#who go 'its not that deep why are you being analytical about it'

[doomednarrative]

Everyday I see takes from tokutwt that just Really reaffirm why I never post my liveblogging there tbh

[musashi]

i want more nuance to be entered into the discussion of the green girl sorority and how differently cynthia plays elphaba in comparison to those who came before her because while a lot of people are rightfully like "why was elphaba not black from the beginning" and celebrating that she is now being played by a black woman, i think we need to be careful in just writing off all the elphabas of the past as Random White Girls when the role was championed (and often followed/succeeded) by a jewish woman

the pop culture archetype of the Wicked Witch has deep roots in antisemitism stretching faaaar far back. there is a level of reclamation happening in casting idina menzel, a jewish woman, to play the Misunderstood and Maligned young girl who is branded as exactly that. and stage!Elphaba is also written and acted with jewish stereotypes in mind--she is loud, aggressive, no-nonsense, blunt. she is quick to advocate for herself and shut down the discrimination she faces. all of this is very intentional! her personality is abrasive from years of abuse, and that makes propagandizing her easy. this is literally the thesis statement of the musical--it's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed.

cynthia's performance of elphaba is fucking INSPIRED despite going in a completely different direction. she's much more reserved, analytical, one of her key character traits is how well she can read people (see her calling out Galinda as insecure/putting on airs in their first scene together, clocking that Fiyero is using his party guy persona as a shield for his own depression) elphaba's attempts to blend in and make herself smaller all fail simply because of her existence, if not that then because she feels empathy so strongly she often struggles to hold back from acting, protecting.

personality wise, though, cynthia's elphaba is very quiet and closed-off, not at all the bullet-to-the-face that she is in the stage show, and... she still gets propagandized and maligned. though this seems to contradict the other interpretation, it tells of the other end of the spectrum of propaganda, one that black women watching (and many, MANY other marginalized folks) are sure to identify with--it does not matter how "nice," how reserved, how small a black woman makes herself. a racist society will still scrutinize her every action for a way to parse ill intent from it, brand her as an angry black woman who is dangerous and wicked, and write off any humanity she has in the process.

these two very different interpretations tell of the lie of assimilation. the fact of the matter is, when you are marginalized, there is no way to sand down your edges enough to make the people oppressing you "accept" you. that is why wicked is a tragedy at its core. whether loud and aggressive or quiet and unimposing, there is nothing elphaba could have done to make the people of Oz see her as anything other than a scapegoat to blame all their problems on.

so while i definitely appreciate that people are excited for black girl era elphaba, i would encourage us all to still show appreciation for what came before--that was not white girl era elphaba. that was jewish girl era elphaba. two houses, both alike in dignity, two stories both worth being told.

[universefcb]

PERDICIÓN, CHAPTER ONE.

LISTCHAPTERS

→ Warning: Mention of Reader. Spanish phrases. Fluff. Romance.

→ Author's note: First chapter of Pedri's mini series... I'm looking forward to hearing your reactions!

And sorry if there are mistakes, English is not my language.I hope this is what you asked for!

The scorching Barcelona sun made the windows of Fernando Gonzalez's car obscure the view of those passing by on the street. He parked in front of the gated community with the usual calm of someone who already knew the way well. He turned off the car, grabbed his cell phone from the passenger seat and sent one last message:

It's now. Enter with confidence.”

The young woman sitting next to him took a deep breath, adjusting the strap of her backpack on her shoulders. Her name was far from known, and her presence there was almost clandestine to the resident of the house. A third-year physiotherapy student, passionate about the human body, muscles, joints, and, ironically, she had never been a big fan of football — until the tuition bill started to weigh too much.

Fernando opened the gate with his own code and let her pass.

“Remember, he didn’t want this. It won’t be easy, but he has to,” he warned, seriously, as if he were handing over a secret mission.

The house had a subtle smell of wood and cleanliness, and silence prevailed. From the hallway came the muffled sound of the television on. She noticed the modern furniture, the neutral tones, the trophies discreetly spread out on the shelves. Everything there carried the identity of a disciplined young man, accustomed to excellence.

Pedri was sitting on the couch, the remote control in his hand, his expression filled with boredom and impatience. He was wearing loose gray shorts and a Tenerife T-shirt, with the elastic band just above the injured area, as if the slightest pressure was already too uncomfortable. He didn't look up when the two entered, he just muttered:

“I already told you I don’t need it.”

Fernando ignored it.

“Yes, you do. You’ll be out of training for a month, and the club has already done its part. Now it’s time for someone to help you at home. And since you turned down three physiotherapists, I decided to call someone outside your radar.”

Pedri finally looked up at her. His expression was cold, analytical. There was judgment, weariness, and a touch of wounded pride. He didn’t seem interested in any kind of politeness.

“You’re Carlos’ sister, right?” he murmured, his tone barely concealing his disdain.

She nodded with a tight smile.

“That’s it. I’m in my third year of physical therapy, with a practical internship in rehabilitation. Your brother explained the situation. I just want to help.”

Pedri stood up with difficulty. A slight groan escaped involuntarily as he placed his right foot on the floor, revealing the stiffness in his injured leg. He didn't like to appear vulnerable, especially in front of strangers.

“I just want you to stay out of the way. I don’t need any small talk or pity.”

She stood her ground, not lowering her gaze.

“I didn’t come here to be nice. I came here to help you walk again without pain, run, and maybe get back on the field sooner than expected.”

Fernando crossed his arms, satisfied with her answer. That was exactly why he had bet on her. Unlike the others, who treated his brother like a porcelain doll or, worse, like an injured celebrity, she seemed to treat him just like a patient. And, deep down, Pedri hated being treated like anything other than that.

“I’ll leave you,” Fernando said, heading for the door. “If anything happens, call me.”

The tension in the air was palpable when they were alone. Pedri slowly backed up to the couch, his jaw clenched.

“Are you going to just stand there or is the show going to start?”

She dropped her backpack on the floor and picked up her clipboard with notes. She ignored the acidic tone.

“First, I need to understand how you’re moving. I want to see what you can do without pain. Are you going to show me, or do you want me to figure it out for myself?”

He stared at her for a few seconds, surprised by the coldness of her response. Then he snorted, resigned. He stood up again, slowly, each movement calculated, as if any slip could cause his thigh to tear from the inside.

She studied everything with a clinical eye: the uneven stance, the slight hip shift, the subtle imbalance as she shifted her weight to her good leg. She noted every detail, seriously. He could feel her judgment, and it irritated him even more—even though it was, paradoxically, the kind of technical attention he needed.

“Tomorrow we’ll start with passive mobilizations,” she said without hesitation. “Then, as the pain subsides, we’ll add ice and electrostimulation.”

“Are you going to thread a needle too?” he said ironically.

“If you keep making jokes about pain, you might need it.”

She rolled onto her back and began to assemble the small portable stretcher she had brought. He watched her, silently. He wasn't used to being ignored—especially in his own home.

“Do you know how to drive?” he asked, out of the blue.

She stared at him, confused.

“I know, why?”

“I need to watch the game on Saturday. Xavi wants me to go, even from the bench. The club sends a driver, but I prefer someone who won’t talk about ‘how difficult it will be without me’.”

It was almost a request. Almost. But the voice carried too much arrogance to sound like an offer of a truce.

She just responded with a brief nod.

“I’ll take you. As long as you don’t complain about my steering wheel.”

He laughed, a low, dry laugh. For the first time, the mood seemed less sharp.

The first session didn’t last long. Pedri’s muscles were still stiff, and he complained more than he should have. But she stood her ground. She didn’t let his grumbling or his disapproving looks affect her. She knew she needed the work—but more than that, she knew he needed her, even if he didn’t admit it.

Late in the afternoon, when she was gathering her things, she heard his voice from the hallway:

“Tomorrow, 10am. And don’t be late.”

She smiled to herself. He hadn't said please. But he hadn't said go away either.

It was a beginning.

Taglist: @paucubarsisimp @nngkay @meganesanchez @htpssgavi @merinott @luvvpedri @moonvr @joaosnovia @httpsdana @ilovebarcaaaa @p4uul0vr @pedricando @barcapix @owala6789

[thewertsearch]

@hussianphilosopher submitted: Sally - longtime lurker, first time poster, big fan. I'm perpetually amazed by how thoughtful you are about Homestuck and how well you understand it for a first-time reader (you might be surprised how many people watch Cascade and don't actually understand that the Green Sun was just created, much less immediately put together everything Doc Scratch said and did that led up to it!). The high point of the liveblog for me was the whole arc of you being confused about how predestination in Homestuck worked, because, essentially, you had already figured out that the alpha timeline existed before the alpha timeline was introduced. You were confused about the story for a while because you understood it too well, too quickly! As someone who engages with the story similarly to you, on both the character level and the deep story/analysis level, I want to make what is a pretty contrarian argument these days: that the Epilogues are A. good, and B. canon. They're a tough read for sure, but I think someone who reads the story as deeply and pays as much attention as you do will really appreciate what they're trying to do. The Epilogues were also the last time that Hussie was directly involved with the story, and I think if you read them now it's very clear that the story is the culmination of ideas he was thinking about from very early in Homestuck (He said for years before the comic finished that he planned some kind of epilogue). The whole "dubiously canon" concept was part of a failed experiment on his part to try to step away and empower the fandom - the people who actually worked on the comic in that era always treated it as canon and referred to it as such. I consider the Epilogues the final canonical chapter of Homestuck - at a bare minimum I think it should be thought of as Hussie's take on a post-Homestuck fanfic, and I think it deserves attention. Of course I also think the story is good and interesting, which a lot of people don't, so, it's all a matter of opinion, but, as someone who's been following your liveblog and respects your reading of the comic a lot, I wanted to at least throw my hat into the ring on the subject. Incredibly excited to see what you make of act 6!

