everyphotohasastory

[zeta-in-de-walls]

Back in my Zeta appreciation hours lol. You'll probably be one of the only dsmp (analysis) blogs I'll follow because of how positive you try to be, and I have so much respect for you. I sometimes have the urge to post negative or discourse rambles, but I stop when I realize how shitty it just makes me feel afterwards. So props to you for remaining so positive even when the fandom is on fire hah.

Anyways, I love when Tommy turns off his persona (though don't get me wrong I love streamer mode too) and just talks. For all the screeching he does, he has a nice and calming voice. Podcast type beat shit. I was surprised when he was open about his anxiety and getting therapy. He's generally not a too open or "honest" person about this kind of stuff, at least as far as I can tell (somewhat also why I'm not his real name is Tom or Thomas but I digress).

Also, in general, I think it's nice thing to see content creators being open about their mental struggles and how they deal with that. I think so far, Wilbur, Techno to an extent, Dream, and now Tommy have been open about their mental health (I'm not aware of the rest but if they have, props to them too). I couldn't imagine openly telling hundreds of thousands of people on live that I have some mental issues that I'm dealing with, so I love when they're open about it, especially as a person with really bad anxiety and ADHD and depression and probably some other stuff. (Though it sucks when the fandom also latches on to this and either babies them or uses it as hate fuel. This fandom has a weird track record with mental health and 'holy shit what the fuck' takes to certain plots, cough cough exile arc why is there so much victim blaming and abuse apologism??)

So in the midst of all this, weirdly enough maybe, just coming on and sending asks to you is somewhat calming for me. I could just post this but I think this "one-sided" conversation is fun. This past week has been a shit storm for this fandom and yet we're still here. Gotta find the light in the dark I guess. (Side-note: you're never obligated to post these, as is the general consensus with asks, I just like rambling and speaking positively of you lmao.) Hope you stay well!

Hey, feel free to chat in my askbox anytime. I enjoy the interactions as well! Thanks!

Discourse can seem fun at the time. When drama's happening, people become intensely curious and want to know what's going on even if it doesn't involve them. Then once they've caught up on it, they want to give their own input and perspective on things. It's natural!

But it's ultimately draining. Each individual comment on the situation is small, reasonable. The intentions are good. But sheer quantity is overwhelming. There are misunderstandings and miscommunications and genuine negativity mixed in even if they're not the vast majority at all.

You're handing a glass of water to a man who's beginning to drown. You're reaching out a hand to give but only push them further down.

(Sorry that's based on a song lyric xD, and I couldn't not share it.)

Anyway, the fandom is fun and I do love it! I've read so many great posts, seen so much cool art, read some fun fanfiction, shared some thoughts and received nice interactions. The people trending negativity one day are the same people who trend positivity another day. It's all the same community and we should appreciate that, flaws and all. We're not perfect. We're not better and its pride to think otherwise. And its always been this way - people talk about last year Mcyt like it was better but honestly the drama was always there, it was just smaller, but we only remember the good bits.

Heh all that aside yeah, Tommy's a really cool person. I admire him trying to be open and genuine. He wouldn't talk about it and feel so stressed out if he didn't care. He seems to care a lot about being a responsible person and nurturing a good community while feeling like he's not ready to be a good role model as he's still learning and making mistakes and he's struggling to deal with that pressure. It's very cool that he shared all those concerns. I really enjoyed that stream!

Plus the fact that he's got an awareness of his own limits. He admitted that he's had therapy almost casually, recommending it as a good, useful thing to do which is honestly great. Therapy is rather stigmatised and it's not necessarily something you'd expect from someone who seems so confident. I remember there was some worry about if they'd show Tommy's character going to therapy in the Dream SMP whether he'd actually depict it well and do it justice. But now we know he's had firsthand experience and recommends it. (Obviously that doesn't mean they'd definitely portray it well but is so encouraging to know that Tommy at least takes it very seriously.)

Aah this turned into quite the ramble. xD Cheers again for the ask!

[mothtarts]

Time to rant about Eret cause I’m too hormonal and need something to calm down.

