#help me i'm sad

[marinewaltz]

daily life on board the ARK. even if he couldn't help cure her i think it would be nice if shadow helped maria in managing her illness

[vaguely-concerned]

do you think that when rook stumbles out of the fade prison and through the eluvian to safety, there's a moment of everyone standing around in joyous (and probably exhausted) disbelief, where lucanis meets their gaze and recognizes the look of tremulous, hesitant uncertainty in their eyes -- that tentativeness of someone who feels they stand on the threshold of madness and one wrong move can send them over, the terror of something finally breaking apart in your head in a way that can never come back together and be whole again; the helpless is this truly happening? is this real? are you really here? confusion that verges on pleading. (the last time they saw him, he was dead. the last time they lost someone, their mind fractured around it for weeks, months, to spare them the knowledge, and they couldn't tell. until they could, and by then it was all too late. how could you know it's not all happening again? how could you not fear that it might be?)

yeah, lucanis recognizes that look immediately and with an instinctive visceral wave of empathy. because it's how he's felt so many times looking at them. anyway. anyone ever think about isabela's comment that lucanis looks at rook like he's afraid they're a fever dream. me neither

[hobipowers]

250507 Hobi Weverse Live → "That's right, I'm happiest on the stage. I don't need anything else, that's when I'm the happiest."

[gentlemanjuniper]

If I could inject just a little positivity to the news...

Season 2 has a lot of filler and stretches out a pretty simple mystery to six episodes. That's the appeal to some, I get it. But tightness and focus was not its strong suit. I remember feeling like it wasted a ton of time on side characters and it's possible shaving the story down to 90 minutes will skim things down to its most essential beats and be stronger for it. Basically, S2 got a lot of time given to it, and this is obviously my personal opinion but I don't think it used all of it well. I think S2 itself could have been half the length simply by employing more efficient storytelling and we'd not mourn too much.

A lot of S2's weaker plotlines feel built around people that Neil wanted to work with again, with so many recurring actors (I'm thinking of the zombies specifically, when that minisode could have easily been tighter without them). A lot of s2 to me feels like Neil just making work for the people he likes and wants to work with and a movie has to be more accountable to things like that.

Lots of entire fandoms exist around single movies. 90 minutes is not nothing. It's enough for many, many films to tell a complete story with cute character interactions and satisfying emotional arcs, especially when A&C are the only real significant connecting threads between both seasons thus far.

I don't think there are as many loose threads that absolutely need resolving as people may be thinking. Would I like to know why Aziraphale did the '40s apology dance? Would I like to see his bookshop gun? Sure. Are either of those necessarily essential to closing out the story? I don't think so. Really, what needs resolving is the second coming and, directly connected to that, Aziraphale and Crowley's rift. To me, not knowing the story obviously, that seems super reasonable to do in 90 minutes?

I don't think anyone involved in the final season can possibly be blind to the appeal of the show being Aziraphale and Crowley over anything else. That's certainly the reason why their roles were expanded to begin with from the book and why the second season was, nominally, all about them. They also now have to pay MS and DT for appearing in a movie rather than an ensemble show, there's no way they won't be front and center. Amazon wants a show that will make money and market itself; there's a reason why all the promo material for S2 was of Crowley and Aziraphale, because people engage with that stuff, reblog it, make art that promotes the show, etc. It makes no artistic or financial sense to make a movie that sidelines them.

GO is at its best when it has Terry's voice most strongly in it. That's why to me, S2 was a weaker, more meandering season overall (that, and I think the minisodes, while fun, just make the season feel comprised of different voices not always working in tandem towards a common goal). If I was a writer hired to condense a season into a film, and one of the authors had been rightfully disgraced, I would go out of my way to ensure the clearly Terry stuff is most significantly emphasized. It's telling to me that the Pratchett estate is producing and it's possible that the end result will result in more Terry, less Neil.

Think of it this way: everything we've gotten after S1 has always been extra. Imagine telling a fan of the book in the 90s that not only will you get a six episode adaptation, you also get a totally new second season, AND a movie?

