#i have too much time

[honelle56]

Based on my calculations George consists of approx. 15x100 = 1500 pixels, around 60 of which are his ass. So he is around 4% ass if you care

[dyingstarsatdusk]

Guess who made a evervale moodboard for absolutely no reason except that I hv a canva and a free time?

[welcomewithmetonight-thechaos]

The Evolution of Hob Gadling

(and Dreamling as its consequence)

This is inspired by this post. The person asked not to fight in the comment section and I want to respect their wishes. The premise was just too good to let it go entirely, they pointed out many accurate things; so I’d like to bring up some additional aspects I think are important to consider to understand the totality of the episode. (I’m drawing on the TV show, mainly, because I don’t have the comics present).

In their quest for immortality and defeating death there really is no difference between Burgess and Hob in 1389 and I’m pretty sure that if Hob had had the means, he, too, would have tried to capture Death and make a bargain, just as ruthlessly, might even have become greedy, same as Burgess. 

Hob is self-centred and ignorant at the beginning and stays it for a long time. I’ve thought a lot about the meetings once a century from 1489 going onward and how in the first conversation Hob asks if Dream is interested in him, while Dream only cares about Hob’s experience of the world. 

Dream pretty much intends to use Hob to prove a point, which is that Dream is justified in being tired of life himself. 

Hob appears as the personification and representation of Western European/White humanity in the comic, which means he will not be non-conformist or critical of society; he just goes with the flow, following the currents of shady justification that is Western thought and philosophy over the centuries. He is not a creative or great mind. He will probably never write a book or learn a musical instrument; he’s just some guy.

It took Dream pointing out the cruelty of the slave trade for him to even consider it. Trying to protect Dream against Lady Johanna is a matter of civil courage, which people show no matter their political beliefs – it is a key trait of humanity.

 In the 18th century, too, Hob just does things how they’re done. Calling Lushing Lou “the hospital” and thinking it funny, etc. However, I must point out that he is receptive to Dream’s assertions about her and beyond being quick to judge, as society is, he considers her as a person (if not becomes sympathetic towards her) when he learns more about her through Dream.

I do not think it is loneliness that motivates Hob to offer Dream friendship. Humans strive for connection, that is true, but in some way we can never totally achieve it. And Hob is not much more lonely then he was in the 14th century, before he became immortal: an age where death of close family was common and a force to be reckoned with; child mortality was high, plague was everywhere and people who got sick or hurt simply died. He probably grew up used to everyone around him dying. The loneliness that Hob might experience is simply the human condition of an individual that understands itself as a separate person/entity.

Just as instinctual is his reaching out to Dream for friendship, his need to connect with people. He sees human traits in Dream and relates to him.Hob basically says “I think I’m worthy of your friendship” to a clearly prideful eldritch being whom he knows nothing about.

It is simply the audacity of a humanity that considers itself worth of love, that considers itself equal. Hob is very much the personification of a life form that writes stories upon stories about their own cruelty and how it would be better if they didn’t exist at all but still found their right to existence on their capability to love, on their capability of creation, not least the creation of relationships of all kinds.

Whereupon Dream’s reaction is that of a god (I know he is not a god, but his role is very similar) who looks in disdain upon those he was meant to serve. Therefore, his acknowledgement of friendship is so important in 2022; he essentially deems humanity worthy of love. For this meta-level it is no importance if their relationship is platonic or romantic, what matters is their mutual respect and caring about one another.

As to why people ship Dreamling: Hob’s character is not only coined by his representation of humanity but by his love for and of life, his enjoyment of simple things (see: ale to drink, people to drink it with). Whereas Dream appears as simply fulfilling a duty, burdened by his role; depression is a recurring theme when it comes to his character. In loving Hob beyond the level of platonic friendship (again, it doesn’t matter if it’s queerplatonic or romantic) and seeking his company more frequently, Dream essentially ceases to be a tragically flawed character destined to bring about his own doom. He is in love with the love of life in a time where he struggles with loving life on his own accord. Hob is also one of the only characters in the TV show who is not either Dream’s enemy, his subject or his family; instead he appears as Dream’s opposite.

