#the balance of valuing people as tools or by their usefulness but also liking them

[spiyeral]

Thinking about Basira wanting to emulate Gertrude (or at least thinking she was effective). No stunning conclusions, just thoughts.

[soaringwide]

PAC: What's great about you and how can you boost your self-confidence?

PILE 1 > PILE 2 > PILE 3

Today I wanted to do a lighter Pick a Card tarot reading and focus on the topic of self-confidence and how you can boost or improve it.

I hope this reading provides you comfort and help you understand what's awesome about you and what you can feel proud of :)

As always, this is a general reading meant for multiple people, take what resonates and leave out the rest.

IMPORTANT: I'm going on vacation until the end of September (2024) so there won't be new pick a card in the meantime, and I won't be able to do paid readings either. Shop is still open but keep that in mind because I'll either have to refund you or have you wait till I'm back. I'll be around a little on tumblr though in case someone wants to chat!

book a reading ★ all PACs ★ pinned post ★ instagram

PILE 1

Cards: the Magician, 10 of Swords, Queen of Swords, Page of Pentacles, Ace of Pentacles, Justice, Page of Wands, the Lovers, the Sun, King of Cups

What's great about you

You are able to draw a lot of strength from your inner struggles, using your pains and failures to fuel you and turn them into something that can propel you forward. Having high expectations for yourself and a deeply seated sense of your own values and opinions, you are not just someone who let themselves go for too long, but someone who always pick themselves back up and find a way to bounce back. Nothing is truly a failure if you can learn from it and come back of it stronger, smarter and more determined.

You know what you want for yourself and out of your life and you are determined to make things happen at some point. It's like some type of very determined energy, that while not super fast moving per say, does not back§ off before anything and keep moving no matter what, slow and steady like a deeply rooted tree inexorably growing year after year. You are someone with a vision, a dream that you hold firmly and I see you also having faith that things will turn out in your favor if you just keep pushing long enough.

It's not wonder that the magician takes the center stage of this part of the reading, as this Major Arcana represent the power of someone who brings concepts and ideas into reality. Someone who is always learning, always evolving, someone who seeks mastering everything they put their mind to, turning the most unfavorable situation into something that can serve them and their goal.

How to boost your self confidence

With the appearance here of Cups and Wands, which you were lacking in the previous section, you're basically being urged to balance yourself and complete your set of tools, so to speak.

The page of Wands adds the spark, the passion, the enthusiasm. It encourages you to be more optimistic and recognize your own power, and embrace your vision even further, allowing yourself to lean into it and really go along with it openly and with an adventurous spirit. This message is highlighted even further by the Sun, encouraging your to clear up your doubts and be more carefree. I think that you would gain a lot from letting go of the struggle mindset, knowing that yes, your resilience is admirable, but you don't need to struggle to do everything. Things can be easy and exciting too, not everything needs to be a struggle, and you have that power within you too.

The King of Cups is here to remind you that your emotions are not your enemy, but important carrier of messages and signals from the inner realms to take care of yourself in a gentle manner. I think this ability to pick yourself back up we mentioned earlier may sometimes make you a bit harsh with yourself, and you're being encouraged to be softer.

On top of that, in both sections, there is a strong Mercury influence, with on one side the Magician, and on the other Justice and the Lovers (both gemini cards, which is ruled by Mercury). What it means is that you can lean even more into your intellectual and communicative qualities, which you already have albeit in a rawer form.

With these cards, there is also a strong message about choice. Basically, if you want to feel more self-confident, you have to chose to embrace it first and foremost. To decide that this is a goal of yours, to believe in it and go for it, because with this here I don't think it's necessarily on your radar right now, but mostly some type of noise in the background. With your go-getter energy, really making it a priority will propel you forward with force.

You are a born storyteller, and the main protagonist of your own story. So what story do you want to tell? Embrace your vision and the world will open to you.

PILE 2

Cards: 2 of Cups, Queen of Swords, 8 of Cups, 5 of Pentacles, the World, the Tower, Ace of Pentacle, the Chariot, 3 of Pentacles, the Lovers

What's great about you

It seems that you have currently closed, or are closing, some type of painful cycle that made you feel a great sense of loss. Perhaps it is related to a relationship or an union of some kind. It made you feel like you were lacking something and broke your world and the vision you had for the future. You were left disappointed and perhaps even made you feel some type of hopelessness.

However, I don't think you gave up, but instead, you decided to move on and refocus on yourself. Which makes me think that right now, you are in this transitional phase. Why this message is showing up here is to tell you that you might not see it, but this ability of yours to bounce back and prioritize your own needs is admirable and a great strength.

What's great about you is that you know when enough is enough, you know what is worth fighting for and when to let go, and you know you can rely on yourself to advocate for your own happiness.

You are being encourage to see it, celebrate it and embrace the fact that while a new chapter is closing, a new one is opening too, even if you can't see it quite yet.

How to boost your self confidence

You are being encouraged to focus on a goal of yours, perhaps some type of dream or opportunity you'd like to go for. Do not linger on what you have lost, or what didn't came into being, but rather, on what could be in the future.

Let yourself dream and use that yearning to power you up and go after what you want. The Chariot as a character is someone who went through something difficult and learnt from it, leaving the doubts and uncertainty behind to embrace their desire to go for what they want. It's a card of movement and determination, of effort leading to success.

What I'm getting here might be different for different folks, but with the 3 of Pentacles and the Lovers, the main message I'm seeing is that you need to focus on building something for yourself first and foremost, working on that goal or dream of yours and seize the opportunity that are available to you without fear that you are not ready or good enough, because you are, and work towards it with patience and focus. For those who resonate with the relationship part of the previous section, it is possible that a better union is on the horizon once you allowed yourself to be in a better and more fulfilled place mentally and emotionally, and for others, it's talking about a more harmonious relationship with yourself where you would be able to accept who you are and love yourself more.*

(*Note: that is not to say there will be no relationship at the same time, simply that the cards comment on the harmony with yourself being primordial here. It's not mutually exclusive.)

So yeah, don't let past hurt dictate how you should feel and what you should go for. Let that go, leave that to the side, and look forward to the horizon. And remember to love yourself like you would like to be loved, for the amazing person that you are.

PILE 3

Cards: Temperance, Judgement, the Sun, the High Priestess, 5 of Cups, the Tower, King of Pentacles, 10 of Pentacles, 9 of Wands, the Hierophant

What's great about you

This pile is for those who have been intensively learning from their past and healed from it. There are three main messages here.

First, I see that you have learned to balance things between your rich inner world and your outer, more mundane life. I think you are highly intuitive and connected to your inner self, however, in the past, that may have made you overly detached from the world, and I see that you have made a lot of efforts to close that gap. I keep getting the word dissociation so perhaps that's relevant to some of you. Perhaps also you were described as overly mysterious or closed-off, and you worked a lot on yourself to be more open and actually connect with others authentically.

Secondly, I see that you went through a time of intense grief, which doesn't have to be about someone you lost (but could be) but can also be a general sense of loss or deep disappointment regarding something. For a long time, you stayed there licking your wounds and lamenting on the past, but then, you reached a point where you could not go on like that, some type of wake up call that made you move forward again.

Lastly, and tying the past two message together, you learned to let go of your catastrophizing or pessimistic mindset and are now more joyful, more optimistic, carefree even. There is a cheerful and youthful energy about you that some people who went through very heavy things and managed to come out on top hold, and is very inspiring to others who can sense it even if they don't know the details.

How to boost your self confidence

Here, I'm getting that after all the work you've done on yourself, it's okay and even highly encouraged to focus on your comfort and physical abundance too.

I think you may have put that to the side a lot, perhaps because it wasn't a priority or perhaps because you didn't think you deserved it, but here you're being urged to see that it's actually an important part of your life too. There is some type of legacy that you are able to leave, because you have the skills and/or wisdom to pass it down, and that could lead to a lot of success on different levels for you.

You need to let go of this mindset that you are not good enough, that you are unfitting to the things you want to get or to do, and also let go of this mental box you put yourself in where you were focused on surviving instead of thriving.

There is also the message that you hold a precious wisdom that could make you a point of reference in something, and that you need to recognize it and learn to actively share it. People will come to you for advice once you see that, but you have to see it yourself first and start to actively act on it.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

"Rules" for Writing a Good Novel

The art of writing novels can seem mysterious to those who have never attempted such an endeavor. But seasoned authors will tell you there is nothing particularly secretive about the book writing process. Writing fiction is predicated on two main principles: creativity and discipline. Whether you’re a bestselling author or a ​first time writer self-publishing your first book, you’re in for a lot of hard work. Fortunately, if you are dedicated to the process, the results can be massively rewarding.

The 10 Rules of Writing a Good Novel

Read voraciously. Writers are shaped by other writers. The books we read as children influence our tastes and can often have an impact on our writing style as adults. The writers who shape us are almost like unofficial mentors: By reading widely and closely, young writers can learn at the feet of history’s most famed and beloved authors.

Make checklists of details. Think about your setting and motivations for writing, and then make a checklist of details you want to be sure you include in your story. Your checklist can be a single page or it can fill a whole notebook. It’s not guaranteed to save you from bad writing, but it’s a very useful tool nonetheless. The last thing an author wants is to finish a manuscript and realize they’ve left out half of what motivated them to write in the first place.

Develop good habits. Most beginning writers will have to balance their writing with other responsibilities. Setting aside consistent blocks of time for writing is an important step. Your writing time can be early in the morning or late at night or on your lunch hour, but keep it consistent, and insist on prioritizing that time. You can also experiment with having a dedicated writing room where you always work. This can be your dining room table or—if you have the space—a home office. The fact is, a good story idea does you little good if you don’t set aside the time to work on it, so find those pockets of time and space in your own life.

Use your limited time wisely. Before you sit down to write, think of ideas, remind yourself of where you left off in the story, or make a mental plan for what you want to accomplish during that session. Some people strive to write 2,000 words a day. Others disregard word count and are more comfortable alternating between days spent reading, outlining, or researching. No matter what you choose, it’s a good idea to give yourself daily goals. This will prevent you from spending precious writing time staring at a blank page—though there are practical ways to overcome writer’s block.

Build a relationship with an editor. Editors are a hugely important part of your publishing process. If you’re so fortunate as to command interest in your manuscript, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure a good fit. A good editor will make you a better writer, but a bad editor can compromise your artistic vision. Check potential editors’ references, look at their backlist (prior books they’ve edited), chat with them about expectations, and look for a personal connection. Ask yourself what traits you value in a collaborative partner. A good connection between writer and editor makes a huge difference in the editing process.

Don’t stress your first draft. Generating the first draft is an exercise in getting everything down that you can get down. There’s always time later to reassess and comb through what you’ve generated. Resist the urge to do repeated dives into the thesaurus or to constantly refresh your word count. The first draft of a book needs to arise from spontaneity. Later on, you can obsess over whether you chose the right word or used too many exclamation points. That kind of self-editing will only be needed once you have a great story to tell in the first place.

Seek out surprises in the second draft. The second draft is all about finding surprises and starting to tease out the shape of your story. What unexpected themes or motifs have cropped up in your writing? If you like them, find a way to reinforce them throughout your writing. On the other hand, you may have to kill off a few darlings from your first draft. Fiction writing inherently forces you to ditch a few pet ideas or plot points, but your job as a writer is to serve the book, not your own emotions.

Start with characters. Readers don’t pick up a book looking for a theme. Good fiction comes from a compelling plot and strong character development. This means you’ll need a main character who is complex enough to sustain a real character arc (including a backstory), and supporting figures who can motivate subplots off the main story structure.

Write for art’s sake, and save the commercial analysis for later. Genre is a concept created by publishers and literary critics, but it’s not always a valuable one for the working writer. Not knowing or thinking about what genre your book belongs to can be valuable, because it offers you greater freedom to stray from genre expectations and to play with form and subject. Your job is to make your book the best, most compelling version of itself, plausible within its own imagined realm and set of rules. Let others worry about what genre it is. You can self-consciously try to write a horror novel, but this won’t necessarily make you the next Stephen King. In other words, don’t let genre analysis creep into your writing process. It’s hard enough to be a good writer without obsessing about commercial appeal, so don’t.

Rules are meant to be broken. Every great writer works in a different way. Some writers work straight through from beginning to end. Others work in pieces they arrange later, while others work from sentence to sentence. Don’t be afraid to try out different techniques, voices, and styles. Keep what works for you and discard the rest. Your material and creative process will guide you to your own set of rules. Anything is theoretically fair game. For instance, you could toggle back and forth between first person and third person voice. You could upend grammatical correctness. Of course, this doesn’t mean there’s no use for the rules, it simply means fiction writers need not follow every one of these rules to the exact letter.

Note that these rules for novel writing can apply to other forms of fiction, like a short story or screenplay. They aren’t even limited to fiction books: An engaging nonfiction book can be written under many of the same principles. If you keep these writing tips in mind before you start writing, you can maintain your own style and your own point of view while simultaneously employing the discipline every writer needs to successfully complete a work of fiction.

Source ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[that-ari-blogger]

"Do It" (Destiny Part 2)

When you interact with a lot of similar media, you tend to notice patterns and recurring tropes. Most notably in this example is the final season darkest hour.

Typically, when a series wants to ensure that the stakes are higher for its final arc, it will end the previous in a very dark place. Avatar: The Last Airbender does this, and I just covered The Owl House doing a very similar thing.

But She-Ra has a lot more to it than just the singular convention. This is an incredibly cerebral series with a ton of moving parts. So, for the season four finale, I would like to examine a few of them, and what they do for the story.

Let me explain.

SPOILERS AHEAD: (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger, A Christmas Carol)

Context is important, and stories have an understated ability to draw together disparate elements into a cohesive entity through a consistent theme.

