#create forms with bootstrap

[nenoname]

me: oh i totally get it if some folks dont jive with same coin theory, plus it's strange to conceptualise at first--

me when i see people call it lame:

[mercutio-the-velaryon]

A Close Reading of Viktor's 'ascended' Form

Disclaimer: These are very jumbled thoughts but I've been trying to articulate this for a while so I'm just baring it to the public flaws and all.

I am being dead serious when I say that Melvik is a lens of viewing that serves to recentre Mel as a major character and reassert her value in the hextech trio dynamic. I will be utilsing this lens to analyse Viktor's choice to make his 'perfected' beings carry Mel's attributes.

Immediately, I will preface by saying, that although I read Jayce and Viktor's relationship as romantic, this choice has nothing to do with Jayce, at least, not in relation to feelings of romantic jealousy or romantic insecurity.

So, what does it mean when Viktor wears Mel's white and gold? I think it shows that he views Mel as the epitome of Piltover priivilege and the personification of the social barrier he could not supercede through hard work and picking himself up by his own bootstraps.

The scene above where Mel seems to be singularly be imploring Jayce to militarise Hextech as defensive action is essential to understanding why Viktor views her this way.

In this sequence, Mel is originally conversing with Viktor and Jayce on an equal physical level until she presents her ideal plan of action then she stands straight and focuses more on convincing Jayce rather than Viktor. This is not an attempt to be cruel or malicious, though it very well be an expression of her irritation because in Mel's eyes Viktor's reasonable protest seems like a juvenile outburst. As a Noxian and a Medarda Mel is accustomed to war and bloodshed she does not want the carnage of such an event to bring Piltover to ruin. However, she is also painstakingly aware that losing a war would be a death sentence. The stakes are life and death, and I believe based on what I understand of Mel's character that she would not attempt to bypass Viktor's opposition in more normal circumstances. She respects him to an extent but not more than she respects her position, her legacy and not more than she fears the consequences of losing a war.

Additionally, I view the way she stands and directs attention at Jayce as a demonstration of how she is by nature of the social system always above him. That she and Jayce, are classist as is everyone conditioned and socialised in this system, and for them as citizens of Piltover, as members of the bourgeoisie, and the council their dismissal of Viktor is not that active of a choice, its a reflex, its a manifestation of their biases. Which is terrible in its own right. Viktor discovers in this scene, that Jayce can and will go over his head despite hextech being a joint creation because his social positioning is just higher than his is. It always was and it always will be. These are unchangeable factors and immovable dynamics.

That is to say, that I think Mel's show of power in this scene, her long-term investment in hextech as well as very likely witnessing her political maneuvers from a distance during his time as Heimerdinger's assistant has cemented Mel in Viktor's mind as the paragon of Piltover privilege.

I like to imagine this reaction to Mel's powers "the arcane stirs within you" as a twisted delight. Magic is a natural force, its wild and uncharted and its presence in Mel has this undoing effect, it perplexes her, to use it she physically exerts herself, it makes her bare her teeth. It's a side of Mel, Viktor would have never witnessed, in her struggle with this he finds a glimmer of kindredness that briefly enthralls him.

When he creates his ideal form, a white and gold, sleek and slim faceless robot with a gentle elegent gait and manner of movement and is seeking to conform the entire world to it, know that Viktor in his mind is equalising both himself and the rest of the world to what he considers the apex of privilege, therefore ridding the world of social hierarchy, difference and struggle.

The grand irony of this act is that he ends up bypassing the autonomy of literally everyone by subjecting them to this much like Mel bypassed him. Meaning, he hasn't rid the world of this hierarchy at all, he's put all these people beneath him and robbed them of choice and freedom.

Separate Melvik spiel:

Mel and Viktor's inherent relationship to each other through nature, disposition and as narrative foils is just so meticulous I can no longer genuinely view Arcane as a text without noticing the absence of an established personal dynamic between them. The groundwork for a romance is embedded in the text, their relation to each other is already by itself canonically quite romantic, all of their qualities and attributes are either contrasting or is eerily similar, everything about them serves to say something about the other within the constraints of the Arcane narrative (I doubt this will continue in game and in the follow up series). His admiration of her is tainted by his resentfulness at her position and the way she's wielded it. So many characters in media have kissed for less than that.

[al-the-remix]

BuckTommy Positivity Week Day 2: nicknames and terms of endearment

thank you to the @bucktommypositivityweek mods for putting this together so quickly! please overlook any spelling/grammar errors...it normally takes me 5-7 business days to catch them all (if even) and I really wanted to write something for this event. Rated: E • 2K • Fluff, Romance, Humour, And some smut at the end.

Of all the things Buck thinks may prove to be a speed bump in his first relationship with a dude, (phrasing he’s still getting ragged for), like who gets to be the big spoon, if he was going to have to start buying his own shampoo (the bottle Natalie left in his shower had entered a critical state of near empty), the whole dick situation, none of them actually turn out to be much of an issue. 

As it happens Tommy is pretty indifferent when it comes to their sleeping arrangements (together, preferably); he offers to drop by the CVS and pick up more shampoo for Buck when he realizes he’s out (are you sure Herbal Essence is really what you want?); and let's just say Buck finds he takes to cock like a duck to water. 

In the end, he’s so busy worrying about whether Tommy would want to be the little spoon on occasion, or if his boyfriend now thinks he doesn’t know how to wash his hair, he completely overlooks one of the most obvious hurdles of them all: pet names. 

And the worst part is that it’s totally a one sided issue. “Sweetheart” slips out of Tommy’s mouth so easy and so smooth, his tone warm like butter sliding around a hot pan, just a little gravelly, especially first thing in the morning and late at night. The word rolls down Buck’s spine like condensation, gaining speed, to pool warm and liquid in the cradle of his hips. Tommy makes it sound so natural: a little cocky, a little, flirty, a little tongue and cheek, like the word was created to be formed by his lips and not the other way around.

Buck tries it out in the mirror one time, it’s clunky and awkward and he embarasses himself too much to keep going. He’d been surprised, maybe even a little underwhelmed (in a good way), by how few differences there really were when it came to dating men vs. women. Sure, he didn’t think any of his previous girlfriends would have been charmed if he tried one of his new grappling moves on them pre-fuck (but he bet he could proabally find a woman who did if he tried hard enough), and the stubble burn on his ass was new but not all that different from eating a girl out one week post bikini wax–the important part was the kisses felt the same, Tommy’s skin didn’t taste any different against Buck’s tongue, and his heartbeat still fluttered high in his throat when Tommy looked at him and smiled or reached out to interlace their fingers. 

The point was, the things that do stand out to him about Tommy: his strength, the way he carries himself, how he’s in equal measures serious and goofy and sarcastic in a way that has Buck bubbling fondness and unable to hold back his grin, makes it difficult for Buck to come up with an enderment he feels encompassess all of that. He’s probably overthinking it (he definitely is), but it wasn’t the first time Tommy had left him reeling and feeling slightly unmoored, and it likely wouldn’t be the last, so he better pull himself up by his bootstraps and get to work.

Buck decides the best way to feel Tommy out was to work it into casual conversation. An experiment of sorts. He’s already got a list of potential options on his phone; he leaves sweetheart off it because it just doesn’t sound right coming out of anyone’s mouth but Tommy’s. 

Tommy’s working in the garage when Buck decides to give his first option a go. The heat spiked around noon, and Tommy’s got a box fan blasting in the corner of the room. He’s still got a massive gray splotch on the center of his back where his shirt is stuck to his skin and Buck’s a little surprised (and disappointed) that hasn’t ditched it yet. 

“Hey honey, it’s smokin’ in here, do you want some water?”

Tommy jerks, bumping his head on the hood of the Charger. Buck winces. The look Tommy shoots over his shoulder is an incredulous one, rubbing at the back of his head. “I’m sorry, what did you just call me?”

Buck crosses his arms over his chest. He’s not backing down now. “Honey.”

Tommy raises a brow. “What, are you going to make me a sandwich too? Get me a beer?”

