#the vibe is very i have the power of god and anime on my side

[haomnyangz]

THE UNCANNY COUNTER 2: COUNTER PUNCH (2023) PROMO POSTERS

[klerothesnowman]

The Sith are Nazis and it's never been subtle

This one ended up being really long. I spliced in some images when I could to break it up easier.

One of the things that causes the most friction in the world is the idea of morality. I know, that's the most water is wet statement ever said but I think people really miss just how much the nuance of morality goes over people's heads. Subjective, objective, relative, from a baseline we understand that there are different types of morality but I don't think people really grasp how much a persons personal morality can be wildly different to any another given person's, especially among people who share spaces like fandoms. Morality is shaped by personal experiences, there are personal experiences that are 99% ubiquitous among humanity like "Pain" that form the basis of everyone's moral compass, then there are the major cultural touchstones that no matter what your morality will be affected by, religion, nation, race, all that what have you. Everyone has an opinion on the Christian Church and that opinion is informed by your morals. People who have been abused by members of a church will have a very different view of the morality of a religion compared to people who have been raised Catholic compared to someone who was raised agnostic compared to someone raised agnostic and is queer compared to someone who has been raised Catholic and is queer compared to someone who has been raised Catholic and is queer and is also rich and so on and so forth you get it.

Morality is not a binary thing, and it's not a nine point grid either D&D, it's more like one of those circle charts that Jojo Stands get ranked on. You know the ones that always seem to show up in anime? I don't know what they're called. Except instead of a circle it's more like a ball, and everyone has this horrible looking 3D balls covered in bumps and spikes and dips and holes.

Why am I opening this ramble with a ramble about morality and religion? Because I'm on tumblr. When I decide I want to ramble about something I read the tags and see what the vibe is, see what people are saying about things. I'm not part of the "Fandom", I don't know the discourses, I see that there's Anti-Jedi and Pro-Jedi and "Stanikins" and all of these different labels and battlelines, and then I read about how people on either side are feeling attacked and harassed by people on other sides. I have no idea how real this is, I have no idea what kind of minefield I'm about to walk into. I'm just rambling about my thoughts and feelings about Star Wars because I like it and I'm a little extra aware that this one is going to ruffle feathers.

Because people are fuckin' worked up about Jedi. There are people who are making it part of their identity that they are anti-Jedi. And it's been happening for years, decades even. Because the experiences and trends of nerd culture has been pushing against systems and religion since I was a baby. Nerds being obnoxious atheists and smugly telling people "God isn't real" was basically the norm when I was a teenager, and before I was born nerds were dealing with being called evil and satanic. Nothing I'm rambling about here is new, in fact using D&D as a touchstone I think the current trend for nerddom's interaction with religion is ambivalence, despite faith and divine power being such an important part of D&D, there's basically zero interaction with divinities in 5e, and when there is it's hostile and has an asterisk against it. I'll do a ramble about this one day too

But the Jedi stuff is interesting to me, because there's a lot of directions people come at for it.

There's people who argue against just Jedi because they're a religion. There's people who argue the Jedi are slavers or kidnap children. People think Jedi are super beings who lord over everyone with their power. People think the Jedi force people to suppress their emotions and personhood. There are people who think Jedi are moral supremacists who silence and kill anyone who thinks about the Force differently from them.

I have some "Pro-Jedi" arguments to make but I'll save them for a different ramble, because this one's supposed to be about another group of people.

The people who think, from their point of view, the Jedi are evil.

The reason I rambled on so much about people being Anti-Jedi is because very often, these people end up being Pro-Sith. It's an obvious leap, if the Jedi are the problem then the people opposed to the Jedi might have the right idea. If your issue with the Jedi is that they disallow "Attachment", then here's the Sith who are all about Attachment. If your issue with the Jedi is that they suppress their emotions then here's the Sith who are always tapping into their emotions. There is an immediate appeal there.

Then there's the Sith Code, let's give it a read.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion. Through passion, I gain strength. Through strength, I gain power. Through power, I gain victory. Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me.

Pretty sweet, Passion is pretty positive, breaking chains and freedom. I can get behind that. The rest of Sith Philosophy is pretty swell too. It's about improvement through conflict. Your struggles make you stronger, makes you better, removes your shackles and lets you be free, but also recognizes that you will have to do whatever it takes to do so. The Jedi seek to wipe out the dark knowledge you attain, so you must sequester yourself and hide when you must hide, and strike when you must strike. It's stance could be summed up as something like... "The sacred mission of a Sith is to preserve the Sith Order's most valuable elements as you raise yourself to a dominant position, and all who do not are chaff."

There are people who are really into this. Like, really, really into this. They talk about how they apply this mentality to their real life. They describe themselves as Sith. There are also people who are only kind of into this, they think about positive Sith characters and make headcanons about the good things Sith do.

I need to stress, for those people, that what I am about to say is not hyperbole. I will provide sources.

The Sith Code and Philosophy is Nazi Propaganda. It is literally lifted from Mein Kampf. That quote I used to sum it up is a paraphrased quote from Britannica.com. That's Hitler.

The Sith Code was invented to be in opposition to the Jedi Code, its purpose is to twist a preexisting code to make you think the alternative isn't so bad and it uses codephrases to do so.

Passion, Strength, Victory, Chains, being Free, these are words that we have presubscribed meanings for, but what do they mean in the Sith Code? What IS Passion? What IS Strength? What IS Victory?

Most people I interact with see Passion as Love, passionate, exciting love, the exact thing the Jedi reject. But that can't be it, where's Palpatine's love? Where's Maul's? Where's Vader's?

Passion is obsession. The kind of obsession that will lead you to burning everything down if you don't get what you want. It's not letting anything stand between you and your goal, even if that thing is your goal itself.

Let's break the code down here.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion. We start with the obvious twist on the Jedi code, an immediate refutation of the Jedi's first line. It stands in opposition.

Through passion, I gain strength. We've already done Passion, it's a nice little dressing up of "Being a raging psycho"

Through strength, I gain power. Strength is often intermingled with power, but it's often spoken of interchangably with being able to set aside morals. The Sith isn't an amoral monster who just killed a bunch of kids, he's just STRONG enough to do what needed to be done

Through power, I gain victory. Power isn't a code word. Power is Power, Power is what it's all about and there's no hiding it. In the Sith way the only thing that matters is that you are powerful enough to kill your rivals and stand on top.

Through victory, my chains are broken. The Force shall free me. I think the notions of breaking chains and being Free is the cleverest part of the Sith Code's propaganda kit. It's still seeing use in The Acolyte and it's still convincing people that the Sith are right, even when the guy who's calling for freedom mercs a child then and there.

The Sith are not misunderstood heroes. They're Nazis. They're facist might makes right would be autocrats trying to convince you they're right so you'll validate them and prove them right.

Sith Philosophy is self defeating. Following the Sith Code means you need to define yourself on your conflict, meaning your conflict can never end. For all its claims of being free and breaking chains you can never be free of what drives you or you will lose the strength it gives you. To break your chains you need to hold onto them tight, and you can never let them go.

[theamityelf]

ignore this if you’ve already said something like this, but do you have any headcannons on Danganronpa characters with Percy Jackson godly parents.

Oooh, so like the inverse of my PJO Danganronpa AU! I haven't done that yet. I'm torn between just giving a straightforward, in-a-vacuum answer for this, and fully migrating the characters into the Percy Jackson universe and letting that inform my answer. I'm doing the latter now, but you can send another ask if you want "in a vacuum". Also, I might have a different answer if I think about it longer.

THH

Makoto- I think I want him to be a mortal, for this. I think I want it to be a Rachel situation, where he accidentally ends up involved in a quest with some of the demigods, and then he gains godly powers of some kind as a reward or consequence of helping them. I see him interning for a god, after everything is over. Maybe he's an operator for Iris. Very humble beginnings, is what I'm saying. It's wild that he keeps having a pivotal role in saving the world, and showing up in prophecies, and being approached by the gods themselves. He's not innately powerful; they just think he's neat. If I had to give him a godly parent, though, it'd probably be Hestia. Even as a mortal, I might say he has the blessing of Hestia...which is a thing I just made up, btw. If Hestia has any equivalent for Artemis's Hunters, he's one. Just a person who hangs out with Hestia and doing hero stuff with the blessings of Hestia. Instead of Artemis's values of wilderness, archery, etc., he champions Hestia's values of home, hearth, family, and safety. I feel like he's been offered immortality but turned it down. (Side option: he's a satyr. Not what I'm going with, but it's an option.)

Sayaka- My first thought is Apollo, for the arts and music, but I'm also feeling her as an Aphrodite kid who can charmspeak. Yeah, I think Aphrodite for her. Her skills as a singer and dancer are her own.

Leon- Oh gosh. Gotta be Apollo, I guess. Baseball = archery. He does both. And he thinks he can tap into his dad's musical gifts without any respect for them, which is why he fails.

Mukuro- Ares. And she has the same mortal mother as Junko. (An argument could be made for Athena, but I'm going with Ares.)

Junko- I like Dionysus's association with madness and frivolity, for her, and I do want to go with a god or goddess who very much isn't about what Junko is about, just to keep from letting her unique vibe be lost to some hand-wave about godly inheritance. I don't want to go with one of the scary-sounding ones. (Plus, if this were taking place in Camp Half-Blood, which I doubt it actually is, being the daughter of the camp director would allow her to avoid scrutiny in a lot of ways.) That's my in-a-vacuum answer. But...I think the not-in-a-vacuum answer has to be Apollo. First of all, he's Apollo in both Greek and Roman form; she has access to both "camps" in a way many don't. Second of all, I like the idea that she has a twisted version of Apollo's gifts. The gift of prophecy is the tedium of foresight. The gift of sunrise is the curse of waking– the inevitable end of comfort. The gift of art is a deadly creativity. No one thinks to pay that much attention to another Apollo kid; Apollo has lots of kids! But she's secretly very dangerous.

Chihiro- Ooh! Ooh! Hecate. Besides being the goddess of magic, she's also the goddess of crossroads, which fits Chihiro's personality and talent. (Like, imagine a computer program as a set of crossroads. Each branch of an if statement, etc.) Also, it would be cool if Chihiro can do magic.

Mondo- That has to be Hermes, right? He looks like an Ares kid, but travel and outcasts are way more in Hermes' domain. Mondo would love to have winged shoes.

Taka- For some reason I'm really getting Demeter vibes. If pressed to defend it, I can imagine someone wondering how someone so "uptight" could have a nature goddess as a mom, since nature is so chaotic, and Taka responding that animals are chaotic, but argiculture and crops are very orderly and precise. There is a right and wrong time to sow anything, a right and wrong time to reap anything. Oh, I think I'm getting Demeter from his "staple food source" line. That's it.

Hifumi- Another Apollo.

Celeste- So many ways to go about this. First of all, do I want one she would be proud of and lean into, or one she would be embarrassed by and overcompensate for? Right away, I'm feeling Dionysus for her. I even said in one of my "Kamukura Wrangler AU" posts that her eyes are wine-colored, and her self-indulgence just seems so great for Dionysus. But Nike would also be a cool one, both for her Ultimate and for how much she would hate being associated with the sports shoe brand. I can imagine a gag where Celeste proudly says "I am a daughter of Nike," and Aoi cheerfully replies, "Oooh, I love Nike's!" Celeste would be so annoyed. I genuinely can't choose; they're both so great.

