#so group posts + single character related posts. yeah

[antianakin]

Genuinely wild to me that someone might claim that the Ghorman massacre has "always been central" to Mon Mothma's character, but then say that anyone comparing the Ghorman massacre to other atrocities seen in "more recent" sources, especially if they're associated with Filoni, are idiots for doing so.

Ghorman has NOT actually been central to Mon Mothma's character for all that long. The first time it's ever brought up in relation to Mon Mothma, as far as I can tell, was in REBELS.

You might know Rebels. It's a children's animated television show that aired from 2014-2018, post Disney buy-out. Dave Filoni was a director and program creator on that show. Seems like that would count as being a piece of media that's pretty recent and associated with Filoni, right?

Mon Mothma as a character first appeared in 1983 for one scene in Return of the Jedi where the single thing she even says is about how many Bothans died to get the rebellion some information. If there is ANY group in Star Wars that she has been affiliated with from the beginning, it's the Bothans. Not Ghorman.

So, yeah, I feel like it's completely fair game to bring up things like the oppression of Lothal, the oppression of Ryloth, the enslavement of the wookiees, and the genocide of the Lasat because they're from the SAME FUCKING PIECE OF MEDIA as the one that connected Mon Mothma to Ghorman in the first place.

Come on, if you're going to try to defend the show against critique, at minimum don't contradict yourself and be a hypocrite about it, and definitely don't just straight up lie about it.

[urautismdiagnosis-wistie]

Ships hehe

BOATS (ships)

OK SO I won't tolerate anyone trashing aro ace people or queer platonic relationships or invalidating them, THAT OUT OF THE WAY TIME FOR HEADCANONSSS

barnacles and kwazii 🐻‍❄️💛🐱: I originally shipped them when I was like 12 lol

To me they're going to become a QPR and they mean the world to me.

I need to start actually posting my stories to showcase what's gonna happen BUT CMON GUYS THEY HAD AN ENTIRE EPISODE ABOUT THEM BEING A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP?!

Like I'm gonna be so real they were octopod POD mates. (Their rooms in the same bubble lol)

Kwazii is his ✨first mate✨

They're a married couple that doesn't realize it yet!I'm going to trauma bond them and no one can stop me. Cuz I've already done it 😎👍✨

They deeply trust eachother! I'm going to make barnacles be horrified that he could've almost lost kwazii after kwazii nearly died! Barnacles loves this silly cat man! Kwazii loves to be appreciated and make barnacles proud! They emotionally support eachother! Kwazii is going to have nightmares about the captain dying in a horrific way that totally doesn't relate to the intens psychological trauma I've given him! Barnacles wants to be useful and have someone to love but also someone to tell him its ok and that he doesn't have to be perfect or brave all the time! Kwazii wants to not be alone and prove himself to someone who truly sees the worth in him while being able to trust that they'd always stay loyal together! They have so many inside jokes and shared moments of near death experiences! Accordian music and shanties!

anyways onto SHELLINGTON AND DASHI AY AY AY AYYYY

Uhhh so I haven't posted their designs and my headcanons but yes Shellington is autistic to me (totally not me projecting but yall see the username. Ill get into why I think he's autistic on my character design post for him) and yes I think yk what? Maybe he was a little lonely and weird as a kid and yk what also? Maybe he does have some chronic pain too I dont make the rules (yes I do)

Anyways like shellington, I'm giving my baby issues and fears relating to not being like part of the group lol. Subconsciously anyways. And yk he found his people, the octonauts who value him and his interests and dont blame him for messing up lol and he likes himself as a person

(BTW he wouls totally try to adopt a cryptid like creature (new species!) abomination and name it Steve I already have an entire plot)

Do yall remember when they were sent to spend several weeks alone together in the midnight zone cuz I do

Regardless i think dashi just casually asked him ayyo wanna date and then he bluescreened LOL

As for dashi well, I'll get into her headcanons when I post her character design as well, but regardless she needs someone who understands and supports her passions without judgement yk?

She is so incredible,like photography, computer specialist, apparently technically a scientist, a surfer, able to pilot deep marine vehicles, got swallowed by a whale, did a flip from the manta ray while diving FRKM SEVERAL METWRS IN THE AIR INTO WAYER THAT WAS ABOUT TO HAVE LAVA POUR INTO IT???, and is a whole pilot now apaprently???

Like holy-

Anyways yeah dashi thinks shellington is an amazing single father with so much kindness and emotional intelligence and many many charming qualities 🥰

Shellington thinks dashi is Like actually a really really awesome person??? Like they both like organizing things!! Shes funny and smart!! They can both talk about eachothers interests and he likes to make her happy!! She's really cool and kind and helps him with stuff and she's super intelligent and charming! He just thinks she's oh so very cool. She's so confident and has kind eyes 🥰

Anyways yes

Btw just wanna say that tweak is like if u were aro ace to the max lolll shes just content with her life and friends lol

now for the penguin(s) in the room

ok so shes gonna be a plot relevant character in a story I've got in the works (The Oil RIg) it'll be a fun ride dw, but we love medic x depressed woman its great and yes I do think peso could pull any gal just by existing like straight up fight me on this fight me fIGHT ME-

ok not fight I'm not like that but I will stand on this hill till I die

but fr tho it was a whole telenovellahow they met omg- I'm talking the drama- thelore- thesoftmoments and the heartbreaking goodbyes- not to worry tho they do meet again and are like long distance(with tons of visiting) lol they have a very healthy relationship tho considering that shes like idk, ig fresh out of a like, very unhealthy environment

i ain't gonna spoil anything rn tho lol but she Gon save his life and he gon save hers and its gonna be beautiful<3 <3 <#

[genericpuff]

the last few episodes of persephone moping around have felt like less of a self-reflective moment for her to grow and change and more rachel griping about criticism and surrounding herself with yes men

this isn't gonna be in any way a formal essay like my usual sort, more of a slam post honestly, so fair warning that i'm gonna be a little salty here

EPISODE 263 SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

but seriously, it's been a pity party of greek proportions because this constant "woe is me" shit with persephone that's constantly met with "no queeen you're amazing and perfect" has been going on for DAYS (real time and comic time)

literally every episode since the comic returned has had some segment of either persephone or hades (or both) being upsetti spaghetti over their current situation because oh nooo persephone made the deal with erebus and had to sacrifice something. even though they both knew that was gonna happen and yet she did it anyways. so she just continues to lock herself away in her mansion and spout adorkable quips while her husband, mother, and colleagues deal with the mess she caused.

and of course there's the constant inclusion of apollo spitting straight facts about persephone being a terrible queen and person, but of course because it's apollo saying it, it's not meant to be taken as gospel, essentially clapping back at the words of the critics who call out persephone for being a shitty and toxic protagonist by putting those words into the mouth of a literal rapist.

and yeah episode 263 had a lot of the same shit, to the point that you could literally swap out the names of the characters and the words they were speaking and it applies exactly to rachel and the corner she put herself in u.u it's been a thing for a while now that apollo has just felt like a mouthpiece for LO criticism but as mentioned by users within the subreddit during the discussion of this newest episode, it's never felt more apparent than now.

so yeah enjoy this satirical text edit of a sequence from the newest FP episode, which I honestly can't tell is meant to satirize the critical community or Rachel's reactions to the critical community because the weird reality this comic and its community exist in has just become that wack that it's hard to believe it's not directly from The Onion sometimes LMAO

-and as much as i find myself empathizing with the pressure that rachel is surely under right now - no one should have to be subject to the screeching howls of the peanut gallery - i can't help but be reminded of the memes and tweets she's put out that basically outright say "persephone is supposed to be celebrated for being a shitty person, if you can't handle her at her worst you don't deserve her at her best 💅"-

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rachel Smythe (@usedbandaid)

-and how often she's ruined her own day looking for critical groups or people with the "wrong opinions" that were minding their own business, or how much she's stifled her own community's attempts to discuss the story openly by having her mods ban anyone with even so much as a question regarding persephone's integrity.

so yeah, as much as i can empathize with her from one creator to another that being under this amount of pressure and scrutiny must be immensely frustrating and exhausting, beyond that one similarity i just can't empathize or relate to this mindset of almost learned helplessness that's taken a firm grip over her writing. this is the story she wants to tell and by all means no one is entitled to make her stop, but if she's gonna keep using her greek myth "retelling" comic that's trying to be "feminist" as a mouthpiece for her own griping over criticisms that are largely on-point and justified - to the point of putting the words of her critics into the mouth of her token villain like she's playing some single player barbie doll "act out that fight that sounded cooler in your head" game - then she's gonna keep getting called out, full stop. i figured she didn't have any nose left to rip off in spite of her face but apparently not.

look, i get it, there are some opinions and behaviors within the critical community that even i'm not on board with. there are people who absolutely take shit too far on both sides of the fandom, and i think both sides need to do more to hold themselves accountable for how they interact with each other, the comic, and rachel herself. i make it a point to keep my shit in my own house, i'm not entitled to rachel's attention and frankly it's the last thing i want because i have a lot of fun here and i don't want that to be potentially ruined or dampened! but if you come into my house and complain about the decorating, then i legitimately don't know what to tell you. i used to love LO and i'm so sad for my past self knowing fully well they're not gonna be able to wholeheartedly enjoy this comic forever due to how manipulative and shitty the storytelling has become. a story that i once connected to as an AFAB who was a victim of assault and abuse and generational trauma.

if persephone being the true main villain in her own story was ever meant to be the point of Lore Olympus, then it's taken way, way too long to get to that point, and rachel herself definitely doesn't seem to be of the mindset that that's what she's become with all of her blasé meme'ing on a plot arc that she's still expecting us to take seriously. persephone was never a very complex character to begin with - being an easy self-insert for the audience and rachel to project themselves onto and relate to - but at least in the beginning she felt like she had so much legitimate potential, she was naive but put her best foot forward and clearly wanted to make a life for herself, made by herself.

now she's just mean. jaded and mean. dependent on the constant validation of others to the point of being manipulative. an absolute shell of a person who can only grow a spine when she's punching down on people weaker than her, completely incapable of standing up to the people who are a legitimate threat to her. it's not empowering, it's not subversive, it's just another pick me story about women pitting themselves against other women and never taking accountability for their own behavior, mistakes, and deliberate actions meant to hurt others, often teetering on the line of straight up narcissism all for the sake of a "boss babe" moment.

anyways, if you want an actual well-written and GOOD scene of an empathetic female protagonist struggling to find their footing in adulthood being called the fuck out for their learned helplessness behavior, go read Tamberlane, it tackles this topic much better through its main character who keeps using her brokenness as an excuse to never do better, it slaps and it's so real.

