#the best outcome we could’ve gotten

[lkluvsu]

MADRID DERBI TIE?????? WHAT THE FUCK THEY LOOOOVE ME

[socksracoon10]

Hii!! This is in response to you asking what charles and carlos both did in the vegas gp!

I'm just gonna be completely fully objective here, bc rlly they didn't do anything wrong.

What happened was, a series of radio msgs between the team and Carlos occurred, in which they told him they were going to stay on Plan A (one pit-stop I think) instead of Plan C (2 pit-stops). Carlos argued back, saying they should be pitting and how he wanted to pit right now/ next lap. They said no.

At this point, Lewis is pressuring Carlos, and Charles is behind Lewis. I'm pretty sure george had already pit his second time and was still leading. Max and lando had also pitted a second time.

Anyway, the team finally listen and tell Carlos to come into the pits. However, they mess up and weren't ready and then tell him to stay out. Obv, Carlos is mad now. No matter, they pit him in the next lap.

4 laps later (or 2 I can't exactly recall) they pit Charles. The team tells Carlos not to pressure Charles. The team tells Charles that Carlos won't overtake him. You see where this is heading, don't you.

Charles comes out PARALLEL to Carlos (I think the team thought he'd come out ahead). Carlos' tyres ate 4 laps old. They're heated up. They're faster. Charles has absolutely new, dead, cold tyres. Carlos doesn't pressure him. He simply drives around.

The real dram started after the race when we all saw Charles' radio😭 Honestly, this is just a team problem not a driver problem.

Alot of ppl are saying they would've gotten better results if carlos let Charles ahead— they really wouldn't have. There was no way the ferraris would've caught up to those mercs.

ANYWAYY, there's my most objective views. Maybe, I'm.missing a few things but I'm negl the race was honestly so boring to ACTUALLY watch, like now there's drama but literally nothing was happening apart from this😭

Thank you for this! Cuz this was what I saw during the race and what I thought happened!

I find it frustrating that people are blaming Carlos when it wasn’t Carlos’s fault at all, and I also find it frustrating that people think Charles’s meltdown was wrong. I keep saying this in every post but its clear as day that this was a ferrari problem not the drivers!

Mercedes was on a different level this weekend, they sure as hell were going to be 1-2, no doubt about that. And I get that Charles was trying to get p2 in the driver standings, but… 3-4 for constructors is literally phenomenal? I don’t see how Carlos isn’t a team player when this was the best outcome that could’ve happened. Besides his did better in qualifying anyway.

And I hate people mentioning old races like oh well Carlos moaned about this once… forget the past races, only focus on this one. Ugh, ferrari screwing over their drivers isn’t new but god, as someone who loves Carlos and Charles, I really hate seeing the fans tear each other apart.

Once again, thank you for the explanation!

[leaderoffestivals]

Lupine Halloween: Chapter 4

The Forgotten Candy: Chapter 4

Madara: You’re sooo heartless, Rei-san. I reeeally wish you wouldn’t out the fact that I’m struggling so promptly like this!

Season: Spring Characters: Mikejima Madara, Sakuma Rei, Hakaze Kaoru, Morisawa Chiaki

<A few minutes later, in the Seisoukan Common Room.>

Madara: Now then. I’ve managed to put the brakes on Souma-san and Anzu-san’s project for now, but—

The real problem is figuring out how I’m gonna get my project approved... Hmm, what to do, what to do… …?

Rei: Ohh, so this is where you’ve gotten yourself to, Mikejima-kun. I’ve been searching high and low for you for quite some time now, you know?

Madara: Oh myyy, if it isn’t Rei-san. What’s up? Were you looking for me?

Rei: Indeed. It’s about this afternoon’s business. You asked for my help, but left me in the dark as to the outcome. That’s rather thoughtless, don’t you think?

Madara: Whoops! Come to think of it, I have forgotten to thank you! I was sooo caught up in my own thoughts that it completely slipped my mind. 

Let me fix that now: Thank you! The intel you gave me about Anzu-san’s whereabouts and Souma-san’s project earlier was such a great help ♪

Rei: Mmm. So? How fares the outcome of your proposal?

Madara: Siiigh. The outcome? Nothing, nada, zilch. As things stand right now, Halloween is a no-go—my plan didn’t take off at aaall.

That’s why there’s going to be another meeting scheduled the day after to decide whether to go with Souma-san’s proposal or mine.

Rei: Well~, that’s probably the best outcome you could’ve hoped for given the limited time you had to pull it off. But really, Mikejima-kun, you do make a hobby of imposing impossibly tall orders on yourself.

It's the peak of Spring right now, with vibrant sunshine and blooming flowers everywhere. And here you are, stubbornly pushing a Halloween event, which is... to say the least, thoroughly out of season.

Madara: That’s exactly why it’d be fun! Besides, if we’re gonna fuss about something like the season, it’s Autumn in the Southern hemisphere nowww, isn’t it?

If that’s the problem, we could just hold the event in Australia and tadah~! Problem solved!

Rei: Good grief. What a mad stretch of logic you make to justify your whims. Even in Australia, it’s the wrong time of year for Halloween. No matter where you are in the world, everyone knows Halloween is firmly tied to October 31st.

Madara: Hmm? What’s going on here? For someone who helped me out earlier, Rei-san, are you against my Spring Halloween idea now? 

Rei: No, I’m not against it at all. It’s just that I can’t help but voice my dissatisfaction on seeing the unnecessarily complicated path you’re on.

Frankly, I believe this whole business could be resolved most quickly, if only you could just be honest, Mikejima-kun.

Madara: I am being honest, though! I think Anzu-san’s project is amazing, and I reeeally want to make it a reality!

Rei: Ohhh, I don’t doubt that part is true. However, what I’m referring to is something else—more accurately, closer to your true feelings, Mikejima-kun.

Madara: … … Hahaha. It looks like you’ve already figured me out, Rei-san.

Rei: Deducing the motives of others is a specialty of mine. Because, why would you be clinging so stubbornly to Halloween—

Or more specifically—to last year’s Halloween? When I think about what happened back then, the answer becomes crystal clear.

The extreme lengths you go to, Mikejima-kun, are so adorably pathetic and touchingly brave (1). I can’t help but wonder, why are you keeping your true intentions concealed from the young lady Anzu?

Madara: … … Because I don’t want to manipulate her. Using sob stories to tug at her feelings—That’s just … uncool, isn’t it?

I’ve already caused Anzu-san enough grief because of Double Face, not to mention the hurtful things I said to push her away. (2)

Madara: That’s why this time, I reeeally want to make her smile—by using this project, which she poured so much of herself into.

Rei: Huh. Even if, by doing so, you might end up causing her even more trouble?

Madara: Haha~. You reeeally don’t pull your punches at all, do you? However, that train’s already left the station; there’s no turning back now. 

I’ll absolutely make this Halloween project happen, no matter what it takes.

Rei: You really are a stubborn one, for crying out loud.

Just so we’re clear, this is the last time I’ll be helping you on this.

