#this didn't exactly go in the direction I wanted it to

[eddiemunsonsmiddlefingers]

All of this is true...and I have a 6-step solution for folks who have an android device and are sick and fucking tired of being harassed by predatory advertising. (This will not stop the videos-that-are-actually-ads situation...but it will stop the onslaught in game apps.)

ONE!

Open your settings and search for "DNS."

TWO!

Tap on "Private DNS." (You might have to tap multiple levels of DNS or Private DNS headers- I have to do it twice on my phone).

THREE!

Tap the "Private DNS provider hostname" radio button. (That's what it's called on Samsung devices; it may be called something else on other Android devices. Whatever it's titled, it's the option that lets you type something into a box immediately below it.)

FOUR!

Type this into the box provided:

dns.adguard.com

FIVE!

Press Save (or submit, or whatever the "finalize this decision" button is for your phone's specific version of android OS).

SIX!

Close any game apps you have open, and reopen the one you want to play. (You must do this and I don't know why. Maybe someone reading this does know, and could share with the class?)

RESULT:

Auto play ads in game apps will completely fuck off into nonexistence until you turn DNS back to "off" or "default", but the game itself will continue to work just fine.

Issues to be aware of: You won't be able to get ad-spawned "rewards" in games. If you try it will simply tell you the request was denied, you don't have internet, the ad wasn't ready, or a host of similar "that didn't work" kind of messages. If you want to get those "rewards" for some reason, you can follow the directions above but change DNS to "Off" or "Default." Restart your app and ka-bam, assaulted by ads once more.

You will also quickly realize exactly how MANY games for our phones are literally nothing more than ad revenue farms because when you take the time-consuming frustration (or "watch to win" opportunity) of ads away...a huge chunk of the games in the app store become boring, repetitive, unplayable, or all three within a matter of minutes. It's genuinely insane how much they're fleecing us and how we tend to just...accept it as normal. Gross.

You will not be able to connect to the internet through a location-locked Wi-Fi network (such as K-12 schools or government buildings). That part does kind of suck, but it takes two seconds to change the DNS settings...or you can just use mobile data.

It doesn't work on YouTube, unfortunately. BUT! You know what DOES work? uBlock Origin on Firefox for mobile. (Yes, I totally get the irony of recommending a product in an anti-ad post. All I can say is...at least they're free, and they actually do what they say they're doing.) Anyway. Get the Firefox app and install the uBlock origin extension. Visit YouTube using Firefox and voila, no more ads. YouTube will try to open the app every. single. damn. time. you copy a URL into the address bar...but you can close the app and go back to Firefox and it will play just fine.

It only partially works on Tumblr, but the Firefox trick works with our dumpster fire webbed site as well.

"But I use an iPhone...?"

Unfortunately, I can't help you. I don't know how, or even if, it is possible to set up private DNS on an iPhone, or whether it works the same way. If it does? Please reblog and let me know!

Something so profoundly fucked up between the inverse ratio of shrinking middle class and ever increasing aggression of advertisement

[theoddityherself]

TLOU HBO S2E4 REVIEW:

This has been my least favorite episode of the four and a lot of you might not like what I have to say but I do not care. I did not enjoy this episode as much as I hoped I would and I even considered giving up on the show after watching it because the direction of the writing legit pissed me off.

Dina and Ellie:

So many of you were confidently pulling out the term slowburn as an excuse for the writing when it came to Dina in episode 3. The writing completely went against that in episode 4. Not only was it not slowburn but everything that happened in that theater felt rushed and out of character. The fact that they turned a scene that was supposed to show relationship conflicts between Ellie and Dina, because not everything is perfect in their relationship, and is also supposed to show how Ellie is spiraling as she's trying to seek revenge for Joel's murder, the scene in the show did the complete opposite of that. They took the seriousness out of the scene by having Dina point a gun at Ellie just to turn around and reveal her pregnancy and then have sex in the theater.

Also I know a lot of people aren't going to want to hear this but show Dina and Ellie have no more development than game Dina and Ellie. A lot of you like to say that the show developed their relationship so much more than the game did. It didn't. Dina and Ellie kiss at the winter dance, they go on a patrol together, Joel dies and all we know is that Dina visits Ellie while she's in the hospital, they go to Seattle together and rate their kiss in a tent, Ellie sings to Dina, Ellie gets bit and Dina finds out she's a immune, Dina tells Ellie that she's pregnant for Jesse, they have sex. Where exactly is the development for their relationship?

You can definitely tell that a man is writing their romance...

Urgency:

And that brings me to the lack of urgency in this show. Ellie seems like she's in absolutely no rush to avenge Joel. She's doesn't even look like she's emotionally going through anything. Nothing about how they're writing Ellie in this show really reflects how much Joel's passing affects her aside from the bits and pieces they gave us in episode 3. Ellie looks like she doesn't have a care in the world. I feel like the show is doing a piss poor job of truly portraying somebody who's to get revenge, is suffering from the trauma of watching the most important person in their life be murdered and is truly losing it as she looks for Abby throughout Seattle.

