, Poor Things materializes Nietzsche’s concept with such intensity that I have had moments throughout the film where I simply couldn’t help but to watch it open-eyed and with my mouth opened.

Today we talk a lot about women liberation and gender equality, and we see media representing these topics more and more, and yet it’s disappointing to see that such representations don’t go over what we already know: gender inequality is bad, and women should be as free as men are.

Poor Things doesn’t simply tell us that, it shows us that. We follow the life of Bella Baxter, a reanimated corpse whose brain is the one of her unborn child. With her second chance at life, Bella goes through the several states of development, in a self-discovery journey, always slipping away from the grasp of men, who try to claim her as their own, and cage her in their own little cages, designed by their expectations, desires and traditions. Bella breaks away, finding herself throughout the process. Firstly, as she explores her physical/sensory world, and then as she takes in the meaning of her experiences.

We see the many faces of men, their motivations for controlling women, and the ways in which they do so: marriage, sexual intimacy, fatherhood, you name it. And we see how Bella slips away which and every time, by remaining true to herself, and reclaiming what should be hers by default: her Humanity and freedom.

Although the film focuses on freedom and self-expression, there are other underlying themes, such as redemption and the manipulation of Nature. This story’s setting is the Victorian age (by the looks of it the late 19th century), a pivotal time for advancements and a passage to a more modern world. A time that mirrors Bella’s experience in life.

Redemption manifests right at the end of the film, with Alfie reclaiming the body of his dead wife (Victoria, now Bella) as his own, deeming her “territory”. According to the information given by Alfie, Victoria herself had a sadistic sense of humour, and she wasn’t exactly welcomed to her old home by her servants. By being reborn with the pure brain of an infant, Victoria is given a new chance at life, a change granted by “god”, who shapes the world around her, so she can grow up in that Eden that he created for her specifically.

The film culminates with the death of God, Bella having killed it by expanding her Eden and letting in a whole new array of life experiences, determined to help others finding their own Edens, by giving them power over their own mortal flesh. Being a doctor allows her to help others finding their own way, but it also allows her to explore the human being through many different lenses, right to the core of Humanity.

As a Portuguese, I couldn’t help but notice that Bella’s journey started in Lisbon, Portugal, the country that initiated the Discovery Era, an era in which we also experienced what the world had to offer. And instead of taking it in internally and use it to improve ourselves, like Bella did, we forcefully tried to dominate the freedom of others, much like in the fashion of Duncan.

Aside from the poor representation on how to eat pastéis de nata, the story is perfectly weaved, showing us the intricacies of equality and power dynamics in our society.

[bonesxbows]

~Masterlist~

One place for all my fanfics, also on Ao3 under the name ClydeW

Always open to requests and prompts! All fics are marked with warnings in their descriptions and all pronouns are kept neutral unless otherwise specified!

Banners by @strangergraphics

Destiny 2

The Drifter

Hope Comes In Many Forms (Drifter x Reader)

(Self-Harm Warning) The past is being repeated, and the drifter isn't particularly happy about it. But nevertheless he's right there to help you through it, no matter what it takes.

Mithrax

The Only Hope for Me is You (Mithrax x Reader)

You get back to the Elsikni quarter in the last city barely being held together. Mithrax helps you get back on your feet and the two of you make a discovery together.

The Legend of Zelda

Link

I'll Be There For You (Botw Link x Reader)

(Self-Harm Warning) When you both make a trip to the desert things go sideways when you have to wear short sleeves. Link tries to make it all okay though.

Bittersweet Tragedy (TP Link x Reader)

Link arrives back at his home village as a wolf to find the place covered in twilight and the place raided by monsters. His first thought is to find you and make sure you're safe, despite how different he looks.

Disney

Tangled

Shining in the Starlight (Flynn Rider x Reader)

(Fem FTM Trans Reader) You're the princess except you're trans and are actually a prince. Eugene tries to help you through a moment of dysphoria.

Fallout

Beckett

The Sharpest Lives (Beckett x Reader)

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

(Violence and Torture Warning) Beckett's former gang has ambushed you and captured you, doing whatever they so pleased to you in order to "teach him a lesson." But in one way or another, you escaped from that hellhole they had locked you up in and crawled back home to him.

Aries

Old Scars, Future Hearts (Aries x Reader)

After hearing a certain holotape, and it getting stuck in your head, you're plagued with reoccurring nightmares. Aries is there to help you through the aftermath of one and some secrets are spilled.

