#sorry to the folks in my inbox

[bazpango]

FSOTC - Ch 11: Hideki Ryuga

[inumbrapugnabimus-maybe]

May I request a drawing of Four? I love them so much they’re my little skrunkly and I would love to see them in your art style :3

Very late to this but phone doodle!!! He is the little guy ever tbh

[ifindus]

what do you think the nordics would wear if they where to get married?🕊️

This! 👇

Norway - the western suit is probably the most common wedding attire in Norway, but many people choose to get married in bunads as they are very expensive clothes reserved for special occasions anyway. Norway would definitely wear a bunad to get married in.

Iceland - breaks more with tradition and chooses more modern options instead of the western suit and tie. A nice pair of trousers and a west with earthy tones to tie in with his outdoorsy life.

Denmark - "the most continental nordic" goes for the classic black suit but spices it up with a bow-tie instead of a tie.

Sweden - the western suit and tie for Sweden as it's the most common there as well, but he strays from the black and chooses blue colours for his wedding outfit.

Finland - a more modern suit and bow-tie situation with a dark green shirt, improved for a winter wedding with a thicker coat over. According to @/nordickies there are some instances where Finns will wear their traditional clothing for weddings, however I could not find many photos of this, but many photos of winter weddings, so that's what inspired his look.

[bannock-freak]

"shipping saiki is aphobic because he's aroace!"

stares at you with my demiromantic asexual in a committed relationship eyes then looks at the camera like im in the office

[dailyhtfboards]

Wait can you show the storyboard from when flippy wore the skin of shifty?

Yeah sure, there’s only one board of that actually. Unless you count this one of him striking a funni lil pose!!

I really like his funni little pose. (From TV episode 4A Easy for you to Sleigh)

[tillywunderwing]

asking on anon while not being shy just to break your rules. fuck you <3

anyways: the moment after Rising Phoenix where Handler renamed Pebbles

-your favorite blue-green orb

pretty bird... love you too "anon" <3

alt under the cut

been a bit under the weather today so i had to take my (mild) misery out on a fictional character, naturally. sorry reggie. someone had to take one for the team

[painted-bees]

Help my family. War is devastating. There is nothing left to live. No schools, no universities, no home, and no dreams. All dreams have been shattered. I hope for help before it is too

okee lads, this one appears to have been vetted no. 176 on this verified fundraisers sheet. They've currently raised 25k euros of the 37k they need, so if you've got some currency burning a hole in your pocket, here's a very helpful place for it:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dydb36-gaza-palestine

Since we're here, please take a look a the other fundraisers on that spreadsheet as well. Many voices are crying out and I know it's been going on for a while but we can't allow ourselves to relegate it into becoming a background white noise. Please help all those you can; peace finds you in the act of doing so.

[ratinayellowbandana]

Hello! Can I request a number 22 "Do you trust me?" "I don't know." from the angst prompt list if this appeals to you at all?

Best of luck with getting back into the grove, I look forward to reading anything new <3

hi! thank you very very much for this prompt - it's delicious. might even reuse it for another idea I have rolling around. i hope you enjoy how this one turned out; it was a great warm-up piece and i got to play around with second person (very sorry if that's not your thing). and on a personal note - I'm a huge fan of yours, so this was a wild ask to wake up to!

