#subordinate functions

[hartlesshart]

Gaia made Lis a gift.

The Lis painting in the back was very inspired by @nerd-artists greek gods series!!! Go check them out!

Bonus: Hephaestus draws its personal nemesis.

these doodles were made by a human. I do not support ai art.

[whetstonefires]

idk, there's a lot of social degradation traditionally associated with being a married-in husband, which is one of the many reasons he'd hate it, but i haven't read anything to the effect that--in the absence of any other male family members--he doesn't retain the considerable legal rights of a husband? relative to the wife herself?

the subservient position of the zhuixu is relative to the wife's family, his inlaws, who own the house and are presumably on her side against him. he is symbolically emasculated. he has given up the right and duty to perpetuate his own lineage that are supposed to place the husband at the center of the family.

a lot of the structural elements that traditionally leave the wife vulnerable are thus reversed.

but these are immediate, personal elements, or symbolic social ones. not broad legal ones. because this sort of marriage is not intended as a deconstruction or evasion of the patriarchy, but as a maneuver to maintain the continuity that holds patriarchy in place. at the expense of the individual man involved.

that's why there's so much shame attached to the feminizing position of married-in husband; if it wasn't degrading and bad for the individual man, it might work to lower the relative status of men-as-a-whole and have a broader egalitarian impact, which was to be avoided. (modern matrilocal marriages are coming from a more women's rights place and the backlash reflects that, but the anxieties in play haven't changed, only the balance.)

so, therefore, that lowering is a social and customary one, more than it is legal. and legally, the husband of the sole heiress to an estate gets that estate.

normally, to add to the property of his own family, which he per normal marriage scenario still belongs to, but like. a man without his family behind him is a stripped and lonely thing, but he possesses legal adult status in a way a woman did not. he may be half a man but he is a man yet.

shen jiu can't take the money back to his natal family, but he almost certainly doesn't know who they are anyway and wouldn't want to, fuck 'em. with her family dead, a lot of the disadvantages of being married in become less pronounced.

in modern chinese property law, women can inherit property in their own right with no quibbling, so the modern matrilocally married man can be cleanly excluded. but historically, a great deal of ink was spilled in the desperate attempt to patch all loopholes allowing women to legally hold and or control inheritances.

obviously this means all loopholes were being used, but at that point you're in a situation where how things play out comes down to the personalities involved. qiu haitang is simply not going to be fighting shen jiu for full dominance over the money.

even if she did a lot of growing up, he would have to alienate her really badly for that to happen.

(honestly a very probable eventual outcome of this is for him to get more and more neurotic due to the psychological pressures of this situation, and the disrespect he was getting, and the gap between his theoretical and actual social position, until something happens that leads to qht forming the idea that he murdered her brother for the inheritance, and then the already profoundly strained marriage implodes.)

like, shen jiu's function is to get a son on qiu haitang so her family line can continue, both of them are effectively reduced to vessels of reproductive transmission, but in the meantime he is the man of the house in this scenario.

inasmuch as he can get anyone to acknowledge that, which is the tricky bit. because it's not his family house and lineage, after all. he hasn't got one.

if he started irresponsibly frittering away the estate, he'd probably have to be dragged to court to make him stop. because no specific person would have the clear power to make him stop unilaterally--he might have married into his wife's family, but that doesn't literally make her his husband.

he'd lose the case, probably, especially if the intended son of qiu in whose name he could be said to act did not actually exist yet, but not necessarily so much because the law was clear, as because socially speaking there would be more on-the-spot interest in enforcing his subaltern status than his wife's, since she wasn't the one getting above herself, and her interests and those of the qiu line could be assumed in alignment.

and also shen jiu is canonically unwilling to defend himself in court lmao.

so what any possible cousins of qiu haitang's think about all this, if they exist, would be very important to how it played out.

in summary, neither qiu haitang nor shen jiu is in a position to inherit in a clean and legally unburdened manner, due to various layers of class and gender (but mostly gender) fuckery, but i'm confident that in the absence of organized opposition he would definitely stand as the acting master of the house, if only to hold it in trust for his future son.

he almost certainly wouldn't really take the qiu name though, that would be deeply weird. i just wanted that punchline.

So you know how Qiu Jianluo betrothed his little sister to her favorite plaything, a slave he had really conspicuously not manumitted? And it's creepy for a bunch of reasons including that one of the motives was, it meant he could avoid marrying her out of his household?

So notably, there was a longstanding institution irl of indenturing little girls so they grew up doing domestic labor as bondswomen, and then when one grew up the master was supposed to find her a good husband, using his much better resources than her family had.

Managing to turn this into a daughter-in-law audition by making yourself indispensable to the household, so they'd marry you in and up, was sort of the brass ring lol. I don't think it happened that much for real but it makes such a good story, right?

Shen Jiu was doing this trope gender reversed and very much against his will, which I think goes on the list of gendered tropes getting fucked with.

But seriously, if he had married Qiu Haitang and her brother dropped dead, like. What would that situation have looked like? I think that would make Shen Jiu the legitimate inheritor of the Qiu estate, since Airplane in his wife collection narrative had no reason to alter the historical fiction norm (even more emphatic than the historical norm) that women could only function as vessels of transmission for real property, rather than direct heirs.

Except he'd have to get his manumission officialized first, probably?? So irregular.

Also tho, imagine Yue Qingyuan shows up at the gates having fractured his own soul in desperation to get back and he arrives to find not a smoking ruin, but a household headed by the scrawny angry teenage master of the estate, Qiu Jiu.

[l1tw1ck]

Like a Doll

Bottom!FTM Scaramouche x Top!Monster-Hybrid!M Reader

☆ Word Count: 1,872 ☆

AFAB Language Used | [Series]

CW: Non-Con/CNC, Harbinger Reader, Womb Fucking, Objectification, Virginity Loss, Size Difference, Public Sex, Oral Sex, Creampie, Multiple Orgasms, Squirting

Right before his trip to Tatarasuna, Dottore’s plans were interrupted by a sudden and dire issue in Sumeru. So he allowed you to take his place. Your reliability and skills made you a suitable replacement.

During your trip, you found a distressed puppet and brought him to Snezhnaya. You took him under your wing and trained him to be who he is today. Even after he earned the title of the Balladeer, he still wanted to work with you as much as possible. He's in love with you but he's too cowardly to tell you. So instead, he puts on a mean, bratty facade while pretending that he works with you because you're better than the ‘useless minions’ in the fatui and ‘strongest’ harbinger, after him of course. It's easier to hide his feelings when he's behind a mask.

You've seen many authentic parts of him during your time training him but he looks back on himself with shame. He doesn't know how to convey his feelings in a way that doesn't feel extremely embarrassing.

When he has the time, he reads novels about romance and fantasizes about all the things you could do if he got the courage to tell you. He stumbled across a novel with more raunchy themes and stumbled down a rabbit hole of smut. Thanks to his realistic puppet body, he can feel arousal. So whenever he’s able to sleep in his own room, he masturbates before going to bed.

Sometimes he even does it when he's not home. Discreetly, of course. He loves imagining what you’d look like naked and how you’d fuck him. Since you're half human, he wonders which parts of you aren't human and how that might look. He’d love you regardless, but it's still nice to think about.

His favorite fantasy is you using your strength to completely dominate him and use his body however you want. He’s always thinking about it. He’ll be searching a cave and he’ll start imagining you forcing yourself on him. Or he’ll be watching you train while he's taking a break and think about you in a duel where you’d win against him and take him as your prize.

The last thing he ever expected was for his wish to come true.

Scaramouche watches you curse in frustration. Your subordinates fucked up your very important mission so you punished them by death. You don't care much for the lackeys and Scaramouche loves that.

“Maybe next time you should just go without them.” His mouth moves on its own. He’d never say that. He should be subtly comforting you right now by inviting you to kill some monsters and enemies nearby to blow off steam.

“Next time?” Your anger level rises. “There's no next time, Balladeer.”

“What are you getting mad at me for? It's not like I’m the one who told you to bring a bunch of useless fools on the mission.”

You clench your fists and sigh angrily as you walk over to him. “What's wrong with you?”

“I’m tired of your incompetence. You never listen to me when I tell you to—”

Your hand moves on its own and wraps around his throat. He's scared of whatever’s possessing him but also really horny. “You know what? I think I know the perfect way to make up for today.” You squeeze his throat before grabbing his arm and dragging him to a nearby cave.

“What are you doing?!” He yells, pressing his hands up against the wall to stop his face from crashing into it thanks to your sudden aggressive movement.

“You clearly want me to take my anger out on you, so that's what I’m going to do.” You rip a hole in his shorts. “Dottore told me you have realistic functionality…Don't move.”

Scaramouche’s face turns red. You're playing out one of his fantasies. “Hh-hey- get off of me–” He tries to move, to keep up the act, but he only manages to squirm. He forgot about your control over him. Dottore used Scaramouche's puppet body to ‘imbed’ a sort of ‘program’ in him. He's forced to follow your commands. You don't have much reason to use this ability, it's really just supposed to be a safety measure. You usually ask him to do things to avoid forcing him into anything.

“Keep your mouth shut. You don't want anyone to come by, do you?” You quickly move to free your cock. There's something in your brain telling you that you have to do this right now. Your movements and your words are being executed so smoothly that Scaramouche has no idea it's not voluntary. “It's fine if I just shove it in, isn't it? You're only a puppet.”

Scaramouche's eyes widen, his soft whimpers muffled by his sealed lips. You're huge.

“Shit, why are you so tight?” You groan, struggling to get your monster sized cock inside him. “Even now, you're still a fucking tease.”

The walls of his pussy are so soft and gummy, it feels way too good to only be felt by barely a quarter of your cock. You pull out and step back, pulling him back with you. “You're flexible so..” You fold his body, forcing his hands to touch the ground, and spread his legs. “Maybe it’ll be easier like this.”

He's glad he can't moan right now.

You push your cock back inside him, traveling further than before. He feels like he's at the peak of his climax but his body is refusing to let him come. He's gonna go crazy like this.

You reach his cervix and frown, you're still not fully inside. Scaramouche's eyelashes flutter dramatically as he feels your cock entering his womb. He didn't think his body was able to do that.

You roughly thrust into him. He can feel your monster cock throbbing. “If I knew you felt this good I would've kept you all for myself. You're a lot better like this, like a little sex doll.”

Scaramouche’s body twitches as his orgasm arrives, finally allowing him to squirt on your cock. His heart flutters at the sound of your pleased noises.

You feel relieved that your strange and ‘possessed’ behavior isn't hurting him. You're ruthless and cruel but not to this degree. And you have to admit, he feels great. “You like the sound of that, doll?” You fuck him through his orgasm. You can hear his muffled moans. “Tell me.”

“Yes~! I’m your sex doll, [Name]~!” He cries out. “Use me!”

You pull out and pick him up, turning him around. You press him up against the wall with your hands on his hips. Scaramouche quivers at the sight of your cock. It looks even better than he imagined.

You pause. There's a soft purple glow coming out from behind his tattered shorts. You want to investigate further but the strange entity possessing you won't allow it. You figure it’d be hard to fully remove his clothes without making everything super complicated. You shrug it off and make a mental note to check later.

