#completely normal and sane behaviour

[maranull]

I think my favourite thing about the story so far (just started NG++) is the emphasis the game gives to 621 and Ayre becoming friends.

Besides Walter spelling it out in the Liberator ending, I think Carla's line about how "You lost someone too" in the Fires ending is pretty impactful. 621 basically spends all their time in the mech, I doubt Carla has even seen them in person. Yet, when Ayre leaves them, Carla can sense that 621 is acting unusual, like they are missing someone. Similarly to how she's missing Chatty.

I want to bite.

[leechaeryeonqs-moved]

VERNON | sector 17 official photo shoot sketch

[sugaarquoted]

heard…..

…heard i fear🧍‍♀️

…hear me out

[thatjeanguy]

Sane behaviour from a completely normal and well adjusted individual, keep scrolling.

[rjtbot]

What I think different BTD/adjacent characters would be like as parents; using the SCP classifications.

The reader will be assumed to take the role as the parent, referred to as "you/your/yourself", and also assumed to have some romantic ties to the character(s).

Trigger warnings for: abuse, child abuse, domestic abuse, general dark themes, incest (mention), et cetera.

Apollyon: anomalies characters that cannot be contained, are expected to breach containment, or some other similar scenario. Such anomalies characters are usually associated with world-ending threats. Example in context of parenthood: a parent beyond "keter" who is not only dangerous as a parent, in a relationship, and as an individual; but also dangerous on a larger scale.

Thaumiel: anomalies characters that the Foundation specifically uses to contain others. Example in context of parenthood: perhaps they would fit another class, but the children themselves are "thaumiel" by containing their parent to a more normal, well-adjusted lifestyle that bases around being their best self for the chilren.

Keter: anomalies that are exceedingly difficult to contain consistently or reliably. Example in context of parenthood: a parent who is dangerous as a parent, in a relationship, and as an individual. This often means an abusive, unstable, and/or generally bad parent.

Euclid: anomalies characters that require more resources to contain completely or where containment isn't always reliable. Example on context of parenthood: a parent who requires psychological intervention, behaviour therapy, et cetera to be the best parent they can be. This may also include absent, negligent, or otherwise shitty parents who could do better if they tried.

Safe: anomalies characters that are easily and safely contained. Example in context of parenthood: they're a safe, sane/mostly sane parent, but may still present a threat in different areas.

Neutralised: anomalies character that are no longer anomalous dangerous. Example in context of parenthood: they were once fit one of the above classes, but any threat they were was neutralised upon becoming a parent.

Aria: neutralised.

MAY qualify for another role due to her incestuous attraction, but I suppose she's not acted on that paraphilia with her brother so far. It's easy to assume she wouldn't because of that.

She's a lawyer, fiercely loyal, and totally willing to be a mother! But don't be surprised when children, parents, or families messing with her's go missing...And definitely don't check the basement.

Celia: neutralised.

Celia always wanted to be a mommy, so she's totally willing to take up that life. It would be a test to her anger issues and patience for a while, but she would learn. Although you will likely be made into the stay at home parent.

Chris: neutralised.

Chris would drop any anger (assuming we're following TDDUP canon) towards you to prioritise his children with you. Couples therapy would be a necessity for him to co-parent with you, but he would be able to remain civil if you each decided to separately parent.

Ren BTD 2: neutralised.

Ren never understood the hype behind being called "daddy" in the bedroom, but hearing you refer to him that way to your offspring was instantly arousing. He is the perfect, typical housewife, but will also provide for the family as best he can. His beastkin instincts tell him to stay loyal to his family, so you'll never have to worry about him being like any of the absent fathers he despises.

Especially not with his trauma around being put on the streets when his family abandoned/lost him! He knows that hurt. He could never enact it on one of his own. If you raise any issues about his parenting style he'll be miserable - TERRIFIED - at the thought of resembling his biological family.

Chet: safe.

The best pick for parent material on this list. Hands down. Just a safe guy without any conditional things to be mentioned.

Farz: safe.

Not the best father, but definitely one of the better options on this list. Farz cares deeply for his children, would never let his anger issues harm them, and they may be the very thing that get him to pull his shit together. He would much prefer to be the stay at home parent, but he would prioritise his children over his preference if you were unable to get a job. Just an average dad who refuses to change poopy nappies.

Jack: safe.

He probably wouldn't want children to begin with, but he'll settle for it if you want them bad enough. If he can be safe enough to keep you; then he'll be fine with kids running around - if not more careful about his little side hobby.

Lawrence: safe.

Can't say Lawrence would be a very good dad, but he's definitely not gonna mistreat children! He would need instructions on how to do baby related things, may need them repeated a few times, and wouldn't understand the baby's queues until they started talking. Then he would become a decent father.

Mason: safe.

Probably the most average dad on this list. This doesn't necessarily mean he's a GOOD dad, but he's safe! He's just a little brutal. He's the type to make sure the kids are up on time, at school, things are done, and all of that. He would also insist on his children making him a grandparent one day because he secretly really loves being a parent and misses having babies around.

Raven: safe.

Absolutely clueless when it comes to childcare, terrified of them, but she completely loses those feelings when she holds onto her baby. Raven would realise in that moment that this is an opportunity to give someone a better life than what she had to deal with.

Ren BTD: safe.

If this is without Strade in the picture: Ren would be totally fine as a father, and it may even be quite healing for him to take control in such a gentle way.

With Strade in the picture is a whole different story. He would try to hide your pregnancy for a while, slip you food, and throw himself in the way of beatings to protect you from potential miscarriage. But Strade would totally punch you in the stomach often if he ever figured out, not as a punishment for YOU, but for Ren. He cries for you, for his unborn baby, and begs to be put in your place.

