#this game feels like an elaborate study on means of communication

[crippling-disgust]

[Image ID: A meme template "Wow! I learned something deep from this media/The actual idea of the media went over your head" remade for Chants of Sennaar. On the left is a game's cover, at which a drawn person's head looks from the right. Over the head drawn a speech bubble, saying "wow!! communication, as an exchange of information, has many facets and manifests itself in every aspect of society, making speech as natural and constant as breath; being a social species, humanity holds it as its greatest power, and disregarding communication brings pain and rot." From the cover and over the speech bubble goes a pink arrow with a text "figuring out what other people mean fucking sucks". /.End ID]

[atlasthegreatest]

Treasures of the Heart / Lara Croft x Autistic!Male Reader

Headcanons about Lara and her younger brother Y/n.

Word count: 1316

A/n: This was requested by an anon. I hope I did your request justice. Enjoy it!

Lara is incredibly patient and supportive when it comes to Y/n’s interests and routines. She takes the time to learn about his special interests, whether it’s ancient artifacts, animals, or gaming, and incorporates them into their playtime.

Lara loves to take Y/n on little adventures, explore the outdoors, or go on scavenger hunts in their backyard. She encourages him to use his unique perspective to find hidden treasures and encourages his curiosity about the world around them.

They often work on creative projects together. Lara enjoys helping Y/n with art or building models. She admires his attention to detail, which mirrors her meticulous nature when it comes to exploring and studying history.

To help soothe Y/n during stressful times, Lara creates calming rituals, like setting up a cozy reading nook where they can read about their favorite adventures together. She uses this time to talk, listen, and bond.

They have regular game nights filled with video games and board games. Lara ensures that the games they play are Y/n’s favorites, making the experience enjoyable and comfortable. She loves to cheer him on and celebrates his victories, big or small.

Lara and Y/n have a special code or signal they use to communicate when Y/n needs a moment of quiet or if he feels overwhelmed. This helps Y/n feel secure knowing that she understands him.

On weekends, they often set out on little “treasure hunts” around the neighborhood, using maps Lara creates to guide Y/n. She makes sure to highlight special landmarks that catch his interest.

Lara supports Y/n’s independence by teaching him life skills in a fun way. She’ll turn cooking into a mini-adventure, making it feel less daunting and more like an exploration.

Lara is always there for hugs when Y/n feels anxious or overwhelmed. She understands the importance of physical comfort and reassurance, often wrapping him in a blanket and watching movies together.

They love visiting museums where Lara can share her knowledge about history and artifacts. She watches how excited Y/n gets when he discovers something he loves and encourages him to ask questions.

— How is their dynamic as siblings? —

Lara is fiercely protective of her younger brother. She always makes sure Y/n feels safe in new environments, whether it’s a bustling crowd or a quiet forest. Her instinct to shield him helps him feel secure and understood.

The siblings have a treasure trove of inside jokes that only they understand. These little quirks strengthen their bond, as they often find humor in everyday situations and share laughter, creating a comfortable space for each other.

While they share a close bond, they also engage in playful sibling rivalry. Whether it’s who can climb the highest in a tree or finish a puzzle first, they challenge each other in fun ways that build their connection and encourage healthy competition.

Lara encourages Y/n’s imaginative play by turning their backyard into a “mission zone,” where they work together to save imaginary creatures or retrieve lost treasures. She helps him create elaborate stories that allow him to express his creativity.

Lara is always ready to listen when Y/n wants to talk about his feelings or thoughts, even if they seem small or silly. She validates his feelings, making him feel heard and understood, which deepens their emotional connection.

They often enjoy quiet time side by side, whether reading books, drawing, or working on separate projects. This comfortable silence allows them to bond without the need for constant conversation, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

When Lara notices Y/n’s interests changing, she actively participates, even if it means stepping outside her comfort zone. Whether it’s learning a new video game or trying out a new hobby, she makes an effort to connect with him.

Lara is Y/n’s biggest cheerleader, always there to encourage him during challenges, whether it’s school-related or personal. Her unwavering belief in his abilities boosts his confidence, helping him take on new challenges.

Lara makes sure to keep Y/n’s comfort items nearby when they go on outings. Whether it’s a favorite toy or a soft blanket, she understands how much these items mean to him and always encourages him to have them handy.

They have a special way of celebrating each other’s achievements, no matter how small. When Y/n learns something new or accomplishes a task, Lara throws a mini celebration, complete with homemade treats or a fun outing.

Lara often uses their adventures as teaching moments, sharing knowledge about nature, history, or survival skills in ways that captivate Y/n’s attention. She makes learning fun and interactive, ensuring he retains the information.

No matter what challenges Y/n faces, Lara stands by him with unconditional support. She reminds him that it’s okay to be different and that his unique perspective is valuable and special.

Together, they plan their adventures, with Lara encouraging Y/n to take the lead in choosing destinations or activities. This empowers him to express his desires and interests, making their outings more meaningful.

Lara initiates emotional check-ins during their day, asking Y/n how he’s feeling or if he needs a break. This practice fosters open communication and helps him feel more in control of his emotions.

They have a scrapbook where they document their adventures, including photos, drawings, and notes. This not only strengthens their bond but also allows Y/n to express himself creatively and revisit cherished memories.

Bonus:

Lara and Y/n have a secret hideout, a cozy nook they’ve created together in a corner of their home or the backyard. This space is decorated with their favorite items, drawings, and artifacts they’ve collected. It serves as their private sanctuary where they can retreat to share dreams, talk about their adventures, or simply enjoy each other’s company away from the world.

Inspired by their adventures, Lara crafts personalized adventure books for Y/n, filled with stories, drawings, and maps of places they’ve explored. Each book is unique to their experiences and includes space for him to add his thoughts or drawings, encouraging creativity and self-expression.

Lara loves to include Y/n in cooking, turning it into a fun activity where they try new recipes. They have themed cooking nights where they prepare meals from different cultures, helping him learn about global traditions while spending quality time together.

Lara introduces mindfulness practices to help Y/n cope with overwhelming situations. They practice deep breathing exercises or nature walks where they focus on the sounds and sights around them, encouraging him to stay grounded and present.

They have a tradition of dedicating one day each month to just the two of them, filled with activities her brother loves. This could be a trip to the zoo, a movie marathon, or a day spent building and creating together, reinforcing their bond and giving them both something to look forward to.

[katy-133]

Merc Shipping Vs The Administrator (AKA, The Power of Love Vs The Power of Hate)

Something I keep thinking about is the Romeo and Juliet parallel between BLU Soldier and RED Demoman in the WAR! comic, and how you can apply it to every merc ship configuration.

Because I think the Romeo and Juliet parallel is definitely intentional on the part of the comic creators. Canonically, Soldier and Demoman's relationship is one of friendship (it's given that label by the Administrator), not romance. But the whole thing is purposely framed like a forbidden romance story. So it's not canonically a romance, but it's read like a forbidden romance. It feels like a forbidden romance. Because it uses the tropes familiar with a forbidden romance story. To elaborate...

The study of tropes is the study of patterns in storytelling. As you experience different media, you start recognising patterns and what different patterns are trying to communicate to the audience (you). By doing this, you are gaining media literacy by understanding the language of storytelling. And by "language," I don't mean "French/English," I mean colour theory, subtext, and tropes. Media has its own language beyond English.

So, breaking down parts of the WAR! arc, the Administrator gives the following in-game dialogue regarding Soldier and Demoman's relationship:

"Betrayal will not be tolerated." "You cannot hide anything from us, mercenaries. And now you will pay the price." "It's not too late to repent, kill your friend now and end this. Listen to your conscience!" "Friendships are in direct contravention of mercenary conduct as delineated in your contracts; and on a personal note: I am very, very, disappointed with you." "I won't single any one of you out. I will just say that some of you have betrayed the trust of your employers...and because of that you must die. The rest of you are *cough* satisfactory." - The Administrator

There's additional bark lines, but I'm highlighting these because they focus on the forbidden aspect of the friendship, and how the friendship is a thing to be punished for. Stick a pin in this.

To do a quick summary of what happened, the Administrator discovers a series of surveillance photos showing BLU Soldier and RED Demoman hanging out together in various places outside of work hours. The Administrator is now finding out about this because she is their boss (and has the authority to have access to this surveillance stuff) and because Soldier and Demoman didn't tell anyone about their friendship (read as: they knew it would be frowned upon and tried to keep it a secret).

This "person of authority discovers their wards are having a forbidden relationship in secret" moment is a trope as old as the hills. In Romeo and Juliet, it was their family finding out about their romance, and before that, the fear of being discovered is what hangs over them for the majority of the story. Like Soldier and Demoman, Romeo and Juliet are on opposite sides of a feud that has lasted longer than their own lifetimes. And it is expected of them to take part in this feud as enemies.

(Season 1 Good Omens spoiler in next paragraph, feel free to skip it.)

If you want a more recent and modern example, there's the fantasy romantic comedy Good Omens, wherein Aziraphale's boss, Archangel Gabriel, finds out through surveillance photos that the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley have been hanging out together in secret, while Aziraphale insisted to Gabriel that he and Crowley were enemies in the Heaven and Hell war. The scene beat for beat feels the same as the Administrator finding out about Soldier and Demoman, complete with a "photos splayed across the table" shot.

Even Team Fortress 2 has used this "photos across the table" trope before, and it was for the reveal of RED Spy's romance with Scout's mother. TF2 used it in association with forbidden romance before the WAR! comic. (Meet the Spy released May 2009, while WAR! released in December 2009.)

Some other romantic connotations I observed in WAR! were that the different photos illustrate a different romance trope.

In one of the photos, Soldier and Demoman go to Las Vegas together. Visiting Las Vegas is a trope in fiction where the main character goes there and spontaneously gets married during their stay. This is because Nevada, America does not require a waiting period between obtaining a marriage licence and the marriage, making it ideal for writers trying to justify a surprise marriage storyline. The trope was also popularised by the 2003 slogan, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas," and has since been associated with the implication that characters who visited Las Vegas together secretly got married while there.

There's a joke in the series Gravity Falls that references this trope:

In the Las Vegas photo, Soldier and Demoman are with two women (so they are not just together by themselves), but the marriage association is still there.

Soldier and Demoman also went to a museum together, a sports game, a bus tour, and went on a fishing trip together. Bonding outings where they got to know each other. These can be read as going on dates together if you are using a queer reading to view the story.

So, there's two readings happening on top of each other. There's the canon reading (or text reading), and there's the subtext reading (specifically, a queer reading). And you can read both at the same time.

Canonically, this is a friendship where it's forbidden because Soldier and Demoman are on opposite sides of a war. The Administrator doesn't want this friendship to continue because it puts her plan (of secretly playing to both sides) in jeopardy.

A subtext reading is that this is a romance where it's still forbidden because Soldier and Demoman are on opposite sides, but it can also now be read as forbidden because gay relationships were criminalised at the time (Team Fortress 2 is set in 1968, which is exactly one year before Stonewall happens). Historically, gay relationships in fiction have this association with forbidden romance in particular because its criminalisation required secrecy and discreetness for the gay relationship to exist, and socially it wasn't accepted by the general public (it was stigmatised as a criminal act) and was thus seen as taboo. So in stories, it had (and still has) this association with forbidden-ness and secret-keeping.

There was also the Hays Code, which was created (in part) to stop films from including gay characters and gay relationships and that criminal acts should be punished by the end of the movie. Filmmakers got around these rules by queer coding villains (using queer signifiers to imply a character as queer without making it canon) and using subtext and metaphors. The Hays Code has since been removed, but it was used during almost the entirety of the Golden Age of Hollywood (read as: formative years that created many of the staples of filmmaking), so its effects can still be seen in today's media. Such as writers using secretive friendships as a metaphor for forbidden queer romance.

If you edit the plot to Soldier and Demoman having a secret romantic relationship rather than a friendship, the plot arguably stays the same and requires minimal changes to the plot beats.

And in addition to this relationship jeopardising her plan, the Administrator may not want the mercs to form romantic bonds between them that could stop them from fighting and killing each other and get them to question the point(lessness) of the Gravel War.

Basically, she doesn't want the Gravel War to end through some act of the Power of Love. Which, thinking about it, the Power of Love is the antithesis of the Administrator's way of getting what she wants. She runs on the Power of Hate. She uses it to keep the war going, by arranging things so that the Mann brothers never end their rivalry. She found a way to prolong both of their lives so that their feud would not end through death or forgiveness. She benefits from hatred and it's how she retains her power.

So, the Administrator uses her power to break up Soldier and Demoman. She tries to incentivise them with new weapons and items. That doesn't work. She lies and tells them that the other merc betrayed them, using fake evidence and the merc's trust in Miss Pauling. She uses her knowledge of what the mercs fear most to manipulate them into thinking the other betrayed them. It's only then that Soldier and Demoman agree to killing each other.

Using the romantic interpretation, the Administrator is using her power to end the forbidden relationship. Making Soldier and Demoman star-crossed lovers that were pulled apart by an authority that watches over them.

