#why are you prioritizing a theoretical that will change no matter what

[awkward-teabag]

I hate the idea of living around the resale value of your home. Comfort should come well before the theoretical sale of your home, especially if you have no plan on moving in the next decade or two as what's popular right now is going to be dated by then anyway so you're making yourself/others uncomfortable while spending money when you'll have to spend yet more money getting new flooring/paint/appliances/etc. if you want to sell it in 20 years anyway.

[skaruresonic]

https://www.tumblr.com/skaruresonic/764144296700084224/the-most-agitating-part-of-this-does-sonic-kill?source=share

>Like yeah, Sonic COULD theoretically murder Eggman after Eggman passes out, but would he? Would he, really? Why is not being Patrick Bateman grounds to argue that Sonic "lets Eggman go"?

Well you see we need to portray Sonic as a neglectful oaf so that the new comic character can scream at him about things that aren't interesting at all

In all seriousness I don't understand it either. Sonic has left Eggman behind in explosions, black holes, and collapsing dimensions. Sonic laughed at Eggman getting electrocuted and left him to suffer. Sonic messed with Eggman's jetpack and let him fall to his potential death. Sonic isn't going out of his way to ensure that Eggman survives their battles.

Eggman survives all of these because he has insane endurance. That's as deep as it goes. No one ever questions how Eggman survived a mouth beam from Chaos or a tentacle wack from Dark Gaia. So why is Eggman's survival due to a deliberate act of mercy whenever Sonic's the one who attacks him?

Even when looking at the times where Eggman flies away and Sonic sits there letting it happen that still isn't exactly Sonic letting Eggman go. Sonic just got finished fighting a giant robot so maybe he's tired? Or Eggman was too high in the air and Sonic didn't have the time to build up the momentum needed to jump and catch him. Or Sonic prioritized checking on the people Eggman messed with rather than catching Eggman. And what does Sonic do after all that is settled? He immediately gets back to chasing after Eggman.

There's also the fact that Sonic typically stops caring the instant the problem is over and everyone is safe. He's not gonna go around preaching about the sanctity of life though.

Honestly even if we're working under the assumption that Sonic is deliberately sparing Eggman because he believes the doctor might change one day no one will ever convince me he'd handle the subject matter how he does in the idw comic. Sonic is such an insensitive jerk in that comic. He's always trampling over the input of others because he only cares about proving he's right. When you really analyze the idw comic Sonic himself doesn't seem too hopeful that Eggman will change one day. There's a panel of Sonic with a disgruntled face going "sigh MAYBE you'll change one day but until then you're DEFINITELY gonna keep being evil" so like if idw sonic isn't entirely sure Eggman will turn good why is he so snappy at his friends when they disagree with him on this? It's less like he believes Eggman can turn good and more like he just doesn't wanna hear "i told you so" from a friend. It's maddening.

This got way longer than I originally intended lol

No worries ^^ Give me more cud to chew on. I am cattle, hear me moo

No one ever questions how Eggman survived a mouth beam from Chaos or a tentacle wack from Dark Gaia. So why is Eggman's survival due to a deliberate act of mercy whenever Sonic's the one who attacks him?

That's... an interesting point, actually. Though I'm sure they'd argue it's different for Sonic because he has a conscience and isn't a "mindless beast," or something along those lines.

---

Even when looking at the times where Eggman flies away and Sonic sits there letting it happen that still isn't exactly Sonic letting Eggman go. Sonic just got finished fighting a giant robot so maybe he's tired? Or Eggman was too high in the air and Sonic didn't have the time to build up the momentum needed to jump and catch him. Or Sonic prioritized checking on the people Eggman messed with rather than catching Eggman. And what does Sonic do after all that is settled? He immediately gets back to chasing after Eggman.

Honestly, does Sonic really do even this, all things considered? There are many, many more examples of Sonic leaving Eggman behind in explosions or otherwise getting in one last lick. As far back as the very first game, you have the choice to hit the Egg Mobile and send Eggman crashing down in flames. The only instances of Sonic passively watching something happen to Eggman that come to mind atm are Gens and Lost World. Could be forgetting something else, but eh. Ending of his story in SA1, maybe?

In Lost World, he sees Eggman seemingly plummet to his death (which imo makes him stealing the jetpack nozzle a cold move; if the last fall didn't kill Eggman, this one certainly might lol).

In Generations, Classic Sonic watches Robotnik get kidnapped by the Time Eater. Especially lolworthy in that Robotnik begs Sonic to save him and Sonic's like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

---

When you really analyze the idw comic Sonic himself doesn't seem too hopeful that Eggman will change one day. There's a panel of Sonic with a disgruntled face going "sigh MAYBE you'll change one day but until then you're DEFINITELY gonna keep being evil" so like if idw sonic isn't entirely sure Eggman will turn good why is he so snappy at his friends when they disagree with him on this? It's less like he believes Eggman can turn good and more like he just doesn't wanna hear "i told you so" from a friend. It's maddening.

Which is stupid to begin with because this whole thing is predicated on an accident. Eggman did not make the choice to become Mr. Tinker; the persona was foisted upon him. You'd think the experience of turning into Mr. Needlemouse in much the same way would have taught Sonic that Tinker was a fluke and nothing more, but no.

Honestly...... people are going to grab their torches and pitchforks for this one, but................. IDW's nonsensical writing starts to make a lot more sense if you view it through the lens of "Sonic has a crush on Eggman, and therefore hates being called out on his authoritarianism or his 'failure' to kill Tinker."

I hate that I'm not even kidding. In issue 50 he drops a line so cold that it wouldn't sound out-of-place for Eggman. And his stubborn insistence that Eggman is capable of being good, somehow, despite Eggman never giving any indication of such, makes more sense if you think his brain is being fried by his crush. Wants that old man dick so bad he can't even think straight.

Hell, you could even say Sonic finds Eggman's zero compunctions about being who he is at the expense of everyone around him attractive lol.

[mdhwrites]

I think a major part of my frustration with Luz's character arc (if it can be called that) is that I think the best character arcs often involve the character starting at a place where there is something they are wrong about or there is some flaw they need to grow from. Anne from Amphibia (and Sasha and Marcy as well) is a great example of how to do this well. But Luz never really has her fundamental beliefs or character challenged except I suppose in Episode 2 of the show when she learns she's not a chosen one. (Which as you've pointed out before is arguably undermined by some of the chosen one-like tropes she falls into later anyway.) There's nothing (according to the show) that she was wrong about or needed to change her mind about or needed to grow in any way from. The only thing she learns is that it's okay for her to be herself. Which, uh, pretty sure she already knew that in Episode 1? "Us weirdos stick together" and "no one should be punished for who they are" and all that? So really she learned nothing. I like Luz well enough and I find her charming (when she's not pointlessly angsting about ~helping Belos~ anyway) but come on, that's no way to write an interesting main character. Anyway that's my two cents, any thoughts on the matter? 🦎

So this is great in conjunction with my earlier blog because it is effectively a question about what you prioritize or think is important in a main character. What parts of character analysis do you care about? But I talked about character analysis in general this morning. Let's talk main character analysis. And yes, I've done this before somewhat with talking about if Luz is a good protagonist but didn't talk about main characters and arcs. So why don't protagonists usually have a more defined arc than the characters around them? That answer is actually pretty simple: The more defined they are, the less you can do with them. The character might say no a plotline or not react correctly to another character who needs them to behave in a specific way for their plotline. The more their character demands actual attention, the harder it is to tell the rest of the story since they are theoretically the focal point of the story. Frankly, this happens with Luz. Part of why S2B struggles to FUNCTION, let alone S3, is because Luz is demanding attention when before now she didn't. She was there, she might do things but the character she was interacting with, or the element of the world, was what came first. The most immediate example post Yesterday's Lie of this is actually the beginning of Elsewhere Elsewhen. Lilith just got hired to be a historian... But Lilith is a plot device almost as much as the time pools are in that episode. That's why Luz misses most of the party because the show wants to claim she's doubling down on her angst and worries and so she's finally actually putting more work towards figuring out what's going on. If the mouse hadn't spoken up, it's questionable if she would have gone to the party at all. And that sucks for Lilith's character because she HAS to be simplified than in order to not take up too much attention from what Luz is doing and her personal plot line. She's a gag character mostly in that episode for that reason because Luz is the dramatic anchor now despite this episode featuring what is theoretically a large change for Lilith in accepting a position DRASTICALLY lower than her original one. Reaching Out suffers similarly. It is theoretically about Amity's relationship with her father but Luz's angst is such a priority that Amity even struggling in the tournament isn't allowed because that would take too much time away. Luz can't properly react to Amity because the writers are so focused on her keeping this secret. Worst yet, to both Reaching Out and Falls and Follies, is that the writers can't have Luz actually stop lying so despite Amity asking Luz to stop TWICE, that can't have an impact on anything because they will not let Luz get past this. If she does, Hollow Mind's aftermath either is instantly resolved and we don't get her trying to stay in the human (which boy if that wouldn't have been nice) or becomes far more complex and has negative ramifications as characters have to now treat Luz differently based on the new information. Frankly it's a problem with ALL the character writing in TOH. Statements and future plans matter more than what the characters might actually do or real growth. This is also why characters are replaced as much they grow into new versions of themselves. Momma Eda is incompatible with her old self unless more thought and more complex answers are put into how she handles new problems dictated what she theoretically grew into. It's better to just forget most of what Eda does in S1 instead and just accept the new characterization.

And when your form of character arcs through replacement, that's a REAL problem for your main character. They dictate the tone and focus of the show after all. They have to change by inches without throwing the entire thing out of whack. And MOST people agree that S2B feels entirely different from the rest of the series, if not also S3 in general. And yeah, that's gonna happen when everyone has to now deal with an angry, upset, lying, secretive ball of emotions that is what Luz became in S2B. All while not being allowed to actually influence these emotions because the resolution is only allowed in S3. And halfway through it at that! Frankly, I would argue that instead of the issue with Luz being that she had no arc (and it's fine if that is the bigger deal to you. Arcs are compelling and spending too much with a main character who never changed is what made me eventually stop watching Randy Cunningham: Ninth Grade Ninja) but that when they tried to change her, they put no real thought into it. Despite this being their main character, their core, they treated Luz like they do any plot point, any character arc, any theme. It's just to make a statement and to try to prove it's better without the thought needed to make it better than other shows. And you do that to your main character and you are going to kill your story. ========

I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!

I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead, If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.

And finally a Twitter you can follow too!

[dlaprobably]

Servantember, Day 6: John of Nottingham (Caster/Assassin)

A relatively obscure figure for Day 6! John of Nottingham was a famed sorcerer in 14th century England who was hired by the people of Coventry to kill King Edward II and various associates of his through magical means. Nottingham's method involved sculpting wax effigies of his targets and inflicting the means of death upon them, which he first tested on the effigy of a non-target, Richard de Lowe. de Lowe reportedly died soon afterward, but that was as far as Nottingham got before his assistant turned on him, the scheme was exposed, and he was arrested along with his assistant and the other conspirators. While they were declared not guilty, Nottingham died in prison before the verdict was reached.

Lore Notes:

-A skilled, if shortsighted magical practitioner, his fame was well-earned but ill-timed, most crowds in his day being tough ones when it came to sorcery. He may not be as much of a celebrity as he once was, but if you need magic done quick, cheap, and decently well, he's your man. While his craftsmanship is serviceable, he's not much of an artist, and will prioritize function over form, much to the dismay of some of the crafts themselves. They're also not terribly pleased with being created just to die, go figure!

-Has a decent assortment of spells to work with, but his real talent is with curses. While his wax effigies were designed with assassination at a distance by his hand in mind, they have access to the Presence Concealment skill even when Nottingham is summoned as a Caster, making it feasible for them to carry out assassinations themselves. Efficacy may vary depending on their form, however, and they have the endurance that would be expected of magically reinforced wax. Incidentally, Nottingham is silent when it comes to the circumstances of his own mysterious death.

-His Noble Phantasm, Regicide by Proxy: Test Run, is based on the assassination plot's one success, the death of Richard de Lowe. By creating a wax effigy of anyone not considered one of his main targets and inflicting some manner of death upon it (stabbing into it with lead pins is his traditional method, but it's optional), Nottingham can bring about their death in a matter of days. It's a fairly powerful curse, though it of course has its limitations. While Nottingham's "main targets" would of course include any of his opponents in a Grail War he's summoned to, anyone he has a strong enough motive to strike against will likely also be counted, and mages are particularly resistant to the curse regardless of their status as targets. Non-magical acquaintances, friends or loved ones of his targets who Nottingham hasn't personally met would be fair game, as would any unrelated individuals whose presence his targets are depending on for their own plans. Perhaps he could even bring about a target's death through the death of a non-target individual, but it's yet to line up so nicely for him. There are restrictions, but for what's basically a guaranteed kill if his choice of victim works, it seems fair enough to him. The only real worry's the effigy's feelings on the matter, so he leans toward more destructive methods of death.

-A fully powered version of his Noble Phantasm, Regicide by Proxy: The Waxwork Plot theoretically exists, but it would necessitate the test run going off without a hitch first, and Nottingham surviving long enough to pull it off before a countermeasure could be found. He has yet to pull it off, but when the day comes, it'll be a grand one, and he'll achieve what he couldn't in life. Maybe he'll even manage to pull off a comeback off of that!

-Doesn't really get why Madame Tussaud hates him as much as she does, and doesn't plan on changing his methods anytime soon. If summoned in the same environment as her, may antagonize her for a laugh, or attempt to take her waxworks for himself to use as materials for his own plotting.

-Believes himself the more deserving of the "Caster Caster" title as a waxworker himself, as well as one who was a sorcerer in life, arguably making him a Caster Caster Caster. Since his waxworks tend to be more hand-molded and slapped together, nobody takes this claim of his seriously.

Design Notes:

I'd read about this guy in the past and forgotten who he was by the time I came to him for this project, but he seemed like an interesting dude! My first instinct for him was to go full Renaissance era wizard, but since he seemed like more of a businessman than in it for the love of the game, I ended up leaning more toward Renaissance wiseguy. A pretty powerful mage, all in all, but one who takes his power for granted and takes the danger he's put himself in far too lightly. The effigy to the right is meant to be that of Richard de Lowe, far cruder than that of Nottingham's real targets since he was an afterthought, while the one to the left is that of Edward II, better formed to leave no room for error, but displeased with his lot as a sacrificial facsimile and intent on avoiding it. His interactions with Tussaud are the first consideration I really gave to the interplay between these characters and other Servants, and there'll be more of that in future profiles.

[makers-muse]

Why witty school is the best choice for STEM education 

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make, especially in today’s rapidly evolving world. If you’re looking for an institution that prioritizes STEM education in mumbai Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Witty School stands out as the top option. Here’s why. 

A Comprehensive STEM Curriculum 

Witty School’s STEM curriculum is designed to go beyond theoretical knowledge. Our students are encouraged to participate in real-world projects that simulate industry challenges. From solving complex coding problems to designing engineering prototypes, students receive practical, hands-on experience that prepares them for the demands of modern careers. 

Cutting-Edge Facilities 

One key reason Witty School is the best choice for STEM education in mumbai is our advanced, industry-standard facilities. Our campus features cutting-edge laboratories, specialized maker spaces, and fully equipped computer labs. Students have access to the latest tools like 3D printers, robotics kits, and high-performance coding platforms, enabling them to develop real technical skills that give them an edge in STEM fields. 

Faculty Expertise in STEM 

At Witty School, we take pride in having a team of faculty members who are experts in their respective STEM disciplines. Our educators are not just teachers; they have real-world experience in engineering, computer science, and technological innovation. This allows them to impart deep insights and practical know-how, ensuring that students gain a robust understanding of both the fundamentals and advanced aspects of STEM. 

Focus on Future Careers 

Our STEM curriculum is not just about learning science, technology, engineering, and math it’s about preparing students for the future. With growing demand for STEM professionals globally, Witty School provides opportunities for students to build a solid foundation for their careers. Whether they aspire to become engineers, data scientists, or innovators in tech, our students graduate with the skills they need to excel. 

Extracurricular Programs that Inspire Innovation 

Beyond the classroom, Witty School offers various extracurricular activities to reinforce students’ interest in STEM education in Mumbai. We host coding competitions, robotics teams, and science fairs that encourage students to apply what they learn in real-world scenarios. These activities nurture problem-solving skills, teamwork, and creativity key attributes that are vital for success in STEM careers. Enroll now 

Proven Success Stories 

Witty School has a proven track record of excellence in STEM. Our students regularly win national and international competitions in robotics, coding, and engineering. Many of our alumni go on to attend prestigious universities and build successful careers in industries such as technology, healthcare, and research. Our STEM program has consistently been a springboard for future leaders in innovation. 

Why STEM Education for Children Matters More Than Ever 

In today’s fast-changing world, the need for skilled professionals in STEM fields is growing rapidly. 

As the world continues to embrace new technologies, the need for professionals with strong STEM education in Mumbai becomes more critical. STEM fields are driving advancements from medical breakthroughs to sustainable energy innovations, shaping the future. At Witty School, we understand the importance of equipping students with the skills needed to meet these global challenges head-on. By enrolling your child in our STEM program, you are preparing them for success in a tech-driven world. 

Preparing the Next Generation for a Tech-Driven Future with STEM Education 

Are you prepared to take the next step in ensuring a bright future for your child? Explore our STEM curriculum and discover why Witty School is the best choice for STEM education in mumbai. Arrange a visit or reach out to discover how we can support your child in excelling in an innovative world. 