Eret (in my opinion) has had one of the most impressive arcs in the Dream smp. We’ve seen her evolve from one of the villains of the smp to a complex and caring friend. I’m going to split this into 3 sections based of the seasons on the smp. It's a huge bummer that he hasn't really done lore lately for reasons he's already discussed but I hope he knows we love her character. I didn't proof read this and it's a big mess of my thoughts from the past couple of months.

In season one Eret is very obviously painted as an antagonist too L’manburg. He betrayed them for power and created the iconic line “It was never meant to be.”

While he was at some level manipulated by Dream to join him, he still sided with Dream and betrayed L’manburg. He was driven by is need to have more.

He was admired and looked up too at L’manburg, but that wasn’t enough for him. He needed more power so he betrayed people who considered him family.

This puts a strain on his relationship with people on both sides and he was never able to fully repair the relationships.

We see him regretting this choice and wanting to reconnect with L’manburg, but they don’t trust him. Which they shouldn’t, even though Eret regrets his actions and was manipulated by Dream he traumatized everyone from L’manburg, and was the trigger that caused Wilbur’s mental health to spiral.

We see her learning that he is trapped as king of the smp. Dream threatened and taunted her multiple times during the season. Dream made sure that Eret knew that he had no real power and everything he did was for nothing.

He starts working on the museum during the Manburg arc. He is preserving the history of L’manburg and the e server in general during a time were the people in power wanted to destroy history.

It’s obvious that’s he’s trying to make up for what he did too L’manburg. He’s also helping Niki who was trapped and being heavily taxed my Schlatt.

He has his crown taken by Dream which is the last nail in the coffin to show that he was worthless in his eyes and being the king of the Dream SMP was just a meaningless title.

He tries to ally with the Pogtopia gang and they begrudgingly allow him to tag along after they get all of their armor from Techno. They still do not trust him but it's obvious that he wants to make amends.

It is important too note that Eret took a break during season 2, but he had some great development during the time. He works on the museum and is given his crown back.

He tries to bond with Fundy and succeeds. They form a parent/son relationship and is finally making strides to redemption. He tries to adopt Funny bit doesn't show up to actual forms being signed.

In real life Eret was busy but I like to view it as c!Eret's guilt coming back in full force for what he did to Will and the entire L'manburg crew. He doesn't thing he should be this close to the son of the person he's earned the most.

Eret was with Tommy in the beginning of the Doomsday war and helped him with supplies. It's obvious he cares a lot for the ex citizens of L'manburg and wants to help Tommy.

A very under-rated part of this era is when Techno, Phil and Eret tried to revive Wil. I won't discuss the other two's motives but Eret wanted to revive Wilbur because no one else is like him.

He believed Wilbur could inspire anyone and would be able to unite his kingdom in disarray. Since he is a king and a person with power Techno and Phil forced him to leave. (which is fair and I agree with them low-key.)

Eret takes a break from the smp and comes back to his already poorly cared for kingdom in almost complete ruin. He tries to enforce taxes but it doesn't work and learns about the egg.

He meets with Puffy and ally's with her fight against the egg. Possibly as a way to redeem himself with his past mistakes of allying with dream.

He has a chat with Foolish and it is confirmed he is immortal, or lived a long time, but somehow lost him memory.

Eret goes to the Red Banquet and is confronted with suppressed memories of the button room. Seeing Foolish executed in front of her to save her life brought back memories of betraying L'Manburg and allowing them to be killed by Dream and his ally's.

He's tried to redeem himself so much only for the sake mistakes to be repeated again.

Most recently he saved Eret from George and people wrapped up in his antics(no hate I love him too much) He takes him in a boat and saves his life. He cares so much for Tubbo and by extension Micheal. They fought a war together and wants to try to heal their damaged relationship.

I am tired and hope the 2 people who read this enjoyed my shitty rambling. I reaaaaly like c!Eret and think they are a wonderful character. Obvious these are my opinions and you are entitled to your own. I just have some thoughts. I hope Eret does more on the smp and knows she has a shit ton of fans who love her content.

[innittowinit]

Can we agree that duels are dumb and immature? (CH. 2)

chapt. 1 

AO3 LINK

Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence

Language: English

Word count (including previous chapter): 3701

Summary:

Tubbo is still with Manburg and never became a spy He never wanted to be the villain, so why is he dueling his best friend?

