#fallacy of devotion

[jttwlmkaddiction]

Not LMK related, but sometimes I’m gonna have non lmk stuff. Inspired by tho…absolutely!

[nexuschampion]

Inevitable

"Mr. Hamato, thank you for your time. We want to be clear that this is an unofficial visit, off the record, we would just like to get an idea of your experiences."

Mikey smirked. "Yeah, sure. Earth Protection Force not doing so well these days?"

"That agency has been disbanded as we have adequate plans for multiple potential scenarios regarding alien transgressions. We just have a series of questions to help us gauge the security of not only our country but the world."

"No pressure" he chuckled. "Trust me though, anything I might know that you don't, I won't be able to elaborate."

"Are you aware of alien civilizations?"

"You were around when the Triceriton thing happened yeah? I think that speaks for itself."

"Are there others?"

"Of course there are. You think the only intelligent life forms are humans and a literal dinosaur species?"

"Are there any you can specify?"

"You mean are there any that are a threat to Earth? Sure, plenty coud take us out, but Earth isn't exactly a target destination so I really doubt we have to worry about it."

"The Triceritons disagreed."

"The Triceritons had Earthly origins."

"What about multiple dimensions? There are theories that there are layers of alternate realities."

"Closest I've gotten is a really wild dream where my father was a villain and I had to take him down. Sorry."

"Have you been in contact with any foreign entities on this planet that might be a threat?"

"What, like other mutants? Spies from other countries? My life isn't that exciting. The only people who aren't regular humans I have regular contact with is my own family and friends."

"Would you be willing to share information if you happened to come across it?"

"This is sounding a lot more like recruitment than a friendly chat. Look, if there is an immanent threat I would weigh my options. I'm not taking sides or any of that shit. I'm just one guy."

"One guy with very unique skills and" the man looked him up and down. "One guy with unique skills and physical opportunities. We can make you a citizen, if that's something you would like. Give you a pension in exchange for those skills."

Mikey paused at that. "I don't really like the idea of opening up the pandora's box of being a recognized person. I'm good. "

"We'd just like you make you aware that there are options. We do have a lot to offer, in exchange for favors."

"Mmm okay. Although we both know I'm capable, I'm not an assassin, I'm not a soldier, and I'm not for sale. I do what I know is right for the people right in front of me. That's all."

The man, dressed formally, suit and all, nodded. "You could be doing a lot more for your country. We'd just like to ask you to keep us informed if you become aware of anything regarding national or worldwide security, and we would like to do the same for you."

"Alright." He shrugged. "You get wind of an end of the world thing you let me know and I'm happy to help. And I'll let you know if I hear anything. We good?"

"I believe we're good Mr. Hamato. We look forward to any correspondence. Call this number at any time for any reason."

"Like a late night pizza service? Nice!"

The man stood and looked at him with zero humor. "Have a nice day sir."

"Yeah. Yeah, um, you too."

@accioturtur

[wizardnuke]

MATTHEW TELL ME LORE ABOUT THE LUXON BEACONS WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THOSE THANGS. WHAT DOES ESSEK KNOW

[beirarowling]

It's very amusing when these little totalitarians accuse J.K. Rowling of weak worldbuilding and misogyny. Their arguments only expose their own ridiculous biases and dismal reading comprehension. When you attempt to call them out on their lies, they become irate, curse at you, and block you because the discussion isn't going their way. J.K. Rowling has given us so many incredibly strongly written, compelling, and multifaceted female characters; but they are convinced she is an antifeminist because she is unafraid to say that rapists don't belong in women's prisons.

[glassrunner]

been replaying pretty much all of elden ring so i could show my partner the dlc and i think what gets me so much about the SOTE npcs is that, if you’re someone who wants to help as many npcs as possible, the narrative effectively punishes you for it

i got really attached to moore and didn’t want him to be sad forever so i convinced him to continue on and keep his chin up. i aided freyja in her confusion and persuaded her to ride on into battle, living up to her redmane glory. the story is a little different with thiollier and ansbach, but they stuck to their convictions just as the rest of miquella’s followers did with my help.

and the end result was death. such is the price of blind devotion and the desperation to escape the pain of uncertainty.

[within-ur-intro-verse]

Favorite IvanTill Fics

Complete

Canon Verse

time flies, leaves us behind by OMGTHEFEEL; Rated: T, 1,419 words; Till dies instead of Ivan and how Ivan has to live in a world where his star burnt out.

the rhythm of your faint heartbeat by sybssite; Rated: G, 1,840 words: Ivan Lives AU

Consume Me by FallLover; Rated: E, 7,362 words; Ivan Lives AU

find me; by justbekind; Rated: T, 4,128 words; Ivan Lives AU - Ivan survives Round 6 but he's not "Ivan" anymore. Till must find the cause and fix this.

Fallacious by Wisterial_exe; Rated: G, 5,151 words; Ivan Lives AU - Luka tries to use Mizi against Till in Round 7. It's not very effective.

The Silent Calm Rage by JueShi_QingHua; Rated: T, 1,700 words; Arsonist Till take revenge on the aliens in Round 7 for Ivan's death.

In Your Gaze Where I'm Seen by Cesear; Unrated, 50,517 words; Ivan Lives AU

holding hands isnt enough, i need to buy handcuffs by Dawn_007; Rated: M, 5,826 words; Yandere Ivan - Ivan is willing to use any means to protect Till.

Relapse by kuroko99; Rated: E, 11,097 words; Ivan Lives AU

you can break me apart by I_chew_icecreams; Rated: T, 6,297 words; Ivan has had Till's attention from the beginning.

 It tears through my head, does it haunt you too by Fandomqueen1124; Series (2 Complete Stories) Rated: T, 14,641 words; Ivan Lives AU

The People By The Corner by JueShi_QingHua; Rated: T, 1,419 words; Till can see dead people.

your gaze (a singular act) by fableowilba_booksandanime; Rated: M, 5,145 words; 4 moments of Ivan loving Till like his god’s most devoted believer, and 1 moment of Till loving him back.

It's Not Love by kuroko99; Rated: G, 1,754 words; Till writes the song for Round 6 and Ivan's reaction to it.

