#the adult counterparts have less secrets

[theveryconfusedartistsart-blog]

Shh! It’s a secret! 💖🌻

[valictini]

I've been asking myself these questions regarding totk's story and my deep disappointment in it, because I know a lot of people loved it, I know a lot of people felt it was a better story than botw, and I know a lot of people believe that Zelda games never had good stories to begin with....

But no, I do think the story objectively sucks, is worse than botw's, and could have easily been better. Totk's story is flashier and that's pretty much all it has to offer.

Part of it is its execution, how using the same blueprint as botw (deliberately non linear) was a baffling move when you tried to tell a linear story. You shouldn't be punished for pursuing the story earlier than when the devs planned. You shouldn't be able to spoil yourself the story. You shouldn't be presented with the exact same information 4+ times at points where you're supposed to be rewarded for your efforts. You shouldnt have to slog through a mystery when the game KNOWS you already know the answer. And yet, this happened to an alarmingly large number of people!

So yes, the execution wasn't good.

But the story itself isn't good either. Not only did they decide to cut ties with botw's lore, but they didn't even fully commit to the new lore they introduced.

The zonai civilisation has no substance. We see two (2) of its members and only interact with their ghosts in very, very few instances. During those interactions, we do learn tidbits of this civilisation, but as soon as the tutorial is over, you will never learn anything new from a zonai again. A couple lines during the tutorial is where the bulk of zonai lore happens. The rest is: jumping minigame said to be the same ritual young zonai would do to become adults and the explanation of draconification.

You could maybe say that the mere existence of zonai tech, the mere existence of secret stones, the zonai gear and the ancient hero aspect could be considered zonai lore. But what these things only really add to the lore is that the Zonai 1) were always everywhere and 2) were very powerful. That's pretty much it.

(The ancient hero aspect is especially infuriating to me. It could be a whole post.)

So, not only did they replace the Sheikah by the Zonai for no reason, they didn't even flesh them out enough to be interesting. But they didn't exploit the rest of the story to its fullest either.

- The heart of the story happens in the ancient era, yet we don't see much of it. All the new things we see: the inside of ancient hyrule castle's throne room, a garden and one (1) gazebo in a field. We don't get lore for the dungeons aside from their name, and the ancient sages don't add anything to them either. In general, we don't get lore of the ancient races, not even the hylians or the gerudos.

- Zelda was retconed into being stupid enough not to make the connection between Ganondorf and calamity Ganon. She was also sent back into being a compliant little princess that can't put her foot down when she knows the people around her are making mistakes.

(As an aside, I'm fully of the opinion that Calamity Ganon was a better antagonist than Ganondorf. At least you don't have to fanfic your way into understanding why he wants Hyrule destroyed. He's a magical beast full of hatred, the end.)

- The whole plot is centered around dragons, and yet totk manages to have LESS content surrounding the three dragons of Hyrule than fucking botw.

- Hylia is no relevant anymore. The statues are apparently their own entities? And they have counterparts in the depths with he bargainer statues? Never elaborated on.

The ending cutscene contains a deus ex machina that manages to retcon elements of its OWN story. (Rauru was supposed to be gone after the tutorial. Zelda was supposed to be gone after becoming a dragon.) Realistically, I knew Zelda wouldn't stay a dragon, but I was genuinely shocked at how little of an explanation we get for her return.

And we have 0 impact on her return as a player. Nothing we do matters. She turns back no matter what. Despite many opportunities to make it work in universe.

We could have had something tied with the other dragons, the three sources, to Purah's experiments with time, to the four temples, to Hylia, to the bargainer statues, to the triforce...

But no, just a vague "ghosts that should have disappeared eons ago use their powers to get her back through your arm".

We don't even have an alternate bad ending where this doesn't happen. It will happen, no matter what. For the cinematic shot at the end.

Oh and Link had to get his arm back too. I know they needed their cool parallel of Link catching her hand at the same angle as when he failed to do so at the beginning, but it just all feels so inconsequential as a result.

Everything's solved, everything's good, nothing that happened in this game ever mattered.

[fours-writings]

more immortal y/n thoughts except it’s basically a direct continuation of my last post

Cw for mentions of blood and bones breaking (whoops sun accidentally breaks your back and not in the sexy way)

it’s a miracle you and moon managed to clean the remaining evidence of his earlier… “fit,” before it began to stain.

you dutifully helped the poor stunned animatronic clean himself as he refused to say another word after his last half-spoken question. his fingers twitched every time you ran the rag over his joints, clenching and unclenching, as if reliving just how easily your neck snapped underneath his gripped.

you didn’t force him to speak. he seemed frazzled as is, and you knew nothing you said would help. even after all this time, you still weren’t the best at comforting people.

however, even as you managed to clean the last visible bit with the rag soaked in bleach that stung your skin and nostrils lightly with each passing second you held it, moon didn’t seem too keen on leaving you just yet.

you expected more questions. horrified looks. guilt.

instead, he looked at you like a blessing straight from the lord.

you knew what moon looked like when he was excited. you observed everything around you almost as much as a machine like he was. mostly a habit stemmed from years of boredom and paranoia.

it was hard to tell whether you wanted to treat it like a fresh breath of air, or wanted to be offended by the fact of it.

you made no comment as you simply returned to the employee’s lounge— entirely empty, considering the lack of human staff in this place and even less of them voluntarily taking night shift for a multitude of reasons —to change into your spare clothes.

moon silently followed, lingering outside the door while you changed, and trailing behind you as you continued your night shift as if nothing happened. you trusted moon would scrub the footage of what just happened, if any of the cameras there were even on.

the next day, you chose to take over a coworker’s shift looking over the daycare. they gratefully let you, muttering something about the daycare attendant being freaky that you knew not to react to.

as you walked in around ten minutes before the daycare closed, you were greeted by a completely clueless sun bounding over to his favorite adult in the pizzaplex.

it was clear that moon had kept last night’s events a secret from his counterpart, and you were thankful for that. while you were fully prepared to give sun some half-assed explanation and comfort, it was obviously much more preferable to just not have to do any of that.

the day was slow compared to what you’ve heard happens in the daycare. only a couple children say hello to you, and the rest are occupied by sun’s usual entertaining antics. the animatronic even tries to tempt you into joining a couple games, to which you stubbornly deny each offer, much to his dismay.

as you dutifully watch him do his job, your eyes probably not blinking as you zone out a little, you notice something strange.

a little speck of something right on the rim of his little tutu.

specifically glowing a soft gold.

hm. so you didn’t do as good a job as you thought you did.

there was a pang of shame that you automatically stamped out with ease. didn’t matter. it wouldn’t stand out against his normal color scheme, and would probably go away in a few days. maybe a week at most.

the thought leaves your mind as quickly as it came to it, and you spend the rest of your day staring into space as the daycare attendant herds all the children around like hyperactive sheep.

eventually, your shift comes to a close as the daycare does as well.

you make no moves to leave, though, seeing as your next night shift starts in about an hour or so.

sun’s quick to run over to you as soon as the last child is gone, kneeling to your height in front of the desk like a dog eager for praise.

he babbles on about how the children were so nice today and he even got a few new pictures from the kiddos— apparently one was a liiiiiittle disturbing, but he didn’t mind because it was from his little superstars! —and that he just wanted to talk to you a little before he started cleaning up.

at one point, he asked for a quick little hug, to which you, of course, complied.

you stood up, and before you could each register it, he’d scooped you up and tugged you tight against his chest, arm wrapped around you like a vice.

during your earlier days here, he’d been very hesitant to hug you in fear of you getting mad or accidentally hurting you.

you reassured him you gave no fucks if he wanted to be touchy, and by now he took your word for it.

you barely noticed when his grip started to tighten, nor when pressure began to build up at the middle of your spine where his arms wrapped around your abdomen, and neither did sun.

however, you and him both noticed when his grip tightened a little too much, and a sickening snap rang out.

instantly he drops you, apologizing profusely and tentative pressing at your back for injuries, while you simply groan and hold your back as if it was just some simple back pain.

“No— nope, Sunny, it’s okay,” you reassured him, gently shooing away his hands, “you just popped my back a little, that’s all.”

a blatant lie. your back had visibly shifted a little, maybe a few segments dislocated or something. you definitely couldn’t turn on your spine at the moment.

“B-b-but it was so LOUD!” he protested in his usual worry.

“Yeah, my bones are loud,” you chuckled nonchalantly, “watch.”

your press your hands to where your spine had been shifted, some of the bone trying to poke through your skin. if you weren’t, well, you, you probably would be suffering quite the amount of agony and internal bleeding right now. but you were you.

carefully, you press against the upper half of your back, until another crack sounds out, and your spine is back together. you could already feel the internal wound healing beneath your flesh, warm and fuzzy like it had been reattaching your head to your neck.

“See?” you hum, doing a little spin in front of sun, “It’s all cool. You did nothing wrong.”

he clearly didn’t believe you, but you also knew he still thoroughly enjoyed the reassurance. his rays spun once over, and he let out a nervous chuckle.

“O-Oh, um, o-okay,” he reluctantly chirped back, “a-are you suuure you’re okay, though? You don’t, u-um, need a, like, a m-massage or anything..?”

you hold back a soft snicker as his fans start up in his flusteredness.

“I am fine, Sunshine,” you say with a slight smile, your grin widening as his fans speed up further. you walk over and pat him on the back, “now get to cleaning before the lights turn off.”

he immediately perks up at the mention of cleaning.

“OH— right, right, yes!!” he chirps, already sprinting back over to where the main mess of the daycare was, “Gotta clean up, clean up, clean up!”

as he goes on mumbling about how messy it was, you sit back down in your chair, waiting patiently for the clock to reach that fateful time.

the ache in your back had already faded, and so had the warmth. the chair beneath you leeched off what little heat you had, and you started to wish you’d bought that fluffy jacket you saw a few weeks ago.

you were looking forward to seeing moon, but at the same time not.

you didn’t know if his casual attitude from before was thanks to whatever was the robotic equivalent of adrenaline or was actually genuine, and you weren’t exactly looking forward to finding out.

[redux-iterum]

Charred Legacy: Chapter Fifteen

(AO3 counterpart here.)

