#poetry needs to be more accessible but it doesn't HAVE to be Easy. it has the right to exist in its own realm of contradictions

[infinityshigh]

[taps mic] art doesn't have to be easy to love or to look at. it doesn't have to be dumbed down or comfortable or palatable for every audience. sometimes it needs to make you unsettled and uncomfortable! and this is good!

[biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer]

Can you write how Geo would deal with a mc that is always sick? (Totally not cause I'm sick too)

My Remedy for your Malady. (All x Sick! MC/Reader)

Anon. First and foremost, I made you wait 5 1/2 days. I am truly, wholly sorry for this *humbly bows*. (▰︶︹︺▰)

Secondly, I decided that I'm gonna do this for all 7 of our characters, because Jess, Brit and Deryl deserve more attention. I hope you may forgive me for my lateness, and enjoy this fic nonetheless (btw get well soon if you're not already <33).

Also I know that Jess especially is shorter (literally teehee) than the others, but I'm gonna get the hang of her eventually. Same with Deryl. >:]

ALSO, you're in an established relationship with them, so that's why they have (very legal) access to your residence!

- Signed by biggest-geo-oogami-enjoyer

Remedy: a medicine or treatment for a disease or injury.

Malady: a disease or ailment.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Geo was concerned when he found out you were ill.

When you didn't show up to school for the last few days, he texted you to find out why; to which you bluntly told him you felt like utter shit.

He doesn't pick up on the fact you're sick until you straight-up tell him.

Depending on what type of sick you are, he'll get the appropriate medicines/remedies and speed his way towards your home, hell, he might even skip archery, and he *never* skips archery.

Would rock up with food he knows shouldn't cause any problems or nausea for you and will probably make soup.

And you better fucking eat it.

He will feed it to you (reluctantly, but if you seriously can't do it yourself, then he'll manage).

Will ask you how the hell you fell ill anyway, and depending on your answer, he'll be either: Pissed (if you caught it from someone else), Or exasperated (if you stopped taking care of yourself or didn't equip yourself well enough to deal with the weather).

Will take care of you either way.

Will read to you in Japanese to help you sleep.

Will try to not lie near you if possible, unless absolutely needed. He does not plan on catching shit.

Will remain at your residence until you recover; unless he has classes that are either critically important and/or ones you're also in.

Will lend you his notes.

Will also take them back after a few days.

Will also just probably talk to you while you're bedridden, unless you cannot, in which case he'll simply watch you sleep, occasionally stroking your head and hair to try and comfort you.

He's trying his best, okay?

Sol will freak when he finds out you're sick.

Doesn't care what he's got on next, he's gonna go take care of you.

Will probably feel bad for not telling Hyugo anything about suddenly vanishing

, but he'll understand right?

Will spawn outside your home with: - Medicine, - Your favourite comfort food (if you can eat it without the fear of vomiting), - Probably will bring poetry and art with him, so you both have something to do (that's not him) when you're bedridden.

Will try and hold you if possible, doesn't mind if he gets your blessed germs on him.

You'll have to tell him that you'd worry for him if he fell ill, so he'll respect that.

But he will feed you. You don't have a say in that.

You're being babied now.

He's gonna make sure everything you want (and can have when sick), you'll have.

Is honestly okay with not going to any class, he'll just ask Hyugo for notes if he hasn't been MIAing.

Covers you in blankets if you've got a cold.

If you have a fever? Ice cream. >:]

Essentially tries to uplift your mood as much as humanely possible.

This guy will do anything for you. <33

Crowe will ensure that when he arrives at your home, you'll have everything you'll need.

Will cook your favourite food.

Will make you eat soup and light foods that are easy on the stomach.

Won't touch you, he doesn't want to fall ill, but will read to you.

He's got a soothing voice I just know it.

And he's 110% going to put you in a coma from how tired you feel when his voice hits just right.

Or maybe you're just fatigued because of your body waging a war against god-knows what kind of virus.

Will make you all forms of beverages to suit your illness, will also go out of his way to purchase any, after all, he's got the funding.

Will still go to classes, and takes extensive notes for you.

Will also tutor you the content if you're up for it.

Will stroke your hair if it's not sweaty, as a form of comfort.

Will make you feel as loved as possible.

Because that's what you deserve.

Brittney will be appalled.

How did you get sick? More importantly...who got you sick?

She's gonna yell at them.

Or fight them.

Maybe both.

Will buy a bunch of goodies for the both of you.

She can't cook for shit, so she'll just get takeout as food and order a fuckton of cough drops and Panadol.

You're both gonna be painting each others' nails.

And spilling gossip. Oh my god, she always had gossip.

Will give you notes to subjects that are majors, or ones you share.

Other than that can't offer much.

Will sit away from you to not get sick, but she'll 110% be supporting you emotionally.

Will probably give you a massage when you get better.

Idk she gives the vibe that she would.

Is the most aggressively supportive girlfriend ever.

She only wants you to recover ASAP, and to feel as content as someone who's sick can be. <333

Jess will be focused solely on you recovering as swiftly as humanely possible.

Is upset when she finds out you're fallen ill.

She'll drive to her home, grab the best shit she has and drives to your home.

Stays with you for days on end.

You've become her priority now, after all.

Jess is a very devoted (and lonely) girl, what can I say.

Will try and comfort you via reading to you, or listening to you talk about literally anything.

She just loves your company and you. Poor girl's been neglected her whole life.

She'll try her hardest to take care of you, and she does a very good job. (Ask Brittney teehee)

You're more than glad to have her.

And she to have you.

Hyugo will be astounded.

You? Got sick?

Why?

Did someone make you sick???? (if so teehee someone's getting food poisoning~)

He's at your home, with everything.

Literally everything.

Blankets, movies, games, medicine, puns, your favourite food and whatever else he deems necessary.

Will hug you if you're not aggressively sneezing/coughing.

Will watch movies with you on the couch with you lying on his plush fucking thighs.

Says the most stupid shit in Japanese (such as teaching you how to hide a body) and making it sound like flirting.

Tells you jokes and puns to make you feel better, until you laugh too hard that is and almost die.

Will make food for you.

Will ramble on about random shit to you, or listen to you talk (if you can).

Literally just seeing you content is more than enough for him.

Deryl will be SHOOKETH.

He will sprint to your fucking house. He doesn't care.

You're his only priority now.

Will magically appear at your home, and immediately hugs you.

You can be fucking dying, he doesn't care.

You're getting squashed.

Will be asking if you're okay 24/7

Until he realises he forgot to bring food.

Then he runs to get it, along with tablets, Panadol, all that jazz.

Like RUNS.

HE WILL RUN.

HE IS A FAST MOTHERFUCKER.

FAST!!!!!

Then he gets tired, so by the time he gets to the store, gets the food (and the 'goods'), he's gonna just call a fucking cab and crash at your place. (he forgot takeout existed lol)

He doesn't mind, and frankly, neither do you. The food and snacks was awesome (well, what you could eat anyway).

Will try his absolute best to take care of you, but often gets carried away with his energy. Often talks and rambles to you while you happily lay in bed next to him and listen.

Will call Geo or Jess for how to make a warm soup to feed you.

Then it becomes 'we've got Masterchefs at home'.

Shit goes crazy when Deryl's around tbh.

And you're more than happy to enjoy the ride (in more ways than one ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)).

[lexiandliterature]

let's talk about rupi kaur and why she's everything wrong with online culture.

i've heard many a good review about rupi kaur and her poetry and i will tell you right now that i confidently disagree. in case you don't know who she is, rupi kaur is a "poet" on instagram with over 4.5 million followers known for her short but impactful poems that captivate the hearts of millions of people around the world.

her rise to fame caught the tidal wave of internet virality as she self published her first collection, Milk & Honey, earning critical acclaim. I like to call it milk our money but i'll get to that in another post.

let's first define poetry for what it is. though this definition can depend on who you ask, i like to think of poetry in four main categories: theme, meter, form, and intention. theme is just the general topic of the poem and the way the poet goes about addressing it. meter is the rhythm and rhyme pattern; it's the way it sounds when you read it aloud and the way that sound hits your ear. form is the way it looks, the way it reads, how that affects the way you say it and the way the words are perceived. and finally let's talk about intention. how is she choosing her words, how is she placing them in an order that is interesting, and how is she using literary devices to aid her story?

(if you want to see these categories done well, then it will have to be a whole different post because this could take awhile.)

so let's talk about rupi kaur's poetry in these four categories starting with this 2 LINE POEM that doesn't have a title.