Eyes Like The Night Sky; Glowing In Hues Of The Meteors by 889075534; Rated: T, 4,876 words; Mutal Pining from the Beginning IvanTill

Alternate Universe

First live by akitsukun; Rated: G, 6,736 words; Modern AU - Social Media fic; Idol Ivan is a huge fan of Streamer Till.

No, this isn't a "Y/N" moment. by sybssite; Rated: G, 38,940 words; Modern/Reincarnation AU - Social Media fic, Idol Ivan and Fan Till who remembers their previous life together

I grew a garden within the rot by Dawn_007; Rated: M, 5,029 words; Modern AU/Hanahaki Disease AU - Till tries to force himself to have romantic feelings for Ivan to save him for Hanahaki disease. He is unsuccessful.

a treatise on wingmanning a suicidal yearner by yamscooper; Rated: T, 6,763 words; Modern/College AU with Magical Creatures, MiziSua & IvanTill - Siren Sua & Selkie Ivan

Coffee Flavored Kisses by Silrain; Rated: T, 1,018 words; Modern AU - Cafe fic

Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb, Dumb by erisky; Unrated, words; Actor AU - Ivan tries to drop hints to let Till know he like him. It doesn't work.

kiss me; by justbekind; Rated: T, 8,746 words; Actor AU

brevity is the soul of wit? fuck you then by carlyle (c_a_e_l_a); Modern/College AU - Ivan and Till are both fanfic writers.

break a heart, stitch it right back by yamscooper; Rated: T, 2,749 words; Modern/College AU - Ivan is laughing with someone else and Till is jealous.

read my soul (yes, my soul) by sambal_ij0; Rated: T, 6,585 words; Actor AU

Across the Universe by mochi_star; Rated: T, 5,244 words; Modern/Reincarnation AU; IvanTill reincarnates, meet again, and eventually remember their previous life together

no homo, but in sickness and health by yamscooper; Rated: T, 6,340 words; Modern/College AU; Ivan is sick and Till (begrudgingly) takes care of him.

Lost in Translation by eekinn; Rated: T, 114,719 words; Modern/Celebrity AU - Road Trip Fic. Actor Till and Translator/Writer Ivan

Caution: Hot Liquid Inside by erisky; Rated: T, 4,394 words; Modern AU - Cafe fic. A visiting manager asks Till if he's being harassed by his co-worker Ivan. He has no idea what she's talking about.

Ongoing

Canon Verse

you are more than just a dream. by eriii_lian; Rated: G; Ivan Lives AU

cure (in your gaze, i am seen) by autisticthan, ivanstills (autisticthan); Rated: Unrated; Ivan Lives AU

Learning How The Heart Aches by starsnsoul; Rated: G; Time Loop - Till is struck repeating Round 6 trying to save Ivan. It's harder than it sounds.

Lord, Give Me One More Chance by veevinowrites, whizzinpast (veevinowrites); Rated: M; Till dealing with the aftermath of Round 6, Ivan Lives AU

As The Sky Fall (Let It Crumble) by JueShi_QingHua; Rated: G; Alien Till AU

The other side of the coin by Thehiddensanctuary; Rated: T; IvanTill escapes before Round 6 begins

a prayer, from one shattered universe to the next. by Suisen (Sui_cchi); Rated: M; IvanTill escape together as children

i wouldn't mind by xynzel; Rated: G; Ivan Lives AU

I'll Hold on to You by ScarletRigmor; Rated: T; Till is the first contestant rescued by the Rebels.

To the Me That Haunts You by FallinginBoysLove; Unrated; Till travels back in time and tries to save everyone he cares about.

Falling Stars by Pr0cyOn_lotor; Rated: T; Ivan stays behind after heling Till, Mizi, and Sua escape Anakt Garden.

Alternate Universe

the issue with falling in love with your bandmate by diastrophic; Rated: T, Modern AU - Social Media fic; all the cast are part of the ALNST music group and IvanTill are PR disasters

1VAN by lilluo; Rated: M; College AU with Aliens & Androids - Human college student Till and Android Ivan

cherry boy pride by yamscooper; Rated: T; Modern/College AU - Childhood Friends, Till may have never kissed anyone before but he's determined to prove he's not bad at it

love bites by fromtokyo; Rated: T; Modern/College AU with Mythical Creatures; Ivan is both a vampire and in love with his roommate Till. Till knows neither of these facts.

you taste the silver by Kyirah; Rated: T; Modern AU - Actor Ivan & Streamer Till.

Please Just Confess by sisilim; Rated: M; Modern AU - Time Travel fic. Till's husband dies in a plane crash. He wakes up and realizes he's been sent back in time to the beginning of their arranged marriage. He's going to do things differently this time.

So I Crave, Crave to do it again by Berries20; Rated: T; Modern/High School AU - High School Till has dreams of his previous life.

[charlesoberonn]

Being an atheist doesn't make you immune to being recruited by a cult.

For one, there're plenty of non-religious cults. Political cults, economic cults, cults based around a lifestyle. Even fandoms or hobbies.

Secondly, cults have a nasty habit of changing your beliefs once you're in them. They exploit psychological weaknesses in the human mind to make you believe things you wouldn't have otherwise, unquestionably.

If you have half an hour to spare please watch this video about how adults can get indoctrinated

To summarize it: Cults and other manipulative groups and ideologies will often target you when you're vulnerable, such as during a time of change and uncertainty in life. They'll use emotional and social pressures to overpower your critical thinking skills, or take advantage of logical fallacies to bypass it. And they'll exploit the human need for consistency in our thoughts to make you change or discard existing beliefs to fit with the new beliefs, regardless of how true or reasonable they are.

I'm making this post to not make you feel helpless, but the exact opposite. Knowledge about how cults take advantage of you, and understanding that you're not immune to them, is the first step towards taking proactive steps to protect yourself from such group.

Also, cults and controlling groups and ideologies don't come in just many types but many levels of intensity. You don't have to he living on a compound after having devoted your life to the group in a special ceremony to be influenced unduly by one such group. It's important to every once in a while take a step back and examine what you believe and see if it'd reasonable and genuine or something you're clinging onto for unjustified reasons.

