#POLY FIRE NATION GIRLS

[beeturtlle]

CAN YALL SEE MY VISION

[azulasmommyissues]

ATLA sexuality headcanons, part 1, Aang's era:

aang

-unlabelled or pansexual, also incredibly gnc. he/they methinks

-he never questioned it, he never thought about it. the air nomads were chill with everything, so he was too.

-he simply loves people, and he loves them deeply. he's the sort of person who says "i love you" very fast. and he doesn't have a specific type, either. he simply connects with people.

-he definitely had a bit of a thing for kuzon back in the day. kuzon taught him all the fire nation dances he knows, and bumi cheered them on.

-he also kinda digged teo, the mechanist's son, but by that point he already had his heart set on katara.

-as for girls, he DID like on-ji. in different circumstances, they would might have dated for a short while. but with katara it was love at first sight. the sort that makes you giddy and stupid.

-he's a lot worse at rizzing up katara because he is just THAT into her and he keeps fumbling

katara

-growing up, she never really questioned it. she knew she definitely liked boys and never had feelings for another girl.

-she's certainly fully cisgender. happily says “she/her/hers” when asked for her pronouns

-on the contrary, she was somewhat attracted to haru and jet both—and might've even considered zuko in different circumstances. like she definitely felt something akin to attraction in the crossroads of destiny.

-she fell in love with aang, because he gave her hope, he gave her joy, he gave her balance. she already felt SOMETHING in the cave of two lovers, but she was deeply confused and her feelings didn't clear until after the war.

-she always thought of herself as straight but said that, if she had the chance, she would be willing to kiss a girl—as an experiment. she just sort of always admired pretty girls, in the sense of "do i wanna BE her or DATE her,"

-and she's really passionate about feminism, obviously

-she always prefers getting compliments from other women because "they're worth mOre"

-eventually she meets jiang who's such a butch lesbian and questions EVERYTHING

-is that a girl? is that a boy? idk but why are they kinda...

-niyok and nutha both give homoerotic friendship vibes with her (all comic specific characters have the combined personality of one person hence why I'm including both)

-since she was dating aang she didn't explore her sexuality, but she discussed it with him and he supported her

-she considered identifying as bi but didn't feel like she qualified, since she'd never actually dated a girl. aang told her it's okay eifher way.

-at the end she decides to keep it all behind closed doors as per water tribe tradition. she's happy with aang, some girls are hot, it's nobody's business but her own.

-i also completely fw the reading of her as a straight cis girl, but you know

sokka

-bisexual, female lean, and maybe even poly.

-he fell for yue, he fell for suki. he definitely found like, ty lee attractive, but he didn't LIKE her. He was involved with suki, and they hadn't had any conversation about the exact status of their relationship so he wasn't about to fumble it.

-suki and him are both bi. and if yue were alive they'd BOTH be dating her. at the same time.

-zuko was sokka's bi awakening. seeing zuko and suki run around in the boiling rock absolutely changed his brain chemistry.

-he had a hard time accepting it, because of how the water tribes roll. he had a preconceived notion of manhood that he obviously had to challenge alongside his initial sexism.

-but then he realised that 1) his dad had been in a secret poly relationship with kya and bato, and then with bato and malina-- 2) his grandma had a fling with hama--3) master piandao and jeong jeongwere a thing--and 4) his girlfriend herself, suki, was bi. so bro had nothing to worry about.

-his identity became clear to him with suki's and his father's help. unlike katara, he was a bit more open and public with it. being poly, him and suki had many opportunities to explore it, always respecting each other's boundaries.

-sometimes suki does his makeup and he grows to enjoy it. he experiments with gender expression until he becomes totally chill with it.

-big part of his character is learning that he doesn't have to be a “man” in the way that patriarchy imposed on him his whole life

-so like, cisn't

toph

-toph has crushes on boys: sokka, zuko, the duke, satoru, sun, kanto. but i think non of them are really legit.

-toph would also flirt with girls, like, yaling

-had a 'not like other girls' phase

-she/they/he vibes, has a very complicated relationship with gender

-because she was made fun off by other girls as a child, it was harder for her to blend in and talk with them

-she was also raised sheltered within the walls of aristocracy which contributed to her not thinking about it

-she avoided commitment and serious relationships like the plague

-so she's unlabelled and perhaps in the aro spectrum. like, demisexual. but being both demi (aka needing to like someone as a person and getting to know them before feeling attracted to them) AND having commitment issues and a bunch of failed relationships is like, a DEADLY combo.

-i don't know. she is chaotic and not at all skilled with romance so she always fumbles it.

-but i also think she might just be 1000% aromantic whether or not she understands it fully

-i think that's very plausible

suki

-bisexual with a female lean and maybe poly

-big she/they vibes

-she's got endless autistic rizz like girl seduced sokka at light speed.

-in kyoshi island they called the bisexuals 'children of kyoshi' and the lesbians 'children of rangi'

-kyoshi island is basically lesbos if you didn't know /hj

-had her first kiss with mingxia before they decided that "ew, never again, i see you like a sister". she was super happy to meet meilin, mingxia's girlfriend

-DEFINITELY liked biyu and they might have been a thing in different circumstances. Aka if biyu hadn't betrayed her.

-would've dated both sokka and yue if yue was alive. like she would have loved yue. both of them having never left their respective homelands. both of them caring about community and having a duty to their people, a leadership position,,,

-but suki being so badass, liberated, free—and yue needing to sacrifice herself to BE free from her oppressive environment,,, like yue would also admire suki so much?? they would love exploring the world together and it'd put sokka out of a very awkward spot-

zuko

-demiromantic, bisexual. like this boy is SOMEWHERE im the ace spectrum but he's also bi. I'd say with a male lean.

-had internalised homophobia growing up, because, duh, fire nation

-he definitely thought that everyone feels like that when he was a child until his mother told him that this was very much NOT the case

-the gaang made him realise that it's totally okay and since they are all so queer he felt very safe with them

-made gay marriage legal in the fire nation

-made pride a thing in the fire nation inspired by the rainbow fire because i said so

-definitely felt attracted to both jet and sokka in the guy department.

-now, when it cames to girls, mai was his childhood crush.

-he definitely found song attractive but he was NOT in that headspace obviously

-same thing with jin although he was in a better headspace then. he introduced jin and song to each other post-war and they dated each other.

yue

-never got the chance to figure out how much girlypop liked women

-i could so easily claim she's a femme lesbian and that sokka was comphet, and I could even CONVINCE ya'll, because he is SO comphet coded, but I really love yue's storyline as it is and the lasting affect it has on sokka,,,,

-i can also imagine her on the ace spectrum

-she's so sapphic she's so queer bro is literally the moON?? what's more sapphic than the moon

-so, whatever, I'll say she's bi with a STRONG female lean. if she'd survived and joined the gaang she would have dated both sokka and suki and i truly believe that

-she would've loved suki and i just KNOW it

-love her so much let my girl be free of her arranged marriage

ty lee

-lesbian or pansexual. was ready to risk it all for mai. also completely down to be in a polycule

-she simply enjoyed male validation and attention due to her unmet childhood emotional needs. the dudes at the beach as well as sokka were giving massive comphet energy.

-i do also accept the possibility of her being pan, that'd be pretty great, but yknow, we do need more lesbians.

-despite being a fire nation citizen i think she'd be pretty open and liberated when it comes to her identity, at least wherever it's safe

-because her own ideology and philosophy is like. pseudo air nomad philosophy so i think she simply doesn't give a shit

-she is really into pride events. she LOVES the parade.

-i think she did have feelings for azula, at least as a child. then it all became really unhealthy,

-still, she felt sad about how things ended with azulw. she genuinely wishes it were different

mai

-she does also give comphet lesbian vibes BUT the "i love zuko more than I fear you" line SLAPS so I'm going to say bisexual with a female lean. she's also definitely asexual—and also demiromantic.

-ADORED ty lee, she just always assumed ty lee would choose azula

-it takes mai a long time to develop feelings for anyone, but when she falls she falls hard

-she's really not a big pride person, but she grows to enjoy it eventually. she goes with zuko and ty lee.

-she's not super vocal about her sexuality, but she also doesn't hide it. she doesn't give a shit. it's her business.

azula

-azula is a lesbian. not debatable like the others, to me.

-her feelings towards ty lee and mai are very reminiscent of sozin's feelings for roku i believe. like iykyk.

-she couldn't remember which of the boys was the one she was supposed to "like," but she remembered perfectly which bikini ty lee and mai were wearing. she picked chan like lesbians pick a random boy to crush on in middle school.

-and then she instesd remembered one of thr gusy who were flirting with either mai or ty lee. bestie was jealous.

-she had comphet, so much comphet. she wanted to be loved.

-so much internalised homophobia.

-she has a type, and it's brunette non benders of similar build. by which i mean ty lee and suki

-the ill will she holds towards mai in her comic for ruining their group over a stUpid BOY-

-it's comical,,

-i love her.

jet

-all the freedom fighters are queer

-jet is probably pansexual or bisexual. and also he/they

-he had a thing for katara but he sure as hell also had a thing for zuko

-he punches homophobes in the face

-i never liked jet when i was a kid because he was a jerk and i hated him with katara, but i grew to really enjoy his character and his arc

-this boy wants to eat the rich

-he doesn't want gay marriage, he wants to abolish marriage

smellerbee

-transfem ICON, she/her, though generally gender non conforming.

-and she's also also aromantic and asexual.

-queer platonic relationship with longshot, because of how deeply they love and understand and support each other

-if you misgender her on purpose the whole group will gang up on you and by the end of it you'll have four broken limbs and they'll be arrested for aggravated assault

longshot

-he's aromantic and asexual but he's got unmatched non-verbal autistic rizz

-as i said, QPR with smellerbee

-but all the freedom fighters plan to keep living together forever,, they're found family

-him and smellerbee just have a particularly special bond

the duke

-the duke is pansexual, i think

-i think he had a crush on toph

-also he/they

-and that's about all I've got

pipsqueak

-he/they/she

-pipsqueak's literally his chosen name, nothing cisgender about that,

-gay

sneers

-transmasc, he/they, potentially genderfluid

-dating kori who is bi

haru

-bisexual, female lean

-he/they, potentially genderfluid

teo

-gay, crush on aang

jin and song

-jin is pansexual, would definitely date song who is a lesbian

-zuko introduces them!!

uncle iroh

-straight ally. women are great! big womaniser back in his day.

-loves gay people

-huge support for zuko coming out

-that being said, he wasn't ALWAYS an ally. like he wasn't homophobic either, but he didn't support queer people before lu ten came out to him. then he accepted it, because he loved his son. finally, travelling the world and studying different philosophies led him to be a great ally.

-then he became the biggest ally ever amd a huge advocate for queer rights

-on a similar note, lu ten was gay. ozai was straight. zhao was straight and azulon was probably also straight. just getting them out of the wAy.

piandao

-gay gay gay. likes men.

-him and jeong jeong as a salty judgmental old couple is so real

-also everyone knows about it but nobody dares to give him shit for it

-he just glares and you immediately get off his back

-he could get himself a husband and nobody in the fire nation would do anything to stop him because they literally cannot arrest him

-he'll just shut the door on their face

jeong jeong

-also gay. big gay.

-tons of internalised homophobia, bless him

-tons of self hatred

-like, the way he sees his firebending as a curse of destruction and hatred and hates himself for it—instead of seeing all the colours of the dragons' rainbow fire, like zuko and aang, who symbolise the new generation

-it can work so well as a queer self-acceptance metaphor

-he definitely ends up with piandao, as i said before. begrudgingly in love.

hama

-lesbian. privately, as per water tribe tradition.

-nobody in the south gives her shit for it.

-she definitely had a relationship with kanna.

-when she lived in the fire nation, things were different. living as her authentic self was impossible—even secretly, it became near-impossible.

-hama's life is one big tragedy.

pakku

-straight. initially homophobic as per water tribe conservatism. the sort of, "just don't shove it in my face" homophobia

-but upon realising that like, both his friend group and his wife are incredibly queer, he gets over it

-iroh helps with educating him

-it's also canon that zuko gives the southern water tribe custody of hama after the war which i find incredibly sweet

-but since hama and kanna were... tight, I find myself incredibly entertained imagining possible interactions between pakku and hama

kanna (gran gran)

-kanna was bisexual.

-in the time she spent traveling from the north to the south she slept with a bunch of people

-fire nation pirates, sand bender bandits, earth kingdom soldiers... hakoda's father is a mystery. a mama mia situation.

-other flings include the herbalist, probably, (all old people know each other)

-even madame wu, why not?

-like it entertains me to think that kanna was unhinged the moment she left the Northern Water Tribe

-and being a non bender she used all tools at her disposal to reach the south if you know what i mean

-that being said, she also learned to fight a bit. probably. just to spite pakku.

-when she reached the south, she had a thing with hama. i say this because of the kataang parallel when hama was taken away.

hakoda and bato

-hakoda is bi, bato is gay

-hakoda loved kya, bato loved him secretly and never told him

-after kya died, bato was his only comfort, they fell in love

-once malina enters the situation too, it eventually ends up being a polycule

-note that i strongly dislike malina and those comics

[manias-wordcount]

Hi there I saw you do avatar the last Airbender would you be interested in doing a Mela Reader? In a poly relationship with azula Mai and Tylee ?

Poly Relationship HCs (Azula, Ty Lee, Mai, Male! Reader)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆!

