#you have no idea the impact it had in elementary and middle school

[claratyler]

got tagged by @wdapteo (ages ago, sorry waa) and I thought this was such a fun dynamic. Especially because i'm back in my Watching Full Length Films era, so this is great for getting ideas for what to watch.

List of my top 10 favorite movies of all time! Vote for your favourite (no nuance!!!) and then tag your friends so they do it too :)

i tag @almayver, @whoiskt, @virtu4l-di4ry, aaaand i dont know anyone who likes movies yay <3

[dantes-jacket]

A Super Special Day Off

Meguru Bachira x fem reader

Authors notes: I’ve had this idea for so long it’s crazy, but lots and lots of fluff, little mention of blood, featuring Isagi and his (made up) girlfriend, sorry if you’re good at soccer I made you bad at it lol, anyways enjoy friends 😋

Meguru Bachira loved soccer. If you knew one thing in life, that was it. If your elementary school self had to comment on the subject then she would say that he was obsessed with it.

You had always seen him playing soccer after school when you would walk home. But the first time you actually talked to him was, let’s just say, an experience. You were on your way back when you saw him playing by himself in a little field near your house.

You were curious because you recognized him and walked closer to where he was. Little did you know, that choice would end in the ball he was kicking around nailing you in the face. The impact was enough to send little elementary school you falling backwards and before you know it you were falling.

You were attempting to brace for the impact but you never felt it. Bachira had came running when he saw he hit you and was able to catch you, although it lacked any grace, you two were in elementary school. His hands were around your torso and he pulled you towards him with enough force that you felt yourself falling yet again.

Your eyes widened when you realized you were falling and before you knew it you were both on the ground now and your head bounced off of his chest. You pick your head up rather dazed and rub your nose where the ball had seem to hit the hardest.

“Oww. That really hurt, didn’t think a soccer ball was that hard. But, uh, thanks for kind of catching me?” You look down at him when you stop rubbing your head. “Oh hey, you’re that kid who really likes soccer right? I guess that explains why I got hit in the head.”

He looks at you like you have three heads. “I’M SO SORRY! I didn’t mean to hit you, I swear, I was just so focused on playing I didn’t realize I kicked the ball! Wait! Are you bleeding?! Let me take you to my house to fix you!” You looked at him and tilted your head, “am I really bleeding? But if you want to ‘fix me’ that bad, I guess you can take me to your house.”

At your answer he sat up and dragged you to his house and told his mom what happened. She fixed you up, gave you some dinner, and lectured Bachira on being aware of his surroundings. You thanked her before getting ready to leave, before realizing you never got his name.

“Oh, right, um, what’s your name? I don’t wanna call you ‘the guy that hit me in the face with a soccer ball’”. He titled his head before giving you a big smile. “Meguru Bachira! Let’s be friends okay!” You giggle before giving your name and agreeing to be friends.

And after that is when you learned that Meguru Bachira didn’t just love soccer, you knew that before that ball hit you in the face, he was darn right obsessed with it. But that was fine to you, everyone had their obsessions right? As time went on and you two grew up together, you became practically inseparable, you two were glued at the hip.

But then came the day, in your second year of middle school, that you realized that you had liked Bachira more than best friends like each other. You were in love with Meguru Bachira and you didn’t know what to do about it, because was there really any way he would like you back? He loved soccer and that little monster in him and his mom, did his heart have room for you too?

Little did you know Bachira was going through that same little dilemma, though he didn’t know that it was love he was feeling. He just knew you made his heart race in a way that soccer never had and that made him nervous, but an excited kind of nervous. You both had decided on your own that you would keep your mouths shut in worry of ruining what you had.

And then the time came when you two were graduating middle school and going into high school. You two were going to the same high school of course, but that’s when school got serious because then you had to think about university and post high school plans, and that was too much brain power for you two.

You had noticed that Bachira was acting a little odd the whole day, but you just chalked it up to him staying up late practicing and being tired. He had a tendency to do that, though you stopped trying to lecture him about it before you got into middle school, he was too stubborn. Before the graduation ceremony had started, Bachira and you were chatting to kill time.

“Hey silly, can we talk after the ceremony? I wanna tell you something, it’s been eating at me for a while now.” Your eyebrows raise in alarm at that, because did you do something wrong? Or did he find out you have feelings and got uncomfortable? Surely he would’ve told you sooner if he was, it’s Bachira after all, he always says what’s on his mind.

You pause a little before replying, “That sounds bad, you know that right Meguru? Are you dying or something and just now decided to tell me?!” At your response he had to turn his head to the side to contain his laughter. He did a poor job at it.

“Pfft- did you really think that I’m dying? And that I wouldn’t tell you? You’ve got some screws loose you know that silly? It’s nothing bad trust me, I promise.” You scowl at his reaction before laughing too. “Meguru Bachira you soccer obsessed freak are you seriously telling me that I have some screws loose?! Have you looked in the mirror lately?! But yeah we can talk, just don’t scare me like that again.”

He smirked before responding, “Well that’s not very nice of you now is it silly? Calling me an obsessed freak? That’s just rude and you know it.” You glare up at him before smirking back. “Hey I called you a ‘soccer obsessed freak’ not just an obsessed freak. There’s a difference Meguru.”

At that he just pats your head and then you notice that it’s time for the ceremony to begin. “Well guess we better get going before we get scolded huh, silly?” You sigh before walking off, “yeah, yeah I don’t want to be lectured again because of you, I’ve had enough lectures to last a lifetime.” He just giggles and pats your head before you guys part ways to find your seats.

When the ceremony is over you find Bachira and he gently takes your wrist and pulls you along. “Uh, hey Meguru, where are we going? I thought you wanted to talk?” He looks back at you and keeps walking. “So many questions, be patient silly, I wanna take you somewhere.” When you guys finally stop walking you realize that he took you to where you two first met, or rather where he nailed you in the face with a soccer ball.

You smile softly before giggling at him. “So this is where you wanted to take me? You gonna kick another soccer ball in my face Meguru? I won’t be as nice about it as I was when we were younger, you know.” He snaps his head towards you, “What are you crazy?! Maybe you do have some screws loose! Always knew you were weird.“

Your jaw drops but before you can say anything he sighs softly before taking your hands in his. “But you know that’s now why I brought you here. I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while now, but I’ve been too chicken. I know crazy right? Me being scared? But I- wow this is harder than I thought- I like you, like more than best friends and I don’t think I can handle being just friends anymore!”

Your jaw drops at his confession because did he really feel the same? Or were you just dreaming? “Woah, wait like really, Meguru? You actually like me too? This isn’t a dream right? If it is I’m gonna jump off a building, but, okay wow you’re right this is hard, I like you too!” And before you let yourself ramble more you wrap your arms around his waist and bury your head in his chest.

His eyes widen at your confession before softening and he wraps his arm around your waist and cradles your head against his chest with the other. “Well what a relief! I’m glad this turned out how it did or maybe I would’ve had to hit you with a soccer ball again.”

You punch his back and grumble under your breath, “Meguru, you soccer obsessed freak, that’s not the first thing you should say after you confess to someone!” He laughs in response and pats your head before gently kissing it. “Well? Does this make us officially boyfriend and girlfriend now, silly?”

You pull your head back a little from his chest and look to the side blushing. “Yeah I guess it does, that’s usually how things like this work right?” He smirks before turning your head to face him with his hand on your chin. “Aww are you blushing? That’s so cute silly!” You glare at him but it holds no malice before taking matters into your own hands.

You take his hand from your chin and hold it gently before leaning up on your toes and softly, but briefly, kissing his lips. His eyes widen and before he knows it he’s blushing too. “Hehe, now you’re blushing too, Meguru! That makes us even!” He shakes his head before cradling your face with his hands. “I guess it does, my sweetheart.”