[snowsdelulusketches]

I have a new obsession...

Uh, in case y'all ain't interested in my new obsession (lol). I'm alive! I forgot again to exist, but I will try to post more regularly now that my life might be a bit more balanced. 🫡

There is an art piece below that is Six related! (Long-ish post ahead.)

WARRIORS. GODDAMN. I watched the movie purposefully, just to absorb some knowledge before listening to the album. The album is a complete and compelling hit without the context of the movie.

Swercy is so tragically iconic. I agree that Mercy in the (concept) album comes off a bit direct, always inserting herself into the situation. But I think the musical is a lot of "supporting women's wrongdoings." Okay, I'm joking. But, for the record, it is how it went in the movie. Mercy (in the movie) sees this group and wants to follow them, and she does. They... almost taunt her (?), and Swan takes her in (as a generous way to put it).

Definitely not controversial opinions aside, I love Cleon. I love drawing her, and I love every song she sings in. Still Breathin' is one of my favorite songs, she liderally fits the leadership role so much.

I love how Cochise is kind of vague. You can interpret her character as you wish, and it is sort of refreshing. That way, you get to redirect how she impacts the rest of her sisters and how she takes certain events and deals with them.

Cowgirl... they could never make me hate you. You have been severely traumatized by that "hot dude", it's okay. Nah, Cowgirl is very relatable in the sense that she almost goes with the flow and is a loyal but fun woman (that's how I saw her, but please, add your opinion)!

Holy shit, Swan would be such an unreliable narrator. She is so insecure but immediately snaps into any role she needs to be. Leader? Head to the graveyard, I'll get a plan cookin'. Girlfriend needs a compliment? You're more than beautiful! More than what they made you out to be, and whatever lies ahead doesn't define you! Sister? When we get somewhere safe, that's when I can finally let myself process everything and lower my guard just enough to see how scared you all are. But she is also so scared of not doing enough. She "knows" Mercy's first instinct is to leave, to find something new, something better. She most certainly double-thinks every single thing she does during the events of the album. Her heart is heavy with pain, but she's got a silly family and a sillier girlfriend.

Rembrandt and Fox's friendship and little moments mean way too much to me. The fact that they both share the "when you woke up today you didn't think you could die, neither did i" line in Derailed hurts. It hurts because only one of them makes it out, and neither of them thought the other would be lost in this uncomfortable night. Rembrandt is so hesitant and on-guard during the Bizzies' group song. Fox realizes a little later that, yeah, it's a trap. Poor Cowgirl and Cochise...

Ajax is so amazing. Like, you ball of anger and aggression, I love you so much. When she and Mercy start singing Mercy's "solo" in Sick of Runnin' my heart like... shattered or something. I could be completely wrong, but if Ajax and Mercy had met in any other circumstance, Ajax probably would've found her hilarious. Ajax is relatably impatient. Every time Swan does something, she has to ask, and when she doesn't get an immediate answer, she pushes more. She's great.

I drew a comic for the finale, but I really don't like the way it turned out (I used a different drawing app), so I might post my redraw of it? I don't know how long that'll take either. Uh, I might have some art lingering, just so y'all aren't drained of any snow-art.

Not yet, Cathy. Anyway, this strange arrangement is merely due to the fact they are both called "The Survivor," and this was the first thing I thought of.

I imagined Cathy explaining her story and Ajax going through all the emotions, all of them.

Thank you for reading, if you got this far.

[verycharismaticdragon]

@mandlien: Op where is the essay 👀 @latitudeoctopus: An essay I would like to see 🙏

Glad u asked! <-guy who was totally angling for someone to ask

OG post this continues from, for those just tuning in now:

actually SQQ's first encounter with LQG perfectly illustrates which of SY's idiosyncrasies perfectly converged to make him absolutely obsessed with Binghe, in this essay i will

So, to start with, the explanation for why I think this scene in particular is more illuminating than all of SQQ's interactions with actual LBH. 

That's because there's not a single scene in the novel where his interactions with LBH-the-person are not colored by pre-existing bias of already being obsessed with LBH-the-character. Like, consider the scene where he appraises Shen Qingqiu's looks, and finishes it off with:

He still couldn’t compare to Luo Binghe. (vol.1, ch.1)

despite not having seen Luo Binghe in person yet. But no, he's already convinced his beloved blorbo is of course The Handsomest Ever!

Simply speaking, we never encounter Shen Yuan pre-Binghe Syndrome (when instead of brain there's binghe). So it's difficult to tell whether any particular way he thinks or feels in Binghe’s presence is the standard for him, or owed to the fact that he already likes Binghe in at least one way.

But the same can not be said of Liu Qingge: while SY did have some interest in his character, he didn’t really think of him before encountering him in Lingxi Caves. Plus, unlike Binghe who seems to have fully aligned with SQQ’s expectations of him, LQG had given him a little shock — which prompted some re-evaluation of his prev thoughts on SQQ's part.

(cont. under cut)

Now is a good time to mention that I arrived at thinking about this scene while considering Shen Yuan's relationship with toxic masculinity — and remembering I jotted down 'Shen Yuan's fascination with masculinity' in my reread notes for this scene.

[Bai Zhan Peak] was the most warlike of Cang Qiong Mountain's branches, as well as the branch with the greatest martial ability. Every single generation's Bai Zhan Peak Lord was a world-class swordmaster, a victor of countless battles, an undefeated legend. How hot-blooded—how dashing!  Male readers always fervently admired strong characters. Even though Liu Qingge never officially debuted on page, he hadn't lacked for fans, and Shen Yuan had been especially fascinated with him. In his headcanon, Liu Qingge had been a sharp and manly man, powerful and magnificent. A war god, right?! (vol.1, ch.2)

So, Shen Yuan’s fascination with Liu Qingge’s character — or rather his headcanon version of it — is about Liu Qingge being someone who (in SY’s mind) embodies masculine qualities. And what qualities are those? From this section, being “strong” (has to be physically powerful) and “undefeated” (can’t be a loser) — yeah, pretty standard toxic masc starting kit. 

And something of interest here: though SQQ describes it mostly as his own feelings, even in this excerpt, he slips in a “male readers always [...] admired” — which, when considering everything else we know about his relationship to masculinity, kind of gives off an insecurity vibe. He seems to be either trying to justify his own feelings (i.e., ‘other men feel the same way, i’m in-group not out-group, i’m not failing at being a man by feeling this way [admiring another man]’), or else emulating other male fans and trying to convince himself he relates to the story the same way they do (i.e., ‘male readers admire strong characters and im a man therefore i definitely also admire the same things’).

Speaking of emulating other male fans, there’s another quality that SY seems to associate with masculinity, this one not very related to Liu Qingge — though SQQ does make a mental detour into it in the same scene, when talking about other Peaks.

Yeah, when he mentions Xian Shu, and the fact that the popularity of self-insert erotic/lewd fics about Xian Shu "compared to that of the original work” in PIDW fandom, or possibly even in general on ‘Zhongdian’ (since afaik you can publish fanfiction on Chinese webnovel sites alongside original works, you just have to tag it as such). In other words, among male fans. 

But we know SY doesn’t like sex scenes, right? Hell, his favorite wife is Liu Mingyan at least in part because she doesn’t have sex scenes:

There was one more appeal factor. Liu Mingyan was the only female character for whom Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky didn't write detailed sex scenes. (vol.1, ch.2)

Of course… that’s what SQQ says in his head where nobody can hear him. We actually have evidence of him singing a different tune when among other fans:

Most of the female protagonists are stupid sexy lamps, and the male lead doesn't even bed Liu Mingyan, the only breath of fresh air? He doesn't bed the rightful empress? Are you fucking kidding me? (vol.4, ch.26, part 1)

(speaking of, this is why ‘peerless cucumber is SY’s true self’ takes baffle me. his toxicmascsona is his true self, really?)

So SY has another qualifier for ‘manly man’ in his head: being sexual (of course, in a straight way). Which is not something that comes naturally to him, as evidenced by him cringing away from any actual action even when he tries to emulate the thought pattern, e.g.:

Qi Qingqi? She was indeed slightly junior to him, and their first meeting...he'd long forgotten how it went. "Often together" wasn't quite right, though. Perhaps he at times dared to think about going to Xian Shu Peak so they could be "often together," but while he had the wicked intentions, he lacked the courage required to follow through—and he could never commit an act as depraved as stalking. (vol.4, ch.23) 

Riiiight, SQQ, you totally have those 'wicked intentions' that you merely can't follow through on because you just invented reasons not to.

But that does give us an image of SY’s ideal of masculinity. Extremely powerful, undefeatable, and hypersexual… yeah no points for guessing who. I’m pretty sure SQQ even directly equates Bing-ge with masculinity somewhere, I just can’t remember the exact spot. And he also believes that any man should definitely want to be in Bing-ge’s place, like for example here:

Every man dreamed of being caught between an angel and a devil. To watch them jealously vie with each other over him one moment, then risk life and limb for his sake in the next—that was the highest, most sacred, perverted fantasy of every male organism.  (vol.1, ch.2)

…though I must note, once again, “every man”, “every male organism” — but does SQQ actually feel the same way? I think that the answer is he thinks that he should, and is trying to convince himself that he does.

Which must be difficult considering he finds men more attractive than women, returning back to that scene with Liu Qingge.

In any other state, Shen Qingqiu might have declared, "What a beautiful man!" (vol.1, ch.2)

Really bestie? You would've declared it? Because I don't see you show the same enthusiasm about women. In fact, you usually jump right into how they were described in the novel, as if you don't have your own opinion. 

Now, I must note that I personally don’t think finding someone attractive equals actually being attracted to them. But this does imply which way SQQ's tastes veer. In fact, we can even see that he has a type. First, he describes LQG's face as "as beautiful as a fine woman's"; then adds:

This was clearly the face of a charming young master who arranged flowers and plucked farewell willow branches! (vol.1, ch.2)

Of course, if we are talking about charming young masters with feminine looks, their bearing that of a classic Chinese gentleman (warrior-scholar ideal who’d ‘pluck farewell willow branches’)...

That firm yet humble countenance, demonstrating his noble and unyielding spirit. That pencil-straight back and stance, evincing a proud core that would rather break than bend! (vol.1, ch.1)

[SQQ] saw a glimpse of the future Luo Binghe's unique grace, that of "eyes like cold stars, a soft and radiant smile, with muted words and quiet laughter." (vol.1, ch.1)

In truth, deep down, Bing-ge's fair and clean pretty-boy type didn't really suit the tastes of "Great Master" Airplane Flying Towards the Sky. He had only assigned this sort of configuration to the protagonist to meet his stallion hardware specifications. The art of growing stallions was grounded in science, and the research was clear: women preferred men who looked cultured, pretty, and even a bit soft and feminine. (vol.4, ch.26, part 2)

…there’s no question who is superlative in SQQ’s heart. To boot, he doesn’t even realize that he’s biased about LBH’s attractiveness, as we can see from Airplane-bro’s musings above. So that’s Cucumber-bro’s type: cultured, pretty, a bit feminine.

