#Best LMS for Universities

[firelise]

wait WAIT no one told me Kingsley was back on youtube waittttt

[seorahulpal]

AI-based LMS | Green LMS | Best LMS

GreenLMS is not just a learning platform but is a horizon where education transforms lives and learning transforms business. It’s a product born out of the passion of a mother a diligent father and a sensitive businessman. GreenLMS is a platform where digital innovation-image our future together through e-learning. Check here: https://www.thegreenlms.com/

[she-who-fights-and-writes]

MASTER LIST OF INSTRUMENTAL PLAYLISTS FOR WRITING (OR FOR STUDYING, MAKING ART, ETC.)

I find that the perfect writing playlist can GREATLY enhance the writing experience. Even if it doesn't make your writing "better" (which it can, since it helps writers with visualization, tone, and mood), it can definitely make your writing flow easier!

Personally, words distract me when I'm writing, either by breaking my train of thought or by getting me too into the music so that I'm jamming out to my favorite tunes instead of writing.

Therefore, I've amassed a vast knowledge of instrumental music across a variety of media over a course of many years. Now here I am, deciding to share all of them with you!

Maddy’s Favorite Instrumental Songs

Just like the title says. All of the best pieces of instrumental music I've ever heard, compiled together with no regard for genre. It can be a bit of a whiplash playlist, but some amazing recs in there that I just like listening to in my free time, not just for writing.

Maddy’s Ultimate Instrumental Playlist

A mega compilation of 550+ fantastic instrumental music from a variety of media and genres. Kind of a whiplash playlist if you put it on shuffle, but is a great start for anyone looking to find what kind of instrumental music they like! Playlist Groupings in Order: Independent instrumental songs, live action movies, animated movies, animated tv shows, live action tv shows, video games.

Maddy's Instrumental for Sleep

Some more chill vibe instrumental for people who either A) want to sleep or B) want a relaxed playlist that won't distract you with loud volume and sudden changes in tempo or melody.

MISC PLAYLISTS:

you're a haggard adventurer discovering worlds beyond your wildest dreams

Music to inspire wonder and wanderlust, the kind of feeling you get when you finally reach the end of a mountain hike and see the world stretching out before you.

you're a hero who's just lost everything

Basically the most sad instrumental music I could find. A playlist for grief and revenge.

more beneath the cut :)

you're a cowboy in the great American West

Cowboy instrumental for all of your ambient and writing needs. Or if you just really want to feel like a cowboy.

you're a divine witness

Epic choir music (no English). Most religious, some not, but all kind of have that eerie sacred vibe. I listen to this while writing my book about angels and demons.

you’re a scholar uncovering the secrets of the universe

Great chill study playlist! Has the kind of same exploratory/discovery type feel as the haggard adventurer playlist, but more dark academia.

you’re a villain plotting to take over the world

Villain-coded instrumental! Sinister, dark, and/or unsettling.

you're an academic weapon

HIGH BPM STUDY PLAYLIST! Keeps me focused, hyped, and helps me work faster!

you're an ancient god

Playlist that gives an ancient/eerie vibe. But some ancient gods are merciful- so there are some upbeat songs for wonder and awe!

you're falling in love

Music that encapsulates what I think falling in love feels like. Very beautiful, tender, and uplifting instrumental.

you're fighting the final battle

Intense and epic battle music for all of your fight-scene-writing needs! Good for getting shit done, but isn't necessarily restricted to high BPM like the academic weapon playlist.

you're having a tea party

Refined instrumental for a tea party, including classical, big band, and some miscellaneous goodies.

you're in a chase scene

Music for writing chase scenes. Pretty good hype music, too. Includes soundtracks from classic chase scenes in popular media!

you're in the medieval times

Medieval-sounding music for all of your ambient and/or writing needs.

you’re in your childhood room. the door is open a crack. people talk softly downstairs.

A playlist dedicated to nostalgia, to the feeling of lying in bed with your nightlight on after being too tired to stay awake at your family get-together. Could either make your day or break your heart lmao

you're the happiest you've ever been

Lighthearted instrumental meant to lift your spirits! A playlist dedicated to the joys of the little things.

[flying-womrats]

replacements for a few LMS mods

If you think you saw this post yesterday, yes you did- then I made a couple edits and realized I should have done it under a readmore in case people reblogged it... So here we go again! These are the possible replacements I found for the littlemssam mods I was using, in case they help anyone else.

Caveats: - Often not a 1:1 replacement. - I only went looking for replacements for mods I was actually using, so this only covers a fraction of her catalog. - Most of these modders still use Curseforge, they're just not exclusive to it.

Additionally, if anyone knows of a replacement for any of the following: Go For A Walk, Improved Meditation Stool, Improved Practical Spells (the improvements to the spells themselves,) No Random Job Offers (I know BosseladyTV has one, but it's CF exclusive,) Purchased Items Delivered By Mail, Release All The Ghosts, or Tea For Children, please drop me an ask! I only request no Curseforge exclusives and no Zer0.

On to the list:

Allow Stoves in University Housing -> Zerbu, No University Housing Restrictions

Auto Employees -> Kuttoe's "X Everywhere" mods, Zerbu's Spawn Refresh

Auto-Light Fireplaces Only When Cold -> Bienchen, fireplaceautonomytweak

Buy Treats via PC -> Bienchen, buypettreat

Calendar Tweaks -> Kuttoe, Less Frequent Prom (caveat: takes time to start working, especially if you're using a longer season setting)

Cookbooks -> ClaudiaSharon, Cook Experimental/Cultural/Jungle Food Without Tasting It First

Immortality Potion Fix -> Kuttoe, Potions Rework (only a half replacement- removes the VFX, but doesn't lock aging like the Scarlet/LMS mod)

Kids Can Walk Dogs -> ChippedSim, Paws & Claws (A Sim's Best Friend module)

More Away Actions -> Bienchen, awayactions (is actually included in the LMS mod)

No Burning Sun in Forgotten Hollow -> TwistedMexi, Daywalkers + Underworlds (caveat: per TMex's comment on the latter, the eternal night is only cosmetic and still requires Daywalkers for vampires to come out at "daytime". Also, Daywalkers affects all worlds. Still interested in a mod closer to LMS's if one exists!)