Do you have questions regarding our STEM program?

Contact us anytime.

Take your first step into the magical world of coding for kids

[collegedunias]

Elevate Your Future with Atlas Skilltech University: The Ideal Choice for Students

In today's fast-paced world, education plays a pivotal role in shaping a student's future. Choosing the right university is crucial for personal development, acquiring essential skills, and gaining the knowledge necessary to thrive in a competitive global environment. One institution that stands out for its innovative approach to education is Atlas Skilltech University.

Why the Right University Matters for Your Career

The right university is more than just a place to earn a degree; it’s where you develop the critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills you’ll need to succeed in life. It’s where you make lifelong friends, build professional networks, and discover your passions. At Atlas Skilltech University, students receive more than just academic instruction—they are prepared to excel in a rapidly changing world by learning practical, in-demand skills that make them job-ready from day one.

What Sets Atlas Skilltech University Apart?

With so many options available, students often struggle to determine which university will best help them achieve their goals. Atlas Skilltech University distinguishes itself by offering a unique educational experience that blends academic excellence with hands-on learning opportunities. Here’s why Atlas Skilltech University should be at the top of your list:

Innovative Curriculum Designed for the Modern World: The curriculum at Atlas Skilltech University is meticulously crafted to address the needs of today’s industries. It goes beyond traditional academics to offer programs that focus on skill development, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The university’s courses are aligned with the demands of the modern job market, providing students with the tools they need to solve real-world problems. From technology and business to design and media, Atlas Skilltech University covers a wide range of disciplines, ensuring students are well-equipped for the future.

Hands-On Learning Opportunities: At Atlas Skilltech University, students don’t just learn from textbooks—they gain real-world experience through internships, live projects, and industry collaborations. This hands-on approach allows students to apply their classroom knowledge to real situations, giving them the confidence and competence to excel in their chosen careers. By the time they graduate, students have a portfolio of work that demonstrates their abilities and readiness for the professional world.

Experienced and Industry-Connected Faculty: One of the key strengths of Atlas Skilltech University is its faculty. The university attracts highly qualified professors who have extensive industry experience, which means students benefit from their practical insights and expertise. The faculty doesn’t just teach theoretical concepts—they share real-world applications, ensuring that students understand how to implement their learning in the workplace. This combination of academic knowledge and industry insight sets Atlas Skilltech University apart from other institutions.

Focus on Employability and Skill Development: In today’s job market, employers are looking for more than just a degree. They want candidates who have practical skills, the ability to think critically, and the flexibility to adapt to new challenges. Atlas Skilltech University prioritizes employability, ensuring that students graduate with the skills that employers value. The university offers a range of programs and workshops focused on developing soft skills, communication, teamwork, and leadership, making graduates highly attractive to employers.

State-of-the-Art Campus and Facilities: The campus at Atlas Skilltech University is designed to foster innovation and creativity. With cutting-edge technology, modern classrooms, and collaborative workspaces, the university provides an environment that supports learning and development. Students have access to top-notch resources, including fully equipped labs, media studios, and innovation centers, which allow them to experiment, create, and bring their ideas to life.

Industry Partnerships and Global Exposure: Atlas Skilltech University has built strong partnerships with leading industries, both locally and globally. These collaborations provide students with access to internships, mentorship opportunities, and even job placements. The university also offers global exchange programs, allowing students to study abroad and gain international exposure, an invaluable asset in today’s interconnected world. This global perspective helps students develop a broader understanding of their fields and prepares them for careers that may take them across borders.

Why Atlas Skilltech University is the Right Choice for Students

For students who want to excel in today’s dynamic job market, Atlas Skilltech University offers the perfect balance of academic rigor and practical experience. Here’s why you should consider enrolling at Atlas Skilltech University:

Future-Focused Education: The programs at Atlas Skilltech University are designed to prepare students for the future. With a focus on innovation, creativity, and technology, the university ensures that its graduates have the skills needed to succeed in industries that are constantly evolving.

Strong Career Support: From the moment students join Atlas Skilltech University, they are given access to a wide range of career services. The university’s career development center helps students with everything from resume building to interview preparation. With dedicated placement support and strong industry ties, students have a clear path to achieving their career goals.

Holistic Development: Education at Atlas Skilltech University goes beyond the classroom. The university encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities, leadership programs, and community service projects. This holistic approach ensures that students develop not only academically but also personally, preparing them to become well-rounded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to society.

A Diverse and Inclusive Community: At Atlas Skilltech University, students are part of a diverse community that values inclusivity and collaboration. The university attracts students from all backgrounds, creating an environment where different perspectives are respected and celebrated. This diversity enriches the learning experience and helps students develop a global mindset.

A Commitment to Excellence: Atlas Skilltech University is committed to providing a high-quality education that meets the highest standards. The university continually strives for excellence in teaching, research, and student support, ensuring that students receive the best possible education.

Tips for Students Choosing the Right University

Choosing the right university can be overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can find the perfect fit for your needs. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision:

Research Your Options: Take the time to explore different universities, their programs, and their strengths. Atlas Skilltech University provides detailed information on its website about its programs, faculty, and campus life—be sure to review this to get a sense of what the university offers.

Consider Your Career Goals: Think about what you want to achieve in your career and choose a university that aligns with those goals. Atlas Skilltech University is a great option for students who are focused on innovation, technology, and gaining practical skills.

Visit the Campus: If possible, visit the campus to experience the environment firsthand. Atlas Skilltech University offers a vibrant campus life with modern facilities that support creativity and collaboration.

Seek Advice from Alumni: Alumni can provide valuable insights into their experiences at the university and how it has helped them in their careers. Reach out to alumni from Atlas Skilltech University to get their perspectives.

Conclusion

Choosing the right university is a significant step in shaping your future, and Atlas Skilltech University offers a unique combination of academic excellence, practical experience, and global opportunities. With a focus on skill development, employability, and holistic growth, Atlas Skilltech University is the ideal choice for students who want to elevate their careers and unlock their full potential.

[blackbirdbehavioral]

The One Secret That Will Change Your Life Forever! 

Life has a way of surprising us with its twists and turns, throwing us into a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences. Along this journey, we often find ourselves searching for that one elusive secret, the key that unlocks the door to personal transformation and lasting happiness. You’re in luck because today, I’m about to unveil that very secret, a secret that has the power to change your life forever.

The Power of Secrets

Secrets have an inexplicable allure. We’re naturally drawn to the idea of hidden knowledge, tantalized by the prospect of exclusive insights that can change our lives. In the realm of personal development and mental health, the appeal of such secrets is no different. We seek solutions that can make a profound impact on our well-being and inner happiness.

Unveiling the “One Secret”

So, you’re probably wondering, what is this “one secret” we’re talking about? Well, it’s not a magic spell or a quick-fix solution. It’s a fundamental principle that has been embraced by individuals who have experienced remarkable changes in their mental health and overall life satisfaction.

The Secret’s Relevance

Before we dive deeper into self-compassion, it’s crucial to understand why it’s so vital in the realm of mental health. We all encounter challenges and setbacks in life, and how we respond to them plays a pivotal role in our emotional well-being. Self-compassion is the lens through which we view these challenges. It’s the realization that we are human, flawed, and, above all, deserving of kindness, even when we stumble.

As individuals navigating the complexities of the human experience, we often grapple with self-judgment, self-criticism, and unrealistic expectations. These internal struggles can take a toll on our mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and feelings of inadequacy.

Self-compassion, however, invites a paradigm shift. It encourages us to treat ourselves with the same kindness and understanding that we extend to others. It’s a practice of self-love, self-forgiveness, and self-acceptance. By embracing self-compassion, we empower ourselves to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace.

Practical Steps for Implementation

Implementing self-compassion in your life isn’t as complex as it may seem. It’s a matter of cultivating a mindset and adopting daily practices that prioritize self-kindness. Here are some practical steps to get you started:

Mindfulness: Begin by becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings, especially in moments of self-criticism or judgment. Mindfulness helps you recognize when you’re being hard on yourself.

Self-Talk: Change your inner dialogue. Replace self-criticism with self-kindness. Speak to yourself as you would a close friend in times of struggle.

Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. It might be as simple as a walk in nature, journaling, or engaging in a favorite hobby.

Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out to mental health professionals, friends, or support groups. Sharing your challenges can be a powerful act of self-compassion.

Forgiveness: Forgive yourself for past mistakes and accept that you are constantly evolving. Self-compassion acknowledges that we all make errors and that they are opportunities for growth.

Real-Life Examples

Self-compassion isn’t just a theoretical concept; it’s a practical philosophy that has transformed the lives of countless individuals. Here are a few real-life examples of how self-compassion has made a profound impact:

Samantha’s Journey: Samantha struggled with anxiety for years, often berating herself for her worries and fears. Through self-compassion practices, she learned to embrace her anxiety as a part of herself, showing herself kindness during moments of panic. Over time, her anxiety began to lose its grip, and Samantha regained a sense of control and peace.

Jake’s Recovery: Jake, a recovering addict, had a history of self-blame and guilt. By practicing self-compassion, he shifted his perspective, acknowledging that addiction was a challenge he faced and that recovery was an act of self-love. This shift in mindset empowered him to maintain his sobriety.

The Potential Impact

The potential impact of self-compassion on your mental health journey is immeasurable. By embracing self-compassion, you can:

Reduce feelings of anxiety, depression, and self-doubt.

Enhance your emotional resilience and coping skills.

Improve your self-esteem and overall well-being.

Foster healthier relationships with others.

Overcoming Challenges

Embracing self-compassion is not just a fleeting trend in the realm of mental health and personal development; it’s a timeless principle with the potential to transform your life. As you start applying the concept of self-compassion to your daily life, remember that this journey is an ongoing process. It’s about learning to be your own best friend and ally, offering yourself the kindness and support you deserve.

The path to lasting happiness and mental well-being may have been elusive, but with self-compassion, you hold the key to your own transformation. This is the “one secret” that can change your life forever, and it’s a secret worth sharing with others on their journeys to well-being.

Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Together, we can foster a community of support and growth. If you’ve found value in this article, please consider visiting Blackbird Behavioral to explore more resources and insights on your mental health journey.

Life is too short to spend it weighed down by self-criticism and judgment. It’s time to start living with self-compassion and experience the profound impact it can have on your mental health, personal growth, and overall happiness.

Are you ready to embrace the transformative power of self-compassion? The journey starts today, and the possibilities are endless.

[w-ht-w]

Career change in an uncertain/changing global job market

How long do career changes usually take?

Experts say people change careers an average of three or more times during their lifetimes. ... Identifying why [your current industry/role] isn’t a good fit is the key ... can help you decide if the next step should be a change in industry, function, or both. (2)

Questions to consider:

What are you passionate about? 

What would make you excited to get up in the morning? 

Do you know anyone with any interesting job that you want to learn more about? 

Is there a way to leverage your past experiences with other interests?

What strengths do you have and what knowledge gaps do you need to fill? 

Can you make a change within your current organization? (2)

Popular skills for career changers (high demand, well-paying):

While the ideal job for you will depend on your unique background and interests, certain fields present fewer barriers to entry and are more open to hiring career changers than others. Career changers often find success in high-paying fields like computer science and data science, for example, amongst others.

Computer science and data science careers are ideal for career changers as they are in high demand, provide competitive salaries, and offer many different pathways to enter the field. For example, someone interested in gaining computer science skills can participate in a coding bootcamp, take online courses, enroll in an undergraduate program, or pursue a master’s degree. (1)

Coursera has just released its latest Global Skill report, ... Among the many discoveries is an estimated time for how long it takes to retrain on the online learning platform, if you’re hoping to switch jobs. The easier skill sets can be acquired within 35 hours, while the more intensive skills take around 70 hours to learn.

Interestingly, the report (opens in new tab) also highlights that the USA is falling behind when it comes to data science and technology skills, with a lower number of skilled workers than several European and Asian countries.

This is despite the fact that the World Economic Forum(opens in new tab) (WEF) has identified several jobs in these areas that are increasingly in demand. Topping its list of 'emerging' professions are data analysts and scientists, AI and machine learning specialists, and big data experts. (3)

Technology/digital, quantitative skills will be key to keeping up.

Digital skills are the shared language of the modern economy. ... The most popular skills in the last year in the business, technology, and data science domains were leadership and management, probability and statistics, and theoretical computer science. Not every worker needs to learn how to code, but adding digital skills to supplement foundational human and technical skills enables workers to maintain relevance as skills demands evolve.

Lower levels of internet access mean lower levels of skills proficiency.

The internet may be the great equalizer, but internet access is not equal. Countries in the lowest 25% of learner performance had average internet access rates of 54.2%, while those in the highest 25% had access rates of 83.6%. (4)

A balance of human and digital skills is key to a resilient economy.

Europe leads the world in skills proficiency. Global education, employment, and workforce leaders can model Europe’s competitive advantage—which lies in highly skilled workers—by prioritizing training for high-growth, in-demand skills in business, technology, and data science.

Learners in the U.S. focused on human skills like project management, decision making, and planning. It may not be enough to have digital skills. No matter their jobs, workers need human skills to thrive. Business leaders should prioritize training programs that develop these skills. (4)

Retraining for: Data & AI

This is another field where there's a huge shortage of skilled workers and an increased need for them. People working in this area develop computer code and algorithms to help make sense of massive amounts of information.

A lot of big companies rely on this kind of knowledge, parsing the data so that they can predict customer behaviors. There's been a steady growth in the number of roles advertised in this area over the past few years and Linkedin reports(opens in new tab) that this trend isn't going to slow down soon.

To succeed here, try studying up on Excel, Python and SQL. It's also useful to have some basic knowledge of statistics and some practice with data visualization techniques. Coursera's report shows that it takes the average learner about 64 hours to retrain for an entry-level job, such as a data analyst, in this particular area. (3)

Don’t get stuck! Plan then execute. Have a long-term aspiration, but focus on short-term progress/milestones.

After a thorough self-assessment, map out your goals, identifying short-term milestones along the way, and give yourself reasonable timelines. Perfect and polish your personal brand to boost your career search. And along the way, focus on expanding your network and reaching out to old contacts, and continually developing your skills.

Most of all, don’t be scared or disheartened by the search for your new career. Check in with yourself on a regular basis to make sure that your current role is aligned with your long-term goals. Know when to walk away, and when to move on. (1)

1. https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/6-signs-time-change-careers/

Many of the “signs that it’s time for a career change” resonated with me.

2. https://executivemba.wharton.upenn.edu/is-it-time-for-a-career-change/

3. https://www.toptenreviews.com/switching-careers-heres-how-long-it-will-take-to-retrain

4. https://www.coursera.org/skills-reports/global/executive-summary?utm_cta_location_source=cards-section-4&utm_cta_text=learn-more

[sokkastyles]

Do you think that if Zutara was canon, the people who justify Kataang by saying that it's canon would've shipped Zutara instead?

Some of them would. Really, it depends on a lot of factors, like why people ship things in the first place. Some people are only interested in canon pairings, and some people who ship KA definitely are those kinds of people. But it also depends HOW it's presented if zutara were canon.

What I mean is, yes, it's true that some people ship things based on whether they are canon, but it's also true that some people who ship KA do so because the narrative leads us to hope Aang will get with Katara in the end, because we've been watching him crush on her from the first episode. The show wants us to identify with Aang's crush, which of course is one of the big criticisms of people who don't feel like KA prioritizes Katara's feelings enough. But if you're one of the viewers who watched the show and identified with Aang the way the show leads you to, then you ship KA.

Let's say zutara does become canon. What does that mean? Does it mean the romance is instead written from Zuko's perspective? If that were the case, the people who ship KA because they identify with Aang's crush would likely also ship zutara in this theoretical scenario. However, a lot would have to be different about the show for us to conceive of it this way. Zuko isn't positioned as the hero of the story, especially not at the beginning. He is A hero and a point of audience identification, but the show has to work to get him there because they position him as a villain at first. So if the narrative were to present zutara as the canon romance with the narrative being about Zuko's crush on Katara, a lot would have to change.

That's why a lot of people who identify with Katara ship zutara, because Zuko's relationship with the other characters isn't about Zuko's feelings, and when it is, it's about how Zuko has to change to meet the needs of the other characters, not the other way around.

The other theoretical canon zutara scenario is the one I see most zutara stans advocating for, the one where not much changes in the main narrative of the show, but have Aang's crush on Katara remain unreciprocated while growing Katara and Zuko's relationship into something romantic. This sort of narrative can be done, and is a more popular way of writing young adult media nowadays than it was twenty or so years ago, because conversations about what girls want and consent are more prevalent than they used to be.

Of course, even in narratives that do prioritize a female character's feelings, you still get people who will only identify with a male character or prioritize his feelings, because even though the Nice Guy narrative has gotten a lot of criticism in recent years, it still exists, and has existed for a long time.

I also tend to the think that no matter how well zutara was written and how it prioritized Katara's feelings, you'd still have people screaming about how Zuko is a bad boy who is corrupting Katara and leading her astray from wholesome good guy Aang, because people already say that and Katara and Zuko only hug platonically onscreen. As I said, the nice guy narrative is so prevalent in our society that people imagine that it's there even when it isn't. Which is actually really quite meta, because Aang did the same thing with Katara in "Ember Island Players" when he yelled at her for the imagined actions of her actress and how she didn't magically end up in a relationship with him despite him never once asking her out.

