#it's everywhere its everywhere there is no hierarchy at all

[divinekangaroo]

attempting to get into the fluidity of using sharepoint and finally starting to feel my age re: interface design

[yanderefarm]

yandere omega cultist introduction

more bad art. more disjointed thoughts. i hope i don't contradict myself when i write his part 2.

cw;; religion, omegaverse, yandere tendencies, nsft

Nephite is a very devoted and proud follower of Happy Homes. he loves his church, he loves his pastor, he loves his god.

he's always so happy to prepare the sacrament and take care of the youngest members of the church. absolutely anything he can do to help makes him happy.

his father is a very strict and rigid in his beliefs kind of man. his beliefs aligned nicely with the founder's so he and his wife joined when they had just gotten married. all their children have been raised in the cult and they don't know about anything outside of the compound.

Nephite's family along with a few others are technically considered lowest in the church hierarchy because they entered the church after marriage. they don't get treated poorly it just means they're in charge of providing food for the compound.

the coming of age omegas were promised that if they brought new alphas to the cult they would raise in rank with their new families.

Nephite was especially looked at favourably for this due to being a "dominant" omega. he was promised that his new family would be able to rise to the level of elder right under the founder's own family.

his family was more excited about the new power than he was, he just wanted to serve the church.

after meeting you the promise that elders were allowed to go into the city made the raise in rank more appealing to him.

he wants to go to all of your favorite places. he wants to go to the movies and eat popcorn. he wants to play games at the arcade. he wants to try sweets at the cafe. he's never wanted to go to the outside world before he met you.

the church never teaches that the outside world is some ominous and dangerous threat. just that impure omegas have convinced people to disrupt the natural order. if you showed any member of the cult omega/omega couples they would combust.

thats why Nephite has to save you. he has to pull you away from the wickedness of the outside world before you become ruined. if you told him you'd been in alpha/alpha relationships he would combust.

honestly if you tell him about your dating history or experiences he'll combust. he knows it's wrong for an omega to be angry and aggressive but he can't help himself. the idea of any impure hands touching you sends him spiraling.

he could easily be convinced someone else in the cult wants you for themselves. especially if his pastor says so.

he trusts anything his pastor tells him even if it was utterly ridiculous. he was the kind of kid who believed in santa until adulthood. he would believe you if you said the sky was red.

you're the only one who overrides the pastor's words. if the pastor tells him to leave you because you don't love him he wouldn't believe it.

honestly if you started saying you don't love him he could probably justify to himself why you're lying. lying is a sin but its ok he forgives you.

he loves wearing dresses. at first it might seem like a religious thing but the other male omegas in the community usually only wear dresses to church. he wears them all year round.

if you buy him a sundress he'll be so happy he'll wear it every chance he gets. he flaunts it to all his friends how his alpha got him something pretty.

buy him anything and the whole commune will know about it baring few exceptions. you bought him a new bible? he takes it with him everywhere. you bought him some jewelry? its always on to show off at a moments notice. you gave him a cool rock? its his lucky rock and has to go everywhere with him.

he adores pet names. call him anything even if it doesn't sound that cute and he's thrilled. he calls you husband and alpha and dearest until he can't talk anymore.

if you call him wife he'll probably start crying. he likes husband too but he was taught all omegas are wives so he'll probably be confused at first if you call him that.

nsfw

his dad was in charge of making his account and monitoring his messages so unfortunately for you if you ever sent something dirty. the pastor probably also saw it. sorry.

Nephite definitely smells like blackberries and honey. its sweet and warm and permeates through everything he owns.

he has a breeding kink. major breeding kink. after your first night together its like he's constantly in heat (his actual heats are so much worse). he knows it's a bit naughty but he won't be satisfied until he's pregnant.

he'll be understanding if not a bit sad if you don't want to have kids but still tell him you're gonna get him pregnant every night anyway.

one of the few things he wouldn't go around letting everyone know you gifted him is lingerie and toys.

you'll need to explain toys to him a little bit but he understands lingerie. he loves lingerie. if you buy him some he'll wear it under his dresses all the time. it feels a bit naughty but he doesn't mind.

definitely secretly has a corruption kink. he's devoted his whole life to being a pure innocent soul so when his husband who he's equally devoted to starts making him be naughty he gets such a thrill.

he'll cry and beg you to not turn him into a pervert but he's just talk. nothing makes him squirt harder than being told he's dirty.

and he is a squirter. you have to work him to it but the moment your knot pops inside of him its over for him.

the cult doesn't believe in modern medicine like heat suppressants or birth control so everyone in the compound uses natural remedies for everything. except that doesn't work for dominant omegas. most modern heat suppressants don't. Nephite's first heat was absolutely brutal for him and he was stuck in bed for two weeks before they finally let him see a doctor in the city. that's when he learned about his status and he was put on some of the strongest heat suppressants. it works but it did make him feel weaker sometimes.

luckily now he's married so he threw all that out. he doesn't let you take any rut inhibitors either. when it's time for either of you he just politely tells the pastor that he'll be gone for the next two weeks. they don't always last that long but he likes to get extra cuddles in while the last of it fades.

its during his first heat with you that you mark him. its a weird marriage ritual the cult has where the pastor distributed heat inducers into Nephite. the elders of the cult along with the pastor watched you guys. it really ramped up the creepy cult vibes. but Nephite was happy.

he knows you can't mark him more than once but he always wants you to bite him again. he likes if you leave any marks on him. claw his hips, bite his neck, leave hickeys on his chest. he doesn't care how hard it is to cover up he'll be happy.

loves to steal your clothes. he'll remake his nest about once a week and give you back your clothes so you can add your scent again. and the ones that dont pass the nest test he wears to bed until they lose their smell.

he'll welcome you home like "do you want dinner, a bath, or me?" and if you don't say him he'll pout all through dinner.

[lichtluxx]

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟWho is Leviathan?

Leviathan is described as a primordial serpent, found in many ancient myths of the Middle East. The most famous being Tiamat, for example. Leviathan was one of the possessing Demons named in the Loudun Possessions.

According to a Miscellany of Medieval Hierarchies, Leviathan is classified as a Dragon of Chaos. While according to Peter Binsfeld (1589) from Treatise on Confessions by Evildoers and Witches: Leviathan is the demon of envy, a title that follows him to this day. He also being the Lord of the Sea and the Void, as those are his domains.

Leviathan appears a lot in the Bible.

It is said that in the very beginning, YHWH created beings of great size to rule over the earth. Ziz, resembling a phoenix, ruled over the sky and all animals within it. Behemoth, resembling an ox, ruled over the land and all animals within it. Leviathan, the most feared and powerful of all, ruled over the sea and all animals within it. According to some, Leviathan dislikes these siblings of his.

We have some descriptions about him in the Bible by the way.

Isaiah 27: Leviathan is described as a sea serpent, long, strong, twisted and swift.

Job 41: Leviathan is described as a monster with a mouth that spews flames, a nose that smokes, a breath that kindles fire, and strength in its neck.

Psalm 104: Leviathan is described as a sea monster that likes to play in the sea.

In Jewish mythology, YHWH created two Leviathans, one male and the other female, as a way of demonstrating his power.

However, he killed the female one in fear of human extinction if the Leviathans reproduced. For this reason, for many practitioners, Leviathan can choose to appear as either a man (like in my case) or a woman, sometimes changing between both forms.

In the words of Asenath Mason, Leviathan is “the soul of the world, the eternal beginning and end, the element of chaos within, and the divine potential lying dormant in dark recesses of human psyche… [He is] the primal force of all creation and all destruction… Leviathan is the very beginning, the original cosmic force that gave rise to the universe… He is the Above and the Below."

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟ Titles:

Emperor, King, Prince, Dark Lord

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟ Epithets:

Emperor of the Void, Emperor of the Abyss, Lord of the Depth, Lord of the Emotions, Master of the Black Ocean, Lord of the Deep, Prince of King of the Sea, Coiling Serpent, Great Devourer, Dragon of the Apocalypse, Lord of Storm and Lightning, Guider of Dreams.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟENN:

Jaden Tasa Hoet Naca Leviathan

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟDates:

April 30th, May 2nd, September 21st

Monday

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟHerbs / flowers:

Lavander, iris, lotus, copal, mint, valerian, eucalyptus, sandalwood

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟ Colours;

All shades of blue, all shades of green, black, silver, grey, white

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟ Crystals:

Aquamarine, Pearl, Obsidian, Sapphire, Moonstone, Tanzanite, Black Tourmaline, Hydrogen Quartz, Amazonite, Black Jade, Clear Quartz

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟ Animals:

Serpents, large marine life, seahorses, dragons

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟnumbers:

3, 7

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟSigns? How do I know if he wants to work with me?

Signs can vary. For me, he simply appeared in a dream, so I didn't have many signs.

But it is common to think about the sea or feel like being in the water, dreaming about the sea, seeing his sigil (Leviathan cross) everywhere, seeing snake and/or ouroborus themed objects, him visiting your dreams.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟ Domains:

Darkness, emptiness/abyss, emotions, unconsciousness, dreams, shadow work, emotional healing/processing trauma, protection, changes, justice, banishing magic and help in creating spells.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟTypes of offerings:

Pearls, shells, starfish, fossils, blood, seawater, bones, dragon, snake or ouroborus themed items, sweets, chocolate (preferably dark), green tea or white tea, hard liquor, dark ambience music, blue flowers, devotional art (paintings, drawings, songs, poetry, etc), his crystals, study of philosophy, psychology and science (studying in general), lavender incense, mint incense, sandalwood incense, eucalyptus incense, copal incense, windchimes, tears, shadow work, donating to ocean conservation, meditation, self improvement, crying it out, wearing his sigil, researching about him.

