#and they end up discussing transition stuff

[afkphorabit]

been thinking about jasper waking up after a werewolf night and going about his day as normal until someone just kinda notices something looks off about him. "is there something on my face?"

and depending on the person it's either "i think we need to get ito to look at this" or "this is the first time i've seen you forget to shave i think".

jasper with facial hair. jasper with facial hair! it could start as a side effect of the botched wolfsbane or even a side effect of the effective wolfsbane- as a sort of issue with adaptation to the changes, maybe. or werewolves have naturally higher testosterone and the wolfsbane makes it start to affect his human body. i dunno what the logistics and implications are but i think he deserves a little chin scruff for his struggles

[lesbiangiratina]

Not very fond of people like waving off testament’s gender as just a Gear Thing but well at least it becomes funny when people apply it to gears as a whole. Like yeah i can agree with that. It has nothing to do with being a gear tho theyre all just transgender

[genderqueer-butch]

There is a Problem with transition timelines that people post online, doctors, etc. making it seem like trans men/transmascs were on testosterone for like a year or something and "fully look like cis men."

And this has led to a lot of trans men and transmascs (and anyone who may not identify this way) ending up feeling sad/bad/discouraged when taking testosterone when they don't "fully passing" after a year or so.

When people say "trans men pass easier", they are reinforcing this exact kind of misinformation.

It's not that there are absolutely no trans men who "fully pass" after about a year on hormones, but the generalization of it is FACTUALLY untrue. Like, this is just genuinely incorrect, and in fact, it would actually quite literally be impossible to make such a generalization in the first place.

Because once again, every single human being is different, with different biology, different physical traits. I have read about so many trans women who have deeply, deeply struggled to pass, even after being on hormones for many years, and I have read about so many trans men who have deeply, deeply struggled to pass, even after being on hormones for many years. I have also read about many trans women who have talked about how they've actually always been pretty feminine and actually often was "mistaken" for a woman before being on hormones, just as I have read about many trans men who have talked about how they've actually always been pretty masculine and actually often were "mistaken" for a man before being on hormones.

I mean, fucks sake, women of color in particular have spoken plenty about the ways many of them are masculinized and are mistaken as men and called men, etc. due to racism. Asian men are frequently feminized and seen as feminine and treated as weak. Intersex people who are assigned on sex, but grow up being treated as the opposite sex. This happens to white, cis, perisex people too. We literally have news articles about cis women - women of color and white women alike - being mistaken as men in women's bathrooms and being harassed as a result.

And if you know any of this, if you know any of the stuff I just described above about how everyone is different and how plenty of people - trans men and trans women alike - have spoken about all sorts of experiences, from being able to easily 'pass' to struggling to ever 'pass' and more, then I do not understand how or why anyone could think that saying "it's easier for (this group of trans people) to pass than it is for (this other group of trans people) to pass" is a true and correct statement.

"Trans men pass easier" can never be a true statement and can never be factually "proven" for these exact reasons. To make such a generalization inherently reinforces the idea that there are two sexes: because if you believe that trans men pass easier, you are relying on the idea that trans man = afab, which means having xyz physical traits, instead of the fact that literally any human can look any kind of way - people can be short, tall, have a lot of body hair, have short hair, have long hair, have facial hair, etc. and be literally any gender and that sex is not a binary and 'afab' is essentially meaningless when it comes to discussing actual human beings, actual biology, actual physical human traits and biological traits. As I said - there are many experiences from trans people in which they talk about things like a trans woman who was frequently "mistaken" for a girl as a child, a trans man who was frequently "mistaken" as a boy as a child, and so on.

To make such a generalization is to assume that human beings' biology generally works the same amongst two sexes, regardless of ethnicity, regardless of physical health conditions, regardless of anything else. It's a statement that is so incorrect, so provably and obviously wrong that I can't wrap my head around believing it.

[hypokeimena]

the thing about therapy is that when it is presented as a cure-all auto-response to any situation you end up with a number of possible bad outcomes. all of these are just things that have happened to Me, Personally, off the top of my head, and i have not included any of the outright illegal medical malpractice i have experienced in this post either. this is just normal run-of-the-mill bad therapy outcomes.

you go before you're actually willing to do any work on yourself, and end up just wasting your time and money on sessions that do absolutely nothing for you, and as a result decide that there's something fundamentally wrong with you

you go before you're actually willing to do any work on yourself, and end up just wasting your time and money on sessions that do absolutely nothing for you, and as a result decide that therapy is completely useless and so you delay returning to it when you're more stable and it might actually be more helpful to you

you go before you're actually willing to do any work on yourself, and end up just finding psych-approved phrases to justify and validate your ongoing and untreated harmful behavior

you are willing to do the work, but you are unable to discuss your struggles in detail because doing so would end up with a diagnosis in your chart that would make it impossible to manage other parts of your life

you are willing to do the work, but end up with a therapist who threatens to punitively diagnose you with a stigmatized disorder if you are uncomfortable with the treatment plan they suggested.

you end up with a kind of shit therapist who has a financial interest in keeping you in therapy and who is therefore unwilling to actually help you attain any real significant improvement that'd get you to stop seeing them

you end up with a therapist who is bigoted against people like you, and as a result they refuse to facilitate referrals or attempt to block other parts of your medical care / transition / etc.

you end up on medications that don't do anything for you because your therapist wants you to be medicated

you're on meds that give you horrible side effects and you have to grovel not to be marked as noncompliant in your records when you ask to go back off them.

you are willing to do work on yourself, but you end up with a therapist who pushes you to agree with their version of events, and it ends up destabilizing your understanding of your own experiences (this has happened to me both with therapists who pushed me to consider a non-traumatizing experience traumatizing and who pushed me to reframe a traumatizing event as non-abusive).

you are willing to do the work, but you are unable to discuss your struggles in detail because your therapist is a mandatory reporter and you do not want police involved in your situation

literally just off the top of my head. there's way worse stuff that can happen to you. if you die in therapy you die in real life!!!!

[casscainmainly]

omg i love your idea for the duke and dick dynamic, it could be so fun if handled properly, i wish dc would release a team-up for them where they start off with the one-sided hate-ish dynamic you described. i'm primarily a nightwing fan but i adore duke and something about them starting off on such a wrong foot makes my brain itch, the banter would be comedy gold. they team up for a case that involves undercover work and some classic corrupt officials in a powerful system. the rooftop should come up and dick should apologize for handling it all wrong and they would talk about the systemic issues in brief all over throughout the comic (maybe use the newly orphaned dick in juvie reference at some point, could lead to very interesting introspection on dick's part) and let them chafe a little together because they are both used to being in leader/solo roles and then let them find even more respect for each other and their skills. i think dick would like duke even more by the end and they both would gain a better understanding of each other. duke doesn't even need to like dick by the end of it. it would be SO fun. DC PLEASE LET THIS HAPPEN, LET DUKE BE PETTY AND A HATER AND LET IT BE FUNNY

YAY I'm so glad you like the idea <333 I made that Duke hates Dick post what feels like so long ago now but it is still one of my fav posts and I stand by it. I WOULD DIE FOR A DICK + DUKE SPECIALLLL!!

