#but maybe if someone forced discipline and order you wouldn't be a mess

[spinnedcycle]

love the mr. universe ep of suf

[sansaorgana]

hy do you think Aegon is the way he is? Do you think Alicent was a bad mother to him, only being dissatisfied with him and slapping him often? Because many say she is a terrible mother, I truly don't think it is all her fault, Viserys also is to blame, but why she isn't to Aegon like she is to Aemond and Helaena and in future most probably Daeron? Do you think she is a bad parent? Because she is not much better than Viserys, favouring Aemond, in future Daeron and sometimes Helaena and casting Aegon aside. Aegon is a piece of work, but her constant yelling or disappointment isn't helping. Even Otto didn't treat Alicent like that, in fact he was concerned when he saw her nails and asked why are you hurting yourself. He was strict, yes, but he never raised his voice on Alicent or slapped her.

Oh man, that's quite an emotional topic for me because I get very defensive when someone calls Alicent a bad mother. She reminds me too much of my own mum, of course with some differences but overall she does a lot.

Before we start analyzing Alicent's motherhood itself we have to remember two things, though: 1) it takes place in a world based on the middle ages and 2) she was a teenage mom forced to marry an old king (she was in no position to say no to him nor her father). She was mentally unprepared to become a mother, even the fact that teenage motherhood was more common (or rather: more acceptable) in middle ages doesn't change the fact a child shouldn't be responsible for another child. Now we can also add her own traumas to that picture and of course Alicent will act in a certain way, however I think she's a good mum at the end of the day.

I would never say she's abusing Aegon, especially in medieval standards. She's not locking him up in a dungeon to torture him. Whenever she slapped him, it didn't happen out of the blue, it was her way of disciplining him. She reprimands him when it's needed but only once we actually saw her telling him she's disappointed him in overall and that was after him mistreating the maid in a horrible way. Alicent was justified to feel this emotion at that time. They are both vicitms of Viserys being a bad father and a husband and they both kinda take it out on each other but they would also die for each other and it's visible how Aegon leans on her – he moves close to her when she's being accused at Driftmark and then he asks for his mother before his coronation. She literally stands between him and the dragon.

Maybe it's because of the fact it's my own experience and I can see my own relationship in theirs, but just because their relationship is a bit messed up, doesn't mean they don't care about each other. Alicent is patient with Helaena, she asks her questions about the bugs to create some sort of bond, she's protective over all her children equally. She is sweet to Aemond since day one, too. Aegon is just quite difficult to handle and I believe it's kind of beyond her but she's trying her best and it's visible she loves him. I wouldn't call her guilty for the way Aegon is by the way, as I said before they're both the victims of the situation.

Now, about Otto. I also don't think he's a terrible father. The only thing I strongly disagree with was pushing teenage Alicent into Viserys' bed but that was like... The reason why this whole book and TV show exists so otherwise we wouldn't even be discussing those matters. He had to do it in order for the story to exist and apart from that yes, he is strict but he is always taking care of Alicent and protecting her.

[wandaluvstacos]

"If they didn't want to do it, they wouldn't do it"

So whenever an animal rights activist shows up on some youtube video of an animal performing for human delight, the usual counterargument is:

"If this animal didn't want to do it, it wouldn't do it!"

This is partially true. You cannot pick up a horse and force it to jump a jump if it really doesn't want to jump it. Horses that have no passion or ability for jumping or cutting do not make it to very high levels of the sport, and if you have to spurt/whip a horse repeatedly to get it to do the thing you want, then you're not going to get far.

However, there are many violent ways you can get a horse to do want, such as horse "dancing".

Unlike the piaffe in dressage, which CAN be achieved through ethical and compassionate means, this sort of "dancing" is done by tying a horse between two poles and whipping it until it has to trot in place. Often its knees are struck until it picks them up higher. Eventually you remove the poles and you can get a horse to "dance" like this with the rider. It tends to swing back and forth because during training, they'll tie chains to their feet, and the swaying is how they avoid being struck by the chains.