Sakura- I'm not feeling Ares at all. I can see Athena, but...Sakura's strength isn't really for war. She works hard and strives for excellence, but she's a practitioner of martial arts for their own sake, not to exert them over people outside the constraints of sanctioned contest. I'm not feeling a war god for her. If I were going to put her anywhere, she'd be partway between the strategy/wisdom aspect of Athena (so, more Minerva) and the arts aspect of Apollo. I think what I'll say is that she's a daughter of Deimos, god of fear and dread, which manifests in the way others react to her. The effect wears off if someone takes the time to try to feel anything for her but fear, but a lot of people don't. She herself is very peaceable and kind, and she values her friendship with anyone who doesn't fear her.

Aoi- I think Nike makes maybe the most sense, but I'm going to give her Poseidon because I want to. Despite being able to breathe underwater, she usually holds her breath while swimming, because she likes to. She finds the challenge thrilling. If she's breathing underwater, it's usually for social reasons like talking to fish or sea nymphs. And having her intelligence underestimated is very Percy Jackson of her.

Byakuya- Oh, I'm torn. My first thought was Hades, specifically because he would be insufferable if he was a child of the Big Three (though Pluto would be more apt, because riches), but in keeping with his mortal family's whole deal, and my aim for the THH group to all be in the Greek pantheon, I think Athena is the fit for him. His father is still a Togami; Byakuya was given to his father by Athena, born from her head. That's part of his justification for his inflated sense of his own competency. Not only is he the Togami heir; he's also a son of Athena. Imagine canon Byakuya if his mother was also a goddess. He's going to be insufferable, and I'm fine with that.

Kyoko- She...So the thing is, she...She said she can hear the footsteps of the god of death, and...Once again, I'm tempted to say Hades, or perhaps Thanatos. I'll go a different way with it, though; I feel like making her dad a god feels too close to outsourcing her feelings of abandonment from Jin onto the inherent premise of the Percy Jackson universe, and I don't want to do that. Jin has to just be a mortal absentee father. (Although daughter-of-the-god-of-death Kyoko would be so, so cool in a vacuum. And her gloves could be partially because her touch can kill. AHHH!) I'm going to say Nyx. Goddess of night. Helpful for a detective (like, she can probably see in the dark and stuff), but not fully making her detective skills a direct byproduct of her godly parentage. Plus, Nyx is the mother of Thanatos, meaning her hearing the footsteps of the god of death can still be relevant. The real question is how Jin had a kid with night itself.

Toko- It's either gonna be Apollo or Aphrodite, and I'm going with Aphrodite. Toko would have a field day with "What? You've never seen such an ugly daughter of Aphrodite?!" But also exposure therapy for her deep resentment of attractive people. They're her siblings, and they care about her and defend her, even if she's kind of sour.

Hiro- Gotta be Apollo. He's great at random day-to-day prophecy.

SDR2

Hajime- I'm thinking he's also a mortal who something supernatural happened to. Maybe he was chosen as the Oracle of Delphi, or maybe he was abducted and given trace amounts of ambrosia until something weird happened to him (to create Izuru). Maybe both. Whatever the case, the answer is none, lol. I'm feeling "bored Oracle" for him.

Imposter- Um, Janus. God of beginnings, gates/doorways/transitions, time, duality, and endings. Initially, I said this because Janus is depicted with two faces and that seemed fitting for an imposter, but I think the focus on choices and transitions also suits someone whose sense of self is so fluid.

Teruteru- I think it's gotta be Bacchus for him.

Mahiru- I wish I could give her Iris, but I want this cast (except Hajime) to be Roman! So I'll say Minerva.

Peko- Bellona. Same/similar backstory with Fuyuhiko, though; she's just a demigod who got abandoned and left with a well-known family of demigods.

Hiyoko- I'm giving her Apollo for now, but I'm open to changing that.

Ibuki- Discordia, goddess of discord and troublemaking. (As you can see, I like giving the most dangerous people benign ones and vice versa.) Ibuki likes noise, she values her own uniqueness, and just generally I think this one works for her.

Mikan- Gotta be Apollo, for the healing. This means she and Hiyoko would be half-siblings, which certainly paints their relationship in an interesting way.

Nekomaru- You know what? I'll give him Jupiter. His eyebrows are lightning, and I never give him attention in my other AUs, so he can have Jupiter.

Gundham- I am feeling Diana for him. Yes, I know, but still. It's cool. The wilderness, the moon, it all just suits his vibe so well. The impact this would have on his backstory is manageable. Everything said to be the case about his mother can just be about a human step-mother.

Nagito- I kind of want to make him the Octavian equivalent. Like, a legacy of Apollo who serves as the Roman augur. Parallels with Hajime being the Oracle on the Greek side. He has a unique relationship with Fortuna that parallels Makoto's unique relationship with Hestia.

Chiaki- Going with Somnus, god of sleep. She has the ability to make others tired, but she chooses not to use it like that. Mostly, she exercises her power over herself so that she can power nap frequently and stay up all night playing video games.

Akane- I feel complicated feelings about saying this, but I really think Venus for her. The reason I feel complicated about it is that it feels too close to giving the people who mistreated her in her life a magical excuse, but I feel like even ignoring that whole aspect of her backstory, she doesn't read to me as a daughter of a war god or goddess; she reads as a passionately emotional person who is inured to hardship/loss and values strength as a result of the environment in which she was brought up.

Fuyuhiko- I'm going to say he's a distant legacy of Pluto and a direct son of Minerva. This would make him half-siblings with Mahiru.

Sonia- Daughter of Pluto. It would be cool if she could summon gems and precious metals. And she would also enjoy speaking with the dead.

Kazuichi- Gotta be Vulcan.

V3

Kaede- I almost didn't go with Apollo just because I said it so many times, but then I remembered that moment in Chapter 6 where the in-universe lore suddenly decided that Kaede had a twin, just to service a bait-and-switch about her being another Junko, and with that in mind, her also being a daughter of Apollo is just more of a connection to Junko.

Shuichi- I am feeling Nemesis for Shuichi. Goddess of retribution, evening the scales. It fits his kind of...simple? Way of viewing the world, where punitive justice isn't something that he enjoys, but rather something that he finds inevitable.

Rantaro- Hermes, certainly. The travel aspect, the social aspect.

Ryoma- He's a Nike, I think. He is burdened by victory and excellence.

Kirumi- If anyone gets Hera or Juno, it would be her. I think I will say Vesta, though. The Roman form of Hestia. She is less blessed by Vesta than burdened with the compulsion to satisfy everyone.

Angie- Ooooh, despite the obvious connections between Apollo and art, I'm feeling Morpheus for her: she knows everyone's dreams. Her art skills are just a separate thing where she practiced and got good at a genuine hobby of hers. Her demigod abilities are her insights into the minds, wants, and fears of others. Also, I'm going to say she has frequent waking dreams and waking nightmares, because it feels right for her whole vibe.

Tenko- I wanted to go Athena or Bellona, but I think I'm actually feeling Mars for her. She probably becomes a Huntress of Artemis, or works under Circe.

Korekiyo- I checked to make sure the Muses count as goddesses, and it seems they do. Therefore, I'm going with Clio, Muse of history.

Miu- Gotta go Hephaestus.

Gonta- I feel like it's got to be either Apollo or Athena for him. I'll say Athena, since his devotion to a particular study reads as an Athena kid trait to me.

Kokichi- There is a part of me that really wants to say Hermes. But I think I'll say Dionysus. Dionysus is the god of wine, parties, madness, chaos, and the theater. I think a lot of that energy is what Kokichi both thrives on and languishes in– especially theater.

Kaito- Is Astraios too obvious? He's getting Astraios. He feels drawn to the stars, and I don't think he loses anything if that feeling becomes supernatural.

Maki- Okay, she'll be a daughter of Thanatos. But she lies about it at first. And she can kill someone with a touch, but only if she chooses to, so touching her is an act of trust. (Cue sentimental moment where one of her friends, probably Kaito, touches her arm or something and she's surprised.)

Himiko- I kind of want to be subversive and not say Hecate, but I will actually give her Hecate. She would be really proud of it.

Kiibo- Well, he's a robot. Maybe an automaton made by a child of Hephaestus or Vulcan.

Tsumugi- She gets Janus, too.

[cacti-are-like-flamingos]

Привет! Может быть, еще рано, но счастливых вам праздников. Я хотел бы спросить адвоката дьявола, когда они празднуют Рождество. Отдельно с пиратами и адмиралами. Или все вместе.🐣

Christmas time w/ Law, Thatch, and Luffy...

**You didn't specify which pirates in particular so I chose three at random (the ones in my list at least)

Characters are age-up or aged-down

I chose the three characters who would have vastly different Holiday traditions and what-not

Monkey D. Luffy

...

Luffy would likely take the crew to some snowy island so that all of you can properly celebrate Christmas--- Luffy's enthusiasm for Christmas would be infectious, getting everyone in high spirits for the upcoming celebration. There's no actual plan, you guys just go with the vibe. Doing it is whatever you want to do.

He's generally excited at the prospect of exploring the island with you, the whole way there he'd be beaming with so much energy. Rambling on the various things the two of you might find together as well as do together

Upon arriving Usopp quite literally dives off the side of the ship and into a pile of snow, which prompts Luffy to do the same. But not before glancing your way with a mischievous gleam in his eyes ("No. NO! LUFFY DON'T YOU DA-AH!")

You can't even find it in your heart to be mad, especially when he gives you that goofy grin of his --- as I said, his excitement is just so infectious. So much so you might as well be declared the most deceased person in all of the Blue Sea.

Also they all regretted not wearing winter clothing. The moment their bodies hit thee snow, they were scrambling to get back on the ship to warm up, your partner looking at you with a very apologetic grin as you dragged him into your shared room to look for some warm clothing

Almost all of the men, Sanji (he's in the town picking up the latest ingredients for the Christmas feast) and Brook (who was busy caroling Nami's ear off), have settled for a snow man competition. And boy, does it get competitive. Usopp's teamed up with Chopper to create a giant sized chopper, Frankie's chosen to do something that I couldn't even be able to describe, and Zoro, who teamed up with Luffy. Even though, he didn't even want to play in the first place. The only reason he joined was because Chopper had taunted him into it, and we all know Zoro is a man of pride (at times) Anyways, they chose to build a giant amalgamation of numerous animals --- apparently, it was suppose to look like a giraffe ??? not even close

You're role was to judge, alongside Robin. Both of you easily chose Usopp's and Chopper's. Earning curses and protest from the losers with Luffy shouting how he was betrayed by his own person.

This would then cause a snowball fight, the losers way of getting revenge on the winners and judges

As expected, the field became the equivalence of a blood bath. Especially after Luffy began using his Devil fruit powers to completely annihilate everyone with accurate precision.

Afterwards, a small break is called. Thank god because if you ahd to continue against the boy made of gum, you might as well have jumped into the sea yourself.