Something's Gotta Give (Aries x Reader)

(Self-Harm Warning) After a rough run through the big bend tunnel, Aries helps you with your wounds and unexpectedly finds something he wasn't supposed to.

Hancock

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall (Hancock x Reader)

There's a radstorm brewing and you and Hancock need to find shelter fast. There's a place nearby that'll work, but it's awfully cramped and the thunder outside isn't helping.

The Other Line (Hancock x Reader)

(Slight Starvation Warning) There's not enough food in your stash for the both of you so you try to give what you have left to Hancock instead of yourself. He isn't having any of it though and insists you at least share, and no isn't an option with him when it comes to your wellbeing.

The Ghoul / Cooper Howard

Ring of Fire (Cooper Howard x Reader)

You and Cooper are heading to collect a bounty, but it's a lot farther away than you anticipated. He's used to the sun but your pristine and non-irriated skin isn't. Heat stroke is imminent and could end up killing you if Cooper doesn't intervene.

Act Naturally (Cooper Howard x Reader)

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

(Anger Issues & Sad Ending Warning) While exploring an old section of Hollywood, the two of you stumble upon an old advertisement for a cowboy movie. But the man on the poster looks suspiciously a lot like Cooper, even down to the same smile. But it couldn't possibly be him...right?

Assassin's Creed

Ratonhnaké:ton/Connor Kenway

The Lonely Wolf That Stalks (Connor x Reader)

(Animal Attack Warning) Beauty and the beast/princess and the frog inspired except it's you and Connor and there are no princes or princesses.

Through the Frontier (Connor x Reader)

(Horror Story Warning) You and Connor are riding through the woods at night and Connor can sense that the two of you aren't alone.

Bayek

Apep's Vengeance

Bayek tells Khemu of his battle with Apep in the form of a bedtime story.

Shay Cormac

Windy Old Weather (Shay Cormac x Reader)

(Panic Attack Warning) A severe storm catches you and Shay off guard and you're forced to face your fears. Luckily he's there to keep you safe and comfort you through your anxiety.

Baldur's Gate 3

Gale

Weeping Dawn (Gale x Reader)

You have a breakdown and seek out Gale for comfort.

Astarion

Colors of the Underdark (Astarion x Reader)

(Panic Attack Warning) A trip to the Underdark goes south and you're left with no light source. Your human eyes become useless and you start to panic. You're terrified of the dark and there's nothing but darkness around you down here. Astarion can tell and can actually see you start to panic. He tries his best to comfort you.

Surgery of a Hope (Astarion x Reader)

(Sexual Assault/Assault Warning) Someone dared to try to lay a hand on you and Astarion finds out. He leaves Gale to comfort you while he goes and "takes care" of it. Or alternatively, Astarion is trying to show you he loves you in one of the only ways he knows how; by killing.

Hazbin Hotel

Lucifer

Wash My Dreams Away (Lucifer x Reader)

You wake up in a panic, a new nightmare still fresh in your mind, but Lucifer isn't in bed with you like he should be. The darkness and anxiety your dreams have left you with won't let you fall back asleep so you search through the castle to find him. He uses his gifts to help calm you down enough to go back to sleep.

What This Means To Me (Lucifer X Reader)

You've sold your soul to Vox and Lucifer doesn't know. That is until you can no longer hide the scars he leaves when he treats you like his personal play toy.

Twisters

Tyler Owens

The World Ender (Tyler Owens X Reader)

You have some ideas on how to help heal the environment, but your hopefulness is shot down before it can even get off the ground. Tyler believes in you, but will that be enough? Or will you have to watch another tornado rip apart people's livelihoods?

Stronger Than A Storm (Tyler Owens X Reader)

There's one hell of a tornado outbreak speeding across Oklahoma, making a path straight for the two of you. You take matters into your own hands and try to do what you can to stop the devastating weather before it can hurt someone else.

