#the party's free of traditional gender roles

[wearntwatcher]

the bridal party

the grooms party

[strezzedanddeprezzed]

It baffles me how radical feminists are considered conservative when the idea of female separatism is 10x more radical and far left than most of the beliefs held by left-wing parties. I will not listen to anyone who calls radical feminism a conservative ideology because it means they haven't done any research or reading.

We don't hate porn because we think women should be pure virgins who only commit to one man, we hate porn because it degrades women and is the product of sex trafficking, coercion, and propaganda.

We don't hate tight clothing and makeup because we think women should be covered from head to toe, we hate it because it restricts movement and makes day to day life uncomfortable for women.

We don't criticize the trans community because we think everyone should conform to gender roles and there should be no attempt to break the gender binary, we criticize the fact that transition is based on stereotypes, norms, roles, clothing, and other things women have fought for years to be free from.

Radical feminism does a better job at attacking actual oppressive structures and frameworks than most other leftist ideologies and I am done with ignorant people online comparing radical feminism to trad wife life or traditional conservatism. Especially when this criticism comes from losers who spend all day watching porn that promotes racism and classism.

[respectthepetty]

What is tradition?

I finally watched this week's episodes of The Eighth Sense and

Episode six was NOT a dream

Ji Hyun is alive but whatever happened is serious

This is a giant "fuck you" to tradition

First, Ji Hyun brings light to Jae Won's dark world. Jae Won is in a very dark place (and head space) after the confrontation with his dad and the camera breaking, so he reaches out to the light.

Ji Hyun is at his peak brightest because Jae Won is about to experience the darkest period of his life . . . again

Jae Won is also in a haze due to his mental state. The colors become less ethereal as their time together continues during the trip because Jae Won is becoming more grounded.

Next, since episode six is not a dream, that means something did happen to Ji Hyun, and it's serious.

Because it needs to be serious.

Someone already compared Jae Won to Team from Between Us. They share the same trauma. They share the same burden. They share the same mentality. Team loved Win but was too afraid to say it. He was too afraid to lose someone he loved like before. He was too afraid to push because the last time he pushed, there were fatal consequences.

Jae Won specifically voices this last concern. His brother died in front of him, and much like Team, I'm sure it is partially due to a rash decision Jae Won made, much like this one:

Someone pointed out that the back of their wetsuits read "RASH" and this entire beach trip was a rash decision by Jae Won.

If Jae Won feels responsible for his brother's death, he will definitely feel responsible for whatever happens to Ji Hyun, and because of that he will resort back to his old self even more.

Jae Won was an overachiever. The hospital staff thought he was older because he was mature and put together. He did exactly what his parents wanted. He did what society expected. He dated a girl. He befriended the masculine men. He did all of that, but lately, he has been rebellious. He's been drinking. He broke up with the girl. He is distancing himself from his friend(s). He doesn't want to go into business.

But this incident with Ji Hyun will put him back on the straight and narrow. It will scare him and shake him to his core because it is a reminder of what could happen when he doesn't stay in line - he could lose the one he loves the most. So to protect his heart and Ji Hyun, he will pull back, date the girl, hang out with his friends, and do what his parents ask. He will follow tradition.

But the problem with tradition is it's really just history repeating itself again, and again, and again.

The show is about the troubles with tradition. Tae Hyung is hellbent on keeping tradition alive. He wanted the freshmen to drink until they passed out on the beach trip. He wants them to cater to him. He is, at his very core, a traditionalist even though it has been pointed out several times how tradition hurt him. Yoon Won mentions every time how Tae Hyung was essentially bullied and hazed by his seniors, but instead of wanting to change for the better, Tae Hyung wants to continue the cycle of pain.

Ae Ri refuses to drink anymore at the beach. She rebukes traditional mindsets and gender roles. She speaks casually with the seniors and even when Yoon Won comments that the freshmen need to use formalities with the seniors, Ae Ri scoffs. She doesn't respect Tae Hyung and won't simply because he is a senior.

Tae Hyung needs tradition because it is predictable and structured. Ae Ri hates tradition because it is confining and restrictive.

