#but much like that of the characters in said book mine is not a healthy love

[x-liv25-jamieswife]

unpopular(ish) tig opinions/mostly just me ranting

a few people have done this so here are mine (also just me ranting)

this one isn't super controversial but i don't really like alisa. she's nice and all, but the way she treats libby is just so weird to me and i can't bring myself to love her.

most people in this fandom are grayson stans but my fav is jameson. i love grayson, don't get me wrong, but i feel like his character is sort of overdone. i mean, almost all love interests nowadays are moody, broody, i never smile except when im with you. im happy avery ended up with jamie not just cause they fit together, but bc, for once, the love interest isn't the broody type (like i said, love grayson dont hate me)

i commented this under a post, and i don't think this is super unpopular but im lyra neutral. i literally cannot love a character unless i know them (i dont hate her either, i just don't have an opinion)

ok, this one might get me some hate, but, although grayson had the right to be mad in tig bc avery inherited the money, i do think he did go too far sometimes. there's this one time, where he was just unnecessarily rude to avery, telling her she didn't know what it was like to suffer (midway through to book, don't remember the chapter but its there and it makes no sense bc she grew up with no money while this dude is a privileged white man, like all of his brothers (except for xander cause he isn't white)). like i said, he had the right to be mad, but avery did nothing to him, and, so, he had no right to say some of the things he said to her. he does get better, and he does apologize (i think, but even if he doesn't idc cause hes nice to her now). like i said, he had the right to be mad cause i mean he did grow up thinking he'd inherit and he didn't, but he shouldn't have taken out all of his anger on her. he had the right to doubt her and think she had ulterior motives, but he had no right to accuse her of being a gold digger when she had done NOTHING to gray for him think that (dont take this as me not liking gray, he's one of my fav characters ever (but no one beats jamie (and nash)))

idk if this one will make sense and ik some people will agree with me if this does, but the way avery is treated in this fandom is really shitty. she's pretty much only mentioned when people are talking about the love triangle. she's bashed bc she didn't choose grayson (which she had the right to bc jamie was made for her and gray wasn't), her trauma is super overlooked. i wish people would pay more attention to her. also, i mentioned this earlier, but some people (not many but some) let other people (like gray and thea) get away will at the mean things they said to avery bc they're their favorite characters. (obviously, they can be your fav characters. my best friend's fav character is gray, and, when i first read the books, i liked gray over jamie for a small period of time, but its wrong to let them get away things just bc you like them.

people will agree with me, but jameson and grayson's trauma should NOT be compared. trauma is trauma no matter how "bad" it is (note the quotation marks around bad). ive mostly seen people compare jamie to gray saying that gray's trauma is worse which is so fucking mean. they both have trauma. they both have it bad. no one should be comparing. i will make a longer post about this bc this is smth i'm very passionate about and it pisses me off. (ive lost count of the amount of times ive compared my trauma to others thinking i had no right to complain bc others had it worse, so don't do it to fictional characters plsss)

the tiktok/insta fandom sucks. the amount of averygrayson shippers ive seen bash avery on those platforms is too much. the only healthy part of the fandom is on tumblr.

not controversial but thea is not a girl boss, she's just a mean girl. she's not iconic.

people should not bash people for their favorite characters. i've seen this mostly on older posts (like before tfg was released) but some people will go 'xander's my fav' or 'avery's my fav' and people in the comments would go 'but grayson exists' or 'but jameson exists'. let people like who they want to like. all characters are great (mostly, i hate thea and all of the bad guys).

i couldn't care less about eve's redemption arc. she ruined toby's life, and as someone who loves toby and avery's father-daughter dynamic, i will never forgive her. she also treated grayson horribly, basically got alisa kidnapped (cause alisa wouldn't have gotten kidnapped if eve hadn't gotten toby kidnapped), and more so if she ever does get a redemption arc, i will be throwing hands.

if i see people complaining about lyra's character when tgg comes out bc 'they were expecting someone different' i will be pissed. im sure lyra will be great (hopefully). it doesn't matter if she's a girl boss or more like rebecca.

grayson is not 'the most misunderstood character in the fandom'. he's literally the most popular character. people are constantly gushing about him and his trauma. other characters like avery, jameson, and xander (and others) are so much more misunderstood. no ones takes the time to understand them like they do with grayson. people are constantly talking about his trauma, and how people shouldn't hate him bc he's 'misunderstood'. people have the right to hate him, and his trauma isn't overlooked as the fandom's most popular character. he is a complex character, and i will be making in depth posts about him bc i find him interesting and i really like his character, but he's the most understood character in the fandom. i've noticed that people tend to say he's misunderstood right after coming up with the most nonsensical take defending all of his actions saying that he has trauma (trauma is not an excuse its an explanation)

even if grayson would've gotten up to help avery after the bombing 1. he would've never gotten there on time and 2. he might have gotten more hurt.

i said this earlier while talking about gray but trauma is not an excuse its an explanation. do with that what you will. i just have to repeat it.

people who claim jameson was not affected by emily are the bane of my existence (yes, they exist, i've seen them)

ik i mentioned gray a lot in this and it might seem like i don't like him, but i swear i LOVE him. i find his character very interesting and complex and i really wanna analyze his character once i'm done rereading. i just hate toxic grayson stans (most of yall aren't, but they exist)

[eternal-love]

Austin and Me

“Don’t tell me bye, bye”

“Wife to the ‘king’. Icon to the world, Destined for more.”

Summary: At 18 years old, she fell in love with Austin, at 20 years old, she became his wife, by 22, she was his doll. In which Cynthia’s life changed drastically after falling head over heels with a man that promised her the moon and the stars. She takes us down the memory lane of what could’ve been— the perfect marriage.

Inspired by the book: Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley.

I do not condemn any of the portrayals I decide to do about certain people, it’s just fanfiction. And it would be divided in parts.

English isn’t my first language so I’m trying my best!

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Our daughter, Lori, was born at 1:30 that afternoon. I couldn’t believe she was mine, that I had birthed this child. She was so tiny, so beautiful. Austin came into the room and kissed me, thrilled that we had a healthy baby. He was already in life with her. He watched her in awe, her hair color, blonde as his, her blue eyes like ours. He watched us both with a twinkle in his eyes.

“We have a little girl.” He whispered to me.

“We sure do.” I whispered back with a slight chuckle.

I asked him if he wanted to hold her. He looked at me petrified, but then he started to touch her. He played with her small hands, her small feet. He was in complete awe.

“I can’t believe I made part of this beautiful child.” Austin always knew he wanted the baby to have light hair. “Even her hair color is right!”

We stayed close to each other for a while, caressing our infant and each other, we were just a young couple happy for the birth of their baby and the pleasures of parenthood.

Two days later, I got discharged from the hospital. I tried looking my best, I had teased my hair to make it even bigger, I did my ever-so-black eye makeup, I got dressed with the help of the nurses. It was a pink shift dress, I had some Pearl-colored heels. Austin wearing blue outfit, I could see the disapproval on his eyes. I had noticed quite lately that he was not on-board with my whole aesthetic.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked as I placed a golden cross necklace around my neck.

“Isn’t it too much?” He said as he fixed his blue turtleneck. “I mean the hair and makeup.”

“I’ve always looked like this.” I said, not understanding his rejection now.

“Yeah but— to get out of the hospital? Your hair is too big. You might as well put a whole bird nest on it.”

He didn’t understand how much his mocking affected me, so I just chuckled awkwardly and he didn’t even notice!

“I like it.” I said confidently, but he was making me feel self conscious.

His sister, Ashley, was there and she was taking pictures of us as we held our baby girl. I was a bit down already— he made me feel insecure. I smiled as the picture was taken, I then looked at him dearly. He sometimes did all these weird comments and then act as if nothing happened.

When we were back home, he had already gotten a cook, a maid and a nanny, which I accepted in our house dearly. But still— postpartum depression got me and no one really ever told me how bad it got. But I was still trying to keep myself together.

————————————

Maybe it was the stress or just the peer pressure of being a new father but he was up and down lately, he’d ignore me all the time or be very loving. Sometimes I just didn’t recognize him, and it hurt.

“Cyn!”

He called me into his office, he did his research for characters there. I was getting dressed, fixing my gold bracelet. I picked up the small Lori in my arms, I walked to his office “Yes?”

“Cyn, I’ve been thinking. I-I have to have time to— think. Things aren’t just going good between us. It’ll be okay if you and I took a little time off, like a trial separation. Be apart from one another for a little while.”

I wanted to kill myself, my eye twitched a little bit, I had literally our week-old baby in my arms right now. This was not the man I knew,

“What? What did I do?” I asked, it had to be a joke.

“Nothing, you did nothing wrong, baby. It’s not you. It’s just that I’m going through some things. I think it’d be better if we took a little break.”

A break? I had just given birth to our baby, a break would make me sink in more into my melancholia. But it he didn’t want me now, then he’d get so. I nodded, finding a bit of strength on being the actual mother of his child.