.⁠｡⁠*⁠♡ﾟFun fact:

Leviathan's most known sigil, well known as the "Satanic Cross" or the Brimstone symbol, it represents absolute balance. The two bars at the top of the cross symbolize double protection and the balance between the masculine and the feminine. The lower part shows the symbol of infinity, which symbolizes the eternal balance of the universe, of life and death, eternity and/or a double ouroborus that symbolizes the balance between the spiritual and the material.

His name comes from the Hebrew Livyatan, which means to twist, turn or coil. Nowadays, this name can refer to big animals, such as whales.

John Milton, in his epic poem Paradise Lost, describes Leviathan as “the Arch-Fiend,” who lurks about the seas around Scandinavia. He would rise to the surface and fool sailors into thinking his huge bulk was actually land. When the ships were close, he would drag them down and sink them.

In Hebrew lore, Leviathan has two aspects, male— Leviathon, the Slant Serpent — and female —LILITH, the Tortuous Serpent.

The Zohar also describes Lilith as a female aspect of LEVIATHAN, who has a SERPENT body. She is Leviathan, the Tortuous Serpent, the counterpart to the male aspect, Leviathon, the Slant Serpent. Lilith is the serpent who tempts Eve with the apple of forbidden knowledge in paradise and thus instigates the Fall. She also persuades Eve to seduce Adam while she is menstruating and impure.

According to The complete book of demonolatry by S. Connolly:

A/n: Many people don't know who he is or don't work with him and, as someone who started working with him very recently, I wanted to make this little post in his honor 🥺

[saikira999]

~ Headcanons for twst characters playing Minecraft.

Another parts about:

Idia and Malleus!

Riddle and Leona!

Jade and Floyd!

[Azul]

Headcanon, what if Idia and Yuu somehow convinced Him to play minecraft, Azul...:

1) "Why are there cubes everywhere??? I don’t understand anything...."

2) When he learns that monsters are appearing in the dark, he places two stacks of torches around himself in horror.

3) Crying from the physics of trees.

4) Will try to make a copy of Mostro in Minecraft.

5) He does not like to dig in mines and fight, but prefers to engage in agriculture, construction and trade.

6) He built his own village, with a complex hierarchy, its own economy and an underground mafia, where he keeps all the villagers under iron grip.

7) Every five minutes:

<Octo_businessman> fell from a high place.

<Octo_businessman> tried to swim in lava.

<Octo_businessman> was blown up by creeper.

<Octo_businessman> was drowned.

<Octo_businessman> starved to dead.

8) If one of the players hits or kills an squid in front of Him, He will take it as a personal insult.

9) The only one on the server who goes to bed on time and swears at everyone in the chat, because he cannot miss the night while others are awake.

10) Chief of food, armor and potions (Not for free, of course)...

11) Tries to negotiate with the pillagers.

12) Most likely, his house is either a clumsy box decorated with vines and blue flowers, or a huge penthouse with twenty rooms. There is no middle ground. Also, it seems to me that his house would be somewhere on the beach, or in the middle of the lake.

13) Drowned people are his worst enemies.

14) Makes secret chests with all sorts of treasures that he clearly does not intend to share.

15) Already dug up all the gold and ransacked all the treasuries, while the others fought with the ghasts and withers.

16) He comes into the game the least often, because “I actually have my fill of things to do.”

17) He is afraid of dolphins, because he personally knew real ones and knows that they are not the friendliest guys (No, seriously. Dolphins are assholes. Just Google it).

18) Terrible in PVP and always dies first.

19) He says that He doesn’t care about griefers and considers their tricks to be child’s play, but in reality, he is very offended and complains to Yuu in PM on discord.

20) Likes to play in small groups of 2-3 people and does not like to play alone or with too many players.

(A SMALL UPDATE! Previously, this post was dedicated only to Azul, but I decided to make two characters for each post, for beauty, so I'll add another Lilia from the request here.)

[Lilia]

Lilia has been familiar with Minecraft since the game's inception:

1) "Ha-ha, I love adventures!"

2) Competes with Idia, who spends more time in the game and brazenly takes advantage of the fact that fairies do not need sleep as much as people (even the cursed).

3) Daddy's house is either a cave full of vegetation and bats, or there is none at all, since Lilia prefers to roam the entire server. Usually wanders the world on a fast black horse in leather armor painted green, but often runs on His own two feet.

4) He named His horse Samson.

5) He is constantly accompanied by bats.

6) During His adventures, Lily has found many interesting resources and items, and in order not to carry everything with Him, He makes ingenious warehouses with traps, which the entire server covets.

7) Sometimes takes other players on His campaigns. For example, Malleus, Sebek, Silver, Idia and Yuu.

8) Thunderstorm of PVP. Want to fight Him? Good luck.

9) Seriously... You will need luck VERY much.

10) His favorite biomes are forest ones. He hangs out especially often in Taiga and Tundra.

11) The second admin and dad of the server, who suggested Idia the idea of ​​creating a world for the rest of the Twst guys.

12) The most secretive player on the server after Idia. In most cases, He disappears somewhere far, far away, but occasionally, He can be found bargaining with other players, sitting in a tree, or on a campaign. He also likes to play pranks and make fun of other players.

13) For some reason, all the monsters in the area ignore Him, or quickly run away.

14) Collects records (He especially likes "Ward" and "Pigstep").

15) His favorite soundtracks from the game are "One More Day" and "Firebugs".

16) Lilia has already cleared out all the treasures, sunken ships and pyramids, and in order to further annoy other players, He usually leaves signs next to the empty chests saying “Lilia Vanrouge was here :3”

17) Didn’t go to the End because caught flashbacks because of the dragon.

18) Was the one who informed Malleus that a dragon egg cannot be hatched and raise a baby dragon, and without knowing it, he regrets it.

19) Helped Idia find suitable mods for hatching and taming the dragon :D

20) "Silver, bring Your old man a glass bottle of water..."

...And then He goes off to brew an invisibility potion so he can shoo away and banter other players around with an evil giggle.

If you like My post, please reblog Me! :3

Also, if You want a doodle and headcannons for some other twst character, I will be happy to answer Your requests. They are open :D

[queersatanic]

Queer Satanic is dead; long live Queer Satanic

It’s official and it’s final: We won.

If The Satanic Temple were going to appeal its loss against the defendants it called “Queer Satanic”, the notice of appeal was due in King County Superior Court by 4:30 p.m. today. We have received no electronic notice of a filing, so we are very pleased to say that the case is finally concluded.

The nontheistic religious organization used its for-profit corporation “United Federation of Churches LLC d/b/a ‘The Satanic Temple’ ” to sue four former members of its Washington State chapter from April 2020 till September 2024. They sued us in federal court, the Ninth Circuit Court, dragged us into giving depositions for the Southern District of New York, and sued us in King County Superior Court, but TST has lost everywhere it went. The claims that we always maintained were frivolous and without merit have been found so in every court TST made those claims by every judge who has looked at them. Now, a month after TST’s most recent loss, the deadline for the Temple’s appeal has come and gone, and so we’re done.

Years ago in dark times where it seemed like there would be no end to this and The Satanic Temple and its owners would never stop being vexatious litigants against us, we wrote the bottom section. The website’s administrator was supposed to add some sort of explainer and then publish it, keeping the site up and running for as long as that was feasible for them since we would be in no position to be involved anymore.

What it talks about has not come to pass — but in other ways, it certainly has. This was not sustainable indefinitely. The machine was breaking down for a long time, grinding metal on metal without pause, but it can be turned off now. “Non serviam” — until further notice, this machine is out of service.

Certainly, there is still research to be done and still other articles to be written about The Satanic Temple, its owners, and how they actually operate in contrast to how they present themselves. But to be done by us? That’s less clear.

We don’t plan to completely disappear, and there is still some tidying up to do, but mostly, there’s some much needed rest. Just as likely, there will be other fights that now we can focus on, given the way the world is going. In either case, this sabbatical may be indefinite.

“Queer Satanic” was never an organization, never a hierarchy, only a vibe. We were Heretical Satanists, heretics of heretics, so in the midst of defending ourselves from a lawsuit, we tried to put forward positive ideas and examples about what a more useful Satanism might look like; we tried to show a radical and rebellious way of approaching and acting in the world beyond just aesthetics of painting it black or upside-down Christianity slapped on bog-standard reactionary and liberal politics.

We didn’t do enough of it, and there is still so much more to be done.

For now at least, we leave you to it.

If you’re reading this, it means we lost.

Maybe a judge ruled against us. More likely, we ran out of money to keep paying for our own legal defense and had to capitulate. Or, after more than two years — and the devil only knows how much more if you’re reading this — of assault in and outside of the courtroom, we wore down and could not find resilience between us all to go on.

For whatever reason, if you’re reading this, we lost. And we’re sorry. For whatever reason, we were not strong enough and good enough to win this fight. Maybe we weren’t even good enough to see it through to the end.

And yet the work continues. We will not be able to continue it, or at least not all of us, but the work is the work, and it never depended solely on us anyway. The Satanic Temple is a horrid, abusive organization. If we say something otherwise because we can no longer defend ourselves to prevent it, it should be obvious this was a statement made under duress. Fuck our future selves for what they say, but have compassion for them as well. Literally years and tens of thousands of dollars must separate us from each other; bravery is much easier on this side of the chasm of time.