Alongside the WAR! comic, the game had an update where you played as Soldier or Demoman and got rewarded for specifically targeting and killing the other. These kills were tallied collectively and used to basically vote for which class got a particular new weapon/item reward, which changed the game's design and changed how Soldier and Demoman played.

Even if you missed the WAR! arc update that happened in-game, you still get to play out an aspect of it through completing this achievement for Soldier:

And this achievement for Demoman:

They killed each other 500 times.

Respawning, although not talked about in the comics, is mentioned enough that it appears to be canon or at least acknowledged in-universe by the mercs. It's not just a video game thing you're meant to forget about or pretend doesn't exist.

"See you in five minutes." - Sniper, upon killing a merc.

Medic's Reanimator device in Mann Vs Machine mode is also shown in The Sound of Medicine Valve animation and is used to bring Heavy back to life. So in-universe, death does not stop the mercs, and they therefore can die repeatedly as a punishment.

This is why merc shipping has such a strong element of danger and stakes to them, whether it's a cross-fraction or same team ship. If they are all aware of the Administrator's authority and how much she spies on them, they would all be fearful of being in a relationship with another merc because they'd be worried about the punishment they would receive if they got caught.

The Administrator didn't just go, "You're fired," or, "You're dead." I think this is very important to keep in mind. Those two options weren't good enough. The Administrator punishes people on the level that GLaDOS does because she has that same authority. She instead went, "You're going to kill each other 500 times over. Each. And you're going to enjoy it. I'm going to arrange things so that you hate each other by the end of this."

Can you imagine what she would do if she had so much as an inkling that the mercs have fallen in love?

Going back to canon, I still don't know how the TF2 comics will end, but if issue 7 ever comes out, I wonder if the Administrator's ultimate plan will get foiled through the merc's teamwork. Does teamwork defeat a century-old plan created by rivalry and greed?

Does the Power of Love defeat the Power of Hate?

[dorizardthewizard]

HSM (2006) rewatch pt 11

11. When there was me and you

Time for the first of the sad Gabriella ballads!

This part with her dramatically swaying on the barrier is so iconic. She’s just as dramatic as Troy they’re perfect for each other, in fact I wish they cranked it up a bit because she really is just walking through the corridors - they could have at least had her go on the rooftop for a brood or something. That backlit shot is beautiful though!

Anyway A tier? But could drop to B just because the staging isn't that inspired, I like the song though damn can she belt those notes! Actually is this the only song where they sing straight at the camera?

Ok so as much as I wish the communication was better (I mean she could have at least said “hey I heard what you said to your team and that you’re done with the callbacks”), she does handle it pretty maturely. Although she’s clearly upset with that “Go Wildcats” comment, she’s understanding of the pressures on him and how hard it is to stray away from the social hierarchy. She doesn’t just immediately give him the silent treatment, she tries to make it sound like there are no hard feelings.

I just imagined Kelsi's reaction if Gabriella went to tell her they're not doing the auditions 😭😭😭

Hey Captain! :D Here’s your basketball captain! :D We’re gonna be BFFs again! :D Everything will be just like before :D

No but the way he's soooo excited to see Troy and bounds over to him just to get rejected sdfhkjdsfkj "don't worry about it" you sure Chad?

Troy mucking up all his basketball shots as he angsts away is so funny to me. Zac Efron was born to play this kid

And what do you know! If you force your friend to give up something that’s important to him he will be upset and his head won’t be in the game! Shocker!

Taylor and Chad realise they’ve fucked up – what did you think would happen? Okay to be fair, and I just want to put some perspective on this, the whole story takes place over like... 2 weeks? Chad would have had exactly no idea that Troy enjoyed singing, from his POV Troy really was all about basketball and the team, but suddenly a new girl turns up and he auditions for the musical out of the blue? Even Ms Darbus found it hard to believe he was being genuine, from his friends' perspective it looks like he was only doing this because he had a crush on a girl he met like 2 days ago. I can see how they'd think this was unserious behaviour given their tournament coming up.

I mean sure Troy does try to broach the subject with Chad before Getcha Head in the Game, but very tentatively. I'm not saying things would have gone fine if he'd just come out with it earlier like Zeke did with his baking hobby (judging by everyone's reaction to Zeke anyway), but here Taylor and Chad regret their actions as soon as they realise how upset Troy and Gabriella are. It seems like they genuinely did not expect that this would mean so much to them.

I'm actually gonna plug a fic here that explores this part of the movie from Chad's perspective and has a really good interaction between him and Gabriella. It's called Explanation, Elaboration on AO3 go read it it's really good and a nice little character study

I love how Troy’s friends find him on the rooftop so easily, he really thought this place was secret. Two options: They apologised to Gabriella first and she told them where Troy could be, or they just knew this whole time that he likes to go there to brood and they just let him

Troy eats a sandwich with nothing in it

Chad: We just want you to know that we're gonna be there. Okay? Cheering for you. Zeke: Yeah, if singing is something you wanna do, we should be boosting you up, not tearing you down. Chad: Yeah. I mean, win or lose, we're teammates.

This is so sweet it’s sad we have to follow it up with them admitting their part in all this :(((

Troy: And you're not gonna hear me sing, guys. Troy: Because Gabriella won't even talk to me. And I don't know why.

Stoooop why is this actually sad, the people who can hurt you the most really are those closest to you huh

Oh Luke Skywalker! That’s who he reminds me of in this movie. Sorry just hit me

Chad’s tee says laughing on the……. inside? Sir you don't strike me as someone who would hide their laughter

The orange-pink combo for Jason's outfit is... interesting

Zeke’s cookies fskjsjfdssmf did they actually sit there awkwardly as Troy ate them before the big reveal? This does show they’re cool with his baking thing now at least

Gabriella's fit is really cute but omg Taylor’s scarf is not it…. this just made me remember when skinny scarves were like A Thing, I had one just like hers but black and navy

Love how Taylor has the only speaking role in this geek group. It’s kind of funny that in the next movies, they’re just no longer part of this friendship group because they’re a bunch of extras LOL. She makes a really good speech though, even if Gabriella doesn't listen :(

Gabriella is lowkey right about no one forcing Troy to say anything, he didn’t have to go that far to get them off his back

[name-that-isnt]

I made an interesting little connection while looking at the symbol on minish vaati's outfit. Not sure if anyone has pointed this out already but-

-the symbol on his outfit is strikingly similar to the wiccan horned god symbol. I decided to look into it more to see if I could connect any dots.

I'll start by discussing connections I made to vaati from the first informational image.

As a symbol of power, it makes sense that the horned god would appear on minish vaati's outfit. Like most zelda villains, he craved power, so the horned god served as a subtle representation of that. He later on transforms into a monster with more than a striking resemblance to the horned god, symbolic of him finally aquiring the power he so desired.

One of the first sightings of the horned god symbol being in an image called "the sorcerer" lines up pretty well with vaati, as he is in his sorcerer form for most of mc. One could say that his sorcerer form was the first sighting of the horned god for the people around him.

Horned god osiris' association with rebirth can be related to vaati's "rebirth", as he comes back twice after mc. He also just so happens to have a form called "vaati reborn" that is depicted wearing a horn-shaped crest.

Osiris and cernunnos being gods of the underworld can be connected to vaati's rule over the monsters he released from bound chest, and his prominence among other villains as he is the first villain to take the stage after demise.

Vaati physically taking on the form of the horned god does indeed serve as a direct opposition to the triple moon goddess, the goddess in this case being hylia in the form of zelda. Just as he was able to cause destruction with the power of the mage's cap, zelda was able to fix what he had broken with the same tool. It may also be worth noting that on fs zelda's dress, there is a symbol that shares a very vague resemblance to the triple moon goddess symbol.

Okay, moving on to the second informational image!

Sherry Salman's idea of the male psyche's "horned god" often being a way to compensate for "inadequate fathering" can be interpreted as an indication of the state of vaati and ezlo's relationship.

In the first encounter with the "horned god", it is described as "dangerous" but "possessed of kindness and intelligence". This can be paralleled by how vaati is shown in the mc bonus manga, "vaati during training", when he first decides to study under ezlo. He has his own shallow motives for wanting to become a sage, which may have contributed to his dangerous behavior later on in life. When he first meets ezlo he upholds a kind and respectful demeanor. Vaati is described as "serious" and "ambitious", presumably about learning to become a sage, therefore showing that he is committed to the possession of intelligence.

If the "horned god" is repressed, it shall appear later in life as "hades". For vaati, this "hades" would be his cultivated interest in the darkness residing in human hearts. It's never fully elaborated on, but the repression that caused his interest in such a subject may have been unintentionally induced by ezlo. In both the mc game and manga, ezlo is shown to be quite overbearing and harsh, a tough love type of guy. Vaati may have felt like his hard work as an apprentice was not being acknowledged, and this caused a buildup of repressed resentment towards ezlo (cite "No longer will I tire away as your apprentice! Now, all shall call ME master!") Noting vaati's pompous behavior despite him describing his minish self as "a meek, miniscule nothing", the way ezlo treated him may have caused him to develop some sort of inferiority-superiority complex that greatly contributed to his antagonistic behavior later on. Ezlo most likely didn't mean to make vaati feel this way, but because the two didn't communicate their emotions efficiently, vaati's loathing of ezlo and himself only worsened over time.

The idea of the "horned god" splitting off entirely would be reflected in vaati's hatred for himself and ezlo, his need for power and self fulfilment, and his interest in the sickness of human nature reaching a breaking point. This breaking point is breached when he gets his hands on the mage's cap. Vaati is finally capable of embracing his "hades", getting revenge, and gaining power to compensate for his lack of genuine self love that he covers up with his arrogant attitude.

The violence, substance abuse, and sexual perversion that follow the split off can be clearly seen in vaati's actions. Violence was demonstrated in the havoc he wreaked upon hyrule. The substance abuse is more of a metaphor. He became addicted to the power that the mage's cap granted him and abused it to the point that he was able to achieve god status, even if only for a short time. The sexual perversion is shown in his infamous kidnapping of beautiful maidens. The ego that comes from the integration of the "horned god" was definitely destructive to both vaati himself and the people around him.

I think the idea to make vaati's monstrous forms shaped like the horned god symbol and to incorporate said symbol in his minish outfit was a good choice. It was an interesting way to tell his story through just visuals. It very well may not have been intentional and whoever was in charge of his character designs just thought it looked cool, but I'd like to think they knew what they were doing with this. I suppose the big takeaway from all of this is that:

1. Character design and attention to detail is important for storytelling

And

2. Communication in ur relationships is key

To think that vaati and ezlo could've had a happier ending had they effectively talked with one another is sad to say the least, but honestly I find vaati's arrogant facade very endearing (as I'm sure most other vaati enjoyers do.) I'm not really sure how to end a post like this so uh do with this information what u will 😇

[avelvokai]

Major Study: Pre-Production #3

Inspirations:

Avatar: The Last Airbender" has been monumental inspiration for my work. I'm particularly drawn to its intricate world-building, where each nation is a unique blend of fictional elements and real-world influences, with strong nods to Asian and Native American cultures. One aspect that particularly resonates with me is their approach to clothing. The attire worn by characters in these series not only reflects the cultural aesthetics of their respective nations but also tells a story of tradition, identity. In my own storytelling, I aim to similarly infuse garments with symbolic meaning, using them as a visual language to deepen the immersion and authenticity of the world I'm creating.

Water Tribe: The Water Tribe draws inspiration from indigenous Arctic and Inuit cultures. The Southern Water Tribe is reminiscent of Inuit communities, with igloo-like structures and a focus on fishing and hunting, while the Northern Water Tribe is more reminiscent of coastal Inuit communities, with its larger, more elaborate city and connection to the sea.

Earth Kingdom: The Earth Kingdom is inspired by various East Asian cultures, including Imperial China, ancient Korea, and pre-modern Japan. The Earth Kingdom's vast size, diverse landscapes, and hierarchical society are reminiscent of Imperial China. Ba Sing Se, the capital city, draws heavily from the layout and structure of ancient Chinese capitals like Beijing. Additionally, the Earth Kingdom's architecture and clothing feature elements of traditional Korean and Japanese design.

Fire Nation: The Fire Nation draws inspiration from imperialist societies, particularly Imperial Japan and ancient China. The Fire Nation's military prowess, expansive empire, and strict hierarchical structure echo elements of Imperial Japan's militarism and expansionism. The Fire Nation's architecture and technology also bear resemblance to ancient Chinese civilization, with its grand palaces and advanced machinery.

Air Nomads: The Air Nomads draw inspiration from various Tibetan and Himalayan cultures, as well as elements of Buddhist philosophy. The Air Nomads' spiritual beliefs, monastic lifestyle, and connection to nature reflect Tibetan Buddhist traditions. Their architecture, with its temples built high in the mountains, is reminiscent of Himalayan monasteries.

By drawing from a diverse range of real-life cultures, "Avatar: The Last Airbender" creates a rich and immersive world that feels both familiar and fantastical. Each nation's unique culture and history contribute to the series' depth and complexity, making it a beloved and enduring masterpiece.

