#that's MY opinion of course

[aleksanderscult]

https://www.tumblr.com/greensaplinggrace/734627296606044160/i-am-being-annoying-ik-but-all-your-comments-are your views on this? i am kinda disagreeing but am unable to put it in words. especially the he would have loved zoya part.

Oh boy.

I have lots of things to say.

First of all, thank you for the ask. And thank you for asking my opinion on this.

The post we're referencing (for those who don't know) is this. And under no circumstances is this my hate reply or anything. I'll only state my opinion.

Anon, I want your opinion about this post of mine once you read it, please. ❤️

(Cut below because this is the LONGEST post I've made so far)

Let's take it one at a time.

"Alina is nothing at all what he wanted a Sun Summoner to be".

I have already examined about what Aleksander was expecting from a Sun Summoner here and I recommend you to read it 'cause most of my thoughts about this are there.

In a few words, I believe Aleksander wanted a person gullible, easy to manipulate, easy to follow him. And to have the same views as him (about the world, politics, the Grisha persecution and what needs to be done etc.). Also someone cut off from other people since this way it'll be easier to take him/her under his wing and manipulate him/her as he wishes.

And I say him/her because I don't think Aleksander was sure if the Sun Summoner would be a male or female. And he DEFINITELY didn't want to fall in love with that person nor did he intended it. I think he only wanted to use that person. Not rule with him/her. The whole "ruling with the Sun Summoner" thing only came to his mind after 1) he fell in love with Alina 2) and when he saw the power she had, the bond between them and their dynamic.

Certainly he must have suspected that the Sun Summoner would be immortal like him. But I believe he thought "he/she will become my right hand, my lieutenant. Someone I will use." Not a King or Queen at his side. That thought only came, just like I said, after he met her (😉).

In the beginning, Alina both was and wasn't what Aleksander was looking for.

She was what he was looking for in a Sun Summoner because:

1) She was an orphan. So hooray! to that 'cause she doesn't have a family to feel connected to. She's all alone for him to take her and mould her as he wishes.

2) She's gullible and thirsty for approval. Aleksander himself said that in RoW:

But she also wasn't what he was looking for 'cause:

1) She already had a villainous perception of him. She told him that she had heard rumors of him. That he has no soul, that something evil created the Fold. Also, what he did to the Fjerdan assassin made her feel even more scared. And of course when she told him that she didn't expect from him to show her kindness because he's the Darkling and he tortures people. All these made the latter distrust her and keep information from her. And, of course, it was a huge obstacle since he had to change that perception.

2) She had Mal. And he tried to cut off that connection by keeping the letters. And he succeeded in that. For a month.

Others could say that her stubbornness was another obstacle for him. And it was because she directed it against him. But people need to understand that even though that annoyed him, it also made him admire her.

And as for the line "the Sun Summoner was the cosmic answer to his needs and loneliness" I believe he also didn't think that but after he met Alina.

Why I stand by so strongly with that belief? Because Leigh said it in a Q&A.

The question by a user was: "If all the Darkling wanted was to be king, why did he had to wait for Alina to come along? How did he know about Sun Summoners and the fact that he should wait for one?"

The answer by Bardugo:

Just like Bardugo said, he waited until the Sun Summoner came to sway the public opinion or use the Fold to his advantage. Not to rule with him/her or stay with that person forever united by marriage. His perception of the Sun Summoner (before Alina came) was entirely political.

Of course some can say "I don't care what the author says. I make my own canon" but I do care. Especially about what she says about the Darkling. Because what she has said about him in interviews and Q&As make total sense about his character and about how I see him too.

I also agree that the Darkling wanted someone that would adore him but I don't exactly believe that he wanted from that person to be a narcissist. That's a strong word. I think he wanted from that person to own his/her power. To have confidence. But narcissism? No.

Also, I don't agree that the Darkling got himself into politics out of his loneliness. I think he did it because no other Grisha would do something about this situation. It kinda reminds me of Thanos when he said "Fine. I'll do it myself". In addition, he knew that he was immortal. So he believed he was the only person that would withstand the test of time and stay on Earth until he solved those Grisha problems.

And about what the post said that the Darkling had the mindset that everything must be happening for a reason, I slightly disagree.

In my mind, he was a realist. He wasn't like "I must be living forever for a reason!" No. He was "I am living forever because I'm too powerful and that's how things are. I have powers that no one else has and yes, that makes me kinda superior than all of you bitches but at the same time I feel lonely." Because the problem with being unique, my dears, is that no one else is like you. You're alone. For him I think it felt both a gift and a curse. But he was a pragmatist with it. I don't think he constantly thought about how the Fates had touched him in everything. And he believed he could save Ravka because he thought of everyone else as too weak and foolish to do it. According to his mindset, HE had more experience, more power and more knowledge to do it.