The work continues, and you’ll have to do it. Yes, you. No one else can build what you want to see. Certainly not us anymore.

You are Queer Satanic just as you always have been.

A queer satanic antifascist is someone who detests and opposes fascism, white supremacy, cishetropatriarchy, clericalism, and capitalism. A queer satanic antifascist looks on all forms of domination and hierarchy and chooses to oppose them — actually — even if it seems the structures they oppose are omnipotent.

Lucifer fought all of heaven; can you not fight an egregore of capitalism?

Find people who want the same things you do. Work with those people to create the world you want around you. Sometimes, that is petty resistance to hegemony — vandalism, graffiti, a heckle. Sometimes it’s filling potholes or cleaning pots after a free feeding. Sometimes it’s open carrying at a queer protest. Sometimes it’s things not to be talked about digitally at all.

Be the insurrection you want to see. Be Lucifer the Light-Bringer, rebelling against ineffable tyranny at all costs.

Push grifters like the The Satanic Temple out of radical spaces with your teeth bared, call out their leaders for abuses everywhere so no one is fooled. Feed people. Shelter people. Protect people. Do it actually, not just for clout or to funnel money up a pyramid.

Use any symbol or meme or paragraph of ours that’s ever inspired you. Make your own new things to inspire others.

We are done. If you’re reading this, we lost.

But if you continue to do the work we did, we will never, ever lose.

Hail Satan! — the work continues.

Ave Satanas! — so do you.

[cr4yolaas]

WHIPLASH — DISTRACTOR

she loves journalism, she tells herself for the umpteenth time this week to cope with the immense overload. there's nothing about this industry that she could possibly hate. not at all. totally not.

003. look back / masterlist / 005. so clueless!

At 5 PM every day, just when she's about to leave the office for the day, she gets an overwhelming rush of energy. Not the good kind.

Her spine creaks and aches from constant attempts to keep her posture upright while reading email upon email upon email, the lines scrolling past as she orders them all neatly in her head — a waste of her time, something to keep note of later on, and the urgent stuff. It's routine. The click, click, click of her foot on the ground is almost in time with the clock at the front of the room, and she can feel each fiber and strand of fabric that prods at her skin. Her desk is the same every time, featuring a poor, worn-down notepad with barely legible notes and papers passed down to her through the journalistic hierarchy (however, most of them are from her editor-in-chief), and she can't be bothered to fix it because it's the only way she can find anything.

She adjusts her top, just as she has been every ten or so minutes. Another one gifted from Nobara, with the remark that she'd "sway all of her editors' hearts." And while it did prove to be true, she can't say she enjoys it. All the same, she knows it's the only way to survive in the industry.

It's systematic. Her fingers click and clack away at her keys while she goes over another writer's work — a new one that just transferred from the Lifestyles department into Sports, with the argument that he'd "find more opportunities here."

It's sloppy. He can't tell the difference between their, they're, and there. There's a significant lack of Oxford commas everywhere she looks. And on top of that, the tone reeks of bias, namely towards the volleyball player he's supposed to be neutral about.

She straightens up again before angrily typing in her edits. Add a comma here. Simplify this — no points are being made here. Elaborate? Reword this. By the end of it all, his page is littered with highlights and comments, likely a new record for her.

It's all too much.

There's a ticking in her head that, by whatever force of nature, powers over the sound of her fingertips slamming into the keys, and a ringing in her ears that lies beneath it. Her eyes burn with every second she spends staring at her screen. The hairs on her head — neatly done, to please the "office worker image" that her editors seem to love — feel as if they're falling out of her scalp by the minute. Every sensation washes over her. It's exhausting.

She looks up at the clock. One, two, three more seconds pass, and when the hands switch to the neatly printed 6, she almost jumps out of her seat, her documents haphazardly stacked and stored away into her drawers and her laptop falling shut. Every extra moment spent only allows the rot in her head to fester. Before she can process her actions, her bag (the new Samo Ondoh one she picked up last week, after much deliberation) finds its way to her shoulder and her feet are firmly planted in the elevator.

After five seconds, she heaves out a long, heavy breath.

Her head thumps softly against the metal wall behind her. It’s a gentle noise. She watches the numbers count down until the lobby, the doors opening slowly. Almost too slowly.

She loves her job. She really, really does. It's what she tells herself as she rushes out the main doors, and it's what she'll continue to tell herself until the end of it all.

★ there’s supposed to be another msg from yn before the “left my keys @ work” text </3 i’ll leave u guys to fill in the blank with ur imagination

★ sorry not sorry for pushing the cr4yolaas workaholic yn agenda …

★ maki loves zelle she refuses to use paypal or apple pay or anything else

★ it’s her beige flag i fear

★ also the last time she tried to drive yuta’s car was right after she got her (much delayed) license … n she almost totaled it completely </3

★ she’s a wonderfully intelligent woman in stem but u do NOT want her as ur designated driver

★ nobara begs to use maki’s digicam every time they go out like a little kid asking to play games on their parent’s phone

★ 50% of the time it’s a yes

★ yn’s EIC is heavily inspired by mine from 2 yrs ago 😙 i dislike her so bad she acc made me quit LOL

★ yuuji and yn’s dynamic is like best friends since diapers but they’ve known each other for 6 months max

★ they met thru toge and toge gets a little jealous of their dynamic #enviousking

★ “were u there when she shat her pants on the way home from elementary school? didn’t think so”

TAGLIST: @kameyyy @s777athv @solecitoszn @1l-ynn @valvoria @standcom @kissunday @hqnge @applepi25 @fushiguruuzzzz @reveurdoll @anotherwriternamedclara @sh0ot1ngst4r @starrysho @lizbix @diearama @cherryredribbons @asuritam @tiramizuloz @saltypuffin1040 @burnishingbagels @beepbopzlorp @reezerdotcom @tibibibi123 @carneries @gumims @chososcamgirl @anngelllla @fefesooli @vrxouei @s3ns4ti0n4l @lucentwings @sentifua @in-the-marina-trench @k4ss11333

[vindicated-truth]

Destabilizing hierarchy: Lee Dongsik's and Han Joowon's equality of partnership in an unequal society

When Joowon vowed to Dongsik that he would go to hell for him, and when Dongsik vowed in turn that he isn't going to let Joowon go to hell alone, these aren't just dramatic proclamations.

They did exactly what they promised, in ways that are far more literal, significant, and impactful than mere empty vows, precisely because in doing so, they are finally, finally on equal ground as true partners.

To analyze Beyond Evil is impossible without studying it within its cultural context, and it's important to note that while unequal power structures exist everywhere in the world, there is a distinct prominence of it in South Korea wherein the country's culture is steeped in traditional hierarchy. And whenever those in the higher hierarchy uses these established systems to enforce their power over those in the lower hierarchy, it becomes abuse.

This is what Beyond Evil excels in showing so starkly, so brutally: the multiple ways these hierarchies—from the macrocosm of societal structures all the way down to the microcosm of the familial unit—are taken advantage by those in power.

The most prominent of these abused hierarchies of power are: the power of the police force over ordinary citizens; the power of men over women; the power of the rich over the poor; and most of all, the power of parents over their children.

Hence, the reason why it's so fascinating to study the partnership of Lee Dongsik and Han Joowon is because even though the story is hinged on the concept of them as partners—which in itself should connote a semblance of "equality"—it is difficult to see them as such in the beginning of the story precisely because they are already starting in unequal hierarchies, on multiple levels, especially within the cultural context of South Korea.

Lee Dongsik is of a higher hierarchy over Han Joowon in terms of both age and seniority. Dongsik is 40 years old while Joowon is 27 years old, making Dongsik older than Joowon by 13 years. Dongsik is also Joowon's senior by 10 years, as Dongsik entered the police force in 2007 while Joowon started in 2017.

Han Joowon, however, is also of a higher hierarchy than Lee Dongsik when it comes to position, status, and wealth. Because Dongsik had been demoted after the death of Lee Sangyeob, he now only has the position of Sergeant / Assistant Inspector, while Joowon already has the title of Lieutenant / Inspector. Therefore, in the beginning of their partnership, Joowon is technically Dongsik's superior.

This is similar to how Jihwa constantly refers to herself as Dosoo's partner and boss: because Jihwa is of a higher rank than Dosoo. This is the same situation with Joowon and Dongsik.

More than that however, Joowon also has far more power over Dongsik when it comes to both wealth—clearly denoted by his family's lifestyle and material possessions—and status: he's the son of the Deputy Commissioner, the second highest officer in the police force.

This is now what's most fascinating about the show: the entire plot served in multiple ways to recalibrate that balance scale between both of them that at some point, it somehow creates an unexpected equilibrium of equality.

At some point after the arrest and untimely death of Kang Jinmook, because of Joowon's insistence on being punished for abusing his power over Lee Geumhwa, and Dongsik accepting his promotion over arresting a serial killer, the hierarchy between them due to position is now suddenly abolished.

Both Joowon and Dongsik now hold the position of Lieutenant / Inspector, erasing Joowon's higher hierarchy over Dongsik due to position.

And when Dongsik was ironically promoted by Han Kihwan himself to the Seoul Police Agency as part of The Inspection and Survey Team / General Investigation Unit, working directly for Han Kihwan, this raises Dongsik on an even higher hierarchy over Joowon in their field.

This recalibrates their balance scale, because Joowon is now a mere Inspector working for a substation while Dongsik is now back at the Seoul Police Agency—which now has a specific power over all police officers, as an agency that investigates illegal acts of the police force—making Dongsik higher than Joowon now not only in age and seniority, but also in rank and power.

