#Visualisation Strategies

[shamanflavio]

Creation, Manifestation and the Essentials

To achieve optimal manifestation, it’s crucial to understand and harness the power of two interacting forces: the active and the passive. This concept, akin to the dynamic between a husband and wife leading to the birth of a baby, is fundamental in bringing any desire from the realm of thought into physical reality. Manifestation relies on the synergy of these forces—where the passive element…

[isabellehorl]

"A greener Netherlands starts in your own garden." Visual storytelling and concept visualization for the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management following a behavioral study examining what motivates or hinders Dutch residents from making their gardens greener. Working with a multidisciplinary team, several inspiring concepts were developed that align with the findings of this study. It really was a wonderful assignment!

[pitlanepeach]

Radio Silence | Chapter Thirteen

Lando Norris x Amelia Brown (OFC)

Series Masterlist

Summary — Order is everything. Her habits aren’t quirks, they’re survival techniques. And only three people in the world have permission to touch her: Mom, Dad, Fernando.

Then Lando Norris happens.

One moment. One line crossed. No going back.

Warnings — Autistic!OFC, basically no plot just fluff, minor autistic meltdown, they say the words!!!!!

Notes — This is just a little filler chapter to close out the 2020 season. Lots of fluff with some time skips too. The 2021 season will commence in the next chapter!

Want to be added to the taglist? Let me know! — Peach x

2020

The three months after Spa passed in a blur of hard work.

Amelia didn’t think she’d ever get used to the rhythm of a Formula One season; the relentless forward momentum of it all. There were no breaks, not really. Just quiet moments between sessions, late nights in hotel rooms with Lando wrapped around her, and long-haul flights where she could finally catch her breath and run strategy models in her head for fun instead of for work.

Max’s car was improving week after week. The upgrades came thick and fast now that Amelia had full focus on him, refinements to aero flow, marginal gains in brake cooling, a few drastic shifts to weight distribution that she'd pressured the Red Bull engineering team to follow through with despite their hesitation.

Adrian had taken to calling her kid when she got too excited about a breakthrough, but it was always muttered with fondness. 

And Max — Max was still Max.

He grumbled when she got picky with her data visualisation, called her irritant klein zusje when she insisted he sit through every single briefing, but followed her instruction anyway. Trusted her, even when she made calls that felt too risky. Especially then. He didn’t say thank you often, but when he did, it was quiet and sincere. She liked that about him.

And Lando.

She met his family in the weeks after Monza. He brought her to Glastonbury in the middle of a quiet break between races, beaming like he couldn’t wait another second to show her off. His mum was warm and lovely, welcoming Amelia with a hug and homemade cake. His siblings were all so unique, each of them brilliant in their own way, and eager to share their niche passions with her — from horse riding to finance to a surprising obsession with niche European cheeses. She adored them immediately.

It was easy to see where Lando got his unapologetic passion for racing from.

His dad, Adam, took longer to come around. He’d been blindsided by the announcement of their relationship, having found out with the rest of the world during the race coverage. Lando hadn’t told him — hadn’t wanted to risk the disapproval again. And Adam, used to being involved in every step of his son’s life, hadn’t taken kindly to being shut out.

But he came around. Slowly. Quietly. One afternoon in the garden, while Lando was inside, Adam turned to her and said, “I didn’t get it. At first. I was worried about what being with you would mean for his career. But he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. So I owe you an apology.”

Amelia, startled, could only nod.

She didn’t say it aloud — not yet, wasn’t ready to admit it even just to herself — but she was already more than halfway in love with Lando Norris. 

— 

Lando DNF’d in Eifel. 

“They said it was a power unit failure,” he muttered, voice hoarse. “I could feel it going. Every lap, it got worse.”

Amelia nodded, watching him closely. “You did everything right. Everything Will told you to do.”

“That’s the worst part,” he said, eyes lifting to meet hers, tired and frustrated and still raw. “I didn’t mess up. I didn’t make a mistake. I just… there was nothing I could do.”

Amelia reached into her pocket, pulled out the soft, flexible tangle of her stim toy — one of the ones Lando had started calling squiggly guys — and handed it to him.

He took it without question, curling it absently around his fingers. “Thanks, baby.”

She leaned in a little closer now, shoulder brushing his. “You’re allowed to be upset,” she told him. “They have given you a car that is able to score points, but is dramatically unreliable. I would be upset too.” 

He glanced sideways at her, a small, slightly twisted smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. “You always say the perfect thing.”

“No, I don’t,” she said, nudging his knee with hers. “You know I don’t. I’m not good at comfort. I just tell you the truth.” 

Lando twisted the stim in one hand, then reached for hers with the other, tangling their fingers together. “Still think I’m impressive, even when I don’t make it to the chequered flag?”

She blinked at him, pure honesty shining in her eyes. “You’re my favourite driver on the grid.”

It was true. Max was a close second. Lewis next. 

She’d have to work on her rankings in 2021, when Fernando rejoined, but until then, she had it solidly figured out. 

Lando let out a soft laugh, eyes closing as he leaned his head against her shoulder. “God, I’d be a fucking mess without you, baby.”

Amelia smiled, heart thudding steadily behind her ribs. “I know.”

— 

In those three months, Quadrant grew.

It grew fast.

What had started as a fun, half-serious side project between Lando snowballed into something far bigger than anyone could have anticipated. It wasn’t just the occasional livestream anymore. It was a full-blown content collective. A brand. A business. Merch lines. Sponsorships. Contracts. Streaming schedules. Production meetings. More cameras, more followers, more of everything.

Lando was the founder of a company. Not just the face of a project, but the brain behind it too; the one calling the shots, making the pitches, signing off on designs. Sometimes he’d ask for Amelia’s opinion on things; colour-ways, logo placements, YouTube video titles. She’d answer, often unsurely, and he’d just beam at her like she’d solved world hunger, not told him to remove an unnecessary apostrophe from a word. 

It made her feel involved. Not responsible for any of it, but close to it; close to him.

That’s how she met Max Fewtrell, too. Not over a screen, like she might’ve assumed, but in person. A warm blur of a memory from a weekend after the Nürburgring. He’d walked up with a grin, greeted Lando like a brother, and then turned to her with an easy, “You must be Amelia, then.” His tone had been teasing, but not unkind. He didn’t make her feel weird for being quiet or for sticking close to Lando’s side at first. Just accepted it, like that was normal. And eventually, it felt like it was.

She appreciated that.

And she appreciated what Quadrant gave Lando; a space to be silly, expressive, fully himself.