Buck throws his hands in the air because he can, he knows Tommy finds his dramatics charming, the poor sucker. He turns on his heel, a smile eating away at the corner of his mouth. “I was just trying to be nice, but if you’re fine–”

Tommy lunges out and hooks his fingers in the waistband of Buck’s shorts, reeling him back. “Whoa, wait a second. I didn’t go that far…”

Buck is very happy to let himself be dragged into the circle of Tommy’s arms, broad hands slipping into his back pockets. Tommy smells a little funky, like sweat and grease and the spearmint gum he likes to chew when he’s working with his hands, an old habit from quitting nicotine post-military. 

He slips his fingers under the damp cotton at Tommy’s waist, rolling the hem of his shirt up inch by inch. “Well, what do you want then?”

Tommy gives him a quick peck on the lips. “I can think of a few things, but water does sound pretty good right now.”

Buck leans in for another kiss, letting this one linger. “Mmm, alright.”

“What,” Tommy drawls, “No, ‘alright, honey’?”

Buck slaps him hard on the ass, Tommy letting out a full body “oof” a Buck steps out of the circle of his arms. 

“Maybe later if you ask nicely.” Buck wags a finger at him as he walks slowly backwards towards the door to the house. Pretty proud of himself when he doesn’t trip over the first step.

Well, he can scratch that one off the list. 

The next up is babe, which Buck regrets almost immediately. 

“Babe, do you know where my running shoes ended up?” he calls down from the loft, and gets in return: “Where you left them babe, right on top of mine!”

Tommy spends the rest of the day parroting him, “pass the remote, babe–do you need me to pick anything up on my way home, babe--don’t drop the soap, babe–” and Buck thinks it’s best to lay that one to rest before he goes insane. 

It becomes clear that the rest aren’t going to make the cut either and Buck decides to take the opportunity to have some fun with it instead. “Honeybun” makes Tommy snort coffee out his nose; “Gumdrop”, specifically employed in front of Eddie, makes Tommy glow, pleased and a little flustered at being razzed about it by his new friend; “Lover” makes the corners of Tommy’s mouth writhe and his eyes roll and his nose scrunch up like he’s sort of embarrassed by how much he likes that one, (Buck slips that information into his back pocket for later).

They all live within the sliding scale of reactions Buck expects from him: fondness and humor and affection. It’s not until he reaches the end, the one Buck had almost not bothered putting on the list it was so commonplace, that he elicits a reaction that makes him pause. 

Tommy’s in the kitchen, kneading pasta dough into a soft ball, they’re making handmade ravioli to take to a housewarming potluck at Bobby and Athena’s new place, when Buck asks: “Baby, what time are we supposed to be leaving again?” and watches the back of Tommy’s neck flush a vibrant red. Interesting. 

Buck doesn’t draw attention to it. He doesn’t push or tease. He just drops it into their conversations, here and there, not frequently enough to really give Tommy a reason to call him out on it, though Buck finds it telling that he never does. It’s obviously having some effect on him, albeit a silent one: high color rising in Tommy’s cheeks, his eyes casting quickly down and away. 

Buck waits for the right moment to really set the hook and see what he can draw out; it’s just chance that that perfect moment happens to be when they’re naked in bed. 

Tommy’s legs are hooked around his waist and his fingertips are digging white crescents into Buck’s biceps where he’s gripping him like he’s holding on for dear life. His eyes keep circling down to where Buck is spreading him open then back up to catch Buck’s gaze like a closed circuit.

The cling of Tommy’s body is slick and sweet, and he looks up at Buck like Buck's giving him everything he wants and he can’t quite believe how good it is. His eyelids droop like he’s struggling to keep them open and Buck swoops down to capture Tommy’s mouth in a kiss. Tommy moans into it and Buck can feel where his cock is kicking insistently against his stomach, wet and hot to the touch. Buck curls a fist around it, stroking him from base to tip and watches the way his eyelashes flutter and his mouth drops open in silent pleasure. 

Tommy’s other hand slips from Buck’s biceps to his back when Buck dislodges it so he can brace himself on one arm, get a little closer, suck wet kisses into the razor edge of Tommy’s jawline. He slows their rhythm down a little, grinding in with deep swivels of his hips. Tommy’s knees pinch tight at Buck’s sides and he manages to pry his eyes open just enough to sweep his gaze down to where Buck’s stroking him and his rim is stretched nice and slick and pink around Buck’s cock, and back up again. His pupils are blown wide and his hands twitch on Buck’s lower back, slipping down to the meat of his ass, pawing at him, pulling him in–

“You're going to come aren’t you? I can feel it,” he says right in Tommy’s ear. 

“Evan–” Tommy cuts himself off on a moan, his nails dig a little deeper into Buck’s skin, and Buck barely feels it; all of his attention narrowed down to jacking Tommy off and fucking into him at the angle that makes get all tight and twitchy, his muscle tensing up, panting all hot and heavy against Buck’s temple. 

“Common, I want you to,” Buck says, flicking his wrist tight and fast at the head in the way he knows will finish Tommy off quick. “Tommy–Baby–Let me feel it.”

Tommy’s brow crumples and Buck gets to feel the pulse of his heartbeat in his hand and around his cock as Tommy comes undone, slicking his chest with thick, white streaks. 

Buck presses his face into the damp crescent of Tommy’s neck and rabbits his final few strokes into the hot clutch of Tommy’s ass. He can taste the salt on Tommy’s skin as he groans against it, rolling his hips indulgently as his cock softens. 

Tommy strokes his back as he pulls away, arm falling to the side as Buck gets up to ditch the condom. He’s staring up at the pebbly stucco of the bedroom ceiling when Buck returns to bed. “No one’s ever called me that,” he says quietly, contemplatively. 

Buck shuffles closer till he’s pressed up along his side, draping an arm over Tommy’s midsection to anchor himself. Buck finds that hard to believe. He can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t want Tommy to be their baby, but he’s glad he’s Buck’s.

“Well, it’s only fair that I’m your first for something too.”

Tommy rolls his head to the side, a dopey smile on his face. He looks fucked stupid and Buck feels unbearably fond about it. 

“Sweet talker,” Tommy accuses softly, hooking two fingers under Buck’s chin and pulling him into a kiss. 

Yeah, Buck thinks, I like the sound of that.

[genevawrenn]

At the end of this all, looking back I think my favourite memories surround Team BOLAS in Purgatory.

Don't get me wrong, the Death Family will always be my favourite dynamic and POV but god I still think about the found family that formed in bloodshed.

It seemed rigged from the start, half their team hadn't been seen in months and the remaining people had about the collective knowledge of one Philza Minecraft on a sick day.

Despite how many times they were destroyed, over and over, they kept getting back up due to their 'fuck it, we ball' attitude. My god, I don't think any of us saw their first win coming and then they just kept doing it.

Someone would come along and kill them, deleting hours of work in seconds and they would laugh it off and get back up. It was seriously impressive from both a character and creator standpoint to watch their dedication. Their shenanigans and light-hearted attitude did so much for their morale long-term. They seriously pulled up their bootstraps and kicked ass.

They outlasted the dissolving of the third team among the remaining two. They were constantly in earshot of one another, moving as a pack and spending every moment of those short hours together in voice calls of just existing.

It was hell and it was sancutary.

It gave Cellbit a figure to look up to and work to better himself to make him proud.

It gave Baghera and Jaiden a family, something neither had experienced due to *lore*.

It gave the mourning father Slimecicle a place to accept the fact his daughter was dead.

It gave Foolish something to fight for and a fighting partner to work beside in the form of an old crow hybrid, with barely a word spoken between them they won BOLAS a day event.

It gave Carre a place to just be silly while also being a goat.

Everyone on the original team who logged in plus the second round of BOLAS members pulled their weight and did incredible in such a stressful event. The amount of clips, art and writing that were created following the interactions exchanged under those red skies will far outlive the short fortnight the event existed.

It was very bittersweet watching the two remaining members, Cellbit and Baghera, put on gas masks and wear them to the end in honour of their family formed out of circumstance that evolved into genuine growth and affection between them. They carried that respect onto that plane and to freedom, they hold the memories of the people who held them at their worst. They will fondly reflect at their best, hoping they were proud [spoiler, they always will be].