[aintjennyrous]

CHILDHOOD OF

DISCOVERY AND TRANSFORMATION

As a child, I often felt like I was living in a world that didn't quite understand me. From a young age, I had a sense that my gender identity didn't align with the expectations placed upon me. I was assigned a gender at birth, but deep down, I knew that it didn't fully capture who I was.Growing up, I felt afraid to express my true gender identity. I was worried about how others would react, fearful of being judged or rejected. Society's rigid gender norms felt like a cage, trapping me in a persona that didn't feel authentic. I felt like I was living a lie, pretending to be someone I was not.My fear of expressing my gender identity was not unfounded. I saw how society treated those who dared to defy gender norms, how they were often met with discrimination and hostility. I didn't want to face that kind of backlash, so I kept my true feelings hidden, burying them deep inside.Despite my fear, there were moments when my true gender identity would shine through. I remember feeling a sense of freedom and joy when I allowed myself to express who I truly was, even if it was just in private. Those moments were fleeting but powerful, affirming that my true self was valid and worthy of acceptance.As I grew older, my struggle with my gender identity intensified. I felt like I was living a double life, presenting one way to the world while concealing my true self. It was exhausting, and I longed to break free from the constraints of societal expectations.It wasn't until I began to explore my gender identity more deeply that I started to find a sense of peace. I learned about the concept of gender fluidity and realized that my gender identity was not fixed but fluid, allowing me to express myself in a way that felt authentic and true to who I was.

With this newfound understanding, I began to take small steps towards expressing my gender identity more openly. I started experimenting with my appearance, trying out different styles that felt more aligned with my true self. I also sought out communities and resources that offered support and validation for non-binary identities, helping me to feel less alone in my journey.The more I embraced my true gender identity, the more I began to feel a sense of wholeness and authenticity. I no longer felt like I was living a lie but rather living as my true self. I realized that my gender identity was not something to be ashamed of but something to celebrate, a unique aspect of who I am.But as I navigated through the ups and downs of adolescence, I began to realize that my true gender identity was not something to be afraid of, but something to embrace. I began to see that being true to myself was more important than conforming to societal expectations. I began to see that my gender identity was not a burden, but a gift, a part of what made me who I am.It was not an easy journey. There were times when I doubted myself, when I questioned whether I was making the right choice. But in the end i knew that I had to be true to myself no matter the cost.It wasn't until I found the courage to embrace my true gender identity that I began to feel a sense of peace. I realized that I didn't have to conform to society's expectations of who I should be. I didn't have to hide who I truly am to make others comfortable. I could be myself, unapologetically and authentically.

My journey of self-discovery and acceptance has been challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Along the way, I have learned so much about myself and the world around me. I have learned the importance of self-love and self-acceptance, and the power that comes from living your truth.I have also learned the importance of community and support. Finding others who have walked a similar path has been invaluable. Their guidance, understanding, and acceptance have helped me to feel less alone and more empowered to live my life authentically.To other young transgender individuals who may be struggling, know that you are not alone. It's okay to be scared, to be unsure of what the future holds. But know that there is a community of people who support you, who understand what you're going through, and who are here to help you along the way.Embrace who you are, love yourself fiercely, and never be afraid to live your truth. You are valid, you are worthy, and you deserve to live a life that is authentic and true to who you are.

Today, I am proud to say that I have embraced my true gender identity. I no longer fear expressing who I am, no longer hide behind a mask of conformity. I am who I am, and I am proud of that.My journey to self-discovery and acceptance has not been easy, but it has been worth it. I have learned that true happiness comes from being true to oneself, from embracing who you are, not who others want you to be.

To anyone out there who may be struggling with their gender identity, know that you are not alone. Know that it is okay to be afraid, but also know that it is okay to be yourself. Embrace who you are, and the rest will follow.

[alaffy]

Riverdale, Ep. 7x09- Betty and Veronica Double Digest (spoilers)

Ok, well. Wasn't going to have much of a recap...and then the last few minutes happened. Also, do the previews next week mean we might actually get into the plot of the season? We're almost half way through.

So, the episode focuses on Betty and Veronica (and a bit of Jughead). Going to start with Jughead. He's basically sitting in a booth at Pop's, mourning the death of Radberry. He also is able to give Betty some information about the book Lolita and give Veronica advice about her theater problem (both of which have to do with their stories). At the end of the episode, Jughead tells Pop's he's ready to move on from grief; when Tom comes in and says he needs help with Radberry's case.

Veronica is trying to get her theater off the ground. But wouldn't you know it, Hiram has had all the film companies blacklist her? Veronica, with some help from Jughead, is able to find a way make the theater popular and so all the companies want to show their films there now. Because of this, Hiram has the locks changed on the apartment and Veronica starts to live in her theater. Yes, we're back to this shit.