As Christmas neared, he'd seek you out more (not to say, he hadn't previously. He's legit like gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe.) It's just that, now the two of you can have more privacy. The inhabitants of the island are busy with their winter festivals, there's no enemies to chase them away, no pesky marines to annoy the, and the rest of the crew were preoccupied with said festivals--- the perfect opportunity for a getaway

Their footsteps would leave a trail in the snow as they explore the tranquil winter landscape hand in hand, with him dragging you around like an excited child. Wonderment in his eyes as he gaze around his new surroundings, never once letting go of you

Eventually, he calms down. (I'd imagine you'd have to be someone rather composed. the type of person who could bring him down to earth when it was necessary but could easily jump as high as he could and reach for the stars with him.)

You talk about their dreams, hopes for the future --- he'll share stories about his childhood, back when he liveed with his brothers and Dan Dan. About some of the adventures you missed and of the people he's met, all while having you wrapped around him. (He's clingy)

I'll end this with you dishing out your revenge by puhsing him into the snow when he least expected it --- what you didn't but should've expected was him stretching his arm out to pull you to his side, laughing as you squealed.

You and Luffy laughed heartily as you both laid down side by side in the soft snow. An idea struck you, and with childlike delight, you moved your arms and legs in perfect rhythm, creating snow angels together. You enjoyed the simple pleasure of the moment, laughing and lightly poking each other, feeling the contrast between the cold snow beneath you and the warmth you felt for one another.

"We should do this again next Christmas!"

...

Thatch

...

Christmas with Thatch is both a curse and a blessing, mainly a blessing considering that he tries to make it fun for you despite it being a rather stressful time for him (from the ass crack of dawn to like the darkness of the night, he's up about slaving away in the kitchen to get the feast in order)

The Whiteboard Pirates don't do single-feast, that is a known fact. But even during the holidays, things become a bit more exaggerated than usual

A little tradition of yours includes a boat ride and fishing (I've never fished once in my life, all my knowledge comes from that the guy from River Monsters nor do I really like cooking but I used to watch MasterChef so like ye)

Thatch takes you on a small fishing trip just a ways from the ship --- you'd sit across from him, a beach hat over your head as you observe him fish away. Sometimes, you fish alongside him, and much to his surprise, the big fishes always seem to bite down on your line instead of his

(Side note: The crew have a designated boat for the couple that they like to re-decorate depending on the holiday. So rn the ship is decorated with Christmas colors and some ribbons here and there. It looks ridiculous but it's how they show their support for your relationship)

So much so that the crew has a little bet established every time they see Thatch with his fishing supplies --- everyone except a few hopefuls bet on you catching the most (the bet only occurs if they see you without the blue parasol. Having the blue parasol implies that you plan to laze around)

The two of you will talk about everything and anything while on your little fishing trip, from Ace's shenanigans to the craziest meals some of the crew have previously ordered

Once you both return from the fishing trip with a bountiful seafood haul in hand, Thatch leads you back into the ship's kitchen (which is completely decked out with Winter decorations, there's even a giant Christmas tree Marco had to bring it using his phoenix form since you were all still in the middle of the ocean), where the two of you would begin cooking under the soft glow of moonlight.

As your relationship first started, Thatch noticed how you enjoyed watching him cook, yet there was a desire in you to actively participate in his favorite activity. So he gave you a special role --- the keeper of spices and seasonings! (You're also like his Christmas radio channel, you're always softly singing while he's cooking. Sometimes, while he waits for something to cook, he'll pull you around the counter to dance as you sing. Him humming along to the song with a grin)

He'd line up the various spice containers on the wooden counter in front of you, and so, whenever Thatch asked for a particular seasoning, you'd happily give it to him. Over time, you've developed an intuitive understanding of his cooking needs, even predicting which seasoning he requires before he can say anything (an ability that makes him beam with great pride)

Although, the only time you get a more active role in cooking is when he starts making the desserts --- you literally jump out of your seat the moment you see him pull out the flour and sugar to make gingerbread cookies or what-not

Thatch playfully teases you whenever you add the spices, telling you you're not just adding seasoning but "a pinch of love" to the dishes

As a quirky and endearing tradition, Thatch always lets you take the first bite of any dish he prepared --- Haruta and the other division Commanders try to steal some cookies and sweets while Thatch is distracted with you, though it always ends in failure because somehow the man has eyes on the back of his head

Eventually, Christmas come around. Thatch is finally free from the kitchen so he'll come out onto the deck to find you. It's Vista who points him over to where you are, leaning by Pop's, re-telling a story from your past with a grin on your lips as you make the old man laugh out loud

Seeing his son come his way, Whitebeard would nudge you forward into the cook's direction, a knowing smile on his lips as he catches the eye of the ship's musician and make the go-ahead signal

Next thing you know, a slow song comes on

The crew had transformed the deck into a dance floor, most of the crew is drunkenly dancing around, alcohol in their hands as they laugh around

On the other hand, Thatch pulls you close for a slow dance, murmuring sweet-nothings into the skin of your temple as you sway about.

"Merry Christmas, sugar..."

...

Trafalgar D. Law

...

Christmas and Law had me thinking for a bit. On one hand, from what I remember about his characterization, he might not like it. On other other hand, I think he's gone through enough character development to give in into the crews desire to celebrate the holiday

Especially if you're also the one asking to celebrate it

Despite the limited space in the submarine, Law surprises you by bringing a small, decorated Christmas tree onboard. The crew helps in setting it up, and they all contribute tiny handmade ornaments (they had to get hella resourceful with this) to add a personal touch.

I don't know what they're called but Shachi and Bepo made those uh paper people shapes (?) While Penguin made snowflakes to hang around

The sight of his submarine decorated so ridiculously does irritate Law just a tad bit, but the sight of your smile is enough to ease it away

Bepo, Penguin, and the rest of the crew take it upon themselves to sneakily plant mistletoes all over the ship ---, in places you and Law are likeliest to cross at the same time

Whenever Law and Catalina share a kiss under the mistletoe, the crew cheers and claps. Wolf whistling as they blush like perverts warning them a harsh glare from their Captain, who holds you close to him in efforts to protect you from their unruliness

In private, Law decides to inform you that he's done a little something to make the holidays a bit more fun (he actually says this rather mockingly/teasingly) he's hidden all of your presents around the sub, and your job is to find them without anyone's help (you still find gifts even AFTER the holidays are over)

You surprise Law with a shit ton of gifts, with each one his eyebrows twitch uncontrollably. Face blushing a bright red as he loudly scolds you for buying him too many things yet, at the same time, he can't really complain because the things you got him are incredibly practical

Law doesn't like bread so you try your best to find Christmas recipes that don't involve it --- so Christmas time becomes the time where you make a ton of flans, puddings, meringues, and what-not. Although you do make him some onigiri painstakingly shaped into Christmas trees, which he is very appreciative of

After the festivities, Law takes you to the submarine's observation deck, where you gaze at the stars together. You sit between his legs laying your body against his chest, head on his shoulder as you murmur random facts about the stars whilst he tells you random facts about the human body. A little habit of you guys came up with long ago

"The amount of gifts you gave me was ridiculous, ya...thank you"

...

(A/N): I don't really celebrate Christmas so this was a bit of a struggle but like hopefully it still satisfy you. Also sorry for such a late reply, shit happened.

Anyways

Hope you enjoyed!

[p-receh]

Since my previous posts talked about elementals. I want to write an essay about them from my perspective and possible theories and headcanon I gathered so far. It might not be accurate so fill me in if you want to add or correct some of it. I love open discussion ^^

I've seen some people thought that in the early season, all elementals had not have characteristics but changed after Halilintar's incident.

Boboiboy's emotions under circumstances not only triggered the true self of available elementals, but it also awakened the other elemental powers as well(hence how the rest 4 were born) like what anon said here.

This is gonna be looooong ted talk so I have to spilt this in two parts!

What I want to talk about is how interesting their character development throughout the series. Starting with the original trio!

(That 3rd picture lasted for a few minutes... I didn't even notice their communication at first. :'()

Their development was that drastic in the youth era. The unstoppable "the fun, the serious and the tough one"(edit: more like, "The Striker, Tacklerer, and The Goal Keeper in soccer terms. Don't ask why I thought about this a lot) which sparks Boboiboy as the hero of Pulau Rintis. But, it's starting to decrease during Galaxy onwards.

I know I know they need to blend with the others as well. (They got most of the screen time in every series after all). I already talked about it here.

(People say this year indirectly the reunion of this trio I guess? Windara and Gentaraju animated arc? ...

but... aaah well... my head's spinning right now >_<)

Halilintar/Thunderstorm.

What more to say about this person? haha, I've already talked about it from anon in the first link I put on before and this one.

But still, from the very first moment he arrived till today, I am almost certain my hypothesis then and now is coming true. Being just created as "the cool, serious" side of Boboiboy, This 'talk less, do slash more' guy unknowingly becomes the tsundere eldest due to his tragic incident.

He is such a supportive person behind that murder mask. Seeing rare moments that he actually cares for others whenever he can is an absolute miracle. God, the season 2 comic and Sori continuingly showed his soft side from youth era. wtf my 12-year-old me is screaming right now! aaarghh! :3

(But that face in ep 5 when he's strangled lmaooooo X'D)

Taufan/Cyclone

One of my favorite things that I know about him is he enjoys whenever he's out. He truly loves all the thrilling fights, if not get the vibe, he instantly goes into a bad mood. Every poster I saw about him, always with his smile and never faded. That's why I was shocked when I saw his decision in Windara's arc. Finally, the man he always wanted to be, bravely giving it all in one v one fight. I'm so proud of him! T^T

His easygoing attitude reminds me of a certain hedgehog I knew hehe...both resemble the wind itself right? :] (I need to draw them in June)

Leading the Troublemaker trio is always fun to watch. And the fact that he looks at Hali as his role model is really cute! Despite him and Hali being the first two elements who had civil fights before, a bit sad these two are independent on their own from Galaxy onwards :'(

Gempa/Quake

Gempa got me confirmation that he is the leader of the elementals from the very first fight till now. I can see why he has the closest resemblance to Boboiboy himself (hence the hat position :] ).

To be fair, Gempa is the only elemental that I see no difference with Boboiboy. And with being one of the strongest elementals(with embedded two giant stone hands), he sure is a low-profile person and easily blends with other elementals. Now I know why he gets the title "Mama Gempa". He is unknowingly taking too much care of every elementals like a family ^^)' .

Even tho he's the last power to be introduced(in this trio) and sometimes people see him as a lone wolf in the group, he's natural at giving orders. The others actually listen to him and get scolded if they messed up! Like how parents do! X'D

How about the Temper Duo?

(Why monsta didn't put this dialog to Sori? :''(( )

How fitting the theme song of movie 2 titled Fire and water as well? Hehe.

Being the first two powers to be fused(the coolest name, "Frostfire" :} ), these two are what most people like to call "The polar opposites". The ones that used two hoodies in the youth era(except now only Ice wears it), the ones that had back-to-back introductions (exactly after Fire arrived, water showed up in the next episode, Galaxy season 1 also showcased the exact same pattern), the only two powers survived in movie 2, and even their own original masters lived in the same planet.

I'd say if these elementals do be brothers, these two were most likely born twins. (I know I may be late to this headcanon but hey why not? :/)

Blaze

The gremlin boi who got more screentime in sori than his partner. I absolutely adore this boy in Galaxy onwards. His wild and reckless traits are always the main attraction whenever I watch his combat style. I still think since season 3 and movie 1 He should've gotten a brass knuckle type as a weapon than the fire disc. He's a close combat brawler, right?