Sano: safe.

Average, mildly negligence, but not abusively so. He just has work to do. Sano would be there to help the kids with homework when they need, make sure to be home early enough to tuck them in bed, and all the little things to try make up for absences in more significant areas due to his occupation.

Sid: safe.

Akira: euclid.

At worst he's a bad influence, but that's because he's an immature shithead. He may even lean into it if you scold him. Instant boner when he's being told off. ESPECIALLY by the co-parent to his child? Let's just say daddy's a bad boy waiting to be punished properly...

Sid would teach the children pranks, get them to ask you for things he wanted since he knows you can't say no to them, and all the little things that are only mildly annoying. But he does a lot of good too. He's just annoying as fuck.

A part of me believes he would be the type to leave as soon as he finds out he impregnated someone, but I'll go with the assumption that he sticks around for the sake of this.

Akira is a family man, dedicated to his brother, Annabelle as a roommate, and assumably you. He may become enamoured/fascinated with the pregnancy process, be asking you a bunch of questions, and be confused when a baby comes out. It feels surreal to hold this little thing in his hands! He would totally devote his life to the kid as soon as they're born,

Derek: euclid.

Sure he has enough money so that children can have a comfortable, happy life; but does Derek care enough about them to provide anything more? No. Very negligent father unless he finds the children entertaining enough, they give him an opportunity to look like a good guy, or eyes are on him.

Fox: euclid.

Not hugely present in his children's lives, but he financially supports you/them, is well behaved when he is around, and does care for you and his children. It's more that Ren's afraid to be a bad dad, so he focuses on his work.

Vincent: euclid.

Obviously Vincent is more to the safe side since he's a wolf; a pack animal, and loyal. But his anger issues could make him a danger at times. YES Vincent WOULD apologise to his children after any outbursts he has - whether it was at them, or just inappropriately in their vicinity - and is a good father in any other regard.

Cain: keter.

He's actually a good parent in most areas. He spoils his kids, prefers to be the fun parent, and wants to be a good parent in spite of God. Except Cain becomes dangerous if he has to deal out punishments. It's best to let him maintain the "fun parent" role if you want your children to have less trauma.

Marcus: thaumiel.

So long as you stay with Marcus; he'll be good! He would likely leverage the children to keep you with him, baby trapped, financially dependent on him, and overall his.

Yes he cares about the children. Very much! They resemble you, they're what links him to you most distinctly, and they're useful to keeping you tied down. If anything he may treat the kids BETTER than you. That way he'll look more appealing - right?

Strade: thaumiel.

Surprisingly good father for a serial killer. Strade is willing to mask, get help, and/or get better if it means having worthy offspring go out into the world. His toxic antisocial traits would become positive narcissistic traits. That's the closest he can get to a full-on recovery. Watching childbirth was probably the first time Strade felt proud to watch something bloody rather than sadistic, so it gave him an urge to try his best.

He would likely go on to work as a butcher to relieve his homicidal, violent ideation, engage in BDSM if that doesn't work, or look at gore online to scratch the itch. And he would one-hundred percent be the one behind any missing children, parents, or entire families if he caught one or multiple of them hurting his family.

Rire: apollyon.

There is no care, affection, or fatherly connection between him and his offspring. Rire only sees them as entertainment, so as soon as they become too much he will be rid of them. If you're worth enough to him; then he MIGHT pretend to be a good parent for a while, but Rire would quickly become abusive, threatening, and no matter what those children will be dying. God knows you won't last that much longer after they go. No way would he put up with your grieving process! And then he'll go on to traumatise/damage some other person the same - if not worse - than he did to you.

Strade: apollyon.

He lured you into having his babies so that he could have offspring out there. Strade doesn't give a shit about you, or the children as individuals. Strade wants more chaotic shitheads like himself out there. Having you around to co-parent is good, but he'll totally steal your children. Or straight-up kill you if you lose your worth to him. The children are an extension of his evil plots.

[bluetrekker12]

Obviously completely normal to imagine you work for Margo Madison and you’re trying to make her proud when you’re teaching yourself some new excel skills?!?

Totally sane behaviour. Tell me I’m not the only one who uses their fave for inspiration.

[brilliantorinsane]

The Case of the Pennsylvania Gun

Hey what if I pick up this series I barely started six years ago and post it on my abandoned blog?

The Pennsylvania Gun is loosely (emphasis on loosely) adapted from The Valley of Fear. It was written and directed by producer Sheldon Renyolds, who also wrote the first two episodes. I was unsurprised to find the first three were written by the same person, as they have a more cohesive sense of character/relationship development than your average episode string in this series.

Introduction, Ep1 Pt1, Ep1 Pt2, Ep2, Ep 3, Ep 4

As in the books, Howard Holmes and Watson have personas they perform for the world, and often for one another. These personas are driven by opposite social desires and insecurities. Watson performs the Normal British Gentleman, anxious to be seen as a sane and respectable contributor to society. Holmes performs Eccentric Genius, driven by a horror of being perceived as normal, aiming at a persona of mystery and infallibility.

This episode demonstrates their temptation to cleave to people who reinforce their cover stories about themselves, contrasting this to the way they see and ground each other in their truer, more joyful, and far more embarrassing selves.

We begin in Baker Street, where the pair have already settled into the delights and annoyances of knowing one another all too well.

Here Holmes attempts to put on his performance for Watson: introducing Birlstone Manor, to which he means to entice Watson for a case, through absurdities about place names and the British national character. He then pretends his only interest in Birlstone is the fishing prospects, waving about tackle he will later employ to catch a clue. But already Watson knows him too well to fall for the show—he’s read about the Birlstone murder and guesses that Holmes means to investigate, and he clocks Holmes' lack of fishing knowledge at once.

