#like no subtlety here

[borgchip]

I love her so goddamn much

[emry-stars-art]

I have an ask that prompted me to finally draw out this exchange that I’ve been thinking about for like a week now lmao so I’ll be back to link it when it’s answered

Abram has no idea how most (see: not sadistic) royals treat their personal servants/assistants/etc and since Andrew has so few of them he also doesn’t realize his case is Not The Norm. He may be oblivious but this time it’s only like half his own fault 🫡

Anyway here’s more info on how andreil pans out in this au

[joyflameball]

What yougotta understand is that when you're interacting with blogs from a fictional universe, such as the English Willy saga, ya DON'T GIVE THE GAME AWAY. Don't just TELL THEM all the plot. Don't tell them exactly what's happening!! Don't tell them the important names!! Send asks and such but actually think through, how would a normal person respond to all this? How would a normal Tumblrina respond? The answer is YOU PROBABLY WOULD NOT FIND FUCKING EVERYTHING OUT IMMEDIATELY. The answer would probably be memes and clowning on things! If you wanna allude to things that will happen in the plot, ALLUDE to them. If you know that someone's gonna burn to death, say you hope the stress doesn't cause them to burn out. Please, my Tumblrinas, learn the art of subtlety in writing. You are not the main character in fictional universe blogs. It's okay.

[zimmbzonzon]

Step 1. Drop emotional, insightful truth bomb that a 20 year can only have learnt from experience.

Step 2. Eat noodles

Step 3. …oh shit, no not again. *sighs in Jeff*

[nerevar-quote-and-star]

Okay, here are my current notes on the Markarth Incident. This is more of an evolution of thought rather than a final product, 'kay? 'kay. XOXO

4E 174 – The Empire recalls all Legions from the far corners of the Empire to participate in the final assault against the Aldmeri-held Imperial City. Every town and city not on the frontlines is left with a skeleton garrison. 

The Reachmen of Western Skyrim chooses to capitalize on this movement. The Reachmen populate an area of Western Skyrim, Eastern High Rock, and Northern Hammerfell. Although they appear similar to the Bretons of High Rock, they are wholly distinct, worshipping gods completely detached from those of Breton culture. During the Second Era, they once ruled Cyrodiil as the Longhouse Emperors; in recent history, they have lived subject to other races, primarily the Nords, who rule much of the Reach. More often than not, Reachmen are second-class citizens, though very rarely have they received decent though not preferential treatment from a Nordic Jarl.

When the Empire recalls their Legions, the capital of the Reach, Markarth, is left functionally undefended. A Reachman leader, Madanach, takes this opportunity to seize the city and install a Reachmen government in place of the Nords. Madanach declares himself King of the Reach and succeeds the Reach from Skyrim. Contemporary Imperial documents show that Madanach sent emissaries to Emperor Titus Mede II in an attempt to have the Reach recognized as its own Imperial Province wholly separate from Skyrim. Titus Mede appeared to have taken this into serious consideration, though he was unable to give it his full attention as the Empire was planning their attack on the Imperial City. 

Conflicting reports on the time frame of the Reachman takeover exist. Reports vary between the takeover beginning in Fourth Era 174 and 177 when the conflict was over. Contemporary Imperial and Forsworn documentation claim that Madanach’s rule was relatively stable, saying he was fair to the Nords, his people ousted from power, and allowed them to remain in the city so long as they recognized his government. It is said that live around Markarth continued in the same way as before, though under the Reachmen rather than the Nords. It may be important to note that Nord landholders who “mistreated” their Reachmen servants were put to death. 

The Nordic perspective (as shared by Jarl Igmund in Fourth Era 201) claims that the Reachmen takeover was violent, leading to a chaotic period in which Nords were heavily discriminated against and no civil cooperation between races. 

[Madanach’s version of events MAY be closer to the truth. N.B: During his rule, he seems willing to help a group of dissident Blades in exchange for a favor.]