I really appreciate this honest, impassioned, genuine defense of the Epilogues. It's not the only one I've been sent, either - and quite a few of the others have also cited my analytical style as a reason why I might get more out of them than I realize. I can't pretend I'm not at least a little intrigued.

I've been thinking a lot about Homestuck's tie-in material while drafting my response to this message, and after some serious consideration, I've decided that I'm going to change my planned approach to the Epilogues.

I originally planned to read it in a more casual, less analytical manner, and potentially transition to a full liveblog if and only if I'm sufficiently engaged. Instead, however, I'm going to do the opposite, respecting the faith its defenders have in it by giving it the complete liveblogger's treatment from the very beginning.

I reserve the right to transition back to a casual read if I'm not enjoying myself, of course! But, rest assured, I'll only do that after giving the Epilogues a real, good-faith college try.

[vitiligo-is-not-a-trend]

Hello! I just discovered this blog recently and apparently my brain decided I had to scroll through the entire thing.

I came away with mostly just one question-

A LOT of the blog focuses on critiquing people who give charachters vitiligo 'just because'.

But you also said, at one point, that you CAN give a charachter vitiligo if it 'feels right'.

And as far as I've managed to find, Vitiligo has no other symptoms than sun sensitivity for the lighter skin and also being more likely to have some other condition.

So, (if I'm not mistaken) Most people, (and by extension charachters), wouldn't experience any other issue besides sunlight sensitivity.

Would giving a charachter vitiiligo require so much consideration in that case? Am I missing something here? Is it just because of the inaccurate physical depiction/gjinka thing?

Asking because I'd like to give designing a charachter with it a go, but if there's some big thing I'm missing, I'd rather not risk screwing it up :,)

Thank you for your time and apologies if this came off weird, I notice I tend to sound very analytical and blunt if I'm asking about things I'm not super knowledgable on.

Not sure how you came to the conclusion that any/all of the "critiques" that I have given have been only to people who give characters vitiligo 'just because' especially since I've talked about various real world issues like colorism that various types of depictions/assumptions have when it comes to the condition.

It's not just about the "lighter skin" that vitiligo gives, its also about the social impacts that it has on people. I've been called and treated like an animal for having this condition to the point where it impacted my mental health as a SEVEN year old so badly that I still hate taking photos of myself almost two whole decades later.

Why does consideration matter for any group of underrepresented and misunderstood group of people? Because the depictions that YOU decide as a person who doesn't even have the condition to begin with, impact the way that other people view the condition. That's why good representation in media matters so much.

Vitiligo is a disability/disorder and deserves just as much care and consideration that you would give to any other condition.

Disorders, disabilities, or any other condition shouldn't be treated like its some sort of aesthetic even if they are primarily "skin-deep". They're real things that impact real people in ways that people without these conditions wouldn't even be able to comprehend if they never even bothered to look past the surface level or past their minimal understanding of them through media.

[star-nett]

──⃝─⃝⃝⃝⃝─

˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦˚ . ★⋆.

☆ Prioritize and Learn your DR-self ☆

˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦˚ . ★⋆.

{Where focus goes, energy flows. Take what resonates, leave what does not 🖤}

- note: I use Harry Potter and the MCU realities as examples through this! A majority of us know basics of those places— it makes it easier for me to make examples in this b word.

Summary: Going over the importance of your DR-self and how to truly connect to yourself. Includes deep questions to think about <3

Key Terms: DR (Desired Reality), CR (Current Reality)

˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦˚ . ★⋆.

Nothing is more important than you <3

*I say with a smirk, twirling my hair.*

Focus on yourself/DR SELF more than ANYTHING ELSE!! I STAND ON THIS ONE!! TEN TOES DOWN RIGHT HERE. RIGHT NOWWWW.

Your DR Isn’t Your DR Without Who?? YOU!

This is your time to have main character syndrome—hell, you ARE the most important character in your story! Why focus on you? It’s way easier to connect with yourself than trying to visualize every detail of your DR. You know yourself better than anyone. Use that to your advantage! Raw dog yourself dude

But lemme clock something ‼️ Truly connecting to your DR self is a lot more than just reading over a script and answering brain-dead questions like "What's my name? My age?" Like wowww, we get it.. we know. Wowwwwww— Instead, the goal is to embody and align. To close the gap. To truly become your DR self through thought, emotion, and perspective.

Deep Dive: Exploring Your DR Self ☆

Traits:

What are your core personality traits in your DR?

Are you brave, compassionate, witty, analytical?

Example: If you’re brave, is it “I can kill a spider with a shoe” brave, or “I’ll face down a Death Eater/alien army” brave? How Brave are you really? Can people rely on your bravery?

Thoughts and Reactions:

How do you react in your DR? What Level do you operate at?

Example: You're making Amortentia (love potion) in class, everyone wants to know what it smells like. They are bothering you. Pestering you. How do you react? Are you Calmer in your DR? Hot-headed? Do you laugh it off?

Growth:

Who are you in your DR, and how have you grown?

What challenges have shaped you? How do you handle conflict differently in your DR?

Your DR Self is an Extension of You

If your DR self feels a lot like "you" (CR self) with subtle difference that fit the narrative of your DR, that's okay! Think of your DR self not as someone new, but as you in a different context. It’s still you—just shaped by the events, experiences, and circumstances of your DR. So for the sake of example, some Marvel context. {Focus on Emotional immersion, shifting isn't just about forcing yourself to think differently-- its about feeling differently. Immerse in the emotions of your DR life.}

Example time:

What does it feel like to walking into the Avengers compound and know you belong?

Feel the Pride after using abilities to save someone, or the adrenaline of a mission. Speaking of abilities, if you use magic.. Do your hands move like Wanda? Agatha?

How does being an Avenger or Hero challenge or inspire you? How does your comfort character help you grow? Or do they help show a new side of yourself?

˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦˚ . ★⋆.

Don’t Overthink—Seriously.

I know, i just told you not to overthink, and then dumped LIKE A BILLION THINGS to OVERTHINK about— BUT BABY WAIT— here’s the thing: you don’t have to focus on everything I mentioned.

All of these points are just different tastes—little prompts to help you connect with your DR self. You don’t need to answer every question or dive into every example. Even picking just one of these ideas can lead you down the right path. That’s the whole point.

The goal is to delve deep and feel your DR self. Get into their mindset, match their energy, and align with their frequency. One thought, one emotion, or one detail is enough to bridge that gap. Keep it simple, and let it flow naturally.

☆ I’ll Leave You With This ☆

If you were to sit down with your CR self (my worst nightmare), you could probably talk for hours about the things that make you, you. Maybe you eat yogurt with forks (I do), your favorite color is pink, you can’t stand loud noises, you’re afraid of the ocean, or you secretly love pop music but hate certain smells. And let’s be real���your quirks, your traumas, your little joys? Those are what make you human.

You’re doing the exact same thing with your DR self. You’re getting to know their quirks, fears, loves, and unique traits. Because at the end of the day, you’re not just creating some untouchable fantasy version of yourself—you’re real. Your DR self is real. They’ve had real experiences, just like you’ve had in your CR.

So, when you’re exploring who they are, think about their humanly unique quirks. What makes them smile? What challenges them? What weird little habits or traits do they have that make them you?

You’re not creating a stranger or a perfect ideal. You’re reconnecting with a version of yourself who’s already out there living in the DR. They’re not some far-off, unreachable dream. They’re you.

Ho did you just focus on yourself? Yk what? Hell yeah

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

˚ ✦ . . ˚ . . ✦˚ . ★⋆.

{Another post down!! I hope this was somewhat helpful?? I struggle to organize my thoughts sometimes! I’m all over the place when I write 😭}

Next post teaser: Making shifting easier to understand 🫶🏻

[waltzingwithyourenemyattheball]

PICK A CARD: MESSAGES FROM SHIV-SHAKTI (DIVINE MASCULINE-DIVINE FEMININE)

Left: 111 ; Right: 333

Disclaimer:

Take what resonates and leave the rest.

Personal Readings are paid only. DM to book.

No one is allowed to copy my work under any circumstances.

Thank you for allowing me to read for you, and provide feedback.

