#basu post

[basu-shokikita]

Ramona Flowers dyeing her hair in Scott Pilgrim Takes Off

[mar1n3tt3]

[bouquetstatue]

just finished kcod for the 3rd time

[silverstormsxx]

Context:

[seraphimumbra]

Amrit when Amala betrays him:

[triplefaggot]

angel skwisgaar im too lazy to color

[charsimsalot]

READ THE ANCIENT ARCHIVES: ENTRY 16

Alice is unbound! It feels exceptionally good to help, I am all aglow, and it is a precious thing to be reminded that the clouds can part, even after so many dark days. I am dearly thankful for this journal and this pen, for Deimos and Freddy and Ann and Edith, for the aid of Rory and even of Kristopher (I might not have thought to ask for Rory’s advice if his own words had not been such a helpful if unintentional reminder that a second opinion was very needed). I am dearly thankful for Alice, telling me everything she knew about what she could feel of her children’s Essences even though the words pained her, and I am dearly thankful to her for asking for my help. Learning about ghosts was one of my main reasons for moving to Ravenwood and I have learned so much as I’ve been helping Alice. Most importantly, Alice now knows what became of her children.

We sat on the ground by the Guardian Tree, and I shared with her all I had learned. I told her what I knew of the lives and deaths of Deimos and Ann, the elaborate sarcophagus, the island with the yellow wildflowers, the epitaphs I copied into this journal. I told her about Freddy, I told her what he remembered, and I told her there was a lot he didn’t.

“He remembers the most important thing,” Alice said. “I love them all unconditionally.”

I told her about Edith and carefully tore Edith’s letter to Alice from my journal and gave it to her — I’d had the foresight to open up to a page for her to write on with nothing on the other side of it. Alice’s shoulders dropped, and a sound fell out of her mouth that was half laugh and half sob, and she wept with relief, turning from the opaque blue of the water’s surface to a bright open green. She stood, so light on her feet, and hugged me so tenderly. She said over my shoulder that a weight had been lifted and that she no longer wallowed in an ocean of sorrow. I thought about her hugging her children. My chest felt very tight. It does again now.

Alice took my cold hands, skin roughened from undertaking, callous on my finger from holding my pen, into her own cold skeletal hands. I do mean skeletal; her bones are covered by no flesh. She told me I’d done her a great kindness, and that I was a good friend, and that her Guardian Tree was open to me.

Before she left, she knelt by her Guardian Tree, where I sit now, and wrapped her arms around as much of it as she could. She thanked it for protecting her for all these long, long years, and a thread of glowing moss dripped from one of the strands hanging from those otherwise barren branches and drifted slowly to the ground right through her. I stood there and blinked. I asked her, was it not the Guardian Tree that had bound her here? She told me no, that it was her own sorrow that had shackled her here. Knowledge and understanding, these are the delicate keys that free us. It was with such lightness that she floated away from me to reunite with Edith. She will have her comfort before night falls next. I’ve reread Rory’s remark that “sometimes you can’t get everything you need where you are” many times since she said it, and I heard it again in that moment.

Joy and relief are not all that I feel. Of all occasions to feel unmoored, even a little ill-humoured, this is an odd one. I don’t feel sensible for feeling it. Objectively, things are better today than they were yesterday. I am doing well.

I miss Caleb. Maybe there is some sense to my feelings. He’s a dear friend, of course I do. Through the wonders of modern technology, we still speak often and instantly, but it isn’t quite the same. That tender hug from Alice was the only hug I’ve had since I said goodbye to the Vatores. Lilith pulled me in and slapped my back in that endearingly rough way of hers. Caleb held on for much longer, with I on the tips of my toes, pressing my face into his neck, with I committing the floral woodsy scent of his hair volumizer to memory. The damp wool of his collar — it was raining — was thick against my chin and cheek. When I pulled back, he smiled and blinked quickly and did an awful job of pretending not to cry. He said he knew I’d do great things here. I have done great things here and I know he’ll be all praise for me when I call and tell him but if I were with him, he might hug me for it and make some celebratory dinner.

