#this isn’t out of any personal experience

[kianamaiart]

Hello ! I'm currently in art school with the goal of becoming a storyboard artist, and while I still have a few years before I graduate, I'm trying to plan out for my future a little – I was wondering if your job is entirely remote or if you have employers who prefer you to be present ? Also how quickly were you able to get in the industry, did it take you several years before being able to support yourself as a freelancer ? I hope this is okay to ask. Thank you for being an inspiration !

It was fully in person pre-2020 and since about 2022 we’ve been required to come in at least sometimes. I think in 2023 Disney wanted us to come in 3 times a week. So we’re technically hybrid now but I go in everyday if I can! There’s a lot of productions that are fully remote just so studios can save money on office space. It’s hard to say if employers care where you are at this point (I know our production does at least a little bit these days) but working remotely isn’t out of the question. Also moving to LA for a very unstable industry is scary so it’s understandable why people wouldn’t want to. I will mention though that if you get a union gig TAG only covers LA residents (?) so I’d be weary of that if you’re wanting insurance and protections.

I’ve talked about it a lot before but I got lucky in that I was hired by disney for my storyboarding position right after my junior year at CCA. They had just found me on twitter and I did their sb test then dropped out of school after they hired me. Prior to that I’d done some freelance character design for a video game and a comic book pitch during my sophomore/junior year. I didn’t have any tva experience outside of doing a test for We Bare Bears earlier that year.

I put a lot of my eggs in the “really get your social media presence up and show what you can do��� basket and it luckily worked out for me.

Everyone’s story is vastly different though! I came in at a time where social media and the industry was popping so I won’t deny there was a lot of lucky timing on my end.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

RIDDLE DREAM SPOILER‼️‼️‼️

Lmao, why is his dream just...

"Quit your job"

"Why?"

"Join my emo band!"

(No but honestly, its a bit cute that, Riddle, in all his seriousness and rules sticking, still seemed to choose a more alt way to dress in his dream, like he still wants to rebel in some way. It was a plot twist in a way since many may have thought that Riddle would have cranked up on his authoritarian ways all the way to eleven, and yet his dream is silly, like all the other house warden's dreams seemed to be more serious in a way and showed off one aspect that we knew off, Leona's low self esteem and Azul wanting to completly overwrite his past, but Riddle wasn't quite that, we knew of his want for rebelion, but his dream wasn't full anarchy, it was just... rebelling in the small ways)

(Sorry for any misspelling, english isn't my native lenguage)

[You can read my thoughts on the book 7 chapter 12 part 3 update here!]

I just saw that meme on Twitter with Riddle and Cater 😭

I was shocked by Riddle’s new look in the dream… It’s close to alt fashion in the west, but I believe it is supposed to be Japanese visual kei. All that black… I don’t know, I don’t think dark eye and lip makeup suits him?? But that’s just me, what do I know about style www

I’m surprised Riddle even knows what that kind of clothing is…? You’d think his mom would not allow him to be exposed to this kind of fashion. I was half expecting Cater to mention he had shared it with Riddle at NRC on a slow day and Riddle expressing a little curiosity about it but ultimately holding himself back from dressing adventurously. That never ended up happening…

I do think that an authoritarian dream has its representation in the second and third layers of Riddle’s mind. The darker implication is certainly there. However, I think it makes the most sense for his surface level dream to be about his childish desires and experiences he never had. As much as Riddle might claim to be mature and to know it all, some part of him desperately misses out on happy childhood memories. He shares this sentiment after recovering from his overblot (“And after a meal, I want to be the one sitting around talking with everyone... And I really wanted to play with you and Chenya more, Trey.”). In events like Endless Halloween Night, Riddle tells his peers that he isn’t familiar with traditional entertainment media like movies or video games; he did crosswords and read textbooks as a child. Various voice lines, like his Suitor Suit, where he wishes his parents’ marriage was happy, or his Beachwear, where he complains about how he is not used to this kind of scandalous clothing, also express this.

I wouldn’t describe Riddle’s dream as an expression of him wanting to rebel or to have anarchy, per se. Wanting more freedom and a longing for a chance to express one’s inner child isn’t necessarily equal to being rebellious. Many of the things he desires are very childish: not wanting to go to school or to study, eating desserts multiple times a week, drinking tea sweet, being able to play all day, always having emotionally available parents, not having to follow rules, having many friends and a happy family… These are not all tied to being rebellious, these are things most children want. It speaks to Riddle wanting to have those childhood experiences he missed out on and having more independence… Being allowed to be his own person rather than a puppet on strings his mother controls and makes all the decisions for.

[michanvalentine]

Some of my favorite lines—among the saddest—that Astarion has ever said. Every time I hear them, delivered so perfectly by Neil, my heart aches. I'm sharing them with you because my husband can't take hearing me talk about Astarion and Baldur's Gate anymore!

"It’s what you want, isn’t it? To lose yourself in me." There’s an entire world behind this line: the expression on his face, the tone of his voice. There’s sadness and resignation. This is how things work—this is who he is. The person in front of him is no different from the others, just another one who wants to lose themselves in him, use him for their own pleasure, and then move on as if nothing happened. Not only that, but it's also the same old charade used to deliver unsuspecting victims to the slaughter. The same old script, one he’s tired of, one that causes him pain. His eyes grow sad as he says it, his shoulders sink, his lips curve downward, and everything about him exudes bitterness. In that moment, amidst sweet words and sensual movements, the real Astarion comes out, carrying all the heavy baggage he’s been burdened with.

"Maybe, but did he take it." Cazador is dead, Astarion won, he’s alive, and he’s free. But the death of his tormentor didn’t turn back time, the death of the monster didn’t undo the damage or return what was stolen. It’s a powerful, terrifying, and painful realization, especially when you think about how these things—these parts of Astarion—were taken and erased. Because what is gone wasn’t just lost—it was replaced with suffering, shame, anger, hatred, and horrific experiences. These are memories that will stay with him for the rest of his un-life, memories he’ll have to battle every single day.

"All right, I’ll do it." The way he says it, after Tav/Durge delves into his mind and uses his greatest fear against him, is utterly heartbreaking. Once again, there’s resignation, but there’s also fear and, worst of all, a hint of submission. In that moment, Tav/Durge is the embodiment of Cazador. They bring back his most horrifying experience, fill him with pure terror, and remind him of how useless, weak, and pathetic he is—unable to defend himself. It makes him feel small again, lost, and willing to do anything just to feel safe. And this is coming from the very person who, up until that moment (unless the player is a complete sociopath xP), had been helping him regain a shred of self-worth and independence. It’s truly a low blow, a betrayal—especially because Astarion depends on Tav/Durge, much like he depended on Cazador, but in a positive way instead of a negative one. They force him, against his will, to do something he doesn’t want to do, and with that statement, Astarion seems to be saying, “Yes, master.”

"I didn’t know how to say no." This one is heartbreaking too, it hits right in the heart. It really hurts, especially in context, but also in general. Saying "no" is a fundamental right of every free individual. But Astarion doesn’t say that he can’t say no—he says he doesn’t know how to say it. And that’s truly sad, because at this point, it’s no longer just an external imposition; it’s something internalized. And of course, it goes without saying that here too, Tav/Durge took advantage of Astarion—of his inability to defend himself, to immediately recognize and stop behavior that should be shut down at the first sign because it’s harmful to him. Once again, Tav/Durge betrays him in the worst way, right after an agonizing confession, no less—Astarion opens up and admits to having very real struggles with sex.

Do you have any favorite lines too? Obviously, there are a billion more funny ones, but I’m afraid I’d need an entire day to write down all my favorites. I just love this little shit too much. xD

[memoirofasparklemuff1n]

omg just read ur long sleeves fix it was sSOOOO GOOD! if u write part 2 i will be tuned in & reading ☝️☝️

i miss you, i'm sorry- r.c. x reader

part 2 of long sleeves!!!