You sputter and blush again but before you can respond he lets go, takes your hand and starts tugging you along in the direction of your house. “Woah, Meguru we’re just gonna brush over that?!” He looks back before laughing, “Brush over what silly?” You shake your head and begin laughing too. And that was how you and Bachira had gotten together.

Fast forward to present time, you both are in your second year of high school. Well you suppose you are, Bachira is participating in some “Blue Lock Project”, whatever that was. He told you it was gonna help him get better at soccer, so you had no complaints soccer was his second love after all. Or maybe it was his first, the world may never know. But it was just you at school now since he was staying at wherever Blue Lock was held.

It was odd not having him around 24/7 but he texted or called you whenever he was allowed, so you weren’t really upset. He was pursing his dreams after all, and who are you if not a supportive girlfriend? He would always text you immediately when he got a day off, and he would practically spend his whole day with you, which were the best days ever.

On one of his days off, he texts you immediately as always.

Hey silly! Day off time! Coming over now! :p

You smile softly at his text before responding.

Well you know where to find me. Any ideas for plans? Or just chilling?

Got amazing plans! Just put some athletic clothes on! Tell you more later! :p

I see you’re as ‘mysterious’ as ever Megs, see you soon <3

You sigh before shaking your head and go change into some of your athletic wear, wondering what Bachira could have planned. You didn’t have to wait long before you heard knocking at your door. You got up and opened the door and next thing you know he’s dragging you outside your house.

“Woah, woah, woah, Megs, where the heck are we going that you’re in such a rush?!” He looks back at you before laughing, “You’ll see, you’ll see! Trust me you’re gonna have lots of fun, silly!” You shake your head before letting him continue dragging you along. Once he finally stops pulling you, you notice you’re at a soccer field.

“Ooo Megs are you gonna let me watch you practice! Show me all the stuff you’ve learned at this Blue Lock Project!” He tilts his head and giggles softly. “No, silly! I’m gonna play with you! You’ve been asking me for soooo long to play soccer with you and I thought this was perfect! I even brought a friend from Blue Lock to make it more fun! He should be here soon!”

At his response you grab his hands and jump up and down. “FRIEND?! MEGURU BACHIRA I’M MEETING YOUR FRIEND FROM BLUE LOCK AND YOU’RE PLAYING SOCCER WITH ME?! THIS IS GONNA BE THE BEST DAY EVER!” He gives you a big smile before he looks past you and calls out to someone.

“ISAGIIII, HEYYY, OVER HERE!” You turn around and see two people walking up to you and Bachira. “Hey, Bachira! And hey you must be Bachira’s girlfriend! He goes on and on about you, that and soccer are his two personalities! Anyways, I’m Yoichi Isagi! And this is my girlfriend too!” You look to the girl next to him and she smiles warmly and waves. “Hey there! I’m Aoi Yoshida! But you can just call me Aoi, it’s nice to meet you!”

You introduce yourself before laughing softly. “It’s so nice to meet you guys! And honestly if it’s any consolation Isagi, Megs has always been like that, though he does talk about you all the time. He’s honestly just a soccer obsessed freak, now aren’t you Megs?” You grin and look at Bachira after your last remark.

“Hey, hey, silly who’s the one in love with this supposed soccer obsessed freak? And let’s not forget that you have some screws loose for that, yeah?” You glare up at him jokingly, “Well Megs, who was the one who knocked those screws loose with a soccer ball to my face?” Isagi and Aoi sweat drop and look between each other and you two at the conversation.

“Uh, Bachira? You hit your girlfriend in the face with a soccer ball?” You both look over at the other two before laughing. “Oh yeah, he did! It was in elementary school, it was an accident though, but that’s how we became friends!” Bachira pats your head before responding. “Hehe yeah I did, I took her to my house though to patch her up!”

Isagi laughs a little awkwardly before suggesting that you guys get started. Everyone agrees and you split into two teams. The first little scrimmage is you and Aoi against Bachira and Isagi. You walk up to Aoi and hold out your hand for a high five. “Let’s show them who’s boss Aoi!” She nods and gives you a high five. “Yeah! Let’s beat them to a pulp!” You smirk lightly, “Aoi I love how you think! We’re gonna be best friends I can feel it!” She nods in agreement and then you guys get ready to start.

Before the match begins, Aoi whispers to you, “Hey, so, are you any good at soccer? I’ve only played a few times when Yoichi had me join him.” You turned your head to face Aoi, “Oh nope, not at all, I’ve really only watched Meguru practice, we’ve only really played a few times so he could practice too.” You two both sigh in relief before giggling, glad that you’re in the same boat.

You guys begin the scrimmage and you and Aoi soon realize that there was no way you two were winning against those two. After they scored their third goal, which you had agreed would be the end of a match you lay on the ground and grumble. “Oh come on! How do you two have so much chemistry! That’s so not fair, am I right Aoi?!” Aoi giggles and lays on the ground exhausted next to you. “Yeah, it’s totally not fair at all! I didn’t think two guys could work so well together!”

Bachira and Isagi just laugh it off and help you two up. Isagi is the first to speak up after helping you two up. “Well girls, that is what Blue Lock is for! It’d be bad if we didn’t have good chemistry and met up today to have some fun right, Bachira?” Bachira giggles and replies, “Hehe he’s right! Isagi is my best bud! It’s natural for us to work well together!”

You and Aoi look at each other and sigh. “Well, Aoi, I guess we’re just too out of touch with the soccer world huh?” She shakes her head and agrees. “Yeah I guess we are aren’t we? Ooo boys! How about as a consolation for beating us so bad, we go grab some food!” Bachira and Isagi look at each other and back at you two, and Bachira responds first. “Heck yeah! Let’s go get some food!”

Bachira takes your hand and begins walking away. Isagi and Aoi catch up a few seconds later. You all decide to go to a quiet little restaurant, since it’s around lunch time, and once you get there you all look at the menu. “Hey, silly, you think they have chicken nuggets here?” You give Bachira a deadpan expression. “…….yes, Megs. They have chicken nuggets here.” Bachira cheers softly and you guys order your food.

As you guys were waiting for your food, you decide to start a conversation. “So, Megs, Isagi, what are the other guys at Blue Lock like? I’ve only ever heard Megs talk about you Isagi.” They both ponder the question for about a minute before answering. “Well, silly, there’s a donkey there! He’s really something! Isn’t that right, Isagi?” Isagi nods in agreement before adding, “Oh yeah! He’s an absolute beast isn’t he?”

You and Aoi both look at each other like those two are crazy. “Wait, Megs, there’s animals there?! I thought this was for soccer? Are you secretly turning into a farmer?!” Bachira and Isagi turn to you and look at you with the utmost confusion. “Silly, what do you mean? We’re just talking about Barou? He’s crazy good at soccer!“ Isagi hums in agreement, “Yup exactly! Though his personality leaves something to be desired, he’s really good at cleaning too! He’s a neat freak, it’s crazy!”

You look at Aoi again and you two both nod along. “Okay, so Yoichi, this ‘Barou’ is an actual person? And he’s apparently really good at soccer but he’s a neat freak? Do we have that right?” Isagi nods his head enthusiastically, “Yeah you got it right! Wait did you think he wasn’t a person? Why would you think that?” You and Aoi both pause second. “Well, uh Isagi, you and Megs both called him a ‘donkey’ so we thought that he was an animal?”

It both dawned on the two of them, “OH! Silly, Barou just calls everyone donkeys! So it’s his moniker between everyone at Blue Lock!” You and Aoi both sigh at the conversation and leave it at that. And then your food arrived and you guys began eating. Once you guys were finished, you paid and left the restaurant. You guys parted way and headed to your respective homes. You and Bachira arrived at your house and headed up to your room to chill until he had to go back to Blue Lock.

You two are lying on your bed, your head on his chest, and Bachira softly speaks up. “Hey silly? Did you have fun today? I hope you liked Isagi, he’s my best friend at Blue Lock.” You shift so that you are hovering above him, your arms on either side of his head before whispering softly. “Megs, today was one of the best days of my life. And Isagi was amazing! Aoi was too! I’m so glad that you planned this for today, I couldn’t have asked for a better day. Thank you so much.”