BOLAS came to mean a lot to both the characters and us, the audience.

I will remember you forever, my chaotic cult of creators. You were a delight and I am excited to relive the content whenever I feel like returning to a series that became a comfort one for me.

[genericpuff]

Since you have mentioned your own original webcomic has time travel, do you have any advice for people who want to make comics or simply write stories that deal with time travel?

Could be any kind of time travel, like time loops, characters traveling to the past/future, dealing with paradoxes, etc.

Short answer: don't LOL

Long answer: Obviously if you wanna tackle time travel, go for it, but the first and most important rule of any time travel is to establish your rules. How does the time travel work? And how will you commit to consistency?

Some basic time travel rule structures include:

Clone travelling - This is the most common form of time travel that's used the most. When you go back in time, your past self is present alongside your present self. Examples include Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Doctor Who, and Austin Powers.

Singular consciousness travelling - This is one I've only seen used a couple of times, and the only one I can think of off the top of my head is Life is Strange, but what I like to call 'singular consciousness travelling' is the form of time travel where instead of travelling to a point in the past, you return to a version of your past self, fully aware of the future that awaits you but 'stuck' within that past to live out the timeline in real time again. Though it's not as commonly used, it's one that will typically present less paradoxes as there are less moving parts to worry about. Prophecy storylines also use a similar philosophy to this, albeit without the literal time travel and more so 'time travel' via premonition (could we call Raven from That's So Raven a time traveller?)

Loops - This is a form of time travelling seen in media such as Groundhog Day, where a person continuously travels back to the same point in time over and over again to relive the same events until they can somehow break the loop.

There are loads more of time travel structures I could go over, but those are three of the most basic. Regardless of which structure you use, you have to be willing to commit to it. It's like choosing a writing perspective and tense, if you choose third person past tense ("he said, she said, they said"), then suddenly switching to first person present tense ("I say", "I do", "I feel") without any context to establish that switch will be jarring. Make your rules, and if you have to break them, make sure they're broken for the sake of the story (ex. if you present some sort of plot twist to reveal the 'true nature' of the time travelling plotline).

Here's a great video that goes over some different time travel plotlines from movies/books/etc.:

As for my original comic, we go for the time travel = multiverse theory approach, where any changes made to a timeline in a past state will not change that timeline's future, but rather, create a new timeline where those past changes are true and written into the script, essentially relegating every single new timeline to a parallel universe. This is essentially how it's done in Avengers: Endgame , but instead of characters abusing the laws of quantum physics to travel back in time, it's characters abusing a magical book of diary entries that are primarily used by the main character to help him control and guide his time travelling abilities. Every diary entry essentially serves as a roadmap for him to find his way back to his home timeline from which he disappears every time he jumps. Much of the story is written entirely atop a paradox, specifically the bootstrap paradox:

(because if there are gonna be paradoxes no matter what you do, may as well have fun with them!)

There's a lot more I could go into regarding that, but for the sake of sparing the handful of Time Gate readers here of spoilers, Time Gate's laws of time travel dictate that you can't really change your past, just the future for other versions of you that you create when you try to change things.

All that said, I will say that in most cases, thinking too hard about any time travel story will cause it to fall apart, because time travel is a fictional trope that relies a lot on logical sequencing of events to work. So you kind of do just have to 'let it go' and have fun with it - but having rules to stick to will make things less of a headache for everyone, especially when it comes to telling a coherent story. Even my own criticisms of LO's time travel really don't matter in the end, because LO's problems go far deeper than some cheaply-made time travel and any of the time travel problems in the story will undoubtedly be explained away as "timey wimey shit". I'll still be pissed about it, but time travel isn't real (at least not for you) so it's not worth getting too bogged down by. Just do your best to tell an entertaining and coherent story.

[themoonweaversden]

Messeges that were found so far: STOD EHT TCENNOC (spoilers)

This is just to collect all the codes that you can type in in thisisnotawebsitedotcom.com and their effects only (please click images for better quality)

I am so sorry if the transcripts in these are't the best, it's A LOT and my mind doesn't understand what's writing anymore

Masterpost with all messeges / codes

Transcript:

"LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN CULTS

Have you ever heard of Orchard Lake, Kansas? Chances are you haven’t. It was erased from every map, book, and historical record, and the US Government’s official position on it is “stop calling us or we’ll send a drone to your house.” (I learned this the hard way.) But if you drive to the exact latitude and longitude of [REDACTED] you’ll see bullet casings, faded billboards, and bow ties strewn across the desert sands.

That’s because Orchard Lake had another name before it was wiped off the record: BillVille.

CHAPTER 3: BillVille The First Cult In History That Was Right

[image]

FIG A: A tumbillweed

As a historian of esoteric religions, I thought I’d discovered the strangest sects America had yet to offer (see “Chapter 3: Kevin’s Gate”) but that all changed when I found the following items tucked away in an old trunk in an estate sale on the outskirts of Bootstrap, Missouri."

Transcript:

"LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN CULTS

"3/24/1957

Mother, I have the most wonderful news! Remember when you said I should stop being “such a follower” and finally think for myself? Well—turns out you were right! I’ve decided to stop following Elvis’ tour bus from state to state and instead I’ve made the exciting life decision to sell all my possessions to buy a one-way ticket to [REDACTED] and marry 138 of my new best friends! We’ve discovered the eternal secrets of the Universe, and golly it feels keen! For the first time in my life, I am happy!

Remember reality is an illusion, the Universe is a hologram, buy gold, and bye forever!

Your daughter, Shelter Martha Jones Starshine Cipherwife

P.S. You’ve just gotta check out this neato pamphlet!"

FIG B: Letter and pamphlet advertising “Ciphertology.” Was found along with pins, buttons, ephemera. Smells like formaldehyde."

Transcript:

"LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN CULTS

After reading this pamphlet, I became obsessed. Who were the Ciphertologists?

It seems in 1952 a failed travelling snake oil salesman “Silas Birchtree” was hiding from creditors when he choked on a coin he was flipping and died. Then, remarkably, the next day, he was seen alive. His posture, his smile, the pallor of his skin had all changed. It was as if another man entirely was wearing Silas like a suit. Whatever caused this transformation, the new Silas hit Orchard Lake, Kansas like a comet.

[TRANSCRIPT, FIRST AUDIO RECORDING FOUND OF SILAS BIRCHTREE GIVING A SPEECH IN THE TOWN SQUARE OF ORCHARD LAKE, KANSAS]

“Say, folks, gather round, thank you ma’am, spit out that gum, junior. My names Silas Birchtree, and I was just passing through when I noticed a very pressing problem: This town only has three wells! Well, well, well, that won’t hold water! (townsfolk laugh) But seriously plasma bags, if you’re dim enough to laugh at that tripe then you’re going to love what I’m about to shove down your throats: The secrets of the universe! I may look like an meat automoton but I was recently granted otherworldly insight into the nature of reality by an all-seeing eye named Bill Cipher. You have primal needs for chaos that are being repressed! Destroying is a form of creating! Assert your will in defiance of entropy! Punch through the throats of your oppressors and baptize yourself in their blood! Doesn’t that sound swell? Yes I said swell, and that rhymes with L, and that stands for “Let me Marry All Your Wives!”

-Silas Birchtree, 1952

It didn’t seem to matter what Silas said, folks were mesmerized by his rambling stream of consciousness diatribes. It wasn’t long before he became local news."

Treanscript:

"THE ORCHARD LAKE CORNHUSK "A suitable distraction from your toils." June 18, 1952 | 5 CENTS

CULT COMES TO TOWN Fans of Cults Pleased, Cult Skeptics Skeptical

Two things are on the rise this week in Orchard Lake! The sweet, sweet corn-bread cooling in Mrs. Butternubbins windowsill, and the terrifying cult that threatens to tear our town asunder. And asunder is one of the worst things you can be torn! Springing forth seemingly overnight, these bow-tie wearing brainwashees call themselves the Ciphertologists, and they answer to one man, the charismatic and extremely jaundiced Silas BirchTree. Town sentiment is divided as to whether this new religion can be trusted, but all agree this seems to be the most significant event in our town since a bat fell in the deep fryer at the waffle house. We spoke to townsfolk to gauge the local sentiment.

...WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY...

Darla Laudanum, Housewife: "Well, I don’t see what the big fuss is! Everyone’s entitled to their opinions, and Silas is no different. Why, I remember when everyone was worried that “Hula Hoops” were going to turn our children into Communists. But we only had to report 3 children!"

Gus Gunderson, Painter: "I ‘spose he’s got a funny way of talkin’, shore ‘nuff, but he promised me I’d live forever on my own moon, which beats my current job at the paint store. He also said he’d teach me to explode people with my mind. My mother ‘n law had better watch out!"

Madeline Dixon, Teenager: "He’s fine, I guess. It’s not like I replaced the picture of James Dean in my locket with him or anything. What? No you can’t look inside the locket, this is a personal locket!"

Emmaline Butternubbins, Spoilsport: "I’m telling you! He’s a human corpse puppeteered by a space triangle and he’s come to build an unholy astral pyramid from mortal realm beyond mortal understanding! Gather up your swords and arrows, let us slay the beast in mans form before he slays us!"

Can You "Dig It?" Hey Daddio! Are you hoppin mad about the piles of youth that are buckling your Chevy’s pad to the winner? Dig this jive! A keen new shovel that all the hep cats are using to flip those big Ricks right out of the sock hop! Man, you know what it is called!

“HIPPADDY RENZADDY’S SUPER-KEENHOOT SCOOP!”

It’s me, “Hip Daddy” Renzaddy! 50 years ago my great grandpappy Renzaddy toppled a pile of stones to death to avenge his death! The eternal war on man’s sin rages on!

5 CENTS OFF!

Teen Accused of "Rocking Around the Clock," Faces Trial ... (PG 3) Joseph McCarthy Arrests Suspicious Pez Dispenser (PG 5)"

Trascript:

"PAGE 2 THE ORCHARD LAKE CORNHUSK, JUNE 18, 1952 INTERVIEW WITH A PROPHET

Our lead reporter Welton Danforth sat down with the enigmatic leader to gain some insight into his holy mission. When they sat down to speak, the controversial religious leader was staring at his hands laughing as he wiggled his fingers.

Silas: Fingers! Wow, there’s just so many of these things! How do you keep track? Hey could someone get me a swig of formaldehyde?

Welton: Good evening. I have never seen a man open his eyes as wide as yours before. What exactly is going on with your face?

Silas: My face is normal! Next question!

Welton: (laughing) Well there’s that charm I’ve heard so much about. Move over, Johnny Carson! Tell me, how do you respond to accusations that the Ciphertologists are a cult?

Silas: Yes!

Welton: So you don’t deny it?

Silas: Look slick, everyone believes in something they can’t prove. Football players believe in “points.” Cops believe in “laws.” Priests believe in “sin.” But show me a law, a point, a sin. You can’t, they’re just ideas. So if you’re going to follow something invisible, why not follow the invisible Triangle that will give you your own planet and crush your enemies into a small screaming cube.

Welton: You’re awfully quick with a turn of phrase, but many others with silver tongues have claimed to be the messiah. What makes you any different?

Silas: Fair point! You know, you’re very perceptive. Has your wife told you that lately?

Welton: (pause) No. No… Janet has not. We are… going through a rough patch.

Silas: Must be hard. All those long nights on the couch, wondering what went wrong.

Welton: Yes… but, how did you know all that?

Silas: I know lots of things, Jack! And I know that when you die at 72 from a goose crashing into your head on a roller coaster, your last thought is gonna be that you wasted your life interviewing hick farmers instead of becoming that great novelist you always dreamed of being! That unfinished novel in your desk drawer…

Welton: …The Reporter Who Went To Mars?

Silas: It could be the greatest book of all time. But you’ll need someone to help you reach your full potential. I think I know a guy! By the way, I’ll need 1,000 dollars immediately.

Welton: Can I give you my watch as a down payment?

Silas: Fine, but only because I like you. Anyway, where were we? Oh right! I was interviewing you. Tell me, how long have you been a Ciphertologist?

Welton: Well, I suppose as of 5 seconds ago, but it already feels like much longer, Mr. Birchtree.

Silas: Please, call me “My Lord And Master.”

Welton: Yes, My Lord and Master. Do you have anything else to add before you go?

Silas: Only this, and I mean it sincerely: HAHAHA-HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA (cont’d)"

Transcript:

"LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN CULTS

[2 images]

Within a month, The Ciphertologists had taken City Hall, renamed Orchard Lake "BillVille" and began stockpiling weapons, human teeth, and multi-colored ball-pit balls from burger restaurants. Townsfolk began shaving their heads and inhaling helium to match the pitch of their leader's shrill charismatic voice, and would participate in "Dream-Ins" inviting Silas's muse "Bill Cipher" to "possess" of up to 30 of them at once, at which point they would often laugh in unison for hours. Construction began of the "Very Normal Giant Metal Portal" in the desert. Travel was banned coming in and out, even for medical emergencies since, as Silas explained, "pain is hilarious!" They began to expand, knocking on doors to spread "The Bad News."

[image]

FIG C: It was pretty easy to spot a Ciphertologist. Can you see what makes them stand out? That's right - their enthusiastic smiles!

[image]

FIG D: The "Golden Bastard" apple, grown only by Ciphertologists, reportedly "screamed" when you ate it."

Transcript: (this one is really weird to trascribe, so sorry if it's difficult to understand)

"THERE’S ONE “EYE” IN TEAM! Can you find it?

In Ciphertology, we encourage you to express your individuality, just like Silas does! That means strict conformity to his exact wardrobe, or else being sent to “The Hole.” You won’t like the hole!

KEEP AN EYE OPEN!

SHAVE A SPOT FOR BILL TO ENTER!

POSTURE

TUCK YOUR SHIRT IN! Order is a Trojan horse for chaos!

GREASE YOUR SHOES! Are you done? ADD MORE GREASE! And MORE!

(Image of two people in matching outfits doing Ciphertologist poses)

Pocket full of yummy glass!

Not pictured - The hot brand we will sear into your flesh. Which part of your body will we brand? It’s weirder than you think!

Did you know?: Therapy is a scam to keep you from the truth. Lean into your natural born mental illness to unlock your true potential!

GO DOOR TO DOOR! SPREAD THE JOY LIKE A DISEASE!

Follow this script to convert the non-billievers!

Hi! Do you have one minute to talk about the triangle who lives in your brain and has seen you naked? . YES → GOOD! The old gods are dead, and BILL ATE THEM! Dig it? . NO → Stare at them until they start crying.

Are you ready to accept him into your mind? . YES → (Continue script) . NO → Eat one of your own fingers in front of them. Don’t break eye contact.

Raise your arms and shriek a perfect E note in the 8th octave at 5,243 Hz. Their skull will shatter. Like a wine glass!

Great! Your new name is: ________________(SEE GUIDE TO CHOOSING CIPHERTOLOGY NAME PG 6) What size robe are you? __________________SEE YOU AT THE WAFFLE HOUSE! (Do Cipher Handshake, devour pamphlet, crawl away upside down)

WEIRDMEGEDDON IS COMING. WEIRDMEGEDDON IS COMING. WEIRDMEGEDDON IS COMING.

CIPHERTOLIGIST'S GUIDE TO DELIGHTSOMENESS, 1952"

Transcript:

"LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN CULTS

[image]

ABOVE: The Ciphertology “Brain Seismograph” or “BS” Meter had dials for “gullibility,” “financial liquidity,” “celebrity influence,” “herbs,” and “spices.”

The cult surged in popularity and influence. Silas’s motto “embrace today as if your town is going to be hit by a tornado in exactly 3 & a half years!” was infectious, and he immediately ended all crime by declaring that “everything is legal now!”

[image]

Soon the only unconverted local was unmarried town nag Emmaline Butternubbins. She was convinced there was something “not right” about the mysterious megalomaniacal cult leader. Her protests escalated to her distributing these home-made warning pamphlets to very annoyed children.