There is also soring done to Tennessee Walker Horses:

This is where you "sore" their front legs (basically by rubbing chemicals on their legs and plastic wrapping it to "bake" it in) until they're sensitive/painful. This means they step higher in the ring, as a way to avoid being in pain. It's a very different gait than the typical TWH gait.

Both of these are instances in which you actually CAN get a horse to do something against its will; it's just that only the most tolerant, patient horses end up "doing well" because any horse with less tolerance flunks out.

There's also the blue tongue phenomenon in the highest echelons of dressage. And let's not forget the hot mess that are barrel racers.

Any animal can be coerced into doing your bidding. However, it's also ignorant to say that all animals must be violently coerced into performing; plenty of horses are happy and healthy doing the exact same disciplines as the horses that are forced into it. As someone who has ridden a variety of horses, you instantly know when a horse is a "jumper" and when it's better left off as a trail horse. There is no amount of whipping you can do to turn a lazy horse into an Olympic jumper, nor a winning racehorse. A lot of them HAVE to enjoy it in order to succeed as well as they do.

I've also been thinking about these weird freak-outs top tier dressage horses have, what I would call a complete "shut down". A LOT of barrel racers do this same thing. They absolutely refuse to move forward. They act spooked but there's no clear indication of what's spooking them. Kicking and spurring does little to convince them to continue. It's like you're trying to have a conversation and getting no feedback. Some might say that horse is "over threshold."

A lot of people in the comments of these videos will say "every horse has its days". But these are TOP TIER performance horses, not backyard ponies. They've been in dressage rings just like this a hundred times. And as someone who has a horse who is hot, she has simply never reacted to anything in this way, even on her worst days.

This is the sort of shit she pulls when she's displeased about something.

Usually she states her opinion and then we continue moving forward. Usually her opinion is that we are not going fast enough for her taste, lol. In this video, she saw some horses she wanted to go visit and I told her "no", and that's why she got so upset. Notice she comes right down to a loose-reined walk, and after that there is no issue.

I took her to her first show this weekend, and it was a shit show. It was her first time being in a ring with a bunch of horses, and she was NOT happy about it. It was a walk/trot class, which is obscenely offensive to her, apparently, and any time she wanted to canter, my aids bringing her back pissed her off so much she had to do her crowhopping thing. Needless to say, we were eliminated.

However, I noticed there was another horse in the class who WON both walk-trot classes, walked into the ring to jump, and absolutely shut down. Refused to go forward, both inside and outside of the ring, spun in circles, seemed like a completely different horse. I'm not saying anyone did anything wrong with this horse, or that there was any abuse. What I found odd was how two different horses went about reacting to too much stimuli. Athena never "shuts down". She reacts to the thing she's mad about (almost always me telling her to slow down), we move forward. She happily jumps anything I place in front of her. She's an INCREDIBLY frank horse. If something pisses her off, she let's me know. And we just keep moving. Despite her hot and often cautious nature, she's never just refused work. It's kind of nice, in a way. If something is hurting her or bothering her, I never have to guess.

This horse, who was so well behaved in the prior two classes, was clearly saying NO, I AM NOT OKAY WITH THIS. I think more tolerant horses may be more prone to this shut down. They just let minor things coast off of them, but it builds and builds and builds and then just EXPLODES. These are the kind of horses most vulnerable to abuse, because they just take it-- until they can't anymore.

It also makes me think of my other horse Dragon, who is Athena's complete opposite. He is so stoic and tolerant, so much that when he got banged up in the trailer (no real reason beyond his own clumsiness; he'll be wearing extensive padding from now on) he barely hesitated to get back on afterward. Athena wouldn't have done that shit! You'd never get her on a trailer again if she hurt herself while on one! I imagine Dragon would be the perfect horse for an abuser, and who knows, maybe there's one in his past, considering how cautious he was around people when we first got him. An abuser would have a MUCH harder time with Athena.

This is what's most sad about abusive tactics in horseback riding-- it usually only works on the nicest horses, horse you could actually train with ethical methods if your only goal wasn't winning a show. Honestly, this is why I kinda like Athena's piss-and-vinegar attitude about stuff. Yes, it's annoying clownery especially at shows, but deep down I know she won't tolerate any shit from me, or anyone else.

