#Methodological doubt

[omegaphilosophia]

Aspects of the Philosophy of Doubt

The philosophy of doubt explores the concept of uncertainty and skepticism regarding knowledge, beliefs, and truth claims. It questions the reliability of human cognition and the certainty of our understanding of the world. Doubt can be seen as both a philosophical problem and a methodological approach, influencing epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and other areas of philosophy.

Some key aspects of the philosophy of doubt include:

Epistemic skepticism: This is the view that knowledge claims are inherently uncertain or even impossible to justify. Epistemic skeptics raise doubts about the reliability of our senses, reasoning, and cognitive faculties to accurately perceive and understand reality.

Methodological doubt: This is a systematic approach to inquiry that involves questioning assumptions, beliefs, and conclusions in order to arrive at more reliable knowledge. Methodological doubt is often associated with the scientific method and critical thinking.

Cartesian skepticism: Named after the philosopher René Descartes, Cartesian skepticism is a form of radical doubt that seeks to doubt everything that can be doubted in order to find indubitable truths. Descartes famously expressed skepticism about the reliability of the senses and the possibility of being deceived by an evil demon.

Existential doubt: This form of doubt concerns questions about the meaning, purpose, and significance of human existence. Existential doubt often arises in response to existential crises or profound experiences that challenge conventional beliefs and values.

Moral skepticism: Moral skepticism is the view that there are no objective moral truths or that moral knowledge is inherently uncertain. Moral skeptics may doubt the existence of moral facts or argue that moral judgments are ultimately subjective or culturally relative.

Overall, the philosophy of doubt encourages critical reflection, open-mindedness, and intellectual humility in the pursuit of truth and understanding. It reminds us to question our assumptions, challenge our beliefs, and remain open to new possibilities, even in the face of uncertainty.

[walkawaytall]

Also, also, why is it that Yoda straight-up says the Luke's anger reminds him of Anakin's in The Empire Strikes Back and the movie very subtly shows Luke's face under Vader's helmet and fandom just glosses straight over that and says that Luke is just like his mom, but Leia yells about a plan being dumb and likely to get everyone killed a few times, and suddenly she's got the same anger in her that turned Anakin evil for twenty-some years?

[arthur-lesters-spinal-cord]

Hello Jonathan Sims head archivist of the Magnus Institute London what are you doing reading this article all of a sudden

[fantasiavii]

I’m not done with it yet but I s2g EVERYONE should read Merchants of Doubt. Want to learn the importance of critical thinking, reading comprehension, and scientific literacy? Merchants of Doubt. Want to learn how to recognize propaganda? Merchants of Doubt. Want to learn just how deeply corporate interests have fucked us over? Merchants of Doubt. Just enjoy academic drama? MERCHANTS. OF. DOUBT.

[neonbodyache]

the desire to make themed diets calling to me like the green goblin once again

they’re like 80% formed in my head already but I just got a small freelance job and I don’t have the time smh. fight club junkorexic diet howl pendragon health conscious diet spiderman fitness forward diet I am not beating the tboy stereotypes idgaf

[mariasont]

Could you do a story where Y/N Is taken in a hostage situation and we see more of a dark hotch? like that early episode where hotch and reid are hostages in the hospital?

TOO EMOTIONAL - A.H

a/n: thank you so much for requestin <3 i hope this is what you were wanting!

masterlist

pairings: aaron hotchner x fem!reader

warnings: honestly yall i feel like this is way darker than anything i've written so far, not sure if its good or not but alas, mentions of blood, violence, unsub threatens reader with a knife and a lighter, mentions of sexual assualt (it doesnt happen just mentions of it), unsub cuts open readers shirt, hotch is a dick for a plot, hurt/comfort

wc: 1.4k

Your vision was blurred, you fought to focus as dried blood flaked from your lashes with each heavy blink. You swallowed a cough, the floor's cold concrete punishing your knees. The ties around your wrists and ankles were merciless, digging into your flesh. You tried to focus on the sounds around you — the drip-drop of water, the soft wail of distant sirens.

You caught glimpses of Hotch, his distinct cologne mingling with the warehouse's musty air. He was agonizingly close yet not close enough to touch. The unsub's footsteps were barely audible over the pounding of your heart. Only three cases in, and it seemed the universe was conspiring to reroute your career choice.

Frantically, you attempted to wipe your face on your shirt as the footsteps ceased before you and Hotch. The man was a ghastly figure, burns cutting from one side of his face to the other. You couldn't breathe.

"What a day to have feds come knocking." His voice was hoarse, fingers absently playing with a lighter.

"You know, they say the most intelligent criminals are the ones who don't get caught, yet here we are," Hotch said, his chin defiantly up, words sharp and calculated.

Suddenly, the unsub was right there, his disfigured face uncomfortably close, the heat from the lighter singeing your skin. His breath was a hot, sticky assault, and you fought the instinct to flinch.

"Smart men don't leave witnesses, and I intend to be very smart about this."

The foundations of your training flitted across your consciousness, the methodologies for keeping control of the situation, but they sifted through your fingers like said, rendering you paralyzed.

"Take her then. She's new, inexperienced. Probably more trouble than she's worth." Hotch's voice was cold, jarring like a slap to the face, his expression empty of emotion.

You strained to keep your face impassive, your eyes darting to Hotch, pleading for his attention. Your breaths were shallow, scarcely there. He had to be bluffing. You felt sick. The unsub shifted his weight, scrutinizing you both, edging closer to hotch, no doubt with suspicion.

The unsub laughed, a cold and calculating sound as he circled around Hotch. "You expect me to believe you'd turn on your own that quickly? I'm not a fool."

"Look at her and tell me what her worth is to me." Hotch's voice was even, almost bored. "She's a liability. Too emotional, too soft." 

His words were flung carelessly, yet they landed with precision, straight into your chest. Your teeth punished the inside of your cheek.

The remarks were like sharp barbs to your chest, instilling a hollow feeling as you attempted to convince yourself that the wetness on your lashes was anything but tears. His assessment was not unfounded. Your empathy, your sensitivity, traits deemed too tender for the harsher realities of your job, were now being used against you. Hotch had always been an exception, until now.

"Well, I could see her worth in other ways." The man's words oozed contempt, his gaze crawling over you in a way that threatened to turn your stomach. "I bet that's how she got the job in the first place, huh?"

"What do you think?" Hotch's laugh was a sinister match to the unsub's. He tilted his head in your direction. "Look at her. That's all she's been good for."

Your breath caught in your throat, your body turning as much as the ties would permit in Hotch's direction. You could almost hear your heart shattering, could feel it in Hotch's inability to face you. Was this a plan or had he truly discarded you?

You never deluded yourself into thinking you were Hotch's favorite, his reserved interactions with you made that abundantly clear. In fact, you were probably his least favorite. He had kept you at an arm's length, while seemingly forging bonds with the others that didn't seem to extend to you.

This was all within reason, given your inexperience and younger age, but the disdain lacing his words was unexpected, shredding through any pretense of professional detachment.

Hotch had never wanted you on the team, it was Rossi who had vouched for you. And now, look where that got you both.

Maybe this was all deserved.

"Then you won't mind if I try her out for myself?" The unsub's insinuation felt like a perverse validation of Hotch's doubts. 

A low hum escaped the unsub as he closed the distance, his gaze predatory. You stilled, breath caught as he produced a knife from his pocket, skimming your cheek just shy of cutting. You were scared and you were scared to show it. Desperately, you looked to Hotch, the blade now hovering precariously close to your sternum.

Hotch wouldn't look at you. You wanted to scream, to cry, to throw something, but that was all shoved to the bottom of your throat as the unsub sliced down the middle of your shirt, exposing your chest and compelling your gaze to it. Tears of humiliation prickled your eyes. How could Hotch let this happen to you?

The unsub's clammy grip clung to your waist, your lips trembling as you prepared for the worst. You closed your eyes, escaping to your house in your mind — tea brewing, fireplace going — anywhere but here.

A sudden splatter to your face jolted you back, eyes opening in alarm you saw Hotch's eyes, not the unsub's.

"You're okay, you're okay," Hotch murmurs. 

The words did little to comfort you, his hands moving blindly to release the binds at your wrist and ankles. Looking down, you see the unsub, knife through his back, blood pooling around him. Hotch's hands are on your wrists, his thumbs massaging away the sting. 

When your hand touches your face, you feel the splatter from earlier, coming back away with a smear of blood on your fingertips. 