✨111✨

Justice will be served, it’s been long due for you isn’t it? You have been waiting, praying, hoping and have been hopeless and joyless too. This is your confirmation of justice being handed to you. Especially in relationships, I see someone along thinking they will never find somebody, some people came almost too good to be true, and as you suspected they weren’t, they betrayed you, made a fool of you, but I am being told to tell you, that you were not the fool, how can someone so pure, someone who’s intent was nothing but innocent is the fool? Why do we think that pessimism is maturity and optimism being naive? Isn’t the true fool the one who betrays? Aren’t they the one who actually lost something good due to their own stupidity. Please go BACK TO TRUSTING YOURSELF. You will find a partner who trusts themselves too, a union of too mature adults, a union grounded in reality, a union till death do you part, a union with kids and family, a union of loyalty and legacy, a union joining two communities. MOST IMPORTANTLY, A UNION OF MUTUAL RESPECT AND UNDERSTANDING. You will be soon tied to your destiny, weather a partner for most of you or life purpose, or the balance of the yin and yang, but its time to go around the sacred fires and take sacred vows. Also the number 7 and 11 popped up, these are soulmate numbers, you could marry your soulmate or for some of you, they could be a friend. YOU or the, could be born on the 7, 16, 25th or 11th , 20th, 29th be a 7 or 11 life-path. COMMENT ’rose’ to claim 🌙DM to book a personal tarot reading, your mystery messages want to keep being channeled🌙

✨333✨

(There are many messages, take what resonates and leave the rest) For some of you: you don’t reach the sun from earth on foot, change your plans, you are dreaming big so why is the plan  so hurried, you don’t trust this plan either so why are you hurried pushing it further, what’s yours won’t get copied, put your own unique touch, but for that you need time, you are a good leader, motivating and charming, but what’s the need to hurry. LEARN PATIENCE. I am seeing someone overwhelmed, who wants to stop or slowdown but won’t admit to themselves.  KEEP MOMENTUM, but do not be hurried, you get hurried, then frustrated and then nothing seems to work out and then it forms a loop, relax. I AM GETTING VERY FRUSTRATED ENERGY FROM YOU and anxious.  Oooo, BIG KING ENERGY! You are a person with intense passion and a solid plan, that’s rare. You might be the creative type that is logical too. Maybe you never could just fit in one category but like clay kept taking the shape the energy or the activity needed from you. It’s confirmed, you are not meant to be in a box. The message here is to take the logical, analytical mind take a back seat in the initial stages, don’t critique yourself or your plans too much, let the energy take form, during the course of times, things self correct automatically.  SAVE THIS AND RE-READ THIS, take a print or screenshot, but please don’t just read and move on without doing anything about yourself. Hope you feel better, and keep taking deep breathes.  COMMENT ’relax’ to claim message. 🌙DM to book a personal tarot reading, your mystery messages want to keep being channeled🌙

[torchstelechos]

just saw you saying you want to talk about The Characters (isat) what are some thoughts you got bip bap boppin around in the noggin about the Them

Ooooooooohhhh Anon,,,, Ooooooh, You have unlocked deep thoughts and long monologues.... have this piece of bullshit that I spat out in excitement

Isabeau: 

Ah yes, dear Isabeau, my most beloathed <3 (self recognition in other /derogatory). He’s one of the characters I’ve written the most meta for that's actually about his character in the game. I love him and hate him in equal measures but that's not what I want to talk about today! I want to discuss his morbid humor and fascination, I suppose. Also his rather interesting character type and how that's displayed in the game, specifically through his morbid thoughts and discussion choices. 

In the game we see plenty of times that Isabeau uses morbid word choices (killed them so that I could live friendquest quote) and brings up morbid discussion topics (what do we do if you die? What do we do if Bonnie dies?) that the others find disquieting. He also laughs at Siffrin’s time traveler joke, finds scary Siffrin attractive, and finds being paid attention too enough that they can harm you attractive. This brings me to my main point, which is that Isabeau is the cold scientist archetype character that tries to be the himbo fighter character. Of course we know that hes trying to hide himself behind the himbo character type, but the fact that he's analytic to a fault, morbid in almost every way, finds scary things attractive, and calls Changing killing his past self… this man is very much a scientist that was about to turn evil but decided friendship was the answer whose character was subverted into himbo fighter because those who are dumb are more liked than those who know things. It's interesting, and I think it’s one of the reasons I despise Isabeau POV fanfics. Most fanfics feel almost like his facade is him, and thats just not true and it bugs me so very much to read fanfics with his POV now. But! This isnt to say those fanfics aren’t well done! They are, I just find them lacking in canon Isabeau’s almost neutral analytical personality that was then filtered through therapy and self help books esque vibe. Fascinating character, hate him dearly for it though. 

Misc thoughts: 

I generally have a hard time nailing down everything I feel about him for a variety of reasons but I do want to say that I think he finds Siffrin’s big melt down appearance attractive after the whole thing blows over. I also think he doesn't have the best track record for what is okay to say or not? So he falls back on “I am dumb therefore I can say things that others find disturbing and frame it as something I just don't understand or misunderstood :)” which kind of backfires on him constantly because now no one really takes him seriously? I don’t know, I just find most smart characters have a hard time figuring out the social situation of certain things so they tend to either not care at all for tact or overthink everything and over compensate by not allowing themself to go for certain things. In this instance its him not being able to confess because he thinks he's bad for liking someone in a certain way and doesn't want to pressure them which backfires because he's otherwise a good communicator but failed hard with Siffrin. Speaking of, I don’t think hes ever gotten with anyone other than Siffrin. It took the world literally almost ending and a time looping induced trauma attack for him to confess he liked Siffrin, this man does NOT have game. So, lol, that kiss? Probably his first <3, RIP my man did not deserve that

Odile:

Strangely enough I don’t believe I have ever written a meta post for Odile? Or anything about her other than tags? So yeah, let's focus on her. She's a very honesty based character in a game literally about someone not being able to speak the truth, which is why I appreciate the sus route so much. She noticed something was wrong and went for it, leading her down rabbit holes best left untouched. Odile is a character that I truly think would have accidentally unleashed an eldritch horror on the quest if not for Isabeau stopping her. Mainly because she is smart but not academic smart, she's learned from her travels plenty of things that lend to real life experience but she's not much of an academic when it comes to how to get answers she wants (taking until the very last town to get a familytale while Siffrin took maybe three loops to do is. Certainly something!). Its fascinating, because if I were to actually describe her personality and how that lends to a character archetype I would say that she's a brawler character. Effectively, she and Isabeau are reflections of each other in a very specific way and I think about this often in her relation to the group. Its almost laughable how shes been put into this responsibility role of the group while Isabeau is off goofing around (and secretly plotting how to best respect his friends remains), shes not very good at knowing what is the best course of action and acts out in impulsive ways that harms others (Looking at you, hitting Trauma Big Siffrin moment) and that doesn’t… make her a good leader per say? I just find it funny, how others write her as someone who would go out of her way to research Siffrin’s home country and succeed when she barely succeeded in her own knowledge hunt. If anything, it would be Isabeau who would find the information and inform Odile rather than the other way round. I dunno, I just don’t think anyone is really considering the fact that she probably hasn’t set foot into a higher academic institution just based on her research skills. 

Misc thoughts: 

I’ve only seen one fanfic acknowledge the fact that Odile hit Siffrin? And did so in such a way that it hurt badly. I wouldn’t be surprised if it left a scar (which that little freak probably adores because he knows that it means he wont forget Odile ever again), alongside the others they gave themself. Speaking of said hurting, I don’t think it's really acknowledged how much Odile puts down Siffrin? Yes it's usually just a teasing moment here or there, but have yall thought of the fact that she compared Siffrin to an animal and has hit him? I think about this so much. I think about it when I'm trying to fall asleep sometimes. She did that to him, and he *remembers it,* he acknowledges it during act 5, he has that ingrained into his *soul.* I think people should write about it more, or at least acknowledge that Siffrin probably… doesn’t want to talk to Odile about feelings or be touched by her for a while? Honestly, if I was Siffrin’s position during the failed friendquest moments? I would have said worse. I would have done worse. Because can you imagine? Imagine with me, you just remembered that your country is gone, everyone you love either doesnt remember you or is dead, the only person who could possibly tell you anything is the man you must kill, and your family member is talking about how hard it is to be in the country her mother is from and not feel a connection to it. That you are both more than your heritage. I would start biting, kicking, fighting, hell I would probably find out what she looks like without her bun! I would be pissed. But yaknow, Siffrin is a nice fella and kind of only waited to go off the deep end when they were sure they wouldn’t be able to escape. Anyway, I think of Odile sometimes and get violently ill by the knowledge she no longer holds that would explain some of Siffrin’s reactions and word choices to her cause no matter what? She can’t take it back. She never even said it. It’s not even real anymore. God I love this game, it makes me feel sick.