Sorry you've turned on the Dick + Duke tap in my head so gonna dump some thoughts here:

The thing about Dick + Duke is that they're sooo similar but SOOO different. Like technically they've both been wards/taken in not as a son for Bruce, but Dick's situation was so radically different that even if they talked about it, it wouldn't be the same. Dick would be like 'how did you feel being taken in by Bruce' and Duke would be like 'nothing really. I mean it was nice but it was only temporary. What was it like for you' and Dick would suppress 1 bajillion of the world's strongest feelings about Bruce to be like 'oh it was nice as well'.

ALSO thinking about how the roof thing happened when Dick gave Duke his blessing to be Robin, but now Duke is Signal. I don't think Dick knows 'Signal' comes from Duke's mom, and Duke certainly doesn't know 'Robin' comes from Dick's mom. Imagining a conversation where they discuss those names, and the uncomfortable realisation of what exactly it meant when Duke + the WAR kids took Robin out of its context, but also the realisation that Signal is a Robin legacy in its own way by honouring motherhood. Also, thinking about Duke telling Dick about Bruce giving him the Signal suit and basically asking him to stop being Robin. Dick had picked Duke in Robin War, I can't imagine Bruce's interference with the Robin mantle would go over well (and it shouldn't. I just need someone to be mad about the Robin/Signal transition in canon!!!)

Final thought is their opposing thoughts about performance and honesty. Performance is such an integral part of Dick's core, but it's antithetical to Duke's; he's all about truth, bringing things to light, digging things up etc. I think them teaming up could bring out these completely different approaches to being a hero and being human, and it would be so delicious and good!!! I truly do think at the end of it they would come to have a deep respect for each other, because they are both deeply good people who believe in community and compassion. I even think the leader thing won't be hard for them to overcome (Dick would not treat Duke as a sidekick and Duke would appreciate that; they're both very aware of the importance of youth's independence).

This is just some of the stuff DC is leaving on the table by NOT FLESHING THEIR RELATIONSHIP OUT. For now I just have 3 panels in Robin War to obsess over :((. If they ever do a Duke-Dick special or run I will buy every issue and every variant cover and cry on the floor for an hour maybe because I'll be SO HAPPY!!!

[emmyrosee]

I just like the smell of men’s body wash and it’s my hubby’s birthday 🥺🩷

—-

There’s a smell from the shower that Atsumu’s not used to, unless he’s in it.

On the outside, it smells like citrus and cedar, but there’s also a tinge that can only be classified as ‘the color blue’ as it circles the air around him. He furrows his brows as he lets his feet follow down the hall, into the bedroom, and right in front of the bathroom door.

You’re using his body wash.

The sound of the shower is still pattering loud as you scrub away, the music on your phone mingling with the shower water and the smell of his body wash seeping from under the door with the humidity of steam.

He smiles and bites his lip softly.

You’re using his body wash.

You’ve been together only for a few months, the necessity of keeping certain hygiene products being more important the more you spend the nights together.

And tonight, it seems like you’re more than content to use his.

It’s a few minutes after he snaps himself out of his trance, he hears the water stop, then your music pauses, and he has to fix up a facade that he wasn’t just standing outside of your shower, sniffing.

“Hey baby,” he says, pulling off his shirt with the least amount of nonchalance. “How was your shower?”

He hides a snicker as you glare at him, only in his boxers and a stretched out tee shirt.

“I hate your freaking 17-in-1 crap,” you grumble, sitting on the bed to slip on your socks. He says nothing, merely grinning as he watches you go about your routine. “Frying the ends of my hair, drying my skin. Next time we go out we’re splurging shampoo and conditioner and a good body wash.”

“You still used it though.”

“Yeah, because I ran out of my stuff that I keep here.” You say it as if your cheeks aren’t heating up before his eyes, and your hands aren’t shaking suddenly with the discussion. “You should just have good stuff then.”

Atsumu chuckles, then moves over to your perch on the bed. He takes the hands from your sock and gently kisses your knuckles, eyes fixated on yours. “I was just touching my feet,” you snort.

“Yeah; I also walk into the bathroom when you’re peeing. Transitive property, I’m still gross.”

You let out a string of laughter and lean down to meet his lips for a kiss, and he moves a hand to gently cup the back of your head to cradle you close.

When you pull away, he nudges his nose with yours, “maybe you should keep your good stuff here.”

“Or we should get you good stuff-“

“But I want yours.”

“Then we’ll buy mine-“

“I’m asking if you want to move in with me freak show,” he groans, immediately shifting to stand up and pin you to the bed, fingers tickling wildly while you kick and scream, swatting his hands away. “You gotta make every little thing a process don’t you-“

“Yes!” You squeal, and he pauses to ask you which one you’re saying yes too-

Only for you to kick him square in the gut.

And that’s exactly how atsumu wanted to spend the night he asked you to move in with him; trapped in the ER with a fractured rib.

But hey; at least you were the to take care of him.

And you never left.

[utilitycaster]

re: production values for Thresher and actually liking the choices made, I think my thought processes are as follows:

The filming of standard gameplay isn't terribly different from how D20 is often filmed, which I've never minded. I think why I don't like the CR split screen is that it doesn't add anything and indeed subtracts deliberately and without any real end except Making Faces Bigger/ removing people from between two actors. Which, if the notes on my post about Caleb and Fjord's wild interactions are any indication, isn't even something the audience cares about and indeed seeing other players' reactions is fun (see also: everyone tracking Aabria and Travis in EXU Calamity). But if you're filming a table without the Two Rows method that is CR's mainstay, then sure, frame your shots.

Obviously no complaints about costuming/fun set stuff; I don't find that disruptive and I enjoy it. Same goes for credits or intro.

The interlude as they descend works because it was a pure RP moment and a transitional scene. Same with the introductory video and the recordings; diagetic information is great! In C1, C2, and a little even in early C3 Matt was quite good at giving the players physical letters when relevant, and a recording in a setting that offers that is also great.

The music was pretty subtle but present and non-intrusive. I actually like a little more noticeable music personally, but I think there's been a trend away from it in filmed AP lately, and what they had was setting-appropriate and while I don't know if it really deeply enhanced the vibe, it certainly didn't disrupt it.

The background was very cool and again I think scrims/cool backdrops are great.

Radio voice effects also good and I think they did a good job of making it still sound very listenable (plus it was released with closed captioning).

Pop-ups with descriptions are great, especially in actual play, and these were very unobtrusive in my opinion. D20 does this sometimes as well.

I think what I don't care for, particularly, are extensive VFX in-game. The ones in Downfall were ultimately ok because they were brief and added to the idea of this being otherworldly/outside of time as we understand it, once we understood the vibe of the actual show. If they'd continued I'd have been annoyed, but fine for just the Tengar scenes to show how the gods were once very different. But I don't care for, as discussed, the split screens; the Jaysohn edit from Burrows End and some of the jittery effects in Neverafter; or whatever the hell Kollok is doing.