OMGG IM SOO GLAD YOU LIKED IT <3

warnings: swearing angst (?) mention of drugs, rehab, and reader is so fucking codependent, like girl?? anyway, this is horrible y’all i cannot for the life of me write a happy ending so i tried my best 😞 can you tell i’m depressed LMAOOO? YALL SHES DEPRESSED TOO 😔 but seriously if i could make it happier hmu, i won’t get mad i promise. i’m new at this whole writing thing 🤠 not proofread cuz i wanted to post this already so tell me if there are big mistakes and my first language isn’t english so sorry if there are errors

disclaimer: the reader's depression is based on my own experiences, everybody is different and what i might go through isn't the same as what another person goes through. with that said, if you find any of these topics triggering, i understand! so, please always take care of yourself <3

ps: sorry this took so long, i've just been busy with school and my dad has been sick for a few days now so i haven't had time.

I'M ALSO HALFWAY DONE THROUGH THE FLASHBACKS FOR NO BODY, NO CRIME. i just haven't had the time fml. hopefully tomorrow 🤞. ok enough whining and into the story 🥁

want it, so i got it, did it, so it's done

making the bed started playing and the first line felt like a punch to the gut. i hated when life kicked you when you were already down.

i quickly changed to a cheery workout playlist that felt more mocking, in a sense, but decided it was better to not relate to the lyrics than listening to my despair sing back to me.

after that day in tannyhill, i'd decided to start running at night. in a silly way i thought that maybe running would burn away my pain in a healthy way. though how healthy running on barely any sleep, with nothing but depressive thoughts in my brain, was beyond me.

still, at least this way i felt like i was doing something. that i was taking action instead of moping. that doesn't make any sense. ugh, shut the fuck up. i really didn't know whose side i was on half the time.

the night sky was clear, making the stars wink at me as if they knew something i didn't. the sea breeze caressed my face, combing its fingers through my hair and drying away my tears.

running equated crying but by the time i got home i would be so exhausted that i couldn't even think. which was, of course, the ultimate goal. not think of him.

six months had passed and it didn't hurt any less. on the contrary, all i could think was how i'd abandoned him. probably when he needed me the most. two weeks after our breakup, sarah called me to tell me that rafe was terribly sick and they were taking him to the hospital. i'd debated whether i should tell her what had happened but she then said that she was aware of the situation and that i shouldn't go see him. she was only letting me know and, in a way, it felt like she was blaming me.

that was the last time i had contact with the camerons, town gossip and my mother becoming the only ties left between us. he'd gone to rehab and was apparently taking better care of himself, his family supporting him every step of the way.

fucking hypocrites. ward never cared when i told him about his son's addiction, instead saying that i should keep quiet, that everything would be okay. rose only cared about new shopping places to spend the family's money. sarah had started spending time with her new boyfriend and barely came home and wheezie was far too young.

so that left me. it had always been me, but when word got out of how bad rafe he was, they then played the card of ignorance and became the holy family.

i took a deep breath and slowed down to a jog, unaware of where the fuck i was. i looked at my surroundings for the first time and of course, i was in front of tannyhill. the gates were close but i could hear muffled voices on the other side. stepping closer to listen like the eavesdropper i was.

i looked through the bars of the gate, only to see him or well his back. he was with ward, who was lowering another suitcase to the ground. i frowned but i then heard his voice saying my name.

Ward turned his head sharply in his direction, "you are not seeing her again, alright? she's the one that got you into this mess in the first place." oh so the asshole blamed me.

he turned to face his dad and i gasped. his hair was buzzed and he looked older, healthier. he looked good but i couldn't help but feel like this was a different person entirely. i felt a slight pang in my chest because i'd been the one who had insisted on him leaving his hair longer and now he'd erased that too.

his voice interrumpted my thoughts, "dad, that is not true and you know it." why was he defending me? in a way what ward said was true. i'd left him alone that night.

his father stepped closer to him and put his hands on his son’s shoulders, “son, trust me when I tell you that it is best for you to stay away from her. don’t set yourself up for disappointment. We know where that led you.” Ward then kissed his forehead like one did to a child in a condescending manner.

Ward then picked up the suitcases left and turned to enter the house, leaving him standing there with a strange expression on his face. He lifted his gaze and somehow found mine, like they always did. I’d forgotten how we always sensed the other, no matter how much time had passed. My heartbeat sped up, causing me to quickly turn around and ran away from him as fast as I could.

“He is such a good father to those kids, especially Rafe.” Vanessa, my mother’s friend said, swooning over ward. Like god, he’s married, get a life.

Either way it seemed like every corner of this island is haunted. Ever since he’d come back as a stellar young man, all the women at the country club started obsessing over him, but more so his father. They practically held him as a saint and it only made my blood boil.

I felt my mothers gaze on me when his name was mentioned, noting the way I flinched and seemed particularly interested in the half eaten strawberries on my plate. They continued to chatter, causing me to tune them out and look at my surroundings for a distraction. Big mistake.

The doors had opened as if on cue, and there he was with a new found confidence that was unfamiliar to me. Before I could look away his eyes found mine, quieting everything around me, dèjá vu flooding my body. We looked at each other for what seemed an eternity until ward came up behind him, clapping his hand on his shoulder to turn him away from me. The colder version of his son’s eyes bore into mine in a warning. Stay away from him.

I looked back down at my plate no longer interested in my food. My eyes welled up and I knew that if i stayed a minute longer on this table I would start sobbing or worse.

“Mom? I’m not feeling well so I’m going home,” my voice quiet in her ear and she realized what I meant.

She nodded, “take the car, ok?”

“It’s ok, I can walk home.” I needed to clear my head and driving wasn’t the best idea.

“Are you sure?” The concern in her eyes made my heart wrench.

“I’m sure, mom. Thanks.” I stood up and voicing my goodbyes, leaving the club as fast as I could.

The sun was out and the sky was clear of clouds, a stark contrast of how I felt inside. I walked down the path, golf carts filled with kooks passing me by. All of them chattering about the next party or newest deal they had closed.

I kept walking and walking until I reached the boardwalk, which was thankfully empty. I sat down on the edge, swinging my feet over the water with the girl staring back at me and somehow looked as if she was drowning.

The wind carried the sound of footsteps behind me, my body tensing as his perfume arriving along with his shadow looming over me. The drowning girl hid away, leaving me alone. I almost begged her to take me with her.

“Why do you always run away?” my heart sank and then restarted when I heard his voice. For the first time in months, I heard the world clearly again. I hadn’t realized the power it had over me. Didn’t you?

Who was I kidding? He would always be my favorite person, everything about me was shaped by him. My favorite color was blue, my favorite smell was his cologne, my favorite taste were his lips, my favorite sound in the world was his voice, his body my favorite thing to touch. But most of all, his soul.

I took a deep breath before lifting my gaze to his. The knot on my throat made it hard to speak, “Who said I was running away?”

He scoffed before sitting down next to me. “I know you. Or at least I thought I did.” His tone sounded reproachful, his eyes searching my face. this time i really looked at him, gone were his red, glassy eyes, the gauntness of his cheeks but most importantly, the anger that had felt permanently etched into his features every time he looked at me.

the buzz cut now made his features more prominent, his body was stronger and not as skinny as when he’d been living off cocaine and god knew what else.

he looked more like the rafe i’d met forever ago, but there was still something that wasn’t quite there. his innocence. which wasn’t the one of a child, but more so the type of innocence that comes with ignorance. the type where you think you can get away with anything and that bad things only happen to somebody else, but never to you. no matter how bad you behave, you genuinely believed there would be no consequences.

and the boy in front of me knew how untrue that belief was.

“rafe, i—” the knot on my throat became worse, preventing me from talking further. great, now here come the waterworks!

i turned my face away so he couldn’t see my tears but it was too late.

he took hold of my face, “look at me.”

i tried to jerk away but it was no use. i had no other choice but to cry silently while he judged me.

“im going to talk and you’re going to listen, understood?” his voice now held a tone of authority i’d never heard before.

that’s kinda hot. dude, now is not the time.

i nodded because what the fuck was i supposed to do?

he turned so both of his hands held my face now. then he did something i wasn’t expecting, he leaned in and kissed my forehead for what felt like an eternity.

when he pulled away his gaze held mine, with a force stronger than any physical restraint i could possibly be held in.

the tears were flowing freely so i probably looked like a drowned cat at the moment.

“im not mad at you, ok? i hope you know that i never asked for you to not visit me. i know it was my dad that didn’t want you near me, but i swear that the only person i ever wanted by my side was you.