No Insects Herbalism -> Simularity, Improved Herbalism Potions & Features

No Shoe Sign Animation -> Lotharihoe, Shoe Sign Animation Tweaks (doesn't remove the animation entirely but does stop it from interrupting walking)

No Sick, Dirty, Sad and Hungry Pets -> Bienchen, catanddogsanity

Pregnancy Overhaul ("sims can do more" part) -> Bienchen, pregnantsimscandomore

Pregnancy Overhaul (belly sizes) -> t0nischwartz, No Bump or sonozakisisterssims4, "The belly in pregnancy depends on the number of babies" (the former is simpler but has no equivalent to the "larger belly" option, the latter has a bit more going on but has direct equivalents to LMS's sizes, so take your pick!)

Sleep All Night and Sleep In -> Midnitetech- Stay Asleep, Mokunoid- Better Sleep Autonomy or Lot 51- Sunrise depending on desired depth/customization

Social Activities -> adeepindigo, Youth, Friends and Family Activities

Small GF Reactions Overhaul -> Bienchen, lesscelebreact

Small Laundry Overhaul -> Bienchen's laundry mods cover some (but not all- anyone have something to make it cost money on community lots?) of it, along with Lotharihoe's No Autonomously Set Laundry Down to replace the "auto put away laundry" part.

Spar With For Everyone -> Bienchen, sparwithfornonmilitary

Toddler Ask For Food No Junk -> Bienchen, healthyhighchair (not quite the same thing but it solves the "why do they always give the kid chips" issue at least)

WEE: Working Elevators Everywhere -> Ravasheen, Uplifting Elevators (space and wall height permitting, it's also possible to make no-CC elevators with the RoM debug portals!)

Wellness Treat Fix -> Bienchen, petanxiousbufffix

Also, while I wasn't using either of them myself, Meet&Mingle can replace SimDa Dating App, and Lovestruck adds a "canon" dating app (though given EA's complete lack of attention to QA etc. I wouldn't recommend paying for it.)

edit 6/26/24: added Sunrise, petanxiousbufffix, pregnantsimscandomore

edit 6/27/24: added No Bump, moved into a new post.

edit 6/29/24: added Daywalkers, No University Housing Restrictions (ty @northernnightsky!) and the sonozakisisters bump mod

edit 7/2/24: added Underworlds (ty anon), Paws & Claws, and a link to the tutorial I followed for no-CC elevators

edit 8/22/24: added Spawn Refresh

[reality-warp]

Hi Rella. Super super longtime reader and lurker. Thank you so much for the recent updates - I’m so in awe with your ability to write the battle scenes. Given how difficult they are, I honestly think they may be some of your best work - thank god we’re back to some dialogue though 😂 Anyway, I was wondering if you have time if I could please ask a few questions while you’re in the RB universe:

1) Way back when in LM, it felt like the acorn might become an important symbol for Eleanor and Legolas - is that still the case?

2) I remember you sharing the following quote on your tumblr page years and years ago: “It is true, you are not demure, passive, or submissive by any stretch of the imagination. But I have no need nor desire for a demure, passive women at my side. Pray the day never comes, but if I were ever to assume rule in my father’s stead, I would need more than just a loving wife and friend. I’d need one who I both love and trust to share in my burdens and responsibilities, as well as trust with my heart. One who knows me, both the good and the bad, and will not shy away from either. And one who I can rely on to tell me bluntly when I am being an insufferably, prideful fool.” (I had to dig deep into the tumblr archives for this one!)

Will we get the chance to see this in CM, or will this follow in the third book?

3) Final question, I think I read that you are a big planner when it comes to writing. Does that mean you have much of the third book planned out or will you be seeing where the writing takes you?

Thanks again for the updates (and everything, frankly).

Hello longtime reader and lurker, you are very much welcome! I also just want to say thanks so much for your compliments around battle and fight scenes specifically. I think I’ve shared in author notes before that they’re one of the trickiest things I find to write (at least compared to dialog). So to hear that you find them some of my best work is so deeply rewarding. <3

In answer to your three questions:

1) Oh yes, the acorn mentioned in LM is absolutely going to be an important symbol for E&L. Just wait until the next chapter is up to see what comes of that (hopefully soon, as at 11,000 word I’m about 85% done with it now). 2) That line of dialog has been saved in my notes for a looong time, and I’ve known for almost as long exactly where it happens in the story, right down to the conversations that trigger it. Unfortunately it’s not going to be in CM (a few more things need to happen to get there) but it will be about midway through the third book. 3) You’re correct, I’m absolutely a planner when it comes to writing, even for short pieces. I’ve tried pantsing before when it comes to writing, but it’s never worked well for me. I had almost all of RB planned out in broad strokes by the time I was at chapter 6 of LM, but I deliberately left some things vague just to see where they went (a lot of the relationship development with the Fellowship, minor characters, and the romance between E&L for example). I had all the key story beats and revelations in CM planned shortly before finishing LM, and as of Boxing Day just gone (2024) I now have all of the third book properly outlined too. I’ve also taken a lot of the notes and dialog I’ve had prepped for years and put them into order in the draft doc that will eventually become the next book. So if we’re being pedantic; technically I have both the third book fully outlined as well as about 8,000 words of the narrative already down on paper.

Thanks so much for such an insightful set of questions, and for reading and enjoying this fic for so long. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around how beloved it’s become to some folks, especially when I started it so long ago when I feel like my writing style was far less developed. 

I really hope you enjoy the next chapter (24) once it’s finally done and posted. 

Much love,

Rella x

[lesmisletters-daily]

What He Thought

Les Mis Letters reading club explores one chapter of Les Misérables every day. Join us on Discord, Substack - or share your thoughts right here on tumblr - today's tag is #lm 1.1.14

One last word.

Since this sort of details might, particularly at the present moment, and to use an expression now in fashion, give to the Bishop of D—— a certain “pantheistical” physiognomy, and induce the belief, either to his credit or discredit, that he entertained one of those personal philosophies which are peculiar to our century, which sometimes spring up in solitary spirits, and there take on a form and grow until they usurp the place of religion, we insist upon it, that not one of those persons who knew Monseigneur Welcome would have thought himself authorized to think anything of the sort. That which enlightened this man was his heart. His wisdom was made of the light which comes from there.