Meanwhile, Watson is already forgetting to play 'normal' around his flatmate. If either of this pair was to be accused of being a little too excited over murder it would be Watson, and his understanding of his eccentric flatmate is just a little too complete a little too quick. Watson rattles off train times like a good little boy recites the Bible, and if you wish there is plenty to read into the domesticity of their mutual behaviour as they lounge about in bathrobes.

And so the conclusion of the opening shenanigans is entirely unsurprising. The pair harass a poor messenger boy—and I love these menaces to society, but the episode doesn't quite nail the pitch in this moment and their behaviour lands more as bullying than good-natured chaos. Still, I adore the messenger boy's final declaration: "mad as March hares, that's what you two are!" The boy leaves, and—they laugh. And so Holmes the madman and his friend the madman set off to investigate a murder (fishing pretense abandoned, but tackle in tow), stripped of their masks and delighting in themselves and each other all the more for it.

But that is at home.

Out in the world, for the third episode in a row Watson is tempted by the socially sanctioned approval of law enforcement, attaching himself to local Inspector McLeod. This is even more pronounced than his earlier affinity for Lestrade.

There are several potential causes for this. Perhaps Lestrade’s buffoonery was too pronounced. Perhaps Watson has a bit of a crush on McLeod (there are some moments that register in that way to me). It may even be a jealous reaction—the peak of Watson’s new allegiance occurs directly after Holmes develops his own affinity for a new player on the scene.

In any event, Watson increasingly sides with McLeod as the episode progresses, until at 11.15 - 17.50 he is positioned shoulder to shoulder with him while Holmes sits well across the room, Watson and his new crime buddy theorizing, laughing heartily, then biting back at Holmes’ contrary deductions with twin reactive pride.

As though to punctuate that this behaviour is a reversion to the facade of normality, McLeod echos the messenger boy’s declaration, “mad as a March hare” (21.9)—only now the jab is aimed only at Holmes, exempting Watson.

To my fascination, this alliance predicated on the performance of normality also involves performance of heterosexuality. At the peak of their allegiance, the inspector gives his theory that the murder was committed out of jealousy over a woman. After they hem and haw together over how the immutable species of Men and Women do be like that, Watson quips that he should call this "the case of the other man"—then he and McLeod laugh heartily, and at length (15.23 - 16.10). It's an odd exchange, stilted and socially scripted, with laughter that pushes longer than the weak quip justifies.

And I am not the only one to think it—in the middle of this laughter Holmes cuts in at last, unusually patronizing in his tone towards Watson as he mocks the vacuousness of their theory.

In the meantime, Holmes is constructing his own small drama. While I could be persuaded to read Watson’s behaviour around McLeod as a small crush, I find myself unable to read Holmes’ interactions with Morell, the suspected (but not actual) murderer, as anything but. I'll not go so far as to claim Doylist intent here, only that my brain refuses to process it otherwise.

(Holmes and Morell are rarely framed in a shot together, but this is them making eyes at one another at 23.46):

And if McLeod enables Watson’s preferred perception as stable and ordinary, Morell certainly elevates Holmes’ as an inscrutable and infallible genius. Consider this sample of lines from Morell: “At your service, Mr. Holmes”, “A very brilliant piece of deduction Mr Holmes!”, “An excellent application of applied psychology”, “I haven’t been tricked many times in my life [except by you]”.

That Holmes enjoys this is transparent—indeed his responses put me much in mind of Watson’s note in A Study in Scarlet: “I had … observed that [Holmes] was as sensitive to flattery on the score of his art as any girl could be of her beauty.”

But just as Holmes yanked Watson to earth when his and McLeod’s performance of normality turns gauche, Watson tugs Holmes from his heights. Holmes lets Morell’s praise go to his head, to the point of responding to Morell’s compliments by rather lording it over the man (24.39 - 24.55). Then Holmes makes the mistake of mentioning fishing, and his disinterest in it. Calling back to the opening scene, Watson cuts in and reminds him of the grand claims he never officially renounced on the topic of his fishing prowess (24.55 - 25.06).

Poor Holmes is caught out, magic trick deflated in the eyes of his travel crush and work husband in the same beat, and the quick retreat he makes from the room may well be an embarrassed flight. But also there is this: “I think we better start back to Baker Street immediately”, and a hand on Watson’s back, and glances towards Watson overflowing with fondness (25.12 - 25.17).

(Holmes' best smiles are always the blurriest 😒 )

Despite Holmes’ clear embarrassment, it puts me in mind of the start of the episode, when Watson’s fear is realized and he is seen for a madman, and safe with his friend he laughs. I like to think that in his turn, Holmes is realizing that he has something far more mortifying and nevertheless superior to worship: a home where he is known.

In the episodes to come neither will stop performing, even for one another. Some days the performance will seem a mere farce they engage in for mutual amusement; some days a genuine attempt at deception. But neither will they stop seeing through one another in the end, calling each other back to themselves.

Additional Topics

A few topics I didn’t have space for here but may touch in separate posts (I'll link them here if/when I do):

Data Gathering (explained in the linked post)

The Pennsylvania Gun as a Valley of Fear adaptation

Holmes and “throwing back the little ones”

A queer reading of the case they're investigating. Not because I think it was intended that way, but because I can and the past six years have not taught me self-control.

My Story

I’m realizing most of the story I built in my head was based on actual moments in the show, however far I blew them out of proportion for personal enjoyment, and I end up referencing most relevant points in the main analysis and highlights of these posts. So for most episodes this section will just be for shamelessly linking to the relevant chapter of my fic. Great news for the length of these behemoths!