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

vat𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

The girls fight for your attention a lot

And the girls are never really as subtle as they think they are

Only your relationship with Azula is public (something she’s particularly boastful about- especially behind closed doors)

But despite it being in everyone’s best interest, it has caused some fights before

And caused you to get some questions about what is actually going on

You try to claim to the public (or at least the nosy servants that don’t know everything just yet) that you’re all just friends

But it’s really, really, really hard to do when you could have two of the girls pulling on your arms while shouting over your head about an argument you’re not even apart of

And somehow they can be even worse in private

For example, you could just be chilling in your quarters, reading a book to pass the time, and then Ty Lee comes up and cuddles up to you- all find and good

But before you even get a chance to wrap your arm around her shoulder and pull her close…here comes Mai…

…shoving you to the middle of the couch so she could lay on your other side and shove her legs into your lap

Meanwhile, Azula will come busting in the door- yelling at you to come to her for whatever reason

And suddenly it’s your job to quell the sudden argument that started between all three of them

But don’t worry- there have always been enough good days to balance out the bad

It’s the one-on-one time with each of the girls that really helps your relationship grow

The moments where you can be there for them and their worries and fears

And they can do the same for you

Those calm moments between two easily allow for moments where all four of you can be peaceful and happy despite all the stressors that the three most powerful girls in the Fire Nation face on a daily basis

So sometimes it’s explosive, sometimes it’s tense but sometimes your relationship can be just as sweet and happy as anyone else’s- it just needs a little hard work <3

…and for the girls to not gang up against you in random moments because they think it’s funny to go 3 against 1 when you least expect it

[thebakingqueen5]

queer atla headcanons

aka me, a bisexual nonbinary mass of flesh, testing my gaydar

Aang: pansexual, goes by he/they, assumes everyone is pan unless given an indication otherwise, audibly gasped when Tenzin came out as straight, constantly argues with Katara over which flag (bi or pan) is prettier

Katara: bisexual and demisexual, she/her, came out to Aang while they were engaged by saying "Aang... I like boys and girls" and to this day has not gotten over the fact that he responded, "yeah ofc, doesn't everyone?", only identifies as bi because she doesn't like the pan flag's yellow

Sokka: bisexual, Zuko was his bi awakening, deals with some internalized biphobia poor bby but works through it eventually, bonded a lot with Katara over their sexuality crises

Suki: they/she but still considers themself cis, aggressively bisexual and poly-questioning, takes offense to being called an ally, she and Sokka facepainted each other's cheeks with the bi flag for their first pride parade and it is still one of their most cherished memories <3

Toph: goes by she/they mainly, doesn't care a ton about labels but identifies as ace and pan, knows every gay bar in the United Republic and drags Sokka to them often (Suki highly encourages this), uses neopronouns when they feel like it

Zuko: bisexual, so so so much internalized homophobia from the Fire Nation but he also works through it, comes out to Mai first after a few months of internal and her response is just "cool," had a gender crisis for a while there but is 99% sure he is cis... probably

Mai: queer but doesn't want to put a specific label on it, Ty Lee sees auras but Mai sees Gay^TM and is as a result never surprised when ppl come out, holes herself up in the palace every pride month (bc Zuko did declare it to be a thing after the war) bc of all the colors

Azula: thought she was bi at first but realizes she was a lesbian in denial when she gets the healing arc she deserved, calls everyone into the royal meeting room to say, "I am a lesbian" and the resounding response is "Yes aren't you and Ty Lee dating???", also takes offense to be calling an ally after she accepts her sexuality, spirits help you if you make a bigoted comment in her presence bc she is the embodiment of queer wrath

Ty Lee: lesbian, goes by she/her but is fine with any pronouns, claims to have a gaydar through auras but everyone knows that Mai helps her out, helps Azula come to terms with her sexuality and they are the most adorable gfs after Azula's healing arc,talks to Bosco abt her girl problems (and he is always very understanding)

feel free to disagree or agree with me but these are just my personal opinions and takes on each of the characters!

[waterfire1848]

How’s it going @waterfire1848 !

I wanted to ask what are your opinions on poly fidelity in fanfiction. Specifically, on the AzuKatAang (Azula/Katara/Aang) pairing?

Do you like it, dislike it, or are indifferent to it?

Also, when reading over one of your stories “Fire and water don’t touch” I came up with an idea, that you may or may not (it’s a okay either way) like from it.

The idea is that when Azula struck down Aang with Lightning during the Crossroads of Destiny, and Katara subsequently, brought Aang back to life with Waterbending and magic water. This use of Azula’s lightning bending, Aangs soul, Katara’s water bending, and the NWT Spirit water all regarding the same area (the lightning wound) , perhaps by Spirit meddling? Or fate? managed to forge a link between Azula, Katara, and Aang’s psyches. A link between their souls of you will.

This linking has two main consequences on Azula, Katara, and Aang. The first is similar to your “Fire and Water don’t touch” one shot, none of the three are able to physically harm each other with bending. The second is that when the Azula, Katara, and Aang are asleep at the same time, the minds of the three travel to a “dream state” or a independent domain in the spirit world. A (voluntarily or not) communion of the psyches. The three would continue to interact until waking the next morning. And the process would repeat the next time, the three are asleep.

I imagine, that the communes of the psyche would begin when Aang wakes up from his coma. And incidentally, after Azula and Zuko had reported Aangs “death�� to Ozai. The link between all three of them

Azula to Aang and to Katara

Katara to Azula and to Aang

Aang to Katara and to Azula officially begins, and their dreams start to become more…interesting with company.

Azula, Katara, and Aang would thus be forced to interact with one another. This includes conversation, sparing, hurt/comfort and any # of things. This would eventually lead to Azula repudiating Ozai and joining the Gaang, Azula teaching Aang Fire bending (perhaps alongside Zuko?), and an eventual Azula/Katara/Aang polyafidelious romance.

An example of (one) of the very first interactions between them:

Katara: “You killed Aang, The worlds last hope against your father tyranny!

Azula: I failed to kill him unfortunately, your precious avatar is right there!

Aang: You didn’t, I… I did die. Katara was able to bring me back with spirit water.

Katara: You see!! You murdered him!

Azula: He clearly got better!

Katara: You. killed. The worlds last hope”!

Azula: That “worlds last hope” planned with the Earth king and his generals to invade my home with the Earth kingdom army. My home! Of course I tried to kill him to stop it.

Katara: A Fire National complaining about homes being invaded? Now I’ve heard everything! Are invasions wrong now ash maker?

Azula: They are when it’s one’s own lands being invaded ice brains. Prerogative dictates that I can defend my people as I see fit. You being too weak to do so yourself is irrelevant to this discussion.

Katara: I’ll show you weak! The Water Tribes haven’t yielded yet.

Aang: Girls. Let’s all calm down a little. Monk Gyatso taught me many meditative techniques, here first you need to-

Katara: Shut up Aang!

Azula: Hold you’re tongue Avatar!

Aang: I can see that this is going well…

Let me know if this is an idea you may be interest in? Either as a long fic, or a brief synopsis. And if not? That’s okay too! This idea is more of a thought experiment than anything else.

Thanks for reading my rambling

-745 voice of the people

Ps: Thank you again for indulging my ramblings before about the Blood bender Katara and escaped Azula in the expansion of incorrect quotes. It was a fun discussion!

Thanks for the ask!!

I'm all for poly stuff in fics. My personal favorite is Suki/Sokka/Zuko. For Azula/Katara/Aang I'd say I'm indifferent to it. I've just never really thought about it as a concept too much because I'm not really a Kataang shipper but I can see how it could work.

Linking the three up so that they can dream together is a really interesting idea. I think it would work a lot better if it isn't voluntary. To steal from another AU of mine, maybe it only becomes voluntary after they admit their feelings. If it's voluntary from the get go them Azula and Katara would never want to meet up. I also think it'd be interesting that, when they do arrive in this "dream state", they can see each other's injuries. Cause I think you could do something cool with Azula seeing Aang's burn and feeling some guilt or Katara and Aang seeing new burns on Azula and realizing Ozai's hurting her.

There's probably a good chance for hurt/comfort with what I said before but also if you add in that one of them one night can't fall asleep and that person realizes that they're actually upset they can't talk to the other two. The conversations would be bound to happen cause people sleep for like 7-8 hours so there's no way they could do all that in silence. Azula ends up joining Aang and Katara during the DOBS then Zuko arrives and finds out about the whole "being tied together" thing.

I love Aang's response in the dialogue. He's not looking die again in the dream world.

I love reading your ramblings!

I also love talking about bloodbender Katara and making it Azutara cause I think it's a concept a lot of people sleep on. Azula would see one second of evil(?) bloodbending Katara and get down on one knee.

[fiefgoldenlake]

Recs for Disability Pride month (and some bonus belated recs for Pride!)

All titles link to Storygraph, which can give you a further synopsis, as well as any warnings.

Godkiller (Godkiller #1) by Hannah Kaner

Meet Kissen - the eponymous godkiller. In a world which has forsaken gods, Kissen deals with those who still prey on the public. She finds herself drawn into a quest with a young girl who is bound to a god. Along the way, they start to uncover what truly happened in their country's war against the gods. Bisexual rep, queer-normal world, main character has a prosthesis.

Iron Widow (Iron Widow #1) by Xiran Jay Zhao

Zetian volunteers herself to be a concubine pilot, to avenge the death of her sister. Giant robots, known as Chrysalises, are piloted by men, with the assistance of a female (concubine) pilot. Zetian's actions lead her to be punished by a match-up with Li Shimin, who has killed every concubine pilot who has ever flown with him. But everyone has underestimated Zetian. Poly, bisexual rep, the correct resolution to a love triangle. The main character suffers from chronic pain, mobility issues, and uses a wheelchair on occasion. 

The Final Strife (The Ending Fire Trilogy #1) by Saara El-Arifi

This is a class-driven society, and clear-blooded Hassa belongs to the ghost class, who've had their tongues cut out and hands severed by the ruling Ember class. The book follows Sylah, one of the Stolen Ember children, forged into a weapon and using drugs to cope with her past, and the beautiful and privileged Anoor. In the background, there's Hassa, keeping an eye on everything. The Ghostings communicate through sign language, and although Sylah is as fluent as possible without being a native, she can't speak it - it is a language exclusive to them. Sylah also suffers from drug withdrawal symptoms in the first book. Trans rep, wlw, mutism. 

Black Sun (Between Earth and Sky #1) by Rebecca Roanhorse

Xiala is a disgraced Teek, charged with bringing a 'harmless' passenger to Tova. Serapio has a destiny, one which has caused him to be blinded, and he's determined to fulfill it. Blind main character (but has the capacity to be magically enhanced), queer-normal world. 

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue (Montague Siblings #1) by Mackenzi Lee (YA)

Monty is already well-versed in vice before embarking on his Grand Tour with his best friend, Percy. It isn't a problem that he has a big crush on Percy - really. But it is Percy's last chance for freedom, since he suffers from epileptic seizures, and his uncle has judged it best that he be put in a sanitorium at the end of the trip. Bisexual rep, mlm, epilepsy, period-typical homophobia, period-typical discrimination. 

Six of Crows (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo

If you haven't already read it and you want to know more about a world like the Court of the Rogue, definitely check this one out! The Crows are a fantastic group, and you can't help rooting for them. Leader Kaz uses a cane and suffers from PTSD - Bardugo says she was looking to create a character who was "disabled and ferocious". Queer found family, mlm amongst the main characters, limp/use of cane, PTSD. 

Bonus Belated Pride Recs The Jasmine Throne (The Burning Kingdoms #1) by Tasha Suri

There's a rot spreading through the nation, which sees dying plants sprout inside people’s bodies, killing them. The Emperor is seeking to crush a rebellion, and will not tolerate any dissent. Priya does what she can to help the poorest citizens, but it's not without a cost, and she needs to keep her head down. Malini, the vengeful princess imprisoned by her own brother, has other ideas, however. Wlw. 

The Priory of the Orange Tree (The Roots of Chaos #1) by Samantha Shannon

A quest fantasy with a queendom on one side, where magic is prohibited and the throne of Inys has passed, generation after generation, from mother to identical daughter. On the other side, there be dragons. Assassination attempts, a beautiful wlw romance, another main character who reads as ace, and a gripping plot, this book is worth every one of its (almost) 850 pages. Part of a series but each book stands alone.

Little Thieves (Little Thieves #1) by Margaret Owen (YA)

Vanja is one of my favourite characters that I've encountered in years (and as a bonus, the author is a confirmed TP fan!). This is an irreverent retelling of the Goose Girl from the maid's perspective, and the concept behind the title is, "The little thief steals gold, but the great one steals kingdoms; and only one goes to the gallows." Vanja is a little thief, accustomed to fending for herself, but she comes up against a curse, an impending marriage, and a personified pocket ledger. Demi rep, queer found family. 

Finally, I read Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly, which is a story about two guys who meet hiking the PCT. One of them brought his comfort read - Alanna: the First Adventure

[rottiens]

Sorry if this is all over the place.

So I've been world building a world whose main God is Gaia, but she's nothing like the Greek mythology one. This Gaia lives for drama, so after she created the World, she had children who are also gods, and then she created dragons and humans.

Later, Gaia's godly children decided to shape/curse some humans, so they created different species.

Solar lycans are werewolves who worship the Sun God, Solaris.

Lunar lycans worship the Moon Goddess, Elune.

Elves/fairies worship the God Erekmier, the god of Forest - elves are the ones who are assigned to take care of the dragons.

Hrothgars worship Hellion, the God of everything feline - Hroths have always had difficulty with creating female babies, and they're always on the verge of going extinct.

Orks and mermen/mermaids are creations of Olysseus who is the God of underground and sea - technically, he created orks to protect the gates of the underground. It's often said that orks are just elves who got cursed or disowned by Erekmier because they committed something heinous, and Olysseus hates Erekmier, so he gladly adopts his castaways to piss him off.

Every "main" species have their appointed leaders, and of course, sometimes these species often go to war. Especially the Solars. They just love war and carnage. Most often, they try to beat up the Lunars because the Lunars actually take care of their land and nature and have enough food to live comfortably.

The Solars have Darius (beefy, tanned dude with bright green eyes and raven black hair) and the Lunars have Reiner (also a beefy guy, but with blond hair and golden eyes), and they've been enemies since they were teenagers for centuries now - lycans in this world are also immortals, unless they get fatally wounded. They look as young or old as they feel, and scars work just the same - if you're a lycan and you have a scar that reminds you of a traumatic event you can't get over, that scar won't fade away until you manage to get over it.

And these unhealed scars and the sexual tension let Darius and Reiner know they're totally into each other, but they have to pretend they're totally not because they can't let their nations and gods down.

But once Darius realizes that the Solar government is a fraud, he escapes to Reiner where the two of them decide to beat the Solars into submission.

Later, Reiner finds a human girl, Lucy Harlow who is a bit more talented than usual with manipulating fire and she's also a very good horse rider (iykyk) - magic is pretty common among the immortal species, but human bodies often can't handle the energy shifts. Lucy's weakness is /creating/ the fire out of thin air, it weakens her. Luckily for her, Darius is the opposite - he can easily create fire, but cannot bend it + Darius has a shitton of battle experience and he can train her.