No systems; many works. Abstruse speculations contain vertigo; no, there is nothing to indicate that he risked his mind in apocalypses. The apostle may be daring, but the bishop must be timid. He would probably have felt a scruple at sounding too far in advance certain problems which are, in a manner, reserved for terrible great minds. There is a sacred horror beneath the porches of the enigma; those gloomy openings stand yawning there, but something tells you, you, a passer-by in life, that you must not enter. Woe to him who penetrates thither!

Geniuses in the impenetrable depths of abstraction and pure speculation, situated, so to speak, above all dogmas, propose their ideas to God. Their prayer audaciously offers discussion. Their adoration interrogates. This is direct religion, which is full of anxiety and responsibility for him who attempts its steep cliffs.

Human meditation has no limits. At his own risk and peril, it analyzes and digs deep into its own bedazzlement. One might almost say, that by a sort of splendid reaction, it with it dazzles nature; the mysterious world which surrounds us renders back what it has received; it is probable that the contemplators are contemplated. However that may be, there are on earth men who—are they men?—perceive distinctly at the verge of the horizons of reverie the heights of the absolute, and who have the terrible vision of the infinite mountain. Monseigneur Welcome was one of these men; Monseigneur Welcome was not a genius. He would have feared those sublimities whence some very great men even, like Swedenborg and Pascal, have slipped into insanity. Certainly, these powerful reveries have their moral utility, and by these arduous paths one approaches to ideal perfection. As for him, he took the path which shortens,—the Gospel’s.

He did not attempt to impart to his chasuble the folds of Elijah’s mantle; he projected no ray of future upon the dark groundswell of events; he did not see to condense in flame the light of things; he had nothing of the prophet and nothing of the magician about him. This humble soul loved, and that was all.

That he carried prayer to the pitch of a superhuman aspiration is probable: but one can no more pray too much than one can love too much; and if it is a heresy to pray beyond the texts, Saint Theresa and Saint Jerome would be heretics.

He inclined towards all that groans and all that expiates. The universe appeared to him like an immense malady; everywhere he felt fever, everywhere he heard the sound of suffering, and, without seeking to solve the enigma, he strove to dress the wound. The terrible spectacle of created things developed tenderness in him; he was occupied only in finding for himself, and in inspiring others with the best way to compassionate and relieve. That which exists was for this good and rare priest a permanent subject of sadness which sought consolation.

There are men who toil at extracting gold; he toiled at the extraction of pity. Universal misery was his mine. The sadness which reigned everywhere was but an excuse for unfailing kindness. <i>Love each other;</i> he declared this to be complete, desired nothing further, and that was the whole of his doctrine. One day, that man who believed himself to be a “philosopher,” the senator who has already been alluded to, said to the Bishop: “Just survey the spectacle of the world: all war against all; the strongest has the most wit. Your <i>love each other</i> is nonsense.”—<i>“Well,”</i> replied Monseigneur Welcome, without contesting the point, <i>“if it is nonsense, the soul should shut itself up in it, as the pearl in the oyster.”</i> Thus he shut himself up, he lived there, he was absolutely satisfied with it, leaving on one side the prodigious questions which attract and terrify, the fathomless perspectives of abstraction, the precipices of metaphysics—all those profundities which converge, for the apostle in God, for the atheist in nothingness; destiny, good and evil, the way of being against being, the conscience of man, the thoughtful somnambulism of the animal, the transformation in death, the recapitulation of existences which the tomb contains, the incomprehensible grafting of successive loves on the persistent <i>I</i>, the essence, the substance, the Nile, and the Ens, the soul, nature, liberty, necessity; perpendicular problems, sinister obscurities, where lean the gigantic archangels of the human mind; formidable abysses, which Lucretius, Manou, Saint Paul, Dante, contemplate with eyes flashing lightning, which seems by its steady gaze on the infinite to cause stars to blaze forth there.

Monseigneur Bienvenu was simply a man who took note of the exterior of mysterious questions without scrutinizing them, and without troubling his own mind with them, and who cherished in his own soul a grave respect for darkness.

[psalacanthea]

Gimme your top 5 favourite novels!

oh this is hard. um. I'll give you five OF my favorites but to really rank them would be too difficult. I like a lot of books. Like, a lot a lot.

Small Gods- Terry Pratchett- a novel that helped me break free of my unquestioning acceptance of my parents' abusive faith as a child, and still one of my favorite books to re-read. I like all his work, though. This is close to tied with his Lords and Ladies (Esme Weatherwax is the best character in fiction)

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe- Douglas Adams- this book always made so much sense to me in a way that was weirdly freeing. The humor flows with the prose in such an unrelenting way that I think people vibe or don't vibe. I vibe.

Rebecca- Daphne du Maurier- Again, divisively, prose that either bores you or sucks you in. I'm the latter. I think people's inability/refusal to read rich and meandering prose is keeping them from some of the best experiences in atmospheric writing.

Emily of New Moon- LM Montgomery- I was always more of an Emily girl than an Anne of Green Gables girl.

and I'm sorry but The Vampire Lestat- Anne Rice- I know it's not her best book in the series, but it was my first, and there's a deep, rich nostalgia that makes re-reading it an experience unique from the other books.

[moononmyfloor]

Dashing Youth Ep 1-10 Commentary

Ep 11-16, Ep 17-21, Ep 22-25, Ep 26-32, Ep 33-35, Ep 36-40

Alrighty let's organise all my thoughts in neat lil piles.

1. Personally the type of Wuxia I enjoy is the more subdued, mature and philosophical vibe like that of Sword Snow Stride and Mysterious Lotus Casebook. I rarely watch youthful, lighthearted, rom-comey wuxia/xianxia/xuanhuan. I didn't enjoy BoY a lot and I still wonder how I managed to finish it, the few characters I loved were Wuxin, Tang Lian, Zhao Yuzhen, Prince Chong and Prince Lingchen, because they had the acting style and character arcs that were closer to my preferences.

I clicked on Dashing Youth just for the curiosity and out of "since I watched BoY anw, I'm kinda obligated for this" feeling, but unexpectedly, within 10 mins I was in love lol. Many of the actors I already know and love, the bromance is instantaneous and strong, the promise of a good tragedy is alluring, and I could enter the worldbuilding faster because I already know what to expect from this universe.