“You’ve got it. You just tell me when to leave.” I said as I walked out of his office. Instinctively, Austin shot up from his office chair, he knew he had fucked up big time.

“Cyn! I didn’t mean so!” He shouted from his office. I just didn’t understand him, did he want me or did he want me not? He confused me a lot and during that postpartum time, it really hurt me. He made me cry a lot.

I ignored him calling my name and went upstairs to our room. I don’t think he ever intended to leave me. It wasn’t his style. Two days had passed. The idea of a trial separation was never mentioned again. We both acted as if nothing had been said, it was during times like this when I wished both Austin and I could actually have good communication, that we’d confront our insecurities, fears and frustrations instead of pretending they weren’t there.

I could not escape the impact his words had on me, leaving me with a sense of doubt.

————————————

I often cooed Lori, she was so small, I’d talk to her softly. It was like she had sunlight in her hair, stars upon her eyes, she was perfect. On the locket Austin gave me on out first Valentine’s Day together, I placed a small picture of Lori too, so I had her and Austin near my heart.

While I was getting ready for bed, Austin cleared his throat from the doorframe.

“Can we talk, baby?” He said softly. I simply nodded as I finished combing my hair. “I’m so damn sorry bout what I said a few days ago. That wasn’t me— my thoughts and frustrations got be best of me.”

I looked at him, why was he making me so emotional? Maybe it were the hormones? I couldn’t guess but I couldn’t stay mad at those beautiful blue eyes. Especially when he unintentionally made pouty lips.

“It’s okay— I’m also very down lately. I’ve been holding myself back from snapping at anyone close to me.” I chuckled, I shouldn’t be so forgiving because that would come back to bite me.

We fell asleep together, our baby in between us, I’ve never felt this sort of loving before but that’s what happens to me. When I’m happy, I think it’ll last forever.

[ashsostrange]

it’s stand on business o’clock, cz i know y’all sick gw*les & p*nkflower shippers + delulu gwen stans ain’t try to run my girl bree (@breeandhermunches) off her blog… you got me all the way fucked up and ima tag this in ALL the categories. you can’t do anything about it 🤣 if you’re upset, then scroll ho. if you know i’m not talking about you, then have a great day! 🫶 if the shoe fits, then wear it.

i’m getting disrespectful. ima return the energy you hoes dished out n you better take it like some mf champs. y’all wanted to fuck around so now you gotta hear my mouth and find out. read it ‘n weep. clearing you bitches gives me life.

such a shame we’re back here, but y’all are mad, mad miserable. like, i’ve never seen a fandom so chronically online. are you even trying to mask the fact that you rarely step outside anymore…? 😬

let me making it so very clear why i’m making this post in the first place, bc y’all seem to struggle with my main concerns never clicking in your heads.

y’all have the time to sit in somebody’s inbox and complain about their hatred towards fictional ships, meanwhile the people y’all complain about stay on their pages and mind their business? 🤨 those people being US. ion recall none of us going directly to YOUR pages to hate on punkflower and gwiles. if we hate, it’s on our pages. i don’t go looking for a mf fight, that’s mad childish. y’all were riding bree’s dick like crazy. at this point, her hate for gwiles must keep y’all up at night. talk to a therapist about that. it’s not healthy. i’m gna address ALL the bs y’all be on.

so now that you know why i’m posting this, let me set few things straight for y’all.

“don’t use the ship tag to hate! 🤬🤬” the day you copyright and trademark the tag, present me with an official “tumblr etiquette” rule book or, show me proof that you own tumblr is the day i’ll stop. ima do wtv i want whenever i want, please get that thru ya hollow ass heads. y’all aren’t entitled to anything. not respect, not no damn “common courtesy,” ESPECIALLY not over dysfunctional ships/fictional characters 🤣 i don’t owe you SHIT.

some of were y’all tryna go back and forth with me at the grown ass age of TWENTY. over GWILES. a sixteen yr old vs a twenty yr old, see your life 😂😂 it’s truly alarming. go get employed. if you alr are, then call your manager and pick up some more shifts bc you clearly ain’t doing enough. if college graduation rates begin to decline, i know exactly who to come to. everything’s going up and even tho you should be standing on some mf business so you can afford the cost of living, you’re arguing with teenagers online instead. a lot of you have too much free time.

“you posted this publicly under the tag, you can’t expect people not to want to argue” yes i can! block me and scroll. we don’t have to argue. i don’t remember starting an argument? i was never on your pages. i only reblog shit when it appears on my dash. like i said, i’m not searching far n wide for no damn fight. 🤷‍♀️ nobody told y’all to bitch, whine, and reblog mine or bree’s shit. your issue is that you have no self control. you don’t know when to hold yourself tf back, so you feel obligated to reply. god forbid someone has a differing opinion. my post was never even about the flaws in miles and gwen’s relationship. i was talking about how it is disappointing to see miles’ story be reduced to a love story. unfortunately, y’all forgot to put your glasses on beforehand and read “i hate gwiles.” yes, i hate gwiles!!! but that was not the point of my post. y’all are either illiterate or trying to let off some serious steam. i’m not having any of it. maybe y’all are upset i called you delusional, but you’ve effortlessly proven my point.

this is the internet. you have the tools to avoid seeing what me n bree hv to say, so why are you throwing a tantrum like a goddamn child instead of utilizing them?? you’re not special. the world doesn’t revolve around you and what you want. people are dying n you’re worried about a hate post under a ship tag?? mind you, that was the one and only “hate post” i’ve EVER put under that fuckass tag 😭 bree will make one post about gwiles, and y’all are the ones who’ll drag it out, then call her “obsessed.”we’re doomed bc y’all are doomed.

the white mfs complaining ab the term “snow bunny”… jesus 🤦‍♀️ ts didn’t even mean what you think it meant in the first place. it was originally used to refer to female skiers. some of y’all swear up, down, n all around that being “racist” to white people is the same as racism towards black people, and it’s not. let’s use “snow bunny” and the n-word as examples:

snow bunny had an alternative use before it was used to refer to white people. there’s no significant history behind it at all, unless you count tiktok as history. the n word has always been the n word. it’s always been derogatory, and anyone will a brain would know it’s mad history behind the word. it roots in deep hatred. people continue to use this word to belittle those who are black, or use it lightly around their friends nd behind closed doors as if it’s a common cuss word. y’all’s experiences with “racism” are nowhere near comparable to the experiences black people have BEEN facing and will be facing for fucking ever. white people have and always will be seen as the superior race, therefore, you face minimal to no “racism” outside of the internet, and i’d do anything to be able to say that. don’t even @ me talking about “🥹🥹 that doesn’t make racism against white people oka—“ i don’t care. at all. drink some water. you’ll be fine.

“you guys hate women!!!” “y’all hate gwen bc she’s white!!” like, you sound so fkn dumb nd all i can do is sit and stare at you.

me nd bree are black girls. people from EVERY race and EVERY ethnicity hate black people and EVERYONE hates black girls. hell, not even black men like us. why on god’s green mf earth would we ever want sb else to feel that way??

yk what y’all need to do? y’all need to quit whining and accept the fact that bree doesn’t like gwen because of what she did to miles. it’s as simple as that. stop trying to complicate things bc you so desperately want to deem her and other people who hate gwen “racists” or “misogynists.” no. i fw gwen heavy, nd me and bree are able to coexist bc neither of us are fucking delusional and regularly touch grass 🤷‍♀️ same thing with all my other mutuals.

meanwhile, you hoes get your panties in a twist when sb calls gwen a snow bunny as if she’s a sentient being who’s going to cry over ts, like, no. your feelings are hurt? take a fucking walk! nobody has to like her.

and punkflower, oh my god 😐 i’ve never been homophobic and i never will be. i’m literally queer. i’m not about that friendly fire before y’all try and call me homophobic. my thing is, if hobie was originally supposed to be a nineteen year old, n now his age is unconfirmed, why in the hell would we go and age him down to sixteen?? all y’all wna do is ship that man with miles or write smut about him. some of y’all wanna do both!! you change his age when it’s convenient to you. if you don’t see an issue with that, then i can’t help you. you’re weird. until i hear otherwise from one of the directors, he’s 19.

ghostflower or gwiles 🙃 the reason y y’all are sobbing or wtv. i thought y’all were exaggerating when you said gwiles was your religion, but it’s looking like i was very incorrect. real talk, ion like that fuckass ship. i don’t have to and neither does anybody else. just like you lames do with gwen, you dig deep in your ass for every problematic reason possible. “you have a racial bias!!!” “you hate interracial relationships!!” the fuck?? 😭 do you cunts read what you write before you post it?? “they’re more obsessed with gwiles than we are” “they must be in love with ghostflower & gwen”

