#augh... no matter what i do or don't do... it's always wrong...

[robinsnest2111]

still hung up on the sum of all these stupid mistakes (once again somehow messing up calling in sick which led to logistical and staffing issues and just a whole damn mess in general, the failed joke making it seem like i hate my boss/job) having almost cost me my job tbh. that was the biggest kicker.

like yeah I wouldn't have been out of employment instantly BUT if people were more strict I would've gotten an official warning letter for this current bunch of mistakes. which could be the first step to losing my job if i keep messing up. like. a tangible thing. a letter. black on white.

(also the way this discussion was started. "just wanted to ask: do you like working this job?" me, not sensing anything wrong answer yes. and then "doesn't seem that way to me because reason xyz" and I get it I totally get it!!!!! i get how all of this combined can come across as a total asshole move from an outside perspective!!!! I should know better I should do better. I am an adult human being of 28 years after all. I'm fully grown. but. there's so much I still have to learn and experience for the first time at 28 because in my childhood and teen years I was too busy getting bullied by peers for being weird, getting punished by my parents for being mentally ill and having annoying symptoms and not being normal or functional and making their life hell and disappointing them, and constantly thinking about killing myself to properly socialise and learn conflict navigation/resolution skills and so many other crucial things that a normal 28 year old should know....

I feel so stupid and underequipped and just not fit for society. you know nothing you stupid little thing

[mysteryshoptls]

Ace Trappola Shared Lines

Tutorial: Let's get goin'!

Level Up 1: Woah, that's felt pretty good!

Level Up 2 / Buddy Level Up: Yay, level up ♪

Level Up 3: I gotta surpass all the others even more.

Level Max: Yo, this feels awesome. I bet even helping a certain magicless someone'll be easier at this rate.

Vignette Level Up: Hahah, guess things like this can happen time to time. I always thought your type wasn't really my bag, but maaaybe it is. Not!

Spell Level Up: Think I could take on the Housewarden with this power? ...Ack, what I said stays between us ♪

Friendship Level Up: Looks like a pretty snazzy room, but I bet you’ve just swept all the trash under the furniture! …I’m kidding, I’m not gonna go look for any, so don’t kick me out!

Friendship Level Max: Hey, can I put something in this guest room, too? I bet I’ll be coming around a lot more often, and it’s a pretty big room, so I can have a little space, right?

Uncapped: Ehhh, don'tcha think you're putting too much on my shoulders? ...Well, whatever. Guess I'll just have to keep on doin' my best!

Groovification: I'm gonna keep on showing you how cool I can be, so keep on watching.

Lesson Select 1: Which class are ya taking? Hurry and choose one already. Doesn't matter to me, I can sleep through any one of them.

Lesson Select 2: Look atcha, all excited... Ah, right, fine, I'm coming! You don't need to pull that hard.

Lesson Select 3: Make sure you're keepin' an eye on Grim between classes, too, Prefect. He was gettin' a scolding from the professor for trying to run off again the other day.

Lesson Start: Let's get this done fast.

Lesson Finish: Doneee! Augh, I'm sleepy.

Battle Start: Okay, I’ll get this done fast.

Battle Won: No excuses, it’s my win.

Trouble 1: Whaaat, you’re gonna take their side over me?

Trouble 2: …Yeah, you’re right, I got a little heated there. My bad.

GIFT CALENDAR 2023: “How will you be spending the day?” Today? Well, it’s snowing outside, and I got no club practice, so maybe I’ll check out on my streaming service a movie or show that catches my eye. I can stay warm and cozy in my room, all while munching on some snacks. Don'tcha think we deserve lazy days like this sometimes?

Birthday Login Message 1: Hey, Prefect. Do you know what today is? Today is not an Unbirthday… It’s Ace-kun’s birthday! That means I’m the star. I wonder what I should have you do for me.

Birthday Login Message 2: Hey, Prefect. Don’t you have something to say to me? …The quiz? Aah, the magical history one. I already said I studied for it. …The cafeteria’s new menu? Yeah, that looked so good, didn’t it? I mean, hey! …Oh, what, you did remember. C'mon, aren’t you supposed to say Happy Birthday first thing? Well anyway, thanks!

Birthday Login Message 3: You came to celebrate me? …My birthday is tomorrow, y'know. Aren’t you a bit early? …Pfft, I totally gotcha! I’m just kidding. Did you get all panicky 'cause you thought you got the wrong date? Ahaha, my bad! Thanks for remembering my birthday.

Birthday Login Message 4: Oh, and here you are. You came to celebrate my birthday, right? That’s totally obvious. I wonder what I should ask you to do for my birthday～ …Ah, I feel like eating at a restaurant I’ve never gone to before. Don’t worry, I won’t pick a place that’s way too expensive or anything. Let’s just enjoy ourselves in a restaurant where we don’t need to mind any rules or manners.

Birthday Login Message 5: Oh hey, did you come to celebrate my birthday? Nice timing, we just finished morning basketball practice! My clubmates all wished me a happy birthday, too. Jamil-senpai said it as soon as he saw me, and by some miracle, Floyd-senpai gave me a very normal birthday greeting. I’m sure glad he was in a good mood～ Oh, hey. We should hit the Mystery Shop between classes. …Hm? Why’re you tensin’ up? Huuuh? C'mon, I didn’t say nothing about treating me, now diiid I? Hehe, see you later～

Requested by Anonymous.

[slowlysoluminary]

[ ISAT SWAP AU, FAMILY END SCENE ]

ACTORS: king, {euphrasie,} [claude,] <nille,> |mira,| drawing kid

.

{"Wh-whats. . ."}

Fear drips through each of her words.

{"Oh no. Oh no, no, no. . ."}

Her hasty breathing climbs.

You turn your head.

You wish you didn't .

{"Pele, this smell-?"}

Her panicked eyes lock with yours.

You can't shift your expression fast enough.

She knows... She knows. She always knows. Of course she'd know now.

You don't understand. You did everything right. Couldn't the Universe send you a boon? Lend you silence as the world breaks around you, again? And again? And again? Over and over and over and ...

And what's different? You found a home, a place you belonged? A place you were loved? Did you think that would help you? Were you really that stupid??

Hahahahahaha!!!!

["Euphie!"]

They rush to her aid. You're frozen in place. Too useless to comfort her. (She wouldn't want you there anyway.)

<"Pel?">

Nille noticed, too.

<"What's goin' on? Is sum'n the matter?">

She's torn, between reaching out for you and sticking by Euphrasie. Why? You can't help but wonder.

The Kid lets out an anxious bleat. Nille ushers them closer.

|"I-I'm sorry! Monsieur, please...!!"|

{"That Mirabelle..."}

{"Ooh, it got her too..! It's too late!! I should've noticed sooner!"}

<"Euphs, we're gettin' worried! What are you talking about?">

Are you just going to stand there?

She's suffering. It's your fault. Do something. Do something!!!!