Anyway, he might be the one who hasn't changed much since his youth until now. In fact, I'd say he is a pretty consistent character from the start. Only gets wilder and cheekier to his fellow elementals tehee~. But that's the beauty of having a friend like Blaze. If done right, Blaze could shock you with his kindness and care deeply for others. Just like how he did with Duri once he accidentally broke Duri's plant in one of Boboiboy's official posts. (Sori ep 3 and comic made my day lmao)

Ais/Ice

If I can relate to one elemental, I choose Ice. He likes to eat yet is frightened to get fat like he did in his youth era; a very sleepy person; also an introverted person but he is confident when surrounded by his closest circle. And most of my friends are usually the Blaze type. So I can understand how to handle that person ^^)'

Ehem. Ice's first tier, Air/Water, got me confused at first. Mainly how he summons his power. Somehow Ice fixed that issue. Making his right arm purely made of ice is genius. My headcanon is every weapon or power he uses comes from his right arm. His cannon comes from his right arm, the same as the bow & arrow one. Even so, many scenes contradict that(Boboiboy is an ambidextrous guy).

Can I say I'm glad from Galaxy onwards he's a bit more open than in his youth era or just me? This doesn't count during the transition mode. All I see now is that he showed more emotions than Hali. (Also whoever decided Ice's tears become snowflakes, I salute you sir)

Last but not least! The Photosynthesis duo!

(I talk about this scene before but holy shit this scene is always mesmerizing to watch)

Duri and Solar were also made me adore them if not because of season 2 & Sori. Okay, I have to confess first to avoid misconception:

I was disappointed when Duri and Solar showed up in movie 1.

My selfish youth still took some time to get used to with Fire and Water in season 3. And all I think was negative reactions when Duri and Solar showed up. That's... also the reason why I went on hiatus.

Luckily, hence the word "was" I put it there.

I'm very grateful that they reset his watch back to start, so then they can at least make a proper debut with both Duri and Solar in Galaxy series. I much prefer that method. (That last episode was truly huge, I'm shocked they went that grand)

Therefore, Sori could continue to make the audience know better about these two! Pretty creative I'd say! I can see why the last three episodes are fan favorites. Me personally love eps 5 & 6.

Duri/Thorn

The most unique symbol to draw to, Duri truly shines in galaxy 2 comic and Sori. His debut in galaxy 1--oh wait, in Eid Fitri's short video after movie 1 made me confused with Taufan at first. Even though he's got more screen time than Solar, Duri still surprised people with the recent series. Who knew his childish and clumsy features could do unverbal damage to enemies by his words? Count me in! He might not do that to his friends and families, but he will delightedly do so with Solar :D

And thanks to Sori, I can now differentiate between Taufan and Duri more clearly. His design in Sori especially the last three is my fav. I love what Monsta did the effects on his arms. Since he doesn't has a signature weapon, they create a 2D flash-winded green leaf around his arm like a coil. That is a very cute detail for Duri.

A bit surprised when every elemental went to serious mode in Windara's arc, only Duri still managed to find fun in the battle. Heck even Taufan dropped his smile during that.

Solar

Being the trump card of the group, I can see why he is the last elemental to be introduced, both in movie 1 and galaxy series. The hardest one to obtain his 2nd tier that requires proper research and pure luck, Solar's traits are also what makes him interesting. To be honest I didn't expect his characteristic to be like this, at all. And somehow very matched with his design and attack as well. Every aspect is strangely in synch I'm astonished. (Adding a visor to his 2nd tier is uhh *chef's kiss B=) )

Also, I love that his attacks use his finger that's also kinda easter egg of the famous "Ray Gun!" shot attack from Yu Yu Hakusho(look it up, there's a live-action ver if you want to know the short ver of the series. The anime itself is legendary to all weebs out there).

Regardless of his limited screentime in every series. I'm very much grateful Monsta treats him equally. His timing in Sori is exceptional and his popularization bursting successfully. My only hope he didn't get cut in Windara and let all elementals showed up. When was the last time Boboiboy did that without splitting to 7?....

... Well if you count heptasplit part, the last time he did that was in Movie 1. That's 9 years ago.

Now we're done here? Nice! Onto the theory part in reblog!

[heyhellohihowareyou]

Why “Ball Game Tournament Time” is underrated as hell

BASEBALL EPISODE! BASEBALL EPISODE! Any anime that has a baseball episode in it is bound to get Hailey hooked!

And this one is about her Sugi boy! She’s all for him getting more screentime!

Out of context picture

I’m pretty sure that this was the episode that started the “Jiriki Hongan Revolution” intro (Correct me if I’m wrong) and since it’s tied as my fav AC intro, this episode gets points for starting it!

Baseball fanatic Koro is best Koro!

Anyways, did I mention I love baseball episodes because I love baseball episodes

Found a cute side character with freckles. Appreciate her NOW!

Two very good boys right here!

Kimura gets to do something! We must savor this moment while we still can!

Awww a cute Mimura!

I live for a badass Sugi boy (Even though this one is in Shindo’s head 😅)

Also, start the count for how many times Shindo looks like he’s about the piss himself

Ain’t this such a great episode! 3-E is succeeding and showing the main campus kids what’s what! Boy I sure hope no one ruins-

Bitch. Can you please stay out of my feel good sports episodes and not traumatize people at all? You’re bringing down the vibes man 😕

Well the girlies are back at least! Kind of wish we got to see them play though.

Kayano: “It’s just that the other team had huge jiggly boobs! It made me so made that I couldn’t concentrate!” Kaede sweetie you are not beating the allegations 🩷💜💙

Nothing to say except I like Maehara’s bewildered face

GAKUHOU STOP FUCKING MANIPULATING TEENAGERS FOR FUCK SAKE

I hate the man but those eyes though

Irina: “Aha! I think I get it! So you hit a ball with a stick!” Never change Irina. Never change.

Oh my god EVERYONE SHUT UP RIGHT NOW AND LOOK AT MY BOY!!!

Did I mention that I adore Sugino. Well, I ADORE SUGINO!!!

I swear to god Gakuhou doesn’t have life WHY ARE YOU HERE!?

Also, anyone else felt bad for Shindy this episode? Sure he was sort of a cocky bastard for the first part but man is he put through hell here.

Karmster using his bitch powers to good use (Yes, Karmster is his new name now)

Also this should be a meme template

I saw the glowing red eyes and my first thought was “Baki?”

Nothing to say except that I find Isogai’s little sigh cute

Bewildered Shindy

Gakuhou: “Crack a skull if need be.” Why aren’t you in jail yet?

We love Karmster’s little bitch face

Karmster: “Swing like you’re trying to kill us.” My guy is in distress

Nagisa: “That’s got him pretty shaken up.” Pretty Shaken- MY GUY IS TRAUMATIZED!

Again, poor Shindy. Like seriously get this boy some help.

I’ve caught two bright smiles in one screenshot!

Sugino: “Didn’t mean for things to get so crazy.” Shindy needs to go to therapy

Juuuust Karmster

Hadn’t mention before but I love listening to Sugi’s dubbed voice. For someone who shares a voice actor with the loud mouth that is Katsuki Bakugo his voice is nice to listen to

Sugino: “It was about being proud of my new friends. I wanted to show them off.” Sugino I fucking love you.

Welp that’s it. That was a good ass episode that we as a fandom should talk about more! It’s season 1’s version of leader time to me. In fact it’s part of my top ten favorite episodes of the series (I really need to make a list) I don’t say it that much but Sugino as a character brings me so much serotonin so watching this episode was a joy for me! Combined with the fact that I love baseball this episode was an absolute delight.

I keep forgetting how bad I feel for Shindy boy here. Like, he was just slightly cocky and he ended up getting manipulated left and right. Seriously, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up having nightmares about the 3-E students sniping him in his sleep or something.

Anyways, like I said. This is a good episode and we should really discuss it more. We should discuss Sugino more. DISCUSS THE BOY! <—— Barely discusses the boy in question

[luckyyyduckyyy]

collapses at ur doorstep after seeing pokemon art :3

what pokemon team (1-6 slots each, doesn't need to be full!!) would u assign sun & moon!!!

(i have been meaning to draw them with a clefairy/gengar, but woe, time is not limitless each day... T^T)

OOOO! The Clefairy/Gengar mix goes so well with them actually, especially with that theory that Gengar is essentially a ghost version of Clefairy. Sun and Moon match their vibes so well!

Honestly there's so many pokemon that it's a bit of a toughie to think of teams! But, imagining their teams as non-submas themed trainers and just their own goobers, I thinkkkk I'd set it up like this! ( Based off my own ooc ideas of the characters :3 )

Sun: Probably would work at a pokemon Nursery and/or focuses on doing Contests. (God I miss those-) I can't help but imagine Sun as someone with a caretaker personality, even if a little sassy, but he'd totally still be into theater no matter what universe!

Ambipom - I feel like this big ol' mon gives off goofy caretaker vibes, and with the extra set of large hands on its tails makes it extra helpful with wrangling and clean up. Plus, more hands mean more props and attacks for contests! It's definitely so playful that it can be a bit of a trouble maker, but when it's time to switch gears or follow rules, it is a stickler and can even be a little scary with how serious it becomes.

Togekiss (Raised from egg) - Okay, probably a bit of anime bias here but I love the little egg thing Togepi is and I feel like it would be perfect for Sun. Just one of the most baby pokemon around, lovely to raise, stubborn, and grows up into the most elegant thing ever. Perfect, muwah, would love to be on stage after demolishing a whole team solo with broken fairy typing.

Chimecho - Such a soothing pokemon. They help keep Sun from becoming anxious with their calm chimes and they're great at getting young pokemon to fall asleep or calm down after a tantrum. The calm to Sun's eccentric energy.

Gourgeist - Is it odd that I think this pokemon would be an amazing cook? Sun can definitely cook things for his pokemon well, but when he's overwhelmed, this buddy can whip up something delicious and even serve it with their psychic abilities to lower the workload. Generally friendly and is a little bit of a trouble maker when everyone's guard is down. Nothing dangerous, at least not on purpose, but all the kitchenware might go missing if someone forgets to say thank you.

Bellibolt - I'm still imagining Sun as an animatronic, so I feel like an electric type is just a requirement. Has the duty to be an emergency recharge, but besides that all this big guy have to do is be cute and happy. Just a gigantic stress ball that loves hugs, and Sun, pokemon, kids, and contest judges alike all love it. Just a silly chill lil guy.

Cinccino - This pokemon is well known for its cleaning habits. So besides being adorable and fluffy - a great cuddle buddy - they help keep the space nice and tidy. Cleanliness is just a must for Sun. Also, I love chinchillas and its a must to have one. It's cuteness and elegance makes it a fierce competitor during competitions but honestly a terrible battler; more worried about keeping itself clean and pretty instead of winning.

Moon: Possibly works as a pokemon ranger (based off the side games) and is a ace trainer that is reformed off an evil team. Idk, my views of his personality is very similar to Silver and well, we know his history with Team Rocket- anyways, I think having a similar background would make him very serious about battle and rescuing others/pokemon.

