#they're goals honestly

[ladysmash]

CALL OF DUTY MODERN WARFARE III (2023) ㅤ→ㅤ Kate Laswell & John Price

[harbingersecho]

[ID in alt]

His name was Sokka, Zuko learned. And Zuko was obsessed.  Not in a weird or creepy way, of course, but the guy’s life was just so interesting and Zuko found himself drawn to him. It was suddenly incredibly important to Zuko that he became Sokka’s best friend. He didn’t know how long they talked for, sitting in the park while Zuko knocked back beers and Sokka smoked. They talked about deep life issues that one would only spill to a stranger drunk in the middle of the night.

that bench scene from chapter one of how it feels to have a heartbeat by @transboysokka, as part of @zukkabigbang2024!

[total-drama-brainrot]

Assistant Noah AU, since Noah isn't a contestant, Ezekiel takes Noah's place as a member of Team Chris...

Ezekiel doesn't lose the stick, so there's no eliminations in the Egyptian Episode...

Ezekiel had become Lindsay's and Beth's platonic BFF, and now has a new better respect for women...

Ezekiel is also a bit smarter, and somehow sees through Alejandro's tricks...

How would Alejandro honestly feel about Ezekiel? 😉

I'll take any oppertunity to "save" Ezekiel from his canon treatment, and having him substitute onto Team Chris in Noah's place is a great idea.

But I don't think Alejandro would like him at all.

You've got to understand; Ezekiel is the equivalent of a very misguided, very lost puppy. He's not exactly sure what's going on at the best of times, and after Island his response to the culture shock between his homelife and his life on reality TV is to adopt a fake "cool" personality from whatever pop culture he's managed to consume... which only serves to make him more insufferable to the people around him than his clueless farmboy demeanour ever did.

Had he retained his pre-Total Drama personality and naivety, then Alejandro would tolerate him, if only as an exploitable pawn (much like Tyler). But it's repeatedly shown in canon that Ezekiel is unpleasent to be around by design. He's talkative and outspoken at the worst times, oftentimes with opinions that aren't exactly palatable, he doesn't understand the concept of personal space and acceptable social behaviour, he smells bad, ect ect. Pair this with him mimicking the stereotypical "rapper" demeanour, and you have the perfect foil for Alejandro's nice guy act.

Because Alejandro is very many things, but patient isn't one of them. At least, not in the context of being around people who annoy him. Just look at his canon relationship with Owen; if he couldn't stand to be around Owen of all people, then he'd really hate Ezekiel.

That's not to say that I think Ezekiel is a hateable character. Quite the opposite, really. He's so interesting to think about from a writer's standpoint, since he has a surprising amount of characterisation for a character who spends the majority of his screentime feral and non-verbal. Just enough to base characterisation on, and just little enough to expand upon in whatever way you'd like and not have it feel out of character.

In the given scenario, I'd have him form a friendship with Owen and and Izzy (by this point in the series he's been educated on how his father's mindset is very outdated and toxic, so he's more than happy to befriend a girl). The two of them aren't concerned with things like "coolness" and social acceptability, which would be a huge part of Zeke's character arc in this season - learning how to accept himself for himself, instead of trying to conform to his skewered perspective of what the media deems "hip".

Pairing this with the somewhat limited but amicable relationship he shares with Lindsay on Team Victory, and the intangiable but nonetheless just as impactful influence of Beth who's stuck on the Aftermath, and suddenly Ezekiel has a whole support system of genuinely kind people who can and will help him learn the ropes of modern society. (Give Ezekiel Friends 2k24‼️)

A direct contrast to Alejandro, who's whole deal is presenting himself as a perfect, infalliable person who doesn't really form any friendships. (Unless you count Heather and maybe Courtney?)

See here's where the two of them play the role of "contrasting narritive foil" for each other. Alejandro and Ezekiel are both fueled by their need to prove themselves by winning, but their methodology is entirely different; Alejandro's game plan is to be as fake and perfect as possible whilst sabotaging the competition and inadvertantly isolating himself, and Ezekiel is just doing his best to play fair whilst learning how to be the most authentic version of himself in the proccess with the help of his friends. (Something something the power of friendship...)

Something to note here: Both of them are trying to prove themselves to their families. Alejandro's trying to prove he can be more than second place (to José, or just in general), and Ezekiel is trying to prove that he can withstand the challenges of the world outside of his family's farm (which he never got the chance to, given he was the first boot of the previous two seasons).

As for Ezekiel being "smarter" and seeing through Alejandro's tricks; I'd like to veto that idea and offer you this instead.