"and here you are living despite it all"

-rupi kaur

wow. inspirational. 2 lines, with no punctuation whatsoever. this isn't even a sentence. we're off to a great start.

so theme. this poem is about overcoming something difficult. what difficulty? i could not tell you. there is no more information. at least she has an idea. the "you" is likely addressing the readers, thus suggesting that the purpose of the line being so general is to appeal to everyone (this is another issue i'll get into some other time).

let's talk about meter now. there's really nothing to say, there is none. there is no rhythm, no rhyme scheme, no nothing. and i'm not saying every poem has to have these things, it's just to say that if she doesn't have this, her poem needs to be interesting in other ways (which spoiler alert it isn't).

now let's talk about form. she breaks this "not sentence" into two lines. this enjambment is random and without thought. there is nothing interesting about separating this sentence other than for aesthetic purposes. nothing about the shape of this poem is interesting and nothing about it has meaning.

and finally, let's talk about intention. she uses "you" to appeal to a wider audience which suggests that this poem is more likely written to be relatable than to be sincere. is the "you" talking about a friend? a lover? a sibling? a friend/lover that's a sibling? (im just kidding) like come one. give us nothing. the ambiguity of "all" has a similar connotation. what is she overcoming? a cold? the death of a loved one? spilled milk? what is it? i shouldn't have to give meaning to the poem FOR HER. THIS IS HER POEM.

so if we're grading this out of 4 points, we'll give her a point for theme (because at least i know what she's talking about), no points for meter, no points for form, and certainly no points for intention.

this poem is a 1/4 or a 25%. congratulations rupi!

if this is the standard at which we are holding one of the most POPULAR poets of our generation because her poetry is accessible, easy to read, and relatable, then we are in a bit of trouble.

taking time to understand why the words are put in a certain order is what makes poetry so beautiful and if we can't even stop to sniff the roses sometime, what are we even doing? nothing in life is easy, and we are slowly diluting everything difficult into something that is meaningless. part of the beauty is in the time you put into understanding its message. rupi kaur is a perfect example of someone marketing off of our short attention spans and our need for instant gratification.

what i'm getting at here is not that a poet i dont like is extremely popular but rather we're letting people profit off of mediocrity while also losing the essence of what that thing really is. we're letting it become easy and accessible and "relatable" when part of the beauty is often what makes it different. it's not that rupi kaur is the problem but rather an example of the ongoing issue.

thank you for coming to my ted talk.

[dapg-otmebytheballs]

SAY THE PARASOCIAL THING SAY IT

Aksjfhk okay

This got super long but basically I was thinking about that post about Phil being more open in his boundaries and I think he actually always has been! More under the cut

I think Phil has actually always been more self-assured in his interactions with the audience and I have some idea(?) of why that is. Phil has been around forever on YouTube, he is kind of a performer in a very classical way. You can see this in like how he carries himself in his liveshows, using very basic tenets of performance that we're taught like face the audience always and fill up any lulls in the conversation. There is always a screen between the creator and the audience, of course there is. But the culture we see now of internet celebrities and their audiences having very little boundaries because of how accessible creators have become to audiences wasn't as prominent back then. You understood as a creator that your audience will make whatever they want of what you're saying and you can't account for any bad faith readers. Phil always came across to me as someone who knew how much he wanted to put out there and was self assured in it. He doesn't feel the need to clarify stuff, and likewise engages with fandom in a similar good faith. What goes on in his life and what informs his thoughts, beyond what he shares, is none of our business, that was an understood thing and he's left it at that. And what fandom talks about, how we interpret stuff, how we do our parasocial shit is also not meant to be more than a performance, it isn't supposed to Say Something Serious about the creators, which is also understood. And though of course audience interactions started getting wildly out of hand some years after Phil started posting, he still is a product of a time where that wasn't how things are meant to be and he maintains that distance with ease. Thinking about stuff like draw Phil naked where he engaged with it in good humour, or how he didn't mind having sponsorships and clickbait titles because there's an implicit understanding that this is All A Performance so he doesn't have to try and "act authentic". There's a confidence he has in his role as an entertainer, and that informs how he interacts with us. (also I had expressed this all much better earlier but Tumblr ate it up so now I have to type it again sorry if this reads weird ;-;)

On the other hand, Dan seems to worry about all that stuff a Lot More. (And I was apprehensive about saying this so I thank anon here for allowing me to say my parasocial shit XD) And the thing is, the reason I notice that is Because I am literally like Dan about that stuff when interacting with an audience (I did some videos as well yeah, but also when I've organised events that I had to host, or presented poetry somewhere, etc etc) where I constantly feel the need to qualify everything I say and do very worried I'll come off as being maliciously bad, or even perceived as being a certain way or having a certain tone when I don't. I find it in rather positive ways with Dan too (like correcting language in old videos or pulling them off when there's something in there that aged badly or could be seen in bad taste). But other times I see reflected in him my own tendency to overcompensate (self referencing how he is making Easy-Content a la 'some shit a youtuber would do', making sure he doesn't come across as having the wrong political opinions by stressing on his principles when something like that comes up 'don't settle for neoliberalism' ((also he is totally correct and I actually do love those clarifications just fyi)) )

You can see this play out so well that time when Phil accidentally says 'cockies' instead of 'cookies' and Dan makes a 'cut that out' motion and Phil just laughs about it and corrects himself and Dan goes "Are you keeping that in??"

There's probably a lot of factors to why they have those particular styles of interacting, and really there's merit to both. Phil knows where the boundaries are and ever since him just speaking random shit hasn't had the extra issue of possibly outing Dan before he's ready, Phil has just gotten even more open with how he speaks, but I truly think he doesn't care as much what we think about him. It's like, what's going on in his life is none of our business and what we're making out of our parasocial relationship with him is none of his business, which is a great way of approaching being a creator and unfortunately something that is becoming less and less of an option as the culture shifts completely with generations that have been within this internet creator culture since they were born.

Dan having entered the scene later on when this kind of culture had started (plus of course his own issues that did Not help the situation) means that it made sense for him to approach us with that bit of hesitancy and that he continues to do so. I know I have that hesitancy about how I word things because I've also seen people be taken out of context and treated in really bad faith and that is a completely understandable thing to take into consideration.

But yeah Phil being the "quiet one" has never really meant that he is less certain/more shy to me, personally, I think he is an incredibly professional entertainer is the thing and I love love love that about him because he's of a dying species in the current climate.

[elithilanor]

My turn to submit a character ask! For upcoming disability pride month, how would they be with a blind/visually impaired elven partner? Rumil, Haldir, Glorfindel, and Arwen addition!

No pressure. Get to it whenever you can. I just thought I’d write it down before I forgot. :)

HAPPY DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH, Y'ALL! Remember to take your meds, drink water, and protect your (mental and physical) space and health with all the viciousness of a feral bobcat. 

I'd like to preface this by saying that I myself am not visually impaired/ blind myself, so please let me know if anything I've mentioned would be more harmful than helpful and I'll change accordingly.

Haldir 

-Very good about making sure there is a strong support network in place while he’s gone

-Re-writes any and all texts in the house so they're a size that is easy for his partner to read. Makes a habit of buying large-print and/or braille reading materials.

-Meticulously keeps the house clean and doesn’t rearrange anything without clearing it with you first so you can find everything.

-He's probably a little overprotective and has to learn where your capabilities are has to be somewhat reminded that you're capable of taking care of yourself. He has a bad tendency of hovering when you're outside of the talan, but as you spend more time together, he relaxes. Will always be looking ahead on paths for trip hazards.

Arwen 

- Reads out loud to you if you let her. Especially a fan of this if you're in her arms and she can run her fingers through your hair.

- Will often recite sultry love poetry in your ears in bed (does this anyway because she's a fucking menace and it gets you hot and bothered).

- Enlists others like her mother, Celebrían, and Erestor and Lindir to make the garden paths (and all of Imladris) more accessible in terms of trip hazards, gradients, and wideness. The only real exception to this is unfortunately the ways in and out of Imladris due to decades of sieges. They're working with the architects.

Glorfindel 

- He really likes being outside with you and his friends so he takes you on lots of walks and does the very courtly walking you around on his arm if you let him. He loves it. He also often can be seen with a parasol so you can always have relief from any heat in the summers. (I hc Imladris as kind of humid in the summer due to the rivers and he likes being able to help in one way at least.)

- Enlists Lindir or Erestor to spend time with you when he's gone and help you with anything you may need.

- Glorfindel is the most dog person I can envision in LotR/Silm so if you have a guide dog, he'll spend a lot of time training with them to be fully versed in all commands and requirements and is very careful and restrains himself when the dog is working. Glorfindel has golden retriever energy, I'm sorry.

Rúmil

-Is very communicative and telegraphs what he’s doing with very precise directions and instructions (in bed and out ;)

- He learned your boundaries and places where you needed assistance and stuck to them early on and doesn't deviate from that. He checks in on you a lot to see if you need help, but does his best to stay out of the way until it's vocalized.

- He has complete confidence in you and is rarely worried, but crowded events still kind of stress him out quite a bit and he always has to manage his emotions more in situations like that.

- Will describe his paintings and any outside landscapes in detail so you can experience it, as well.

Thanks for the ask! :)

[orionowhere]

walk poem 11/19/23 + additional thoughts

(background below cut. enjoy!)

telling's in the lung and throat, full of air, vap'rous and spilling, coming out like extrusion, reservoir full of material, words chopped off one by one fast enough the quantity blurs by, but who needs piles and piles and piles of pieces, who's appreciating the craftsmanship, only the design brooks admiration, no individual goes enjoyed for more than a moment-

poetry's in tongue and tooth, chewing on its cheek- running over molars, lolling at a lozenge, sucking spit, it lingers- got you by the tongue, pulling on it, got you gagging- poem wants the meat in your hand to examine, cut muscle held under your eye, doesn't care you need it to keep singing, thinks the blood falling in your lap is pretty enough, good enough fruit to leave on the table, bruised and sweet and drawing eye-thought-flies back to taste and taste and taste- like a tongue at toothless socket- at the gnawed-cheek-sore- circle back at your tail, dog, poem gets chased, rarely caught, hurts to catch. gets a little deader every visit. same as any living thing.