Now. About the anon's characterization of Alina. I absolutely disagree that Alina is an extrovert. Not in a million years she is. An extrovert is someone who makes friends easily, is outgoing and feels confident socially. Does that sound like Book!Alina? Not to me. Nikolai is an extrovert. Mal is an extrovert. But Alina is more like an introvert or an ambivert. Alina only became very social in S&S because she was forced to as the leader of the Grisha. But even then she needed guidance and advice from Nikolai about it. An extrovert would talk easily, make allies and friends easily, would feel totally at ease on the spotlight. Yes, she was friendly to new people. But that doesn't make her an extrovert. I'm an introvert and I identify with Alina strongly. I'm friendly with new people too but I don't have neither the gift nor the easiness to talk much. Or to laugh or socialize with them.

Here's an example of Alina's awkwardness with other people:

If she was an extrovert she would find something to talk about and there would be no silence. Extroverts have that gift. (My own awkward ass could never💀)

Now about her tendency to avoid responsibility. I both agree and disagree here. There were moments that Alina didn't avoid responsibilities. For example, when she willingly and by her own wish took command of the Second Army in S&S. She could have said "Nah fuck that. Let's go Mal. Nikolai, thank you for the rescue but no". But she proposed that idea herself.

And then of course we have that infamous act of hers where she abandoned everything at the end of R&R and run off with Mal at the orphanage. That really was an evading but I mostly blame Leigh here for the lack of cohesiveness in Alina's character. Sometimes Alina is responsible, sometimes she isn't. For the whole trilogy she loved her power and wanted to shine with it and then Leigh took that from her and made the character seek a quiet life in the countryside. So about this trait of hers I blame the author mostly. Not the character. Leigh didn't keep a cohesive narrative.

I agree that the Darkling was pissed off when Alina run off at S&B because he expected more from her. To save her country instead of abandoning it. And I agree with him. She should handle it better in the first book but she was also seventeen so 🤷 It's complicated.

I agree that Alina isn't comfortable with having attention on her.

I agree that she likes teamwork BUT! only with specific people. For example, she has no problem collaborating with her friends (Mal, Nikolai, Genya, David etc.) but she doesn't like it at all when she has to collaborate with people she doesn't like (Vasily, the King etc.). So it depends on the people she's collaborating with.

She wants to belong yes. I agree.

She likes goofing off with her friends, yes. But! Only with her friends. Those she feels comfortable with (And I don't find it bad at all. That she wants to goof around with her pals, I mean. It's not like she does it in the entire trilogy).

She wants togetherness yes (with her friends again). And even with her allies but only after they understand her and are kind to her.

And I also agree that she mistrusts those in power. She did when she met the Darkling, the King, Nikolai. And she definitely bonds with the underdogs. Genya, for example. And even with Nikolai when she finds out that he's a bastard. Of course it's not surprising for her character since she was an underdog too her entire life.

The Darkling is an introvert but he was made to be this way because his mother never allowed him to make friendships. So he was kinda socially awkward as a child. Who knows what he would have been if his mother wasn't so strict and restricting. An introvert or an extrovert? I leave this for you to decide. But still, as an introvert he had good manipulative skills and knew what to say to people (to the King, to the Grisha etc.). I agree that he wanted to be on the top of the pyramid and about all the rest that he wanted a powerful Sun Summoner capable of subjugation to him.

Now about Zoya. This is the point which I disagree with the MOST. He didn't ignore Zoya because she wasn't the Sun Summoner. He ignored her lustful feelings because he had given up on love after so many heartbreaks. He had witnessed so many loved ones die that he eventually closed off his heart.

The user asked if the Darkling was ever loved by someone (besides him mother). And if he has ever loved someone too in the past (before Alina).

Bardugo answered:

So it's plain that he had given up on love a looong time ago.

"He'd known the name for it once. A hundred lifetimes before."

So apparently for more than a century.🥲

He brushed aside Zoya's feelings for him and any other women's feelings because he was done with his love life. He was being hurt enough. He wouldn't try again.

I think he fell in love with Alina naturally. Aside from her powers and the ideal that she's his balance, he also fell in love with her spontaneity. Her witty remarks. Her failure to hide her feelings. She always showed her emotions through her expressions. And that was something surprising and pleasant for him since when was the last time he met such a person? That also talked to him with such ease?

She made him laugh thrice, remember?

And her tendency to show her emotions openly must have been something strange to him. After so many years in court where nobody must show any weakness.

(The Tailor)

If Zoya was the Sun Summoner I don't think he would fall in love with her. I don't know what would happen between them but I don't think he would feel love for her the way he felt for Alina.