Highlights

Okay look. It's just that at some point it occurred to me that the phrase "mad as a March hare" is specifically in reference to the mating behaviour of hares during the breeding season. It's a phrase typically used without thought for this connotation, so I'm not saying Reynolds considered this. But I've considered it, and it is used a). in reference to Holmes and Watson's behaviour with each other, and b). by McLeod in reference to Holmes after a period of he and Holmes sparring for Watson's attention. So I shall continue to consider it.

I love Holmes fiddling with fishing tackle throughout the episode, trying to pretend he knows how it works while trying to figure out how the fuck it works.

1.55 - 2.20: Holmes and Watson are bickering, and in the meantime Watson gets up for more tea and refills Holmes' as well without a thought. Married already.

3:48 - 3:58: This very average utilization of personal space:

6.59: Mrs Hudson mention! She sadly never appears in this series, but she at least gets a shout-out.

13.04 - 13.38: This image is this post's header. The context is that Holmes' crushes pay attention to each other instead of him for like four seconds, and he responds by being just so normal about it:

Please know he had to circle fully around Watson to do that 👆

10.15 - 10.24: Holmes is always talking to groups while only caring about Watson's attention. Some of my favourite instances are cases like this, where he tosses in a 'Watson' right at the end of the sentence as a twist 'surprise! I was only talking to my special person'. Single-minded detective is single-minded.

16.10 - 17.11: Another iteration of the above, this time regarding the deductions he uses to interrupt Watson and McLeod's 'i'm straight! i'm straight' laughter fest. He tosses in two 'Watsons' to specify his audience this time, because even though for case reasons its more relevant to convince McLeod of what he's saying, what's actually happening here is Holmes and McLeod competing for Watson's attention. Holmes doesn't acknowledge McLeod until he seems to have lost this round, when he resignedly says that "if you two are convinced ... I'm going fishing" (17.12 - 17.19).

He hasn't lost; McLeod storms off, but Watson as ever lets curiosity win over pride—he stays and questions Holmes, and in moments is promising with all delight that "of course" he wants to help with whatever the hell Holmes is up to (17.30 - 18.19).

Even Watson seems to read Holmes' behaviour in the above exchanges as having a touch of jealousy, for when Holmes asks him to get McLeod out of the way for an hour, he says teasingly that he might enjoy himself and stay out longer with the inspector—and then he winks (18.19 - 18.40). As I can't find anything he could be teasing Holmes for besides his vying for Watson's attention, to me this reads as a flirtatious acknowledgement of dynamics at play, and a promise of where his final loyalty lies. And if Holmes looks a little uncertain in his farewell, he needn't have worried—upon their return dialogue assures us that Watson and the inspector have been punctual to the hour (19.10 - 19.21).

18.28: "I don't know what you're talking about but I'll do it"—Watson thesis statement.

20.20 & 23.38: Holmes slides down the banisters, straight-up just for fun. He gives a case-related reason and it's the flimsiest excuse you've ever heard. He's not embarrassed. He doesn't give a fuck. And I love him!

Special shoutout to this exchange about the banister sliding: Watson - "What have you been doing while we were away?" Holmes - "Well first I fished, and then I slid down the banisters." Watson - "Why." Holmes - "Why not?" Watson - "Huh." - (20.14 - 20.29) Holmes' "Why not" is so pointedly delivered, and Watson's "huh," is such a genuine 'well when you put it that way'. It's a great entry into the genre of Holmes offering Watson freedom from the illogical barriers of convention. And I love them both!

21:42: Hand touch!! My favourite thing about this is that it is so extraneous and unself-conscious. Watson also holds the touch for a beat before removing his hand just a hairsbreadth; then as they get up Holmes taps his hand against Watson's in turn.

[allthepresidentmen]

tagged by @babytchotchke <3

currently...

reading: the crying of lot 49 by thomas pynchon! i have about 20 pages left because its just such a short book. its quite refreshing to read a book that feels "overwriten" after reading as much bret easton ellis that i have over the past few months as most if not all of his prose is very to the point and affectless (on purpose). i rather enjoyed pynchons style so i may read gravitys rainbow next

watching: celebrity big brother uk 😔✋️i love trash tv what can i say. i have also been watching everybodys live with john mulaney of late! and im always rewatching columbo, the monkees with my mum and other favourites! but andor is starting in a matter of days so i will definitely be watching although its always an emotionally strenuous watch because i am abnormally attached to its titular character.

listening: i have mostly been listening to the radio and my old cds at present but when i am going out of my way to listen to new albums i have been working my way through the neil young discography! along with the other members of csny. idk if i want to listen to it all with as much haste as i did john cale because i sort of felt like i rushed through his, so im taking my time more here. i am also listening to an awful lot of bruce springsteen !

looking forward to: i am writing more at the moment so im looking forward to completing a work ! its been a year since i last wrote a full play, so its nice to return to the medium that i so dearly love. im also looking forward to it just being sunnier outside and the warmth of the sun and seeing people out more ! i think im just on a more abstract level. I'm looking forward to being better? i think i am coming along well, especially since last year, which was awful for all who knew me, and i think as im being treated, im looking forward to... being sane and normal?? or as normal as i can be but without subjecting people to my unwell behaviour.

tagging: @scorpionsundae @groovystreets

[just-horrible-things]

Whump idea for Riven

Solitary confinement with no human interaction at all. No physical torture. Just being alone 24/7, never spoken to, never acknowledged, never seeing anyone else, not knowing if it's night and day because there's no windows.

