#ii. study : max

[microknifeyuri]

i love you.

cw: derrealization, depictions of dissociation.

[elijones94]

🧜🏻‍♀️ Melody, Flounder, and Tip 🐠🐧

[feysversion]

tag drop pt. 1

ii. study : deucalion

ii. study : jayne

ii. study : desmond

ii. study : judas

ii. study : aurora

ii. study : johnathan

ii. study : narrator

ii. study : betelgeuse

ii. study : max

ii. study : tom

[gotaksboyfie]

Hi I!! I just wanted to say how much I absolutely adore your writing— I may or may not have binged all your stories in one night because I got completely lost in your writing hehe. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d love to make a little request! ❤️

could you please do a sieun x reader where we the reader leaves cute little notes in his textbooks after studying together? :3 I feel like it’d be cute, maybe something like little words of encouragement or small explanations to make some difficult concepts easier !! 🫶🫶

study buddy

gif creds: @seolinguk

pairing yeon sieun x gender neutral reader

summary you and sieun study together, and have a silent way of communicating with each other

word count ~600

warnings/tags fluff

being rank 2 in the school wasn't all that hard, not with a study partner like yeon sieun.

sieun didn't talk much, was emotionless most of the time, and literally only ate and drank when absolutely necessary. he was a living studying machine.

his methods were more to make studying more efficent—sieun's words, not yours—but you think he's just burning himself into the ground. it can't be healthy, min-maxxing studying like this.. he's already naturally smart, so what the hell is he doing all this for?

he’s focused. intense, even. he rarely speaks unless it’s to ask a question (extreme rare) or point something out. but you can feel his eyes drifting over sometimes, watching the way you take notes with colorful pens, how you underline things with little stars and write silly ramblings in the margins.

still, it was nice to study with him. his neat notes organized everything into sections that made it easier to grasp concepts. not to mention he would never let you slack off—always pushing you to stay on top of it with no break.

you stared blankly at your calculus homework while sieun was already working on his chemistry II work. differential equations made no sense, how did sieun already finish the homework?

"sieun-ah, can i see the homework? and the notes for differential equations?" you sighed, putting your pencil down. the numbers weren't adding up, so might as well refresh on the concept.

you flip through his notebook, and even his handwriting is completely straight. it's looks like he printed it out, but small ink smudges prove otherwise.

tearing off a small pink sticky note, you decide to leave him some encouragement. hopefully he'd enjoy it, and not just toss it out the next day.

fighting!ヽ(>∀<☆)ノ you got this sieunnie ☆

he doesn’t mention it the next day. doesn’t spare a second glance at you. but the note is still there, standing out against the monochrome background.

so you keep going. it turns into a small habit. you start leaving similar messages of encouragement, explanations, and even dumb jokes.

he doesn't react or say anything, but you swear you can see the smallest quirk of his lips as he reads over your latest one.

what's a math's teachers favorite dessert? π (￢‿￢ )

one day, you ask for his notes again to double check something. as you open it, you see all your notes neatly taped side by side on one page.

remember.. even geniuses have to take breaks sometimes! ╮(︶︿︶)╭ go drink some water!

you forgot to plug this rule in, you doofus :P

yeon sieun you want to buy me tteokbokki sooo bad right now ꩜꩜

[bad sketch of him studying] <3

(・_・)! i did not know you could solve it like that..

you laugh to yourself. it was silly, just a few lines scribbled in messy ink and hidden between practice problems. but he saved them. all of them. and maybe he didn’t know how to say things aloud, but the way he kept your words close made your heart flutter.

sieun's ears were dusted pink as you handed it back to him, and his face looked slightly embarrassed.

you opened your own notebook to see a ripped piece of paper with writing on it. there's no way, right?

Thank you.

you glance up and his head ducks down quicky, eyes fixed on anything but you. (so much for being subtle sieun..)

you read over the note again. it was just two words, but they felt like thousands—especially since they were coming from sieun.

maybe studying wasn't so bad with him around.

fin

a/n so short im sorry😭

[llamaqueenprompt]

Red Flags and Blushes . Part I

Characters: Max Verstappen, Reader

Not Requested

Word Count: 0.6k

Inspiration: "Are you Blushing?"

Part I Part II Part III - Complete

❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁

❁ Find out who I write for HERE

❁ Go to my Masterlist HERE

❁ See the requests guidelines HERE

❁ Send me a request HERE

The Red Bull garage buzzed around them - mechanics shouting, tires screeching, radios crackling - but Y/n barely heard any of it.

She was too busy trying not to look at Max Verstappen… Or worse - remember.

It had been three weeks since that night in Monaco. One mistake, one brutal, earth-shattering night.

She’d woken up tangled in his sheets, his arm slung lazily over her waist, the early morning light cutting across his face. And for one stupid second, she’d thought about staying.

But she hadn’t. She couldn’t.

“That can’t happen again.” she’d whispered, still half-dressed, still drunk on him.

Max hadn’t argued. He’d just given her a slow, unreadable smile and said. “If you say so.”

Now he stood a few feet away, the top half of his race suit tied around his wais, undershirt clinging to every inch of muscle, hair messy from the helmet. He look unfairly good - and judging by the smug curve of his mouth, he knew exactly what he was doing to her.

Y/n pretended to study the laptop screen in fron of her, scrolling through telemetry data she wasn’t even processing. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table.

Professional. She needed to be professional.

“You’re really bad at pretending,” Max’s voice cut through the air, low and amused.

She froze.

Slowly, she looked up - and he was right there. Leaning against the table next to her, arms crossed, eyes glinting with amusement. His presence felt loud somehow, even though he wasn’t doing anything but standing there.

“Excuse me?” she said coolly.

Max’s smile widened just a fraction, like he was enjoying a private joke. “Pretending you’re not staing.”

“I wasn’t.”

Lying. Horrible, obvious lying.

He leaned in a little, lowering his voice just for her. “You always were a terrible liar.”

Y/n’s cheeks flamed. She hated how her body betrayed her - how just the sound of his voice, low and teasing, could unravel her so easily.

“You’re imagining things,” she said, turning back to the laptop.

Max chuckled, low and rough, a sound that scraped deliciously down her spine.

“Am I?”

He pushed off the table and moved closer, close enough that she could feel the heat of him. Close enough that old, dangerous memories flickered to life: the scrape of his stubble against her skin, the ways he’d murmured her name against her throat.

“You’re blushing,” he said softly, sounding almost pleased.

Y/n gritted her teeth. “No, I’m not.”

Max crocked his head, studying her like he already knew the answer. Like he knew everything.

Then, voice dropping to a whisper, he said, “Are you blushing, Y/n?”

She closed her eyes for half a second, just to steel herself. Because the way he said her name - low and rough and intimate - was unfair.

She forced a smirk onto her face and turned to face him. “Even if I was,” she said coolly, “it wouldn’t be because of you.”

Max’s smile turned downright dangerous.

He stepped in closer, his hand almost brushing hers where it rested on the table. Her breath hitched.

“You sure about that?” he murmured.

Y/n’s heart was hammering against her ribs. This was exctly why she’d told him no more.

Because Max didn’t just get under your skin - he stayed there, burrowed deep and permanent.

And the worst part? He knew it.

“Max,” she said, her voice low and warning.

He straightened a little, but the smirk never left his face. He stepped back, like he was doing her a favor, like he knew exactly how close she was to snapping.

“Relax,” he said, throwing her a wink over his shoulder as he walked away. “Wouldn’t want anyone thinking we like each other.”

Y/n stood frozen, heart pounding, handa tembling slightly.

God, he was insufferable.

And damn it, she was blushing.

[twstgameplay]

[JP] 5th Anniversary / Blazing Jewel ～Listen to Our Songs!～

March 10th 17:00 - March 28th 14:59 (JST)

Twisted Wonderland’s 5th Anniversary Campaign has begun! Alongside the new features, there is a simultaneous event story Blazing Jewel with which there is an SSR Grim summoning banner, as well as rerun banners for the CH 7 SSR cards!

Information found below:

NEW FEATURES

Blazing Jewel ～Listen to Our Songs!～

Mission Info

Stamp Card Info

Shop Info

NEW FEATURES

We’ll be getting the following new functions:

Part 1 (beginning 10 Mar):

Self-study: Earn mats, honey, and other lesson rewards without spending AP in a new idle lesson. Additional cumulative missions have been added to the missions tab for the self-study lessons. A student taking self-study can take other lessons, but not another self-study course. Crowley, Crewel, Trein, Rollo, and Fellow are not available for this session

Material Conversion: Spend Madol/Thaumarks to convert mats, but only within the same color. Find the menu for this on the Settings page on the Home Screen, then select Conversion. Materials can be converted in either direction of rarity.