[image]

“Most people rejected Emmaline’s message. They hated her because she told the truth” —Emmaline, to her cat Bonbon."

Transcript:

"LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN CULTS

Conflict became inevitable. When Silas hijacked a local TV station to read an “erotic tale of two trapezoids,” Elk Glen filed a complaint with the FCC. Cipherologists retaliated by pouring 600 gallons of bubble solution in their drinking water. Soon the law became involved.

“Blrbl bll Tbllbl Ciphertobblblblblb” - Hurk Durnsley, Oak Glen City Council

The Cipherologists were ordered to return City Hall, dismantle the “Portal” they were building out of scrap metal and car parts, or face the full force of the Kansas State Troopers. The standoff lasted 13 days, with Silas and his die hard followers holed up in a waffle house chanting “TEETH” over and over again for reasons unknown. Silas was becoming increasingly agitated and erratic, blocking all radio and TV signals into town and ordering his followers to hurry construction of his mysterious metallic project. His body was also looking increasingly pale and desiccated, which he ascribed to his “fantastic diet” of eating nothing but “solid chunks of chlorine and ants.”

BILLVILLE DAILY NEWS June Billeteeth, Billtee-Fifty-Bill PORTAL NEARLY COMPLETE EVERYONE THRILLED, EVEN THE GOVERNMENT! (DO NOT TURN ON YOUR TELEVISION)"

Transcript:

"Finally Emmaline Butternubbins, enraged that no one liked her pamphlets, hurled a torch into the CipherTologists HQ, igniting the helium tanks, blasting out the windows and destroying Silas’s machine. Troopers opened fire as Silas’s followers held hands and began singing “WE’LL MEET AGAIN” in defiance. Silas, riddled with bullet holes, grabbed a megaphone, leapt atop the inferno, grinning wildly as he was engulfed in flame.

“YOU CAN’T KILL A MAN WHO’S ALREADY DEAD! IF YOU TAKE ME DOWN, I’LL BE BACK, MORE POWERFUL AND MORE ANNOYING THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE! REMMEBER- REALITY-”

At this point, Silas Birch Tree’s head fell off, flies swarmed from his mouth and he collapsed into a grey husk. A coroner declared Silas BirchTree dead for a second time. Black helicopters evacuated the site and the city was erased from all official records. Mrs Butternubbins was awarded the Medal of Honor, which she used as an ashtray.

On the Lighter Side “QUIRKY NEWS!” CULT DISBANDED, 9 DEAD Slow news day? Well we gotta fill these pages somehow! In an oddball story that’s definitely out there a remote Orchard Lake’s homespun cult committed a laundry list of heinous crimes. Trashed walls, buildings, and tank-wielding federal agents stormed the “Cipherologists” headquarters. The panic escalated as the “Cipherologists” leader offered everyone a bag of candy and destroyed the stockade on a rented lemon- but just gave everyone you love from the ability to express their emotions. We are out of terrible diarrhea. It is unclear if this was his intention or not. We are out of things to say in this piece, no one really cares what happens in Kansas."

Transcript:

"ONLY KNOWN PHOTO OF SILAS'S BODY, 1952"

Transcript: "LESSER KNOWN AMERICAN CULTS

Although BillVille has faded into urban legend, hidden remnants remain for those who know where to look. It is even said that there are straggling members out there, still holding out hope for Silas’s return.

(RIGHT: IRONIC T-SHIRT SOLD ONLINE)

In cults, this is a common phenomenon. Human beings are so hungry for a confident voice to guide them in an uncertain world, that they’ll follow anyone, even a madman, wherever he goes. Usually off a cliff.

But there was something different about Silas Birchtree. The more I research, the more of his predictions I’ve seen coming true. Recently I was going through old records when I found Silas’s final words, tucked away in a lost letter he wrote before the standoff, a message unseen until now.

His message was:

“At least this will make a fun chapter of your book, Donna!”

My name is Donna Rutherford. Yesterday, I was a Lutheran. As of today, I am a Ciphertologist.

[CODE]"

Code decoded: "YOUCANTKILLANIDEA"

[fantasyinvader]

I feel there’s soemthing very disturbing about the relationship between Edelgard and feminism. I mean, here’s the thing; she’s meant to be diametrically opposed to Byleth. Whereas Byleth, who is male by default, ends up acting as a mother to the people of Fodlan at the end of their route, Edelgard instead was made to fill a role that has always been done so by a man in this franchise.

Let’s look at Silver Snow for a second. It’s the natural progression of Byleth’s story from a mechanical point of view. It’s the default, but beyond that the option to join Edelgard is framed as the player changing the story to the, as the devs put it, Conquest route. The teaching position that Rhea gives Byleth leads to them developing emotions, going from being the Ashen Demon to a beloved teacher. Rhea is also the character Byleth can form the strongest bond with pre-time skip, and just starting the bond rewards the player with Byleth’s paralogue and her shield. And, as previously mentioned, this leads to Byleth taking a feminine leadership role as the mother-figure who supports those in their care. And this happens after a lifetime with their father left them an emotionless killing machine ignorant of the world.

If anything, Rhea is the character linked with femininity.

Then you look at Edelgard. It’s not just that she’s repeating the same lines that we’ve heard from past male villains. The game says that Edelgard’s crusade comes from what her father told her, and when she runs into information that conflicts with her narrative she ignores it according to Hopes. Adding onto that, her father is said to be a puppet of Thales, the guy who experimented on her and is said to have manipulated Edelgard into going to war in the first place according to Wind and implied by Moon. We also see Edelgard view the reign of Nemesis, a cruel tyrant who was also a puppet of Thales, as a good thing because it was supposedly an age where man ruled man. And then there’s Hubert encouraging Edelgard to do whatever it takes to accomplish her goals even if it means working with her abuser. And all this comes together to create a female character who was given a traditionally male role in this franchise.

Edelgard comes across as this victim of toxic masculinity being pushed onto her, and it’s those influences that pushes her to go after Rhea. To believe that what Rhea teaches is wrong and that people need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and rely on their own strength. Edelgard rejects the idea of her using her power to protect and support her people, instead she sacrifices them for her own gain, she rejects that motherly role in contrast to Byleth, who follows in Rhea’s footsteps to bring the people salvation after Edelgard brought them hardship. Edelgard, on the other hand, goes on to invade other lands according to the Japanese script.

Then you look at how she goes after Rhea with the information campaign. She makes Rhea out to be the cause of all of Fodlan’s problems, and therefore any influence Rhea might have had should be forcibly removed from Fodlan justifying her conquest. There’s also the Western Church who want her gone because she’s not racist enough for them (and are being manipulated by the Agarthans), as well as Claude who is implied to be acting based on assumptions. In essence, Rhea is a woman in power who faces slander by those who want to remove her from her position and instead assert their own beliefs on how things should be run. You have Edelgard with her masculine influences, as well as Claude in Hopes who knows Edelgard won’t agree to peace but goes through with his plan simply because he wants to kill Rhea.

Consider also that Edelgard is linked to safflowers, symbolizing attraction, whereas Rhea is linked to white lilies, symbolizing purity, rebirth, INNOCENCE, and fertility (as well as the yuri genre). They can even symbolize everlasting love due to how they reemerge after each winter. White lilies are tied to women specifically in Japan.

If Edelgard is given the role of the villain according to the devs, then Rhea is the damsel in distress of the game, traditionally the hero’s love interest. Rhea is only able to be S supported at the end of the Silver Snow route, everlasting love after the winter route with Rhea being reborn after reuniting with Sothis.

Really, supporting Rhea comes across more as supporting women than Edelgard, especially since Edelgard is shown to lie and manipulate others.

[thatstormygeek]

Elites won’t lead the opposition to Trump. By elites, I mean politicians, business leaders, decision-makers at media outlets, etc. There’s a growing frustration in people I talk to and the conversation online that our leaders aren’t leading. They aren’t meeting the moment. They aren’t where the rest of us who oppose Trump are at right now. I understand the frustration. But I also don’t think we should be relying on these folks and institutions in the first place. As my friend Greg Greene wrote here about the opposition a few weeks ago, “Spoiler alert, you’re it.” If we have any chance of opposing MAGA and stopping Elon Musk’s crime spree, it’s on us to be out front and create a public groundswell and uprising. If we can manage that, many elites will likely follow our lead.

source

I've seen this sentiment - no one is coming to save us/it's all on us - repeated with increasing frequency since before the election and it's been bugging me for reasons I haven't been able to pin down.

