#so instead of being frustrated

[malyen0retsev]

one of the most liberating things about getting older is realising nothing really matters, and i don't mean that in a 'everything is pointless and futile' way, i mean that in a 'it's really not that deep, you'll be fine' kind of way. things feeling overwhelming and impossible is purely because you haven't developed the tools to deal with them yet, and in a couple of years you'll have those tools and look back and go 'oh what the hell, that was nowhere near as complicated as i thought it was'. and far from that feeling frustrating, it's liberating. it's a joy to know you're always learning and getting better and getting stronger and the path to where you are now has been paved with many mistakes but you survived them because honestly? none of those mistakes really mattered in the long run anyway, you got through them, and so you'll get through whatever comes your way next too

[burningcheese-merchant]

Daddy/daughter versus

Panna Cotta rearranged all the books in the Spire to suit her extremely narrow and uncompromising personal tastes and that is an affront to Shadow Milk and his own extremely narrow and uncompromising personal tastes or something idk

@justn0t and I agree that Burning Spice (sadistic tyrant) being a loving and attentive father and Shadow Milk (charismatic entertainer) being a deadbeat asshole is extremely funny in a dark and ironic sort of way lol

[lucabyte]

So does anybody else ever think about how Loop felt the need to demonstrate that the party's deaths wouldn't have any effect on the loops. I know I do but that's besides the point. Anyway I don't think Loop actually needs to bathe, they just like to feel included.

[consultingfujoshi]

everyone else is giving their take on this so I feel as if I should too. I am angry about burt and irving now having two almost-kisses and them still finding a reason for them to never close that gap. like, yea it makes narrative sense that neither of those scenes contained a kiss, it's compelling even, if I view it objectively I actually love that because I care deeply about these characters and want them to be written realistically and with nuance.

but I am not gonna sit here and pretend that I'm fine with how this compares to the straight couples that have had so much more this season. if burt and irving's story existed in a bubble where markhelly and all the rest didn't serve as points of comparison I don't think I'd be half as upset at the way this ended. I'd be able to appreciate the impact of their being unable to kiss TWICE now in different universes because of forces outside of their control without looking across at every. single. other. couple. who are all straight. and going. why do they get that and we don't. why is it only the gay couple that have to be written "realistically" where they're still not ready to kiss. why can allowances and indulgences be made for dramatic effect for EVERYONE except them. I don't know if it's intentional homophobia, or queerbait, or if they're really just that squeamish about the idea of two old men kissing each other, but the double standard is there no matter the motivation behind it. and when you combine that with irving's innie being effectively killed off four episodes into the second season, and now his outie potentially written out of the show too, all I'm saying is it becomes hard to give them the benefit of the doubt.

we're all aware john turturro may not return for another season and that's why they felt the need to wrap up irving's two storylines somehow so they weren't left on a loose end should he decide not to come back, and I get that, and I'm glad there was some sense of finality to it, but then why not allow us just this one thing. just one moment of indulgence. because it might actually be our, and their, last chance. would it have killed them to just let them kiss this one time if there was a chance we'd never see them again, a chance they'd never see each other again. the truth is, no, it wouldn't have been hard at all. but they still made the decision to withhold that. because they can't allow us or them even the most basic kindness whilst handing the straight couples everything on a silver platter.

I'm not gonna get into the pacing issues of their relationship this season, how we jumped from them shyly asking each other out on another date to burt carrying out the hit on irving, how there feels like a missing scene in between those two events, because that relates to a wider problem with the structure of the show itself that is beyond the scope of this criticism. but i think it's telling that rather than giving us that extra time with them, they took a whole episode away from our main cast where even cobel got to kiss a one off male character that we will never hear from or see of again, and the supposed flagship romance of season 1 can't even get that. at what point am I allowed to call that thing in the corner that looks, acts, and talks like a duck a fucking duck?