AND I ADORE how the casting directors seem to have chosen actors with BLs/BL-vibe shows under their belt for all the important roles, they all know exactly what to do and like:

I for one am not mad about all the CP pushing promo the showmakers are doing. I mean, even if this was a super straight story we'll end up with gay fanfics anyway, right? So just as well we get to see our fantasies haha 😏

Like, that's an adorable thumbnail!

OK without further ado, getting myself invited into the Daddies' party time!!

By ep 4, Dongjun has so far charmed the asses off of Spear daddy, Lei daddy, and now Liu Xueyi's daddy. At this rate, I'll have to assume that the future kids are gonna be procreated not via their future wives, but through the consummation of the daddies' elaborate spiritual bodies when they flirt-duel lol

(Exactly like that)

Now I really wanna see a 重回我爸的高中时代 (Back to My Dad's High School Days) edit for Dongjun and his harem from the kids' povs Like here .

Ep 6- You did indeed, Wu Xie 2.5!

Hou Minghao collects new boyfriends, old boyfriends and his own other-selves like pokemon😆 Also gotta say that everytime I see Bai Shu now I feel like a proud parent. He's grown so much from the grumpy scrawny bb Wu Xie era huhu

Ep 9- It's amazing how I personally didn't really enjoy BoY, but Wuxin instantly got my love and while I'm 10x more drawn to Dashing Youth, the one who won me over above everyone else is again, Wuxin's dad. Also, Wuxin's dad is a chef! How can I not love this baby!

Everyone showing off martial arts while they are in their own world, serving a buffet lmao

Lei Mengsha looking at this poster: Yep, I can see this polycule is not a good idea. Usually I'm all in but I'll sit this one out and go make my two kids in peace. I'll have my chance with HMH in another universe anw

Despite being the silliest of them all, LMS is the only one who gives the vibe he'll always stand straight on his two feet even if the entire world goes topsy-turvy. I don't even need to look at BoY to be proven correct.

Ep 10- Ever since his intro from ep 1 where he went all, "wow, what a fate!", I love the parts they do these crossover jokes

(In fact, instinctively performing Qimen Dunjia is possibly how LMS figured out the trajectory the other boys were going to be in LMAO)

Now they need to add some tomb robbing jokes when Bai Shu and Neo interact and it'd be perfect!

Also it feels kinda fateful that Lei Wujie would go bond with Xiao Se, Lei Mengsha was best bros with his uncle Langya.

[quinnysnursery]

*sighhh*

(i rewatched heartstopper season 3 again and i can’t stop thinking about them in the lm universe 💂🇬🇧🫖🏉🍂)

*sigh* spoilers for heartstopper 3 below,

LITERALLY ALLLLL I COULD THINK ABOUT WHILE CHARLIE WAS AWAY AT THE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PLACE WAS HIM REGRESSING AND ASKING FOR NICK AND NICK TRYING HIS BEST TO NOT LET ON THE FACT THAT HE WAS CRYING WHEN CHARLIE CALLS HIM AND TRIES HIS BEST TO EXPLAIN WHAT HIS DRAWINGS LOOK LIKE SINCE HE CAN'T SEND HIM A PHOTO

"an' an' an'...um...i did draw a mouse bu...' 's not dat good...sorry 'm not good at 'plaining...🇬🇧🫖"

"hey, no sorries mister. that still aplies even when dada can't see you. 💂🏉"

">:P bu' daaadaaaa-🫖🇬🇧"

[pico-digital-studios]

Into, Across and Beyond! Scripting: Prime Encounter

This scene was co-written with @mcgamejolter. The scene is also based on this animation by DedGrafic.

During Cosmic Discoveries, OMT!Tails was thrown into the Prime Sonic universe by Lost Memory Sonic and knocked out from the impact. A few moments later, Sonic Prime/Modern Sonic showed up, seeing the alternate version of his best bud lying on the floor.

Modern Sonic: Huh? What's up with the blue shoes? Yo, Tails!

As he knelt down to have a closer look, another portal opened behind him, prompting him to leap out of the way as LM!Sonic showed up.

LM!Sonic: Urgh... You could've just stayed out of my business, Prower, and you managed to screw up even THAT.

He held OMT!Tails up by his ankle.

LM!Sonic: You should never have become the hero of your world. You're a mistake, child.

OMT!Tails (in a daze): Uh... Mom, I don't wanna go to school today... I've got a headache...

LM!Sonic: You're an abomination, a danger to others AND to yourself.

On cue, Sonic Prime sped right through him, moving OMT!Tails to a safe position before going back to confront his alternate self.

Sonic Prime: Hey, man. If you're part of Eggman's new army of creepy eyes, you'd better hit the hay if you know what's-!

LM!Sonic promptly bashed him out of the way.

LM!Sonic: SILENCE!

Once Sonic Prime impacted with a tree, his hands were quickly restrained via energy spheres.

LM!Sonic: To think you're the "Prime" version of myself. Disgusting... You once fragmented this reality, creating wars between dimensions and threatening thousands of lives. There's not much difference between you and this two-tailed freak; you're both ticking time bombs that could wreak havoc on reality.

Sonic Prime: Oh, brother. I found someone even grumpier than Shadow. Hey, what's up with you beefing about the whole Shatterverse incident that happened a while ago?!

Shadow Prime arrived on the scene.

Shadow Prime: Well, to be fair, he's right.

Sonic Prime: Hey, wow!

Shadow Prime (to LM!Sonic): However, that still doesn't justify why you've come here. So I suggest you leave now!

LM!Sonic glared at Shadow Prime hatefully, seeing ANY Shadow being his big berserk button.

LM!Sonic: Get out of my way! That sorry excuse of a sidekick is coming with me!

Shadow Prime: So it's the kid you want, huh?

Sonic Prime: Hey, now. I don't want another Nine situation, so I hope you're not thinking about giving Tails to red eyes over there-!

Right then and there, Shadow Prime charged at LM!Sonic as they engaged in combat.

Sonic Prime (genuinely surprised): Huh. I'm... I'm actually surprised.

As the fight went on, OMT!Tails wearily woke up, noticing Sonic Prime restrained.

OMT!Tails: Oh? Hang on! I'll get you down from there.

He disabled the spheres, letting Sonic come back down to terra-firma.

Sonic Prime: Thanks, dude! So... alternate universes... Tell me about it.

OMT!Tails: You know, I remember seeing you a few months back. Weren't you being chased by that robot that wanted the Paradox Prism?

