#keep it close to the center

[softchouli]

[magnusbae]

On the rare occasions when Hob is actually mad at Dream— he refuses to sleep. Coffee, energy drinks and the God forsaken awakeness pills? All fair game. If he has to inject caffeine directly into his vein, he would. Hob doesn't often get mad, but when he does, he likes to make a point. Dream and Hob match in more than one ways, really, they do. And so it is that the Dream Lord must come out of his realm personally to sprinkle sand into his lover's eyes because he'd be damned if Hob refuses his gift for more than two nights in a row. Not speaking for 100 years? Easy. Hob refusing sleep? Unacceptable.

[magistralucis]

@absolut--kurant!

[dykedvonte]

Ok so we know you love Benny (rightfully so, I mean look at the man) but do you have any thoughts on the other Chairmen? Swank and Tommy specifically?

I have so many thoughts on the Vegas families but even more on the Chairmen just because of how unique their position is.

Like to start off, I have mentioned and still fully believe the Chairmen are the most paranoid and distrusting of all of the Vegas families. You can get sucked into many personal dramas and plights when it comes to the other Vegas Families; Quest-lines that get you super involved with their inner workings and pasts, ergo, quest-lines like Beyond the Beef and How Little We Know. Other than the very little side quest we get from Tommy, where you don’t even out in a good word for the Aces Theater for the talent recruits, your very boxed out with the Chairmen.

While the other families are more curious and intrigued by the NCR and Legion tensions rising, House being killed and other things, the Chairmen are always paranoid, concerned and negative. They mention wanting to leave like in the old days but can’t drop the act. They don’t mention anything that isn’t in a way that relates back to them and it tells how little they wish to or do interact with those outside the family. Swank mentions how he doesn’t trust the other families and the sentiments are shared with Tommy who discourages you from seeing the other sights. They are probably not purposely isolating themselves but they keep to their own. I only think this is extrapolated by House favoring Benny as a successor and possibly more restrictions on them. They were the first family and likely the prototype of whatever is detailed in their contracts. House was not as lenient as he is now, taking Swank referring to House’s rules into account.

Specifically about Tommy and Swank is interesting. Tommy feels like he’s older to me, not like more mature but he’s been around to see how far the Boot-Riders changed into the Chairmen. He’s not like an old guy either but older than Swank and Benny. I like to think he’s a middle ground to Swank and Benny, where Benny is the idealist, Swank is the nihilist and he’s there realist. You gotta real with people when you work in entertainment. He has a keen eye and can tell when things aren’t right but doesn’t jump out of his lane, not without provocation that is. In relation to Benny, I think Tommy’s like a snide older brother type guy. He rips on Benny cause the guy is so obsessed with not being seen as a tribal anymore but Tommy of all people can see when someone is playing too much into a bit. Benny keeps him close cause he keeps him real.

Swank is described in universe by House as being dependable but unimaginative. I don’t think that’s fully the case but he isn’t the person to push things in my eyes either. He has complaints but he does what he’s asked of and is loyal. More of a “Are you sure” Man than a “Yes” Man. I don’t think he sees the best in the people around him but prefers to see them as static. I take this with how hard it is to convince him that Benny is a traitor and how he seems shocked you are so ready to kill him. Things run a certain why and it’s why he likes that. It’s why he’s so good a managing The Tops. He wants things to run smooth and easy and everyone to be having a time. He’s the type to struggle with a shift in change at first but then forget why when the new song and dance start to come naturally. He plays the part just like Benny but also reminds him of what they came from. He’s his most trusted advisor and friend keeps him in focus.

This is all personal opinion and just a quick run down of it. But I hope I answered at least some of what you asked:p

[longdeadking-moved-blogs]

i think a major reason why everyone in limited life seems so chill with jumping off of things is because of the sheer amount of water on the ground. the ocean is, obviouspy, a regular source of people plummeting from build height, and the mansion is completely covered in water on top. that makes it way easier to survive tall drops, as long as youre generally in the right place.

i think this is also why double life was so okay about doing dangerous nonsense (ex. the fishing rod thing). they had the huge river in the ravine that remained almost completely unobstructed, so anyone nearby could pretty much trust that there was a safe landing nearby. although i think limited life makes this way more apparent because it bas so much more water.

i am simply thinking about how the world generation affects gameplay on such a small, well-defined map.