[ineylesian]

— INHERITENLY UNJUST DESTINY

AVENTURINE X READER

AO3 | NAVIGATION

WORD COUNT — 900

WARNINGS — slight 2.1 spoilers, lowk angst, word vomit about aventurine’s lack of self esteem, sappy unconditional positive regard, handsy aven bc he’s touch starved, preesetablished relationship

SUMMARY — aventurine does not understand the twist of fate that allows him to stand beside you.

AUTHOR’S NOTE — the lack of official aventurine art is making me gnaw at the bars of my enclosure, sloppy headers for now!!

Aventurine isn’t sure how to feel. 

The low hues of noon cast a gentle light upon his gloves, giving light to the sea of shattered stones that lie in his grasp. A sea of dazzling green, torn and fragmented beyond repair.

He’s sure he sees it now, a reflection of the wildly wretched life he’s lived sitting in the palms of his hands. The remnants of the only control he’s managed to retain in his life frail as dust in the winds. SIlent he remains, still as a pound dog that has had its bone ripped away from it. 

It isn’t until he feels the ghost of your hands along his own that Aventurine realizes his heart is racing. You spin him to face you, and his heart lurches at the worry that etches itself upon your features. He fights with narratives in his head that play games of fallacies, yet the scorch of his devotion to you leaves his tongue tied.

Facades are a game that come like second nature to Aventurine, but he swears he will not do to you what he deems business in his schemes. Instead, he pulls at what little honesty remains in the depths of his heart and his breath shutters. 

“Guess I’m back to where I was five years ago.”

The words come out quiet, too soft for his nature and simply small. It’s a confession that makes him wonder how many other pieces of his life will break apart until the whole is severed. There’s a fear that lingers within, bubbling to the surface as he attempts to withdraw from your hold.

Aventurine does not believe that his life holds any meaning with or without the cornerstone. Yet, that title made him seem as if he truly meant something, and without it, what little reign he held over his life disappeared. 

He believes you deserve fire, yet he is no more than an ember flickering on a stoked match. He cannot burn in flames bright enough to keep you.

Silently, he awaits your scold, the reprimand that deems him as worthless as he believes himself to be. A reminder that it was all but a stroke of luck that brought you to him, a trial that has run out as you see him for who he truly is, barren and scared.

His hands shake as you guide them to pour his shattered stone into the box at his feet. Shock etches itself upon his features, and he looks to you with nothing but raw, unparalleled fear as you speak. 

“You will always be the same to me.”

Aventurine does not understand the twist of fate that allows him to stand beside you. Single handedly, you vowed to peer into the wasteland that was his soul, and devoted yourself to his inherently unjust destiny. And, even as his life’s worth is ripped away from him, you love him unchanged.

An insatiable want carves at his soul like a day yearns for night, and Aventurine knows no other place to put his hands but around you in embrace. His hold is tight, as if he imagines that you will fade away if he abandons it. Yet, the weave of your fingers through his hair is enough to tell him that you’re no illusion, a sensation that will cease to disappear as long as he lives.

“Let me see you, Aven.”

Your words flow as lost prayers on the horizon do, and Aventurine retracts his grasp on you, allowing his knees to bring him to the ground. Your hands, gentle as streambeds in the spring, cup his face, running over spilt tears from keeled eyelashes. Instinctively, his hands latch onto your wrists, desperately chasing after your warmth and attempting to sear it into his skin.

Aventurine outwardly sighs as you run your fingers along his jaw, stopping to tuck a stray wisp of hair behind his ear. Although your gaze rocks with the deepest seas of adoration, the child deep within his heart beckons him to gamble with his luck once again. A risk that trails the faint quiver of his lips, as he would utter no such words to any other being in the entire cosmos.

“Will you kiss me?”

Wordlessly, you nod, and Aventurine closes his eyes. The soft touch of your lips quells the troubles that brew within, igniting fire against endless water. His hands fall to his lap, melting in the passion of your touch, and his heart craves to continue beating as if you are the oxygen that fills his lungs. 

He refuses to leave you until there is no air left for him to breathe. Gasping for the vitality of you that runs rampant through his veins, Aventurine tilts his head upward, and your heart flutters at the gentle smile that greets your gaze. Brilliant hues of purple and blue shimmer amidst the night, and his hold on you returns, hands moving to interlock themselves with your own. It’s the same gesture that holds you in the deep of dusk, never waning as lost prayers to the universe whisper behind closed doors. 

The words that follow are never far from you, spinning like soft woven silk that rests in your dreams when he’s away. Your eyes shut as he presses his lips to the corner of your mouth, spreading warmth to your cheeks that subdue the chills of frosted wind. In yearn, you wait, reveling in the soft fan of his breath over your skin.

“I love you.”

[cambion-companion]

Love

Amidst filling the lovely requests I received from you all in my inbox I wanted to write this concept I have been thinking of for days now. Loving a cambion. Actually falling in love with Raphael and how that would be received by him.

Raphael x reader | scenario snippets | tried to write like poetry of sorts | OH and there's SMUT so 18+ pls

"I love you."

It was a whisper. Your silent prayer.

The devil heard. He raised his head, the contract he was drafting momentarily forgotten.

Raphael smiled archly and chuckled darkly. "Then you are more foolish than I gave you credit for."

He slid the parchment over to your side of the table. "Sign your name upon this page. Prove your undying devotion to me."

Raphael's lips twisted into a mocking smirk; his eyebrow raised in an unspoken challenge.

A challenge you took. A trap you willingly sprung.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"I love you."

"I demanded the truth." Raphael's hand grasped the nape of your neck, bending it back until you feared he would rip out your exposed throat. "Not more of your insipid nonsense."

"I gave you the truth, as I always have." Your voice was strong, as was your character. A trait often lacking in warlocks sworn to a devil. "You asked for my candor, and I have laid myself bare."

Raphael laughed, harsh and humorless. "You have not even begun to bare yourself before me." His hand yanked your head back a little more. "An oversight I will now rectify. Then perhaps you will speak no more of love and other mortal fallacies."

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"I love you."

The words left your trembling lips, pulled from you just as Raphael pulled another orgasm from your coiled body. Your limbs shook and he silenced your squeal of anguished pleasure as you stammered for words. His face pulled away just enough to see your dazed expression, he remained seated deep within you. "Hush, pet." He shook his head, chiding but not cruel. "Do not give voice to such impotent thoughts."