See, a fun little discrepancy here: what SQQ sees as a masculine ideal and therefore can admire plainly — again, powerful, undefeatable, and hypersexual, — and what he finds attractive in a man, under all those layers of denial, are two pretty different things.

Liu Qingge, despite his appearance unveiling a side of both to us, doesn’t actually fully embody either type: on the masculinity side, he is missing the hypersexuality, on the attractiveness side, his looks fit but his bearing doesn’t match.

But you know who hits all of SY’s qualifications on both counts?.. yeah, once again no points for guessing, it stars with "Bing" and ends with "ge".

So: the source of Shen Yuan’s obsession with LBH-the-character is the intersection of those two factors. Like you know that old wlw joke “I can’t tell if I wanna be her or date her”? Thats Shen Yuan with Luo Binghe, but, yknow, unconsciously. He admires LBH as an epitome of masculinity, an image of a Perfect Male to strive for; he also very much finds him attractive in a gay way. 

In fact, I would even say that an important component of Binghe brainrot is that he is an acceptable target for admiration. How can SY be accused of being gay over liking a horny stallion novel? So it’s totally normal that he thinks of Binghe a lot, obviously that’s just because he looks up to him! Because Binghe is such a perfect iteration of a male stallion protagonist! Who wouldn’t want to be in his place, thinks Shen Yuan, never ever having imagined being in Binghe’s place even once. Ofc that’s only because Binghe got insane game though! Shen Yuan couldn’t hope to compare. LBH is just so admirable and sexy,, for the wives of course, the wives find him sexy, not Shen Yuan, Shen Yuan is just stating facts— etcetcetc.

Point is, LBH is a man that Shen Yuan can like without shame, because he has a whole bag of above-the-board reasons to prove that he's not liking him the wrong way. A perfect target of convergence for Shen Yuan’s conscious and unconscious thoughts (and desires).

And this is how SY ended up with the years-long hyperfix we see in the beginning of the novel. 

[miramizar]

You may forget but remember me

1.I; Suho

✫ image credits: x x x x x x x x x x x ✫

Summary: In which a legend is told and Junmyeon remembers hearing it.

Genre/Category: Fairytale!AU (The Snow Queen)

Characters/Ship: Suho, Chen, Suho/Everyone

Word count: 992

AN: I posted this story on AO3 about 3,5 years ago (I can't believe I've waited this long to complete it but better late than never ahah) and it's still one of the longest stories I've ever written - which is why I'm dividing it into 9 parts on here (ง ื▿ ื)ว It's probably still riddled with mistakes but just like Junmyeon it holds a special place in my heart and since it's his birthday I really wanted to take the opportunity to share it with you ♡ I hope you like it~

Once upon a time, there was a tree. The tree was so big that no-one could doubt that it was special when they saw it, and it was filled to the brim with light and good magic. It was said that the tree was what held the world together, big and magical as it was, and that nothing could hurt it. This brought comfort to the people, and the twelve legendary powers who protected it made sure to keep that saying true for their sake.

One day, a red, vicious power appeared out of nowhere and began to destroy the tree from the inside, and slowly but surely it started to rot. As soon as the twelve legends learned about it they did what was necessary to stop the end of the world - they sacrificed their lives to split the tree in two and thus succeeded in making the red power cease its rampage. Sadly it had already managed to burn itself deep into both halves and therefore avoided extinction.

All of a sudden the world as we knew it had turned into two worlds that on the surface appeared to be the same, but underneath they were not. People could no longer be together like they used to since they now belonged to different dimensions, and the red power was thrilled about this tragedy; it was still able to influence the humans since it had followed the tree in the split, and it took great delight in doing so. Humans of all kinds started to act cruelly towards one another, only caring about themselves, and the red power took the joys and colours away from their lives - leaving only monochrome behind. 

But the twelve legends were still alive as powers of good; now split into two groups with six of them existing in each world they fought every day so that they could stand on the same ground and look at the same sky once again. The chosen humans needed only to realise their powers and find each other to commence the final battle against the red power.

This is where our story will begin.

˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚ ˚₊‧✩‧₊˚

In a small town where the houses stood cramped and people shared their gardens, two young boys lived next to each other. They were not related by blood, but in all other ways they were considered family, simply because they loved each other so dearly and played and sang with each other as often as they could. 

In between their houses there was a small pond by which some white flowers grew, and since it wasn't deep the boys were always allowed to go there - and they did, every single day. Admittedly, it was more difficult when the winter came, when the pond froze and the snow made it impossible to go outside, but during those times they settled for seeing one another through their windows. 

The boys' names were Junmyeon and Jongdae, and no matter the season they were just a step or a look away from each other.

On one particular evening they were cuddled close in the sofa that stood in Junmyeon's living room. Junmyeon's parents were both teachers, who often entertained the boys by answering every question thrown at them, and this evening was no different.

“We’re getting lots of snow this year," Junmyeon's mother said and looked out the window, a hint of worry evident in her eyes and voice. Her son raised his head and followed her gaze.

"Yeah, we are." He knitted his eyebrows in thought. "It reminds me of something... I vaguely recall you telling us a story a long time ago - about the Frost King?" Junmyeon loved listening to stories, and he found great joy in watching his mother lighten up whenever he reminded her of the tales she had told him and Jongdae when they were younger.

“That’s right. The Frost King resides in the middle of the falling snow and never rests, traveling through the villages as he searches for someone special. That's why the wonderful patterns of ice appear on the windows, he creates them to mark the houses he’s already checked. Do you remember that you were up waiting for him every evening after hearing that story? You didn’t stop until spring had arrived and Jongdae was very upset with you.” 

She smiled warmly at her son who turned his head down in embarrassment, and Jongdae chose that very moment to take his empty hand in his and look him in the eyes.

"So, did you see him?" 

Junmyeon met his gaze, held it for a while, then sighed. "I don't know, Jongdae. Maybe I saw something, maybe I just imagined things, but it was a long time ago and if the story is true I really hope that I didn't see him. Who knows if someone dear to me is the special person he’s looking for and they were taken away? I wouldn’t like that at all.”

Jongdae smiled his most cat-like smile and laid his head back on Junmyeon's shoulder. “If you say so.”

Even without having to look Junmyeon knew that his mother was cooing at them, and he determinedly ignored her, eyes glued to the window until his father decided to step in and save him.

"I sure hope it calms down soon, it would be terrible if Jongdae couldn’t return home.“

Said boy muttered a sleepy protest, Junmyeon letting out a tired chuckle as he heard it - but the discomfort pooling in his stomach wouldn’t go away; the image of a person with eyes cold as ice and a blinding smile chasing the drowsiness away as soon as it came close.

It was a long time ago, yes, but there was no doubt that he had seen it - or rather, him. 

The Frost King.

And he wasn’t sure whether it was a good thing or not that he hadn’t seen him since.

[shewasverynice]

Fandoms: 呪術廻戦 | Jujutsu Kaisen 

⚠️ SPOILER HEAVY ⚠️

Major Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death 

Full tags/warnings on Chapter links post

Major Characters: Original Character, Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru, Ieiri Shoko, Yaga Masamichi, Nanami Kento, Haibara Yu, Tsukumo Yuki, Choso

‎‧₊˚✧ Chapter 77 ✧˚₊‧

The breeze in Elysium didn’t quite feel like a real wind. Everything about it was too soft, too constant, like the world itself was breathing calmly. The trees shimmered gold and lavender in the eternal twilight, and petals drifted lazily through the air without ever seeming to fall from any trees.

Satoru led the group up a marble staircase overtaken by roots, gesturing vaguely at the path ahead. “Last time I came this way, I found a whole town completely empty. There were buildings and lots of balconies and fancy stuff. You’d think it was a honeymoon resort if it weren’t for the weird vibe.”

“Any people?” Suguru asked, already half-predicting the answer.

Satoru shook his head. “Not a single one. Just more of those tree people, like Masami.”

Utahime shivered. “They’re creepy.”

“They’re polite at least,” Boe said mildly, watching a flower glow brighter as they passed it by. “But, yeah. Creepy.”

Rin cocked her head. “They look like that old spirit near the temple, right?" She asked, "The one we left offerings to?”

Shoko pointed to her as recognition hit her. "Oh yeah, I do remember that guy. We had a little ceremony for it once in a while, right?"

“Exactly,” Rin said. “Do you think they’re related?”

“Probabaly,” Satoru said, shrugging. “Or it’s a design choice.”

Suguru frowned thoughtfully. “They do have look similar to Hanami.”

Everyone paused.

“You think they’re related to that?” Tsukumo asked, her tone curious.

Suguru nodded slowly. “Hanami’s one of the few nature-aligned curses we’ve seen on that scale. Masami and the tree-guardians here—they aren’t malevolent, but they’re definitely not human either. Their existence might stem from the same primordial source.”

Utahime looked skeptical. “But Hanami’s a curse. These things feel... different.”

“I’m not saying they’re curses,” Suguru said. “But curses can grow from twisted versions of natural reverence, right? If people used to worship beings like this, maybe the flip side of that worship became something like Hanami.”

Satoru stretched lazily and said, “The real question is—do curses survive in here?”

Tsukumo crossed her arms. “We don’t know if they can even cross over. The fact Sarah can open a portal at all is already wild.”

Suguru stroked his chin. “I’d like to show Hanami this place. See if it stirs anything. But I don’t want to risk losing them.”

“Too valuable,” Nanami said flatly.

Rin chimed in, “Well, why not show that old tree guardian from earlier? See how it reacts to Hanami instead?”

“That’s a good idea,” Suguru agreed. "It's safer, and if it does react… we might learn something.”

Satoru looked skyward, where no sun hung, but a glow lit the horizon anyway. “While we’re at it, we should check in on the lion.”

“The white one?” Tsukumo asked. “The one with wings?”

“Yeah. Saturn’s getting big,” Satoru said. “But that thing makes him look like a housecat.”

Tsukumo looked back toward where they’d come from. “So, we loop back and get out of here, find the tree, try the Hanami test, then go see the lion?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Suguru said.

