#I started this post a couple months ago

[afanofmanyhats]

You know, reading through BIONICLE: Adventures really has me wondering why the writers decided to make the Toa Metru's masks a whole mystery. I can't think of a good explanation out of universe. After all, we already knew what masks the Turaga wore, so it wouldn't have been a shock for their Toa masks to be the same. And in-universe, it doesn't make any sense at all for half the team to not know. Vakama is a mask-maker that customized Nuju's mask; Whenua is an Archivist with encyclopedic knowledge of most things; Nokama is a teacher that has random information crossing her desk all the time.

I understand why the writers went with it thematically, as the Toa are rookies who are maturing into their role. But... Since it's canon that it takes great mental strength to use masks, couldn't they have just used that? The Toa Metru are disorganized and undisciplined. It would be easy for all of them to simply need time to work on their powers even if they knew what they were.

That could have been a great element for the story. There's nothing more frustrating than knowing you'll gain a skill but not knowing when that'll happen. Knowing that there'd be the option for Matau to make a distraction, or for Nuju to help everyone clear a large gap, but they can't yet would give ripe space for interpersonal conflict and growth.

This would also strengthen the moments when they do activate their masks for the first time. Nokama, who's been failing at mediating the conflicts between her brothers finally owns to her shortcomings and is able to understand another's perspective (the Kikanalo). Matau recognizes that sometimes being a hero means having all eyes on you in some... Unorthodox ways. Onewa cracks through his mask when he gives Nuju and Whenua orders, not in a bullying, dominant manner, but as a tactician and a leader in Vakama's absence. Nuju finally opens his mind to all the possibilities, not just the narrow view of his tower. Whenua, similarly, is able to open his eyes to more than just the darkness of the past. And Vakama? Vakama unlocks his mask when all he wants to do is run away, to hide, to forget everything that's happened to Metru Nui, but he knows he has to live up to Lhikan's legacy and face Makuta.

Being able to measure their growth from a more sensible starting point- "I know what I will be able to do, but I'm not there yet"- really would have strengthened the narrative and made it really accessible to kids. After all, childhood is an endless stream of "Someday I'll be able to do this, but when?"

[clownowo]

its ok he didn't really mean it please get off the floor

[vaxxman]

Do you like red oktoberfest (like romantically)?

Aha! Interesting and very valid thing to ask! Thanks for your question!

I shall not answer straightforwardly!

Doodle (1) and rambles you didn't ask for below the cut. The answer is in the last paragraph.

Clown language.

I admit I personally prefer showing characters interact with each other and allowing their interaction to be interpreted as either romantic, platonic, or even nothing at all.

I think this approach makes relationships less framed by "signpost cues" of friendship/attraction/love (not that I do not enjoy seeing these either). I think it leaves more room for interesting human interactions, independent of what expectations the reader has for the two characters. Some people seem to search for actions like kissing, hugging, confessions, in order to confirm whether something was supposed to be romantic or not. But then, the absence of such cues make them arrive at conclusions that ignore other forms of relationship-building interactions all together :(

(Fig.1: The unparalleled amount of different flavours of intimate feelings that are evoked from "getting shot and dying on your shoulder" - disease)

So for me, it's Schroedinger's character relationships, with a generous amount of "the true value of this relationship is the collection of interactions we have made along the way" and it doesn't need a name. So with that out of the way:

I am not averted to the idea of Medic and Heavy finally getting their hot steamy Tf2 Sex Update thanks for readin-

[orobty]

Lofi donnie for all your playlist needs <3

[dreamlandiasims]

An updated cover in honor of PLA turning one year old :')

Read the story from the beginning here!

[drawnbinary]

It's Hassius day (856 -> 8/5-6) So here's a WIP of an acrylic stand I want to make (●´◡`●)

[the-spooky-children]

WALL-E au

Skid is EVE, Pump is WALL-E

[a-thing-named-it]

Ghirahim Stimboard 

x | x | x x | x | x x | x | x

[lamphoera]

asmo drawings from last month

[edraculation]

but seriously what do ""normal"" teenagers like music-wise right now. theres like. ice spice. and taylor swift. thats all i know

[lilacs-stash]

Plz vote Suitloon in the @queerplatonicshipshowdown! They are so aroflux4aceflux trust me

(Link to the poll)

[cleo-serotonin]

a few rares of charlotte/brittany for all those who celebrate !

[welcometogrouchland]

[ID: a digital illustration of Luz and Hunter from the owl house. Luz sits on the right with her hand on hunter's shoulder. Hunter sits on the left facing Luz. They're both in their designs from the end of Thanks to Them. Hunter has his eyes closed and is crying with a pained expression, while Luz looks on with tears in her eyes. The background is dark and the scene is dimly lit. The second image is a variation on the first image where a spectral version of flapjack sits on hunter's shoulder and Manny's hand in on Luz's shoulder. End ID]

Felt like posting something devious today. Do you think they'll ever talk about what they've lost? Bond over it? Mourn??? Grieve????

[cacaocheri]

if i havent made it obvious enough yet i really like friday night funkin

[sneez]

the other day i was looking through the drawings on my old laptop and found this self-portrait art challenge thing i did at some point several years ago, so i thought it would be interesting to update it with my current self for old times' sake :-) i don't know why i felt the need to be so mean to myself in all the descriptions but i have tried to be at least slightly nicer this time around. sorry past me [id under cut]

[id: a series of four full-body digital drawings of a pale-skinned person at different ages. the first three depict me in 2007, 2013, and 2017 under the heading 'George'; the fourth, in a different art style, depicts me in 2023 under the heading 'Ned (I changed my name)'.

the first drawing shows a young child with long hair wearing a fluffy pink jumper, a pink skirt, and pink shoes. bullet points above read:

annoying

copies other people constantly

draws cute animals

arrogant

cries when told off

maybe 1 friend

the second drawing shows a young teenager wearing a hoodie and trainers and looking uncomfortable. bullet points above read:

anxious

listens to Simon and Garfunkel exclusively

bad under pressure

anime

writes bad fanfiction

draws bad fanart

the third drawing shows a smiling teenager wearing a plaid shirt, jeans, and brown boots. bullet points above read:

what the HELL is a Self Esteem

really into 60s music

cries a lot

0 fashion sense

usually dissociating

thinkin about trees

the fourth drawing shows a young man with messy brown hair, a striped brown shirt, a beige woollen tank top, and burgundy plaid trousers; he is leaning on a wood-textured folding cane and holding the strap of a brown leather satchel with his other hand. bullet points above read:

still no self-esteem but medicated now

significantly worse handwriting (wrist knackered)

I haven't changed much to be honest

RBF so severe I get followed around by the security guards at the supermarket

autism

end id.]

[thats-a-lot-of-cortisol]

This big boy took almost 14 hours (!!) which I think is about the longest I've spent on an art piece