Banette - Likely to have been with Moon as his first pokemon. Banette's pokedex entries consider it as a vengeful abandoned doll, and seeing it's a tragic but powerful pokemon, I feel like it would be serious but clingy in the quietest ways. It will help Moon in any way it can as Moon adopted it from an evil team and showed it true care, but it does not like any other pokemon getting attention, giving death glares and silently pulling off nasty tricks when no one is looking. Their strong bond makes mega evolving effective in a pinch. (Lets just assume they got the stone somehow its okay bbg)

Ferrothorn - Ignore its stats, this gigantic thing should really be a tank and I am wishing it as one. They're spikey but have a caring nature, and with the way it clings to ceilings or raises its body above things with its noodle legs, it makes it very maneuverable and helpful when it comes to traversing harsh locations. It craves affection, so give em a good pat and they'll love you forever.

Scolipede - Poison Horse. I love it, and it can be amazing in battle if you do the right things. I'm not the best at forming a competitive team, but narrative wise, its thick exoskeleton makes it very durable, its ability to curl up and roll makes it very fast, and it's a great buddy to help move from place to place fast, even when holding 2 people on its back. Probably the most stubborn and self important of the group.

Inteleon - It may be ehhhh to put a starter on this list, but I feel like Inteleon is a mon that would be great in the ranger line of work. A water type is a must for handling fires and to douse any moody flare ups within a group. Plus, water is a must for all life, so it creates an emergency water source. It has great sight from a distance and probably would act more like a scout that will climb up from high areas and leap between large gaps to find whatever it is they're after today. Likes to go at things alone but only wants to provide as much as it possibly can.

Heliolisk - This pokemon is so cool and I don't see enough of it! Definitely a bit of a trouble maker with a childish attitude outside of work. Again, imagining Moon still as an animatronic in this universe, the necessity of having an emergency charge from an electric type seems like a must. It also is great as an emergency light source by holding in an electrical charge in its mouth/hands. However, the dry skin of this pokemon makes it durable, able to withstand extreme heat, and as a lizard it should totally be able to stick to walls, which makes it great for caves or for being a pokemon to rely on during sticky situations. (Budum-tissss) I always forget it's not a ground type, but in my heart it is.

Cofagrigus - This mon scares me so much that I love it. Just a creepy design, but also the amount of move sets and strategies this one pokemon can do is insane. IDK jack about competitive pokemon, but even I know that this is a pokemon to be weary of to go against. This'll probably be Moon's main battle pokemon, where his strategies during a full pokemon battle against a trainer would revolve around Cofagrigus. In reality though, this Cofagrigus is the most motherly towards the team and wrangles everyone into being orderly and just is the general problem solver with interpersonal problems.

If i'm honest, a lot of this list can be exchanged with different pokemon. I mostly chose these based off vibe and some based off typing, but there's probably better pokemon for them out there lol

Thank you for asking though! It was very fun to think about and I love to yap :3333

[wishful-seeker]

HOW TO CONNECT WITH OR CONTACT A DEITY FOR THE FIRST TIME: A GUIDED MEDITATION

I apologize in advance that i don't have a method for people who can't meditate or visualize well, i have a very imaginative and visual mind so this is only only way i know how to do things.

As you read this keep in mind that this is something I came up with all on my own and is deeply personal to me, so if it doesn't vibe with you change it anyway you wish, it is mostly meant to be a template for your own journey.

So you feel a deity is reaching out to you, or you feel the need to reach out to a specific one. This is one way you can make first contact with deities. Once this connection is made, channeling them is very easy and will not require deep meditation each time. This initial meditation can be as short as 30 minutes, or last multiple hours. You will be put in a state that feels like time is faster. 30 minutes in your mind could be 3 hours in the real world. I highly suggest doing this before bed, in bed, when you have no responsibilities for a while. Sometimes these deities have the power to put you to sleep after, giving you a calm refreshing dream and good rest.

STEP 1

SAFE SPACE

The first step to your journey is laying in bed, getting comfortable, closing your eyes, and imagining a calm and serene place. A place that makes you feel relaxed and at home.

When you are comfortable in this space, call a guide to assist you in your journey. Preferably this is a spirit guide you already know and are connected with, but if not thats okay. Sit quietly as you wait for your known or unknown guide to arrive. Your mind may need a moment to visualize them. They can look like anything, a ball of light, a human, and animal, a mythical creature, ect. Speak to them, let them know what you need help with, and explain the situation.

STEP 2

GOING DEEPER

If your spirit guide accepts to help you, they now need to put you in a deeper meditative state, this is mostly up to the spirit, but my spirit guide rocked a pocket watch side to side infront of my face as i tried to focus on it, like hypnosis.

After you feel ready to move to the next stage, your guide may walk you through a path or journey for a long time to bring you even deeper.

STEP 3

THE ROOM

Imagine you are in a room with your guide. In the room is at least one door, but there might be multiple. On each door is a symbol your mind chooses. Go through the door you feel most drawn to.

When i did this for the first time my room had four doors. One with a sun, a bow and arrow, a moon, and a horse. These symbols may give clues to which deity wishes to speak with you. For me, the sun led to Freya, and the bow and arrow led to Apollo. Its very important that you do not stress or question these symbols, let the images come naturally. I had no idea those symbols were associated with those gods until after i met them. Its okay if you don't know which door leads to who.

STEP 4

THE JOURNEY

this is the final step before you meet the deity, and it is THE LONGEST, the time varies for everyone.

This is where your guide takes over, let them lead you wherever you please. This could be a boat ride on a river, climbing stairs on a mountain, walking a path in a forest, ect. Focus on that journey. This journey is not only towards your deity, but is also a protective ritual so you are not followed. I usually see protective symbols on banners hanging from trees, or strange interruptions in the path to confuse other lesser spirits, like a giant step in the stair case, or the path going in a small circle. (NOT to say any spirit would even try bothering you, i highly doubt it, to me it felt more like ritualistic thing, not like a complete necessity) This journey lasts me at least 30 real minutes, but may feel like 10 in your head. On this journey your guide has time to answer any questions you may have.

STEP 5

MEETING THE DEITY

At the end of your path you my find something symbolizing a destination: a door, an open feild, a castle, a cottage, ect. Within this space you will meet your deity. Again, it may take time for your mind to decide what they will look like. Deities can look like anything and differ person to person. Deities are shape-shifters who can take any form, so don't be confused if they look different or strange.

Thank the deity for meeting you, and your guide for helping you. Chat with them, have a cup of tea, play a game, ask questions, whatever you wish. And whenever you are done, you may either slowly open your eyes and slowly adjust to reality, or you may ask to stay with them until you fall asleep and ask them to guide you in your dreams.

After this, reconnecting with the deity can possibly be as easy as closing your eyes, imagining your safe space, calling upon them and then they could arrive very shortly.

Good luck friends.

[himboskywalker]

Thank you so much for these many recommendations, i will definitely read some of them. I finally ordered lord of the rings, always wanted to do it but I finally did it.

I would love a separate rec list of less new books and overall classics. If you have the time of course. I always have a hard time finding new books for myself or to gift to other people.

Sure! And I'm ecstatic to hear you bought lotr! Another one to be welcomed into my fold! This list is decidedly less organized, but here's a list of more classic/ older works I always recommend or gift to people.

Anything written by our beloved Neil Gaiman. He's most well known, especially in this sphere, for "Good Omens" cowritten by Terry Pratchett, and rightfully so. If you've never read anything by either author, it is absolutely worth the hype, and even if you've watched the tv show, it is so incredibly funny and wonderful. "American Gods" is also phenomenal and very well known from its tv show now, but my personal favorite of Gaiman's is "Anansi Boys." No one does urban fantasy like him, and his works will always be the gold standard for me for this genre.

The Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. There's 41 books in the series so it's a mighty undertaking, I myself haven't gotten through all of them yet, I think I have about ten books left. They are so wonderfully funny and philosophical and witty. I don't recommend reading the books in the order Pratchett wrote them, rather there are collections in the series you'll want to read in order. The Death collection and City Watch books are my favorites but there are many more than that you may like better.

"The Princess Bride" by William Goldman. This is one of my favorite books of all time and while the movie certainly gets the vibe, it's a whole different animal. It's just so incredibly funny and fun and smartly written, and I've given it to many family and friends for Christmas and birthday presents.

"The Lies of Locke Lamora" by Scott Lynch. This is commonly regarded as a fantasy genre must and I often vehemently disagree with what's considered a "classic" but I have to side with the powers that be in the lit community on this one. It's just damn well written and character driven in the exact kind of way I love in stories. If you start reading it and think "oh look morally gray thief characters doing a heist" just remember, Lynch published it in '06 and pretty much wrote the template for everyone who has copied him since.

Anything by Ursula Le Guin although I read the "Earthsea" series first and would recommend starting there as well. She just really is that bitch, it doesn't get better written or more observant of life than her. Outside of Tolkien I don't know if there's anyone I admire more as an author than Le Guin. Her prose are not only stunningly gorgeous, but line after line after line hits like a sucker punch to the side of the head for how she makes you see life and yourself in new ways. “Only in silence the word, only in dark the light, only in dying life: bright the hawk's flight on the empty sky.”

The Redwall series by Brian Jacques! I love them so dearly, they're fun and beautifully written and full of adventuring that only forest animals with swords are capable of. I do recommend reading them in order, or at least the original "Redwall" before you dive into the rest of the series, but "Taggerung" is my favorite.

This is a more divisive rec nowadays but Kurt Vonnegut. If you read "Slaughterhouse Five" in school and hated it I don't blame you, it's not my favorite of his and not what I urge people to look to if they want to fall in love with him like I did when I was a teenager. My favorite Vonnegut is "Sirens of Titan" and "Breakfast of Champions." Do look at content warnings for "Sirens of Titan" and I've seen a lot of vitriolic reviews of the book in recent years by younger readers, but I absolutely think it's worth the read and the shining glorious example of what I mean when I say protagonists aren't meant to be liked or morally right.

And speaking of squicky divisive recs! May I tell you about our lord and savior of "oh god I don't know if I can get through this" Margaret Atwood? Most people know her for "Handmaid's Tale" but I first read "Oryx and Crake." Seriously, read the content warnings, but Atwood is known for writing the best of speculative sci-fi for a reason.

Anything by Octavia Butler. My intro to her was through "Bloodchild" which I highly recommend, and I think is the perfect introduction to her brand of unnerving brilliance. She is most well known for "Kindred" and rightfully so.

"Perfume" The Story of a Murderer" by Patrick Suskind. It's weird, by god it's weird, and it's one of my absolute favorite "classic lit" novels. In 18th century France a weird little freak of a guy with a super sense of smell winds up murdering a bunch of people to make perfume. It's fantastic and the quintessential, I will not morally justify this, but boy am I enjoying reading about this little creep.

"Trainspotting" by Irvine Welsh. I also love "Filth" and "Porno" by him. I think Welsh is brilliant at characterization, especially when most of his characters are morally bankrupt and terrible. But what he does best is make you feel for these characters who have often put themselves in these terrible positions. They're just people, and life is shitty, and I don't think anyone writes that better than Welsh.

