#so... i guess... they're mine now?

[umilily]

strawberrry milk post relevant again bc i accidentally came into possession of 1.5kg strawberries

[lizzybeeee]

Personal take: One of the weirdest things Veilguard did, outright baffling, in fact, is how it feels like they reset the status quo of the world to Origins - even further back, if anything.

The game avoids (at all costs) meaningfully delving into exploring what these events/lore reveals mean to the world and characters at large. But the entire time I was thinking: holy shit this is bad.

What happens in game has very, very bad implications for the rest of Thedas and how they're going to look at groups like the Elves and Mages. I'm looking at this from the perspective of someone whose played all three previous games, not from the perspective of datv which really brushes over all moral complexity and sociopolitical issues. Of course, it's just my interpretation but its based off what happened in previous games.

Elves

The Elvish Gods of legend came back, blighted, and ended up wiping out the majority of the South - I find it hard to believe that the elves would not be 'roped in' as being responsible somehow.

Elves could sneeze in a previous game and people would blame them for causing a plague and purge the alienage -> life is shit for an elf and the events of datv would have absolutely made life a thousand times worse.

Would there be purges of alienages? Are there groups like the chavaliers or mobs of humans going about an killing elves because 'It's your Gods. It's your fault.'

Obviously, it isn't. But there are plenty of examples in Thedas' history of people acting rashly/cruelly out of terror and anger - and it's the most vulnerable people, like the Elves and Mages, who are targeted.

The Dalish Elves, what remains of them, would likely be perceived as 'Blight/Old God worshipers' - people would chase them off for the 'crime' of living too close to them in the woods in DAO.

Terrified, angry people would not care if the Dalish said they had nothing to do with what's happening - there would be bloodshed.

If anything improved for the elves from the time of Origins -> Mahariel, Tabris, Lavellan, or Briala...it's likely back to ground one as the best possible outcome, and closer to the Exalted March on the Dales at it's worst.

Mages

Mages could, potentially, have been living a life of unprecedented acceptance if Leliana was Divine -> along come the Evanuris, mages, who are allied with the Venatori who are causing devastation in Orlais and the Free Marches specifically.

Missive - Message from the Front -> The Tide Turns "The Venatori and the Orlesian royal armies clash daily in Orlais. Val Royeaux is now under control of the rebels, and from there the Venatori launch attacks as far east as Kirkwall."

The original magisters (evanuris) wielding the Blight and Old Gods 2.0 x2.

Any templars who remained, who had the old mindset and outlook of how mages should be treated, absolutely would be pointing at the venatori and saying "we warned you what would happen without the Order."

Normal people wouldn't give a shit that it's only a 'few' mages -> their entire home is gone, their families are dead, and the people responsible are wielding magic.

Fear of magic would likely be at an all time high - If the Order doesn't exist people would likely be demanding for them to come back.

The mages - whatever goodwill they earned - are likely being faced with suspicion and terror because this is proof of what magic can do in the hands of power-hungry douchebags.

Maybe they help to fight and people don't get so suspicious of them - who knows! This game doesn't want to address the previous games so it's in limbo.

Spirits

Other people have done great posts about how the spirits were completely tossed aside in this game. Three games worth of humanizing spirits, with Justice and Cole, only to go back on it with Solas reinforcing the Veil and...maintaining the status quo?

He so earnestly discussed with us his perspective on spirits and how they're just as 'real' as those on this side of the Veil - we saw it with Cole firsthand. But I guess they can all chill in the Fade till Solas dies or whatever.

I'd argue that the elves and mages are in an even worse position than they were in Origins. It's just not fulfilling, to me at least, to see the World I got so invested in just regress to the status quo after three games of challenging it. For it to not be meaningfully discussed or spoken about in-game, just brushed aside...I may not have liked the decision to do this but it could have been interesting (at least) if they actually discussed it.

Also, people don't just 'band together' because of the Blight - Origins showed us very well that in times of strife and pressure peoples petty/deeply ingrained beliefs, prejudices, and values come to the forefront. Alistair's comment about “You know, one good thing about the Blight is how it brings people together" -> was him being snarky about how everybody as Ostagar was on the verge of throwing hands with each other. They were united in cause not in belief - the cause being to eradicate the darkspawn.

It's just so grim, and with how they handled sociopolitical issues and moral complexity in datv (not at all) I have no hope that they'll be able to address this at all, if they even bother to and don't just...ignore it, I guess.

Maybe this is what the devs meant when they said that the 'tone' was similar to Origins - just straight up erasing whatever strides was made in the previous games and setting it back to square one lmao

[onebizarrekai]

hey. honestly that "they're sort of ocs now" thing has grown on me a bit

[muirmarie]

Me: I joke about writing the same McCoy centric story over and over again in different ways

Me: and like. I love doing it and imma keep doing it because it makes me happy.

