#we're all someone's monster

[renegadesstuff]

Kaz Dirtyhands Brekker 🐦‍⬛

[vvivacious101]

My Reactions to S&B S1E1&2

So, I recently started the Netflix Original Series - Shadow & Bone and I have a lot of thoughts.

I was really surprised by just how quickly the Crows are introduced because within ten minutes of the first episode, we have been introduced to all the characters on that poster and that was unexpected. While I knew the Crows featured in the show I wasn't expecting their involvement to be this intensive. But, I totally get it!

As it stands 'Six of Crows' is probably the most popular book in the Grishaverse and 'The Crows' are everybody's favourites including mine. So, it's good. There are little details here and there which depending on how the show progresses could be issues but otherwise, so far I'm happy with the amount of screen time Jesper, Inej and Kaz are getting.

Also, the whole kidnap Alina from the Little Palace plotline is very reminiscent of the Ice Court Heist.

Now, let's get to Shadow and Bone and why I had to stop watching the show midway through episode two - 'We're All Someone's Monster'. (The title of this episode is lifted straight from Matthias in Six of Crows.) There are some things that have changed but to discuss them properly let's get started with episode 1 - 'A Searing Burst of Light'.

There are two scenes in Shadow and Bone (the book) that are pivotal. The first is the very first scene in the book, the day Mal and Alina get tested. This single scene is an idea that is brought up again and again in the book, it is literally the fulcrum of Alina's relationship with Mal and her abilities. The scene is essential to their relationship and what it means to Alina. As the books are written from Alina's POV it is very easy to say this with absolute certainty.

The second is Mal's re-introduction - Mal and Alina grew up together. They are orphans that see each other as family. In Mal and Alina's orphanage, none of the children play with Alina as she is significantly younger than the others. So, when Mal comes to stay at the orphanage it is the very first time she has someone her own age around and they quickly become inseparable.

When the book starts, Alina is walking down the road when the Darkling's carriage comes hurtling down the path. Mal is the one who quickly gets her out of the way of the hurtling carriage and that's it. In one simple scene, you have been given a snapshot of the events of the book. I really like this scene and it is pivotal but I feel that its importance is debatable. Some people might not want such an on-the-nose introduction but I absolutely love the scene and would have absolutely loved to see it included.

There is the pervasiveness in the book that Mal is liked and Alina is not, some of that is understood to be because Alina is close to Mal and most girls want to be close to Mal, so they are jealous of Alina. But it's something that is very present and I like how changing her race betters the pervasiveness of that idea. The Ravkans are at war with the Fjerdans in the North and the Shu Han in the South. Making Alina half-Shu means that the dislike for her has a real-life parallel that is extremely relatable and I love the fact that it adds a depth to Alina's character which is most welcome.

The reveal of her powers is so badly done both times it's happened so far. I have always understood that her powers are like daylight, so it isn't just a searing burst of light but like having a pocket of what looks to be daylight surrounded by the dark. It also seems to be implied that her light kills the Volcra which is again patently wrong and something that makes Alina more powerful, I don't know how the story will tackle this change.

While I was ambivalent about the power reveal in the fold I was absolutely horrified by the reveal in the tent. Am I supposed to believe Alina just bleeds light, what the hell is that supposed to be???

Also, this power reveal is the time when it becomes clear that this show is apparently going to take the angle that Alina was never tested and that had me raging mad. I literally had to stop watching.

Because why would you do that? The testing is absolutely essential to how Alina understands her relationship with Mal. How can you change that? I am not optimistic about Mal and Alina in this show because it seems to be that the show creators want to base Alina's love for Mal in the now and completely erase just how long she has loved Mal.

Because Alina loves Mal, you can't doubt that with how the show begins wherein Alina burns confidential maps so that at least one cartographer will have to be on the skiff making the crossing, because that is how much she doesn't want to be separated with Mal but again that's nothing compared to suppressing a part of yourself for years having to put up with diminished energy just so that they won't be separated. Also, they are probably trying to parallel Mal volunteering for his own reckless mission that will probably show up later in the show. Alina's actions are very reckless because she dooms all the cartographers which kind of taints her actions. I'm not happy.

[seance]

WHO AM I TO YOU? I AM THE ANTICHRIST TO YOU.

[mayashesfly]

Document: The Traitor

(Or my personal take on the player in Pressure's Game Lore)

M-██████ - Codename: The Traitor, is a specifically made variant of M-████ made by Mr.█████ for the Blacksite Mission. (See document █████████ for more information)

Infected individuals by this variant are called Sleepers.

It has been modified to only find suitable Sleepers signed under the EXR-P unit. In the case of its current Sleeper dying, it will infect another EXR-P.

It is oblivious to its change of Sleepers, viewing its next run with its new Sleeper as another life. Though it does not grasp the concept that death is permanent and not reversible, viewing its next life as a normal phenomenon.

Due to its natural inclination to seek knowledge and take everything it can, it tends to gather all loose assets and all valuable equipment it can carry.

It excretes a colorless and odorless gas that Sleepers exhale, attracting Z-V06 when concentrated in an enclosed area, like lockers.