cw: mild gore, self-doubt

length: ~1250 words

~~~

You watch as Imogen steps forward. Once. Twice. Her head tilts, and her eyes narrow. Another step. You back away. Your chest is heaving. Why are you shaking? The cold calculation in Imogen’s gaze is unfamiliar. You have been reduced to an object—a threat to be sized up before you are dispatched by those capable hands. And, in a way, you are, aren’t you? A threat. An object. A strung-out puppet without a home.

She is-was-could-be your home, you think. Maybe. She has been. At least, you want to believe that is the truth of it. But how can you be sure? Home has always been an abstraction to you, a thing kept just out of sight, dangled like a lure bobbing just beneath the surface, tempting you up from the depths. It remains just out of reach, it seems. You feel yourself sinking, sinking back into the places the sun cannot reach. It’s safe there, you have learned. The shadows protect you. They are just as much a part of you as the scars that litter paper-thin skin, reminders of rising a little too close to the warm-bright world above.   

Imogen’s stare is piercing, the faint purple glow radiating faintly, only detectable in the darkness. Two pinpricks of violet that bore into you from a safe fifteen paces away. 

Jagged rocks loom, emerge from the ceiling, the walls, like fingers crooking accusingly in your direction. The heel of your shoe catches on a massive hooked chain, snaking and coiling and disappearing in and out of the shadows. Mist curls around your ankles. Hands clutch at a corseted chest as if fabric and boning could freeze the magic leaking from taloned fingertips. 

“This isn’t me,” you swear, and the words sound hollow, distant, echoing, like the air is swallowing them up before they leave your lips.

“It isn’t,” Imogen replies sardonically, but her hands remain pinched at her hips, a faint crimson flickering at her fingertips. “Did you do this?”

Your brow furrows. Three crackling purple spheres appear overhead, and the mist thins. Shriveled corpses sprawl across the stone floor between you. Their skin is ashy and gray, lips dried and drawn back in wild grins that reveal stained, rotting teeth. Bulging eyes too wide for their sockets, bloodshot and unseeing, stare vacantly at the ceiling. Stiff fingers curl into claws, digging into bodies contorted and frozen in expressions of agony. 

“No,” you say, “no, of course not.” You shift back, away, away, and stumble over a red-robed thigh. “I wouldn’t,” you insist. 

“No?”

You repeat, “I wouldn’t. I–”

“How would you know?” Imogen’s tone is cool, “If you did.” She steps over one mangled body, tutting, thunderously calm. A spark flashes in her fist.

“I–”

“You wouldn’t know, would you? If it was you.” She pauses, stares. Her words are biting. “You told me yourself. Maybe it was Delilah.” You shrink back, away, away, until your back hits the jagged wall, and you relish in the pain because it means that something is solid. The fog in your head is thick, clouding, as Imogen stalks toward you. “Is there a difference anymore?” 

A chill runs through you, and the beautiful new corset you wear seems to constrict around your chest, squeezing, strangling. Imogen doesn’t believe you. She doesn’t believe you, and if she doesn’t believe in you, can you believe yourself? She was your home, once, (right?) but the foundation is cracked, leaking ichor and electricity that fries your toes. You need to know. Suddenly, it is the most important thing in the world. Imogen’s confidence in your goodness. That something in you is worth saving. Worth something. (There must be something.)  

“Do you trust me?” Your voice is thick, rattling, when you whisper through dusty cords. 

Imogen is five paces away, now, and moving closer as you press all you can into the wall. Perhaps you could become a fossil for the next generation of adventurers to find. Compressed and hardened between shale and mineral and away, away from piercing violet. Imogen studies you, unmoving, untouching. 

“I don’t know,” she says at last. She brings a hand up to grasp your chin, and you flinch. You have never flinched from her before. (You haven’t.) Her grip is firm. “Should I?”

“Yes,” you say, desperate. “Yes. Please.” Because you need her to understand so badly you could tear your heart from your chest and lay it at her feet if only so she would know it’s there. 

“You hurt us. You hurt your friends, Laudna. Look at them.” She releases your chin and spreads her arms.

Bathed in dim purple light, the corpses wear the clothes of your companions. (Have they always looked like this?) Fearne in FCG’s tattered coat, seafoam hair limp and stringy. Bor’dor, his green shawl stained dark with ichor. Chetney, his throat torn out. Orym, bruised, with Seedling and the Summit Blade fallen at his side. Ashton, arm in pieces.

“I didn’t.” You sound uncertain even to yourself. 

Imogen scoffs. “Running away again?” (Again?)

Always running. You always run. It has always been easier to run. It would be easier to run. (Why can’t you run?) You want to run away. You cannot go far from Imogen. (Can’t you?) The wall is moving. (The wall shouldn’t be moving. Walls can’t move. Why is the wall moving? Are you moving? Are you? A r e  y o u) 

“This is your fault.”

Your tongue refuses to move. It sits limp in your mouth like rotting meat. Sour. Disgusting. Useless, useless. Imogen doesn’t believe you. Doesn’t believe in you. Did you do this? This is your fault. Your fault. Your fault. Your fault your fault your fault your fault your fault

