#the book doesn't give us anything like that at all

[jack-bytez-genuine-corner]

It also ignores the need vs want aspect. The calculator allowed for people to do infinitely more complex problems faster, which is a thing that's a need, as in it literally lead to inventions that saved lives and enabled other technologies, good and bad to occur. It was also a step up from the abacus, which is in and of itself another marvel entirely. No one NEEDS art to be made faster as that, in and of itself, ignores the point of the humanities. There is no benefit to generative AI in the way it is currently being sold which is massively wasteful and a giant gimmick, this is why even the Apple AI commercials are embarrassed to present it's "Uses" cause it ignores the central point of not just the creative process but why you even prep for meetings or create gifts for people or use the written word to communicate. If you fundamentally don't understand, any moment you remember is likely a direct result from the human element, whether it be the lack of it or from it, like a cookie from your grandma quite literally tastes differently cause of your attachment to your grandma, just like how an insult from a friend will hurt worse than a stranger. You may WANT to write a letter instantly or create a gift instantly but without that human element you won't feel anything from it nor will anyone else.

Companies obviously want generative AI cause they only see the human element as costing money while ignoring that they wouldn't exist without the human element, and this means Gen AI is treated as the next big thing like NFTs or Crypto when in reality, just like those two, it's all smoke and mirrors with any beneficial aspect either already existing and are used or being too niche to ever be sellable for it's cost. Which is sad cause the tech behind the AI could be used to make accurate translations which can serve anyone in a foreign place in daily life. The same tech could be detecting things like cancer faster and with higher accuracy than a doctor, not replacing the doctor but enabling more effective screenings, lowering human error.

Generative AI will likely get itself sued into oblivion, but even before then it'll be treated like Web3 is now: An interesting oddity that will be abandoned once corporations, who are run by short term profit fetishization, run a single bad quarter and the house of cards collapses. Funnily enough it's those who are pushing generative AI the hardest that will get it killed cause, as a result of AI slop, it's become massively hated and viewed as an intrusive figure in every site and application it exists. The generative AI profiles Facebook touted recently? From 2024 if they still have a profile at all and they don't actually post at all, with many of them deactivated cause of errors and cost. Summaries by Gemini? Making people look for alternatives to Chrome and Google as a whole cause it not only gives unwanted insight (That is typically wrong anyways) but it is increasing the enshittification of a product that just fucking worked and no longer just fucking works. That AI "Artist" who sold whatever for a gazillion dollars? Nobody but the rich who fundamentally do not understand anyone but themselves doesn't care.

The calculator saved lives just like the abacus. Generative AI solely exists for a literal handful, a small village of ultrarich morons to gamble on cause they THINK if they JUST gut the human element it'll just work but they are so blinded by greed they can't even see a single step forward and the obvious issues that it displays. Just like when Wallstreet celebrated Trump's return and are hyped up on Musk and other venture capitalists being in his colon, they clearly have never opened a single history book and seen what happens, inevitably, when people blinded by greed get burned by their greed. Gen AI is a symptom of our rot economy, and I really don't think they paid attention to what happens when you break societal contracts for gold.

It's really telling that the Apple AI ads are ashamed of the product it's selling while the people funding it somehow don't see it. Never seen calculators boast about how secretive and sly they are, almost like when a thing is good it has lots of brag about.

'People are panicking about AI tools the same way they did when the calculator was invented, stop worrying' cannot stress enough the calculator did not forcibly pervade every aspect of our lives, has such a low error rate it's a statistical anomaly when it does happen, isn't built on mass plagiarism, and does not obliterate the fucking environment when you use it. Be so fucking serious right now

[qoldenskies]

i have like. such mixed feelings on the medic leo headcanon, coming from someone that has used it in pretty much all of his work so far. me and the medic leo headcanon are in an off-and-on relationship and every time i think we're done for good its outside my door with a boombox in the pouring rain and i feel like i hate myself a little when i take it back. it fucks like a champ though which makes it KIND OF worth it

cause like. i really think its an implementation thing that frustrates me more than anything else. to give leo a special THING feels like it disregards such a core facet of his character, that being that he doesn't have one and he feels like the others do. "face man" feels like overcompensating. initially, "leader" feels like too much, and it feels like something he TOOK from raph. there's really an implication that he feels like his brothers are SOMETHING without him, but he's NOTHING without them, and he directly states the second part. (so he overcompensates and acts like they do need him)

i think to make this an early-in-his-life practice kind of throws that out the window. leo taking this up when he's young doesnt fit him, i dont think, especially because i see him as a very.... high wisdom low intelligence kind of character. good street smarts terrible book smarts, and that's kind of apparent by him being so clever and intuitive while also taking stupid dares and making actively reckless decisions to look cool lmao. he would swallow a whole bottle of shampoo because mikey told him to and then be confused why he's in the medbay and raph is yelling at him like ten minutes later

HOWEVER. i think it is a very good way to explore some of the nuances of him that actually MAKE him a good leader, once he steps into that role. leo is a people person. he knows his family, he pays attention to them, he knows how to manipulate them and it would make him a diligent eye in the field. things dont get past him and it makes it hard to hide when theyre in pain from him. he's the most likely to be like "cool, i dont give a fuck" when they try to dismiss injuries. he'll happily make it an argument if he has to; he'd be as stubborn as a mule when it comes to their well-being, and he's more calculative than he looks, which means raph and donnie's usual tactics of dismissal and deflection hit a wall when he puts his foot down on something.

so really i just go out of my way to not make it something EXCLUSIVE to him when its included (and i always go out of my way to make it recent, because why would they have a designated medic who they already know to go to when the concept of crime-fighting was NEVER something they thought would really happen?). it makes the most sense to be something that STARTED with donnie, considering he refers to resuscitating piebald as "my science"; medicine is included in the field of what he enjoys and invests in. donnie is a jack of all trades in anything he can get his grubby little hands on, but ive always seen him as squeamish, which gives a good reason for leo to get involved.

but i think leo would always underestimate his capability despite lots of hands-on experience, even though hands-on is literally how he learns instead of reading books and studying like donnie does. no matter how diligent and practiced he is in the field, he's still not exclusive in it, and it doesnt feel like something that IS a big thing to him. so he can do a few stitches, big deal. donnie and splinter can already do that! who cares? raph and mikey probably could too if they actually paid attention to any of donnie's yap-sessions. no matter how much he boasts about how much they need their cool brother to patch them up, he doesn't believe it, even as he gets better and better and better.

it also gives him the opportunity to really come to face how meaningful it actually is, and to be appreciated for that, especially if donnie is out of commission and he actually gets to utilize that strength. doomed timeline angst potential right there.

[ladylokianna]

I have read many posts about Aemond, but what about his wife (not counting Alys and the plot of the book)? Do you have any headcanon?How does she behave towards him? What is her character like? Is she accommodating or does she argue when Aemond goes too far?

✦ Her behaviour toward Aemond changes accordingly to the level of their intimacy: at the beginning, when they both need to adjust to their marriage and to each other's presence, she was a little shy and stiff, but with time, when they're used to one another, she enjoys a lot his company and is more outgoing and passionate.

✦ She respecting his boundaries about pda, knowing that Aemond doesn't like to show any kind of feeling outside their private, so she simply exchanges gazes with him during dinner or interwine a hand with one he usually places behind his back.

✦ When they're in public, she use to communicate with him with a secret code of their own, made with gestures, glances and his signature "hmm", a thing she's so used to, that she could tell if Aemond is displeased, annoyed or bored (or on the contrary, if he's glad or relaxed) just with a single "hmm" without having to look at his face.

✦ She arguing with him because she wants to stand to his left side when they are in public (because of his blind spot), and Aemond insisting that she should stand to his right because he should be protecting her and not vice versa.

✦ Her leaving any quarrel between them in their rooms and always sticking by his side no matter what, having his back against everything and everyone: she's very protective of Aemond and she's like the first person to stand up in his defense. Obviously, you can be sure as hell she's ready to scold him when he misbehave: not in public, never in public, but she always tells him when she's not pleased with something he did.

✦ She respecting his personal space (above all, his safe place, that is his private library) and always asking if he wants to stay a little alone (to vent for something, to read in peace or whatever he wants to do on his own) or if she can stay with him, knowing that Aemond is not doing it on purpose and that he will reach for her company whenever he's ready.

✦ She avoiding anything with pork or wild boar because she knows that he literally hates them since his younger years (since the pink dread incident), even if Aemond insists that she should not deprive herself of something because of one of his strangeness.

✦ Dancing? Since Aemond doesn't like it (probably the first and last time they danced was at their wedding), she politely declines all requests, preferring to remain beside him, sometimes holding one of his hands in her own.

✦ She giving him presents even when it is not his nameday, but mainly for the simple pleasure of giving and to bring a smile to his face, whether it is a sunflower (in my headcanon his favourite flower), a new ointment for the socket of his missing eye or, sometimes, a new doodle on him (something, the latter, that she does only after realising that it is something that makes him feel flattered and not annoyed).

✦ She being so patient that he sometimes wonders how she puts up with him, especially in the beginning when he almost lost his mind at the thought she was using praises and terms of endearment not because she cares and loves him, but to make fun of him: he needed a lot of time to understand that she is a safe place.

[genderqueerdykes]

this is prob silly but i appreciate you being so candid about not interacting with much media (like film/tv/pop culture stuff). it's kind of hard to be on tumblr or really even exist if you're not able to interact with media but it's a big trigger for me so i just... can't. like, i've never had anyone understand that it's not a choice i'm making to be special/different/lazy i just have extreme and unhealthly reactions to most media, except some books and comics. which idk if that's how it is for you (its not my business or anything) but i've never felt seen/represented about it before so im thankful, yk?

i appreciate you for sending this! i don't find it silly at all

i think it's very good for you to acknowledge that you have an unhealthy relationship with most forms of media. i'm sorry that you're going through this, but consuming media is not a requirement nor is it something that you genuinely need for your mental health, so it's okay that that's how you feel. i appreciate this because it gives me a chance to talk about something that is important to me, but people struggle to understand why that is

my parents used to make fun of whatever i was watching or playing as a kid over my shoulder. i used to get relentlessly mocked every time i put on a show i liked or played a game in front of either of them. it caused me to have severe trauma for years where i couldn't watch or play anything around other people at all. i still don't like when people ask me to put on things that i do like for a big group. the stress i feel when other people don't enjoy it is not worth it. i'm still very uncomfortable doing this to this day

i've felt pretty alienated all my life due to this. it seems like now more than ever, media, especially fictional media, is so important to general modern culture that it creates a barrier between people who do and don't engage. and it's not like it's a passive thing, i have people get offended at me when i say i haven't seen a movie or TV show. not talking about anyone on here, or any anons i've answered about media! people have been kind and respectful here. but in my real life and in conversations with other people, i have genuinely been mocked or insulted because i don't engage with most television, movies, books and comics.

i've had people question my autism over this. when i've told people in the past that i do not engage with pop culture, fictional media and so on, i've had people actually say "but i thought you were autistic????" like it's genuinely frustrating that it seems like people have shifted to thinking that autistic people's special interests are always cartoons, games and TV shows. it worries me because at times it feels like people are turning the common definition of autism into Media Consumption Disorder. my special interests are queer history & culture, animals & nature, and medicine & psychology. i genuinely enjoy research, it's something i happily do for hours because it stimulates my brain and motivates me. it excites me just as much as i think fiction excites people who can enjoy it. it's more than okay for autistic people to have a piece of media as their special interest, i'm not saying that its not! but it frightens me that people seem to conflate "autistic" with "loves fictional media".