Event Recall: Previous events that have already gone to the Event Recall that had voiceovers on the title, or character voice lines for the event have been added to the Event Recall for the following events: Scary Monsters I and II, Glorious Masquerade, Playful Land, Sam's New Year Sale (2022-2024). The following events will be added to Event Recall: Sam's New Year Sale 2024, 4th Anniversary, Port Fest, Playful Land, Tamashina Minha.

Other Changes

Characters can be viewed in their entirety via the Home Screen.

All chats will now be voiced.

Rhythmic DEMO can now be played without the scores/buttons in the way.

Crowley/Crewel/Trein now have Alchemy classes

Lesson Speed can now be set to x2

The Memory Shop now has available the backgrounds available during the events that are available in Event Recall.

Staff Profiles have been updated.

Certain event items can now be sold.

AP limit has been increased to 60.

Friend limit increased.

EXP increased from Special Lessons.

A chapter list and synopsis has been added to the Main Stories.

On the Max Card Info page, the buddy bonuses have been added for easy viewing.

Part 2 (Beginning 14 Mar):

Trouble Voice Lines: The lines that are spoken during the fights in the Guest Room will change depending on who they are fighting. The Trouble lines that had been used before will be available to view in the character album. This will not affect Crowley, Crewel, Trein, Rollo, or Fellow.

Other Changes:

There will be new Gift Items available in the Guest Room.

Outfit furniture has been added for School Uniform, PE Uniform, Ceremonial Robes, Labwear, and Dorm Uniform. These unlock as specific room ranks.

New BGM have been added for the Guest Room.

Part 3 (Beginning 18 Mar):

New Cumulative Missions: Missions regarding cards/lessons/exams will be added to the Missions tab.

Blazing Jewel ～Listen to Our Songs!～

Play through the event and collect Honey Lemon, Music Medals, and Blazing Medals. Clear Rhythmics and Challenges on the map to gain materials to trade in the shop.

The Story will drop one episode at a time, for each dorm in an unknown order.

Episode 1: March 10th, 17:00 (Scarabia)

Episode 2: March 12th, 0:00 (Ignihyde)

Episode 3: March 14th, 0:00 (Octavinelle)

Episode 4: March 16th, 0:00 (Savanaclaw)

Episode 5: March 18th, 0:00 (Diasomnia)

Episode 6: March 20th, 0:00 (Pomefiore)

Episode 7: March 22nd, 0:00 (Heartslabyul)

Mission Info

Stamp Info

Click on the Stamp Icon on the bottom left of the Event Page, there will be a total of 2 Stamp Cards.

The first stamp card only goes until March 17th, 23:59 (JST), so pay attention to the time limit.

The second stamp card only goes from March 18th 00:00 (JST) to March 28th, 14:59 (JST), so pay attention to the time limit.

Event Item Gacha Info

Use Blazing Medals to roll in the Event Item Gacha, which can be found on the Event Homescreen. Blazing Medals can be gotten by doing the special event lessons. 100 Blazing Medals = 1 roll on the Item Gacha. At 10 and 20 rolls, you'll get a tenfold summon for SSR Crowley RERUN banner! The following items may show up in the Item Gacha:

Memory Medals

Starshards (S/L)

Sunshards L

Honey (M/L)

Grimoires

Textbooks

Notepads

Herb Tea (M/L)

Madol

Shop Info

In Sam's Shop, you'll find the following shops:

Honey Lemon Shop

Honey Lemon are obtained while running through the event story challenges.

Music Medal Shop

Music Medals are obtained via Collect Battles.

Anniversary Medal Shop

Anniversary Medals are obtained by pulling/rolling on the Anniversary Showcase.

You get 1 medal per roll (10-roll = 10 medals), so you’ll need to roll 100 times to grab that beautiful Anniversary Magical Key and 150 rolls to get the Limited Rerun SSR Magical Key and choose any of the already released Birthday Boy SSRs, Union Birthday SSRs, and Event Rerun SSRs.

Magical Key (Anniversary) Shop

The Magical Key (Anniversary) Shop has a list of all Dorm Uniform, Birthday Boy, Birthday Jacket, Bloom Birthday, and Platinum Jacket SSR Cards. Keep in mind that you can only pick one from the Magical Key (Anniversary) Shop

Magical Key (Limited Run SSR) Shop

The Magical key (Limited Run SSR) Shop has Event Rerun SSR cards that have been added to the Event Recall. Rollo is also available. Keep in mind that you can only pick one from the Magical Key (Limited Run SSR) Shop

Magical Key (Limited Run SR) Shop

The Magical key (Limited Run SR) Shop has Event Rerun SR cards that have been added to the Event Recall. Keep in mind that you can only pick two from the Magical Key (Limited Run SR) Shop

Anniversary Pack (Paid Gems) Shop

For 200 Paid Gems, you can get a pack with the following:

1 Magical Key (10-Set)

10 Starshards L

10 of each elemental Grimoire

20 of each elemental Textbook

100,000 Madol

Anniversary Pack (Gems) Shop

Other Anniversary Packs are available in the usual Gem Shop. The Complete Mats pack is available for 200 gems, and the Honey XL is available for 100 gems. Every other pack is available for 50 gems.

[kingdoms-and-empires]

The Real World Influences of Kingdoms and Empires: II

And here's an example of what you'll find in the FREE Patreon posts!!!

Unlike the first one, this is specifically only for the Belthean Empire as a unified polity. In the next post in the Real World Influences, I'll talk about the Old Kingdoms in the empire that used to be independent.

Belthean Empire

The Holy Belthean Empire, at least societally and culturally is inspired from a mix of both Imperial China and the Achaemenid Empire in core with lots of Roman Empire in the exterior.

I wanted to create an empire that was advanced culturally, militarily, and scientifically while also boasting a diverse and cosmopolitan background. And to that end I settled on specifically the Tang Dynasty and the empire of Cyrus the Great. The Roman Empire is already known for this of course, but not in the way the other two were (depending on time period of course).

Some Belthean Emperors were also inspired by entire Dynasties of Imperial China!

For instance, Emperor Garland the Founder is pretty much the Qin Empire. He personified the violent rise of the Qin, their brutality, and his historic feat of uniting his people under one nation.

His son however, Emperor Daerin I is the early Han Dynasty instead, using more peaceful and careful methods of uniting the people after the brutality that brought his people together in the first place. His philosophy is also studied and followed by the Master-Scholars of Jelaytha, and is very reminiscent of teachings of Confucius. We'll see more when Master Feren teaches us.

Emperor Valerion is the Song Dynasty, who helmed the Belthean Empire's path to more intellectual pursuits. This min-max focus led to the establishment of the Imperial Libraries, the social change of the nobility shifting to becoming scholar-nobles for a generation in order to join the government because of the new civil service examination system, and advancements in technology and medicine with many new inventions being made during this period.

Emperor Elric I was inspired from the Yuan Dynasty. Constant wars, battles, heavy taxation, and still using the intellectual systems created by the previous ruler (dynasty) it all came to an end with a massive rebellion.

Emperor Cenric however, is the only emperor on this list that isn't inspired by the dynasties. He is instead inspired from Ahoska the Great's legend of pacifism after a brutal conquest. His story instead deals with the literal nuking of the City of Farghas.

His son, Emperor Saldwin, is mostly associated/inspired by the Ming Dynasty. His major naval expedition, the incredible international prestige gained, and the beginning of a world superpower was created with his reign. The tribute and supplication of the powers around him, the incredibly effective and brutal methods of suppression of traitors and enemies, and the pivot to keeping the peace later on while having been militaristic earlier are similar in vein of the Yongle Emperor of Ming.

And now we have Emperor Elric II, the start of the three generations that are considered by me to be of the early half of the Tang Dynasty. If his father can be considered Trajan, Elric II can be considered Hadrian. Elric II did his best to solidify the gains his father conquered, and honorably upheld the multiple treaties signed. Under his reign, a true golden age descended upon the empire.

Emperor Daerin II inherited a strong, peaceful, stable, rich, and thriving empire. He also inherited when he was nine years old. His mother, who was supposed to be the first empress of the Beltheans, had died giving birth to him, and Daerin II's uncles died from freak accidents. So when the previous emperor, his grandfather died clutching his heart in the fables gardens of Emperor's Circle, a child took the helm of the strongest nation of the world. This led to a gaping hole in the political landscape of the empire, allowing for factions to wage wars of intrigue, using assassinations, intimidation, blackmail, and seduction. It is only because of the regent, his father-in-law, that the empire did not openly give way to civil war. Daerin II's excesses, and the regents, politicking, and young age of his coronation, are all inspired by the late Han Empire, that gave way to the Three Kingdoms Period.