- THIS IS JUST HOW IT FEELS FOR ME, PROBABLY NOT UNIVERSAL, I'VE BEEN GROWING AROUND SOME KIND OF PAINFUL INTRUSION SINCE I WAS A KID, NOTHING COMES EASY THE RIGHT WAY, NO ONE TOLD ME HOW TO WORK A SEWING MACHINE, ALL I DO IS DREAM

addendum 11/29: conceived this in my brain on a dog walk and then wrote it out as soon as i got home. needed to express a frustration. continual problem here where poetry and verse has come easier than prose 'writing' (entirely different skillset than storytelling, we are finally discovering after... twelve years?) since we were about twelve. first memory of sharing any with another person was showing our mom a song we wrote in the style of owl city's ocean eyes... and her response was "it's really nice! but i don't really get what it's about." one of those benign awkwardnesses that ends up as part of a pattern of upset that twists into pain. any poetry we write is very present, real, alive and bodily felt for us- but as a medium it's perceived as less accessible/relatable/understandable writing than just, telling a story about some people. some people actively dislike it, blame their refusal to attempt engaging with the work (baffled, resentful, both) on writers' pretensions. the idea of having our work perceived as meaningless, shallow, pointless melodrama, and consequently ignored is... existentially horrifying! but we are working on it. mainly by how we are starting to post publicly instead of only hoarding to ourselves and occasionally dropping things in our groupchat. perhaps someone else's body will feel the same kind of alive we felt when writing it. we have to give it away to allow the opportunity.

[colorcodedbeanies]

S2 E4: "Down"

Listened to the Insider podcast for this episode while travelling. They are so excited about how they got that port-a-potty to work.

TW: Smoking, violence, ableism, homelessness

So we've now shifted from Walt attempting to share the blame about Tuco to just abdicating all responsibility in the matter. Something he insists over and over again in this episode when denying Jesse access to his money is "[why should] I suffer from your carelessness?!" Undoubtedly Walt needs the money. But he refuses to even acknowledge the fact that it was his over-ambitious strategy that got Jesse in this situation to begin with. When Jesse points this out, he instead pivots to personal attacks, asking him if he "smoked the entire 600", calling him a pathetic junkie, and asking him what he even contributes. He's unwilling to ascribe Jesse the degree of personhood to where he can acknowledge he's in equally tough circumstances, and he's also too proud to admit that he feels vulnerable without the money.

BREAKFAST ARC BEGINS. Like most boomer/gen xer dads, Walt's tactic to soothe his wife is to take on the barest degree of "women's work" and act like the novelty will make her forget why she's mad at him in the first place. (Fascinatingly this will also be something he does to Jesse after their wrestling match in the RV). There's something wildly grating about his attempts at conversation. It feels like he's trying to "bring himself down to their level". I love Anna Gunn's facial journey during his long rambly lie about cellphone alarms. The realization isn't just that he's lying, but that he's lying poorly and expecting it to work. He respects her so little that he thinks this half-cocked story will assuage her doubts, and in my opinion that's what ultimately drives her away. We see through their discussion later that Walt still primarily conceives of Skyler's anger as being emotionally centered. She feels neglected, worries that he's cheating, worries that he doesn't love her, and so he attempts to fix it by engaging emotionally. She's the little woman back home, and can't she see all of this is for her? Why on earth would she have questions about WHERE you are and WHEN (and there's such a poetry in her giving him a taste of his own medicine this episode).

That entitlement to Jesse's space reaches its ultimate conclusion with his parents kicking him out onto the street. We never see flashbacks to Ginny's last months, but I do think its notable that his mom doesn't really push back on Jesse's interpretation that she wasn't there for her when she was dying. Jesse's not wrong that he earned this house, even if not legally. More than that, punishment via homelessness isn't exactly an effective way to coax someone OFF of using, or even dealing. The Pinkmans ultimately aren't attempting to put Jesse on a better path, but washing their hands of him completely. So fed up with him they don't even want him on a property associated with their names. And while I don't necessarily fault them for making a decision to cut ties, through wielding the law as a tool between them they are contributing to the classification of Jesse as a Criminal by Class. More that that, it reinforces more than ever his dependency on Walt, as he has to go to him pleading for money just to acquire a spot to sleep at night.

The entire driving lesson is an exercise in Walt's ableism and also a specific expose on where it stems from: insecurity. Flynn's need for mobility aids, for alternative strategies to go about doing tasks, seems to brush right up against all of Walt's medical based triggers. He sincerely seems to expect Junior to bootstraps the cerebral palsy, telling him "there's the easy way and the right way" and more absurdly "your legs are fine, you just have to stick with it". Much like Jesse, Flynn is being set up to fail and then has to deal with the embarrassment and shame surrounding that. He has at least enough self-assurance to say I told you so, but its undoubtedly rough for a teenager to feel like his body is something his dad thinks he has to get over, rather than something to live with.

He's not the only family member with Jesse parallels this episode, as Skyler seeks comfort for her distress in a substance that she feels she has to hide. I'll dig more into this when Walt finds the carton, but for now I want to draw attention to the lady who glares at her. The presumption is irresponsible parent, not struggling parent. Junkie, not addict. Obviously this individual lady has no responsibility to check on the stranger she sees doing something potentially harmful to her future child. But that reaction of judgement before empathy is something that's going to echo hard with Walt, and I'd argue is a microcosm of social attitudes towards addiction as a whole.

After a frustrating argument with his wife, Walt meets his younger associate in an RV and immediately gets in his face to provoke him. Jesse and Walt wrestle, culminating in Jesse straddling him with his hands on his neck and Walt taunting him. He then rolls off him and Walt offers to make breakfast. This is a sex scene by proxy if nothing else.

[ailelie]

Not!Fic: Jiang Yanli to the Rescue

While in seclusion, Lan Xichen decides to try something dangerous. Empathy should not be attempted alone, but he needs to know how he missed A-Yao's true nature. He needs to see. Not yet ready enough to call forth either of his sworn brothers, he decides to call forth someone of a more gentle temperament, but who knew A-Yao during his years in Koi Tower.

At first, Lan Xichen cannot reach Jiang Yanli. That makes sense; she is at rest. She is likely on her way to being reborn if she hasn't already been, but he tries once more. This time his desperation for answers, love, betrayal, and resentment thread through the music.

This time Jiang Yanli answers. However, the music has tied a tight bond between them and as he views her life, she views his. She watches the world turn against her brother. She watches as the news of her husband's death spreads. As she dies. As her son is raised partially by the man who orchestrated so many deaths. And she says no.

Jiang Yanli pulls on Lan Xichen's core, wraps it in her own resentment, and pushes them both backward in time. She does not do this thoughtfully or knowingly. The actions are all instinctual, the actions of a mother and a sister who refuses to allow her family pain.

Jiang Yanli and Lan Xichen awaken tangled together in the Hanshi. Lan Xichen is horrified, but Jiang Yanli is not. She doesn't know what she did, but she knows where and when they are. Before they can make plans, however, they are discovered.

Jiang Yanli acts quickly on her feet and explains that she and Lan Xichen had been discussing an alliance between their families. Then she turns to Lan Xichen and adds, "A-Xian will not marry out, not completely."

Lan Xichen turns to those who found them and says, "As you can see, we still have much to discuss. Perhaps we are at an advanced enough stage to take this to my uncle?"

Jiang Yanli nods. "We may as well."

As they leave and begin walking toward his uncle's study, Jiang Yanli says quietly, "I will fight for our brothers, but you must fight for A-Yao. Besides his mother, I do not know he ever had much love."

Lan Xichen chokes at that and stops walking. "I loved him."

Jiang Yanli looks down and sighs. "I love my brother, but I never stopped my mother from whipping him. Every time Zidian broke his skin, he knew I was choosing her over him. He still loved me, but I do not think he ever believed A-Cheng and I loved and valued him in the same way. Did your A-Yao ever see you choose him over anyone else? We're peacekeepers, you and I. We strive to maintain harmony, but by doing so, we hurt the ones we love because we choose what is easy and calm over changing the situation that is harming them."

"So it was my fault."

Jiang Yanli shakes her head. "No. It was not. It is not. We merely stepped aside, allowing those who are at fault access to our loved ones. We will not do that again, though."

"We will not," Lan Xichen agrees.

They reach Lan Qiren and go inside to talk with him. They do not speak of traveling to the past. Instead, both discuss how they've noticed an attachment between Lan Wanji and Wei Wuxian, but how neither boy yet seems to understand what they are feeling.

When Lan Qiren refuses to accept this, Jiang Yanli bows her head and requests permission to speak of her brother as she knows him. She explains him as a child who has always wished to belong, who is brilliant, but too often chastised for his genius. She explains that his mind moves quickly and he is too often bored, which inevitably leads to trouble. "If you give him a challenge, you will be pleased by the results."

Lan Qiren turns to Lan Xichen. "You agree with Maiden Jiang's assessment?"

"I do," he answers, "if only for my brother's sake."

Lan Qiren agrees to set a challenge. After class, he calls Wei Wuxian back and gives him a partially destroyed journal, a poetry scroll, and an old book. Each one has partial information on a lost talisman. He asks Wei Wuxian to recreate the talisman. Then he leaves while the young man is sputtering questions and already thumbing through the journal. When he leaves, he notices Lan Wanji hovering nearby and realizes that Lan Xichen may have been correct about the nascent attachment.

"Do not help Wei Wuxian with his task," he tells his nephew, "but if he asks for additional books, you may locate them for him. If he needs someone to talk with, you may listen."

Meanwhile, Jiang Yanli and Lan Xichen begin making plans. Jiang Yanli has decided to help both of her brothers. Neither one will lose their cores. Her parents will not die. Lotus Pier will not fall to the Wen. She urges Lan Xichen to focus on Meng Yao. She basically pushes him out the gate and when he protests that they do not know each other yet, she points out that if the Cloud Recesses do not fall, they will not meet and spend those weeks together. He cannot wait for fate; he must act.