Mirabelle: 

Big ol’ sigh, yeah the-bitter-ocean if your out there I think about your tags on my Mira post a lot. The fandom doesn’t really get her do they? Most of the time I see people write her off as not very understanding or oblivious to other people’s feelings, which fair for romance (she didnt notice the very glowing sign of what I believe to be a ginger blushing but yaknow I understand as aro) but shes very good at knowing when someone isn’t feeling well? She has several unique dialogue options after Siffrin gets up from the field after looping which Odile does not have (despite EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGING THEY’RE NOT OKAY), and asks after their wellbeing despite being in a constant anxiety attack and morality stress issues induced panic attack in the house. The only real big character flaw is a very typical shonen main character flaw which is that she is too trusting to a degree that it let Siffrin get away with almost destroying the world, Bonnie dying, and the others stepping all over her own feelings (not that any of these are her fault, but she did contribute to the lack of communication which lead to the loops. I love her, I do, but EVERYONE had a hand in Siffrin getting stuck in the loops). Her trust is also what led to the big fallout and slap she gives Siffrin during act 5, she was already giving her heart to him and the others and was constantly checking in during the adventure to make sure everyone was happy and okay with what was happening so the sudden switch from her POV is a huge betrayal of her trust in them. This is basically someone you were already on edge about hating you suddenly deciding that yes, they do hate you and everything you stand for because *they know.* No matter what you think about the situation, Mirabelle’s trust (her biggest character flaw) was thrown back into her face after she thought they were okay with her (not even a few weeks ago they said that this was the happiest they have ever been and she *remembers this fully and utterly*) and broke her heart with all her insecurities. It’s a very hopeless situation when you don’t have context, which means I don’t really blame her for slapping Siffrin, I just wish that it didn’t happen because as a Player I know the full context. Betrayal of trust… its a funny thing in this game, because it wasn’t a betrayal specifically from one POV but from the other it was. Fascinating! I despise it, I love it, it makes me sick. 

Misc Thoughts: 

Oooooh Mira we are in it now, This endgame of yours has left you with insecurities and trauma you didn’t think possible. I love her, I do, which is why I also have a great idea for a fanfic that involves her getting some VERY bad coping mechanisms <3 teehee. Careful what you wish for darling! Things go bad if you don’t take care of what you love. Anyway, I don’t think it’s weird to have Mira in outfits that are contrasting too heavily from her personality in the game? I dont know how to say this, but I think it’s a tad strange that I’ve seen roleswap aus/personality swap aus where Mirabelle is different via aesthetic? Because thats her whole religion? Sure she doesnt want to change but I don’t think she minds much clothing or aesthetic wise? In fact i think she considers that the safest option? So I dunno, I think people should dress her in goth and emo outfits more. Also I do think its a tad silly people don’t focus too much on her journey trauma and rather focus on her romance trauma, yall know that was just a distraction and not her main issues, right? Like yall know this game isnt romance the simulator, right???? RIGHT???? God Mira, you would hate that the fandom boils you down to your AceAroness, I just fucking know it. 

Bonnie: 

Who let this sassy small child into this story???? God, dearest Bonnie, the literal best party member Imo. I love them dearly, they are one of the meanest fucking assholes in the game I adore them. Yall think about the longstanding issues Siffrin has with touch and reaching out and how the rotten adults route fucking annihilates them into smithereens lol. I think about the fact that Bonnie has harmed Siffrin soooo much in the loops, it leaves me breathless because this small child has killed Siffrin twice, slapped their hands away when they tried to help them (for the first time in Bonnies POV!! Thats huge!!), and yelled at them multiple times about how awful they are. I do wonder what would have happened if the rotten adults route continued without looping? Who would have spoken up and who would have had to realize that something is WRONG with Siffrin in that moment? Would Bonnie backpedal when they realize? What was Siffrin’s facial expression right then? What happened? I just. God. Fuck. No one talks about this AT ALL in the fandom and it drives me insane. Despite everything, despite what was erased, what was unmade, the effects stayed and will continue to harm Siffrin. Do yall think about the idea that Siffrin probably doesnt reach out until Bonnie does post loops? I think about this so much, Bonnie has harmed Siffrin so many times it would kill them if they ever found out, and I desperately need them to find out. I also kind of,, just assumed that Bonnie would be keeping a keen eye on Siffrin’s eating and remind them to eat and drink water (even if I dont think Siffrin needs that) after the loops because its an easy way to help and have some control over situations? I dunno, I think Bonnie is a very complicated kid who has harmed and been harmed and no one will ever know just how much has been done and undone. 

Misc Thoughts: 

I still think Bonnie should be able to make and throw bombs post bomb memory. I just NEED Bonnie to throw a molotov at the King, fuck, it would be so funny. Also as a side note, I do think growing up Bonnie has to deal with a lot of untreated Trauma and probably reacts very similar to Siffrin before someone comments on the fact that they are just like him and suddenly they start going to a therapist about it, I do not think they would take it as a compliment for even one instance. They would get sick so fast and go, me and them? Similar? No. I have to go to get a doctor. I cannot be a Frin Jr. the world could not handle it. And suddenly they have the second best mental health of the group (first goes to Isabeau because Isabeau was already in therapy before the game, I just fucking know it <3) which makes everyone fucking jealous as hell because seriously? The Kid??? Damnit. But yeah I do think the fastest way anyone could get Bonnie to accept help is to compare them to Siffrin because they do have a Recognition of Self in the Other (derogatory) thing going on with Siffrin in the game, which is probably worse by the fact that they grew up with him as a role model. Everyone that knows them is like, oh my change your so lucky! The saviors are your family that must be so cool <3, and Bonnie is like. They make me to go to bed on time and force me to eat veggies what the fuck are you saying. Anyway yeah I love Bonnie so much, the meanest fucking kid in the game <3. 

Siffrin: 

Aaauuuggghhhhh, the one everyone is waiting for, the Siff of the Frin. Love this fucking idiot, but yeah lets talk touch and how the family has hurt them over the loops <3. Okay so straight out the gate, Bad touch! Isabeau pushing them away after they kiss him, which is very understandable because yaknow Isabeau could tell that was a desperation kiss and is not okay for either of them but! Holy shit! Siffrin, my dear friend that was probably the worst thing you could have done, but yeah that did leave its marks deeply in them so I will mark that down as harmed. Then we get the bad friendquests, which yeah Isabeau hitting them with the “I thought you were also trying” hurts more than I can physically say, but we’ll mark that down as two. Then Odile hits them, grabs their collar, sus quest bullshit, and general disdain for Siffrin lying about the stars we’ll mark down as four more which leads to six. Mirabelle slapping Siffrin and letting him get away with lying about his health we’ll put at 8. Bonnie pushing him into a tear, pineapple, slapping hands away, and yelling at them multiple times we’ll put at 12. Then there's the “like taming a wild animal” teasing which Ill put at 13, all of which is just off the top of my brain and I know there's more moments that hurt Siffrin deeply. Yaknow, looking at this, typing this, it seems a tad silly but. How else could I describe the never ending pain at knowing that most of these wont be acknowledged as bad for Siffrin as it was bad for the others? I dunno, I think about Siffrin giving everything up for the party and no one knowing exactly what they did because how could they? It’s gone. It’s not real anymore, not until Siffrin says it. I just. I dont know where I’m going with this but Siffrin as a character hurts me deeply, and I think it’s because no matter what happens Siffrin refuses to acknowledge when the others hurt him back. Just. Keeping the cycle going because they dont know how to break it, and they never have until they break first. I just think of this a lot. Him being stuck, in circles over and over. 

Misc Thoughts: 

I wanna chew him up and spit him out like a dog toy. No further comments (see my blog for further comments). ((I need to see a Self inflicted Achromatic animatic, pls, fuck plsssss))

LOOP: 

Loop time!! Loop time! I am physically ill because of this beast. You all know that one fanart where it says “You Won!” and Loop is dry heaving? Thats me at literally any moment when I think about Loop. 

I am a little shy to admit though that I didn’t catch their facade at first, mainly because I’m not very good at catching things like that at first? If a person acts a certain way, thats how they act! So Yeah, ya boy was confused by two hats lol. But afterwards I did do a bit of thinking and as I mentioned in a previous post i do think Loop is pretending/acting like how they remembered Siffrin acted like before the loops. Mira mentions that Siffrin is mean in teasing, enough so that it might have hurt if she didnt know that it was friendly teasing. Isabeau has a great monologue about his feelings on Siffrin before the loops, and Siffrin themself acknowledges some of their less than savory traits before the loops during the loops as well. This is to say, Loop is a fucking prick that tries to be floating and teasing in their comments while hitting where it hurts in just the right way that they can pretend that they mean something else. I genuinely think thats how Loop remembers themself before they were Loop, even if they got some things VERY WRONG. Of course, by the time they realize this it’s too late and that’s their personality now, which is kind of fucked up when you realize how much of their personality is them acting out a half remembered person who died many many many loops ago. But alas, such is the way of Loop. 