This, however, is also recalibrated later on when Han Kihwan reinstates Joowon after his suspension to the same agency, ironically making Joowon and Dongsik partners again, this time not in Manyang substation, but in Seoul Police Agency—and this time in a much more equal footing as both Lieutenants / Inspectors.

What Dongsik now holds over Joowon in seniority and age is only balanced out by Joowon's status as Han Kihwan's son, both in terms of still having more wealth over Dongsik, and the fact that being Han Kihwan's family will always take precedence over any position in the agency.

And yet as it is clearly shown towards the end of the series, being Han Kihwan's son is also exactly what makes Joowon lose all of his previously prevailing privilege.

Because when Joowon vows to go to hell to Dongsik, this is what he means: that he will also allow himself to fall from the higher place of hierarchy he has over Dongsik.

In arresting, indicting, and ultimately convicting Han Kihwan, Han Joowon loses all privilege of his previous status and identity, as he is now the disgraced son of the disgraced former Commissioner General, who is now convicted as a murderer.

This is especially significant in the society of South Korea, where your family's image is inseparable from your own image as an individual—where you are also expected to pay for the sins of your own family, regardless of whether or not it is also your own. When Dongsik warns Joowon multiple times that this will ruin his life, this is exactly what it means.

This is what Gwangyoung—now promoted as Captain / Senior Inspector by the end of the series—is alluding to when he says he feels bad that Joowon still hasn't been promoted even after all this time. Joowon's career is now also forever tarnished due to his father's crimes.

More than that, as a convicted murderer who now faces 20 years to life in prison, Han Kihwan's assets are more than likely frozen by the government. Unless Joowon has already been legally assigned as the administrator and executor of those assets prior to Han Kihwan's arrest (or unless the law deems otherwise), it is highly likely that Joowon loses all his previous access to his family's wealth, as well.

In vowing to go to hell for Dongsik, Joowon essentially loses all of his power over him: his status, his image, and more importantly—his wealth.

And yet—Dongsik has also vowed to not let Joowon go to hell alone. Because in the end, Dongsik has willingly surrendered to Joowon as a criminal, himself, in tampering with the scene of the crime of Kang Minjeong's murder and consequently obstructing justice.

It recalibrates the whole balance of their unequal hierarchy again, because Dongsik—despite fighting all his life to clear his name from his wrongful accusation 21 years ago—allows himself to finally be branded as a criminal for a different crime 21 years later, in surrendering himself to Joowon.

And while Dongsik is convicted of only 1 year in prison and 2 years probation, he will forever carry with him now that identity of an ex-convict—which essentially means that Dongsik cannot anymore return to the police force, because ex-convicts aren't allowed to legally carry weapons.

In essence, in surrendering to Joowon, Dongsik now loses all of his higher rank in seniority because he cannot work for the police anymore. He gives all of that up for Joowon.

This is now the only hierarchy remaining between them: Joowon's power over Dongsik as a police officer over an ordinary citizen, and Dongsik's hierarchy over Joowon when it comes to age, which will always remain intact.

Morally, neither of them holds significant superiority over the other: Joowon abused his power which lead to the death of Lee Geumhwa, and Dongsik abused his which lead to the failure to save Kang Minjeong on time.

It should be noted, however, that objectively, Dongsik’s case is more severe than Joowon’s, because Joowon’s accountability is only circumstantial: he had no deliberate hand on Lee Geumhwa’a death and had no knowledge of what his sting operation would eventually lead to. More than that, he readily owned up to his accountability and even sought his own punishment, not just once, but twice.

Dongsik’s accountability on the other hand, is more deliberate, because he had clear knowledge of the crime, consciously planned to tamper it, and deliberately chose to not report it.

Yet Joowon’s slight moral edge over Dongsik is once again compounded by virtue of his being Han Kihwan’s son. Objectively, even without Joowon’s own knowledge nor participation, the way Han Kihwan escaped justiced for 21 years also benefitted Joowon as well, if only indirectly in keeping his family’s wealth, status, and privilege intact for that long—to the detriment of Dongsik’s family.

And this is where the final equilibrium between them is recalibrated, especially in their society's cultural context:

Dongsik and his family will always remain to be the victim of Joowon's family, and for that reason, Joowon will always be indebted to Dongsik.

Yet—Joowon is also the one person who finally brought justice to Dongsik and his family, and for that reason, Dongsik will always be indebted to Joowon.

This is where Beyond Evil has truly succeeded in showcasing and highlighting the partnership between Lee Dongsik and Han Joowon:

Stripped of everything in both their society and their circumstances that made them unequal, at the end of the show, theirs becomes the most beautiful rendering of a true, equal partnership.

[thestarswillguide]

Alright, so I was discussing a few ambiguous stuff in TDP with my sis @stormboundreams regarding the Startouch elves and Leola and everything, and phew I think we figured it out. Now, these are theories of course, and I haven't read the Reflections stories or Tales of Xadia yet, so if any of this could be wrong.

So, I was going to separate the topics into multiple posts, but I changed my mind cause some of my theories seemed off... Anyway, I'm going to start with what we first started discussing:

The Dark Nature of the Cosmic Order.

We started off by talking about @stardustamaryllis78 post about the Startouch council, and we agreed with it on how the council wanted to be in control. Aaravos said that the Startouch elves made Xadia with cruel and unfeeling hands; that they never smiled upon their creations. They don't care about the world they created, thus, they only care about their order. However, there's something that I've never been able to quite understand until now:

Why were humans created without magic within them?

This has always been strange to me about the creation of Xadia. I'm not completely certain they created its inhabitants, but I'm pretty sure they did, because why would humans be naturally born without primal magic if they're capable of connecting to a Primal Source? It sounds like the species not having magic is intentional. What also supports this theory is the fact that after Aaravos became "fallen", he then could only access a fraction of his Star power. This makes me think that either him practicing dark magic had stripped him of most of his powers, or that if the council figured it out, they were the ones to do so. Also, do you remember when Aaravos nullified Terry's magic in s7? I think they have the ability to take away power.

I believe the Startouch elves created humans without giving them primal magic (I also think because they foresaw humans misusing it), which made me and my sis realize something very dark about Xadia. The Startouch elves made the other elven races to have four fingers, pointed ears, horns, and very unique markings on their skin, just like them. However, humans were created without these features; no horns...no special markings...smaller, round ears...and an additional finger (which they don't actually need, because elves are able to hold things perfectly fine with just four, but they don't really need to do that I think because they have magic; all they need to do is wave their hands. But humans were born without magic, thus they'd need to work more, which is likely why they have another one, or as my sister imagined the Startouch elves thinking "Pity. You're so weak. We'll give you an extra finger. 😒"). Not to mention how they also created humans to be weaker... Fragile... All of these observations reveal the dark and unsettling truth of human creation in TDP: Humans are deformed elves.

Which is what made us come to realize the even darker truth of the Cosmic Order: The Startouch elves meant to make humans weaker and without magic because their "order" comes in the form of not only wanting to be in control, but also hierarchy. If they foresaw humans misusing magic, and they cared about their order so much, then they could've easily scratched them out and only have the magical creatures inhabit Xadia, but no.

My sister read book one and told me that in the intro or something, there was conflict between some who blamed others for "taking the moon" because it was a half moon I think. What I'm getting at is that if humans had not been created, then the fighting would've possibly just happened between elves and dragons. My sis compared the Startouch elves then to the Wizard of Oz in Wicked, when he said that in order to stop the conflict, the fighting parties needed to share a common enemy. In this case, it would be humanity, so vulnerable and easy to control. The Startouch elves wanted order to be exacted everywhere. See the hierarchal structure of the TDP universe:

Startouch Elves ↓

Archdragons ↓

Regular dragons ↓

Other Elves ↓

Magical Creatures ↓

Humans.

They wanted everything to be kept in their proper place, from strongest to weakest. From highest to lowest. They didn't want a peaceful order. They wanted a strict order.

[ninesbey0nd]

Forbidden Waltz | Kang Yeosang

SYNOPSIS. Your university is quite well renowned for its creative and abstract programs, so it was no surprise that the majority of the students were pursuing a profession in arts. There was a focus in art, film, dance, drama, music, you could go on. These departments, however, enforced an unspoken, exclusive clique social norm. You never understood it. Thus, the student body was quite split based on their major.

PAIRING. Dance Major! Yeosang x Art Major! Reader (afab)

GENRE. enemies to lovers, mutual pining, edgy Yeosang, smut, Dom! Yeosang

WARNINGS. Profanity, NSFW, bullying themes, unprotected sex (wrap ya willy!), penetrative sex, fingering, oral (giving) semi public sex (?)

if you wanna be added to my tag list lmk! :) <3

Reqs are open!

Ever since freshman orientation, you remembered that one man’s stupid fucking face

Kang Yeosang

He was one of the most talented dancers to enter the university's program, being consistently scouted and recruited from various labels and companies

Despite this, he never paid attention to any of the offers he received

He would always gloat about how he valued the college experience more than putting himself out there for fame

You couldn't stand him. He was so full of himself.