if it sounds like I'm bitter, and jealous, it's because I am. because whether or not the double standard is intentional or not, it's still there. and I really did think a show that was able to present such special, compelling, meaningful queer characters would be a little more self aware about the message they're sending. and it fucking sucks that this has become just another show where I have to swallow my frustration and accept that they're not writing this for me. I and my fellow queer audience will never be the priority. even now we are still begging for scraps

[towardstars]

i just can’t seem to get him right so here’s more random sketches from stuff I never will finish

[tea-cat-arts]

I simply think this fandom doesn't give Wei Wuxian enough credit for the various ways in which he saved Lan Wangji

[kerizaret]

I know i like to joke around that haha tsukasa scared of bugs haha funny loser, but please do remember and be mindful of people irl with fears that might seem silly or petty to you, because you never know how it truly makes them feel

[julesnichols]

Okay okay we all know how God tier the idea of Mark Scout/Helena hatesex is, but hear me out:

What about Mark Scout wanting to be rough with Helena, but being incapable of it? What about him becoming increasingly frustrated with himself because he can only be gentle with someone whose company ruined his life, as far as he's concerned?

[citrusducky]

Another day another 3 hours I stare at the wall and think about how well Furudate implies the depth of Hinata’s inner monologue from the very beginning— yes, he’s stupid, yes, he’s silly and goofy and a blinding optimist a good 90% of the time, but he was counting the minutes from his very first official match. But he had to remind himself not to be intimidated by Kageyama at Karasuno. But he sees Asahi and respects and admires him so much, all while envying his stature and power, something he doesn’t even say out loud before Kageyama clocks him on it.

It’s so important to me that he comes across as excitable and bubbly while still possessing the usual vat of flaws for a 15 year old; insecurity, jealousy, greed. These things are believable, too, and relatable. You can look at him and understand where his envy comes from.

(+ the “as long as I’m here, you’re invincible” coming AFTER Kageyama’s attempt at dismantling Hinata’s envy because if you can’t see your own worth now I hope you can at least see it when I’m at your side supporting you. Don’t even joke.)

[roots-symphony]

The parallels at the end between Helly and Gemma are messing me up

Helly throwing the speaker at Mark/ Gemma hitting the doctor with the chair

Helly running through the halls to get to the stairs while being chased/ Gemma running through the halls to get to the elevator while being chased

Helena turning back around and going inside each time Helly tried to leave/ Ms. Casey turning around to get back on the elevator after Gemma tried to leave

Mr. Milchick being there to greet Helena and encourage her to turn around/ Mr. Milchick being there to greet Ms. Casey and encourage her to turn around

Helly waking up in the elevator and falling to the ground after her suicide attempt/ Gemma waking in the elevator and sliding to the ground after her escape attempt

Helly being greeted by Mark who has been like her guide/ Gemma being greeted by the nurse who has been like her guide

Idk it’s not one-for-one but I just think it’s interesting. The illusion of choice. None of Gemma’s innies have a choice in what will happen to them, not even a chance at rebellion. Gemma herself has more options than them and can even try to fight back, but ultimately is just as trapped. Helly may not know the outside world, but she has more chances to affect it and try to escape, but that doesn’t mean anything because she’s trapped too. Helena seems to have all the choices but is caged just the same, by her name, by her family, by the company. When Helena tries to exert her choice to not go back to the severed floor, she is just as easily rebuffed as Ms. Casey pausing on her way to the elevator.

Lumon’s control is all encompassing at each level, but the further down it goes, the more literal it becomes. Lumon is a cult with their hands in multiple industries. It’s all well and good to rule by fear and unspoken threats and devotion, but it is not infallible. But take away peoples agency? Subjugate people without any ability to know better or speak on their own behalf?

Helena knows her duty, knows where exactly she stands, knows what is at stake, and, most importantly, knows to fear. So she walks back into that elevator even after the second attempt on her life.

Ms. Casey knows nothing but to do as she’s told. So she walks back into that elevator and asks what she’s like out there despite the arrow pointing down.