Your mind a red haze, you nodded in agreement, eager only for the friction and heat he provided.

Raphael took, but he always gave in return.

───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────

"I love-"

Raphael silenced you with a fierce kiss, and pressed a finger to your mouth to keep you quiet after he pulled away. "I deal in contracts and vices, my dear." He shakes his head, those long fingers trailing down the side of your neck, tracing your body. "Never has 'love' held any sway with me."

You open your mouth to protest but he kisses the words away yet again before taking your chin and leveling a quelling gaze at you. "Worship me, fear me, and admit you are mine." His nails pierced your skin before withdrawing, the sting of his touch remaining. "Leave such folly at the door."

You bit your tongue. The concept of loving was too foreign for a creature never before embraced by it. Yet, you would love him still, in whatever ways he allowed.

[slothelephant]

So there’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. You know the whole “They were roommates.” “Oh my god, they were roommates!” thing. I think it’s wonderful and I love seeing people recontextualize history and find queer stories to connect with throughout time and it feels so beautiful to see historical figures finally receive recognition and acceptance for their loves and identities even after their death. Every now and again I find myself a bit sad after reading or watching another breakdown of some historical ‘best friendship’ and I just recently realized why that is.

When I was growing up, before I knew about asexuality or aromanticism and long before I realized I am aro/ace, my favorite love stories in old fiction or in historical recountings were of the lifelong bosom buddies, the men and women who were so utterly devoted to their best friend that they were inseparable. The knights or squires who were so devoted to their lords that they spoke openly of their adoration and would follow them into doomed battle and willingly lay their lives down for them. The handmaidens that voluntarily followed their ladies into exile because they had this pure love for them.

As much as I recognize the importance and beauty of acknowledging that those stories were coded to reframe queer relationships into a socially acceptable context, it feels like a bit of a loss to me. It feels like I bought into this ridiculous fallacy because that’s the kind of love I could see for myself. That’s what I wanted to experience. A queer platonic relationship that is not romantic, not sexual, but a deep and committed love nonetheless.

I feel like as an aroace person who doesn’t want kids, loving deeply is still one of my strongest personal traits. I have such a vast ocean of love in me that it spills into every relationship I have and I felt like I could recognize myself in stories of people who loved so strongly that they devoted their lives to their best friend and losing that makes me feel a bit more alone and adrift in that ocean of love, feeling more alienated like I’m missing a crucial part of the human experience.

[nexuschampion]

Just another day

@accioturtur

"Three Valentine's Days in. Not bad for a relationship that began at superspeed based on mutual murderous professions, hidden from everyone until it wasn't, interspecies at best, and by far the best thing to have ever happened to me."

"Happy Valentine's Day Mikey" she answered with a smile that brighted his entire day.

"Do you know that you mean more to mean than my entire comic book collection? More than my babies?"

"I'm sure your nunchucku are very offended" she laughed as he kissed her neck lovingly. "But yes, I know."

"I can't wait to go out. First time out in the world on the most romantic day of the year with my wifey? Best time ever."

"Everyday with you is the most romantic day of the year baby" Shadow was milling about the desk, piling various papers into piles to keep everything organized.

"You wound me. Today will be extra heavy on romance!!"

"Hmm. What have you got planned?"

"Dinner."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?"

"It's a lonely table, off in the back where we can be alone."

"Are you sure? Laying low has been working wonders for you."

"I'm sure. Going out to dinner with you on Valentine's has been one of the highlights of this whole thing. I literally woke up in the hospital after it was all said and done and thought, Ah ha! Finally we can go out on a proper Valentine's Day date!"

"I see you have your priorities straight."

"Always. I even know a spot nearby where we can have a quickie if you want."

"It's a too cold for a quickie!"

"I didn't say it was outside!"

"We don't have to do anything Mikey, I promise I don't mind. I just want you to be all right."

"Again with the wounding. This is the day of love, my love! As soon as you're ready we're going out for a day of good times only."

********************

The table was indeed lonely and quiet, which suited them both perfectly. He coudn't even see anyone else and it allowed him to snuggle up to her affectionately without distraction and she was free to do the same.

They were there for at least an hour, lingering with conversation that never seemed to run out or get old. After a few glasses of wine and a delightful three course meal they burst out laughing over the the fact that they would definitely rather be doing something else.

"Well we checked this box. Not nearly as great as I thought it would be but I had a damn nice time." He giggled.

"It was really nice Mikey" she laughed. "It's not exactly the center of the multiverse or any of the other wild things you've taken me to do but it was fun."

"I have fun every minute I'm with you."

"You are literally always with me Mikey."

"And I'm always having fun. Do you want to…" He was interrupted by his phone buzzing in his pocket. He'd ignored it a few times, but when it rang for a 5th time within a couple of minutes he decided to check. He pulled it out and put it on speaker.

"Mikey. Shit about time! There is something really wrong here. One of them things, at least one, I think is headin' topside."

"Where?" Shadow asked.

"Still at dinner? We lost it not too far from there, a few blocks north. I think. Too big to get through a manhole but fuck it can probably just break through the damn street."

"A'ight. We're on it bro."

"That's not all Mike" Leo took the phone. "Something else is going on. Renoir and Donnie are acting strange. This isn't good. I'm going to go back and check on them. Raph will meet you topside. Call Casey. I'm calling in the Foot. I think we're going to need everyone."

Mikey hung up and stood, Shadow right behind him. He waited next to the table and grinned at her. "Maybe this is more like it. Care to do the honors?" He held out his arms.

It was hard to not simply run out the door, but dammit, it was Valentine's. Shadow reached up to unbutton his collar, then the rest of his shirt. There was always a few seconds to undress him, and it still felt like an hour's worth of foreplay. Once he was sufficiently undressed, a telltale sign to the public that there was trouble afoot, he kissed her. "I'll see you on the other side."

She took his clothes and set them on the seat of their table. "I don't like it when you say it that way."

"I'll see you when I get home from work?"

"I'll see you after you kick that things ass."