You shudder and gasp, and suddenly, Imogen is holding you, but that cannot be right because she doesn’t trust you and why should she because who are you if you are not yourself and maybe you are just Delilah but how can you be sure and and and 

“Hey, woah,” Imogen croons near your ear. “Hey, you’re all right; you’re okay. I’ve got you.”

Stale cavern air that tastes of death and decay floods your lungs, and you heave. Your hands and knees scrape against the floor. You need to get away, away. Away from her. You need to run. Before you hurt anyone. Before you hurt her. 

“Okay, hey, you’re okay, honey. Dominox got you good, huh?” 

Your vision darkens, and your ears ring, and your teeth lengthen.

“What’d you see?” Chetney crows. 

Imogen’s arms tighten around you, and you stiffen.  

“Give her a minute.” 

You shake your head against Imogen’s chest. Bits of debris lodge in your palm, and you savor the sting. Dark hair hangs in a curtain where it has been torn loose. 

“Take your time,” Imogen murmurs. Her eyes are not glowing; her hands do not spark. They trace small circles along your back where you can still feel the imprint of sharp stone, and you shiver at the dissonance. “It wasn’t real, Laudna. Whatever it was, it was the demon messin’ with your head.” 

A shaky exhale escapes your lips. “Do you trust me?” 

“What?” Imogen pulls away slightly to meet your wide eyes. She hesitates. Her mind presses against yours. You can feel her skimming, paging through your surface thoughts like a stone over water before she settles, bobbing, tempting. 

“Is it her?” Orym asks warily. 

“I think so,” Imogen says, but she remains intently focused, searching.

You repeat yourself through the weight that has settled low in your stomach. “Do you trust me?” 

“I… Why are you askin’ me that?”  

[gay-little-izzet]

Is there art of Tezzeret post dark steel body?

You’ve probably seen it by now, but yep!

[rush-the-stars]

no no speak UP for the people 🎤 give us the details of reader vash nai fic

uh oh bestie in my ask box harassing me……….,.

SINCE YOU DEMANDED!

cw: incest, noncon

reader is vash and nai’s older “sister” and as apart of nai’s greater scheme to create more independents, he forces vash and reader to have sex..,..,it sounds v gross and like it is. but also not. like it’s v weepy and gentle and intimate and also gross. you know. it’s not a violent thing. it’s ab the guilt and also the freedom of the act. you understand.

here’s a snippet:

[crossbackpoke-check]

Looks like that video is about a month & a half after The Trade and trevors broken ankle 😣

re: this video… anon 😭 i had suspicions but it is so much worse to have them confirmed that really was like. trevor’s first Public Appearance without jamie AND post-broken ankle which is traumatic in and of itself no wonder every beat reporter was like ‘oh yeah trevor’s just devastated’

wouldn’t you be miserable too if your best friend just got traded and your body betrayed you and what if it was maybe all your fault!!!

[herebecritters]

Ritual

[wundrousarts]

Various Wundersmith thoughts and things I've noticed after rereading the book for yet another time:

This one is significantly longer and a little bit more random than my recent Nevermoor reread, but who cares 🤷 the more the merrier!

There are things both serious (theories, thematic parallels, etc.) and silly (jokes, personal reactions). This time around I discovered the annotations feature in Apple Books and had a lot of fun with that, so I'll try to include the bits I highlighted when necessary. Enjoy!

— I don't mean to have a shippingbrain, but it feels impossible to view Jupiter and Israfel as anything but exes/folks that had a Thing in the beginning, omg.

—— Israfel throwing the "old friend" back at Jove..... my note for this one was "#gay"

— I like the interest Mog has in Bohemia, and I'm interested based on that one Silverborn snippet for her to return (and eventually explore other parts of the city as well)

— Jupiter referring to the junkies as "they're not patrons of the fine arts" feels like a nice little set up for the Museum later on. Thought of and admired as an art piece, but the rich folks at the auction don't actually care about the work put into it.

— Do you think the folks at Wunsoc that organize the little show that welcomes 919 are a little peeved that the Fireblossom's being reignited means that they can't perch creepily in them anymore lol.

— I wonder if the Wunsoc Oath has a pre- or post- Massacre origin

“The nature of Miss Crow’s unusual –" she paused, seeming to catch herself before calling it a ‘knack’ – "situation.” (Ch2)

—— Elder Quinn hesitates to refer to Mog's power as a knack, so I wonder if that's just a general thing of Wundersmithery being different, or if knacks are a post-Massacre categorization

— I love how this book really starts to solidify the theme of family in Nevermoor... Wunsoc, her Unit, the Deucalion, Wundersmiths, the Crows, her mother..... AAAHHHH!!! I can't wait to see where it all goes.

— A "note sealed with silver wax" from "the Celes-" ..... YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!!! 😁😁😁

—— Likely about Cassiel but even that and beyond could tie into a lot of other Silverborn Theories..... Noelle..... The Silver District....... I will keep this all in mind

—— Also, updating my SIlverborn Masterpost posthaste ✍️✍️✍️