And finally, Emperor Otto. I'd rather not spoil anything regarding this man. Our maternal grandfather is a complex figure, one who left his mark upon history, and whose presence will still be felt even after he passes. The empire has enjoyed an unprecedent era of peace and progress that started from Emperor Otto's grandfather, Emperor Elric II. His reign enjoyed an unbroken period of peace that lasted almost 40 years, and Otto's own father Emperor Daerin II, waged what the empire considered a minor conflict on the border with the Tripartite Alliance. The empire didn't face major mobilization until Emperor Otto's invasion of Lymark, which he conquered with incredible ease and dismantled the Tripartite Alliance while gaining the Kingdom of Argent as "Imperial Friend and Ally". For all intents and purposes, the Belthean Peace remains unbroken and steadfast.

The Fashion

When they landed on Nareth's shores, the Belthean people were primarily very consistent with what one could describe as "culturally Chinese" fashion, traditions, and cultural norms. Belthean noblewomen would mostly wear clothing like below (Tang Dynasty era) and dress up with heavy cosmetics and elaborate hair styles (of which most was wigs).

The men wore the typical robes associated with modern period dramas of Imperialist China, (they mostly didnt change much throughout the dynasties and ages lol, but this is because it was considered formal wear and was meant to show respect to your ancestors which makes sense.)

But for daily use clothing, you'd mostly see a more unisex hanfu style clothing that allows for easy movement. Another reason why I chose the Tang Dynasty in particular is due to the influx of foreign influence that helped ease restrictions on women (at least until the An Lushan Rebellion made the Tang distrust foreigners in the later half of their Dynasty) and that even extended to fashion.

Instead of the heavy and bothersome clothing of before, a noblewoman could use the ruqun style of clothing (or pair the ru with a shankun which were a style of trousers = pants!) for everyday shit while still looking fabulous.

The ru is a jacket of sorts (they could and can be longer sleeved)

And the qun is a skirt (which can also be longer, more elaborate, and made of varying different materials that further make it special and pretty)

And when used together you get the ruqun

And they could absolutely be used by the nobles who could also make them incredibly pretty and of higher quality material so it wouldn't even look out of place in parties and the like.

You can even throw another bigger overcoat and make it look way more hanfu (more formal and imperial court approved)

Of course, while the above is still used (and can be worn by our Champion as well if they wish as it is considered a middle ground for the traditionalists and progressives) by the empire, there is a divide currently going through fashion (and of course socially) of those staying true to their heritage and those wanting to experiment in accordance to influences from their regions (Ulthred, Moresaine, Beautrix, Swainea, Trevalyn, and now Lymark).

As such, western style of dresses and suits have begun to spread from Jelaytha and Trevalyn, who are ALSO the most merchant-like and most adventurous folk in the empire who travel around bringing their fashion and ideals to the rest of the empire.

This dynamic has resulted in a wide variety of styles of hanfu and ruqun/fashion and what can be considered traditionally western-style gowns and suits.

For instance, this can create a situation where a traditionalist house may use sewing, weaving, and construction techniques the Jelaythans and Trevalyn people have created to make hanfu and ruqun outfits like below that show off their house sigil (in this case a deer). Talk about hypocrites lol

As an author, I really want to use the different regions of the empire (for it is huge and a mix of different cultures and peoples) to help explain/explore the vast history of Chinese fashion. So I may fuck around and describe an outfit that may not be period-appropriate but meh it's fantasy and the only people who'd get pissed are people super interested in a niche subject who really shouldnt get angry when im bringing this to a lot of more people lol

An artist named lilsuika (

[stargazerbibi]

🪩🔮👾NEW SEMESTER, NEW PRODUCTIVITY CHALLENGE! 👾🔮🪩

hello again!! the fourth and last year of my bachelor's is starting! it's going to be a tough one, but i really want it to go well so here i am, making this, hoping it will guide and help me finish this degree once and for all!

this semester, i'll be taking:

Differential and Integral Calculus I

Differential and Integral Calculus III

Physics II ☑️

Analysis and Synthesis of Algorithms ☑️

Linear Algebra ☑️

152 DAYS (max.)

for the record, aside from algebra, i don't particularly enjoy any of these subjects, but i'm trying to face them with an open mind. my situation is not ideal, but i'll try to make the most of it. manifesting good things for this year <33

🌪️⛲☄️ GOALS ☄️⛲🌪️

-> pass all my classes: 3/5

-> complete my goodreads challenge: 23/25 ✖️

-> keep my Duolingo streak alive ☑️

🩷🌸🦑 FUN PLANS 🦑🌸🩷

-> re-read jjk: 12/21

-> go to the cinema ☑️

🌆🪸🪼 NOT FUN PLANS 🪼🪸🌆

-> organize my email ☑️

-> organize photos (computer, camera, phone)

-> organize my room after moving ☑️

🌌🎆🗻 COUNTERS 🗻🎆🌌

-> properly study Danish: 0 hours

-> movies watched: 13/10 ☑️ (last watched: The Two Popes, 2019, dir. Fernando Meirelles)

-> series watched: 11/10 ☑️ (last watched: Romantic Killer)

-> books read: 10/10 ☑️ (last read: I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy)

[scary-grace]

(secret) santa, baby - part 6 of a shigaraki x f!reader fic

Shigaraki doesn't want to participate in the office's Secret Santa exchange, but when Toga promises to make it easy on him, he gives in. But making it easy for him makes it a lot harder for you -- you're the one who got his list. Office AU, no quirks. A fic in 12 parts. Divider by @ wcnderlnds

part i part ii part iii part iv part v part vi part vii

part vi (holiday parties)

Everybody’s been talking about the company holiday party scheduled for Christmas night for a month and a half, and you assumed everybody would settle for that one instead of throwing parties of their own. But based on the number of party invitations that have been dropped on your desk, your coworkers are as over-the-top about holiday parties as they are about everything else. It seems like there’s a party or two every night, work nights included. You’ve gotten at least five invitations, and in your efforts to make friends, you’ve been going to all of them.

So far you’ve done a cookie party, a gingerbread house party, a holiday-themed DIY spa night with your coworkers from the advertising department, karaoke with the PR team, a White Elephant party that scraped up almost everybody and took almost four hours to get through, and one party that was just an eggnog-fueled walk through Yaoyorozu’s ritzy neighborhood, which you have to admit has the prettiest Christmas light displays you’ve ever seen. You can hang in there with the best of them, but you’re getting sort of partied out.

The next invitation arrives while you’re at your desk the day after Yaoyorozu’s party, still trying to shake off the eggnog, and it’s delivered by the last person you’d have expected to care about that kind of thing. “Toga’s having a party,” Shigaraki says without preamble. He drops the invitation down on your desk, next to the pen you got from your Secret Santa. “You’re invited.”

He looks really unhappy about it. It makes you nervous. “Did she tell you to invite me?”

“Where do you think I got this?” Shigaraki gestures at it with one hand, and you notice that his skin looks less irritated than it did the last time you saw him. He must be using the hand cream, and the feeling of accomplishment that settles around you is almost enough to cut the nerves of this conversation. “Can you go to the party or not?”

You study the invitation. “A pajama party?”

“She just means not work clothes,” Shigaraki says. He scratches lightly at his neck. “We just eat and hang out and watch Christmas movies. Nothing weird.”

“Other than you watching Christmas movies,” you say. He glances at you, then looks away. “I thought you hated this stuff.”

“There are drinks, too. That helps.”

You’re kind of maxed out on Christmas drinks. You glance at the invitation. It’s for tomorrow, which isn’t a work night, and you don’t have anything planned. Toga’s been nice to you. If it’s Toga’s party and she’s inviting her friends, Spinner and Twice will be there, and they’ve been nice to you, too. You might not know Dabi or Magne or Compress very well, but you think you can probably avoid bothering them if you’re careful. There’s not a reason to say no – except the reason that’s standing in front of you, waiting with increasing irritation for you to reply. “Well?”

“Do you want me to go?” you ask, and Shigaraki stares at you. “If you’re only inviting me because Toga’s making you –”

“That’s not what I said,” Shigaraki says. He looks even more annoyed than he did a second ago, but there’s color coming up in his face. You wonder if that’s what you looked like when you were singing a Christmas song to ward off the carolers. “Can you go or not?”

