#you disableds get get pushed as far away from this as possible

[autisticlee]

when places have "sensory hours" or whatever they call their sensory friendly times, but it's always at the most inconvenient times possible. they always do them at the times people are least likely to be at/want to go. it's either way too early in the mornings or in the middle of work time, and it seems to always in the middle of the week and never weekends. they never care if they inconvenience disabled people. but how dare they ever inconvenience the ableds and take away their time! 🙄

[zahri-melitor]

One of the many tragedies of Jack Drake is that not only was he bad at being a parent, but that he had the perfect person to discuss how hard the experience was for him right there and yet the only conversation they ever have about parenting Tim is conducted at gunpoint.

Because look at Jack Drake. As far as he was concerned, he had everything under control until Janet died and his world fell apart.

Tim was a Good Kid™ as a kid. He was well behaved and polite and not a difficult child and that's obvious from the fact that many of his memories of his parents together are of being taken out in public. Jack and Janet had one kid and they clearly wanted that kid to enjoy the same things they did, so they took him with them to restaurants and museums and art galleries and the opera. And he enjoyed it and enjoyed that time with them.

Jack however clearly saw his role as a father and a husband in the very traditional position as the main provider. It was his job to work and bring in the income that supported their lifestyle (his depressive episode after losing the company and their having to move makes it very clear how much of his self-worth was tied up in that role). He had a son, but his time with Tim was pretty clearly about taking Tim out with him on a Saturday afternoon to watch sport, or play tennis with his friends, or go to the monster trucks, or go fishing: being able to spend a few hours with Tim and show him off to his friends and then return home and someone else took over looking after Tim. And in his mind, he clearly thought he was a good parent! He spent time with his son! His son was a credit who was worth showing off! He could take Tim with him when he and Janet went out for the evening, and Tim could be relied upon to behave. He was winning at being a father!

The part Jack never realised, of course, was that like many men in his position, he'd handed the day to day logistics of raising a kid over to his wife (Janet) and to people he paid to do it for him (Tim's boarding school). He wasn't the disciplinarian parent. He was the 'fun' parent, who got to have the good times with his child.

If Jack was ever actually involved in decisions about discipline and consequences of actions, it was probably at the ultimate stage: the 'wait til your father gets home' sort of threat. The nuclear option. He didn't handle the everyday stuff - he probably never SAW the everyday stuff.

So, Jack thinks he's a great parent. He can brag to his friends about how well behaved HIS child is, unlike those little ruffians you see screaming in public or whose parents can't take them anywhere because they're disruptive.

Then his world falls apart. He's injured and disabled and grieving. He's a single dad. And the kid he's got is suddenly not the child he remembers. Tim frequently acts out, lies, runs away and comes home with bruises and notes from school saying they’re worried something is going on. He also starts dating and possibly trying to have sex ‘too young’ (being caught with Ariana sleeping over and the couch situation, Steph being pregnant even if Tim insisted it wasn't his).

Jack Drake has to suddenly step up to be the main parent of a 14 year old who he's probably never had that dynamic with. He doesn't have the years of experience in how Tim reacts to various forms of boundaries and punishments, because he's never been the one who set them or enforced them. He's probably never sat down and talked to Tim about his feelings in his life. And Tim, I repeat, is fourteen years old, possibly one of the most difficult ages for a kid. Everyone's 14 year olds are suddenly more difficult than usual and pushing boundaries.

On top of that, he's got to learn this all on the fly, in circumstances where he basically has no support. "Help, I'm a new single father to a teenager' isn't really a genre of self help book or parenting group that gets a lot of love - most people who are single parents aren't men, and most people looking for advice on dealing with problems with raising their kids are talking about under-5s, because by the time kids are out of the toddler stage most parents have a reasonable idea of what works and what doesn't, have networks set up, and are usually reaching out for a bit of advice or support about a specific situation, not Dealing With It All.

What Jack really needs is a buddy or two who are also single fathers to teenage boys, who have experience navigating this, maybe who also acquired responsibility for their son in his teen years. Wow. I mean that's a big ask, but funnily enough, there's someone who lives right next door who exactly fits that description...

(The tragedy that Bruce and Jack only ever have the one discussion about parenting Tim, the kid they've been effectively co-parenting since Tim was 13 years old, and that that discussion took place with Jack holding a gun on Bruce).

So of course Jack is terrible at being a parent to Tim. He's inexperienced, he doesn't have any support, he doesn't SEEK support outside of marrying Dana (and Dana clearly while lovely is both ineffective and reluctant to interfere in Jack and Tim's relationship). Now, he fails on very specific axes, in ways that are both understandable and also signs that Jack has a bad handle on his temper.

His go-to threat is sending Tim back to boarding school, because: when Tim was at boarding school, Jack didn't have any discipline issues with Tim! It clearly worked!; Tim doesn't want to go back to boarding school, making it a threat to hold over him; again, Jack's seeing a kid who is sneaking around, lying, running away and he's at his wits end - there's a narrative in the circles he lives in that such kids DO need to be taught to behave and sending them to boarding school is a way to do that.

He runs hot and cold on paying attention to Tim because up until Tim was 14 that was...what he did! And it wasn't such an issue then, as he wasn't a single parent. And when he pays attention, he does tend to be focused (laser focused, in fact), in getting Tim out of No Man's Land, of the dramas at school during Cry of the Huntress when Jack's getting outraged over Tim's bruises and getting into fights, when he's arguing with Ariana's uncle over whether Tim and Ariana's relationship was going too far.

It's just that he never developed the day to day, in between level of parenting and boundary setting and discipline. He's got a temper, and he swings between "it'll be fine, Tim's a smart kid, I trust him" laid back permissiveness, and getting mad and going immediately to the nuclear option: "You are going back to boarding school!" and so on.

He doesn't know how to walk away and calm himself down when he's worked up. He's not particularly good at redirecting his aggression. And he gets easily frustrated, because in his mind everything went smoothly for years...until it was all his responsibility.

And the thing is, there are so many ways Jack could have tried harder to be a good parent, that were available to him. But because of his background and the culture he lived in and the demands of storytelling he never reached out for any of them.

(And Bruce was right there! They knew each other socially! Everyone knew Bruce had worked through having two teenage sons on his own! He could have asked for advice, and he even knew Bruce knew Tim, given Bruce had officially fostered Tim while Jack was in a coma and in hospital. If you were putting together a specific support group you'd kick yourself over how perfect this was)

It's just such a part of the tragedy of Jack Drake.

[sirfrogsworth]

I saw this on Reddit and it reminded me of how hard it is to transport my dad to all his appointments.

I have to push him in a wheelchair for any long distance and because of stuff like this, I have had to figure out how to pop wheelies, back down curbs, and go through doors backwards because the auto-open feature is broken. You would not believe how often the auto-open button is not functioning at doctor's offices, hospitals, and other medical establishments.

This thing.

I don't know why they break so often, but someone needs to do something about it.

One of my biggest pet peeves is people blocking the wheelchair crosswalk in front of my dad's dialysis center.

This drives me nuts.

Especially because a lot of the time it is a family member dropping off someone in a wheelchair for dialysis. You'd think they'd know better.

Because I am able to walk and push my dad I always park in the disabled spot and push him across the crosswalk. People transporting patients or family members with electric wheelchairs or more serious debilitations will choose to park directly in front of the building so they don't have to transport them as far. I park in the parking lot so I don't take up space in front of the building for these more serious patients. I'm trying to do my part to make this process easier for everyone.

Unfortunately these folks will often block the crosswalk. All they have to do is pull a bit in front of the crosswalk and they can still transport the wheelchair with ease. Usually medical transport services will do this correctly, but most family members don't give a shit. They just want to get grandma out of the car as fast as possible.

But the worst offenders are customers and delivery drivers going to the Chinese place directly next to the dialysis center. These are all able-bodied people. Customers can't be bothered to park in a parking space 50 feet away so they park in front of the crosswalk and leave their car while they order food.

And then there are the motherhecking delivery drivers.

Are you seeing this shit?

He angled the truck so his ramp would reach the sidewalk. Absolutely no space to fit a wheelchair.

AHHHHHHHHRRRRRRRGGGG. Are you kidding meeee?

I had to back my dad down a curb and wheel him around the front of the truck and then wheelie him over another curb to get to the parking area.

This dude was blocking the way for at least 30 minutes. My dad wasn't finished when I got there so I had to wait for him. Almost every patient at the dialysis center is in a wheelchair. He saw me pushing my dad all around the parking lot and just kept making his deliveries.