I do want to support you, Mikejima-kun, but as someone from the same agency as Kanzaki-kun, I cannot in good conscience undermine his endeavour. 

Besides, if you’re aiming to be my successor, I expect you to be able to handle this level of adversity on your own.

Madara: Of course! I don’t plan to keep relying on you forever, Rei-san. This is something I want to do for myself after aaall—

Chiaki: —OHHH! There you are, Mikejima-san!

Madara: Hmm? If it isn’t Chiaki-san and Kaoru-san. Are the both of you looking for me tooo?

Chiaki: That’s right! I’ve heard all about your Halloween project from Hakaze. We thought you might need some help, so here we are!

Kaoru: For the record, I’m only here because Moricchi dragged me along, okay~?

Chiaki: Haha! Don’t be like that, Hakaze. You were curious about Mikejima-san’s fixation on Halloween too, right?

Kaoru: Well, I don’t deny that… ...

Madara: Nope. I appreciate your kind intentions, Chiaki-san, but I’m not in any trouble at aaall. There’s no need to help me out with anything. 

Rei: Now, now, Mikejima-kun. It isn’t good to lie. Weren’t you just agonizing over how to get your proposal approved?

Madara: You’re sooo heartless, Rei-san. I reeeally wish you wouldn’t out the fact that I’m struggling so promptly like this!

Rei: For crying out loud. You should tone down on your secretive ways, Mikejima-kun. You have a bad habit of trying to take on everything and solve everything on your own.

Kaoru: Huh? … ... (stares at Rei) 

Madara: ... … … (also staring at Rei) 

Rei: Wh-what is it, you two? Why are you staring at me like that?

Kaoru: … … Hahhh. Take a moment to reflect about what you just said, why don’t you?

Rei: In any case, Mikejima-kun, you should trust the people around you more and be honest about your true feelings.

Your motivations this time aren’t anything you should be ashamed to share with others, at any rate.

Madara: Urmmm. You mean my pathetic need for self-satisfaction?

Chiaki: Whatever it is, you can count on us, Mikejima-san! I’m all in to support you, no matter what!

Kaoru: That goes for me too. I’m already involved to this extent. Might as well see it through to the very end, right? 

Besides, in your words from this afternoon, I’m “an honorary member of this merry gang” already, right?

Madara: Haha, I can’t argue with that logic, Kaoru-san.

Good grief. There’s absolutely no need for your meddling in this matter at aaall, but... I guess I’ll show Rei-san some face this time.

Promise you won’t laugh when I tell you what my goal is, okayyy? 

Chapter 3 / Chapter 5

Lupine Halloween Masterlist

(To be continued)

Translator’s Notes

Rei describes what Madara is doing as いじらしい (ijirashii) which is a unique term that exists in JP. Some dictionaries explain it simply as ‘adorably pathetic / endearingly pitiful’ while others explain it further as the emotional state of deep sympathy, admiration and sadness you feel when witnessing someone being endearingly pitiful, brave, and touching in their struggling efforts despite their weakness / vulnerability, which evokes respect and a desire to support that someone.  (Example: Hinata Shouyo’s first and only middle school match where he and his 2 inexperienced friends and 3 newbie freshmen went up against Kageyama Tobio's powerhouse school and got crushed despite valiantly trying their best, prolly.) 

Madara’s harsh words to Anzu were said in Antique Legend Epilogue 3 (January 2021) as he walked away from her. This kicked off a long period (also known as the MadaAnzu divorce) where Madara kept his distance from Anzu until the Poltergeist/New Color event (January 2023, so for about ~2 years). During their estranged period, some mentions of Madara + Anzu can be found in - Hidden Beasts , - his FS1 3* Idol Story As an Elder - Myriad of Colours and Flowers (starts from ch 5) - Secret Service Ch 8 and Epilogue 4 (where Madara's efforts to protect Anzu and his sister Maguro while so many people were threatening to destroy him, especially in the 5 Epilogues, are very overlooked) - and Poltergeist . There is Last Mission as well, where she kicked him after he (jokingly) suggested they get married. Interestingly, in Madara's FS2 (30th March 2024), their dialogue indicated they had already reconciled with each other, but now we have Lupine Halloween (November 2024) set slightly before FS2.

It’s not proofed, so if there’s any feedback, please DM me.

[moethewriter]

Hello I don’t know if you’re still taking requests but can I request a Johanna Mason x reader where reader won the games a year after Johanna and during the 73rd Hunger Games. When they are forced to go back and mentor, reader has a breakdown watching her friends die and Johanna goes and comforts her.

Of course I can anon! Please enjoy! TITLE: Together? Together WORD COUNT: 1.2k PAIRING: Johanna Mason x Reader WARNINGS: Brief descriptions of a panic attack, violence and abuse and general hunger games things TAGS: GN! District 9 Reader! A/N: Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and to those who don't I hope you're enjoying your day! I loved writing this and would love more Johanna requests because I adore her as a character, and as always please let me know if I need to add any warnings or tags and constructive critisicms is always allowed! Not beta read as per usual! -

You didn’t ask to be a mentor, in fact you rather dreaded it. You had only been a Victor for a year, and you were no longer mentally capable of helping anyone. You were healing, had been healing from the horrors that you had gone through. How were you supposed to mentor and gain sponsors for Clive and Reeva? How were you supposed to tell them everything was going to be fine when you knew they weren’t going to be. Clive was barely thirteen and Reeva only sixteen, and they felt so much younger than your age of nineteen.

Being a Victor wasn’t all it was cracked up to be, sure you got more food for your District and it came with a cushy little home in The Victors Village. But you knew, had always known that District 9 was not a powerhouse, your District had hardly won in all these years, though far better off than 11 or 12, you knew you were most likely sending your friends, kids you had watched grown up to their deaths.

“Better get back in there.” A voice spoke from behind you. “Your tributes need you, you know?”

“Johanna.” You nodded, throwing the cigarette over the railing of the building. You had picked up smoking after your games. It wasn’t the healthiest habit, and cigarettes could be hard to come by but you needed something to numb the ache in your chest.

“Come on Y/N.” Johanna rolled her eyes. “You can’t let them see how fucked up you are right now. Focus on those kids and hope for the best outcome.” She moved to stand beside you, her shoulders gently brushing yours.

Johanna had always come with tough love. She had won the year before you, had tricked everyone and made sure she came out of that arena alive. You respected her in so many ways for that. You had met her during your tour, and she had been aloof but kind to you in the ways she could be. She and Finnick Odair had become great friends to you, but Johanna came with a gruffness that not many could handle. She carried a deep seeded anger and sadness with her, that was the first thing you had noticed. You had always been good at reading people that way.

You knew why she was the way she was, of course you did. She had told you one night when you all had gotten drunk off your asses in The Capitol. It was hard to hear, and realizing that could’ve been your family if you hadn’t submitted to Snow’s whims made your stomach churn. It was horrible, and you knew Johanna blamed herself even if she didn’t say another word about it.

