#they're not that important and they don't really care

[tuttle-did-it]

in the two-party current system in place, voting for a third person will definitely send a message. Any third party will NOT get in place in this election. You know that. And you know if you vote for a third party, that is essentially a vote for trump. But you want to send a message, fine.

Your message to women: their lives don't matter. Their rights will be completely stripped away, with no agency or choice over their own bodies or lives.

Your message to children: They're expendable. You don’t care about whether their parents will be forced to have them when It is Not right for the parents, causing lifelong trauma both for the parents as well as the unwanted child. But you don’t care. You don’t even care if they eat or have shelter or clean water. Gun violence skyrocketed under Trump's previous reign. You don't care if these children get a good education, let alone if they are slaughtered in schools because someone took their dad's gun. And you’re fine with these children's last moments in this world to be hiding under the corpses of their best friends before they die. I’m sure they’ll appreciate that message of yours.

Your message to the People of Colour: their lives don't matter. They are not really people. It's more important to ~send a message~ than to protect the lives that will be destroyed. The white racist cops will get away with beating the shit out of People of Colour. Children of colour. It’s fine if these people continue to suggest within an extremely racist society with no assistance or reparations. You're knowingly installing a racist psychopath in power. And you do this knowing he's going to lie and accuse immigrants of horrific things with no evidence, and that he's promised to evict every immigrant, documented or undocumented.

Your message to queers: your lives don't matter. You don't care if those people are arrested for being in clothes you don't approve of, even in a night club. You don't care if those people are abused or murdered. You don't care.

Your message to the economy: the billionaires will continue enjoy their billions--soon trillions-- and YOUR taxes will increase instead of theirs. Millions will suffer because they can’t afford to feed their children- or even themselves. Your own taxes will skyrocket. But you know this is going to happen. You know people will be forced to choose between heat and food. Do you think you'll get some of their money if the monster bankrupt fascist "rich" person is in? Because you absolutely will not. Trickle-down economics have been proven time and again not to work. That’s been known since before it was proposed. And you know it doesn’t work. But hey— you’re sending a message, yeah?

Your message the rest of the world: Trump doesn't believe in climate change. Nor does he believe in putting rules on billion and trillion dollar companies as they continue to destroy the only planet in the universe we are certain actually can inhabit life. If you think he's going to stop at just destroying your own people and your own country, you're wrong and you know. How long before he has a tantrum and blows up Puerto Rico?

But hey. You wanna send a message, yeah? Well good for you. What a helluva message to send to the world. And being willing to send these messages just so you can feel smug at the system? Good job. I'm sure everyone affected will be happy for you that you said your piece.

Well done. You sent that message, all right.

With Kamala/Walz going up DAILY, I've seen more people talking about voting third party/Jill Stein (EW) and I believe the above screencaps from @three--rings can explain WHY Third Party votes NEVER work NOR is this the election to screw around in.

Everyone....like she says above.....PLEASE LEARN FROM HISTORY!!!

(Because if Trump gets in, he's NEVER LEAVING).

[rosenclaws]

Come back (erased part ii) || Logan Howlett x Reader

summary: Logan doesn't remember you but he can sense you. He can tell you were someone important so when the team hatches a plan to find you he's the one leading the charge.

warnings: she/her pronouns, violence, killing, blood, reader gets hit/threatened, mental torture, injuries, logan goes feral, illusions.

wc: 3.5k

link to part 1

a/n: Part two is here!! Finally omfg im sorry this took so long. I hope this is a good part two i had a fun time writing the angst and stuff. It maybe ended a little darker than I meant but oh welll. We love some angst. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!

The sound of the grandfather clock echoes in Logan's ears. The faint sound of students walking around the halls, playing outside. All drowned out by the clock. The heart necklace sits in his palm, his rough fingers tracing the shape over and over again.

When Logan had gotten back to the mansion he was bombarded with questions. All about a person he had never heard of. He grew angry and confused, wondering who they were talking about. It wasn't until he saw the look on all their faces that he realized something was wrong.

Memory wiped. He was fucking memory wiped again. Charles tried to explain it all but his brain went fuzzy. He tried to restore them but whatever you had done was too powerful. Only faint distant feelings. They tried to jog his memories with pictures but nothing worked. Whoever you were you were, you and him were close.

He's got a look on his face that he doesn't even recognize. One of pure adoration. The stories they tell, it was like hearing stories of someone else. He went through his room. He could smell this faint vanilla scent. The same one from the motel room. It was you. He was with you. But just who are you?

He turns the heart around in his hands. It’s faintly familiar. He closes his eyes and tries to wrack his brain for anything. Just something. There's a gaping hole in his chest, a sense of dread and something lost. A surge of anger takes over him as he shoves the necklace back in his pocket. He feels helpless and confused and he fucking hates it.

They're planning something in Chuck's office and they kicked him out. Why he doesn't know. They're planning a rescue for you and apparently he was the most important person to you so why wouldn't he be in there. Even if he doesn't remember. He should be in there. He stands up and barges through the doors, not caring anymore.

"Tell me what the hell is going on. Now." He stands with his arms crossed, a scowl on his face.

"Logan..." Jean starts but he brushes her off.

"I don't fucking care if I don't remember her just fucking tell me the mission." They team exchange looks and Logan resists the urge to roll his eyes. He's not a child. Whether he remembers you or not you were important to him and to the team. He needs to get you back.

"The mutant group, apparently she knew of them. She used to work with them years ago before any of us knew her." Charles explains and Logan listens. His hands tightening into a fist.

"We believe that she went after them for reasons we do not know. But what we do know is that they're dangerous. More dangerous than what she remembers." He can feel somethings off. The way the team shifts in their seats. The way Ororo won't even look him in the eyes.

"Logan, we think they have her." Scott says slowly.

"So we go find her."

"It's not that simple-"

"No it really fucking is that simple." Logan growls.

"You all talk about her like she's the heart of the fucking mansion so why am I the one who seems to care the most right now! I can't even remember her!" Logan slams his fist hard onto the table it almost breaks.

Why aren't they as worried as he is? Why don't they seem to care? Silence casts over the room but slowly everyone nods, agreeing with him.

"We leave in 15." He says with such severity that no one argues. Logan turns and leaves. Ready to come and find you.

-

The jet engine hum is the only sound inside. Everyone is quiet. Waiting. Normally Logan hates flying but right now he's too focused on getting you back. His eyes are closed as he tries to pull anything from his head. The faint sound of laughter, the feeling of warmth, the smell of vanilla. All of it was right there. Locked behind a door he couldn't get through. He feels someone sit in the seat next to him.

"What." He growls as he turns the necklace in his hand around and around.

"Are you okay?" It's storms voice. He sighs and opens his eyes.

"Just fine." She's quiet for a moment before she decides to talk.

"We're going to find her Logan." She says with a confidence he just doesn't have.

"You and her, I've never seen two people more meant for each other. She made you happy and you made her feel less alone." He wishes he remembered you.

He really does.

He can't think of all the moments he's been told about or the pictures that have been taken. He doesn't know what it was like to love you or to be loved by you anymore. It kills him. If he was happy, if you made him happy, then he's lost it all. Why would you take that away? From him and from you. Why couldn't you trust him with this?

Even though his memories are gone he can feel this sense of worry building in his chest. He needs you to be okay. He needs to protect you. Fuck he doesn't even remember you but that deep primal urge is still there.