Hey, don’t want to go through the agonizing process of birth? Or a root canal? Or flying? Don’t worry, with this simple procedure, none of that pain or discomfort will touch you ever again. And what do we get out of it? Don’t worry about it.

Imagine how much easier it is to get followers for your cult when they willingly walk into your house. The whole world will be Kier’s children.

[centipedetea]

its killing me that spamton is going thru that situation where people hate woobifying fanon so much that they lean too far in the opposite direction and create fanon 2 where he's cartoonishly evil for no reason

[rawliverandgoronspice]

I'm glad totk has no connection to the previous ganon (oot-onwards) because it would totally ruin him as a character.

Honestly I consider totk ganondorf separate even from botw, because I do love the idea of botw ganon being a completely self-dehumanized, seething, eldritch representation of this ageless grudge no one has any context for anymore, so he might as well be understood as a natural disaster or a vicious plague. I find this incredibly juicy!! Buuuut to me it only works within the context of a dozen other games building the ground up for this goopy, demonic, hateful incarnation with too many limbs and far too many angry eyes.

If you decide to connect BotW Ganon to TotK Ganondorf however.... like. I'm sorry, but. Sir, you are not this angry. You have zero reason to be anywhere near this level of rancor. You haven't even been stabbed, ever!!!! You never had your wish ripped out from under you!!!! You have never been forced to rot away in the void while fully aware of every agonizing second for centuries, not even a single time!!!! Rauru merely grounded you so you'd have your little power nap (:>), and then you woke up with renewed energy to topple down the other kid's sand castle just because it's fun to watch him cry. And honestly TotK Ganondorf does kind of feel like a toddler, gleeful to discover his own capacity for destruction for the first time. Which. I guess that could have been, something? I don't know, to me it's still pretty stupid and inconsistent honestly. But either way, that is not Dislocated Screeching Essence of a Mad Pig material.

TotK Ganondorf has no grudge, and as far as we know (which is insane!!!! this guy's core characterization is envy, yet he doesn't have this corrosive toxic energy at all in totk!!! he's far too happy to be here and break stuff just because, and like sir you are a grown man you've been a king for decades what are you so giddy aboutttt), the worse he had to suffer through in totk, as far as the game tells us, was a temporary humiliation. Which could absolutely be motivating for sure, but it feels very human and political and measured. Not "I will shred my own skin and forget my own name and suffer death a thousand times over just to show you all the depths of my hate" levels of fury. Again, to remove our familiarity to the character as players cheapens decades of buildup, and!!!!!!! anyway. Anyway.

anyway.

[local-cryptid]

when tech finds out who blew up the marauder

[grasshopperdoingdogpaddle]

[toadettely]

*giggles* we have "sugar daddy" Brent, while in Skill & Spill I have Nick with tons of money and filling the donation jar at King's Roast all by himself.

Does my silly brain think he would PAY Vern to wear a maid dress at the Cafe AND pay for the dress?

Does Vern agree and watch Nick stumble over his words as he enters the Cafe?

Does Brent want to bury himself as he works with Vernias, who wears the most ridiculous pink maid dress with FUCKING BUNNY EARS? (Which Nick also paid for??)

Yes.

(just thoughts, not in the story. But I like stupid lil ideas.)

Cut because I UNINTENTIONALLY MADE A DRABBLE TwT (this is why I am Starry's kid. I type something simple, want to write a short thing, point something out, get an idea that is very good... and then - BOOM... I start to over-analyse and my fingers start their own life on the keyboard.)

Nick opened the door of the Cafe, ready to announce his presence with a stupid joke he'd prepared. The door fell shut behind him as he stopped and froze in place. He felt like he was planted on the floor. Unable to move a single muscle.

His eyes caught the pink haired barista. Those white bunny ears on his head- Nick had seen them before. - Nick had bought them.