Food is delivered periodically through a slot in the door that can be locked by the captor, and a water tap is turned on twice a day so he can drink.

Because at some point, no matter how tough you are, you will start to desperately need to hear a voice that isn't in your head. Need to know aren’t completely insane

(Sorry I sat on this one for a while, was waiting to feel the right vibe for it. Arbitrary reasons, you know how it is.)

Good shout!

Being a very angry captive continues to apply.

To start with he tries to set a routine to keep himself sane. Works out a lot -- body weight exercises on the floor, cardio he can do in the confined space, etc. Daydreams about what he's gonna do to his captors.

He throws tantrums, rattling and beating on the door, yelling threats and curses.

He yells a lot, once the boredom and lack of contact start to set in. Hollers, sings (not particularly well), just makes noise in an effort to make a nuisance of himself.

He tries to mess with the food deliveries, snatching them or shoving them back to see if he can surprise the person delivering them.

The tantrums get more self-destructive. He hits the door or the walls hard enough to hurt himself. He screams himself hoarse -- the vibe is still angry, the sound is angry, but y'know... people don't usually keep it up until their voices give out if something isn't wrong.

He plays with his food, throws it at the walls. No matter how short his rations are, sometimes the appeal of something he can destroy is stronger than hunger.

He also smears his own shit on the walls, both to see if it attracts attention and because he's just that bored.

(This is, from what I have read, a surprisingly common behaviour in extended solitary confinement and does not mean the confinee was gross or unstable before the solitary confinement (although Riven is arguably both). At some point boredom seems to just overwhelm the normal distaste for handling gross things.)

Like most people, his ability to keep up activity in confinement tails off as time passes. He ends up spending more and more time just laying down staring at the ceiling.

I could see him getting very self-destructive. Clawing his own arms until they bleed. It's something to do, and blood is something else he can use to finger-paint expletives on the walls.

He is also absolutely not above deliberately giving himself infected injuries in order to force his captors to choose between intervening and letting him die.

[thegreatimpersonator]

You know what's more...idk shitty, vile, unbelievable about this situation? Taylor has written and talked so much about how 2016 affected her, how having people not loving you anymore and trending your name wishing for your death affected her mental health, understandbly so. And yet swifties have been doing this someone for months now and not just any someone, the someone she extensively sang about being there for her and supported her during that dark period. Like do you realize how much more vile this all is? As if (these are all things I read yesterday by the way. Dozens of times too) wishing that person dies, gets put in a electric chair, suddenly falls ill with an incurable disease, desires of chocking, hitting him, killing him weren't deranged enough

And I know you won't agree with me, but Taylor encourages this if not with her actions, with her silence. I have read people saying even her liking that very specific tweet is a green light to keep this behaviour because "she's dragging him on main".

It's all very much out of control. Atp people are hating on him for breathing or based on this they THINK happened. And somehow this is all just justificable. No one here knows this man and even if he was the worst boyfriend in the world, that's not a crime. This kind of...behaviour is just not normal, you just don't go around bullying people because someone hurt your favorite singer...like that's just not it yk. Like let me be clear here, this is not sane, normal behaviour for normal sane people.

Again with fans revisionist history and completely forgetting about how they viewed Joe in 2017-2018. How she also publicly spoke and wrote about him.

And I completely agree with you, she definitely encourages immaturity and parasocial behavior. Especially with how she’s going about her current relationship. I’m calling it now her and Travis are gonna do something within the next couple of days to be like ‘look he’s better!’. But it’s definitely gotten so far from just a casual exaggeration or assumption. No one should care this much or know (or at least pretend to know) this much about someone’s personal life.

[an-theduckin]

im completely sane and normal (<- binged at least 100k+ words worth of writing today)

Don't worry that's a very normal behaviour that a normal human being would do trust me fr 🥰

[peachymilkandcream]

Written In Blood|Part 4|Modern Yandere Levi x Evelyn

(A/N: Compared to my other Yandere's Levi's obsession takes a whole different vibe. He is on something else and I'm totally here for it. Comment to be added to the taglist!)

WARNINGS: implied noncon/dubcon, graphic descriptions of violence, domestic violence, manipulation, mind breaking, yandere behaviour/themes, forced marriage, forced pregnancy, misogyny, mentions of child abuse, etc.

===============================================

Levi couldn't hide his look of smugness as he sat down across from Evelyn. The poor thing stared at him with wide-eye horror, absolutely appalled that she had just divulged sensitive information to the defense. It was the look that Levi loved to see every single day. The look that they knew how fucked they were against his iron defense.

As each of the prosecutors showed their evidence, Levi got to peek further into the life of this mysterious woman who had been writing all of his darkest fantasies onto paper. What she decorated like, if she was neat or messy, even down to what her schedule was. All things that normally would take weeks to figure out, all presented to him with the ability to take notes as he so pleased.

It was a solid case, clearly they thought that this would be cut and dry, a conviction a natural occurrence. What sane person could poke holes in their immense strategy and overwhelming evidence?

They had never met him.

"Your Honor, I know you and the jury must think that this case is all complete and wrapped up in a bow." He stands and makes broad gestures, always finding that when he looks more sophisticated than he really is the jury is more inclined to listen to him.

He takes a moment to smile at Evelyn before continuing. "However, I have eyewitness statements that the prosecutor admittedly does not keep her doors locked and has a habit of blurting things out that are untrue."

Evelyn stands, a look of anger crossing her face. "You're twisting that!"

"Am I?" He turns to the jury. "I'd like to call your attention to the screen, I had approached Ms. Glass for a discussion when she admitted to these things. Unfortunately for her, I was recording it the whole time."