— It likely doesn't matter and will never be explained, but I wonder if the room between student's houses and their hometrain station is part of the Gossamer, and like a thin place between worlds

— Miss Cheery's first outfit is so y2k I need to draw her. It makes sense because she's like 20 in this book.

— The Wunsoc circle diagram has always interested me since I first read it. I wonder if the size of the circles ever means anything??

—— Could it relate to the probability (?) of the knacks? Mundane is the most common to occur, Arcane more specialized, and then Wundersmiths are very, very rare

—— Something I often forget is that folks in Wunsoc that weren't Wundersmiths have always existed. Were there more than 9 of them in each year? Were there always 9 non-Wundersmiths? Did the trials always exist? What was the relationship between non-Wundersmiths and Wundersmiths like?

—— On that note, did C&D only become the Wunsoc motto / purpose post-Massacre? Or did they do that before as well? If the motives of Wunsoc have changed over the years, has what they look for in students changed as well?

“Everybody at Wunsoc has a job to get on with – every junior and senior scholar, every graduate, every teacher, every patron, every Elder and every Master.” (Ch5)

— I am still forever curious about what Masters are, and why they are on the same level or possibly even slightly higher than Elders

—— Are they previous Elders? Are they people who excel in their craft? I'd like to say there could be a connection to Wundrous Apprenticeships but 1. those seemed like a natural given, 2. likely aren't really around anymore, and 3. I'm not really sure why they would have so much authority if so.

—— I like to headcanon that senior scholars do internships/apprenticeships

— Something that makes me laugh is that I will famously agonize over something, in this case the Wunsoc academic school year, only to discover upon a reread that it is explicitly stated how it works. lol.

— Brilliance Amadeo and her predecessors are referred to as "First-Line Wundersmiths." This likely relates to the chambers in the Liminal Hall in Sub-Nine that we see in Hollowpox.

—— Knowing Jess, I bet that either Mog or Squall are part of the Ninth Line

“Your kind are … all … dead," continued Professor Onstald. "And if they’re … not –" he blinked his watery eyes at her and took a long, rasping breath – "they should be.” (Ch6)

“My duty is not … to save you … from yourself. It is to show you … that you are … beyond saving. All of your … kind … are beyond …” (Ch6)

“If you were half the Wundersmith you ought to be by now, it wouldn’t be possible for me to tap into your power like this. (Ch24)

— I've had a theory post on the progression of Wundersmiths in society towards the Massacre in the works for awhile that I've postponed until after my Hollowpox reread, but:

—— What if it was a group effort?

——— There's a part in one of the books that's like, "Squall led his fellow Wundersmiths in a coup, and then turned on them" and as much as Wunsoc likes to spin and fabricate things, I think that this could also be true. What caused Squall to turn? That's a mystery we'll have to unravel later...

———— This book is heavy on Squall controlling and manipulating folks, both literally with Wunder but also mentally with words, so could be interesting if that played a part in the revolt

— Regardless, something spooked Onstald enough to turn from admiring and studying Wundersmiths and their ways to hating them, and I'll forever be interested in what happened.

—— I think there could be some slight truth in him viewing all Wundersmiths as bad, because some stuff, like Mathilde's Morbid Museum (lol), could indicate some darker inclinations by folks other than Squall

— Maybe I'm an idiot for not realizing this before, but I don't think it was Jupiter that got Mog/919 into the Maps class.

“I have dedicated my life to taming this monstrous city, and I love her with every fiber of my being.” (Ch8)

“Goodness. You’ve only been here a year? And yet you and Nevermoor seem to go hand in glove. It’s almost like this place was made just for you.” (Ch8)

—— So Squallish. I wonder if anything he said was coached.

—— Do you think this is how he got him on his side? Did they bond over both being obsessed with Nevermoor?

— I think a lot of Mildmay's problems would have been fixed if he had simply been more proactive about networking instead of turning to a life of crime. I mean, he's only 19, just out of school! Way to quit early, dude.

One bite brought on the specific sensation of bittersweet late-summer nostalgia … which sent Francis straight back to the test kitchen, as he’d actually been aiming for the carefree abandon of a mid-summer music festival. (Ch9)

— I wonder how much of Francis's knack/what he cooks/cooks with has a Wundrous origin. I'm also often reminded of the Smoking Parlor.

—— I like to relate it to my Communication "Art" but alternatively... does remind me of Israfel's voice. Curious about how Celestials and Wunder interact.

—— Alice Frankenreiter of 915 is mentioned as a shapeshifter..... how Masquerade-esque. Another point for the "knacks being related to Arts" theory?

——— I also have to point out how funny to me the "Franken-" is with the knack. lol. (makes me think about Frankenstein)