Ezekiel has gullibility and naivety practically woven into the threads of his character, so of course he'd be in the same boat as Owen and Tyler. That is to say, he'd initially be one of Alejandro's most staunch defenders, since he doesn't have the intelligence or the instincts to see past his fake exterior, as Ezekiel isn't worldly enough to know how to spot a fake.

And that's exactly what causes Alejandro's downfall.

As stated before, Ezekiel is annoying by design. Pair his enthusiasm with an idolisation towards Alejandro (for being an objectively strong competitor, or whatever reason you want) and you've got the perfect recipe for Alejandro to blow up at Ezekiel once his already negligable patience snaps. Probably in a scene similar to the confrontation he has with Owen in the Amazon.

All of a sudden, Ezekiel has seen Alejandro's true colours and the rose-tinted glasses he's been blinded by come shattering to the ground - and the knowledge that's been painstakingly imparted onto him by Lindsay and Beth comes into play. Alejandro is a bad guy, just like Zeke's dad.

From then on, Ezekiel is hesitant around Alejandro. Quiet, uncharacteristically so. The sight of unapologetically loud and obtuse Ezekiel being subdued (scared?) of Alejandro has the other contestants beginning to question his performative geniality. If Zeke of all people doesn't trust him, it must be a bad sign.

[kindnessoverperfection]

Lately, when I talk about someone I strongly disagree with, I think about my friends.

When I interact with someone who regularly rants about people, and tends to take things in the worst ways (without any attempts at self-reflection or grace), I feel more on-edge. I'm nervous to voice opinions. I'm always over-thinking everything I send them, worried about how they'll receive it.

On the other hand, I feel much safer during conversations where someone is speaking neutrally about those they feel at conflict with. When they feel upset about a situation, but without talking aggressively about the other person. Because I know that if we're ever in a disagreement, or have some sort of conflict or misunderstanding, they won't hurt me or suddenly hate me*.

I used to speak much more aggressively about people. My personality disorders, combined with online toxic environments, were big factors in that. I was stressed and angry constantly, and I felt justified, and I felt afraid and ashamed to respond with anything but anger. But to make a long story short, I had several big painful interpersonal experiences where I realized how my attitude was impacting my friends.

I remember the nervousness in my friends' eyes. I remember the people I've met who are much older and never grew out of that reactive communication style, and I don't want to be that person. I want my loved ones to feel safe around me.

So nowadays, I do my best to speak compassionately (or at least neutrally). Because I want to signal to my friends that I'm not going to be cruel to them, or to automatically believe the worst of them, during a conflict or misunderstanding. I try to vent about situations and my fears instead of people.

I wish I'd realized this before.

*(I discuss splitting in the tags)

[zee-versal]

jude "if i cannot be better than them, i will become so much worse" duarte 🤝🏻 cardan "if he thought i was bad, i would be worse" greenbriar

[wellthatschaotic]

whenever i see someone who is like "yes but [x] isnt as oppressed as [y]!!" or "[x] is widely accepted now!!" as a way to like. disregard queer people's experiences. i'm just like. have you been outside? have you been in the real world?

[yellowistheraddest]

one dream in life: not living with my parents

[the-blossica-fan]

Hi I would like to ask how Tootz got together? What are notable interactions they have with the rest of the cast?

This AU is so cute!

This is the ask, MWAHAHAHAHA 😈

They met back in highschool, when they were around 14-15 y/o and their relationship back then was... Rough, to say the least.

Zhang (Z) would have a lot of pressure on her back to get good grades, she would work day and night to get good grades but she still had her weaknesses. Humanities, for example.

Adjusting to English after living in China all her life was hard so her grades suffered from that change.

In comparison, Campbell (Tooth Fairy) had good grades effortlessly. A prodigy in all subjects, guaranteed to be able to study medicine without any extra problem.

Zhang was pretty envious of her and her parents compared her to Campbell. She would be pretty rude to Campbell all the time and make passive-aggressive comments.

But Campbell isn't innocent either. Knowing Zhang's attitude she would purposefully mess with her with her own comments, making Zhang angry.

They were pretty immature back then, understandably so, and their relationship was covered in banter and passive aggressive comments to one another.

They had this sort of rivalry where Campbell would always win and Zhang would end up pretty sad and petty.

Those were their highschool years, until they were in their graduating year.

The two had matured, from 14 to 17 is a big difference. Their relationship wasn't as childish as before but still pretty rocky.

It wasn't until Campbell offered, out of her own will, to help Zhang with her studies. There was a bit of animosity and suspiciousness but eventually they found out they had more in common than they had thought.

Despite Campbell's natural teasing personality, she was pretty soft and caring, a good teacher. She would help Zhang without any sort of teasing comments. Quite different from the Campbell Zhang has known through her highschool years.