Your voice felt like it was a prisoner inside yourself, words and sounds slipping past you like ghosts. A persistent ringing in your ears muffled all but the pungent scent of the warehouse, which clawed at your senses. 

You felt the jostle of hands, the motion of being lifted, a sensation so distant it barely registered. The world was a smear of lights and faces — the team showing up, the paramedics — until it slowly came into focus. 

You barely registered that Hotch was speaking to you, his words indistinct and muffled.

"What?" you asked, your speech slow to form and blurred at the edges.

You had a jacket over the front of you, his jacket, covering your exposed chest.

Hotch's eyes were pools of worry as he grasped at your hand. It was weird, the feeling of his hand in yours. You realized that was the first time you had felt it. 

"More water?"

You could only nod, and he promptly fetched a bottle, twisting it open and placing it in your hand. You took a small sip. 

"It's too loud," you mumbled, you were aware you weren't making sense.  You shifted to face him, your knee grazing his thigh. "Did you mean those things you said?"

"Of course I didn't mean it," Hotch replied quickly, his gaze intense. "You thought I meant that?"

Your gaze dropped to your lap, voice faltering. "I don't know... I wasn't sure, I mean, no, but I just... I don't feel very useful, and this whole mess, it's because of me and I —,"

Tears interrupted you, your hands fumbling to hide them. Hotch reached out, gently turning your face to his, thumb brushing away the tears. 

"Hey, look at me. Don't say that. This isn't your fault. Nothing I said back there was true. I needed to distract him, had to make him concentrate on you."

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm crying like this," you stammered between sobs. 

"You don't have to apologize. You're crying because you've been through a lot. Just breathe, take your time."

You managed a wobbly smile. "You hit the nail on the head with the too emotional part," you sniffled.

Hotch gave a small chuckle. "Your compassion, your sensitivity, it's what sets you apart as an agent, in fact, it makes you an outstanding one."

You were close now, your gaze inadvertently drawn to his lips. You could kiss him if you wanted. Not that you were in the right headspace or that it was appropriate. But you could've.

"Oh, my goodness, I'm so glad you're okay!" You were barreled into a hug, the familiar voice and blur of color of Penelope enveloping your senses.

Hotch cautioned, "Watch her head." 

With Penelope's hands around you, you found yourself looking over her shoulder, locking eyes with Hotch. His gaze held a new light, a recognition that maybe, just maybe you weren't Hotch's least favorite agent after all.

taglist: @hotchhner @khxna @readergf @sarcasm-and-stiles @edencherries @aurorsworld @princess76179 @malindacath @broadwaytraaaaash @sunfyyre @sleepysongbirdsings @trulycayla @crouchingapple @navia3000 @aaronlovesava @bakugocanstompme

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[thefantastickatinator]

Dropout should hire more trans women.

That said, a couple things about the data set floating around showing disproportionality in casting:

1. 7 of the top 9 (those cast members who appear in over 100 episodes, everyone else has under 70 appearances) are members of the core dimension 20 cast, aka “the intrepid heroes”. This cast has been in 7 of the 22 seasons, with those seasons usually being 20-ish episodes long (the other seasons are between 4-10 episodes long typically). That’s approximately 140 episodes for each of the main intrepid heroes cast members just for these seasons (not including bonus content like live shows). Brian Murphy has appeared 154 times, which means almost all of his appearances were on D20 intrepid heroes campaigns.

2. The other 2 in the top 9 are Sam Reich and Mike Trapp, who are both hosts of long running shows (Game Changer and Um, Actually)

3. 198 of the 317 episodes that noncis “TME” people have appeared in can be attributed to ally Beardsley alone (there is some crossover where for example alex and ally have both appeared in the same episodes). Erika ishii has been in 67 of the 317 noncis “TME” episode appearances i don’t know how much crossover there is between them but i don’t think they’ve been on d20 together so i doubt it’s more than 20. It could be as many as 250 of the 317 episodes that have either erica or ally. Both Erika and ally are majorly skewing the results for the data

4. Over 3/4 of people have no listed gender identity in the spreadsheet - most of them have 1-2 appearances, but a few have 3-4 appearances. I’m pretty sure these people aren’t included in the data at all (some of them i’m p sure are not cis like jiavani and bob the drag queen)

5. The data collector has assigned “tme” and “tma” to various cast members.

TME: transmisogyny exempt

TMA: transmisogyny affected

Now, tranmisogyny can affect trans women, trans femmes, and nonbinary people, and occasionally masculine appearing cis women.

I personally do not believe that an outside person can assign you a label deciding whether or not you experience certain types of oppression- and yet that is what the data collector has done.

I think a more accurate label would be amab/afab, or more honestly- “people i think are amab or have said they are amab and then everyone else”

6. The data does not include many of their newer shows such as Very Important People, Gastronauts, Play it By Ear, and Monet’s Slumber Party, all of which feature trans people (MSP, Gastronauts, and VIP are all hosted by noncis people)

What I think the data more accurately shows:

- Dimension 20 has a “main cast” who have appeared in the majority of episodes

- Dropout has some “regulars” who appear on the majority of their content/shows (sam has referenced multiple times that brennan is one of the first people he calls whenever someone can’t show up for something since he’s nearly always down for anything) - none of these people are trans women

Final thoughts:

I think eliminating “hosts” and the “intrepid heroes” from THIS TYPE of data set would be more appropriate because they massively skew the data when crunching the numbers for dropout shows. Especially since I can tell from the excel sheet that there are shows missing. Examining d20 sidequests and the guests on the other shows will give a more accurate representation of casting. Hosts should be analyzed separately as that’s a different casting process.

Also imagine if we referred to men and women as “misogyny exempt” and “misogyny affected” when doing demographics. Or if someone did a data collection of the number of POC appearances in dropout episodes and sorted it by “racism affected” and “racism exempt” - so weiiiiird

TLDR: the data set has massive issues with its methodology and that should be considered. That doesn’t make what trans women are saying less valid.

In other words: spiders brennan is an outlier and should not have been counted

[u1timat3-m0gg3r]

---

"Possession"

Albert Wesker x Spouse!Reader (Y/N)

Scenario – Jealousy

The sterile lights of the Umbrella conference hall buzzed overhead, bouncing coldly off polished surfaces and metal walls. Scientists, soldiers, and executives moved like ants, too preoccupied with their tasks to notice the figure standing in the doorway—Albert Wesker, sunglasses catching the light like a predator’s eyes.

His gaze was locked on one specific point across the room.

You.

You were speaking with a newly transferred Umbrella researcher—Dr. Elias Carter—a bright, young biochemist with more ambition than sense. Wesker had been watching him for weeks: the way he lingered too long in conversation with you, the way his tone softened, how he leaned just a little too close when no one else was watching.

Now, Wesker watched from the shadows as Carter laughed at something you said, eyes lingering on your mouth.

You didn’t seem to notice.

But Wesker did.

He stepped forward, boots making no sound despite his size. His presence changed the air pressure in the room.

Dr. Carter froze as Wesker approached. People always froze when he approached.

“Dr. Carter,” Wesker said, voice smooth as oil and twice as slick. “You're far from the lab floor. Surely your current experiments don't require... social engagement.”

Elias blinked, then forced a polite smile. “Just discussing some gene therapy theory with Y/N. They’ve got some sharp insights.”

Wesker tilted his head slightly toward you. “I’m aware of their talents. Intimately.”

Your brow lifted slightly at the edge in his tone.

Carter chuckled awkwardly. “Right. Of course, sir.”

“And your work?” Wesker asked, the smile never reaching his voice. “Progressing? Or is conversation your newest methodology?”

“I—uh—of course, progressing, sir. I’ll be returning to the lab now.”

Wesker gave a single nod.

Carter was gone in seconds.

The moment lingered in silence as you crossed your arms and turned to face him fully. “Subtle.”

“I wasn’t attempting to be,” he said plainly.

You arched a brow. “That was jealousy.”

He looked at you for a long moment. Then, in that same measured, unreadable voice:

“No. That was ownership.”

You stepped toward him. “There’s a difference?”

Wesker’s lips twitched—almost a smile. Almost. His gloved hand rose to brush a stray lock of hair from your face, his touch precise, controlled... and laced with quiet intensity.

“I don’t tolerate distractions,” he murmured. “And I certainly don’t tolerate competition.”

You leaned into his palm slightly. “You really think he’s competition?”

“I don’t think anything,” he said. “I know he isn’t. But he doesn’t.”

There was something darker simmering in his gaze now—not rage, but something more dangerous. Possessiveness. The kind born not of weakness, but absolute confidence.