— There is a "noise like a thousand tinkling bells" when the Ghastly Market is revealed. This noise also shows up in the other two books during the Christmas Eve battle. In a world where magic by Wundersmiths heavily involves singing in order to use Wunder, I like the further comparisons of magic and sound. Will keep an eye out for more during Hollowpox.

—— We see this as well with this line:

Her fear and revulsion and rage swelled inside her like a symphony (Ch16)

which I just annotated as "music/art comparison. slay."

——— On that note, I feel like the connection between Wundersmiths/Divinities and the Celestials being explored more could be interesting, as both of their powers involve singing. I'm curious how/if their magic overlaps.

— The fact that the Loyalty Trial was from the Elders and thus they were the ones who asked Cadence to humiliate Baz will never not be funny

— Chapter 18 mentions a "Polaris Hill." Named after Griselda Polaris?

— Have to say: Between being excited about a killer flytrap and teaching 919 swears, an underrated Mahir trait is that he is actually very silly.

— If you've ever seen me call the Gossamer-Spun Garden the "Wundergarden", please know that the Murdergarden is 100% why lol

— I hope hope HOPE!!! we get some proper definitions someday for the Wundrous Act Classifications. Like Spectacle, Phenomenon, Singularity, etc... I hope we get to learn what they each are someday!!!

“To do just what a Wundersmith does," One corner of Squall’s mouth twisted into a quarter-smile.” ... "To grant your fondest wish. To give you the thing you want more than anything else.” (Ch19)

— I feel like this line is often overlooked and is an underrated hint at what a Wundersmith's role in society was like

— I'm a bit of a pessimist (SORRY) about the movie adaptation, and once thing about this book is that I'm mourning that it'll probably never get adapted.

—— I think that the idea of Nevermoor as a movie musical works so much better with Wundersmith because there's so much more magic and music and singing in this one, with both Israfel and the first Nocturne lessons. I could see it the integration of the non-diegetic (?) songs that the characters sing and the themes of the movie/books work better with this book than the first one just because of that.

—— Also the theatricality of characters such as Squall and Mildmay is off the charts in this book! I'd even throw Dearborn and Murgatroyd in there as well. I think they could make for more interesting characters in a movie musical than the general supporting cast of the first book.

—— I'd say that perhaps they could mix and mash stuff from both books 1 and 2 into a single movie, but I don't know if they have rights past the first book.

Squall cocked his head to one side, a deep frown etched into his forehead. ... Squall took a step towards her. He looked like he was remembering something. (Ch19)

— I wonder why he recognizes the song!

—— Curious if anyone else has their own theories on this they want to share. I brought this up in the discord a few months ago and have yet to make a proper post but here's my idea:

——— Squall's song and Mog's song are very similar in a few ways, so perhaps one of the songs was influenced by / is “descended from” so to say from the other, or they have a common ancestor.

——— Could explain why Little Crowling is familiar to Mog and Morningtide’s Child is familiar to Squall

... into the cold embrace of a capricious and unknowable city. (Ch19)

— This is like, baby's first comparison, but I do enjoy how this refers not only to Nevermoor but also Squall just a moment earlier. They are sooooo linked. I wonder if there's other moments like this in the book that I've missed.

— The Jemmity Park stuff is interesting to think about because I think Odbuoy is the youngest Wundersmith present at the time of the Massacre.

—— The idea of him being the youngest I feel then fits with him making the park only work for children, as that seems appropriately mischievous.

——— Because of my (outdated tbh) Eventide theories, I had a silly theory he was 7 when he made the park, but when you think about that more, it falls apart. A little funny to think about though, ngl.

— Anyone else think that the Elders should have told Jupiter about Sub-Nine in case he wanted a part in that? I feel like as a patron and adoptive father figure of a Wundersmith, he might want some access to Wundersmith history and culture. His excursions to the park and Cascade Falls really prove an interest and he could be helpful to the group.

— Morrigan compares Squall's Séance Synchronicity to Coven 13 in the Fright Trial... are these magics connected at all, or will we learn more about the different magics in the world at some point?

Squall held his hands out – palms downward, twisted into claws – and made his fingers dance like a puppeteer twitching strings. (Ch24)

— I find it so funny how the Puppeteering (also known as Marionette) parallels– the statue in the Elder's hall, the stunt with the Charlton Five on the platform, and this scene– were so obvious, and yet it took a solid 2 years after Wundersmith's release (right before Hollowpox was out!) for somebody to bring it up for the first time. And now everyone accepts it as basically canon lol!

— Wonder if the Wundrous Arts sign got changed to Wretched Arts before or after Squall's exile, in order for him to know about it. I have some theories on the timeline of all that that I'll share at a later date.

— I often forget and I think it's often overlooked that the Magnificub growing was Squall's doing, not just Mog's.

