#Reuben Architecture

[manmishra]

🚀💻 BREAKING: Nvidia’s AI Ultra Chip is coming! 🤯🔥 With Reuben Architecture, this next-gen chip will make AI computing ⚙️💡 faster, smarter & more powerful! 🤖⚡ 💊🏥 Healthcare: Faster diagnosis & drug discovery 💉🧠 🚗🚦 Self-driving cars: Real-time decision making 🏎️🔋 💰📊 Finance: Accurate predictions 💹📈 🎮🕹️ Gaming: Ultra-realistic graphics 🎨👾 But can Nvidia stay ahead of AMD, Intel, Google & Microsoft? 🤔💡 👉 Read more! 📖🔍 #NvidiaAI #FutureOfAI #TechNews #AIUltraChip 🚀💻

[girlactionfigure]

Druze and Judaism, a thread 🧵(remastered)

🟥The Druze venerate many Jewish figures as sages, including Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Reuben, Benjamin, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel... Solomon and Jethro are highlighted as manifestations of the Universal Mind.

🟥 The Hexagram or six pointed star is very significant to Druze as well, and is often portrayed in books of Exegesis. It is understood as the Seal of Solomon, but also for its pre-Judaic ancient symbolism, as a symbol of the Union of Opposites.

🟥Druze shrines in Carmel and Galilee echo the ancient Jewish shrine tradition, i.e. natural stone mound. Some are architecturally Jewish tombs, with descending staircases into caves.  A Sheikh's striped cloak and the multicolored flag are said to resemble the coat of Joseph.

🟥Esoteric Judaism, or Kabballah, is most similar to Druze esotericism. Especially in its Neoplatonism, Gematria, Belief in Reincarnation(gilgul), Ein Sof. The Hasidic sect also stresses on Ascetism. Their highest soul Yechidah is akin to Tawheed. Batin Al Batin, their Chassidut.

🟥Druze and Jews have lived relatively harmoniously with circumstantial conflicts like the Safed Rebellion being exceptions.  Jews in Druze areas were among the nobles in Prince Fakhreddin's entourage. Their Synagogues thrived in Bhamdoun and Aleyh without persecution.

🟥 Jewish communities in Deir al Qamar and Barouk were also rich land owners.  The "blood bond" between Jews and Druze of Israel is one of the strongest the Druze have done with any another sect. Has been strong for 80 years. Agreed to regardless if one is Zionist or not.

🟥 Druze Sheikh Daoud Bessis who was imprisoned with the British Army while fighting the Nazis and sent to Germany, would smuggle food to Jewish prisoners during the Holocaust with his fellow Druze Prisoners.

🟥 During the recent Anti-Jewish pogroms in Amsterdam. A Druze man tried his best to save the Jews and conceal them from their pursuers. Highlighting the willingness of both communities to protect each other.

🟥 Druze have no occupied territory in Israel, or any encroached on Holy Land or Site. Therefore enmity to the Jews is not justified except on Islamist grounds or leftist brainwashing. Israeli Druze are much better off socially and economically than their peers in Arab countries

🟥 Druze ultimately derive their idea of the Messiah from the Jews and also the Messianic Era. Psalm 37's "The meek will inherit the Earth". Therefore they've avoided belief in Heaven and Hell and Rapture, and taken a reward/punishment in this realm approach, similar to Jews.

🟥 Druze Founder Imam Hamza Ibn Ali, had written in the Epistle to the Israelites, that 2 and a half of the 12 Jewish tribes(Asbat Al Haq) had accepted the Druze faith. This explains the genetic similarity, as Druze tend to cluster next to Ashkenazi and Persian/Kurdish Jews.

🟥 The Return of the Jews is foretold in Druze Scripture as one of the first signs of the end times. Druze 15th century scholar Al Amir Al Sayyed Al Tanukhi expounds that ownership would return to the children of Israel. Thus the creation of Israel lies within Druze Prophecy.

🟥 In the Druze description of Judgment Day in the Epistles of Wisdom, it is said the Druze Five Bound Army will be joined by the lost tribes of Israel. The named tribes are the "Pure of Al Benjamin and Al Naphtali". 

🟥 Druze grievances with the State of Israel are bureaucratic, such as the Kaminitz law in civil development, or the nation state law which lacks a Druze exception. Which we hope are settled. Unlike with other central states, like Lebanon & Syria where grievances are existential.

🟥 The current violent tapestry of the Middle East presents Druze and Jews as natural allies. With Political Armed Islam being the common enemy of both. To come out of manufactured Arabist identity, is to embrace the tribal nature of the Middle East. And the need to save oneself

Druze Founder Baha'ldeen Al Muqtana** 

Link

[tikkunolamresistance]

The Sassoons reveals the fascinating story of a remarkable Jewish family, following four generations from Iraq to India, China, and England through a rich selection of works collected by family members over time

Esther scroll of Reuben Sassoon. Baghdad, mid-nineteenth century. Paint on parchment with silver handle; scroll, 41/8 in. (10.5 cm); with handle 7 7/8 in. (20 cm). Weitzman Family Collection. Formerly in the Sassoon Family Collection

The exhibition highlights the Sassoon family’s pioneering role in trade, art collecting, architectural patronage, and civic engagement from the early 19th century through World War II through over 120 works—paintings, decorative arts, illuminated manuscripts, and Judaica—amassed by family members and borrowed from numerous private and public collections. Highlights include Hebrew manuscripts from as early as the 12th century, many lavishly decorated; Chinese art and ivory carvings; rare Jewish ceremonial art; Western masterpieces including paintings by Thomas Gainsborough, and Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, and magnificent portraits by John Singer Sargent of various Sassoon family members. The Sassoons explores themes such as discrimination, diaspora, colonialism, global trade, and war that not only shaped the history of the family but continue to define our world today. 

Organized by Claudia Nahson, Morris and Eva Feld Senior Curator at the Jewish Museum, New York, and Esther da Costa Meyer, Professor Emerita at Princeton University. Exhibition design by Leslie Gill and Adam Johnston, Leslie Gill Architect; graphic design by Miko McGinty.

The Sassoons is made possible by The Achelis and Bodman Foundation; The David Berg Foundation; The Starr Foundation; the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation; the National Endowment for the Arts; Barbara Tober, The Acronym Fund; The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation; David Keidan; the Oded Halahmy Foundation for the Arts; The Nancy Sidewater Foundation; Sharon Wolfe and Meir Rotenberg; Dr. Harriette Kaley; and Christopher Tsai and André Stockamp. Additional support is provided by the Horace W. Goldsmith Exhibitions Endowment Fund; The Joan Rosenbaum Exhibitions Endowment; and The Centennial Fund. The publication is made possible, in part, by the Dorot Foundation, Denise Littlefield Sobel, the Arthur F. and Alice E. Adams Charitable Foundation, and the Barr Ferree Publication Fund at Princeton University.  Digital guide supported by Bloomberg Connects.

[froggychair05]

Hi hello I believe it’s time I talk about the idea that’s been plaguing me for nearly a week :D

Jesskas Bakery AU! Here’s a little comic I drew.

This is going to be kind of a long post.

So! Some general info:

- Jesse lives in an apartment with Axel and Olivia, his best friends since childhood

- He works construction jobs and stuff and he’s always a little messy from it, but he loves what he does

- He’s still getting over the loss of Reuben (piggy best friend since childhood), but he’s generally pretty cheerful despite that

- He’s a bit of a scatterbrained silly goober but he means well

- He has a major sweet tooth but he can’t bake at all. He’s pretty good at cooking, though.

