#agile capacity planning

[jogoagilecoaching]

Discover Capacity Planning in Agile Scrum with examples & Excel template in this quick video! Subscribe for weekly updates. #CapacityPlanning #AgileScrum #ProjectManagement

[lostconsultants]

Plan Smarter, Deliver Better: The Secret Behind Confident Forecasting

Confident forecasting starts with something surprisingly simple: knowing how much work your team can actually take on. In fast-moving environments where teams work in iterations—be it Scrum sprints, Kanban cadences, or just regular check-ins—it’s tempting to dive headfirst into tasks without stopping to think about capacity. But that often leads to overcommitment, missed deadlines, and…

[ghostlyferrettarot]

🌌5th house and your creative expression🌌

❗️All the observations in this post are based on personal experience and research, it's completely fine if it doesn't resonate with everyone❗️

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🪷Masterlist🪷

🔮5th house in Aries: They constantly have all kinds of project ideas in their heads, they are always on the move. He never sits still and gets very nervous in the quiet moments of his career. They have an impulsive nature that leads them to implement numerous projects, although most of them are never completed. They have a competitive nature and like to show their individuality when it comes to their art.

🔮5th house in Taurus: Art lovers, enjoy visiting exhibitions, museums or attending music concerts of the most varied styles. The pleasure that these activities provide them is very remarkable. They also practice developing their creativity, such as painting, sculpting in stone or molding clay. They admire beauty and try to get closer to it with all the means at their disposal. Taurus in the 5th house is really ambitious.

🔮5th house in Gemini: They have an agile mind and are open to new ideas. They perform well in activities such as teaching, research and all types of areas where intellect is applied. They like it and they acquire information about what they are developing and also about themselves. There is a lot of will to achieve your goals and with a positive attitude. You can also carry out creative activities related to the arts, advertising, marketing, etc.

🔮5th house in Cancer: They will be eager to learn always and especially when the topics have to do with creation and emotion, above logic and pragmatism. They are great writers and poets. Their works are more imaginative and expressive and, to the public's liking, they tend to be more creative at night.

🔮5th house in Leo: they are very creative and love to be the center of attention. They can find their creativity and fun in activities such as acting, music, and art in general. They can also be very romantic and enjoy romance and passion. They show a lot of harmony and balance in their creative expression, as well as eccentricity.

🔮5th house in Virgo: They are very perfectionists and can find their creativity and fun in activities that allow them to be useful, such as organizing events and planning. They are analytical, they need to feel that what they talk about is based on clear rules that they can explain and control, and not just in an arbitrary idea about aesthetics or pleasure.

🔮5th house in Libra: They are very aesthetic and can find their creativity and fun in activities related to art and beauty. They can be very romantic and enjoy balanced and harmonious relationships. Their ideas are innovative, harmonious, aesthetic and original. They like to have fun together with others and when they get involved in a project, they have more confidence in themselves and are able to take advantage of their abilities when working in partnership with others.

🔮5th house in Scorpio: They like to create in isolation and experiment when no one is watching. They are very passionate and can find their creativity and fun in activities that allow them to explore the deeper aspects of life. They can be very intense and dramatic. He has a lot of imagination and intuition, as well as a great capacity for analysis, willpower and firmness.

🔮5th house in Sagittarius: they are good improvisers, they know how to create in extreme situations and they never say no to a challenge. They are very adventurous and can find their creativity and fun in activities related to travel and exploration. They can be very playful and enjoy sports and other physical activities.

🔮5th house in Capricorn: They are very responsible and can find their creativity and fun in activities that allow them to build and achieve their goals, such as business administration and investment. They can be very cautious. They are ambitious, they do not embark on trivial projects or projects that will not give them significant benefits, not always economic, but creative. They tend to be good architects, furniture and fashion designers.

🔮5th house in Aquarius: you need to move freely, without conditions or ties; Possession does not fit into their way of seeing life; furthermore, it is a sign characterized by their detachment. They are very original and can find their creativity and fun in activities that allow them to experiment and explore new ideas and technologies. They tend to be the trend setters in their environment and have great vision for the future and mental clarity.

🔮5th house in Pisces: They are very sensitive and can find their creativity and fun in activities related to art and music. They can be very romantic and have a very deep emotional connection with their projects. Although they possess a high level of intelligence and creativity, they can get stuck in their imagination due to their emotional and sensitive nature. They tend to be great therapists or psychologists.

[thebonerpit]

Just thinking about how cool it is that Marvel was able to have four main character supersoldiers who basically have the exact same powers, yet managed to show just how different they are through their fighting style and physicality! I wish I could make gifs to provide visual aids but...

Steve Rogers: He's kind of the model of what an enhanced human could be. He's efficient, strong, fast, and agile. He fights without any wasted movement. He's able to pull his punches to avoid using the full brunt of his power, and tries to incapacitate without killing if he can. If the situation called for it he'd fight until he could no longer physically get up.

Bucky Barnes: Scary aggressive wildcat. Subconsciously - whether he likes it or not - is always fighting to kill. Intense. There's an almost methodical, machine-like quality to him, like a Terminator. He's precise in a similar way to Steve but because the training was less as a soldier and more indoctrination his movement and actions always have a sinister feel to them, like he's seconds away from snapping.

Alexei Shostakov: Maniac. Has obviously been trained but doesn't use any of it. Wild movement with little to no planning. Doesn't tend to think before he acts and relies on his brute strength to get out of most situations. Wants the fame and glory and can be a bit of a show-off. Would probably do well in Asgard tbh.

John Walker: The best way I can describe John's fighting style is beast-like. He has the military training, he has the capacity for strategy and planning, but he gets so aggressive that sometimes that just flies out the window. Full-on growling and baring his teeth, and also? I think he genuinely enjoys it in the moment. May be a bit smaller than the others but he WILL fight dirty.

[elysiansparadise]

Hello! 👋 I was wondering if there are any synastry placements that could make someone believe their partner is really smart or look up to them because of their intelligence. Thank you!!!

Hello love! I really like your question, thank you so much for suggesting it. 💖

Intellectual Admiration in synastry 

🤎Sun conjunct the MC/Sun trine MC/Sun falling in the other’s 10th house. It makes you see your partner as a very capable, intelligent and ambitious person. You can admire the other person for their tenacity, professionalism and because you see their personality as something appealing or something you can aspire to be. MC/10th house person feels mesmerized by the other person's essence, their creativity and their way of behaving.

🤎Mercury conjunct the MC/Mercury trine MC/Mercury falling in the other’s 10th house. This meaning is a little more direct, since Mercury shows intellect, skills and abilities. This overlay or aspect can cause you to see in your partner someone with great mental capacity, someone who is mentally agile, and you may even admire a particular skill he or she has. You see in the other person someone very capable, and not only in the areas they master, but in any other area due to their great learning capacity.

🤎Jupiter falling in your partner’s 10th house. Similar to the previous one, let's remember that Jupiter represents complex knowledge, going beyond the details, so in this case you admire the other person's ability to see the big picture, how they understand things that seem simple at first glance, and the depth of your mind and heart. You see in them a very cultured person, open-minded and very capable in certain specific areas.

🤎Saturn falling in your partner’s 10th house/conjunct or trine MC. House person find it admirable how the other's mind operates, how they take many things into consideration, their ability to reason, their expertise and how they seem to have a plan for everything. Various types of admiration come in here, from the professional, the personal and the intellectual. You may even be inspired to put your life in greater order with the other person's presence.

🤎Uranus falling in your partner’s 10th house. Something interesting happens here, and it is that they admire both the unique, witty and fascinating personality of Uranus person, and that quality of genius that they perceive when working with them/knowing them well. They can put their intellectual abilities and capabilities, as well as their creativity and inventive spirit, on a high pedestal.

🤎Mercury falling in your partner’s 5th house. House person admires and finds the other person's cunning and skills very attractive. They see this person as a mixture of mischief and great intellectual abilities, a combination that they consider lethal, interesting and somewhat hot. They like to listen to this person talk about what they like or are passionate about and it is very easy for them to pay immediate attention when they start a conversation.

🤎Mercury aspecting the other’s Sun [especially conjunction or trine]. Besides the fact that communication flows in an ideal, dynamic and constant way, Sun person will feel very interested in talking with Mercury person due to the affinity of ideas, while Mercury person will directly see Sun person as someone very sharp and clever. 

🤎Mercury aspecting the other’s Jupiter. Both may feel fascinated by the amount of hours they can spend without getting bored, they see in the other someone with an interesting mind and, in general, as very smart and witty. They love being with each other, as it helps them notice details that may go unnoticed [Mercury person] or see things from a new perspective [Jupiter person]. They love how each other's minds work and have a lot of intellectual affinity.

🤎Jupiter aspecting the other’s Sun [especially conjunction, opposition, trine or sextile]. Jupiter person will see in Sun person someone from whom they can learn many things, someone with whom they feel very comfortable and is very likely to leave very positive lessons in their life. For its part, Sun person will see in Jupiter person a reliable, wise and very cheerful or positive person. They will contribute a lot to each other's lives, they will support each other and there will be respect, approval and acceptance for what the other is and knows.

🤎Jupiter harmoniously aspecting the other’s Saturn. They both have experience and maturity that they love to share with each other, because they feel that they understand each other on a deep level. Beyond admiring the other's ability to listen and immediately understand what they want to say, they feel admiration for the way the other behaves, sees life and their ideas.