—— Wonder if he was stalking her that night as normal OR detected her intention and swooped in OR was there already due to the auction

— The way that Squall bows dramatically to tease Mog and then Mildmay does the same a chapter later is so funny.

“There are far greater monsters –" his eyes flashed – "and far greater dangers. Miss Crow, we have a shared enemy you could never imagine. If the Wundrous Society doesn’t take you off the leash, if you aren’t given the freedom to grow, to become the Wundersmith I need you to be … then terrible things are coming down the line. For both of us.” (Ch24)

— War in Arc 3 pleaseeee

—— It's interesting because it seems that Nevermoor/Free State has been relatively peaceful ever since restructuring… but the Wintersea Republic has had the same amount of time to build up! And now they’re looking to take the last slice of the pie…..

“There. That feeling. That fire in your heart, that spark of anger and fear. Focus on it. Feel it. The flickering, burning anger inside – THAT is Inferno.” (Ch24)

— What if each of the Arts are bolstered by an emotion? Doesn't seem so but 🤷 could be a fun AU idea perhaps

— A lot of the description of Inferno in this book– a flame or firework in Morrigan's chest– reminds me so much of Howls Moving Castle (2004) that it's on my eternal to-do list to draw.

— Between Mog's lessons in this book and Goldberry's circular breathing, I think it's interesting how much of Inferno relates to breath

—— "Breath of life" ?

—— Could relate back to music/singing, which is needed to summon Wunder

—— Do any of the other Arts (excluding Nocturne and Inferno) have any connections to breath that we know of? Or even are just aligned with a specific part of the body? If anyone has any thoughts on this, please do share!

— Anyone else like to think about the Hunt of Smoke and Shadow and the way the Hollowpox hunted? No? Just me? Okay

—— I think that Wundersmiths definitely probably have specialties– and these are based on natural affinities, NOT lineage– and Mog's is likely Inferno whereas Squall's is likely Veil

He took a deep bow, still laughing. (Ch25)

— My note for this line and the whole scene was simply, "🖕 WORST 19 YEAR OLD EVER" lol

“You saved my life tonight. I find myself in your debt." He watched her for a moment, pressing his mouth into a line. Morrigan could tell he wanted to say something more, but wasn’t sure if he should … or perhaps he couldn’t quite find the right words. Israfel breathed a deep sigh. "You’d do well not to mention that to the folks at Wunsoc. I shouldn’t be in your debt.” (Ch27)

— What does this all meannnnn

— Interesting how Jupiter mentions that he thinks Cassiel's disappearance is unconnected to all the Ghastly Market stuff

—— I've mentioned before (maybe not on here, sorry) that the timing could perhaps line up in order for Cassiel to be the Celestial that Noelle's knack is stolen from, if we want to go with that theory

— Mog saying that Squall said something funny, as in weird, yet Jupiter's first response is to ask if he said something "funny haha" is so funny to me. Why is that his first response.

— Folks have mentioned it before, but I'd love some more bonding between Mog and Lam based on the fact that they're both from the Republic

— Elder Quinn refers to Mog as "our Wundersmith" as in like, just another brother and sister in Wunsoc, but it could be interesting if that wording is ever brought up again to try to use Mog, or make her do something no one else can because of her powers, like in the days of old

And finally (about 3k words later):

— Lam is referred to as "the smallest of all of them" in terms of 919. Not to me! While I wholeheartedly believe she is certainly short, she's not the shortest for me. #ShortMogSupremacy.

[blindmagdalena]

I've been watching a lot of shit on The Boys comic vs show and I've come to realize I would NOT be the same delulu simp I am if I started with the comic. Like usually I'm all for the "if you dont love me at my worse version, you don't deserve me at my best version" thing but in this case I only want my silly babygirl who has boob padding over the comic one.

ahahah yeahhhhhh. while i'll always be grateful that the comics inspired the show we have today, i have less than zero interest in the source material. and i don't think there's anything wrong with that. they're two completely different mediums with two (almost) completely different stories at this point. they're barely even apples and oranges anymore. more like apples and sandpaper for me 😅

[izzy-b-hands]

I know we're all stressed but the researcher who fucked up their study that could have paid me 18 dollars for an hour of work has all my frustration rn. If this research is that important to you, why wouldn't you do a test run to make sure, idk, that the info you need evaluated actually shows up in the study?

It was interesting too; evaluating PDFs of meeting notes and legislative docs from random places. I could have done an hour of that easy :(

[intersex-questions]

hihi!!

what counts as intersex? Is it just genitalia? Also i never knew intersex came in variants 😭 can u give some examples of some intersex variants ?

Thank u for all ur help and this blog 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍

This is a super duper long answer! Apologies for that. If you have more questions please ask! I've sorted this by your questions.

CW: Discussion of genitalia, illustrated image of genitalia (at the very end with an additional reminder content warning)