Dina:

Can people stop saying that Dina is more fleshed out in this show than she is in the game? Dina is out of character in the show and what fleshing out she's had has been related to all the relationships she has with other people; Joel, Jesse and Ellie. Not one thing about Dina herself has really been dabbled into. They haven't talked about her religion, more about her mom, her sister or her life before she met Ellie. Even in episode 4 her character was still mainly focused on the relationship between her and Ellie. As of right now Dina's character still revolves around Ellie. She has not been expanded on whatsoever.

Also before anyone brings up the fact that this is an adaptation. I know, but HBO is quite literally known for not respecting the source material even when they have access to their creators, this is currently happening with House of the Dragon. It's very obvious to me that they could have easily adapted the second game into a show without making major changes to the characters, personality traits, core elements, etc., but they just didn't care enough to try and adapt this game with same love and care that they gave the first game and first season.

I'm also starting to feel like a lot of you have forgotten that the last of us is not a romance and that anger, grief and trauma that Ellie went through is very important. It's definitely not something that she should be written out or overshadowed.

[captain-huggy-bear]

CONGRATS ON 1000! YOU DESERVE THAT AND SO MUCH MORE, i’m so incredibly proud of you and i hope you know how good your writing is!🫂🫶🏼

may i request for your celly “such a good girl f’me.”+ clayton keller ;)

I decided to be a tease here and not write smut because I feel like Clayton also 100% calls you this for any little thing knowing it gets you hot under the collar because he's a tease lol I also have another request with this that I did that was nsfw here 1000 Followers Celly Finished Requests are currently closed while I work through current ones <3 Writing Masterlist

"Hey, baby?" Clay's fiddling with his shirt sleeves while you finish checking your hair in the mirror. Both of you dressing to the nines for a friend's wedding, trying to look your best while watching the clock so that you're not late either.

"Yeah?"

"Can you c'mere and help me with these cufflinks? My fingers keep slipping." You don't even think about it, moving with ease from the vanity to Clay, taking the cufflinks from him.

"Mm, of course," You find it simple enough, fingers making light work of slipping the cufflinks in and locking them all while Clay watches you, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. That should have told you he was up to something before anything else, but you're blissfully oblivious, content to just help your boyfriend with his cufflinks.

“Such a good girl f’me.” His words stop you stock still, freezing in place as they hit you like a truck, a shiver involuntarily running through you before you fully process his words and the shit eating grin on his face.

You glare at Clay, arms crossed because he knows what he's doing. Clay always knows what he's doing. He knows what words have what impact on you, can read you like a book and play you like a fiddle.

"What?" His grin only widens, dimple appearing in his right cheek like always.

"Don't even start, we have a wedding to go to!" You huff as you put your heels on because he knows exactly how those two little words effect you and you can't be late to this wedding.

"I'm not starting anything."

"Oh, really? Because last I checked those were fighting words, mister." Those were words that he knew always riled you up. Those were words that he knew would get you hot under the collar, that usually led to the two of you in a closet somewhere or your bed. They were not words you used casually in your day to day.

"Good girl, you mean?" The grin doesn't leave, teeth on show, eyes sparkling as he shrugs on his suit jacket and runs a hand through his hair. It frustrates you that even in this context those two little words make you feel warm all over.

"Clay!"

"Alright, alright!" At the time you don't realise how much of a problem those two little words are going to be. At the time, you think he'll leave it...oh you were so wrong.

It's 2am on a Friday when you bring a plate of eggs, toast and bacon to the bedroom, breaking your usual rule of no food in the there in favour of making sure he actually eats before he leaves.

Clay's checking the last of his packing when you place the plate and cutlery on the vanity for him.

"Here, I made you some breakfast, figured you'd want to eat something before you have to leave." You yawn it out, so, so tired, but not wanting to sleep while he's leaving. You needed to see him off, you hated waking up to see him gone without a proper goodbye.

"Baby, it's 2am, you didn't have to get up with me."

"I wanted to. Here." You press your hands into his shoulders, directing him to sit and eat. You stay there with your arms around him, cheek pressed into his shoulder from behind, eyes sleepy as you watch him.

"Good girl." The smirk makes an appearance, dimple forming as you glare at him through the mirror as he takes a bite of bacon.

"Clay."

"What?"

"You know what." You don't say anymore and neither does he, but you both know...God, it's become a recurring issue. His favourite thing to do to rile you up.

It starts to become a problem. Any little thing you do for him or any direction you follow gets a 'good girl' or ' atta girl' from Clay. Whether it's changing a light bulb in a lamp his hand is too big to work with or letting him do your seatbelt for you when you go for a drive somewhere.

It becomes a massive problem because soon he's finding himself nearly doing it in public, around the team, around your friends and around family. It becomes a problem because it's like you're one of Pavlov's dogs. He's conditioned a certain response from you, no matter the situation.

You're so used to Clay calling you that during sex, so used to associating it with pleasure that when he uses it outside of that? Well, your body reacts the same. Heat fills your face, restless energy fills your body, a desire to jump his bones no matter where you are hits...it's frustrating how easily he can turn that switch on for you especially when he knows that he can abuse it.