“Is - there - anything - you’re - good - for!” The dictator punctuated his words by sharp kicks to the gut, his black steel-toed dress shoes making the perfect tool for the job; he always bought the pointed style, ‘they looked smarter’ he’d say, but right now it’s job was just to focus all the man's strength into his kicks.

“Y’know if you weren’t so smart I would have kicked you out along with those runts a long time ago. The only reason you aren’t out there, starving and foraging is because i wanted to help you!” Another kick was directed at him, this time it was his ribs. Poor Tubbo could already feel the bruise forming along his bone. “I help you! And this is the thanks I get! I give you a job! Provide you with food!..and you help the enemy. I’m disappointed in you Tubbo”

Schlatt crouched down, one knee on the floor as he watched the boy cower, too weak from both the duel and his beating to even raise a finger in protest. He knew he couldn't run, he was trapped. “Don’t you dare go against orders again. You hear that kid? This is my nation now, not your little playground”

A breath hitched in Tubbo’s throat at that; he was right. He had no power anymore. No matter how long he stayed, no matter how much he sucked up to JSchlatt, he would never rise in power, in the dictator’s eye’s he would always be a pawn, a disposable soldier in his game of chess. How could he have been so blind? Of course he should have left with Tommy, this was horrible, living here was horrible. He’d rather scamper around for food than live under the iron fist of their current ruler. He should have known he’d never be able to take him down from the inside.

The horned man grabbed forcefully at the back of Tubbo's hair, claw-like nails digging in to have a firm enough grasp, before slamming his head down against the cold, stone floor, built by none other than Fundy. A thin trickle of blood seeped down his forehead, only noticed once Tubbo had put his hand up to hold his pounding head and found it covered in blood, but there was no cracking noise. He wasn’t sure if he was lucky or unlucky for that, he’d love to pass out right now and just miss the pain of his torture but knowing Schlatt he’d find a way to make it worse for him once he had woken up.

It hurt. A lot.

Over all the wars he had taken part in, Tubbo had built up a pretty high pain tolerance, he’d been shot by dream countless times, stabbed by George, even his own teammates had unknowingly hurt him before. Nothing had ever felt like this though, he wasn’t sure what was hurting because he had been kicked and hit and what was hurting from the absolute anguish he was feeling mentally. Eyes wide and terrified, he watched Schlatt stand up, he seemed so confident in himself, despite the fact that Tubbo had absolutely no idea what he was planning, which is what scared him even more. He watched as he walked gracefully towards the door, locking the door behind him and leaving the boy in darkness.

To say he was stunned would be an understatement. He was so scared, so confused, was it safe to try an escape? He had to try. He didn’t know if he’d be welcomed into Pogtopia, he didn't even know where it was, but that seemed like the only option at the minute. He needed his friends. With aching, unsteady hands he pushed himself to sit up, getting lightheaded already as the cut in his scalp started to throb more significantly. Grabbing onto a desk, he dragged himself to his feet and was suddenly very unsure on whether he could even make it to the door, let alone find his friends. Apparently Eret and Bad had been to their base before, despite all their disagreements in the past, he trusted Eret a lot more than he trusted Bad. Bad had been on Dream’s side in the war the entire time, at least Eret had been with them a little, and now he was trying to prove he was trustworthy again! Tubbo needed to find him, he needed to find him and get directions to Pogtopia.

That was much easier said than done, unfortunately. Upon standing his head felt fair more dizzy, his vision was static and his knees felt like the bones had been pulled right out from them, Not to mention the way his stomach churned from all the kicks he had endured. He felt as though he might vomit.

Before daring to take a step, he took a deep breath, feeling his bruised rib shift inside of him from the sudden expansion in his lungs. ‘Well fuck’ he thought to himself ‘fuck fuck fuck’ What he absolutely didn't need right now was to have a broken rib, he had absolutely no potions on him and unless he wanted to damage his lungs too, he knew he’d have to stray away from taking big gulps of air, which meant he couldn’t exactly run.

Not like he could have anyways.