"The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. O'Brien made a career of writing fictionalized recounts of his time in Vietnam. I love everything he's written, he is one of my favorite modern lit authors, but "The Things They Carried" is his best known work and what I first read of his. It's brilliant and beautiful and sad, and it was the first time I ever had to put a book down and read in chunks because it affected me so emotionally.

Cormac McCarthy, any and everything he has ever written. He's best known for "The Road" of course, and it's certainly worth the read but "Blood Meridian" is my absolute favorite of his. His stuff is brutal and wry and full of the dry irony that only the bleakness of reality offers, and by god is it well written.

And finally I'll leave you with a single nonfiction recommendation. I try to keep those minimal when I know that's not usually what people are looking for when they ask for reading recs. But since I'm giving a list of books I have often gifted, I can't NOT include this one. "Man's Search for Meaning" by Victor Frankl. I read this at 18 and it had a profound impact on how I think and view life. Any time someone I love has gone through a difficult time I've bought them their own copy.“For the first time in my life I saw the truth as it is set into song by so many poets, proclaimed as the final wisdom by so many thinkers. The truth - that Love is the ultimate and highest goal to which man can aspire. Then I grasped the meaning of the greatest secret that human poetry and human thought and belief have to impart: The salvation of man is through love and in love.”

[autumnaaltonen]

How do you think alucard would react to a gen z humor? For example: would he enjoy tiktok and vine? Would he be confused by our memes? How would he react to our self-deprecating humor?

This will be a running theme in my fanficiton, so I'm all for this. Also, I am barely Gen Z, and continuously learn new slang from my students, so excuse the cringe 😅

In my personal opinion, Alucard very much gives supportive grandpa vibes.

He's happy to view whatever "KidToks", "YouViews", or "Bumblr" memes you shove in his face. He's not going to understand it, but he's happy to watch if it makes you smile.

He really loves BookTok for reading material when he's chillin in the dungeon, especially murder mysteries and modern fantasy.

When he first got a taste of your Vine-Vocab, he legit just thought that was the way you spoke.

Seras delivering you a birthday gift: "so you just gonna bring me a birthday gift on my birthday to my birthday party on my birthday with a birthday gift?"

Giving the Hellsing taskforce driving directions for their next mission: "Road work ahead? Uh, yeah, I sure hope it does."

Joining him in the shooting range for target practice: "Don't fuck with me! I have the power of God and anime on my side!"

When you eventually informed him it was from a dead meme-site that defined your generation, he was very impressed that you young-folk have such an extensive reference log to communicate with each other.

Like I said, grandpa vibes.

His favorite moments are when your Gen Z slang is directed at him. He has no idea what you're talking about, but he loves it cus it's you. You love it too, because you can use it to your advantage and flirt with him incognito.

"Alucard, I admire the 40s coat and sunhat drip, but it's a little camp these days. We really need to give you a glow up."

"I saw the footage from your last mission, and I have to say, you were an absolute snack. Totally bussin'."

"You high-key live in my head, rent-free, Alucard."

He enjoys your silly words. Such admirable youth.

But when it came to your self-deprecating humour, it was kind of 50/50 for him. He understands it with no issues, and as long as it wasn't too hurtful towards yourself, he thought it was hilarious.

"Sorry, demons! There’s no room inside me because I’m self-possessed." Hella relatable for him.

"I question my sanity a lot of times. Every now and then, it replies." He's like, "same."

You'd think he would enjoy it all, given his dark-humour streak. However, when you talk too poorly about yourself, it really puts a damper on his mood.

Even though he's a grandpa, we have to remember that Alucard is incredibly intelligent. So whenever you're shitting on yourself, he plays your game to his advantage.

You: "I'm the human equivalent of a typo."

Alucard: "But you'll always be my type."

Wait. What?

You: "If I remember correctly, the last time that I was someone’s type was when I was donating blood in the blood drive."

Alucard: "I had it for my dinner last week, it was one of the best bags I've ever drank."

Motherfucker. There more you try to put yourself down, the more creative he gets. It's like a ping-pong game of put-downs and affectionate counter-attacks.

You: "My life’s purpose is to be a cautionary tale for others."

Alucard: "I'll just have to be your happily-ever-after."

You: "I wouldn’t even settle for me, so why would you?"

Alucard: "Because we could be settling together in my coffin when we sleep."

You: "When I’m ready to sleep, I don’t bother checking if my foot is hanging off the end of my bed anymore. Come get me, demons."

Alucard: "Is that a proposition?"

You finally admit defeat, as your red cheeks and blood pressure could only handle so much.

Damn that sexy old man.

[spiritshaydra]

Was tagged by @novafire-is-thinking ! Sorry for taking a hot minute to do mine 😭 I also decided to do ten songs because I have

A lot

Of trouble

Narrowing it down to just five (hell even ten was hard)

ANYWAYS

All of these are taken from my playlist uhhhhhh

That

Which is like,,, every song that remotely scratched my brain the slightest bit. ANYWAYS THE CHOICES. I tried picking songs I haven’t shared here before, with each being from a different artist, and each kinda having their own sound :} (I’ll also be adding why I like each one, what it makes me think of, what parts I like, etc)

Native Colossus - Shield of Wings Spotify|Youtube

HOOOOO BOY OKAY SO- this one makes me think of the lead up to a clash between gods, if not the actual battle itself. I’m talking reality shredding, time shattering, shows of power. Like a battle between two creation gods. I picture one of them descending from the sky with an incomprehensible form, rings circling around it like clockwork, its presence stretching across the horizon. This one is the one that’s defending with the other being an invading force that’s already on the ground.

Maybe this is the brutal battle that resulted in the patch of irreparable dead space in my original work? An area of space time that’s so badly shattered that nothing can stitch it back together. It’s the only remnant of the Old Universe.

I just think this thing sounds badass 10/10 great song to have my eyes stare blankly at a wall to

Free - Mother Mother Spotify|Youtube

I just love the part in this song that goes:

“A bloody war, right behind my eyes. I come out right on the other side. So close the door, and shut the blinds. I’ll come out right on the other side.”

There’s something about that part that itches my brain SO GOOD. Like I can picture animating something to that SO VIVIDLY. AUGH. Just,, something about two characters going through absolute hell while staying by each other’s side the entire time,,,

Strangers to Ourselves - Modest Mouse Spotify|Youtube

OKAY THIS ONE. Normally when you hear Modest Mouse, you think of songs like Float on, Dashboard, The Ground Walks With Time in a Box, or The Ocean Breathes Salty; which are all more energetic(?) songs with Dashboard and Ground Walks being VERY high energy. But Strangers to Ourselves is,,, not that. It’s very lowkey and subdued and has a good atmospheric sound to it that I really like. The slow steady bass line done on what sounds like a cello in the background accompanied with the occasional guitar just makes for a really nice song that makes me think of winding down for the night.

Whenever I do plan on making a long form comic with chapters and the like, I want to do these “credits outros” in between chapters that each use a different song that matches the chapter before it, with each one being somewhat animated. This is one of the top contenders for this one story I want to write/illustrate called Meridian. It would show a variety of locations at sunset- the countryside, the city skyline, the character bases all winding down for the night. Maybe showing various characters as they close up shop. Just,, all around a chill quiet vibe leaning towards the somber.

De Selby (part 2) - Hozier Spotify|Youtube

This one was a recent discovery for me and one that I REALLY like.

I specifically love the chorus parts that goes

“Want to be when you fall on me like night every time, and I want to be so far from sight and mind. I wanna kill the lights. I wanna run against the world that’s turnin’, I’d move so fast I’d outpace the dawn. I wanna be gone. I wanna run so far, I’d beat the mornin’. Before the dawn has come, I’d block the sun, if you want it done.”

There’s something about it that makes my brain feel like,,, I dunno how to describe it,, like stars? Going by really fast as I fall backwards into the void but I’m also not actually moving anywhere.

Also GREAT animation fodder methinks.

Oh no, he Said What? - Nothing but Thieves Spotify|Youtube

Can’t be a Spit music list without at least one Nothing but Thieves song <3 anyways~

This is one of their more recent songs and it’s also one I think is REALLY fun to listen to because it’s got a sort of beat and melody to it that makes you feel like you could dance to it (I cannot dance but I still try) it also sounds like one that would be FUN to play live, especially from the vocals side of things. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t consider trying to cover it myself. Nobody wants to hear that and I don’t have the proper gear to record my voice 💀

The lyrics I like from this one are

“So did you find that thing you're looking for? Does it make you feel alive? Wait, he said what?He'll start a war, tear down the planet for the hype. You know it always ends the same, honesty’s a losing game. It died a long, long time ago with your favorite god. He said what? Oh no, we have lost control. Have you seen the video? But for heaven’s sake don’t ever let the, let the people know, oh no.”

Also GREAT animation fodder as well. I can see it EASILY being either 404 (my personal project) or fandom related. It just depends on what’s rotting my brain in the moment I either listen to it or decide to actually animate it.

I’m also really hoping to be able to see them live again in October, assuming I’m able to pass my driving test next week :,D I kinda need a driver’s license to drive back home from campus in order to even go to the show,, (NBT is AMAZING live btw)

Shut Eye - Stealing Sheep Spotify|Youtube

THIS ONE. MAKES MY BRAIN FEEL TRIPPY. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HITS THE CHORUS. I’d say it’s animation fodder but I honestly have no idea what I’d animate other than it would be trippy to match the beat and just yeah I don’t know how to describe this one. I’m pretty sure I discovered it from someone’s animation project years ago? I only rediscovered it recently where it hit me like a train. A GREAT song to disassociate to because of the way it makes my brain feel if that makes sense. The colors and movement my brain comes up with when listening to this one is very fun :)

Curses - The Crane Wives Spotify|Youtube

OUGH. THIS. Is a song I get SUPER INTO when singing along to it. GREAT animation fodder. I’m not entirely sure if I’d do 404 or fandom for this one but MAN it SLAPS.

The part I get super into is

“Oh, ashes, ashes, dust to dust, the devil's after both of us. Ooh, lay my curses out to rest, make a mercy out of me. Oh, ashes, ashes, dust to dust, tell me I am good enough. Ooh, lay my curses out to rest, make a mercy out of-“

I know somewhere in my backlog of characters that’s a hundred OCs long I GOT to have SOMEONE that fits this if I do go the 404 route. (Hell might even have a fandom OC that fits, somewhere in between all the TFP and PMD Oblivion lmao)

Blackout - Breathe Carolina Spotify|Youtube

AYO WE GOT A SONG I DISCOVERED ON FLIPNOTE BACK IN LIKE 2012. AND I THINK ITS A BOP.

Edgy? Hell yeah. Do I care? Absolutely not.

Since I DID discover it on Flipnote Hatena back in the day, I obviously think this is animation fodder. But specifically in the style of the old Flipnotes that I miss oh so dearly.

I think I found it on a Pokemon Flipnote..? So might keep it in the spirit of that by making it a PMD Oblivion AMV.

Exit Strategy of a Wrecking Ball - Diablo Swing Orchestra Spotify|Youtube

OKAY THIS ONE. THIS IS A SONG THAT I THINK HAS AN INCREDIBLE INSTRUMENTAL WITH VOCALS TO MATCH.

I think I’d consider its vocals to sound almost haunting? It just sounds. SO. COOL.