He was clever, of course. Wickedly sharp when he wanted to be. But more than that, he had this charm; this ease that pulled people in. They listened when he talked. They laughed when he made a joke. He had a way of making even the most chaotic moment feel like fun.

He was a natural leader. The members of Quadrant, new and bright-eyed, gravitated around him like he was a planet and they were caught in his orbit, a solar system he never asked for but carried with him anyway.

Sometimes, when he dragged her into the frame during a stream, pulled her gently onto his lap, or handed her his headset so she could talk to Max and the others while he went to grab snacks, she let herself wonder what life would be like if she was more like them. Loud. Unapologetic. Effortlessly funny and open and always ready with something to say.

But then Lando would come back, settle behind her like it was the most natural thing in the world, arms looping around her waist as if to anchor her. The chat would light up with heart emojis and sweet messages, calling them perfect. Yin and yang. A balance. A calm and a chaos that just made sense.

And everything felt right. 

— 

By November, Amelia knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that Max’s 2021 chassis would be championship-worthy.

Not just competitive. Not just "in the mix."

Capable of winning it all.

It was in the data. It was in the simulations. It was in the late-night sessions with Adrian where they fine-tuned wind profiles until dawn crept over Milton Keynes. It was in the way Max trusted her notes, asked her opinion, built his feedback loops around her suggestions.

It was in the silence after a long run on the dyno, where every number lined up just the way she’d imagined they would.

Every week, a new idea implemented.

Every week, something smarter, sleeker, faster.

Red Bull had built fast cars before; but this one felt different. This one was deliberate.

Dangerous.

She hadn’t just contributed to it. She’d helped shape it. Every inch of it.

Her fingerprints were baked into the car’s DNA, and when Max drove it next year, it would be hers, too. In every corner he took flat, in every overtake, in every tenth shaved off in qualifying.

Mercedes would still be strong. She knew that.

But Max would take them toe to toe.

And Amelia would be right there at his side. Building, watching, calculating.

2021 wasn’t just Max’s shot at greatness.

It was hers too.

— 

The season ended on a high. Abu Dhabi, a stunning victory for Max. A sign of what was to come. 

It was the perfect way to close out her time at Red Bull. One final ‘You’re welcome,’ to rub in Christian Horner’s face. 

They celebrated in Monaco, Lando surrounded by his friends and fellow drivers, with Amelia right there beside him. It was relaxed. Unfussy. And for once, she let herself unwind. She hadn’t expected to have as much fun as she did. She thought she’d just be there as Lando’s plus one, a quiet observer in the midst of his chaos. But with him there, the night had felt easy. He made her laugh. He made her feel at home in a crowd she usually would have kept her distance from. She didn’t even mind the noise or the flashing lights of the club, because he was there, and with him, everything felt just safe.

Lando was everywhere; dancing, laughing, talking to everyone, but he always circled back to her, like she was the centre of his world. Every time he found her across the room, usually huddled beside Max, his face lit up with a smile that made her feel warm all over. He pulled her into the dance floor, whispered things in her ear that made her blush, and made sure she had everything she needed. Even when the music was loud and everyone was buzzing, Lando had a way of making her feel like she was the only person in the room.

— 

They were curled together on a sun lounger, tucked under a thin blanket that Lando insisted they didn’t need, even though his nose was a bit pink from the breeze. The Mediterranean shimmered around them in lazy shades of blue, calm and glittering beneath the winter sun.  Amelia could hear the faint clatter of someone, probably Fernando’s kitchen staff, moving around below deck, fixing up some strange version of a Christmas dinner.

For now, though, it was just them. Just warmth, quiet, and the steady beat of Lando’s heart against her ear.

His arm tightened around her waist, his chin resting in the crook of her shoulder. “My rookie year’s over,” he said quietly, the words slipping out like they’d been sitting on his tongue for a while. “Feels weird.” 

Amelia shifted a little, not quite turning to look at him, but enough that he knew she was listening. “Mm.”

“No more Carlos, either,” he added, like he still couldn’t quite believe it. “Zak said Ricciardo will be good, though. Great for the team.”

She hummed again. “I'm sure he will. Max still talks about him a lot.”

Lando huffed a small laugh, but there was an edge of unease to it. “That’s what people say. I just… I dunno.” Amelia waited. He always got there in the end, just took a bit of a winding road to get to the truth. “It’s stupid,” he admitted, eventually. “I know it is. But what if he’s better than me? What if everyone just… forgets me? He’s Daniel Ricciardo. People love him.”

“Lando,” she said, voice flat, like she couldn’t believe he was even entertaining the thought. “You can’t be forgotten. You’re too loud.”

He let out a weak laugh against her shoulder, his day-old facial hair tickling her skin. “You know what I mean, baby.”

“Yeah. I do,” she agreed. “I still think you’re being ridiculous.”

He was quiet for a second. “So you don’t think he’ll overshadow me?”

Amelia tilted her head up, just enough to meet his gaze. “No. He’s very charming, but he won’t overshadow you. McLaren is your team, Lando.”

That made him smile, just a little. “It might become Daniel’s team too.”

She shrugged. “Maybe. He seems fun. Annoyingly extroverted.”

Lando chuckled, the sound soft and fond. “That’s… yeah, that’s pretty accurate.” He was quiet again, but this time the silence didn’t feel heavy. Just thoughtful. His fingers found hers under the blanket, laced them together without saying anything.

“I’ll still be in the paddock. With Max. No more Red Bull team kit for me, so I’ll be able to wear my dresses and skirts and you’ll be able to pick me out of any crowd.” She mentioned. 

“Thank God,” Lando murmured, tugging her closer and pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head. 

She let herself rest against him, her head tucked into the curve of his chest, the rhythm of the sea matching the quiet beat of her thoughts.

Eventually, from below deck, Fernando’s voice called out, “Lunch is served!”

“Race to the stairs?” Lando whispered in her ear.

“I will push you over deck.” She said back. 

He grinned. “Dare you.” 

Amelia rolled her eyes, sat up, and tugged the blanket off both of them. “Come on, annoying,” she said. “I’m hungry. And I’ve never eaten Christmas dinner on a yacht before.” 

Lando grinned and followed her, still barefoot, still completely in awe that this was his life now.

They had decided, sometime in early December, to spend their first Christmas together with Fernando in the Med. No need to pick between their families, no guilt over disappointing one side or the other. It had been a relief, honestly, to have an excuse not to navigate the pressure that came with the holidays; especially given how busy they both had been in the lead-up to the festive season.