Me: but also. I do sometimes wonder if it's like. A little Much.

Me: like maybe I should branch out or something

Me: [reads another fundamental and extremely insulting misread of McCoy's character by someone who is clearly making a Choice to cast McCoy as the villain, because they have to get him out of the way of spirk, because they're too???? idk immature??? to realize that even when you're in a relationship with one person, other ppl can and SHOULD still be important to you]

Me: lmao I hope I AM too much actually!!!! I hope it is 100% obnoxious how much I love that doctor!!!!! Time to write more versions of the same story of McCoy being forced to realize that he is loved and cared for!!!!!!

Me: I KNOW MY NICHE AND IMMA DIE IN THAT NICHE, THANKS

[mullermoment]

does this parallel make sense to ANYBODY but me. am i alone in this. it's ok if i am

[strangersails]

billy tries so hard not to fall in love with steve harrington once they start having occasional sex, because steve is going to go college and billy knows for a fact that he doesn’t need no long-distance relationship on the phone, because the last time somebody promised him on the phone that they weren’t gonna leave billy, it was his mother and then she left him.

so he’s just constantly putting space between him and steve, so that steve knows where the line is, between them. billy tries really hard by calling him by his family name (like yes, i let you fuck me, but that’s it), by leaving him five minutes straight after they reach the orgasm without many words and disappearing for god knows how long.

“you can stay for five minutes, you know that, right? it’s not like somebody’s going after you or anything” steve says one time.

“i have places to go, harrington” he answers nonchalantly, lighting the cigarette hanging from his lips.

billy declines steve’s invitations to grab something to eat, cuts off almost every attempt steve makes to talk about something, until eventually steve stops trying to get whatever he’s trying to get from him.

the thing is, steve stops going to parties he knows billy’s going to go to too, and if they accidentally meet in somebody’s kitchen or doorsteps, he’ll actively start avoiding him. which is a problem, cause that means no sex. not that billy has trouble finding somebody else. he just... doesn’t want to. and the way steve literally walks away every single time billy steps in the room and looks immediately away like he even hates the sight of him, makes billy feel kinda bad.

he gets out on the porch of somebody’s house at a party one night to light a cigarette, when he sees steve sitting on the front steps with a girl next to him. he sees the boy’s face drop as soon as their eyes meet.

“jesus, he’s everywhere” billy swears he hears him say.

it’s actually ridiculous the fact that he has to make up an excuse to get to talk to him, but he doesn’t want steve to avoid him forever. also he could use a good fuck tonight.

so he just “you got a light?” asks, specifically to him, in case the girl next to him is wondering.

and it’s not like steve can really say no, since he’s literally playing with his fancy lighter in his hand.

harrington stands up and walks to him so slow, this time he can’t even bat his eyes and move them somewhere far from billy’s figure.

billy takes his time to let the pack of marlboro slip out of the pocket of the denim jacket. he doesn’t even bother to hide the lighter that’s just right inside. he sees steve roll his eyes in the back of his head and can’t keep but grin at that.

he puts the cigarette between his lips and gets closer to steve to let him light it, but it takes several tries to even get a little spark.

“let me try” he asks, and then gently grabs the little thing in his hand, making sure to touch the other guy’s fingers in the process. when he menages to start the cigarette, he inhales deeply, keeping his eyes high on steve’s face.

steve, that swallows loudly at the sight. like he likes what he sees.

“can we talk for a second? before you go?” billy asks, letting the lighter slip in the front pocket of steve’s jeans, with his fingers pierced inside of it to give him a little pull closer.

steve gives him a long, intense stare. “why?” he asks after a moment, trying not to be loud.

“cause i need to talk to you” billy says, and the knows that’s a stupid answer, but what else can he say?

steve shakes his head, pulls billy’s fingers out of his pocket, then says “that means nothing. why should i talk to you if you don’t even give a shit?”

billy feels his blood run down from head to toe like a hot shower as soon as steve calls him out. it’s pure guilt. he watches him turn around, ready to go, and then grabs his arm and pulls him again, closer this time. “because i miss you.”

billy doesn’t even realize he’s said that out loud until he sees steve’s eyes widen. steve looks at him for a very long moment, like he’s trying to figure out if it’s a bullshit or if he’s being serious. then his eyes drop on the hand billy still has around his arm. he lets him go.

they eventually get left alone by robin — that’s steve’s friend’s name — and move the conversation to a quieter place. and now billy doesn’t know what to say. it’s not like he programmed anything.

“so? what do you want?” steve starts, and the fact that it sounds like an accuse stresses billy out even more.

“why are you avoiding me?” billy asks, straight to the point.

