#they're also on the same level power wise

[heartbreakercupcake]

This is how I play them out in my little world

[rotagnus]

what this man thinks of you? 🐞

guys i feel like i've been doing so much romance/male-centered readings lately so i can't wait to finish this one then do some SELF related readings because you're the star of your own show.

PLEASE ask this about someone who you have a slight connection to; friends, crushes you've spoken to, etc. i don't read into strangers' feelings and i don't want any of y'all to delulu what is going on. if you'd like i can later on do a reading about eyecontactships, but this is NOT the one. all love.

take this if it resonates, leave it if it doesn't. messages may lie elsewhere. remember to take care of yourself, lovebug--never invest yourself fully in another person. your roots belong to you, never another person.

none of these are rooted in romance unless i state so.

pile 1.

you're a strong woman, in his eyes--independent and grounded, like your very presence is grace and gift. he thinks that you're unique, because you manage to be so many things at once. tender, soft, but at the same time you have this quiet power in yourself. you know how people can carry strength in many different ways? that's all you, pile 1. some of you might be powerful with words, my gentle poets, some of you may exercise and BODY TEAAA. anyways. you guys know what i mean! just had to hype you up there. many of you have a wistful resting expression, all soft and doe-eyed. most of you have brown eyes, i'm getting, and i think that this is one of your best features. your eyes may be watery, and they're definitely important. you guys may have a lot of eye contact with this man.

okay, so another thing that he thinks of you is that you bring little moments of joy into his life. you're very clever. he also probably has some degree of intuition and he knows that you have a strong tie to the universe, god, etc. you're the kind of person that has whimsy pouring out of every single fiber of your being, you speak words into the air and they fly out of your mouth like doves. he also thinks that you're a loner; even if you have a friend group in front of him, you stand out. maybe you're on the quieter side, or you're on a different level than them; you're very obviously the different one in his eyes. it's clear that while the rest of your circle may be unsure of themselves, like baby fawns, you've honed yourself out. intelligent, wise, and calming, you have a motherly energy. he thinks that this is nice, because he himself may suffer with his own maternal issues.

how likely is he to have romantic feelings for you? -?- as of now, i think that this male has a lot of decisions he has to make. he hasn't acknowledged his feelings for you or lack thereof, because he's been busy and out of his mind lately. i can't read his energy well, so i can't say whether this connection is worth waiting for or anything, but he doesn't seem to have any bad or extremely good feelings for you; yeah, he thinks you're sweet and nice, but those feelings don't go deeply as of now.

pile 2.

he thinks that you've been a bit busy lately, and he's wishing that you two talked a bit more, for those of you that talk often. he's been kind of going through mush and wishes that the clarity regarding the both of you was clearer. you and him may be similar in one way or another; have similar interests, gone through similar things, etc. OH MY GOD anyone else but you by the moldy peaches started playing, so yeah, most of you are probably friends with this person. you have this very childlike innocence in this little connection, which is so adorable. he feels as if he's getting closer and closer to you recently, even though there have been ups and downs in this situation. i want you to know that i'm proud of you; a lot of you are avoidant attachment or have such difficulty being vulnerable, but i'm hearing that you're trying. he wishes you rested more. he feels a genuine pull to you and he thinks you have a very gentle calmness to you. that you have a good heart and good intentions...although you're a little oblivious or naive.

right now he's a bit nervous surrounding you, and the rest of the things in his life--the wheel of fortune shows that he doesn't know the way that things will end, but that he's betting his damn hardest that they'll work out. for most of you, this is a new beginning. you're not terribly sure on how to navigate this, and you feel like you're being split open...hahaha that's how he feels too. what you feel right now is what he's feeling, you guys are like mirrors of each other, so i would just try to invest some energy into yourself. i'm not getting any bad feelings from him at all, and i think that he genuinely wishes the best for you. he may be a bit insecure about what he is to you, due to social differences or the way that you're very selective with what comes into your life. he likes you the way you are. 'i don't wanna change you' is a lyric i just heard. flowers may be significant!

how likely is he to have romantic feelings for you? -?- as of now, most of you just have to keep going forward with this situation. listen, take in what i've told you--you guys always want answers, but i think you have to trust your gut with this. a surprise or reveal is coming soon, but you have to stop rushing and slow down and enjoy this time period. this situation will unfold by itself, and your worrying and anxiety won't change it. you have to know that good things are coming. you deserve this. so work on your fear and your own problems, and rest assured; this will end brightly. you have room to grow so focus on that. :)

pile 3.

why do you guys have an aura of tragedy around you?!! he may have met you when either you or him or even both of you were at a rough patch in life. i don't think you're a very trusting person; you've built up walls and it's very visible. you ever meet someone and you can tell that they're careful with who they let into their circle? not rude, not cold, but simply guarded? yeah, that's you. so he can see this very clearly. you're a very introspective person, all shy smiles and soft cadence. you may be emotional, too, and he thinks that this is sweet. it's almost as if you come off a bit brash and guarded, but deep inside, you're soft and vulnerable. for some of you, he wants to protect you and take care of you, especially if you're friends right now. he feels a lot of responsibility for you. you're weak at some points, and he wants to make sure that you're doing alright, y'know? this chaste type of care.

he may be an impulsive person, but he's the type of guy who would do anything for his girl. i do think that for most of you, you guys are friends. he's probably the opposite of you, i'm getting puppy energy. imagine a baby golden retriever and a baby black cat. that's literally you guys. i think that for this situation, he mainly has concerned feelings for you. wants to make sure you're doing alright, because you're the kind of person who wouldn't ever say something if you were doing bad. he's worried. but other than this current, temporary energy, i would say that he has a very tender attachment to you. you're important to him and he thinks that although he doesn't know you fully, he knows you well enough to hope that you're able to heal from the things you don't speak about. you have a very sunny kind of beauty to your physical looks, and he thinks that's neat. polaroids may be significant.

how likely is he to have romantic feelings for you? -?- as of now, i would recommend waiting. he sees you as this very smart person, and if he's been acting a bit odd recently--not withdrawn, just a bit nervous, then there is a chance he likes you. you have him in a chokehold and he doesn't necessarily know what to do with what he's feeling, he's not attuned to his emotions as you are; but there is luck coming. i don't know if it's about him, or anything else in your love life, but later on, specifically summer, your love life will be good! i would recommend trying to grow closer to him as of now :) but this is good news!

[bitdemonic]

† 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐔𝐒.

𝟓 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐒 . 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐔𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐋, 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐈𝐓. 𝐄𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐒 𝐖𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐒𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃, 𝐂𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐒𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌𝐒 𝐌𝐄. ⚠︎ 𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄. 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍, 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐄—𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐓. 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒; 𝐃𝐎𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐍𝐉𝐎𝐘.

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𓆩ψ𓆪 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 [𝐊𝐎𝐅𝐈]

↓

𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐈 ✮

PUBLIC IMAGE, POPULARITY, WHAT LEVEL OF FAME, CELEBRITY PERSONA ➞ 🎴 The World. Death. 7oC ↺.

Introducing this pile is the same as a thousand suns in the sky, their essence (presence) shines brightly that it's hard not to notice. Definitely thrives under the spotlight without the pressure affecting their image; effortlessly magnetic celebrity and has the fans to back it up. The public flocks to their every move in throes, this is an indicator of attracting obsessive behaviors from others, but it's also attracting defensiveness and "predatorial" protectiveness (i.e. stans, cult-ish supporters). "Can do no wrong" in the eyes of the public, because Pile One has them feigning for their attention. The influence here that's over the masses is actually so powerful it's concerning.

Carries the same mystique and aura that a rockstar does, it's intoxicating almost. Being "hot on the scene" is their peers kryptonite, because this pile has the gift of never being unknown; ability to adapt to every trend and do it correctly ("justice"), sets them too. Falling off the radar is near impossible, which boosts their status on the regular. Fitting into any crowd and shaking hands with every mogul; elite networking skills. Personality may be a little jaded however, it'll be obvious that Pile One was thrown into fame and made ("forced") to navigate it alone; no guidance or mentor, which is perceived in a bittersweet light from the world.

Will be the black sheep in Hollywood, they'll either stick out like a sore thumb or stand out amongst the crowd. Polarizing, "striking" appearance that gains popularity; a part of modeling campaigns for the largest houses and knows it—flaunts it out of confidence. They're a magic eight ball in every room and connection, leaving people on their toes for any answer [or "form of life"]. Indicator of keeping to themself when "work" is over, so they'll awaken everyone and leave them hanging. Chappell Roan vibes, basically.

PERSONAL LIFE, CONTROVERSY & DRAMA, PUBLIC ENEMIES, LEGACY & DOWNFALL ➞ 🎴 Knight of Wands ↺. Ace of Pentacles. 5oP.

Life as a star is similar to a college student's, it's thrilling and full of adventures, but also is the cause for lots of destruction (i.e. pain, change). Knight of Wands in reversed speaks for Pile One's personal life being out of control and somewhat "reckless". Could feel like things are out of their hands a lot, like trying to keep a family secret but the tabloids pick up on it. Privacy invasion will be a common thing for sure, but they'll find a way to defeat the odds of the situation (turn drama into memes or making light of context). Getting called out a lot, but for minor mistakes and mishaps.

Love wise, this pile is attracted to upcoming celebrities or people that work in an entirely different field. Wouldn't be surprised if they met long term partners at random, like when they're dodging paparazzi or running shopping errands lol. Relationships are short lived due to the demand of career, so romance isn't stable unless they're actively changing their lifestyle to make it work. Friends are potential lovers too, which is more mess for the blogs, but Pile One finds much happiness in the "unconventionality". This can bring about liars though, "snake in the camps" are prone to be revealed after the lust dies down.

Struggle shows in their capacity to actually put in work, as in enough effort without relying on others (a team); they'll have zero issues bringing in wealth, but it'll be from different ventures and endeavors outside of their field. Career won't be taken in a serious matter as expected, they'll have to fight against being the butt of jokes for this. Perceived as an "internet cousin" which means they'll receive more gains from being niche or partaking in what's popular; TikTok or Instagram is where majority of their funds stem from. For the most part things come simply, it's what comes along with it that's the issue. Being young, reckless, and rich is their only downfall and it'll come to pass if they choose to ignore growth.

SIDE QUESTS, HOBBIES, THE MEDIA, CLUB CULTURE ➞ 🎴 King of Wands. 2oC ↺. 4oS.

After hours is when they come alive ["in the nighttime"], able to let their hair down and be free from the press/stress of their job. Going out in general helps them evolve, it's as if their starlight beams even brighter; emphasis on evolving is shown through appearance, Pile One looks *good* whenever they're out and about. Confidence is boosted too, which only encourages their impulsivity in the moment—has a million crazy stories because of this and relives each one. Quite controversial and loudmouthed after a few drinks though, might cuss a supporter out once or twice and have to publicly apologize. Regrets getting into shenanigans just to end up doing them again; very 'live fast, die young'.

When it comes to the media, Pile One will be a celebrity face for reality shows, brand commercials, and modeling campaigns; televised daily for sure, this reading indicates that they're a hot commodity everybody wants to be seen with. Interviews, meet and greets, show panels, etc. all come second nature to them. Charisma oozes from their pores ("pores" correlates to their beauty, they're flawless to the public) and touches an audience in record time, they're beloved [and "cherished"] without second thought. "All is forgiven" is being channeled, which validates the fact that this pile gets away with a lot due to their likability. "America's Sweetheart" plus other countries icon.

Side quests are the complete opposite of their vitality, this pile would book hiking retreats or yoga sessions with the 4 of Swords. There's a sense of tranquility in the aftermath of being famous, their "quiet before the storm". Visiting town shops, feeding birds, getting a massage or hitting the sauna, like winding down would be a part of their schedule no matter the event. They prefer to be alone, want to enjoy the ["little"] peace and quiet that arrives; there would be photos of them eating alone and reading a novel in an Internet cafe ("spotting them in the wild") after headlines about their night before spread word. This pile lives for themselves, always, and being someone with status doesn't change that mindset in the slightest.

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐒

𖣠 The Devil card was at the bottom of the deck which describes the tumultuous obstacles Pile One might face as a celebrity. It speaks for obsession, toxicity, bad habits, and unfortunately jealous people that will sabotage their future; it'll be challenging to avoid everything hence the escapism through drugs and partying. Indicates having lots of ink (tattoos), a grunge or 'intimidating' presence, and potential piercings as time goes on.

𖣠 Could lose fans from aging or maturing (trash ass fans if I'm being honest), people will chastise, criticize, and bully if something seems out of place from what they’re used to. It’s eerily similar to Britney Spears mistreatment in the public eye, but it’s not as detrimental; Miley Cyrus versus Disney Channel watchers is what’s being indicated. "Tough crowd" but they'll still follow Pile One, might even send forms of abundance as a way to release anger—contradicting but beneficial lol so…

𖣠 Reputation will be seen in a positive, friendly and "happy go lucky" manner. Pile One is remembered for their jovial attitude and intimate (platonic) friendships; could have best friends that adapt to their fame and inherit their own, it's like when you see this pile you'll see this specific person at their side. Might be known for their drinking or drunken attitude (confirmation lmao).