By the Three’s blessing, the walk around Barley’s home was uneventful. Not a single trace of animal that wasn’t feline or rodent could be found, and the farm went in a giant square with a perfectly straight fence bordering it. So long as one didn’t go into the corn, as Barley explained, one was very unlikely to get lost on this track of land. Fireheart could at least take some comfort in that.

The night passed, and when the next evening was just creeping over the horizon, Yellowfang returned with the apprentices. An aura of joy and awe radiated off of all of them; Brackenpaw was practically dancing on his way up to the Barn. Their mentors and mother went to meet them and were greeted with wild, half-yelled babbling about blessings and prayers and magic. Snowpaw, almost shaking with glee, was signing at an incomprehensible speed that even Ravenwing couldn’t keep up with.

“Well,” Greystripe said, “that, I would consider to be good news.”

Fireheart twitched his whiskers, watching Ravenwing repeatedly gesture for Snowpaw to slow down. “It’s good, yeah.”

“And they were there!” Brightpaw shouted, making Mousefur lean a bit back. “I felt them! They were really there! Horoa AND Suriin AND Rokhar!”

“That’s awesome,” Mousefur said, tail curling. “And who did you get blessed by?”

“We’re not s’posed to say,” Thornpaw said sharply, then his eyes went to Yellowfang. “Are we?”

Yellowfang snorted. “You won’t be blasted by lightning for it, child. Say what you like.”

Dustpelt gave her a dry look and said to Thornpaw, “It’s not a secret unless you want it to be. I got Suriin when I was your age.”

Thornpaw straightened up, the long fur around his neck flaring and his hesitance immediately forgotten. “I did too!”

Dustpelt nodded approvingly and ruffled his apprentice’s head-fur.

Swiftpaw wove around the little crowd and greeted Brackenpaw with a nose-touch. “So, did you get Rokhar?”

Brackenpaw shook his head. “I got Horoa. But—” he hurried to add. “But it was still cool! He’s cool too!” He peeked up nervously at the darkening sky, where the sun was inching its way down past the clouds into the distant horizon.

Frostfur purred. “He knows, don’t worry. Are you four hungry?”

The excitement of the ceremony was immediately forgotten for the excitement of food. The crowd of apprentices rushed into the Barn, leaving their mentors, mother and the seers to follow them with shared looks of amusement. 

---

Some nights passed after they returned, more than Fireheart was able to count (which wasn’t saying much). Every night, someone would go out through the hedge and watch the forest, and every night they would come back in and report unenthusiastically that there were cars and humans wandering about the borders, even after the smoke had finally been snuffed out. The Clan would have to stay another night, and another night.

Fireheart had always preferred the challenge of living in the wild compared to kittypet life, but it took staying in the Barn to see the effects of the latter on himself and his Clanmates. The easy hunting began to bore them all, even as they slowly thinned out the mouse and rat population—there was no reason to go outside into the corn and try their luck there (especially as Barley warned them that the rough corn leaves could scratch their faces and eyes if brushed up against). With that, another issue presented itself: the Barn was warmer than outside, sure, but it was a finite space, cramped and overheated compared to the open-skied space ThunderClan camp provided. With Theful herding rainclouds back into the territories’ sky, and with that rain occasionally freezing into slush, going out was even less of an option—but Fireheart watched his Clanmates fidget and stare at the rows of corn wistfully, the air growing colder and colder.

The very aura inside the Barn grew more and more agitated. Even the adults were trying to find something to do: grooming themselves and each other more, scooping stray straw up and scooting it around to make more nests, lazily chasing mice instead of catching them immediately, and so on. The apprentices and kits, meanwhile, took to wrestling or sweeping hay and clumps of soil at each other (which luckily gave the adults someone to groom), and their voices steadily got louder as the nights went on.

One night, Brightpaw tackled Swiftpaw with a yowl and the pair rolled around the nesting area where most of the Clan slept. Despite being smaller, it was impressive how strong Brightpaw was in comparison to her much older friend; she kept up with him easily and he was often the one being pushed back or knocked over. Thornpaw ran after them, yelling, “Stoppit!” and being completely ignored.

It took the ball of black, white and ginger crashing into a sleeping One-eye and rolling over her sides for someone to stop them. It was Speckletail, who simply pushed against them with her front paws and sent them sprawling out on either side of her. Their chuffs ended quickly and they got to their feet, heads guiltily low.

“Are you alright, One-eye?” Speckletail asked the pale elder.

One-eye sneezed and nosed her own ribs. “Well, nothing’s broken. I don’t think I died, unfortunately.”

Swiftpaw and Brightpaw together mumbled indistinct apologies.

Just as Speckletail was opening her mouth as she loomed over them, One-eye waved her bony tail. “Don’t scold them. They’re bored. I’d be wrestling, too, if it wouldn’t shatter what little of me is left.”

Cloudkit, fidgeting by Brindleface’s side, rambled up to Halftail, who was slightly behind One-eye, and pushed at him with a paw. “Can you wrestle?”

The dark tabby grunted. “Too old. And you’re too small.”

Cloudkit made a pouting face and turned around, now making his way up to Brightpaw. “I wanna wrestle!”

“You’re not going to,” Brindleface said, getting up and following him. She patiently scooped him with a paw back towards her. “It’s quiet time.”

Cloudkit pouted up at her now. “But they were—!”

“They weren’t supposed to be,” the tortoiseshell said, her patience more emphasized. “They should be doing something else.”

“Like what?” Brightpaw said with an expression not too dissimilar to Cloudkit’s.

A voice piped up. “How about a story?”

Heads turned; to Fireheart’s surprise, Ravenwing had gotten to his feet from where he was sitting with Greystripe and Snowpaw. His legs were quaking a little, and Fireheart could faintly hear his breathing grow rapid, but he sat upright instead of huddling.

“It’s been a while since we’ve had one, is all,” he said in the tone of an apology. “I’m sure the kits would like something, too.”

Cloudkit whirled around and left Brightpaw behind, running as fast as his little legs would allow to join Ravenwing, his and Fireheart’s siblings following him. The apprentices cheered up and trotted after the kits, and though no warriors moved, their ears were perked and eyes focused on Ravenwing. Fireheart quickly took position close to Ravenwing, but on the opposite side as Greystripe, ready to try and send all of his supportive energy to his friend.

But perhaps he didn’t need to; Ravenwing was still trembling a little, but he was taking soft, deep breaths and the trembles were steadying out. Snowpaw, dead asleep beside him, rolled a little as his paws twitched and leaned against his mentor’s haunch, eliciting a quiet sigh from Ravenwing. He straightened up even more, waiting for the young cats to gather before starting.

“I know it’s hard right now,” he said once they had all settled. “We’re in a strange place because our home burned and there are dogs loose across all the territories. I’m sure you all feel no better than kittypets, stuck in a house with nothing to do.”

His green eyes darted to Fireheart at this. Fireheart waved his tail, dismissing the kittypet comment, and Ravenwing continued.

“You know, a long, long time ago, all of the Clans were in a similar position.” Some of the kits tilted their heads, while the apprentices’ eyes shone. Evidently, they knew where this was going. “Once, there were monsters much worse than some dogs that hunted cats—hulking, many-clawed beasts of stone and earth, so big that moss and grass and sometimes young trees could grow on their pelts: Titans. Our Mother wiped out the largest and most dangerous of them before she created us and our homes, but some of the smaller ones hid carefully and waited for her to fall asleep before they advanced upon us. These little Titans weren’t really little at all—the smallest were as large as a car, like the one over there—” Ravenwing nodded to the strange, rusty car in the corner of the Barn. “And some were twice that size. Believe it or not, they were strong enough to fight the Three, who were very young and inexperienced at the time. Three gods versus a swarm of Titans is no joke, and the Three were often overwhelmed. When they could, Titans tramped through fields and forests, killing what they could catch. They didn’t need to eat us, but they hated life that came from the Mother, and they wanted revenge for all of their kind that Mirra slew. We could do nothing but hide in our camps or in badger setts, shaking with fear and pleading for the Mother to wake up and save us.”

The kits huddled into each other a little, Cloudkit especially looking a little frightened. Brightpaw tapped his tail with hers and he settled a bit.

“In a way, she did, just through a conduit.” Ravenwing’s voice lightened and warmed. “In the beginning of the Clans, there was a beautiful calico who would come to be known as Mernatha*. Though she was irreverent and loved nothing more than pranking her fellow cats, she was born with bravery and cunning and perhaps less caution than she should have had.”

At the name of this molly, the kits perked up, their fluffy little tails dancing. Brackenpaw and Brightpaw looked at each other excitedly, and even Thornpaw’s face brightened.

“And she had a magic power no one else did,” Ravenwing said. “Can you tell me what that power is?”

Ashkit sat up fast enough to nearly jump to his feet. “She can turn into petals!”

“That’s right.” Ravenwing nodded. “That’s why her markings always dance around her fur like the wind moves them; they’re waiting to turn back into petals and fly through the air.”

Fireheart watched the apprentices and kits radiate excitement, feeling a bit of it himself. He had never really gotten to hear a Mernatha story—mostly kits and apprentices were told them regularly, which was admittedly frustrating, since everyone would mention her name with some context he was missing and then not elaborate. He hardly even knew what she really looked like, or any of her major tales. Goldenflower and Ravenwing had separately promised to tell him some, only for a distraction or work to show up and have everyone forget the promise. This felt like a long time coming.  

Brackenpaw spoke up. “Is she really from RiverClan?”

“Well, some say so,” Ravenwing replied. “Everyone likes to say she came from their own Clan, of course. But I’m sure she was from RiverClan. She certainly acts like one of them.

“Anyway, Mernatha made great use of this power to soar in the sky and get a bird’s-eye-view of our homes. She so often saw cats being torn apart or chased by Titans, and it broke her heart that her fellow cats were suffering so. But how to solve the problem? What could one little cat hope to do against creatures that large?

