#southern food tournament

[southernfoodtournament]

[marnz]

trying to explain to my partner that tumblr got polls and is now experiencing March Madness with every possible thing imaginable and then having to be like, “YES, in 2023, we got polls, way behind everyone else, keep up!”

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

You wanna know what I just realized....You know how in chapters 1-4 MC/Yu kept asking Crowley to go home. But Once Chapter 5-7 they stopped asking to go home and gave up. Why? Did they just change their minds once they got friends or did they just give up on trying completely until Orthro put it back in their brain? Or Did they just gave up on asking adults period?

Oooh, interesting topic 🤔 I went back in each book to see when instances of Yuu asking about going home were brought up and (shockingly) this actually happens very little, maybe a few times max in the main story (not counting the prologue):

***Main story spoilers (INCLUDING book 7) below the cut!!***

In 1-19, Yuu does NOT ask Crowley; Crowley is the one who brings the topic up. He claims he is in the library to research a way to send Yuu home, and definitely is not reading the latest edition to a new novel before anyone else (which, come on, we all know Crowley is just giving a convenient excuse for himself). Crowley's presence here is then used to inform us of a way to dethrone Riddle via duel.

In 2-4, Yuu DOES ask Crowley when summoned to his office. Crowly then says he is busy preparing for an inter-dorm Magift/Spelldrive tournament, so he hasn't made any progress for Yuu. In 2-14, Yuu also wonders about when they will be able to go home while talking around the campus at night, but does not discuss it further with others.

In 3-6, Yuu does NOT ask Crowley; again, Crowley is the one to bring up the topic when trying to get Yuu to convince Azul to stop his shady dealings. He uses their rising food bills and all that "effort" he's putting into researching as a means to guilt trip Yuu into agreeing.

In 4-2, Yuu DOES ask Crowley if he's actually researching. This occurs because Crowley is all decked out for vacationing in a tropical destination, so Yuu of course questions whether he's doing any real work. Crowley defends himself by saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do!" and that he's broadening his knowledge base by researching in a southern region.

After book 4, there are no new explicit or even implied scenes of Yuu asking Crowley anything about home. However, 5-33 does feature a flashback to the prologue in which Crowley is struggling to find Yuu's home on a map.

There isn't really a strong mention of Yuu going home in book 6, unless you want to count Yuu talking to Mickey through the mirror and wondering what's on the other side.

7-10 and 7-11 has Ortho to concluding that the mirror with Mickey could be a "connection" to Yuu's original world, and can thus serve as a route home.

Most discussion of Yuu going home is concentrated in the prologue (as it is an important piece of the set-up and explanation for Yuu's presence in Twisted Wonderland), as well as book 7, when the issue becomes very relevant again. There is the occasional instance of Crowley using "oh, there might be information here about a potential way home" as an excuse to rope Yuu into an event's story (ie Glorious Masquerade), but nothing meaningful ever comes from it. These are just contrivances to bring Yuu and Grim along for a more immersive self-insert experience.

If you want a boring answer as to why Yuu asks/seems to care so little about going home and stops completely by the start of book 5, I would wager it's the metacontext. Even in books 1 through 4, Yuu going home is mentioned like maybe once and then is dismissed for the rest of the book. You’ll also notice that in these instances where Yuu going home is mentioned, they are almost immediately then used as a springboard to propel the problem of the week onto them to resolve. Yuu going home isn’t a plot point for most of the main story, it’s a plot device to force Yuu into an OB boy’s path.

There is very little urgency granted to finding a way home because you, the player, WANTS to be in this magical world even if Yuu, the actual in-game character, may be uneasy being away from their friends, family, and home world. Yuu's unease is most likely not depicted or not frequently brought up because it would interfere with the player's enjoyment of the escapism to another world. These desires very obviously clash with one another. However, because the game itself is trying to tell you its story, it has to provide a reason (no matter how nonsensical it is) for there to be no progress made in the search (thus keeping Yuu in Twisted Wonderland), and that reason often happens to be Crowley's incompetence. This is not true of all iterations of Yuu (as the light novel has a strong focus on Yuuya’s anxieties about being in a new world), but it must be this way specifically for in-game Yuu since they are the most easy one for players to project into.

If you're looking for a meatier answer, consider this: book 5 is the turning point in the main story. Before book 5, Yuu seems to defer to Crowley for finding a way home. They don't really wonder or investigate into this area on their own. By the start of VDC/SDC training, it's mid to late winter, or about halfway through the year. Given that Yuu is incentivized by the promise of renovations to let the NRC Tribe boys use Ramshackle as their base of operations, I get the impression that maybe Yuu thinks they'll be stuck in Twisted Wonderland for longer than initially anticipated. Rather than an "I give up", it feels like a "boy, this is taking a while so might as well upgrade the accommodations and make myself as comfy as possible while I wait it out" This thought is helped by the fact that book 5 is also the first time when both Yuu and Crowley don't mention them going home, but also nothing disparaging or hopeless is referenced. As I've said before, we still get a flashback from Yuu which is centered on them going home, so it's clearly still a topic on their mind. It's just not consistently shown to us so as to not interfere with players self-inserting or to avoid making the gaming experience not fun by focusing on Yuu's distress or worries.