Fernando’s yacht was the perfect escape. It was quiet in a way that made it feel like the world had been paused just for them. The gentle hum of the waves lapping against the boat, the soft clinking of glasses, and the warmth of the inside filled with Christmas lights and laughter. It was everything Amelia never knew she needed.

It wasn’t a grand Christmas, with piles of presents and extravagant dinners. It wasn’t anything they’d been accustomed to before, but that was exactly what made it so special. It was simple. Calm. The four of them together, enjoying a slow morning with gingerbread cookies, chatting about nothing in particular while Lando made his usual attempts at mastering the piano that Fernando kept telling him to stop touching. And Melissa was her usual gentle self, all smiles and easy to understand jokes. 

They had a small, carefully set table for lunch. Lando kept teasing Fernando about being the most patient host ever, especially when he’d made them take turns decorating the tree, then reorganising it in a much more “tasteful” way after they'd gotten distracted by the snack table.

Later in the evening, after the meal and after a few glasses of wine, they all settled on the deck. The boat was docked now, and the evening sky was a wash of deep blues and purples, the first stars starting to twinkle. There was a low hum of festive music in the background, something quiet, something that felt fitting for a holiday that wasn’t about extravagance, but about peace. 

Amelia leaned against Lando, his arm draped around her shoulder as he fiddled with his phone, texting back every member of his family who’d reached out throughout the day. She was content, happier than she had been in a long while. She kissed him without thinking and flushed a pretty red when Fernando voiced his unhappiness with a grunt that made Melissa laugh. 

Lando grinned at her. She grinned right back. 

It was their first Christmas as them, but it wouldn’t be the last.

— 

It was the middle of January. The weather outside Lando’s flat in Woking was dreary and they’d spent the morning lounging around; Lando on his couch, flipping through old racing documentaries on Youtube, and Amelia at the kitchen counter, working on her iPad. She had a pile of notes scattered around her, data from the off-season simulations she was reviewing for Max’s upcoming season. The iPad was essential; everything she needed was on there, from the technical reports to the strategies she was working out in her head.

Lando glanced over occasionally, catching little glimpses of her sharp focus, the way her brow furrowed when she was deep in thought. He loved watching her work. 

But then, without warning, the screen on her iPad flickered. Just once, and then the screen went black. 

Amelia’s fingers froze mid-scroll, and Lando didn’t even have to look up to see the tension building in her posture.

“Amelia?” he asked, his voice a little more alert now, noticing the change in her.

She didn’t answer at first, just sat there, staring at the frozen screen, then tapping at the screen with increasing urgency. “Come on. Come on,” she muttered under her breath.

Lando watched for a second longer before standing up and making his way over to her. “Hey. What’s going on?”

Her breath hitched, and Lando’s stomach dropped. He knew the signs of a panic attack when he saw them; he’d witnessed them before, knew how things could escalate quickly. She was already starting to breathe faster, her shoulders hunching up like she was bracing for impact.

“It’s… it’s not working!” Amelia’s voice cracked, and she slammed her hands down onto the table, the iPad still refusing to respond. “It’s all on there, Lando. It’s all on there.”

“Hey, hey,” Lando said, trying to keep his voice steady as he crouched beside her, his hand hovering awkwardly in the air. “Baby, it’s okay, we can fix this.”

“No!” she snapped, and he flinched. Her eyes were wide now, glassy. “I—I can’t… everything’s on there! The reports, the numbers, everything I need to do and now—” She broke off, her voice shaking with frustration. 

And fuck; Lando was lost. He had no idea what to do. He could hear her breath quickening, her frustration bubbling over, and he felt that same tight knot in his chest. He hated seeing her like this. Hated it even more because he didn’t know how to fix it.

“Amelia, baby, hey,” he said, trying to get her attention. She wasn’t looking at him, her eyes locked onto the unresponsive iPad. He took a deep breath, then, in one sudden motion, he’d pulled her off of the stool and into his arms. “Amelia,” he said again, his voice a little more insistent, a little firmer now.

She tensed against him, her whole body stiff and rigid, but he held her tighter, wrapping his arms around her, squeezing with as much strength as he could before he was risking bruising her delicate skin. “We’ll figure it out, alright? We’ll fix it, I promise. You had everything saved to your iCloud, right? It’ll all still be there.”

Amelia let out a shaky breath, but she didn’t pull away. She let herself lean her entire weight on him, her head resting against his chest, still breathing in short, shallow bursts. Lando’s arms were wrapped around her so tight it almost felt like he was afraid she would slip away from him if he didn’t hold on.

“I’m not good at this,” Lando murmured, his voice tight with the weight of his uncertainty. He could feel her shaking in his arms, her body rigid with the aftershocks of the almost-meltdown. “I don’t know what to do when you’re upset. I’m, uh... kind of panicking a bit.”

She let out a little laugh, but it was thin, frail. Still, it was a laugh, and that meant something. The way her shoulders loosened, just a fraction, made him feel like maybe he wasn’t failing her after all.

“Sorry, sorry,” she muttered, her voice muffled against his chest. “I just… I need my iPad.” There was a shaky inhale before she added, quieter, “I didn’t realise it would be this bad.”

Lando felt his heart break a little at the vulnerability in her voice. He had seen Amelia lose her composure before, but this—this was different. “I know,” he said gently, brushing a hand over her hair. “It’s important. Don’t be sorry for being upset.”

She nodded, her breath still coming in uneven waves as she took in a deep, steadying breath, pulling away slightly to look up at him. Her eyes were still wide, but the raw panic that had been there just moments ago seemed to be fading, replaced with something softer. Maybe exhaustion, maybe the quiet relief that came from feeling safe.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her words quiet but full of something deep. Gratitude, yes, but also something else. Lando could see it in the way she lingered on him, the way her gaze held his for a fraction longer than usual.

Lando’s chest tightened, a strange sense of relief flooding through him as he reached out, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of her hand. He wanted to say something—anything—but the words just wouldn’t come. The air between them felt thick with things left unspoken, and for the first time, Lando found himself unsure. Was she ready for this?

He didn’t have long to wonder. She pulled back just enough to look up at him properly, a small, tentative laugh escaping her.

“I— I didn’t realise I was so attached to it until now.” She whispered. “I’m sorry I freaked out.”

“Don’t apologise,” Lando said, shaking his head. “I’m glad I was here to take care of you, and, uh, managed to not make it worse.” 

“Lucky me,” she muttered, the words playful but laced with a softness. She settled back into his arms, fisting her hands in his t-shirt.

