#Did not expect to go on a rant

[patientwasabi]

I had wondered what made Luffy's help so different from the help we've seen in history. Actually, even in today's world. If anyone were to come to my country (which is moving towards bankruptcy) and said "can a stranger not save this land" or something to that effect, I'd be on high alert, doubt, and tell that guy to buzz off. I'd tell him to get off his high horse and let this place be destroyed so that something good can have a chance to rise instead of this dude to later demand some kind of compensation. If it were Luffy, though, I'd welcome him. Ask him to grab the corrupt politicians and the institute-which-mustn't-be-named by the collar and drag their nose through dirt. What OP said, that is exactly it. It's the secondary nature of his help which is devoid of self-interest. Luffy will help them if they're willing to help themselves (even if it's in the form of asking for help). If they've fed him, it's enough a reason to turn the country upside down for them but they've to ask for it. It's their battle first and his battle second.

When I said devoid of self-interest, it mostly concerns the aftermath of the battle. When the villain has been taken down. Luffy leaves and let's the people handle their problems themselves. Which... Where do we get this embodiment of future in real life, one can only wish.

Luffy not wanting to be viewed as a hero is actually so important to me. Because while the first reasoning we get for this is him not wanting to share his food

We also learn later on that Luffy also doesn't want to be viewed as a savior, nor does he ever want to present himself as such. He doesn't want to be placed on a pedestal or (ironically) be deified by the people he helps.

At the end of Fishman island, he was fully ready to leave without fanfare because he did not want to be treated by the people in that way, and only agrees to stay because he is promised food. The same thing happens at the end of Wano, where he refuses to take any credit for the downfall of Kaido and instead simply enjoys the festival with everyone else.

I cannot overstate how much I love this decision for Luffy as a character. It is incredibly common for stories like Fishman Island and Wano to have the main character swoop in and save the oppressed people, with said character being to sole person to rally them and "teach" them how to fight back. We don't get that with Luffy.

In Fishman Island, he tells the people that its up to them to decide whether or not he is their friend or foe instead of swooping in playing the role of the hero. In Wano, he understands to importance of who begins the fight with Kaido, and stands back to let the Red Scabbards (Wano natives) get the first major hit on Kaido

Even in the prison when Luffy gives his speech, he is asking the people to let him help, to have faith that they and their country can be free again, to fight for the freedom that had been cruelly stripped away from them. And even then, it is Momo and members of the Red Scabbards that fully restore the Udon prisoners faith.

Hell, we even see this all the way back in Arlong Park, where Luffy waits to take action until Nami asks him for help. He doesn't come in guns blazing and save her like some sort of white knight, but instead waits for Nami's go ahead, placing the power in her hand.

It's just such a refreshing way of seeing a protagonist in this type of story be portrayed. To have him understand the importance of the people he fight's side by side with, and not place himself as the fixer of all problems, but rather as an aid to these people (often times an aid that they explicitly asked for). It actively rejects the white savior/white knight trope(s) and allows for the people native to the island to have agency in these large battles instead of being sidelined. It is their lives and stories that are centered as being the most important in these moments, and Luffy is simply there to help them.

[yannig]

At this point I'm beginning to think "I hated the test/thought it was stupid" should be a diagnosis criteria.

"I usually feel unhappy more days than not." That is not a symptom of Autism, that is a symptom of depression.

"I enjoy parties." What parties? What kind of parties? How many people? Do I know most of the people there? Do I know the location? How much music and noise is there? Am I expected to dance night-club style or can I just talk to people? I cannot answer that question it is not precise enough!!

"I stop being angry quicker than most people." Mate, I have no idea how quickly most people stop being angry. Literally none.

"I cannot concentrate for long periods of time." Hey fucker, question, have you heard of the concept of an hyperfixation??? I can't concentrate except when I can because I've gotten caught in hyperfocus???

So many questions I left in the middle because I had no idea how to answer. Like it told me Autism symptoms were moderate. Which fair, I also think I'm more ADHD than Autistic. But also I left so many questions in the middle in the Autism one because I had no idea how to answer them?? So I have no idea how accurate it is.

I did get high symptoms for ADHD though. Which makes sens.