Also if we think about Loop in comparison to Siffrin. Well. We get an interesting picture. But the thought makes me too ill to continue. But I will say loving someone so much you destroy yourself for them… I don't think anyone in the family would be happy about that really. Theres a difference between destroying yourself and destroying the world… I wonder why that is for them, what made the difference between self and the world. A fool, and the world. Hmm. Interesting. Anyway, Loop’s facade gets me everytime and I want to use them as a stuffed animal. 

Misc Thoughts: 

Yeah that STAR CAN NOT EAT OR DRINK, lol get rekted they cant even fucking get drunk. Now for some HCs, I do think that Loop would wear a promise ring, even if no one in this Vaugarde understands what that means. I just. Think that Loop wouldn’t be able to let go of Their Fighter. Hahaha! I don’t really wanna go further into detail about this rn but I AM THINKING… Loop is one of the saddest characters I have ever fucking had the audacity to love. No I will not take comments on this further lol. (Me loving Loop and Siffrin while disliking Isabeau? Call me an Isabeau Kinnie at the rate lol)

[aristia-pjoheadcanons]

can i request hcs of jasón w a fem reader who gets easily jealous? maybe he left her behind at camp jupiter when hera took him. he’s not dating piper, but she doesn’t know that. ty!

He comes home

pairing: Jason Grace x female!reader

warnings: none

author's note: Let me just say that if my man was talking came back with a girl next to him and he was almost acting normal, I would rip my hair out.

The reader would be seething, clenched teeth, hot cheeks, and everything.

He disappears out of nowhere, which you probably understood wasn’t his fault. You’ve been there from the very start since he came to Camp J. He had fully booked appointments with quests, no wonder he was gone one day: but you realized that it wasn’t the same. You felt this anxiety pooling in your chest, you knew this wasn’t the normal disappearance.

When he arrives with his so called “crew” you didn’t like either Piper or Annabeth. But you knew Annabeth wasn’t someone that would do anything, since she was Percys.

But even so, the thought of Jason settling down with others for six-fucking-months, made you want to absolutely go ballistic.

But you knew deep-down that he didn’t do it on his own, it was the same situation as Percy – it was against his will, and he had lost his memories.

But does he remember you?

That thought washed away when you saw the way he was acting stand-of-ish when he saw Reyna. So, he does remember, he remembers you.

It gave you some relief. But how were you going to make up for the time he was gone?

Based on the ever-so-serious facial expression on his face, the quest was not over. Not even close. You wanted to sigh and almost act immature about it, but it would do you no good.

Maybe even the reader would do impulsive things just tog et his attention. Jason is very analytical with his feelings, to the point where he rationalizes them – so he wouldn’t react much after the first time, its almost like he shuts off his emotions just to protect himself.

But he would have to take the convo private and talk to !reader, to get a clearer understanding of the situation but also your feelings present.

He wants you to be the feeler in the relationship. While he is the cool-headed one, he can’t let himself get too caught up in his feelings – so when you express yourself hate, love, happiness he feels good. He feels safe to know that there is someone there to express and project my feelings for me. You are not just a person to him, but something essential for him to feel human, a person that isn’t just a tool or a weapon for the Gods.

He would definitely understand your point of view and make it very clear that he did not leave on purpose and that he is not in any romantic or close relationship with any girls. He got some of his memories back, but part is still left out. Even so, he would try his best to explain that his feelings are still very real but if you want to break things off, he will let you.

The last statement might cause an argument, because why would you want to leave him? No, you’re angry because he left, and you spent months without knowing if he was really safe.

One hour later, Jason is holding your hand when he introduces you to the rest of his crew. You’re happier but can’t help but feel needy in a way.

Jason would let you hold his hand and put an arm around you, but he gets distracted and ends up moving away from you just to talk a little about the next step for their quests.

In order for your relationship with him to work, you will need to agree to let him go when he wants or needs; also, be comfortable with him being around others for long periods of time.

But Jason would know of your jealousies already and would know the perfect way to make you feel better: spending time together and some wholehearted apologies.

Lets say he didnt come back, you would go on a search for him and maybe even treathen a couple of minor gods just to find him.

[chand-ki-priyatama]

Ek khat mere pyare bade Bhai ke naam

@hectorfrombritain

You chose this name "HECTOR" for you , if we go in the literary sense it means to talk to someone in a bullying way - irony of this fact that you can never do that.... And so I nicknamed you "CEDAR"

One of the most sweetest, kindest being I ever met....

These are my feelings for you in the form of writing cause we are writers we do not speak we bleed ink on paper...

So ye khat aapke naam from aapki chhoti behen Clover aka me Kaya ek kaviyitri aur lekhika....

Mere pyare penguin bhaiya that's why I nicknamed you cedar cause Its metaphysical properties promote peaceful thoughts and help interpret messages from your inner self. Cedar supports us on spiritual quests by reconnecting and grounding us with earthly roots..... And I attribute all these qualities with you...

So Cedar bro , intellectual baatein karne wale samajhdaar bhaiya

Dear Bhai,

I first interacted with you via a reblog post and I was amazed by your thoughts on my writing then we had a very small chat on dm that's it.... then I joined the discord server but there too we never chatted much cause I was busy in creating a ruckus for myself

But now since we have started talking , I never felt as if I never had a word with you on the contrary it feels as if my day is incomplete without sharing words with you....

Someone beautiful as their existence

Someone who is dearest to me....

Honestly love the way you talk , and might I tell you you need to teach me about Greek mythology , you are so intelligent and intellectual means how just drop the secrets dude...

Although I am not there irl with you but I'll always be there for comforting you....

Never feel as if you are alone in something cause you have a little sister with whom you can share anything...

We are always together in everything although not physically but whenever you see the stars and moon remember that they bind me together with everyone and whenever you feel alone just look at them somewhere I am doing that too...

They bind me to you

Being one of the most supportive person and still doubting yourself is not good that's why I included earlier "Look at you comforting others with the words you wish to hear" , you are one of the bestest person out there so learn to trust in your abilities...... (I dare you say something contrary and see what I will do🔪)

You feel like a soft melody after constantly being irritated by pop music...

These are your vibes according to me :-

I still remember the day you told me your penguin story gosh I am still not over it , it was so cute and wholesome....

You know how I am the bubbly talkative af girl and to am extent I can say maybe nakchadi hu (still can't believe you though I was rude ) but you are the contrary mature, intellectual, introverted but that's what makes us brother and sister...

If I had to say you were a colour I'd definitely say you are green cause Those with Green color personality strengths tend to be perfectionistic, analytical, conceptual, cool, calm, inventive and logical. They seek knowledge and understanding as well as always looking for explanations and answers....

As if fictional character fight me but I will always say you are Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice cause you give off those gentlemen vibes...

Now imagine we met and you know my obsession with Polaroids so think these pics as them...

I know deep down sometimes (always) just like me you think about things about what would happen but isn't it the part of growing up...

अजीब दास्ताँ है ये, कहाँ शुरू, कहाँ ख़तम

I associate these lyrics with you cause our friendship was something very unexpected....

Last few days were tough for me so thank you for always being there for me and supporting me throughout....

I lost my faith in friendship way too early but thanks to you and few others that you revived it....

Now imagine me playing a guitar and singing this song to you...

I been tryin' to do it right (Hey) I been livin' a lonely life (Ho) I been sleepin' here instead (Hey) I been sleepin' in my bed (Ho) I been sleepin' in my bed (Hey) (Ho) (Ho) so show me family (Hey) all the blood that I will bleed (Ho) I don't know where I belong (Hey) I don't know where I went wrong (Ho) but I can write a song (Hey)

I belong with you, you belong with me You're my sweetheart I belong with you, you belong with me You're my sweet

I dedicate these lyrics to you...

Just so you know I love you to the moon and back and I always appreciate and cherish your existence....

As always I'll dedicate these songs to you and as of its voice note I'll send it to you...

Now I think I have spoken enough

So signing off Cedar bro,

With love always

Kaya 💗

[spicybylerpolls]

Well, unknown hero agent man / pen symbolism anon, i hope you're reading this, cos you hit the nail on the head! this kind of symbolic storytelling is not only a fine art of cinema (being lost these days a little sadly, what with the whole netflix speedy turnover etc), but exactly what (good) films of the horror genre aim to do.

horror has long been a way to creatively tell 'normal' dramatic stories through subtext and symbolism. not sure if this is still a way around traditional censorship but im sure it began that way. films like the exorcist, the shining, rosemary's baby... all classics that are filled with subtext. its also an exciting way to talk about things that might seem trite or too bleak when portrayed as a 'straight' drama (this is the term meaning 'non-genre based' or 'non-musical' lmao). So you could say that ST is NOT straight, in more ways than one 😉

but much of this will go over casual viewers heads, so its finding the balance between making a story believable on the surface (another dimension exists! scary government men trying to kill us!) and subtextually (the UD as a metaphor for trauma/AIDS/closeted homosexuality/abuse etc) if viewers are clever enough to see/feel it. i say feel because much of storyviewing is instinctive instead of analytical.

so ST incorporates both - not just metaphorical, vague storytelling, but also real issues too. but it goes one step further, and actually has characters talk explicitly about reading deeper into stuff (murray's behind the curtain speech). it's a very meta show, even for a genre piece, which is why it astounds me that some people think it's not that deep lol. and some people think that only literature can be deep, but never tv or movies - which is an insult to anyone who has ever been passionate about cinema tbh. It's a statement that would probably rip the heart out of the duffers' chests and stomp on it. these guys are super nerds who have dedicated their adult lives to this passion project. as finn said, 'most people make it then just cash in - im so glad they still care'.