The White-Gold Concordat is signed 11th of Sun’s Dusk, Fourth Era 175; Surviving veterans of the Battle of the Red Ring return to their homes, including large populations of Nordic legionnaires. Talos worship is outlawed. Talos temples are closed, though many continue to worship him in private. Ulfric Stormcloak takes offense to the banning of Talos worship, viewing it as a central aspect of Nord culture. His father, Hoag, the Jarl of Windhelm and Bear of Eastmarch, does not legalize Talos worship despite Ulfric’s religiosity. It may be that he wishes to avoid a conflict with the Empire. Jarl Hrolfdir of Markath, in exile by Madanach’s government, promises Ulfric and his supporters religious freedom should they take back the Reach from the Reachmen. This is in blatant disregard of the White-Gold Concordat. 

Ulfric leads a militia across Skyrim to the Reach where they took back Markarth. A few Reachmen leaders were imprisoned, though others were killed, along with most of their warriors, though some were driven off into the surrounding wilds. The survivors in exile began to call themselves the Forsworn. They attack Nords and the Empire indiscriminately due to anger and feelings of betrayal.

Most of the Reachmen leaders are killed. However, allegedly at the request of the Silver-Blood family, Madanach is taken prisoner and held in the depths of Cidhna Mine. The Forsworn claim that the Nords, under Jarl Hrolfdir and Ulfric Stormcloak, took back the city through an excess of unnecessary violence, putting to death or imprisoning anyone who had even spoken to Madanach or said his name. It is also said that the family members of those who were deemed to be against the Nords’ rule were imprisoned or killed, even down to young children. Purported Imperial propaganda puts forth that Ulfric himself killed everyone in Markarth who would not join his cause. 

It is true that there was bloodshed and death of innocents during the retaking of Markarth. The factuality of this claim can be traced to those Reachmen who survived the incident, sharing their experiences twenty-five years afterward. 

Jarl Hrolfdir was assassinated during attempted peace talks with the Forsworn after the retaking of Markarth. It may be that the incident only grew violent after this point due to Nordic retaliation. 

Why would Ulfric and Jarl Hrolfdir use that much unnecessary violence and brutality against the Reachmen if they intended to negotiate with them afterward?

Perhaps Igmund instigates the brunt of the violence against the Reachmen following his father’s death.

Jarl Hrolfdir was marked for death by the Dark Brotherhood. It is unknown who performed the Black Sacrament on the Jarl. It is possible someone from outside the conflict placed the contract on Jarl Hrolfdir’s head as a means of sewing chaos between the opposing sides (it could have been Igmund or Raerek [crack theory; maybe the brother was trying to Lion King his way into power and failed miserably? Or one of them opposed making peace with the Reachmen], or perhaps it was the Aldmeri Dominion?). Regardless, the Jarl’s death is the probable instigator for the deaths of many of the Reachman remaining in Markarth. 

The Imperial Legion shows up not long after the city is retaken. They are seemingly thankful that Ulfric’s militia took back the Reach. When Ulfric lets them into the city, he asks that they recognize the free worship of Talos that Jarl Hrolfdir had legalized in the Reach; otherwise, the Legion would be fought off. The Imperial Legate (or general?) present at the time okays Ulfric’s request, effectively breaking the White-Gold Concordat. Again. Not long after, the Thalmor discovered this and took issue with this breach of treaty. They give the Empire an ultimatum: disband Talos worship in the Reach or prepare for the Great War to be renewed. 

Ulfric and his followers are arrested and imprisoned by the Empire as Talos worship is again banned. The Empire must crack down on cases of Talos worship across the province. In consequence of the incident, the Thalmor gain access to Skyrim for their Justiciars through an Embassy. This is allegedly to enforce the terms of the White-Gold Concordat after it had been broken by the Nords in Fourth Era 176/7, but on an underground level, this allows the Thalmor to hunt, capture, and torture suspected Talos worshippers. The coming of the Thalmor Justiciars to Skyrim is technically a domino effect caused by Ulfric’s demand for free and open Talos worship.