Betty's story is...complicated. Well, the first half isn't. The therapist is trying to figure out why Betty wants sex so much, but Betty is coming to the realization that what she really wants is to figure out who she is. And what better way then to figure out then through someone's desires? A person could write a whole dissertation about how the writers managed to find the worst way to explore something that may not be completely inaccurate. I am not that person.

Also, Betty's first experience? Seriously, Riverdale got really close to loosing another viewer. Now, maybe, that could have been Betty's first time have a crush. Sure, fine. But that's not how they put it. And there is a difference.

And I never want to find out what's in the therapist's notebook. The Lolita part was enough thanks.

But then there's Betty's personality in this episode. While, again, the worst way to do this...I can't be the only one thinking that the way Betty handled things...that's the most Betty has been Riverdale Betty in a long time. I am hoping, at least, with Betty's self discovery of what she really wants we will start to move away from horney Betty. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with a women who is in to her own sexual discovery...but it shouldn't be her only trait.

And then there's the one moment between Alice and Betty, where Betty is trying to get Alice to open up. So, does it feel to anyone else like...when Betty was saying Alice said she was afraid for Betty...we weren't talking about the 1950s; like real Riverdale was trying to break in? Because Alice has said something similar to Betty in Riverdale. However, it was also in reference to her being Hal's daughter, which who should end up stopping this conversation; but Hal? I mean, it's clear that the writers want us to recognize something here; but I don't know if we're supposed to question if they're starting to remember or if Hal's about to start killing again.

In the end of the episode, Betty tries to reason with Alice again and Alice tells Betty she's no longer her mother. You know, I thought I would be more happy when Alice finally pulled this crap as it may mean Betty could get away from her toxic ass. However, I don't think this is going to end well for Betty.

[mustbemosstaken]

I don’t know if this is an unpopular opinion in the Fable fandom but like… Wolftross never struck me as a particularly “wholesome” relationship.

I see so often comments along the lines of “Omg Wolftross is so cute and soft and wholesome” and all I can think is like,,, broski those are two war-torn men that are so utterly traumatised and broken into so many pieces that the only way they can feel somewhat whole in their existence is being together to disguise the feeling of worthlessness and self-loathing that comes with their guilt—

Like don’t get me wrong, I love them so much narratively and it’s compelling as fuck, but their relationship is far more tragic than wholesome to me. They have cute moments yeah, and I’m not saying the relationship can’t be soft, but they’re not really like,,, uwu beans or anything, I guess.

The various romantic relationships within the Fable SMP are all super interesting to me in the way their structured, and I just always felt like if anything Wolftross was the least “wholesome” of them. It’s a story of love in defiance of the past, which I feel like leaves the potential for a slightly “rougher” (for lack of a better term) exploration of love and self discovery/development in the wider story for those two characters.

I don’t know, I don’t want to insult people’s interpretations of the relationship, and maybe the intention from Centross and ArtfulRenegade is to make the relationship wholesome. I think it’s totally valid to see Wolftross in a more cute/soft light if that’s what you want out of the story, and it’s great that people can find different interpretations in the story, it really speaks to the talent of the creators involved. There’s definitely (or at least hopefully) nothing malicious within the fandom in terms of like, trying to make the gay relationship more romanticised or palatable or anything which is a relief, I just think it’s interesting to see so much of the complexity within their relationship brushed aside for a “wholesome” angle when the rougher foundation of their relationship was what fuels so much of the narrative weight of their interactions in my opinion.

I don’t know, maybe this doesn’t make any sense at all and it’s just incoherent rambling because its 5am. Maybe I think too much about the fictional relationships between the dumb little block men. Who knows, that’s just my late night (or early morning) thoughts.

But like if people want more semi-hot fandom takes on Fable SMP relationships, I sure do have a whole bunch so maybe I’ll post more here, who knows

[canardroublard]

Fic writer interview

Thank you @takingoffmyshoes for tagging me in the thing!

How many works do you have on AO3?

51 (putting additional text in this line because if I don't tumblr makes the font truly enormous)

What's your total AO3 word count?

283,783

What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

don't make me spell it out (TMFU. Aka The Pegging Fic)

poco a poco (Rogue One. Aka The Music Student AU)

a million different reasons (TMFU. Aka the one where Napoleon's self-loathing and Gaby's inability to identify or ask for what she wants delay a threesome for an inordinate amount of time)

breathe (Gotham TV. Aka that one Gotham fic I ever wrote)

least the rose alive must three (TMFU. Aka the soulmate AU)

Do you respond to comments? Why or why not?