But, again, people ship things for all sorts of reasons and I'm certainly not saying all people who ship KA do so because it's canon or for bad reasons, just as not everyone who ships zutara would have wanted it to be canon or cares whether it is. Some people ship characters who never interact in canon and that's perfectly valid, too. That's the main problem with the "it's canon" justification, because at the end of the day, people ship things for all sorts of reasons, and a lot of people have really good and creative reasons for why they ship stuff. In my view, whether something is canon or not is one of the least interesting reasons to ship something, because most of my participation in fandom is about whether or not there's a story to explore, and noncanon ships usually have the most untapped potential. But that's just me.

[they-are-a-prolife-autist]

in your post of the tweet from live action it says that procedures like miscarriages amd ectopic pregnancies wont be affected but i just wanted to pop in and say that that is not confirmed at all

here are a few sources;

https://khn.org/news/article/five-things-to-know-now-that-the-supreme-court-has-overturned-roe-v-wade/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2022/06/24/overturning-roe-v-wade-heres-how-itll-impact-reproductive-healthcare---beyond-abortion/

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/976161

please keep this in mind

i respect you a lot as an individual and i agree with a lot of your points, such as how the neurodivergence or disability of the child shouldnt be a factor in abortions and ESPECIALLY the love and upbringing of the child

i do have some questions if you wouldnt mind answering

what about people who have been raped and will now be forced to carry their assaulter's child?

and what about the children who will be born into families that never wanted them and hate their existence? why should the child have to suffer abuse when there should be a different option?

also you have said a few times that people are "forced" into abortion and i just wanted to say that that is also misinformation

abortion clinics (using planned parenthood as an example here) will do their best to encourage to not have the surgery done, there is so much paperwork that has to go into this procedure and the person has to consent multiple times, they are also allowed to change their mind at any point, if on the day of the surgery, you sit at the surgery table and tell the doctor you have changed your mind, the surgery will not be performed

i also think that you mentioned that abortion is not empowering

that is very true, its a medical procedure that no person wants to get

people are NOT using abortion as a first choice, it is incredibly expensive, so why would someone choose the have a medical procedure over taking birth control? (unless of course you know someone that has and in which case i would be willing to listen)

i mean this with no disrespect to you at all and i hope you can see where i am coming from, i just want to discuss this

Hi! Thanks for your incredibly respectful ask. It’s very refreshing to see a message in my inbox that isn’t someone angry and out for blood! 😅

As far as your sources go I see a few news sites asking questions (and in my opinion, spreading fear and panic rather than facts.) As for the last one I cannot read it as it requires an account. Here is what I do know, there is no bill, law, or regulation that banns or outlaws treatment for abortions or miscarriages on any medical basis or what ethical basis. It doesn't exist. There is no legislation to that effect and there never has been. Treatment for a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy is not the same procedure as an abortion.

Not once in either of the above links is the word “abortion” used. Why? Because it’s not a deliberate termination it’s a live saving procedure that is only necessary because the unborn child cannot be saved. What we do have are examples of statewide policies on the matter.

As far as your questions, I will always hold that there is no amount of possible future suffering that entitles one human to steal the life of a another. I would ask what your opinions on suicide are, and I pose that we should all agree to prioritize finding the solutions to the problems that make anyones death theoretically preferable to life, rather than protecting a supposed “right” to kill as some means of escape. (Either for yourself or for your unborn.) I myself experienced a life with many circumstances that are used to justify abortion. I was an abused child. I refuse to concede that based on a statistic likelihood of an individual to experience trauma, we should end their life before they experience.

Forced and coerced abortion very much do happen, and in fact happen quite often. You can do a little digging to find the videos people have taken undercover at planned parenthood, as well as the individual stories of many post-abortive moms who recount being pressured into it by family members, communities, and abusers. Here are a few resources.

(From the above link) Why abortion is the Un-choice:

• 64% of women reported feeling pressured to abort.

• Most felt rushed or uncertain, yet 67% weren’t counseled.

• 79% weren’t told of available resources.

• 84% weren’t sufficiently informed before abortion.

• Pressure to abort can escalate to violence.

• Homicide is the leading killer of pregnant women.

• Clinics fail to screen for coercion.

• Women nearly 4 times more likely to die after abortion.

• Suicide rates 6 times higher after abortion.

• 65% of women suffer trauma symptoms after abortion.

As far as no one using abortion as a first choice, I agree to an extent. Abortion is used as a safety net for sex just in case birth control fails. It’s deemed as necessary because of the lack of accommodations to pregnant women in the workplace, schools, etc, as well as the lack of advances in female medicine. Almost everyone wants have sex obviously, but women are disproportionately at risk of having their lives/bodies ruined due to pregnancy so we MUST have abortion to save us from the man-made-and-maintained ���consequences of our female biology… just in case.

Except for abortion kinks, abortion addicts, and the plethora of people who glorify and celebrate it online. Feel free to Google that. It’s gross.

(Shout your abortion, forbidden gummy bear, fuck them kids blah blah blah.)

[somerabbitholes]

Hi!How are you ? I wanted to ask you about something. I would appreciate any info you can provide on this or anything related to this. If you're busy i totally understand. No worries.

I learnt about this today.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTXNm8psak1/?utm_medium=copy_link

Why was this history never taught, never spoken so much. Like it was non existent. It broke my heart to read about this. What do you think about this and the lack of knowledge about this? Don't such stories matter? Is it because they were women? The boisterous freedom speeches describing colonialism, our history textbooks so many media outlets but i hear this story today!!!??

Please suggest any books that i can read to learn more about this and stories most of the history books leave out.

Thank you.

hello! i’m sorry this took long, it’s festival season and i’ve been busy at home.

if you mean why it wasn’t taught in schools, then that’s a tricky question. because on the one hand these are obviously very important stories and school textbooks have typically had biases that need correction, but also on the other hand, school textbooks would typically be devoid of the nuance you learn in college while studying labour and everything. this history is taught in college, and has in fact been a pretty big deal for the past fifty years when you’re studying colonialism and gender or labour histories. there is also always new research being done on this in academia, and always new books being written on this. feminist and subaltern history has in fact done wonderfully well in indian academia. so, you know, we talk about it all the time in college.

not all of it always translates into popular histories — which i’m guessing is what you mean by why this is never talked about — and why that doesn’t happen is complicated. sometimes there is obvious politics, like how with the freedom movement the congress occupies most of the space (you can guess who that helps), or how tribal leaders are hardly ever mentioned; or how with medieval india the north is prioritized and the south or the northeast largely ignored. but also, more importantly, there is always new work being done, there are always new sources that someone accesses, and in that sense no work of history is complete, because something more could be discovered that changes everything. and because the time we live in changes, older sources are always being read and reread and lead to new interpretations: like recently queer histories have grown, so we’ve gone back to ancient hindu and indic writings and combed through them again with a clearer picture of what to look for.

and that’s something that has been happening lately; there have been more diverse stories written and brought into the mainstream over the last seven-ish years. these are the most recent ones that have been well-received —

the coolie's great war: indian labour in a global conflict, 1914-1921 by radhika singha: about the non-combatant indian labour that was part of the first world war; looks at how the war was fought on the backs of such labour

lady doctors: the untold stories of india's first women in medicine by kavitha rao: how women became doctors and accessed medicine in the 19th century; looks at how they navigated caste, family, gender tensions

makers of modern dalit history by sudarshan ramabadran and guru prakash paswan: short biographical collection about people who have been important to dalit history; also looks at how dalit agency worked in modern india through these stories

 ayo gorkhali by tim i. gurung: it’s about the gorkha kingdom, the people, and particularly how they were militarized during the encounter with the british

most of these build on the academic work that has existed since about the 1980s in india —

elementary aspects of peasant insurgency in colonial india by ranajit guha: looks at how peasant consciousness developed in colonial india, it’s a pioneering book, and ranajit guha gave birth to subaltern studies so a classic, really. his other work is great too, and if you want a more theoretical work, check dominance without hegemony

labour matters: towards global histories by sabyasachi bhattacharya: an anthology about global labour and also about how history needs to be transnational, especially while studying things like mobility

castes of mind by nicholas dirks: about how caste identities and categories were created/reinforced in colonial india and its implications for modern india

an endangered history by angma dey zhala: it’s about the chittagong region and how religion, colonialism, culture, and ethnicity interacted and how european encounter changed (or not changed) the region

ayahs, lascars, and princes by rozina visram: about indians in britain during the empire days, probably the most relevant to what you asked

thuggee by kim wagner: about banditry in 19th century india and how it emerged in the specific context created by colonial socio-economic policy; how it was further criminalised

for popular histories you can keep track of publishers, that way you’ll know anything new that’s being written. aryan books does indic histories, navayana is great for all writings on dalit history; then there are the big ones who are better with popular history (penguin, harper collins, rupa etc). academic publishers (oxford and cambridge university presses, springer, brill, routledge etc) are also good if you’d like conventionally academic writing.

and also lastly, the instagram page that you got your story from is great! there are so many of these coming up lately who bring history and heritage into the mainstream and they’re every bit as important! here are some favourites — 

ancient indian art

itihasology (bonus points because they’re friends!)

pangsau history project

the heritage lab

india lost and found

i hope that helps clear things up for you :)

[alfredosauce50]

[APH x AOT] Headcanons: The countries’ military regiment, fighting style and ranking

I only managed to get Germany, China, America, England and Russia in this, but I went pretty deep with all of them: There will be reasons for joining, strengths, weaknesses, and their overall ranking. The total wordcount for this is 3, 759, so that’s triple the amount of a regular headcanons post. 

I hope you guys enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it! 

Garrison

The regiment with the most personnel, and arguably, the most productive. With limited entry into the military police and high fatality rate of the Survey Corps, most graduates wind up here. 

But there is lots of work to be done. Whether it be maintaining and protecting walls, or evacuating citizens and adhering to emergency plans when disaster strikes--a breach in the wall and an invasion--there are always important jobs to get busy with. The Garrison frequently encounter both titans and civilians, so the soldiers here are well-rounded in titan combat, cannons, security detail, crowd control, and rifle usage. 

Given their concrete role and how they successfully deliver what they pledge, they are objectively the most deserving of respect. 

Germany

He always had his eyes set on the Garrison, having a high regard for their integral role in maintaining and protecting society. 

Ludwig is well aware of his plethora of skills while remaining humble, and wishes to use them to his full potential. While he admires the will and purpose of the Survey Corps, he’d much rather join a regiment that has a better ratio of risk and return. The scouts who die outside the protection of the walls may not die meaningful deaths, but members of the Garrison have clear goals to dedicate themselves to, and he wants nothing more than to be a part of it. 

As a hardworking person, he believes in sacrificing every bit of his time and energy to serving the people. What better way to be productive than defending civilians and the home he loves?

Fighting style

Selfless, strong and disciplined 

Strengths

He’s outstanding in all areas. He’s fast, sharp, unafraid to tackle problems had on, and to top it all off, his cuts are deep and damaging. Using 3DMG in a city as convenient as it is dangerous. Infrastructure often hides titans from the naked eye, but he’s able to take in clues and process them quickly to take the quickest and safest route. 

He has a high pain tolerance. Theoretically, if he got his arm bitten off, he could make his own way to find medical attention.

Ludwig is a natural born leader. He has one of the finest military minds. If you want strategy, you go to him. Not only is he renowned for remaining calm and level-headed no matter how grim circumstances become, he is direct and detail-oriented, so he’s a great communicator. Thus, he can be relied upon by everyone who works with him. 

He has a strong moral compass, but isn’t very emotional. More often than not, he will take the initiative to go out of his way to save someone, putting his life on the line in the process. Ludwig won’t linger on any setbacks and incidents, and will make the most out of them by trying to learn something. This sources from being mentally strong, so he’s able to keep pushing without the troubles of self-doubt.    

He possesses a very high standard for his work, and everything he does will be done well. As he takes on more authoritative roles, he will implement his work ethics into administrative tasks, and demand that others follow his example. Ludwig will not turn a blind eye to any instances of incompetence, and corruption will automatically result in your termination. 

He’s a fearsome fighter. His combat skills are one of the best. Ludwig never held back when sparring in his training days, but now that he’s faced with real enemies, he will dedicate his time to studying and perfecting variety of techniques. If you can do so little as touch him, consider yourself good. Breaking your ribs is merely a warning from him.

Weaknesses

Ludwig is a workaholic, and he will get carried away. He can get too obsessed with completing his tasks to the point of neglecting his own health. This may result in pulling consecutive all-nighters or skipping meals, believing that his body can handle it. However, the long-term effects will be detrimental if somebody doesn’t stop him. 

He takes on too much responsibility, sometimes more than what he can handle. There’s never too many burdens for him to shoulder, or at least, that’s what he thinks, but he’ll end up pushing himself and getting in trouble. This coincides with his selflessness, but he puts himself in harm’s way too often. 

He can get fixated on the smallest imperfections and inexplicabilities in himself and the happenings in his regiment. As a detail-oriented person with high standards, he could get distracted by these fluctuations. Ludwig believes everything has to be accounted for, but he ends up counting in the more trivial matters.

Rank: 2nd

Military police

Only the top ten get to join the military police as the most prestigious branch in the military. They operate in wall Sina, the innermost wall, and maintain order, as well as serve the king. Ironically, they are the biggest farce of all regiments by nature. Soldiers train to be the best at fighting titans just to get away from them in the safest spot of their civilization. 

That sounds appealing, doesn’t it? To hide away from the humanoid beasts and live a nice cushy life with the royals. Of course, this paves way for corruption, and their higher authority over the two other regiments leads to misuse and abuse of power. 

Considering how little oversight they have, the military police often clashes heads with the other two regiments, but especially the Survey Corps. 

Russia

He doesn’t like people enough to join a branch that will actually help them. 

Ivan understands that its more worthwhile to join the Garrison or Survey Corps because they actually contribute to society. But his view on their work and humanity in general is far too pessimistic. When will the scouts actually do something useful after so many meaningless deaths? People will inevitably die inside the walls, with or without the Garrison, so what’s the point? 

If he can live his own life not caring about things he can’t change, why not do it? 

Being in the military police, the most prestigious and powerful regiment, and yet, met with their jarring incompetency everyday reminds him that maybe, he shouldn’t sell himself to saving the human race. His soul is far too bitter--too disappointed. He ends up prioritizing himself in a world he believes will eventually self-destruct. These walls won’t last forever. The people will only break down faster.

Fighting style:

Sharp and unpredictable 

Strengths (In the military police)

Ivan’s ability to outsmart his colleagues allows him to stay on top of all the going-ons in the military police. He’s very cynical, but that’s the perfect trait for thriving in such a corrupt environment. Nobody will be able to take advantage of him, and he ends up doing it to others without even trying. 

It’s impossible to anticipate where and how he will attack you. Ivan has a keen eye for body language, and will mirror his opponents’ movements for the most part, then when they least expect it, he will come for them in the most merciless fashion. 

Thus, his combat style is definitely special, but that’s what makes him so deadly. He won’t always use punches and kicks because they’re easy to defend against. He might just hold you in a chokehold, but if he wants to get rid of you, he’ll use his height and strength to his advantage and slam you to the ground by your neck. 

Weaknesses (In the military police)

None

His transfer to the Survey Corps

Nobody anticipated this. Not even Ivan himself. 

He grew up rather poor, but fortunately, he wasn’t impoverished to the point of living in the underground slums. His father was a no-show, and his mother struggled to put food on the table for as long as he could remember. Already, the thought of joining the military police to escape poverty was starting to look like a realistic goal to strive towards.

Who would have thought the nice but strange-looking boy he befriended from his neighborhood would change his mind one day? He didn’t, not as he stood in the line of the top ten graduates of the 104th training corps, determined to fulfil his lifelong dream and finally stop suffering. 

Every day, he’s reminded it was the right choice to join the military police. His superiors are corrupt, his colleagues incompetent and everyone is absorbed with gambling and drinking. Humanity was hopeless. It would face its eventual demise as the Garrison struggled to keep swarms of titans from invading one district to another, and as the personnel of the Survey Corps decreased every expedition with little progress. He might as well enjoy himself while he can. 

His deep attachment to his childhood friend Yao would change all of this. As a child, he was always quite clingy to the boy, but one needs to wonder if it was because he gave him things to eat. While they went off on different paths to join different regiments, they kept a close connection, and would often meet up in secret to discuss each other’s military branches. 

Eventually, Ivan’s attitude begins to change as his relationship with Yao deepens. After all, his friendship with the man reminds him of what’s left of the good in humanity. Soon, as he learns about the change in tide for the Survey Corps where they encounter new, real progress, and eventually, a real chance for salvation, he begins to question his morals and beliefs. 

The military police start to look more distasteful to him at every passing day.  The tables finally turn when he learns that the Survey Corps are to embark on an expedition outside the walls in a few months, meaning Yao will face uncertain death--that’s what convinces him to transfer.

Strengths (In the survey corps)

Like his personality, he has an unpredictable and unique 3DMG style. Most people will choose to swing by one way, he will choose the other. He might even go upside down for a while wherever he sees fit. That’s what makes him so strong against aberrants/abnormals. He might even laugh at how ‘predictable’ they were when they were anything but. Like the saying goes, to catch a thief, you have to think like one.

He always shows up at the right time. He will appear from obscure spots and pull you into a hiding spot when you’ve abandoned all hope. To his comrades, seeing Ivan in strange places is the best thing that could happen to you, because his presence signals a threat nearby and he’ll end up being your only ticket out.