…huh? covid really set some of y’all back tremendously because it seems a concerning amount of you lack critical thinking skills. in reality, just like hating gwen, the reason we dislike gwen and miles together is SO very simple. it all boils down to the fact that gwen did miles dirt. and i’ve made a separate post, i’ve talked about why they would never work imo. when i present y’all with my logical reasoning, you dgaf! so the only thing you can do now is shut the hell up, unclench, and cope. since you wna get in your feelings bout it, fuck gwiles, n fuck you too.

y’all even got some of your own people agreeing w me, props to y’all btw 👏 it’s never you i’m talking about.

i hate that y’all made it this deep bc it didn’t need to be. this is a fucking movie. none of this is real, yet you continue to harass me and bree like we murdered your immediate + extended family + the family dog that had cancer. i find myself hoping that one day y’all will realize how dumb you sound, but then i remember some of you niggas are already grown, so it’s looking quite improbable.

and also, don’t b up in my reblogs chattin’ it up about shit i’ve explicitly stated that idc about. i won’t repeat myself because you can’t read. if this post hasn’t shown you i don’t give even half of a fuck about you or your feelings regarding ANYTHING at this point in time, then i don’t really know what will 🤷‍♀️

if i made you mad, go ahead nd suck it up fa me. we won’t be going toe to toe and debating on MY blog because you’ll be actively wasting your own time, as i am not willing to hear anyone out. it’s been that way from the start and it won’t change. if you send an anon message or any type of inbox w some bs then it’ll sit there until the end of time or be swiftly deleted. if you reblog this post trying to invalidate anything i just addressed, i won’t even give you the time of day, bc i said everything that needed to said. i was very articulate and extremely clear. know that i can’t and won’t be swayed in the slightest. we’d just go back and forth until you decide to shut your mouth or block me. so block me now. ian the one.

if you don’t get it, then you don’t fucking get it, but what y’all aren’t gna do is treat people the way y’all were treating bree just because she hates two ships + gwen stacy. you complain about how the fandom sucks like you’re not the same people who make being in fandoms in unenjoyable.

you usually have to go to a therapist and pay for reality checks. luckily for y’all, i gave you one for free! you needed to be humbled and i happily did the humbling. lil piece of advice: stop trying to force people to gaf if they clearly do not. block and move on with your life. you gon get tired one day. leave me, bree, n anyone else you bother tf alone. spend your energy trying to change people’s minds on REAL ISSUES that actually matter, not fucking spider-man.

whew, ANYWAY… i hope i never have to speak bout this again. act right in the near future n i won’t have to “invade your tags” with long paragraphs in which i set you fools straight, thank yewww! 🫶

god bless!! 💗

[undercity-princess]

Jinx X Ekko X Lux X Ezreal

Since no one asked, here's how our favourite idiots ended up in a polycule (kinda chronological):

Jinx and Ekko

After episode 9 Jinx ended up being Jinx, but also more Powder than in the last 7 years. When Ekko found her like this he couldn't turn her in and helped her hide instead. Constant check ins with her brought them close.

He tried to hide the relationship, but Jinx wrote it across the sky in fireworks once he said ' I love you'

She is allowed in the sanctuary, but only after getting searched and being accompanied at all times.

(Zeri lives in the sanctuary too. When she once had to search Jinx she said 'i'd search ya boobs if there were any! Girl, you couldn't hide a pimple if you wanted' then turned to Ekko 'go take your flatbread to the kitchen!' They are still friends)

Ekko and Ezreal

Ezreal was about to sell some artifact in Zaun but tried to bargain with the wrong people. Ekko swooped in and saved his ass.

That cheery twink grew on him fast.

Ez has a thing for saviours, and this one is also smoking hot in his books.

Telling Jinx was a shitshow level clusterfuck. Her loved ones getting it on with pilties doesn't sit right with her.

Jinx and Ezreal

Gods, they hated each other. The stuck up piltie prince and the unhinged zaunite terrorist.

Ekko tried to leave them (two horny angry idiots) alone while he was on duty to get them to get along, at least a little.

Bonded by hate fucking.

One day they had to kill time to Ekko's return and had to talk. Ez had a bad day and dumped all his self doubt and hatred on her. Jinx opened up too.

Oh no, feelings!

They shat themselves out of fear to tell Ekko. Jinx grew a pair and told him, Ez was trying to hide behind her the whole time.

He already knew because they both are stupid.

Ezreal and Lux

Lux was sent to Piltover to marry. Not for happiness, but for political benefit. The groom happened to be Ezreal, who completely forgot and was in Shurima when she arrived.

She stayed because now finally she could learn about her magic.

When he came back, she wanted to hate him, but couldn't. He told her so much about magic and runeterra that he fully captivated her.

Ez didn't plan to fall in love. For him this was all political games of his uncle which didn't concern him. But Lux was so pretty and appreciative. She gave him the feeling to be seen, as a human, not the things he achieved.

Eventually, he had to tell her about Ekko and Jinx. She was hurt at first that he hadn't told her sooner, but once he told her about how he feared to lose her, she gave in. She really wanted to meet them.

Lux and Jinx

Ez took Lux to the undercity to meet Ekko and Jinx.

At first Lux was afraid of Jinx, but also intrigued. She was everything Lux was not: loud, free, bold.

Jinx thought that Ezreal found himself a rich stuck up princess. Old story, new characters. But something about her got her. She tried to find out what.

When Lux reveals herself as mage, Jinx found out. She was completely captivated and encouraged Lux to try out her magic.

Lux fell for the support and the enthusiasm.

Jinx built her her first focus and let her train in her mine vent, always cheering for her.

They end up on that ratty sofa in the heat of the moment. The boys walk in on them. This is the first time they ever had a healthy discussion about their relationship(s).

Lux and Ekko

They first agreed on being friendly metas.

The more time they spent with each other (yes no, not Jinx's and Ezreal's doing), the more they grew close.

On movie night, Lux nodded off in Ekko's arm. When she woke up they looked at each other and immediately called a change of rules.

Ez was ecstatic, Jinx just shrugged and said 'might as well at this point' (to her defence, she was also about to fall asleep bundled up between Ekko and Ez)

[ominous-feychild]

✦ Musical OC Tag 2 ✦

Following this open tag from @mysticstarlightduck! I did a few more on SaS's characters on this post, but am creating another to put more songs for the tAR main characters!!

Rules: Share 1-3 songs you feel best embody a character from your WIP/s, either in general or at this moment in the plot.

Characters from the Arcane Rifts: Gene, Tazin, and Mislav

Using generalized songs! Though some of them are definitely better placed at various points in the characters' lives, but... oh, well!

GENE

1. Fire - The Score

In my head I hear a million conversations I'm spinning out, don't wake me up until the end The rivers flowing in denial I can't fake it I'm paranoid that all my thoughts are all my friends (...) All these thoughts I battle creeping up my skin, creeping up my skin Fears they try to rattle who I am within, where do I begin It's one of those days, my world is crashing everything looks on fire It's one of those nights, I'm dreaming but I'm walking on a wire All these thoughts I battle creepin' up my skin, burn 'em from within like

(but pretty much the entire song tbh--)

2. Hopeless - Picturesque

Am I the only one that sees the problem In a room with no doors, no clock Time's flying Don't remember how I got here Think I'm lost, now I'm stuck Warped vision, feeling dizzy hit the ground and wake up I've been here before Bodies on the floor Cold shit Burning up my throat Staring at the door Focused I think I should go

(once again pretty much the entire song tho)

3. Paradise - RIELL, M.I.M.E

I'd run and I'd run and I'd Hide in a secret place They'd never, they'd never Find it, not for the weak minded, show me all your scars (...) I've heard time heals everything That broken down house got a new coat of paint I still feel it everywhere The walls closing in, that unbreathable air Are they so different, your house and mine? Both have their secrets buried inside When we grow up, we all fight to survive 'Cause everybody wants something

TAZIN

1. Apologize - Grandson

I lose a bit of myself with every selfie Lose sleep over wealth, it's not healthy Finding a new religion on Yelp to come help me Praying to the label itself, "Do not shelf me" In the middle with the beggars and rejects Reading between text with weed, liquor, and sex She say she love me at dusk, but at dawn I pack up my things and I'm gone And I don't know where I'm gonna go But I don't care, I'm on the road Never been a perfect soul But I will not apologize Been a lot of places in this life And I did a lot wrong I can't make right Never been a perfect soul But I will not apologize (Said I will not apologize)

2. Rockstar - Call Me Karizma

And I don't care about anything Play me hard, baby break my heart I don't need ya, I got a Visa Swipe three times, it'll take you far Okay okay, I guess I'm a mess No one told me fame would be like this I used to be called a fuckin' bitch Now every night I can fuck your bitch (...) Get a check, make it four Takin' meds, take some more Sick of sex, but I'm bored Okay okay, I guess I'm a dick No one told me fame would be like this I used to be called a fuckin' bitch Now every night I can fuck your bitch

(obviously this is for an older version of Tazin, not the smol babi child you see in books 1 and 2--) (oh, and yeah, this stuff is a good part of why I give him a hard time. Because he grows into this.)