I try. If I'm going through a tough moment they often get unanswered, but I generally answer otherwise. Unless it's someone asking me to write more.

What's the fic you've written with the angstiest ending?

Based on the number of times the word "bittersweet" is used in the comments section and the crying emojis, likely don't talk just hold me closer (Star Trek: Discovery). Its sister fic nor made me feel so sweet is also a bit of a downer™

What's the fic you've written with the happiest ending?

I don't tend towards *unhappy *endings in my substantial works, but Dirty Talk (TMFU) is unrepentantly sappy so that I suppose

Do you write crossovers?

I don't believe I ever have

Have you ever received hate on a fic?

I'm not sure I'd call it outright "hate", but have received multiple comments on a million different reasons upset at me because I guess Napoleon being an unreliable narrator is not obvious enough for everyone.

Do you write smut? If so, what kind?

Every now and then. And, statistically, the threesome/moresome kind.

Have you ever had a fic stolen?

Even if I had I have no clue how I'd know.

Have you ever had a fic translated?

I don't think so. I have translated a few of my own and others' fics as French practice.

Have you ever co-written a fic before?

Nay.

What's your all-time favorite ship?

Hmm I'm not sure I have an OTP to Rule Them All. The TMFU ot3 seems an obvious answer. That said, I am a chronic multi-shipper within fandoms so I rarely even have an OTP within a fandom. This may not be obvious in my writing but it is my reading habit if nothing else.

What's a WIP that you want to finish but don't think you ever will?

Before anyone says "so give me a line and take me home", it's getting finished. Just not quickly. Stop telling people I'm it's dead

In terms of genuine "yeah I'm probably not gonna finish that", birthright, my Rogue One Pacific Rim fusion.

What are your writing strengths?

I would say writing nuanced/ambiguous/fucked up little guy characters? None of my favourites are free from sin, if you feel me, and I like to explore those sins.

Also @takingoffmyshoes tells me they want to write Gaby/Napoleon the way I write Gaby/Napoleon so that, apparently :D

What are your writing weaknesses?

Structuring conflict and resolution. I often find myself resolving conflicts too quickly/easily in longer fics.

What are your thoughts on writing dialogue in other languages in a fic?

Entirely dependent on the context. I've done it multiple times, in multiple languages, some instances more successfully (imho) than others. For me, the most seamless way to integrate it and have the audience understand is via framing things in the POV character's thoughts (assuming they understand what's being said).

What was the first fandom you wrote for?

Doctor Who. Somewhere in the presumably purged depths of LJ there was an 11/Rose fic I wrote.

What's a fandom/ship you haven't written for yet but want to?

Too damn many. If I had to pic one, Widows (2018), a film which left me clinically feral in the best way, has a woeful lack of fic (or people who've watched it in general. Go watch Widows. It rocks. It will fuck you up and devastate you emotionally. It's got muscly Viola Davis in a tank top. Range.)

ETA oh and Lower Decks. Because the world will be forced to endure the result of my "Mariner and Ransom have been fucking since season one and neither of them acknowledges it and both of them kinda loathe themselves for it but the sex is so goddamn hot that it keeps happening" conspiracy theory slant on watching the show.

What's your favorite fic you've written?

I'm going to completely sideline the bigger/more popular fics of mine (such that my limited popularity is). They're fine. I like them. "so give me a line" makes me want to eat plaster (Affectionate) every time I return to it. Choosing trompe-l'oreille (Atomic Blonde) because it fucks severely. By which I mean it is both emotionally and literally haunting. That is a form of fucking, right?

Tagging:

@bioticsandheadshots

[bbygirl-aemond]

Aegon is becoming a king in his own right and I totally see that as a problem for the blacks when they try to take over. With Aemond gone he really had to step up. Its wicked seeing that slow change in him over time in your works

oh yes aegon absolutely has learned a lot when it comes to responsibility! he really thought he'd always be able to lean on aemond as his crutch for the more bureaucratic side of things (and also for vhagar), so he's gotta scramble when that suddenly gets upended. this mirrors in a way what he goes through in the books when aegon and vhagar are gone, fairly early into his time on the throne.

as for aegon being king, i just think it's really interesting how aegon kind of seems to respect the responsibility that comes with power the most at the beginning of the show. like, he views the throne with complete and utter dread. he does not want it, not just because he doesn't think he'll like it, but because he thinks he'll be bad at ruling and that matters to him.