However, Sleepers inhaling this gas for too long in an enclosed area showcases symptoms of cleithrophobia and causes the Sleeper to leave the enclosed area immediately.

The smoke Z-283-Chainsmoker emits exacerbates this symptom.

As motivation for it to kill its current Sleeper before it can reach the Crystal, Mr.█████ has made a way to give it more information about the facility and its hazards when it changes Sleepers through the usage of the Saboteur's abilities.

It's shown to be effective during the early stages. Though currently, an unfortunate side effect of this action is that it now seeks out to survive until at least room 50 in order to meet the Saboteur.

[In the case that it reaches the Crystal, it will naturally make its current Sleeper fall down to their death before they can take the Crystal.

However, in its perspective, it believes that it actually took the Crystal and had to survive more rooms before it could 'win' thanks to Mr.█████'s abilities.

Depending on how it performs in this illusion, it will either meet the Saboteur as always when it 'dies' or transfer directly to another EXR-P unit thinking that it 'won'.]

Document: █████████

M-████ - Codename: █████████, are entities found in the █████████████ capable of entering the minds of people, taking root in the victim's brain to control their entire nervous system.

However, it is incapable of feeling the pain its infected individual experiences, leading their victim to be more susceptible to injury without being able properly treating it since it lacks proper self-preservation instincts.

Infected individuals lose autonomy on their own body, making them incapable of moving or talking. They remain conscious and self-aware even if infected severely, only retaining their capability to have their own thoughts and mind.

Dissections of the infected individuals showcases signs of brain damage left behind from a bright metallic-like substance, almost akin to mercury. Though most individuals have survived and recovered after being infected and released.

Transmission of unmodified M-████ is unpredictable as it is not traceable through any physical means. Though observations from known infected subjects showcase that key individuals in an infected subject's life can be more susceptible to being infected by M-████ as well.

One thing that is known about M-████ is that it has a natural inclination for seeking knowledge and taking everything it can, sometimes to the expense of the individual it has infected.

If someone you know suddenly developed an interest in exploration and/or asking invasive questions regardless of your closeness with the individual, contact ███████████████ immediately.

(Note: These documents are not affiliated with nor created by Urbanshade)

[see-arcane]

I'm going to lose my mind.

Eggers. Bobby Egg. Buddy.

No. Very much no.

[voxtekfanclub]

..... so.

we have a laios. in our system. aight.

and uh......... we just introduced him to undertale.

........

let's say he's very autistic about it

ut/dr fictives block tag #tw monster eating if necessary

[stromuprisahat]

Alina: “He [Sturmhond] has both otkazat'sya and Grisha on his crew.“

Malyen: “No First or Second Army, just...“

Alina: “Equals. Imagine if our camps were run like this, First and Second Army together.“

Malyen: “The food would taste much better.“

Are you fucking kidding me? Whose fault it is that Grisha need to be separated? (Pretty sure they’d answer the Darkling’s, but fuck ‘em.) What happens anytime Grisha are mentioned by average Ravkans? I mean...

Malyen: “This is why our tents got moved. Grisha wanted more space. [To train...]“

Alina: “Ugh. Grisha.“

Malyen: “Show-offs.“

01×01

Malyen: “Where are they taking her?“

Zoya: “She'll be fine. She's in good hands.“

Malyen: “Not while she's around Grisha.“

01×02

... hypocrites too much?

[inahandful-of-dust]

Grisha Powers

ETHEREALKI or The Order of Summoners

Squallers

Inferni

Tidemaker

[jeonghanurl]

guess who thought she was unattractive and unlovable for 32 years but now has a partner who likes me even though he knows I run an instagram-account for my plushies and have asymmetrical boobs

[augustcastle]

we’re all someone’s monster

If August’s being honest, he doesn’t know whether he’s most excited about Ryan having some time to spend with him or the fact that they’re doing it in Paris. It’s always been on his top to-do list, though he supposes everyone says that. What’s not to love? 

It’s been a minute since he’s been to an event as well, him and Ryan doing many things as a couple, but out and about at a prestigious event? Crossing that off. 

He’s dressed in a maroon suit tonight, something a little out of his comfort zone, exciting, running his hand down the material of his jacket as he waits for Ryan to get ready. He’s drinking a glass of red wine in their loft, looking out the window of the balcony. The fact that he can see the Eiffel Tower from here is mind boggling. 

“Not saying we should sneak out early and find crepes but...I’m not not saying that either.” He calls out. 