“I wasn’t cut out for this, Johanna.” You sigh, leaning against the railing. “I don’t understand why they even made me a mentor. I’m clearly not mentally capable of any of this. I was only there a year ago.” You wiped a hand down your face, hoping to shed some of the exhaustion you felt.

“Snow did the same to me, same to Finnick.” Johanna told you, not meeting your eyes and focusing on the buildings in the distance. “He wants us to remember what we saw, and know we're sending people to their deaths so he can keep control. They weren’t going to let me back this year since I destroyed property here last year but they needed another mentor.” She snorted. 

“We should get back in there.” You cracked a gentle smile at her words.

You knew she was doing her best to make you feel better. She always tried, to little success most times, but trying was all you could ask of her. It was more than enough.

-

The cannon boomed so loudly and you could feel the hot tears leaking down your face. They were gone, they were fucking gone. You hadn’t done your job and now two promising people from your district are dead. You could feel the air leave your lungs and you couldn’t breathe.

You couldn’t fucking see, you were fucking trapped in this room and everything felt like it was caving in. You were dry heaving by the time you felt yourself being pulled away from the other mentors and citizens. You wanted to fight but you couldn't. You were so tired of fighting.

“Hey, look at me Y/N.”

Johanna?

“Look at me.” You could feel two hands gently cup your face as you sobbed. “It’s not okay, none of this is fucking okay. Alright? But you gotta stay with me.” 

You had never heard Johanna be this gentle with anyone. She was still Johanna, as she always was. But there was something about her right now, something almost loving and far more sincere then she had ever been.

“You’re going to be okay. We will be okay because were fucking fighters Y/N. This world could burn around us, and we will be okay. You and I were two sides of the same coin, you understand me? We’re going to get through this, we always do.” She was stroking your cheek, a gesture you never thought you would receive from her. “I got you. I got you Y/N and I am not letting you go. Ever. I am always going to be here. Can I hold you?” Johanna questioned.

You nodded as she gathered you into her arms, rocking you as if you were a child. You would be embarrassed if you weren’t so distraught. You had never presented strong, you weren’t strong but to do this in front of everyone? Snow would surely punish you in unspeakable ways … But Johanna was here, she was here and she had you. That was far better than anything else right now. 

“It’s not right.” You whispered after a long silence. “It’s not right that they do this to us, that they kill us for entertainment and expect us to stand there and smile. I’m so done Johanna, I am so done with everything.” You sniffled, leaning into her.

“I know.” She whispered into your hair. “I know.”

“I want a better life for us, I want us to not live in fear that our children or friends could die at any moment. I want us to not be under Snow’s thumb. I want us to live a happy life together but none of that seems possible.” You swallowed the lump in your throat, as she stroked your hair.

The air hitting all around felt so cold compared to the comfort and warmth of Johanna’s arms. Like small icicles piercing through the shield she had created. 

“And we will have a better life.” Johanna told you. “We’re going to have a better life and we’re going to be so fucking happy and carefree and if Snow ever tries anything I’ll shove an axe hilt so far up his ass that it’s not going to come out.” She told you, leaning down to kiss your head. 

You snorted at the mental image.

“Now let’s get back in there and show these Capitol fuckheads what we're made of.” She said, holding you a little tighter.

“Together?” You whispered.

“Together.” She confirmed.

[speedyartist30]

Restless nights pt3

The guys drove off from the scene as if they where never there. Makalo foot was a little heavy on the gas, still amped up from the adrenaline of the ordeal. With a slightly shaky breath he glances at his best friend.

Makalo: “As cool as it was to help, it was very scary and stressful . I still feel like I’m in that store. Do you think Jay is nervous when he does stuff like that?”

Ethan: *I can’t believe this actually happened today….I never had a gun pointed at me before. They could of gotten hurt because I called them. What if Makalo’s plan didn’t work?Now Jay is going to get worse because of me. I should of did something. Anything…I should of helped. I’m such an idiot I should of been more careful and payed attention to-*

Makalo: “Ethan?”

Coming out of his head,Ethan looks to Makalo before looking around to see they are at another grocery store.Still feeling shaken up Ethan asks,”Why are we here? I thought w-we were going straight home.”

Makalo parked the car off as cold rain started to fall from the sky. Pulling his hood on he smiled,”Because I want to make hot chocolate when we get back home and we don’t have any mix. I’ve been doing some research.”

Ethan:” Research….on hot chocolate?”

Pulling out his phone ,Makalo clicks google. And with a few clicks,he holds his phone up to Ethan.

Makalo: “Doctor Google said that it helps reduce cold and flu symptoms. And it helps put people in a better mood and reduces anxiety. I’m no doctor, but I think we all need some right about now.”

Snorting from his friends answer, Ethan replied,”You really shouldn’t believe everything google tells you…But I wouldn’t mind having hot chocolate today either.”

Makalo: “See it’s working and we haven’t even made it yet. I’ll be back.”

Makalo open the door and jogged quickly inside to get out the rain, but he’s friend closed the door a bit loudly, because behind Ethan he 

hears a low groan.Ethan didn’t turn around, the guilt he felt keeping him still. He knew he should be grateful and move on, but Ethan couldn’t helo but think of what could of happened if he didn’t call or what if the criminals they were against had more numbers. His thoughts where spiraling as always even though the outcome has long been settled.

The shuffling behind him caught his attention as it got louder and out of curiosity Ethan turns around. In the backseat Jay woke up and with a small since at up to look out the window 

with a confused frown. Wearily he looked at Ethan and ask hoarsely,”Where are we?”

Cringing at how bad his voice sounds, Ethan turns away and replies,”A grocery store. Makalo wants to make hot chocolate.”

Waiting for a reply that never came, Ethan couldn’t help but hear shuffling behind him and the question to why Jay was moving so much. The brunette asked what Jay was doing to only be met with silence once again.

Looking over his shoulder, he sees Jay fidgeting and shivering in the seat as if he couldn’t sit still. Glassy green eyes peered at him through dark bangs before disappearing when jay shook his head and quietly mumble,

“I’m not doing anything…it’s just…really cold in here.”

Ethan’s brows furrowed,” It’s probably the fever that’s making you feel chilly….You were suppose to be resting today. I’m sorry….it’s my fault.”

Jay: “What?”

Not responding, Ethan turns on the heat in the car and keeps his eyes on the rain slicked parking lot.

Jay: “Ethan, what happened today isn’t your fault.”

A dry laugh escapes from him and Ethan shakes his head. He didn’t believe him.

Ethan: “Yes it is. I-I called. I shouldn’t have.”

Jay:”Eth-“

Ethan: “I brought danger to both of you. What if something went wrong and you guys got hurt?”

Jay:” E-“

Ethan: “I could’ve got my best friend killed!

A-And now your worse of then you were this morning, because you used your power to save me! I didn’t even listen to my own advice…. Let the police take care of it, yeah rig”

Jay: “Ethan!”

Realizing he was ranting ,Ethan clamps his mouth shut and feels more guilt when Jay gets trapped in another coughing fit after yelling at him to get his attention.