It becomes a problem that your determined to make his problem, after all he started it.

[inkedinshadows]

Quiet Rebel, Proud Lover

Pairing: Elain x f!reader

Summary: The Cauldron gave Elain a mate, but her heart belongs to someone else. And she finally decides to do something about it.

Warnings: a bit of switching between povs

Word count: 1.4k

A/N: aaaahhh my first sapphic fic ever! I'm so excited for this one ngl. My girl Elain deserves more love and appreciation and I don't know why I never thought about it before. But as soon as I saw this prompt, I knew it was hers🌸

Main Masterlist | Week Masterlist | AO3

@sjmxreaderweek

People never truly listened to Elain.

It had always been that way, ever since childhood. Elain had just never realized it, and even after she did, for a while, it hadn't bothered her.

Until Lucien.

Until she was turned into Fae and given a mate she had never asked for. She hadn't even known what that word meant until Rhys explained it to her.

And yet, despite her disinterest and discomfort around Lucien, despite saying she didn't want a mate, everyone kept trying to shove her toward him.

But her heart pulled her in the opposite direction.

She had tried to tell her family she didn't want a mate. She didn't want a male. But they hadn't listened.

“Ellie?”

Elain turned her head at the sound of your sleepy voice.

The moonlight kissed your beautiful face just enough for Elain to see the slight frown on your brow, even in the darkness of the room.

“Why are you awake?” you asked.

“Just a few thoughts that won't go away.” She gave you a small smile. “Don't worry about it, okay? You can go back to sleep.”

But you rubbed your eyes to chase away the lingering sleepiness, then turned onto your side.

“Tell me,” you said gently, tucking your hands under your head. “What's going on in that pretty head of yours?”

The reply was already on the tip of Elain's tongue. Truly, it's nothing. Don't worry about me. A lie, but a safe one. It would keep things the way they were, protecting her from the unknown and the power of the mating bond.

But the cost of that protection was having to meet the person she loved in secret—sneaking around Velaris late at night or early in the morning, and inventing lies to feed her family in case they noticed.

At least she had Mor to cover for her, after she'd figured out Elain's secret one night at Rita's. Elain had been worried she might tell their family, but Mor had assured her she understood and even shared her own secret with her.

But now, Elain was tired of secrets. Tired of paying that cost. Tired of being scared of the future.

“I’m going to reject the mating bond.”

The moment the words left her mouth, the air left your lungs.

Elain was aware of how sudden it was. You'd discussed the situation a few times before���especially at the beginning of your relationship—and you'd been very understanding from the start. Even if keeping things secret wasn't exactly how you'd imagined falling in love would be like, you never pushed her. Never made her choose between you and her family.

“What?” you blurted, blinking up at her.

“I’m going to reject the mating bond,” Elain repeated firmly.

You were silent for a moment, then reached for the faelight on your nightstand. One tap, and a warm, golden light filled the bedroom.

Elain squeezed her eyes to adjust to it, and when she looked back at you, you were sitting up in bed.

She did the same, leaning back against the headboard.

“Are you sure?” you asked. The surprise in your voice had been replaced by concern. “We don't know what that would mean for you or your mate. How that would feel and—”

Elain shook her head. “I don't care,” she interrupted. “I know what they say about males going crazy, and that neither of us might ever feel the same again. But I… I just don't care anymore.”

She sighed, covering her face with her hands. You hesitated, unsure whether she wanted reassurance or comfort. But you could sense she had more to say, so you simply waited, giving her time to sort through her thoughts.

“Whatever happens when a bond is rejected,” Elain finally said, her hands falling back onto her lap, “he’ll be fine. He has Vassa… and Jurian.”

Over the last few days, Elain had thought about it so much that she didn’t remember doing anything else. Gardening usually helped her focus—uprooting weeds from the soil was a way to uproot unwelcome thoughts from her mind. But it hadn’t worked. Not this time.

She was still as unsure and confused as before.

It was only when she arrived at your apartment last night that she had made up her mind.

While you expressed your love through gentle words and worshipful touches, Elain had realized she was done with secrecy.

“Lucien wants me only because of the bond,” she continued. “That’s the only reason. But you…”

Her eyes pierced through you, and while you waited for her to finish the thought, a soft smile bloomed across her lips. She reached for you, cupping your cheek and leaning closer until your breaths mingled.

“But you want me because I’m me,” she murmured. “You want me without a mating bond telling you to.”

You covered her hand with your own. “It’s because I love you, Ellie. I don’t need a mating bond to feel this way.”

“I know,” she replied. “And it’s because I love you too that I’m tired of feeling this connection with him.”

Her fingers brushed your cheek as they slipped away. With another sigh, Elain leaned back against the headboard again. Her shoulders slumped forward, and your heart strained at the sight.

You had never seen her so resigned before.

“It’s not even just that,” she said quietly. “I’m tired of people choosing for me, telling me what I can or can’t do.”

She shook her head, and you resisted the urge to tuck her hair behind her ear as it fell down her shoulders and across her face, almost hiding her from view.

