#lofaf ramblings

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

thinkgin about nepeta and equius. how even if their relationship was by no means perfect or even healthy a lot of the time they still fucking loved each other. how the rogue of heart brought the heir of voids soul to the forefront, how she made him more than nothing but a cog in the empires machine. forced him to question forced him to feel and to talk about his feelings.

what could she have done. for the equiuses splintered across her reality. the ones changed into something else. ultimately? nothing.

nepeta was never meant to be a hero even if she wished she could. she wished she couldve helped karkat she wished she couldve changed equius's mind she even wished that, maybe, if she did flarp after all, she couldve somehow saved aradia.

its not all sunshine and rainbows. equius is so so so so indoctrinated and controlling. but god. god. the thing with nepeta is that she can profoundly change people and help them become better she can offer the most sincere kindness and shes so lonely she had nothing to live for on alternia and she was so alone but it wasnt enough and grgehaghrh nepeta...

[anniebunbun]

The fancy dress concepts I did awhile back. The whole idea was to give her something akin to her land. White, somewhat iridescent dress, veil, and shawl-like thing with the rainbow colors. Probably sparkling as well because why wouldn’t it be? She needs to be as blinding as LOLAR is. Beading on the sleeves and on the hem of the veil, like rainbow droplets. The pink wrist-cuffs, neck-cuff, and tiara-crown to match the turtle consorts and general pinkness of the architecture in LOLAR. The cuffs either all button or clasp closed. I... didn’t actually decide which method was best. Maybe something shaped like the sun? Speaking of which, I forgot to add her sun pendant to her neck-cuff, fuck. Sheer pink bodysuit for the same reason. Hell yeah, that cut in the back is shaped like a coffin. And hell yeah, it trails down her hand and loops around her middle fingers. I never decided what her shoes would look like, but I imagine they’d match the dress? Shiny, sparkly... they would probably have an ankle strap and they’d probably crisscross across the middle of the foot. Maybe the strap would have some beading as well? I will have to play around. I also imagine heels but I dunno.

Bonus Grimdorks because of course. Bonus bonus John being very unethused by something.

[mmmmalo]

Twice the players mark that with the death of Polonius, Ophelia’s wit was lost. So too did Hamlet and the state of Denmark lose their head in the same breath.

“To thine own self be true” falls on empty ears, as it were. For bound as Ophelia is by the forces around her, harried as she is by authoritative whispers, Ophelia brushes truth when she claims she thinks nothing: Polonius occupied her head, and without his directives she became a chicken at the stump.

Thus speaks Hamlet when he warns of the brood of maggots in a sunlit corpse -- though he speaks of Ophelia, the same realization haunts Hamlet’s last breath: That he is dead! That he has always been dead, animated by obligations and duties that writhe like worms beneath his skin, driven forward only by the voice of his father.

...is what I basically got out of revisiting Hamlet. It seems to share Homestuck’s paranoia about the flesh being a mere vessel for imperatives from without (most explicitly in Hamlet’s suspicion of others’ motivations, but also reflected upon himself). Loss of the father used as metaphorical Death of God sort of thing, with the source of meaning/purpose in one’s life lost.

Funny enough, the line “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt // Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!” reminds me more of John than Jade, even though the couplet is wedded to LOFAF. It matches with John aspiration towards the ghost busted out by the Father (ectoslime being the dew), which itself implies a sort of devotion to the command prompt’s edicts. Though I guess everyone in the comic who’s interested in returning to their essence is doing a Dirk and climbing back into the slime tube... Hamlet of course links the excerpt to suicide there, and later links death and the absolute at the gravedigger scene (which is why Jade kind of reveling in the absoluteness of the speed of light gives me pause).

Rambling. Here’s a hymn of submission:

This world is not my home My life is not my own There’s a voice inside of me And it’s time to listen

[greensungnostic]

By the time she emerges from her dented, rusted chrome chamber, your heart is pounding hard. You’re nervous, but excited. You’ve looked over her message a few times just for emotional support, and you’ve noticed the hidden message. Transcribed into the first letter of each full sentence, there’s something hidden. Something that gives you the strength you need to do this thing. You think you know how she’ll reply, but regardless you’ll cherish and respect her response. Being best friends with someone like Rose is hardly a second-best situation. 