(Tw: miscarriage) Long story short, several battles later, she becomes famous and Reiner and Darius get into a poly relationship with her. They have many babies, but only one girl, and they were expecting the second girly when a Solar tries to assassinate two of their sons, and Lucy has to fight the bastard for her babies. The only problem was that this fight happened on Gaia's Holy Ivory Island, where no one was allowed to shed blood or kill anybody. As Lucy was the one who killed in the end, she was called in front of the Gods (while her body was laying unconscious in front of her husbands and children).

She figures out that her biological mother is the Goddess of Volcanoes and Lava and she's been missing for many years now because a God wasn't allowed to mate with a human. Lucy's existence angers Gaia, and now Lucy also disrespected the Goddess with killing on her holy land. Gaia tells Lucy that her whole bloodline is a mistake and one of Lucy's ancestors will kill them all if Lucy doesn't kill them herself. Of course, Lucy will not do it and Gaia immediately punishes her with taking her unborn babygirl.

As the years pass, Lucy realises the Gods are out to kill her children, so she takes it upon herself to raise an army that could defy the divine. She goes to unseen, snowwy lands where the last dragon eggs are hidden. She creates a magic egg that allows gay species to have children (esp good for Hrothgars). She learns how to tame fire without moving a muscle, so she can still use physical weapons too. As she raises her dragon, she won't even need Darius anymore because the dragon is more effective in creating fire.

She takes it upon herself to destroy an entire city of criminals with her fire, because that's the only thing that makes the Solars swore to her - she becomes almost villainous by the time Darius' long lost daughter (from another mother) assassinates her.

And that's when Lucy's grandson, Werner reveals that he's a Shadow Master, and he's so much worse than Lucy was. Werner despises humans and gods. He kills anyone and anything that's in his way, and Lucy's remaining family is terrified that Werner will bring an eternal Eclipse on the World, and they have to choose if they use Lucy's army to defeat Werner or to defeat the Divine.

Babe your great mind ! I am impressed with all the story you have organized so far. The world building is incredibly detailed! <3 the goddess dynamic you have created and the races seems very interesting to me. Are you working on this already? Like a book or something ? Because it sounds very interesting and you seem to have everything so in order that I hope you don't let this idea die, because you have a lot of work to do and I'd be among your readers 

[musings-and-moans]

In Another Fantasy (A Fantasy AU Collab)

Close your eyes and imagine your favorite fantasy universe, TV show, movie, anime, or otherwise. Did you do that? Good, how did that make you feel? Special? I bet it did. Now, imagine that you're there with your favorite anime character, and you could do, just about anything, from making potions in Hogwarts to walking along the streets of the Upper East Side, to traveling in a time machine that camouflages as a police box, to kissing Zuko in the fire nation, having sex in that secret sex cave where Jon Snow lost his virginity to Ygritte. Well, this collab is especially for you. <33

To celebrate 100+ followers for my NSFW side blog (and 250+ on my main, thank you all so so so much btw), I thought of coming up with a collab that would enable us, writers and artists, to showcase our love for our anime characters but in different universes. It's an NSFW Multifandom Fantasy AU Collab, where the reader and/or the anime character(s) of your choosing must be in an alternate universe. (Eg: Time Lord!Tetsuro Kuroo, Wizard!Kento Nanami, Khaleesi!Mikasa Ackerman, Dr. Strange!Satoru Gojo, and so on)

Fandoms I accept for this collab: Haikyuu, Jujutsu Kaisen, Attack on Titan, Tokyo Revengers, SPY x FAMILY, Hunter x Hunter, Kuroko No Basket, My Hero Academia, Demon Slayer, Naruto, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, Obey Me, Genshin Impact, Black Clover

Alternate Universes (for ideas): Any TV Shows (Gossip Girl, Bridgerton, Stranger Things), Disney, Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Avatar the Last Airbender, The Legend of Korra, The Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, any of the Studio Ghibli movies, Harry Potter, Doctor Who, AND one anime character in another anime (Gojo in HxH or Itadori in KNB, etc) or one game character in anime (Leviathan in Black Clover, for etc). Feel free to brainstorm with me <33

Due date: November 23, 2023 (Doctor Who's 60th anniversary <3) (in case you want to submit it later, I don't mind at all :D)

Rules (under the cut)

-> As it is a NSFW collab, all genres are allowed, INCLUDING dark content. That being said, minors, please please please DNI with this collab.

-> You don't have to be following me for this collab, but it's preferable (since it's a follower celebration collab), and I'd appreciate it if you don't unfollow me after everyone's posted <3

-> You can club your entry for this collab with other collabs as well <3

-> I accept character x reader, character x character, poly ships, love triangles, crossover ships (anime crossovers) , heck even selfships :D

-> All forms of writing are allowed (drabbles, fics, oneshots, headcanons, moodboards, etc)

-> No limit to word count, however, please do include a read more if your fic is 500+ words to avoid clogging the dashboard.

-> Multiple repeats of characters are possible, however, if they're repeated 4 times, then I'm locking them.

-> Exceptions: Tetsuro Kuroo (4 more slots open for him, but not Doctor Who!Kuroo), Ken Ryuguji ‘Draken’ (3 more slots open for Draken but not Divergent AU Draken or Hunger Games Draken) and Mitsuya (4 more slots open for him but not Hunger Games Mitsuya)

-> While the repetition of a character is allowed, it MUST be with a different au/role (Eg, once Doctor Strange!Satoru Gojo is locked, another entry on Doctor Strange!Satoru Gojo would not be accepted). Variety matters!

-> If you're including multiple characters in one story, the characters' entries are counted (love triangles especially)

-> When your entry is accepted, please reblog this post as much as you can. When you’re done, please tag me at @/musings-and-moans and use the following hashtag: #🧙‍♀️.inanotherfantasycollab for a guaranteed reblog :D and please don’t forget to attach a link to the master list. If you’re the first to write for any fandom that’s not listed, I’ll add that accordingly.

How to join:

-> Please send me your application requests for the collab through asks and not private DMs, and do specify if it’s a write-up or artwork, and please be respectful in your asks.

-> I will also allow changes if necessary (change of character/sport, dropping from the collab). So, you can send me an ask or DM me (only if we're server moots) if you want to drop out or change anything in your collab entry.

-> Do specify if it will be a writeup or an artwork, sfw, nsfw, angst or dc. (it can be nsfw and dc or sfw and angst, etc)

Format: [Role] Character x [Role] Reader by @[url] (SFW/NSFW/DC/Angst)

Eg: [Fire Lord Zuko] Shoto Todoroki x [Fire Nation Soldier] Reader by @[url] (NSFW)

Members' List: Here!!

tagging moots & networks (@tokyometronetwork @hanayanetwork )<33

@mrskenmakozume @blueparadis (thank you so much you two for brainstorming with me ily) @beware-of-the-rogue @scandescent @decayish @mxonigirimiya @ry0m3n @arcanestage @thoughtfullyrainynightmare @wakasa-wifey @wakatshi @haikyutiehoe @oikawas-milk-bread @aizumie @mekiza @hyeque @bxnten @xshinigamikittenx @portfolio-of-dreams @jordyn-degas @simpingforthisonedeer @festive @ceo-of-daichi @p-antomime @lunarmins @maitaro @sweetsbysatori @sweetforlevi @atsumeii @izu-fi @chronic-claire-universe @megumischubbycheeks @arlertslove @sennsational @asmos-pet @kagejima @winxcunt @milkyybuns @nanam-woah

[foulfirerebel]

Zuko of course for the ship ask, and a RWBY team member of your choosing

Prince Zuko!

My NOTP: Zutara, Azula x Zuko. The former for the fact that the fandom shipped them even when Zuko and Katara were enemies. The latter for the fact that it's incest.

My BRTOP: Either Zuko and Aang or Zuko and Sokka. They play off each other well.

My OTP: Welp. I'm a Maiko (Mai x Zuko) already. So, the canon for me. Yus.

My second choice pairing: Hm. For Zuko? I haven't given it much thought, but I guess that girl Iroh tried setting him up with in the Tales of Ba Sing Se. That or Toph.

My Fluffy pairing: Zuko and Ty Lee. Don't ask me why, I have no idea.

My angsty pairing: Oof. Hm. Who would make for good angst...? Jet and Zuko, I guess? Both people hurt deep by the Fire Nation.

Favorite Poly ship: Zuko, Aang, Toph, and Sokka. The gang getting in trouble together. That or Zuko, Mai and Ty Lee. Because again, trouble would be gotten up to a lot.

Weirdest Pairing: Zuko and his honor, Zuko and tea. Not entirely sure if any other Zuko pairing exists that's weird.

~

Well, a RWBY character. Hard to pick. I'll go with my current Team RWBY Favorite: The Ice Queen, Weiss Schnee~

My NOTP: Weiss and her family, Weiss and Adam, Weiss and Cardin. Weiss and any of the adults in general. I'd honestly also say Weiss and Jaune.

My BRTOP: Weiss and Jaune, ironically. I love that these two are now great friends. Teams RBY and JNPR likewise.

My OTP: WhiteRose. Hey, the Bees already dominate my mind since Volume 2 and Weiss and Ruby need something. Preferably each other if Rose Garden doesn't come to pass.

My second choice: Freezer Burn, followed by Schneekos. With Timefreezer coming in at a close third.

My fluffy pairing: For Weiss? Hm. WhiteRose is already fluff. But to get down to it, I suppose I'm partial to either Bat Schnee (Batman and Weiss from the JLA crossover, provided Bruce is still his younger self) or Schneekos, or Frosen Steel.

My angsty pairing: Oh boy. For Weiss? Snowflake in the Rough (Weiss and Emerald), Shneekos post V3, and any Penny ship post V3 and V8.

Poly Ship: Bees Schnees and Frosen Steel. Long suffering Weiss, my beloved.

Weirdest Pairing: Ones that I ship? That's an odd question. Hm. If BruWeiss doesn't count...hm. There's a crossover ship called Fire & Ice which is Weiss and Shoto Todoroki from MHA, but in RWBY...hm. Only one I can think of in RWBY that's weird that I'd ship is either Weisscream (Weiss and Neo), Neapolitan Shakes (Neo, Weiss, and Emerald), Newspaper (Weiss, Blake, and Ruby) or Winter Greenhouse (Weiss, Ruby, Blake, Nora, and Penny)

All of that being said, it depends upon on the writing of course. The NOTP's are all ones I won't ship no matter how good the writing is. So...yeah. Hope that works?

Sorry for this being late. Life came at me fast.

[thirstworldproblemss]

I posted 3,242 times in 2022

201 posts created (6%)

3,041 posts reblogged (94%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@themandaloriandaily

@eggdrawsthings

@bestintheparsec

@trashcora

@ithinkwehitametaphor

I tagged 3,230 of my posts in 2022

#q - 3,067 posts

#pp stuff - 2,080 posts

#it's mando hours - 1,905 posts

#star wars - 1,868 posts

#din djarin - 1,632 posts

#the mandalorian - 1,574 posts

#fanart - 1,427 posts

#gifs - 909 posts

#grogu - 907 posts

#the book of boba fett - 789 posts

Longest Tag: 138 characters

#we've not *quite* hit national lampoon levels of ridiculous complications and inconveniences but boy have we come closer than i would like

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

Anonymous Asked:

I’m seeing your stories again all through my dashboard. People finding out about the underrated Frankie.

It’s been decided. No more catfish. He is now officially known as ………

Frankie “Big Dick” Morales😈😈😈😈

lol🥴🫣

—

Ahahaha... Hell Yeah! 'Big Dick' Morales for the win!! <3

🚁📏🍆

Thank you, love, for the support and for making me laugh!! 😁🥰

Alas, as much as I wish I could take credit for the idea, I definitely was not the first to envision Frankie as a big boy.

Here's some of my other favorite 'BD' Frankie stories:

Coming Home by  @astroboots  (the first part of her Frankie x reader x Santi Homecoming ‘verse which was the inspiration for In the Still of the Night)

Weeknights by @frannyzooey​ (this entire series is so, so good, and once things heat up in ch 3: Wednesday it’s hot like fucking FIRE)

Behind the Raindrops by @jazzelsaur (a long, sometimes painful read, but an absolutely fantastic one; there's some exceptionally hot solo action in ch 8.1.1, and then Frankie’s BD officially joins the group chat ‘round about ch 13)

Moving Day by @adverbedly​ (also Frankie x reader x Santi; possibly the og BD Frankie, or at least the first one I remember reading)

Wild Things by @charnelhouse​ (charnie has so freakin’ many fantastic fics featuring ‘BD’ Frankie, but I think this one just might be my favorite of hers)

These are just the ones I could remember off the top of my head (well okay, I had to phone a friend because I have the memory of a goldfish--thanks, cici!), but I'm sure I've missed a bunch!

Anyone else have any 'Big Dick' Frankie recs to share? 👀👀

95 notes - Posted November 6, 2022

#4

Anonymous asked:

So happy you extended the deadline for your fanworks celebration! I have to share some of my favorite recent Triple Frontier fanfics! 🤩

✩ Slumber ✩ by @write-and-buried {Frankie}

✩ Bunny Girl ✩ by @laters-gators {Santiago}

✩ The Party ✩ by @juletheghoul {Frankie}

✩ Only Angel ✩ by @j-buchanan {Frankie/reader/Santiago}

✩ Sunshine State ✩ by @brewsterispunkk {Benny}

✩ Double or Nothing ✩ by @supernaturalgirl20 {Frankie}

✩ My Brother's Keeper ✩ by @dieterbravospr {Frankie}

✩ Time Changes ✩ by @tripleissue {Will}

Hope you like them!

→ (See the full post)

122 notes - Posted July 11, 2022

#3

Fic: Not Smart, Very Stupid Games

(Part of @astroboots​' Homecoming ‘verse )

Fandom:  Triple Frontier Pairing:  Santiago Garcia x F reader (x Frankie Morales) Length:  7.5k words Rating: Explicit 🔞 Warnings:  This fic contains explicit sexual content including male masturbation, getting caught, orgasm delay/edging (both accidental and intentional), a handjob and some mild fem dom within a poly relationship. Also mentions oral sex, p-in-v sex, m/m/f threesome shenanigans and a homemade sex tape. 

Summary: Santiago Garcia is not the most patient man, but that doesn’t mean he can’t learn… right?

Notes: This story takes place in ‘boot’s spectacular Homecoming ‘verse. Her reader is taller than Santiago but should otherwise be a blank slate (please let me know if I botched this). Set at some point after the events of Play stupid games win stupid prices, which are referenced here. You don’t need to read that (or any of HC) to understand this, but why wouldn’t you!? It’s absolutely amazing!