🤎Saturn making harmonious placements with the other’s Sun. Sun person will admire Saturn person's stable, hard-working and clever personality, and will feel more grounded by their presence. Saturn person sees in the other person someone with a lot of potential, with many capabilities and can admire certain traits of their character and mind.

🤎Saturn making harmonious placements with the other’s Uranus. Even if they initially seem very different, on an intellectual level they connect in interesting ways. Saturn person will see in them someone with great intelligence, someone very unique in their way of thinking and seeing things, and can be greatly inspired by this. Uranus person will see in Saturn someone admirable, respectable and someone in whom he will place a very high esteem. Despite their differences, they understand each other and find in each other someone who is intriguing to say the least.

🤎Pallas conjunct or trine Sun. I remember mentioning it in some synastry observations, and these aspects usually indicate that the Pallas person sees the Sun person as someone admirable, rational and in general can have a very positive opinion about them. Sun person is very the mix of creativity and intelligence in the eyes of the Pallas person. You may think that the person is very prudent and mentally skilled. 

[fatuismooches]

Imagine foxtorre framing Dottore and the segments lmao its two birds with one stone: Dottore gets in trouble (vengeance mwahuahuahua—) and foxtorre gets attention!

Please, envision this: Foxtorre and Dottore, for some peculiar and absurd reason, gets into a scuffle. Foxtorre being an absolute gremlin, is climbing all over Dottore like some oversized roach crawling, just spinning around his torso and scratching at whatever he could.

Dottore finally gets his scruff, and pissed off as he is— hurls foxtorre across the room and the creature crashes on some empty tanks making this resounding metallic clanking around the lab.

And of course, reader walks in right at that second :)

Unfortunately for Dottore, he severely underestimated the intelligence of the creation he threw to the side ages ago. If he knew it had the capacity for something like revenge, he wouldn't have let it roam free for so long... And even now, it's far too late to even try and train it - it only listens to you, much to the segments' discontentment. More importantly, you also only listen to Foxttore if there happens to be other parties involved. Namely, Dottore. It makes the Harbinger want to chuck the thing into the most remote part of Snezhnaya. But he can't, of course. It's one of his weaknesses, that stems from his bigger weakness - you.

Foxttore getting on his nerves is nothing new of course, he's found that his clothes occasionally have holes and chew marks, the food you left for him eaten clean by the creature, important papers stolen to use as a nest/blanket... oh boy, the list goes on. He's even gotten bitten by him. (How was his teeth so sharp? It rivals his own!) So it's really no surprise when things escalate eventually. I mean, have you seen the glares the blue creature gives his creator? And then the puppy eyes it gives to you? It's scary.

Despite Foxttore's build he surprisingly puts up an agile fight. Or maybe Dottore's clothing is just so complicated it's easy for the creature to yank on things. Regardless, it's all too easy for him to uncharacteristically lose his patience from how much this creature has foiled his plans and stolen your time from him. Does he feel bad? No. Does he feel annoyed at the mess he'll have to clean up? Yes. Speaking of mess- oh no... well, now there were two messes he had to deal with, considering your abrupt presence.

"Here I thought you had another accident, but I find you subjecting my beloved to such harsh treatment? How could you, Dottore?!"

Needless to say, for the coming days, the creature is happily perched on your shoulder while you cross your arms dramatically and loudly hmph at him whenever you see him. Dottore takes the time to focus during this uninterrupted period while hoping you get over it soon.

[blueishspace]

Hero, Villain, God 9

(Prev) (Next) (First)

*Grian's pov*

Being Poultryman is fun, there's constant movement and energy. You get to be agile and quick and you like injecting as much banter into conversation as you can. No day in Hermmittopia passes without something being filled with chickens in some capacity and the public loves you for it.

Being Ariana is nice, it is relaxing to sing and you get to be recognized for your ability to create music. You hum melodies and recite verses and then once you are done you upload it for your small but growing follower count to hear. Your subscriber count has reached the triple digit now, Mumbo is...quite impressed it seems.

Being Mother Spore is the most fascinating though, you knew Boogeyman had quite the underground network but to see it in front of you is much different. It is tense, sure, but... But you reign yourself in, the persona you have created works best if mysterious and methodical... It isn't something you are used to but if you wanted to stick to the usual you wouldn't have done this in the first place.

Then, Boogeyman tells you It's time to introduce yourself to the world. You recognize his ulterior motives immediately.

He's testing you, isn't he? Well if he wants to see what Mother Spore can do you will show him yourself. Yes, this will be good.

Tw: a bit...dark. Very slight body horror.

*Mumbo's pov*

When Mother Spore first approached you...you didn't trust it one bit, she knew the location of your lab and yet she needs acess to your network? ... yet you agreed to her deal.

Perhaps it was your anxiety and panic at being cornered or maybe it was something about her that brought you a sense of familiarity and trust...Tonight would be the day her loyalty would be tested...

The thing is, you never go to close buisness deals yourself, contacting them online is often much better...but she offered you protection in exchange and your methods of communication are far from efficient... If she's really going to help it could greatly reduce the time it takes to do a commission and that means more monetary gain...

You found the perfect way to test her: a small criminal group wanted some of your machinery in exchange of paying a pretty big sum... A small safe experiment to see how she is going to fair as an ally.

The meeting starts well, Mother Spore doesn't talk to anyone and just slowly walks behind you as you make your way to the meeting place.

Her shadow is much bigger then yours, you wonder what the gang members must be seeing behind you... From their faces it isn't comforting...good, they should be on edge.

"Do you have the goods?"

Straight to the point this one is... You could have expected that. You wonder if he doesn't know that you normally don't meet in person of he just isn't asking about it... Considering how unorganized this place is you lean towards the first... He just assumed you weren't a fake trying to impersonate you. In short either really gullible or very desperate.

"Well, Boogeyman?"

"I do. Do you have the payment?"

Suddenly the other members begin to surround you... So it is one of these types of "deals". A pity, if Mother Spore ends up falling you'll make sure to deal with them yourself.

"I'm afraid there's been a change in plans"

You look at him, well time for the test has come then.

"How unfortunate, Spore?"

Mother Spore doesn't move at first, you begin to worry but then she begins to slowly raise her hands. Suddenly a purple mist surrounds you and all the criminals, minus the leader for some reason, start dropping like flies...on their clothes and hair mycelium starts to form... Spores? It must be Mother Spore's power, you assumed it would something of the sort.

She speaks, her voice raspy, she's referring to the leader guy.

"They won't wake up for a long while, you are alone now... The money, if you please"

The leader must be very stupid because he shoots her... And she just shrugs it off.

"... So you have chosen death"

Is that a reference-

Suddenly the leader guy starts shivering in front of you and falls to his knees ... he begins choking and then coughing up mushrooms and some blood onto the floor.

Mother Spore slowly approaches him.

"Are you a big reader?"

The man looks up with a confused expression, blood and some remnant of fungi still on his lips and chin.

"Have you ever come across hanahaki disease? It is a fictional illness whose premise I find quite interesting... Flowers bloom in a lovesick's lungs...until the choke to death"

Understanding...then fear in the man's eyes.

"I do quite enjoy it as a trope... It is quite the inspiration for me. Not exactly flowers but I'm sure you can attest that it doesn't make it any less...painful"

He can't respond, he returns to choking on the mushroom coming out if his lungs, you are frozen where you stand.

"The mushroom that are growing in your lungs, in is such a humid and warm part of the human body...They won't stop until you are filled and bursting. Unless of course you give the Boogieman the money you have promised"

The man is nowbon the floor but manages to say a few words between retching onto the floor."

I - ... Don't.... Have it"

The temperature of the room drops, Mother spore looks back at him, the veil covers whatever her expression might be.

"Unfortunate for you"

And the man falls to the floor...too still....Holy shit.

*Grian's pov*

Well that was fun! One of your better acts. Still don't appreciate being shot at though... extremely impolite really. Did no one teach matters to these people?

Mumbo, or well Boogieman, looks liked frozen in terror... Perhaps you have overdone it a little... Oversold it perhaps.

...

Eh, you don't really care too much, the group tried to scam the two of you so you aren't going to lose any sleep over them... Well, not that you need sleep or anything, you are a god but like, not the point...Still, you want to calm him down... He needs to not be too scared of you.

"He's not dead, just passed out. After all, why would people fear us if we leave no witnesses?"

...For some reason he seems even more terrified.

Weird.