His intelligence is one of a kind. On top of this, he’s very difficult to faze so he can orientate himself quickly in foreign environments and pick up on situations without panicking. Friends tend to rely on him in dire moments for this reason.

Weaknesses

He often rubs people the wrong way with how he speaks. Half the time, he’s being too blunt and honest that it’s hard-hitting. If not, he mentions grotesque or unpleasant things with a smile on his face. And in a world with titans, there are many things that fit the description. People have a hard time liking and trusting someone like Ivan, which may cause his isolation and a disconnect with the goals of the majority.

His blades don’t last as long as most people’s because he has a questionable way of cutting up titans. He gets the job done, but he definitely over does it. He’ll have to rely on his 3DMG to survive for the meantime until he’s able to replenish. 

Ivan isn’t the best communicator in the world, and this is mostly because he assumes people already understand what they need to do. Unfortunately, not a lot of his comrades are as bright as him, so it doesn’t help that he can be quite vague. He can’t be relied on to relay important information, so he stays where the action all happens, or in other words, where trouble begins. This will put him at a greater risk even if he’s good at facing unexpected and dire situations. 

Rank: 4th 

Survey corps

You’d definitely be called crazy for considering joining. The Survey Corps is the branch of military that specializes in titan research, human expansion, and exploration of the outside world. Thus, this regiment symbolizes a hope for mankind—for freedom. However, the mortality rate is high. Stepping into titan territory will decimate members, and most will die within 4 years of joining. High risk, and almost zero return.

They are notorious for how little their success rate is so that citizens and other military regiments look on in disapproval. But they keep fighting and fighting, hoping that one day, their efforts won’t be in vain in their quest to change the world for the better.

Only the most convicted individuals will join. But only the most talented, and perhaps, luckiest, will survive.

America

This isn’t even a question. 

He knows the risks. It’s not certain whether his death will be meaningful either, and count as one step forward for humanity. It probably won’t. But he’ll be damned if he’s stuck in these walls for the rest of his life, getting fattened up by taxes just to turn into livestock for titans. 

Unlike Ivan who believes in self-preservation, Alfred thinks the meaning of life is to join a cause bigger than himself. To build something that will last for lifetimes.  

He’s also a free spirit, and yearns for true freedom and justice. So he’ll fight for it. The logo representing the scouts aren’t “The Wings of Freedom” for nothing. Call him cocky, but he’s convinced he was born to join the scouts. Everything they believe in, he does too. Their goals resonate with the deepest fibres of his soul. He craves knowledge. Bleeds for revolution. He won’t rest until he satisfies his quest for discovery, and hope. 

Fighting style: 

Powerful and explosive, but a little flamboyant.

Strengths

Alfred possesses an almost super-human strength and stamina. He can go long, and go hard. He will go on a killing rampage for as long as his gas and blades allow him to.

He’s very hardy and able to make fast decisions in risky situations. Hence, when he’s subject to difficult situations, he makes it out without a hitch. This is evident in how he can make narrow escapes to survive in cases most people wouldn’t. Losing your horse outside the walls guarantees death, but he has a half and half chance of surviving. 

His slashes are always deep to ensure he incapacitates a titan. He spins and flips a lot. He could easily dismember them if he wanted to.

A terrifying opponent to spar against because his attacks are usually too strong to defend against. The immense force he uses coincides with his incredible speed, so his opponents will have a hard time dodging and keeping up with him. One punch to the head will leave them blacked out, and two could mean permanent brain damage. Three and you’re probably as good as dead.

A good and calm communicator and works well in a team. He’s more observant than he lets on, so he has a keen eye for his friends’ abilities and will take them into consideration. 

Weaknesses

He can be rash and act out on his own accord when he thinks he’s right. That’s why his teammates are wary of him when a plan is a little more complex and ambiguous. This often creates problems for other team members because once Alfred starts improvising, they have to as well. It never ends well. 

As earnest as he is, he tends to talk back to his superiors. Looks like he’s on toilet cleaning duty again. 

He can let his emotions get in the way. Anger is not his friend. It clouds his mind and that’s when he’s the most reckless, and thus, vulnerable. 

As skilled as he is, his blades tends to dull faster than everyone else’s because he puts them under too much pressure. He will be the first to break them and could wind up defenseless for a while, but he has an uncanny ability to survive against all odds. 

Rank: 3rd

England

Unlike Alfred, freedom and justice isn’t his main motivation to join the Survey Corps. But there is one thing they share in common--a deep passion for the quest for discovery. As human beings, arguably the most intelligent species in existence, he finds it to be a devastating waste to know so little about the world he was born in. 

Is there another civilization out there fighting titans like his people in the walls? What kinds of foreign cultures, languages and religions could be waiting for him to come into contact with? And is the ocean really something that exists? If it does, then there’s a whole new world in the waters waiting to be discovered. The answers to these profound questions are well worth dying for, especially for someone who embodies human curiosity.

Salvation comes in a little further down the list. He has his doubts on whether he can save the human race. But when the chance comes, his loyalty and determination will be unbreakable, and he will go to the most extreme means to seize the opportunity. 

Fighting style: 

Swift and resourceful, but unsociable

Strengths

He’s one of the fastest and most efficient 3DMG users. One of the reasons is that he can use his gas sparingly, but not without cutting back speed. That way, he can survive for longer without stopping to replenish. 

With this in mind, Arthur can go back and save any comrades in a tight spot. That’s what makes him an irreplaceable member of any team--with him around, you have a higher chance of surviving. 

He can move like nobody else can. Tight spaces and unexpected obstacles will not slow him down, as he can make sharp turns and good approximations under pressure.

Cunning and good at avoiding conflict. Rather than direct confrontations, whether its with people or titans, he will only fight when he absolutely has to. This minimizes expense of energy and resources, as well as casualties. 

Arthur has impeccable navigation skills and threat perception. When he’s outside the walls and on horseback, he’s often right next to the soldier holding the colored flares. If not, he’s in charge of firing them. He can accurately estimate the distance between his squad to the nearest titan, and he always knows where he’s going. That’s how he can make all the right calls. 

Weaknesses

He’s a bit hot-headed and rough around the edges. This will make working in a team harder. Other times, he just doesn’t talk at all. A rather poor communicator when it comes down to it. 

While his leaner build gives him speed, it also makes him a little weaker in hand-to-hand combat. Height and weight does not put a cap on sparring abilities, but since he isn’t great at it in the first place, he ends up sustaining worse injuries. 

Arthur’s stamina is pretty average. Usually, he makes up for it with his 3DMG skills and conflict avoidance, but when he has to fight, he won’t last forever. That’s where his speed comes in. He has to end things quickly, if not, he won’t make it. 

He take things personally and lingers on any incidents that happen. He’s mentally weak, and does crack from time to time. So if someone doesn’t talk to him, he could spiral down a path of self-destruction because it’s hard for him to reach out. 

Rank: 5th

China

Along with the pursuit of intellect and salvation, he sacrifices himself so that one day, future generations can live in a safe world free from titans. This priceless moment in history will not be forgotten, and instead, remembered as proof of the spirit of humanity, unwavering and strong in the face of adversity.

There’s nothing more human than fighting for a cause you believe in. To know this while confronting those beasts, the very opposite of a thinking and feeling human being, sparks a fire inside him to keep pushing. Like everyone else, he’s under the impression the people in the walls are what’s left of humanity--the last remnants of culture, intellect, love, and joy--and he will defend it until his last breath.  

If anything, he’s one of the most selfless characters of all. He’s prepared to put everything and everyone else before him, because he knows he’s replaceable. But everything aforementioned isn’t, so he will choose to save them over himself in a heartbeat. 

Fighting style:

Graceful and gifted

Strengths

He’s the dark horse of the military. Despite his friendly demeanor, Yao is incredibly talented and proficient in all areas, and keeps updated with the going-ons in the other regiments. 

He’s the most skilled with his blades so they dull the slowest. He uses them as if they were an extension of his body. To many, all you have to do is slice hard and fast, but he has technique that lets him lengthen the life of his blade while maintaining a good, clean cut. This lets him last even longer than Alfred, who is rather reckless with his weapons. If he can kill twelve before replenishing, Yao can kill twenty.

Nobody can beat him in hand-to-hand combat, not even Ludwig. This is where the saying ‘size doesn’t matter’ comes in. 

He knows a variety of martial arts, so it’s a given he can use moves targeting bigger opponents. If you somehow last more than two seconds, he’ll dodge and deflect any attacks you try to land on him, then retaliate so quickly, you’ll be down faster than you realize he even hit you. He’ll use your own limbs against you and make it seem like you’re hitting yourself. 

His manoeuvring skills are impeccable and crazy fast. With his smaller build, he can beat Arthur. And while they’re both cunning, Yao prefers to use it to his advantage to exterminate threats rather than avoiding them. This draws a fine line between the two men, and makes him so dangerous. When it’s not just titans he’s killing, he is perceived as a threat by human enemies. 

He can remain calm and resist the urge of panicking when faced with adversity. That way, he can keep his head and rely on logic to come up with a solution. 

Weaknesses

Like Alfred, he can be unpredictable when plans are ambiguous and complex. He will have his own agenda, and is confident enough to pursue them, so this will cause some discord among team members. Fortunately, he isn’t as reckless and won’t rope others into trouble. 

Unlike Alfred, he doesn’t have the same fire to survive. If his chances are incredibly slim, he will probably sit down and accept his demise, whereas Alfred will keep fighting until the bitter end. This sources from his belief that he is replaceable, and he shouldn’t waste energy avoiding something inevitable.

Rank: 1st

To all the AOT fans following my page, this is a treat for you! If people liked this, I’ll have a part two and include France, Italy, Japan, Spain and a few other characters. That’s when we’ll get even deeper into the lore, because not all of them will join the military but will have important roles all the same. Yes I’ve read the manga and watched all four seasons, so I’m also aware of the Azumabito clan. But there are no mentions of it here.

[bestworstcase]

my most controversial tangled opinion is that the sundrop/moonstone lore isn’t confusing, it’s just a soft magical system in a story that wanted a harder one.

what i mean by this is: there are zero theoretical limits on the powers of the sundrop and moonstone, but their actual established powers are nebulous and controlled by vague concepts (“faith” and “feelings”) without any hard explanation. this works as long as the magic is a mysterious quest object and its actual use is largely incidental, but once cass takes the moonstone, the magic becomes a central component of the plot and the system fails.

for those unfamiliar with the soft/hard magical system distinction, in the most general terms, a hard magical system is explained—it has defined rules and limitations so the audience can understand How It Works—while a soft magical system isn’t. neither is better than the other per se, but which type works best for a given story depends a lot on how the magic is used in the plot.

to give an example, bending in avatar: the last airbender falls into the “hard” category. bending is a martial art with a strong spiritual component; there are four types of bending, each tied to one of the four nations; with one exception, benders can only bend a single element, and the exception is explained and given his own set of rules, like the requirement that he must learn the four types of bending in a particular order. even the last-minute introduction of a fifth type bending is logical within the context of the universe: humans learned the other four types of bending from powerful magical creatures, so the lion-turtle’s ability to gift energy bending to aang follows the established rule for how humans acquired bending abilities in the first place; and aang himself has long been established as valuing and prioritizing the spiritual aspect of being the avatar, so it makes sense that when he entreats the spirits for a way to defeat ozai without killing him, the spirits basically go “sure, here.” 

and of course, we the audience need to understand these rules, because bending is integral to the plot and to the way characters solve problems. if the characters in atla were constantly pulling new powers out of their butts to deal with the problem of the week, would that be as satisfying a story? characters do discover new powers (katara’s healing, toph’s metalbending, iroh’s lightning redirection, hama’s bloodbending), but when that happens the series is quick to establish how those powers fit within the framework of what we already know. we see this happen in fanworks too, because the audience understands the underlying mechanics and we can extrapolate new powers that fit within the defined rules, eg: could a sufficiently skilled and motivated firebender manipulate the electrical signals of the brain? taking control of a pre-existing electrical discharge and manipulating elements inside the human body are both possible, so i don’t see why not.

now back to rta.

the magical system in the series is very soft. for the purpose of this discussion, we’re going to focus on the sundrop, moonstone, and zhan tiri, because those are the core pillars of the magical system—the assortment of enchanted artifacts that pop up are sort of tangential and irrelevant here. 

let’s start with what we know. 

the sundrop and moonstone are two halves of an ancient cosmic power (hereafter ACP). the ACP was destroyed by an unknown calamity, the two drops fell to the earth, and they have been longing to reunite ever since. 

whether this “longing” implies a degree of sapience or if it’s simply an attractive force like a pair of magnets is never specified, but based on the way the two forces behave i think the magnets explanation makes more sense.

the sundrop and moonstone are said to be inverses of each other. the sundrop heals, the moonstone harms. simple enough. 

...but the moonstone also has a secondary protective ability, which it gifts to rapunzel in the form of her unbreakable hair. and the moonstone has the black rocks, which seem to exhibit both the destructive and protective/invulnerable facets of the moonstone’s power. 

and the the sundrop also has a secondary destructive ability in that it. explodes.

so...

sundrop heals ↔ moonstone harms sundrop destroys ↔ moonstone protects

now this internally contradictory set of powers for the drops does make sense when you remember that they were originally just one thing. the ACP was theorized to have basically unlimited powers of destruction and creation, so it makes sense for its two halves to exhibit that duality within themselves as well.

if we consider the wording of the four incantations (and the events of BVA), we can kind of get a sense of what else the drops might be able to do: 

i think there’s a strong argument to be made for understanding the healing/decaying capabilities of the drops as temporal manipulation. the sundrop doesn’t “heal” so much as it reverses time so it’s like the damage never happened (“make the clock reverse!”)—which incidentally would explain how gothel stayed fertile for two thousand years a lot better than “healing”—and the moonstone’s decay does the same but in reverse, so fast forwarding rather than rewinding.

they both alter/manipulate fate (“change the fates’ design”/“end this destiny”). this may be a metaphorical reference to the temporal manipulation thing, or it could be that the tangled universe truly is deterministic and the drops powerful enough to literally change fate.

a case can be made for a third dichotomy of sundrop faith ↔ moonstone will. by which i mean that the sundrop runs on belief/faith while the moonstone runs on feelings/willpower. the sun incantation focuses on hope (“and let our hope ignite”) and eugene having faith in rapunzel in LAF is what allows her to activate the sundrop nuke even without the incantation. meanwhile, the moon incantation focuses on willpower (“bend it to my will”) and in BVA, the moonstone is shown to react intensely to cassandra’s feelings and is also able to manipulate the feelings of other people (meaning that, presumably, the sundrop could also inspire faith). 

...but notice, here, how much of this is postulation. very little of this is explicit textual information; instead, i’m drawing connections between the lore given in LAF and the things that we see the sundrop/moonstone do on screen in an attempt to line up what we see with the loose, vague framework of “two halves of a broken whole that are opposites/complements of each other.” 

and i really think this is what people mean when they say the sundrop/moonstone lore is “confusing.” unlike in a hard magical system like atla, the series dedicates no time to explaining how it all works. it’s just There, and while we can make some extrapolations based on what we see, it’s not really a system that is meant to hang together in a coherent, rules-based way. and—unpopular opinion—that is FINE. hard systems are not innately better than soft systems. 

do i personally have a preference for hard systems? yes. are hard systems in vogue in modern fantasy? also yes. does that make soft systems inferior to hard systems? no. can i suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy a fantasy story with a soft system? absolutely, yes, though no force on earth can stop me from picking over it with a fine-toothed comb to develop a personal theory on how it all works, or from breaking it down into its component parts and then building a hard system from scratch for my own fanworks like i did with bitter snow. 

but—the key thing is—it’s not confusing if you go into it with the understanding that the magical system is soft. the nebulous vague what you see is what you get thing is a feature, not a bug. 

the same goes for zhan tiri. i’ve already expounded at great length about her canon lore and i’m not going to get into it again, but suffice it to say: she’s some sort of powerful ancient shapeshifting demon with nature-based magic, a side helping of dream/mind-based magic, and a penchant for deceit and manipulation. and again, the underlying mechanics of any of this are not explored, because rta has a soft magical system.

but farran, you said rta needed a harder system, so why are you now saying that soft magical systems aren’t bad? 

i did say that, yes, but it’s not because soft systems are bad. it’s because soft and hard systems are different tools used to accomplish different things, and rta as a series tells a story that, ultimately, would have been better served by a hard system rather than a soft one.

let’s start with cassandra’s control over the moonstone. in RR, she uses its powers instinctively and effortlessly. then, she loses that ability, and zhan tiri tells her that it’s because she needs to focus on her rage because that’s what the moonstone responds to (this is an obvious lie ziti uses to get cass to wallow in her anger, but the basic principle that the moonstone responds to emotion appears to be sound). and then, in BVA, cassandra’s fear about attacking rapunzel causes her to spontaneously manifest a completely new ability that sends magical fear-empathy rocks all the way to corona where they start giving people nightmare visions and petrifying them. 

that’s huge! we had no idea the moonstone could do something like that. but then they go away and cass never uses them again. why? who knows!

next, zhan tiri (off screen -_-) evidently tells cass that it’s not actually a matter of trying harder to master the moonstone’s power, she needs to use the moon incantation to unlock it. this is inconsistent with what we’ve seen before (RR and BVA proved that she could access the full range of the moonstone’s power, she just doesn’t know how), and could be explained by zhan tiri lying again... except that when cass recites the incantation it works as-advertised. 