It's also, ultimately, a matter of production prioritization. If the story isn't strong and production values are, then I'm going to be a lot more harsh than if the reverse is true - once CR fixed their sound equipment issues in their debut, the story was still stellar despite filming in what the cast has joked looks like a child's bedroom. Late Campaign 2 is still excellent despite the demands of social distancing putting everyone in front of a backdrop reminiscent of 1990s school pictures. A bare bones podcast with a good story is going to be better than a heavily produced show with a bad one. Thresher thus far has delivered, with great acting and an intriguing premise, and so I'd be enjoying it even if the production was much simpler. It doesn't feel like the core was neglected in order to provide a glitzy exterior.

[belle--ofthebrawl]

Well, it's out of my system and out in the world. I don't want to look at it any more. I don't think anyone should. Consider this my Pandora's box, with hope being something that makes it all worse.

Hurt with no comfort. Both physical and emotional pain. Good luck in there.

It happened so swiftly they all thought it was a joke.

One minute they were walking in straggled groups to the hotel; Tempest had outdrank Mountain and the big guy was keeping her tethered so she didn't float off and alert the humans something unnatural was lurking. Cirrus and Aurora were with Rain a little ways behind discussing the pros and cons of various skincare items and routines. and Dew was limping along on his crutches like a good sport half-listening to Aeon tell Swiss something stupid. Good stupid. The kind of stupid that was funny in a drunken haze and would no doubt become another one of the many private jokes they had with each other. Hearing Swiss laugh, Dew smiles faintly. Things were different with Lus and Aether gone and a new Papa and ghoulette to work around and into their group. But good different. He could handle the tour if it kept going like this. Even with a broken foot, it wouldn't be as hard on him as last time and Cirrus had his strength to draw on.

They come to the end of the avenue. Mountain looks both ways before he starts to cross the street, giggly Tempest in tow. Dew shifts on his crutches, wishing he could light up and walk at the same time. He'd given anything for a human dose of nicotine right now.

He's about to call Swiss' name to pester him for a smoke when it happens. Swiss is replying between laughter, clapping a hand on Aeon's shoulder and saying something like “That's nothing, this one time I saw-”

Aeon never hears what Swiss saw. He's gone in the blink of an eye, in the space between breathing. There's nothing to mark his disappearance; no gust of wind or flash of light.

He's just.

Gone.

“Woah…” Aeon slurs, turning around to squint at Dew with his mismatched eyes, his scar puckering as he frowns. “Where'd he go?”

“Around.” Dew says nonchalantly, balancing on his good foot to use a crutch to gesture idly at their surroundings. “Been a while since he did his shadow shtick. Surprised he's risking it here.”

But that was always Swiss, wasn't it? Pushing the limits, testing his luck.

“Oooh…” Aeon says with a toothy grin. “Right. Shhhadow shhhtick.” He looks around with exaggerated movements, high and low. “Swiss? Where did you goooo? That's soooo crazy, he was right here!”

Dew rolls his eyes and takes Swiss' spot next to Aeon, resting his head on the kid’s shoulder for a moment. Debates asking for a bit of quintessence but decides against it. Maybe at the hotel.

“I got your man.” Dew announces to a particularly suspicious looking shadow. “He's mine tonight if you don't re-claim him.”

Swiss doesn't reappear.

“Jackass.” Dew mutters, but fondly. Things had been so tense lately with the transition, he's a little bit glad Swiss is pulling his usual tricks. Not like Dew will ever tell him though. Alright, maybe he will. When this cycle is wrapped up and they have their last night out before heading home. Maybe. Maybe Dew will tell him.

They keep up the game as they walk to the hotel, talking like Swiss isn't hovering in the shadows five feet behind them. Swiss, can I use your cologne tomorrow night? Oh, did you see that? I think that was a yes. Swiss, can we trade bunks? I don't think it's fair you got to pick first. Did you hear the wind? He's being so generous tonight!

Each time they expect him to pop back up, take Aeon's elbow and berate them in his usual manner for stealing all his stuff. Each time he doesn't and while Aeon is drunk enough to think he's dragging it out, Dew feels the faintest tinge of unease in his gut.

Something isn't right.

“Swiss.” He says before they head into the hotel. “It's old, bud. Come on, let's put this brat to bed.”

Aeon protests at being called a brat, at the implication he needs a bedtime but Dew doesn't hear him. He's got his eye on a liquidy shadow in the dim alleyway. Strange animalic eyes reflect luminously at him and for a moment, Dew’s shoulders drop. There he is, the bastard.

“Swiss-” he calls, only to startle, genuinely startle as the black cat leaps from the top of the trash can and into the light, hissing as it goes between his boot and his crutch. Aeon’s snickering but as Dew turns to watch it flee, all he feels is dread.

“C’mon man.” Aeon says, smacking his back. “He's up in the room waiting for us, I bet. What a jerk.”

“Yeah.” Dew says as Rain and the girls shoulder past them, still talking. Unaware of the shift that has subtly taken place. “Yeah.”

Saying anything else doesn't feel right because he already knows. He already knows as soon as Aeon slides his key card in and throws open the door, asking Swiss to come out with a laugh and is greeted with silence. He's not there. His stuff is, his duffle and a half-finished bottle of water with black lipstick drying on the rim.

But no Swiss.

“Go to bed, kid.” Dew says quietly, shifting his weight to take the pressure off his armpits. Fucking crutches. “I'll track him down.”

Aeon goes down like a puppy, tail wagging and big eyes closing innocently. He trusts Dew, which makes the lie hurt even more.

“Tell’im he's a jerk.” Aeon says into his pillow. “I wanted snuggles.” Then, as if to clarify, “Swiss snuggles. Swuggles.”

He's still giggling over it when Dew closes the door, leaning against it so he can pull out his phone to check their room assignments. Heads to his own first, just to make sure they didn't guess wrong, cussing under his breath the whole time at Swiss for making his handicapped ass hobble around like this. The anger feels good. A distraction from the nugget of fear.

But it only grows bigger, a deep pit opening in his stomach when his own is empty. Mountain's in the shower and it sounds like he's alone. Dew leaves without tipping him off and heads to Aurora and Rain next. They both confirm they haven't seen him but they'll keep an eye out.

He doesn't have to tell Cirrus when she opens her door. She instantly clocks something's wrong by the look on his face. Dew can feel his expression faltering, worry creasing his brow.

The decision to keep V out of it is mutual. The usual excuses of his newness feel wrong but they're still said. It only takes an exchange of glances to know they don't trust V with this, not yet. Pack handled pack shit. They would get this sorted out and if…and when they found Swiss, they'd both tear into him for making them worry.

