#you are not mentally and or emotionally well!

[with-my-calamitous-love]

gentleman thoughts, comfort edition 🩶

gentleman! katsuki, whose love language is acts of service. who doesn’t need to know whats wrong to comfort you. who will gently (maybe not so gently, it’s him) remind you to get up and eat on those days you find it hard too. who’ll let you cry in his arms for hours, not moving an inch, acting as an anchor for you. who is normally a dick, but is also uncharacteristically patient and loving when he knows you need him to be. who will listen if you need him too, and is just as willing to go give hell to someone if that’s what you need. he’s a bodyguard <3

gentleman! izuku, who is probably the most emotionally intelligent on this list. who is so quick to notice signs when something is wrong, and who won’t hesitate to offer his support. who is a natural empath, hating to see you in pain, willing to give anything, but learns that sometimes they’re aren’t any tangible solutions and the best he can do is be there and listen. who always tells you that he’s proud of you, because he knows it isn’t easy. who is in love with you when you’re happy and healthy or when you’re sad and needing comfort, even when you can’t love yourself.

gentleman! shouto, may come off us cold or uncaring, but who cares so much more than he’s able to admit. who you learn to bond with over shared trauma, creating a safe refuge for just the two of you. who wants to understand for you, and even if he doesn’t, will be there as long as you say the word. who, after long crying sessions, awkwardly tells a joke that he heard fuyumi say to her class and delivering it in the most monotone voice. “why can’t can’t dinosaurs clap their hands? because they’re extinct.” (it was stupid.) (you still laughed.)

gentleman! eijirou, who might not notice right away, but who you have wrapped around your finger once he does or when you tell him. who opts to stay with you if he isn’t already, not liking the idea of you being alone while you’re sad. who, after holding your hand, comforting you and being your rock, gently helps you back up. who will congratulate you on things that feel small- texting someone back, taking a shower, etc- but cheers you on like you’ve just walked on the moon. who knows its your journey but swears to himself he’ll see it through with you.

gentleman! denki, who is kind of an idiot- but who always means well and loves unconditionally. texts you day and night, checking on you, sending you things he hopes will make you laugh. who is forgetful about most things but really good at reminding you to take your meds, to eat, to not be hard on yourself. who doesn’t wanna see anyone being mean to his partner, including you. who will gently remind you not to criticize yourself too much, wishing you could see yourself from his pov (you’re everything to him and he’ll remind you of that until you believe it).

gentleman! hitoshi, who knows so much about mental health because he himself has dealt with his fair share of struggles. who is endlessly patient, knowing that sometimes dealing with a messy room or dirty dish feels like it’d take everything from you. who is more than willing to spend a day in bed with you, holding you close, letting you cry or sleep it off. who leaves you with his clothes, his home and all his promises if he does have to be somewhere, assuring you that he’s a text away. who is more than willing to talk, but is also a great distraction if you need it- taking you out, playing you music, being the sweetest guy you have ever met and safe place.

[billysgirllol]

“oh, i’d love to.” that comes as a sweet, endearing little surprise that he wants to learn how to knit. voice chipper because she’d love to be his teacher in showing him how to knit, that’d be fun and he’d learn something knowledgeable. “i remember you sayin’ you liked poetry. people who like to read, are always people who are smart. and that proves it.” smiling widely, going around with a sense of pride for him for some reasoning. above getting in all this trouble, he seems to have his head on right. she’s always proud of people who seem down to earth and smart— mentally and emotionally. especially young fellows, since tender-hearted and smart ones doesn’t come often. “and that’s right, poems are a lot like that. i find it fascinatin’ you’ve pointed that out.” brunette tells him, endearment staying etched softly across her olive visage. “i can tell you’re stubborn in resistin’ arrest,” words amusingly spoken, “but i don’t know in what else.” he’s been pretty lenient with her, but she has only known him for two days now. “you’re sayin’ you’re bossy? well, you met your match, you won’t boss me. i’m bossi-er.” lucy gray playfully adds, clearly— with her deep stubbornness.

turning to check his reaction, it doesn’t fail to have her belly laughing, giggles pouring out of her. never going to get this image of what she sees out of her head now, the way he looks so panicked and then takes off so quick from the barn to come to her for safety. “what is it, darlin’? did she already get you on the rear end?” more laughter spilling over, hand reaching out to take hold of his. “i’ll save you, don’t worry.“ pulling him the rest of the way to the porch, running them to it like shamus is so terrifying. she’s just a tender soul, even though she could bite him— but lucy gray’s sure she’d have to feel provoked. laughing all the way into the house, she lets his hand go once she pushes open the screen door and leads them to the potato box in the kitchen. opening the lid, digging in, scooping out a few and placing some into his hands while her face still hurts with amusement after playing little goat tricks on him.

“i just hang out with my animal friends, i talk to them, or i get in a rockin’ chair and read books, play songs, braid my hair, try to knit blankets.” the brunette answers, do extra cleaning or make soap, a handful of things. “that’s true, but i’m sure sometimes it can be found as an annoyin’ thing?” she playfully wonders to poke a reaction out of him. “what about you? are you ever stubborn?” amusement washing over her face, mischief sparkling in her eye. “that’s the point of her bein’ my daughter! if you ain’t scared of her, then why are you worried about her bitin’ you?” lucy gray laughs, pointing at him standing way over there keeping his distance, giving shamus one last pet before twirling away from her to leave her out in the yard with billy by himself as a joke. seeing if he’ll hightail it out of here with her as she heads to the porch.

[the-cosmic-cauldron]

Your sun sign can reveal why you start to dislike a job and eventually want to leave. It can highlight what’s missing in your work environment and why it no longer fulfills you. Let’s dive into it.