The Artbook "The Art and Soul of Dune," and specifically Keith Christensen's concept art, is a huge inspiration for my project. The artist’s skill in illustrating fictional cultures, as showcased in this book is fascinating and impressive. The way he brings imaginary worlds to life with detail authenticity inspires me.  Just like the bold vision and intricate design process showcased in the book, I aim to create a visually stunning experience with my story.

Ray Lederer

Ray Lederer is a Senior Concept Artist who has worked at Bethesda Game Studios on titles such as TESV:Skyrim, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Starfield. His exceptional talent and artistic vision serve as a significant source of inspiration for my own creative endeavors.

Visual novel games:

Romance Club is a mobile game and it has served as a significant inspiration for my visual novel game project, particularly due to its diverse array of settings. The game's ability to transport players to a multitude of captivating environments, each with its own unique atmosphere and narrative potential, has fueled my creative vision. Drawing from Romance Club's example, I aspire to offer players a similarly immersive experience, where they can explore a rich tapestry of worlds and stories within the confines of my game.

"These Nights in Cairo" is a visual novel game that transports players to the enchanting and mysterious streets of Egypt's vibrant capital. Set against the backdrop of bustling bazaars, ancient pyramids, and hidden oases, the game immerses players in a world of intrigue, romance, and adventure.

In conclusion, the diverse inspirations behind my project have fueled my creativity and shaped its unique identity. With dedication and passion, I look forward to bringing my project to life and sharing it with the world.

References:

atlaculture (n.d.). Cultural Architecture: Fire Nation Roofs. [online] Tumblr. Available at: https://atlaculture.tumblr.com/post/670499096009801728/cultural-architecture-fire-nation-roofs [Accessed 19 Apr. 2024].

Tumblr.com. (2024). Available at: https://64.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvvjmoqlGp1r7coaeo1_1280.jpg [Accessed 19 Apr. 2024].

Titan Books (2020). The art and soul of ‘Dune’. London: Titan Books.

‌Lederer, R. (n.d.). [online] Artstation. Available from: https://www.artstation.com/raylederer  [Accessed 19 Apr. 2024].

Romance Club Wiki. (n.d.). Legend of the Willow. [online] Available at: https://romance-club.fandom.com/wiki/Legend_of_the_Willow [Accessed 19 Apr. 2024].

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[simplitaught]

Ultimate Guide to Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning

The sudden onset of the pandemic has shone a new light on the art of learning. As the world shut down, educators found different ways to deliver their programs remotely. The two buzzwords that have overtaken the online academic world are synchronous vs asynchronous learning.

If you are wondering what these forms of learning represent, they mean the difference between following your course material in real time vs. studying at your own pace. So, in the age of digital learning, where millions of students are taking courses online, the question is, what’s the best delivery method of teaching to serve the needs of learners?

Before going into the synchronous vs asynchronous learning debate, let's discuss what these learning mediums encompass.

What is Synchronous Learning?

With synchronous learning, education happens live and at the moment, as in the case of a webinar or a workshop. Before the covid-19 pandemic hit, most synchronous learning occurred in face-to-face classroom settings. However, it has changed since then! We are now seeing a shift from in-person to virtual learning environments, live training formats, video conferencing, and live chat rooms.

Why Choose It?

Why would you still opt for synchronous learning when instructors can record almost every course?

Well, it turns out that students like it. Often, learners who buy asynchronous courses do not end up completing them. Getting through the course all by yourself becomes challenging without community and accountability. That is precisely why some students still choose live learning, where they can see and interact with the instructor in real-time.

Theoretically, it might limit your scale as you cannot just sell thousands of copies of a course recording. But, synchronous learning does provide a better experience for some students. Also, some educators prefer it because it lets them feed off the energy of their students, so they bring A-game to their studies.

Pros of Synchronous Learning

There are numerous benefits to the live nature of synchronous learning, including;

Real-Time Interactions

Through synchronous learning, learners can interact with fellow students and instructors in real time. By engaging with each other, elaborate and high-quality discussions unfold among students contributing to the overall educational experience.

Instant Feedback

Also, as students can ask educators questions in real-time, they get immediate feedback on their progress. Thus it allows teachers to meet students in their exact moment of learning need– rather than sharing feedback several hours or days later when the lesson isn’t fresh in the student’s mind.

Accelerated Learning Curve

When students get to clarify their doubts instantly, they can quickly move on from their learning obstacles, allowing them to accelerate their learning curve.

Cons of Synchronous Learning

Additionally, synchronous learning has multiple challenges. Here are a few;

Lacks Flexibility

Because synchronous learning happens at a set time, it is not flexible to accommodate different schedules and priorities. Students and teachers alike are expected to commit to a fixed time and place, which can be difficult for those with other commitments.

Inconsistent Learning Experience

During synchronous learning, the quality of the session depends on who the instructor is. Consequently, the quality and learning experience of such sessions can be inconsistent.

No Personalized Attention

With multiple students participating in a single session, it’s natural to feel the need to compete for the teacher’s attention. Unfortunately, a lack of attention from educators can lead to favoritism toward some learners.

What is Asynchronous Learning?

Asynchronous learning refers to forms of education that do not occur in the classroom or at the same time. So, learners can engage with study materials anytime and at their convenience. Asynchronous learning is usually delivered through pre-recorded lectures and downloadable digital content to allow such flexibility. Some common examples are e-learning courses, recorded videos, webinars, podcasts, discussion boards, and downloadable PDF resources. 

Now that we have a clear picture let’s explore why you should choose asynchronous learning.

Why Choose It?

Like synchronous learning, asynchronous education has its benefits. The most significant advantage for students is that they can go about their studies at their own pace. They no longer have to manage schedules for a live session. They can accomplish tasks and assignments when they have time.

Moreover, learners with disabilities and different learning styles claim they have greater freedom to learn when and how they want. And for those with other responsibilities, for example, single parents juggling upskilling with work shifts, asynchronous learning ensures they’ll be successful.

Instructors can also enjoy asynchronous learning. While we do not want to create and forget during e-learning programs, asynchronous learning does allow teachers to scale their efforts without the need to re-teach their course live all the time.

Likewise, it allows instructors to reach more students who aren’t limited by time constraints.

Pros of Asynchronous Learning

The advantages of asynchronous learning are as follows;

Flexible Schedule

One of the most significant advantages of asynchronous learning is that students can engage with study material and resources at their preferred time and place. As a result, learners and educators can prioritize their other commitments besides training.

Interaction & Feedback

Even though asynchronous learning doesn’t happen in real-time, students can still post questions to discussion forums or send them through email and get responses later. Hence, there is still room for engagement and peer collaboration despite not interacting individually.

A Large Number of Learners

Additionally, as asynchronous learning occurs across multiple platforms, locations, and different times, an unlimited number of learners can participate in a single course. Therefore, it makes the training content more accessible.

Cons of Asynchronous Learning

As it has advantages, there are also some disadvantages of asynchronous learning.

Lack of Classroom Interaction

Without educators and peer presence, asynchronous learning lacks a personal touch. As a result, students are highly unlikely to form classroom relationships that they would otherwise have along their educational journey if it were in a real-time learning environment.

Need to be Self-Disciplined

Because asynchronous courses are individualistic, they require self-discipline. Students must stay focused and self-motivated to stay on top of their progress. That is why learners lacking discipline don’t do quite well in asynchronous learning.

How to Choose Synchronous vs Asynchronous Learning?

So how can you decide which form of learning is better and what suits your learning needs? There’s no set rule for every case. The choice of synchronous vs asynchronous learning depends on your particular needs.

You should try asynchronous learning if your students are self-directed and autonomous learners.

Likewise, if the learners have limitations in joining through synchronous live sessions, you should consider an asynchronous form of education. However, synchronous learning answers your educational needs if they require live feedback and assistance.

Why Not Use Both?

While we like the idea of dichotomy, setting up a choice of synchronous vs asynchronous learning is a bit misleading. When you can choose the best of both worlds and still generate a great course, why not use both?

One way to combine both is by hosting a live synchronous session and offering recordings to students who cannot attend classes simultaneously. Students can get all the benefits of interactions when they make it live, but they can also catch up later if they miss the session. 

Another way of utilizing both is adding an online community to your course. It will allow students to go through the course material at their own pace, but adding live Q&A sessions, office hours, and co-working times gives you the advantages of a synchronous course. You can also create a discussion forum or all-member chats to keep the conversation going. Thus this combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning gives you the advantages of accountability, getting questions answered, and relationship-building without having to worry about running a course multiple times

[notmuchtoconceal]

bro, holy fuck.

lemme finally get to the single dumb thing i wanted to say today, before i got distracted by all the other dumb things i wanted to say.

actually wait, no.

this post is anow about how the reboot cycle may be a covert attempt by a unified corporate block to destroy interest in historical, by which we mean "obsolete" forms of intellectual property, erasing them from corporate history (Resident Evil was a pioneer was in the gaming franchise lorebook, bro) and making them more difficult to search for and discuss in curated spaces like most forums and search engines.

especially with gaming, you know bro -- these old machines are sometimes difficult to reproduce, or get running, particularly when they have hard drive gimmicks, and like -- so much of early 3D was driven by limitations, people just don't have the patience for frustrating control schemes which force you to fundamentally alter how you perceive space and time, like you know -- how a novel would. like how a difficult work of art which isn't immediately standardized to your exact expectations.

the old games -- from a psychological, aesthetic and design sensibility, are "about" different things. the new ones. I haven't played them. They may be good. I assume they're competent. For me, what makes a great remake (or at least an interesting one) is a level of reinvention which not only elevates the original material, but subverts and comments on it.

honestly, bro?

i feel shinji mikami is a fucking artist-craftsman with a distinct sensibility, camp yet brutally ironic stemming from a detached classicism. If you study not only his body of work, but the four mainline RE games in succession, you'll see multiple overlapping and evolving points of satire in line with the same thematic targets.

what makes the first REmake not only a great remake, but the definitive version of that entry is precisely the manner in which it perfects the formula and elaborates upon the structure of the original. it feels like a full-blown renovation of the original, using all the techniques and materials they'd accumulated over the last three entries, creating a definitive statement more fully aligned with the original vision.

the original RE still has its charms. the original RE is a still a plethora of unique experiences, from its truly irreplicable acting, dual soundtracks and acid-trip Ed Wood atmosphere which needs to be seen to be believed. I love the original RE. the original RE is a classic for a reason.

if they ever did, like ... an academic Criterion-style release, you'd have the remake on the first disc and the original on the second, then all the bonus features. they're both definitive, historical masterpieces, but this one more. the original is still complete, for its still itself, but this version takes precedent and yet it could never hope to replace what has come before it.

unfortunately, i fear this truly epochal example might have set a bad precedent. i already feared an RE2 remake could never improve upon the original, and then they banged 3 and 4 out in such rapid succession, it seemed to drive home how little of a need or interest it was to retell these stories, yet it would surely be profitable and everyone is doing it. For now we film ourselves playing video games or watch people playing video games and pretend this is a form of community, so now it's vital to our sense of personhood to keep up with the products on offer.

what are these new games *about*? the original RE2 was scrapped halfway through development and started over. the original RE4 was scrapped and started over multiple consecutive times. the original RE3 was originally a side-entry using reused assets which grew ambitious beyond its own scope and got promoted to a numbered title.

these old games had a reason to be, a purpose, and so something within them which stemmed from that. what are the new generation of digital artisans telling us with their works, if anything at all, forced to churn out "improvements" to older, less realistic and thus less serious work?

a great deal of subtext in genre work, i would argue, is largely unconscious for genre works are contemporary fairy tales and therefore writing and consuming them is the primary means by which we confront our unconscious structures and secret awareness.

rushing out new versions of old works in line with current taste, current fashions, current hegemonies, disguises the meaning of the original stories by presenting you with something old polished up to look new, yet also made quietly older. popular taste is constructed taste. what you know and what you expected was designed and implanted.

a committee working on a deadline being fed excuses is going to reproduce certain structures almost autonomously, while a team of artists and artisans working in solitude, grappling with secret fancies, secret obsessions, having free creative control to do what they will as long as they inevitably turn out a new and marketable product, will bore down into substrata previously unthought for findings and fuel.

how long will it be before these games are remade again? how often can we "expect" them to be remade, and is there an argument to be had for a lack of an "official" or "canonical" version, particularly in an age where we can see passionate fan communities sometimes producing more sophisticated and up-to-date archival versions than their IP owners?

to wrap this up. there's a scene in Code Veronica (the originally planned RE3) where Chris Redfield (from the original) descends into an exact replica of the Spencer Mansion beneath the Antarctic Base.

Since the current official version is the REmake, the replica of the Spencer Mansion from the original introduces a mismatch.

This Chris is remembering a timeline that never was. He's no longer walking back into a memory, but a memory of a memory.

The RE Archives book (which I purchased from GameCrazy inside Hollywood video at 16) explains the discrepancy by saying the Antarctic Base was designed by the same architect, George Trevor, of the Spencer Mansion, so we can now deduce that, canonically, Chris is only gasping because he like... thinks it's the original for a sec, then realizes it's not, whew what a relief. (I particularly love how in Umbrella Chronicles on the Wii, they straight-up just updated design assets from the original like the bones in display cases for the extended shooter hallway bits.)

