#How to Practice Compassion

[smolandweirdwriter]

The Bad Kids In/After College:

Adaine, Kristen, and Riz attended Astral State University together. Ordinarily, a three-person party isn't the most likely to be successful, but they have a reputation and experience that many adventurers haven't, and they make it work, becoming saviors of not just Elmville, Solace, or their surrounding world but of planes of existence as well.

Fig dropped out after Junior Year. Since then, she has begun a recording label in Hell that operates something of the way Bill Seacaster's patronage does. She's effectively a patron to dozens of bard-warlock multiclassers at this point. Fig and the Sig Figs is going strong, but they're not touring as much because Gorgug's schedule has been wacky.

Why, you ask? Because Gorgug decided to take Arthur Aguefort up on his offer to teach at the Aguefort Adventuring Academy, and that resulted in Arthur forcing offering Gorgug to study directly under him. He's been hopping around through time and space with Arthur learning about Artificing and Barbarianism and the history of the Aguefort Adventuring Academy and all sorts of crazy things. It's been a chaotic four years, and also, somehow, the best four years of Gorgug's life. Weirdly enough, he and Arthur develop some convoluted bond/understanding of each other. He wants to take some time away from all the Aguefort stuff (both the man himself and the school) before he starts, so he'll be teaching in the next fall. Until then, he's returning to Elmville and staying with his parents.

Fabian did not pursue any form of higher education or further adventuring type thing. Of all the bad kids, he's become the most, well, normal. He and Mazey opened a dance-fighting studio. He wants to propose to her. Is 25 too soon? He asks Adaine over Fantasy FaceTime one night.

She's in a small bunk of an inter-dimensional spaceship, heading home soon. Her hair is dyed blue and longer than it's ever been, wrapping around her shoulder and spilling all the way out of sight of the screen. She's stronger now, dressed in something of intergalactic armor. She's not the person he knew--she's who that person was always supposed to be, and it aches because in all truth, she was his first crush, and he is always thinking about her and her sister and how much he loves them and how different that love feels now than it did when he was 15. How childish he was. How easily he wanted people who did not want him. How happy he is now with Mazey. How he always wants to feel like this.

Adaine shrugs. She doesn't really understand marriage, herself. Doesn't want it. Will marriage do anything to change what you think of her?

What? No. Of course not. It'll just make it more... Permanent.

Nothing's permanent, she tells him. But you two are cute. If marrying her will make you feel more connected, go ahead.

He bites his lip. I don't suppose you can look into the future for me and see if she says yes?

Adaine doesn't answer. They both know it doesn't work that way. She doesn't really know the future any better than anyone else. Her anxiety has not gone away or faded, her problems have not miraculously vanished, but she is not alone anymore. She is not afraid. She is so immensely loved, and there are days when that still strikes her as unbelievable, but those are few and far between.

Kristen loves college. She loves the freedom, loves the discovery of information on her own time and in her own interests, loves hanging out with Riz and Adaine, loves the mystery of new, unknown places that she and Cassandra can revel in. For all that has occurred, she and Cassandra are learning together, a reborn god and her reborn prophet who is young and has made mistakes and knows herself well enough now to know trying and failing is not something to fear. It's sort of ironic, but Kristen has become so alike to the philosophy student guardians she had with YES?. And yet she is still something different. She is gloriously unpretentious, but she has grown into (and simultaneously out of the more childish aspects of) her questioning and escapist nature, and she cares. She cares so much about everything. About fairness and justice and answers answers answers. She worships not only Cassandra but Cassandra and Ankarna, gathering power from both equally, a Cleric of Two Gods, the Cleric of the Reborn Ones, cleric of Dusk and Dawn. She's thinking of pursuing grad school. Maybe she'll study philosophy. Maybe not. She and Riz talk about it late into the night. She has not gotten over Tracker, but nor have they gotten back together in full. They are friends, and that's something that will not sit quite right in the pit of Kristen's stomach, but she lives and she learns and one day it will.