“We’ll go get you a new one, yeah?” he said, pressing a soft kiss to her temple. His fingers ran through her hair, his touch gentle as he let her relax against him. “A better one. Newest one they have. I’ll even give you some Quadrant stickers to put on your new case. Maybe that’ll make it worth it.”

Amelia let out a small, quiet laugh, her body warm against his. The tension in her shoulders had melted away.

“I think I love you,” she whispered softly, her words barely above a breath.

Lando froze, a lump in his throat as her words settled between them. For a moment, he was speechless. His heart pounded, and he pulled her closer, if that was even possible.

“Holly shit,” he breathed out, his voice shaky with emotion. His hands cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing over her cheek as he searched her eyes, looking for the truth in them. “Yeah, I love you too, baby. I’m so glad you said it.”

Amelia’s eyes softened, and she pressed her forehead to his, the warmth of their bodies and the shared closeness almost too much to bear. 

Lando let out a shaky laugh, a soft exhale of relief. “I’ve been wanting to say it for a while now,” he admitted quietly. “I just… I didn’t want to mess this up. Pressure you.”

“You didn’t,” she whispered, the words as steady as the way her hands gently cradled his. “You haven’t.”

“I love you.” He said again. 

She leaned up, brushed their noses together and smiled. “I love you too.” 

NEXT CHAPTER

[thinkingaboutevans]

✨️ Porn links F1 edition ✨️

Porn links, mainly Charles leclerc and others drivers i simp for, whit this i visualising better whenever im reading smuts. English is not my first language, so im sorry if i wrote something wrong.

last update: 24 May 2024

C H A R L E S   L E C L E R C

Charles having fun with his little girl | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |

Sub!Charles | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Dom!Charles | 2 |

Charles is obsessed with your boobs | 2 |

Making love | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Charles wants to be a daddy (bre3ding k!nk) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

Eating pussy | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Im a family guy, I love familiar (breeding k1nk) | 3 |

Prema!Charles | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |

Tits job

Supporting Ferrari strategy |

We fight we fuck

Kissies | 2 |

L E W I S H A M I L T O N

Cuming inside

C A R L O S S A I N Z

Size kink | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |

Take your frustrations out on me after a Long Day at work

Breakfast

D A N I E L R I C C I A R D O

Cowgirl |

T O T O W O L F F

like a fine wine better with age

F1

[moondharse]

How to find a name that is you

I just saw another post where someone couldn't find a name that felt like them/'is' them, and since I overcame that after years of struggeling, I need to share how I did it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I cannot find a name that feels like it's me. I find names that I think are cool but they quickly feel wrong after the novelty wears off, sometimes after hours sometimes days."

I feel you. I had the exact same struggle and now I've been with my name for a while and it's probably the one I'll stick with. I did all the same things you did and the names never ended up being 'me' even if they were cool as heck. What helped me was a change in strategy. I asked myself "what purpose does a name serve?" -> describing me in one word and giving people a first impression. And that ended up being where I went wrong. I did find cool names but not my name. Because I ignored myself in the equation.

So what I did was exersices to visualise who I am, like writing all my defining characteristics and hobbies (And who I WANTED to be!) down

and narrowing names down by criteria of what I personally wanted regardless of what name it was. (Like no foreign name, however beautiful they might be, realistically I should pick a name that doesn't make me sound like an anime character, and most noun names because they don't work as well in my native language. English people can call themselves rain and i am jealous.)

But yeah, tldr; find who YOU are first (or who you want to be, ideally both), so you know what you are even trying to name.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(And don't let people stress you into making a decision, I had a placeholder name for years) sorry this is so long but it's a topic close to my heart so I wanted to be thorough.

Learning who you are (especially if you're young/a minor) takes time. So, so much time. And sometimes you just have to be patient and put in the work. Do not stess about it. You don't owe anyone anything. And having a placeholder is also perfectly valid.

[velteris]

reasons why Denken thought he could take Frieren in a fight (lol):

1. Magic is like rock paper scissors because of visualisation. Denken, who is a powerhouse in his own right and just had the misfortune to come across The Frieren, would have been justifiable in thinking that he has a chance at beating any superior opponent. (Frieren herself has lost to weaker mages for the same reason.)

2. Mana concealment. Lugner mentioned that no one among the demons knew how old Frieren was, just that she rose to prominence 80 years ago, and that probably goes doubly for humans. Even if Denken noticed her mana suppression—which he didn’t—it would be reasonable to assume that she’s dwarf-level old, not four digits old. I think he’d have found another way if he knew just how much mana she had. But whatever she was putting off, it was at most “scary” and not “abandon all hope”.

3. Frieren is the famous mage of the Hero Party. Himmel clearly got the lion’s share of the fame, and then there was Heiter, a public figure who had 5x the mana that Frieren displays. Frieren, meanwhile, happily faded into obscurity after the demon king’s defeat. Even knowing the Hero Party stories, and I doubt that fellow mage Denken would have underestimated her achievements the way Aura did, it’s not like she single-handedly did the job. Her capability isn’t that out of the world. (He thinks.)

4. Not really a reason but Denken and co didn’t know who exactly was in the 2nd party until they laid eyes on them. He had a strategy, which was to mooch off the 2nd party’s strategy, and therefore had a higher success rate than blindly stumbling around searching for a Stille. Such a shame that when they finally come face to face it’s with Frieren. At that point even if he’s realised he fucked around and has to find out, better put a good face on it because of 1), visualisation.

anyway Denken took that loss like an absolute champ and then came back with one of the greatest Ws in the series. truly one of the elderly citizens of all time

[sixshotsinatumbllr]

Angels Don't Dance Chapter Ten: Some kind of fundamental paradigm shift in a sparkly leotard, is up!

Read from the first chapter here.

Summary: Crowley is assigned to attend a Bush Doof (underground EDM festival) in Australia. Aziraphale tags along for funsies. In this chapter, Crowley enforces some boundaries. Dagon tries a new strategy. Aziraphale and Crowley continue to avoid talking about feelings in the silliest way possible.

Excerpt (please note this chapter gets spicy):

Crowley raises her hand and the tattooist pauses. She shifts her body around a little, resettles again. Hums assent to the tattooist when she is still again. Tries not to tense around the expectation of pain. She distracts herself, still a little drunk and soft, with thoughts of Aziraphale. 

Crowley’s always been a creature of active imagination, and of course, Aziraphale has always been a constant in that imagination, a point of reference around which Crowley has built her consciousness. She imagines them, nestling as they were in the basket earlier, but in this vision she is crafting, the basket is a nest. In some lush garden somewhere, empty of humans or angelic or infernal beings, other than themselves. Some kind of celestial shrouding is around them, a cocoon of invisibility to others, others that would have opinions about Angel-Demon relations. 