due to my DID, i can't remember plots. like at all. plots confuse the ever loving hell out of me because i can't keep track of what's going on. real life doesn't have a plot. science doesn't have a plot. i don't know if fully understand the point of a plot, honestly. expecting people to be able to remember such an absurd amount of information in order to figure out something that happens down the road or at the very end feels like a herculean task to me. i can't remember what happened to me 10 minutes ago, there's no way i'm remembering a tiny event that happened hours and hours and hours ago. scripted interactions feel so stiff and unnatural to me

people tell me i'm saying i don't know what they're talking about to "be an asshole". i used to have a best friend who got really into dungeons&dragons and it traumatized me for years because i got into at first, then quickly lost interest once i realized how boring actually playing the game is for me. my friend did NOT take it well. he continued to force me to play. if i would ask him to please change the conversation topic he would start insulting and berating me and telling me that i was pretending to not be interested anymore to be mean to him. he couldn't understand that i grew out of it. he never got any better with this, as he was obsessed with marvel films and would get super pissed off if i told him i had no interest or didn't know what to say to him. it was frustrating because i didn't have a choice whether or not i could like something. it was "if you don't like this, you're an asshole."

and it's not just him that's treated me that way. it's been most of my friends. for whatever reason, when you tell the average person that you haven't seen, or god forbid don't like a piece of media, they take it personally for... some reason. as if i said "no i don't watch that because that's bad" as opposed to what i actually say is "i don't know what that is" or "i haven't seen that". you would not believe how insecure people get when you tell them you don't like a piece of media they like. i'm not sure why people feel like their favorite media is an extension of themselves, but it's an unhealthy relationship. it's not healthy to get offended if your friend tells you they haven't seen a piece of media that you have.

i have aphantasia, which is the inability to picture things in my head. i don't get "sucked into" media like people with clearer mind's eyes do. i don't picture anything cool or epic or fun happening in my head because i can't. as a result, i don't get pulled into shows, i don't get invested in tabletop games, i don't really get that affected by the media that i watch because i am painfully aware that i'm staring at a pre-recorded and scripted show the entire time. i'm painfully aware that i'm staring at an actor in a costume i just cannot get immersed in most forms of media save for very rare video games but even then, i immediately stop thinking about it the second i'm done interacting with it

i just don't listen to music and that one baffles people as i'm punk. most music is just straight up overstimulating to me due to my autism. i'm not saying that music is bad, it just overstimulates the everloving hell out of me. most of the time it just hurts my ears or gives me a headache or triggers my misophonia, which results in me getting irrationally pissed off. it's not something i can control. i prefer to listen to nature sounds, very simple meditation music that is a few simple tones, or nothing at all. i actually enjoy silence. i enjoy not overloading my ears. i enjoy being alone with my own thoughts. i can't think when there's too much noise happening

video games are more enjoyable than anything else due to the interactive element, but that does not mean i am paying attention to the characters or the story. it's very rare that a game can actually make me get interested in the characters themselves. i'm just there for the gameplay. generally i prefer games like rollercoaster tycoon, tower unite and other games that don't have a plot at all and are strictly focused on gameplay. i have no idea how people memorize all the different characters and interactions and story beats in games that have an overarching plot.

it's a personal choice. you're allowed to choose what your hobbies and interests are. if pop culture stresses you out, you do not have to engage. i just straight up do not get pop culture references at all and i've had people laugh at me for it but i just really don't care, it's not what i'm interested in as a person. i feel like a lot of people aren't quite realizing that most popular media is made for profit, not to be something genuinely well written or entertaining. i'm not saying those things are bad but what i am saying is that it's a product meant to be consumed in order for you to help a generally huge company profit. there's very little soul and whimsy when it comes to most AAA games and big box office films. the artistic integrity is severely lacking

anyway, thank you for giving me a chance to talk about this more at length! it's why i'm just very honest about it because i'm not going to force myself to change my interests because some people find how i approach life strange, or take it personally. you're allowed to choose what you interact with and don't. you're allowed to define your own interests and hobbies. and i think you're doing a great thing by acknowledging that you have an unhealthy relationship with pop culture. a LOT of people do right now. it's manufactured to be addicting on purpose. binge watching things is encouraged and is becoming seen as a new norm. i don't think people like you or i deserve to be mocked for approaching life in ways that make sense to us. take care of yourself, i appreciate you!

[theotherchaospixel]

TW: some arachnophobia near the end

Look, I don't know what else to tell you, I've studied it; all manner of glyphs, of languages, of cant & song, all sorts of dialects & accents, none of them can really solve our problems, much less yours or mine. Magic has its place, & it's outside of my house. I have a knight friend who recently got that new Joffrey of the Forest special, that enchanted jar filled with a book or two's worth of scrolls that give the power to reach out into the Great Ether & pluck out answers & ideas in response to anything you might say... Alicia I think they were calling it... and, call me crazy, but I don't really need a jar that's always listening to me, even if can keep track of time with slightly less effort than a hourglass or sundial. And moreover, half the time it doesn't even do what that snake oil salesman says it should: I could ask it something like "Are onions lethal to my dear Blueborb familiar Bocifer?" and it would take a few seconds, shine with a familiar blue flame to tell you it was working through its manuscript of scrolls, and tell you in that eerie, uncanny, seething screech "Sorry, I don't know." And it is always listening, that's how it knows when it is being called, how it can tell to start running through its manuscript. Sets me on edge. All for the sake of a little more gold in the vault of an aristocrat.

What really irks me & shocks me to the core though is how seemingly okay with everything everyone seems to be... I mean, I get it. It's hard to be appropriately mad, hard to feel appropriately mad, for so long, so consistently, at a so so many things. There was all this hubbub about the new king, and, first of all, screw that guy, but second of all, its just really not my field; that was always something for ambassadors & chancellors & paladins & all those religious & political types. My thing is magic, not really the same thing. I can say that with the king's fetid approval of that Reptole - at least, I suspect he's a Reptole, a lizard guy, only thing to explain all the problems he's got pretending to be human - but that Reptole whose claim to fame is a name, we are definitely not headed in a great direction, at least not one that gives me a whole lot of hope.

I mean, that Reptole's whole thing was that new enchanted horseless carriage which he claimed was sword-proof, bite-proof, slash-proof & claw-proof & even fang-proof; that new carriage which acted as part guillotine if you interacted with it's storage incorrectly, which is to say at all; that new carriage which, after only a few days of use, would begin sparkling & throwing glitter everywhere indicating that one of the spell scrolls had deteriorated too quickly; that new carriage which is a nightmare as a pilot, due to his brainless decision for the sake of a little more gold that all spell control macros - you know, the ones that help you drive the thing - would operate via spell, rather than artifice, via magic rather than instant-feedback woodwork, thus ensuring panicked pilots have no idea how to do what they need to do in emergency situations; that new carriage - which I heard from other wizards - explodes in a great fireball comparable to those of dragons if you leave it along for too long; that new carriage which - speaking of dragons - would cost naught but a dragon's hoard just to earn the privilege of seeing the inside of, to earn the privilege of all it's faults. That same Reptole also spent a hoard himself getting ahold of that carrier pigeon network, because he didn't like that people said mean things to him sometimes, and in spending said hoard, made what I would charitably call... unusual decisions, immediately ensuring that the handful of people who previously earned money off of it or gave money to it would stop using it as quickly as possible. I mean it feels like common knowledge that he's earned nothing in his life, & sits upon a throne of lies, cheats, & theft, and, from my place as wizard, he clearly has absolutely no idea what he's actually talking about. And he gets to be buddies with the new king. For the sake of a little more gold. Fun.

On the subject of message transits & the webs these spiders weave to connect us flies, there's the now long dead Vineyard delivery system, which I'm sure many of us still mourn due to its then-novel approach to literal bite-size information transit, where you could just visit your local vineyard and just pick out grapes, hops, blueberries, of all different flavors, of all different messengers, of all different creeds. It sucks that everyone saw how popular that system was & decided to attempt to make their own versions for the sake of a little more gold, all of which have already spoiled since their planting, and because we craved & still crave the original flavor so badly, I feel like maybe we didn't realize how drunk the subpar copycats made us.

There's the Facionomicon system made by Markules, which - I know we joked when he may have actually gone to the dungeons for his wrongdoing that he may infact be a Reptole in disguise... that's neither here nor there - which he original wrote just to get his hands on wenches. There's the Scribo Instantis system of sigils which got popular directly after the original Vineyard developers stopped growing their vineyards. There's the aforementioned carrier pigeon system. There's the Vestri broadcasting sigils that had its start... jeez, was it really 18 years ago?... those sigils which nowadays are mostly just used as a mechanism for Mister the Minotaur's plays, which are really kinda all the same business-disguised-as-charity thing now. And... I'm digressing, the point that I wanted to make was because of all these new innovations in magic, so many people seem to either assume magic can solve all of our problems or realize that in many ways magic is the cause of all our problems. I don't think I should really weigh in on that, again, I don't think it's my department, I'd just as soon leave it to the artificers & astrologists & diviners. I can say that because of what magic has done, everyone nowadays is constantly struggling with this inner question of what a problem really is, what solutions could solve it without introducing so many more, & for me personally, I often wonder if there's a way out of this mess that some of us have made for the rest of us.

And geez, don't even get me started on the Self-Actualizing Glyphs that seem to be EVERYWHERE now. I hate them. I hate them so so much. I look around and listen to the whistles of the pigeons & to the calamitous & raucous whispers from the Vestri sigils, & to clamours elsewhere, and it seems I am far from alone, that almost no-one actually likes their incessant & nebulous omnipresence. Speaking as someone who knows magic & also has eyes, the Animate Paintbrush SAGs are ugly. Ugly, ugly, ugly. I've seen insides of a troll more appealing. I've seen dragon mouths & giant spider webs & vicious hornets nests & beehives prettier. And I can't even explain it; I make the mistake of viewing a Vestri broadcast comedy act on the Animate Paintbrush SAGs that pop up within the pages of the Facionomicon, and there's a visceral part of me, a beast or spider which crawls along my spine & drinks from it, which massages my brain with the discomfort of a spoiled fruit, which assaults my eyes with the gentle, violent touch of a Gelatinous Mass. Ugh. Ugly as sin. And then you hear the comedy act explain that in response to the depictions within the Facionomicon, there seem to be hundreds of people who just... accept it... and it's probable that these people are simply simulacra, Prometheons, animated only by more Self-Actualizing Glyphs, all resulting in a section of the world where no-one speaks to no-one. All these things, and yet continuously you see new posters for the newest pocketbook, and they say "ooo look at us, we have a SAG now! buy our stuff!" and I have to ask why. Why, why, why, why, why? There's entire acts in the Vestri sigils that people put effort into not bothering to make, using SAGs the entire way through their act, forgetting that soul & heart & spirit is where the real magic is.

Everywhere I go nowadays, it just... it seems my beard has grown an inch longer, my hair a bit whiter, my hands a bit more calloused, my sight just a bit worse... & everything, everyone, everywhere, is demanding not a slice, but the entire pie of what little time I may have left on this world... and... I decide put all this time & effort into the practice of magic. I've seen it contorted into mechanized horrors one could only dream of, or see in nightmares, I suppose. It seems that a small handful of people with a dragon's hoard or two from their grandfather's grandfathers have decided that they're going to make everyone else miserable for the sake of a little more gold, as has always been the case, and... in all this turmoil & advancement, I think maybe they forgot that real magic demands personal sacrifice; every time you choose to make magic happen, you lose a bit of yourself to bring it into being, and... that very act makes that part of you immortal. Empires rise & turn to ruin, but the simplest of creations, the smallest artifice of woodwork, the most minute weaves of story can last forever with just a little bit of heart, a little bit of soul. Even if your memory fades, even if no-one knows who you were, even if no-one ever gets to grasp the flecks of dust that once surrounded your being, real magic lasts forever.

