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#age requirements are a nuanced situation
lez-boobies · 1 year
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If the porn bots can put ages in their bios so can you
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olderthannetfic · 1 year
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Something that frustrates me about the Harry Potter conversation is a lot of people missing the point behind the motivation to boycott it. They seem weirdly focused on the content of HP when it's actually... not that bad? It's not perfect, in fact a lot of aspects are pretty fucking problematic and worthy of discussion, but not uniquely so by the standards of the fantasy genre. Yes, I know the goblins are clearly drawing on anti-semitic tropes. Yes, the house elf situation is fucked. Yes, lots of not-like-other-girls-style misogyny. Yes, Cho Chang was a fucking disaster of racism. I KNOW THIS ALREADY! I'm not an idiot and Harry Potter fans were talking about this for far longer than JKR has been a TERF. But I'm also a fan of the Elder Scrolls and Dragon Age and the Witcher and a shitton of isekai anime and tons of other fantasy medias which are so much worse. Harry Potter is only moderately problematic by the standards of most popular fantasy media, especially for the mainstream standards of the time period it was written. Worthy of criticism, but not dropping it entirely. And actually reading HP and looking back at JKR's behaviour at the time, much of it seems largely unintentional, just that JKR drew on a lot of fantasy tropes that she didn't properly examine as well as her own unexamined biases and she had some flawed understandings of progressivism that were fair for its day but don't fly now, but doesn't seem malicious. The actual authorial intent at least seems to be pretty progressive at least, even if the execution wasn't the best. And sure, it's not a masterwork but there's a reason it connected to so many people, even if a lot of it was luck and timing. We don't have to ignore that and doing so feels dishonest.
I'm just so annoyed when people try to shit on the contents because they're missing the point and confuse the actual problem in a way that weakens their argument. I don't give Harry Potter money anymore because JKR crossed some lines for me in real life, totally separate from Harry Potter as a piece of media, and I don't want to fund her bullshit because she is so influential it is hurting people. The content of her books is utterly irrelevant to this decision. She could have penned a goddamn magnum opus and it wouldn't have mattered. So I'm sick of people bringing up books that are "better" or ragging on the contents of Harry Potter because none of that is the point and never was the point and it comes across as just taking advantage of a shitty situations to dunk on a popular thing or those who enjoyed it. Yeah, it was a mediocre fantasy series. But it hit the right emotional escapist buttons in a lot of kids even if it had the moral nuance and depth of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles anti-drug PSA. Having to drop it sucked for a lot of people because it can't be replaced and yelling about how bad the writing was doesn't change that because it never was about quality. JKR's TERF transformation was in many ways a betrayal of JKR's intended audience considering how the text preached acceptance and love and starred an abused, unwanted child getting to go to magic school where he's special. Pretending Harry Potter should be dropped because its content has issues obscures the actual problem of a raging transphobic having money and influence and that not everything created by bad people is poor quality so boycotts might require giving up access to things you actually like or are valuable and that's not always an easy decision to make.
JKR was a probably decent person with fairly liberal politics when she wrote Harry Potter. The books, while imperfect, are not more horrible or full of problems a dozen other popular fantasy properties. JKR become a TERF later in life and while she may have had ingrained transphobia prior to this when she wrote Harry Potter, that is not the same as the virulent hate-movement she's part of now and we should recognize how easy it is for people to get drawn into hate-movements. Any argument to boycott should be about how she's using her money and influence to affect real life laws and attitudes unless you want to try and get people to also drop half the fantasy genre.
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To Build A Home
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Did I say I was taking a break from writing because I need to focus on my training? Yes. Did I write a quick blurb about how much Abby loves you while I was on the treadmill today? Also, yes. The title comes from a song that will forever make me sob, but you probably already know. Cheers, you beautiful souls.
Abby’s straightforward nature means she often struggles with nuance and subtlety in her interactions with you.
There are certain instances where misunderstandings occur, leading her to withdraw into her own thoughts rather than pursuing clarification. Occasionally, she requires solitude to recharge and reflect, particularly when haunted by distressing memories.
In these moments of her deep, introspective silence, you get anxious about the state of your connection. It can feel like she’s not pleased with you, or that the bond between you is slipping, but that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth.
Experiencing romantic love with you, the first and only woman in her life, helped her envision how extraordinary it could all be, heightening her fear of losing something so precious.
Her admiration for you grows with each passing year.
“Are we okay?” you ask. “We’re good, right?”
You push your food around your plate, the sound of your fork clinking against the porcelain adding to your unease.
It’s possible that your sensitive heart is over analyzing her quiet disposition, but you can’t bear to let your concerns fester unchecked.
Surprised by your question, Abby gazes at you intently from across the table.
“What do you mean?” she asks.
Taking the time to ponder, you understand that being transparent is the optimal way to handle the situation.
“Do I still make you happy?”
Abby settles back into her chair with a frown, her mind racing as she searches for the perfect response to convey the extent of her fondness for you. Every now and then, you find comfort in her words of reassurance, but for Abby, actions hold more weight, especially at a time like this.
“Come outside with me,” she says. Rising from her chair, she reaches out to help you up. “There’s something I want to show you.”
Leading you by the hand, she intertwines her fingers with yours and takes you from the backyard into the forest.
When you initially crossed paths with Abby fifteen years ago, she was meandering the trails of your Montana ranch, stirring up dust with each heavy step. Seeking sanctuary from the chaos and uncertainty that followed the fall of her group, all she wanted was a place to hang her hat. You damn near shot it off her head, startled by the unexpected visitor. Ages had passed since the previous one, excluding the infected, and you learned early on to trust nobody in this dangerous world.
Glimpsing her now, beautifully etched by fine lines and battle scars, it’s impossible to fathom your life without her.
“Where are you taking me?” you ask.
Her touch is delicate as she pulls your hand closer, pressing a sweet kiss onto the back of it.
“Hold your horses.”
“Is this where I meet my maker?” you tease.
When she doesn’t answer right away, you give her a playful nudge, and she hums in response.
“Abigail, if you’re planning to bury me out here, it’s only polite to give me a heads up.”
As her eyes lock with yours, she gently nudges you in return.  
“Look up,” she says.
Above you, a sturdy lumber structure hovers thirty feet in the air, cradled by the protective arms of gnarled, ancient trees. Vines adorn the wooden walls, clusters of white flowers blooming throughout, forming a natural tapestry that drapes down the sides. You notice a warm ochre glow seeping through gaps in the planks, revealing the secret hiding place of all those fairy lights you thought you misplaced. 
A wrap-around porch with its intricate, entangled branches draws your attention to a rope ladder, inviting you to climb and explore.
“Abby,” you murmur.
With her bottom lip caught between her teeth, she restlessly twirls her hands.
“Do you like it?” she asks.
The realization hits you suddenly that she must have invested months into this project, overwhelming for her, given her fear of heights.
“You said you always wanted one as a kid, so I thought—it’s never too late, right?” she continues.
While suspicions of her growing tired of you preoccupied your mind, Abby was venturing off to build you a whimsical haven in the trees as a token of her affection. Just when you thought you couldn’t love her more than you already do, she swoops in to prove you wrong.
With your fists clenched around her shirt, you pull her into you.
“I thought you were getting sick of me,” you confess.
“Never,” Abby whispers. “We’re just getting started.”
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nayziiz · 15 days
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Shadows | LN4
Summary: [Mafia] In the face of dire financial troubles, Lando receives a desperate plea from his father to unearth a lucrative solution within the family business. Fueled by the pressure to rescue his family from ruin, Lando stumbles upon a seemingly perfect venture—using luxury cars as a facade for the clandestine world of drug trafficking. With the unexpected partnership of Amelia Rossi, his father's best friend's daughter, Lando believes he has found the ideal accomplice. However, as the Norris family collides with the ambitious Russells in a ruthless bid to establish their dominance, the perilous path Lando has chosen places not only his newfound enterprise at stake but also entangles Amelia in the dangerous crossfire that unfolds.
Warning: Violence, drugs, blood, smut, fluff, guns
Pairing: Lando Norris x OC (Amelia Rossi) - appearances from other drivers
Masterlist
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CHAPTER 1
Adam Norris, a man of unwavering intelligence and foresight, possessed a keen mind that proved to be the foundation of his family's success. Drawing wisdom from the teachings of his own father, he meticulously gathered knowledge that transcended generations. Adam's commitment to passing down this invaluable wealth of experience became evident as he shared it with his two sons, Oliver and Lando.
Oliver, the elder of the two brothers, entertained dreams beyond the confines of the family business. His aspirations leaned towards exploration and the creation of a family of his own, seeking a life that danced with the rhythm of distant lands and untold adventures. The allure of faraway places called out to him, shaping his aspirations far differently from the path his father had paved.