Here, that is twofold. The series as a whole has been about the cycle of abuse as portrayed through tragedy, specifically in its antonymic relationship with genuine love. But Destiny Part 2 zeroes in on the chronological geography of this. As in, there is a distinct sense of time in this episode, and a discussion of the past and future and their impact on the present.

Everything in this episode revolves around these two ideas, and so everything must be analysed through those lenses.

Starting with the runestones, which are an idea original to the 2018 reboot.

“It’s like…”

“…connection.”

Throughout this season, we have seen the princesses glow when they achieve camaraderie, and that glow is near identical to that of the planet balancing itself. Near identical. The runestones are shown to be more powerful than regular camaraderie.

We don’t actually know the origins of the Runestones, with the exception of them being native to Etheria. The Legend of the Fire Princess graphic novel has one in it that was created by the first ones, which implies that the others were not. But I am here to talk about the main series. (If you want me to discuss the book or any other supplemental media, my ask box is open).

As such, I find it important that the power of the Runestones, much like that of She-Ra, predates the First Ones, which means that it was not theirs to use.

In my previous post about She-Ra, I commented on the First Ones as colonialists, and this adds to that symbolism.

The First Ones co-opted something that was, by all accounts, sacred to the people of Etheria, or at least of significant cultural value. It was repurposed into a weapon that would, as a side effect, wipe out the planet. Cruel and uncaring. The First Ones viewed Etheria as a tool that could be cast aside when it was no longer of use, a worthy sacrifice.

In terms of our themes, this is most definitely abusive behavior, and that continues into the cyclical nature of that abuse.

I have also discussed how it doesn’t matter if the First Ones were the aggressors in their war or not. If the First Ones were under siege, then they felt the only way to defend themselves was to inflict more suffering on bystanders. The abuse they received turned them into the villains of this season. But I think the most important moment for this part of the episode is this:

In her desperation and powerlessness, Glimmer tries to destroy the Runestone.

The anger at being used has been turned against the First Ones, but they are using the culture of the people they have colonized as a shield. To get to us, you need to stab yourself.

It’s forcibly disconnecting the people from the symbol of their culture, metaphorically and literally breaking their connection and leaving them weak and in a place of vulnerability.

This wasn’t even intentional. I don’t think the First Ones sat down and schemed about how, when this master plan goes off, there will be one princess who tries to break the runestones. It was a side effect. All of this was a side effect.

The main role of this was to destroy a different force entirely, Etheria was never part of the equation. The First Ones were fighting a war with someone else, and Etheria was just a sacrifice that could be made.

Glimmer is technically surrounded by the corpses of her enemies here. That is the context for her statement that "we are the good guys". Yes, they are robots, but Emily is sentient, so...

Abuse is fundamentally selfish. To the abuser, it isn’t about the victim, it’s about the anger and often pain that needs to go somewhere. It’s about the power and control. The victim was just there. My feelings matter, my heart, my obsession, my anguish. You are a convenient scapegoat.

It is important to understand that this mindset is built on a misunderstanding.

There is a reason for it. Of course there is. Everyone has a reason for their behavior. That’s what the cycle of abuse is. You get so wrapped up in your own mind that other people stop existing, and you are left with empty shells around yourself. But having a reason does not make you right.

There are real people around the abuser and the abused. She-Ra is a series about those real people, hence why it is so human in almost every character. It is about the real people who are hurt by someone else’s drama, the real people who get burned by being too close, the real people who get caught in the crossfire.

The Runestones are symbolic of those real people en masse. Used as pawns, corrupted, and destroyed.

In that sense, they also relate to the episode theme of time. They are monuments of a distant past and a history even greater.

At the risk of oversimplification, Runestones in the real world are a Scandinavian concept that emerged before the Viking age but gained traction during it. The vast majority were dedicated to the fallen, but a fair few discussed everyday life and stand as monuments.

They also look nothing like those in She-Ra.

In She-Ra, the Runestones are aesthetically just gems and crystals that are big and look cool. So, why go with the name?

First and most obviously, it sounds magical. Runes sound magical and as any architect will tell you, a large part of any creation is the emotions it inspires. If you want a story about magic, saying “this is a glowing crystal called a runestone” is an easy way to do that.

Although, that does bring up an interesting meta question of why there is magic in this story? As in, what does it do for the themes?

I plan on delving into this question in more detail in a later post, so you have that to look forward to.

For the moment, however, the She-Ra has made a point of connecting magic to nature, and so the name “rune-stone” entangles magic to the ground itself. It is the bedrock of these civilizations.

The other reading is that the stones themselves serve as runes, which are in turn a form of written language and communication. They are the words of people long gone, although crucially, their descendants are still there.

This is how culture exists in a very real sense. Not merely through written words, but through the language and communication itself. Mythology and religion, history and philosophy. Word of mouth and art. Culture is not a static thing of aesthetics but a dynamic manifestation of shared ideas, and sometimes it dies out, but usually it just continues and evolves into new forms. It is everything that has come before and every word that is spoken.

I mean that literally. Every single word has a history and evolution that makes up its current form. The word "Silhouette" comes from a French who didn't like to spend money. Language is the manifestation of history and how it informs the present day. It’s part of everyday life, it is context.

The Runestones are that language as a physical manifestation that literally grants power, and the First Ones use them to destroy people. In this way, what the First Ones did was cultural appropriation, and I don't think my opinion is unpopular that this is, in fact, bad.

Moving on to Light Hope.

“Mara. Mara would not want me to… Mara was a traitor. She turned against her people.”

We have seen two sides of Light Hope. The one who Mara befriended, and the one whom has manipulated her way through half of the series. The weapon of war who couldn’t escape. The cycle of abuse come full circle.

We have seen Light Hope get humanised, and then cast that away. But as best we could tell, it was the system itself that overrode her free will.

This line, however, muddies the waters, because it reminds me of another in the same episode.

“People have hurt you, haven’t they? They didn’t believe in you. They didn’t trust you. Didn’t need you. Left you.”

Of all the people to draw a connection to, Light Hope’s dismissal of Mara is strangely reminiscent of Catra’s antagonism towards Adora.

The cycle of abuse hasn’t just happened before on a grand scale with the She-Ras themselves being destined for tragedy, but this specific plot has happened before, and look how it ended up.

Catra has spent the entire story addicted to power like a safety net. She craves being the highest ranked one in the room because it’s safer, but there isn’t much room at the top of the pyramid. You end up alone, and isolated, and with further to fall.

Catra has been trying to claim power like Shadow Weaver taught her, but has ended up like Light Hope. Alone in her tower, scheming, reminiscing, caught up in memory and spite.

This is a warning to Catra. Most obviously, change your ways. But just to be safe, don’t ever cut your hair and don’t ever start wearing white.

Once again linking back to the themes. The cyclical nature of this series is best exemplified by the threat of another season. This is a story that wants to end, to be free, but it keeps coming back to a song and dance.

I mean this as a compliment. This is the only series that makes me fear another season, but stay glued to my seat as I watch and love every moment. The screen protects me from what is happening inside, and the fact this is a story means that I can stop at any time. That isn’t a luxury the characters are given.

The aim of the series is to end.

And it will, that’s the key thing here. Everything ends. The cycle of abuse is not a true circle but a spiral that winds in on itself until disaster.

Light Hope and Mara are the emblems of a previous cycle. Their story ended in tragedy they couldn’t avert and that left naught but shattered people and places in its wake. Light Hope was Catra, she was someone who was happy. But now she is an instrument of the system that drove them apart, unable to understand or take comfort from Adora until the end, begging for Adora to "do it", begging for death. This is who Catra will be.

Don’t believe me? There is only one other person who uses the words “do it” in this episode. Can you guess who that is?

“What are you waiting for? Do it. Looks like we're both alone, Sparkles.”

There is, however one majour difference between the old story and the new. This rendition isn’t over yet.

I haven’t seen nearly as many Marvel films and TV series as I should have. I saw Infinity War and End Game, I saw Thor: Ragnarok, and I watched Moon Knight, but other than that, I mostly never cared for the series as a whole. I didn’t dislike the films, I just never cared that much.

Which is honestly weird, because I read comics on the regular, and got into comics through Marvel. I started with a Spiderman one shot in the Clone saga, and while I wouldn’t call myself a comic nerd by any stretch of the imagination, I was enough in the spaces to know who Jeff the Land Shark was before Marvel Rivals was a thing.

The reason I bring this up is to recommend a series I left out of the above list, Joe Pokaski’s Cloak and Dagger, which ran from 2018 to 2019.

I had read a few comics featuring the eponymous heroes before I saw the series, so I knew vaguely who these people were, but this was one of those series that got me at just the right time to leave a lasting mark on my psyche.

Most notably, this is the place from which I get the phrase “There’s always a point of no return. It’s called the end.” But there’s a little more to it.

The premise of this series is that Luisiana is always saved by two kids, and that one of them will always die in the process. Tyrone and Tandy (Cloak and Dagger respectively) spend the series trying to find a way to escape this cyclical tragedy.

The season one finale will always break me, because we see the moment when Tandy comes the closest to being the one to die, and it’s not in an overly violent fashion, it’s in a phone call.

The two are trapped in a surreal, timeless landscape, and Tandy is presented with a phone using which she can call her deceased father a moment before he dies. She picks up the phone, has a brief conversation, and then the line goes dead. She picks up the phone again and has the same conversation. Again, and again, and again. Just one moment.

Tyrone asks her to leave, she refuses, so he asks her how long she has been there, a question to which she has no clear answer.

If Tyrone hadn’t rescued her, Tandy would have as good as died there and then. Lost to a memory. Lost to the trauma of losing her father playing back to her over and over again.

Cloak and Dagger are played by Aubrey Joseph and Olivia Holt, and while Holt's performance as Tandy in this scene is the showstopper, it would be remiss of me to not mention Joseph's portrayal of Tyrone as he realises what is happening and tries to stop it.

There is always a moment of no return. It’s called the end.

You lose when all hope is lost. You lose when you give up. You lose when you let everything consume you. You lose when you stop trying to escape.

Cloak and Dagger keep getting told that one must live and one must die, and their response is “how about no?”.

Light Hope lost. She became the monster that created her. But that cycle ain’t done for the here and now, Adora and Catra can fix this.

This actually moves really nicely into the third and final element of this episode that I would like to discuss. The title.

Destiny and fate are funny things, aren’t they? They don’t actually mean anything. Not tangibly, anyway. Yes, yes, your fate and your future are one and the same. But that isn’t a fair metric, is it?

Is fate inescapable? Was I fated from birth to write this post? Was my future laid out for me? Or does it work slightly differently?

I am partial to the dichotomy between fate and free will. That being, a person with free will has the autonomy to make their own way in the world and decide their own fate, whereas everyone else is just pulled along by the strings of time. I think this is sweet.

In practice, I have found one way of writing destiny that I like. Nature.

For the record, I am including nurture within this. A person’s nature is just who they are, their history and goals, their fears and hopes.

Specifically, life experiences make up a person. If I find an arachnophobe and I give them a spider, I can be pretty sure how they will react. That is your destiny. It is the path set in front of you by yourself. There is freedom to wiggle within that, but everyone has a set of key components that make up their personality, and in the right circumstances, this can be manipulated.

I could go for the obvious here and talk about how God Of War: Ragnarök leverages this to talk about trauma. I could. It would certainly fit with She-Ra’s discussion of that concept through the cycle of abuse.

But instead, I am going to recommend you the video by Overly Sarcastic Productions (@comicaurora) about that very topic (link) and go further into the past with Charles’ Dickens’ A Christmas Carrol, or more photogenically, the Muppets film of the same name.

“Are these the shadows of things that will be? Or are they the shadows of things that may be only?”

A Christmas Carrol delves into themes of redemption and capitalism, and I will die on the hill that Charles Dickens had a wicked and very dark sense of humour that was brought about by the time in which he was writing. But for the purpose of this post, the book wields the future like a threat.

“Your chains are forged by what you say and do.

So have your fun, when life is done, a nightmare waits for you.”

In A Christmas Carrol, fate is just consequence. Cause and effect. The book is about three ghosts appearing to a miserable old man who thinks he is alone and unimpeachable and showing him multiple occasions when his life was directly impacted by others, for better and for worse, and the effect that his life is having on others.

It opens with a warning from the ghost of Scrooge’s business partner/partners. Cause: Greed. Effect: Chains. Easy one two punch.

It is crucial to me that when Scrooge finds his grave and asks if the future can be changed, the spirit gives no response. It doesn’t give him comfort, but it also doesn’t tell him his future is set. You can try and change your fate. Go for it. If you don’t you will end up here. Alone even in death, but still buried like every other man. There are no coins in your coffin, just memories.

The point of no return is called the end. You decide what that will end up being.

Adora and Catra have been thrust into this story by their natures, and they have been positioned in such a way that can only lead to destruction.

It was in Catra’s nature to take Adora leaving as badly as she did, because she has grown up being told that affection is exclusive and that a person can only care about one other person. She has been taught love in an incredibly dysfunctional way, and she is just a traumatised child, but she’s a traumatised child who is actively wrecking other people’s lives.

Similarly, Adora is a hero in the most self-destructive way possible. She has to save everyone, has to destroy herself for everyone else’s happiness. She is a pawn in a war and she will burn herself to the ground to feel any kind of warmth and it will kill her.

It is these two’s destinies which clash. The cycle of abuse is a spiral that leads to destruction. The tragedy is tragic. So, what do?

To change your fate, you make the decision to change your nature. An arachnophobe can overcome their fear, Scrooge could become a charitable man, Adora and Catra can escape.

If we lean back into the path metaphor. Your nature is a road that itself is moving towards a destiny. If you try and get off it, you will fall over. But you can reach the edge. You can break free. You can start moving in a different direction.

It is always possible to change.

Before I finish up, I want to discuss Horde Prime’s introduction, because he is fantastically incurious in a way that leans into what I have been saying about the inherent self-centredness of abuse.