Anywhere, here's a pic of here from the show where she acted like a lunatic and got eliminated, lmao. We were allowed a practice run over the 18" walk/trot crossrails that she jumped at full-out canter, having the time of her life. She is NOT a hunter pony, that's for sure, lol.

[sugalattaes]

⌨ valiant » 030219

summary » you only decided to take up the job as a female guard in order to get away from your husband and to make some money, you didn’t know that you would somehow wind up becoming intimate with the crown prince of baleine.

details » prince!seokjin x reader // modern royalty au

warnings » infidelity / jin with a mommy kink cuz bruh

word count » 2.3k words

a/n » so to begin with, uh, i know the title edit says, “valient,” just go with it, for my sanity. these edits took my patience to make. another thing is that the setting is messed up because its set in medieval europe, but the names are in korean. its not that distracting, i’m sorry though. and if people like it, i’ll continue this little story, if not, pfft, i’ll delete and try again. lastly, i’ll make a masterlist soon and link it for mobile and pc.

“Why don't you look me in the eye, (Y/N)?” Jin questioned. Jin's voice was a melody, a soothing breeze that wore down your worries. Although you never held eye contact, you were aware of his effect on you.

When you gave no answer, Jin sighed loudly. “Am I a chore to you, (Y/N)?” He sat reclined on his chair, across the room from you, yet you could pick up the scent of him from your spot next to the door. Musky and slightly woodsy, you donned yourself in mint when he was around just so you wouldn't think of him too much.

The tall man got up from his seat and made his way too you. His footsteps were in your view, he practically slid across the room, thanks to the soft sandals he wore.

With a sudden plop, the Prince of Baleine was on his knees in front of you, forcing you to look at him in the eye. You sighed, cracking your knuckles, “Prince, what are you doing?”

“I heard you have a child, how come I never knew?” Jin persisted, the Prince had a tendency to ignore your rational questions. He continuously prodded at your personal life.

It was like he was out to get you into trouble. The amount of torture the royal court would put you under if they saw you, a mere guard, in such close proximity with the Crown Prince. And to think of your child, what would happen to your little tyrant, Chen-young, if you were punished.

“She's two, right? What's her name?” Jin urged.

You lifted your head up a little, your eyes boring into his sweet, espresso ones. “My shift ends in thirty minutes,” you simply answered.

You were here for pay, not to befriend the Prince. They appointed female guards inside the palace so that other girls wouldn't attempt to hit on the male royalty. It worked vice versa for female royalty. Instead of allowing you to guard outside his door, he insisted you to sit inside his room. He tried to figure out what you liked, where you came from. You couldn't help but wish he would just fuck off.

As a married woman, with a child you weren't easily swayed by his charming looks. No matter how many times you saw him catch his bottom lip between his teeth, you found yourself awaiting to leave the Prince's quarters.

“Oh, come on, (Y/N),” he whined, his lips formed a pout. “I asked to see your child and the ladies told me you specifically asked them to not let me see your child! Are you purposely pushing me away from you? What a guard, honestly. I should just ask for another one?”

Jin let out a breath, his scent making you shift uncomfortably. All you could think of was the amount of affection he held, he was a complete contrast from your husband at home.

Your husband was harsh with a crippled arm. All he did was ask for a quickie and money for new watches. He gambled and smoked. But there was no reason for infidelity, he gave you a roof to live under and a child you loved. However, Jin was making it impossible to not fall in love.

No, you wanted your child far away from Jin. You refused to see Jin in a state where he'd look like the perfect father and husband. Your child's name was Chen-young, you refrained from imagining Jin's surname alongside your childs. Kim Chen-young.

You could practically see your child jump in excitement as she was being loved by a father who gave her attention.

But your thoughts were interrupted as Seokjin repeated his inquiry. “You'd like that, wouldn't you? If I asked for another guard? It'd be easier for you, I can request any other royal male to be your next appointment.”