The Reasons for Shit are Always Changing.

just gotta remember, bro.

so much about loving something is just about reminding yourself of all the reasons you love. so much of the reason why people fall out of love, bro ... it's mostly just about failing to be reminded, failing to remember, getting lost. sometimes you need to talk, just to keep the love alive. love is a flame which flickers in the dark, and we needn't huddle or fill empty air with noise when what burns inside burns so bright.

[astermacguffin]

Sorry for churning out another self-indulgent AU that will take me forever to work on, but I'm obsessed with the concept of a destiel enemies-to-lovers logician AU. (Yes I already have a joenicky/kaysanova version of this and frankly I don't care lol)

LISTEN. I know it's more popular to put Dean in professions that get his hands involved (mechanic, baker, etc.) rather than very conceptual/academic professions BUT. Dean would absolutely love the elegant simplicity of formal logic.

Easy, guaranteed, and clear-cut answers that you get out of following simple rules? Dean would LOVE that after having such a difficult and complicated life.

I think Dean would specialize in the large family of modal logics, specifically deontic logic—the logic of obligations. Dean "miserable pile of familial obligations" would unfortunately enjoy this field. (No, he won't be an ethicist because he has fucked up ethics; moral philosophy won't fix him. Maybe some therapy and gay sex will.)

Castiel, on the other hand, is a logician/theologian/metaphysicist. He went to college for a religious studies degree but it turns out he likes the application of logic in God-talk more than the God-talk itself, so he switched specializations. He's one of the leading scholars in process theology, liberation theology, and the controversies surrounding S5 modal logics and the modal ontological argument.

So. Dean and Cas are both modal logicians with different specializations. Here's what happens:

They both have presentations for a logic conference the next day, so they go to a bar to unwind and maybe get laid.

They meet, have a one-night stand, and part ways.

Turns out they're both attending the same conference. They're not fully convinced with each other's ideas. Their playful bickering in the snacks table eventually devolves into a full-on fight. Someone has to physically restrain them.

Their rivalry eventually gets notorious in academic circles. They perform "academic fistfights" by constantly writing critical response papers to each other's works. There's wikipedia articles documenting their extensive history of flirt-fighting and the surprising amount of new literature written because of their public feud.

To be clear, they're not writing garbage work just to dunk on each other. They're genuinely contributing to the academic discourse. But if you look at their bibliography of works, the staggering amount of stuff they've written about or in response to the other is...alarming.

Absolutely no one discourages their fights because (1) it's entertaining and (2) it's producing a godawful amount of insightful literature. There's bets about when they're going to fuck it out (because no one knows about their one-night stand except maybe Sam, who finds this entire thing stupid but amusing).

One time, they get drunk in an afterparty. Cue some aggressive and very homoerotic banter. This eventually devolves into an elaborate game of gay chicken. Whoever gives up first must write an article where they support the thesis of the other.

They're both "you wanna fuck me so bad it makes you look stupid" at each other. They constantly flirt and seduce one another, waiting for the other one to finally give in. They do this in conferences as well.

Fellow logicians almost prefer the shouting and near fist-fights over their very inappropriate flirty banter in public. No one dares ban them in events because (1) again, they're entertaining, and (2) they're big-name academics.

Since they're both fucking competitive, they constantly try to one-up each other. They ask each other to go out in dates and stuff. Eventually, they start to genuinely learn things about each other and go "huh. You're not so bad after all."

When they first collaborate and publish their joint work, everyone loses their mind. Are they friends now? Did they finally fuck? Both of them find the reactions very amusing.

Eventually, they start hanging out outside of their competitive dates and simply as friends. They still haven't kissed or fucked ever since. When they first both realize that they're falling in love, they're like: "Shit."

Unfortunately, they're in too deep. These bastards are too prideful to be the one to admit their feelings. Both Dean and Cas talk to their brothers about this. They're both told how stupid they are.

This all comes to a head when Cas finally gives in and fucks Dean. Cas is about to confess his feelings when Dean starts chuckling.

"What's so funny?" Cas asks. "Well, I mean. Guess I should expect that article soon, right?" Dean says in an attempt to hide his fears with playful banter. Cas squints at him. "What article?"

Dean stammers in response. "I–you know? The bet we made? The bet that started it all? That's... that's what this is all about, right?"

Cas' face shuts off, devoid of emotion. "Right. Yes. Why don't you leave now so I can start writing that, hmm?" The smile on his face is big, but Dean knows it's fake and wrong.

"Cas, wait—" "DEAN. Please. Leave my apartment." Reluctantly, Dean dresses up for his walk of shame, leaving the apartment.

The next morning, the article comes out. It's short and not written very well. Everyone is confused about the sudden drop in quality.

They stop writing response works to each other, which alerts the entire academic community. They also visibly avoid each other in conferences now. Their fellow academics take it back: they would prefer the insufferably horny flirting over this cold, silent treatment. Everyone feels the tension and it's not as lively anymore.

Cas is miserable because he thinks his feelings are unrequited. Dean feels miserable because Cas has since stopped replying to his texts and calls.

In his last-ditch attempt to get through Cas, Dean writes a celebratory primer, summarizing Cas' entire bibliography and important contributions to the field throughout his entire career. Interspersed in the writing are personal reflections on Cas' character as a thinker and a person, as well as little in-jokes meant only for Cas' eyes. It's the most sappy and gayass bibliographic summary ever written.

Cas, of course, reads this and understands the intent behind it. He finally calls Dean, they meet, they hash things out, admit their feelings, and finally kiss. Yada yada happy ending

Later on, when they finally publish their first joint work as a married couple, everyone loses their minds. Again.

[maddiviner]

Could studyblogging jumpstart your personal grimoire?

A witch should be a lifelong learner. To practice effective magic, you must grow in new directions at a constant pace. A witch should approach magic with a sense of devotion to their own growth.

I’ve practiced magic and divination for two decades now. The most solid advice I can give? Start journaling. Start keeping a notebook. Start studying.

Witches who keep a notebook record their research and ideas about the Craft. This helps them build a wide repository of knowledge, right there when they need it.

The format and content of my notebooks changed a lot over the years. But they all helped me become the witch I am today. I devoted the bulk of these notebooks to my journey in magic, techniques to try, and lessons learned.

There are few people who haven’t studied. In school, we pore over geometry and classic literature in hot pursuit of elusive high marks. We spent time learning about our interests. Whether that’s witchcraft, philosophy, or astronomy, notes are helpful.

Everyone learns in a different fashion. Still, studying and learning about the world remains with us from our first breath, to the last. My Craft took leaps forward when this dawned on me. I’d always enjoyed school. I realized that I could apply the same study techniques to witchcraft and the occult. 

What’s studyblogging?!

As a regular user of both Tumblr and Instagram, I soon came across the studyblogging trend. 

Caitlyn Tiffany of The Verge describes the studyblogging phenomenon as “a beautiful, stressful wonderland.” An apt description! But what is a studyblog? 

Studyblogging hashtags like #studyblr and #studygram  are popular (on Tumblr and Instagram, respectively).  

For someone just coming across the phenomenon, though? It can be difficult to penetrate this strange world. Expect calligraphic chaos, a plethora of highlighters, and fine-tuned aesthetics. 

Studyblogging focuses on the quest for knowledge. In practice, studyblogs share tips and handwritten notes on various subjects. Studybloggers encourage each other to be the best learners they can be. 

The photos of notes, assignments, and other tasks make up the bulk of the phenomenon. Studyblogs often feature photos of elaborate calligraphy and heavy illustration in note form.

Expect to see self-made diagrams of mitochondria. Essay outlines on postcolonial theory with nigh-perfect bubble lettering. Vast, illustrated mind-maps of Shakespearean themes. It's a big community, and there's room for a lot. Room for witches? I think so!

Studyblogging for Witches

In witchcraft, our grimoires function much like a non-magical student's study notes. The content, and some of the form, may differ, but the principles are the same.

The quest for an aesthetically-pleasing grimoire stymies many a beginner (and not-so-beginner) witch. The wise remind us that our grimoires needn’t be complex. Functionality is more important than aesthetics in most cases. 

That said, there is something worthwhile about keeping a grimoire that suits you. A  grimoire can speak to your soul, both by way of aesthetic appeal and your own abilities. For some of us, this might mean a lavishly-illustrated tome. Others might find minimalist styles more resonating. It varies.

The truth is that yes, your grimoire needn’t look a certain way or be perfect. Still, a level of aesthetic appeal can help with information retention. It can also boost your magical productivity. Humans respond in an intuitive fashion to that which they consider beautiful.

Aesthetics can help to put you into a liminal state. Liminality can be a powerful tool in self-improvement. This, in turn, is useful not only for normal studying, but also for the Craft itself. 

If you see art as part of your life path, you might find that approaching your grimoire as a work of art helpful. Part of this means realizing that it won’t be perfect, but also always striving to learn and grow.

Studyblogging, as a community, showcases a lot of excellent notebook and journal-keeping techniques. Studybloggers often provide tutorials and guides to effective learning methods. 

This is, of course, all while celebrating the joy of learning itself. Traditional studying methods can apply to magical topics. I have found that the techniques of the studyblogger can help with keeping a useful grimoire.

Ask your intuition if studyblogging is right for you!

Will studyblogging help you? For some students, lurking or keeping a studyblog inspires and motivates them. It also increases accountability. By posting their goals and progress, studybloggers have an impetus to progress. 

In a way, it’s a bit like livestreaming a video game - it makes the experience more challenging, and also more exciting. The difference, of course, is that, in this case, your game is learning!

And the notes? Many find the calligraphy, fancy scripts, and illustration soothing. It can be a way of making otherwise impenetrable subjects more captivating.

Without a doubt, aesthetic presentation improves information retention for some people. Humans have a positive response to beautiful imagery. 

Some folks find the gorgeous landscape of studygram and studyblr overwhelming and anxiety-inducing. Gorgeous calligraphy notes, after all, aren't easy for most people. 

For some, posting about your studies on a blog might only increase worry. We're all different, and studyblog techniques are hardly universal in form.

You should use your intuition to decide whether to dip into this community. Ask yourself whether an audience will help your quest for deeper knowledge. 

Will you feel empowered, or nervous about it? If you struggle with comparing yourself to others, you might find studyblogging discouraging. 

I myself am somewhat of a perfectionist. For me, though, the artistic aspects of note taking and information illustration soothe me. Studyblogging suits me, but will it help you?

You should tailor your learning experience to your own strengths. If that means studyblogging won’t help you, be honest with yourself and don’t chase the anxiety of it all. Find another method of learning. 

Browse some existing studyblogs - I recommend EmmaStudies and StudyQuill. Ask yourself how it makes you feel. Do the images and writing seems inspirational? 

Would you enjoy sharing your work with the world? Studyblogging might become an ally on your magical path!

Taking the Plunge

So, how do you start a studyblog? How do you get involved in the community?

The most popular studyblogging platforms are Instagram and Tumblr. Instagram lends itself to posting tons of pictures and very short-form posts. Tumblr favors longer prose. 

When I started studyblogging, I created both a studyblr and a studygram. I recommend starting a new account on the site of your preference for studyblogging.  

Follow some existing studybloggers as a way of introducing yourself to the community! Also, follow the hashtags #studyblr and #studygram, to start.

What to study?

Studyblogging features students focused on all kinds of topics. I’ve been studyblogging for over a year. In case you’re wondering, it's rare for someone to complain about my witchy take on studyblogging. 

You’ll find the studyblogging community very welcoming in most cases. But what will you study? I always recommend witches focus on only one or two things they’d most like to learn at a time.

Studyblogging lends itself well to in-depth topical research. This can mean learning the signs and language of astrology or the basics of gemstone magic.

Topics like shadow work or personal Tarot readings might be a bit too personal to blog about. Those might be better suited to normal, private journaling rather than a blog. My own studyblogging tends to focus on my writing preparation, astrology, and Tarot. 

Though I’ve been reading for over twenty years, there is always something new to learn about Tarot. Astrology, like Tarot, is a lifelong discipline. Though I’ve only recently made my first steps into it, there is much to learn. My writing, especially the book I’m working on, has its own notebook.

Possible topics include, but are in no way limited to:

Crystals and gemstones

Astrology

Spellcraft

Mythology and legends

Magical history

Energy work techniques

Seasonal and Lunar cycles

Herbology

Tarot, Lenormand, or oracle deck divination!

It is important to choose topics that interest you in a personal way. At the same time, try not to get distracted. Witchcraft includes many paths of study. Try not to jump from topic to topic - finish what you start!

Supplies

If you’re in school, you may already have a lot of the tools necessary for studying. If not, you can get them for an affordable price in most cases.

Paper matters!  You'll want a notebook or loose leaf binder paper. For hardbound notebooks, you can’t go wrong with a Leuchtturm 1917.  That popular notebook boasts dot grid paper, includes page numbers and a place for an index. 