“Um –” If you say yes, he’ll stop staring at you like that. And you still need to make friends. “Yes. Tell Toga I’m looking forward to it.”

Shigaraki nods once and stalks off, probably headed straight back to the basement. You study Toga’s invitation a little more carefully. There’s a list of movies on it that looks pretty good, and it says you’re not supposed to bring anything except yourself, your pajamas, and an ugly sweater if you have one. It sounds like a quieter party than the ones you’ve been going to, and it’s not a work night tomorrow, so there’s no reason for you to feel anxious about it. Is there?

“Hey!” Ashido’s peering over the wall of her cubicle into yours. “Did I hear that right? Shigaraki left the dungeon just to ask you out?”

Your face goes up in flames. “He didn’t ask me out. He was just dropping off an invitation to Toga’s party. She must have asked him –”

“That’s not what he said,” Hakagure says, leaning out of her cubicle across the way to stare at you. “You assumed Toga asked him to ask you, but he didn’t agree.”

“And we know Toga usually hand-delivers her invitations,” Ashido continues, “because Uraraka got one. Right, Uraraka?”

“I went last year, too,” Uraraka says. “It’s different, but it’s okay. They’re all a lot different when they’re not at work.”

Uraraka’s going, too. Knowing that eases your mind a little bit. And knowing that they’re different than they are at work is a positive. You think. Given that ‘what Shigaraki’s like at work’ is a category broad enough to include just about every behavior somebody can exhibit without getting fired, you’ve really got no idea what he could possibly be like in his off hours. In twenty-four hours and change, you’re going to find out.

You try not to think about what Ashido and Hagakure said, but it lurks at the edges of your thoughts overnight and into the next day, and by the time you’re knocking on the door to Toga’s apartment, you can’t ignore it any longer. He didn’t say Toga told him to ask you. He also didn’t say he didn’t want you to go. In your observations of Shigaraki, you’ve never seen him be shy about saying what he doesn’t like.  If he didn’t want you to go, you’d have known about it. Which means he does want you to be here. Why does he want to see you outside of work? Is he really –

“You came!” The door opens in your face, startling you out of your thoughts, and Toga pulls you inside before you can get your bearings entirely. “Tomura-kun said he needed an invitation for you, but we didn’t think he’d actually go through with it. I’m so glad you’re here!”

“He went through with it? Damn.” Dabi appears around the corner. If you’d been trying to predict his outfit for a pajama party, you wouldn’t have picked an actual pajama set, which is what he’s wearing. “I hope you like lame-ass Christmas horror movies, because that’s what we’re watching first.”

“There are Christmas horror movies?”

“Oh yeah! Lots of them!” Twice also has a pajama set. His comes with a hat on it. “We have to watch at least one every year so Shigaraki won’t get up and leave when we try to watch Home Alone or Elf.”

“And this year we had to have two horror movies,” Magne adds. She’s in the kitchen, mixing drinks. “It’s the only way we can get him to sit through Love Actually.”

“How do you pick the movies?” you ask. Magne hands you a drink, then shoos you towards the living room, which is a sea of couches and beanbag chairs. “Does everybody pick?”

“We always do Nightmare Before Christmas, since we can all agree on that one,” Spinner says. He’s already sitting down, and his idea of pajamas looks a lot more like yours – sweatpants, sweater, both sort of old. “Then we put all the others on a corkboard and play darts to pick.”

He points over to one wall, and sure enough, you can see a corkboard covered in darts and tiny pieces of paper. “Anybody who’s invited can suggest one.”

“One of mine made it this year,” Uraraka says brightly. “Die Hard.”

“You could have added one, too, if somebody hadn’t waited so long to invite you –”

“Give it a rest,” Shigaraki says, and you jump. You almost didn’t notice him, settled in like he is at one corner of the couch with the hood of his sweatshirt pulled up over his hair. “Take one of my picks. So you won’t have to watch a bunch of things you hate.”

“Oh, that’s okay –”

“No,” Shigaraki says. He sits up and his hood falls down. “Pick something.”

“Pick something,” Twice agrees, edging past you to plop down on the couch next to Shigaraki. “Save us from the gremlins. I can’t watch the microwave scene again.”

“No, we should keep the gremlins. I don’t want to watch that Krampus thing,” Toga complains. “It looks so gross and weird –”

“We only have one movie that’s off-limits,” Spinner says. “It’s –”

“The Grinch,” you say, and Spinner gives you a surprised look. “Let me think for a second.”

“Sit down while you’re thinking about it,” Magne advises, reaching over the back of the couch to shove Twice towards the middle and free up the space next to Shigaraki. Is that where you’re supposed to sit? “Go on.”

You sit down, careful not to spill your drink, and think through the list of Christmas movies you know. You don’t want to pick something they’ll hate – or something Shigaraki will hate, given that he’s the one who invited you – and the only thing you have to go on is that they all like Nightmare Before Christmas. Hasn’t Tim Burton done another Christmas movie? You take a sip of your drink, which is thankfully not eggnog, to jog your memory. “What about Edward Scissorhands?”

“Never seen that one,” Dabi muses. “Spinner. Get rid of the gremlins and add it to the lineup.”

You haven’t seen it in forever. Hopefully it’s not bad, and hopefully everybody drinks enough by then that they don’t care whether it’s good or not. As Spinner screws around with the TV and everyone else starts looking for spots to sit, you turn your attention to Shigaraki. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Letting me pick one,” you say.

Shigaraki shrugs. The two of you are sitting close enough that his shoulder brushes against yours. “It’s not a big deal. I knew you wouldn’t pick the Grinch.”

“I know a Grinch-free zone when I’m in one,” you say, and Shigaraki’s scarred mouth pulls up slightly at one corner. You can’t imagine him smiling like that at work, and you don’t know how you feel about it. “Thanks for inviting me to this, too.”

“Toga didn’t make me,” Shigaraki says. “It was my idea. Just so you know.”

He was holding your gaze at first. When he says that, he looks away, and you don’t try to make him look back. You face front and wait for Toga to start the movie, and when Magne sits down on the couch, you scoot just a little closer to Shigaraki to make room. It reminds you of high school in some sense you can’t put your finger on, some way you’re not ready to look at too closely. But there are five movies in the queue for Toga’s holiday party. You’ve got a long time tonight to figure it out.

<- part v part vii ->

[nateconnolly]

Okay so behind the scenes drama is that 1) many prisons limit how many free books we can send to inmates and 2) just practically we have to place our own weight limit on each package that we send out because postage costs money.

That means a package might bump up against the weight limit before you fit the max number of individual books.*

The limits are maximums, not minimums. You don't have to make both numbers go all the way to the top.

The teenagers who volunteer at my program really struggle with this concept and I'm not sure how to help them? They're all earnest kids, and they focus on the tasks we give them. But for some reason they don't seem to get it when I say it isn't super important to max out both limits.

It's a problem because they put ideal books back on the shelf. Say somebody writes us saying they really really want a biography of Amenemhet II specifically, but if we don't have it, then they'd also like murder mysteries. It is nothing short of a goddamn miracle if you find that biography, right? But these kids will put it back so that they can send three books that the person doesn't want as much... seemingly just because they're allowed to send three?

I've tried introducing this concept earlier in the training. I've tried affirmation that they're doing great even if they don't get high numbers. I've tried at least three different ways of phrasing it. Nothing has worked so far.

Does anyone with more experience teaching teenagers have suggestions? The kids I work with are almost exclusively below the age of 12.

*Say you're allowed to send five books and 2 pounds 14 ounces of weight. You might send three books each of which are 15 ounces. You have the theoretical right to send two more books, but the practical financial limit means that you can't send anything more. (We frequently make excepts for special cases -- if someone wants a GED study guide, for instance, or if they need large print)

[toulousewayne]

Beyond the Bat: Pt II 🦇

Batfamily x batsis!reader

Synopsis: Three years since Bruce’s disappearance, and with all of Batman’s former Robins gone, Gotham is under protection of the Batwoman, but she will need help to take on one of Gotham biggest Civil Wars ever.

——

The blaring of sirens, the existence sounds of horns and swearing. And the strong aroma of urine and hot dogs. New York. Y/n leaned back in her seat mentally preparing herself for the facade she’d have to endure during this events.

“Most of the young masters disliked these things as well.” Alfred offered his warmest smile as the towncar pulled behind several others unloading their occupants.