Fire Suns (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

Fire suns dislike jobs that become boring and predictable. Nothing frustrates them more than routine and monotony—it drives them bonkers. They also struggle with rigid work environments, especially those with excessive rules, administrative tasks, or restrictions that limit their creativity and freedom. Fire suns thrive when they can do things their own way, so jobs that require them to conform too much feel suffocating.

They also dislike jobs where they have little power or autonomy. Constantly answering to higher-ups in a strict hierarchy frustrates them. Fire suns don’t enjoy detail-oriented or highly organized work; they prefer flexibility and spontaneity. They also crave social interaction at work. If they don’t have a strong team or coworkers they enjoy talking to, they lose interest.

Lastly, they need excitement and variety in their daily tasks. A job that feels too monotonous, uneventful, or lacking in stimulating experiences won’t hold their attention for long. Fire suns need a job where each day brings something new and engaging—something worth talking about at the end of the day.

Earth Suns (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

Earth suns are quick to leave a job if their salary isn’t increasing or if they aren’t being promoted. Financial stability and growth are major motivators for them. They also prefer professional work environments. A lack of professionalism—whether due to disorganization, unmotivated coworkers, or a workplace that feels too casual—can push them to leave.

Earth suns dislike being surrounded by people who don’t take work seriously. They need coworkers who are reliable and competent. They also prefer jobs with clear structures, step-by-step procedures, and well-defined rules. Creativity-heavy roles can feel overwhelming or unnecessary to them.

Additionally, earth suns dislike chaotic, action-packed jobs with constant stimulation or unpredictability. They prefer calm, structured, and steady work environments. If a job doesn’t offer opportunities for growth, whether financially or positionally, they won’t stick around.

They also value benefits. A job with poor benefits or an unstable income—such as contract work, fluctuating pay, or seasonal jobs—won’t appeal to them. Earth suns want consistent pay and a solid work-life balance that allows them to maintain the lifestyle they desire.

Air Suns (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

Air suns will leave a job quickly if it requires too much physical labor. Repetitive, monotonous work also drives them away. They crave novelty and dislike seeing the same faces and performing the same tasks every day. A job that lacks variety or intellectual stimulation will bore them.

They need mental challenges, opportunities for problem-solving, and engaging conversations. If a job feels too easy or stagnant, an air sun will quickly lose interest. They also value workplace mobility—if they don’t see a path for promotion or advancement, they’ll move on.

Air suns prefer innovative workplaces that stay updated with modern trends and technology. Old-school, outdated work environments frustrate them. They also want to have fun at work. If they can’t laugh, socialize, or make friends, they won’t feel motivated to stay.

Lastly, air suns need to see a future in their work. If they can’t envision themselves growing within a company, they’ll leave. A job that feels like a dead end, with no future prospects or potential for change, won’t hold their interest for long.

Water Suns (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

Water suns are most likely to leave a job if it feels emotionally unfulfilling. If they constantly feel drained, stressed, or uninspired, they won’t stay. They need to feel comfortable and at home in their work environment. If they feel like an outsider, are ostracized, bullied, or disrespected, they’ll want to leave.

They also crave appreciation. Water suns tend to give a lot to their job—whether through their effort, empathy, or dedication—so a lack of positive feedback or recognition will make them feel undervalued. They need to feel that their contributions matter.

Interpersonal relationships play a huge role in their job satisfaction. If they experience tension with coworkers, bosses, or even customers, it can push them to leave. Conflict and negativity in the workplace deeply affect their emotional well-being.

Work-life balance is another major factor. Water suns need time to recharge, spend time with family, and nurture personal relationships. If their job takes up too much of their time and leaves them emotionally depleted, they won’t hesitate to leave.

Lastly, they need creative freedom. Too many rigid rules or a lack of personal expression can make them feel stifled. Water suns thrive in roles that allow them to infuse their personal touch and creativity into their work. If they feel like just another cog in the machine, they won’t stick around for long.

[crystalandbow]

FEBRUARY MESSAGES FOR YOU

hi! welcome back

ik its been loonngg anyways just pick the pile that calls you and lets begin

PILES:

< PILE 1 >

THEME AND FOCUS

(the world, 8 of wands, 5 of pentacles. full moon in Scorpio - breathe through the tension)

I feel change right off the bat. The World as your theme shows that a major cycle is reaching completion, bringing discomfort along itself. The Wheel of Fortune tried to pop out of the deck, signaling that this shift is not random; it’s part of a greater plan. But endings, even the necessary ones, rarely feel easy. There may be moments of resistance, where you feel trapped. Which is absolutely okay. What's important is that you sit with it, learn what you need to, and allow the transition to unfold. Nothing about this phase can be rushed or avoided.

For your focus we have the 8 of Wands which is a call to action. Change is already in motion, and avoidance will only make it harder. Expect fast-moving developments—messages, opportunities, or decisions that require your immediate attention. There’s no space for hesitation now. Whatever you’ve been waiting for is accelerating, and how you respond will set the tone for what comes next.

The 5 of Pentacles suggests this won’t be a smooth ride. Emotionally, financially, or spiritually, you might feel the weight of this transition. But the Full Moon in Scorpio reminds you: pressure creates transformation. There is intensity in the air—desire, tension, even restlessness. You may feel drawn toward something (or someone) with an almost magnetic force. Don’t suppress it, but also don’t let it consume you. This is a test of self-awareness. How you channel this energy really really matters.

< PILE 2 >

What’s most important now is balance. When emotions run high, it’s easy to focus on loss, uncertainty, or what feels out of reach. But this is not the time to spiral—it’s the time to recalibrate. Instead of asking, Why is this happening? ask, What is this clearing space for? This is the moment before renewal. The discomfort will pass, and when it does, you’ll see that this was never about loss—it was about making room for what’s next.

Hope it resonates do lmk your thoughts below! See you next time

Okay I like how well the cards flow into each other and just how clear the message is.