What counts as intersex?

This is a great question! First off, no, it’s NOT just genitalia, although that’s a common misconception!

This is how I personally define intersex:

Intersex- An umbrella term to describe individuals who have sex characteristics naturally found in their body that do not fit the societal standard of a traditional standard of a male or female body. These sex characteristics can include but aren't limited to: abnormal puberty, fertility, genitalia, and/hormonal levels.

It’s important to note that one can only be considered intersex if they were born that way, or, along the way in their life, develop those traits due to their body’s natural processes and NOT from HRT (hormone replacement therapy, like testosterone and estrogen, HRT can cause changes in sex characteristics that cause an individual’s body to no longer fit the societal and traditional standards of what the correct male or female body is like).

InterAct also has a definition I quite like:

"The term intersex is an umbrella term that refers to people who have one or more of a range of variations in sex characteristics that fall outside of traditional conceptions of male or female bodies. For example, intersex people may have variations in their chromosomes, genitals, or internal organs like testes or ovaries. Some intersex characteristics are identified at birth, while other people may not discover they have intersex traits until puberty or later in life." -InterACT

You might be thinking, “what are sex characteristics?” Understanding sex characteristics are very key to understanding what intersex is AND how broad of a spectrum it is.

Sex characteristics can be sorted into primary sex characteristics and secondary sex characteristics. Primary sex characteristics of the genitalia, the part of the body that’s function is for sexual reproduction. Secondary sex characteristics are any other characteristics that are commonly associated with its primary sex and often occur during puberty.

Primary sex characteristics in what is traditionally considered female includes but isn’t limited to:

The vulva

The vagina

The clitoris

The uterus

The inner and outer labia

Secondary sex characteristics in what is traditionally considered female includes but isn’t limited to:

Increased breast tissue after puberty

Increased pubic hair and armpit hair after puberty (traditional standards dictate that this is less than in “males”)

Body composition (increased body fat percentages in areas like the butt and hips after puberty)

Pitch of voice (higher than “males”/becomes shrill after puberty)

Enlargement of uterus and vagina

Narrowing of the shoulders after puberty

Widening of the hips after puberty

Releasing of egg cells (menstruation/periods)

Nearly anything affected within the body whether internally or externally due to a traditional puberty

Primary sex characteristics in what is traditionally considered male includes but isn’t limited to:

The penis

The scrotum

The testis

The prostate gland

Seminal vesicles

Secondary sex characteristics in what is traditionally considered male includes but isn’t limited to:

Lack of breast tissue

Increased pubic, armpit, facial hair, chest hair, and overall body hair (traditional standards dictate that this is more than in “females”)

Body composition (increased muscular tone after puberty)

Pitch of voice (deeper than “females” after puberty)

Enlargement of the penis after puberty

Widening of the shoulders after puberty

Production of sperm cells

Nearly anything affected within the body whether internally or externally due to a traditional puberty

Once you understand primary and secondary sex characteristics, you can begin understand what those are supposed to look like traditionally in any given society for their designated sexes. In the USA at least, it is expected that a vagina be a certain width, that a clitoris is below a certain size and that the penis is above a certain size, and more. A significant number of places and people (not all, and it’s definitely more than it used to be due to Westernization and colonization) in the world use a binary system of male and female with expectations in what each body is supposed to look like, function as, and so on.

What are intersex variants?

Intersex variants are simply any type of variant of being intersex. Intersex variants are also synonymous with intersex conditions. Different intersex people will give you different answers on what classifies as being intersex. This is a point of discussion and argument within the community. Medical professionals also often argue on this, however their opinions are often disregarded by many intersex people as they themselves are not the ones being affected by being intersex, and intersex people have a history of being medically modified without consent by doctors.

I am extremely liberal with what I consider being intersex. I am making this clear to let you know my information will be biased towards a more inclusive stance to what is considered intersex.

An intersex variant is often defined with a specific medical diagnosis or term that describes what it is. However, not all intersex people fit into an easy medical diagnosis or simply cannot be diagnosed as what intersex condition they have. Some people (more conservative on the definition of intersex) often believe you need to have a medical diagnosis to be intersex. Other people (more liberal) often believe you only need to be able to recognize that you fall on the intersex spectrum on your own.