He tucked his phone into his belt, winked at her, and sprinted out of the restaurant. Shadow followed suit, starting that process of instructing people what to do and where to go in case a fight came nearby.

[quitealotofsodapop]

Known your not feeling well and I'm sorry to ask but this idea for jttw stoen egg au just kept nagging at me. This takes place during the Journey of course since it's, essentially, during and right after the Camel Ridge incident.

After the rather disastrous meeting of Wukong's brothers, whom entire existence explains way too much about their most chaotic member for the Pilgrim's comfort, particularly in regards to his habit ofmputting himself into danger without a second thought and reavted to even the alightest hint of failure, Tripitaka determines they need a break. So they find an inn.

Macaque, he lost his eye. Unlike in the other aus, it wasn't Wukong who took it. It was Azure. And Wukong is absolutely distraught over both how things escalated and how he had unintentionally been forced into the position of a damsel in distress by Azure. The way his trusted elder brothers, whom he had looked up to, had turned against him and how the man he had admired had crippled his precious mate to whom he only recently reunited with he himself unable to do anything due to his baby! How he had intentionally kept Macaque away from him, he later discovered. It all culminated into a very, very upset monkey.

Macaque for the most part is okay with the loss of his eye. As far as he's concerned, it's a small price to pay for to make up for how horrible a mate he's been to his Peaches and what any person would do to protect their mate. He's too injured to really do much of anything, but he tries to stay as close to Wukong as possible. Ao Lie finds it sweet.

Tripitaka, however, is not happy. He had trusted in the bonds of Wukong's family, having had nothing but good, if terrifying experiences with them, and had nearly lost Wukong because he'd trusted the wrong demon! He isn't mad at Wukong or Macaque, as neither were really at fault since nobody expected Azure to pull that stunt, but the fact it happened angers him. To discover his first disciple had suffered and been betrayed by one he trusted enough to call brother is nothing less than an outrage to him. The more he learns about Wukong's treatment by the Brotherhood from Macaque, the more Tripitaka wishes he had not been a pacifist.

Wujing and Baije have had their worlds rocked in an irreparable way. They'd already accepted that their belief about Wukong being the monster they had once thought he was most certainly had been destroyed by then. Zu Baijie has even come to tease Wukong as his Little Big Brother and looked forward to being an uncle for Wukong's cub! But to discover all of Heaven's beliefs about the Havoc and the War thay followed was a fallacy created by one man who manipulated their brother into doing the crimes he did when he was but a cub... it doesn't sit right for either of them, and they notably stand closer and more protectively of Wukong for a bit. As close as his overprotective mate will allow them, at least, yikes! And Baijie had thought Ao Lie was aggressively protective! He's got nothing on the shadow monkey!

prev.

Ohhhh the idea of Mac losing his eye to Azure in the Jttw SE au is galaxy brain. Since Mac lost his eye in his canon fight with Wukong, losing the eye whilst choosing to protect Wukong is a really good story twist!

The Pilgrims and the Brotherhood are not having a good first meeting, and Macaque sees it all go down.

He hates the Pilgrims personally; dragging his King away from the island where he's needed, forcing him to act as an errand boy for the Buddha, that disgusting circlet with the mantra even he feels in his skull.

Macaque had watched Wukong and his travelling companions from afar long before revealing himself to them. He had overheard the jubilant calls from Flower Fruit Mountain that the King had returned - but also heard the disappointed confirmation that he had chosen to continue on a pilgrimage with the Tang Monk to Thunderclap Monastery. The shadow monkey had leapt from his employment with Jiuweihuli to devote himself entirely to tracking down his returned mate (the vixen had not minded, she understood that her protégé's heart was yearning).

Macaque trailed the group for weeks before the Brotherhood ever thought to ask him for his input. Macaque had spat his hatred for the hypocritical monk, the perverted swine, the thoughtless fish, and the useless dragon-horse, so venomously that the three demon kings were convinced of his loyalty to them.

However, Macaque's disdain for the Pilgrims did *not* mean his devotion to Wukong swayed. Because something disgusts him even more than this whole Journey;

How his former brother Azure treats Wukong.

Treating Macaque's King, his Peaches, his Mate; like he owned him. That Wukong surrendering was tantamount to betrayal. They speak of him as though he's one of the gods that repressed them. Their sworn brother, the person who sacrificed his freedom for their survival!

Then Azure grabs Wukong by the shoulder and orders that the king stay in Camel Ridge. Giving their former leader an offer that sounds far too layered and provocative to be one of mere loyalty...

Macaque: "I'm going to have to stop you right there Azure. Wukong goes where he damn well pleases. And if he doesn't want to stay here with you, then he should be allowed to leave." Azure: (*dumbstruck by Macaque's outburst*) Peng: (*shocked but impressed bird noise!*) Yellow Tusk: (*calmly prepares for the rumble thats about to go down*) Wukong, in awe at Mac's protective act: "Mihou..." Macaque, rushes over to Wukong: "Peaches... I- I thought it was wrong for you to go on this pilgrimage, but you've... healed. You were really hurt when they sent you under that mountain, I saw it first hand, and even though I don't care for your companions-" Zhu Bajie: "Hey!" Macaque, continues: "-they clearly have your best interests in mind. They jump to protect you, even though they know you're strong enough to bend the sky in half. I've seen the Monk allow himself to be tossed from a horse's saddle just to convince you to ride instead of walk in your condition." Wukong, happy tears: "Master's cassock is still stained from that day..." Macaque, happy laughter: "And I still have the bite wound from when I first approached you. From the monk!" (*Wukong & Macaque press their foreheads together with affection*) Macaque: "This is going to sound... absolutely insane, but from what I've seen and heard in the few weeks... I'd like to stay along for the ride. If you'd have me." Wukong, trying to hide his joy: "You mean it?! You'll come with us all the way to India!?" Macaque: "Yup. Beyond that too." (*gently places hand on Wukong's mid-section*) "I wanna be there to see the Egg come into this world. And be there to see how much havoc they cause our kingdom." (*Romantic monkey noises ensue!*) Tripitaka: "Um... I'd hate to intrude-" Zhu Bajie: "No you don't." Tripitaka: "True. But we are currently in the middle of being attacked by three of your former sworn brothers." The Brotherhood: (*already mid-battle with Ao Lie and Sha Wujing*) Macaque & Wukong: "Oh yeah..." "Forgot they were still here..." Macaque: "Be back in a moment peaches." Macaque: (*Rushes at Azure and turns into his Kaiju form*) Wukong: (*purring and heart-eyes*) (*♥ω♥)

The ensuing fight is pretty brutal, all things considered. Even though Wukong does swing his staff around, the others don't want to risk his health in his condition. Tripitaka and Ao Lie in particular keep trying to route Wukong away from the battle entirely.