“But Mernatha is not a fool, and she loves her tricks. She paid close attention to the Titans and noticed something important: they avoided Mirra where she slept. To experiment, she called upon her good friend, Theful, the spirit of wind and weather, and told him to send the wind through the territories from the Mother. Just as he did, she sliced open a gash on Mirra’s massive paw, and the scent of her blood was blown on moorland and through the forest. The Titans smelled it and, knowing the scent of godly blood well, were frightened and scattered, leaving the territories in peace for several nights.

“Mernatha knows a good opportunity when she sees it, and she humbly called upon the crow-mother, Thlainra**, and requested the help of her infinite flock for her plan. Thlainra saw immediately what Mernatha aimed to do, warning her through her crows that the Three would be angry. Mernatha has never been afraid of angering anyone—”

“She’d be well afraid of angering Thlainra,” Yellowfang croaked suddenly, close by on a haybale.

Ravenwing twitched his whiskers and nodded to her. “Well, we would all be.”

Yellowfang stuck out her jaw with satisfaction and fell silent again.

Ravenwing continued. “Mernatha’s not afraid of angering anyone (except Thlainra), so she took the crows that volunteered for such a task and went to the Mother herself, instructing the crows to gather moss and bundles of grass and anything that could carry liquid and follow her.

“When she got to the Mother’s wounded paw, she opened up the gash even more, until blood flowed like a river.” Brightpaw opened her mouth and Ravenwing shook his head. “No one agrees on what color her blood was. Some say it WAS water, others that it shone and reflected a rainbow of light, others yet black as the night. It could be anything, even in RiverClan.”

Brightpaw closed her mouth again. Ravenwing turned back to the rest of his listeners.

“Whatever it looked like, the crows got to work. They soaked up the flowing blood with their moss and grass and little bits of carrying things, and they flew to each border of the territories. All along each border, they painted the ground and trees and bushes with that blood, thickly layered so that even rain and snow could not wash it away. As soon as the blood touched these surfaces, it sank into them, even rocks, and became invisible to the mortal eye.

“Just as the last bit of land had been covered, the Titans grew angry again and returned to the territories. But they discovered, to their outrage, that the scent of the Mother was everywhere. In the trees, in the earth, even the river smelled of her.” Ravenwing’s voice intensified. “And they were afraid again, and did not dare to cross these borders of blood. With a nudge from Mernatha, Theful shook the clouds and produced a deep, vast roar of thunder. The Titans heard this and, afraid that the Mother had awoken again, fled from the territories as fast as they could go, escaping to lands of hills as high as the sky, or meadows lower than a tree’s roots can sink. The territories have never seen them again, and to this night, they don’t dare to return.”

Ravenwing paused for breath and the kittens whispered to each other, eyes huge. Bramblekit looked to the warrior and murmured something.

“Sorry?” Ravenwing asked.

“Um…” Bramblekit raised his voice, and it wobbled nervously. “Did… did the Three get angry? Like Thlainra said?”

Ravenwing’s eyes creased. “Well, that’s the next part. The Clans celebrated their freedom and safety with the very first Gathering, where every cat—elder to kit—came together to rejoice and relax in the open of Fourtrees’ clearing, where no Titan could get them. Mernatha received many cheers and speeches in her honor, and she was quite pleased with herself.

“But suddenly, the full moon was joined in the sky by the blazing sun, and the sky went black and red. Cats cowered in terror as a light gleamed in the center of the clearing. When the light dimmed, before Mernatha stood Horoa and Suriin: Horoa’s golden pelt shining in the sunlight, his smokey mane covering his remaining eye so as not to blind their followers, and Suriin’s spots of moonlight glowing coldly as her single eye glared down at Mernatha. And even though he could not be seen, Rokhar’s presence was heavy in the air.

“Mernatha bowed gracefully to them, saying, ‘Well, my Lords and Lady, what a blessing to have you here with us tonight! I was hoping you’d join the party.’

“Suriin did not humor her. She bared her snow-white teeth. ‘You arrogant, heretical creature of flowers. Look at what you’ve done to our Mother.’

“‘Look indeed,’ Mernatha said smoothly. ‘I would say that it’s better to smell what I’ve done.’

“Horoa growled, ‘We smell it just fine. How dare you slash open your creator’s paws, wound her, and spread her blood around? And worse yet, you have Thlainra helping you! How could you do this?’

“Mernatha made a shocked face. ‘Why, Endless Watcher and Pathcarver, hear yourselves! I’ve done your job all on my own!’”

Ashkit stared at Ravenwing with an open mouth. “She didn’t talk like that to the Three!”

“She did,” Ravenwing said, amused. “And they were quite angry. The sky grew hot and stormy, night and red clouds slashing through each other. Suriin’s eye blazed like her brother’s, and Horoa himself was moments from shining his remaining eye to blind Mernatha.

“But the calico was not frightened—or if she was, she was going a very good job of hiding it. She simply purred, ‘I speak facts. Do you see any Titans around you? Have any of these cats been ripped to shreds and left to rot here on this gloriously clear ground? You did what you could to save us—and I applaud you, truly—but we required help you couldn’t provide. I simply took matters into my own paws.’ She lifted her head to the sky and raised her voice. ‘Mirra, Mother of us all, I beg you, if I have angered you by taking your blood, please strike me down now. Send lightning to blast me, fire to burn me, rain to drown me! Crush me with your wounded paw! Answer your children’s anger however you so choose!’

“Of course, there was no reaction. The Mother slept on, the only sound coming from her breathing through her open mouth that you apprentices have ventured into, and as will you kits in the future. The Three waited, irritated, but there was no cry for punishment, and Mernatha stood before them, entirely unruffled.

“‘Well, there we are, then,’ she said brightly. ‘I suppose saving the Clans was enough to clean my record of any wrongdoings, wasn’t it? Now, would you care for some prey? My dear friends have caught some delicious rabbits and fish…’

“The Three did not respond to her. Instead, there was another flash of light, and they were gone. The sky smoothed out back into its usual dark, starry self.” Ravenwing’s whiskers twitched. “Though for the rest of the night, Mernatha could feel glaring eyes on her back from above, and perhaps they never really stopped glaring at her. Or perhaps they did. It depends on what prank she just pulled on them. Either way, the Clans were saved, and Mernatha became our greatest hero. To this night, she wanders the Clans’ borders, ensuring that the Mother’s blood has retained its grip on our lands and no Titans will dare to come near us again.” Ravenwing shut his eyes. “And that’s the end, as I’ve heard it, and as you’ve heard it now.”

The kits squeaked their applause, and the apprentices called wordlessly in approval, a good number of the warriors and queens adding in their voices, Fireheart and Greystripe especially. Ravenwing took in a breath, shaking again, but his eyes were shining and he was very obviously fighting not to beam at the reaction.

Patchpelt, I hope you heard that, Fireheart thought, getting up. You’d be really proud of him right now.

Fireheart joined up with Greystripe and Ravenwing as the Barn lit up with conversation about the story (and several mentions of Ravenwing’s bravery). He bumped his head on Ravenwing’s skinny shoulder.

“That was awesome,” he said delightedly. “Does Mernatha have all the best stories?”

“I’d say so,” Greystripe said, mimicking Fireheart and nearly knocking poor Ravenwing over. “But they’re more awesome how Ravenwing tells it. You should’ve been called -throat, bud!”

“Heh…” Ravenwing’s head lowered sheepishly. “I wasn’t really happy to talk at all when I was an apprentice. Maybe that’s why Snowpaw’s so easy for me…” He glanced down, and then chuffed. “Look at him.”

Fireheart did, and chuffed himself. Through all the noise and story, Snowpaw was still dead asleep, his eyes shut with blissful ignorance.

*Mernatha: a portmanteau of several words – “mern” (amusement/merriment), “therna” (leaves or petals from a tree), and “ahah” (to land silently on one’s feet from a high fall). The literal translation is “laughing petals on foot”, transcribed into English as “Petalfall”.

**Thlainra: literally “thousand-crow”. Proper plural should be Thlainral, but the singular version stuck better in historical Clan culture thanks to the character herself being a singular being.

[isatswap]

i realised that i havent made an explanation post for the au so

Introduction

The basic premise is swapping main characters with eachother:

Siffrin < - > Loop

Mirabelle < - > Isabeau

Odile < - > Bonnie

(spoilers for the game begin under the cut. All the spoilers are of various severity so ill just say full game and act 6 secret)

The King < - > Euphrasie

The characters stories and motivations are also changed

Loop: Their story is very close to the original Siffrin, except for one thing - they are a star person! One of a kind (at least as far as Loop knows)! This fact is very distressing for them, so they chose to hide their identity from everyone. No one needs to know they are not human, teehee~.

Mirabelle: A Housemaiden of the Dormont House of Change. Well, at least formally. She went on a long pilgrimage after realising that she doesn't want to change and can't live as a true Housemaiden anymore. Also is much less anxious than her original counterpart.

Isabeau: Like in the original, wanted to finally change into a person he always wanted to be, but alas, his journey of Change was interrupted by Euphrasie's conquest of Vaugarde and had to be replaced with the journey of a savior. Because of this, he is much more shy and anxious than his original counterpart.

Odile: Not very long after her mother abandoned her, Odile's father died. Being unable to deal with her grief of losing both of her parents, she went on an everlasting journey, wandering through Vaugarde, trying to find a place she could call home. And all that as a young teenager. Also carries around a comically large book, I wonder what that is about....

Bonnie: A crabbing adult now! And a chef cooker! Had to abandon their home during the Curse, leaving their younger sister Nille behind. As the adult™ of the group, feels like they need to be very responsible and caring for their comrades, but also tries to be jovial about the situation, because who else would it be if not Bonnie!

Siffrin: Imagine having your family, your world, your story stolen from you. What does that mean? I dunno, read the posts and you might see :). Is almost constantly livid at Loop, though tries to not show it much.

The King and Euphrasie: The King (now just called King because its his name) is the Head Housemaiden and Euphrasie now wants to freeze the country in time. Thats all im gonna tell here. For now at least.

Navigation

Links to all the posts, in chronological order if possible

Not in-game stuff

S!Loop's design thing

Prologue

Be careful what you wish for

Unspecified time period

Lil Siffrin POV

Lil Siffrin POV 2

Act 2

Funny titbit

Act 2 ends here

Act 3

That one sadness again... (Memory of Sadnesses)

Odile's friend quest!