Basically: I know this is disappointing but I think a lot of the pleasure of the Good Omens fandom was ALWAYS people picking up on and expanding on details, and y'all managed to do that just fine when A&C were only ensemble members in S1. You can and will do that with a movie too. And this solution both a) ensures first and foremost that Neil won't be involved or the allegations swept under the rug, and b) gives an opportunity for the heart of the story to be emphasized with greater focus, clarity and less filler.

Will we lose good stuff? Probably. But it's also possible we will get a tighter, more condensed, focused version of the best bits, the Terry Pratchett-est bits. I can easily see a 90 minute movie that, knowing they HAVE to focus on the important stuff now, is more Crowley and Aziraphale centric than ever.

[mellosdrawings]

Guys, I promise, I do know basic stuff about Twst :'D I'm sorry if my jokes haven't been funny these days :""D

[uhoh23]

When you love Sylus, yet realize you and him might not be 100% compatible with one another -

I'm talking about when the insecurity rolls in. Your very attached to Sylus, yet as you think more and more, you feel isolated. You love him, yet you realize you aren't MC. After all, MC is her own character and the way she acts with each guy is different. You can only see yourself so much in her unfortunately.

MC is very bold. She likes challenging Sylus. Me? I'm the type of gal who'd willing throw the reins to Sylus at every opportunity, loving his leadership and the safety it provides. I'm no pushover by a long shot, but I don't think I'd be able to challenge Sylus like MC does. I'd give in too often, I'd be too easy to please.

And Sylus would probably get bored of me.

Would Sylus do well with a more shy partner? Sure, I'm confident usually, but during sex? Would he love my submissive behavior or wish I was more bratty to put me in my place? Would he get tired of doing most of the work and wish for me to be more entertaining in bed? What if he possibly has kinks I don't really have?

Sylus loves the chase. Would he chase me? Or view me as a temporary distraction from his dangerous life? What if I give in to his "conquest" too early and cut the chase short, resulting in him being disappointed that his "prey" didn't run longer?

Sylus isn't real, yet the idea of him not being able to love me hurts. He's not real, yet I get sad thinking of him choosing MC over me...bc I'm NOT her. I'll NEVER be her. I can't force myself to be something I'm not, yet I wish I could. I can't help but think there's also other people who play the game who'd be a better match for him.

I wish I was his perfect match.

But I know I probably never will be.

And man does that hurt.

[nickeldalm]

Sky's 5th Anniversary let's goooooo

But really, this is what came into my mind when I saw SkyFest Cinema Tech (or whatever it is, I forgot the name)

whatever this is

[hey-heigo]

au where everything is the same but kyoko is this thangg (design by @/babirousa)

[apricustar]

don't think about eddie in el paso facetiming buck early in the morning to get him to walk him through making chris’ favorite pancakes, desperately wanting things to go just right for his first morning back under the same roof of his son. don't think about the call ringing out.

don't think about eddie trying to facetime buck again after chris is holed up in his room playing video games and he's overwhelmed with the sounds of life now inhabiting the house that was so quiet before: the click-clack of chris' crutches, the distant echoes of whatever game he and his friends are playing, his laugh, so dear and familiar, eddie's heart catches-

no answer.

then, later, eddie hesitating with his thumb over the call button. thinks about buck on shift. buck on a call. not having eddie half a step behind him ready to step in, anticipating all his moves, what if something happened? how long would it be before he knew? before someone called to tell-

he pivots, texts:

Hey. Just wanted to check in.

I know you're on shift, but call when you see this.

Nothing bad! Chris wants to say hi.

He says you promised movie recs. Something about a space dog? He says you told him we'd love it.

Also, I successfully managed to make the pancakes this morning without your explicit instructions on call.

Chris ate them. Said he felt like something was missing though. Not sure what since I followed your recipe exactly, but the kid is right. Something was missing.