“You have forgotten who you are. You truly think you are worthy to stand beside me, could be equal to me?”

If Horde Prime was reading Hordak’s mind, he would have seen the portal and the source of the energy reading. He would have been curious as to its use. But no, he projected.

It didn’t matter what Hordak did, it would never have been enough. The fact that he gave himself a name was sufficient to warrant animosity. Prime didn’t need a reason, he needed an excuse to show off his power to Glimmer, but also to himself.

Side note here, Horde prime is played by Keston John, who also plays Darius in The Owl House, and has a voice that can melt butter.

I say this because he turns that off like a switch as he shouts down the powerless Hordak. That grace and smoothness is gone for a horrible growl.

This tiny little gesture as Prime draws back his hand before he strikes. He's deliberately offering Hordak grace and kindness, deliberately making it clear that they were an option and he chose violence. He is giving hope so that it stings even more when he takes it away.

Which presents a question: Is Horde Prime actually put together? Is the snarling monster a tool that he uses? Or is it the real man? Does the distinction matter?

Prime has to be told about the weapon. He doesn’t think for himself, he just coasts off everyone else’s misery.

This man is a physical threat, sure. We have seen that in previous episodes. But here he establishes himself as a thematic force in the narrative. He is an abuser, he is a manipulator, he is selfish.

Horde Prime is terrifying.

Final Thoughts

I had meditations about Arcane and Shakespeare in this that I had to cut because this is one of the longest posts I have ever written.

I want to stress that She-Ra as a series didn’t go places. It didn’t cover new ground as it progressed. Episode two of series one shows a home destroyed by the trauma of a war and the psychological damage that the cycle of abuse can do to a person. She-Ra started here, it just got blunter as the characters got more and more wrapped up in their own heads. Eventually, the show literally wrote its themes on the walls.

This is a tragedy desperately trying to happen. That’s what’s so compelling about the final season yet to come. The character’s have one last moment to get their arses off that road to the end of the world.

Last chance. Last stop. The point of no return is called the end.

Next week we are diving straight into season five, so stick around if that interests you. Let’s do this thing!

Previous - Next

[astroa3h]

Jupiter through the signs 💖

Aries: With your Jupiter in Aries, you possess a commanding presence. In challenging situations, you shine, making decisive choices that others admire. Your courage isn't just bold; it's inspiring. You're the one who can walk through fire and emerge stronger.

Taurus: Your Jupiter in Taurus endows you with a unique ability to find value in the overlooked. Financially and materially, you have a knack for turning what seems like nothing into something substantial. You see opportunities where others see dead ends, and that's your secret to success.

Gemini: With Jupiter in Gemini, your adaptability is your greatest asset. You navigate through complex conversations with ease, always finding the right words. Your ability to see every angle makes you an excellent negotiator, and people admire your communication prowess.

Cancer: Your Jupiter in Cancer gives you a deep emotional intelligence. You understand and navigate emotions in a way that others can't. This intuition serves you well, allowing you to guide and influence those around you in subtle yet impactful ways.

Leo: Jupiter in Leo blesses you with a charisma that naturally draws people to you. You have a way of leading and influencing that feels both grand and genuine. Your flair is not just for show; it's a powerful tool that earns you both loyalty and admiration.

Virgo: Your Jupiter in Virgo grants you an eye for detail unmatched by others. You're the strategist, the planner, the one who sees the patterns and plans several steps ahead. This meticulous nature of yours is invaluable, especially when precision and thoroughness are needed.

Libra: With Jupiter in Libra, your talent for diplomacy stands out. You navigate tense situations with grace, turning potential conflicts into harmonious resolutions. Your ability to charm and create balance is not just a skill; it's an art form that earns you respect.

Scorpio: Your Jupiter in Scorpio endows you with a magnetic and intense presence. You have a natural ability to uncover hidden truths and use them strategically. Your fearless approach to life's darker aspects makes you both intriguing and formidable.

Sagittarius: With Jupiter in Sagittarius, you possess a visionary wisdom. You see opportunities where others see obstacles. Your optimistic and philosophical outlook often leads you to success, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

Capricorn: Jupiter in Capricorn gives you remarkable resilience. You thrive under pressure and turn challenging situations into successes. Your composure and effectiveness in tough times are traits that not only help you succeed but also earn you great respect.

Aquarius: Your Jupiter in Aquarius blesses you with revolutionary thinking. You're often ahead of your time, introducing ideas that are innovative and effective. Your unconventional approach isn't just unique; it's groundbreaking.

Pisces: With Jupiter in Pisces, you have a deep, intuitive understanding of the world around you. You navigate through emotional and complex situations with a sense that seems almost psychic. This intuition of yours is a powerful guide, leading you through life's ebbs and flows.

For Personal Readings Visit: astroash.net

TikTok - astroa3h

*Remember this is generalized, keep an eye out for how your Natal Jupiter is aspected for the real TEA.

[tallerthantale]

An open letter to Neil Gaiman regarding his post "Breaking the Silence."

@neil-gaiman In what way have you been a private person? What does that description mean to you? You have, rather notoriously, been prone to oversharing on tumblr for years. Your online activity drastically shifted after the allegations broke. The extreme change from baseline does not corroborate the idea that you are merely continuing to honor a consistently held value. You seem to like playing with definitions, so tell me, what definition of 'private' are you using? The one I can infer is that there are specific features of your life you would prefer people didn't know about, which is perhaps not the impression you are at this moment trying to give.

An odd mix of not private but also carefully curated expression is a position I found myself in for most of the past 8 years, and I can recognize some of those same patterns in your online presence. I am, as I write this, in the process of preparing to file for divorce. Australian law requires 1 year of separation first, and that benchmark has just recently passed.

My former spouse is a highly manipulative person who outright endorsed to me their intention to systematically exploit vulnerable traumatized neurodivergent youths, believing that if they sprinkled enough life advice platitudes on top of the exploitation, that made things morally balanced and therefore fine. Now, a certain amount of their latter statements to me were a variety of unconventionally expressed threats, so it's hard to know which things out of their mouth to take at face value, if any. However, their life choices did reflect a strong enthusiasm for exploitation, and a fondness for collecting exploitable people under their thumb, myself included.

Their behaviour also had quite a lot of trauma features. Those features were not the source of their exploitative inclinations, but had become a tool to enact them. It is easier to play the role of poor traumatized hapless person in need of endless support, special consideration, patience, and understanding when the trauma is real.

One of the most prominent features of their trauma was the capacity to selectively willfully forget. They would call it their 'woodchipper.' Memories and knowledge that weren't convenient to what they wanted to experience at that moment, other people's boundaries, other people's objections, other people's preferences, other people's needs, other people's rights, other people's autonomy, other people's pain, their own obligations, their own past assurances, they feed it all into the woodchipper. They knew they were doing it. They could observe their own mind do it mid process, or at least so they said.

When Good Omens 2 came out I was still in the relationship-turned-hostage-situation. We watched it together. One thread of the season spoke to them far more than any other. A part that for most people would barely register as interesting. A few times Crowley demands that Jim try to remember being Gabriel, and he variously responds with indications he "can't remember THOSE things" because "it HURTS too much to remember." Jim's descriptions of the experience of self-removed memories resonated hard with my ex. The final fifteen was meh. Jim's pain running from his own memories was the centerpiece of meaning for them. Perhaps a concept written by a person familiar with operating a woodchipper in their brain, picked up on by a person running a woodchipper in their brain? For the rest of this I will leave my ex out of it, the woodchipper is what matters.

Once it is clear that your mind can broadly erase vitally important information for being too emotionally challenging to deal with, an ethical person would seek therapy urgently, (with a real qualified therapist, not a fake one.) An ethical person would not interpret the ability of their mind to selectively know and not know important things based on emotional needs as a fun tool to brag about, nor as an ability they are happy with and want to keep. The liability that degree of selective forgetting presents is staggering.

One of the most obvious liabilities of running a woodchipper in your brain is that you cant really be sure that any particular thing you don't remember didn't happen. And if you start to not be able to cope with knowing you're running a woodchipper, it can achieve it's own separate sentience and woodchipper away your knowledge of the woodchipper itself. A particularly well honed woodchipper can precision edit awareness to create the basis for specific beliefs out of what knowledge remains. With that editing power over the perception of reality a person can believe very creatively, very temporarily, and very strategically.

If you don't care how your actions impact other people's internal experience, if you only care about how you will perceive your own actions, you might find yourself disregarding the liabilities of the woodchipper, and embracing the potential of the strategy. A strategic precision woodchipper is a very potent tool in a manipulator's arsenal. It lets a person fake sincerity in the most powerful way, by fully believing what they are saying in the moment that they say it. As your works have reiterated, "If you can fake sincerity, you've got it made."

In an old interview with the New Yorker you said:

“I’m terribly good at believing things, but I’m really good at believing things when I need them,”

“I can believe things that are true and I can believe things that aren’t true and I can believe things where nobody knows if they’re true or not.”

I am obviously not evaluating you in a clinical setting, but I can comment that this sounds like exactly the sort of thing a mental woodchipper produces, and that these statements seem to be from the perspective of a person who is remarkably unconcerned with the daunting ethical liability that sort of strategic belief system presents. Back to the response to the allegations:

"There are moments I half-recognise and moments I don't, descriptions of things that happened next to things that emphatically did not happen."

Which moments in the allegations do you recognize and which don't you? Do the moments stay in the same category each time you read them? How can you know they emphatically did not happen, when you know you can believe things that are false? What if you are just really good at believing they didn't happen because right now you need to believe that? What if you don't remember those things because it hurts too much to remember? What if all the memories you have of how totally fine everything went was a dream-world you made for yourself, built on other people's pain that you let the weakness in your mind erase from your perception and memory?

"I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever."

How do you know? Are you a mind reader? What is your basis for that claim? How are you defining "non-consensual sexual activity?" Is the internal experience the other person is having part of that definition? If so, you have no basis for judgement if they disagree. Do you struggle to accept that weather or not sexual activity was consensual depends on the judgments of everyone involved, not just your own? Do you struggle to respect the judgments that other people make about their own experience of a situation? If you and another person remember things differently, why is your memory the truth and theirs 'misinformation?'

"The messages read now as they did when I received them - of two people enjoying entirely consensual relationships and wanting to see one another again."

The allegations are that you manipulated the women into performing a pretense of consent for you through exploitative power dynamics. The existence of the messages does nothing to dispute those claims. The people who believe the allegations are aware of the messages. Responding this way gives the impression of not understanding that exploited people play the role they need to in order to survive. But I don't think that's you. You wrote very compelling depictions of characters playing along with their roles to survive exploitation. If you mean to claim you can't understand that someone would pretend to consent to survive while not consenting, I do not believe you. I could believe that at times you refuse to process how that knowledge could apply to your own behaviour. Into the woodchipper it goes.

"I'm far from a perfect person"

What are the specific faults you are claiming?

"I don't accept that there was any abuse"

Trial and error is how we learn. Fail again. Fail better. Learning is a process limited by our own fortitude. We can only learn and hold onto what we can emotionally tolerate understanding. We can only learn to do what we are willing to realize we have failed to do. That's why perfectionists procrastinate, you cant fail what you decide not to attempt. An unwillingness to accept the possibility of having failed is an unwillingness to learn.

We as a society have come around to being deeply skeptical of people who insist they have never failed, or are otherwise convinced of their own perfection. Such an attitude would itself be an imperfection. People know now to say they've made mistakes, to say they have room to improve, to ask for patience while they update the details of their word choices. It's often a script, wiggle room to believe they have room to learn, while still insisting they are not capable of doing something seriously bad. No, they would still never be capable of failing in a way that was important. What we are left with then, is a person who can only learn things when they aren't important. That misses the point, don't you think?

If you are not willing to believe that abuse could have happened, you are not capable of learning what abuse is. You may have your own private definition of what abuse is and isn't, and you will always have a way to convince yourself that you never did anything that meets those contrived criteria you picked out for yourself. No one else is obligated to take on your personal definitions. People can choose to stop joining you in your bubble universe where reality is subject to your personal approval under threat of woodchipper. If you systematically churn out people who experienced their time with you as abuse, your behaviour is abuse, weather or not you are willing to agree to see it that way. People can form opinions about your actions without your permission.

Claiming sexual relationships with desperately vulnerable people dependent on you for housing were consensual because they acted like they liked you is on par with going on twitter to argue you didn't commit rape because they were unconscious and it doesn't count as rape if they're unconscious. It's claiming 'I cant have abused them because it's only abuse if I perceive that what I did was wrong!' *The woodchipper runs in the background, eliminating all perceptions and memories that could become an emotional liability.* If there were indications your actions were abuse, would your mind let you be aware of that? Not if your brain makes you believe whatever it needs to in order to protect your feelings. People can twist themselves into all kinds of rationalizations to feel better about their actions. You wrote Aziraphale, it is clear you understand these dynamics well.

In cognitive psychology we often treat rationalizations as a 'black box.' People are terrible at accurately perceiving their own motivations, intentions, memories, reasoning, the works. When we study cognitive processes, what people tell us they believe can be a variable, but it isn't the 'what they believe' variable, it's the 'story they are telling themselves' variable. Given what you have written, you seem pretty familiar with the idea that people can create whole worlds out of the stories they tell themselves, separate from reality. Our cognitive psychology 'black box' is about having the tools to ignore those stories. We look at what outcomes people's behaviour produces. Information and situation in, behaviour and it's consequences out. From that we can infer the functional motivations, goals, and priorities without the distractions of the stories.

