#you're just fueling my brainrot by validating it

[eryanlainfa]

WAUUUGH I LOVE THE CONCEPT OF AIRIGO NEVER TAKING OUT THE BRAIDS FROM THEIR WEDDINGGGGGG!!!!! Also how do you feel about bringing the sequel where hugo loses his forearm out of your head???? I wanna know about it!!! grrrr grrr also the EARRINGS???? THE EYE COLOR EARRINGS??? THEY'RE SO CRINGE AND IN LOVE I LOVE THEMMM

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU'VE READ MY WHOLE RAMBLING ABOUT THEM AUUGDJDJSKZL KISSING YOUR FOREHEAD RN SHAKING YOU

They are the cringiest people ever and they make me go absolutely FERAL-

About that 'sequel'. I'd LOVE TO SHARE ABOUT IT SO MUCH. But the problem is that it directly follows the 7k one which I still HAVEN'T FINISHED MAKING OUT THE DETAILS OF- so things changes constantly 😭 and overall it is still barely a draft- I am not a writer and I am not planning a big novel or something, it's just that their lives are continuing in my head and it just so happens to still be full of dramas xD

Overall it picks up what I leave open ended so it starts with setting the aftermath of the 7k story more precisely, (how the library is received, how the bridge between the two realms being repaired impacted both worlds etc) then there is a LOT of Venefica and witches drama- and more Donella shenanigans- and I was gonna say how Var is NOT a main character in this one but I actually have an idea to get each member of my ot3 through their own lil sidequest at the same time 🤔

Idk- gotta think about it-

AND YES THEY ARE SO CRINGE (AFFECTIONATE) aaauuurgh they are everything- I genuinely went "what is the worst mushy lovey thing they could do?" And went with everything on the list-

[iliveforyouilongforyouvesuvia]

Hi. I'm just curious. Maybe You can explain it or telle.how it works!? I have no idea...

There is a thing with new blogs or blogs that are not 100% arcana related that make really nice fan arts or headcanons or memes that are totally lacking in likes and reblogs and then some posts just randomly hit 200 hearts in one day. Does it have something to do withcreator past on Tumblr or there are some unwritten rules or it's just magic of followers and users not checking the arcana tag in main searching bar ? Because sometimes I see good content (or something that looks nice for me) and I don't know if I should like or reblog it because there moght be a secret thing a untold story of person x being problematic in past or something and no one tell others or it's just accidental lottery of what will be enjoyed by mass or what will stay in shadows? Please I'm sometimes literally afraid of liking something if main popular blogs don't attest it before me as nice or safe.

An Arcana Brainrot Essay

Hiya friend!

I get where you're coming from, and to be completely honest, this is something I struggle with a lot in fandom spaces too. I'm going to go ahead and write my little (700 word) essay response in hopes that you find something useful here. I don't have all the answers, but I do have a few tips that have helped me. :)

(You can skip straight to the bold part for my older sibling thoughts on toxic fandom spaces)

About the random posts blowing up, tumblr as a platform works differently from other social medias in that it doesn't really have an algorithm. You encounter new content mostly through what the blogs you follow post/reblog and through the tags you follow. Don't feel weird about checking the tags too often, I scroll through the Arcana's tag at least four times a day because I like to obsess like that. ^.^

Newer blogs also won't have their posts show up until they've been posting regularly for some time (I think it took mine two weeks), and then there's factors like blaze and different posting times to consider. It's not weird to engage with something that has very few likes. It most probably just means that other people haven't had the chance to see it.

About problematic creators and the toxic side of fandoms:

One of the special things about being part of a fandom is sharing an emotional investment in the same content with a whole group of people. Fictional characters, situations, and stories have a capacity to speak to us from inside our imaginations and emotions in a way that most real people can't. It's what fuels such a deep attachment to the content we enjoy together.

It's also why seeing content that you find problematic or maybe just don't vibe with can feel so upsetting. It's easy for creators to say "if you don't like it, scroll past," but that can be hard to do when it concerns a character you're deeply invested in. It takes a decent amount of emotional maturity to agree to disagree with someone's opinions or viewpoints when it's about something that's personally impactful.

The way people follow through on that really ranges. Some people like characters that make them feel safe or comforted, so they stick to the parts of the fandom that focus on canon-typical things and don't delve too much into personal opinions and interpretations. Other people really benefit from using characters and dynamics they relate to to unpack certain things, and that's where you'll find a lot more opinionated discourse. And where you find opinions, you'll find disagreement, and when that disagreement concerns emotionally charged subjects, things can get heated and hurtful.