He wraps his arms around you and gently throws his head back as you slide back inside him, his hair scrunching up.

“You can't get pregnant, can you?” You manage to get a voluntary sentence out. If he could, the outcome would probably be very…strange.

Scaramouche shakes his head rapidly. His mother made him realistic but not that realistic.

“Good.” Your hands slide down to grope his ass as you continue to fuck him. He tries not to be too loud but it's hard. You press your lips against his to silence him. He whimpers and pauses, his body jittering as he squirts again. He starts feeling light headed as your cum fills his womb.

You pull out and help him stand up. You notice that none of your cum is leaving his body. Out of all the weird things that’ve happened today, this is probably pretty low on the list.

During your report to the Tsarista, you started to feel something going on with your body. It felt like you were inside Scaramouche again. Luckily for you, there was no way for the Tsarista to know what's going on. You didn't have a boner and your face remained calm. Your hands were shaking but if she noticed, it's likely she would have assumed you were tired or still pissed off. The moment you were able to leave, you hurried over to his room.

While you were on your way, you could feel his pussy squeezing you. Like he was having multiple orgasms.

You're too horny to worry about knocking so you just enter his room and lock the door behind you.

Scaramouche, who's completely naked, turns his head to you. His fingers are pressed against a purple tattoo on his lower stomach and his legs are spread wide.

Your focus quickly turns to his tattoo while your boner finally makes an appearance.

“I don't know where it came from..” Scaramouche wordlessly invites you to come closer. “When I touch it, it makes me come faster and when I think of you, it feels like you're inside me again.”

You gulp. “I could feel you too.”

His cheeks turn red. “Sorry..”

“It's fine. Do it again.”

Scaramouche immediately complies. So it works even if you're together.

You quickly release your boner. “Kneel.” You order, gripping his hair once he does so. “I want you to keep doing that while I use your throat, okay?”

Scaramouche makes a quick noise of approval before opening his mouth wide.

It feels like you're in both of his holes at once. It's almost overwhelming but the two of you can handle it.

You roughly thrust into his mouth, making use of his lack of a gag reflex. His lips and cheeks are stretching to take you. He moans along your shaft as he slightly bounces his hips on your pseudo-dick. He brings his hands to play with his tits so he can further bless your eyes.

His “orgasm face” appears once again as he comes, somehow squeezing your pseudo-cock even more aggressively than before. That, along with the feeling of his warm mouth, is enough to send you over the edge.

Your cum slowly starts to overflow and drip out of his nose and mouth. You pull out and the rest dribbles down his body. You're still hard.

“Get on the bed and lay down.”

Scaramouche hurries over to his bed and lays down with his legs spread.

You grab his legs and fold him once again, this time with his feet reaching his head. He gives you heart eyes as you slide your length inside him. Now it really feels overwhelming, you're feeling double the sensations.

A bulge forms in his stomach as you travel to his womb. He reaches out to touch his tattoo, making your movements stutter. You curse under your breath and take a few seconds to process it all before slowly thrusting inside him.

Scaramouches fingers press harder onto his skin, subtle bolts of electro sparking all over his body. You wince at the feeling. It's not painful, only stimulating. He moans erotically as he comes even harder than before.

You groan in response and come shortly after. You slowly pull out and silently watch your cum dribble out of his pulsing hole.

Things are gonna be a lot different from now on.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

hello, i want to ask if you know ways to replace "because" to make a less repetitive use of the word without lose the meaning and make it hard to understand. it's with what i struggle the most and i find your blog really helpful especially because english is my second language, thank you!!

Because—for the reason that; the fact that

After all - in view of all circumstances

As - for the reason that; because, since

As a consequence of - (or in consequence of) as a result of [something specified]

As long as - inasmuch as; since

Bearing in mind - to think of (something) especially as a warning; remember

Being (as; as how; that) - for the reason that; because

By reason of - because of; due to

Considering - inasmuch as; since

Due to - as a result of; because of

For - for the reason that; on this ground; because

For that - archaic: because

Forasmuch as - in view of the fact that

Forwhy - archaic: because, for, since

Given (that) - in view of; considering

In consideration of - a taking into account

In fact - in truth

In that - used to introduce a statement that explains or gives more specific information about what one has just said

In view of - in regard to; in consideration of

Inasmuch as - in view of the fact that; since

Insofar as - to the extent or degree that

Insomuch as - in view of the fact that; since

Now (that) - in view of the fact that; since

On account of - for the sake of; because of

On the grounds that - for the reason that; because

Owing to - because of

Seeing (as; that) - since—used to introduce a statement that explains the reason for another statement

Since - in view of the fact that; because

That - used as a function word to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a reason or cause

Whereas - in view of the fact that; since; used especially to introduce a preamble

Wherefore - for what reason or purpose

Thanks for the request—really needed this too! Hope it helps with your writing :)

More: Word Lists ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[chiscaralight]

#6 on fishy’s failed kinktober! includes: nsfw balladeer!scaramouche x fatui!fem!reader. electrostimulation, slapping, brat taming, degradation, begging.

everyone knows the balladeer has a short temper. his subordinates fear interacting with him for that reason alone, praying to the archons that they'll survive the next conversation they're forced into it with him.

and everyone pities you once you are moved to work under him for a particular mission in a different nation. you're not as highly irritable as the harbinger you're assigned to, but anyone with a pair of eyes and a half-functioning brain could see this would be the breeding ground for trouble.

scaramouche practically demands respect, and even those who lick at his feet can die by his hands in the most random situation. his subordinates are generally expected to shut up and keep their heads low, to just take the harsh words and move on. it’s better to be insulted and alive, right?

but it’s so difficult having to put up with this terrible behavior for days on end, especially when it’s the fault of your colleagues, misinterpreting instructions and refusing to own up, leaving the blame to be carried on your shoulders.

and the balladeer is ruthless with his insults, raining them down on you without further consultation. your anger is bubbling inside, throat closing with rage before you yell out a retort, claiming he should check the facts before spitting abuse at the wrong person.

his reaction is almost immediate, palm connecting with your face harshly, jolts of electro surging through the skin of your cheek in tandem with the slap.

you can barely hold in the near moan you let out, and you freeze in your tracks. scaramouche pauses too, face contorting from a look of shock to disgust as your cheeks flush. he turns, telling you to get out of his office which you quickly oblige, heading back to your resting quarters as you curse yourself for such a stupid display.

he pays you no mind for the rest of the trip, acting as if you didn’t exist except when assigning orders. you thank the tsaritsa's for letting this shameful moment pass and for sparing your life. but that’s nowhere near the end of it.

but the night you return to shneznaya, ready to return home and have a good night's rest after a long and draining mission, you consider taking your life as one of your colleagues states that the balladeer wants to speak to you. the walk to the office feels like a journey into mare javari, full of nothing but injury and death.

you find yourself face to face with the purple-haired man regardless, room deathly silent after you greet him appropriately.

he’s watching you as you writhe under his gaze. he’s closed the gap between you long ago, and he can feel how shallow your breaths are. he knows you’re waiting for him to strike you down, to kill you for the disrespect. but instead, he’s crashing his lips against yours, pressing your back hard into the door as you struggle to understand what’s going on.

do you find your answer? no. but what you do find is yourself bent over his large wooden desk, chest pressed flat against the hard material as he fucks into you from behind. just like his personality, scaramouche is ruthless with his thrusts, one hand fisted in your hair as the other grips your hips. your head is pulled back, and he’s pumping electro into your side.

each jolt is making your entire body twitch, body shifting hard as he keeps you in place with his inhumane grip.

you can barely fathom the evil in the words he’s saying, each taunt and insult flowing straight through one ear and out the other. you’re pathetic, drooling all over his important documents like this after attempting to call him stupid. of course he knew you weren’t at fault, he’d killed the true culprit long ago. your mannerisms had just piqued his interest, and you’re certainly not disappointing him now.

and you sigh as you’re disconnected from the pulses of electricity from the pulses of electricity. he can feel your legs starting to shake, your moans are getting higher, but he won’t let you off that easy. you have to beg. and you meekly shake your head even in his grip. you can’t, you won't. you’re above begging. another harsh slap to the face, very similar to the first one you’d uneasily been thinking about, the one you touched yourself to night after night has the pleas almost flying out of your mouth, broken cries and pants flooding the space of his office while he drinks them all in.

it’s only the bare minimum, but this is the first of many embarrassing situations the sixth has planned to put you in. so his fingers are pulsing with the power of his creator once more, aggressively pushing on your clit, practically shocking the orgasm out of you. your vision is flashing white hot, and you can’t even hear yourself as you cry out, sobbing through the entire ordeal of your orgasm. it’s painfully sweet, and his hips never still until he’s sure you’re both done.

your head drops to the table and he holds you in place, waiting for you to regain consciousness because he wants you out of his office. not exactly because he wants you gone though, he just wants to see how much more power of his your body can take.

[otkuhotgirl]

─── 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐓 .

# with donquixote doflamingo.

the man who conquered it all could not have predicted the boredom that came with settledness. yet, fucking you with an audience was entertaining enough.

⎰ & KINKTOBER, day thirteen. smut (mdni!). dacryphilia. humiliation kink. voyeurism. slapping. drugging. afab!reader. no y/n used.

WC: 2.5k

don quixote doflamingo was an untouchable man, for neither the government nor a commoner had enough power and influence to rival one beyond a celestial — a king. that who would grow into the commander of all, rather than the mere master of a meaningless kingdom; that whose future was trailed to conquest. comfort had been the most prominent gift offered by power, yet with it came boredom. those who dared defy him could not match the strength of the weakest members of his family, let alone a single one from his elite officers. arrogance could lead him so far before the settling of inevitable dullness. a warlord; a king; a dragon. despite the revolt born from the reminiscence of his past, being honest with himself, the age of pirate life, dangerous-filled, at least had a tinge of excitement to it. the settling down that came with the successful crafting of an empire was a disappointment that, although predicted, remained frustrating.

doflamingo was unused to the process of yearning, for his seizing of what was wanted was immediate. he had been a child famished for prestige and vengeance; a teen striving for riches; an adult who at last conquered it all, yet it was far from enough. not a thing in the world could quite affect him; how one could bother the man who had whatever his heart desired? he pondered on the perspective of conforming to the scenario at hand — until you showed up.

he claimed you as he did most things throughout his life — coercion with threatening innuendos and promises of violence. you were neither given a choice nor an escape route; he craved you, therefore he would have you. the fact that you were so willing to submit was but a treacherous, laid-out trap. you behaved as though an innocent rose — innocent, willing, made to be ravaged — and once doflamingo grew used to your presence, adoration overcoming lust; having you as the favorite doll on his shelf; you surprised him with the serpent hidden underneath the petals.

the carnal endeavors were not exclusive. doflamingo made it clear that he could have you and countless others, daring to command you to remain by the pool while he had women piled on his lap. you were unfazed — ever his obedient pet — until his passion bloomed, meaning you were no longer expendable: you were his lover; a member of his family. once you realized that, said viper fangs dug through flesh and injected its poison into his bloodline. so long as you existed, doflamingo could be affected; the downfall of a god. and you were far from unaware of that privilege — especially once he ditched other women, for they were not you.

