#I NEED MY DESIGN PROBLEM ;-; what is my design problem. off i go to research guys

[soft-serve-soymilk]

See for everyone else their viscomm research is all serious like going out and taking photos and brainstorming and meanwhile me viddy games go brrrrrrrrr

[satorusugurugurl]

Part of My World

Pairing: Gojo Satoru X MAB!Reader

Word Count: 2,704

Warnings, Ropes, public play, gags, arranged marriage, bottom!gojo, public vehicle sex?? (Is it vehicle sex or carriage sex??)

A/N: I received this request from @princeasimdiya12 for a Gojo x MAB!Reader. I had so much fun thinking of ideas of what to do, and the story just took off on its own! Please enjoy!

The scorching sun burned your skin as you went through the palace. Your parents had informed you that your future husband was waiting for you near the fountain in the gardens. To say you were not excited at all was an understatement. Gojo Satoru was notorious for being annoying.

He always made a commotion at every event he attended. Teasing other princes and princesses, insulting the elders (regardless if they deserved it), and relishing that he was the most eligible prince. Little did you both know he wasn't as eligible as he thought. Just last month, the Gojo and Y/L/N families officially announced that you were to be married.

Gojo, of course, threw a fuss the last time you had seen him. Arguing that he didn't want to move to your desert kingdom, that he would much rather you stay in his coastal kingdom. The tantrum was so terrible both your parents agreed it would be best for the two of you to tour each other's kingdoms.

Of course, he wanted to start with yours.

You could see where he was coming from. Your kingdom was hot, surrounded by sand, and there wasn't much to do. But your people made the desert kingdom an oasis. The streets were always bustling with vendors and life. It, indeed, was a magical place to live.

“Finally!” A vein twitches in your forehead as you turn to spot your future husband sitting on the edge of the large fountain in the center of the courtyard. “Do you know how long I've been waiting? It's hot out here.”

A breath caught in your throat as Gojo stood up. He was wearing the robes of your people. Tunic sleeves are short and light blue. His pants were slightly baggy, hanging on his hips. Fuck why did he look so hot? The image of him had your cock throbbing inside your pants as you quickly turned away.

“Go down, go down.” You commanded your cock. “Fuckin’.”

“Hey!” Bright blue eyes popped into your view, causing you to jump. “What's your problem?”

“N-Nothing! Nothing!” Clearing your throat, you tried to look anywhere but his body. “Where did you get the clothes?”

Gojo smirked, stepping around you like a shark would circle their prey. “Oh, please, since our engagement was announced, I’ve done my research. I know everything about you, Prince Y/N, and your kingdom.” You seriously doubted that, but as he spoke, he lifted the top of his robes, causing you to suck in a breath.

The robes that Gojo wore were those a bride or groom would wear. Underneath that, his body was tied with silk ropes, squishing his pectoral muscles together and twisting around his torso in intricate designs of hearts. Your Y/E/C eyes trailed further down his body, admiring how the dark blue silk stood out against his ivory skin and how tiny his waist looked. Fuck, how had you never noticed Gojo’s figure before?

Your eyes lingered on his v-line; a well-trimmed happy trail led further. This was unbelievable; what was he doing? What was he thinking?! Wearing robes and ropes like these was something to do on the wedding night. Not your first day showing him around the kingdom. You were about to turn your head to look the other way when Gojo’s hand moved. You followed it, watching with wide eyes as he tugged his pants down, just a bit revealing the base of his semi-hard cock, which was also wrapped in the intricate ropes.

“W-What are you—?”

”Y/N, I don’t like beating around the bush. If we're going to be together, I want to make sure my needs will be satisfied, along with yours.” He gently tugged at the two strings hanging off the side of his hip. When he did, the ropes around his body tightened, causing both of you to moan. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not about to buy a carriage without a test drive.” Oh yeah, no, this was fucking crazy. “What, cat got your tongue?” Satoru sneered, tugging the string again, making an almost pathetic whine resonate in his throat.

If you don’t do something soon, you will lose your mind. It was hard enough seeing his body like this, but hearing him talk, those dirty words and the teasing tone. You wouldn’t be able to take him on the stupid tour of the kingdom if he kept up this act. If anything, it would end with you dragging him to your chambers. There was always time for that later. Right now, it would help if you did something about his mouth.

“Awe, I left you speechless.”

Your arm snapped out, grabbing the strings from Satoru and giving them a hard tug. “Speechless, no.” Whimpers slipped from Satoru’s mouth as you tugged the strings harder. “I was just thinking you talk too much.” Your other hand squeezes his face, his lips turning into a pout under your fingers and thumb. “Plus, you forgot one essential part, your veil.”

(~)(~)(~)(~)(~)

The tour of the kingdom was going smoothly. You had begun at the palace, showing your future husband around the many rooms, the gardens, and the courtyard before you both made your way into town by carriage. The ride was enjoyable, but it was even more fun the second you stepped out. You and Satoru walked around, bowing at the villagers as you passed, making small talk with vendors, just enjoying another warm and sunny day amongst your people with your future husband by your side.

Gojo kept his eyes focused forward, not paying attention to much of what was going on. No one was wise enough to pick up on what was going on. But the two of you, you knew what he was hiding underneath the pretty robes. A secret that was making you harder and harder with every passing second. From the muffled whimpers and twitches from Gojo, you had a distinct feeling that he was enjoying himself just as much.

”Oh, Prince Y/N, Prince Gojo, it is truly a pleasure!’ A young vendor boasted as you looked over the wines in their booth. “Is there anything you were looking to purchase?’

”Hmm, I’m not sure; what do you think, darling?” Gojo shot an annoyed glance in your direction.

“Yes, Prince Gojo, is there anything you want to partake of? Please, anything is on the house for you, our future king!”

Blue eyes glanced around, roaming over the inventory. As they did, you tugged on the strings near his hip, causing the ropes to tighten. Gojo’s eyes went wide as a muffled moan sounded from his throat. Your future husband hunched over slightly in an attempt to conceal the growing tent in his robes. Ever since the veil had been put on his face, the same veil that hides the silk cloth gag in his mouth, you had made it your life's sole purpose to tease him.

The young vendor gave him a puzzled look as you loosened your grip on the strings. “My prince, are you alright?” Satoru had just straightened, gaining some form of self-restraint, and before he could nod or gesture in any way, you tugged the strings again, harder this time. The sudden action had Gojo nearly falling over. “Prince Gojo?!” The vendor's worried tone drew the attention of a few bystanders.

“Oh no, are you alright?” To anyone else, you were the concerned fiance. To Gojo, you were the main culprit behind his throbbing erection. “I think the desert heat is getting to my precious flower.” Your tone was full of faux concern. “I should get him home, but I will have my guards pack whatever you recommend. I will also pay you double for the goods.”

“Oh, you're so generous! Thank you!!”

You grinned, waving to the people and vendors as you helped Gojo back into the carriage. The moment the door shut, you snickered into your palm. Winning a glare from your betrothed. He was not in the slightest amused with your enjoyment of this.

“Yw’ll pwy fh ehwy.” His barely inaudible muffled whines slipped through the gag. “Athwle!”

Either he told you that you would pay for this, or it was some form of gibberish you couldn't understand. “Oh, I'm sorry, I don't know what you're saying.” More muffled whines and moans filled the carriage.

He was most likely getting annoyed with the torturous teasing you were putting him through. In all actuality, he brought this on himself. Gojo was the one to show up in those robes. He was the one who revealed the intricate ropes decorating his beautiful body. You did what any other person would do. Claim what was yours.

“Pwhse.”

“Huh?” You heard that request this time. His hands toyed with the strings dangling from his hip. “Please?” Gojo responded with a wine and a nod, white hair in his eyes. “Please, what?”

He scooted closer to you, dropping the strings into the palm of your hand. He was putting so much trust in you. Someone he barely knew. Yet he was still willing to give you the power to not only please him but to please yourself as well. As your fingers curled around the ropes, you realized that this match might not be as bad as you both thought it would be.

“Fine, since you said please so nicely.” you tugged the strings as hard as possible. The sharp, stinging sensation resonated from almost every inch of Gojo's skin, a pained pleasure. That had him rocking his head back as the carriage began moving. His hips were thrusting against nothing as he whined. “My gods, you're not so against my kingdom now, are you?”

Slowly, you pulled the veil off, revealing the drooling, messy mouth of your betrothed. “Pwse! Pwsease!” The weeping noises had you smirking as you tugged the string harder.

“You're so fucking beautiful like this.” You slid your hand into his pants, stroking his cock slowly. “Dressed in the robes of my people, only to be dressed for your husband underneath them.” his cock throbbed at your words, the tip dribbling precum out of the head. “You like that, like hiding your dirty secret under these clothes, a secret only I get to revel in.”

“Fwk mw!” Satoru cried out, making you cease your strokes over his cock. You couldn't be sure if he said what you believed he said. Noticing the confusion in your eyes, Satoru huffed a loud scoff, drawing your attention to his gagged mouth. “Fwk mw,” he repeated, emphasizing the words as best as he could while gagging.

“Fuck you?”

You needed to clarify that this was what he wanted. When he nodded, you felt like your heart was about to explode. He wanted to be with you, and gods be damned, toy wanted it too. But there were steps you needed to do, prep, that required you to be with each other. Seeing the hesitation on your face, Satoru sighed before shimming his way out of his pants and briefs.

You sat back, swallowing hard at your dry throat as he turned, revealing his hole, stretched and lubricated, ready for you. It seems as though your fiance truly had done his research. Without hesitation, you all but tackled Satoru to the floor of the carriage, kissing his neck and running the tip of your tongue over the ropes and his skin. Fuck he tasted so sweet; you needed him.

He pulled your robes down, your cock bouncing “Satoru.” You groaned out before spitting into your hand, lubing up your cock. “Fuck I want you.” In response, he wrapped his arms around your neck, pulling you down on top of him as his legs snaked around your waist. “I-I’ll take that as a yes!”

“Yws!” He sounded but nodded to make sure his consent was concise.

Holy shit, this was happening, all of the teasing, the bickering, the attitude. It had led to this. You never assumed that your betrothal to Gojo would lead to such an erotic moment in your life. This was definitely how you imagined your first day with your fiancé turning out. Yet here you were, on top of your future husband, your cock pressing against his tight hole.

You were so lost in your thoughts that Gojo huffed out a whine before pushing you inside. You winced as the head of your cock slipped inside of him. The tight warm heat nearly hard you cumming as he clenched down on you. He felt so good; gods, you needed more; you required all of his body, mind, and soul!

“Are you alright?” Your lips hovered over the gag. Satoru took a second, white brows pinched together as he adjusted to your size. A moment passed before he hummed, nodding his head again. “Good~ now be quiet. We don't want the guards to hear us.”

You slowly began thrusting in and out of Gojo with whimpers and whines. Gripping his hips as you set a pace. It was slow and steady, the carriage gently rocking in time with your movements. Thank fuck. Gojo was still wearing a gag because he was loud with it in. You couldn't imagine how he would sound if he weren’t wearing the gag.

His whines were like your own personal drug. The more he whined and whimpered against the ropes, the harder you found yourself thrusting into him. Desperation ruled your mind and your cock. You wanted to make him cry, wanted to see his eyes roll back into his head. Gojo Satoru was your fiance, your husband, and you were his in every shape and form.

Pushing his cock in as deep as you could, you hit that particular spot inside of him. One you had read about in books or heard people talking about in passing. Gojo whimpered, eyes wide as he arched his back, his legs tightened around you, urging you to stay where you were, to have you keep hitting that special spot. Taking his not-so-subtle hint, you pulled out just a bit before slamming your hips into that special spot, rocking into it over and over until tears began to well in those big, beautiful blue eyes.