𖣠 Accomplishments and projects are going to be underhanded, there's going to be obstacles when it comes to full recognition that isn't half-assed. This pile works hard and does receive attention for it, but it wouldn't reach the scope of bringing home "real" or profound awards; seen as a young minded star with great potential for most of their fame, and that's all. Might go down in history for fighting against this narrative, going to war for their spot in Hollywood, but to no avail.

CELEBRITIES IN COMMON: Timothee Chalamet, Tyla, Megan Thee Stallion, and Chappell Roan

𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐈 ✮

PUBLIC IMAGE, POPULARITY, WHAT LEVEL OF FAME, CELEBRITY PERSONA ➞ 🎴 10oW. 5oS ↺. The Hermit ↺.

Introducing Pile Two would have the same force as an older soul in a room full of whimsical minds; groundbreaking, immovable sense of self that causes tremors in each room they're found in. Jalen Hurts comes to mind, he's only 26 years old and has done irreversible damage (complimentary) when it comes to playing pro football; talented and handsome, which he knows, yet his humbleness has taken him to heights beyond the norm. That's what this pile evokes [and "invokes"] as a celebrity, they're a beacon of a star, burning amongst their peers but in a way that lights up the path to where they're headed. The wisdom and depth of their knowledge proves that fame isn't or wasn't the end goal, that it just so happened to be a part of their journey because they're able to teach, curate, or nurture the collective in ways that nobody else could. Public image is adorned and somewhat envied for being irreplaceable—this individual cannot be replicated or buried (e.g. blackballed, forgotten about), that's how cherished they are.

The ultimate workhorse, the CEO, the alpha and omega ("alma mater", might've studied in their field), etc. This pile will be known for their "utmost" dedication and respect to their craft, there's a sense of having the same respect as one of the greats, otherwise a teacher to the collective of students that adore and "look up" to them. Denzel Washington is being channeled, and now there's a download about masculinity; Pile Two could be perceived as someone domineering [or "dominating"], a king in whatever got them famous. The arts are being specified (i.e. actor, director, screenwriter, or composer), as well as being in the fashion industry (i.e. designer, professional stylist, makeup artist); could be more known within Hollywood, as in amongst the famous rather than being famous, but regardless the admiration could move mountains.

As a star, they're going to be sought after for how much they're worth, for being so high value they're out of reach ("out of touch", too). Since this pile has such high demand, it's going to be near impossible for them to connect with the public or their actual ("legitimate") fans. Could be seen as The Moon card, otherwise illusive and private until they're meant to be out in public; the Hermit being reversed is a telltale sign of antisocial behaviors. It'll be "extremely" difficult to connect with them on a personal level, and to be honest, this is how they'll want it to be; boundaries are going to be implemented and established from day one, so there's little to no room for mistakes from "outsiders". Fame can feel prickly, cringey, or downright disgusting for Pile Two, "dystopian" is what they're reminded of whenever they're made (forced lol) to engage—would drop the flashing lights in a heartbeat if it meant life would return to normal.

PERSONAL LIFE, CONTROVERSY & DRAMA, PUBLIC ENEMIES, LEGACY & DOWNFALL ➞ 🎴 The Hierophant. 10oP. 4oC.

Life as a star will have the same trudge as someone stomping through the house with mud on their boots, it'll be hard to find *real* enjoyment in the spectacle when it's not about money. Pile Two could have Capricorn or 10H placements that challenge the "lights, camera, action!" ordeal that they'll inevitably partake in; smiling in strangers faces or "performing" for them feels embarrassing. "Lighten up" is being channeled, so they're more than likely seen as a celebrity that's stoic, direct, and unmoving. Imagine how Cilian Murphy goes viral for being out of touch with social media and going blank during interviews (e.g. Buzzfeed Celebs reading thirst tweets), that's this pile times ten. Despite the standoffish response to being celebrated, they're meant to be in the spotlight for a longer duration and will stick to the commitment.

When it pertains drama and controversy, the main issue is their attachment to wealth and high-end luxuries. There's an underlying element of hatred towards Pile Two, but it's not directed to their existence, more so the everyday choices they make "out loud" (publicly); how Taylor Swift is beloved by her Swifties but gets berated for traveling across town in her private jet all the time, that's how this pile comes off within the spread. Capitalism or having a capitalistic mindset would cause chips in their notoriety, that's their only stain as a celebrity. With how many celebrity comparisons have been mentioned (example wise), it's alluding to public beef or disputes with their protégés. Someone that this pile views as inspiring would probably nitpick and start something out of spite, because they're so successful, to the point it'd cause a ruckus for everyone to see; jealousy would be attracted and they'd face backlash for responding ("dealing") with it.

In terms of career, legacy, and downfall, this pile feels the most likely to leave everything behind if they're unsatisfied with their outcome. Things like slander or defamation to character (i.e. blogs reporting them negatively) would turn them *completely* off, they wouldn't even attempt to do damage control; PR wouldn't be called or anything, they'd already be over the whole ordeal. The 4oC speaks for turning their back on what once was, feeling that there's nothing more to achieve outside of what's been accomplished [or "done"]. Hard to say where Pile Two's work would go, it feels like it'll vanish or be erased from being left behind—"in the dark" is coming through, so they're the type to take down or delete all traces of fame and what they've achieved. Very pessimistic way of thinking, but they were never attached to begin with, it's no big deal in their eyes and the world has to accept that ("come to terms with it").

SIDE QUESTS, HOBBIES, THE MEDIA, CLUB CULTURE ➞ 🎴 Page of Swords. 8oW. 7oP ↺.

After hours would consist of a routine, something that’s planned and structured ahead of time, an event or night that they’re looking forward to because it’s strategic. Logical plans are prone to occur, like spending their free time visiting museums with complex pieces, or choosing to lose themselves in a game of darts/archery; fun consists of mental development, so this pile isn’t too different from their celebrity demeanor (way of thinking, in other words). Pile Two keeps to themselves so much that there aren’t other people that join them once it’s time to “unwind”, it’s as if they’re the only company that they want, need, and want to keep—trust is being channeled, this is a boundary that they’re probably used to having crossed [or “challenged”] hence the strict requirement of one person allowed. Yoga, journaling, poetry slams, spiritual retreats and meditation are their favorite recreational activities when they’re out of the way. Such a lone ranger this pile is, but it’s freeing and keeps them protected (“out of harm's way” from the fame).

It’s possible that things start to get fast paced on days where they’re needed most, or places where they’re required to be; a hobby of theirs is to up and leave when they’re ready for something new lmao. This is the celebrity that’s invited to a high fashion show just to disappear in the middle of it because it was boring— “there’s more to do”, something better that isn’t a waste of their time. It's not done out of rudeness, though the media will undoubtedly paint them in that light, it's out of the desire to seek more on par with their interests. Pile Two is just very detached and doesn't put on a front to hide it, they come as they are and leave when it's time to. Hobbies would honestly be any endeavor that isn't expected of them, otherwise they'll break the rules purposely if it means they'll be left alone.

Going out clubbing feels pretty nonexistent here, partly due to privacy reasons, but majorly because this pile is disinterested in night life as a whole. The club in particular could be a sore spot from their height of fame, hence why they opt out of doing so; public outings aren't their friend lol, it'd be a nightmare no matter how promising the scene could potentially be. Fans coming up for pictures, paparazzi's flagging them down when they leave, dealing with headlines in the morning, etc. the hassle isn't worth the hours of sweaty excitement. Not that they don't go to parties or lively events at all, but they're extremely choosy with their time and rightfully so. Definitely would prefer hosting their own "club" at home and inviting friends over instead.

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐒

𖣠 The Fool card was at the bottom of this spread, which further cements that this pile’s fame is a whirlwind of opportunities. Upheaval in status will come randomly, literally definition of “started from the bottom, now we here.” Type of celebrity that is influenced by the numbers on the check; featured in TV commercials, box office films, or comedy sketches as long as the zeroes align.

𖣠 Longer paragraphs than other piles, this is a celebrity who’s remembered or seen as prestigious in their field. Can hold lengthy conversations during interviews, typically aces them with their density and reformed responses. Sturdy foundation of a career that was built “brick by brick” from their bare hands.

𖣠 Reputation is lighthearted, special, and seen as "familial". Celebrities that brought a light to their career field or industry and lightened it with their creative (distinct, unique) nature. Perceived as innocent and pure, no matter their age or appearance; gorgeous people and are commended for their beauty (trendsetters as well).

𖣠 Accomplishments could come at an advantage from others; nepotism babies, industry plants, or even being the protégé of another huge star (or compared to them a lot). Men could force themselves in the way of receiving public accolades like awards or "plaques", but this pile's ambition speaks for themselves. Will have a day or street named after them for their contributions to said field, a golden star after putting in overtime at work.

CELEBRITIES IN COMMON: Teyana Taylor, Bella Hadid, Aaliyah, and Tems

𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐈𝐈 ✮

PUBLIC IMAGE, POPULARITY, WHAT LEVEL OF FAME, CELEBRITY PERSONA ➞ 🎴 6oW ↺. 3oP. 3oW.

Introducing them has to be extravagant, it has to be 'big, bold, and beautiful', it has to have pizzazz and gusto otherwise it wouldn't live up to their presence. Pile Three's public image would have the coined term of "diva", they're the celebrity who was born for stardom ("born to be one") and it's imprinted in their personality from the get-go. It could be hard for them to mesh with a crowd however, for their peers could curate an idea of them apart from who they actually are; "bitch" is what they could be labeled as, but it's not all true. Glamour would have a lasting impact on their supporters, people would admire their taste in fashion and aesthetics to the point of being inspired; ventures in beauty are prevalent as well (i.e. makeup, designing clothes). Appearance for them is important because it's a large part of their identity [or persona], the kind of face card that earns them millions on top of millions ("billions").

Integrating crowds would do wonders for their status, Pile Three mixes (blends) well with other audiences opposed to just one. Essentially, they're a magnet for diversity and finds much attention overseas—the kind of star that's adored in Brazil or France lol, all over the world they're perceived as someone special and worth loving. "A jewel", a talent that brightens the collective, that "ignites" the fire in others and deems them the same (i.e. inspiring). This could actively boost their fame, meaning their prominence will never be the same as it was previously; popularity follows them for sure, they'll take off like the fastest of rockets. Similar to Rihanna's general likability and aura, this pile just carries the gift of natural attraction.

Fans feel comparable to friends for Pile Three, they’re able to call them by name or hug them in person, it’s a relationship that’s genuine and not just because of their status. It doesn’t just come with the job, there’s real love shared between them and that’s why they’re so beloved (“fan favorite” celebrity). Will be seen and viewed as someone who’s adaptable, productive, and overall invested in branching out within their career (i.e. not in one box). “Dynamic” comes to mind, so as a celebrity they’re going to be full of surprises; bursting onto the scene with ideas that are creative, original, and groundbreaking. Innovator, trendsetting and trailblazing vibes are heavily implied with this pile.

PERSONAL LIFE, CONTROVERSY & DRAMA, PUBLIC ENEMIES, LEGACY & DOWNFALL ➞ 🎴 5oC. Queen of Swords ↺. 7oW.

Life as a star will leave them ‘winded’, it might leave them disappointed in the way life unfolded, or that the cards they were dealt left them unsatisfied; the saying “money can’t buy happiness” is what they’d understand if they were famous, it came full circle and they’d hate that. Life can be tumultuous, it can have an undercurrent of despair—drowning from the upheaval in what used to be normal. A lover could be their saving grace, the “one good part” of their difficult day to day (future lover, future spouse that feels genuine and safe). For some reason there’s a taint of sadness on their success, accomplishments, and overall enjoyment of fame, it’s a melancholic energy that will never disappear. If this pile could rewind time and do things all over again, they probably would.

Queen of Swords in reverse indicates enemies [or Pile Three’s biggest enemy] being themselves. Their biggest setback stems from insecurities and ends up being the root of all disappointments; missing deadlines, bailing on appearances, all forms of self-sabotage hinders their growth in the spotlight. Nitpickiness bleeds into connections outside of career, eventually harming their bond with those closest to them—too blinded by their inability to be vulnerable, it seems they won’t even realize (“until it’s too late”). Publicly they’re adorned, but behind closed doors is when [and where] everything goes left. It’s not significant, but controversy or drama involving other people (i.e. their peers, paparazzi) will be nothing short of envy, wishing that Pile Three’s success or assets were their own.