the first time you had pulled that move was during a warlord reunion — boring, catastrophic. doflamingo had brought you along for the merest sake of flexing his lover, yet the brief lack of explicit affection altered the function of your character to those who observed without context.

to them, you were but a supposed crewmate; a subordinate meant to aid were things to go sour. as a consequence, within the merest blink of an eye, you were found not by his side — but rather entertaining crocodile’s advances. doflamingo was well-aware of the distaste the fellow warlord felt for him, and enough a smart individual not to underestimate said man’s intelligence. the crystalline flirting had been a mute, mutual decision to vex him; to force him into discomfort.

doflamingo half-expected the rage to consume every nerve at the sight of another’s hand on your body; to have a languid tongue of fire teasing the flesh of his heart. yet that had not been the case. the man was surprised at the realization of his own amusement at the sight, the treacherous trail of his thoughts, treading on the image of crocodile’s fingers on your flesh; fragments of sand blooming goosebumps on your arm. crocodile would never steal what was his; doflamingo would wrap strings around that neck without second-thought was he to dare claim you. a full-blown fight would be interesting, although with predictable results — doflamingo would emerge victorious, as per usual.

the man untouchable granted a weakness of ridiculous character. at the end of such a reunion, doflamingo ravished you on the ship throughout the entire return to dressrosa — and that had been the most exhilarating experience he had in ages.

doflamingo had no need to express said desire. you noted it through the manner with which his touch shifted — the applied pressure, the rough, erratic pace of his cock pistoling itself inside. you were given mute, explicit permission to misbehave, doflamingo wanted you to flirt and lure others into his web; drew pleasure from the desperation in their eyes upon the realization of who was the man you belonged to. whenever you were to leave, doflamingo had the servants paint your skin with black-ink in swirling patterns. he’d accompany you; hidden, amused. observing as those men’s fingers stained the texture of your flesh, digits indicating where you were touched. doflamingo did not care about those men whatsoever, murdering them as soon as they dared cross a line.

rather than wiping the ink, he’d throw your back against the pool of blood and claim you then and there — forcefully mingling black and red into your flesh, adding the white of his cum thereafter. oftentimes he’d have the men alive, forced to watch his cock entering your cunt; to hear your delicious moans. his strings would wrap itselves around their throats; slice their flesh. and then — only then — would doflamingo tear your clothes off, expose your nipples to his eyes. it was better when said individuals were commoners; low-lifers. self-proclaimed important men were arrogant enough to withstand the weight of his presence; stupid enough to dare touch covered inches of flesh where the ink had not reached. his excitement would be maculated by the rage, born from said display of impertinence, and if one was to be fair the enticement lost its appeal when he was forced to face such smugness. allowing you to participate in the diplomatic dinner with the marine forces had been an error, for vice-admirals were not quite as often moral as those who occupied a higher position in the hierarchy. the man was strong — drunk, too — and you had him wrapped around your finger, serving him wine; trailing your index down his chest. the man was served the most delicious meals; offered the most matured alcoholic beverages. and, unbeknownst to him, had the king of dressrosa’s lover in his lap.

doflamingo clutched his bottle, erection enclosed by the fabric of his underwear. the vice-admiral nudged your neck with his nose, and doflamingo smirked when your eyes trailed to his own, angling your head in order to give the officer a better access to your skin. he could not kill that man — too important; too risky — a fact you were well-aware of, forcing his hand without second thought, daring him to persevere. he clicked his tongue, spreading his legs under the table and not minding enough to suppress his delighted grunt when the tip of your heel reached his shaft. in order to do so, you moved your ass where you sat on the vice-admiral’s lap, and when his eyes filled with lust, doflamingo’s fingers twitched, a single string teasing your neck. he could not touch that man, but you — you belonged to him. doflamingo was allowed to treat you as he pleased.

he tied the string around your chest, forcing your cleavage to spill out. the vice-admiral’s eyes glued to it, whereas doflamingo’s glance tethered itself to your face. you grinned in pure delight, grinding against the drunk man’s cock on purpose — in such a bliss that he remained unaware of the cat-and-mouse game happening in front of him. he tightened the grip on your throat, drawing pleasure from your hooded eyes. doflamingo tugged at the string ever-so-slightly, forcing your chest forward into the table, aware that the vice-admiral’s tip would poke at your ass. he grunted at the thought, feeling the first drops of his pre-cum that all but stained the fabric of his underwear.

“how do you like the wine?” he inquired, drowning his throat with it, observing the vice-admiral’s vicious glance.

the man seemed to have been reminded of the character of his visit — to form a deal between the warlord and the government; not to get a hand wrapped around his cock. yet, he struggled to remain composed; to focus where it mattered.

“it’s delicious,” he answered, though his eyes were glued to your figure.

doflamingo snapped his fingers, calling a servant in. the woman brought yet another bottle, and with the vice-admiral’s attention elsewhere, it was easy to pour droplets of a strong somniferous into the wine. a flick of his fingers had the bottle sliding through the table into your seat, and you raised an eyebrow.

“doffy,” you complained. “we were having fun.”

“pour it,” doflamingo demanded, and you all but scoffed — an attitude he’d correct later-on.

rather than doing it so, you parted his lips open with your thumb, convincing him to open his mouth. you poured the beverage inside, forcing him to swallow. doflamingo’s cock twitched as a string of red wine dripped down the vice-admiral’s chin, and he all but relaxed, though quite awake still, as if stuck into a particularly odd dream. the second the other’s grip on you loosened, doflamingo tapped on the table’s surface, and you knelt upon it, driving yourself towards him as though a mischievous cat. he licked his lips, well-aware of the vice-admiral’s state of dazed consciousness. he kicked the table’s leg, forcing you to fall face-straight into his chest.

“fun,” he echoed, gripping your nape and thighs. “i doubt a marine would know the meaning of fun, little bird.”

you hummed, burying your nose in his neck. “should we teach him, doffy?”

doflamingo laughed, angling his chair in order to give the drugged vice-admiral the full sight of what was about to happen. he would not dare remove your shirt, for not another deserved to have your breasts etched into memory; more importantly, you hadn’t worked enough for your nipples to be worth the attention of his tongue. instead, he raised the hem of your dress and tugged at the waistband of your underwear, unable to contain the excitement.

“tear it off,” he teased, brushing his erection against your covered cunt. you mewled, starting to move as if to remove your panties. “stupid, little bird. i told you to tear it.”

his hand forced your chest to meet his, and his long tongue darted out from his mouth to lick your cheeks. doflamingo’s grip was but a cage, and your fingers struggled to rip those panties — an order he would have no problem in accomplishing were the roles reversed.

“can’t handle it yourself, little bird?” he teased, rutting his hips in order to tease your entrance. you whined, meeting his pace; grinding against his cock.

“doffy,” you mewled, ceasing the movement of your fingers for the sake of your brief pleasure.

“what, you think shoving those panties aside would be enough?” he mocked, resting his back on the chair. “i’m an important man.”

the glance you sent his way was anger-filled; frustrated. he ignored it, grunting at the sight of your struggling figure, all but laughing throughout the time demanded for your underwear to be ripped in half. doflamingo smirked, satisfied with your desperation. he refused to offer any sort of aid, comfortably resting while you were forced to remove the lower-half of his clothes — managing to lower it down only enough to free his cock from its confines.

“pathetic,” he spat, gripping your throat; forcing your glance to meet his. “that’s why you resort to low-lifers, is it not? you’re a whore at your core, little bird, unworthy of a king.”

his palm met your face; a powerful slap that had your head angled to the side with sudden violence. you moaned, leaning into his touch regardless of the strength dwelled upon it.

“were you turned on?” doflamingo inquired, gripping your chin. “when his cock poked at your entrance, were you dripping wet?”

“no, doffy,” you stated, tearing up due to the aggressiveness poured into the touch.

he laughed, moving his head with certain disappointment. doflamingo snapped his hips, forcing his erection to settle amidst your folds, the wetness that enveloped the sensitive flesh of his tip causing him to grunt with sheer desire, increasing the pressure applied on your chin.

“lying slut,” he accused, gripping your hips to guide the grinding of his cock. “look at how wet you are.”

“only because you were staring at me,” you countered through a shrieking shout. he laughed, despite the painful state of his erection.

“is that so?” doflamingo taunted. “a pathetic excuse of a creature aching for a god’s cock. how egotistical.”

“doffy—”.

“beg for it,” he snapped, teasing your lips open with the tip of his tongue.

“please, doffy,” you pleaded, rolling your hips with a moan and an arch of your back, failing to please yourself without further aid. “i need you, i need your cock.”

“to do what?”

“to fuck me! please, make me cum, doffy. only you can.”

“pitiful,” he continued, raising your hip ever-so-slightly to shove his cock inside. you gripped his shoulders, searching for equilibrium, and shouting as his girth split you open.

doflamingo was a man whose height surpassed that of the common average — as a consequence, the same could be applied to the length and width of his shaft. in order not to cause greater pain to his lover, certain particularities needed to be considered. a proper teasing beforehand to guarantee natural lubrication; gradual insertion to avoid sudden stretching. yet, he did not care about that in such an instance whatsoever, merely licking the tears that traveled through your cheeks, bruising your cervix with his tip.

without further ado, doflamingo forced you to move; to bounce on his cock. he raised your figure to pistol his erection from the base to the tip, tearing your walls; demolishing from the inside-out. you moaned, and doflamingo angled his head to meet the unfocused glance of the vice-admiral, grinning as the room filled with the sound of his balls meeting your ass. the increase of your pace; the way your fingers dug into the flesh of his shoulders. you were nearing your release, and doflamingo settled back, no longer thrusting into you.

“doffy!” you shouted, and he didn’t hesitate to slap your face as a reprimand.

“who do you think you are, whore?” doflamingo snapped. “if you want to cum, work for it.”

your legs trembled; constricted. his back met the chair, hands above his nape. your breasts matched the pace of your bouncing, restless and without proper rhythm. sweat emerged on your temples, leisure movements that did nothing to soothe the tide of crippling desire that had your essence coating his monstrous size. doflamingo clicked his tongue with nitid disappointment, gripping your throat. his erection retrieved from your walls the second he forced your back against the table, only to be yet again shoved inside without ceremonies, causing you to shout due to both pain and pleasure.

“how useless,” he noted, licking his lips at the sight of his cock, the poking tip ever-so-visible through your stomach. “can’t even get yourself off.”

“i am,” you sobbed, legs spreading open as your walls clenched around his erection. “need you, please, young master!”

doflamingo grunted, tilting your head up; angling your sight of vision to have you facing the vice-admiral. “if you dare stop to look at him once, you won’t get to cum.”

you moaned and nodded your head, tethering your glance to the man in question. doflamingo’s pace had the table scratching against the ground, your back arching once his thumb applied pressure on your clit. at each given thrust, he bruised your insides further; walls swallowing him whole; g-spot finding no reprieve whatsoever. doflamingo kept his eyes tethered to your face, grunting, for your attention was offered to another. his cock twitched; his expression contorted into one of sadistic pleasure. he did not bother to warn you of his nearing bliss, instead allowing his cum to smear your insides, thrusting himself with regained ruthlessness as he rode the epiphany of his orgasm.

once he was done, doflamingo sat back yet again, removing his shaft from your cunt without further thought. you gasped due to the extreme revolt, supporting your weight on your elbows.