(Selfishly, Jiang Yanli wants Meng Yao neutralized. She does not think Lan Xichen can kill him, but love and affection can sometimes win over swords. She wants Meng Yao to choose Lan Xichen over his father because then this scary, horrifying man will be fighting for her family, rather than against it).

Once Lan Xichen is gone, Jiang Yanli spends some time thinking in the kitchen. Then she seeks out her fiance while his cousin is occupied elsewhere and tells him that she will ask her parents to dissolve the agreement between them.

"Why?" Jin Zixuan asks, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"I have already chosen you, but I want you to choose me," Jiang Yanli explains. "We both deserve a happy, loving marriage, do we not?"

"We do," her future husband says slowly, still waiting for the catch.

"I will woo you," she says, startling him. She hands him a small basket of his second-favorite sweets. Inside the basket is a note explaining how she first began to like him when she saw him helping train the young disciples at the Tower.

Before I saw you, I was simply making the best of the situation. I had hoped that I would find someway to love you, that we would find someway to be happy. Then I saw your patience and gentleness teaching those children. You encouraged them without belittling them. I did not fall in love with you then, but I did realize that I someday could.

Quietly Jiang Yanli works to gather information. She talks with teachers and shares laughing stories of how teachers at Lotus Pier had despaired over her brothers. She weaves in a story about fire repelling talismans. She compliments the library and comments how proud the children might be to see their talisman work adorning the walls.

She sets a task for her brothers as well. She asks them to create additional defenses for Lotus Pier, describing the nightmare of her first life. "You will think of something impossible," she tells Wei Wuxian. Then she turns to Jiang Cheng, "But you will make it work. You understand our home the best of us. You know how to improve the defenses we already have. Wei Wuxian will dream up new ones with his talisman work or some array. Then you will find a way to get his work into place."

Both of her brothers puff up at her praise.

Jiang Yanli is not a mastermind, but from Lan Xichen's memories she knows who is. She seeks out Nie Huaisang. She does not tell him of the future, but instead tells him of Wen Qing. She knows that Wen Qing conducted a core transfer and that Nie Mingjue died from a Qi deviation. She tells Nie Huaisang that Wen Qing can save his brother's life if he can manage to free her from the Wen. "Save her family," she urges him, "And she may be willing to testify against her uncle and explain how he killed your father."

Finally, she seeks out Lan Wanji and tells him that Wei Wuxian, while genius in many areas, understands little of love. "He will always assume the worst, because he fears he is not worthy," she tells him. "Sometimes he does not believe even Jiang Cheng and I love him. Be blunt. Be shameless. Be clear. Do not break my brother's heart."

Lan Wanji gapes at her, his ears burning. Then she remembers that Lan Wanji is inexperienced as well and does not yet know how to read Wei Wuxian either. "My brother talks a lot. He says what is most important casually and deflects when he wants something."

She remembers then listening years upon years ago when Jiang Cheng grouched at Wei Wuxian and asked why he'd invited the Second Jade to Lotus Pier and whether he really thought Lan Wanji would want to find a girl, as if Lan Wanji were capable of such desires. "He may ask you to visit, but treat it as a joke so that it hurts less when you refuse. If he offers to find you companionship, please know that he only wants to make you unattainable so that it hurts less when you do not choose him. Do you understand?"

"He lies."

She shakes her head. "No, he does not. If you visited, if you showed interest in meeting a local girl, he would follow through and hide the pain of his heart behind a smile. He always puts himself last. He does not let himself hope because he has known far too much disappointment. Do you understand?"

"Wei Ying hides."

"Exactly."

Jiang Yanli continues her soft wooing of her husband, brainstorms ways to neutralize his cousin, and cultivates a friendship with Wen Qing. Her brothers present their ideas for saving Lotus Pier from the attack of her nightmares and she tasks them with implementing it without their parents' knowledge. Then she tasks them with protecting the Cloud Recesses and asks them to work with Lan Wanji. She sees Nie Huaisang scheming and trusts that he will be able to spirit the Dafan Wen away from danger.

When Lan Wanji is confused by her brother, she listens and helps him interpret what Wei Wuxian really means. When Lan Qiren shows her Wei Wuxian's successful reconstruction of the lost talisman, she only smiles and says it is as expected. We Wuxian can be infuriating in what he accomplishes; he does not understand what is easy or complex.

She watches as Lan Qiren commands more of a baffled Wei Wuxian's time and watches Lan Wanji begin to pine. She is pleased, though, to overhear him being blunt with his praise and refusing to let Wei Wuxian wriggle free from compliments.

She tells Wei Wuxian that it is okay to like and want Lan Wanji. He gapes at her she advises him to watch his ears for his blushes. The two are adorably awkward around each other and she regrets she sent Lan Xichen away because he would enjoy watching this as well.

She writes him letters.

She finally decides on how to handle Jin Zixun. She asks him for help wooing Jin Zixuan. "You are his cousin. If we do eventually wed, you will remain one of his closest advisors. Why shouldn't I seek out your expertise?"

She builds up the future he would have when Jin Zixuan is Sect Leader--all the prestige with none of the work, a trusted advisor rather than an errand boy. She mourns how his uncle misuses him. She asks for his help choosing a gift and laments how her mother's family is best known for its poisons. She describes learning how to make one of the poisons.

She is turning Jin Zixun into a weapon and aiming him at her future father-in-law. The action sickens her, but she does not sway from her course.

The future will be a better one.

(Meanwhile, in the Unclean Realms, Lan Xichen seeks out Meng Yao's company and defends him against slander. He finds he enjoys flustering his younger sworn brother. He helps him with his work. He knows now that Meng Yao is slow to trust. Once he learns that Meng Shi yet lives, he immediately leaves to purchase her freedom. He buys Sisi's as well. Then he brings them both to Meng Yao and promises them all a home in Gusu should they ever wish to leave Qinghe. He asks Meng Shi for permission to woo her son. He tells her that Meng Yao does not need to be the son of a famed cultivator for him to love him, that he does not care for legitimacy. He cares only for Meng Yao.)

The war still happens, but this time the Cloud Recesses do not burn. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng's protections hold for the most part, funneling the invaders into smaller points. The library, now covered with various safety talisman from the young disciples, does not burn down. The Yin iron remains hidden and safe. After the Cloud Recesses stand firm, the Wen call for indoctrination.

Her father refuses to send anyone and so the Wen come to Lotus Pier early. Wen Chao and Wen Zhuliu enter her home, but they do not leave it. Jiang Yanli saves Wei Wuxian from her mother's whip. (The scar now on her back is one she wears proudly). When Wen Chao's awful woman sends her flare for help, her brothers' new defenses hold extremely well.

Lotus Pier does not fall. No one loses their Core.

The war still happens. This time, though, Wei Wuxian does not learn to wield resentment. The thought experiment remains only a thought experiment. Jiang Yanli refuses to remain home and safe while her family fights.

But Jiang Yanli remembers wielding resentment as a spirit and she remembers how Lan Xichen's own resentment had called to her.

"If the Ghost Path is the way to win," she tells him, "then we must walk it, not my brother."

Lan Xichen reluctantly agrees. In this world, Meng Yao is not their spy. She tells Jin Zixuan about him and wrangles a promise to be kind. Then she basically grabs Meng Yao and forcibly introduces them.

"I know you're a Nie," she tells Meng Yao, "but your brother needs help. His father will lose this war for us without you." Then she leaves and trusts the man she knows her future husband to be.

She and Lan Xichen try to figure out how to walk the Ghost Path. Jiang Yanli refuses to give in when Lan Xichen is ready to give up. "I don't think controlling them is in either of our natures," Jiang Yanli says one evening. "But perhaps we can help them control themselves. The Yin Iron must be very loud. We cannot be louder or stronger, but perhaps we can cut through the melody with a catchier counterpoint."

The answer ends up being a form of Empathy. They take on the resentment, fury, and despair of the corpses and ghosts, but offer back relentless love and hope. They share their own pain and affirm again and again that the spirits are not alone.

Wei Wuxian figures out what they're doing and demands to help. Jiang Yanli knows her brother too well to refuse, but she requests he bring Lan Wanji and Jiang Cheng as well. Then, glancing at Lan Xichen, she adds Meng Yao and Nie Huaisang.

"Nie Huaisang will mediate between Meng Yao and his brother if needed," she says.

Lan Xichen and Jiang Yanli share their method of freeing the corpses from Wen Ruohan's control. Surprisingly, only Nie Huaisang manages to replicate their results. The others, she realizes while talking with Lan Xichen later, have not touched resentment yet.

Wei Wuxian appoints himself their bodyguard while they play. Lan Wanji insists on playing Cleansing each night. Jiang Cheng and Meng Yao keep the rest of the camp from figuring out the secret. Nie Huaisang continues to practice.

(She catches Lan Wanji and Wei Wuxian talking one evening and watches when Lan Wanji kisses her brother. Wei Wuxian is useless for a full day afterwards. But then he and Lan Wanji are nearly inseparable).

(She continues wooing her future husband. He talks with her more now. When the war ends, he asks her in private to marry him. With no Lotus Pier to rebuild or brothers in crisis over Sect management or a secret lost core, she agrees).

The war is still bloody and awful. Her father dies in one battle, but her mother lives and they still win. Instead of a sword through Wen Ruohan's back, it is a needle in his neck that fells him. He remains alive, but paralyzed so that the other Sects may prosecute and execute him.