Bachira smiles so soft that you could’ve melted on spot, he only smiles that soft when he’s been super vulnerable with you. “Hey silly?” You tilt your head at him in question. “Yeah, Megs?” He softly places his hands on your face and leans up to softly kiss you. You reciprocate his kiss gently and try to pour as much of your love into it as possible.

Once you two part, he softly whispers, “I love you, my sweetheart.” You smile down at him before gently pressing a kiss to his forehead. “And I love you more, my dear.” You place yourself back on his chest before reaching for your phone to set a timer so you two could take a nap before he has to leave. Naps are a shared loved between you two, and you always end his days off with them.

You place your phone back down and snuggle into his chest more. He lightly giggles before wrapping his arms around you to get comfortable. Next thing you know you’re asleep and once Bachira feels your breath even out he places a soft kiss on the top of your head and whispers, “and I love you the most, silly”, before he falls asleep himself.

You hear your timer go off and groggily reach for your phone to turn it off. Once you move, you feel the arms around you tighten before you hear Bachira’s sleepy grumbling. “…five more minutes silly…”. You sigh softly before giggling and reaching to brush his hair out of his eyes. “Megs, you gotta get back to Blue Lock. I wish we could lay here all day, but you gotta go play some crazy soccer!” You hear him grumble some more before he’s getting up.

You guys both get out of your bed and you walk him to your front door. “Hey Megs, we should totally do this again! Next time you should try and bring that Barou guy you were talking about! He seems like he’d be chaotic and fun to be around!” Bachira’s eyes narrow slightly before he’s holding your face. “Now, silly, don’t ask so hastily for me to bring other guys around! That’s not very nice of you.” You smirk jokingly, “Oh? Is little Megs jealous? I would’ve never thought you could be!”

He huffs gently before leaning in to leave a kiss on your lips and next thing you know he’s out the door waving goodbye. “See ya, silly!” You sputter after a second before laughing and waving back. “See you, Megs! Don’t make me wait too long for another soccer match!”

You close your front door and smile to yourself, because today truly was a super special day off.

[bnhaobservation]

From your code red post, Chap 431 would have been the PERFECT TIME for Midoriya to reflect on his middle school days as a teacher!! That would have done so much for setting up how he thinks being a teacher really impacts lives just as much as being a hero, especially how All Might impacted his life as a teacher/mentor!!

Now...

...for me chap 430 would have been a good time as well to point this out (for who's reading this and has no idea what the code red post is here it is).

Chapter 430 after all introduces the idea of Midoriya as a teacher but gives as his reason for become one not having been inspired by his own negative experiences but by a conversation Fuwa had with Aizawa in chap 425.

Midoriya Izuku ‘Mukashi Fuwa senpai ga sensei to hanashitete sono toki omottandesu “Mukosei" ni wa modoru kedo keiken o ikashite dareka o hagemaseru nara sore wa totemo kakkoī kamo natte.’ 緑谷出久「昔不和先輩が先生と話しててその時思ったんです“無個性"には戻るけど経験を活かして誰かを励ませるならそれはとてもかっこいいかもなって。」 Midoriya Izuku “A long time ago, when Fuwa-senpai was talking to the teacher, I thought, I'll go back to being quirkless, but if I can use my experience to encourage someone, that would be really cool.” [Chap 430]

Now... it can totally be that Midoriya is planning to use his experience as a Quirkless person who wanted to be a Hero and was bullied for it to encourage others but since he's at U.A. high it feels unlikely his students that managed to pass the extremely hard U.A. high selection were to need that sort of encouragement and, even with Dai, he doesn't share with him how he was Quirkless and yet managed to become a Hero, he just thinks Dai's Quirk could be useful and tell him he can become a Hero.

Long story short it seems he wants to use his experience as a Hero to encourage others and not his experience as a Quirkless bullied person who has to fight hard to become a Hero.

Chapter 431 discussed it further in a way,

Midoriya Izuku ‘ARMOR de no DATA shūshū wa kihon jugyō no nai hi ni yatterushi Aizawa sensei-tachi to onaji kanjida yo. Shōgakkō ya shisetsu no hōmon toka kōen toka shōnen shōjo ni jibun no keiken o chokusetsu tsutaeru kikai mo mainichi no yō ni aru. ĀRMOR wa sugoku ureshīkeredo mae to kimochi wa kawaranai yo. ONE FOR ALL ga nokotteta to shite mo boku wa `sensei tte ī na' tte kangaeta to omou. Sensei mo yarete mukashi mitai ni mina to katsudō mo sa sete moraete sugoku ureshī arigatō Kacchan Kirishima-kun.’ 緑谷出久「アーマーでのデータ収集は基本授業のない日にやってるし相澤先生たちと同じ感じだよ。小学校や施設の訪問とか講演とか少年少女に自分の経験を直接伝える機会も毎日のようにある。アーマーはすごく嬉しいけれど前と気持ちは変わらないよ。OFAが残ってたとしても僕は「先生��ていいな」って考えたと思う。先生もやれて昔みたいに皆と活動もさせてもらえてすごく嬉しいありがとうかっちゃん切島くん。」 Midoriya Izuku “I basically collect data for the armor on days when there are no classes, and I feel just like Aizawa-sensei and the others. I also have the opportunity almost every day to visit elementary schools and facilities, give lectures, and share my experiences directly with young boys and girls. I'm very happy about the armor, but my feelings haven't changed since before. Even if One For All had remained, I think I would have thought, "It's great to be a teacher." I'm very happy that I can be a teacher and work with everyone like in the old days. Thank you, Kacchan and Kirishima-kun.” [Chap 430]

Now the idea that Midoriya works as a teacher, then works as a Hero, then also visits other schools to give lectures and collect datas for the armor... well, it feels a bit too much, but whatever, the fact Horikoshi sends him in elementary schools might give him a chance to share his past as a person who was told he couldn't become a Hero and instead managed to become one... but it still seems an afterthough and it hardly impact on bullying in the sense it stops it.

It might impact on the bullied one in the sense it can encourage him but stop the bully? Unlikely.

And maybe it's just me but I still remains with the impression the experiences Midoriya wants to share are his ones as a Hero but this might be just me.

All this is not bad however I would have preferred if Midoriya had decided to become a teacher to at least protect the kids of a class from bullying, to be there for them and encourage them daily, that his wish to become a teacher were to be born by his own negative experiences at school.

Instead Horikoshi preferred to create a parallel between him and All Might who also was a U.A. high teacher who also met him at random before he joined U.A. high and told him 'you can be a Hero'.

It's his own personal preference, he views this as the story coming to full circle even if Dai's situation is nowhere near Midoriya's and it shows.

Hearing All Might saying so Midoriya cried because everyone told him his own was an impossible dream and it made sense it was as he was Quirkless. Dai is just told it would be tough for him to become a Hero, not that it would be impossible.

But the core of the scene is that Midoriya is doing his best to encourage others and he's also telling Dai to do his best and in Japan there's the belief with enough effort you can do everything so this scene might make sense to them, while at the same time keeping a positive atmosphere and not really blaming society... and this is something that doesn't really work for me.

But well, I don't make the rules.

Thank you for your ask!

[dwellordream]

“As late as 1970, college men outnumbered women 8 to 1 in expressing interest in careers in engineering, medicine, and law. By the mid-1970s, however, a sea change had occurred. The number of women planning to enter traditionally “feminine” careers, such as elementary school teaching or nursing, fell from 31 percent to 10 percent. In the meantime, women’s applications to law and medical schools soared 500 percent, and by the mid-1980s, entering classes of medical, law, and business schools were 40 percent female.