“I can’t say I enjoyed them when I had to attend them with Bruce.” She adjusted her hair and checked her makeup in a compact mirror as the car stopped at the entrance of the Met.

Alfred step out first and opened the door for her. She signed as she was blinded by bright spotlight, camera flashes and the shouts and comments from reporters and photographers.

“How will I find him?” She whispers with a fake smile.

Alfred offers a sincere chuckle. “Most likely it’s Master Timothy who will find you.” He gets back into the car and it pulls off. Y/n strolls into the building not paying any of the screaming photographers questions about who she was.

Engulfed in a room of classical sonnets, ensembles of rich elite socialites fill the room. She descends the staircase and into the heart of the party. Gaining some glances both in awe and of disbelief. Y/n cross the room to the bar and scans its fellow patrons.

“Looking for someone?” A man asks with a Scotch in hand. The man looks familiar but also like someone she has never seen before.

“It’s possible,who wants to know?” She grins. The man smiles warmly.

“Just someone who finds these..things a bit over the top.” She studied the man with light blue eyes and gel back hair. The man was handsome at least in his later twenties or early thirties.

“Like wise.” Y/n turned to the bartender who placed a drink before. “I didn’t order this-“

The bartender pointed down the bar to a man old enough to be considered for a room in retirement home winked at her.

“Looks like you’ve made a friend.” The man next to her smirks. Y/n glares at him before getting to her feet the man is not far behind.

“I was only teasing no need to get worked up.” She doesn’t answer him but instead makes a beeline for the dance floor until the next song begins and she swirled up in a sea of couples. She bumped right into the arms of the man she left at the bar.

“We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” the man twirled during the song and the two continued to dance to the orchestra.

“I’m sure you find these sorta events interesting, this isn’t my scene.”

The man chuckled,”It’s more so I attend these events out of habit. Not so much because I enjoy people.” Y/n grins.

“In that case maybe you can help me. I’m looking for someone.”

“Who are you looking for?”

“Tim Drake.” The man’s eyes go wide as the music stops and the crowd clap.

“Why are you looking for me?” It’s Y/n’s turn to look shocked. The two quickly move to the balcony above the party.

Tim’s features hardens as he ushers Y/n away from prying eyes. “Talk. Who sent you.”

“I need your help, Gotham is in the middle of a Civil War between the League and the Court of Owls.”

He studied her for a moment before speaking. “You’re the new Bat in town. Dick mentioned that.”

“I didn’t know you all kept in touch. Alfred will be pleased.” He shakes his hand running his hand down his face.

“Look, I’m sure you mean well but I have a life here.”

She walks closer to him. “I’m not asking you to abandon your life Mr. CEO. I just need your help for a few days. A week max and then I’ll never bother you again.”

He still stoic and sighs. “I life Gotham for a reason, I know Dick already denied helping you. I’ll talk to him. But I mean it once the threat is over and Bruce’s estate is settled don’t come looking for me.”

Y/n folds her arms. “I think that can be arranged. I’ll be going now I still have two more Robins to find.” Before she could leave Tim grabbed her forearm.

“You may be out of your depth with this. You don’t have to be like him.” His words hung in the air even after he let her arm go and returned to the party downstairs.

——

“Mommy, Mrs. Barbara took me get ice cream today. She even let me pick out my topping.” Roman squealed with excitement as he got ready for bed.

“That sounds like fun, are you behaving for Babs?” Y/n gleamed at the boy from her phone as the jet took off.

“Yes, she tomorrow I can go to see where she works. Mommy she’s so cool.”

“Rowan all these complements are going to go to my head. Hey go brush your teeth I need to talk to your mommy really quick.” Rowan passes the phone to Barbara who chuckles as the boy rushes out the door.

“How goes the search for the boys?”

Y/n glances out the window and turns back to her. “About as exciting as it can go. How’s things there?”

“A few more bodies were recovered this morning. It’s getting worse Nyssa is making her move and still no word for the Court. I don’t like how quiet they’re being it can only mean they’re planning something.”

“Did you get my message, any ideas where I can find the last two?”

Barbara nods and wheels into a different room. She begins typing and before speaking again. “I was able to piggyback Jason’s to his last known safe houses. But his signal keeps moving. I gave the coordinates to find Damian the jet should take you there. Be careful with everything Nyssa is plotting we don’t know the state of the league.”

“Very well.” Rowan comes back with toothpaste all over his mouth. “Goood n-night mom-my.”

“Good night sweetheart.” Y/n needs the call and sets back in her seat.

————

Y/n ventures into the deserts of Nanda Parbat. She glides down to the ground and observes the fortress.

“Alfred I can see the fortress, I’m moving in.” She notices arrows and swords on the ground.

A fight.

She progress inside the stronghold to find it still in a state of prestige. Batwoman enters the throne rooms and finds its barren.

“Alfred I th—

She’s cut off by a dark embedding itself into her side. She see three ninjas descend from the ceiling.

One of them shouts at her in Arabic. Before the charge her. She’s able to defeat them but soon more arrive until she’s overwhelmed by the waves of assassins and several more doses of the drug from the blow darts. A tall figured adored in gold, green and a demon mask strolls towards her.

His voice is distorted and soon Batwoman is dragged away before darkness consumes her entirely.

——

Slowly ringing is all that feels the void and her vision regains in a dungeon. Before her is the same figure.

“You’re awake. I was wondering how long before you would come here.” A deep voice boomed.

“Who are you,why am I chained up. Let me go!”

“Foolish girl, you break into my house. You do not get to make demands.” The figure step into the light and Y/n is taken aback.

The man before her looks very similar to Bruce. At least physically. His skin is a deep cooper compared to Bruce. His eyes are like to two jade stones. Starve features and manicured hair.

“You look like him.” The man’s gaze hardens he grabs her.

“Why did you come here?”

“Gotham, it’s in the middle of a war. With your assassins.” He growls.

“That faction you speak of is not mine, they’re loyal to my Grandfather’s cause for genocide and destruction.” Damian releases his grasp.

“I lead without bloodshed. As for you. You’re unworthy to wear that symbol, a fool to think you could ever be what my father stood for.”

Y/n is about to fire back at him but he snaps his figures and two assassins rush in and unchain her.

“Take your belongs, and leave. Don’t come back here.” He doesn’t face her as his tall figure leaves the cell.

“Wait!” Batwoman rushes after him. “I need your help Damian, just because your people are loyal to Nyssa doesn’t stop-“

He worlds around and his gaze burrows into hers. “Don’t lecture me on the separation within my army. I’m well aware of my aunt’s doing. I’ve tried for years to keep the league as one. I don’t need you to remind me of it.”

“Do you always have a stick up your ass?” He grids his jaw and towers over her.

“Leave.”

“Not until you agree to come with me. Trust me when I say this I don’t want to chase you all down, but I made a promise to your father that I would look after this godforsaken place. And I need your help these are your people they’ll listen to you.”

He scoffs. “They only listen to which ever ruler allows them to kill. They all have a bloodlust that can’t be stopped. And they won’t unless you kill them. But we both know you’ll do it.” He straights up and his features morph back into a glare.

“I’ve asked nicely I won’t ask a third time. Do not come back here, or you’ll regret it.” He leaves the hallway without another word.

——-

Several Assassins observe an apartment building. Raining pours down around them. One of them leaps across and peers into the window. Inside Barbara Gordon tucks Roman in for the night. She leaves the room and turns out the lights.

The Assassins watches the boy sleep and turns to the others.

“We have eyes on the boy, do you want us to strike?”

“No, we won’t make a move tonight, but Ms. L/n will soon learn about interfering with my operation.” Nyssa’s voice fills the Assassins ears. “Leave him for now, we’ll make our move tomorrow.”

The Assassins flee from the apartment as Barbara peers out the window in her living room before returning to her computer.