Not Smart, Very Stupid Games

[ twp’s Masterlist | HC Series Masterlist ]

“There is a file in your documents folder named ‘sex tape’,” Santi says into the phone, running a hand over his jaw as he stares at the file in question, “Please tell me that is not our actual sex tape?”

“Of course it is. What else would it be?” you respond distractedly, tone ever-so-slightly indignant in the way that says you don’t see what the problem is.

“You can’t just–” He breaks off, massaging his temples in a futile effort to rub out some of the tension building behind his eyes. “Cariño, that’s a huge security risk. Anyone could just waltz right in and click play.”

He suits actions to words, sliding the pointer over to double click the file. The player opens, and then he’s looking at an image of you climbing into Frankie’s lap.

Shit. He’s going to have to encrypt this.

→ (See the full post)

174 notes - Posted October 4, 2022

#2

Favorite Fanworks Recs

Here’s the final list of all the fic, art, gifs, and more that were recommended for my Show Me the Fanworks! Celebration.  In the end you lovely folks recced a truly spectacular 154 of your favorite fanworks from 75 talented creators!  

💕 Thank you so much to everyone who participated!! 💕

Here’s a breakdown of fanworks by character:

Din Djarin (The Mandalorian) - 34

Frankie Morales (Triple Frontier) - 25

Javier Peña (Narcos) - 18

Dieter Bravo (The Bubble) - 10

Pero Tovar (The Great Wall) - 10 

Marc Spector/Steven Grant/Jake Lockley (Moon Knight) - 10

Ezra (Prospect) - 8

Santiago Garcia (Triple Frontier) - 7

Pedro Pascal - 5

Marcus Pike (The Mentalist) - 4 

Javi Gutierrez (TUWoMT) - 4

Miller Brothers: Benny & Will (Triple Frontier) - 4

Dave York (The Equalizer 2) - 3+

Agent Whiskey (Kingsman: TGC) - 3

Marcus Moreno (We Can Be Heroes) - 2

Max Phillips (Bloodsucking Bastards) - 2

Black Krrsantan (The Book of Boba Fett), Pedro Across the Street (Calls), The Thief (Casillero Del Diablo), Oberyn Martell (Game of Thrones), Joel Miller (The Last of Us), Maxwell Lord (Wonder Woman 1984) - 1 each

→ (See the full post)

352 notes - Posted July 11, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Fic: In the Still of the Night

Fandom: Triple Frontier Pairing: Frankie Morales x F reader Length: 8.7k Rating: Explicit like whoa for sex stuff

Warnings: this fic contains explicit sexual content including male masturbation, edging, accidental (and then intentional) voyerism, overstimulation, and unprotected p-in-v sex within an established relationship with some soft femdom and swtichy overtones. May inspire unrealistic expectations.

Summary: Frankie “Big Dick (Bigger Libido)” Morales wakes up in the middle of the night wanting you.

Notes:  Please be aware that I’m not even close to joking about this Frankie having a big dick and an even bigger sex drive.  I’ve tried to play it straight (and hopefully sexy) for purposes of this fic, but be prepared to suspend your disbelief a little (we’re officially in “refractory period? what refractory period?” land, folks)

—

In the Still of the Night

[ twp’s Masterlist ]

— 

It’s the middle of the night when Frankie jolts awake, his pulse thudding away in his ears, arousal clenched like a fist in his gut.

→ (See the full post)

435 notes - Posted September 30, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[princess-of-the-corner]

Avatar Ty Lee: How would things during their visit to the Northern Water Tribe go? Especially with Master Pakku and his views on women considering that he HAS to teach Ty Lee because she is the Avatar that has the four elements.

Oh boy. Oh boy oh boy oh boy.

So! They get to the Northern Water Tribe! And things go.... okay at first.

They're not dumb enough to lie to Chief Arnook and his higher ups about half their group being Fire Nation. Honestly despite the Tribe being somewhat isolated they had heard rumors and know some info as it affects the War. Especially considering that most of the Fire Nation Royals have jumped ship to the other side against the Fire Lord.

So no drama from that.

But yeah we.... we get to trying to learn Waterbending from Master Pakku. (Fun fact: In my notes I seem to have forgotten his name and just refer to him as 'old man sexism'. So like rip my dude.)

Now. At first, Pakku is willing to bend their traditions. As Ty Lee is the Avatar and not from their culture at all. Even though he clearly has his feelings on it, he realizes this is a more complicated situation.

However, when it comes to Katara trying to learn, he refuses. Because she isn't The Avatar. Because she is part of the Water Tribe and it is their culture.

He gets called out on this, of course. Like. All the Gaang is pissed

Katara is saying the same shit she did in Canon. Sokka is like 'Damn at least when I was being a sexist asshole I still thought she should be able to learn to waterbend properly'. Aang is at level of 'oh right I forgot gender is a thing what the fuck'. Zuko is so confused because there's regular sexism and then there's 'what do you mean women can't fight have you ever met a woman??'. Ty Lee is in that 'Your culture is to cut off half its people from their culture???'. Iroh is just so tired because he's had this conversation with Pakku before when someone brought up why there weren't any women in the White Lotus.

Azula and Mai are particularly vicious. Making such points as 'No wonder you're losing the War if you shrink your army by banning half the population from even being able to defend themselves'. And 'One untrained fourteen year old girl has done more fighting on the frontlines of the war than your crusty ass has in a while!'.

Eventually we get to the fight like in Canon. And while the whole group, especially the girls, are down to kick ass, they let Katara do it as it means more coming from her. This is her culture, this is her fight.

Now. The fight goes slightly different. Don't get me wrong! We still have the ending the same where she loses but Pakku sees the necklace and they have that conversation.

But while Katara hasn't been traveling with any /Waterbenders/, she has been traveling with multiple people who are good at Bending their respective elements. Though not everything translates, some does. Plus, even if it didn't, sparring against someone 'better' means you have to work hard to catch up.

So while Katara still loses the fight as she's going up against a Master with years of training, she lasts a bit longer than she did in Canon.

Now. The one other thing I haven't addressed about this episode but still have talked about in one other post.

The Yue romance.

Now. While I love Canon and the Yue/Sokka, Yue is not part of my endgame ship. (Technically she's not endgame ship for anyone BUT). My in-universe explanation is that while I am planning the polyship, the idea of a polyship has not been brought up so while everyone finds Yue attractive, I just kickstarted the Sokka/Zuko romance so they're a little too new and again don't know the poly thing so Sokka just skips over that.

Azula on the other hand!!!!

Look. LOOK. The yin-yang of it all? Fire Princess and Water Princess? Azula is very hot-tempered and sharp-witted while Yue is more soft and sweet, but both have determination once they set their mind on something. Both had pressures as Princess and were raised to be in certain roles, but the roles were wildly different; Yue would be a good wife to an arranged husband, Azula was supposed to be a weapon.

The combination? *chef's kiss*. 

Also Azula attempting to flirt is hilarious. Especially if we keep the proposal and rejection scene because I already headcanoned that the Fire Nation proposes with fancy hand-crafted weapons. So please imagine Azula handing Yue a knife. It still results in a tearful "I'm already engaged, I have a duty to my people, so we have to stop this!". 

And god that hits Azula hard. Because while she's still here, still helping Team Avatar win the war, a small part of her is always telling her that she's a failure for doing so. That she's going against what her father and her country want for her, and what she was trained to want for herself. Seeing Yue choose her duty over her love brings up those feelings, even though Azula knows it's an entirely different situation. 

She also begins to wonder what she would be like if she had done the same. If she had stood by what her country did, no matter how wrong it might be. If she had stayed in the Fire Nation when Zuko left.

[rwoh]

Tyzula or mailee

My first reaction to this is Ty Lee has two hands.

My seconds reaction is MaiLee, followed by Azula's redemption arc, followed by Tyzumai

Send me things to decide between!

[greekcookingmadeeasy]

A Tribute to the Olympic Games

🕊

A Tribute and Summary of the History of the Olympic Games

BY: Greek Cooking Made Easy SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/greekcookingmadeeasy

Greece is the country that gave birth to the ancient Olympic Games over 2,700 years ago, and the country where the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896. 

The Ancient Years The roots of the Olympic Spirit can be found in the ancient Greek civilization. The ancient Olympic Games seem to date back to 776 BC, because no names of winners were known before that date. The ancient plains of Olympia in the Peloponnese, famous as the location of magnificent temples dedicated to the worship of God Zeus and Goddess Hera, served as the Games’ permanent site. The games were held every four years. 

The competitions were strongly religious events, combining spiritual aspects with the trials of sport. Their significance was great, since they seemed to be the most important athletic event for the whole of Greece (city-states). The Greeks even measured their years by reference to the Olympics! Thousands of people came from all over Greece to compete or watch. If there was a war, there was a truce around the time of the Olympics to allow all competitors to go. The Olympic Truce or “ekeheiria” meaning the ceasing of hostilities during the duration of the games was inextricably linked with the concept of the Olympic Spirit. Most spectators slept in the open or in tents. There was no city at ancient Olympia, just the sanctuary, and sporting venues.

The Games initially included a one-day event until 684 BC, when they were expanded to three days and later on (5th century BC) to five days. In addition to athletic events, there were also religious ceremonies and banquets. Only male citizens were allowed to compete. All slaves, all women and men who had committed certain crimes were excluded. Women weren't even allowed to watch, apart from a priestess of Demeter and possibly also girls. For some of the events, there were also competitions for boys. There were far fewer sports than in the modern Olympics. The main events were: the foot races, wrestling, the pentathlon, boxing, chariot racing, equestrian sports, juggling, but also music, oratory and theatre performances.

  Participation was more important than victory itself. The prizes for winning competitions at the Olympics were very simple. The ultimate award was a wreath of “kotinos”, made of olive tree branches and fame!

  Each polis (city-state) was eager to have one of its citizens win and so would offer all kinds of additional prizes to any of its citizens who won. These might include front row seats at festivals or even free meals for life. A winner also had the right to erect a statue of himself at Olympia. Poets might also be commissioned to write a poem about the winner. There were no second or third prizes. When Greece was incorporated into the Roman Empire (27 BC), the Games were open to Roman officials, emperors even, and eventually to all citizens of the vast dominion: Egyptians, Spaniards, Syrians, Armenians and others, which means that the Olympic Games were no longer merely panhellenic- they had become universal.  For nearly 12 centuries the Games were staged every four years (with over 290 Games being held), until in 393 AD, the Roman Emperor Theodosius prohibited their continuation, believing them to be a pagan ritual. Olympia was ruined by earthquakes, fires, floods and suffered the ravages of barbarian invaders. Olympia didn’t exist anymore.

The revival of the Olympic Games Olympia was buried under river-silt and it was 1,000 years before Olympia’s buildings were seen again. Archaeologists began the search for Olympia in the 18th century, but the most important excavations were carried out between 1875 and 1891, by the German Archaeological Institute. Directed by Professor Ernst Curtius, a team unearthed the remains of almost all the buildings.

They found 130 statues and more than 6,000 clay, gold, and bronze objects!

 Professor Curtius made the initial suggestion to revive the ancient Olympic Games – an idea brought to fruition in the early 1890’s by the French Baron Pierre de Coubertin.

  A Parisian nobleman and an admirer of ancient Greek civilization, de Coubertin believed that a revival of the ancient Olympic Games could serve as an important role model for sporting values and a venue for the young people of the world to meet in peaceful athletic competition. Under his enthusiasm and guidance, the movement of Olympic revival was born. A Congress for the reestablishment of the Olympic Games was held in Sorbonne in June 1894. Seventy-nine delegates from around the world convened for 8 days and a unanimous vote was taken to revive the Olympic Games.  On the same year, de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC), a non-profit organization charged with the responsibility of supervising and organizing the Olympic Games. Dimitris Vikelas, the Greek delegate, was elected the first IOC President.

  Although de Coubertin’s original idea was to hold the first games in 1900 in Paris, Vikelas succeeded in persuading the IOC to move the day forward, so that the first modern games, would take place in Greece, the country to whose heritage the ancient Olympic Games belonged.

The 1st Modern Olympic Games of 1896 The first modern Olympics were organized in 1896 and were awarded to Athens, Greece as an honor to the country where the ancient Olympics were born. An estimated crowd of 100,000 gathered to watch the first games. The first Olympics featured over 43 events in ten sports.

   The revival of the ancient Olympics attracted 241 athletes (0 women) from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany and France. On 6 April 1896, the American James Connolly won the triple jump to become the first Olympic champion in more than 1,500 years. Winners were awarded a silver medal and a crown of olive branches. The German athlete Karl Schumann finished in the top four in four different events. The people of Athens greeted the Games with great enthusiasm. Their support was rewarded when a Greek shepherd, Spiridon Louis, won the most popular event, the Marathon. Athens hosted again the Olympic Games in 2004.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)  Diplomats


In order to make the IOC an independent organization, the members of the IOC are not considered diplomats from their countries to the IOC, but rather are diplomats from the IOC to their respective countries.

Interesting Olympic Facts A City, Not a Country: When choosing locations for the Olympic Games, the IOC specifically gives the honor of holding the Games to a city rather than a country.

Gymnasium


The word "gymnasium" comes from the Greek root "gymnos" meaning nude; the literal meaning of "gymnasium" is "school for naked exercise." Athletes in the ancient Olympic Games would participate in the nude.

Stadium


The first recorded ancient Olympic Games were held in 776 BCE with only one event - the stade. 

The stade was a unit of measurement (about 600 feet) that also became the name of the footrace because it was the distance run. Since the track for the stade (race) was a stade (length), the location of the race became the stadium.

Photos from my family’s visit in ancient Olympia

Counting Olympiads


An Olympiad is a period of four successive years. The Olympic Games celebrate each Olympiad. For the modern Olympic Games, the first Olympiad celebration was in 1896. Every four years celebrates another Olympiad; thus, even the Games that were cancelled (1916, 1940, and 1944) count as Olympiads.

The Official Olympic Flag


Created by Pierre de Coubertin in 1914, the Olympic flag contains five interconnected rings on a white background. The five rings symbolize the five significant continents and are interconnected to symbolize the friendship to be gained from these international competitions. The rings, from left to right, are blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The colors were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country in the world. The Olympic flag was first flown during the 1920 Olympic Games.

The Olympic Motto


In 1921, Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the modern Olympic Games, borrowed a Latin phrase from his friend, Father Henri Didon, for the Olympic motto: Citius, Altius, Fortius ("Swifter, Higher, Stronger").