Sonic Prime: Metal X? Yeah, that would be me.

OMT!Tails gasped in awe, his thoughts ultimately confirmed.

OMT!Tails: So you ARE Prime Sonic!

Sonic Prime: The one and only! Fastest thing alive with no-one to serve except the wind that flows free! What more can I ask for than the freedom to go wherever I want! Well... Except, it's clean-up duty again. Someone's gotta fix the mess Baldy McNosehair did.

OMT!Tails: Heh, figures. So, will Shadow be alright trying to fight off that psychopath on his own?

Sonic Prime: Shadow? Oh, please! He's fought a giant lizard and an alien god trying to destroy humanity. What else could some edgy-looking version of myself possibly do?

OMT!Tails: I mean, there's all sorts of variations of you out there, several of which have got this huge Society aiming to keep the wider multiverse safe!

Sonic Prime: So I've heard. I gotta admit, it's really weird seeing hedgehogs that look like me but with different-coloured fur across those multiversal stretches. Speaking of that... is it me, or was that a version of Nine I saw the other day?

OMT!Tails: It sure was!

Sonic Prime: So, where do you plan to go from here? Besides obviously running from that psycho.

OMT!Tails: Well, I've still got some more work to be doing with my own multiversal team once I get moving again.

On cue, LM!Sonic was kicked close to the two.

LM!Sonic: H-How is he so strong...?! This isn't fair! He should've fallen by now!

And fittingly, Shadow Prime kicked him right in the face.

Shadow Prime: Leave now, freak, unless you want me to kick your ass a second time.

Sonic Prime: (to Shadow) Nice work, Shadow! (to OMT!Tails) See? Told ya he could beat him no problem!

OMT!Tails: Heh, sweet!

LM!Sonic got up, frustrated.

LM!Sonic: You weren't even giving it your all! Urgh, Maria would be so ashamed of-.

OMT!Tails: Woah woah woah WOAH! Haven't you even researched the golden rule related to Shadows?

LM!Sonic: Enlighten me, "genius".

OMT!Tails: Do. NOT. Mention. Maria. Out loud. When Shadow is in proximity!

Shadow Prime cracked his knuckles, not at all chuffed with this version of Sonic speaking foul of Maria.

Shadow Prime: So unless you're looking for a death wish, leave our world... and never come back!

LM!Sonic: Fine, then! (to OMT!Tails) But this isn't over, fox! I'll get you yet!

LM!Sonic made his retreat through another portal.

Sonic Prime: Aaaand we'll never see him again.

Shadow Prime: You'd better get back to wherever you came from, Tails. We're not looking to get involved in whatever situation this is.

OMT!Tails: Yeah, that's a good call.

OMT!Tails prepared to leave.

OMT!Tails: Oh, yeah. Before I go, if it at least helps you feel a little better, Shadow, there's always at least one universe where she's alright. Well, see you both around!

OMT!Tails left, Shadow Prime being left to process Tails's words.

Shadow Prime: You know... I prefer him over Nine any day.

Sonic Prime: Oh, come on! Nine wasn't that bad either!

The two began running off.

Shadow Prime: Yeah, but at least this Tails didn't try to kill us.

Sonic Prime: Uuurgh! You're never gonna live that down, are you?

Shadow Prime: Nope.

Sonic Prime: You know what? I shouldn't have asked.

[combeferres-mothematics]

2024 Stories

Tagged by @lemurious Ty :D

Leitmotif of the year: I'm not actually sure what this means, and google is being so little help, but probably Joly XD I've written a lot of Joly POV fics this year. A LOT. (Like, maybe up to a third of what I posted)

My best story of this year: My favorite and/or truest story of this year: The Sweepings of the Street, otherwise known as the one where Combeferre impulsively adopts a baby XD. This was the first fic I posted this year, and it continues to hold a soft spot in my heart even though I haven't updated it in uhhh.... since May- (It's coming, I promise, it's just going slowly XD)

Story of mine most underappreciated by the universe, in my opinion: What's a Little Undoing Each Other's Pants Between Friends? I love this one so much, (I was convinced to keep in the one very niche Joly headcanon I have, ty LMIFHAG discord server) and it's one I'd love to hear people's thoughts on, but I've gotten no thoughts yet. XD

Story with the single sexiest moment: Of Goats and Petticoats Bini doing Musichetta's laundry together?? That sounds pretty sexy, right?? (We're just gonna ignore that it gets eaten by the end of the fic, okay?)

Most "Holy crap, that's wrong, even for you" story // Hardest story to write // Best Title Even the Darkest Nights Will End (And the Sun will Rise) This took me nine-ish? months to write, so it takes the title of Hardest to Write I think.

Story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters: Probably Magical Museums, the debut of my NATM au. It's my shortest fic of the year at just over 650 words, but it was interesting to figure out how the characters would interact coming from not knowing each other :P

Biggest disappointment: None of them really! :P Les Mis fandom is forever one of the best fandom's I've ever been in, and much to my surprise, I've gotten interactions on 99% of the fics I've posted here (I may be skewed though, coming from teeny tiny fandoms before now, LM fandom seems huge XD)

Biggest surprise: I think this one has to go to Beyond the Barricade! I'd been writing it for a year by the time I first posted a chapter for Barricade Day this year, and I wasn't really expecting a lot of interest in it. And now it sits at the top of all my Ao3 stats except wordcount (Which it's going to surpass my other chapter fic in about two more chapter's time).

Most unintentionally telling story: ....Probably every Joly POV story I've done, there's four? of the 12 I wrote this year, a solid third XD (Five if you count the Joly POV chapter in BtB, but since everyone has their POV chapter there, I'm not counting it)

The four, for reference, are, starting with those mentioned above XD

Goats and Petticoats, Even the Darkest Nights, What's a little undoing each other's pants, and Rough Nights (I THINK these are all Joly POV)

Story I haven't yet written, but intend to: An au where the Barricades magically make you younger, brought on by a conversation had in the Les Mis Letters sever over the past month or so, that uhh... Well, it's being plotted now, so Barricade Day 2025 maybe?? XD

Also the one I've started about Joly dealing with invisible disabilities (I know I've talked about it on Discord a little, but I don't think I have here?) Ofc, I don't know if I'll ever post that one, but I certainly intend to write it :P

And to finish some of my many, many WIPs XD Tagging any/all of my writer followers :P (I forgt to tag before posting so I don't want to edit in all the @'s because it'll take too long)

[seorahulpal]

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Check here: https://www.thegreenlms.com/lms-for-government/

[crapeaucrapeau]

2, 6, 11, and 13 for the ME ask. 😏

Thank you for asking me !