Jae Won told his therapist that life after the military has been difficult. This is a common feeling. Military life is structured. Civilian life is full of choices. Military service is riddled with tradition. Jae Won is lost without the structure of tradition. He wants to break free, but the way he has been handling it (drinking, partying, not applying for jobs) is an extreme. Instead of one thing holding power over him, he is giving up power to anything and everything just so he doesn't have to make any decisions because when he does, people get hurt.

Jae Won wears a mask with everyone, but he was beginning to lean on Ji Hyun in hopes that Ji Hyun could make those decisions for him. Ji Hyun is the light in Jae Won's dark world, so why couldn't Ji Hyun just be Jae Won's entire world?

In the bar, Jae Won got upset at Tae Hyung but Ji Hyun was there to calm him down, both in the first episode and the fifth. But we saw in the trailer that Jae Won will hit Tae Hyung in the classroom because Ji Hyun won't be there to calm him down since Jae Won pushed Ji Hyun away after the incident.

Jae Won must take control of his own life instead of living in these extremes. He needs to find a balance within himself. He needs to define who he wants to be without depending on others to do it for him.

The accident with Ji Hyun is going to push Jae Won back into his comfort zone, so he will be alone again, pretending with everyone and masking his true self.

But he will realize his comfort zone is his hell, and HE is the only one who can rescue himself from it. Ji Hyun can't be around while Jae Won figures out who he needs to be. He can't keep repeating the same mistakes.

Because

Jae Won's biggest problem is himself

And

Jae Won's only solution is himself.

He must be his own light.

Sidenote: I'm gonna marry this queen.

I have an answer for you @wen-kexing-apologist. I have thoughts for you @waitmyturtles and @dribs-and-drabbles. I agree with you @bengiyo

[beatmyfeet]

Dominated man, The psychology course all women should take

Empowering Women: Harnessing Confidence for Pleasure and Mutual Benefit

In an age where the traditional norms of gender dynamics are continuously being reevaluated, it's important to consider the advantages of personal development and confidence-building among women. While the term 'dominance' can carry a negative connotation, in the context of a consensual relationship, it can translate into a positive experience for both parties when handled appropriately.

The potential benefits are multifold. For women, learning to assert themselves can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of empowerment. This doesn't necessarily mean exhibiting control or superiority over men, but rather, understanding their desires and communicating their own effectively.

Enrollment in workshops or courses aimed at building self-assurance and assertiveness can be beneficial. These programs can help women to better express themselves, understand their desires, and set boundaries, which can lead to more fulfilling relationships and experiences.

Simultaneously, men can also benefit from this shift in dynamics. It provides an opportunity to challenge traditional gender roles, explore new experiences, and deepen the understanding of their partners. It can be a liberating experience for men, freeing them from the societal expectations of always needing to be in control.

In this light, dominance can be seen as a means to achieve mutual pleasure and satisfaction, provided it is based on respect, consent, and understanding. Dominance in this context isn't about overpowering or manipulating another person, but about confidence, clear communication, and mutual respect.

[lasirenatarot]

Hello my lovelies!❣️ I am back with a new pick-a-card reading my loves❤️/If traditional gender roles aren’t applicable to you, convert to feminine/masculine energy./

❤️‍🔥 🔞 WHAT IS YOUR SEDUCTIVE POWER?🔥

Pick a picture:

—>Pile 1

/in the picture: Adriana Lima at a VS fashion show./

I must say - I did not expect this at all ahahhaha, the picture I chose for pile 1 I thought would portray someone extremely delicate because of the feathers which symbolise things of that nature but NO!😆

cards that fell: chariot;9pentacles;ace of swords; 3pentacles; the strength; 3cups; 9cups;

The seductive powers of people who chose that pile lay in the fact that they are very strong individuals, I think this is mostly related to some sort of « mental strength » but for some may be physical as well.

Your friends and people you encounter may see you as someone very confident & very strong, you may also be very successful in your field. You may be someone who navigates through life fearlessly, someone who stops at nothing to accomplish what they have in mind.

People who choose that pile either utilise ( or if they do not: DO IT!!) their talents & beauty to the maximum, or they are high achievers in higher education, most likely some degrees which are harder to obtain, for example the classics : law&medicine 😄 orrr they are successful in a male-dominated sport or job position.

« Diva is the female version of a hustlerrrr ». 🤌🏻

This pile is giving me Beyonce vibes, I can’t elaborate.