Elain didn’t seem to notice, and if she did, she wasn’t bothered by it.

“First my mother, then my sisters, and now everyone about this bond that I never asked for.”

Even without seeing her face, you knew her well enough to know they were closed. You could picture her: head bowed, eyes closed, brow slightly furrowed.

You shifted closer and gently parted the curtain of golden-brown hair, only to reveal the exact expression you had imagined.

“Hey,” you said softly. “Look at me.”

Elain opened her eyes, and as she met your gaze, her expression changed. Resignation gave way to something steadier: the same determination that had laced her voice when she first announced her decision to reject the mating bond.

“I just want to choose for myself,” she said. Then, smiling, she added, “And I choose you.”

It was a big step—a scary one. Breaking the bond with her mate might be painful, perhaps even more so than being shoved into the Cauldron. But Elain wasn’t afraid anymore.

She knew you would be by her side and help her heal, if necessary. Her family might be shocked at first—maybe even confused or outraged—but she hoped they would eventually understand. At least Feyre and Nesta. Once she told them about you, they would understand her decision and support it.

As for Lucien… she would have to talk to him. She didn’t know him well, but she had a feeling he would agree with her. He had never asked to be her mate either. They’d both been pushed into each other’s arms by the Mother, but that didn’t mean they had to idly sit by and accept it.

Elain only wished she had realized it sooner.

“If you’re really going to do this,” you murmured, your voice barely containing your excitement, “I’ll be with you every step of the way. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

Her eyes locked onto yours. “That’s why I’m not afraid,” she whispered, leaning forward. “And I love you even more for it.”

She closed the small distance between you, capturing your lips in a tender kiss. She felt you smile against her, your hands tangling in her hair to draw her closer.

And as you kissed, Elain could only think about the future awaiting you. Soon, she wouldn't have to hide anymore. She could introduce you to her friends and family, spend the night with you without needing an excuse. But more than anything, she looked forward to strolling through the streets of Velaris with your hand in hers.

You wouldn't have to pretend you were just friends anymore.

And Elain already knew that every moment, every fear of being caught, every lie spun, and every pain the bond's rejection might cause—it would all be worth it.

She had chosen you for the first time a year ago. Now she was choosing you again, and she would keep choosing you, over and over, even if it meant going against everything and everyone.

With you by her side, Elain could defy Fate itself and not be scared.

*lovely divider by @slytherin-pen

Taglist: @mrsjna @navyblue-eternity @paintedbyshadows @highladyandromeda @starswholistenanddreamsanswered @azrielsmate3 @mollygetssherlockcoffee @mirandasidefics @tinystarfishgalaxy @cynthiesjmxazrielslover @anarchiii @readinggeeklmao @anneas11 @lilah-asteria @lorosette @azrielsrealmate @pey2618 @mellowmusings @k8r123-blog @daughterofthemoons-stuff @minnieoo @saltedcoffeescotch @georgiadixon @quiet-because-it-is-a-secret @ivy-34 @yesiamthatwierd @lreadsstuff @littlest-w01f

[rocksibblingsau]

I usually wait for the most current "Incorrect Quotes" to be answered before making another one but it seems like the last one I did is either lost in the askbox or got got by tumblr (no hard feelings btw I know this stuff happens all the time lmao and I still have that one saved on my notes so if it truly got lost I can just resent it)

But I was really feeling like making another one, sooo.... Enjoy "Even even even more Incorrect AU Branchs and Adjacent Characters Quotes Yippee"!

Val: I am not out of control! I'm a law abiding citizen!

Rock Branch: Really? Name one law

Val: ...Don't kill people?

Rock Branch: ...That's on me. I set the bar too low.

Laguna: Can I be frank with you guys?

Trollex: Sure, but I don’t see how changing your name is gonna help.

Synth: Can I still be Synth?

Techno Branch: Shh, let Frank speak.

Prince D: Okay, truth or dare?

Funk Branch: Truth

Prince D: How many hours you slept this week?

Funk Branch:

Funk Branch: ...Dare

Prince D: Go to bed.

Funk Branch: I don't like this game.

Chaz: I think we should kiss.

SJ Branch: And I think you should die but we don’t always get what we want.

Kim-Petit: Uhm, Wani, why are we pretending we're this guy's family again?

Wani: We need money!

Baby Bun: We're scamming him?

Wani: I was thinking more like flat-out stealing from him...?

Baby Bun: What?! No way!

Ari: Why not? We already stole Branch-kun!

8 years old Kpop Branch: Hey, guys.

Gomdori: No, we didn't. Branch-kun can think and talk for himself, he can do whatever he wants!

Kpop Branch: I wanna steal

Baby Bun: *Offended gasp*

John Dory: You’re alive...

Parasite Branch: No need to sound so disappointed.

Holy: I can't believe ya live nearby and ya ain't letting anyone crash at your place

Country Branch: You people already know too damn much about me.

Gus: I know exactly three facts about ya, and one of them is that ya won't let any of us crash at your place

Classical Branch, sewing: I am absolutely delighted by sewing needles! I make a scarf, I can make a hat, I can stab a hooligan's eye out of their skull, I can make mittens... The possibilities are endless!