[izloveshorses]

this scene is uh. a bit on the nose

[agnesandhilda]

*voice of someone who watched revolutionary girl utena at thirteen years old and has never been the same since* blue lock is like if ohtori replaced duels with sports games and also if the student council were supposed to be the good guys

[theyarerealtome]

Ok, but let’s talk for a minute about just how good Nick and Charlie are for each other?? Not only romantically, but how their lifepaths are genuinely changed for the better because of their relationship?

Like, we know Charlie gave Nick the positive queer experience he himself never got to have and supported him through figuring out his sexuality. And Nick helps Charlie rebuild himself after Ben and the bullying, and his eating disorder.

It made me think about how things could have gone if they hadn’t met when they did. Beyond the aw-they-wouldn’t-get-to-meet-their-soulmate-☹ and to the sad, wider implications of not knowing each other.

Sorry for the incoming Way Too Long Ramble about what if Mr Lange had done the seating plan differently.

TW for discussions of canon eating disorders, self-harm and sexual assault.

Charlie

First off, I think Charlie would still break things off with Ben after seeing him with a girlfriend. But the big difference is there’s no Nick to discover Ben assaulting him, and to subsequently confide in about their relationship and reaffirm that Ben is the terrible, awful person.

So, we’re looking at a Charlie who is still carrying this toxic secret alone that could damage and tear away at his self-esteem even more than canon where he fairly quickly gets to build a healthy, loving relationship with Nick who actively combats a lot of the shit that Ben told him

(I wonder if eventually Charlie would have told Tori more?? About the guy who ‘made him feel like it would be better if he didn’t exist’. I hope so, because Charlie, my beloved, while you are an actual angel for not outing that piece of dickweed to anyone, you’re allowed to tell someone)

(Don’t even want to get into if the assault would have progressed further without Nick there. Probably Ben wouldn’t have gone beyond kissing. But it would still be more traumatic, and Nick’s discovery meant Ben was warier about coming near Charlie afterwards. Whereas no Nick means Charlie is constantly on guard avoiding Ben)

More under the cut. 

Unquestionably Charlie still develops his eating disorder - and chances are it’s quicker and more severe than in canon, with all this extra crap going on.

The one bit of hope is that while it might take longer for other non-Nick people to notice his ED, I’m sure they would. Charlie still has a good support network, and someone – Tori, Tao, Elle, Isaac/Aled, Mr Ajayi – would pick up on it.

But still getting help, and his recovery process (especially around self-harm) would be much longer, and more painful given Nick was the one who first got through to Charlie and helped him talk to his parents.

And Tori and Nick were both the biggest supports for Charlie through it all – without Nick, poor Tori has so much more on her shoulders.

The events of Solitaire end up being even darker, as Nick/Charlie are basically the main bright spot in all that. So, you have an even sadder Charlie and Tori

When the air clears after an incredibly shitty few years you’d have a 16/17-year-old Charlie who is working on his ED, self-harm, and mental health, but bottom line is it’s a much more painful journey, and he’s probably more impacted by everything with Ben.

In terms of the wider friend group, probably the Paris Squad Charlie/Tao/Tara/Darcy/Aled-Isaac/Sahar unit still develops. Because Elle was really the one who connected the girls with the guys. So, at least Charlie would have that

But with wider popularity? Canonically he ends up Head Boy and is friendly with a lot of people. I’m thinking without joining the rugby team, expanding his social circle, and having Nick to build his confidence we’re seeing a more reserved version of Charlie. Maybe he’d just be like a prefect or something but not quite head boy?

So, by the end of high school you’ve got a recovering Charlie heading off to uni, but he’s carrying a lot of self-loathing and emotional scars that Nick chipped away at. 

Nick

It feels like in the shorter-term Nick’s situation would be better than Charlie’s – but longer term everything goes to shit.