Also I still have to take an ADHD or Autism test that ask questions about executive function. Which is my #1 problem on a day-to-day basis. Emotional regulation and concentration problems are like #2 and #3 respectively. And sure they're annoying. But the executive dysfunction is awful?! And it's never mentioned in the tests!?!

(mind you I have taken more ADHD tests than Autism tests. Because I relate more to ADHD symptoms and experiences. But still)

This is not even a criticism of these tests specifically, I have taken other tests (you can find the official test sheets for ADHD online, I have looked at them and got angry almost instantly), it just seem they're all bullshit. I get more angry every time I have to look up official diagnosis criteria and tests.

Hence my first point. "I thought the test was stupid" should be a diagnosis criteria.

(Except of course if they're so stupid even NT people think they're stupid. In which case fuck the tests)

For those who have ADHD and/or autism.

I wanna to do a test to see if I'm autistic, have ADHD, both or neither. For some reason I'm terrified of knowing the truth. Sorry if I sound offensive at some point, I'm just writing about myself and don't mean to be mean at any point.

ADHD, the name changed right? Gonna use this one because I'm writing this quickly. If I have ok, that'd explain why I'm so forgetful and nothing catches my attention unless I'm interested in the topic. And why is so hard to focus. And why I never finish my projects. But I'm not hyper active. I'm a pretty calm person, I can't reall5sit and focus for too long, but give me a hair elastic thing and I'll play with it for hours while listening to you. And I'll be able to actually listen.

Don't ask me to look in your eyes tho, I will. But only for 5 minutes if you are lucky.

My mom a lot for times aska me for things and I completely forget about them, things that are important and I feel bad for forgetting.

But all of this could simply be me and no ADHD. I don't know.

Autism

Frankly I don't think I have autism. But the reports are just so relatable it scares me a bit. I was bullied a lot during my childhood. I remember in the first grade, I tried hard to make friends but I never was able to. To this day I don't know why. Why people didn't like me? I have a timeline of events in my head of my entire life, things that happened when I was 2 y.o. but I don't have details. I don't remember if i did something or not to be not liked. The first school that my parents put me in I was there for a year. In this whole year I didn't make a single friend. I remember I asked my parents for help to do a lost of people who were and weren't my friends simply to try to uncover the reason for that. Is this a sign of autism? Idk. Maybe I'm just out of the norm, but not autistic. Doesn't seem like autism. Autism is something that affects your day to day, every day life. I'm not sure if I have signs everyday.

I have trouble socializing. I have trouble making friends. I have trouble maintaining friendship. But I can understand sarcasm, jokes and I'm able to tell when people are sad or uncomfortable. so there's goes signs that the internet sites gave me. Sometimes I do have troubles talking and truly understanding what my parents say. Not because they are complex, but because I don't get it. There are easier ways to do things and they won't for some alien reason.

I have trouble understanding relationships, in the sense what it means to be in, part of or the different aspects of relationship. People expect things. Sometimes it feels like mathematical equations on which I have to be constant aware of. I gave to do this to get to that. A lot of times I feel like I'm manipulating the few relationships that I have big I can't see another way.

Don't you dare change my routine. I'll be messed up and although not cry, I'll be very close to. Unless the change is "we are not going outside of the house anymore", sudden things messes my little planned time. At the same time I can't really organize myself very well.

I do have some subjects on which I'm very passionate about. But I'm no genius on them and although I'd love to, I can't keep going on them for hours and hours because, as said before I can't communicate very well. My social skills are terrible, I don't know what to say most of the time but I feel like I should.

I don't think I have autism. I don't think I have ADHD. I think I'm only different from other people but can't put my finger exactly on what exactly. I don't feel like I really fall into the spectrum because I lack the usual signs. But I don't know how much of this is stereotyping both those conditions.

[sailforvalinor]

The thing is I want an accurate but GOOD Mansfield Park adaptation so so bad but I don’t trust anyone except for 5 or 6 people on this webbed site in the depths of the undercity of the internet to make it because NO ONE understands Edmund Bertram except for me, the author, and a handful of my beloved mutuals and friends

[saintobio]

hello am still alive but the corporate hustle is sucking the life out of me. i’m sorry sy11 is taking awhile but i’ll try to find time whenever i can 🥹

[sweetcloverheart]

Honestly, part of me's kind of glad the show isn't doing the "Zoe's past as a bully" reveal by bringing back one of her victims - mostly because with their track record on how they handle victims with complex situations (Stares at "London" and "Shanghai" Specials), there's a good chance they would have either just villainized whoever it was over "not accepting Zoe's change" or had them victim-blame themselves for what happened and tell her not to feel bad since she was "forced" to be a bully.