On the contrary, Lando demonstrated an early affinity for the intricacies of his father's business. From the tender age of thirteen, he became a silent observer in the boardroom, soaking in the nuances of negotiations and the delicate dance of corporate strategy. Lando's curiosity and natural acumen propelled him to actively engage in the family affairs, gradually transforming him into Adam's confidant and, eventually, his right-hand man.
As Lando navigated through the diverse facets of his father's enterprises, he embraced each challenge with determination and an appetite for learning. The evolution from a teenager attending meetings to a key player in his father's business empire was a testament to Lando's commitment and his father's trust in his capabilities.
The Norris legacy, steeped in generational wisdom and Lando's unwavering dedication, flourished under the guidance of a shrewd patriarch. The father-son duo forged a formidable partnership, where the torch of knowledge burned bright, illuminating the path for the next generation of Norris leaders.
Despite being a pivotal figure in the family business, Lando Norris's impulsive spending habits were a source of concern and consternation. His father, while recognizing the undeniable value Lando brought to the business, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the financial whirlwind his son often found himself in.
Adam, pragmatic and stoic, seldom approved of Lando's extravagant expenditures. Yet, a nuanced understanding of his son's behaviour allowed Adam to chalk it up to Lando's yearning for the childhood he never fully embraced. The rationale was a blend of parental leniency and a desire for Lando to experience the joy and spontaneity that he might have missed in his earlier years.
However, the Norris family's financial stability faced a significant setback following a rocky investment. The losses were unforeseeable, and the blame could not be squarely placed on any one individual. The family found themselves at a crossroads, and it became clear that swift and decisive action was required to navigate the tumultuous financial waters.
Adam, burdened by the weight of the situation, turned to Lando, his son with the untamed spirit. Recognizing the need for Lando to step up and take charge, Adam appealed to his son's sense of responsibility and loyalty to the family. The family business, weathering the storm of financial hardship, required a leader capable of navigating through the tumultuous seas and steering it back towards prosperity.
In the hushed atmosphere of Adam's lavishly appointed office, Lando found himself summoned to a covert meeting, the dim lighting casting shadows that danced across the luxurious furnishings. The air was heavy with unspoken tension as Lando took his seat in front of his father's imposing desk.
Adam, a cunning and resolute businessman with a no-nonsense attitude, sat behind the desk, his expression betraying the gravity of the situation. The room, adorned with mahogany accents and opulent artwork, served as the backdrop for an exchange that held the fate of the Norris family legacy in its balance.
In a voice that brooked no argument, Adam presented Lando with a stark ultimatum. The family, once stable and prosperous, now faced the looming spectre of financial turmoil. The weight of responsibility bore down heavily on Adam's shoulders, and with a sense of urgency, he articulated the dire straits they found themselves in.
“The Norris family needs a fresh and lucrative income stream," Adam declared, cutting through the air with precision. "Our legacy is at stake, Lando, and I need you to step up to the plate. If we don't secure our position, we risk our place in society altogether. And, if that happens, you will be exiled from this family.”
Lando, feeling the gravity of his father's words, absorbed the weight of the ultimatum. The notion of being cut off from the family legacy, a legacy he had been groomed to uphold, added an unexpected layer of urgency to the situation. Adam's eyes, seasoned with the trials of the business world, revealed the desperation and determination that drove him to make the demand.
As the conversation unfolded, Lando grappled with the realisation that the Norris family, for all its prestige and outward success, was never above delving into murky waters when it came to ensuring their stability. The unspoken understanding that resonated between father and son transcended ethical boundaries, and Lando became acutely aware of the lengths to which the Norris patriarchs have gone to safeguard their family's prosperity.
In the dimly lit corner of the opulent office, a pact is silently forged. The Norris family's survival hinged on their ability to navigate the shadows, to engage in business practices that might raise eyebrows but were deemed necessary for the preservation of their legacy. The goals, always centred around stability and prosperity, now took on a new dimension as the Norris family braced itself for the challenges that lay ahead.
In the heart of the city's underbelly, hidden behind unmarked doors and guarded secrets, Lando found solace in the dimly lit sanctuary of his secret speakeasy. The air was charged with an aura of secrecy, and the distant hum of jazz music created a backdrop for contemplation as he navigated the labyrinth of decisions laid before him.
Seated in a secluded corner, Lando immersed himself in the speakeasy’s ambiance, surrounded by an eclectic mix of patrons engaged in hushed conversations and conspiratorial exchanges. The flickering candlelight casted dancing shadows on the exposed brick walls, mirroring the intricate thoughts that swirled within Lando's mind.
As he contemplated various ventures that could potentially salvage his family's fortunes, the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders. The gravity of his father's ultimatum lingered in the air like an unspoken challenge, demanding a resolution that aligned with the legacy of the Norris family. The choices before him, however, seemed to form an intricate puzzle with no clear solution in sight.
The scent of cigar smoke mingled with the fragrance of aged whiskey, creating an atmosphere that mirrored the complexity of Lando's predicament. The clandestine dealings and veiled conversations around him served as a constant reminder of the high-stakes game he found himself entangled in.
Unable to escape the palpable tension, Lando raised a whiskey glass to his lips, drowning his worries in the amber liquid. Each sip seemed to carry the weight of his familial obligations, momentarily providing a respite from the tumult of conflicting thoughts. The jazz melodies, with their soulful undertones, offered a bittersweet soundtrack to his contemplation, resonating with the complexities of the choices before him.
As Amelia Rossi gracefully drifted through the smoky atmosphere of the speakeasy, the ambient jazz music and muted conversations provide a backdrop to her entrance. Dressed in her business casual attire from work, her clipped hair was loosened, cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of chestnut silk. In the dingy ambiance, she became a vision, an ethereal figure transcending the gritty reality of the exclusive establishment.
Lando, ensconced in his thoughts and surrounded by the clandestine energy of the speakeasy, noticed Amelia's arrival. Her presence stood out amidst the shadows and swirling emotions, like a beacon in the midst of obscurity. In that moment, he decided to confide in her, recognizing a familiar face and an old connection that ran deep.
Amelia and Lando shared more than just a friendship; their bond was a testament to a lifelong companionship forged in the crucible of childhood. Born mere months apart, they practically grew up side by side, the echoes of their laughter intermingling with the spirited conversations of their fathers on the golf course. The connection between the Norris and Rossi families transcended mere camaraderie; it was a tapestry woven with shared moments, unspoken understandings, and the promise that their destinies were intertwined.
Amelia's gaze met Lando's in the smoky haze of the speakeasy, and there was a flicker of recognition, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they shared. In her eyes, Lando found a unique comfort that transcended the chaos of the private world he navigated. As the jazz music weaved its spell, Amelia sank into the seat beside him and Lando opened up to her, sharing the weight of his father's ultimatum and the desperate need for a solution to salvage the family legacy.
“I want to export... things.” Lando confessed to Amelia, choosing his words carefully, his gaze intense and laden with the gravity of the proposition. Amelia listened attentively, as she sipped on her gin and tonic, her presence offering a calmness he needed to gather his thoughts and plans.
“Things?” Amelia raised an eyebrow, seeking clarification. Lando leaned in, lowering his voice to match the discreet ambiance of the speakeasy.
“Drugs, or contraband. Stuff people can't get just anywhere.” He clarified.
Amelia's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and concern. The daring proposition hung in the air, the weight of its implications reverberating between them. Lando, propelled by a sense of urgency, continued to lay out his plan.
“With your help.” He added, his tone a blend of desperation and determination. “Your beautiful cars need owners. And, the owners need what we're offering. We strip the interiors, pack it with whatever substance they require, tidy it all up, and ship the car to them. With your last name, no one will ever think of checking anything except the exterior.”
Amelia absorbed the audacity of the proposal, her mind racing to comprehend the risks and potential rewards. Lando, eyes fixed on hers, did not shy away from the harsh reality of the suggestion. He laid out the intricate web of their venture, weaving a narrative that spoke to the urgency of his situation.
“What's in it for me?” Amelia finally questioned, her business acumen kicking in.
“You'll still make your usual profit by selling the car, and you'll get a 40% cut on whatever we're hiding. Think about the expansion you always dreamt of. Now is your chance to make good on it.” Lando attempted to persuade her.
Amelia, hailing from a well-respected family in London, initially hesitated at the risky proposition. The weight of societal expectations and the scrutiny that would undoubtedly accompany her involvement in such a venture loomed large. However, as Lando painted a vivid picture of the potential rewards and the adrenaline of expanding her luxury car dealership, Amelia found herself intrigued by the allure of the unknown.
“I'll do it.” Amelia finally conceded, her voice a mixture of determination and apprehension. 