"Five minutes out. Everyone brace for landing." Logan tucks the necklace into his suit, keeping it close to his heart as he unsheathes his claws and waits for landing. He will find you. There's no other option for him.

-

Your whole body ached. After leaving Logan you tracked down Mack and his gang but they had the one up on you. New, powerful mutants. They already knew you were coming the second you had the thought. They ambushed you. Attacked you and rendered you useless. They should have just killed you but Mack wanted to keep you. To lure your team out as a trap.

"They aren't coming." You hiss as he stands in front of you. He's crouching down and grinning.

"I don't know sweetheart, my sources tell me there's someone on the team who is quite fond of you." He brushes your cheek and you recoil in disgust.

"Get your fucking hands off me." He chuckles and one of his followers hit you hard in your leg.

"Feisty. Tell me, is that because of Logan? Did he rub off on you?" Your blood runs cold. If they do anything to him.

"Don't touch him." You lunge at Mack but you're restrained. to the ground. Mack presses his foot onto your throat and his smirk turns into something dark.

"You're funny. Tell you what." He puts more pressure on your neck and you start to see dots in your vision.

"When the Wolverine gets here we'll make him watch you die...and then kill him." Mack laughs and another hard blow to your head sends you into darkness.

You can only hope that Logan stays far, far away from this.

-

He can hear them. Fucking idiots not even trying to hide. They're bragging, laughing. Well they won’t be laughing for long. Logan’s claws gleam under the moonlight as he stalks like an animal.

The plan was to create a diversion while a rescue team goes in to get you. He wasn’t exactly know for his subtlety but no one wanted to argue him being the one to find you. It was a one man rescue team.

The sky rumbles and a loud explosion from far away leads the mutant group away. Logan springs into action. He takes out the few bodyguards around camp with ease.

He finds you alone and unguarded. A sense of relief washing over him as he bends down and scoops you up in his arms. Though he can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. That this was too easy.

“Logan?” Your voice is quiet, broken.

“Hey, we’re gonna get you out of here.” He gently holds you as he looks for a way out.

“No.” You say. Your voice stronger than before. Confusion washes over him as you push him away. The injuries on your body seemed to disappear as the world fades around him.

“You think I want you to save me? I ran away from you Logan. Couldn’t you get the fucking hint?” Your words spit like venom. You were not the person he thought you were.

“It was all a lie, a cover.” His claws come out, teeth baring as his anger grows. But then he catches a whiff of someone unfamiliar. He hears the faint calling of his name.

“Yeah?” He walks closer to you. A taunting look on your face. Without warning he swings his claws right next to your face.

“Tell him that it will take more than a weak illusion to fool me.” Logan whispers in your ear.

Slowly the world he thought was reality melts away. Your tied up, held by force by one of Mack’s followers. Had he given in and swung at you he would have killed you. That must have been their plan. He looks to the side to see a body with three claw marks on the ground.

“Well, you’re smarter than I thought. Well done Wolvie.” He hears a slow clap behind him.

”Fuck off bub,” Logan growls as he holds up his claws. Ready to pounce. He hears the rustling around him. He’s not alone, they’re hiding, waiting.

“It’s a shame really, we would have gotten along great.” Mack smirks as Logan grows angrier.

“Fat fucking chance.” Logan lunges at Mack but he’s tackled to the ground. Held down by some sort of force he can’t fight.

“You may be physically strong but let’s see how you do when someone fucks with your mind. Just like she did.” Logan struggles baring his teeth as he tries to fight out of whatever hold they have him under.

“Stop!” You cry out. Your voice is strained and tears are falling down your cheeks.

“Mack please, just leave him alone.” You fight out of the grip on you with all your strength. Falling to the ground roughly. Your hands are still tied behind your back as you struggle to get up.

“Please don’t hurt him.” Your desperate.

Mack stands up crouches over you. He grabs your face roughly, digging his nails into your face tightly. Logan growls when he sees you wince in pain.

“Aww so cute.” He taunts and throws you to the ground.

“The question is which one of you has the biggest hero complex hm? You left us because you thought we were wrong, evil. You wanted to play hero.”

“What we did was wrong Mack. We hurt innocent people for our own good.” Logan stares at you and you can’t find it in yourself to look him in the eyes.

You can’t bare to see that look of nothing. He doesn’t know who you are and its your fault. But this is for the best. You can get him out of here and he can walk away from you without the pain.

You feel a sharp pain as Mack slaps you hard. “We were surviving!” He yells.

“Why should we care about the world when they don’t care about us!” He takes out a pocket knife and you tense up.

“Get the fuck away from her.” Logan roars and Mack just grins.

With a snap of his fingers one of the other mutants starts to crush Logan. It was a subtle pressure at first but he could feel the discomfort. They were sinking him into the ground. They were going to bury him alive. You can see a flash of panic. He hates that suffocating feeling. So reminiscent of his nightmares.

“Mack please, we were family once.” You beg as you watch Logan struggle. You can’t let them do this to him.

“Stop please!” Mack grabs your face and makes you watch.

“We were but you picked a new family. Now you can watch him suffocate.” Your eyes meet with Logan’s and you start to cry. He’s afraid. Its your fault. This is all your fault.

“I’ll stay! I’ll stay and help you again just let him go!” You cry out. The weight is lifted off Logan and he scrambles to breathe.

“I promise. I won’t fight and I won’t run. Just please, leave him alone.” Mack thinks for a moment, its a tempting offer. Your powers are strong and he was never able to find anyone quite like you.

“No! Logan shouts, he can’t let you do this. Not for him.

“You got yourself a deal. But if you ever try anything. We’ll hunt him down and kill him. Then the rest of your little family.” Your eyes flash with fear and you nod.

Logan’s heart twists as he sees the broken look on your face. You’re condemning yourself to a torturous life for him. When you look at him he feels a horrible feeling. He longs for you. Your eyes are full of a love he’s missing from his life. You love him and he can’t even remember what it was like. Did you calm his nightmares? Keep his deepest secrets? Did you know all his faults and choose to love him anyways? He needs to know. They pick him up and force him onto his knees.

"Tell your team to stay away." Mack wraps his hand around your neck, his knife pressing against your skin, taunting Logan.

"Logan...I love you and I'm sorry." Your voice is raspy as you choke out the words. He needs to know. You smile painfully as Logan just looks at you.

"Go on, run away Wolvie." Mack snarls.

Even in pain your eyes are full of love just looking at him. He was your everything. You love him so much you're willing to sacrifice yourself, your happiness, all of it for him. How? This kind of love...he's never felt this before. He may not remember it all with you but fuck he wants to know what its like. He wants to learn what it was like to be loved by you. He can't let you go. Not when his future happiness is in your hands. The rage builds. He will not leave you. Doesn't matter how much blood will be shed tonight. He will save you.

With a loud roar Logan unsheathes his claws and with all his willpower throws off the weighted feeling. He's like an animal, snarling and growling as he drives his claws into your captors. There's no mercy in the way he takes each and everyone of them out. They try to stop him but when they realize their efforts are futile they start to run.

"Where do you think you're going?" His voice is cold, void of any emotion as he digs his claws deep into someone chest. Mack's confidence fades as he watches Logan's rampage. He grabs you and tries to run. Dragging you along the forest floor.

"Logan!" You shout and he instantly turns around.

On all fours he uses his claws to launch himself towards you. Chasing Mack down like prey. It's really a pity how fast he catches him. At another time he would have enjoyed playing with him, toying with his fear. All the pain he's caused, not just your pain but the innocent people he's ruined. He deserves to pay.