Satoru grinned. “Look at us! Going on a field trip just like our school days!” Then he cupped his hands around his mouth dramatically and shouted up toward the shifting pink sky, “Saturn! Buddy! I need a favor!”

A moment later, the brush rustled with a sound like rustling silk, and the white jackal emerged from between two twisted wisteria trunks. His long legs padded silently over the glowing stones, and his tall ears flicked toward the group as his deep, dark eyes locked onto Satoru.

“Hey, hey, there you are,” Satoru said, practically beaming. He approached Saturn with zero hesitation, even as the others instinctively stepped back from the pressure of the guardian’s presence.

Saturn let out a soft chuff and lowered his head, allowing Satoru to run his hands over the thick, cloudlike fur of his neck and shoulders.

Suguru chuckled, folding his arms as he watched. “Nice to see you two are on better terms now.”

Satoru grinned over his shoulder. “What can I say? I like dogs.”

Saturn huffed through his massive nose, unimpressed.

“Okay, okay,” Satoru said, laughing and giving the great beast a fond pat. “You’re not a dog. I'm sorry.”

Saturn blinked slowly and leaned into Satoru’s palm for a moment.

Then Satoru's voice softened. “Think you can help us out? Sarah’s busy with Masami, and I don’t want to bug her. We need a portal back to the old temple—by that tree spirit. Think you can swing it?”

Saturn turned his long neck to glance in the direction Sarah had gone. His ears twitched. There was something knowing in the way he looked back at Satoru.

“She’s alright,” Satoru assured him, hand still resting against the jackal’s muzzle. “She’s just… doing weird spacey shit. You know how that goes.”

Saturn studied him another moment. Then, with a low, reverberating growl that echoed like a temple bell, he lifted his head high. Light bloomed from beneath his paws and the air shimmered—and then split. A round portal unfurled like a blooming lotus, revealing the gently swaying forest near the old temple, the roots of the old tree glistening in the dim sunlight on the other side.

Saturn looked at the others, tail flicking slightly as if to say, “Well? Go on.”

“We should be using this more,” Boe added, carefully stepping forward, "Are you shitting me? This is so easy!"

Tsukumo gave Saturn a respectful nod before stepping through. Utahime followed silently, then Nanami and Suguru with a contemplative glance back at Elysium.

Satoru lingered for just a second more, reaching up to scratch beneath Saturn’s chin. “Thanks, buddy.”

The great beast gave one last soft huff and nudged him gently in response. Then Satoru turned and stepped through the portal, the glow of Elysium at his back and the wild stillness of Earth before him.

The group moved through the overgrown clearing, the ancient tree looming ahead of them, its gnarled bark still adorned with weather-worn offerings left from a recent visit. It was good to see the new school was keeping up with it.

Rin stepped forward first, placing a hand against the trunk. Her fingers brushed over the cool surface, and she closed her eyes, ready to be thoughtful and kind in her approach.

Then—

Knock knock knock.

Satoru stomped past her and rapped his knuckles loudly against the tree.

"Hey!" he called out casually, looking up into the high boughs. "C'mon out! We gotta talk!"

Rin's jaw dropped. “Are you serious?” she snapped. “What happened to subtlety? Maybe it doesn’t appreciate being banged on like a front door!”

Satoru glanced back at her with a grin. “If it didn’t want to be bothered, it shouldn’t have planted itself here alone in a big ass gorge.” Then he turned to Suguru. “Wanna bring Hanami out? Maybe some peer pressure will get this branch to talk.”

Suguru gave a soft chuckle, raising a hand and summoning Hanami. The curse emerged in a low hum of energy, appearing behind him in a swirl of leaves and dust, silent and still.

The air shifted.

High above them, the tree spirit stirred.

From the upper branches, it slithered down slowly—its body covered by its blue and red robe. Its horned head unfurled from the shadows, the same four-foot long horns stretching from where its eyes should be.

Its presence pressed into their minds, gentle but undeniable.

"This one is different."

Its "gaze" was fixed entirely on Hanami, the tips of its horns shimmering faintly as they pulsed with soft light. Hanami remained motionless and Suguru watched closely, ready to intervene, but didn’t move.

The tree spirit slowly extended a long branch-fingered hand toward Hanami.

"You were made of loss. Of sorrow. Of vengeance. Of fear. You were not grown like us." Hanami’s head shifted slightly toward Suguru, like waiting for permission. “Speak to it,” Suguru said quietly. Hanami’s voice was low and rough, like stones sliding underwater. Their words were not spoken aloud for all to hear, but it was clear it was communicating with the spirit.

The spirit's horns glowed faintly.

"There were once seeds scattered from this realm into the waking world. When the Resonates fell, the garden was left untended. But some seeds still took root in pain." Nanami, arms crossed, asked, “Are you saying curses like this came from fear of you?” The spirit turned its head.

"Some. Not all. But those made of grief… they echo us."

With a flick of Suguru's hand, Jogo emerged in a plume of cinders and curling ash, Dagon rising beside him in a wave of damp rot and saltwater. The aura around them pulsed with thick malevolence—Jogo’s arrogant heat humming like coals, while Dagon’s swirling presence carried the smell of algae and old sea storms.

The tree spirit regarded them, tilting its great horned head. Its voice echoed again—not with fear, but with quiet disappointment:

“These are no different. Anger and loss. Hunger and fear. They are not grown. They are shaped by those who do not understand.”

Jogo’s one eye locked on the spirit, something like a twitch of recognition across his face. Not understanding, exactly—more like the sudden smell of something familiar long forgotten. He didn’t say a word.

Suguru stepped forward, arms crossed. “Jogo. Say something.”

The volcano curse bristled, the magma on his head hissing and flaring, but still—he stayed silent. His eye lowered, uncertain.

The spirit’s branches creaked as it extended a limb toward them.

“Their truths are buried. But if they were equalized, they may remember what came before the fire.”

Satoru, leaning against the bark, squinted up at the tree. “Okay, seriously. What the hell is Equalization? You all keep throwing that around and we don't really get it yet.”

The tree turned slightly toward him, the glow in its hollow chest pulsing like a heartbeat.

“Cursed energy is twisted emotion. Sorcerers shape it, wield it, survive it. Resonates do not fight with it. They feel. They soothe.”

“To Resonate is to bring light into shadow—but only when the shadow is willing. Light cannot purify what hides in illusion.”

Satoru frowned slightly. “So what, Equalization means... cutting through all the lies?”

“Equalization, is the act of balancing what is felt with what is real. It peels away pain’s disguise. It strips false memory. It releases what clings to sorrow.”

Rin whispered, “Then... all that false grief—when people shape their curses from things they can’t even fully understand... It all gets burned away?”

“Only truth remains. Once Equalized, the curse is laid bare. And in that moment, a choice can be made: to dissolve or to begin again.”

Tsukumo clicked her tongue thoughtfully. “That does make sense," she said, "If you’ve got nobody cleaning up the mess, of course it’s just gonna keep building. This must be why cursed energy’s gotten out of control. No Resonates left to balance it all out.”

Nanami looked over at Suguru. “And that’s why Tamamo-no-Mae said Sarah’s kind was hunted.”

Suguru put his hand to his chin. “They were purifiers. Of course curses would want them destroyed.”

Satoru looked back at the quiet Hanami, still kneeling beneath the tree. His smile faded into something more solemn.

“So this Equalization—it could bring back everything Sarah should be too,” he said softly glancing at the others, "We could erase all the fake stuff the higher-ups left her with."

Tsukumo tilted her head, her hair swinging over her shoulder as she looked at Satoru with a tinge of caution. “Just remember,” she said, voice low but firm, “those false memories were placed because Sarah couldn’t survive the trauma. Equalization might bring it all back. That pain could kill her.”

Satoru scoffed, arms folded, sunglasses gleaming even in the shadow of the tree. “She already knows the truth, Tsukumo. She’s not that fragile.”

Boe, perched up on a rock and idly picking at a blood-dried fingernail, glanced over and shrugged. “Yeah, maybe. But just because she knows it doesn’t mean she should live with it, Gojo.”

Suguru nodded, lips pressed together. “There’s a difference between knowing something in your head… and carrying it in your chest. Equalization isn’t memory recall. It’s resonance. It makes you feel what happened—again. Fully. As if it’s happening now.”

Rin muttered, “Honestly… she might be better off without all of the fake stuff. She’s had time to live without it. That’s more than most of us get.”

Utahime leaned against a gnarled root, her brow furrowed. “It might not even be necessary anymore.”

Shoko exhaled, nodding slightly. "She might be just fine. She has all of us if she needs us."

Suguru, watching the way the wind played with the tree spirit’s strange, luminous leaves, lifted his hand and made a smooth motion. Hanami, Jogo, and Dagon were swept away, returning to him.

He gave the spirit a respectful nod. “Thank you for your insight. We’ll return—if we learn anything new.”

The spirit’s horned head tilted in an acknowledgment, its voice echoing quietly:

“The past returns when it is needed. Not before.”

Suguru turned to the others, already walking. “Let’s go find the other Resonate. They may know something Masami hasn’t shared yet.”

Satoru glanced once more over his shoulder at the tree, brows furrowed—not in defiance this time, but concern. Then he followed Suguru, Saturn trailing beside him like a ghost made of moonlight.

As Saturn opened the portal just outside the Shintō temple walls, the group stepped through in cautious formation. The jackal padded forward, tail high.

Tsukumo squinted up at the massive entrance gate and muttered, “We probably shouldn’t just waltz in there this time. After what happened last time?”

Satoru shoved his hands in his pockets. “Agreed. No waltzing. Just very cool, very stealthy—Boe?”

“Send in the dog,” Boe deadpanned, arms crossed.

Satoru looked to Saturn, who was already sniffing the air with a suspiciously dignified posture. “Hey, bud. You wanna go check it out for us? Maybe talk to the lion? Make a friend?” he asked, voice warm, like coaxing a toddler into trying vegetables.

Saturn huffed once and turned his head away in offense.

Satoru pouted exaggeratedly. “Come on. Be cool man.”

Saturn’s fluffy tail flicked, elegantly swatting Satoru across the stomach.

“Oof—okay, rude.” Satoru groaned then smirked. “I’ll get you those ribs you really liked?”

No reaction.

“They were really good,” Satoru tried again. “You licked the plate. You don’t remember because that was last time. Y’know. Before… the time travel, but trust me, you loved them.”

Saturn turned, one ear perked in curiosity. He tilted his head, considering.

Then, in one powerful bound, he leapt effortlessly onto the top of the outer wall, silhouetted against the sun. Satoru beamed.

“Deal!”

“You bribed a divine creature with barbecue,” Nanami muttered, watching the jackal vanish into the inner temple grounds.