Okay. Talk soon, Buck.

and then. and then-

eddie and chris curled on different corners of the couch after dinner, both not paying attention to what's on tv: chris, presumably texting his friends; eddie, talking himself out of sending buck a "hey, just checking in again" text for the fifth time today.

chris gasps. and-well, eddie knows his son. he knows the shape of all his letters, of his breaths, of everything that makes chris, chris. so when chris gasps the way he does, eddie knows.

he looks over before chris can even fully turn his phone towards him:

Breaking: LAFD Team Trapped After Explosion at Containment Lab-Sources Confirm Hazmat Lockdown, Possible Fatalities

don't think about eddie's stomach dropping. don't think about eddie being confronted with the reality of everything he left behind in LA—his true family, a family that is surely feeling his absence more acutely right now. who could’ve used him. don't think about eddie having to put on a brave face for chris while trying not to completely unravel.

don't think about chris and eddie trying to call buck and it going to voicemail again. and again. and again-

[lizzybeeee]

THE ENTIRE DRAGON AGE AMA IS A DUMPSTER FIRE

They avoided all the high-rated questions with genuine criticism (not blind hate!) and went for questions that were safer and allowed them more leeway. After that awful IGN article and that treatment of Davrin...God, just put it down. I have no faith that BioWare will be able to continue Dragon Age or Mass Effect with the respect it deserves.

Edit - They had an opportunity for genuine discussion with fans who were concerned/unhappy with the way Veilguard was -> people unhappy with the story, the marketing, the lack of 'RP' options in an RPG, etc... Instead they just doubled-down even more, avoiding those critical questions, with no real acknowledgement that fans have very reasonable problems with this game.

Some Highlights & My Initial Ramblings Below:

The Executors

"They attempt to manipulate events in the most subtle way they can manage."

So, very clear that they're not simply observers of what is happening in Thedas: they're manipulators...

"Magical Illuminati Confirmed! Lizard People Did 9:30 Dragon!!!!"

All that complexity of character -> his hatred of Orlais, his experience as a general, his relationship with Cailain, and the influence of Howe...all diminished. Any influence from a shadow cabal is too much influence - all the humanity of Loghain's choices/consequences...God, what a waste.

Not to mention what this does to other events/characters in the series -> they imply they've been intervening as far back as the magisters breaking into the golden city. I do not find this compelling! At all!

2. Solas and the Executors

Oh my god, he sounds like such a fucking Mary-Sue I'm so sick of Solas at this point -> "Actually, I know more about the Executors than anyone alive - not even the rest of the Gods know as much as me."

("I'm also, like, an Ancient Elven God, I'm responsible for the Blight and the Veil, and I kind of locked the Gods away cause they were evil - but, like, I'm really sad about it. Also the Herald of Andraste thinks I'm cute <3")

<- Previous comments: massive oversimplification, obviously

But I miss the days when not everything was about Solas. It removes so much interest and wonder in this world when the fucking egg is behind it all. I loved him as a character in DAI and now I just feel this bone deep tiredness when I see his stupid face.

Don't you dare threaten to bring Gareth David-Lloyd back -> keep him away from this mess!

3. The Fate of the Rest of the Evanuris

Yay. I'm so looking forwards to "The Return of the Elves: Electric Boogaloo 2" - it was done so well the first time!

"It was the elves all along!"

The only character with any potential to be interesting is Andruil*, but how they handled all this lore was done so shallowly and so poorly that I find it hard to give a damn anymore. Not to mention that the game literally mentions Ghilan'nain mourning Andruil - so is this a retcon/redirection/or have you confirmed that one of the most interesting members of the Evanuris' is dead?

*interesting in that she's established in lore to potentially have a tonne of really cool things attached to her (the void armour, the great weapon she has etc...). The rest of the evanuris are nowhere near as well established as she is.

4. Southern Thedas, Sociopolitical Issues, and Future Games

NOW YOU WANT TO INCORPORATE GEO-POLITCAL EXPLORATION?? You avoided any meaningful discussion like the plague in DATV but now you're acknowledging it?? OkaY. okAy.

They couldn't even give us the long-term ramifications of the mage/templar war how the hell am I supposed to believe that they will be able to pull off 'elven gods are real' etc...? For a game series that totes : your choices matter -> they have not proven that they have been able to show that in a meaningful way. They literally cleaned the slate with this game to avoid doing that.

So, what, does that mean that the Veil is never going to come down now? Or are you going to have the entirety of Thedas build themselves up again just to have the Veil fall and send things into chaos once more?