I'm sorry you don't feel comfortable talking about the beauty of this storytelling on your main. it really does surprise me that the fandom is so censorship obsessed because sexual metaphors have long existed in visual media, and especially in horror films. there used to be a long post about byler and a potential sex scene at lover's lake on here, but the user disappeared and the post went missing. it was about all the sexual imagery in ST, with a focus on byler in s4. i especially loved how they mentioned mike's introduction, where he was just in underwear: it is both appropriate for the setting, but also gets the audience used to him as a growing lad with a body and draws attention to those uncomfortable, potentially sexual aspects of being a teen. i mean, he was in tiny pants for god's sake. did we need to see that? why did we see it? etc etc

hilariously, they also referenced the always sunny in philadelphia scene where a character is in a therapist office talking about a pen being a dick. he then puts it in his mouth and chews the pen lmoao

i think you'd enjoy @therainscene's rod symbolism post too. I'm personally hoping for some explicit sex scenes with byler, because the show so far has arguably been telling that story metaphorically already for 4 seasons, and bringing it out of the subtext could be a storytelling device in itself. bringing byler's secrets into the light. after all, this is a period piece that aims to shed light on a bygone era. its not a propaganda piece that needs to remain coded; the reasons for staying secretive still exist for mike and will in the 80s, but times have changed since then for us as a global audience, and more importantly, the aspirational message has changed. what message would the duffs want to send to viewers that are still bigoted? clearly one of the beauty of homosexuality, seeing as will, our fav gay boy, has been the darling sympathetic victim of the show since s1e1. the show needs to remain true to both the 80s while also having a strong message for this decade in order for modern audiences to be able to gain something from watching this story; in order for there to be a reason the show exists at all.

so to answer your question, i had never picked up on the pen symbolism until now, but i immediately agree, not least because 1) it must have a meaning that connects to byler's conversation otherwise why does it just interrupt them with no reason? (from a storytelling pov), and 2) because of the always sunny scene lolllll

thanks for the discourse! if you stick around into s5, im sure we will be able to start discussing this on our mains. it'll be a new era and there might even be gifs/pics of byler to accompany our 'spicy' discourse haha!

Amazing/fascinating points! Thanks for adding to the discussion!

[fruitytiff]

THEORY: WHAT IF THE ANTASMA WE SEE ISN'T THE "WHOLE" THING

Ok ok, lemme explain what I meant. A few weeks ago, me and @noddynods made a joke about how Dreambert was secretly fanboying over Antasma because his the only person to actually title him king, like in the games, Antasma never referred himself to king. He did say he wanted to be king, but wanting to and already being one is completely different. Now recently, my Exam-illed mind wandered back to that random ass convo because I was so sick of studying and actually began to dwell on that. What if...the Antasma we see in the game...is only half of what he actually is. Lemme explain some more, Antasma, as portrayed in the game, isn't exactly a bright cookie (Dawg got betrayed by BOWSER of all people). He isn't stupid either but his farrr from intelligent, in fact his very emotional in all sense, he often screeches loudly whenever he gets angry, happy, or sad???? And just generally expresses his feelings openly a lot. Now what do I meant by this? I meant that this verison of Antasma...might be his right brain. I theorize that the Antasma we see isn't actually who he really is, its only half of him. Ok now this is a little bit headcannon-y but hey, what the fuck, lets go. I need a explanation, a theory, so here we go.

You know how in the Dream World, theres Dream's Deep. Like a really deep pit of where the..un...deepest consciousness resides, like thoughts or some shit. I dunno, that's what I think anyways. We also do see that there's a Nightmare World, now, we don't know if the Nightmare World is a completely different realm then the Dream World or just a extension of itself, but assuming that the Nightmare World is a different realm that only produces nightmares, we can assume that the Nightmare World also has it's own Dreams Deep. Now we don't know what Nightmare World's own version of Dream's Deep is called, or even if it exists at all depending if the Nightmare World is a extension of the Dream World and not it's own thing. But if it is. I would like to guess that Antasma's other half, his Left Brain was trapped in there. His intelligence, his cold cunning calculated side was locked away in a even more deadly and dark prison. Which makes sense, high intelligence has the risk to yield incredibly dangerous people. Especially when given to one without any moral standards. Now why did I specify Antasma's Right Brain being more emotional and creative while his Left is more intelligent and cold? Because science lmao, it had been recorded that people who are more in the creative fields has a more responsive right hemisphere compared to the people in the analytical fields. Now obviously this has been debunked as it shows creative people also using the left hemisphere of our brain to do creative stuff, but our right hemisphere still "drives the wheel."

So I'm not exactly being completely scientifically right right, but its a generalization of how the human brain works. And why I think this is applicable to Antasma. I mean, just look at the current in game Antasma, he does prove to have skills in planning even though I had said that his not as smart cuz his the right brain and all. So it doesn't disprove my theory. Now...lets think, assuming that the Nightmare World is it's own realm. what would it's own version of Dream's Deep be? I think....It's a completely opposite to the Dream's Deep in the Dream World.

A World of WHITE

This image of 7-1 from Ultrakill was just a concept or idea of what the Nightmare World's Dream's Deep looks like. And trust me, I have a good reason to think why the Nightmare World's Dream's Deep would look like this. There is a well known psychological torture method called The White Room. Where the victim is dressed from head to toe in white clothing and forced into a bright spotless white room that is constantly blowing cold air, illuminated by blinding white lights, and forced to eat white rice and drink milk for as long as they would stay there. The room is also outfitted to be completely quiet too, which would leave you in isolation along with intense sensory depravation. Victims who are reported to be tortured with this method become depersonalized by losing personal identity and suffers from hallucinations or psychosis. The torture basically turned your brain against you.

And it's one of the worst things for a human being to experience, no matter who they are.

And this...is the perfect set up for the Nightmare World to create, a suffering of your own mind, the brightest torture method to exist. And this place would also be where Antasma's Left Brain is trapped in, desperately trying to find a way out of this place that he had been stuck in for the past 1000 years. Now why do I think that Antasma has a split brain personality? Mainly because of the Pi'illo's vagueness, even though they said that they don't know where he came from...how did they know his a Dreamy Bat in the first place? Like, Antasma could've previously been something that's probably not a Dreamy Bat, maybe a different species of bat all together. So why do they know what he was before? My guess? They're LYING Why did Dreambert refer Antasma as King even though he had literally never called himself that, why did the Pi'illos' all insist that his a Dreamy Bat even though they clearly stated they don't know where he came from??? Questions QUESTIONS!!!!! Why does Antasma holds a grudge against the Pi'illos? At first it could be assumed that its because they trapped him for a thousand years, but the way on how fiercely he fought Dreambert suggests that his rivalry with him lasted WAYYY longer than just him eating nightmares and being evil.

Maybe...It's because the Pi'illos' was the ones that screwed him over in the first place...

Remember when I said that I was confused on why Dreambert calls Antasma a king when he himself doesn't call himself one? Yeah...that...

Perhaps...Antasma was actually a king before, a King of the Nightmare World. Maybe he was actually a Dreamy Bat turned Nightmare....but he only resided within the Nightmare World. Cuz like, how tf was there only one species of him when bats are known to have a habit of pooping out babies faster then you could say: Ey patoto tser matata. On puenes corron brangar coram brangan yaay geigoronama todoro nomonam sugoro bravo and congregay. Postono tunitena tuna na sena tona gamama brrrr senanana seradenanana raba tane e. Ano no no no see vetera el borocone teno done de. Atono coro todei trae bosto arapa to to de seca dota. Deya toma todo ropo tuno ge arapa to. Arapada ohto otro es ey su otro apada veh ito. Amos traedo roho serapade toro o or na paed poro. Amarato toro sorei baro. (Luigi's Italian gibberish) Which is where this theory that I had comes into play, Antasma most likely devoured other wannabe species of himself before he began building his kingdom in the Nightmare World. Which suggests that Antasma probably only resided and existed in the Nightmare World, until the Pi'illos' came around and found out.

There's a very high chance that the Pi'illos grew fearful of the kingdom that Antasma build, so they most likely infiltrated his kingdom through various diplomatic means, (his kingdom was probably very powerful). And attempt to kill him from the inside because of the power he has.

Now obviously this did not work and only succeeded in splitting his brain/body apart. Which explains why Antasma does not wear a crown in game, it most likely got split in half from the attack or completely destroyed.