He looked up at you still, by now your eyes were searching the intricacies of the ceiling. You gently laid your eyes on his. He looked so domestic, something you had never gotten from your own husband. You had seen Jin cook, in fact he tried to feed you his delicacies. But you always denied the food.

You resisted the temptation to run your fingers through his feathery hair. It was ink-like, holding a healthy shine and a voluminous amount.

“No, Prince,” you replied. “Twenty more minutes.”

“Your manipulating me, miss, that felt like five minutes not ten,” Jin retorted, he lifted his chin. He didn't seem to notice the way your muscles tensed when he set his palms on your knees.

“Fine, twenty four minutes,” you agreed. Either way, you were leaving to see your child soon.

Maybe three minutes of silence passed by with you training your eyes on everything but Jin. A fourth minute passed by, marked by the way he gently set his chin onto your lap, his legs folded underneath him. His broad shoulders were an expanse that you wished you could hold, the amount if comfort his future wife would have was something to envy.

You looked down at him, your anxiety peaking. The thought of someone coming into the room and seeing this scene was terrifying.

“Prince, get up,” you softly said. In return you got a shake of the head and silence. Ah, he was giving you a taste of your own medicine. “What play is this? At this point I may as well walk around saying I have two children.”

“Would you, Mommy?” he dully rebuked.

You raised an eyebrow at the term of mockery. “Eighteen minutes, honestly it should be sixteen since I have to do rounds in the hall before I leave. Come on now, Prince, get up. It's the least you could do for me.”

“The least?” he glanced up at you, not moving his head from your lap. “That's a lie. I'm feeling quite adventurous today, the least I could do is pay for you to spend time with me. Can't you spare time with me? I'll pay per minute.”

You furrowed your brows in confusion, “Prince-”

“Half a year, half a year you've had to follow me around in the palace and you still call me Prince. Jin. My name is Jin.” His voice seemed curt now, as if he was hurt by something you had done.

“Prince, don't give me angst,” you gently slid your fingers underneath his chin. As you attempted to lift his head from your lap, you succeeded. But to your dismay, he rested his elbows on top your thighs. Your breath hitched slightly, becoming aware of how close his chest was against your knees and calves.

“It's not like you'll attempt to discipline me, Mommy,” his voice was now teasing, deliberately letting his breath warm your fingers.

“Your r-right, fourteen minutes,” you stuttered, you looked away from him and glanced at the door in embarrassment. Why had your voice given away?

Maybe it was the way he ever so slightly traced the seam of your black pants with his forefinger. Or the way his smile was so lopsided and mischievous, you could practically read his intentions. “Please, Prince, now is not the time to be…” You trailed off, not wanting to say anything out of line.

“Be what?” Jin pushed cockily. “You seem so confident with that baton of yours while walking behind me. Why does it dissipate when your in front of me?”

Your hands began to shake slightly, not from the weight of his head, but from the inevitable sexual tension there was. This is why you were supposed to be stationed outside of the door, so incidents like this wouldn't occur. You didn't know how to respond.

You started to get even more anxious, paranoid that someone would open the door. Your concerns were confirmed as you heard the footsteps out in the hall. “Jin,” you looked at him with a pleading voice, you practically whined, “This isn't appropriate, Prince.”

“That makes it even more exciting,” Jin whispers. Your heart pounded as the footsteps became louder, closer. “Do you mind if I touch you?” You shook your head, paying more attention to the footsteps than Jin. “Do you mind if I kiss you, Mommy?”

The door slammed open, but Jin was faster, getting up on one knee, cradling your cheek with one hand, and pressing a light kiss to your lips. Your blood froze, closing your eyes so you didn't have to see the intruder.

“What is going on here? Prince?! Are you alright, Prince!?”

You swiped a tongue over his bottom lip and he smiled tilting his head in order to kiss you deeper.

“Prince!? Are you drunken?”

Jin growled softly, addressing whoever had burst into the room. “Get. Out.”