[study-with-aura]

End of School Year Wrap Up

Final Course Grades:

Algebra 2 - 96% - A

Honors American Literature - 100% - A+

Spanish 3 - 102% - A+

Bible II - 100% (participation grade)

Honors US History I - 102% - A+

Earth Science with Lab - 101% - A+

PE/Health II - 100% - A+ (participation + RAD passed)

Music Appreciation - 101% - A+

Art Appreciation - 100% - A+ (daily work + final)

Goal Wrap Up:

Academics:

Score 90% or higher in all coursework

Read for 30 minutes each day outside of “class time” (American Literature) - finished 15 non-school related books (The Getaway, Threads that Bind, Swarm, This Dark Descent, Lunar New Year Love Story, All the Fighting Parts, Love Off the Record, The Great Gatsby, Mansfield Park, Choose Truth, All That's Left to Say, The Color Purple, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Side Quest, The Grapes of Wrath)

Study vocabulary daily (Spanish 3)

Complete the first half of Khan Academy US History (Honors US History I) - at 60%

Complete Khan Academy Algebra 2 course (Algebra 2) - at 79% will work on mastery through the summer since my course did not cover Units 11 and 12

Complete one Spanish, French, and Chinese lesson on Duolingo each day

Practice piano for a minimum of 2-3 hours a day, 7 days a week

Complete and pass RCM 10 practical + harmony/counterpoint exams in May - practical is next week

Pass Advanced 1 ballet exam and move to Advanced 2 classes

Character/Spiritual:

Earn Cookie Entrepreneur Y2 Family Pin

Complete two Senior Journeys and earn the Award Pins  - Mission Sisterhood! + Think Like an Engineer

Earn 13 Senior badges - Business Startup, My Cookie Network, Traveler, Voice for Animals, Social Innovator, Business Etiquette, Snow or Climbing Adventure, Savvy Saver, Digital Leadership, Game Visionary, Sky, Senior Outdoor Trail Adventure, Paddling

Earn Y2 Global Action Award

Earn World Thinking Day 2025 Award

Volunteer a minimum of 30 hours in the community - exceeded; volunteered 295. 25 hours total this academic year

Meditate for 10 minutes each day

Complete daily Bible studies each day

Other:

Post studyblr updates at least 2 times per week - Nope, but I did my best!

Limit video gaming to 6 hours Friday-Sunday, 3 hours max per day - I barely had the chance to play through the year

[anarcho-catboyism]

I've been wanting to write a longer thread about this for awhile.

If you're new to the concept of Anarchy, even if you know the basics, you most likely have never heard of Anarcho-Nihilism. If you know basic leftist Ideologies, or just scrolled Political Compass pages, you know of Anarcho Communism, and most people understand there's other branches for marginalized groups like Queer Anarchy, Anarcha Feminism, etc.

This thread will go over Anarcho-Nihilism and the basics of what it is. It will talk to the reader as if you already understand the basic concepts of Anarchy, so if you don't, I recommend reading "Life Without Law" before coming back here.

Anarcho-Nihilism: A Beginners Text To How Fucked We Are

Anarcho-Nihilism is a post-left ideology, meaning that most of the substance of its standpoint are direct criticisms of not just Anarchy, but the leftist movement as a whole, which means Anarcho-Nihilists often reject the label of "Leftist" all-together.

Anarcho-Nihilism is also directly connected to Individualism and Egoism, with more modern Anarcho-Nihilists aligning into Eco-Extremism as well.

Post-Left criticisms, which includes Anarcho-Nihilist criticisms, of the Left include but are not limited to the Lefts view on Organization, Revolution, Unity of Ideologies, Fetishism of Work and Industry, and need of Popularity Politics. We will get into these shortly.

Brief History and Moments of Inspiration

Anarcho-Nihilism takes inspiration from a wide range of people and movements in history, but the earliest "creation" of Anarcho-Nihilism starts with the "Nihilist Movement", which was a Russian movement in the 1860s which focused on attacking traditional ideas of society such as morality, authority, traditionalism, and religion. This came from the growing divide between older radicals and the younger generation who were disillusioned towards older forms of leftist organization and ideas.

Russian anarchist Peter Kropotkin discussed the movement itself, stating "defined nihilism as the symbol of struggle against all forms tyranny, hypocrisy, and artificiality and for individual freedom".

Early forms of Russian Nihilist theory incorporated Egoist theory into its ideas, and saw that all morality, aesthetics, and social institutions were meaningless, but they did not see all ethics, knowledge, and human life as meaningless.

Russian Nihilism was characterized throughout Europe for being linked to Political Terrorism due to multiple assassinations and assassination attempts against politic officials, including the assassination of Tsar Alexander II in 1881. Historian M. A. Gillespie concludes that Russian Nihilism was at the core of revolutionary thought in Russia throughout the lead up to the Russian Revolution.

Anarcho-Nihilism as a movement grew with voices like Kaneko Fumiko, a self identified Anarchist and Nihilist who was convicted of plotting to assassinate members of the Japanese Imperial Family.

Kaneko had many experiences from working with the notably Christian Salvation Army, to studying socialist movements and revolutionaries, anarchist theorists, and Nihilist movements. She only maintained a brief relationship with the Salvation Army, not compelled by their beliefs as well as being abandoned by a Christian friend after he felt his growing feelings towards her were threatening his beliefs. From the Salvation Army she jumped into the socialist movement, but was let down as she found Socialists would often behave in ways they directly advocated against.

Kaneko says her radical shift from Socialism to Anarchism and Nihilism came in 1922 when she met Hatsuyo Niiyama, who she considers her closet friend. Hatsuyo introduced her to thinkers like Max Stirner, Mikail Artsybashev, and Friedrich Nietzche. Kaneko also met Pak Yol, a Korean activist and anarchist who shared her belief systems.

Kaneko and Pak themselves helped continue to define a new set of Anarchism that aimed away from the common ideas of Syndicalism and Union Organizing, Kaneko herself writing about her views in a document made to the court in 1925 after she and Pak were convicted of attempted assassination, stating "formerly I said 'I negate life'... [but] my negation of all life was completely meaningless... The stronger the affirmation of life, the stronger the creation of life- negation together with rebellion. Therefore, I affirm life...Living is not synonymous with merely having movement. It is moving in accordance with one's will… one could say that with deeds, one begins to really live. Accordingly, when one moves by means of one's own will and this leads to the destruction of one's body, this is not a negation of life. It is an affirmation." Kaneko also claimed she wanted to "throw a bomb at the Emperor to show he, like everyone, will someday die" to deny his authority as all powerful.

One of Kaneko's main criticism of the Socialist Movement was the treatment of women, including her, in the movement itself, and this further pushed her into Anarchism and Nihilism as she believed that even these Socialist men would abuse their authority should it be granted.

Blessed is the Flame: The Anarcho-Nihilist Manifesto

"The anarcho-nihilist position is essentially that we are fucked. That the current manifestation of human society (civilization, leviathan, industrial society, global capitalism, whatever) is beyond salvation, and so our response to it should be one of unmitigated hostility. There are no demands to be made, no utopic visions to be upheld, no political programs to be followed — the path of resistance is one of pure negation." Serafinski "Blessed is the Flame"(2015)

Blessed is the Flame is considered one of if not the theory for Anarcho-Nihilism of the modern age, with its criticisms of organization and resistance during times of great tragedy.

Blessed is the Flame is a piece of text about not just Anarcho-Nihilism, but Negation through the lens of the Holocaust and Concentration Camp Resistance. The theory takes the time to explain to the reader just how bleak the reality of life was for concentration camp prisoners, and how the Nazis did everything in their power to snuff out rebellion at its core, and how people rebelled anyway, even when there was no hope to rebellion. Because of this perspective, and usage of a great tragedy, many have criticized Blessed is the Flame for romanticizing the struggles of camp prisoners, even if the author meant not to.

Blessed is the Flame, nonetheless, does the important task of putting what Anarcho-Nihilism is into digestible theory that can be spread and built upon.

Blessed is the Flame asserts that, as the quote says above, Anarcho-Nihilism is the belief that the world as we know it is fucked, to put it simply. That the current systems of domination such as white supremacy, patriarchy, colonialism, etc. have their roots too deep to be organized away, that we have reached past the point of no return for ecological destruction (Global Warming), and that we should meet this hopelessness with destruction.

Blessed is the Flame, and Anarcho-Nihilism, directly criticizes the Marxist idea of Progress. Progress, as in, the idea that Humanity overtime progresses in its worldviews and we will naturally get to a point where Humanity achieves some better world without hate or exploitation, away from the systems of domination. It is argued that history shows we do not progress up, even if we have moments things seem better, we keep crashing harder and harder as the systems of domination grow stronger and root themselves deeper into our lives and psyche. "The conception of history that came out of the Marxist tradition (dialectical materialism) dictated that the transformation of society would pass through capitalism... to transform into socialism and eventually communism. This meant that progressivism was embedded within this (the dominant) branch of socialism."

Blessed is the Flame also argues that, "This stands in direct contrast to other anarchist tendencies that place at least some emphasis on “positive programs” — aspirations to construct something ideal in the present world or to craft plans in preparation for the downfall of the current system. Anarcho-nihilism understands the positive program as “one that confuses desire with reality and extends that confusion into the future” by either making promises about what a revolutionary future might hold, or attempting to bring those conditions about from within the existing order."