Campbell had always known that Zhang was actually pretty smart and quick to catch up, she just found it cute when she would sulk or glare at her during classes.

She regretted finally talking to her properly so late in high school.

It was during those sessions that they became good friends, and after graduating, they spent their vacations together either studying or having fun just the two of them. They had friends, but it was different. As if only they could understand each other.

In college their relationship felt distant. Campbell went to medicine as expected, while Zhang studied Accounting and Economics. They were extremely busy so their hang outs were few and short.

During those months apart they realized they missed each other a lot, they had gotten so used to seeing each other in class or during vacations that it felt empty when they couldn't see each other for so long.

It was their Sophomore year in college, when they were 20, that Campbell finally confessed her feelings to Zhang and oh God, the tears.

Though their relationship didn't change as much, they had a lot of opportunities to call, message and visit each other. They were girlfriends now, it was to be expected.

It felt more comforting now that they were finally together and when they had free time, they would be at each other's house, watching movies, cooking together or just enjoying their time.

They moved together months after, they got used to being together all the time so they would see each other at home.

They married at 25 and haven't been able to let go of each other since.

Tooth Fairy still teases Z a lot, and Z, while being a lot more mature than before, would still have those moments of embarrassment.

It's noticeable they truly love each other a whole lot. They have plans to just live their life together if possible, but they accidentally end up adopting kids like Sonetto, Blonney and Jessica around.

No they're not actually adopted but they act more like their parents than their own parents.

[raiiny-bay]

another wip

[brynnmclean]

I know I'm talking a lot about Thórgestr, but I really love Fargrímr and Ástríðr a whole hell of a lot too.

[totkdaily]

Day 75: The Depths, and Vehicles

Using the monocycle I stole from the Yiga is not faster - the turn circle is Bad - but it is fun. Until I reach a point in the statue trail where the path drops off a cliff. The fanplane might have been useful here… too late to go back and get it. Regular gliding will have to do. 

I reach Kawatik Lightroot. I'm somewhere in the foothills of the Gerudo Highlands, I think. 

The statue trail leads up a steep cliff, but fortunately there are some balloons at the bottom. There's also a researcher who's clearly a Yiga trap, so I ignore him. 

When I reach the top of the slope I scan the horizon for lightroots - and I see Farosh. Swimming through the dark, sparks of light surrounding her mane. 

I don't have any protection against lightning, and she's too far away to jump across in any case. I watch her for a moment, carrying on her stately way. It feels like a good omen. 

From here I can also see white lights illuminating the base of a building. But it's not the mine - it's the South Lomei Depths Labyrinth. 

It seems the statues are leading past this place, not within - I can't find a door, anyway.

I build a fanplane from the nearby workshop, but I still haven't been back to the sky island so my batteries aren't enough to get me entirely to the next statue. It seems Farosh is going the same way as me, though she quickly outpaces me. 

I find another researcher - this one, I'm not sure about. Survey team tent, but Zonai device? I risk it. I give them a sundelion for their gloomsickness. 

Nope. Yiga. 

I get my sundelion back when they flee though. And steal their vehicle to get across the gloom, at least as far as the Amakawis Lightroot. 

Frox. I wonder how hard they are to kill really? 

Ouch. Very hard. But on the second assault, I manage it. The trick is, like the Talus, to go for the rocks. I wonder what it's fangs are best used for? Hammers? 

It takes me a second to gather up all the zonaite it dropped, and another to find the statues again.

[humlase]

If I got a nickel for every time I didn't like a universally well liked queer character for kissing someone without consent, I'd have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird it happened twice.

[kaleidoscopepieces]

Tonight I was thinking about outfits that I would absolutely LOVE to recreate and add to my wardrobe, and in thinking of who in media I draw fashion inspo from, I've realized that at least two of my icons are: 1, Klinger, from M*A*S*H, and 2, Fran Dresher, from The Nanny.

...If that doesn't give just a ridiculously good glimpse into my sense of style, I don't know what will.

[caffeine-yeen]

Bullgryn.

[martyryo]

posting sketchbook sharks before starting homework.

[isekyaaa]

One story that'd be really fun to write out would be from a person that is isekai'd into the world of a dating sim as the heroine. They're one of those evil heroines that want all the male routes to fall in love with them. They even have that innate charm magic or they use methods like laced cookies to make the men fall in love with them. However, much to their dismay, there's this character that always foils them. He's the secret route that the heroine never took interest in. He passed out wards against charm magic. He finds antidotes to love potions. No matter what the heroine tries, he keeps foiling each and every single one of their plans. The heroine hates him but he finds the heroine and their tactics absolutely fascinating. They keep going at it until one day the heroine realizes with horror that they may have fallen in love with him.