Dew texts Mountain while Cirrus goes to grab Aurora. The little ghoulette is one step ahead of them, already sitting crisscross on the bed with her eyes aglow when Dew and Mountain join them. Rain’s filing his nails by the window, looking like he doesn't have a care in the world but Dew recognizes the way his tail is twisting around itself and so does Mountain. The big guy goes to stand by him, putting a hand on his shoulder in such an eerily similar way to Swiss that it nearly sends a shudder through Dew. He puts his crutches against the wall and collapses into the cuck chair, stretching his legs out, wincing as a jolt of pain streaks up his calf.

“Where did he vanish?” Aurora asks, sounding strange and ethereal.

“At the crosswalk.” Dew says. He gives her his hand so she can see his memory and at the moment of Swiss vanishing, she screams.

“No!” She cries, scrambling to get up, reaching out into empty space, into the memory of the past she cannot change. “Swiss!”

Before any of them can catch her, she tips over. Going down on the thin carpet hard, hitting her skull with a sickening noise and by the time Mountain’s gotten to her, helped her up, checked her over, she's shaking and sobbing, dry-heaving as she tries to explain and only makes herself cry harder.

“He's gone!” Is all she can repeat, rocking back and forth. “That stupid, stupid…He's gone!”

When Dew looks at Cirrus and Mountain, he knows with grim certainty it's no longer pack shit.

________

“What do you mean he's gone?”

In any other circumstances it would be funny. V in his bathrobe with a bare face. Copia on the other line, seething with fury. Speaking at the same time with the same words.

“I would've-” Aurora gasps, wiping away tears. “If I had seen, there's a, there's a moment where you can grab them back when they go and I could've, if I had seen, if- if Aeon had seen-”

Aeon hadn't seen. He'd been laughing too hard, too drunk to realize. No one wants to be the one to go get him for this. Tempest is an afterthought. She should be involved. She's one of them now.

No one moves.

“His summoning contract.” Aurora says in a low voice to keep it from breaking. “Up for renewal before we left. But there wasn't any time and he forged the renewal paperwork with my help, he told me not to worry and that he knew what he was risking, he told me it would work out!”

Her voice cracks and they lose her again as she buries her face in her hands.

“You're telling me you lost one of my best ghouls.” Copia growls and to V’s credit, his own voice is steady when he answers,

“Seems like this happened under your watch, Frater.”

Copia swears a bluestreak at V, who stands with his hands together like he's about to give a speech. Dew’s neck prickles at the way he seems to be studying them.

“Let me go look if we carry proper ceremonial equipment to resummon a ghoul.” He simply says and turns away from them to take his leave.

“I'll see what I can do on my end.” Copia mutters, and hangs up.

It's probably for the best if the new guy keeps his space. Already Dew feels better as V opens the door, let them mourn but Dew’s heart sinks again when he hears the sleep-scratchy voice of Aeon just outside.

“Where is everybody?” He asks with a jaw cracking yawn. “I got the weirdest feeling I don't want to be alone right now guys.”

“We have lost one of our band mates tonight.” V says succinctly. “And I am off to see if we can summon him back.”

Suppose there was no way to break it gently to him. Aeon goes from sleepy to stunned in a heartbeat, staggering into the room looking at V as he walks away. Turning to them all with shock etched in every line of his body.

“He's gone?” He asks quietly.

Dew nods slowly. He thinks the others do too.

“But I was…” Aeon walks to the bed on unsteady feet. “He was standing…and I was there, I didn't even…”

“There's nothing when we leave.” Aurora says softly. “It's like when humans die. One second we're here and the next…”

“Why do you know.” Mountain says, sounding utterly heartbroken and Aurora's face crumples. “Out of all of us, why do you know?”

“I don't know why he picked me to help him!” She snaps, fresh tears rolling down her cheeks. “He said he didn't want anyone else to worry, okay? Like it's okay to make me feel like this is my fault. I trusted him to make things okay!”

“We all trusted him.” Rain says. “And he trusted us too.”

“Not enough.” Dew says cynically and hates himself for it. He has the grace to avoid the dirty look Cirrus gives him and taps his good foot against the bad to make it hurt.

“He could have told me too.” Aeon says, dropping onto the mattress like a stone sunk in water. “We could have kept an eye on him, Rory, I could-I could have helped, right?”

There's something in the way Aurora curls up in on herself that sends a message to Aeon none of them can interprete.

“You bitch.” He says quietly, so angrily it makes Aurora lean away from him.

“I'm sorry.” She whispers. “You're too much of a risk, we wanted to keep you safe,”

“Is that how you all feel?” Aeon demands wildly, standing up and swaying on his feet. He pushes back his shock of white hair, forces the eyelid of his blind eye open, glaring at all of them as he digs his nails so hard into the ropey tissue of his scar that it hurts Dew to look at it. “You all think I'm a fucking liability? Just cause of this?”

“No one thinks that-” Mountain starts.

“My powers work fine!” Aeon shouts. “I was cleared by Omega after the fucking dust settled! I'm sorry I was too excited to be up here with everyone. At least I only hurt myself.”

He jabs a finger at Aurora.

“You promised no secrets.” He spits. “And Swiss promised he wouldn't leave so I guess you two are fucking made for each other.”

He's crying by the time he storms out the door, stomping down the hallway. Dew struggles to stand, reaching for his crutches but only succeeds in knocking them down loudly on the floor. Distantly, some part of his brain points out the noise complaints they're all going to receive.

“What do we do?” Aurora asks, looking to Cirrus for guidance. “Just wait? Wait around and see if we can get him back?”

Cirrus' expression is tight as she sits next to Aurora, awkwardly filling in the role of comforter Cumulus so easily played. Cumulus would know what say here, Dew thinks. Cumulus would have chased after Aeon and calmed him down. But she's not here and all Cirrus does is rub little circles into Aurora's back as her eyes fill with tears again.

“What if we can't?” Aurora asks. Dew wishes she would shut the fuck up. Each word out of her mouth makes everything worse. “What if we can't get him back?”

“Show goes on.” Dew says, sounding hollow. He lifts his bad leg and drops it down heavy, the pain so quick and intense it makes him a little nauseous. Anything to keep him from thinking about the future stretched out before then now. “The show must go on.”

[qwordavoider]

The 911 writers' room should have character advocates.

People who look at the actions of the other characters in the show, solely through the perspective of their assigned character. Some way to check themselves so they don’t abandon the fundamental aspects of the characters. Or even just straight up forget about some of them.

For example the Buck advocate point out all the storylines that include his family not really giving a damn about his well being in recent episodes. Or that Buck can make his own decisions, which the 118 should respect. Give him a chance to yell at them or speak up for himself for once.

Or Chimney’s advocate highlighting the fact that Chimney hasn’t gotten a storyline of his own all season. All of it has been connected to Maddie or the rest of the team. He got a little bit of a storyline with whether or not he thought Jee should have a sibling, and even that decision was taken out of his hands when Maddie says she’s pregnant.

Or Hen’s advocate asking for a storyline outside of having her kids taken away. Or even outside of having to choose whether or not her job is a priority (choosing being a firefighter over med school in s6 and later in Masks having Karen get upset about the job Hen’s had for years).