- Lukas works at a bakery— they’re super short-staffed (it’s just him and two others) so sometimes he’s running the counter and sometimes he’s doing the baking

- He genuinely enjoys the baking aspect of it but he hates having to work customer service

- They’re in danger of going out of business and that’s a major source of stress for Lukas (he’s got a lot going on in his life)

- He lives with Aiden and it’s…not a good living arrangement, but he doesn’t make enough to cover rent alone so he deals with it. His main source of comfort is his cat, Dewey

- He wanted to go into architecture, but he never had the money/opportunity, so he works at the bakery

Here’s a screenshot of my notes for this part because they got sort of long:

I have a bunch more notes about this AU (and a few doodles!) if anyone is interested. I just think they’re neat :)

[nerdcations]

Sleepy Hollow inspired the writings of Emerson, Hawthorne, Thoreau, and even became memorialized in William Ellery Channing’s poem “Sleepy Hollow.” The cemetery also became the final resting place of these authors. Their graves, alongside those of other notable New England authors, including Louisa May Alcott, are located in the area known as Author’s Ridge, a popular destination for tourists wishing to pay homage.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts is a prime example of a 19th century rural New England cemetery. Horace Cleveland, who, along with Frederick Law Olmsted, is credited with the professionalization of landscape architecture, designed the 17-acre core of the cemetery. As with other rural or “garden” cemeteries, Sleepy Hollow’s design elements include gently curving roads adapted to the site’s natural contours and naturalistic plantings. Before its designation as a cemetery, local citizens called the area, a hilly part of the Deacon Reuben Brown farm, “Sleepy Hollow.” Townspeople, including local Transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau and author Nathaniel Hawthorne and his wife Sophia, used Sleepy Hollow as a favorite spot for evening walks.

[sangre]

let's go justice, judgement and the hanged man :D

major arcana headcanon prompts / ask.

POG hi reuben (i pick up Favor and go running like a bullet bill on rainbow road)

judgement – is your muse forgiving of themselves? how about of others who wrong them?

this feels really circumstantial a question to me. habitually, i do think catarina has a tendency to hold grudges if he's slighted in a way that matters. he doesn't trust easily and when that trust is agitated or worse, truly broken, i think it would take a decade before you really earned her forgiveness. but to his credit, i think it's really hard to get to that point? she brushes most things off VERY easily because there is so much going on – it's hard to like... get to that point in the first place, in an interpersonal sense. if someone pisses her off, she'll just smack them on the shoulder really hard or trip them or give them shit rather than like.. hold it against them later. she has Older Brother Habits for sure.

but say, if someone were to really hurt her or upset her (without like... VERY decent justification – because she's not without reason and like a certain fair amount of justification so long as she agrees with it will encourage more of a 'Okay. If you're certain you can make it up to me.' response), yeah, it would take a long time before she knew what to do with the urge to bite their head off. it would take some time.

also, i'm mostly speaking in terms of companionship and people she already cares for rather than like people doing reprehensible things that he only interacts with in passing/as the slayer for a cause. he will lop someone's head off and not look back (in fact he does do this.). Regarding HERSELF!??!?!?! Never forgive yourself disease 9000 years. no it's the same for herself. she has trouble putting down her sense of guilt that comes from... Leaving home, getting infected in the first place, being one of the youngest children and not being sure where her place is, etc. But at least he doesn't sweat the small thangs. 😭

justice – does your muse find it easy to be impartial in emotional situations ?

answered here!

the hanged man – how open is your muse to new opportunities ? do they constantly look for them or do they simply take whatever comes their way ?

at heart, catarina is super open to new experiences. i don't think she would ever deny someone wanting to show her someplace or something new, if she cared for them and they seemed excited. new changes to make money or travel or do something worthwhile, all of those things appeal to him as a traveler and as someone with an interest in storytelling/architecture.

but i don't think he is always seeking them out, as someone who's a bit like... in their own world because of the place he comes from? he's a little more like. looking straight ahead rather than just seeing everything everywhere. and he doesn't really roll with the punches. he's very Choosy with the punches. The Punches should be so lucky if he decides that they're worth his time. ;ALJGKHSDLGSD;FL

[xtruss]

Buried Treasure: Off the coast of Puteoli, Italy, sits the remains of an ancient marble temple (pictured above), belonging once to desert-dwelling merchants who built cities like Petra in Jordan. The city acted as the most important port in the Roman Empire and shows the extent of its reach. Volcanic activity caused it to sink. Photograph Courtesy Ministero Della Cultura

Stonehenge Aglow: Photographer Reuben Wu wanted to show Stonehenge “in a way it had never been seen before.” So he illuminated the site with a strong LED light attached to a drone (Shown above). The hardest part, however, was not the actual photography—it was ensuring the Royal Air Force was OK with the project. Video By Reuben Wu

America’s Oldest Gorest: Wetlands are Precious Ecosystems, where hundreds of species of animals take refuge. Yet only a fraction of North American forests of this tree remain. What tree is it? Photograph By Mac Stone

Michigan's Wild Side: The Upper Peninsula: National Geographic Photographer Michael George explores the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Marquette is a perfect blend of art and natural beauty for those looking for nature and architecture. For the adventurers, Copper Harbor and Isle Royale National Park offer abundant activities, including Mountain Biking, Sea Kayaking, and Hiking. Photograph By Michael George

Hidden Details, Revealed: The Battle of the Bulge was one of the bloodiest fights of WWII, but precise locations of specific events have been hard to identify due to the battlegrounds’ dense forest. That is, until now. Thanks to drone lidar technology, researchers have identified nearly 1,000 new details, including dugout shelters, bomb craters, fox holes, and trenches. (Above, an American airborne division moves through the forest.) Photograph By History Archive, Universal Images Group/Getty Images

[sheltiechicago]

A NEW VIEW OF STONEHENGE

PHOTOGRAPH BY REUBEN WU

[hometoursandotherstuff]

Always been a fan of Art Deco, and this magnificent home in Lemon Grove, California was 3 yrs. in the making. Completed in 1941, the Church Residence showcases the romance and elegance of a bygone era as it perfectly exemplifies streamlined moderne architecture. Not bad at $1.3M. 

Entering, those aren’t columns, they’re curved walls. 

Okay, it’s been refurbished and preserved, and it’s very white. BUT...I look at it like this- if you’re a millionaire and have the money to buy it, it’s a blank canvas ready to decorate. LOOK at those classic curves!

Sleek black floors. In my vision, some of these walls are screaming for Flamingo Pink. 

The kitchen remodel is unremarkable, and too angular, but I do love that triangular cutout. Notice the door w/the classic round window. 

Curved wall in the master. 

And, check out the colors of this original en suite. The bathrooms alone, in this house, are worth the price.

Will you look at these beauties? 

Pristine exterior has curved glass windows, and look at the railing on the roof.

Beautiful awning over the porch in back. 

Check out the view from the roof top deck. 

I hope whoever buys this beauty, makes her fabulous.

https://www.agentsofarch.com/home/the-walter-church-residence-by-builder-reuben-c-haas-lemon-grove-san-diego?fbclid=IwAR3nRntsJCiTVwY912xXVcB666QcR8BTtqHgzA_hhp_afhsgy83e6FcA5lQ

[bridogradiliste]

Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Facility in Nevada, USA. Photo by Reuben Wu.

[tinybibmpreg]

prompt fill 6/80, #14 - Am I scaring you? ft. Reuben, Elvira, and Viveen. Finally I post something with Reuben after months of promising him lol. Decided in this that he gets not one, but Two demon children. Elvira is thrilled.

Edgar: Reflections

“Am I scaring you?” her stepson whispered, the room around them distorting into a blank, shadowy void. The darkness seemed to come alive, engulfing them in cold. There were lights at the edge of her vision Elvira was certain weren’t actually there at all, and a distinct iron smell filled the air. Blood, though there was none in sight. A chill went down her spine.

She tilted his head up and leaned down to kiss his forehead. “You could never frighten me, little one.”

In an instant, the den was back to normal, lit up by the fireplace and basked in its warmth. Everything was in its place. Viveen smiled up at her and reached for her hand, his tail waving back and forth behind him. Elvira took it and he asked, “Can we go where Papa is, Mum?”

“Of course, darling. Lead the way.”

Humming to himself, Viveen led her through the estate. Shadows darkened as they passed. The flames on candles dimmed to a deep red, and the chandelier in the main entryway even seemed to take on a ghastly glow as they walked underneath it. Pictures seemed to watch them as they passed. Mirrors showed dark reflections.

It was all nightmarishly beautiful. Elvira smiled as a full-length mirror took in Viveen’s whole reflection and promptly cracked. Viveen glanced at it and then up at her, nervous. His humming stopped and his tail dropped. He beamed again when she smirked, amused instead of upset. Squeezing her hand, he picked up his pace and sang quietly to himself, “Ring around the rosie-”

Elvira hummed along with him, swinging his arm. Sure, the nursery rhyme wasn’t truly about the black plague, but it suited Viveen so well, singing so cheerily about morbid things.