The Olympic Oath


Pierre de Coubertin wrote an oath for the athletes to recite at each Olympic Games. During the opening ceremonies, one athlete recites the oath on behalf of all the athletes. The Olympic oath was first taken during the 1920 Olympic Games by Belgian fencer Victor Boin. The Olympic Oath states: "In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."

The Olympic Creed


Pierre de Coubertin got the idea for this phrase from a speech given by Bishop Ethelbert Talbot at a service for Olympic champions during the 1908 Olympic Games. The Olympic Creed reads: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

The Medals


The Olympic medals are designed especially for each individual Olympic Games by the host city's organizing committee. Each medal must be at least three millimeters thick and 60 millimeters in diameter. Also, the gold and silver Olympic medals must be made out of 92.5 percent silver, with the gold medal covered in six grams of gold.

Real Gold Medals


The last Olympic gold medals that were made entirely out of gold were awarded in 1912.

The Olympic Flame


The Olympic flame is a practice continued from the ancient Olympic Games. In Olympia (Greece), a flame was ignited by the sun and then kept burning until the closing of the Olympic Games. The flame first appeared in the modern Olympics at the 1928 Olympic Games, in Amsterdam. The flame itself represents a number of things, including purity and the endeavor for perfection. In 1936, the chairman of the organizing committee for the 1936 Olympic Games, Carl Diem, suggested what is now the modern Olympic Torch relay. The Olympic flame is lit at the ancient site of Olympia by women wearing ancient-style robes and using a curved mirror and the sun. 

The Olympic Torch is then passed from runner to runner from the ancient site of Olympia to the Olympic stadium in the hosting city. The flame is then kept alight until the Games have concluded. The Olympic Torch relay represents a continuation from the ancient Olympic Games to the modern Olympics.

Opening Ceremony


The first opening ceremony was held during the 1908 Olympic Games in London. During the opening ceremony of all the Olympic Games, the procession of athletes is always led by the Greek delegation (team), followed by all the other teams in alphabetical order (in the language of the hosting country), except for the last team which is always the team of the hosting country.

Women participating


Women were first allowed to participate in 1900, at the second modern Olympic Games.

The First Marathon


In 490 BCE, Pheidippides, a Greek soldier, ran from Marathon to Athens (about 25 miles) to inform the Athenians the outcome of the battle with invading Persians. The distance was filled with hills and other obstacles; thus Pheidippides arrived in Athens exhausted and with bleeding feet. After telling the townspeople of the Greeks' success in the battle, Pheidippides fell to the ground dead. In 1896, at the first modern Olympic Games, a race was held of approximately the same length in commemoration of Pheidippides.

The Exact Length of a Marathon


During the first several modern Olympics, the marathon was always an approximate distance. In 1908, the British royal family requested that the marathon starts at the Windsor Castle so that the royal children could witness its start. The distance from the Windsor Castle to the Olympic Stadium was 42,195 meters (or 26 miles and 385 yards). In 1924, this distance became the standardized length of a marathon.

Cancelled Games


Because of World War I and World War II, there were no Olympic Games in 1916, 1940, or 1944. In 2020, Olympic Games that were supposed to be hosted in Tokyo were postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They will be held in the Summer of 2021, but without live spectators for the 1st time in its history!!

Winter Games Begun


The winter Olympic Games were first held in Chamonix in 1924, beginning a tradition of holding them a few months earlier and in a different city than the summer Olympic Games. 

From 1994, the winter Olympic Games were held in completely different years (two years apart) than the summer Games.

The History of Olympic truce A truce (in Greek, ekecheiria, which literally means "holding of hands") was announced before and during each of the Olympic festivals, to allow visitors to travel safely to Olympia. Shortly prior to the start of the Olympics, three "spondophoroi" wearing crowns of olive branches, would leave Elis to announce the truce. Initially this was for one month but later on, (from the 5th century B.C.), three months, (calculated from the day of departure of the "spondophoroi"). During the sacred truce, athletes and spectators could travel unmolested to Olympia.
An inscription describing the truce was written on a bronze discus which was displayed at Olympia. During the truce, wars were suspended, armies were prohibited from entering Elis (present-day Ileia), or threatening the Games, and legal disputes and the carrying out of death penalties were forbidden. Any violation of the ceasefire was considered irreverence to Zeus himself, to whom the event was dedicated. Apart from a few exceptions, the truce was observed as being sacred in view of the fact that for the Greeks the athletic festivals were of great significance. Mention is made of King Philip the Second of Macedonia, father of Alexander the Great, who sought pardon and paid the penalty when one of his mercenaries impeded the Athenian Phrynon from travelling to Olympia to attend the festival.

International Olympic Truce Foundation The mission of the International Olympic Truce Foundation is to promote the Olympic ideals, to serve peace, friendship and international understanding. In particular, to uphold the observance of the Olympic Truce, calling for all hostilities to cease during the Olympic Games and beyond, and mobilizing the youth of the world in the cause of peace. The International Olympic Truce Centre is dedicated to creating the necessary support framework for the observance of the Olympic Truce and for the global promotion of a Culture of Peace, in accordance with the principles and policies established by the Foundation.

The legacy of being an Olympic Athlete In ancient times, like today, to be an Olympic athlete was a supreme honour. Ancient Olympic champions were looked after by their fellow townsfolk for the rest of their lives, although they also enjoyed the redoubtable honour of fighting in the front line. Today, nearly 100,000 athletes who have competed in the Olympic Games, better known as Olympians, spread the values of Olympism around the world. Their performance and courage symbolize the Olympic spirit. Each Olympian bears a message of sharing, respect and resolve.

The Olympic Hymn


The Olympic Hymn, played when the Olympic Flag is raised, was composed by Spyros Samaras and the words were added by the poet Kostis Palamas. The Olympic Hymn was first played at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens but wasn't declared the official hymn by the IOC until 1957.

The Olympic Hymn translated in English: “Olympian flame immortal Whose beacon lights our way Emblaze our hearts with the fires of hope On this momentous day

As now we come across the world To share these Games of old Let all the flags of every land In brotherhood unfold

Sing out each nation, voices strong Rise up in harmony All hail our brave Olympians With strains of victory

Olympic light burn on and on O'er seas and mountains and plains Unite, inspire, bring honor To these ascending games”

Thank you for reading through my tribute. All information was researched and gathered from many different resources incl. Wikipedia.

Αφιέρωμα και περιληπτική Ιστορία των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων

BY: Greek Cooking Made Easy SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/greekcookingmadeeasy

Η Ελλάδα είναι η χώρα που γέννησε τους αρχαίους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες πριν από 2.700 χρόνια και η χώρα όπου οι σύγχρονοι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες αναβίωσαν το 1896.

Τα αρχαία χρόνια Οι ρίζες του Ολυμπιακού Πνεύματος βρίσκονται στον αρχαίο Ελληνικό πολιτισμό. Οι αρχαίοι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες φαίνεται να χρονολογούνται από το 776 π.Χ., επειδή δεν υπήρχαν γνωστά ονόματα νικητών πριν από αυτήν την ημερομηνία. Οι πεδιάδες της Ολυμπίας στην Πελοπόννησο, γνωστές ως η τοποθεσία των υπέροχων ναών αφιερωμένων στη λατρεία του Θεού Δία και της Θεάς Ήρας, χρησίμευαν ως μόνιμος χώρος των Αγώνων. 

Οι αγώνες διεξήγονταν κάθε τέσσερα χρόνια. Οι αγώνες είχαν έντονο θρησκευτικό χαρακτήρα, συνδυάζοντας πνευματικές πτυχές μαζί με τις αθλητικές προσπάθειες. Η σημασία τους ήταν μεγάλη, καθώς φαινόταν να είναι το πιο σημαντικό αθλητικό γεγονός για ολόκληρη την Ελλάδα (πόλεις-κράτη). Οι Έλληνες μετρούσαν ακόμη και τα χρόνια τους με αναφορά στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες! Χιλιάδες άνθρωποι μαζευόντουσαν από όλη την Ελλάδα για να αγωνιστο��ν ή να παρακολουθήσουν. Εάν υπήρχε πόλεμος, γινόταν ανακωχή γύρω από την εποχή των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων που θα επέτρεπε σε όλους τους διαγωνιζόμενους να πάνε. Η «Ολυμπιακή Εκεχειρία» που σημαίνει διακοπή των εχθροπραξιών κατά τη διάρκεια των αγώνων συνδέθηκε άρρηκτα με την έννοια του Ολυμπιακού Πνεύματος. Οι περισσότεροι θεατές κοιμόντουσαν στο ύπαιθρο ή σε σκηνές. Δεν υπήρχε πόλη στην αρχαία Ολυμπία, μόνο το ιερό και οι αθλητικοί χώροι.

Οι Αγώνες αρχικά ήταν γεγονός μιας μέρας, έως το 684 π.Χ., όταν επεκτάθηκαν σε τρεις ημέρες και αργότερα (5ος αιώνας π.Χ.) σε πέντε ημέρες. Εκτός από αθλητικές εκδηλώσεις, υπήρχαν επίσης θρησκευτικές τελετές και δεξιώσεις. Μόνο άντρες πολίτες είχαν τη δυνατότητα να διαγωνιστούν. Αποκλείονταν όλοι οι σκλάβοι, όλες οι γυναίκες και οι άνδρες που είχαν διαπράξει ορισμένα εγκλήματα. Δεν επιτρεπόταν καν στις γυναίκες να παρακολουθήσουν, εκτός από μια ιέρεια της θεάς Δήμητρας και πιθανώς κορίτσια. Για μερικές από τις εκδηλώσεις, υπήρχαν επίσης διαγωνισμοί για ανήλικα αγόρια. Υπήρχαν πολύ λιγότερα αθλήματα από ό, τι στους σύγχρονους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες.

Οι κύριες εκδηλώσεις ήταν: το τρέξιμο, η πάλη, το πένταθλο, η πυγμαχία, οι αγώνες με άρμα, τα ιππικά αθλήματα, η ταχυδακτυλουργία, αλλά και η μουσική, η ρητορική και οι θεατρικές παραστάσεις. Η συμμετοχή ήταν πιο σημαντική από την ίδια τη νίκη. Τα βραβεία για τη νίκη στους Ολυμπιακούς αγώνες ήταν πολύ απλά. Το απόλυτο βραβείο ήταν ένα στεφάνι από «κότινο», φτιαγμένο δηλ. από κλαδιά ελιάς και η φήμη!

Κάθε πόλη-κράτος ήθελε πολύ να κερδίσει ένας από τους πολίτες της και έτσι προσέφερε κάθε είδους πρόσθετα έπαθλα σε οποιονδήποτε από τους πολίτες της κέρδιζε. Αυτά μπορεί να περιλάμβαναν καθίσματα πρώτης σειράς σε φεστιβάλ ή ακόμη και δωρεάν γεύματα για όλη τους τη ζωή. Ένας νικητής είχε επίσης το δικαίωμα να ανεγείρει το άγαλμα του στην Ολυμπία. Μπορούσε ακόμα και να ανατεθεί στους ποιητές να γράψουν ένα ποίημα για τον νικητή. Δεν υπήρχε δεύτερο ή τρίτο βραβείο. Όταν η Ελλάδα ενσωματώθηκε στη Ρωμαϊκή Αυτοκρατορία (27 π.Χ.), οι Αγώνες ήταν ανοιχτοί σε Ρωμαίους αξιωματούχους, ακόμα και αυτοκράτορες, αλλά επίσης και σε πολίτες της τεράστιας αυτοκρατορίας: Αιγύπτιοι, Ισπανοί, Σύριοι, Αρμένιοι και άλλοι, πράγμα που σημαίνει ότι οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες δεν ήταν πλέον απλώς πανελλήνιοι - είχαν γίνει διεθνείς. Για σχεδόν 12 αιώνες οι Αγώνες διοργανώνονταν κάθε τέσσερα χρόνια (με τη διεξαγωγή περισσότερων από 290 Αγώνες), μέχρι το 393 μ.Χ., όταν ο Ρωμαίος αυτοκράτορας Θεοδόσιος απαγόρευσε τη συνέχισή τους, θεωρώντας τους ειδωλολατρική τελετή. Η Ολυμπία καταστράφηκε από σεισμούς, πυρκαγιές, πλημμύρες και υπέστη καταστροφές από βάρβαρους εισβολείς. Η Ολυμπία δεν υπήρχε πια.

Η αναβίωση των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων Η Ολυμπία θάφτηκε κάτω από τη λάσπη του ποταμού και πέρασαν 1.000 χρόνια πριν τα κτήρια της ξαναδούν το φως. Οι αρχαιολόγοι ξεκίνησαν την αναζήτηση για την Ολυμπία τον 18ο αιώνα, αλλά οι σημαντικότερες ανασκαφές πραγματοποιήθηκαν μεταξύ 1875 και 1891, από το Γερμανικό Αρχαιολογικό Ινστιτούτο. Κάτω από την εποπτεία του καθηγητή Ernst Curtius, μια ομάδα ξεκίνησε την ανασκαφή των υπολειμμάτων σχεδόν όλων των κτιρίων. 

Βρέθηκαν τότε 130 αγάλματα και περισσότερα από 6.000 πήλινα, χρυσά και χάλκινα αντικείμενα! 

Ο καθηγητής Curtius έκανε την αρχική πρόταση για αναβίωση των αρχαίων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων - μια ιδέα που πραγματοποιήθηκε στις αρχές της δεκαετίας του 1890 από τον Γάλλο βαρόνο Pierre de Coubertin.

Παρισινός ευγενής και θαυμαστής του αρχαίου Ελληνικού πολιτισμού, ο de Coubertin πίστευε ότι η αναβίωση των αρχαίων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων θα μπορούσε να χρησιμεύσει ως σημαντικό πρότυπο για τις αθλητικές αξίες και ως χώρος για τους νέους του κόσμου να συναντηθούν σε έναν ειρηνικό αθλητικό διαγωνισμό. Υπό τον ενθουσιασμό και την καθοδήγησή του, γεννήθηκε το κίνημα της Ολυμπιακής αναβίωσης. Συνέδριο για την αποκατάσταση των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων πραγματοποιήθηκε στη Σορβόννη τον Ιούνιο του 1894. Συγκλήθηκαν εβδομήντα εννέα εκπρόσωποι από όλο τον κόσμο για 8 ημέρες και έγινε ομόφωνη ψηφοφορία για την αναβίωση των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων. Την ίδια χρονιά, ο de Coubertin ίδρυσε τη Διεθνή Ολυμπιακή Επιτροπή (ΔΟΕ), μια μη κερδοσκοπική οργάνωση επιφορτισμένη με την εποπτεία και τη διοργάνωση των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων. Ο Δημήτρης Βικέλας, Έλληνας εκπρόσωπος, εξελέγη ο 1ος Πρόεδρος της ΔΟΕ.