“Divine creatures have taste,” Satoru replied smugly. “And Saturn knows good ribs.”

For a time there was nothing.

Then there was a low chime. A kind of vibration that ran through the stones under their feet, like the ringing of a massive, distant bell. The air shifted. It wasn’t hostile—yet—but it was expectant. Watching.

Suguru stepped up beside Satoru, eyes narrowed. “We’re being measured.”

They heard a deep rumble—then Saturn reappeared in the temple gate, sitting primly with something dangling from his mouth.

Satoru squinted. “Is that…?”

“A banner?” Boe guessed.

“A curtain,” Rin corrected, holding her hand out for Saturn to bring it to her.

The massive jackal chuffed again, letting the embroidered cloth fall in front of them. Wisteria patterns danced along its hem in gold thread. Tsukumo stepped forward and brushed her fingers over the fabric, then slowly smiled. “That’s permission, right?”

Satoru waved for the others to follow, walking towards Saturn. “Then let’s not waste the goodwill.”

The temple’s cool stone halls echoed with each step as Saturn padded confidently ahead, his paws utterly silent despite his size. The group followed closely, their eyes flicking from the curious—and occasionally alarmed—faces of the shrine’s miko and priests, who had begun to gather along the walkways and shadowed alcoves. Some whispered to one another in hushed tones, while others bowed lightly, eyes flicking between the white jackal and the strangers he led.

But none stepped forward to interfere. When Saturn passed, they made way.

Utahime murmured, “They know him.”

“They revere him,” Tsukumo corrected with a scowl, watching the way some of the younger priests clasped their hands together in prayer.

The jackal led them through a tall pair of lacquered doors carved with wisteria and phoenixes, and into the main building of the temple. From there, he turned down a stairway half-hidden behind an elaborate screen. The air immediately changed. The stairs wound downward into the earth, lit by flickering lanterns of pale flame. Intricate talismans and wards hung on every surface, layered so densely that they fluttered with every passing breath like a forest of paper.

They finally reached the bottom.

The chamber opened into a vast, round hall. Silken drapes hung from the high domed ceiling like a canopy of clouds, and scattered across the floor were pillows of gold, white, and soft grey. On them lay the being none of them could mistake—the massive white winged lion, eyes like molten topaz, mane woven with faded cords and prayer knots.

He was watching them. His wings were half unfurled in tension, like he hadn’t decided whether to rise or remain, but everything about him was coiled power and dignity.

Sitting with perfect serenity upon the lion’s great left paw was an elderly man in traditional Shintō priest robes. He had a thin white beard and warm, crinkled eyes. He smiled.

“Ah, visitors.” His voice was light, weathered, but rich with something ageless. “Welcome to the heart of the sanctuary.”

He bowed lightly in his seat, then gestured toward the cushions in front of the lion. “Please, sit. We’re honored.”

They exchanged a few glances—then Suguru stepped forward and gave a respectful bow of his own. “Thank you. I’m Suguru Geto, and this is Satoru Gojo," he turned and gestured to each of the others, "and our friends are Yuki Tsukumo, Rin Morishita, Kento Nanami, Boe, Ieri Shoko and Iori Utahime. Might we know your name, sir?”

The old man’s smile widened. “Yoshiaki Okura, but here I am just called the Keeper. I tend the shrine," he patted the lion’s paw, “...and serve the people of this area.”

Satoru stepped forward, fingers tucked in his pockets, and tilted his head. “Are you a Resonate?”

Okura blinked. "Pardon?”

“Resonate,” Satoru repeated. “It’s a name we’ve only just learned. People—or spirits—who use positive energy instead of cursed energy.”

Okura leaned back, stroking his beard. “Hmm. I don’t know that name not what you speak of, but if you have a guardian with you there must be truth to it.”

Tsukumo nodded, settling cross-legged on a nearby cushion. “It’s new to us, too. We’re trying to understand what it means. And maybe why your kind disappeared.”

“Or were made to disappear,” Rin added grimly.

The old man looked at her with wise, gentle eyes and said nothing for a long moment. Then he finally said, “If you've come here expecting answers, I'm afraid I do not know much on the subject myself. I have spoken with the creatures of Elysium at length, but they do not remember their purpose. I've spent time with them, and I will tell you what I know.”

Suguru spoke next, carefully: “The rising surge in curses. We think understanding the Resonates—your kind—are part of that.”

Okura nodded solemnly, glancing toward the lion beside him. “Yes, from my research I believe that to be true as well.”

The old man rose with a quiet hum and walked to the far wall where a long row of intricately carved drawers lined a bookshelf so ancient it might as well have grown out of the temple itself. He opened one drawer and, with great care, drew out a bundle of scrolls and bound books, all aged with time but lovingly preserved. Tsukumo’s eyes lit up instantly. “Are those—?” “Research notes,” he confirmed, placing them onto a wide, low table beside the lion’s paw. “Some are mine. Some… belong to those who came before me.” He gestured gently. “Feel free.” She was already halfway into a crouch, pawing through them like a kid on her birthday.

Utahime leaned in as well, curious. “What language is that?” “A hybrid,” Okura replied, smiling at Tsukumo’s enthusiasm. “An older dialect. You’ll find it’s a blend of kanbun, Sanskrit, and others.” He tapped his head. “Some of the "Resonates" wrote in memory-language. Thoughts encoded as feeling. They… resonated, which makes sense to me now that I've understood the word.” “Of course they did,” Satoru muttered, grinning. The Keeper turned to the rest of the group and blinked as if just remembering. “Ah, forgive me. I asked once before—but where is your Priestess?” He paused, correcting himself with a shake of his head. “No, your Resonate, my apologies. I will remember the word.” Satoru’s grin softened and he chuckled. “She’s with one of those trees called Masami. Learning something called Equalization.” Okura's brow rose and Satoru tilted his head. “Can you do that? Ever heard of it?" The Keeper considered this for a moment, hands clasped behind his back as he began to slowly pace. “Equalization… Yes, I know what you mean. I’ve never called it that, but the idea is familiar. Here, at the temple, I use my gifts to soothe pain. Visitors arrive with heavy hearts, and sickly bodies and when I touch them—sometimes—I feel it. Their memories." He stopped, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. “But it’s not something I control. It happens only when the wound is… how should I put this… ripe.” Okura chuckled and made his way over to a worn notebook left open near the corner of the table. He took a nearby ink brush and began to jot something down. “Interesting,” he murmured. “This term… Equalization. I hadn’t considered it as a framework before. If it's intentional, deliberate—it could be taught.” Tsukumo, still hunched over a stack of documents, didn’t look up. “So you’re saying this ability is purely emotional? Relational?” “Yes. It requires empathy. The pain must be shared to be dissolved. Otherwise, you merely treat the symptoms.” Satoru folded his arms. “So Sarah could—what—heal real trauma? Like rewriting the spirit instead of the mind?” “Not rewriting,” the Okura said softly. “Revealing. The spirit does not lie, even if the mind must.” Suguru glanced toward the hallway they came from. “She might be better at this than we thought.” The lion rumbled again, a low, approving sound that vibrated the very floor. Okura smiled. “It seems your Resonate is on the right path, but tread carefully. What you discover will change more than her. The more we remember, the more the people of Elysium do as well."

Suguru leaned against one of the smooth stone pillars near the winged lion, arms crossed loosely, his expression thoughtful and his voice steady.

“We learned that term from a very old curse,” he said, watching the old man’s reaction carefully. “She said it was what the Resonates were created for.”

Okura’s face lit with recognition, and something else too—relief, maybe. “Ah. Then that confirms it.”

Satoru raised an eyebrow. “Confirms what, exactly?”

“That the memory isn’t just in us.” The old man gestured gently to his temple and then his chest. “It lives in the curses as well. Especially the old ones. They are repositories of loss, pain, memory... resentment. If you found one that remembers the Resonates then that’s likely where the lost knowledge lies. History is not always lost it can be buried.”

Tsukumo, still pouring through a half-open scroll, didn’t even look up as she muttered, “That makes sense.”

Suguru nodded slowly. “The curse that told us… it wanted Sarah Equalize it. She said it would show her everything it remembered.”

Okura hummed, stroking his beard thoughtfully. “Yes. That would be quite the burden. A Resonate must carry what others cannot and burn it away with their own light. But if the light is too dim…” he trailed off, glancing toward Lion, “…the darkness may consume them instead.”

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Okura smiled again, warm and calm despite the weight of his words. “If you learn anything more—about Equalization, about the Resonates—I would be honored to work with you. Share what you learn, and this temple will share what we can in return.”

The winged lion huffed softly, as if in solemn agreement, shifting its wings and settling once more onto its cushions.

⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂ ⠂⠄⠄⠂☆

The water of the lake shimmered with impossible colors—violet ripples blending into gold, reflecting the eternal twilight of Elysium. Masami stood at the edge, their silhouette haloed by the glowing flora that bent gently toward them like they were made of gravity itself.

They turned toward Sarah and Haibara, horned visage blank, and spoke—not aloud, but in the echoing harmony of thoughts pressed directly into their minds.

“The Equalization is not purification. It is not healing. It is remembrance. To equalize is to share the soul—to make one path from two.”

Sarah nodded slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. Haibara, beside her, was quiet, but he looked to her with a little attempt at a smile.

Masami tilted their head toward him.

“He is not Resonate. But he is willing. That is enough.”

Sarah stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she reached for him. Haibara didn’t flinch. His breath was steady as she cradled his face, palms warm with positive energy as she followed Masami’s instruction:

“Begin with the self. Let the other follow.”

And then it hit her.

Flashes.

Sarah sees herself lying on the grass beside him, the stars brilliant and endless overhead. He’s laughing, trying to trace constellations with his finger while pointing out nonsense shapes—"That one’s clearly a chicken," he says. She shoves him gently, grinning, and agrees. She remembers this—or at least, she thinks she does.

They're walking through a little street festival—just the two of them. She remembers the smell of sweet mochi, the garlands hanging across the stalls. He hands her a taiyaki with a small smile. She takes it and their hands brush, and he turns pink. A rainy afternoon. She’s curled on a cushion in their room, reading. He sets a cup of tea beside her and leans down, brushing her hair back behind her ear. The touch lingers. Their eyes meet. It’s tender, full of the things neither of them say aloud.

The two of them under an orange sunset, laughing until their sides hurt. Haibara sitting alone, chin in his hands, watching the others from afar. His pride after a mission, her hand ruffling his hair It's twilight again. That golden-blue light that always feels like an ending. They’re sitting on a dock, feet just brushing the water. He leans in, hesitating. The air between them buzzes. And then, gently, she meets him halfway.