Viveen brought her to the library. Sitting on a loveseat, buried in a book, was Reuben. Elvira couldn’t help but smile at the sight of her husband, greying hair an unkempt mess, in a patchy old sweater vest she couldn’t convince him to part with, his cracked reading glasses almost slipping off of his nose as he held a book far too close to his face. Viveen let go of her hand to run to his father. “Papa!”

Reuben had barely any time to react before Viveen was practically jumping onto his lap. The book clattered to the ground. Her husband’s expression was one of shock until he realized who was hugging him. He beamed and wrapped his arms around the boy. “Whoa! Careful, Viv, I’m not as tough as your brother or his girl. These old bones aren’t built for your cuddle attacks.” Viveen giggled as his father squeezed him tight and gave him a kiss on the cheek, his tail lashing in excitement.

After letting the two of them settle down a notch, Elvira took a seat beside them, leaning over to retrieve the book. Reuben freed one arm to grab the old novel, giving her a crooked smile of thanks, one that matched his now very crooked glasses that were one nudge from falling off his face. She adjusted them for him.

“Oh! Thank you, Love.” He leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek as well. Viveen laughed as he was tilted along, clinging to his father’s shirt. “Now I read better! Would you like me to read to you, Viv?”

“Can you read to me and Mum, Papa?”

“Of course! Would you like to stay for the story, Dear?”

Elvira smiled and put her hands in her lap. “I would love to hear you read, Darling. What will you be reading?”

“I think this book about architecture might be a bit… not very fun to read. I was trying to get ideas for a new project. Why don’t you go get a book we’ll all like, Viv?”

“I’ll grab a fairytale book!” Viveen hurried to go find a book from the shelves. He passed a reflective trinket on his way and the little glass pyramid on a shelf split in two. Seeing him all excited to be read a story made Elvira very glad to have a young child back in the house. Though they had a few young grandchildren, their children’s visits were too few and far between for Elvira. Ever since Viveen had come to live with them, it’d been wonderful, bringing back so many memories of when her children with Reuben were his age. His curiosity and wonder over everything livened up the home, and it was lovely to see her husband interacting with the boy, to see how happy it made Reuben having Viveen around.

Reuben set down the architectural studies book he’d been reading and watched as Viveen searched for a book.

“Isn’t it nice to have another little one around?” Elvira asked her husband.

“Hm? Ah-” Reuben turned to face her, processing her question a bit late. “It really is. I’m glad Viveen is so happy here. I was worried when Lucy first brought him home…”

Their granddaughter had been the one to find Viveen and bring him to the family home, something Elvira was very thankful for. The adjustment had been difficult at first, with Viveen’s upbringing as a demonic prince of sorts by a group Elvira couldn’t help but refer to as a cult after what Lucy had described, and Reuben being forced to admit he had lied to the family and kept giving birth to Viveen a secret. Though he’d been worshipped, Viveen hadn’t been treated particularly well by his former caretakers, and it had been quite obvious in how Viveen acted the first few months he’d been home.

A difficult adjustment, but an adjustment that had been made. Reuben had opened up and admitted everything to her, explained his reasonings and fears. And Viveen had slowly adapted to a loving family life and was getting the hang of being a slightly supernatural normal child.

His half demonic heritage, however, fit right in with the family aesthetic. As bubbly and bright as Rueben was, all of their children had an affinity for the dark and occult, and Viveen was no exception even if he wasn’t Elvira’s biological child.

With his dark hair and thin face, though, he looked rather like his stepmother. Elvira had lost track of the number of times someone had remarked that Viveen looked just like her. His naturally black fingernails had led their neighbors to ask them if Viveen painted his nails to look even more like his mother, and Viveen had looked so happy to be matching that she hadn’t switched to another color since.

Viveen came over, holding a large, old book. “I found stories!”

“Oh! Grimm’s, an excellent choice. Do you have a story in mind?”

“The one where the boy wants to learn to be scared!”

Reuben took the book and checked the table of contents for the page number, then started flipping to that page. Viveen settled back in between them, eager for the story. “You really like this one, don’t you?”

“I like that he isn’t scared of the ghosts!”

Reuben chuckled, reaching to ruffle Viveen’s hair. “Ready for the story?”

Viveen nodded and curled up against his father. Elvira scooted closer so she could lean in as well.

Reuben started the story, and by the end of it, Viveen, who had started off so excited, was starting to doze off, comfortably snuggled against his father. He had his head over Reuben’s belly and was clinging to his vest. Elvira rubbed the boy’s back until she was certain he was falling asleep.

Then she said in a quiet voice, “It looks like you're stuck, Dearest.”

Reuben gave her a lopsided smile. “He's been trapping me like this all week,” he told her. “He seems to think my stomach is a pillow.”

“It is nice and soft, Darling.” She reached over and patted his belly, careful not to disturb Viveen.

Her husband huffed. “Oh, I guess I’ve gotten soft over the years.”

“It’s a lovely look for you,” she assured him. “You were always such a cuddle bug, it’s only fitting that you’re in the best shape for it.”

He laughed, which woke up Viveen. The boy blinked slowly, lifting his head and yawning. “Oops! Sorry, Viv. Papa didn’t mean to wake you,” Reuben apologized. He gave his son a squeeze and asked, “You ready for a proper nap, Viv?”

Viveen nodded, rubbing his eyes. Reuben coaxed him up and took his hand. Viveen’s tail was limp behind him, dragging as it did whenever he was tired.

Elvira stood and took the boy’s other hand. “Did you enjoy the story, little one?”

“Mhmm. I didn’t hear it all, though.”

“I can read it again once you wake up!” Reuben promised.

Viveen’s tail picked up a bit at that. Then he tilted his head and asked them, “Do you think the baby liked the story too?”

Reuben gave her a confused look. Unsure if Viveen was just too tired or had perhaps dreamed something, Elvira asked him, “What baby, darling?”

Viveen gave her an odd look. “The baby in Papa’s tummy.”

“But… I’m not…?” Reuben thought for a moment. “I certainly haven’t lost any time again. And I can’t be…”

“The baby like me!” Viveen insisted. “It’s like me. I can tell.”

“Reuben…”

He looked nervous. “I, ah, really don’t remember losing time. Surely you would have noticed, El? Are you sure, Viv? Has Papa gone missing again?”

“Yes!” Viveen answered, which Reuben didn’t look thrilled at all to hear. “It was a while ago! When Lucy called Mum and talked about a sighting spot she was going to and I wasn’t supposed to listen.”

That had been over a month ago. At least five or six weeks. “Yes, I remember that call. But I saw your father that morning and evening.”

“I wanted to play with Papa, but he was gone. And he came home before dinner and we sat in the garden until Papa could see me again.”

“I… don’t remember that. When was that?”

“In the middle of June,” Elvira answered.

“Oh. Too early to tell without a test. I guess I’ll have to go get one…” Reuben looked quite frazzled at the knowledge that yet again he’d been chosen to carry a half-demon child. “Well! That’ll be something to think about later! Come on, Viv, let’s get you to bed.”

They brought Viveen to his bedroom and Reuben tucked him in bed and gave him a kiss on the forehead. After shutting off his lamp and closing his door, Reuben leaned against the wall, stress evident on his face.

Even though her husband was shocked, Elvira couldn’t help but smile and ask, “Won’t it be wonderful to have a baby in the house again?”

“Ah… Y-yeah, it will be, huh?” Reuben calmed down, wrapping his arms around his belly. “I did love when our kids were so little. And I didn’t really get to spend much time with Viv when he was tiny before I left him with Shane and Sara.”

“I wonder when Viveen got his powers.”

“We’re not going to be able to have any mirrors or glass in the house,” Reuben groaned. “Viveen still shatters everything if he’s too happy or looks right at it.”

[coeursetcolores]

What I Would Add To/ Change About: Devil May Cry 5

Hello again! Today is March 8th! Two years ago, Devil May Cry 5 was released, over ten years after Devil May Cry 4. Such a long gap caused many to believe that Capcom abandoned the franchise, but to our surprise at the 2018 E3 conference, after years of silence and tentative hope brought by a picture of Reuben Langdon and Johnny Yong Bosch in mocap gear, the day we dreamed of happened: DMC was back!

Now here’s the million dollar question: Did Devil May Cry 5 live up to it’s fans’ expectations after all those years?

I’m pleased to say, YES!