Or Eddie’s advocate could have pushed for Eddie to go back to El Paso to get Chris back sooner instead of letting the storyline be shoved aside in favor of more screen time with Brad. Or to let him actually acknowledge his mistakes and let him be human instead of (intentionally or unintentionally) making him an asshole.

Or Athena’s advocate asking for her to actually get a rookie so we can see her in that mentoring role she seemed to want to take on. The rookie wouldn’t even have to be highly involved or fleshed out, but just be around when she goes on calls.

Or Maddie’s advocate requesting to give her a spa day so she can breathe after everything she's been through this season (serial killer, kidnapping, her throat being slashed, and now Chim being trapped by and infected with a deadly virus). And let her do fun pregnancy stuff that she didn't get to do with Jee because of covid. Let her go to Lamaze classes and get to know other pregnant people that whom she can discuss things with.

*edited the Maddie one because @comradesummers rightfully pointed out that a character advocate wouldn't advocate for their character's storyline to be dominated by another character. I let the recent bucktommy discourse surrounding her cloud my judgment, and it ended up being my wants for the character in regard to the ship and not what would be good for Maddie.

Or Bobby’s advocate speaking up for him to talk to Athena about his dad, or even just dealing with his guilt and trauma from that on his own in a meaningful way. Or the advocate could suggest giving him a storyline about his damn heart attack and having to focus on his health more or dealing with the fact that he almost died.

Hell, give me an advocate for the recurring characters. Someone who looks at the episodes they have written to find ways to include them in the story when/if it makes sense. Prioritize characters we haven’t heard from in a while. Add additional people for us to care about (and potentially kill off instead of the main cast, but with more emotional impact than just the victims on calls).

I think it’s been said a million times by so many people, but I’m going to say it again: 911 has a hard time balancing all of its main characters and their storylines. They can’t focus on one without sacrificing the others. They also can’t seem to follow through in a satisfying way for a lot of their storylines.

Denny coded after being hit by a car and was fine the next time we saw him. Give him a recovery time that puts strain on Hen and Karen’s relationship to give them a different conflict. Mara never went through any sort of difficult transition back to living with the Wilsons or resentment over being sent to the group home. Athena and the rookie story could’ve been fleshed out more or even just been a background c or d plot. The black book from the opening episodes just disappeared after it was wrapped up way too quickly. Eddie and Chris took way too long to address. Buck’s hopes of being Captain or just any kind of career aspirations just faded away. Bobby coming back to the 118 with no problems after having an existential crisis where he retired, his house burning down, having a heart attack, and being ousted by Gerrard.

Not everything needs to be wrapped up in a nice neat bow after 1 or two episodes. It’s okay to let the storylines have breathing room. This last episode proved that it is possible. And I think they need to keep this energy going through the end of the season and hopefully keep their act together for season 9.

Inspired by this post from @johanna-swann about the writer’s intentions and whether they notice the patterns for Buck. Which led to thoughts on all the characters and a lot about plot lines in general.

[drdemonprince]

sorry if this is too long but i really appreciate your perspective and would love some advice

i have a mixed gender friend group irl, however i am the only transmasc in the group (the rest of the group is queer transfems, queer cis women, and our token cishet guy) and ive run into a little issue in that im quite close to one of the cis girls of the group, and we occasionally have deep chats about our queer identities (we're both aro, im ace, shes bi) . these chats are great and i really appreciate her as a friend but one thing shes always bringing up, even in unrealted conversations is how much she hates men .

im not a transandrobro so this isn't gonna be one of those "im one of the good ones" or "i feel guilty for being transmasc" asks dw. the issue came up when i was discussing how i was going to start T pretty soon (i pass decently well without it already but as more of a butch/androgynous type look) and as we were talking about the changes she was acting... genuinley scared and disgusted??

especially when i talked about how i will likely grow more body hair, and how T affects scent and stuff. she was almost horrified. "yeah but you dont want that right? youll shave it?" . i already dont shave my body hair (she does) and i cant help but feel scared that one of my closest friends is going to find me revolting once i start transitioning medically.

i didnt even mention bottom growth after that because i was so scared of what her reaction to that would be.

idk if you have any experience or advice for this? or any reading on the subject? ive found that its only the cis women in my friend group who are acting this way as well. i feel like maybe its because theyve secretly been viewing me as "just" a masculine woman this whole time. i id as nonbinary with the group, but secretly i really do think im a trans man, but based on the disgust with those things im reluctant to come out again.

Honestly this is a really common way that cis women microaggress against trans mascs! Those two identities have competing privilege/oppression intersections and a lot of really wild shit can play out as a result, as well as due to the projection that can happen because both groups have shared a social identity at some point (whether we liked it or not). It may not be fixable, but I think you need to set the tone that this kind of negative commentary on your transition and body is NOT acceptable, and to do so EARLY, so that you are establishing ground rules for how you will be treated.

Example conversation:

You: So I started getting some hair on my neck around my Adam's apple.

Her: Ewwwww, but you're going to shave it right?

You: (pause and look at her seriously). Gender transition is something I'm very excited about and that's very good for me, you know. I am happy about everything that's happening and I hope that as my friend you would be happy for me too.

Let's say that she continues to be somewhat shitty about your transition multiple times. Here is how you might escalate without totally blowing your lid.

Her: Wow, your [voice is so deep/your acne is getting so bad/your hair pattern is changing/whatever thing she is being shitty about].

You: (stop whatever task you're doing if any to give this full attention. lock eyes with her, maybe even sigh). I have told you multiple times not to comment on my appearance. It makes me very uncomfortable. I don't enjoy spending time with people who comment on how I look.

I think your focus should be not on correcting her feelings, which she needs to go like stare at a pond and reflect about on her own, but instead reign in her shitty commentary completely -- and if she won't do that for you, then you will need start ending conversations/walking away/not inviting her to things/whatever other boundary setting strategy you like. I would prioritize nipping the personal comments in the bud over the "men are so disgusting and evil" kind of commentary, because I think that matters more and seems to bother you more -- but if it were me? I would also be pissed that she wasn't including me in the category of "men" when she was talking about them, and would say things like "I'm a man too, you know." Or "Yeah, WE can be kind of annoying/boorish/smelly sometimes." This isn't some transandrobro NOT ALL MEN thing, it's an anti-transphobia don't misgender me thing. And perhaps by taking accountability for all that manhood is -- the good and the bad, the euphoric and the just neutral, you will influence her in a positive way to think about these things more neutrally. If not, well, that's her fuckin loss.

[seat-safety-switch]

Have you seen the crap they're putting on children's television nowadays? When I was a kid, TV shows made for us were meant to do one thing: sell toys. Now they're all about doing fun activities with your friends, and learning about your responsibilities to greater social harmony. No wonder capitalism is flaming out like a Boeing stock option.