Except…

Her face tilts just slightly wrong. Her lips move differently. There’s a stillness to it, like a well-rehearsed play.

Sarah knows she's never kissed him like this. She feels her chest cave in.

These memories unravel her as they come—half-truths painted like real ones, smiles that should feel familiar, but taste like imitation. The closer they get to tenderness, the worse it hurts. Because the face in the memories looks like hers. The voice sounds like hers, but that woman isn’t her.

A version of her smiling sweetly. Sitting beside him in a hot spring, her feet just brushing his. Holding his hand beneath the stars. Her voice soft as she leaned in for a kiss—

But it wasn’t her. The shape was right. The voice. The smile. The energy was close.

But it wasn’t her.

Sarah’s hands dropped from his face like they'd been burned. She staggered back, breath caught in her throat, the world too bright and too loud now. The connection severed.

Haibara blinked, disoriented. “Sarah? What’s wrong?”

She stared at him, unable to hide the tremble in her voice. “Where was that? That place… that kiss?” Her stomach twisted. “That wasn’t me, Yu!”

His brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Her mouth was dry. “Have you been somewhere with Suzu? When they looked like me?”

His eyes widened slightly. “No—what? No, I haven’t.” His answer came quick, but not rushed.

She couldn’t tell.

She couldn’t tell if he was lying—or if he really didn’t know.

Her thoughts tangled in spirals. If he was lying, how was she supposed to feel? If he wasn’t—if Suzu had been impersonating her, spending time with him like that, and he truly believed it was her…

What did that mean?

“Does Suzu impersonate me often?” she asked quietly, not accusing—just desperate to understand.

Haibara’s answer was immediate: “No.”

And this time, she almost believed him. Because either he truly didn’t know… Or he was choosing not to know.

Masami remained silent at the edge of the lake, watching the two of them. The glow of Elysium softened as if it too were holding its breath. Sarah stood there, staring into the water, her own reflection rippling beside Haibara’s.

Prev Main Next

[benzyon]

I want to see your dnd/ttrpg characters!

I want to make a thread/post where people share art or mini figures of their characters and perhaps even share some info about them! I love hearing about characters and the wacky things that can happen in games

Warhammer [40k or fantasy] are also welcome!

Or even if you just want to share a character that isn't table top related!

I'll start with mine

Bits about these fellas [and lady] below

Arogos:

my first ever dnd character. He's a chaotic neutral rogue thief wood elf who can't read/write and also only speaks common [much to the confusion of every elf he comes across]. He's a klepto, often having random and unuseful thing like wooden spoons, any coins he can find, buttons, you name it. If he finds it he will pocket it. Of the party he was the tank believe it or not.

We only had 3 members of the party Xanth [16 year old wizard] Danric Phantom [33 year old half ghost] and Arogos [123 year old rogue]. The group was chaotic from the very start. One of the first sessions I was in we blew up and entire cities sewer system trying to get 10 gold from some kobalds. That alone should tel you all you need to know about these boys.

Lilith

Lilith is/was my only female dnd character. I wanted to try out something different so lady it was. She was also my only lawful good character. She is a ranger in 5e legacy which was quite the struggle and a beast master on top of that with out a summonable beast. I managed to find a single wolf that I be friended [which took multiple session but it was also the dms first time dming so they didn't know how to go about it] and then the wolf died literally a few sessions later which was extremely disheartening. You know cause my subclass was basically worthless with out an animal companion. The dm did let me pretty much switch the subclass but still with playing as a ranger it is currently my least favorite class. At least the campaigns I've played were not very ranger friendly.

But anyways back to Lilith herself. She was 100% the mom and moral compass of the group. She always did her best to do the morally right thing while the other 5 were a form of neutral and one of them was actually evil [did not betray the party] and him and her more or less adopted a super powered necromancer frog girl. At the end of the campaign she went to one of the colleges and taught as an archery teacher.

Darude Sandstorm

Yes his name is a meme and his design is straight up just liquid snake from metal gear solid. Darude is a wind genasi barbarian born from earth genasi parents in more or less the earth kingdom. [In this campaign it was 4 large islands that have the 4 elements] because of his weird situation he is basically a sand man. In stead of sweating like a human he sweats sand. Later when he got the earth elemental power he just straight up went sand bender. This campaign was incredibly short more due to a disagreement between players [there were only 4ish for this group] so he didn't get much play time or story. He's more or less an apathetic man who was to lead an army and that's about it. Oh yeah this was also an evil campaign so we were supposed to be playing the bad guys.

Baltimore Reeves

Baltimore was named so because you can't tell me it doesn't also sound like a fantasy name. Anyways he is a 16 year old con artist wizard and a greaser. [His design was directly inspired by black and white photos of greasers] his best friend was also the rich boy of the group whos name is Chad. Balt is also one of my chaotic characters [chaotic is my favorite alignment to play I can't help it] fun quirks about Baltimore is he's a cold tielfing so he does cold damage for hellish rebuke and he can't cast fire spells with out throwing up [no fire ball] and also was not proficient in arcana and did not know magic missiles. At the end of the campaign he knew 84 spells [cantrips counted in the total] of mostly illusions, utility, cold or thunder damage spells and a few healing ones too. I also got the dm to let Baltimore polymorph into a young dragon

Balt as a dragon over Chad and his mom

And the party going down a slide [npcs included] and balt telling the party member who was there about it

Alistair Varis

Also but not least my current dnd character Alistair. He's a drow valor bard who has flirting with 1 man and they are dating. Since I like going against class stereotypes he's more or less demi sexual [originally ace but then his current bf appeared who was not supposed to be a love interest by the way] so he never flirted or tried to seduce anything. He is definitely the most chaotic in the group but at the same time of the party I was the only one who wasn't new to the game. Alistair craziness definitely helped them get out of their shell a bit too. Anyways when joining the party I joined specially to be their healer [wasn't asked to but I like being a healer in video games] and a utility guy. Alistair definetly tries to topple most governments he encounters by outing corruption. He's done it twice so far and will again given the chance.

[theink-stainedfolk]

Writer Questionnaire Tag

Thank you @drchenquill @the-golden-comet and @paeliae-occasionally for the tag

how long have you had your writing tumblr/writeblr? a fast and loose estimate is fine!

It's been at least 6 months or more I believe.

what led you to create it?

I actually had it from before but i never really posted anything. The thought that there might be people willing to read my works more than my own family and friends led me to create it. I was done shying away.

what's your favourite thing about the writeblr community?

I absolutely adore the supportive and inclusive nature of the writeblr community! It's a space where writers from diverse backgrounds and genres come together to share their passion for storytelling. I love how everyone encourages and uplifts each other, offering constructive feedback and celebrating each other's successes. The community's enthusiasm is infectious, and it motivates me to keep writing and improving my craft. I also appreciate the wealth of resources and knowledge shared within the community, from writing tips and prompts to editing advice and publishing insights. It's amazing to see how writers willingly share their expertise and experiences to help others grow. Most of all, I cherish the sense of belonging and connection that comes with being part of this community. Writeblr feels like a virtual writing group, where we can discuss our projects, share our struggles, and rejoice in our triumphs together

what's one thing you'd like your mutuals to know about you?

That i really love talking about my WIPs and OCs aand everything related to my story. I feel happy, seen and appreciated. If you like anything i woorte, please don't hesitate to ask or just tell me how you feel.

is there anything you'd like to see more of on your dash?

Uh..memes? More aisan drama related things? More HSR stuff everything about my interests etc.

which wips or writing projects are you noodling about, lately?

Very wrong question lol. I've been going back and forth between my WIPs. But the most recent one I've done, or am thinking about is The Masque of Murder .

how long have you been working on them?

Hahaha.... Since months, years and i still haven't even written a chapter for some of them. I hate myself for that. But since The Masque of Murder is recent, it's been a week or so.

do you remember what inspired them/ what got you started?

Yeah i remember reading a manhwa which had this crazy but mad genius doctor as a minor villan. It got me thinking that it was a waste of his abilities and damn good looks and he would have been surely protected by the plot armour had he been the main character instead. This forced me into making it lol.

how much time, in your best estimation, do you spend thinking about them?

🎵Every hour, every minute, every second. And night after night, I'll thinking 'bout you right, 7 days a week.🎶

name any characters you created. side characters, protagonists, antagonists, characters who've never been written, the first original abomination you ever pulled from your ass; whomever you'd like!

Uh... every single one of them? I created everyone, if that's what you're asking haha.. I'm not sure if i understand it correctly but i created everyone on my own. I'll mention the one that comes to my mind first then.

Side character- Emrys from In The Silence, Strength

Protagonist- Dr. Phineas Abel Thorncroft from The Masque Of Murder

Antagonist- Dante from Beyond The Pages (but he is also the protagonist)

And i can't really remember the last two.

when someone asks the dreaded, "what do you write about," question, what do you usually say?

Yknow, fantasy stuff with magic and murder mystery with actual murder and blood and stuff and all that hahah none of the stuffs that you like or understand or are interested in right? Hahah it totally doesn't have queer peoples. Just fictional stuff you don't wanna know hahaha.

Deadass.

who's the most unhinged?

Dr. Phineas Abel Thorncroft (from The Masque Of Murder), Acheron (from Legacy of Creation), Dante (from Beyond The Pages) and Eitenne Lumiere( from Wicked Games, Wicked Fates) from what i remember .

who comes the most naturally for you to write?

Vesperine, Cleo, Pareen

do you ever cringe at them?

Hahaha... sometimes..

how much control do you feel you have over your characters? do they ever "write themselves," refuse to cooperate, or do things you didn't expect? to what degree? are some less cooperative than others?

I feel like i have 70% control and 30% is something they do it themselves because i give them the freedom to do so. Because that is the story of my character and not of me, even if I am the one who wrote it. Sometimes the decision i make for them is not what they'd do.

do you enjoy people asking questions about your characters? and do you have a preferred means of receiving said questions? for example, as asks, as replies, as reblogs, as tag notes, as comments on ao3, etc.

Yes i absolutely love it please ask. Doesn't matter how just ask♡♡♡

what makes you want to follow another writeblr account? do you follow 'em as you see 'em, or take time scoping out the blog to make sure you align with its content? do you follow based on wips, or vibes?

I take time scoping out the blog to make sure i align with it's content. And i follow based on both, wips and vibes but mostly vibes.

what makes you decide against following?

If i don't align with the content or i don't fond the story interesting, i don't follow.

do you interact with non-mutual often?

Not often but i do.

do your mutuals' characters occupy space in your noodle?