You depend on yourself only and people definitely find that attractive. They like the full package, although you may be harsh with your words from time to time, or your attutude may be considered too much for some. Your bossy attitude, undeniable confidence and ability to have your finances & your life as whole fully in your control is a quality of yours many cherish. You may be the life of the party, the « queen bee » of your group and this is where your charm lies basically - in your leader quality.

Your « regal » presence is sth others find seductive about people who choose this pile as well. ( if someone who is reading this is familiar with female archetypes this pile is giving definitely the « queen » archetype!!))

Astrological placements: LEO!! ; aries major placements; virgo major placements as I get a bit perfectionist/workaholic vibes, more specifically may be venus in virgo; pisces jupiter; mars in capricorn;

—> Pile 2

/In the picture: Salma Hayek in « From dusk till down », dir.Quentin Tarantino /

Part of your charm in the eyes of others comes from the fact that you may be from a different culture/foreign country, they may deem you as ‘exotic’ or if you’re not a foreigner, you could just be very different from the rest /distinct facial features, different or uncommon interests,style../

Cards that fell: the world; 5cups; 4swords; 2swords; 9swords; the hanged man; knight of pentacles;

This pile is giving me major « manic pixie dream girl » vibes. The ultimate ‘sad’ beautiful girl. People might find you alluring because you’re not an open book to them & they cannot figure you out, they may think you’re mysterious in a way. Some may find you dreamy and detached in a way, they may perceive you as someone who’s been through a lot & may love to play a hero/saviour to you. People may find your innocent, but « dangerous » in a way look, interesting, like a damsel in distress.

Astrological placements: moon in libra; gemini mars; scorpio mars; aquarius sun;

—> Pile 3

Penelope Cruz & Johnny Depp in « Blow »

You’re wild. Wild and free, full with passion. That is your seductive power briefly.

« She took my heart, and then she took my soul »

Cards that fell: the tower; knight of swords; judgement; justice; page of swords;9pentacles…

You are a bit chaotic and you have many layers to yourself. You’re able to rebuild a new version of yourself every time someone dissapoints you, or a tough situation has occured in your life. You may be feisty, impulsive and even snappy at times. But that is your charm. I also got that the ‘snappy’ part may be well deserved😄 because we have both the justice and judgement cards. You may be this way when someone tries to put you in a frame and limit your freedom, as this is one of the most important things for you.

You have a child-like quality about you, a sense of freshness, while still being very mature at the same time and people find this attractive. Whenever you come in someone’s life you are nothing like the others before you, you are the massive change to that person & they will never be the same after you.

Astrological placements: aries mars; aries rising& venus; venus in aquarius; venus in virgo;

-

That was the reading, guys!❤️ Hope you liked it! Like, share & comment if resonated, thank you!

- La Sirena. 🥀

[stumbling-towards-the-light]

Free Folk & Their Adaptive Strategy

Adaptive strategy was a term first coined in 1974 by anthropologist Yehudi Cohen to describe a society's means of economic production. Cohen also further postulated that certain means of economic production adopted by a society also led said society to adopt certain social features, by which I mean shared political organization, and similar ways of choosing leadership, if they had any.

Now, in most anthropological circles, it's generally agreed there are five adaptive strategies to be linked to five types of political organization. This is a general pattern across a majority of human societies, but not a written-in-stone rule; some societies do not land in these neat, categorized boxes. However, this is a fictional culture, so for the sake of mine and the dear reader's sanity, we are going to assume the Free Folk fall into these categories.

It is largely implied that the Free Folk's main adaptive strategy is foraging, employing “traditional” hunter-gatherer means of survival. Now we see some Free Folk use pastoralist means of survival, with mentions of sheepfolds and pigstys found in various Free Folk villages, as well as a mention of a reindeer herding, however, baseline the Free Folk are foragers. Usually, in forager societies, the main type of political organization are bands, relatively small groups of people all tied together by some form of kinship. This seems to be supported in the text itself, where Jon refers to Rattleshirts’ group as a “band” several times.

This type of society does not lend itself well to permanent homes, usually moving seasonally in accordance with where herds of wild animals have moved. The idea of private property is virtually nonexistent. However, there are reports of forager societies all coming together in one place, usually when there is a surplus of food. This occasion is usually treated like a holiday, with lots of celebrating, dancing, singing, and trading being done.