Many other significant things happen in book 5 which makes it the "turning point": Malleus reveals his true identity to Yuu, Grim finally going a little feral from the blot stones, and Yuu seeing and speaking with Mickey clearly. From there, Yuu starts thinking about the mirror and how it could lead into another world. They begin to take more agency in their own return, later confiding in their friends about Mickey and what he means for them.

Book 6 mostly glosses over Yuu going home because... well, let's be honest, there's a lot more immediately at stake with six students being kidnapped and experimented on. Yuu's focus and concern is on getting them (and especially Grim) back safely. They weren't thinking about themselves or their own situation back then, they were thinking of others.

Going home returns in book 7 because it has story significance once again. Yuu going back to their own world adds to the growing dread and sense of loneliness that our OB boy for the evening, Malleus, feels over Lilia's departure. It helps to push him closer to the brink of snapping. What's more, this contributes to the overall themes and questions that book 7 poses: those of farewells, change, and leaving friends behind. These are sentiments that Ace, Deuce, and Grim discuss in 7-17, and they parallel Malleus's own anxious thoughts. In all previous books, Yuu's own quest to get home is not closely tied to the themes of a particular book, or it simply was not relevant to mention (it would disrupt the ongoing conflict or pacing).

Finally, to more address each of the specific things asked by the asker (since I know the information in this post is sort of all over the place and might be hard to match up to each question):

[Yuu] stopped asking to go home and gave up. Why?

Yuu did not frequently ask about going home to begin with. (Again, likely because on a metatextual level, the story needs an excuse for Yuu, ie the player, being present in Twisted Wonderland and experiencing its happenings.)

At that point, it comes down to individual interpretation as to why, but personally I believe Yuu realized that the solution was more complicated than just poofing up a portal home, so they decided to make themselves comfortable while they waited for updates rather than keep asking only to be constantly disappointed. Later on, events going on around Yuu become too hectic for them to focus on their own wants.

Did [Yuu] just change their mind once they got friends?

Wouldn’t this imply that Yuu didn’t consider Adeuce and Grim “real” friends until the start of book 5??? I just don’t think that’s true; they were friends way before this point, not hanging out with each other for convenience’s sake. Why would they sit together at lunch every day? Why would Yuu try to help Ace make amends with Riddle? And why would Ace defend Yuu when Riddle insults their upbringing? Why would Yuu try to free the idiots of their anemones at the risk of going homeless themselves? Why would Adeuce use public transportation to go all the way from the Queendom of Roses to Sage’s Island because of a SOS text from Yuu? The same logic goes for the Ramshackle Ghosts, who are very friendly with Yuu and Grim. They play games with them, tell them about the school, and even do Yuu’s chores for them while they’re held hostage in Scarabia.

I also think gaining friends isn’t necessarily a strong enough reason for Yuu to renounce their old life and suddenly be committed to staying. Yes, it can be said that this could change depending on individual interpretation of Yuu—but assuming a very basic backstory, a regular person would not be so quick to forgo their old friends, family, etc. I don’t think new friendships are a significant motivator for Yuu no longer asking about home.

Or did they just give up on trying completely until Orthro put it back in their brain?

Yuu didn’t stop thinking about going home just because they stopped asking about it. Post book 4, they are shown to have flashbacks to earlier discussions of going home. Yuu hardly ever expresses thoughts about their original world or wanting to go back (most likely to not break the self-insert immersion of their character), so it’s easy to perceive this as “Yuu gave up completely/Yuu forgot about it until book 7”.

Or did they just gave up on asking adults period?

I believe Crowley is the only adult Yuu really asks about finding a way back. I doubt Yuu actually thinks all adults are as useless in this endeavor as Crowley is, but we aren’t ever shown Yuu communicating in this manner to other adults. Crowley is the only “required” adult to interact with on account of being the headmaster typically forcing you into the plot anyway. In conclusion (I know I keep bringing this point up, but it’s because I truly believe in it), this is all probably done for convenience and/or to allow the player to fantasize and imagine themselves or their own Yuusonas navigating these circumstances. They don't want to constantly keep the story gloomy by having Yuu angst about how they miss home or how badly they want to go back. They want you, the player, to enjoy the world and the people of Twisted Wonderland and never want to leave, even if it may be contradictory to what Yuu themselves fails to express in the narrative. This is 100% intentional, and it's made clear because it ties in very deeply with the themes in book 7, which is when the idea of Yuu going home becomes extremely relevant again. Book 7 creates an analogy between a digital pet that Malleus owns and how sad he is that its lifespan has to end, that the digital pet is just "fiction designed to amuse". This is also true of what Twisted Wonderland (the game) is. The player is in the same circumstances as Malleus, who is too attached to his fiction and doesn't want to let it go.