THEME AND FOCUS

(8 of swords, the emperor, hermit. first quarter moon in Pisces- honour your feelings, new moon in Virgo- trust all will be well)

This month carries a sense of mental entrapment, yet also the structure and discipline needed to break free.

With the 8 of Swords as your theme, there is a strong feeling of being stuck—whether due to self-doubt, overthinking, or external restrictions. However, this is more of a mental prison than a real one. The way forward exists, but right now, it may not feel obvious. The challenge is recognizing where you’re limiting yourself and where you need to shift your perspective.

Your focus, The Emperor, calls for structure, control, and decisive action. Where 8 of Swords represents hesitation, The Emperor represents authority and order. This is about taking responsibility for your situation rather than feeling powerless against it. Even if things feel uncertain, discipline and clear thinking will be your strongest allies. There is no room for avoidance—this is about stepping up and setting firm boundaries, both with yourself and others.

The message from The Hermit and the First Quarter Moon in Pisces is clear: your emotions matter, but they shouldn’t consume you. If you’ve been suppressing what you truly feel, this is the time to acknowledge it. Pretending to be unaffected will only create more internal tension. That said, there is a fine line between honoring your emotions and getting lost in them. Reflection is important, but so is perspective. Look at the bigger picture before reacting.

< PILE 3 >

The New Moon in Virgo reassures you that everything is unfolding in divine timing. Patience is key. There may be a strong desire for immediate resolution, but forcing things won’t lead to the outcome you want. Instead, focus on what you can control—your actions, your mindset, and how you contribute to the world around you. Small, practical efforts will be more effective than overanalyzing the unknown.

Hope it resonates do lmk your thoughts below! See you next time

This month is about movement, ambition, and emotional balance. There’s an undeniable fire beneath the surface—excitement, restlessness, and a desire to push forward. But how you direct this energy will determine your results.

THEME AND FOCUS

(page of wands, knight of swords, king of cups. first quarter moon in cap- unleash your kindest self, last quarter moon in Gemini- clear your mind)

With the Page of Wands as your theme, you will be stepping into a period of curiosity, inspiration, and new beginnings. There’s a sense of exploration here—whether it’s a new idea, project, or mindset. The energy is fresh and exciting, but pages represent learning stages, meaning there’s still much to figure out. Stay open, stay eager, but don’t rush without understanding where you're headed.

Your focus, Knight of Swords, demands swift action and determination. This is a card of sharp intellect, rapid movement, and a strong desire to chase your goals. However, speed without strategy can lead to recklessness. The challenge this month is to balance enthusiasm with clarity—move with purpose, but don't let impatience cloud your judgment. Stay focused, but avoid tunnel vision.

The message from the King of Cups and the First Quarter Moon in Capricorn is about emotional control and kindness. While ambition is necessary, forcing things or being too hard on yourself (or others) will only drain your energy. Discipline is important, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of joy. A balanced approach—one that combines logic, emotion, and patience—will get you much further than rigid expectations.

The Last Quarter Moon in Gemini urges you to clear your mind. Overthinking, anxiety, or repetitive thoughts could be holding you back. Instead of dwelling on uncertainties, take a step back. Organize your thoughts, talk things out, and refocus on what you do want rather than what you fear. The mind is a powerful tool, but left unchecked, it can become its own worst enemy.

Hope it resonates do lmk your thoughts below! See you next time

[bathroomcryptid]

Emotional Support

A/N: Hiii everyone, this is my first kinda work for Warhammer and I’m very excited. This is just a funny intro I came up with in my head with more to come about each legion. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: none

Are you, citizen of our great Imperium, craving a change in career? Or are you otherwise unemployed and seeking stable employment? Well, we here at Imperium of Man Inc. have just the career for you!

After years and years of research, it’s come to the attention of everyone involved that we humans are communal by nature and crave intimate relationships with other humans and have a great need for those deep fulfilling bonds (platonic, romantic, or otherwise). This also rings true for your local Space Marine Chapter. Therefore, we here at Imperium of Man inc. have a bunch of emotionally stunted Space Marines desiring people with whom they can essentially imprint on and we need the serfs to be able to do their jobs…Either way, this gap in the market has prompted us here to roll out the first of many programs designed to keep the Empire’s finest in tip top shape. We’d like to introduce to you, Imperial citizen, our newest career path - Emotional Support Human!

That’s right! Today, you could be one of a select few chosen after a series of tests to be placed with your local space marine chapter to be their Emotional Support Human and help support the Emperor’s Angels in a variety of ways.

Qualifications:

-Passing all Imperial Temperament Tests

-Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, etc)

-Happy, Courteous, Enthusiastic, Attentive and Empathetic

-Meets mobility requirements

-Proficient in the Imperial and High Gothic (High Gothic lessons available after employment)

-Ability to multitask

-Work under pressure and at a fast pace

-Willing to learn and understand complex military terminology and strategies

-Able to cope with sudden changes in elevation and being carried around

-Able to perform deep pressure therapy

-Able to cope with hearing complex trauma and lend support as needed

-Able to wield a basic knife and fire a weapon with decent accuracy (training provided if skills not already acquired)

-The mental fortitude to see eldritch horrors beyond comprehension and not go insane

-Comply with imperial policy

-First aid may be required based on legion policy

Benefits:

-competitive salary

-A clean room to sleep in (may share with other emotional support humans based on legion policy)

-At least three meals a day

-free visits to the legion Apothecary

Being an Emotional Support Human HCs:

- You were basically snatched off the street by Imperial employees with little grace. Let’s be honest here, it’s the Imperium.

- The whole time you’re convinced that they’re about to turn you into a servitor. You’re not stupid, you’ve heard the stories of people being yanked of the streets and going missing all to end up as servitors

- You just hope they lobotomize you quickly.

- To say you’re confused when they just stick you in a random room and congratulate you on being selected as a potential candidate for their newest program is an understatement and you’re even more confused when they tell you that they are about to administer their new test for you.