Sure, you would admit that he was good-looking. Maybe more like exceptionally good-looking, but you would never admit that aloud

He already had the entire student body whipped for him. Not only was he phenomenal at dance but he had a charismatic personality as well

He was a magnet for people, that was for sure

quickly climbing the social hierarchy at the school, and of course, being in a completely different field of study had the two of you barely seeing one another

which was a good thing, you thought

You didn't know what it was, but something about him really bothered you

He always presented himself as a model student, he wouldn’t take anything less than perfect

In addition, he seemed to have no qualms with anyone, including departments outside of dance

He was odd, that was for sure

You swore this kid was some sort of machine from what you heard about him, it seemed too good to be true

And you were right

You have to walk past the dance department to reach your section of the art building

A practice room door is cracked open and you hear someone… punching a wall?

You poked your head in and saw none other than Yeosang slumped against the mirror, head held in his hands

“I fucking hate this goddamn school I hate all these annoying ass dickheads I can’t wait to get the fuck out of here.”

Holy shit.

Mr. Perfect wasn't so perfect anymore

You were lost in your own wave of thoughts until you noticed Yeosang looking directly at you, eyes narrowed to points

“What the fuck do you want?”

He is not having it.

Who does this art nerd think they are? invading his practice room like it's some kind of open house.

“Get the fuck out,” he pulled himself upward and took a few steps toward the door where you stood

Your lips flatten into a tight line. “Sorry, sorry I’m going—,” You pulled yourself away from the door and slammed it shut

Fuck.

He was not happy.

You knew the power he held on campus too

Anxiety hit you like a bus.

What if he told people that you were a creep?? What if he got the art department to turn on you??

You vigorously shook your head, praying that nothing would come from that interaction

boy were you wrong

You swore you never saw this man on campus and now suddenly you see him everywhere??

Wherever you go— the library, dining hall, and in the unfortunately shared building between art and dance — he is always right behind you

It got to a point where you would purposefully show up early or late to places to avoid spotting the all-too-familiar brunette.

That was until he had you cornered in your art room.

“What are you doing here?” You spun around, dropping the brush in your hands and nearly kicking your easel over

“You don’t belong here—“

Yeosang slammed the studio door behind him, rattling your art supplies on the table.

You nearly jumped a foot into the air

“What the fuck!”

He simply folded his arms over his chest and leaned his body against the doorframe.

“I thought it’d do you well to have a taste of your own actions,” He yawned, his gaze followed your movements in an almost predatory manner.

“Are you serious— it was a mistake! I never meant to go into your dumbass dance studio,” you scoffed, returning your focus to the painting in front of you.

As you swiped your brush across the textured canvas, doing your best to avoid the pair of eyes burning into the back of your head, you failed to notice a shadow looming over your figure.

“Hmm, maybe you are talented after all.” Yeosang’s breath fanned across the nape of your neck, tickling your skin softly.

You leaped out of your seat, tripping and nearly knocking everything over in front of you had you not saved yourself on a nearby counter.

“Seriously Yeosang, get out.” You hissed with disdain. “I can’t focus on getting anything done when you’re—“

He advanced toward you, step by step.

You hadn’t realized how close he had gotten to you until your back hit the edge of the counter.

shit

His hands caged you against the table and you felt him tilt his head down toward you

"Hm?" His eyes raked down your body as his head leaned to the side

“Whats wrong artsy?” He wore a shit eating grin displayed across his lips.

“Yeosang Im not playing around right now I need to—!”

You were cut short as his lips crashed against yours. His hands moved from the counter to your waist, pulling you impossibly closer to him.

You found yourself frozen, before you melted into his touch.

What has gotten into you?

He pulled away for a split second to take a breath, his gaze resting on your lips.

“I didn’t take you as a rule breaker,” He chuckled lowly, his hand traveling to the side of your waist.

You hated to admit it, but something inside of you was actually enjoying this.

A dance and art student?? getting together?? never heard of.

Let alone in the middle of an art studio.

“Yeo—“

His hands gripped your sides and he lifted you onto the counter, boxing you in with his arms.

“Hmm?” He looked up at you, his eyes flashing with mischief.

“We’re in an art atudio,” you hesitated, shifting your weight around.

“And?” He leaned forward, causing you to lean backward on your hands.

“I— Isn’t this a little much?” Your eyes darted around the room, inspecting the entrances and windows.

“Not if we make this quick,” Yeosang grins up at you.

His hands make their way down to the waistband of your bottoms. His eyes meet yours, waiting for any hesitation or uncertainty.

“Y—You can.” You managed to sputter out, turning away from his gaze.

Despite looking away you could practically feel him smirking.

His fingers dipped up under your shirt, the tips of his fingers grazing over your waist before dipping down and hooking onto your waistband.

You lift yourself up slightly, allowing him to better remove the article of clothing.

“That’s my girl,” he cooed, slipping your bottoms off your ankles before tossing it aside.

“Yeo,” you whispered in a hushed tone, squeezing your fists beside you.

What a tease.

His fingers travel down your stomach to the innermost part of your thighs, tracing delicate patterns along your skin.

You whined in response, tensing your legs together as if to create some sort of friction.

His hands continue kneading your thighs until you feel a finger graze your slit.

You let out a soft moan in response, eliciting a pleased hum from Yeosang.

He teases your entrance, spreading your arousal around before plunging a finger inside of you.

You let out a soft moan, “Yeo—“

Your voice catches in your throat when he starts pumping in and out of you, curling his finger upward with his movements.

Your hands fly to grip the table beneath you and you stifled the sounds that threatened to escape past your lips.

He slips a second finger inside you, his movements quickening with each stroke.

He grins up toward you, a seemingly sweet face in contrast to what his hands were doing to you.

“You’re gonna have to be quiet if you don’t wanna get caught,” he leaned over you before sliding his fingers out of you and guiding you off the counter.

His hand caressed the side of your face before he began to lower the waist band of his pants.

You slowly sunk to your knees, your hands over taking his to lower his pants down beneath his hips.

All that was left was his boxers, and you could practically see the outline of his hard on

Your fingers hooked into the waistband of his boxers before sliding them down his thighs

Holy fuck

You wrap your fingers around his length, stroking him a few times before you engulf him with your lips

He lets out a low groan of satisfaction, his hand traveling down to cup your cheek

You began bobbing your head down his length, and Yeosang’s head lulled back

“You’re doing so well for me,” he whispered, looking down at you to meet your gaze.

Your eyes met his as you kept up with your pace

Yeosang fisted your hair, guiding your head down his length when a sharp knock to the door alerted you both

You pulled away from him immediately, scrambling backward to put distance between the two of you

The door handle jiggled, and to your relief it had been locked

Yeosang chuckled silently, his gaze shifting from the door back to your form on the floor

“What, did you think I’d be so careless?”

“Now, let’s get back to where we left off.”

[richincolor]

We have nine books on our new releases list this week! Which ones have caught your eye?

The Coven Tendency by Zoe Hana Mikuta Disney Hyperion

Just like her mother and her mother’s mother, 18-year-old Vanity Adams is destined to lead a lavish life under the patronship of the Museum, someday taking her place as its premiere necromantic Spectacle and the centerpiece of their weekly soirees thrown for the City’s elite. But until that day, Vanity (and the other young witches of the Museum) is isolated from the outside world and purged of her magic—magic being particularly unstable for teenagers and often leading to antisocial conduct, mood swings, bloodlust, delusions, and, most concerning, a habitual, violent obsession with one another. To all of this, Vanity thinks: Well, whatever. Better than being confined to the Sanatorium with the less fortunate witches, imprisoned in a chemically induced coma as her blood is harvested to make World, the City’s favorite designer drug. At least she’ll be dead someday, there’s always that. And at least the Museum has Arrogance, Vanity’s twin sister, who just might remember how to do magic, and who just might be where our story begins. . . .

The Family I'm In by Sharon G. Flake Scholastic Press

Sharon Flake's groundbreaking novel, The Skin I'm In ushered in a new voice that lit up the YA landscape, ignited important conversations about self-perception and racial identity, and became a modern classic that has been passed down through generations. The Life I'm In came next, bringing the same unmistakable voices of the characters who opened the hearts and minds of kids throughout the world, asked hard questions, and plunged readers into the harsh realities many teen girls face. Now, The Family I'm In brings back the same riveting characters - but this time focuses on the important relationships between Black fathers and sons. John-John and Caleb, friends since childhood, have come face-to-face with the struggles and triumphs of becoming young men. They're up against a world where many Black boys face complicated generational expectations and fears of the future. They summon their inner strength to push beyond family illness, mental health issues, parents, teachers, and society - to reach, succeed, and to live with dignity, purpose, and promise.

Give Up the Night (Moonstruck, 2) by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast Wednesday Books

Since becoming Moonstruck on her eighteenth birthday, Wren Nightingale has found herself thrust into a world filled with deception, danger, and murder. Uncovering that their magick was fractured and limited when the original Moonstruck ritual was broken by Selene, Wren is determined to find a way to restore it. But the Elementals are split into two factions―some want the ritual completed and their freedom―and others are so terrified of change that they’re willing to end Wren before she can reach the center of the island where the ritual Selene ruined can be completed. Between his overbearing father’s arrival, Rottingham delegating him more and more responsibility, and Celeste taking a special interest in him, Lee Young has been struggling to find his own path. As much as Lee wants to take his place in the Moonstruck hierarchy, he knows something’s not right at the Academia de la Luna. He thinks if he can talk some sense into Wren and get her to return to the Academia, that everything will turn out alright. As Wren and Lee both battle for what they believe is right, they’ll have to uncover who their true allies are…and if they’re even on the same side of this magickal fight.