"Not so tough now huh?" Logan stabs him right through the heart.

When he's sure he's dead he stands up, blood soaking his claws. His head turns to you and you freeze. You know he won't hurt you but apart of you worries this is a trick. Another one of Mack's illusions just to fuck with you. Logan gently bends down and cuts you free.

"He's gone sweetheart." Tears start to fall down your cheeks as he scoops you up in his arms.

"I'm sorry I'm so sorry." You babble over and over as Logan holds you tight. You fit just like a puzzle piece into his arms. This feels right. This feels like home. The sound of footsteps sets him on edge but he calms down when he sees the familiar faces of his team.

"Where the hell were you guys?"

-

No one dared bother Logan. They let him take you back to the jet. He held you the whole time. Even when you fell asleep from utter exhaustion he kept you close. He was with you every step of the way. Bringing you to the lab, watching as they run tests and stick needles into your arm. On your recovery bed with the ugly white lights he sat until you woke up. Sometimes you stirred, whining and you sounded afraid.

He wonders what fucked up things Mack made you see. The bruises and scars on your body told only half the story. With each fearful sound he wishes he would have taken longer to kill that bastard. But he's gone now and you seem to calm down when he's with you. Sensing him through your sleep.

The necklace sits in his hand. After he got back he had to make sure it was still with him. It was bloodied now, and had some wear and tear from the past. So he busied himself fixing it up, cleaning it until it shined like new. He doesn't know when or why he bought it for you but clearly it was special. The two stones meant something. He knew they did.

When you finally came to he jumped into action. Calling hank to come check on you while he slipped away to get you water. There was a big fuss, people scolding you for leaving and crying from happiness that you were back. Apologizes poured out of your mouth as you faced your family. Logan hung back and watched you be embraced, be loved. Your powers seemed to settle after this. The fear of touching other people was gone as you hugged people without a second thought. He waited and waited until it was just the two of you.

"Hey there," You can barely look at him as he sits in the plastic chair next to your bed.

"Logan I..." You can't get the words out. How do you even begin to apologize.

You bury your face in your hands but Logan isn't having it. He had a lot of questions but they could wait. He takes your hands away from your face, cupping your chin to make you look at him. Your heart breaks a little when you look into those eyes. He still doesn't know you. Of course, his memories are still gone.

"Why did you come? You don't remember me." You ask him. He risked his life for you, he killed for you. The Logan you knew at the start wouldn't have done that for you. Maybe with the team but to risk all of it alone. Why?

"I don't have to remember you to see you were important to me sweetheart, though I would really like those memories back." Of course.

You never took them from him. If anything you locked them away. You couldn't bring yourself to truly erase yourself from his mind. With a gentle touch you release his memories like a tidal wave. They pour into his brain, flooding his senses as memory after memory flash into his mind. Ending with your final moments together in that motel room.

Your first kiss, you told him you loved him. You took that from him. He should be angry with you. You stole his memories just like they did before but when he opens his eyes there's no anger.

Only love.

He smashes his lips onto yours. Capturing you into a heated kiss. This is what he dreamed of. Getting to touch you like this, to show his love. He's rough with his motions. He should be gentler but he can't help himself. Years of desperation building up into this. He can finally hold you, finally claim you as his.

"Logan I'm so sorry." You cry. He shushes you with another kiss.

He doesn't care about that right now. You were afraid and though he wishes you came to him he's just glad to have you back. You scared the fuck out of him.

"I love you too sweetheart, you didn't give me the chance to say it but fuck I love you." You claw at his shirt to get him closer.

You need him to be as close as he can. He ignores the wires and climbs into the bed with you. Situating himself so that you're as close as you can get. Legs intertwined with each other. He takes the necklace and places it around your neck. Clasping it and smiling as it rests above your heart.

"I'll always fight for us sweetheart. I'll fight for you." Even if he doesn't remember you he knew deep down that there was something there. That you were important to him. No one could take that away from him.

You curl into his arms, finally feeling at peace for the first time. Not worried about your powers or about your past. You felt protected and loved. Logan lulls you back to rest promising to keep watch. He knows that what you suffered won't go away easily but he'll be there every step of the way.

Nothing will take you from him again. Not ever. He'll make sure of that.

[meanbossart]

You are an amazing artist, but I also wanted to compliment your character-building skills! The amount of thought and care you put into their thoughts, actions, and feelings really shows that you have a deep understanding of who they are as complex individuals. I'm a tarot reader and got to thinking- which of the major arcana archetypes do you think represents DU Drow best?

Thank you so much! This seems like a question you can probably answer better than myself, seeing as I don't know much about Tarot 😅but after a quick overview I am (perhaps unsurprisingly) very tempted by The Lovers card.

Every single major life decision DU drow has made (or, uh, had imposed upon him) has been pretty directly connected to people he fell in love with. Orin, Shadowheart, Astarion - he was or is bound to their whims because he's decided they're special, and the importance that he gives to their presence and thoughts is almost irrational, while simultaneously being so infuriatingly quick to dismiss everyone else in the world before even giving them a chance.

DU drow can only understand himself through others, so he picks specific people and gives them the honor of telling him who he is, mostly because he trusts them to give him the answers he wants to hear... Until they don't. And because they've already been assigned this role, he's left cracking his skull as to why things would change - as a Bhaalist, this led to anger and frustration, but as a redemned DU he can actually ponder and practice some insight to the best of his (limited) abilities, given that the party involved pushes him hard enough towards it.

I understand this is also a card about self discovery, so yeah, it seems pretty much on the money to me! But I'm open to discussion ;)

[a-student-out-of-time]

An Important Reminder In Trying Times

Hey everyone, Mod Bubbles here.

I know that I've said over and over that I don't like talking about politics on here, but I really feel the need to say this:

This Is Not The End.

I understand things probably seem really bleak right now. A lot of people are going to be hurt by this, and the sheer amount of fearmongering and worst case scenarios are inescapable. But the country and the world are not going to change overnight. To be honest, it may not change very much at all in the next four years. I'm not a political scientist, so I can't tell you that for sure. There's a lot to be concerned about.

What I can tell you, as a student of history, is this: not only have we survived this once, we have survived this every time.

Think about it this way: every single tyrant, every single right-wing representative, every single emperor and colonial power, every corporate scumbag and power-hungry lunatic. No matter how many of them have ever come to power, held onto power, and tried to make themselves seem invincible, not a single one has ever held back humanity's progress and not a single one has proven to be invincible.

There were countries throughout history, especially in the 20th century, that fell under brutal dictatorships and saw countless lives lost. Did the people just give up and accept it? Fuck no they didn't. They fought back. Many of them lived to see democracy restored to their lands in their lifetimes, or fought to see it restored in their children's.

From Europe to Latin America, while many countries still have their issues, they endured and their people have survived. Their governments were not invincible, just as none ever have been.

Regardless of the outcome of this election, the world will go on. People will not just roll over and accept whatever horrible things happen, the fight will continue and we will do everything in our power to carry on as we always have. We'll carry on to achieve bigger and better things.

Let me also be clear: if you feel the need to cry, please cry. If you're afraid, don't pretend you're not. If you're angry, allow yourself to feel that anger. But if you're seriously contemplating giving up or hurting yourself, please don't.

You may hear all this news and ask yourself, "Bubbles, what's the point? What can I do about all this?" I've felt that way too, I have for a long time. I understand completely. It's scary and overwhelming, but I'll tell you exactly what you can do to fight against that: you can be kind.