As much as the game's structure encourages self-inserting, it cannot be denied that, ultimately, the perspective of the player ≠ the perspective of Yuu. The player does not actually have to worry about never returning home or being stuck in a foreign world, at the mercy of strangers (which, if not for entertainment purposes, would be something truly terrifying to deal with). The player is glimpsing into this other world for fun and can step away whenever they want. Yuu can't.

askhdvasoydvuealalf I know this was a lot, but I hope it made sense and properly communicated my thoughts ^^

[nerdy-spooks]

The Lost Boys Headcannons

(This is My First Headcannons list! So enjoy 😁✌️)

David:

•During the Early 1900s he had a Southern accent which he lost by the time the 1920s came around.

•He adores history and will geek out about it, Mostly reads history books.

•Is Mr. Grumpy but will be absolutely soft when he wants to be, He also has a soft spot for animals.

•Considers himself to be a cool gunslinger despite it no longer being the early 1900s, he still thinks he's a cool cowboy.

•He admires Billy Idol and loves his music, that's why his hair is the way it is being Bleach blonde instead of Sandy blonde which is his natural hair color.

•Also He's a Bisexual King.

Dwayne:

•Is Native American, And before joining David's Gang he lived on a reservation with his family.

•Is The Calmest of the group but do not let that fool you he can and will be chaotic when he wants to, especially when it comes to feeding time.

•He was the One that Convinced David to keep Laddie since he's always wanted a family especially a son or a younger brother.

•He's the Smartest out of all the boys, Sometimes when he's not being chaotic he has to be the mom of the group.

•He Adores Classical music but also adores Classical rock from the 50s and 60s.

Marko:

•He's a Bird Dad, Has domesticated his pigeons and he takes pride and joy in raising them.

•Speaking of Birds Marko likes Animals in general, in particular he just really likes birds. He kind of acts like one.

•He's very talented, Can Sew and Paint, he's a real artist he truly has lovely art. Can also cook really good food.

•He's Italian, He Came from Venice Italy to America in the early 1900s, he came from a very rich family (He's not to proud of that since he's a rebel lol.)

•He pretends to Hate Sappy Romance but then proceeds to try to be Super Romantic with His S/O. Expect lots of chaotic yet very romantic beach dates, He loves flirting in Italian.

•He is the most sadistic out of all the boys, is the one who gets in a lot of fights as well, He loves being a feral gremlin when it comes to feeding, loves to tournament his prey.

Paul:

•He's The Rockstar of the Group, no surprise. He loves Guns N Rose's, Twisted Sister, Motley Crue and David Bowie.

•He's Talented with Singing and he Can Drum, he's definitely a rockstar in his own right.

•Loves Music With his whole soul, Loves going to Concerts at the boardwalk. Can and Will stay for hours just jamming, He also Drives the boys mad as he blast's his music.

•Out of all Boys he has the most Humanity, He's definitely the kindest. Of course when it comes to feeding he's probably the scariest.

•He's Definitely a bit of a Himbo, But really he does have his Smarts don't underestimate him.

•Loves Luring his Prey Via flirting or Just being friendly in general, just because he's the nicest out of all boys doesn't mean anything when it comes to his food.

[voiddemon]

yeah sure i'm gonna throw her hat into the ring, hopefully you're still accepting submissions @kirbyoctournament. Here's the most swag girl ever, Patch Knight

All the extra stuff needed under the cut, kept very brief.

Name: Patch Knight (Or "Patchy")

Reference Images: Heres an Older ref from last year (which is still very accurate), but also see above. I forgot her shield in every drawing though rip.

Notes on Personality: Patch Knight has faced every problem she cannot beat through sheer strength (which just so happens to be most of them) with her willpower and southern charm. In life and death she flirts with death, fearless facing impossible odds for the sake of others, but she carries no chip on her shoulder for her good actions. They keep their cards close to their chest, hiding their heart behind a shield so others can lean on them for strength.

The very much summarized and simplified Patch Knight Lore: Long before Kirby landed on Planet Popstar, King Dedede first staked his claim over Dreamland. He stole food from the simple people of the land. Patch- a local folk-hero- was overcome with rage. So she set out to take down Dedede. She is, however, just a normal Waddle Doo, and she failed miserably in her attempts to face the King one on one. So instead she stole an artifact sealed in a chest from the abandoned castle he had claimed.

Unbeknownst to her, what she'd stolen was one of the portals to Patch Land. From there they traveled through the portal, meeting the young, orphaned Prince Fluff. Originally they planned on returning home, but after being unable to locate Fluff's guardians, they took the task upon themself. Shortly after the sorcerers Yin and Yarn appeared. The two brothers and Patch Knight became friends, and for a few years Patch was content with the new life they'd begun building. That was, until, the two sorcerers cut it short. They killed Patch Knight, and used them as a puppet they ingeniously named Yin-Yarn.