“Mwphh!” Satoru cried out, those big tears rolling over flushed cheeks.

More? He wanted even more? He must be close. “Anything for you.” Your large hand wrapped around his shaft, jerking him off in time with your bullying thrusts that kept hitting that spot deep inside of him.

“Ngggh! MMM!” Satoru’s body stiffened, back arching as he clamped down on you so hard you felt your balls clench. Satoru’s cock throbbed in your hard as he came, spurts of white cum hitting his chest, your hand, hell, it even hit his chin. The pure glazed-over look in his eyes had you thrusting several more times before his clenching became too much.

“Fuck,” you whispered, yanking the gag out of his mouth, “I’m cumming, fuck, fuck fuck.” You pressed your lips against his drool-covered mouth, silencing your moans as your cock throbbed inside him. You filled him with your cum, pushing it deep inside of him until you both laid them, twitching in overstimulation. “Satoru.”

“Mhmm.” He hummed happily, pulling you down so you were lying flush against his cum coated chest. “That settles it.”

Pulling back just an inch, you watched him. “Settles what?” A chuckle rumbled deep in your chest as you shook your head. “Did I somehow fuck the brains out of you?”

”You sure did, Prince Y/N,” His long fingers slowly ran through your Y/H/C hair. Finger twisting around the strands. “I gave you a test ride.” A bark of a laugh escaped you as you helped Gojo sit up. “I want to sign my agreement to be yours and yours alone.”

“Only if you let me do the same.” You shared a kiss with the man you were arranged to marry. An arrangement that you had come to love.

[shuuen-no-cimory]

Also of course, it ain't me if I don't crossover my current hyperfixation with my ultimate current hyperfixation. So... Degrees of Lewdity x ProjectMoon! (This post is full of me yapping as I explain each drawing, so I guess, be ready?)

First, I'll go hard with Whitney as R Corp. 4th Rabbit Team. The initial idea was that he reminds me so much of RHeath LMAO But eventually I love the idea because I think he'd go along with Myo well. Plus... Somehow imagining Whitney in Rabbit Team Hatchery shenanigans seems... Interesting.

Next is Eden. If anyone notice, I originally designed him based of 2 Abnos: Der Freischutz and Big Bird. Der Frei was, of course, a nod to his title as a Hunter, and a marksman as well. For Big Bird... Yeah definitely there's the Big Bird in DoL, yet I think temperance-wise, Eden does felt similar to Big Bird. A creature living in a forest, thinking they protect others by doing the action that definitely doesn't seems to be out of protection. As for RRH, oh think about this: Being hunted down while getting marked. One by a hunter, and another by a wolf. Oh isn't it just reminds me of something...? Right

Funny enough, before I designed the school LIs properly, I reimagined them as The City's feathers. "If they're living in the City and has to work with one Wing, which one they'll work on?" I've talked about R. Corp Whitney earlier so I'll talk about the others! Robin, L Corp. - I can imagine him with the pressing needs to survive under the weight of Bailey's rent ends up either being sent or signed himself up as an agent for L Corp. The Wing doesn't ask that much requirement as per Hokmah's story while the agent supposed to have a great pay (being a wing and all). Hence, I think he might work for L Corp. Sydney, K Corp. - The idea was that after graduating, Sydney might follow Sirris path in science. Being the obedient child she is (as we sees on the game before they get corrupted), she probably choose to do what Sirris might do hence her as K Corp. researcher. Oh anyway, truly this is just a fyi that doesn't seems to be related to anything, I reimagined Harper as Dongrang in this scenario, with the whole Teary-Thing problem exist. Oh, lucky enough for Sydney to help producing K Ampule that definitely just as seen in the canon Limbus story. Just saying. Kylar, W Corp. - This one actually a rather fun idea. This is set with the idea that Kylar work as the Clean Up Member, with parents that's definitely unaware with how their child work but nevertheless proud with him. They'd even use WARP Train solely to be sent off by Kylar each time, much to Kylar silent dismay. If only they know what Kylar has to clean up among the 6 seconds they went into the train... Read one of the reblog tag and yeah. It has to do with Love Town. And pretty much how Kylar had to regularly assemble his parents again and again each trip they made.

LCB! SYDNEY LET'S GOOOO!!!! This idea came as I made my LCB-esque ID Card for Sydney. The idea of LCB Sydney's background was that it's pretty much what happened in the game, but make it The City-esque and seen from Sydney's eyes. It's fun imagining her as a Dieci Fixer who was caught in a complicated issue which she rather dip out from as she hasn't fully grow the backbone to face it yet. Oh right, in this AU I reimagined Ivory as Abnormality and both Sydney and Kylar got their EGO. Sydney got their Longing Phase EGO (HE, Gloom) while Kylar got the Haunting Phase EGO (WAW, Wrath). I actually had a draft of how the EGO works and its gimmick but let's talk it later on lol

When Yield My Flesh event is up on Limbus, my head doing the funny by thinking, "Damn... Jun Wren sounds cool..." then I remember Tingtang exist like jfgdjfgbjd HE FITS BETTER AS TINGTANG WHY DIDN'T I THINK ABOUT IT ON A SIDE NOTE, I also had the thought on how Bailey MIGHT kills it as either a Kurokumo or a Middle. After all, Middle never forget... Just like how Bailey never forget your rent LOL

And last but not least: Sydney and Robin as L Corp. Agent! Robin will be a high Temperance agent which work for Safety Team, while Sydney is the high Fortitude, high Prudence Disciplinary Team Captain. Oh, if you do notice: I made Sydney's cross looks like Penitence EGO Weapon. It's actually based of this idea of how One Sin and WhiteNight's dynamic thematically fits Sydney the Faithful and Sydney the Fallen. The name of both Abnos' EGO Set-- "Penitence" and "Paradise Lost" respectively, both fits the image of each Sydneys. Hence, I draw them in both EGO Sets!

[nova-streyart]

The Thing about Belos Nobody Mentions

There's an aspect of Belos I haven't seen anyone talk about yet: him potentially being on the schizophrenia spectrum, or schizospec for short, and everything that means. Before you say anything, I am a schizoaffective person. This is my interpretation. This is based off my own experiences with this disorder, and my own research.

Analysis and rant under the cut:

=ANALYSIS=

So this all started when I learned that one of the color design pieces had Caleb and the grimwalkers labelled "Golden Guard Illusion". Artists credited in the image itself.

It's weird to me that they're labeled as illusions and not hallucinations, because the latter is what the ghosts actually are. Illusions are images your brain distorts based off something that's there, while hallucinations are images your brain creates from nothing. The fact that these ghosts are actually hallucinations of Belos and not real ghosts doesn't say a whole lot about Belos on its own, because anyone can hallucinate if they experience intense enough negative emotions. But you'll see why I think there's something more to this.

Following this lead, I rewatched the scene where Papa Titan talks to Luz in the In-Between realm in the series finale. After Luz asks him whether her motivation to save her friends and family makes her just as bad as Belos, she tells her:

"Well, you assume Belos' goal comes from a genuine place. But that man doesn't care about anything but his need to be the hero in his own delusion."

Let me give you a short lesson about delusions in the context of schizospec disorders: Delusions are firmly held beliefs that the person experiencing can't be convinced aren't true. This can be extremely serious and life-threatening, such as as believing all your food's been poisoned. But it can also be harmless; it really depends on the delusion. The type of delusion referenced here would be a delusion of grandeur, which is a real thing in schizospec disorders. Such delusions can be serious, like believing you're the second coming of god, or more harmless, like believing you're better than others.

Taking both the hallucinations and the delusion into mind, it's very possible that Belos has some kind of schizospec disorder.

=RANT=

Let's talk about that scene where Belos goes to the grimwalker cave. Notice how the hallucinations are played for laughs? That's problematic. Hallucinations are not something you can just tell to "shut up" and they'll go away. Hallucinations are not things you can interact with. There's already other media with this problem, such as A Beautiful Mind, but the fact that it's in a show that's supposed to be celebrating neurodivergence is hypocritical.

Let's briefly go back to that Papa Titan quote. See how he used the word "delusion" to describe Belos' motivation?Yeah, that's really problematic in the schizospec community. As mentioned before, delusions can be life threatening, so tossing that word around like it's nothing is really frustrating and insulting. The show should have used a word like "fantasy" to get its point across more effectively if it was implying that Belos has a hero complex.

Continuing this train of thought, it gets worse when you consider how Papa Titan- and in essence the narrative- is essentially ridiculing Belos for experiencing a very intense delusion. Delusions are not something a schizospec person can control. I've already seen the fandom mocking Belos for this quality. It was one of those awful memes with the caption "schizophrenia," and had audio of markiplier doing a bit where he was bantering with an "inner voice". Such memes are awful because they're not real experiences schizospec people go through. They're assumptions about our experiences non-schizospec people make about us.

That would be the worst of it, but no, it gets far worse when you consider a few things:

Belos is the main antagonist. That would be annoying enough, considering the plethora of mentally ill villains in media, but nope. The narrative also treats him as this purely evil being who is incapable of any good whatsoever. Which, OK. It's possible for a schizospec person to be a monster. But the fact that the only schizospec representation we have is either of us as helpless victims, or as irredeemable monsters, is infuriating.

Belos is clearly meant to be a foil to Luz. Which, congrats to the show for having a neurodivergent lead, but let me tell you about some of the hardships schizospec people face: In real life, schizospec people are cast out of mental health advocacy groups. Schizospec people are treated as subhuman by doctors and psychiatrists. Schizospec people are demonized and vilified by society. Schizospec people are denied jobs and housing. With all this in mind the fact the narrative chooses to glorify a character with the "right," the "acceptable," kind of neurodivergence while berating a character with the "scary," the "monstrous," kind of neurodivergence is absolutely disgusting.

=CONCLUSION=

I feel like it has to be said that I am not condoning Belos' actions, or trying to woobify him. Belos, as a person, was terrible. No amount of mental illness tacked onto him will excuse any of his actions.

I'm also not trying to imply that schizospec characters can't be evil. I'm just saying that it's extremely tiresome that the only representation we get is either us as victims or as villains.

To conclude all of this, please, do your research before adding something like this into your story.

[actuallyadhd]

Book: The Procrastination Equation Subtitle: How to Stop Putting Things Off and Start Getting Stuff Done Author: Piers Steel, PhD Publisher: Random House Canada Year: 2010

This isn't going to be a really formal book review or anything, I just thought I'd provide you guys with the pertinent information, in case you want to read it yourselves. :)

So, basically, Piers Steel is an industrial psychologist who specializes in procrastination. He teaches at the University of Calgary, in the Haskayne School of Business. He started studying procrastination because he procrastinated, so once again we have an expert who used his own problems to influence his studies. :D

The procrastination equation isn't a real equation - that is, it's not something you can plug actual numbers into and figure out what your procrastination number is. It's more of a theoretical approach to the definition of procrastination, that explains how and why people procrastinate. Written as a mathematical equation, it looks like the picture at the top of this post.

In other words, what we expect to receive for a task, multiplied by its intrinsic value (to us), all divided by how impulsive we are times how far away the due date is, equals how motivated we are to actually work on the task in question. The less motivated we are, the more we're going to put it off. This is why so many post-secondary papers are written the night before they're due: the papers are assigned months ahead of time, there is no certain expectancy of a good grade, and young adults are rather impulsive and don't really like working hard on things anyway. So the motivation to write the paper is really low until just before it's due.

One of the things I found really interesting about this book was the stuff about how brain function affects procrastination. Basically, it's the conflict between the limbic system and the prefrontal cortex that buggers us up. In reading about this, I kept thinking to myself, "he's describing ADHD!" but he never uses the term once, in the entire book.