This is surprising, but this pile seems to be the problem and not the other way around lmao; “wreaking havoc” internally is the uproot of any negativity, in other words their self-destruction is the fall of their fame. Too domineering and defensive, they’re the type to lash out when they’re under pressure, not giving second thought to their attacks if they’re struggling (“failing”) to handle celebrity culture well. Similar to throwing rocks and hiding their hand, basically. It's not their fault however, because with the 7oW being here, that speaks for crippling anxiety and having nowhere to run to; defense mechanisms are really apparent when it comes to Pile Three's legacy. There'll still be a chance or multiple for them to redeem themselves, just as long as they're able to clean up their acts.

SIDE QUESTS, HOBBIES, THE MEDIA, CLUB CULTURE ➞ 🎴Strength ↺. The Fool. Knight of Swords ↺.

After hours could be quite unattainable as a celebrity, meaning alone time is few and far between; going out would consist of fans spotting them all the time and possibly ruining the entire vibe from pushiness (rude behavior, harassment, not leaving them alone). Pile Three would give up on the idea entirely to be honest, they'd succumb to the defeat of not having enough strength (hence the card in reverse) to assert their dominance, it's easy to push them over for sure. However, this won't keep them from showing up at their favorite spots or hanging out period, it's just going to have obstacles that ruin the overall enjoyment meant to be had. Indicator of huge mobs appearing out of nowhere, despite an evening with private intentions. There could be a slight revel in this kind of attention though, there isn't an inclination to use a disguise or coverup to be hidden from unwanted eyes.

For some odd reason, the media would be "hyper focused" on what Pile Three does on a random hunch; headlines or published stories wouldn't revolve around the average celeb drama (romance, projects, gossip), but instead it'd be about their eating habits or newest purchases. Miscellaneous updates, essentially, and it wouldn't go unnoticed. Garners publicity [without trying] from their most expensive car, current haircare routine, or partner's latest playlist dedicated to running at the gym—falls in the category of being niche when in actuality it's quite boring. Catchphrases or slogans are significant too, might put something under an IG post that goes viral and becomes the print on a crop top. It's going to feel quite strange to them, but at the end of the day there's nothing that can be done; lots of moments where they're seen "unprepared" that they'd obviously want to avoid (paparazzi feels like they play pranks almost like lmao).

This pile is so naughty, it's hilarious; prone to be caught "red-handed", usually found in the midst of doing something that shouldn't be common for celebrities. Vandalizing buildings (i.e. spraying graffiti), stealing small items from stores (Winona Ryder tease), being spotted at an ex-lover's house, etc. It's so silly for them because these are daily antics of the average civilian, which they are, but societal status wise it's out of character—not of their tax bracket. Quite comedic with it also, like this is someone that poses for their mugshot on some silly goofy mood shit. Definitely known for their humor in general, but it's apparent when they're off duty, so much that it brings in a new surge of 'supporters' each time [or circumstance]. Wedding crasher energy, that's what hobbies would revolve around anyway: photobombing stranger's pictures, going outside in bunny slippers, tripping in public and using it as a meme because they're unserious, etc.

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐒

𖣠 Page of Wands was at the bottom of this spread, meaning that this pile is seen as the "jester". The entertainment part of Hollywood, bringing charisma and character in the areas that are drab or boring; the person everybody wishes they could hand around outside of social media. Bright ideas that are implemented for them and others, a celebrity that's hard to ignore because they're always pushed to be seen.

𖣠 Humor is their strong suit x10, this pile has the ability to get any dead crowd up and alive with their words. Easily first pick for hosting live ceremonies or headlining concerts (live events in general). Reminiscent of a younger cousin or middle child, heavy sibling energy that the public adores [and "admires"].

𖣠 Reputation is remembered in an expressionistic way, meaning this pile has left their mark externally. Clothes and fashion could be their "hidden" niche, something that people weren't aware of until later, but can't deny the fashionista gene that's a part of their flamboyance. Might be known for starting and stopping on projects a lot, experiences burnouts often and has trouble picking up where they left off.

𖣠 Accomplishments are typically "the first to", this pile is a leader in their own right which gives them a boost in receiving public accolades. Their difference makes them stand out and lands them in rooms with large (huge) ass names. Will either be top choice for an "unattainable" award (e.g. winning a Tony isn't simple, but they'd score it without difficulty), or win multiple awards in their field (i.e. Billie Eilish winning numerous Grammys at her young age).

CELEBRITIES IN COMMON: Rihanna, Sabrina Carpenter, Cardi B, and Keke Palmer

𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐈𝐕 ✮

PUBLIC IMAGE, POPULARITY, WHAT LEVEL OF FAME, CELEBRITY PERSONA ➞ 🎴 Queen of Pentacles ↺. 2oW ↺. The Sun.

Introducing Pile Four takes a different approach than all the other piles, as a celebrity they're going to be perceived as "nothing short of a gold digger". This isn't inherently negative, but it does paint the picture [and begs the question] of their loyalty to those that 'surround' them; spouses, friends, management, anyone that's meant to assist or uplift this pile under the limelight. Envisioning Anna Nicole Smith right now, which indicates that they're someone who's driven by status and ["most importantly"] money. Dollar bill signs flash in their eyes for sure lol, it's as if wealth stimulates every notion of their will to live (i.e. be a star); the promise of good fortune and billionaire company is the promise land of their dreams. Meant to attain it for certain—after, or even before Pile Two, this is the wealthiest pile out of them all.

Another group of celebrities that cause rifts and notions within the opinions of others; it'll be hard not to assume they're one way, because ultimately, they don't go out of their way to hide it. Being bad is good, being good is bad is their internal monologue, something that they're not afraid to admit openly and [undoubtedly] without shame. Their fame might feel unstable, or "hot and cold", and it's due to them not being involved with the "shenanigans" as much as their peers; the WAG celebrities, the stars that harbor fame from the rich partners hanging from their arm. The Lori Harvey of their industry, possibly even of whoever's company that's kept—people are caught off guard by their ability to stay afloat from doing nothing. What this means is that they're not actively involved in a career that pins them down, so they aren't fulltime actresses or musicians, just fulltime paid and pretty.

The Sun is the literal embodiment of being hot shit, it's one of the major arcana cards that screams it-girl or it-boy essence; charm is through the roof, visibility is on one hundred, skin continuously glowing from all the attraction they gain or pull. One upload on social media and their followers shoot to the millions, this is a celebrity that's the most followed person on whatever platform, and it can literally be for just existing. Their fans aren't particular meaning there isn't a specific niche (or gender) that's into them, people in general are drawn to their presence like "bees to honey". Hell, even their favorite artist's favorite artist's is drawn to them, like this is a celebrity that shows up and brings the whole room with them whenever they leave; followers are a personality trait, it's effortlessly natural for them to be favored. The A in A-lister.

PERSONAL LIFE, CONTROVERSY & DRAMA, PUBLIC ENEMIES, LEGACY & DOWNFALL ➞ 🎴 2oC. Ace of Swords. 7oW.

Life as a star is a life that's worth living wow, they're going to be someone's sugar baby for sure. "Cash cow" is being channeled, so there's a lover that doesn't hesitate blowing bag after bag on their every desire, pleasuring them with luxurious expenses and flashing bright lights; not ever forcing them to lift a finger in exchange for gifts. Oh this is the dream for real, this stirs up "positive" jealousy, like their peers root Pile Four on but not without wondering what they could do to attain the same lifestyle ("you go girl" is being heard right now too). Things feel dipped in cotton candy (or gold), adornment and princess/prince treatment are very common; spoiled brats that live as a star both in public and at home. For as long as they're able to, as long as they're alive, nothing would make them give this full ride up [and rightfully so lmao].

Enemies, the media, and paparazzi for this pile will carry senses of wit, intellectual and meticulous yet impressive. Pile Four could even be acquaintances with these people, it feels similar to throwing the fakest smile to a person you hate due to the public setting, it's calculated "hatred" between one another. Indicative of sources for their secrets being close friends, or people that're trusted; bold moves and audacity that will usually be found out by Pile Four, but it doesn't prevent it from happening again (i.e. bitches are snakes lol). Lots of traction on social media from blogs and stan/hate pages that boost popularity; "bad publicity is still publicity" definitely applies for this pile. Sensing that there isn't much emotion present however, so ultimately there isn't a lot that's done besides soaking up the scrutiny.

Similar to the previous pile, there's going to be a temptation on Pile Four's end to be destructive at one point in their fame. It's a dire need, an urge almost, to act an ass and make the world enable their self-sabotaging behavior; being used to having everything their way will lessen their social cues and manners, which isn't going to help their public likability. Quite chaotic as a person, they're not going to filter themselves for anyone, anything, or any "moment" (i.e. setting), which forces their maturity in that second. Pettiness is their go-to lmao, so it's obvious where this is going—reaction, response, or action is both this pile's success and downfall. Their legacy as a whole relies on if they're able to be mature, so the cards can fall either way; the Universe will decide, so essentially, they'd either be well liked enough to never be cancelled or disappear out of nowhere on a random weekday.

SIDE QUESTS, HOBBIES, THE MEDIA, CLUB CULTURE ➞ 🎴 The Magician ↺. 9oC. 5oS ↺.

After hours are on the trickier side to explain, it feels as if they're in more than one place but nowhere at all. Seeing them outside would be like spotting a giraffe in the wild, they're hidden in plain sight and everywhere all at once; could hide themselves well, making it harder for others to detect them in a crowd. 'Where's Waldo?' vibes, Pile Four has the ability to camouflage and that's their favorite pastime; loves to use an alias outside. This reason alone can leave their actual events of the night under wraps, it feels as if nobody's aware of what happens apart from the invisibility. Quiet as it's kept is how this feels, it's near impossible to get a read on this part, maybe it's not for anyone else to know ("use imagination", up for interpretation).

Wow, the people's princess for sure—9 of Cups speaks for fulfilment, wishes, and positivity—headlines will shower ("flower") them with compliments, make them feel even more seen and appreciated than before. Pampering them with the sweetest words or captions, publishing their best pictures on front pages, sending presents as 'thanks' for existing, etc. Favoritism will absolutely be shown for this pile, so much that it won't evoke negative emotions, it'll just make everyone fall ["even more"] in love. As a star this brightens their light to maximum potential (power), their name being publicized is the equivalent to a supernova shooting across the sky. So little words can be used to describe this kind of magnetism, but it exists within them and it's treasured by anyone that's graced ("touched") by it.

Nature retreats, traveling to far out countries ("beaches"), and visiting spiritual resorts would be side quests that they partake in. "Peace of mind" is their motto, it's their way of life when they're free of the madness, it brings them contentment beyond the money and fame. The weight that comes with the world's attention is lifted and they're a free bird when they're with them; sitting in the forest and listening to the sounds might also keep them in high spirts. Yoga seems to be common with all the piles (no surprise considering the tax of the subject lol), but Pile Four finds more interest in teaching it than practicing. Time to themselves is spent enlightening their mental habitat, nurturing and replenishing their thoughts with the Universe or Mother Nature.

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐒

𖣠 Queen of Wands was at the bottom of the spread, meaning this pile is known for their ferocity, sexiness (i.e. sex appeal), and independence in their chosen field. Runs the world with every command or will grow into this strength the more they're involved with fame. Indicator of a star that's intimidating or dominant to their peers because no one can touch them (otherwise "steal" their spot).

𖣠 The celebrity that's plastered everywhere but isn't known past their social image or public name (as it should be). Hidden even when, or if, they're in high demand—can disappear and come back with twice the power they had. Their pupils (peers and fans) admire them to the point of hoping or wishing to be like them one day.

𖣠 Reputation feels as if it halts or stops in an abrupt manner—a change to how they were seen at the start of their career, near the middle or "ending". Their efforts and past are wiped clean from the difference, could be unrecognizable despite being a trailblazer. Lots of love or "loss" of love for this pile regarding fame, a situation could alter their reputation that was honestly out of their hands (i.e. whoever they're associated with fucks up their name).

𖣠 Accomplishments are going to be huge, personal accomplishments that transcend the physical. Gone through so much to see it all pay off, the field they're in (or fame in general) could've molded them into a "machine" but the rewards were worth the price. World domination is written in the letters of their name, it's near impossible to overthrow the transformations they've brought to celebrity life.

CELEBRITIES IN COMMON: Zendaya, Beyonce, SZA, and Ayo Edebiri

𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐄 𝐕 ✮

PUBLIC IMAGE, POPULARITY, WHAT LEVEL OF FAME, CELEBRITY PERSONA ➞ 🎴 6oP ↺. The Star ↺. The Magician.