“I’m not some prize you have to defend,” you said quietly.

“No,” he agreed. “You’re something I’ve already won. And I never lose what’s mine.”

He leaned in—close enough that his voice was felt more than heard.

“If anyone forgets that,” he said, “I’ll remind them.”

And he kissed you—not gently, not sweetly—but like a statement. Like a mark left on the battlefield. Cold hands. Hot mouth. No room for doubt.

When he pulled away, he added one final note, voice sharp as glass:

“Don’t give anyone the illusion they’re allowed to want you. Illusions are for the weak.”

---

[justblades]

hypothesis — anaxa x fem! reader

IN WHICH, your research study piques anaxa’s interest, inducing him to trap you into a collaboration to achieve the end you both desire

TAGS, MDNI. dub con, university setting, drugged sex, mind fuck, not proofread.

Applause rises from the crowd in front, the expressions painted on the majority’s faces are one of shared joy - it was a moment of delight and fulfillment, as marvelous minds clashed and melded with one another to craft such a significant research. Your group stands proud while the research panel awards you the trophy and certificate, hereby marking a significant milestone; the batch shall continue to tread the endless pursuit of wisdom and knowledge after the graduation.

The previous proud grins of some gradually curl upside down, catching your attention as you whip your head to your members’ direction. You pick up from the beads of tears streaming down their cheeks, the other attempting to bite down his threatening sobs, it was when it finally dawned on you: you truly have made it. The sleepless nights of stress and pressure indeed bore fruition.

After what felt like an eternity of suspense and excitement, the emcee then reads her closing spiel, formally announcing the end of the event. The big day comes to an end, loud cheers of the batch naturally follow, resounding all throughout the grove.

Unfortunately, fate had other plans, as it unties the already woven threads of triumph, letting it all loose as the scrutiny of the meticulous professor lands upon you. Seeds of doubt and confusion were sowed in the depths of your heart as you receive a bizarre call, “Professor Anaxa has queries about your research.”

Standing before you now is the infamous blasphemer of a teacher, whose mind is unbridled of moral restraints for the sake of knowledge. Expectedly, as a scholar, that trait of his was highly condemned and yet you find a part of you justifying his actions whenever you come across such wild rumors.

His fingertips slowly glide past the corners of the hardbound pages, skimming through the context of the rigorous part of your thesis: the methodology. Your heart thrums against your ribcage, this time, twice more as Anaxa slides in his pen to mark the part he was focusing on. Subsequently, he hums and looks at you with anticipation.

Slightest hint of disapproval emanates from his stare, to which the professor tries to coat as confusion to test your resolve. “If I’m not mistaken, you were the assigned leader of your thesis, no?” His voice stern as ever, you immediately respond. “Yes, sir.”

Dating back, you never happened to have a class taught by Anaxa. It was just a one time occurrence when you were able to witness how the cogs of his bright mind function when he stood as an adjudicator for a debate event held by the academy, to which he successfully cracks down the fallacies made by the opposing team with just mere questions, with the purpose of catching them by their own words, akin to a fish biting the bait and digging its own grave.

If anything, you knew him more through rumors and gossip, as the last you heard about was him expressing an opinion that scholars who are hellbent on gaining newfound knowledge shall be willing to bend the arrows of their moral compass to achieve such an end. Naturally, his school of thought anchoring on this expression was heavily criticized for the main reasons of ethics and confidentiality in the field of academics.

“Entitled ‘Efficacy of Specialized Alchemy through the Lens of Genetic Modification’ . . . Interesting. But the theoretical framework and methodology do not align.” He states, slate hue fixating on you. “If you were to study the efficacy of a particular object, you’d normally employ a design that encompasses both the quantitative and qualitative nature of the data to be derived, yet you stuck with one that adheres more to the latter. Care to explain how you came up with this process?”

Your brows furrow, bewilderment sits on your facial expression. The rationale of the methodology is already stated in the same paragraph for that question - why was he asking things that are obvious?

“Professor Anaxa—“

“Please refer to me as Anaxagoras.”

“Sir, as expressed in the introductory text, to determine efficacy, qualitative data shall provide an in-depth understanding of the subject, to name the factors that cannot be determined by merely recognizing patterns and trends. It tends to have a nuanced nature as it doesn’t just describe the leverages of the topic, its drawbacks shall also be determined in order to establish possible interventions for its improvement and to ensure your hypothesis is approved.”

“—Additionally, our thesis hinges on the concept of genetic modification with the main focus of improving our five senses, to be able to heighten them at our own volition as we see fit to be utilized according to the circumstance we are in.”

Anaxa pays close attention to your gestures as your hands tend to move on their own, a habit you happened to develop as you hone your dissertation all throughout these years. “However, our paper just touches upon the efficacy, not the practical application of specialized alchemy.”

“And? What are the results?”

Your jaw widens out of disbelief, as if the answers he was looking for cannot be found in the book. The longer this supposed questioning drags on, the more toll it took on you. Regardless, respect shall be shown, so you backtrack the results of your study. “The majority of the respondents strayed from describing the concept as something that can be done right, but rather, for them, it’s an insult to the human life. The quantitative data geared more to it being an impractical method to improve one’s capabilities, which was further supported by the verbatim cited in the presentation part of the chapter.” You recite, breaking off eye contact with Anaxa, head hung low facing the ground. Your fists balled, a bittersweet mood washes over you, recalling the summary of the data you gathered from the respondents.

“And let me guess, you were disappointed with the results.” With one sentence, you look back up at him, this time, more puzzled than before. A question arises, how did he know?

He slightly tilts his head and waves his hand in the air, “It is truly a shame to realize that these people, supposedly seeking wisdom, are the same ones who will never get to quench this thirst as they are held back by their morals. If we do not change up our methods, do you think it will yield different results each time?” His words had weight on them, not seemingly just blank questions one would typically ask in a thesis defense. The whole exchange becomes all the more confusing.

“I suppose you already have an idea where I’m getting at.” The teal haired drops his finality, and like a last puzzle piece falling into its right place by pure coincidence, you were able to see the bigger picture Anaxa prepared for you.

Alignment stems from shared vision, branching into different methodologies cultivated through revisions to obtain an answer from your assumptions. As Anaxa skimmed through your thesis, it was undoubted that he was able to relate your justification with his school of thought. The two of you were willing to tiptoe on the boundary lines of ethics in research - because if not, how will we be able to procure knowledge if sacrifices were not to be made?

“I understand, sir.” It was when you approved of his invitation that the green curls of smoke in the laboratory started to become more visible, carrying minuscule pigments of shimmer as rays of light spill in the littlest crooks of the room. “Wh—“

You were cut off as Anaxa takes steps towards you while you stepped further away from him. A loud thud echoes in the vicinity as you find yourself trapped between Anaxa’s looming aura and his master desk. The sage’s tattooed hand then brushes softly on your supple skin. Starting from your collarbone, making his way up to your neck, “I employed modifications on my genes to test my assumption - but I couldn’t activate those out of my own volition. To determine the efficacy of something, its participant should be willing. Am I right?”

As if you were at a standstill in time, your breathing hitches the longer his skin is in contact with yours. His fingers were rough, some had dry patches, as expected of a practical researcher. Yet the warmth he exudes from his touch feels foreign, a driving force that makes your stomach churn with a whirlpool of mixed emotions.

“Let’s start off with sense of sight. Close your eyes.” Your chest rises and falls, heartbeat pacing faster in each minute. “Sir—“ Unexpectedly, you follow suit to his command, shutting your eyes. Your brows knit even further, wanting to protest against this method but the words you intend to verbalize die down on your tongue in an instant.

How did he manage to make you follow suit to his command? What else did he incorporate to the component?

Darkness graces your eyes, another chilling sensation rides on your skin. It felt hot, but the second it trails away into another direction, it leaves an icy feeling, lingering.

Thousands of thoughts surface in your mind and none of them were of composure. You were astonished, confused, wanting to beg for more time to adjust but here you are being immediately toyed in Anaxa’s palms. As if acting out of desperation to break free from this predicament, a new pseudo dimension forms, to which faint lines of everything around you could be discerned, each having its distinct color.

The surroundings were pitch black, yet every object in the space had its own different hue, the lines materializing as you try to get used to this awakening. Trying to make out of whatever was happening in front of you, with enough focus, you could envision the sage leaving ephemeral licks on your skin, particularly on the back of your hand. Your jaw falls agape to which Anaxa quickly notices, the corners of his lips then tug into a boastful smirk.