The limbic system is the part of our brain that makes us do things when we want to do them. It's basically the seat of impulsivity. (Oh, by the way, he uses the word "impulsiveness" throughout the book. I prefer "impulsivity," even if my spell checker doesn't believe it's a word.) The limbic system is perfect for a hunter-gatherer society. Of course, evolution means that we are always perfectly designed for the environment we no longer live in. :)

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that deals with executive functioning. It's where we make plans, follow through on plans, and all that other great stuff that is basically contrary to the nature of the limbic system.

On to the practical stuff...

First there was a self-assessment quiz (it's in chapter two, if you decide to read the book). People procrastinate because they have low expectancy, low value, or high impulsivity. As it turns out, my problem is mostly with impulsivity. In other words, I postpone doing things until the last minute because other stuff keeps catching my attention. I do the other things first, not because I don't think the first tasks are important (value) or will pay off in the end (expectancy) but because whatever it is that I end up doing instead is just way more interesting in the moment--long-term thinking just isn't my strong suit. (I'm pretty sure this is due to ADHD because I would always do all the research for a paper right when it was assigned, and then sit on my notes and let things percolate until the night before it was due. So I'd be completely prepared for the assignment and not complete it, even though I had everything I needed in order to do so.)

Chapters 7-9 are the ones that have the actual practical approaches to combat procrastination. I took notes on all of them, but of course not all of them are techniques that are going to be useful for me. I'm going to copy my notes anyway, though, because some of you guys might get something out of it, too. :)

Each bold header below has to do with a reason for doing something; the italicized sub-headers are the names of the ways you can deal with problems in that area, and are followed by explanations of how the methods work.

Expectancy

Success Spirals (+)

Set an ongoing series of challenging but ultimately achievable goals; maximize motivation and make the achievement meaningful.

Think of an area of life of real interest and strive to improve just a little beyond your current skill set.

Break town the tasks that daunt you into smaller and smaller pieces. Keep formal track of your progress. Count your successes.

Vicarious Victory (+)

Find an inspirational role model and/or a positive social peer group.

Seek inspiration from stories or others; it is easier to believe in yourself if you are surrounded by people who believe in themselves--or you!

Join a community, service, or professional organization.

Start your own support group; can be anyone, as long as it is mutually encouraging friends.

Wish Fulfillment (+)

Visualization, either mental contrasting (what you want vs what you have) or creative visualization (what you want, as per The Secret; not as effective as contrasting).

Think about the life you want; focus on just one aspect (break it down!); elaborate on what makes it attractive (e.g., diary, collage, quiet concentration); mentally contrast future with present, focusing on the gap.

Plan for the Worst, hope for the Best (-)

Rather than believing you can entirely and easily beat the problem of procrastination, believe that you can beat it down.

Determine what could go wrong, reflect honestly on past experiences, and ask for advice; list ways you habitually procrastinate and post it where you work; avoid pre-determined risks as much as possible; develop a recovery plan ahead of time; use the recovery plan.

Accept that You're Addicted to Delay (-)

Acknowledge powerlessness over procrastination: truly acknowledging that any single failure of willpower inevitably leads to the collapse of all your self-control gives you far more motivation than believing that occasional lapses can be safely contained.

Keep a daily log of procrastination habits; acknowledge that a weak will is the biggest problem, and "just once" is the beginning of the end; accept that the first delay justifies all the rest of them.

Value

Games and Goals

Finding the balance between the difficulty of your task and your ability to do it is a key component for creating flow, a state of total engagement.

The rist of procrastination diminishes when tasks are relevant, instrumentally connected to topics and goals of personal significance.

You need a string of future goals that you find intrinsically motivating to hook your present responsibilities onto.

Frame long-term goals in terms of the success you want to achieve (approach goal) rather than the failure you want to prevent (avoidance goal).

Make tasks more challenging; connect tasks to long-term goals (what you find intrinsically motivating); frame goals in terms of what you want to achieve rather than what you want to avoid.

Energy Crisis

Spoons (mental and physical).

Do difficult tasks at peak performance times; don't get hungry; exercise lots; make sleep predictable; respect your limitations.

You Should See the Task I'm Avoiding

Doing other things instead of the thing we're supposed to be doing - getting things done, but not the "right" thing.

Identify something you've been putting off, then things that are more enjoyable and do them instead/first.

Double or Nothing

Procrastinators tend not to reward themselves for getting things done.

Anticipated rewards make the work more enjoyable, which helps winning.

List rewards you can self-administer, promise yourself these rewards; consider ways of making tasks more enjoyable (pairing) without overriding the work.

Let Your Passion be Your Vocation

Finding work you want to do is a major step toward avoiding procrastination.

http://online.onetcenter.org/find/descriptor/browse/Interests

Look at careers involving activities you love or like doing; filter out all the occupations for which you don't possess skill or ability; rank by demand.

http://careervision.org

Impulsivity

Commit Now to Bondage, Satiation, and Poison

As you get closer to a temptation, your desire for it peaks, allowing the temptation to trump later but better options.

Throw away the key: eliminate the alternatives.

SatiationL meet your needs in a safe and managed manner before they intensify and take control (schedule recreational activities first, then add chores - "unschedule").

Try poison: punish failure.

http://www.stickk.com/

Identify your temptations, then...

Put them out of reach or far away;

Satisfy your needs first; or

Add disincentives to make them unattractive.

Making Paying Attention Pay

Inside out: pay attention please!

Frame in terms of abstract and symbolic features.

Ascribe negative qualities and consequences.

Outside in: now you see it, now you don't.

Regain stimulus control by making it harder to access or even notice the temptations.

Declutter and replace the clutter with triggers for tasks you usually procrastinate on.

Make workplace a cue by working until motivation disappears; then go elsewhere to goof off (this could be just another profile ont he same computer so you have to log off and back in if you are going to goof off).

Use covert sensitization to make distractions less inviting; focus on abstract aspects of temptations; eliminate cues; replace distraction cues with work-related cues; compartmentalize work and play as much as possible.

Scoring Goals

The finish line is just ahead.

Set corporeal goals with real deadlines, use mini-goals to get started on a task, structure the goals so that they are appealing (i.e., inputs [time invested] vs outputs [what's produced]).

Full automatic.

Intentionally adopt a routine; make an explicit intention to act (if-then is pretty good for this).

Frame your goals in specific terms so that you know precisely when you have to achieve them; break down long-term goals into a series of short-term objectives; organize your goals into routines that occur regularly at the same time and place.

"Optimal self-control involves not the denial of emotions but a respect for them."

[virizona]

Rest and Reassurance

Pairing: Luis Serra x Reader (AFAB)

Warnings: None; all fluff. Potential spoilers for the game

Summary: After the events of Resident Evil 4, you, Leon, Ashley, and Luis escape to a safe house off the horrific island to rest and recuperate, awaiting extraction.

Word Count: 2,270

A/N: This has been sitting completed since like June, so time to post my first ever Luis Serra fic! Spanish is not my first language, but I am learning, so I'm open to any corrections on the Spanish sprinkled in here.

— 

It was a long jet ski ride away from the plague-infested island. At least it and the cult were reduced to ashes now.

The mission you and Leon Kennedy were sent on should have been a simple fetch quest: recover the President’s daughter, Ashley Graham. But, of course, things always had to go sideways. The three of you ended up infected with Las Plagas, the mind-controlling, body-disfiguring parasite. Turns out, the leader of Los Illuminados, Osmund Saddler, planned to inject Ashley with the parasite all along as a way to get to the President.

It was a long and grueling mission between locating Ashley, finding a cure, and stopping Saddler (not to mention a run-in with Leon’s old Major, Jack Krauser). But, there was a silver lining to it all: you met Luis Serra Nevarro.

Luis was a charmer through and through. He was flirtatious from the very first moment you were introduced to each other. You thought his advances would be more distracting, but they were honestly a welcoming reprieve from the constant fight or flight moments. What sealed your trust in the Spaniard however, was he was the one who knew how to cure your Las Plagas problem. A former Umbrella researcher, Luis was tricked into working for Saddler after he fled his previous employer. Holding onto his belief that people can change, Luis brought you, Leon, and Ashley to his lab where he held the cure: a radiation procedure that targeted and eradicated the parasite growing within your bodies.

To say you owed the man your life would be an understatement. You glanced at his stubbled face from where he rested over your left shoulder, hair blowing in the wind as you zipped across the water. His arms held snugly around your waist as you drove after Leon and Ashley’s water craft. The rising sun brought a pleasant warmth to your face, as if the world was showing you there was hope on the horizon.

— 

Disembarking from the jet skis, you followed Leon ashore. He was saying something about a safe house that Hunnigan located you could use, just until she could send in a helicopter for you all. 

It was well hidden within a forest a few miles inland. The hike was worth it alone for the chance to take a hot shower and sleep in a clean bed. The safe house was sparse, but it held all the necessary amenities: a kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a tiny living space. Leon was quick to designate the bedrooms, one for you and Ashley to share and the other for him and Luis.

“Actually, Leon, I think I would feel better if you stayed in the room with me.” Ashley spoke up, sounding slightly embarrassed about her request. It wasn’t unreasonable though, the blonde man did protect and save her countless times in your efforts to escape the parasitic cult. It made sense she would feel safer sleeping with his presence in the room.

Leon opened his mouth to likely protest, but was cut off by Luis clapping his hands together once. “No problemo, mis amigos! Mi amor y yo can take the other room.” He flashed a grin that would have had you blushing if you hadn’t been solely focused on that much needed hot shower.

“You guys decide whatever, but I need a shower and then I’m going to sleep for at least 24 hours. Wake me when the chopper arrives.” You waved a dismissive hand as you made for one of the bathrooms. You caught the sound of a weary sigh from Leon as you left the front room.

— 

The hot water beating on your back felt heavenly after trudging through cold, rainy weather during most of the mission. You tipped your face up to the steady spray, sighing in relief as the grime ran off your body, pooling on the shower floor and into the drain. Now that you were no longer running for your life, exhaustion hit like a freight train and you had to steady yourself with a hand on the slick, tiled wall. You jolted as a knock on the bathroom door interrupted your peace.

“Mi amor, estás bien?” It was only Luis, his thick accent muffled by the barrier. “You’ve been in there for quite a while.”

“I’m fine.” You called out wearily. “Just tired is all.”

There was a long pause and you thought he was satisfied with that answer, except you never heard his retreating footsteps. Then, he spoke again. “May I come in?” You waited a few beats, taken slightly aback by his question and unsure how to answer. Luis continued talking. “I found some clean clothes for you.” You were a bit baffled as to how there was clothing stocked in the place, but you decided not to question it too much.

Taking a deep breath, you relented to the Spaniard’s offer. “Come in.” You turned your back to the semi-opaque shower door as a precaution as Luis entered the room. 

“Phew, you weren’t kidding about the hot shower!” He exclaimed as the steam and humidity hit him. His shoes clicked softly on the tile floor as he moved over to the bathroom sink, placing some folded clothes on the counter there. “I’ll leave them by the sink for you then get out of your hair.” You could practically hear the wry smile in his voice. 

Suddenly, the thought of being alone again clutched your chest like a vice. Just as Luis was about to step out of the room, you found your voice. “Wait, could you… could you stay a bit longer?” You hoped you didn’t sound too pathetic, especially after everything you went through, just as much as you hoped it wasn’t too weird of a request. You chanced a glance over your shoulder, peering at him through the fogged shower door. It was hard to tell, but he looked genuinely concerned.

“Sí mi amor, I can stay.”