Wizards have as much faith in magic as software designers have in software - none at all. A wizard is explaining to the rest of the party why they won't use magic to solve all their problems.

[hopeforchanges]

okay hot take here don't bash my head in ... Sauron and Galadriel ≠ Orlok and Ellen

idk am i the only one who doesn't see it? i stayed away from speaking on the topic cause i didn't feel i had all the information to engage in any meaningful convo but now that a good amount of time has passed and I have listened and read other people's arguably passionate stances on this (which is great! i love when people enjoy something, it gives me joy too!!) i must say .... i don't get it lol

let me explain myself:

I get that certain aesthetics or vibes might overlap (dark, brooding antagonist vs. a luminous, female protagonist), the comparison completely falls apart when you dig into their actual characterizations.

Ellen as a Symbol of Maidenhood vs. Galadriel as a Warrior

Ellen is basically a paragon of feminine virtue: she's all about purity, innocence, and ultimate sacrifice. She represents a kind of moral ideal that aligns with the trope of the "selfless maiden." Sure there is darkness in here but like ... where? lol in the words of one of my favorite complicated female characters of the silver screen: "I can't see it, I can't touch it, I can't feel it. I can hear it, I can hear some words but I can't do anything with your easy words."

Galadriel is a warrior, a soldier, a power-hungry monarch. She was born a princess into a life of great privilege. Galadriel is ambitious, vengeful, and actively pursuing power. She definitely embodies characteristics that are more commonly associated with male domination. I love both the feminine in Ellen and the masculine in Galadriel. They just don't overlap imo.

Orlok’s Selfish Awareness vs. Sauron’s Delusional “Vision”

Orlok is unapologetically monstrous. He’s a selfish predator who knows exactly what he is and doesn’t care. He’s not trying to justify himself or claim he’s “saving” anyone—he just feeds on people because that’s what he does.

Sauron thinks he’s doing the right thing. In his mind, his actions are about order, preservation, and the “greater good.” That lack of self-awareness is huge—it makes him a completely different type of villain. Orlok leans into his evil; Sauron justifies it - doesn't even think he's the evil force - definitely not in his story.

The Core Dynamic Feels Wrong

Ellen and Orlok’s relationship is built on fear and revulsion. Ellen sacrifices herself to stop Orlok—she lures him to his doom. There’s no room for ambiguity there; he’s the predator, and she’s the prey.

Galadriel and Sauron are equals. None of them can land the killing blow because they don't want to, not because they can't. Their dynamic is tangled up in grudging respect, power struggles, and even a weird sort of kinship. Galadriel isn’t diminished or destroyed by Sauron like Ellen was by Orlok; quite the contrary. Galadriel was empowered by Sauron, healed through him (at least in the show which is the medium i am basing my opinions on, not necessarily the tolkien legendarium). That's why it's so funny to me that in season 2 he can't figure out why she won't say yes to him when she used to drool over his mortal form and so he transforms into Glambrand as his big fix cause he thinks THAT is what the issue is lol you were her friend, dumbass, that's literally it. you supported her and believed in her when no one did and couched her so she could achieve her goals - helped her self-actualize.

There are no such layers and complexities in Ellen and Orlok's relationship. Plus, the fact that he came to her first when she was a kid gives me the ick, sorry. it's giving phantom of the opera. and i HATE phantom of the opera (the original book by Leroux, the musical kinda slaps tbh)

TL;DR:

Yes, Ellen calls Orlok a deceiver, but that’s where the parallels end for me. Ellen = pure, selfless sacrifice; Galadriel = complex, power-driven warrior. Orlok = evil and knows it; Sauron = evil but thinks he’s the hero. Their dynamics are fundamentally different, and the Orlok/Ellen comparison just doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.

If I’m missing something, feel free to convince me otherwise, but for now? Nah, I don’t see it.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 122 (The Elusive Rafa Bonilla)

"Conrad? Conrad wake up! Oh man, I'm so sorry, please wake up..."

Slowly, Conrad's eyes adjusted to the torchlit room, which smelled like seawater and wet wood. Coarse grains of sand scratched against the back of his head. His blurred vision subsided as he blinked dust from his eyelashes. Rafa knelt over him pleadingly, gently lifting his head. "Wh-where am I?"

"Inside the abandoned ship. I brought you down here when I realized it's really you. I've been waiting for you to wake up for a while."

"How long was I out?"

Rafa shrugged. "The sun will be up soon."

Conrad struggled to push himself up and Rafa reached out a hand to help him. "I need to call Heather."

Rafa nodded. "Your phone rang a bunch of times," he admitted. "I turned it off after a while."

The place was half full of sand and the wood beams were falling apart. He looked at Rafa, all grown up, instinctively leaning in for a hug. Even though he'd knocked him out and was a lot bigger than the boy he remembered, Conrad couldn't believe he killed the Brindletons.

"Why are you out here?"

"I don't have to pay rent, and if anyone comes around to play on the old mast, I padlock the door or hide out in the caves."

"When was the last time you checked in to work?"

"Couple days ago. I tried to get in to the villa but I couldn't. Figured maybe the old man and his wife had gone home and no one told me."

Conrad frowned. "Oliana Ngata said you have a key. You didn't go inside? Take your shoes off, find George, maybe step in the blood under June Brindleton's bed, then clean yourself off in the master bathroom and run?"

Rafa tried to protest, but the look in his eyes told Conrad he was on the right track. It was the same guilty look he used to give when he tried to say his homework was done because he just wanted to play video games.

"I didn't kill them, I swear, and those aren't my footprints. I saw a couple guys jump off the villa balcony and swim off, but I didn't see which way they went. I found the Brindletons dead and got scared. I've been ignoring Oliana's calls for days. She owes me a week's pay, but she can keep it. I'll figure it out, but I'm not going down for murder. I never killed anyone."

"The other stuff you've been into isn't great, Rafa. San Myshuno PD would love to toss the book at you just to close the cases they've got with your name on them."

"I know that. I don't want to go to prison. I never wanted to run any of the drugs I ran, and I didn't start that fire. Jimmy's a pyro freak and I tried to put it out. Cops said I was fanning the flames but that's crap, Conrad. I swear."

"Jimmy's dead, Rafa."

The young man's face fell. "How?"

"I think your sister ordered the hit to get my attention. I've been looking for you for years."

"To bring me in?"

"Look...you knew me before I was a cop, and I don't want to bring you in, but I've got a family and Ximena's trying to take me down. We finally got her in handcuffs and behind bars, but we need to prove she was involved in Jimmy's murder or she could walk. Right now all we've got her on is rental fraud, but you might be able to plead down your own sentence if you're willing to give intel on Ximena."

"I don't know anything about Jimmy's death." Rafa scoffed. "I don't want to talk to my sister, but you know what she did for me, getting us out of Selva when she did."

"And then what? She dragged you into a life working for the cartel, anyway. You could give her stories away, Rafa. Separate her from the cartel, paint her for who she is and what she dragged you into. Forget Jimmy's murder for a minute. Let them see your involvement in your own crimes was under pressure from your sister."

"I always wanted to get out, but Ximena needed me."

"She doesn't need you now."

"If I turn on her, she'll turn on me. I don't know what you want me to do, but I just want to live in peace out here. I want to turn this place into a cool SimBnB or something. Renovate it, you know? Maybe I could have more than one, eventually. I just want to live out my life far away from any cartels. Far away from Ximena. If I go back, I'll go to prison just like her."

"Rafa, I'll do anything I can to help you stay out of prison whether you help me or not. I'll talk to lawyers, judges, find you the right advice. I can't promise a plea deal without jail time, but I can try."

Rafa shook his head. "No. I'm sorry, I can't help you. Ximena was always there for me, and you left! As Javier Vargas, I could recognize the guys in a lineup if you find suspects for the Brindletons' murder, but I can't bring down my sister. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry I left. I had to, but you're the closest thing to a little brother I'd ever had. It was a lot harder to leave you than it was to leave her." Conrad frowned, shifting a little on his feet. "You're really staying here? In an old shipwreck?"

"I miss electricity and haven't played a video game in years, but this is a good place to hide out. It's not open to the public because it's not structurally sound, but no one ever comes down here. If I can get the place fixed up enough for a rental, it'll be much better. A lot less sand."

"And you're not worried I'll send police to arrest you?"

"You'd have me arrested because I won't help you?"

"It's not just me she's after, Rafa. Heather and I are getting married, and we have a daughter; she's almost three. And I love Heather's son like he's my own. He's the same age now that you were when I met you, but I've known him so long...you and Melissa were still together when I met him."

"Don't talk about Mel. She's not involved in any of this. She never was, and she's better off without me."

Conrad's stomach growled. He hadn't eaten since yesterday. "Got any food?" he wondered, as much for himself as he was worried about Rafa.

The young man pointed him in the direction of his small, off-grid kitchen. "There's enough ice in the icebox to keep a few things cool. You can have some yogurt if you want."

Conrad took him up on the offer and considered his next move while he devoured a bowl of coconut yogurt and looked around the dismal digs. Rafa had a bed, a table, the tiny kitchen, and a hole in the ground for a bathroom. He was living far worse than Conrad ever did in his dated old apartment in the city.

Rafa might be Ximena's sole weak point and he had to exploit it, but Conrad wouldn't be able to live with himself if he exploited Rafa, too. He needed him to want to help, but had no idea how to change his mind.

He turned his phone back on and the device started beeping with notifications - multiple missed calls, texts, and voicemails. He sighed. The best he could do for now was keep Rafa's secret and hope he'd flip. He had to fly back to the mainland...after his impulsive neatness made him clean up a bit of dirt and sand near the small kitchen sink - which didn't even dispense water.

Conrad needed to check in with Heather and with work, and open a new investigation into the death of George and June Brindleton. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary

Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary

WCIF: Conrad on the floor and Rafa bent over him is another from @yibsimchronicles' Fainted posepack, and probably my favourite pose in the collection!

[blackmoonowl]

Hello! Is it ok if you do sfw alphabet with Gale from Baldur's Gate 3?

𝓢𝓕𝓦 𝓐𝓵𝓹𝓱𝓪𝓫𝓮𝓽 - 𝓖𝓪𝓵𝓮 𝓓𝓮𝓴𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓸𝓼

Anything for my favorite fans!! First time writing for this char so once again ykyk

𝐀 = 𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧  (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

‪‪❤︎ Gale loves affection, both giving and receiving. He might not be the biggest on PDA, but he's definitely not going to say no to you, he could never say no to you.

‪‪❤︎‬ How he shows his affection depends on whether or not the two of you are alone. Gale is a more private person when it comes to actual displays of affection. In front of the others he might hold your hand, peck you on the cheek or lips or hug you. In private, he loves to cuddle and have little make out session if you're up for it.

𝐁 = 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝 (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

‪‪❤︎ Gale holds you in high regards as his friends. You are the person he tells everything to. His grief over how things went with Mystra, his fears, regrets. Get used to him talking your ears off at every chance possible.

‪‪❤︎‬ It wouldn't take long for Gale to develop a friendship with you. You're someone who listens to him, even if his rants and lectures get a little bit annoying. He's practically glued to you from day one.

𝐂 = 𝐂𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬 (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

‪‪❤︎‬ Gale loves cuddling. He loves being cozied up with you while he reads a book. It's one his favorite ways to unwind, and he has fallen asleep on you on more than one occasion.

‪‪❤︎‬ Little spoon through and through, though he doesn't like admitting that. That isn't to say he doesn't like being the big spoon either. The most important part for him is being close to you, feeling the comforting reassurance of your body.