With Rose standing there in front of you, the scent of the crisp green apple lingering on the breeze, you crack your trademarked bucktoothed Harley grin, clasping your hands together and beaming up at her. Your little tail waggles beneath your simple tan skirt, and the logo on your shirt flickers through ATOM => SQUIDDLE => BEC => HEART every few moments. It’s time. You’re torn between a few options - the most direct would be just leaning in to kiss her, but maybe that’s too bold. Not enough direct consent there. Bad first impression. So you just... choose to be honest, if a little silly.

h-heheheh, hi miss satellite hostess. sleepy in lofaf here. long time fan, first time caller, very excited to be on the show today.

You giggle softly then take a deep breath and continue. 

rose, i... 

you know youve always been my best friend, right? like, john and dave are really cool and good friends too and of course theres bec but... those nights staying up late talking with you, playing silly games and picking on the boys and talking about squiddles and science and dumb dead psychoanalysts with weird german names and feelings and the future and all kinds of stuff!! that always meant a lot to me, and i loved feeling so close to you. i hope you knew you could rely on me like i did on you?

a-anyways, what im trying to say is... really just what i always wanted to say way back then too, but was too afraid to come out with it. too afraid to ‘come out’, haha....  uhm. 

You timidly reach out and offer your hands towards her, palms up and fingers lightly curled, covered in reminder-bands, with chipped glitter-green nail polish on your fingertips. 

what im trying to say is... im... im in love with my best friend, a-and have been for a really long time. rose, i... i really like you a lot. like a whole lot... youre brilliant, and youre beautiful, and you were always so kind and so close and so supportive of me like i tried to be for you!

a-and i know its probably dumb or bad to hang onto a crush like that for so long but... i never stopped wondering where you were and hoping you were okay. a-and i totally understand if you dont feel the same way! i know that its been a long time a-and there might be extenuating circumstances o-or its too soon or you like someone else or... n-no matter how you feel in return, youre still the best friend i ever had a-and thatll never change...! i love you n-no matter what, whether its as a friend or something more, rose...

You ramble out your reply, pouring your heart into it. You should’ve rehearsed this. You tried but each time it came out different. because how could you know what the circumstances would be? You wait, eyes wide as saucers and trembling on your paws, for her to respond. 

Day 2

[grubhivemind]

JACE: -BREAK TIME. after doing his postal worker thing all morning, jace is parking himself outside the forest to unwind for his lunch hour with a nice little picnic set up. he's got his foodibles, and his tech, watching the video feed on his tablet for any signs of spirits dwelling within the forest, and their behaviors should he capture any. he's a little uneasy, wondering if kougah is around... but at the same time, he kind of hopes he sees him. he's not sure what he wants to say to him, if anything, but the desire is still there.-

KOUGAH: =He's always here. But he has been taking care of his usual rancher duties, having combed the entire forest twice with not a sign of Kikiyo he wonders what to even do. Something. Surely. The devices made to calm the spirits have, thus far, been mere bandages with numbing salve covering angry wounds.= 

KOUGAH: =There is a rustle in some shrubbery and Kougah approaches. Silent and hanging by the treeline, waiting to be acknowledged so to not disturb anything=

JACE: -flinches at the sound, like he always does at sudden noises, but his peripheral vision shows him that it's just kougah... he wasn't expecting to feel indigant at the sight of him, but here he is, lifting his head and huffing a sigh in acknowledgement. sometimes he forgets he has those petty strider genes. he doesn't want to look at him directly yet. but he will steal a quick glance... you know, just to make sure it really is him.- 

JACE: Hi Kougah.

KOUGAH: ... =This is an unusual greeting from Jace but he likely deserves this. Actually context clues from their last encounter gives him a good idea so he stays where he is= Hello Jace.

JACE: ... 