“you told me i’d get to cum,” you complained, and doflamingo wrapped a string around your thighs, tugging you closer.

“if you worked for it,” he pointed out, grinning. “and you haven’t; not yet. what will you do, little bird?”

[artbyblastweave]

Thought has been percolating in my mind. Lung as a hero. Living embodiment of the Godzilla threshold. Banned from end-bringer battles and the one time he let loose caused the sinking of Kyushu. All villain activity in his city is forced to go non-violent or very fast as once lung arrives then he has won.

And you can totally see the exact point of divergence where it would have happened too:

Lung's interlude is one of my favorites in the book. There's a lot of dots about his one-note "boss monster" characterization in the first six arcs getting connected; why such an obviously powerful villain was so bizarrely unambitious, why the incongruous Pan-Asianism in his gang, why the comparative lack of powered subordinates, arguably even why he's specifically vulnerable to chemical attack. He had actual friends once, all of whom died due to their lack of caution, and he gets a power that necessitates not only an abundance of caution and timing, but witnesses, a retinue of the kind he lost during his trigger event and very pointedly never seems to attempt to build again. The entire interlude consists of him rebuking any attempt at genuine connection with anyone- The Yellow Sentai he saves during the Levithan fight, Bakuda, Marquis. Lung's characterization in this interlude is a major part of why I think Jack wasn't bullshitting about Oni Lee being functionally brain dead- who else would Lung, as characterized in this interlude, keep around as a henchman if not a blank slate who's nearly impossible to permanently kill?

The other thing I like about this interlude is that it's a brief foray into Doing Genre outside the American Superhero context; While I'm not very well versed in it, I strongly suspect that Lung's trigger event is intended to be a homage to the heroic bloodshed genre. With much more confidence I think that the Leviathan fight is an extended pastiche of both the Sentai and kaiju genres, and the deconstructive twist on both is an accelerated microcosm of what the book has to say about crisis crossovers; Japan gets (as far as we know) exactly one giant monster attack of the kind that it's casually known to receive in the American pulp fiction imagination, and the result is the functional collapse of the country, the cultural and geopolitical ramifications of which are present at the margins in the rest of the book; among other things, it's a major element of how Lung ended up relocating to America to get into it with Skitter at the start of the story. Even after all that it's still a very cool fight, though. The beat wouldn't work it it wasn't.

[auren-zagarra]

Trey Clover: A Psychological Analysis

Disclaimer: Although this post is written by a professional psychologist, it is not intended to serve as a formal diagnosis. Rather, it is a character analysis of Trey Clover, created out of personal interest and passion for world-building. In psychological practice, accurate assessment should never be based solely on external observation.

Trey Clover is portrayed as a calm, conscientious “big brother” figure. He is described on the wiki site as “mild-mannered” and essentially a parental figure for Heartslabyul’s students, often smoothing over conflicts caused by the strict leader Riddle Rosehearts. In personality terms he comes across as laid-back and agreeable. He carries out his vice-dorm-leader duties patiently – for example, a game scene shows him calmly checking on injured RSA students and apologizing for their attackers’ behavior (book 5, chapter 55). Under pressure Trey likes to think things through and have backup plans, which suggests high conscientiousness and composure. He generally avoids drawing attention, downplays achievements, and even hides his face when people make a fuss over him (Deuce’s Wish Upon a Star vignette). Altogether this profile matches a highly introverted, dutiful personality (analysts note he aligns with an ISFJ-type in MBTI: supportive, reliable, community-minded), with high Agreeableness and Conscientiousness in Big Five terms.

Despite this gentle exterior, Trey’s behavior also hints at underlying conflict: If pushed, Trey can flip to a surprisingly harsh side. A canonical example is his “sadistic front” when angry: after being injured, he threatened the whole dorm of Savanaclaw to suffer after he was injured by Ruggie. More generally, the profile notes he often has to “smooth things over” when Riddle “gets out of hand”, implying Trey suppresses frustration to keep the peace. In sum, Trey’s persona is one of a self-effacing caretaker – composed, thoughtful, and conflict-averse – with occasional flashes of hidden anger when his calm facade cracks.

Emotional Expression and Coping Mechanisms

Trey frequently suppresses his own emotions. In dialogue he rarely shows strong upset or excitement; like when peers mock an outfit he hides behind a pillar and quietly admits embarrassment. This indicates he is sensitive to others’ opinions and prone to anxiety about standing out. His low-key smile often masks stress, and he downplays praise. Psychologically, he embodies a “false self” in Winnicott’s sense: a compliant facade created to meet others’ expectations. Trey’s genial niceness is not always “genuine good will” but rather a strategy to keep life calm and conflict-free: As one source notes, he’ll help others mainly to avoid emergencies or because “he knows he’ll get something of equal value in return”. This suggests his amiability functions more as self-protection than pure altruism – a classic sign of a false-self coping style, where the individual’s own needs and spontaneity are subordinated to pleasing others.

When stress does break through, Trey handles it with careful control. He plans and rationalizes, rather than venting impulsively. For instance, during sports and club activities he calmly scouts for problems, and when the dorm’s reputation is at stake he quietly rises to the occasion just to not discredit them. In crises he often mediates or stays level-headed rather than lashing out. This suggests high-functioning anxiety: outwardly composed and dependable, but internally vigilant and anxious about outcomes. Evidence of inner anxiety appears in his backstory and behavior – he seems prone to worry about responsibility and avoids risk-taking. He even exemplifies classic caretaker burnout patterns: always tending to others’ needs while neglecting his own emotional expression.

Family Background and Upbringing

Trey’s childhood set the stage for his caretaker role. His family runs the Clover family bakery, Patisserie Clover, and he spent his youth working there with his younger siblings. As the oldest child, Trey routinely assumed a parental role, even ensuring his little siblings performed tasks like brushing their teeth nightly. These details show he was parentified early on – effectively serving as a co-parent in his own family. Clinically, this kind of parentification imposes heavy psychological costs on a child, as they shoulder adults’ responsibilities. In fact, research on parentified children notes that they often “incur a cost to their own psychic stability and development” when asked to care for others without reciprocity. Trey’s upbringing fits this pattern: he learned from childhood to prioritize others’ welfare (family and friends) above his own, shaping him into a natural caretaker.

This background influenced Trey’s personality. Growing up in a large family bakery likely made him responsible and service-oriented. His mastery of baking may stem from early training. However, constant caretaking may also have stunted his ability to express personal needs. For example, a childhood incident underscores this: when Trey and Che’nya got Riddle into trouble, Trey's family was heavily scolded for his irresponsibility. The canon notes this event was “extremely formative”, causing Trey lasting anxiety about responsibility. Thus from an early age, Trey learned to be cautious and to shoulder blame quietly. His emotional development was framed by these expectations – putting others first and avoiding conflict – contributing to his current habit of emotional suppression and self-restraint.

Interpersonal Dynamics

Trey’s relationship with Riddle is particularly telling. He supports Riddle’s strict rule-following but is more lenient and pragmatic. Officially, he “always backs up the overly-strict Riddle”, yet he tempers Riddle’s actions to preserve harmony. At the same time, Riddle’s authoritarian style likely reinforces Trey’s role: Trey steps in as mediator when Riddle’s justice feels too harsh. Trey’s childhood with Riddle also shows loyalty: he and Che’nya taught Riddle to play and even brought him to their bakery. However, when Riddle’s mother found out, Trey was blamed and remained cautious around Riddle thereafter. This may help explain why he rarely stands up to Riddle boldly: he’s anxious about upsetting authority or causing conflict, perhaps, even carrying some kind of guilt due the fact he was “responsible” for his punishment.

Outside his own dorm, Trey is polite and measured. For instance, when meeting unfamiliar students (even perplexed dwarves from another school), he asks respectful questions without judgment. He apologizes easily and tries to smooth over misunderstandings. However, his efforts to please can mask inner fatigue; he tends not to share his personal worries. In sum, Trey’s interpersonal style is the classic diplomat/caregiver: humble, service-oriented, avoiding conflict unless absolutely needed. He interacts warmly but with an undercurrent of maintaining boundaries – consistent with someone who grew up managing others’ emotions.

Psychological Analysis and Frameworks

Several psychological concepts illuminate Trey’s mindset. First, his use of a “false self” is evident: he presents a friendly, accommodating front to protect himself. As Winnicott noted, a false self “is created as a defensive facade” when one’s true needs are suppressed. Trey’s true feelings are often hidden behind politeness. For example, the Twisted Wonderland Wiki comments that Trey’s courteous nature is driven “less from genuine good will, and more from a desire to maintain peace”. This reflects false-self behavior — he adapts to others’ expectations to feel safe, at the expense of spontaneity. The risk of this pattern is feeling “dead and empty” under the facade, which may explain why Trey sometimes seems quietly disconnected. His background (high responsibilities, reprimands for mistakes) would encourage forming such a facade: as a child he had to comply with parents and guardians, building over him an identity of caretaker rather than his own independent self.

Looking at clinical traits, Trey shows signs of emotional suppression and possible dysthymic mood. He rarely expresses sadness or frustration in canon material, yet his imposed responsibilities and anxiety (from the bakery incident) imply chronic low-grade stress. Persistent mild depression (dysthymia) could underlie his even-keel exterior; he may feel a dull sadness or fatigue without overt despair. He also demonstrates alexithymic tendencies – difficulty identifying or expressing emotions. He habitually brushes things off with humor or logic. For instance, even when upset about something, he might make a joke rather than a complaint. His inability to openly articulate feelings is consistent with alexithymia, which often co-occurs with heavy caretaking (people with high emotional labor roles sometimes shut down their own emotions).

Another relevant concept is high-functioning anxiety. Trey is never depicted as erratic or panic-stricken; instead, he looks composed while likely feeling anxious internally. His habit of planning ahead (“having a backup plan”) and his visible discomfort with confrontation suggest ongoing mild anxiety. This pattern – capable and calm on the surface, but self-doubting and worried underneath – fits high-functioning anxiety, which often comes with people-pleasing (trait Trey exhibits).

Finally, Trey’s upbringing induced a parentification trauma dynamic. Trey’s life story matches this: his self-sacrifice and responsibility likely hindered exploring his own identity or desires. He still carries the habit of prioritizing family/dorm needs and may feel guilty if he considers acting on personal impulses. For example, we have seen Trey remark that he isn’t a top student and tends to do only what’s expected academically, perhaps because he was conditioned to focus on practical responsibilities (helping in bakery, caring for siblings) rather than personal ambition.