To the whole collective fandom, this game was totally Smokin’ Sexy Stylish!

To me individually...

Well...

It wasn’t really what I’d thought it’d be.

This is all just my own personal opinion and if you disagree with me, that’s perfectly okay! If you’d like to talk about a point I made, please let me know, but please try to respect my opinion as I respect yours.

Fair warning, I won’t talk about online stuff. I’m not an online gamer, that’s just not me.

Well, with out further ado, let’s get started!

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Like the last time, I’d like to start with the positives before getting to the things I wasn’t 100% on board with.

Combat. It’s DMC, and it’s styling way past any other game that dare challenge it.

The music: Frustration is getting bigger! BANG, BANG, BANG! Pull my Devil Trigger!

NICO. I jut love that crazy chick. And yay! Nero has a friend!

The death screen changes were SO helpful. Giving an option to come back in the middle of a fight saved me so much time! As long as it stuck to in-game currency...

The backgrounds are so detailed, Redgrave City looks amazing! And I was really happy when they brought back that gorgeous gothic architecture for Sparda’s mansion!

Bosses are tough, but not to unfair levels. It really makes you feel awesome when you finally knock that last bit of health out.

I’ll never miss an opportunity to fight Vergil. One for having an opponent that doesn’t tower over you, two for his fights just being great as usual. And after everything he’s done, yeah, it feels good to beat the ever loving crap out of him.

Dante dance. I cannot do it justice.

Lady’s new outfit is so cool!

Patty! Call her back Dante!

MOTORCYCLE! BUZZSAWS!

Dante has officially embraced being a silver fox. I salute him.

LORE!!!!!!

NERO! NERO! NERO! BEST BOY, SPICY SON I LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOU PRECIOUS BLOODTHIRSTY SWEETHEART!

You can see just how much detail went into the game. From the blood tubes staining you to V decomposing, it’s astounding.

Nero got a Devil Trigger! And it’s GORGEOUS! ...I do miss his persona, though...

Seeing all our favorite demon hunters again! I missed these guys!

Okay, but before we get to what I wish they added, I want to say something.

I have a lot of issues with this game, but while I can blame some of that on the writing and design teams, a lot of it is also on me having spent years basically imagining the story that would be perfect for me and probably me only. So a lot of my problems may boil down to the game not matching my imaginary scenario, so take my suggestions with a grain of salt.

Now here are some things that could have possibly made me like the game more.

ADD:

MORE LADY AND TRISH. These women were screwed when it came to the plot and they could have done more, what the heck?! Maybe some scenes where they try to process what happened to them, have them distraught at having been used by Urizen to help him destroy the city and blame themselves. Have Lady blow up at Dante for not warning them about what was really going on, for letting them go in unprepared, let her tell him that the blood of the city is on their hands because he kept his mouth shut. Lady is a huge influence in his life, and I feel like this would really open his eyes to how much he messed up.

As for Trish, she knows better than anyone else that you can really screw up and hurt someone that cares about you. Maybe after everything goes down, she could be the one to encourage everyone that, “Yeah, we messed up big time. But sitting around here hating ourselves isn’t getting anything done. So get up, we’ve got a city to fix.” I feel like this could really show how human she’s gotten from being with Dante and the others. I think it’d make her look more multi-dimensional.

And how come Vergil can get a DLC when he was in the game even less than they were?! The women in these games deserve equal representation, Capcom’s DMC developers!

And as for Vergil, maybe make his deal less ambiguous? I mean, the whole “Is Vergil really redeemed?” debate is really bringing out the worst in people. Like yeah, keep it ambiguous to the characters, it makes sense for Vergil to not show something “weak” like remorse to others, but show it in a way that the player can easily interpret.

Give Vergil some missions to himself where he takes in exactly what he’s done. Have him see Redgrave City, where he was born, devastated, people he may have once known reduced to ashes and know this is all because of him. That just because he wanted to be stronger, he’s destroyed lives, because even if he had no intentions of doing so, the split went against his wishes and left him weak to see a tyrant slaughter countless people without any goal. Have him realize that even if that was unintentional, he still nearly almost ended humanity once before with a sound mind (Temen-ni-gru) so he can’t pretend he’s in the right and that he’s actually probably a disgrace to Sparda’s legacy. Have him run into a sobbing little boy crying that his mother was killed and he lost his brother, maybe in the ruins of the family home. Have Vergil look into a mirror and see Mundus, have him realize that he’s no better than the demon that killed his mother and imprisoned him for years. Have him hallucinate Sparda disowning him for going against everything Sparda believed in. Have him see Eva sadly tell him that she wanted to save him, but seeing what he’s become lament that she lost her life trying to save a monster. And when Dante tells him Nero’s his son, he freezes. He abandoned and maimed his own child, left him for his brother to care for. Dante sees this and doesn’t know what to do? Is Vergil...sorry? Can he take a chance on him this time?

Or leave him an unrepentant jerk that’s just upset he still can’t win and expressly tells Nero he’s only going to cut down the Qliphoth down so he can fight Nero again and because he doesn’t want to give up Yamato.

And for that matter, make V’s goal clearer to the player. Have him expressly state, when he’s by himself with his familiars with no one that he can manipulate around that:

A. He wants to stop Urizen and prevent anymore devastation as atonement for his crimes as Vergil and part of the reason he wants to merge again is that while he does want to fight Dante again, he deserves to die as Vergil or defeat Dante and fix his mistakes by himself, realizing that Dante’s been cleaning up his messes for years. 

B: He wants his power back, his mind got stuck in the human half and he can’t stand how weak it is. Everyone is just a stepping stone for him to be stronger.

Actually have the characters react to the Qliphoth. Seriously, everyone is crazy apathetic to all the death and destruction that they failed to stop. Aren’t they supposed to be the “heroes?” The only character this would make sense for, ironically, the one who actually seems to remember it exists at the end, Nero. Yeah. Remember how he didn’t care about anything but Kyrie in 4? Remember how the developers said he would just walk away after Dante shot the pope if Kyrie wasn’t there? I’m not say he needed to stay apathetic, I’m just saying it doesn’t make sense for him to be the righteous character. 

Have Dante at some point just look out at Redgrave and see that if he had told the others what was going on, maybe this wouldn’t have happened. “...This didn’t have to happen.” Have this weigh on him. He’ll still act goofy, but he realizes that his selfishness can have real consequences. 

Have him realize that he really hurt Nero with what he said and that he used Nero’s trauma and insecurity against him in the heat of the moment and it’s causing a rift between him. When he’s alone, make him privately promise to make it up to him later and actually apologize at some point near the end. Dante should know from his experiences with Vergil that insecurity can lead someone down the wrong path and that if he doesn’t do something he could lose one of the few positive relationships he has.

Have Nico have at least one freak out at everything around her and realize that she might not be as ready for this as she thought. She hasn’t experienced something like this before like the others. Nero comforts her and it makes their friendship grow stronger.

When Nero starts talking about family, he should acknowledge that while he is related to Vergil, they’re not really a family yet until they actually work for it, and that he knows what a real family is like, the ones who adopted him and were there for him (Kyrie’s parents, Credo, Kyrie, Nico, Dante, Lady, Trish, etc.).

Make it clearer that Vergil isn’t forgiven for his crimes, but that they’re willing to give him a chance. His last one.

Alright, now for the overall changes.

CHANGE:

The entire ending. Instead of Dante going down with Vergil, Vergil stops him and tells him that his life is here, with people that haven’t hurt him like he has. Dante tries to protest, says he can’t leave Vergil free to do whatever, but Vergil gives a bittersweet smile and tells him he can’t stop him, but it’s obvious Vergil’s not going to do anything again. When Dante gets desperate and tells Vergil he can’t leave him again, Vergil tells Dante he’ll be back, once he’s cleaned up his own mess for once; he’s the older brother after all. With that, Vergil goes to fix his mistake.

Dante’s left behind by his brother again. Instead of brushing things under the table, Nero is furious with Dante for never telling him the truth about his family. Especially after he was left uncertain about the future and looked to Dante for guidance, Nero feels betrayed. Dante understands and apologizes. Nero’s too upset to accept and tells Dante he needs time to think before he’s ready to talk to him again. Instead of begging Nero to stay and keep a connection he desperately needs, Dante lets him go, realizing that if he wants to fix things, he needs to start learning how to talk about how he actually feels instead of covering things up and unintentionally hurting those he loves.