Once Yin-Yarn was defeated, that should have been the end for Patch Knight, and in a way it was. However Patch wasn't satisfied with the idea of dying and moving onto the great beyond. After a duel with death (which she lost terribly!) the only thing keeping her between life and death is her own willpower, and a desire to see that her loved ones will be alright once she cannot watch over them.

Why is she in a tournament now? For fun, of course! What's the point in cheating death if you're not gonna have some fun with it.

[himejoshikomaeda]

literally like half of the options in the southern food tournament poll are cajun... we're carrying this shit 😤

[proton-wobbler]

Round 1, Poll 57

Helmeted Hornbill vs Hairy Hermit Hummingbird

sources under cut

Helmeted Hornbill Propaganda

"I submitted it to the weird bird tournament and it didn’t get in but the great hornbill did! if more people knew about the fact there was an even weirder hornbill than that one it would’ve gotten in for sure"

Its primary habitat is evergreen forest, especially the foothills, but they will used some selectively logged forests. These birds are non-migratory and territorial, and will form small groups of around 10-14 non-breeding and immature birds who search together for food.

Hairy Hermit Hummingbird Propaganda

"All the other hummingbirds are called really sparkly sound names like ‘wood nymph’ or ‘emerald’ or ‘topaz’ or ‘comet tailed’ or so and then there’s the hairy hermit. It’s not like other girls /joking but also"

Also known as: Rufous-breasted Hermit; a widespread species of hummingbird, they are common in much of their range, from Southern Brazil to the Northern edge of Panama.

Hermit hummingbirds are typically associated with heliconia flowers, using their long, decurved bill to easily access the nectar. This species in particular also uses heliconias as a nesting platform.

Image Sources: Hornbill (Ayuwat Jearwattanakanok); Hummingbird (Peter Hawrylyshyn)

[snowberry-crostata]

Holidays of Skyrim, Part II

Still riding that headcanon train to get back in the habit of writing! Here’s some more Skyrim holidays reimagined:

Warriors Festival

While the Warriors Festival is little more than an excuse to buy a half-priced blade in other parts of the Empire, the Nords of Skyrim see the event as a rite of passage. Warriors of all stripes, from the freshly-blooded to grizzled veterans, travel to Skyrim’s city to test their mettle in tournaments of strength and skill. While there’s a heavy purse of gold for the winners, the bragging rights and the ability to claim the title of strongest warrior in the hold are the true prize.

Though a wide variety of events are on display for spectators— wrestling, ax-throwing, bare-knuckle boxing, and one-on-one dueling being particular favorites— none is more popular than the melee, a mock battle where teams of two to five warriors fight for dominance. While blood, bruises, and broken limbs are a common occurrence, modern tournament matches are rarely fatal. This was accomplished by means of a steep weregild for fighters who kill their competitors, first introduced by High Queen Jolethe in 3E 152.

The glittering spectacle of the Warriors Festival extends well beyond the ring. Warpaint, in a dazzling array of colors and designs, is used to display the affiliations and aesthetics of the warriors. Fighters of all sexes commonly go shirtless to better display their designs. Blacksmiths and arms merchants travel from far and wide to display their best wares, sometimes gifting weapons and armor to particularly prominent warriors in an attempt to raise their own status. Street food vendors are out in force to sate the appetites of the ravenous, bloodthirsty crowds. The mead flows freely at these events, sometimes leading to brawls among the spectators (a practice that is highly discouraged, and often ends with a night in jail).

North Wind’s Prayer

By the ides of Evening Star, winter has blanketed the land of Skyrim. In this landscape of frigid stillness the North Wind’s Prayer is a traditional day for visiting one’s local temple to give offerings and prayers, both for the boons or woes already encountered and for those still to come. Prayers for the winter are common on this day. Interestingly, while some Nords pray for a gentle winter and early spring, others request the kind of bitter cold that allows them to test their worth against their harsh homeland (one wonders, then, if the two prayers cancel each other out).

Knowing that many who come are suffering the hardships of the long, dark winter, temple priests often provide food or alms and offer healing and blessings at reduced prices. The followers of Tsun, god of trials against adversity, are an exception to this, and pilgrims to his shrines often choose to suffer ascetic— and occasionally fatal— trials in their pursuit of worthiness.

Old Life Festival

The Old Life Festival, coinciding with the winter solstice, is a somber and holy day that takes place deep in the darkness of winter. It is associated with the dead god Shor, ruler of Sovngarde, and his widow Kyne. Many Nords visit shrines to leave offerings and messages of remembrance for loved ones. This is a time for reflection on one’s past deeds and reminiscing on companions who have since passed.

The Old Life Festival is one of the only Nord holidays where asceticism is regularly practiced. Fasting during the solstice is common and drinking, especially to excess, is deeply frowned upon. Some claim that this is done to mark the solemnity and sobriety of the occasion; cynics counter that it is done to leave room for the excesses of the New Life Festival’s feasts. As with most things, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

New Life Festival

Having made it through the long, dark night of the winter solstice, the Nords of Skyrim make merry and celebrate the dawning of the new year with raucous joy. In some parts of southern Skyrim this festival also celebrates the return of the sun following the polar night.