Audio plays, unmistakably Evelyn's voice crackles out, further solidifying Levi's claims, there was no mistaking that Evelyn had just admitted to the court that she was unreliable as a witness and that all of this was more than likely her own doing.

"So as you can see ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I have reason to believe, that Ms. Glass here completely fabricated this entire story after my client entered the apartment innocently to enquire about loud noises he had heard. Strictly to ensure Ms. Glass' safety, and yet she has accused him of a horrendous and life ending crime. I rest my case."

Levi was always blunt, straight to the point, and never carried on. His charm and confidence always won him over. He was a untouchable figure that no one would dare come against. A man of power and prestige, he was king of the world.

===============================================

Evelyn said very little after her stalker was found not guilty, it was the obvious outcome after the presenting of Levi's evidence, but still it felt like she wasn't ready to accept that he would walk away free. Eventually she would come to grips.

Deciding not to rub salt in her fresh wounds Levi didn't try and stop her as she quickly left the courtroom, but he didn't miss her tears. Poor thing.

What he was interested in was her lawyer friend, a shit one at that. But she had a pretty enough face, an alright body, she would do. This would be the key to getting into Evelyn's social circles.

"I must commend you on your efforts. Don't beat yourself up, that was a tough case."

She seems annoyed at first, but he knew the look when she met his eyes. The anger of defeat, stomped down by a pang of attraction. Levi was devastating to anyone.

"It's fine, I just feel bad for her."

"I'm sure she'll survive. But you on the other hand, I've never seen you in the legal world."

"I mostly keep to Evelyn, I don't really do many other clients." She extends a hand, trying to be graceful. "Petra Ral, nice to meet you."

He smiles and takes it, excitement sparking in his eyes. "A pleasure. Listen. Do you want to get out of here? Discuss the case more?"

"I don't know if I should, prosecution and defense and all that."

"Oh please, the trial is over, there's no reason two attractive people can't go get a drink after a long day's work."

A slight blush. "I suppose you're right, one drink couldn't hurt."

Another smile as he takes her hand. "Then what are we waiting for?"

[kindaemo-exe]

words like crazy and insane imo shouldnt be used for the mentally ill, but for people who are completely sane and normal yet choose to act like that.

like from my point of view, i most likely have a reason for acting out of line, since most of my out of line behaviours are caused by my mental illnesses, but like, if youre just like that, fuck you dude

of course this doesnt excuse the poor behaviours of someone who is mentally ill, but its more shitty if you have no excuse

[yellowcry]

So, a few months ago I was listening to "Google sings We don't talk about" which later inspired me to write reaction fic that wasn't exactly finished

I remember about it, so... That's just a random dialogue heavy craziness.

Original Song link

Mirabel blinked from the bright flash. A second before she was coloring with Antonio and now she was in a strange room with a strange black...paper? (or whatever it was) and a couch.

"Okay, what's going on?" Camilo winced, looking around.

"I was working and... Uh... Just got here?" Luisa spread her arms unsurely as she bit her lip.

Mirabel looked at everyone. The whole third generation except Antonio was here with Tío Bruno, who was knocking on the wooden table. Mirabel sighed, knowing that ot was extremely normal for him.

"But really..." Isabela sighed, "What's going on?"

"Oh, well, hello." They all starled at the unfamiliar voice.

"Okay, and who are you?" Camilo crossed his arms.

"Ah, nobody." They shrugged indifferently. "So, you're going to react to a song"

Luisa raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Mirabel looked around. "It doesn't make any sense. Also, are you crying?"

"Ah, that's normal, don't worry." The person threw their head back in their hands. "You just have to listen to a song. Basically, 'We don't talk about Bruno' was translated in google translate many times and it became crazy."

Dolores squeaked. "Goo.. Gogl what?"

"Oh!" Bruno smiled, "I saw it in a vision once. It's a robot that translates stuff."

Five grandkids blinked at Bruno with faces like "What the hell are you talking about?"

Mirabel sighed, fixing her glasses. "Okay, so... We'll listen to some random human being, and react to a song?"

Bruno smiled awkwardly. "Seems like completely sane behaviour for me"

Isabela rolled her eyes. "Tío, we all know that sane is the antonym to our family."

Dolores nodded, obviously agreeing with this statement.

The six of them spread out on the sofa, staring at the monitor, waiting for the song to start.

"Emma's hot barista, no no, no"

 

"Who is Emma?" Isabela raised her eyebrow.

 

"Emma's hot barista."

 

Mirabel looked thoughtfully. "Well, it's Tía's part..."

 

Luisa scratched her hands. Do you offer to ask her?

 

"Call the wedding (call the wedding)"

 

"I think she's getting married." Camilo smirked.

 

"I'm about to finish. No cloud, no CEO (no, no cloud no CEO)"

 

Bruno asked nervously, holding his hands together. "Uh, what is the CEO?" According to everyone's confused looks, he understood that no one actually knows.

 

"Ryan enters with a mischievous smile."

"Hala!"

"Are you sharing this, Cory?"

 

"Okay, who's all those people?" Camilo asked, tilting his head.

 

"I'm sorry, my heart, it's over!"

 

"Oh, sad." Bruno shrugged indifferently.

 

"'Santa' burgundy said"

 

"Who are all those people?" Dolores squinted, whispering as she desperately tried to understand what the hell was going on.

 

"It's like 'We don't talk about Bruno', but you're actually don't talk about Bruno." Mirabel pointed out, fixing her glasses.

 

"As he puts in"

"Overflowing brainholes."

"Grandma, take a nap."