Seeking something more aesthetic? Check out the Paperblanks series from Peter Pauper Press. You might also like the notebooks you can order from Citrus Bookbindery. For me, a binder (I use A5 size) works best, because I can add and remove pages as necessary. 

You can find some great guides out there about organizing grimoires. Much of that advice applies here. Your notebooks will soon fill the role of a grimoire.  They will contain your notes, research, and more.

It is usually best to have one notebook (or binder) for each subject you’re studying. As you move forward, you’ll have a collection of grimoire notebooks on different topics.

You’ll also need pens or pencils. Really, you only need one. If you feel like getting fancy, you can get multicolored fineliners. I prefer Sakura Micron pens. They use waterproof micropigments that don't bleed when you highlight over your writing.

Highlighters are fun! These add color to your notes and help emphasize the important things. If you want nice highlighters, I recommend Mildliners. Any highlighters will do, though - choose colors that appeal to you. I recommend several different colors, because that allows you to color-code your notes.

Plan!

Plan out, at least in a rough fashion, how you’d like to organize your  notes. This can be rather freeform, or complex, depending on your preference. 

When I began my astrology journey, I knew what sections I would include in my stars grimoire. I also created a rough map of the path I’d take in my research. 

I began with the simple Zodiac signs. I then moved forward through the planets, houses, aspects and transits. My organization, loose though it was, benefited from my use of a binder which allowed me to add and remove pages. 

No matter the notebook, it is important to have, somewhere, a rough idea of where you’re going.

You will also find it important to set attainable, realistic, and measurable goals. For me, this was things like memorizing the astrological house system. I set the goal of reading my astrology textbooks completely and summarizing them. This kind of goal leads to personal accountability.

I also created a set of astrological flashcards for my Tarot-related work. It can be motivational to post your goals on your studyblog in some form. Then, you can provide your followers with regular updates on your progress.

Start posting!

Once you feel ready, go ahead and introduce yourself to the studyblogging community! An introductory post, explaining who you are, your goals, and methods, will help others get to know you. 

I recommend tagging your posts with studyblogging hashtags (mentioned above). Also include some witchcraft-related tags! This will help you connect with other witches who might be helpful on your journey.

Don’t be shy when it comes to posting photographs (taken with a phone or other camera) of your notes! You might not feel that your notes are as neat or pretty as other bloggers. Regardless, they’re unique and might resonate with others!

If you’re taking notes about a very personal topic, like shadow work, you might want to forgo the pictures. Some bloggers obfuscate or blur potentially sensitive parts of their notes. You’ll likely find nothing but encouragement for sharing your research topics, though!

Some studybloggers will also photograph their study space. Some of us even use photos of fun things like their breakfast or pets to illustrate their updates. If pictures don’t suit you, post regular bits about your life and your progress towards your goals. 

Get to know other bloggers! This is important, whether they’re witches or from the studyblogging community. Both can be helpful! 

Watch or read some of the tutorials you’ll find in the studyblogging community. These focus on things like calligraphy, organization, and memory techniques. 

While your notes needn’t have fancy headings, calligraphy can be fun to learn. I don’t currently use calligraphy in my notes, but am learning it on the side, so to speak. 

I find it relaxing, and you might enjoy it too. If not, don't feel bad - not everyone uses fancy handwriting, and that's okay!

Moving Forward

If, after a few weeks, you find yourself really vibing with studyblogging, stick with it! Most witches would agree that there’s no real wrong way to be a witch. To me, though, there are wrong (and right) ways for you yourself to learn and grow in your craft. 

You need to find what works for you, what adheres to your soul and keeps you connected. If studyblogging ends up helping you, and I hope it will, keep going! 

After a while you might find yourself ready to move onto another topic. We all end up “graduating” forward onto other subjects. You’ll quickly find that your grimoires will be an invaluable record. 

They will contain not just your gathered information, but also your intuition, insight, and more. Cherish your notebooks - they will come to reflect your essence!

[paranaturalpop]

I rate your pnat ships by how well they work as foils

I’m Professor Pops, welcome to Literature 405: comparing and contrasting in pnat ships. Love is in the air but all that really matters is narrative symmetry!

Mina and Agent Day (submitted by @anxanhh)

two women on missions who need a confidante. 

Mina is a calculating woman of science with a tender, vulnerable heart deep down that she guards. Day is a fun, giggly love goddess but beneath the surface she is just as calculating.  

They are both focused on their prospective goals to the point of subterfuge. 

They have similar missions, to solve the many mysteries of Mayview, but they’re at odds instead of working together. Will these lone wolves learn to let their walls down and work towards a common goal? 

Their spectral energies are complementary colors!!!!!!!!!!!! 

9/10 so different yet so alike. They should kiss and also develop as people.

Spendcia

Where's that post about paranatural having what my hero academia wants?

These two had interacted in cannon only once before we found out they were dating, power move on Zack’s part

The cousinhood and the consortium seem to have bad blood…. Enemies to lovers????

As teachers, Garcia is tired and phoning it in while spender is energetic and committed. But when it comes to mystery solving Spender is burning himself out while Garcia keeps him grounded.

Garcia does things like pack spender lunches with little hearts drawn on the bag but was surprised to be called his boyfriend. He acts chill but inside he is deeply invested in spender but also knows about spender’s isolating tendencies. 

8/10 there's a reason these two have been off and on again for 6ish years, they’re walking a tightrope of vulnerability.

Imaax (submitted by Rubyya)

The Destiel of Paranatural. No I will not elaborate.

Here’s a pnat history lesson, the original ship name was Maxaac, but Zack weighed in on twitter with a much better alternative: Imaax. Also sometimes called Team Lightning Rod. 

Black and blue colors, just like the emotional bruises they leave on the people around them. 

Isaac wants to be seen as heroic and Max wants to be seen as aloof. It presents in different ways but deep down they both really care what other people think.

They both fear sincerity. Isaac protects himself with theatrics and Max with sarcasm. 

Isaac puts on a big show of having strong ethics but he’s a little mean on instinct. Max puts on a big show of cutting people down with his snark and devil-may-care attitude, but when push comes to shove he’s kind and cares how other people feel. 

Max immediately insults every person he meets and they still want to be best friends with him, while Issac tries so hard to be cool and nice but people just can’t stand him. 

The meta tension between Isaac, who wants so badly to be the protagonist, and Max “magnetic personally” Puckett who is exhausted with being the protagonist, is delicious. 

There’s a reason official art tends to portray them together. They bring out the best in each other. Isaac brakes through Max’s performative pessimism and Max brings Isaac down to earth. 

10/10 these two were written as a pair and it shows.

Suzabel (submitted by Rubyya)

One of my fav tropes is ‘enemies to friends’ where the enemy part is completely one-sided. Isabel probably thinks she and Suzy get along great. 

Both the heads of their respective clubs, but with very different leadership styles. 

Isabel only studies her grandfather's spectral style to please him and is a near master of it, while Suzy is incredibly self-motivated even though her actual skills are lacking. 

Isabel is at a crucial time in her life where she’s learning to distance herself from adult authority figures in order to take on more personal responsibility. Suzy is already blazing with independence and could help her adjust. 

Inversely, Isabel could teach Suzy a thing or two about treating your club members with respect and doing the emotional labor necessary to prevent future conflict. 

Red and pink! Valentines colors! 

Isabel could kill you but would never, Suzy would actually try to kill you. 

Investigative reporter/person living mysterious double life is a great dynamic.

Back when Izzy had Eightfold they had the ship name ‘Paper Girls’ which is awesome

7/10 Don’t ask me how I know this but they would kill at karaoke together. And they’re ok foils.

Bullymagnet

Max ‘too cool for clubs’ vs a boy who defines himself by his tight knit group. 

Max is learning to be less passive aggressive and johnny is learning to be less aggressive aggressive. 

Max’s entry to spectral life was when he injured Johnny and saw a shade of a doctopi on him, and Johnny's first shade was Max's doctopi after the hit ball game. 

Johnny refuses to commit to not bullying max anymore even though he really likes him, and max is working on being nicer but he’s still gonna be snarky with people even though they’re his friends. Old habits die hard. 

If he hadn't seen that shade, Max might have joined Johnny's gang. He has the style, the stunts, the snark. 

8/10 Just two bros whose lives are changing forever.

Isaac and Dimitri (submitted by Rubyya)

Here’s my pitch for a ship name: Brainstorm

Orange and blue are complementary colors. 

Isaac hurt Dimitri accidentally somehow. Hurting others accidentally is the central theme of chapter 5. 

Idealist/pragmatist is a classic dynamic

They both have relationships with their spirit partners that are rooted in fear. 

Dimitri’s self concept is overly dependent on his sense of intellectual superiority, and Isaac’s on ethical superiority. 

7/10 have not directly interacted in the comic yet but the narrative symmetry is there

Johnny and Isabel (submitted by Rubyya)

Burnhound Vs Shockadile

These two are natural leaders who know how to treat their friends with respect.

These jocks are both lethal weapons, but while Isabel is a master martial artist, Johnny is a passionate but blunt instrument.

They’re both going through similar identity crises.

Isabel is struggling to reconcile her violent and disciplined upbringing with a good, gentle heart and Johnny is trying to reconcile his violent and self-centered lifestyle with a developing respect and empathy for other people.

Johnny dies his hair red, so he would think it’s cool how Izzy emits a fiery red aura when excited.

8/10 there's a reason these two were the team leaders in the hit ball arch.

Violet and Lisa (submitted by Rubyya)

People have been theorizing about what kind of cryptid Lisa is since day one meanwhile Violet gives off big normie energy.

Lisa is very plugged into all the Mayview weirdness as the queen of the school underground, while Violet was the only person who thought to go get a teacher during the hit ball arch. Lisa was also the only one who really spoke openly about how something was clearly very wrong with Jeff, everyone else talked around it and played by the so called ‘rules’. Lisa’s secret brokering Vs. Violet’s ‘sunlight is the best disinfectant’ attitude presents two different approaches to trying to survive in a school run by a mysterious shadow organization within a town that contains several other mysterious shadow organizations.

“If you were, I’d have to be jealous too.” just two middle schoolers pinning over their crushes.

7/10 two girls against the world.

Isaac and Johnny

ship name: Firestorm?

Just 2 fiery redheaded mediums with anger management issues that command primal forces and wanna be best friends with max

Johnny chooses to have red spiky hair, Issac has had red spiky hair thrust upon him.

Both met Maxwell Pucket and decided they needed to change for the better.

I’ve said this before but Johnny and Issac have equal and opposite philosophies. Johnny doesn't care about the greater good, he just cares about a small group of people who he loves. Issac cares about the greater good, but can’t connect with individuals and ends up hurting them. Together they form one GoodTM boy.

Both their spirit partners want revenge on Spender. This spells trouble.

If there’s anyone to teach Isaac about unconditional friendship, it’s Johnny

Isaac has sworn off violence and Johnny worships at the altar of it.

9/10 they’ve only interacted in canon once so far but I’ve think we’ve got a big storm coming.

Suzy and Collin (submitted by Rubyya)

The Bakudeku of pnat. I will continue to not elaborate.

Suzy once stole Collin's phone which prompted Collin to try to cut her hair which prompted Suzy to stab Collin and at no point did either of them think to move to a different bus seat. As different as they are they are also very much the same.

Collin is the definition of mouth service (constantly disapproving of suzy’s antics but going along with it anyway.) while suzy is all action.

Despite their different attitudes they both seem genuinely passionate about the journalism club.

Fashion icons. Suzy’s sunglasses and legwarmers, Collins sweater vests and wrist bands, this duo could walk for Paris fashion week: middle school edition.

We’ve gotten an indication that Collin cares a lot about what Suzy thinks of him (taking off his wrist bands when she made fun of Max's) but we haven't gotten any sign yet that the feelings are mutual.

5/10 I think their story is yet to be told and we’ll get to know more about how they compare/contrast to each other in the future. Maybe brought on by Dimitri's betrayal?????

Cody and Isabel (Submitted by @a-bitchtm)

Cody is gay by WOG but that doesn't matter here since we are evaluating thematic compatibility, not romantic compatibility.

Red Vs. Blue

Izzy’s arch about stepping into her role as leader through communication and honesty contrasts Cody’s role as the secret class president. Izzy finally told Isaac the truth about the consortium, while Cody blatantly lied to max about being president.

Both seem to have generally good motivations and the skills/talent to back those motivations up.

Isabel is in the process of unlearning the ‘firm hand’ philosophy that she learned from her grandpa and Cody’s dad straight up tried to mind control him into murdering a toddler.

They were both taught to fall back on their capacity for violence and intimidation but those teachings conflict with the people they really want to be.

6/10 just two kids who are being led astray by authority figures trying to learn to be themselves.

Cody and Collin (Submitted by @gatortavern)

They both like vests.

Both beholden to blood thirsty predators

Collin is a journalist, Cody is a vampire/leader of the shadow government. It’s a huge power move on Cody’s part to hang out with Collin.

Cody’s support of his friends is enthusiastic while Collin would have you believe Suzy has kidnapped him.