I nearly confronted the delivery driver, but my dad was feeling really weak from dialysis and he desperately needed to get home so he could lie down. But if I see this again, I am definitely going to say something. Anxiety be damned. I was so mad.

I guess I just want people to know stuff like this happens constantly. We need to spread the word that inconsiderate stuff like this is unacceptable.

And sometimes the worst culprits can be the family members of the disabled people. We are in this together and we need to support each other.

[ipso-faculty]

Is saying "intersex and/or mesosex" the same way of saying "trans and/or nonbinary"? Sorry I'm trying to (un)learn, I don't want to be seen as insensitive

No, mesosex should be thought of as a subset of intersex. I'd just say intersex. 👍️

I'm gonna give you a wall of text of context so upfront a TLDR: 😅

TLDR: positioning mesosex as in between perisex and intersex is like positioning bisexual as in between queer and not-queer. Intersex people are organizing for inclusive views of intersex and trying to create a middle ground between intersex & perisex plays into conservative efforts to divide and conquer us. 🧑‍🏫

So a big difference between being intersex and being trans/nonbinary comes from the role of medicine being far, far more powerful in its control and oppression of intersex people. In a lot of ways intersex is more like disability than like other queer identities. So much of intersex identity is gatekept by doctors. Intersex people are often told they're intersex by a doctor in a context of telling them they are disordered and broken. Fostering community amongst intersex people is hard because so many of us have been conditioned by doctors to think of themselves as rare freaks.

Right now we in the intersex community are fighting a kind of desperate battle for people to understand that it is intersex people who decide who is and isn't intersex, as opposed to it being up to doctors. And the intersex community consistently says that people with PCOS, Poland Syndrome, or even no diagnosis, who feel that their experiences line up with being intersex are intersex.

Meanwhile TERFs and other conservatives are pushing real hard to keep the definition of intersex as narrow as possible. They don't want intersex people to be common or for us to find community. They're invested in a narrative that intersex people are rare, and are disorderd men/women.

Right now, the track record of treating mesosex as not intersex has unfortunately been that it reinforces those conservative narratives. It's gotten used to imply that people with PCOS aren't really intersex, that they are mesosex instead. Same for undiagnosed intersex people. 😭

Even though this is not what I intended for the term, seeing what's happened with it in the wild it's been honestly scary and upsetting seeing this term get weaponized against an inclusive view of what intersex means. (And more experienced intersex folks raised concern about this well in advance 😨.)

Intersex being an umbrella category I think there is value in having microlabels within the umbrella category, which is why I updated my definition of mesosex rather than abandon the term altogether.

But yeah I would definitely steer far away from treating mesosex as though it's in between intersex and perisex - it's really not at all analogous to being nonbinary. I'd say a better analogy is that treating mesosex as if it is between intersex and perisex is like treating bisexual as being in between queer and non-queer.

The stakes are political inclusion and organizing - politically speaking, any effort to create a group between queer and non-queer generally serves to weaken the collective organizing of queer people. Same deal with intersex. Hope that clarifies things. 💜

[hareofhrair]

While I'm yelling about House MD--

I see in the notes of my House posts sometimes people being like "ooh, maybe I should watch that" and I always kind of wince and want to grab them like, yeah, please do, but also watch out. There's a reason we call it hate crimes md, and it's not just because of the queerbaiting.

So the thing about House is... It began airing in 2004. The 2000's were, for those of you who missed them, an... interesting time for what was then still called "political correctness." And these times were heralded by a certain Type of Guy, with a certain type of Edgy Humor. In pushing back against the admittedly very white liberal language policing of the PC movement, his goal was to be as offensive as possible, to every demographic possible. For those that had thought it through enough to justify this behavior, the claim was an intent to shake things up and force people to confront their unspoken biases and have hard conversations. The catch phrase was "I'm not racist, I hate everybody equally." These were your Jeff Dunhams, your Dane Cooks...

(For my part, I think it was, at it's heart, white guys attempting to parrot the marginalized groups demanding radical acceptance? A gay person saying "yeah I'm a faggot, what's it to you?" A disabled person saying "yeah I'm crippled, fight me about it. Call me a person with special needs again and I'll break your kneecaps with my cane." They picked up on the "we'd rather be called a slur than this avoidant, self righteous, language policing bullshit" and came away with "so I should call everyone slurs, got it.")

Enter House MD.

The tagline of the show is "Everybody Lies," and it's a very consistent theme throughout. The thesis of the show is that our society, with its shame and repression and bias, is incapable of real honesty. And approaching problems with soft, non confrontational language that talks around the issue instead of dealing with it only makes this worse.

So naturally, House is one of Those Guys.

I doubt there is a single episode in which he does not at some point, say a slur. When Foreman (the only black character and, until Kutner and Park, the only non white major character) is in the same scene with House, you can be absolutely certain he is going to say something racist, while staring at Foreman with a shit eating grin, daring him to make a fuss about it so he can monologue about how Affirmative Action is actually condescending to black people.

It would be one thing if this were strictly a character choice, something that was specifically wrong with House the person. Unfortunately, even when House is not involved the show itself is still, just, blindingly racist, all the time. Any time the patient isn't white, it's a horror show. Racist caricatures as far as the eye can see. It's also intermittently sexist, intersexist, nauseatingly fatphobic, and while it generally does better with disability than most any other show of the time, it is still shockingly ableist at times given the main character is, himself, physically disabled, and implied to be autistic as well.

What makes it worse is that they set House up as someone who wants to deflate people's egos and make them confront their biases ect, and then almost never puts him in a position where he's punching up. There's even a specific episode where he's treating a conservative campaign manager who released an insanely racist anti-migrant political ad, and his racism just doesn't get brought up. The ugly truth about himself he's forced to confront is that he's gay, and the man he's in love with and the people he surrounds himself with are, well. Conservatives.

All of this is not to say you shouldn't watch House or that House is a bad show. It's just very much a show from a very specific and unfortunate moment in the recent history of the ongoing battle for equality. The worst part is, its heart is in the right place, it is just doing a real bad job. It wants to be progressive. It just thinks being polite and respectful is weak and lame.

On that note! The show also features a canonically bisexual woman who actually says the word bisexual-- fucking wild for the time, where the best you generally got was vague allusions to "swinging both ways."-- And it shows her in relationships with both women and men. Including, very notably, Foreman. And if I need to tell you how revolutionary it was for them to show a romantic relationship between a black man and a white woman in the 2010's, take a minute and think about how many relationships like that you've seen in TV or movies since then. Or ever.

It centers on a nuanced and compassionate portrayal of an addict, and tackles the realities of that in an incredibly honest way I don't think I've seen anywhere else. Just the simple, consistent reminders that both House and the other addicts featured on the show are using for a reason, and it's often because they have medical needs that have been neglected by bigoted doctors. There's a whole arc where they try to restrict House's use of painkillers by reducing his prescribed dose to basically a handful of ibuprofen, claiming he only thinks he needs such a high dose because he's addicted and he'll "adjust" to a lower dose in time-- IE, get used to just living with the extreme pain. Unsurprisingly, the increased pain makes him awful to be around, worse at his job, and eventually drives him further into addiction. The way the show deals with this is honestly fantastic, especially given, again, this was the 2000's and 2010's. For a somewhat contemporary comparison, take a look at how addicts are portrayed in Breaking Bad, which came out four years after House in 2008. The general attitude towards addicts was not great.

This show has a lot going for it. The relationships and the stories it tells are honestly incredible. But it is also very flawed, and people should be aware of that going in.

If you want to start watching House, awesome! But maybe look up trigger warnings first.

(Also, completely aside from All That^ there's also the genre typical medical gore and body horror, so, you know, also be prepared for that!)

[ominous-feychild]

CHARACTER INTRO:

RISING FROM THE ASHES

CARMIN LÉVÊQUE

(smugly) “Didn't you know? That's what I'm best at. Fucking up everyone else's plans.” - Carmin Lévêque

Daughter of Kestrel Lévêque, squire of Kieran Caron, and descendant of a dark god, Carmin Lévêque's name holds a lot of weight—very little of which she's earned.

But she hasn't let it get to her head—far from that, Carmin avoids mentioning it and tries her best to keep people from finding out.

The only problem?

Her reputation precedes her.

Or... not her reputation.

But the Lévêques'.

All of Kihroin are familiar with the name and its meaning—the god they supposedly serve—and, while they pay them their due respects, the citizens of Kihroin give the Lévêques a wide berth when and wherever possible.

Including Carmin.