Introducing Pile Five would come with strong words of advice for newcomers that come after, this pile's presence might be shroud underneath bad financial decisions, debt, or naivety to the industry. Prone to being taken advantage of, even being misrepresented by gullible words, actions, or choices, they're a celebrity that reminds their peers of Bambi. Might be in the "background" more often than not, someone that's behind the scenes and uses their abilities ("magic") to bring beautiful art and creations to life. Underpaid or being underappreciated is a prevalent theme though, so fame would cause them distress or distrust in anyone that isn't themselves; prefers working alone, enjoys their career and what perks that come with it, but choose not to share how much they're planning on doing next. Hidden gem in a world full of the same diamonds but opts out of promoting their specialties—underrated to many, except for the few that have been blessed to find out about their talents.

The Star being reversed is an indicator of their fame level being despondent on their next big move, it relies on what "they're able to bring to the table". Pile Five is quite the individual, they're a natural creative that can staple their works without an issue; if they wanted, if they chose to, they'd be soaring to grand heights with ease. Untapped potential either by choice or by procrastination. Reminiscent of Normani's dance in [and out] of the spotlight, the ball is in their court and sometimes it doesn't make it to the basket. The people yearn for their work too, that's the funniest part because they're well aware of this, they just don't move on anyone else's time but their own; fame doesn't temp them easily, it's as if they're the "black sheep" amongst normal sheeple.

The magnitude of their fame definitely does depend on how active with their celebrity they are; one minute it's intense and thriving, next minute it's gradual and subtle. There could be periods of rest with this pile, it's not necessarily detached energy, but it gets still whenever they're "bored" (i.e. exhausted with keeping up, not bothered to be a celebrity lol). Manifestation could be a technique that's shared between this pile and their fans, or some other kind of reference to spirituality; this is a known fact about them for sure and it's accepted without question. The potential to lead or generate followers is so strong it's cult-ish, like their power doesn't go unnoticed but they don't go out of their way to enforce it. The aspects of fame aren't as present because this is someone that got famous "on accident" (not purposefully, it just happened), but their influence could lead millions whenever they decide to tap into it.

PERSONAL LIFE, CONTROVERSY & DRAMA, PUBLIC ENEMIES, LEGACY & DOWNFALL ➞ 🎴 Judgement ↺. 9oP ↺. 10oC ↺.

Life as a star won't be simple for them, it'll actually be more difficult than any other pile to be honest. Judgement in reverse indicates malicious gossip and constant (I mean *constant*) opinionated comments, Pile Five is quite literally under a microscope with no air to breathe. Friendships and romantic relationships might even crumble from the burden of being around them; reality will be harsh, and it does teach valuable lessons, but it'll be taxing as hell. Might find solace in spiritual gurus or "religion" (imagine SZA), it keeps them stable and focused on fulfilling their purpose [because if famous, this pile definitely has a karmic mission to accomplish]. Ironically, this kind of negativity never breaks them, only spurs them forward and gets them closer to their inner completion/goals; nothing stops them, not even themselves (i.e. Universal alignment).

Contracts, contracts, contracts, and more contracts—huge disclaimer that Pile Five must read over every piece of paper involving their earnings and very carefully, because the fine print is their biggest enemy. Hiring managers, talent scouts and agencies (“agents”) will attempt to take advantage of them with the potential to succeed if they’re not reading between the lines; acute around others and well informed on said industry, nothing else will stand in their way except for that dotted line. Shows that despite fame being a great challenge (“roadblock after roadblock”), they’re always going to stand on their two feet again. A force to be reckoned with solely as an individual, they’re the biggest threat and won’t need to open their mouths to say it. Intimidating aura that affects business sharks and CEOs, not their celebrity peers—Pile Five is the big dog.

Having 10 of Cups in reverse suggests that they’ll back out of fame once it starts to drain their happiness; they’re someone that’s strong, but eventually the backlash of their social presence takes a toll. Their legacy and downfall would mention the depressive essence that they carry, how it seemed their souls “yearned” to be set free once upon a time (poetic individuals here, they’d be remembered for their intuition and higher selves for sure). Melancholic thoughts are present here, so overall their life under the spotlight depicts some sense of needing to be saved. It’s bittersweet for them but since this pile also has special attributes, the wounds of fame are buried beneath the creative identity they’ve built (i.e. shown publicly). Despite how it seems or sounds, balance is restored as a star.

SIDE QUESTS, HOBBIES, THE MEDIA, CLUB CULTURE ➞ 🎴 2oS. 5oC ↺. Queen of Pentacles.

After hours are usually private, otherwise moments that happen once the door’s close and there’s no one around. Intimacy isn’t the denominator, it’s more of wanting to keep their personal life “top secret” because of the hectic mess they deal with everyday. It’s not uncommon to go this route when in the public eye, but this pile dedicates themselves to shutting the world *all* the way out, especially if attention isn’t warranted. Essentially, they’re hidden all the time, it’s the same as Alexa Demie never being seen until she’s out of hibernation. Not much happens that is “known”, it’s one of the topics that Pile Five chooses to leave up for interpretation (“up in the air”).

Discord with the public was alluded to, but in this section it seems that there is solace or “forgiveness”; apologies are given and Pile Five accepts them with grace. The media seems to fall in life after realizing (possibly owning up to) the mistakes or “trauma” they brought upon this pile, there’s a lot of sorrow and guilt from society as a whole. It’s not addressed on Pile Five’s end but there’s going to be a sense of “I’m sorry for all I’ve caused or done” emanating off of the ones that did the most damage, it’s a complete 360 compared to when the reading first started. Something could’ve transpired over the course of their fame, or near the ending, that caused the world to embrace them like they should’ve (ironic lmfao). Bittersweet is the keyword here because it’s being channeled,for the second time, which speaks for Pile Five holding resentment yet maturing and moving forward; “pay no mind” to those that aren’t them.

Importance is found in all of their side quests, it’s this pile that finds comfort in giving back; donations to charities, protests as an ally, food drives however many days in a row, etc. Nurturing their community is what they’re found doing outside of celebrity tasks, Pile Five would rather help those in need before spending time out “doing nothing”—not that they’re not outside or can’t hang [because they definitely can], but it’s more common to see them spending their time making an “innate” difference. This pile is highly important, like without them Earth would spin a little slower, it’d be off its axis by the largest degrees, their soul is necessary for the greater good of the future. They’re abundant both physically and mentally, which is combined to create the life they’ve always wanted; pleasure is a side quest that’s prioritized. Pampering themselves and staying beautiful [“in every way”] has been number one ever since they received the benefits to do so.

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐒

𖣠 7 of Pentacles in reversed was at the bottom of this spread, meaning that this pile might not find satisfaction in fame despite bringing so much material in the area. Financial issues could be present a lot, more than any other issue, and that derives them of finding actual pleasure in being a star. Has drafts and unfinished projects that could change the world, but picks when [or if] they ever get done.

𖣠 Outside of the dreariness that shadows (follows) this pile, they would be a celebrity that garners loads of support and attention from their fans. People absolutely love, adore, cherish and treasure them, it'll be immense and irrefutable, intense emotions. Very, very loved by the masses and the grandiose display of affection will encourage them to keep going every time.

𖣠 Reputation will be hopeful and celebrated for its positive inflection upon the collective. Beloved for their kindhearted spirit, tender minds (words, thoughts m), and touching actions—big hearts that people wish they could've kept forever (i.e. "forever in our hearts"). So special it actually hurts.

𖣠 Accomplishments are physical, but not the most significant in this pile's lives. Spiritual progression is their largest accolade, they alter the spirits of those that come across them; seeing them on TV, in pages of books, or on the radio has an impactful effect on their audience. They bring change in the smallest, yet largest ways and it creates a positive difference amongst the world ("whether it's recognized or noticed, it takes affect").

CELEBRITIES IN COMMON: Tinashe, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, and Frank Ocean

© 2025 BITDEMONIC

[kirain]

Sigh....Galemancers really love to move the goal post when it comes to the grooming accusations huh? You found out Gale was a fully grown MAN when Mystra slept with him so now you have to say, "Well then he was emotionally groomed and the power dynamic is too vast." Mystra is a neutral good goddess because she's Midnight, who was a neutral good human. She hates that her magic has to be used for good and evil. Ao makes her share it evenly but she'd rather not. She would never do anything to hurt Gale. The writers of the game even confirmed she's not a groomer. People like you also downplay the point of Gale's entire story arc, which is he should've listened to Mystra! The whole point of his personal quest is he needs to learn to humble himself and listen to his goddess! He has no one to blame for his downfall but himself.

There's no "post" to move, anon. The game and lore give us all the context we need. Grooming doesn't only apply to children, and people have proven right and left that Mystra is terrible at relationships. She's petty and abusive when she isn't obeyed by her partners, and that's been the case with all of her iterations. Even the narrator describes her as a "jealous goddess" when you visit her shrine. Plus, your information is wrong on many accounts; the most pertinent being that the Mystra of BG3/5E isn't technically Midnight. Cyric and Shar killed her, reducing her to her godly essence (lore-wise that means she died). The current Mystra is an amalgamation of the vestiges of Mystryl, Mystra, and Midnight, as told in the novel Elminster Enraged.

Now, this is about to get complicated, as it always does with Mystra, so from here on out I'll be referring to Mystra #1 as Mystryl, Mystra #2 as Mystra #2, Mystra #3 as Midnight, and Mystra #4 as 5E Mystra. Alright, let's get started.

Elminster had to reform the fallen goddess by giving her fragments of all three iterations of Mystra. Since all three iterations are combined, our current 5E Mystra embodies the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly. There's even a conversation with The Simbul (one of the Seven Sisters and a Chosen of Mystra) where the newly reformed 5E Mystra speaks of Elminster as her "longest lover". This puzzles The Simbul because that was something of the old Mystra (Mystra #2), not Midnight. The new 5E Mystra replies that she has become a combination of the memories of Mystryl, Mystra #2, and Midnight. This is all in chapter 25-30 of Elminster Enraged. I know it's confusing, but in short: 5E Mystra is not Midnight anymore, and the leading mind is clearly that of Mystra #2, hence her extremely poor judgement—a recurring theme with her character.

Mystryl and Mystra #2 were originally lawful neutral. The alignment changed to neutral good when Midnight took up the mantle, because Midnight herself was a neutral good person. But now it seems 5E Mystra is true neutral, because you are right, anon; Ao won't allow her to do whatever she wants. Midnight tried and was forbidden. 5E Mystra absolutely does not have the same level of humanity or kindness as Midnight, and that may be because Mystryl had no human consciousness and Mystra #2 was a mess.

Regardless of her alignment, she must embody her domain by Ao's decree, which means she needs to spread magic across all Realmspace. Since she has to maintain the balance, she approaches good, neutral, and evil mages with potential opportunities. This isn't a criticism (that's just how godhood works), but rather proof that Mystra is absolutely capable of good and bad. I don't want to hear any more of this "she's a precious little bean and Gale's victim" nonsense. Even if she wants to be, she's not. As Kikitakite said in their post, she's done some fucked up things.

Whether or not the writers intended to make Mystra a groomer, that's exactly what they did. Sometimes writers don't realise they've written an abusive character until they're criticised. Take writer of The Notebook, Nicholas Sparks, for example. He didn't realise he'd written Noah to be an abusive piece of shit until Ryan Gosling pointed it out himself. Gosling has gone on record many times to say he hates Noah, and experts have labeled him an unrealistic and emotionally abusive/manipulative character. The same can be said for Stephenie Meyer, who wrote some of the most celebrated toxic relationships in recent media—with a dash of borderline pedophilia on the side. Therapists have weighed in extensively to tell people that Bella and Edward's relationship isn't healthy and shouldn't be emulated in real life. Indeed, perhaps the best thing to come out of the entire franchise is Robert Pattinson's hatred of Edward and the series as a whole. Jacob's actor, Taylor Lautner, even argued with Meyer's on set because of how weird the "imprinting" segment was and he didn't want to come off as predatory. Meyer argued it was "romantic". 😕

Even if you don't agree Gale was groomed, Mystra is flagrantly responsible for his insecurities and she never should've put her hands on him. The power dynamic is too vast, and even god Gale (conceited as he is) realises it by the end. He only stays in a relationship with Tav if they allow him to ascend them alongside him as his equal. He recognises that anything else would be unhealthy and unacceptable. Also, I researched high and low regarding your claim, but none of the devs have dispelled the idea that Mystra is a groomer. In fact, the most I could find was one dev simply saying, "To Gale it was love, but he didn't know any better." If anything, that only confirms he was confused and didn't know what to do. Their "relationship" was a stunningly horrible idea from the start and that's not on Gale, it's on the literal cosmic being who initiated it.