Initially not much would change – he’d play rugby, he’d have his friends who he doesn’t actually like but is accepted by, he’s in a group where he can never be fully himself

Basically, Nick is ok but he’s not happy – and not even fully aware of how ‘not-happy’ he is

Harry would still have pushed Tara & Nick together at his birthday and Tara might still have come out to him. But without Nick’s sexuality crisis or talking about his openly gay “probably-my-best-friend-right-now” I don’t think they would have connected so quickly

And he never would have been at the orchestra practice to see her again and plan lunch together, milkshake dates etc. So that means no befriending Tara/Darcy and not connecting with the Paris Squad

Things with Imogen would have developed in a similar way: chances are peak peer-pressured Nick would still be bulldozed into going on their date, but without his relationship with Charlie to enable him to cancel, you’re looking at it being dragged out way longer - it’s a question of how many dates they go on before Nick calls things off

Yeah, he would have stopped before they actually became boyfriend/girlfriend, but it’s still a much stickier situation all round and one that leaves him more alienated

Then he’d still go on the Paris trip but probably ends up rooming with Harry and co. so much less fun all round  

On the friend’s front – he’d still have Sai/Otis-Omar/Christian, but in canon it seems like their friendship deepened when Nick got together with Charlie, and a line was drawn over who Nick’s true friends were?? Without that happening, their friendship likely stays more surface level and shallow

Similarly, I’m not seeing a Charlie-less version of Nick having the confidence to confront Stéphane and David

Coming out as bi, having Charlie to confide in about his feelings, and just generally being able to be more himself – all that contributed to Nick calling both of them out on their shit. Without those circumstances, you’ve got a more people-pleasing Nick who pushes his own feelings down, so nothing real gets addressed and both relationships remain toxic and distant.

Obviously the massive, massive question is when and how Nick has his “full-on gay crisis.” And that’s kind of impossible to say. It could still be at Truham over another guy, or might not be until after school (maybe at uni)

There are a hundred ways that could go – but I think the key thing is that without Charlie, the chances are Nick’s sexuality journey wouldn’t be nearly as positive or healthy. (Honestly, it’s often missed just how supportive and essential Charlie was through it all, and how wonderful it was that Nick got such a sweet first (only) boyfriend).

Also remember, Charlie is the only out guy at Truham – if Nick falls for someone else at school then they’re either straight or closeted, and Nick is hit with feelings that he has to deal with on his own

There’s no Charlie to make the first move, no Charlie to hold Nick while he’s breaking down, no Charlie to tell him it’s ok to figure things out, no Paris Squad to provide queer community, no Tara/Darcy to talk to. It’s Nick alone in his room with BuzzFeed quizzes and articles on conversion therapy

Luckily he does still have Sarah and he might confide in her at an earlier point than in canon, but in terms of actual friends to talk to? ☹

Again, as with Charlie, Nick would eventually be ok. He’d figure it out – but it would be a hell of a lot of lonelier, and he’d probably never come out or act on anything while still at Truham

If his sexuality crisis happened post-school (likely uni) …possibly that would be better?? Uni is less of a cesspool, he wouldn’t be as trapped with people like Harry, and could at least connect with LGBTQI+ groups on campus etc. But on the flipside, it’s a Nick whose had years more of repressing his true self so there would be more to untangle

Overall, whether he’s realised he’s bi or not, by the end of school you’re left with Nick who is doing fine enough and seems content, but is much less anchored in himself, represses important parts of who he is, and lacks a real, close community

Idk, what other people think. This is all assuming that Nick and Charlie don’t meet later during school (e.g., if Nick reached out to the collection of queer students at Truham during his bi crisis). 

But basically, all that long ramble was saying that a Nick and Charlie without each other is a very sad thing to think about, and they’re 100% a couple who make each other better, happier versions of themselves <3

(Also sorry this is a frankenstein combo of Netflix and comics heartstopper. basically it just takes everything across both universes into account. Plus Solitaire, This Winter, N&C etc. 

[itwoodbeprefect]

like this post if you think spiders should leave me the fuck alone

[spacechampion]

you ever just. get reprimanded at work. for being too “political”. meanwhile your workplace is known for being a “””groundbreaking””” arts center at the forefront of political issues 😡😤🤬

[sysig]

Working some more on this Weird Little Guy (Patreon)

[goldiipond]

something something don and ayshe and having a deep emotional attachment to a certain animal due to associating it with a deceased family member (insane)

[victorluvsalice]

-->And then, just as Smiler was collecting the eggs (five completely normal decent quality non-hatchable eggs! I was genuinely shocked, given my coop at the time was half roosters) and I was getting Alice up to go help with the chores, I got a notice.