Although... there are whispers on the streets.

Whispers behind closed doors.

Despite her reputation, despite her aura, and despite her name... Carmin looks very little like her brother or father. Carmin didn't engage with political matters like them. And Carmin didn't have the Lévêque magic like her brother, father, or his father before him.

And that was all of them—all of the Lévêques of time.

And yet Carmin alone, with so few similarities to the rest of her family, didn't have that magic?

It's just a silly little conspiracy theory, of course.

But why else would Kestrel—her lone parent after her mother's death years ago—keep her isolated from family events? Like he was ashamed of her? Like he hated her?

Who can say?

But everybody knows misfortune befalls those who whisper just a bit too loudly.

I mean, what else would you expect of a family who practices—no, specializes in—abstract, dark magic?

No.

Best to leave that be.

Besides, her brother—Roman—loved getting personally involved with those who gave problems to his sister.

There was no good getting involved with that cursed family.

The Woman Herself

That was a lot about her family's reputation, right? What about her?

What about Carmin Lévêque?

Great question. The answer?

People don't really care.

Within Lotus, Carmin is—quite simply—considered to be a bitch.

She's cold, she's curt, she ignores and pushes everyone else away, she doesn't fake niceties, and she refuses to engage with any political elbow-rubbing.

During missions, she's detached and doesn't socialize with her teammates. During classes, she has the audacity to coldly offer her own advice to other students while the professor is busy—and, worst of all, it's always right!

And, if you just happen to come across her when she's not in classes or working? “Leave her the fuck alone.”

Magic & Combat

Carmin has the ability to manipulate the gravity on objects, which she uses in a myriad of ways.

Most frequently, Carmin uses her magic to lessen the weight of her armor and weapons, allowing her greater dexterity and speed in combat. Similarly, she can and will drag down her opponents or their weapons, making them struggle to move or fight.

Carmin can also use her magic to forcibly levitate people and objects, removing them from the field (both offensively and defensively) and possibly disabling them.

... or levitating many objects, which she can then use to barrage her opponents with.

In conjunction with her levitation, Carmin most often uses throwing knives—which she can throw faster through the removal of gravity—or a bow.

Additionally, Carmin has barrier magic she's able to use to defend herself and others... as well as near-invisible stepping stones and walls to push opponents.

Appearance

Carmin is a Kihroihian (Fantasy!Mixed Country), 5'2 (157cm) woman of eighteen years.

She has tanned skin; straight, shoulder-length bobbed hair that's dyed black; a long face with soft features; and the signature Lévêque royal blue eyes... although it's speculated they were magically altered to be so or that she's wearing colored contacts.

Carmin has a wiry frame, a lot of muscle due to keeping in shape for her work as a squire, bags under her eyes from a frequent lack of sleep, and a resting bitch face. She most often has an empty or angry expression and holds herself in a way that implies arrogance or that she considers others beneath her.

Very shortly after the beginning of RFtA, thanks to being caught in the fires of Vemor, Carmin gains burn scars that warp the right side of her face, her right ear, and much of her right side—shoulder, arm, and bits of her leg, chest, and back—entirely.

Much of the right side of her hair was likewise burned off, but it's slowly growing back in its natural ginger color.

Personality & Motives

Carmin Lévêque is an angry, bitter woman who does little but work, train, and push other people away. She has little connection with her family—although Roman's protectiveness over her suggests a positive relationship between them... or him looking out for their family name—and spends a vast majority of her time focusing on her studies to become a knight.

Before first joining the academy, Carmin was a hermit who spent most of her time in the Lévêques' estate. Her existence was only known of thanks to her supposed identity as a Lévêque, and she only finally emerged (at age eleven) to join the academy alongside Roman.

Although she seems cold and uncaring on the surface, Carmin has a strong sense of justice and wants to make the world a better place. She claims her mother's death—which she witnessed to a burglar when she was five—is her motivation to stamp out evil, cruelty, selfishness, and corruption in the world. Despite her position, Carmin also attributes social issues and wealth disparities to the world's strife.

Carmin is extremely motivated, doing little but constantly building on her training to become a knight. She doesn't make friends, she doesn't party, and she doesn't network with others at the academy.

Except... she doesn't have a family she's sworn to outside her own. Roman is the knight to the crown prince, Elazi Adlani, and her father is the knight to the king, Riaan. Neither of them need knights, and none of them want Carmin engaged to Elazi or the second-born prince, Zain.

So what is she working towards?

What is she planning?

And where will she go after she graduates?

She has less than two years to figure it out.

Rising From The Ashes Taglist:

@honeybewrites @the-golden-comet @illarian-rambling @ashirisu @urnumber1star

@the-letterbox-archives @48lexr @aalinaaaaaa @thecomfywriter @an-indecisive-nerd

@leahnardo-da-veggie @world-of-iridensia

Introductory Taglist:

@paeliae-occasionally @pluppsauthor @thelovelymachinery

(request to be added to the permanent taglist if you'd like to be! You will be dropped after a few introductory posts!)

Dividers made by @saradika!

[callimara]

The Characters

Main Cast

▶ Height Chart

Kirana Putri Anggraini

A full-time registered nurse and the holder of the Snake Aegis. She is 25 years old and has lived in Bougainville for the past 5 years to work at Bougainville General. Kirana is of Indonesian (half-Javanese, half-Balinese) descent: born and raised in Jogjakarta before undertaking her bachelor's degree in Paris. She has since gained permanent residence in France. Kirana is a sweet, kind, and motherly individual. She is empathetic and cares deeply for others: she will always extend a helping hand to those in need. Her family means more to her than anything in the world and she does her best to do right by them; even if it means pushing herself far too much. Though it can be challenging to live and work in a town where everyone perceives you as... Different, she tries her best to not let it affect her. Even when it does, deep down... She is very humble, though whether it's genuine humility or a genuine fear of standing out remains to be seen. But one thing everyone knows about her is her large appetite and love of food! She perceives food as an important part of culture and forming connections (which is a very fortunate common thread to have). So if she invites you for a coffee or lunch, be sure to say yes!

Learn more about Ulara!

Clara De Vries

A struggling artist who performs at cafes and bars - and occasionally sidewalks – all over town. She is the holder of the Songbird Aegis; 24 years old and a new face in town. Originally from Amsterdam, she arrived in Bougainville with nothing but the clothes on her back (quite literally). She is desperate to put her past behind her and move on to greener pastures. Clara wears her heart on her sleeve and is quick to give it away (which is often the cause of her troubles.) She craves affection and connection; but past experiences have given her a more pessimistic view on her chances of finding it. Yet still, she readily accepts it from anyone who offers: desperately. She is deeply troubled; though what it is that troubles her or why, she will never say. Perhaps it is her money trouble, or trouble finding a safe place to sleep, or any combination of the two: she is often lost in her own thoughts; slightly scatterbrained and distracted. But she truly comes to life when she is singing and playing music. Recently she learned of a full-ride music scholarship from Bougainvillea University. Perhaps it will finally help her turn her life around...

Learn more about Nightingale!

Natasha "Amber" Vasilieva

A park ranger and holder of the Tiger Aegis. She is 28 years old and is a military veteran of the Russian armed forces. She was discharged after being diagnosed with PTSD and Broca's Aphasia from a traumatic head injury while on active duty. To aid in her recovery, she had moved to the quiet, peaceful town of Bougainville for a job at the Emilie Francoise Nature Reserve: away from large crowds and loud noises. It has been several years since then. She was not as angry as she used to be; but living with her new disabilities still vexes her from to time to time. Amber is determined to get through her recovery as fast as she possibly can, but her progress is slow; a part of her fears that... She might never be the same person she was before. Despite this, she remains stoic and unshaken on the outside. Amber is severe and intimidating, even when she doesn't mean to be. If she can just learn to talk again... Maybe she wouldn't be stuck twiddling her thumbs in the middle of nowhere.

Learn more about Amura!

Colette Le Gautier

A student at Bougainvillea University? Who knows. Colette is very evasive about what she does. 26 years old and the holder of the Cat Aegis, she has an eclectic set of skills in her resume; one of which being a top gymnast for the Bougainvillea University's gymnastics team. Clever, quick-witted, and calculating; Colette uses her words carefully and purposefully. A social butterfly that fits into any social circle, but a recluse when it comes to her personal life. No one never really knows Colette. There is something unnerving about her: a certain pressure that could put anyone on edge. Is it her striking beauty? Her demand for perfection? Her uncanny ability to make someone want to please her regardless? Or something else? But one thing is certain: she looks out for no one but herself. So what is it does she hope to find in a small, quaint town like Bougainville?