But even Crowley’s imagination, as vivid as it is, fails to be up to the task of visualising her angel, completely naked. It’s just too much, too overwhelming, to hold an image of her, completely bare, in her own mind’s eye. One day, if that day ever comes, she thinks the whole sexual process will grind to a halt the second Crowley sees the angel undress. It will all be over then, she’ll die, she’ll be rendered immovable, incoherent. 

So instead, she indulges herself in imagining little windows into the angel’s body. The soft shadow below an ankle bone, the creases at the back of a heel. The expanse of skin on the underside of her forearm, veins blue against the pale skin. The tops of her thighs, light, pale hairs and the shimmering rivers of stretch marks, iridescent, just below the surface of her skin. The fall of a heavy breast to the side, as she is laid down, areola tightening against itself as a long, black nail skims over it. Hips, round and voluptuous, with soft flesh that begs to be gripped. Dark blonde hair covering her pubis, dripping and slick with want and yearning. 

Her wings would be out, of course. They often are, in these little musings of Crowley’s. 

---

Big thanks as always to my partner @zaizai734 for beta work; and to my crew at @whickberstreetwriters for support and cheerleading, especially @sakascal, @rofell, @playdohangel, and @angie-words who betaed this chapter.

In the next chapter: Crowley and Aziraphale encounter their greatest festival challenge yet: third morning hangovers.

[bekkandaa]

What's your opinion on his Pureblood views / views on muggles?

Oh boy, here we go. This is what I would like to think as a controversial thing, especially considering Riddle as many have different opinions about his views on pure-blood supremacy. However, the way I am analysing Riddle is more looking at his psychological background and so that's how I'll answer this. ( I was quite literally clawing at the bars of my enclosure to not go into a spiel about the politics of it and stay purely psychological.)

Tom Riddle, as a student at Hogwarts, exhibited an attractive persona—talented, polite, charming, and intellectual. Despite his outward charisma and the group of 'friends' he had gathered, it is clear that Riddle harboured no genuine affection for them. Instead, he exploited these individuals, which no doubt shows his want for domination and control of others. This charismatic behaviour is simply a façade, a social mask he uses.

Riddle's public persona can be understood through the lens of pathological narcissism. All humans naturally present a public mask, but for a pathological narcissist, the discrepancy between this mask and the concealed self is honestly stark. Riddle's charming demeanour was used as a strategy to attracted admirers who no doubt fed his own narcissistic needs. This mask is also used to protect his false self from exposure, maintaining his grandiose self-image.

The narcissist's primary goal is to protect and sustain this concocted self-image. This can be visualised as a wheel, where the grandiose false-self is the hub, to which are affixed spokes. These have a specific purpose to protect and sustain the hub of false-self.

Freud's theory on the oral phase highlights the crucial role of the mother in a child's early development, fostering a sense of comfort and dependency to the mother. According to Minderop, parental influence can change the development of the human personality. Looking at these theories, who both stress the importance of parental involvement early in development and how detrimental the lack of it could be, we can attribute Riddle's lack of parental affection and the resulting emotional deprivation significantly contributing to his behaviour and attitudes. These theories support the idea of how Riddle had never seen anyone as an equal, clearly taking advantages of his followers and viewing them as below him.

Riddle's identity and beliefs were deeply intertwined with his blood status. Discovering his ancestry linked to Salazar Slytherin, which would boost his ego and sense of self incredibly, fuelling his delusions on his "idealised parent image." Then came along the revelation of his Muggle father, which shattered his preconceived notions of heritage. This discovery would obviously induce an identity crisis in the boy, igniting a war within him between the person he wants to be and the reality of who he really is. This internal conflict most likely manifested in his actions, such as punishing his father and changing his name. (Riddle's mental breakdown and identity-crisis explained more here.)

Freud states that human behaviour is more influenced by the unconscious mind than the conscious one. The unconscious mind is filled by the human’s painful memories and then tries to protect the conscious mind by hiding them. This can influence someone’s attitude, behaviour and character. For Riddle, the painful memories of his heritage continually resurfaced, despite his unconscious minds attempt to hide them. This is something that is extremely relevant to his views on pure-blood supremacy. He attempts to eradicate his past, such as changing his name to Lord Voldemort and creating Horcruxes show his struggle with his own identity clearly.

(I’m sure we all know what Voldemort actually means. Ironically enough, Riddle was so grandiose ( what a romantic, no really, he was.) as to aim to transcend humanity, (changing his name, horcruxes etc.) that by refusing to accept the inevitably of death, he also practically announces his own humanity to the world.)

Riddle's descent into blood supremacy was fuelled by a combination of person and political factors. There is the abuse he suffered from Muggles, the war he had experienced, the prejudices he encountered in Slytherin, the group of followers he gathers, and his psychopathic tendencies that all contribute to his ideology. ( Riddle cravings of power and the feeling of being in control added onto everything else, honestly makes me think of only one thing; revolution. )

Riddle's appeal to pure-blood ideologies served his ambitions, allowing him to manipulate and control those who would've previously have looked down on him. This pursuit of power mirrors the actions of many world leaders and revolutionaries who sought to reshape the world according to their ideal image. The ideal image is fuelled by internal conflict between his own past and his preconceived ideas.

(This was most likely the intended purpose for his character, as he himself is a malignant narcissist, and many psychiatrists have identified a direct connection between malignant narcissists and evil. Many well-known malignant narcissists are also serial killers and mass murderers.)

Little note I also wanted to add on even if it delves more into Voldemort territory than Riddle; Voldemort seems to punish the Pure-bloods. What I mean by this is, is that Riddle seems to be taking out the fact these pure-bloods are not the ones to usually do this kind of 'dirty work' . He seems to enjoy making them do things that they would normally view as beneath them, it's a power trip. This seems to be more retribution on his end, considering the fact despite how hard he tries he will never be a pure-blood and will never be able to leave his past behind him. (what a petty man ) TLDR : Looking into Riddle's views on Pureblood supremacy reveals a complex interplay of narcissism, early developmental influences, and political motivations.