Macaque and the dragon end up forming a tag team to take down Azure, whilst Bajie and Wujing deal with Peng and Yellow Tusk respectively.

Azure suddenly changes course, aiming his sword for Wukong's middle.

Macaque jumps ahead of the swing.

Wukong screams as blood sprays both him and Azure.

Macaque crumbles to the ground, his face a red mess. A massive gash stretching across his face and cutting through his right socket.

Wukong feels his heart stop.

And within seconds; Yama and the Ten Kings greet the three rogue celestial animals in their court. The bodhisattvas and the Buddha's most trustworthy arrive shortly thereafter, looking supremely disgusted with their steeds' actions.

-

Macaque is out cold for days afterwards. The Pilgrims find the nearest inn brave enough to operate in demon territory. The monkey is silent and unmoving, but his heart still beats. Wukong refuses to leave his bedside for even a moment.

The Pilgrims finally understand how much both monkeys mean to one another.

Bajie does his best to comfort his little-big brother, feeling the sympathy of a hundred heartbreaks. He takes over cooking duties without being asked for the first time in forever. He starts making soups.

Ao Lie sneaks into the room in his smaller dragon form, curling against Macaque's body and whispering for him to please wake up and not leave brother Wukong to raise his pup without his mate.

Tripitaka is furious. Not at his disciple or even his disciple's antagonistic mate. But at the Brotherhood, at the Taoist Gods, himself - every level of anger he's every felt in one lifetime. Wukong even hears his Master attempt to take his rage out on his holy vestments (he had thought to strike a tree or rock but decided against it). The cassock and hat are noticeably crumpled the next time Wukong sees him.

Sha Wujing is the one to suggest that they all come together and meditate and pray in this dark moment. His qi exhausted from (without his brothers' knowledge) astrally contacting any and all people who may wish to see the Macaque one last time. He felt it was the least he could do.

Guanyin appears, called forth by each Pilgrim praying for the shadow monkey's survival. A certain king's prayer the loudest of them all. All the goddess can provide is a drop of her healing waters to awaken Macaque from his coma.

Macaque right eye is permanently blinded. Azure's divine attack destroyed it entirely. A blow meant for Wukong - no, meant for the Egg. Without even caring for his injury, Macaque immediately springs forward, worried about his King.

Wukong cries so hard with relief that he gets hiccups. Him and Macaque do not part from their embrace for hours.

The Stone Egg begins kicking for the first time.

[skaldish]

People who say Loki isn't real because there's no evidence he was worshiped are really annoying. How do I rebuttal?

By understanding this is not a proper argument to begin with.

This argument in its entirety typically goes something like this:

Loki isn't a god because he wasn't worshipped in ancient times. If he was, he would have had locations named after him (place-names), people carrying his namesake, and the presence of a cult following. Since Loki wasn't a god in pre-Christian Norse society, it would be inappropriate to consider him one now.

The origins of this argument are Asatru Folk Assembly. The full argument made by Stephen McNallen goes like this:

There was no devotion given to Loki in ancient times. No place-names marked ritual sites for him; no human bore names related to him; there were no priests or priestesses of Loki. Some modern practitioners of Asatru have apparently considered this an oversight, and one occasionally hears toasts to Loki at Asatru gatherings today. However, I strongly discourage this in the Asatru Folk assembly, and I do not permit horns to be raised to him in my presence. My experience is that Loki-toasts are followed by discord all-around bad luck.

Believe it or not, this is not a valid argument.

Logical argumentation is a kind of math, and an argument will always be invalid if it follows an invalid formula, no matter how true its predicates are.

Here's an example:

Some people are pagans, and some pagans are white nationalists. Therefore, some people are white nationalists.

This is an invalid argument because it follows an invalid formula. We can see this by reframing it:

Some people are herbivores, and some herbivores are deer. Therefore, some people are deer.

The "Loki wasn't worshipped" argument is riddled with these kinds of flaws, and not just ones that follow this particular formula. There's also issues of rocky facts, unfair standards, and general argumentative fallacies:

Heimdallr also doesn't have place-names, and is considered a god.

The absence of developed, structured cultus is not the litmus test of "worship" within the context of Old Norse religions.

The argument is predicated on the idea that the Old Norse people conceptualized "gods" the same way that the Greeks and the Romans did, in that this term applies only to high beings with widespread followings.

Same applies to how the Old Norse people conceptualized "worship." We have no idea how they defined it.

The argument's evidence does not consider all possible data, i.e. attestations found in extant Scandinavian oral traditions.

I can go on, but basically the argument is predicated on assuming the Old Norse people did polytheism according to what we think polytheism should look like.

But honestly? All of this actually doesn't matter, because the ultimate goal of this argument isn't to win the debate of whether Loki's a god or not.

It's to get people to associate "Loki's followers" with "degenerate behavior."

By painting Loki-worship as both factually incorrect AND superstitiously unlucky, it implies that anyone worshipping Loki is not right in the head somehow; that the can't think or reason correctly.

Many of Loki's followers correlate with the political and social Left. They're often queer/gnc and/or neurodivergent, and support socialist policies and rejection tradition. If worshiping Loki is deemed irrational and dangerous, then it stands to reason that these things are also irrational and dangerous, and therefore all of this must be a sign of degeneracy. Or so the argument would suggest.

The fallacies in the argument are there by design, because that is how cryptofascist writers radicalize reasonable people.

The best way you refute these arguments is to deny them a platform. Delete them from your inbox. That doesn't mean you have to ignore them though. You can always speak up about them on your own time. Personally, I try to make sure that whatever it is I bring up about them will be useful to the community at large, as opposed to being an angry hate-letter to those provoking conflict. (It's a philosophy I use regardless of what the motivations of an issue are, simply because devoting my attention to the community makes for a better online experience and is ultimately more effective in the long-run.)