Thing is, even with this renewed focus on teaching children not to be useless, cranky ultra-consumers, the shows don't exactly teach valuable skills. Yeah, yeah, I know, interpersonal discussion, knowing about recycling, outer space, Freudian psychoanalysis, how to make change. All that stuff is covered, and it's fine, but it seems like shows are expecting parents to fill in the gap with these skills. Skills the parents often don't have. The cycle needs to be fixed, and it's television's role, as always, to tell people what to do.

Kids should be learning about the different kinds of screwdrivers, basic wiring, how to replace floor moulding, and what sorts of chemicals might inadvertently create bombs. If there's time, they can cover less practical information, like how to drive an unsynchronized manual transmission in a Detroit Diesel. I'm not asking for too much: I think children do not necessarily need to know how to operate a Lenco unless they're planning on going drag racing, which is a sign of excellent parenting already.

That's why I've bought the rights to the entire back catalogue of The New Yankee Workshop, and recruited a pop starlet to sing a new earworm of a theme song. We're gonna chop up the existing episodes with lots of fast transitions, exploding effects, and a dance party at the end. Wouldn't you rather your toddler ask you for a scroll saw for Christmas?

[pixelsandpins]

Let's say you see the new Venom movie this weekend. Then you want to read the comics. Reading guides can be very overwhelming. So as a Venomaniac, let me give a broader approach discussing main storylines, what's worth your time, and where I think you should/could start.

80s-90s: Origin, First Villain Run, Transition to Hero

The Alien Suit Saga begins in Amazing Spider-Man #252 (1984) after Peter finds the goo in Secret Wars #8. Then more specific Eddie/Venom shenanigans start in 298-300. Venom's whole origin story can be found in a trade paperback (aka a TPB) called Spiderman: Birth of Venom which also includes issues from other series to fill out the story. Venom continues to be a villain in Spider-Man for awhile, so most of his story up through 1993 is found across Amazing Spider-Man and Web of Spider-Man. There're couple of collections that cover parts of this, but the most complete is Spider-Man Vs Venom. From this era you can also get the trade paperback called Carnage: Born in Blood which covers the arrival and birth of Carnage. A more in depth reading guide will give you these individual issues, and you can find them all in Marvel Unlimited or other online source.

(I'm having a hard time finding what I feel is the optimal link, but these have the information, at least).

Birth of Venom individual issues.

Birth of Carnage individual issues.

These are all very 80s and 90s comics, however, so they require a little bit of fortitude if you've never read comics before. This theme will continue up through Venom's solo work through the 90s.

Venom's solo stuff begins with Venom: Lethal Protector in 1993 (available as a TPB). This is the arc where Eddie moves from villain to hero. It also introduces the first symbiote spawn and a few other major lore elements.

Up through the rest of the decade there are A LOT of 3-4 issue mini-runs starting with Venom: Funeral Pyre. You can knock each of them out in an evening, and they provide some details about character and story. You absolutely don't have to read most. There are some key ones, though, where the lore carries through:

Venom: The Madness brings value not in lore, but in narrative. It shows the way Eddie and the other physiologically affect each other. It's also just really good.

Venom: Separation Anxiety separates Eddie and the symbiote, exploring the changes in their relationship and deals with more spawn. This one is a major influence on the first movie.

Carnage: Unleashed gives more development to Carnage and sets a story beat up for later.

Go back to Spider-Man for Planet of the Symbiotes. This expands on symbiote lore and is a key element of Eddie and the others relationship. You can read it as individual issues or as a TPB. This one has a major influence on Venom 1 and 3.

Venom: Sinner Takes All introduces She-Venom, traumatizes Anne, and sets some later lore hooks for story.

Venom: The Hunger expands on the brain eating/addiction and introduces the chocolate substitute. They also hold hands at the movies, and I think that's super important, personally.

Venom: Seed of Darkness is one of the lesser priority ones but does provide some interesting Eddie backstory.

Spider-Man: The Venom Agenda sets up some new story and lore beats for the Venom/Spider-Man relationship.

Venom: Finale the symbiote temporarily dies, and it sets up narrative for future comics.

If you've never read comics before, this whole era might be a difficult starting place. Mostly because the ethos of comics have changed, and it can be harder to connect with material from the 80s and 90s. It's not bad, it's just different. It's kind of essential narrative and lore establishment, however. So either accept the challenge or come back to it later and accept you'll have gaps in the lore. If you've read pre-2000s comics before, you'll be fine. Read from the beginning. It's a riot.

Venomnibus 1 and 2 covers this era. The first bout of Epic Collections also end here.

1999-2010

There's a bit of a tricky transition here over the change in millennia as Venom goes back to being a villain for a bit, joining the Sinister Six. Because of this most of the story moves back to Spider-Man. The problem is: there's major story shit introduced, and there isn't a collected edition that covers this era properly. You'll require a reading guide or accept the lore gap.

Peter Parker: Spider-Man #9-10 covers the return of the symbiote to Eddie.

Amazing Spider-Man #19 features the death of Anne Weying, Eddie's ex-wife and, at one time, temporary host.

In 2003 they start expanding the Venom story again, in earnest, but he's still an antagonist. The first solo run here is Venom Vol 1 by Daniel Way. This is collected into 4-5 trades, also appears in Venomnibus 3, and consists of 4 arcs. This one never got narratively resolved, but Wolverine is there. So that's something. This is probably the most skippable of the "big series" however you could use this as a starting place. It's early enough that you won't be missing the second phase of lore, and it's a more "modern" story. However, it's not the strongest of the runs, so it might set the wrong expectations.

Spectacular Spider-Man: The Hunger adds an element of maliciousness to Venom's motivations. It's moderately essential narrative but very divisive.

Venom/Carnage is pretty good, introduces Toxin, and transitions us into the next narrative beat.

The Symbiote and Eddie Part Company, Scorpion!Venom Begins

Here is where Venom becomes a proper villain again, only...he's a protagonist? A PROTAGONIST VILLAIN, YOU SAY?

Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #5-12 are often left off reading guides, but they transition the symbiote from Eddie to Angelo Fortunato to Mac Gargan.

Gargan, as Venom, then joins the Thunderbolts for a while. This is in Thunderbolts #110-127 and continues in Dark Avengers

Dark Reign: Sinister Spider-Man is the story of Mac Gargan fuckin' around as Venom/Dark Spider-Man.

I'm of the opinion you can pretty much skip the entire Gargan era, and you won't lose much going forward. But it's also...kind of a fun read? And it does expand on what the influence the symbiote has on their host looks like.

Venomnibus 3 also collects much of this, but not all. Marvel Knights, Thunderbolts, Dark Avengers, and Dark Reign are all available as TPS/Omnis

Also skip Venom: Dark Origin, for now. It sort of rewrites Eddie in a way that didn't really stick going forward.

Right at the end here, Carnage gets a few more series and Eddie as Anti-Venom is first introduced in Spider-Man. Anti-Venom barely shows up, at first, but he persists going forward. There's no dedicated collection to the era, but the primary comics are collected in Spider-Man: New Ways to Die, and Anti-Venom: New Ways to Live.