—

Luis sat on the bathroom floor with his back leaning against the shower wall. Most of the time he spent in companionable silence, which was rather unusual for him. Perhaps he was exhausted like you were. Still, it made you ask, “estás bien, Luis?”

“Mi amor, I will always be fine with you by my side.” There was that charm again. It made you chuckle as you finally turned off the shower. 

Luis was immediately on his feet, towel in hand. You reached through the shower door, opening it just enough to take the towel from him. Murmuring your thanks, you briefly toweled most of the water off yourself before wrapping it around your torso, tucking the corner in just under your armpit. Stepping out, the tile floor was chilly on your feet. You suppressed a shiver as you came face to face with Luis.

He looked tired as you observed his face, though you couldn’t imagine you looked any better. Dark circles were forming under his eyes, his hair oily, and his skin grimy. You couldn’t bring yourself to care about any of that as you became trapped in his silvery stare. Hesitantly, Luis reached out a hand to tuck a damp strand of hair behind your ear. Ever so slightly, you leaned into his touch.

“Tienes sueño?” He asked, and you gave a nod, eyes drooping as his hand continued to linger on the side of your face. “Why don’t you go get comfortable and I’ll join you after I’ve had a turn to shower, hm?” The thought of sharing a bed with the Spaniard wasn’t lost on you.

“Leon actually agreed to stay in Ashley’s room?” You asked with a breathy laugh in disbelief, picturing the special agent begrudgingly agreeing. It was also your way of getting around asking the obvious and hopefully saving yourself from any embarrassment.

“He took some convincing, funnily more from me than la señorita, but he came around to the idea.” Luis chuckled as well as he passed the folded clean clothes into your arms. “Now go, I won’t be long.” His hands were suddenly on your lower back, gently pushing you out into the hall and in the direction of the bedroom. You glanced over your shoulder to see him wink before shutting the bathroom door.

Face feeling hot, you shuffled down to the bedroom. Once inside, and with no more distractions for the moment, your exhaustion returned. It took all your effort, but you managed to change into the clothes Luis had found for you. They were simple: an oversized t-shirt and a pair of gym shorts, likely for someone more of Leon’s size, but you were just glad to no longer be wearing your muddied, bloodied, sodden outfit from the mission.

You crawled under the sheets and blankets, leaving your towel on the floor, too tired to care. When you had gotten comfortable, hugging a pillow under your head, that was when a soft rap on the door snagged your attention. You rolled over just enough to look back to the doorway. “Just me, mi amor.”

Luis, back from his shower, was wearing the same gym shorts but he had forgoed a shirt. You rolled back over quickly enough, hiding your face against the pillow. There was the gentle sound of the door clicking shut and Luis’ footsteps as he made his way to the other side of the bed. He pulled up his end of the sheets, sliding into bed with a groan, the mattress dipping momentarily from his movement. “Mierda, this is nice.” He spoke with a sigh as he finally settled.

It felt surreal. After days of running ragged around the island, fighting people and monsters alike, it was strange to be vulnerable again. You looked across the space between you and Luis and up to the man’s face. His soaked hair framed his visage and he still held that look of exhaustion. His expression was soft, however, his eyes casting a warmth as he stared back.

“Almost too good to be true.” You whispered, fearing that this may all turn into a dream should you voice it any louder. 

Luis gave his lopsided smile with an airy chuckle. “It’s like you read my mind.” He reached out to brush a strand of wet hair back from your face a second time. His voice dropped a pitch, almost matching the volume of your whisper. “Try to get some sleep, mi amor.”

You nodded and snuggled down further into your pillow. Just as your eyes were slipping closed, you were abruptly pulled against Luis’ chest into a strong embrace. You shot your arms out and wrapped them around his back, clinging to him as he buried his face in your hair and against your neck. You squeezed your eyes shut tight, willing yourself to not start shaking as fatigue and anxiety clashed behind your heart. Anxiety for everything you went through, anxiety for never feeling safe anymore, anxiety for the thought of almost losing Luis again.

The Spaniard in your arms shuddered as he seemed to hold in a sob and you only hugged him tighter, closer. “We’re okay.” You began in a murmur. “We’re okay… I got you and you got me.” You weren’t sure if you were trying to console yourself or Luis more.

“Sí mi amor, I’m not going anywhere. No te dejaré.” He appeared to relax little by little after each affirmation. You still clung to him, inhaling the scent of his shampooed hair and trying to ground yourself. 

Eventually, you were able to doze off, wreathed by Luis’ light snores.

—

You bolted upright in bed, no longer ensnared in the man’s embrace. Sweat coated your forehead and hairline, practically dripping down the back of your neck. Breathing heavily and in a panic, you check over your hands and arms before bringing your palms up to your eyes. It was just a night terror you tried telling yourself, and likely the first of many. Your rapid movements must have awoken Luis for he stirred with a hand reaching out for you.

“Mi amor, qué ocurre?” His hand found purchase on your knee as he pulled himself up partly to sit with you. 

Your hands remained pressed against your eyes as if you could push the horrid vision from your mind. “Bad dream.” You uttered, voice shaky. Gentle fingers grasped your wrists, lowering your hands from your face. You were met with Luis’ concerned, even stare. You thought he would press for more details, but he only waited for when you were ready to share. “It was um, it was Las Plagas… that thing was inside me again.” A sniffle escaped you as the adrenaline was finally wearing off.

“Oh, mi amor, I’m so sorry.” Luis crooned, coaxing you into a hug. “The parasite is gone, prometo. I made sure of it.” The hug shifted to you sitting in his lap, legs out to one side and his arms looped around your waist, hands clasped on your hip. He began to gently rock side to side, doing his best to be reassuring. “And, just think, if we’ve done it once before, we can do it again.”

You paled at the thought. “But I don’t want to do it again.” 

“Lo siento, but you know what I mean, yes? You’re so capable, strong, and brave. Much braver than I.” That got a little snort out of you. “You can take on the world, mi amor.” He pressed a kiss to the side of your head. “And I will be by your side the whole way.”

[would-this-pokemon-be-a-friend]

Would A Maushold Be A Good Pet?

The numbers say yes but... it's complicated. As you probably are aware, adopting a maushold doesn't mean adopting a pokémon: adopting a maushold means adopting three to four pokémon! For a lot of people, that's a pretty tall order. For some, it may not even be something they anticipated! A lot of tandemaus owners get caught off guard when their couple of furry friends becomes a bit more of a handful overnight! Thankfully, caring for a maushold isn't too difficult, if you have the right resources and know what you're doing.

As far as research into mausholds go, we don't actually know how they form. Many a tandemaus has become a maushold seemingly on a whim while their owner is out of the house, asleep, or otherwise occupied. Some speculate that becoming a maushold is just a part of a tandemaus' procreation, but it isn't that simple. The critters making up a maushold seem to not necessarily be family (Scarlet - Family of Four). Luckily, maushold numbers do seem to cap at four, so you needn't worry about any exponential population growth in your home!

Mausholds are, on the large, pretty low maintenance pets. In the wild, mausholds like to construct big (at least to them) dens with rooms designed for different purposes (Scarlet - Family of Three). The data is unclear on if there's a specific material that they need to build their dens in. I'd say your best option is providing them with a designated outdoor digging space, or perhaps something like a large ant-farm, in which to build a nest that they feel comfortable in. Keep an eye on your maushold, you never know what household items they may try to pilfer to help decorate or reinforce their dens!

Mausholds are not very dangerous. Most of their moves are relatively harmless, and they can even help you by cleaning up your living space of any harmful elements with Tidy Up! They know one move, however, with a massive penalty on their pet score: Super Fang. This moves cuts the HP of whatever it hits in half(!) Now, as I've said before, I'm not a doctor, but I have a hard time even imagining what it would be like to have my HP cut in half. It sounds pretty bad. Mausholds' signature move, Population Bomb, calls on the aid of other mausholds to attack targets. This move isn't as bad of a problem if there aren't a lot of mausholds around, so it's pretty contextual, but keep it on your radar. Mausholds are thankfully not very violent, only attacking in order to protect the little ones in their groups (Violet - Family of Four). As long as you make sure your pets feel safe and secure, the risk of getting Super Fanged is pretty low.

Whether you're an ambitious pet owner looking to take in a whole bundle of furry friends, or you're a tandemaus owner who woke up to one or two new faces this morning, a maushold would make a pretty good set of pets if you know how to take care of their needs. They're pretty low-key and even friendly: as long as they feel safe and have the space they need to build their nests, you shouldn't have any problems!

[panlight]

I'm not sure if its possible to get something like pigs blood from a butcher in the US, but i feel like someone like Esme would prefer that over hunting animals.

And maybe Carlisle and Rosalie would work on a blood alternative, kind of like TruBlood, for vampires.

What are your thoughts on that?

My understanding is that it's tricky in the US to find it, but with the Cullens' money they could probably pay off some local butchers to save blood for them. Just imagining Esme being like "oh I make authentic black pudding and sell it online!" as an explanation and they make like a fake online store front for it and then people start trying to actually order it and she's like, oh crap I guess I have to make some now? Like when you read stories about restaurants that were really fronts for mob activity but someone wanders in and the mobsters have to get their mom to cook some pasta for the oblivious customers.

But, really, if SM were more interested in 'vampire slice of life' stuff AND if she had more room in her story for the secondary characters to have desires and motivations outsides of either facilitating or resenting the main romance, of course Carlisle would have been trying to make a blood substitute, and of course Rosalie and Edward, with their various STEM degrees, would be helping him. And OF COURSE they would have researched the myths surrounding vampires having children long before Bella got pregnant. It's absolutely impossible for me to suspend my disbelief to accept that the Cullens and especially Carlisle were just like 'wow we literally never thought or wondered about this until just now' when Bella gets pregnant. Esme and Rosalie LONG for children! SURELY they've researched this before!?!? I could accept that they researched it but found no concrete evidence and thought it was just a myth made up by the Volturi or whatever but just the 'literally no idea . . . even though apparently there are books in our library about it, and our groundskeepers on Isle Esme know about it, and there are websites online about it' does not make sense to me unless the Cullens have just literally been standing around like unplayed Sims waiting for Edward and Bella to need them for something.

I also think the Cullens probably should have been working on some kind of sparkle-suppressing vampire make-up. I've seen people asking why they don't just use make-up to hide the sparkle or look older, but since their skin is so different from human skin, normal make-up probably wouldn't work that well. But again, you've got Alice the fashion maven and bunch of other vampires with backgrounds in biology and they can't put their heads together and come up with some kind of vampire-friendly, sparkle-proof foundation?

Again, I get it: at the end of the day Twilight is a romance, and romances generally and understandably have a narrow focus on the central relationship. But romances don't usually have so MANY side characters, either. Realistically, I would expect the Cullens, with their various medical and scientific studies, abundant free time (no sleep!) and unlimited wealth, would have already solved a lot of living-as-a-vampire problems by the time Bella showed up.

Assuming they can be solved, of course. Maybe vampire venom on the skin really just makes any make-up lasting for more than a half hour impossible. Maybe a blood substitute just doesn't work because there's some magical 'blood is the life' thing going on here. Maybe pig's blood is just too impractical to get from a butcher in the volume they need it. Maybe the act of hunting helps them release tension and they realize they miss it.

But yeah I'd have loved to have seen more of this. There's some stuff in Midnight Sun that hints at the stuff the Cullens get up to, but it's more like, Emmett and Jasper's complicated chess game with multiple boards, or Alice and Rosalie designing clothes on the computer. I don't think SM really thought about 'what would a vampire doctor who wants to be as human as possible be researching in his spare time?' and so we missed out on some of this stuff.