And no, he doesn't ignore Zoya because she isn't the Sun Summoner. He ignores her because he doesn't allow himself to get close to anyone. Not exceptions.

But that doesn't mean that he didn't find Zoya powerful. He did. She was one of his favourites and he had gifted her an amplifier. But that was it. Nothing more than that. Because it's all business to him. Not lovey dovey emotions getting in the way. Not anymore.

And now about the last paragraph of that meta.

I agree that he must have wanted from Alina to accept the color black since the first moment he offered it to her. To embrace it and show to everyone that she's not like the other Grisha. She's special. A favourite of the Darkling's. I'm not sure what the Darkling felt when Alina refused to wear it. But his persistence at the Winter fete shows to me that he considered it important since many important people of the country would attend the party and he wanted to show them "Look who she belongs to. We're one and the same now".

I don't believe that he considered Alina's tendency to hang out with the other Etherealki annoying. I believe he kinda liked it because he thought "Good. She feels one of them now. She feels she belongs here. Not to her old life with her tracker. But here." I think he considered it useful in making her feel more connected to the Little Palace. More accepted. More relaxed. And that way it would be easier for him to manipulate her. She wouldn't have her guard up. Of course he knew that Alina was above them. Different and unique and a league above them. But that connection with others would serve him well for his plans.

I also agree that he wants her to choose him and only him out of devotion and isolation (and yes it's kind of a projection). He refused to comply to her wish in S&B about sparing Mal's life because that would making him weak. Yes, he could be merciful, just like he said. But he wants to have the upper hand. Not her. In the tent scene he's already feeling vulnerable and weak. From Alina's rejection, from the jealousy he feels for the entire Malina situation, from the way she abandoned him etc. If he complied to that wish he would become even weaker. And he certainly does NOT want that. The Darkling wants to feel in control. If he does what Alina wants, she will control him in a way. He will give in to her wish and his feelings. And he wouldn't allow that. So he makes up his own terms.

"Mal is going to die and you will watch that because I want to regain control and cannot give in to you."

He regains the power dynamic in their relationship.

Yes, she will fight him. Yes, she will hate him.

He knows all of that. But it doesn't bother him much because she's immortal too. Eternity will tire her of everything. She will become numb. Like he did. All these emotions will fade eventually.

And about his frustration that she doesn't want what he wants. That what she thinks about the world is not same as what he thinks. I think the Darkling is impatient. He expects from Alina too much. To be as mature as he is. But the difference is that he's centuries old with centuries of experience. And Alina is only 17 years old.😭

Literally, what do you expect from a seventeen year old, Aleksander?

His expectations of Alina were unrealistic, let's face it.

Finally, his belief that Alina will love him eventually because everyone else will be dead, comes from his relationship with his mother, I think. He projects that relationship with Baghra to his relationship with Alina. Just like he kept coming back to Baghra because she was the only constant presence at his life (and everybody else died a mortal death), he thinks Alina will do the same with him. She will come back to him because he will be the only constant presence at her side. Everyone else will become dust and shadows.

OOF!! THAT WAS LONG AF

But kinda necessary because it gave me the opportunity to say some things about these two characters.

In NO case this is a hate reply or hate post. I just said my opinion.😊❤️

Dear anon who send me this ask, please tell me if you agree or disagree with my opinion. I'm REALLY curious. And everybody else feel free to state your opinion too 💛🖤

[kenapiece-main]

Can you believe I'm having to make this meme even after successfully finishing up taxes and applying to job

[captainjonnitkessler]

I truly, TRULY do not know how to say this, because the fact that I have to say it makes me feel like I am losing my grip on reality. But no, in the post-capitalistic anarchist utopia, I will not be relying on “autistic minecraft girlies” to be building inspectors because - and this may shock you - one of those occupations takes years of education in how to read and interpret hundreds of thousands of lines of regulations based on complicated math and physics that were the result of decades of tragedy and death, and the other one involves playing a children’s video game.

[theabigailthorn]

"Good" Acting

i have a theory that a lot of people say acting is "good" when they're emotionally moved by it, and a lot of cishet white people have a lifelong habit of not listening or empathising when minoritised people speak, so minority actors get called "bad" even when they display some pretty fucking amazing technical skill

[lazylittledragon]

ok someone please correct me if i'm wrong but am i weird for thinking those 'audiobooks don't count as reading' posts are ableist as fuck????