The source linked above is just the most recent I've read, but it hasn't been limited to any one person or group.

Sometimes it irritated me because it was being expressed with smug arrogance: you fools, you daft losers, look at you, expecting your vaunted institutions to save you. I, the enlightened cynic, have always known they were worthless and not to be relied upon, and am thus superior to you feckless rubes.

But even the more constructive messages - like the quote above - rankle. And I think it's the unexamined assumption at the heart of it: the system must be defended, even if it is unwilling or unable to function, and has been that way for perhaps its entire existence.

Look at the ask here: put yourself on the line to convince those with power they should defend themselves. Just. What.

Yes, the line is being pushed as us standing for ourselves and each other and thus convincing the "elites" to stand for us, too. Except the elites won't stand for us. They will stand for the system. The system that has already benefited them to a greater extent than the very people being asked to stand firm, and yet they need to be argued into defending it. The system that was in place in the time leading to our current moment. The system that let us get here.

These institutions that are so very important that we must defend them, yet so very powerless that they couldn't perform their most basic functions unless everything was going smoothly everywhere; so very worthwhile that they form the bedrock of our nation, and yet so completely worthless that the people most vested in their survival can't be arsed to shift a finger to help. Unless a critical mass of those these very institutions have been forever failing rise up and persuade them.

I'm not saying fuck it, let it fall. Not that I think we have a choice - imo the USA has been an ambulatory rotting corpse for many, many years - but I know the fallout is and will continue to be the most awful for the most marginalized. And there's not some glorious revolution that will sweep away injustice and save us all. I don't have a solution, which is likely why I haven't spent time really putting this into words before. What's the point, right?

The entire push reads like "put yourself on the line to fight for the status quo!" and, like, no thank you? Especially when you're asking me because the status quo won't fight for itself.

But then, I'm probably not the target audience anyway. I really don't give a shit about the US as a nation. People and the planet and things that are alive? Yeah. That stuff matters. And if the elites want to join those of us working to blunt and counter the effects of this administration on people and the planet and things that are alive? Fuck yeah. Let's go.

I'm sure as hell not doing shit for them, though. Nor am I planning to expend effort on behalf of the bullshit institutions that failed us to this point. Maybe they can try pulling themselves up by their bootstraps.

[pl9090]

Order of the Black Sun analysis

As always constructive feedback is welcome.

"Alan Moore's back-up strips were an obvious influence on both Marc Platt's view of ye olde Gallifrey and my view of its future (Alien Bodies shares 95% of its .D.N.A. with its closest relative, 4-D War", Lawrence Miles.

Timeline 10,000,000.B.T.W.: The Anchoring. The Order of the Black Sun hired mercenary Fenris fails in his mission to prevent the Timelords from developing physical timetravel but does unintentionally succeed in sending and stranding Omega to the antimatter universe, his timetravel belt's directional control device is taken by Rassilon to be reverse engineeered. Rassilon tricks him him to banishing himself The Zone of No Return as punishment. (.D.W.M.: Stardeath).

9,999,980.B.T.W.: The Timelords retrieve Fenris from The Zone of No Return in order to mindprobe him to learn what they can about their current enemy, discovering only that they are from 30,000 years into the future when a squad Order of the Black Sun operatives who kill Fenris and the mindprobe operator aswell as injuring several others before phasing away. The conflict's nature as a time war is acknowledged. (.D.W.M.: 4D War).

9,999,970.B.T.W.: The Timelords enter into the delicate multi day Desraulturanium trade negeogiations with the Sontarans and to their surprise The Order of the Black Sun. However the Order's representatives are not hostile and they devise a successful joint bid. However the Sontarans disrupt the declaration by mind controling one of the Special Executive into assassinating the Order Elder in front of everyone. This maybe the incident which gets the Order to declare war.

At somepoint soon after 151 .B.T.W.: After their self exile from Gallifrey 1 and reorganisation, Faction Paradox continued their lesser species interference but in the form of creating secret groups telling them, "all the nastiest secrets of the Timelords". One of these groups is the, "Cult of the Black Sun" it's native timeframe is unknown.

30000's: The Order of the Black Sun attack squad's apparent native timeframe.

Somepoint: The First Great Time War is brought to a peaceful conclusion with The Order of the Black Sun somehow realising they had caused the war due to a mistaken assumption and first revenge strike.

10639.5 Rassilon era: While the Eighth Doctor's body healed his mind resided in the Matrix meeting the High Evolutionaries which included the Order member Demoiselle Drin who describes that the conflict as, "ought never to have happened". (.D.W.M.: The Final Chapter).

Notes The Cult/Order is the first Timelord enemy to knowingly use black sun imagery. Whether it's a coincidence like some others or intentional on the Faction's behalf is unknown, (though it must of known about the conflict as it happened before House Paradox was founded). The Order is from the 30000's yet is seen and treated as a respectable Galactic power in the decades after the anchoring. The Order's first/revenge strike against Gallifrey utilising Fenris is perhaps the Faction's largest and only real success agains the Timelords as it has embedded a bootstrap paradox into the Timelord's timetravel development. While it could have been planned the lack of any overt Faction presence or signature suggests otherwise. The First Great Time War is implied to have ended peacefully with the recognition it should/would never have happed to begin with in contrast to The Third & Last Great Time War against the Daleks. An Order member's presence as a High Evolutionary suprises the Eighth Doctor suggesting it wasn't part of the public or recorded peace pomp and circumstance. From the dialogue her actual placement seems recent but the fact she was considered at all says alot. A member in waiting? A secondary tier member? The Order may have be responsible for the black sun radation that turned the Meep species violent. The lack of any Faction style regalia suggests the contact between the two was limited. The Order is a probable Timelord ally in the Third & Last Great Time War.

[cupcakeshed]

The Ancient considered the Wastelander's question for a moment. "Throughout history, every culture has had its myths, yes? Stories of larger-than-life individuals, of the lives they lived, the battles they fought, the goals they strived for. Surely your Wasteland has some of its own."

"We're no strangers to mythic figures, yeah," said the Wastelander.

The Ancient chuckled at the phrasing of that comment, though the Wastelander could not understand why. "In many cases, these tales are created to serve as some kind of moral or practical lesson, often by an authority figure with a vested interest in 'educating' the masses on some culture-specific virtue."

"Sounds about right," said the Wastelander. "I heard some warband up near Detroit is trying to paint their leader as some kind of god-king."

The Ancient nodded. "It was much the same in my time. Before the Great Disaster, one of the more common virtues was called 'capitalism'; the pursuit of wealth beyond all other goals, beyond all reason, beyond all morality."

"What culture would consider that a virtue?" asked the Wastelander, puzzled.

"The very same culture that caused the Great Disaster in the first place," the Ancient shrugged. "In any event, one common belief among capitalists was the fantasy that anyone could accumulate great wealth, through nothing more than hard work and determination. Yes, yes, I know wealth doesn't actually work that way, but the whole 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' idea was so commonly-held that the servants of an Old World concept-entity, known as Disney, created a story to exemplify it, in the form of a talking duck who was born as a penniless street rat, only to become the richest being in the world."

"Huh," said the Wastelander.

"Does that answer your question?"

[scrawnytreedemon]

Fucking.

Ganzant.

I am so obsessed with this hellfire dynamic, I don't even know where to begin.

Like, yes, there's the delicious dynamic of a zealous prophet and an apathetic god who doesn't even really consider himself a god, but it's also so much more than that.

They're Jason and Medea. Except Ganondorf is more Heathcliff than Jason; he's more Zant than Zant himself is; he is him; they are both Demise. They both saw each other as escape, but when push came to shove Ganondorf cut the spider's thread and let Zant die, and it bit him in the ass when he tried to call upon the vestiges of their bond and Zant clawed him down to hell with him.