[yaoiconnoisseur]

♠ Knight of Spades - Mari ♠

〈 Protector of Innocence 〉

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Ahhh I finally get to post this :D It was an honor to be able to contribute to the amazing project that is Yuri!!! On Cards from the Yuri!!! On The Web Discord server!

You can see the entire project via this masterpost! If you'd like more context for this gigantic YOI AU, head over to this blog post for an explanation of everything.

I'd like to give a massive shoutout to @arom-antix and @lines-on-ice for basically putting this all together and making this amazing idea a reality. I know Arrow credits me as one of the admins of this project, but I really only made a Google Drive and did a little research for the artists on how to format their cards haha

I had a ton of fun coming up with Mari's design as the Knight of Spades. I knew right away that I wanted Mari's design to reflect her Japanese heritage since the suit of Spades is a fully Japanese cast.

I've cut me talking about the art itself and my thought process while working on it so I don't nuke your dash, but if you'd like to read my ramblings feel free to

Making Mari a samurai was an easy choice since, one, that's basically what a knight was in Japan (albeit there was no legal binding between a daimyo and his samurai), and, two, I've always HC'd Mari as a protective older sister in the sense she'd be fairly hands off until someone made the mistake of bullying her little Yuuri.

I wanted her armor to be blue since that was the overarching color scheme for Spades, but choosing what blues to use was.. Difficult. There needed to be enough contrast between the different pieces of her armor to show that the armor is made of multiple parts while keeping the hues and brightness values close enough to still look cohesive. I also wanted to keep the blues relatively low saturated to bring our Mari's blonde highlights.

(As I was coloring her armor I realized half way through that I basically drew a Samurott ginjinka oops (￣▽￣*)ゞ)

I had originally intended for the sarashi (the belt) to be pure white, however when I put all the base colors down I realized the white was too much and pulled your eyes away from Mari's overall form. I knew having the belt be pure blue would make the belt blend in too much with the rest of the armor, so I ended up making the belt mostly blue with white accents as a compromise. I still wish the belt could have been white, but oh well.

As for the katana.. That was originally going to be pure blue, but like the belt problem, I had issues keeping the katana from looking muddied. I ended up trying five different variations of black/dark gray until I settled on what you see above lol. It was really difficult making the hilt of the katana look nice because if I went too dark with the blacks I would lose detail on the hilt, but if I went too light I would lose the contrast with the hilt's blues. As for the saya (scabbard/sheathe) I wanted it to be black, but I ended up matching it to Mari's armor instead because a black saya with a mostly black hilt somehow made the entire katana look flat.

The color palates I used for everything else was just me eyeballing her fleshtone and hair color through various screenshots I ripped directly from the show.

The background gave the the most trouble out of everything though because I'm not particularly great at making interesting, minimalistic backgrounds for my art. The card looked to plain without some sort of variation of color behind Mari, but since her armor was already so complex I needed a background that didn't take away from those complexities and didn't muddy the entire piece. I had originally planned to do a sumi-e type background, however I found that no matter what I did the sumi-e designs took away focus from Mari. Eventually I settled on a default abstract Procreate brush and drew lines until something stuck.

Overall I had a blast making this and also the borders for the rest of the cards! I learned a lot about how to format and prep digital canvases for making a card deck, too lol

[rebelwriter99]

Well those were some remarkably accurate predictions!

SPOILERS INCOMING! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

Tantiss did get blown to bits. Everyone did escape. (Because they had to they hadn’t had a big win in more than an entire season to justify it!) And they DID make it an hour long episode! I was so relieved the second I saw the runtime.

But WOW were a lot of things a surprise. Nala Se doing what she did I feel like I should have seen coming. It was a fantastic character arc conclusion for her, especially that line about Kamino. Rampart being there I didn’t see coming, but also a very well earned conclusion for his character (if you’ll take my meaning).

Omega! Honestly the only predictable character on screen at this point. Except perhaps Echo. Of course she released the Zillo beast-that was set up really nicely. Everyone immediately knowing it was her was delightful and probably the only time I remember laughing all episode because boy was it heavy from there.

The Batch themselves and what happened to them were a huge shock all episode. Crosshair finally voicing what I’d known since S1 and became blindingly obvious post S2 was a fantastic moment. I’m so glad it got said out loud, and I’m so glad it was him that said it. They haven’t been Clone Force 99 since the end of S1 E1 and the loss of Crosshair to the Empire. Their success rate on missions has consistently dropped since then, even more so since the loss of Tech. They were a unit, and they’re missing pieces. They’ve never been whole since the fall of the republic, and then had to operate in a galaxy they weren’t trained for. They’re not the same anymore-they needed to own that.

The three heavy duty action scenes the batch were involved in were all callbacks to previous scenes. The hangar stand off-against what are essentially operatives designed to combat them specifically-is a call back to the first appearance of imperial cross. Crosshair sees the operatives and knows they can’t win. He’s unfortunately right. And wow I did not see Crosshair losing his shaking hand coming at all. I understand practically why the writers did it, and I know I’ll be thinking long and hard about it, but I literally screamed out loud when it happened.

I think all of the batch finally understanding and experiencing what Crosshair lived through was important. The batch met their match in Hemlock. Crosshair was never really an enemy in S1, and Rampart was too stupid. To Tarkin, they were a fly in the ointment of the bigger picture. It was nothing personal. He’s Echo and Rex and the rebellions problem-not theirs. But Hemlock? The experimental scientist who wants to own what they hold most dear. Yeah. They needed to really know him. I knew when Wrecker got injured last episode that if they won it would be by the skin of their teeth-and I don’t think a single character bar omega got out unscathed.

The batch’s rescue is perfect. Regs volunteering and going to rescue the defective clones? This really is a new galaxy. We’ve moved on from Cross and “he’s just another reg”. And it’s Omega and Echo returning the favour. The Batch have gone into a research facility to rescue their own and gotten captured for their trouble twice now. (Not including Echos rescue in clone wars-where they avoid capture but get a tad stuck). This was the third attempt in TBB. Still got captured. But it’s Echo and Omega together who get to rescue the people who got them out of their similarly horrible situations. The parallels abound and I loved it!

And that last confrontation. The rain? The shape of the buildings? That exposed platform? This was Kamino all over again. Except this time, however injured, however changed they are, Hunter and Crosshair are together. For Omega. They’ve both failed to stop her being taken by Hemlock before-they’ve both watched a ship fly away with her on board. This is another third attempt. They both get their do over. Except this time they’ve learned to trust eachother, and they’ve been forced to adapt. The clone’s humanity has always been their strength-and this is one of the most perfectly written, perfectly animated scenes in the series. I knew Cross was going to have to make a shot he didn’t want to take. And I knew he’d do it. But Omega telling him what to do, telling him she trusted him not to hurt her, broke me. It was all leading up to this. And that she hugged Cross first. I was crying before this scene. I will have to rewatch and hope I can actually see next time I was sobbing!

And Hemlock got his slightly gruesome end. Thank the FORCE.

And Pabu at the end. You can feel their disbelief that the trauma is over. That they can have peace. And the epilogue is perfect. I wish we’d got to see older cross and wrecker too-but their character arcs were already handled earlier. This is Hunters scene-it was always going to have to be. For him to truly be at peace, he has to feel OK watching her fly away. He’s spent three seasons clinging on-how he’s happy to let go. And Omega gets her choice. That precious thing all the clones are chasing. She got to have a childhood, grow up, and choose.

I’m so hopeful that Omega at least will reappear-especially if she’s hoping to join the rebellion! Maybe she’ll meet Hera again-that would be amazing. (I’m nothing if not a rebels fan)

I know Bad Batch is a series I’ll be coming back to again and again to rewatch, and I know I’ll see new things in it each and every time, but for now-Thank you Clone Force 99. You’ll always be our ‘dad batch’ of deviants. It was a wonderful wild ride.

[theleetoalerandalertoalee]

Ler!Alhaitham x Lee!Kaveh

Day 4 - Weak Spot

I know that the plot “weak spot” isn’t tied very well in this but I hope you all enjoy it either way ^^

“This is killing me-! How can he say no to this design?!”

Alhaitham came into his house, disappearing to his room immediately upon entry. The Acting Grand Sage wanted nothing to do with whatever it was that the architect was whining about.

“Agh…I followed everything he asked for! I can’t lower the rate or price any more! These materials- this is insane!”

Alhaitham spoke from his seat in his room, “is this level of volume necessary to complete your project?”

“Well- no- but it’s just- it’s really annoying!”

“Oh. I couldn’t tell.”

The architect scoffs, looking away, “can’t you pretend that you care for once?!”

“Fine,” Alhaitham stands up, setting down his book and walking towards the architect.

“Kaveh, I can see more of your designs than I can of the very floor in the house.”

“Well, I’m sorry that you simply don’t understand what the lifestyle of an architect consists of!”

“Does it include being on the poverty line?”

“You-! Ugh- I don’t even know why I bother with you!”

Alhaitham suddenly puts his hand on the window in the back of Kaveh’s shirt.

The architect jolts forward in his seat, caught off-guard, “ghk-! What are you doing?”

Alhaitham speaks from his stance behind Kaveh, “there’s no words that I can say that’ll get through that thick skull you have. So, I’m going to not attempt that route anymore.”

Alhaitham slides his fingers down Kaveh’s shoulder blades, focusing on the muscles right beside the architect’s spine. The Acting Grand Sage knew full well what he was doing.

Kaveh gasps, “ah-! Wh- what are you doing? Stop that-! Gah!”

Completely ignoring his words, Alhaitham continues, “you were at the tavern the other day, as always. You kept griping about how tense your shoulders have been because of stress- and, since you don’t take care of it- you’re making it my problem, so here am I fixing it.”

Alhaitham digs his thumbs into the muscle he was grazing with his fingertips just seconds beforehand.

“Alhaitham wait- don’t!”

Alhaitham ignores Kaveh, continuing with his mischievous massage with the smallest of smirks on his face. Kaveh jolts in his seat, laughter pouring out of him, like the wine that’s seemingly pouring endlessly into his glass at night.

“Hm, I’m surprised that somehow you can become louder than before I came home. I could have sworn I could hear your complaining from the House of Daena. I’ll wager the researchers at Sanctuary of Surasthana can hear you now.”

“Alhaitham-! Wh- hahahahaha! This isn’t- hahaha- helping!! Hahahaha!”

“This is your weak spot, so you might as well embrace it.”

“Wh-? How do you know- hahahahaha!”

“You can barely handle even fabric on this spot, so it’s natural to infer this.”

“Well it’s uncomfortable to wear- gah! Stop it- hahahahaha!”

“Hm, I doubt you actually want me to stop. You are free to stand up and walk away, and yet you haven’t.”

Kaveh’s face flushed. Alhaitham is right- of course he is…when is he not, at this point?

“Just shut it- hahahahahaha!”

“Now you want it to be quiet? Hm, how amusing.”

Kaveh gives up acting like he wants it to end. He needed this attention. He’s been nothing but neglected, and the only attention he got was when he was being degraded or rejected…but just this once…neither of those are the case, and it’s nice to say the least.

Alhaitham stops the massage, walking away to his room silently to continue reading his book.

Kaveh whirls around in his seat, feeling more relaxed but a bit disappointed that it was over, “umm- Alhaitham…?”

The Acting Grand Sage turns, waiting to hear what the roommate had to say.

“Thank you…”

“Sure.”

Alhaitham continued to read his book quietly. For the first night in a while, Kaveh reached for a bottle or water rather than a glass of wine. Maybe this weakness is a secret benefit after all…

[darling-answers]

I BEG YOU Ana Amari with a injured reader, maybe she sick or dying of a illness idk just make it angst, I saw that talk about wanting more Ana Amari fanfic so idk I feel like letting people suffer and cry.