Bonnie's friend quest!

Isabeau's friend quest!

Mirabelle's friend quest!

Siffrin hangout

Scary Lady's "friend" quest.

Hehe just try to say it!

Seeing things.

Sharp objects involved

Act 3 ends here

Act 4

Bonnie is in fact perceptive (sus quest)

Bad touch but no one touched anyone

On the other side

Act 4 ends here

The Time Between (Act 4 asks)

[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Act 5

The Universe leads.

Eavesdropping on your "friends"

It's the bathroom

Loop dies...

Loop doesn't die

And this too shall pass.

Act 6

When the hats are two!

Something wrong. (0 hats)

[the-letterbox-archives]

Of all the characters in School Rules, who do you think is the most stable and sane?

(pretty sure the most broken is Angel, but feel free to correct me if I'm wrong :))

Bonus question: Do you think the story would be changed in any way if we genderbent all the characters and made it a story about Spencer’s Private School for Enterprising Boys?

spot on with the angel thing. but of course, there's no way to identify which character is 'most' broken or 'least' sane, they all go through their own issues.

but for the sake of the ask, i would have to say... viola alderman.

who is that? i hear you ask. good question. she hasn't had an in-person debut yet, but here's what johnnie had to say about her:

"Although there’s not much to say about her, she’s very quiet. Her art is fine, but let’s be honest, she can’t compete with my grades. And that shyness of hers, well, that isn’t a quality of a winner. She can hardly speak in class, let alone act outside her comfort zone to get the upper hand."

she's got her issues, but if i had to pick a (currently) most sane, it'd be her. she's not really interested in the drama of the school and that saves her a lot of emotional strain.

for the bonus question: when i say that one got me thinking-

if the story was about spencer's private school for enterprising boys, and the characters were male counterparts of their current female selves, the story would change quite a bit. not exactly in content, but more so in the themes. i don't think it would change the content of the characters too much, if at all. except for sunny and darcy's relationship. historically (at least in my research for many random reasons) gay men were often far more punished and scrutinised socially than lesbians. so, whilst female sunny has a "girl best friend" in darcy - she can be less careful about her slip ups when it comes to their relationship because she has that safety net, since most hetero adults and peers of that time would assume sunny is just super passionate about her "friend" - a male sunny would be a sodomite, and thus i believe a lot more secretive about his relationship with a male darcy (who would be a million times more secretive about it). there's also the notion of education - the girls at spencer's are mostly there as a charity case, unless they're rich. it's like the proper educated gentlemen of society (namely, the male spencers) who dedicate themselves to educating young women and being "progressive." that gender-based stigma would be mostly gone in an all boys school. pervasive later on in school rules is also the idea that girls aren't violent, which of course a genderbent version could not defend themselves on such a basis. a male sunny couldn't defend the later material on his show with "the students can't be held accountable, they're delicate young ladies!" because, well... they wouldn't be. violence would still be shunned, but there would be more pressure on classism then a solid mix of classism and sexism. if johnnie was male, i also think it'd be easier for him to get away with beating up sunny (female johnnie does/will do this.... but it's harder for her to justify for a number of reasons).

[wuxiaphoenix]

On Writing: Character Voice

Stories are about people. Maybe you have a fantastic world, maybe you have a really cool SF what-if (colonizing the rings of Jupiter!), maybe your characters are an alien and a sentient AI probe from Earth. Still. Stories are about people. And one of the ways to make characters come across as real, breathing individuals on the page, is to give them their own voices.

(This works for fanfics, too; though in that case you’re trying to catch the voice the creator has already established. The same elements apply.)

There are three major components I consider absolutely necessary to catch a character’s voice. Word choice, worldview, and scope of knowledge. Or in other words, would your character pick these words to say X is a problem? Would they actually consider X a problem? And do they know how big a problem X is in the first place?

Word choice is critical; it’s even been known to get people killed. There’s a story, possibly apocryphal, of a British commander calling his U.S. counterpart for help, describing his situation as being in “a bit of a tight spot.”

What the American GI heard: Eh, we have a problem, mind fitting us in when you have a chance?

What the British commander meant: We’re out of ammo and holding them off with knives and our teeth, get over here!

You see the problem.

Word choice helped make the characters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer memorable. The contrast of California Valley teen voices with a stuffy British Watcher and other far-less-slangy adults and teachers let you immediately identify who was going to be on which side when it came to dealing with the Monster of the Week, and who was likely to 1) make a bad situation worse or 2) get eaten. This was always particularly interesting when one of the Scoobies was mistaking a supernatural problem for something mundane, as this bit from Giles when Buffy asks if Xander’s possessed. “It’s devastating. He’s turned into a sixteen-year-old boy. Of course you’ll have to kill him....”

Which leads into worldview. For the past few years in Buffy’s life, every Major Problem has had a supernatural cause, and she can’t talk about it with anyone who doesn’t already know, or they’ll think she’s crazy. (Including, sadly, her parents.) So with most people she acts the ditzy if observant Valley Girl whose most serious problem is not having the right new outfit to hit the Bronze. Around those who know she still speaks Valley, but with a far more practical edge.

Giles, on the other hand, though trained as a Watcher, has lived many more years where serious problems were just other humans being humans. If it looks like a normal human problem, he treats it as such; the crossbow comes out later.

And here’s where scope of knowledge comes in. Buffy was on that zoo trip, she saw the change in Xander’s behavior. On top of that she takes classes with Willow and Xander every day; she knows how they interact. She saw a sudden shift with a possible identifiable trigger. Giles sees them all less hours of the day, he’s more likely not to have noticed anything except lamentable Teenage Guyness. Until his poking in the stacks finds the Primals. Once he knows, he goes from mentor dealing with unfortunate teenage realities to Watcher with an evil zookeeper to stomp.

...As it turns out at the end, he’s not entirely wrong even before that. Xander is a teenage guy - who normally does not behave in such a cruel fashion because he knows better.

Xander (facing Giles after having proclaimed amnesia to his friends): ...Shoot me, stuff me, mount me.

Giles (dryly): Your secret... dies with me.

Consider what your characters would say. Consider what they think, and what they know. The hero who’s never met zombies at the start of the story will have much different things to say once he’s survived a few chain-swarms!

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Playing for Keeps Book Review 🦇

❓ #QOTD Soccer or baseball? ❓ 🦇 A baseball pitcher and umpire definitely aren't supposed to fall for each other, right? Especially not when star pitcher June and officiate-to-be Ivy are trying to go pro. Sometimes, life throws you a curveball, though. When Ivy is assigned as an umpire for June's elite club baseball team, they instantly clash on the field, only to find they have something in common: grief. Soon, they become enemies to friends to far more, despite the rules that prohibit them from dating each other. Will romance get in the way of them following their dreams?

💜 On the surface, Playing for Keeps seems like a fun, sweet young adult sapphic romance. The initial set-up gives us sharp, bittersweet enemies to lovers potential between a pitch and an umpire. Seems cute and fluffy, right? No one is that one-dimensional, though. Both Ivy and June are struggling with the loss of a loved one, balancing that on top of unrealistic expectations from their parents and the pressures they put on themselves to succeed. Add in the pressure you get from sports alone and it's enough to make anyone crumble. Ivy and June find happiness in each other, through stolen moments as they date in secret, wary that the conflict of interest between them will tear them apart. There's a potential for them to heal through one another, alongside one another, while learning how to navigate the external forces of loss while growing up.

💜 I loved that both Ivy and June were pursuing career paths that don't often make space for women. I would have liked to see more focus on that, though. It was sweet to see how the male players on the baseball team were quick to support June, but I expected to see more kickback (either from her team or other teams) to show (not tell us) how she struggled and still persevered.

💙 Unfortunately, the story is so rushed, so many scenes time-jumped, emotions mentioned but not illustrated, that you don't FEEL anything while reading this story. With the topic of grief, whether a character is processing it or trying to avoid it, readers should have an easy time sympathizing with the characters. Instead, the grief feels like a plot point, a reason for potential enemies to connect and eventually become more.

💙 Even with little jumps, the story lagged. Dugan has a tendency to pair selfless characters with less reasonable counterparts, which we certainly see between Ivy and June. Given that, it's difficult to root for both girls. Yes, they're both grieving, and yes, they both deserve happiness, but their actions are exhausting and (yes, I know it's YA) juvenile at times. Though the two girls had so much in common, the miscommunication trope constantly tugged them in opposite directions.

🦇 Recommended for fans of Some Girls Do, Home Field Advantage, and Cool for the Summer.

✨ The Vibes ✨ ⚾ Enemies to Lovers ⚾ Young Adult Romance ⚾ Sapphic Romance ⚾ Forbidden Love ⚾ Lesbian & Bi FMCs ⚾ Sports Romance ⚾ Grief ⚾ Pressure From Parents ⚾ Miscommunication

💬 Quotes ❝ Expecting it means I can prepare for it, plan for it, and figure out a way to keep my cool in its face. What I didn’t expect, though, was for there to be an extremely attractive girl throwing balls at about seventy-five billion miles per hour, striking out dumb boys left and right, like some kind of varsity, all-star Black Widow. ❞ ❝ There’s a lot of pressure on girls to conform, to become nice women, to do what’s expected. Smile more, whiten your teeth, lose the weight, don’t be too loud or too funny or too much. Make yourself less so the boys can feel like more. Don’t wear spaghetti straps or you might tempt them. Hold yourself accountable for the both of you, so they don’t have to. ❞

[isfjmel-phleg]

The Secret Garden on 81st Street has lovely art and a lot of good intentions. But one reason I don't find myself revisiting this one for personal enjoyment is how it handles the story and characters. While the broad plot remains and the same roles are all filled (except for the notable absence of Mrs. Sowerby), the point of the narrative is now to impart Lessons on anxiety and grief, and to serve this centralization of an issue to address, the characterization is altered. This results in not merely a less effective adaptation but a less effective plot and characters.

To illustrate this, let's start by looking at how Frances Hodgson Burnett handles Mary and Colin's argument that leads to the tantrum scene in The Secret Garden (Chapters 16-17).