It is with that lens I can look at your title and say no, you are not breaking the silence, because a person who was breaking the silence would publicly void all the active NDAs protecting them. You are attempting to control the narrative. I can look at your claims to want to learn to do better, and say no, if you wanted to learn to do better, you would be open to the possibility that your behaviour had been abusive. You have to believe that it is possible that you could be wrong in order to learn new information. I can look at your claim to be taking responsibility for missteps made, and say no, if you wanted to take responsibility for missteps made you would be specific about the details of those missteps, the impact they had on others, the basis on which you should have known better at the time, and what you are doing to make sure they don't happen again. 'I was emotionally unavailable and I'm going to do better' doesn't begin to cover it. 'I'm not going to fuck my vulnerable employees or people who are dependent on me for housing anymore' would be a more serious start.

Which things do you claim happened and which things are you claiming are misinformation? Which things are you claiming are distortions, and why are you so confident it wasn't you who distorted them? You are the common denominator after all, and by your own words what you can believe is determined by what you need, not the actual truth. Being vague to avoid legal liabilities is not the behaviour of a person who is committed to taking responsibility. However many people you have hurt, that was the result of your behaviour. Your actions did that, consistently. Your choices, freely made from a position of power, produced those results over and over again. And from that I can infer that you wanted to do the things that would produce those results, undeterred by the outcomes, no matter what stories you told yourself, no matter what stories you tell others.

[hayatheauthor]

How to Pick The Perfect Weapon For Your Characters 

When you’re writing a novel every small element has its own purpose. From the lush setting to the intricate plot, each detail is carefully chosen to convey a message, evoke emotions, and immerse readers in the narrative. One such crucial element is the character's weapon. 

A character’s weapon is their best friend, sometimes even literally in cases like Magnus Chase. This seemingly insignificant tool can be a symbol of their essence, values, and role in the story. This is why it’s so essential to pick the right weapon!

As an author of both thriller and SFF, I decided to create a quick guide to help you learn how to pick the perfect weapon for your characters. 

Swords: The Symbol of Honor and Valor

Swords have long held a special place in the realm of storytelling. They are the embodiment of honor, valor, and the chivalric code. Whether it be thriller, action, or even romance, stories have sported brave princes and knights bearing swords from decades. Characters who wield a sword are perceived as strong, determined people with a willingness to make sacrifices for their cause. 

Some writers often associate swords with the main male protagonist, however, this weapon would be a great fit for any character who is perceived as a force to be reckoned with. The cliche prince on a horse with a shiny sword might paint a clear image, but don’t limit yourself to literary stereotypes.  

Types of Swords

Contrary to popular belief swords come in various shapes and sizes, each with its unique attributes. 

Longswords: These versatile weapons are known for their balance, allowing for precise strikes and powerful swings. Longswords are often associated with knights and heroes. These are the type of swords a typical prince would wield. 

Katanas: Elegant and deadly, katanas are the traditional swords of Japanese samurai. They represent discipline, precision, and the way of the warrior. Katanas are also often used by antagonists. 

Rapiers: Slim and agile, rapiers are the choice of swashbucklers and duelists. They symbolize finesse, quick thinking, and style in combat.

Ideal Characters

If you’re finding it difficult to decide whether or not your character should wield a sword, here are some personality traits and physical qualities to go off of: 

Courage: Swordsmen and swordswomen are brave, unafraid to confront danger directly.

Honor: They uphold a strong sense of morality and adhere to a code of ethics. However, this also applies to antagonistic characters who often fail to see the flaws in their ways. 

Chivalry: Sword-bearing characters display manners, respect, and hold themselves to high regard.

Physical Prowess: Proficiency in swordplay demands agility, strength, and dexterity, this usually comes with a fit if not lean physique. If your character is more of a brute then swords might not be the best pick for them. 

Examples in Literature

Throughout literary history, swords have been embraced by iconic characters. You have chivalrous heroes like the legendary King Arthur wielded the mythical sword Excalibur, a symbol of his destiny and nobility. However, there are also notable villains such as Luke Castellan from Percy Jackson. 

Luke’s character starts off as a minor protagonist who is akin to a mentor figure but he slowly turns into a major antagonist. Many people often associate swords with protagonists, however, they can also be used by powerful antagonists with a strong mindset who are determined to have their way. 

When crafting a character who wields a sword, consider these attributes and the symbolic weight that comes with this choice. Swords are not just weapons; they are embodiments of valor and the unwavering spirit of your characters. 

Daggers: The Stealthy and Cunning Choice

In the world of weaponry, daggers hold a unique allure. These swift blades are the embodiment of stealth, cunning, and the art of silent confrontation. When a character wields a dagger, it signifies their mastery of subtlety, their ability to navigate the shadows, and their readiness to strike with precision when the moment is ripe. 

Unlike swords, daggers have been used more uniquely throughout literature and are wielded by various character types. However, they are often associated with the sarcastic quick-witted characters or quiet calculative ones.

Types of Daggers

Daggers come in various forms, each tailored for a specific purpose:

Stilettos: A stiletto's slim, needle-like design is tailor-made for covert operations. It's the weapon of choice when subtlety and concealment are paramount, often associated with assassins and spies.

Dirks: Dirks are the Swiss Army knives of the dagger world. Their broad blades enable both offense and defense, making them versatile companions for characters who value adaptability.

Throwing Knives: Characters who wield throwing knives are the sharpshooters of the dagger realm. Their skill lies not just in close combat but in launching these deadly projectiles with uncanny accuracy.

Twin Daggers: Twin daggers, a pair of symmetrical blades, represent a double-edged approach to combat. Characters who favor this style emphasize agility, dual-wielding techniques, and the element of surprise.

Ideal Characters for Dagger-Wielding

Characters who favor daggers share a distinct set of traits and characteristics:

Stealth and Evasion: Dagger-wielding characters excel in the art of remaining unseen and slipping through the tightest of spots.

Cunning and Strategy: They rely on their wits, strategy, and clever tactics to outmaneuver opponents who might possess greater physical strength.

Resourcefulness: Daggers are versatile tools that require characters to adapt to their environment. Whether in a dimly lit alley or a sun-drenched courtyard, they use what's at hand to gain an advantage.

Quick Reflexes: In close combat, precision and agility are essential. Dagger-wielders are known for their ability to react swiftly to changing circumstances.

Examples in Literature

In the realm of literature, characters who master the art of daggers often exude enigma and resourcefulness. Unlike sword-wielders who are seen as flashy and bold, those who use daggers are capable of slinking through the shadows and using their weapon to sneakily complete their tasks.  

Arya Stark from George R.R. Martin's "Game of Thrones" series is a great example of this. Arya's journey is intrinsically tied to her slender dagger, Needle. It becomes an extension of herself, embodying her resilience and resourcefulness.

Another example would be the assassins in the "Assassin's Creed" series. These stealthy characters employ an array of daggers for precise and silent takedowns, epitomizing the cunning and agility associated with this weapon.

Crafting a character who wields a dagger opens up possibilities for intrigue, stealth, and the art of subterfuge.

Axes: The Brute Force of the Battlefield

Axes, with their sheer power and imposing presence, are the weapons of characters who favor raw strength and ferocity on the battlefield. These formidable tools are more than mere instruments of destruction; they symbolize the unyielding force that some characters bring to their quests and conflicts.

Unlike the other weapons listed in this blog post, axes are possibly the only weapon where I would advise you to go with the stereotypical ‘big, strong person’ image associated with this weapon. This is because axes are impossible to wield on a regular basis by someone who isn’t physically capable of handling their weight. 

Types of Axes

It is common knowledge that axes come in various forms, each designed for specific purposes, but here are the most common types of axes used in literature:

Battle-Axes: These massive, double-bladed weapons are designed for cleaving through armor and enemies alike. They are the embodiment of relentless strength and often used by the antagonist’s henchmen or guards.

Hatchets: Hatchets are compact, one-handed axes known for their versatility and practicality. They are often associated with survivalists and woodsmen.

Tomahawks: Tomahawks are single-handed axes with a historical significance, representing both tools and weapons for Native American characters.

Ideal Characters

As I mentioned above, there are certain traits associated with characters who use axes that you would be better off following. However, that is not to say you have to go along with the stereotype to the T. Think of characters like Hagrid, who fits the physical and mental requirements for an axe-wielder yet is portrayed as a loveable character. 

Some traits you should keep in mind to use as a reference point for axe-wielders are: 

Bravery: Axe-wielding characters are unflinchingly brave, charging headlong into battles without hesitation.

Ferocity: They are known for their unrestrained aggression and determination in combat. However, they can also be quiet and keep to themselves in daily life. 

Physical Might: Proficiency with axes demands exceptional strength and endurance.

Resilience: Axe-bearers can endure heavy blows and keep pressing forward.

Examples in Literature

In literature, characters who wield axes are often forces to be reckoned with. They’re those powerful characters that leave a lasting impact on your readers. Think of characters like Thor, Brienne of Tarth and Gimli. 

While this weapon is generally associated with magical beings like dwarves and giants you could also have fun with it. Maybe a hot-headed female elf prefers using an axe rather than swords and bows like her peers, or a princess could have picked up on how to use a hatchet while watching the guards train. 

Remember, axes represent not only power but also the indomitable will to face adversity head-on.

Bows and Arrows: Precision and Patience

In the realm of weaponry, few choices demand as much finesse and discipline as the bow and arrow. These elegant yet deadly weapons are the preferred tools of characters who value precision, patience, and the ability to engage their enemies from afar. As the arrow leaves the bowstring, it represents not only a physical projectile but also a testament to the archer's skill and the unwavering focus required for this art.

Types of Bows 

Archery encompasses a range of styles, each offering unique advantages and reflecting the character of the archer:

Longbows: Known for their simplicity and sheer power, longbows have been used by legendary archers throughout history. Drawing a longbow requires considerable strength and skill, making it the choice of archers who value raw force and accuracy.

Compound Bows: Modern archers often favor compound bows, which employ a system of pulleys and cables to provide mechanical advantage. This design makes them easier to draw and hold at full draw, ideal for hunters and those who value both accuracy and ease of use.

Recurve Bows: Recognized by their gracefully curved limbs, recurve bows store and release energy efficiently. These bows are versatile, often used in competitive archery where precision and consistency are paramount.

Crossbows: Crossbows are handheld devices that offer unique advantages, particularly in terms of precise aiming and ease of use. Archers who value accuracy and a quick reload often choose these weapons.

The Ideal Archer

Characters who become proficient with bows and arrows exhibit a distinctive set of attributes and skills:

Patience: Archers are masters of patience, waiting for the perfect moment to release their arrow, whether in the heat of battle or during a hunt.

Precision: They possess an uncanny aim, able to consistently strike distant targets with pinpoint accuracy.

Stealth: Archers can engage their enemies from a concealed vantage point, using the environment to their advantage.

Stamina: Drawing a bow requires not only finesse but also physical strength and endurance, especially when handling longbows.

Examples in Literature

In the world of literature, characters who master the art of archery often personify these traits:

Katniss Everdeen from Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" series is the perfect example of a typical archer. Katniss's skill with a bow becomes a symbol of her survival and resilience in a dystopian world, her weapon is something she can rely on and trust. It isn’t as flashy or bold as some of the other characters’ weapons, however, her weapon’s, often-overlooked, proficiency helps her overcome her opponents. 

Another good example would be Legolas from J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Legolas, an elf archer, is renowned for his exceptional accuracy and agility, traits that make him a formidable member of the Fellowship.

When crafting a character who wields a bow and arrows, delve into their temperament, motivations, and the patience required for their style of combat. Bows and arrows represent not only precision but also the ability to strike with calculated efficiency from a distance.

Magical Weaponary: Enchanted Tools

Magical implements, imbued with mystic energy, are the tools of wizards, witches, and characters who harness the arcane forces of magic. These enchanted objects represent not only power but also the mastery of spells, incantations, and the unseen forces that shape their world.

Types of Magical Weaponary

Magical implements can take various forms, each with its unique properties and associations:

Wands: Wands are slender instruments often associated with precision spellcasting. The type of wood and core material can influence their magical properties.

Staffs: Staffs are longer and more robust than wands, often associated with wizards and sorcerers. They provide greater control over magic and are sometimes used as a support in physical combat.

Orbs: Enchanted orbs or crystals are used for scrying, divination, and channeling magical energy. They are linked to foresight, vision, and mystical insight.

Runestones: Characters who use runestones possess knowledge of ancient symbols and magical scripts. These stones are often used for inscriptions and rituals.

Amulets and Talismans: These enchanted jewelry pieces provide protective or augmentative effects to the wearer. They can be worn as necklaces, rings, or bracelets.

Ideal Characters

Characters who wield magical implements typically possess specific traits and qualities:

Magical Aptitude: Wielders of magical implements have an innate or learned mastery of magic, allowing them to cast spells and manipulate mystical forces.

Intellect: Magic is a craft that requires knowledge and intelligence, and characters with magical implements often excel in both.

Discipline: Effective spellcasting demands discipline and concentration, traits exhibited by wielders of magical tools.

Morality: The ethical choices made by characters with magical implements can impact their magical abilities and alignment.

Examples in Literature

Picking the right magical instrument for your character can either be very easy or difficult depending on the extent of magic bearers in your book. If your book is akin to Harry Potter you can simply pick one magical weaponry and assign it to a group of characters. Maybe your wizards and witches use wands while your warlocks use staffs. 

However, in a book like J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" series, where you have one specific magic bearer like Gandalf, you would have to pay more attention to the type of weapon you assign to your character. Gandalf's staff is not only a tool for his magical abilities but also a symbol of his wisdom and power. If you were to assign a wand to a character like Gandalf it wouldn’t have the same air of sagacity as a staff. 

Modern Firearms: Technology and Precision

Modern firearms represent a significant departure from traditional weapons, harnessing technology and precision to deliver deadly force with incredible efficiency. These weapons are the choice of characters in contemporary settings, from gritty crime dramas to action-packed thrillers.

Firearm Types

Modern firearms encompass a range of types, each tailored to specific purposes. I’m sure you can find a more detailed list anywhere online but here’s a quick list of the basic types. 