The percentage of new women doctors increased from 9 percent to 22 percent from 1971 to 1981, while the proportion of women Ph.D.s leaped from 10 percent to 30 percent. Thirty years earlier, virtually all these women would have been entering “women’s” jobs, with low prestige, limited chance for advancement, and poor pay. Now they were becoming increasingly competitive with men for high-paying, high-status jobs in the most prestigious professions. Once again the feminist movement seemed to have made a significant impact, supporting a very different idea of who a woman was, and what she could aspire to be, than had existed just a few years earlier.

Less related to feminism and perhaps more a consequence of the general “liberation” attitudes of the 1960s was a significant change in women’s sexual behavior as well. There have really been two sexual revolutions in the 20th century. The first came in the early 1900s, when there was a significant increase in the number of women engaging in premarital intercourse and expressing satisfaction with their sexual experiences. Use of birth control also increased at that time.

By the 1970s, however, the first revolution seemed mild. The number of women who believed premarital sex was wrong fell from 75 percent in 1969 to 53 percent in 1974. Among younger women, especially, sexual behavior became much more similar to those of men, with approximately 75 percent of women and men becoming sexually active by the age of 17.

…Ms. was particularly effective in the way it recognized and endorsed women’s gradual yet startling realization of their own condition of inequality. The letters column were full of stories describing the “click” that suddenly made a woman realize she was a victim, playing a part assigned to her by someone else, and thus denied her own voice and autonomy. It might come in the middle of the night when a woman’s husband woke her saying, “The baby’s crying, honey, you’d better see what’s wrong” or when a young man persisted in making romantic advances after the woman said to stop.

But the “click” was there in a thousand manifestations that, through the medium of Ms., now became the common property of women throughout the land. Not only was it okay to be a feminist, but it was a fact of life and a truth that readers could not imagine having missed for so long. Ms. became one of the staples of many women’s lives, just as McCall’s once had been. Only now the message was very different.

Even Hollywood stars became involved in promoting a different vision of how boys and girls should grow up. Led by actress Marlo Thomas, a group of entertainers concerned about how children were socialized into traditional roles of passivity (female) or aggression (male) by most fairy tales and children’s books decided to celebrate diversity and autonomy. A record album, “Free To Be You and Me,” was a series of songs, by stars everyone recognized, that told boys and girls it was all right for them to be whomever they wanted to be.

Crying was something good for both boys and girls to do. Participating in sports, playing with dolls, and dressing up were also good. Dr. Benjamin Spock, the pediatrician who wrote the nation’s leading advice book on how to raise children, even changed some of his counsel to young parents when he became aware that some of the old stereotypes of how to treat boys differently from girls were not only wrong but harmful.”

- William Chafe, “Responses.” in The Road to Equality: American Women Since 1962

[castlebyersafterdark]

I think a lot of people project this image that the cast are besties and they’re not wrong for thinking that. I mean there’s plenty of videos of them getting along really well when they were younger. A lot of people, especially the ones who were around their age at the time of release, latched on to that idea. Parasocial relationships and all. (I’m talking from personal experience as I’m the same age as Caleb)

But they’ve grown up now and they’ve got such different personalities which is inevitable for at least a few not getting along, the only thing is we don’t know the extent of it. The cast have spent the last 10 years together, so I’m not surprised that this has come out. It does make me wonder what happened though.

Yeah... that's the reality here: nostalgia is one hell of a perspective. Totally accurate - a lot of people in the fandom did grow up with the characters and the cast. There's a familiarity there. I mean, I'm a couple years older than most, but still. They are all familiar faces and celebrity personalities to me. You want to know the people making your favorite shows had a good time and got along and come out of it ok - but that doesn't always happen. I was a little beyond or very young when a lot of what went down happened, but I grew up as a Nickelodeon fan. Anyone see Quiet on Set? Horrible for what everyone went through. Tough to look back. Rose colored glasses of nostalgia got pretty darkened.

So - it could be a lot worse. I think a group of kids grew up and became adults. Just like high school. The kids you knew in elementary and middle school aren't always your besties by the time graduation rolls around, and sometimes people get together and get closer right at the end in senior year. Highly accurate for this cast. You also have to imagine that it was very different when they were young. They still had to take grade school classes and have parental guardians and chaperones on set a lot of the time. It was a much more familial, youthful environment for the chunk of the cast we tend to focus on here. And eventually that was no longer necessary. Own adults with own lives lives. Things do change. That's a decade of personal lives overlapped and entwined.

I don't think anyone truly hates each other - friendships strengthened and changed, or disagreements and conflicts made others no longer want to be in each other's lives and they are ready to move on, friends became coworkers and the job is over. Regarding the wedding - I also don't think. Hmm. Things change, and here's the nostalgia again. They obviously have love for one another. But there's something probably, for the moment, is strained and faded between Noah and Millie compared to their youth. What went down was impactful. But - a lot of people set aside issues and come together for big life events, like a wedding. They were childhood best friends. A wedding is major. But post show... I wouldn't be shocked now if the distance didn't widen.

We could all be totally completely wrong about everything, but we can only read the cards laid out for us as observed behind a computer screen. And... this is what I think.

[cmchill]

numbers 1 and 28 for the ask game?

Sure, thanks for asking! (Had to go check which they were.)

28. on a scale from 1 to 10, how hard is it for someone to get under your skin?

I'm doing this one first cuz it's easy; I'd say probably about a 2 (not easy! C I'm chill haha).

1. if someone wanted to really understand you, what would they read, watch, and listen to?

Ah, shoot, I asked for this 😂

There so many fandoms I've been part of, and so many pieces of media that have impacted me strongly! But to "really understand me"... Hmm...

Okay tbh while I'm agnostic now I grew up as a fairly progressive Christian, and I KNOW that still affects my worldview and stuff today probably more than any of the other myths and stories I've read.

I feel weird saying like "you should read/watch/listen to these things to understand me" because all the people who understand me best don't really know at least one of my big fiction things if not most.

I'll just write the ones that live most in my head

Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere books have been pret-ty freaking big for me these last couple years. They're REALLY well-written, complex and nuanced, and very real themes mixed into the epic fantasy stakes.

I freaking LOVE Star Wars, especially the books and additional content and stuff. It's an incredible universe people have made. And, MY Luke (EU/Legends Luke NOT Disney Luke) is absolute most blorbo. This franchise is not objectively of fabulous overall quality, but it is my love

Wings of Fire. Those dragons live forever in my head. The courage and optimism and COMPASSION, the belief in a better world, the way you the reader get to learn to SEE them as they also learn to SEE each other and live and work together. It's not as complex or deep a narrative as many others I've read, it's targeted at elementary to middle school which is when I first read it, but those characters still to this day help me think of how I want to be.

But really there are so many places I've learned from, so many stories of hope and despair, of pain and triumph and love and fighting and clawing and chasing what matters and tearing things down and building things better and learning to try despite it all, and to see so many different kinds of people. Idk y'all.

Ooooo also I'm reading Jean-Paul Sarte's Being and Nothingness right now, and that is also having a serious effect on me! Like I am integrating a lot of these ideas into how I process the world sometimes. Anyway

[unbound-shade]

I think the only thing I miss from growing up in the church is the idea of redemption. The idea that if you stop doing something and change your behavior surrounding it permanently, that you are recognized for having made that change and can be washed clean of the past. Not that many people actually made the changes, banking instead on being saved as a blank check for their behavior. A lot of the true believers, those typically being neurodivergent kids raised in the church and later-in-life converts who came out of drug addiction etc., took this to heart. It was possible to have a future where you were absolved by virtue of long-term changes in behavior. In leftist circles, I've had people get on my case for growing up conservative Christian. Like I'm not half a lifetime away from that. Like I wasn't an indoctrinated child who was not given a choice to attend church and Christian elementary and middle school or not. Like two full decades of deconstructing that and acting against my right-wing upbringing has no value because of a past harmful lifestyle. It doesn't matter if you're an ex-military or ex-law enforcement leftist, people will put you back on the hook for past participation over and over again. It doesn't matter if you now counter-protest pro-life Christians outside abortion clinics if you ever agreed with them in the past; you're on the hook for it over and over again. Never mind that some of the most historically impactful anti-fascists were former participants in the regimes they helped dismantle; they'll be back on the hook for their past fascism over and over again. Popular online leftism demands zero mistakes. Ever. This simply isn't realistic and is only possible in cliquey online cabals made of people willing to forget or lie about their own pasts to seem more pure than everyone else. We've all done harm; if you think you haven't you're deceiving yourself. Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way to fully recover from that? How does one find redemption and absolution in a secular world? How do we own up to the harm we've done if all we'll receive in return is eternal scorn and punishment from other people?