Learn more about Felle Noire!

Supporting Cast

Carter Bishop

Carter is one of the library assistants at the Bougainville University Library, and has quickly become a popular fixture there; despite having only started in the last couple of months. He appears to be in his late twenties, and speaks with an extremely upper class British accent. He speaks fluent French with little difficulty, and is diligent and dedicated in his work. He tends to keep to himself most of the time, but he is pleasant to interact with: personable and friendly, albeit with a typical British dry wit. He is quick to help anybody who needs it, and his aid has already saved more than a few last-minute studiers with their coursework!

Elias Wright

Elias is the foul-tempered, acerbic chef in the local bistro, having already made a name for himself thanks to his explosive temper and overwhelming presence. The only thing that exceeds his apparently endless reserves of rage is his skill for cooking; the food in the bistro has taken a notable turn for the better, though whether that's from his skill, his leadership or simply the fact that the other cooks are terrified of angering him with sub-par products remains to be seen. He appears to be of American descent, and speaks with a difficult to place southern-states accent, but does not seem keen on sharing details. In dealings with people out and about town, he is prickly, standoffish and suspicious, preferring his own company to that of others. If he isn't shouting, then he's at least wearing a heavy scowl most of the time.

Markus Reiland

Markus is the suave, charming, popular bartender at the Bougainville watering hole, and is known probably intimately by most women - and half of the men - in town. His easygoing, charming demeanour, easy smile and dulcet tones have charmed more than their fair share of customers in any number of ways, and it seems like he always has his finger on the pulse of recent happenings in town. To be expected from the bartender who can wink and smile a secret out of anybody! He is eminently flirtatious and effortlessly charming, always ready with a wink, a smile and a flirtatious joke to anybody who crosses his path. He's a skilled cocktail mixer, and his party trick is making a custom cocktail for his customer based solely on his impressions of them as a person; he rarely misses, which just goes to show how easily he can read people. Unusually for rural France, he speaks with a thick hybrid accent, using many Louisianan cadences mixed with what appears to be an Iberian Spanish accent.

Casey Price

Casey is the bubbly and friendly waiter at the local vegan cafe, almost always being found on the morning and lunch shift. He's a friendly and talkative fellow who often chatters his customer's ear off with an earnest and sincere personability that makes it difficult to resist the urge to fall into conversation with him. He's a passionate animal-lover, extolling the virtues of vegetarianism to anybody who asks, but he is not one to judge or evangelise if the subject has not come up naturally. His accent seems to be from the American continent, though whether north-States or southern-Canadian is a little hard to tell at times. He's a little dorky, often tripping over his words in his excitement to say them, and often talks about his dreams of one day becoming a vet, or working in conservation...if he can find the time and money to go to school for the qualifications, that is!

▶ Wildward Master Post

[redhoodinternaldialectical]

Yet again I am away from my computer and nonetheless compelled to write jaytim as though my life depended upon it

This is a snippet that will... probably(?) go in Chained at some point so spoiler warning for below the cut, but it should be funny enough on its own for folks who aren't interested in that to enjoy it too 👍

Dick carefully punches in the codes to disable Tim's second story window alarms and comes in out of the late December chill. He's not being particularly stealthy, since all he's here to do is drop off a small present before Christmas - but then he hears Tim and someone who sounds suspiciously like exiled-from-Gotham-and-totally-disappeared-off-face-of-Earth Jason, and decides to switch to maximum stealth instead.

They're standing around in Tim's kitchen (which actually looks well used for once) sharing coffee. Jason's striped down to nothing but boxers and Tim is draped in an oversized shirt that leaves it a mystery as to weather or not he's got anything covering his ass. Something about the way Tim is looking at Jason's chest makes him uncomfortable.

He's expecting Jason to be uncomfortable with it too and snap at him for staring at his scars - instead when Jason notices Tim's gaze, he smiles smugly and makes his pecs bounce.

Dick silently recoils in shock, while Tim blushes a bright red and thwaps Jason with a hand towel.

"You're supposed to say 'my eyes are up here'!"

"Hey, normally I would, but we both know that these..." He gestures lasciviously to his chest. "Are the only things keeping your eyes from wandering down here." He gestures the same way down to his boxers which are actually tented when he holds them at this angle and- holy fucking shit why is he wearing a strap-on?!?

That- that is way too fucking big and hard to be a packer why is he... With Tim... Both half naked... Flirting over coffee... Strapped...

Dick rapidly begins spiraling towards something like a mental breakdown, because not only is his little brother who's freshly murdered someone (AGAIN!!) being harbored by his other little brother who he loves to absolute death and he's going to have to fight both of them over this, potentially on Christmas - not only is the world possibly ending in like four months - not only that but they're apparently fucking each other too!

Which... Kinda isn't the most surprising thing ever? It breaks his heart in two to think it, but honestly how could Jason not assume that he's been utterly disowned at this point? Is Dick even right to still think of him as family? Maybe this was a long time coming...

Tim blushes an even deeper red and rolls his eyes. "Well, gee, thanks for helping to keep your little brother's thoughts chaste."

The words 'little brother' hit him like a psychic mac truck to the forehead.

It's supposed to be sarcasm, but his tone is far too fond and too flirtatious, and his eyes are still far too low, and 'little brother' wasn't said like the punchline it was said like it was true, and they're smiling at each other as they each sip their coffee and-

That's when he spots it.

Bright red and perfectly centered between them. One large container of coffee. Folgers. Coffee.

Dick officially snaps.

The x-files theme plays over clips of that goddawful commercial and the image before him of his own two siblings reenacting that same energy right before his eyes.

Dick stealthily goes back down the hall and right out the window and up to Tim's front door and rings the doorbell repeatedy until Tim opens the door, looking flustered and just a touch guilty.

"Uh, hi? Wha- are you good?"

Dick pushes passed him and marches right up to the kitchen. "Got a case, sorry about this, but there's no time to explain."

"Should I be getting my suit on??"

"Nope! No, no, no, you just stay here. Just don't touch anyone for the next like twenty four hours and you'll be fiiiine!"

Jason has predictably vanished by the time he gets there, but Tim's coffee is still hot and on the counter.

He swipes both the cup and the container of grounds right off the counter and starts marching back towards the door to leave, to go down into the batcave and test this shit for psychoactive chemicals!

"My coffee? Seriously?? Dick what the fuck?!"

"Crane and or Ivy, don't ask, no time, just don't touch anyone!"

Tim looks at him like he's a lunatic as he runs back out the door, but he's earned that lunatic status so they can both be excused.

---

Jason eyes his coffee, takes another sip. It doesn't taste poisoned. He shrugs and drinks the rest.

---

(Dick is ultimately glad that the lab tests come back clear. Whatever is happening between them it's better that it's not... chemically induced.

He's still gonna have to have a whole internal crisis about it though.)

[sundrop-writes]

Sundrop's Stranger Things Masterlist

Please note - I am just posting this masterlist to get it out of my drafts - I worked on it when I was working on the fic listed below, and then I completely randomly lost interest in it, and this has been sitting in my drafts for months ever since. And I love the formatting and style of this masterlist and I don't want to accidentally lose it by accidentally deleting the draft - and I am gonna need this masterlist at some point. So I'm posting it.

Coming "Soon":

Nasty - Sub!Eddie Munson x Dom!Fem!Reader. Established Relationship. Smut. You hesitate to tell Eddie your true sexual desires, fearing that he'll be turned off. But when he finds out - he is more turned on than ever. (3,000 words.)

Note: The rest of these link off to AO3 (which is the bulk of them unfortunately) - but at some point, I hope to have them edited and posted to Tumblr.

Sugar, We're Goin' Down - Steve Harrington x Fem!Thick!Reader x Eddie Munson. Friends to Lovers. Smut. Eddie hasn't gotten laid in months, so when he walks in on you and Steve (and neither of you seem to notice), he has just enough sexual frustration built up that he can’t bring himself to look away. He discovers quite a few things about Steve, and you. And himself. (12,700 words.)

Eat Me Up Alive - Sub!Eddie Munson x Dom!Fem!Thick!Reader. Friends to Lovers. Smut. Eddie is a very annoying person. And when he goes too far, you push back. Turns out - he likes it. Loves it, actually. (11,200 words.)