What a fatalistic, miserable outcome for Thedas -> why the fuck would anyone bother to live in Thedas if you're going to keep throwing meteorites at them? By all means, change/conflict has to happen for the series to move forwards...but this is just so miserable at this point.

(The Elder Scrolls, at least, gives people room to breathe between crisis' or sets them up in different areas of the world! Bethesda treats past installments/your decisions with greater respect than DATV does.)

Even, then, if the Veil remains up, that means that the spirits are just trapped in the Fade being miserable for the rest of existence. The entire series has been humanizing spirits, from Justice to Cole, and now they're just throwing in the towel? I guess they can stay in the fade now! Problem solved!

What do you mean the Evanuris are not a threat anymore? IN A PREVIOUS QUESTION YOU LITERALLY SAID SOME ARE STILL POTENTIALLY KICKING AROUND THE BLACK CITY?

Weakened, sure, but Solas was 'weak' in DAI. You're giving yourself an out if you decide to go back to the elves again. Please do, I'd love more content on how the elves alone fuck everything up!

5. More Southern Thedas, the Chantry, and Tevinter

Thanks for the confirmation that things in the South are so fucked up that they have to work alongside the 'Slave Capital' of the known world to rebuild!

Slavery was one of the biggest things that caused a rift between the north/south chantry system -> one of the reasons why there were exalted marches -> a uniting belief in the south is that slavery is fucked. They didn't address slavery in DATV - what hopes are there that they will do so effectively in a future game?

Don't tell me that Dorian fixes everything off screen either -> either he solves slavery off-screen or the south is being forced to work the slaver-capitol because their land is nuked and they have no ground to stand on.

I'm so thrilled.

6. Solas and the Idol / The Blight

I will never get over Solas fucking curing the Blight off-screen and no one asking questions/giving a shit. Hello?? The Hero of Ferelden would like a word with you???

So the Blight is calcified in Minrathous, at least, but everywhere further away is still fucked! Once more, the South is doomed to suffer from the long-term effects that regular blights have -> not to mention the red lyrium (which still exists according to the AMA) across the south.

I don't care; it's lame. It's a lame way to conclude the blight and I hate it. This game did not earn 'cure the blight from thedas' at all. You could have had us learn how to soothe a titan and see how that can diminish the blight but you did it this way.

Another 'magical ritual' because Solas has such a good track record with them lmao.

7. The Agents of Fen'Harel / The War with the Qun / The Crows

Turned him against the idea of being a leader???!!

Fen'harel's Call to the Elven People After the events at the Winter Palace, elves left the Inquisition under mysterious circumstances, as did elven servants across Thedas. None could say where they went, but those who believed the Inquisitor's story about Fen'Harel wondered just how large the Dread Wolf's forces were... and what the ancient elven rebel had planned. This is from the Trespasser Epilogue, Epler!

Your concept art for Joplin literally had him as a leader of a faction of elves. Just be honest that it's a retcon and you changed course - don't try to save face with this reasoning.

About the Antaam: "We needed some big mindless bad guys to fight and so we did this because we didn't want to address the Qunari War/Invasion we set up in Trespasser".

You had to canonize Sten as being alive and Arishok in order for this reasoning to work -> you didn't even come up with an alternative Arishok to take Sten's place.

Yeah, the exchange that set up the Crows we see in the game as "idealists" did not make the game. I can confirm that!

I'm sorry, "Caterina kept Illario in check?" as in, 'kept him an idealist and not the usual Crow'? The woman that beat him with a cane and starved him and his cousin to train them as Crows. Fuck off.

lmao -> tell me you're coming up with this on the spot without telling me that you're coming up with this on the spot.

8. World State Discrepancies - Isabela

Outright ignores the very real criticism about the marketing from this game and World States.

"there are absolutely places where we unintentionally suggested there was a hard canon (...that Isabela is always assumed to have joined Hawke's party.)"

Unintentional?

Excuse me, you have her talk about Merrill and the Kirkwall Crew as family - that was not unintentional in the slightest. Not to mention Sten, Blackwall, Sera, and Cole are canonized as being part of your world state no matter what.

