#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.

[frobby]

Yukio doesn't realize rin was lonely because he was key contributor to said loneliness

[the-crooked-library]

opened tiktok (mistake number one, i know) and immediately saw someone saying that Thomas Hutter subverts the "disbelieving husband" trope which... listen i love a thoroughly pathetic mess of a man myself and i get that Ellen's other option is a 400yo evil corpse, but can we please not give him credit for things he didn't do?..

the literal inciting incident of the story is that Thomas DOESN'T listen to Ellen. he doesn't believe her. she tells him that she's got a bad feeling about this trip, begs him not to go, tells him about her nightmare - and what does he do? he calls it a childish fantasy, tells her to stop worrying, and implies that she would benefit from talking to a doctor. saying shit softly doesn't make it any less dismissive or insulting, like i'm sorry but this is peak Disbelieving Husband in a Horror Movie behaviour. he only changed his mind once Orlok put him through the horrors himself, which is also a perfectly standard thing for a Disbelieving Husband to do in the second act. furthermore, from the beginning of the film, he neglects Ellen's emotional needs, is uncomfortable with her abnormalities, and doesn't even really know what sort of gifts she likes - and again, these are all standard flaws for a Disbelieving Husband to exhibit. they're indicative of a disconnect between him and his wife that he continuously refuses to bridge.

caring for someone doesn't mean you can't neglect or harm them, and that applies to everyone - including Normal People like Thomas, like Harding, like Sievers, like the viewer; and that's the point of the film

[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?

[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

[renegadesstuff]

He regretted the moment he said it 😭🥺

[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. 

[im2tired4usernames]

You know if your church has an attitude that child education is a waste of time because God and revolutions is coming anytime and the world's just gonna end so the children don't need to waste time to know math and that you need to train them up right they just need to study the Bible and love God your church is lit just a dooms day cult and not even trying to hide it

[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 :' )))

[of-the-stars-and-the-sea]

You will be free.

I remember the first time I saw you.

I remember the way the shadows had clung to you in the night, as if they were a second skin to you. In the dark, your eyes seemed to glint unnaturally in the moonlight. Though most of your skin was covered, I could still see where your fingertips had been stained a terrible crimson. The scent of copper and iron that trailed you was so strong I could practically taste it. 

But when I looked closer, I could see the way in which you hardly seemed to breathe, as if the mere action of filling your lungs would give you away. I could see the way your nails dung into your palms as you attempted to steady your shaking hands to no avail. The way your face had been rubbed to the point of rawness in order to hide the tracks that your tears had engraved into your cheeks.

You are a disciple of death, darling, but you did not choose to be this way, did you?

You did not choose to have the mercy carved from your soul the way it was, but they left no choice for you when they laid that blade into your hands. You killed your humanity because the only other option was to let them kill you instead. And I do not blame you, darling. For I could never blame you for holding desperately into existence, no matter the cost. I would’ve done the same in your shoes. 

But even if you will never be able to live freely and without fear, I ask you just this once to pause in your pacing and listen to me. You are more than just a weapon. You are more than a piece of steel to be whetted and wedded until death do you part. I need you to know that. I need you to know that there is more to your nature than the night you cloak yourself in. 

You don’t need to understand them yet, but I need you to trust that my words are true. And I know it is cruel of me to ask, but I need you to trust me when I say that you are more than what they’ve made you. I need you to do this because if you don’t, I’m afraid of what may happen to you. They have never been kind to you darling, and I fear that this time will be no different. 

So please. Please stay. Stay, and then once you have recovered, once they no longer share your name in requiem, we will return for restitution. We will make them regret every reproof they laid upon you for the sin of simply daring to have a soul. We will damn them in the very same way they tried to damn you. We will tear down their walls until they have nothing left to hide behind. And then once they are laid bare we will–

I’m getting away from myself. 

But I really do mean it, darling. If you will allow me to, I will do my very best to hold onto you. Mark my words, if you stay with me, I will never let anyone use you as if you are nothing more than an object again. 

And after all is said and done, I swear to you that you will be free.

....

inspired by this post.