“i won’t deny that i was furious when you left me that night. i only got worse because i didn’t have anyone to stop me, or at least try to. i felt like you were the last person that still believed in me, who would always be beside me. and i took you for granted.” his words felt like a knife through my heart. i abandoned him.

“rafe, im sorry. i shouldn’t have left you like that. not when you needed me the most.” my words barely made sense but he somehow understood. he always did.

“no. you did the right thing. i hurt you, i told you that i hated you. when all you’d ever done for me was love me. i’m sorry, ok? if you hadn’t left then maybe i wouldn’t have gotten help.” he lowered his hands to his lap, my face burning where they had been resting.

“i know you tried to help me. that you talked to my dad about how i was and i know that he dismissed you. he only took me to the hospital because i overdosed and he didn’t want the island to know how ward cameron’s perfect son was a drug addict.” he laughed in a humorless manner, “hell, he even paid everyone at the hospital to keep quiet. that didn’t help much, frankly. gossip always finds its way.”

i wanted to say something but i could tell he wasn’t done so i waited until he felt ready.

this time his voice was hoarse, making me realize he wanted to cry too. i couldn’t take it anymore because nothing could hurt me more than seeing him in pain.

“rafe?” i murmured. he looked up with a broken expression causing me to wrap my arms around him. i felt him tense for a second before he hugged me back tightly.

my shirt got wet with our tears and we clung onto each other like a lifeline, with rafe repeating my name like a mantra. after a while, we pulled away and he held my face between his hands like before, only this time much gentler.

“i miss you, im sorry.”

“i miss you too, rafe.” i fell back into him, resting my head on his shoulder. we sat silently for a while before he spoke.

“can we at least be friends?” the question caught me by surprise.

“you’ve always been my best friend, rafe. but again i’m sorry for not being there, i should’ve done more.”

“no, you couldn’t have. it was the way things were supposed to be.”

he played with my hair like he used to, “you’ve always been my best friend too, kid.”

i punched him playfully at the name, making him chuckle. i pulled back to see his face and i wiped away the few tears that were left with my hand. he fell silent, leaning into my touch, “i love you, you know? not being close to you drove me insane. and it makes me so happy to see that you are healthy, at least physically.

“i want to help you in any way that i can and i want to be there from now on, if—“ his lips crushing onto mine cut me off before i could finish. his hands were in my hair, holding me in place as if afraid i’d run away again.

only i knew i wouldn’t. not this time. he groaned when i bit his lower lip, softly. he ran his tongue along mine before i let him in. i sighed into the kiss and pulled him impossibly closer. our lips explained more than any words that came out of them ever could. i separated from him to breathe and he only kept kissing my cheeks, jaw, neck until he reached my collarbone where he rested his head with quick, short breaths.

“i love you too,” he said. i touched his hair and ran my fingers over the short strands.

“i like your hair, by the way,” i murmured.

he laughed, pulling back. “really? i got it because i thought you would hate it.”

i rolled my eyes, “are you serious? either way, you look good with any haircut.”

“i wasn’t exactly planning on this to go like this. in my head, i was going to confront you and tell you all the ways i’d been miserable but that went away when i saw you that night by my house.”

“oh.”

he chuckled, “yeah. oh. anyway, i was telling my dad how i was going to ask why you never visited me and that’s why he said what you heard.

“i then realized it had been him and as if life liked playing tricks on me, there you were at the gate with a sad expression. yet before i could say anything you left running. i wanted to go after you but my dad called me inside and i didn’t want a fight that night. so i waited until i saw you today and when i was going to ask you to talk to me, again my dad came along. but then i saw you leave and i figured it was now or never, so i excused myself and he was so busy talking to the others at the table that he didn’t notice.”

i scoffed, “well, i’m guessing he noticed by now.”

he laughed, “yeah.”

we fell silent but i still had one more thing to ask, “how did you know i was here?” though i think i already knew the answer, after all i hadn’t exactly been surprised when he came. more like a sense of having your intuition confirmed.

“remember the night we met? i was alone and drunk, saying i was going for a night swim when i saw you sitting here alone. which should’ve alerted me that you were a weirdo but between your beauty and the alcohol, those thoughts went to shit.”

i blushed slightly, “i’m not a weirdo, jackass. i’d had a rough night.”

“i know, kid. i’m just messing with you and besides, i might’ve drowned that night if you hadn’t been here,” he smiled fondly but a bit sad as well.

“so, that makes me your knight in shining armor?” i grinned.

he scowled in mock annoyance, “how dare you mock a damsel in distress?”

i chuckled and felt a heavy weight lift off my chest. i felt lighter than i had in a while, and all because of him.

“my apologies, dear.”

he took my hand with a smile and brought it to his lips for a kiss, before placing it against his cheek.

“but to answer your question, we always find each other,” his words sinking in. that was true. we always did as if there was some invisible string tying him to me.

“you’re right. although you’re still not beating the stalker allegations,” i teased.

“ugh shut up, it was one time!” he groaned.

i burst out laughing, “you followed me for a whole day! that’s some stalker behavior type shit.”

“c’mon, kid. i wanted to give you your bracelet back and i didn’t know where you lived,” his eyes widening in a too innocent way which caused me to narrow mine.

“a bracelet that wasn’t even mine. plus you could’ve just given it to me when you first saw me,” i crossed my arms in front of my chest with a raised brow.

“oh c’mon, but where’s the fun in that?”

i pushed his shoulder, playfully only for him to laugh and hug me.

“i really just wanted to know if you were with someone else, so i wouldn’t make a fool of myself.” he whispered in my ear.

“you could’ve just asked,” i rolled my eyes even though he couldn’t see me.

“i wanted to be cool about it, ok? i had a reputation to maintain,” he joked but i knew he was a little serious. he’d been the epitome of a rich, arrogant, country club boy.

“i thought you were such an asshole.” who the fuck wears shades inside of a convenience store? you guessed it: rafe cameron.

he gasped in mock surprise, “you’re just saying that because you had the hots for me.”

“pfft, sure buddy. i think you’re projecting a little,” i laughed.

“i never said i didnt,” this time his tone was a little too serious making my heart beat faster.

“can we try this again?” he asked shyly.

i pondered for a moment before answering, “yes, but i want you to let me help you this time, ok?”

he moved his head to look me in the eye, “i promise.”

“ok, but wait. what about your father?” i’d somehow forgotten how he hated me now. or maybe always had.

“what about him? i’m an adult, i can make my own decisions. besides it’s none of his business. he’s the one that got us here in the first place.” his tone was now angry, which was rare when he spoke of his father. it was usually filled with frustration and sadness when it came to him. and i knew how important his father’s approval was to him.

“rafe, i don’t know. he’s still your father and i don’t want to come between you two,” i lowered my eyes so he wouldn’t see the tears threatening to spill.

he was silent for a moment before lifting my chin with his finger, frowning when he noticed my expression.

“you’re the love of my life. i’m not losing you again, ok? he’ll have to understand and i will talk to him. i’ll tell him how things really went down. plus, he isn’t innocent in any of this either.”

pursing my lips, i nodded. “ok” i didn’t really believe ward would be capable of changing his mind, but if it made rafe happy then i would try and compromise.

rafe searched for my eyes with a soft smile, “i love you.”

i returned the smile, “i love you too.”

he then got up to his feet, reaching his hand down to help me stand. after a few more kisses and a hug, he took me to his truck. we drove around with no particular destination in mind but with the sole purpose of being by ourselves without prying eyes and judging remarks.

i hoped deep down that i wasn’t making a mistake and that everything would be ok.

and as if on cue, “everything is going to be ok.” i turned my head in surprise at his words.

“don’t act so shocked, kid. i know you better than i know myself.” he then lifted my hand again and kissed it like he’d done on the boardwalk.

i chuckled and leaned my head back, closing my eyes. with the windows down, the ocean breeze, his hand drawing circles on the back of mine, and the soft music playing, i felt myself float away.

“sleep, angel. i love you.”

and then i woke up.