My point is that different types of content engage different types of conversations. Feeling fear or anxiety around which conversations you find yourself in is completely valid, especially when you're not sure who you're listening or talking to. I have two pieces of advice for this:

First, choose wisdom over fear. Make wise choices. If you see something you really like, don't engage with it mindlessly. Think about what you're looking at and recognize what it means to you, and then any engagement that comes of that is a decision you can grow from. If someone asks you later, "why did you like this?" you'll have a good reason, even if it wasn't well informed.

Second, know what you're looking for. All fandoms have toxic and problematic sides, just like how all people have toxic and problematic sides. What makes a difference is what you choose to do with it.

When you want to know if something is good but you're not in a position to judge it, take a look at the space around it. Take a look at the effect it has on other people. Who would feel welcome on this page? Who wouldn't? Who would feel respected by this creator? Who wouldn't? Why is that?

This sounds like a lot of work to do when all you want is to enjoy something you love with other people who love it too. For what it's worth, it gets easier as your brain builds these thought habits. You'll find your space and your people in good time. That's what fandom is really all about in the first place!

If you can't find a logical reason but something or someone just gives you the ick, trust your gut.

Even when you see something that hurts your connection to a character or story you're invested in, learn how to step away.

If you find something new and you're not sure what to think, keep your mind open and engaged.

And finally, be ready to make mistakes. Be ready for the creators you admire to make mistakes. Learn how to forgive yourself, and you'll find that forgiving others comes a little bit more easily too.

Cheers friend, and may you find every good thing you're looking for!

- brainrot

[dorkwithfeelings]

Family Ties | Travis Hackett x gn!Reader

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A/N: just a little something that came from my Travis brainrot.

Word Count: 638

Warnings: nothing but a lot of cursing.

Summary: You're trying to make Travis see that what he's doing isn't good for him.

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"You can't save everyone, Travis."

By the way his eyes seared into you, your words hurt him. But that wasn't your reason for saying them. You were just tired of seeing Travis burdened by his family, seeing him take a constant responsibility for their actions.

"You can't carry them anymore, it's going to kill you." You urged and took a step closer to his desk, he was sitting behind it, eyes now on his computer screen.

"So what if it does? It's not like they'd give a shit. Heck, they'd probably dance on my grave." Now it was his turn to say hurtful words. Your heart withered at the subdued tone in his voice, the toll all this was taking on him already made itself obvious. Sat before you was a man fueled on bitterness and self-loathing.

"Don't say things like that. Just because they're happy to throw you under the bus and risk your life every fucking full moon, does not mean I am." Your teeth were gritted, hands shaking and cheeks red with anger.

"Look, I don't know what you want me to say, Y/N-"

"I want you say you'll stop putting up with their bullshit!" You yelled, Travis jumped up from his seat.

"Keep it down, or else those kids will hear." He hissed, eyes wide and alert.

"You mean those two missing camp counsellors? The ones you've got locked up because your dumb werewolf brother bit one of them?"

Travis' teeth visibly clenched. He got closer to you and pointed toward the door.

"Those kids should have listened to me, so don't go blaming that on Chris."

"Still another mess for you to clean up, Travis. Last time I checked, Sheriffs are the ones giving orders, not taking them."

The more you two went back and forth, the more it became blatantly obvious you two weren't going to see eye to eye on this. If you could just get Travis to see his blind loyalty for what it really was, you wouldn't go on about it so much.

A sigh rippled out from between the Sheriff's lips and he closed his eyes.

"I shouldn't even be talking about all this with you," he mumbled, "If Chris catches us, he'll tell ma and pa-"

"Wait, they still don't know I know? Christ, Travis!" The icing on the cake.

"What? You might be a family friend, but you ain't blood. They'll kill me if they find out, you know that!"

You were just going round in circles and Travis wasn't listening. Honestly, there was no point in going on with this stupid argument. Feeling the weight of your shoulders get even heavier as they sagged, arms at your sides, you took a step closer to Travis and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't mean to nag you all the time," you said, looking into his droopy and exhausted eyes. "But right here, in front of you, is someone you actually gives a damn about your well-being and happiness. Just... keep that in mind."

Travis almost looked uncomfortable at the mild physical contact you were giving him, but you really didn't care. He needed it.

"I know you care, a lot." Travis conceded, finally acknowledging the reason you were so insistent. "I just don't know why."

And there it was. He was finally letting his walls down, only a little but a little was a lot in his case.

"Because you're a good person, Travis. You've always put family first. But there comes a time when it has to stop, especially when it's endangering your life and mental state."

You felt Travis' shoulder loosen under your hand at that, his eyes locking with yours. It was like he'd just received the validation he needed most.

That he was just as important as everyone else.