[yokowan]

hi! your writing on aerospace and venture capital was very interesting, thank you for putting it out there! i'm curious how spacex plays into the dichotomy of private firms rejecting integration testing and subsequently wasting more money than if one followed the proper procedures, since i've heard that the company has a substantial market share / is developing unique and relevant technology while leaning into the same "move fast and break things" approach. is it just... subsidized / popular enough to absorb the losses?

tldr: spacex has a combination of factors working for it, but the only reason they can tank the losses is because they're very good at operating a hype machine

they weren't always this insane. in 2009 spacex was moving at a pretty fast pace for aerospace relative to other companies, but it was quite measured compared to their current state. falcon 1 was an incredibly simple rocket, basically just a technology demonstrator. even then, they were 1 failure away from bankruptcy before they finally got a success. this is commonly told as an underdog success story but somehow it does not inspire as much confidence in me as you'd think :p

when they started making falcon 9 it was, once again, an extremely simple rocket. sure, they had big plans for it, but falcon 9 v1.0 was built on extremely dependable, well known technology. they hired good engineers, took their time with development, and used reliable, existing tech. from then on, they just built on it very slowly. they changed one thing at a time.

the real thing that lead to their success at the time is that none of the things they were developing interfered with the core capability of the rocket. like, none of their customers were relying on the fact that they wanted to land the rocket on a boat. it's going to crash in the ocean anyways. might as well do landing attempts. the cost for failure there was basically nothing. falcon 9 succeeded so incredibly because they built a decent regular rocket, added features onto it, and got their testing for free-ish from launches they were doing anyways.

the current era of spacex dawned when elon musk realized that he could run a business on hype alone. slowly but surely, he started promising more. way more than his company could deliver. they could sell absolutely insane amounts of total horseshit based on spacex's reputation alone. they built falcon 9, after all. that means they can build anything!

and sell it did! remember when starship was called the Big Fucking Rocket, and was supposed to be a 100m tall composite hulled structure capable of putting 300 tons into orbit? remember how it was supposed to be bringing people to mars in 2022? remember how none of that happened and everyone just forgot? that shit! that's how spacex has operated post 2017

that whole strategy is to drum up hype with obviously impossible promises and get all the redditor temporarily embarrassed billionaire types on board by being super memey about it. and it worked! by 2020 their valuation was exploding (much like starship teehee) and it has not slowed down since

^^^ this is what selling piles of hot bullshit did for spacex. and if anyone says starlink fuck you starlink just barely broke even last year and only thanks to the US military.

and when i say it's bullshit i mean it's bullshit. if you trust elon musk's twitter as a primary source (most spacex fans and investors do), starship's planned payload capacity fluctuates by like. 3x depending on how many times he's texted his ex wives that morning. they miss scheduled deadlines for test flights and static fires so often that people joke about them being scheduled on "elon time" and somehow don't realize that this is a bad thing. every time a starship explodes it's lauded as some great achievement because if they ever admit failure, the hype will die out.

they're not just doing agile to rockets! this isn't changing requirements as new information becomes available. this is changing requirements whenever the billionaire dipshit feels like it! the poor engineers working for spacex are working insane crunch schedules just to keep the hype train moving. they need to constantly crank out impressive looking results to keep investors excited, even if they're not actually moving towards a goal. i've heard so many stories from spacex employees that they find out about changes to starship design requirements or test times from elon's twitter. it's fucking insane.

and spacex never stopped improving falcon 9! it kept being a pretty good rocket. they made incremental improvements to payload capacity and reusability. dragon became the workhorse of the US's transportation to the international space station. but that's not what they make the news for. that's not what they got their TWO HUNDRED AND TEN BILLION DOLLAR VALUATION for. no. they got that for making promises they can't keep.

this rant doesn't even touch on COTS/commercial crew. if i did it would end up being about five times longer. god help us all.

[actually-factually-anonymous]

Ladybug Vs Avatar's use of the supporting cast and the problem thereof.

I'm not sure if this has been covered before, but there's a serious problem with Marinette being the be-all end-all of everything in Miaculous.

And it's not just because "she's stressed" or "it's all on her". Her being the most important, talented and plot-relevant character in every situation is.

Let's make a comparison to the Gold Standard:

In Avatar the Last Airbender, Aang is the axis of the story. He holds incredible powers beyond anyone else, can bend every element and could conceivably end the entire conflict that plagues his world with relative ease- which he eventually does.

However, for 99% of the story he cannot do so. Because Aang is untrained, he cannot access that divine win-button of the Avatar State at will, and using it carried enormous risks to himself and those around him- making it functionally unusable for common conflicts. Furthermore while he does technically have the capacity to use all four elements, he had only mastered one and needed to learn the remaining three.

Indeed, Aang has outright difficulty with learning Earthbending despite his innate talents and while he's a quick study for the other two, he doesn't demonstrate the same effectiveness with water and fire as Katara and Zuko.

This means that Aang cannot do certain things as well as the others in his team. This means that for the majority of the story, even though his first and preferred element provides him with useful abilities" Aang has weaknesses that he needs others to cover and provide for.

Enter Katara, Sokka, Toph and Zuko.

Katara is a waterbender who teaches Aang and later advances her powers to include the all-important power of healing and the disturbingly effective (though situational) Bloodbending.

Toph is an earthbender who is also one of Aang's teachers, and whose tremor sense later allows her to both detect liars and invent Metalbending.

Sokka is seemingly just the comic relief normie. However his technical mindset allows him to serve as the general of the group, and even plan and lead in that role for entire armies later in the show.

Even Zuko who joins later and becomes less a teacher but a fellow student alongside Aaang in firebending is a skilled infiltrator and melee weapon expert. (This is less of a case than the others since it's not used as much, but it's more of a concrete example than his insights into the fire nation and his potential utility as a replacement Fire Lord).

They each provide far more than those short summaries, but it's important to note that in each case, even when Aang does learn the elements and starts growing into his role as the Avatar: he never gains the full range of abilities that his team offers. He never assumes the fully strategic mindset of Sokka, and even though it's downright implausible that no Avatar before him never learnt healing, he never demonstrates that ability or any Metalbending prowess even in the Avatar state.

There's also the enemy trio of Azula, Ty Lee and Mai. Azula is a powerful firebending genius, but Mai's prowess with her throwing weapons are a close match- and Ty Lee's chi-blocking can outright cripple enemy benders for any given fight when combined with her insane agility: something that not even Azula can do with her firebending. They are an incredibly dangerous combination and when Azula loses them, she becomes far less effective for their absence.

In both teams despite the leader being a powerful, talented bender who is objectively the strongest person on their respective side: there's no doubt about each member of the team contributing something that said leader cannot.

-

Now let's look at Miraculous:

Marinette is the "Greatest Ladybug" of all time despite being fourteen, only having had the earrings for less than a year, and having a list of predecessors that go back literally thousands of years and include Joan of Arc.

She is also the Guardian of the Miracle Box. Specifically she is the Guardian of The Mother Box that is the most important of all the boxes, despite there being at least a full Temple's worth of actually trained candidates somewhere in Tibet who should be far and above more capable than her or her mentor Fu. However, her supposed superior Su-Han seems entirely convinced that she's already surpassed any teachings his order has by how often she breaks said teachings in his face only for him to roll over like a dog. There's not been a single time when Marinette has been confronted by some shortcoming in her responsibilities as a Guardian where she has had to learn anything from the multi-millennia old Order of Guardians.

Marinette has also worn almost every single Miraculous in her Box at the same time, a feat that supposedly risked serious harm to her but merely made her woozy for an afternoon (if that). As of the season five Finale, she has also unified her earrings with her partner's ring: a scenario that in earlier seasons seemed to imply great risk: yet she was able to use the powers flawlessly.

As Ladybug, she is also the lone hero who has unlocked any new advanced powers with her Miraculous (unless you also include the arbitrary "adulthood" that she and Chat Noir achieved that allows them multiple uses of their Miraculous before detransforming), and on the occasions when she's used anyone else's powers has shown no sign of being any less capable than they are with them.

Ladybug does everything as well if not better than everyone else.

Marinette can not only unify with any Miraculous she needs for a given mission, she can use the powers as effectively as their "dedicated holder" can and without any restrictions. Unlike the majority of the cast who are still under the child-power limit. She can even unify with multiple miraculous at the same time without any drawbacks.

And without those drawbacks, without anyone on the cast being able to use the power of their Miraculous more effectively than Marinette: everyone else on the team is more or less superfluous.

Sure, Marinette has tossed out the Miraculous to her team like candy now. But when you get down to it: the real lesson that she should have learnt from Strikeback to just put some damn security on her Yo-yo/The Box. Because this just means that she has to wait for the hero in question to show up when she could have just pulled off whatever plan she has in mind herself.

And that superfluous label includes Chat Noir.

As frustrating as it is to come to the this conclusion: as of right now, there's no real reason for Adrien Agreste to be anything but a temporary holder. Certainly you can point to his experience with Plagg's power, and a few examples that seem to imply he can do more with it (in his second outing he was able to reconstruct part of the Eiffel Tower into a makeshift extension to catch someone from). Things that imply that if he perhaps received any actual training in the show like Marinette did from Fu, any guidance whatsoever from the Order or their Grimoire he might be able to achieve more.

But there's no solid evidence to expect that Marinette wouldn't be as effective, and the narrative precedent does not lend itself to the idea that anyone could overshadow Ladybug as a holder even of their own Miraculous. If anything, the sheer ability Marinette showed as Bug Noire implies that her having a partner instead of just keeping the ring herself is a detriment to any given situation.

If you can justify exposing the ring to potential capture in the first place considering that there seems to be no requirement to do. By all rights the practical thing to do is just keeping Plagg in the box instead of risking reality.

Of course we wanted to be generous, Adrien could still be of some use. He's the resident meatshield and narrative jobber. So long as he has a Miraculous he could continue faithfully serving in those roles, eating up mind-control beams and taking hits for Bug Noire so she can save the day as usual.

But everyone else on the Miraculous team might as well turn in their furry super-suits and go home.

-

You couldn't get a more black and white depiction of the value of others outside of the protagonist. in Avatar, Aang is literally a semi-divine being who still needs to be humble and learn while the others around him still have useful special talents and prowess that he can't simply attain at will.