JK JK IT’S NOT A DREAM.

or is it? HEHEHEHEHE

ALSO WHY IS SHE SO CODEPENDENT??? LIKE GIRL STAND UP (says the one who wrote her 👯‍♀️)

anywayyyy, if you made it this far THANK YOU. I LOVE YOU!!!

please feel free to write comments or whatever, i love talking to you all 💞

and if you liked this check out my other stories!!

im currently writing a murder mystery kind of story and i only have two chapters for now, but i will make flashbacks with like text messages and diary entries and stuff. i’m trying to make it as if the reader is part of the investigation (I HOPE IM DOING A GOOD JOB) and i already have how i want the story to end but writing it is the hard part. like how long do i make it?? i don’t want to rush it but i really want to finish it because the characters take a mind of their own when i write. does that make sense? prob not lol

div creds!!- by @anitalenia

[xlibra-rising]

Leo/Aquarius Axis Explained

The Leo/Aquarius axis in the horoscope tells a story of You vs. Society. On one end, Leo has a drive for individual fulfillment, whereas Aquarius seeks self understanding to contribute to the collective. To truly understand Leo and Aquarius, we must look beyond simplistic labels. Both are fixed signs, indicating a strong will and resistance to change. Both are also extroverted, meaning they engage actively with their environment. The "popular" vs. "loner" contrast, based on keywords like "detached," obscures these shared traits and hinders a deeper understanding of their personalities.

Aquarius isn't a loner; but their focus on the collective can be mistaken a lot for detachment. Leo, more focused on individual expression, prioritizes personal needs over societal innovation. While both signs value expression, Leo seeks a personal outlet, whereas Aquarius envisions broader societal change. Leo thrives on personal closeness, while Aquarius values mental connections and open communication. Even with their differences, both signs have a strong ability to connect with others when they find the right people. There’s a common misconception that Leo loves everyone they meet, but that’s not really true. If that were the case, wouldn’t Aquarius be the same? In reality, both are selective and particular about who they surround themselves with (so stop believing the stereotypes). If any sign deserves the reputation of getting along with everyone, it’s Libra.

This axis balances warmth and distance—Leo embodies the Sun’s immediate presence, while Aquarius sits at the edge, absorbing its last light. This is why Aquarius is often seen as a sign of foresight and progress. Leo enjoys experiencing life in the present, and they are okay with what’s in front of them, while Aquarius is restless, always looking ahead, analyzing how things will shift and evolve.

Before Leo comes Cancer, the sign that establishes familial bonds and creates a sense of safety—something Leo then expands upon, using it to care for their chosen “pack.” Before Aquarius comes Capricorn, the architect of structure and tradition, building on the lessons Sagittarius eagerly wanted to learn. But while Capricorn enforces the rules, Aquarius is the one who challenges them, pushing boundaries and questioning the limits that came before it. Together, Leo and Aquarius embody the “teenager” spirit, balancing the structural authority of the Cancer/Capricorn axis—often seen as the parental figures. I see them as the friends who bring everyone to the party and make sure the dance floor is full. Leo is the one scanning the room, keeping an eye out for familiar faces and potential connections, while Aquarius is the one rallying the crowd, uniting people from all walks of life.

In my experience, both Leo and Aquarius have strong personal boundaries. Fixed signs naturally create firm limits in their relationships, and these two are no exception. Scorpio is often known for this trait—you’ll rarely meet a Scorpio placement that isn’t cautious or skeptical of others, which is why they have a reputation for brooding mistrust. But Leo and Aquarius, while also selective, have a deep need for belonging. You’ll almost never find a Leo without at least one incredibly close friendship, even if they don’t let many others in. Similarly, Aquarius is always part of some niche group, drawn to communities built around a shared, specific interest. One thing often overlooked about both Leo and Aquarius is their deep need for belonging. They exist as each other’s shadow—Aquarius is the side of Leo they suppress, and Leo is what Aquarius struggles to embrace. Many Aquarius placements have lost themselves in their connections with others, blurring their identity in the pursuit of shared ideals. They know what they want, but not always who they are. Leo, on the other hand, has often been wounded by the collective, shifting their relationship with belonging. This could explain why Leo craves connection so intensely—but only with those who truly see them.

[plotthotrobin]

@medicallyfascinating Absolutely, I’d love to elaborate! ☺️ But I will take it over here to a new post since that one is very Hilda-centric and because this will be a long ramble.

Hilda is very out of place as Claude’s “retainer” as a whole. She doesn’t swear herself to him out of loyalty, she isn’t even really shown to have a bond with him that is any more notable than the rest of the GD. Hell, she’s the one ‘retainer’ character that can be recruited at all. She’s kind of just… there. The only argument that can really be made here is that she is a Goneril, and that house is the one that defends Fódlan’s Throat - and personally, I don’t think that requires her to be in the ‘retainer’ position to touch on.

Most people who play FE3H can tell that some routes got more time and attention in the writing room than others, and I think VW and CF are the biggest victims of this. VW is messy, awful in terms of pacing, and infamously a clone of SS (But, in my incredibly biased opinion, better because of Claude). If I had it my way, the story would focus heavily around relations between Fódlan and Almyra, the Leicester Roundtable, Claude’s background as an Almyran prince, etc etc etc. The biggest crime this route commits is having nothing to do with its lord - especially given how interesting the tidbits he drops really are. With that setup, Cyril may have actually made an interesting ‘retainer’ character considering the fresh perspective on these topics that he could bring to the table. Such as the ones expressed in his really interesting supports with Claude. (I know Cyril isn’t GD, but he’s an honorary one in my mind.)

Assuming we’re sticking to the current VW story as closely as possible, however, there’s one particular issue about VW that stands out: A lot of the TWSITD/Nabatean elements are out of place and completely irrelevant to the Golden Deer and Claude especially.

…With the exception of one character: Lysithea.

Lysithea already pops into the actual story sections post-timeskip to provide information on TWSITD… and then is just brushed aside again. Bringing her more into the spotlight as an unofficial ‘retainer’ for Claude could have made a lot of the unfolding events feel a little less out of place.

Imagine with me that, instead of TWSITD coming up at the last second story-wise, it instead came up during the ongoing fight against Adrestia and Edelgard. In this scenario, Lysithea slowly starts to put two and two together: Edelgard has white hair, purple eyes, has clear connections to terrifyingly familiar mages, and is rushing to accomplish her goal swiftly at the cost of many lives. She hesitantly approaches Claude and Byleth in private and explains not only what happened to her, but that she suspects that the same thing happened to Edelgard. Maybe Lysithea brings up the possibility of her being under the direct control of TWSITD.

Claude is, reasonably, riled up and horrified at finding out all of this and realizes that Fódlan’s issues run much deeper than he initially thought. He now sees:

- The Church of Serios and Rhea, who he knows has been hiding deep secrets that he has been trying to get to the bottom of. He’s been reluctantly working with Seteth and the knights because he needs the support, but doesn’t trust them and still has the understanding that they’re hiding shit.

- Emperor Edelgard of Adrestia and TWSITD, who could potentially be coercing her into fighting the Church of Serios for some unknown reason - or, alternatively, are simply helping Edelgard for an equally unknown reason. He doesn’t trust any of them either, pretty obviously.

Claude now knows that, in order to even potentially achieve his dream of equality and peace, he has to get to the root of the clusterfuck that is Fódlan - because Sothis knows it’s not happening in this state of affairs.

On a more personal level, I’m sure he looks at Lysithea and tries to imagine an even younger version of her being strapped down and experimented on - and frankly, he just can’t bring himself to. It wouldn’t surprise me if, as a secondary goal, he also gently promises to do his best to help her find a cure. In turn, a stunned Lysithea devotes herself fully to him as a leader and his cause.

Now, a lot of this is just a lot of speculation and hypotheticals, and a lot of it is opinionated, but I personally believe there is just inherently more overall story potential this way than with the current setup. ☺️

[starlightshadowsworld]

Concept: There’s a moment that Jason and Leo have that I feel could’ve been interesting to explore with Jason and Percy.

At the start of the series Leo likes Jason but he’s also very jealous of him. Because Jason is everything he’s not.

He’s tall, blond, conventionally attractive and got the girl. On paper Jason is perfect in all the ways Leo isn’t and he both loves and resents him for it.