Leadership: Fascinatingly enough, forager leadership structure is usually based around who can give the most, rather than who is the strongest or the toughest. This is due to the tendency of forager societies to develop social mores involving hospitality and shared social responsibility. 

Social Values: We already know the Free Folk hold proper hospitality to be absolutely sacred, with even Crastor, the worst of the worst, following it like gospel. (He is not the one to break hospitality during the Night’s Watch coup, after all.) The shared social responsibility part is simply an expansion of this core idea. If you can’t even take care of your own, why should your hospitality, your word be trusted? Societies like this one, also will ostracize any hoarders who take more than they need. We see this pattern with Crastor, with every other Free Folk we meet despising him. Granted, this is probably due to his practice of marrying his daughters, but he is also the only Free Folk to have a designated “keep”, where his family lives, with it’s own pigsty and sheepfold. Every other pigsty and/or sheepfold we see north of the Wall, appears to be shared. Some of that disgust could also be due to his hoarding tendencies.  

Gender Roles: White there is the traditional idea of men doing the hunting and fishing and women doing the majority of the foraging, these roles are not set in stone by any means. Again, this is supported by the text, where both men and women are raiders and accepted leaders of their groups. This is even supported in the Free Folks’ concept of marriage, which doesn’t seem to be set in stone. They do have a concept of one man and one woman being tied together, but it doesn;t seem that the two are bound by marriage; there is no expectation of fidelity for either party, or at least there are no social consequences for sleeping with someone who isn’t your spouse. This kind of openness is usually found in societies that give their women a lot more freedom.

Religion: Due to their heavy reliance on the land, almost all foraging societies are animistic, worshiping the spirits found in and around nature, rather than a specific, titled entity. Again seen in the Free Folk, who worship the Old Gods, nameless spirits inhabiting the world around them. 

Inheritance Customs: As there is no concept of private property, there is no concept of someone inheriting that private property. Further support the Free Folks’ lax gender roles. When there is nothing to inherit, why should there be a huge fuss over whose child is whose child? Why should a husband need to control who his wife sleeps with, when he has nothing to pass down? 

Descent Customs: Forager societies are often bilineal, children are considered to be descended from both parents and thus kin to both parents’ extended families. This is a way to ensure that there will always be someone to rely on in hard times. I see no reason why the Free Folk would not adopt a similar strategy. 

This is just some of the things, affected by the Free Folks’ larger adaptive strategy, there are probably a hundred more different ways this idea could be expressed. But anyway, let me know what you think!

[subjugatingfeminists]

Introduction

I’m approaching 2,000 followers, so I figured I should add a more detailed introduction and maybe a mission statement of sorts 😏 First of all, this is an NSFW 18+ tumblr. That’s a hard rule. The block button is always there. Now you may be wondering things like, what is this tumblr about and how sexist is he really? Or, why does this guy come off like such a smartass and put so much effort into writing captions for porn reposts?

I’ll explain my thinking using the philosophy of Looney Tunes. Your typical MRA/red-pill/incel on here is Daffy Duck: loud, obnoxious, and completely lacking in self-awareness. And then there are men like me who are Bugs Bunny. If you watch closely, you’ll notice Bugs Bunny only fucks with those who have a ‘come-fuck-with-me’ vibe like Elmer Fudd. And I’m sorry to break it to you girls, but some of you are Elmer Fudd feminists. Don’t worry, it’s adorable 😘

I put effort into writing my captions because the brain really is the most important sex organ we have. Fucking each other online with our vocabularies is underrated, don’t you think? Most men on here shamelessly use their tumblr as a shorter route to women sending them titty pics like how those early explorers wanted to find the shortest possible route to Asia (guys, sorry to break it to you, but there is no true Northwest Passage on the internet). This is one of the few porn tumblrs on here that’s centered around an abstract idea: feminism versus patriarchy! It's a never-ending cultural 'tug of war' and this kink is for those with enough intellect to appreciate irony. Because ironically, this blog only works if you girls continue being feminists! However, it also means you have to put your feminism in a box and push it aside for a moment if you want to open up and consider why the pictures and themes of my blog make your panties so damp. Don’t be shy if you want to discuss theories on why your reactions betray your beliefs. We’re all anonymous on here, so how embarrassing is it really? Okay, it is very embarrassing, but that’s what makes it exciting, right? 😉

I’ve also made quite a few pen pals on here, so feel free to throw me a message about any interesting topic outside of sex like movies, music, politics, or history. And if my blog is ever destroyed by the Tumblr gods, then you’ll be able to find it resurrected with the same exact username with a number 1 after it. I’ve reposted less in recent months from being too busy, but I plan to return to the depravity this summer. Now here comes the exciting part!