She understood the enormity of the decision she was making, aware that the venture could lead them into murky territory. Yet, her loyalty to Lando and the unspoken promise of their shared history weighed heavily on her conscience.
Amelia knew that her connection to the prestigious Rossi family held a unique value. It added a layer of legitimacy to their dealings, creating a shield from prying eyes and potential scrutiny. The Rossi name, synonymous with respect and affluence, transformed into a strategic advantage in a venture fraught with risks.
With the decision sealed and a sense of inevitability hanging in the air, Lando, feeling a mix of relief and determination, decided to mark the beginning of their risky venture with a celebratory gesture. He motioned to one of the waitrons in the speakeasy, instructing them to bring a bottle of champagne to their secluded corner.
As the bottle arrived, its cork popped with a celebratory resonance, Lando took charge. He poured a generous serving of the effervescent liquid into two crystal glasses, the golden bubbles catching the dim light of the speakeasy. Lando extended a glass towards Amelia, a symbolic toast to the alliance they had formed.
“To new beginnings.” Lando raised his glass, his eyes meeting Amelia's.
“To new beginnings.” Amelia, still reserved, reciprocated the gesture as she tapped her glass against Lando's in a shared moment of acknowledgement.
As they savoured the crisp taste of the champagne, the speakeasy seemed to hold its breath, the ambient jazz music providing a subtle soundtrack to their clandestine celebration. The air was thick with the weight of their decisions, but for a fleeting moment, the bubbly elixir created a sense of levity, a respite from the complexities of the venture they were to embark upon.
“Finally, I get to work with you.” Lando remarked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
“Don't get too excited.” She responded, a reminder of the challenges that lay ahead and the gravity of the path they've chosen.
As the conversation shifted away from the formality of their risky venture, Amelia, wanting to inject a touch of casualness, playfully leaned against Lando. The dimly lit speakeasy seemed to embrace the casual moment amidst the weighty discussions that preceded.
“How's Zara?” Amelia inquired, steering the conversation towards more personal territory. “Flo told me you brought her home for dinner last week.”
“She's great. She's nice.” Lando's demeanour softened at the mention of Zara.
“Wow, tone down the enthusiasm.” Amelia teased.
“No, she's lovely, but she's just like everyone else - they just want money and status.” A wry smile tugged at Lando's lips.
“Yet you keep her around?” Amelia raised an eyebrow, challenging him with a playful smirk. 
“She's a welcome distraction at times.” Lando's response carried a note of self-awareness.
“I see. Why aren't you with her now then, distracting yourself?” Amelia, ever perceptive, didn’t miss a beat.
“Because someone else had what I needed tonight.” Lando's gaze shifted, meeting Amelia's eyes with a hint of vulnerability. “How’s Daniel?”
“Ah, Daniel.” Amelia sighed with a hint of amusement. “That ended a few weeks ago, already. He has too much energy for me to keep up with.”
“Strange for someone who's literally ten years older than you.” Lando chuckled, echoing the sentiment.
“I don’t mind it, but he’s the literal embodiment of a golden retriever. He never stops and sits still.” Amelia grinned, acknowledging the age difference with a playful shrug.
“You love dogs, though.” Lando observed.
“I do. I really do. But when it comes to relationships, I need someone a bit more on the fierce side of things, a bit more-”
“Like you.” Lando interjected, finishing her sentence with a knowing smile.
“Exactly. Someone who can match my pace, challenge me, keep up with the twists and turns. Daniel's great, but in matters of the heart, I need a different kind of energy.” Amelia nodded, a playful glint in her eyes.
Amelia, sat beside Lando in the dimly lit speakeasy, refrained from divulging a recent rendezvous with Charles Leclerc. It was an unusual occurrence for her to keep things from her best friend and closest confidant, but it felt different. She needed to be sure before sharing the details. As Lando continued the conversation, Amelia wrestled with the complexities of her recent experiences.
It wasn't just a casual affair with Charles. Amelia had always been meticulous about keeping her relationships light and transient. However, Charles offered a breath of fresh air after her complete separation from Daniel. Their connection was intense, fueled by a mutual passion for success. Charles, despite the demands of his job, reciprocated Amelia's energy, aligning with her ambitions.
He allowed her to take control, especially in the bedroom, an aspect of intimacy she had always wanted to explore. Charles became a juxtaposition to Daniel's perpetual energy, providing a different kind of excitement that drew Amelia in. Their encounters were more than just physical; they were charged with a shared fervour for life and success.
Despite the allure of her rendezvous with Charles, Amelia refrained from sharing the new chapter of her life with Lando. It was less about hiding, but rather about understanding the dynamics at play. Daniel, a once constant in her life, carried a different weight and expectation. With Charles, it was all about the divergence from her usual patterns, an exploration into uncharted territory.
Despite the excitement that Charles brought into Amelia's life, a lingering sense of unease persisted beneath the surface. As she navigated the nuances of their relationship, an elusive element remained that seemed to elude definition, something amiss that she never could quite put her finger on.
Amelia, a discerning and perceptive individual, grappled with the unspoken doubts that flickered in the corners of her mind. The connection with Charles, though passionate and invigorating, carried a subtle undercurrent of uncertainty. There was no lack of chemistry or shared interests; rather, an intangible aspect that evaded explanation.
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aeithalian · 3 months
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brought to you by walker scobell's correct opinions
okay so this is super unhinged but I've held this opinion for a long time and I was reminded of it when Walker Scobell adressed it in an interview and I need to yell it from the rooftops - Percy Jackson would absolutely kick ass in a fight against Harry Potter. And I say this as a lifelong fan of both series (who obviously knows which author is better).
But it's more nuanced than that. Because apparently I can't be normal about things.
Here's the thing: Percy and Harry both serve completely different purposes as the protagonists of their respective plots. Because Percy's special. Harry's not, at least in the ways that matter. Hence, Percy would absolutely kick ass.
Allow me to explain. We're in the great position here of both stories being set in the "main character has to go learn how to harness their power" archetype for both characters, (Percy at Camp Half-Blood and Harry at Hogwarts) so luckily, this also gives us a pretty good idea of how skilled they are in comparison to their peers.
Percy, over the span of the series, and even in the first book alone, excels above his peers. He's the child of the second most powerful god in the pantheon, he's given a prophecy and a quest almost immediately upon arriving at camp (a privilege other campers have to wait years for), and at the point we've reached in the canon books, is one of the most powerful demigods ever. Like, his power level is compared to that of a minor god, he's a respected leader, and he beat the god of war in single combat at age 12 based on (mostly) skill alone.
But Harry, in comparison to his peers? Painfully average in most regards. Every single life-threatening situation he was in throughout the entire series required some fluke of nature/magic for him to get out alive. As a baby? Only survived by some ancient magical loophole. Book 1? Use of aforementioned magical loophole. Book 2? Sure, he saved the day but he also almost died, but didn't because Dumbledore sent... a bird. Book 3? Harry's mastery of the Patronus charm is one of maybe three exceptions to this rule in the entire series. Books 4, 5, and 7? Magic loophole!!!! And let's be real - Dumbledore saved Harry's ass multiple times in the book 6 climax, but I'll let the bygones be bygones and not question Dumbledore's methods. My point being: Harry sucks at most things. But, you know, at least he's self-aware about it.
Now before anybody comes screaming to me, I know that Harry's not dumb as a rock, or anything. Yes, he's good at DADA, I am aware, thank you. But let's be real - if the aforementioned magical loophole didn't exist, Harry would not have survived a good 80% of his altercations in the series, considering the aforementioned magical loophole literally only works against one person. To be real, he also wouldn't be in those life-threatening altercations to begin with.
FURTHERMORE. They both fall into the "Chosen One" archetype, right? But here's the thing: Percy is powerful in his own right, and being the chosen one isn't what makes him powerful. Harry, on the other hand, is powerful because he's the chosen one, because of all the mysticism built around an arguably average person of middling talent. He's only special because of the whole "[Voldemort] will mark him as his equal" thing from the prophecy.
Even if you assume that an average demigod and an average wizard hold about the same power levels (which, honestly, I don't think you can say, but for the sake of the argument, that's what we're going to go with), the pure fact of the matter is that Percy is like a Dumbledore-level demigod, and Harry is a Michael Yew-level wizard. (Who is Michael Yew, you may ask? To which I say: exactly.)
Are you catching my drift? Percy kicks ass against Harry because he's more powerful. It's as simple as that.