3. Enemies - The Score

Fight til the end of me, til the end of me Did you think that it would be that easy? This ain't a tragedy, a tr-tr-tragedy I'm not going six feet in the ground It's not a fever dream, it's reality Cut me open and my heart's still beating Healed from my injuries, now I'm on my feet I'm not going six feet in the ground Cause I believe underneath I won't ever lose composure No defeat, won't retreat

MISLAV

1. Past the Past - New Medicine

I try to move on but every time I do I can't get past the past My therapist thinks I'm a wreck Why do I spiral and obsess Over heartbreak and regret? Things I said I can't take back I can't get past the past All I've learned growing up Is everyone lies and people suck I try to see the good but I can't find it Must be something broke in my mind

2. If It's Vengeance You Want - Unlike Pluto

Eye for an eye Never made sense to me, payback till everyone's blind Sacrifice Morals, integrity, everything comes with a price Oh, why Stand by You'd rather rage and take it out on me It's fine Don't lie You are lost so you just make up enemies Eye for an eye Everybody tells themself a lie To justify If it's vengeance you want, don't be shy Lie for a lie Trading in angry delusions you hold in your mind Buried under The floorboards of your Cold War, foundational agony, oh

(and literally the whole song ngl)

3. Blood // Water - Grandson

Beg me for mercy Admit you were toxic You poisoned me just for Another dollar in your pocket Now I am the violence I am the sickness Won't accept your silence Beg me for forgiveness We'll never get free Lamb to the slaughter What you gon' do when there's blood in the water? (...) I am the people I am the storm I am the riot I am the swarm When the last tree's fallen the animal can't hide Money won't solve it What's your alibi?

These songs were simultaneously so easy and yet so difficult to pick. Like, I've had such a large selection of songs for Gene and Tazin (some of my longest-existing characters!!!) for a while, so there was a huge pool to pick from... and Tazin's were the top of his playlist, of course, haha. Meanwhile, Gene surprisingly had two newer songs in there! Congrats on the growth, Gene!... oh wait it was just more depression nvm, sorry bud.

Tag List!!!: @honeybewrites (I feel like this counts, but if you think otherwise I can not include this kinda thing in "story stuff", haha)

Divider by @cafekitsune

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🦇 Late Bloomer Book Review 🦇

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

❓ #QOTD What's your favorite type of flower? ❓ 🦇 After winning the lottery, Opal Devlin puts all her money in a failing flower farm, only to find an angry (albeit gorgeous) Pepper Boden already living there. Though she's unable to find her grandmother's will, Pepper claims she's the rightful owner of Thistle and Bloom Farms. While they agree to cohabitate, Opal and Pepper clash at every turn. Can something softer blossom between these polar opposites, allowing a new dream to take root and grow?

💜 Oh. My. (Sappho.) Goddess. You may think you know Mazey Eddings' writing style, but I assure you, you do not. Many of us read The Plus One and/or Tily in Technicolor last year, but truly, Eddings has far exceeded herself with this one. As a neurodiverse author, Eddings' stories often have some element of neurodiversity / mental health, shining a light on the different ways people's brains work while embracing those differences through beautiful, realistic characters. Opal and Pepper are no different, both on the spectrum yet unique in their behaviors and view of the world. These women are not predictable, pre-programmed components of a story; they are ever-blooming, learning how to plant roots alongside one another, share sunlight, and rise despite being different species. Both plants, growing and adapting to different elements, yet very much the same. While Opal and Pepper have always struggled to fit in with the world around them, they manage to cultivate a safe, healthy garden for one another.

💜 This is one of those overwhelming, layered, awe-inspiring sapphic stories that will tug at your heartstrings long after you read it. Eddings' language leaps off the page, making it a little reminiscent of One Last Stop (be still, my little sapphic heart). I've beyond annotated Late Bloomer, when I'm usually selective about choosing quotes. You don't just see love blossom between these two women; you feel it. It made me smile, laugh, get all messy and misty-eyed. As I said, neither woman is predictable. Opal feels directionless at the story's start, allowing her (fake) best friend and (on/off) ex to step all over her. I expected her to be the wallflower, especially with the BITE we see from Pepper (pun unintended) in her first chapter, but the two balance each other out. When Pepper feels uncertain or anxious, Opal steps forward, bold and unwavering. When Opal begins to crumble, Pepper holds her up. They support each other, never allowing the other to wilt.

💙 Unfortunately, this book relies heavily on miscommunication. Both women are eager to hide their real feelings at the risk of scaring the other. That lack of communication continues until almost the last chapter.

🦇 Recommended for fans of One Last Stop and Imogen, Obviously. Side note: please, please read the author's note. Good goddess.

✨ The Vibes ✨ 🌼 Neurodivergency/Autism Spectrum 🌸 Sapphic Romance 🌷 Grief/Healing 🌹 Forced Proximity ⚡ Spicy/First Time 🪻 Cottage Core Vibes 🪻 One Bed ⚡ Touch Her and You Die 🌹 Dual POV 🌷 Miscommunication 🌸 Flower Competition 🌻 Grumpy/Sunshine

🦇 Major thanks to the author @mazeyeddings and publisher for providing an ARC of this book via Netgalley. 🥰 This does not affect my opinion regarding the book. #LateBloomer

💬 Quotes ❝ I’m constantly trying to define myself, to fit nicely and neatly into the boxes and spaces I attempt to occupy. All I’ve ever really wanted to do was belong. Somewhere. Anywhere. ❞ ❝ Slowly, she leans toward me, and my heart pounds so violently in my chest that my head swims. Is she . . . It almost seems like she’s going to press that smile to my mouth. Teach me how it tastes. ❞ ❝ I gave up perfection in any other aspect of my life long ago. It’s simply not possible with a brain like mine. But my art is different; it’s the better version of me, the one I wish people could know me by. ❞ ❝ Ah. There’s the you I missed. ❞ ❝ I used to stress over finding a label that fit me. Lesbian. Bisexual. Pan. Demi . . . I’ve filtered through them all many times over, none ever feeling quite right. Just say queer and move on with your life, Diksha finally told me late one night after what was probably my sixth sexual identity crisis of my early twenties. But what does that mean? I’d wailed, draining more boxed wine into my plastic cup. My brain loves order and labels and concise frameworks to understand things, and not knowing where I fit feels unbearable. It means you’re you, and only you get to decide who you like and when you like them, Tal had said from their chair in the corner. The name of your feelings isn’t anyone’s business but yours. ❞ ❝ But instead, she reaches out to me— opening her hand like a flower unfurling its petals to the sun. I stare at it. The ink stains and calluses and chipped nails and bitten cuticles. For a moment, that hand looks like a second chance. ❞ ❝ Fuck anything and anyone that made you have to survive instead of live. You deserve a life so peaceful it feels deliciously boring. A life filled with flowers and sunny days and people that show you all the time that you’re valued and worthy. You deserve it all.” ❞ ❝ “Her poems spoke softly— as intimately as confessions between lovers—about the terrible, wonderful ache of being in love.” ❞ ❝ Messy and radiant and ours. ❞

[yanyoqi]

pov: Scaramouche takes you to meet his mother.

(Inspired by Sus Stories, the following script in mine, but I really like her channel.)

𝐘𝐨𝐮 and Scaramouche have been dating for around 8 months, it’s been healthy with a few disagreements here and there. But over all you both are happy.

It was difficult at first, he didn’t understand love. It’s a human emotion, and he’s a puppet. He didn’t understand what he should or shouldn’t do in a relationship.

He was also worried what his mother would think, and honestly, you were too. Raiden Ei was a dangerous character who held no mercy for anyone. It made him uncomfortable just thinking about telling her. But you had to, eventually.

You had took him to meet your parents before, so he thought he should return it back and introduce you to his mother.

During a cloudy afternoon, he approached you and sat down next to you. He looked sad. “Scara, Is something wrong?” You asked, placing down your book and looking at him instead.

He sighed and looked back at you. His eyes were dark as always but there was a hint of sadness in them.

“Yes actually, remember when you took me to meet your parents?” He said, gently taking your hand in his.

You nod in response, what does that have to do with anything?

“I was thinking, we could meet my mom.” He said, looking down at the floor.

You thought for a moment before responding. “Sure, when?”

His head perked up. “Wait, really? You want to meet her?” He asked, holding your hand tighter. You nod with a small smile.

He wanted to smile too, but it was difficult. He didn’t want to seem vulnerable, even in front of you.

The day has come, you’re finally ready to meet his mom. Like always, you would overthink everything, even on the way there you thought you should turn back.

But stress turned into curiosity when you realised you weren’t heading for Inazuma.

Instead, you approached a small round wooden table with 3 cups filled with chamomile tea. And sitting across from you, was a small child with a green dress and white hair.

“Scara, what is this?” You ask, honestly confused.

He sighs and a small blush appears on his face until the silence is broken by a giggle and a voice.