“ oh Gibraltar were had the time gone?”

This will be pre-fall I would like to say when Overwatch was still in best working order, just right after the omnic crisis

Warning! There may be inaccurate deceive of AML, I have done my best at researching the topic but doesn’t me my accuracy on knowing aml is good because I have never experienced before. Ana may be a little off topic because no matter what, you should always respect the choice of someone body. Death! Is implied and mention. this isn’t a happy ending. Blood! Is mentioned, noise and mouth bleeding Mentions, Oppression and violence. There also mention of symptoms of cancer effects with chemotherapy, chemotherapy is mentioned multiple times. Fainting is mentioned

Thank you for all who reads my stories and showed there support i appreciate it greatly

REQUEST ARE OPEN I WRITE FOR VENTURE TOO SO SEND THEM SOME LOVE.

The warning signs were there but you couldn’t expect it to get this bad? how could anyone know how bad it gotten when it just happened. Being a overwatch agent and putting civilians as your top priority before your own health problems wasn’t uncommon. It comes with you being a soldier and wanting to do what right. Sticking up for the weak even if it comes with your own life. So why must this situation be different.

The First warning sign happen when you were out on a mission to help civilians who may have been lost or trapped under the rubble, it was going according to plan, nothing seem out of the ordinary until the next thing you had known was blood was coming from your nostrils and mouth. Wiping it off on your sleeve painting it with fresh blood made it easy to forget about, it could happen to anyone so why must your situation be different, there still civilians need help, so pick yourself up soldier and help the others, You tell yourself over and over again.

Helping civilians get to safety and back to there family had made you smile, but the comfort of the ship that would be leading you back to your home and the people you call family is just a different feeling. When sitting down in your designated seat, Reinhardt was right infront of you, talking (yelling.) about how well his mission did, talking about the tiny children who he got to flex his arms to. Jack Morrison and Gabriel Reyes carried on their conversation about the on going crisis in the rest of the world, torbjorn talked about his family showing Reinhardt picture of his newly born daughter Brigitte but always the mother hen Ana had taken notice of the blood.

“ habibati, where did such blood come from? Had there been anyone seriously injured? On the catalog I did not seen any reports of very serious injuries?” She mumbles setting her sniper down, the way the sniper aim was up relaxing in the wall of the aircraft, safety was on and the eye of the pistol was up. She leans over to grab the coat of your overwatch outfit and taken a look of the sleeve.

“ I’m fine Ana, I promise, there is nothing to worry about just some blood no need to fuss.” She gave you a serious look Almost crinkling her brows. “ you tell me if anything is wrong. Alright? I want you to be alright.” She looks serious pointing a finger before she lets go from the topic when she felt satisfied.

The Second warning came when in training with Cassidy, you felt you’re whole body zap out of energy, the room was so dizzy and fussy, your brain felt slow and sluggish, you’re arms and legs felt like a ice about to melt into a puddle. Your body gave up and slammed itself to the ground. Waking up in the infirmary with Angela Ziegler talking about your body and health, noticing the way your body seems to be weaker than before. You lost incredible amount of weight which for a normal person would feel happy about it, the weight your body was dropping was to dangerous to not start trying to figure out what was wrong with you.

“ i thought you would’ve told me if something was wrong. The fact you tried hiding it makes me think it might be time i took over your position and put you’re mission on hold until i feel everything is better.” Ana mumbled kissing your forehead as she gently placed her hand on the top of your head.

Angela returned with a chart, writing your vitals and simple questions she have asked you such as, how long have these symptoms been going on, how severe have these conditions been. She clicked her pin shut as she looked up from her notes. “ if you don’t mind I would like to request and recommend we run a few test on you. I’m thinking running a Blood test on you, we will be analyzing it using a microscopic evaluation of the blood, or by using flow cytometry to try and figure. This will all be done if we get your consent so would you mind if we do this?” Angela tilt her head at the last part as she hears the exact words she needs to hear to start preparing for the blood samples.

After gathering the blood sample, she sends you and Ana on your way as she tells you the test results will need 2-3 weeks to be able to fully confirm the diagnosis. Ana made sure throughout the week to make sure that you would rest and not strain your already fragile condition. Every night Ana would lay in bed making sure her arms were around your body and start whispering stuff in Arabic. More symptoms started popping up which caused Ana to get worried even worse than before. Bruising would form out of nowhere not even you could remember how you got those bruises, night sweats became one of the worse causing the lack of sleep, hot flashes and the urge to not eat anything were evidence that something definitely wasn’t right.

“ Oh, how I know it hurts habibati, let’s try and get some rest.” She would mumbles as she made sure the bed only have loose sheets. The way you could barely hold down anything or even get out of bed made her concerns grow even worse. Sometimes you would wake up with her right besides you and other times you were alone in bed. Days and nights started to blur in your memory as you laid in bed, not being able to fully move or walk without assistance.

“ we have gotten the test results back and it might be best. If you sit down ana this is difficult for both of you.” Angela pulled up a chair and sat down in a chair crossing her legs as she looks over at Ana then comes back to you. “ after throughly examining the changes in you’re body we have confirm the diagnosis of you have a form of leukemia that is very hard to treat. It is called Acute myelogenous leukemia. It a common aggressive form of leukemia that affects your bone marrow and blood.”

The face of exhaustion from you and the horror of Ana Face was like no other, how long had it been since you see Ana so hopeless..? This isn’t what you wanted to see.

“ There is good news and bad news, we may be able to start treatment to help fight off the leukemia but with the illness being around the bone marrow most medicines may not be able to reach the place the leukemia is resting, it may be long and hard but you have some chance of survival if you would like to start that I can get it prepared.”

“ What are the chances of me surviving..? I don’t want to live my life in fear that this illness will come back, I don’t want the exhaustion and agonizing treatments, I don’t want to be stuck in a hospital wasting away the only time I get pure entertainment is if someone come visit me. Please Ana, i’m scared and I don’t want to leave you alone but I don’t want to deal with this heartache.” She clutched her wife hand as she leans over weakly giving a kiss to her wife forehead as she comes to rest her sweaty face on that of her wife.

“ I have seen a lot of people survive AML and I also scene some who not, a man in December survive the AML with a few rounds of chemo and some rehabilitation and now he living his life with a wife and few kids. I’ve also scene some people not wish to fight this agonizing battle. So why I might not suggest not taking treatments I will accept whatever you would like us to do.”

Angela Zeigler nodded her head towards you before looking at Ana, Ana somberly looked at the hands which were neatly folded in her. The struggle to make the choice or even express agreement or disagreement weigh ever on her shoulders. “ if you would not like to start chemo and pass away in your home with me and our family by your side I will respect your wishes. I’m so sorry you were even given these choices.” Ana closed her eyes and cried in her hands chocking out her answers as she leans to rest her head on your shoulder.

“ don’t cry Ana, this battle has been long and hard, I was given a purpose on earth and that was to protect the people around me, I made my choice and now I may be rest in the peace of the afterlife knowing I have saved lives. You have to be strong for Pharah and Overwatch.”

The weakly smiles that adores both you and Ana face made it way to accept the idea more easily. The decision to not go and do chemo was not selfish in the eyes of Ana, she knew of the effects of chemo, Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, Hair loss, Skin dryness and rashes the effects almost seem limitless.

“ so if I’m to confirm You ( state your name.) are refusing to take chemotherapy, which may have help you live a few years longer. You understand the negative side effects that may come with this. You may also always come back to wanting to do chemotherapy but the more you wait the more will not be likely to have the cancer be eradicated.”

Ana looked over and nodded at you, “ I will accept whatever you say or think. Please speak what you need to.” Ana looked into your eyes. “ I accept to refusing treatment for chemotherapy and know the harms and risk that may come and the outcome.” The weakly sound of coughing finishing off the statement.

“ alright, I will notify strike commander to take you off of all mission briefs and when you are ready please notify whoever you would like about what the future is going forward.” Mercy nodded politely leaving you and Ana alone in the room. Ana looked over at you, brushing your cheekbone as the weak sound of raspy breath came in and out. “ Thank you for letting me have a choice, I wouldn’t do this if I wasn’t sure the outcome would be the same.”

Ana nodded to your words helping you settle in bed. She weakly clutches the clothing near her heart as she looks at you. She tried to take a deep breath as to not let the tears follow but it getting harder looking at your weak state. She started walking towards the door to give you room only to be stopped by the croak of a voice. “ Ana…” Ana turned around and looked at you walking over and kneeling down near your bed side.

“ I love you and Pharah so much.” You mumbles as Ana whisper some words of praise before getting up and leaving the room. Days become even more of a blur as your visited by most of Overwatch agents besides a few. Even Moira O’Deorain made her presence known as she commands great respect and recognition for how you saved lives and great combat skills.

The day came, one year and a day after you first got the symptoms of something wrong that you passed peacefully by your besides, laying beside you was Ana who was on your left. Pharah who birthday just came a few weeks ago making her 10 and one of your best friends who also supported you think through thin, Reinhardt. A day that would’ve been sad wasn’t sad, they knew you would of beat there ass if you found out they weren’t lighting up the party with some shots as you’re lowered into your casket. Your funeral which played one of your favorite songs, “Dreaming of you” by Selena Quintanilla was a mother and daughter dance for ana and pharah.

You were given a gravesite with the soldiers who had fallen in the war adored with flowers and so much love and care from military units all across the world. Some left Quarters, some left penny, dimes and nickels. You were known around the world and a statue as a memorial in your home town was placed to honor the dedication you had to fighting for what right and standing up for communities who may have been oppressed.

As time gone on and the state of Overwatch went into shambles Winston recalled woke up a different side in Overwatch agents, instead of doing stuff how Jack Morrison would do, the Overwatch hero’s knew who to look up to in the end.

Pharah looking up into the sky hoping that maybe she would see you there looking down and protecting her.

[cipheress-to-k-pop]

I'm rewatching Ben 10 UA and I've got a bone to pick with Aggregor

He's a good villain, don't get me wrong, but there's something about his whole arc that just irks me

The season starts off pretty well, with us finding out that Aggregor has kidnapped 5 aliens from their home planets with the intention of absorbing their powers

Why, you may ask? Well, he wants to absorb them so that he can gain the abilities to go after what he truly wants, the mcguffin

If you need a refresher, the mcguffin is the Map of Infinity

I usually don't mind when a show or a season is built around this artifact that the audience has never heard of and a sudden lore that's created behind it even though I know it annoys alot of people

I really couldn't care less that this was never mentioned before because it's meant to be top secret

Kevin mentions in the episode Map of Infinity s1e11 that he thought it was just a myth, meaning that, to a certain extent, people knew about it

So, I put aside my argument about Aggregor knowing of it's existence. I'll just assume that he found the legend interesting so did some further research only to find out that it's actually true.

That's a fair reasoning.

Now this map will lead him to a place called the Forge of Creation, the birthplace of Alien X, where he wants to absorb the powers of that alien and gain some form of omnipotence

But the problem lies in the fact that the map of infinity was divided into 4 pieces and hidden by Professor Paradox

This is actually a really great premise and I like everything about it

My problem lies with it's execution

My first grievance, HOW THE HELL DOES AGGREGOR KNOW WHERE THE PIECES ARE?!

The pieces are hidden in Mikd'lty, Piscciss, Legerdomain and the Perplexahedron, respectively

Now, I'm REALLY going to try and give this the benefit of the doubt

Let's assume that the pieces of the map can guide you, so if you have one piece, it can lead you to the other pieces that are scattered across the universe

This would explain why Ben and the gang have no idea where the pieces are and usually just end up chasing Aggregor to wherever he goes to find the piece, as seen for piece 2 and 3 s1e13e14

My problem is how the hell did Aggregor know where to find the first piece?