2. What’s your favorite part of the trilogy?

As in, which game ? Or which part of a given game I think is strongest ?

For the latter, it's indisputably the resolution of the Mordin/krogan/genophage plot, which is heartbreaking whatever you do. Trick Weekes at their finest, no notes.

For the former, you're asking me which of my three children is my favorite but (sorry @average-mako-enjoyer) I'm going with ME2. Full disclosure, I'm fully onboard with the analysis of the late, lamented Shamus Young, who argued (rightly, I believe) that ME2 is basically filler as it doesn't advance the plot of the OT past the end of ME1 (thereby preparing the clusterfuck at the end of ME3 from lack of set-up), and that it significantly veers off the themes and preoccupations of the original Mass Effect (though I would argue, sometimes for the better).

Yet at the same time, this is a game which isn't supposed to work that catches lightning in a bottle because it's entirely structured on the mechanics of the final Suicide Mission, which itself hinges on the players caring about the companions enough that their deaths would be a loss. And it works, because the companions are fucking amazing. I really like it when a game or a story has a structure uniquely suited to its needs, which is why I'm kinda skeptical when BW tries to systematize ME2's structure to other games (e.g. Loyalty missions in MEA ; while I'm all for personal missions exploring the lives and perspectives of companions, ME2's LMs work because many of them can be significantly failed (usually - but not limited to - by not doing them) and have immediate consequences in the game itself).

But I'll be honest : the real reason I love this game so much is how much we learn about the galaxy. I love how the Terminus Systems are retconned ; I love how we really get into the darker side of the galaxy in a partial deconstruction of the previous game (much like another all-time fave, KOTOR 2), and how we see various people being people outside of the Citadel (which, in ME1, could get very Babylon 5-stilted at times). I fucking love Legion and the new perspective on the geth. I love everything about Mordin. I love the variation in the Loyalty Missions, how (gasp) sometimes there are some missions with no combat ? I love the lore. I love the humor. I love the Suicide Mission's music. I really love that we do gain one significant insight into the Reapers as a species, which is that we are material for their reproduction, which really emphasizes for me the cosmic horror of it all (try and tell someone the best possible use for them is as proteins for a sperm packet). (Conversely, I can't stand the final design for the Reaper larva, especially when I've seen other concepts artists were cooking with).

6. Who was your romance interest? If you changed it, why?

Here is my shameful answer : for medical reasons, I have never been able to play a single Mass Effect game. I have therefore never been able to commit to that personal choice : romance. Which is fine, because until fairly recently I was more interested in the universe than the characters.

I used to be a big Shakarian fan, partly through osmosis (and gorgeous fanart), partly because Garrus is completely unhinged and goes through a corruption arc that is not so much resolved as sidestepped in ME3 (hence my personal headcanon that, in a post-ME3 setting where there's no Shepard, he becomes a Spectre but full Saren). I suspect the broad appeal of the romance for others is that this is a man whose life purpose is to go Punisher but who is always immensely respectful (and at times subservient) to the PC (a woman).

But overall, I've largely stepped away from concerning myself with the romances. I'm largely neutral toward most, with some who are serious NOPE for me (typically : Liara or Tali, which I find unhealthy in ways I do not find sexy). This probably largely boils down to there being no Commander Crapeau Shepard.

11. Any particular memorable quote and from who?

I'm basic, but Javik's. I don't even need to quote it to you.

13. What was the perfect ending for you and why?

I'm an absolute, unabashed fan of the Control ending, who I think most people don't care for because it's TIM-coded.

Synthesis irks me the wrong way because you don't know what you're doing and you're imposing that choice on literally everyone. I'd say the fact it's clearly the Catalyst's favorite option makes it bad, but really, this would be the good ending only when we had any thematic and narrative momentum to build on, Casey.

Destroy is an easy way out. The scorched earth solution. No Reapers, no problem, right ? You just need to kill EDI and the geth, but Shepard gets to live at the end, so that makes it okay I suppose.

Seriously, this solution manages the feat of both proving the Catalyst right (organics can only survive by prioritizing their own survival over that of synthetics) and actually doing nothing at all about the cycles the Catalyst harps on (because synthetics will reemerge in the future, and then you're fucked, son), and you've just implicitly given the Catalyst the vote of confidence for their opinions. What ? I think I'm more offended by the ending's popularity than the ending itself. It's a Pyrrhic victory, but is treated as 100% good because Shepard breathes at the end. Damn everything else.

Control, though. Now this is an ending that takes up the theme of Shepard's sacrifice to its limit. Not only can we expect wildly divergent futures based on Shep's personality (as seen in the subtle changed in Hale's/Meer's voiceover, and how great is it to hear them have the last word ?), which is fanfiction fodder, but more importantly, this is the best ending for everyone that isn't Shepard and their crew. Every species lives to the end ; no one gets fundamentally altered in ways that are unknown and horrific ; Shepard-controled Reapers speedrun the galaxy's reconstruction, minimizing loss of life after the war ; and at the very least, people get breathing room to try and find a possible alternative to the Crucible's shit choice. There is only one (1) person who is fundamentally impacted by Control, and that's Shepard. Shepard is God, but Shepard is gone. They endure as something profoundly different from what they were, in a monstrous form, both literally and theologically. Their apotheosis is, in a way, worse than death. They have to be the hero forever, and they can't even do it as themselves or with the people they love. It would be horrific for their squadmates, it's absolutely the choice a hero should take if they're defined by their ability to give up everything for the sake of everyone else. No, I won't be taking any questions.

[kingedmundsroyalmurder]

Blue Castle chapter 27

"Already, since the houses along the road were becoming numerous, she was conscious that curious eyes were looking at her from every window."

The theme of social shaming is really core to this story. Deerwood is a community that operates entirely on largely unwritten but universally understood social rules, and it is absolutely social suicide to deviate from them. Valancy hasn't just deviated, she has torn the social contract to pieces and set it on fire.