["Pele! What's-"]

["Urgg!!"]

The world breaks.

|"I don't know what's happening!! Forgive me, I'm sorry!"|

{"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, n-"}

["The air around us, it's -! Augh!"]

Burnt sugar thickens the air around you. Breathing is a chore.

<"Crab, my head hurts...">

Is someone wheezing?

<"PELE!!">

... Oh, it's you!

They're all running, reaching. Worried. Confused.

<"COME BACK!!!">

You haven't moved, and you make no motions to do so. You have no such intention.

Will you ever get to see Nille reunite with her younger sibling? Watch her reunite with the one person she talks about most frequently, most favorably? Help her guilt come to pass? At the end you'll always find a sliver of that woman (shame she'll never stay that way).

["H-hey! Pele! Something's wrong! Talk to us!"]

Will you ever get to see Claude find peace with herself and her situation? Will you ever get to see her in her daily life, untroubled by the weight of an entire country? Will you ever get to see her find happiness with the one she loves? Will you yourself ever find peace with Claude's situation? (You don't think about the tug on your heart at the thought.)

The Kid cries, trailing behind Nille, unsure what to do.

You hurt. Will you ever get to see this kid's family? Will you ever find their name, their identity, their home, some safe place for them to stay? Will you ever be a safe place for them to stay? (Your heart burns with the mere idea that you've been an insufficient provider).

{"P-Pele... what did you do?"}

You hurt. Will you ever get to see her smile at you again, with the same genuine glee she does at the rest of the world? Will you ever mend your broken bond with that woman? Will you ever get to speak a word with her without fighting the urge to claw your eyes out, or flee, or what have you? (You love her.)

Will you ever get to see a happy ending?

<"HOLD OUT YOUR HAND!">

You oblige, with little heart. It won't work. The idea is futile (it comforts you anyway).

What do they see in you? What do they think of you?

|"I'm sorry, I failed you!! Euphie..!!"|

You take a step forward.

And

your world falls apart.

(They are your world.)

【 ✦ 】

ADDITIONAL

Only in this moment can you finally rest.

[goldkirk]

hey, jsyk, the two posts you just made? they were what inspired me to just. filter the damn content out of my dashboard. I already know. I already boycott. I don't need the constant guilt trip and railing about how evil people are. I just don't. all it is is upsetting and infuriating and makes me less able to educate offline people about the topic because I immediately start regurgitating the emotional talking points and matching the internet rage response.

I am so glad you sent this ask because I actually forgot you can filter and blacklist on tumblr. 10/10 thank you for the reminder

I’m glad my thoughts have resonated with a lot of you today, I felt like I was the only one who had a problem with the way so many of these posts are written and points are made and I feel a lot more sane now lol.

(the rest of this is me soapboxing now)

violent language, guilt tripping, shaming, us-and-them grouping, black and white thinking, manipulation tactics, and ignoring that people have the ability + agency to learn and change (if they’re slowly and naturally invited to do so in the RIGHT WAYS) is just wrong, no matter how justified a cause might be. It’s always wrong. They’re cult tactics and abuse tactics for a reason.

I can’t anymore with people posting about how every person in their life is an abusive manipulator who guilt trips them, and then their own posts using constant guilt tripping and abusive language to try to get people to change. Like look within. Find some compassion. Learn how people actually change their minds and use those techniques instead of continuing to perpetuate abusive behavior online. Augh

online interactions just assume the worst now and anger is the starting point so often. we’ve got to get better than this and stop fueling each other with reactionary and inflammatory language and I don’t know how to make that happen 😭

But in the meantime, I’m going to go block some keywords. Thanks!

[average-hyperfixator]

I've been having a goddamn conniption over this post (user cropped out bc I do not like starting discourse or inadvertently getting people harassed. if you find the og post do NOT harass them. This post is just my response to this take on this fictional character. I'm likely going to get heated because this game is a hyperfixation of mine, so I feel some stronger emotions about it. Any anger I have is pointed at the opinion and not the person. okay moving on.)

This take somehow manages to miss almost every major story beat of Curly's character and SOMEHOW takes his depression and turns it into a belief system. Like. I don't even know how this conclusion was reached???

Curly is not fatalist he's literally depressed and feels trapped in his life. yk. like. like how depressed people often feel. He's reached the top rung of the ladder in the corporation he's in and realizes he may have picked the wrong career altogether, and feels trapped because of it; that's not believing in fate. Nowhere in the game does it even IMPLY that Curly is fatalist.

here I have compiled screenshots that in fact prove the opposite

you see, if he thought the future was predetermined; why on earth would he talk about changing it? About doing something different, taking a leap? Why would he ponder trying to make a better life for himself if he thought there was no other way things could be?

like I hope we're looking at the same fatalism definition

Honestly, the only argument I even need to refute the point "Curly uses fatalism to avoid responsibility" is the fact he went into the cockpit before the crash. If he truly was resigned to fate, he would've continued to stand frozen outside, and wouldn't have done ANYthing. But he tries to change the outcome. He runs in there, and tries to save his crew. He (at least tries to) takes RESPONSIBILITY for JIMMY'S actions and his OWN INACTION in that moment.

Also. "Curly knows he's doing wrong" What? His worst crime is being too nice. His fatal error is trusting in Jimmy too much, NOT thinking he does no wrong. I don't even know how to disprove that because it's so fucking off character that there is nothing I could even show. yk I'm abt 90% this rant would make more sense if you just. Talked about Jimmy being a fatalist. Because he's literally the guy who thinks he does no wrong, and thinks he fixed everything, and that all the harm that happened was "out of his control, and had to happen, there was no other way!!" I still feel like it's a stretch even for his character but it makes more sense than using CURLY?? Curly is fucking depressed, not fatalist, and certainly not the main antagonist??? That's something I'm not even gonna touch on in-depth because that opinion is beyond the realm of saving. The antagonists of the game are explicitly the company Pony Express and Jimmy. The morally grey characters who could have acted more but didn't (mostly) are Curly and Swansea.

Curly still does shit wrong, yeah, but not because he believes his actions don't matter. Most of his inaction comes from his complex friendship with Jimmy and the looming threat of the company, not a belief system.

I don't even know how to TLDR this. Just. Curly is not the bad guy for being depressed and feeling trapped.

if anyone wants to reblog/comment to add onto this with stuff I might've missed go ahead I definitely left out stuff. This was made in a kind of angry headspace, I am so sorry for the swearing I'm not usually an angry person. Again my anger is towards the opinions not the creator of them. Again again, if you find op (doubtful) do NOTTTTT harass them for the love of everything. Debate and discussion are always open ofc, and if I get into a debate with someone I will not be as upset as I am here because that will not be productive at all lmao. Sorry if I seem super angry or bitchy here augh I just really like Mouthwashing and Curly and felt like this did him SUCH a disservice. Okay rant officially over.