Signs of Repression and Subclinical Struggles

Trey’s profile hints at subtle mental health strains. He has never been diagnosed with any disorder in-canon, but his pattern suggests some subclinical issues. His pervasive cheerfulness is a form of masking; such people sometimes experience chronic inner tension or exhaustion. The “sadistic front” suggests he bottles anger until it erupts dramatically, which is a sign of long-term repression. His consistent fear of failure or upsetting others (as when he keeps Riddle in check to avoid a dorm scandal) shows he may be driven by anxiety about making mistakes. This fits a profile of someone who might suffer from persistent anxiety or mild depression if taken literally – akin to dysthymia or Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but not so severe as to be outwardly crippling. Instead, Trey appears adaptive: he’s developed coping skills to function normally (even excel in time of need), hence he could be described as “high-functioning anxious”.

In terms of identity, Trey may experience a slight diffusion. He defines himself largely through roles – “Big Brother,” “Vice-Dorm Leader,” “bakery helper” – rather than through personal passions or uniqueness. The false-self construct implies he might not be fully aware of his own independent feelings. However, he does have personal interests (like science club and baking skills), which he keeps somewhat hidden. There is no clear evidence of deeper identity confusion (as one might see in adolescence), but the emphasis on duty over self hints that Trey’s personal identity might be somewhat underdeveloped. He seems content staying within his supportive role, which could indicate he never forged a strong separate identity outside his family/dorm contexts.

Symptoms: Excessive worry, perfectionism, over-preparation, people-pleasing, difficulty relaxing despite appearing calm.

Summary of Possible Diagnoses or Subclinical Conditions 

High-Functioning Anxiety (Speculative)

Supporting Traits: Constant responsibility, conflict avoidance, calm facade under pressure.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia – Subclinical)

Symptoms: Low-grade, chronic depressive mood, emotional blunting, fatigue, feelings of inadequacy.

Supporting Traits: Downplaying his own needs, low emotional expressiveness, subtle signs of inner exhaustion.

Alexithymia (Emotion Suppression)

Symptoms: Difficulty identifying and expressing emotions, over-reliance on logic or routines.

Supporting Traits: Rarely displays strong emotion, masks discomfort with humor or rationality.

Parentification Trauma (Role-Based Stress Response)

Not a formal DSM diagnosis, but recognized in clinical psychology as a developmental issue.

Symptoms: Taking on adult responsibilities too early, chronic guilt, neglect of self-needs, caretaking behavior.

Supporting Traits: Oldest sibling role, caring for younger siblings, acting as mediator in dorm.

False Self Syndrome (Based on Winnicott’s Theory)

Not a formal diagnosis, but a psychoanalytic concept.

Symptoms: Chronic compliance, emotional detachment, masking true self to gain acceptance.

Supporting Traits: Trey often does things to keep peace, not necessarily from genuine joy or self-interest.

Avoidant Personality Features (Mild)

Symptoms: Social inhibition, low self-esteem, avoidance of attention or conflict.

Supporting Traits: Shyness about being complimented, discomfort with spotlight, preference for staying in the background.

[ranticore]

some more horse guy fashions, specifically historical

erased the mandolin for this one goodbye mandolin i couldn't be bothered drawing you

so my thought process for this is like what would a society of, lbr, british ppl who are horses value and how would that translate into what they wear if they specifically don't have a taboo against nudity. these fashions are pre-florian conversion (florian was the guy who gave them all government-mandated shame) and considered traditional (the full coverage dresses are also traditional but to a post-florian period so those would be called like. idk. classical). they were still in use in the enclaves north of ironwall for quite a while. anyway returning to the point, the answer to 'what they value' is movement. in actual horses, herd hierarchy and social function is based off movement - free movement for animals for whom the flight response is so strong is an incredibly important thing. dominance in horses is expressed and reinforced by controlling and curtailing the movement of subordinates. for these people, free movement was enhanced by kinetic fashion - free-flowing garments like capes, loosely-pinned headgear with feathers and floaty cloth, and noise-generating devices like bells and chimes were all used to elaborate and enhance the appearance of somebody's gait. the overall look was mostly based off of morris dancers (pheasant feathers, bells on the legs, handkerchiefs) because i like the tie-in to suppression of folk dance by puritans. i think these guys would have some great folk dances

in much the same way trainers are just normal everyday footwear now, game kerchiefs/flags were worn in non-sports contexts because it suffused into the mainstream and became Cool. the flags were used in a game similar to tag rugby if you've ever seen that played (where snatching people's flags is used instead of full contact tackling, forcing someone who's been 'tagged' to stand still until the flags are returned). as i said before somewhere, centaur team sports go incredibly hard.

the tail ornaments were status symbols and in appearance a bit like the traditional show turnout of shire horses. woven grass and straw could be used for a temporary ornament like these, but metal or carved wood were really impressive, and very common gifts of favour between romantic partners. more flags could be hung there if you wanted to be really cool

variations of this style of mane décor were also employed (they loved their ribbons)

in the same time period, Ironwall fashion was a little bit different. These expensive caparisons were usually purchased secondhand after a real horse was done wearing them, with distinct front and back halves of different length. The garments would usually have the original liveries removed and replaced by generic religious iconography as few centaurs would ever have their own heraldry. Later, in the Georgian and Victorian eras, full coverage to the pasterns with a single undergarment was the only acceptable option (that's the classical style now) The rest of the picture is self-evident, but centaurs at the time wore additional... equipment on the withers which were called a variety of very colourful names but mostly referred to as gelding bars (as in, they will geld you if you sit on them). they were metal and spiked. these were introduced by the florian government to discourage the grossly inappropriate contact of one person's legs around another. previously there was no great taboo against riding on a centaur's back, it wasn't super common but nobody was like "this is basically public sex" until our pal centaur cromwell i mean florian came along and decided this was the work of the devil. young people were also made to wear these to discourage the homosocial behaviour very common to the mid-20s age groups of both sexes, and they also had a place in preventing stallions from wrestling (ironically increasing the danger of their fights because well now all we can do is stand back and kick). the wearing of these devices was mandatory. headcoverings were not strictly necessary, and neither were fully-wrapped tails, but some especially devout citizens took to it quite well.

[midnightshindig]

I need to see Donald being a wingman for Cecil 🙏 Like maybe the reader is also a high-ranking member of the GDA and Donald knows they both have trouble opening up? Ty!

omg finally getting to my requests omg!! happy days, everyone

I love this request, I LOVE Donald as a character I'm so happy to write for him ^^

hcs under the cut

You were one of the GDA's lawyer, inspecting the place to make sure-- legally-- everything was as airtight as possible. Suing a superhero is much more difficult than suing the government, after all. And the people want an outlet.

Your job was to make the GDA as un-suable as fucking possible.

And Cecil admired you for it

You provided a valuable service, you were always courteous to him and his subordinates, and you looked pretty good in a suit

What wasn't to love?

So you saw him quite a bit, it was an easy enough job with your team doing most of the difficult paperwork for you

It wasn't unusual to see you chatting up Cecil or Donald or really any higher up about the ins and outs of the process-- PURELY for research, obviously, and not because you're just cool and friendly

You would talk to Cecil quite a bit, inquiring into the functions of his job and just generally picking his brain about anything and everything

It was nice to have someone be so interested in him, Cecil couldn't help but grow fond for you

Instead of his initial annoyance, he quickly become excited when you entered his wing of the Pentagon.

"Heyyy big man! What're your thoughts on that attack this morning? Crazy stuff, right?"

He subconsciously moved to straighten his tie and fix the cuffs of his suit jacket, looking back at you with a wobbly, unpracticed smile

"Yes, Y/n. It was interesting all right- I have Donald and the boys at the lab working on samples from the monsters dna right now."

A beat

"Care to see?"

And so Cecil slowly grew to trust you more, not enough to show you the White Rooms by any means, but that wasn't personal, that was national security.

This had gone on too long, it was messing Cecil up

he liked you, he was grown up and mature enough to accept that fact

but there was no way you-- some hot shot lawyer with an intelligent mind and knack for conversation-- would find him worth your time

Position as head of the GDA be damned, he didn't think he could pull you.

He's too much of a rock to say anything, but Donalds entire job is to observe Cecil and his needs, to keep the GDA running smooth

"You know... I hope this isnt' out of line, Sir. But Y/n has taken quite a liking to you."

Cecils eye twitches with stress "What...?"

Donalds eyes widen a little, trying to save the situation "I just mean that it is unusual for Y/n to spend so much time here. With you. Data shows elevated heart rate and dilated pupils when they see you. It would make sense, is all."

Cecil let out a frustrated sigh, leaning against a desk "And what do you propose I do about it, Donald? Fire them?"

"No!" Donald was frantic, fixing his glasses and recomposing himself "The opposite, actually. I think it would be beneficial for both parties as well as the greater good of the GDA if you asked Y/n out to coffee."

Cecil was skeptical, like he always is, like his job requires.

But Donald knew it would make the both of you happier

Maybe you just needed a little push?

The next few days are torture for everyone working at the GDA

everyone can see you enjoying Cecil's company, and even casually hitting on him, and Cecil losing his edge over it

He's frazzled by you, shaken a little by Donald's suggestion he ask you out

But he steels himself and presses on, content to ignore his silly crush

Donald ain't having none of that shit.

So he finally confronts Cecil

"Cecil, sir, with all due respect, you need to make a move."

"What."

"This whole pining thing is disrupting everybody else's work, nobody can focus with the will-they won't-they sitcom happening."

"Donald please, Y/n is a professiona-"

"They really aren't. Ask them out. I'm serious." and Donald leaves, leaving Cecil disincensed and frazzled

So, two days later and you're back for a visit

but things are different?

the GDA analysts and office workers are all quiet around you, not in a gossipy way, just.... quiet?

You go to find Cecil, wanting to pick his brain about something you saw on the news

When you get there, Cecil looks nervous, not anxious per se, just.... hesistent?

"Hey Cecil! What's going on today? Everyone's super quiet... did I miss something?"

"No, y/n... uhm-" he pulls at his tie a little "Everything is fine, have a seat? I have something I want to talk to you about."

You raise an eyebrow at his formality, taking a seat in the leather chair across from his desk

"Y/n...." He sucked in a deep breath, clearly nervous

"What? Is there some huge lawyer scandal I'm not aware of?" You try to lighten the mood, cracking a smile

Cecil sighs, combing his hand through his hair "Y/n, would you...." he looks past your head to see Donald giving him a thumbs up through the door window

jesus christ

Ugh- fuck it-

"Y/n, can I take you out?"

silence.

"Like...." you start cautiously, a concerned look on your face "Like on a date? Or like...." You drag your finger across your throat, poking your tongue out to mimick death

Cecil's eyes widen as he stands up, placing his hands on the desk "Like a date! Not- ugh.... I should've phrased that better..." he seems so defeated, deflating back into his chair.

Much to his surprise, you perk up and grin "Sure!"

"What? Really?"

"Yeah! I've been waiting for like weeks for you to ask me out. What do you say to coffee?"

He blinks in surprise, straightening his tie and sitting up straighter "I would like that."

BONUS:

As you leave, you notice Donald standing casually outside the door to Cecil's office, presumably needing to tell him something important

after you leave, Cecil comes out himself, giving Donald a side eye

"Donald."

"Sir."