𝐃 = 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

‪‪❤︎‬ Yes. He absolutely loves the idea of settling down with you. Getting married, living in Waterdeep, him teaching magic and enjoying a quiet life together after all you both had been through.

‪‪❤︎‬ Okay at cooking at cleaning. Nothing ground breaking, but he gets the job done. His own personal space is an organized mess. There are some items strewn around, but he knows where everything is. Worst part of his house is the dust in the bookshelves.

𝐄 = 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠  (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

❤︎ Probably with a long talk. He doesn't want to just leave you in the dust. Even if you deeply hurt him, you're still someone he completely adored, and he thinks you deserve that much.

❤︎ Needs a lot of time apart after that. He might be open to rekindle your friendship, but a relationship is likely out of the question, depending on what you did. He can't let himself be hurt in that way, not again.

𝐅 = 𝐅𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞(𝐞) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

❤︎ He definitely wants to get married. Gale loves you, and he loves the idea of tying the knot to signify your bond, your promise to each other and most importantly your love.

❤︎ Takes a little while for him to pop the question. He wants to, really badly, but he wants to refrain from making rash decisions or putting you on the spot. This moment is significant for him, and he wants to make sure it's done at the right time.

𝐆 = 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞 (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

❤︎ Very, very gentle. Gale isn't exactly the rough type. His physical gestures are more slow and romantic. Soft, yet firm embraces, kisses to the face. Even when he gets more playful he makes sure not to accidentally hurt you.

❤︎ Emotionally he tries. I mean he would never intentionally hurt you, but he can come off as a little condescending. Problem is, Gale doesn't see it as a problem.

𝐇 = 𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐬 (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

❤︎ Yes, very much. Pretty much always up for a hug. Embracing you is comforting to him, and he actively seeks it out. Hugs are some of the more common displays of affection you get from him.

❤︎ The type of hugs mostly just depends on the mood. Usually his hugs are gentle, one hand on the back of your head and the other one around your waist. When he's gone through something, his arms are firmly around your midsection, trapping your arms as he pulls you close.

𝐈 = 𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 (How fast do they say the L-word?)

❤︎ He says it when he admits he has fallen for you. Gale struggles to get it out at first, but it feels like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders when he finally says it.

❤︎ After that it's smooth sailing for him. He enjoys saying it. When he greets you he says it, when the two of you are cuddling, and whenever he is just feeling a little bit sentimental.

𝐉 = 𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲 (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

❤︎ He is a decently jealous man. He's very aware of his shortcomings, seeing you interact with more attractive and capable men than him, it tends to crush his ego quite a bit. He can't help but compare himself to the others in your life.

❤︎ Sulks, a lot. He tries to keep it to himself but it ends up spilling out one way or another. Gale seeks your comfort in times of jealousy. He wants to be reassured, told that you love him.

𝐊 = 𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

❤︎ Gale loves kisses. Swift pecks on the lips, hums as he kisses you on the cheek and nose. And emotional and love driven kiss against your forehead or the top of your head. He's up for it all.

❤︎ He'd say he loves being kissed everywhere. But if he's honest, he likes kisses on the corner of his mouth. But if he was feeling more adventurous, his neck and his shoulder are definitely the places to target.

𝐋 = 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬 (How are they around children?)

❤︎ Gale is pretty decent with kids. Doesn't feel super strongly about them, doesn't dislike them either. He interacts with them sometimes, does some magic to make them laugh if he's looking after them.

❤︎ Hasn't really thought about having his own before he met you. Now the thought crosses his mind sometimes. He wonders what it would be like if the two of you had a little one of your own, a product of your shared love.

𝐌 = 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 (How are mornings spent with them?)

❤︎ Gale isn't that much of a morning person. He prefers sleeping in with you if possible. Prepare for some cheeky pick up line on how he loves waking up beside you. He has tripped over some of his stuff first thing in the morning on more than one occasion.

❤︎ Likes making breakfast together if he has the chance. Gives him an excuse to be close to you while you get the day started. After that he might go off to go teach, or he might plan something with you.

𝐍 = 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 (How are nights spent with them?)

❤︎ Type to turn in early. He doesn't go to sleep immediately, enjoying a slow night routine. Romantic evenings with you is something he looks forward to. Having dinner together, watching the stars and catching up after a long day.

❤︎ Reads a little bit before drifting off. Sometimes he'll chat a little, you wrapped up in his arms, firmly pulled against his body. Tends to be the first one of you two to fall asleep.

𝐎 = 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧  (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

❤︎ He can't be mysterious even if he tries. He runs his mouth a lot. Sure, he doesn't talk much about the deeper, personal things, but you definitely heard about him being Mystra's former chosen, and the fact he is a wizard.

❤︎ The deeper stuff comes a bit later. When he trusts you, he spills everything. His deepest insecurities, how he was cast aside, how he felt, and how he feels about you.

𝐏 = 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (How easily angered are they?)

❤︎ Not angered that fast, and can generally keep a cool head even if he's peeved. He does his best to be understanding, especially when it comes down to you. He holds you in high regards, and prefers to think you have good intentions.

❤︎ Prefers to cool off alone, before he says anything he regrets. He'll take some time to sort himself out, read books, maybe practice. After that he'll seek you out himself to talk things out.

𝐐 = 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐞𝐬 (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every little detail you mention in passing, or do they kind of forget everything?)

❤︎ Remembers a lot about you. He can't help but admire you. Remembering things you like and implementing them within the relationship. He doesn't remember every detail, but he retains the things that count.

❤︎ Likes bringing it up. It's to impress you mostly. He really wants you to know he has been paying attention to your wants, needs and desires.

𝐑 = 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

❤︎ That night under the stars where he first confessed his love for you. So many feelings were going through him at that time. He had a parasite in his brain and an orb in him that was about to explode. Yet you accepted his feelings.

❤︎ Gale still thinks about it often, even later. The details are burned in his head. He remembers how he used his magic to make the sky look, the first kiss you shared, everything. It even causes him to zone out a little.

𝐒 = 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

❤︎ Gale is plenty protective. He wants you safe but he's not overbearing. Obviously magic is his main form of protecting you from danger. Whether that be creepy guys by the inn, or enemies on the battlefield.

❤︎ Gale secretly likes being protected, just a little bit. Whenever you step up for him, he can't help but admire you while you do so. Though if you pick fights with powerful enemies on his behalf, he's definitely going to panic. You're shaving the years of this humans life.

𝐓 = 𝐓𝐫𝐲 (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

❤︎ Definitely tries, kind of a show off. He loves taking you out on dates after a long week of teaching and learning magic. He loves some alone time with you to help him unwind. Gale tries to go all out anniversaries. He uses all that he learned about you to make the moment special.

❤︎ Magic ties heavily into everything. It adds a little extra something to the moment in his eyes. Same effort goes with gifts. This man gifts you books, like a lot of them. Your bedroom has been converted into a library at this rate, though sometimes he gifts items like clothing instead.

𝐔 = 𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲(What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

❤︎ This is mostly the beginning of the relationship but his constant moping about Mystra can get grating after a while. No one wants to hear their partner go on about their failed relationship.

❤︎ Kind of a know it all. Gale thinks he knows better than you do, especially when it comes to magic. He can and will mansplain it to you, dumbing it down so 'even you can understand'. It has led to a few arguments.

𝐕 = 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 (How concerned are they with their looks?)

❤︎ So so. He's not concerned with being the hottest guy in the room, but he takes good care of himself. He's well groomed and although he often smells like old books, he's never really filthy.

❤︎ Actually really likes baths. It's a nice way for him to relax. He'll light some candles, and read a few books until the water gets cold. The wizard even though about inviting you to join him a few times.

𝐖 = 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

❤︎ Mostly yes. First he based his whole self worth around his relationship with Mystra. That obviously ended up in catastrophic failure. You were there when he was down and dying. In his eyes you rescued him, you're part of him.

❤︎ He struggles coming to terms with it, if you're no longer with him. Finds himself talking to you even though you're not there anymore, makes your side of the bed, etc.

𝐗 = 𝐗𝐭𝐫𝐚 (A random headcanon for them.)

❤︎ All of his students know about you. He cannot not shut up about you even if he tried. His students have used it to get extra schoolwork. Just ask Gale about his spouse and he probably has a thousand stories to tell.

❤︎ This also extends to his friends. He mentions it to them when he comes across your favorite foods, drinks, thinks you like, things you dislike. His friends know you better than you know them.

𝐘 = 𝐘𝐮𝐜𝐤 (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

❤︎ Being unfaithful is obviously one of them. He's completely devoted for you, and he expects the same of you. He loves you, but if you seek the romantic companies of others, he will not stand for that, and he'll let you know.

❤︎ Don't mock him. He has enough securities as is, he doesn't need you picking at him as well. You should be there to support him, not kick him while he's done.

𝐙 = 𝐙𝐳𝐳 (What is a sleep habits of theirs?)

❤︎ A surprisingly deep sleeper. Once he's drifted off, he can sleep through a surprising amount of things. If you get up and are gone too long however, he might wake up, missing your warmth beside him.

❤︎ The bed is often covered in books. There's a book under his pillow, under your pillow, at the foot of your bed. Sometimes you roll over and you're laying on one of his books.

𓅓 Masterpost

𓅓 Consider supporting me! (Ko-fi)

[corvidsforhire]

Now I'm imagining a timeline where Dick didnt become a cop and when he needed to get an Actual Adult Job just went back to being an acrobat and joined an e-circus.

Except he realised early on cant just go around with his actual face because people will recognise him as the son of a billionaire, and just book his shows to see a celebrity rather than for an acrobat.

He cant really wear a mask either. A full face mask would be impersonal and limit his crowd work. Plus it might scare the kids! And an eye mask might make it too easy to recognise him as Nightwing.

So, naturally, the most logical thing to do would be to use make up.

It's not clown make up! It's not! It's totally different! It just needs fancy and colourful enough designs to obscure his facial features. And of course its a circus-esque design, hes got a theme to stick to here, damn it.

Of course none of the bats really notice or care. It's just his day job and while he does occasionally show off videos of him and his fellow performers rehearsals, they don't have any reason to track down the privately booked performances he does. Plus the whole thing started back he was still pissed at Bruce about the Robin thing so it wasnt like he was actually telling anyone details about his new day job, and later it was just a normal part of his life that there wasnt much reason to talk about.

Then Jason came back and clowns are A Thing now.

The bats stumble upon one of Dicks performances in full costume and Jason is absolutely scandalised that his brother is now a clown. After everything that's happened to him. It's the highest betrayal.

Dick, meanwhile, is desperately trying to get across that he is not, in fact, a clown. It's not anything close to clown make up! Wearing make up and being in a circus does not make you a clown! Hes never even been to clown school.

The rest of the bats do not buy Dick's not-a-clown arguement either. Not necessarily because they don't agree, but because they dont really give a shit and this is perfect bullying material.

Stephanie is constantly nailing Dick with new clown insults. Tim is actively provoking both sides of Jason and Dicks new feud with off-handed comments. Cass doesn't say much either way in general, but it makes the simple staring straight into Dick's eyes and calling him a clown out of the blue even more brutal. Duke takes Jason's side with the 'do you even care about my (and the rest of Gotham's) trauma' comments. Barbara actually fully agrees with Dick and has known about this the whole time, but joins in with Jason and Duke on occasion just to mess with Dick. Damian hadn't even known that Dick had an actual job before this and is now indignant that it's a clown of all things.

Bruce would just really like it if they stopped yelling about this over comms. And if Jason stopped blowing up every slightly circus related thing in Gotham and Bludhaven.

Dick: So, you know how I’m part of an online circus?

Jason: What the actual hell is an online circus?