Do you want to know where the most tangible change in the world begins? It's never at the top. It begins with people like us on a communal level, where we reach out to help others. Whether that means we help our neighbors, our friends, or any strangers we can.

Going out of your way to start fights, looking for someone to blame based on the flimsiest justifications, and just being cruel because you're angry, those aren't how you change anything. Those just add to the problem.

Here's just some ideas on what you can do instead:

Get away from the news, stop doomscrolling, mute doomers, and turn the TV and news apps off. This will get you out of a negative feedback loop that'll make you feel worse and more powerless, which is what they're designed to do in order to maximize traffic.

Remember to eat, sleep, brush your teeth, take a shower, take your meds, and do everything else you need to do to stay healthy.

If you or someone else really feel like leaving the country for your own safety is best, you can still work do so. But please don't convince yourself that if you can't, it's over.

Give back to people as much as you can. Show the people in your life who support you that you care, and that all that they do for you matters.

Donate to good causes you believe in.

Stand up to bullshit whenever you see it.

Do not give up on your dreams and ambitions. One bad leader does not mean your future automatically ends. Stop worrying about any potential apocalypse in the future, because you can do that even on the best days, and instead work toward a future that you CAN achieve.

There's this pervasive and very inaccurate idea that it's only the president who gets to enforce policies on the country. This ignores governors, the House of Representatives, Congress, mayors, and the countless other leaders involved. And it ignores you.

You do not have to spend the next 3 years and 364 days doing nothing but feeling miserable. In fact, that's the last thing you should do. Fear and despair are the weapons they wield, and they only have as much power as you allow them to have over you.

If your view of politics is that you just have to vote for the "right one" and then everything will be utopian, or that if people vote for the wrong one" then we're headed for a terrible dystopian nightmare, I have to tell you that that is incredibly reductionist and also very dumb. I can also tell you from personal experience that it's not them who make the real changes where it's needed.

A friend sent me a video that really opened my eyes on this situation: Adam Conover, the guy behind Adam Ruins Everything, said he's not worried about all this. Why? Because he and some friends were able, through their own power, to make real positive changes in their community. They were able to bring homelessness down in their district by over 38% through their own efforts.

And he's right that, as a silver lining to all this, it made more Americans than ever take a stand against all the horrible shit they were seeing and get involved with solutions.

Speaking from my own experiences as well, when Hurricane Helene devastated my area, it wasn't the politicians who came and repaired roads and power lines, it wasn't them who brought in food and supplies to everyone, and it wasn't them who worked tirelessly to save people still in need. It was everyone in our local communities.

The people at the top have never really cared about anything more than your money and your vote, but the people around you care more than you may believe they would. Hell, even strangers on the internet care more than you'd believe.

Now, even if you've made it this far, you may be wondering "What about when he starts outlawing and banning things?" To that, I say look at Prohibition and see how well that went. Politicians have only ever operated under the idea that banning something will make it go away, and it always does the exact opposite. And if you're still worried, you can get involved with organizations that fight to support these things being available and regulated.

But by now, you may also be wondering "What if I can't get involved? What if I'm too young or I don't have the money, or my parents won't let me?"

Then just be kind.

Stop looking for enemies to blame. Don't martyr yourself for some nebulous cause or the idea that your suffering increasing means the rest of the suffering in the world will go down. Don't torture yourself by telling yourself that you didn't do enough.

Show compassion, show support, show love and genuine care toward people who need it, including yourself.

"But there's so many shitty people in this country and the world, why should I-" Stop thinking that way. This isn't about them, this is about you and how you can make a difference. There will probably always be shitheads and power-hungry morons, but that does not negate the fact that you can choose to be different. You can choose to be kind.

Kindness is a sword that you have to learn how to wield. Wield it responsibly and use it to help others. No matter how small or insignificant it may be, YOU DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I say all this as a 29-year-old who spent most of his life feeling scared and miserable about so many current events, convincing myself I'm useless and selfish because I was worried about so much and I hated myself for all of it. And I've decide I'm not going to do that anymore.

During the last right-wing era, I managed to help build a whole community out of my love for Danganronpa. I created friendships, relationships, and there are people alive right now because I chose to do so. Because I chose to use that community for kindness. I want to keep building from there by going into streaming and reaching out to more people.

I won't lie to you and say that I'm not scared, because I am. But I'm also not going to let fear change who I am. I want us all to be better to ourselves and others, because that is how you defeat hate. It starts with you.

And if you're still concerned, let me share with you a quote from The Great Dictator, a movie made in 1940, when World War II wasn't even at its height yet:

To those who can hear me, I say - do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed - the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish…

Please take care of yourselves out there, everyone. We'll get through this, just as we always have.

[strawberryblondebutch]

If you are a visibly disenfranchised person in America (by race, gender, sexuality, physical ability, or any other definition) and are worried about violence carried out in the name of sycophants, I would strongly recommend arming yourselves.

Brass knuckles are not illegal at the federal level, although many states have their own laws. They work in two directions: the brass rings increase the injury you do onto someone else, while the palm grip redistributes the kickback so that you're less likely to break your own fingers. Kevlar gauntlets, like the ones I wear for motorcycling, help with the latter more than the former.

Switchblades are becoming increasingly legal on the state level thanks in large part to an EMT lobby -- carrying a collapsible blade is helpful when your job involves cutting people out of their seatbelts in vehicle collisions. They come in two types: side-loading and out-the-front. OTF is triggered faster in an emergency.

In both cases, remember that most things are only illegal if you get caught. The issue comes in states where the sale of brass knuckles or switchblades are illegal, which makes them harder to acquire. If you can find a way to send a care package via a reputable courier, you should have no problem transporting across state lines. (My OTF blade came to PA nestled between a pair of sneakers.)

Handguns are easy to purchase in just about any state. Check your state laws to see whether you need a permit and/or to register your firearm to conduct a sale, but unless you're a convicted felon, the process is fairly straightforward. Always hold a handgun with both hands and practice at the range until you're confident in your aim and your stance.

Long guns are not going to be particularly useful on the street. You're unlikely to get the distance from your target to maintain your accuracy. They're more useful for standing your ground on your own property.

Bows are my favorite weapon to handle, but I would not recommend them for protection. It takes years of practice to fire them accurately, and you need space both to draw back the string to your ear and to fire at a distance. Arrows need a certain amount of momentum behind them, snap shots don't really work. Entry-level bows are cheaper than entry-level guns and that's the only edge I will give them.

General advice:

Put spikes anywhere you don't want people grabbing. Wrists and shoulders are the most obvious places. Punks don't just wear them for decoration!

Slip-resistant boots help you hold your ground in a tussle, and most come with an additional benefit like a steel toe or impact-resistant material.

When aiming with brass knuckles or bare fists, aim for the nose and the cheekbone. Both break easily and cause a shockwave of immediate pain that will make your attacker retreat.

Aim for center mass when possible with any type of puncturing weapon. It's the biggest target with the most important organs.

If you are put in a headlock, the thigh has both sensitive nerves and the femoral artery, and it's probably the most available target to you.

Strangling someone might seem like the nicer option, but it's the most dangerous for you. You need at least 10 seconds to strangle to the point of unconsciousness, during which your hands are both occupied and you can't defend yourself as well. Always go for an immediate, painful injury that will disrupt your attacker's attention.