Moreover, Gale was very likely 17 when Mystra revealed herself to him. This perfectly fits into the 5E Forgotten Realms timeline. If so, no, he absolutely wasn't a grown man. He was a teenager. Mystra may not have slept with him until he was in his 20's, but that still makes it a disgusting teacher-turned-lover situation. Gale even tells us he was "young" when she took him into her fold, and he was only eight years old when Elminster started their lessons. Remember, Elminster is Mystra's biggest apologist. He would've taught Gale to revere her, which means there was almost never a point in his life when Mystra wasn't the main focus. You can tell by the way he speaks about her in Act 1. He's in awe, he's excited, he's proud she chose him. That does something to a child. Something irreversible. If anything, Elminster is complicit in what happened. I've said this before, but he couldn't even be bothered to visit Gale himself. He sent a simulacrum.

As for your accusation that I'm "downplaying" Gale's story arc—you're damn right I am, because the writers made me! Most D&D players I know aren't very happy with how Mystra is portrayed in the game, and that's probably because even they know she isn't presented in a very flattering light. If you really think about it, it's obvious what the writers were going for, but they failed. For example, you said Gale should've listened to Mystra, right? Well, in Act 1 he admits his ambition was his undoing, blames himself for his downfall, and by Act 2 he's literally ready to off himself for her. In fact, he's the only one who sees her ultimatum as justified. Every other companion says she's being cruel and unreasonable. If Gale actually blows himself up at the end of Act 2, the results are catastrophic. The brain is destroyed, yes, but the tadpoles, free of the Absolute's control, complete their transformation and infect/enslave the entire Sword Coast. Anon. She. Is. Stupid. Even the Narrator is like, "You wanna ... you wanna try that again?"

The entirety of Act 2 is Gale learning he shouldn't listen to Mystra. And then she has the audacity to lecture him in Act 3? If he'd listened, it would've been the end of everything. Maybe if Mystra was as infallible as she pretends to be, she would've put her three brains together and came up with a better, less vindictive plan. Because make no mistake, she wanted Gale to blow up in Act 2, which is ridiculous. I know this is an uncomfortable topic for some people, but gods aren't perfect, especially in fiction. They're flawed. They're selfish. Some of them are straight up assholes. The real irony of Gale's arc isn't that he has no one to blame but himself, it's that Mystra should blame herself. At no point does she even consider if she's being unreasonable or unfair. There's no self reflection whatsoever. And the writers expect me to think Gale's full of himself? I wonder where he got it.

Probably from his teacher. ✋🎤

[oh-no-its-bird]

Ok, so. Smashing together my recent posts (stoner Itama / the secret Senju weed empire money / co-dependent twins Itama and Tobirama) to make a cohesive narrative:

So, Itama survives AU.

In this, Itama and Tobirama are twins. They're very close, arguably closer to each other than Hashi is to either of them.

Growing up, after Kawarama died, Hashirama found a new friend in his boy by the river. Meaning the twins were sort of left to mourn on their own, their older brother no longer as interested in playing with them. They got to be almost dangerously codependent, and their father only encouraged it bc they were also training to fight as a duo, and the codependency made the team synergy go crazy hard.

On that note, they're absolutely terrifying in battle together for sure. They're nightmares on their own already, but together?? Let's say that as long as they're fighting side by side, they're on the same level as Hashirama himself.

Itama grows up to be a scientist like Tobirama, but in a different field of science— ✨️plants✨️

Itama is like, a bioengineer for plants. He's crossbreeding the fuck out of these bad boys, finding ways to amplify certain traits in some plants, erase them altogether in others, or mixing them up for the best of both worlds. Full doctor Frankenstein plant edition

It's fun bc he often gets help from both of his brothers, and he's also able to help the both of them in turn!

Hashirama helps with growing plants, meaning Itama doesn't have to wait the years this research would usually take. He can go from nothing to having his final product in days flat when it should have taken a fucking lifetime to do. If he fucks up it's no stress bc as long as he has the seeds, Hashirama can just grow him a new plant to start from! All he needs is one single seed and an entire world of new possibilities is unlocked.

On top of all that, the mokuton can affect the plants in ways growing by regular time doesn't, so Itama also gets to play with special mokuton plants too

Then Itama can give Hashirama all sorts of new plants to potentially use in battle, tho Hashirama doesn't seem to want to use want against the Uchiha. But like. He has them!! And it's fucking terrifying!!! Plus they can just in general bond over being plant enthusiasts. If Hashi finds a cool new plant or vice versa they can get excited about it together

Tobirama understands all to most of Itama's research, at least in theory, and will often help with his experiments. Likewise, Itama also understands all to most of Tobirama's own research (at least in theory) and can help him in return. Having their own specific fields of interest, they're often bringing a fresh pair of eyes and different thought process to the others experiments, and it's great for them both. SO many results.

Itama is let in on most of Tobirama's projects, and even if he's not helping he generally knows what he's working on and vice versa. They have few secrets and its actually just in general very good for Tobirama specifically. Like, mentally and support wise.

Because Itama never died to serve as that final push over the edge, and was instead there to offer emotional support, Tobirama didn't turn to necromancy. (If he had tho, Itama would have been fully on board— sorry Hashirama) Instead, maybe he's spending that time being even more focused on cool time/space jutsu or something.

So like, all grown up he's a poison specialist with a major wind chakra attribute and minor fire attribute. His main weapon is a pipe, which he just smokes normally on top of using its smoke as a weapon. He can put so much pressure into the smoke that it becomes physical, and can then be used as a blunt force weapon (on top of ofc the smoke being used as just smoke, and having different effects on its own)

He's immune to a lot of his smokes effects, but has special extra powerful versions of most of his go to weaponized smokes that are so strong they work even on him. Obviously, he doesn't usually use these in battle, but they're there as a last resort

Fun sort of chain reaction attack where he disperses some super flammable powder or smoke then tosses in a single spark and it goes up like fucking fireworks. Or a cool combo attack where Tobirama provides hella fog with whatever water is nearby, and Itama condenses it so thickly that it chokes out their enemies without having to lift a single finger.

He can make like, platforms of smoke to stand on or use as shields, and he's especially good at deflecting and redirecting enemy attacks with carefully condensed smoke shields summoned up at just the right angles. Like, imagine you throw a kunai and it bounces off some invisible platform, then off ANOTHER invisible platform, and somehow its still gaining momentum (propelled by summoned winds or wrapped in a slightly solidified veil of smoke thats moving it on its own) and hits you right in the eyes

He absolutely fucks around with making all SORTS of custom effects with whatever he's smoking, which also brings us to the idea that got me here in the first place ->

Ok so the joke about the Senju having a secret weed empire where they sell ultra special mokuton weed, but it happens fr in this AU bc of Itama.

Stoner Itama deciding he can make the weed even better and forgetting what the word self-control means and making objectively the best weed in the naruto world. Ultra delux genetically modified mokuton grown senju weed.

Tobirama kind of gets on him for it at first (not liking the idea of mind-altering substances) but then tries some and stares dead silent at a wall for 10 hours then silently gets up, makes several scientific breakthroughs, then passes out dead on the floor.

They get Hashirama in on it and start mass producing, then start selling it and very quickly and mostly accidentally create a secret senju weed empire (oops?) which also gives them hella funds or the war and other things

No one can even reproduce their weed bc they need the Mokuton to grow it right, they have no competition in the market. AND their product safety/quality is insane bc Tobirama's perfectionist ass helps oversee it

Bc of Itama's interference, Izuna lives, and when they make Konoha the weed money means the first shinobi war doesn't happen bc they can afford to bribe officials they couldn't before (and probably have a uhh. Much more relaxed Kage meeting that year.)

You can't go to war with Konoha !!! That's where all the best ninja weed comes from !!!

Itama and Izuna get along really well actually. Izuna's cringe fail ass does NOT know how to smoke and refuses to admit it, he also becomes Itama's favorite test subjects for new product bc he and his brothers tolerance levels are insane so they need like, a normal guy to try shit on

As a person, Itama is one of those really friendly, charming, easy to get along with guys who seem to have a ton of friends— but when you look a bit closer you quickly notice that while many of those friends share their woes with him, he doesn't really with them. He has lots of friends but isn't really close to any.

He's a pretty good mix of his brothers, seeming friendly and cheerful like Hashirama but much more down to earth, and with the same ruthless streak as Tobirama underneath all the gentle mannerisms. He might be more ruthless than either of his brothers when it really comes down to it, but he's very slow to strike or anger, and virtually no one but his brothers and Touka really know he even has that side to him.

He's Konoha's lead poisons expert, is 100% aware and helping Tobirama with all of his especially fucked up experiments, and honestly that should tell you enough— but most tend to get distracted by the soft smiles and sleepy expression.

Art interlude ->

Anyways uhhh. All of this only exists bc I started thinking ab stoner Itama getting dumped face first into modern Konoha with Izuna, the two of them having been hiding after pissing off Madara for unimportant reasons. They don't realize they're not in their Konoha, and proceed to run from Madara (who they still think is mad at them)

Meanwhile Madara is losing his fucking MIND trying to chase down the ghost of his brother, and also some guy...? Who is that actually? He doesnt really give a shit tbh, Izuna oh god please come back here— ARE YOU FUCKING HIGH RIGHT NOW?

@fashionredalert : Zetsu lived in fear of Itama because itama would have made him into an edible That's why zetsu is two colors, itama smoked one half of him before zetsu managed to escape. One half intact the other half charred black

Please?? The closest hes been to death in years.

Itama was put on this earth to smoke everything he physically can, he hasnt been sober since he was 13, he no longer knows the meaning of fear or sanity. If it can burn he can smoke it

Hes holding one of those tiny Zetsu's going "Hey look at this fucked up plant I found :DD" then taking it straight into the weed lab

Zetsu specifically had him killed in canon bc he knew he'd grow to be too powerful pass it on

[orxinus]

Okay, so, um, the song "Dead Girl Walking (Reprise)" feels a lot like how I think your AU is going to end story wise, and I wanted to go into depth about why. Slight Spoiler Warning for "Heathers the Musical," I guess. I won't talk about its plot, but this song specifically is one of the final ones from it and because of that it touches on some parts of the story, so a few details may be revealed. That aside, I'm going to begin my analysis:

"I wanted someone strong who could protect me."

Megalomaniac Ford's like a god to Simple Bill; one who watches over him and advises him. He's a much more powerful being who can come to Bill's aid, may he ever need it. A potential protector. He's also a muse to the Euclidean triangle: Guiding him, inspiring him, and — in a way — taking care of him by sharing his 'wisdom'.

"I let his anger fester and infect me."

This is going to be where I'll first enter my theory zone. Considering that MM!Ford has, more or less, the same type of childhood as Canon Ford, he most likely also wanted to prove his greatness to the world. Show them all the wonderful things he is capable of doing, how he's going to be the one to change their lives, and how they're going to regret all of the cruel things they said to him growing up once they see him blossom into what he was always meant to be: A renowned genius. He was outcasted by society for being different — for being better, and able to realize and see things others could not ever possibly comprehend.

Upon becoming familiar with Simple Bill, he probably recognizes just how similar their upbringings were. How they were both social rejects born with physical 'defects,' enlightened on a level far above their peers', and capable of making a difference if they seized the opportunity properly. Like Canon Ford did with Dipper for the mentorship (don't read this as me hating on him, please), Megalomaniac Ford most likely ends up projecting on Bill due to these similarities. Why should Bill have to suffocate in mediocrity when he's capable of achieving greatness? Why should he allow himself to be held back by such flat minds, dumbing down the beauty of the stars in his paintings? He should prove them wrong, make a difference!

...And maybe even show Euclydia the stars for real....

His anger and indignation would infect the painter's mind, slowly consuming him within.

"His solution is a lie, no one here deserves to die — except for me and the monster I created!"

So, it was implied in one of your earlier comics that MM!Ford plans on getting Bill to show Euclydia the stars — and more — by saying, "We'll show them," when Bill mentioned that his parents wouldn't understand anything his muse talks about, since they don't even understand the stars. To 'solve' Bill's problem of not being understood by a dimension living in ignorance of things bigger than them, he could show them the stars. It would be the perfect start to liberating their minds! If not for one small thing: Introducing the stars to Euclydia massacred the dimension and it's people, as revealed in TBOB. So, the supposed 'solution' would end up killing them. But, Ford would most likely argue that it would be worth it to enlighten them with the knowledge and bestow intelligence greater than they've known on them. In doing so, he would become a monster. All for his dear painter.

"Heads up, J.D., I'm a dead girl walkin'."

Since this AU is a role reversal, some events are parallel to the original show; meaning that there's a good chance that Simple Bill would confront Ford on his true intentions. And, once he does, he's as good as dead. Canon Ford at least was in a dimension Canon Bill couldn't each, so he couldn't harm the ex-devotee with the full extent of his power. MM!Ford, however, can come and go to Simple Bill as he pleases, so there's no safety net for the Euclidean triangle once he leaves his museum's side. He may as well be a dead triangle walking.

"And there's your final bell (Ah). It's one more dance and then farewell (Ah)."

Again, I feel like Euclydia is going to be endangered and at risk of being destroyed some point towards the end.