[alligaytorswamp]

I am interested in hearing a monologue about your ideas for the uni au with Childe & Kaeya & Rosaria 👀

AUGH.. THANK YOU... it's likely gonna be barely comprehensible, apologies in advance LMAO edit after finishing writing: beware a lot of words below....

this is naturally not a general uni au, more like a very very specific take of mine that lacks A LOT OF DETAILS that one would expect from a "uni au" (also it's chaeya centric asf)

such as. don't ask me about their majors... i don't even know what majors exists. so i have no clue how to pick them for characters i only have my personal uni experience and majority of the time i didn't find it all that relatable to what i hear from like... americans.... or europeans even

so idk!! it is based on my experience, uni i went to and also contains major projection on childe from me (for fun) so if anything sounds odd... idk!

anywho

so they are going to the same uni, duh, same year and all, but different majors first year of uni - they probably seen each other but more likely childe saw kaeya, and kaeya was a bit busy making connections with many other people childe - as per my personal preference - is from some russian village, he is learning to be a city boy and he is learning about himself too...

while he was under impression that he is in fact a cis hetero, and even to his roommates/friends he met at uni he was just that, kaeya is here to mess with this

perhaps some of his friend may have suspected that his weird interest in making friends with kaeya but total refusal to go and talk to him is smth more complicated than him just being weird (as childe clearly is extraverted enough, and would always make quick friends with others.. so why won't he just talk to kaeya? hmmm?)

anyways so phase one... perhaps for entire first year, is that childe is aware of kaeya, thinks he is very cool, wants to interact with him but for some reason feels hesitant (aka shy)

with my major bias for kaeya i will also say he is popular enough, totally has plenty of fellows in other groups/majors, goes to hang out with people especially after classes, he is cool like that

which adds to absurdity that childe somehow doesn't manage to even introduce himself to him

however childe still hears about kaeya, sees him around, definitely follows his instagram/whatever other social media, and just gets to develop a lil crush

perhaps from there till the start of 2nd year, or 4th semester, whatever is funnier here, childe gets to reflect on his feelings a bit

mostly i'd like to think there is at least part of genshin cast there, and most people are very queer

and childe gets to learn a lot of things he never heard about, which likely makes him consider how he never had a real crush on girl despite always assuming he is attracted to them somehow and will end up with one (sorrey everything i touch ends up on ace spectrum hehe)

and for the sake of good vibes, i don't want childe to take these news negatively / go into denial, i'd like to say he realises this part of himself, feels oddly at peace, and he is just happy that his confusing feelings aren't "wrong" / something unheard of

while i don't think he comes out to anyone in any way, maybe he establishes that he is for sure not exactly heterosexual with some of his closest friends

but that's that on that. he still mingles with ladies just fine, he is also popular enough to get attention from them sometimes. i will be crazy and say he is in some sport team of that university... which sport. uh. i don't know. doesn't matter. some sport. he is on the team, he trains and plays games. gets excuses to skip classes once in a while because of that

this is me making a point that he is a former normie cishetero jock, who now starts to figure out he may be not that hetero

and like it may be very obvious kaeya is very helpful (he is doing nothing, he just exists)

NOW BACK TO "PLOT" 3rd/4th semester hits - they got elective classes, something stupid and annoying that you simply must pass but it doesn't even relate to anyone's major all these elective classes apply to the entire year of students, not each majors, meaning once the groups for each class is formed - it will be a mix of different majors

that is my forced meet cute for chaeya AKJSHSAKJD

they end up in the same class, it's something horribly techy/science related, neither of their majors match it at all, it's hell on earth

and ofc for the sake of plot - when everyone were choosing the courses the site crashed like 50 times, so many students sorta had to choose the worst options/didn't manage to stick by their friends

which is ofc the case for chaeya here, and they are both solo

there is some big project for this class everyone must do, that is the sort of requirement to pass it luckily you can do the project solo or in pair

yeah u guessed it childe asks kaeya to pair up, and while they both say they don't get this new subject at all kaeya agrees

childe is over the moon because he is FINALLY talking to kaeya, and now has a whole exuse to even SIT NEXT TO HIM once a week, not to mention the whole project thing -> they totally gotta text each other omfg

im sure this is where childe's homies look at him knowingly. bc who on earth keysmahes into their groupchat about kaeya like that.

anways i think initially kaeya is very ... distant . like he isn't unfriendly, he just doesn't give a fuck? he has close friends already, this class is a complete chore, he just wishes he can be done with it quickly u know

and childe seems fine??? well. as i sorta mentioned before childe has violent normie cishetero energy, and kaeya to me is none of that

just for the sake of my own entertainment, kaeya is 1. kinda popular 2. kinda goth. NOT TRULY. but he's fashionable enough to pass, he has mad strong vibes of the hottest guy you ever seen + he hangs out with rosaria a lot and i think they def look like 2 gothic besties that are out of your league (bisexual awakening for normies)

(as a less relevant sidenote that is just for me and can be ignored, i wanna say they are both trans and that just gives them more aura okay. and adds to why kaeya would be extra hesitant to befriend someone so cishetero-passing)

so like i said kaeya is a little reserved at first, friendly enough not to hurt childe, mostly focusing on the fact that he needs childe for this project (i imaigne they both pulling their personal connections to other majors so someone else entirely does it for them LMAO)

but as he gets to experience childe as a desk partner and someone who walks with him out of class until kaeya meets his friends... he starts to notice that childe's behavior isn't very typical for some 'jock' who simply wants to get this project done

objectively speaking they don't need to talk that much, but childe is very clearly eager...

and also he is . silly as hell. he for sure makes kaeya laugh by whispering dumb jokes to him during the lesson showing him weird memes he found on his laptop while they are pretending to be working perhaps asking him to help with his solitaire games LMAO also constantly taking the lead/answering to the prof if they are caught slacking off (what a hero)

it's very chill and cute, kaeya starts to slowly change his opinion, become a little bit more open

then some exposing events happen like childe blurts out that he knew about kaeya for ages, and followed him on social media (kaeya was under assumption they both didn't know each other at all) which likely would make kaeya question why he never spoke to him, and ofc childe chooses the worst way to express himself (it's the most truthful) he basically says he thought kaeya was too cool looking

and kaeya is like 'oh.' kaeya is definitely smart enough to put the piece together and start to see that childe for sure trying to impress him, and wants to hang out a lil too much for someone only seeking fellowship

and oh my. kaeya likes it. he can pull any bitch but this russian jock got him CURIOUS okay.