4/10 they hang out for a reason but those reasons have yet to be fully developed

Isabel and Max (submitted by @Paranatural-goofiness)

They’re both people who have learned to put up walls to keep people out. Isabel through violence and intimidation, max through sarcasm and mockery. T

he other side of this is their mutual journey to let their walls down and connect with other people more genuinely, starting with each other.

Their search for acceptance and identity has led them both to become incredible athletes. Spectral fist martial arts = shred eagle stunts

As we saw in the hit ball game, Izzy faces things head on while Max is all about evasion. However we’ve seen how Izzy has actually learned to be evasive and guarded about her feelings while Max is a little more forthcoming.

8/10  Never has there been faster friends.

Isaac and Cody (submitted by Rubyya)

Drama kings

Isaac wants the likability Cody has.

Parallels of power: Isaac with power he didn't choose and cant control vs. Cody who also didn’t choose to have his power (elected), but wields it like an instrument.

Involuntary anime hair and involuntary glowing monster eyes

These two definitely both fall under the category of “lawful”.

I can see these two ending up on opposite sides of a conflict because they both have such rigid personal codes and an intense sense of duty.

I know I’ve been approaching almost all of these platonically but Isaac probably really wants a cool vampire boyfriend deep down

 7/10 Unstoppable force, meet immovable object. You two should watch anime together.

Hijack and PJ (submitted by @gatortavern)

They both wanna join the activity club so bad

Both have immature ideas about heroism and villainy. 

Both aspire to heroism while at the same time understanding that they aren't that yet and maybe never will be. 

They both, like many people in this comic, wanna be friends with max.  

5/10 Two supernatural babies who should play wii sports together

Stephen and Isaac (@Gatortavern)

Two boys who are easily overwhelmed

Lawful vs. chaotic

Isaac has enough secrets to give Stephen his conspiracy fix for a long time. 

In their own ways they both just want everything out in the open. 

Isaac is Stephen's dream, someone actually living a secret double life, and Stephen is Issac's dream, someone with a cool scar who would think he’s actually very interesting. 

5/10 these two are both very intense in their own way.

Johnny and Ed (Submitted by @theevilbrainman)

Two souls lost in the wind

Two people for whom friendship and loyalty is central to their character, and they’re both struggling with personal growth because of it. Johnny is afraid to change because his friends have always liked the person he already is, and Ed is struggling to even define himself outside of Isabel, the person he cares about the most. 

Both impulsive and uninhibited. 

They both live lives free from expectation. Johnny’s wild bully persona means no one is surprised by his antics or cruelty, while Grandpa Guerra doesn't really care if Ed takes up phantom fist like Isabel. He actually calls him a freeloader. Not having much expected of you can feel free but it’s also lonely and can warp your self-perception. 

6/10 these two crossed paths at exactly the right time.

I didn't cover every submission because even though only 9 people submitted you sent in 34 ships between you. Pnat’s fanbase is small but very dedicated. 

Honorable mentions: 

Johnny and clear sinuses, submitted by @gaul-the-unmitigated

Isaac and therapy, submitted by both @squidgeons and @somethingfishysgoingon

PJ and Johnny, submitted by @gatortavern, who seems to be under the impression that Johnny Would protect PJ and not destroy him just by breathing near him.

Day and Scabs, submitted by @gatortavern, because funny.

Special thanks to everyone who sent in ship between people who have never interacted in cannon, which was a lot of you. My eyes are opened now, so many possibilities.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Hello! If its okay, can I request headcanons for female Yuu/MC hugging the NRC staff members? Sorry if this doesn't make sense or if I didn't follow the rules correctly, but I hope this makes sense, I'm pretty bad with English😅. I love your writing by the way, keep it up!

But of course. The minor characters (Cheka, Chenya, etc.) and the NRC staff members are also fair game for requests.

Your English is perfectly okay, no worries!

I hope you continue to enjoy my writing.

***Warning:: spoilers for chapter 4 of the main story campaign in the Crowley headcanons.***

Curiouser and Curiouser...

Headmaster Dire Crowley

How very, very yasashii kind of you to give Crowley a hug.

That doesn’t mean he’s going to give you more food, nicer accommodations, less work, or more monthly spending money though.

It’s kind of odd for you to admit, but despite being useless at running the school and keeping its students safe, Crowley has become kind of a surrogate father for you.

It feels kind of reassuring when he hugs you back, using his talon-like hand to stroke your head and muttering to you that he appreciates all that you’re doing for both Night Raven College and the people within it.

It’s the most parental thing he has done besides being a deadbeat dad.

You tell him that you still won’t forgive him for abandoning you in Scarabia while he was off vacationing, and he flinches at the reminder.

After that, Crowley boots you out of his office.

Professor Divus Crewel

Your arms are barely just long enough to encompass all of Crewel and his massive fur coat.

He tells you to be careful to not dirty his expensive fur coat. When you let him go, he brushes himself off, as though you might be contagious with something, and inspects his outfit for visible specks of dust or dirt.

True to his name and reputation, Crewel does not hug back, and looks at you with a look of mild amusement instead.

“Is the little puppy eager for a treat?”

He thinks you’re trying to kiss up to him so he’s lenient with grading your assignments.

Crewel reminds you that exceptions will not be made for anyone as he taps his pointer against his hand. He advises that you scurry off back to your “litter” and study for the next exam.

Professor Mozus Trein

Despite how stern Trein looks, he is soft when it comes to his favorite things--that’s why Lucius is so pampered.

Good thing you’re one of his favorites (since you behave in class and try to keep the other first year dumbasses in line), otherwise he might have balked away from your touch and told you to go back to doing your work.

He relaxes his frown for a bit and attempts to smile.

His grip is not that hard--he is pretty old, after all, and pretty fragile.

He thanks you for the hug and mentions something about how you remind him of his two sons, who are now all grown up and have their own families...

His sons never visit him, so he only has Lucius and he NRC community to keep him company!

Coach Ashton Vargas

Vargas booms with laughter and claps your back, almost crushing you in his bear-like embrace.

Of course you’d want to hug him, he claims, because what kind of person wouldn’t want to get a piece of him and his massive muscles?

He offers to let you touch his biceps.

When you say no thank you and that you just wanted to give him a hug out of good will, he offers his muscular calves instead.

You say no again, and Vargas starts going off on this tangent about how the ladies in town can’t keep their hands off of him even at his current age, regaling you with stories of his physical accomplishments.

You excuse yourself before he talks your ear off.

Shopkeeper Sam

Cheery ol’ Sam accepts your hug with a gracious embrace, twirling you around as you do so.

He’s so light on his feet, it feels like you’re flying!

Before you know it, your simple hug has become an elaborate dance across the floor of his shop.

Somehow, Sam guides you in such a way that you never trip over your own feet or his, or over anything on the floor. It feels like becoming one with the shadows--and it’s a weirdly magical experience.

Sam says you should drop by the shop more often just to say hi--and who knows, maybe he can slip you a candy or something with your purchase.

He departs with a wink and a wave, cheery as ever.

[kosakashuntaro]

for some reason, i became obsessed with this irrelevant filler character from izumi tsubaki’s lesser known series, oresama teacher. he’s consistently forgotten by fans and ranked 2nd to last out of the student council members, but despite that, i still think he’s a great and well-written character. also, he’s super cute!

and so without futher ado— here’s my stupidly long lovemail/analysis of shuntaro kosaka. a pure 1.5k word ramble about my favorite boy!

kosaka first appears in chapter #43, introduced alongside the rest of the student council members. he’s in class 1-3, the same as yukioka komari. the first major scene we see him in is him having a bad relationship with fellow council member, kanon nonoguchi.

not gonna lie, i forgot this scene existed and i don’t like it since he touches her forcefully. it’s a setup for their relationship later on, though. at this point, kosaka and nonoguchi are both closed off and cold towards each other; aside from their animosity towards each other from their interactions, they have their own personal issues for not being good with interacting with others. nonoguchi has her problems with men stemming from childhood and kosaka just seems bad at understanding how to act properly with people in general.

kosaka’s main arc is the student festival arc, where he plays the villain, but honestly, he’s just cringy as fuck in it. i think it’s good in that it shows how damn extra he is, though-- imo, he’s the most realistically extra of the characters. he’s a 15 year old kid who thinks he’s smart just ‘cause he gets good test scores. of course he’s going to be that bitch who smiles sneakily and thinks of himself as the grandmaster of the chess game, even when his partner in crime, kawauchi, knew all along of his betrayal plan.

we don’t see much of his motivations or personality in the student festival arc as it focuses mainly on okegawa and kawauchi. all we know so far is that he’s smart, manipulative, and sneaky. seems like a typical bad guy.

until the last chapter of the arc, #51. for the first time, we see the previously cool (lol) and cunning kosaka shuntaro... nervously fretting over how to kneel in apology to his superior, miyabi hanabusa.

we learn that kosaka is obsessively reliant on instruction manuals, ever since his childhood. he’s ridiculously good at studying and always gets first place in tests at school. however, he can’t cope with unexpected changes at all. everything has to go exactly to plan or else he comes up with a different approach to completing the original plan, that isn’t always appropriate for the situation.

he’s perfectly confident in interacting with people-- that’s obvious enough throughout the student festival arc--, but he’s bad at interpreting things on the fly, once again, prone to saying things inappropriate to the time and place. kosaka has to do things in order, step-by-step, otherwise he can’t proceed.

a while back, there was a post that talked about him being autistic. to be honest, i never considered this earlier (as in a few years ago, when i first started liking him a lot). but reading back, he really is strongly coded as such, i think. so frankly, the reason i like him might be a more personal reason, but... anyway.

like with the other student council members, miyabi helps him relax and feel better, guiding him to be more carefree and open. i have mentioned this a few times, but i think it’s really wonderful that miyabi basically helped out a bunch of kids with mental issues when their problems might’ve looked small or stupid from the outside. this is also brought up in chapter #104 during the hayasaka arc, where mafuyu and hayasaka both contact him for information about miyabi. he basically says that miyabi got him to join the student council because he was worried about kosaka’s personality and wanted to stay near him for help. 

honestly, kosaka is probably the one who’s most grateful to miyabi (outside of nonoguchi?) simply because he recognizes his own issues. there’s a reason why he’s the only student council member whose face you can’t see during the scene where miyabi graduates; he’s the only one of the guys who cry.

kosaka’s problem is that he can’t cope with his plans going off at all, so miyabi sends him to prank mafuyu. even though he tries to get her by making many elaborate plans, he eventually learns to just attack without plan. it ends with him stuck in a ditch and miyabi unexpectedly pranking kosaka himself.

here we see kosaka’s first genuine smile. and it’s beautiful!!! he’s a sweetheart!!! i think that the story of kosaka could’ve worked even without the student festival arc, but that establishes him as an dramatic kid who’s super smart and cunning-- and here we see him just relax for once, and be truly happy.

after this, there aren’t any more kosaka focused chapters. however, he does appear once in a while, usually with the other student council members. (he’s in the very next chapter using yui’s equipment to cross the lake. but since he usually feeds the fish, they all come to him for food...)

kosaka's bad relationship with nonoguchi is reiterated in nonoguchi's arc, chapter #71 where she beats him up for saying that all girls want a prince. it's a stereotypical thing to say either way, but nonoguchi's response about "men wanting to be princelike is self-serving" is more due to her own issues rather than about kosaka in particular. anyway, this is just to highlight that at this point, they both still have their own problems and don't get along.

the next time we see him is during the school trip arc, where, although he’s still being far too overprepared by carrying too much luggage, he seems to be getting along with his class very well. kosaka organizes his class’s schedule and accommodates for changes on the fly (when his teacher wanted to stay longer to see the sea otters), even if it annoys him a bit. it’s an improvement! he’s able to assume a role where his pedantically organized personality is a benefit. mafuyu also notes that both he and ayabe have become more carefree and open with others, with kosaka becoming “the center of class 4″.

i think this chapter, #82, is also the first time kosaka talks about yukioka. since yukioka doesn’t talk to anyone aside from miyabi, he had never heard her voice despite being a close friend. there’s not really any significance to them being besties (does there need to be?), but it does show his sense of responsibility for others since he basically takes care of her. he has more scenes with yukioka in various arcs, mostly in the miyabi graduation arc where he helps protect yukioka from aki.

speaking of that arc, like the other student council members, he gets something precious to him stolen. in this case, it’s the books that he always reads. we find out that he’s actually surprisingly good at drawing from memory despite him believing he doesn’t know how to draw without instructions. this may be partially may be some juxtaposition of him truly being ‘creative’ even though his methods are so ‘academic/scientific’ (even though i don’t believe ‘drawing well’ is what ‘creativity’ is). in my opinion, this represents his progress in general. it’s probably not just art/drawing, but he’s actually gotten better at doing most things without manuals without realizing or being aware of it.

this idea is also expanded upon with the protection of yukioka i mentioned earlier. because kosaka doesn’t have his books, he doesn’t act so formal and is instead more forceful and ‘manly’, making it easier for him to communicate with classmates. by the way, kosaka’s actually popular with the girls in his class (shown in school trip arc 1-koma), but doesn’t realize it because he can’t understand things not directly stated. what a guy...

here is a short break to talk about kawauchi. i think their relationship is hilarious. from kawauchi getting him to dig holes to kawauchi stealing his math books... i feel really sorry for kosaka, but it’s so funny... he just can’t escape him. even in the very last student council saga arc, it was kawauchi behind the scenes all along...

really they’re two characters who are heavily associated with each other and yet... i don’t think kawauchi’s relationship with kosaka says anything about his personality since kosaka was such a one-bit character during the majority of the arc where they interacted (plus kawauchi is awful to everyone). all kawauchi did was give kosaka more trust issues and broke his phone. i feel kinda mean for saying this but it’s so funny how he caused kosaka to be absolutely terrified of delinquents.

honestly kosaka like... doesn’t have a reason to be associated with kawauchi beyond the student festival event. imo it’s just a way for tsubaki to make kosaka relevant or appear once in a while since the other character he’s associated with (yukioka) got a boyfriend and doesn’t appear as often (kawauchi’s common appearances is due to his surprising popularity with fans).

enough about kawauchi though, we’re finally at the end of this long and loving post. at the conclusion of the miyabi graduation arc, the very first conflict of kosaka shown is finally resolved: he’s made up with nonoguchi!

i really love this scene so much!!! i know it’s kinda just a set-up for the next joke, but tsubaki still dedicated over a page just to nonoguchi and kosaka, so it’s genuine to me! it’s so lovely to see that nonoguchi and kosaka have both resolved their own issues with the help of miyabi and the public morals club. they both acknowledge that they weren’t the best in the past, but now they can become friends... this is a relationship that’s been developing in the background of oresama teacher for over 80 chapters... it makes me so happy that tsubaki gave a resolution to it in the end. she truly does care about all her characters no matter how unpopular they are, and i love her for that.