The amount of different instruments I hear in it too is really cool too?? Like I can hear brass and classical strings during the breakdown of the chorus and it just leads to SUCH A BADASS SOUND. Like you have the heavy rock sound with the guitars and drums, but then there’s horns and strings as well?? It’s such a unique sound. Tbh Diablo Swing Orchestra as a whole has a very unique sound from what I’ve heard.

My brain also gives me fun visuals when listening to it. Lots of spiraling color when the chorus happens.

Hold on - Belle Sisosky Spotify|Youtube

Tumblr keeps refusing to save this post for whatever reason >:( It’s too powerful. Had to switch to desktop to even finish editing it. 💀

ANYWAYS. THIS SONG. SOUNDS SO COOL. It gives me a HUGE cyberpunk sort of vibe, and I’m honestly just a huge sucker for EDM music that has the low chanting in the background because I think it has such a cool sounding effect. (ESPECIALLY Mongolian throat singing) Also what’s really neat about this song (and pretty much all of her music) is that it uses a LOT of instruments you basically never hear in mainstream music, ESPECIALLY in pop. Some of the instruments include the Tapi’, the Hulusi flute, the Guzheng, the Angklung, the Sabe, and the pratuokng. 

TAGGING @mysticfoxdesigns @errolluck @sonicspacebar @jessenitrogen @aer-arts

@aer-arts @deathlypancakes @antiqueberry @zyanova @aecho-again AND ANYONE ELSE WHO WANTS IN

[chainsofaether]

Is your character inspired by, or takes inspiration from, any kind of existing media? Is it because of a character, trope, setting or other aspects of the story/media you vibed with? How have you adapted that media to make your character yours?

Oh look a question I can easily answer if I just rant. I really want to rant, but I'll try not to.

I can't say I don't take any inspiration from existing media because I'm not some font of infinite creativity disconnected from the world. Neat as that might be. But I can say I don't really take from anywhere specifically.

I consume a lot less media then I once did. Don't read as much, watch fewer shows. Actually what do I do? Mmm something to think about. Lots of video games I guess.

So media is a thing and pressured I could probably point at things? But more I think it tropes and themes I pull from. But getting more specific to Nyxathe, and maybe Nexa.

So Nyxathe's one big thing is Apotheosis. I can hardly tell you were I got caught up on that from specifically but I've found myself increasingly annoyed by the near constant portrayal as godhood as a bad thing. Which isn't to say I don't understand, I do very much. Still I've like to see the other side of it, if it exists.

So much so I started building a little, not so little, world where I can create stories for the very topic. Yay world building, but that's mildly off topic.

Maybe I should talk about that someday, but for now back on topic.

So there's different motivations behind wanting to be a god. Nyxathe isn't so emotionally devoid that it is purely part of just wanting to understand. Part yes, not completely. Instead Nyxathe is a deeply traumatized individual that saw a god being and got in to the thought that maybe with that kind of power things could have been different. If nothing else she could do better.

Is she right? Probably not. Who knows if she can even succeed. Still she'll peruse personal power until someone or something stops her.

That drags us to another topic. Corruption/Monsters. In Nyxathe case ties heavily in to her humanity. How far can she take her core goal without becoming a monster? To this point in time I don't think anyone could call Nyxathe more then obsessed, certainly not a monster. But Nyx is definitely corrupted by her obsession. The further she takes her research the more she starts to find the limits of ethical research. It would be really nice if she could just take an animal and do a few things to test a few theories. Or better yet a person.

But in spite of where her thoughts take her she hasn't crossed that line. Yet. Considering her personality I think it's nearly inevitable she crosses that line. Like taking our dear Angel's character Anna. Have I mentioned I love Anna? Anyway Nyx's horror about Anna would last all of a few minutes till she realized how convenient Anna's way of doing things are, and how much more power comes from that route. Given Anna would almost certainly just murder her before she got that far, so not a meeting to be I think.

Still that's lots about dark talk about a character who is otherwise pretty nice to be around. Who's pretty ethical despite how much advantage is her not being. With the right influence she could even solidify her moral stance on research.

That I think displays my real interest in the theme/idea of corruption. Least the mental side of it. The lack of inevitably in it. Few characters/people are doomed from the start. It's a life time of situation and events that lead them. Exploration of that is pretty interesting.

Of course we have the physical side of that. That was decidedly not something I was thinking about when I made Yrys. That's much more a new thing thanks to a few things I played and had a very big 'huh, that's pretty interesting' in such a strong way I needed to explore it. So I came back and start looking at how it could apply to Yrys turned Nyxathe.

Which, very easy. Super easy. Nyxathe's whole manipulation of corporeal aether, particularly her own, was such an obvious avenue to physical corruption. Yay body horror?

Okay. Well this turned in to lots of rambling. Less ranting though so that's good. I don't really want to get in to real world stuff on here no matter how much It shapes my thoughts. I didn't touch on Nexa at all. Rip but this was getting long. One day I'll sit down and do stuff for my catgirl. Also I tied Corruption and Monsters together, and I think that's a mistake, or limiting anyway. But if I go back and rewrite all of it will end up twice as long. Plus I need to sit and really think about that now. Another post maybe.

Anyway thank you Sea for the ask. I've been very quiet for a while now. I'll see about slowly ramping back up now that I don't feel so bleh.

[tehriel]

eeee yes wonderful!!!

when you get the chance, i have a request for daddy!aether and/or top!swiss/reader, with a dash of praise~

ty!! you’re amazing <33333

Thank you for the request!!

Tags: that good pasta

I am a little on the demi side so hard kinks and especially power play is hard for me to write about but here is a top!swiss the best I can~ you will see the saucy version below and the spicier version on AO3

https://archiveofourown.org/works/49764631/chapters/129237049 If anyone else has a request for me~~ I go for scenarios, feelings, vibes, some days I go full ace with no real warning, so yeah give me things I can play with in most moods :3

I hope you enjoy it~

“Whatcha reading, ______?” Swiss slithered into your nook in the ministry library, and the charming bastard reclined on your desk, grinning at you. The library liked dark woods and the scent of paper; the stained glass windows kept you warm as you sunned yourself against Autumn’s early chill.

“I’m studying for my next sermon, but I’m pretty sure you already knew that,” you gave him a sidelong look.

He only grinned wider with too many teeth, as he did when he was about to bring chaos.

Your tail flickered in his direction. He was a handsome shit. He had dark grey blemishless skin and scruffy cheeks, and he wore a half knot of dreads, leaving the rest to frame his chest. He looked like a trickster god. Eyes black peeled and waiting for the next opening to run with. “What do you want, Swiss?”

“Can’t a pack-mate check on his favourite cardinal?”

Not when a certain pack-mate had the glint in his eye that he usually did. “How are you causing upheaval today?”

“Up-upheaval? Me?” He gripped his chest as if wounded.

You arched a brow. Did you really have to explain yourself? He was the loudest of your pack, the most animated when speaking, and always had a story of how he had gotten up to absolutely no good in hell. Known to have stolen from the princes, known to have taken Mammon’s wife in Mammon’s own bed—known for that grin and all it might entail.

“Right, maybe that is on brand, but I promised I’m on my best behaviour,” he showed all ten of his clawed fingers defensively. “I was just wondering if you wanted dinner with me tonight—alright, maybe there is some ‘upheaval’ on my mind—I have procured a large amount of hard liquor, and I’ve been hanging out to watch this movie Sodo said was funny, uh, ‘Velocipastor’.”

“You have to know Sodo has no fucking taste in movies.”

“Hence the alcohol,” he nodded and grinned, “Meal’s on me; I’m cooking.”

“So there will be reapers in my food again?”

“Naw, that was an honest mistake… I thought, ‘It’s the mortal plane, how fucking hot can it be’?”

You grimaced. “I’m sorry, my love, I would and maybe next week… no, it’s gotta be the week after because of ritual Saturday… then there’s…” you shook your head. “Autumn,” you shrugged, “so fucking busy.” You sunk at your desk.

“Ah, I know,” he sighed dramatically. The guy knew how to mope gorgeously. “I’ve missed you in my bed,” he pouted.

He’d be the death of you. “I have learnt that Sodo is very good for venting frustrations out on.”

“I have more than frustration for you, Sweetheart.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do,” you cracked a smile. 

He grinned right alongside you until it fell, “I didn’t see you at breakfast, ______, you’ve been eating, right?”

“Yeah,” you waved off.

Dark lids fluttered a blunt blink.

“I’m a big ghoul, Swiss.”

“Sometimes a fucking wonder about that,” he muttered and stole a chaste kiss, brushing the rough of his cheek against yours. “I’ll see you later, hm? Don’t stress about the sermon; yours are always the best.”

“Not biased at all?”

“No, it’s true, I fall asleep in the other ones or try to choke myself to death or…”

You chuckled; you’d seen him do that with his guitar strap. “You aren’t choking yourself for death, you fucking monster.”

“Ah, but you know the French, huh? La petite mort?”

You shook your head.

“Perhaps ask Rain,” he winked and sauntered away.

“I love you, Swiss,” you called.

“Right back at you, Sweetheart,” he responded.

You would ask Rain about ‘La petite mort’, passing him in the hallway. The question left him stammering and blushing hard. Ah, Swiss; ever sewing little seeds of chaos in his wake.

***

“Sweetheart?”

You jolted awake from your desk, “Fuck! Papa, sorry… is it time for the ritual? I’ve… I’ve got most of it done—I just need to… to… Ah, Swiss…” your shoulders relaxed. The dread-head ghoul stood in your office with a ceramic bowl in his hand. You peered out the window behind you and rubbed the drool from your face. It was dark; last you checked, it had been five, the day had left you behind, and it was then eight forty. You had to have a desk-shaped imprint on your face. You groaned. You still had a day before the sermon. “Thanks for waking me, hun—was there something you needed?” you blinked at your writing, trying to make sense of the papers on your desks again.

“You weren’t at dinner, ______,” his tone was something you’d never heard from him. Low, on the edge of dangerous. “I haven’t seen you in the dining hall for the past week and a half.”

“I’ve just been busy; I grab from the kitchen… usually… sorry I haven’t been about to see you much, my love.”

“When was the last time you ate?” His voice, again, was dark. 

A sudden chill ran up your arms. “Uh.. we’re ghouls, so it’s not a big deal…”

“_______,” he warned.

 “Yesterday, what’s gotten into you, Swiss?”

Dark eyes narrowed. He wasn’t grinning. He stepped closer and shifted the papers from your desk with a swift sweep of his arm. 

“What the fuck? Swiss,” you growled, standing. 

“Sit.” He snarled in a way that tore through you, placing the bowl where your papers had been.

“Swiss…” You didn’t sit. You stood back, ready to collect your papers from the ground.

The other ghoul was quicker. He shoved you back down in your chair. You hadn’t seen him move like that since the last time the clergy went to holy war years ago. “Eat,” he commanded.

“What the fuck, Swiss?” you hissed up at him.

“I’m not playing here, Sweetheart.”

“And you think I am?” You spat.

“Your research isn’t going anywhere; you can get on your knees and pick them up after. For now, eat.”

Your nose wrinkled in a snarl, but you couldn’t deny you were hungry. The bowl was filled with a Mountain’s worth of pasta. The noodles looked handmade. He’d made it for you. “Fine,” you muttered. “You don’t have to be a dick about it.”