Vergil destroys the Qliphoth, but doesn’t leave the Underworld. Realizing just how much he’s sinned, starting all the way back to Temen-ni-gru, he resolves to not go back to the human world until he’s made himself one worthy of being a Son of Sparda, finally understanding what that really means. Descending into the Underworld, he won’t leave until he’s eliminated those that would harm the world his brother, father and son protect so hard. This could be the start of his own spin-off series that would focus more on the demon lore in the games and take place entirely in the Underworld with Vergil struggling to be a better person and take responsibility for his own actions. Devil May Cry: Atonement, maybe.

Nero heads back home with Nico but doesn’t read V’s book. Hurt from his betrayal, he puts it in a box and seals it up for Vergil’s maybe return. When Nico starts talking about how Agnus is the reason she’s alive, she also acknowledges that she already has a real father and family that love her and subtly (and stutteringly) implies Nero’s a part of that, cementing that Nero has a family that loves him and is there for him. Nero thanks her  and the two descend into silence for a bit before they start mocking each other and end up laughing before Nico realizes Nero’s crying. When she starts freaking out, he explains that he’s scared he’s still not strong enough to protect them, but before Nico can say anything, the phone rings. Answering it, a voice says, “You don’t have to be.” Looking out front the two see Kyrie and Patty, decked out in hunting gear, a phone in Kyrie’s hand. Smiling at them, she says into it, “We’ll protect each other.” Running out of the van, Nero scoops Kyrie up in a hug. When Patty starts complaining about them ignoring her, Nico pulls her away and tells her not to interrupt. After a bit, the group looks out at the horizon and vow to fight together, not letting themselves fall to the bitterness that led to this mess. Seeing some demons approach and watching his crew get ready, Nero smiles before smirking and gets ready to throw down. “Let’s rock!” Devil May Cry: Forsaken.

Dante looks out over Redgrave from his childhood home, silently miserable. After a while, Lady and Trish come over and try to talk, but he cuts them off with an apology. Fully realizing how his inability to let other people in nearly got them all killed, he encourages them to leave so they don’t end up like that again. Stunned from Dante apologizing, the two are silent. Then Lady angrily asks, “What the hell?! Just how dumb are you?!” She tells him that yeah he really screwed up this time, but they’re not going anywhere! He’s an idiot, but he’s THEIR idiot, and they’re not leaving him alone. They need him and he needs them. Trish tells him that if he has time to mope, he has time to clean up the city. The girls begin to walk back to the city and tell him to hurry up. A genuine smile on his face, Dante looks to his family’s home one more time, sheds some tears and walks away, from his past to his new family. Devil May Cry 6 will pick up on what happens next.

If Resident Evil can have like 50 spin-offs, why can’t DMC?

Alternatively, I’m also open to the suggestion of Vergil being stuck as V for the rest of his life. Karmic punishment at it’s finest.

In all honestly, Vergil was really unnecessary to bring back. Like, just make him DLCs, his whole story is done. It just feels like fanservice and the writers banking on a popular character to bring in sales. I also feel like the game bends itself over backwards to please him (back to life, cheat coded to power, no more nightmares, gets to fight Dante whenever he wants, gets a son who wants his acknowledgement he didn’t have to raise, crimes are basically swept under the rug) while everyone else gets kind of screwed over (Dante has to leave his friends behind, Nero’s abandoned again, Lady and Trish are captured and get no screen time, V’s familiars are gone, millions are dead).

I think Urizen and V should have been their own things: I liked the idea of Urizen being the general of Mundus that attacked Dante’s house (his ACTUAL reason for fighting) and V being Mundus’ son who was abused and bonded with his henchmen who decided to become a devil hunter in vengeance for his mistreatment. I dunno, I feel bad V (who legitimately creeped me out) was just made into a convenient little redemption arc.

Nero’s character arc really should have been something else. I think he should have learned throughout the story to stop caring what others thought about him (a trait that should have been visible in 4 if it was going to be such a big deal in 5) and learn to trust his own strength. He should’ve realized that he doesn’t need to prove anything to Dante, he’s never going to be the same and he should be happy with who he is. Also, wanting Vergil’s acknowledgement doesn’t make sense. He may be his biological father, but literally the only things Nero knows about him is that he ripped his arm off, started the apocalypse, got millions killed, manipulated him and wants to kill the guy who was actually like a dad to him. Biological ties can only count for so much.

Alternatively, his arc could have been about becoming a more compassionate person. Like I said earlier, it’d make sense if he didn’t care about anyone other than Kyrie being in trouble. And remember when he tried to kill an armor he thought had a human in it in 4? Along with the seemingly human Agnus? Have Dante worried Nero might go down the wrong path. Have him tell Nero about Vergil WAY earlier (months after 4) and have Nero worried if he’ll turn out like that. Nero actually had more potential to be dark than Dante, and I feel like that in trying to make him look like a perfect hero in 5, they had to make Dante look worse (keeping secrets, ignoring suffering, etc.).

And instead of “deadweight,” Nero’s berserk button should have been Dante not telling him things. You know, like the Order? The group he worked for that tried to start the apocalypse in secret and nearly got him and his girlfriend killed along with actually killing his older bother? Yeah.

I do not like the hyperrealism. This is purely on me preferring more animesque art styles, but I always felt that not looking like actual humans helped the series’ fantastic elements shine.

Dante’s new outfit is just so...muted. It’s just boring. Dante’s supposed to be flashy, dang it! Give me back the chaps!

Nero’s hair is awful. It just looks terrible on him, I wanted him to have long, pretty hair. They should have just kept his trigger hair all throughout the game.

Also, Dante’s the hunk, give Nero back his soft, pretty boy face!

DON’T GET RID OF DEVIL BRINGER! I hated using the Devil Breakers, who wants breakable weapons in Devil May Cry?! What’s next, reloading ammo?! And if you can come back from being stabbed, shot, electrocuted, impaled, would it kill you to let Nero grow his demon arm back to keep his playstyle easier?! And if you needed a challenge, congratulations! Nero lost his Devil Trigger! WORK WITH THAT! 

Please don’t get rid of Dante. I love Nero, but he can’t do the main protagonist role. This is Dante’s series and he needs to finish it. Sure, give Nero a spin-off or two, but let Dante finish the story; the “Sons of Sparda” storyline was just 3. Not the whole series. Vergil is an important figure in Dante’s story, but he’s not where it ends. Dante. And. Vergil’s. Lives. Do. Not. Revolve. Around. Each. Other. They just liked to fight each other and developed opposing ideals, but their overall goals ultimately didn’t really factor in the other.

The whole Vergil abandonment thing shouldn’t have happened along with his beating Dante obsession, it seriously weakened Vergil’s character. He started out as someone who wanted the power to defend himself and became so deluded that he was ready to disregard any moral limitation to get it and simply fought Dante to amuse himself while never letting it get in the way of his goals. And him blaming Dante and Eva and insisting that Dante had an easier life, while I can understand it, just makes him come across as a spoiled brat throwing a tantrum.

Let V’s familiars kill demons without him. That was just really annoying.

And that’s it. My dreams for Devil May Cry 5 and the reality were two very different things and honestly...I’m afraid I’m growing out of this series. 

I’ll still post some content I want to get out, but I’m not sure I’ll be picking up the next one.

[books-and-glitter]

You literally asked for this directly

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

Should be 69 of those 😚

I hate you so much. You monster. I only expressed that I was surprised and you did this to me. I didn't ask for this.

Nonetheless....

🌻 - there is a bug in the kitchen and I am now too scared to go in there.

🌻 - Harper is trying to protect me but she is frankly useless.

🌻 - it's not like a big bug but it is definitely not small.

🌻 - I saw moth put a flower before each of these and thought it was neat. So I am now doing it.

🌻 - the person who sent me this sends a "Daily dose of disappointment" in a group chat we are in. Except it is not daily. It's whenever she has one.

🌻 - Kool Aid originated in Nebraska.

🌻 - The Omaha zoo has both the largest indoor desert as well as the largest indoor rainforest. The rainforest is my favorite.

🌻 - there is a rope bridge in there though that used to scare me a lot.

🌻 - nebraska also apparently originated the reuben sandwich which is gross.

🌻 - the Ogalala aquifer is the largest underground water supply in the US.