[livvyliveslife]

get on with it…

the secret to doing anything is believing you can do it

1 - realise your unmatched potential: - understand that your highest self is looking at your current self and cheering you right on. - there is nothing that you feasibly can't do. you know everything you want in this life, this knowledge is coming from your highest self. 2 - visualise this potential: - everything that you want to accomplish can be shown through a visionboard, through writing it down. - this potential can be visualised through different strategies - tumblr is one of my strategies 3 - plan and schedule time: - whether you work, whether you're a student (i do both) you always will have time to do at least 1 thing for your future, higher self. - there are routines that you can create for your low energy days, high energy days and mid energy days - i can also make a post on my personal routines. 4 - knowing you deserve to live your full potential - understanding that you have what it takes to live your best life is half the battle in becoming the best version of yourself. - you literally have all the power within you to thrive in all areas of your life, you just have to know it. 5 - identify the big tasks you’ve been avoiding - prioritise certain tasks over others, with time constraints and energy levels. 6 - break it down - break down the biggest tasks into bite sized chunks in order to tackle each of them effectively. 7 - silence the noise - take away any distractions that take away from your future goals 8 - figure out your ‘why’ - understand what is your purpose to do these tasks and what is your drive to continue with the implemented habits 9 - dive in - grab your fave drink, or if you're like me, your fave 3 drinks. And just GET ON WITH IT! 10 - celebrate small wins - whatever those small wins are to you, they matter. to me, just being able to get out of bed on low energy days is big enough for me to celebrate with my fave snack

[nightingaletrash]

I am once again thinking about just how fucked up Kaiba is.

He talks a lot about how he dismantled Kaiba Corp as part of the military industrial complex and turned it into a game company, and that everything he's done has been to spite his step-father's memory, and yet...

He's still after power. A sense of security. His favourite game isn't about having fun anymore, it's about power. Even in a low stakes duel with Joey, he can't surrender that need for security. Out of context, it seems kind of silly, to view card games as this ultimate expression of power, but it actually makes a lot of sense.

The cards that Mokuba sneaks to Kaiba when they're young, particularly the handmade Blue Eyes card, played a big part in solidifying his determination to succeed at all costs. Those cards became a lifeline to him, and they became a way to visualise power when plotting his coup. They come to represent power, and his path to it.

And when Kaiba Corp became a game company, that card game actually did become a huge source of financial power and influence. As a child with a lot of issues regarding security (among other things) due to his being an orphan and Gozaburo's abuse, that power became his security. It's a source of stability and control, things he's not had since his parents died, it gives him an autonomy he's never had, and he's unwilling to part with any of it.

Being the best duelist is both a mark of pride and a symbol of his ultimate control. It proves that his sense of strategy and cunning and intelligence can't be beaten, that he can't be strong armed into defeat. Every game is a battle for power, and he can't stand to lose even a little of it, because if he does, it threatens him with losing control. And he can't abide by that. He won't be left helpless at the hands of others ever again.

It's why he can't stand the fact that he lost in his own tournament; it's the loss of control. He was going to secure his place and ensure that no one could ever beat him again, providing him with the only security blanket that matters, only to lose it again. Add in Yami and Yugi going on about fate and destiny - things that strip away control and autonomy - and of course he's going to react negatively. He doesn't want to feel helpless. He doesn't want his life to be in the hands of anyone but himself. He needs control, or he'll suffer again.

But the problem isn't that Kaiba is a fucked up child looking for security in his favourite card game. It's that he's a fucked up child with a multi-million dollar company that has very real influence over the lives of countless people, and we see multiple times that he's not willing to expend anything that doesn't benefit him personally. When Bakura ends up in a coma, he won't pause the finals to let him be taken to a hospital. When Joey is literally on the brink of death, Mokuba has to go behind his back to call for a rescue helicopter and explicitly tells the gang not to tell him. Multiple people are being hospitalised because of this one guy and Kaiba refuses to remove him from the tournament because if he does, he misses out on the chance to take his Egyptian God Card, aka a new layer to his security blanket.

He has very real tangible power, and he only extends it to his own benefit. He thinks that defanging Kaiba Corp was enough to make him different from Gozaburo, but it wasn't. He's just as ruthless, just as power-hungry, and just as indifferent to other people's suffering when it suits him. He has to be argued with, or choices have to be made without his knowledge.

And it's just... fucking sad. He has so little self-awareness about what he's become and what Gozaburo has made of him. He's become the very monster he despised, and his only saving grace is that he has people who give enough of a shit to argue back instead of deferring to him as yes men.

If Yugi hadn't confronted him in episode 1, and if Yami hadn't crushed the evil in his heart, then he would never have changed from his absolute worst self. And while Mokuba doesn't often stand up to him, when he does, Kaiba tends to listen. It might shock him - that's a different can of worms - but his decision will be swayed by Mokuba, which is no small feat.

The fact that there are people who will tell him no and stand up to him is the fine line between him and Gozaburo. The question is... does it make enough of a difference to really matter in the end?

[bluemoonpunch]

Leo Season 2024 Collective Reading

Leo Season 2024: July 22 - August 22

At the very center, the word FARMER lays over The Storm which already paints an interesting picture of the general collective energy that will be at play throughout Leo Season. On one hand, The Storm spells out trouble for the Farmer as plans for the initial plowing and planting of the fields are affected by the sudden change in weather. For other Farmers in Leo Season, this storm, though sudden and loud for everyone equally, suggests refreshed and rejuvenated soil that will only support and amplify the growth of the desired harvest going forward. For everyone, Leo Season will mark some kind of wake-up call or checkpoint of clarification all for the sake of locking into place some of your steps for the journey forward.

At the head of the spread, Gaia puts a focus on the energy of the environment, bringing to mind the soul of Gaia versus the physical form of Mother Earth. This alongside Happy, Happy, the Lizard, and Decision, there’s an emphasis on generating energy, matching energy, and directing or driving energy with deliberate intent, further expanding on that idea of everyone operating as a Farmer in Leo Season.

The Lizard feels like an energetic slingshot that is just buzzing to get moving, with Happy, Happy the one setting the aim and Decision being the bird’s-eye-view of the desired targets that are on display and within reach. With Happy, Happy in such a prominent position, it feels like maintaining a happy or optimistic outlook is crucial for being able to hit the markers of Decision, and may even decide whether or not you see those opportunities at all.

In the image of Decision, the woman in blue mirrors the fairy in blue in Happy, Happy. This affirms the sense of Happy, Happy’s vision being what directs the Lizard’s energy toward Decision, mobilizing her on or toward the chess board or battlefield. In the image of Decision, the golden hues of the chessboard are juxtaposed by the dark shadows of the mysterious doorway in the upper right-hand corner. This cross between light and dark reflects the image and message of the Solar Eclipse on the far right. All together, this seems to put significance on perspective, perception, and your ability to navigate and guide yourself on a path or through a strategy that you have constructed for yourself. Going back to the mix of Farmer and The Storm, this can demonstrate the significance of co-creation and personal alignment with the Universe or natural flow and order alongside personal desire and achievement.