[egophiliac]

ENG PLAYERS I BESEECH YOU

I have been informed that you guys are getting part 4 of episode 7 tomorrow, which means we are FINALLY going to get the official romanization of Revaan's name, somebody please tell me because I need to know what it is.

like, yes, it's probably just Revan/Levan, but look, I'm sitting here with my finger over the button of all these Laverne and Shirley jokes and just waiting for the opportunity to deploy them --

[raphmybeloved]

Not “good parent splinter” not “bad parent splinter” but instead “splinter raised four children with no resources as a survivor of horrific trauma and while he had better moments and worse moments. to simply divide his parenting as good or bad does a disservice to his character”

[kjscottwrites]

And, importantly, share some recs!

[witchlingcirce]

Seeing people refer to Daenerys as entitled, or narcissistic is so actually mind boggling. Like DAENERYS???? The Daenerys who never even had a proper home??? The girl who said she would not rule of ash?? And wanted a happy kingdom??? The girl Who listens to all of her people’s complaints almost everydau??? Same girl who cried over chaining her dragons away??? THE GIRL who is legit kind to people who aren’t even close to deserving it (Viserys, Jorah)??? LIKE DAENERYSSS?!??!?!?!?!??

[ollieofthebeholder]

Just saw a "What was your favorite PBS Kids show" poll but only one of them was old enough that I actually remembered it sO

Please note that this poll does NOT contain the Big Three PBS Kids Shows: Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, Sesame Street, or Bill Nye the Science Guy. It also does not include Barney & Friends or Teletubbies. This is deliberate on my part. (I may make a separate poll for them later.)

[the-burgah]

tiredly shunting this slop here in the hope that people are less insufferable than on twitter

[da-janela-lateral]

There is an opinion I've seen a lot on anime circles that Dimple's return on Confession Arc cheapened the emotional impact of the Divine Tree Arc finale. However, I don't think him coming back from "dead" was that sudden, nor that it was unnecessary or ruined anything, because:

1 - Dimple is supposedly exorcized in several major conflicts, only to return like nothing had happened. It's almost a gag.

2 - Dimple's presence was ABSOLUTELY necessary on Confession Arc for plot and thematic reasons (not only through helping a wounded Reigen, but also because Dimple and Reigen are Mob's closest friends and see two opposite sides of him)

3 - The emotional weight of the Divine Tree Arc is not just Dimple's "death". It was much more about Dimple's character development and motivations and his bond with Mob. These elements are the very foundation for the feelings the audience had on the conclusion.

[marlynnofmany]

If you weren't around for the early days of search engines, you may not be familiar with Ask Jeeves, but for a while there he was the one you went to for answers.

The site encouraged you to ask full-sentence questions, not just type in key words, and it looked like this:

It went the way of the dodo because Google won the search engine arms race, but Ask Jeeves left a mark on the internet. (The webcomic host SmackJeeves was named as a reference, for one.)

Thanks for all the search results, Jeeves.

[itscherryterry-again]

yea

[edenprime]

One of the strongest points of Mass Effect, if not the strongest, is just how well written the characters are. From Shepard, to the squad, to the side characters like Anderson and Bakara, to barely-there NPCs like Ereba and Charr the lovers, Etarn Tiro the enthusiastic turian merchant, Kargesh the krogan who wanted a fish, Lia'Vael, the quarian who gets falsely accused of theft, and the Salarian who wants to buy a memento to his asari lover to remember him by once he's dead.

I feel like so many of them are memorable, and they all serve a purpose to the overall world building. The krogan show that they are not the violent thugs the galaxy has made them out to be. The salarian shows the struggle born out of building relationships with people of a species with a life expectancy so beyond your own. Lia'Vael illustrates what Tali says about the quarians being treated like second class citizens. Those small little side quests have a meaning and a purpose, it doesnt feel like they are Just There, and they add more to the lore of them game to those who care about that stuff.

[cottagecore-raccoon]

The more I think about it, the more I think that Persuasion has my favorite premise of all of Jane Austen's novels

Anne Elliot as a character speaks to my soul. She feels tremendous guilt for a decision she made eight years ago. Her life is lonely, as she doesn't really have anyone she can truly confide in despite being surrounded by people. So she swallows her pain, the yearning she feels deep in her soul, and vows that if nothing else at least she'll be helpful.

And of course she is reunited with Frederick Wentworth (the one that got away) who seems to hate her now, and she just keeps going. She keeps being kind and supporting her loved ones while slowly carving out a life for herself. There's something about her classic heroism that just feels so attainable. I don't have Elizabeth Bennett's wit, or Jane Bennett's unwavering belief in the goodness of everyone, or even Elinor's constant composure. But I can be like Anne and just keep moving forward attempting to be helpful

Of course it all works out in the end, and Anne is finally surrounded by people who truly appreciate her, even if she had to wait an extra eight years. Others have observed the fairy tale quality of the ending, and perhaps that's why it speaks to me. The idea that if you just keep doing your best and being kind, you'll eventually find happiness