2010->today

Flash Thompson/Agent Venom Begins

Here, the government strips the other from Mac and gives it to military vet Flash Thompson

If you start here you're coming in right at the start of the next major phase of lore for Venom that covers all the Cool Space Shit. It's a fan favorite and an objectively well-written run, but it's also thematically and narratively a bit of a turn from all the others. It will also be a really really long time before you see Eddie as Venom. So just keep that in mind going forward.

After a bit of Spider-Man prologue, this kicks off properly in 2011 with Venom Vol 2 by Remender and Bunn. The Spider Island crossover as part of this run goes in tandem with Amazing Spider-Man. You can use a guide to sort these issues or get the TPB or Epic Collection that covers them.

Right in the middle of Venom Vol 2, Flash joins the Secret Avengers in issue #23. This is the sort of "official" intro of the Agent Venom iteration specifically. You'll also see this era tie in to the Minimum Carnage crossover. It's an okay read, but doesn't leave a lot of lasting impact on the story. You can skip it, for now.

Agent Venom also joins the Thunderbolts from issue #1-23 (Way and Soule). This is skippable.

Superior Spider-Man #22-25 is the pretty darn Superior Venom story and coves the gap between the end of the Agent Venom run and the beginning of the upcoming space-based stories. It's an an odd comic, though, in that very quickly changes the shape of Flash's relationship with the symbiote, but that relationship holds going forward.

Flash Goes to Space

His story continues in the Guardians of the Galaxy run from 2014, joining in issue #14. The most important part of his tenure with Guardians, however is issue #21-23. This is where we see the symbiote/Klyntar homeworld.

He rejoins the Guardians for 20 issues in the next run starting in 2015, but it's skippable.

These are both available as their own omnis or TPB collections.

Venom: Space Knight is sick as fuck and my favorite with Flash. A lot of good, juicy alien lore.

Eddie Becomes Venom, Again

Before Eddie goes back to his boyfriend, he spends some time as Toxin. The bulk of this is covered in the 2015 Carnage run by Conway.

Venom Vol 3 by Costa begins in 2016, and we see the transition from Flash to Lee Price briefly then finally back to Eddie. This is my personal favorite major run. It currently comes in 4 TPB. Starting here gives you street level Venom again but does drop you deep shit into the lore. You can one-hundred percent start here, though, extremely easily because they treat it as a soft reboot.

Within this run you'll see crossovers for Venom Inc. and Poison X. These expand on the overall story by introducing Mania and the Poisons, the latter of which are lead-ins for the first Venomverse comics. You can skip the Venomverse storylines, for now, but they are a lot of fun.

First Host is a really great mini-run in 2018 that talks about the true first host of the symbiote and introduces Sleeper. It's available as a TPB.

The Cates run (vol 4) (also has Bunn on it) begins in 2018, and it's very very good. It's where the character of Knull comes from, as featured in the new movie. A lot of people start here and have a good time. The way it's narratively constructed, it's beginner friendly, but you're sort of coming in at the end of Eddie's arc.

This also involves the Absolute Carnage and King in Black crossover events which are collected in a TPB/Omni.

This is also all collected in the recent Cates and Stegman Venomnibus.

The current Ewing run (vol 5) ends in November (cries), but you CANNOT START HERE. Without the previous Cates run, at minimum, the current run is missing vital story and lore information. You will be so lost, at first, that it simply won't be fun.

You'll note I've skipped a number of side runs including a few Carnage runs and Toxin. Slot them in if you want additional lore and story, but you can get by without them if it all becomes too much.

The lore drops that appear in Spider-Man in between solo runs might seize you up for a moment, but when necessary, the solo comics will catch you up as needed.

The past five years have also seen a handful of retro-runs that go back in time to tell stories from Eddie's early time with Venom. You could slot them in with the other 90s mini-runs, but I think they're more fun after you've been reading for awhile.

A new run is starting in December called All New Venom where Eddie will no longer be the host. Who will? We don't know! The way it's being advertised, I'm going to make a guess it ends up being a passable starting point for new readers. I'll know when I get my issue #1.

[basket-of-radiants]

Hi, I'm back. All finished!

I really liked that, I had a lot of fun. I have a lot to say about it, and I'll probably get into it soon enough, but overall that was a good time.

Favorite parts were literally all the Shinovar stuff. That was good. Also liked the Jasnah sections.

Least favorite was probably the Adolin sections, sorry, that whole plotline bounced off of me hard. Adolin himself had some individual moments that were very compelling to me, but typically battles and troops-rousing aren't all that interesting to me. Also was not especially compelled by Shallan's story in this one, it felt like it was moving in circles for most of its time.

By and large there were some characters I'd hoped to see more of, and some characters I would have been happy to see less of. As is always the case in these books. But considering how much of this book was just spoonfeeding cute skybreaker content into me, I'm not sure I have much grounds to complain.

Writing was a bit odd. There were a lot of breakneck scene transitions, and a lot of little scenes inserted all over the place that seemed to mostly serve the purpose of being quippy. Not sure what's up with that. Definitely a thing.

Thematically it was interesting! Definitely more compelling themes than I found from RoW. Clearly some big statements being made in the end sequence, most of which are pretty cool actually, but I also want to draw attention to Wit's monologue about passions at the beginning, as well as Adolin's conversation about oaths as bits I liked. I do not endorse all of the perspectives expressed, particularly when it comes to utilitarianism. I have some criticisms, as always, but I like the overall direction.

I dunno, it's late, I'll probably talk more about more specific points in the coming days. And maybe should discuss some of the characters as well. I'd like to talk about Szeth at some point, I'd like to talk about Jasnah and Taravangian, probably Dalinar, I'll see if I can find some excuse to bring up Moash, and of course best boy Gavilar Kholin...

This has been fun, I'm enjoying posting about this stuff again.

So did all of you like the book? Anything you all want to discuss? What did you guys think of it?

[catboybiologist]

Hi! I’m CatboyBiologist.

Formerly a femboy, now a trans woman just starting HRT, and a PhD student in molecular biology. I started using this online persona as a fun, shitposty way to explore gender a few years ago. I post selfies (generally sfw, but somewhat sexy, so minors and ppl who don’t like that have been warned), rambles about science, tutorials and advice from the stuff I’ve learned by being a femboy in the past, nature pictures, stuff about the ocean, my adorable grumpy little tortoise, and unsolicited opinions on random nerdy topics. Any pronouns are fine. I don’t plan to socially transition for a while, and still present as a man most of the time, so I’m used to whatever you wanna use for me (for now, I’ll update this if that changes). Please send me pictures of your pets or other cute animals in your life!

As a scientist, I’m also documenting my transition! This google sheet will be updated at least monthly. I also have additional metrics I’m keeping to myself, and pictures that go with this, but I’m not sharing them publicly yet. Keep in mind that this is just one person’s experience with HRT, and may not represent universal trends!