You had a story you wanted to tell - one that only fit a few world states - and you went ahead with it and disregarded those choices. Don't try and lie about this all being a big misunderstanding.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edit - They could have taken the opportunity to address the very reasonable criticisms that people had with this game but they cherry-picked questions and avoided/minimized anything remotely critical.

They could have provided us some insight into the game development time but each time they approached the topic they settled for "we're happy with what we delivered and it was well optimized."

They had an opportunity to acknowledge that people were bothered by the handling of the lore/stories (to potentially mention they could course-correct/ rethink their plans) but instead they doubled down on everything that they did and even 'justified' some decisions. They doubled down on the Executors, Solas's changing motivations, the destruction of Southern Thedas, and the elves/Solas being at the heart of everything etc...

This AMA basically confirmed that the only reason they did what they did to the south was for a reset -> It's not a compelling or fulfilling narrative to have everything we've done reset back to ground zero off-screen. BioWare games differentiate themselves from other RPG's by their import system from previous games - it was compelling and exciting! With DATV they set the expectation that BioWare can outright throw out entire games worth of choices/build up, not solely retcon them.

Justifying your choice to water down the lore/world of your story by saying you'll address it in the 'next game' does not instill me with confidence, BioWare! It doesn't explain that lack of it in this game either!

They avoided every question that, rightfully so, pointed out the misleading comments made by devs in the pre-order period of the game:

the fact that there were only 3 imported choices from previous games was leaked by a reviewer -> BioWare was vague from the start about choices

that this game was the most 'romantic' in the series

that world states/ headcanons wouldn't be disrespected

that there are 'lore' reasons for bad darkspawn design

that there are lasting, impactful choices/consequences to be made in this game

that the lore/world was not watered or toned down

that companions are deep and you can disagree with them etc...

BioWare's behavior towards their customers in the lead up period to this games release was downright scummy. I absolutely felt misled after playing the game for myself and recalling what I read in interviews put out. While EA is undoubtedly poison, you can't hold them solely accountable for this.

I feel for the individual developers who worked on this in what was undoubtedly a toxic environment from EA - but I feel that it's pretty clear that BioWare itself has a lot of problems within and in their leadership/executives. Working for EA does not give them an excuse to mislead their customers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I already had a very grim outlook on the franchise from the end of DATV but this literally look my interest out the back and sent it to God. What a disaster.

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

Childe listens.

he will listen to your problems, your woes. he will sit next to you, take you in his arms, and soothe you merely by allowing you to speak. you've done the same for him, countless times- it is only good that he returns the favor, and he wants to. Childe wants to hear about everything that makes you angry, everything that causes you to weep. he cannot fix them, but he can treat you gently, kindly, let you know you're cared about.

and inevitably Foul Legacy will emerge, overcome with joined sorrow for you. he tries to keep his tears under control as he purrs, stuttering and nudging against you. he takes the droplets of your frustrations and wipes them away, flicking them into the air and making tiny whales swim around you so perhaps you can laugh and smile again. your Abyssal monster gathers you into his arms, resting your head on his lilac fluff and trilling gently, in reassurance and affection. no longer will you have to mend other's troubles while having everyone ignore your own.

with Childe and Foul Legacy, you are not invisible anymore.

[worldly-fluster]

I have decided to try some comfort. Because I can't sleep and my mind won't shut the up.

How the LADS would react to you saying...I'm just a useless piece of s***.

(based off of some honestly real stuff in my life that still needs healing.)

Sylus, Xavier, Zayne, and Rafayel.

Here goes nothing.

Also, this could also be an almost confession from the boys if you squint.

Sylus-

He's staring at you for a moment, not really believing what you just said.

"Come again sweetheart?"

"Sorry..."

"No. No don't ever apologize for that."

He walks forward and pulls you into his arms, his chest warm and soft only for you.

"I want to know...who told you this."

His anger is palpable and raw.

"Because there is no way this is something that you would think by yourself."

There is a beat of silence before you can wince out a response.

"I...it's just something I've been told most of my life...it's nothing, not a big deal."

Sylus scoffs and holds you tighter to him, trying to protect you from your own thoughts.

"It is for me."

He pulls back just to look at your beautifully perfect face. His eyes held a deep emotion mixed with anger at the ones who hurt you and love for the person you are.