Nie Huaisang's plans finally come to fruition. The Dafan Wen and anyone else who was a civilian or noncombatant are allowed to live. They still lose their lands, but Jiang Cheng surprises her by offering Yunmeng for new settlements. Jiang Yanli sees the blush staining his cheeks when he looks at Wen Qing and realizes she'd missed his affections before. She stands before her mother can object and reiterates the invitation.

Wen Qing agrees on the behalf of her people, but states she will remain behind for a time. She has a promise to keep and she gives Nie Huaisang a small nod.

Jin Guangshan does not become Chief Cultivator. Lan Xichen asks Meng Yao to marry him.

The work is not yet over, but the world is already a better one.

[takataapui]

3, 13, 29 :)

3. Do they enjoy cooking?

Marr (My changeling reskinned sun soul monk) does! Their parents weren't great so Marr had to make their own food a lot growing up, and didn't enjoy the weight of having to provide for themselves when younger, but eventually started coming round and finding joy in it. I think it was one of the things that drew Gait (their wife) to them, their excellent cooking skills. Gait was terrible at cooking, and was so used to her family cooking food for her that when she struck out on her own she was a bit overwhelmed by having to learn!

Māhina (Aasimar-Goliath lunar sorcerer) is not a good cook but enjoys it. She grew up having to never cook, as the community she was raised in believed she was the subject of an important prophecy and so they treated her like a holy object her whole life. Since she ran away from her clan, she's found that she enjoys the freedom of cooking and making those choices. Of course, her life is a bit hellish rn so she has to mainly subside of rations, and isn't getting the chance to practice her fledgling cooking skills :(

Vye Windfall (fire genasi order of the lycan blood hunter) (her lycan form is a polar bear!) does not enjoy cooking at all. she sucks at it and hates it and wishes she could press a button and have it appear in front of her. she would probably take levels in cleric purely to get access to create food and water if she could.

Dam (Eladrin Blood Hunter) loves loves loves cooking. It's one of the ways he could provide and show his love for his partners. (Z"L)

13. Do they enjoy poetry?

Marr definitely does! They were part of a travelling band of storytellers until they all disappeared (and are stuck in the Astral Sea, someone help them please). I think before they joined the Spinning Yarns, they didn't have that much of an appreciation for poetry, but once they heard the variety, the depth, the emotion of it coming from the Spinning Yarns, they really started enjoying it. They're not the type to write any themself, except for maybe once and it didn't go well so they haven't tried again.

Māhina hates poetry bc it's too similar to her prophecy so she simply hates all poetry on principle. Maybe one day once this prophecy nonsense is started, she'll find a favourite poem, but for now? nah.

Vye doesn't have time for poetry I'm afraid! She's more a doer than a thinker, and she doesn't have the brainpower, time, nor inclincation to sit down and consume a poem and think about how it effects her.

Dam probably didn't used to care much for poetry, but once he became king, I'd say that he started developing a quiet love for it. I think as he gets older, especially after he abdicates/passes on the throne, he can be found in a sunny spot devouring a book of poetry and letting it take him away. He's particularly fond of poems that remind him of his partners, and he has little collections for each of his partners of poems that he think they would have liked and remind him of them.

29. If they were real would you be friends with them?

I would soooo be friends with Marr. They're totally a person who takes care of other people, and is the steady head in any situation, so I think that would really make them super easy to get along with. They present a steady front but are pretty lost and scared deep down which I relate to.

Māhina is pretty similar to me lol so we'd either be besties or hate each other because we're too alike. It could go either way with her.

I think we all need a Vye in our lives. I think she would shake up anyone's life. I wouldn't necessarily be friends with her or even like her, but I feel like she'd do me some good.

I would be best friends with Dam and would never let him leave me. I love him so much, he's everything I want in a friend.

Thanks so much for asking Cosmo, ngā mihi, e hoa! <3

Send me asks about my DND characters!

[nurmalaevi]

Exploring the process of political consultation with Denny Ja through his latest achievement essay poetry

Who doesn't know Denny Ja? A leading political figure and consultant in Indonesia who has made a major contribution in the political world. Lately, Denny JA has released his latest essay poem entitled "Deepening the Process of Political Consultation". This essay poem not only explained Denny JA's personal experience but also gave a deep insight about political consultation. Denny JA's latest essay poetry is a source of valuable knowledge for those who want to understand the process of political consultation better. Through this essay poem, Denny Ja shared his experience for years in giving political advice with various leaders and political parties in Indonesia. Denny Ja explained clearly about the importance of political consultation and how the process was carried out. One of the interesting things about this essay poem is the focus on effective political consultations. Denny Ja explained that a good political consultation involved close collaboration between consultants and clients. Consultants must be able to understand the needs and objectives of the client, so that the suggestions given can be the right and effective solution. In his essay poetry, Denny Ja also discusses the importance of in -depth political analysis. According to him, a political consultant must have a good understanding of various political aspects, including the latest political trends, the dynamics of political parties, and relevant public policies. With this deep understanding, political consultants can provide smart advice and focus on the interests of clients. This essay poem also reviews various real case studies faced by Denny Ja in his political consultation. Through this case study, readers can get a clearer picture of the challenges faced in the political world and how Denny Ja managed to overcome it. This provides inspiration for those who are interested in being involved in political consultations. In addition, this essay poem also provides insight into the importance of effective communication in political consultation. Denny Ja explained that good communication between consultants and clients is very important to achieve the desired results. Open, honest and transparent communication will strengthen the relationship between political consultants and clients, so that the consultation process can run smoothly. Denny Ja also stressed the importance of integrity in political consultation. A good political consultant must have high integrity and is committed to prioritizing public interests. Denny Ja emphasized that political consultants should not be trapped in practical practices that harm society or violate political ethics. This essay poem is written in simple and easy to understand language, so that it can be accessed by various readers. Denny Ja uses relevant examples and interesting illustrations to explain complicated concepts in political consultations. This makes this essay poem an interesting reading and can be understood by anyone who is interested in politics. Through this latest essay poem, Denny Ja has made a significant contribution in advancing political consultations in Indonesia. This essay poem is not only a valuable source of knowledge, but also inspire those who are interested in being involved in politics. With various insights presented, readers can explore the process of political consultation and expand their understanding of politics in Indonesia.

Check more: Exploring the process of political consultation with Denny Ja through his latest essay poetry full of achievement

[sometimesrosy]

Hello! Just saw the post you reblogged about reading, and I was already coming here to send you an ask about it. I LOVE reading. I enjoy it so much I lose myself in it and, if I’m really enjoying a book, I’ll stay up waaaay super late to read some more. But, I’m lazy to start reading. I’ll either read a book in a week or in 3 months, no matter how much I’m enjoying it, because I’ll do an “involuntary” break in the middle. I’ll be like “oh I really need to finish xxx book, I was liking it so much!” and proceed to not pick it up for a month. I make excuses sometimes, for example, I wear contact lenses and don’t have glasses, so I don’t read in bed because I can’t see. I’ve also talked myself into trying to believe that it’s ok to not read, because it means I chose to do something else. But sometimes that something else is staring at my phone. If I love reading so much, why don’t I do it more often? What can I do to change that? Thank you.

Hmm. That's an interesting problem to have. It's definitely solvable, if the only problem is you get distracted and lose focus.

I think I commented on that post that I definitely had a reading drought. It was anxiety that stopped me from reading.

And I didn't solve that reading issue until I found a genre that didn't exacerbate my anxiety. And it was historical romance! Which for me is fantastical enough to not be real life problems, and has a convention of requiring a happy ever after so I don't have to worry about the heroes I've invested in being destroyed in the end.

I also think that romance novels are often about healing more than causing trauma and I like that.

BUT if your problem isn't one of mental health, it might just be habits that you're struggling with.

It's easy to just scroll social media instead of reading. Or watch tv or streaming.

But you could actually replace some of that time in your schedule with reading. Whatever works for you. Half an hour during lunch to relax. Or on public transport if you do that. Before dinner... just don't turn on the tv. Or maybe end your streaming/tv watching an hour earlier than normal, and turn to reading instead. It's better for your sleep anyway.

You could also try reading short form material. Short stories. Novellas. Poetry. Essays. No one says you have to be reading huge long epic sagas and multi volume series.

Oh, also, some people REALLY love audio books. They're good for a commute or when you're doing something physical like crafts or cooking or jogging or whatever. Audio books count as books.

I have a solution to your reading in bed problem. A couple of solutions. I keep a pair of reading glasses by my bed. I bought a weird little triangle pillow to hold up my books, too. And my phone for scrolling if I'm honest. Sometimes I have them both on there, and I play candy crush while I'm reading. I don't know why it took me so long to realize that I have adhd. Sometimes I will have a fidget toy while I read. It actually helps me focus and keeps me from getting distracted. But to be honest, that could be one reason you stop reading and move on to something else.

Also, I read on a kindle paperwhite now. I have found this the best way to read at night. It is lit, so I don't need a lamp to read, and I can also switch it to night reading so it doesn't hurt my eyes. I can enlarge the text so that I can see it without struggling and it's easier to hold while in bed. Not to mention I can switch between books or when I finish I can get another one.

Books are the one thing I actually spend money on so I've built a library in my kindle, but you can also get ebooks through your library and kindleunlimited gives you access to a whole host of books for free... if you're an avid reader like I am.

I also like carrying my kindle with me so I can read whenever I have free time, like waiting on line or whenever. It fits in a pocket or my purse. Not to advertise for one of the evil empires (amazon) but I love my kindle. It makes reading physically easier in many situations.