it certianly helps that childe is funny, kinda cringefail in his attempts to rizz him up (he succeeds sometimes tho). Kaeya def followed childe back on some sites, saw the stuff he was posting on his private acc, and got a glimpse at more childe lore (some casual picks of family/friends/places he's been to)

so yeah Kaeya is now interested in childe back, WOW. he is probably the one to initiate their first date... well it was meant to be a simple hang out after class to work on their project, but they just ate and talked and it was cute. kaeya for sure was straight up flirting with childe and childe was trying to survive. somehow that made kaeya develop feelinds fr (personal take kaeya likes a cringefail guy who is very honest about the way he is simping for him)

ermmm fast forward, semester is over, project is done (neither kaeya or childe know wtf it is about still, but they both have good enough social skill to bullshit their way thru a presentation and any questions from the prof)

technically that's where they can pretty much stop interacting, but ofc they wooont ehheahdfjksfhdsjfhksd

bc after that childe is very dedicated to walking kaeya to his dorms/nearest metro/bus station OFC childe's dorms are at a different location, he is NOT going the same direction he just wants to hang out with kaeya even if their classes literally can never match anymore

kaeya is gay enough to let this happen and literally ditch his friend just to let childe meet him after class. iam sure they are judging him hard. all of that for a white boy?? unreal

eventually they will date. DUH. no cool details on that. i didn't think of it

i do think of them as a couple tho that's where the whole joke of childe pestering rosaria comes from

like kaeya's friends (kindly) judge his taste in men and the fact that he got with some Guy(tm) kaeya can't really argue but insists childe is good and to the very least funny

rosaria is the least thrilled about some extraverted jock being around, and kaeya definitely relishes in the moments she has to witness childe's energy

mind you childe is scared of her. to him it's kaeya's very cool and very scary bestie that he must make happy or else she will tell kaeya he sucks or smth

so he tries to be extra friendly towards her, genuinely wants to be on her good side, while rosaria just want to kill both him and kaeya for bothering her

it's pure sitcom shit okay

and the other aspects of them dating : i think it's just hilarious how kaeya is this gothic baddie while childe is just a jock, aestetically this makes me happy okay

also simple things like childe always staying in the uni building/going to a different one (if he has the time) just to (once again) hang out with kaeya after classes

forcing his roommates into labor if kaeya needs help with some class

childe for sure cooks sometimes, and i KNOW he would bring his cooking for kaeya to eat instead of cafeteria food

on the other hand kaeya is starting to do crazy shit like .. idk going to watch childe train/play his sport. he never did anything like it, he doesn't even like sports, now he is willing to go watch his bf do some shit at like 7 pm. rosaria thinks he is nuts

another delightful thought for me, connected to childe's lack of experience/generally not being very well versed in queer culture... kaeya gets to teach him slang and stuff. and he is getting an insane kick out of it when childe uses 'slay' correctly or smth JKDSHFJKLDHDSLJKF (rosaria hates it btw)

i think childe is barely active online, at least his insta would be private and he doesn't update it too often but kaeya for sure got him all over his stories and occasionally in posts too... you would think it's just some couple-y cuteness, not. it's opression, kaeya is making you feel bad for being single or not being with a hot guy like childe. HA

uhm. HM.

this will be the end of my word vomit, i am sure i have more tiny situational bits but this is already long and unhinged enough

thank u for reading to whoever was crazy enough to get here. mwah

[candyredmusings]

Bioshock Splicer Starters

Assortment of dialogue taken from the a from two types of Splicers in the first Bioshock game; Baby Jane and the Breadwinner

Other Bioshock Splicer starters: [Dr. Grossman & Lady Smith] [Pigskin & Rosebud] [Toasty & Waders]

Baby Jane

Get away from my face! Not on my face!"

"Oh! Oh, God damn it!"

"Look at yourself! And you would do it too!"

"Talentless?! BORING?!"

"You don't deserve this!"

"I'm a star, not you!"

"You're jealous, jealous!"

"Why did you cut me?! Why?!"

"You did this to me! You!"

"I deserve it, you fuck!"

"Give me the part, you bastard!"

"Off. My. Stage! GET OFF!"

"Stop ogling me!"

"You're making me lose my place! STOP IT!"

"No, it's not perfect, AGAIN!"

"He's standing in the wrong place!"

"Get your FAT. HANDS. AWAY FROM ME!"

"Just say something, goddammit!"

"What's that? Is it him?!"

"I smell something nasty."

"Is that someone naughty?"

"Honey? Is that you…?"

"I heard that!"

"It hurts, it hurts…"

"Why did you…?"

"I'm sorry… We can do it together!"

"DARLING! I'M HOME EARLY!"

"I don't- I don't wanna- I don't wanna hear this… I- [Whimpering] I don't want to hear this…"

"Pretend you're not interested. They like that."

"Have it your way, you sleaze!"

"Well, that was good drama."

"Get a girl all bothered… for NOTHIN'!"

"That gets a girl's blood flowing."

"I'll be better next time! Please?! Don't go!"

"When we do meet, it's gonna be so nasty!"

"He's gone! They always leave…"

"When I murder you I'm gonna put your body in a dress!"

"My god, there's so much blood!"

"Aw, Jesus, what did you do to me?!"

"I'm NOT. DEALING WITH THIS!"

"No… No No No. Wha- What's- What's that? Oh, no no, no…"

"In the theater, a woman gets used to attention."

"She was up for the part as well, but then they found her in a salt pond."

"I was gonna be famous… now look at this dump!"

"Who needs to make it on Broadway? When you can make it here."

"What's the matter with me…? I'm pretty enough!"

"Hey fella'! Don't 'cha wanna take a walk with me?"

"Come on, baby! You told me you was gonna take care of me! Were you lying…?"

"I used to be beautiful. What happened to me?!"

"Why are you making this so hard for me?!"

"C'mere and say that to my face, you slimey bastard!"

"You wanna play with me?"

"Hello? Did you come to talk to me?"

"I can be nice if I want to…"

"Next time, work on your timing."

"Oh, and we were just getting to the best bit!"

"Tell me you love me! Go on, say it!"

"Just pretend, you imbecile!"

"You ruined me!"

"No one touches me! No one!"

"You won't touch me again!"

"Someone shou- should do this for me, someone should be doing this for me!"

Breadwinner

"Get out of my territory!"

"Amateur! Fuckin' amateur!"

"I'm top dog, you shit!"

"GET OUTA MY FUCKIN' OFFICE!"

"You come to my town?! To MY TOWN?!"

"You're a nobody! Nobody!"

"Who the hell is that?"

"Yeah? Well, you're fired! Ya got that?"

"I was right, I tell ya. I was right, god damn it."

"Come on. Gimme a break!"

"Come on. Just let me explain, will ya?"

 "I'm too busy for this shit."

"Waste of my goddamn time."

"This isn't makin' me time OR money!"

"Goddammit, I'm bleeding!"

"Ahh. Ahh yeah, finally some service! Woo!"

"What happened to this thing?"

"Ha, it's my lucky day!"

"She should not have come here."

"Ah, a man can start a business down here, yeah. Now now, it's- it's not too late. I'll get to it."

"It's just a bad quarter. Naw, that's all. Yeah, market'll come back, huh? Yeah! Everything'll be fine. Yeah, it'll all be fine… Augh."

"I just gotta wait out the down cycle. I'm a success… I'm a fuckin' success!"