Vernias had kept his word. Nick didn't want to believe it. It was like he lost a bet. Nick never lost a be-

/

Pink Bubby: will wear them as soon as they arrive! ^^ No joke. I want to see your reaction!!! :)

/

The message. Vernias had replied to him with this stupid message. Right after Nick sent him a screenshot that showed he had ordered the bunny ears. They - as always, like everything he bought for his favourite barista - were delivered to an address that wasn't Vernias'.

Nick didn't know that it was always Brent's PO box the packages were delivered to.

Nick didn't know that Brent saw the package and rolled his eyes with an annoyed sigh.

It wasn't the first time Brent picked up a package for his friend colleague. But Vernias' smile when Brent handed him the packages made it all worth it. (And the two dollars Vern gave him in return-)

Nick didn't know that Vernias giggled with a wide grin when Brent handed him this one package.

And how Vernias stood in front of his mirror with the bunny ears neatly placed on his head, fixing his skirt. Vernias posed like he was in a photoshoot, the urge to send Nick a picture making him twitch and sigh as he looked at his reflection. The short dress wasn't helping.

/

Nick stood in his place in the middle of the Cafe. Like he was in a trance.

Vernias had noticed him instantly. His head turned toward the door when he heard the jingle of the bell above it. And Vernias smirked as he saw the ever so expressive ghostly daisy.

Brent sighed to himself, knowing this was going to go down horribly bad- .

Vernias didn't greet Nick. Because Nick didn't greet them. Because Nick didn't drop a single dumb word as he entered.

Because Vernias knew.

He placed two plates on a table with customers he knew by first name.

Nick stopped breathing at the view of Vernias' maid dress.

/

You: The pink one?

Pink Bubby: Yeah. I like pink :3

You: I know. But I'll only pay the rest if I get to see it in person.

Pink Bubby: You will, King.

Nick slammed his phone on the couch. One hand covered his mouth. His face was feeling way too warm. And his mind played tricks on him.

/

Brent grinned as he cleaned a cup.

This was going to go down horribly bad-

For Nick.

As much as Brent felt somewhat embarrassed by Vernias' outfit - Brent understood what was going on. Why Vernias chose to dress up like this.

He had noticed the exchanged glances between the confident toxicity and the cheerful beam. Since his third day working at the King's Roast, Brent was aware of the tension between these two. No, not the tension - rather the feelings.

Which was weird because Brent hated feelings. Hated the expression of emotions.

But his third shift was quite delightful and the night of this very day made him change his opinion on people and feelings. Just slightly. Just coincidentally. Just because of them.

Despite all of that, him picking up packages from Nick that were addressed to Vernias made him want to vomit.

Nick took a deep breath and stepped to the counter. Vernias was chatting with the two people he served and Brent had his back turned toward him.

Nick tried - really tried - to keep his head and eyes turned away from the Kirby Barista. It remained an attempt: his eyes studying the dress Vernias wore.

The cup was clean but Brent didn't turn around to meet Nick's focused eyes. "I want to punch you for making him wear that."

"I'd punch myself, too." Nick's voice was a mumbled whisper, filled with frustration and regret and followed by a quiet sigh.

Vernias and the two customers giggled, having heard every word. One of them whispered to Vernias:

"I told you the idea would be amazing, Pretty Pink Bunny."

Brent rolled his eyes and prepared an extra strong espresso. The person that was going to get it added twenty dollars into the donation jar before turning on his heel to leave the Cafe.

...

(BONUS:

"Leaving already, King?"

Nick didn't turn around, his hand on the door. He was grpping it so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Do you want me to?" He hissed, not turning around, teeth gridded, voice way to high-pitched.

"No. Never." Vernias smirked.

Nick walked to his usual table slowly and while looking to the ground. Vernias stepped back behind the counter and took the espresso out of Brent's hands.

"He needs something sweet right now."

Brent wanted to bury himself.

Nick smiled in his chair.

Almost like he won a bet.)

[ceemi]

i think amy should get to kill for her little brother