Dick, exuberant: It’s like... an on-demand Cirque du Soleil! People book us for events—birthdays, concerts, whatever—and performers log in from all over the world.

Jason: ...so you have clowns.

Dick, visibly sweating: Well, it’s more than clowns! We have aerialists, jugglers, fire-eaters—

Jason, standing up, looming over Dick: But you have clowns.

Dick, desperate backpedal mode: Technically, yes. But they’re like artistic clowns. Highbrow. Minimal honking.

Jason: Minimal honking? You’re telling me there’s still honking?

Dick, defensive: Controlled honking. Tasteful honks only.

Jason, crossing his arms: Joker-level honks?

Dick, horrified: Joker doesn’t even have a clown permit! He’s not qualified.

Jason: He went to clown school.

Dick: No, he shot up a clown school. That’s different.

Jason, sitting back down: You know why this pisses me off.

Dick, quietly: Yeah, I do.

Jason: It’s weird, right?

Dick: Super weird.

Jason: Sometimes I feel like you should be more messed up about clowns. Like, my level of messed up.

Dick: I know, bud.

Jason: It’s just... I feel alone in this whole clown thing.

Dick: You’re not alone. Gotham as a whole has a no-clown policy. Did you know circus clowns refuse to work here?

Jason: Of course. Otherwise, your little e-circus would’ve been torched.

Dick: By Joker?

Jason, thinking about that one time he shot up a department store window for displaying clown shoes: Uh... yeah. Yeah, Joker.

Dick: Well, for what it’s worth, you’d be great in the online circus.

Jason, deadpan: You saying I’m a clown?

Dick, grinning: No, but you are a high-value performer. People would pay top dollar to see Red Hood juggle guns.

Jason, pulling a gun from his holster and spinning it effortlessly: You mean like this?

Dick, mock clapping: Bravo! Now add some honking, and you’re ready for the big leagues.

Jason, standing up, gun still in hand: You have three seconds to run.

Dick, already halfway out the door: for the record, I'm a performer, so this retreat is performative and just to keep you happy-slash-entertained

Jason: get out!

[scara-writes]

100% perfect

GN!Esper!Reader x Y!Guide!Male OC

Note: hello im back. A lot happened, I had an anxiety attacks, my mind has been having a lot of bad thoughts, my dog passed away last year—three months ago... I didn't have a lot of time for me to write since I've been grieving for my dog's death up until now but I'm okay, I'm healing... Anyway, my writings is rusty and probably didn't improve. I know some of you guys really tried to reach out through ask and I'm kind of happy. Thanks. For now I'll give this to piece of one shot for a new year. This Esper x Guide thing I made might not be accurate. All i know is they are similar to Alpha x Omega shits except the curse thing on espers. This might be cringe. i will try to edit it. I will try to update the other oc's as well.

-also please do not do this, i do not condone anything in this story. This is purely fiction and be kept as a fiction.

CW: implied se(g)s, implied suicide(mention), yandere, drugging, manipulation, dynamic power, etc.

MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

"(Y/n)!!" A ginger haired male rush up to you, hugging you by the time you step on the greenery field of the university. Pastel blue of sweater was the first thing you see before you were envelope by a hug. You tense when his arms coils around your waist, hearing him breathe out of relief as he buries his face on your left shoulder. 

You don't know what to do everytime he does this. There were eyes everywhere and it doesn't seem like he is bothered by it.

Of course why would he?

Micah Clarke is not only popular and prettiest student in this campus. He is known for being famous as the youngest champion of ice skating 3 years ago, defending his title until now. His luscious natural lips, his hazel eyes that could make you halt on what you were doing, the type to make yourself give him a third glance because he is so pretty. So pretty that you sometimes envy his glassy skin, igniting a insecurities to yourself. His soft curly ginger hair and freckled face that matches his glossy alabaster complexion. The type of guy who prefers cute, pastel than those typical guys—omg so unique(lol)—that always choose to wear dark or dull colors. Everyone finds him attractive including yourself. Everything about him screams beauty and elegance. He can hook up with men and women if he wants to but he chose not to.

From what you heard, he is a rare S-rank Guide. Most espers would try hook up with him atleast make a contract with someone like him. He would rather spend his time painting his nails, crochetting, organising or planning his time, practicing his amazing skills on ice skating, or rather do hundred routine for his skincare than hook up with other people. Quirky, Alright. Still, this doesn't stop people from wanting to go between his pants and his fame.

To people he is a swan. He is epitome of perfection.

You always see him pass by to your department, always getting called by the principal,inviting him to do a photoshoot, using his face as an advertisment for upcoming enrollent or any event inside the university. You never dwell yourself to swoon on to him whenever he pass by. Fine, you do like him. But not the kind of like where you are romantically interest to him. You just admire his looks, his talents and that's about it. You just don't like he was too friendly, there's nothing wrong with that but invading someone else personal bubble space—and the feeling of shame on yourself for being near someone kind as him—as if you two are already close is not your thing to a person you rarely talk to. Unlike him, you are the quite the opposite when it comes to socialising,You like being alone, you aren't anti-social, atleast, that's what you think you are. You are confident by yourself. An Introvert.

You just like the silence. It eases your deteriorating mind—(stupid esper curse) Somewhere peace and quiet,reading books, listening to music—gosh laufey and wave to earth and even (favorite singer/composer) always sound so good, spending time with your pets, to drown out insanity voices piling up in your head. Although you just have a few friends, you love to be alone. You once dream about getting a job. To work hard and earn a good money, once you have enough money. You would spend it to buy a house and lot somewhere away from the city and nearby the countryside with a small farm. Letting your family and friends to visit you time to time in occassions. Where you can spend the rest of your life alone and happy. A dream that would be come true if only you didn't awakened as an esper after you reach 18.

As for the guy who has the entire school and other people folded for him. He is choosing you to lend his attention, to a person who doesn't like attention. So why was he talking to someone who is a nobody like a B-rank Esper like you? The only interaction you had with him before he let himself in your life was when you pull him away from the bridge—you didn't know him at that time—a few exchange greeting—which of course he would be the first one to initiate it—and.... The party....

"N-ngh!!!" A whiny moan escape his lips. Your lips were on his neck drinking each of his soft sound coming from his mouth. The blaring party background can be ignore in the background thanks to the closed lock door of this room the both of you are in.You bite and nip his skin as if animal marking its prey. You didn't care if you torn his shirt, you just needed his guide seep through more, letting your body gone addicted to him. "(Y-y/n)!" The whay he whimpered your name made you groaned. The way every pulse from his body sends his guiding through your body.  You were delirious, you can't resist him—

"Missed you! Why aren't you checking my messages? You know I got worried when you didn't reply." He whined, his orbs shows concern and sadness. You look away.

"...hey." you greeted him with quieter tone. You pulled away from the hug not liking the way your body just relaxes everytime his guide powers automatically seeps through your body. You don't hate it but you don't like the way that your body depends on someone just for the sake of being sane and relax.

.... The shame you are feeling over the past few weeks.

You still feel guilty and ashamed about it everytime you remember those memory.

"I... I was busy. Had to do homework. I fell asleep and forgot to charge my phone." You told him. Another excuse. You just put your phone on do not disturb.

You don't have the guts to tell a sweet person like him to leave you alone. Well you did because you are ashamed to face him but he insisted it was never you fault. It always ended up him spending time with you. You can't—you owe him more than anything—Especially now that all people's oggling to you too now that you have the attention of the star. They would try to befriending you so that they could get closer to him.

Gosh, you are getting tired. Why can't people leave you alone?

You missed the old times where you can be at peace. No drama, nowhere near on people who wants attention.

"O-oh. Well that's alright."he chided before grabbing your hands with both of his. His smooth hands rubbing against your ragged callouses. He continued, "well actually I was wondering could you hangout out with me? This friday? I know you don't have schedule at that time since you showed me your schedule—And I want to spend more time with you!" He beamed. His smile was out of this world and it blinds you.

"I uhh .. have a plan on that time..." You words went silent as soon as your eyes sees the smile from his lips slowly fell down to his face."really?" The grip on your hands were getting uncomfortable.

"Umm.... I just wanna be on my home and well—"He gasped, his smile is coming back on his symmetrical face as he clung to your right arm."oh! Why didn't you say so? We can hangout together in your home!"

Giddy, he press his front closer to you which made you feel suffocating. His guide power automatically seeps through you again.

"N-no, Mikah... What I meant to say is I plan to rest, like spend alone on that day. A peace and quiet." You slowly pull away your hand gently from his clinging hands.

You didn't expect he would react like this. Tears are already in the corner of his eyes. His lips quivering. "W-what? Are you saying that I'm boring, I-I'm too loud? Did I do something wrong?"

The people who were eavesdropping at your conversation sent a glare and unwanted resentment towards you. 

You quickly shook your head. Your free hand clasping against his clutching ones that is gripping your poor unavailable hand. "No... It's not like that. You didn't do anything wrong.. I just want a me time... You know when... Uhhh before you and I become friends.... I just want to relax by myself.... You're a good friend and a good company but... We've been hanging out for a while... Ummm w-what I'm trying to say is... I want some time to be alone. You... You know what I mean right?"

Micah gave you a blank stare. You were getting uneasy. You bite your inner cheek. Will he lash out? He never seem to be the person who never received a refusal on his entire life. As soon as 2 seconds has passed, you noticed his eyes were akin to sadness. You feel the guilt running up to your spine.

You tried to avoid his gaze looking straight his frowning lips before getting replace by a forced grin. "Oh! I get that! You wish a time for yourself! Self care stuff in all that!" 

Your heart beats a little faster in excitement, is he finally leaving you for a bit? You were about to thank him for understanding. He does l—

"B-but!!" He grabbed your hands again.

You internally groan. Does he even know the word no? Of course he don't.

He never had someone says no to him. Everything he request would be at his feet. You can't yell or be rude. That's not in your nature and plus if you done it. His fans would kill you.

"I need to be with you o-on friday! You know... I wanna spend my birthday with you.. P-please? your presence alone is enough a gift for me." He stammers. You blink in surprise. "I-I promise I won't bother you the next day if you really wanna spend t-time for yourself..."

Birthday?

"T-to be honest.... I don't like parties uhmm..." He lick his lips as if the word 'party' is a taboo between the two of you." Especially my birthday parties because a-although people greet me a happy birthday or any party occasion and stuff they never really mean it. They... Always use that as an excuse to use me for my fame or my money that I earned so hard in those competitions... I.. I plan to not throw one b-because m-my family isn't forcing me anymore... I just want to spend my birthday w-with you. Y-you're the only d-decent person who treated me normally."he stammer.  You feel a lump on your throat when he says you're a decent. "I... I know... Umm I'm asking to much f-from you and I know... you didn't mean to do that—" he continues to rambles that some of his words can't form a right sentence. You noticed his eyes were in the verge of tears, threatening to drop from his eyes. 

"I'm.... Not a decent person." You told him looking away from him, ashamed and hurt were written in your face.Your voice grew quiet but the man Infront catch on what you said, already refering to the 'incident' between the two of you. He bit his lower lips and almost yelled. His face pull out a sad look. It made him look cute if it's from a tears of joy."Y-you are ! You are a decent person! You know it's not your f-fault! You were d-drugged a-and I... I was drunk! W-we both know we weren't in o-our right minds! You never hurted me—!" He starts hiccuping. "You're a-a good person! W-what happened between that night s-should b-be buried! Y-you're a good friend! It's not your fault! It's not your f-fault!" With that he burst into tears.

You didn't expect for him to cry. You panic mentally. What should you do on these type of situations? You pull him for a hug—albeit stiffeningly."Ok... Ok... Don't cry.... I don't like it... When you cry.. I'm sorry." You told him honestly, truthfully this is not the first time he argued about the incident with you.