Jarl Hrolfdir’s assassination happens during Ulfric and his supporters imprisonment. It may be possible that it was Ulfric OR one of his men who performed the Black Sacrament (though how could they do this while in an Imperial prison? Ulfric had to smuggle out his eulogy for his father’s funeral – what is the Imperial prison smuggling system like? Could any of them have had access to a dead body? Smuggled in or that of a fellow prisoner?). Whoever performed the Black Sacrament on Jarl Hrolfdir is the root cause for the retribution killings of the Reachmen. (Perhaps it was Thonar Silver-Blood?)

Ulfric is an uncooperative asset to the Thalmor, not because he ever cooperated with them in the first place, but because he is the (unintended) reason they have such a strong foothold in Skyrim now. 

[prettysymbiosis]

I just noticed this is the pinned comment on the trailer on yt and I just think that's interesting

[gayofthefae]

Before volume 2 I thought that they were gonna save the painting for when they got together, if that be in season 5, then season 5, but then they brought it out so I was like "oh, this is the moment" but then it wasn't and I was confused

but in retrospect, I get it. They did save the painting for when they get together, they just also used it now. It wasn't as simple as setup-payoff - the setup being that he painted something secret and the payoff being what it is. The payoff was aNOTHER setup, what it means, which Mike still doesn't know.

I know I may be being captain obvious here, but it's more about me putting that together with my original expectations. I expected them to use the painting with the final reveal or not at all until then, but they did both. The payoff wasn't what the painting is, it's what the painting means and I suppose I hadn't thought of those being able to be separated.

[appleciders]

Warrior Nun Season 1 + “trust”

[transmasccofee]

her fucking face here kills me everytime i see it. Never in my life have i seen a fictional character look so Miserable.

[fluorescentbrains]

one thing that was very striking to me about tokyo is how much traffic all gazillion of the shrines were getting. you would just be wandering around a busy street full of modern distractions and turn a corner and find yourself at the entry to a shrine and a bunch of people would be there. at the same time the atmosphere would be quite casual, not at all like accidentally wandering into a church or something. like people would be engaging with their ancient traditions but not in like a manic fraught obsessive way. idk i’m just so used to western religious behavior it was surprising to me that a population could retain any religious traditions to such an extent without some kind of hardcore threat (stay worshipping or you are going to hell forever) or other incentives lol

[sysig]

A bit more Defeated, and thinking about this post (Patreon)

[sharkneto]

did you ever watch fargo? it has similar story beats to true detective, at least, season one (it’s another anthology type series, crime focused) there’s a dude in there who i think you’d get a kick out out of… very much quietly intensely batshit insane and Off™️ but somehow presents himself as the sanest one in the room. he’s rust cohle, in a way, but murderer, not detective

Thanks for the rec! Watched S1 over the past week or so. Was good but it frustrated me. Billy Bob Thornton Serial Killer was the highlight, you were right! He was very fun. What a weirdo.

I don't know if it was that I grew up in an area with accents like theirs so I was like, hyper aware They Are Doing An Accent, or that it was based on Coen Brother's work, but a lot of the characters felt... rather like caricatures? I don't know, something about it had a wall between me and it, where I wasn't immersed so they felt like We Are Actors On A Set Delivering Lines Really Well rather than I was in the moment, if that makes any sense. Maybe it was the monologues, Flannigan series can have the same affect to me.

Still, was a really good cast. I needed Martin Freeman to get his comeuppence like three episodes sooner, my god that man could just wiggle out of everything (SPOILER he sent his wife to get shot???? what the fuck is wrong with him. I was screaming SPOILER OVER). I always like it when Colin Hanks pops up in things. Allison Tolman and Billy Bob Thornton fucking carried the whole thing, they were the only two I didn't really get the I Am Delivering Lines With Emotion And This Thick Minnesotan Accent feeling.