[morg-among-the-stars]

Hi, Morgan. This you from the future, I am nineteen years old.

If I use too many big words, then please take this letter to the library. I am sure Mrs. Libkins won’t mind reading it to you, or at least helping you figure it out; you’re a very bright girl, after all.

I am nineteen years old, you are six years old. You’re getting a hard time from your teachers. You like to rock in your chair and for whatever reason, everyone around you has a problem with that. I will tell you, even all this time later, I still don’t get what all the fuss is about.

You will be fine, I want to know that. Things will, unfortunately, get worse for you. But you will come out on the other side. You are strong, a very strong girl. I don’t mean to scare you; you will have moments of joy in-between all the pain, but things will be rough for a long time. They never really stop being rough, but things do ease up. You learn how to manage things, how to manage yourself.

For a long time, you will be alone. You’ll be adverse to the other girls in your class in elementary and middle school, but you’ll meet a nice, nerdy girl in a technology class in sixth grade and you will find peace in having a girl on your side. A girl who thinks you’re funny. A girl who tries to understand you the best she can. You two will have bumps in the road, big bumps, even. You’ll go months without talking and you will feel alone again, you will be scared of what being alone means. But it isn’t your fault that your other friends will move away; that is what we call a product of circumstance.

It isn’t your fault.

I’ll tell you about your friends: the girl from your tech class and two others will have the greatest impact, they will get you through school.

The first is a boy with long, curly hair that you mistake for a girl when you first meet him. He cuts his hair in the middle of sixth grade and you were used to it when it was long, you liked it a little better. He is tall, very tall and he gives wonderful hugs. He loves cartoons and he talks about them a lot. He loves Adventure Time and Gravity Falls and other greats, and you will spend a lot of time with him during lunch, looking at fan-art online and listening to him ramble. You’ll fall in love with him, a (not-so) little crush, but it won’t feel right. You’ll think about him often, but the idea of being his girlfriend makes you feel sick. The idea of kissing him or, Heaven forbid, marrying him, are thoughts you avoid when your family asks about him. He moves away during eleventh grade and you don’t get to properly say goodbye. You still call him or message him sometimes, but that’s part of growing up. Things are alright.

And the second is a kid who is very, very short. He tells you that he was a girl in a past life, and that isn’t a completely foreign concept. You met a kid like him in middle school, and that middle school boy was on your side. You were both outcasted for completely separate reasons; you got to see that someone had it worse than you, really worse. That boy from middle school is doing alright now.

But you meet the very, very short boy in high school and you fall in love with the girl he once was in that past life. You couldn’t tell a soul. And you felt relief when he told you he was a boy and not a girl. You couldn’t be liable for being queer.

He is the first person you ever meet you has depression, he says it right out loud on the days where the sky is gray and heavy. And even on the sunniest of days, he was still down. You understood it but you didn’t know how to help. You ask him very literally at thirteen years old, “How can I help make you happy?” and he laughs tiredly and tells you that’s not how it works. You would do anything for him, he becomes your best friend for a short time. (Not for long, don’t worry) You will give up yourself to help him, and you have to gather the pieces of Morgan up again.

You succeed, I told you that you are bright.

Strangely, the nerdy girl who grows up with you becomes the one you fall in love with. But this cannot be denied. You are liable. You tell her and for a moment in time, she is liable in her own way. But nothing ever happens, she beat around the bush of things she wanted, of how she wanted you, to love you.

You decide to get over her and you do it in the worst way possible; you fall in love again, but this love is so, so cruel. This person violates your soul, kicks and punches your heart that is always trying to repair itself. Over and over again, being kicked and ripped to shreds. It hurts, God, does it hurt you. You shouldn’t be hurt, you’re a good person. You don’t deserve to be hurt like you were. You’re over your nerdy best friend, but at what cost?

Things come to a head and the world implodes, you lose that love (for the better, was it really ever love if it hurt so much?) and you lose your best friend for the worst; you don’t talk to her for a long time.

But, even alone, you are okay. You manage, you live and I have always been proud of you for doing so.

Time goes on and spring comes. You’ve always liked springtime. You like the flowers and warm air, and chirping birds outside your window (you called them “spring birds” when you’d hear a certain birdsong. Even as an adult, you still call them that. Some things stay the same, and that’s alright).

With spring, you make amends. You have your nerdy, kind, loving best friend again, but she’s grown up some. So have you.

You make amends and come across springtime as a person. Pretty red hair, a smile that you think about often (you think about it a lot, your heart feels warm when you see it), a soft voice that could be its own birdsong; that’s how you feel about this girl who you would’ve loved to sit with while Mrs. Libkins read stories to you in some other, distant universe.

Morgan, it takes time, but you fall in love for a fifth time. Five has always been your lucky number. You trust springtime, you let her warmth in. She fills up the cracks of your heart with golden sunlight and you begin to trust again. It takes a long time. Sometimes, you push her away. You worry that she will fall into the patterns of those before her, but she doesn’t. You are safe. You grow up and find love and you find safety.

Feels good to know, doesn’t it? You get bullied in school and the world implodes around you, and you are scared. But you have good friends and the sweetest partner you could have ever dreamed of and a bright mind, always. Things turn out alright.

Now, your life isn’t perfect. It definitely is not perfect. But you learn that perfection doesn’t exist. Mom and Dad still fight and your baby sister grows up and you sit together and wait for the storm to pass; wait for the fight to end.

The tiny, waddling baby that you know becomes a big kid and, my goodness, she is cool. You grow up beside her and you help her all that you can. She’s your best friend in her own way, and she always will be.

You are always curious about the world and that doesn’t end. You have good people who ask about your curiosities and who adore your mind.

Morgan, you are small now, and you are worried about the future. But let me tell you one final time: you will be alright.

You will always end up on the other side, even with a few scars or bruises. You will be alright.

With love and big hugs,

Morgan, thirteen years into the future <3

[weirdthoughtsandideas]

People I've met irl with the same name as dcla characters (and how they were)

Nina: I have met LOTS of people named Nina, and they all have been very different. One of them is related to me and I love her ofc. But then there's also Nina from fourth grade who... well, we were on the swings at recess and I said "I wonder how they make cartoons like Phineas and Ferb, like how they animate them", and she stopped her tracks and said "Are you watching cartoons?!" in the most judgemental tone ever. She then jumped off the swings and walked away, not wanting to be associated with a fourth grader who was so cHiLdiSh she still watched cartoons. So, Nina from fourth grade, if you're out there: Fuck you :)

Maxi: Maxi is a very common name for people my age. Often a nickname of Maximillian (just like Maxi in Violetta's full name is Maximilliano). The Maxi's I've met have often been "one of the boys" and sometimes had a bit of a cocky attitude. One in particular also was famous for making really odd comments sometimes lol.