I’ve been brainstorming on writing a long-term erotica that is based around a Patriarchal America setting, in which three feminist college students have three different, overlapping adventures in this new unexplored terrain. Absolutely no rights are taken away in the story, so no Handmaids Tale nonsense or any Stepford housewife robots. The story will include plenty of plot elements and themes that involve traditional gender roles, but it’s religiously secular. Since it begins with the 2028 election cycle, it will bring in real-life political dynamics and politicians, and briefly explain in the first chapter how a “Patriarchy Party” with a young charismatic JFK-esque candidate could use a unique policy position, effectively design and distribute propaganda, and take advantage of the electoral chessboard to defeat a Democrat and Republican at the polls (a certain orange-haired buffoon will be kicking and screaming out of the White House after losing his bid for a third-term). It will also have a twist ending that everyone might find surprising!

I want to brainstorm on this story with you girls! How well-written and stimulating can erotica potentially be? Can a male author write believable female characters when it involves a plot as strange as this? Let’s find out together. Bonus points if you fit the stereotypical feminist college student model and have any input. Speaking of which, I’ve received a lot of fan mail on here, but unfortunately I still have yet to come across the tumblr feminist of my dreams: the blue-haired, braless, feisty, fire-breathing gender studies major who wants to crush the patriarchy. I've never even met one in real life. Do these girls actually exist?? Maybe one day she’ll roll into my DMs and say “hi.”

[lugarn]

This is my Playboyy bingo card! Behold its beauty and horror *_*

I'm going for a blackout, because why not??

Behind the cut are the ideas I have so far, warning for uhh...everything in Playboyy. All of these are preliminary ideas that might or might not get written, first, and second, I am a firm believer that two people can take the same idea and write very different stories because fiction is all about execution. If there's an idea here that grabs you... have fun!

Keen/Jump - Something something come play

Porsche/Jump - i want them both in thigh highs!!!!

Porsche/Soong - Soong is actually into all the disgust and humiliation that Porsche doles out and realizes he's too into it and this can never happen again (alternatively, set after everything is done, soong asks porsche to humiliate him because he misses it and first can't do it without his head getting fucked up)

Nuth/Soong - Pre-show, Soong blowing Nuth for extra drugs in the age old tradition of fucking your dealer

Soong/Captain - Soong and Captain happen to share an elevator in a parking garage. They make the most of it.

Captain/Keen - Captain working very hard to get Keen off, Keen doesn't react to it at allllll and Captain gets off on that a little. He gets off even more on the grunt when Keen comes and the evidence that Captain did a good job all over his face.

First/Keen - First blows Keen, back before Captain ever ends up on the team. First looking at Keen at the underwear party just like "I...know him. It's not relevant. Should i say? I won't."

First/Nant - Nant is the reason First is in the friends group

First/Phop - Phop cams for First, pre-show

Puen/First - Puen and First have sex, after First is helping them. "I don't want you to feel like you have to!" "I want to. The door is there, you're not stopping me. Or are you?" (and first is very much not.) "What about Aob?" "He likes it better when people come in me. Says it really feels like evidence someone else has been there." (first, finding this very hot but also. Wow so much info.) (Could also have this end up with a threesome??)

Puen/Porsche - Puen finds Porsche somewhere, avoiding going home after the dinner where almost everyone's there. Gives Porsche a good Dad talk.

Teena/Prom - Teena's having A Bad Time after a client is rough while fucking him and Prom gives him kisses

FREE SPACE - Zouey realizing that he's still objectifying Teena, somehow. (Maybe Aob is the one who realizes what's going on and gives him a talk?)