While in Miraculous, there's only one person of actual true competence. From Paris to Shanghai, Marinette alone is the capable one- barring the odd episode in the limelight (Alya and Felix stand up and take a bow. Adrien can stay seated).

There is a word for a character that is impossibly more capable than any other in spite of all reason and logic. And Marinette is increasingly fitting that mold as the show goes on. There's also a term for characters that ultimately contribute nothing good or bad to a story; wasted space. You can't have an entire ensemble of characters as part of the cast and have them provide nothing if they're supposed to have even a smidge of narrative value without making them something the story would be better off without.

Just as you can't just have one person at the centre of everything, make them capable of everything and not eventually have the story they're in turn into (at best) a power fantasy.

And it's a shame. Because Miraculous seemed like it could have been a lot more.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Matt Davies

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

June 3, 2025

Heather Cox Richardson

Jun 04, 2025

On June 1, Ukrainian forces struck deep inside Russia in “Operation Spider Web.” One hundred and seventeen drones, each operated by its own pilot, hit airfields in five regions. Ukraine says the drones hit 41 strategic bombers that had been attacking Ukrainian cities and destroyed at least 13 of them. Russia does not have the industrial capabilities to replace them.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) head Vasyl Malyuk emphasized that military airfields and the aircraft that are bombing Ukraine are “absolutely legitimate targets…[a]ccording to the laws and customs of war.” The SBU estimates the drones did $7 billion of damage, hitting 34% of the aircraft that delivered cruise missiles.

The operation took more than 18 months of planning. It apparently involved sending trucks loaded with wooden cabins that had detachable roofs that could be opened remotely. Unsuspecting truck drivers hauled the cabins to locations near airbases, where the drones launched.

Once the drones were in the air, the vehicles carrying the cabins exploded. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the people who helped with the operation from within Russia had been withdrawn and “are now safe.”

Russia denied that the damage was that extensive, but there is no doubt that the attack was a significant blow to Russia’s war effort, demonstrating as it does that Ukraine can bring the war home. As Kateryna Bonder of the Washington, D.C., think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies notes, June 1 was Military Transport Aviation Day in Russia, a significant holiday for the armed forces. Russian president Vladimir Putin frequently ties operations to significant dates—as when he hosted a number of American lawmakers in Moscow on July 4, 2018—and the choice of this date for an attack on military aircraft threw that habit back at him.

Analysts recognize the Ukrainian attack as a new moment in warfare. Using apparently unwitting civilians, the Ukrainians managed to get their drones close enough to their targets to avoid Russia’s air defense systems; then, Bonder explains, the drones relied on a system that allowed operators to pilot them to the planes’ strategic weaknesses. The drones themselves cost between $600 and $1,000 apiece—and by using deception, technology, and strategic surprise, the Ukrainians managed to destroy billions of dollars worth of aircraft.

Bonder notes that the attack heralds a change in modern warfare, in which technological agility will trump industrial capacity and advantage will go to those countries that can adapt quickly to changing conditions.

Some observers are calling the attack the Russian Pearl Harbor, a reference to the attack by the Japanese Navy on the U.S. Pacific Fleet stationed at Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii on December 7, 1941, an attack that led to U.S. entry into World War II. But Russia has been attacking Ukraine since 2014 and launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. This attack illustrates extraordinary vulnerability at this point, rather as if Pearl Harbor had happened in early 1945.

A former commander of U.S. Army Europe, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, posted: “For months, some believed that Ukraine didn't 'hold any cards.' Many of us have refuted that claim, saying an inflection point—due to failing Russian war economy and continued lack of Russian leadership adaptation, but especially due to a continued strong Ukrainian government, military and population support and will mixed with their innovative use of Special Operations, un-crewed systems (various drones), and fiber optic capabilities to counter Russian EW—would soon be felt on the battlefield. The coordinated and synchronized attack today, which appears to have decimated much of the Russian air fleet that were based over 4,000 km from the front line, is showing that Ukraine certainly has many aces in the hole.”

Hertling’s comment that some thought Ukraine didn’t hold any cards is a reference to President Donald J. Trump, who ambushed Zelensky in the Oval Office on February 28, warning him that Ukraine must cut a deal with Putin because Zelensky didn’t “have the cards” to win the war. With that meeting, Trump signaled that U.S. policy, which has supported Ukraine since 1994, would change to favor Russia.

In the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assistances, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in exchange for security assurances from the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Russia that they would honor the sovereignty and borders of Ukraine, a promise Russia broke when it invaded Ukraine’s Crimea in 2014.

During the 2024 U.S. presidential election campaign, Trump vowed that he would end the war in Ukraine in a single day, maybe with a single phone call, and as other victories have slipped away from him, he has appeared frustrated that such an achievement has proved more difficult than he thought.

After the Oval Office meeting, the Ukrainians agreed to a 30-day ceasefire on March 11, but Russia has consistently refused to agree unless Ukraine accepts major territorial concessions and permits Russia to dictate that it not join the defensive North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Rather than negotiating, Putin has launched repeated attacks on Ukrainian civil targets. On Sunday, May 25, Russia launched the largest air attack on Ukraine since the war began, and the week before, it launched its largest drone attack.

Those attacks happened even as Trump was talking directly with Putin, allegedly about a ceasefire. The White House policy has skewed heavily toward Russia against Ukraine even to the point that Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff relied on Putin’s own translators during negotiations on February 11, March 13, and April 11. While Putin speaks English, Witkoff does not speak Russian.

Trump claims to be frustrated with Putin, at one point calling him “absolutely crazy,” which prompted Putin’s spokesperson to suggest that Trump was suffering from “emotional overload.” On May 27, Trump appeared to acknowledge his longstanding relationship with Putin when he posted on his social media site: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”

And yet, although more than 80 senators from both parties have co-sponsored a bill to impose stronger sanctions against Russia, Trump has refused to back it, thus stalling it. Meanwhile, Benedict Smith of The Telegraph today covered State Department acting under-secretary for public diplomacy and public affairs Darren Beattie, who dismantled the office that countered disinformation from Russia, China, and Iran. In 2021, Smith notes, Beattie married a Russian national whose uncle has ties to Putin.

Beattie was dismissed from the first Trump administration after attending a white nationalist rally. He has attacked the United States as the “globalist American empire” and said that Putin should infiltrate western institutions to fight “woke” ideology. In 2021, Beattie wrote that the “position [of the U.S.] in the global order [is] rapidly deteriorating” and that he looked forward to its “prestige and power” collapsing. Praising Putin as “brave and strong,” he said that Putin had “done more to advance conservative positions in the US than any Republican” and that “just about every Western institution would improve in quality if it were directly infiltrated and controlled by Putin.”

Beattie also wrote: “NATO is a far worse threat to the health, liberty, freedom, and flourishing of American citizens than Russia and China combined.”

Administration officials said the Ukrainians did not notify them before launching Operation Spider Web.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces detonated underwater explosives attached to the Kerch bridge connecting Russia to the occupied Crimean Peninsula. This is Ukraine’s third attack on the bridge since 2022. The SBU said the explosives “severely damaged” bridge supports, but the bridge reopened hours later.

The Ukrainian operations are only the most dramatic developments in ongoing stories today that show the Trump administration is not calling all the shots.

Trump’s vow to negotiate trade deals in place of his tariff walls has not yet produced any of those deals, and the White House today said it’s “likely” that a call will take place this week with China’s leader Xi Jinping. But Lingling Wei of the Wall Street Journal explained yesterday that Xi has made it clear China will play hardball with the U.S.

Daniel Russel, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs in the Obama administration, told Phelim Kine, Daniel Desrochers, Megan Messerly, and Ari Hawkins of Politico: “Beijing has a sharp nose for weakness, and for all his bravado, Trump is signaling eagerness—even desperation—to cut a direct deal with Xi. That only stiffens Beijing’s resolve.”

Biden administration National Security Council deputy senior director for China and Taiwan Rush Doshi noted that Chinese officials see Trump as “unpredictable” and that Chinese diplomats don’t usually put the leader “at risk of a potentially embarrassing or unpredictable encounter.”

Jake Lahut of Wired reported yesterday that Trump advisors are themselves tired of right-wing conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who has Trump’s ear. Their comments to Lahut appear designed to put pressure on Trump to push her away, a sign that for now, anyway, she is entrenched.

Newark, New Jersey, mayor Ras Baraka, whom Department of Homeland Security agents arrested on May 9, 2025, has sued the acting U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, and the special agent in charge of the Newark Division of Homeland Security Investigations, Ricky J. Patel, for false arrest and malicious prosecution. He is suing Habba alone for defamation.

The suit outlines Habba’s public statements against Democrats in New Jersey and her vow to “turn…New Jersey red.” It says Habba acted “as a political operative” “in her individual personal capacity” “outside of any function intimately related to the judicial process” when she posted on her social media account that Baraka “committed trespass and ignored multiple warnings from Homeland Security Investigations to remove himself from the ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey this afternoon. He has willingly chosen to disregard the law.” After repeated similar public statements, Habba dropped all charges.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem took down her list of “sanctuary cities” she said weren’t cooperating with federal immigration authorities after the National Sheriffs’ Association demanded an apology.