Riz it turns out, has discovered quite a lot about himself in the last few years. Like, oh, he can have friends who aren't the ones he made in high school. Like, oh, all those clubs he joined Junior Year? Yeah, it turns out he really, really likes some of them. He discovers, especially strangely, that he likes gardening. He likes the idea that he planted something, made something, helped keep it alive, that they together are surviving and thriving and okay. He likes taking care of things. He keeps a small potted plant that he carries with him everywhere.

When the Bad Kids come back together, they are not new people. They are who they were always meant to be.

[lectorel]

Flemeth, I like you and all, but please, for just a single moment, consider what it says about you that your daughter read a grimoire you owned and came to the conclusion you were going to invasion of the body snatchers her.

The problem here is not that Morrigan incorrectly believes you to be a bodyjacker. The problem is that Morrigan finds it entirely plausible that you, her mother, would murder her to extend your own life.

This is the person your daughter believes you to be - someone who has raised children like a farmer raises cattle for the slaughterhouse.

The things this says about you are not kind. Consider doing better with your next child, because I doubt Morrigan is going to give you another chance.

[intergalacticgoose]

When I say “liberation for all” you’d best believe that includes 🪿🦇🦉🫎🐝🪱🐞🐌🦋🐛🐍 🦈🐬🦭🐊 🐢🦂🕷️🦑🦀🦐🪼🐋 CRITTERS 🐆 🐘🦓🦛🐫🦒🐄🐑🦬🐖🐈🦚🐇🐓🦫🐿️🐀🦡🦨🦝🦥🦦🦔🦩🫏🦙🐐🐕🐛🦅🐸

[inniave]

i hate how some of those urbex/rurex ppl treat & talk about squatters. like bro u are the one entering into someone's living space yet u act like they're the most dangerous person in the world. apologize & leave. and don't fucking post people on social media. wtf.

[moe-broey]

"His loved ones keep him grounded and kind" appeal is not "I can fix him" but more "I also really struggle with empathy either having too little of it or having way too much (which Isn't a humble brag and is actually super fucking annoying and is generally useless and hinders more than it helps)" -- The only truly consistent and reliable thing that is in your control is compassion, which is a skill you have to learn, which is something you cultivate, ultimately because of love for the people who ground you and also love for everyone you have ever cared about and wanting the best for everyone in general beyond yourself!!!!!

[mabelsguidetolife]

I miss feeling human

[wanderingmausoleum]

i grow weary of people who are proud of being Haters

[creakture]

been in a v self reflective period anyways but now im hanging w my sib who I haven't seen in yrs and I can tell im gonna be squinting in the glare from this goddamn mirror the whole time

[simplyarty1]

Create Your Happiness: A Self-Accountable Guide to Joy.

What if happiness wasn’t something you had to wait for, chase down, or hope to stumble upon?What if happiness were something you built brick by brick, choice by choice? Happiness is not random. It’s not reserved for the lucky few.It’s an inner creation and a personal responsibility.And you, beloved, have far more power than you may realize. The Myth of External Happiness Many of us were taught…

[prefer-unique]

5 Powerful Ways to Build Stronger Relationships with Yourself and Others

Relationships are the foundation of a fulfilling life. Whether it’s the relationship you have with yourself, your partner, family, or friends, nurturing these connections can bring joy, support, and meaning to your everyday life. But let’s face it—relationships aren’t always easy. They require effort, understanding, and a willingness to grow. In this post, we’ll explore five powerful ways to…

[m4jesty-love]

5 Powerful Ways to Build Stronger Relationships with Yourself and Others

Relationships are the foundation of a fulfilling life. Whether it’s the relationship you have with yourself, your partner, family, or friends, nurturing these connections can bring joy, support, and meaning to your everyday life. But let’s face it—relationships aren’t always easy. They require effort, understanding, and a willingness to grow. In this post, we’ll explore five powerful ways to…

[justmossyaps]

it would be nice to have someone in office who is both right and, yknow, a decent person. like these two things do not have to be mutually exclusive

[irrepressible-miracle]

On a less serious note, I also don't see D apologizing to a corpse as proof he's kind too, rather I see it as something he does as a way of coping with his job and the fact he doesn't get mad at you for not taking his job is normal.