“You must be the one Scaramouche has been talking about, come sit down.” The child smiles.

You were honestly confused, but you didn’t want to seem rude so you sat down across from the kid.

“I’m Nahida, you must be Y/N? My, you’re much more beautiful in person then what Scaramouche has told me about.” She giggles, gently handing you your cup.

“Mom…stop it..” Scaramouche says, hiding his face away from embarrassment.

It was a nice evening honestly, Nahida was kind, Scaramouche was flushed and you didn’t have to meet Raiden Ei again.

[ssadumba55]

Here is the Toy Story 4 tea y'all.

My opinion on Toy Story 4 is in the minority, it's the opposite of what literally everyone else thinks about it; I think that Toy Story 4 was a necessary film, I think it was good in terms of Woody's character development and I think people who boil it down to Woody ditching his friends for his (in their words not mine) 'hoe' are missing the entire point of Toy Story 4.

Let me explain myself.

The most relevant argument I see about this film is the 'Woody would never argument; 'Woody would never leave Bonnie', 'Woody would never leave Buzz and the gang', etc. and I'm not going to knock this argument, because at some point this was true. In the first three films, Woody was given the option to abandon his kid or the gang and he chooses to stick with them but there are a lot of differences in Toy Story 1-3 and Toy Story 4 Woody.

For starters, Woody's whole purpose throughout the first three movies is Andy. He wants to be there for Andy, he wants to help him grow, he wants to be loyal and fulfill his purpose which is being Andy's toy. As soon as Andy gave Woody to Bonnie in Toy Story 3 that purpose was fulfilled, as we see in the fourth movie, he doesn't know where to go from that point because up until that point his purpose was Andy and Andy is no longer in his life.

This leads to my second point which is we (the viewers) and Woody himself don't really know who Woody is. Sure, we all know he's a loyal guy who will stick by his friends and yeah, we also know he has a little bit of a by the book kind of guy, but those are all things he has to be for other people. He has to be loyal to Andy, because Andy needs him. He has to lead the toys, because the rest of the toys would be in disarray without him and he has to follow the rules because the rules keep his friends safe. In all honesty, we have no clue who Woody is in terms of himself and neither does Woody. When Bonnie stops playing with him as much in favour of her other toys, Woody realizes this. He doesn't have a purpose, he doesn't have anything besides the people around him and he starts to realize throughout the film that he needs to start being a little selfish.

Before I go deeper into Woody's character arc let's talk about Toy Story as a whole. I like to think of Toy Story as an analysis of a relationship; particularly the relationship between Woody and Andy, because in my opinion, that is the main relationship in the film. In the first two films, Woody is tested in his relationship with Andy and he decides to hold firm and loyal to this relationship both times. In the third film, Andy starts to drift from this relationship and Woody, not ready to let go, holds onto it for as long as possible until at the end he realizes that what he and Andy have can never be the same as it was when Andy was a child. He has to come to grips with this change and he does it with his friends at his side. The fourth film then is Woody finding himself. As I'm sure anyone who has been in any type relationship they thought was the most important at the time, only to later have it die out would tell you; after that relationship you do a lot of self exploration. You start to realize who you are outside of that relationship, form new relationships and become a stronger individual.

The same can be said for Toy Story 4; I personally think that even had Bonnie been as invested in Woody as Andy was, the outcome would have been the same. Woody would have left, because when you leave a relationship like the one he had with Andy, you can't replace what you had before and that's essentially what he was trying to do with Bonnie. He was forcing Bonnie in his mind to be the "new Andy" and that's not a healthy way for anyone to live or foster a relationship (even if that relationship is one sided).

So then, if Toy Story 4 is Woody finding himself it makes perfect sense he'd run off with Bo and it makes perfect sense his friends would let him. Now that he no longer has his loyalty to Andy tying him back, he's starting to put his own wants and needs before others, something everyone has to do at some point. And bumping into Bo, getting a second chance at something he hadn't been able to pursue before, probably accelerated that process. Buzz, Jessie and the other toys realize that Woody has spent decades selflessly giving himself up for them and Andy, they have been there all along. They know it's a breakthrough that he's finally focusing on himself and being a little selfish. All they want is for him to be happy, much like all Andy wanted was for his toys to be played with at the end of Toy Story 3.

So to basically summarize my thoughts and feelings on Toy Story 4; I do not think Woody was out of character, I do not feel like it was unnecessary. I don't think it was Bonnie's fault Woody ran away, I don't think Woody was choosing Bo over his friends; I think Woody was choosing himself over his friends and that it just so happened to coincidentally be that the selfish thing he wanted to do to make himself happy was be with Bo because he got a one in a million second chance to be with the one he loves and how often do you get an opportunity like that?

To dispel some other arguments I feel like people will bring up in response to this, I don't care how Andy would feel about all of this. Bro is in college, Woody and the gang aren't his toys anymore, they're Bonnies. Andy doesn't matter anymore, like it or not. He isn't even there. Andy also would not be mad at Bonnie for this, she's a little kid. In some event where he did find out, he may be mad at himself for giving her the toys but it's not Bonnie's fault Woody left. Buzz and the gang can do just fine without Woody now. Dolly is in charge of Bonnie's room, so Woody doesn't need to fulfill that role anymore and everybody else still has each other. Plus, I like to think Woody and Bo visit if they can.

And finally, at the end of the day, yes I know none of this matters because Toy Story's 2-(now)5 are cashgrabs meant to monopolize on your love of these characters. I am aware how capitalism and movie sequels work, but that doesn't mean these movies can't mean something to the people who watch them and that they can't be enjoyed. And this is what Toy Story in general and Toy Story 4 meant to me. It just kind of sucks to see people shit on it because sometimes, in a way it feels like people are shitting on me. I've been in a position like Woody, where someone I cared about suddenly didn't want me anymore and it sucked, it took a lot of growth and yeah, I ended up leaving a lot of friends who I loved and who I cared about but in order to grow I needed to do what was best for me.

And sure, maybe most people won't see Toy Story 4 as this metaphor, maybe you'll think I'm projecting or that I'm stretching a bit too far and that's okay. This isn't intended to change your mind, only show you a different perspective. I hope it at least was an interesting read. And yeah, I'm a 22 year old guy who thinks way too critically and deeply about cartoon toy movies.

It's the autism, innit? /j /lh

Either way you wanted it, so who's really the weirdo here? /j Feel free to ask for clarification, I tried to organize this into coherent thoughts but sometimes my brain works faster than my hands and things get lost.

[qqueenofhades]

One of my friends keeps trying to get me to watch Top Gun and I honestly just can’t, it makes be feel awful and the military propaganda and glorification there, especially as an american myself (the friend in question isn’t) it just is something I have an active desire to NOT watch even as a good friend who really loves the movie is trying to get me to.

It’s military propaganda. That’s flat out what it is. A different friend, her dad literally joined the military right after high school BECAUSE of the first movie. It sits so wrong with me. The movie makes the military have a great, clean reputation and be the shining beacon of American patriotism, the movie literally worked with the department of defence and thanked them in the credits, and it was a massive reputation boost to the military. You can look at statistics and see skyrocketing enlistment rates after the movie was released. That was the POINT of the movie, and I hate it.

It makes me feel really bad, though, because I’m a massive proponent of people being able to read/watch stuff and enjoy it even if it IS problematic and honestly, I’ve gotten frustrated at people refusing stuff because they don’t agree with parts of it. One of the big instances that comes to mind is a friend of mine who refused to watch the Hannibal TV show because it had a “problematic and highly inaccurate portrayal of the main character being supposedly autistic and it’s an insult to actual autistic people” and that’s barely even a part of the show. It’s implied by a few lines of dialogue but that’s it. Similarly, I’ve known people refuse to watch or read other stuff because it has unhealthy romantic relationships or toxic friendships. That goes for a lot of stuff- shows and books and movies like that are meant for entertainment and aren’t supposed to be the gold standard that you hold all other stuff up to. Something like IWTV is meant to be a horrible relationship but you’re not supposed to take it as something real and healthy. Anyway rant aside, you should be able to enjoy so called “problematic” media while still acknowledging that it’s problematic. When you start making your opinion about it into a big issue or telling other people they shouldn’t watch it because it’s wrong, that’s when everyone has a problem.

That being said, I now feel like a massive hypocrite for then refusing to watch Top Gun because I don’t agree with it and don’t like the content. Don’t get me wrong, I employ the “just don’t watch it” method to great effect with a lot of content but I have a much bigger problem here when it’s a really good friend of mine trying to get me to watch it and I don’t know how to justify it to them beyond “because I don’t want to and I don’t agree with it” because I don’t want to hurt them, either, even if it’s not something I should have to justify.