Παρόλο που η αρχική ιδέα του de Coubertin ήταν να πραγματοποιήσει τους πρώτους αγώνες το 1900 στο Παρίσι, ο Βικέλας κατάφερε να πείσει την ΔΟΕ να γίνουν νωρίτερα, έτσι ώστε οι πρώτοι σύγχρονοι αγώνες να διεξαχθούν στην Ελλάδα, τη χώρα στην οποία ανήκε η κληρονομιά των αρχαίων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων.

Οι 1οι Σύγχρονοι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες του 1896 Οι πρώτοι σύγχρονοι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες διοργανώθηκαν το 1896 και απονεμήθηκαν στην Αθήνα, ως τιμή για τη χώρα όπου γεννήθηκαν οι αρχαίοι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες. Εκτιμάται ότι συγκεντρώθηκαν περίπου 100.000 άνθρωποι για να τους παρακολουθήσουν. Οι πρώτοι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες παρουσίασαν πάνω από 43 εκδηλώσεις σε δέκα αθλήματα.

Η αναβίωση των αρχαίων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων προσέλκυσε 241 αθλητές (0 γυναίκες) από 14 χώρες, με τις μεγαλύτερες αντιπροσωπείες να προέρχονται από την Ελλάδα, τη Γερμανία και τη Γαλλία. Στις 6 Απριλίου 1896, ο Αμερικανός Τζέιμς Κόνολι κέρδισε το τριπλό άλμα και έγινε ο πρώτος Ολυμπιονίκης μετά από 1.500 χρόνια. Στους νικητές απονεμήθηκε ένα ασημένιο μετάλλιο και ένα στεφάνι από κλαδιά ελιάς. Ο Γερμανός αθλητής Karl Schumann τερμάτισε στους τέσσερις πρώτους σε τέσσερα διαφορετικά αθλήματα. Οι άνθρωποι της Αθήνας χαιρέτησαν τους Αγώνες με μεγάλο ενθουσιασμό. Η υποστήριξή τους ανταμείφθηκε όταν ένας Έλληνας βοσκός, ο Σπύρος Λούης, κέρδισε το πιο δημοφιλές αθλητικό γεγονός, τον Μαραθώνιο. Η Αθήνα φιλοξένησε ξανά τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες το 2004.

Διπλωμάτες της Διεθνούς Ολυμπιακής Επιτροπής (ΔΟΕ) Για να καταστεί η ΔΟΕ ανεξάρτητη οργάνωση, τα μέλη της ΔΟΕ δεν θεωρούνται διπλωμάτες από τις χώρες τους στην ΔΟΕ, αλλά αντίστροφα διπλωμάτες από την ΔΟΕ στις αντίστοιχες χώρες τους.

Ενδιαφέροντα Ολυμπιακά Γεγονότα Πόλη, όχι Χώρα: Κατά την επιλογή τοποθεσίας για τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες, η ΔΟΕ δίνει συγκεκριμένα την τιμή να διοργανώσει τους Αγώνες μια πόλη και όχι μια χώρα.

Γυμνάσιο Η λέξη "Γυμνάσιο" προέρχεται από την ελληνική ρίζα "γυμνός". Η κυριολεκτική έννοια του «γυμνασίου» είναι «σχολείο άσκησης γυμνών». Οι αθλητές στους αρχαίους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες συμμετείχαν γυμνοί.

Στάδιο Οι πρώτοι αρχαίοι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες πραγματοποιήθηκαν το 776 π.Χ. με ένα μόνο γεγονός - το τρέξιμο. 

Το στάδιο ήταν μια μονάδα μέτρησης (περίπου 600 πόδια). Δεδομένου ότι η πίστα για τον αγώνα τρεξίματος μεγάλης απόστασης είχε συγκεκριμένο μήκος, η τοποθεσία του αγώνα ονομάστηκε «στάδιο».

Φωτογραφίες από την επίσκεψη της οικογενείας μου στην Αρχαία Ολυμπία!

Καταμέτρηση Ολυμπιάδων Μια Ολυμπιάδα είναι μια περίοδος τεσσάρων διαδοχικών ετών. Οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες γιορτάζουν κάθε Ολυμπιάδα. Για τους σύγχρονους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες, η πρώτη γιορτή της Ολυμπιάδας ήταν το 1896. Κάθε τέσσερα χρόνια γιορτάζει μια νέα Ολυμπιάδα. Έτσι, ακόμη και οι Αγώνες που ακυρώθηκαν (1916, 1940 και 1944), υπολογίζονται ως Ολυμπιάδες.

Η Επίσημη Ολυμπιακή Σημαία Δημιουργία του Pierre de Coubertin το 1914, η Ολυμπιακή σημαία περιέχει πέντε διασυνδεδεμένους δακτυλίους σε λευκό φόντο. Οι πέντε δακτύλιοι (κύκλοι) συμβολίζουν τις πέντε σημαντικές ηπείρους και συνδέονται μεταξύ τους για να συμβολίσουν τη φιλία που θα αποκτηθεί από τους αγώνες. Οι δακτύλιοι, από αριστερά προς τα δεξιά, είναι μπλε, κίτρινο, μαύρο, πράσινο και κόκκινο. Τα χρώματα επιλέχθηκαν επειδή τουλάχιστον ένα από αυτά εμφανίζεται στη σημαία κάθε χώρας στον κόσμο. Η Ολυμπιακή σημαία κυμάνθηκε για πρώτη φορά στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του 1920.

Το Ολυμπιακό σύνθημα Το 1921, ο Pierre de Coubertin, ιδρυτής των σύγχρονων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, δανείστηκε μια λατινική φράση από τον φίλο του, Πατέρα Henri Didon, για το Ολυμπιακό σύνθημα: Citius, Altius, Fortius ("Πιο Γρήγορα, Πιο Ψηλά, Πιο Δυνατά").

Ο Ολυμπιακός Όρκος Ο Πιέρ ντε Κουμπέρτιν έγραψε έναν όρκο για τους αθλητές ώστε να τον απαγγέλλουν σε κάθε Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες. Κατά την τελετή έναρξης, ένας αθλητής απαγγέλλει τον όρκο εκ μέρους όλων των αθλητών. Ο Ολυμπιακός όρκος ακούστηκε για πρώτη φορά κατά τη διάρκεια των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων του 1920 από τον Βέλγο αθλητή ξιφασκίας Victor Boin. Ο Ολυμπιακός Όρκος δηλώνει «Στο όνομα όλων των αγωνιζομένων, υπόσχομαι ότι θα λάβουμε μέρος σε αυτούς τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες, σεβόμενοι και τηρώντας τους κανόνες που τους διέπουν, με το πραγματικό πνεύμα της αθλητικότητας, για τη δόξα του αθλητισμού και την τιμή των ομάδων μας».

Το Ολυμπιακό Πιστεύω Ο Pierre de Coubertin πήρε την ιδέα για αυτή τη φράση από μια ομιλία που έδωσε ο Επίσκοπος Ethelbert Talbot σε δεξίωση για Ολυμπιονίκες κατά τη διάρκεια των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων του 1908. Το Ολυμπιακό Πιστεύω λέει: "Το πιο σημαντικό πράγμα στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες δεν είναι να κερδίσεις αλλά να συμμετέχεις, όπως και το πιο σημαντικό πράγμα στη ζωή δεν είναι ο θρίαμβος αλλά ο αγώνας. Το βασικό είναι να μην έχεις κατακτήσει αλλά να έχεις αγωνιστεί καλά."

Τα Μετάλλια Τα Ολυμπιακά μετάλλια σχεδιάζονται ειδικά για κάθε συγκεκριμένους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες από την οργανωτική επιτροπή της πόλης υποδοχής. Κάθε μετάλλιο πρέπει να έχει πάχος τουλάχιστον τρία χιλιοστά και διάμετρο 60 χιλιοστά. Επίσης, τα χρυσά και ασημένια ολυμπιακά μετάλλια πρέπει να είναι από 92,5 % ασήμι, με το χρυσό μετάλλιο να καλύπτεται από έξι γραμμάρια χρυσού.

Αληθινά Χρυσά μετάλλια Τα τελευταία ολυμπιακά χρυσά μετάλλια που έγιναν εξ ολοκλήρου από χρυσό απονεμήθηκαν το 1912.

Η Ολυμπιακή Φλόγα Η Ολυμπιακή φλόγα είναι μια πρακτική που συνεχίστηκε από τους αρχαίους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες. Στην Ολυμπία, μια φλόγα άναβε από τον ήλιο και στη συνέχεια συνέχιζε να καίει μέχρι το κλείσιμο των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων. Η φλόγα εμφανίστηκε για πρώτη φορά στους σύγχρονους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του 1928, στο Άμστερνταμ. Η φλόγα αντιπροσωπεύει πολλά πράγματα, συμπεριλαμβανομένης της αγνότητας και της προσπάθειας για τελειότητα. Το 1936, ο πρόεδρος της οργανωτικής επιτροπής για τους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του 1936, Carl Diem, πρότεινε αυτό που είναι τώρα η σύγχρονη σκυταλοδρομία της Ολυμπιακής φλόγας. Η Ολυμπιακή φλόγα ανάβει στον αρχαίο χώρο της Ολυμπίας από γυναίκες που φορούν ρόμπες αρχαϊκές, χρησιμοποιώντας έναν κυρτό καθρέφτη και τον ήλιο. 

Η Ολυμπιακή φλόγα μεταφέρεται στη συνέχεια από δρομέα σε δρομέα από τον αρχαίο χώρο της Ολυμπίας στο Ολυμπιακό στάδιο της πόλης που τους φιλοξενεί. Στη συνέχεια, η φλόγα διατηρείται αναμμένη μέχρι να ολοκληρωθούν οι αγώνες. Η σκυταλοδρομία αντιπροσωπεύει τη συνέχεια από τους αρχαίους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες στους σύγχρονους.

Η Τελετή έναρξης Η πρώτη τελετή έναρξης πραγματοποιήθηκε κατά τη διάρκεια των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων του 1908 στο Λονδίνο. Κατά τη διάρκεια της τελετής έναρξης όλων των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, η πομπή αθλητών ξεκινάει πάντα από την Ελληνική Αποστολή (ομάδα), ακολουθούμενη από όλες τις άλλες ομάδες με αλφαβητική σειρά (στη γλώσσα της χώρας υποδοχής), εκτός από την τελευταία ομάδα που είναι πάντα η ομάδα της χώρας υποδοχής των Αγώνων.

Γυναίκες Οι γυναίκες είχαν το δικαίωμα να συμμετάσχουν για 1η φορά το 1900, στους 2ους σύγχρονους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες.

Ο Πρώτος Μαραθώνιος Το 490 π.Χ., ο Φειδιππίδης, Έλληνας στρατιώτης, έτρεξε από τον Μαραθώνα στην Αθήνα (περίπου 25 μίλια) για να ενημερώσει τους Αθηναίους για το αποτέλεσμα της μάχης με τους Πέρσες. Η απόσταση ήταν γεμάτη με λόφους και άλλα εμπόδια. Έτσι ο Φειδιππίδης έφτασε στην Αθήνα εξαντλημένος και με πόδια ματωμένα. Αφού είπε στους κατοίκους της πόλης την επιτυχία των Ελλήνων στη μάχη, ο Φειδιππίδης έπεσε στο έδαφος νεκρός. Το 1896, στους πρώτους σύγχρονους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες, πραγματοποιήθηκε ένας αγώνας περίπου του ίδιου μήκους προς τιμήν της μνήμης του Φειδιππίδη.

Το ακριβές μήκος ενός μαραθωνίου Κατά τη διάρκεια αρκετών σύγχρονων Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, ο μαραθώνιος ήταν πάντα ��ια κατά προσέγγιση απόσταση. Το 1908, η βρετανική βασιλική οικογένεια ζήτησε να ξεκινήσει ο μαραθώνιος στο Κάστρο του Γουίντσορ, έτσι ώστε τα παιδιά της βασιλικής οικογένειας να μπορούν να δουν την έναρξη του. Η απόσταση από το Κάστρο του Windsor έως το Ολυμπιακό Στάδιο ήταν 42.195 μέτρα (ή 26 μίλια περίπου). Το 1924, αυτή η απόσταση έγινε το τυποποιημένο μήκος ενός μαραθωνίου.

Ακύρωση Αγώνων Λόγω του Α' και του Β' Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, δεν πραγματοποιήθηκαν Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες το 1916, το 1940 και το 1944. Το 2020, οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες που έπρεπε να φιλοξενηθούν στο Τόκιο αναβλήθηκαν λόγω της πανδημίας Covid-19. Θα πραγματοποιηθούν το καλοκαίρι του 2021, αλλά χωρίς θεατές για πρώτη φορά στην ιστορία του!

Οι χειμερινοί Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες Ξεκίνησαν για πρώτη φορά στο Σαμονί το 1924, ξεκινώντας μια παράδοση να γίνονται λίγους ��ήνες νωρίτερα και σε διαφορετική πόλη από τους θερινούς Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες. 

Από το 1994, οι χειμερινοί Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες διεξάγονται σε εντελώς διαφορετική χρονιά (σε απόσταση δύο ετών), από τους θερινούς Αγώνες.