There are so so many characters of my mutuals that i love love loveee but my memory rn isn't functioning at its best so i will just write whom i can remember rn.

The Madness, the lady and that guy from Foliè written by @drchenquill, my friend. Whose writing always leaves me with surprises and cliffhangers. She supports me so much i almost feel guilty 💕💕💕💕 i love you so much💖💖💖

@paeliae-occasionally Xanren, Marsh and Paeliae. I love their stories it captivated me. I hope you can tag me on their journey 👍, @cssnder, my first mutual whom i talked with so much courage that i almost didn't open tumblr the next day due to embarrassment and nervousness. Her works are like renaissance paintings, truly mesmerizing and beautiful. Thus Saith The Lord is truly a work of art and i hope i get to read it soon.😭 And also, @roarintheheavens , my new friend, I'm so happy. Vron Carson, he is very interesting and i can't wait to know more about him. And of course, @the-golden-comet, I'd very much like to read more about peter hart.

Just because i didn't mention everyone doesn't mean i don't appreciate your works, it's just that i haven't read them yet. I hope you all can send it to me. I'll definitely read it.

I'll tag @finickyfelix @willtheweaver @ascotwriting @agirlandherquill @leahnardo-da-veggie @illarian-rambling @winglesswriter @graveyardshift111

[letters-from-woodsboro]

messy freestyle review of the substance (2024)

i! love! this! movie! i love it so much! spoilers under the cut. if you haven't seen it and somehow missed any of the buzz, go watch it before you check out ANY reviews because this would make for a hell of a blind watch. ideally get some pals together for it as a group bonding activity even

first things first demi moore and margaret qualley bodied these roles (pun absolutely intended). they were the perfect choices to portray these characters. i've seen the term "career best" in reference to both their performances and i wholeheartedly agree

i love the over-the-top angle this movie takes. there's no escape from it, it's relentless, and it's supposed to be

seriously if you wanted this movie to be more subtle then you probs just wanted to be watching a different movie. and that's fine! this one isn't gonna hit for everybody! BUT it has a very clear vision and it takes you on that journey whether you like it or not

and yeah it's gross but again, that's the point which i think is so fuckin great. more gross movies. more movies that make you wince and shift in your seat. culturally we are at the PERFECT time to bring creature features back into the zeitgeist. anti-aging as body horror is such an incredible take

i've seen people say it's misogynistic in its portrayal of womanhood, with how elisabeth's backstory is never explored or anything, but that really does loop back into the "that would be a different movie entirely" thing i mentioned before. it wouldn't have added anything for me if we got to explore her backstory, because we are already getting such an intimate look into her psyche. im actually fine with her not having a feel-good arc about how she learns to love herself and dismantle the problems in her past that made her feel lesser-than

it's also just smart to avoid the specifics. part of the Point is that these thoughts and behaviors can take hold of anyone, regardless of age or beauty or status. elisabeth's lore isn't half as important as that, she could be anyone, but she is in the upper echelon of society to further drive home the thought that Anyone Can Feel That Way. i love this element of the film!

the scene near the end where sue goes absolutely batshit is maybe my favorite thing to come out of cinema in the past decade. only kind of a joke

btw while we're talking specific scenes. dennis quaid shrimp scene is the grossest one in the movie im being so fr

and the finale! the boob and the blood and the puddle. it was definitely A Lot. i think that's what the movie needed to really drive it home, something completely off the fuckin walls. as much as i was into sue killing elisabeth as a climactic moment in the story, i thought the hard steer into blood-drenched insanity was fuckin awesome. so goofy and so FUN while simultaneously being disgusting and heartbreaking

also not really related to any of the other ones but i loooove the environment in this movie. everything is so weird and uncanny, the little details are great! it sets you up right away with the "this is not what you're used to" feeling, the alternate modern-day thing is just a good time all around

my final score: 5 out of 5 activator shots in the single-use bottle. this was one of my only five star reviews on letterboxd this year. i cannot stress enough how much this movie actually fuckin rips. if you love body horror and you haven't seen it yet GET ON IT !!! i might write up another post abt the substance (drug not the movie) itself sometime because it has such fascinating implications. that's all for now tho :)

[altraviolet]

Could I ask for your thoughts on Last Bot Standing's ending? That tidbit intrigued when reading your post.

hahahaha. you wish to invoke my ire? my rage? *eyes clock* I wonder if I have enough time to do this before I have to leave for work

let's get the disclaimer out of the way: LBS is not for me. that's the proper thing you're supposed to say in this situation. my criticism is all extremely personal taste related. the story is cogently written, it's cogently drawn. it's An End to Transformers - that was its goal - and it fulfilled it.

so with that out of the way, I'll put my personal taste related ire beneath the cut. let's be honest, here. anger is entertaining, but it's not all that inspirational.

Second Disclaimer: I'm going completely off memory and I'm not going to cite my sources because I don't have time, but you all know where the tf wiki is. You can read the plot yourself and try to find the tweet I mention

First, a quick note on WHEN it came out, since that's important: IDW2 was coming to an end (they were losing or not renewing their TF license, whichever it was). Nick Roche wrote and drew LBS, and it was one of the very last things coming out from IDW. he described it as, per my memory of one of his tweets, the equivalent of "carrying your screaming kids out of the restaurant." Although this was done during IDW2, he specifically drew Rodimus (the main TF character) in his MTMTE form (from IDW1). Roche said that the story was meant to be "an" end to TFs, not "the" end. Meaning, yeah sure it's canon, but there are soooo manyyyyy dimensions out there. This doesn't have to be the end of MTMTE Rodimus.

but oh boy was it implied.

the story was 4 comics long and it went something like this: we're introduced to an alien girl on an alien planet towards the heat death of the universe (so, really far future). it's a Western style world. girl has a wagon, brothers, and conflict with the town she lives in. the planet has energon, which the natives find. this attracts the last living group of Cybertronians. surprise: the wagon is Rodimus. he wakes up and slaughters them all. he basically says Cybertronians have no fate but to fight: they are inherently violent and destroy everything they come across. so he's been killing them. he killed his own crew of friends when they landed on that planet. at the end of the story, when every single other Cybertronian in the entire universe is dead, he shoots himself up into orbit around the alien planet so he can slowly starve to death

that summary really doesn't do the emotional impact much justice, so, idk, read it if you want

when I finished the story, I sat back and thought, "wow, if I hated Transformers, this is what I would've written. but the guy who wrote this doesn't hate them. Nick Roche, who hurt you?"

and I had an immediate hypothesis. the 1986 movie. the movie slaughtered many beloved characters, and Roche was passing on that childhood hurt

lol. I mean, maybe. that's something we'll never know, but that was the first explanation I thought of

ok so why hate this?

it's fundamentally hopeless. there is nothing but slaughter and death. no recourse. no discussion, no chance for people to change. no further exploration of any other possible options. just slaughter and death. I, personally, hate that

any particular iteration of Rodimus you find- this isn't how he acts. MTMTE Rodimus ended LL uniting his crew into spectacular action by saying how they might not be good, but they're good enough

the portrayal of the entire species as inherently harmful bothers me

this was like, the LAST THING WE GOT FROM IDW. THIS WAS THE CROWNING, FINISHING ACT. LOL. what??? the fuck???????? to me it read as "well, we don't have them anymore, so no one else can have them. we'll destroy them."

now in an attempt to stymie anyone coming into replies and arguing with my opinions, remember: this is my opinion. I put it behind a cut after clearly labeling it. this is not a discussion. I don't want to have a discussion.

LBS is what I would've written if I hated Transformers and wanted them to suffer and die in the most personal, horrible ways possible. but I don't hate TFs. I really really like them. I love giving them stories. so LBS encapsulating the worst ending for them possible, yeah, I'm gonna hate that

[torchickentacos]

Being as you were a Percy Jackson kid, which god/dess do you think would be your parent if you were a demi-god?

I have not taken those buzzfeed quizzes since like ninth grade lol but I remember I always either got Aphrodite or Poseidon. I'm so rusty on these books because it's been so long, but I remember feeling very seen by the whole Poseidon thing. It's hard to tell how much of that was relating to poseidon stuff specifically and how much of it was just, like, Percy ALSO being an at-the-time middle schooler with authority issues lmfao. A lot of the percy jackson books rang true for me, especially the first series- I had one teacher who called me 'defiant and oppositional' and 'my own worst enemy' at every single turn, so I really related to the whole 'troubled kid' thing. It felt 1:1 and I think a lot of the kinship I felt with the poseidon cabin placement was probably moreso just 13 year old me feeling seen by a character for the first real time, and that character (Percy) was also in the poseidon cabin.

Sort of piggybacking off of the context of this ask and what prompted it though (HP, see my last post), this is why good representation and caring portrayals is IMPORTANT. I had a positive experience with the PJO series- it showed a troubled kid with a weird home life that was able to find strengths in the things that previously just got him in trouble most of the time. I was a little too old for this next experience (already knew I was bi for years before the nico stuff) but I know that a LOT of queer kids found solidarity with Nico DiAngelo as their first real introduction to queerness. I haven't kept up much but I know Rick Riordan has written a lot of queer and bipoc characters since and really leaned into his role of 'guy who makes middle schoolers whose best friends are their librarians feel understood'. I think contrasting that with other authors who have leaned more into 'I think trans people shouldn't exist', it's... you know. A stark difference. I think my positive experience of having been a PJO kid is part of why I feel so strongly about the HP thing. I've been on the receiving end of why good rep is important, and I can't imagine how I would have felt if I'd loved these books and Rick then went on twitter eight years later like 'yeah i think [group of people] should be denied medical care and not exist btw'. Ya know?

[yonduatemydad]

Intro Post!!

hi! my name is Grace and i’m a new creator here! i’ve been lurking here for a couple years off and on, but i decided i wanted to create content on here as well.

i don’t have any mutuals but would LOVE to get to talk to you guys! (please be my friend please be my friend please be my friend please be my-)

so, here’s a bit about me!

you can call me Grace or Gracie, either is fine! i’m a 16+ blog and go by she/her pronouns. i am a follower of Christ, but please do not let that deter you! i literally do not care what you do/believe (as long as you’re a good human being) because i believe in accepting everyone as they are, just as Jesus did! my faith is an important part of my identity, and if that’s not your cup of tea, i understand. i hope you have a great day! (btw, im major anti maga🤫)

if you’re sticking around, just know that i already love you! i literally love anyone that is nice to me (is that an issue? idk.) I’M NICE I PROMISE!! PLEASE!! DON’T LEAVE ME HERE BY MYSELF. PLEASE-

so what can we relate on? well, my favorite color is blue. i hate tea and can barely tolerate coffee. my favorite drink is water (boo, boring, loser). southern. still trying to find myself! lover of the men, hater of the man. i love to write. i love pop culture, so much so that im the family go-to on anything related. i love to draw! i’m good at sketching, but not painting :(

fun fact: i used to be an avid reader, but unfortunately lost the spark for it. i’ve been trying to get back into it but am struggling. does anyone have any good recommendations? i like historical fiction, books that challenge societal norms, and books that let me in on different perspectives.

so, what fandoms am i in?

well…

Marvel!!!! (i’m a real one guys i swear.) i love the X-Men, Guardians, Thunderbolts*, Defenders, and every other underrated group (and the OG 6, of course). my favorite characters are Deadpool, Yelena, and Star-Lord!! (btw, Zemo is the best villain and was the only truly successful one)

RED DEAD REDEMPTION!!! my favorite game to date, no other games come close. don’t worry, i played rdr1 before rdr2, im no cheater. i love Rip Van Winkle so much.