Hob in 2022 on the other hand is someone who lives in a pluralistic society, where go with the flow could be  many things, which means that he cannot serve as the personification of humanity anymore, because the complexity of humanity is finally acknowledged and cannot be represented by a single person. He is thus free to find his own way in a individualistic society as one amongst many others, is basically forced to think for himself and make his own decisions. (The existential dread as described by Sartre). This impression is reinforced by the closing of the White Horse and Hob being stood up in 1989. It is obvious that without the consistency of the centennial meetings Hob’s purpose for live – that of telling about it, is no longer relevant. Hob feels adrift, so he decides to cling to the closest thing that he has to a constant and waits for Dream in the nearest Inn. 

But it isn’t enough. Hob is forced to make a life in this new, everchanging world, so he becomes a teacher/professor (based on him grading papers). Now we do not know his profession in 1889 or 1989, but regardless this new position symbolizes the change Hob has gone through. It is his first profession over the centuries where its prestige is not based on the opinion of society (as were his previous knighthood or his status as a tradesman) but on respect and his own abilities. With teaching also comes responsibility which he previously preferred to brush off.

But still, he is anchorless, still he comes to the New Inn. When Dream comes back, he brings that needed affirmation with him. 

In conclusion, over the course of their acquaintance, Dream and Hob drift towards each other, Dream overcomes his sense of superiority and learns to enjoy life again while Hob learns to become responsible for his actions, a responsibility that is superimposed on Dream as the ruler of a realm.

Both have done horrible, unforgivable things in their pasts, but both find themselves changing and encouraging change within the other. Neither of them are good people, not even in 2022 (judged by current morality standards they may even be the villains of other people’s stories) but they’re good for one another as in they complete each other. (It is this complexity which makes it so difficult to write these characters accurately in fanfiction; much of what comprises them is a metaphysical undercurrent and never said out loud but cannot be disregarded in characterizations.)

And then there is of course the tension underlying of all their interactions, 1489 “are you interested in me?”, 1589 Hob being jealous, 1689 the sadness and first moment of compassion in Dream’s eyes when he thinks Hob wants to die (which is also sadness for himself, for having been right), in 1789 especially their facial expressions and body language (think of Hob nervously tugging at his ear), Dream’s willingness to open up slowly in 1889 and their sickeningly fond smiles in 2022. 

For Dreamling becoming a possibility, it is very important that we know nothing of how their conversation goes in 2022. We see only Dream’s relaxed posture and Hob’s broader than ever smile, which open a wide range of possibility for how their relationship proceeds. All of them are positive.

Do I think their relationship could have turned romantic anytime before 2022? No.

 But by 2022 both of them have evolved enough that love between them becomes not only possible but also very probable.

[itzr4v3n]

Pictures I took while doing some MURDLE.

(there's no sound, don't bother turning on the volume)

[0wllight]

waiting for people to respond about commission progress so im just drawing shitpost art. lmao

[cum-villain]

Just went though 2000+ blogs to unfollow the dead ones.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Expertise can't help you here.

[theshadowrealmitself]

I like to think that Vulcans who come to understand that Humans just can’t try to process emotions the same way as them, it’s just healthiest to let it out in harmless ways, decide that venting and stuff should be taken just as seriously as Vulcan’s meditation time, and will encourage the Humans around them to complain about what’s upsetting them

People who are used to aloof Vulcans who avoid Humans at all cost running into one comforting a Human

“-and then they said my cheesecake was subpar, and they didn’t even bring a dish!!!”

“The purpose of this event was that every participant brings a food item of sorts, correct?”

“Yeah!!”

“And they did not follow this rule while insulting dishes that were brought?”

“Mostly just my dish but yeah >:(“

“How illogical”

“That’s what I’m saying!!!”

[adyophene]

I couldn't get the idea of Alastor holding Husk like that one ferret gif during his lament in the finale out of my head.