Η ιστορία της Ολυμπιακής εκεχειρίας Εκεχειρία (στα Ελληνικά κυριολεκτικά σημαίνει «κράτημα των χεριών») ανακοινωνόταν πριν και κατά τη διάρκεια κάθε ολυμπιακού φεστιβάλ, για να επιτρέψει στους επισκέπτες να ταξιδέψουν με ασφάλεια στην Ολυμπία. Λίγο πριν από την έναρξη των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων, τρεις "Σπονδοφόροι" που φορούσαν στεφάνια από κλαδιά ελιάς, έφευγαν από την Ηλεία για να ανακοινώσουν την εκεχειρία. Αρχικά αυτό ήταν για ένα μήνα, αλλά αργότερα, (από τον 5ο αιώνα π.Χ.), τρεις μήνες (υπολογισμένο από την ημέρα αναχώρησης των "σπονδοφόρων"). Κατά τη διάρκεια της ιερής εκεχειρίας, αθλητές και θεατές μπορούσαν να ταξιδέψουν με ασφάλεια στην Ολυμπία. Μια επιγραφή που περιγράφει την εκεχειρία γραμμένη σε χάλκινο δίσκο βρέθηκε στην Ολυμπία. Κατά τη διάρκεια της ανακωχής, οι πόλεμοι σταματούσαν, απαγορευόταν οι στρατοί να εισέλθουν στην Ηλεία, ή να απειλήσουν τους Αγώνες, και απαγορεύονταν οι νομικές διαφορές και η εκτέλεση θανατικών ποινών. Οποιαδήποτε παραβίαση της κατάπαυσης του πυρός θεωρείτο ασέβεια για τον ίδιο τον Δία, στον οποίο ήταν αφιερωμένο το γεγονός. Εκτός από μερικές εξαιρέσεις, η εκεχειρία θεωρήθηκε ιερή επειδή για τους Έλληνες τα αθλητικά φεστιβάλ είχαν μεγάλη σημασία. Αναφέρεται ότι ο βασιλιάς Φίλιππος ο 2ος της Μακεδονίας, πατέρας του Μεγάλου Αλεξάνδρου, ζήτησε χάρη και πλήρωσε την ποινή, όταν ένας από τους μισθοφόρους του εμπόδισε τον Αθηναίο Φρύνωνα να ταξιδέψει στην Ολυμπία για να παρακολουθήσει το φεστιβάλ.

Διεθνές Ίδρυμα Ολυμπιακής Εκεχειρίας Η αποστολή του International Olympic Truce Foundation (δηλ. Διεθνές Ίδρυμα Ολυμπιακής Εκεχειρίας) είναι η προώθηση των Ολυμπιακών ιδανικών, η εξυπηρέτηση της ειρήνης, της φιλίας και της διεθνούς κατανόησης. Συγκεκριμένα, για να υποστηρίξει την τήρηση της Ολυμπιακής Εκεχειρίας, ζητά να σταματήσουν όλες οι εχθροπραξίες κατά τη διάρκεια των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων και πέραν αυτής, και να κινητοποιηθεί η νεολαία του κόσμου προς το σκοπό της ειρήνης. Το Διεθνές Ίδρυμα Ολυμπιακής Εκεχειρίας είναι αφιερωμένο στη δημιουργία του απαραίτητου πλαισίου στήριξης για την τήρηση της Ολυμπιακής Εκεχειρίας και για την παγκόσμια προώθηση ενός Πολιτισμού Ειρήνης, σύμφωνα με τις αρχές και τις πολιτικές που έχει θεσπίσει το Ίδρυμα.

Το κληροδότημα του Ολυμπιακού Αθλητή Στην αρχαιότητα, όπως και σήμερα, το να είσαι ολυμπιακός αθλητής ήταν υπέρτατη τιμή. Οι αρχαίοι Ολυμπιακοί πρωταθλητές φροντίζονταν από τους συμπολίτες τους για το υπόλοιπο της ζωής τους, αν και απολάμβαναν επίσης την αναμφισβήτητη τιμή της μάχης που έδωσαν στην πρώτη γραμμή. Σήμερα, σχεδόν 100.000 αθλητές που έχουν αγωνιστεί στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες, διαδίδουν τις αξίες του Ολυμπισμού σε όλο τον κόσμο. Η επίδοση και το θάρρος τους συμβολίζουν το ολυμπιακό πνεύμα. Κάθε ένας τους κουβαλάει το μήνυμα της μοιρασιάς και συμμετοχής, του σεβασμού και της αποφασιστικότητας.

Ο Ολυμπιακός Ύμνος Ο Ολυμπιακός Ύμνος, που παίζεται όταν υψώνεται η Ολυμπιακή Σημαία, συντέθηκε από τον Σπύρο Σαμαρά και οι στίχοι προστέθηκαν από τον Κωστή Παλαμά. Ο Ολυμπιακός Ύμνος παίχτηκε για πρώτη φορά στους Ολυμπιακούς Αγώνες του 1896 στην Αθήνα, αλλά δεν ανακηρύχθηκε επίσημος ύμνος από τη ΔΟΕ μέχρι το 1957.

Οι στίχοι του Ολυμπιακού Ύμνου: «Αρχαίο Πνεύμα αθάνατον, αγνέ πατέρα του ωραίου, του μεγάλου και τ' αληθινού, κατέβα, φανερώσου κι άστραψε εδώ πέρα στη δόξα της δικής σου γης και τ' ουρανού.

Στο δρόμο και στο πάλεμα και στο λιθάρι, στων ευγενών Αγώνων λάμψε την ορμή, και με το αμάραντο στεφάνωσε κλωνάρι και σιδερένιο πλάσε και άξιο το κορμί.

Κάμποι, βουνά και θάλασσες φέγγουν μαζί σου σαν ένας λευκοπόρφυρος μέγας ναός. Και τρέχει στο ναό εδώ προσκυνητής σου, Αρχαίο Πνεύμ' αθάνατο, κάθε λαός, κάθε λαός (2x) Αρχαίο Πνεύμ' αθάνατο, κάθε λαός (2x)».

Transliterated into Latin alphabet: «Arkhéo Pnévma athánato, aghné patéra tou oréou, tou meghálou ke tou alithinoú Katéva, fanerósou ki ástrapse edhó péra sti dhóksa tis dhikís sou ghis ke t'ouranoú.

Sto dhrómo ke sto pálema ke sto lithári Ston evghenón aghónon lámpse tin ormí. Ke me to amáranto stefánose klonári ke sidherénio pláse ke áksio to kormí. (2x)

Kámpi, vouná ke thálasses féngoune mazí sou san énas lefkopórfyros méghas naós Ke trékhi sto naó edhó proskynitís sou (2x) Arkhéo Pnévma athánato, káthe laós. (2x)»

Σας ευχαριστώ που διαβάσατε το αφιέρωμα μου. Το έγραψα κατόπιν μελέτης και έρευνας από πολλά κείμενα συμπεριλ. και της Βικιπαίδεια.

[since-it-must-be-so]

Choujin X: Chapter 1

So I'm really excited to read more of Sui Ishida's newest manga, and I'm arriving just in time for the front seats! I don't want to let this pass without writing down my thoughts on the first chapter and possibly look at it in the future as the story progresses. You can read it here:

Having said that, please note there will be spoilers ahead!

Tomato Girl

The chapter starts with this cute little girl with that native(?) farmer-like hat, who supposedly grows big fruits (it's huge in Japan, look it up!). I think she will also be a main character since she's the first person we see. From this point I'll call her Tomato Girl. She is obviously from a rural area and is a farmer. We see her motivation is money (and that big dog... which, I think we will see in the future lol). She also wants to marry a "handsome goldilocks hubbie", lol. Wonder if this means she's going to be a love interest of the other cast? She also wants to have 9 kids. Naki and Miza, is that you?! Lol. So here, we have a girl with lofty aspirations! We shall see if any of this will happen or if it will change or if she's lying!

Also an observation - Tomato Girl is also close with her granddad, since she said she's going to the contest in lieu of her granddad (whose back was hurt). She obviously has this strong personality, standing up to the creepy bad guy, who was going to hit the old lady.

Bad Guy

The Bad Guy (since this guy doesn't have a name yet) is obviously a terrorist-for-hire. Also seems to be obsessed with beauty and elegance. I would guess his power lies in blowing things up?

I think, though, that Tomato Girl is a choujin herself, considering she didn't immediately get blown away. Plus, Bad Guy was on fire, and so was she. So, it doesn't necessarily mean Tomato Girl is already dead. She also seems to be reaching out to the Bad Guy as that scene ends.

It's later revealed that despite the plane crash, there were 200 survivors. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe they were turned into choujins?Only the hull was burned but the frame wasn't.

Tokio Kurohara and Azuma Higashi

Yes, the MC! He's notices the plane catching fire. Then, for some reason, Tokio's teacher (Ms. Bazonkas) has a weird voluptuous design. BUT, I think there's something afoot there. She might actually also be a choujin. Possibly a mentor role for Tokio? She seems to be very knowledgeable.

Anyway, going back to Tokio. He's introduced as a sixteen-year-old high school sophomore from Tsuru High. Like any high school kid, he finds studying math to be useless. We're also shown that lives in a district which has destroyed buildings. Possibly dystopian future?

We next find a girl getting harassed by a Mohawk guy and his 2 honchos. Tokio calls for someone, turns out to be Azuma. I just thought it's funny how he called for Azuma, he sounds like a police officer. Haha. But right after, Azuma is introduced, flying from a building.. a very dramatic, heroic entrance. He kinda looks like a hybrid of Haise and Armin from AOT for me. Haha. He's so cute and tiny but he's strong and is apparently the town hero. He breaks the arm of the thug, which Tokio thinks is going too far.

The girl seems to be a pretty girl, and I think she will play a role later on. She's a lot older than them, since she said she's going to an interview. She will possibly a love interest or a villain, but I think more of the latter. I just read CSM so I'm wary of pretty girls lol. Anyway, I think there's something there to link her with Azuma, considering, Azuma introduces both Azuma and Tokio but she only seems to thank or acknowledge Azuma. Tokio even says "don't mention it" even if the girl didn't even thank him, lol.

Azuma and Tokio talk about the plane crash, and it's revealed that choujins seem to abuse their power, and that the attack is kinda normal. We look at their hometown which is really wrecked. Buildings are dilapitated in an abnormal manner -- one building looks like it was done in with a circular force... They live in Yamato Prefecture which is described as an ordinary, self-governed prefecture with some areas partially destroyed. Wonder what self-governed means, but my guess is that it's kinda like a state and the national government is different altogether.

Roly-Poly

Well I never really thought of pill bugs or rolly pollies until I read this. Azuma talks about how roly polies roll around in dry areas and when they find a damp rock, they hide under it. He questions if the roly polies like damp places. And Azuma wonders if choujins are anything like roly-polies. Tokio is confused, so am I. I'm not going to make solid convictions what he means by it, but I think... what Azuma is driving at is that, roly polies and choujins DON'T like damp places. I don't know, I have no reason for this, it's just a guess. We'll see what Azuma means eventually. Haha.

It also appears that choujins are generally bad guys, since Azuma wonders why they don't use their power for good. Maybe something about being a choujin corrupts? Just a guess based on the succeeding events.

They end their conversation with Azuma thinking if he can help with the plane crash. Tokio comments, "seems noble of you" and Azuma says, "it's just a habit". Wonder if Tokio finds Azuma pretentious or if he's genuinely impressed. Azuma's answer is also quite concerning, "just a habit", a question arises if he's sincere in helping in the first place.

The Mohawk Guy

So this guy is supposed to be a funny, evil villain, now bent on exacting revenge from Azuma. Then, a guy (possibly gay guy because he is wearing a lipstick?) with a briefcase offers him an injection.

Tokio's Family

So Tokio has a bigger sister and a dad who seems to be very quiet. Not sure if that's their dad though, it wasn't clear. It's possible they don't have parents anymore and that guy is just an associate. Anyway, it appears that the sister pays Tokio's tuition and she's the breadwinner.

Tokio and his sister talk about Azuma. Azuma is apparently very smart, very athletic (proficient in judo and karate), girls love him, and that his dad is a big shot in the police. The sister questions why Tokio is so proud, and Tokio funnily admits that it's because he feels popular because Azuma is popular. A leech!

Vulture

I just finished re-reading Tokyo Ghoul and :re, and I was blown away by Ishida's art and story. To say I love Kaneki is an understatement. I think I'm going to love Tokio too! I also want to discuss the cover.

So it appears that the cover is the Tokio with an image of a vulture. Tokio is naked and it feels like the vulture is seducing him. From here, I get the vibe that Tokio might be corrupted by the power. "It's something of an affliction" is a dead giveaway. It feels like becoming a choujin or superhuman also corrupts, in a way?

Also since, there seems to be a commentary on the negative view on vultures being scavengers or "steals prey". (Though TBH I always thought vultures wait around for the predator to finish eating and then it eats the scraps??)

On the other hand, Azuma, Tokio's best friend who's mighty strong and brave (almost to a fault), is viewed as a lion by his peers. Also, an uncanny observation is the when Tokio cries about while sitting on the floor, above him is a hyena. Hyenas are known to prey on the carcasses of lions' prey.

It's almost uncanny when Tokio himself says, "I can be a lion too". But Azuma makes Tokio feel better by telling him that buzzards can fly higher than any bird -- telling Tokio to focus on the strength

But even if Tokio admires Azuma, Tokio thinks of telling Azuma when he's going too far. I think this comes from a place of concern. But maybe secretly he's also jealous?

Tokio also even tells Azuma that maybe they should hold hands so Tokio can be more like Azuma, implying that Tokio wants to be like Azuma.

Praying Mantis

Just before Flexi Choujin attacks, Tokio mentions that he bought an insect guidebook and was about to say a factoid about praying mantis near water. I wonder what Tokio was about to say? A search on the internet about praying mantis and water shows this disgusting video of a parasite exiting the praying mantis leaving the mantis to die. Ew. Let's see if this is the factoid Tokio was thinking of. If so, who's the mantis and who's the parasite? Is it Azuma and Tokio, respectively? Hmm. Also, love the insect symbolism. Throwback to Kaneki's centipede!

Flexi Choujin Attack (Johnny Kiyoshi Takeyama)

Mohawk Guy, now a choujin, is a flexi monster who's now more resistant to hits. He attacks Azuma indiscriminately with his new powers. He also kinda goes crazy... His subordinates fear his super violent side, begging him to go back to his "kinda naughty mama boy self", but he ends up snapping their heads off.

For some reason 2 injections fly up into the air?! Maybe someone tossed it. Because as Tokio brought Azuma to the water and brought him back out, he sees the 2 injections. Azuma wants to use it on himself.

Tokio hesitates to have Azuma use it but Azuma insists. Tokio remembers how Azuma saved him from bullies as a kid, and they agreed that Tokio will help Azuma beat the bad guys... Tokio gets the other injection and points to himself. Azuma says Tokio can't but Tokio insists because he feels that it's the only way to stay friends with Azuma. They also promise each other that they will have no regrets over this. This is kinda alarming for me!! Let's see what it will mean in the future.