Mary has been spending a lot of time with Colin after meeting him. But when the rain that has kept her indoors finally ends, she spends the whole day out in the garden with Dickon. When she returns to the house, she gets into an argument with Colin, who is angry that she didn't come to see him. The two exchange insults, Colin plays the I'm-going-to-die card, Mary questions this, he is so angry that he throws a pillow at her, and she leaves. Late that night, she is awakened by his having a tantrum, and Colin's nurse asks her to try to get through to him. A furious Mary yells right back at him, orders him to stop, tell him that she and everyone else hate him, and contests his insistence that he has a lump on his back. She examines his back and confirms that there is nothing wrong with it. This upends Colin's entire worldview, and he is able to calm down and process the notion that he is not really doomed to die. His arc has reached a major turning point, and from here on, he is open to going outdoors, which leads to further progress.

In The Secret Garden on 81st Street, this plays out completely differently (pp. 156-168).

This version's Colin has anxiety/panic disorder and is portrayed as very emotionally fragile and self-doubting. Burnett's Colin has those qualities too, but 81st Street leaves out any of his negative traits. He is not ridiculously spoiled. He does not have an uncontrolled temper. He is not demanding, possessive, and entitled. He's just super, super anxious, which is a struggle rather than a flaw. He has no apparent flaws.

81st Street's Mary doesn't just devote a day to work in the garden without seeing Colin; she ignores him for an entire week. This sets her up from the beginning as in the wrong and makes his being upset with her more sympathetic--which is the opposite of what Burnett presents. When this Mary finally comes to see Colin, excitedly telling him about what she's been doing in the garden, he points out how long she's ignored him and how she knows he can't see the garden. She asks him why he's being like this, and he proceeds to guilt-trip her: "Because you forgot about me! You're going to leave me, too! You'd rather spend time with normal people, like Dickon. And this is all my fault. If I could just be normal and not be broken, I could be your real friend, not just someone you visit when you have time." He starts to cry.

I would consider this emotionally manipulative behavior, not unlike what Burnett's Colin does in the equivalent scene, but it's clear that this narrative wants us to fully side with him by portraying Mary's responses to him as lacking in understanding of his condition. Mary tells him he's being ridiculous and insists she didn't forget about him. He escalates into a panic attack. Mary, like her counterpart in the original, tells him that he's not dying and there's nothing wrong with him. His attack continues, she says he's overreacting, and the adults come running in to tend to him and shoo her out.

Later, Colin's therapist has a long talk with Mary about the nature of Colin's panic disorder and how to properly respond to it. Mary is abashed at not having understood but says she doesn't know why Colin is still upset about losing a parent, because she doesn't feel that way about her similar situation. The therapist talks to her about how grieving is different for everyone. This is followed by Medlock telling Mary to "please be aware of [Colin's] condition" and to apologize to him.

Mary apologizes, Colin berates himself for not being able to control the panic, and she repeatedly affirms that it's hard and she knows he's trying. She then apologizes for having to leave to tend to the garden and asks if it's okay with him if she does. He grants permission. Shortly after this, he decides for some reason that he's ready to go outside now.

In Burnett's story, the purpose of Chapters 16-17 is to establish conflict between the two deeply flawed protagonists which will build to a climax that furthers both the plot and Colin's arc. The argument is the natural outcome of a clash of interests between two characters who are self-absorbed and not used to being told no. Mary reacts with obstinacy and aggression, Colin with entitlement and self-pity, and these characteristic behaviors emerging their interactions move the plot forward. Going outdoors would be good for Colin, but he has always been vehemently opposed to it--so what would it take to get him past what's holding him back (i.e. his belief that he is destined to die young)? Mary returns to her renovation of the garden -> Colin is angry at being left alone and tries to control her -> she attacks his worldview -> he can't handle this and has a tantrum -> she lashes out at him and supplies concrete evidence that he's not going to die -> he has to reconsider his worldview and can thus start on the path toward growth. It's a logical progression of actions consistent with the characters as established, and they respond like humans, not plot devices.

In 81st Street, the purpose of these scenes is to deliver a lesson about responding to people who have panic disorder. It accomplishes what it sets out to do, but from a narrative standpoint, it does much less than Burnett's version. This Mary and Colin do not function so much as individual characters here as they do roles in the lesson being taught.

Mary is a stand-in for a hypothetical audience who is ignorant of panic disorder and liable to be dismissive. It is her job to be wrong, to be called out by an authoritative adult who imparts instruction, to meekly accept this rebuke, and to apologize and be accommodating, because this is what the narrative is teaching the audience to emulate. Whether any of this behavior is strictly in character for her is less important than the example that needs to be modeled.

Colin, meanwhile, embodies panic disorder. Since he is defined by this condition, he cannot have flaws or be wrong in any way lest anything disparaging be suggested about the condition. He is an Issue for other people to correctly react to. So nothing that he does in these scenes is affected by his personality or flaws, and he does not need to learn anything from other people. Other people have to accommodate him. (There should be mutual accommodation and understanding, with her learning to understand his condition and him learning to take ownership of his own feelings without expecting the world to walk on eggshells around him just because he has anxiety, but that's not what's being portrayed here.) Instead of external factors leading to growth, he just...changes his mind one day.

This Colin could have panic disorder and still have significant character flaws like his counterpart in Burnett's story, because these two factors (a psychological condition and one's personal character) really have nothing to do with each other. It would have made him more complexly human to allow him some negative traits, as well as moving the plot forward by allowing his and Mary's flaws to clash and giving him an opportunity to grow as a person, not just learn to manage his condition better (important, yes, but the heart of a story is not in a character's increasing in skill or knowledge but in how they personally develop).

What the graphic novel presents isn't an effective arc for either protagonist. Mary doesn't have any agency in her change; she must be instructed by an all-knowing adult instead of learning things for herself. Colin's change of heart is utterly arbitrary because he hasn't had to learn anything and hasn't had his misconceptions about himself and the world meaningfully challenged. It's just: Mary reacts incorrectly to Colin's condition -> she is corrected and instructed in what to do in the future -> she apologizes and corrects her behavior -> Colin decides he's ready to go to the garden. This isn't a plot; it's a PSA. Instead of letting the characters drive the action, they are there to be vehicles for the Lesson. And that may be instructive, but as far as I'm concerned, it doesn't make for a very compelling story or characters.

[cantsayidont]

February 1985. One of the conventions of time travel stories in the pre-Crisis DC Universe was that a time traveler who visited an era in which they were already present could only observe events as a phantom, unable to intervene in any way. In this unusual and poignant scene in the first issue of the SUPERMAN: THE SECRET YEARS miniseries, we see that following the deaths of his foster parents, Superboy is tormenting himself by periodically traveling back in time to watch them, silent and invisible, knowing that he can never touch them again, much less alter the circumstances of their deaths.

The deaths of the Kents — who in Earth-1 history both died of a rare tropical fever during the summer following Clark Kent's high school graduation — were a foundational aspect of Superman's character prior to the MAN OF STEEL reboot. The pre-Crisis Superman was incredibly powerful (not least in his ability to fly faster than light and travel through time at will!), but his childhood was bookended by the deaths of two sets of parents, which he was powerless to prevent or undo, just as he could not prevent or undo the destruction of Krypton. (In the Silver Age, Superman actually visited Krypton as an adult, in a truly wrenching Jerry Siegel story in SUPERMAN #141 in which he meets and befriends his own parents — who don't know who he really is — and falls in love with an actress named Lyla Lerrol, only to be saved by fate from perishing with them.)

Thus, even when his powers were at their most absurd Silver Age peak, Superman was always painfully aware that there was still nothing he could do about the tragedies that mattered most to him. (This is echoed in the death of Jonathan Kent in the 1978 SUPERMAN movie, although in the Christopher Reeve films, Martha actually survives until just prior to SUPERMAN IV).

Having both the Kents survive to Clark's adulthood therefore represents a rather dramatic shift, particularly in continuities like that of MAN OF STEEL, where Superman doesn't learn of his Kryptonian origins until he's in his late 20s. It's certainly less depressing, and contributes significantly to the modern Clark Kent being far less neurotic than in previous eras, but it also means that the modern Superman doesn't have the same intrinsic sense of his own limits, material or moral, and that his sense of his own place in the world is not defined by tragedy in the way his pre-Crisis counterpart's was.

This isn't necessarily bad — I don't think Superman needs to always be neurotic or doomstruck in the way he was in the Silver Age — and Jonathan and Martha's presence can be charming and fun. (The inclusion of those characters really added to the bright mood of the '90s LOIS AND CLARK show, for instance.) However, it does change the center of gravity of the Superman character, and not always in good ways. (In particular, I think it has contributed to the unfortunate tendency of modern stories to suggest that some tragedy might one day cause Superman to snap and abandon his ethical code, something it's difficult to envision the Earth-1 Superman ever doing.)

[scarlet--wiccan]

I feel like get asked a lot about maximoff and co costumes which is fine but I’m curious if there are any marvel characters you really wish would get a new costume? Kanon’s the big one imo but I kind of with Jess drew could have something else as well.

Any looks you really like but don’t mention much either?

Eli made his official return as Patriot in this week's Marvel's Voices: Legends. A core part of Eli's character has always been his complicated relationship with the Captain America legacy and, really, America as a nation. I don't expect him to drop the America motif, but if he's really back, then I want him to that that identity and make it fully his own with a new look. And, honestly, I just think that most characters who've been around since they were kids need to get new costumes when they become adults.

Outside, I would love to give a lot of other magic characters new looks. A lot of them do wear outdated costumes-- I don't appreciate Stephen's throwback look in Doctor Strange, and seeing Michael's old suit in Alpha Flight was super jarring-- and I've always wished that magical heroes would dress more like fantasy characters. Cultivating more of a spellcaster aesthetic, with less spandex and more separates, would be nice.

It's no secret that I don't love Agatha's new design-- setting aside the M C U inspiration, which is a whole issue unto itself, it doesn't include any of her signature elements, like her brooch or shawl, and I find that the stylistic choices just don't suit the concept of an ageless witch. The actual silhouette and structure are cool, I just don't like the details. I feel similarly about Wanda's new costume, and if it up to me, I would revamp both of their outfits to be more cohesive. If they're supposed to be rivals or counterparts, which is the vibe I get, then I want to look like they could feasibly belong to the same coven.