To put it more plainly, Anarcho-Nihilists argue that whatever we try to build under these current systems will be co-opted, capitalized, and/or destroyed as they will be at odds with these systems. That our socialist programs, minority solidarity movements, etc. will always find their ways back to being assimilated into the death machine that is industrial civilization.

Imprisoned members of the CCF (Greek Conspiracy Cells of Fire) write, "We anarcho-nihilists ...don’t talk about ‘transformation of social relations’ towards a more liberated view, we promulgate their total destruction and absolute annihilation. Only through total destruction of the current world of power... will it be possible to build something new. The deeper we destroy, the more freely will we be able to build".

The argument is that if we meet the state with negation, with destruction, then our positive movements cannot be co-opted and destroyed. The further we dismantle the states control, the more freely we can take the time to build ways we can help each other.

In this same frame of argument, Anarcho-Nihilists, including the aforementioned imprisoned members of the CCF, argue that creating strict organization is "construction of a dam that tries to control the impetus of the abundant stream of Anarchy". Anarchy is fluid and will take many paths, and attempting to redirect Anarchy onto one path is undesirable.

Coming back to Post-Leftism, Anarcho-Nihilist (as well as Post-Leftism) critiques the lefts style of organization, the revolution, and a need for popularity politics. Blessed is the Flame brings up how the Nazis used this concept of "future time" to break the spirits of camp prisoners, through slogans such as "Freedom Through Work", being told they were being taken to Sweden only to end up in Auschwitz, taken to be Showered only to be stripped and put into prison clothes, told Work was Freedom only to be worked to death. The Nazis, cruelly, suspended the Prisoners in this Limbo of time between certain death and uncertain future, breaking their resolve to fight back as fighting back could cost them that possibility of freedom. The key to insurgency wasn't to open the curtain to reveal the lie of future time, as this lead to despondency and the further breaking of the soul. Blessed is the Flame argues that the key might lie between what is dubbed "Lager-Time" (future time) and Suicidal Despondency, something called "Suspension". In Suspension, there is no focus on the past nor future, but rather, the need to survive in the current moment. Breaking free of that suspension in the present, throwing away the chains of time, lead to violent uprisings and revolt even in the most hopeless of situations.

The paragraph above ties into Anarcho-Nihilisms critiques of the lefts view of the aforementioned 3, organization, revolution, and popularity politics. Anarcho-Nihilism argues that the left views organization as a non-violent house of cards that must be meticulously built up fully, no matter how many times it gets knocked down, and that our Revolution may only come after this house of cards is built. The left with also argue that this house of cards can only be built through their ideas becoming popularized, such as "workers of the world uniting", and once that happens then Revolution is an inevitable force. Leftists argue that revolution WILL happen, this precarious house of cards WILL be built, and there IS a better world and denying this is anti-revolutionary.

Anarcho-Nihilists reject this, viewing this as a form of Lager-Time, unable to act in the present because of uncertainty, or rather a false certainty, of the future. Given what was previously said about Anarcho-Nihilists view of Progress, they argue that radicals shouldn't wait for some Rapture like "revolution", that while we wait for workers to unite, fascism builds and global warming worsens and capitalism continues to evolve like an ever growing leviathan. The fact is, Anarcho-Nihilism claims, there isn't a reality where the workers of the world all wake up and unite against the common enemy. Even in socialist movements there lays bigotry against marginalized groups that chokes the life from these movements and further scatters the solidarity amongst each other.

Anarcho-Nihilists, as well as Blessed is the Flame, directly oppose the lefts modern form of organization, which is built on democratic circles and layers of policy and aesthetics. Needing to go through 3 different rings of people to do action just delays, and defangs, the action. Anarcho-Nihilism advocates for decentralized forms of organization, where the "org" is disconnected from each other except by name and motivation. If you want to do action, you just fucking do it, no bureaucracy bullshit. Examples of these modes of Organization is ELF (Earth Liberation Front), ALF (Animal Liberation Front), and the CCF (Conspiracy Cells of Fire). Each of these fronts is without leaders, without form, moving like water to serve the cause when needed. To be a part of groups like these, such as ELF and ALF, you need only to agree with the views, and that's it. You can create an ELF or ALF group right now with friends and go do shit.

At its core, the Anarcho-Nihilist critique is that of an Individualist one, of the collective vs. the individual. This critique argues that often, the will of the collective can overrule the freedom of the individual, stunting action and even self that the collective was supposed to foster (This specifically being a similar argument that Max Stirner, the "Father of Egoism", has discussed).

"...think back to 2012 when the CEO of an Italian nuclear power company was shot in the kneecap by two anarcho-nihilists who claimed the attack under the banner of the FAI. After the attack (which was partly inspired by the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima), the pair released a communique pointing to the various atrocities committed in the name of nuclear power and calling for an all-out attack on the nuclear industry. In response to that action, the Anarchist Federation in Italy (a formal Marxist organization with no relationship to the FAI) issued a response that condemned such a renegade action: “... we strongly criticize individualist and vanguardist tactics that do not come out of a broad-based class-struggle movement. We condemn actions that put workers in danger without their knowledge...” According to this perspective, the individual acting without the validation of a formal collective, and without respect for working class solidarity, has no place in an anarchist movement. In counter-response to this (and other condemnations), insurrectionary and nihilist keyboards ignited with scathing indictments of this breed of “civil anarchism” that tries to restrain individual attacks behind the “working class” banner." Blessed is the Flame.

So, if we are fucked, and Leftist modes of organization can strangle action, what is there to do? Why fight back?

Hope Is Not A Plan: Jouissance and Insurgency

 Jouissance is a French word for "enjoyment" but can have connotations related to "uncivilized desire".

"Jouissance is an ecstatic energy, felt but never captured, that pushes us away from any form of domination, representation, or restraint, and compels us towards fierce wildness and unmitigated recalcitrance. It is “the process that momentarily sets us free from our fear of death” and which manifests as a “blissful enjoyment of the present,” or a “joy which we cannot name.”[110] Jouissance is the richness of life evoked by resistance, the spirit that allowed Mária Jakobovics to continue her acts of sabotage despite the sting of the club or the threat of the noose, and the spirit that perhaps allows many of us to lead lives of resistance in absolutely overwhelming circumstances. It is the visceral experience of negation as ecstatic liberation." Blessed is the Flame

Jouissance, for Nihilists, is the core of Anarchism. The need, no, the Joy of resistance to keep us alive and going. Not fighting because we might win, not fighting because we might lose, but fighting because we can and we fucking will. "Inmates who physically confronted their oppressors were not engaged in a “rational political struggle for a better future,” but rather understood the futility of their situations and chose to fight back regardless."

Said from the CCF, "what really counts is the strength we feel every time we don’t bow our heads, every time we destroy the false idols of civilization, every time our eyes meet those of our comrades along illegal paths, every time that our hands set fire to the symbols of Power. In those moments we don’t ask ourselves: ‘Will we win? Will we lose?’ In those moments we just fight." Anarcho-Nihilists favor Insurgency and Insurrection, not Revolution. Anarcho-Nihilists are for short bursts of violent energy, of humans taking up arms not for some convoluted idea of politics, but for the goal of rebelling. Like the burning of the Minneapolis Precinct in 2020, letting the rage and rebellion of those of us still living shining through and proving we still have fight in us, we won't die quietly in the night. These short bursts of violent energy encouraging humans to negate the will of the systems of domination, and encouraging more radical action and eventual destruction of these systems entirely, because what else is there? We live under these impossible systems, we fight and possibly die or we don't fight and we DO die.

"The active nihilist sees in the unknown future and despair at our current situation, a call to arms. Meaning is found in approaching the void rather than in the false knowledge of what is on the other side of it." —Attentat

Embracing the Void: How We Can Use This

On a real level, I don't expect you to read this and instantly agree we are fucked. Embracing this idea that our world is gone is a difficult one, and a depressing one.

Instead we can focus on what Anarcho-Nihilism brings to the table regarding its critiques and ideas.

We can begin to embrace decentralized modes of organizing, instead of searching for some Vanguard party to get swallowed up into. When you have an idea, do it. Get with friends or peers and go out into the world.

We can embrace negating the system when at all possible, illegalism as a tactic.

We can embrace the uncertainty of the future and, instead of waiting for things to get better, we can take action NOW, in the present, outside of suspension to do what we can because we can. Our nihilism does not have to paralyze us, it can instead energize us.