This most likely lead to a series of disarray in his kingdom, resulting it being torn down by the panic masses and the Pi'illos. Obviously, the more emotionally and feared driven side of him immediately went into revenge mode. Leaving his weakened intelligence side to be captured and trapped into the Nightmare World's Dream's Deep.

The emotional side probably stole the Dark Stone and shattered it like how Dreambert said he did, but out of revenge for his fallen kingdom, and for the Pi'illos' betrayal.

[autisticempathydaemon]

your match up game looks so fun ‼️‼️‼️‼️ i wanna try it out hehe (rambling ahead)

1. beast of blood by malice mizer :3 i honestly don't have a reason other than it being chaotic enough that it fills up empty noise in my brain lol

2. 5w6 !!

3. ohh i LOVE youtube essays/analyses whether i'm fully listening or have em as background noise, i love horror youtube deep dives, particularly about analog/digital horror series and that one creepypasta iceberg hehe

4. i don't think i've ever had one ? to be honest i don't think i ever thought abt it until i saw it in like . cartoons n shit , never rlly knew about the concept of imaginary friends as a kid 😭

5. recently i use redacted sleep aid audios but most of the time i just . stay awake until my brain shuts down 🤞

6. honestly? i never thought abt this . but the first thing that came into my mind was veronica (idk either!!) though if i genuinely wanted to change my name i'd want it to be gender neutral, and tbh i doubt i'd have any important meaning behind it i'd just pick whatevr sounds nice

7. guy's sleep audio !!!! i joke about wanting guy angst a lot but to be real . this audio of his is so vulnerable .. like before that we only saw him being a goof and stuff yaknow . . idk that one forreals hit different 4 me

8. as much as i love every character, i do not understand why gavin is the most popular😭 don't get me wrong , love him, maybe it's because i haven't listened to the fl series but i do not get the hype💔

9. i don't know all the words per se but i would have to say mean girls . . as problematic as that movie is now its iconic and i love it and i need to rewatch it BAD .

10. damien tbh . haven't gotten to his other audios but i think i would want 2 be besties w him i relate 2 him a good amount (he also seems like the type id be intimidated into doing well in school for)

11. to be real i wld not be able to ramble if im tired LOL i think i'd be more quiet bcz i have a hard time sleeping to begin with

12. tbh just a soda (coca cola bcz i am basic) i go to convenience stores n stuff after school so im only there to pick up something quick before i go home so im in and im out 🔥🔥

13. the 2007 sweeney todd soundtrack 🤞 i cannawt find the movie ANYWHERE and its nostalgic to me so listening to the songs is the closest i'll get to scratch the itch in my brain

14. fnaf tbh EHWHEHW i've been into fnaf ever since i was a kid and it's stuck with me because it's what got me into horror n stuff  🫶

15. i'm a saggitarius, my mbti is INTP, i love horror and fashion, despite wearing a lot of darker alt fashion, my favorite color is pink (my phone case is decorated to the gods its very ridiculous) i like doing my own nails (funnily enough in bright colors) , i think i relate to honey the most in terms of personality, and i like to analyze most of the media im into!!

So part of my thought process is based on your personality types, the Troubleshooter and the Logician. However, I have to admit a bigger part of my reasoning is I think Asher would love your fashion sense and would contrast you so cutely.

Like, on a deep, core level, your personality types give me the impression of someone who’s thoughtful and analytical and capable of solving problems. Those are good traits for a beta’s mate, especially when Asher can have more social, impulsive tendencies. On a funsies level, I imagine Asher dresses like your typical So Cal dude, kinda surfer chic, and he loves your style and what an odd pair you make. Like, on all levels but especially physical, you are the embodiment of the black cat/golden retriever couple.

Asher loves everything about you, so many things about you he finds it hard to pick a favorite. He loves the contrast between your dark clothes and your bright nails, loves asking you to paint his while you’re at it so y’all can match. He loves watching FNAF theories with you, because he was definitely a FNAF teenager. He even loves watching scary movies with you though he’s terrible with them. (Asher’s the type that loves the adrenaline rush while it’s playing but regrets it once it’s time to lock up the house.)

Song:

In the car, I just can't wait/ To pick you up on our very first date/ Is it cool if I hold your hand?/ Is it wrong if I think it's lame to dance?/ Do you like my stupid hair?/ Would you guess that I didn't know what to wear?/ I'm just scared of what you think/ You make me nervous so I really can't eat/ Let's go/ Don't wait/ This night's almost over

Given we canonically know Asher to be a FOB fanboy, it’s hardly a leap to assume he’s a Blink fan, especially this song. I think this particular track is not only fun and nostalgic to him but captures his energy and vibes, how he felt when he first fell in love with you. It’s also catchy as hell, so you know he’s singing this at you full-volume all the time.

Runner-ups:

Anytime someone says they’re a horror fan, I’ve got to put Guy in their big three; one of my top headcanons is that he writes some gripping horror and loves it as a genre. (I also think he loves FNAF lore and finds it so fun, though he was not impressed by the movie.) I also love Lasko for you because I think he admires your bold, authentic fashion choices and finds them inspirational.

Read this post and send me an ask if you’d like a match-up of your own! 💌

[nusaibaaaa]

hey guys! peace be upon you :) i have a special message/notice i wanted to share on here.

the day i decided this is what i wanted to do, it's as if a thousand dreams had died and one single dream had been born (Mary Pearson, iykyk). meaning, the day i decided to take this path, was also the day i relinquished all the other paths that could've taken me to other destinations: more fun, more excitement, or more boredom, disappointment. i say this because i was not practicing for most of my life, but everything changed close to four years ago, including the trajectory of what i want to do in life.

i started this almost three years ago and i think it's become my passion. it began with me noticing the lack of muslim journalism, journalism that combats islamophobia, reflects the true clarity this deen holds. it was also me noticing about myself my love for analytical essay writing, op-ed writing even if the audience was myself and a few friends, research and piecing together all the information to produce a seamless river of facts and a conclusion that, to the best of my ability, InShaAllah, reveals the true light of Islam. light i failed to see till i was sixteen, light that, as blinding as it is for some, is painted as darkness for many others. think propaganda: biased news, movies, music. washington post revealed that a whopping 78% of muslim coverage is negative coverage.

as someone who used to view Islam somewhat negatively, i know how non-muslims or not very practicing muslims and reverts can feel. the questions, the confusion, the doubts on what Islam is really about.

of course, i am not an angel doing this solely for people on the outside. another major reason why i do this is because i myself want to learn and know the reality of Islam. i don't believe in skin-deep devotion. when i'm devoted, i want to go to the bone.

if you resonate with this, you can browse my substack whenever you have the time. it's a work in progress, being polished and trimmed by myself, and i'd love for you to be on the journey of learning and discovering Islam and its interconnections with the world with me. i would love to hear any comments, suggestions, advice– anything you may have for me!

thank you for reading :) assalamualaikum!

[thelongestway]

Yeah, the chapters for this one consistently turn out longer than the previous ones used to be. :P So might take a day and a half to write rather than the usual day from here on out, we'll see how it goes.

Chapter 13: Visage

Ratthi's absence the next morning meant that I had a gap in my schedule. Well, not exactly a "gap". My drones still followed everyone who was on the Courageous. (Except Ratthi. Because he was going to go off and be a person with Aspen, and I didn't want to know anything about how that went unless there was a security issue, so I just left the emergency filter and a channel Ratthi could use if he needed to.)

But drones or not, I didn't need to accompany anyone to a high-risk or high-security area, so for the first time in a really, really long while there was a day when I had absolutely nothing to do. So I tapped ART's feed.

Do you want to watch media? We still have half a season of The Academy from our humans' rest period slot.

Come to the observation lounge, ART said as it encircled me in the feed.

All of ART's humans were out and about somewhere on the Courageous or on Waveskimmer. (Even Martyn went together with Iris, to help with her secret project.) ART's hull was completely empty, except for us. It was almost like ART and I were in the wormhole again, during the solitary cargo run that we met on.

That was a really, really long time ago, and walking ART's empty halls (but not the dead kind of empty. The kind of empty where it watched my every move) made me have an emotion. But before I could identify it, ART said, I'm going to miss solitary cargo runs. I was anticipating doing them with you.

Yeah. That was it. That was the emotion. But ART was also being self-contradictory about it.

How would they be solitary in that scenario?

Without humans, it clarified. Then, after consideration, it said: Or maybe just Iris. That would be acceptable.

It was working pretty hard on being able to jump solo again, but so far the air-gapped data collection only helped so much. Its humans (primarily Matteo and Iris) were still the ones who did the primary data collection in real jumps.

You could teach me piloting, I said, settling into the sofa and feeling ART lean on me. Then I could do Matteo's job and we could probably make the jumps with the three of us.

I felt its satisfaction as it turned on the show and began to compile a training module in the background.

After six hours or so, the humans were beginning to return, but my performance reliability actually came up to its normal 100%. (It had been hanging at a steady maximum 93 percent or so since arrival at Courageous Station. When I said the road to Trellin was exhausting I meant myself, too. But being on the half-zombie station was even worse.)