Handguns: Pistols and revolvers are compact, concealable, and ideal for close-quarters combat or self-defense. They require steady aim and quick reflexes.

Rifles: Rifles are versatile long-range weapons known for their accuracy and power. They are favored by marksmen, snipers, and characters who need to engage distant targets.

Shotguns: Shotguns deliver a spread of pellets, making them devastating at close range. They are often used in home defense scenarios and for hunting.

Automatic and Semi-Automatic Firearms: These firearms offer rapid-fire capabilities, making them suitable for characters facing multiple adversaries or engaging in intense gunfights.

Ideal Characters

Characters who wield modern firearms possess specific attributes and training:

Firearm Proficiency: Proficient characters are well-trained in firearm use, understanding safety, reloading, and maintenance.

Mental Toughness: They must maintain composure under pressure, as firearms can be unforgiving in high-stress situations.

Training and Experience: Characters may have military or law enforcement backgrounds or undergo specialized firearm training.

Mindset: The choice to use firearms can reflect a character's willingness to employ lethal force when necessary.

Examples in Literature

In literature, characters who wield modern firearms are often found in genres like crime fiction, espionage thrillers, and action-adventure novels:

Jesper Fahey from Leigh Bardugo's "Six of Crows" is a sharpshooter with a passion for firearms. He brings a unique blend of humor, charm, and unerring accuracy to the crew of skilled criminals known as the Dregs. Armed with his trusty revolvers, Jesper showcases not only his prowess with firearms but also his quick thinking in high-stakes situations.

Jesper's character reflects the complexities of using firearms in a gritty, high-risk world. His marksmanship skills not only contribute to the crew's endeavors but also serve as a storytelling element, illustrating the fine line between life and death in their dangerous heists.

I think he’s a great example of the type of character readers would typically associate with loud flashy firearms. 

Unconventional Weapons: Creativity and Surprise

unconventional weapons are like hidden treasures waiting to be unearthed. They offer writers a canvas upon which to paint unique and memorable characters. These characters don't just march to the beat of their own drum; they make their own drumsticks, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.

Whips, Chains, and Musical Instruments

When you think of weapons, whips and chains might not be the first things that come to mind. Yet, in the hands of a skilled writer, they become symbols of precision, control, and the unexpected. A whip's crack can be as powerful as any gunshot, and the rattle of chains can send shivers down spines. And what about musical instruments? 

The sweet melody of a flute can lull enemies into a false sense of security before revealing its true potential as a weapon. Writers have the freedom to explore these unconventional choices, creating characters who surprise, enthrall, and captivate readers.

Creativity Knows No Bounds

Unconventional weapons are a playground for creativity. Writers can let their imaginations soar, crafting characters who wield items that defy convention. Whether it's a character fashioning a weapon from the environment or turning a seemingly mundane object into a deadly tool, the possibilities are endless. 

Want your hero to use a bouquet of roses as a weapon? Go for it. How about a character who wields a garden gnome like a hammer? Let your creativity run wild. Rachel Elizabeth Dare threw a hairbrush at a titan, Alice uses a flamingo as a croquet mallet. When it comes to unconventional weapons, you really don’t have any limits. 

I hope this blog on How to Pick The Perfect Weapon For Your Characters will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.  

Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks? 

Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey! 

[nana-mania]

any thoughts about eight division captain!izana? there aren't so many opinions about him :((

"A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE" izana as eight division captain in toman!

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ headcanon

࿐*ೃ feat : izana kurokawa

࿐*ೃ fandom : tokyo revengers

࿐*ೃ extra : eight division captain!izana headcanon

IZANA KUROKAWA AS EIGHT DIVISION CAPTAIN OF TOMAN

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ Izana is still tough and authoritative but shows more respect for his men. He values loyalty and strength, and he’s more strategic, not just ruling through fear. Compared to the time he was in Tenjiku, Izana was ruthless and controlled everything with fear. He didn’t care about loyalty and treated people as tools to use for his own gain.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ When it comes to his relationship with his subordinates, he is distant with them except with his executives. Though, he still cares for his division thanks to Toman's moral educating and changing his perspectives on his subordinates. He expects loyalty and discipline but isn’t as harsh or dismissive.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ Izana shows more emotional depth in Toman, especially with Mikey. He’s still guarded but more open to human connections, specifically with his friends (S62 and Kakucho). He refers them as 'irreplaceable'. Though, it is clear he has a favorite among them all and it is obviously Kakucho.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ Izana still feels a deep connection to Mikey, but it’s complicated. He respects Mikey but also wants to surpass him. Perhaps it is a sense of brotherly rivalry that is just so natural to him. But now his sense of competitiveness is much healthier.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ Izana’s sense of right and wrong is more balanced. He’s still harsh, but less cruel and more practical. He prefers facing things heads-on (he just wanna beat some asses) but he considers being civil too (if he wants)

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ Izana handles conflicts more strategically and rationally, using his emotional intelligence to avoid unnecessary violence. This is very contrasting with his time back in Tenjiku, when he solved problems with force and intimidation, showing no mercy.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ He feels more emotional connection with the S62 and Kakucho, realizing how important they are to him. When one of them is hurt, sometime he loses control of himself and takes matter into his own hand, without consulting with others first.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ While he may be stoic and look uncaring, the moment he hears one of the members get hurt, he asks his executives to conduct investigation before proposing to ambush the enemy. He cares, he just doesn't show it. And he wouldn't let any fuckers mess with his men.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ Izana more likely spends more time with his friends (S62 and Kakucho) after every meeting, even though he says he is 'forced to tag along since you fuckers won't shut up'. But deep down, he treasures their company and he wishes this relationship never ends.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ While he is still emotionally distant, Izana still tries to be useful and offers help when one of his friends is troubled, and in need of someone to listen to them. His response is not great, but he tries to be a listener.

╰┈➤: ̗̀➛ He only cries once in front of S62 gen and Kakucho. That is the day he realizes how comfortable he is with them, and how important they are to him.

࿐*ೃ thanks for reading this scenario! likes, interaction and reblogs are deeply appreciated ♡

[asm5129]

So in an earlier discussion I think I’ve seen you refer to rwby as a show about “girls fighting injustice with giant weapons” but frankly, I don’t know if they can be considered to be fighting injustice?

The majority of their time and effort has been spent fighting Salem, or fighting her minions, which to me doesn’t necessarily seem like fighting injustice? They’re not actively challenging the unfair society they live in they’re fighting monsters that want to kill people. Which is still a noble goal but I don’t know if it qualifies as fighting injustice.

I suppose on a cosmic scale the actions of the gods are an injustice to all humanity? But they’re not necessarily challenging that on moral grounds it’s more self defense of their species.

I don’t know if I used that term specifically, but I do believe that it is a show very much about fighting injustice.

Salem is kind of similar to climate change and natural disasters irl. She puts things into perspective.

Any deniability in favor of the concept of “necessary injustice” goes out the window when there’s a threat that existential that affects everyone if left unaddressed. It should be a uniting issue, yet some people not only refuse to address it they even use it to prop themselves up using the injustices that already exist as tools.

Atlas and Mantle are obviously the biggest examples of this. Ironwood actively neglected and deprioritized Mantle in favor of Atlas, which allowed for our heroes to clearly see the injustices that exist every day for the citizens of mantle due to Atlas and recognize that something must be done to help them.

There is no plausible deniability to hide behind.

Also remember, this show is about these four girls and their friends figuring out what it means to be a hero (or in their case, a huntress).

They are actively in the process of discovering what their own beliefs, limits, values and needs are. Where are their hard lines? Where will they compromise? When do they choose a side? If they can’t fight every battle, which battles do they choose to leave to others? How do you support and care for the people around you in times of crisis? What are their goals and priorities and how do they balance those with what they believe is right in that moment?

For Blake, concerning the White Fang, she saw Adam using the genuine injustice her people face as a tool for his personal gain and that’s something she couldn’t let stand and she felt it wasn’t something others would address.

It’s not that she doesn’t care about the injustices the Faunus face, but she’s figuring out where her priorities lie. She has handed the white fang over to people she feels she can trust, so she shifts her attention to making things right with the people she loves.

Yes, RWBY is about fighting injustice because it’s about ensuring a happy ending for all (or to the best of their ability).

Being a huntress is about fighting for what’s right and defending those who can’t defend themselves.

Team RWBY and co are just still fighting out what that means and how to do it, that’s all.

[marvelstars]

Fate and Choice in Star Wars

I believe Star Wars tackles the whole issue of fate and choice in an interesting way because it allowed for destiny to exist while also allowing for free will.

Fandom often considers this to be a reason to condemn Anakin´s choices but imo, If we take this pov at face value, Anakin definitely wasnt the only one who made bad choices in the story, he is simply condemned because he became Vader but while Lucas certainly wrote Vader as a character suffering for the consequences of his actions, he also wrote him as a victim of circunstance but also a hero who in the end had to come back from the darkside not for his own sake or for his Son but because this was the neccesary element for the Galaxy to be freed from the Sith.

Anakin wasn´t the only one who made bad choices and if we don´t understand Palpatine´s role on all this then we don´t understand Anakin´s story because just like the Jedi would not have taken a slave army to go from peace keepers to soldiers and fight in the clone wars if given the chance, Anakin would not have turned to the darkside without Palpatine´s involvement.

The reason why George Lucas insisted on showing Anakin as a kid on Tatooine, was to show he wasn´t just a nice kid, he was an awesome kid who already had many Jedi virtues and given the chance he would have become Tatooine´s champion even if he stayed a slave, simply because he was powerful but this power he used instinctively to help those less fortunate than him, to protect and love his mother and to help his friends or even strangers in need like Qui-Gon and Padme were, even if that meant him risking his life for them. Anakin was all those things already and while he probably could have need at some point a guide to learn how to use his force powers, just like Luke did, Anakin was well on his way to become on his own one of the greastest force users ever simply because he cared, he was kind and wanted to help make the universe better.

Qui-Gon didn´t need to force the issue about Anakin being trained on the Jedi Order or even become a Jedi, he could have asked for Anakin simply being given a force guide and to free his mother but he didn´t, because he was more interested at the time in fulfulling a prophecy than on Anakin´s personal best interests, he did a good thing freeing Anakin but made a mistake leaving Anakin´s mother a slave. The fact Anakin was indeed the chosen one didn´t mean he had to be trained at the temple, the prophecy talks about a strong "force user" who would balance the force and defeat the sith not a strong "Jedi" and it´s told like this because at no point this force user could not fall to the darkside in his free will, he could but he still would be the chosen one,Vader was still the chosen one even if he was fallen.

Yoda should have keep his first decision of not allowing Anakin to be trained as a Jedi because he already knew a family and would hardly adapt to the Temple, he should have keep Obi-Wan from training Anakin because Obi-Wan wasn´t insisting on training Anakin for Anakin´s sake or even for the Order, he was doing it because he was mourning Qui-Gon and wanted to fulfill his last petition, Yoda sympathized with Obi-Wan but at no point Anakin´s best interests were taken in consideration when it was decided he had to be trained as a traditional Jedi. This Obi-Wan addmited and understood in the OT when he said he made a mistake believing he could train Anakin as well as Yoda did but the issue was even deeper than that.

The reason why Palpatine, who was hellbent on turning Anakin to the darkside, allowed him to be trained as a Jedi were clearly stated on the Darth Plagueis novel: Being taken from his mother and her left to suffer on slavery with her Son knowing this, while training in an Order of people who could not understand "missing his mother" as a natural emotional response, were the first tools Palpatine used agaisn´t Anakin to turn him to the darkside, this was way better than any kidnapping or torturing scenario Palpatine could come up to turn the kid and he used this very fact to become his father figure. All this because Palpatine understood way better than the Jedi of his time, how absolutely damaging this was going to be for Anakin´s psyche and so a benefice for his plans.

All of this happens beyond Anakin´s control or decision making, in the rest of the movies he is mostly reacting to those events without actively making a stance on it and that´s such a tragedy, because as a kid he had such a strong force of will to do the right thing and love those around him and in the second movie he is so used to be given orders he almost doesn´t complain or argue even in the face of losing his mother or Obi-Wan, his other father figure.

So yes Anakin did made bad choices he regretted, he planned on just rescuing his mother from the tusken raiders even after being told they had actively tortured her for no reason for months, he had enough strenght of mind to keep himself from hurting them even knowing that, what he could not forgive was them killing her and while he was horrified by his actions after the fact, this original hurt, to know for a fact that had he stayed on Tatooine, a decision that was taken from him as a child, could have as well save his mother´s life and actually made a difference for the slaves on Tatooine given all of them were ignored at the center of the republic, this was the beggining of Anakin´s fall, there´s a reason why Qui-Gon ghost reacts the most at Anakin´s fall on ATOC than at his actions on EP III, the fact of the matter is that he already had partially fallen in AOTC but we would be kidding ourselves if we believe this decision was something Anakin made just on his own free will and wasn´t the result of other people caring more for what he could do for them or what he represented to them than about Anakin the person.

Despite this fact Anakin still went on to become one of the greastest and more caring soldiers and generals in the clone wars, who cared not just for victories but also of giving people under his protection a chance, be it by helping them learn how to take care of themselves in the face of violence, something that later would help sustain the rebel alliance, or because he wanted to show the clone soldiers it was perfectly ok to have their own individual thoughts and express themselves with freedom. So even a half fallen Anakin that Count Dooku could detect, had still so much of himself to genuinely care for the fate of those unders his authority but with time this also eat at his own psyche.

Everything else was a consequence of this, Anakin understood the nature of death as a child, he understood and tried to do his best to keep people from dying but after losing his mother the way he did, he developed a fixation of keeping those close to him alive, something that only made him fall further because then he was send to the middle of a war in which he could feel every soldier die, his master was thought dead twice and even his padawan was in constant danger, so being given the idea of losing his one constant after his mother in his life, Padme and their future family, was enough to permanently break him.