Ethan: *I’m an idiot. I screw up ev-*

Ethan:”Sor-“

Jay: “Stop apologizing.”

Surprised that jay cut him off ,Ethan stops.

Clearing his throat, Jay speaks…

Jay:”What happened today is not your fault. None of us could have known that those criminals was going into the store. It’s not your fault that I’m sick and you didn’t make me worse. Dont beat yourself up when you did nothing wrong.Don’t apologize for things you don’t have control over.”

Ethan: “But I called.”

Jay: “You called because you felt like it was the best decision,right? There is nothing wrong with that. Don’t overthink your decision. You did what you felt was right and nothing bad happened…So don’t get yourself worked up over “ What ifs”…. Makalos ok, I’m ok, and you’re ok.”

Ethan didn’t say anything, as he’s eyes tested uo and his jaw clenched tightly. But the overwhelming feeling of fear and guilt slowly faded away as he replayed those words in his head. Ethan carried a lot of guilt due to his past and felt responsible for when things take a turn for the worse id he felt he played a hand in the outcome. Feeling his eyes water, Ethan quickly scrubbed his eyes with his sleeve but when a hand lands on his shoulder he feels re rest of the negative thoughts clouding his head  fade when he saw the confident look on jays face. He meant every word.

With a tilt of his head, Jay gave a small smile,”Cheer up, we get to go home soon. And have hot chocolate. To me that sounds like a pretty sweet deal.”

Ethan chuckled and wiped the remaining tears with a soft smile,”Thanks Jay.”

Patting Ethan’s shoulder Jay just nods his head and sits back in his seat. After a few more minutes, Makalo comes back with the hot chocolate mix and they head back home.

When they reached the house Makalo grabbed the goods and hurried inside as the rain fell.

Ethan grabbed the umbrella from the back seat and helped Jay out when he saw him coughing and stumbling. He looped jays arm over his shoulder and shield both of them with the umbrella. The two step inside, Ethan noticed Jay looked a bit paler.

Ethan:”You look a little out of it. Do you feel worse?”

Jay:”I’m…fine.”

Rubbing his eyes Jay shuffled back upstairs to his room, but before he reached the steps Ethan gave him the bag of meds and told him what to take. In the kitchen Makalo got started on the hot chocolate.Taking his wet shoes off by the door, Ethan plopped down on the couch and turned the tv over to the news. He’s eyes immediately widened when he saw a blurry image of Makalo and jay.

Ethan: “Hey, they are talking about you two on the news!”

Makalo: “Really?What are they saying?”

Makalo leaned against the wall, his blue eyes glued to the screen. Jay came back down stairs with his suit gone and in his place was his comfy pjs from before with a blanket draped over his shoulders. Sniffing he sat on the other end of the couch and commented nonchalantly…

Jay:”Well it’s not everyday two strangers come in and take out a group of escapees.”

The screen switched from the reporter to interviews of the hostages 

(P1): "This guy just smacked him in the head with a baseball bat and ran out of there!"

(P2): "The lightning guy was there, but I have no idea who the guy with the bat was. It was too dark to tell."

(P3): "What I don’t get is how we get saved by some strangers while the police just stood outside doing nothing!"

(P4): "That lightning guy is not human… he was dodging bullets—I SAW IT WITH MY OWN TWO EYES!"

(P5): "Honestly, as someone who used to work for the police department, I think these two should be charged with reckless behavior. They should’ve let the police handle it."

(P6): "The lightning dude sounded sick, but his face was covered, so maybe it was just that."

(P7): "And the guy glowed like lightning, and then he ran at him like... like WHOOSH! And then this other guy came in and went BAM right in the guy’s face!"

News Reporter: "The two individuals remain unidentified, and the police report that the store’s security system lost power, leaving no footage of the incident. If you have any information on who these two might be, please notify the authorities."

Makalo: "WE’RE FAMOUS!"

Jay: "Why does everyone think I’m not human?"

Laughing at their completely opposite reactions, Ethan headed into the kitchen to get the hot chocolate. While gathering the cups, he watched the rain. The steady rhythm of the raindrops against the window somehow felt calming, even though the scene outside looked gray and gloomy.When he returned to the living room with the drinks, Makalo was still grinning at the TV, clearly entertained by the witnesses varying reactions to their rescue. Jay, on the other hand, seemed unfazed, wrapped snugly in a blanket. His cheeks were still rosy, but he looked much more relaxed than he had in the car.Handing out the cups, Ethan grabbed the remote and changed the channel.

Makalo: "Hey! I was watching that!"

Ethan: "You can watch it later. We’re watching a movie now."

Jay: "What movie?"

The screen lit up with the opening scene of a boy and his dragon.

Without any complaints from his friends, Ethan smiled and pressed play.

[obihiro-division]

Several days had passed since Daiki Kamiyama’s birthday came to a close.

And yet there was just one more package that had been sitting idly at his front doorstep. A strange box that was half his height with several screws and bolts on it.

Just taped on top of it was an open-face letter addressed to him oddly pristine handwriting.

“Heya, kiddo! Nothing like a birthday but a chance to get a little smarter, yeah? It’s a puzzle box, so good luck opening this shit! No, but in all realness, I do miss you and your brothers a ton, I haven’t seen you guys in a hot minute! Wish we could’ve gotten in touch sooner before my little brother died, but let’s get in touch soon!

— Big Sis Reiaki

Oh, and don’t worry! Your actual present is inside the puzzle box! Use your brains a bit, little hero!”

♛ Several Hours Later ♛

After hours of anguish of trying to pry open the puzzle box, Daiki had finally reached success. Torn between being too mentally and physically exhausted and excited to finally see what was inside, he peered in. Inside was a specially hand-crafted and fully functional Kamen Rider Mach Helmet that fit perfectly over his head.

Jack let himself into the Kamiyama heir’s apartment to quite a scene: The mess wasn’t something Jack was too off-put by, in fact, it was the entire reason Jack had barged in. What he didn’t expect to see, is an out of breath Daiki sprawled out on the floor, panting aloud as a helmet was clutched in his hands, completely surrounded by pieces of some sort.

“Master? What is…” Picking up the letter, the butler scans over the writing and sighs. “Ah, Miss. Suzubayashi. That makes sense.”

“I… I beat her puzzle…!” Daiki grunts, basking in his victory.

Looking over the letter again, Jack notices a detail the two of them were unaware of. He opens his mouth to speak, but instead, shakes his head and clears his throat. “I’ll let you rest, young master. Allow me to handle the cleanup.”

Setting the letter down on his bedside table, Jack began to pick up the pieces to the puzzle box bit by bit. Thinking on the letter, Jack was mentally preparing how to best tackle the potential of seeing Reiaki Suzubayashi again... And the potential outcomes of talking about her family. ‘Best to not ruin his happy moment. We can discuss the grim news later…’

Thank you for the last gift! Ngl I have to do some mental exercises to figure out how Jack would talk Daiki through this topic- 💀

[anchovyous]

[PFE ESPORT INTERVIEW] : Chovy, born on March 3rd, will be with Gen.G for 3 more years.