Dante: Beloved friend, could you care to repeat that middle part if you were so inclined?

Classical Branch: I can make mittens!

Hickory: Are you sure dis iz de right direction?

Dickory: Ya, I am as sure as I am honest!

Yodeler Branch: In dat case, vve're definitely lost.

Demo: If Val, Petra and I were drowning, who would you save?

Rock Branch: You three can't swim?

Val: It's a hypothetical question, dude! Who would you save?

Rock Branch: My time and effort.

Funk Branch: I really like Eminem

Cooper: I prefer skittles

Prince D: He's talkin about the rapper

Cooper: Why would he eat the wrapper?

Parasite Branch: Time sensitive question, how do I flirt with boy???

Rock Branch: Throw rocks at him

Techno Branch: Hot Dogs

Smooth Jazz Branch: Kill him.

Parasite Branch: Thanks, guys!

Funk Branch: Lownote is too tall for me to kiss them on the lips. What should I do?

Rock Branch: Punch him in the stomach! Then, when he doubles over in pain, kiss him.

Country Branch: Tackle 'em

SJ Branch: Dump him.

Kpop Branch: Kick him in the shin!

Classical Branch: Absolutely not to all of those! Just request him to lean down!!!

Canon Branch: Fine! Judge all you want but...

Canon Branch, points at Classical: You married a lesbian.

Canon Branch, points at Country: You left a man at the altar.

Canon Branch, points at Funk: You fell in love with a gay ice dancer.

Canon Branch points at Rock: You threw a girl’s wooden leg in a fire.

Canon Branch, points at Funk: And you live in a box!

I will try to hunt down the last incorrect quotes. I have 400 messages.

I love these though, especially the first two.

[vivalando]

just curious why you didn't watch the race, people are always hating on someone that's not really a good reason?

i didn't watch the entire thing, a few laps at the start were enough to understand the direction in which the race was going to go.

ik hate is a normal thing, but the scale of this clearly-carefully-planned-out-media-circus-against-Lando isn't. and you can choose to reduce that sort of negativity from your life if you want, and that's exactly what i did, nothing wrong in it (i hope).

send me an ask!

[nellie-elizabeth]

The Handmaid's Tale: Shattered (6x07)

This was... a singularly frustrating experience, I'm not going to lie. I didn't hate everything indiscriminately, but I was having such a hard time with a lot of what happened here. I'm going to try and untangle some of that.

Cons:

So, the Nick thing. The Nick thing. Ahem. Last week I worried that we were going to be asked by the show's framing itself to be anti-Nick after this, and what we got was such a weird version of that playing out. Here's the thing: Nick doing what he did, it had really bad consequences, and it would totally track for June to be mad at him for it, maybe even think that she hated him. But rationally, Nick is right that this isn't some sort of singular breaking point that's worse than all the other shit the two of them have pulled over the years. And I think the show wants me to believe that Nick is Bad Now because of this, and I just... I don't? I kept thinking about all the ways I could have bought into this more. One avenue would be to do an actual corruption arc for Nick, gradually over time. Show him actually liking the perks of being a Commander, show him enjoying having power, even if he doesn't agree with everything. But we never saw that. He's always been uncomfortable and terrified in Gilead. Another option, have his father-in-law have more explicit proof about the death of those two guards, that could point a finger at Nick, and have Nick explain to June that if he hadn't given up the plan, once the bombs went off Nick would be put on the wall for it if there were any survivors at all.

The framing of this whole scenario, the way June is processing it as this abject, unforgivable betrayal, all the bullshit about "I trusted him for so long that I forgot who he was" like... what do you mean, June? You forgot what, exactly? He's just trying to fucking survive in there. And Lawrence pissed me off saying that June was stupid to trust him all along, because again: footage not fucking found, Joseph. He's actually been incredibly trustworthy and done everything that's been asked of him, putting himself at more and more risk every time, and then when he was backed into a corner he found a way to get himself out of it. The consequences suck, yes, but this isn't some heel turn, and it was bizarre how the characters surrounding it treated it as if it was.

And don't get me started on Luke, calling Nick a Nazi, being all self-righteous and going off on June about the Nick situation. Once again I found myself thinking, well, if this show were going to develop and resolve these elements properly, this sign of simmering anger and resentment from Luke would be the downfall of their marriage at last. June would realize that being scolded back to back by Nick and Luke both, that Nick was the one who had a valid point, whereas Luke basically does not. But instead, it seems like the show wants to frame Luke as the objectively correct one in this scenario, and June has to apologize to him for everything.

I don't want to harp on too long, but it just felt like if this was the direction you wanted the story to go, it was such a weird way to handle it. Like, what was that scene with Nick and Rita? He's just a pouty little baby now? Is this a way to engender our sympathy, or to make us hate him? I literally couldn't tell, because it just didn't feel like the character we know.