🌻 - the 911 system originated in Lincoln so that's kinda cool.

🌻 - the largest Woolly Mammath fossil is from Nebraska. If I remember correctly it's the one in Morrill Hall. His name is Archie and I will die for him.

🌻 - speaking of Archie, he was found on a farm by chickens. The farmer got confused at why the chickens were pecking at something, went to look, found big bones and called an archeologist.

🌻 - okay the bug is still a problem but I now have you to save me when it shows it's little fucking face again.

🌻 - the word Nebraska comes from the Oto word meaning flat water.

🌻 - hell yeah we going back to nebraska facts. Next is that the goldrod is the state flower. Flower is kinda pretty but the paper color by the same name is stupid.

🌻 - blue agate is the state gem and I vibe with that. Agate is cool as fuck.

🌻 - UNL's weight room is supposedly the largest in the country at 3/4ths of an acre (32.6k sqft)

🌻 - the Nebraska capitol had a 9.8 million budget, came in under budget, was paid for by the time it finished construction.

🌻 - I think the capitol looks weird but I am also desensitized to it but objectively it is really cool.

🌻 - cliff notes was founded in Nebraska.

🌻 - unfortunately when the UNL stadium is seated to capacity it technically becomes the 3rd most populated place in the state..... It's also really loud.... And I hate it.

🌻 - Arbor day comes from Nebraska. Which is cool because trees.

🌻 - the Scotts Bluff National Museum has a section of the oregon trail wagon roadbed that you can hike. The museum itself is also kinda cool so I suggest it if you ever are in the area.

🌻 - I wish to kill you, kathryn.

🌻 - more Nebraska facts I hear you cry! No problem! Nebraska has Car Henge! So if you ever want to get the vibe of Stonehenge except stupid and made of antique cars in a field in the middle of fucking nowhere you're in luck.

🌻 - Runzas are the official state food and I hate it. Runza makes decent chicken strips but Runzas are gross. Yes handover that cabbage meat bread 🤢

🌻 - Nebraska has a navy apparently. I know this but I cant tell you what the fuck they do since we are like the most landlocked state in the country.

🌻 - That one president, Gerald Ford, born in Nebraska. That's kinda neat. (I know nothing else about this man or his presidency except he is the only one not nationally elected.)

🌻 - Fred Astaire, Marlon Brando, and Johnny Carson (I think, or he just went to UNL, the media arts building is named after him) are all from Nebraska.

🌻 - getting sick of nebraska facts? Suffer. Nebraska has more miles of river than any other state, which is weird because we were called the great American desert.

🌻 - apparently the Nebraska state insect is the honeybee!!! 🐝

🌻 - the Niobrara river is apparently really good for canoeing and has like 90 waterfalls.

🌻 - I am running low on nebraska facts.

🌻 - there is a park/reserve just outside Lincoln that has some bison in it. Do not fuck with bison. They will wreck your shit.

🌻 - I don't know if he is still alive but there used to be a bald eagle in the same park that only had one wing. (Actually I think he was missing half of one but still)

🌻 - the cottonwood tree is awful and on a bad year can look like a light snow if too many trees are nearby.

🌻 - the ashfall fossil beds are where you can go to see an active archeology site with the fossils of tons of animals killed by a volcano 12 million years ago.

🌻 - Nebraska has a unicameral. Which is basically instead of a state house and state senate we have one legislative body that is elected on a non-partisan ticket.

🌻 - it is illegal to fish whales in Nebraska. Once again we are completely land locked and there are no whales but.. its still illegal.

🌻 - I am dying here. Kathryn I will punch you.

🌻 - Morrill Hall also has elephant hall which is the main hall right when you pass the entry desk. It has like 15 (?) fossils in it and apparently it's the largest collection of elephant fossils on display.

🌻 - speaking of Morrill Hall, it only displays about 1% of it's collection. The rest is stored at Nebraska Hall nearby.

🌻 - I think the cranes in North Platte are lame.

🌻 - nebraska furniture mart in Omaha is apparently the largest in the country. Which I can believe. I went to the discount part and it was a giant warehouse. I don't know what the actual sale floor is like.

🌻 - cherry county is bigger than Connecticut.

🌻 - O street (highway 6) is the longest straight main street

🌻 - Nebraska has a testicle festival. It's probably exactly what you think it is. Too many fried cow balls is what it is.

🌻 - there is a really cool church between Lincoln and omaha called the Holy Family Shrine. Its got massive arches and is mostly glass. Im not catholic so it's not really a religious thing but a bitch can appreciate some cool architecture.

🌻 - the Hall brothers who made Hallmark (card company) are from Nebraska.

🌻 - UNL's Love library has a Shakespeare Folio. Its in the Special Collections and Archives' vault. I want to see it so bad and one of the archivists told me she would show me it next time they opened the vault but then corona... :(

🌻 - UNL's library also has like 5 million+ physical items in it's collections.

🌻 - the serial killer Charles Starkweather is buried in Wyuka in Lincoln.

🌻 - Kearney, NE is dead center geographically between Boston and San Francisco.

🌻 - 92% of the state is farmland/ranches.

🌻 - if you have made it this far I am sorry.

🌻 - Nearly every fun facts about nebraska page has mentioned that the food stuffs Spam is manufactured in Fremont. So I'll mention out of peer pressure.

🌻 - the bug is still in the kitchen. Kathryn has foresaken me. I may perish in the night.

🌻 - 10 more. There is a roller skating museum in Lincoln. It's at 48th and South streets. Has largest collection of historical roller skates.

🌻 - Larry the Cable Guy I'd from Nebraska and he has recorded narrations for some exhibits in the Lincoln children's zoo. Or he used to it's been awhile.

🌻 - going back to UNL stuffs. Morrill Hall is a pretty cool museum and you should definitely go there. If only to say hi to Archie.

🌻 - the bronze Archie that is outside the museum is currently sporting a fashionable face mask set both over his trunk and his actual mouth.

🌻 - there are a couple dino fossils in that museum and if you step over the barrier and onto the decorative rocks an alarm will go off. And staff will be pissed because now they have to tell at you.

🌻 - said museum also has a lot of cool rocks on the third floor.

🌻 - and the bottom floor has like a hall of nebraska animals where you can hit buttons to listen to animal sounds.

🌻 - aaand a room with a plesiosaur embedded in the floor which is really cool.

🌻 - there is also a cool museum in Nebraska called the SAC. Which is the museum for Strategic Air Command. It has a lot of planes and some stuff from moon missions and air force stuff. When I was little some oil from the big plane in the entrance leaked onto a pillow I had when I was sleeping under it on a trip.

🌻 - nebraska is better than iowa but nebraska kinda sucks too so it's not like it matters truthfully.

🌻 - Nebraska has a lot of weather like giant hailstones and tornadoes but Lincoln doesn't get much because it is in a geographic dent so weather tends to weaken over the city. Which is lame. I want lots of snow.

And there we are folks. 69 fucking facts. 58 of which are about Nebraska purely out of spite. I counted.

I am now off to murder my roommate.

(jk but you should expect to be quizzed)

[talyn-the-warlock]

Talyn's favorite food? - Talyn's favorite gun? - Talyn's favorite destination?

Thanks for your submission, @balance-in-life101! Apologies for not getting to it sooner, I've been super busy.

My favorite food is easy- the reuben sandwich. Extra sauerkraut. I could eat one for every meal ans never get tired of it.

Favorite gun is really hard. In D1, my favorite was my Hung Jury SR4. Ever since Forsaken, though, I've be absolutely in love with my Supremacy sniper rifle!

As for my favorite destination, I'd probably say the Dreadnaught was a favorite. Seeing Hive architecture was all at once scary and really fascinating. Plus, that view of Saturn from inside its rings is to die for.

[stxn-the-mxn]

The Gift Of You || College!Steddie

IT Secret Santa Gift for @maxine-gayfield​

IT Secret Santa Organized by @itfandomprompts​

***

November 11th, 1994

“I just don’t understand why they need to do… this?” Stan furrowed his eyebrows, watching as a boy he recognized from his history class and a girl he had never seen before hung up another garland across the hallway. He acknowledged that the garland was a nice shade of green, and it was pretty to look at, but that didn’t change his opinion on it.