Since I value the end result, it’s natural for me to focus on improving my win rate, but when another player does it, their skills might be longer or better. Why does it feel different when I do it? What is important to players in the game? I’m happy, and I’m sure the fans are also happy to see me after a long time. Honestly, I took a break this time, more than I expected, and it felt pretty good. So during the off-season, I don’t play League much, but since TFT (Team Fight Tactics) started a new season, I found it interesting and played a lot. I think I was ranked 1st or 2nd in Emerald at some point, but I focus on having fun, so I either get 1st or 8th. I’m not particularly good at FPS, but I find Valorant easier. Once I land a headshot, it’s basically like any keyboard game. I recently had some free time and tried Valorant, but I couldn’t keep up because my opponents were so good. I started losing interest because I wasn’t performing well. I used to play Lost Ark a lot, but the game changes so much with each season that I couldn’t keep up with the pace anymore. Also, since I don’t focus on the map, it became harder to play. I’ve tried games like Valorant and PUBG, but after the season resets, my opponents get way better, and I feel like I fall behind. So I looked for something in the RPG genre. I was watching TFT and noticed that I couldn’t fully focus during the tournament. I had a lot of fun watching, but I feel regretful since my performance didn’t match my expectations. I believe I could’ve won the semi-finals but missed the chance, and for Worlds, I felt like there was still a lot lacking, especially watching Faker’s play. I thought he really turned the game around and won, which was amazing. It made me reflect a lot. If we had gotten second place, I think it would have lasted a long time, but I feel like we lost because we were lacking. We didn’t create a reason why we had to win Worlds; we should’ve shown such good skill that winning was inevitable.

Changing the environment sounds reasonable in some situations, but I wonder if people really think about the probabilities of success and failure when changing environments. I don’t believe that’s what’s important. Whether I play in LCK or LPL, if I perform well and show the same level of play like Faker did in the finals, then success is more likely. I preferred single-year contracts because I believed it’s a good way to prove yourself, but nowadays, everyone seems to prefer them, and a single-year contract doesn’t necessarily increase value. That’s why I decided to go with a one-year contract, and Gen.G was the only team that treated me well and earned my trust. It’s the same for my growth, and I think it will continue in the same direction. It’s a game between people, so the psychological aspects and mind games have evolved. I’ve gained more experience, and that helps me stay calm and aware. It might not always result in good outcomes, but those elements help me improve. The physical aspect is more about daily condition. If I’m at a high level one day and not the next, it’s just how the day is going.

If we assume there’s a 40-CS gap in the mid lane, it would only help if no one interferes from other lanes, and I think such situations rarely happen. Jungle and support will always intervene, and recently, mid-lane fights are becoming more important. I think the best way to win a game is to focus on helping other lanes rather than pushing too hard in the mid-lane. As a pro-player, it’s only natural to focus on what brings the highest win rate.

As for the matter of Smolder, I’ve played only 3-4 games but somehow got that image. It feels a bit odd. When I first won LCK, I had to use a lot of aggression, but I knew I couldn’t keep it up for too long. After that, I tried to find elements that would allow me to play for a long time without hurting myself. Proving myself, showing better performances in future games, that’s my main drive. I want to be someone who can play well for a long time. For me, the most challenging period was 2019, where I felt a lot of pressure and difficulties adjusting. But after that, things started to improve, even though sometimes I felt tired or uncertain. Those feelings fade with time, and I’ve learned to deal with them.

In terms of change, the most important thing is to adjust and perform when needed. If the schedule changes or if we have to adjust, the main task is to go out and win the game. Players can only express concerns about long breaks between playoff games, but at the end of the day, we need to focus on the game and perform. I don’t think about rating my own plays too much, as I’m always looking back and thinking I could’ve done better. Even if I play well, I always see areas for improvement. I only feel truly satisfied when I played well against Hanwha Life Esport in the playoffs. I aim to show consistent high performance, and that’s my mindset. Of course, good results are always expected, but my personal goal is to keep improving my skills and become a better person.

As for my physical and mental health, I manage my own time and spend a lot of time reflecting and answering questions to myself. I believe I’m becoming the person I want to be. Even when things are hard or I feel like I need rest, I take time to think things through. I want to thank all the fans who’ve supported me for so long, and I hope you continue to support me, even through the ups and downs.

[sarroth]

Game Night!

I’ve been having issues posting today so hopefully this works - and that my last two attempts don’t all post finally as well.

Been planning a game night with my brother and two best friends for a bit and today was the day. Not Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon today, though I got some free Pokémon cards and a Magic commander deck was out on display (as it was on brand for what game we *did* play); the game was Fallout the Board Game with its New California expansion.

We didn’t go all out for the party but we put in some effort with decorations, themed food, and a Fallout playlist in the background.

We played the cooperative version and got The Pitt scenario, where we had to help fight against a group of slavers in this post-apocalyptic wasteland. I played as a Vault Dweller, as I had intentionally worn this sleeves hoodie I had for an unrelated Halloween costume years ago (a generic Pokémon trainer, actually, with my wife having been a Pikachu that year) that I’ve been told is reminiscent of a Vault Suit. In the end I ended up only at about level 6 but I was a villainous super mutant vault dweller: For the former, this was due to mistaking the creepy looks on the faces of some evidently-innocent NPCs (as depicted in the card’s event description) as being evil, as I proceeded to incorrectly defend myself and one of my friends from; the latter was due to continuing a quest with an NPC that I knew was up to no good, and ultimately chugging her mutant serum myself rather than dumping it into the water supply, to avoid poisoning others. Though I wasn’t that helpful with the main quest, I completed enough side quests that I was the first to achieve my individual goal, which we all had to do on top of the main quest to win the game, and I majorly contributed to one of the other goals getting completed.

It was really fun, but there were some disappointing parts: my super mutantness didn’t come with any special abilities on its own, one of my friends and I mistakenly stopped our vault diving before we had finished, and there could’ve been a more celebratory ending to the game (perhaps if there was a final quest card just to read the victory outcome, a la cutscenes in fighting games like Mortal Kombat or like one of the flavor cards that I read out when we defeat Nicol Bolas and his DreadHorde in a game of Horde Magic). This round was fairly easy as well, though if we had continued much longer it could’ve gotten quite hard, as I had decided to focus on exploring a ton of the world and was thus uncovering more and more enemy NPC characters as I was searching for another vault rumored my an NPC from the first vault.

If you love Fallout and board games, I’d recommend picking it up. We needed 5-6 hours for the four of us but we planned for that and in the end it was quite worth it - even for me, who had no connection to the franchise.

[moonset-journal]

Tonight I'm thinking about: failed endeavors

20 Feb 2024

Have you ever gotten to the midpoint of something and realized you made the wrong call? I'm sure we all have. When you take the alternative road just to realize the traffic there is just as bad as your previously planned route. Or when you choose one restaurant over the other, but the food turns out to be bad. 