JACE: How are you??? -exchanges pleasantries in the most passive aggressive way he can manage. he's not very good at it.-

KOUGAH: ... 

KOUGAH: 1 am... Hm. 

 KOUGAH: =Eyeballs Jace= 

KOUGAH: Pard0n my g01ng 0ff the s0c1al scr1pt but, h0w are y0u. 1nstead.

JACE: Im fine!! 

 JACE: ... No Im not!!! -sighs and turns to look at him, but his expression falls to an imploring one.- 

JACE: Joel... He told me what you did... To Rammie...

KOUGAH: =Nods= 1 suspected as much.... 1 sh0uld've asked clearly up0n meet1ng y0u 1f y0u were 0f cl0se relat10ns w1th her. 

KOUGAH: 1 ap0l0g1ze f0r n0t d01ng s0. =deeper nod=

JACE: Yeah, you should have! 

JACE: Because you knew Joel was my brother, and you must have known they were close with the way you were acting around him...! I... -looks down at the ground, brows knit.- 

JACE: I dont know what to think now... I dont really understand.

KOUGAH: Y0ur frustrat10n 1s understandable and enc0uraged. 

KOUGAH: ...Anger. 

KOUGAH: 1 ap0l0g1ze f0r c0nfus1ng y0u.

JACE: -continues to avoid looking at him.- I really liked-- 

JACE: -covers his face with one hand. hhhh.- 

JACE: I like hanging out with you... And working on these projects with you! I want to be able to do that still. But I cant if... 

JACE: If I dont know what happened, at least...

KOUGAH: =Silent for a moment= 

KOUGAH: She wandered 1nt0 the f0rest, presumably t0 hunt. 

KOUGAH: She hunted and k1lled my br0ther. 

KOUGAH: I r1ghted the wr0ng w1th her 0wn bl00d.

JACE: -looks at him then with wide eyes. joel said it was a misunderstanding...- Your brother?

KOUGAH: Yes. 

KOUGAH: As alpha, as a fam1ly member, 1 refused t0 n0t seek 1mmed1ate vengence.

JACE: But thats--!! 

JACE: Thats not how that should work???? -starts getting more visably upset.- Shes a person! Not an animal! Its different! 

JACE: -immediately regrets his words and quiets, eyes downcast again. that's probably not a very sensitive thing to say.-

KOUGAH: =If Kougah was offended by it he doesn't act like it. His voice is still even though his expression does falter from stoicism. Inhales softly and exhales= ........ S0 1've been t0ld. 

KOUGAH: But 1 stand by 1t.

JACE: I just... I just mean... -rubs at his eyes.- 

JACE: I dont know what I mean...

KOUGAH: 1t's s0meth1ng y0u're n0t used t0. =He needs a tissue.... but Kougah is hesitant to approach still= 

KOUGAH: Y0u weren't ra1sed w1th the same bel1efs and standards as 1 was. N0r 1 y0ur standards and bel1efs. 

KOUGAH: 1 understand the an1m0s1ty t0wards me and 1 w1ll n0t deny y0u that r1ght.

JACE: -sniffles- Thats not how I feel. 

JACE: I want to be angry... Mostly Im just sad. 

JACE: I want to be your... friend. But I dont know if I can be if you think that kind of thing is okay! Or that its necessary, I guess.

KOUGAH: 1'm s0rry f0r that..... 

KOUGAH: ...Currently 1 am b0und by man's law. 

KOUGAH: G1ven my status t0... the t0wn. 

KOUGAH: All 0f the rangers are c1t1zens 0f Aval0n by law. Regardless 0f h0w 1 feel, what 1 bel1eve, 1 am unable t0 act acc0rd1ngly. =They made that very clear... he even has to change his pelt for roaming town. Closer to the knee. Bah.=

JACE: -now THAT is a crime.- 

JACE: -but no, that's hardly a reassurance, and he's upset all over again.- Well, thats great!! Id murder people if I could, but alas!!!

KOUGAH: 1 d0n't seek any0ne 0ut f0r any reas0n. =Murder is an ugly word.... that's something that happens without provocation= 

KOUGAH: My fam1ly was wr0ng and 1 avenged my br0ther. 