But allow me to extrapolate further, because I fear that some may take this to mean that Harry is a bad protagonist. He's not, he just serves a different narrative purpose as a character. Imagine if you were to swap Percy and Harry into each others' stories:
Harry would probably die in the first PJO book. As an untrained wizard with at most, one year at Hogwarts under his belt, he'd probably die in the initial fight against the Minotaur. Done deal. Sure, you could take it a step further and assume that he does carry good problem-solving skills in moments of high stress, so maybe he could have made it out of that fight alive, but he's probably toast from that moment on. My main point is that Percy's skills that get him through his first quest are inherent. He doesn't necessarily have to practice to have heightened battle senses, water powers, and sensitivity to the Mist, all things that helped him survive. Harry simply does not have those things, and as a wizard of about the same age, doesn't have the skill set to match those powers with his own magical abilities. And by the end of the series, assuming Harry doesn't die immediately, the last book is one long, big battle, and Harry's one-on-one combat skills aren't necessarily bad, but if I have a hard time remembering how many times Harry was in a duel against a fully trained wizard and won in his own right, what makes you think he could beat ultra-powerful Titans like Percy did?
As for Percy - Put him in the climax moment of the first HP book against Quirrell. Harry survived that moment by using the aforementioned magical loophole, but Percy would have probably chopped Quirrell's head off within the first five minutes. No biggie. No moment in the first three books comes to mind as a situation that would have given Percy a ton of trouble at around the same age. And the fact that I think that Percy would definitely give Voldemort a run for his money in a one-on-one duel in the second half of the series should really say something.
Again, that's not to say that Harry's a bad protagonist. I think that their respective power levels serve their respective plots well! Imagine how boring the PJO series would be if Percy wasn't powerful enough to go head-to-head with Titans, or how boring the HP series would be if Harry had no problems beating Voldemort ever.
It's also interesting when you consider the implications of what being the Chosen One means in their respective universes. Percy knows he's the Chosen One, and he's actually more offended when Rachel suggests that he's not the hero of the prophecy, rather Luke is. Harry, on the other hand, has a hard time believing he's the Chosen One, because he knows just how generally unremarkable he is aside from the fact that he keeps surviving against all odds. Percy is the typical Chosen One, Harry is not.
And that gets even more interesting when you consider how they interact with their peers once their "Chosen One status" becomes common knowledge. Percy, who spends most of his time on quests, doesn't interact with his peers much on-page (meaning we don't see him go through everyday life like we see in the HP series), but that aside, he's generally well-respected. People are in awe of him. People know who he is, and have decided that he is deserving of his claims to fame and power. Harry, on the other hand, is generally not respected to the same degree, and people have a hard time believing him when he tells them about his close calls with death. Adults, specifically, find his stories unbelievable, because to them, he's untrained and not significantly powerful. And you know what? They're completely right.
I tend to also see that manifest a lot in their personalities. Percy, as the Chosen One, tends to struggle a lot with the fact that there are a lot of expectations placed upon him. People come to him for help all the time, and the gods tend to take him for granted, so he ends up with this very 'leave me alone let me live my life in peace' kind of thing going on. Harry, on the other hand, struggles in the different way of, as I said before, never being believed, and while he also struggles a lot with expectations, has this issue that he doesn't, nor will he ever, live up to them because that's not who he is (insert rant here about why Harry becoming an Auror was so out of character, and why he should have become the DADA professor instead, kindly fu JKR). Harry isn't some overpowered godling, he's just some random kid, placed well enough in society that Voldemort took an unhealthy interest in him.
I'm getting off track here. But my point stands: while both Percy and Harry serve the Chosen One protagonist archetype, they are inherently different characters and serve different purposes. Harry is atypical, and doesn't succeed in his own rights as much as you'd predict from a YA protagonist, regardless of the fact that he's got an über-powerful failsafe button. Percy, on the other hand, is a much more cliche example of a main character, being overpowered and wildly successful with barebones training.
Now, this is not me saying that PJO is a cliche YA story. I would never say that, because Rick Riordan is a masterful writer who still incorporates Percy's struggles as a person into a world where he's considered extremely powerful (meaning he's not a Mary Sue). That, and the fact that Percy isn't actually the 'hero of the prophecy', but the main villain is, is what should disprove that statement in a split second.
All is is basically saying that, while Percy would absolutely whoop ass against Harry, that does not mean that Harry is a bad character. Harry is, I think, the only kind of character that could fit well enough in the HP series for it to be considered a fulfilling story (insert rant here about how the final fight in movie 8 is stupid and Harry could have never held his own in a duel against Voldemort for that long, and completely missed the point of the finale of book 7 and it's been pissing me off for years).
Anyways, yeah, point made, come yell at me if you think I'm wrong, but I don't think I'm wrong.
More (mostly TOA) rants here if you want them.
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mayakern · 11 months
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Adding my two cents here, hope you don't mind... The entire synthetic vs natural fiber argument is really reminding me of the plastic straw debate.... And I feel like the arguments are ignoring the nuance of the situations. Would I love if everything everywhere could be natural and biodegradable etc etc? Sure! Ofc! Except when degrading is what you DON'T want. I need to drink with a straw sometimes due to a bunch of personal health and sensory reasons. You know what sucks? Finding the fancy paper straw the cafe gave you has started to degrade part way through your drink. Or going somewhere that doesn't have straws at all. And personal stainless steel straws are a sensory nightmare!
Regarding clothing, I'd rather have a high quality polyester skirt that I can where over and over for years than a cotton skirt that will, given the material, eventually wear down regardless of how you care for it. I have synthetic blend shirts in my closet that I've had a literal decade and that I still wear! And I've had plenty of natural fiber clothes become sensory hell that I maybe got 3 or 4 wears out of. Polyester and other moisture wicking blends are also the best options for exercising and camping, especially if you have a tendency (like me) to overheat and oversweat. Cotton takes ages to dry out and doesn't breathe nearly as well.
And none of the natural fiber arguments ever seem to take the environmental costs to produce those natural fibers into account. A lot of the time they require a lot of water to grow and maintain on land they're likely not native to, planted in ways that push native plants and animals from their own environments. How is that necessarily better?
There are pros and cons of both fabric types. And ignoring that in favor of purely natural fibers can have negative impacts on people who may not have other choices. Like disabled people. Fat people. Poor people. People running small businesses. I promise, those of us that fall into any or all of those categories who are also environmentally conscious have looked into alternative options. And if we've gone back to synthetics? It's because we don't have one or we've weighed our options and came to the conclusion that actually, synthetic IS the more viable option.
When it comes right down to it, I think it's how we treat the garments and how long we continue wearing them that makes a difference, not what the materials are. Fast fashion is the problem. Not synthetic material itself.
I'm GLAD you provide high quality, durable, ethically sourced synthetic material skirts made in sizes and patterns we can't get anywhere else, all at a relatively affordable price point. Thank you!
And I apologize this is so long I just think, in this instance, the arguments can be a bit ridiculous sometimes. 😅
this is another facet and honestly part of it i just haven't had the energy to address. there's a lot of nuance to a situation that is often treated without nuance. you mentioned straws, which i think is a good comparison, but to me it really reminds me of the big push towards veganism a few years ago that completely overlooked labor concerns and that these "superfood" or alternative grain fads were incredibly destructive to the communities that relied on those foods as staples.
anyway that's a whole other issue with its own host of difficulties that i'm really not equipped to dig into haha
but yeah the quality in the construction of a garment and how it's treated (i.e. if it's worn for years or discarded after one use) bare way more impact on the environment than people realize.
the problem is, it is a lot easier and more profitable to sell people on changing WHAT they consume (natural vs synthetic) rather than HOW they consume.
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rockanroller · 2 months
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fans trying to say people are mad about CNC are reaching so hard. CNC implies there’s consent you can still say “no” and you’re in a safe controlled environment with someone you trust. Are they trying to say that poison scene was just CNC? Just admit you have fetishes and kinks and put them in your show and apologize if it upset and harmed SA survivors instead of arguing with SA survivors. I’m 100% positive the only reason she defending Ralph is because he lets viv to steal his ideas without crediting him, beside Ralph has no self and just adopted a shitty Angel dust persona and it backfired on him heavily because he sexually harassed a minor and doesn’t want to face repercussions
that's all correct about CNC for sure. and it does come off like people are mis-judging the situation at hand. and--tbf--people misjudging and misunderstanding the nuances of sexual scenarios and sexualities and trauma etc. is very common. but i am also concerned it's partially to do with the execution of poison and angel dust.
sex sells but it's kind of counter-productive to use sex appeal while trying to show a character is traumatized or to make a bold statement about abuse or hypersexuality or trauma or what have you. it's kind of like that saying about satire, that it...