Massive midwinter feasts, hosted at long communal tables in the town squares, are the centerpiece of the occasion. A wide variety of local delicacies are shared; in The Pale, honey-glazed horker seasoned with juniper is particularly popular. Snowberries, ubiquitous and available year-round, feature heavily in dishes ranging from succulent pies to snowberry and sage-stuffed grouse to snowberry wine.

Dancing, singing, and comedic performances by local bards are popular events, as are a wide variety of games. These games vary by region: sled races are popular in Winterhold (particularly among the College apprentices; rules have had to be established about magical interference), while a popular game in Haafingar involves blindfolded players trying to track down an “it” who wears a ring of jingling bells.

Brave souls living around the River Yorgrim in Eastmarch have a long tradition of jumping naked into the icy river to prove their courage and receive good fortune for the new year. In southern Skyrim, especially Whiterun, there is a long-standing tradition of gift-giving between the Jarls and their subjects. Citizens provide a gift to the Jarl— often a livestock animal, bushel of grain, or artisan craft— and are given a gift in return, usually in the form of valuable spices, ceremonial weapons, or even (for those particularly in the Jarl’s favor) lands or a title.

[dragonboyteeth]

Southern food tournament is making me realize I no longer have access to half or more of my biggest comfort foods (at least, not cooked properly) and I haven't had any of them in years and this is the one and only motivation I have ever had to actually learn how to cook. I need to make my own hushpuppies and okra if I ever want them again

[a-mad-scientists-writing]

A Bygone Era (1)

The prelude to the main story, all about the Hundred Year War and the Dead Men's role in it.

Chapter 1: Earth

1 2 3 4 5 6

AO3 P1 P2 P3 P4

Ghastly Bespoke grows up in the Earth Kingdom village his family has inhabited for generations. His mother is an Earthbending champion, off at war, and his father is the town tailor. Ghastly inherits both these superb qualities; from the age of five he can stitch his own clothing repairs himself, and then tear them up again in an earthbending playtime frenzy.

When he is ten, a refugee family from the Southern Water Tribe moves in next door. He is the same age as their second son, and they get along famously, roughhousing without restraint in their pretend battles. This causes a few injuries initially, what with Skulduggery having no bending, but he never asks Ghastly to go easy on him. Instead, he adapts, and Ghastly eventually learns to take a hit as well as dish one out. Both boys will meet any cry of “uncle!” without mercy, and regard it a matter of pride that the other kids refuse to play with them. 

As they grow older, the games die off. They learn more about the war. Skulduggery’s brother goes off to fight, and the games stop altogether. Thoughts fill Ghastly’s mind about what his mother is going through: she is not officially a soldier, but she is doing her part to defend their borders. Apart from her far-between visits, she hasn’t stayed home for six years.

Corrupt Earth Kingdom soldiers take up residence in their village and place a drain on their already taxed resources. Ghastly’s not exactly happy about this, but it’s Skulduggery’s temper which is really flaring. He knows his friend’s home life isn’t that easy these days, but all Skulduggery will say is that he’s having disagreements with his father. 

When they’re sixteen, Skulduggery’s patience finally snaps, and at the sight of a soldier menacing one of the food stall owners, he picks a fight- and wins. If the soldier had actually been expecting an effective attack, or if he’d had buddies with him that day, things wouldn’t have gone nearly as well, but Skulduggery wins, and so there’s time for him to get out of town before the other soldiers hear. 

It’s not as though Ghastly’s going to let his best friend go adventuring without him. They say what hasty goodbyes to their families they can, run to the port, steal Skulduggery’s father’s boat, and set off- Ghastly earthbending the soldiers’ carts into smithereens on the way out. It’s been months since they laughed so hard.

₪

Adventuring is not the easiest of activities when there’s a war on. What they look for is a safe harbour a fair distance from any corrupt Earth Kingdom soldiers. What they find is a Fire Nation scouting ship.

These soldiers aren’t like the Earth Kingdom thugs. When they attack, Ghastly and Skulduggery are hardly in a position to defend. They’re interrogated and thrown in the brig. The crew can tell the boys aren’t soldiers, but they can’t be released with knowledge of where the Fire Nation is patrolling. 

Fortunately, pirates attack. They are freed! ...Only to be re-imprisoned with the intention of being sold as slaves. Ghastly glumly wishes that he was born a waterbender: there’s no way for him to fight them on the ocean. But Skulduggery has been fighting without bending for years. When they next make port, he takes them by surprise, and the boys escape. 

The town they find themselves in, Gaoling, is much larger than their own. Ghastly, determined to learn both how to earthbend better and how to fight hand-to-hand better, goes to a free earthbending lesson. He finds it... less than helpful, and turns to a tournament for more instruction. He and Skulduggery watch some of the best earthbending they have ever seen there, and corner the tournament champion afterwards, asking to be shown some moves. The champion flatly turns them down, and then merely flattens them when they insist more.