and “mastering the moonstone’s power” turns out to be... black rocks and lightning, but bigger and more elaborate. that’s it. there’s no expansion on the withering incantation, or the empathy-rocks or petrification abilities introduced in BVA, it’s just black rocks and a light show. and black rocks shaped like dogs that one time in plus est. 

the same thing happens with the sundrop. it glows and it blows things up and it heals things and that is all it does. it just does it... bigger, and flashier, after rapunzel recites the sun incantation. 

and when zhan tiri acquires both of the drops, something that we are told grants her the (undefined) “ultimate power,” she... uses them to make rocks, but they’re golden now. what do the golden rocks do? who knows! and she uses the decay incantation, which works exactly as it did when rapunzel used it except faster and bigger and not uncontrolled. 

and then she’s beaten by whacking her over the head with a frying pan and tricking her into clapping her hands together, which blows her up. and then rapunzel takes the unified drop and revives cass everyone before letting it fly off into space. yay!

but... do you see the problem here? why so many people felt so dissatisfied with the lore surrounding the drops and zhan tiri in season three? people say it’s “confusing,” but i think that describes a symptom, not the root of the problem. a good, well-utilized soft magical system doesn’t cause confusion; it blends into the story and doesn’t call attention to itself. it’s like... lighting. it’s just there and it just works and it enriches the story but we don’t question it. 

whereas a hard magical system is an actual component of the narrative, almost like a character in its own right in the sense that we understand what makes it tick. there are rules, and we understand the rules, and because we understand the rules we can make predictions about what influence or role the magic will have in the plot. to use atla as a very simple example again: when iroh teaches zuko how to redirect lightning, we can predict that this ability will become a vital form of defense against azula and ozai. atla sets up lightning bending, then sets up a defense against lightning bending, and we don’t need to wait around for it to happen to understand that this is going to become Very Important later.

now compare this to rta season three. a whole episode is dedicated to establishing that the moonstone is connected to cassandra’s emotions in a pretty significant way. after bva, there was a lot of speculation about how this fact would play out in the events to come; speculation about other types/colors of rocks and what effects they might have; speculation about how this would tie into cassandra’s emotional arc; speculation about how zhan tiri’s manipulation might interact with the moonstone’s emotion-based magic. and... absolutely none of that happened, because that was rules-based speculation built on the assumption that rta’s magical system had definitive rules. and that was an assumption made because, in s3, rta’s soft magical system started to behave as if it were a hard one. ie, it jumped into center stage and went “look at me! i’m important.” 

except it was still a soft magical system with no definitive rules, so any rules-based speculation was impossible and pointless. it is like trying to build a house out of beams of light. you can make a house shape, but if it rains you are still going to get wet. 

and i made this mistake, too! i also made the assumption, after BVA, that answers were coming and we could expect the magic to continue to develop into, if not a hard system, at least a hybrid one, and a lot of my speculation after that point came from a place of expecting answers (and trying to unravel the answers on my own before the series showed them to us). 

but rta’s magical system just was not built that way. it wasn’t set up to play this central role in the plot, it didn’t have definitive rules, it didn’t have a preexisting framework that could be used to expand and elaborate on characters’ abilities in a naturalistic, predictable way, so... as is often the case with mis-used soft systems, the magic just got vaguely Bigger whenever the narrative called for escalation, and the “ultimate power” ended up being completely underwhelming because it was just More Of The Same, But Make It Yellow. 

as... a point of comparison here, because i’m struggling to articulate what i’m driving at, let’s consider my take on the sundrop/moonstone lore—the hard magical system i created for bitter snow. 

1) magic is drawn from a powerful magical entities (deities, demons, spirits).

2) magical abilities are based on the abilities of the patron.

3) the sundrop and moonstone are artifacts belonging to/created by a solar deity (huma) and lunar deity (turul). they are basically teeny tiny shards of those deities that fell to earth when it was still a molten lump of raw material and then molded it into a world capable of supporting life. the drops themselves can serve as direct conduits to huma/turul, and both have extensive root systems; the sundrop’s roots support the outer crust of the earth, while the moonstone’s roots (the black rocks) form the inner core. 

4) the magic of the sundrop is restorative, and it also “casts” a shadow in the form of destructive magic. the restorative/destructive magics are always equal (hence the “shadow” metaphor). the restorative magic heals, creates and nourishes life, offers strength. the destructive magic is the opposite: it destroys, it kills, it weakens. 

5) the magic of the moonstone is transformative. it takes the sundrop’s “shadows” and refashions them into the black rocks. it adapts, it moves, it alters things. it is neutral, centered, and stable in comparison to the sundrop’s intense extremes. 

6) both huma and turul (and by extension the drops) are also connected to zhan tiri, as all three formed very early in the beginning of the cosmos. like huma and turul, zhan tiri’s magic is centered around change; hers is corruptive. zhan tiri’s magic manipulates strengths into weakness, and weakness into strength. it gives by taking away. it feeds.

7) to put these three types of magic into more concrete terms: let’s say alice, bob, and carol all break their arms. alice calls on the power of the sundrop to heal herself, and her arm is instantly and perfectly repaired, but some destructive, uncontrolled magic is unleashed into the world to balance the scales. bob, meanwhile, calls on the power of the moonstone, and it transforms the broken arm into solid stone; the pain is gone and the arm is no longer broken, but it is also no longer, strictly speaking, a human arm. and finally, carol entreats zhan tiri for healing, and zhan tiri sets the bone but also infuses it with her own magic, so it festers/grows into a well of power for carol.

now, if we apply these rules to a plus est en vous type of situation where zhan tiri claims both of the drops for herself, what does that look like? it’s the power to instantly unmake and re-make the entire cosmos. it’s the power to transform the entire world and everything on it into stone or ice. it’s the power to cure every disease and heal every injury suffered by every living thing on the planet instantaneously, and to inflict those same sufferings on everyone and everything with a snap of your fingers. it’s, literally, limitless. (it also fuses zhan tiri, huma, and turul into a single entity called jinarche but that is a little beside the point for the purpose of this discussion.)

and... how do you beat a creature like that? well. you sort of can’t, on paper, but in practice the overwhelming shock of the fusion of that much power into a single being would cause a few minutes of intense disorientation and that creates a window of opportunity to break the fused power apart again... but this isn’t a “win” scenario either, really, because when you do that it is going to cause an explosion of power violent enough to shred the entire cosmos so it is basically hitting the reboot button on the whole universe.

so, operating within the bitter snow magical system, the key to defeating a zhan tiri who wanted to acquire the sundrop and moonstone (and fuse with huma and turul in the process) would be to stop her before she gets her hands on both drops. because of the framework created by this hard system, the plot of this alternate plus est en vous is all about preventing zhan tiri from acquiring the drops, because the second both of them are in her possession it’s game over even if you manage to kill her. you either get an unkillable, omnipotent god or you get the entire universe self-destructing. the stakes are that high.

*deep breath*

with this in mind, let’s wrap this back around to canon. when zhan tiri takes both the sundrop and moonstone, what... are the stakes?

in TOTS, when zhan tiri revealed her plan to take both drops for herself, did the stakes feel high? we are told at several points that the drops have the potential to destroy the world, but does the stinger at the beginning of TOTS feel like an “oh, shit, the literal planet is at stake here” moment? 

does zhan tiri in plus est feel like a super-powered demon who has just acquired the ultimate power of creation and destruction? no! the golden rocks and turbo-charged decay incantation don’t even feel like an escalation over the cassandra vs rapunzel battles in CR and earlier in plus est—in fact, frankly, they feel like a downgrade by virtue of being less flashy!

the series has given us no frame of reference for what the ultimate power looks like while simultaneously providing no internal scaffolding on which to build that kind of escalation. this is the biggest downside of a soft magical system—it’s really damn hard to keep raising the stakes if you don’t have the basic framework of “here’s what the rules are, here’s the limitations.”

back to bitter snow: neither zhan tiri, turul/the moonstone, nor huma/the sundrop on their own are powerful enough to rip the whole universe apart. zhan tiri is the most individually powerful of the three, and while she could probably destroy the planet if she really put her mind to it, that would take centuries to come to fruition. it would be a matter of planting the right seeds, worming her magic into the right cracks, growing and feeding and hollowing it out from within, and then hitting the pressure points at just the right time. it is only in combination that these three become strong enough to just unmake the whole cosmos in the blink of an eye. this kind of escalation is possible because i know what the limits are. 

in a soft magical system version of bitter snow, it’d be more like “well zhan tiri is really powerful, the sundrop and moonstone are pretty powerful too, if you put them all together they’d all be... like, Really Really Really powerful.” because the whole point of a soft magical system is that it’s vague. it’s not supposed to have this level of clarity and precision in how it works. this doesn’t make escalation impossible, just super difficult, because it’s so easy for escalation or new powers to come across as plot contrivances (BVA) or deus ex machina or purely aesthetic in nature like the gorgeous and dramatic fight in CR or the golden rocks zhan tiri uses. and from an audience perspective, there is literally no way to guess what might happen next because there are No Rules. you can predict character beats and plot developments, of course, but you can’t make accurate assessments about the magic.

and when you’re using a soft magical system in this way, where escalating stakes based on magic use are integral to the plot, you are basically inviting your audience to go “hey, wait a minute, how does this work...?” for the same reason audiences try to analyze and understand why characters are acting the way they do. 

and that’s why rta’s magical system ultimately failed. not because it’s confusing, but because it was too soft for what the story wanted to do with it. 

[elmidol]

Error: Program Not Found - Seventeen (NSFW)

Summary: You are in charge of programming the droids that work most closely with both General Hux and Kylo Ren. Unbeknownst to you, each of these two men have it in their heads that your relationship extends beyond the workplace. This causes things to escalate quickly when your two apparently secret boyfriends compare notes on their respective partner who is far too similar for their liking.

Read on AO3

Chapter Warnings: handjob; blowjob (depends on the route)

Side Notes: Contains all three routes, divided by breaks

Error: Program Not Found

 “Choose your love, love your choice.” - Thomas S. Monson

 Seventeen: Choice

 [Kylo Route]

 It was partially a strategic move that encouraged you to have TeeArr accompany you to the presentation. The ability to demonstrate how some of his basic functions could assist the droid lines you were proposing when coupled with medical droid programming meant that visuals eliminated the need for verbal explanation that would have otherwise eaten into your time. His physical design likewise acted as a visual aid for what materials would be required and why the droids would hold enough merit in the long run to justify the expenses. To fully train another officer or even stormtrooper, it would require more resources. Plus the droids were reusable, cheaper to fix than what basic training for an officer required. Each droid could theoretically care for three officers and/or stormtroopers at a time depending on the severity of the injuries and the physical therapy required. As for the anti-procrastination droids, those could very well handle simple tasks simultaneous to encouraging multiple officers as well.

 While the room was reacting mostly favorably to your proposal, there were questions that revealed what portions they had tuned out--at times this was due to natural sentient behavior of hyperfocusing too much on one’s own inquiries that they missed the answer that was given when it came up. You inwardly grumbled, however outwardly you maintained your composure and repeated what you had said. For questions that had not previously been answered, you appreciated that not one of your superiors spoke with animosity, slight or fully displayed. There was a guardedness, however, that hinted at an agenda you would soon learn.

 “Should this be officially approved, I must inform you that it would be a secondary project,” the highest ranking officer in the room stated. You held your breath for a beat, nodded, and exhaled without bringing notice to the fact that you had struggled to maintain your composure. This was not catching you off-guard; you were simply concerned that its lower priority level would encourage a future change of hands--as in, you being removed from the project aside from your name being attached. You had prepared for this, had been rehearsing both in your head and with Aelin as a sounding board, what to say in such circumstances. It was that you helped design droids along with programming them that had brought the First Order’s attention on you to begin with. Designing droids as freely as you wished to was expensive. You did not want to bite the hand that fed, namely not if the situation did not call for it.

 You, for the time being, held your tongue and listened. While various models of assassination droids existed in the galaxy, the one that you had outlined while speaking with the senator had not been in production by any entities yet known. Presently the First Order had to work in the shadows, which meant that the usefulness of such an assassination droid was increased. The senator being aware of it, along with this advisors who were clearly seeking methods of using the information to their advantage, not acting on the design would be to the detriment of the First Order.

 For security reasons the First Order wanted to keep the team assigned to this project small. They were allowing your other project, therefore, to contain more members; it was not off the table to create two teams for the project that you were proposing since they could be viewed as two separate droid projects entirely despite the similarities. It was flattering, yet it was also prematurely showing their cards--that there was, in fact, a willingness to pull you off the projects at a moment’s notice. Or without one, you mused. Should you object to these stipulations, you risked having your project denied completely.

 Thank you, Aelin, you thought, holding back a grin. “I would maintain final say and have access to these projects, correct?” You noticed one of the members opening their mouths to speak, and quickly continued so that you would not technically be cutting them off as they talked. “I do not want only my name on the project. Beyond the programming, this is my design. Future generations, I am willing to budge on, and I will not be unreasonable and thus risk the success of the TR8-0R series.” You had to take charge while stepping on as few toes as possible.

 TeeArr turned his head to consider you. “The TR8-0R series could best learn to function undercover by blending in with the anti-procrastination and physical therapy droids.” You blinked. “You stated as much before.” You had, which is why it caught you off-guard that you had not thought to use that point to help argue your case. Stars, you adored TeeArr. This addition would assist in you having easier access to your proposed project even while prioritizing the TR8-0R series.

 You gestured to TeeArr. “As well as mimic TeeArr’s functions. Allowing me to properly view how versatile I can make them so that the First Order is best able to wield them while they are undercover. Potentially gaining more information from the target prior to elimination.”

 “Indeed,” a female officer said, her head bobbing twice as her eyes locked with another superior officer’s. “The risk of team members learning about the functions of the TR8-0R series is increased.”

 “True,” you concurred. “Yet the blending would not occur until later in the project, at which point we can reduce the team size entirely, merging together those with the proper clearance level--and those you approve of, of course.” You paused for breath and to check the expressions of those gathered. They were receptive to your words. “Since the physical bodies would be the same or near-identical aside from any modifications for weaponry--I still need to fine tune those details, and having a team specifically for this project will greatly assist in this--I would be able to oversee everything easily. The designs for the bodies are mostly finished, therefore my attention will be predominately on the TR8-0R project with minimal distractions.”

 One of the officers began composing a message on his datapad. A few seconds afterwards all the other datapads in the room with the exception of yours chimed. It was frustrating to be treated this way, to be aware that you were being discussed without knowing fully what was stated or the tone that was being used. You could not defend yourself. There was a high chance that there was nothing that required you to defend yourself. That could instead be a necessity in the future after they agreed to these terms by stating to one another they were merely temporary. It would not be a lie, and it would get the ball rolling. That was all you could ask for.

 After another few minutes of messages being exchanged, the officer that had sent the initial one looked directly at you. “This is agreeable, although to ensure that the First Order’s goals are met and remain a priority, there will be periodic meetings, and from you we require weekly reports.” That was not anything you were opposed to. You readily agreed. Aelin would not be opposed to running through hypothetical scenarios for future meetings with you just as he had with this one. With that, you would continue to have what could pass as an upper hand on matters.

 Once you were dismissed and had exited the room, you sent a quick message to Aelin and then one to Eddard to inform them that the project had been greenlit. You wanted to cheer, to display your excitement with a burst of energy, however you kept yourself in check with an awareness that your actions were under scrutiny now more than before. The assassination droids opened you up to dangers that you had thus far managed to avoid. Being a potential security risk had come with the job description; this project had too many windows for that.

 TeeArr followed behind you without uttering a single word. The droid acted like this often subsequent to meetings and presentations that did not involve Armitage Hux or other superior officers that you interacted with on a more regular basis.

 Your mind wandered next to Kylo, and you felt a tug at your chest. Taking a heavy breath, you allowed your feet to carry you in the direction you suspected him to be. It was strange to you how that seemed to happen, how natural it was. As though the pair of you were connected--and you were aware that the Force existed, however you were also aware that you were not Force sensitive. Curiosity sparked, not for the first time, and you longed to speak to him about it. To learn about that part of his life, the power he wielded. It had helped to shape him into the person you were growing to care for.

 This time you entered a different training area than the one in which you had previously found him. Anyone could enter a moment’s notice. To emphasize this point, fate had it that an officer was exiting the facility as you arrived. You followed the individual with your eyes, glanced at your droid companion, and then at last crossed the room until you could stand a few feet away from Kylo Ren. In all this time, your message pad dinged thrice. These messages you would check later. He was your priority.

 TeeArr was, thankfully, not keen on vocalizing whatever thoughts ran through his processor as he and you observed Kylo Ren meditate. You enjoyed the droid’s company while allowing yourself to indulge in drinking in Kylo’s features. His mask was off to the side though he still work his robes. His hair was not matted with sweat, however it was not as puffy as it sometimes was. There were lingering signs that he had physically exerted himself, and it had you swallowing down the saliva that had gathered in your mouth. You willed away the memory of his body moving against yours. Another time, you promised yourself. The promise of that future was one of the reasons that you were there. Before you could get into the thick of the conversation, you would need to send TeeArr away. Not just yet, though. You liked having an extra presence with you while Kylo finished his meditations.

 By the time that you had left the planet, you had known that you were choosing Kylo. Which meant that you had to formally reject Armitage; that was not anything you were looking forward to, however you were not cruel enough to hold off. There was a chance that he already sensed this. Regardless, it was up to you to make it official. Before doing so, you wanted to feel things out with Kylo. To try to best understand what his view on this potential relationship with you was. He shied from sentiment, and that was something you could respect. That did not mean you wanted to wind up feeling like a fool or some random tool.