"requires a clarity of purpose and target lest it be mistaken for and contribute to that which it intends to criticize."
that's how i feel about poison/viv's general approach to sex & abuse. but, at the same time, i feel like it's really unclear *what* she's trying to make a statement about *exactly*. and i don't know if i've seen a clear answer from her on that (if anyone has feel free to toss it in my ask box) she seems to flip-flop between her defenses and i have no idea what her goal is. sometimes it's about trauma sometimes it's about empowerment sometimes it's just the haters hating, & so on.
idk about all that you said about raph having no self and adopting angel as his persona--but i've seen the same sentiment about viv using raph (and the trauma she claims he has but he's publicly stated he doesn't in the past) to defend/justify her fixation on mlm abuse. and raph's comment towards that minor was heinous, even if the age wasn't initially in the minor's bio it's still an awful mindset to have that you can say shit like that to anyone, and would still be sexual harassment were they an adult.
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fanfin-glutton · 9 months
Text
Experimental Fashion
Plot: Eleazar and Miriam Fig have come to stay at the Inkwood’s residence in Massachusetts in America every so often, either for research purposes or just to visit. They have grown a special bond with the family, particularly with a little curious 8-year-old girl named Florence. One day she decided to dress up in some of her uncle and aunt’s clothes they had in their drawers in the guest room thinking they wouldn’t be home for a while. Boy was she wrong.
CW: Flash back, Angst, fluff, young toddler experiencing a slight panic attack, wholesome I promise lol
Authors note: This is a flashback into Eleazar Fig and Florence Inkwood’s past, it’s my first ever attempt at writing a short story like this so I apologize if there's any weird wording ;-; I’m working out the main storyline of their first interaction but it will take me a while as I am a full-time college student and have a full-time job as well. So for now, here's a little memory from the past. 
Proof read by the lovely @lilac-crown, thank you so much darling <3
You can read the full story here on AO3 
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A young girl in a white homeware gown with long dark red fuzzy hair named Florence, about 8 years old, rummages through her uncle Eleazar and Aunt Miriam's drawers in the guest bedroom, trying on every article of clothing she finds. A variety of clothing lay skewed around the bedroom. She was exploring to see what exactly she would find but was most interested in her uncle’s clothing. She always wondered how it must feel to get the luxury of being able to run around freely without extra layers of fabric limiting the range of motion that men were so inherently given.
So when everyone would be out of the house, except her mother who was taking an afternoon nap in her bedroom upstairs after finishing up her daily chores, she took the opportunity to try some on. Usually, it would be a few hours before anyone came home so she would have enough time to put everything away, making it look like nothing had happened.
It's not because disliked her dresses; she thought they were all pretty but they could be a nuance when she was running around playing outside with the local children doing a handful of activities that required her to get dirty. Her mother would disapprove of her adventurous needs as they would result in some form of damage to her gowns. Thankfully when Miriam or her older sister, Victoria Inkwood, are around they can use their magic to clean/repair her garments far easier.
Her aunt and sister made wearing ankle-length dresses look easy as they went about their daily life, compared to Florence’s struggle with her knee-length dresses. It made her a tad bit envious of not being able to manage it the same as them.
She would try to see if her two older brothers, Lawrence and Edward, had any spares from when they were younger but to no success. Plus their room would almost always be locked when they were gone, probably to prevent a certain child from doing the same to them as it’s happening to the Figs. She would’ve tried on her father’s but she didn’t want him to mock her for it as he already made her inferior for not having any magical abilities like her older siblings. She is a year overdue for them to appear, she read up on other children in similar situations but only a handful never got their magical gifts.
She was also too afraid to tell her mother, she fears that she might get angry by such an odd desire in a girl her age, another added to the long list of undesirable quirks of Florence Inkwood, the family’s only squib. 
She shook off these thoughts as she zipped up the long, black pants, the majority of which gathered at her ankles. Her puffy sleeve-covered arms protruded out from the cuffs that were shoved up her arm, and her hands can barely be seen, in the oversized ash-purple frock coat that covered her dress and that was partially buttoned up. 
Miriam just so happened to have left her hat that was made of straw and was a light sand color with a faded blue ribbon tied around it on her nightstand. 
After carefully placing the hat on top of her long and fuzzy dark red hair, she finally looked into the mirror to see a mess of clothing on her person. She stared at herself for a good moment before bursting out into laughter at the odd silhouette the amalgamation of clothing made, the shaking of her whole being causing the hat to fall covering her eyes, she tried to stifle her giggles before tilting the hat back to regain her sight.
Her dress was bunched up underneath the Frock coat making her shoulders and torso look broad, the pants covering her feet completely in the excess fabric. She paused to study the frock coat, grazing her nimble fingers across all the repairs and subtle changes that gave it its character. It was one of her favorites that Eleazar owned. When he wears it, it fits him perfectly, and makes him look quite wise and strong, to her it makes him look powerful. From the many stories he told, she’d like to believe him wearing this exact coat during said tales.
Her attention shifts to the straw hat, grazing the rim of it. It was a rather lovely hat with a few stains on the ribbon and parts of the hat were weathered down from her travels as well, but Florence liked it nonetheless. She could imagine it sitting on her long, luscious, wavy black hair riddled with silver strains, which she sometimes wore down or half up in a messy braided bun. 
As much as she liked that hat, there was another accessory that Miriam had owned that she liked but wasn’t able to find. These round sun protection eyeglasses with a golden frame. The part of the frame holding the glass lens is extended back touching the face, almost cupping the eyes. An item she has never seen before. Yes, local people wore different types of eyeglasses but none were as unique as hers. They framed Miriam’s semi-round face nicely, the gold working beautifully with her light caramel skin and giving her an air of mystery. 
She oh so desired to explore and discover new things, to travel around the world just like her aunt and uncle had seen. Or even more. 
As she wore this outfit, the stronger her desire grew. Making her feel closer to it.
Suddenly, she straightens her posture before putting one hand behind her back and the other in a fist on her chest and making a serious face,
“Ah hello!” She does a rather stiff bow towards the mirror, pretending it to be a living being.
“Good weather we’re having?” She attempted in a fake deep voice, trying to impersonate her uncle. “Have you seen my beautiful wife? I must report back to her!” The hand she had on her chest shot up into the air with her index finger up to the sky. 
“For I must tell her… er…” her serious face softened while scrunching her brows to find the words. Quite a difficult task for an 8-year-old.
“That um… I have discovered… uh something! Yes!” Her body perked up and her golden hazel eyes twinkle, as if she had indeed discovered something. 
Which she just did.
She discovered she was being watched as she heard a soft giggle behind her, immediately she froze and all color left her face. The air in her lungs felt like they were pulled out of her. She glanced around in the mirror to see a set of two eyes peeking in from the doorframe.
Eleazar and Miriam were barely visible from Florence’s view, but she could make out Miriam’s fingertips covering her smirk and her eyes squinting in amusement while Eleazar did nothing to hide his agape mouth and wide eyes. 
Fear immediately hit Florence, causing shockwaves of anxiety through her body. She slowly turned towards them, her face failing to hide any of her internal thoughts.
“I-I… please, please don’t be mad-” the words stumbling out of her quivering mouth and she found her lungs malfunctioning, unable to take in air. Her little hands clenched onto the coat.
Miriam and Eleazar’s expressions immediately drop, Miriam rushes to her side, lowering herself to meet the child’s eye level. Eleazar closes the door behind him and tries to tiptoe to the two as Mrs. Inkwood was still napping upstairs, kneeling on one knee.
“My little love, breathe” Miriam's warm and husky voice whispers to Florence as she cautiously takes both of her trembling hands and holds them close to her face, Miriam’s deep hazel eyes looking into the little ones own eyes. “Please breathe with me,” she breathes in deeply, Florence shakily follows suit. Eleazar is doing the same as well.
“Good girl, now slowly out…” she breathed out, all three breathe out in unison, they do this a few more times until Florence’s shaking nearly stops. Eleazar softly places a hand on her upper back, rubbing slow and lazy eights across it.
As soon as her nervous system was soothed, her vision slowly blurred as her eyes filled with tears and little beads fell down her face as she started to choke back a sob. Eleazar felt as if someone was squeezing his heart at the sight of his dear little one in such a state, “Sweetheart, do you want a hug?” His voice is low, trying to keep a calm demeanor. She nodded and immediately both of the adults pulled her into a warm embrace,  Miriam quietly shushing her while patting her back gently.
“Love you are not in any trouble, okay?” She spoke into Florence’s hair as she nuzzled it. “I’m not…? You’re *sniffs* not upset…?” She murmured into Miriam’s chest.
Miriam kisses the top of her head before slowly pulling back, looking at her tear-stained face with a soft smile. “Oh, you could never upset us.” 
Eleazar quietly spoke, “I mean, how could anyone else get mad at such a dashing child such as yourself?” He leaned back to glance at her outfit, 
“Very stylish indeed, young one.” He beamed at her.