"....Thank you."

Donald gives a small smile and adjusts his glasses "You're welcome, sir."

[loveemagicpeace]

🏹Astrology Notes 🛼

People with many aspects of Neptune, especially Neptune Square North Node, can get into bad paths (alcohol, drugs...) many times they look for a solution by running away from problems. In life, they struggle with many difficult, incomprehensible, strange things. They may come across many people who deceive them.

Pluto opp chiron - can illustrate that you never really get over your traumas that were inflicted on you when you were little. Many times you can carry a swordsman's side inside you and never really let it go.

Mercury opp chiron- you have a hard time expressing or talking about your pain. It can often take a really long time to talk about what's bothering you.

Mercury conj Pluto- you can always be secretive about what you say. It could also be that a part of you is always hidden behind words.

The aspect of the moon and Saturn indicates the relationship the person has with his mother. People who have very strong aspects with the moon and saturn can be very attached to their mother and the mother has a great influence on them. It also shows that this person is not emotionally open and can always keep their feelings inside.

Dynamic aspects (opposition, square, inconjunction, semi-square) between Saturn and Jupiter indicate that a person can be full of hope at one moment and completely desperate at the next. These aspects are often associated with suicide. Because people can hardly bear such strong energy.

There are differences: Sagittarius is much more changeable than Jupiter, more freedom-loving and irresponsible. Sagittarius is less likely to symbolize the acquisition of material goods. Also, being a sign and therefore a less powerful symbol than a planet, it is less likely than Jupiter to operate at an excessive level. Sagittarius is less likely to signify waste, excess, or arrogance. Sagittarius gets along best with planets like Mars, Uranus, and the Sun, which are fast-moving, energetic, and not resistant to change.

Strongly emotional planets do not do well in Capricorn because the sign tends to repress emotion in favor of discipline. The Moon is particularly difficult here, because Capricorn will not allow the Moon to enjoy being dependent on others, a mode of relationship that is absolutely essential to the Moon’s functioning at some point in life. Venus is also not at its best, because its emotional criteria for choice are likely to be subordinated to practical criteria. Venus in Capricorn can also indicate an attraction to older persons who can serve as authority figures as well as lovers.

The Pisces symbol is two fishes swimming in opposite directions, and like Sagittarius and Gemini, Pisces is traditionally referred to as a dual sign. There are two types of Piscean: the advanced (Pisces as the last stage in the evolution of the archetypal ego or self) and the primitive (Pisces as the stage just prior to a new beginning in Aries).

Pluto in the 3rd house can represent a very strong bond with a sister. So separation with your sister can very difficult if you live far apart. You can create a beautiful and strong bond with your sister.

Mars in the 5th house indicates a difficult birth and problems with children. Children may be restless, aggressive or angry. It is important to look at aspects.

Jupiter in the 9th house often indicates good intuition and prophetic dreams. So it is important to remember your dreams.

Virgo rising people are so beautiful. I notice that women have beautiful faces and skin. Men, on the other hand, have well-developed eyes and bodies. I would say that virgins can have more beautiful beauty than technical ones in the subsign. Otherwise, it depends on where Mercury falls in the house, but still, their beauty is very naturally beautiful.

Moon in the third house indicates sensitive emotions and feelings. Moods change quickly.

The Moon in the fifth house indicates great success for children. Also a  person very dedicated to fun.

Moon in the sixth house can mean too much strain in terms of health. Lots of public contact. It can also mean insecurity and health problems in the first 7 years.

Mars in 7th house can mean that the individual is too open in relationships and dealings. It can also mean that he is jealous, intense and controlling.

Mars in the 11th house means you can be argumentative and want things your way. Many times the need for freedom is strong.

Mars in 12th house- the individual is interested in hidden things. You can join things that are secret. You like to work in the shadows. And you present your things when you are sure of them.

Uranus in the first house often shows that your personality is very unique and special. You have an energy that others find rare and interesting. You are a person who does not like drug treatment and prefers to find a different way (natural way of treatment). You want a job that is free and you don't like being controlled by others.

Uranus in the seventh house indicates premature engagement or marriage. It also means inharmonious relationships (if the aspects are not good). It also indicates a relationship in which one is ingenious and clever.

Uranus in ten house people are prone to emotional or physical loss through one parent. It is said that people with this position are also inclined to have two professions at the same time. It is important for women to check if her Uranus is in the 10th house of a man. Because this can indicate that the man is more focused on his career than her.

A person with mercury in the 9th house will always know at least 2 foreign languages, if not more. These people learn foreign languages very quickly and quickly understand others. They often prefer foreign languages.

Mars in Libra -A person can be quarrelsome and inharmonious. But it's not always like that. It depends on what aspects the person has. Person can be very passive aggressive and hides a lot of their energy. Many times they do something, but in reality they want something completely different. They can place the blame on others in many cases unless the person has Venus in good stabile sign.

Chart ruler of 8th house in 5th house -if it is  in bad aspects, it can indicate the possibility of miscarriage, loss of a child at birth or in youth.

Chart ruler  of 8th house in 8th house symbolizes benefit from the dead. Interest in immortality, spirituality. If the ruler is in an bad position then there can be problems with dying.

Chart ruler of the 9th house in 4th house travel is necessary for family matters. Property comes from relatives and partner.

Chart ruler of the 9th house in 6th house means handling due to travel. As well as good success abroad. If the aspects are in an unfavorable position, it can mean illness while traveling.

Chart ruler of the 9th house in 7th house means marriage in a foreign country or marriage with a foreigner. It often symbolizes a person living in another country. If it is in an unfavorable position, it may mean that relatives oppose the marriage.

The ruler of the 10th house in the 1st house- can mean a lot of ambition and talents. But it can mean loss due to father.

The ruler of the 10th house in the 6th house- symbolizes a humble position in society. Treatment can be an important part of an individual's life. If the aspects are bad, it can mean loss of career due to health.

Ruler of 10th house in 7th house- indicates benefit from public. Lawsuits are positive and marriage can bring fame.

Ruler of the 10th house in the 11th house - symbolizes the fulfillment of dreams. Strong and influential friends help the individual.

-Rebekah🧚🏻‍♀️🦋

[read-marx-and-lenin]

alright.

I'll start with Lenin first, then move to Marx. Lenin was an autocrat and a dictator. There's no way around it. He was unelected and created a one-party state. This was due to the fact that the revolution was led by a vanguard, which the members of, once they succeeded in overthrowing the old government, could easily set up a self-serving dictatorship. He's not a Marxist, and he's not a Socialist.

Since Lenin obviously did not in any way uphold the vision of Marx, I'll tackle him separately. A (stateless) communist society does eliminate many hierarchies, but leaves the most coercive systems untouched. Those being: the hierarchy of the collective over the individual and that coercion required of industrialism. In a commune, one's individual vote is negligible, since the outcome is only affected by one person's vote in very rare circumstances. Once the votes are tallied, the individual is expected to conform to the decisions of the majority, and to accept the commune's laws and customs. This leads to the individual becoming feeling helpless and weak.

Secondly, Marxism fails to address the coercion required to make an industrial society function. In order to have products, you must have a payroll of workers to stand where they are told to stand and do what they are told to do and go home and show up to work when they are told to do it. Instead of working towards goals that are immediate, which directly affect one's condition (such as building a house to live in), one must do a task or set of tasks that ultimately has little to do directly with one's own material well-being. Instead, the hyperspecialized work required in an industrial society is made livable indirectly via trade. This leads to a dependence on the industrial system as a whole, which requires a massive amount of cohesion to function.

Humans are no longer permitted to act autonomously since doing so would be a hindrance to the system. Behaviors which are not conducive to the system are disallowed, but all unimportant facets of our life which do not interfere with the functioning of the system are permitted to grow within said limits.

Lenin was elected as Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars by the Congress of Soviets a total of nine times before his death. His position was not one elected by the people directly, but rather he was elected by the congressional representatives of the soviets who were themselves elected by the people. You can argue that his position should have been directly elected if you want, but you cannot say he was unelected. Regardless, while the Chairman of the CPC was the head of government of the RSFSR, and later the Soviet Union, the CPC was not a one-person council and the council as a whole was subordinate to the Central Executive Committee, which was in turn subordinate to the Congress of Soviets. Lenin was not an autocrat or a dictator; he did not hold sole legal authority and the Soviet government had numerous checks and balances.

I see no reason to believe a vanguard party or a one-party state is undemocratic. The USSR was a dictatorship, but not a dictatorship of one person. It was a dictatorship of the proletariat, as the bourgeoisie were stripped of the right to vote and to be elected. You can object to this if you like, but I personally don't think that was a bad decision.

You seem to be arguing that Lenin was neither Marxist nor socialist because the nascent Soviet Union was not yet classless or stateless. Yet why should it have been expected to be? Communism is not something that can be achieved overnight, or even in one generation. In the meantime, there must be some mechanism for suppressing and overthrowing the bourgeoisie. No matter how democratic, how horizontal, and how people-oriented that mechanism is, it still constitutes a state insofar as it constitutes an organ for the oppression of one class by another. Unless you are arguing that the rights of the bourgeoisie should be maintained and protected, you cannot escape this fact.

At the point of achieving a stateless, classless communist society, I don't see why decision-making would necessarily be performed through simple majority vote. While it's rather pointless in my mind to be speculating about how a hypothetical communist society of the future might function, I think it's safe to say they'd be far more capable of exploring alternative forms of decision-making than we are now. In any case, the question of how a future communist society might function is entirely separate from questions of past and present systems of government.

You are right to point out that the industrial mode of production requires collective and specialized activity in order to function, but I fail to see what the alternative is. Humans are a social animal, our production has always been collective and we have always benefited from specialization in labor. The advancement in industry has made possible a reduction in socially necessary labor time, not an increase. It is capitalism and the profit motive that has mandated long hours and low autonomy in the workplace, not industry itself.

People are not inherently stupid or self-centered. They can understand very well the relationship between one sector of industry and another. You do not need to be building a house to understand how, for instance, the nails you are manufacturing will be used to build houses and other goods. You do not need to be manufacturing nails to understand how the iron you are mining will be used to make nails and other goods. The idea that it is alienating to be engaged in a task that is socially beneficial rather than merely individually beneficial is absurd.

You talk about social cohesion as if it is impossible or undesirable. But again, what is the alternative? An incoherent, fragmented society? No society at all, and people just fend for themselves as individuals? I fail to see how anything less than social cohesion is desirable.

You say that industrial society is coercive and prevents people from acting autonomously. I say, what does it mean to act autonomously? Humans must satisfy our basic needs before we can think about engaging in autonomous activity. If you are starving, you are compelled to seek food. If you are freezing, you are compelled to seek shelter. Individual freedom is subordinate to our material conditions, and only through improving our material conditions can we satisfy our basic needs and guarantee individual freedom.

If we are to have a society where the individual freedoms of everyone are maximized, then we must have a society which guarantees everyone their basic needs. Food, shelter, clothing, medicine, education, transportation, communication, etc. All of these must be secured before a person has full freedom to act autonomously. Improving the quality of these things and the efficiency of their production improves the standard of living and reduces socially necessary labor time, which allows for greater degrees of freedom.