When you heard the door silently close, Jin's lips returned to yours. You sat there, pressed into the loveseat, with awkward hands. As if to guide you, Jin lifted up your hands so they rested on his shoulders. Kissing Jin was like falling into a pit of fluffy pillows, how long had been since you kissed someone? Your husband never asked for kisses when he fucked you.

You felt ashamed and guilty, cheating was below you. To your own disappointment, you slid yours hands to his chest. Pushing him away from you, when there was a gap between your faces you ducked your head down, “S-stop, Prince.”

He looked at you with a soft frown, his hands still cupping your face. “Did I make you feel uncomfortable?”

You shrugged, that didn't matter now. “I'm a married woman, Prince. I'm married, with a child.”

His glossy lips formed a ‘o’ and you shamefully thought how good his lips looked with your saliva on them. You squeezed your eyes shut, erasing your sinful ideas and pushed Jin again, in order to stand up.

“You didn't have a ring, (Y/N), I didn't know,” the Prince looked down at you, ashamed of himself.

He didn't what overcame him. You were so exotic to him, such a young beauty who was so charismatic with a baton in her hand or a child at her hip. He hadn't thought to ask if you were married, thinking that your ringless fingers were enough to make a move. His cheeks were burning, his ears a dark pink. “I'm sorry- but don't leave, not just yet.”

You gave him an annoyed look, pulling your eyebrows in a line and curling the ends of your lips. “I have to go and sleep one day, and besides, I have to check on Chen-young.”

“But the guards will point you out to the steward within seconds, miss, stay for a bit,” Jin pursed his lips and looked down. Kicking the floor and holding his hands behind his back, he looked like a child who received scolding.

“Fine,” you gave in, sitting back into the loveseat near the door.

Jin stood there longer, kicking the floor lightly and staring at your feet with such intensity. You didn't understand what was so confusing for him. “Do you not wear your ring?” he asked softly.

You looked up at him, “I don't have a ring.” You noticed the way his shoulders slumped, pitying you. “Don't, Prince, it would be in my way of my baton, anyway,” you continued snidely.

His eyes widened a little, “I was teasing you before, I respect you, miss, I really do. I didn't mean to call you M-” he turned visibly red and turned around to make his way to his seat across the room “-It was the slip of the tongue.”

“Its fine, Prince,” you said dismissively.

“I wasn't teasing when I told you reference me by my name though,” he said in a quiet voice. “It’s suffocating, hearing prince from everyone is like listening to a broken record on repeat.”

“Fine,” you went back to kneading your hands. You still felt the warmth that Jin had left on you.

“Fine, what?” he gently asked.

You gave a pout of some sort, “Fine, Jin.”

To some degree, Jin felt like he had won. Hearing his name fall from your elegant lips was all he could ever want and more, it was a stroke of luck that he was able to kiss you, able to be so close with you. Jin knew everything about you, your child's name, your lame husband. It was his job to know about people, he could remember you from two years ago. Jin wondered if you thought that he had forgotten about you.

You wore burlap pants, then, and you had no child at your hip. Tears threatening to fall down, you had scratches on whatever skin was exposed. “Prince, can't you give me a job.” Jin had you go to a speaker so you could flush out your problems, when reporting to Jin to speaker the horrible things that you had gone through.

Now he could not see the face of the woman who had asked him for help in the stone-faced likes of you. Your change was shocking, Jin hadn't even recognized you for a while. You had been hiding your hair in the uniform's hat. The black uniform being a stark difference from the burlap pants he had seen you in. And the child.

Before he would think Chen-young was adorable, but he slowly got envious. Someone as dismissive as your husband shouldn't have been able to give you a child, nonetheless, he was fond over your kid. He told nurses to give Chen-young rock candy in the afternoon and would deliver sweet buns to the nursery himself so that all the kids could have soft bread.

“Chen-young,” he feigned, “Is that your child's name?”

“Yes,” you answered solemnly. “Jin. It's been a while already, I'll be going. You didn't bother to listen to Jin's rebuttal, gently closing the door behind you as you left.

Jin head his head against the wall near his chair, “Fuck, what have I done.” Jin hated this, he hated being able to get everything except the one thing he wanted. You.