“Evidently I do,” he growled, perched on your desk to watch you.

You studied Swiss for a while; you hadn’t known him to be so dominant. You had no idea what had gotten into him. You supposed you should eat anyway. You approached the food with the fork and messily ate some—ghouls were not known for their table manners. Hell left you with little to no etiquette, as etiquette was for the privileged, minor demons gorged on what they could fucking get. You moaned around a mouthful of pasta. Swiss was getting good with his cooking.

“I know it’s fucking good,” he growled from your side, sitting taller and looking down on you from your desk.

You were suddenly self-conscious about your eating, self-conscious in a way no ghoul generally was. Swiss was watching you. Watching the sauce dribble your chin. Eyes devouring how much you could fit in your mouth and the way you swallowed what he had made for you.

“Uh-Swiss, hun.”

“No speaking, let me enjoy this.”

What the fuck was happening? Was he getting off on you enjoying the food he’d made for you? You gave him an incredulous look.

“I like filling your belly in any way I can, _____,” his voice was gravel, and he was dead serious.

You couldn’t look at him and couldn’t seem to stop eating either. For one, the pasta had the perfect bouncy texture, and the sauce had to be made from scratch. And secondly, your hunger crashed in on you all at once—you had forgotten what it was to be hungry for a moment. Much to Swiss’s approval, you cleaned the bowl.

“Good bean for finishing, ______.”

“I’m sorry, what the fuck?” You scoffed. 

“Don’t pretend me treating you like this doesn’t make you wet, Sweetheart, we’re ghouls—I can smell it on you.”

You frowned. Just as you had forgotten to hunger, you had forgotten to want. Ghouls could barely keep their hands off each other and the clergy, and it had been… at least a month since you had anyone. Oh, shit, he wasn’t wrong. “You’re enjoying this a little too much.”

“Sweetheart…” Swiss began, stepping from the table and gently placing the empty plate on the floorboards and out of his warpath. “You’ve been away from my bed for too long, and you haven’t been looking after yourself—I’m afraid I will have to punish you.”

You scanned over the trickster’s face, and you couldn’t find a joke there. You swallowed. “Swiss?”

“On the desk, facing me. Now.”

[nijigasakilove]

Oh my God, I can’t believe we are fucking back after 13 very long years. But WHY DID THEY DROP ALL THE EPS AT ONCE. This was supposed to sustain me for 3 months 😭 the hour long batch releases just don’t hit the same as looking forward to watching something every week.

You’re as beautiful as the day you left.. felt like we picked up right where we left off in 2011. The art style, music, OP, etc all have that nostalgic shoujo vibe. Sawako’s silly chibi faces, Chizuru, Ayane and Sawako’s dynamic.. I missed it all so much!! They literally don’t make anime like this anymore so watching this feels like getting in a Time Machine and going back to a different era

So much happened in this first episode, but at its core it really was just Sawako and Kazehaya figuring this whole relationship thing out. The picnic date was soooo cute, whole time I had the biggest smile on my face like an idiot lol. Kazehaya trying to explain to Sawako that he feels the same way and gets just as flustered as she does was adorable. Truly the shoujo boy of all time

Meeting families already? Oh they’re OFFICIAL OFFICIAL. I loved seeing how warm and receptive both families were to Sawako and Kazehaya respectively. Sawako’s dad being so protective and caring of her is so nice. Meanwhile her mom is Kazehaya’s biggest fan and trying to get all the tea from him lol. Glad she told him how much he’s changed Sawako’s life for the better and how much more she smiles now. It’s really powerful hearing that from your girlfriend’s mother, after all everyone wants to be accepted by their gf’s family and he’s fitting in great so far

On the flip side, Kazehaya mom is just as accepting of Sawako and encouraging. The dad comes off as tough, but you can tell he’s a softie on the inside and really loves his family and is happy Kazehaya has someone like Sawako. The little brother Tota on the other hand oh my goodness that kid is a gremlin. Taking the ice cream from Sawako, calling her by first name and then saying she look like a ghost 💀 he’s gonna be fun

Ryu and Chizuru focused next episode I’m hoping? I missed them so much and that was such a cute end scene. Can’t wait to watch that a little later, these hour long eps are no pushover and I want to savour having this back as long as possible 😭

[triggerlil]

top 5 film recs

Putting a lot of thought into this a la film student so I'm just choosing some of the 5 best movies I've seen that I think also capture the beauty of film as an artistic medium.

In no particular order

Burning (Lee Chang-Dong, 2018)

Deliveryman Jongsu is out on a job when he runs into Haemi, a girl who once lived in his neighborhood. She asks if he’d mind looking after her cat while she’s away on a trip to Africa. On her return she introduces to Jongsu an enigmatic young man named Ben, who she met during her trip. And one day Ben tells Jongsu about his most unusual hobby… (Letterboxd)

A mesmerizing psychological thriller that totally gets in your head yet has a somewhat meandering pace that captures the drawn out nature of these sorts of stories in real life. Breathtaking cinematography. One of my top five and I think a must watch for fans of the genre and/or Korean cinema.

Sans Soleil (Chris Marker, 1983)

“He wrote me…” A woman narrates the thoughts of a world traveler, meditations on time and memory expressed in words and images from places as far-flung as Japan, Guinea-Bissau, Iceland, and San Francisco. (Letterboxd)

Experimental film at its finest this movie always blows my mind. Moving, contemplative, wonderous. Marker is also just a really important Dude in film history.

The Passion Of Joan of Arc (Carl Theodor Dreyer, 1928)

A classic of the silent age, this film tells the story of the doomed but ultimately canonized 15th-century teenage warrior. On trial for claiming she’d spoken to God, Jeanne d’Arc is subjected to inhumane treatment and scare tactics at the hands of church court officials. Initially bullied into changing her story, Jeanne eventually opts for what she sees as the truth. Her punishment, a famously brutal execution, earns her perpetual martyrdom. (Letterboxd)

Fuck it silent film. Watched this with a church choir accompaniment and it left me stunned. The first silent film that gave me an oh moment. Reminds you that the medium can transcend so many barriers with so little. I also just think watching silent films or just really old movies is sooo important because it puts the new stuff in a different light sometimes to see the OG filmic storytelling devices.

Moonlight (Barry Jenkins, 2016)

The tender, heartbreaking story of a young man’s struggle to find himself, told across three defining chapters in his life as he experiences the ecstasy, pain, and beauty of falling in love, while grappling with his own sexuality. (Letterboxd)

Genuinely believe it's one of the best movies made in the 21st century. Gut wrenching and poignant, great writing, beautiful colour grading, amazing casting, one of the best scores I've ever heard (Nicholas Britell stays WINNING I even own it on vinyl), it's just a show stopper for me and an amazing queer film. I think if you haven't seen this but you loved Sciamma's Portrait of a Lady on Fire they have very similar energies.

Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (Yoshiaki Kawajiri, 2000)

D has been hired to track down Meier Link, a notoriously powerful vampire who has abducted a woman, Charlotte Elbourne. D’s orders are strict - find Charlotte, at any cost. For the first time, D faces serious competition. The Markus Brothers, a family of Vampire Hunters, were hired for the same bounty. D Must intercept Meier and conquer hostile forces on all sides in a deadly race against time. (Letterboxd)

Genuinely one of the only movies I think has accurately captured gothic vampire literature, it just has the VIBE of Dracula and Carmilla in a way no other movie has. It's not actually about those books, but I think it just has the essence that adaptations miss. A great example of the power of animation!!! (Also you can literally watch it for free on youtube soooo...)

If you read all these thank you for listening... hope I inspired you to watch even one of these suggestions ! My only regret is that I didn't include any lesbian cinema.

[cladestruction]

so: i am literally going insane waiting for the movie to drop so here's a list of stuff i'd love to see in it (a bitch can dream !).

to my fellow metalocalypse enthusiasts: i'd love to see your army of the doomstar bingo cards!

FLASHBACKS!!! please give me flashbacks of young dethklok, i live for those

Toki's insulin shots and Pickles' inhaler. idk, those are very important to me lol

more of Nathan's creative process !!! let me see my man cook and struggle with the new responsibility of the song of salvation! (plus: how the rest of the boys collaborate with the writing/composing)

+ BONUS POINTS if it goes wrong at some point and we get to see some extra challenge for Nathan as a man AND as a lyricist

Skwisgaar being protective over Toki !!! give me that good worried boyfriend bandmate stuff !!!

Murderface-centric scenes that show us more of him: his upbringing, builtup trauma and psychology

+ Murderface full breakdown scene bc i love drama! the man has gone thru a lot and obviously deals with low self-esteem and emotional issues, and now he's dealing with a demon/posession??? i want to see tears i want to see blood!

something with their families. maybe some of them die as the metalocalypse advances + the boys' reaction to this

i really want the beginning of the movie to clear up what exactly happened post dsr (mordhaus security? how are the fans doing? etc) and how the band is doing without Charles

(this is very biased i'm sorry) nickles moments !!! please let me see them being band dads, or more of them being best of friends post reconciliation (UPDATE: i can settle for nickles angst too but pLEASE let me see Nathan be kinder to Pickles at the end please i'm literally begging)

SOBER PICKLES !!! considering this movie could possibly be more action driven or smth like that, i really wish we could see Pickles being sober and focused

the boys' reaction to their god-moment in dsr (do they even remember? what did it feel like? do they get to keep the powers all the time or how does it work? what even are their powers exactly lmao? etc)

spirit animals throwback yes please

more elaboration on the cave paintings and symbols tied to the band and the prophecy shown throughout the series

+ UPDATE: BONUS POINTS IF WE GET TO SEE DETHKLOK IN ARMOR AND WITH WEAPONS AS SHOWN IN THE STAINED GLASS YES PLEASE

band hugs. yes this is solely for my own happiness, nothing else

considering the clips, i really want Nathan to realize and say how much he values dethklok. he's stated how much he'd like to be a regular guy so i wold love to see him saying smth like "i never wanted any of this responsability!" but later on state that he does in fact value dethklok and would not have it any other way :') (yes it's fucking cheesy, ik)

rockso is back but as a ghost. he serves the only purpose of helping us see inside Toki's mind and shit

Murderface solo song/a very badass bass solo. i'd love to see him being better at performing as a side effect of the posession or something like that. that would also show a new appeal to him falling for the dark side

A CHARLES' SONG !!! specially with goth-religious kinda vibes or smth

MORE MAGNUS' FLASHBACKS

Knubbler being central to solve the conflict with Murderface

scenes with Jean-Pierre. it would be epic and you know it !

a near death experience with someone of the band. y'know, to help with the tension and the stakes. bonus points if it's while trying to save someone else of the band (my idea is something involving drowining, it'd be cool)

the battle with Salacia goes wrong at first. they're losing or they straight up lose and at the last minute they get to revert it with the power of friendship and shit

Nathan getting glimpses of how having a normal life would be (bonus points if we see Abigail as part of his fantasies of the dream life) but, in the end, he chooses dethklok (sorry Abigail babygirl ily). ig it could go both ways too, with Nathan getting to have both things at the end (the girl AND the band)

the boys FINALLY getting to care for the fans/the klokateers and showing concern over them dying!!! (like c'mon man, it's about time)