 

"I feel like dad just wanted to get rid of Abuela." Camilo smirked, crossing his arms.

 

"Male hurricane"

 

Luisa sighed. "Okay, apparently Tía's hurricane can now create men."

 

Dolores let out a laugh. "That's how Camilo was born."

 

Camilo smiled, nugging her. "I probably should be offended, but being created in a hurricane sounds cool!"

 

"Happy day, but whatever..."

"We're not talking 'bout brunching, no, no, no."

"We're not talking 'bout brunching"

 

"Me, forgetting about the existence of lunch again be like." Luisa propped up her head.

 

Mirabel sighed. "Okay, that's definitely canon."

 

"Does it mean that Luisa was the one who sang?" Camilo asked, crossing his arms. "You better not, as it will mean that I wasn't created in a hurricane."

 

"Hey! Began to fear life and Bruno fell asleep."

 

"Wow, we finally remembered about Bruno." Isabela starled as the song finally mentioned her Tío.

 

"But I thought it's not going to talk about me?" Bruno sighed.

 

"I can always hear him tweet and tweet."

 

"Tweet?" Camilo raised an eyebrow.

 

Bruno waved his hand. "Oh, it's also something from the future. Hard to explain."

 

"When the sound of sand hits the wall,"

 

"Maniacal laughter"

 

"Uh... are you alright?" Isabela pursed her lips, and everyone stared at Dolores.

 

Dolores looked away nervously.

 

"He is a minor terrorist."

 

Bruno put his arms into pockets. "Wow, rude."

 

"Grandma and the family are always noisy."

 

Dolores sighed, leaning back on the sofa. "I have no words to describe it better."

 

"Oh, cmon, it's not that bad." Isabela rolled her eyes.

 

"I hear everything. And this family is the loudest in the whole Encanto."

 

"War irritates our emotions. You know."

 

"It's a two-meter-shaped figure with a mouse on it."

 

Bruno pursed his lips. "I'm going to assume that this is about someone else. I mean, I don't even have mice. And the only two-meter-tall person I know is Luisa."

 

"I'm not. A bit shorter than this." Luisa shrugged, pointing this out.

 

"When you write your name, everything goes wrong!"

 

Camilo raised his head. "Okay, so I won't write my name."

 

Mirabel rolled her eyes. "And you're going to use this as an excuse not to write exams, are you not?"

 

Camilo put his hand on his chest dramatically. "How could you assume something like that?"

 

"He definitely would," Dolores nodded.

 

"Yes, he has a dream about you and... congratulates you for crying."

 

"Uh, congratulations?" Bruno said it unsurely, clapping his hands. "You can have... Okay, I don't really have any prize"

 

"Emma's hot barista, no, no, no"

"Emma's hot barista"

 

"And Emma is back." Mirabel sighed.

 

“Tell me my fish will die.”

 

“Why would you even ask for this?” Isabela looked confused.

 

“Yes, I'm dead.”

 

Wait, how is it related?” Luisa asked.

 

“Ah, it's nothing unusual." Bruno shrugged. “Typical Wednesday”

 

“My appendix hurts like no other!”

 

Mirabel tilted her head. “Maybe you should go to Mami."

 

 

“Her hair is messy! See, it's really messy.”

 

Mirabel crossed her arms. “I feel insulted.”

 

Camilo smirked. “Sorry, prima. Not our fault.”

 

“Well, at least I'm brushing them instead of shapeshifting.”

 

Luisa laughed. "Tia've gone so crazy trying to brush him when we lost our gifts."

 

“Literacy with the help of teachers”

 

 

“Tell me my thirst for life”

 

“Growing plants and causing chaos,” Dolores reminded.

 

"Obviously,” Isabela gave her a smug expression.

 

“I will stay in covenant and repent.”

 

“Excuse me?” Isabela rolled her eyes.

Mirabel sighed. "It's literally impossible"

 

“Tell me my skills are better in connection to Winnie the Pooh.”

 

Luisa shook her head. “Now we have some yellow bear.” She clasped her palms together. “At this point, we can create a list with all those random people.”

 

“At least marijuana.”

 

Mirabel's eyes widened. “It's Abuela's line.”

 

A wave of awkward laughter spread across the room.

 

Dolores sighed. “I'm not even surprised."

 

 

“I thinks.” he is the man of my dream"

 

“At least something is normal,” Mirabel exhaled.

 

“I'm busy. I have other interests.”

 

 

“Forget it.” Mirabel whispered before Dolores hissed at her.

 

"I'm my own person.”

 

“Hello CC.”

 

“Uh, what kind of name is it?" Camilo gave a skeptical look at the screen.

 

Bruno smiled agilely. “Oh, it's a child from FNAF”

 

Luisa sighed. "You realize that it doesn't make anything clearer for us, right?”

 

“I don't like you.”

 

 

“Bunny”

 

“What?” Isabela spoke. “How does it even relate to this mess?”

 

Luisa muttered. “Why are you even surprised? I completely lost it on the fourth line.”

 

“Yes, chocolate mountain.”

 

“Okay, now it's just a set of random words,” Camilo said, crossing his arms.

 

“That's all I know about Bruno.”

 

“What a great amount of information!" Mirabel rolled her eyes sarcastically.

 

“Wait, you have a chocolate mountain?” Camilo looked at his Tio, interested. “Can I have it as a prize for crying?”

 

Bruno shrugged. “Never heard about this before, sorry, kid.”

 

 

“Give me the truth and all honesty, Bruno.”

 

“Isabela, your girlfriend's here!”

 

Isabela smiled as she put her hands on her sides. “I like this line way more than 'Isabela, your boyfriend's here.”