You say behaviors which are not conducive to the system are disallowed. I do not necessarily disagree, but I feel you are intentionally obscuring the nature of such behaviors. What is “the system” here? The system is society. So a behavior not conducive to society is an anti-social behavior, a behavior that impedes or harms other members of society. Why should these behaviors be allowed? Is it maximizing autonomy and freedom to allow someone to steal or rape or murder with impunity? No, it is merely trading someone else's freedom and autonomy for your own.

You can certainly maximize your own freedom and autonomy at the expense of others, but if we are to live in a society where the freedom and autonomy of everyone is to be maximized, then there must be certain limits to individual behavior for the sake of others. Maybe someday humanity will evolve to a state where one can live in their own private world with maximum freedom to do as they please without worrying about impacting others, but until that day we will have to live in a society with other people and the social restrictions that come with that. Personally, I don't think it's such a burden to have to care about other people.

Society as it stands today is indeed imperfect and often oppressive. Socialist states in the past and present have yet to achieve the classlessness and statelessness that marks higher-stage socialism, i.e. communism. They too are imperfect and have restricted people's behavior in various ways, some I would argue are necessary, and some I would argue are unnecessary. However, I believe that socialism offers us the greatest opportunity to improve society as a whole and liberate humanity from oppressive structures. I believe that capitalism remains the central impediment to the advancement of society and the pursuit of human freedom. I believe that a vanguard party and a dictatorship of the proletariat have been the most effective means of combating the bourgeoisie so far. And I believe that the advancement of science and industry has been the most effective means of securing and improving the basic needs of the people as a whole.

My question to you remains: what is the alternative? You can criticize all you want, and thoughtful and rational critique of all things is both important and beneficial, but unless you have an alternative to socialist revolution and industrial society, then you're just throwing the baby out with the bathwater. How are we to combat the bourgeoisie without a vanguard or a state? How are we to provide people with their basic needs without industrial production?

[vynxwave]

Share your thoughts on MegaSound? It was one of my first Transformers ships and even though it's not a rarepair or anything it's oddly less popular than I'd expect, and I don't see a lot of analysis of what their relationship is actually like in various canons

I'd love to! Yeah, finding out it's not as popular as I thought was surprising. With Soundwave often depicted as loyal to Megatron, I really would've thought it'd be more popular than it is. You're definitely right about there being a lack of analyses on their relationship, so I think I'll eventually make a post analyzing their relationship in various canons. For this post I'll be going over how I see MegaSound (and from what parts of canon I derive it from) and sharing thoughts about its (lack of) popularity/prevalence.

Here I'll note the basis of canon I ship them from across various continuities where they have a positive relationship*:

Megatron likes monologuing in Soundwave's presence and talking with him (Dreamwave Generation 1 (2002) #4, Megatron Origin #4, IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #22, Prime). Considering Soundwave's continued steadfast loyalty, I'd reckon he likes hearing him talk/plan.

Soundwave is Megatron's confidant (War Within #2, Prime, IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #17, IDW 2019)

The both care for each other's continued functioning (Soundwave does so consistently in loyalist depictions, and for Megatron it depends on the continuity/writer but is often true of him too (though, Soundwave doesn't get injured often); [specifics cited later in this post])

Soundwave's loyalty even extends to when Megatron loses his marbles (WFC: Kingdom E03, Galvatron in Sunbow G1 S3E14 & Headmasters E02 & E04), but his loyalty does not extend to Megatron defecting from the Decepticons (IDW Dark Cybertron, EarthSpark) due to Soundwave's loyalty to the Decepticon Cause.

Dreamwave Transformers: More Than Meets The Eye #6 Soundwave's character bio written from Megatron's perspective expressing his uncertainty of whether he can risk lending his trust and friendship to Soundwave is one of my favorite things with them.

(*this mostly excludes where Soundwave's characterized as a self-serving opportunist and where Megatron treats him as just another subordinate)

My MegaSound Thoughts

(Preface: Inspiration taken from all over, but classic Decepticon Cause and they're both as evil as typical. I ship them in various canons but here I describe a broad overview of ways I interpret this pairing and what aspects I'm interested in. I tried to avoid citing Soundwave's self-serving opportunistic depictions for the most part, but he often has a lot of character I like in them xD.)

For me their ship is built upon their longstanding mutual trust, respect, and reliability; especially compounded with the fact many of their comrades' loyalty is prone to wavering from time to time (whereas Soundwave has continuously stuck by his side). I also like to focus on Soundwave's staunch loyalty to and belief in Megatron and the Cause he embodies — and, importantly, Megatron's recognition of this.

For Megatron I like to think about what valuing someone in such a way means to a tyrant whose sights are set on control, destruction, and personal power.

I think Soundwave's competence, strength, devotion, skills, and intelligence would all be appealing to Megatron. Soundwave, with said qualities, has made himself indispensable to the Decepticons, and therefore indispensable to Megatron himself.

Perhaps one reason Megatron is drawn to Soundwave would be for the steadfast security he provides (compared to the unreliability/treachery of others).

Though, with Megatron being surrounded by the infighting/treachery of Decepticons, I think it would be natural for him to sometimes be uncertain of whether his closeness with Soundwave is as safe/secure as it seems (inspired by Dreamwave More Than Meets The Eye #6's Soundwave bio written from Megatron's perspective) due to how much sensitive information and vulnerability Soundwave's been trusted with. But any such feared betrayal would not come to pass, because Soundwave sides with him, including in his times of need.

All I've written so far assumes a wishy-washy loyalty in Megatron's other followers; for where he has other loyalists, perhaps Soundwave is just one of his oldest followers (Sunbow G1 "War Dawn", Dreamwave G1 (2004) #10, IDW 2019, Prime S1E26) and his loyalty is ultimately tried and true.

Time and time again, Soundwave is shown to care about Megatron's continued functioning/well-being (Sunbow G1 "MTMTE, Part 3" [Soundwave warning Megatron of Starscream's attack], Transformers: The Movie, War Within #6, Prime, All Hail Megatron #13, Fall of Cybertron [saddened at Megatron's death & later rebuilds him], Retribution ["And if it turned out he couldn’t save Megatron, Soundwave knew what his duty demanded. / Vengeance on everybody involved."], Transformers vs. The Terminator #2 [Soundwave repairs Megatron's optic], WFC: Kingdom E03).

In cases where Soundwave has been injured/killed, this has often been true of Megatron too (Transformers (2009) #17 [this & AHM #13 were both written by Costa — making this mutual care of each other's continued functioning intentional, I presume], Prime S2E14, Headmasters E02 & E04 if including Galvatron, WFC: Kingdom E03 [where Dinobot downs Soundwave then Megatron comes swinging]).

For Soundwave I first want to detail the basis of his character as I think it's important to recognize his beliefs and personality. His personality and how much is shown ultimately depends on the continuity and writer; and varies depending on if the writer favors the Marvel UK G1 Soundwave (self-serving opportunist) or the Sunbow G1 Soundwave (loyalist) depiction.

Soundwave believes himself to be superior to others (to other lifeforms, to Autobots, and even to fellow Decepticons) and it's not just a cool line, but an actual sentiment/belief he holds (Transformers: The Movie, Spotlight: Soundwave, Revolutionaries #3, Skybound Transformers #7, Animated S1E10 Sound and Fury), and it is continuously embodied in his actions and loyalty to the Decepticon Cause (conquest & domination). Following this, Megatron's ideals of Decepticon superiority must appeal to Soundwave greatly — as a result, their vision of the future and values are quite similar.

Soundwave has (well, if the continuity depicts it) a negative reputation among other Decepticons, with others actually being aware of his monitoring and subsequent reporting to Megatron (Prime S1E13 [among other episodes], implied in Robots in Disguise (2012) #11... I think, Earth Wars: Sea Phantom: "[...] The walls have audio receptors, if you know what I mean." / Coelagon: "Yeah, Soundwave has the place wired for sound.", Sunbow G1 "Countdown to Extinction" & "The Golden Lagoon"). Instead of such a reputation being a negative for Soundwave, it is something he has intentionally fostered for indirect power and control over the other Decepticons; and by doing this he's made Megatron hold him in high esteem (Prime, Dreamwave More Than Meets the Eye #6 [Soundwave's Bio], All Hail Megatron #10) and positioned himself securely in the Decepticon's upper ranks.

In line with his beliefs of superiority, Soundwave personality-wise is quite confident and secure. This is also true of his standing with Megatron (for reasons described above).

Following Soundwave's colder depictions, perhaps one of the bots he finds himself the most "warm" to or emotionally responsive to is Megatron, even if he may not express this the same way most others might (but I'd think Megatron would understand it, due to his perceptiveness and having known him a long time).

With Soundwave generally not being much of a conversationalist, I'd think Megatron easily makes up for this with all his talking and monologuing (they are so [eloquent] yapper x listener to me). Given Soundwave's continued loyalty, I'd like to think he quite likes hearing Megatron's voice and his ideas/plans; for Megatron I'd like to think he enjoys an intelligent and receptive audience and finds it in Soundwave (who gets to hear his words/plans unfiltered from the manipulative rhetoric he gives others), and likes Soundwave's encouragement and amoral pragmatism. As Megatron's confidant, Soundwave gets to hear him at his most honest (Dreamwave War Within #2, IDW Primacy #4, Prime).

I like to think about how them both being evil impacts what activities they find enjoyable. Moments in various canons that come to mind: All Hail Megatron #1 (where Megatron's like "Soundwave, if you will?" then >:D when Soundwave diverts the missiles), Prime S2E22 ("You should have seen Optimus Prime's face when his precious Star Saber shattered like glass [...]"), and Retribution Ch. 9 (where Soundwave really wants to show Megatron a playback of him and Ravage interrogating/torturing Decepticon traitor Axer for information that Megatron wanted). Could sharing the joy of violence be an evil love language xD?

For angst I think there's a lot of potential based in EarthSpark or Headmasters (the same is true of IDW 2005, though I won't be expanding on it here).

For EarthSpark there's S1E08 0:24 & 2:30 plus a sentence from the guidebook: "Soundwave believes that anyone who defects from the Decepticons is a traitor, and he considers Megatron the worst traitor of all!" Based on their interactions and dialogue (S1E08 Decoy "Don't make this personal, Soundwave." "It already is."), it's apparent that they used to be close before Megatron switched sides; and Soundwave's feelings impact Megatron a lot! Soundwave's recording calling out his hypocrisy invokes such a rage in him; and Soundwave calling him a traitor disheartens him, making him lower his cannon (and he would've been blasted had Optimus not intervened)!

For Headmasters Soundwave/Soundblaster would witness how much Galvatron differs from Megatron — how insane he's become, but also how distant he's become from him. (The Headmasters E04 & E10)

In general, I think there could be angst found in Megatron's favorite trope: getting put out of commission for a duration of time. Or, that trope could be bestowed upon Soundwave for a change xD (like in Transformers (2009) #17). Exploring the consequences of Megatron's hubris or lust for power could be fun too.