HOWEVER. If you're having trouble reading, it is actually okay not to read. If you find it taxing. That's fine. If you can only read fanfic or graphic novels or audio books. They absolutely count as reading.

Allow yourself to do what you need to do for your needs. Give yourself a break on what you think you 'should' be doing. But if you really WANT to be reading, you might need to consciously make room for it in your schedule and routine.

I honestly have stopped watching tv and am reading my historical novels instead and I do not regret it.

[iamthenightcolormeblack]

My Thoughts on Pride & Prejudice 2005: Style over Substance

Kicking off my Pride and Prejudice adaptation review series with the most popular of all the adaptations: the 2005 movie. This film stars Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.

1. GENERAL THINGS I LIKED

The cinematography and the soundtrack. Every shot is a painting, especially with the gorgeous landscape scenery. The music is beautiful and dreamy; I have listened to the soundtrack more times than I've watched the film. Both the cinematography and the soundtrack effectively transport the viewer back to the film's romanticized version of "the past," when life was simpler and people lived slower lives, waiting for their Mr. Darcy to sweep them off their feet.

Originality. The film takes a unique approach to the story by focusing mainly on the romance between Darcy and Elizabeth and emphasizing how the natural surroundings reflect the characters' mental state/emotions (pouring rain during the first proposal and stormy skies when Elizabeth hurries home after Lydia runs away). Though one can disagree with the creative changes made, I like how this film isn't just a remake of what came before it.

Elizabeth's walks through the countryside. The film expresses her desire for freedom through her countryside walks. For instance, the Netherfield walk is shocking to Caroline Bingley because it demonstrates Elizabeth's independence.

The comedic parts are great thanks to the creative additions made. For example, the "excellent boiled potatoes" joke isn't in the book, but it perfectly exemplifies Mr. Collins' poor social skills and pretentiousness, as he tries to make an overly formal comment about an otherwise mundane dish.

2. THE CASTING

The acting is good, although I don't always agree with how the characters are portrayed.

Keira Knightley. I like how she's the right age for Elizabeth, who is around 20-21 years old; Knightley was around 19-20 when she played Elizabeth, plus she has gorgeous eyes. She perfectly conveys the pride, confidence, and biting wit of Elizabeth, as she holds her head high in an imperious manner and has a direct, piercing gaze. However, I don't like how this version chooses to simplify Elizabeth's character into that of "free-spirited nonconformist tomboy," who is a nature-lover and runs to the countryside to console herself when things get tough (ex. running to the lake after rejecting Mr. Collins). This is a contrast to the Elizabeth Bennet as presented to us in the book, who acts like a typical "lady" for the sake of her social reputation; she mostly keeps her thoughts to herself except when talking to Jane or Darcy. Elizabeth is powerful not because she rejects society outright; it is because she does not submit to societal pressure to marry and makes her own choices (ex. rejecting Mr. Collins).

Matthew Macfadyen. His Darcy is cold, aloof, and remote, yet shows signs of a rich inner life and unrequited yearning for Elizabeth as a soulmate. I like how this version shows Elizabeth peeling away his cold exterior like the layers of an onion, until his heart of gold is revealed. While I think Macfadyen is a good actor, I disagree with the interpretation of Darcy solely being a lonely introvert, as it neglects his primary character flaw of pride.

Tom Hollander's Mr. Collins. Probably the best casting, as he perfectly portrays the bumbling awkwardness of the character and is more sympathetic than the gross Mr. Collins in the 1995 BBC miniseries. He is short, has a nasally voice and officious manner that makes him annoying yet fun to watch.

Simon Woods as Mr. Bingley. He's so friendly and eager to please, like the character is in the book.

Rosamund Pike's Jane Bennet. Utterly angelic and motherly, need I say more? The perfect antidote to Elizabeth's savagery.

Rupert Friend's Mr. Wickham. Handsome and dashing in a red soldier's uniform. It's easy to see how a girl would fall for him and ignore his debauchery, but also obvious that he is deceptive. For instance, he keeps claiming that he is insignificant and unnoticed, when he basks in the attention of Elizabeth, Kitty and Lydia.

3. OVERALL CHARACTER AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT

Since this is a movie, character development is a challenge, and the film relies on changes of outward appearance/dialogue to show character growth. For instance, we get to see Darcy's change from cold and remote into warm and loving, while Elizabeth admits that "she was wrong" about Darcy and slowly comes to respect him.

The first half (beginning to Darcy's proposal) is great because it effectively introduces the audience to the cast of characters (the family, Darcy, Bingley, Caroline, Wickham, and Mr. Collins). It also contains all the comedic parts and sets up the conflicts that drive the story. Overall, this half is more faithful to the novel because it has the social satire aspects of the story and sticks to the key plot points while developing the characters.

The second half is rather lackluster compared to the first because it focuses solely on resolving the plot points introduced in the first half. This part of the book contains important events for Elizabeth's character development (getting the letter, visiting Pemberley, dealing with the fallout from Lydia's elopement), but the film rushes through them to get Elizabeth and Darcy married. Instead of focusing on how Elizabeth overcomes her prejudice of Darcy and starts to love him, the film relies on aesthetic shots of flickering candles/landscapes to serve as quick transitions between the scenes. Though we have plenty of evidence that Darcy loves Elizabeth, we don't see much evidence that the love is mutual until the second proposal, only that Elizabeth starts to see him as a friend.

Another reason I don't like the second half of the film as much as the first half is the reduced dialogue. This second half has a lot of quiet moments devoted to nature scenery/Elizabeth staring in the mirror. Reducing the dialogue, with the exception of the letter scene, doesn't make sense because the plot/action of Pride and Prejudice is furthered through the conversations the characters have (after all, wealthy Regency women likely spent much time indoors/making social calls). While one can argue that the reduced dialogue is meant to show that Elizabeth is reflecting on her mistaken prejudice, without access to Elizabeth's interior thoughts, the audience doesn't get to see Elizabeth actively confronting her false assumptions about Darcy, unlike in the book, where she says out loud to herself: "Until this moment, I never knew myself."

Notable Scenes From the First Half of the Film:

The opening scene. It sets the tone for the whole movie with the beginning shot of a field at dawn, which ties in nicely with the second proposal scene near the end. By presenting Elizabeth by herself reading a book, it communicates to the audience that Elizabeth is "not like other girls," and it shows the imperfect, yet loving family dynamics of the Bennet household.

Elizabeth roasting Darcy after he dismisses her as "tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me." During a conversation the Bennet family has with Darcy and Bingley, Mrs. Bennet commits a social gaffe when talking about Jane's many admirers and how one sent her poetry. Elizabeth saves the situation by commenting that bad poetry can kill love, and Darcy comments that he regards poetry as "the food of love" and asks how to "encourage affection." I like that the film included this little exchange from the book (although it takes place while Elizabeth is visiting a sick Jane at Netherfield, and not during the first ball), since it was skipped over in the 1995 miniseries. The best part is Elizabeth's sick burn: "Dancing. Even if one's partner is barely tolerable," which is made even better when she walks away from him with a triumphant smile on her face.

The famous Hand Flex. After Darcy helps Elizabeth into the carriage (by holding her hand) so she and Jane can head back home, he glances longingly at her before wringing the hand with which he touched hers. It's an important hint of his growing love for her, as well as his struggle to repress those feelings. This is a wonderful bit of character development as it reveals that Darcy has a heart.

Mr. Collins having a meal with the Bennet family. The awkwardness is palpable as Mr. Collins tries to show off his social skills and give pro tips on charming ladies. This is all topped off with this amazing comedic joke: "These are excellent boiled potatoes. Many years since I've had such an exemplary vegetable." Another brilliant bit: after Lydia cannot contain her laughter, Lizzy, after giving her father a mischievous side-eye, slaps Lydia on the back to hide her laughter. Best line besides the excellent boiled potatoes: "Believe me, no one would suspect your manners to be rehearsed."

The Netherfield Ball dance between Darcy and Elizabeth. It is staged like a clash of personalities in the beginning, while the creative filming technique of separating the couple apart from the crowd of dancers foreshadows the budding relationship between them. I also like how sarcastic the dialogue is--Elizabeth is trying to win a battle of wits with Darcy but he successfully avoids her traps while reminding her that she doesn't truly know him and cannot make judgements about his personality.

Mr. Collins trying to introduce himself to Darcy. It's so comical because of the significant height difference between Mr. Collins and Mr. Darcy (Collins is dwarfed by Darcy). The height difference effectively represents the significant difference in social status between the two men and makes Collins, with his pomposity, look ridiculous as he fancies himself part of the nobility but cannot properly introduce himself.

Mr. Collins' proposal--one of the funniest scenes in the movie. Mr. Collins clumsily tries to flatter Elizabeth with a tiny flower, and it gets even funnier when he so obviously misreads Elizabeth's disinterest and outright exasperation (he doesn't understand that no means no!). After Mr. Collins bends down on one knee to propose to Elizabeth, the film emphasizes Elizabeth's towering presence over Collins to show that the two are a mismatch. The fact that the proposal takes place in the messy dining room reflects Collins' view of marriage as a business matter that he wants to get done with quickly, since the location of the proposal is not very romantic.

Elizabeth roasting Darcy yet again at Rosings Park. Elizabeth eagerly recounts to Colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy's impolite manners at the first ball; Darcy confesses that "I do not have the talent of conversing easily with people I have never met before." I like how the nervous and quiet delivery of that line shows to the audience that Darcy is an introvert, and it shows that he's an honest person, since he abhors "disguise of every sort." The scene effectively highlights Elizabeth's prejudice towards Darcy as the audience feels pity for him when Elizabeth tells him to practice.