Writing was generally tight, too. Good full circle moments and Chekov's guns, pieces came together in satisfying ways. Was fun to be rooting for Molly to catch her killers and for Billy Bob to fucking get Martin Freeman. I think it could have been one episode shorter, or skipped the time jump, to give the police a modicum more competence, they were killing me.

Idk if I'll watch the other seasons, I did enjoy it overall. Might check out the newest one because I'm a slut for Jon Hamm.

[konfizry]

You know what, fuck it. Konishi talking about his favorite line, but it's (poorly) subbed in French

(you can check out the whole event by clicking the link on Darkhymns' post; this particular bit is from part 05)

[the-sappho-of-lesbos]

Do you have a gf? I feel like I need a life update! 💞

I do! It’s honestly been super super wonderful. She’s a very kind and smart woman.

It’s brought up a lot of complicated feelings for me though. I have a lot more internalised homophobia then I was originally aware of. So some breakdowns have been common over that. And being in such close emotional proximity to someone has really brought out some very hard and confronting OCD episodes. There is the guilt I feel as well, over being a relationship, feeling as though I have something I don’t deserve or shouldn’t have until everyone else does too. Which has lead me to being pretty quiet about it in my irl life. Lots of very hard and complicated emotions that I haven’t really figured out how to handle yet, and also feel as though I don’t really have places to go to talk to about. It’s also a bit hard because we live in different states, so there is a lot of video chats. We are also taking things slow and trying not to rush things too much. Which I think is very helpful for our mental health. I do know regardless of how we end up, I definitely want her in my life. So I think going slowly and focusing on the girlfriend aspect as well as the best friend aspect is helping with that.

We have met in person already though ! She’s very very beautiful and handsome and warm. She’s incredibly smart and kind and emotionally intelligent. We watch movies together a lot and I’ve introduced her to Bluey.

I’m trying my best to take things one step at a time. It’s hard with how my brain is though. Especially since I’m so used to being alone and not talking to many people. So having a constant in my life now has made my emotions feel very raw and heightened. It’s also made me have to come to terms with the fact my feelings of loneliness and emptiness are just going to always be there regardless of who I’m with. Which has been sad to say the least.

And obviously navigating having severe mental health issues while having someone else in my life is hard , because I want to do the best by her, so it’s been a learning curve for myself and my limits. But she makes me feel as at peace and happy as someone like me can. And I want to do my absolute best to make her as happy as possible and provide her with lots of love and a safe space , because she has a beautiful soul and deserves nothing less, regardless of what happens with us.

Thank you very much for popping in !! I hope you have a wonderful day ♥️♥️♥️♥️

[starielwastaken]

you seem to be a big fan of Flowey Undertale. There… aren’t any murderous time-traveling tendencies you have and aren’t telling me about that I should be worried by, are there?

:)»<>

… Noooo… Well… Yeah-No… Hehe…

[atrocitahs]

Sweat beads on Atrocity's forehead. She wipes it off with the back of her hand. They cling to the side of a tall skyscraper, scanning the city. They could have sworn there was something up here, that someone here wasn't human (aside from her, of course.) But Ramsey can't quite put her finger on it. At least, not yet.

Finally, they spot him. Their spider senses are going crazy, and @pzfr doesn't seem to be giving off the typical, human-y infrared vibes that she normally gets. There was an alien amongst the citizens of New York. Curiosity overcomes her, so the hero jumps down and lands a safe distance away from the alien before ducking into an alley and taking him aside. " Hey. Listen, like. I'm so sorry to bother you, but um... you wouldn't happen to be an alien would you? Cause... y'know, I get the vibes that you're not from around here. " Yikes. Not a great way to start out a conversation, way to go, Parker. " Sorry. I don't mean to ask such invasive questions, but. I gotta know, you know? "