And the turning point, when Leo first realises thats not the case is when they all learn about Beryl Grace. But It’s not that Jason’s mother is dead that does it.

It’s that Jason has no memories of her. He is sat listening to Thalia recount a tragedy and for the first time Leo doesn’t envy him at all.

Because the only thing Leo has ever had to hold onto to keep him going is the memory of his mother. His mother was a loving, kind woman and Leo would never want to live a life without any recollection of her.

For the first time Jason looks so painfully lost and alone. For the first time that perfect mask shatters and Leo sees the real Jason.

And that’s who he befriends for real.

Now I’m not saying that Percy is jealous of Jason or that he should be. But much like Leo he also views Jason as this perfect kind of person.

He’s blond superman. He looks like every popular kid that used to bully Percy. And much like Leo, Percy both loves and resents Jason for it.

And I think an interesting turning point could’ve been Jason meeting Sally.

Unlike the rest of his friends, Jason has no real concept of what family and thus what a parent is supposed to be. He never met his father, he met his mother’s corrupted ghost sure but he only really learned about her from Thalia.

And of course he cares about Thalia but he hasn’t been her little brother in over a decade. The closest thing to a parent Jason’s had is Lupa who raised him as one of her own.

But even that was temporary. And well first rule of the Wolf house is self-reliance…imagine learning that as a toddler. And then being sent to and growing up in what’s essentially the military.

All Jason’s experiences with adults are that he has to serve a purpose and once he’s served that purpose, he will be discarded.

Meanwhile Percy, similar to Leo dealt with a lot growing up but he always had Sally. He always had someone he could be himself around. Someone who loved and cherished him no matter what he did.

Jason meeting Sally in my eyes is him doing his best to be polite and respectful. All things Jason does normally so it’s nothing out of the ordinary at first.

His father’s domain does contain hospitality after all.

But it doesn’t ever go away, not even when the rest of Percy’s friends are a lot more at ease with Sally. There’s such a noticeable difference between the Jason that Percy knows and the one that shows up to his house.

To the point he genuinely thinks Jason’s more at ease fighting monsters than talking to his mother.

And while his mind immediately jumps to oh Jason’s showing off or something, Percy quickly tosses that thought out. Because Jason just isn’t like that as a person.

He’s always respectful. He always asks if there’s anything he can do to help. He always sits closest to the door at dinner. He’s the first to leave. He never stays over. He never comes over if he knows Percy isn’t there, even if others are.

He waits to be dismissed at the table. He always looks kind of unsure if he’s left in the room with her…..

And then it hits Percy that Jason is afraid of his mum. It sounds ridiculous but it makes sense. He’s never seen Jason be this tense around anyone. The guy called his dad’s Greek equivalent unwise once, he’s not afraid like that.

But in the face of Sally Jackson, Jason freezes. He doesn’t dare look her in the eye nor even breathe to loudly in her presence. It’s the way Percy once felt around Gabe.

It’s then he realises another heartbreaking thing, that whenever his mum is around Jason seeks him out. Kinda glues himself by Percy for the rest of the visit.

And now he feels bad for being a bit annoyed by it when he wanted to talk to Annabeth and bam there was Jason.

Because Jason was scared and he sought him out. Not even his own sister but Percy. And it’s just this moment where Percy doesn’t see some unstoppable perfect image.

He sees a scared kid. He’s reminded that Jason is only a year younger than him. But he’s been in this fight long before Percy ever knew it existed.

And Jason had no one. He doesn’t know what a caring home is like. So he sees the embodiment of that in Sally, has no idea how to act.

And it frightens him.

Percy wonders how he never noticed it before. How Jason wears such a mask so well. But he’s seen the real Jason Grace.

And he won’t forget him.

[ladykatibeth]

Not to pull out your tags, but I think this is an interesting thing to grapple with! There’s two major things from this perspective I often see and differ on is it’s an either/or perspective and a “only Ellen is feeling the effects of the “normal” social roles in the marriage” perspective.

Firstly I think that Thomas granted her something that Orlok couldn’t—open love and a sense of normalcy. Thomas being in the picture actively helped Ellen’s symptoms (that she expressed were painful and uncomfortable) lessen, and it’s notable that when he leaves these symptoms start to return. She is actively benefited by his presence (mainly as her emotional support). This does not mean she wasn’t also fulfilled by Orlok as well (in a you understand me/I understand you) way.

People need multiple things, and rarely can they get all their needs filled by a single person. It’s an unhealthy expectation. That doesn’t mean a relationship can’t work out that doesn’t include every need being fulfilled, just that you need many people in your life to meet needs. Anna supports Ellen when Thomas is having nightmares, for example. Ellen needs the open love Thomas provides, and she needs someone who can relate to her darkness and that’s okay. She can’t get both from a single person.

In terms of Thomas I don’t think he’s reacting ordinarily to what’s going on. Definitely not for his society, but also not generally. Most victorian men wouldn’t put their all into supporting their wives in their mental illness, or even marry someone with that sort of history attached to begin with.

They also mostly wouldn’t support their wife after she summoned a monster and then hold her through being possessed. I’m thinking most modern day spouses wouldn’t either ngl that man is devoted.

However I also think that Thomas’s hyper concern for filling his gender role, combined with the fact that the vampiric symbol of victorian repression fed on him in a scene mirroring the repression symbols feeding of Ellen, implies that Thomas isn’t really easily living up to these standards either (the why is up to interpretation, personally I think he’s bi).

The single provider social dynamic puts stress on him as well, especially as the expectation of men to not be weak keeps him from being able to connect with Ellen over their shared vampire trauma (something that would benefit them both.)

I also think that we need to be considering it in terms of a partnership if we want to have an anti-sexist reading. Thomas couldn’t save Ellen because she didn’t need saving. The emotional support Thomas provides is more important than heroics, and he succeeds at the former way more than the later.

They’re cutting the honeymoon short, meaning it’s likely they weren’t in a committed relationship as we would describe it (they would have been restricted to chaperoned dates and letters before being wed) until at most a couple months before this, so they didn’t really have an opportunity to work out any issues (an inevitable part of the relationship process, issues will naturally come up more once their lives conjoin).

Not very soon after they move in together, Thomas experiences trauma fairly similar to hers and gets some similar symptoms (nightmares) and some separate symptoms (she has seizures/sleepwalks/gets possessed, while he is physically messed up from the draining/jumping off a building/sprint to get home) putting them on equal footing in terms of needing support.

He didn’t “let her down” any more than she did him. She chose to keep him in the dark to sacrifice herself. She didn’t tell him about the evil vampire ex (fair given their society but still) he didn’t listen to her about the bad vibes of the business trip. Choices made all around.

Neither of them really talk about it though. By the end it isn’t just a woman failing to receive support through her trauma, it’s two traumatized people handling it in very different ways and making choices based in that. We don’t know if it would have worked out, because they never got the chance or time to even really try, and yet they still gave it their all anyway.

It’s kind of crazy to me that Thomas gets flak for trying to get to work on time, or taking a job assignment, despite his wife being worried about it. It’s not really greedy for a lower middle class man with debt and a wife to support (because societal expectations mean she can’t work) to care about not losing his job and it’s not greedy for him to want a slightly better paying job.

It’s also not a reflection of lack of intimacy/love/trust between Thomas and Ellen that he makes financial stability a priority.

Also that the flowers scene is a reflection of Thomas not understanding Ellen, because she says she’s upset about the flowers dying. She’s just had a dream that messed her up that had lilacs in it. It’s not about him getting her flowers it’s about him getting her lilacs after she just had a nightmare heavily featuring them combined with the stress over his upcoming trip. She’s upset about what the flowers represent (a bad omen and a result of him apologizing for leaving for the trip) not him getting her flowers.

[nixisverytired]

I keep seeing people say shit like “I’m against transandrophobia because it’s just a way for trans men to excuse their transmisogyny!”

“Using transandrophobia just means you hate transfems!”

And I wish I could say to these people, as bluntly as possible

Transandrophobia isn’t about you.

Trans men talking about their oppression doesn’t hurt you.

A transmasc person discussing their concerns about forced pregnancy and detransition doesn't mean they think trans women have it better.