Any protection - body armor or weaponry - is better than no protection. My motorcycle armor was designed to keep me from breaking every bone in my body in a crash, but the way it redistributes bludgeoning force also helps against baseball bats and batons.

Most people are not as prepared to receive physical violence as they are to dole it out.

[max1461]

I guess what really bothers me about right-wing political/cultural natalism is the instrumental attitude it takes towards people, and in fact especially towards the people closest to oneself, to whom I think it is kind of most egregious to take an instrumental attitude. Like, under this attitude, a spouse (and, let's be realistic in this context, a woman) is for producing children, and children are for spreading their parents' (again, being realistic: their father's) genes, culture, ideology, whatever. It's all about instrumentalizing those who should be most precious to you, in service of, as I put it in another post, some flimsy narrative, some grand story about your ingroup that... look, I'm not opposed to having stories about your ingroup! I'm not opposed to caring about the stories you have about your ingroup. Like, that's part of human life, right, even for people who try to disavow it. But what I mean by "flimsy" is that these sorts of grandiose stories, in contrast to the reality of individual human-human bonds, to me they seem just hopeless thin. Watery. Like, what is "my ideology" or "my culture" in the face of my loved ones? It's barely anything, you know.

It's not that I don't have ideological convictions or that I don't care about culture (although, evidently, I care about it in a less ownership-centric way than a lot of people, but that's a topic for another post), but, like, the idea of putting some kind of grandiose, hollow civilizational narrative above the lived reality of my life is not very desirable to me.

Call me old fashioned, but I think the most important thing about romantic relationships is love, right, and commitment, compassion, etc., plain and simple. I think if you're marrying someone to use them as an instrument, well, if they're ok with that and on the same page as you then I have no problem with it, but I certainly don't think we should move towards this as a culture. And I think that a society in which most relationships are more instrumental than they are passionate/comfortable/emotionally fulfilling/whatever you value in a lover, well, I think that society is doing quite a bad job at something quite important.

And with children it's even more egregious, because your children certainly do not enter into their relationship with you voluntarily. I think that if you decide to have children, you have the responsibility to commit yourself quite significantly, at least for a good chunk of time, to being an instrument of their flourishing, right, to enabling their own pursuit of their own ends. Because... you chose to create a person! You didn't have to do that! I think you have quite a extensive web of responsibilities to your children and if you decide to become a parent this is something you should be really well on board with.

So, this is what really bothers me about the (seemingly) currently ascendant natalist impulse. This is why I find it so thoroughly "skeevey". It represents this instrumentalization of the very people who more than any others should be ends to you and not instruments.

[evillinuxuser]

Dear American leftist.

So you want to make the world better. Please here me out.

You recognize that your parties are ultimately just capitalist racists/sexists/lgbt-phobes and capitalist collaborators/copagandists/war criminals. You want to tear this system to the ground (understandably), just have a revolution and build a new one, a democratic-socialist utopia.

That's not gonna happen yet.

Most Americans want to make the world better. But they will not agree with you on the means or even the end goal.

And you *can't have a revolution* without widespread support (or at least most people not being outright hostile to your end goal - the dirty word socialism). Your current representative system is going to remain for some time still. Your president will have power and they will have the largest and most dangerous power over minorities and marginalized people.

It is important who gets to wield this power.

It is important who gets to appoint the next Supreme Court justices. Even if Democrats don't really care about abortion rights and are just using it as a talking point - their appontees consistently rule in favor of women. This applies equally to race and LGBT issues, and to the legislative and executive branches.

On Palestine and lesser evils

I feel like the most important or one of the most important reasons for leftists who do not vote is the situation in Gaza and independence for Palestine and the lack of action on part of the Dems.

I will not actually talk policy here because even if you think both will do equally bad things for Palestine, you just cannot reason that this means both parties are equal or equally bad. Let me draw you a table (tumblr doesn't have tables?):

How the fuck is there no lesser evil here?

If you do not vote for Dems for the sake of your conscience, you are either a coward who is too immature to make hard decisions or you plain *do not care* for LGBT people, women, PoC, or immigrants.

(Footnote: Dems wont solve your existing racism problems. But people will suffer due to government inaction rather than government WANTING them to suffer and actively using its resources to create more suffering)

You're the guy in the trolley problem NOT pulling the lever to save four lives. Sure, it would be PREFERRABLE if there were no PEOPLE TIED TO THE TRACKS. But they are right now and the state of being tied to a track is called marginalization.

Voting third party does not help.

Your system is rigged against you to allow only two parties.

See this video for explanation.

By not voting, or voting third party, you are saving no one (except your own conscience, selfishly). Vote and then do some more actually useful stuff.

How the fuck does voting impact your ability to organize politically in other ways? Do you think low voter turnout will somehow convince both Reps and Dems that actually, they're both illegitimate and willing to give way to a new system now? Obviously not?!

So you want to make the world better. This is not what US elections are for. They are for slowing down the world getting worse. Thanks for reading all of that. Sincerely, and in a deep worry tumblr user evillinuxuser (Not an American)

[lorynna]

i posted a single line saying "this is a very sad day for women's rights" and the first comment I got was "and for trans ppl" and the second comment I got was "and for muslims". I removed both of them. Can I just post about women's rights on a plattform without anyone having to add shit about the alphabet community or other minorities when I am aiming to center women in my own post?

Hate me if you wish but I really don't care about your blue haired non binary self not being able to access whatever unnecessary body-mutilating surgery when there is women bleeding out in parking lots, going into sepsis and not receiving medical help with a dead fetus inside of them - and no, i don't care about muslims not being able to enter a country when the lives of so many women are at stake - which in my opinion seems like the larger issue at hand when compared to- or am I wrong here??

Oh and when removing the comments I told them politely to please share their activism elsewhere because this was a post explicitly about women's rights and OF FUCKING COURSE the alphabet person had to send me a DM screeching "TrAns PeOpLe aRe WoMEn tOo". No they're not, shut up.

imo this shows me that even with people who do initially agree with this statement of "this is a sad day for women's rights" do not give it enough importance because they still need to add other things to the mix when it is a post clearly centering women and *women only*.

But yeah... women's spaces are usually not respected so it's not much of a surprise, is it.

[thegeminisage]

i hope everyone who voted third party is really happy :) i hope they're all really pleased today and really felt like they made their voices heard and that electing trump was worth saving their precious little feelings :) i'm really glad they didn't have to be adults long enough to hold their noses and vote because feeling good is way more important than doing good :) i hope they got what they wanted :)

actually i hope they all die, as a direct result of his presidency, so that we don't have to pander to them next election cycle, if there IS a next election cycle. "but you can't just say you hope people die!" sure i can! third party voters obviously want me and my disabled mom to die. they want gay and trans people to die. they want women and immigrants and palestinians and people of color to die. what's the problem? i'd say i hope they die in the big glorious revolution they promised but if they can't put up and shut up long enough to get their asses to a ballot box there's no way we're gonna see them firebombing the government or attending a protest. they'll just sit at home and wait for somebody else to do it, the same way they sat at home and waited for somebody else to elect harris. and i hope nobody suffers more in the next four or more years than them. but why worry, right? both candidates are the same! i'm sure they'll be fine!

also lmao at everyone like "uwu ok guys take a deep breath have a calming cup of tea and do some self care tell people you love them" self care and loving people isn't going to keep him out of office. we had our chance to do that and we blew it because leftists want to feel righteous and pure. like definitely don't kill yourself or anything (unless you're a third party voter, in which case the sooner the better) but don't fucking dress it up. all you're doing is checking out. and who can blame you! sounds like the only solid plan tbh.