The sign of the Solar Eclipse suggesting shadows over the board, missing links, blindspots on the current path or within the current plans, brings us into the lower half of the reading. Where the top half seems mostly stimulated and illuminated by Fire and Light energy, the lower half of the reading is more steeped in Water energy. At the head there is The Moon, followed by the Third Eye’s Visualisation, the Full Moon in Scorpio, and the Electric Eel. Another Decision card from another deck came out in the center, carrying the same energy of the original one up top, but painted in a different light.

On the lower half, the image of Decision feels like the chess board from up top was shaken up and all of the game pieces were scattered around the table. The image of the lower Decision, showing multiple arrows falling and pointing in different directions, is meant to point to the pressure and overwhelm of decision-making while on the move, and here it feels more like someone’s travel bag was ripped open and spilled out on the floor of the airport.

Full reading with 5 pick-a-card readings to choose from here!

[isabellehorl]

Co-creating a sustainable neighbourhood and community! This roadmap was created for ViVa! Zorggroep as a result of a network brainstorm session last December. The poster visualises the main goals and steps to optimally support (vulnerable/older) residents and to create a fruitful (formal and informal) care system.

[fikelove]

HOW TO: stay motivated + achieve your goals

As a teen, it can be challenging to stay focused and achieve your goals, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can make a lot of progress.

SET CLEAR AND SPECIFIC GOALS: Instead of saying, 'I want to do well in school' try breaking them down, for example, 'I want to get an A in math by studying 30 minutes a day'. Often people lose motivation because their goals are too vague, making them difficult to track and accomplish. This way, you will feel less overwhelmed and your motivation will remain high.

CREATE A VISION BOARD: Having a visual reminder of your dreams can keep you motivated, you can d o this by creating a physical board of inspirational images from Pinterest to help you move forward with your goals. Include images of your dream career, lifestyle, quotes, or any personal achievements you'd like to reach. Keep it somewhere visible to remind you to work hard.

STAY ORGANISED AND TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: Use a planner, to-do list or a productivity app to track your goals and deadlines. its important to celebrate small wins; completing a task or achieving a milestone deserves a reward! This could be something as simple as a snack, a self-care day, a shopping trip- you decide!

FOCUS ON CONSISTENCY, NOT PERFECTION: Motivation can waver, but discipline and consistency are what truly get you to your goals. Even if you don't feel 100% motivated, committing to daily actions - even small ones - will build momentum. This consistency will build habits that lead to success.

FIND INSPIRATION IN ROLE MODELS: Look up people who inspire you - whether they're successful individuals in your field, celebrities, or even family and friends who have worked hard to achieve their goals. Read about their journeys or watch their interviews to understand the struggles they overcame to reach their success.

AVOID BURNOUT BY TAKING BREAKS: While hard work is important, resting is essential. Overworking yourself can lead to burnout and losing motivation. make sure to schedule breaks, and indulge in hobbies or activities that interest you.

STAY POSITIVE: Your mindset plays a huge role in your success. instead of being hard on yourself when you make mistakes, practice self compassion. Understand that setbacks are a part of the process and an opportunity to learn and grow.

VISUALISE YOUR SUCCESS: Visualisation is a powerful tool, close your eyes and imagine what it would feel like when you achieve your goals. Picture the emotions, the sense of accomplishment and the rewards. Spend a few minutes everyday visualising your future if you continue working hard, in order to keep motivated and stay on-track.

ASK YOURSELF 'WHY?': Remind yourself why you are working toward your goals, whether it's for a dream career, personal satisfaction, etc, keeping your 'why?' can reignite motivation during tough times.

| Thank you for reading! 🤍

[patiencegrindsyou]

It's been 3 years of uni (one abroad and two in my home country) and I'm still very bad with figuring out the study techniques that actually help me. Every tasks seems far too overwhelming and whenever I open the requirements or my reading my brain just goes "Nope, not doing this today." But recently I've been trying to discover what makes my study process easier as someone with adhd and here's what I found out:

• Making your workplace more sensory pleasant makes a huge difference. I've never used scented candles before but I've tried lighting it up during work for aesthetics but actually ended up realising that the scent really helps me with concentration. Low warm light, a specific kind of a chair, having a fizzy drink and a fidget toy by my side also helps a lot!

• Some people try to weaponize their anxiety as a tool for better study motivation. It does work for me and I usually work best under stress, but in the long run it's incredibly damaging. After years of working off of adrenaline of a deadline, I finally started seeing a decline in productivity in such an environment. Trying to calm yourself down while also establishing the priority of a task helps a lot. I know that it's difficult to adjust to and it takes time, but it's worth it.

• What helps me with centering my mind around a task is taking some time before actually doing it to plan and figure out what you are going to do. Try visualising your steps regarding this task and yes, a common advice, but also breaking down a big task into smaller tasks helps as well. I'm usually taking around 10-20 minutes while preparing food or doing house chores to concentrate my mind around what I need to do afterwards. You can also do it on your way home. But really try to be intentional with it so you don't end up being overwhelmed by what you need to do.

Sometimes I forget about those strategies and sometimes I'm too overwhelmed to execute them, but keeping them in mind and using them whenever I have the energy to does help a lot.

[roseykat]

Do you have more plans for poly minsung?? I read somewhere that you had something on hold about it...👀

- Snippet of my next work -

TITLE: Noxious Compulsions

TAGS: established polyamorous relationship, brat!Jisung, brat taming, swearing, choking, collars, handcuffs, degradation, use of degrading names, humiliation, untouched orgasm, cages, (more tags will likely be added)

A/N: this is my official snippet for this work 🫡 but I also didn’t want to give away too much lmao

It was the talking back that got to Minho. The only way to shut Jisung up is if Minho shoves his cock in his mouth. Then again, that’s giving him exactly what he wants. Jisung will gladly choke on a dick with the first chance that he gets, so you and Minho had to come up with a strategy.

“You might be better off just getting a cage for him,” you joke, not expecting to see a look of consideration written all over Minho’s face. “Hold on-“

“That’s not a bad idea actually,” he comments, literally contemplating your idea.

“How would that even work?” You question, still baffled with his reaction.

“Easy,” Minho shrugs. “Just put him in the cage and shut the door.”

“He’s not an animal, Min,” you remind him.