- Do you have to take a test to become a servitor now? You thought the only requirement was a mostly functioning brain?

- You comply (not that you have much choice with the two armed guards staring you down) and take the test, a little unnerved the whole time as the proctor administers the test, but oh well.

- Next thing you know, you’ve passed and they congratulate you on your new job - a Space Marine Emotional Support Human (SMESH/ESH but smesh is just funnier-)

- Anyway, you have no idea wtf that is, but you’re apparently not becoming a servitor and that’s about enough to get you to do anything.

- Plus, a free room and three meals a day were apart of the benefits package and they had you at that.

- You’re moved into another room with about 20 other people, all of you looking equally as confused.

- An Imperial employee gets up in front of you and congratulates you on being the first batch and trial run of the Imperium’s newest hare brained scheme (your words not theirs) - the Space Marine Emotional Support Human program.

- Your new job? Becoming your local space marine legion’s new in-house therapist/stress toy/state sponsored best friend

- Out of everyone that was tested, 21 people passed, and the lot of you were the 20 selected to be in the program (one person per legion). You think 21 people passing the stupid test is ridiculously low but whatever. (Turns out, being able to tolerate your now line of work takes a pretty optimistic and mentally sturdy person that’s not all that common)

- You’re given your new uniform and basically shunted off to your new forever home and to the people the Imperium would love for you to bond with…what could go wrong?

[thebreakfastgenie]

Yes this is very true! I was talking about one specific example of this pattern that affects mostly cis women (although trans people who need gynecological care are affected too) because the field of gynecology specifically has a lot of gaps in the knowledge and a big problem with providers dismissing their patients' symptoms and concerns because of medical misogyny (and just regular systemic misogyny). There's also a lot of social media content targeted primarily at young cis women (though it does sometimes cross over with "just detransition" type messaging) selling "natural" remedies that usually revolve heavily around diet, discouraging women from using hormonal birth control, and in the more extreme cases literally telling women their hormonal cycle predisposes them to being housewives and, essentially, that being independent and living in society is making them sick.

I've struggled with my periods for years (I don't have a diagnosis but have suspicions, currently well-managed with a mirena IUD) and I've had mood swings and brain fog (I literally noticed my reading comprehension and ability to do mental math were worse) and it can be frustrating and really emotionally distressing because it feels like admitting misogynists were right and your period makes you stupid and crazy. And I imagine some women who have the same struggles and are less steeped in feminist critical thought than I am are vulnerable to influencers throwing around terms like "luteal phase" as an explanation for why they're feeling so bad.

I kind of see what I was talking about in my original post as the intersection of misogyny and the larger issue you're talking about, which is failures on the part of the medical establishment pushing desperate people toward harmful pseudoscientific alternatives, often being sold as miracle cures by grifters all too happy to make a profit from their suffering.

Anyway, I know it's impossible to know these things on the internet because it's where context goes to die, but I was focusing on one specific area, not pretending the rest didn't exist. I don't mind comments adding the broader context, I just wanted to make sure that was clear. :)

I think the medical establishment dismissing and gaslighting women about their symptoms is driving young women into the toxic embrace of the tradwife snake oil influencers with their "balance your hormones, girl!" talk.

[dragon-tidbits]

Sorry for dropping off the planet for a bit

Like everyone else its been a lot for the last couple years, but the last year especially came to a head in some manners.

Long story short; - I broke off and ran home from a 7+ year relationship I no longer felt mentally or emotionally safe in - Because of it I am trying to dealing with and work through a lot of issues, both personal and social - Emotions suck.

Not to mention all of the shit going on in the world.

I wanna get back to what I was doing, stuff that made me happy and safe, feeling like I'm allowed to be. I wanna say I feel safe here, in trying to mention all this, but it still feels like a hard stretch.

But.. I wanted to give you guys an update, for whatever its worth.

I wanna get back to working on the comic, GOD do I really want to. I have a story to tell.

I just need to find me first again. Then hopefully I can find the drive to do it.

Be kind to yourselves and others. Do what you can to make the world around you better. Things will be ok again. Have a bit of art since.. well.. art blog.

[greensagephase]

Hi, guys

Before you continue reading, I ask that if you disagree with my sentiments mentioned below, you refrain from sending/leaving hateful responses.

I will not tolerate that.

Be mindful.

Be compassionate.

Be respectful.

Be a decent human being.

Today is over a month since I was last here. I'm sorry for disappearing for the entirety of January, but I haven't felt mentally nor spiritually well to be on social media, even tumblr, which is realistically one of the very few apps I use.

I didn't plan on taking this break, which has been (I think) my longest break from this app by far.

I had originally planned to take a few days off to rest after the holidays and looked forward to getting back on the app a few days later, but as the days went on, I found myself with a feeling of impending doom.

I know it's probably not easy to tell through a screen, but I'm the kind of person who tries to remain positive and strong in the midst of hard times. I always try to be uplifting and/or offer comfort as best as I can to myself and those around me; family, friends, and even acquaintances and complete strangers, who strangely feel compelled to share with me the difficulties they are going through sometimes.

However, I've found it difficult to remain positive and strong these past few weeks, but especially the last few days. Some of you may know, or maybe don't, but I'm located in this country: 🇺🇸.

I won't go into detail, but there's a lot going on rn and so much of it has been affecting me emotionally, and it's the reason why I've been trying to avoid social media; to balance my consumption of news/updates. I've found myself throughout the days feeling an array of emotions: sadness, worry, anger, disbelief, disappointment, heartbreak, helplessness, surprise...

Although I've been experiencing pretty much every negative emotion possible, I'm trying to regain my strength, positivity, motivation, and hope. It's much easier said than done, but I'm trying not to let myself sink further into this negative bubble.