[foreverurs222]

'babysitting' the Kaulitz twins °. 2003

₊‧.°.⋆ fluff ⋆.°.‧₊

your mother and the twins' mother are friends. When Miss Kaulitz wants to go on a trip with her boyfriend for the weekend, you are asked to look after her sons.

You don't really feel like it. You know Bill and Tom and you are well aware that they can be quite mischievous and naughty and constantly get into some kind of trouble. But your mother sends you over and now you have to spend the weekend with the little twins.

When you arrive, you sit down on the sofa, annoyed, and turn on the TV. The twins instantly come running up to you. Tom grins cheekily “I heard you really wanted to spend the weekend with us”

You roll your eyes “I think you've misunderstood something, little buddy. I'm here to babysit”

Tom tilts his head a little “and that means…” you sigh as you try to concentrate on the TV “that means you are a baby and I am going to sit around”

Bill chuckles a little mischievously and gives his brother a punch in the side “did you hear that? you're a baby”

Tom furrows his eyebrows “I'm not a baby. I'm almost a man”.

You're still trying to concentrate on the TV while the twins tease each other. “I don't see no man here…” you mumble, a little annoyed. Tom looks back and forth between you and Bill. Bill grins “'Told you so”

Tom snorts in annoyance "ok, whatever" he turns towards the tv and turns it off "no tv. Mom said we have to save electricity"

You sigh and chew on your bottom lip "alright guys, what then? you wanna... I don't know, play outside?"

Tom acts all cocky "I got a bed. We can play in there"

You shake your head in disbelief and get off the sofa "careful little buddy, you're way too young to be talking about any of that"

Tom acts like he's sooo grown and tilts his head a little "hm? I'm almost 14. So I'm almost 16 and that means I'm almost 18, so I'm about your age"

You can't help but giggle at this logic. Awww, he's such a little cutie. You take a step forward and pat him encouragingly on the shoulder "yeah sure. And if you keep aging this fast in a matter of seconds, we might as well say you're almost 80 too and then Bill and I would have to start asking around to find a place for you in an old people's home"

Bill breaks out laughing as Tom shakes your hand off his shoulder and frowns at you "not funny..." he grumbles.

you smile at the twins "ok, serious now. What do you want to do? We gotta do something"

Bill grins: “You know, Tom and I have a band. We play real songs and are extremely popular. We have 10,000 fans”

Tom clears his throat and pokes his brother in the side: "more like 10 fans…" you raise an eyebrow. so these two kids have a band now? cute, but what does ‘real songs’ mean to Bill?

you shrug your shoulders ”so are you going to play me something or what?”

Bill grins again: “of course!” Tom, however, chews on his lower lip a little sheepishly: “uhhhh…. well, half the band is missing. And Bill isn't a particularly good singer, so don't expect too much now…”

Bill gasps in offense “hey, you sing then, Tom!”

Tom quickly acts as if he would ever dare to do that “well, so… we all know I sing best here. but out of … reasons… I can't sing at the moment. Um… I have to rest my golden voice”

Bill and you burst out laughing, Tom grins a little proudly.

After a while you remember that the twins probably have to do something for school "say, don't you two have any homework?"

Bill's eyes widen slightly and he quickly diverts from the topic: "Uhhh, I know what we're doing next. We're writing a new song for our band. It's really super important, we can't put it off”

Tom nods and makes a very innocent face: "Exactly. That has to be done. Super urgent. The fans… They're waiting. We can't leave them hanging” You look at the boys, a little confused: "all 10 fans are waiting? Huh? Do you have homework or not?” Bill distracts you again: “10 fans, 10,000 fans, what's the difference? They're eagerly waiting for a new hit. Come on” Bill takes you by the hand and you follow the twins to the kitchen table.

Tom gives you a pencil and Bill places a block in front you. Tom grins: "Well, get started then"

you look back and forth between the twins with a look of surprise "Me?" Bill smirks at his brother: "Not so easy, huh? Well, not everyone is a musical genius."

Tom grins back and the brothers give each other a big high five.

You smile, thinking the twins are adorable: "Ok you two, i'll write it down and you think about the lyrics. then the next hit should be ready in the next few minutes, riiiight?"

Tom immediately backtracks a little: "Uh, it was mostly Bill's idea anyway. Don't look at me!" Bill rolls his eyes: “pff typical. What I wouldn't do to work with professionals for once” Tom snorts: “Yeah, me too!” You try to stifle a giggle at their little argument. Bill sighs. "Well, let me think for a moment. I'm only doing all this for our countless fans!" The three of you work on new songs, most of the ideas originate from Bill, and Tom and you only throw in a few words occasionally. The results are… ok. And the twins complain that your handwriting is soooo hard to read. As if.

You then make a few sandwiches together and have dinner. Later you put the twins to bed, although they whine that they're waaaay too old to be put to bed and they're not at aaaaall tired yet. They have to go to bed anyway. You sit down in the living room and read some tabloid you bought after school yesterday. After a while, you go back upstairs to see if the boys have fallen asleep.

You open the door to Tom's room a crack and are shocked to see that his bed is empty. Oh no, God please no! You get scared and start imagining the worst case scenarios in your head.

You can only hope that Bill is still there and can tell you where his brother might have gone in the middle of the night!

You go over to Bill's bedroom door and open it. Your heart skips a beat.

Relief fills your whole body. Tom is lying next to Bill in Bill's bed, back to back, eyes closed and breathing in sync. You can't help but smile

"Good night you little rascals" you whisper and close the door.

°. The End

[genopaint]

Been in a big Axel the Alligator mood lately so I redesigned some characters the last couple days and even introduced a new villain!!

Here's some of the notes I included about them all from twitter :) it's below the readmore

To go along with the new Axel the Alligator arts I did a bit ago, I figured I should draw the No-Name Grunt again! I gave them a bit of a make over from last time

Most notably their suits are now purple to match Camilla the Chameleon's, since they are her henchmen after all!

If you don't recall, these are basically Axel's goomba. The basic bottom of the barrel enemy the main characters fight. They're all a part of Camilla's seemingly never ending gang. They all follow her every order because they're obsessed with her, but she can't even be bothered to remember their names. Thus, the No-Names. Instead, they're each given a numbered belt and she just calls them by their number.

There's TONS of No-Names, that's why there's even color variations for the grunts you encounter. But there's even different classes of No-Names.

Like bruisers, fliers, stuff like that. However, I want to redesign them a bit more cause I wasn't 100% on their old designs. SO you'll have to wait and see if I bother with them. But you get the idea, the grunt kind of represents the whole army of underlings anyway.

Oh, and of course... No-Name 10,000. The super special ultra rare No-Name encounter. When you defeat it, it drops TONS of gold and exp!

Also some really quick sketches for some of the other No-Name classes with this suit redesign. I think it's cute they're all kind of matching but now I worry maybe they're not unique enough? Before their suits were all different colors... idk... Much to think about...

It's gonna be a WHILE before I get to make an Axel the Alligator game so I'll keep thinking on it lol

And of course there's probably gonna be a lot of No-Name enemy types it all just depends on what I would want / need for each game I suppose lol.

They're like Badniks, they reuse a lot of old ones but new ones or variants could show up wherever it's needed

----

And of course, where there's No-Names, there's the No-Name generals! Similarly, Camilla doesn't care to remember their names. But they're juuuuust important enough to be allowed to command her underlings when she's off doing more important things.