"I wish your mom had been a little stronger. I wish your dad were good, I wish grown-ups understood, I wish we met before they convinced you life is war."

This is probably the most self-explanatory, but I'll still delve into it anyways. Caryn — and this isn't me calling her a terrible a mom — didn't stand up for how her boys were treated in any way as far as we could tell on screen. Filbrick was, evidently, a terrible and abusive father. Pressuring Ford to be perfect and only valuing him for his intellectual worth, while tossing Stan aside as a scapegoat. Ford, as stated earlier, was turned into an outsider by society and wasn't fully understood by them. Through experiencing a life as tragic and difficult as this, Ford developed a certain mentality. He decided to live by "survive of the fittest," but in the mental sense. Bill probably wishes that he could've turned back time and stopped him from embracing this way of life.

Anyway, this was my analysis essay. Thank you for allowing me to ramble. I live your AU and hope that you have a good day!

FUCK YESS ive compared simplemaniac with veronica and JD a lot already and i love this one hehe theyre sooo fucked up i love this

[stephexmachina]

How many black DC heroes does DC have? A lot, right? Great!

Now remove everyone who has "black" in their name or elemental based powers.

Uhhh Jon Stewart...Ben Turner...The new Jade tiger is cool too yeah!

There's actually quite a few! Cyborg, Steel, Mister Terrific, Batwing I & II, Jo Mullein, Jace Fox, Icon, etc. The only Black DC hero I can think of with Black in his name is Black Lightning, whose creation dates back to the 70s, when the Blaxploitation film genre was at its peak of popularity. Imo the emphasis on a character's Blackness can be meaningful under certain circumstances, and for a character like Jefferson Pierce, who was motivated to become a hero by the murder of one of his Black students, I personally feel it works! I also think that while, yes, it can get samey seeing Black characters with elemental powers, it's often less of a stereotype and more of a homage to some of the earliest Black superheroes – Black Lightning from DC and Storm from Marvel. It's important to push for a wider variety of Black superpowers (and for more non-powered Black heroes as well) while also acknowledging where characters like Static have their roots.

This isn't to say DC's Black representation is above reproach – Black women especially are still massively underrepresented and subject to horrific violence, and God knows it's appalling how few Black creators they hire to actually write these stories. But I don't think it's accurate at to say there aren't many Black DC heroes, or that the ones that exist are all stereotypes. I think they're underappreciated by audiences, for sure, and often shunted aside by writers for the sake of non-Black characters' development. But there are many well-written Black characters in the DC universe, and if all we do is criticize and erase them we run the risk of dissuading people from seeking them out altogether. Already they are lesser known, less often talked about, and less appreciated for their depth and complexity – it doesn't help to talk as though they don't exist in the first place.

I do however think DC has a long way to go before I'd consider their Black characters to be written with the same level of care and focus as similar white characters. In the future I'd like to see a wider variety of Black characters – more Black women, Black mixed characters, Black characters of varied ages and backgrounds, Black characters who aren't African American, etc etc.

I also feel that in certain ways DC has gotten worse about representing Black people in recent years, so I'm happy to see Ben Turner make a reappearance. Plot-wise I wasn't a huge fan of Rise of the Power Company or its sequel, but I really enjoy Jace Fox's Batman and his dynamic with Duke Thomas, and I've heard good things about Mister Terrific Year One!!! So while DC certainly needs to do better, there are still Black characters to be found and enjoyed. If like me you prefer post-crisis stories, Steel 1998 is a solid place to start, and if you like the Titans but haven't been talking or thinking about Cyborg, then that's your homework now because he is a marvel.

[angel555angel555]

Do you prefer mountain or pine Kyman?

Hey there! Thank you so much for the ask <3 I have so many thoughts!!

My absolute favorite (and what I feel is usually closest to canon) is tie Kyman! At least when it comes to their personalities and interactions with each other

The reason why Cartman and Kyle have such an interesting dynamic is because they're really well matched

They're both very smart and quick-witted. Honestly, they're the two smartest people in the show and I think they both know it

Part of the reason they fight each other is because they're the only person that can match each other's level of intelligence, which makes the fight fun

They're also both equally aggressive. They're balanced in their level of fighting (meaning how much they're willing to fight for what they want/believe in, and how far they'll go in that fight)

That also means that, when they have the same goals in mind, they make excellent allies and partners! They're willing to go just as far as the other, and really stick their necks out for each other

But most of the time, the reason they're fighting each other is because they're each others equals in the fight, if that makes sense!

That's why Cartman says on multiple occasions that it's not fun to fight Kyle when Kyle isn't fighting back

For that reason, I don't really feel like Kyle or Cartman is the more dominant or submissive one. When they're together, I feel like they're always kinda pushing each other

HOWEVER, I love the idea of Cartman as the more experienced one, relationships-wise. And I really enjoy the idea of Kyle giving in to him, despite every bit of morality in his brain screaming for him not to. Like I love the idea that Cartman has that power over Kyle

Especially since that's the dynamic we usually see in the show. Kyle plays the moral high-ground a lot, but at the end of the day he's still engaging with Cartman, right? He still hangs out with him and cares about him?

So for that reason, I would say personality and dynamic-wise, I prefer tie Kyman with a slight lean towards mountain Kyman

Physical appearance wise, I definitely prefer tall and lanky Kyle and chubby, slightly shorter Eric. I picture them to be almost the same height, but Kyle maybe has two or three inches over Eric

[magicalgirlmindcrank]

Mindcrank's top 10 Mikus of the first five years

This list runs from the last monday of feb 2019 to to feb '24. Theres a few more done after that date in 24 that are not eligible.

#10 - 7/29/19: 'Aeiou Aeiou'

This was the first Miku we ever made that we were and remain truly proud of. We were still using SAI 1.0 back then, and I don't think we ever figured out how to do any rendering outside of adjusting opacity on the default brush. That we managed to make such a blend of colors and light with such a limitation in knowledge and tools just months after picking up a tablet, really makes this piece impressive to us even now. Even so, this barely cinches a spot almost by power of nostalgia alone.

#9 - 5/30/2022: 'One day I'll get to actually attend a concert'

Funnily enough, this one is based on a concert we did go to. Not a Hatsune Miku concert (though we still have our Miku expo 2020 ticket) but an Aurora one our youngest sister took us to. The singer came on, backlit as seen, and it kinda stuck with me. Really love this one though, the minimalist backlighting just looks great.

#8 - 6/27/2022: I really liked that one AI Greentext @liquidstar posted

While there are parts of this we're a bit questionable on now, namely the face in the final panel and being inspired by an AI greentext in the first place, this Miku holds a v special place in our heart. it's easily our most popular too, notes wise!

#7 - 4/3/2023 'A Trip To The Moon by Hatsune Miku'

This was part inspired by the desire to make a fake album cover, and part by the urban legend that the first manmade object in space was a sewer cover that was launched by a nuclear test. While untrue as the lid would have disintegrated at the speed it was moving well before leaving the atmosphere, it made for some potent imagery. This is one we wish we had even more time with, but as is, just looks fantastic. Every concept we wanted is there and so so good. Should really make a song list for this album.

#6 3/6/2023 'This is how Hatslimey Migoo arrives onstage'

This was part of Migoo March of '23, and we had to fight ourselves from including another piece from from the same month. It's no secret that Hatslimey Migoo is our favorite Miku design we made (sorry Radical Miku) and the whimsy and charm she brings with her is in spades here.

#5 - 7/11/2022 'Miku but it's me my 2009 senior year'

Okay so obviously at this point they're all near and dear to my heart, but this one has something even more special to it. I was such a depressed piece of shit in highschool and it was nice to give our past selves some love. That so many also loved her was genuinely healing in a way.

#4 - 8/1/2022 'Sli-Miku? Slimeku? Hatslimey Miku? Yeah'

Listen we said Hastlimey Migoo was our favorite child, and well, we just couldn't not put her origin image on this list. I mean just look at her! She's adorable! Not to mention how well we did making her look goopy as hell.

Honorable mentions!

(okay look we had to cut this down from 26 images and there still like a dozen more that could have made the shortlist so let us have this)

From 2021! Still perhaps our favorite Radical Miku! Posing and shadows look great still tbh.

Perhaps the Miku with the least amount of love noteswise. From 2023, it just really captures the miserable summer days in my shitty old room. there was no AC and it was triple digits or close to it many, many days. Just looking at it is something bittersweet.

From 2022, we have this vampire miku! Sure some parts are a little off, but the colors and bg just feel so right! So very perfectly part of the mood. Back to the countdown!

#3 9/25/2023 'Patron Saint of Song'

This is the Miku we're perhaps the second most unreasonably proud of on a technical level. Working within the limitations of imitating another style just pulled something out of us ig. We're not even sure what else to say, just look at it! The smooth lines, the way the flatly colored pieces create depth with the curves, the bordering. Easily one of the best pieces we've ever made.

#2 - 2/8/21 'Miku Devours Her Progeny'

This is it. Perhaps the one you expected at No. 1? It has been our favorite for a very long time, and the one we pointed to as such for a while after all. Even after making the piece that now resides at the top slot.

There's just something so absurd about Miku as Saturn, yet something that works to it. She is, after all, the first Vocaloid, and remains the most outwardly popular. A position that naturally calls for the cannibalization of her progeny. Perhaps it's the way it captures the madness and zero sum nature of making art?

No matter how long we look at it, no matter the new flaws we spot in it's construction, it's a piece that as we gaze upon it we only love more.

#1 - 5/22/23 'Trail Cam Footage'

This is a piece that's truly difficult to speak on. Iirc, we had found ourselves short on time, so elected to try a rougher, more impressionist style. Something we could make quickly, as to not miss a Monday and get to bed at a reasonable hour. Taking further inspiration from trail cams and horror, we decided a greyscale would help further eliminate work. No pesky color picking to complicate rendering.

This as made in a single post-work sitting as a result. It has since become our favorite.

It so perfectly captures the feeling of seeing something spooky on a low res camera feed. Just enough details to let your mind fill in the blanks. The short field of view making it all the more intimate. The oppressive darkness all around. This is the only piece we've loved enough to share to other sites we don't post to. Its both our blog background, and our PC wallpaper!

We've often considered revisiting this style, but are afraid we'd never be able to live up to this. Honestly, it feels like it would be redundant. This one piece is already the peak. Not to mention, there's no way to live up to the fact that just days later, actual trail cam footage of two naked witches eating a deer emerged.

Which Miku is your favorite? Did we miss one you love? Let us know!

[pedrocomicreviews]

Absolute Flash #2

"I've always known. Something is wrong with me. But now-- it feels like I'm bursting apart."

DC's answer to Ultimate Spider-Man (the first one) continues with Wally West having more puberty metaphors that destroy his life!

Can I just gush about how beautifully Wally's powers are illustrated, before we begin?

Flash comics sometimes struggle with actually drawing the Speed Force, or just how fast the movement on panel is happening. Writing-wise that's always easy-- you just say the character is going fast and describe the actions they perform in a fraction of a second. But in a medium that doesn't move, artists always have to find new ways to show what a power like this could actually look like.

Absolute Flash decides speed is really scary. It's raw, crackling and doesn't seem to be under Wally's control at all. Rather than just having Wally emit electricity, we are always bombarded with the same kind of overwhelming feelings the character is, through the lettering and art, and even narration boxes overlapping on each other as if he's thinking too fast.

Between beautiful composition by Nick Robles and Adriano Lucas, excellent lettering by industry veteran Tom Napolitano, and the excellent writing of Jeff Lemire, the comic keeps inventing new ways to portray Wally's anxiety. It's a marvel at work, and it really makes it feel unique from the main universe's comics at a base level. It's not that Flash has never looked similar, but it has also never looked quite like this.

As far as the plot, we're still engaging with Wally's massive fuck-up, the accident that gave his powers, and his escape attempt as the Absolute Rogues try to bring him back into the lab. We're also introduced to another Absolute version of a character, completely unrecognizable, which makes me very excited to see what they're about.

The Absolute Universe is about to have its first little crossover with the main one through a Superman comic, which I don't believe will affect most of the books. But I'm feeling that if we're nearing the inevitable collision of these two lines, it has to only involve the main Trinity. Flash, Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern are still in their infancy and simply not setup enough for a massive crossover yet, which I believe means we still have a long way to go until Wally puts on a costume and starts fighting bad guys.

Which I'm fine with. This book seems to be at its best exploring Wally's inner world, and coming back to the real one when it's time to run. I'm looking forward to when he starts running toward danger as opposed to away from it, but this wasn't the time.

[quantomeno]

Further discussion on the theme of 'fallible gods' in Bionicle

I want to preface this by saying it is ironic that the fandom so heavily idolises Greg Farshtey and hangs off his every word when the story is literally about how those in control of a universe can make dumb decisions.