Helena: Often teachers or friends of my mom are named this. Been very different how they have been. One Helena was my english teacher in middle school and she was from America. She was also my drama teacher (in middle school I went to a school that had a performing arts program), but apparently she was not a fully fledged drama teacher but just "took a course in it for one class". And you could tell, because she just had no idea what we were doing. Once like a week before we performed was like "so I have an idea what you could do :)" and we were like "... we have a play already thanks"

Daisy: Now, the Daisy in Bia is a wonderful person. The Daisy I met irl......................... *traumatic flashbacks*

Simon: I've only met people who are named Simon without the accent over the o. They've all been like Simón in the show :)

Camila: I had a daycare teacher named Camila and I found her to be the funniest teacher. She was in charge of the younger kids, but she talked to us older kids a lot. I remember when my little brother was born and she every day was like "you need to show me your little brother!". And I was so excited when my mom came to pick me up and had my little brother with her (because she was on maternity leave), and as we were leaving, I saw Camila out in the yard and was like "CAMILA!!!! MY LITTLE BROTHER IS HERE!!" and she came out to greet us.

Leon: Every Leon I’ve met has been under 2 years old. I think that name is trending rn (googled: Yep, Leon was top 12 on the baby name list in Sweden 2022).

Lucas: In elementary school I had THREE people named Lucas/Lukas in my class. Extremely popular name in my generation. All of them were different. One of them left no impact on me at all, one of them was the most annoying boy ever, and one of them I had a crush on and ran around telling him I was going to kiss him. He also hit me with a stick in kindergarten and we went to the same daycare where I witnessed him spin around and fall down on a sharp rock, so his mom had to come pick him up and he needed to sew three stitches on his chin.

Alice: Yes, I’ve met several, but all of them are pronounced the english way. They’ve all been very kind people. One of them was a friend of my sisters and my sister said she was a bit odd, though. Although, I can’t judge for myself since I didn’t know her.

Ana: Well, maybe not spelled Ana, but Anna I’ve met hundreds of. Relatives, classmates, teachers, friends of my parents… no one is the same. Every Anna I’ve met has been nice except for one Anna in elementary school who I found so annoying, because she always acted like I was stupid, and gaslighted me. I’ve also had a teacher named Anna who was… we’re not gonna talk about her I am just wondering how she could be allowed to be around children tbh.

Emma: Emma is such a normal name that some Emma’s I’ve met have been nothing but kind, but other Emma’s have been hell’s children. I have nothing but love to say to some Emma’s and have the biggest grudge against other Emma’s.

Emilia: Yes, I met one Emilia. She was very nice and kind, although quite shy.

Amanda: Yep. One girl in my confirmation group who kissed me on the cheek because I offered her chocolate that I didn’t want. And one from my childhood who every time she was invited to birthday parties had to be accompanied by her mom as she had a tendency to get… out of control…

Diego: I’ve only met one Diego and he was literally 1 years old (people naming their kids Diego and Leon… they’re gonna grow up having the real life Violetta over here)

Tomas: Every Tomas I’ve met is either a middle aged man or a toddler, there’s been nothing in between. None of them have left a strong print on me lol

Monica: EVERY Monica I’ve met has either been a lunch lady or a teacher. They are always in school in some way. No one has been the same

Luna: Every Luna I’ve met has been friends of my sister and I never knew them much to say I have an impression. Like I’ve said hi to them at most.

Alex: Every Alex I’ve met is exactly like the Alex in the show. Literally if you’re named Alex (often short of Alexander), you’re destined to just act like that ig

Lara: The only Lara I’ve known was in the same ”art and design” class as me (this was kind of like regular arts class except it was an optional class you could take, like with drama, and you didn’t get graded so you could just sit there and draw or work on an artwork of your choice). I have to admit that I know nothing more than her name. Sometimes I wonder if she was also in my science, physics and biology group (we blended classes for those subjects). If she were I never talked to her. Honestly don't even know her face. Just know she exists because the teacher called her name.

Eric: Every Eric/Erik I've met has been the friend of a friend. I've never been close to an Eric but I've known his name because we have a mutual friend. Although, I recall once when I was like. 4? I was invited to a boy named Eric's birthday party, he went to the same daycare as me and he invited everyone in our daycare group. Remember nothing from his birthday except that it was out on some 4H farm and I ran around chasing a white balloon that was flying over the field. I don't even know if there was cake??? Every kid just ran around. But then again I was 4 so it's understandable I have such blurry memories.

I'm not sure if I've met anyone more that has the same name as a dcla character (maybe the same name as a small character that appeared in like an episode maybe).

[ailee-snow]

A Silent Voice (1) Review

Book Title: A Silent Voice (Volume 1)

Author: Yoshitoki Oima

Rating: 5 Stars

Graphic Trigger Warnings: Bullying, Ableism

Moderate Trigger Warnings: Violence, Suicidal Thoughts

Notes [May contain spoilers around triggering content]: Shoya, the main character, is very violent and bullies the FMC, Shoko, a lot when they’re teenagers. He bullies her through physical, verbal, and mental violence. The other characters have a big part in verbally bullying her too, then deny this when confronted. Once Shoko changes schools, the bullying is then directed at Shoya and is significantly more physical.

Synopsis:

Shoya Ishida is a elementary aged boy with two friends who spends his time doing dangerous activities under the guise of ‘escaping boredom’. Over time, his friends slowly start to drift away from these dangerous activities and try to push him into working towards his schooling, as they will be in middle school soon.

Spoilers and thoughts below:

Around this time, a new girl arrives at his school and he firmly sets his sights on her as a ‘cure to his boredom’, however, this just means picking on and teasing her at every opportunity. He views the fact that she’s deaf as just another reason to bully her. Despite his teachers repeated warnings, he continues to bully her ‘for fun’ until his class starts to turn on him.

Thoughts:

I had already seen the anime movie years ago by the time I finally bought the books. I definitely feel like the first book is more impactful in every way. Shoya is crueler in the book, as the author shows him bullying insects, snails, and cats the same way as he bullies Shoko, even drawing comparisons between them. I feel like the teacher has a much bigger impact here, and the fact that he tells Shoya to stop but never actually stops him or goes against him in the act is very telling. After seeing how much worse his behavior was, it feels more impactful when Shoko first sees him again, and also gives us a better idea of why he feels so horrible about it.

Shoya’s behavior in the beginning is much more sociopathic and difficult to read. I feel like the author did a great job of making him unlikeable. While the anime movie gave us the characters voice actors to understand more of the underlying emotion, the author is able to show us a greater depth of character in the manga. I don’t regret picking this up, even if it is quite difficult to read. I feel horrible for Shoko, and I just want her to be happy and to escape this horrible behavior.

I also feel like Shoya’s mother is shown in much greater detail and feels so much more like a real person in the book. Getting to see her interaction with Shoko prior to her and Shoya meeting in class was beautiful. It makes you wonder how Shoya ended up the way he did when his own mother was so polite and accommodating to Shoko’s needs.

I almost cried reading the first volume and couldn’t wait to start the second one. I won’t make any predictions, as I already have a fairly good idea of how the story ends based on the movie, but I know the following volumes are going to be a lot more painful before they get happy.

[epiclevelup]

14-02

I just got the idea that it might be nice to have a little valentines edition diary entry for today, talking about love (in general and my past experiences).

Since I can remember myself, I've always had a crush on someone. All my crushes delt unobtainable to me. Not sure where this stemmed from, but I guess it does explain a lot of my later love problems and patterns. I was an extremely pretty child, so it cannot be because of that. However, I was not super super popular (I was always the last one to get to pick which winx to be), so perhaps it's always been a social/behavioural problem.

I can remember plenty of my crashes in elementary and middle school, most of the times one of the cute and popular kids in my class. None of them ever considered me, either because of my looks, my presentation and behaviour, or my unpopularity. I think this really drove my ambition to become great, as well as my drive to popularity and craving for love and validation.