[dabi-drift]

I tried to write for Abel or Margarette, but I'm too into Abyss rn

Abyss Razor x Reader (Mashle: Magic and Muscles):

It's said that to love another, you first have to love yourself. But Abyss knows that's a fallacy. You were his first "I Love You". He's never said that to himself. He thought his heart was closed, and that no version of him could ever be loved, but somehow he's enough for you.

You shouldn’t stay with him. You're not beset by sin and shame, but society will still forsake you. You must be guilty of something, or you wouldn’t have chosen him. Because love was never his birthright. You made a mistake. You thought he was an angel, but you didn’t know he was fallen. And if you fall with him, even Heaven will forsake you.

But you don't care. You can't accept a Heaven that would shun him.

He wants Abel's blessing, but he's just happy there's someone for Abyss - someone who sees him for more than his insecurities.

His is a love he can't hide. It's devotion. And he can't save you, because you want it.

A moment in love feels like a lifetime, like he's borrowing from a future he didn’t think he'd have. He didn’t know that a person could feel like home, or that a home could feel this safe.

You're a dream from which he'll never wake. Yet he's still so gentle, like his touch could corrupt you, like it could turn you from a dream to a nightmare. But your love can absolve him. So until his time runs out, his heart will answer yours.

He wants to be better for you, but he's already the best.

If he has one life or a hundred, he'll live them all with you. He'll follow you, he'll look for you, even if he's born into a world without you. He won't rest until he brings you home - home to him. Because he was smitten before he ever felt your love, and he could never be without it.

He's your biggest fan. His isn't a love you have to fight for, and you'll never have a rival. It was luck that brought him to you, but it's love that will make him stay. Take as much as you want; he'll hold on to the rest, until you're ready for it.

Abyss kisses your hand, and he swears that even among the gods, none were more beautiful than you, so they made Aphrodite in your image.

And he hugs you so tightly, like he's your shield. And should he fail, he's ready to be buried with you.

[retrocesosdestacion]

HOLLOW-HEARTED PHASES | daniëlle van de donk.

daniëlle van de donk x reader

genre: fluff

warnings: 🤷‍♀️

notes: written for this request.

SUMMARY: Danielle finds herself in frustration after a match. You are the only answer for her.

In a way, you are poetry material; You are full of cloudy subtleties I am willing to spend a lifetime figuring out. Words burst in your essence and you carry their dust in the pores of your ethereal individuality.

kafka.

❝ Will you tell me what happened? ❞ You don't expect Daan to be comprehensible right now. Yet it's worth a try.

❝ Nothing. It was just an misfortune. ❞ She answer in a not-so-assertive tone. It was kind of obvious how difficult it was for the Dutch woman to lie to you.

❝ It wasn't just this, you got a really bad yellow card, Liefde. ❞

Van de Donk and accident in the same situation was something common, relying on the point of view. And a lot of those times, it was funny.

She was tired, you were too; Sweating and ravenous, you too; Danielle was completely worn out from the match, and so were you. Mutually in post games, that was what made you two so close.

Playing alongside the midfielder every week managed to be entertaining, mainly due to each unusual circumstance that Danielle brought to you.

Settling such complications was your job. And at this moment was not different.

❝ At least explain it to me, please! ❞ You beg, pulling the first stool you could get and sat down in front of your partner; implying you wouldn't be leaving anytime soon until you resolved this.

❝ Do you think bumping into someone is so reckless as to get a yellow card? ❞ She started. ❝ Nowadays they are accepting anyone as a referee! ❞

She gestured every second, her dutch accent made the whole situation even funnier.

The only reaction you could have was to laugh at it all. ❝ It contigent on the intensity, actually. ❞ You say amidst giggling. ❝ And well, I know you. ❞

❝ I didn't do anything wrong! ❞ Danielle sounded like she wanted to prove a point. ❝ It’s not my fault if she unexpectedly appeared near me... ❞

❝ Okay, I take your word for it. ❞ In fact, your lips were a little erroneous, you saw how the midfielder purposely pushed the rival player at that time and could uncertainly defend Daan.

She raised her eyebrows involuntarily and jiggle her face, not hiding the evidence that she didn't fall for your fallacious chit-chat.

You gradually reached for the dutch woman's hands, probing each of her fingers; then caressing them.

Suddenly Van de Donk was equal to a carefree sea; a pelago that had just experienced a storm. The midfielder's eyes were devoted to yours, glinting more and more with each passing second.

Even though Danielle always left in a temper after incidents like this, you had the unparalleled ability to alleviate her. Whether just with your presence or caresses.

❝ How about… Next time you bump into someone more carefully, hm? ❞ You muttered, bringing your face inches closer to the midfielder. ❝ Or better yet, not bumping into the person is also a great option! ❞

Your thumbs slowly slid over the skin of other woman’s fingers, trying to comfort her while at the same time considering a clarification for all of this.

❝ In conclusion, not retaliating to a provocation is what you're telling me. ❞ Danielle articulated calmly.

❝ ...Yeah, almost that. ❞ You replied, withdrawn from your previous speech. ❝And also, you’ve been a lot… ❞

❝ Stressed? ❞ She concluded by cutting off your words, even though she was aware that such emotion was not true.

❝ I wasn't going to say that. ❞

❝ Yes, you would. ❞

You took a while to answer, since deep down it was more of a truth.

❝ No… I was going to say that you have been very frustrated and nervous lately. ❞

❝ It's the same thing. ❞ Daan had a silly smile on her face, clear how she was enjoying a game with you.

Your lips locked before commenting something, daring extra time to think of words to please her.

The palm of your left hand was the first touch to the dutch woman's face after disregarding her fingers, now giving light gentle taps. ❝ Who knows, maybe behind your little face it’s all the same! ❞

Van de Donk's fortunate laugh was delightful to hear, like a pleasant sound you rarely find amidst the chaos of an urban city; like your girlfriend.

The dutch girl got a enjoyable laugh out of your face whenever she could, and you got the occasional warm fervor. It was a cycle, and you had everything to do with it.