She glanced between him and her outfit before wiping her face with the coat sleeve. “You like it? Really like it?” 
Miriam and Eleazar quickly glance at each other before nodding in unison, “Yes darling, I think the colors suit you well” Miriam smirks in amusement, “I will say I think it’ll look better if the clothes fit you… perhaps a bit of shopping is in order, what do you say hm?” She tilted her head to the side with her question. Florence's eyes widened and began to sparkle, 
“Really?! Are there clothes like this for girls, Aunt Miriam?” 
She nodded, even if it wasn’t the entire truth. There aren't clothes tailored for girls in this style but she can surely find something similar in boy clothes. She glanced at her uncle, “Will you be joining us too Uncle El?” Eleazar felt one corner of his mouth tug into a smile at the old nickname. 
“Why of course, darling, just know that it’ll be her to style you… I wouldn’t have a clue about fashion. But between you and me, I think the coat looks better on you.” he whispered as he leaned closer with a hand up to hide his mouth from his beloved wife, earning a small smile from Florence. 
Miriam chuckles before the couple stands back up, Miriam dusting herself off before scooping up Florence in her arms. “Now, we must ask your mother of course.” Florence’s face grimaced slightly, prompting Miriam to bring her face closer to hers.
“Let's say that we’re just going for a walk, hm?” She raised an eyebrow, making Florence immediately perk up with excitement. Eleazar smiled as he wrapped an arm behind Miriam’s back bringing them into his chest.
“Well firstly, let’s clean up this room before we go. Wouldn’t want to make your mother think some hooligan ransacked our room.” He nuzzles the top of Florence’s head while Miriam leans and pulls in Florence to kiss her on the cheek.
Florence giggles happily, her cheeks blushing from her excitement. 
Oh how loved she felt when she was with them, she never felt more at home.
Tag list: @endeavour12345 (If you’d like to be added to any future updates on this story line, please let me know and I’ll add you to the notification list!)
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cloud0818 · 1 year
Text
I'm going to talk about the first,second person in Japanese. In Japanese, how you call yourself/others gives a completely different impression. They are also very varied and vary from situation to situation. For this reason, I will excerpt the most commonly used ones in the KHR.
The personal pronoun will affect their impressions, but do not represent all of them. I hope you feel free to enjoy them!
It takes the following form. Hiragana is the reading of Kanji, so the meaning is exactly the same.
Kanji/Hiragana (pronunciation)
Expression
One part of the KHR character who uses this.
〇 First person ("I")
俺/おれ(Ore)
It is the first person most often used by men, and very few women use it in real life. It's used by all ages, but it have casual expression and don't used in formal settings. It gives a slightly rough impression but it's very common and not distinctive or unique by use this.
Tsuna,Reborn,Xanxus,Lal, Many of main characters
僕/ぼく(Boku)
This is relatively formal expression. It is often consciously used when formal expressions are required, such as in business situations. Mostly used by men and not many people use this in real daily life. It feels elegant and modest. However, children may also use this. Therefore, the impression may be quite different depending on who uses it.
Hibari,Mukro,Futa,Byakuran,Enma
私/わたし(Watashi)
It's the first person most used by women. This is used in both dail life and in formal situations. Generally, when used by women, it doesn't give a distinctive impression, but men use this, it looks quite formal and elegant. Very few men use this on a daily basis in real life.
Kyoko,Chrome,Yuni,Fon,Kikyo,
Their own name
Some people call themselves by their own names or nicknames. It's seen on some of children and teenagers, but can't be used for formal situation. It makes cute but childish impression.
Haru,Lambo,(Bluebell)
Lambo calls himself Lambo-san!(Mr. Lambo) cute.
〇 Second person ( "You" )
To begin with, personal pronouns and subjects are often absent from sentences and conversations in Japanese. The second person in particular is not often used, calling by the second person pronoun is itself distinctive. When necessary, we call their name or attribute. In Japanese KHR the same is true, in most cases, the other person is called by name. For that reason, I will only give a light introduction here. Please ask a question or wait for the post If you want to know how each character uses it!
君/きみ(Kimi)
It's used for people who are in an equal or lower position to them. In some cases, it may seem bossy. But it hasn't only a negative meaning. It's used for people you have never met or for children. Overall, a bit distinctive, but also neutral. And there is a distance between the person talking to.
貴方/あなた(Anata)
The dictionary introduces it as "a second person that respects to equal person. But It's rarely used verbally even in writing. So when actually be used, It feels more quite polite. Or it can be used ironically. Anyway, this also gives a sense of distance.
お前/おまえ(Omae)
It's one of the few second person pronounse used in everyday life. But It's very casual and rough. Therefore, usable situation are limited. To someone close, as an expression of affection for child, or as an insult or disrespect to the other person. In any case, it isn't to be used in formal settings or with superiors.
These can be more rough or transformed by the flexibility of the Japanese language. They are too diverse to describe here. And these are just a few. other personal pronouns appear in the KHR as well.
In addition, the nuances vary depending on the person using it and the situation. And even for the same person, the pronouns used change depending on the situation and the person they are speaking to. For example, Tsuna uses "Ore" call himself but when he first met Dino, he politely used "Boku". After that, he continues to use honorifics toward Dino but uses "Ore".
"The Japanese language is difficult" is a common saying even Japanese people :D
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hey-adora · 6 months
Note
nah, there were two victims who have spoken out. anastasia who dream knew was 17 (she tells him she’s “18 soon”) and amanda who dream talked to (and allegedly sexted) before she was 18 because he sent her money for her 18th birthday. dream also himself admitted the instagram dms are real, in which he gave the fan amanda his private snapchat. he admitted to flirting with his underage fans privately. i encourage you to seek out the evidence yourself, rather than just looking at what his fans say (not sure what “twitter search” that proves his innocence you’re referring to. there’s no proof that he is innocent when he literally admitted his guilt himself.) dream stans are biased and obviously spread whatever misinformation they can create to make him look innocent, just like they did with his racism and countless other controversies and drama. but if you really want to believe groomer stans, that’s your decision.
oh yes, because that last sentence totally implies you’re coming from a balanced place of good faith, unlike those demented stans.
the thing is, power dynamics aside, i don’t see a problem with a 20 year old person consensually flirting with a 17 year old. i was 17 after i graduated high school. if i chose to flirt with a 20 year old college student, or accept their advances, it would have been extremely normal.
obviously at any age, it’s never okay to harass people—but i don’t think that’s what was happening in the screenshots that were actually released? you say yourself that the worst and most extreme accusations (sexting) are only alleged. and sexting, just like flirting and romance and even sex itself, is not an activity that becomes morally correct only after people have turned 18. if a 17 year old, who’s a few months away from being 18, consensually sexts her boyfriend who recently turned 20, it’s a fucking joke to suggest some kind of abuse is occurring for the reason of age alone. sexting is a neutral act within itself, which can be a way people are groomed, but also can just be a way teens and young adults interact with each other.
now, regarding the celebrity power dynamics—let it first be perfectly understood that i am not a dream stan. i’m not really a stan of anyone, as internet fan culture around real people has always made me uncomfortable. i have literally no investment or stakes in this discourse, other than giving a shit in principle about online parasocial hate campaigns. most relevantly, i care about the use of potential misinformation that could contribute to the delegitimization of serious substantiated accusations.
which is not to say that these accusations aren’t objectively true—these girls had text conversations with this guy, it clearly happened. and they may feel regret or discomfort with the power imbalance of interacting with an internet celebrity, which is a feeling i understand! the power dynamics here are far more questionable that the age stuff that twitter discourse mongers parade around. but those dynamics also require nuance, which is clearly not the priority in the spaces you (anon) seem to occupy.
personally, i do think it’s cringey and a little slimy to flirtily dm people you know are your fans for a quick ego boost—but it’s not predation or grooming when the fan is 17 and the celeb is 20. if the fan is 13 and the celeb is over 18, it is. most people are able to recognize the difference between those two situations, even if the numbers on paper seem close.
i’m genuinely sorry to hear that these girls had negative experiences with someone they once respected and trusted. if there was primary evidence of nonconsensual harassment, i would simply put this guy out of my mind and keep his name out of my mouth. but i think i can actually be pretty damn certain there is no substantive evidence of harassment or predation, or else you people would already be plastering my inbox with it.
all harm is not equal, and overstating harm and co-opting certain inflammatory language like “groomer” exposes, more than anything else, a vindictive desire to call for mass shaming. which is how i reached the conclusion that, even if some cringe slimy stuff happened, the harshest accusations and subsequent parroting and harassment are very obviously happening because people just already didn’t like the guy.
i do not care if you like dream. i don’t know dream and i don’t particularly like him myself. i only had a little bit of sympathy because 1) i hated the way people dunked on his appearance like it was some kind of moral crusade and 2) i have a mutual who enjoys his celebrity presence.
i’ve held off on answering these asks directly because i think it’s ultimately just giving nonsense more attention than it deserves, but i am also self-righteous and have many thoughts and opinions that i’m always down to express.
and that last sentence especially pissed me off.