 A grunt from Kylo Ren preceded the moment that he opened his eyes, half-glaring at you. Air rushed out of your lungs. The frustration painted on his features revealed how loud thoughts could be. You did not understand projections through the Force; this remained another element that you wanted to question him about. You switched your attention briefly from Kylo to TeeArr, issued the command for the droid to leave, and endured the droid equivalent of a sigh prior to TeeArr obeying. His metal footfalls echoed throughout the training area with each step that he took, slowed, deliberate, until he had exited and the door once more closed.

 “Can you always hear my thoughts?” you asked, voice low and level. You lowered down into a comfortable sitting position before Kylo, whose glare had lessened. His more relaxed features calmed you, quieted the pounding of your heart, which had begun the moment you had sat. A subtle shake of his head was all the answer that you received. “Huh.” There were so many questions, you realized, and you did not want to annoy him by spewing them all at once.

 At times silence could be frustrating, yet it never felt that way with him. You did not feel rushed to fill the quietude with more words nor as though Kylo had you on a timer that, once ended, would make it to where he refused to listen to your thoughts. Instead the silence subsequent to your previous question and response came as a comfort. It allowed you to gather your thoughts, to sort through them as you decided the best way to phrase what you had to say.

 I want to know so much more about you, you thought, tracing his face with your eyes, memorizing every mole, every bit of surface smooth or otherwise. “I do not want to damage my working relationship with him, and before I say anything to him, I want to…” You sucked your bottom lip into your mouth, chewed on it, and then pushed it back into place with your tongue. “Sentiment cannot interfere with our work--I do not know if I understand what limitations that places on any connection that might exist or develop between us.”

 He had believed that the pair of you were in a relationship before, true, however it was different once you allowed yourself to feel things. Kylo Ren opened his mouth a fraction, those lips parting without forming around any words or syllables. It occurred to you that he was stunned, the fact that you admitted that you were choosing him over Armitage Hux. Or maybe it was that you were choosing him at all. Even if there had not been another, perhaps he would have expected rejection. That was rather a melancholy train of thinking, as it led you to wonder what other rejections he had faced in the past.

 The question who hurt you might be a cliche, yet there it was playing out in your mind on repeat.

 You allowed for the silence to persist, selecting another portion of his body to trace with your gaze despite the clothing that he wore. By the time he spoke, you had mapped out his chest and his arms and had started on his torso. “You would be second to my goals.” That might have made another feel insecure or been a blow to their pride. For you, it was a strange relief. At least for the time being, it placed a reduced amount of pressure on you. Second wasn’t bad. It was not first, true, however it allowed you to place your own career and goals as a priority. This leveled the field. You could be an individual while pursuing a relationship.

 “I can explore that with you.” Its success was not a definite, and you were not going to treat it as such. Still, the wry grin that was threatening to form on Kylo Ren’s face had your heart stuttering in your chest, and it nurtured a similar urge inside of you. You suppressed the smile for another handful of seconds before allowing it to see the light of day. “I have so many projects, I do not know how much time I will have for personal matters.” He nodded in understanding. “Ah, kriff, I have to speak with General Hux.” That was what made your stomach churn.

 “You may come to my quarters when you are finished.” A rather personal invitation. Something that could be solicitous or tender. It may well be both, you reasoned. Whichever form did work, as both offered you a different kind of comfort. The very fact that you were welcome there, that this was not the first time he had extended such an invitation, made you feel wanted.

 “I just might,” you responded while rising up to your feet. Kylo tilted his head a little to follow you with his gaze as you stood and headed towards the exit. You cast a final glance over your shoulder at him, gave a small wave, and exited the room to speak with the redhead regarding the decision that you had made.

 There were many openings going through your mind; various ways to deliver the news. None of them felt right to you. You respected General Hux too much to offer some cliche line or to be impersonal in the delivery. More than that, you would have to work with him. He was your superior, and any ill will or awkward feelings could very well wreck your working relationship. This was another pro of pursuing the relationship with Kylo Ren--if things did go south, he was not officially a member of the First Order, not strictly speaking. The matter would be handled differently than what may happen with such an event if it had been Armitage.

 The upside to conducting this unfortunate meeting at the present was that you were aware of General Hux’s location. On top of that, you did not have to worry about TeeArr, who remained away on the errand you had sent him. The one thing that might put a hitch to your plans would be if Armitage had been called away on duty. This did not seem to be the case. Inhaling deeply, you offered a nod to the stormtrooper outside the office, and then waited while your presence was announced. Within moments, you were inside.

 You lowered yourself down into the nearest chair. General Hux did not immediately look up from the datapad that was in his hands. You were unsure if he was in the process of reading a report or some other message. Armitage scrolled through the same--or so you assumed--file that he had been working with since before you had entered the office.

 “I have a guess at what you wish to speak about.” His voice was smooth, relaxing, however his words were anything but. The stone that had been rolling around in your stomach ricocheted off its walls, moved in reverse. General Hux set down the datapad, crossed his arms behind his back, and trained his eyes on yours. “You are afraid to admit it aloud.”

 You nodded without meaning to do so. “I…” Taking a deep breath, you waved a hand in the air and started over. “I respect you. I always have.” This was not to butter him up. You wanted to speak only the truth, to stick with facts though your emotions were tangled up in this situation. “A part of me does care for you, however I do not believe it is as strong as it might have been.”

 “Yet it is different where Ren is concerned.” He phrased it as a statement, though there was an inflection in his voice that made it also sound like a question. Was this him showing you the hope he clung to? Were you going to crush him by answering? To lie or to allow silence to linger would be more painful. You nodded while uttering a yes. “I see.” Disappointment caused his eyebrows to knit towards one another. “I could sense it based on our interactions while on the planet, namely towards the end of our trip.” His shoulders rose then fell as he released a sigh.

 General Hux moved to where he stood beside the seat across from you. Your eyes darted from it to him then settled once more on his face as he sat down. That he was doing so comforted you. This was not a sign of defeat--resignation, perhaps, but not defeat--and yet he was showing that he found no need to hover over you. This growing silence was, unlike the others, uncomfortable. You resisted the urge to squirm. Armitage Hux had to be just as uncomfortable as you were, if not more so. You doubted that he was intentionally making this harder on you. If anything, his admission had seemed to you to be meant to alleviate some of the guilt that you had harbored.

 “I cannot claim that things will not be a bit...awkward as we proceed from here.” You appreciated his honesty. “It will not have an impact on your job. This is something that we can move past.” This was a truth, one that you had faced when you had first learned that he believed the two of you were in a relationship. In that sense, you had already rejected him. The two of you had moved forward from that. Sort of. Now that you paused, you realized the key difference was the finality of this rejection. “We will discuss boundaries to assist with future communications and projects. This cannot interfere with the assassination droids that you are to program.”

 It was difficult to not smile at that. How you could relate to his words, his attitude. You did feel for him. If you hadn’t had any feelings at all, this might have been easier to handle. As it was, taking one step then another was the only way to go.

  ----------------

 [Hux Route]

 It was partially a strategic move that encouraged you to have TeeArr accompany you to the presentation. The ability to demonstrate how some of his basic functions could assist the droid lines you were proposing when coupled with medical droid programming meant that visuals eliminated the need for verbal explanation that would have otherwise eaten into your time. His physical design likewise acted as a visual aid for what materials would be required and why the droids would hold enough merit in the long run to justify the expenses. To fully train another officer or even stormtrooper, it would require more resources. Plus the droids were reusable, cheaper to fix than what basic training for an officer required. Each droid could theoretically care for three officers and/or stormtroopers at a time depending on the severity of the injuries and the physical therapy required. As for the anti-procrastination droids, those could very well handle simple tasks simultaneous to encouraging multiple officers as well.

 While the room was reacting mostly favorably to your proposal, there were questions that revealed what portions they had tuned out--at times this was due to natural sentient behavior of hyperfocusing too much on one’s own inquiries that they missed the answer that was given when it came up. You inwardly grumbled, however outwardly you maintained your composure and repeated what you had said. For questions that had not previously been answered, you appreciated that not one of your superiors spoke with animosity, slight or fully displayed. There was a guardedness, however, that hinted at an agenda you would soon learn.

 “Should this be officially approved, I must inform you that it would be a secondary project,” the highest ranking officer in the room stated. You held your breath for a beat, nodded, and exhaled without bringing notice to the fact that you had struggled to maintain your composure. This was not catching you off-guard; you were simply concerned that its lower priority level would encourage a future change of hands--as in, you being removed from the project aside from your name being attached. You had prepared for this, had been rehearsing both in your head and with Aelin as a sounding board, what to say in such circumstances. It was that you helped design droids along with programming them that had brought the First Order’s attention on you to begin with. Designing droids as freely as you wished to was expensive. You did not want to bite the hand that fed, namely not if the situation did not call for it.

 You, for the time being, held your tongue and listened. While various models of assassination droids existed in the galaxy, the one that you had outlined while speaking with the senator had not been in production by any entities yet known. Presently the First Order had to work in the shadows, which meant that the usefulness of such an assassination droid was increased. The senator being aware of it, along with this advisors who were clearly seeking methods of using the information to their advantage, not acting on the design would be to the detriment of the First Order.

 For security reasons the First Order wanted to keep the team assigned to this project small. They were allowing your other project, therefore, to contain more members; it was not off the table to create two teams for the project that you were proposing since they could be viewed as two separate droid projects entirely despite the similarities. It was flattering, yet it was also prematurely showing their cards--that there was, in fact, a willingness to pull you off the projects at a moment’s notice. Or without one, you mused. Should you object to these stipulations, you risked having your project denied completely.

 Thank you, Aelin, you thought, holding back a grin. “I would maintain final say and have access to these projects, correct?” You noticed one of the members opening their mouths to speak, and quickly continued so that you would not technically be cutting them off as they talked. “I do not want only my name on the project. Beyond the programming, this is my design. Future generations, I am willing to budge on, and I will not be unreasonable and thus risk the success of the TR8-0R series.” You had to take charge while stepping on as few toes as possible.

 TeeArr turned his head to consider you. “The TR8-0R series could best learn to function undercover by blending in with the anti-procrastination and physical therapy droids.” You blinked. “You stated as much before.” You had, which is why it caught you off-guard that you had not thought to use that point to help argue your case. Stars, you adored TeeArr. This addition would assist in you having easier access to your proposed project even while prioritizing the TR8-0R series.

 You gestured to TeeArr. “As well as mimic TeeArr’s functions. Allowing me to properly view how versatile I can make them so that the First Order is best able to wield them while they are undercover. Potentially gaining more information from the target prior to elimination.”

 “Indeed,” a female officer said, her head bobbing twice as her eyes locked with another superior officer’s. “The risk of team members learning about the functions of the TR8-0R series is increased.”

 “True,” you concurred. “Yet the blending would not occur until later in the project, at which point we can reduce the team size entirely, merging together those with the proper clearance level--and those you approve of, of course.” You paused for breath and to check the expressions of those gathered. They were receptive to your words. “Since the physical bodies would be the same or near-identical aside from any modifications for weaponry--I still need to fine tune those details, and having a team specifically for this project will greatly assist in this--I would be able to oversee everything easily. The designs for the bodies are mostly finished, therefore my attention will be predominately on the TR8-0R project with minimal distractions.”

 One of the officers began composing a message on his datapad. A few seconds afterwards all the other datapads in the room with the exception of yours chimed. It was frustrating to be treated this way, to be aware that you were being discussed without knowing fully what was stated or the tone that was being used. You could not defend yourself. There was a high chance that there was nothing that required you to defend yourself. That could instead be a necessity in the future after they agreed to these terms by stating to one another they were merely temporary. It would not be a lie, and it would get the ball rolling. That was all you could ask for.

 After another few minutes of messages being exchanged, the officer that had sent the initial one looked directly at you. “This is agreeable, although to ensure that the First Order’s goals are met and remain a priority, there will be periodic meetings, and from you we require weekly reports.” That was not anything you were opposed to. You readily agreed. Aelin would not be opposed to running through hypothetical scenarios for future meetings with you just as he had with this one. With that, you would continue to have what could pass as an upper hand on matters.

 Once you were dismissed and had exited the room, you sent a quick message to Aelin and then one to Eddard to inform them that the project had been greenlit. You wanted to cheer, to display your excitement with a burst of energy, however you kept yourself in check with an awareness that your actions were under scrutiny now more than before. The assassination droids opened you up to dangers that you had thus far managed to avoid. Being a potential security risk had come with the job description; this project had too many windows for that.

 TeeArr followed behind you without uttering a single word. The droid acted like this often subsequent to meetings and presentations that did not involve Armitage Hux or other superior officers that you interacted with on a more regular basis.

 With that train of thought, you could not help but feel a sudden desire to see Armitage. You already knew what you felt, what decision you had made. It was time to speak it aloud. To see if Armitage felt the same as he had while on the planet, or if returning to the First Order had changed things for him. Until you were certain, you did not want to say anything to Kylo Ren. What you had to tell him would sting--and it was due to this that you hoped to have Armitage’s input on how to approach Kylo. You wanted to work together with him, as a team, which the two of you would be if you truly did enter into an honest relationship.

 TeeArr did not comment as you changed course towards the office in which the superior First Order officer would be busy with work. His silence was welcome, although you also noted that you being left alone to your thoughts in this case was a threat to your nerves. Despite the fact that General Hux had assumed you were already in a relationship with him, you suddenly worried that it was all a string of boredom that had since been cured. What if he did not like you anymore, or what if the upcoming assassination droid project dissuaded him from pursuing a relationship with you?

 These thoughts are precisely why I have avoided entering a relationship. They can be distracting, and it is not as though I need the stress. I already have projects to juggle. What am I thinking?

 Whatever you were thinking, you had arrived at the office. The stormtrooper guarding the door accepted your greeting then proceeded to announce your presence to General Hux, who granted permission for you to enter. TeeArr went in first then you followed behind, taking that extra moment to breathe deeply and recenter yourself. Once inside, after the door closed, you moved until you were level with your droid.

 You lowered yourself down into the nearest chair meanwhile TeeArr remained standing beside you. General Hux did not immediately look up from the datapad that was in his hands. You were unsure if he was in the process of reading a report or some other message. TeeArr was professional in that he did not speak. You were enjoying the opportunity to run your eyes along Armitage’s body, which you very much wanted to touch. You gripped the edges of the armrests and flicked your gaze to your droid. It might be wise, you mused, to send TeeArr away on an errand before the conversation fully got underway. There was no need to dismiss him immediately though. You looked back at Armitage, who scrolled through the same--at least that was your assumption--file that he had been working with since you had entered the office.

 By the time that you had left the planet, you had known that you were choosing Armitage. Which meant that you had to formally reject Kylo; that was not anything you were looking forward to, however you were not cruel enough to hold off. There was a chance that he already sensed this. Regardless, it was up to you to make it official. Before doing so, you wanted to feel things out with Armitage. To try to best understand what his view on this potential relationship with you was. He valued hard work and dedication, was clearly interested in keeping the success of the First Order as a top priority. Which you were comfortable with--though not if it meant the relationship would lapse into something one-sided.

 “TeeArr,” General Hux began, the words rolling easily off his tongue. The droid stood at attention. “You are dismissed.” There was hesitation on TeeArr’s part, and you were momentarily caught off-guard as well. You recovered more quickly, turning to the droid and giving a nod so that TeeArr listened to the dismissal. TeeArr headed for the door, leaving, and you were alone with Armitage. He set the datapad on the desk before taking a seat across from you. “I hope that you are comfortable being alone with me still.”

 This made your heart stutter; he was experiencing the same fears that you were, if his words were anything to go off of. “Yes.” You struggled to find the right words. “I want that more often.” Grimacing, you chastised yourself for the phrasing. Then relaxed, calming as you saw his expression soften in understanding. “I keep thinking about you, if I am being honest. Even when I came into this office. I thought about what it would be like to touch you.”

 “Oh?” His pupils dilated, his cheeks reddening a little as he flushed in what you knew to be arousal rather than embarrassment. You chewed on your bottom lip, squirmed in your seat. You wanted to rise and go to him. To do that. Armitage’s lips parted as he caught onto this, the man reading your body language and nodding in consent. You were only too happy to rise from the seat that you had taken. You walked around the desk as he swiveled, turning his chair and moving his legs apart.

You drew closer to Armitage so that you were between his spread knees, your breath almost catching in your throat as you rested your forehead on his shoulder. You cupped him through the front of his pants then opened them. Using your forearm to keep aside the material, you pulled off the glove that you had been wearing for the day as part of your uniform. You wanted more than anything to have full contact, no barriers. You could not stop thinking about that, wanting it. One glove then the next fell to the ground, and you ignored them in favor of palming him.

“Mm.” The noise was small yet it echoed in your ears and was all you could focus on as you skimmed your thumb along the spongy head of his erection, smearing precum. Armitage whispered your name under his breath, almost too soft for you to hear it. Almost, but not quite. You smiled, feeling emboldened by the sound. You leaned down, released a small collection of spit onto his cock, and used it as lubrication as you moved down to the base then back up again in the first stroke.