I hate to say this, because I don't want Janine to die, but honestly if she had it would be a stronger emotional anchor for why June is in this headspace now, this idea that Nick is "unforgivable." Because it's not his fault all those women were killed, but if Janine had died, June having the irrational feeling that it was all on Nick would track a lot better, since that's a personal friend and someone she feels so much protective instinct for.

I also want to do a bit of eye-rolling about Serena. I feel like they have a charismatic actor who can imbue her performances with a lot of nuance and depth, and then a script that doesn't actually keep up with who the fuck this woman is supposed to be? Like, June says that Serena's narcissism is going to be the downfall of Gilead. Is that accurate? Is Serena not a True Believer but in fact just power-hungry? I mean, okay, I guess, but that doesn't exactly track consistently through the show. And that scene with the other wives was so weird, like she was trying to bring feminism to them. They're all saying "well, my husband thinks..." and then Serena is like "but what do YOU think" and it's just a little... like... girl, this is all far too little far too late. It's actually blood-boiling to hear her considering the Handmaid's fates now, baffled that these other women don't seem to give a shit, when it's like... Serena! You fucking helped set this shit in motion, and you're only now considering the broader consequences? I don't know what the show wants me to think about this character. Is she going to die in a fiery explosion on her wedding day? Is she going to discover the plot and then learn that her husband sucks and then do a last minute reversal and help May Day pull off the revolution? Both seem equally likely with what they've given us so far, and that's not a compliment. I don't understand her.

A smaller point that I want to make sure I address is that it feels like Moira has been totally wasted this season as a character. It's like they don't know what to do with her, she has to follow around in June's shadow and be pulled into her wake, and that's about it. Sure, we know she feels resentment, we saw that last episode with their fight. But here she is again, following June back into Gilead and then asking June to be the leader and give her inspiring words. I don't know structurally what should have been going on with Moira this season, but it feels like they just kinda stuck her into the sides of things to see if she'd fit, and it's a bummer.

Pros:

Okay, well, I think I need to go back to what I've been saying all season, which is that there are a lot of talented performers in this show who can really lock into some great dynamic moments. Bad architecture, good gargoyles. So if I can set aside the broader context that's bugging me so much, I can highlight some performance moments that I did like.

For one, I like that June didn't yell and scream at Nick, she was kind of cold and numb as she processed what had happened. She was a lot more hurt than she was angry, and I did like that in concept, like, the way it clashed with the May Day people when she gets back and she has to tell them that it's her fault the information leaked. She has to bear their understandable anger, and all the while she feels like she's grieving a breakup. And I like that Nick at least said his piece a little bit, reminding June of all the shit that she's taken for granted, seemingly. He's absolutely right that she's used his role as a Commander to suit her without ever grappling fully with the reality of that. I wish that I trusted the show to develop this idea more fully and have June realize that he's absolutely right, but I don't think that's going to happen.

I like that Lawrence is here to help, because honestly it tracks for his character that he'd only be motivated by his own well-being to do something this extreme, but he's been so uncomfortable and so unhappy in the world he created for so long, you do believe he'd find it worthwhile to tear it down if he can do so without incurring too much risk. It makes sense that we've finally reached his tipping point.

Janine... Jesus Christ. The moment where she comes to the window and Lydia sees her beaten black and blue... it's almost cartoonishly over the top, how much of a villain Bell is, but that small moment of Janine making herself known to Lydia was interesting to me. Was that Janine reaching out in the only way she could to ask for help or to form a connection with someone who, however fucked up it may be, seems to care for her? Or was that Janine's one and only way of telling Lydia: "I fucking told you so." Or was it both? I do like the nuance there. And I like that Nick tells June he's going to try and find out about Janine, and that Lawrence delivers the news to June about her being alive, it's such a weird network of secret-keepers.

I think that's about it for things I liked? I don't know. I wasn't miserable watching this episode, but I wasn't pleased either. This feels like the setup for an endgame that is probably mostly going to annoy me. And that's too bad, because I want a show like this to end in a way that feels big and bold. I'd rather they strike out trying something insane rather than trip and just sort of fall over the finish line. The latter is what I'm concerned is going to happen here. But I guess we'll have to wait and see.

5/10

[sweetbottletops]

We're getting Kanna crumbs. Kanna is getting MitsuAya crumbs. Joe has cornered the crumb market.

Ch 125

Aya has come a long way from feeling totally othered by the language gap, but she still is just your average Japanese student. Fluency isn't exactly what they teach in high school.

When Aya is stuck on something Koga is conditioned to fix her hair. Even if she's stuck on vocab. I don't make the rules.

Sumiko was listening to everyone say they missed Mitsuki wearing glasses and added a button up sweater to up the rizz to levels not suitable for human life.

She's weak to hand, Koga! You're petting her without even thinking.

She's really come a long way taking her western music interest from a private space she didn't even want her friends to know much about, to not being that interested in studies, to officially setting herself up to study English in school going forward.

And Koga has the 'she's-so-cool' look in reaction to her picking a life direction.

Having someone who not only communicates with you via playlist and is your first fan but also wants to learn the language you feel most comfortable expressing your emotions in – even though it's going to be hard.