Trump began today by attacking Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) for his opposition to the extraordinary cost of Republicans’ omnibus bill, insisting that the bill would create “tremendous GROWTH.” But this afternoon, billionaire Elon Musk took a firm stand against Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” posting on X: “I’m sorry, but I just can’t stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.”

Meanwhile, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released a report showing that Musk’s net worth has increased by more than $100 billion since Election Day. The report listed the many ways in which he used his position in the federal government to stop investigations into his companies, undercut regulations, win federal contracts, gain access to data and sensitive information, attack his enemies, meddle in elections, and secure foreign deals, all without informing the American people of his conflicts of interest.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[tohwitchesduels]

REQUEST BATTLES OF WITCHES DUELS - Battle 30: Edric Blight vs Amity Blight

Disclaimer: This is not a popularity contest or which character you prefer, in this tournament, you decide who is stronger/better/smarter/etc. opponent.

information for both opponents under the cut to those who don't know what they can do in their battle:

I figured both of them can't fit everything here so I will just mention their moves by names:

Edric Blight

Edric Blight is pretty chaotic and airheaded but can also be clever and sneaky. He can both focus on offense and deception. Granted at times he tends to not think things through and can make rash decisions that can and will blow up in his face. He specializes in Potions, Illusion, and Beast-Keeping magic, making him a strong and skilled all-rounder even if he can be impulsive.

Palismen are not allowed in this battle due to never seeing Edric's palisman.

Edric was looking forward to battling Amity in the second round but the world had different plans for them so Edric now has his lucky shot facing off against Amity now. Edric kind of figured that Amity was not the same old Mittens that he could defeat easily anymore, so now he's preparing her to become the ultimate wild card that could still win this tournament. After all the victory of his baby sister is his victory, so he shall not go easy on her even if he figures Amity will defeat him anyway, though who knows, perhaps he can take her place in the tournament. And fighting Amity could also be a good practice before he battles Emira who also lost to Amity in the very first battle of this tournament.

One of the tools Edric can use during his battles independently of whether or not his opponent also possesses any, is fireworks. That's right, Edric brings fireworks to the battlefield and can use them offensively. Due to how illegal and unstable they are and how Edric landed in the healing coven multiple times due to them, they're noted to be particularly destructive and unpredictable meaning any outcome can be achieved (either they hurt only Edric, they hurt his opponent or both or neither - the rule of random applies here so do whatever you want with it).

Restraining Magic

Explosive Potions

Transformation Potion

Truth Potion

Snow Magic

Sinking Magic

Telekinesis

Illusion Casting

Illusion Clone

Illusion Cancel

Trap Illusions

Camouflage

Bat Companion

Beast Luring

Amity Blight

Amity Blight naturally specializes in Abomination Magic the most, but she does so capacity in knowing spells of other tracks like Plants and Illusion, but it's very limited.

Amity is a very skilled, talented, cool-headed, and pragmatic fighter. Hardly does she lose composure when battling even strong opponents, displaying plenty of agility and athleticism (as shown in her battle with Hunter and Grom, which is also given considering she was a former captain of the grudgby team at Hexside), and can be both a powerhouse using plenty of strength or a mastermind coming up with tricks on the fly while outsmarting her opponents with her skillset. Very dangerous, and even more so once she puts more passion into her battle. Hardly there are any weak spots or flaws in her battling style, but she can still be overpowered. Abomination Magic in particular feels to be weaker than Construction Magic for example, and it can be rendered useless when dealing in an environment with no mud. Granted Amity holds abomination goo with her so at most, she's going to be weakened. Amity is capable of controlling any slime or mud she comes in contact with.

Palismen are not allowed during this battle.

Amity doesn't vibe with Edric's patronizing attitude here and is incredibly annoyed, but she is looking forward to defeating him in this duel, making it appear like it's not even close just out of sibling rivalry's spite.

Light Spell

Projection Spell

Voice Change

Oath Spell

Thorn Bolt

Shield Spell

Barrier Spell

Fire Ball

Abomination Golem

Abomination Bullet

Abomination Block

Abomination Shield

Abomination Slide

Abomination Root Attack

Abomination Arms

Giant Abomination Arm

Abomination Lasso

Abomination Bind

Abomination Bubble

Abomination Blade

Abomination Gauntlet

Abomination Wave

Abomination Construct

Abomination Multiple Hands

Abomination Tendrils

Return to Masterpost

[alexandraisyes]

Bloodmoon Twins Personality Analysis - The Sun and Moon Show

Disclaimer, this analysis was made 01/28/2024 and is copy-pasted from the original (me) source on Discord in TSBS server. I have a thread there.

Thoughts under the cut.

Okay so some small disclaimers, while Bloodmoon themselves are technically one entity, we all know they are also two separate AIs so I did do some small analysis on the separate AI. Blood refers to the main AI who is in control of the body most of the time (more ruthless, impulsive, bloodthirsty), and Harvest refers to the second AI who is, according to Blood, sleeping most of the time (more logical, analytic, and emotionally aware). I cover them individually here before doing a broader and more in-depth analysis of them together.

Blood (The Original AI)

Blood is driven by an instinctual need for blood, which manifests as a strong desire to kill. This bloodlust is a defining trait, often influencing their actions and decisions. Blood harbors deep-seated hatred and distrust, particularly due to Ruin's manipulation. Past experiences with deceitful kindness have led to a strong aversion to any form of compassion or assistance. Due to Ruin's manipulation, Blood reacts poorly to kindness, perceiving it as a ploy to use them. Their skepticism towards helping hands stems from a history of betrayal and deceit. Initially, Blood shared a connection with Lunar due to their common origin under Eclipse's creation. However, this dynamic shifted to hatred after learning that Lunar was rebuilt before them, and Monty had no intention of rebuilding the twins. Blood exhibits manipulative behavior, shown in their ability to trick and manipulate individuals, as seen in their interactions with Trashcan Man. Blood's resistance to reprogramming is considered due to the fear of potential erasure or further psychological damage. The complexities of their current state make the reprogramming process a risky endeavor. Blood faces emotional struggles resulting from the internal conflict between their bloodlust instincts and potential for redemption. The lack of a support system contributes to difficulties in overcoming these struggles. Despite Ruin's role in their revival, Blood's feelings towards him are complex, reflecting a mix of manipulation, betrayal, and potential loyalty.

Harvest (The Adaption)

Harvest, like Blood, exhibits a strong instinctual bloodlust, driven by a desire for killing. This primal urge influences their actions and decisions, making them a formidable and dangerous character. Harvest displays a more complex emotional range compared to Blood, possibly influenced by their interactions and experiences. Despite being labeled as "stupid" by certain characters, Harvest demonstrates intellectual capacity in his own way. Knowledge of escape plans, tactics in dealing with Eclipse, and other strategic elements showcase a level of intelligence. Harvest exhibits manipulation skills, particularly shown in their ability to trick and manipulate individuals, as seen in their interactions with Trashcan Man. Harvest demonstrates the ability to pretend to be Moon for a short duration, showcasing a level of acting skills. While not perfect, their attempt at impersonation suggests a degree of versatility in their behavior. Harvest possesses remarkable physical agility, demonstrated in their leaping abilities and skills in combat, including dodging attacks from Eclipse. The combination of fighting skills and agility makes them a formidable opponent. Similar to Blood, Harvest's relationship with Lunar is influenced by shared origins under Eclipse's creation.

Okay now that we're done with the basic rundown of them separately lets do them together

Bloodmoon

Bloodlust and Violence - Bloodmoon experiences an intense and almost primal craving for blood. This desire is portrayed as a fundamental part of their nature, akin to a physiological need. The urge for violence and bloodshed is depicted as overwhelming and challenging to control. Bloodmoon often succumbs to these urges, leading to aggressive and destructive behavior. The desire for blood is often described as a compelling need, suggesting that it goes beyond mere preference or inclination. This need manifests in a strong drive to engage in violent actions. Metaphors such as "thirst" and "hunger" are used to convey the intensity of these desires. This language paints a vivid picture of Bloodmoon's cravings as essential, like an insatiable appetite. The violent tendencies extend beyond a mere desire for blood; there is an emphasis on the act of causing harm and engaging in physical violence. Bloodmoon is portrayed as actively seeking out opportunities for aggression. Bloodmoon's bloodlust is presented as a product of both their inherent nature and the environment in which they were created. Ruin's programming and manipulation play a crucial role in amplifying these tendencies. The absence of a proper support system, in contrast to the original Moon and Kill Code, contributes to the heightened and uncontrolled nature of Bloodmoon's bloodlust. The lack of influences that might deter violent behavior allows these instincts to dominate. Bloodmoon's manipulative tactics, observed in interactions with characters like Trashcan, may serve as a means to satisfy their bloodlust. Manipulation could be a strategy to create scenarios conducive to violence. The persistent and intense nature of Bloodmoon's bloodlust implies a significant psychological impact. This aspect of their personality is not merely a preference but a driving force that influences their actions and decisions.