If Paradox really did hide the piece and he's the only person in the entire universe that actually knows where the pieces were, how the hell did Aggregor know where the first piece was?

The thing I found odd in the case of the first piece was that, oddly, Ben and the gang were the first ones to go after it. I'm thinking that while Ben was on the planet of Mikd'lty, his omnitrix acted like a beacon for Aggregor to follow

In which case, this would mean that there was no need for Ben to go there at all because Aggregor didn't know where it was and he wouldn't have found it out unless Ben hadn't gone there first

And you're telling me Paradox and Azmuth didn't know this!? ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?

IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE

PARADOX IS THE ONLY BEING IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE THAT KNOWS WHERE THE PIECES ARE

EVEN AZMUTH DIDN'T KNOW

HOW THE HELL DID AGGREGOR KNOW WHERE TO GO?

My second problem, the perplexehedron

That's a really good episode if I'm being honest, I love the traps and the logic behind it

But my problem starts with the fact that Aggregor is simply let in by the place because he has 3 pieces of the map

WHY!?

WHY IS A PLACE THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE FINAL PIECE FROM SOMEONE WHO IS COLLECTING THE PIECES ALLOW SOMEONE WHO HAS THE OTHER 3 PIECES AND IS CLEARLY COLLECTING THEM GO THROUGH NO PROBLEM?!

like you'd assume the pieces of the map are enough to guide him through the perplexahedron but no

He faces the same traps that Ben and the gang do and even reaches the final piece after them

SO WHY LET HIM THROUGH IN THE FIRST PLACE

I JUST DON'T GET IT

and then he does manage to get all 4 pieces and you think that all is lost because the forge of creation is hidden from everyone except those who have the map

BUT WAIT

Paradox knows exactly where it is and can thus take Ben and friends there

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK

Like Paradox is the most annoying character to ever exist

IF YOU KNEW WHERE THE FORGE OF CREATION WAS WHY BOTHER WITH THE MAP

WHY NOT JUST DESTROY THE MAP?! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO HIDE IT AWAY IN THE FIRST PLACE?! LIKE WHAT WAS THE POINT

I ACTUALLY DO NOT GET IT

if someone understands why please let me know

So long story short

Paradox knew where the forge of creation was and hid it, creating a map that can show it's location before dividing it into 4 pieces and hiding it across the universe

but for what? if he already knew where the forge of creation was, why create a map to find it later anyway? like you already know where it is and if anyone wants to go there, they'd have to run it by you first

WHY BOTHER WITH THE DUMBASS MAP

AND WHY DOES AZMUTH KNOW ABOUT ALL OF THIS?!

like that was another thing i never understood

why does azmuth know where the 4th piece is hidden?

I get that he's the smartest being in 3-5 galaxies but he's hardly king of the universe

why does he get a free pass?

someone tell me

because I'm not able to concentrate on this season without getting annoyed about all of this

also, let's not forget that this could have all been nipped at the bud? If you remember in Alien Force s3e11 Kevin and Mike Morningstar stumble across the Dominus librium which can be used to take away an Osmosians ability to absorb shit

So had they used this they could've taken away Aggregors ability to absorb it before he ever absorbed those aliens and problem solved

But, you might say that the dominus librium was just an artifact used in that one episode and never mentioned again, a problem that a lot of shows face but NO

THEY BRING IT BACK AGAIN AT THE END OF THE SEASON TO HELP SAVE KEVIN

SO WHAT WAS THE FUCKING POINT

[ya-boi-ferals]

Was able to create these redesigns while we had nothin to do in classes. Im tryin to slowly make myself fall in love with art again and my hyperfixation on mlp redesigns are helpin me do that >:'] ...and oh boi this is gon be a long post feel free to read my rewrites ehe

I had so much fun through the whole process for this one! (Tbh the mane 5 becomin more like semi ocs now) For my version, Pipp is more of an actress/performer who does multiple side gigs and hobbies. Shes basically the city's "angelic sweet girl" since shes known for playing a soft and whimsical persona, often doing her iconic closed in ears and faded voice to give a more innocent look for the public. Her attitude is no different in private but she forces herself to stay too positive even when shes in need of relieving some strong emotions. Im not a fan of Pipp being a stereotypical phone addict in the show so I instead headcannoned her as neurodivergent and needing a distraction everytime or else she gets all panicky when shes doesnt have anything to do, she tends to overshare info, forgets to rest, known to take other's spotlight away and dissociate a lot (especially when reading fan comments) Shes disabled and uses formed cloud wings designed by her sister.

As for her redesign, I made her mane to be more stylish as a way to show her expertise on hairstylin. Her tail and tiara is rose shaped to go with her last name "Petals". And her colour pallete is brownish purple and powdered pink to give her character a more softer feel.

Lmaoo I have a lot to say- Anyways heres an old piece i made for zipp Im still confused how to draw her hair patterns...

In my ver. Zipp is well known for bein hardworkin and intelligent. Shes not ready to be queen and often "slacks off" with her main royal duties but she organizes and fixes problems happening outside the castle by talking to the staffs. Shes extremely curious and learns a lot of random detailed infos since she was young which ended up makin her become great at managing situations happening in and out the city, which is why her mother is so persistent on makin her the next queen. Zipp is a solutionist and researcher but she only focuses on what catches her interest before goin on the to next. (Ngl all the mane 5 are neurodivergent to me) Because of how determined she is on those interest, shes made several secret places to avoid just doin main work. Her fav studies are chemistry, physics, cosmology, ecology and aeronautics. Shes mysterious to the public eye but her friends know that shes just a bundle of hyperactive mess once she starts discovering smth new. I assume og Zipp is secretly non-binary coded but for my version, shes a transmare and everypony already knows and accepts it.

I gave her a more light pink and blue green mane colour. Her bangs are like sherlock holmes' as to pay homage for zipp bein a detective in the series along with some side braids. I also gave her twilight freckles and tired,soft looking eyes (not only cuz shes a workaholic like Pipp but its also cuz of genetics)

Aight, I was never really a fan for givin the mane cast just one element and the fact that G5 series havent showed any mentions of it just made it seem unimportant. Soo I instead gave them multiple elements that the mane 5 will develop as their journey goes on. Pipp will be the element of Strength, Purity, Assurance, Control, Pride, Value, etc. While Zipp is the element of Curiosity, Determination, Potential, Wonderment, Eagerness, Persistence, etc. (I imagine if twilight would have ever come back from the dead she would most likely write down what their elements would be as she observes the mane 5)

[venusiancharisma]

Hot Take: Human Design

Activated Gates of Authority: 19-49

I feel like it's exponentially hard to find a descriptive analysis on anything related to human design... or at least descriptive enough to satiate my curiosity - so I figured, I cannot be the only one with this problem.

After exxxxxxxtensive research (sorry for delayed inbox responses) I have started to create some content for anyone else curious.

Eventually, I would like to dive into how to use your natal chart with your human design graph to get an entirely, well rounded understanding & innerstanding of who you are, your why's, how's, and so on. They're both connected.

FULL DISCLOSURE - I will be going in an absolutely, nonsensical, and incoherent order. I may start with my own but there is a lot of content I've created to share and I plan on doing it one at a time. Anything in red will be explained in a later post as I continue this content, so don't worry if you aren't entirely versed yet. i hope you ENJOY!

Channel 19-49 is called "The Principle of Revolution". This channel features 2 gates, 19 & 49. The combination of gates creates the channel. 19 is the gate of "wanting", while 49 is the gate of "revolution". It is part of the 39-55/19-49 Definition quadra and is connected to responding, reacting, and taking action.

The channels make up the pathways through which energy flows in your body and impact your personality, talents, and decision-making authority.

If you have or know someone who has an activated 19-49 channel...

As one of your authority channels, 19-49 has a major influence on how you operate and make decisions. This motor channel brings an energetic, active, even rambunctious quality. You likely have a strong inner drive to initiate change, shake things up, rebel against the status quo, and introduce new, experimental, or unorthodox ideas or ways of doing things. You challenge assumptions and may be attracted to fringe topics or revolutionary causes.

People with 19-49 are here to be agents of change and transformation. You have an evolutionary impulse to push boundaries, take risks, and upset established orders. When activated positively, this can catalyze innovation, reforms, breakthroughs, and social or political shifts. Used negatively, it can lead to chaotic, reckless, or even dangerous behavior. Understanding how to harness 19-49 is key.

As an authority, you need to wait for this wave-like energy to come and go rather than constantly riding it. By waiting to respond when 19-49 is "on", you make decisions true to your inner motivations. If you react when it's "off", you may regret choices. Learning this ebb and flow helps moderate extremes.

Channels impact each other, so 19-49 is flavored by your other authorities. But in general, having this motor defined means a dynamic push towards trail-blazing change, often through rebellious action. By understanding the wise and unwise ways this channel manifests and using strategies like waiting, deconditioning, and experimenting slowly, you can utilize 19-49 for positive transformation.

This rebellious energy can attune you to future trends before they become mainstream.

Having 19-49 activated suggests intuitive abilities related to sensing the zeitgeist, reading cultural and sociopolitical undercurrents, and prophesying what revolutionary shifts may be on the horizon. You can be quite skilled at predicting new movements, styles, or paradigms that shake up the status quo.

As a transformer energy, 19-49 may give you the innate capacity to scan both collective thoughtforms and the horizons of what’s possible, almost like an inner radar system attuned to anything progressive, trailblazing, unconventional or on the cutting edge. You can often spot burgeoning worldviews and innovations poised to disrupt accepted norms well before the crowd catches on.

With 19 defined especially, you likely have your finger on the pulse of what people deep down feel dissatisfied with or secretly want to see changed but don't openly talk about due to social programming or consensus trance. Tapping this can make you gifted at giving voice to issues or ideas that have been suppressed or taboo.

As a motor channel connected to informational waves, 19-49 can also download revelatory insights, visions of alternative possibilities or even mystical experiences - especially during periods of change, chaos or social unrest. The revolutionary insight that dawns may hold psychic clues for navigating eras of deep transition.

Having this energy defined can make you powerfully allergic to the status quo. It’s like you have built-in radar for internal or external shifts happening under the surface that signal change is afoot. By reading the signs, listening deep below consensus, and trusting your non-ordinary hunches, you unlock 19-49’s psychic potential to be a prophet of necessary transformation.

Tips for people with this channel:

Here are some tips for how to tap into the ebbs and flows of an activated 19-49 channel in Human Design, to discern if it is activated positively or negatively:

Track your emotional waves. When 19-49 is "on", you will likely feel energized, fired up for change, filled with avant-garde ideas. When it's "off", the revolutionary fever cools into mellowness or even apathy. Noticing these dramatic emotional shifts is key.

Pay attention to synchronicities and omens. The mystic Rainer Maria Rilke spoke of "confirmatory experiences" that validate when you're aligned with your authentic path. Notice what signs, symbols, messages arise when 19-49 is activated. Are they encouraging your radical side constructively?

Check your mental state. Is your mind speculative, imaginative, innovative when 19-49 is on - or scattered, conspiratorial, paranoid? The latter could indicate the channel is distorted. Stay grounded.

Assess your behavior objectively. Is your rebellion or rabble-rousing inspire progressive change or just petty chaos? Are you breaking conventions with purpose or just for shock value? Check your intentions.

Notice physical sensations. Do you feel buzzing inspiration or nervous agitation? Vitality or imbalance? Attune to your body's signals to read 19-49 clearly.

Consider gradual steps. Experiment cautiously when 19-49 is on so you don't risk burnout from overstimulation. Baby steps avoid big regrets!