I debated taking a few more days off, but I've genuinely missed being here and I also didn't want those of you who care to keep up with my shenanigans to wonder about me and think that I'm abandoning the fandom, or something like that.

I'm still here, very much loving on our fav Spider-Man. I will continue to write -- something I haven't done since my last fic update in December, to be completely honest, but definitely looking forward to doing again -- and share it on here. I'll also try to be more active and catch up on notifications over the next few days at my own pace.

Thank you for reading this update. I hope you guys are doing well and taking care of yourselves.

Pls stay safe out there

Alondra❤️

[martianmeerkat]

Strength does not invalidate victimhood.

Ive seen a lot of discourse, mainly in fandoms and character interpretations, but I've noticed how much that discourse effects people in their actual lives as well and how people treat each other based on that. So I feel the need to specifcally address this.

Whether you are currently a victim or have been a victim in the past, it does not mean you are incapable of being strong.

Just because you are strong does not make you incapable of being or having been a victim.

Strength and victimhood are not mutually exclusive, and moments of weakness can and will happen to anyone and everyone regardless of their strength. Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, or what have you. Strength is not what protects you from being a victim, it is what empowers you to keep going in spite of being a victim.

A victim of what? Well, that's open to interpretation. What am I specifically referencing with this? Nothing in particular other than distress at seeing people harm each other even when they agree with each other.

This is not exclusive to any one kind of person, this is not specifc to any race, gender, assigned sex at birth, age, religion, sexual orientation, intellectual level, disability, economic status, or any other kind of determining factor where people have been targeted and treated as other or lesser.

Your strength does not invalidate your moments of weakness. Nor do your moments of weakness invalidate your strength.

[bambi-kinos]

Thank you for your refreshingly honest comments about Yoko Ono. I find people’s sycophancy towards her and refusal to examine her behaviour a bit sickening, to be honest. There’s clearly an unspoken rule that Yoko is off limits, which is very strange, given that no other person or subject is. Anyway, what I would like to ask you is this: to what extent, if any, do you think Yoko was herself a victim? Did she simply find herself surrounded by bad people who manipulated her (the Sams, John Green, Fred Seaman, etc), or did she seek those people out to do her bidding? From what we know of the plan she made at the start with Tony and the fact that Dan Richter (a very unsettling character in the whole sordid tale) was an old friend who she brought in as part of that plan, I think the latter. But most people on here think she’s great and that she couldn’t help being mentally ill, so hey, maybe it’s just me and my cynicism that says she’s every bit as wicked as her ex-employees claim. What do you think?

When it comes to how Yoko is treated, there's genuinely a lot of nasty history there so fans on tumblr try to tread carefully. It's not an exaggeration that Yoko faced a lot of horrible racism when she was with John and there were even moments when John had to shield her from physical harm. And she was a lightning rod of criticism for lots of other reasons. Once John died she was essentially put in the role of "grieving widow" and boy howdy she milked that forever but it also meant that people were suddenly less willing to criticize her because they didn't want to add to her troubles.

Not to mention John and Yoko worked very hard to network with up and comers once they realized old hands like Ray Connelly wasn't going to play ball with them since they were too experienced. They created a lot of journalistic careers by making the right friends in the 1970s. Many media personalities feel indebted to them and would happily throw themselves in front of a car if Mommy Yoko and Daddy John don't suffer even a whiff of a papercut. When you read Eliot Mintz's book you realize that John and Yoko very deliberately targeted emotionally vulnerable people with empty lives and no strong parental figures so that they could become a quasi-family to them. That's what happened to poor Mintz, John would scream racial slurs at him (because Mintz is Jewish) and Mintz would just kind of. Stand there and take it while John screeched and squalled trying to pretend he was still a bigshot and not a drunkard in his 30s abusing his personal assistant. So much of the public bubble you've noticed is a result of John and Yoko's recruiting tactics. Celebrities usually get a level of protection but John and Yoko cynically courted and elevated the right people to wrap themselves in adamantium.

Fans try too hard to handle her lightly as a result of all the heat she took after marrying John, especially since a bit more is now known about her life and how she grew up and how her dad didn't treat her very well. I also think that there's an element of disbelief, like Yoko's crimes are insane and outlandish, no one wants to believe that they are true. And I know from personal experience that if you try to bring outlandish but true things to someone's attention about their favorite celebrity, you immediately get screaming and hysterics. Cult think is strong.

I don't think Beatle fans on tumblr necessarily buy in to excuses about mental illness and trauma but I do think that they're scared of being criticized or being accused of racism if they're too hard on Yoko. Tumblr users are uniquely vulnerable to that sort of thing because of this website's history and demographics so they take the easy route. I don't really blame them tbh, you never know when something is going to blow up in your face and who wants to court that trouble? There's no benefit to talking about Yoko's problems and abuse of John and Sean in depth since most people are just here for the fanart.

But to move on to your question: I think Yoko was an experienced con artist and manipulator with a genuine artistic vision but I also think she got in way over her head. Yoko's thing appears to have been that she and Tony would scam John with art pieces and that's why they did insane shit like making a contract to split the earnings they got from John 50/50. Get him to buy some plastic crap (that was quite literally all the rage in the 60s "zomg plastic!!!!") and then take the money and run. But I think Yoko sensed early that John was an easy mark and that he was someone she could pump and dump. I think that Yoko started seeing dollar signs and pursued John to get a bigger and bigger payday, she was chasing that dragon.

When it comes to the people Yoko was surrounded by, it's another case of her walking in with her eyes wide open but not realizing how completely in over her head she was. She very deliberately surrounded herself with con artists just like her because she thought it would be easier to control John and fortify her power over him. There were outliers like John Green/Charlie Swan where she believed his bullshit (the man is a masterful con artist) but she was convinced that she was much smarter and savvier than she really was and that she would see through any scams. She was blinded by her pride and never realized just how many rides she was taken for. Like IIRC Charlie Swan helped someone fence a fake painting to her that she paid millions for lol. They realized that she was an easy mark specifically because of her conviction that she was a worldly and experience player. Reader, she is not.