“No, but he’s been acting like one lately and he knows it,” he responds sharply.

You ponder on the suggestion for a few moments, visualising in your brain what that concept would look like. At the end of the day, you know Jisung would allow it. He doesn’t prefer to know what his body will be put through until the very last second or just doesn’t like knowing at all for that matter.

“And where do you get a cage from exactly?”

Minho nearly laughs, “almost anywhere. Just find someone online who’s selling a cage because their puppy outgrew it, buy it, clean it well; there, cage for Sungie.”

Almost as if he had woken up to the sound of his own name, Jisung walks into the kitchen half naked and sleepy. His dark messy waves stick up in different directions while he blinks away the bright sun already threatening its rays through the windows. At that point, you and Minho silently drop the subject now that the subject itself is awake and in the room.

“Mornin’,” Jisung yawns, kissing you on the top of your head.

He walks around the table to Minho, pecks him on the cheek and sits comfortably down on his thigh. He picks up his boyfriend's half eaten toast from the plate and starts crunching away at it.

“What’re y’guys talkin’ bout?” He says with a mouthful of food.

[velteris]

I’ve seen a fair amount of posts complaining about this arc in Frieren and… we are all entitled to our own opinions etc which is why I will be launching into a Defense of Frieren’s Exam Arc :) Keeping it manga spoiler free since it seems like most of these complaints are from anime-only viewers.

For me the main draw of this arc is the world building. We’ve spent all this time with Frieren and Fern as our main perspectives on magic. Because it’s Frieren, the magics we’ve been hearing about have mostly been a little silly and sweet. But now we’re finding out that 1) “mage” is largely still a combat designation, and 2) Frieren and Fern are actually incredibly jack-of-all-trades when it comes to their magic repertoire. The “magic is visualisation” part is starting to be really leant into and we’re seeing more humans as well who seem to specialise in one magic (steel flowers, rocks, clones, ice and water…) It’s cool!! It’s objectively cool! I love being able to see this range that we wouldn’t have had otherwise! Also it’s fucking fantastic to see how much of a BEAST Fern really is when compared to other human mages. And she doesn’t even seem that aware of it.

Coupled with that is being able to see different people’s philosophies toward magic. I think a lot of viewers are kind of down about the sudden huge influx of side characters who they don’t really care about. But these philosophies—Land’s maximum wait-and-watch, Wirbel and Ubel’s vastly different approaches to killing—keep expanding the world and highlighting Frieren and Fern’s own perspectives. It’s soooo good seeing them react to situations not of their own making and people not of their own kind.

We get to see human society that isn’t a village in the middle of nowhere! We get to see Frieren being forced to socialise! We get to see Fern away from her emotional support elf! We get to see how society has changed since the demon king was defeated! I love that Himmel and co ushered in an era of peace, which it is, and yet the world is still full of conflicts. Truly the story continues after the hero is finished.

To address a few specific complaints I’ve seen brought up:

Frieren isn’t about all these nonstop shounen fights.

Agreed! Which is why it’s cool as hell that Frieren’s main badass shounen strategy is “sit very still for 10 hours”. That aside? There actually hasn’t been much actual fighting. You could probably count up the minutes in which actual spells are being cast and it’ll be something like 2 minutes max in the latest ep20. And that’s because it’s not about who beats who, it’s about the philosophies, the worldbuilding, the ways of thinking about magic. This is not a power-measuring contest, much as Genau would like to make it. And the random lucky draw-ness of the Stilles only plays further into that. It is possible to pass this exam without coming into conflict with others, and certainly without battles to the death. It hasn’t ever been about the shounen fights.

The good part of the show was about the delicate melancholy and that’s totally missing here.

I agree that it’s one of the strong points. But the thing with the melancholy is that it only works when juxtaposed against other moments. A story that’s composed of a bunch of unlinked wistful slice-of-life episodes will eventually fall apart because it has no momentum, no driving force. And ten years to Ende is too long to go without at least some conflict. Also, again, ten-hour bird meditation session?

Anyway, there’s melancholy, but how sad it would be if there was nothing but introspection and wistfulness. Frieren is bringing the memories of Himmel forward with her into the future. That means she has to be moving forward, forging new relationships with unrelated people, going into situations that she hasn’t been in before. A Frieren stuck in the past would be against the themes of the show, of remembering and yet moving on.

Why should I care about them spending ages trying to catch a bird?

You don’t like Stille? 🐤 fweet?

Actually I care lots about this funky thing. Indestructible and goes supersonic fast. That’s fucking hilarious. Bird that simply cannot be contained. Genau is a dick for setting up this kind of exam when, Your Honour, my client Stille does not deserve to be imprisoned.

Too many irrelevant side characters who it’s hard to care about, and they’re gonna be thrown away at the end anyway.

Again, it’s the worldbuilding. And also, mild spoilers for stuff that won’t be covered in the anime, but at least one of these side characters does come back and we get more delicious main character development as a result. Though frankly many of these characters are deeply compelling and interesting to me so I don’t rly get this complaint. Give me more Lawine.

Where’s Himmel? What do these exams have to do with the hero party? Frieren is good because of the links to the past.

Frieren is good because of the links to the past, which affect how Frieren responds to the present. The whole point of Frieren is that Frieren’s life continues. And through her new experiences, she comes to understand and reconnect to the emotions she didn’t realise she felt about her past. I don’t care what Himmel would think of the mage exams, I care what Frieren thinks of them now. And the answer is that she doesn’t really give a damn but she’s in here anyway because Fern strongarmed her into it, and then she was forced to adopt two more kids along the way, and all of that is something she never would have done if she was still hermiting in the Central Lands. Somehow we are still getting Himmel flashbacks anyway? So? He’s still haunting the narrative guys. Just because Frieren isn’t saying “that’s what Hero Himmel would do” out loud in these circumstances doesn’t mean his ghost isn’t here.

Even so, Frieren clearly recognises the name Serie. Do not fear. There is going to be more about links to the past.

I miss Stark.

Fair enough. It’s okay, he’s just on vacation rn. Having an appy juice.

It’s taking too long. The arc is too slow.

It’s only been three episodes… I’ve seen people going “it’s already been three episodes!” but what? Really? Is that considered an excessive amount of time now?? Given the amount of story covered I think it’s quite reasonable? There’s still 8 episodes to go in which we cover the remaining exam stages. Have some patience like Frieren. The payoffs are being set up; they’ll resolve before the end of the mage exam arc. In the meantime, let’s enjoy theorising about the soft magic system and hollering for full auto Fern.