The next day, they see him in town and ask him again, to which he gives them a warning look. Skulduggery offers an exchange of services. If he teaches Ghastly, Ghastly and Skulduggery will help him. After all, he must be in town for some reason. 

The man considers, and agrees, clearly against his better judgement. He reveals that he’s visiting family, and hopes to convince his sister to come away with him, leaving behind the influences of their parents. He would, however, prefer not to encounter his parents at all. If they can get a message to his sister, and if she agrees to leave, then he will teach Ghastly some earthbending while they travel together.

The boys immediately agree, get his parents’ address off him, and ask his sister’s name. 

China Sorrows, Bliss answers.

₪

So basically, Ghastly and Skulduggery are prepared to kidnap this girl if she says no. Ghastly really wants Bliss to be his earthbending teacher. When he asks why Skulduggery’s on board, he gets a vague answer about it being a good idea to learn how to fight better, and then a subject change in favour of making an actual plan.

Bliss’s parents live in the highest-class house they have ever seen. How are they going to convince them to receive two sixteen-year-olds with no home, no money, and no prospects besides not being kidnapped for the third time in two days?

The answer is, they’re not. That evening, Ghastly opens a hole in the estate wall and they slip into the garden, planning on working their way around the outside of the mansion until they find China Sorrows’ bedroom where they will knock on her window to give her Bliss’s message. They see absolutely nothing wrong with this idea. 

Before they can cross the boundary from idiot teenagers to idiot stalkers, it just so happens that their target is walking in the gardens that evening. They practically bump into her rounding a clump of trees, and... well... the first thing is...

The first thing is that China Sorrows is just as good an earthbender as her brother, and upon seeing the intruders launches them twenty feet straight up into the air and does not allow them the pity of a soft landing. The second thing they notice, when she allows them to get to their knees and no further, is China herself. She’s their age, wearing the confidence of someone years older, a fearsome expression on her face, and she is stunningly beautiful. 

Rather than be tossed into the air like a boy salad again, Ghastly pulls himself together enough to answer her demands about who they are and just what they think they’re doing, leaving Skulduggery free to remain speechless for another half minute.

Eventually though, his friend chimes in and relays Bliss’s message. He counters each of her sharp questions with charm and wit, in that smooth voice some of the boys and girls back home had just been beginning to notice, especially since he outgrew his stutter. Ghastly is almost positive China couldn’t care less about what Bliss wants, but she seems to be warming to Skulduggery, and if that’s how he gets his earthbending teacher, that’s how he gets his earthbending teacher.

It takes a frankly humiliating dinner with her parents (who Ghastly is pretty sure by the end of are possibly Fire Nation sympathisers and definitely bending supremacists) during which China demonstrates to them exactly how proficient, sneaky, and precise she can be with her earthbending. She does, eventually, agree to come with them to at least meet Bliss. All plans of kidnapping are off the table, Skulduggery and Ghastly agree with a look.

Covered in various foods and liquids, they lead her to the edge of town, where Bliss is waiting with four ostrich-horses. The promise of adventure seems to appeal to her as much as it did to Ghastly and Skulduggery, and she agrees to accompany Bliss on his travels. Bliss agrees to teach Ghastly earthbending for as long as it takes them to reach Ba Sing Se. 

₪

Skulduggery spectates on a lot of their lessons, to everyone’s surprise. Ghastly asks if he finds it boring- it is just moving rocks, basically- and Skulduggery answers, far from it. 

Bliss doesn’t mind, but then he doesn’t mind much. This makes him very easy to get along with.

China, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. She is sharp, not prissy or bossy like a high-born lady might be expected to be, but certainly demanding and selfish, all concealed under a veneer of wit, cynicism, and class. When she learns that Skulduggery is a non-bender, her attitude towards him chills considerably.

This makes Ghastly all the more wary, and entices Bliss into lectures and arguments with her that can last hours.

Skulduggery, on the other hand, just seems rather amused. 

It baffles Ghastly why Bliss bothered to go back for her. She clearly has no interest in learning to be a better person, and he seems equally likely to spend a day in stoic silence with her as he is to rehash an old debate.

It’s not until they split up in one village to get supplies, and Skulduggery goes off with Bliss before Ghastly can, that he and China get talking. Funnily enough, she broaches the subject first, about something they both enjoy- earthbending. 

Since Skulduggery spends his time watching Bliss and Ghastly’s movements, this leaves precious little else for China to do except sit with him. Bliss is undoubtedly a powerful earthbender, possessing legendary strength, but although Ghastly is learning quick, and is rather good himself, he isn’t Bliss. He needs more than strength. So when they get back to camp that night, it’s China who Ghastly practices with, and Bliss who sits with Skulduggery and watches. From then on, the siblings alternate teaching days. Despite her claims of how she’s only doing it to demonstrate what earthbending done right looks like, Ghastly can see that she enjoys it more than anything she has displayed so far. 