Aprons/Service play - Nuth/Phop a light piece of Phop feminization/exploring Phop's gender feelings (them pearllsss) (phop looking at himself dressed up for nuth on the camera and actually liking it)

Biting - Porsche/Jump, leaving a mark because he can

Casual nudity - Aob/Puen/Captain, it gets hot in the laundry room

Celibacy - Teena being mostly celibate outside of the context of sex work and not thinking that's weird or a trauma response ("Don't you wank?" "Who needs to with this job?")

Cheating - Captain/Soong/First - Captain's kink for being the other woman as explored via First and Soong, set after Captain's kicked out, First uses it as a way to be able to pay him way too much for it.

Foot kink - Prom. who with ???? pending but I would not be shocked to learn Prom has a lil foot kink. Maybe he paints his toenails

Humiliation - Jason/Porsche because of who I am as a person

Loss of virginity - Puen losing his virginity to Jason and then deciding that it doesn't count

Mutual masturbation - trans!Nuth and Phop, squirting in the tub, YOLO

Role play - Aob/First, Daddy shit obviously (at Playboyy, the very first time First went, before he started hurting people)

Self-discovery - Jason/Nant, Nant is seduced while staying with Porsche and um. Maybe a little more into being hurt than he thought he'd be, though Jason still makes the experience unpleasant. 

Watersports - Aob/Jump (i don't care I want it)

[crossdreamers]

The real reasons for the anti-LGBTQA bills in the US

The transphobic laws of American states reflects a fear of the future and a longing for an idealized past that never existed.

Alejandra Caraballo has  compiled a legislative tracker for anti-LGBTQ bills, which can be found here.  It is a depressing spreadsheet, for sure, but it is necessary to make the sheer aggressiveness of the Republican attacks against trans and queer people visible.

Right now there are 27 bills banning gender affirming care,  15 bills banning trans people from sports, and 6 bills banning drag.

So why are the Republicans doing this? Here are some tentative answers:

1. The Party has been taken over by nationalist extremists who have no vision of a better future. They have no real policies. Instead they try to mobilize supporters by presenting some idealized past (MAGA!) that never existed and which was not that great in the first place. The idea is that this longing for simpler times will appeal to those who live in fear of the future. 

Putin’s aggressive anti-LGBTQA policies reveals a similar need for a cultural distraction.

2. The Republicans have, for all practical purposes, lost the Millennials and Gen Z. Since they have no policies that can appeal to them, they will have to mobilize the older generations, which  tend to be more conservative. When people get older, they become more invested in the status quo. They think they have more to lose, and they find the younger generations harder to understand. 

3. Like the anti-gay activism of 20th century, the anti-transgender activism of the 21st is based on a made up threat scenario. LGBTQA-people threaten “American values”, exemplified by the nuclear family understood as a married cis/straight couple with a couple of kids. 

This ideal family represents traditional gender values, which are seen as the basis for American white culture. As the acceptance of gay nuclear families shows, queer people are not really a threat to the nuclear family. People are free to make one, and the majority do. The number of queer and trans people is so low that it is hard to see them as a threat in the real world. But this is not about the real world.

Drag queens are seen as a threat to the traditional nuclear family, because they play with gender roles the traditionalists see as God given or defined by nature. Photo: Alessandro Biascioli.

4. Racism, homophobia and transphobia are deeply embedded in culture, in language, in media, in religious tropes, which means that a lot of people have adopted these prejudices without thinking much about them. 

If your parents and your friends have show disgust when queer and transgender people are mentioned, you are easily conditioned into feeling the same fear and disgust. 

The most effective medicine against this is exposure, i.e. for the fearful to meet marginalized people and see them for what they truly are: Real People. This is why the Republicans want to force all LGBTQA people back into the closet. As long as they are not revealed to be real and complex people, the anti-LGBTQA propaganda will have an effect.

Some have asked me why the gender critical TERFs, which are supposed to left wing feminists, go along with this. The answer is simple: The TERFs are either part of this reactionary movement themselves, or they have invested so much in finding an identity in a sexist world like this present, that a new world is seen as a threat to that identity.

So for the good news: The reason the Republicans in the US and  similar extremists in other parts of the world, are playing this card, is because they know they are losing. The Republicans do not have the majority of Americans behind them. The extremism makes them lose national elections. Putin is losing his war.  They need to do this now, before the new, more tolerant, generations take over. This is the tipping point, and they know it.