KOUGAH: Wh0 1s st1ll g0ne wh1le she r0ams. 1mpress1ve as 1t 1s 1 feel 1 had fa1led 1n s0me aspect.

JACE: You didnt fail!! She still died! She still had to go through that! 

JACE: Ugh... Were just going in circles now... -sniffles and starts to gather up his things. but even as he does so, he feels hesitant to leave, strangly enough. or maybe it isn't so strange, given what poor judgement he clearly has. but he can't help feeling like there's still something that can make this okay... though, that might just be what he wants to believe.- 

JACE: It doesnt make any difference to you, does it?

KOUGAH: 1t d0es. 1 adm1re her return... but. Truthfully. 1t st1ll makes me angry. 

KOUGAH: As 1 sa1d 1 d0n't expect y0u t0 understand 0r relate, but my br0ther's rest feels r0bbed. 

KOUGAH: The dues were pa1d. But... 1t's n0t fa1r. H0wever that's..... wh1n1ng. And 1 d0n't 1ntend 0n caus1ng m0re pa1in.

JACE: -turns towards him again once his belongings are tucked away.- ... 

JACE: Im sorry about your brother.

KOUGAH: =Watches him... then nods= ..Thank y0u. 

KOUGAH: 1'm s0rry f0r upsett1ng y0u.

JACE: -shuffles his feet, lingering still.- Its... All pretty complicated, huh?

KOUGAH: 1t 1s. 

KOUGAH: S0 1 d0n't expect y0u t0 c0me t0 any c0nclus10n 0ne way 0r the 0ther. 

KOUGAH: 0nly that 1 respect y0ur ch01ce. 

KOUGAH: =Watches Jace silently then grunts softly= S1mply d0 what y0u feel w0uld put y0u m0st at ease.

JACE: -wringes his hands together.- Truth be told, Im very at ease! So its hard for me to know what makes me feel... most at ease!

KOUGAH: ...D0 y0u n0t exper1ence var1ed levers 0f anx1ety when c0ns1der1ng y0ur 0pt10ns 0r be1ng 1n certa1n s1tuat10ns? =Sniffs the air a bit... he could've sworn he smelled it a few times=

JACE: Well... Sure... But something like this? 

JACE: Logic tells me I shouldnt... be your friend but... -pauses to glance away.- 

JACE: When I think about that, I just feel worse.

KOUGAH: Ah..... 

KOUGAH: Hm. 

KOUGAH: There 1s n0th1ng that can be d0ne f0r what 1 d1d...but. 

KOUGAH: 1n 0rder t0... make y0u feel. Better... ab0ut what 1t 1s y0u may want. 1 w0uld 0ffer t0. D0 what 1 can. 

KOUGAH: =Something shifts in the forest and he watches but it's nothing.= 1 w0uld, truthfully and self1shly, enj0y c0nt1nu1ng t0 see y0u.

JACE: -usually he'd be spooked by the noises of the forest, but he's too distracted listening to kougah. his heart is racing all the same.- Ill have to think about that. 

JACE: I guess Ill have some time to do that... 

JACE: Oh. I should mention, Im going away for a little while.

KOUGAH: ...0h? 

KOUGAH: May 1 ask where? =Looks back to Jace=

JACE: -nods- Sure. Um... Im going to study some temples on LOFAF. 

JACE: Do you know of it?

KOUGAH: N0. 1'm unfam1l1ar w1th 1t. 

KOUGAH: But 1 can read up 0n 1t.

JACE: -brightens up a little, taking this as an opportunity to explain the culture of the place.- Its a small consort planet... Its mainly seen as a pit stop on the way to bigger planets like Earth or Lauctis, but there are some tourist traps there as well... LOFAF as the abbrevation for the colloquial name Land of Frost and Frogs... Um, the technical, documented name escapes me... 