She’s also very good- not as powerful as Bliss, but she doesn’t need to be, not with the skill she possesses. Ghastly learns technique after technique after technique, not merely forms and stances, but mindsets, inventiveness, and subsets of earthbending: crystals and sand. He learns to feel the earth, not merely manipulate it.

₪

On their journey, he and Skulduggery also come across more of the Earth Kingdom- specifically those parts ravaged by the Fire Nation’s forces. Bliss is going to Ba Sing Se to enlist in the Earth King’s army. As they pass stricken village after stricken village, meet impoverished family after impoverished family, the thought crosses both boys’ minds to follow him into that, too.  

When she’s not teaching Ghastly, China is left with nothing to do besides talk to Skulduggery, which is her given reason for why she converses with him so often- he’s better than being bored to death. Skulduggery is, of course, always fun to talk to, but if he hadn’t seen it himself, Ghastly wouldn’t have believed that even he could make China laugh. On multiple occasions. It’s not just Ghastly’s imagination that she really is softening up.

The thing is, she also never told her parents she was leaving with Bliss, and so in her absence they have assumed she was kidnapped by Ghastly and Skulduggery. Bounty hunters have been sent after them to get her back.

This scenario does not cross China’s mind, mainly because the notion of anyone kidnapping her- least of all Skulduggery and Ghastly- is absurd. Therefore, when she heads off to the nearby stream to wash one day, she is taken enough by surprise that the bounty hunters manage to trap her in a metal box before she can react. And as everyone knows, no one can bend metal. 

So China Sorrows invents metalbending. Exhilarated in her victory, she tells the bounty hunters as she leaves that she will never be made powerless.

Her companions barely even noticed her absence, and only find out about her new skill when they run into a squad of Fire Nation soldiers a few days later and the metal jewellery she has taken to wearing comes in exceptional handiness.

Later that day, she tells Skulduggery all about it when he asks, and even shows him the moves she can do so far. She refuses to teach it to Ghastly. When he- politely, reasonably- enquires as to why, Bliss answers in her place: because then someone could use it against her. Give her a decade or two to get ahead of the curve, and she’ll reveal all. 

Since Skulduggery is a non-bender, her telling him doesn’t matter, but Bliss and Ghastly are credible threats. This is news to Ghastly, who has been her reasonably non-violent (even in the face of provocation) companion for several weeks, but he files it away. She doesn’t trust any of them- and it’s her subtle way of warning him that they shouldn’t trust her either.

In a couple years’ time, when Bliss has joined the Earth King’s army and quickly risen through the ranks, and Skulduggery and Ghastly are soldiers in his command while they travel through enemy territory with her still, they will have forgotten this- to their downfall.

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 3.4 (after 1900)

1901 – McKinley inaugurated president for second time; Theodore Roosevelt is vice president. 1908 – The Collinwood school fire, Collinwood near Cleveland, Ohio, kills 174 people. 1909 – U.S. President William Taft used what became known as a Saxbe fix, a mechanism to avoid the restriction of the U.S. Constitution's Ineligibility Clause, to appoint Philander C. Knox as U.S. Secretary of State. 1913 – First Balkan War: The Greek army engages the Turks at Bizani, resulting in victory two days later. 1913 – The United States Department of Labor is formed. 1917 – Jeannette Rankin of Montana becomes the first female member of the United States House of Representatives. 1933 – Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes the 32nd President of the United States. He was the last president to be inaugurated on March 4. 1933 – Frances Perkins becomes United States Secretary of Labor, the first female member of the United States Cabinet. 1933 – The Parliament of Austria is suspended because of a quibble over procedure – Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss initiates an authoritarian rule by decree. 1941 – World War II: The United Kingdom launches Operation Claymore on the Lofoten Islands; the first large scale British Commando raid. 1943 – World War II: The Battle of the Bismarck Sea in the south-west Pacific comes to an end. 1943 – World War II: The Battle of Fardykambos, one of the first major battles between the Greek Resistance and the occupying Royal Italian Army, begins. It ends on 6 March with the surrender of an entire Italian battalion and the liberation of the town of Grevena. 1944 – World War II: After the success of Big Week, the USAAF begins a daylight bombing campaign of Berlin. 1946 – Field Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim, the 6th president of Finland, resigns from his position for health reasons. 1955 – An order to protect the endangered Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis) is legalized. 1957 – The S&P 500 stock market index is introduced, replacing the S&P 90. 1960 – The French freighter La Coubre explodes in Havana, Cuba, killing 100. 1962 – A Caledonian Airways Douglas DC-7 crashes shortly after takeoff from Cameroon, killing 111 – the worst crash of a DC-7. 1966 – A Canadian Pacific Air Lines DC-8-43 explodes on landing at Tokyo International Airport, killing 64 people. 1966 – In an interview in the London Evening Standard, The Beatles' John Lennon declares that the band is "more popular than Jesus now". 1970 – French submarine Eurydice explodes underwater, resulting in the loss of the entire 57-man crew. 1976 – The Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention is formally dissolved in Northern Ireland resulting in direct rule of Northern Ireland from London by the British parliament. 1977 – The 1977 Vrancea earthquake in eastern and southern Europe kills more than 1,500, mostly in Bucharest, Romania. 1980 – Nationalist leader Robert Mugabe wins a sweeping election victory to become Zimbabwe's first black prime minister. 1985 – The Food and Drug Administration approves a blood test for HIV infection, used since then for screening all blood donations in the United States. 1986 – The Soviet Vega 1 begins returning images of Halley's Comet and the first images of its nucleus. 1990 – American basketball player Hank Gathers dies after collapsing during the semifinals of a West Coast Conference tournament game. 1990 – Lennox Sebe, President for life of the South African Bantustan of Ciskei, is ousted from power in a bloodless military coup led by Brigadier Oupa Gqozo. 1994 – Space Shuttle program: the Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-62. 1996 – A derailed train in Weyauwega, Wisconsin (USA) causes the emergency evacuation of 2,300 people for 16 days. 1998 – Gay rights: Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc.: The Supreme Court of the United States rules that federal laws banning on-the-job sexual harassment also apply when both parties are the same sex. 2001 – BBC bombing: A massive car bomb explodes in front of the BBC Television Centre in London, seriously injuring one person; the attack was attributed to the Real IRA.