A trans man saying “hey, I don’t pass easily, and I still experience misogyny!” doesn't mean he thinks transmisogyny is fake and you pass easily.

A trans man bringing up how invisibility means hate crimes against trans men often go unreported doesn't mean he thinks hypervisibility is any better.

A non-American trans man telling you that no, his life is not actually easier than yours, doesn't mean he thinks you are lying about your experiences.

People saying “Hey, I think trans men are oppressed!” does not mean they think trans women are NOT oppressed.

That's a whole new sentence.

Yes, there are going to be bad faith actors and bigots in every community. Transmisogyny is something we all have to watch out for, because it is so normalized in our society. No one identity is exempt from this.

No one identity is uniquely transmisogynistic, either.

You can’t insist every person who believes in transandrophobia hates transfems and is out to get you, specifically.

It’s not about you.

You want proof? Talk to the trans men and mascs who actually use the tag, listen to them for once. Hear their stories about the oppression they have experienced, and, crucially, don’t derail it and make it about you.

You don’t have to like the term. Hell, even if you’re a trans man or transmasc, you don’t have to use it! But don’t police the people who do.

[necromanceyourgays]

I understand that “TERF” is historically used just for radfem descrimination against transwomen but I believe it should not be used a synonym for transmisogynist. I really think it’s important to include other trans indentites in that ‘T’, as transmisogyny can hit others just as hard. This is also a bit of a critism of TME/TMA labels.

A good example is how a lot of TERFs often campaign against healthcare for ALL trans people, even if it isn’t gender affirming.

As we know, a big part of radical feminism and TERF retoric is that women need to be protected, that they’re weak and fragile and “wombyns bodies are precious so we MUST protect them!” So, since the government recently passed have said the quiet part out loud, we know they don’t want us to have top surgery to prevent us from breastfeeding. JKR has openly supported this on Twitter.

TERFs shoot a bullet at one person and it hits everyone in the room in the process. As much as they preach about protecting transmen from “ruining their bodies” they actively prevent transmen from getting care in “Womens Spaces”, such as OBGYNs. A lot of this is because they want to bar men— what they consider transwomen to be- from all womens spaces since they see them as a fetish.

This hits transmen, intersex folk, and everyone inbetween. “Well if you have a penis you don’t need to go to a gyno” ignores people with both! This includes not only intersex people but folks of any identity that had bottom surgeries such as penile preservation vaginoplasty or no vaginectomy phalloplasty.

I’m saying my quiet part out loud here but if you are a radfem who supports trans women but calls transmen “poor manipulated girls” I’m calling you a terf. If youre a radfem and deny that transmen experience misogyny or say that theyre uneffected by trans misogyny I’m calling you a terf. You are excluding trans identites from your radical feminism, and that is TERFism.

TL:DR: When trying to ban transwomen, people with M gender markers, and people with penises from getting care seen as strictly for women you are actively killing people who need that healthcare. We are a community and we’re all getting fucked in the end

(sorry for the coke rant)

[jadeshifting]

— WHAT’S IN MY BAG? ( IN MY OUTER BANKS DR )

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★ ⋆. ࿐࿔

my bag isn’t just a bag, it’s quite literally years of belonging and experience—a testament to my whole life. a weathered bag of leather and canvas, faded from years of sun, salt, and marsh water. i’ve fixed the strap countless times and the bottom is always a little damp from seawater and mud. my belongings are a mix of necessity, habit, and some sentimentals that i won’t leave behind ( even if some are dead weight )

MAP OF KILDARE. it’s not just any map, it’s my map. i’ve spent years putting my own markings on it, mapping out the things i’ve found and learned. it’s practically more valuable than gold ( not really )

PACK OF MARLBORO GOLDS. a habit i got from my mom, i think. i’ll only smoke the golds. my sister thinks it’s a horrible habit, and i agree—but i think everyone needs at least one of those

MOONSTONE ROSARY. a good luck charm, i literally never let it leave my possession. i’m convinced if i let it go for one second i’ll magically pitch of the side of a cliff or something

DIGITAL CAMERA. waterproof, obviously. ( i learned my lesson after the last three )

BUCK KNIFE. old, well-worn, i use it for everything. shucking oysters, cutting rope, and defending myself if necessary. it’s sharp enough to gut a fish, slice through reeds, and anything else i need

TRUCK KEYS. mind you, the truck hasn’t run in ten years. i dunno why i carry them, acting like it’ll make the engine magically clear of dry-rot and rust. still, i do

HEART SUNGLASSES. cheap, plastic firetruck red. they’re shitty and practically block out zero light, but i keep them cause my sister gave them to me and cause they’re kinda cute sometimes

ALABASTER POCKETKNIFE. worn over the years, with ‘Fool For Love’ engraved on the side. it was a hand-me-down from my mom, and that couldn’t have been more true for her

HANDFUL OF SEASHELLS. smooth, and mostly pinky blue, or opalescent off-white. i’ve been meaning to display them or frame them, but i always forget, so they litter the bottom of my bag instead

PAIR OF SHORTS. my clothes get torn to shreds and soaked practically every day i work, so it’s good to have a spare in case i have to go somewhere afterwards

BEER CAN. unopened, lukewarm, dented, probably shaken up all to shit. i forgot it was in there, actually. i don’t even like beer

HAWAIIAN VANILLA PERFUME. a brand new bottle i just splurged on. it’s the only perfume i’ve ever worn since i got my first bottle, for my birthday back in middle school

DECK OF CARDS. i made it a personal goal to learn as many card games as possible, so far i know at least thirty—though some are a lot more boring than others

BAG OF PEACHES. that i bought earlier, perched sooo lightly on the top so they don’t get smushed. i was planning on roasting them ( my sister and i like them roasted and served with a scoop of ice cream ) ( i don’t know who came up with it either, it’s a family ‘recipe’ )

SILVER WATCH. i took it off so it wouldn’t get waterlogged, it’s a shiny antique

SPRAY-ON SUNSCREEN. i know it doesn’t work as well, but i’d need thirty hours in a day to have the time to slather on lotion sunscreen every time i was charring out in the sun—it’s just not efficient

HEADPHONES. waterproof and over-ear. the sound of the waves crashing against the cliffs is roaring and i’m convinced it would’ve made me deaf by now if i couldn’t opt to listen to The Cranberries instead

COPY OF ‘CIRCE’ BY MADELINE MILLER. i have to hang it out to dry on the clothes line out back, it got wet :(

WATERPROOF MASCARA. i quite literally won’t get caught dead without it. you can take anything away from me BUT my eyelashes

SPOON. sturdy and metal, used to pit peaches or avocados in a pinch, or dig into a coconut if i’m really desperate

COCONUT OIL. in a really sketchy-looking glass bottle with “coconut oil” scrawled across the front in black marker. still, it’s imperative, good for everything—cooking, soothing, moisturizing when the sun tries to crack your skin off, etc

WATERWORN POLAROID. of just me and my sister. the edges are perpetually damp, but i’m careful to keep it from tearing

HERMIT CRAB SHELL. my sister’s hermit crab is about to change shells, i told her i’d bring a really good one home for him. i literally spent two weeks searching the beach until i found this one

GOLD LIGHTER. for smoking or starting a fire, i can count on it rain-or-shine

LEATHER GLOVES. the oyster shells are razor-sharp, i already have plenty of tiny, shiny scars to prove it. the gloves help a little, even if they’re permanently stained with salt and mud

CRACKED COMPASS. it’s been broken for a long, long time, but i know my directions well enough that i’ve never made the effort to get it fixed

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★ ⋆. ࿐࿔

[msweebyness]

Akuma class and Theater kids worst experiences with Bustier?

@imsparky2002 @booksrbetterthanpeople @nerdy-chocomallow

Akuma:

Juleka:

ALLOWED HER TO BE HELD BACK A SECOND TIME. DID YOU SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT’S WHAT SHE WANTED?!

Constantly got on her case about her speech impediment. Tells her she’ll never get anywhere in life if she doesn’t learn to be more outgoing, and always puts her on the spot.