You can see this mindset during her life with John, they were hiring people off the street to work for them and never noticed they were being robbed blind. Like she and John were hoarders to the Nth degree, they bought all those extra condos in the Dakota specifically so that had storage units for all the useless shit they bought. Hundreds maybe thousands of shirts, pants, dresses, coats, scarves, jewelry, never worn and never catalogued, never looked after. Paintings and ancient artifacts stolen from Egypt on the black market, Yoko may have purchased as many as two different Egyptian mummies. Those people that they brought in from the street learned quickly that they could steal whatever they wanted and John and Yoko would never notice. A few of them were caught but there was one case where someone lifted 5 Hermès scarves from Yoko and she didn't notice for over a month and then dragged her heels on filing the police report. Because the Hermès scarves were not actually important since she had dozens of them in the storage apartments. I imagine the staff that stayed on learned quickly that they could steal freely so long as they were smart about it. God knows that's what I would do lmao.

But the point is that Yoko knowingly took in people who were willing to steal from her because she thought she could outsmart or control them, she had no idea how to defend against complicated tactics like "I'll put this in my bag and walk out with it at the end of my shift." I have the feeling John took the theft a lot more seriously than she did. Not that he was willing to do his bit and look after their collection of high end junk, I can't imagine what all their expensive clothes looked like after 10 years in that storage unit since neither of them protected them from pests.

Yoko willingly took these people on and invited them into her home. She and John thought they could use the likes of Charlie Swan and Fred Seaman and the Sams the same way they used journalists like Jann Wenner. What John and Yoko did not realize is that journalism is Hollywood for ugly people, that journalists are uniquely deficient in character or backbone and that journalists are always on the look out for a new Daddy and Mommy to pat them on the head and say "good job son!" Journalists and Hollywood actors are the same, they have holes in their chests were Mom's love and Dad's pride should be.

The problem for Yoko is that the scam artists she hired were extremely skilled, experienced, and ice cold. I love Charlie Swan's book Dakota Days and I believe every word of it (I can repost my review of it if you like) but especially because he coldly shows how childish and self absorbed John and Yoko really were. While they were faffing around doing rich people shit like flying around to random cities based on one guy's bespoke numerology, Charlie Swan grew up having to work for a living before getting into the astrology business. He knew what it was like to work difficult jobs for little money and even attended university and earned a degree in a time before universities became diploma mills. He was savvy and educated and lived an entire life before meeting John and Yoko, got spiritual fulfillment and assurance from his magickal practice. Charlie Swan did not have a hole in his chest where Mom's love and Dad's pride should be. Which meant he simply could not be manipulated the way a journalist can be manipulated. And Yoko Ono could not comprehend this and could do nothing about it. Nothing she said or did had any power over Charlie. She couldn't do anything to him and he frequently scammed her out of millions all while laughing up his sleeve. She thought she could control him but the truth is he had her completely under his thumb. Kind of amazing actually.

The thing that has always baffled me about Yoko is how easy it is to kick her around and stand up to her. John Lennon too as a matter of fact, I don't understand this handwringing and moaning and fear around his "great wit." I grew up on 4chan, I know people who could turn John inside out with a well placed photoshop. It's genuinely baffling to me that Yoko and John were not savagely and relentlessly bullied. They should have been. It lead John and Yoko to develop inflated egos where they thought they were genuinely intimidating. They never realized how pathetic and easily taken in they were because everyone else found it more useful and lucrative to scam them. It's fascinating that Yoko willingly brought these people into her life with John and never once realized that there was a problem.

[highly-flammable]

Antis really said it with their whole chests that Klaus only loved the compliant, rational version of Cami and had no room in his heart for her more flawed vampire self when it took him less than an episode to forgive her for stealing the white oak chess piece (he told Hayley to look after her in 3x13), and less than two episodes to want Cami to emotionally get back with him (he was trying to mend fences in 3x15).

I definitely have gripes with how the Campire arc was executed, but some clear points were still made about Cami and her relationship with Klaus throughout the mess.

Cami had a darkness in her, which she feared and Klaus knew about that side to an extent from his early days of knowing her. She was afraid of falling into darkness and that was her main reason for not wanting to accept vampirism even though she certainly hadn’t lost her lust for life and felt she had things to do still. She clearly told Klaus that she wanted to die as someone she was proud of, which was the self that was human, and could keep a lid on her darker impulses.

Klaus, knowing this, went hard on Cami when she started spiralling from 3x11, because he didn’t want her doing things that she would later start regretting. Cami, in her mania, was feeling like she was being controlled, but Klaus had promised her before she turned that he wouldn’t let her darkness take over her. He was in his Klaus-like ways trying to keep that promise. Klaus’ issue was that Cami was going to make moral compromises she wouldn’t eventually be okay with, or put herself in danger by not thinking what she was doing. He didn’t have a problem with the fact that she had a couple of dark impulses. What he knew was that she had a problem with it, that she didn’t want to be that person deep down. Even Cami told him during their fight in 3x11 that the darkness didn’t bother Klaus, in fact he found it intriguing. She then told him he was angry that he couldn’t control her, which narratively you are supposed to see she is somewhat misled about. When Klaus is not in front of her you can see him simply worrying about her, not being like Cami won’t listen to me, she’s not compliant.

Cami, as a matter of fact, had never been very compliant with Klaus. I would argue that she was one of the most stubborn people he knew, to the point that him bending to her mindset was usually likelier than the other way around. This wasn’t a problem when she was human because she was normally stubborn about the right things, but when she started being that way about doing things the real Cami wouldn’t be proud of, Klaus started trying harder and harder to stop her.