[mindfulldsliving]

Ministering with Compassion: Addressing the Harm Behind “The Church is Perfect, But the People Are Not”

The phrase “The church is perfect, but the people are not” has been a source of controversy and reflection for many of us. It raises a critical question: what does it mean to be part of a community that embodies spiritual ideals while still being made up of flawed individuals? As Latter-day Saints, we often find ourselves navigating this balance, recognizing the divine potential within the church…

[zykamiliah]

#i think the only thing that might justify the sy shut-in headcannon (and yes im saying its a headcanon)#is the fact that he had access to the internet#whereas in svsss if he wanted to entertain himself or learn new things he would have to get out and see the world#but my main counterpoint to that is this: if someone is as reclusive *as the fandom sometimes makes sy out to be*#then he wouldn’t have had the skillset to be as charming or persuasive or amicable as we see him act in canon#and although it is possible for him to have discovered how to do those things himself after transmigrating#the speed at which he adjusted to everything would have been highly improbable if he was only interacting with people online#he was never outwardly behaving like someone who was chronically online or someone who struggled to make friends with people#if he had challenges with befriending people then that would have been relevant to the narrative.

#and i think the only reason why no one outside of his family is ever mentioned is because sy likes to ignore his grief.#his family was only brought up when he wanted to make a point about something#and narratively they were relevant so that we could read in between the lines and realize that this guy has a whole other life#that he refuses to talk about. the information about his family and his fixation on PIDW#are just grains of sand out of the OCEAN that was his life as shen yuan#the REAL chronically online transmigrator is airplane. he narrated everything about his past life partially because there wasn’t much going#on for him there! AIRPLANE was the miserable shut-in who only had online friends and wanted to do more than just slave away at his laptop#all of the airplane extras also provide us context for how sy might have behaved and interacted with other people before he was sqq#because if mxtx wanted to make it clear that sy was a recluse in his past life then she would have#just written him the way she wrote airplane#which is why I find their character roles so interesting#being a recluse who transmigrates and then learns to make friends with ppl in a new life is a v common isekai trope#as well as being an author who isekai’s into their own novel.

by all means airplane is the one who fits the bill to be#a standard isekai protagonist. (he even has a revelation that he is closer to mbj than anyone in his past life)#but he couldn’t be the protagonist for the story that mxtx intended to write- a parody that evolves into a meta analysis on#[a lot of things but for the sake of this argument:] the cycle of abuse #lbh needed the intervention of someone who feels COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO BE IN A POSITION OF AUTHORITY + be aware of social consequences#(which nyy wasn’t) + someone who has enough practice with ppl to know when to be kind and when to be tough#sqh was too willing to be a doormat to other ppl- but he was gearing up to confront mbj until he finally snapped in the extras.#in order for the story to work lbh needed someone to call him out on his bs. which as we can see with sqh- wouldnt have been possible if sy#hadn't practiced social skills with people pre-transmigration. not to mention that the chronically ill thing is also a headcannon

*rolls out marriage proposal* please sign here @dumbfucksystem 😍

"Shen Yuan was a loser gooner shut in during his first life" Shen Qingqiu used to be hated by his fellow peak lords until Shen Yuan transmigrated into his body, so it was solely his personality that was so charming people went to war over his corpse. Please be serious

[urmum-lovesme]

Dad!Rafe coming home to an unexpected visitor...

Y/n sat on the couch, her baby gently cradled in her arms as she swayed back and forth, humming softly to soothe her. It was the end of a long day, and despite the overwhelming joy of motherhood, she was hoping that Rafe would come back home soon so she could have five minutes of ‘mommy time’. He had to leave today, much to his complaints, to go and check up on the Cameron Development office. She had encouraged him, why wouldn’t she? She knew how hard he had worked to get where he is, but it felt weird being alone with their daughter, the absence of his everyday presence for the past month was going to take a while to adapt to. Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door- a loud, insistent knock that echoed through the house. The voice that followed was unmistakable,

“C’mon, country club I ain’t got all day.”

Y/n’s lips curved into a small smile, recognising the familiar tone of Barry’s voice. She shifted the baby gently in her arms and rose to answer the door. When Y/n had first met Barry, she had been skeptical. After all, the guy was a drug dealer, and she knew well enough that people in that line of work weren’t exactly known for their warm personalities or moral compass. At first, she had kept her distance, unsure of how to navigate the relationship between Rafe's closest friend and herself. But over time, Y/n realised that Barry was a little different from what she had expected. He had never once treated her like an outsider, and while his exterior remained tough, he always showed her respect. Barry wasn’t as bad as people said. 