Favorite Moments in Various Canons

Dreamwave More Than Meets The Eye #6 Soundwave's bio:

[From the Datatracks of Megatron, Decepticon Leader] What is more valuable to a commander, loyalty or reliability? Loyalty is a luxury, but reliability is a necessity for effective military operations. Soundwave exemplifies the latter while projecting as much as the former as realistically possible. He is an indispensable lieutenant and a fierce warrior, with seemingly unshakeable loyalty to me and our cause. When I enter into combat with Soundwave beside me, I am assured that he will perform his role unerringly. I am, however, well aware of his blackmailing of other Decepticons and the fearsome retribution he takes on any who attempt cross him, safe in the knowledge that he is virtually untouchable in his current position. His flaunting of his role have caused many to turn against him, which has only strengthened his need for my favor and implicit protection. Thus far, Soundwave has been utterly faithful to my commands and risked his own life on my behalf several times. But is he only biding his time until his own power base is secure enough? Many great commanders have been undone by trust and friendship in the past… can I afford to extend these to even my most capable solider?

Dreamwave War Within #6 & Generation 1 (2004) #10 (Also, throughout Dreamwave's run Soundwave is actually visibly by Megatron's side, which I think is a pretty neat detail)

All Hail Megatron #13 & Transformers (2007) #17

I enjoyed their dynamic in IDW 2019 because of how visibly instrumental Soundwave is to the Decepticon's rise, and his subsequent importance to Megatron. (#5) (#16) (#26)

Soundwave's sheer nonchalance at getting yelled at/scolded by Megatron who was breaking things in rage (#11) was so funny to me... Soundwave knows he's too important.

In Fall of Cybertron (37:15) Soundwave reaches out sadly to Megatron's hand sticking out from beneath rubble (thanks to Megatron's hubris getting himself scrapped)

In WFC: Kingdom E03 Soundwave is concerned about Megatron and tries to caution/advise him, but it goes unheeded.

The Transformers (2003) PS2 Japan: nearly every time Soundwave and Megatron talk... ["Lord Megatron, I'm glad you're unharmed!], ["This is how a subordinate should behave!"], ["No, don't apologize. You are not to blame"], ["..."], ["high price"], [deferring to Soundwave's judgement]

I haven't actually watched Robots in Disguise (2015), but its portrayal of Soundwave's devoutness is pretty cool... specifically in S3E21 Collateral Damage what he says at the timestamp 5:49:

Soundwave: "[...] when [the transgalactic beacon generator is] activated at the highest point in the city it would transmit a signal strong enough to summon Megatron back to Earth." Sideswipe: "[...] but that much radiation won't just call Megatron it'll—" Soundwave: "—devastate the city, then spread to eradicate all life on Earth. Incidental collateral damage."

I don't know how to describe how much I love the coldness/callousness in his inconsideration for an entire planet, all for the sole purpose of getting Megatron back.

(Lack of) Popularity

I've thought about the reasons for the ship's lack of popularity/prevalence. The one that jumps out the most to me is that there's a lack of in-depth exploration into their relationship in canon despite their constant proximity and importance to each other — as in, plots hardly ever test/strain/strengthen their relationship (to elaborate, there's rarely tension between them, and when there is it's minor and carries no meaningful weight).

Well, IDW 2005 did do some things with their relationship, but it didn't feel as in-depth as other relationships because their backstory together (which occurred in phase 1 with Soundwave's self-serving opportunistic characterization) was recontextualized/retconned for phase 2's Decepticon Cause of equality origin and was there to ultimately serve their subsequent (and separate) becoming betterish arcs relevant to that origin, and then they never got a proper reconciliation together; post-Dark Cybertron Soundwave continued to keep Megatron in mind, whereas Megatron (iirc) doesn't ever think about him in any noteworthy way. (Elaboration/analysis of this will be in whenever I make that analysis post, although trying to analyze IDW 2005 is kind of a headache for me.)

Rarely does Megatron communicate how he feels about Soundwave to him beyond his usefulness/function (e.g. Megatron praising Soundwave in Prime and Sunbow G1). There's IDW Robots in Disguise (2012) #22 ("Ours, Soundwave. The world shall be ours." is a cool line that expresses Megatron wanting to conquer Cybertron with Soundwave, but this scene is a retcon & flashback — it only serves phase 2 Soundwave's arc in the present).

That's not to say Megatron never expresses any thoughts/feelings about Soundwave, of course (various episodes of Prime, Headmasters E02 ["Soundwave! NGHAAAHHHHH" — Galvatron after witnessing him explode], probably some moments from The Transformers (2003) PS2 Japan).

The most explicit of Megatron recognizing Soundwave's importance to him I can think of off of the top of my head is Primacy #2.

Obviously with this post, I think a lot about their relationship can be inferred from the way they interact and talk regardless of how much or little Megatron directly expresses to him. (With this post being for the purpose of shipping, all I mention here is through a shipping potential lens xD).

Perhaps another reason for this ship's lack of popularity, related to the first, is maybe Soundwave is broadly thought of as just a loyalist without knowledge of his other qualities and so people don't think it's interesting? (I could say more on this, but I'll end this post here.)

[creatingblackcharacters]

And it is important to note that identity continues to be a site of resistance for members of different subordinated groups. We all can recognize the distinction between the claims "I am Black" and the claim "I am a person who happens to be Black."

"I am Black" takes the socially imposed identity and empowers it as an anchor of subjectivity. "I am Black" becomes not simply a statement of resistance but also a positive discourse of self-identification, intimately linked to celebratory statements like the Black nationalist "Black is beautiful."

"I am a person who happens to be Black," on the other hand, achieves self-identification by straining for a certain universality (in effect, "I am first a person") and for a concommitant dismissal of the imposed category ("Black") as contingent, circumstantial, nondeterminant.

There is truth in both characterizations, of course, but they function quite differently depending on the political context. At this point in history, a strong case can be made that the most critical resistance strategy for disempowered groups is to occupy and defend a politics of social location rather than to vacate and destroy it.

Mapping the Margins (1991); Kimberle Crenshaw

(Capitalize Black ☺️ Say "Black"! There is no shame in my identity, there's no need to whisper it or act as though it is offensive to say!)

[integer115]

Ashes of the Academy quick reaction

Ursa blames everyone but herself for Azula's problems raising her. Azula was in a war? What war? She's just pure evil!

The world around us doesn't matter! Brainwashing is the absolute remedy - yeah.

There is no difference between stopping the war and losing the war, losing everything that was won during a hundred years of war.

The aristocracy has power and influence but does nothing with it because… Because between the scene where Azula is in chains and the scene where Zuko is standing on the balcony there is a script black hole!

Zuko is both powerful and powerless. The plot black hole obliterates any sense of who is responsible for what in the post-war Fire Nation and how society functions in general.

Mai's claim sounds really absurd. Mai is your boyfriend and you actively tried to make the Fire Nation lose the war, remember?

Yes, precisely because Azula burns everything for no reason, it is she who, even during her breakdown, did not throw fire at her servants. On the other hand, we have Zuko, who was constantly throwing fire at innocent people. Starting with his subordinates on the ship and ending with Aang. Simply put, the comic screws Zuko's characteristics to Azula.

So Mai didn't want to hang out with Azula. Okay. So Mai is just a hypocrite. Great character development.

So Azula lives to multiply suffering and destruction. Okay. Then again a banal question. Why the hell did the entire cast of the show survive Azula's captivity alive and well? And in Hokoda's case, even recovered? Why did Katara spill water under Ba Sing Se and not blood? Pathetic.

The writers themselves don't know why this whole idiotic circus with Kemurikage was needed. Perfect.

The Fire Nation is waging a war to acquire colonies. That is, it is implementing a full-fledged program of development of new lands. So how do the inhabitants of the colonies end up in someone's minds as sympathizers of the Earth Kingdom? What kind of nonsense is this? These are literally the same people of the same nation. Why, in The Promise, they showed us that the inhabitants of the colonies themselves consider themselves to be part of the Fire Nation. And this is logical. So how on earth did they turn into traitors during the war? Where did this nonsense come from?

Azula didn't trust her friends. Okay. Then why the hell she didn't burn them in the original show and went to get new ones? If they were just tools to her, she'd just get new ones and that's it. In the last Hicks comic, Azula almost did the dance with Ty Lee just to avoid turning the girl into a roast, so what the hell? This is literally a pluralism of opinions in one head and we are not talking about Azula's head.

So why did Azula lose her temper like that if she didn't trust her friends from the start and didn't even consider them friends. Again?

What the hell is a children's academy? Am I the only one who remembers about the war? Okay, writers, I get it, the war had no effect on anything. It's all the fault of a bad school and a bad Ozai. One question, on who is this intended for?

Oh yeah, let's boil it down to evil for the sake of evil. Literally!

Writer! You yourself mentioned a crowd of traditionalist aristocrats at the beginning of the comic, and now it all comes down to an old granny with a Sith Lord complex. Is it so hard to just watch your own writing?

What kind of people will Zuko be trusted with? Where did these people come from? Who let this people into positions of power? How did all this even happen again? The plot black hole keeps coming back to haunt us.

This granny was really going to kill the teacher with a Dai Li agent? An agent who would just attack in broad daylight? Why would he? Why would she? Okay… Let's say it's designed for children under one year old.

But now there's a bunch of Dai Li sitting in the Fire Nation and waiting for Azula. What? What kind of nonsense is this? How many years have passed since the show ended? Are these agents infinite? And they work for themselves! What nonsense this all is...

I apologize for the confusion and emotionality. But it's just…..bad.

[bethanydelleman]

I have to do an assignment for history of philosophy (we're starting with Simone de Beauvoir) which basically consists of explaining how corsets, petticoats and other items were designed specifically to constrict women. What are your thoughts on this?

I haven't started the assignment yet (I still have like two days) but I'm pretty annoyed at it because as far as I'm aware, corsets DID have a function at the time, holding up those dresses, but I prefer asking you about this to avoid being misinformed accidentally or something haha

I'm not a historian at all, much less a fashion historian but corsets are not that dissimilar to bras (though some of them do help you maintain good posture and held up skirts by distributing weight). Also, modern clothing occasionally has boning, if you've worn an bridesmaid or bridal gown it probably had boning and you came out alive (see Bridgerton claiming boning will cut you to pieces if you move incorrectly 🙄) Regency era stays look VERY much like modern bras:

This YouTuber does a great job explaining:

So I'd say reject the entire assignment for being based on a false premise? Also, tight lacing was impossible for most of history because they didn't have metal grommets. As in, if you tight-laced, you'd rip the lace holes and ruin your corset.

Petticoats are just slips! What the hay?

There have been clothes and fashions that restrict women (maybe see foot binding?) but corsets not really. Wearing a ton of fabric to show off wealth was restrictive, but it was often done by both men and women.

My opinion is: this is dumb. Happy to hear from real experts though!

Edit: I think the problem I have with this "women enslaved because clothes" argument is that it never considers the counter-factual. Guess what? I can wear pants now and I still lost my job because of my uterus. In some cultures, men and women dress very similarly and women are still a subordinate class. Wearing a skirt or a corset or whatever is not the real problem here.