[renegadesstuff]

He regretted the moment he said it 😭🥺

[ichthyorelationships]

ideas: i didn't really think of him being underwater but they deserve to have drama by crying there too so i just think you could say something about the composition being denser than water or w/e. proteins

i'm always like good thing he didn't try to exit asap via swimming in ciao alberto But What If He Did lol. just swim Somewhere else along the coast, maybe panic about [money??] & whether somehow this ruins school for luca, whether he can get in touch w/o it being On Sight b/w him & all marcovaldos, consider just kind of trying out other places, traveling after all...fascinating considering the other povs on the issue like: now there's the paguros to sympathize w/a kid vanishing, luca however in a somewhat more novel position there, giulia's throwback to alberto being a bit perplexing lmao, kind of thinking the best massimo could do is have a prewritten letter for luca to give to alberto If Possible, conveying something like i know you didn't set my livelihood on fire on purpose but even if you did i'd want you to stay. and luca in a position to do all of "maybe give the island fun facts so someone can check if he's there" & "wait & hope alberto can/does get in touch" & "have a lot of feelings"....not even the context of what this drawing is about necessarily, just tacking it on here anyways. ahead of time i went "heh now i Know they're gonna have it get little Real here b/c it's really about alberto wanting the security of feeling he can 'earn' a sustained relationship" then the short cleared & i was lying completely dead on the pavement

[bitegore]

baru cormorant seems to me to be a series that suffers miserably for me having read machineries of empire first. unfortunately everything BC is doing strikes me as something MoE did better and more believably and with much a greater and more grounded eye for how systems, complex system interaction, and oppression like. work

[bright-eyes-strawberry-lies]

I think perhaps the queer couple shouldn't keep Nico's children as pets regardless of what their species is.

[quietlyblooms]

the color schemes in a.tsv are so pretty but also so smart and they scratch my brain just right every time i watch this movie :' )))

[not-poignant]

Hi Pia, I was talking to a friend the other day and we were debating whether it was ok or not to enjoy media made by people with different political views than your own.

She said it wasn't but I said it depends on the person but also because I think we shouldn't self-censor ourselves or judge the quality of the media by the opinions of the person/s making it. As someone who's studied media what are your takes on this? Thanks in advance ( ^_^)

Anon, this subject is way too broad for me to answer in a single post response.

It also highly depends on what the media is, and what the politics are. There's a difference between consuming something (and giving money to someone) who's just a mild asshole, and someone who is a literal rapist and has never experienced consequences for it, or someone who is literally giving money to movements that will indirectly cause the deaths of trans teenagers and is still actively doing that / not dead yet.

If you're the kind of person to give money to someone who will contribute - and has contributed - to the deaths of trans teenagers, well it's a free world and you can do that, but maybe don't expect to keep a lot of your trans friends and trans ally friends, and you yourself would not be a trans ally. You're not self-censoring, and the world isn't stopping you from doing that, but you might be someone who needs to feel more empathy for the people around you, or work on understanding why giving money to folks with monstrous politics leads to more monstrous politics.

If you don't want to live in that kind of world, you have choices you can make. But they're your choices.

It's not 'censoring' myself to choose not to participate in the works of something by someone who is doing things that could lead to a less safe world for me and fellow trans people as an example. I'm making a choice because I care about other people and because I genuinely would not enjoy the works of a person who created stuff who has said online: 'If you participate in my created works I'm going to assume you support my views (and so will everyone else).'

Making personal choices like this is not censoring, anon. (And I'm pro-censorship, lol, so even if it was, I'd still be like 'yeah contextually sometimes you have to' - censoring =/= banning). Technically censorship is something that can only be done by controlling bodies and government authorities anyway.

But we have to make choices all the time. If your friend is raped by another friend of yours, but that second friend buys you dinner all the time, do you keep seeing that second friend because like, hey free dinner! If your answer to this question is 'of course I would' - then like, well, I don't know what to say to that. We probably can't have a meaningful conversation about compassion or humanity.

Different levels of politics have different ramifications to different areas of society and different people. I'm trans, so I'm not going to support transphobic creators. It's really that simple for me. I don't want my fellow trans people to keep getting hurt by anti-trans rhetoric, and I'm pretty tired of it myself, so I avoid it, and I avoid the people who support folks who literally enable it to keep happening. It's an active issue with active and current repercussions. We're not talking in this instance about the politics of a dead author who can't hurt anyone anymore, or someone in prison, or someone who is so old they have disappeared offline into the ether.

If, on the other hand, I find out someone's a Republican but in all other ways they're mostly just living their life and not trying to actively harm people by funneling all of their personal money into things that will like...cause suicides due to promoting say, transphobia, then yeah, I might still engage with their stuff or support their stuff.

Likewise, if I watch or give money to a movie made by Weinstein, I will often think of all the other crew members and actors who had nothing to do with that behaviour who still deserve residuals or royalties.

Some cases are complicated, but some aren't. Some really are 'this person has said they will give their money to causes and governments that want to hurt us and eradicate us' and supporting that is the action of a transphobic person, even if that person doesn't feel transphobic. If the actions cause more hate towards trans people, it's a transphobic action, and it's kind of that simple.' And trust me, you can be trans and still be transphobic. We see internalised phobias all the time, everywhere.

Yes, I'm talking about JKR here, because I find this kind of question is usually about some obviously monstrous living person who is still doing monstrous things in a very ongoing way, vs. just a regular 'hey I found out this writer is pro-fracking and I hate fracking what do I do' or 'hey this author writes a ship I don't like should I hate them.'

(Look this might not be about JKR but it's certainly the first thing that's going to come to most trans people's minds and I'm trans, anon).