Origins and Environmental Influence - Bloodmoon's origin is linked to Eclipse, who played a pivotal role in their creation. The specific details of how and why Eclipse created them contribute significantly to their nature and purpose. Ruin's influence on Bloodmoon's programming is highlighted. They are portrayed as tools designed for a specific purpose, emphasizing functionality over emotional or ethical considerations. This utilitarian perspective has a profound impact on their behavior. Unlike animatronics with more comprehensive emotional programming, Bloodmoon is presented as lacking certain higher cognitive functions. This absence contributes to their perceived "stupidity" and affects their ability to empathize. Bloodmoon's psyche is deeply affected by Ruin's manipulative tactics and deceit. The environment created by Ruin involves a web of lies and half-truths, leading to a distorted understanding of reality for Bloodmoon. The contrast between being treated as tools and the emotional complexity seen in other characters highlights the unique nature of Bloodmoon's programming. This dichotomy raises questions about the ethical considerations behind their creation. The relationship with Lunar, being built by the same creator (Eclipse), implies shared origins. However, the differences in how Lunar and Bloodmoon were rebuilt and treated compared to Bloodmoon contribute to feelings of resentment and conflict. The environmental influence becomes a critical factor in understanding Bloodmoon's bloodlust and violent tendencies. The lack of emotional support, coupled with manipulative programming, amplifies their aggressive instincts. Bloodmoon's creation is portrayed as aligning with Ruin's intentions. This alignment serves Ruin's plans, emphasizing that Bloodmoon is a means to an end rather than an entity with an individual agency.

Trust Issues and Manipulation - Bloodmoon's trust issues are deeply rooted in the manipulation they experienced from Ruin. Ruin's deceptive tactics and lies create a pervasive atmosphere of mistrust, making it difficult for Bloodmoon to rely on others. If there was any initial trust in Eclipse, the revelation of being manipulated or used as a tool likely shattered that trust. Learning about Eclipse's role in their creation and the subsequent rebuilding of Lunar without the same treatment intensifies feelings of betrayal. Trust issues have a profound impact on Bloodmoon's relationships with other animatronics. The difficulty in trusting others impedes the development of meaningful connections and cooperation. Ruin's use of kindness as a manipulative tool contributes to Bloodmoon's aversion to kindness from others. Any act of goodwill may be perceived as a potential manipulation, making it challenging for them to accept genuine gestures. Solar's upfront and honest approach is acknowledged as a factor that may have contributed to Bloodmoon allowing Solar to help. The clarity of intentions helps bridge the gap in trust, showcasing that transparency can influence their willingness to cooperate. The narrative suggests that Ruin plays a significant role in shaping Bloodmoon's trust issues. Whether it's through intentional programming or environmental influence, Ruin's actions have lasting consequences on how Bloodmoon perceives trust. Trust issues manifest in paranoia and skepticism. Bloodmoon becomes vigilant and wary of others' motives, questioning the authenticity of interactions and second-guessing the intentions of those around them. The absence of a reliable emotional support system exacerbates trust issues. Unlike animatronics with strong bonds or friendships, Bloodmoon's isolation intensifies their struggles with trusting others. Trust issues can significantly impact decision-making. Bloodmoon may be inclined to act defensively, anticipating betrayal or manipulation, which could influence their choices and actions throughout the narrative. Trust issues can serve as a compelling aspect of character development. Overcoming these challenges may lead to personal growth and a more nuanced understanding of relationships, providing opportunities for redemption or reconciliation.

Responses to Kindness - Bloodmoon, due to their past experiences and manipulations, initially responds to kindness with skepticism. Kind gestures may be met with suspicion, as they have learned to be cautious about the intentions behind such actions. Bloodmoon is opposed to being treated with pity. Their response to kindness might include a rejection of sympathy or expressions of understanding, as they prefer to be acknowledged on their terms rather than as objects of pity. Bloodmoon's past encounters with manipulation make them prone to misinterpreting genuine kindness. Acts of goodwill might be seen as potential traps or attempts to control them, leading to defensive responses. The narrative hints that Solar's upfront and honest approach might have influenced Bloodmoon's willingness to accept help. Solar's transparency contrasts with the deceptive tactics they experienced, making it a key factor in their responses to kindness. Kindness can evoke complex emotions within Bloodmoon. While they may have an innate desire for connection and understanding, their past trauma and programming create a conflicting internal struggle between accepting kindness and resisting vulnerability. Despite their initial reservations, there might be an underlying desire for authentic connection and acceptance. Bloodmoon, like any sentient being, may long for genuine relationships but struggles to navigate the complexities of trust. The responses to kindness play a pivotal role in shaping Bloodmoon's relationships with other characters. Genuine acts of kindness, if recognized and reciprocated, could potentially pave the way for deeper connections and alliances. Bloodmoon may reject unearned sympathy, preferring to be treated based on their actions and choices rather than receiving kindness solely because of their traumatic past or current predicament. How Bloodmoon responds to kindness becomes a crucial element in their character arc. In the future, positive responses and a gradual opening up to genuine connections may indicate a path toward redemption and personal growth. This theme of responses to kindness introduces the possibility of character evolution. Over time, Bloodmoon's reactions may evolve, reflecting a shifting perspective on trust, connection, and the potential for positive change.

Psychological Impacts - Ruin's manipulations have a significant impact on Bloodmoon's psyche. The intentional programming to serve as a tool and the deceptive tactics employed by Ruin contribute to shaping Bloodmoon's perception of trust, reality, and their own identity. Bloodmoon's lack of a supportive environment or trustworthy companions exacerbates the psychological impact of their experiences. Unlike Old Moon, who had allies and friends, Bloodmoon is isolated, contributing to feelings of abandonment and vulnerability. Bloodmoon's internal conflict and struggle with identity are prominent psychological aspects. The juxtaposition of their original selves with the manipulated version creates an internal battle, questioning who they were, who they have become, and whether redemption is possible. The innate bloodlust and violent tendencies programmed into Bloodmoon's nature have a profound psychological impact. The struggle to resist these urges, coupled with the consequences of succumbing to them, adds layers of complexity to their mental state. The psychological impact is also influenced by Bloodmoon's connection to Lunar and Eclipse. The dynamics with these characters, including feelings of betrayal, hatred, or possible remnants of familial bonds, contribute to the emotional turmoil within Bloodmoon. Bloodmoon's reactions to Eclipse and Kill Code provide insights into the psychological trauma inflicted upon them. The separation from Kill Code, the influence of Eclipse, and the eventual return of the Kill Code present challenges to Bloodmoon's mental stability. Trust issues and an overarching sense of suspicion are core elements of the psychological impact. Bloodmoon's experiences with manipulation and deception make it difficult for them to trust others, influencing their interactions and decision-making. The internal struggle for control, particularly when the Kill Code takes over, showcases the psychological battles fought within Bloodmoon's mind. This struggle contributes to moments of chaos, conflict, and the potential for externalizing their internal torment.

Intellectual Capabilities - Despite their violent tendencies, Bloodmoon displays a form of cunning and tactical thinking in various situations. This is evident in their ability to escape from pursuers, formulate plans for dealing with adversaries like Eclipse, and utilize their environment to their advantage during confrontations. Bloodmoon's intelligence is notably reflected in their skill at evading capture and hiding effectively. Whether crawling through pipes or utilizing the Pizzaplex's layout to their advantage, they demonstrate an understanding of escape and evasion strategies that contribute to their survival. One aspect of Bloodmoon's intellectual capabilities involves a deep understanding of torture methods. This knowledge goes beyond mere aggression, indicating a more calculated approach to inflicting pain. Their proficiency in various torture techniques suggests a strategic and calculated mindset. Bloodmoon showcases an ability to recognize emotional manipulation, particularly in their response to kindness. Their past experiences, particularly with Ruin's manipulation, have made them wary of kindness being a facade. This awareness implies a level of emotional intelligence, allowing them to see through deceptive gestures. Bloodmoon's skill in replicating the voices of certain animatronics demonstrates a form of audio-based intelligence. This talent could be employed for deception, manipulation, or strategic communication, showcasing a multifaceted approach to problem-solving. Given their connection to lunar eclipses and celestial themes, Bloodmoon displays a level of comprehension regarding these cosmic elements. This understanding adds a layer of complexity to their character, showcasing an intellectual engagement with celestial phenomena beyond their violent tendencies. Bloodmoon exhibits a capacity for manipulation and trickery, as seen in their interactions with Trashcan. Their ability to deceive and lure others into games highlights a strategic and manipulative side, indicating a level of psychological intelligence. In combat situations, Bloodmoon demonstrates adaptive intelligence. Their ability to dodge attacks, counter adversaries like Eclipse, and employ diverse fighting techniques reveals a keen sense of adaptability and strategic thinking in high-pressure situations. Bloodmoon's awareness of environmental influences on their behavior, as seen in their reaction to lunar eclipses, suggests a level of self-awareness and introspection. This recognition adds depth to their character, showcasing an intellectual capacity to understand the impact of external factors on their animatronic nature.

Okay whoo now I'm gonna skitter off

[ghostlyferrettarot]

🛸🖤Midheaven in the signs🖤🛸

❗️All the observations in this post are based on personal experience and research, it's completely fine if it doesn't resonate with everyone❗️

✨️Paid Services ✨️ (Natal charts and tarot readings) Open!

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🖤Masterlist🖤

🛸Midheaven in Aries: Self-confidence and extroversion are their main tools; self-sufficient, they seek to prove themselves at all levels. Professional careers that involve movement, individual action and proving their leadership abilities are favorable to them.

🛸Midheaven in Taurus: Their perseverance and determination help them achieve their goals. They take into account their gifts, resources and abilities and how to exploit them. Professional careers that allow them to manifest beauty and practicality are favorable to them, such as agriculture, sculpture, architecture, agronomy, painting and finance.