(by the way, i just found out that this can badge released in the same year as the miyabi graduation arc. they’re so cute!)

the story of kosaka and the student council as a whole ends here. everyone’s finally improved, and they’re all happy... people say “oresama teacher has no plot”, but there’s so much to the story of the student council. if i can write so much about one minor character who rarely appears, i think there’s plenty of plot and plenty to say about the others.

that’s all i have to say on this topic for now.

actually, i started writing this back in 2019 but i forgot about it until recently. my thoughts haven’t changed, though... i hope this post shines some light on why i like kosaka and tsubaki so much. to be honest, though, i’d probably just say that he’s sooo cute and i wanna protect that sweet smile of his... my 174 cm tall son.

[nikosarc]

break my soul in two looking for you (but you’re right here)

hello here’s a silent knight drabble because i’m weak. pls be nice i’ve never written for neo and the last time i wrote for jaune was a thousand years ago, it’s not good but i did my best dammit. title comes from the song coney island by taylor swift.

It was getting a bit too crowded in the belly of this demon whale for Neo’s liking. Salem’s faction had already been larger than the mute girl had been anticipating. That in itself was irritating – going from Cinder’s partner to another cog in Salem’s machine, an “asset” didn’t sit right with Neo. Then came the young boy Salem called “Ozma.” Neo had to shut her ears and eyes to his torture on a daily basis. She’d give the kid this – his will was strong.  

Next one of the guys she’d fought when she’d stolen the relic – which she still hasn’t gotten credit for by the way - the one with black hair she’d tricked by turning into the ginger girl. That had been entertaining for a brief moment, but he’d been alone so it made for an easy takedown. He was being held elsewhere – alive, for now as incentive to make the boy talk, but that could change given recent developments.  

Recent developments being the newest addition to the whale. The blonde one. For some reason she’d pegged him as being smarter than his teammate. Neo was perceptive, it was her specialty, actually. She could tell the black-haired boy was weak mentally, emotionally, that was why she targeted him, and it was why, she’d wager, he came here impulsively looking for his kidnapped comrade and perhaps the relic.  

She didn’t think anyone else would be stupid enough to follow, not alone anyways, but then came this one. He’d put up a better fight, but he couldn't take on even the lowest of Salem’s underlings, not by himself.  

And she was his babysitter. Mercury was watching the other one and Hazel was probably keeping an eye on the child, probably eagerly awaiting his next approval to beat the kid to a pulp. And maybe they were delighting in their tasks, but Neo was bored. She couldn’t exactly tease or mouth off to him. Well, she could, but it wasn’t like he’d understand her. So they just...stared at each other. Or rather, she stared. He’d glance up at her with eyes full of contempt every so often but for the most part he seemed content to stare up at the ceiling or down in his lap. But she studied him with watchful eyes.  

He was quiet, pensive. Probably thinking of an escape plan for himself and his comrades. He was a smart guy, surely he realized Salem didn’t need two reasons to convince the kid to talk. Kill one while he watches to show him her threat is serious; Oscar would be willing to do anything to protect the one left alive. Their window was closing fast, and he must realize that, but Neo also knew these boys had plenty of other friends who could come to their aid if they were stupid enough.  

And attachments certainly had a way of making people stupid.  

He was still as a statue for the most part, the only subtle movements he made every so often occurred when he rubbed the fabric of his scarlet sash between his fingers. The bright red stood out against the darkness of the rest of his outfit and the pristine white of his armor like a sore thumb. The longer she stared at it, the more a memory itched at the back of her mind.  

A girl with fire-engine-red hair and a sash around her waist to match. She’d carried her team throughout the Vital tournament, Neo remembered, though she’d never gotten the pleasure of fighting her. She’d been Cinder’s pawn, the spark that would be used to ignite the world. She’d met her fate – her destiny – that night.  

He was one of her teammates, the sash must have been hers. Neo wasn’t the only one who lost someone when Beacon fell, it seemed, and she wasn’t the only one who still carried a piece of them with her. The thought was enough to make the small woman unconsciously reach up, her fingers ghosting over the velvety brim of her hat – Roman's hat. She frowned, the color draining slightly from each of her heterochromatic eyes, and when she looked back up she was horrified to learn that the tables had turned. He was now staring at her. If the realization in his cerulean eyes was anything to go by, Neo would wager he’d put two and two together.  

She glared at him, color and intensity returning to her eyes. She didn’t want his pity, and he sure as shit wasn’t getting any from her.  

“You really cared about him, didn’t you?” His voice was hoarse – with emotion, misuse, or weariness, she couldn’t tell, nor did she care enough to find out.  

Believing he wouldn’t understand her anyway, she answered via sign language. “He was my only friend” her scowl deepened as she went on. “And your friend killed him.”  

His deep blue eyes shifted from moderate compassion to confusion to anger in a matter of moments. She didn’t register what that must mean until after he’d already said “Guess that makes us even, then” in a bitter voice.  

Neo froze. A moment passed before she shook off her surprise and signed, “You understand me?”

Some of the anger left his eyes as he replied calmly, “My sister taught me a little.” He didn’t elaborate, and Neo found herself wanting to ask, but first she felt the need to defend herself.  

“Cinder is not my friend.”

“Coulda fooled me.”  

Neo frowned. “She’s not. We just want the same thing.”

He was silent for a moment. She could see him translating in his head but even after that there was a noticeable pause. “Revenge.” He nods, and Neo bristled slightly at the idea that this guy thinks he’s got her all figured out. “It won’t change anything. It won’t - won’t bring him back.”

Neo glared daggers at him. Maybe not, but it’s all I have left. She didn’t dare sign those words, but the look on his face told her that he was reading her like an open book, and she quickly looked away, not wanting to see the sympathy in his eyes. She didn’t want it – didn't deserve it. When she went to sleep at night, she had dreams about murdering his friend, why on earth would he look at her like that?

“And even if it did, Ruby didn’t kill him.”  

She gave him a sharp look at that, and if looks could kill he’d already be dead. Did he think she was stupid? Some dumb little girl that didn’t know how to enact revenge properly? Ruby was the last person to see Roman alive before he died. Whatever happened up there, it was her fault he was gone.  

“I know she’s my friend and I’m sure you think I’d say anything to defend her, but you can trust me when I say Ruby’s not like that. She’s all about protecting life, she’d never kill anyone.”  

She scoffed at that. Trust me. Neo didn’t trust anyone – the only person she’d ever extended that courtesy to was dead. What had this golden-haired stranger with his earnest ocean eyes and sincere voice done to earn her trust?  

There was silence for a moment and then, “From what she told me,” he began, sounding, for all accounts, like he was simply thinking out loud. “He got swallowed by a grimm.”  

That statement hung in the air for a moment, the implications of that fact not lost on either of them. They both knew who controlled the grimm, and they both knew who was there that night that served her.  

Neo had no reason to believe him – or Ruby. But an annoying voice in the back of her head reminded her that she had no reason to believe Cinder, either. She’s been here long enough to see how things – these people – worked. Salem wrapped her followers up in her honeyed words and grand promises. She was manipulative and Cinder was molded in her image.  

Neo huffed and turned away from Jaune before crossing her arms. She didn’t want to think about this. She was fine where she was, she was on her way to getting what she wanted, who did this boy think he was to come in here and put doubts in her mind?

She could hear him shift behind her, getting up from his place on the ground she’d wager. She tensed, wondering if he was going to try and fight his way out again, but then he spoke gently. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, Neopolitan.” He called, and she uncrossed her arms, some of the anger leaving her.  

She didn’t know what compelled her to do so, but she turned around and signed. “Just Neo.”  

There was a pause, and he looked like he was thinking before he signed “I’m sorry, Neo.”  

Neo blinked in surprise. All this time they’d been able to communicate because he understood her language – and that in itself was rare – but here he was reaching out to her using her language. The last person who’d bothered to do that for her was Roman.  

What is this guy’s game?

He was playing her, he had to be. She’d thought he was planning an escape, and this must be it. Get inside her head, plant doubts so she’d slip up and let him go while he left her with the fallout when Salem inevitably found out. Well, Neo wasn’t stupid enough to fall for it. She marched up to him, her eyes vibrant and defiant as they glared at him defiantly. She stopped maybe a foot from him, glaring up at him, he was well over a foot taller than she was, but she didn’t care. “I know what you’re doing and it’s not gonna work.”

His eyes looked sad then, and she realized much to her chagrin that he felt sorry for her. “I can’t tell you what to do, Neo,” he said sincerely, and suddenly Neo could feel the fight leaving her. She deflated; her glare retreated leaving eyes that looked almost as sad as his. “But I can tell you that you deserve better than this place and these people.”  

Their eyes met once more before he turned away from her, leaving Neo alone with her thoughts again.  

Except the only thought that came to her was whether or not his inevitable escape attempt would be successful. Why she felt a tiny glimmer of hope in the back of her mind that he would be, she couldn’t say. Or didn’t want to.

[life-0r-death]

(so this is technically two different templates, but I couldn’t resist the part two. shoutout to @the-kings-of-games and @asix-oud for inspiring me to do this)

Character Profiles:

Jack Atlas - 20, blonde, 6' (anime height I think) “No one loves like Jack Atlas!”

Yusei Fudō - 18, raven with gold highlights, 5'7″ - “Jack it’s alright--”

How it happened:

Growing up together in the same orphanage under Martha’s care, both Jack and Yusei developed a bond of brotherly affection toward one another that they also shared with their third brother, Crow. However, as they got older, Yusei started to realize his feelings for Jack were anything but brotherly. With his growing adoration, he slowly tried to feel out how Jack felt, slowly implying that he had more love to give. It took Jack well after the Fortune Cup, and deep in the WRPG to realize that Yusei had affections for him. And that he returned them. Unintentionally, the two kissed and the rest was history.

Showing affection:

Both Jack and Yusei take initiative when it comes to affection. However, Jack is more of a wild card on whether or not he wants to provide verbal affection or a physical one. Often, Jack will either smirk at Yusei and tell him he’s a dream or he’s his knight in shining armor (This tends to turn Yusei quite red). Or, Jack will pull Yusei into a hug no matter where they are, just to hold him in his arms.

Yusei is all about non-verbal affection. He holds Jack, kisses him, gets him things, or just takes care of him as he needs to. Yusei finds that he never has the right words to tell Jack of how he feels, so a kiss and a hug are his better applications.

Handling Conflict:

More often than not, many of their conflicts revolve around Jack. Whether that be to duel, go out and visit Martha, or the strain of Jack’s worries on Yusei’s health and his own flighty nature, Jack is usually the most vocal on his distastes. He’s one to yell sharply and angrily before taking time away to cool down. He has a fight or flight response and his motions are to verbally fight and then flee. Yusei understands Jack’s needs to just be alone. He is not one to give chase (unless he absolutely needs to).

Yusei is the most neutral. Depending on the fight, he can range from just listening and helping to resolve it, or he can be just as stubborn as Jack, silently seething and also removing himself from the source. 

They usually come back to one another eventually, though, and kiss and make up.

Dealing with jealousy:

Both Yusei and Jack are prone to jealousy as both are quite popular in their inner circles. Jack is often seen by his fans who love to latch onto him and ask for his hand in marriage. Yusei’s jealousy certainly spikes, but he doesn’t let it overtake him. He usually just requires a bit more attention after the source departs, whether that be cuddling or Jack just being in the same space while he works on a duel runner.