Now I have my problems with Klaus’ methods. He started out well enough when he followed her to Rousseau’s and spoke to her about trying to moderate her behaviour, but his first mistake was taking her out to feed right after that. He should have assessed her mental state better, knowing that she had already wanted to rip out the throat of that one guy at the bar. It took him Cami starting to feed uncontrollably to realize that he had made an error. And then Cami began making a few largely valid but still somewhat manipulative points about Klaus’ past actions.

Klaus had to just do what Cami used to do for him: de-escalate. Challenge her mindset gently with logic wnd facts. Alas, Klaus isn’t exactly the de-escalating type of character, a flaw that makes him piss Cami off more and more (as Hayley pointed out later). His inability to show affection under pressure made it seem like he actually cared more about controlling her than he cared about Cami herself, when given their trajectory to that point, it really wasn’t.

Again, this arc has its moments of weak execution, but I think the fact that both Cami and Klaus were behaving the way they were as response to trauma was quite obvious. Cami had just had her agency stripped away when she was compelled to slit her own throat and bleed out silently, and this action was supposed to be triggered by the realization that Klaus loved her. The compulsion was done by Klaus’ ex, and done because she was jealous of Cami’s relationship with him. It would never be easy for Cami to not associate that incident with Klaus. While she was still in transitioning, she could still clamp down on it because she thought she would die in a bit so it was better to keep her relationship with Klaus on a more positive note as she was saying goodbye to him, and also because her emotions weren’t heightened yet. But after feeding, her emotions immediately went up to a 20, and now she had an eternity to obsess over every aspect of her trauma. I would say Cami actually let Klaus off easy, because other characters would have thrown it in Klaus’ face if they had to experience something like this because of Klaus’ ex (Elijah excluded). So Cami during this time knew Klaus did love her, but she also knew his love was the reason she got robbed of her humanity. I think her humanity was so precious to her that losing even some of it was incredibly painful to her, and she just decided to pivot hard into being a vampire. Her primary reference point for how to be a vampire was Klaus, so of course she would be acting out. And the slightest bit of resistance from him would get her on the defensive, like, have I not faced enough because of you? Now just let me do whatever I want.

Since she was the primary victim of Aurora, it wasn’t possible for Cami to realize at this time that Klaus was responding to trauma as well. He had spent hours freaking out over her dead body, thinking she was forever gone. That was his worst fear when it came to his relationship with Cami, like he kept pushing her away for the better part of two years because he kept fearing for her life. Anyone in Klaus’ shoes would worry that if enough terrible things were done by Cami, when her emotions finally settled a little bit, the guilt would eat her alive. She might even end up doing something to herself. It would certainly be plausible since she had previously been resolved to die to not let her darkness take over. And on top of that, she was planning on getting weapons, apparently for getting involved in battle. Klaus’ instinct was to keep her safe and tucked away the same way he could do with his baby (I’ll one day talk at length about the parallels and differences between Cami and Hope), only, Cami was a fully grown woman, not a child who would sit there safe and sound. Klaus’s mental situation probably started hitting Cami in 3x12 after Klaus scolded her about risking her life, not that it eliminated her points about needing to protect herself and not wanting to live in fear.

Anyway, to circle back to my original point, Klaus was just scared of losing her again, especially to any situation triggered by impulsive actions, and he had forgiven her quickly for stealing the chess piece. In 3x15, he went to her again to try to work things out and talk about his circumstances, where he very obviously pointed out that the reason he was still not disappearing from NOLA to protect himself was Cami (this is not talked about enough considering what a consummate survivor and selfish prick Klaus was). And when she pointed out that she couldn’t counsel him anymore, he angrily disagreed with the prospect of Cami thinking vampirism made her less astute. Is that the Klaus we are talking about who didn’t like vampire Cami? Or was it the Klaus who went to her before leaving the city to tell her he would come back for her, and who told her Aurora’s stunt of turning her into a vampire did nothing to put a dent in his affections for her? He loved her, flaws and all, and had no problem with anything she was doing when she had declared she was okay with who she had become, and had actually started taking counsel about how to defend herself (from Hayley and Vincent).

[darcymercurialisunofficial]

is it true they call your dad the rizzler?

Be honest with me: Do you really think he has what it takes to be the rizzler?

[inkskinned]

today i love the red metal crane in her long neck arching her body over the boston skyline, which means i am okay for a moment. when i am unwell, everything is a little ugly. i always tell myself look for the beauty but when it is bad, i will look at birds and sunsets and little ducklings and feel absolutely nothing.

when my brother got his puppy, i was in a deep depression. what kind of monster isn't affected by a puppy. i was gentle and kind to her - i just didn't have an emotional reaction. she's five now and i feel like i spend all of our interactions apologizing to her - i don't know why. i just didn't feel anything. how embarrassing. i feel like if i admit that, i'll seem cruel and jaded. it comes in waves. like, two months ago when i went out into the world - it was like that. life behind a pane of stormglass. a firework could go off over your head - nothing. like dead skin, no reaction. not to ice cream or rainbows or baby chickens. life foggy and uninteresting.

i love goslings again. i love their little webbed feet splayed over grass. i love good food and live music and long walks. i like puppies. i feel like some kind of my soul has been starved - i keep staring at everything with wide eyes, trying to burrow the sensation into my stomach. it's real. beauty is real. when it's bad again, remember this. i stop and smell the flowers, feeling cliche in the moment. i like the white-to-red ombre of my neighbor's roses. i like colorcoding and yoga and cold drinks. i try to pass my hands over every moment, feeling like i'm squeezing joy out of every instant. remember this. for the love of god, it's real - just remember this.

[puppetmaster13u]

Prompt 177

Now Dan is no coward. He’s not. 