a lot of my fic is meant to pick apart the idea of duty. duty to yourself, duty to your family, duty to your subjects, duty to your beliefs and principles. what happens when these all conflict with each other? some people are bound to be better at some of these and not others, so why is that? some people view certain duties as more important than others, so why is that? it's so fascinating because sometimes there is no clear right answer, or sometimes a character will prioritize one duty in one moment and a different duty in another. i really want to dig down into the meat of why all this happens.

we've seen rhaenyra struggle between her duty to her children as their mother and her duty to the realm as queen. we've seen aemond struggle with duty to family and religion. we've seen jace and baela struggle with duty to each other and love versus duty to their respective subjects and houses. and we'll continue to see these themes in various characters going forward.

so i want people to remember that all of these characters are discovering what duty means to them across multiple dimensions. aegon is on the iron throne, so he's discovering the person he's become in that regard. but he's also assuming a very new role within his family that in a way involves even more self-discovery.

i think i've also made it pretty clear in comments that rhaenyra on the throne is the end game for this fic, so it'll be interesting to explore how aegon responds to no longer being king. it was such an adjustment for him to become a king, and to become the family patriarch, and if he's relieved of his title he doesn't just suddenly revert back to the person he was before all this happened. so which version of aegon does that leave us with? i don't think even aegon knows.

[bloodanddiscoballs]

so I had a realization last night when I was playing around with the Jean AI. when I was in junior high and high school, I used to be BIG into the role playing community online. there were forums that I'd join for different fandoms I was in and I'd pick characters I'd like and rp as them. it was what helped get my writing chops actually haha it helped A LOT with figuring out how to write dialog that didn't feel static. to work off of another person was fun cause we could see where we were both going with something and let it flow yknow?

anyway I would ALWAYS pick male characters to write as. always. I never minded being the "canon character for someone's oc/self insert" cause I got it I had my own ocs yknow. but as someone who was young and didn't even KNOW what the word transgender was (I had never even heard the word until I was 19) I just figured it was idk normal to feel way more comfortable being referred to as a guy. I loved slipping into someone else's shoes and just escape from Me. when you're online no one can hear your voice and try to ID you so I could just...be a guy for those moments.

now that I've done the whole gender exploration and am WAY more comfortable and confident in my skin I get why I felt like that. it's wonderful now to be able to just go yeah I'm a girl yeah I'm a boy yeah I'm whatever and not feel like any of those statements contradict one another. I'm happy in my skin and I get to be alive in a way younger me only got to feel chatting on the internet in their little conservative town where they were at serious risk of being hurt. I'm glad the world is shifting too. I'm glad that it seems like there are more younger people who can say sooner that they are queer and feel comfortable with that.

anyway, here's to the discovery of yourself however that happens

[the-mindful-traveler]

Why Mindful Travel Matters: Exploring the Connection Between Travel and Self-Discovery

As travelers, we often seek new experiences, adventure, and relaxation. We look forward to disconnecting from our daily routine and immersing ourselves in new surroundings. However, traveling can be much more than just an escape from our everyday lives. It can be an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery.

Mindful travel is about approaching travel with intention and awareness. It's about being present in the moment and fully engaging with the environment, culture, and people around us. By practicing mindfulness while we travel, we can deepen our connection to ourselves and the world around us.

One way to practice mindful travel is to focus on the present moment. This means letting go of past experiences or future expectations and instead fully experiencing the present moment. Whether it's savoring the taste of a new dish, taking a moment to appreciate the view from a scenic spot, or engaging in a meaningful conversation with a local, being fully present can enhance our travel experiences and help us connect with our surroundings.

Another way to practice mindful travel is to be open to new experiences and perspectives. By stepping outside of our comfort zones and trying new things, we can broaden our horizons and challenge our beliefs. This can lead to personal growth and a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.

Finally, mindful travel involves being responsible and ethical in our travel choices. This means supporting local communities, minimizing our environmental impact, and respecting cultural differences. By being mindful of our impact while we travel, we can create positive change and contribute to a more sustainable and responsible tourism industry.

In conclusion, mindful travel is about more than just taking a vacation. It's about approaching travel with intention, awareness, and responsibility. By practicing mindful travel, we can enhance our travel experiences, connect with ourselves and the world around us, and make a positive impact on the places we visit.