[southernfoodtournament]

[randofics]

Avengers headcanons

How would the Avengers react to their southern s/o taking them to a yearly family reunion.

Steve

He would be happy to go and s/o's parents would be happy for him to join. He'd be shocked at just how many people came to the party and how much food there was. After the announcement to pray then the ok for everyone to get food He'd patiently wait his turn in line to get his own food. Later when the corn hole tournament started He'd most definitely participate. He'd end up getting second place and was given a gift basket as a prize. After several more hours of mingling and catching up s/o and him would head to s/o's granny's house for a bawnfire. s/o's immediate family would come along to sit on the porch, talk, and drink beer.

Tony

Tony would probably not agree at first thinking about s/o's family as some dirty mountain hillbillies. But with a bit of persuasion he'd reluctantly go with them. Instead of driving all the way there he'd use his jet to fly there, and rent a car for the rest of the way. When he greets s/o's family and gets to know them he's pleasantly surprised at how friendly they are. He'd have fun at the reunion and he'd not feel so bad about the crowd as he's held party's bigger than this. He'd play corn hole for a little bit but he'd probably get bored of it. Once everyone left and s/o wanted to go to granny's to hang out he'd have fun drinking and talking to the other men on the porch.

Bruce

He'd be reluctant about it but after some persuasion he'd give in. He'd want to stick close to s/o during the reunion but he'd still converse. He'd probably just watch the others play cornhole. But when s/o wanted to go to granny's house he'd relax more and hang out with the others on the porch.

Loki

He would agree mostly because he was board. He'd stick close at first but once he got talking he'd start to have fun. He'd play cornhole mostly to get the prize he'd say but s/o knew he did it for fun. He'd probably win and when s/o wanted to go to granny's he'd enjoy talking with the others on the porch for a bit. He'd end up with s/o on the couch watching tv.

Thor

He'd love to go! He'd enjoy talking with everyone. And He'd enjoy the food aswell. When he heard there was a game about to be played he'd join in. He didn't care if he lost because it was all in good fun. When s/o wanted to go to granny's He'd be happy to come along and chat with their family more. S/o would probably have a hard time pulling him away to finally get ready for bed.

Vision

He'd like to go and experience such a large get together. He might not talk much, instead he'd like to observe from one of the tables. When he hears about cornhole he's curious about it and would play for a while. At granny's He'd stick with s/o.

Natasha

She'd like to go. She might only talk for so long before coming to be with s/o. She might play cornhole for a bit. At granny's She'd grab a beer and come inside to chat with s/o and the other ladies.

Wanda

She'd go. Like Natasha she might not talk for long. But she may play cornhole. At granny's She'd talk with s/o and the ladies.

Bonus

Peter parker

He'd love to go and his aunt might go too. He'd have a good time talking with s/o's cousins. And he'd definitely play cornhole. At granny's he may wander out to listen to the men talking on the porch and maybe they'd pick on him about his relationship with s/o all in good fun. Overall He'd enjoy it, the difference in culture and all.

[miquellaslily]

the southern food tournament is the hardest vote I've ever had to do it's like choosing between your children

[bayofpigsmemorialdance]

absolutely seething about how the southern food tournament polls used a pic of brisket with tomato based sauce for 'carolina bbq' when mustard sauce pulled pork is THE definitive 'carolina bbq'. also from a bracket standpoint why would you pit 2 tomato based sauces (tx and carolina) against each other when you could have ketchup vs mustard the way nature intended. yes i have more thoughts on this

[sangfielle]

southern food tournament blog just making me really hungry. oohb... food..............