"I ain't afraid of failure… cause I ain'ts gonna fail!"

"These assholes don't get it. I'm a winner!"

"Came here to get rich… ain't gonna leave 'till I do!"

"Came down here with a dream… That dream's gonna happen."

"Aw, come on… they're gonna kill me if I lose you!"

"That's it? We're done?"

"You think that I'm dumb? Sure, sure, why not? You keep on thinkin' that."

"You think I wouldn't notice if you just waltzed in here? Huh?"

"I'll tell you what: I'll pay you to stay alive next time. How's that for a deal, you shit head."

"I earned this! Me!"

"You give it to me, you hear?"

"Just open your mouth."

"Ah, whose fault is this?"

"Look at this dump! Nothing left but nothing!"

[seizingthesky]

Hi! Can i request fennel with akyr? Thank you so much ~

Hi hi!! Absolutely :D AUGH. Fennel is so cute </3 thank you for requesting!!

FENNEL: What are their kisses like? Where do they like to be kissed the most?

IORI'S kisses are intense. He never does anything without a purpose, and that includes smothering your face in kisses until you're giggling and trying to shove him off- which doesn't always work. When he gets serious, though, he'll leave you absolutely breathless. His favourite place to be kissed is his lips; it's such an intimate place. Plus, if you're on the shyer side, it's cute to see you get flustered about it. He refuses to leave your side before getting a kiss; you stand up to say goodnight, and he just looks at you so expectantly... shithead.

ZEN, on the other hand, is as gentle as they come. He's very sweet and gentleman-like with you, and not just in kissing. He always asks permission before giving you a kiss, no matter how minuscule. He respects you and never wants to make you uncomfortable, so it's the least he can do, no? Zen's favourite place to be kissed is his forehead. A simple yet sweet gesture that makes him red in the face every time; if you want to get him flustered quick, give him a quick kiss on the forehead.

HOKUSAI is affectionate, without a doubt. Although he usually resorts to petting your head or stroking your hair, he can't deny that it's nice to kiss you and be kissed by you all the same. His kisses are soft and gentle, yet filled with so much emotion you could break down into tears. It's clear he adores you just by the way he kisses you. His favourite place to be kissed is the tip of his nose- odd, but that suits him, right? It makes him smile every single time; you're just so damn cute... don't worry, though; he'll return the favour!

REO loves nothing more than to be smothered with your love and kisses. You've got him so spoiled- he'll pout for hours if he hasn't got a kiss in that amount of time. As expected, his kisses are sweet, light, and mischievous in a cute way. He likes to surprise you with kisses by popping up out of nowhere just to plant a kiss on your lips or cheek. Reo's favourite place to be kissed is his cheeks! There's something he likes about it so much that it has him weak in the knees and grinning from ear to ear. You'll indulge him, right? There's no way you could resist your boyfriend's adorable little face!

SATSUKI is still so shy about kissing you after all this time. He loves it, don't get him wrong! It's just... you're so... amazing. And gorgeous. And adorable. And, well, perfect! He doesn't want you to think he's a weirdo or make you uncomfy with anything he does, so he's still a liiittle bit hesitant about kissing you. With some reassurance, though, he'll be a bit more forward! Perhaps a good morning or goodnight kiss; perhaps he gets the courage to cup your cheeks and tell you how much he loves you before giving you one. His favourite place to be kissed is his neck, as embarrassed as it makes him. Really, he loves any kisses you give him, but neck kisses melt his heart.

[radaverse]

Yknow, pep, I think I know why your saying shit like “oh no I won’t kill him he did nothing wrong” and it’s BECAUSE YOU ARE WEAK, YOU’RE AN IGNORAMUS, AND YOU AIN’T EVER GONNA GET ANYWHERE IN YOUR DAMN LIFE! YOU’RE GONNA END UP ON THE FUCKING STREETS AND DIE OUT THERE ONCE YOUR PIZZERIA CLOSES.

...

You clearly have-a nothing better to do than coming-a to mess up with-a my life, don't you?

What-a do you know if he did-a wrong or not? What-a do you know how I feel? What-a do you care if I get-a somewhere with my life or not?

Nothing.

You want-a me to go and try to fight-a Fake Peppino.

But, have-a you ever thought about-a what could happen to me if I try? Have-a you ever thought that I might-a not be in condition to fight? Have-a you?

WHAT-A IF I DIE? DOESN'T THAT-A MATTER? NO! THAT'S-A NOT IMPORTANT, RIGHT?!

YOU JUST-A CARE ABOUT-A WHAT YOU WANT, BUT WHAT ABOUT-A WHAT I WANT? WHAT ABOUT HOW I FEEL?!

DON'T-A YOU DARE-A SPEAK TO ME LIKE-A THIS AGAIN.

YOU. WILL. RESPECT-A. ME.

YOU WILL LEARN. TO RESPECT-A. ME.

DON'T-A YOU TALK ABOUT-A MY...

...pizzeria...

Don't-a you mention my pizzeria again...

It's everything I've-a... fought-a for...

... I just want-a... to be a chef... But everything... EVERYTHING. HAS TO ALWAYS-A GET ON MY WAY- A-AUGH!-

...aah... [pant, pant]

[gasp] What... What am I doing-a wrong? [gasp] What-a did I do to deserve-a this...?

Do I deserve-a this... disrespect?... [gasp]... I deserve-a this pain...

Don't I?

[Sob]

[Sob, sob]

Leave-a me alone...

... LEAVE-A ME ALONE!

Congrats, you've made Peppino cry.

are you fcking happy now

[loudn-mcyt]

SBK Finale Liveblogging: Vintage_Applesauce

Spoilers below the cut:

I have never been more ready or less ready for this. I'm so afraid.

The title immediately jumped out to me. "Surviving the end"???? I don't believe you Vintage

I don't think cherry is getting out of this one guys...

If I'm wrong I'll be so happy but Ruby and Vintage have not been filling me with confidence

Everyone subscribe to Vintage right now. I am no longer asking

The countdown has started...I'm not ready...

STARTING WITH RUE THATS NOT FAIR

WAUGHHHHHHH

I love the manipulation montage

"It wasn't supposed to be this way" NOOOOOOO

WHEN SHE AGREED TO BE OLMS HOST AUGHHHH

"I did not do it with the intent of harming others"

Oh my god. I was so close on so many of my predictions.

Ruby is what vintage got out of the deal with Olm???? I'm crying

She wanted companionship...she didn't realize what she would lose...

Another point for Olm god of betrayal (said through tears)

Based on chat Ruby played Olm in the flashbacks. Woo Ruby!

She's manipulating Yellow so much. But in her defense. He's so easy to manipulate

I support her in doing so. I don't support Olm though. Only Vintage.

8 months??? Olm's been playing them the whole time...

"getting out of this". That was already hinted at im Viking's finale but I can't wait to find out what he's trying to get out of.

The picnic is so cute

The shulker monster...Vintage...