This doesn´t mean he wasn´t given a choice but it was a choice affected by the circunstances around him and especially by the emotional and force traps put on by Palpatine and of his will taking a beating every time he tried to make individual decisions bassically since he was an infant.

This is also why ROTJ feels so liberating as the climax of the story, because in this movie, while Luke certainly cared about Vader and wanted to give him an out from the dark out of compassion for his father, knowing his story, Luke also realized that to save his father also meant to save himself, because for him killing his father meant falling to the darkside, what he didn´t realize until the end was that his father´s fate was to save the galaxy, even from himself and his master, so Luke saved his father, his father saved him and then Anakin decided to save the galaxy out of compassion for his Son and what he believed in.

I believe Star Wars as a story is richer when we consider all those circunstances as well as the characters choices.

[blade-that-was-broken]

Can we get more info about your I’m Still Here AU AU?

Oh I got one better.

I’m Still Here AU AU- Feel I Belong  

Branch woke up coughing up water and one of his friend’s worried expressions filled his vision almost entirely. He blinked once, confused, before suddenly turning to the side in the sand to vomit out excess water. He let out several more coughs and it took minutes for him to actually hear what was being said to him. 

“Thank goodness, ya alright?” The accent of his friend Holly was always prominent, especially with her people but it often got thick and sloshy when she was worried. Branch closed his eyes and sucked in a large breath. 

“No,” he heaved. “But I’ll live. Is everyone else okay?” 

Holly paused and looked around before grabbing Branch’s hand and helping him upright. “Darnell is holding Synth. He’s freaking out. Minuette is kind of hurt and a bit water logged but she’s conscious and coherent.”

“And she can hear you!” the familiar voice of the classical prodigy shouted, annoyed. “She’s fine! She just can’t fly at the moment.” 

“What happened?” Branch asked before he realized the words were coming out of his mouth. They were on a beach, water gently lapping the water towards them. The sea looked fairly calm but there were tiny pieces of the destroyed boat Branch had built stuck in the sand and floating in the tides. He stood up, his brow furrowing, with Holly by his side, using her flank to help keep him upright if his balance wavered. 

“We kind of got shipwrecked,” Holly admitted with a frown. 

Branch wilted. He kind of figured that the boat he had built was destroyed, considering they were on a beach and he had no memory of how they got there. But it still hurt. He had taken a lot of time to make that thing and he was so proud of it. “Do we know why?” 

Holly paused and glanced away. “We saw Hard Rock come out of the water with their angler beasts. The Techno trolls were attacked.” 

Branch’s head spun towards her, eyes wide. He had never heard of another tribe outright attacking another. Angler beasts were only for the largest population of Hard Rock Trolls, splinter groups and sub genres were not only not allowed access to them but training them without the proper tools and process was practically impossible. He knew what Holly was implying. “Is everyone okay?”

“Branch…” her voice went sympathetic and soft. “They’re gone.” 

“What do you mean, they’re gone? Where did they go?” 

“They were taken!”

Branch tore his gaze away from her towards the sound of the new voice. Synth and Darnell approached from the water’s edge, the former with a fiery gaze Branch had never seen in his friend. Synth was a Techno Troll who, like all of his people, loved to party more than just about anything. And that was saying something. But despite their differences, he was also one of Branch’s closest friends.

Their group spanned several different genres and had a wide range of characters that just so happened to be friends now. It had taken years of time to get the point of friendship that they were all at, but they had gotten there. It had been a simple thing. They had orchestrated a get together, partially to celebrate the creation and ultimate test of the boat Branch had built. They wanted to be able to hang out closer to Synth without having to take the long journey underwater. 

The boat worked, they were in the middle of the ocean, and were having fun just chilling out, talking and playing a couple card games. Branch’s brow furrowed as he tried to remember what happened. 

“Synth?” 

His friend was in tears and angrier than Branch had ever seen him before. Synth was not one to get angry or upset, a lot of times, things just kind of rolled off his back. It was part of the reason he and Branch got along. While Branch had a tendency to overanalyze and overthink, Synth did not and took things more at face value, which Branch learned to appreciate. Synth spoke what he meant and although it could be confusing at times, it worked out well for them. But seeing him so upset like this was more than just a little shocking. 

“Hard Rock Trolls,” Darnell filed in, stomping a paw in the sand. Their friend group had a lot of diversity, which wasn’t particularly common with the tribes, as they often tended to keep to themselves. It had mostly been by accident, them finding each other and could probably be also partially blamed on the traveling Branch and his brother did. It was easier to befriend other tribes when you traveled while living, rather than just settling down in one area. 

“Yeah, Holly said Angler Beasts came out of the water. What happened?” 

“Synth and I went to check it out afterwards, since we weren’t hurt. It’s further away than expected,” Darnell continued. “Some of the structures are broken apart. Everyone is gone. The rock trolls took them.” 

“But… why?” 

“I don’t know.” 

Darnell was by far the most important of their group, at least in terms of tribe status. Not that he would say that. He was the lone prince of the Funk Trolls and although everyone knew it, he would never tell anyone he was more important. Although everyone knew that too. Next in line to take care of an entire tribe was stressful as it was and it was hard to find friends within a tribe that knew that. People treated royalty differently; they always had. 

But since none of the rest of them were Funk Trolls, they didn’t have that expectation or attachment to the tribe. He actually became Holly Darlin’s friend first - a situation neither of them talked about - and although hesitant at first, he latched onto Branch and the rest of them. 

“We need to get Mini some help,” Holly insisted, now at the tiny Classical troll’s side. Her wings were sopping and would continue to be so for quite some time. Everyone knew how long it took for her wings to really dry out. It was another reason why the boat idea was brought up. “She’s hurt.” 

“I’m fine, honest,” Minuette tried, sitting in the sand. There was blood dripping slowly down her arm. 

“You can’t fly like that and we all know Classical trolls don’t really do much in the terms of walking,” Darnell pointed out. 

“I can learn!” 

Yeah, that sounded like her. 

“Not immediately,” Holly huffed with the light roll of her eyes. 

“You’re crazy talented, Mini but seriously, you really can’t,” Branch agreed as they got closer. “Holly, can you carry her?” 

The country troll nodded and proceeded to scoop the little troll out of the sand, placing her on her back and giving her quiet instructions. “Of course.”

“We have to go and help my people,” Synth insisted. 

“It doesn’t sound like there is much we can do yet,” Branch grimaced. He hated saying that. It felt so callous. “We need to get Mini some help, in case that wound on her arm is worse than we think, then we need to figure out what is even going on, make a plan and then go help.”

“That’s… a lot of steps.”

“Do you think the other tribes will be targeted too?” Darnell asked worriedly. It made sense that he would immediately be concerned for his own. It was the way he was raised. Put the tribe first and foremost. Branch knew, no matter what, he’d make a great king one day. 

“I don’t know,” Branch admitted, truthfully. He had no idea what was even going on. The Rock Trolls didn’t really interact with anyone - even less than the other tribes. Aside from Branch’s group and his brother, most tribes didn’t really hang out or talk much with one another but the Rock Trolls even less so. He wondered if there was bad blood there. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. We have no idea what is happening, much less why. One thing at a time.” 

“Where do we go?” 

“Into the island,” Branch continued, glancing around. “Getting around through the beach looks hard, for any of us that can’t swim like you, Synth. And Minuette is in no condition for that.” 

“What do you think we’ll find?” 

“I don’t know,” he confessed, truthfully. “We just should get away from the water. Darnell, can you lead? I’m going to try to bandage Mini’s wound. “Just start straight through and see where we end up.” He grabbed a medium sized knife out of his hair and passed it over to his friend. It wasn’t very large like his brother’s machete, so it wouldn’t cut through everything but with a bit of work, it would get through some obstacles. 

The group dove into the jungle with Branch walking beside Holly with the classical troll on her back, trying to clean the wound on her arm and wrap it. “Thanks, Branch,” she said, quietly. 

“You okay?” 

“I… I knew Rock was loud and crazy but… the way they came out of the water…” she whispered, shivering. “They… they must have had all the Techno trolls inside.” 

“It’s going to be okay,” Branch tried to assure, attempting to put confidence in his tone. 

“Do you think they’ll go after Symphonyville too?” she asked soft and scared but low enough that Darnell and Synth wouldn’t hear. 

“We don’t know what is happening yet,” Branch continued. “Get some sleep, okay? We’ll wake you when we find something.” 

“I don’t…” Minuette opened her mouth to start but Holly let her back buck in a quiet reminder. “I don’t agree with this.” It was barely fifteen minutes later when she was fast asleep and Holly dared to speak. 

“If the Rock Trolls do go after the others, Classical is closest to Techno.” 

“I know.” 

“It won’t be long until they hit Lonesome Flatts.” 

“I’m aware. We don’t know what is going on.” 

“It’s easier for you, your family is all hidden away and-” 

“Holly, you are just going to freak yourself out if you keep this up,” Branch swallowed. She wasn’t wrong. Branch only lived with one another pop troll and the home he and his brother lived in was rather hidden away. “I get it and I care. We just have no idea what is going on yet and we can’t do anything. Not yet. But that will change.” 

“I’m just worried.”

“Me too.” 

“Hey guys? I think we found something?” Darnell called back. The group got close together again on a ridge overlooking the far beach on the other side of the island. Music was playing and a giant sandcastle was plopped in the middle. Color swirled with flags and towels and other decorations. Movement was all around the sand and although they looked small from the distance, Branch knew the beings were giant.

“They are huge,” Minuette whispered, leaning off the side of Holly’s back. Her voice was trying not to tremble but Branch understood the fear. “Are they…?” 

Branch knew what question she was trying to ask. “No, they aren’t… grotesque enough,” Branch shook his head. All of his friends knew about the dreadful Bergens and the horrifying things that they did to Pop Trolls. Branch had been so upset when he never went back to the Tree but over time, he got over it. It took a lot of talking but also he had settled into his new life eventually as well. That made it easier. He liked his life and his friends. They were different but they still fit together. Like a puzzle. 

Branch loved puzzles. 

“They look… okay?” Darnell’s voice cracked, a little, uncertainly. Branch took a pair of binoculars out of his hair and passed them to his friend as the Funk prince gave him back his knife. “But you’re the plan guy, B. And you have more experience with giants. You don’t think they are friendly?” 

“Do you want to take that chance?” 

“Good point,” Minuette agreed. “But how? This is an island. If we can’t get help from them, how do we get off?” 

“Look! There is a ferry,” Holly said, pointing across the beach on the other side of the area. Branch squinted at the boat that was docked at the end, swaying gently in the tide. He didn’t see any giants on it. 

“It looks automated too,” Darnell added, looking through Branch’s binoculars.

“So we just need to get across this… what is this?” 

“Uh… the sign says Bruce and Sons,” Darnell said, looking around. “I think this is some sort of vacation spot. A resort, maybe? They seem to be just kind of chilling out.” 

“Maybe they won’t notice us.” 

“We should try to be stealthy when we can,” Branch added. “Try not to attract any attention yet. Synth, why don’t you swim around. You’ll get there before us. Maybe get a look at the Ferry and how it works.” 

He nodded. “You got it bro.” 

“Minuette, you’re gonna have to hold on tight sweetie,” Holly added. “In case we get a chase on our hands.” 

The classical troll nodded. 

“Try to follow me. If I say, run, you run,” Branch said and jumped down, making his way towards the beach and the people. They almost made it too. The giants weren’t really paying attention and the four of them tried to stick to the shadows anyway. Or, at least, what little shadow there was in the raging sunlight. Branch didn’t know if he tripped or made a sound or what it was but he heard a loud gasp and saw a giant’s eyes and attention on them. 

“Oh! A troll!” 

And suddenly the news was parroted around like an out loud game of telephone. “A troll!” 

“Trolls!”

“There’s more!” 

Holly’s mad dash was on. They didn’t check to see how many were chasing but they ran. Branch motioned for Holly to run ahead. Country Trolls were much faster runners than other types and she listened to him, racing across the sand towards their destination. “Darnell,” Branch called. “Go.” 

“Dude!” 

“Get that Ferry going!” 

He hesitated but tore off after Holly, faster than Branch could go. “We won’t leave without you!” It was barely moments and then suddenly, Branch was left alone amidst giants. 

“Tell the boss!” 

Branch ran across the sand with a renewed fury and determination, dodging beach balls and the giant feet of the residents. His heart was pounding. He hadn’t been around Bergens for years but the fear of them still remained. And though these weren’t actually Bergens, he had no idea if they shared their taste for Trolls and their happiness. 

“Bruce!” a giant’s voice called. 

Branch paid no mind, eye on his destination closer and closer.  He could see his friends waiting, eagerly staring. “Start it up!” he yelled. 

They looked alarmed but Darnell obeyed, scurrying away and out of sight. Bare seconds after, the ferry began to move, slowly removing itself from the dock. For a moment, he was sure he wasn’t going to make it. 

“Branch!” 

“Holly!” he shouted and threw himself off the dock, extending his hair. In that moment, she threw the lasso she kept on her at all times, the rope curling around him the second his hair did the same. 

“Branch!?” A voice called. 

It didn’t sound familiar and he didn’t have any time to figure it out as he crashed into Holly on the deck of the ferry, hitting the wooden floor hard. He had made it. Branch sucked in a deep breath, his head pounding in fear and adrenaline. 

He made it. 