They're like Jesus and Maria in the Pieta but Mary is shrieking and swearing while bawling her eyes out and Jesus isn't so tender, meek and mild now, is he? But they're also Jesus and Peter, first Bishop and first Pope, the one who holds the keys to Heaven, but also Peter is Judas, the knife in his back, the kiss on his cheek, and the means by which he fulfills his holy death.

What are they to each other? What is a God if not a Father, Teacher, King, Lord, Brother, Lover, Master, Husband and Traitor? What is a Disciple, if not a Prophet, a Servant, a willing Slave, a Sister, a Student, a Wife, a Mother, a Dog, your Son?

What does it mean, to share the same body, even for a bit?

When does a lifeline become a noose? If you throw down the rope, how do you know you too won't be dragged down? Ganondorf cut the cord, and fell when the waves hit. He was the hand that fed, and when he stopped, the beast had grown large enough to devour him.

They're Adam and Eve; Eve formed from Adam's rib, from him, his side, and when she offered him fruit proved his demise.

Did Odin create his own doom by dividing Loki's children? By damning Hel to the underworld, Jormangundr to the sea, and Fenrir to ribbon-bound treachery?

Do Sigyn and Angrboda both spurn Loki for the way he twisted them? For the children lost, the annihilation at hand? And yet she holds the bowl anyway.

I think Zant loved him. I think it was selfish, and hungry, and childish, and greedy. And I think he meant it. He would have walked barefoot across the desert, danced with knives in his feet on a ballroom floor of shattered glass, crawled on his belly over hot coals and dove to the bottom of the sea for him. He would have swallowed him down to keep him safe, and rebuild him again, and again. and again, as many times as he needed to rise anew. He gave him life, life worth living; and he gave him life, a new body: rebirth.

I do not think Ganondorf knew how far it went. If and when he realises... what then? It's one thing to exploit hatred, greed, to justify your own backstabbing with the idea that he betrayed his own monarchy, his own people, for you,

What do you do, when faced with a love so big it would do anything you asked, at the price of having you?

Ganondorf is a fiercely independent sort of soul. He brought himself up by his bootstraps despite everything working against him, and fought tooth and nail for the right to even exist. He does not trust, cannot trust, and only brings in people with the knowledge he'll cut them off if they become a liability, and specifically seeks out other ambitious, morally-unhinged people for this. No man is an island, but he'll be damned if he's going down with the rest of the continental shelf.

What do you do when you're suddenly given a soulmate?

That has to be fucking terrifying.

You get everything you want, the way you want, at the cost of losing you.

After all, a God belongs to His people.

As do kings, and lords, and fathers, and sons.

What do you do when you seek a contract and find enmeshment instead?

The rope goes both ways: the lifeline is the umbilical cord, and severence means death in either case. Ganondorf overestimated his own viability, and died clawing himself from his "mother's" embrace.

When they go to Hell, do they see each other? Does Ganondorf escape it so he can escape her? Escape her sharp nails, her malformed fingers around his neck, the bitter hisses and saccharine kisses lain upon his ear? Does he loathe the softness of her thighs when she presses his head to his lap and miss them when he lies awake under an open sky?

Does she curse him when he's near and sob when he's far? Does her heart flutter when she sees the sun in his hair, as her mouth fills with bile vowing to drag him back down with her? Does she yearn to be Semele and Euryidice, wishing he would come fetch her and knowing bitterly it ends the same regardless?

Theseus and Ariadne, Dionysus both.

It's been often said that Zeus, Hades and Dionysus were all aspects of the same god.

In making that pact, are they, too?

What is marriage but a vow to merge 'til death do us part?

Do you want to become one with me?

Birth and Death are two sides of the same coin.

Do you want to become one with me?

In cheating it, have you cheated me?

Do you want to become one with me?

Hyrule's history tells of a King of Thieves,

Do

Did you mean to steal this, too?

you

All men are the same; you have no honour. Why must I suffer, for bearing you?

want

I love you; I love you so much; I want you even if it kills me.

to

And it does.

become

You're the moon to my water, the sun in my sky. There are 93 million miles between us, and yet we gain union via an eclipse.

one

I'm your little satellite, your angel, your Lucifer, your dutiful executioner and nightlight. I watch over your bed with fingers aching to dig themselves into your supple neck.

with

It's not fair! It's not fair! I have been nothing but honest with you. Why do you lie to me? Why do you feed me, then withdraw your hand when I try to lick it? Your taste is wonderful; I love you, I love you so much. If you asked me, I'd gobble you up. I have been nothing but good to you; why do you betray me?

m--

I could make you whole. I would give your my blood, my skin, my teeth and my bones. You could use me for spare parts and I'd thank you each time. Just cradle me on your lap; just offer me milk; offer me meat; offer me hair and offer me water.

You can have anything you've ever wanted,

If only you give yourself.

If you get anything, can I not have everything?

[scrimshawedserpent]

Alrighty, first thoughts on Metaphor Refantazio.

The demo is damn good. They gave us a really nice little chunk of the game. Spoilers to follow, since I'm talking about the whole thing and speculating.

Gut feeling first thoughts off the cuff, Strohl's VA understood the assignment, damn. Gonna be hard pressed to do an awakening cooler. Hope he doesn't outshine anyone else.

Rip Grius. Knew he was a dead man as soon as he didn't form a bond.

Would like the church guy to not be a fucker. “Evil church” is a little overdone in jrpgs these days. I could vibe with an actually chill priest with some shitty subordinates.

Just by existing, Louis draws Griffith parallels, and I hope that they actually knew that when creating him. He's got necromancer subordinates, so he definitely seems likely to be even more shady than just starting a coup.

Hulkenburg is interesting, but not necessarily the sort of character I go for. She is for someone though, since my partner is obviously feral for the “duty bound knight” trope.

Since we're not in persona land anymore, I truly hope we see some more permanent party divides as ideologies change. I can totally see Strohl deciding to go his own way, for example, and even supporting him in doing so.

Why does More have my name? That's not gonna come back in a wild reveal or anything. More is fun. Miss Igor. Miss fusion in general. Hope Archetype evolution is a good replacement.

Love synthesis attacks. Especially the one that triggers an extra turn pip if it kills. Love overworld passives that give mana on overworld kill.

Was sad to see health costs go, so yayyy, Brawler!

Multi target magic being pretty synthesis heavy is really neat.

Would really like Archetype switching out of combat without going to Akademia. Not in combat though, I like the limitation.

100000% sure the Prince is gonna be evil.

Loved the dragon optional boss. Give more of that.

Archetypes at the moment go Brawler > Mage > Healer > everybody else.

Why is everyone so racist to protagonist :(

Buttons are annoyingly mapped or at least interfering with p5 muscle memory.

But yeah anyway this game looks to be really good so far. Two weeks can't go fast enough. I'm gonna bootstrap this fandom by any means necessary, so my Metaphor people, hit me up.

[yepthatsacowalright]

"The crowning achievement in hypocrisy must go to those staunch Republicans and Democrats of the Midwest and West, who were given land by our government when they came here as immigrants from Europe. They were given education through the land grant colleges. They were provided with agricultural agents to keep them abreast of forming trends; they were granted low interest loans to aid in the mechanization of their farms. And now that they have succeeded in becoming successful, they are paid not to farm. And these are the same people that now say to black people, whose ancestors were brought to this country in chains and who were emancipated in 1863 without being given land to cultivate or bread to eat, that they must pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. What they truly advocate is Socialism for the rich, and Capitalism for the poor." "Arnold Toynbee has said that some twenty-six civilizations have risen upon the face of the Earth, almost all of them have descended into the junk heaps of destruction. The decline and fall of these civilizations, according to Toynbee, was not caused by external invasions but by internal decay. They failed to respond creatively to the challenges impinging upon them. If America does not respond creatively to the challenge to banish racism, some future historian will have to say that a great civilization died because it lacked the soul and commitment to make justice a reality for all men." "But our moral lag must be redeemed. When scientific power outruns moral power, we end up with guided missiles and misguided men. When we foolishly maximize the minimum and minimize the maximum, we sign the warrant for our own day of doom. It is this moral lag in our thing-oriented society that blinds us to the human reality around us and encourages us in the greed and exploitation which creates the sector of poverty in the midst of wealth. Again, we have diluted ourselves into believing the myth: that Capitalism grew and prospered out of the protestant ethic of hard work and sacrifice. The fact is that Capitalism was built on the exploitation and suffering of black slaves and continues to thrive on the exploitation of the poor – both black and white, both here and abroad." "No war in our nation’s history has ever been so violative of our conscience, our national interest and so destructive of our moral standing before the world. No enemy has ever been able to cause such damage to us as we inflict upon ourselves." "We are called to play the Good Samaritan on life’s roadside, but that will only be an initial act. One day the whole Jericho Road must be transformed so that men and women will not be beaten and robbed as they make their journey through life. True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It understands that an edifice which produces beggars, needs restructuring." - Martin Luther King Jr., The Three Evils of Society [x]

[clotheshorsepodcast]

Sometimes my form of self care is making fake stuff in Photoshop. And over the years I've found some relaxing good times while making fake books written by cats.