I'm Still Standing - Nancy Wheeler x Fem Disabled/Chronically Ill Reader. Friends to Lovers. Angst, Smut, (very slight Fluff). Hurt and Comfort. You start having horrible waking nightmares, but you don't want to worry your best friend Nancy by telling her. She's already occupied trying to chase down a trans-dimensional killer wizard, and you are convinced that the two aren't possibly related. (37,800 words.)

Bless This Mess - ADHD!Eddie Munson x Fem!Thick!Reader. Established Relationship. Smut and Fluff. Eddie accidentally forgets the two of you have a date planned. Rather than getting mad at him, you let him make it up to you. (5,700 words.)

Always Yours - Steve Harrington x Fem!Pregnant!Reader. Exes to Lovers. Fluff and Smut. Steve tells you about his 'six lil nuggets' dream, and you let him know that he's actually a lot closer to it than he thought. (2,500 words.)

Obey Your Master - Eddie Munson x Fem!Autistic!Thick!Reader. Friends to Lovers. Smut (and some Fluff). You are taking care of Eddie while his wounds from the Upside Down are healing. And when you offer to help 'take care' of him in other ways, he's convinced that he survived to live just for this exact moment. (11,200 words.)

Fix You - Eddie Munson x Fem!Mute!Powered!Reader. Friends to Lovers. Fix-It Fic. Hurt and Comfort. Most of your life, all you knew was darkness. Eddie was the one light in all of it. And you refused to lose him. (5,300 words.)

Drowning In You - Billy Hargrove x Fem!Reader. Enemies to Lovers. Smut (slight Emotional Angst). Working with Billy at Hawkins Pool forced you to be around him. But forgetting part of your mandatory uniform at home and being harassed by random men because of it forced you to truly confront your feelings for him. (22,100 words.)

You Shook Me All Night Long - Steve Harrington x Fem!Thick!Reader. Strangers to Lovers. Smut and Fluff. Steve never really saw you. Until one day, when you stood out as the hottest babe he had ever seen. And on that day, he just happened to be wearing the dorkiest outfit ever and stuttering over himself to impress you. Somehow, it worked. (45,000 words.)

Daisy Fields (Companion to You Shook Me All Night Long) - Steve Harrington x Fem!Thick!Reader. Established Relationship, Family Fluff. Some Smut, Fluff. You and Steve happily pursue your life together, more than thankful for the silly little ice cream shop that brought the two of you together. (20,600 words.)

(This last one, I don't really like. I wrote it a long time ago, and it doesn't really go with my current style. But perhaps somebody seeing this masterlist can get some reading enjoyment out of it. It's just very unlikely to be re-posted on Tumblr.)

Monstrous - Steve Harrington x Fem!Powered!Reader. Established Relationship. Angst and Fluff. Steve finds out your big secret, and you are surprised when he doesn't hate you for it. (5,200 words.)

[ughtyrell]

Five and Klaus close as kids AU

AU where Klaus and Five had a close bond as kids all the way up to Five's disappearance. It's just something everyone slowly forgot about until even Klaus silently doubts his memories of it. Especially since everyone remembers Five's close relationship with Vanya. It's a fact that Five's favorite was number seven. So his memories of being with Five all the time must be just wishful thinking his fried brain cooked up.

But it isn't.

When they were small kids, growing up in the horror house that Reginald called The Umbrella Academy, little number Five already realized that Klaus wasn't built to survive in a place like this. He was soft, vulnerable in a way none of the others were. Not weak, none of the kids could be weak in that house. He just wasn't meant to grow up in this environment. Number Four was meant for a place where he wasn't forced to learn how to disable grown men as a child, he was meant to be allowed to be vulnerable and kind, a place he could be soft without it being a striking weakness his own siblings would use against him. This place would ruin him if he wasn't protected. So Five silently took on that role, Five wasn't like Four, he was jaded and ready to fight for himself since he could remember. It wasn't hard to add Four to that. He actually felt quite proud of it and promised himself he'd be there for Four. He'd make sure he survived this house with as many pieces as possible until Five could take him away somewhere Five wouldn't need to fight for him so hard. Somewhere Four could flourish. Not that Five would drop his role even then, but he'd be able to focus on helping Four in more ways than keeping him together.

Four pulled his own weight in their relationship as well. While Five made sure Four wouldn't crumble. Four made sure Five wouldn't get lost in his own head and goals, that he could take breaks, moments where Klaus would mumble and Five would take time to listen. Moments where Klaus asked Five if he would do an activity with him that wasn't complicated math and books. Not that he didn't enjoy just hanging around Five as he was busy with all that, Five would even explain most of what he was doing if Klaus asked. Another way Four got Five to slow down sometimes. Four promised himself that he would help Five not run too far ahead of himself and remind him to slow down. His louder personality started to develop in an attempt to distract and entertain Five into having fun. It worked and Five would act like he hated it but both of them knew he didn't.

This was how it was all the way until Five ran out the door that one day. Klaus failed at stopping him and as Five read Vanya's book, he knew he failed at keeping Klaus from shattering.

This history was lost with the siblings as they grew up and talking about Five became taboo. The louder personality Klaus used to distract Five became a clutch and a coping mechanism in hopes of distracting himself but became annoying to everyone around him. Pushing them away because they hated it. So thinking of Klaus and Five wasn't something they wanted to do, never mind memories of them together. Five was the brother they lost and never got closure on, Klaus was the annoying, junkie who no one wanted to associate with Fives memory.

So what a shock it was when Five suddenly appears and seems to have a bit more tolerance for number Four than any of them ever remember having. Never mind the short tempered, always rational and better than you attitude number Five. The first immediate sign is his compliment on Four's skirt but no one pays attention because they're all still reeling with the fact that Five is back. The next few are unnoticed as well, the simple fact that they stood next to each at Reginald's memorial in the courtyard and glances shared between them. Klaus attempting to block Five when the argument between Luther and Diego started to heat up which Five swiftly stopped and switched places with him, slapping Klaus's arm away but standing in front of him instead. Though when Five says he doesn't have time for this and starts to walk away, the fact that he briefly pauses and calls Klaus's name in a silent offer, or demand?- to come along surprises everyone in the courtyard. Klaus takes it in stride though, only taking a moment to sarcastically, gleefully say "best funeral ever!" as they witness Ben's statue go down before scampering to catch up with Five.

Allison later ends up in the kitchen with them so she's the only witness when Five says he's going to get a decent cup of coffee and right as he blinks out he tells Klaus if he can get to the car within two minutes he can come. She finds it odd but doesn't get a chance to say anything because Klaus is quickly stumbling away. She's puzzled but ignores it.

At griddy's he blinks Klaus to safety right before he deals with the commission goons. Afterwards he decides it's safer if Klaus stays away from him, no time to deal with his regrets and broken promises when he has to make sure the apocalypse doesn't happen so all his siblings can survive, including Klaus. He can think and mend his relationship with Klaus after. Klaus of course ends up back at the mansion and Fives has his failed moment with Vanya in telling her about the apocalypse. Because while his close relationship with her was over exaggerated, he did have a soft spot for her, even if it isn't as much as everyone remembers or close to the protectiveness he feels for Klaus.

So scenes after this are different. More Klaus and Five moments together, like when Vanya seeks out Five, instead of being in the closet. Klaus is lounging on the bed, throwing Vanya off and it ends with Klaus laughing when Vanya tries to offer Five her therapist and making her storm out. Five is annoyed but also amused because Klaus is right that he'd never go. How this affects the apocalypse and Vanya is questionable but I'm just really focused on the idea of all the siblings reacting to Klaus and Fives bond. Putting all these moments together as they talk and piece together all that they witnessed because they're weirded out and a confrontation about it happens because of course it does. They're Hargreeve siblings.

I'd want a scene where everyone is questioning the two and demanding to know when they got so close and why. To which Five thinks and shows he thinks they're dumb for even questioning that because he never hid the fact he took the role as someone to keep Klaus together when they were younger. He took his role serious as number Four's guardian and they spent so much time together so what the hell do they mean when did he and Klaus get so close? They deny because, no, they'd remember that if it were true. And plus, wasn't he the closest to Vanya?

This confused Five more because, yes, out of all his siblings that weren't Klaus, Vanya was the least to annoy him. (And Ben but Ben preferred Klaus as well and that sort of got on Five's nerves growing up.) But he still hung out with Klaus the most growing up. In fact Klaus was usually around when Five spent time with Vanya. Hell it was Klaus's idea to spend time with Vanya a lot of the time. One of Four's requests that took Five away from getting hole'd up obsessing over equations, books and whatnot. He remembers Four asking and pleading to Five that they should go listen to Vanya play, or just join her and Ben in the library at least. A thing he was and is grateful he did because he really enjoyed having those memories with his siblings when he was alone in the apocalypse.