JACE: But anyway, it snows there almost all year long. So there are ski resorts and stuff. Theres a dormant volcano there though... And during the warmer months, when the snow melts, its easier to access these temples around that area. Theyre shrines dedicated to a legendary beast named Echidna. Shes supposed to be uh-- 

JACE: -stops suddenly and looks embarrassed about his rambling. he almost forgot he's supposed to be UPSET with him still.- Well... You can probably read about that yourself.

KOUGAH: =As Jace spoke and explained things Kougah watches with the same stern expression but his eye light a little= 

KOUGAH: 1 w1ll d0 that. 

KOUGAH: M0st def1n1tely.

JACE: Okay. 

JACE: ... Yeah. Okay. Um. Im just going to... Go back to work now. I should hurry and finish my shift anyway because I have plans tonight too. 

JACE: Kind of like a date thing. 

JACE: Or something. -why did he say that... he knows why... he wants to see his reaction... that's so shitty. or is it? he really can't tell in this situation.-

KOUGAH: =HE IS STONE. But the light does fade back to normal and he nods. He's not allowed to react it's not like he's even on the same tier as Jace though= 

KOUGAH: 1 h0pe that g0es well. Y0u deserve t0 have a g00d t1me. 

KOUGAH: Have a safe tr1p, Jace. =Disappears on a small tornado... only that's just him running back into the treeline and disappearing=

JACE: -HHHH. not much of a reaction... what was he even fishing for? STUPID STUPID DUMB!! he watches him disappear before heaving a sigh and making his way back towards his route.-

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

kanaya and karkat have one of the most interesting and nuanced relationships in homestuck with a lot of thematic resonance and a strong foundation in mutual trust but theyre also just two guys who do fuck-all. karkat thinks the world of her and that shes the best while shes like "I Like Your Funny Words Angry Man" but would also not hesitate to commit unspeakable violence for him

theyre so two guys standing next to each other-core.

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

no one sees the psiioniic the way i see him and its bc im the only guy who think itd add so much fuckin spice and drama to the ancestors story if he was the judas to the signless's jesus allegory and YES its bc i think the "double-crosser" pun is fucking hilarious

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

god s game over is still so fucking insane to watch. gamzee fucking kills karkat and karkats hand as it disappears into the lava is the same hand that is used when hes about to open the door in s jade: enter. when kanaya slices gamzee in two one half is happy one half is sad, both being him and MOTHERFUCKING HIM. jake and dave both dying heroically protecting the girls they care most about, with a page historically being a knight in training. condy and aranea fighting each other by throwing entire PLANETS around. roxy fulfilling her role as both roses mother and daughter by not only protecting her child, but by trying to prevent her mother from being killed by the condesce once again. john being angrier than weve ever seen him beating caliborn to a bloody pulp with his bare hands. terezi finally being vulnerable to serket mind control by having her willpower be utterly broken while aranea carelessly tosses her aside. but she still gets up again despite it all.

s game over man.

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

caliborn such a funny antagonist.

like all the other villains in homestuck play cards on game night and caliborn is duct taped to the wall in the other room because nobody likes him and hes a teenager

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

if i was in homestuck i wouldve been a character in homestuck

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

young jake: grandma, what does transgender mean?

grandma: it means youre normal

young jake: oh ok!!

-----

roxy: i gotta tell u something...i think im trans

jake: ...so youre normal?

roxy: WHAT

jake: what??

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

also not to be a fun hating dweebus that cares abt hs2 or epilogues stuff but i think ultimate selves should not just be godtier 2 i think ult selves should be fucking ethereal and completely alien from the original person i think they should look like amorphous angels i think they should just straight up turn into skaias clouds or a horrorterror and physically be the foundation of a new session in the future no body no thoughts no memories only sburbs will the cycle begins anew organically

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

do you guys think highbloods have high or low tolerance to spicy food

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

*thinks about what homestuck couldve been if feferi was important and cries*

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

anyone remember the inaugural death of mister seven paradox space comic. it was so fucking good. literally did so much more for the felt than literally 8000 pages of homestuck.

[landoffreaksandfrogs]

*sees a homestuck ask blog on my reccs* nature is healing