Uno the Uromastyx is Camilla's original #1 super fan, and as such is the leader of the generals. He's a bit stuck up and loves to wave the fact he's #1 in the others faces.

Dos the Daboia is a bit of a loser and is ALWAYS panicking. He's constantly worried his suit is too blue.

And Tres the Tree Lizard is a chaotic girl who loves explosives. She's constantly building bombs to create chaos. Whenever the No-Names use explosives, they're probably her creations.

They're the ultimate undying loyalists to Camilla, and they all HATE Carnage and Behemoth because the trio was there first and yet Camilla makes Carnage and Behemoth her right hand men. Out ranking even the No-Name generals.

But of course, Uno, Dos, and Tres stand no chance at ever beating either of them. Even if they gang up on them.

----

Two more Axel the Alligator characters! Sol the Saurus I've shown before and has a shiny new redesign. But Ceaser the Ceratops is his brand-spanking-new rival!! Pretty neat!

These two existed from before the meteorite came... What on earth are they doing in present day???

Sol fights with a giant sword that builds energy as its swung, and Ceaser fights with a giant shield that builds energy as its hit. They used to be allies but that was a long long long time ago

Also I'm not 100% on Ceaser's design or name so don't be surprised if I touch it up

Also here's an updated height chart with the No-Names and these dinosaurs. Again it's not 100% accurate but it gives an idea (Behemoth IS taller than Dos it's just a bad pose I promise)

also a comparison with some short guys in front of the dinosaurs :)

My concept is that Axel characters don't really stop growing as they age (which I believe real reptiles do the same thing?) so since these dinosaurs are from ancient times they'd have grown a CRAZY amount in the mean time. idk

[lukalnst]

I would like to ask which of the Alien stage characters would be their favorite type of Goth Girl and how they interact with the goth girl reader..

LUKA, MIZI, SUA & TILL WITH A GOTH!FEM READER

Contains: Luka, Mizi, Sua, Till (separately) / Goth reader / Fem pronouns for reader / Headcanons + some writing / Kisses / Lipstick kisses / Fluff

Luka

Well, it wasn't something that he himself would try, but he wouldn't tell you to not dress like that.

Pretty much the opposite of what he looks like!

Still, you caught his attention. He hadn't seen anyone else dress the way you do, and do makeup the way you did.

So he just watches intently as you do your own makeup.

"That type of music is the most important part... I see."

He likes it when you tell him about the history of the Goth subculture. It actually intrigues him.

Luka just watched the way your hands moved as you finished applying some of the eyeshadow to do your own makeup. He was observing many things, actually; mostly the way you brushed the makeup onto your eyes and the way your hands moved when you did it.

He had done makeup before, but it didn't turn out as well as when you did it. Perhaps you could teach him some other time — just in a way that fits his appearance more.

Luka carefully approached you and seemed to be scanning every part of you. From your hair to your clothes, he just looked at you, thinking of ways he could compliment you in some way.

Before he could open his mouth to say something, you planted a kiss on his lips, which left a stain on his lips. His eyes widened slightly; what a rare sight.

"What... was that for?" He questioned you.

You just smiled at him. You were so gorgeous, so beautiful both with and without makeup. "I'm not done yet, I think I put too much lipstick on. Perhaps I should..."

Mwah.

His face seemed to warm up slightly as you kissed the corner of his lips, but at the same time, both of you knew that this was just the start.

Mizi

"Haaaah...? That's so cool!"

That was pretty much her reaction the first time she saw you using your signature makeup and clothes.

She was beyond amazed — you looked so completely and utterly adorable!

"Mizi — hey!" You protested as she gently pinched your cheek. She was quick to plant a kiss on it, too. But you couldn't blame her! You simply looked so adorable that she just had to.

She positioned her hands so she could be pinching both of your cheeks. She smiled happily at you, and then laughed to herself.

"You're so adorable! How come I've never seen you like this before?" She leaned in closer to you. You weren't sure to show this side to anyone else because you knew people were judgemental. Still, you knew you could show this side of yourself to Mizi.

"You... you don't have to kiss—" You were immediately cut off as Mizi placed her lips against yours. She had stained a bit of your lipstick on her own lips, but she didn't care.

"You have more outfits like this, right? I wanna see all of them!" She laughed softly to herself.

Well, if Mizi wanted to see them... who were you to deny her?

Till

Well, he was used to seeing people with alternative styles, so he wasn't shocked or anything of the sort.

He thought it was cool, actually!

Didn't know if he would try it himself, though.

He couldn't pull it off as amazingly as you.

"Woah. You're really good at that makeup thing."

Talking about things that involved makeup wasn't exactly Till's forte...

He could barely do anything on himself, as when he tried to even apply eyeliner on sometimes, he'd just mess it up, and it would end up looking oddly.

So, obviously, he admired you and your skills. That was a given as he had no skills when it came to that area.

"That's kinda cool," His words seemed pretty genuine. "I like your clothes. They're nice." He admitted. He knew that if he said too much, you'd probably end up teasing him, so he preferred to keep things to himself.

You smiled at him. "Is that all you're going to say?" Your words were filled with a playful tone.

His face seemed to warm up, and a soft shade of pink covered his face. "No! I mean — you look very pretty, very gorgeous or whatever. I don't really care..." He managed to stutter out.

Ah, it was going to be a long day for him. You'd probably tease him for the rest of the day of what he had just said.

... But at least, he'd be teased by a gorgeous girl.

Sua

She had tried makeup on herself before, but the way you did it was much more neatly done than the way she did it on herself.

Much like Till, she admires you.

"... That's pretty nice, you're pretty too."

Perhaps you two could practice makeup on each other.

You were getting dressed as Sua suggested you lay down so she could do your makeup. She had read a few articles about how to do it, so she probably could do it.

She showed you a set of pictures, then asked which one you liked most. You chose one of them, and then she sat down on your lap as she was careful to apply the makeup onto your skin.

After a few minutes, she was done. You looked at yourself in the mirror — she had done an amazing job! It was her first time, too. She just smiled proudly at herself as you looked at yourself in the mirror.

"Pretty cute, isn't it? But you're beautiful always." She said, softly wrapping her arms around you as you continued to look at yourself. She planted a soft kiss on your shoulder and then she whispered.

"You'll always be beautiful in my eyes."

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Hello, what's your opinion on Rita Skeeter and the prees on the wizarding word?

Like, Rita Skeeter as a character — I love her. I think she's lots of fun, and I always found her incredibly entertaining. She's actually one of the smarter characters in the series and isn't given nearly enough credit for how many things she gets shockingly right (when she cares to write the truth and isn't just after a good story, but even then she's hilarious).

Like, I'd buy her books 100% just for the entertainment value. Like, I wish in the set of the Hogwarts library books like Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts we also had the Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore, as in, the whole book.

That being said, like all the press in the Wizarding World, she's crocked as shit.

I mean, The Prophet publishes whatever the minister & Wizengamot tell it to publish. There isn't really freedom of the press since all the large newspapers (yes, even Witch Weekly to a degree) are authorized by the government and push whatever agenda the government wants to push.