Soon the memories trickle in for them all. Diego makes a comment about how he does remember Five acting like a vicious chihuahua ready to bite their heads off when they made Klaus cry as a kid. Others joining in with moments they remember of the two together. Someone makes a comment about how Klaus really spiralled after Five's disappearance but no one really noticed or cared because they all were hurting during the time but now that they think of it. Klaus's life really started to go down hill after that. He changed for the worst.

And like always, I don't know where this goes. Maybe Vanya has a break down earlier because of this. Or maybe she appreciates the fact Klaus was willing and wanted to hang around her when they were younger. Maybe both of these things happen.

[bonebabbles]

Slash's Famous Scene

Here we are, lads. Everyone's favorite scene in the totally best arc of WC. The one where Slash pins a pregnant woman to the ground and licks her face, while threatening her fetuses and cutting her cheek open so Clear Sky can have more man pain.

So far I've been using "fridging" as synonymous with the brutal killing of a female character to advance a male character's arc; but I do want to remind everyone that the term "fridging" describes disproportionate violence done to women in the service of their husband/brother/father/son's arcs. It doesn't HAVE to be death; it can also be battery, maiming, depowering, or sexual assault.

So far, 8 women have died to serve male arcs, most of them for Clear Sky specifically. Fluttering Bird, Bright Stream, Storm, Misty, Bumble, Turtle Tail, Rainswept Flower, and Petal. Now Star Flower gets sexually harassed and kidnapped, bringing the arc's fridge total to 9.

Anyway content warning, obviously. It's still Warrior Cats and doesn't get too graphic, but this bag contains a dead dove.

First, Clear Sky gets another toesucking from the ghost of his wife who died after leaving his controlling ass. Specifically, after he threw his disabled brother out of his Clan, and after his lust for seeing random people (including his brother) get mauled at the border resulted in the death of Fox.

She tells him that his behavior never drove anyone away, it was all totally not his fault. I'm waiting for a laugh track and it never comes. The apologetics in this arc are unrivaled.

Then, Clear Sky wakes up and his pregnant wife is not next to him. So he goes looking for her and sees her being flanked by Slash and his memorable minions, Grunt 1 and Grunt 2. Star Flower is so possessed by fear that she doesn't move.

They REALLY need to sell that Slash is TRUE evil, PURE evil, because of the wet fart that is Clear Sky's redemption arc. They're saying that Clear Sky ISN'T bad, because he is not this. A dirty, sadistic monster who coos evilly about how he's going to hurt the kittens in his wife's belly and cruelly twitches his whiskers.

(as a petty side detail, please also note that this passage cannot even keep Slash's fur color straight. Behold, a cat so evil that he cannot even remain a brown tabby! He turns gray when he commits nefarious deeds! Ashfurification included!)

Star Flower is the one being pinned to the ground and having her face cut open as Slash screams about how she promised her father she'd be his mate, but this scene is about Clear Sky's distress. Star Flower is an object to this narrative, which these two men are in conflict over.

The pinning, the violence, the sexual implications, are being done to make Slash as monstrous as possible to contrast to Clear Sky. Slash doesn't kill anyone, so the narrative needs to make you SO UPSET your emotions are thrown into overdrive, so you'll accept how truly terrible he is.

The simple truth that this rancid book is trying to make you ignore, is that Clear Sky is exponentially more deadly. He has caused harm so unspeakable that they have to describe his bloody murders in passive voice. They "died" now, instead of "were killed," and the violent system he created is presented as "making up" for the trauma he's caused to the survivors.

"Pushing his muzzle close to her injured cheek, he licked the blood from her fur with a long, lingering lap."

Think critically about the characters they are presenting and the actions they make them do. None of these are real people. They are writing choices. They have portrayed Slash as a perverted, domineering, child-abusing savage, so Clear Sky the Settler can look good in comparison.

then Star Flower gets dragged off, kicking and struggling, feeble and completely unable to defend herself as clear sky thinks about how she might die along with his fetuses.

Obviously Clear Sky is so very stressed out by all this and needs to blow off some steam, so he smacks the nearest woman and starts screeching about how Star Flower is more loyal than the son he abuses

The first thing he does after the Slash event was physically assault the nearest woman. I can't... I don't have the words. Are you seeing this. Do you see what I am fucking dealing with. literally the first woman he sees.

"DOES THAT FEEL LIKE AN ACT??" He bellowed like a fucking wifebeater at the girl whose face is bleeding because he cut her in a fit of rage. That's fine as long as you don't lustfully lick it afterwards I guess!!!

[anexperimentallife]

A few things you should know about shitty US electoral politics (long post)

Neither party gives a fuck about you, and the leadership of BOTH parties support the genocide in Gaza, but you already knew that.

HOWEVER, various prominent GOP figures ALSO supported a right-wing domestic coup attempt, want to ban abortion nationwide (overturning Roe v Wade was a step along the way to that), want draconian restrictions on birth control, to ban same-sex marriage, ban sex education, ban any and all queer-positive literature, want to "phase out" social security and medicare, to completely rewrite US history textbooks nationwide with a nationalist agenda that erases US crimes against non-white peoples (already done in some states), allow US law enforcement to stop anyone darker than mayonnaise and demand to see their papers, start a nuclear war, abolish the minimum wage, outlaw their political rivals, weaponize the justice department, FBI, and other federal agencies against their political rivals, outlaw dissent of any kind, and remove restrictions against using US troops against US citizens (see Tuberville's blocking of top military appointees so that a future GOP president can appoint GOP/Trump loyalists to those positions, the way they blocked judicial/SCOTUS nominees in order to get Roe v Wade overturned).

The GOP openly states that they know the only way they win elections is by keeping non-right-wing voters away from the polls, and they invest heavily in, among other things, online psyops to convince people not to vote. And it works, because right wing voters ALWAYS show up to the polls.

Every time a right wing candidate wins, Dem leadership goes, "Huh, I guess we need to field more conservative candidates if we want to win elections." The idea being that if they can somehow "meet in the middle," they'll get the conservative vote. (Hint: They won't.)

So what convinces the Dems to run more progressive candidates? Overwhelming support at the ballot box for leftist candidates on the local and primary levels--school board elections, senators and representatives at the state and federal level, sheriffs, judges, mayoral and city council races, and various other local and regional elected positions. That's it. The only two things they understand are money and winning.

Whomever wins the presidency and gets enough congressional support gets to appoint federal and supreme court judges, top military officials, and various other decision-makers. THIS IS HOW THE GOP WAS ABLE TO OVERTURN ROE V WADE.

The US can't be fixed in a single election cycle. Every cycle in which the GOP wins, however, pushes the Dems further to the right AND allows the GOP more power to enact their vision.

Yes, we need viable third parties. Unfortunately, barring a miracle, third parties and independents are right now viable only in some local, and possibly a few congressional races.

In order for third parties to be viable for things like presidential elections, we're most likely going to need ranked choice voting--which, again, we may eventually get by pushing progressive candidates at the state and local level--publicly-funded elections, the abolition of the electoral college (both Bush and Trump lost the popular vote, and were only awarded victory because of the electoral college), and the repeal of Citizens United (which essentially legalized large-scale corporate bribery of candidates).

Look, we all hate Biden, and refusing to vote for him (or whatever other shitbag candidate the Dems run) might feel good, but it is also likely to result in a GOP win--which means MORE support for genocide the world over, and the GOP gaining more power to enact their wish list, which I partially enumerated above.

How many people do you think will die under a nationwide abortion ban? How do you think it's going to work out if a far-right president has the authority to unleash US troops on protesters? How many seniors and disabled folks do you think will suffer and die if Social Security and Medicare are abolished? How many will suffer and die if Trump gets his wet dream of a nuclear war?

I mean, the US has already bombed its own people for not toeing the capitalist/white supremacist line, sponsored coups against foreign leaders and replaced them with dictators, and invaded or threatened to invade foreign countries for not bowing to US corporate interests (look up the origins of the term "banana republic," "overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom," and "1953 Iran coup," for just a few examples), experimented on US citizens without their knowledge (look up "tuskegee syphilus study," among many other things) and so on, and so on.

And if the GOP gains control of all three branches of government, it's going to get even worse.

Today's GOP is more rabidly extremist than at any other time in my life. And as I said, I'm OLD, dude. I was born the year Kennedy was assassinated. Among my early memories are watching the first lunar landing, watching Nixon's "I am not a crook" speech, and seeing news footage of the US withdrawal from Vietnam. And I'm telling you, today's GOP makes the GOP of my youth look practically benign in comparison.