Eddie, who could barely see through his layers upon layers of beanies and scarves, turned to Stan, seeing the contempt in his eyes. He followed Stan’s eyes to the winter garland that draped across the wall, just brushing the top of a doorframe.

“People get excited for Christmas, Stan. It’s bigger than Hannukah, especially here. But that doesn’t mean we can’t cele-” 

“No, no, I don’t care about that. It’s fucking November.” 

“Oh.” Eddie blinked in surprise, as Stan’s hands curled into fists. He was almost shocked at how frustrated Stan was getting. Sure, he knew that Stan often felt left out at Christm- December,

(Eddie had sworn to Stan that he would be inclusive around the holiday season. Stan had told him he didn’t have to do that, but Eddie had smiled sweetly and crossed his fingers over his heart)

but he hadn’t expected Stan to get so annoyed at people hanging up decorations early. Maybe, a thought occurred to him, Stan would be less annoyed if it weren’t just typical Christmas decorations being hung up everywhere. But then again, maybe Stan meant what he said and he was just frustrated that it was only November. 

Let’s hope that Stan avoided any and all shopping malls until December.

“-vember is way too early for holiday decorations. It’s barely been two weeks since Halloween, yknow?” Eddie glanced up at Stan again, his neck hurting a little, due to their difference in height.

Eddie used to complain about his small, 5’5 height in comparison to Stan’s 5’8 height, or anyone else’s height quite regularly, so much so that Stan had once made a comment that their heights were not that different, and Eddie was simply being dramatic. Eddie hadn’t said anything about his height since.

“Stanny, I think you’re being a bit dramatic.” Eddie hummed, a small smirk on his face as he remembered the height conversation, his voice muffled through a scarf that he’d moved to warm up his face more. Stan huffed, but shifted his thoughts away from the decorations, and instead listened to Eddie talk about whatever his mom had sent a letter about this time.

As Eddie spoke, fumbling over his own words as he complained about his overbearing mother, Stan took one last look at the decorations that plagued the college hallway and made a mental note of the date.

November 11th. 44 days until Christmas.

***

November 20th, 1994

“So, you want to celebrate Christmas for the first time, because of Wheezy?” Richie Tozier snorted, eyeing his curly-haired dormmate over the top of his comic book. Richie had not stopped laughing since Stan had slammed open the door and collapsed on his bed, muttering unrecognizable sentences under his breath.

These sentences, as one might come to wonder about them, were very much related to the day Stanley had spent with Eddie. These comments were in no way negative. Stan would never dream of saying anything even remotely harsh to the smaller boy. No, these comments, as anyone who heard them could tell you, were simply muffled confessions of a newly burning adoration.

“Yes, I do. And his name is Eddie, thank you very much.” Stan rolled his eyes at Richie, a common occurrence in their dorm.

Richie, however, was well aware that his name was Wheezy. Not only did he share some classes with the boy, but he slept in close proximity of Stan, and that reminded him of the brunette boy’s name enough. Stanley Uris had a terrible habit of talking in his sleep. 

“Okay, so, you - a Jew - want to celebrate Christmas - a not Jewish holiday - because of some boy that you like?” 

“Yes. Wai- No, I don’t like him!” Stan glared at Richie, who simply shrugged his shoulders in response, the smirk across his face kept hidden behind his comic. Stan, in a moment of defeat, slumped back onto his bed, unaware of the conversation happening across the hallway.

***

“Ben, it’s just not fair! He’s too pretty to be real.” Eddie groaned, his pale skin flustered so much that his freckles were practically hidden. Ben Hanscom, who had been trying his hardest to finish his architectural sketch and not giggle at Eddie’s predicament, gave up and put his pencil down.

“Deal with it, Eddie. Some people are just too pretty.” He mused, eyes drifting to the set of four photobooth pictures pinned to the wall, flaming red hair drawing in his focus.

“But I don’t wanna deal with it!” Eddie whined, shoving his face into his pillow, leaving Ben on the verge of a giggling mess. “Why can’t- why can’t he deal with it, and be- be less pretty?” 

“Well, I don’t think you’d like that, would you?”

“No… I suppose not. Fuck, I hate when you’re right.” Eddie, upon hearing Ben’s triumphant laughter, stuck out his middle finger, frustrated grumbles spilling from his lips. Eddie’s fist met his mattress repeatedly, each impact paired with a sweet, but angrily spoken, comment on Stan.

Ben, figuring he wasn’t going to be having another conversation with Eddie for a while, stood up and walked over to there calendar. It had been a gift from Sonia Kaspbrak, who had no clue how to give suitable presents to her son and had presented him with a calendar with a different health fact each day.

Ben ripped off that day and its fact (blood makes up about 8% of your total body weight) revealing the new fact for the 21st of November.

November 21st, 34 days until Christmas.

***

November 30th, 1994

“Benjamin Peter Hanscom, I am 100%, without a doubt, completely and utterly in love with Stanley Reuben Uris.”

Ben, who had not been expecting Eddie so early, almost knocked poor Beverly off the bed in shock. Bev, who had simply wanted to spend time with her boyfriend, gaped at Eddie, his words coming as a surprise to her.

“Ben, why aren’t you saying anyt- oh, hi, Bev.” Eddie collapsed on his bed, which had become a regular occurrence since Eddie had realised he had any semblance of feelings for Stan. 

Oh, he definitely had feelings for Stan. Stan, who would barely speak up in class, but always had so much to say. Stan, who would always wait for Eddie outside the classes they didn’t share. Stan, who knew Eddie’s order at every nearby restaurant and cafe. Stan, who was a straight-A student, yet would sometimes arrive late to class due to being distracted by a bird.

Stan, who Eddie could talk about for hours. 

Yeah, he absolutely had feelings for Stan.

Looking up, Eddie saw the awkward expressions on Beverly and Ben’s faces and rolled over to face the wall and not them.

“Continue. I’m not watching.”

***

“You’re in love with Wheezy! You’re in love with Wheezy! You’re in love wi-”

“Yes, Richie! We get it, okay? Stan’s in love with Eddie.” Mike placed his hand over Richie’s mouth, only to receive the sensation of Richie’s tongue across his skin. “You, Richie, are disgusting.”

“S-so, Stan, when did you r-realise you liked, or love, him?” He watched as Stan’s cheeks lit up red, a smirk now adorning Bill’s face. “I’m sorry, S-Stan, is love too strong a word f-for you?”

“You guys need to shut up!” Stan cried out, leaving the other three boys in fits of laughter. “Oh, fuck you guys!”

“Cmon, Stan, you know we’re just messing with you, right?” Mike sat beside Stan, patting his back comfortingly, while Bill and Richie continued to laugh. Now, as cruel as it may seem for Bill and Richie to find such humour in Stan’s feelings, they were actually quite happy and proud of their best friend.

“Hey, Rich?” The glasses-clad boy looked over at Stan. “What would- I can’t fucking believe I’m asking you this- What would you do if you thought you’d found your soulmate?”

“Whoa, Stan the Man! You saying that Kaspbrak’s your soulmate?” Mike exclaimed, springing to his feet. Bill and Richie’s eyes widened as Stan fiddled with his fingers.

“Well… yeah. Do I sound insane, or ridiculous or obsessive or-”

“You and Eddie are absolutely soulmates. Just ask him out. If he doesn’t say yes, you can just go out with me.” Richie smiled and tried to pull Stan into an affectionate embrace, trying to keep up a serious facade, Stan slapping his arms away and laughing loudly.

“How do you ask someone out?” Stan asked, earning eye rolls from his three friends.

“W-well, it’s got to be special. And important. Especially to Eddie.” 

Stan wracked his mind for something special and important to Eddie. And of course, things that might actually make Eddie say yes. That, to Stan, meant no disease, no illness, nothing that reminded Eddie of his mother.

“Wait! Stan, Stan, Stan, Stan, Stan!” Richie shook the curly-haired boy by his shoulders, Stan simply rolling his eyes in response.

“Yes, Richard?”

“Didn’t you tell me you wanted to celebrate Christmas because of Eddie?”

Stan, in a moment of realisation and possible brilliance, bolted to the calendar.

“It’s the 30th of November. I have 25 days to give Eddie the best Christmas of his life.”

***

24 Days Until Christmas

“G’morning Stan!” Eddie’s cheerful voice called down the hall, causing Stan to choke on his peppermint latte and almost spill the gingerbread hot chocolate in his hand. As Eddie practically bounded over to Stan, the taller boy took in his appearance. Eddie’s cheeks were flushed red, and the white flakes of snow on his head stood out among his chestnut curls.