It’s as if he had already put two and two together that he realized your sense of sight indeed improved, incomparable to that of a mere human’s.

“Second. Sense of hearing.” As soon as he announces his next step, he prods into your mouth with the same tattooed hand, inserting his index and middle fingers to explore your cavern of warmth. Your stomach turns as Anaxa toys with your tongue, not leaving enough space for you to breathe nor have sufficient time to process everything.

As this act unfolds, you suddenly begin to hear your saliva being mushed with his fingertips, your mouth making slick noises inside, to which you could do nothing but leave mumbles of puzzlement. “A . . . Naxa.” Every splash of the liquids inside reverberate inside your head, which further affirms Anaxa’s assumptions.

After what felt like eternity, you could finally peel your eyes open and see the view unravel before you, Anaxa being a mere hair’s breadth from your face, goosebumps rake your spine. Up close, his brows are knitted in expectation, eyes somewhat heavy-lidded in which excitement gleams from his slate monochromatic iris. With one swift movement, he stops fiddling with your tongue, taking his digits out, leaving a small trail of saliva connecting your lips to his fingertips.

“My patience is wearing thin.” He expresses, wiping away the smeared saliva from the margins of your lips with his gloved hand. Dumbfounded, you could do nothing but just lie in wait to what he’s supposed to do next. “Let’s amp up our methodology. We’ll be testing the remaining three senses simultaneously. I hope you can bear with it.”

Suddenly, your clothes dissipate into thin air, the fibers curling into little burnt cinders until they’re void of anything. “Anaxa—“ he proceeds to fervently crash his lips into yours, a surprising tang of sweetness cracks on your tastebuds. Your stature wobbles and threatens to fall, but the male had already anticipated that as he supports your weight with an arm slithered on your waist. He aids in maintaining your balance, but it was only a mere second that you were able to think straight when his free hand toys with your inner region.

With little effort, your arousal coats his fingers, muddling his skin’s red markings with a cloud white color, your scent inevitably wafts inside the laboratory. Anaxa inhales deeply, taking in everything all at once that is unfolding. Nonetheless, he proceeds, inserting his fingers into your pussy.

Caught off guard, he thrusts in and out, your walls taking the shape of his long, slender fingers. At the same time, your tongue twirls in rhythm with his, the sweet taste gradually enveloping the cranny of your mouth.

It all felt messy, as if Anaxa’s actions override one another, making everything far more overwhelming than it is prima facie. Your mind was lost, yet your body basks in the foreign sensation, pleasure emerging as you feel you were nearing your satisfaction. The male’s gloved fingers wrap around your neck after and breaks the deep kiss, “Are you ready?” He queries, taking a quick glance at your seeping cunt and trail back up to your eyes with a surprising longing gaze in them.

A second passes by, he undoes the buckles of his belt, letting everything loose as he strokes his own erection, wrapping his coated fingers around himself. You eagerly watch at every movement he does, a tantalizing view to etch in the deepest part of your memory. As he deems himself fit, he rubs his tip on your entrance, the position possibly adding up to the struggle.

His breath drops, feeling a short wave of satisfaction once he gets a taste of your slicked pussy. “Time to prove my hypothesis was right.” Anaxa rams inside you, your walls enveloping around his girth as he struggles to keep himself still. “Anaxa . . !” His tangled thoughts were abruptly cut off as he hears your plea, spiraling into an abyss of pleasure as an intense gaze locks his eye with yours.

“Spit.” He orders, a vague one in which you cannot crack immediately. A breathy moan bubbles from his throat subsequently, a rare occurrence of Anaxa showing vulnerability. Regardless, he expounds. “Gather an appropriate amount of your saliva.” As if obedience was coded into your personality, you purse your lips together. “Let it trickle down your chest.”

You follow suit to his command, slightly parting your mouth open, leaving just enough space for it to stream down your dewed skin, leaving such a sticky feeling. The professor wastes no time as his hands glide up to your tits, fingers fidgeting with your perked nipples, lubricating them with your own spit. He traps the buds within his calloused fingertips as you grant him the most lewd noises you’ve ever made in the entirety of your life.

Anaxa wasn’t the type of person to hunger for indulgences like this. But upon witnessing a remarkable sight right in front of him, impulse rush in as he digs into your mounds as well, the tip of his tongue caressing your nipples.

“It’s too warm . . sweet . . and hot.” Mindless musings come undone the margins of your lips, making the sage’s libido hike even more. Additionally, these testaments of yours reinforce the data he supplied in his test drive journal for this study, another victorious feat for him it appears. “Very good.”

He simpers, starting the momentum of his thrusts to your body, nice and slow in the beginning yet with such intensity and impact in each push. Naughty noises echo inside, along the gibberish you’ve been rambling for a while which were descriptions of the changes occurring in your body. Anaxa encourages it, playing along as if he was able to comprehend your barely coherent sentences.

“Sir, I . . . feel like I’m being suffocated.” You yelp, first time among your endless prattles he was able to understand something, your hips grinding along Anaxa’s dick as he fills you to the brim. You look down and see how easy it was for him to prod into your folds, the very entrance curling around the base of his cock with such longing and excitement. “You’re doing great.” He manages to say in between thrusts and hefty breaths, “What else?”

Anaxa’s praises reverberate in your head, like a badge of excellence as he sees you worthy to be his research partner and that in itself is a privilege. Gradually, the male’s pent up sexual frustration reaches its end as strings of cum sprawl out, Anaxa withdraws just in time. A searing heat of temptation pools inside your body, thoughts clouded with nothing but pure carnal desire instilled by the sage.

“If . . If you’re willing to . . as well, I’d be honored to do more of these with you.”

[espresso1patronum]

maybe it's the way your academic rival, gojo, despises you with a fervor that mirrors your own loathing. he's infuriatingly smug, yet undeniably brilliant and consistently topping the class rankings. to add insult to injury, he's blessed with an unfairly handsome face that makes your blood boil and your heart race in equal measure.

you seethe at the way he has the audacity to publicly call out your error during class, his voice dripping with false concern.

"professor, i believe miss y/n may have erred in her calculations, though i'm certain she's well-versed in the correct methodology." the wink he shoots you afterward, a wicked glint in his blue eyes, makes you want to punch his beautiful face.

you try to cling to your hatred, but it's increasingly difficult when he's pinning you beneath him, his hard length driving into you with relentless abandon. a moan escapes your lips, your body betraying you as you cry out his name, fueling his lust. "you still intend to ace the physics exam tomorrow, darling?" he growls, his voice a low, feral rumble that sends shivers down your spine.

through the haze of pleasure, you manage a breathless "yes, i... i will," even as doubt creeps in. his chuckle, dark and wicked, echoes in your ears. "we'll see about that."

he should remain nothing more than your academic adversary, a thorn in your side. that's all he could ever be. isn't it?

[leggerefiore]

cw: reincarnated mate au, abduction,

pairings: Pure Vanilla/Reader, Ananas/Reader

The sun bathing in through the window made for a comfortable sitting place as a book sat in your lap. Your husband was sitting beside you, laying with his head on your shoulder. It was a peaceful afternoon. The Vanilla Kingdom was nothing but a place of gentleness and comfort. Its founder would only intend that it be so. Your hand unconsciously found his soft locks to comb through. Custard was no doubt off bothering someone, but he would likely return to you two when he grew bored. The little boy was far too precious.

It was little wonder why Pure Vanilla had taken him in. Though you could tell a resemblance was at play, you opted against asking too many questions. The ancient hero was quite old and no doubt had done many things in his lifespan. You were simply happy to have found him and shared this life with him. Gazing at his sleeping face, your heart burst with warm. He was so handsome. Soft skin and a sweet smile.

A tapping on the window broke your stupor. Turning your head, you nearly jumped back. A giant beast was outside, staring in. Four large wings spread out while golden pupils fixated on you. Your breath hitched at the sight of what dangled from its mouth, struggling. Custard! You let out a scream, startling Pure Vanilla awake. He followed your gaze to the sight, eyes shooting open in immediate worry.

“We can take this mortal with us,” the dragon offered, desperately trying to get you to agree to come with it, “I know you care deeply for him! My island will be a fine place for him to live.” Custard struggled more and whined. He was being held up by his cape. You were at a loss for words. How much longer would this keep up!? The dragon insisted that it was your mate, and you needed to return to their side. They were desperate – trying anything from an attempted abduction of you to threatening the kingdom. You stating you would hate them forever if they tarnished these lands made them stop the latter at least. This newest methodology was concerning.