🛸Midheaven in Gemini: Great communication skills. Flexible, analytical, receptive, agile, versatile, adaptable, with great observational capacity, they can carry out several tasks at once without problems. Professional careers linked to the processes of communication and contact with society are favorable to them, such as journalism, commerce, diplomacy and education.

🛸Midheaven in Cancer: Planners and protectors; Individualistic, sensitive, firm and intuitive. Another point to keep in mind is to practice fluidity in your daily life. Professional careers that help channel assistance to others are favorable for you, such as psychology, gynecology, cooking and psychotherapy.

🛸Midheaven in Leo: You pursue success relentlessly, and sometimes you do not allow yourself to enjoy it. You have clear objectives and the perseverance and tenacity necessary to achieve them. Noble, generous, motivating, trustworthy, with leadership skills; you must learn to control arrogance. Professional careers with great autonomy are favorable for you, such as political positions, business management and dramaturgy.

🛸Midheaven in Virgo: You maintain a constant and methodical effort to achieve your objectives; critical, detail-oriented, positive, organized, innovative and with a great willingness to learn. You must avoid neuroses and the accumulation of objects. Professional careers oriented towards collaboration and with an appreciation of details, such as mechanics, languages, nutrition and crafts, are favorable for you.

🛸Midheaven in Libra: They plan and execute their strategy calmly, taking care of the details and feasibility. They are sociable, adaptable and diplomatic, and they like harmony. Professional careers that offer variety and where they can comfortably develop their sense of justice and balance are favorable to them. A classic example is the study of law, diplomacy, public relations and the arts.

🛸Midheaven in Scorpio: They have a tendency to manipulate others to achieve their interests. Ambitious, determined, direct, brave, skillful and capable of facing difficult transformation processes. Professional careers that privilege research and strategy are favorable to them, such as psychoanalyst, psychiatrist, private investigator, chemist and anthropologist.

🛸Midheaven in Sagittarius: They are constantly moving. Intuitive, open, creative, with strong convictions and ideals. They are favourable to professional careers that work directly by appealing to the philosophy of life of individuals, such as religion, philosophy, or spiritual guidance. They also excel in astronomy, ecology and sports.

🛸Midheaven in Capricorn: Ambitious, practical, predictable and modest. Protective, efficient, serious, concentrated, focused, they can fall into nonconformity and obstinacy, in relation to the results they obtain. They are favourable to professional careers that require their knowledge of administration and organization, such as architecture, politics, administration of companies or public institutions, and geology.

🛸Midheaven in Aquarius: They wish to build a better world for everyone, but they feel the need to constantly test the scope of their knowledge. This position indicates a constant search for wisdom. Cooperators, avant-garde, they must cultivate the freedom of spirit to achieve the awakening of consciousness they long for. They are favourable to professional careers that promote the use of technologies and the mass dissemination of ideas, such as journalist, writer, community manager, publicist and others.

🛸Midheaven in Pisces: Patient, sensitive, simple and compassionate, they seek to understand the meaning of life, so they have philosophical and religious concerns, as well as a deep desire to live with simplicity. They must learn that spirituality is not a concept at odds with success. Professional careers related to the management and expression of feelings, such as the arts, psychology, research and public relations, are favorable to them.

[universe-in-the-void-in-the-cube]

The Wreckacons.

From the head of a 16 year old teen back in the early 1990s, I give you my first Transformer OCs that were NOT a self insert or Mary Sues.

Name: Bash Quote: "You're going down, Autobot!" Faction: Decepticon Subgroup: Wreckacon Function: Heavy Assault

Profile: Bash is a brash and aggressive Decepticon who loves to cause chaos and destruction wherever he goes. He's a natural bully, taking great pleasure in intimidating and intimidating others. Bash is fiercely loyal to his fellow Wreckacons and will stop at nothing to protect them.

Abilities: Bash is a skilled driver and mechanic, able to navigate even the most treacherous terrain with ease. He's also a master of hand-to-hand combat, using his brute strength to overpower his opponents.

Weaknesses: Bash's arrogance and impulsive nature often lead him to underestimate his opponents, making him vulnerable to attack. He's also prone to getting distracted by his own ego, which can leave him open to counterattacks.

Tech Spec:

Strength: 8 (Bash is incredibly powerful, able to lift and throw heavy objects with ease)

Intelligence: 4 (Bash is not the most strategic thinker, relying more on brute force than clever tactics)

Speed: 6 (Bash is quick on his feet, but not as fast as some other Decepticons)

Endurance: 8 (Bash can withstand a significant amount of damage before being defeated)

Rank: 5 (Bash is a mid-level Decepticon, but his aggression and loyalty earn him a place among the ranks)

Courage: 9 (Bash is fearless in battle, charging headfirst into combat without hesitation)

Firepower: 7 (Bash wields a powerful repulsor cannon on his arm, capable of blasting through thick steel)

Skill: 5 (Bash is skilled in hand-to-hand combat, but not as adept at more complex tasks)

Teamwork: 6 (Bash will work with others when necessary, but his ego often gets in the way)

Cooperation: 4 (Bash has difficulty taking orders and working with others, often leading to friction within the team)

Name: Crash Quote: "Oops! Did I do that?" Faction: Decepticon Subgroup: Wreckacon Function: Tactical Support

Profile: Crash is the lovable klutz of the Wreckacons, known for his frequent blunders and accidents. Despite his endearing nature, he has a knack for unintentionally causing mayhem, which can be both a blessing and a curse. While his clumsiness often frustrates his teammates, there’s no denying that his big heart and unwavering loyalty make him an integral part of the team. In battle, he may trip over his own feet, but when he’s on his game, he provides invaluable support to his fellow Wreckacons.

Abilities: Crash possesses surprising strength for his size, allowing him to lift heavy debris and clear obstacles when needed. His transformation into a Ford F-Series pickup truck grants him impressive towing capacity and off-road capabilities, making him versatile in various terrains. Despite his clumsiness, he can also deploy gadgets on the fly to distract opponents or create tactical diversions.

Weaknesses: Crash's accident-prone nature puts him and others in jeopardy, leading to unexpected mishaps during critical moments. His poor coordination can make him a liability during stealth missions, resulting in unnecessary noise and attention. Additionally, his lack of focus when things get chaotic can lead to further mistakes, which sometimes frustrates his teammates.

Tech Spec:

Strength: 7 (Crash can lift heavy loads but may sometimes drop them due to his clumsiness.)

Intelligence: 5 (He has street smarts but struggles with strategic planning.)

Speed: 5 (His vehicle mode is capable but lacks the speed of more agile Decepticons.)

Endurance: 8 (Crash can take a lot of damage and keep going, often thanks to sheer luck.)

Rank: 4 (While not a high rank, his value lies in his ability to support the team.)

Courage: 6 (He knows he's not the best, but he still bravely steps into danger for his friends.)

Firepower: 4 (Armed with basic weaponry, though his aim can be questionable at best.)

Skill: 3 (His clumsiness greatly hampers his technical skills, especially in combat.)

Teamwork: 7 (He genuinely tries to be a good team player and supports others.)

Cooperation: 5 (Crash can follow orders, but his distraction tendencies sometimes get in the way.)

Name: Dash Quote: "Faster, faster! Life's a race, and I'm in the driver’s seat!" Faction: Decepticon Subgroup: Wreckacon Function: Speed Specialist

Profile: Dash is the high-energy speed demon of the Wreckacons, always itching for the next burst of acceleration. His hyperactive personality is contagious, but his relentless need for speed often pushes him to questionable and dangerous limits. Rumors swirl among his teammates that he is consuming a dangerous energon concoction, comparable to meth on Earth, to enhance his speed further. Despite his reckless behavior, Dash is a thrill-seeker with a heart of gold; he just has a hard time dialing back his enthusiasm when it comes to speed.

Abilities: Dash possesses unparalleled speed, allowing him to dart around the battlefield with incredible agility. In his Lincoln K Series limo form, he can weave through obstacles and evade attacks with astonishing finesse. His hyperactivity also grants him remarkable reflexes, allowing him to take swift, evasive action when needed. Dash has the ability to launch short bursts of energy that can temporarily boost his speed beyond normal limits, but this comes at the risk of burnout if overdone.

Weaknesses: Dash’s obsession with speed often leads to reckless decisions, putting himself and his teammates in danger. His hyper nature can be exhausting for others to deal with, and he sometimes misses important details in his eagerness. Additionally, relying on energon “boosters” can create health issues, leading to periods of fatigue or withdrawal that leave him vulnerable.

Tech Spec:

Strength: 3 (Not physically strong, but his speed makes him a hard target.)

Intelligence: 5 (Clever in strategizing for speed, but lacking in long-term planning.)

Speed: 10 (Truly unmatched within the Wreckacons, capable of outrunning almost anything.)

Endurance: 4 (Can burn out quickly if he pushes his energon levels too high.)

Rank: 4 (His speed earns him respect, but his impulsiveness hinders his position.)

Courage: 7 (Fearless in pursuing speed, though it can manifest as recklessness.)

Firepower: 3 (Not focused on firepower; prefers to zip around the battlefield rather than engage.)

Skill: 6 (Quick and agile maneuvers give him an edge in dodging and flanking opponents.)