[d1sc01nf3rn0]

I'm seeing a lot of people with neurodivergency, specially under the autism spectrum say that "Laios is annoying, never shuts up, is insensitive, and I can't stand him"; and the irony is not lost on me lmao.

[kktalksshit]

led renaissance happening sorry guys i will draw greg again. eventually.

[dragon-spaghetti]

If I keep getting those “use x sound for good things to happen! ☺️” videos I may actually lose my shit like it’s not even funny anymore

[ibelieveinahappilyeverafter]

no but like, I need y'all to understand how different I am now that i'm taking Adderall and it's actually working

before Adderall I would feel the urge to use the bathroom and even if I had to go it would still take me ten minutes to get the necessary energy to sit up and actually go

i would then sit on the toilet for about 20 minutes until I got the strength/energy to return to my room and collapse on my bed

now?

it's 1am and after casually popping in I brushed my teeth (which I usually don't have the energy for) and just casually cleaned the sink

over the last week i've written about 7,000 words, did dishes without feeling like I was going to have a breakdown over it, casually took out the trash, just-

i feel like for the first time in years I can actually do things

y'all I brushed my teeth and almost started crying at how easy it felt

[diaospuppy]

Latest SunNuea update (x)

[woennix]

i absolutely love how quick crows are to adopt people

cellbit called philza dad once (1) and the crows are like YEAH THATS OUR NEW SON SO EXCITED

i also love the idea of qcellbit (or even cellbit himself) being completely unaware. like in roleplay there suddenly is a bigass group of crows that have adopted him and he's like ??? bc they follow him everywhere, bring him food, and take care of him, but he just assumes phil's crows do that with everyone, when actually they are taking special care of him

like they probably do help the whole team but the crows are just so attached to him suddenly and while he's like, ''well, thats strange, but nice'' the crows are just ''SON SON SON SON SON SON'' while philza just laughs and goes along with whatever is happening, so used already to them getting overly attached for the strangest reasons.

[enhanced-operatives-division]

Junicrane/Starstruck Ramble

I will not be brief, all under the cut

To clear some things right off the bat:

No corpse, no proof with Juniper. Obligatory this is set in a canon where he's alive and adjacent to the agency in some way.

Reggie & Juniper are just gay to me, but I don't mind any interpretation of their sexuality

The games are set in 1967/68 to me (based on a couple bits in game) which is before it was legal to be gay in America at least (1971), which is relevant to how I interpret canon as being somewhat grounded in reality, despite unrealistic elements.

This is just an insane amount of headcanons/elements of and AU all culminated into one post. I will talk about some headcanons like they're just facts because they are established in my head, and it saves me over explaining literally everything, however I will explain some parts a little bit for clarity.

Alright. Actual beginning of the ramble:

Juniper is a character to me who had gotten so lost in his job as an actor and a social presence that in the end his whole life revolved around that 'role'. Because of this, by the time he's put into the situation where he's around the Agency, he basically knows nothing about himself, though he doesn't realise at first. Furthermore, what little identity he had has changed in so many ways. He's no longer a beloved famous actor in the prominence of public light, he's legally dead and he tarnished his career just before he was supposed to die, with the bonus of that making him lose the majority of his estate. From that, he also has horrific facial scarring from the electrical burns from literally having his face fried. I believe a friend of mine made a post about this a while ago (I also think they were the first to think it up also), but, to me, Juniper has a permanent trimmer in his right arm (aka his dominant hand) from the electrical current and it is messing with his nervous system.

All in all, he's not doing great, but he's too proud to admit that he's not doing great, because if anything, what's left of his ego is all he has as a defense since he's deep in unfamiliar water.