Pure Vanilla acted quicker than you expected, reaching out and undoing the cape's tie to pull Custard in. Ananas stood bewildered by this action. The boy clung to Pure Vanilla, hiding his face in his chest. You felt relief crash through you. Your hand came to rest on Custard's back. The hero spoke first. “… Custard III is under my guardianship,” Pure Vanilla spoke carefully, “Can't you accept that they do not wish to go with you?” He had tried negotiating many times. Peaceful solutions were always preferred. Perhaps that was why the dragon had also not been so forceful.

“I cannot,” they shifted into their mortal form but remained in the air, “A dragon can only love once. My mate is something I will not give up on.” Their eyes returned to you. “… My feelings cannot fade,” they seemed to take to crawling through the window, “I failed to protect you… Please, let me try again, my darling!” Before they could draw too close, Black Raisin burst in. She was ready to fire at the beast.

The dragon retreated, not particularly wanting another injury. But, they would return. Both you and Pure Vanilla knew that.

~

“… Maybe you should go with them,” Pure Vanilla spoke quietly, “I don't feel that they are lying… But, I also do not wish to see you leave…” His voice was barely audible at the last part.

Custard, who was still recovering from being snatched from the ground, whacked Pure Vanilla with his sceptre. This, of course, did not hurt since it was made of construction paper. “They can't go!” he whined, “We're a family! You said so.”

Pure Vanilla felt even more conflicted.

[blorger]

Eyes, the so-called window to the soul, an often invaluable key to a character's true nature, are perhaps one of the less examined descriptors in the hp books.

We no doubt all have a distinct eye moment we can remember from the books; perhaps it's Harry's green eyes -so much like his mother's-, maybe it's the whimsy of Dumbledore's twinkling gaze or perhaps what stuck in your mind is one of the more peculiar, out there descriptors like Luna's popping eyes.

I prsonally find the hows and whys of jkr's physical descriptors to be a fascinating insight into the characters she created so I went and lovingly prepared a brief guide; hopefully you enjoy this,

METHODOLOGY

I counted these instances by hand so please keep in mind that there may be some minor inaccuracies in my tallying (basically don't quote me, I may occasionally be slightly off).

Furtermore, there are some descriptors that I did not consider in my count; I didn't keep track of the number of times in which someone's eyes are implied to be tearing up in some way because most times the crying is alluded to indirectly (eg.people often "wipe their eyes" or "avert their eyes") and actual adjectives like "teary", "misty", "streaming" and "leaking/leaky" are actually used quite sparingly (I will however observe who the narrative choses to highlight thusly because it's interesting).

Similarly, I didn't keep track on the amount of time a character's eyes "widen" since it's one of jkr's favourite ways to convey fear and/or surprise and it's not actually a verb used in conjunction with any character specifically (basically everyone does it at one point or another).

Finally, I did not keep a tally of the amount of times Harry's (or anyone else's) eyes open or close since this happens often regardless of the nature of the scene it's in and doesn't tell us anything about a character that the excerpt itself doesn't.

TOP OF THE TOP

I would first like to begin our journey through the hp books' ocular realm with a few superlatives; here are the characters whose eyes are mentioned most often:

Voldemort is our leader with 53 eye mentions. He is the character whose eye color (red/scarlet) is mentioned most often (39 times + 2 mentions of Tom Riddle's dark eyes), but other notable descriptors include his pitiless/blank stare (5 times) and his slit pupil shape (4 times).

Severus Snape follows closely with 52 mentions; the most used eye descriptor is black (26 mentions) in reference to his eye color with a special mention going out to his cold and glittering stare (8 mentions each).

Albus Dumbledore is our distant third, with 36 mentions. His eye color (alternatively described as light blue/clear blue/bright blue) is mentioned 19 times and his infamous twinkling gaze is mentioned 11 times.

EYE COLOR DISTRIBUTION

BLUE: this the most common eye color in the books, with 10,5 named characters described as having it (the .5 is Alastor Moody's prosthetic eye). The characters with explicitly stated blue eyes include Albus Dumbledore (19 mentions), Dudley Dursley (1), Firenze (3), Narcissa Malfoy (1) and Ron Weasley (1). Caracters with more detailed descriptions include Gilderoy Lockhart (2) who we are specifically told has bright blue eyes, Ludo Bagman (3) and his baby blues, Aberforth Dumbledore (2)'s piercing brilliant eyes, Fleur Delacour (2) and her deep blue eyes and Igor Karkaroff(1) with his icy stare.

GREEN: The characters with explicitly stated green eyes are of course Harry ( 8 mentions) and Lily Potter (4),but also Dobby (4). I have further included in the count Hagrid's brother's Grawp* (2), who is described as having "sludge colored" "greenish brown" eyes and professor Horace Slughorn (1), whose eyes are described as "pale" and "gooseberry"-like.

*= I acknowledge that Grawp could have just as easily gone in the "brown" eye category but for some reason his eyes's description gave me more of a green vibe; feel free to disregard my categorisation if you wish.

BROWN: curiously, this is color is not more popular. Both Ginny Weasley (1 mention) and Hermione Granger (2) have brown eyes, together with Marvolo Riddle (1) and bowtruckles (1). As far as more evocative color names go, Hedwig (5) is described as having amber eyes whereas Winky the house elf (6) has beetle-brown eyes. Our final brown eyed beauty is James Potter (1), who has hazel eyes.

BLACK: black eyes are quite common with animals and beings since Scabbers (1 mention), acromantulas (1), Fawkes (1) and Goblins -most notably Griphook- (4) all have them. Humans with black eyes include the aforementioned Snape (26) and Hagrid's father (1), with Hagrid himself having the dubious honor of being the only character with beetle-black eyes (9).

GREY:* Lucius Malfoy (5 mentions), Cedric Diggory (3), Draco Malfoy (2) and Kreacher (1) are the only characters expressly stated to have grey eyes. Garrick Ollivander (2), patronuses (1) and Luna Lovegood (1) have specifically silvery eyes.

*:There's another character who is implied to have grey eyes as well, as we'll later see when discussing pale eyes.

YELLOW: this is another color largely reserved for creatures as Mrs Norris (2 mentions), the basilisk (1), Crookshanks (8), Dragons (2) and merfolk (2) are all said to have yellow eyes. The only humans with yellow eyes are Cat Hermione - albeit temporarily- (1), Madam Hooch (1) and Rufus Scrimegour (3).

ORANGE: this color is reserved for hippogriffs (and Buckbeak) who are twice mentioned as having orange eyes.

RED: There is only one person in the books who has permanently red eyes and that, of course, is Voldemort (39 mentions, sometimes using the term scarlet). Many characters' eyes are temporarily red, be it from crying (Hagrid, Molly, Madam Maxime, Lavender, Neville) or cursed locket possession (Ron). The only animals/creatures with red eyes are Beauxbatons's winged horses.

WHITE: finally, we come to the rarest eye color in all of the books, which gets a .5 on account of the fact that only one person could conceivably have had milky eyes and that is Bathilda Bagshot. Considering the fact that white eyes in general and milky eyes specifically seem to be an exclusive purview of the dead (Aragog's corpse, the thestrals's blank white eyes) and that the only time we meet Bathilda she's currently a corpse being inhabited by a giant snake, I'd venture to say that no one who is alive (or not closely tied to death) actually possesses white eyes.

Of further interest to the eye color conversation, I would like to point out characters who are mentioned to have either pale or dark eyes:

the term DARK EYES doesn't seem to be tied to a single color specifically. the only dark-eyed beings/people whose eye color we know for sure are goblins and Severus Snape, who are both described as having black eyes. The rest of the characters who get this descriptor are Padma Patil (who, being an identical twin, most likely shares this characteristic with her sister Parvati), Romilda Vane, Morfin Gaunt, Tom Riddle, Kendra Dumbledore, Phineas Nigellus Black and Bellatrix lestrange.

The term PALE EYES, however, seems to refer almost exclusively to grey eyed people since Ollivander, Lucius and Draco Malfoy* and Kreacher are all described as having pale eyes. The only pale eyed person with non-grey eyes we find is Horace Slughorn (he has very pale green eyes) and we further have only one pale eyed character whose eye color we cannot be sure of and that is Petunia Dursley.

*: Draco is a rarity in that his eyes are said to be pale (7 times) and cold (2) more often than their actual color (once grey and once light grey)

PECULIARITIES IN EYE DESCRIPTIONS

There honestly doesn't seem to be neither rhyme nor reason behind wether someone's eyes are described or not. Important characters like Ron and Ginny's eyes are talked about extremely rarely whereas beings like like Grawp and Winky get incongruously detailed descriptions.