But what has she actually done? She went to live with Cissy -- another woman who broke the rules and was basically killed for it -- and now she's gotten married. She hasn't hurt anyone, she hasn't even been rude to anyone. She has upheld Christian values in providing care to the sick and she has fulfilled the understood role of a woman in getting married. But because she did the "correct" things in the incorrect way, she is now half a curiosity half a pariah in her own right.

(Thesis: Valancy's story serves as a counterbalance to a character like Javert in Les Mis. Javert's whole thing is that he fiercely upholds the rules of a society that deems him disposable and inherently lesser. He spends almost his whole life bowing to and supporting that system, and all he gets out of it is disrespect and, ultimately, destruction. There is no winning in a rigged system. Valancy also spent almost 30 years trying to live up to what her society expected of her, and she too was in the process of being destroyed by it. When the story opens, Valancy has lost the keys to her Blue Castle entirely. The only way to win in a system that has already decided you aren't valuable is to stop playing completely.)

(Consideration for the like three people who overlap in the blue castle and lm fandoms: Valancy and Cosette -- would they be friends? I'm thinking yes, although it might take them a while to understand each other.)

“To marry a man you know nothing about,” thought Cousin Georgiana aloud.

“I know more about him than I know of Edward Beck,” said Valancy.

“Edward Beck goes to church,” said Cousin Georgiana.

You know, I kind of sympathize with Cousin Georgiana here. Because Valancy is quite correct that she knows nothing about Edward Beck, but others in the community do. Georgiana was a friend of Edward Beck's first wife, which implies that she knows at least something of his character, and going to church means that the community sees someone regularly and has at least a vague sense of what they're like. Of course that doesn't mean he can't have secrets, or be disagreeable in private, or any number of other things, but you at least have some basic facts to work with. Whereas no one knows anything at all about Barney. Yes, the rumors about him are wildly overblown, but it is true that he just sort of showed up one day. And honestly? If he was secretly a murderer luring Valancy in to have his wicked ways with her? She's screwed. "Nothing mattered but Barney and the Blue Castle up back in Mistawis." Valancy's very lucky that she's in a fairy tale and not a horror story.

But of course this is a fairy tale, and both the reader and Valancy have quite a bit more information about Barney than Cousin Georgiana. We know that he's not a murderer, just kind of a recluse who just lost his best friend to illness. So there's no teeth in Georgiana's fears.

[owmylasagna-blog]

c, e, f, g, i, k, s!!!!

Oh my god wowowow let’s do this!

Just a heads up: tw for discussing abuse for question K.

C: What member do you identify with most?

Trick question i relate to all the Eds for different reasons!! But for real I guess in the dynamic of the three together I am absolutely Ed.

E: If you wrote a sequel to [insert fic], what would it be about?

Hmmm I don’t know! I feel like my fics are all little separate contained packages. Maybe not so much sequels but snippets from the same general timeline. I don’t want to spoil how LMS ends but of course I have ideas about the events following its conclusion.

F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you've written and explain why you're proud of it.

Okay here is another because I’m bad at picking favorites… from Ch 4 of LMS.

Clapping her hands together, the enthused employee responded, “My goodness! Isn’t that funny! Three friends with the same name. Why, you could write a story book about something like that.”

“Eh, probably more like a TV show,” Eddy replied, running a hand through his hair to make sure it wasn’t out of place from Ed’s ruffling.

“What would it be about?” The woman inquired.

Eddy placed Sparky’s name tag over his right thumb, flicked it until it flipped a few times, and snatched it midair on the descent.

“Beats me. It’s kind of a weak premise. Sounds like it needs a plot.”

I enjoyed the irony of the characters in-universe not being aware they are characters from a kids cartoon. It’s just fun for me to play with that, and prod at the common criticism that the show didn’t have a plot lol. It had a plot but it was often simple. The imagery of Eddy flipping the tag was meant to allude to the main plot driver for most of the show: getting quarters for jaw breakers.

Lol I also appreciated you shouting out the Eddy line from this bit of dialogue from The Ed Must Go On. I also felt proud of myself for getting Eddy’s stubborn-as-an-ass voice right haha and I can’t resist writing Edd and Eddy bickering:

Eddy just leaned back, crossing his arms.

“You know. It’s your way or the highway.”

“Well I can’t help that you were pulling the fabric too taut. Your seam is going to be cockled.”

“Maybe I like my seams cockled.”

G: Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?

I guess more the latter. I often get specific dialogue or scenes in my head and work a plot around that. Sometimes if there are multiple scenes I’ll cobble them together in an order that makes some logical sense. With a more complicated multi chapter fic I have general outlines of events, locations, timelines too that I’m working with.

I: Do you have a guilty pleasure in fic (reading or writing)?

Honestly my answer to F this time around reminded me I’m such a sucker for 4th wall breaks and references back to events from the show. I integrate them a lot, hopefully not entirely overdoing it (I’m definitely overdoing it). Um also big fan of physical comedy - how could I not be, eene is the best with slapstick!

K: What's the angstiest idea you've ever come up with?

Oh jeez… it’s a fair question but I’m so cringe. In my old fic Ready I heavily insinuate that Eddy was physically and sexually abused by his bro.

S: Any fandom tropes you can't resist?

I’m not sure! Forgive me, my brain in jamming. I’m thinking of more like headcanons, not necessarily tropes? Like having them be stoners in high school.

[lesmisletters-daily]

What He Believed

Les Mis Letters reading club explores one chapter of Les Misérables every day. Join us on Discord, Substack - or share your thoughts right here on tumblr - today's tag is #lm 1.1.13

We are not obliged to sound the Bishop of D—— on the score of orthodoxy. In the presence of such a soul we feel ourselves in no mood but respect. The conscience of the just man should be accepted on his word. Moreover, certain natures being given, we admit the possible development of all beauties of human virtue in a belief that differs from our own.

What did he think of this dogma, or of that mystery? These secrets of the inner tribunal of the conscience are known only to the tomb, where souls enter naked. The point on which we are certain is, that the difficulties of faith never resolved themselves into hypocrisy in his case. No decay is possible to the diamond. He believed to the extent of his powers. <i>“Credo in Patrem,”</i> he often exclaimed. Moreover, he drew from good works that amount of satisfaction which suffices to the conscience, and which whispers to a man, “Thou art with God!”