[astrojulia]

They forgive quickly - Libras are known for their desire for harmony and balance in all aspects of their lives. This includes their relationships with others. They value their relationships and are willing to work through conflicts and disagreements in order to maintain a peaceful and positive atmosphere. One of the ways that Libras achieve this is by forgiving quickly. They understand that holding grudges and harboring negative emotions can create a heavy and uncomfortable atmosphere, and they do not want to contribute to that. Instead, they seek tools for reconciliation and forgiveness in order to restore balance and harmony to their relationships. However, just because Libras forgive quickly does not mean that they forget what happened. They have a keen sense of justice and fairness, and they understand the importance of acknowledging past wrongs and ensuring that they are not repeated in the future. While they may not hold onto grudges or resentment, they also do not easily forget the lessons they have learned from past conflicts. Furthermore, Libras' desire for harmony and balance also extends to their own inner world. They understand the importance of forgiving themselves and letting go of negative self-talk or self-blame in order to maintain a positive and healthy self-image.

They like serious relationships -They value stability and commitment and prefer to build strong, lasting connections with their partners.As such, Libras tend to prioritize serious relationships over casual flings. They want to establish a deep connection with someone and build a strong foundation for a lasting partnership. This can sometimes make the pursuit of romantic conquest less appealing to them, as they may feel that it distracts from their ultimate goal of finding a stable and committed partner. Because of their desire for serious relationships, Libras often make it clear early on in their relationships that they are seeking a commitment. This can sometimes come across as them "spoiling the game of conquest," as they may be less interested in playing the dating game and more focused on finding a long-term partner. However, this does not mean that Libras are not interested in romance or flirtation. They simply approach it in a more intentional and purposeful way, seeking out partners who share their values and are interested in building a strong, lasting connection.

They are vigilantes -They’ve a strong sense of justice and their commitment to fairness. They are vigilant in their efforts to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and equality, and they are not afraid to speak out when they witness moments of injustice or unfairness. When Libras encounter situations where they or others are being unfairly blamed or mistreated, they take action to address the situation immediately. They are not content to sit back and let injustice go unchecked; rather, they are driven to seek out solutions and find ways to bring balance and harmony back to the situation.(“but they’re passive Julia”... sweetheart… they’re cardinals..).At the same time, Libras are highly empathetic and are able to put themselves in other people's shoes. They are deeply committed to understanding the perspectives and needs of others, and they use this understanding to inform their efforts to bring about positive change.

They’re smart -Libras are known for their intelligence and their ability to think critically about complex issues. They have a natural curiosity and a desire to learn about the world around them, and they enjoy engaging in deep conversations with others. At the same time, Libras have a playful side to their personality that often manifests as a desire to make jokes and be lighthearted. They enjoy making others laugh and often use humor as a way to diffuse tense situations. However, it is important to note that Libras do not make fools of themselves in a literal sense. Rather, they use humor and lightheartedness as a tool to navigate challenging situations and connect with others on a deeper level. Libras are highly attuned to social dynamics and are able to read the room in any situation. They use their intelligence and emotional intelligence to measure the weight of each situation and make strategic decisions about how to navigate it.

They’re tactile people - As tactile beings, Libras enjoy exploring the world through touch and physical sensations. They are drawn to textures and patterns, and have a keen eye for detail when it comes to fashion and design. They often use their sense of touch to test the quality of materials and to appreciate the finer points of an outfit or piece of decor.Beyond just fashion, Libras also have a strong connection to the natural world and are drawn to experiences that engage their senses. They may find themselves drawn to outdoor activities like hiking or gardening, where they can fully immerse themselves in the sensory experience.In relationships, Libras are known for their romantic and affectionate nature. They enjoy physical intimacy and often express their love through touch, whether it's holding hands, cuddling, or simply brushing a partner's hair out of their face.

They are great negotiators - As natural communicators, Libras excel in the art of negotiation. They have a unique ability to understand and empathize with the needs and desires of others, which allows them to find solutions that benefit everyone involved. Libras are skilled at finding common ground, and can deftly navigate even the most challenging of conversations. Part of what makes Libras such great negotiators is their ability to see both sides of an issue. They are able to remain objective and impartial, even when they have a personal stake in the outcome. This allows them to approach negotiations with a clear head and a level of detachment that is often highly effective. In addition to their natural communication skills, Libras are also highly adaptable. They are able to adjust their negotiating tactics to suit the needs of different situations and individuals. Whether they are working out a business deal or resolving a conflict with a loved one, Libras are able to find the right words and actions to achieve a positive outcome.

They’re observers - Libras are keen observers who tend to scan their environment for details that they find necessary. They are often more visually oriented and pay attention to subtle cues that others might overlook. This ability to observe and analyze helps Libras make informed decisions and can make them successful in many areas of life. Because they are always observing, Libras are skilled at reading people and situations. They are able to quickly assess what a person needs or wants and use this knowledge to build strong relationships. This is particularly true when it comes to negotiating, where Libras' ability to identify needs and wants can lead to successful outcomes for all parties involved. In addition, Libras tend to be very detail-oriented, which makes them effective problem solvers. They are able to identify the root cause of an issue and develop a plan of action to resolve it. This attention to detail also makes them excellent critics, as they are able to provide thoughtful and constructive feedback.

They draw attention naturally -Libras have a natural charm and magnetism that draws attention to them wherever they go. They have a keen sense of aesthetics and enjoy expressing themselves through their personal style, whether it's through their clothing, hairstyle, or accessories. Libras appreciate beauty and balance, and they know how to put together an outfit or a look that will turn heads.However, Libras are not attention-seekers in an aggressive or attention-grabbing way. They prefer a more subtle and natural approach, using their natural charisma and grace to attract the attention of those around them. They are not afraid to stand out and be noticed, but they do so in a way that is elegant and refined.In addition to their style and presence, Libras are also known for their friendly and sociable nature. They enjoy interacting with others and making new connections, and they are always looking for opportunities to engage with people and expand their social circle. Whether it's at a party, a social gathering, or just out and about, Libras have a way of making people feel comfortable and welcome in their presence.

They hate the end of a relationship - The reluctance to end relationships is a common trait among Libras. They value harmony and balance in their relationships and are often afraid of causing pain to others. They also tend to have a strong sense of empathy, which makes it difficult for them to imagine the pain that their partner would feel if the relationship ended. As a result, they may stay in a relationship even when it's no longer serving them, causing them to feel stuck and unfulfilled. However, it's important for Libras to recognize when a relationship is no longer healthy and to take action to end it if necessary. They should remember that by staying in a relationship that is no longer working, they are not only hurting themselves but also their partner in the long run. One way for Libras to overcome their fear of ending relationships is by focusing on the positive aspects of being alone. Being single can be a time for self-discovery and personal growth, and it can also give them the space and time to find a partner who is a better match for them. Additionally, they can seek support from friends or a therapist to work through their fears and concerns about being alone. By taking these steps, Libras can develop the confidence and courage to end relationships when necessary and move on to new, healthier ones.

They’re calm -Libras are known for their calm and peaceful nature. They have a great ability to process life more lightly and take things in stride. They often find pleasure in simple moments of leisure, such as reading a book or taking a relaxing stroll in nature. This allows them to maintain a sense of balance and harmony in their lives. However, they can struggle in more chaotic environments that disrupt their sense of inner peace. Their calm nature also extends to their interactions with others. They have a talent for handling conflicts and disagreements with grace and diplomacy. This ability to remain composed in difficult situations allows them to navigate through challenges and maintain positive relationships with those around them.

They are seductive -Libras are known for their natural charm and seductive personality. They have an innate ability to make others feel comfortable around them, and they use this to their advantage when it comes to seduction. They are observant and intuitive, paying attention to the smallest details of a person's behavior and interests. When they are interested in someone, they will use their natural charm and charisma to make that person feel special. They will take the time to get to know them on a deeper level, and will show a genuine interest in their lives and experiences. This attentiveness can make the other person feel seen and heard, which is an incredibly seductive quality. Libras also enjoy spending time with family and friends, and will often go out of their way to make sure everyone is having a good time. They are skilled at creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, and will use their charm and wit to keep people engaged and entertained.

They are crazy about cleanliness - They can become almost obsessive in their pursuit of a perfectly tidy environment, even going beyond what is expected of them. They take pride in their surroundings and will do everything in their power to ensure that everything is neat and tidy. In fact, their attention to detail is so great that they may even notice small details that others would overlook. This love of cleanliness can extend to all areas of their life, from their home to their workspace. They often have a methodical approach to cleaning and will take the time to make sure everything is in its proper place. They may even become frustrated or anxious if things are out of order. Their obsession with cleanliness is not limited to their personal space, as they may also try to keep public spaces clean and organized. They may become irritated if they see someone littering or leaving a mess in a shared area. Their love of cleanliness is a reflection of their desire for harmony and balance in their lives. They believe that a clean and organized environment can help to promote a sense of calm and well-being.

Their life is like a game - Libras are strategic and calculating in their approach to life. They have an inherent ability to weigh their options and plan their next move with precision. This quality makes them excellent players in any situation, be it in love, work, or relationships. They are astute observers, and they pay close attention to the nuances of social situations, enabling them to read the room and the people they are dealing with. This ability to read others helps them to plan their actions and strategize their approach accordingly. They are always thinking ahead, anticipating potential outcomes and planning their moves accordingly. This trait also makes them excellent problem solvers, as they are able to approach issues from multiple angles and find the best solution. In love, Libras are known for their charm and romantic nature. They use their strategic skills to plan romantic gestures and impress their partners. They are skilled communicators, and they use their charm and wit to woo those they are interested in. In friendships and relationships, they make great listeners and are always willing to provide a listening ear and support. In the workplace, Libras are known for their diplomacy and tact. They are skilled negotiators and mediators, and they have a knack for finding common ground in disputes. They excel in positions that require them to interact with people, and they make great team players.

They’re Social Sponges - Libras have a natural sensitivity to the energies of their surroundings and the people they interact with. They tend to absorb these energies like sponges, which can be both a gift and a curse. On the one hand, they are able to tune in to others' emotions and understand them deeply, which makes them empathetic and compassionate. On the other hand, they can easily become overwhelmed by negative or toxic energies, which can drain them emotionally and physically. It is important for Libras to be aware of their own energy levels and to take steps to protect themselves when necessary. This might involve setting boundaries with people who drain them or avoiding environments that are emotionally taxing. They may also need to engage in regular self-care practices such as meditation, exercise, or spending time in nature to recharge their batteries and maintain their sense of balance. Despite these challenges, Libras are generally very skilled at navigating social situations and interacting with others in a positive way. They are adept at reading social cues and responding appropriately, which makes them excellent communicators and negotiators. In love and relationships, they are often skilled at creating a sense of harmony and balance, which is essential for their well-being.

Peacekeepers  -They have a strong aversion to any type of confrontation or argument, as they are empathetic and feel the energy of others. They will often take the initiative to smooth out any tensions before they escalate into more significant issues. Libras are excellent at conflict resolution and have a natural talent for finding common ground between parties. They prioritize maintaining peace in their environment, whether it's their workplace, home or social circles. They are sensitive to the energy around them and strive to create a positive and serene atmosphere. In their relationships, they avoid drama and prefer to communicate calmly and respectfully, listening to the other person's point of view. As natural peace lovers, Libras are masters at maintaining balance and harmony. They are skilled at de-escalating tense situations and preventing conflicts from arising. Their peaceful nature is contagious, and they can help diffuse even the most challenging situations, making them an invaluable asset to any team or group.

They’re extremely critical with themselves- They are known to be great listeners and take the opinions of others into consideration before making their own decisions. This can often lead to them feeling pressure to fulfill not only their own wishes and obligations, but also those that are imposed by others. Libras tend to be very accommodating and don't want to disappoint anyone. They want to make sure that everyone around them is happy and taken care of, even if it means sacrificing their own desires or needs. This can lead to them putting a lot of pressure on themselves to meet the expectations of others, which can be overwhelming at times. At the same time, Libras are also perfectionists who strive for excellence in everything they do. They want to make sure that everything they do is done to the best of their ability, which can sometimes lead to them overworking themselves or setting unrealistic expectations for themselves. Despite these tendencies, Libras are also very self-aware and are constantly working to find a balance between meeting their own needs and fulfilling the expectations of others. They know when to say "no" and when to prioritize their own well-being, while still remaining compassionate and empathetic towards others.. but sometimes they just can’t say “no”...

They love to talk - Libras are known for their love of conversation, and they often take advantage of any opportunity to start a discussion with others. As a cardinal air sign, they are naturally curious and enjoy exchanging ideas and thoughts with those around them. However, their tendency to talk a lot can sometimes get in the way of effective communication, as they may inadvertently share too much information or even say things that are best left unsaid.n addition to being skilled conversationalists, Libras also have a natural charm and charisma that draws people to them. They have a way of making others feel at ease and comfortable in their presence, which makes it easy for them to strike up a conversation with just about anyone. This talent for socializing is often admired by others, but it can also be a double-edged sword, as Libras may sometimes struggle to maintain appropriate boundaries when it comes to personal information.Because of their sociable nature, Libras can sometimes be prone to gossip or idle chatter, which can get them into trouble if they are not careful. However, they also have a strong sense of fairness and justice, which means that they are unlikely to engage in malicious talk or hurtful behavior. Instead, they are more likely to use their communication skills to build bridges and foster positive relationships with those around them.

They don’t laugh at everything - Libras have a refined sense of humor, which means they don't find every joke or humorous situation amusing. They are very selective in what they find funny and tend to appreciate subtle or clever jokes that require a bit of intelligence to understand. They love to share their own jokes and humorous stories, and they can often be found entertaining friends and family with their quick wit and charm. However, despite their love for humor, Libras can be a bit reserved when it comes to laughing at themselves. They have a strong sense of dignity and self-respect, which can make it difficult for them to laugh at their own mistakes or missteps. Additionally, they tend to take things very seriously, so it can be challenging to get them to lighten up and laugh at silly or absurd situations.That said, when a Libra does find something genuinely funny, they have a contagious laugh that can light up the room. They enjoy the feeling of joy and connection that comes with sharing laughter with others, and they will go out of their way to make others laugh if they think it will help to break the ice or ease any tension in a situation.