Of the main trio, Hermione's eyes get mentioned often when she's either crying or on the verge of tears but her actual eye color is mentioned only twice and her expression is almost never conveyed through her gaze. Hermione's eyes are glassy, puffy, tearing, bloodshot; they are sparkling or shining with tears more than they are flashing with righteousness or shadowed with tiredness.

Harry's eyes are more often mentioned in the context of him trying to push hair out of them than they are to showcase his expressions. Besides Harry's eye color and his penchant for glaring we learn precious little about his eyes. The only information of note I found comes from a description Harry provides of his mother's eyes* (to which his are often compared, even by himself). When observing Snape's worst memory Harry notes that his mother's eyes are almond-shaped, a rare descriptor only used in two instances: this one and when Harry meets and describes a Sphynx's appearance.

Ron's eyes are the least described of the trio. We sometimes hear of him rolling his eyes or widening them in fear and/or surprise but that is just about it.

Unlike Ron, House Elves's eyes get mentioned every time they appear in a scene, to the point that we know both the eye color and characteristics of all named elves: Kreacher's pale grey eyes are bloodshot and bulging, Dobby's green ones are round, huge, enormous, immense and they are desrcribed on more than one instance as orb-like and tennis ball-like. Even Winky's eyes are remarked upon with surprising frequency; they are glassy on account of her frequent crying and, like all elves's, they are also giant and enormous.

other characters who get more eye mentions than the number of their appearances warrants are Gregory Goyle, who we know has dull and small deep-set eyes and Mrs Norris, whose unique lamp-like eyes are remarked upon multiple times.

Some characters have a characteristic eye look that is unique to them. Bellatrix, for example, is the only person with hooded and heavy-lidded eyes (even Andromeda, who is said to resemble her greatly, has wider, kinder eyes).

Characters who have spent time in Azkaban (though not Bellatrix) retain a visible tell of their experience through their gazes: both Sirius and post-jail Lucius** have shadowed eyes that are sunken, like those of the long-imprisoned Grindlewald.

*: curiously, the only other character whose eyes get compared to a member of their family's is Aberforth Dumbledore, whom the narrative takes pain to remind the reader has his brother's eyes.

**: the post-jail change in Lucius's eyes is stark in that, before his imprisonment, he had glittering eyes, cold and cool (a term uniquely reserved for him).

IT'S THE SIZE THAT COUNTS

Another eye characteristic that is often remarked upon is the size of one's eyes, with small eyes being more often than not the purview of villains and general undesirables.

People with small eyes, include Myrtle Warren, Gregory Goyle, Peter Pettigrew, both Dudley* and Vernon Dursley*, Grawp and Morfin Gaunt.

Beady eyes are found in animals like Fawkes and snakes, but also -curiously- in Professor McGonagall.

Little eyes are a Dursley exclusive* as the term is only used to refer to both Vernon and Dudley.

Characters with tiny eyes include Vernon Dursley and his sister, Aunt Marge, Scabbers the rat, Hepzibah Smith and Amycus Carrow.

*:As you might have noticed, small eyes seem to be a bit of a Dursley family special. The same goes for the term piggy eyes, which is only found in relation to them

Talk of BIG EYES is strangely not used in a flattering way that contrasts the aforementioned small eyes, with the notable exception of Romilda Vane's case. She is the only character whose big and large eyes are to be seen in a flattering manner; as for the rest:

LARGE eyes are found in Petunia Dursley, Hedwig, Alice Longbottom (in whose case said eyes are remarked to be overlarge) and Horace Slughorn

People with HUGE eyes include Dobby, Prof. Trelawney, Narcissa Malfoy and Kreacher.

IMMENSE eyes are the exclusive purview of Dobby, as are eyes likened to TENNIS BALLS, HEADLIGHTS and ORBS.

Characters with ENORMOUS/ENLARGED eyes include prof. Trelawney, Winky, Dobby and Luna Lovegood.

GIANT eyes are exclusive to Trelawney and Winky

BULGING eyes can be found in both mrs Norris and Argus Filch, but also in Norbert the dragon, Dobby, Kreacher, Oliver Wood, Crouch sr., Luna and Umbridge. Fittingly for a category that is most likely supposed to be transitory* both the newly poisoned Ron and the dying Bellatrix are also described through this term.

People with POPPING eyes include Argus Filch, Luna Lovegood, Crouch sr, Vernon Dursley, Ron and Dolores Umbridge.

PROMINENT eyes are found in Luna, Umbridge and Slughorn.

PROTUBERANT eyes are a Luna Lovegood staple but Garrick Ollivander is also mentioned as having them.

BEACON-like is a term reserved exclusively for Sibyl Trelawney

LAMP-like is, likewise, a mrs. Norris exclusive

*: Another observation that must be made in regard to large eyes is that not all of the characters l listed above are described as having permanently big eyes. In many case, these terms are used as synonyms for wide-eyed (the term indicating surprise I chose not to include because of its indiscriminate nature). Regardless, with one look at this list one can easily identify repeat offenders (like elves, Luna and Trelawney) whose eyes are more likely to actually be big

To close out this section, I would like to point out some miscellaneous descriptors used to highlight a character's eye shape, something that actually happens quite rarely in the books. We are more often provided adjectives that give us an impression of a certain character's eyes but aren't necessarily descriptive then we do with tried and true physical descriptors.

Round eyes, for example, are often used to describe Ludo Bagman's child-like expression while pouchy is a term reserved for Dolores Umbridge's toad-like eyes. In order to highlight Blaise Zabini's "exotic beauty" (barf), he alone receives long eyes that slant (like goblins' eyes do, do with that what you will). Morfin and Merope Gaunt are the only characters with strabismus while the perennially shady Mundungus Fletcher has permanently droopy, saggy and baggy eyes.

IT'S ALL IN THE EYES

Some terms, usually those referring to how the light catches a character's eyes, are surefire indicator of their nature (or, at the very least, the nature of their actions).

Glittering eyes, for example, often do so with malice or mischief; some notable adopters include Lucius and Draco Malfoy, Peeves, Severus Snape, Griphook and, in two occasions, some random Death Eaters (as seen through their masks). (It must be noted, for completeness sake, that Harry's eyes also glitter in one occasion, and not for evil reasons)

These same characters' eyes also also described through the synonyms gleam and glint, though these two terms are more widely adopted by non-evil characters.

Oliver Wood, Crookshanks, Fred Weasley and Minerva McGonagall's eyes also glint, but at the same time so do the Death Eaters', Draco's Snape's and Voldemort's.

Gleaming eyes, likewise, are not only used for characters like Aragog/acromantulas, dog Sirius as the Grim, thestrals, Snape, Voldemort and Bellatrix but also for Ron, Trelawney, Oliver Wood, Ernie Macmillan and Slughorn.

The complete opposite of glittering eyes is probably twinkling eyes, which are only found in "good" characters. Besides Dumbledore, the term is also used to refer to the expressions of Hagrid, Lupin, Tonks and Bill and Molly Weasley.

GENDERED EYE LANGUAGE

Eyes that are tearing or on the verge of tears are a near total female exclusive. In line with this meta by @wisteria-lodge ,The only male characters who occasionally get described using the same language do so for either femme-coding or comical reasons.

While terms like red rimmed and streaming eyes (aunt Muriel), burning eyes (McGonagall), leaky eyes (Myrtle and McGonagall) are female exclusives, only male characters have wet or watering eyes (both Scabbers and Peter, Kreacher and Slughorn).

Hagrid, our most prolific male crier, shares both teary and bright/overbright eyes with noted female criers Hermione and Molly Weasley (plus, unexpectedly, Petunia) and further displays misty eyes together with Luna (and again Petunia) and puffing/puffy eyes with Hermione.

As a curious aside, notably femme-coded character Draco Malfoy has both shining and sparkling eyes which, when referring to Hermione, are used to describe crying but for him indicate malice.

CONCLUSION

I'd like to close this out with a look at some terms I was surprised weren't as widely used as I would have thought:

Only one character has mean eyes and it's book 1's troll

the only instance in which the term long-lashed is found occurs when Snape's doe patronus is being described

Only one person has hungry eyes (even though quite a few characters have hungry expressions) and it's Voldemort

both alert and weary (two very useful descriptors for a war and conflict in general) are terms used uniquely to refer to Remus Lupin's eyes

Vernon Dursley is the only character with angry eyes

Rufus Scrimegour is the only character to have keen eyes

Similarly, only Phineas Nigellus possesses clever eyes

lastly, only Peeves's eyes dance around

Please enjoy the fruit of my (unasked for) labor friends,

xoxo

[meadow-of-daisies-and-lavender]

Deity! 141 AU HCs

A/N: Just some ramblings about the 141 as deities in my poly AU

(18+ only)

Please comment and reblog!