[jwslw]

More Space Dinosaurs

Quintaglio

Sapient descendants of the Tyrannosaur family.  Quintaglio civilization can be divided into two eras, Pre Space flight and Post Space flight. Quintaglio are carnivores.  

Quintaglios were created by Canadian Author Robert J Sawyer, for the short story”Uphill Climb” and the “Quintaglio Ascension Trilogy”

Personality

Quintaglio are territorial creatures, partly because of the harsh conditions of their homeworld, and partly as a result of societal pressure.  Post Space flight Quintaglio are much less territorial than there Pre Space flight counterparts but, the instincts are still there.    

Physical Description

Quintaglios resemble semi-erect theropod dinosaurs with long arms ending in five fingered hands and retractable claws.   Males possess a dewlap around the throat that can be inflated for mating and territorial displays, both genders have a salt-secreting gland inside their mouth with a barely visible hole in their muzzle.  The majority of Quintaglios are left-hand dominate.  Quintaglios have thick hides, but, through millennia of evolution have lost most of their scales.  Quintaglios are green with most having some type of contrasting yellow or brown pattern, the skin of extremely old Quintaglio will often wholly or partially turn jet black.   A typical Quintaglio's muzzle will turn bright blue when they lie, a minority of the species possess a mutation that prevents this, they are treated as demonic beings called Aug-Ta-Rot (lit. Those who can lie in the light of day).

Quintaglio are a long lived species with a maximum lifespan of around two hundred years by human reckoning.  Quintaglios continue to grow through out their lives with most adults standing between 2 and 2.5 meters (6.5-8.1ft) tall.  A female Quintaglio will become fertile once every 15-20thousand days, and, upon successfully mating they will lay a clutch of 8 eggs.  Some females release pheromones signaling their readiness to breed constantly even when they are not. These females typically become huntresses, a position of high honor in Quintaglio society.

The Quintaglio can regrow lost limbs, generally they can not regrow lost or damaged organs, but, in rare cases some Quintaglio have regrown lost eyes.

Most Quintaglio do not wear clothing just items like tool belts, decorative sashes or jewelry, members of the priestly cast wear full robes in various colors however.  

History and Technology

For most of their history, the Quintaglio lived a semi-nomadic existence, even into the final years of the Pre Spaceflight era.  The end of the Pre Space flight era was marked with several major inventions and discoveries including the existence of another sapient species, and the extraterrestrial origin of life on their world.

Despite the seeming limits of a semi-nomadic life style and suffering from the “Dagamant” (possibly Battle Fury), the Quintaglio were able to advance quite far, possessing a level of technology roughly equivalent to the Renaissance era of earth by the end of the Pre Space flight era, and subsequently reverse engineering the alien technologies discovered during that time in a matter of years.

While they possess many advanced tools, strong cultural taboos largely prevent Quintaglios from employing ranged weapons when hunting or fighting.

Near the end of the Pre Space flight era, The Quintaglio were ruled by a heriditary monarchy, this is still, in the Post Space flight era, the monarchy is still believed to exists but, many colonies are completely independent.

During the Pre-Space Flight era, Quintaglios did not mate for life and hatchlings were largely raised communally.   This began to change during the waining years of the Pre-Space Flight era.

The Quintaglio place a high value on an individual's ability to hunt, with completing their first hunt and earning a “hunting tatoo” being considered an important step to adulthood.

Relations

For most of their history, the Quintaglio did not have contact with other sapient species, and due to the “Dagamant”, first contact with “the Others” (a related species and the only other sapient species on there homeworld) nearly ended in a genocidal war.  In the Post Space flight era, “Dagamant” is no longer an issue, and colony ships full of the Quintaglio and “the Others” can be found plying the stars seeking both new worlds to settle and other descendants of earth creatures.

While Dagamant has been largely eradicated in the Post Space Flight era, the uncanny valley effect of encountering sapient creatures that look to “saurian” can still make Quintaglios deeply defensive or uncomfortable.

Quintaglios raise and keep lizards in a similar manner to how humans raise dogs and cats.

Lands

During the Pre Space flight era, the Quintaglio and their cousins the Others, lived on a moon orbiting the Gas Giant “Galatjaroob” (lit, the Face of God), with the Quintaglio controlling the moon's single continent (simply called “Land” by the Quintaglio) while the Other lived on the moon's sole large archipelago located in the southern hemisphere.  The moon also had polar ice caps.

The Quintaglio divided Land into eight provinces running from west to east; Jam'Toolar, Fra'Toolar, Arj'Toolar, Chu'Toolar, Mar'Toolar, Edz'Toolar, Kev'Toolar and Capital.

Its naturally decaying orbit destroyed the Quintagilo's moon “shortly” after the dawn of the Post Space flight era, though, as foreknowledge of the event is what spurred the birth of space flight the Quintaglios and the Others were able to completely evacuate before that happened.

Galatjaroob takes 16000 days (roughly 44 Earth years) to orbit its parent star.  because of this, the Quintaglio have four main large scale time measurements, Day (roughly the same length as a day on earth), the Deca Day (10 days, the Quintaglio equivalent of a week), the Kilo Day (1000days/10 Deca Days, the loose equivalent of an Earth month) and the Year.

Many dinosaur species of dinosaur were found of Galatjaroob, a list of the most common ones are found here

Armourback (Ankylosaurs)

Blackdeath (Tyrannosaurus rex) named for their thick black hides, an unarmed Quintaglio can not defeat them.

Fish Lizard (Ichthyosaurs)

Hornface (Ceratopsians): Can be found both living wild and domesticated as beasts of burden, three species were known to still exist by the end of the Pre-Space Flight era; "Triple Hornface" (Triceratops), "Spikefrills" (Styracosaurus) and "Boss-Nosed Hornface" (Pachyrhinosaurus)

Kal-Ta-Goot/Water Serpent (Plesiosaurs) possibly only the name of a single plot relevant plesiosaur

Runningbeast (Ornithomimids) Said to be the fastest creatures on land, domesticated and used as mounts by the Quintaglios.  

Shovelmouth (Hadrosaurs) One of the Quintaglios' primary food sources, one spieces unique to Land was described as having a three pointed crest, orange skin with blue stripes, and was supposed to be the tastiest of all Shovelmouths.  

Terrorclaw (Dromaeosaurs),

Wingfinger (Pterosaurs) have evolved into a number of new forms, including flightless variants like the penguin-esque Divers and the arm walking Stilts.

Religion

For most of their history, the Quintaglio believed in a supreme Goddess (simply called God in the Sacred Scrolls), who was said to have lain the “Eight Eggs of Creation” and created the Quintaglio by biting off her arms, first the left to create her daughters “The Five Original Hunters” then the right to create her sons “The First mates”.  When the first Quintaglio began breeding God became concerned that her grand children or their descendants would over populate Land and tasked her daughter Mekt with going to each nest and consuming seven of the eight hatchlings contained within.  In the process she became the first Halpataar (lit Blood Priest). Feeling it was inappropriate for the ones that lay the eggs to also cull them, Mekt would only teach the Halpataar rites to male priests. The practice would continue through almost the entirety of the Pre-Space Flight era with few modifications, first changing from the consumption of seven hatchlings per nest to the consumption of eggs, and then to the destruction of the Halpataar order when its connection to the Dagamant phenomenon was completely understood.  The nest of key religious or political figures within Quintaglio society would generally be spared these cullings.

The oldest form of this religion also included the veneration of “The Five Original Hunters” the daughters of God created from the fingers.  One such sect called the Lubalites, believed in a prophecy uttered by the Original Hunter Lubal in her dying moments of a great male hunter called the one who would emerge to save the Quintaglio in their darkest hour.

During the last two centuries (Quintaglio years), the scholar Larsk would discover the only point on the Quintaglio moon where Galatjaroob was visible in the sky.  Believing, or at least claiming to believe, he had discovered the face of God, Larsk would found a new singular royal family and a new religious sect that would become the dominate religious group for the next 150 Quintaglio years.  

In the last years of the Pre-Space Flight era, Astrologer and skilled hunter Sal-Afsan (lit Meaty Thigh bone), would inadvertently ignite the long simmering conflict between the Larskan sect and the now underground Lubalite sect, with his discovery of the true nature of Galajaroob and the eminent doom of their home moon, with the aid of a Far-Seer (telescope) invented by his future mate and future leader of “Project of Great Escape”, Wab-Novato.  To this day Afsan and Novato are regarded as the most important figures in Quintaglio history.

  Language

The Quintaglio have their own written and spoken language, most Post Space Flight era Quintaglios also know the language of The Other.

Names

Example Male names

Sal-Afsan

Tak Saleed

Pal-Cadool

Det Yenalb

Dy-Dybo

Dy-Rodlox

Kee-Toroca

Var-Keenir

Example Female names

Len-Lend

Wab-Novato

Wab-Babnol

Nav-Mokelb

Species Traits

Ability Modifiers: Str+10, Dex-2, Con+8, Cha-4.  

Monstrous Humanoid (Ex): Quintaglio have all the traits common to Monstrous humanoids, Quintaglio have the reptilian sub-type.

Natural Armor: The thick hide of a Quintaglio grants them a +5 natural armor bonus to defense

Size: Large, Quintaglio suffer a -1 size penalty to Defense and Attack rolls, a +4 Grapple bonus and a -4 size penalty.  A Quintaglio has a space of 10ft x 10ft and a reach of 10ft.

Keen Senses (Ex): Quintaglio have Low-light vision and Scent as described in the d20 Modern RPG

Natural Attacks (Ex): Quintaglio possess two sets of retractable claws and strong jaws, as a Full Attack action, a Quintaglio may perform 2 claws attacks (1d6 plus Str modifier) and a secondary bite attack (1d8 plus ½ str modifier)

Base Land Speed: 40ft.