You still feel ashamed of yourself. You really do. 

The party. If only you didn't come to your friend's party. The guilt won't eat you. No matter how many times Micah convinced you that none of it was your fault. You feel like you can't face him. He did say he was also drunk at the time but still... You could have gotten home earlier and didn't force yourself on him.

You cried and apologised so many times from him at that time, swearing you will turn yourself over to the police and never let him see your face again. You saw how his whole body was full of marks, hickeys, and bruises. He look like he got ravage. His clothes were thorn and you wish the drug in your system that time killed you.

Micah's eyes light up and a smirk forming from his lips as he nuzzle his face on your neck, pretending to cry even more. Everything is planned, everything worked for him to get you under his palm. He can feel the guilt eating you. 

"... it's okay... Hik... " He sob sneaking in to kiss your neck. You are to busy awkwardly and hesitantly patting his back and hugging him

From the moment you save him from jumping off the bridge, he needed to make you his. Someone who genuinely cares for him in this greedy world is something he needed to treasure.

Oh how he had you wrap around his fingers the moment you accepted that drug-disguise juice from one of his friends offered by the man himself.

It doesn't matter. You're under his palm forever. Everything is 100% perfect.

[heating-element]

The problem with the concept of male socialisation is that it is based on a premise that is fundamentally innacurate, i.e. the assumption that your were raised as a Man and therefor your are, in action and thought at least, more or less a Man and in order to stop being a Man you have to remove this fundamentally Masculine thing that was somehow instilled in you

And yes, it is accurate that there is a series of processes in amab childrens lives that attempts to condition them into whatever their culture of masculinity is, but what it doesn't acknowledge is that the fundamental purpose of this is that you are meant to come out of it with an ability to perform whatever social function it is that designates you as a Man in your culture. That's male socialisation. It's the thing that allows you to signal to Proper Men that you are also a Proper Man so you don't face any consequences. However, when you are not a Proper Man, this is more or less impossible.

Male socialisation for transfems (and queer cis men to a lesser extent) is basically just a long series of friends, acquaintances, family members etc trying to shove you through a hole that you don't fit through. And there's only two things you can do, you can either cut bits of yourself off til you squeeze through, or you can just keep getting pushed, painfully and fruitlessly, and hope they give up.

And neither of these approaches actually works. Because of course, they aren't going to give up. Because, remember, a lot of these people pushing you actually like you. They think they're helping you. And in a way, they're not completely wrong, because being anything other than a Real Man is painful and difficult (largely due to these same people, but that's beside the point). So they aren't going to stop pushing you until you get away from them, a process that is difficult and painful and if you ever go back they will just start pushing again

But even if you shave away all the undesirable bits of yourself, and you cut your hair and grow a beard and wear the right clothes, it still doesn't work. Because you still don't fit right. And they know it. Sexuality and gender are two things that people have a very good sense for. And people will see it in everything. The way you walk, the way you speak, the way you hold a glass, the way you stand, the way your wrists move, the movies you like and the books you read and the colour of your shirt and how you style your hair and how you cut your nails and on and on and on. The very best you can hope for, after years and years of meticulous shaving away, is that you work yourself down from being a tranny to being a faggot. And sure, it is better to be a faggot, mostly, but you still aren't a Real Man. And so they'll keep pushing anyway.

Male socialisation is the process by which cis men become Men, but it's also the process by which transfems realise you aren't a Man, and you never will be, and people will always hate you for it. It isn't the process by which you gain some almighty Male Power, it's a process that uses that power against you because you can't wield it right

[whoops-all-jennas]

Past Lives pt. 8

Wednesday x witch!reader

"I've got this strangest feeling."

"This isn't our first time around."

Summary: During parents day you take the opportunity to do some investigating

a/n: Y/m/n means your mother's name

The light of day finds it way through my eyelids. I find myself waking up on Wednesday's reading chair with my arms wrapped around my knees. Deep eye bags found their way under my eyes.

It's been a week since Eugene has been hospitalized. He's in stable condition, but still unconscious.

I've been having difficulty sleeping. Whenever I try to all I see is Eugene's body laying in the leaves, blood pouring out of him, and staining the ground beneath him. I remember his wounds vividly. The three slashes will likely be permanent scars on his body.

Most of my nights I'd give up on sleeping in my bed after a couple hours. I would find my way towards Wednesday's reading chair instead, finding comfort in her scent latched onto it.

I get up to try to face the day. This weekend is the parent weekend or whatever it's called. It doesn't change that I'm not looking forward to it either way.

I head to my section of the room, about to find some clothes until Wednesday bursts into the room.

She walks with purpose towards me, a hardcover book in hand with a finger in-between the closed pages to keep the page.

"Y/n, I need you to learn a spell." She stops when she gets a few feet away from me. I turn to her and immediately there's a spec of worry in her eyes.

"You need to sleep Y/n. You look more dead than me, and not the good kind." Wednesday looks at my tired eyes with her stoic yet soft ones.

"I would sleep if I could." I state honestly, looking to the side.

Wednesday pauses for a moment, unsure what her next set of words should be. "So the spell I'd like you to learn."

Wednesday gets closer, I notice the cover is an aged book on curses. She opens the book to the page that she was using her finger as a bookmark to. There is bold text on the top of the page.

Death Curse

"Wednesday, I-" I start to speak with my eyes widening, unsure how to react to her proposition.

"The next time we see that monster, it's dead." Wednesday leans in speaking quietly, malice in her voice. "It will pay for what it did to Eugene."

It is clear that this attack has made it personal. I've never seen Wednesday this fueled with hate before.

"How'd you even get this? This curse has been outlawed in the magic community for decades." I state as Wednesday forces the book into my hands. I guess it wasn't ever a request, more so a demand.

"My grandmother is a witch. I requested for this book to be delivered here, and she obliged." Wednesday glances to the book before meeting my eyes again. "I'm aware you may not have much time this weekend due to the obscenity of this forced gathering, but try to learn it when you can."

I shake my head. "I'll have time, my parents can't exactly make it." Wednesday is silent for a moment, waiting for me to elaborate. "They're in prison."

"Why?"

"You know how my hair's actual color is white?" Wednesday nods, looking at my currently white hair as I haven't changed the color yet.

"It's the effects of some sort of ritual that is done on babies before they're born, but it was outlawed in the 1940s. My parents hid my actual hair color for years until one day I hit my head in PE last year of middle school. I went unconscious and the spell faded, revealing the my hairs true color. My parents denied all allegations of course, but there's not much you can do when the evidence is standing here." I gesture over myself with my hands.

Wednesday looks to the side before meeting my gaze again.

"What are the other effects of this ritual?" Wednesday asks, she has this look as if she's memorizing every detail of the story.

I shrug. "No one will tell me. I even looked online and couldn't find anything about it."

Wednesday is silent for another moment before heading to her side of the room.

I find myself leaning against the railing of the second floor balcony over the quad, studying the book Wednesday gave me.

I look over the book for a moment to see Wednesday with her family. It's been a week since we've investigated, and I'm craving any sort of new lead.

I look up from the ground beneath me to meet Xavier's glance at the other side of the balcony.

An idea clicks in my head for at least something to investigate. Didn't he say my parents use to be Nightshade members? Our relationship is a bit strained after the dance, so I guess I'll have to do my own digging.

I head down the stairs, walking by the quad till I turn down the empty hallway containing the Edgar Allen Poe statue. I put my hand up preparing to snap.

"What are you doing?" I hear Bianca's voice behind me, causing me to turn around.

Our eyes meet. I take a second to decide my next words. "I'm trying to find more information about my parents. I remember Xavier saying something about how they're Nightshade legacy."

"You're not a Nightshade, As the president I can't let you down there." Bianca states flatly, as if she's reading the rules in front of me.

I stare at the ground for a moment, deciding my next move. "Make me a Nightshade then."

Bianca raises her eyebrows. "You're joking right?"

I raise my eyes from the floor to meet Bianca's as she sighs, a deafening silence between us. "If you can make Xavier seeth with jealousy longer, then I'll make you an honorary member."

"Deal." I state without hesitation.

"And that means you can only go into the Nightshade Library if you're with another Nightshade understand? I'm not afraid to revoke your status." Bianca states, emphasizing the word if.

I turn around and snap twice, causing the statue to move backwards.

"Where do you think you're going?" Bianca takes a few steps closer to close the distance between us.

"Waiting for you to follow me." I state before descending the staircase.

Bianca sighs. "I can't believe I'm letting her do this." She utters to herself quietly.

After we finish the descent, I try to find either my mom or dad's Nightshade Journal amongst the many on the shelves. "How did Xavier know my parents were in the Nightshades?" I ask, my finger hovering over the spines of the books.

"They were kinda well known in the Nightshades." Bianca approaches, also inspecting the shelves. "They stole an important book of something."

I glance at the Bianca before focusing my eyes back on the shelf. "What book?"

"I'm not sure. We got bored and tried to find it one day, but na-da. All we know is it's hidden in the library somewhere."

I find a book with my last name on it. I pull it off the shelf, taking it to a nearby desk. Bianca is leaning over my shoulder as I skim the pages. I stop on a page of an illustration of book with a black cover with white text reading 'Codex Umbrarüm'.

"This is the book Wednesday and I were trying to find at Pilgrim World." I state mostly to myself.

I start to skim through the passages of the page.

10/04/90

Y/m/n and I have decided that, against the will of the other Nightshades, to sneak into the Gates Mansion and take back the book that rightfully belongs to the outcasts. Especially back to the Addams family.

We were caught by Garrett as we were leaving, but we managed to escape back to the Nightshades Library to hide the book before any legal actions could be taken place.

Y/m/n and I were put into custody for the breaking and entering of The Gates residence. But without any evidence of a break in, the trial didn't last long.

On the bottom of the page there is a thumbprint in ink with text next to it.

Whoops! guess the ink takes awhile to dry. I swear it must've been four hours since we got our prints taken. The police didn't like us much. They locked us up in the third cell and kept pushing our buttons.

The finger print was more of a dark red rather than the black of usual fingerprint ink used.

"That doesn't make any sense." Bianca's confused voice finds my ears. "It definitely would've been dry by then."

My eyes go wide as it clicks in my head. It's a clue to the book's location.

I instinctively grab the journal, turning to quickly ascend back up the stairs.

"Where are you going?!" Bianca turns, her arms out to her sides.

"I'll be back in a minute, I won't be long I just need to grab something from my dorm." I say loudly before leaving the hidden library.

I'm walking the fastest I've ever had until I accidentally bump into Ms. Thornhill while turning around the corner, dropping my book at impact.

"I'm so sorry Ms. Thornhill, I should watch where I'm going." I go to pick up the book, but Ms. Thornhill beats me to it.

The page is open to the illustration of 'Codex Umbrarüm'. Ms. Thornhill glances at the page before closing the book, reading the cover before handing it to me.

"Was this your father's?" She asks with her usual smile.

I nod. "I'm sorry Ms. Thornhill I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"I'm sorry!" She motions her hand to the direction I was going.

I shortly find myself in my dorm room, I pull out a book from my bookshelf. It was a gift from my parents in middle school. The book cover has the picture of a giant fingerprint with the text. 'The Magic of Forensic Science.'

I quickly found my way back to the Nightshade's hidden library, Bianca was sitting in a chair at the bottom of the stairs. "What took so long?"

"Sorry! I accidentally bumped into Ms. Thornhill." The sound of my hurried steps fill the room.

"Blood isn't ever really gone. Outside of magic, cleaned up blood can be revealed through a spray that can have a reaction with the iron left by the blood, illuminating the stain. In magic it lasts even longer, blood leaves traces of that person's life essence on that object, basically permanently staining it. Just not able to be seen by the naked eye." I say, thinking out loud to Bianca before finally finding the page I was looking for.