I think it’s the anxiety over the outcome of such decisions that makes me so indecisive. However inconsequential the choice is.

Recently though, I experienced a big fear of mine. The choice was big and the consequences I’m currently experiencing are bigger. 

I took a job that was great until it wasn't. Gradually, the office I’d joined just 7 months prior was not the same anymore. The environment had turned toxic and people have been leaving left and right. My friend circle included (best of luck friends! I know you can go onto bigger things). Lots of tears were shed.

Granted, I could have never foreseen this transformation, yet… for some odd reason, I seem to think I could’ve made the right call and avoided being in the situation I am in right now. 

I can recall clear as day, the anxiety and indecisiveness I experienced the day I signed that contract in fear of this exact scenario.

...

For the longest time, I’ve been thinking that a wrong decision is a failure on my part. 

It’s taken me a long time to realize that it’s just part of life. Part of growth. The bad coffee I spent too much on that one time, I know now not to get anymore. I’ve found a cafe with drinks I enjoy. The ex-friend I made a mistake approaching has been long forgotten and replaced with better companions. 

With this...eye-opening experience, the next time I join an organization, I will know better what suits me. Maybe I’ll make the wrong choice again, and that will be my fate and lesson. 

I think there’s value in every mistake, maybe even more than being constantly right (big words from someone who is terrified of being wrong). I surely am significantly more knowledgeable than I was before joining this company, and I’m thankful for that. 

My goal going forward is to be more confident in my decisions and less afraid to be wrong. Who’s born perfect? Maybe some, but not me. And I’m learning to be okay with that.

How do you overcome the fear of making mistakes?

Good night lovely people <3

-Aire

[jasper-dracona]

Yeah I was part of a student protest when they tried to make it so that if a student joined a GSA the school staff would be required to Out you to your parents.

The protest was organized entirely by students, teens 15-18 years old.

We succeeded.

Teens are smart, they know more than most give them credit for, especially about themselves.

We all knew that even if we ourselves didn’t go to the GSA because we had queer friend groups or just didn’t have the time, that that space was integral for some people. And we were all hyper-aware that often, parents suck shit in some very key ways. Whether it’s undue hesitancy, just Not Getting It, or straight up bigotry, we knew parents can be shitty about queerness in a whole spectrum of ways. Thus, we knew that coming out to them can be actively dangerous at worst, and at best is something that has to be handled delicately. And we knew that them getting a phone call out of the blue from some random school staff member they’ve probably never spoken to before that their kid is queer was not delicate.

If we knew all of that very well based on easily understood logic about familial disagreements and about queerphobia, while the government didn’t, then what makes anyone think that they know what’s good for any individual trans person, medically? It is a doctor’s job to determine if something is safe for a patient, and it is a patient’s job to determine if some effect or medical outcome will improve their life or make them happier. It is not the government’s job to step into this very case-by-case field and start making sweeping rulings.

And then they’re trying to limit a child’s ability to socially transition by restricting pronoun use at school, which is really the only way a young person can easily experiment with and explore their gender to see if something makes them happier! It’s the safest and most reversible way to check and see if this is something you want. It is very often the first step any trans person makes because we know that Hormone Replacement Therapy is a big deal and has some un-reversible effects, and we know that surgery is permanent.

Look, I have accepting parents, but I’m lucky as fuck. I’m a rare case. If I had gone to my parents in high school and asked them to allow me to use different pronouns at school, they would have been like “why the hell are you asking us? If you want to, then yeah, of course. …Do you want us to start using other pronouns for you?”

But if some other kids I knew had done that, then they could’ve gotten physically abused, mentally abused, manipulated, neglected, socially isolated (switching to homeschooling or swapping schools), called slurs, or kicked out of the house and made homeless.

So yeah, anytime you hear a conservative of any stripe saying they’re “protecting” trans kids by restricting or regulating how and when someone’s preferred pronouns can be used, know that what they are actually doing is allowing parents to exact punishment on their children as they see fit by legally forcing often unwilling and innocent school staff to give up students’ private, personal information, which was given to the staff member by the student willingly and in trust.

But now it’s not even about Outing students. This will simply torment queer students and accepting teachers and other staff. Every day those staff members will have to look at that kid and think “I’m so sorry, I can’t. I’m not allowed. I could lose my job.” All because that kid’s parents are bad, unkind people. And that kid will begin to feel hopeless. Like it will never get better. And when people feel like everything is hopeless and nothing will ever get better, often the next step is contemplating suicide. Sometime after that, if the situation continues or gets worse, is planning suicide, and then after that, an attempt.

It’s fucked up and wrong. You can’t police language like that, and policing gender like that will only cause pain and death.

More detail coming at a news conference Thursday

Alberta will prohibit hormonal treatment, puberty blockers and gender affirming surgery for children 15 years and younger, Premier Danielle Smith announced Wednesday in a video posted to social media.

Smith said the policy bans all children under 17 from having top and bottom surgery, though bottom surgery is already limited to adults.

Teens aged 16 and 17 can start hormone therapy as long as they have permission from their parents, a physician and a psychologist.

Alberta parents will need to give permission before a student aged 15 and under can use a name or pronoun at school other than what they were given at birth, Smith  said.

Students who are 16 or 17 won’t require permission but schools will need to let their parents know first.

There’s so much more, at the link. If you can stomach it, watch the video yourself. It’s pretty bad. It really upset me.

[noelxbe]

reflect one last time

...

       “so” he sits down. “we’ve really made it this far?”.

“the bottom rankings have been like a home to me, a home i haven’t really been able to escape” he lets out a giggle. “i’ve gotten scolded a lot, after the my turn scolding i had kind of just guessed i’d be going home soon, but somehow i didn’t, somehow i really made it to the finals”. he looks around “wow…” he gives a smile to the camera “is this real? maybe i’m having a really long dream? or maybe this is some kind of awful and way too long prank?” he lets out a quick laugh. “if i’m honest… i have to be careful i don’t end up crying at the finals” … “or now”.

‘what was the greatest challenge during this mission?’ “that it’s the last? after this there are no more chances, whatever result comes out of this is the final. sure the other missions could’ve been the final, i wasn’t sure if i would make it or if i’d get eliminated, but at last then i knew there was a chance of another next performance” he runs a hand through his hair. “i’m not sure of the outcome of this, but practicing for realize was honestly scary… i’ve often felt like i didn’t deserve to be on the show, like everyone is far far better than me… with realize i’ve really wanted to prove that i was and am worthy of being here, not just to the judges and viewers, not just to the other participants, but to everyone, myself included”. he looks down, a single tear being shed, and he wipes it away as he looks up again “sorry about getting emotional… it’s just been” … … “tough”. “i want to give the best performance i’ve yet to give, and i’m scared of messing up”.