Before ending up around the agency (I have multiple interpretations of this, so I'm just going to bring it up generally), he'd never actually seen Reggie, and his only impression of him is a single voicemail, which was his only reference he had to later impersonate him. Juniper probably has very little feelings other than the ones he projects onto him because of Phoenix and that, at the very least, he's physically attracted to Reggie to some degree (that's like the beginning of how everything else would tumble into place in this sort of interpretation at least).

And on Crane's side? His feelings towards Juniper are probably very intense and muddled. On the one hand, he adores musical theatre, and that's his now ex-favourite actor. The thought of just casually being around him blows the bit of fanboy in him away at first because THAT'S the GUY, plus the inklings of a celebrity crush which still poke at him. And then there's the rational side of him, which knows Juniper has committed absolute atrocities on the side of Zoraxis, and hates him for that. Then there's how much Juniper comes off as an asshole at first because he refuses to cooperate with anything the Agency tried to put in place. He finds Juniper endlessly frustrating, and yet he's stuck working with him since, afterall, he's the one who knows the Agency's history with Juniper the best. I imagine him acting a lot like how he does IEYTD 1 around Juniper.

At this point, I'm just describing the pitch for a romcom.

I think the start of their relationship with one another largely started with Juniper trying to wind Crane up. It was a way of getting his attention, and I don't think Juniper knows why he's so dead set on that at first, because I don't think he realises he has a crush on 'this grump' at first. (I think that's actually the fun part about these two, because it's almost like a role reversal of the celebrity crush dynamic. This ex-big name actor has a TERRIBLE crush on an average joe and it is KILLING HIM.) But of course the Agency keeps them together because Juniper is at least conversing with Crane, so it's a start.

Through one way or another, they actually get talking casually, at least mildly at first. It takes Juniper a long time to fully deconstruct the wall he's built, and the thing is, Crane isn't the one trying to deconstruct it, at least at first, because yeah, Juniper realises if he wants Reggie to actually like him in any way, he can't keep winding him up. So they talk. Small talk at first, something rhythmic and almost easy to keep to a script. And over time that turns into actual conversations. Genuine ones in which Reggie rips out the occasional one of his jokes which Juniper is endlessly endeared about. The way he smiles just before he makes them, like he wants to chuckle at what he's about to say before he says it. That's probably when Juniper realised that he does have some vague crush on him, and that it wasn't going away.

This is what kickstarts John I can't-buy-you-things-to-impress-you-so-acts-of-service-it-is Juniper to do little things for him. It mostly starts off as him trying to make Reggie his tea how he likes it. However, the nerve damage in his arm makes that hard, as the weight of the kettle and trying to pour is hard all of a sudden. And he refuses to accept that, so he tries for a very long while. Long enough that Crane would go to investigate what was going on. And when he does see Juniper leaning over a cup with the kettle as he uneasily tries to pour it, and when Crane asks Juniper responds so matter-of-fact that his intention is nothing but genuine. And it catches Reggie off guard because Juniper hadn't done anything like that up to that point, and his very apparent vulnerability is so clearly on show.

It shifts something between them.

From that point on, conversations are longer, more familiar. Both of their attitudes soften, and Reggie makes more jokes. Juniper learns how to better use his left hand while strengthening his right back to a point where it could be used again. Slowly, they're both spending time with one another not because they have to, but just because they can. Little bits at first, not too far outside what they already were doing, but those little bits turned into long bits to a point where the other person's company was genuinely desirable.

As time passes, Juniper probably realises that he doesn't genuinely know much about himself or what hobbies he's into, because he never really had the time when he got big, and his home life in his youth wasn't bad, but it wasn't picturesque. I think Reggie would pick up on it, and absolutely try to introduce him to some things he's into. Some things stick, other things don't (corn husking very much stays Reggie's passion, and John will go with him sometimes because it's him, but it's not something he strongly cares for). Crane introduces him to a lot of music, and it's something that becomes a staple between them, with tracks they listen to more than others (tragically, I know relatively little about 60s music so I couldn't really say what). Occasionally they dance, never anything intense, think slow dancing, but the closeness is nice.

Through all of it, Juniper is battling the worst crush of his life, and he can't stand it, because I think he struggles to read people since he doesn't have anything like a script or a director to refer back to, so he has no idea if Reggie likes him back or if he's just desperate for that to be true. I think because of that any sort of confession between them would be incredibly raw, not only because of the time they live in making it hard for them to be truthful about how they love, but because it's a complete show of Juniper who's worked to be this better person. I don't exactly know how that would go, mainly because I don't have one set version of their dynamic, this post is just a generalisation of main consistent points.