With that aside...

Bionicle has a few core themes and the story does an excellent job of keeping them at the forefront despite the constant changes of genre and tone. Today we will talk about how Bionicle explores the idea that those in positions of power (or who have great abilities) are as human as anyone and thus just as liable to err. The following follows on from discussions in this post and also the video linked in that post, but I'll probably repeat a lot of that stuff anyway so you don't need to read/watch all that.

Bionicle begins with a world of myths and legends. The audience is positioned to identify with the Matoran and be amazed by the strength of the Toa and the wisdom of the Turaga, yet as time goes on it is revealed the Toa are actually quite childish and the Turaga have been lying to them. Then we see Metru Nui: a world of technological wonder lead by the wise yet firm leader Turaga Dume. Turaga Dume who approved of the Vahki. Turaga Dume who gets impersonated by the big evil guy and no one really notices. We meet Toa who have betrayed their cause, we meet Toa who lose, we meet Toa who were once Matoran who then became the Turaga we revered on Mata Nui.

And from then on, the revelations only get bigger: the universe's spirit is a robot whose neglect for its inhabitants led to its own demise. The being that caused the fall of the robot is not the mystic entity of darkness, but just an overly dramatic bit of smoke in a suit of armour who has an aggrandised ego. We see Matoran go to save Toa and become heroes while also making their own mistakes, being plagued by internal demons and making difficult sacrifices.

Then we see Mata Nui as a 'human': he takes on the form of those who created him, the Glatorian (I just realised I said the Great Beings were Agori but they're Glatorian. I forget they're different species). And he learns to be 'human'.

And then we learn that the reason for the whole robot universe's existence is because the Great Beings neglected their own duties and made the robot as a way to save their planet.

All this is pretty straightforward though; I'm just setting the groundwork. Because I think there's one final level to this which rarely (if ever) gets discussed, and I alluded to it a bit in that preface: us.

See, I like to think that the Great Beings were, in some respects, meant to represent the child playing with their toys. Bionicle is a story about creation (and destruction) and so much of the story is tied to the physical sets. If the makers of the Matoran Universe are the Great Beings, then doesn't that mean the child playing with the Bionicles is, in a sense, acting out their role in the story? They are the ones who build the Toa and the Matoran and the Turaga, who give life to their stories by telling them with the toys.

The other side the idea that anyone can be a hero is that heroes are just like everyone else. We are all fallible and even those with great power make mistakes. However, it is when you believe yourself to be better than others that you make the greatest errors. You eschew unity since you believe you can go win alone, you forgo your duty because you consider it beneath you and you believe you deserve a more glorious destiny. The Great Beings are just 'some guys' because we are just 'some guys'. The Matoran are just 'some guys'. So are Terry and Mata Nui. Everyone in life (real life) is just 'some guy' (I should say some person but guy sounds funnier and it evokes the everydayness of things). No one in power or authority is inherently deserving of that role; they must work towards it and show their worth. While they may have talents that make them better in some way, they are subject to the same foibles as anyone.

No life is more special than another, for all life contributes to something greater, every act can bring so much goodness if only you can see it. We are the Great Beings, we have the potential and the skill and the knowledge to achieve so much, but only if we can understand the value of the littlest thing, because we are fundamentally no different from the least of us. Toa should not forget they were once Matoran, just as Great Beings should not forget they are Glatorian.

Let's end with a fitting quote from Ihu:

You are mistaken, Nuju. All of life is a journey, and the journey is not about how high you climb or how far you walk. It is about what you learn on the way, and how you choose to use that knowledge. Use it to help others, and the glory of Mata Nui will live inside you. Use it only for yourself, and though you may walk among us, you will have no more spirit than a block of protodermis.

[justsomeno1s]

LOBCORPxISAT AU ABNO IDEAS

Made it to Act 3! I now have more information to work with! Hooray!

Current Ideas for Siffrin, The King, and Loop as abnormalities under Read More due to length

ALSO IF YOU HAVE IDEAS/CRITISCMS, LMK PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!! I don't have any Unique Bonnie ideas yet, and I'm stumped, so I'm posting for feedback.

Siffrin

Sif is def an Abno. Formerly human, but lacking some humanity from being in containment so long. Prolly around HE or WAW.

Works best with Attachment, worst with Repression. (He's durable as anything from however many loops he's gone through- I don't think they'd take being forcefully repressed very well, either) Deals White damage in Unit.

Abilities wise, I think Sif would be pretty fun to play with, but also simple! They have a base counter of 3, and if their Counter hits 0, they breach and start attacking people. "WHO CARES?! THEY'RE NOT EVEN REAL!" kinda vibes. Resistant to Black and Red damage, Weak to White and Pale. He'd just tear through the facility until he's defeated, and if health gets to half, they'll start running away. If they aren't attacked for about a second, they'll heal themselves for 1/4 of max hp, and start dealing black and red damage at once. ofc, thats only if they get away.

For Mechanics, it's still basically the same idea as mentioned before; Every start of the day, when the ordeals are chosen, Siffrin chooses a genre of play, which dictates their likes and dislikes for the day. Add some interactions with Retrying Days, the time breaking abnos (I.E: Shelter from the 27th of March and Backwards Clock), and the other ISAT abnos, and there's something fun!

Comedy means they want Good Results, Tragedy means he wants Bad Results. Musicals are Insight, Slice of Life are Attachment, Dramas are Instinct. Nothing selected means they want Repression- Some suicidal ideation, in a way.

Equipment would obviously be based on Sif's things from ISAT: Weapon is a Temperance based Knife, curved and split at the tip, so it looks like a closed pair of scissors. Suit is a black suit with a short white cape and hood, maybe with off-white boots and gloves. (I can't think of any effects TT) For the gift, the Nugget gets a dark circle marking like the Healing Craft symbol, on their cheek, which turns a pale white when spent.

Idea: How about… a "get out of death free" type deal as a Ego Gift? Only once per Employee, a nugget can dodge death, in and out of Containment units. As a counter, it instantly drops their sanity to 0, and any other non-death effects still take place. (So, Counters dropping, breakouts, infections- that kind of deal. Might still be broken, but its fun to think about!)

The King

The King fits really well as an Aleph (idk if he's that powerful in ISAT, but still).

I think he'd be one of the abnos who change reaction based on level. Notable thoughts include: Lv 5 Insight is Bad, Lv 4 Insight is Good, Attachment works well but would be picky (From the offer to the party to be frozen).

Definitely still trying to freeze the world in time, producing tears, and showing visions of the future. For more interesting "gameplay", he could get the ability to create Sadnesses out of his Tears.

When his counter hits 0 and he breaches, he'd head to his department's Main Room, freezing anyone he comes in contact with. Upon reaching the destination, he'd begin to cry, spawning Tears and Sadnesses that spread away from him and begin attacking non-frozen Nuggets and Clerks. Being in the same room as him deals White damage over time. If defeated, the frozen Nuggets will return to normal, but the Tears and Sadnesses will continue to roam- The King is considered breaching until all of them are taken out, making them an end of day nightmare. So, essentially, a tanky Abno that can cause an Ordeal! Fun!!

Equipment: Weapon is a Shield and Mace combo, which lowers incoming damage taken when equipped (Deals Black, Reduces Pale). Suit is a deep blue, almost black set of armor with white strands that float off of it like hair in water (Weak to Black, neutral to all others). Ego gift gives the Nugget tears around their mouth and eyes.

Loop

Loop would be an abnormality, but I have no idea what level. The only idea I have so far is that their containment unit would also have the Favor Tree- The two could be fused in a way? Whether that makes Loop a dryad type deal or two separate entities in the same room, idk.

[I was think like parasite tree at first, but I like Loop being able to leave the Tree]

Maybe the Favor Tree grants wishes, and Loop tries to stop people from making them? Appearing inhuman, celestial, and ghost-like (maybe even scary) to ward people off. Or at least, that's the rumor. "The tree is fiercely protective of its leaves, calling upon a second form to punish those who take anything from it."

I really don't know enough yet to make them accurate to ISAT, so I'll just swing it to horror. Loop is a spirit that is given form by the favor tree specifically to "punish" (Kill brutally) anyone who takes things from the tree. Have them look human, but be able to pull people apart at the seams

In Unit, they deal white damage, definitely. If Loop were playing nice, their personality might only be a mild annoyance, but without that incentive, why not drive a few randos to madness for the hell of it?

Outside the unit... idrk " If high level, Pale. If low level, Black.

I feel like they'd get more aggro if the Nugget working on them had equipment/gifts from the other ISAT Abnos. A bit like Snow Queen, but not insta death. (Could include Loop's gifts too. "I gave you that in good faith, and you use it against me? Well, I guess I'll take it back!"

Would need high-ish Temperance or Prudence to avoid dropping their counter. Probably likes... insight. From the chats with Sif, and the Nugget knowing not to take anything (Thank you, Red Eyes)

Ego Equip would be a Staff with White, Star-like leaves. Deals White damage and slows the enemy slightly. (If high level, maybe heals?) Outfit is a white suit with black arms. If I could, I'd give a mask or helmet to make the Nugget look more like Loop as part of the suit. (Resist Black, Endure Red, Weak to White- Pale Res affected by level, again) Gift? Def a helmet- Imagine a laurel made of stars, that trails down the side of your face and covers an eye. (Raise Temp, lower SP)

[ruby-red-inky-blue]

Cassian/K2? Bodhi/Cassian?

okay blanket statement I have nothing against it like, above table. It's fine. Ship to your heart's content. That said I dislike both of these options a lot personally lol

Cassian/K-2

the idea that Kay wants to date or fuck anyone is deeply out of character to me. I'm the first to complain that all the aro/ace rep we ever get is droids and robots. That said this droid is aroace. You can't tell me he would have the patience required to be considerate and compromising enough to date or fuck anyone.

Cassian (and I will defend this headcanon with my life) will smother almost any romantic feeling with his guilt and only wants to fuck like one in every 200 people he meets. How do we get here.

They're such great friends and now this goes back to my thing of "I hate when fandom needs to make deep affection based on an instinctual want, because apparently you can't ever just choose to love someone this much, your dick has to tell you to"

I also think this gets really murky consent-wise really quickly, because there are so many layers to how yes, (in the canon I ascribe to) Kay is freed from any programming that forces his actions, but... like how deep does it go. Is there still some part of him that wants to obey someone because that's all he was created to do. And would Cassian of all people be comfortable with that. Strong no from me.

Bodhi/Cassian

Okay but I am low-key convinced at least half of the shippers just picked the two younger, attractive men on the team that weren't already coupled up. Because. I really think this doesn't work. You wanted them to be gay and cut out the middle men I think? Which is fine. But character-wise it's a no from me.

I will say: I kind of see a thing people probably liked here? Like there's a trope here, right, with the cold-blooded ultra-rational spy that is all the worst parts of the fight and the idealistic recruit who was horribly shaken by the same violence that Cassian perpetrates all the time. But either way you slice it, it just ends up introducing a weird power dynamic that I don't like, where either Cassian sees himself as a pre-teen in this young man, or still thinks Bodhi got off easy compared to his own start in the fight and is thus a fragile little flower he has to protect. Both ends up belittling Bodhi in context and turning him into the "uwu innocent cinnamon roll too pure for this world" thing that fandom does to him all the time already and that I am simply deeply allergic to. I know people like tropes and archetypes but I just hate that one.

That said, I do also think that Bodhi is the least morally compromised of the team by the end of the movie (apart from maybe Chirrut?), and isn't equipped to handle the intense emotional mess that is Cassian, and frankly deserves someone to lift him up. Cassian low-key needs someone as fucked-up as he is because he would drag anyone else down to his level.

(And also, because I do think it is necessary and correct to headcanon Cassian as a person who at this point will lie and manipulate on instinct unless he is deliberately restraining himself, and Bodhi does not have the street smarts to have this not work on him... yeah no keep that man away from him.)

I do think they would be great friends and intensely loyal teammates, but not like, best friends. For the aforementioned reasons.

Send me a ship for a ship bingo (positive or negative)

[saturnniidae]

Autistic Astrid Hofferson.

She stims by tapping her fingers against the handle of her axe (she actually picked it up from Hiccup – he likes to tap his fingers against things) and takes comfort in the familiarity of the worn handle. (Pretty much a comfort item. I mean, she sleeps with it under her pillow, right?)

She likes running her hands over her skirt and finds the texture of the spikes pleasing, sensory wise.

She fists her hands in her hair and pulls at it or yells when she's overwhelmed, picks at her nails or fiddles with the end of her braid when she's anxious.

She spent so much of her life memorizing that unspoken social rulebook, trying to be the best (partially for her own ambitions, partially for validation), that until the turning point that was the start of her and Hiccup's friendship, she couldn't even comprehend allowing herself to openly behave in a way not considered 'normal' (which is part of why she lashed out so hard towards Hiccup during dragon training).