When Jack becomes jealous, he’s just as eccentric as he normally is. He’s loud and in faces, grabbing Yusei and practically dragging him away or making sure that Yusei knows he’s there. There are no if, ands, or buts about it. Yusei will give him the affection he deserves and whatever the source may be, alive or inanimate, they will feel his wrath. 

Relationship Attitude:

When it comes to their relationship, Yusei holds it near and dear, performing all sorts of PDA and making sure Jack knows just how much he loves him. To Yusei, he spent too much time hiding his feelings, playing it safe, and watching Jack run off to become King all alone (when Yusei wanted nothing more than to be his Knight). He had to watch as Jack never understood his advances, watched as Jack would be harmed from the forces that came after them. Yusei had even gotten to the point that he would always appreciate Jack from afar, but know he’d never have him in his grasp. But once Jack admitted feelings for him too, Yusei made an oath to never hide his feelings again. So he devotes everything to Jack, understands Jack’s own fears and anxieties, and puts their relationship above all other projects. A duel runner can be fixed another day. Jack’s tears? Those need to be attended to now.

Jack is just as devoted to their relationship. Hell, he thinks about marriage at times. But he doesn’t perform as much PDA nor does he express how important it is to him as much as Yusei does. He does this for two reasons; one, Yusei obviously initiates it all. Jack doesn’t need to start any PDA since Yusei will begin it on his own. And Jack doesn’t need to overthrow Yusei with adoration since Yusei seems happy enough to give it mostly to him. The second reason Jack is a bit more reserved is because he has a hint of anxiety for their relationship. He’s always been a flighty man, ducking out when something was getting too much. He fears if something should go wrong, then he’d need that escape path to make sure Yusei doesn’t crash and burn. 

But both of them are rather happy in their relationship, usually talking about their fears and loyalties in the dead of night.

Attachment:

Each person toes the line depending on their emotions. But they are quite heavily attached to one another. Jack is not overly-protective nor is he hyper lax, and he does value his independence a bit more. This goes back to his flighty nature that should he need to run, he needs that space to get going. But this doesn’t mean he doesn’t adore Yusei.

Yusei doesn’t mind indepence or clinging. He’s just happy to be in Jack’s bubble or to just be in his thoughts. Yusei is, however, quite protective of Jack. Watching his man be flung from his duel runner too often has boosted this feral need to just keep him safe, as well as make sure Jack is never taken advantage of again. So Yusei is pretty quick to do research on events, offer up to go with, and generally make sure Jack is going to be okay.

Things to elaborate upon...

First to confess - both sort of did it at the same time. Yusei never really outwardly confessed until Jack sort of gave him this notion and feeling that they felt something similar. So they both openly told one another than they loved each other.

More popular/charismatic - both are held in high regard, Jack with his fanbase and Yusei with their inner circle as with the City for being the King (since he de-throned Jack).

Sick caregiver - both are pretty on even ground to take care of one another. Jack makes Yusei soups and foods, making sure he stays away from the duel runners to actually rest. Yusei pets Jack, gets him water, and is a constant by his side.

Does the cooking - Jack does it all. He’s a baker, having honed the skill while under Godwin’s foot and locked within his penthouse. When he wasn’t dueling, he was committing his time to something that distracted him long enough to feel alive. So he’s known as the chef in their household, and everyone loves his food.

Does the cleaning - since Jack does all the cooking, Yusei takes it upon himself to do the cleaning. He’s pretty good at making sure all of his tools are set and ready in the garage, so he makes sure those habits follow him into the house (and Jack isn’t too messy to begin with, he’s actually quite organized and proper).

Does most of the speaking - Not that Yusei doesn’t talk, he just lets Jack speak for him. Especially when he’s hands deep in a duel runner. Jack knows what’s on his mind, or knows what he likes to eat or drink, so he lets his man take care of him in his own ways. Plus, Yusei is pretty lax on requested subjects, like what they’d wear to some party. Jack cares about that stuff, so Yusei lets him talk for both of them.

Designated driver - Now, Yusei is deemed this because he is also overprotective. He doesn’t want Jack crashing, so if they have to go somewhere and both don’t have to have their runners, Yusei will be the one to drive and make sure his King makes it in one piece.

Has good penmanship - Jack knows cursive from his time with Godwin. Martha taught both him and Yusei a lot in the orphanage, but cursive and clean writing weren’t the top priorities. Just know how to read and write were. So, Jack honed this skill not only because he wanted to, but because he had to. In order to appear like he was actually from the Tops, he had to be able to write signatures elegantly.

Has more experience in a relationship - neither do. They’ve only ever pined for one another, or never thought about romantic interests or advancements. So this is their one and only relationship.

Sensitive to subtle changes in partner - both are excellent at this. Yusei is already hyper aware of Jack constantly. He knows when he’s feeling a bit more agitated or when he’s on edge. Jack isn’t as honed as Yusei, but he knows what each facial expression and silent grunt means. He’s studied them for a long time, and honestly, Jack and Yusei never have to use words to communicate how they are feeling.

The one who proposes - Yusei will want to, will plan for it and will be sure its a fanfare (as by Jack’s request). But the world will decide that he’s now allowed to, either making him too busy or stealing his attention away constantly at the perfect moments (or more enemies appearing out of the woodwork to ruin his plans). So, in the end, it will be Jack who sets up some sort of extravagant world around them, getting down on his knee and holding Yusei’s hand with a simple yet beautiful wedding band ready to slip on his finger.

(if you want specifics on part 2, send asks! Otherwise, thanks for reading! You can find a lot of these dynamics in my fics on AO3 <3)

[maine-writes]

Vonvon's Space Adventure, Part 3

Another resplendent scene of Beach City. The azure waves crashed upon the golden sand, darkening it to an earthy hue. Steven and Connie eagery awaited the crystalline vessel descending from the atmosphere. Its ivory body glimmered in the sun, its strking eyes looking ever onward toward the horizon. To them at least, their darling child's weekend went without a hitch. But little did they know of the horrors that transpired on a distant world.

It began on a Saturday.

"So, where are we going again?" Vonvon asked.

Shortly after waking up from a rather restless night, Vonvon was brought aboard White Diamond's ship; a massive, crystalline upper torso. All they were told was that the Diamonds had prepared a "game" of sorts. After all, children enjoy games, at least that was what Spinel told the Diamonds.

White Diamond sat in her command chair, supervising her bridge crew. The central viewscreen above was focused on a strange alien world. White clouds swirled around the northern hemisphere, a vast ocean covered a majority of the planet, which had only three major landmasses.

"Vonvon." said the Diamond, directing their attention to the planet. "This was Exoplanet D-23, one of Blue's. Despite initial findings, she deemed the planet unfit for full colonization."

"So what happened to it?"

"She decided to use it as an educational facility. Gems under her supervision were sent here for training." She continued. "This was once a place where Sapphires would go to learn proper etiquette and learn how to decipher their visions. If I remember correctly, the Sapphire you are familiar with spent some time here herself."

When the ship landed, Vonvon looked out an idyllic, tropical landscape. To their surprise, the seas were relatively shallow, no deeper than several meters. There were extremely deep pools, however, which were noticably darker as their depths descended deep into the limestone below. Strewn all across the landscape were sandbars and the occasional solid landmasses, with crystalline trees sprouting out from them. The combination of the warm sun and salty breeze refreshed Vonvon's little body.

They then looked to the distance, spotting great spires on the horizon. These were once the courts of Blue Diamond, where countless Gems would congregate and speak on matters and events from across the great dominions of Homeworld. These were places of culture and refinement.

"What do the Gems there do now?" Vonvon inquired.

"Whatever they desire, dear." Said the Diamond. "Blue still occasionally holds court here, mostly to hear about what they've experienced."

The child wondered if they were going to meet with these Gems. But it seemed as if the Diamonds had another idea.

White led Vonvon to a massive, dome-shaped construct that stood on crystalline pillars in the water. Inside, they were greeted by a crew of Gems and the other two Diamonds.

"Welcome to a Gem warfare command center." Yellow Diamond said, visibly excited for the day's activity.

"Command center?" Vonvon wondered.

"According to our studies on what sort of games human child enjoy," Yellow explained, "We've decided on allowing you an opportunity to command a small army for war games. Blue, White, and I will be commanding our own forces, while you try to take our command centers."

The Diamonds led the child to their small, human-sized command chair in the center of the room. It was elevated over a crew of diligently working Gems, who were making their final preparations and communications checks.

"Are the Gems okay with this?" Vonvon sheepishly asked.

"As you know, with the beginning of Era 3, Gems are free to pursue whatever lifestyles they desired." Blue Diamond assured them. "Some, however, didn't know what to do with themselves and so we organized a number of activities for them."

"Does Papa know about these sort of games?"

"W-Well, no." White Diamond said. "Your mother suggested that we not tell him of her idea."

Vonvon wasn't at all surprised that their mother suggested that militaristic Gems take part in these war games. But they did wonder if she took part in any herself. The more they thought about it, they began to wonder about the large rolls of paper that Connie kept hidden in the broom closet that somewhat resembled battle plans.

Vonvon was given an hour to prepare their forces as the Diamonds left for their command centers. The game seemed easy enough, command units to capture bases, and only after capturing all their bases can forces move on the command center. Units included artillery, cavalry, armored, infantry, logistical support, and air support.

As the Diamonds left, Vonvon excitedly waved them good-bye, joined by Spinel. But as soon as the doors closed, the child's demeanor instantly changed.

"Alright, Spinel show me what we have to work with."

Outside of the command center, Vonvon's grand army awaited. As soon as they saw the child, the thunderous echo of hundreds of Gems standing at attention and giving the child the old Homeworld salute filled the air.

"Good morning, General!" Said hundreds of voices.

Vonvon donned a pair of violently outlandish and dramatically pink visors, as pointy as they were outrageous, as they took a deep breath.

"Smell that, Spinel?" They said as they popped a lollipop in their mouth. "Smells like a good day for war."

Little did the Diamonds know, Connie had trained her child for this day. Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, Chess, Risk, Monopoly, years of playing strategy games and dealing with Connie's competitiveness were about to pay off.

"I wonder what Vonvon did all weekend." Steven said as he and his wife watched White Diamond's ship descend from the upper atmosphere.

As the door at the front of giant crystal torso opened up, the pair were greeted by Vonvon and White Diamond, the former decorated in military medals, flashy regalia, and a flowing, dramatic cape.

"Mama! Papa!" Vonvon laughed as they ran to their parents.

Steven was relieved everything seemed to have gone well, but wondered about Vonvon's strange outfit.

"Had a fun weekend?" He asked, looking up to White Diamond.

"Oh, absolutely!" She assured him as Yellow and Blue Diamond emerged from the ship. "They're a regular chip off the old Gem!"

"They remind me of myself when I was newly emerged." Yellow Diamond added, wiping an emotional tear from her eye.

"Huh?" Steven asked. "What did you guys do all weekend?"

"Pretty sure they just played games, hun." Connie quickly interjected.

"Like Battleship?"

"Sure."

While Steven was distracted with an excited little Vonvon, who was babbling what sounded like nonsense, Blue Diamond caught Connie's attention.

"They caused a little damage in their first battle." She whispered to Connie. "So our usual game will have to be postponed until the repairs are finished."

"What game?" Steven inquired, curious as to what the two were talking about.

"Chess." Connie said.

"Chess? I didn't know Blue played chess."

"You child is surprisingly sharp." Blue said, consciously failing to mention the sea of carnage they left on the distant world. "How was the colony?"

"W-Well..." Steven began as a distant, orange dot appeared in the distance.

Slowly, the dot came closer, changing into a large, humanoid shape.

"Steven!" Jasper yelled as she approached. "I formally request that you expla-!"

Vonvon noticed both Steven and Connie sigh while the Diamonds looked on in both confusion. They then had an idea.

"Jasper Facet-9 Cut-1T4!" They barked.

The big, buff Quartz stiffened up, straightened her back, and crossed her arms in salute.

"What is the meaning of this insubordination?!" They continued.

"I-It is not insubordination!" Jasper explained. "As Steven's bodyguard, I only wanted to do my duty and prove that I am as capable as Connie!"

"Elaborate."

"I simply request an explanation for what Connie can do for Steven that I cannot."

"Oh, that's a good question." Vonvon innocently noted. "You are a big, strong Gem. Mama can swordfight, but I don't think she can crush rocks with a headbutt."

Everyone, including the Diamonds, looked to Steven and Connie, waiting for an explanation. They could feel everyone's gaze piercing their souls, unblinking, unwavering.

"I'll handle this." Garnet announced, appearing without explanation. As she whispered something to Jasper, the big, orange Gem glanced over at Steven and Connie, then down to Vonvon.

"That's disgusting!" She screamed.

"It's what humans do." Garnet shrugged. "Rose did it."

Jasper struggled to process the information she was given. She then approached Connie.

"You survived what Pink Diamond could not." She said, deflated. "You truly are more capable than me."

Fortunately, Vonvon and the Diamonds weren't curious enough to ask Garnet about what she told Jasper. But more importantly, Jasper wasn't going to bother Steven or Connie again.

@artsycooky13