I mean, you're not being a hypocrite at all, really? You subscribe to the idea that people should watch what they want and that if you or anyone else doesn't want to see it, you have the right to refuse engagement with that content without making it everyone else's problem. This might be a little more delicate because obviously it's your friend and you don't want to hurt their feelings, but there's nothing wrong with politely explaining that you're uncomfortable with it for the reasons stated and this absolutely doesn't reflect on your feelings for them. In turn, it’s their responsibility to react maturely and be like "okay, I get it, let's find something else to watch together." But that's for them to control, and you can only do your part.

This is likewise something I've been dealing with myself, in terms of rewatching old media that for one reason or another is considered Problematic TM. Like, I'm currently rewatching Brooklyn 99, and that was not before I spent a while wondering whether I wanted to engage with it again at all; I put off watching the final season for a long time after 2020, and there is still something uncomfortable about making a wacky comedy aimed at liberals that is still, especially in the early seasons, just WILD copaganda. Like, insanely so. They did adjust and reflect in later seasons, which is good, but still. The NYPD is basically a domestic terrorist organisation in some ways, it has a budget larger than some countries' militaries, it inflicts real violence on a lot of NYC residents, etc etc... so do I, a person who obviously supports police reform and accountability, and systematic social justice, want to engage that in my free time?

After duly considering this, I am still rewatching old episodes of the show, I still find it largely funny, and I am able to recognise that this is a fictional sitcom filmed by actors in the Universal Studios backlot in California and thus is not actually contributing to the real-life NYPD's actions in hurting real people. I do need to have that critical distinction in mind, and to recognize the questions/issues that it raises, but because I am a grownup and capable of doing so, I can still engage with this media in a way that both acknowledges the social implications of the fictional setting and does not leap to immediately equivocating it with reality. Because, well. It's not.

I share this to help give you an ethical framework if you do decide that you should watch Top Gun to please your friend. Yes, it is straight up 80s Reaganite military propaganda, you are not comfortable with that or its real-world effects, and you absolutely do reserve the right, as noted above, to politely and personally reject engagement with it. But it's also not real, it is not directly perpetrating the injustices and brutalities of the American military on real-life people at this very instant, and you can watch it without having to feel that you've betrayed your own principles or you're now personally supporting war crimes or whatever the most insane maximalist Terminally Online take may now be. You do have to think about it critically as a piece if propaganda and what it wants to do and etc., but obviously you're already doing that. So yes. It's up to you whether you want to watch the film to please your friend, or to just politely be like "no thanks," and either way, it's entirely valid.

[bookishfeylin]

what are your #anti sjm unpopular opinions? this side of the fandom is pretty similar in our opinions so i was wondering where you differ. asking this to a bunch of people btw.

Hi anon!

I have... several unpopular opinions for this side of the fandom, and it's a testament to how much better our side is that I haven't been harassed by anyone over here because of them.

My first and largest is that I love, love, LOVE (book 1) Feylin. Many people here still don't like Feylin, if it's not considered downright taboo. And obviously, on THAT SIDE of the fandom it is THE no-no ship, THE untouchable territory. But I go there anyway :)

My second unpopular opinion that I know differs from quite a few mutuals and followers of mine is that Tamlin did not redeem himself by resurrecting Rhysand, is nowhere near close to redemption by the end of ACOWAR (anyone who's reading ACOHAS probably already knew this was my feeling tho lol), and furthermore I believe that he should not receive a redemption arc in canon. Redemption arcs in fiction aren't about morality and what characters "deserve them", imo, but rather how it works thematically and if it fits the message the story is trying to convey. Rhysand being redeemed/having his assault of Feyre swept under the rug in ACOMAF was bad enough for this series' own themes about abuse and SA, but Tamlin being redeemed completely spits on them. It sucks, because as I've said time and time again Rhysand and Tamlin are the same in how they act and it's incredibly hypocritical to not call out Rhysand for abuse while calling out Tamlin, but Sarah has decided Tamlin is the embodiment of the abuser(TM) just as Feyre is the embodiment of the victim(TM) and Rhysand is the embodiment of the healthy love interest(TM) so Tamlin narratively can never truly gain "redemption" without screwing up the story's themes or questioning those labels, and frankly, allowing him to be redeemed would be incredibly insulting to this series' themes and message about abuse. In my fanfic ACOHAS it only works because I go the route of "everyone sucks" and call out everyone's abuse, Feyre and Rhysand's included, so as to even the playing field and Tamlin's arc ends in a way I THINK is narratively satisfying all things considered. But Sarah will never acknowledge that anyone aside from Tamlin is abusive, so a redemption cannot work for him in canon. So I don't think a Tamlin redemption will ever occur in the books, nor do I truly think it's a good idea from a narrative viewpoint.

I also think that rather than merely complain about a lack of diversity in Sarah's books you should also try to promote alternatives (not that I don't complain myself but people who complain about something and then DO NOTHING to attempt a solution irritate me. The solution is simply to stopping buying Maas books and to promote more authors of color, and what I hate specifically is that I don't see enough critics of Sarah elevating authors of color as much as they complain, not the complaining in and of itself).

And my last unpopular opinion: neither Nesta OR Elain are that interesting. THERE I SAID IT. The complexity they had a little bit of in book one was flatted and removed in ACOMAF. And now BOTH of them are boring. Sorry.

[save-the-villainous-cat]

Hey, you're from Germany, right? Do you have any tips for writing a German character? Most specifically, a German character studying abroad, and another character placed in Germany working In a office.

Things like relationships (familial, platonic, and romantic), office culture, normal habits, and cultural shocks a German may have would be very appreciated!

Sorry if this ask is tiresome. Thank you so, so much! <3

As always, Germans are like other people. Different personalities, different opinions, different worldviews — every German is different. So, you have a lot of options to build your character with a unique character.

That being said…

Studying abroad/living in Germany

So…I assume studying in ’merica, aye? I have been there when I was a teeny tiny cat but I have also heard stuff from people who have studied abroad. And uhhhh Germans hate Americans lol (though this could also be a European thing, not a German thing).

We make fun of your school system a lot. I don’t wanna be mean but things like education, school safety, your food etc. are often victims of our dark humour. A friend of mine was studying abroad and the people could genuinely not tell what exactly Germany is. Is it a country? A continent? A city?

Adding to that, she was overwhelmed with things like “Do you know Hitler?” or “Are you a Nazi?”

Bro…we spend months and years learning in detail about our country’s history. We visit concentration camps. We watch movies from that time, analyse in detail how the people got manipulated. We read books the victims wrote. Germany still imprisons people who are a hundred years old. Germany is well aware of its past. It’s also aware that something like this cannot happen ever again.

Since that was a bit deep uhhhh let’s go over to food. I dunno about y’all but from what I’ve heard…you’re ordering food for dinner and eat it on paper plates…? Look that’s what I’ve heard and I gotta tell you that most Germans eat bread and Brötchen for dinner (though this is also changing, a lot of people are cooking warm meals for dinner nowadays).

And — can’t stress this enough — Germans love bread. When you go into a supermarket, the first thing you’re gonna see is a bakery.

And inside the supermarket is also a mini bakery.

We love it. Can’t really live without it.

Germans complain (at least here in the East). You go out with friends? Instantly complaining about your stupid neighbours. You go to the club? Instantly complain how lame it is. You went somewhere for a special occasion? Instantly talking about everything that went well and all the things you would’ve loved to be better.

Germans love football (soccer). Personally, I hate it more than anything. But Germans love it. It’s insane to me. They sit in the stadium and scream…definitely has something Romanesque to it.

I’d say most people have a rather difficult relationship with their parents. Generational trauma is a big thing. I mean, Germany being split and being reunited is a big part of my parents’ childhood. And since healthy communication wasn’t really a thing back then, most parents just don’t really know how to communicate with their children. So, I’d rather say it’s kinda messed up? Again, I can’t speak for everyone but that’s just what I’m getting from talking to my friends etc.

It’s not that they don’t love us, it’s just that they cannot always show it when we need it.

I believe it is best if you watch a few TikToks of people who aren’t from Germany experiencing Germany, they can definitely tell you about all the different things way better. For example this one is about “language,” cake, grocery stores, German windows lmao, and this German tiktok icon making fun of Americans.

I hope this is somewhat helpful? I’m not working in an office, so I can’t tell you much about that, unfortunately but maybe someone on Tiktok could help you with that. People documenting their life is a pretty good source of information. (Other than that do not trust TikTok ever!!!)

[itsyourchoicedevotionals]

Too Much Information

“…When the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food …to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate… …they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God…” Genesis 3:6, 8AMPC

Our text is the fall of Adam from being the ‘god’ over this earth into slavery to sin, and TMI— Too Much Information. What would life be like, if they’d never discovered evil, and calamity? If the conversation between Eve and the talking snake had never occurred? Had Eve never bitten the fruit and then given it to Adam? Life without evil and calamity is what I’d call very close to, if not heaven on earth.

Sin happened. They fell, taking every generation of mankind down with them until the end of time. God knew sin was going to come, taking over planet earth because He knows everything. Revelation 13:8NLT “…They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.” Knowing the end from the beginning, God knew sin was coming; that He had to put His plan into action pre-creation. His plan of redemption included Jesus being born of a virgin, born to die for our sins and be raised from the dead.