"This is a charming house." During this scene, Darcy visits Elizabeth while she is alone and awkwardly attempts to make conversation with her. Macfadyen is a master of body language; Darcy says little but expresses a lot (ex. the nervous fiddling with his gloves). He tries to express his feelings for Elizabeth but gives up and abruptly walks out of the room.

The first proposal. What a climactic scene (but not very faithful to the book)! The music, thunder, and rain perfectly complement the volcano of emotions that erupts when Darcy cannot repress his feelings any longer. This scene has some of the best sexual tension ever; the two get closer to each other until they almost kiss. While this scene is great to an objective viewer, I don't like that the modified dialogue changes the original meaning of this scene (more about this later).

The letter. Elizabeth has a moment of introspection when she is forced to question her judgment, and Darcy delivers his letter. I like the shot of Darcy riding farther and farther away from Elizabeth, signaling that he is becoming increasingly out of her reach.

Notable Scenes from the Second Half of the Film:

Aunt and Uncle Gardiner arrive right after Elizabeth comes back from Rosings and they take her away to a vacation. I didn't like how they were introduced too quickly; I was thinking to myself "how did they get there and where did they come from?" Luckily we are treated to more glorious shots of the English countryside (the one with them under a large oak tree is my favorite).

Visiting Pemberley. I was puzzled by why Elizabeth laughs as soon as she sees Pemberley for the first time because in the book she was in complete awe of it. Also it doesn't make sense why she would touch his expensive stuff it's not her house...or is it? The good thing is that the embarrassment the two have upon meeting each other again is definitely palpable. Georgiana is sweet, but a little less shy than she was in the book.

Darcy smiles! After introducing Georgiana to Elizabeth, he smiles for a brief time at Elizabeth, and she smiles back. It's a great moment showing how Elizabeth has drawn out his goodness, and indicates that Darcy has transformed for Elizabeth. She also starts seeing him as a friend and her prejudice against him seems to have reversed in this moment of mutual recognition.

Lydia's elopement. Keira Knightley's fake cry was off-putting. Then Darcy only talks to her for a little bit and doesn't help her much (unlike in the book, where he asked her to sit down and got her some wine to make her feel better). I don't know why the aunt and uncle are in this scene because it's very important in developing Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship. In the book, the two are alone, and Elizabeth choosing to tell Darcy about Lydia's elopement is a sign that she trusts him, while Darcy's concern for Elizabeth further confirms that he still loves her. This extremely brief scene flickers quickly, and it takes only a few seconds before Elizabeth is crying in her carriage, while the sky is dark and ominous.

Bingley rehearsing his proposal with Darcy. This added scene, which is not in the book, is so funny because of how Darcy roleplays Jane, while Bingley has so much anxiety about her not accepting him. It's a nice glimpse into their friendship and it's also funny because Bingley is getting proposal advice from someone who failed very miserably at proposing.

Sunrise on the Moors. Another objectively beautiful and romantic scene that is definitely not faithful to the book. The two meet each other in a field in their nightgowns and profess their love to each other while blessed by the rising sun.

4. MAJOR FLAWS; OR, HOW THE FILM DIVERGES FROM THE BOOK

In earlier book adaptation reviews, I stated that I welcomed creative changes as long as they reflected what was already in the book (ex. literary elements and character development) or the author's intent, since film and books are different mediums and some storytelling techniques that work in books may not work on film. This movie is undoubtedly well-known for its creative changes, especially in terms of historical setting and dialogue. While these creative changes entertain the audience, I feel that they change the meaning of the story as presented by the book.

Here's the biggest issue I have with the movie: Darcy has no pride. The film interprets his "pride" as a misconception strangers get from Darcy's cold manner and inconsiderate remarks, but in the book he is an arrogant person who views his social inferiors as beneath him and treats them poorly. In the movie, his whole character is fashioned in the modern image of the "sensitive man," who is kind and considerate if only the outside world would appreciate his uniqueness. Thus, Elizabeth's prejudice against him is entirely without merit. While making Darcy a more sympathetic person highlights how wrong Elizabeth's prejudice is, the fact is that both of them have "pride and prejudice." Some fans have commented that Darcy is like a sad puppy at times. It's hard to see how he's a good match for this Elizabeth's fiery spirit, only that he wouldn't infringe upon her freedom to roam. A lot of YouTube comments I read were people expressing their desire to "hug Darcy" or console him after Elizabeth rejects him; this doesn't make sense because Darcy is an unsympathetic character until he is forced to change in order to earn Elizabeth's love. Apart from becoming kinder to Elizabeth and the Gardiners, Darcy never really changes in the movie; he still remains a socially awkward introvert.

The re-interpretation of Pride and Prejudice as purely a romantic novel: The emphasis on romance means that the other elements of the book--the social criticism, secondary characters and the dialogue--are de-emphasized for the sake of the romance between Elizabeth and Darcy.

The film's approach to the story echoes Charlotte Bronte's criticism of the novel: "And what did I find [in Pride and Prejudice]? ... a carefully fenced, highly cultivated garden, with neat borders and delicate flowers; but no glance of a bright, vivid physiognomy, no open country, no fresh air, no blue hill, no bonny beck. I should hardly like to live with her ladies and gentlemen, in their elegant but confined homes." This version of Pride and Prejudice utilizes Romantic elements not in the book (ex. the storms, the landscapes) to increase the passion that the characters feel but cannot express.

Pride and Prejudice is perceived as a "boring" book because much of the drama takes place indoors (ex. Darcy's first proposal is in Mr. Collin's home), whereas in the film, there is greater emphasis on the natural scenery in keeping with its Romantic interpretation (lots of the "open country" that Charlotte Bronte desired). While the landscape scenes are beautiful, locating the action indoors, in the grand houses of the nobility, emphasizes the repressive, tradition-based nature of Regency Era society that Austen criticized (in a subtle way). These houses reinforce social hierarchy, for instance; the interior of Rosings Park is showy and stifling because it it represents Lady Catherine De Bourgh's wealth and power over those around her. Locating most of the scenes indoors visually represents the "confined and unvarying" lives of Regency era women and makes Elizabeth Bennet's independent streak much more significant.

Some of the social constraints that Elizabeth and Darcy face are removed. For example, Elizabeth is much more direct in her criticisms of others (ex. the "barely tolerable" insult), whereas in the book she largely confines these criticisms to her intimate friends such as Jane and Charlotte Lucas. While this effectively shows how badass she is, Elizabeth likely would not have taunted Darcy in such a direct way, as it would have been considered impolite and likely harmed her social reputation in a society governed by rigid adherence to social etiquette. And of course, Darcy likely would not have been walking around the English countryside in an open-chested shirt although we may have Colin Firth's wet shirt to blame for that. The importance of following etiquette rules is shown when Darcy offends the whole village by refusing to dance with anyone during the first ball. As a woman in a patriarchal society, it would have been even more important for Elizabeth to follow the rules, as her social reputation was important to her chances of making a good marriage. By de-emphasizing the rigid social norms that govern the characters, the obstacles to Elizabeth and Darcy's marriage are less significant, and it seems that the only thing standing in the way of their being together is Elizabeth's unreasonable hatred of Darcy.

Also, in many of Austen's novels, the hometowns of her heroines and its inhabitants are their own characters; the power of gossip in determining one's social reputation for the "marriage market" is de-emphasized in the film. In Pride and Prejudice, a major reason Elizabeth doesn't discover Wickham's bad character at first is because of the "general approbation of the neighborhood" and social popularity he has in Hertfordshire. After Lydia elopes, the family is in a bad situation with regards to marriage prospects because the village had "generally proved [the Bennets] to be marked out for misfortune." In the film, the role of the village is relegated to that of a place for entertainment and nothing more.

Others have noted that the film also exaggerates the social divide between Elizabeth and Darcy by turning the Bennet family into peasant farm-owners who have messy hair and wear plain, homespun clothing. This justifies Darcy's social prejudice against the Bennets, which undercuts Austen's message of morals, actions, and treatment of others being a better indicator of character than class rank (the rich people in this book, with the exception of Darcy, Georgiana and Bingley, are shown to be lazy or plain ridiculous). While Darcy may be richer than Elizabeth, and have better connections, they are both members of the gentry--after all, they do not have to work to maintain their lifestyles. Instead, we are presented with a conventional rags-to-riches story, where our poor but virtuous heroine is rewarded with a rich Prince Charming who takes her away from the squalor of her home to his great big palace.

Ultimately, the story is changed into an argument for love, specifically the passionate kind, triumphing over all; Elizabeth overcomes her hatred of men as "humorless poppycocks" to be with Darcy. Near the end, Mary reads out of a book claiming that a lady should give in to her passions and surrender to love, which doesn't make sense as the marriage based entirely on passion (Lydia and Wickham) is shown to be less than ideal.

While Austen does believe in following one's heart (ex. Persuasion, where Anne Elliot regrets rejecting Captain Wentworth because of his lower social status), others have commented that she presents the ideal relationship as a balance between mind and heart. Charlotte's practical marriage to Mr. Collins represents the traditional view of marriage as an "economic proposition," it is entirely logical and calculated, whereas Lydia and Wickham's marriage is the other emotional extreme, motivated entirely by sexual infatuation. Before Elizabeth acknowledges her love for Darcy, she must respect him as her intellectual equal. Here's the passage from the book where Elizabeth realizes she loves Darcy: "She now began to comprehend that he was exactly the man, who in disposition and talents, would most suit her. His understanding and temper, though unlike her own, would have answered all her wishes. It was an union that must have been to the advantage of both; by her ease and liveliness, his mind might have been softened, his manners improved, and from his judgment, information, and knowledge of the world, she must have received benefit of greater importance." Elizabeth's decision to marry Darcy is not only a result of her heart's desire, but it comes after she does some thinking and concludes they are compatible and would be able to live with each other on a day-to-day basis.