She described the picnic as romantic :( my heart

She opened the pen pal message and closed it augh

I love the void cathedral I've said it before and I'll say it again

Why is the screen going dark. Why is everything quiet. Vintage. Vintage.

"Your end of the deal????" WAUGHHHHHH

Olm die die die die die

Leave her alone. Get a job.

This is incredible storytelling. Unfortunately it is incredible storytelling with the express purpose of SHATTERING MY HEART INTO PIECES

Ruby is there but Vintage is NOT looking at him even a little bit augh

She just walks right past Ruby...they don't interact she just brushes right past...

Volm manipulating until the very end. I might be imagining things but this almost seems like it's a little more anxious than before, trying to get Viking to do this before Olm loses his chance

"this is therapeutic to watch" OLM I HATE YOU

"I never leave" EAUGH

It's time for the ritual. It's time to find out what happens.

I love her evil laugh...I may not like Olm but I do love evil Vintage

Olm is free. FROM WHAT. FROM WHAT?!?!?

Vintage :(((( she's so sorry :((((

"I need to make things right."

She's scrambling so hard to hide

RUBY WAUGHHHHH

"Stay back" NOOOOOO

RUBY DOESNT VELIEVE HER THAT SHES SORRY

I'm in agony

"An apology to me is not really. I mean. Do you hate me that much?" WAUGHHHHH

"You didn't go looking for me."

I CANT TAKE THIS ANYMORE

SAKURA SPOUSES DIVORCE REAL. I HATE IT HERE

"You were all I wanted!"

Vintage betrayed everyone she loved, used everyone around her, to try to keep Olm contained. Because she wanted love. Because she wanted companionship.

She built the sewers on purpose to make the island safe from what would happen...

Vintage and Ruby's acting is so good. Moment of appreciation for how good this is

I'm going to rewatch this episode like 5 times there's so much here to sink my teeth into

"How do I know you're not just using me again."

"You told me to trust you...and I trusted you."

She knows that she cant regain Ruby's trust but it's the only thing she wants

Vintage is BEGGING Ruby to come with and be safe but Ruby won't go...because they remember their family...they remember the world before Skyblock...

THE BOOK

"As soon as I knew I couldn't trust you anymore, I knew I couldn't trust anything."

"Your end of the world doesn't involve me."

"I can't." "You can. Because I trust you."

"Maybe we'll have our happy ending one day."

The poppy...

"Of course I'll remember you."

I'm in shambles. Im dead. They love each other so much no matter what they will always find each other but that doesn't mean it'll be a happy ending

"No matter how many deals you make. No matter how many times you try, how many times you pray. Sometimes it's just not meant to be." WAUGHHHHHHHHHH

"we'll meet again in another lifetime. We'll be friends then."

THEY'RE SOULMATES YOUR HONOR

"this is my final goodbye." WITH CLOUDLESS STARTING IN THE BACKGROUND???? NOOOOOO

"Bye Ruby...I was glad to be given a partner like you. I just wish I could be given a second chance."

She puts away the compass by the poppy but keeps the clock...

She forgot to turn the stove off

It's over...

Yeah. Calling this a bittersweet ending makes sense.

I'm not going to be normal about this I'm going to continue being so abnormal about this.

I'm dead. I'm dead and gone.

This is so good...

EVERYBODY GO SUBSCRIBE TO VINTAGE APPLESAUCE. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST. DO IT.

Aughhhhhhh

[nyanwko]

my @thekillpetition-if MCs!! I'll do a full piece one day trust 💔 today I give you sum quick sketches

Solon Onai - The Perfect Prosecutor

(According to Luddy)

It's you, my favourite (and only) boss!!

About - Pronouns : He/Him. A dedicated prosecutor, he never lets any case overtake his moral integrity or distort his emotions. The only one he acknowledges as a rival is Sam, everyone else is irrelevant in his eyes- (asides from me of course!!)

Skills - Intuition, I mean he's borderline psychic,guesses are always accurate . In his past life he was definitely a detective (akechi who?)

Personality - Whilst ruthless in the courtroom, he's exceedingly gentle in the public sphere, described by many fans as the ideal man! (go you boss!). Polite and refined, he always reassures his clients. One thing for sure though is that he's terrifying when he smiles and he hates the media.

Brief Background - Comes from a low income background, really worked his way up to the top.

Dirt - Don't tell him I wrote this but, he has a soft spot for a certain detective- they make a pretty interesting pair...

Appearance - Average height, black hair, onyx eyes.

(Fun) Facts!!-

Has 30 suits and ties in the exact same colour- who needs that much?

Has a secret sweet tooth

Used to be against the Kill Petition, I wonder what changed?

has the sweetest coffee order

Luddy got him into kdramas (favourite is taxi driver)

Adil Absaar - The Playful Prosecutor

(According to Luddy)

It's you, my favourite (and only) boss!!

About - Pronouns : They/Them. A highly competitive prosecutor, they enjoy riling up their opponents and watching them fluster.

Skills - Charisma, it doesn't matter who- if the boss wants to befriend someone, they will. Their ability to draw someone in is almost scary at times.

Personality - Perhaps not the conventional image of a prosecutor, Adil is arrogant and sly- evading truthful answers unless in the courtroom. Those who they have gone against described them as "a little shit" and "condescending genius". It's difficult to hate Adil, considering how good they are at the job.

Brief Background - Disgustingly rich... Though they are the most interesting out of their siblings.

Dirt - Huh? Are my eyes deceiving me or does Adil actually enjoy flirting with Sam?

Appearance - Tall, blonde and gorgeous (if ykyk).

(Fun) Facts -

An antagonist in a different life, nobody enjoys crushing their opponent that much

Is based off that one lawyer on tiktok who's always dripped out

Very adamant on their skincare routine, once appeared in court with a face mask on (listen it was before they got into the big leagues of law)

Don’t trust them with a plant, within a week it’ll be dead

Randomly JoJo poses

little doodle dump

yes klavier and adil are twins.

hasn’t even met Morgan but already down bad smh…please ignore that I drew the wrong glasses for him augh

anyways I’m obsessed with your game bc I’m a sucker for crime/legal system 🙂‍↕️ can’t wait to see more

[veal-exe]

people were nitpicking your language in a server I'm in where we discuss trans rights and I was sitting on my hands trying not to lash out because you were using the language correctly they were just uncomfortable because it wasn't perfect or how they would have used it!!! I did point out that there was nothing actually wrong with what you were saying and that got them to back off but like. AUGH. I just want you to know that as someone who has been ripped to shreds for simple miswordings due to autism and related difficulties, even though english is my first language, you have people in your corner!!!!!!!!

I genuinely appreciate this message, more than I think I can fully express. I try to operate under the assumption that no one online has my back (not even my friends, because they are not my attack dogs), not because I think people are cruel, but because I know I can’t and shouldn’t rely on others to defend me. My words and actions are my own, and in the end, it’s on me to stand by them or stand up for them.

But.