In fact, they actually got along quite well.

As she opened the door, Barry stood on the other side, leaning casually against the frame. His eyes immediately flicked to the baby in her arms, but his expression remained unreadable.

“Hey Barry,” Y/n greeted, her voice soft and calm, “Rafe’s not back yet.”

Barry blinked, clearly surprised for a moment, then let out a low laugh. “Shi, my bad, princess,” he said, adjusting the weight of the bag he had slung over his shoulder. 

“Wasn’t expectin' a welcome party.”

Y/n chuckled lightly and stepped aside to let him in. “You wanna come in? Rafe’ll be back in a bit- well I think...” Barry hesitated for a brief second, looking past her into the house before nodding. 

“Aight, why not.”

Barry’s heavy footsteps filtered through the halls of Tannyhill, as he plopped himself down onto the couch getting comfortable, bag once slung over his shoulder now shrugged to the floor. Y/n navigated over to the kitchen, pulling open the fridge door, the cool air brushed past her face as her eyes scanned the shelves. She reached for a chilled pitcher of lemonade, balancing it with one hand while adjusting the baby’s position with the other. Grabbing a glass from the cupboard, she poured the liquid with practiced ease, the sound of it filling the quiet between Barry’s heavy sighs from the living room.

“Here” 

She said softly, making her way back to him. With the baby still cradled in her arm, she handed him the glass. Barry took it, raising an eyebrow as he looked at the lemonade. 

“No beer?” 

He teased, a playful grin tugging at his lips. Y/n’s eyes narrowed slightly as she side eyed him, her head tilting just enough to give Barry a look that was equal parts warning and amusement. 

“Don’t push your luck” 

She murmured, her voice light but firm. Barry chuckled, throwing his hands up in mock innocence. 

“Aight, aight, my bad mama” 

He said, leaning back into the couch, the grin still plastered on his face. She rolled her eyes, but a small smile betrayed her as it tugged at her lips. Y/n eased herself onto the large couch, careful not to jostle the baby, who had begun to settle against her chest. Barry glanced over, taking a sip of the lemonade. 

“You make this?” he asked, she gave him a glance, as she nodded, “mhmm.”

“S’good,”

He admitted, leaning forward to set the empty glass on the coffee table. As he looked to her his gaze softened slightly, he glanced at the baby in her arms, though he quickly masked it with his usual neutral expression. 

“Man, Country Club got lucky with you," he muttered, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, "ain’t no clue how he did that.”

Y/n chuckled softly, her hand gently patting the baby’s back as her little hand fisted her mother’s top. “He’s lucky, all right,” she agreed, looking down at her little girl, “but I think it’s the other way around most days.”

Barry raised an eyebrow at her, his expression changing a little as he took in the sight of her with the baby, a quiet respect in his eyes that he didn't often show. He cleared his throat, leaning back slightly in his seat as he tried to keep his usual tough-guy persona intact. His voice was quieter than usual, and Y/n caught the subtle shift, the care hidden beneath his typically gruff tone,

“How she doin'? Been a lotta noise in here tonight.” 

“She’s good. Just a little fussy,” Y/n replied, smiling softly at the baby, “She’s usually like this around bedtime, but I also think she just misses her daddy…”

Barry grunted, nodding as he looked down at the baby in her arms again, the similarity between the little girl and Rafe was uncanny. The baby had inherited Rafe's striking blue eyes and even her furrowed brow mirrored Rafe's intense expressions, a trait that often unsettled those around him. It was as if a smaller, innocent version of Rafe was cradled in Y/n's arms. Suddenly, a wave of urgency hit Y/n. She gnawed at her lip as she bounced the baby in her arms slightly before she sat up on the couch moving towards Barry, speaking out,

 “Hey, uh, do you mind holding her for a second? I really need to use the bathroom-”

Barry blinked, eyebrows furrowing in hesitation as she now stood in front of him, still gently rocking the baby in her arms.