Captain John Price

God of the East Woods, who is represented by winter. He is known for his leadership skills, analytical abilities, and good faith in his men.

As he is known for leadership skills, he is known as the god most worshiped by leaders who seek guidance in their ability to command others. He is also known for being the one sought out by outcasts who are looking for community. He’ll help you find your way, don’t you worry. You belong somewhere; we just have to find where.

Contrary to popular belief, John does not participate in assisting those who force their command over others. He believes in leading by example and earning the privilege of leadership.

 He is most closely associated with cold metal, with his altar decorated in winter wreaths, warm spices, and delicate metalwork.

Kyle Garrick

God of the North Woods, represented by Spring and water. He is courageous, knowledgeable in the social and environmental climate, and can foresee the cause and effects of many actions on the battlefield.

He is worshiped by those beginning new endeavors. As the youngest and newest god (which, how new can ancient beings really be?), myths range from his grand displays of courage to self-doubt. His stories paint imagery of humbleness and of an eager learner. To those seeking new starts, he is the perfect divine being to guide you to ask questions and be courageous in the midst of change.

Kyle, while known best for being the god of changes, is also the patron of mystics for his foreseeing abilities (and beauticians. He likes his skincare and pretty things). As the foreseeing one, he knows all the outcomes and can assist divination practitioners in seeking knowledge of the future.

Just because Kyle can help doesn’t mean he will. Many fortune-tellers have reported trickery and confusion trying to get answers from him. He likes his jokes and finds seeing humans guessing about the future amusing. Won’t they find out eventually?

 His altar is decorated with bowls of water representing spring rain and winds. As spring flowers bloom, they are also decorated upon his altar. The seed of each planted crop is represented on the altar as a blessing for a productive sowing season.

Johnny McTavish

The god of summer and of the southlands. McTavish is known for quick, fiery actions mirrored by a thunderstorm's quick turn or a wildfire's spark.

While he might have fiery emotions, the god is methodological in his delivery of quick actions. For this reason, if you need help finding passion, McTavish is the god for you. He is the patron of athletes and artisans who harness passion into practice and dedication to their craft.

The god of summer is precise! If you seek his help, be specific and think about what you need versus what you want. His help will come on his timing, but it’ll be exactly what you asked for. He finds it funny when mortals get upset by this. Usually, if he is going to be helpful to the mortals, it is on his terms and conditions, and you’ll know by a sudden splash of warmth on your skin or by the way events just so happen to align that it could only be the work of a god.

His altar is decorated with an always-lit candle. There are summer fruits in bowls and an icon of a thunderbolt descending from the sky to represent his passions.

The one they call “Ghost”

The god of the south and autumn season, mortals know the least about him. His mythology is sparse, usually featuring him as a supporting character in someone else’s myth (usually Johnny’s) with a dry sense of humor.

He is the god of the ground that is transitioning into hibernation, the god of intelligence, knowing when to take ground and when to give ground. He is the wisdom gained from remembering the bones and dust from whence you came. He is the patron of the elderly and wise, of those who understand the power of listening before speaking to the aged ideals that came before you.

Hidden by shadows of the unknown, protected by the bones of the dying, Ghost is not a death god, but he represents the bridge between mortals and the spiritual, helping those who are dying.

Ghost is not a god you call upon lightly. He will make you search your shadows, forcing you to gaze upon those fearsome things that hide in all mortal souls. If you ask to see the divine, he will show you it when you are ready. But it will not look pretty or neat or holy. It will be sacred in its raw, awesome terror, a power unleashed that mortals cannot grasp.

Ghost’s alter typically has a buck skull on it- the first buck killed of the season. Black and grey altar cloths are laid beneath the walnut bowls holding the nuts and acorns offered to the god.

Once upon a time, there were four gods. Together, they took turns helping the mortals. But what spirit connects them all, centering their efforts? Of what clear mission banner do they unite under? To whom is the focal point of life’s great mysteries? It had always been assumed human mortals as a collective to be that focal point. But the myths do not end with the death of the old. They continue and will grow with the next generations and generations next.

[travelling-on-the-octopath]

i feel like . perhaps i have an uncommon attitude towards maruki. thoughts are going under the cut and they are negative, people!

i'm going to start right off the bat by saying I think Maruki is easily the most morally bankrupt antagonist of the game. HOWEVER!!!! BEFORE you scroll away in a huff (or scroll away anyway, I'm not your warden) I think he works as well as he does because the sympathy you feel for him outdoes every other target by leaps and bounds. You're literally forced to learn his backstory, and understand why he's made all these choices.

And they're all reprehensible choices.

Backtracking a little: having found a 100% completion playthrough to make up for my game-ruining bug (i literally replayed the entire game just so i could properly do this fight . . . and then i win . . . and then game says FUCK YOU!!!!!), I watched the game starting from finding Maruki's weakness to mid-March when the game ends proper with Ren on the train. With this completed picture in mind I've started looking back on the game as a whole, and while it really is near and dear to my heart, I'm left scratching my head just a little.

As with a lot of popular media, I feel like P5 doesn't commit to the moral greyness it wants to portray. Literally right out the gate you're presented with a monster of a human who is, like, almost comically evil. To the point where I don't understand the Thieves' "are we doing the right thing . . . ?" hand-wringing because, well! See: abuse, rape, assault, general dickery to any students who don't kiss the ground he walks on. But playing the philosophy game so early on really doesn't land.

I think what people forget is word-of-god when it comes to situations like these, and by word of god I mean authorial intent. We are not the general public of this game; we are presented with the objective truth about how stealing hearts works, or at the very least are never presented with something that directly contradicts that truth. Palaces are born from cognitive dissonance. It is the long-term, damaging justification of criminality and moral depravity that ends up distorting your worldview so totally as to create in your subconscious a place where all the things your doing are completely okay, actually. In other words, destroying a Palace is destroying that dissonance; you are taking away their cognitive pattern of saying "this bad thing I'm doing is okay because xyz" and leaving them ONLY with their actions and the respective consequences. Once you take away the justification, all you have left is what you did, who it hurt, and the same that comes from both. That is the pattern every time.

There are two exceptions to this: One girl whose view of herself is so completely distorted that she knows she has to reach out for help to right her worldview, and a woman whose possession of a Palace is irrelevant because of what Ren is able to convince her of outside of her own subconscious. Everybody else? Objective pieces of shit and I'm not hearing anything about it. I don't think the game wants to hear about it either, because neglecting to take down any of these targets is game-ending, but something tells me that the writers either couldn't or didn't want to commit to a story truly rooted in themes of deviation, because every time you add a member to the team they become a vehicle for doubting the Phantom Thieves' methodology. However, I don't mind that too much, because it's understandable that dealing with something as delicate and new as "taking hearts" instills in these children a healthy dose of trepidation, I think.

NOW. Maruki is both status quo and something entirely different. I think his actions are easily the most stomach-turning in the game, but so too are his reasons the most sympathetic. Honestly, he's the perfect escalation from the Yaldabaoth. What's more terrifying than a god who keeps you complacent? A man stumbling into godhood in the distorted, wacked-out desire to make sure no one has to endure what he thinks is undue suffering.

Here is my problem: The minute we saw what Maruki's powers did to Rumi, he EFFECTIVELY became a murderer to me. It's semantics, and no he didn't take a physical life, but he took the memories and the pain and the joy that make up a life. I literally sat there watching this fuck-ass VHS tape thinking, "He literally just killed his girlfriend. The woman he knew is dead." And TO BE HONEST! I find that so incredibly compelling! Because then, at that point, what do you as Maruki do? Do you accept that you've terminated any chances at the real Rumi coming back, of her healing, no matter how long that takes? Or do you convince yourself that this is for the best, so long as she's free of pain? Even if you took her memories of her parents, and altered her entire recollection of her life, and walked away when she clearly tried to reach out to you? She's not suffering, so any price paid is the right one.