But this stupid child body does have an effect on his reactions to things and honestly it’s a horrible thing that’s too small and too weak for him to use all his abilities. He could barely manage a fireball if he concentrated, yet everything caught fire with a mere outburst! His control was utterly gone, and a tantrum resulted in having to wear a stupid child leash backpack. 

It wasn’t like he was really a child, and it wasn’t like he’d get lost or some stupid shit that Danny would insist. Ugh, this isn’t even fair, technically he was older than him yet was stuck in a smaller body that he kept tripping over! 

Urgh, he’s even insisting on rewarding ‘good behavior’ and shit- must have talked to Jazz or something- because… Oh. No he wants the constellation bear, give! His star bear now, no takes back and, urgh, stupid baby body! 

Well, on the other hand, it’s utterly hilarious how much Danny sputters whenever he calls him Mom, not to mention strangers’ utter befuddlement. He ignores how Danny seems to be trying his best to live up ro the title. 

But! As he was saying, he’s no coward! He’s also not an idiot though, and having no control over his powers isn’t exactly a good thing. It’s really not a good thing when there’s a murderous-looking hero that he thinks he might have maimed in the future- which they apparently remember- staring down at him. So, he has to call in the big guns to fix this. 

“Mom, there’s a creepy fruitloop staring at me!” “There’s WHAT?!” Hah. Take that hero he doesn’t remember the name of.

(Behold the Grumpiest of Babies)

[quasi-stellar-bleu]

that part about the vast and the buried!!! I tried to say that to my friend!!! But I didn’t quite know how to say it that well!

I was trying to explain how when you think about it, there is quite a lot of crossover with the two. The way that the Buried has So Much crushing down on you (physically/ mentally/ financially/ emotionally). How can That Much not share similarities with the Vast? How can such an overwhelmingly large amount of pressure not crossover with the overwhelming largeness of the Vast?

and going from there, the Vast overlaps with the Spiral. How can something incomprehensibly large not drive you insane? Is the incomprehensible not the domain of the Spiral? How can something seem so much larger than possible without making you question your reality? There’s something of the Spiral in the way that you can’t understand how large something is, and that trying to breaks your brain.

(honestly I think you can find the spiral in almost all of the categories, just with the way the fears manifest being sort of supernatural, and not rly public knowledge, and witnessing them will shatter your worldview, even more so if you feel unable to share because who would even believe you? They’ll think you’re crazy… or maybe you are? but I think if I sit on it for long enough, I could find some sort of overlap between any two fear categories)

I love the way the Horror™ works in the Magnus Universe, because the way we understand it is wildly ill-equipped to actually describe what's happening beyond the immediate context. It's all vague descriptions of patterns and motifs. The only detailed taxonomy or pantheon we get is Robert Smirke's, and while I like it for what it is, I am fascinated by how other people in other cultures and time periods would organize these ideas.

For example, I think you could combine The Buried and The Vast into one idea- the fear of space. It's just two extremes of the same scale, it's about feeling helplessly small against a force that doesn't even care to notice you. It's not vindictive, it's apathetic. There is no bargaining with the ocean, no fighting with the sky, no compromising with the crumbling cave.

Can you really say that the Flesh and the Slaughter are particularly different? Sure, the Flesh is about the horror of being meat, but what makes someone more aware of that than the ruthless cutting of a life? Isn't there inherent body horror in rot? At what point does a parasite cross from Corruption to Web?

And then we have the avatars. Would you call Ink5oul a being of The Eye or of The Flesh? Simon Fairchild is obviously of The Vast, but can you say with confidence that The Lonely doesn't benefit from his shenanigans? Jared Hopworth is 100% Flesh, but when your body is twisted around in impossible ways until you are unrecognisable... That sounds like being made into a Stranger to me. The Eye wouldn't be nearly as distressing without the paranoia of paranoia you get from The Spiral, and how can you doubt a reality you can't perceive?

I hope that Protocol takes advantage of this nebulousness going forward to explore other frameworks besides Smirke's, it's so damn fun to think about.

[hanafubukki]

Malleus Draconia versus Ortho Shroud

It seems some people are surprised at Malleus’ actions? That he destroyed the robot dogs and almost destroyed Ortho.

But I would like to point out that Malleus has always been like this; very protective of his loved ones.

For example: In Lilia’s PE vignette, he nearly took Rook’s head off because he thought Rook was trying to hurt Lilia.

Then we come to book 7, chapter 7 update.

Yes, he destroyed the dogs and almost Ortho but remember Malleus is protective of his loved ones.

Malleus OBed because he wants his loved ones happy and Ortho is a threat to that, so of course he’s going to destroy any threats to them and Ortho basically labeled himself as such.

Now I want to bring up a point that I don’t see many talk about?

Malleus understood Ortho’s explanation about how Ortho woke up and how he was able to penetrate the barrier.

Ortho described himself as immortal basically because he can transfer his data to any body, which Malleus understood as transferring vessels.

This is when Malleus finally took the steps to destroy Ortho. Not because he wanted to kill him, but because he knew that Ortho would still live and transfer himself to another body.

Did Ortho feel fear? Yes because Orth doesn’t like lightning and that’s one of Malleus’ powers but think about it.

Feeling fear is an emotion no one wants to repeat. Malleus acknowledged that Ortho might be feeling fear

With Malleus knowing that Ortho can feel such things, Malleus told Ortho he would end him swiftly because in a way that is an act of kindess isn’t it? To end it quickly rather than prolonging the fear.

But at the same time he knows that Ortho will live and remember this emotion, and that’s what Malleus wants, so Ortho would be too scared to try again.

Malleus is protective of his loved ones and he always has been.

While his actions might seem as if he’s out of control, he isn’t. He understood in his own way what Ortho explained to him before making his move.

He didn’t attack because he’s raging but made a more calculative move on his end to stop Ortho, one that he would make repeatedly if need be, since he knows that Ortho can transfer bodies.