You ghosted your other hand along his sac, toying just behind it, teasing the sensitive flesh of his perineum. His cock bobbed, twitching against your other hand. You licked your lips, alternating between watching his face and what you were doing. You palmed his balls, rolling them as you gripped his shaft again and leaned forward, curving your spine and bending forward to take the very tip into your mouth. You hollowed out your cheeks, sealed your lips around the first inch before taking more. Armitage’s hand went to the back of your head, urging you on without being too forceful. Not that you would have minded if he had been—you wanted this, perhaps just as much as he did.

With a moan, you finally closed your eyes and relished in the feel of his cock resting on your tongue. You bobbed your head, drawing back a moment later and swiping your tongue along the sensitive flesh directly under the head of his erection.  Keeping your strokes slow, you blew out a steady stream of air on his wet flesh. The hand on your head gave a spasm, Armitage gulping audibly around a swear.

He began to shift, and you shuffled backwards far enough so that he could stand. This gave you a moment to breathe, to relish in the thought of what was about to happen. Though you had enjoyed being in control, you were just as excited to have him take lead. Armitage moved the hand that was already on your head to one side so that its twin could be placed on the other. You opened your mouth, let him push his cock inside, towards the back of your throat. You held onto his thighs, the muscles of which tensed then relaxed then tensed again with each and every thrust. His hands, meanwhile, worked your head, controlling your movements.

You felt your jaw stretch, wide, a little uncomfortably, and pushed aside the sensation to focus instead on the pleasurable aspects of the position you were in. You undulated your tongue under him, teasing, earning a groan of approval as Armitage thrust once more. He moved forward, fully sheathing himself in your mouth and holding you in place. Paused. Pulled back then rolled his hips. You moaned as he held you in place a second time. Whimpering, your throat constricted as you started swallowing when he came. Armitage fucked your mouth through his orgasm, swearing and saying your name in a purr. He withdrew only when he was done, his softening cock slipping out of your mouth.

Armitage tucked himself away, smoothing out his uniform as you readjusted yourself as well. You stood, sighing into the kiss that he placed on your lips. You kissed him again when he started to draw back. “I am happy being with you like this.” The lingering but had nothing to do with him; he understood, humming in acknowledgment of the fact that you did have to speak with Kylo Ren before the cycle ended. You leaned against him. Armitage trailed his hands up and down your arms, soothing you. This affection was nothing that you would have expected when first you had started to work under him. After the lotion and the time you had spent together on the planet, however, your opinion had changed.

 “You can stay for a little while longer before you leave to take care of that matter.” The fact that he did not press to know what you planned to say to Kylo Ren eased some of the worry that had been building. If he had felt there was a threat to your safety, you imagined that he would have offered to go with you or else given you advice on what to say. Instead, Armitage cupped your face and kissed you, trailed his hands down to your breasts, kneading them. You moaned into the kiss. Slid your tongue along his and wound your arms around his neck to thread your fingers through his hair.

The two of you enjoyed one another’s company for near fifteen minutes though during that time his commlink chimed to indicate new messages. This was a pleasant surprise for you. The way he did prioritize work while also ensuring that you were his main focus when the two of you were together. You were thrumming with joy over your decision when you left the office; the awareness that you had to deliver unpleasant news to Kylo Ren did damper your mood after you turned down the final corridor that would take you to him.

This time the training area in which you met Kylo Ren was different than the previous. It was one in which anyone could enter at a moment’s notice, a point that was emphasized as an officer exited the facility on your way in. You stood to the side for them to leave then entered and allowed the door to slide closed. Kylo Ren was seated off to one side of the area--thankfully the officer that had left seemed to have been the only other occupant--and in a state of meditation. He remained dressed in his usual robes, however his mask was off and set on the ground beside him. There were lingering signs that he had recently physically exerted himself, although he was not too sweaty or ragged.

 A grunt from Kylo Ren preceded the moment that he opened his eyes, half-glaring at you. You felt air rush out of your lungs. The frustration painted on his features caused you to wonder if he could read your thoughts, if he already knew. This reception was different than how he had been on the planet. Now Kylo Ren was more, you thought, aware of the pain of rejection. “You made your decision.” It was as you had suspected, except now that it was said aloud you found yourself wincing. You drew back yet recovered a moment later when you caught his lip tremble.

 There was a level of awkwardness in the silence that followed, one that you wished you could erase. You had never disliked Kylo, not even when he had made your job more difficult. You had been frustrated with him upon learning that he was testing your work ethics. That was not the same as not wanting to be around him due to who he was. The lack of romantic feelings towards him did not eliminate the fondness, which had grown as you had learned more about him. You respected him, hoped to hear his thoughts. It would never be the same as before or as what might have been. That need not signify a death of the relationship that you had. To feed him a line such as we can be friends or I view you as a friend would be an insult, and you would not deliver that blow.

 “Would you prefer that I leave?” you asked, sucking your lips into your mouth for a moment to wet them. Kylo’s eyelids descended in a slow blink. He said nothing, perhaps considering what it was that he did want. He mouthed the word no, and you sank down into a sitting position, shifting a second later so that you mirrored his stance. “I do want to continue developing more training droids for you.” He nodded, where before he might have offered a snarky retort. This change did sting. It was preferable to the silence, to being sent away. You would adjust to this just as he would.

  ----------

  [Poly Route]

 It was partially a strategic move that encouraged you to have TeeArr accompany you to the presentation. The ability to demonstrate how some of his basic functions could assist the droid lines you were proposing when coupled with medical droid programming meant that visuals eliminated the need for verbal explanation that would have otherwise eaten into your time. His physical design likewise acted as a visual aid for what materials would be required and why the droids would hold enough merit in the long run to justify the expenses. To fully train another officer or even stormtrooper, it would require more resources. Plus the droids were reusable, cheaper to fix than what basic training for an officer required. Each droid could theoretically care for three officers and/or stormtroopers at a time depending on the severity of the injuries and the physical therapy required. As for the anti-procrastination droids, those could very well handle simple tasks simultaneous to encouraging multiple officers as well.

 While the room was reacting mostly favorably to your proposal, there were questions that revealed what portions they had tuned out--at times this was due to natural sentient behavior of hyperfocusing too much on one’s own inquiries that they missed the answer that was given when it came up. You inwardly grumbled, however outwardly you maintained your composure and repeated what you had said. For questions that had not previously been answered, you appreciated that not one of your superiors spoke with animosity, slight or fully displayed. There was a guardedness, however, that hinted at an agenda you would soon learn.

 “Should this be officially approved, I must inform you that it would be a secondary project,” the highest ranking officer in the room stated. You held your breath for a beat, nodded, and exhaled without bringing notice to the fact that you had struggled to maintain your composure. This was not catching you off-guard; you were simply concerned that its lower priority level would encourage a future change of hands--as in, you being removed from the project aside from your name being attached. You had prepared for this, had been rehearsing both in your head and with Aelin as a sounding board, what to say in such circumstances. It was that you helped design droids along with programming them that had brought the First Order’s attention on you to begin with. Designing droids as freely as you wished to was expensive. You did not want to bite the hand that fed, namely not if the situation did not call for it.

 You, for the time being, held your tongue and listened. While various models of assassination droids existed in the galaxy, the one that you had outlined while speaking with the senator had not been in production by any entities yet known. Presently the First Order had to work in the shadows, which meant that the usefulness of such an assassination droid was increased. The senator being aware of it, along with this advisors who were clearly seeking methods of using the information to their advantage, not acting on the design would be to the detriment of the First Order.

 For security reasons the First Order wanted to keep the team assigned to this project small. They were allowing your other project, therefore, to contain more members; it was not off the table to create two teams for the project that you were proposing since they could be viewed as two separate droid projects entirely despite the similarities. It was flattering, yet it was also prematurely showing their cards--that there was, in fact, a willingness to pull you off the projects at a moment’s notice. Or without one, you mused. Should you object to these stipulations, you risked having your project denied completely.

 Thank you, Aelin, you thought, holding back a grin. “I would maintain final say and have access to these projects, correct?” You noticed one of the members opening their mouths to speak, and quickly continued so that you would not technically be cutting them off as they talked. “I do not want only my name on the project. Beyond the programming, this is my design. Future generations, I am willing to budge on, and I will not be unreasonable and thus risk the success of the TR8-0R series.” You had to take charge while stepping on as few toes as possible.

 TeeArr turned his head to consider you. “The TR8-0R series could best learn to function undercover by blending in with the anti-procrastination and physical therapy droids.” You blinked. “You stated as much before.” You had, which is why it caught you off-guard that you had not thought to use that point to help argue your case. Stars, you adored TeeArr. This addition would assist in you having easier access to your proposed project even while prioritizing the TR8-0R series.

 You gestured to TeeArr. “As well as mimic TeeArr’s functions. Allowing me to properly view how versatile I can make them so that the First Order is best able to wield them while they are undercover. Potentially gaining more information from the target prior to elimination.”

 “Indeed,” a female officer said, her head bobbing twice as her eyes locked with another superior officer’s. “The risk of team members learning about the functions of the TR8-0R series is increased.”

 “True,” you concurred. “Yet the blending would not occur until later in the project, at which point we can reduce the team size entirely, merging together those with the proper clearance level--and those you approve of, of course.” You paused for breath and to check the expressions of those gathered. They were receptive to your words. “Since the physical bodies would be the same or near-identical aside from any modifications for weaponry--I still need to fine tune those details, and having a team specifically for this project will greatly assist in this--I would be able to oversee everything easily. The designs for the bodies are mostly finished, therefore my attention will be predominately on the TR8-0R project with minimal distractions.”

 One of the officers began composing a message on his datapad. A few seconds afterwards all the other datapads in the room with the exception of yours chimed. It was frustrating to be treated this way, to be aware that you were being discussed without knowing fully what was stated or the tone that was being used. You could not defend yourself. There was a high chance that there was nothing that required you to defend yourself. That could instead be a necessity in the future after they agreed to these terms by stating to one another they were merely temporary. It would not be a lie, and it would get the ball rolling. That was all you could ask for.

 After another few minutes of messages being exchanged, the officer that had sent the initial one looked directly at you. “This is agreeable, although to ensure that the First Order’s goals are met and remain a priority, there will be periodic meetings, and from you we require weekly reports.” That was not anything you were opposed to. You readily agreed. Aelin would not be opposed to running through hypothetical scenarios for future meetings with you just as he had with this one. With that, you would continue to have what could pass as an upper hand on matters.

 Once you were dismissed and had exited the room, you sent a quick message to Aelin and then one to Eddard to inform them that the project had been greenlit. You wanted to cheer, to display your excitement with a burst of energy, however you kept yourself in check with an awareness that your actions were under scrutiny now more than before. The assassination droids opened you up to dangers that you had thus far managed to avoid. Being a potential security risk had come with the job description; this project had too many windows for that.

 TeeArr followed behind you without uttering a single word. The droid acted like this often subsequent to meetings and presentations that did not involve Armitage Hux or other superior officers that you interacted with on a more regular basis.

 One thing that you hoped to do before the cycle ended was speak with both Armitage and Kylo. There had been no further pressure from either of them as far as choosing went. What was more, the chimes indicating messages revealed that they both wanted to see you, and they were each aware that you would be visiting the other. You stared at the set times for those vistations, wondering what they meant. Armitage had proposed that you meet him in his quarters, meanwhile Kylo stated that he would seek you out when it was closer to time and so you could proceed with your normal routine after you were with the General, as he put it. You smiled at that, feeling your shoulders relaxing. He could be more difficult to read than Armitage due to the mask that he wore.

 Lingering nervousness over the situation, over the tumultuous feelings you had for both men, dissuaded you from eating a large meal. You did grab a ration bar to tide yourself over until dinner, at which point you hoped there would be improvement in your appetite. It was difficult to not rehearse what you might say to each man in various scenarios, many of which became far from realistic. You began to distract yourself through other means, the first of which was to check your messages to see if Eddard had responded. A smile lit up your face when you saw that he had. His excitement over the project matched your own in a way.

 Stretching your arms above your head after tucking away your datapad, you entwined your fingers and worked to release some of the tension that had built in your muscles. The meeting had gone better than you had feared, although there were areas that you wished could have been better. There was another hour before you were set to meet with Armitage, and you did not know yet how you wanted to spend it. The ration bar had done its job of filling you up. You exited the cafeteria after deciding that you would find somewhere quiet to clear your mind.

 Three quarters of an hour later, you observed TeeArr’s retreating form as the droid headed off to indulge in the oil bath that you had scheduled for him as a reward for his assistance earlier. It was also a move to allow you some privacy when speaking with Armitage, whose quarters you were about to head towards. You were looking forward to seeing the functioning TIE cat bed in person, what with how Eddard had spoken of it and the holofeed that you had been allowed to observe. More than that, you could not help but think of how it was to be with him. To potentially touch him--Maker, you wanted to truly mess up his hair. Rake your fingers through it. Kiss him. Let him kiss you without worrying that some senator was going to request a meeting...which, now that you paused for a moment, remained a possibility. The difference was that the senator would not be in close proximity.

 The stormtrooper guarding Armitage’s quarters moved to the side, already aware that you were meant to be there. You felt your entire body heat up at that knowledge, pleasure rippling through you. This was not some special treatment. It was a step towards a relationship, if you decided to go that route.

 Once inside Armitage’s quarters, you gave him a soft greeting and sought out the TIE cat bed. You spotted it quickly in the corner. Millicent was curled up in it. Her purrs echoed, bringing a smile to your face. Normally she would have either skittered away or become playful when you arrived. You took this to mean that she had tired herself out with the toys on the bed.

 “I will have to come during the day. She is usually more active around lunch.”

 “Yes. Also during the night cycle.” Your grin grew at the tone of his voice, a cross between affection and exasperation. Armitage extended a hand towards you, and you stepped nearer. Your breath almost caught in your throat as contact was made. His touch was gentle though firm. “I acquired a list of other works by a newer poet that I believe will catch your interest.” You hummed in response, wondering what he believed you would enjoy. Poetry was not why he had brought you there.

 You took another step closer to him, your hands meeting his waist. Your heart hammered in your chest, your pulse quickening when he pressed against you. Desire flooded through you; you wanted more than anything to have full contact, no barriers. “I have no idea what to do,” you admitted. Armitage’s expression softened. His hand shifted upwards from your waist to the side of your face. He leaned down and captured your mouth with his. “I want to touch you.” You could not stop thinking about that, wanting it. The leather clad hand on your face only fueled your desire.

 “You may.” You swallowed thickly, pinching the edge of a glove. You tugged off one then the second, allowing them both to fall to the ground. You palmed him through his pants. His cock twitched against your hand, making you clench in response. “Mm.”

 The noise was small yet it echoed in your ears, was all you could focus on. You worked the front of his pants open and slid your hand within. Skimmed your thumb along the spongy head of his erection, smearing precum. Armitage whispered your name under his breath. You smiled again, feeling emboldened by the sound. You wrapped your hand around his shaft, using your other hand to push his pants down his hips a fraction more, revealing his thighs and his cock. You rested your forehead on his chest, looking down, watching your hand around him as you stroked him a second time.

 You ghosted your hand downwards, along his sac, and toyed the sensitive flesh of his perineum. His cock bobbed, heavy between his legs. Licking your lips, you peeked up to see his flushed face, so red. Deliciously stained pink with his arousal. You palmed his sac, rolling your wrist, and then moved to grip his cock again. You arched your spine, your breasts pressed to his chest. Armitage claimed your mouth more hungrily, his tongue toying with yours. He placed his hand on the back of your head, locking you in place in that kiss. You trembled with delight, jerking his cock.

 Moaning into the kiss, you closed your eyes and melted into the feel of him in your hand. You imagined how he would be inside of you, stretching you. Not yet, you told yourself, and a small part of you wondered why you were denying yourself such pleasure. Even though you knew.

 You trailed your fingers back up to the head of his cock, toying with the flesh directly underneath. The noise that Armitage released practically had you purring. This man, normally so in control of himself, coming undone because of you. The hand on your head gave a spasm. Armitage gulped, drawing back from the kiss to suck in air.

 “Today has been very nice.” He grunted in response to your words, mindlessly nodding. Armitage thrust into your hand in time with your strokes. You could tell when he was growing close, and you worked him faster, using his precum and, spitting on your hand, your saliva to keep him lubricate so that it remained pleasurable for him. Armitage swore as he came, streaks of cum spilling onto the floor and your hand. Your eyebrows rose at the sight, your mouth going dry. You may not have messed up his hair as you had intended, but this sight was perhaps more in line of what you had needed.

 Only when he had fully softened did he pull away and tuck his cock back into his pants, which he readjusted and closed. He reached for you, however you placed a hand on his wrist and shook your head. Then moved in for another kiss, which he was more than happy to return. His arms encircled you, fingers toying with the small of your back. You moaned into the kiss while working to suppress the shudder of delight that spiderwebbed through your body. It was electrifying, a threat to your better sense--in good time, perhaps, you would let him touch you as you had touched him. You needed your wits about you for the time being, for this discussion.

 You pulled back when the need for air became too great. “Armitage?” He grunted in response as a means of allowing you to know that he was listening. “What are we doing?”

 “I am prepared to enter an open relationship with you, at least for the time being.” You sucked your lips into your mouth to hide whatever expression might have formed on your features. The truth was, you did not know how to react. Armitage was undeterred by this, as though he had expected nothing less. “It offers us time to see how and if a relationship would work given the circumstances of our work and current dynamics. I understand the complication that is Kylo Ren.”

 “So we are making this official.” He nodded. “And Kylo feels the same?”

 “In all honesty, I am unaware of his plans other than that he wishes to speak with you. If his intentions are identical to my own, my stance remains unchanged.”