Huda F Wants to Know?: A Graphic Novel by Huda Fahmy Dial Books

Huda Fahmy is ready for junior year. She’s got a plan to join all the clubs, volunteer everywhere, ace the ACTs, write the most awe-inspiring essay for her scholarship applications. Easy. But then Mama and Baba announce the most unthinkable they’re getting a divorce. Huda is devastated. She worries about what this will mean for her family, their place in the Muslim community, and her future. Her grades start tanking, she has a big fight with her best friend, and everything feels out of control. Will her life ever feel normal again? Huda F wants to know.

Lady Knight (The Diamonds #2) by Amalie Howard Joy Revolution

Lady Zenobia “Zia” Osborn, a duke’s daughter, is frustrated that her entire life has been predetermined. What good is skill or intelligence if one is forced to suffocate it because of one’s sex? She’d much rather make her mark on the world than bat her eyelashes for the ton. Zia only comes alive in the Lady Knights, a clandestine social club for rebellious girls. In it, she is free to compose music, fence, read controversial literature, and save orphans from destitution by any means necessary. Aside from her closest confidantes, no one knows about Zia’s indecorous other life. . . . Until Mr. Rafi Nasser, a rogue with secrets of his own, finds out. Shocked yet intrigued by his best friend’s younger sister, he agrees to keep Zia’s secret—if only to help her avoid utter scandal.

Meet Me at Blue Hour by Sarah Suk Quill Tree Books

Seventeen-year-old Yena Bae is spending the summer in Busan, South Korea, working at her mom’s memory-erasing clinic. She feels lost and disconnected from people, something she’s felt ever since her best friend, Lucas, moved away four years ago without a word, leaving her in limbo. Eighteen-year-old Lucas Pak is also in Busan for the summer, visiting his grandpa, who was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. But he isn’t just here for a regular visit—he’s determined to get his beloved grandpa into the new study running at the clinic, a trial program seeking to restore lost memories. When Yena runs into Lucas again, she’s shocked to see him and even more shocked to discover that he doesn’t remember a thing about her. He’s completely erased her from his memories, and she has no idea why. As the two reconnect, they unravel the mystery and heartache of what happened between them all those years ago—and must now reckon with whether they can forge a new beginning together.

Messy Perfect by Tanya Boteju Quill Tree Books

Cassie Perera is a star student in St. Luke's junior class. But the new school year brings an unwelcome surprise—the return to St. Luke's of Cassie's former friend, Ben, who left a few years ago after a homophobic bullying incident Cassie knows she didn't do enough to prevent. Still harboring guilt from her inaction, Cassie decides, in her usual, overzealous way, to team up with the neighboring public school to found an underground Gender and Sexuality Alliance—as a complicated strategy for making things up to Ben. Secretly, Cassie is also tempted by the possibility of opening up about her own sexuality for the first time. As Cassie’s new friends urge her out of her comfort zone, she unlocks a kind of joy and freedom she’s never felt before—even as she struggles to balance these experiences with her typical tightrope of being the perfect daughter, student, and Catholic. Cassie’s perfectly curated life unravels into turmoil, but can she embrace the mess enough to piece together something new?

Sunlight Playing over a Mountain by Selina Li Bi Soho Teen

A lyrical, mythology-tinged debut novel about a Chinese-Filipino teenager whose world of daydreams is destroyed by a family secret—perfect for fans of Emily X.R. Pan and Ann Liang. Jasmine Cheng has grown up on stories spun by her beautiful, free-spirited mother. Together, they’re the Phoenix and Dragon. Jasmine’s father is the god Pangu, creator of the heavens and earth. Her mother may have boyfriends, but Jasmine chases them away. For her mother, love brings chaos, sleepless nights, and frightening episodes, and it’s Jasmine’s job to keep their home life stable—especially now that a social worker has started to keep tabs on them. When the sudden arrival of Cal, her mother’s old flame, fractures their delicate world, events unfold that will send Jasmine on a cross-country journey to the West Coast—and into her past. Trapped in a tangle of fantasy and reality, Jasmine becomes determined to find the truth, even while her mother’s refusal to be honest drives a deeper wedge between them. Will the crack in their fantasy destroy her, or finally let the light in? Selina Li Bi’s magical debut perfectly portrays the pain of growing up in a less-than-magical world and introduces a remarkable new voice in young adult fiction.

Where Shadows Meet (Heirs of Shadows #1) by Patrice Caldwell Wednesday Books

The dark and thrillingly romantic debut vampire fantasy that questions what it truly means to sacrifice for love. You have no idea what I’ve done for love. Just as you have no idea what you may one day do. Once long ago, a girl named Favre sacrificed her wings for love. Thana, the young goddess she so willingly gave them up for, sacrificed that same love for power. But everything has a cost. Favre never got over the loss of her wings. And Thana’s choices led to a life of eternal night, and later, their destruction. Favre has bided her time ever since, waiting for the chance to resurrect the girl she loves who turned her into the creature she hates. Now, a thousand years later, Leyla, the crown princess of the malichora—an ancient race that survives on human blood —must travel to the Island of the Dead when her best friend is captured during an attack on her nation’s capital. Along with Najja, a fierce, beautiful seer, and the last person she expected to help her, Leyla forges down a dangerous path, intent on saving her friend. But nothing is as it seems. The closer she gets to her goal, the more she risks awakening an ancient evil and destroying everything she holds dear. Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, and the gods that created them, Patrice Caldwell’s devastatingly romantic fantasy debut, Where Shadows Meet, centers the heart-wrenching pain of loss and the struggle of self-discovery to ask: do we choose our fates, or do our fates choose us?

[communist-manifesto-daily]

Socialism: Utopian and Scientific - Part 7

[ First | Prev | Table of Contents | Next ]

1892 English Edition Introduction - 2

History (the role of Religion) in the English middle-class

When Europe emerged from the Middle Ages, the rising middle-class of the towns constituted its revolutionary element. It had conquered a recognized position within mediaeval feudal organization, but this position, also, had become too narrow for its expansive power. The development of the middle-class, the bourgeoisie, became incompatible with the maintenance of the feudal system; the feudal system, therefore, had to fall.

But the great international centre of feudalism was the Roman Catholic Church. It united the whole of feudalized Western Europe, in spite of all internal wars, into one grand political system, opposed as much to the schismatic Greeks as to the Mohammedan countries. It had organized its own hierarchy on the feudal model, and, lastly, it was itself by far the most powerful feudal lord, holding, as it did, fully 1/3rd of the soil of the Catholic world. Before profane feudalism could be successfully attacked in each country and in detail, this, its sacred central organization, had to be destroyed.

Moreover, parallel with the rise of the middle-class went on the great revival of science; astronomy, mechanics, physics, anatomy, physiology were again cultivated. And the bourgeoisie, for the development of its industrial production, required a science which ascertained the physical properties of natural objects and the modes of action of the forces of Nature. Now up to then science had but been the humble handmaid of the Church, had not been allowed to overlap the limits set by faith, and for that reason had been no science at all. Science rebelled against the Church; the bourgeoisie could not do without science, and, therefore, had to join in the rebellion.

The above, though touching but two of the points where the rising middle-class was bound to come into collision with the established religion, will be sufficient to show, first, that the class most directly interested in the struggle against the pretensions of the Roman Church was the bourgeoisie; and second, that every struggle against feudalism, at that time, had to take on a religious disguise, had to be directed against the Church in the first instance. But if the universities and the traders of the cities started the cry, it was sure to find, and did find, a strong echo in the masses of the country people, the peasants, who everywhere had to struggle for their very existence with their feudal lords, spiritual and temporal. The long fight of the bourgeoisie against feudalism culminated in three great, decisive battles.

The first was what is called the Protestant Reformation in Germany. The war cry raised against the Church, by Luther, was responded to by two insurrections of a political nature; first, that of the lower nobility under Franz von Sickingen (1523), then the great Peasants' War, 1525. Both were defeated, chiefly in consequence of the indecision of the parties most interested, the burghers of the towns – an indecision into the causes of which we cannot here enter. From that moment, the struggle degenerated into a fight between the local princes and the central power, and ended by blotting out Germany, for 200 years, from the politically active nations of Europe. The Lutheran Reformation produced a new creed indeed, a religion adapted to absolute monarchy. No sooner were the peasant of North-east Germany converted to Lutheranism than they were from freemen reduced to serfs.

But where Luther failed, Calvin won the day. Calvin's creed was one fit for the boldest of the bourgeoisie of his time. His predestination doctrine was the religious expression of the fact that in the commercial world of competition success or failure does not depend upon a man's activity or cleverness, but upon circumstances uncontrollable by him. It is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth, but of the mercy of unknown superior economic powers; and this was especially true at a period of economic revolution, when all old commercial routes and centres were replaced by new ones, when India and America were opened to the world, and when even the most sacred economic articles of faith – the value of gold and silver – began to totter and to break down. Calvin's church constitution of God was republicanized, could the kingdoms of this world remains subject to monarchs, bishops, and lords? While German Lutheranism became a willing tool in the hands of princes, Calvinism founded a republic in Holland, and active republican parties in England, and, above all, Scotland.

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[calshepard]

"Will you be my XO?" she asked in a leveled tone, gaze not breaking away from the stars.

She did not turn to see Kaidan's furrowed gaze despite feeling its intensity burning right through her.

"You want me to?" he asked, just a hint surprised. "This morning we held each other at gunpoint."

As if he hadn't said he'd give up every position for a chance to be back on the Normandy. As if he hadn't said 'the woman I love'. Present tense, not past like he'd used on Horizon.