It does not feel good.

It never feels good. And in a space where I’m already weighing every word, trying to make myself as clear as I can across cultural and linguistic gaps, it does carry real weight when someone takes the time to say, “I saw what they were doing, and I stood up for you.”

That matters.

That stays with me.

Thank you.

Because this kind of language policing, especially in conversations about lived oppression, rarely comes from a place of curiosity or care. More often, it’s a performance of correctness, a desire to be seen as more precise, more aligned, more ideologically clean. And that instinct can lead people to treat the language of others as suspect or even dangerous simply because it’s not exactly what they would have said. Which becomes even more frustrating when the language in question isn’t incorrect, it’s just not theirs.

It’s exhausting. Especially when, as you pointed out, this kind of behavior disproportionately targets people with language processing differences, or people for whom English is not a first language (or a second or a third). That scrutiny isn’t neutral. It’s not just about "clarity." It’s about power, about who is allowed to speak messily, passionately, imperfectly, and still be treated as worthy of being listened to.

And Anon, I hope your friends can eventually take a step back and ask themselves: Why are they comfortable talking behind the back of someone who was speaking about their own oppression? Why are they comfortable nitpicking the phrasing of someone they know does not come from an English-speaking background?

(I know I mention this constantly, but it's relevant here: English is my fourth language. That’s not a side note, it’s the context.)

I hope they ask themselves whether this is what they believe solidarity, praxis, and compassion look like. Or whether, in truth, they’re using the idea of ideological purity as a justification for exclusionary behavior, gatekeeping cloaked in progressive language. Oppression disguised as “precision.” Xenophobia in the shape of a grammar lesson.

I’m not always going to say everything perfectly. I probably never will. Sometimes it's so exhausting that frankly I don't even try because I have to choose between silence or saying something important imperfectly. But if people choose to treat my imperfect English as more important than the actual content of what I’m saying, I have to wonder, did they ever agree with the core point at all?

Thank you again, truly. You didn’t have to say anything. But you did. And it means the world.

[cyanrendipity]

New full moon... which I totally wasn't avoiding... ahaha... I love arcana strenght and arcana wheel of fortune.... nothing bad ever happens after that fight 🥲👍

WELL starting from the beginning, what a month

We got a bit more strega but turns out only Takaya talked to me again, I assume I won't get 1 on 1 Jin time which is sad, but I'm enjoying it anyway, we also got to see Medea but just for a split second, come back girl (Is that all we see of her? Does she show up again?)

Amazing month, I loved the Shinjiro's hang outs but I feel like there was some dialog missing from just talking to him around the dormitory? Maybe I'm wrong, or wait hang on maybe I didn't check them all?? Time to play this month again (not) I love Shinjiro 🥺

But on the other hand is really hard not to hate Ken LOL It's the same as I feel with Yukari, like I understand they're young and going thru a hard time but also they're annoying to me specifically,

(I say that as if I didn't feel the exact same way when I was 11)

I think Ken is an interesting character tho and I thought his first two linked events, the ones that happened so far, were pretty neat, him asking MC to take care of his hamster if something happened to him pulled on my heartstrings I'll admit, these children should stop being ready to die they're making me sad

Speaking of which, Mitsuru Akihiko and Shinji flashback😭 I loved Shinji's linked events, I don't remember the fact that he skipped classes being acknowledged in the original (before his eulogy I mean). The 3 of them making a promise to graduate together torn my heart to pieces god, how can they make this EVEN SADDER.

Shinjiro without a hat is always funny looking tho, hat hair <3

Now finally for the full moon 😔 I thought I would have a hard time cause I only pick my team based on my faves (Aigis, Akihiko and Koromaru, pretty sure I've always used this team for everything since my first playthrough of fes lmao) but turns out I'm op and poor fortune couldn't even do the unfair wheel properly, I remember I had SO MUCH trouble with them when I was playing portable, I kept having to use save states to cheat that fight. I'm pretty sure on that version the colors meant who it was gonna affect? But this time no matter what it affects everyone I feel like that makes it so much easier. Anyway it was over pretty quick

And MY GOD this was THE MOST HEART WRENCHING VERSION OF SHINJIRO'S DEATH WHAT THE FUCK, this cant be recency bias I'm gonna go watch the other versions hang on

BANGING MY HANDS ON MY DESK, OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS SO GOOOOD AAAAAAAAA

Ok so, I guess they took inspiration on the anime version of the scene with Akihiko holding Shinjiro instead of Shinji just fucking walking and falling over (good choice, very good choice, my heart) BUT THEN RELOAD ALSO ADDED HIM PETTING KOROMARU, I CAN'T, I CAN NOOOOOOT HE HOWLS ALONG WITH KEN'S SCREAM AUGH!!!!!

THE JAPANESE VA REALLY SOLD THE SCREAM TOO I THINK THIS IS ALSO THE BEST SCREAM EVER

I am literally so hyped up right now this is amazing I almost cried but then I got too excited by how good it was LMAO, absolute cinema as my friends say, my heart hurts I need to punch something

[see-arcane]

Ok here goes

The Red Book 📕

Unknown and Terrible 🌑⚰️

Long Night Drive 🚙 (if I ever travel again to the USA I am doing so again why are night roadtrips so eerie there what happened)

The Harker Records 🖤 🖋️

Death's Dogs 🐕☠️

The M.A.D Gods 😤

Bloody Anniversary 💒

Lady Luna Blue 🔵

The Red Book 📕: A collection of some more explicitly saucy supernatural works. I tend to kind of tiptoe around any direct sexual/erotic aspects in things I write, so this would be more like a writing exercise than anything else, just to see how I can rework (disdainful literati voice) ~smut~ into something meatier ha ha than just a one-and-done indulgence shot. I don't see this one being put together anytime soon, as, again, I'm still prone to side-stepping outright raunchiness versus innuendo. But we'll see what happens.

Unknown and Terrible 🌑⚰️: Short version? Jonathan Harker winds up as the new Dracula following a very bloody climax in Transylvania. He uses Scholomance magic to pull Francis' reincarnation bullshit out through his nose, brings Mina back as a new soul, and tries to get her back. It is very much about me being a petty prick and proving Jonathan and Mina = The Better Romance and the Better Tragic Vampire Lovers. Choke on it, Francis.

Long Night Drive 🚙: This one fittingly only seems to haunt me when I'm driving after dark on empty roads. The premise being a sort of liminal What If? What if someone started a long drive at night and neither the road or the night ever ended? What if the last wrong turn turned them off of Earth's road map and onto Someplace Else's? Ideally this would only hit the driver on a night of Importance. One of those 'things are crossing over' nights--and they crossed over in the wrong direction. Uh oh.