Why did Yahweh come looking for Adam and Eve? Was it to spend the evening with them? They’d already sinned and He knew it. He could’ve just written them off and said— ‘experiment failure.’ Yes, Lord God desired the company of these delicate creatures He had created and loved. But I believe his visit went further than a desire to be with them. It was already clear, sin had changed things. God came into the garden that evening to rescue man from an eternity with evil without reprieve. Genesis 3:24AMPC “So [God] drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to KEEP and GUARD THE WAY to the TREE OF LIFE” (emphasis mine.)

Imagine with me— because you couldn’t die: —having cancer, suffering, maximum pain desiring for it to go away and it couldn’t or wouldn’t leave you? —being wounded by bullets, in an auto accident, excruciating unending pain? —having people bully you and abuse continuously? —doctors trying experimental surgeries and medications knowing these might hurt you, make you suffer? —whatever unendurable situation you’ve found yourself in would last forever?

No one would be born again because not even Jesus Christ would’ve been able to be crucified for us, proving God’s character is good and loving. He created us because He wanted to have relationships with each of us, to love us, to help and care for us, not send us all to hell.

Forbidden fruit had already given us too much information. LORD God didn’t want us to live in the state of evil forever. Just thinking about the love He showed us amazes me.

Every time satan comes around with His twisted truths about God’s character, we can tell him— ‘No God protected me and cared for me from time’s beginning. He’s the good and loving God who wants us forgiven, healthy and whole.’ Or we can fall for the lies. It’s your choice. You choose.

LET’S PRAY: LORD God we praise You for being the One Who first loved us. Thank You for caring for us. Help us to relate Your character, love, kindness and mercy to others, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

by Debbie Veilleux Copyright 2024 You have my permission to relax this devotional for others. Please keep my name with this devotional, as author. Thank you.

[opuestocomplementario]

I find it so interesting how many of the issues with the things MAME write comes from a western perspective and how it is interpreted in their context. Let me explain. 

I think their biggest issue is not with the things she writes. Is with translation. I have thought about this before when I first got into BL and manga and anime and anything that comes from a different culture than mine. Most things I finded weird were actually explained and made sense in their designated context. One friend (and I also saw this) once said that when she watched anime back when she was younger there’s used to be subtitles with notes explaining some jokes the characters were saying or some food/name/anything that was from that culture that we would not be able to understand otherwise. And when I saw that I almost went crazy. Because I loved it. I loved having something on the screen that would explain things in that context. It made the whole thing more enjoyable and clear. 

I feel like that’s what is missing nowadays with a lot of media coming to us in those contexts. Like, I also wished American and British shows had it but that’s an impossible discussion. Non-English media has to be contextualized much more than English. And sometimes, it is not even possible to try to equalize them. So many things in non anglo languages don’t have correlatives or similarities in anglo languages. They can only have meaning in that context. So, what happens when a popular author in that context gets into an English context? You guessed. It would be a mess. Because most translations are not legal and most translators also don’t even care about making a good translation of said work. Or they can’t because of external reasons. 

This is not only about her work specifically. So many other shows come the wrong way to the international audience because of translation. And let’s be honest, most non english speakers also watch non english things with english-subtitles. So there are a lot of operations for a thing to come the exact way it was produced in the first place. And MAME is definitely one of them. Take the novel for example or the amount of issues with the subtitles in IQIYI. There were many things missing and things didn’t make sense, and others times the “actual” and original meaning was more powerful than the translated one. 

I don’t think English speakers or people that consume English translations actually understand the amount of simplicity said language has. Is actually insane. So yeah, maybe some of the things she write is wrong and fucked up and also many others shows and books are like that (English ones are not that healthy and happy and good, yk). But I believe that until I can get into the original stuff, all of my critics are “empty”. And I think of it with what others say. Because I didn't see how it was in the context and probably neither them. Sometimes I need knowledge in how some of those things work. Like seriously, so many, and I say so fucking many things in BL shows, coming from Asia have a lot of puns and word games that only a native would understand. International fans would definitely need a comment or two in that sense. 

Also, has anyone considered how the discourse in some of the usual topics are in Thailand? What do they think about it? Why only see the English interpretation and not others? People from other countries need to learn English to explain their non-English things. And try to make them understand why what the English ones thought was wrong, is not actually that bad in their country. This is seriously an issue.

Trying to push values and meanings to other cultures just because you have it is a problem. A historical one. So, this has no end. But we can still talk about it, right?

[theperfectrose]

Trope Game

Thank you @septemberrie for the tag. I loovee these “games” so of course I’m in the second I saw it 🤩 I loved reading your perspective on this soo here’s mine ☺️

Rules: How much do these tropes affect your decision to click on a fic?

-10 -> very dissuaded

0 -> don’t care either way

10 -> very enticed

nope -> if it’s a hard no and you’d never click on a fic with that tag or or you even have the tag blocked or you’d insta click out of the fic if it wasn’t tagged.

Bonus points for explaining the rating and whether it’s conditional

Age Gap: -2/10

I've always kind of been toing and froing on this one. I think it's mainly how big the gap is and if it's legal. A minor and teacher? Hard pass. Up to, let's say, 10 years (in adults), I can go with it if it's good.

Codependency: 0/10

Hmm, I think it depends for me on what the rest of the tags would be. If it's a healthy relationship, a lil codependency won't hurt it. Or if it's part of a bigger plot and it's needed for that angst sprinkle... But if that's the main point of the fic, and it borders a bit on the crazy, destructive, I'd probably pass.

Enemies to lovers: 100000+/10

When I say, I eat these fics up... I think this is probably the tag for me. If I see this, most of the time, I click it. There's just something in this trope - the angst, the hurt, the step-by-step unravelment of the story, the eye-openers... I just love it <3

Enemies With Benefits: 8/10

Probably a yes, but only if it's part of the enemies-to-lovers tag. Because otherwise, I can't quite understand it, and like Skye said... too much of it in the real world, and it ain't good.

Fake Dating/Relationship: 0/10

I don't quite have a special opinion on this. If the rest of the tags interest me, I'm all in. For example, if it's combined with enemies-to-lovers (is this a pattern? 😂), I'mma dive straight in! Otherwise, we carry on.

Found Family: 10/10

How can you not love it? Give me one good reason not to love it, I dare you!

Friends To Lovers: -5/10

It's just not my cup of tea. I don't know why, but whenever I've seen movies or read books, whatever, with this trope, it was never the main point that got me into it. Sometimes it's overly sweet (not saying that's bad, but there's no angst or interesting pinning moments or drama in them), and sometimes, it's just the Ross-Rachel thing (don't get me started there 🙄)

Friends With Benefits: 0/10

No special thoughts on this one, either. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I don't. Kind of always depends on the rest of the tags, I guess 🤔

Hurt/Comfort: 100/10

I am not as eloquent as Skye is, so... everything she said, I agree. I just love the pain part wrapped in care and comfort... Winter hug y'all!

Love Triangle: 1/10

Very much depends on who the characters in the triangle are and what outcome there may be. But in general, again, depends on the rest of the tags.

Mistaken/Hidden Identity: 4/10

It can be good, but for me, it depends on the story and the idea behind it. If it creates more drama and suspense and "uuu no, they didn't" kind of moments, then I'm so in for that. Like a spy thing or a secret agent kind of stuff.

Monster Fu… Relationship: nope/10

Ummm no. Just no. (Excluding paranormal romances. Love those.)

Obsession, Possessiveness, etc.: -8/10

This just doesn't work for me. To be fair, if it's a tiny, microscopic amount, part of jealousy, then I can roll with it. Otherwise, if it's a main piece, it's definitely a no.

Opposites (like grumpy×sunshine, etc): 7/10

I do believe that you can't have two characters (as in life) together that are completely the same. You have to have one like one thing, the other not; one is evil, the other not (see my pattern again? 😂). Buutt, they kind of have to have something in common, right?

Poly: 0/10

Up to the point where I started writing threesomes, I would've probably said meh. Now, smut fics can be fun with poly. But relationships... I guess I'm still no for my main ships.

Pregnancy: 0/10

I don't usually go for fics with this tag, but it depends on my mood. Sometimes I wanna see how other people perceive those possible moments. Who knows, I may have to write something like that someday.

Second Chance: 10/10

Oh, hell yeah! I can smell the angst on these ones even before I click the link. Like Skye said, especially when the separation was out of their hands.

Sex To Feelings: 10/10

Yes, please. For me, these are the best specifically when combined with enemies to lovers or fake dating.

Slowburn: 10/10

Will they, won't they? I love these. Nothing more to say. I just love 'em.

Soulmates: 4/10

I'm not always sold on it, but it highly depends on the rest of the tags, I guess.