I always come back to creating imaginary books, probably because reading has always brought me so much comfort and joy. My superpower is speed reading and I swear I developed that skill by just devouring books as a good. During the summer, I would visit the town library (York Haven, PA, population 600) a few times a week with my little vintage suitcase (yard sale purchase by my grandma) and fill it with new books to read. Also, I just @#$%ing love the library so much.

I think I also like to make fake books because my greatest dream has always been to write a book of my own. I think a lot of what its title would be and it certainly has changed over time. I still lean towards "This is not a bootstrap story," but I also think "Let's do it a different way" would be good, too. Or maybe just "Just happy to be here."

What would your book title be?

[realinspirations]

"How to Build a Million-Dollar Business: Lessons from Successful Entrepreneurs"

Building a million-dollar business is an ambitious yet achievable goal, requiring a combination of strategic planning, execution, resilience, and adaptability. Below, I’ll outline a comprehensive guide that can help you turn your entrepreneurial vision into a reality.

How to develop a successful business plan for a million-dollar company"

Market Research:

Pain Points: What problems do human beings face in their each day lives, paintings, or pursuits?

Gaps inside the Market: Are there any unmet dreams or underserved niches?

Competitor Analysis: Who are your primary competition? What are their strengths and weaknesses? What are they NOT doing?

Value Proposition:

Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What makes your solution stand proud of the opposition? What is your "aspect"?

Customer Value: How does your product/service resolve a problem on your target audience? How does it improve their lives?

2. Validate Your Idea

Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Create a easy version of your product/issuer to check your assumptions. This may be a touchdown page, a prototype, or a limited initial imparting.   

Early Adopters: Seek out early adopters who're inclined to attempt your product/service and offer comments.

Data Collection: Track key metrics, along with website site visitors, purchaser acquisition value (CAC), and consumer lifetime fee (CLTV).

Customer Feedback: Actively solicit and pay attention to patron comments. What do they like? What may be improved?   

three. Build a Strong Foundation

Team Building: Assemble a talented and influenced group with complementary competencies.

Legal and Financial Structure: Choose the proper criminal form on your commercial business enterprise (e.G., sole proprietorship, LLC, business employer) and establish a sturdy economic foundation.

Operations: Develop green and scalable operations to deliver your product/issuer continuously and reliably.

4. Marketing and Sales Strategy

Target Audience: Define your ideal purchaser profile (ICP) in detail: demographics, hobbies, behaviors, ache factors.   

Marketing Channels:

Content Marketing: Create treasured and tasty content cloth (weblog posts, articles, videos, social media) to attract and educate your target marketplace.   

Search Engine Optimization (search engine optimization): Optimize your internet site and content to rank better in seek engine results.   

Social Media Marketing: Leverage social media structures to construct brand recognition, interact with customers, and run focused advertisements.   

Paid Advertising: Explore paid advertising alternatives together with Google Ads, social media commercials, and influencer advertising.

Sales Process:

Develop a clean and repeatable income manner.

Build sturdy purchaser relationships.

Provide remarkable customer support.

Five. Scale and Grow

Customer Acquisition: Continuously refine your customer acquisition strategies to build up new customers value-successfully.   

Customer Retention: Focus on retaining present clients through loyalty packages, personalised stories, and terrific customer service.

Product Development: Continuously innovate and beautify your product/provider primarily based on purchaser remarks and marketplace tendencies.

Funding: Explore investment options at the side of project capital, angel customers, and bootstrapping.

6. Key Strategies for Million-Dollar Success

Focus on Customer Value: Prioritize customer satisfaction and assemble lengthy-term relationships.   

Build a Strong Brand: Create a sturdy and recognizable emblem that resonates together together with your goal marketplace.

Embrace Technology: Leverage technology to automate strategies, enhance performance, and advantage a aggressive advantage.   

Build a High-Performing Team: Invest in your organization and create a high satisfactory and motivating art work surroundings.   

Adapt and Iterate: Be willing to conform to converting marketplace conditions and iterate in your enterprise model based totally on remarks and information.

7. Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Lack of Market Research: Jumping into a market with out thorough studies can result in high-priced mistakes.

Poor Execution: A terrific idea is best as appropriate as its execution.

Ignoring Customer Feedback: Failing to concentrate to consumer feedback can cause product/provider dissatisfaction and churn.   

Cash Flow Problems: Inadequate cash glide manipulate can fast cripple a enterprise.   

Overspending: Avoid vain costs and prioritize profitability.

Eight. Mindset and Persistence

Growth Mindset: Cultivate a boom mindset that embraces stressful conditions and sees setbacks as mastering possibilities.   

Persistence: Building a successful business takes effort and time. Don't surrender on your vision, even if confronted with obstacles.

Passion: Passion is essential for riding long-term success. Choose a industrial enterprise which you are absolutely captivated with.   

Continuous Learning: Stay informed approximately industry traits, exceptional practices, and new technology.

Nine. Examples of Million-Dollar Businesses

E-trade: Online shops like Amazon, Shopify, and Etsy.

Software as a Service (SaaS): Companies like Salesforce, Slack, and Zoom.   

Subscription Boxes: Companies like Blue Apron, Dollar Shave Club, and Stitch Fix.

Digital Marketing Agencies: Agencies that offer services along with seo, social media advertising and advertising and marketing, and content material material marketing.   

Online Education Platforms: Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Skillshare.

[nerdierholler]

So I feel like I've been a little harsh on one A du Mortain lately. Still not loving that end of book 3 thing they did. Bad idea. Not actually in the MCs best interest. HOWEVER, I can see some of the mental gymnastics going on here (especially with Adam and Ethan, YMMV).

They are starry eyed. Yes, yes they need to constantly remind the MC that they're a squishy slow healing human but the MC also set their heart aflame in a way no one ever has. They need the MC to be strong to survive what this line of work entails. Ideally both physically and mentally but, squishy human, so mentally will have to do. The MC has had so much going on and so far they seem to be doing okay (the books never really let the MC completely fall apart) so it's easy for A to project that or look for all those confirmation biases even when the MC isn't at their best. It's wish fulfillment that creates a blind spot for A.

They need to convince themselves they did the right thing. To some extent A believes, or tries to convince themselves, that emotions like those for the MC are a weakness or dangerous. Only bad things can happen if they go down that road. A knows they're hurting the MC but they hope that hurt is temporary. If the MC is strong, stronger than A, then they'll get over the rejection. They'll pull themselves up by the bootstraps, see things like A does, and they'll have a professional relationship that's not more dangerous than necessary in this line of work. Of course this isn't actually the case but A emotionally really needs the MC to have that strength so again there will be a confirmation bias, especially if the MC is trying to pretend everything is alright when it isn't.

In a nutshell, both before and after the end of book 3, A has blinders on. Either they're so enamored (while telling themselves that they aren't) with the MC that they don't see the cracks forming or, in order to make peace with their choice regarding not pursuing a relationship, A needs the MC to be ok in order for A to feel better about that decision.

I don't think either thing is intentional. I think it has more to do with A being in uncharted territory emotionally and trying to rationalize a way out of it where what they really need to do spend more time looking at and learning about their feelings.