They help - Libras have a strong sense of justice and fairness, which makes them naturally inclined to help others. They have a compassionate nature and are always ready to lend a hand to those in need. They believe in the power of kindness and strive to create harmony and balance in their relationships with others.Libras are naturally altruistic and do not expect anything in return for their help. They feel fulfilled when they know they have made a difference in someone's life, no matter how small. They may even go out of their way to help someone in need, even if it means sacrificing their own time or resources. However, Libras do not like to draw attention to their good deeds. They prefer to keep their altruistic nature low-key and do not like to be praised or thanked excessively for their help. They believe that helping others is simply the right thing to do, and they do it out of their own sense of moral responsibility. It's important to note that Libras do not like to be taken advantage of. They may be generous with their time and resources, but they do not appreciate it when others take advantage of their kindness. They expect others to show the same level of fairness and respect that they do.

Sources: Astro Elias - The 19 secrets inspiration Template by sorberts on tumblr PSD by wildfireresources on deviantart

[sasori-rp]

Do's and Don't's with Hate-Comments

In the wake of recent events, I was inspired to create this blog as a guideline for all those who struggle with this. I'm sure many of you (if not everyone) has received some form of hate in the past.

They come in the shape of anonymous asks, vicious comments, reblog rants and DMs and go far beyond this platform. It's important to share knowledge on how to deal with the situation in a healthy and mature manner, that allows you to preserve your mental health and sanity.

So without further ado, let's get into this, shall we?

Quick Info

Before we start with the Do's and Dont's I want to give you a quick disclaimer on what we're dealing with here. Keeping this in mind, will hopefully help you stay grounded and prepared.

People who send hate - we'll call them Haters for simplicity - are energy vampires. They're usually deeply unhappy people who lack self confidence and carry a lot of frustration in their hearts. This can be because they dislike how the world is evolving, because they get mistreated at home or simply because their hormones are overwhelming and they haven't learnt how to subtract their emotions when criticising something they disagree with.

When they send you hate, it releases adrenaline in their body, a so called kick that they use to vent their frustration. Anyone who has been angry in their life before knows, how satisfying it feels in the moment, to tell the other person how much of a dick we think they are. You probably also know the excitement of getting a reply (even a positive one) when reaching out to a celebrity, a blog or your crush for example. This feeling of excitement is what they look for.

The more vicious the comment, the better they feel when not only getting a reaction from you, but also safely getting away with it. Because truth be told, no hater has the courage to insult you in person. They're anonymous, so they don't have to face the consequences of their own actions. They're getting entertainment in the safety of their own homes, while you suffer.

So, what can we do about it?

Do

If the harrassment continues, block the user.

The first thing you should do when receiving a nasty comment, is delete and ignore. That is your default reaction. Your time and wellbeing is sacred. Do not waste your energy by interacting with them. Giving them attention will only increase their actions. Do not respond to them. Only exception: you can think of a genuinely hilarious, humorous answer to it. You're then using their hate and turn it into fun and play, making it a positive experience for you. (Dissing is not humour in this scenario)

Take a break and take care of yourself. Surround yourself with kind people, do something you enjoy. Don't allow it to consume you. Self Care is very important to staying balanced. Eat healthy, sleep well and don't overwork yourself.

Reach out to friends. Asking for help is human. Allowing your friends to comfort you, will help you feel less alone.

Reach out to a helpline. Sometimes we don't have someone to confide in. There are helplines where you can pour your heart out and get advice from.

If you feel that your mental health is deteriorating, seek help from a therapist. They can give you tools to navigate your feelings and will help you sort your inner battle out. Seeing a therapist is not a weakness; it shows you're willing to make an active change for your health. Props you you, I'm the first one cheering you on!

If the harrassment still continues and threats are made that make you genuinely fear for your safety, reach out to Tumblr Staff and/or the police.

Spread love and kindness. I cannot stress this enough: Do you want to know how to really combat hate? Be happy. Live your best life and create beauty. Give kindness to others and don't let someone's ill intent poison your own. It's that easy. Because nothing in this world disarms hate like genuine care and understanding, confidence in your own worth and awareness of your value.

Don't:

Don't try to justify yourself in response to them. Haters are not here to communicate and find a solution. They will not listen to reason; you can use your time for better things.

Don't insult them back. The argument will quickly spiral out of control. And this is the internet. Someone will use what you said against you. Don't let your anger dictate your actions

Don't post hate posts and rants talking about them. Don't post hate and rants in general. It feels cathartic in the moment, but it will bite you in the ass later. (It also, again, gives them much more attention that they deserve. Do you really want to be their entertainment?)

Don't do any of the above things to protect your friends, either. Friends are here to support you, to give you a shoulder to cry on and cheer you on. Not to tear others down. Regardless of wether they deserve it or not. It's going to backfire, trust me. Stand up for them, yes. Stand up for them by lifting them up, not by tearing down others.

Don't start bashing their account with hate in retaliation

-> Lastly, it's okay to make mistakes.

Don't tear yourself down over you being a human being and extend the same grace to others too. Apologising doesn't make you weaker, it shows that you're mature and willing to learn. And forgiveness is never about you forgetting what happened, but making peace with it; freeing your mind and heart from it, so you can move forward.

I hope this blog helps you make a difference for your life and that of others. Remember, you're a valid, worthy human being deserving of love and kindness. And so is everyone around you.

As always, my DMs are open for questions and discussions. Please try to not spam the comments too much, it gets confusing to detangle. I wish you all a lovely day/night💜

Thank you all for listening!

@izumi-uchiha-anon

@kisame-hoshigaki-rp

[dailycharacteroption]

Pirate (Pathfinder Second Edition Archetype)

(art by DevBurmak on DeviantArt)

Ah yes, there are few more iconic images of swashbuckling adventure than the pirate, sailing the high seas, robbing rich merchant vessels or other pirate crews, and of course occasionally facing off with sea monsters and the like. Pirates are at once dangerous criminals and also strangely honorable (at least in fiction), living lives that are free and full of adventure. As long as they strive to keep their bellies and coffers full.

Back in First Edition, the pirate was specifically an archetype for rogue, but like many archetypes and classes with occupation-based names, one need not have the archetype to belong to that profession. And with the 2E version being available to every class, you can be a pirate with any sort of skill set, everything from mighty warriors, sneaky skulks, or powerful mages of all descriptions.

It’s also worth noting that this archetype was reprinted for the Remastered edition, and as such, adds and subtracts a few things. I’ll be covering the Remastered version while also making note of any feats that were dropped from the original, in case you want to add them back in.

In any case, Pretty much everyone knows what a pirate is, so let’s delve into what this archetype offers the player!

The dedication of this archetype grants knowledge of sailing or nearby ports, as well as superior balance on the deck of a swaying ship. What’s more, these buccaneers can move and attack with great aggression, able to swing across or leap to other vessels and use the momentum of doing so to empower their attack.

Pirates are well known for their mastery of vinegar talk, and are quite competent and hurling insults that weaken the resolve of their foes.

It’s cramped quarters belowdecks, and many pirates are quite used to ganging up on a foe pinned against the wall or the railing, allowing them to overwhelm the defenses of their foes when they’re surrounded.

Fighting aboard a ship warrants special training when the fight spreads to beneath the waves or into the rigging, and pirates train to do just that, as well as improve their proficiency with the common weapons of their trade.

Speaking of which, most pirates become quite adept at climbing the rigging and keeping their defenses up in what would normally be a compromising situation.

Intimidation is an important part of pirating, and many combine this with their combat prowess simply by promising a similar doom to a nearby foe after downing the previous one.

A classic stereotype of pirates is their tendency to force traitors and captives to “walk the plank”. While not specific to every combat scenario, some pirate specialize in menacing their foes in just the right way to force them to move elsewhere, potentially putting them in harm’s way.

A rope is a very useful tool, and some pirates know how to use them and proper grappling weapons to entangle foes in them, even when performing other activities!

A few feats were left behind in the original version as well, including the ability to couch insults in seeming flattery to manipulate others, as well as gaining additional bonuses by succeeding where another failed.

Naturally, this archetype fits best with the likes of rogues and swashbucklers, but pretty much anyone can benefit rom what they have to offer, be it tactical attack bonuses or added mobility. You can take some of these to complement your build, or all if you really like being a pirate that much. Obviously casters are probably going to want magic that manipulates the wind and waves, or magic that inspires the crew to greater strength and prowess.

People become pirates for a lot of reasons, but they generally boil down to similar reasons behind banditry: They lose faith in the value of civilization’s restraining rules and seek to use their skills to serve themselves alone. The biggest difference is that while bandits may change leaders or have schisms occasionally, pirates treat mutiny as a much, much larger deal, since the loss from betrayal of competent crew members can mean that the whole crew dies slowly of thirst or starvation. As such, among those they trust, pirates tend to develop strong bonds, with only the most extreme circumstances or most selfish personae driving them to break those bonds.

Branded as pirates by the trading company ships they plunder, the crew of the Scarred Kraken don’t consider themselves criminals. In fact, the slaves they rescue from slave ships consider them heroes, and many members of the crew are people of various ancestries who decided to stay on with them.

The Midnight Sea is called such for the curse of night which engulfs it in permanent night, leaving only the stars and moon to light the way. The sea offers a useful shortcut to those that brave it, but it is also home to shadowy creatures beneath the waves, and fetchling pirates sometimes appear out of nowhere to prey on unsuspecting vessels.

The party has been captured by pirates, and now face a choice. Be press-ganged, or face the hunger of the ravenous fantooth schools. However, before the party can give their answers, the fish all flee, as something massive suddenly strikes the vessel from below. The party will have to fight their way to a raft and get away before the vessel goes down, but then the question becomes where to go from here?

[so-much-for-subtlety]

For last couple months I've been working on an exercise that my therapist suggested which is to identify my core values - things that bring me the most satisfaction, fulfillment, and sense of purpose.

It's been a difficult, but insightful experience. I've gone through a LOT of iterations of finding the right ideas and the right words.

Anyway, I'm at a place where I've identified my values and I've started using them - like reflecting on how they manifest in my day-to-day, thinking about changes that would would bring me more satisfaction, better understanding why certain things rub me the wrong way.

I know a lot of people are anti generative ai, but I've been using a robot assistant to help explore this and has been a really helpful tool.

I did ask my new robot friend to see if they could generate some content for Grindr/Scruff profile which hints at my values, and also tries to attract people who may have some complimentary values that would be good for a partner.

At the moment I just use a blank profile lol. I'm too ASD to know if these are good or awful so turning to Tumblr wisdom:

Version 1: Curious and Creative

Imaginative guy with a knack for turning "what if" into "why not?" Looking for someone to explore life's possibilities with - from steamy nights to starry-eyed dreams. Into guys who can match my curiosity and aren't afraid to get hands-on with new experiences. Let's create something exciting together, whether it's for a night or a lifetime. 🌟🛠️

Version 2: Thoughtful and Playful

Deep thinker with a mischievous streak. I love diving into the unknown, whether it's a new project or a new position 😉 Seeking someone who can keep up with my mind and body. Ideal match: emotionally open, intellectually curious, and always up for an adventure. Clothes optional, sense of humor required! 🧠🔥

Version 3: Forward-Thinking and Flirty

Future-focused guy living for today's pleasures. Whether we're planning world domination or just tonight's fun, I'm all about making every moment count. Looking for someone who can balance deep talks with playful banter. If you can teach me something new while we explore each other, we'll definitely click. Ready to make some memories? 😏🚀

Version 4: Detail-Oriented and Daring

Perfectionist in the streets, experimenter in the sheets. I put care into everything I do - from my work to my play. Seeking someone who appreciates quality and isn't afraid to push boundaries. Whether it's a quick hookup or a slow burn romance, let's make it unforgettable. Up for some rigorous testing? 🔬🔥

Version 5: Innovative and Intimate

Creative soul seeking new connections. I'm all about finding novel solutions, whether it's fixing a tough bug or finding your sweet spot. Looking for guys who aren't afraid to think outside the box and inside the bedroom. If you're up for mixing intellectual stimulation with physical exploration, we'll have a blast. Wanna collaborate on something hot? 💡🔥

[femmefatalevibe]

Hello! Any tips for starting your own ig blog?

Hi love! Some tips are below:

Consider whether you're crafting a personal brand, professional image, aesthetic, or e-commerce/product-focused account

Choose your handle name wisely. Always do your first name/last name or name of your business when applicable

Add relevant search terms to your headline/bio to make your page more easily discoverable to your intended audience. Hashtags can also be added to this section for discoverability

Select a bio image that best speaks to your personal/brand personality. Keep it polished but approachable like a well-executed mirror selfie, professional editorial photo, or your brand's logo

Craft a clear, compelling, and comprehensive bio that makes it simple to understand who you are/the purpose of your page while still showcasing your personal/brand personality. Include a CTA link (to your website, TikTok, Pinterest, press mention, etc.) or use a LinkTree link for more comprehensive accessibility

Decide on your blog purpose/themes covered, USP, key messages, content pillars, and brand voice/image guidelines (content/colors) before posting

Use the same/coordinating filters on all your photos, and try your best to have an aesthetically pleasing feed, so it looks very editorial and professional when people are debating whether to follow

Ensure your captions are engaging, and conversational. Follow a uniform brand voice/personality. However, you don't want your content to look overly edited and distant. Try to find the right balance between polished and relatable. Use the carousel feature liberally and relevant hashtags to optimize SEO value and discoverability

Utilize Instagram stories to provide an insider look at day-to-day happenings, share inspiration, engage in friendly/conversational dialogue with your audience, and promote engagement through polls, Q&As, etc.

Curate some highlights that best speak to your brand pillars/USP with uniform icon covers. Design them with a tool like Canva for a personal touch

Hope this helps xx