About Alice discovering a fire.

Now, I was utterly baffled at first, as I couldn't find a fire myself anywhere on the lot, despite looking hard. But THEN it finally dawned on me to look on the back porch -- and yup, there was Guidry, doing some more entirely unnecessary herbalism and setting the grill on fire. *facepalm* Alice had her panic attack on the porch before super-speeding out the front door, while Smiler rushed in with the extinguisher and Victor with some Chillio. They got the fire out before it could do more than scorch the grill, but that was IT for me and Guidry! Him occasionally picking up dog poop and repairing turbines is NOT worth THIS! So, a little later on, I popped into build mode and got that special palmistry hand statue that can disable his visits and did just that. Bye-bye Guidry! You will NOT be missed! (I also got Alice her own tripod while I was thinking of it, because need all the fun trio pictures in the future.)

-->Oh, and just to twist the knife slightly? When I looked at the front yard to see how Alice was doing and get her inside for breakfast, I spotted that Victor's cowplant had finally grown up. Meaning I could finally complete his Freelance Botanist aspiration, getting him the Naturalist trait. You know, that trait that, for some reason in this game, makes Sims immune to fire and able to put it out instantly. *facepalm* Five seconds earlier, game! (Though I guess it's my own fault for changing his aspiration around previously and then forgetting to change it back...)

-->After that, though, things calmed down again around the farm. Victor and Alice, being hungry, went and had breakfast, Victor Deliciosoing up some salad while Alice had some choripán after cleaning out all the old plates from the fridge. Smiler, for their part, went out to tend to Moory -- the poor thing was all dirty, so they gave her a good brush, chatted with her, and -- because their relationship was now so good -- tipped her $25 simoleons! Makin' it rain in the rain, as you can see. XD This got Smiler a bottle of enriched milk along with the usual six normal bottles, which apparently helps skill-building after you drink it. Nice. :) I really gotta experiment more with making animal treats and getting special milks -- the bulk food processor allows me to make a couple different flavors of milk, but not every kind!

-->With Moory all set, it was back to the usual chores for the rest of the gang -- Alice got put on "cleaning the chicken coop" duty after I noticed just how badly it was stinking, and Victor of course went back into the greenhouse to help the bots with the tending. Or, well, bot -- I noticed Elmer's battery was looking really low, so Smiler went and deactivated him before taking him to the workbench for a tune-up. I also made sure the cowplant was well-tended -- Alice offered it some meat (which it refused, not being hungry), and Smiler (after finishing robot upgrades and kicking apart some creepy hands) played with it for a bit (a process which was a little unnerving for me, but they both seemed to enjoy it). Smiler then played some chess (getting all the way to Logic level 9) while Alice did the recycling and played with Kelly as Victor finished up his tending and harvesting in the greenhouse...and then, after a quick bathroom break and Smiler making sure to deactivate Bugs...

[uroborosymphony]

 devora :    what form would your demon take?

Her deamon is a Raptor. Your daemon would take the form of a raptor! Those who have raptor daemons are intellectual and precise, though unlike other bird daemons they also symbolize active and ambition. They are logical but confident, often preferring to work alone in relentless pursuit of their goals. Her deamon is an Eagle. Your daemon would take the form of a eagle! You are a proud and confident individual who has a deep loyalty towards a select few. More so than others with raptor daemons, those with eagles are self-centered, overambitious, and unafraid to push their weight around. They don't care much for subtlety and always have their eye on the prize.

tagged by : @clemencetaught (Thank youuu). tagging : @ofgentleresolve (Aeri I'm so curiouuus) @mythvoiced (Van and Ma

[shamehaversoffontaine]

on tuesday i said i 'wasnt that invested' in starrail and then i went and got myself a little bit addicted.

so, after last night, where i fought the final boss on jarilo-vi, im not allowed to play today. i did my dailies and thats it!!! no more!!!

[beatriceportinari]

Bianca tessellation - Column arrangement