What are some examples of intersex variants?

Probably the easiest to understand intersex variation is ovotestis/true hermaphroditism.

DISCLAIMER: Please note that hermaphrodite, a term used to mean someone who is physically both “male” and “female”, is considered a slur and offensive term towards intersex people. You should not call an intersex person a hermaphrodite. Some intersex people reclaim it for themselves, but don’t call someone that unless they explicitly want to be called that. (Animals who are biologically both “male” and “female” are referred to as hermaphrodites. In this case, it is not offensive. Just remember it IS offensive towards humans.) Intersex is an alternative, non-offensive, more inclusive term than hermaphrodite.

True hermaphroditism is also referred to as ovotesticular syndrome/ovotestis (with a preference on it being called ovotestis). This is what most people imagine when they think of intersex. However, it is not the most common intersex variation and actually one of the rarest. There are also many misconceptions about it. This is when someone is born with both ovarian and testicular tissue. People with this intersex variation/condition might have both functioning testes and ovaries, but not all do. People with this also almost always have some level of both a penis and vagina/vulva. But having this condition is also a spectrum of itself, so not everyone is the same.

(The following is from a very inclusive view of intersex.)

Some VERY common examples of intersex variations are: Clitoromegaly, gynecomastia, and a micropenis.

Clitoromegaly is when one has a clitoris above the size of what is considered socially acceptable. This is often caused by increased testosterone or development within the womb. Some people believe that you must have other symptoms alongside clitoromegaly to be intersex, however I personally believe that any variation, especially in primary sex characteristics, count as intersex. This usually presents itself during puberty, but can be born this way as well. Many people born with clitorises that are seen as “too large” are surgically modified to make them smaller without their consent at birth.

Gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of breast tissue in males past the point what is considered socially acceptable. This isn’t to be confused with fat tissue on the pectorals and not to be confused with muscular development on the pectorals. I think even more people might view this as something that needs other symptoms alongside it to be considered intersex, but I consider it intersex, especially since it is extremely stigmatizing and ostracizing to have and often leads to medical modification to remove breast tissue.

A micropenis is when someone has a penis that is significantly smaller than what is considered the average or socially acceptable size for a penis. There are various medical standards for what a micropenis is. Again, not all would consider this inherently intersex, and I can understand cases where a micropenis wouldn’t be intersex, but in many cases, I am of the opinion that it is an intersex condition. Clitoromegaly and a micropenis are often confused at birth by doctors who decide that if the structure is large enough, it is a penis and the baby is a boy, and if it is small enough, it is a clitoris and it is a girl. Steps are often then taken to reduce the size of the clitoris in this case. A micropenis is often comorbid (occurs along with) gynecomastia.

One of the most common intersex variations/conditions in my opinion is PCOS. Please note there is a large number of people who argue that this isn’t intersex. PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. Individuals with this have enlarged ovaries that often develop cysts. Symptoms of PCOS can be hyperandrogenism (excess testosterone/more testosterone than socially acceptable), acne, and excess body hair.

(This ends information that is in a more inclusive view of intersex.)

Many intersex conditions/variations are connected to differences in one’s chromosomes. It is socially understood that “males” are born with XY chromosomes and that “females” are born with XX chromosomes.

@intersex-support has a (non-exhaustive) list of intersex variations here.

One thing that also helps understanding intersex overall is you can imagine “biological sex” on a slider almost, from male to female. Once people start to have traits that aren’t enough on one end or the other, they’re considered intersex. The causes for this can be many. This case doesn’t account for as many secondary sex characteristics though, but it does help in understanding genitalia specifically.

Here are two images that I think can help in understanding the spectrum that is intersex. They don’t offer a complete view of the spectrum, but do help.

CW for illustrations of genitalia.

I no longer have credit to the artist or creator of this as it was saved to my computer. If you know the creator, please tell me so I can credit.

End CW

This image/chart is more complicated and still non-exhaustive, but it is fun to look at and explore.

Credit for this image goes here.

Again, sorry for this being so long! And truly, if you have more questions, I'd love to answer.

If anyone sees any errors whether it be typos, grammatical errors, or informational errors, I'll correct them as soon as possible, just point it out.