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fureygame1 · 8 days
Text
Unlock the Secrets of Successful IPL Betting Game: Your Ticket to Thrilling Wins!
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foxymoxynoona · 4 months
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hey foxy :)
been a fan of your secret song series ever since book 1! it’s honestly one of the best canon fics i’ve ever read; i love well-written fics that fuel my delusions and powerful enough to alter my views of reality, make me think it’s real.
I’m not surprised that MM chapter 4 elicited such strong reactions. reading it made me feel sick to my stomach — bec i genuinely understand the 2 of them. yeah sure, like everyone else, i was pretty mad about how jk responded. if i was the girlfriend i wouldve cried so much and doubted our love… but i did dive deep into how jk was feeling, and i somewhat understand why “winning” to him was so liberating — he’s finally reaching his coming-of-age era haha where he THINKS calling the shots make him mature, and it saddens me how his maturity has been delayed bec he never got to experience things they way normal people do. sasha too, she’s maturing in a different way. yeah i don’t totally agree with her decision to forgive him, but that maybe was somewhat liberating for her too. maybe “losing an argument” for her means she’s finally mature enough to let someone take control.
they’re both so complicated, almost too real, that i can’t find myself totally blaming the other because they’re both coming from different walks of life, and their journey to maturity are on two different paths but all leading to the same destination. i’m not sure if you even get what i mean haha
all i’m saying is, they’re both on the losing side here 😂 they’re both going to get hurt, and the true test of “maturity” is how they’ll respond. who’s going to concede? who’s going to sacrifice? my only hope is that they both concede. they both sacrifice. they both get hurt in realizing where they were wrong. because that’s how they’ll win and mature in the end.
can’t wait for your next update. totally selfish of me to say, but i mean this well just bec i’m so excited to feel the coming-of-age pain—hope it comes sooner :)
😊 ahhhh I love your thinking here, it's a joy to read. All the strong reactions from folks are SO FUN to read but I am always up to my tricks hehe. I completely understand what you mean about they each have their own journey in maturing but they're taking those journeys together. I have been with my husband for almost 15 years and let me tell you, it is not easy growing and changing with a partner when you start young and have so much figuring out of yourself to do. Your partner sees some ugly sides of you. It requires a lot of forgiveness and willingness to change and extend grace and be better and on and on.
I like the way you really thought about how they might have viewed that moment of "winning/losing" in a way that's so specific to them. You're right, Jungkook does not usually "win" with Sasha! His hyungs let him get away with things as the baby, but that's almost more of a joke-y way. In life, he does not often get to say what he wants and convince someone else that it's the way to go. Was this the right time? Maybe not lol but it's a nuanced situation! We will learn more about Sasha's little moment there too in the next chapter 😉
None of this is to say this isn't a pretty upsetting and frustrating moment, or that we can just wave a wand and forgive all mistakes. But where mistakes are made, there is opportuntiy for internal growth... hopefully 😎
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dragonsmooch · 9 months
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"Let me hug you." For Lodger, maybe?
~ librarian-lover 📖
You sent this ages ago, and I've been sitting on this ever since... but I looked at this yesterday and was possessed by a mighty need to use it c: a perfect prompt for Giving Lodger Lots of Love day!
Werewolf Prince Bormot (the Lodger) x Wiverna (also featuring a friend's OC and mentioning their SI), puppy love au (aka arranged marriage AU) writing prompt "Let me hug you." (~1038 words) (brief reference to the piece "Can I love you?")
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Bormot... wasn't quite sure what was happening.
He had been discussing something with his mother—although, the exact nature of their conversation had now completely fled his mind. The culprit? Was his spouse, who had marched into the room, followed by their little lizard friend. A hiss from 'Stabby' had caused them to come to a halt uncomfortably close to Bormot's seat. Then, Wiverna had extended their arms out, as if reaching for him.
And stopped.
Then stared.
Bormot, in turn, watched a spot of dirt on their shirt.
With dry amusement, Ms. Antonovich inquired, “Is there something you require of my son?”
Their arms wiggled up and down. Something like confusion was on their face. For a moment, he was struck by the similarity to pups like Mila. At times, it was as if they expected Bormot and the others to understand their behavior with little to no context. As if thinking the same thing, his mother told them to 'use their words,' as if they were simply another child. Their forehead creased, briefly. Then, fingers flexing beneath their overly long sleeves, they gave a low rumbling.
“I... do not understand,” he murmured.
Behind Wiverna, their companion huffed and jabbed the pointy end of her spear into their back. They were only mildly bothered by this, casting her a huff. I should be thankful for their scales. Finally, throwing their arms open even wider, they declared, “Let me hug you!”
Warmth crept up Bormot's neck. He could almost hear his mother's gaze shift to him, expectant. Flushing, he wrestled to find a suitable answer for such a silly request. Perhaps out of pity, she offered her son some time to collect himself. “You are generous to give my son a warning, this time.” Or maybe she simply wanted to embarrass him further.
Wiverna was still idly swaying their arms, waiting. But they responded to the jab with a simple, “Humans said I have to ask first!”
Ms. Antonovich snorted. “I see.”
“I forgot,” they added flatly. “But I remembered this time!”
Stabby grumbled, as if to argue against that.
That certainly explained the... unexpected affection from the other day. Bormot's mortification grew, as he considered the possibility that his spouse had been discussing how to show him affection. With strangers. What did that say about him as their husband? What should he do?
Clearing his throat, he finally managed to string words together into a proper sentence. (It was a wonder he could speak at all, if this was what Wiverna's behavior did to him.) “You... You do not need to ask, if you wish to show me affection.” That was what a husband would say, yes?
He glimpsed his mother in her peripherals. One brow had risen, faintly.
Wiverna's head cocked to the side. They were rather canine at the oddest times. “I don't need to ask?” The conflicting information seemed to have baffled them.
Arms folding, Ms. Antonovich sat back in her chair. And with a nonchalance that gave away none of the amusement in her eyes, she posed, “Humans have their own methods of courtship. I doubt they grasp the nuances of your unique situation. After all... you two are already married.”
The dragon stared at her, unblinking. Considering. Then, their gaze returned to Bormot.
...he realized, they were waiting for his confirmation. Was it out of respect? Disbelief? Trust? He swallowed. “...correct.” His voice was not nearly as steady and sure as his mother's.
But that single word seemed enough to ignite a flame. Both in the scaly plate across his heart, and in Wiverna before him.
Blazing eyes and a beaming, sharp smile were the only warning he had before his spouse descended upon him—and bodily yanked him from his seat. A yip almost escaped. Arms had wrapped around his middle to hoist him into the air, their face pressed against his chest. Scrabbling feet found nothing. Something rumbled, rattling his ribcage. He couldn't quite twist to see his mother at this angle. ...as he registered the soft laughter, he decided that was an acceptable loss.
Grasping their upper body for support, it took Bormot some time to realize that it was Wiverna making that rumbling noise. It was... Was it purring? Canine AND feline behavior... dragons are nothing short of befuddling.
While his mother sat out of sight behind him, he had a clear view of the lizard watching this scene unfold. When she noticed his gaze... Stabby shrugged helplessly. She had finally given up on guiding her charge.
He also saw the moment a guard entered the room. As Grigoriy paused to take in the scene, Bormot realized quite suddenly that the soft swish he heard was... the sound of his own wagging tail making a reappearance.
The knowing look on Grigoriy's face was entirely unnecessary.
As was Ms. Antonovich 'helpfully' stating, “My son is currently busy. He will find you when he is finished.”
It took concentrated effort to cease that traitorous tail's movement.
Which was for naught when, as he was set down on his own two feet, Wiverna rubbed their face against the side of his. It was rough, and a horn knocked against the top of his head once or twice. It was... very much like them. And he found that he didn't mind that as much as he thought he might. Embarrassment aside, he had deduced it was a draconic gesture of genuine affection. He had witnessed them do the same for pups, and the others of his pack—had even seen them do so for his brother, once.
Wiverna's cheek rested against his. With their arms still around him, the rumbling finally ceased as they began recounting the other things they had learned from the humans. Asking questions about courtship he wasn't sure how to answer.
They gave affection for him so freely, willingly sought him out... he couldn't remain stoic under such circumstances. That tail would wag whether he wished it to or not. What had he even done to deserve such unbridled joy at being his spouse...?
His frame rested against theirs, allowing them to (quite easily) support him.