“why not? that’s how you like it.” steve folds his arms in his chest. “the silence, the leaving. that’s what you do. you know, it’s not like i expected anything special or whatever. but you barely even say ‘see you around’ to me when you leave. you don’t even talk to me. that has nothing to do with sex, it’s just. the bare minimum. human decency, if you’ve ever heard that before. so what, you can not talk to me, but i can’t?”

billy feels a twinge in his stomach at those words. he feels called out. it’s true, his manners are questionable, and yes, that was purposeful, because he needed harrington to stay back. stay back, not vanish.

also this stupid hurt face steve’s got while he talks makes him want to slap himself in the face.

“what was that now, by the way?” steve speaks again while billy tries to find his voice back. “the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me was probably that i have a pretty mouth and that was while it was wrapped around your dick, so it doesn’t even count. and now what, you miss me?” steve has his face bright red while he talks. “how fucking stupid do you think i am?”

“i don’t” he says, finally.

“oh, trust me, i know you don’t miss me, you just want to empty your balls” steve says, and lets his arms fall still at his sides.

that’s the moment billy loses it and pushes his mouth against steve’s. he doesn’t even think anymore, he lets himself be guided by his instincts. steve opens his mouth almost immediately to let billy’s tongue go past his lips. he pushes steve against the side of the house, chest to chest, grabbing his face with both his hands, and steve whines in his mouth, but lets billy savor him. it’s the first time they kiss.

billy eventually pulls back, a wet sound filling the air before the heavy breathing.

“i don’t think you’re stupid” billy clarifies right after, still short on breath. “that’s what i meant.”

steve is red around his mouth, probably from all the pushing and sucking, and the thought is kinda distracting right now. he looks out of breath and words and his lips are still parted and wet and swollen. billy has missed him so much.

“look, i know i’m an asshole” billy says, still so close to him. “and i know apes have better mannerism than i have, that i look like i don’t give a shit. but that. is nothing personal. okay? i’m just not a people person, i need constant space and i need to leave when things start to feel serious.”

“billy. you don’t even call me by my name. how is that serious?” steve rubs his face with both hands, then he folds his arms on his chest again.

billy takes the hint and takes a step back. “it is to me. i don’t call you steve cause that feels personal. i don’t stay in your bed after we fuck, cause that feels personal. i don’t want to hear your stories, because that feels too personal.”

“and why is that bad?” steve asks.

this also feels too personal, but now it’s too late.

“because if it’s personal, it means that we’re close. and if we’re close...” it takes him a moment to end the sentence, and he can’t do it looking him in the eyes, so he draws them on steve’s hands and then admits, “it means i have something to lose”.

[ratcandy]

people love sending me pictures of little brown moths and going "do you know what this is" babe that could be anything. but i'm flattered you think that highly of my id'ing skills

[burningcomputerpersona]

the way spaces end up getting casually gendered is so weird. i normally try to get to my classes a bit early so i can choose where to sit and it's fascinating to watch how ppl will gravitate towards a certain spot depending on the gender of the ppl sitting nearby. by the time the lecture starts the classroom almost always has a visible distinction between the 'guys' section and the 'girls' section. and it happens individually too even when there's not a huge friend group clustering around the same place.

[agapestricken]

margaret atwood, alias grace; slightly modified to say 'her' instead of 'his.'

[gideonisms]

incredibly autism take on food. love it. i am also a sensory seeking food autistic. today for dinner i requested something “garlicky and flavorful” ended up with noodles and dumplings

soups can so be flavorful but a lot of the time they’re just not like that out in the world and it’s soooo disappointing. shockingly easy to make though (onions n garlic, veg, crap ton of spices bloomed in the oil, good broth, blend, SALT)

See I would never trash talk a dumpling but once again I think they are vehicles for other flavors. In MY opinion although soups are easy to make most of them just taste like Onions and Chicken Broth to me and I'm like where is the spice where is the intrigue where is the zest for life

[flaming-toads]

.

[drysauce]

late night loneliness do be hitting often lately

[momentomori24]

Normally I don't like calling out specific names when it's a large number of people doing stupid shit but holy fucking shit I actually need Limus to log off and never breathe a word about anything Hazbin related ever again

[rhettsabbotts]

if i get covid from this ball of germs my mother calls a boyfriend ONE MORE GODDAMN TIME

if i had a nickle for the amount of times he's given me covid, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but its enough to make me want to flay him and feed him to my neighbors dogs. Or brick him up inside his room and let him rot. Which isn't as violent but still holds weight i think.

[svtskneecaps]

dude i hold the circumcision guys so closely in my heart that was just such a fun moment they had on day one and it's literally stuck with me for so long. like goddamn to me i feel like charlie slimecicle's day one vod shaped how i view the qsmp as a whole bc he honestly was down with the spirit from minute one, he was just fucking elated, it was him, his half remembered high school spanish, and a google translate window against the world. like i just. like i hold that vod so closely. god. i'm going to explode.

[whysamwhy123]

...

.....

........

...................

...............................................

.........................................................................do I really want to write Ricky/Christian??