They've come such a long way in their miscommunication journey. They might not realize it yet with all of the unconscious rizz, but they give each other the type of affection they each want. Just wait until they start to do things more intentionally.

[ckret2]

I was asked to share some Aku thoughts so here, we're gonna talk about the Samurai Jack Action Pack comics.

Listen.

The Action Pack Samurai Jack comics aren't very good.

You can read most of them here. You can find the rest elsewhere online. They're just, they're not great. They get the vibes of the universe wrong and Aku's characterization is off, he's a little too "pointlessly annoy Jack" and not enough "try to actually kill Jack." As if he isn't perpetually worried about Jack actually assassinating him.

There are exactly two details out of it that I choose to treat as���if not always canon—then like, sometimes canon at my whim. Canon-ish. May or may not be canon depending on how I feel that day and what hypothetical fic-I'll-never-write I'm turning over in my head that day:

One: Aku pulled the Ikra stunt on Jack a SECOND time, it worked AGAIN, and this time Aku kept it up for… the comic just says "seasons pass" so at least half a year, I'm gonna assume a full year. Complete with wearing a full face of makeup and never speaking so that Jack can't recognize him. And he did this—holding hands, fighting evil, risking his life at Jack's sword should he ever realize—just so he could break Jack's heart and laugh at him for being all alone. He didn't even have a goal!!!

If you want a jumping off point for some Jaku brainstorming, that's a pretty good place for it. You can take it a lot of directions. "Aku did all this because he's hella gay for Jack but doesn't know it." "Aku did this because he's gay for Jack and does know it but he'd rather die than admit it out loud." "Aku wasn't gay for Jack but he sure was by the end of that year." "By the end of that year Jack was gay for Aku." "And they fucked." Every single time I read that comic I still think of "FOOLISH SAMURAI... I FAKED EVERY ORGASM! HAAAA HA HA HA HA HA!"

And, two: the Action Pack comics have a whole bunch of issues that are just… Aku telling very bad fairy tales to two sassy children. There's no explanation for why he's singled them out, or why they've apparently gotten so familiar with SHOGUN OF SORROW DELIVERER OF DARKNESS RULER OF THE WORLD AKU that he shows up and they're just like "oh aku you again, does this story have princesses?" Within the context of the Action Pack comics, that's just,, the sort of bizarre goofy OOC thing that happens in almost every issue.

But if you take it out of the context of the Action Pack comics, and go no actually Aku's usually up to his normal show-canon-appropriate wicked bloodthirsty murderous schemes like a proper terrifying villain ought to be and it's all gloom and grimdark… EXCEPT sometimes he tracks down two random children who aren't terrified of him to tell them bad stories—suddenly it's hilarious and kind of adorable.

How did this happen. Why these two kids. Why does he put up with their disrespect. Why does he care about their opinions specifically. Why, even though the kids seem to be pro-Jack, are they chill with hanging out with Aku like he's a slightly annoying friend rather than a world-ruining tyrant.

I don't even particularly like these two kids. But the concept of them compels me. And let's be real, I've fleshed out less interesting characters than that before, I can make 'em compelling if I want.

[scorchieart]

C is for Collaboration

Clavis: Gentlemen, and Chevalier, thank you for agreeing to meet on such short notice.

Luke: Ya dragged us here in a net.

Nokto: Against our wishes, I might add. My bum's all bungled, you bum.

Clavis: The urgency of the matter demanded I forgo comfort, little brothers. I promise my next trap will be more considerate of your posteriors.

Nokto & Luke: Hooray for us.

Clavis: Customer satisfaction is as important to me as my own, which brings me to the point of this meeting. Luke, the new dolls you distributed, while immensely adorable and true-to-form, have a glaring issue.

Luke: Like ya said, they're life-like. If you got a problem with the doll, bring it up with the model.

Clavis: Oh, no. You misunderstand me. The figures themselves are flawless. I, for one, find my likeness impeccably accurate. But as a concerned consumer, I must leave a comment on the detailing. You see, you reused the same letter for both Chevalier and myself.

Luke: So, on top of lousy handwriting, ya can't spell. Got it.

Clavis: Do let me finish. This is merely constructive criticism from your initial testers. We wouldn't want to cause a scandal once your products release to the market. Trust me, the public can be vicious.

Luke: Don't need 'em. I only ever planned on making the one set.

Nokto: Aww, so they're personalized gifts? Your sincerity is enough to make me vomit.

Luke: It ain't like that. I just had a lot of extra fabric... is all... really.

Clavis: I'm being serious here. The fact that even one version of them exists the way it is poses a huge risk for the royal family. One look at our dolls and people might mistake us for *gulp* f r i e n d s.

Nokto: [monotone] Oh, no. How could anyone possibly come to that conclusion?

Clavis: Exactly my point, brother dear. Now you understand the severity of this matter.

Nokto: Can I go now? Evie's making coconut clusters. Just you try and make me miss out on them again, Clavis. I dare you.

Chevalier: *ears perk up from behind his book*

Luke: Yum, coconut drenched in honey~ Hey, maybe I'll make a tiny cookie tin to go along with Yves's doll. Bet he'd like it? I mean— only 'cuz now I'm stuck with a bunch of fabric scraps.