Star-Wars! am i a faker for not watching every single show they’ve produced? maybe, i don’t know. but i do know that i have seen every movie, most live action shows, and would DIE for Han, Obi-Wan, and my beloved Jyn.

Hunger Games! books > movies 1000000%! tbh, i haven’t watched all the movies 🤫 but ive sure read all the books!!! and yes, i do have Sunrise on the Reaping and could not WAIT to get my hands on it.

Favorite Music Artists/Bands!!!

1. BILLIE EILISH PIRATE BAIRD O’CONNEL.

2. Paris Paloma

3. Teddy Swims

4. sombr

5. Sabrina Carpenter

so yeah! i hope that maybe this interests you and we can become friends! as always, i love love love you!

have a great day, night, week, month, life!! :)

[cdroloisms]

If you're not already burnt out from analysis, do you have any thoughts on the Mexican L'Manberg debates?

hmm i have to rewatch the vod tbh it's been a bit--not many thoughts that haven't been regurgitated a million times though.

something that has always interested me is the whole dethronement debacle/mexican lmanburg debates in relation to how leadership has worked for the greater smp faction, largely because the dsmp was never meant to be a faction and the creation of the official kingship for c!Eret was very much in response to L'manburg at the time. and there is honestly quite a bit of conflict that rises from the fact that the greater dsmp faction was never really meant to have a king in the first place, and the confusion that would arise about what the role of the king even was supposed to be (especially as the idea of c!Dream having any kind of legitimacy was worn away over time.) it'd be an interesting meta to write if i could think of a way to word it all--but it's always fascinated me, in this conflict, how the progression of "he's in charge of the server, i'm in charge of the land" to c!Dream's no-mans-land position of leadership in the dsmp faction progresses as the server goes on is utilized in c!Quackity's favor to effectively block c!Dream out of the conversation (even with so much of this being quite directly an attack on dream in the first place.) something something being king of the dsmp comes with a level of restriction, yes, but also a level of protection--and while c!dream, viewed nebulously as a leader, was also subject to a certain level of restriction to a certain extent (see: his asserting that he couldn't publicly stand against schlatt because of the peace treaty between their two nations), the fact that his leadership was more de facto early on (because the dsmp faction wasn't yet a faction) as compared to the kingship, this conflict is a clear demonstration of how he doesn't have the same political sway as the dsmp king to be able to ask for quite the same level of protection (and hence, how his request for an apology in the peace treaty goes unheeded and how he ends up as a trading piece in the negotiations.)

otherwise, mexican lmanburg definitely has a lot in terms of echoes of c!wilbur and the lmanburg narrative, particularly regarding c!dream's view on factions, which is interesting--c!dream has never actually been "anti-people doing what they want in a group," but of course that's how things ended up being popularly seen because. gestures. and of course, there's the whole idea that every single conflict on the server ever was initiated by c!dream which...again, lmao. along those lines:

[thinks abt lmanburg. a lot] yeah.

and lastly...this isn't really just a mexican lmanburg thing, but c!dream around this time was kinda known to reacting to threats by basically doing the thing where he would make like, a laundry list of threats, right, just really over-the-top stuff that would freak people out like hell, right? we see it in exile negotiations, we see it in mexican lmanburg debates--

and you know, they've regularly been pointed to as you know, look how crazy evil he is an how he overreacts to shit and etc, whatever. and it does interest me how these speeches are quite similar in pattern to moments post-prison as well:

specifically being quite consistent with moments where he's feeling, well, a bit unstable. it's an intimidation tactic that c!dream has long used, of course (white flags speech is a well-known example) but it's interesting to see it often in context of c!dream being to some degree, scared (or paranoid)--even in white flags, that was obviously a conflict that c!dream treated seriously that was quite a bit different in character from conflicts that preceded it on the server and therefore demanded a greater level of wariness and caution from him. always interesting, to me, the ways that certain actions for c!Dream are so deeply related to fear, feeling attacked (compared to, say, c!sam who would do the whole I Am The Warden power play against anyone that he felt challenged his authority)

very very scattered thoughts, but um--yeah! i really should rewatch this stream especially bc the transcript is incomplete, but alas

[fishipocalypse]

Canto 6 possible literary reference other than Wuthering heights?

Canto 6 already ended a while ago but I’ve recently got a thought on it which I’ve already shared with some mutuals but I thought ehh, why not make a blog post on it.

This doesn’t really relate to the plot all that much and more about the literary references used in canto 6 that isn’t confirmed yet still gave me those vibes yk. But either way they still kind of count as spoilers so It’ll be under the cut for those who haven’t got there.

LONG RANT!! I REPEAT, LONG RANT WARNING!!

It’s noted that there’s many similarities with erlking Heathcliff and those abnos based on the little red riding hood fable, as well as the clear reference to the erlkonig of course and the possibility of the hunt being a reference to the fox hunting sport popular in many parts of europe (unrelated but calling it a “sport” specifically when they do it not for food or pest reasons and only for the thrill of killing a fox is very unjust) but I’ve also noticed another potential reference.

So this is going to be a far fetched stretch and I don’t know if anyone else mentioned or thought of it before but certain bits of canto 6 really, REALLY, reminded my favourite childhood novel of mine: Watership Down.

I might just be delusional but like there really were a lot of similarities that I noticed between specific plot lines. And also considering Watership Down was one of the best selling novels of all time during its golden years it’s not that surprising if Project Moon included them right??

For those who don’t know; Watership Down is essentially a book about rabbits who, after one of them receives some kind of prophetic dream of destruction, leave their home warren to go in search of a new one. It sounds like a generic enough plot but it also tackles into topics of death and grief, the cruelty of nature, fjking politics, how much humans take their joys for granted and most importantly for me it’s also about acceptance. It’s a great book (and also old animated movie if you don’t want to take the time in reading, there’s a full one available on youtube) but that’s not the topic of discussion in this rant.

Now I’m not sure how to word this as it’s late into 3 AM as I write this so here’s a list of points and comparisons on why I think the reference might be there, more specifically on the erlking and the dead rabbits gang.

The Erlking and General Woundwort: General Woundwort is the Chief Rabbit of an opposing warren called Efrafa who is driven to attempt a siege on the down due to hatred and vengeance. The Erlking is of course very similar in being the “leader” of the Dead Rabbits and also having the same motivations by leading the hunt. Also noted that there is an implication I think that Woundwort wasn’t the original chief and got his position from some shady way.

The Dead Rabbits Gang and Efrafa Warren: Many members of The Efrafa, especially the lower class rabbits were actually kidnapped, trapped, forced or tricked into joining the warren. Similar to those mad rabbits who turned out to be T corp citizens who were experimented on. Plus they’re rabbits, obviously.

The Hunt and The Siege: This one is self explanatory but yeah. Both ends led their armies to attack a single, smaller-in-number group who pissed them off slightly lol. And both ended terribly.

Dante; Hazel and Heathcliff; Bigwig: Basically a comparison of characters. Dante being similar to Hazel and Heathcliff being similar to Bigwig. With Dante/Hazel starting off as inexperienced amateur leader who over time started to become more familiar with the traits of their group and soon adapted and developed their charisma. And Heathcliff/Bigwig being the more experienced and stubborn one who is doubtful at the beginning for their leader’s competence, but warms up and trusts them in the end. Plus that interaction with Heathcliff and Dante at the stairs part before they slowed down time can be compared to Hazel and Bigwig’s convo before Hazel made the run.

Woundwort’s Quote: One of General Wounwort’s quotes is “I fear no elil, I am the elil!”. With “elil” meaning “predator” or any carnivorous animal in rabbit language. Woundwort flipping the prey and predator roles can be compared to The Erlking, leader of the rabbits, hunting down our Heathcliff who is symbolised as a hound with his distortion.

There might be more, but for now those were the only comparisons I remember. I like to think of it kind of in the same way that Demian is not only a reference to himself as his book counterpart but at the same time is also a reference to La Petit Prince/The Little Prince. A dual reference!

though I might just be stretching it. What do you guys think? I’d love to hear thoughts :,)

[olderthannetfic]

https://www.tumblr.com/olderthannetfic/732541520071344128/this-isnt-an-attempt-to-restart-ace-discourse

I think sometimes it’s just that people are personally tired of headcanons that don’t draw from text or subtext in general — and IME this is less because of people who are aware there’s nothing “suggesting that” in canon but are doing it anyway and having fun, and more people who are insisting it IS there and anyone who disagrees is X-phobic or stereotyping whatever. Unfortunately the way they talk about this, the posts and complaining don’t always make that particular distinction clear.

But I think if you are ONLY singling out ace headcanons for this and not other kinds, then there’s probably some bigotry going on, yeah.

There’s a person in my fandom who is insistent that this one character is autistic based on their wild misread of both him and autism criteria. When pressed the best they can do is “he’s autistic because of [stuff that is explained in canon as being due to other factors]” or “he’s not NOT autistic” but then berate other people for being ableist and stereotyping for not agreeing with their views. As an autistic person myself I both disagree with that person and also am tired of people saying I’m somehow self hating for disagreeing with them about a fictional character lol. So being annoyed by that doesn’t mean you’re not part of the group. I honestly kind of think that even the well meaning stuff is a case often of people fixating too hard on the idea of “relatability” and not considering that they can identify with a character who doesn’t share EVERYTHING with them. But if people were just hcing characters I didn’t see that way as autistic and not being pushy I’d just roll my eyes, decide their fic is not for me, and move on.

Anyway the funnier thing is this one person is an anti vaxxer… yeah you’re def in a position to call autistic people self-hating ableists over fandom nonsense while supporting an ideology that very objectively harms us and many others! Lol

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