This is why queer and trans people and all good people, from the left to the right, need top keep on fighting the good fight.

Photo: H. Armstrong Roberts

[yoshyushi]

20240126 ESQUIREfine Cover Story | Yu Shi: Dexterity to Grow Anywhere

cover story | Yu Shi

After 《封神第一部 Creation of the Gods I》 premiered, the topics of discussion surrounding Yu Shi was fixated on his role and his journey of striving. Despite how he himself always tries his best to give new refreshing and enriching answers, his main focus has never changed. Yu Shi understood what the prodding was attempting to get out from him. Facing these scrutiny and deciphering from people, his consciousness as a public figure were gradually formed.

With the double-edged sword of fame in his hands, what comes with it is a naturality of not having any prior training. Yu Shi remains to have a kind of simple passion, an almost clumsy way of baring himself.

actor | utter innocence

Sprawled on the floor - enamored with the destiny and life of each individual body

First it was the shooshing sound of the wind. The point of view expanded from the back of a horse, tanned hands pulling at the reins, the ground a chaos of needlegrass. A large herd of sheep are hastened into a circle, a cacophony of bleating calls. The skies are transiting between two shades of blue, the setting sun burning, its sides stained with a dream-like smoked purple. A small bright moon hung at the side.

This was a snippet of the vlog Yu Shi recorded when he was filming in Altay. The sun set behind the mountains. He rode his horse, shepherding the sheep as he headed to a local shepherd's home for a meal. This clip was filmed in a very simple way, but the images were authentic, presenting a clean, vivid view of the plains, the culture and vibes of the hardworking, hospitable locals, like a paradise. During the peak period of 《封神第一部 Creation of the Gods I》 screening, this four minute-long clip of Altay went viral, even raising a traveling trend amongst his fans. "Yes, I knew about the many people who went traveling because of it," Yu Shi laughs.

In 《我的阿勒泰 My Altay》, Yu Shi plays a Kazakh youth, his name was Bakhtibek. "Bakhti" means blissful, "bek" is a common suffix used in Kazakh male names, there's no specific meaning to it. In the drama he's known as "Batay (Ba Tai), like a nickname. In the first half of last year, he was like a real Kazakh shepherd, riding horses, shepherding and laboring, blending into local life.

In our conversation, Yu Shi gave a long precursor into describing the details of nomadic life, "shepherding requires a lot of brainwork, to find all ways and means to let the livestock be well fed, the nomads themselves also have to replenish their energy, to eat and to have enough, to keep things simple to bring around. So the locals have accumulated a rich knowledge of production and labor as well as some traditional characteristics."

In the example of the opening of the vlog, he was greeting the nomads in Kazakh honorifics to the elder generation. The other party's reply was slightly shorter, it was the way the elder generation would reply the younger generation. "Kazakh language is a little more complex, there's also gender and seniority differences in greetings. Getting 'free meals' is a common rule. The human density in Altay region is low and the standards of living of the nomads were tough for nomads in the past, often suffering from starvation when shepherding, when they finally pass by a house and enter it for drinks and meals, the head of the house would always host them passionately. The saying goes, Kazakhs are called the community with no beggars, because of how hospitable they are, even if there's only just a piece of naan left, a little bit of tea leaves, they would share half of them with their guests."

"Our filming takes place mainly at the Habahe County and Baihaba. They are considered mature attractions, the view is very beautiful." In Spring the grass is still withered and yellow, the grazing fields only turn green when Summer arrives, there's even mountains of wild dandelions and medick in Dzungaria. "Shepherding in Summer can't be on the mountains. The terrain is slightly flatter so it's possible to ride on the motorbike. In Summer shepherding has to be on the mountains and this can only be done riding on horses." His nomad friends even shared their experiences with him: if he ever feels bored he can dig for colophony on the pine trees and chew on them. It has the flavor of gum, something to pass time by.

Looking at the pictures and videos, Yu Shi was visibly tanned, with a loose outfit, riding around on the motorbike or horse. Sheeps are the hardest livestock to look after, there's even techniques involved in shearing and debugging. In Spring, the sheep would give birth and the lambs have to be brought back and looked after. Very well versed, Yu Shi hugs a lamb, and there was a calf too. "Batay is a pure and wild role. He helps his family to shepherd from a young age and does all sorts of hard labor. As he faces the harsh natural environment, he might be a little slow at interpersonal relationship, not too quick witted. But he has a very rich and vast inner world, he grew up on the plains after all. He knows how to take care of different animals and would communicate and interact patiently."