Alix:

Constantly gives Alix detention and sends her to the principal’s office when she voices her opinion or points out when Bustier isn’t being fair

Always comparing her grades and general academic performance unfavorably to Jalil’s when he was a student at DuPont, pointing out that she could be a straight-A student like her brother if she tried harder

Nathaniel:

Constantly forgetting to include him in the class roster or send him updates about activities, it usually takes multiple reminders from the rest of the class for her to remember him

She’s confiscated his sketchbook multiple times because “he’s not paying attention in class and needs to be disciplined”

Max:

Pressures him into “helping” some of the more well-off students with their homework, I.e. doing it for them, insisting that needs to be “a good friend” to the people that regularly torment him

Constantly tells him to shush Markov and keep the robot from “distracting” the class, despite Markov rarely making a scene and only speaking up when it’s relevant to the lesson

Mylene:

Recommended to Mme. Winters that she doesn’t give Mylene any leads or prominent roles in the school drama productions, because “her anxiety would impede her performance and the production as a whole”

Pressuring her to keep up her role as the class peacemaker and caretaker, hinting she’s being selfish when she wants to do something for herself

Alya:

While in a conference call with Nadja about a potential school-sponsored internship at the news station, Bustier kept bringing up some of Alya’s earlier, less-accomplished journalism projects and harping on their faults, nearly jeopardizing her chances, despite her having moved past that stage and producing quality work

Whenever Alya chooses NOT to go out and try to film an akuma, either because of important school work or because it could put her life in extreme danger, Bustier practically peer pressures her into doing so anyway, telling her that people rely on her for akuma information

Sabrina:

Let Chloe make Sabrina do her homework for years (there is no way in hell she didn’t know, bull-effing-shit), and got on Sabrina’s case about her own grades slipping

Pressures Sabrina to try and get Roger to be more lenient with the horrible people he arrests, insisting they “just need a caring hand”

Nino:

She’s confiscated his headphones on several of his nonverbal days, which has lead him to nearly have an anxiety attack on several different occasions

On career day, when Nino talked about his aspirations for DJing and filmmaking, she derided the first as “not a real career” and the second as “unrealistic”, leaving him feeling terrible about himself and his goals

Chloe:

Never made her do her own work or punished her for mistreating others, severely stunting both her academic and personal growth

Chastised Chloe for being upset about her mother’s treatment of her, stating that “Audrey is a busy woman and Chloe shouldn’t be so demanding of her”

Marinette:

Constantly shirking her duties off onto her, basically making the girl do her own job, gaslighting her when she tries to say no

Has her organize field trips, manage funding, email parents, file paperwork, etc, not caring about how much it cuts into her personal time

Kim:

Whenever Kim can’t stop fidgeting or is having trouble focusing due to his ADHD, rather than supplying him with any sort of assistance, she sends him out of the class for the remainder of the period, causing him to fall behind in class

When Kim forgot to study for a test due to staying late after futbol practice, Bustier loudly called him out for it in front of the entire class, telling him to get his priorities in order

Rose:

Treats her like she’s made of glass and constantly tries to talk her out of doing activities she enjoys, like performing, because they may “cause her unneeded stress and trigger her condition”

Often criticizes her for her “childish” interests and tells her she needs to grow up and leave her plushies and rainbows behind

Adrien:

Would never listen to him when he told her something made him uncomfortable (Cough, Lila, Cough), pressuring him to keep being the agreeable, high-road-taking boy that “everybody loves”

Constantly chastising him for going against his father, insisting the man “just wants what’s best for him” and Adrien “needs to be a more considerate son”

Ivan:

Constantly sending him out of the classroom and to the principal’s office for little to no reason, for things so much as speaking up in class and her perceiving it as being disrespectful, even if it isn’t

Pressures him into doing all the heavy-lifting for the class, alone, even with Kim’s frequent offers to help

Theater:

Eri:

Once gave her a failing grade on a literature test, even though she’d written all the right answers, because said answers were written in her native Japanese

Criticizes her for “making people uncomfortable” with her dark and gothic demeanor and her theatrical tendencies

Soo-Yeon:

Publicly berated and humiliated him (even more) in front of the entire class when he accidentally tripped over a board and spilled his backpack all over the aisle, saying he “needs to pull his head out of the clouds”

Tries to get him to play down his performance on the basketball court, so that the wealthier students on the team (like Adrien, who was aghast when he heard of this), could shine more

Roxie:

Puts pressure on them to forgive their bitchy ex, saying Roxie could have been a better partner and helped Brie achieve her goals, despite the fact she was completely using Roxie

Treats them in very similar manner to Ivan, harshly criticizing their surly and reserved demeanor, pressuring them to be friendlier and smile more

Petra:

Frequently, if indirectly, makes it clear she feels it’s extremely odd that Petra is being raised by four gay men, even making a somewhat tasteless joke about it once

Constantly sending her to the office for the dress code “as a distraction”, despite their various accessories not being against the rules and no one really cares

Candace:

Puts pressure on Candace to be the model, perfect, can-do-it-all student that everyone believes her to be, adding to the stress she already puts on herself to keep up that image

Pressured her to let Lila on the cheer squad to be “inclusive”, even though the liar only had wanted attention and to flirt with athletes. She even tried to get her to give the girl her position as captain

Staci:

Constantly critiquing her performance in the cheer squad, saying she needs to show more pep and smile more, saying her lack of enthusiasm drags the squad down

Has openly badmouthed her dad and his career for exposing corruption in the Paris political system on his news show, saying all he’s doing is stirring up trouble

Parker:

When she used her military self-defense skills to defuse a fight between two students, without harming them, Bustier chastised her for getting involved and “being violent”, advocating for her suspension

Chastises her for coming off as “aggressive and unfriendly” when she uses the military jargon she grew up around in conversations or in class

Margo:

Forces Margo to write down whatever she wants to say in class, rather than saying it out loud, as she “finds her accent too difficult to comprehend”

Always expects Margo to be kind and helpful, even when she has her own things to do, telling her that that’s what everyone expects of her, to be the caring big sister of the class

Anthony:

Often openly insinuates that he should be more like his parents, cultured, well-kept and polite, a model citizen, and abandon his gothic interests, despite Sylvie and Bradley having no issue with who their son is and loving him regardless

Tries to force him into social situations, despite his obvious discomfort with it, saying that he needs to get used to being around people if he wants to be a good son when his parents bring him to their diplomatic gatherings

Aggie:

Tries to pressure her into reaching out to her deadbeat parents, insisting that she needs to forgive them and offer them another chance, as “they’ve made mistakes but they can be better if you help them”

Similarly to Margo, frequently gets on her case about using Scottish slang and dialects, saying she needs to “be more conscious and considerate” and speak in a way that everyone can understand

Evie:

Pressures her not say anything and “make a fuss” when guys harass or touch her, because it’s “just boys being boys” and she “needs to set a good example”

Even said that “maybe if she wasn’t showing off her curves and chest so much, this wouldn’t happen as often.”

Eloise:

Ignored her when she told the teacher about some of the richer students bullying her into doing their math homework, telling her she “just needed to be a helpful and supportive classmate”

Pressured her into joining the scholastic decathlon time despite her not being comfortable in high-stakes competitive situations, saying she needed to “put her fears aside and do it for the school”

Anais:

Constantly putting pressure on her to live up to their mother’s expectations, and chastising it when she vents about how much it actually stress them out, saying Olive “only wants the best for her child and she should be grateful its mother cares so much”

Pressures them to offer “tutoring” to some of the richer students, despite all that it already has on her plate

Dot:

Has pressured her into not filling out incident reports for small bullying infractions, as is part of her office job, for things done by wealthy students, telling her “she doesn’t want to ruin their future prospects

Constantly piling more and more work onto her already full plate, even things that a student secretary shouldn’t normally have to do, all while praising her for being “so dependable”

Missy:

When Missy made the mistake of telling her about her feelings of self-blame for her mother’s death-in-childbirth, Bustier dismissed these feelings as “silly”, saying she “had no reason to feel that way”

Has actually had her sent to the counselor’s office for her “obvious attitude problem”, and talked about such in front of the entire class

Mona:

Acts incredibly condescending towards her, like the perfect advocate, frequently suggesting they should stick to activities “more her speed”, so they don’t “impede the progress of other students”

Often harshly calls them out in front of the class to pay attention when she starts to drift into her headspace, embarrassing her and ruining their mood for the rest of the day

Ayesha:

Holds her up as a model of positivity and a good attitude, insisting all the other students should be like her, and trying to force her to be cheerful on the rare days she feels sad

Discourages her from putting her cartoons up on the school’s art forum because she thinks they’re too “silly and childish”, despite people greatly enjoying them

Jesse:

Tried to pressure him out of testifying against his father in court, despite all the abuse he suffered from the man, stressing that family is incredibly important and forgiveness is key

Constantly forgetting to supply him with handouts with larger text to make it easier with his monocular vision

Brecken:

Nearly had him suspended for defending his girlfriend from one of the (rich) guys who frequently harasses her. It wasn’t even a fight, he just pushed the guy away from Evie and told him to back off or he would make him

Doesn’t bother supplying him with any help with her curriculum, despite him being dyslexic and it being heavily literature based. She just says he needs to try harder

[loredrinker]

I've seen this quote used everywhere in a variety of fandoms, and I've always interpreted it to be about a character’s lived experience - a memory of someone that only they hold. I think it fits the Solas/Lavellan dynamic very well.