‘was there another participant who was especially helpful?’ “me and junho actually know each other from outside the show… we haven’t done any missions together, but he scolded me during my turn practice. i was really shocked at the moment, almost thinking, wow he’s taking this too seriously, but the truth was i was the one taking it too unseriously. for my turn i didn’t just get scolded from junho but from the judges too, it made me realize i should’ve listened to junho… so for this time around i took everything junho told me seriously, anything he had pointed out i listened to carefully, junho isn’t just a friend, but i find him to be one of the best on the show. i’m thankful to be on the same team as him where i’m actually taking everything seriously, i’m thankful to be able to perform with him”. he hums before continuing “of course the other members on my team we’re a great help too, so i must mention a thank you to nayoung, cameron and kou too, thank you for helping me learn the dance, to practice singing and rapping with me” he gives a smile.

‘do you feel confident in your performance?’ “i feel nervous, realize is my last performance on the show”. “but” “but yes, i feel confident. there might be better dancers, singers and rappers than me on the show, but i’ve improved a lot. i used to get scolded, people was disappointed to be teamed up with me, but i’ve made it to the finals, so… there must be something good about me, my performances can’t be completely bad when i’ve made it so far, yeah? i’m nervous of course, but i’m confident in that i can show the viewers a performance where they’ll question if i’m really the same guy as from the first episodes. i’ve improved a lot, i’ve learned a lot, i can give a performance that others will enjoy too, i’m confident in that”.

“and next gen? thank you for it all” he shows a smile.

[monday2econlive]

Summer Trade-offs

I have told my story in the third person point of view because this was about a situation I had faced in the past. During 2021, the summer of the covid-19 pandemic, Brendan (me) had gotten his first job as a swim instructor. He initially planned to spend most of his summer playing games with his friends and staying at home relaxing. But once his first work schedule came in, the job had another plan to play out instead. With shifts for about 5 times a week, Brendan’s free time had significantly reduced. Additionally, he had also signed up for summer classes at his high school, thus subtracting the amount of free time he was going to have. Shown below is his work schedule for the month of July, 2021 (Summer school is not shown as it was separate from his job).

As seen in the schedule above, Brendan’s weekdays are mainly days where he has to work at his job. If Brendan wants to hang out with his friends, maintain a high grade in his class, and work at his job, he must face some trade-offs during his summer. As one of the seven principles of microeconomics, trade-offs are essentially the act of offering something that involves getting a return for that something you sacrificed. Therefore, Brendan must figure out a trade-off that he is willing to take in order to fit all the things he wants to do in his summer and have the best optimal outcome that is in his favor. 

Brendan has many options he can choose from, however, whichever he does, may or may not benefit him more in the long run. For example, Brendan can request to have less shifts to work so he can have more time to hang out with his friends; however, this causes him to lose money and the time he could’ve spent to increase his income. This additionally causes Brendan to have a negative externality. Externalities are indirect costs or benefits that are caused due to a person’s activity. In this case, a negative externality arises because Brendan’s manager could perceive him to be lazy as he is taking the least amount of shifts without a reasonable answer for his cause. If Brendan were to take this trade-off, then the only good that Brendan gains, would only be hanging out with his friends. Taking a look at the negatives, we can see that Brendan’s work and school environment are being neglected and negatively affected. 

Instead, Brendan should think about his time and manage his schedule to maximize the benefits. For example, Brendan’s trade-off benefits should lean towards his goals that will help him in the future. Rather than requesting for fewer shifts at work, Brendan should keep those shifts and have his off days to learn in his summer classes. Although the opportunity cost is to lose the time he gets to hang out with his friends, Brendan at the same time, receives the benefit of having more money and a higher grade in his class. Brendan should realize the incentives of focusing more on his responsibilities because while Brendan is not able to spend as much time as he wanted to with his friends, there is a positive externality that has come with his actions. Through all the hard work and hours Brendan has spent at work, we know that his income has increased. Therefore, this allows Brendan to eventually have more hangouts with his friends because he can afford the costs of eating out and enjoying himself with whatever he wants. Additionally, with the completion of his summer class, he has prevented himself from failing and not having to commit additional time in the future. 

Through all the topics I have learned in this quarter, I’ve been able to reflect on my past and see the economic concepts I have unconsciously applied in my life. These skills will remain with me and I will continue to learn and apply them in my everyday life. 

Brendan Nguyen 

ID: 73895287

Discussion Time: Monday, 2:00-2-50 PM

[5ace]

Okay but Spain played so much better than Portugal and yet they still tied...... Ronaldo’s power

[doomdays]

so many comments about sara’s tactic being Too Extreme vs. comments just completely downplaying what elgin has gone through and both are stressing me out.  i think sara is a character people either love or hate because of what she almost did to ethan,  and i get it,  but—   i don’t necessarily think people understand what she went through to come to that conclusion when it felt like the only option.  especially if those same people are blaming elgin now and assuming it was as simple as just “telling them.”

“it’s okay.  i understand.  that first day, when i saw you in that church, my heart broke for you.  i thought,  ‘he seems so sweet, so kind.’  i was like that one.  i think maybe we’re exactly what this place looks for.  people who just want to help.”

from their very first interaction,  we can tell that sara sees something in elgin that’s familiar to her— and i think that elgin feels it too but he’s thrown off + seemingly uncomfortable when he finds out that she killed her brother.  so of course it hits her even harder to see the way he’s been manipulated by the town in a similar way that she has—  part of her always knew they’d use him as a weapon.   and she’s the only one who knows what to do with that. 

the entire season gives us many opportunities to see just how much the people in the town are still uncomfortable and distrusting of sara;   even her just walking in with victor to the colony house had everyone glaring at her and almost unwilling to even listen to victor until sara offered to go outside.  someone is murdered and they all immediately point fingers at sara,  and as donna said—  even if sara didn’t do it,  if they don’t have someone else to blame,  sara would be the one at fault regardless,  because they’ve all already made their mind up about her.

meanwhile,  elgin is repeatedly shown as someone perceived as innocent / someone who needs to be protected.  people are constantly checking in with him / checking in with others about him to see if he’s gotten any sleep or needs someone to talk to, etc.  elgin is someone they think is sweet and kind, just as sara did, and they want to look out for him.  they trust him because they don’t see him as someone who would cause any harm—   just as they once saw with sara until the town used that against her and created a weapon out of her.

i do wonder if things would’ve been any different if sara had the chance to reach elgin much sooner,  but i don’t necessarily think relating her experiences to him would have completely changed the outcome.  she just had the best chance out of anyone because no one can possibly understand what she experienced when she was being guided by the town.  the way people treat elgin is proof of that;   even those who forgave sara or at least accepted her presence don’t truly understand what she went through.   some of them do understand that what she almost did to ethan was not her fault,  but that doesn’t mean they know just how much she was tortured through it all. and boyd’s own hallucination reminding him that it’s no different than with sara is crucial.  so is boyd deciding to go through with it anyway.