Adding a little something here, bc I think it was an interesting bit a writing: if you want to see me respond to a transphobe about what "biologically female" means, here's a thing I wrote about it. CW for transphobia and discussion, obviously.

Also, if any of my measurements look weird, its entirely possible I fucked up. Let me know if anything looks off!

Here’s some of my favorite pre-HRT pictures:

If you want to see more of my pre-HRT selfies, browse the “femboy” tag on my blog!

And as of this writing, I’m only 2 days after the start of HRT, so here’s a picture with my tortoise that’s technically post-HRT (but with 0 time for actual changes):

If you want to see my future post-HRT selfies, browse the “trans selfie” tag on my blog!

Also here's another really cute picture and fanart of my tortoise by @whalesharkcat:

I have affectionately given my tortoise the title of The Grumpus.

I also wrote a couple of tutorials and general vibes about being a femboy before I started HRT:

Sometimes I make shitposts of myself, I don’t take myself too seriously:

This includes the way I came out on tumblr:

And here’s an overly serious, long ramble about trans thoughts and things that I wrote shortly afterwards:

Later addition: Someone asked how I take selfies, so I wrote a quick and dirty guide with some tips on how I do so in response to their ask:

Oh yeah and apparently I was a 196 microcelebrity? I never to thought I was popular enough for that but apparently some people do 🤷‍♀️. So uh, hi 196 tags, I'm abusing you for my pinned post LOL

As for terminology, I personally do think of myself as a “man who is becoming a woman” as opposed to having always been a woman. If that doesn’t resonate with your experience, I totally get that! But that’s why I freely call pre-HRT me a femboy, while still calling post-HRT me a trans woman. I’m also keeping the blog name as CatboyBiologist for the forseeable future, because at this point, Catboy just seems like a gender neutral term to me.

I’m also trying to put together a script for a podcast regarding how studying biology influenced my perspective on sex and gender- lmk if there’s any interest in that! It’s probably gonna be way too long and indulgent but oh well.

So uh. Yeah. I don’t end these types of things well. Byeeeeee

[yaralulu]

ok i wasn’t originally gonna say anything but god i’m so glad we’re finally having this discussion about lucien and the day court. i’ve always been such a strong believer that lucien’s transition to day won’t be a fun and easy one ( i don’t even think that should be where he ends up but that’s a conversation for another day). like imagine you’re 300 something years old and suddenly you’re being told this random dude is your father and this random court is your home and oh you’re actually heir!!! …. WHAT.

I know lucien’s very good at adapting to new situations and stuff but he’s clearly very attached to spring and autumn. Home will always be the spring court and autumn court and i don’t think he can just change that. not easily or quickly anyways.

now is he 100% gonna end up in the day court? yes but i’m gonna be bitching about it anyways

[ririya-translates]

Hiraki the Prince of Ice

Okay so, Ishida made the most obscure reference in Duckweed Pt. 2 (Bookwalker) and I need some sort of record of it to exist outside of Discord. This also makes reference to plot points in Towada's first anniversary novel (now reduced to just a sample as it was published in the recent Tamasaka's Trail of Light 玉阪の光跡 novel), but even the sample does touch on the relevant part to this.

It's about quite a minor character who might prove relevant in the future and also some general Tamasaka history stuff, mostly from the novel. I tried to avoid any game spoilers, but it's long so I put it under a cut anyways. Names in English are changed to first-last order.

Edit to add the free version link The Tamasaka novel refers to the story about Tamasaka City's (玉坂市) founding when it used to be Tamasaka Town (玉坂町). This gets a bit into real Japanese history so apologies in advance if I oversimplify or say something inaccurate, but essentially, during the Meiji era (1868-1912), Japan transitioned from the Edo-era feudal style of government under the shogun and samurai leaders to a centralized government under the emperor. There were obviously a lot of changes as a result and one was a merge of various smaller municipalities across the country.

This is where Tamasaka’s history starts. So it’s established in the game that Tamasaka was founded after the first Himehiko was granted land to create a playhouse and little theatre town (please see this post for a much more thorough Himehiko event timeline). 

But what’s most important here is that the lord who granted him this land was named Matsubara Hiraki (開松原) and that his clan had their own castle and nearby samurai town also called Hiraki (開). Tamasaka Town and Hiraki co-existed until the Meiji period, where they were suddenly forced to merge into one city. There was a big debate over which name this new city would take. That whole story is discussed in the novel where they perform a joint play on how Tamasaka got its name. For now, just remember the name Hiraki.

Then we have this one weekend event with Sou on 8/1. It’s highly missable since it often overlaps with an affection event. Fortunately, @himehikoshrine has a transcript of it they let me use:

8/1 library event

Sou: …

Kisa: Sou…? What’s he reading…?

Sou, what are you reading? Huh? A program?

Sou: Ah, Kisa! Sorry, I didn’t notice you here!

It’s a program from the Tamasaka Troupe. I went to see their show.

Kisa: Really? So, how was it?

Sou: It was amazing! The principal’s nephew and a graduate from Onyx were the leads.

The nephew was the Hime. Everyone was treating him like a king.

Onyx’s graduate played the Hiko who was nicknamed the “Prince of Ice.”

The person who played the Prince of Ice was in the same year as Tsuki… He was really amazing.

Kisa: (He was with Tsuki…)

Sou: But the Hime actor was really amazing, too. He really didn’t resemble the principal.

I guess people born into the world of theater just have a different vibe, you know? Like Fumi.

I thought I could study them, but I just ended up watching as part of the audience.

So I figured I should at least read the interview that was typed up, but…

I could tell the two actors don’t get along from their comments…

Kisa: Huh?

Sou: They were the perfect partners onstage, too.

Actors really are amazing…

Okay so we know there was an Onyx student in the 74th class with Tsuki who is currently at the Tamasaka Troupe as a Hiko (Jack) partnered with a member of the Chuza family line. Also that he’s nicknamed the “Prince of Ice”. Not much to take away from it other than knowing there’s someone from Tsuki’s time currently in the troupe (quite possibly the only one from his year). Until Duckweed pt. 2 drops this singular panel:

From left to right it reads:

In Quartz, the “Treasure of Univeil”

Undisputed champion: Tsuki Tachibana

In Onyx, the “Ultimate Jack”

Prince of Ice: Matsumasa Hiraki

It was a time of fierce battle between the big two Jack Aces.

開松正 Matsumasa Hiraki. I feel like you don’t even need to read Japanese to see how similar it is to 開松原 Matsubara Hiraki. They share a family name and both sound like possible samurai names starting with the same ‘matsu’ kanji.

Considering names in JJ generally seem to have a fair bit of intent, I do think there’s reason to assume Matsumasa comes from the Hiraki family line. Which poses a lot of questions about his family history overall with Tamasaka politics and the troupe and about his personal history with Tsuki. Those two connections make me think he could be significant, maybe in the sequel, but honestly who knows what goes on in Ishida’s mind. It’s also fun that his successor, Kaido, plays the leader of the Hiraki clan in the Tamasaka play.