This isn’t about proving whether their relationship - romantic or platonic - was real or manipulation. Players will always have their own interpretations, and that debate doesn’t interest me here. What interests me is the concept of memory and experience - how Lavellan (or any Inquisitor who cared for Solas as a friend) saw a side of him that others didn’t and now has to live with that knowledge.

It's why the Inquisitor asks Rook about the names they know of Solas and how they have another name for him. Because that was their experience with Solas (positive or negative). (I tried to reflect this feeling in this fictional one shot.)

Veilguard is built around themes of memory, reflection, and the tethers of the past. And here is one more character shaped by those same themes. In real life, when people talk about their past relationships - friendships or love - we accept that those experiences shaped them. But when it comes to this fictional story, it’s easy to dismiss the Inquisitor’s connection to Solas, as if their memories should be rewritten to match how others see him now.

But for the Inquisitor, that memory still exists. That experience still happened. And they are the one left to reconcile it. You, as the player, decide how they do that, which leads to wildly different interpretations - each one unique and interesting.

What fascinates me is this: if you were that person, how would you hold onto something so personal when others might mock you for it? When no one else understands? When the only proof of what you once had exists in your own mind? Do you give in to ridicule? Do you stand firm? How lonely would you feel? Would you trust your mind going forward?

This is what makes a Solas-romanced world state - or any Inquisitor who cared for him - interesting to me. They carry something no one else does, no matter how others perceive it. And they’re not alone in that. Varric believed Solas could be saved because his experience of him was different from the rest of the world’s.

Lived experience is fascinating in a story like this. It adds another layer to these characters, another reason why their relationships stand out to me.

Thanks @sky--phantom - once again for getting my brain going.

[daemonologywrites]

With all the stories about data scraping fanworks for AI that have been coming out, I’ll be setting my works on ao3 to “registered users only”—not that I’m nearly enough of a popular writer to catch anyone’s intention, but I still feel uncomfortable with the idea of my works being fed into the plagiarism machine

[aptericia]

more thoughts

I think over the past five-ish years I’ve gone from wanting to die and hating myself for it to wanting to live life to the fullest and somehow also hating myself for it.

Because I was musing on this post again and I think my feelings come down to the fact that when I’ve failed at things before, it was because I didn’t try that hard; that is, I didn’t want to succeed. And now with my condition, it’s more apparent that reason I’m failing at things is because I can’t succeed. The latter situation is much scarier and more humiliating because it’s out of my control. I can’t just brush it off by saying “eh, well it didn’t matter that much anyway.” But honestly? I don’t think there’s a clear distinction between the two situations. With executive dysfunction (currently my most debilitating symptom) especially, it can be impossible to tell the difference between physical capability and mental desire.

All this to say, I feel like maybe my condition isn’t even the problem. Yeah it’s a massive pain and totally unfair, but I’m still theoretically able to enjoy life. The real problem is that college is fucking hard! And since my health took this hit, it doesn’t mean I CAN’T complete school, just that the steps I’d need to take to do so would probably make me miserable & unable to live my life the way I want.

And theoretically that realization should make it easy to decide!! Like I said at the beginning, I care about my own happiness now. I’ve worked so hard to gain appreciation for my existence, to find immense amounts of joy in the mundane, to discover things I want to share and experience and create, and that is absolutely precious to me. I can think of so many experiences more worthwhile than struggling through college (because again, the only way now to get through college would be to struggle). But I’m so, so embarrassed to make that call. I don’t want to be “another college dropout.” I don’t want to be “another uneducated once-homeschooled adult.” I don’t want to be “another starving artist.” I hate myself for daring to prioritize my fulfillment in life over the judgement of others.

So maybe I’m not even ashamed that I’m disabled. What I’m ashamed about is the possibility of not having the lifestyle that other people want/expect me to have. And my condition has forced me to make a choice between that lifestyle and my actual happiness.

Sometimes I wish I could just erase myself from the memory of everyone who knew me before, like, 2022 or so. Everyone who knew me when I was an able-bodied straight-A student who never shared her own thoughts or took up space. Everyone who told me I was going to do great things because I was so good at STEM. Everyone who told me I was such a kind person who always prioritized others. Also, everyone who told me I was always going to end up struggling because I didn’t exercise enough or wanted to be an artist or whatever, and had no idea that the real reason would be because of a sudden disability. I still love you all, but I just don’t want to give your judgements any place in my life anymore.

vent

Guys, I really don’t want to. I really really don’t want to admit that I’m disabled.

I’m supposed to be lucky. I’m 100% physically safe and financially secure. I have wonderful parents who prioritize my health and happiness and gave me a far better education than most of my peers got. I have been surrounded my compassionate and accepting people my whole life. And even in addition to how privileged I am, I’ve done really well for myself. It was so, so fucking hard to pull myself away from suicidal ideation and to not just “not hating” myself, but actually being proud… and I did it. I’ve worked really hard on the things I love and I’m good at them. I’m good at being independent, but I also know how to ask for help. I challenge myself and I let myself rest. I try things and I learn things. And I sure have used all those skills to try to get myself out of, or at least learn to cope with, my current situation.

I was so proud of myself this week for finally, finally doing my chores and schoolwork early, despite so many failed attempts to do so. I already know resting doesn’t help (I tried that first, and I tried it a lot) and at last I actually succeeded in pushing myself. I told myself that if I just got everything done, I could get ahead, I could rest later. And guess what? I never got any fucking rest. I never got ahead. I don’t feel even the slightest bit better.

I hate it, I hate it so so much that I’ve done everything right. I hate that all the odds are stacked in my favor. I hate that I spent so long learning to even want to be happy, and yet now I can’t be. I hate that I can’t blame myself or anyone else for what’s wrong with me, not because I want to be angry at something, but because I want to have some direction in where to start and how to get my life back. Admitting I’m disabled means admitting that the person who bullied me was right, that there’s nothing I can do, that I’m actually just Less Smart, Less Strong, Less Fortunate. And it makes me scared that she was also right about the consequences of that. That I’m not worth accomodating, that it’s unfair to make others deal with me, that I’m a burden.

I truly don’t hate myself any more. But sometimes I wish I did. because at least then I wouldn’t be so angry at all the shit I have to deal with.

[peaches2217]

Part of me wants to try my hand at taking writing commissions. I’m not horribly strapped for cash, I can make do (and I’ve also got a Ko-Fi whose existence I only remember once every couple of months 😅), but 1.) Lucy’s medical bills ate into my already slim savings and 2.) commissions are like requests with monetary incentive, meaning it might be a good way to force myself to write more.

That said, I have exactly one experience with commissions (which was for vocalsynth file making rather than writing); the person kept throwing stuff at me that I never agreed to because I didn’t have a contract, and when they inevitably decided they hated what I managed with what they’d given me, they demanded their money back plus double under threat of lambasting me on the forum I was working from. Needless to say, I pulled my commission thread down shortly after.

…any other ideas? My brain keeps yelling “Threat of violence! Threat of violence!” so hiring someone to beat the shit out of me if I don’t get a certain amount of writing done within a certain timeframe is the next best thing I can think of. /lh