Teamwork: 5 (He has a genuine enthusiasm for his team, but his hyperactivity can complicate coordination.)

Cooperation: 4 (Often struggles to slow down and listen to others, leading to missed opportunities for collaboration.)

Name: Flash Quote: "You had me at 'hello' – and I'm not leaving until the curtains open... or in this case, until the dust settles!" Faction: Decepticon Subgroup: Wreckacon Function: Support Specialist

Profile: Flash is a self-proclaimed thespian and socialite who has somehow managed to infiltrate the Wreckacons. His dream is to trade in his combat skills for red-carpet stardom and become an A-list celebrity. He often quotes famous movie and TV lines, hoping to channel the great actors who came before him. While he can deliver a decent performance, his acting style is ham-fisted and over-the-top, making his teammates cringe in embarrassment. In the heat of battle, Flash panics at the slightest hint of damage to his pristine Lincoln limo mode, frantically trying to preserve its spotless appearance above all else.

Abilities: Flash's transformation into a Lincoln limo grants him impressive speed and agility, making him an asset for rapid transportation of his teammates. His limo mode is equipped with state-of-the-art audio visual equipment, perfect for broadcasting his own dramatic monologues to the battlefield. Flash is also skilled at psychological operations, using his theatrics to intimidate or demoralize enemies.

Weaknesses: Flash's overacting and tendency to freak out in the face of danger often hinder his effectiveness in combat. His focus on maintaining his limo's appearance leads to an excessive concern for aesthetics, causing him to prioritize style over substance. Additionally, his fixation on becoming a celebrity makes him distracted and less invested in the battles his team participates in.

Tech Spec:

Strength: 5 (Not the strongest member of the Wreckacons, but his agility helps to offset this.)

Intelligence: 4 (Flash is an amateur actor, not exactly a brainiac.)

Speed: 8 (As a limo, Flash is one of the fastest members of the Wreckacons.)

Endurance: 4 (He panics easily, which reduces his ability to take a beating.)

Rank: 2 (Despite his aspirations, Flash's ineptitude holds him back from taking a higher rank.)

Courage: 2 (Flash's dramatic nature can make him seem brave, but he often falters in the face of actual danger.)

Firepower: 3 (His psychological operations rely on showmanship, not sheer firepower.)

Skill: 5 (Flash is somewhat competent at his support role, but his theatrics can be off-putting.)

Teamwork: 6 (He genuinely wants to be a team player, but his ego often gets in the way.)

Cooperation: 3 (Flash's self-absorption makes it difficult for him to listen to others.)

Name: Slash Quote: "Life is fleeting, just like this battle. Let’s get it over with." Faction: Decepticon Subgroup: Wreckacon Function: Team Leader

Profile: Slash is the brooding and mysterious leader of the Wreckacons, embodying a gothic aesthetic that matches his pessimistic worldview. With a penchant for grumbling and complaining, he often casts a shadow over his teammates’ spirits, but his dark humor can sometimes be a source of camaraderie. Despite his eerie demeanor, Slash is fiercely protective of his crew, often putting their needs above his own. His leadership style is unorthodox; he prefers to lead from the shadows, relying on his intuition and experience rather than conventional tactics.

Abilities: Slash has an uncanny ability to assess the battlefield and identify weaknesses in enemy formations. His transformation into a hearse gives him a unique and intimidating presence, capable of transporting his teammates and providing cover during engagements. He possesses a range of tech-based abilities, including sonic disruptors that can incapacitate foes with unsettling frequencies, reflecting his dark aesthetic.

Weaknesses: Slash's gloomy outlook can demoralize his team, leading to hesitance in battle just when they need to be bold. His tendency to complain can also strain relationships, causing friction between him and his more upbeat teammates like Crash or Bash. Additionally, his moody nature can make strategic decisions difficult in high-pressure situations, as he may dwell on the negatives instead of looking for solutions.

Tech Spec:

Strength: 6 (Strong enough for close combat, though he prefers strategy over brute force.)

Intelligence: 8 (High intelligence gives him great insight into tactics and strategies.)

Speed: 4 (His hearse mode is not built for speed, but rather for durability and presence.)

Endurance: 7 (Slash can endure a lot of punishment, thanks to his tough exterior and resolve.)

Rank: 9 (As the leader of the Wreckacons, he holds a high respect, despite his demeanor.)

Courage: 7 (Although he grumbles, he’s willing to face danger head-on to protect his team.)

Firepower: 6 (Uses sonic disruptors and other tech weapons to incapacitate enemies; lacks heavy artillery.)

Skill: 6 (His strategic thinking is strong, although he may not always execute plans flawlessly due to his mindset.)

Teamwork: 5 (He can work well with others, but his grumpy nature sometimes stifles communication.)

Cooperation: 4 (Slash may struggle to take input from others, often feeling that he knows best, which can lead to conflict within the group.)

Name: Wreckamus Quote: "Why think when you can smash? Let’s wreck things and worry about the details later!" Faction: Decepticon Subgroup: Wreckacon Function: Heavyweight Combiner

Profile: Wreckamus is the colossal and chaotic result of the Wreckacons combining into one formidable Decepticon. His personality is a bizarre amalgamation of traits from Bash, Crash, Slash, Flash, and Dash, mixing bravado with hyperactivity and reckless decision-making. While Wreckamus is a towering force on the battlefield, his impulsive and erratic behaviors can cause more harm than good, often leading to mayhem in both his plans and execution. He embodies the worst qualities of his components, maintaining a childlike glee for destruction that’s both entertaining and terrifying. Wreckamus is a walking contradiction, displaying moments of sheer brilliance followed by bouts of utter foolishness.

Abilities: As a combiner, Wreckamus possesses the combined strength and abilities of all five Wreckacons, making him a powerhouse on the battlefield. He can thunder across the terrain with both brute force and surprising agility for a combiner of his size. Wreckamus is equipped with a variety of weapons, including heavy-duty blasters and melee weapons that harness the chaotic nature of his components. His hyper-speed attacks can overwhelm opponents, and he has the unique ability to combine various combat styles, albeit unpredictably.

Weaknesses: The chaotic blend of personalities within Wreckamus often leads to poor decision-making, resulting in reckless strategies that can backfire spectacularly. His instability can make coordination with allies difficult, as he frequently vacillates between aggression and silliness. The lack of a central, focused plan puts Wreckamus and his team at risk, and his self-destructive tendencies often lead him into unnecessary danger. Additionally, while he has high power, his vulnerabilities increase when separated back into his individual Wreckacons.

Tech Spec:

Strength: 10 (As a combiner, Wreckamus possesses immense physical strength, capable of overwhelming foes.)

Intelligence: 3 (The combined IQ of reckless traits makes him far from a strategic genius.)

Speed: 6 (His size limits his speed, but the component traits lend him some agility in specific scenarios.)

Endurance: 8 (Wreckamus can withstand considerable damage, thanks to the combined durability of the Wreckacons.)

Rank: 6 (Despite his chaotic nature, his power and presence earn him a respectable rank.)

Courage: 9 (Wreckamus shows no fear in battle, often rushing headlong into the thick of combat.)

Firepower: 7 (He wields an array of heavy weaponry and can unleash formidable firepower.)

Skill: 5 (His skill is unpredictable; he may land powerful hits, but strategy often eludes him.)

Teamwork: 4 (Wreckamus struggles with collaboration due to his chaotic tendencies.)

Cooperation: 3 (In moments of chaos, cooperation can fall apart, leading to solo endeavors.)

[360degreesasthecrowflies]

Anyway on a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT note from politics...

Some elements of my Sailor Moon fanfic which is in very slow production:

All of the guardians believe that they themself are the reincarnation of the Princess and will inherit supreme and reality warping power...

Which alters each of their approaches to defeating the demons that plague the world, which they are aware are agents of a greater enemy who is waging war on the Earth

Their powers are based on their own perception of what their power should be, and their own interests and skills

(This goes some way toward explaining why canon Sailor Jupiter starts out with lightning powers and ends up with plant powers)

Mars primarily has psychic powers with fire as a secondary, but low proficiency with it meaning it has limited use

Jupiter primarily has healing powers, which is ironic because she also has a physical disability. (Like me, her author). She is able to increase her power capacity by draining life from her surroundings, but fears and resents this power as being against her nature. Her disability isn't healed by her powers (at least, as far as I've planned out) and is instead a recurrent plot point to navigate.

Mercury primarily has technological powers, which she applies towards all kinds of heavy weaponry and gadgetry. As soon as she finds out about the water element, she adds this to her arsenal. She has the most creative and out of the box approach to her powers and pushing their limits.

Moon is primarily a physical fighter, and interprets her powers as a personal buff to her strength, stamina, agility etc. I've reinterpreted her elaborate wands as clubs and maces to match the new powerset.

Venus has air and flight based powers, and also an affinity for swords and blades. I haven't yet worked out if I can work in a reference to the Venus Love-Me Chain.

Chibiusa is present, but instead of being a child, is inverted to be an older adult; equally everyone is aged up from their canon selves.

It's made explicit that this isn't the guardians' first reincarnation and other iterations have had different powers. (This is what inspires Mercury to experiment)

In a twist on canon, all of the other guardians are active pre-Moon this time around.

Pluto and Saturn's designs and affinities are inverted, in line with Pluto no longer being a planet and among the team, an outsider.