The point which we consider it our duty to note is, that outside of and beyond his faith, as it were, the Bishop possessed an excess of love. It was in that quarter, <i>quia multum amavit</i>,—because he loved much—that he was regarded as vulnerable by “serious men,” “grave persons��� and “reasonable people”; favorite locutions of our sad world where egotism takes its word of command from pedantry. What was this excess of love? It was a serene benevolence which overflowed men, as we have already pointed out, and which, on occasion, extended even to things. He lived without disdain. He was indulgent towards God’s creation. Every man, even the best, has within him a thoughtless harshness which he reserves for animals. The Bishop of D—— had none of that harshness, which is peculiar to many priests, nevertheless. He did not go as far as the Brahmin, but he seemed to have weighed this saying of Ecclesiastes: “Who knoweth whither the soul of the animal goeth?” Hideousness of aspect, deformity of instinct, troubled him not, and did not arouse his indignation. He was touched, almost softened by them. It seemed as though he went thoughtfully away to seek beyond the bounds of life which is apparent, the cause, the explanation, or the excuse for them. He seemed at times to be asking God to commute these penalties. He examined without wrath, and with the eye of a linguist who is deciphering a palimpsest, that portion of chaos which still exists in nature. This reverie sometimes caused him to utter odd sayings. One morning he was in his garden, and thought himself alone, but his sister was walking behind him, unseen by him: suddenly he paused and gazed at something on the ground; it was a large, black, hairy, frightful spider. His sister heard him say:—

“Poor beast! It is not its fault!”

Why not mention these almost divinely childish sayings of kindness? Puerile they may be; but these sublime puerilities were peculiar to Saint Francis d’Assisi and of Marcus Aurelius. One day he sprained his ankle in his effort to avoid stepping on an ant. Thus lived this just man. Sometimes he fell asleep in his garden, and then there was nothing more venerable possible.

Monseigneur Bienvenu had formerly been, if the stories anent his youth, and even in regard to his manhood, were to be believed, a passionate, and, possibly, a violent man. His universal suavity was less an instinct of nature than the result of a grand conviction which had filtered into his heart through the medium of life, and had trickled there slowly, thought by thought; for, in a character, as in a rock, there may exist apertures made by drops of water. These hollows are uneffaceable; these formations are indestructible.

In 1815, as we think we have already said, he reached his seventy-fifth birthday, but he did not appear to be more than sixty. He was not tall; he was rather plump; and, in order to combat this tendency, he was fond of taking long strolls on foot; his step was firm, and his form was but slightly bent, a detail from which we do not pretend to draw any conclusion. Gregory XVI., at the age of eighty, held himself erect and smiling, which did not prevent him from being a bad bishop. Monseigneur Welcome had what the people term a “fine head,” but so amiable was he that they forgot that it was fine.

When he conversed with that infantile gayety which was one of his charms, and of which we have already spoken, people felt at their ease with him, and joy seemed to radiate from his whole person. His fresh and ruddy complexion, his very white teeth, all of which he had preserved, and which were displayed by his smile, gave him that open and easy air which cause the remark to be made of a man, “He’s a good fellow”; and of an old man, “He is a fine man.” That, it will be recalled, was the effect which he produced upon Napoleon. On the first encounter, and to one who saw him for the first time, he was nothing, in fact, but a fine man. But if one remained near him for a few hours, and beheld him in the least degree pensive, the fine man became gradually transfigured, and took on some imposing quality, I know not what; his broad and serious brow, rendered august by his white locks, became august also by virtue of meditation; majesty radiated from his goodness, though his goodness ceased not to be radiant; one experienced something of the emotion which one would feel on beholding a smiling angel slowly unfold his wings, without ceasing to smile. Respect, an unutterable respect, penetrated you by degrees and mounted to your heart, and one felt that one had before him one of those strong, thoroughly tried, and indulgent souls where thought is so grand that it can no longer be anything but gentle.

As we have seen, prayer, the celebration of the offices of religion, alms-giving, the consolation of the afflicted, the cultivation of a bit of land, fraternity, frugality, hospitality, renunciation, confidence, study, work, filled every day of his life. <i>Filled</i> is exactly the word; certainly the Bishop’s day was quite full to the brim, of good words and good deeds. Nevertheless, it was not complete if cold or rainy weather prevented his passing an hour or two in his garden before going to bed, and after the two women had retired. It seemed to be a sort of rite with him, to prepare himself for slumber by meditation in the presence of the grand spectacles of the nocturnal heavens. Sometimes, if the two old women were not asleep, they heard him pacing slowly along the walks at a very advanced hour of the night. He was there alone, communing with himself, peaceful, adoring, comparing the serenity of his heart with the serenity of the ether, moved amid the darkness by the visible splendor of the constellations and the invisible splendor of God, opening his heart to the thoughts which fall from the Unknown. At such moments, while he offered his heart at the hour when nocturnal flowers offer their perfume, illuminated like a lamp amid the starry night, as he poured himself out in ecstasy in the midst of the universal radiance of creation, he could not have told himself, probably, what was passing in his spirit; he felt something take its flight from him, and something descend into him. Mysterious exchange of the abysses of the soul with the abysses of the universe!

He thought of the grandeur and presence of God; of the future eternity, that strange mystery; of the eternity past, a mystery still more strange; of all the infinities, which pierced their way into all his senses, beneath his eyes; and, without seeking to comprehend the incomprehensible, he gazed upon it. He did not study God; he was dazzled by him. He considered those magnificent conjunctions of atoms, which communicate aspects to matter, reveal forces by verifying them, create individualities in unity, proportions in extent, the innumerable in the infinite, and, through light, produce beauty. These conjunctions are formed and dissolved incessantly; hence life and death.

He seated himself on a wooden bench, with his back against a decrepit vine; he gazed at the stars, past the puny and stunted silhouettes of his fruit-trees. This quarter of an acre, so poorly planted, so encumbered with mean buildings and sheds, was dear to him, and satisfied his wants.

What more was needed by this old man, who divided the leisure of his life, where there was so little leisure, between gardening in the daytime and contemplation at night? Was not this narrow enclosure, with the heavens for a ceiling, sufficient to enable him to adore God in his most divine works, in turn? Does not this comprehend all, in fact? and what is there left to desire beyond it? A little garden in which to walk, and immensity in which to dream. At one’s feet that which can be cultivated and plucked; over head that which one can study and meditate upon: some flowers on earth, and all the stars in the sky.