Bonus Feats:  Quintaglios receive Multi-Attack and Alertness as bonus feats

Skills: Quintaglio receive a +4 species bonus to climb checks.  Due to their snouts, Quintaglio suffer a -6 circumstance penalty to Bluff checks

Dagamant (Ex)*: When another Quintaglio or other Humanoid or Monstrous humanoid with the reptilian subtype comes within 10ft of you without first asking permission, make a Will save (DC 10+ the triggering creatures Charisma Modifier, +1 for every Quintaglio or reptilian Humanoid/Monstrous humanoid within 50ft) or fly into a blind rage attacking everything around them.  Being within 60ft of a Quintaglio that has entered Dagamant will also trigger a Will Save (Same formula) to avoid entering it yourself.  While in Dagamant, a Quintaglio receives a +4 Circumstance bonus to Strength and Constition granting 2 additional temporary Hit Points per Hit Die, but suffer a -2 circumstance penalty to Defense and Reflex saves. Temporary HP is depleted before regular HP and fades away when Dagamant ends.  A Quintaglio will remain in Dagamant for a number of rounds equal to its base Constitution modifier, or until the triggering creature is slain.

Starting Language: All Quintaglio begin play with the Read/write and Speak Language (Quintaglio) skills

Level Adjustment: +5.

Progress Level: Baseline Human +/-2 depending on time frame

*When creating a Post Space Flight Quintaglio roll d100, on a roll of 01-97, they do not suffer from Dagamant

Fangjaw

A powerful, quadrupedal, theropod that stalks the creatures of land and can kill nearly anything it encounters.

Species Traits  

Animal Type (Ex): A Fangjaw have all traits common to animals.

Keen Senses (Ex): Fangjaws have Scent and Low-light vision as described in the d20 Modern RPG

Bonus Feats: Fangjaws receive Multi-Attack and Track as a bonus feats

Skills: Fangjaws receive +4 Species bonus to survival checks when tracking by scent, a Fangjaw receives a +8 species bonus to hide checks when in thick undergrowth or long grass.

Pounce (Ex): Once per encounter, a Fangjaw may perform a Full Attack action after performing a Full Move action.

Trip (Ex): A Fangjaw that hits with a bite attack can attempt to trip the opponent as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the Fangjaw.

Fangjaw CR6. Huge Animal HD: 6d8+36. HP63. Mas23. Init:+2. Spd 50ft. Defense:17, Touch10, FF15(-2sz,+2dex, +7Nat). Bab+4. Grapl+20. Atk:+10melee(bite 2d6+8). Full Atk:+10melee(2 claws 2d4+8) and +8melee (Bite 2d6+4). FS:15ftx15ft. R:10ft. SQ: Animal traits, Keen Senses, Pounce, Trip. AL: None. Sv Frt+5, Ref+5, Wil+3. AP: N/A. Rep+0. Str27, Dex15, Con23, Int2, Wis12, Cha6.

Skills: Hide-3 (+5 in long grass), Listen+6, Move Silently+4, Spot+4, Survival+1 (+5 when tracking by scent)

Feats: Multi-Attack, Track

Advancement: 7-12 HD (Huge)

Pteradon, Diver

A species of flightless, aquatic pterosaur, adapted to arctic conditions

Species Traits  

Animal traits (Ex): A Diver has all traits common to animals.

Keen Senses (Ex): Divers have Low-light vision and Scent as described in the d20 Modern RPG.

Bonus Feats: Divers receive Weapon Finesse (Bite), and Alertness as bonus feats

Skills: A Diver can swim without making checks and if forced to make a swim check by outside forces, it receives a +8 species bonus to the roll.

Hold Breath (Ex): A Diver can hold its breath for a number of minutes equal to its Constitution score

Pteradon, Diver CR1. Medium Animal HD:2d8-2. HP7. Mas8. Init:+4. Spd 20ft, Swim 40ft.  Defense:, Touch, FF(+4dex,+2Nat). Bab+1. Grapl+0. Atk/Full Atk:+5melee(bite 1d6-1). FS:5ftx5ft. R:5ft. SQ: Animal traits, Keen Senses, Hold Breath. AL: None. Sv Frt+2, Ref+7, Wil+1. AP: N/A. Rep+0.Str8, Dex18, Con8, Int2, Wis12, Cha5.

Skills: Listen+5, Move Silently+8, Spot+8, Swim+7*

Feats: Alertness, Weapon Finesse (bite)

Advancement: 3HD (Medium), 4-8HD (Large), 9-14HD (Huge)

*Automatically passes normal swim checks

Pteradon, Stilts

A species of flightless pterosaur, its wings now serve as legs.

Species Traits

Animal Traits (Ex): A Stilt has all traits common to animals..

Keen Senses (Ex): Stilts have Low-light vision and Scent as described in the d20 Modern RPG.

Bonus Feats: Stilts receive Alertness and Stealthy as bonus Feats

Pteradon, Stilts CR2. Large Animal HD:4d8.HP18. Mas10. Init:+. Spd 30ft. Defense:14, Touch12, FF11(-1Sz, +3dex,+2Nat). Bab+2. Grapl+7. Atk:+2melee(bite 1d8+1). Full Atk:+2melee(bite 1d8+1) and -3melee (2 claws 1d4+1). FS:10ftx10ft. R:5ft. SQ: Animal traits, Keen Senses. AL: None. Sv Frt+,Ref+,Wil+. AP: N/A. Rep+0. Str12, Dex16,Con10, Int2, Wis12, Cha5.

Skills: Hide+1, Listen+5, Move Silently+10, Spot+8.

Feats: Alertness, Stealthy

Advancement:5-8HD (Large), 9-14HD (Huge)

[perfectsmilespa20100]

Essex's Best Kept Secret: Adult Braces and the Path to a Perfect Smile

Introduction:

A perfect smile is not limited to age, and Essex residents are discovering a well-kept secret – adult braces. While often associated with adolescence, braces have evolved to cater to the needs and preferences of adults, offering a discreet and effective solution for achieving a flawless smile. This article unveils Essex's best-kept secret, delving into the world of adult braces, the transformative journey they offer, and the benefits that come with embracing this orthodontic option.

The Evolution of Adult Braces:

Traditionally, braces were primarily associated with teenagers, and the thought of metal brackets and wires may have deterred many adults from pursuing orthodontic treatment. However, advancements in orthodontic technology have given rise to a variety of options tailored specifically for adults, addressing not only the functional aspects of misalignment but also the aesthetic concerns of mature individuals.

Invisible Aligners: One of the breakthroughs in adult orthodontics is the advent of invisible aligners. These clear, removable trays provide a discreet alternative to traditional braces, allowing adults to straighten their teeth without the noticeable appearance of metal braces. This innovation has become a game-changer, especially in fashion-conscious communities like Essex.

Ceramic Braces: For those who prefer a fixed appliance, ceramic braces offer a more aesthetically pleasing option. These braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets and are less conspicuous than their metal counterparts, making them a popular choice among adults seeking a subtler orthodontic solution.

Lingual Braces: Lingual braces take the concept of discreetness to a new level by being placed on the back side of the teeth. While effective, they remain virtually hidden from view, making them an attractive option for adults who desire a low-profile orthodontic treatment.

The Transformative Journey of Adult Braces in Essex:

Personalized Treatment Plans: The journey to a perfect smile with adult braces begins with a comprehensive consultation. Essex orthodontists assess the individual's oral health, discuss their goals, and tailor a personalized treatment plan that aligns with their unique needs and lifestyle.

Invisible Aligner Process: Invisible aligners, a popular choice for adult orthodontics, involve a series of custom-made trays that gradually move the teeth into the desired position. Patients receive a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, each bringing them one step closer to their perfect smile.

Ceramic and Lingual Brace Placement: For those opting for ceramic or lingual braces, the placement process is meticulous. Brackets are affixed to the teeth, and wires are threaded through, applying gentle pressure to guide the teeth into alignment. Regular adjustments ensure steady progress throughout the treatment.

Adapting to Daily Life: Adult braces are designed to accommodate the busy lifestyles of mature individuals. Invisible aligners can be removed for eating and cleaning, offering flexibility and convenience. Additionally, advancements in orthodontic materials contribute to increased comfort and reduced treatment times.

Benefits of Adult Braces in Essex:

Aesthetic Appeal: One of the key benefits of adult braces is the focus on aesthetic appeal. The availability of invisible aligners, ceramic braces, and lingual braces allows individuals to straighten their teeth discreetly, minimizing the impact on their appearance during the treatment process.

Improved Oral Health: Beyond the cosmetic aspect, adult braces contribute to improved oral health. Straighter teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of issues such as cavities and gum disease. Properly aligned teeth also promote a healthier bite, reducing the likelihood of jaw pain and discomfort.

Enhanced Confidence: A straight and aligned smile has a significant impact on an individual's confidence. Adult braces offer a transformative journey, not only improving the alignment of the teeth but also boosting self-esteem and the willingness to share one's smile with the world.

Tailored Treatment Options: Essex's best-kept secret lies in the variety of adult orthodontic options available. From invisible aligners to ceramic and lingual braces, adults have the flexibility to choose a treatment that aligns with their preferences, lifestyle, and desired level of visibility.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, adult braces in essex have emerged as Essex's best-kept secret, offering a transformative path to a perfect smile for individuals of all ages. The evolution of orthodontic technology has introduced discreet options that cater specifically to the aesthetic preferences of mature individuals. The personalized treatment plans, invisible aligner process, and the placement of ceramic and lingual braces contribute to a journey that not only enhances oral health but also boosts confidence and self-esteem.

The benefits of adult braces extend beyond the visible alignment of teeth, reaching into the realms of improved oral health and overall well-being. Essex residents now have the opportunity to embrace this well-kept secret, unlocking the potential for a flawless and confident smile that reflects the vibrant and dynamic spirit of the community. Whether through invisible aligners, ceramic braces, or lingual braces, adult orthodontics in Essex is paving the way for individuals to achieve the perfect smile they've always desired.

[ahmed-ma11]

Unlocking the Secret to Perfect Smiles: The World of Invisible Braces

Invisible braces have become a buzzword in the world of orthodontics. These modern marvels are a blessing for those seeking the perfect smile without the visible hassle of traditional metal braces. In this article, we will dive deep into the world of invisible braces, exploring the various types, their benefits, cost, and much more.