Tagging: @loveisthemoment @fitztragedy @somenamewithepineapple It's fun, try it, would love to know your take on this. No pressure thoo! Oh and anyone else that wants to join, consider yourself tagged ✨

[witchcraftandburialdirt]

8, 10, 21

♡ Munday Meme ♡

8. What are some similarities between you and your muse/muses?

We're both annoying-- UHDFUKGFHNK ok ok. Geez Robin is so wildly different than me personality wise I cant even begin but thats not what this is!!! I think one of the biggest similarities we have is our love of nature. I was very much into medicinal plants growing up and had many a book about them, which I still use for Robin's knowledge. I suppose our mutual dislike for sweets counts? Our polite attitudes. Granted mine is from a place of genuine timidness rather than manipulation.

10. Would you be friends with your muse if they were real?

Robin is manipulative and while he does have a good heart, I can't be around people like that. He has the ability to just turn off if he likes someone or dislikes someone and that is...not healthy for my mind. Plus he has a DEMON! No! I don't want Bel in my life, its yucky, and Robin is just a little too dark and too intense for my liking.

21. Are there certain characters that you gravitate towards?

To write for or to approach? I'll go with the latter for now - Robin is really intelligent and machiavellian to a T - as a mun I really LOVE when two muses can play 4D chess and it's even better when they both are hyper aware that they're both playing a game. It allows for some genuinely hair raising interactions and intellectual banter is one of the most fun things for me to write. Plus this leaves a lot of room for lore exploration and digging into the characters psyche, which I am sort of addicted to.

That being said - I also love the opposite, hrrr. Robin is smarter than me and it's always funny when he gets to just...be stupid? His interactions so far with Draven have made me snort with the attitude between them both. I adore relationships and interactions where the braincells turn to 0.

[autixel]

BAKED ARCHIVES PART 2. Marble's Testimony

Marble's crust was burnt in some places, so was mine, but his was burnt more. Some burn marks were new, some scars, evidence of other wounds dotted the little areas I could see. He broke from the hug, saying to me,

"It's good to see you, Rye."

"It's good to see you too, Marble."

I welcomed him into my office. After the war, the bread nation wasn't doing the best. I invited him to sit down in a chair, he took it and sat down carefully. Arthritis was settling in for both of us. Though it seemed faster to him than it did me. I asked,

"Would you like a drink?"

"Yes please."

I got him a yeasty beverage, yeast was critical to us like water was to everything else. I don't know why, but I'm not a scientist so I don't mind. He thanked me, and relaxed into the chair.

"It's been some time, Rye, whatcha been up to?"

"Just some strategy stuff. For future generations, you know?"

"Yeah, I get it."

Some time passed, I didn't mind it, I was glad to see him again, so any time around him was a treasure in and of itself. He decided that it was enough at some point,

"Do you know what it's like out there?"

No, I didn't really. I read about it in papers and such, some gossip, but I unfortunately didn't think about it much.

"No, I don't."

"Well,"

He said that, but then he took some more time to think about what he was about to say.

"It ain't good, the war took place mainly in agricultural areas. Hopefully you can understand by now what I'm trying to get at."

I did, I didn't want to but I did. The battlezones were either barren wastes, or fields of cereal grains. Those fights were usually started by the offender, since they know, no food means weaker soldiers, weaker soldiers mean easier fights. We won, but our lives and minds paid the cost. The cost was food in this case.

"We got no food?"

"Not really, we got around 10% the amount of food we had."

That basically meant no food, before the war I heard that we were just barely getting by with what we had. We had little reserves that weren't even owned by the government and were on the brink of famine and sometimes disease nearly every week. It was difficult before the war, now it's even worse.

"So, I'm assuming it hasn't been good."

"Far from it. Riots, theft, break-ins in various parts and buildings of the country. Doesn't even have to be residential or a market. If there is any clue, even imaginary, people just flock to them."

I'd been growing food already, fortunately all types that I'd want to have around to stay healthy. I had my own reserve, I'd done my research. But I was special, a war veteran with a multitude of knowledge of war, its strategy, its factors, its effects. I’d be fine, and I was fine. My fame and past choices helped me out quite a bit. I said,

“Unfortunately, that sounds about right for the aftermath of war.”

“I heard there was even a book on it. Not specifically the aftermath, but philosophies on the strategy of war. Sad that the only copy left is with the mooncake kingdom. With it also being centuries old, it’s a wonder I know about it at all.”

The key seemed to be from the mooncake kingdom, there were inscriptions of various characters on the key itself. None of the scholars in the country know anything about the mooncake language. The kingdom is pretty closed off in and of themselves. However, there was a raid a couple weeks ago by the tart empire for some reason. The mooncakes don’t wage war, but they aren’t exactly allies with anyone, so I guess that makes sense. Marble obviously wasn't done speaking,

“So you may be wondering, how am I alive? How did I manage to escape from the army?”

“I was a little curious way back when.”

“I get cha’. The story goes like this. It was around 01:00 and I randomly woke up from a dream that told me if I didn’t get out, I’d die. As you know, I was assigned to the high wastes. I decided earlier that I was going to escape one I got to my post. A gut feeling told me to leave earlier, but of course I didn’t listen. I got to the post, and almost immediately I saw rot gas about a mile away. With the wind how it was that day, it’d only take five minutes for the gas to get to the post, and kill everyone. After I said a couple expletives, I ran. I ran with all my might, I couldn’t risk it.”

He paused.

“Unfortunately, I did get some on my leg. I healed, thankfully I was fast enough to get away from the wastes and travel more into the old city. I found a bread outpost down south, down in Oasis.”

“Oasis? I didn’t realize we went that far south.”

“Apparently they just told us what we needed, and answered our questions every so often when we got our heads out of the dirt.”

We called it Oasis, because for some reason, there was always water there. Somehow, someway, it didn’t get claimed by any country. That someway was a treaty between all peoples to not claim control of Oasis. The treaty was there, yes, but there was always a country trying to get water there. Every country needs water. It may not be for immediate consumption, but it is critical to their food, the vast majority of the time.

“So I was in Oasis for a little bit, I knew I had to head somewhere. So I went to Sugara. It was definitely an experience. I found an entrance through the underside of the city. A family took me in, they told me I had to go back to my homeland, and fast. In Sugara they now have an authoritarian style of government. Heavy watches and patrols over the entire building. They said that their supreme council was ruthless, and that if they found out I was here, they’d kill me. I stayed for two cycles, they told me that it was too dangerous for me to stay there. They gave me a pouch of food, mainly sugar and some yeast. Getting out was difficult. Thankfully it was dark. However they strengthen patrols at night. The city was foggy, and that helped me a lot. I forgot where the entrance into Sugara was, so I could go out that way. There are five walls that surround the place, each five feet high. The spacing in between each was 10 feet. It was divided equally with barbed wire, and perfectly smooth sand. Watch towers were stationed every 20 feet. They were armed with slingshots. On the last wall, someone found me, and shot. It’s where I get this number from.”

He rolled up his sleeve, and revealed a big slash cut right into his arm. The crust healed, but still very much noticeable. I could tell that he lost some flesh with that.

“But at least it wasn’t far from the outside. I jumped up about two feet, broke in some foot rests, and pulled through the next three. I stayed a moment at the top. It was a stupid thing to do, yes, but the view was amazing. The buildings interconnected like spiderwebs and in my view, the main house of the supreme cookie seemed to sparkle under the moonlight. The fog dripped like waterfalls from the towering house complexes. I fortunately was snapped out of my reverie by a stone flying right by me. I jumped off the wall, and into the dirt.”

He stopped for a second after that. He was probably trying to get his story straight. I could understand, I’d do the same thing. He cleared his throat and took a swig of yeast.

“After I escaped Sugara, I didn’t stop running to get back here. There was however one problem, the tart empire. I had to get through central Solis in order to get back here. Of course that’d be an issue considering, hey, I killed your prince, and stole the key that was hanging around his neck. Hope you don’t mind! Fortunately that went without much of a problem. I stole some of their sugar, cause why not, and I went right back to getting here.”

He stifled a chuckle.

“Funny enough, getting back here was more difficult than going through central Solis. Fires all around, people screaming, disease, murder. It wasn’t fun. Then the guards for the military department didn’t recognise me. That I hate the most. I told them that I was Marble. They told me, me, that I died in the last high wastes battle. It’s funny looking back, but annoying at the time. So I did what a lot of people for sure would. I broke in!”

He said this last part with a smile. It was a smile that did not regret a thing. He enjoyed it, and he would do it again.

“I broke in through a window in the lower hall. Someone stupidly left it open, and I just wedged through. After that I came up here, and I saw that this was your office. And then my story ends here.”

“That sounds like quite a ride.”

“Yes, it was.”

“Well my friend. It’s good to have you back.”

“And you, Rye.”

I smiled, it wasn’t a toothy kind, just a smile of relief. I relaxed further into my chair, and we sat, in comfortable silence. Knowing that we didn’t lose each other, and we weren’t going to again.