❝ I'll take that as a compliment. ❞ Daan articulated happily, slowly pressing her own fingers over yours; those who were snuggled against the dutch woman's face.

❝ Better now? ❞ You ask, wondering how Danielle was calmer than before.

❝ Possibly yes. ❞ She reply, inhibited by previous actions.

The shorter woman looked down demurely. But honestly, anyone gets irritated, especially by situations like this. Daan had every right to be upset about this, after all, you would be there.

Your fingers, from both of your hands, placed themselves on the other woman's face. You compress lightly so that you could move the other person's face closer to you.

Danielle had her typical confused look, but also aware of the affectionate attitude. A short beam shines on your face, accompanied by a pleasant chuckle before your lips touch the other person's skin.

You placed a short peck on the tip of the dutch woman's nose, immediately going to her lips, giving her another peck. Centimeters away from the other person's face, being able to even feel de Donk's warm and agitated breath.

❝ If that's okay, how about we get together with the girls, then we go out for drinks and find something to eat. ❞ You murmur after the affectionate act.

❝ If you say so… We can. ❞ Daan answer, sounding like she's still trying to recover from the affection; with the silly smile printed on her face. ❝ To be honest, I'm hungry. ❞

One or twenty years can pass, the dutch woman always becomes the silliest person in the world when she receives your affection.

❝ How about that new restaurant that just opened? ❞ You make a suggestion. ❝ Vanessa felt like eating pasta these days! ❞

Despite Van de Donk being a difficult woman to deal with on the pitch, off there and for you, it was like an easy puzzle to put together.

Danielle could stress a thousand times, but you would always get her back no matter what.

❝ Sounds fun! ❞ She responds one last time before gradually rising from the bench where she was sitting.

The midfielder pulled your hands, so she could help you when you got up. It didn't take long for you to act and do the same, even though you were extremely tired.

Daan still had her index fingers intertwined with yours, her eyes needed to make minimal effort when looking up, where she could look affectionately at you.

She took a while to say something, and honestly, Danielle's eyes darted to your face and without saying anything made you a little nervous.

You gave a confused grin.

❝ Thank you for that. ❞ Van de Donk mutters.

❝ …For what, exactly? ❞

❝ For being with me, by my side. I don't know how I would react to things without you. ❞ She articulates through the small laughs she lets out.

Without realizing it, your confused smile became happy, small compliments coming from your girlfriend were a relief; a victory.

Your silly smirk that burned your cheeks didn't allow you to answer, but made you act embarrassed. Your lefty raised up, so you could try to camouflage this stupid smile.

❝ Why are you smiling so much?! ❞ Daan chortled, tilting her head confusedly to the side.

❝ Nothing, nothing. ❞

ᅠ

[clownfishbites]

Ok it’s time for the St Augustine Joker meta. Sorry if it got a bit long I just have a lot of thoughts.

I find it so interesting that he would bring up St Augustine in that moment. I wasn’t a huge fan of the run in general but I thought it had its merits and this bit was one of them because I’m a sucker for batjokes that is also religious fanaticism.

For St Augustine, ‘grace’ in this sense is not something that needs to be found or earned, the Catholic doctrine states that it is given freely, a gift from God to mankind.

Batman gives Joker grace when nobody in the entire world will, I mentioned it a bit in my last meta but think Batman: Cacophony, Batman: It's Joker time, Batman: Devil's Advocate and literally every time he doesn't kill him, or protects him from harm when nobody else would. He is giving him grace that does not have to be earned, it's a benevolent gift from the divine. Or at least that's how Joker is seeing it, a rationalisation for why Batman spares him when nobody else would.

St Augustine tells God that "it is only by Your grace and mercy that You have melted away the ice of my evil". St Augustine needs God in the same way Joker needs Batman, to act in opposition to his 'evil', to be worshipped with the intention of being the gravity that keeps him on Earth, or in his own words, the compass pointing true north.

I'm not going to get too carried away but I think it's a pretty interesting comparison that's existing here between St Augustine and God, and Joker and Batman.

"head towards God and remember, everything else is chaos"

If Batman is the entity that is salvation, the thing to be drawn to- he isn't just the opposite force, but the only other thing in existence, because Joker defines himself as chaos. There is Divinity and Chaos and that is all. It's a nice lens on Joker's perspective that every other living thing is a prop in his pursuit of Batman's love and attention.

Religion is a choice, but how could Joker pick any other divinity, when he freely acknowledges that Batman is his creator. One of St Augustine's concepts surrounding human creation is that of original sin- that being that everybody is born with sin, born tainted ever since Adam and Eve were expelled from the garden of Eden.

But if everyone is born tainted, lives tainted and there is no real assurance of redemption, what actually is the point in trying to be good, to be a virtuous person, if someone like the Joker can just come into the church and take your life. Or from the pov of the Joker what is the point in any of it if we are born ruined.

We return to the idea that Joker sees himself as beyond salvation in the traditional sense, he's in a sunk cost fallacy but with being evil. But just to push this to it's limit, his very existence shakes faith in a creator that is all good,

Where is the grace of God in a world that allowed him to exist?

In the absence of divine light and a creator that loves him, he desperately seeks the opposite, divine darkness and a creator that hates him. But Joker loves him no less for it because Batman is all that exists in his world.

"head towards love and everything else is chaos"

Here he's changed the words of St Augustine, altering it from following God to following love, and he says this while heading towards Batman which is...basically the entire point of this, Batman is his love, Batman is his divinity.

But even Batman has to devote himself to an idea bigger than himself, and he can only stand in opposition, his crusade would be over if he truly cleansed Gotham of all evil- OR, as Joker suggests in this comic, if he became happy. If he didn't have to exist in opposition, if the misery that fuelled his crusade was taken away

Joker can only stand in opposition too- we know this because we see how completely he crumbles apart when his opposition is removed.

Batman functionally exists as half of a whole, in his own way Joker's speech is confronting this reality, albeit in a much more roundabout way than he explains it to Selina.

And this is why neither of them can ever truly escape this cycle, their aspect of devotion would die the moment the other was removed from the equation, and with it divinity and chaos would cease to exist, and so would the world.

I love cosmic batjokes.