I used to roll my eyes at the refrain of, "this is the most important election of your life," and the "blue no matter who" folks, but man... The 2016 election really WAS the most important, but only SO FAR.

Because the GOP--due to the facts that GOP/Trump supporters voted, and many others didn't--will most likely control the Supreme Court for DECADES to come, and currently control the Senate. If they gain the presidency, retain control of the Senate, and take control of the House, all may be lost.

Again, the far right openly states that keeping non-conservatives from voting is how they win, and they invest a lot in gerrymandering, voter roll purges, and online psyops to make that happen. Doing exactly what the fash want "but for leftist/progressive reasons" isn't the own you think it is. Funny--I hear the same folks who mock far right voters for voting against their own best interests say they're "protesting" by refusing to vote--when that's exactly how the far right wins.

Look, I'm old. I was planning to live my final years outside the US, eventually immigrating to the Republic of Ireland or Uruguay or somewhere like that, but now that I have a child, I'm being forced to return to the US for at least a few years so I can use my medical benefits to live long enough to see her grow up. If she ever needs an abortion, or birth control, or to fight a discrimination or sexual harassment case, or simply to speak her mind without fear of being arrested or killed for it, or needs social security or Medicare because of a disability, I want her to have those things.

Another argument I've heard is that, "Voting doesn't change anything." Well, when I was a kid, mixed-race marriages were FINALLY legalized across the US, and schools became multiracial. More recently, same-sex marriage was made the law of the land. Conservatives fought all of those things, but voting made them happen.

On the flip side, thanks to the far right takeover of SCOTUS, Roe v Wade was overturned as an end result of the far right winning elections. (And again, this is just part one of their plan for a nationwide abortion ban.)

So don't look at it as voting FOR whatever shitbag the Dems run; look at it as voting AGAINST a full-on right-wing takeover of the US and buying time to make some fundamental changes. Voting doesn't mean you can't ALSO march, etc.

Or I mean, if you want a nationwide abortion ban, a nuclear war, MORE genocide, and all the other stuff of right-wing wet dreams, and want a far right takeover of the US while you tell yourself, "Yeah, but I maintained my moral purity," then by all means withhold your vote. Just don't delude yourself about the outcome.

[yugotrash]

i don't think homosexuality is a disability in the way we traditionally think about it, but it is an immutable and innate trait that results in a kind of social disability, in that there is no society in which it doesn't result in some kind of social exclusion, discrimination or punishment. it's not an illness in that it doesn't really impact functioning on the physiological or psychological level on its own, but the what does make life harder is the experience of said social disapproval. and declaring it a choice renders all these problems the fault of the homosexuals themselves, because they could have just made a different choice - and society would be right to condemn them for it.

what could possibly motivate such a choice that, if it doesn't come with so much disapproval that it's outright punished, then certainly forces someone into a very strictly defined social niche (all the "third genders" of the cultural relativist camp)?

you cannot answer this question without either implying that homosexuals are deliberately making their own lives harder/limited for a fetish or passing fancy, so they're either stupid or irrational, or perhaps that homosexuality itself is a deliberate, politically informed decision to challenge social norms. In both cases the prejudices of the traditionalists are confirmed - the homosexuals really are "a phase", intentional degenerates or a political movement that may recruit from any demographic and that aims to radically transform society while ostensibly claiming "minority" status. except then all of this is given a positive spin in the queer narrative: it's good that these people have opted to be degenerates, because degeneracy is good, either because any marginal position is always good, or because all moral norms as such are bad and need to be done away with.

Now, this is obviously not something that you will ever get the majority of any population to agree with, but the fact that probably 90-95% of the general population is heterosexual, much like the fact that homosexuality is innate and immutable, isn't something these people are really worried about. The fact that they know these opinions are condemned to be marginal is what's so appealing about them. They wanna see how far this can be pushed, and feel righteous indignation when someone pushes back. They want to publicly bemoan oppression and revel in it. And they're counting on the fact that what few homosexuals can openly declare themselves as such can either be recruited for their agenda or effectively silenced either through apathy or by force of legal/cultural institutions whose favour the kweers enjoy or control.

[ijichi-nijika]

Warm - by Butterfly-Latte/Krispy Cat.

So this might be a bit strange, seeing a random game review from random tumblr user ijichi-nijika. I have wanted to have a list of games I play in general and to write down my thoughts, immediately upon finishing them. I apologize if this is strange, but I will put my thoughts below a drop down so you can simply skip past these if this isn't anything you wish to read.

However I will link to the game above my review with my own score, so people can read it for themselves proper without any spoilers, and an except from my review so you can get a general feel.

"As a person who has felt numb for a large portion of her life, I really connected to Warm. I really think its worth a read. Short and sweet, with tense moments. I really loved the characterization of Megumi a lot."

Score: 9/10.

When I randomly went through my downloads folder tonight looking for a few files before I went to bed, I didn't expect to stay up to read a visual novel. Let alone one that I think is genuinely good. I had gotten Warm from a bundle years ago, but never touched it since I had no idea what to play from said bundle at all. So, flash forward 4 years and now I have.

To describe Warm in one word, it would be - Healing. Warm takes place in a small town in what I assume is Japan, from context clues alone, and is centered around a 11 year old girl named Megumi. Megumi has gone through most of her life so far feeling, what I can only describe as numb. Unfeeling, lonely, depressed. This continues, until one day a transfer student named Hinata, moves in only a few blocks away from her. They, with some predictability, become friends, much to Megumi's confusion. And she outwardly expresses said confusion, on why anyone would even want to be around her. To which Hinata simply says "Because you're nice."

I won't go to further into too much detail, but the slow friendship that the two grow into warmed my heart a lot. Megumi, not easily understanding social cues, to Hinata's simple and quick solutions such as when she starts doing a hand gesture to show that she is joking. And the feelings beginning to grow into liking one another on both sides, made my heart feel extremely full. While the plot gets a tiny bit predictable, I do think for such a short visual novel, the detail and events that take place are still extremely well written, and felt real for the most part. Even the final act of the VN, while I could tell it was coming from a mile away, still felt impactful, at least to me. As a person who has been hurt before by people who simply were not in control of their emotions, I felt for what happens to Hinata in the final hour of the game.

The way that the game treats another character, Inoue, on the other hand, I don't like as much. In the first few acts I felt for the character. There was simple characterization to imply that she had some sort of social or learning disability. The game, doesn't make fun of this, and attempts to sympathize with her at least, a tiny bit. But I don't personally agree with her being the crux of why the final act happens as it does. Conflict is fine, I am all for it to make a better story, and mistakes also happen. But it didn't feel very good to hear that this character, after severely burning another character, is simply expelled from school and we never hear from her again. In fact, any plot point after the final argument of the game that involves discussing Inoue, just didn't feel good to me. I could tell, at least from my reading of the novel, that the character had a lot of jealousy, and needed help but couldn't vocalize it in a way or attempt to get the help in anyway that would possibly lower how people saw her, even if the other way was pushing every character to hate her. But once again, I am reading the feelings of children characters from my adult perspective, so perhaps I am reading too much into it.

The music, fits the game exceptionally well. The best way I could describe it is melancholic and at times, tense. There is at least one happy track in the game though, for the many scenes that warrant that. I think the score of the game really helped me get into how Megumi feels.

As a person who has felt numb for a large portion of her life, I really connected to Warm. Megumi's depression and general anxiety, to even her disconnect from how she can even perceive herself being so vastly different from reality? That's how I used to feel a lot. And sometimes I still do. I think while simple, the lens of numbness that the novel shows us from her lens is realistic, and not blown to proportion. And it made me think of how I've felt with others for most of my life, and how it could have possibly played out. Food for thought.

Warm is a really good yuri vn, with a heavy focus on relationships from the perspective of a young numb girl. And I think reading it, was probably extremely beneficial to myself. And not too many games nowadays really make me feel like that.

[cognitiveleague]

PSA for fellow USAmericans who might be considering their health insurance options (since it’s the time of year for it at time of writing):

If you have ANY other option, I recommend staying as far as possible from any private (non-government administered) plan talking about “reference-based pricing” or “disrupting the health insurance establishment to save you money”.