Anarcho-Nihilism Reading List

Blessed is the Flame

Blessed is the Flame (Audiobook)

Desert

Desert (Audiobook)

The Insurrectional Project

The Economy is Suffering, Let it Die!

Uncivilized

Say You want an Insurrection

Anarchy: Civil or Subversive?

Armed Joy

Notes on Post-Left Anarchism

Accomplices not Allies: Abolishing the Ally Industrial Complex

Rethinking the Apocalypse: An Indigenous Anti-Futurist Manifesto

Voting is Not Harm Reduction - An Indigenous Perspective

[leblogreblog]

Idk if somone else already've done it, but here's what I found about number 665 in no particular order

It is apparently called "Neighbor of the Beast" due being directly next to number 666, which is associated with Satan and evil in general.

Relating to above, it apparently can be Max Pain and/or Alan Wake reference but idk

Error 665 means "The requested operation could not be completed due to a file system limitation."

It is apparently one of area codes in San Diego–Tijuana, more speciffically of Tecate, Mexico

And some things that I've found while looking through US legistlations that most likely are meaningless but I deemed them worth mentioning:

10 U.S. Code (ARMED FORCES) Subtitle A (GENERAL MILITARY LAW) Part II (PERSONNEL) Chapter 38 (JOINT OFFICER MANAGEMENT) § 665 is about "Procedures for monitoring careers of joint qualified officers"

(joint qualified officer is apparently somone with Proffesional Military Education and a Masters degree who went trough at least several missions that included more than one branch of US military working together)

18 U.S. Code (CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE) Part 1 (CRIMES) Chapter 31 (EMBEZZLEMENT AND THEFT) § 665 - Theft or embezzlement from employment and training funds; improper inducement; obstruction of investigations

33 U.S. Chapter 14 (CALIFORNIA DEBRIS COMMISSION) Code § 665 - Survey for debris reservoirs; study of methods of mines and mining

do these mean absolutely nothing, and if they do it's just a weird coincidence? yeah, most likely

[the---hermit]

2024 reading wrap up

books I read (rereads in green):

Nature Human Nature And Human Difference by Justin Smith

Resurgir curated by Lorenzo Incarbone

Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman

The Pornographer by Restif De La Bretonne

Storie Brutte Sulla Scienza by Barbascura X

Only Dull People Are Brillian At Breakfast by Oscar Wilde

A Day Of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon

The Ballad Of The Reading Gaol by Oscar Wilde

Notes On Camp by Susan Sontag

The Prince And The Dressmaker by Jen Wang

Oh! Il Libro Delle Meraviglie by Leo Ortolani

Dubliners by James Joyce

The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen

Il Grande Ratolik by Leo Ortolani

Emmeline Pankhurst by Mariapaola Pesce and Paola Zanghi

Babel by R.F. Kuang

Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu

Her Body And Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado

The Vampyre by John William Polidori

Passage On The Secret History Of An Irish Countess by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

The Daughtest Of Salem by Thomas Gilbert

Rita Hayworth And The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King

Gideon The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

The Mysterious Study Of Doctor Sex by Tamsyn Muir

Apt Pupil by Stepehn King

Harrow The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Nona The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

Miti E Leggende Dei Celti by Mila Fois

A Psalm For The Wild Built by Becky Chambers

The Southern Book Club's Guide To Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

Quando Muori Resta A Me by Zerocalcare

Storie Di Merda by Barbascura X

Richard II by William Shakespeare

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Norse Mythology graphic novel volume 1

Norse Mythology graphic novel volume 2

A Prayer For The Crown Shy

short stories by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Something Is Killing The Children volume 7

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Life Isn't Binary by John-Meg Barker and Alex Iantaffi

Dream Hunters by Neil Gaiman

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher

L'Idea di Medioevo by Giuseppe Sergi

Due Racconti di Vampiri - shoet stories by Frederick Cowles

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

What Moves The Dead by T. Kingfisher

The Fall Of The House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

The White People by Arthur Machen

The Road - the graphic novel adaptation by Manu Larcenet

The Willows by Algernon Blackwood

A House With Good Bones by T. Kingfisher

What Fiests At Night by T. Kingfisher

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream by Harlan Ellison

Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves

L'Importanza di Chiamarsi Oscar Wilde by Licia Cascione and Tommaso Vitiello

Questioni di un Certo Genere by il Post

The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Storia Degli Stati Sabaudi by Andrea Merlotti and Paola Bianchi

I Belli Hanno Rotto Il Cazzo by Barbascura X

Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner

This Is How You Lose The Time War by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar

Re:Dracula

The Adventures of Amina Al Sirafi by Shannon Chkraborty

Genderqueer by Maia Kobabe

The Forbidden Harbor by Stefano Turconi and Teresa Radice

Sacred Bodies by Ver

Seghe Mentali Cosmiche by Barbascura X

Costituzione by Maurizio Floravanti

Bi by Julia Shaw

Governo by Paolo Colombo

Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio

A Babbo Morto by Zerocalcare

Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman

A Dog's Heart by Mikhail Bulgakov

the books I have dnf-ed:

The Last Man by Mary Shelly

Venerdì 12 by Leo Ortolani

The Dreamchatcher by Stephen King

Night Man by Leo Ortolani

La Donna Senz'Ombra by Hugo von Hofmannsthal

[amateurvoltaire]

When you get publicly slapped by 4 surrealist poets because you insulted a guy's historical crush

(translation and context under the cut)

Gallantly Defending Robespierre’s Honour

In the conservative daily paper, Le Gaulois, on March 3, 1923, the journalist and man of letters, Wieland Mayr, expressed his pleasure: there would not be, he wrote, a "vile apotheosis" for "that holy scoundrel" Robespierre. On the other hand, Mathiez had the Surrealists with him. Following the article in Le Gaulois, Robert Desnos (1), accompanied by Paul Éluard (2), Max Ernst (3), and André Breton (4), summoned Mayr in a café and publicly slapped him for insulting the memory of "the Incorruptible."

Why did Mayr get Slapped?

In short: studying history in the 1920s was a messy business, especially when it came to the French Revolution….

To explain why Mayr ended up getting slapped, please allow me to briefly dive into the French Revolution's historiography during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Keep in mind, that this is a grossly oversimplified version.

Before 1848, it was pretty standard for French republicans to proudly see themselves as inheritors of Robespierre’s legacy. (If you’ve ever wondered why in Les Misérables, Enjolras’ character is very much channeling Robespierre and Saint-Just, here’s your answer!) However, things start to change with the Second Republic.

In 1847, Jules Michelet brought back the negative portrayal of Robespierre as a tyrannical "priest" and leader of a new cult. This narrative helped fuel an increasing dislike for Robespierre, with radicals like Auguste Blanqui arguing that the real revolutionaries were the atheistic Hébertists, not the Robespierrists.

Jump to the Third Republic, and the negative sentiment towards Robespierre was only getting stronger, driven by voices like Hippolyte Taine, who painted Robespierre as a mediocre figure, overwhelmed by his role. This trend was politically motivated, aiming to reshape the Revolution's legacy to align with the Third Republic's secular values. Obviously, Robespierre, the "fanatic pontiff" of the Supreme Being, didn’t quite fit this revised narrative and was made out to be the villain. Alphonse Aulard (a historian willing to stretch the truth to make his point) continued pushing Danton as the face of secular republicanism. Albert Mathiez, one of Aulard’s students, was not having any of it and strongly disagreed with his mentor’s approach.

The general disdain for Robespierre began to shift after World War I. One reason was that people could better appreciate the actions of the Revolutionary Government after experiencing the repression during the war themselves. Albert Mathiez and his colleagues were actively working to change Robespierre's tarnished image. With tensions high, it's no wonder Mayr ended up being publicly slapped by a bunch of poets who were defending the Incorruptible's honour!

Notes

Robert Desnos (1900-1945) was a French poet deeply associated with the Surrealist movement, known for his revolutionary contributions to both poetry and resistance during World War II.

Paul Éluard (1895-1952) was a French poet and one of the founding members of the Surrealist movement, celebrated for his lyrical and passionate writings on love and liberty.

Max Ernst (1891-1976) was a German painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and poet, a pioneering figure in the Dada and Surrealist movements known for his inventive use of collage and exploration of the unconscious.

André Breton (1896-1966) was a French writer, poet, and anti-fascist, best known as the principal founder and leading theorist of Surrealism, promoting the liberation of the human mind.

Source: The text in the picture comes from Robespierre and the Social Republic by Albert Mathiez