[yarrowdraws]

very late to the meme, it's been done before but. here. turn on the sound pls

[oobbbear]

I want to post this here too because I’ve seen it happen a few times

Please understand that there are cultural differences and language differences, if you see this happening let the person clarify what they meant, that person might just not be familiar with words the western side of the internet use

[floccinaucinihilipilificationa]

[zhukzucraft]

nuclear family as described by Iskall

[weaselmcdiesel]

Do You Love The Color Of The 413?

[whetstonefires]

You know what I realize that people underestimate with Pride & Prejudice is the strategic importance of Jane.

Because like, I recently saw Charlotte and Elizabeth contrasted as the former being pragmatic and the latter holding out for a love match, because she's younger and prettier and thinks she can afford it, and that is very much not what's happening.

The Charlotte take is correct, but the Elizabeth is all wrong. Lizzie doesn't insist on a love match. That's serendipitous and rather unexpected. She wants, exactly as Mr. Bennet says, someone she can respect. Contempt won't do. Mr. Bennet puts it in weirdly sexist terms like he's trying to avoid acknowledging what he did to himself by marrying a self-absorbed idiot, but it's still true. That's what Elizabeth is shooting for: a marriage that won't make her unhappy.

She's grown up watching how miserable her parents make one another; she's not willing to sign up for a lifetime of being bitter and lonely in her own home.

I think she is very aware, in refusing Mr. Collins, that it's reasonably unlikely that anyone she actually respects is going to want her, with her few accomplishments and her lack of property. That she is turning down security and the chance keep the house she grew up in, and all she gets in return may be spinsterhood.

But, crucially, she has absolute faith in Jane.

The bit about teaching Jane's daughters to embroider badly? That's a joke, but it's also a serious potential life plan. Jane is the best creature in the world, and a beauty; there's no chance at all she won't get married to someone worthwhile.

(Bingley mucks this up by breaking Jane's heart, but her prospects remain reasonable if their mother would lay off!)

And if Elizabeth can't replicate that feat, then there's also no doubt in her mind that Jane will let her live in her house as a dependent as long as she likes, and never let it be made shameful or awful to be that impoverished spinster aunt. It will be okay never to be married at all, because she has her sister, whom she trusts absolutely to succeed and to protect her.

And if something eventually happens to Jane's family and they can't keep her anymore, she can throw herself upon the mercy of the Gardeners, who have money and like her very much, and are likewise good people. She has a support network--not a perfect or impregnable one, but it exists. It gives her realistic options.

Spinsterhood was a very dangerous choice; there are reasons you would go to considerable lengths not to risk it.

But Elizabeth has Jane, and her pride, and an understanding of what marrying someone who will make you miserable costs.

That's part of the thesis of the book, I would say! Recurring Austen thought. How important it is not to marry someone who will make you, specifically, unhappy.

She would rather be a dependent of people she likes and trusts than of someone she doesn't, even if the latter is formally considered more secure; she would rather live in a happy, reasonable household as an extra than be the mistress of her own home, but that home is full of Mr. Collins and her mother.

This is a calculation she's making consciously! She's not counting on a better marriage coming along. She just feels the most likely bad outcome from refusing Mr. Collins is still much better than the certain outcome of accepting him. Which is being stuck with Mr. Collins forever.

Elizabeth is also being pragmatic. Austen also endorses her choice, for the person she is and the concerns she has. She's just picking different trade-offs than Charlotte.

Elizabeth's flaw is not in her own priorities; she doesn't make a reckless choice and get lucky. But in being unable to accept that Charlotte's are different, and it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with Charlotte.

Because realistically, when your marriage is your whole family and career forever, and you only get to pick the ones that offer themselves to you, when you are legally bound to the status of dependent, you're always going to be making some trade-offs.

😂 Even the unrealistically ideal dream scenario of wealthy handsome clever ethical Mr. Darcy still asks you to undergo personal growth, accommodate someone else's communication style, and eat a little crow.