"What does that have to do with this?" Bianca asks.

"The note in the journal, the finger print left was likely left in blood judging by the color."

I take a moment to read over the page of the book I brought from my dorm. I wave my wand horizontal across the air. "Luminol."

Fingerprints on multiple of the books on the shelves reveal themselves, illuminating a pale blue.

Bianca and I glance at each for a moment before quickly pulling the books off the shelves. Stacking them on the floor.

Shortly after we pull the books out, Bianca and I take a step back to look at it all.

Nothing happened.

"What now?" Bianca asks.

"There's probably something we're missing." I find my way back to the desk and open my father's journal.

I read the note over and over, searching for anything else.

I swear it must've been four hours since we got our prints taken. The police didn't like us much. They locked us up in the third cell and kept pushing our buttons.

I move away from the book, glancing around the room.

"Does that clock work?" I point to a clock fixed to the wall.

"No, it's been off forever. It also won't come off the wall so we can't even put new batteries in it. Trust me, we tried" Bianca states before I approach it. "Why?"

I start to move the hands on the clock so that it reads 4 o'clock. I look around the room expecting something to happen, a little disappointed by the lack of reaction.

"Bravo, you solved the case of the broken clock." Bianca claps sarcastically while I head back to the journal.

"Oh, haha." I start to read the note again with Bianca looming over me.

The room is mostly silent, just the lingering echos of Bianca's claps remain.

"I have an idea." Bianca states before walking towards the third bookshelf, my eyes following her movements. She pushes a circular design that's in the top middle of the third shelf, it pushes inwards followed by a clicking sound at the other side of the room.

"What was that?" I ask, curious to what she deduced.

"Third cell, pushing buttons." Bianca walks past me towards the clicking noise.

We both walk towards a painting of a former member named Ignatius Itt, it is now acting as a door as it's slightly off the wall. I open the small door to find a safe on the other side of the wall.

"You gotta be kidding me." Bianca states. "All that work for a locked safe that we probably won't ever find the code to?"

I pull out my wand, pointing it at the safe before making a circular motion with my wrist. "Alohamora."

The sound of gears shifting fill the room before the safe pops open.

"That works too I guess." Bianca states, glancing at me before I open the safe.

On the other side is the dark covered book we were looking for, but what I didn't expect to also find is an aged brown journal.

I grab both books. "Can I take these out of the library?" I need to show these to Wednesday."

"Only if I'm with you every step outside of the library you have it." Bianca states firmly.

I hold the books close to my chest before heading towards the exit.

While we were ascending the stairs, we heard the scratching of concrete as the statue moved, revealing Wednesday's mother at the top. She is staring at the dark covered book in my arms.

"My my, I wasn't aware the Nightshades have been reformed."

I look to Bianca, expecting her to answer.

"Yes ma'am." She states as if Morticia is her superior.

She glances to me, analyzing my face. "You look familiar." I feel intimidated under her gaze.

"You saw me whenever Wednesday first transferred. I'm her roommate Y/n Y/l/n." I state, trying to conceal the slight intimidation I feel.

"You wouldn't happen to be the daughter of y/m/n and y/f/n would you?" She asks, starting to descend the stairs. The distance between us closing.

I nod, causing her to smile. "I haven't seen you since you were conceived, I use to be close friends with your parents you see. We lost contact shortly after your birth."

I find myself feeling more comfortable as she continues to speak. "Are you parents going to be here for the weekend?" She asks

I shake my head. "They couldn't make it." I wasn't exactly lying, but I wasn't telling the whole truth either.

"That's a shame, it would've been lovely to speak to them again." There's a hint of disappointment in her voice.

It's silent for a moment. "We should probably get going." Bianca interrupts the silence before continuing to leave.

Morticia continues her descend while we pass her.

"Mrs. Addams." I turn around, now looking down on her from an upper step. "Do you know where Wednesday is?"

She stops for a moment. "I haven't the foggiest idea, Sorry." She continues her descend, never looking back.

We both quickly leave, the volume of the voices of people increase as we walk out into the quad. I scan the quad in search for Wednesday. I see Enid and decide to approach her instead, holding the books with both my arms close to my chest protectively.

"Hey Enid, have you seen Wednesday?" I ask with Bianca following behind me.

"You don't know?" She looks between Bianca and I confused. I don't know if she's confused because of the question or the pairing.

"Her father was arrested earlier today by Sheriff Galpin."

My eyes go wide. "Wait what? Just suddenly?"

How was Morticia acting as if nothing was wrong?

Enid shrugs, before looking back at her family sitting at a table close by. "I don't know much about it, sorry. I have to get back to my family, I'll see ya around k?" Enid waves before turning around to head back to her family's table.

"What now? Maybe we should wait till-" Bianca is cut off.

"My darling daughter, I made it."

I can see fear in Bianca's eyes before she turns around to see her mother.

I find myself frozen in place merely by Bianca's fear.

"I'm gonna try to find Wednesday." I take the opportunity to leave. Clearly her relationship with her mother isn't good, and I don't want to be caught in the crossfire.

I find my steps have quickened as I make my way back to Y/n, Enid, and I's dorm. I open the door, making my way to your section of the room. You stand quickly at your desk. "Wends, I looked everywhere for you where have you been?"

"I took a family outing to the local prison." I state flatly. You have a confused expression on your face, expecting to hear more. "It's not important."

I open the yearbook my mother gave to me to the page of Principal Weems as Judy Garland, turning the book so you can see it. "I believe your theory was right. It was a shape shifter pretending to be Rowan, and that shape shifter was Weems."

"Holy shit." You say under your breath.

"We're going to confront her. We need something more conclusive." I go to grab your wrist before you pull back.

"Wait, I found something too." You go into your closet, your footsteps filling the room. I wait patiently for you to return carrying a weathered leather journal and Goody's book 'Codex Umbrarüm'.

"You found it?" I state, grabbing the book from your hands. I found myself mesmerized by the cover.

"I found something interesting in the book." You state while I flip through the pages. "One of the sections has instructions to a ritual to reanimate the dead."

I look up from the book to meet your eyes as you continue to speak. "I compared the ingredients for the ritual to the murders, and it's all linking up. The surgically removed body parts, the amount of murders, all of it." You count everything you list off on your fingers

You pause for a moment, looking around as if worried someone else is in the room. "I think someone is trying to reanimate Joseph Crackstone." You whisper, your face close to mine.

I imagine the drawing of Rowan's mother made of Crackstone and I in the quad surrounded by fire.

"What else is left?" I ask, meeting your concerned gaze.

"Just one more murder, and the night of a blood moon. We're running out of time."

We hear distant voices outside drawing our attention. We both walk onto my balcony to see a phrase being burned into Nevermore's lawn, the flames illuminating the dark night.

THE MOON WILL BLEED

Part 9.

Past Lives Masterlist

a/n: hope you guys enjoyed this shorter chapter! I don't know where the idea came from, but I thought I'd experiment a bit with Bianca's and y/n's relationship this chapter :)

[scandalaciousintentions]

Absolutely agree with the above, but I'd go a step further. (And I liked the movie, but my preference is the musical and it is what I will refer to now and forever.)

That said.

Potentially unpopular opinion and incendiary sentence approaching.

I don't actually think Act 1 Fiyero would have gone with her.

At this point, Glinda and Fiyero are still pretty aligned. In the musical, he's saved the Lion cub because he is the only person in that room her magic has not completely incapacitated and this is his girlfriend's friend in distress. Fiyero is a bit of an ass, but he's never cruel. (Further essay on "Perhaps the driver saw green and thought it meant "Go" to follow.) This person is dear to someone dear to him, she needs help, he can give it, so he will. So far, so surface level complexity, so Act 1 Fiyero.

I have always imagined that interval to cross years. And during that time, everybody has grown up. Everybody has seen things they wish they hadn't. Glinda's response to it has been to hide it under a winning smile and Fiyero has grown resentful; ultimately, a sympathiser to Elphaba's resistance.

Which, to me, makes him one of the most interesting and complex characters in the show. Something happens to Fiyero and I think it starts with Elphaba and the Lion cub, but that is not the whole story. I'm not sure we'll ever fully know it - let's see what happens in Part 2. I don't think I even need to know it. In the book, it would be the violent death of the Bear cub and I have no desire to see anything of the sort play out on screen.

And, let's not forget, he's the crown prince of the Winkus. (And both the movie and the musical tell us he's featured in the society pages of the media, which to be fair, might not make him Elphaba's companion of choice in the circumstances.) But I mention this because he does have responsibilities and he does have something to lose. In order to prioritise Elphaba and her cause over the role he has been raised for since birth, he has to see what the alternative is and that alternative has to completely appal him.

Look, tl;dr, Act 2 Fiyero is a completely different beast to his Act 1 counterpart. He's an analytical thinker, absolutely a politician, a double agent before I think he even realises it for himself, a captain sent out to capture the most dangerous fugitive in the country and for how long can a person be fed that narrative before they start to believe it? For the first time, he's forced into a narrative he doesn't control.

But he's not Elphaba. He's never been restricted like this before. Act 1 Fiyero has taken control of his narrative and while he learns it is limiting him when he rescues the Lion cub with her, there is no indication that he's going to act on it outside of a bunch of flowers at the train station, which does not a Defying Gravity duet make.

I think all the signs point to Elphaba flying off into the sunset alone either way. Because Fiyero is complex and he needs to be forced into that cage before he can even see it has bars.

Fiyerabas love to get on Twitter and tumblr and say stuff like “well fiyero would’ve went with Elphaba in a heartbeat” and act as if that’s a groundbreaking statement. We know what happens in act 2. We know he leaves everything behind for her. The reason why Glinda can’t do that is because she’s an actual nuanced character that has depth to her. She has something to lose. We see how she was brought up in the world. We know that she is a coward. Why WOULDN’T fiyero go with Elphaba? Nothing about his character is complex enough for that to be an option.

Fiyero’s whole character is built on a single characteristic (pretending not to care when he actually does) that is so underdeveloped it’s actually laughable. Why does he pretend not to care? There is not a single thing about him that actually tells us why he acts like that. It just comes out as him being an annoying jerk, even in the movie. His whole character arc is pretending not to care and then caring because of Elphaba. OF COURSE he’d go with her. That’s what his whole personality is based on.

Not to mention the fact that even with him being Elphaba’s ride or die, he’s still boring and his decision to be with her is incredibly unmoving. No one would expect anything else. And even with them ending up together, Elphaba still longs to be with Glinda. She still longs to tell her she’s alive. Fiyero is a boring annoying consolation prize that is a flat and undeveloped “what if” twist on Glinda if she wasn’t as much of a coward as she is. Idgaf

[leighsartworks216]

Back on my Snowcrow bullshit

Just, Sylus fucking Zayne stupid

Our poor doctor is always on, always calculating, never giving his brain the proper break it needs. He's been going full-tilt since high school if not even earlier than that - he needs a chance to shut off

So Sylus first approaches this with a relaxing getaway. A breath of fresh air out in a lodge (ahem, one of his safe houses) wouldn't hurt. Plenty of sweets and non-medical books and beautiful hiking trails - just anything to get Zayne away from that damn bustling city

It works.... ish. The problem is that Zayne doesn't really have an off switch. This is relaxing, sure, but there's that last thread of tension and thought that keeps him from ever fully letting his guard down. If it was just for losing control of his Evol, he already knows Sylus heals quickly (and on some level enjoys the pain), but whatever it is is stuck in that amazing brain of his

Sylus asks if he can try something, and though he gives very litte info on what he wants to try, Zayne agrees. Sylus trails his fingers along Zayne's throat, chin, cheek, drawing him into a kiss. When he pulls away, breaths still mingling, Zayne quirks an eyebrow at him and says dryly, "You wanted to try kissing?"