Entering high school, my main goal was that to be popular. In a way, I certainly was at first, mostly by association with someone else. Thinking back, my attempt at popularity was mostly a recreation of the Miley Cyrus "we can't stop" look, and an excessive indulgence in transgression. Luckily, I quickly diverted back to a more moderate approach, loosing much of my feeble popularity in the process. Still, I had good friends and was widely liked in my class, so I never felt unpopular there. Still, I had an alternative phase which lasted most of my high school time, probably as a rebellion against my parents, the institutions I was brought up in, and a desperate attempt to be hot and catch attention. There are only 3 people that are worth mentioning when discussing love in high school: C, V and my longing. C was a crush that lasted pretty much throughout all the years of hugh school. I desired them physically, and was at times convinced I was in love. We were only friends, but our relationship was extremely toxic and codependent. V was an interval from C, and it was, probably for that reason, a disaster. Still I don't think our brief fling impacted me much emotionally. Last but not least, my briefest but longest lasting obsession: longing. Perhaps it's that he saw me how I wanted to be seen, or maybe that he promised validation from someone better than anyone any of my foes (and C) could probably ever get. Maybe it's the kind of life and time I thought I could have with him. Maybe it's him (but I doubt). I remember our first date, I think either me (more likely) or him were wearing a camel coat. We met near a bench, he was late. We went to see an exhibition, and I explained the art to him. I didn't find him too handsome face wise, but really liked him still. When he broke up with me I cried for hours, and then went out with my friend and made out with at least 3 different people. What I remember from our dates: a cafè and a particularly punk-ish outfit, his house, making out on his couch, me embarrassing myself (so many times), a walk in the park. After him, it was always him and/or C in my mind until I left for university. I slept with C, they tried to make me feel not good enough for them, but first the first time, I realized they were kind of pathetic and desperate. People wanted me more than them, I was putting them on a pedestal, but it should have been the other way. I never gave C much thought after finishing high school, despite their attempts to reconnect and re-spark my obsession with them.

In university I got together with E, and then with L. I wanted L so much, I remember. I suffered exceedingly. It's kinda ironic that those feelings turned to nothing, as did the 4 years we spent together. Perhaps it's a sign that love never last, or perhaps that it can be starved to death.

Today I got flowers from german guy. It was really really sweet. I took a cute picture and sent him a nice thank you message. I felt his answer was perhaps a bit cold? I'm a bit confused by his behaviour, to be honest. I wonder if he's super sweet and just a bad texter, or if he's trying to play some weird mind trick on me, or if he's simply not that interested in continuing contact because of the distance?

I think I'm thinking about him too much, and should go back to focusing on my favorite longing, distraction and scapegoat.

[ghostjelliess]

A full month passed while Lu struggled in his studio ceramics course. The professor was particularly harsh to him, annoyed that he’d been recommended by people she admired, only to discover her most-anticipated pupil could barely assemble an emotionless pinch-pot, turning in a coil bowl she could have structured better using her own hair, then a thrown bowl that her cat could have made more appealing. He was unremarkable and unimpressive and he didn’t even try to walk the line between Asylum approved emotion and that darker side of human nature that required art for expression. He simply reproduced assignments with the same level of focus and discipline as the elementary classes she taught on weekends and she despised him for it.

Lu did his best, but the class was boring and his internship was worse. He spent hours mining through ancient reports, consolidating research data into new reports with skimmable graphics, sending invitations and thank-yous to name-brand philanthropists, and tracking program impacts at Mids middle schools that were so far superior to their Grounder facilities, that he had to stop and orient himself halfway across campus, pausing a passing tour guide to direct him to administration after lapping the grounds twice and embarrassing himself trying to open a library door without a pass-key. Security had kindly escorted him away from the door, but when Lu had turned to ask for directions, he found only confusing bots with rotating compasses as useless as his nav-system. 

He was so overwhelmed by the opportunities Mid pre-teens waded through daily that he tipped over into a default pessimism. Of course they got decent jobs and moved upwards, it would be embarrassing if they didn’t, surrounded by so much opportunity. He cringed at every encouragement the ARC employees had thrown at them at Navy Academy, then cringed harder at the idea of it as an Academy at all. They’d been a charity project to the Mids, and he hated himself for being impressed with their green expanses of parks and public recreation centers, their community rails that were free to board for residents, and all the ways they shared teh burden of community, because they stood atop the pile of dusted Grounders, coughing and wheezing and dying in the cold. He hated them, and he didn’t want to deliver invitations to private fundraisers, or watch the way they spent fortunes on decorations no one else cared about, but he did, because it was his job, and the only alternative was returning to Gideon. 

He stomped home, surprised to find Phaios lounging on their couch. Racing season had started again, the rains dried up into the canals and drained through the Wells, but before he could ask, Phai sat up and began a long and dramatic saga of broken trains keeping people from the track and Nika stress-hitting anything within reach. Lu tried to follow along at first, but Phaios rambled on mercilessly, barely breathing between one topic and the next, and Lu eventually gave up and indulged him, nodding where he should and asking questions when Phaios paused, dancing around the kitchen to make dinner to keep himself engaged. He assumed Phai’s pit-crew hadn’t done much talking in the few weeks he’d been away and let him carry on until he talked himself out. Phaios gestured and paced as he ranted about the politics surrounding the track, referencing the families of the Quartet like they were game pieces moving across a board, elaborating a particularly deadly play until Lu reminded him he didn’t care about the Ground. His only direction was up, toward the sun, toward freedom, toward Adon. 

continue reading on ghostjellies.com

[sparklychaosandotherthings]

When I was a kid my parents took our fam on vacations a lot, so i often missed school (I graduated at 15, chill, Im a smart cookie) Because of this I often missed hearing about events going on at the school. The day I got back from one such trip, a test was given out to all students in every grade level.

This test was to figure out who would make the “Battle of the Books” team for our school. In order to do well on this test, you actually had to have READ the books they were testing you on. This test of course had ZERO impact on your grade, and teachers actually encouraged students to phone it in if they had no interest/couldnt be on the team. So we all sat down and the teachers distributed the test.

HOWEVER. I was so incredibly panicked the second I heard the word “test” that I couldn’t even HEAR what came out of my teachers mouth next because I started having a panic attack. I was too embarrassed to say anything or ask any questions so I just took out my pencil and just started doing my best.

Now, the thing about me is that I am a little bookworm, and back then I had already surpassed elementary level books and was already reading at a college level. (Not that I didn’t enjoy elementary books, i STILL love a good middle - school level fiction) Which meant that even tho I didn’t read any of the books, I knew all of the classic book tropes, and was able to make educated guesses on most of the questions. I was the last one finished with the test, and absolutely AGONIZED over it. We all turned them in and left for the day. I was completely convinced I had failed the exam, and my father consoled me by taking me to Walmart and letting me pick out a treat.

When we came back to school the next week; they brought us all into the cafeteria to announce the new members of the Battle of the Books team; everyone seemed excited (I had no idea what was going on and was disappointed I must’ve missed some audition process on my trip) and after calling a few names, they called MINE. For a second I thought maybe it was someone else (I have a common name) but I ended up at the front of the cafeteria (my friends pushed me up there) and I was one of only SEVEN students chosen.

Eventually, I asked on of my teammates what was going on, and if the names were chosen randomly, she looked at me strangely and informed me of the test we had all just taken. I was stunned. The coach of the team then informed me I had scored the highest out of the other members; and we were each gifted a set of the books we had been tested on so we could study them further for the competition, and I don’t think anyone except the teammate I asked ever figured out I had never read any of the books.

We ended up being one of the youngest teams to go to state. And I read all the books.

TL:DR: One time I accidentally ended up being a member of my elementary schools highly successful Battle of the Books team, which competed at a state wide level; all because I have bad testing anxiety

[rainglade]

My grandfather once told me that it is better to have less friends than more, and to be careful who to consider a friend. He told me about his experience, and how most of the people in your life should be nothing more than acquaintances. I understand what he meant by this, but it makes me a little bit confused. I think advice like that tends to stem from the idea that I just have a super robust social life and throw around my feelings haphazardly, when the reality couldn't be farther from the truth.

When I was in elementary school, I moved three times, and while my old therapist once alluded to the idea that that had maybe impacted my ability to form close friendships (emotional detachment, hyperindependence, etc.) I think it is probably more than that.