It would be easy to lie, to say it was a given he'd be right under her in the chain of command. He was the highest-ranking Alliance officer on board and a Spectre. Who else could she ask? The truth was more complicated than just naval hierarchy.

"That's exactly why," she replied. "Look Kaidan, this war that we're dealing... I've seen people act against their will, or turn into someone so different than themselves."

Be it Leviathan's influence or the Reapers' indoctrination, with how much exposure she was having on the field, she tried not to think of the possibility.

"I need someone who will hold their ground against me. Someone who can pull me back, or if I go too far, cut me loose," she forced herself to look towards him, but Shepard avoided his eyes. He'd come closer in the meantime, their knees almost touching. "I told you back on the SR1 that I can get a salute from anyone on this ship. I need a partner."

"Shepard," he sighed with an emotion she couldn't quite decipher, trying to meet her gaze. His index brushed against hers as he tried to speak, and the brief contact left them incapacitated of doing anything other than getting lost in past memories.

It'd been far less time for her since the last time they'd touched each other skin to skin but, any self-restraint she'd mustered so far was coming undone.

She wondered what he thought. Did her skin feel any different or was it a play of grief? Did he want to bury himself in her arms as badly as she did?

His fingers traveled upwards, barely touching her skin, and Cal tried not to shudder. Kaidan found a scar she'd gotten while fighting mercs on Omega, lightly pressing the damaged skin, and then her redone tattoo.

The chrysanthemums that hugged her bicep and spread all the way to her back. She wouldn't have gotten it again, had it not been for her conversation with Jack. Worried she'd only see the ways it differed from the one she had originally.

Shepard couldn't take her eyes off Kaidan as he got reacquainted with her new self—the new lines of ink he was tracing, the muscles she'd put on since the last time they met, six months confined to a house without any other way to let out her frustrations.

He blinked and their eyes met. Her heart nearly skipped a bit, losing herself in his deep brown gaze. There was pain and sorrow hidden well, but Cal knew him better than she thought.

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You're the last person I wanted to hurt.

He was steady. In ways she'd only glimpsed back when they were chasing Saren but were clear as day, now. She hated that she'd missed seeing him grow into the man he was. She'd joked before that he'd gotten better with age, but she hadn't realized how true that was.

"You're making a big assumption, Cal," he finally replied.

"And what is that?"

"You think I can stand to lose you, again." And there was that pain again, deep but not as deeply concealed as she expected from him. How much longer would they do this to themselves?

You would, if I was just a cheap imitation of the woman you love. Same reason you walked away on Horizon.

With renewed confidence, Shepard leaned her forehead against his. If the universe let them, she wouldn't move from the spot. But that was wishful thinking with the war raging everywhere in the galaxy.

She pressed a gentle kiss on his cheek and murmured, "Get some rest. We're tracking down Ann Bryson tomorrow."

An unspoken request to go on the field with her, to see what kind of team they could be after everything that'd happened in the last two years.

Shepard pulled back, suddenly, and called, "EDI, make sure no one bothers Major Alenko." Her tone shifted back into Commander Shepard like it was second nature, breaking whatever moment they shared.

"Understood, Commander," replied EDI's artificial voice.

Space, she reminded herself, was something that she ought to give him.

"I expect an answer after the mission," was the last thing she said before leaving the Starboard Observation Deck and going back to her cabin.

Alone, with her grief and regrets as her constant companion.

[rewritingcanon]

nextgen/hpcc characters going to an australian public high school:

rose: follows the social hierarchy to the tee and takes the shit from the year levels above her. but when she gets to year 12 she’s such a fucking menace to the years below her. and she gets her special year 12 amenities like access to the school microwave and toaster and kettle and she takes it very seriously that no one in the younger years can use it. if she had to wait so does everyone else. also she’s school captain and is the one always saying speeches at assembly and at athletics day. thinks she’s politically correct but then will turn around and tease scorpius for stuttering or sum.

albus: kinda unproblematic and keeps to himself but always gets bag checked and sent home for not wearing the right uniform (it’s always something so unserious like wearing a hoodie under his jacket or different socks). never used to actually lock his locker right and people immediately clocked that and stole his lock so its just unprotected. karl jenkins is always ransacking his locker so he barely has anything in it. wagged on formal and wouldve wagged on grad if he could. every time he walks through the school gates he gets swooped by a magpie.

teddy: choofs in the bathroom all the time, offers to share with anyone and everyone so all of the year 8s and 9s think he’s the coolest. only contributes in hums classes, dgaf about anything sciencey or mathy. chronic wagger. andromeda comes to his parent teacher interviews. got viral on tiktok once and people tried to clout chase him. a gazillion extracurriculars. pen ink all over his shirt. shit atar. has to do tafe after high school bc of it.

scorpius: the only one who didn’t fucking flop at specialist maths so the class’ mark didn’t get weighted up and so everyone whose ever shared a class with him hates his ass for it. when albus is absent scorpius tries to befriend whatever teacher is there on yard duty. you can catch his ass always at the canteen too buying the most outrageous shit for him and albus. he’s always got a fully stocked and well loved lunchbox, so its not for lack of care. constant victim of the eshays, once sat in the wrong spot and almost got bashed. school dux, but rose claimed valedictorian (she wasn’t happy).

craig: also definitely school captain, but he hatessss doing the speeches. just let him quietly organise the NAIDOC week activities in peace. studies in the library loads. unproblematic as hell, helps tutor year 10s in the library after school too. lowkey knew how to teach maths better than the maths teachers did, so they all liked him. wouldn’t let people copy off him so was kinda a stick in the mud for that. has beef with his year 10 english teacher who confiscated his beanie.

polly: she’s got a organiser in her locker and pictures of her friends put up everywhere inside. always cussing out the eshays and threatening to bash them. takes group costumes for athletics day way too serious and makes sure all her friends coordinate with her vision. absolutely slays the swimming carnival, her friends always are super annoying spectators on the side. super popular, always doing her makeup at the back of the class. did all the ATAR subjects but kinda flopped in it all. has secret beef with most of her teachers. chronic complainer, never thinks her shitty grades are her fault.

victoire: valedictorian of her year. prettiest girl in the school fr. played netball. knows all her friends and teachers birthdays and would always do the thing where she’d get a card and get everyone in her homegroup to sign it. has mostly everyone from school on snap. planned the yearbook, the year 11 formal, the grad afterparty, etc.

karl: lowkey an eshay but absolutely don’t say this to his face. his friendship with yann is like the only thing that is preventing him joining Those group of boys. only did outdoor ed for the camp. took a shit in the bathroom sinks during muck up day but no one could prove it was him. always goes to polly/rose/yann’s class during his frees to fuck around and usually gets kicked out for disrupting the class (“but Misssssss ☹️”). puts dollops of wet toilet paper in albus’ locker

yann: always the one filming school fights. starts rumours about people he’s irritated with, even his own friends. is best friends with the science teachers. is the one everyone goes to for gum. can dig up the most crazy info on teachers ever, someone give this guy a job in background checks. has been playing cricket since he was nine.

james: school captain but lowkey against his will. plays footy during lunch. had The Australian Mullet in year 8 but ginny threatened to shave him bald so it thankfully didnt last. gets invited to a gazillion house parties but stands most of them up to be at home and just nap. people always try to start beef with him for popularity but they always later find out that james dgaf at alllll. doesnt care for listening to music but doesnt want people approaching him so he’ll plug his airpods in and listen to the abc on the way to school/during lazy classes pretending he’s normal and listening to hozier or some bull. trauma bonded with his lote class.

lily: got suspended for bashing someone in the stairwell for calling albus a slur. plays footy and netball and highkey is better than most of the boys that play. planted a tree in the toilets one day. spends all her frees shopping out of school. buys herself heaps of ramen and forces james to use his year 12 privilege and cook it for her. has an electric scooter and is so irritating about it. actually really gafs about afl season and barracks for geelong (simply because she likes cats, and it just stuck). always getting moved in class because she yaps too much and too loud.

dominique: is always bashing someone and getting filmed (probs by yann). no one really learns she’s victoire’s little sister because they are soooo different in looks and personality. always going to school high as a kite. got sent home on muck up day for egging the principal and almost got kicked out of the grad ceremony. known as The Only Lesbian in school (she’s bisexual).

delphi: moved from getting homeschooled. does folio subjects. plays devil’s advocate in history class. never ever wearing school uniform but she’s too difficult to deal with so the teachers just leave her alone (also none of the office ladies want to call euphemia rowle 😭). spends most of her time at wellbeing. would sell empty vapes to year 7s in the girls bathrooms. that mf who tries to befriend the spiders 💀 and she’d throw them in people’s hair

hugo: used to be pressured by his mum to study for naplan so was waiting until he could be set free in year 10 (he doesnt have to do naplan anymore but he does have six assignments due tomorrow). he and rose were definitely kumon kids. always late to homegroup. the drama teacher loves him. got recorded bashing some older guy at a train station because the guy stepped in his hsp and then became a meme around school for a month or two. acts like he dgaf but will go home and cry over his grades in his room.