The Invisible Braces Revolution: Unveiling the Key to Confident Smiles

Invisible braces have emerged as a groundbreaking solution for individuals who wish to align their teeth without compromising their appearance. No more worries about sporting a mouthful of conspicuous wires; with invisible braces, you can discreetly work on your dream smile.

Everything You Want to Know About Invisible Braces

Invisible braces, often referred to as clear aligners, share the same objective as traditional metal braces: to reposition teeth gradually. However, they do so with an ingenious twist – they are crafted from transparent plastic. As a result, they are nearly invisible to the naked eye, making them a popular choice, particularly among adults who might be reluctant to wear traditional metal braces.

The Benefits of Choosing Invisible Braces

The advantages of invisible braces are abundant, setting them apart from their traditional counterparts:

Invisibility:

As the name suggests, these braces are, well, invisible. Crafted from clear plastic or tooth-colored ceramics, they blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, boosting your confidence while they work their magic.

Removability:

Some invisible braces can be easily removed for eating, maintaining oral hygiene, and even capturing that perfect selfie.

Swift Results:

When it comes to achieving desired outcomes, invisible braces tend to work their magic in a shorter time compared to traditional braces.

Reasonable Cost:

While the initial investment in invisible braces may be slightly higher than traditional braces, they offer cost-effective orthodontic treatment options.

The Three Types of Invisible Braces

The realm of invisible braces offers three primary types, each with its unique approach to teeth alignment. Your choice depends on your orthodontist's recommendation and your individual case. Here's a brief overview:

1. Ceramic Braces: Ceramic braces maintain the functionality of traditional braces while blending in with your teeth, thanks to their tooth-colored appearance.

2. Lingual Braces: These braces function similarly to traditional braces, with a catch – they are attached to the back of your teeth, keeping them discreet and less noticeable.

3. Invisalign: One of the most popular choices for invisible braces, Invisalign is a metal-free, flexible plastic option that allows for easy adjustments and removal when necessary.

Treatment Duration with Invisible Braces

The duration of treatment using invisible braces, particularly clear aligners, varies depending on the complexity of your orthodontic issues, the treatment plan developed for your specific case, and your compliance with the recommended guidelines. On average, treatment with clear aligners ranges from 6 months to 2 years, though some cases may be shorter or longer. Your orthodontist will provide a more accurate estimate after a thorough evaluation.

Selecting the Right Invisible Braces for You

The choice of invisible dental aligners hinges on various factors, including budget and the specific issues affecting your smile. To find the best treatment option for your case, schedule an appointment with your orthodontist, who will provide a personalized recommendation based on a comprehensive examination.

In Conclusion: A Subtle Path to the Perfect Smile

When conventional braces prove uncomfortable or unattractive, invisible braces are your path to a beautiful smile, hidden from prying eyes. If you have questions or seek guidance regarding invisible braces, contact Dr. Basel Mofti, an accomplished American orthodontist in Dubai, for an online consultation. To embark on your journey toward perfectly aligned teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Basel Mofti, who will assess your case and determine the most suitable treatment plan.

Unlock the secret to a perfect smile – get in touch with us today!

[nottootypical]

I see something really salient in this explanation, and I want, first and foremost, to commend OP on that.

With that, I also wonder if this is actually wholly distinct from previous generations or is simply a different mechanism by which we arrived at the same result as previous generations? I ask because I have just a slightly different perspective that may offer some insight. At 27, I’m young enough to have had a similar experience vis-à-vis technology but old enough to have grown up around some people who didn’t. I’m also queer “as in fuck you” in a way that has always been visible, if not wholly apparent even to myself.

Growing up, my parents (and a looot of my friends’ parents) were insanely strict by the standard of the time, including phone tracking and the whole works, as described by OP. Despite that, those of us that ended up queer found ways to get around the tech tracking, to sneak out, to get up to wild stuff, because we had to, because it was a matter of survival for us.

Human beings are fundamentally social creatures, and we die without community around us. For queer folks, there is often no community to be found in our day-to-day lives, especially as teens, so community has always been something we found in “extra-curricular” ways. Choosing to give in to whatever method of repression is being used against us is simply not an option if we want to live. So we find a way to break the rules, because our need for connection drives us to, in a way that maybe our non-queer counterparts don’t feel as driven to do. I can’t even describe the number of fake phone numbers and secret devices that I used to get in contact with my friends. We found ways to explain our plans to parents where we technically didn’t lie about our whereabouts, but we sure as hell lied about what we were doing there.

What I wonder based off of all of this, is whether the “extra” repression via tech isn’t simply the response of the mainstream culture to the expanded access to concepts about queerness that technology affords. It feels to me that we’ve landed, more or less, in the same place as previous generations. Sure, we’ve made some nominal progress by allowing cops to parade with rainbow flags each June in celebration of gayness, but our cultural acceptance of queerness has not moved an inch. Which all leaves me thinking that, maybe, the tech surveillance of this youngest generation of adults is just the cudgel by which society beats back the impact of access to radical ideas. Maybe we’ve just ended back up in a place where the only people who find out about queerness are the people who already knew on some level, and everyone else has to be ignorant. Maybe it’s less that this generation is uniquely repressed, and more that the same tools that offer freedom can also be used by our oppressors. And idk, that seems like a lesson that will stay useful no matter how our tools change in the future.

here's my hot take about my generation and people younger than me (I'm 22 years old)

The reason current teenagers and people in their really early 20s are conservative on accident and have such shitty takes on the internet is because our generation was much more sheltered than previous generations and because we were raised to be ok with orwellian servailence and that is 100% the fault of our parents, Reagan Era kidnapping panics, and the rise of technology all coming together to prevent us from doing the sketchy shit that sends parents into panic mode but which is also completely fundemental to childhood development. If your parents had even a crumb of money to their name and even a shred of free time they started tracking your phone as soon as it was possible to. I did not experience this because my parents are actively trying to live like it's the 1990s and still have not gotten cell phones of their own, and did not let me have one until I was 18 years old and it was no longer their choice, but literally over half of my friends in middle and high school had their phones tracked by their parents at some point or other, and we would occasionally find this out, not because their parents told them, but when we were trying to do the aforementioned sketchy shit and their parent's car would pull up. And I would, like a reasonable person after finding this out, encourage my friends to just leave their phones at home, and their response would be "What if I get kidnapped" or "My parents are just trying to keep me safe"

This in my estimation has lead to a combination of kids being terminally online because they do have internet access and are better at deleting search history than their parents think they are, but don't have the freedom to go out and do shit without their parents' knowledge or consent, so they have the most privacy from the people who control their lives while they're on the internet, and kids not having the real world experiences they should have, not knowing how to connect with other people irl, not feeling comfortable leaving the house because of the horror story lies their parents told them to make them ok with the surveillance they were inflicting on their kids. Kids these days are growing up in the fucking panopticon when they should be out in the woods playing with knives or stealing cigarettes from their older sibling and going out to an empty parking lot to smoke them or whatever and that shit is sticking with them into adulthood. Things that were "tee hee we could get in trouble isn't this so fun and daring" in the 1990s and 2000s have become in the 2010s and 2020s things that are "If I do that without texting my parents some sort of lie to excuse where my location is my parent's car will pull up and I will get grounded for the next two weeks."

Like even when I was 19 I had a 16 year old friend who would volunteer their time at a food shelf and that's how we knew each other. We would talk about dungeons and dragons together, and the game store was 4 blocks from the food shelf. One day we left the food shelf earlier than they had told their parents they would and they got punished for that. We were literally just going to look at dungeons and dragons miniatures and dice, which was self evident if you could see where we started and how far we walked and where too. I have to assume that this isn't uncommon. It's wrong, but it's not uncommon.

[isfjmel-phleg]

Ostensibly, this scene from Young Justice 1998 #22 deals with Red Tornado's role as a father figure, but on another level it functions as foreshadowing of one of the series' major conflicts.

For context: Red Tornado is an android who serves as adult supervision (...not that it always does much good) for the teenage heroes that form the group Young Justice. Issues of his humanity are an ongoing theme for him, and in this story he reflects on his fatherly role as he observes children who remind him of "his" kids.

The children on the playground appear to be considerably younger than the YJ kids, but the parallels between them and their older counterparts underscore how very young our heroes actually are. Sure, they're all scary powerful and are routinely saving the world, but that doesn't erase that they are teenagers (some of them technically even younger than that) whose emotional development isn't always up to the more personal challenges they face. Like younger children, they are still vulnerable and in need of guidance.

The children who parallel each member of YJ are engaging in activities characteristic of their counterparts. And it's interesting that the girl who reminds Red Tornado of Secret is the only one who isn't interacting with other children but sitting off by herself, her eyes downcast, shackle-like bracelets on her wrists.

Of all the group, Secret is the least connected to the others, and apparently Red Tornado sees this as a defining trait of hers just as much as Tim's intellect or Bart's boundless energy.

And when he realizes she's crying, he rushes to her aid.

The girl has separated herself because one of the boys has hurt her, just as Secret, later in the series, will distance herself further from the team when she believes that Tim has broken an important promise to her. (The boy here is Bart's analogue, not Tim's, but the point still stands.) But unlike Secret, the girl is unafraid to voice exactly what's wrong, and when she does, she's able to get the help she needs to navigate a situation she doesn't have the experience to work out alone.

Red Tornado brings the boy over and gives the children the opportunity to communicate.

Turns out the girl misunderstood that she was being tagged--not hurt, but invited to join in. She happily agrees, and the problem is resolved. An easy enough solution, but at its core it's not too far off from the climactic conflict between Secret and her friends.

Miscommunications build up the hurt that drives her apart from the people who really do care about her but don't know how to get through to her. Unlike the children on the playground, YJ by the end of the series don't really have a guiding adult, and they have to figure out for themselves how to manage this conflict. In the end, Tim's addressing the mistakes and extending an offer of acceptance and connection is exactly what she needs to hear to bring her back to them.

And here's that ending, all mapped out as early as #22, by a guest writer, no less!