Growing up, I knew there were things about me that were different, but I simultaneously also felt as though what I felt was "normal" per se. I just though that things like sexual attraction were barely there for most people, that gender was pretty meaningless for most people, that my perception of the world was consistent with everyone else's. I think when I learned that this wasn't the case, it made me feel a little bit alienated, more subconciously than conciuosly, which made it so that I can't think of a single person I considered an actual friend in middle school.

The people I sat with at lunch to avoid sitting alone had no respect for me and made me leave when the table was crowded. Even the majority of people who I interacted with were friendly and kind to me, but I never felt close to them. By eighth grade, everyone kind of knew everyone, so things had calmed down more and I felt less insecure, but that didn't change the fact that I didn't have friends, and refused to allow people to get close to me when they tried to be friends with me. Come high school, I never was really bullied or picked on (thank goodness for going to a small minority-majority school attached to a college) but even then, the extent of my friendships were sitting next to people in class or eating lunch with my friend starla.

Mine and my mother's brain have a lot in common, so when I learned that she didn't make many friends until college, I assumed it was the same for me, then felt disappointed when I didn't have any close friends in my first year or two. It is recently that I think I have felt that shift. I think the anti-anxiety meds helped with that, and I also think that mentally I just don't care about that things that used to make me anxious.

In my first year of uni, I used to sleep at 9pm sharp so I'd be asleep before my roommate got back and I wouldn't have to interact with him, then I awoke and left at 6am so I'd be gone before he woke up. On the several nights that I was out past 10/11pm, I slept in the library because I was anxious about waking him up when I unlocked the door. It seemed perfectly rational then, but ridiculous to think about now. Things like this have started to fade into the background of my mind; the bars that limited me before have started to disintegrate, and I couldn't be more glad.

I think my grandfather was right, but I also think that before having close friends, you have to first put yourself out there. Love doesn't come to you by making yourself desirable, it comes to you by making yourself vulnerable to it. It comes by opening your heart and mind; your people will not come to you until you come to them. The universe is a machine, and one gear cannot turn until the other one does. Everything is reciprocal, everything is circular. At the end of the day, who do you want to answer to? Who will you willingly be there for, and who will be there for you?

[phantomtwitch]

fanfic writer emoji ask

💖 what made you start writing

🧠 favourite valerie headcanon

✨something nice about your work

💖 I started writing so long ago I genuinely don't remember - like I can remember writing stories as a real young kid and coloring and everything else. I just loved creating new worlds and putting ideas on the page and expressing myself that way since I was pretty introverted and awkward from a young age. The first fanfic I wrote was a self-insert Animorphs one--I was super obsessed with the series in elementary school and middle school--and then a Digimon fanfic after that, but I never published any of those and I don't think I still have a copy. I ended up starting to write fanfic again after I got into the DP phandom ages ago, since I had shifted to original works for a bit and was feeling stuck. Now I mostly keep doing it because I'll either see or have an idea and just feel an intense urge to get it down on paper.

🧠 Valerie is the best! I love her so much. I think my favorite is that the her suit post the whole bit with Technus is literally a part of her, and while I wouldn't say she's part-ghost like Danny or Vlad, I would say she's not entirely human anymore, either, and is kind of in a unique subset all of her own at that point. I really like exploring that idea in concert with Danny, who I think can't ignore how inhuman he is in so many ways because of his parents and the fact that he can literally turn into a ghost, and Val who I always assume would be in some level of denial about the changes that have happened to her or too focused on everything else in her life to let herself dwell on it.

✨I think I'm pretty good at writing dialogue and putting a lot of emotion into my scenes. My favorite thing about writing is the characters (another reason I tend to love writing fanfic now), so I spend a lot of time thinking about how they would react, what they're like, how a situation would impact them, etc., and then the emotional fallout and character growth or change that can come of various circumstances.

[thatoneshortieho]

Yori Aisuke, Hero name: Bouncer - was born with pale skin, orange hair and blue eyes, physical traits which she inherited due to her mother’s side being entirely of Irish descent. Her father’s genes left nearly no impact on Yori’s appearance, however his Quirk: Rubber Body, was eventually passed onto Yori, developing itself a lot further than his own. Her mother was however Quirkless, something extremely rare for her generation. But she was treated no differently by her family and loved just as much still.

Yori didn’t care much about Heroes and such, mostly just hoping she wouldn’t end up in trouble or her part of town being in danger. She always acted indifferent whenever other kids were talking about how they wanted to be Heroes and beat up bad guys, but secretly she also had the same wish.

Yori’s Quirk finally showed itself one day as she was playing ball with some of her friends in kindergarten. One of the kids kicked the ball weirdly, and it shot full speed directly at Yori. In a panic, she tensed up entirely, bracing for the impact. She heard an impact but all she felt was a light tap, she opened her eyes to see that the ball was now laying next to her friend, who had been knocked unconscious on the grass. She had no idea what to do or what even happened. Later, a teacher told her what had happened; Yori’s Quirk must have manifested and as she had tensed up her body, it activated and the ball Bounced right off Yori and right back at her friend with the same speed he’d kicked it. Yori and her friend apologized to each other and her teacher - with her parents’ permission - signed her up for Quirk Development Therapy.

With the help of QDT and her father, Yori came to understand her Quirk better. She had in fact inherited her father’s Rubber Body and - as passing on Quirks do - developed a stronger variant of it. Her father had the similar type of effects as Yori did, however for Yori; the impact damage is reduced to only a third of the damage it should do, as opposed to her father taking ¾ damage. An incredible development. Yori discovered that she could - not only have things Bounce off her, but that she could Bounce herself off things. She discovered this when she and her father were training to increase her reflexes and resistance. She had activated her Quirk a bit too late, so when the ball hit her, she was knocked back into the wall of their shed and Bounced off that with quite some force. 

Teachers at her elementary and middle school were constantly worried regarding the bruises she’d sometimes have when coming to school. One teacher even called CPS and when her father calmly explained the situation and their Quirks, he was given a light warning to not push his daughter too much, but other than that the case was dropped entirely.

Yori herself is what you could call withdrawn-but-cocky. She isn’t much of a people person and she tends to have quite an attitude. She was never a bully however, but she was most often seen as one by more timid classmates. Once she realizes this, she tries to drop her mask a bit for them, but only for them, because she really didn’t want to be feared. She has a soft heart but it is buried by layers of insecurity, “ambitious” thinking and her general need to come off as at least a little tough. But she never means anyone any harm. “Unless they’re legit askn’ fo’ it.”

She was teased a little for having picked up a bit of an Irish accent from her mother, but she learned to suppress it. Until she got angry, then it really shone through. She knew quite a bit of English due to this as well and was a bit of a star in English classes at her schools.

During the Entrance Exam, Yori felt no confidence in herself. She knew she couldn’t fight, much less fight giant robots. For most of the duration of it, she was simply running around, trying to figure out a way to at least get a single point. Suddenly, she saw something falling from above, she quickly realized it was a person and her body acted on its own, running towards where the person would land, and throwing herself at the ground - activating her Quirk. The person in question Bounced safely off Yori and was absolutely stunned, thanking her over and over in what seemed like a bit of a mental haze.

After some thinking, she decided that, even if she herself can’t get enough points to get into UA, she might as well help someone else so they can get in. She proposed the idea to this person - who introduced themselves very quickly as Ayane - that they could use Yori as a sort of trampoline. Run into her or - if they fell again - Yori could Bounce them, so that Ayane could get enough height and defeat enough Target Robots to get into UA. Ayane tried to convince Yori that she could get points too, but Yori’s mind was set on her failing the Exam either way. With a bit of convincing - and another Target Robot finding them, Ayane accepted.

She was later sent a letter explaining the Hero Point system, and that she had gathered enough to also get into UA, even if she hadn’t defeated any herself. She was as such accepted into Class 1A at UA.