Clavis: Back on track, boys. I'll bake you treats later.

Luke: Pass. I don't hear Chevie complaining. And Leon and Licht didn't yap about it either.

Clavis: That's because L is a regal letter to represent you three. You're the lovely little lads of Lelouch!

Nokto: [muttering] More like loony Lelouch.

Clavis: What was that, naughty Nokto?

Nokto: Oh, real clever. Is that why I'm really here? You're jealous my doll's got a unique letter so you're taking it out on me with lame alliteration? I didn't choose my name, I'll have you know.

Clavis: Perish the thought! You are here to help workshop ideas for our baby brother's newest business venture. Our combined experiences will set him on the path to financial AND social success.

Luke: Like I said, I ain't planning on selling 'em.

Clavis: [ignoring] Additionally, that dunderhead Sariel says we need to fill a monthly all-hands team meeting quota so people believe we are a legitimate faction. He's more full of stuffing than his doll, but I will not allow the public to spread rumors that we are less capable than the domestic faction.

Luke: I thought you didn't want anyone thinking we're friends. That part I actually agree on.

Clavis: [ignoring x2] Have faith, Nokto. We need you here. Your letter is as fitting and unique as you are.

Nokto: He said to the twin.

Clavis: I meant what I said, dear.

Nokto: So did I. Keep that mushy talk up and I'll puke for real.

Chevalier: Directed away from my desk, if you must.

Luke: Want me to sew a barf accessory for your doll?

Nokto: Spew you lot! I'm out of here.

Clavis: Wait! Luke, that's a wonderful idea!

Luke: Oh, so that part you heard. It was just a joke. I am always overstocked on shades of green, though.

Clavis: Yes, you're brilliant! You and Nokto both! What better way to differentiate Chevalier and myself than by depicting us as complete antitheses! The dashing, debonair, suave gentleman versus the uncouth, slovenly beast. We'll modify our dolls' looks with accessories and come up with new nicknames to boot. V can work nicely for Chev: 'Veritable Vomit'. But let's come up with some more options and pick the best ones. Ooh, I am simply bursting with inspiration! Let's see, we can do A for 'Abominable Aberration'. B for 'Bloodcurdling Behemoth" — Hey, where are you all going? We're just getting started!

Luke: Nah, I'm keeping it C for 'Can it, Clavis. Coconut clusters are calling'.

Nokto: Or D for 'Don't you dare drag us here again, you dunderhead'!

*Nokto and Luke look expectantly at Chevalier, who is the first to reach the door.*

Chevalier: ...E for 'The End'.

[sysig]

Coding woes (Patreon)

[supercantaloupe]

truly detest how pcos tags/forums/etc are absolutely crawling with terfs

[fideidefenswhore]

'AB should have stayed on cromwell's good side and supported his policy, which she believed unduly favoured those of the realm who were already wealthy and would disadvantage the poor'...........you are not serious people.

[thebeautifulfantastic]

<3

[tovaicas]

the main thing that’s striking me rn abt shb in the writing is eulmore. It’s not necessarily a bad plot element, but it is a little strange bc the eulmoran army’s purpose is essentially just a motivator for the wol to kill lightwardens faster. Which is like fine, but killing the lightwardens was already a task that the wol was gonna do anyway bc plot.

they spend a lot of time setting up eulmore as this expac’s main evil faction right at the start so they can later throw them at you, and it is interesting how they interpret the sin eaters, but like…I’m not sure if killing the lightwardens was a tasking that needed another motivator behind it to get the player/wol moving? Like all the scions are already dedicated to this, and even if they weren’t the exarch won’t let you or your friends leave until you do as he asks anyway, and he specifically waits to tell you what your task entails until after you've already unwittingly started it, all while refusing to inform you abt any potential ramifications of it. like all the motivators are there already, and imo they're far more interesting than eulmoran army ever is

[sysig]

I decided to give a go to @niennanir’s lovely print-your-own-fic recipe on my Inside and Out as a test run and I’m quite pleased with the results as a first pass :D

I wish I’d taken a few more process pictures but there was a slight lull as I had to go shopping for 12x12 cardstock lol, but! I do have a couple closeups/extras that I added for funsies :D

I went with freehanding the title and I think in the future I would opt to not do that lol, at least not without a printed template. That said, both LibreOffice and SAI refuse to recognize my SCII fonts >:0 If you notice on the first page, I used the Ace Attorney font in italic haha, it’s an okay alternative even if it’s not what I actually want |0 I am happy with the gold detailing tho :3c

I did have an unconscionable amount of fun freehanding the ship caption tho ahh <3 <3 Immediate happy stims upon completion, their names together look so pretty ♥ Credit to Zarla’s original minicomic on that one :3

I also managed to get the last sentence of the fic isolated on the last page thanks to the formatting haha ♪

I was also able to add a bookmark! Ma happened to have a couple very thin ribbons to choose from and red ended up complementing the green very prettily!

It reminds me of VUX tongues hehehehe ❤️💕💖💞