 A fluttering in your stomach preceded the smile that at last spread across your face. Armitage slipped a finger under your chin, drawing lazy circles along the area as he stared into your eyes. The two of you kissed once more then he led you to one of your preferred locations in his quarters where you could both sit comfortably. Armitage grabbed a datapad once there, powering on the device and flicking through files until he located the one that he sought. You rested your head on his shoulder as you watched him. 

 He pulled up a new poem. It was structured differently than the other that he had shared with you, and you could tell by the word choice as well that it had been penned by a different poet. This individual also compared metal and nature, although their preference was more difficult to discern. They merged the two, entwining them and speaking of their coexistence in romantic analogies that caused your breath to hitch. It was ideal to you, the picture that the poet created in your mind with their words.

 “I thought you might like that.” You could only nod in reply to Armitage’s words, your hand placed on his arm.

 [Hours Later]

 The heavy footsteps were announcement enough that Kylo Ren was drawing nearer to your quarters. You considered the MSE droid, felt your lips quirk, and pressed the icon on your datapad that opened the door as he arrived. His visor met your eyes briefly before following a path that allowed him to see the droid. It would have been wonderful to see his expression. You imagined that he had drawn his eyebrows towards one another in mild confusion. “You kept it.”

 “I did,” you said, a grin spreading across your features. “It is quite a trip hazard, however I am enjoying the challenge.” It was, at least, no longer slamming into people. Instead the MSE droid had been stopping suddenly, which had caused you to trip over it even as you had reentered your quarters. “I can be stubborn.”

 “Mm.” The grunt vibrated through you with how the mask deepened it. You bit down on the insides of your cheeks if only to keep from seizing your lip. Anything to hold in the moan. Yet he seemed to know regardless what his noises did to you. Kylo Ren stepped into your quarters enough so that the door closed behind him. “You wish to know more of the Force.”

 A statement that prompted a nod, which he mirrored rather than immediately speaking again. You were, if you were honest, impressed with how much he had already said since entering your quarters. Kylo moved within the room, his visor pointed at the MSE droid. It had rolled forward then moved back in retreat. Stuttered forward. Your lips quirked towards one side and you wrinkled your nose. You truly did enjoy the challenge, but that did not mean you were not a little frustrated with the multiple issues you had encountered since first bringing it into your quarters.

 Kylo lowered himself when he was in front of you. How he was seated did not differ from when you had joined him in meditation on previous occasions. It was nice to know that he was comfortable with you like this.

 “I spoke with Armitage earlier,” you blurted out. It was not news to Kylo Ren, yet he still tilted his head as though curious. “I do not want to be dishonest with you. He and I will be in an open relationship.”

 “On a trial basis?” It was difficult to say, and so you took a moment to consider then shrugged while shaking your head. You would have to ask Armitage that at a later time. “That is acceptable.” You held your breath, waiting. A sort of strangled noise left him before he obliged your unvoiced need for clarity. He used two fingers to gesture to you then himself. “Yes.” He held out a hand, palm up, and your datapad lifted out of your hands to hover in the air between the two of you.

 He made it look so simple, so natural. As though everyone in the galaxy should be capable of this feat. The datapad curved, twisting around in a circle before descending to return to your grasp. You cupped it with both of your hands. His hand had not moved, his fingers had not twitched. You wondered if he had needed to use his hand at all, or if that had been for your benefit.

 “The Force is more than parlor tricks.” The laugh that erupted from you caused your face to heat up. You lifted the datapad to momentarily hide from him, your shoulders shaking. Warmth spread throughout your body. He had been intentionally funny, and it was so intimate to you, so special. His snark, such ironic statements, was more often deprecating. This had not been that. This was kind. In his way, it was sweet. “You may ask two questions regarding the Force, and I will answer.” This he stated after you had regained your composure and lowered the datapad. You paused and thought about what you might ask him.

[inventors-fair]

Our Gift to You ~

Congratulations to @ignorantturtlegaming​, @stormtideleviathan​ and @teaxch​ for winning this week’s contest!

Not only was this contest some pretty limited space, but my goodness, there were a lot of strong entries. Once we get into the nitty-gritty of commentary I’ll extrapolate a bit more on that. Winners and runners this week were chosen based on what I believe are primarily strong gameplay uses of the mechanic. I’m a huge flavor sucker, and again, we’ll get into that more. With a mechanical-based contest, though, it’s important to prioritize what the cards do, and then look at how the cards create flavor. So!

@ignorantturtlegaming​ — Elusive Jewel

I absolutely thought of Commander when looking at this card. Of course there are ways to break it, but mana rocks are always welcome, and the strength of bouncing around and the necessary utility of activated abilities and payoff are strong. This card in general is amazingly strong. The draw especially is radical. Homeward Path and Brooding Saurian might make this card frustrating, but that’s competitive play for you. The spell trigger especially balances this out a bit if you don’t have the right combo. Cast a spell, draw cards, give it away, and then someone else with a better combo can destroy or utilize it. This card is strong enough to be a theoretical staple without breaking the game. I doubt the cost would allow it to be radically impactful in eternal formats. The only nitpicks are that, well, if I’m wrong, there’s no real reason this card couldn’t be either legendary or mythic, and for two, the flavor text really isn’t doing it for me. The card is strong and the mechanics are flavorful enough with the presented subject matter. 

@stormtide-leviathan​ — Shimmersnatch

Oh, this card. That particular text has never appeared on a card before, and I friggin’ love it. I try not to play favorites (except for, well, when I’m choosing my favorite cards for a custom card contest) but this one really did tickle me particularly well. GAIN CONTROL. Of an ABILITY. Ugin ultimate? JtMS ultimate? MINE NOW. ... Except that you definitely need to add a clause that you have to change the new targets. Oh, wait, lordy, Emrakul cast trigger? MINE NOW. I want to play this card, I want to see it played, I want to see it impact standard and modern and eternal and Commander, I’m just utterly blown away. Does it need reworking? Well, yeah, a little poke and prod. Is it flavorful to faeries? Hell yes it is, those little thieving nerds. Is it broken? For two blue, I mean, most people would rather still have Mana Drain or even a solid Counterspell, but the point stands. I’m enthralled. ... Wait, did you cast a faerie spell on me to make this a winner?

@teaxch​ — Sulfur Ring Scratchbinder

Ordinarily, we look at cards and think of the best possible scenario for what they could be used for. For this card, the best scenario is that you get a 3/3 and your opponents, presumably multiple opponents, get a big Devil that’s bound by this handler to scratch each other’s eyes out until someone dies. You can also give other people Devils with Zendruu effects, like Fiendish duo or even Zurzoth, or Donating a Conspiracy/Xenograft/Arcane Adaptation! I know I’m reaching here for optimization. Because also, well, I’m imagining the worst case: each opponent creates a token, then the Scratchbinder dies, and all the Devils are free to do what they want. And I love that. This card is a fantastic example of risk/reward. It’s a fine rare, and I can’t wait to talk about other examples of why risk/reward is important later in the contest. For now, be content that the devil in me hasn’t turned on you. Yet.

Thank you all for your entries! Runners-up and commentary coming tomorrow.         —@abelzumi​

[logical-little-lies]

Discussions and Observations- Agere!Sides AU (pt.34)

a/n: okay so after this chapter there will be a chapter or two focusing around Remus learning about the others littlespaces and such, and that’s all I’m gonna reveal. I have a plan though, that spans over about five chapters that lowkey focus on Remus and Janus, then there is gonna be a whole other hing that I’m SO EXCITED FOR. So, be prepared for that.

Also, give a lot of thought to Janus and Virgil’s discussion in the first part of this chapter...it’ll give you the opportunity to make some predictions about some upcoming plotlines. Specifically Janus mentioning the so called “neutral sides”, and his question about Thomas.....

--

All the sides could admit that everything was soft of hectic and confusing. No, there wasn't anything wrong, exactly, but there was just a lot going on at once. Janus hung out with the core sides during the day, and went back to the dark sides tower at night. Remus was starting to question why he was never told anything about these visits.

Remus might've known about Janus, but Janus wasn't going to out the others on their regression.

Janus was still regretting telling everyone a bit. With Patton he slipped up, with Logan he was just careless, and he wasn't mad at Patton for telling Roman. Patton explained what had happened and he got it. He was just second guessing it, getting the anxious after feeling that they were judging him, even if it made no sense. They didn't push him though. They were pretty open about their littlespaces, but they didn't make him open up about his before he was ready.

No one but Virgil knew his age range, his interests, what he was like while little. He kept it all locked up. Virgil was sure that eventually, he wouldn't be able to repress his regression anymore, and he'd slip casually during a normal day. They'd have to wait and see.

As for Janus meeting the regressed sides, he actually interacted pretty well with them. Little Roman didn't like him a ton, but they did color together. Regressed Logan was curious about his scales, and Janus answered every question he had, and even let him touch that side of his face. The boy was just curious, and Janus was willing to respond to that curiosity. For Patton, he was pretty good at understanding when he wanted something, just based off of noises and motions he made while nonverbal.

So, all in all, thing were going pretty well, it was just a lot at once.

Janus had arrived at in the core side commons pretty early in the day on this particular day. Roman was brainstorming ideas in his room. Little Patton and Logan were taking a nap in the caregiver's room, so Virgil and Janus were left to hang out. "Here," Virgil handed him a buttered piece of toast, a slice of his own in his hand.

"Thank you, your Emo Dorkiness," Janus did a slight mock-bow, as best as he could from his spot sitting on the table. Again, chairs are for the weak.

Virgil chuckled and rolled his eyes, pulling the chair closest to Janus from it spot, and taking a seat. "Okay, I know everyone has been avoiding this topic forever, but when are we gonna tell Remus?" Janus blurted out after a couple long moments of silence.

"I don't know how he'd act around us while regressed, I'm worried he'll be weird." Virgil objected, taking a small bite from his toast.

"After he found my pacifier and I explained everything to him, there were multiple times were he'd stumble upon me while regressed. He'd always, kind of falter and change his attitude. It's not like super caring, or affectionate, but none of his usual weird shenanigans. He'd just ask if I was okay, and if I needed anything, and then leave me alone." Janus offered, shrugging.

"So he's not terrible with littles, he actually has a filter? I guess that's good to know.  I mean, eventually he'll find out, I don't know if we can avoid it. But based off of our theory, we think he'll turn out to be a regressor too," Virgil groaned. "I feel like Little Remus will be a disaster and a half."

"So you're guy's theory is that we all regress, because of Thomas holding onto his inner child or whatever? This includes all the dark and neutral sides?" Janus finished off his toast once completing his statement.

"I don't know about the neutrals. I still don't understand them completely." Virgil had once again, forgotten about the existence of the two neutral sides. Sleep and Empathy, they were originally characters that Thomas created for skits or youtube videos that weren't meant to be sides, but somehow, like the rest of them, they became sides. All you need to be considered a side, or figment of Thomas, is to represent a part of him, or have a job within his mind.

Remy had the job of controlling Thomas's sleep schedule, he was effected by the other sides a lot. Virgil and Remy had conflicts quite a bit, but they hadn't talked in a while. Remy kinda just hung out, in The Vineyard Village, with Emile in their little cottage. The Dark Sides nor the Core Sides really knew them, at all.

Emile was the source of Thomas's empathy, and he also sort of shared the job of inner-child with Patton. Emile wasn't bad, but he wasn't a core side because he wasn't a main part of Thomas's personality. He was just kind of there, and only stepped in when needed, from a distance. He didn't leave the mindscape much.

"Okay, kind of off topic, but if we all really do regress...wouldn't Thomas regress too?" Janus questioned. Janus was asking a question that would matter later on, but at the moment, Virgil didn't know how to respond.

"Maybe? I'm not really sure," Virgil ate the last of his toast, thinking. "We'll find out eventually, I suppose. I don't know if that's how it works-"

"Veevee?" Roman's little voice shocked Virgil. He was just big, working on a project for Thomas and brainstorming, a little bit ago.

"Hello there, you finished your brainstorming?" Virgil spoke softly, opening his arms up and welcoming Roman for a hug.

"Yeah, got ideas for Thomas to make tomorrow! But now I'm bored, playtime?" he tilted his head. Janus gave Virgil a glance that seemed to read 'we'll continue this conversation later'.

Roman switched his mindset quickly, he must have gotten stressed with the work, or he had lacked inspiration. Either way, Virgil and Janus's discussion of the theoretical possibilities of Thomas being a little, along with the possibility of Remus, the neutral sides, and the unknowns also being regressors, was put on hold.

"How about we just watch some cartoons today?" Virgil offered. Roman was apparently not afraid to act out in front of Janus.

"No, wanna play! Color with me!" he stomped his foot, then faltering and giving a apologetic soft look. "Please? Didn't mean to yell, no throwing fits." he shook his head at himself, mimicking what Virgil would've said to him at the end of his statement.

"I'll color with you, honey. Good job on remembering to use your manners," Virgil sighed. Roman was trying his best. Roman reached up to get a hug, which Virgil gave into immediately, snuggling him close before letting him go back to his room to gather coloring books, crayons,colored pencils,markers, and stickers. Basically all the art supplies needed to create a masterpiece, in the mind of a five year old, at least.

"You guys all just regress, whenever you want to?" Janus seemed a little jealous.

"Basically. I mean, if we have work we prioritize it. But Roman brainstormed some things, which is all he needed to do. I thought you said Remus didn't really care, doesn't that mean you could regress whenever, too?"

"It's still scary, though." Janus looked down, swinging his feet a bit.

"When was the last time you regressed?" Virgil asked in curiosity, causing Janus's head to shoot up.

"Uh...when you came to the tower after Easter," Janus admitted. He knew Virgil was probably gonna tell him is was bad to repress his headspace for that long, because there was no way he just didn't regress for that long. He had been pushing down his littlespace.

"You know, you don't have to be scared with us. We won't judge you, and I can take care of you," Virgil assured, Janus going silent and looking back down at his feet. He swung them again, in a childlike way.

"I know. I just...it's hard to open up, and be the vulnerable and cutesy in front of everyone. I know it's not bad to act like that, and that it helps me and I shouldn't prevent myself from using that coping skill. But it's still hard to let myself be like that, because you guys know me as this evil snake side-"

"Janus."  Virgil cut him off in a stern voice, "Just in the past weeks alone, you've show all of us that you're much more than that. You're caring, understanding, and dorky. And I have a feeling that the other core sides will like Little Janus, too." Virgil gave a soft smile.

Janus gave a thankful hum, "You think so?" he tilted his head. Virgil nodded.

Janus knew he was very close to letting himself slip in that moment. He didn't, he pulled himself out of the foggy-childlike headspace and allowed himself to focus on other things, but he did take Virgil's reassuring words to heart. Okay, yeah, he was still anxious about the whole thing, but maybe he'd let himself regress in front of the others soon.

Maybe.

Janus was snapped out of his thoughts when Virgil spoke in a very confused tone. "Remus? What are you- Go away!" Virgil shouted at him, exiting the kitchen and entering the commons where Remus popped up.

"I'm not here to do any harm! Everyone is here, and running around the imagination on my own is getting boring...I was gonna ask Roman if he wanted to resume our adventure plot.." Remus seemed to be telling the truth. He just didn't wanna be alone, and being with his brother sounded nice.

Of course, to add to the confusion, this is when Roman walked out of the hall where the bedrooms were, holding his stack of childish art supplies. Virgil seemed to have calmed down, but Roman looked so confused and scared in that moment. Roman took a second to process the situation before making a snapping motion and making the art supplies disappear. He was now wearing his usual prince attire, with a different posture.

Compared to the others, Roman was the best at pulling himself out of his headspace on command. He didn't like to, and it was difficult to remain out of his littlespace after forcing himself out of it, but it was something he could do if needed.

"What's going on out here? Patton and I just got up and you guys talk loud- Oh!" Logan had exited his room, holding the deeply regressed Patton, who was obviously still waking up and slightly sleepy. Logan looked at Remus, not knowing what to do.

Patton buried his head in Logan's chest, trying to avoid the whole situation. "Wait," Remus looked between Roman, then Janus, and then Patton. He seemed to be thinking.

"Oh, oh!  I got it! Patton and Roman are regressors, like Janus!" he seemed proud of himself for coming to that conclusion. "Oh, I'm sorry! Was I not supposed to know?" he looked between the others, who were all in silence.

"Not really. But, if you already knew about Janus, I-i guess it doesn't matter." Even Logan seemed to be confused. It was just bad timing on everyone's part. But also, no one expected Remus to react so calmly.

"I guess it explains why Roman is randomly unavailable, and why Janus always seems to be leaving parts out when he tells me about his visits here." Remus shocked Logan with how he logically put things together, and Roman just seemed relieved that he was accepting. Patton had lifted his head.

"Yeah, but about the adventure thing, I can go! I'm not in my headspace anymore, and it'll give me a chance to explain everything to you, yeah?" Roman offered.

"Isn't it like, not good to pull yourself out of your headspace forcefully, if you can avoid it? I'm not completely sure on that, but I feel like that's a thing..." Remus looked at Janus, looking back to Roman, who shrugged.

"I already pulled myself out, so I might as well just go with you."

"Wait, where did you learn about that? The effects of repressing regression?" Logan questioned.

"Janus, mostly. I found out about him, and we talked a few times about it," Remus shrugged, seemingly careless about the whole situation. "Wait, is it just the three of them? Or are you and Virgil littles too?"

They had a lot to explain to him.