I suppose there's... I don’t like to ruminate on it because it’s not reflective of a gap in my knowledge that I have the slightest idea of how to fill, but I suppose there's another kind of missing I might be feeling. I’d like to know who raised me, but I don’t even know when or where they were. They could remain in this world as ghosts and still I could go another fifty years and another never knowing. Elle does not even know who first thralled me.

Maybe one day. It took over a century for Alice and Edith to reunite. Things can change after a long time, it's what I told Edith. I have the gift of immortality. Maybe one day.

I have a better idea at least how I can help Nyon. Since I’m in Mourningvale already, I will remain here a while in the hopes of meeting Grim so that I can give him Nyon’s gnome, as Nyon told me that Grim is more likely to show up here. Oh, and there’s a club in the neighbourhood, Club Eternity it’s called! A delightful name! I haven’t gone dancing in what feels like so long as I have been busy settling in and working and researching. Maybe this will raise my spirits! Will report back later about whether they serve Plasma Janes.

start ❘ prev ❘ next

[ratanslily]

who will you choose? 😉

[blondedbambi]

bipasha basu on ‘rendezvous’ with simi garewal

[basu-shokikita]

Knives and Kim playing together for the first time

[raye-sim]

me making them all adults: *apply eyebags*

[samissobsessed]

Kali Call Of Darkness THEORY?

❗❗MAJOR SPOILER ALERT FOR THOSE WHO ARE PLAYING FOR THE FIRST TIME:❗❗

In S1E7, we have a conversation with Sana, where she says the following:

"For helping a lost sheep."

"Muktakeshi will punish me for disobeying..."

With these lines, we can deduce, that the Chauhans (especially Priyanka) have strictly instructed her not to disclose a single information about the city and the religion, and especially, The Dozen.

So as per I think, Amrit worked to get Amala from London to Kolkata, and the entire murder of particularly Hayes was a stage play. They were already sacrificing humans, so Amrit proposed to sacrifice Hayes, to attract attention of the British govt. And therefore pull strings to get Gabriel vouch for Amala, despite her being inexperienced asf. We get to know this only in Killian's route though.

Amrit saw how Calcutta was basically 'without order' and all the stuff and wanted the Basus to be back. He arranged for Amala to stay at a former Banerjee's (one of the Dozen) household (We know that Priyanka was a Banerjee before her marriage and after marriage she became a Chauhan), so that Amala could become closer to the culture and way of life, as well as gather information. Devdas didn't know shit until Amala came, but Vimal got to know everything, and therefore warned Priyanka about Amala and the return of the Basus.

He made a deal with Priyanka, that if she keeps an eye on Amala, without disclosing information about their family and the Dozen, and reporting her activities to Vimal, he may will help her conceive. He knew the stubborn nature of the Basu women, and knew that if Amala got to know about it, she would do anything to avenge her family, and finish him, just like he did to her family in Kliphagrami in 1957. In other words, Priyanka would help him keep the Basus away as much as possible, as "another Basu got in his way" (we already know he wanted to take the place of Basus and his brother Devdas), and he would help her conceive.

Priyanka on the greed of having a child, made all sorts of arrangements, including warning Sana not to tell Amala shit.

However, Sana "disobeys" Priyanka and Aryan, and gives her info about Brahmins and other knowledge about Hinduism as she felt pity and compassion for her. In this situation, Amala is our "lost sheep" in Sana's view as she doesn't know anything about her own family and her own importance, but Sana knows. In S1E3, we see this prompt when we were discussing the vision at the hotel room with Sana in the hallway:

The exact next night, the Chauhans take out Sana and arranges her wedding. She got matched for helping our "lost sheep". Her wedding was a plan to basically seperate her from Amala as soon as possible, so that Amala could not get information. That is why they rushed the marriage as soon as possible.