"Sweetheart, I would burn the world for you."

Xavier-

"What?"

His response is so quick compared to how he normally is that it almost gives you whiplash. You look at him for a moment as he stares at you with a look in his eyes you can't quite place.

"I-"

"No I know what you said. I want to know why you said it. Why you even think it."

He hardly let you even get a word in before he's standing closer to you.

"Who told you this?"

Came his last rather cold question.

"it's really not that big of a deal-"

Xavier scoffs slightly before he pulls you into his chest.

"Everything about you is a big deal, to me anyway. Now especially, since I've come to the conclusion that you let people walk all over you."

You feel a light peck on the top of your head as he nuzzles his face into your hair.

"You're too important to me...I can't let you keep thinking this about yourself, so, I'm going to change that."

Zayne-

Zayne freezes in place when he heard those awfully familiar words.

He's familiar with where you heard them, with the person who drilled it into your head.

His brows furrow as he turns to look at you, sitting on the couch in his office.

"What? You know they were right..."

Hearing you continue to say that, he quickly sat down whatever he was holding-he can't even remember what it was, important or not- and takes quick steps towards you.

"Zayne-?"

You're cut off as he gets on his knees in front of your sitting position and pulls you towards him in an icy embrace.

"They are wrong."

Came his reply, his voice slightly wavering with emotions.

"You are, if not the most important person I know. You are strong, talented and the most breathtaking person I will ever have the privilege of meeting in all my lifetimes. I'd rather die than let those words continue to stay in that pretty head of yours."

Rafayel-

He didn't even hear it from you.

He had to hear it from Thomas, of all people.

You were minding your own business in your small apartment when suddenly you hear loud banging on your door.

When you answer it you are met with an upset Raf that looks like he's about to cry as he flings himself through the door, shutting it with a kick of his heal.

He's breathing erratically as he buries his face into the crook of your neck.

"Raf-?"

"Shh- just...let me say something."

He shushes you before you can ask why he's so high stung this time.

"You... I've-...heh, I can't even put it into words how you are so important to me. You've become my one and only muse. I've talked about you to the ocean so much that the dolphins can sing your name, even the jellyfish will remember every syllable because I'll never shut up about you...and they don't have brains."

He lets out a strained chuckle as he refuses to let you go.

"Even if you were to slice off all of my scales and steal my breath...I would give everything of mine to you for it's already yours..."

[calamitoustide]

jayvik hunger games au but in the end Jayce has to kill Viktor to win, there is no tricking the game makers, there is no way both of them can get out of there. Viktor has to die and Jayce has to be the one holding the other side of the blade.

Then Jayce has to become a mentor and take care of all the tributes who come after and he finds pieces of Viktor in all of them, because he can't help it, because that love has to go somewhere. And so every time they die it feels like he has to watch Viktor die all over again.

And then he mentors these two kids Jinx and Ekko and they come out alive, they both come out alive and Jayce is ecstatic, he is, but he can't help but think about what would've happened if he could've gotten Viktor out with him....

[wilsons-journey]

Big shoutout to @ilona-art for letting me turn one of her lovely drawings into Papercraft ♥ Her Art is so nicely shaped, I had to give it a try and recreate it with papers. Really had a blast working on it - Thank you again for the permission! ;V;

The Original Image can be found here:

And some additional impressions from the Papercraft-Recreation:

[sanshinexx]

After Angband, Maedhros had a complicated relationship with his hair for a long while. The thing he once used to cherish and carry with pride, inherited from the mother he had left behind, was now tainted with memories of unwanted attention and derogatory touch.

After his rescue, it had to be cut short for the sake of his recovery, and he could never quite figure out whether he was more hurt or relieved by the act. It was Fingon, during those times filled with anxiety and doubt and shame, who helped him learn to accept his own appearance again– from the stump of his right arm and the scars littered across his freckled body to the locks of copper hair, ever so slowly regrowing to their former glory.

And little by little, the lingering memories of malevolent hands harshly yanking at his scalp were replaced by the feeling of tender hands carefully braiding familiar golden ribbons into his hair, once again beloved.

[momomallowart]

Too loud