Reggie does like him back, because he's gotten used to Juniper being just this guy, not a figure in the public eye, not a Zoraxis lackey, and not any sort of Agency operative (despite being under their care to some degree). He's someone he genuinely cares for, because they've given one another the time of day to learn one another, and I think because Reggie was a field agent, he was a lot better at reading Juniper than Juniper was at reading him. Eventually Juniper's company becomes something he could see around him for the rest of his life, and I think he accepts that he likes Juniper a lot more gracefully.

I think any affection directed at Juniper would at first be met with him feeling a little muddled. Reggie was a very physically affectionate person when he could be, and sure the initial flirting with one another came with the occasional little touches, but everything now was so deeply intentional. I also don't think Juniper would almost ever get over the novelty of being able to kiss him, or many other gestures, because it made the fact that they were together so very real, and it was great. I do think it comes easier to Reggie, and it's a big way of showing how much he cares, so it's important for Juniper to try and show it back because he knows how much it means to the other.

I like the idea of them eventually living with one another, too. I think Juniper would have always had a quiet little daydream of sorts where he does just live a domestic quiet life, and he can with Reggie (well, as close as they can get between the Agency and Zoraxis always being at odds), and he loves that, and he loves him, and it's immense.

I think they cook for one another a lot, it helps Juniper work on his dexterity in a controlled environment, which means a lot because it's a huge point of insecurity (that and his scars). He does improve, and Crane is proud of that and shows it and it's great. I also think they'd probably cook together too, because they can deal with being in the kitchen together and they work well with one another. It's probably a good way for them to unwind because over time they can do it in relative silence.

As I said before, I also think music is a staple in their household, and that Reggie listens to things on vinyl almost all of the time because he likes the background noise. Sometimes Juniper will catch him chuntering along to the music which he finds endlessly endearing. I wouldn't put it past his dramatic ass to also join in to fluster Reggie, but I also don't think Reggie would mind that terribly because Juniper has listened to the music enough to know the lyrics, and that's huge to him.

I don't think they are without rough patches, no relationship is, but I think the good part about them is that they're willing to talk about it (... eventually). They're used to long conversations, and while they're often less fun conversations, they're needed and they know that, and it works out.

Alright. I think I'm done for now. I haven't mentioned everything, but this definitely got the worst of it out of my system. If you ever want to hear any specific thoughts my ask box is open but other than that, behold my general dynamic for these two which has been festering in my head for years. I think they're great

[fireheartwraith]

Nothing scares me more than trickster gods/spirits. I'm not beating anyone on brute force, all I've got on my side is courage, shamelessness and a healthy dose of recklessness to keep things spicy. Going against normal foes, no matter how strong they are, is dangerous, but I can take them as long as I know them well, play to their ego, their vanity, etc. But these chaotic neutral mfs?? Nothing. I don’t know why they are doing the things they're doing. They don’t have reason or motives that I can try to understand or manipulate. They are terrible foes but even worse allies because you can’t predict their actions. Who's to say they won’t grow bored of you and decide to screw you over instead of helping? Absolutely terrifying, I wouldn’t sleep at night

[deer-with-a-stick]

Literally screaming into a void right now but jesus christ why the hell do so many people hate Gale?? Is this because of Dragon Age??? He's my boy leave him alone

[cementcornfield]

the way i know it's taking everything in him not to say some ridiculous comment to the press rn 😭

[gentlebeards]

people scolding edward for being “dependent” on stede for his happiness are really starting to annoy me, because

- we just watched edward bonding with an old friend, go fishing for the first time, and share that happiness, that he found himself, with stede.

- this is a romcom. they’re going to find happiness with each other, heal each other, and encourage each other to keep being the best version of themselves. that is the romance formula they’ve given us since season one. 

- if you’re looking for a realistic, “healthy”, modern flavored romance? this is not the show for you. this is going to be a sappy, pirate soulmate au in a workplace comedy. this is fanfiction coming to life on your television screen. appreciate it for what it is 😤