An arm gingerly cradles his side, wanting to provide support for his damaged bone without pressing too hard and causing more damage than before. One foot in front of the other, that’s what he tells himself, as he desperately tries to walk across the room. The pain is unbearable and with each step his vision grows more and more fuzzy. He needs to sit down, he needs a break but he knows he won't be able to get back up again if he lets himself have it. Stopping for a second, he grasps at the wall for balance, taking in deep breaths as he tries to level his head again, only to regret it when a hot pain explodes in his chest, causing him to grasp at it in agony as tears slipped out of his eyes.

So much pain. He’d be safe once he got to Eret, Eret would help him.

The boy's thoughts were cut off however by Schlatt returning, this time clad in netherite armour with an enchanted diamond sword in his right hand. After him followed George and Quackity, both holding iron axes.

Spirit crushed, Tubbo sank down to his knees, any hope of escape fleeting at the sight of the men in front of him. Schlatt crouched down in front of him for the second time that day, making a loud stomp on the cold stone flooring to get Tubbo’s attention, and when that didn’t work, he grabbed his jaw and forcefully pulled his head up to make eye contact with him.

Tubbo didn’t want Schlatt to see just how broken he had made him. He didn't want to give him the satisfaction of it.

Schlatt lifted the sword, but not as though it would strike down, no, rather he lined it up with Tubbo’s neck, positioning it perfectly and intricately. There was no denying that if he dared move a muscle there would be a large gash where the sword once was.

“Now kid,” A bitter laugh echoed around the dark room, was it day or night? He couldn't tell. The duel had been in the morning but he had no idea how long he’d been left in this damp room. “You know that here in Manburg we don’t exactly like traitors, in fact if you weren't so precious in your skills we’d have kicked you out months ago. You know that. But here’s the thing, Tubbo. We can’t have you running around, being best friends with the enemy. Really this punishment is for your own good, You’re just a kid, we know that. So we’re here to ‘teach’ you how to be a better worker”

The sword pulled away, just far enough for him to be able to nod without cutting himself, before pressing back up against his neck, keeping him from even daring to move. He didn’t want to find out what enchantments were on it, he was already dangerously low on health.

“Good boy.” The ram sneered, glancing back at George and Quackity for a second, mumbling instructions to them. Fight or flight responses kicking in, Tubbo started to kick his legs, the only part of himself that hadn't been damaged yet. He was scared of the sword but he knew he needed to pick up a fight. He kicked Schlatt square in the chest, the man tumbling back because of his height. Taking his only chance so far, he scampered towards the door, only to be yanked back by the arm by George. Yelping out in immense pain his spare hand went back to cradle his ribs, agony coursing through his body at the violent disruption to the already hurt body part.

Whoever was last in, Tubbo hadn’t been paying attention to that while he hurt so badly, had forgotten to lock the door apparently, not like Tubbo had noticed that either. His mind was so clouded he had absolutely been ready to just pound at the door. However, the constant yelling must have attracted someone because there, standing in the doorway, was Eret.

Maybe it was because he had been anticipating getting to him for so long but as he watched the man in the doorway, the sun seemed to glimmer off his crown in a way that made him look like an angel.

“Oh my god” He rushed inside, crouching down next to tubbo, picking him up onto his back.

“Our friend Tubbo here had a run in with some mobs, Isn’t that right, Kid?” The patronising tone making it evident that Schlatt would never see him as an equal.

He gave a weak nod, knowing the only way to get out now would be to play along. He wasn’t stupid, he knew how Schlatt worked.

“Kid trapped himself in here without any torches! Can you believe that?” He slapped Eret on the shoulder, far too hard for it to be friendly “We had just finished fighting them off when you arrived”

Eret gave a slow nod, feeling Tubbo curl up against his back, keeping a tight hold on him as he had noticed he was only holding on with one arm.

“Best thing to do might be to put him to bed, we can trust you with that job right Eret?” Another nod “I think he’s learnt his lesson now anyway, by the looks of those injuries he won't be making any mistakes like that ever again” And with that, Tubbos blood ran cold. He knew all too well that that wasn’t about his little made up story anymore. He knew it wasn’t a ploy to keep Eret under their control either.

It was directed at him. It was directed at him and it was a threat about what would happen if he ever dared to disobey orders again.