Oh, and Sana figured out their plans, and decides to warn Amala even immediately before her wedding.

On the day of her wedding, her groom Manu was killed by Devdas, as he got to know he touched his secret stash of books being a Shudra (lower caste) (the Doobay fam is a family of psychopaths).

How did he know that?

On S1E6, when Amala was sent downstairs forcefully from her bedroom by Priyanka, she made Sana search her room for the book of Mahanirvana Tantra. Sana knowing the location of book, gave away Amala. Priyanka now knew about the location of the book and handed it over to Devdas later. That is how Devdas got to know Manu touched his books. Now why did Sana give away Amala in this case? She was probably threatened by Priyanka.

On Sana's wedding day, Manu was murdered, making Sana a white widow (💎choice) or a Sati ritual victim (smh research about modern India by Remy.) This drifted Sana away from Amala more. Her main source of info was stopped.

Manu's death was a coincidence, and not a part of Vimal and Priyanka's plan. Devdas is just a psycho.

However, Amrit and Ratan twisted the circumstances to the point Amala eventually found out about her family, as well as her visions about the past. On the other hand, Kiran arrived. Priyanka gave this informative to Vimal as per the deal. When Vimal got to know about Amala's awareness, he finally sought on killing her and exchange Kiran's energy and soul for Priyanka's child. Probably the reason why Priyanka was so excited at the news of his arrival.

So back to point, our Sana is afraid that Kali will punish her for disobeying her masters and she feels like it is her punishment for helping the "lost sheep" that is Amala.

[apostatehamster]

Watched OFMD, I have thoughts and feelings, and here be my outlet, whoopee. Spoilers, livewatching ramblings and screenshots ahead

Oh yeah Izzy focus, because I am me :)

Ep 6:

The episode had a villain of the day and I thought that was funny. Just some random guy who got jealous because Ed broke a record jkfhjk. Chill out, man

I've wanted Ed and Izzy to talk again for episodes but -

Bro, he confessed his love to you and you shot him down like a dog. Then knowing he loves you, you wanted him to end your life, which he refused. He tried to end his life instead, stripped of all meaning in life. You do not fucking get to be snappy with him, you were supposed to be the first one to talk,. Yes I am bitter, shut up- Kudos for Izzy being the bigger man (heh).

The drinking issues continue, i see :( "I thought you were Roach" hjkdfhkjl sur

Well, he managed to say the word Sorry at least, that's more than the crew got. I know he is working on the apologizing but. Oof man, it still needs work.

fucking love the crew but especially Archie, I think she's a great addition. Just good chaos. Also lmao Roach

Fang is so precious to me, you do not understand-

Everybody: AYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEE CALYPSO BIRTHDAAAY

Everybody is just adressing Stede as their captain. Frenchie's eyes nervously flick to Ed from time to time though. Ed just heaves in annoyance. This guy really just hates his life atm. He's the most disconnected from the crew, like they tolerate him but his only social contact is Stede basically. And somewhat Izzy. Speaking of, it feels like a role reversal to season 1 where Izzy was the one kind of isolated on board

idk why but the way he said "that"Oh." absolutely made me lose it- What emotion was that. Nobody nose

Ed, seeing two kids: "Here's a lot of money. Also here's a knife. Stab anyone who gets close to the money" Me: he'd be a great dad-

idk just LOOK at her, ugh. QUEEEEEEN

Love Feeney for having that idea. Love Izzy listening to this and thinking "...you can just. do this?" and then picturing himself like that next to feeney. We love the self-discovery and self-expression

I just love them, your honor <3

He absolutely fucking killed it man and I need to look at ref pics to draw this because holy shit what a look

my favorite guy and his two support pals <3

Love the way Stede's face goes from "ehh...?????" to "awww..." within seconds. Love the way Fang starts clapping immediately after like one Note of singing (honestly same) Love Izzy just casually grabbing for Calypso/feeney's hand and turning the whole boat into his stage. You stole the thunder you little drama queen. But man he can SING T_T it's so soft..... and a love song....