Sylus smirks and quips that that's just the start of it

And just, book abandoned on the floor as Sylus presses Zayne back into the couch, kissing him like a man starved, caressing and holding him in all the right places. Savoring all the breathy little sounds he makes, especially as he trails his mouth along Zayne's throat. He gets scolded for biting him like he does - wide and deep, leaving lasting imprints behind - but he's seen the way Zayne traces the marks when he thinks he's not watching, committing them to memory

Zayne insists they should move this to the bed. Sylus can't help agreeing, loath as he is to get off of his partner. They're stumbling through the cabin, unable to keep their hands or mouths off of each other, undressing as they go. Sylus lifts Zayne to lay in the middle of the bed, and straddles him, because he knows how much he loves when he sits in his lap. Sylus holding his face in both hands, rolling his hips slightly against Zayne's, panting as he pulls away to look into the hazy, adoring eyes of his sweet doctor. Speaks between little kisses, some chaste and quick while others take a few seconds, "I want... to try... fucking every last thought... out of that damn head of yours..." If Zayne wasn't a blushing mess already...

Sylus takes his sweet, sweet time with him. The foreplay alone seems to last an hour, Zayne's body all marked up and eager for more

Cut to Zayne on his hands and knees, Sylus's hand around his throat keeping him from falling into the pillows, as Sylus slowly, torturously, thrusts into him. But it's only slow right now, because just a minute ago he'd set a pace so brutal, Zayne was close to finishing. Edged over and over again, to and from his orgasm, his body aching so much to finally release, it's the only thing on his mind. Choking pleas to let him cum in between hiccuping tears as he feels the pressure ebbing

Sylus kissing and biting and sucking marks all along his neck, shoulders and back. Free hand stroking teasingly over Zayne's stomach and chest, never where he needs him most. Frost has already started to form along the headboard, snowflakes drifting from the ceiling, cold drifting up Sylus's hands. That's really how he knows he's succeeded; when the ice turns against him. He uses the chill to tease Zayne's nipples, hard and red and surrounded with bite marks

"I'll let you cum this time," he promises against the shell of Zayne's ear. "You've earned it, my beloved, haven't you?" He speeds up, increasing back to the insane pace from before, while Zayne can only gasp out various yesses, barely aware of what he's agreeing to, just that Sylus has sped up again. Sylus wrapping his hand around Zayne's neglected cock, letting it fuck into his hand with each thrust. Zayne's holding onto the sheets so tight he thinks they might rip, all the more reason to keep going

Zayne finishing first in weeping moans that hitch and catch in the back of his throat, cum spilling into Sylus's hand and onto the bed beautifully. Sylus's hips stuttering before pressing himself as close to Zayne's as possible, burying himself as deep as he can go, pushing into him to hard Zayne has to fight not to be choked on his hand as he's pushed forward

Sylus is slow to pull out, and watches with pride as his cum dribbles out onto Zayne's thighs and over his balls. It's all Zayne can do to stay on his shaking knees. Carefully keeping him from falling over as he helps Zayne flip over onto his back next to the mess he made. Zayne's far gone, panting with his eyes closed and face twisted into the aftershocks of pleasure. Anything he could say now wouldn't register

The ice and frost start to recede as Sylus cleans Zayne off with a warm wet washcloth, thoroughly taking care of his partner. Conscious thought starts to come back while he's wiping the tears and drool off his face, hazy green eyes fluttering open to look up at him. Sylus can't help himself from presses little kisses to the corner of his mouth and his cheeks. Zayne tries saying something, but it's all slurred together and garbled - a first, no doubt. Sylus shushes him and tells him to just lay there for a bit

Once they're (mostly) cleaned up, Sylus lays beside Zayne (opposite the remaining mess on the bed) and cuddles him, holding him close and giving Zayne the time he needs. Once the ice and snowflakes are completely gone, and their breaths have regulated themselves, Sylus kisses his head and teasingly says, "I think I succeeded, don't you?"

This was not meant to be this long I swear

[dol--blathanna]

Thinking a lot about Orym choosing a rabbit when asked what animal he would pick if cursed with lycanthropy.

Because, it makes sense. Orym is small, quick, agile, jumps well, and is highly perceptive. That definitely evokes rabbit imagery. But a lot of Orym’s identity is also tied up with being a protector – giving people AC bumps, the shield being as much a part of his fighting style as his sword, even his title: Saviour Blade of the Tempest. He wants to be a “Shield that protects Exandria”; his priorities about saving the gods are less about the gods themselves, and more about protecting the people of Exandria from the unintended consequences and bloodshed of releasing Predathos. And it would’ve been very easy to pick a large, strong predator to try and evoke the sense of a protector – a wolf, for example, an animal associated with loyalty and protecting its pack. Yet Orym chose a rabbit.

And I think that’s interesting, because rabbits are often seen as ‘cute’ animals – but they’re also a prey animal. In fact, they’re a common food source for many animals across several ecosystems: foxes, wolves, wild cats, dogs, birds of prey like eagles or owls, coyotes, stoats, and humans (and that’s just off the top of my head). Rabbits are skittish, easily frightened; to be rabbit-hearted is to be timid or cowardly. They are not generally associated with fierceness or prowess in fighting. Mice and rats are prey animals too, but typically seen as vermin (rabbits are sometimes seen as vermin too, but a farmer could eat a rabbit – they wouldn’t eat a rat). Deer are prey, but they have hooves and antlers that bring a danger to hunting them, for any animal – the difficulties of hunting rabbits are more related to their evasiveness, speed and good hearing than any life-threatening danger they might pose. Rabbits are, first and foremost, prey animals. They are killed and eaten, so that another animal might live.

Which made me think a lot about one of Orym’s other key traits: self-sacrifice. Bait and switch doesn’t just bump up his ally’s ACs, it specifically switches their place to put him directly in harm’s way. Goading attack is meant to encourage enemies to attack him instead of his friends. He literally made a deal with a hag, essentially exchanging his own life for power to protect his friends. How many times has he gone down in a fight? He’s not the only tank – but unlike Ashton (and Chetney, who also uses ‘self-sacrifice’ in his fighting style with his blood curses) he has no abilities to reduce the damage from the hits he takes (barbarian rage and the werewolf form).

(Side note: I think it’s pretty interesting that Chetney, the wolf, has attacked Orym, the rabbit, more than anyone else when losing control. That Orym’s facial scar was given to him by a friend, not a foe).

Of course, Orym isn’t the only character with self-sacrificial tendencies (FCG wins by a landslide), but I just can’t stop thinking about how weirdly perfect it is that he chose a rabbit for his animal. Rabbits are prey animals. They are eaten, so that other animals may live. Orym takes the hits, he goads and switches with his team mates to put himself in danger, he makes a deal with a hag at the cost of his own life. He’s a soldier, throwing his life away for a cause over and over again because Ludinus must be stopped, because Keyleth has put her trust in him, because it’s the only way to protect his friends, to protect everyone, because it’s the right thing to do. Orym is a rabbit. He’s always been a rabbit. That day in Zephrah, it could have easily been Orym who died instead of Will and Derrig – “unfortunate but necessary sacrifices”, as Ludinus viewed the attack. It’s unfortunate they had to die, but it was for the greater good, according to Ludinus. It’s unfortunate that a rabbit has to die, but it will feed a family of foxes, or stoats, or even a hungry human, so it’s acceptable, right?

Orym is a rabbit. He is giving himself to a greater cause that could very easily kill him – he already willingly signed his life away to Nana Morri. Because that’s what rabbits do. They die to feed others.

And the theme of being disposable is present across the entire group, not just in Orym – Bell’s Hells has been called a “party of NPCs” before. Aside from FCG’s death, I’d say Laudna perhaps fits this theme the best: she was literally murdered and hung from a tree simply because she looked similar to Vex, acting as a warning to adventurers she had never met before. But FCG’s death was – rightfully – viewed as a terrible tragedy by the group. Laudna’s decision to remove Delilah, finally freeing herself from her abuser and emphasising she is more, and deserves to be more, than just some disposable puppet – this was rightfully viewed as a very good thing! But Orym seems to be embracing this identity of self-sacrifice instead, rather than this mindset being properly challenged or acknowledged as a bad thing. After all, there’s no time. There’s too much at stake. Keyleth, Bell’s Hells, all the memories of those who have died in this fight, all the people who might die if Predathos is released and kickstarts a second Calamity – they’re all relying on him, right? A rabbit feeding so many animals with his sacrifice. And it’s not malicious compared to the way that, say, Delilah killing Laudna was an incredibly evil, fucked up and unnecessary thing to do. If Orym died to save everyone else, well, at least everyone else would be saved, right? Saving lives is good, isn't it? How could he complain?

Because rabbits are prey animals, and Orym is a rabbit too. Destined to die so that another animal may feed.

Except, that’s not true. Rabbits are more than just prey. They’re highly social, and thrive best living with others. They’re playful, they enjoy running around and kicking their legs just to show their enjoyment. They’re inquisitive and mischievous, even being associated with tricksters in some folklore and stories. They’re also associated with innocence, playfulness, spring, youth – all manner of things, depending on the story or culture. And they’re not helpless, either, even if they might be thought of as such. They can bite and scratch and draw blood quite easily if they want to! In fact, freezing up isn’t their only response when being attacked by a predator, they are known to fight back if cornered. They can sprint quickly, they have excellent hearing and senses of smell, they know how to evade predators.

Rabbits are prey, and they are also survivors. They have their own social dynamics, their own habits and dislikes and preferences. They are more than just a wolf’s meal. And Orym is more than a soldier, too. He’s more than a “necessary sacrifice”, he’s more than just a shield and sword. He deserves more than to die for a cause. He deserves a happy ending, just like everyone else. I hope he remembers that.

Orym is a rabbit. And the message isn’t that he shouldn’t be a rabbit. It’s that rabbits are worthy of surviving, too.

[bayetea]

I'm a strong "percy would get a job in education/outreach to underprivileged kids in the future" truther but I don't necessarily agree with people who say that him taking on marine biology as a college major doesn't make sense at all

"why would he study marine biology he can already work with sea animals to his heart's desire" I don't know maybe because he wants to get paid???????? he wants a normal job???? percy grew up poor and unsafe. why is it weird that he craves stability with a career that enables him to do something that he loves? or maybe he wants to go into the system and help bring about lasting reform that will actually improve care for sea creatures??? yes he can save sea animals on his own time but think about it. is it better to abandon his life in the middle of the night to go help a trapped sea creature Every Single Time it happens or is it better to enter the system and make it so that capitalists stop polluting water or disturbing sea ecosystems for profit. his powers as a son of poseidon are a band-aid not a lasting solution to systemic environmental neglect and decay. he has an established precedent of caring for bringing about systemic change (see: turning down immortality) and for me this is no different (I just personally headcanon him wanting to bring change for disadvantaged kids but whatever)

to me this logic is like telling an exceptional artist that there's no point in going to art school to become a professional when they can already just do art on their own time for fun. like yeah....... if you're content with doing that as just a hobby. but what if you want to become an even better artist and learn new skills. what if you want to do it as a job that pays you and gives you health insurance and social security. then what

for me the main logistical issue of him majoring in marine biology has never been that he would never do that it's that the intersection of new rome college accreditation to the Actual Real world isn't all that clear/logistically sound. like I guess the mist can handle anything but what impact is new rome going to be able to have on the realm of mortals. this would be a nice thing to discuss actually (more in tags)