He didn't know. He could only hope it never slipped from his fingers.
.
Tag list: @werewolfpine @bee-ships @maskedanarchy-ships @goldenworldsabound @void-kissed (feel free to ask to be added or removed from this list!)
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greengay · 1 year
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whether it was deserved or not (it was imo lol), i think j**y getting canceled was traumatic for billie, on like... multiple levels
finding out his son is a sex pest
seeing everyone turn against his son and having his life ruined and being powerless to stop it. again, i think joey was/is a little entitled turd, but billie is still his father, and a parent wants to protect their child from as much harm as possible. tbh, joey probably is the way he is because he was spoiled and over-indulged
i think being labeled a "pedophile" was a little too far and too simplistic a way of looking at the situation. things can be looked at with nuance. lydia was underage, and the age difference and power dynamic was inappropriate, but let's bffr and acknowledge that it wasn't legit pedophilia. like, let's call him a loser who wouldn't date girls his own age, but that label makes him seem like a child molester. "but who cares? he deserves it!" maybe, but also words have meaning. and, again, coming at this from billie's POV... his son isn't a pedophile, so having him be labeled a pedophile was probably devastating.
just generally not being able to ever publicly be proud of or talk fondly about his oldest son again
realizing how many people's lives were affected by joey's actions and how he raised joey and how he probably had a hand in that
like, obviously the relationship itself was traumatic to lydia, but this isn't a regrettes blog so
ALSO.... there was a alternate universe where lydia made the post and shttrs weren't "canceled", but that would have required joey being able to have at least a minute of self-reflection. like... people were angrier about him just fucking peacing out with no explanation for his actions than the actions in the first place. i think if he was like, "hey i felt really entitled to have sex with you wherever and whenever i wanted that's fucking shitty" and "yeah i know the sway i have being the son of a world famous rockstar, especially in the genre of music we both played in and the difference in life experience we have and the poewr dynamic was whack" etc. etc. like.... yeah they probably would have still lost some fans, but people LOVE to give straight white guys as many chances as they can... it was just a PR disaster.
but i think it's one thing when bad things happen to you, and it's another when bad things happen to your child (again, even if it was deserved). i think the world just becomes a much, much darker place. and i think billie came out of it a lot more self-conscious and a lot more bitter about people than he was before it happened. idk.
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shaftking · 11 months
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I literally do not understand why transmeds tend to be against teens transitioning. If you get why dysphoria is really that serious why deny a teen treatment? Y'all super adamant about needing dysphoria (I agree on this part) but also like no cure for you though. Only treatment for adults. Like it would be one thing to be against informed consent for teens, but like with genuine proper diagnosing (not some hack talking to them for an hour, meaning no trenders getting this) (though tbh only letting straight trans teens transition might help decrease regret rate as like I have yet to see a trender claim to be a straight man). Also transphobes against teens transitioning usually dont want adults to either, they'll always push the number higher if they could. 25 for brain development, but I guarantee if they got to that they'd say more time to experience after hitting full brain development. You're never old enough to know but also later is too old anyway. Also, genuinely curious as to what resource you say they should get as literally nothing other than transition helped my mental health in any way. It's not like a therapist hits you and the head with a wand and you feel better. It's not like talking about anything can solve these issues.
Eh… like I’ve said before. It’s a situation that requires some nuance, but overall the rule should be no minors transitioning, but perhaps with some exceptions. Of course dysphoria is a bitch, but there are ways to help trans kids and teens that aren’t immediately jumping to the medical side of things.
I’m against puberty blockers for trans kids wholesale because frankly they just cause more problems than they solve, ethical issues nonwithstanding. But I also don’t necessarily see a problem with a 16/17 year old starting HRT, given that they’ve had persistent dysphoria since childhood and have cleared it with a doctor and a psychologist.
It is definitely annoying that both sides seem to want this to be a black and white issue when it’s not. However, the fact that transphobes will use any kind of medical mistreatment of (potentially) trans minors to try and prevent adults from transitioning means that minors transitioning should be handled with the utmost care, in addition to the fact that a lot of kids and teens think they’re trans adamantly before settling out as adults.
And yeah, the “25 bc brain development” reasoning is dogshit and that’s not how the world works. There are things that have 21 as a limit that I think should be lowered back down to 18 because it the age of legal adulthood and if you can go to war, vote, acquire debt, live independently, etc, you can start making your own medical decisions too. Again, given that there is also a degree of ethical practice on the part of the doctor as far as informing the patient and assuring that the treatment s correct, etc.
Usually when I and other transmed aligned people talk about “other resources” we’re typically talking about mental health services and other methods of alleviating dysphoria like safe binding, voice training, packing/tucking, etc that aren’t invasive or medical but can ease some dysphoria and aid passing. Obviously theses things don’t solve everything, but medical transition isn’t a magic fix-all either. But I think it would help trans kids/teens specifically to have a baseline of trans-specific coping skills since it’s typically unethical imo for minors to go on HRT or have trans related surgeries on the whole.
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salsedine · 9 months
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Per l'ask game propongo Solas e Anders di Dragon Age
Ps ho schiacciato sul blog sbagliato e ho mandato un ask per sbaglio all'op voglio morire
Hello e grazie mille per l'ask! Credo che l'op non se la prenderà, ci sono ask decisamente peggiori in questi lidi 🙈 E se può consolare, una volta Tumblr ha glitchato di brutto inviando un mio messaggio critico verso uno show molto popolare ad un blog iper fan del suddetto show. Capisco l'ansia!
Daje now we'll switch to badly written English.
Solas: I wish I could say something, but I still haven't played DAI 🙈 (and i don't even know if I'll be able to without melting my laptop). However, from posts and fanarts I deduced that he is some kind of old god/trickster archetype/the dreadwolf thingy that wants to destroy the world. Interesting!
And a fun fact. For... quite some time I used to think that Solavellan was the name of an actual character. In my defence, it sounds legit for a fantasy setting.
Now, let's move on to the character that will make people stop talking to me lol. Under the read more because I'm on mobile and have no idea how long this is going to be.
* First impression: hello fun guy that hates the chantry and is obsessed with cats, I like your earring! Oh you refused to speak and ran away multiple times so... they left you a year in solitary confinement?? Oh and then your ex/first love is illegally magically lobotomized as a threat against you? WTF WTF WTF.
* Impression now: I pretty much like all the characters, but he really grew on me. I find him very interesting and compelling, BUT I also want to hit him with a brick for every bitchy/condescending/hypocrite comment towards Fenris or Merrill. I also suspect that with him the writers tried to portray mental illness or something similar? I think I read something somewhere.
* Unpopular opinionS: ehhh, here we go. It's called "the last straw" and not "I'm going to commit a political assassination at the first inconvenience" for a reason. I agree that it could have been handled differently (with more time- this game definitely deserved more development time), but it wasn't on a whim, nor I see it as some grand machination that he planned for years. It's a very desperate act that was preceded by years of activism and trying to find a compromise. A compromise that it is impossible to reach, imho, because compromises in order to work need good faith and/or some kind of leverage. Mages have no leverage and Meredith (and Elthina too) have no good faith. Meredith explicitly wanted an excuse to kill them all, and the right of annulment has been sent for... how can you compromise with someone that considers your existence a mistake to correct? I can see that it's a political situation that would have required more nuance than what the game had time to provide - but overall I think it's pretty clear why he did it.
* Favourite moment: The "hello Varric, take my mother's embroidered pillow, just in case something happens ahah I'm so subtle" scene is quite sweet (despite everything that follows), and while I affectionately mock it for being very loud, the First Big Kiss in the sewers is a classic. And any mention to cats is very much appreciated, obviously.
* Idea for a story: the 3 years gap between the acts are full of possibilities, and I love missing-moments stories. Also! If the "something here is a metaphor for mental illness" idea is true I'd definitely love to read some in-depth exploration of it.
* Favourite head canon: considering what I saw from the official writers about him after the events of DA2, I'd just say "the opposite of that".
* Favourite relationship: platonic, I'd say Varric ("let's brainstorm how to kill my brother :D! Also I'm paying criminals to stay away from your underground free clinic, bye"). Romantic, definitely Hawke. But with a disclaimer: I've tried the romance path thingy with a male rogue/archer Hawke (after much consideration, I was really curious about Fenris and Isabela too, but the "ten years, a hundred years-" quote got me) but I still haven't finished it. So yeah, I'm aware I'm missing pieces here -and this is why I looked for all the spoilers. "And I love you so much I'm going to let you kill me" indeed, mrs Welch singing during the end credits, indeed.
Thanks again for asking! 💃✨
[edit] finished the game - he is now in the top 10 of my favourite characters, huge fan of the romance with Hawke (friendship route and 'let's run away' ending).
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