“Listen, princess, I ain’t ever held no baby 'fore” 

He said, his voice slightly tight, clearly uncomfortable at the thought. Y/n laughed softly before shaking her head, “It’s just for a minute. I’ll be right back. Please?” She shifted the baby in her arms, her gaze imploring. After a beat, Barry sighed heavily, hand rubbing over his face, though there was no real anger in his tone. 

“Shi, alright, I’ll hold her.”

With some reluctance from him, Y/n carefully passed the baby to Barry, watching closely as he took her into his arms. He held her awkwardly at first, unsure of how to manage such a fragile little thing, but Y/n gave him a reassuring smile before quickly heading toward the bathroom.

As she disappeared into the other room, Barry shifted uncomfortably, trying to find a more natural hold on the baby. His hands moved cautiously, but as he adjusted, the baby made a little noise- a content huff- and he relaxed a little. He glanced down at the little face staring up at him, and for a second, his usual bravado slipped. As he adjusted, the baby let out a soft coo and her tiny hand reached up, instinctively grasping one of his fingers.

Barry froze for a moment, his eyes widening slightly as the little hand curled around his finger. His face softened, a rare, almost tender expression crossing his features. He gently adjusted his hold, ensuring the baby was comfortable, and for a moment, he just stared at her with something close to awe in his gaze.

“Shi-,” he muttered under his breath. “You kinda cute, huh?”

Rafe walked into the living room, a bag of takeout in his hand, ready to settle in for a quiet evening. But as soon as he stepped through the doorway, he froze, his eyes widening in surprise.

There, on the sofa, sat Barry- his usually hard-edged friend, the man who’d never been the type to do anything too tender or gentle. And yet, there he was, with Rafe’s baby girl cradled in his arms like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Barry was leaning back against the cushions, completely at ease now, the baby cooing softly in his hands. His gaze was softer than Rafe had ever seen, his usually sharp and intimidating presence replaced with a strange calmness as he looked down at the little girl. Rafe’s initial shock quickly faded into a mix of amusement and disbelief. He raised an eyebrow, stepping further into the room with a quiet chuckle. Just as he was about to say something, Y/n appeared at the doorway walking to Rafe, looking over at the scene with a smile that immediately softened her features.

“Aww, Rafe, look at that,” 

She said, her voice full of affection as she watched Barry with their baby. Rafe paused, his eyes flicking from his daughter to Barry, then back again. A grin spread across his face as he wrapped his arm around Y/n’s side. 

“I think we got ourselves a new babysitter,” he teased. Barry’s eyes narrowed, and with his usual bluntness, he shot back, 

“Shut yo bitch ass up”

“Hey! Watch your mouth in front of my daughter”

He said, his tone playful but with an edge of protection. Barry raised an eyebrow, but the tension broke when he let out a small laugh, shaking his head. 

“Yeah, yeah- we best friends now, ain't we cuz?”

He muttered, turning his attention to the baby cradled in his arms. The baby blinked up at him with wide, curious eyes, her tiny mouth opening in a silent "O" before a soft, contented coo bubbled out. Her little fists wiggled, and she kicked her legs faintly, her whole body giving that jerky, uncoordinated movement typical of a baby her age. Barry’s grin widened as he pointed to her. 

“See that?

Rafe shook his head, a faint laugh rising from his chest, “Man, she doesn’t even know who you are yet.”

“Nah, nah-” he replied confidently, leaning back on the couch. “She knows her uncle Barry, don't ya sweetheart.”

The baby let out another soft sound, something between a sigh and a happy gurgle, her tiny face scrunching in what could almost pass as a smile. Y/n laughed softly at the exchange, moving closer to the couch, with Rafe close behind her, his arms around her waist as they two looked down at their daughter. Y/n looked at Barry, her expression warm. 

“You’re good with her, Barry,” she said, a note of gratitude in her voice.

Barry gave a small shrug, his usual tough-guy persona slipping back into place, but there was a subtle softness in his eyes as he looked down at the baby. 

“She’s cool,” he said, his voice gruff but genuine, “ain’t as bad as people think.”

Rafe rested his head against Y/n’s as he watched his friend, amused. He teased, eyeing Barry with a grin. 

“Just don’t get too attached.”