The throuple hugging..... and also wth Fang and Roach have going on. I love the crew....

And the wonderful singing gets interrupted by... Cannonball and torture!!

OK Ed stepping in front of stede to shield him is cute

Ed continues to look annoyed and pissed off at everything that is happening in his life. Fair enough, I mean he wants to leave the pirate life behind but his pirate life keeps catching up with him

"Struck a chord" haha music pun

Roach laughing "I dont think the torture has begun yet :D :D :D" are you okay, my guy hsdjkhsdjkl???

*they're about to be tortured* Izzy: "It's just gonna turn me on." Ffs Izzy you little freak lmao

Lucius and Pete celebrating their honeymoon for a whole day, that is. impressive and lowkey concerning hjkshdjk

this was just. a nice frame. okay-

This season has a really mixed vibe inbetween funny and dark. Like, this ep is very artsy but they're also being tortured, i almost felt like I was watching a bit of Hannibal

If you think I am going to make this about Izzy, you are absolutely right!!! (I guess Ned and Maggie are Captain and first mate too, so I am definitely drawing the parallels) Because I think most of the issues between Ed and Izzy stem from Ed seeing him only as his First Mate and not Izzy, to the point where Izzy wasn't a person anymore. And now that Ed doesn't want to be a pirate anymore, the First Mate following around is a thorn in his side, and he fails to see the loyal friend underneath the front of the First Mate

Live Mutiny reaction

Ned not caring about whether Maggie dies, because she deserves death if she can't do her job (tie a proper tie). Yeah I am thinking about Ed shooting down Izzy and replacing him immediately. "You're mercenaries, you don't have feelings." Yeah, hm.

Stede is an absolute handsome charmer in this season, I gotta say.

Izzy absolutely flinching in panic as LuPete kick in the door. My man has PTSD (like the rest of the BB crew probably)

"We got engaged" Everyone: Awwwww :)

Ned: "You used to be a killer" Hm not so sure about that. Not the way everyone thinks at least. I am actually not sure if Edward ever killed anyone after his dad and the one person during the raid. His flashbacks were of these two murders at least (and the almost murder of izzy) so I am guessing there weren't anymore off screen murders?

Ed giving absolute zero shits about Ned's taunting, but Stede steps in, my man is manning up.

I find the difference between Ed and Stede so fascinating. Ed, who feels like his whole life went downhill after he killed and who wants to run from his life as a pirate, versus Stede who has been taunted for being weak, who wants to prove his strength and become a proper pirate. They are progressing in opposite ways.

"See, that's why he likes you. Because of your bumbling amateur status" I wonder if Ed feels like he corrupted Stede, sort of like Stede was afraid he ruined Edward at the end of season 1.

Izzy the killer being like "Give him a minute. First kill is always a mindfuck." and Edward going to check on Stede anyway, makes me wonder when Izzy first killed. If it was for Edward or if it was on his own. And if it was for Edward, if he checked on him, because I think probably not. And judging by the way Izzy stares into nothingness as Ed goes to check on Stede... yeah, no.

EMOTIONALLY LOADED KISS AGAINST THE WALL!!!!!!!!!! hell llloo

Can't help but feel sad tho with Izzy continuing his love serenade as Stede and Ed make out. Singing about how "It's only him for me, and me for him for life. He told me, he swore to me, for life." while the guy you're in love with is hooking up with another. I swear if the ring he wears around his tie was a promise form Ed I'm gonna be so devastated, I really really hope it isnt. :')

Fingie sand footsies gdfgjh LET'S FUCKING PARTAAAAAY

OK will continue in another post for episode 7 because I can't post so many pictures

[sofiims]

[a-cloud-for-dreams]

listen.

i fear he’d be into this

like??