but so many reactions to this episode are reducing what elgin is going through by acting as if it’s a simple solution for him to have “just told them,”  saying he deserved what happened to him because it’s his fault that he didn’t just comply to begin with,  or because he could’ve told ellis and/or boyd before taking fatima,  etc. etc.   but that’s really missing the point of just how much this town manipulates the people in it.   if it was really as simple as just telling the town No and “doing the right thing,”   then sara would have never done what she did to begin with.   sara knows firsthand just how impossible it is to go against what the town wants from you, especially when it’s preying on someone’s good nature and desire to help / to save everyone (in such a desperate situation, too). 

sara hates herself for what she almost did to ethan.  she hears what people say about her, sees how people look at her,  and she doesn’t blame them for it.  in season 2 she was ready to die just so that people didn’t have to live amongst a monster,  which is what she was being perceived as— and what she believed in herself, too.   she hates what she almost did to ethan, hates what she did to her brother,  but she also recognizes that it was impossible to say no, not with the way the town was compelling her to do what she needed to do.   just like elgin; it was never as simple as him just telling them where fatima was.  that’s why he was so hurt and scared when he was watching everyone blame him;  he didn’t know how to make them understand that he really couldn’t just say it.  but sara understood.  and sara was putting herself in that position,  recalling what it was like to have her literal body manipulated, used, + weaponized,  and she knew that boyd’s tactics weren’t going to work. 

and because sara can put herself in that position and understand what it would take to get her to speak or act against those voices,  she knew it would take something drastic that she didn’t want boyd to have to live with.  victor told her earlier this season that she’s the scariest person in town,  and though he didn’t necessarily mean it as an insult,  sara still knows it’s true,  and people already believe it.  she believes it, too.  that’s why it had to be her to do what needed to be done to get elgin to give up the location—  letting boyd go through with it was just going to be another way she would’ve blamed herself for hurting someone.  she wouldn’t have blamed anyone for going to the same lengths to stop her when she was in that position, which is why she’s the one doing it now,  because she understands elgin in ways she hopes no one else ever has to experience.  doing what she did to him wasn’t about hurting him as much as it was about trying to fight what was working against him, likely hoping that in some way it was also helping elgin to break him of what was compelling him.

i’m talking in circles i think but i love both of these characters and the parallels between them and the responses to what happened between them are killing me.  but anyway “i’ve already given it mine” goes so hard thank you sara myers <3

for the past few days my brain has just been “I won’t let it take his soul; I’ve already given it mine” on repeat

[whywhatswrongwithblue]

I said I’d elaborate on this later so here goes

WHY TENTOO X ROSE IS THE PERFECT ENDING

A lot of people think tentoo x rose is a happy ending only within the scope of the show—as in, it’s the best possible outcome considering that it’s a tv show and that David and Billie couldn’t have stayed on forever.

I fundamentally disagree.

(disclaimer that this is just my opinion and I think people can and should write whatever makes them happy!!)

Let’s imagine David and Billie were immortal and were willing to stay on the show forever—tentoo x rose is still the happiest ending they could’ve had.

Why? Here’s a few things we need to understand—

1) Doomsday would’ve happened even if Billie didn’t leave the show in s2

Doomsday, or a doomsday-equivalent, would’ve happened anyway. The Doctor and Rose would’ve been split up somehow simply because a relationship between an immortal and mortal is inherently doomed. Even if their separation wasn’t sudden and accidental, it would happen. The Doctor and Rose were doomed from the start, and this is a huge part of why the Doctor never actually acts on his feelings (he was only going to confess his feelings on BWB the first time because he genuinely thought he would never see Rose again.) I do believe that if Doomsday hadn’t happened, they would’ve eventually gotten into some sort of relationship, simply due to the intensity of their feelings, but it would never be carefree! The Doctor would be constantly burdened by the fact that he’s going to have to live for centuries after this human, and he’d never let himself be 100% open and vulnerable with the woman he loves. Because it’s going to really, really hurt soon enough.

2) Being immortal is NOT A GOOD THING

Now you might say, the earlier problem could be solved simply by making Rose immortal—she’d stay with the Doctor forever and she’d never have to leave him, but a constant theme throughout seasons 1-4 is that immortality is not desirable. There is a constant motif of “living too long”, whether it be from Jack, the Face of Boe (cough), or the Doctor himself. Things are only precious and meaningful because they end—the human way of doing things? Fast, and bright, and temporary? It’s the right way. One of the many reasons the Doctor loves Rose is because she’s human—it’s a big part of why he’s attracted to her in the first place. Besides, an immortal Rose would mean having to outlive her family, her friends, everyone she’s ever known—who else has experienced that? Oh, yeah. The Doctor. And I can’t imagine him wanting her to go through the same thing under any circumstances.

3) The Doctor wanted to be human.

The Doctor, and the Tenth Doctor in particular, wants to be human. It’s peppered here and there throughout the first four seasons, but there’s this underlying current of wistfulness in him (“I’ve never had a life like that”; “The one adventure I can never have”), not to mention the entirety of the Human Nature two parter, and I think to some extent Rose makes him feel human, and it’s his alienness that’s the big barrier in their relationship. She makes him want to be human, to be loved and to be free to love her as he wants to.

4) Rose constantly has to choose between her mum and the Doctor.

Now to be clear, there is no doubt in my mind that Rose would choose the Doctor over her mum. She has, several times, and I believe it’s totally in character.

But she shouldn’t have to! She shouldn’t have to choose between the Doctor and everything else that’s important to her, that makes her human. She shouldn’t have to be forced to never settle down because “the doctor never would” or to eventually become someone that isn’t Rose anymore, centuries and planets away from everything that made her her.

The Doctor doesn’t want this for her either.

Every time she has to make this particular choice, it breaks her heart, and it sure as hell doesn’t make the Doctor happy either. Tentoo gives her the chance to keep them both!❤️

5) The “happy” ending.

I know that ending up together and eventually having a kid is a very cliche happy ending, and I don’t think they’d be unhappy without a kid, but isn’t the sheer possibility a good thing?

It never would’ve been possible with the Time Lord Doctor, be it the differing physiology or the fact that he wouldn’t allow it to go so far. It would be something he could never give her, as his original self.

But tentoo could.

As has been pointed out in the discourse several times by @metacrisisdoctor (who you should totally follow btw!) so much of Ten and Rose’s season 2 arc is centred around domestics and settling down. They were always headed for this!

For a character as lonely as the Doctor to have someone to call his own, to not be the last of his species any more—that’s powerful stuff! He finally gets to have the full human experience, with all its ups and downs, and sure, it’s a very ordinary adventure but it is no less important 🥺

To conclude, Journey’s End is bittersweet, but it’s no roughshod, hastily put together ending because the cast wanted to leave. There was a LOT of thought put into it, and I will be forever grateful that a pairing as doomed as tenrose, somehow, MIRACULOUSLY, got a happy ending❤️

[killsandthrills]

the rings of power finale was honestly like some kind of crack fanfic because what the fuck. like i’m not mad about halbrand being sauron at all, but like the way he was asking galadriel to come rule with him and shit… uhhh excuse me? this is literally the best outcome we could’ve gotten. yes it was a little fast, but it was always going to be doomed, tragic, etc. y’all need to calm down.