She's absolutely terrible at emotional regulation; if she feels anything she can't immediately understand and place the cause of, she defaults to anger and violence because those are familiar and in a way, safe. They're things she's been taught to feel for most of her life and she struggles to deviate from that.

Also, just generally she has a very low tolerance for irritating behavior and will immediately react to stop it with little thought to the possible casualties. (Read: she gets overwhelmed easily but has tried to train herself to power through it, which isn't healthy, and results in violent outbursts but she doesn't know how to stop)

She rigidly follows routines and her own set of rules and stubbornly refuses anything else unless she's actively proven to be wrong.

She hates sudden change (especially in the context of preset plans). As a warrior, she's of course had to learn to adapt to it, battle is unpredictable, but that doesn't stop it from being any less overwhelming or frustrating.

Special interest in combat and weapons, she likes watching Hiccup work in the smithy and bombards him with questions about the process of forging weapons. (they've spent hours talking, and once she actually understands what he's doing, she loves looking through his sketchbook and asking questions about his inventions, all of which he's happy to answer)

Stormfly grounds her, in a way. She's like an emotional anchor to Astrid, one of the only things able to help her calm down from suppressed meltdowns that manifest as overwhelming fits of rage. It's incredibly stressful for her whenever they're separated. Next to Hiccup, Stormfly is her best friend. (While of course not on the same level as Hiccup and Toothless, Astrid and Stormfly have a better understanding of each other than anyone else)

[poluccokunwhynot]

OM! my MC relationship chart

Raph is a failure faggot and if Leviathan asks him to kill himself he does it without doubt

Raph's hair looks longer than his slightly grown out shaved hair actually looks.

Otherwise, litle context of relationships:

Leviathan and Raph, how can i say this, are more or less two kinky bastards who so happend to fall in love (they're like Ares and Aphrodite but also like Hades and Persephone, personality wise).

Mammon and Raph are the best of buddies, the homies ever, they bet on how much time there's left for Lucifer and Diavolo to marry, they're-.

Lucifer gives Raph a "i know you're not Lilith, but i can't not take care of you as if you where my family" type thing and Raph just acceps it, even if Lucifer sometimes calls him "Lilith" out of habit.

Diavolo and Raph are more of a "they kinda know eachother to a surface level, exept that Raph somehow summoned Diavolo when he was 15 on accident" and Raph is intimidated by Diavolo in the same way a screamer works.

Raph is terrified of Barbatos to the point he can't be around him, he's just scared of tall uncanny valley lizard man.

Luke and Raph are the sweetest of brothers.

Simeon is the type of friend that you can go to when sad and wont ask much.

Raph dislikes Mephisto for no aparent reason and Mephisto despises Raph cause he thinks the human "thinks that he's at the top just because he's close with Lucifer" (he does not).

Solomon and Raph are two litle shits that can blow up heaven within the span of 10 minutes if left alone.

13 ad Raph are friends on a surface leven and also Raph is kinda scared of alt goth necromancer grim reaper lol

The only thing that Raph knows about Raphael is that they share name, Raphael just doesn't like Raph cause he's related to Lilith.

After Raph's inmediate death by Belphegor's hand (and a premortem concussion thanx to falling throught a flight of stairs) Raph is quite scared of Belphie, thought Belphie considers him killing Raph a thing of the past, the hatred is mutual.

Beel and Raph are.. complicated, to say the least, the sixth-born tries to avoid the fact that his twin killed his friend while Raph is silently trying to cut Belphie's head like in the french revolution cause he's petty like that.

Asmo and Raph are menwhores (in two diferent ways) that shittalk abt other demons and people that Raph can't seem to let go (pettiness or trauma, you decide)

Book-binging buddies turned into father and son

Btw, gacha (the only actual way that i do a character design) of Raph post necromancy, he shaved his head after death cause 1) it was long as hell and made him look like a chick, 2) he could get his neck snatched by Mammon rather easily (cause i refuse to stay human after death), and 3) short hair is easier to manace and his patience is running low.

A fun fact about Raphy's zombieness cause 13 never actually resurected someone before: some poor stiches and the choker are what's keeping his head from falling off as if he was the girl with the green ribbon attached to her neck.

Edit: i forgot to mention that Barbatos and Raph have a partial deal thanks to Solomon who obliviously thought it would be a good idea, he then found out about Raph's fear of Lizard butler. The partial deal is partial because it's purely for a two sided power and for Barbatos to not put Raph into timeless loops again (i will not elaborate on that).

Another edit: I FORGOT ABOUT MY GIRL 13

[haravatat-slime]

"BEDTIME STORY" - Preliminary Archon Quest (Ch. 4- Act IV) Thoughts

My diligence has finally paid off! For the first time in a while, I got to play through a Genshin quest as soon as it dropped! So, while energy is still high and the novelty of the event is still - well, novel - I offer you a collection of observations and examinations from the most recent Archon Quest.

HERE THERE BE SPOILERS - do not click unless you've played Bedtime Story or don't mind being spoiled on its events!

FIRST, and arguably (for me) most importantly - THE SINNER HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, and before yesterday there was NO way you could have convinced me that it was Dainsleif's brother. (Has he even mentioned having a brother before this?) (The "Dain is the twins' sibling" theorists are probably deeply unhappy. Sorry for your loss.)

(A bit sad that it's not Deshret, personally, but that's not relevant atm.)

His name, Vedrfolnir (or Vethrfolnir, or Veðrfölnir or any number of phonetically similar spellings for those of us who can't do Scandanavian languages to save our lives), comes from the name of a hawk that, in Norse mythology, is partnered with a (nameless?) eagle that sits on top of Yggdrasil (Irminsul). Vedrfolnir is believed to represent the eagle's wisdom, able to see everything in the Nine Realms (likely why Genshin!Vedrfolnir's title is The Visionary) and passing information back and forth to it - much in the way that Odin's ravens are believed to pass information back and forth to him.

It is also believed to play a role in the battle between the eagle and Nidhogg (the serpent at Yggdrasil's roots) at Ragnarok - possibly similar to that of Ratatoskr, whose gossip back and forth between Nidhogg and the eagle (and Vedrfolnir by extension) is what causes their mutual aggression.

The name Vedrfolnir means something akin to "pale wind."

As far as the other "Five Sinners of Khaenri'ah" are concerned:

Hroptatyr is another name for Odin (huge? can you say HUGE?). The "wise" part is self explanatory. The name means "sage" in Old Norse.

Rhinedottir is, as we know, a Norse spelling of the German "Rheintöchter." She's named after the Rhinemaidens, three water spirits who dwell at the bottom of the Rhine river and are said to protect the Gold(tm) that can grant anyone immeasurable power. This origin is, however-

While the original Nibelungenleid (the 12th century German poem-epic) makes mention of mermaids, and Norse mythology makes mention of the proverbial gold (see below) the massively significant role mentioned above was almost COMPLETELY made up by Richard Wagner while writing the Ring Cycle. The Rhinemaidens are mentioned nowhere in Norse mythology, whereas all the other Sinners' names are pulled directly from old Norse sources. (Considering Rhinedottir's level of importance to the overarching plot, especially in Mondstadt, I have a hard time believing this difference from the other Sinners isn't equally important.)

I have discussed Surtalogi previously, so lemme just... (clears throat). Caaaaaalled it.

So yeah. He's the "Fire of Surtr," the jotunn who burns it all down. Dain and Surtalogi, sword buddies. Nice neat explanation. (Who's gonna be Surtr? Will we have a Surtr? We'll put a pin in that.)

And...if he's "the Foul," then I guess anyone who adopts his power has...the...Foul Legacy...yeah. No need to delve into that much. At least not for now.

Rerir is a little more to unpack. Or a lot more. Who am I kidding. In the Norse Volsungasaga, Rerir is part of a long and complicated line of royal births and deaths that result in rise and fall of the titular Volsung clan (similar to, but not the exact same as, the Nibelungenleid). A brief overview:

Odin gives birth to Sigi.

Sigi gives birth to Reri. Sigi is killed by his brothers-in-law.

Rerir avenges his father's death (for all you Sherlock Holmes fans - Racher is "avenger," or one who gets revenge [Rache].)

The goddess Frigg has a crow bring Rerir and his wife an apple because they're having a hard time getting pregnant. It works.

Rerir dies while his wife is pregnant - for six years.

Volsungr (Rerir's son) is born by C-section (something that seeems to happen with a lot of heroes in different mythologies, just saying). His mom dies in the process.

Volsung fathers (in addition to like ten other kids) the twins Sigmundr and Signy (in German, Sigmund and Sieglinde).

Sigmundr fathers Sigurd (Siegfried in German).

Sigurd is the dragon-slaying, Nibelung's-hoard-and-ring-of-power-having king that ends up being killed during a combination political dispute/relationship drama.

The chunks of the Volsungsaga from Volsung on are retold in Wagner's Ring Cycle, albeit with his own embellishments (see Rhinedottir).

The aspect of Rerir's title here that's confusing me the most is "Solnari." Based on Rerir's mythological origin, Solnari should be his father - but then, why not just call him "Racher of Sigi"? Meanwhile, Sol is almost certainly a reference to a Sun deity (in Norse and Germanic, the sun goddess), but the "-nari" suffix is more confusing. From what I can tell,

1) "Nari" is Sanskrit for "woman" or "maiden" - so if Solnari were The Lady Sun it would make sense, but it seems weird to randomly throw Sanskrit into a Norse civilization; and

2) Nari, or Narfi, is a different deity in Norse mythology that is supposed to be either Loki's son (killed by his wolf-shifting brother Vali), the personification of night (Nott), or both.

I can't really make sense of it in the moment, but hopefully we'll get more info as we go - preferably before another year goes by, Dainsleif, please!???

The Vinster King is, likewise, difficult to parse. There is, on one hand, the Swedish word “vinst” meaning to win, or make a return/profit - which would make the “vinster king” the king who…won? This isn’t totally impossible as we know there have been plenty of wars of succession between both gods and humans in Teyvat. On the other hand, this may be a butchered spelling of the German “finster,” meaning “dark,” “sinister,” or “gloomy.” I wasn’t super sold on my own interpretation of this until I remembered this sweet loot drop we get in the Chasm:

So that may be the case, and, as such, the “Vinster King” may be another name for Irmin.

(Side tangent: I now think it would be super funny if we found out later that Irmin and Pierrot really ARE the same person…Gloomy King…becomes a Clown…? Love that…anyway.)

I have already heard that someone has translated the message in Caribert’s memory-travel/loading-screen thingy, but I DON’T TRUST PEOPLE! So i’m gonna do it here for myself.

From the top, line by line:

FAREWELL ATOSSA

I APOLOGIZE

FOR MAKING YOU KNOW ME

UNWILLINGLY

STILL I DONT WISH

YOU TO FORGET ME

This is written in Sumeran script, not Khaenri’ahn. A nice easter egg, and very touching to be sure. ;v;

One last thing: on the Sea of Flowers.

There are a few things that this Sea of Flowers reminds me of - Nabu Malikata and her connection to water and flowers comes to mind, for one - but the thing that I was IMMEDIATELY reminded of was the Dandelion Sea.

For those who don’t particularly enjoy coming through Genshin’s archive: The Fox in the Dandelion Sea is a whopping 11-volume story series found hidden throughout Mondstadt. In the story, a hunter makes a deal with a fox (or spirit. or fox-spirit) who believes that he intentionally saved her life (he was just a bad shot, and broke the ice that was keeping her trapped on a lake): teach her fox-child to speak the language of humans, and she will teach the hunter how to transform into other creatures.

In order to meet and teach her cub, the fox takes the hunter to a “sea of dandelions, stretching as far as my eyes could see.” All foxes who “disappear during the hunt” come here, and time appears to be meaningless. While the hunter appears to move toward learning a lesson, by the end of the series, he still informs the fox that his reason for learning transformation magic is to be a better hunter. At this, the fox turns him into a dandelion puff and blows him away to a “faraway land.” He then wakes, as is from a dream, with none of what he could have had (the magic, the beautiful fox-woman, or the peaceful sea of dandelions).

While I’m unsure if the Sea of Dandelions actually has anything to do with the Sea of Flowers, it would be interesting if we found out that the Sea of Flowers is some alternate version of reality - a domain, an isolated region, or even a beautiful (but ultimately unattainable) dream.

THAT IS. basically all i have so far. This is coming off (as i said) basically 4-5 hours of sleep followed by all day on-and-off research to try and process everything we got since yesterday. and yes i know I didn't mention the Loom of Fate even ONCE but honestly between the pretty explicit "it weaves ley lines" description and the Abyss twin's equally explicit "I don't know what I'm gonna do with it yet," I don't really feel like any deeper picking has to be done for now.

okay byeee