Something else I find ironic is the director's (Joe Wright's) claim that he aimed for realism in the film, given that Austen already depicted Regency era life realistically by focusing on social norms, class, and wealth:

The director, in his quest for "realism," features the messy environment of the Bennet household, which doesn't make sense given that they are still relatively wealthy (when defending herself, Elizabeth tells Lady Catherine that she is "a gentleman's daughter"). Also, they have servants to clean things up, so why would the house be in a constant state of disarray?

Lastly, how is the second proposal scene is "realistic?" It is a moment of "psychic communication" between Darcy and Elizabeth which is out of character for the book. They both "can't sleep" and walked, in the words of Wikipedia, "across the moors" to see each other ok this seriously reminds me of Wuthering Heights. The scene is powerful because every woman wants to be told that "you have bewitched me body and soul" but "realistically," this doesn't happen (and this line isn't in the book either).

"REALISM" IS THE REASON WHY WE FUSS OVER HISTORICAL ACCURACY!!! HISTORICAL ACCURACY ALLOWS PERIOD DRAMAS TO BE REALISTIC!!!!

If the characters wore historically accurate clothing (different from the loosely inspired, modernized dresses/hair in the film), it would have emphasized the lack of freedom women had in Regency Era society and reinforced the importance of following social norms to succeed in a patriarchal society.

Bad Script Changes:

This film is known for its modernized script, which makes it easier for a mainstream audience to watch the movie. However, it also changes depictions of the characters in ways that undercut the meaning of the book.

Elizabeth Bennet, man-hater:

"Oh, they [men] are far too easy to judge. Humorless poppycocks, in my limited experience."

"And which of the painted peacocks is Mr. Bingley?"

"Men are either eaten up with arrogance or stupidity. And if they're amiable they're so easily led that they have no minds of their own whatsoever...No, they bring nothing but heartache."

I know these snarky comments are fun and reinforce the modern perception of Elizabeth Bennet as a feminist heroine. However, book Elizabeth doesn't rail against men as a whole; she just wants to find love rather than be forced into an advantageous marriage. Her idea that marriage should be based on love and respect, along with her unwillingness to compromise on that ideal, is what makes her revolutionary, not her complete apathy towards the opposite sex.

"Don't you dare judge me!" While it foreshadows Elizabeth's flawed judgment, this outburst is out of character for Charlotte Lucas, who in the book is level-headed and makes practical decisions. As with the majority of the bad script changes, it is too modern and doesn't fit with the 19th century style language used elsewhere in the script.

Darcy's lack of pride is shown in the modified lines of the first proposal (which were hard to catch because they were spoken super fast):

"I can bear it no longer. The past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings with the single object of seeing you. I had to see you. I've fought against my better judgment, my family's expectation, the inferiority of your birth, my rank and circumstance, all those things, but I'm willing to put them aside and ask you to end my agony. I love you. Most ardently."

These lines completely change the meaning of the first proposal. Apart from the famous opening lines ("In vain I have struggled. It will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you"), Austen makes clear that Darcy still regards his higher social position and Elizabeth's inferior connections as obstacles to their marriage. His first proposal to Elizabeth is a means of getting rid of the suffering that his unrequited love has forced upon him; he still does not accept Elizabeth as his equal, which is why she rejects him in the first place. Clearly he is not "willing to put [social norms] aside" when it comes to "his sense of her inferiority." The modified lines also make Darcy much more romantic by having him state that he came to Rosings to see Elizabeth; the book does not specify that this is the case; he just came on a routine visit to see his aunt and Elizabeth happened to be there. As I said earlier, Elizabeth in the book rejects Darcy because of his lack of respect for her, but in the film, he seems to show nothing but respect for her. They even have an almost-kiss, which doesn't make sense given that she hates him so intensely at this point in the novel.

"He's so, he's so...rich." Elizabeth utters these when trying and failing to find a reason not to visit Pemberley. This declaration does not make sense because Elizabeth has formed in the very least a grudging respect for Mr. Darcy; without access to her internal thoughts, one might take this line as evidence that she still hates Mr. Darcy.

“Just leave me alone!!!” After confronting Lady Catherine, Elizabeth flees to her room to find some alone time. This doesn’t suit Elizabeth’s character because 1) she acts like a temperamental teenager and 2) she is estranged from her family. In the book she gets closer to her family after Darcy’s first proposal, not the other way round. In some JASNA (Jane Austen Society of North America) articles I read about Pride and Prejudice, the authors observed that Elizabeth isn’t concerned about her family early in the novel; her motivations are largely self-centered, she keeps her head above their foolishness and doesn’t have intimate relationships with anyone in her family with the exception of her father and Jane. Only after she receives the criticisms of her family’s behavior from Mr. Darcy does she look out for her family; for example, by advising her father not to let Lydia go to Brighton (and she becomes right about it harming her family’s reputation). The film also makes Elizabeth even more isolated from her family by omitting the fact that she tells Jane about what happened between her and Darcy. Elizabeth learning to care for her family is an important part of her growth which the film omits.

5. CONCLUSION

I still think this film is worth watching, even though as a purist I disagree with the creative changes made, namely the emphasis on the romance over the social comedy. It is obvious that the screenwriter/director didn't strive to replicate the book exactly and aimed for a romantic re-interpretation.

The film has had a positive impact since it introduced a lot of people to Jane Austen, including me.

Here’s my story: when the movie aired on TV, my mother, who is a 1995 die-hard, started ranting about her hate for this version, so I picked up the book so that I could watch and compare.

As a romance movie it is excellent, because it has plenty of sexual tension and quotable romantic lines, along with a couple we can root for. The set design, music, and set design also make watching the movie an experience. It's very easy to love this movie just for the cottage core aesthetics (although aesthetics cannot cover up the flaws of this film).

On a side note, I find it funny that the Wikipedia article for this film states that it "failed to have the cultural influence" of the 1995 BBC miniseries. In fact, many people my age (17 or 18 years old) who have read the book consider this movie the definitive version of Pride and Prejudice and some don't even know that the 1995 miniseries exists!

Whether you love or hate this film, all I ask is that you don't call it Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

@colonelfitzwilliams @appleinducedsleep @obscurelittlebird @austengivesmeserotonin @princesssarisa @dahlia-coccinea @firawren @cobaltzosia

[joaquin-castillo]

𝐉𝐎𝐀𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍 𝐆𝐀𝐄𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐎 “It is always fatal to have music or poetry interrupted.”

➤ 𝔹𝔸𝕊𝕀ℂ𝕊

Name: Joaquin Gael Bennett Castillo Nicknames: DJ Quino, JQ Date of Birth: 03 April 1993 [31] Place of Birth: Marbella, Spain [Spanish-American] Hometown: North Hills, NY, USA  Current Residence: New York City, NY, USA Occupation: DJ, Music Producer

➤ 𝔽𝔸𝕄𝕀𝕃𝕐

Father: Javier Castillo † Mother: Maria Castillo (née Romero) † Adoptive Father: Vincent Bennett Adoptive Mother: Sarah Bennett Sibling(s): Alessandra Castillo-Arrington

➤ 𝔹𝔸ℂ𝕂𝕊𝕋𝕆ℝ𝕐

Joaquin lived the good, comfortable life. He grew up in a gated community, went to the best schools, made lifelong friends and had access to every opportunity any kid could ever dream of. All thanks to the two most caring and down-to-earth people he knew. To this day, he carries the same morals they'd always instilled in him. Always reach for the stars but never cease to be humble, they said. Always strive to do good but never allow your privilege to incapacitate you in empowering those around you. Along with these words, it was their great encouragement and continuous support that got Joaquin through all that he needed to realise his true potential and pursue his dreams in music. Today, he is one of the most sought-after DJs in the business. 

Joaquin is a natural at what he does. On top of being able to put on quite memorable shows, he has a charm about him that effortlessly draws in crowds. It's always a good time where he's concerned. But unlike some of his peers, he doesn't waste his time partying senselessly. Sure, he loves a good party, but he'd never allow himself a moment of recklessness that could potentially destroy everything he's worked so hard for. With his lifestyle, it's so easy to make this mistake. Unfortunately, this constant refusal to engage in "a little fun" - the kind that often results in headaches and scandals - has earned him the twisted reputation of being some "pretentious rich boy who's had his career handed to him", unsurprisingly by those outside his inner circle. But it's been some time since he's let this bother him. He's learned since then. He has much more important things to attend to than devote his time entertaining such baseless rumours. Things like family. 

He was ten years old when the Bennetts took him into their home, raising and loving him like their own. Like he knew they would their son, if only he had dodged his fate as narrowly as Joaquin had. And for that, he has much to be thankful for. That much he knows. But it didn't take away from the fact that for as long as he can remember, not one day has gone by when he hasn't thought of his roots; where he came from, where his family could be, if they were still alive for that matter, and what kind of life he would be leading if he hadn't ended up in the hospital that one fateful day.

➤ 𝕋𝔼𝕄ℙ𝔼ℝ𝔸𝕄𝔼ℕ𝕋

✓ creative, easy-going, hardworking ✗ detached, quick-tempered, workaholic

➤ ​𝔸ℝℂℍ𝕀𝕍𝔼

J01 • N01 • N02 • J02

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