But instead of both of them transforming into a powerful choujin, only Tokio transforms into one. He looks like a vulture, very beast-like. Looks even like Kaneki's Centipede! I think the other injection might have resulted in a bad/weak power, or maybe it's empty, or maybe Tokio didn't inject Azuma? But I doubt the last one. Anyway, Tokio's choujin look is amazing!

Can't help but feel this scene is related to the praying mantis thing... Maybe my hunch is correct? The parasite exits the mantis when near water, which is why Tokio manages to muster up some courage on his own?

We'll see!! I'm really excited to see this develop. It will be the first manga I will be able to see from the start to finish!

[topazy]

What we found

Parings: John Murphy/ OC

Warnings: mentions of blood

Chapter: eleven

Cora

I sat up with a groan, gripping my head as the dimly lit room I was in started to spin.

Murphy kneeled beside me. "Hey, take it easy. You’ve had a nasty fall."

Fall? I couldn’t remember falling. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I realised I was inside a cave, and the only light was coming from a small fire. "How did I get here?"

"John carried you," Emori said before sitting down beside me. "Do you remember anything that happened?" I shook my head. "You saved us from reapers."

"And took a beating in the process," I snorted. It wasn’t the first time that I’d been beaten in a fight, and I doubted it would be the last. It was strange that a reaper knocked me out but left me alive.

I raised my hand to scratch my neck and almost screamed when I felt something move. Frantically, I began shaking my hair, watching the different twigs and dried leaves fall out. My face began to burn as I felt embarrassed. "I thought it was a bug."

Murphy smirked as Emori continued to stare at me with a worried look. "You were asleep for a long time. I was starting to think you wouldn’t wake up."

"Oh, thanks for not leaving me to die." Neither of them replied, and we sat in awkward silence. "What are you guys doing here anyway? I thought you wouldn’t be back in Polis."

Murphy shared a look with Emori before he answered. "We didn’t want to be tied down."

"Fair enough."

Emori stood up, "I’ll get you some water."

Once she walked to the other side of the cave, and began rummaging inside her bag, Murphy turned to face me and spoke quietly, "I know."

Puzzled, I raised my brows. "You know what?"

"I saw your blood."

Oh fuck. Chills spread through my body as his words sank in. I leaned forward, "Does Emori know?"

He shook his head. "No, but you owe me an explanation."

"I owe you nothing," I snapped.

"I risked my life trying to get you back to camp."

I turned away from him and smiled at Emori when she handed me a bottle of water. I found it odd that Murphy dropped the subject when his girlfriend sat back down beside us. I had just assumed he would have told her. Luckily for me, he didn't. I couldn’t tell either of them anything, they would just betray me. Everyone always did.

Murphy

"You said there'd be food here."

Emori leaned her head back against the wall, and let out a sigh. "There should be. These woods have always been good to me. Now there are not even bugs."

"Well, fortunately, I'm not hungry enough for that to be upsetting yet." I grimaced at the thought. "I actually kind of miss Polis. They had this drink there-sweet, made out of sheep's milk-"

Emori shot me a look, "Ontari gave this to you?"

"Yeah... I told you it wasn't all bad."

What did she expect me to say? No. The food was terrible? I wasn’t going to lie to her.

"You told me you were trying to survive." The tone of Emori’s voice through me. She was mad at me.

"I was."

"What else wasn’t bad?" She asked, turning to face me. "John, sex?"

The question made me feel physically sick. I’d already made it clear I didn’t like anything that happened. Why couldn’t she be more understanding? Why didn’t she believe me when I said all I wanted was to be back with her? I glanced over at Cora, who was pretending to sleep. "Emori," I sighed quietly. "I don't want to talk about this."

"Fine. Then let's not."

Standing I dusted off some of the dirt that was sticking to my clothes. "I didn't have a choice, ok? Emori. I didn't have a choice."

She looked up at me and panicked, "Where are you going?"

"I'm gonna go to Arkadia."

"What? Why?"

I shrugged, "I'm a better thief than I am a hunter."

"I'll come with you."

Emori looked hurt as I shook my head. "No. I'll draw less attention alone,"I pointed over to Cora.

"One of us needs to stay here with her."

"John…"

"It’s our fault she got hurt," I squeezed Emori’s shoulders. "She saved our lives, then we saved hers. I’m sure she’ll want to go back to wherever it was she was going in the first place."

A part of my hope was that what I said was true. The other part? The part I was desperately trying to ignore, wanted to know everything about her.

Emori

I watched in silence as Cora continued to chop at her hair with a knife she had pulled from her boot, before throwing the braids into the fire. It was strange, but I had a feeling her actions had a meaning behind them.

The light from the fire only illuminated the small scars that covered her face and neck. Remembering what John had told me about her, my stomach began to turn. The way she had healed her own wounds while they hid in the bunker sounded agonising. I understand Cora did what she had to, but I personally don’t think I could have. I opened my mouth to ask her about it, but stopped when I heard footsteps.

"Oh, finally." Seeing John approaching, I went towards him and threw my arms around him. I knew he was capable of looking out for himself, but I still worried.

He pulled back from me with a worried expression on his face, "Emori."

"John, what's wrong?"

"It looks like we may need my people, after all." He gulped down. "There's a storm coming. When it hits, we need to be on the right side of that door."

Oh god, this definitely wasn’t part of our plan. "So we make ourselves useful."

"Yeah. Yeah, exactly. I've already started working on Abby. Come on. I'll explain on the way." He glanced over at Cora, who still hadn’t lifted her head. "What is she doing?"

Cora was now running her fingers through her tangled, messy hair that stopped just under her ears. I leaned into him and whispered so Cora wouldn’t hear me. "She’s been like this since she woke up."

"Has she said anything?"

I shook my head. I didn’t want to feel paranoid, but I didn’t like John's genuine concern in his voice. We hardly knew this girl and he cared more about her welfare than most people he grew up on the ark with.

John took a few steps forward. "Cora, I think you should come back with us."

Cora scoffed, "No thanks. I’ll take my chances in the cave."

"Bellamy’s been looking for you."

Finally, lifting her head, Cora looked up at us with a wide-eyed expression. "You spoke to him?"

"No," John let out a sound of frustration. "I spoke with Abby, and she told me he was asking you before meeting some spy from ice nation."

"Fine," Cora stood. "We should go before it gets dark."

John looked disappointed. I wasn’t sure if it was because Cora was leaving with us, or how her face lit up when he mentioned Bellamy.

Notes: I love Emori as a character, and hate that I’m dragging her into a love triangle. But never fear, I’m going to write her an alternative happy ending

[magnetictapedatastorage]

Americans have been saying for a year they want to get back to normal. Tragically, they're getting their wish.

With the gradual return to public places comes a specter the country was all too willing to set aside as it grappled with a pandemic capable of killing thousands of Americans a day. Mass shootings are starting to make headlines again, and though their return is most unwelcome, they've proved to be an inextricable part of life in the United States.

The latest mass killing left 10 dead at a grocery store. For the past 12 months, Americans have been vigilant in grocery stores to avoid contagion. Monday's slayings in Boulder, Colorado, reminded them that even with pandemic hope on the horizon, they should remain vigilant for a different reason.

This is a hard thing to read, but important. Full text under the cut.

CNN | 3/24/2021 | Listen Analysis: Mass shootings signal a dubious 'back to normal' in America Analysis By Eliott C. McLaughlin, CNN

Updated: Wed, 24 Mar 2021 00:21:23 GMT

Source: CNN

Americans have been saying for a year they want to get back to normal. Tragically, they're getting their wish.

With the gradual return to public places comes a specter the country was all too willing to set aside as it grappled with a pandemic capable of killing thousands of Americans a day. Mass shootings are starting to make headlines again, and though their return is most unwelcome, they've proved to be an inextricable part of life in the United States.

The latest mass killing left 10 dead at a grocery store. For the past 12 months, Americans have been vigilant in grocery stores to avoid contagion. Monday's slayings in Boulder, Colorado, reminded them that even with pandemic hope on the horizon, they should remain vigilant for a different reason.

Americans shouldn't have to fret about dying in a supermarket, or at a spa, or anywhere for that matter. Catching a bullet should be far from their minds, but with a return to American normalcy comes the reality that anyone could die for nothing, just about everywhere.

Seven mass shootings in seven days

Just as the country is conquering a new pandemic, an old, familiar epidemic makes its return. The last week has been a harbinger of what "back to normal" means for the US.

The most recent string of senseless gun violence began March 16 when a shooter killed eight people at three Atlanta spas. The next day, a drive-by in Stockton, California, injured five people who'd gathered for a vigil.

Four people were hospitalized Thursday after a shooting in Gresham, Oregon. On Saturday, a pair of shootings at clubs in Dallas and Houston left a young woman dead and 12 people injured. Shortly thereafter, a shooter opened fire at what Philadelphia police termed an illegal party, killing one man and injuring five more.

Now, Boulder makes seven in seven days. When the gunfire at King Soopers stopped, 10 lay dead, including hero officer Eric Talley, the first policeman on the scene. His wife and seven children will pay an astronomical debt for their dad's bravery.

"Flags that have barely been raised back to full mast after the tragic shooting in Atlanta that claimed eight lives and now the tragedy here, close to home, at a grocery store that could be any of our neighborhood grocery stores," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said Tuesday.

The King Soopers location where the melee unfolded is one of about 1,000 providers in Colorado working to repel the killer Covid-19.

Steven McHugh's son-in-law had queued for a dose of vaccine, like more than a million other Coloradoans. He was third in line, and his daughters chatted with their grandmother on the phone as he waited, McHugh said.

When the gunfire erupted, a bullet found its way to the woman at the front of the line. Her fate is unclear, as is much about Monday's shooting. Authorities haven't divulged a motive, but history tells us it won't make sense.

McHugh's son-in-law fled with the girls -- one in seventh grade, the other in eighth -- to an upstairs staffing area above the pharmacy and hid in a closet. Dozens more shots rang out, McHugh said, citing his son-in-law.

It was "extraordinarily terrifying," the grandfather told CNN, "and of course the little one's saying, 'The coats weren't long enough to hide our feet,' as they were standing behind the coats in the closet."

'A normal we can no longer afford'

The US government doesn't have a centralized database to track mass shootings, but anecdotal accounts indicate they were down during the pandemic as Americans were encouraged to stay home and many of their favorite gathering places were shut down.

Former President Barack Obama called for action Tuesday, expressing disbelief that only Covid-19 could quell the gun violence the country has long endured.

"A once-in-a-century pandemic cannot be the only thing that slows mass shootings in this country," he said. "We shouldn't have to choose between one type of tragedy and another. It's time for leaders everywhere to listen to the American people when they say enough is enough -- because this is a normal we can no longer afford."

For the mass shootings that did unfold amid the pandemic, their locations were frighteningly familiar: a Buffalo, Minnesota, health clinic; a bowling alley in Rockford, Illinois; a Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, mall; parties in Rochester, New York, and Washington, DC; and a brewery in Milwaukee where, authorities would learn later, the gunman had been employed.

Gun violence is not a uniquely American phenomenon, but part of the rich American tapestry are threads of evil and violence: people (almost always men) who use weapons (often firearms) to snuff out innocents. Sometimes they're mentally ill, but more often they're just angry or vicious.

Their reasoning -- when it's attainable -- fails to provide closure. Outrage invariably erupts after each massacre. One side demands stronger gun laws. They're labeled un-American. Their opponents tout the Second Amendment. They're labeled callous. A stalemate ensues until the next killing, then repeat.

Within an hour of the Boulder killings, the National Rifle Association tweeted the Second Amendment. It later retweeted it. Nothing more.

It should surprise no one that a special interest group champions the Second Amendment. The amendment is a promise to every American, but 15 years prior to its ratification, the Declaration of Independence brought other promises of rights deemed "unalienable."

The full guarantees of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" will never be achieved by Officer Talley, Tralona Bartkowiak, Suzanne Fountain, Teri Leiker, Kevin Mahoney, Lynn Murray, Rikki Olds, Neven Stanisic, Denny Strong, Jody Waters -- or any of the thousands of victims who fell before Monday in Boulder.

'Part of the American experience'

In all likelihood, another person died by a gun while you were reading this. Despite the media's breathless focus on mass shootings, gun violence takes myriad and frequent forms.

According to numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the country saw 14,414 homicides in 2019 -- about one every 36 minutes -- while another 23,941 souls fatally turned guns on themselves -- roughly once every 22 minutes.

In his statement, Obama called out other scapegoats: disaffection, misogyny, hate. The United States has monopolies on none of these, though it has special brands that can be pernicious.

Sandy Phillips, who co-founded the organization Survivors Empowered to console and guide survivors of gun violence, pointed to the victims who suffer in silence, because the killings of their loved ones are seemingly not important enough for the newspapers or the nightly news.

Doubt her? Google the details about last week's shooting in Stockton, California, one of the most racially diverse cities in the nation.

"We have mass shootings in slow motion every day in this country, in other neighborhoods that never get the press, that never get the opportunity to speak out about what's happening in their communities -- and we need to change that," Phillips, who lost her 24-year-old daughter Jessica Ghawi in 2012 to gun violence in Aurora, Colorado, told CNN.

Those neighborhoods often belong to minorities, who have had a particularly rough time of the pandemic as well. It's another crushing American axiom that society's ills tend to home in on people of color, and those victims must yell so much louder to be heard.

There will be much yelling in coming days, perhaps weeks. Obama is right when he said Americans possess the ability to "make it harder for those with hate in their hearts to buy weapons of war. We can overcome opposition by cowardly politicians and the pressure of a gun lobby that opposes any limit on the ability of anyone to assemble an arsenal."

The margins are thin, though, and the complexity of that American tapestry will be on display. A Gallup poll from late last year showed 42% of Americans had guns in their homes, a number that's risen since 2019. Another Gallup query indicated 57% of Americans want stricter gun laws, a percentage that's on the decline.

Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said "absolutely nothing" will stop the country's return to pre-pandemic mass violence if lawmakers refuse to curb access to the weaponry.

"This has become part of the American experience, and let's not forget: It's completely unique to us," he told CNN. "There's not another similar country on Earth that experiences the same number, the frequency of mass shootings as we do, and it is directly attributable to the profusion and the availability of guns, particularly high-powered assault-style weapons and how easily pretty much anyone can acquire them here in this country."