We should schedule rest periods for you, too. ART said, looking at my diagnostics.

I have recharge cycles. And we do this all night anyway during the humans' rest periods.

You have obviously benefitted from this one.

I couldn't really argue with the data, but I also had no idea why this cycle had helped while the others didn't. Maybe it had something to do with me trying not to half-ass my job most days anymore.

ART continued, I have a request.

Query?

Can we go see the museum?

I knew which museum it meant. The one in the Courageous' old body, because it had all the data on space exploration from the journey to Trellin. Which meant it also had all of the horror stories about the brain-eating AI.

I was about to say that it was a stupid idea, and we weren't going to do it, but ART added, If you're there, then I can put myself on a delay and use your filters to see the rest of the deep space exhibition.

Or yeah, we could do that.

So after we finished our half-season, I walked to the museum. The parks were still teeming with irresponsibly-behaving humans, but even though I could tell Aspen's normal HubSystem analytics were running, and they would probably pick up if I poked them directly, they weren't really present here right now. I could barely see a tendril or two here and there.

I wondered whether that meant whatever they and Ratthi were doing was going really well or really badly. Then I wondered if I should ask Aspen for a status update. Then I realized I nearly sent a standard request for camera access, even though I still didn't want to know anything about how being people was going. (I managed to cancel the request in time.) But I still wanted to know about Ratthi, so I sent a text-only query: Status update: Dr. Ratthi?

Nominal, Aspen returned, on that same text channel.

But a few seconds later they added a present time-stamp picture of Ratthi sitting on a wooden deck over dark water. The picture showed him shoulders and up only, head thrown back and smiling at something. And then Aspen forwarded an audio recording.

"All good here, SecUnit, thanks for checking in! It's been a productive day, so we're just relaxing now. I'll be back in the evening."

Ratthi sounds like he's had a fruitful rest period, ART observed.

He did sound happy. And relaxed. And the timestamps on the files were right (I checked three times, just in case.)

Ratthi says he likes to listen to Aspen talk. Which is really weird.

That's not weird. The Courageous is a good lecturer. Some of their recordings are preserved in the archives here.

ART showed me a short video excerpt of a dark-skinned, slight human with coarse black hair who reminded me a little bit of Arada and a little bit of Ratthi. (Their smile really reminded me of Ratthi.) They were sitting in a recording studio, looking completely at ease and practiced, and were talking about the Exodus Phenomenon. (I was pretty sure I recognized some of their arguments from the voiceover of the first episode of Cold Sleep Explorers.)

That's Aspen?

That was Aspen. This is a recording from almost three hundred years ago.

It was one thing knowing Aspen or Dandelion were constructs. But it was somehow a lot creepier to look at a recording of a smiling human enthusiastically talking about chasing the stars, and hearing the voice of a HubSystem that spoke to you about attack windows and targets, answered your queries, and could dissect you with its analytics in a few seconds.

I knew Aspen Courageous had a face. Or used to have one. But somehow I hadn't really pictured them looking almost precisely the same as my Preservation humans, and behaving exactly like they did. They could have been sitting in ART's lounge, drinking stimulants, and talking about their stupid social analytics with Thiago, or maybe discussing terraforming with Mensah. (I immediately backburnered any thoughts about Ratthi, because there would definitely be sex involved, probably within a day or two of meeting.) They could have been teaching a class together with Iris.

And instead they were a HubSystem. They had humans instead of being a human.

I wasn't going to think about this right now.

We can watch this later, I said to ART. We've got a museum to get to.

The museum was actually not nearly as bad as I expected. I only had to filter a couple of exhibits (which was probably why I didn't come across a picture of Dandelion. She must have been in the horrible ones.) Besides that, there were a lot of memorials: portraits of dead astronauts (some of them painted on room doors) and winding flowers on preserved pieces of floor. There were exhibitions about the different planets, which ART took a long time at to record them for its students (Hylara, before and after the gunship; the Asteroids--a mining colony of some kind, with a whole display dedicated to safety features; Stations Bellerophon and Pegasus at Dimidium, and the first Handoff Aspen and Note did).

We were coming up on an exhibit about the wormhole drives when suddenly I got a tap on my feed.

hi, SecUnit! ^_^ fancy seeing you here! but don't look at me, and don't turn around whatever you do, and don't fly your drones either, i'm going to get Rye to wear some clothes first. and Perihelion, if you're there - hiiiii!

ART. I said, giving it one of the two drones that were still with me and not with my assorted humans. Is there really a naked human standing behind us?

You don't want to know the answer to that question. ART tapped Iceblink's text channel. Hello, Iceblink. Query: why is the other human naked?

well you are in kes house!

Isn't this a museum? I said.

it's also kes house and that's more important. okay, Rye's gone for kes robes, you can turn around now. or send drones, whatever

Well, at least Iceblink was fully dressed, not exactly in the work clothes she usually wore on board Dandelion, but in a pretty similar outfit (including a technician's case with wires sticking out, so she'd obviously been working). Iceblink waved at me, looking towards the wall and smiling.

aaaanyway, you two. :3 gotta be good winds to catch you both just now! want to see a secret museum room?

[pageofheartdj]

Yeah, Western ideology does very much enjoy infecting others as best it can. The USA education system is one of the most divided if I'm not mistaken? Divided in like, the quality of your education can vary wildly depending on where you live instead of a standard being approximately the same throughout schools. People dont choose where they are born and must live (until they move out) but it seems absurd that being born on one side of a city versus the other could be the difference between getting an education that'll prepare you for high school and/or post high school, and one that prepares you for the ever-shrinking factory worker role.

I'm from canada personally and I won't say that ours is much better (our schools are entirely modelled into preparing people for factory work. That was the original goal of our schools. Learn to stand in line, follow the bells, etc. Out high schools (in some provinces) are split into two ""tracks"". University (called academic) and college (called applied). Applied teaches you the absolute basics and pretty much prepares people for factory work. Academic focuses on teaching analytical thinking, critical thinking, essay writing and applying thought to ideas. Totally definitely totally a fair system, because you cant go from applied to academic but you can go academic to applied (applied versions of the classes dont count as prerequisite to academic classes. Basically locks people into a worse education. Theres also a big judgement culture on getting into university because college is considered lesser and for idiots because in canada university is theory and thought focused and colleges are skill and applied knowledge focus)

I think you make good points and it definitely is most obvious in USA where literacy is declining. Unfortunately it happens here in canada too, people just dont talk about us much lol

I think part of it, especially with the us is control. It is a LOT easier to control people if they struggle with critical thinking. Not teaching people how to find information and formulate opinions without (much) outside influence means it is a ton easier just to tell people what they should and shouldnt do. Obviously this thing is bad if it hurts kids, right? But they arent taught how to consider how would it hurt them? Why? What are the alternatives? If kids are hurting why are they pushing other laws and whatnot to hurt them more? Etc etc

Which... not to get political because it isnt quite the best area to bring up randomly, but just going to mention the rise of facism and decline in critical thinking and media literacy are oddly in sync in the US. And there have been studies (here is a quick link but theres tons of articles and papers you can find quick https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.washington.edu/provost/2018/04/23/fake-news-and-misinformation-why-teaching-critical-thinking-is-crucial-for-democracy/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwiB89mKnLmAAxUyFzQIHeOnAgYQFnoECAEQAg&usg=AOvVaw2s4TP6UzreLCWaEozRvTPx) that link a lack of critical thinking to people being more firm in biases, more susceptible to misinformation and propaganda, and to a lack of wanting to learn (stagnant beliefs).

Just. To point out that it might be partially not just people being addicted to phones, though that is a big factor. It's one of those situations where you need to ask "who might benefit" if it seems like there are no positives.

Anyways, it is really sad that people aren't being encouraged to think, really if you think about it? Social media is a lot of parroting back and blending in, making your literal person a brand, and echo chambers. Younger folks especially are losing out on those in person social interactions as most is replaced online, which means people arent getting together to chat as much. There is always something else, which limits a person's opportunities to get deep, debate in a risk free space, and just be around other people.

Its complicated and sad, and really weird that the supposed age of information brought about a general decline in thinking capabilities.

We have something similar too with colleges and universities and maybe there is some bias but not big and honestly more people talk how learning skills is more useful that just whatever they do in universities xD

And yeah it's logical for facsist regime to want dumb people. A person can know that some things are bad, but not because WHY it's bad. And that's how we get progressive young people eagerly support censorship. Indirectly support fascism. And when they will notice what is happening it will be too late. (and it's sad to see them ruining what previous generations were fighting for)

Internet definetely also desentitised people? With so much information about the world, there is less compassion. People have no problem being horrible to others because the screen separates them.

It's a mess. Honestly I think it was a mistake letting kids into social media. They are too impressionable and there is too many bad people who will take advantage of it. And it's harder for parents to keep track of dangerous people around their kids(not to mention parents who don't care what their kids do on internet in general). But it's still complicated, because internet also gives kids community they can't get in real life =(