[anarcho-animism]

Anarcho-Animist Manifesto

I have been nurturing and sitting on this for a long time – it was first penned in 2021 and revised every so often since then. I’ve not posted it sooner out of the desire to make sure it stood the test of time for myself. I wrote it at 23, and now I am 26 and a very different (and more well-read) person…but the core of this manifesto remains strong and something that I am proud of. So I’m releasing it into the big wide world. Any updates or edits to wording past this point will (hopefully) be just spelling and grammer. In Love & Rage, Wolverine. Originally posted on Wordpress. “Anarchy is a society being freely constituted without authorities or a governing body. It may also refer to a society or group of people that entirely rejects a set hierarchy.” Wikipedia entry on anarchy “Potentially, animism perceives all things—animals, plants, rocks, rivers, weather systems, human handiwork, and perhaps even words—as animated and alive” Wikipedia entry on anarchism

Anarcho-animism is the intersection of spirituality and eco-anarchism. It seeks to protect the environment for the environment’s sake. It recognises the world as a living, breathing, system. It abhors the abuse and destruction profit incentives cause.

Animism is the belief that all things – all beings, plants, rocks, animals, rivers, weather systems, the whole world – is animated and alive with a living soul. From me, to you, to a barking dog, to a field mouse, to a bird, to a lizard, to an ant, to the ground beneath us and the plants that give us oxygen: it all has its own unique soul.

Even if the animist concept of all beings and entities having souls does not ring true, all beings and entities have inherent worth and should be treated with care, kindness and respect. Just because we do not understand the language of plants and other beings, does not mean that language somehow doesn’t exist.

It rejects the idea of humans as the centre and paramount of existence. It embraces all experiences of the world across the diverse family of beings as important.

Reject capitalism

Anarcho-animism rejects an unnatural hierarchy of governing bodies within animist practice.

Anarcho-animism rejects capitalism and the state as they are the architects of ecocide (defined as “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts” – theecologist.org).

All power gained by capitalists, states and their puppets is power that they have gained unjustly. They have exploited and continue to exploit the world and its inhabitants.

Anarcho-animism and capitalist consumerism cannot coexist. Capitalist consumerism demands no end to consumption of resources, products and more that is draining the world only to make the select few richer. It is endangering the lives of living beings everywhere, forcing them to work and live under cruel conditions.

It rejects petrochemical companies who have a stranglehold on the energy sector. It embraces sustainable and accessible living for all people and animals, the world over. It embraces the collected differences and seeks to make an accessible world where all can live in freedom and togetherness.

It rejects all borders, states, nations and invisible lines that divide beings on earth and sections land away. Anarcho-animism demands total freedom of movement for ALL, free of the states and nations that fueled capitalism.

Embrace spirituality and animism

Spiritual practice should not be commercialised. Every being should be free to adopt the traditions of their kin and the traditions of those that share with them. It should not be dependent on mass market goods.

Anarcho-animism recognises humans as intrinsic to nature. It explicitly rejects the separation of human and non-human animals as distinct categories & the ideological elevation of humans over all other living beings.

Even though it can be hard to break hierarchical styles of thinking, it is something that can always be worked towards and is an admirable goal for all beings.

Anarcho-animism recognises that everything in the world has a spirit/soul/essential essence tied to it, that cannot be revoked or infringed upon by anything or anyone without deep disrespect.

As an extension, the world is an interdependent web of living things, the environment and the earth’s spirit.

It is anti-racist, anti-fascist and embraces marginalised beings

Nature is inherently a place of diversity.

Anarcho-animism is anti racist and anti-fascist. There is no room for volkish neo-nazis in anarcho-animism. There is no room for eco-fascism, and those ideologies must not be allowed to flourish for they bring unspeakable harm to the most marginalised beings.

Anarcho-animism welcomes and celebrates queer & trans people.

It demands for the world’s colonised land to be returned to indigenous people with no conditions attached.

It demands land back to the public of countries and nations who face increasingly little access to the wild. Take the land from landowners that seek to exploit it for profit, make it free, let all beings roam again. Destroy the state.

Anarcho-animism respects the right to roam of all communities and beings. It stands in solidarity with Gypsy, Roma & Traveller communities against anti-trespass laws.

Care for the environment

Anarcho-animism embraces politics such as rewilding & indigenous land stewardship. It seeks to restore balance to depleted habitats, to allow all to flourish again. It supports the reintroduction of predator species such as the wolves in Yellowstone and the lynx in europe.

Anarcho-animism seeks to stop monocultures of crops eating up the land and draining the water away. Food forests and alternate gardening techniques will help all thrive. It embraces foraging, food for free, folk knowledge of edible plants and mushrooms, and sustainable hunting to feed communities.

Care for fellow beings

It abhors the treatment of beings under industrial meat production. All beings on the earth deserve a good death in whatever form it may come in. The meat industry does not give this mercy after a life of humiliation. All beings have an inherent spirit that deserves dignity and respect.

It seeks to remove the conditions that force other beings into traumatising slaughterhouse work – migrant status, economic status and “unemployability”. No being was made to work, especially under traumatising and unethical conditions.

Anarcho-animism rejoices in the inherent creativity of all the beings of the earth, and in the community found in creative pursuits. In dreams that all beings share.

It celebrates all beings’ milestones in life, it celebrates the seasons and the world changing in time with them.

It looks to nature for the purest form of joy – that found in play. In freedom to play, and learn, and grow, unfettered by capitalism, crushing expectations and the threat of working or death.

Care for the community

It places emphasis on community care and ritualised practices to mark cycles, celebrations, and seasons.

It places emphasis on the joy that exists as part of living, in building community with others by sharing good food, stories, art, love and most of all, it emphasises the joy found in connection with the rest of the living world.

It is a moral obligation to our fellow beings to build a world accessible to those with neurodivergence, sensitivities, disabilities of all types, to the elderly and the young, and for all of it to be done well and to the best of our abilities.

It recognises the interdependence of humans and the environment. Care for self, others and nature are all radical acts of love. It seeks to repair harm by centering those most hurt, and those most in need of healing. It looks to transformative and restorative justice, and imagines a world without punitive justice. There are no cops in nature.

[maybemalkaa]

I originally posted this on FetLife. But it feels important to say everywhere.

pretty privilege is just white supremacy

Yup! You read that right! This is in a response to a post, I mean this with love and I don’t feel right not having a bigger conversation about it.

While it’s important to ask “What is pretty privilege” it’s imperative to know where it comes from.

“Ugh is this a political rant?”

It sure fucking is. Buckle in bitch.

“Pretty privilege” is often discussed as an unearned societal advantage given to those who meet conventional beauty standards. People deemed “pretty” are granted better opportunities, treated with more kindness, and often navigate life with fewer barriers. But what many fail to examine is how these so-called “standards” of beauty are rooted in racism. Pretty privilege isn’t just about individual attractiveness—it’s a system that upholds Eurocentric ideals and excludes people of color, disabled people, trans people, faggots, and dykes alike. It’s perpetuates the same power structures that uphold white supremacy.

The fucking FOUNDATION of modern beauty standards are tied to colonialism. When European colonizers colonized, they also imposed their cultural ideals, including their ideas of beauty, on the people they oppressed

So it was all about pale skin, straight hair, narrow noses, and thin lips became markers of “civilization” and “desirability,” while features associated with Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) were deemed “savage” or “ugly.” These standards weren’t just superficial—they were tools of domination, used to dehumanize and “other” non-European peoples.

So today these beauty standards absolutely monopolize every community. Why? Because it’s everywhere. Social media, TV, video games, etc.

These are very obvious “benefits” of pretty privilege. Which just further expose its racist underpinnings. If you google a single thing (without confirmation bias) you’ll see literal STUDIES that consistently show that people deemed attractive earn higher salaries, are more likely to be hired, and receive better treatment in the workplace.

Okay, so we know where it comes from.

Now what?

We have to shift the conversation about beauty privilege away from individual experiences and toward systemic change. Pretty privilege isn’t just about being attractive—it’s about who is allowed to be seen as attractive and why. Until we address the racist foundations of beauty standards, pretty privilege will remain a tool of oppression, reinforcing the very hierarchies it claims to ignore. To dismantle the racist underpinnings of pretty privilege, we must acknowledge how deeply beauty standards are tied to white supremacy. This means critically examining the media we consume, celebrating diverse representations of beauty, and rejecting Eurocentric ideals that exclude people of color.

So what can white people do?

You can learn about racism, white privilege, and the systems of oppression that benefit white people.

You can recognize how white privilege benefits you daily, even in ways you don’t notice.

You can give POC money

Acknowledge that systemic racism exists, and reflect on how you can use your privilege to help dismantle it.

When POC share their experiences, listen without defensiveness or interruption. Believe them. Validate their experiences instead of centering your own. If a person of color is speaking, pay ATTENTION.

Call out racism when you see it, whether it’s in your family, workplace, or friend group. Silence allows racism to continue unchecked. Use your voice to challenge injustice, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Be accountable for your mistakes.

Amplify POC voices

Do some research…

We all know that racism won’t end overnight, but every single action you take matters. Commit to showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable, and remember: allyship isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being persistent in the fight for justice everywhere.

[scarletkaoru]

The whitecloaks could have done a single useful thing but noooooooo

and honestly, I really respect that about the current trajectory of the whitecloaks. Like, you have a huge standing army with a rigid military hierarchy that claims it staves off evil and so therefore all of its atrocities are justified. And a lot of people would go the direction of having the whitecloaks as a necessary evil, fanatics who do some good but also are horrible people. but instead rj writes it so that everywhere they go theyre useless. They hurt everyone in their attempts at rooting out evil, they cause further fighting, they focus on things like hunting aes sedai where there are none and are useless against the seanchan and the dragonsworn atrocities that they could actually fix. and idk its just nice to be like no, the kind of power structure that supports atrocities, rigid morality, torture, and opens no room for compromise is exactly the kind of structure that is prone to corruption, uselessness, and infighting.

the whitecloaks do jack shit

as they should