I hadn’t heard of this type of plan until a couple of months ago, and neither had my colleagues who’ve worked in my field (billing for a private healthcare specialist’s office) much longer than I have, when we all of a sudden had several clients switch to similar plans within a few weeks of each other, so I suspect it’s likely that they’ve been making a push to get a foot in the door this year. I’m sure it’s legally inadvisable to outright call them “scams”, but IMO they are at the VERY least operating on a business model that’s extraordinarily ill-thought out, and at worst (likeliest) it seems to me that they’re misleading and predatory in a way that’s somehow still shocking and infuriating to me after years of working in healthcare billing in the US.

More detailed explanation / further Advice from your Friendly Neighborhood Angry Socialist Healthcare Billing Administrator below the cut, for those who want more information.

So the issue here essentially is that these companies are trying to sell clients (looks like particularly small business owners and HR people looking for plans to offer their employees) on the idea that they’re ~shaking up the corrupt industry~ to improve transparency and costs, and like, if that’s what they were actually doing? I’d be so incredibly for it, you don’t even know. Fuck everything about the established health insurance industry, I want to see them burn as much as the next person.

But what they’re actually doing is deciding it would save THEM a lot of money to just pay doctors / other healthcare providers as little as they want to, and that the problem getting in the way of that is that there are usually contracts establishing how much they’re supposed to pay, and it would be cool to just… not have those! From there, the plan is:

1) telling bosses “hey, we’ll cut your costs by offering you a plan that’s cheaper than conventional ones!”

2) telling workers / clients “hey, you know how your health insurance plan determines what doctors you can see and have insurance pay for it? Fuck that, see whoever you want!”

3) conveniently neglecting to mention that if your brilliant plan to lower costs is “just don’t have contracts with providers, so there’s no agreed-on cost and we can pay them whatever we unilaterally decide is fair!”, that also means there’s no contract obligating the healthcare providers to accept your insurance at all (which is extra bullshit when you consider that they can’t tell you which providers have agreed to take their insurance, on account of how they don’t actually have a list of providers who have agreed to take their insurance, since they decided agreements were unnecessary)

Basically, it ends up saving the bosses and the insurance company a shitload of yachts-and-blackjack money, but then puts You The Patient in a situation where you’ve been told “yeah, see whoever you want, we don’t give a fuck”

So you go to the local clinic or your usual therapist or whatever and say “oh, here’s my new health insurance card, they said I could be seen here,” and hand them a card for a company that

A) they’ve never heard of

B) they have NO contractual obligation to work with, and

C) a brief google search can easily tell them openly intends to pay them significantly less than any of the insurance plans they do work with (besides the few that are allowed to get away with setting their own prices because they’re literally run by federal government-affiliated agencies and using that considerable leverage for the benefit of senior citizens, people on disability benefits, veterans, etc — they essentially plan to use the base pricing THOSE plans use, except… as a private, for-profit company, and without discussing it with the other parties involved.)

All of which is likely to just put the staff at your local clinic or whatever in the awkward position of having to tell you “I’m so sorry, it doesn’t look like that’s actually a plan we work with, we’re going to have to do self-pay for the recent visits / if you’d like to continue,” and put YOU in the awkward situation of having to pay for that shit out of your own pocket.

What do I do if my employer is offering a reference-based pricing plan?

So glad you asked, me.

My recommendation would be to look at what other options they have available if you work for a company that offers multiple options, or to opt out of their plan and look into the options available to you via your state’s health insurance marketplace — open enrollment for most states is November 1 - January 15th, so at the time of this post (November 23rd) it’s ongoing and now’s the time to do something about it!

But that means my work won’t help with payment of my insurance premiums?

Yeah, but in the context of this discussion, we’re weighing the cost of paying your own premium in full against the potential cost of being told you can see whatever providers you want, doing so, and then ending up having to pay them out of pocket at the uninsured rate because your insurance actually does jack shit and fuckall, which can EASILY get a lot worse.

Also, some employers will reimburse a portion of the premium cost if you have outside health insurance, so check with your HR department or your boss (and maybe let them know why you decided not to go with the insurance they’re offering).

Also-also, if you’re in a lower income bracket, the ACA / healthcare marketplace options on your state’s healthcare marketplace website will include Medicaid plans, which are subsidized by the government to help low-income folks afford them.

Ok, I’m looking, but how do I pick the plan that’s right for me?

Oh god I have a whole other post about this but it’s from ages ago and I don’t have the spoons to look for it right now, but the basics boil down to:

A) Look if possible for plans where, if there is a deductible, either it’s as low as possible or it doesn’t apply to services you anticipate needing at least semi-regularly

B) If the difference in monthly premiums for two plans is MORE than the difference in what you can reasonably expect to pay out of pocket in copays during a month, the “cheaper” plan isn’t saving you money.

So like for example, if I’m choosing between two plans and the up-front cost between them is like, $250 / month or $400 / month, and the $250 plan has specialist services I need 4 times a month covered under a deductible while the $400 plan has a flat copay of $20 for those same services, then my numbers will end up looking like “$250 + (4 x $125) = $750, vs “$400 + (4 x $20) = $480), which would make the $400 plan cheaper for me overall, even though the premium is more expensive.

You want the plan where the monthly costs for your premium PLUS expected average monthly out of pocket costs for services you’re likely to need routinely is as low as possible, is what I’m getting at here. No real way around doing the math, unfortunately, though if you DM me during open enrollment I’ll probably be willing to do the math for you out of sheer spite toward our country’s bullshit insurance “system”.

C) If you can’t afford a plan with a higher premium, it’s still worth getting something, but be aware that low-premium plans are typically going to be “catastrophic” health insurance plans, designed primarily to put a (high) cap on how much medical cost you can incur at once if you like, survive a freak accident or something — as a rule, they’re not going to do much to help you with much besides either the super basic preventive care they’re required by law to cover or keeping your total annual costs from an accident or major illness from getting too wildly astronomical. If you need non-emergency specialist care even semi-routinely, I’d encourage trying to avoid this type of plan if possible, and ALWAYS checking in with your plan and your providers’ billing department to figure out how much you need to budget for out of pocket costs when you do need to see a specialist or something, because you do NOT want to be caught off guard by that shit.

What else can I do?

Uhhhhh, advocate for socialized healthcare like every other fucking rich country in the world has had for decades, I guess? We’re not some special case where it would never work, we’ve just got a bunch of craven politicians invested in telling us that because of that sweet sweet insurance company lobbyist money they get in exchange for keeping things the way they are. Fuck ‘em, if that wasn’t clear.

Also, be gay / do crimes / look out for each other on this bitch of an earth / seriously DM me if you want me to help you figure out your options, ok I love you bye ✌️

[zestingbloodorange]

The thing that has been getting to me the most in these mental health conversations these days, is westerns who keep acting like we are being insensitive to their disabilities and mental health issues when we say it's not an excuse to be ignorant or to be silent and to do nothing and to keep a blind eye for comfort and for some to not to trauma dump on palestinians and on pro palestine people of color on social media.

People keep assuming that palestinians and pro palestine people from other parts of the region that have been destroyed by the west are able-bodied and have ok mental health just because they don't talk about it much or don't talk about it. we have suffered and we are suffering because it doesn't end with a ceasefire it doesn't end when you grow up it doesn't end when you leave the country it doesn't end when you get help it doesn't end even if you were born outside of those countries and never stepped a foot on your mother land it doesn't end.

and we are still privileged because palestinians in gaza are keeping us updated and are keeping up with the west bank and with the rest of the world whilst being under one the worst bombardments in history and going through a genocide that in itself should make you feel embarrassed to even bring this up.

I grew up with American airstrikes non stop dropping on my neighborhood and my SCHOOLS because we kept evacuating from schools because they kept getting bombed, watching my family and friends and classmates and my neighbors get kidnapped and killed get blown up to bits watching limbs fly into our house and into our school playgrounds then watch almost everyone i know that lived flee the country in the worst conditions possible then live through daesh...etc I could go on and on for months and I'm only in my early 20s and we didn't get mental or physical help. my uncle just died a couple days ago because of his disability he was poor and he got diagnosed way too late he lived such a hard life that when he died it was relief. most of us don't have access to the most basic human rights which medical help and therapy.

and we are expected to always be well spoken have patience and be comforting for people that we are spoon feeding information or otherwise we are aggressive and barbaric and ungrateful and we are pushing people away from our movements.

I keep seeing people send anons and dms of their suicidal thoughts because of the news to every palestinian i follow on every social media platform and some other pro palestine people of color including myself which is crazy because I don't even have a big following, the news that they have the privilege to turn off because for the gazillion time western countries are committing massacres far from the west especially americans who are in the stomach of the beast.

Have shame.