With awareness and discernment, you can learn to ride the 19-49 wave skillfully, using its psychic gifts for radical yet enlightened change. Analyze the quality rather than quantity to know if you’re dialed in.

[totowlff]

chapter forty— how to tie a knot

➝ no one said that celebrating love was easy

➝ word count: 2,3k

➝ warnings: none

➝ author’s note: this is the first update of two on this week. hope you enjoy it!

DECEMBER, 2017

— Elisabeth, this is the fifth time you’ve changed where that cushion is sitting — Toto murmured, without looking up from the iPad screen, where an article from the Financial Times was open.

— I know — she replied, snorting — It just looks out of place here…

— It's always been there, since long before you came to live here. I don't understand the problem with it now.

Placing her hands on her hips, Elisabeth continued to stare at the sofa. Something was bothering her, even though a few hours ago, she had no issue with the arrangement of any of the decorative cushions. Pursing her lips, she took a few steps to the side, as if she was analyzing it, trying to figure out what was bothering her. Suddenly, she thought of something.

— What are you doing now?

— Taking this blanket off — Elisabeth replied, pulling the colorful throw that was on the back of the sofa — It's the problem.

Toto chuckled in disbelief.

— Maybe the problem is your anxiety, my love.

She stood up with the blanket in her hand, pressing her lips into a thin line.

— You think?

— Well, considering that you've already changed the order of the picture frames on the fireplace, organized the tea plate twice, and are uncomfortable with the sofa cushions, I'm sure you're anxious, even though there’s no reason to be.

Elisabeth let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand over her face.

— We're going to welcome someone home, Toto, how can I not be anxious?

He put down his iPad and shot her a direct look.

— Elisabeth, she’s just a wedding planner…

— She's not just a wedding planner, she's our wedding planner — she countered, dropping the blanket back on the sofa, a little irritated — I don’t want her to think we don’t know what we’re doing.

— You think she is going to take the state of our decorative pillows into account while planning our wedding? — Toto asked.

— I want to make a good impression…

— My love, she’s the one who has to make a good impression, not us. We are the couple who need help organizing the perfect day because they don't have the time or patience for it.

Elisabeth huffed, sitting down on the couch. She wanted to be more calm about this process, but she couldn’t help but feel restless about all of it. It was as if the moment Toto had placed the engagement ring on her finger he had triggered all the anxiety it was possible for a person to feel.

The day after the proposal, she started doing research and designing an action plan for the big day, trying to fit the organization of the ceremony with the race calendar and their own personal commitments. It didn't take long for her to realize that the best time would be during the summer break, as the pleasant weather would allow them to hold the event the way they had imagined and the only time everyone they wanted to attend would be able to, especially Benedict and Rosa.

When she told them about the news during one of their weekly visits, both of them seemed incredibly happy, hugging her and Toto with big smiles. Their affection was what Elisabeth needed to be sure that she had made the right choice in joining that beautiful family that Toto had built, so she made sure they were by their side when they said “I do”. 

The doorbell snapped Elisabeth out of her thoughts, and she looked at Toto. He had already set the iPad on the armchair he had been sitting in, looking like the portrait of serenity as he walked toward the apartment’s front door. “Why can't I be like that?”, she asked herself quietly as she stood up, still holding on to the colorful throw.

— Yes, parking around here is terrible — Toto said. He was talking to the brunette woman next to him, who had a round face and wore square-rimmed glasses, before looking at her — Liesl, why are you still holding that throw?

She blinked, feeling her face heat up.

— I was organizing the sofa — Elisabeth replied, forcing a smile.

— Again?

— Again — she replied, dropping the blanket haphazardly on the sofa before going to the woman next to him — Nice to meet you, I'm Elisabeth.

— Raphaela, the pleasure is all mine. I talked to you on the phone, right?

— That's right.  By the way, thank you for agreeing to come here. I know it's not the usual...

— I imagine. I completely understand your desire to keep this event as private as possible and, let's face it, visiting a wedding planner's office is not the best way to keep it that way.

— Yes — Elisabeth laughed, before inviting Raphaela to sit. After refusing a cup of tea and commenting on Vienna's traffic, the woman removed a notebook and a pen from her black leather bag.

— Well, we're here to talk about a wedding, so let's focus on that. To begin with, I wanted to understand you better. If you could tell me how you met, and how your relationship progressed to the point of deciding to get married?

Elisabeth shot Toto a sidelong glance, realizing that a shy smile had come over his face.

— Do you want to tell her?

— I'll leave it to you — she replied.

— Well, we met in 2012 through her father, we became friends, but that ended up evolving. We started dating in 2014 and we've been together ever since — he summarized — I asked Liesl to marry me this summer, after we returned from Ibiza, where her parents have a house.

— And was it romantic?

— It was definitely very meaningful for us — Elisabeth said, smiling.

— That's very good — Raphaela said, writing something down in her notebook — And do you have any ideas in mind? Any specific place, any concept, anything?

Elisabeth and Toto exchanged a long look.

— I think we agree that it will be a ceremony in the summer, between August and September — she replied — Small, just for our families and a few friends.

— Here in Austria or elsewhere?

— I thought about Italy — Toto said — We really like the south, with the sun and the sea. I think it would be really beautiful to have a wedding there, right?

— Yes, it would be beautiful — Elisabeth replied.

Raphaela continued to write down notes in her notebook.

— A very good destination for weddings in recent times is Sicily. There are several beautiful locations with stunning views, perfect for outdoor weddings, as well as adorable chapels. Oh, by the way, is it going to be a religious ceremony? You will want to officiate in a church or…

— No, not a church — Toto said — Her father said he only enters a church if he is inside a coffin, so I think it's better to avoid them.

The wedding planner laughed.

— So, if we are not going for a church wedding, I am guessing that you would like a civil ceremony?? — she asked, and Elisabeth nodded — Right. And regarding guests, you said family and friends, right? Do you know how many people you had in mind?

— Well, we have both families, right? — Elisabeth replied — We have my parents, my brothers, Claire and the children, uncle Florian, uncle Tillman, aunt Renate, their children...

— Liesl, we had talked about something small — Toto said.

—But they are part of my family, they are my uncles…

— I wasn't thinking about calling my uncles — he said softly.

— No? Like, I understand not inviting the Bednarczyks, but not even Ivar?

— I wanted it to be something more private…

— But you were going to call Lawrence and Fred, weren't you?

— We see Lawrence and Fred all the time, and they're my friends...

— Ivar is your uncle, Toto, it's different — Elisabeth argued, before looking at Raphaela, who seemed a little embarrassed to be witnessing that discussion. That made her stop for a few seconds before giving a small smile — But that can be discussed at another time, right?

— True, we don't need to make the guest list today — she replied, continuing to write in her notebook— And about the event schedule, did you think of anything? Generally, weddings in other places have a program of several days, receptions, cocktails, the ceremony itself, but the format is up to the couple.

— I think a dinner the day before and the ceremony itself would be excellent, don't you think? — Toto said. Elisabeth nodded  — We don't want anything too grand, but rather a moment in which we can share our love with our families.

— And what would be the best time for the ceremony?

— Late afternoon, perhaps? I like the sunset, I think it could be beautiful — Elisabeth said.

— And after the ceremony, do you have plans to have a dinner, a party, or a cocktail?

— A cocktail — Elisabeth said, looking at Toto, who was shaking his head.

— Dinner is better, Liesl.

— Why would it be better? Something more relaxed would allow us to talk to everyone and it wouldn't be so formal...

— At dinner, things are more organized, there’s no confusion…

— Do you really think Ellison and Lennon are going to sit for hours at a dinner?

— The dinner wouldn’t last hours…

— You know it would, since it would have a starter, main course and dessert. Besides, we're already offering dinner before the wedding, why have one afterwards?

Toto snorted.

— Dinners are always better, Elisabeth.

— Is that your argument? — she asked — Cocktails are more relaxed, calm. What's more, we'll be able to have a dance floor...

— At Valtteri's wedding there was a dance floor and a dinner — he murmured.

Elisabeth rolled her eyes.

— Okay, if you want dinner so much, you make it for your guests and I make my cocktail for mine, what do you think?

Passing a hand over his face, Toto looked at Raphaela, who looked a little bit uncomfortable. 

—We’ll have a cocktail party — he said to the woman, who nodded positively before making a note — And with all the guests, okay?

Elisabeth nodded,  the shadow of a smile on her face.

— Right. And what about your dress, makeup, and hair, Elisabeth? Do you have any ideas about what you want? I have some recommendations for places that make beautiful wedding dresses here in Vienna, unless you are thinking of using something from your family or something designer.

— No, nothing designer, but I don’t have anything in mind, so I welcome suggestions.

— Great, and regarding suits…

— I already have my supplier, so to speak — Toto replied, smiling.

— I figured, Mr. Wolff — Raphaela replied — Will you have best men or bridesmaids?

Toto and Elisabeth looked at each other.

— Well, I would like to have a best man, Fred — he said — What about you, Liesl?

— One bridesmaid is enough for me, I thought about asking Claire — she replied, and Toto nodded.

— And what about pages and flower girls?

— We have Eloise, Lennon and Ellison, who are our nephews — Elisabeth said, smiling — I believe they can participate in the ceremony in this way.

— Are you sure you want your nephews to hold our rings? — Toto asked, delicately.

— Why do you ask?

— Elisabeth, they are not exactly… Calm children…

— That doesn't mean they won't behave.

— And do you think Eloise would?

— Probably — Toto said, earning a frustrated glance from Elisabeth — What, are you going to say they are well-behaved?

— They are normal children!

— They are your brother's children, and your brother, coincidentally, would rather see me dead than dating you.

— Torger! — Elisabeth snapped.

— That’s the truth!

— But they have nothing to do with Mathias. In fact, Claire has always supported us and the boys like you a lot.

— That doesn't change the fact that I wouldn't trust them with our rings.

Elisabeth was about to scold him when Raphaela cleared her throat, interrupting them.

— I believe that details like this can be discussed later, when we have a concrete list of guests. And, for that, we need to decide other things beforehand, such as the location, even to understand how many people we will be able to invite.

They looked at each other before nodding.

— Well, I believe I have everything I need to start planning the ceremony. In fact, would you like to leave everything to me or would you like to be informed of the details as well?

— We only want to make the big decisions, we leave the details in your hands — Toto said.

— Great.

After leading the wedding planner to the exit and making a comment about the debates between him and Elisabeth, Toto returned to the living room, where his companion was. Still sitting on the sofa, she had her eyes fixed on the untouched tea tray.

— Liesl? — he asked, as he sat next to her — Is everything okay?

Turning her face towards him, Elisabeth had an expression of discomfort.

— Do you think it's the best thing to do?

— What are you talking about?

— The ceremony, the party, all of that. It seems like so much for something so...

— So?

— Small.

Toto raised an eyebrow.

— Do you think our love is small?

— No, not our love, but — Elisabeth hesitated — I wish I could do it all today, you know? No cameras, no guests, none of the fuss. Just you and me.

— Are you asking me to run away with you?

— Well, more like going to the registry office and signing the papers right away.

He smiled, moving close enough to put his arm around her shoulders.

— Do you want to be Mrs. Wolff so much?

— Lauda-Wolff, we already talked about this — she said — But yes, I want to. I have never wanted anything more in life than to be yours.

— But you're already mine, Liesl.

— Not officially.

— Do you care about the papers so much?

— If they are the guarantee that I will be yours forever, yes, I care.

Toto smiled, before giving Elisabeth a quick peck on the lips. Moving his face away slightly, he spent a few seconds looking at her, as if contemplating her.

— And you will be, my love. My wife, for the rest of my life.