The Harker Records 🖤 🖋️: Oh, but this one gives me brain itches. It's hazy at the edges, but it'd be a sort of fusion between anthology and purposeful/linked Big Narrative. Basically, the Harkers and their friends start becoming unofficial monster hunters/recorders/aides. I always love when paranormal stories have it work out so that if you're stamped once by the uncanny, the uncanny continues to gravitate toward you. I'd like to see them interact with myriad eerie happenings across public domain horrors together. Peak couple's activity <3

Death's Dogs 🐕☠️: An examination of how Death has an abundance of dogs with various tasks bred into them. And how Dracula maybe crossed the paths of more than one spectral hound during his English holiday.

The M.A.D Gods 😤: Augh, it's gathered so much dust, BUT I STILL LOVE IT AND MY WEIRD NUCLEAR NEON YELLOW PANTHEON SO MUCH. The gist is that 1) The Universe was made by one entity basically ejecting the bulk of Its body mass away so Matter could happen and flourish 2) That shit's tiring 3) The Atomic God (named because It is responsible for every atom in the universe) closes Earth around it like shell/blanket for an eons-long nap 4) It creates two guard-gods, Maker and Breaker, to keep any cosmic horror jerks out of the neighborhood--It ditched them to make the known universe so It could have some peace, finally. 5) Hijinks ensue as Maker and Breaker dutifully chokeslam any Lovecraftian interlopers out of the galaxy and spend their free time watching humanity fuck shit up

Bloody Anniversary 💒: An unexpected meetup of various couples in various states of actually being in love, each celebrating their anniversary. One of these couples is older than they seem. And maybe not celebrating the anniversary anyone would expect.

Lady Luna Blue 🔵: Started out as alternative what-if for who the Pretty Girl in Piccadilly might be. She could still go that route, but I think my imagination has long since run off with her into more original territory. Lady Luna Blue is her professional name; at least as Victorian era mediums and mystics go. In-between card readings and seances, she catches the attention of something with much more supernatural weight than she's prepared for. And it happily takes advantage when she invites any 'wandering spirits' in.

[savi-of-ithaca]

what are your future aspirations (career wise)

interestinggggg question. no clue, to be honest, but i do plan to go to career counselling soon to figure it out. i LOVE literature, writing, reading all of it so i know i'll want to be an author on the side, i already write poetry and am planning to get it published sometime soon if i can finish it. my mothers wants me to go into finance, which i do not wish because...augh it just sounds incredibly boring. she thinks i could be a lawyer purely because i'm good at figuring out loopholes in rules like the tv characters in law shows but i don't know how i feel about that

i 100% want to have a good well-paying career. no househusband savi, no sir. financial independence is something everyone should have no matter what, you never know when something could go wrong

i kind of want to be a teacher. it sounds so fun. but for highschool students because i cannot handle littler kids 🫠

i've always loved mythology, especially greek, and that coupled with my love of literature and sometimes history i wonder if i could pursue something there. but i think most realistically i've only ever seen myself doing something to do with english, teaching, or art; if i can manage it. no clue right now, just focusing on this year's exams :))

OH WAIT HOW COULD I FORGET ALSO THEATRE PLEASE I LOVE THEATRE LMAO

[lakesbian]

I’ve been stuck too nervous to start arc 17 because of all the conversation about it making me nervous. Is there anything you think will convince me to get to it?

this is going to contain some arc 17 spoilers because i can't talk about why it's good without saying at least some concrete things about it

anyway. after some research (making a post asking why people don't like it) i have come to a conclusive awareness of the most prominent reasons 4 the two primary camps of opinions abt arc 17

why some ppl think it's one of the most excellent arcs in the book: - extremely well-written fucked up horror tragedy - extremely cool and scary and interesting perspective on the simurgh (give it up for the simurgh everyone give it up for the simurgh) - engaging character writing & dynamics - context 4 a bunch of worldbuilding shit delivered in an interesting little packidge - some of the best character concepts in the book (noelle/krouse) why some ppl find it boring (have not actually seen anyone who Hates it i think just ppl who find it boring/uninteresting): - no taylor PoV or undersiders for the entire arc - flashback that puts the main plot on pause for the entire arc - underdeveloped and/or uninteresting focal characters - unlikable/annoying focal characters

now obviously i am an arc 17 enjoyer. so my refutations to the reasons i've seen ppl disliking it for are: - this is 100% a matter of personal taste. like it's understandable to be less engaged w/ parts of the story that aren't about your guys of choice, but it worked for me because i enjoy the rotating cast of perspectives. i like how it expands the world of worm more. it Is time spent away from taylor and friends, but it's finally providing context for one of the most built-up mysteries in the book, so, like. i do not mind taking a brief taylor break to read what's basically a really good wormverse horror story. we already have like 1.6 million words of taylor so i think if you're going in with the awareness that you're going to just take a little one-arc break from her and then get back to her & try to be open-minded about it you might find it not such a big deal

- i can understand why it induces "AUGH come on i wanted to find out what happens next" syndrome but i'm a "that's ok we get there when we get there :)" person about books so again i personally did not mind. the pacing just works 4 me. like you get the mystery of wondering what's wrong with noelle -> the dread of having it revealed via arc 17 that she's a simurgh plot and subsequently this was always fated to happen and end horribly -> being thrown back into the Noelle Incident afterwards with full awareness that because it's a simurgh plot horrible things are going to happen. which is good! it provides context at the perfect moment to maximize the impact of revealing how tragic and awful the situation is.

- i do agree that the travelers aren't as well-developed as they could be, oliver & cody particularly, but it wasn't an issue for me during the arc. i think they all have the amount of characterization necessary to make it feel appropriately tense. even if they aren't the most distinct characters in the book, they do their jobs Well Enough. i actually really liked some of the genesis/trickster interactions in particular, and i think the most important character (trickster) ends up really well characterized in a fascinatingly detailed way. it overall captures the gist of what we need to know to be compelled by the travelers just fine.

- no none of them are especially likable but this one is like. fully just a personal taste thing. i don't care if characters in a book are likable people, i care if the narrative & themes are well-written and compelling. which they are! also the fact that krouse fucking sucks and the character dynamics are all unpleasant and uncomfortable is genuinely a pro of the arc 4 me. them fucking sucking and causing problems is part of their charm, and also literally integral to why their character concepts are interesting. "found family that never should have been a family" is by default going to involve some level of suckiness. also, like, taylor isn't likable. she's manipulative and violent and uncommunicative and would generally be awful to hang out with. all of which is part of her charm. if you can like taylor for the interesting ways in which she sucks (affectionate) then surely you can like the travelers for the interesting ways in which they suck (affectionate). but even if you don't their Story is still worth breaking down and paying attention to. because it's good.

best case scenario for reading it is you think it's excellent (which it is) worst case scenario you just find it kind of boring. which isn't a big deal, there are plenty of worm arcs that people find meh. if you've gotten thru the rest of worm you can get thru arc 17 too, it's ultimately just another worm arc at the end of the day. one i would highly recommend, but ultimately just another worm arc. no reason not to give it a try, because all that will happen is you'll either go "that was good" or "didn't love that" and then carry on with the rest of the book.