 

Mirabel hit the table suddenly. “I get it! Emma is your girlfriend.”

 

She let out a laugh. "Well, they called her 'hot'”

 

“Time to dump her.”

 

“Well, those were fast relationships,” Dolores spoke, tilting her head.

 

Isabela huffed in annoyance. “Cmon, give me at least some time.”

 

(repeating the song)

 

WHERE IS IT

 

Dolores winced at the sudden screaming.

 

“In our Bruno show”

 

Do you mean where he congrats us for crying?” Luisa asked,shaking her hand.

 

“And gives us a chocolate mountain,” Camilo added.

 

“Why are you talking about Bruno?”

 

Bruno smirked. “The fun part is that almost no one talked about me. Especially compared to the original.”

 

“Is there a way to hear it?” Luisa asked, interested.

 

“Weren't you there when we singed it?” Isabela gave her a puzzled look.

 

“Uh, yes, but I was mostly having a mental breakdown over losing my gift.” She reminded, scratching her hands.

 

 

“Bruno doesn't call”

 

“Considering that he was in the walls when we sang it, he really doesn't call to anyone,” Dolores reminded.

 

“I never should give birth to Bruno.”

 

Bruno pursed his lips. “Ouch-”

 

“What a great line to finish." Isabela scoffed.

 

“I mean, I really shouldn't give birth to my uncle...” Mirabel shrugged awkwardly.

[daemon-in-my-head]

7 and 9 for the new ask, hit me w/ those genesis stories ✌️

Thank u sm for asking! Don't mind if I do (though this might get very fucked up at some point, just a heads up lol)

7. Is their personal story represented in their overall design? Do they carry any mental scars or physical alterations from the shit that happened to them?

Yes, so goddamn much. Essentially every 'milestone' in his life is in some way represented in his visual design and most definitely in his behaviour.

He's got the scar on his cheek/nose from the time before Bhaal, or more specifically from getting his ass handed to him in training sessions to join a Paladin order. And well seeing how he is a Sorcadin, yeah the training did work out longterm too. The change to red eyes was a result of the urge fully manifesting and the pallid/sickly pale skin is the result of prolonged exposure to the shadow curse. He pretty much looks sick and not the way an elf should, cuz arguably, he isnt, is he? He was someone artifically created, someone whos majorly fucked up and his mental health is rotting in that corner over there, so he looks that part (bonus he uses the only sorcery type that can be artifically learned as opposed to normal sorcery that is always passed down.)

Overall he's gained a lot more scars over his time, his hair started growing lighter before he got white streaks/completely white hair due to the stress of simply existing in that way. And while his original eye colour kinda returns, it's only for one eye. Cuz even if ya redeem yourself, being created from bhaals flesh and essence kinda prevents you from wholly getting rid of him, so one eye remained red. Which he eventually gauged out cuz yeah that man is 1000% definitely sane and learned how to cope with his emotions properly. The remaining eye is also pretty fucked up thx to Orins homemade lobotomy, which honestly was pretty important to me cuz yeah he survived the story, survived bhaal, but it fucked him up and left very permanent scars he'll have to learn how to deal with (but he won't.)

The struggles with his past, his own existence and his own contradictory nature are very apparent in his design as well as his behaviour and it was important to me that he's that way fucked up failure kinda guy. Also the fact that you can't go thru the shit he had to endure and come out of it looking the same or being the same. He's bruised, quite broken, definitely lost most of his sanity but he did get to reclaim some agency and some parts of the person that was seemingly eradicated when Bhaal first took over. Life changes you, time changes you, and if you're a Bhaalspawn shit usually grows worse with time, so it makes sense his looks also grow from pretty boy to broken doll and that his controlled nature grows more unstable with time and experience (cuz ya can't loose basically everyone you ever held just a sliver of affection for and come out of it being cool, that mans obsession just grow exponentially worse).

Tldr; very fucked up man, physically and mentally a rep of struggle with your own mind and being a broken child ig. Loss and grief and the unavoidable change resulting from it as overarching themes and I wanted them to show in every way possible.

9. How much did Bhaal influence their design or personality in the end? Did you research lore to purposefully get the resemblance or do you just go with the flow and what feels right for the story you want to tell?

I'd never spend hours researching Bhaalist lore, naaaaah, who do u think I am....? He usually wears the priests robes. Straight up.

But cuz he's a rebellious little fuck the look is messy, with 1 sleeve just hanging from the belt that's barely tying the purple cloth together. Whenever he's not wearing that it's just simple black clothes and an old coat he brought from 'home' or fancy shit (though white/red colour scheme to contrast Gortash) whenever he needs to drag himself to deal with the patriars.

As for personality, oh boy. He loves Bhaal. Truly. Bhaal is his creator, his father, the reason he exists. And he absolutely loathes him because he's the reason for all the pain and suffering he needed to endure. He controlls him like a puppet and forces him to discard even the tiniest bit that's left of his person, but even so Bhaal is also the only reason he got to enjoy the youth he had and meet the people he met. Without him he may have never come to exist in this time period. Every choice he makes can be traced back to this twisted mindset. He's worshipping Bhaal while actively rebelling against him

I will one day get to finishing a ref! Maybe.

[pa-pa-plasma]

reddit is so fucking weird. you'll say something completely sane like "there is a problem with adults acting predatory towards children, like countdowns until child actors turn 18 for example. I have experienced this type of behaviour myself & towards my friends & it has negatively effected us" & they'll downvote you to oblivion & tell you actually it's normal to act like that around children & only within the last few years has The Woke Puritans made this a bad thing. like ah okay these people are just straight up pedophiles & would probably call me slurs if they had any more information about me. i see.