He THEN proceeds to fire off this outlook at the rest of the world. (Or, if you did what I really REALLY wanted to do and avoided seeing this fuck-ass counselor, brainwashes a grief-ridden teenager.) And what I don't understand is that Akechi seems to be the only one who treats that with the sort of severity its due given how violating that attitude is--because it's not just the worldview of "I could make everyone happy if only they just Trusted Me"; it's the presumption of authority and the sentiment that "They don't need to know what I'm doing, what I've given them is better than anything they could choose for themselves, they're Free of Suffering now and I can sleep easier knowing that :)"

I say all of this because I cannot in good conscience nod along to people comparing the Phantom Thieves' actions to what Maruki did, because if that's what P5 was going for they missed this mark, that mark, every mark. Like I said before: They give you objectively awful people from which to steal hearts--a pedophilic, violent rapist; a man who allowed a woman to die right in front of him to more easily steal her legacy; a mob boss who blackmails children and uses them as drug mules and moneybags; the literal embodiment of capitalism who has NO issue running people's lives and health into the ground and selling off his daughter like a bargaining chip to bring his goals closer; and democracy-fucking nationalist who smears the name of everyone who opposes them, and those who aren't deterred by THAT method, he kills by using the boy he EXPLICITLY SUSPECTS TO BE HIS SON to do hits.

For the two characters who are NOT pieces of shit (the only women on this list, but that's a discussion for another day), the circumstances are different: One reached out for help, the other changed of her own volition. This is because, frankly, their crimes are either nonexistent (Futaba's amounts of self-flagellation, the smearing of her mother's memory that she recognizes as unfair even if she can't remember why) or inflict minimal in damage (Sae's promotion-oriented ruthlessness in her practice of law, where justice matters less than securing her monetary future for both her and Makoto). Now, as for the latter, Sae's view of the law is disturbing, but her first mention of going outside the law to get a verdict she knows will get her that bag, as it were, is when it comes to the Phantom Thieves. I can't recall any mention of her ruining a life with a false conviction, though if I'm wrong on that front I'm as always open to correction. I suppose my point is that rather than actively, consciously, shamelessly inflicting harm upon those for whom she's responsible, her Palace comes across more as the deeply internalized results-based system of law she entered for the right reasons, but in which she is treading water for the wrong reasons. She's playing the game as it's been taught to her (a game that is one-sided, and corrupt, but the game she learned nonetheless) rather than finding the set of rules she believes in most. This, she does towards the end, through talking things out with Ren and without ever having her treasure stolen.

Despite my not understanding just how MUCH waffling these characters do given the severity of their target's crimes, I think it all plays out fairly well.

And then we get to Maruki, and it seems like all hell breaks loose as to what we're willing to call out as crimes.

Looking back on his behaviours now, his therapy seems to me an extension of his self-righteousness--and that is what this is. However sympathetic, however I can understand the pain of what he went through, his entire shtick is rooted in a god complex bigger than my goddamn ego. I can save you from the pain, just trust me, don't worry about it. He asks people what they want, because he believes in a world where one day he'll be able to give it to them. The GAME EVEN MAKES THIS CONNECTION! When they discover the changes Maruki made, there are flashbacks to the therapy sessions! He stopped being interested in helping people work through their pain and instead let his Persona awakening distort his approach to the entire practice and profession. Again, sympathetic, but morally bankrupt. He was put in charge of these kids' mental health! And while I understand his conviction that he's doing the utmost for them, the fact is that he is not. Emphatically, he is putting them right back where he started because he himself has an unhealthy relationship with pain.

I really think the cruelty of what he does flies under the radar. He reopens everyone's wounds! He gives them a taste of what could have happened, maybe, in a different world. But S, I hear you say, they weren't supposed to know any better. That was supposed to be their new world. If your "help" for a person is predicated on their not knowing how you're meddling in their life, it is not help. In this specific instance, at least. This is a matter of autonomy. He looked at these teenagers and decided he knew better what to do with their lives than they did, and damn the consequences.

Also his palace was horrifying? Cultish? The fucking brainwashing helmets, the allusion to the Garden of Eden? I don't understand how people don't treat this Palace like any other, given that the narrative has you steal the Treasure of a man who is doing active harm. The core of his distortion is what happened to Rumi. His distortion! His utter lack of understanding of the world and how he's meant to weave through it!

But hey. Fine. Only one person is as hard on Maruki as I think he deserves. (Seriously, PEOPLE, in your group is living proof that Maruki's pain relief is ignorance. This girl was brainwashed to believe she was her sister so that she didn't have to suffer the loss of her, because her self-worth was so low that she couldn't imagine a world that would want her instead of her now-dead sister. She is a testament to how FUCKED UP this is, to how this salvation is manipulation in disguise, and yet--milquetoast responses. And don't even get me started on how FUTABA SITES MARUKI AS SOMEONE FOR WHOM SHE WANTS TO STUDY COGNITIVE PSIENCE????? DID THESE TWO EVER SPEAK!?OHGJG>RS WHY ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HIM LIKE HE'S A LONG-LOST FRIEND. ARE WE SERIOUS?) Akechi, we had a bumpy road together, but hey, we are joined in the spirit of Maruki-hating.

H o w e v e r .

You are going to sit there. And look me in the eye. And make this FUCK! ASS! COUNSELLOR! MY CAB DRIVER!?RLKGJSR And talk about new beginnings!? No you deranged motherfucker, we're going to circle back for a few seconds and remind us ALL that you knew about the Phantom Thieves from the word "go"! At the tail end of the Kamoshida business, he suspected Ren's involvement with the Metaverse/cognitive psience, and I feel no shame in saying absolutely abused his relationship with Ren to further his own research. Too harsh a word? It's not. Maruki knew something that Ren wished to keep a secret, and continued to use their counselling sessions as a means of cracking the code to the Metaverse. Ren is supposed to trust this man. If he continues to respond to Maruki's request for help, he obviously does. (I'm using very agency-heavy language for a player insert, but you get what I mean. If you, the player, send Ren continuously to Maruki's office, he trusts Maruki; if not, obviously Ren can't be fucked with the new therapist. A Ren who does not go to these sessions is a very smart Ren.) Maruki was put in a position of power over this boy, and like every other condemned adult in this story, abuses that power!

So I'm going to verbalize my gut feeling: Maruki is not given NEARLY the lashings he deserves by the narrative. Fine, you can't arrest him for crimes against human autonomy and a gross oversimplification of the human condition. I understand that. But giving him a cheeky send-off, having these characters mourn a man who is first and foremost interested in his own ideal world rather than actually trying to help those put in his care via MANDATORY COUNSELLING for some characters--I hate it I hate it I hate it.

TL;DR: Maruki's moral bankruptcy is as proportional to his sympathy as every other antagonist, in that though the other Palace-havers were by and large far less sympathetic, their crimes did not involve his violation of the mind and life--this strange ""killing"" of people in the elimination of their memories--and I do not like how much the story wants me to feel bad for him when he is just as distorted, misguided, and pathetic to me as every other antagonist whose Treasures you have to steal. He's a great antagonist. His motives makes sense, and he disgusts me profoundly. I do not feel bad for him, though I may pity him, and I do not want to watch his victims feel bad for him. Good night.

[nostalgebraist]

These 2 new posts from Anthropic are some of the most exciting LLM interpretability research I've seen in a long time.

There's been a ton of work on SAEs (sparse autoencoders), but in the past I've often felt like SAE work – however technically impressive it might be – wasn't really telling me much about the actual computation happening inside the model, just that that various properties of the input text were getting computed within the model somehow, which is not in itself surprising.

(Sort of like being told, in isolation, that "when you see a dog, these parts of your brain activate" – like, so what? I could have already told you that there's stuff in my brain somewhere that correlates with "seeing a dog," given that I can in fact see dogs. Unless I know more about how this neural activity relates to anything else, the claim feels trivial.)

Reading this stuff is the first time I've really felt like "okay, we're finally using SAEs to understand what the model is doing in a non-trivial way."

Although of course there are numerous caveats (as the authors are the first to admit), both with SAEs in general and with the specific methodological choices here. And it's not the first work that looks for "circuits" between SAE features (Marks et al, "Sparse Feature Circuits" is the most famous one), and I should probably due a closer reading and figure out just why this new Anthropic stuff feels so much more impressive to me at first glance, and whether it's really well-justified... I dunno, I'm kind of doubting myself even as I type this. LLM interpretability is a minefield of methodological dangers, and I've read so many papers like this and this by now that I'm skeptical as a reflex.

But in any case, the linked posts are worth a read if you have any interest in how LLMs compute things.

[thekittyburger]

me last night except ao3 WAS DOWN 💔💔💔💔💔

i have so much work to do before i go back to college tomorrow that i've decided to do absolutely none of it. if you need me, i'll be on ao3.