He looked utterly adorable and Stan could only just keep himself composed.

“How are you, Eddie?” Stan smiled, not unaware of Richie standing not too far behind Eddie, gesturing crudely at the pair of boys.

“Well, it’s December 1st, and Ben got up early to decorate for Christmas, so I’m in quite a festive mood.” Eddie smiled, remembering the string of red, yellow and green lights that had woken him up.

Stan blushed at the sight of Eddie’s wide smile, and the way his hair bounced as he shook out the snow. The burning sensation tingling through Stan’s hand reminded him of the drink he was still holding.

“Oh! Eddie, I brought you a drink. I remembered you texting me at, like, 2am about how excited you were for a gingerbread hot chocolate, so I thought I’d get you one.” Stan breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn’t stammered or messed up his words.

“Fuck, Stanley, I love you. I can’t believe you remembered!”

Stan froze at Eddie’s words, the dorkiest smile imaginable breaking out across his face. He handed Eddie the cup, laughing softly as he aggressively started drinking it. It was almost gone in a minute, Eddie giggling awkwardly as he realised he’d downed the whole thing.

Stan was yet to tear his eyes away from the small brunette, eyes open wide in pure shock and admiration. His next words barely matched a whisper.

“How could I forget.”

***

18 Days Until Christmas

“Eddie? Really?” Beverly sighed as she watched Eddie shove a bobby pin into the lock. Sure, he could’ve just asked Richie for the key, but as if that dickweed would just hand them over. Especially if he knew why.

Beverly and Ben had boxes stacked to the skies that Eddie had filled with decorations and other surprises he’d bought the past week. He could only hope that Stan would like the surprises too.

Click!

“Fuck yeah!” Eddie swung the door open, only to be met with Richie, Mike and Bill’s scared faces as they huddled together.

“The fuck are you doing here?” Tozier screeched, pushing up his glasses that were slipping off.

“No point in lying now,” Eddie groaned. “I- We were planning on decorating Stan’s dorm. I’ve spent the past week shopping for Hannukah items and simple decorations in Stan’s favourite colours. That’s what we’re doing here.”

Bill and Mike shared a knowing look with Ben and Bev, while Richie let squeaky laughs to escape through his smiling face.

“That’s kinda gay, Kaspbrak!”

“Oh, go suck your boyfriend’s dick, Tozier.”

The two continued to bicker, as Bill and Mike moved to help Ben and Bev unload the boxes. In the time it took for Richie and Eddie to calm themselves down and move on, the other four had already hung up all of the blue and silver decorations, and were in the process of stringing up the little bird-shaped fairy lights Eddie had hunted down for three days.

“Hey! I was meant to hang this all up!” Eddie gasped, genuinely upset.

“Don’t worry, Spaghetti, they left the most important part for you,” Richie said, handing the extremely expensive menorah (which had cost Eddie all his savings. But it was for Stan, so he didn’t care.) over to Eddie, being careful not to drop it.

Eddie placed it carefully on Stan’s desk, making sure it didn’t disrupt the perfect order that Stan kept everything in. Once that was done, Eddie left the room, Bev and Ben not too far behind.

10 minutes later, Stan unlocked the door and gasped in surprise. There was barely an empty area of wall, and usually, this would have upset Stan, but when he took a moment to actually examine the festive explosion, it brought a smile to his face.

Blue, silver and birds.

Three out of four of his favourite things. His fourth favourite thing was Eddie. And there, on his desk, was the most gorgeous menorah he’d ever seen. He was so enchanted by the new item on his desk, he hadn’t noticed Richie reading another comic.

“It’s gorgeous,” Stan spoke, seemingly to himself.

“Yeah, Wheezy did quite a good job,” Richie muttered, almost causing Stan to scream in shock.

“Wh- Eddie did this?” 

“Yeah, who else? Me? Nah, I’ll leave this kind of sappy shit to your tiny boyfriend.”

“He’s not my bo- I don’t care. He did all this for me?”

“Jesus, Stanley, get it through your head. Yes, he did it for you. Now go run to his dorm, sweep him off his feet and fuck for god sake.” Richie sighed, more serious than he’d ever sounded.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

***

10 Days Until Christmas

“No. I’m not hanging Mistletoe in the doorway, Benny. That’s a stupid plan.” Eddie sighed, tossing the leaves behind him. Ben sighed, reaching down to pick up the discarded decoration. 

“But wasn’t that your plan?”

“It was. But that’s so basic. And there’s no consent because of “tradition”, which is stupid and dumb. And it’s a Christmas tradition and I want it to be more… Stan, y’know?”

Ben sighed again, burying his head in his hands. Eddie was truly one of the most frustrating people he’d ever had to deal with, but he loved the boy nonetheless, and all he wanted to do was help his friend get together with the boy he was so clearly in love with.

“Fine, we’re scrapping Mistletoe. What else you got?” Ben queried, staring at Eddie with an inquisitive look. He was quite intrigued to see what Eddie could come up with.

“What if- and I know this sounds stupid- but what if I gave Stan a Hannukah present, but the present was me and I kiss him? Is that stupid?”

Ben stared in shock. Never did he imagine that Eddie Kaspbrak, the resident germaphobe, who sometimes screamed at the slightest breath on him and ran miles away from any cough or sneeze, was thinking of kissing Stan Uris.

Ben couldn’t assume that Eddie hadn’t thought of kissing Stan before, because there was no way he hadn’t. But Eddie was ready to put his thoughts into action. Ben couldn’t help but be proud of him.

“Fuck. Ben, I’m going out. December 25th is too far away.”

Eddie sped out of the room, not giving time for Ben to process his words. When the realisation dawned on him, the smile on his face swelled, and he rushed after Eddie, excited to see what he did.

***

“Stan The Man! You’re gonna kiss Wheezy as a Christmas-Hannukah present? Now that’s a move!” Richie nudged Stan in the shoulder, only receiving a light shove back. Stan was an alarming shade of red, which only made Richie happier.

“Shut the fuck up, Tozier. I’m only doing it cause Mike told me to.”

“No, I didn’t.” 

“Shut the fuck up, Hanlon. I’m not in the mood.” Stan laughed softly, as did Mike and Richie. When the laughter fell to silence, Stan began to mull over his tumbling thoughts. Fuck, was he really going to kiss Eddie? Yes. Yes, he fucking was.

“Hey, guys?” The two boys hummed in response, gazing up at their friend. “What if I… didn’t wait until Christmas?”

Their eyes widened, and so did Richie’s smile.

“Stan my man! That’s what I’m talking about! Sweep the little fucker off his feet and kiss him until he has an asthma attack! Go, you fucknut, and get your man!” Richie headlocked Stan, ruffling his already messy curls.

“I believe in you, Stanley. As Richie said; go get your man!” Mike cheered, clapping him on the back.

“I also said fucknut.” Richie stated through laughs, to which Stan simply rolled his eyes, a smile evident on his face. Stan stood up from his bed and headed for the door, ignoring the cheers and wolf-whistles from his friends.

He swung open the door, only to be met with Eddie’s closed fist, as if he were about to know on the door.

“Eddie!” Stan exclaimed, his voice breaking in surprise.

“Stan! Sorry for almost punching you…” Eddie sighed, dropping his arm to his side, letting it swing awkwardly. “Oh! You’re probably wondering why I’m at… your door and very clearly trying to get in, since I was about to knock… I really am sorry for almost punching you. So uh, basically, I was going to wait until Christmas- sorry, Hannukah- but I couldn’t wait so now I’m here and I’m so sorry for just showing up but I ju-”

Their lips moved perfectly together, their bodies moulding as if they were clay being sculpted into each other. Time seemed to slow as Eddie grabbed Stan’s waist and Stan grabbed Eddie’s face, both pulling each other closer.

“You need to stop apologising,” Stan murmured, drawing Eddie nearer. “Just keep kissing me.”

Mike stood from his viewing position, shutting the door, much to Richie’s frustration. Ben coughed awkwardly and scurried off to his dorm, leaving Eddie and Stan in the empty hallway, their lips still brushing against each other.

“Happy Hannukah, Stan.”

“Merry Christmas, Eddie.”