[rhetoricandlogic]

A Tale as Old as Time: The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport by Samit Basu

Mahvesh Murad

Wed Oct 18, 2023 3:00pm

A ring. A lamp. A storytelling bot that gathers all the narratives as they unspool. An idealist, her bitter mother, her monkey-bot brother. A not-Prince. A crime lord after world domination. A city that exists against all odds. And a story that refuses to die.

Samit Basu’s The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport is a fun, exuberant romp that’s being pitched as Aladdin meets Murder-bot. Which is pretty much what it is. It’s smart, bursting with ideas and novel concepts; fun, full of snappy dialogue and humour; complicated, with plenty of political, post-colonial commentary. It is also chaotic, info-dumpy at times, tells a lot more than it shows, and can feel like a detailed TV series treatment, or elaborate RPG bible.

The titular Shanitport is a vibrant, chaotic city, falling apart but bustling, inventive but disastrous. Violent, loud and torn between rival political parties and megalomaniacs and oligarchs and thugs. The city is quite literally drowning. The rich live in palatial homes and the poor suffer in the mud; a huge economic disparity is accepted as the norm. Surveillance is rampant, and bots are commonplace yet mostly considered second-class citizens, even though many are sentient. Everyone says the world is ending, so those who can are jetting off to other lands while those who can’t are surviving as best they can until the inevitable complete decline. Shantiport may hold on to ancient stories and clans and alliances, and it is both the future, and the future apocalypse coexisting in a shared chaos.

Anyone from a major city in the Indian subcontinent will be familiar with this scenario; we’ve lived like this for years, in collapsing cities trapped between hungry, corrupt powers who “may have their own differences, but always somehow manage to work together in the end.” What these powers always overestimate though, is the sheer will of the citizens, and their desire to be more than the city allows them to be. And that’s where Lina comes in. A local tour guide, she carries the heart of the city in hers, with a great love for Shantiport and its people. Lina’s parents, both raised in opposing clans, were joined together not just in their love for each other but also for their city. As young idealists they hoped to create revolutionary ways to improve Shantiport, but when Lina’s father vanished suddenly, her parents’ plans were abruptly discarded. Now, though she has been raised to stay under the radar, Lina wants to bear their torch onwards and is in search of an artifact her father had left behind—tech that could help lead her to improving the lives of everyone in Shantiport.

Her monkey bot-brother Bador has delusions of Bollywood hero-style grandeur, and mainly wants to get off this rock so he can make his heroic fortune across the galaxy, but while he’s stuck here in Shantiport, he is helping Lina with her search. It is during one of his searches in the mud, muck and rubble of the city that he finds Moku, a floating sentient storybot who is actually the narrator of the whole novel. Moku is very much a character too, and grows into himself during the course of the book. It can be a little distancing to always only hear the story from the storybot’s perspective.

We don’t ever really get inside Lina or Bador’s heads, and are always in Moku’s, with his bot-thoughts and perspectives. And Lina tends to hold back from sharing too much with Bodor and with Moku; she’s secretive and has her reasons for this, but it does make her journey a little harder to connect with, though it’s easy enough to write off her motivations to a generic saving-the-world-before-bedtime idealism.

It can also mean that there is, again, a lot of telling going on. Moku’s the storybot who tells the story, which could be fun, if we didn’t end up having to hear him—literally—tell the story quite so often.

Conversations can get long, entire debates are presented as is (albeit about important topics; Basu isn’t going to shy away from heftier topics), and there is a lot of banter—fun, but also a little grating at times, as it takes on the pace and cadence of a snappy superhero movie a little too well, a little too fast. Same can be said for the plot—some quick inferences that are a little too convenient, many cinematic action sequences, huge scale bot fights and chase sequences, some dramatic sudden plot twists that are just aching to be a penultimate episode of a TV series.

There are so many things going on, all the time, at the same time, that it may feel as overwhelming as cities like Shanitport could be. There’s a leaner novel in here, or if fleshed out into multiple episodes, a very fun TV show. That does not take away, though, from the sheer aplomb with which Basu has built and explored this world of fables and ancient cultures and futuristic possibilities, its people and their desires.