Year 5 (and later year 7) are the most glaring examples of that. With Fudge and the ministry going all: "there's no war in Ba-Sung-Se" on Voldemort’s return during Harry's fifth year. Tbh, the moment the official government-founded newspaper started publishing with the intent and purpose of discrediting a 15-year-old more eyebrows should've been raised by literally everyone. Like, no self-respecting would do what they did unless they're lying/hiding something big. (Like, no self-respecting politician with actual power who's secure in their position would do the shit Fudge pulled in year 5. That's like, classic desperation, and grasping to his little remaining power with the skin of his teeth moves. Like, these are moves you do when you know your time's up)

How easy it was for the Death Eaters to take over the press and the ministry is another example of how authoritative the Ministry of Magic, and by extension its press is. They regulate everything from what spells you're allowed to cast, the education, the exams, and travel (portkeys and floo networks can only be set up through a ministry office + apparition license), they regulate the importation and deportation of goods, and almost all of the population works in the ministry or with the ministry in some capacity. They then, of course, control the press completely and the Prophet only publishes what the ministry allows it to publish.

Yes, Rita criticized the ministry after the attack at the Quidditch World Cup (rightfully so, might I add) but that was allowed criticism. You don't see how much control the ministry has over the press when it's business as usual because Fudge knows a story like this would only require a performative slap on some random ministry official's (that isn't him) wrist. It's criticism that affects nothing and doesn't require anything from him, nor does it undermine him personally, so it is allowed. But the moment the ministry needs the Prophet in line, it falls in line. I mean, we see in OotP when Rita doesn't fall in line with the new orders she gets fired:

none other than Rita Skeeter, ex-journalist on the Daily Prophet and one of Hermione’s least favorite people in the world.

(OotP)

(I would give the ministry credit that running a private newspaper like the Quibbler at least isn't illegal. That being said, the bar is at rock bottom).

[juniperpyre]

24 for jilyyyyyy 🫶🏼

24. How do their personalities affect their relationship? Do their characteristics compliment each other, or clash often?

i really do think their personalities compliment each other even before they get together. they have such great banter and they both love banter/bickering. they each like a challenge. and that's more for their casual, day to day interactions.

on a deeper level i think they balance the other's more difficult traits. not flaws, necessarily, more the parts of being a person that are the hardest for them

this is so long bc i'm procrastinating two things

i think james is a very stable person. emotionally, and in his own self conception, and then physically i feel like he'd have a really solid, reassuring presence from his athleticism and confidence. i know there was a kind of popular hc that he's emotionally repressed and insecure, and then the other side of that where he's "the sun" (aka a golden retriever).

i don't think either of those are true, but i do think he's an optimist and doesn't like to dwell in sadness and pain. he'll express it, yea, but he's not a big revisitor of past issues once he feels they've been solved. he'd rather joke about it.

lily is more ephemeral. she never has a place to put her feet, and she is def an "everything i've let go of has claw marks" girl, but also a runner. i don't think she dwells once she lets go but it takes a long time for her to let go.

she's perceptive. as she gets to know someone she learns all of their tiny idiosyncrasies, the way she analyzes people makes some swear she learned legilimency at age 13. she's a sweet, friendly person, but i imagine james has more natural charisma. he can connect with anyone in just a few minutes—very different from how lily connects with people.

generally i think james is much more easygoing, but i don't think lily is a stick in the mud, she just likes trouble less than james. which is to say, she enjoys trouble from time to time. they're both self-important (manifesting from opposite places) and stubborn. they're both incredibly loyal and forgiving. they share the same values, as well as a few flaws, which makes it easy to accept the flaws (or even like them) and make a life together.

of course, the stability of james offers lily a place of respite. his optimism helps her see the good when both parts of the world beat her down. and it's satisfying for him to take care of her like this

lily really sees james, and unlike sirius, the only other contender for james-understander, she pulls at the threads he ignores. and she knows how to weave them back in without having to ask. james never stops moving unless lily (or later harry) tell him to stop, and sometimes he needs lily to do that.

they're both very determined, stubborn people, who's perspectives were developed through continually choosing to do the right thing and learn from their mistakes, so they do butt heads. james believes he should be taking action rather than sitting still and lily believes his optimism is deadly

oops they were both right!

[dearest-and-nearest]

There's also Isabella who acts like there was no opportunity to give her to Arishok and Dorian who's always friendly to inq despite inq being able to punch him. Harding also mentions how Cullen tried to drop the lyrium and yeah, that was only what I remembered

The thing is... I love to make "bad" choices in games. I love to explore those routes and see were writers able to write it good or they went lazy way and just pretend that lack of evil content is concept thing, not their lack of time/desire to write that. +I love make chars that are bad and irredeemable

And what I have in dav? Always 99.9% of my choices are erased because bioware wanted to create their safespace, not continue what they had. Everyone acts like my heroes were a good nice people who wanted to help their friends and of course Rook is the same person, while not. My Warden was a bitch, who started from telling Irving about Jowan and continued in the same way. My Hawke was power-hungry bitch. Even my inq used rite of tranquility at every opportunity and tried to be as tyrannical as game allowed

And here I have this. A few choices that are mentioned are good and nice. South is destroyed completely so no matter what my chars suffered, endured and died for. Nothing is matters despite this shitty fanfiction about Found Family of the bunch of self-inserts with which you can't even really mess to. I don't like them, they're boring and I don't care about their problems, but even if you, for example, won't do Taash's quest they will do it themselves and will happily announce you their pronouns and your Rook will accept them without even option for you to have a choice. And you see, everything in this game like this

It's not rpg, you can't roleplay here. It's a fanfiction of some talentless idiot who really think that the most important business at apocalypse is sitting and drinking coffee and discussing it, not the fact that we have abomination in party. Who thinks that every "good" character must throw moral at player's face and read lectures in camera and of course no bad choices! Good guys doesn't do that!

I hate this game. I hate how sanitized and tasteless it is, how it tried to be progressive and appealing to players, but only right players, who made good choices, because who would want to play as evil? It's wrong, why you like make characters feel bad? You're 100% bigot if you enjoy that!

I hope bioware will be closed after this garbage. Better die now than continue to mutilate another franchises

“Honestly, we try to avoid the idea of there being a single canon,” Epler said. “I mean, it’s a game about choice. This is a game about your decisions as a player. [...] The philosophy is we never want to invalidate your choices. And if we don’t feel we can do something respectful of the choice we made, we oftentimes just don’t necessarily reference it. [...] So we never want you to feel like your world is being invalidated.”

Epler said, and fucking lied about it. (mild spoilers below)

There's a codex entry about Morrigan, that states she has had more lovers than there are trees in the forest. Not only is it borderline slut-shaming, but completely ignores the choice that the Warden and Morrigan stayed together.

There's a codex entry that Sten is the Arishok, ignoring the choice of not freeing and recruiting him

Harding talks about Sera, Cola and Blackwall - again ignoring the choice of not recruiting him.

Also ignoring the fact that Cole makes everyone forget about him.

She specifically calls Blackwall Rainier, ignoring the choice of leaving him in prison as a false Grey Warden.

Rook and Harding refer to Leliana as Leliana... something they would not do if she was the Devine.

So... as if not being able to import your choices from previous games isn't annoying enough, they just assume the things you've done. Oh, and fucking lied about "not invalidating your choices" and "not necessarily referencing it".

[makiswirl]

can i just say. and this is probably a niche hill to die on. that i am so gobsmacked every time someone vaguely hints at the idea that jotaro doesn't care meaningfully for the other crusaders, usually particularly kakyoin and joseph, when those two actually tend to be the ones he reacts to being hurt the hardest

like he cares for his loved ones!!!! that literally plays into his character motives in every single part he shows up in!!! stop lying to me!!!!!!!