Altay is the sixth region of the East, the days are long and nights are short. The nomads rise at around three to four in the morning every day. When he's not filming, Yu Shi and his nomad friends labor together and drink tea, sometimes in the tents, some times sitting on the plains, every one distributing and eating the naans they brought along. "The nomads are not complex like the people out there, they are more pure-hearted in spirit, and have no agenda when it comes to interacting with people, no distracting thoughts." Yu Shi is good at observing. In his communication with the locals he learnt a fair bit of things and could even practice his Kazakh. "I learnt Kazakh the hard way right from the start, I asked the teacher to translate all the lengthy lines in the show, record them down and listened to it repeatedly, speaking it repeatedly and relied on muscle memory. When I really spoke to the Kazakhs in their environment I realized I was speaking ok, and felt a pretty great sense of satisfaction."

In between the natural world of things and a need of humanities, he has a subtle grasp on its equilibrium. In his past interactions, Yu Shi doesn't hide his yearning for the heroic and their legends. But besides his metanarrative, he was also enamored with the destiny and life of each individual body, attentive to the intricate triviality beyond breathing and sustenance.

Leaving and returning - if the heavens allow, we will meet again

The "Batay" in author Li Juan's original novel was a dream guy who appeared briefly at the village party. He was wonderful but leaned towards plain, an emotional anchor for a young girl's heart. Yu Shi admits "Honestly, I didn't have much of an impression of this character from the original novel. After I received the script and did the related studies, the character was gradually filled and completed in my mind."

Yu Shi arrived early at Altay and after confirming the filming spots he noticed "The Kazakh males don't grow their hair out on purpose and not all minority communities are exceptionally bold." He also came up with premises for his character. "Batay's thinking is a little more avantgarde and rebellious, he likes music and pop elements, so he grows his hair long. He looks to the world outside and doesn't wish to live a typical life on the plains like his predecessors.”

The Kazakh community in history lives by shepherding and hunting. After the implementation of ban on hunting and gun ownership and other policies on environment and nomadic lifestyle, the contrast between the traditional and modern has become more evident than ever. Not only the younger generation of shepherds, even the older generation are lost in the era of change, selling off their livestock and switching to other occupations to make a living just so that they can catch up with the changes.

For Batay's rebellion and departure, the rupture between modern civilization and the shepherding tradition becomes even more evident through him. Yu Shi created the circumstances for Batay, yet this are also the issues that the younger generation of Kazakhs face in reality.

"Besides shepherding tradition, Kazakhs are also very rooted in familial ties. Relationships between people are very tight." Locally, the shepherds hold regular family reunions. During weddings, coming-of-age ceremonies and other celebrations like birthdays, gifts are a must. "They would even gift children lambs and foals." Even if a stranger passes by they host with passion, playing the dombra, eating meat and drinking wine, and are sentimental when it comes to bidding farewell. "If the heavens allow, we will meet again."

"This is the most precious facet of their local culture. The shepherds are really pure and honest, and are straightforward in the way they express their feelings. For example Batay could be looking at someone and laughing as he sings a song on his dombra. A little dazed, straightforward and cute," Yu Shi documents the day-to-day details of life on the plains, all triggered from the warm emotions of the natural winds.

However, the plains aren't exactly true paradise. In the undulating plains beyond Altay, the views are beautiful, the nomadic life seemingly carefree, riding on horses, peaceful and quiet. In fact it is extremely difficult, especially under the harsh winter weather, the shepherd and animals are leading tough lives. More and more younger shepherds wish to detach from the migratory lifestyle and move to the cities to seek their fortune. This is reality.

Yu Shi had keenly sensed this. "The scenery is very beautiful, the experience touring here is great, but this was never utopia. If we had to live here through an extended time, it is in fact boring. The labors that the shepherds have to go through is tremendous, herding is tough work." When he first read Li Juan's book, he found the words healing. However having actually lived in Altay, Yu Shi felt things shouldn't stop at the superficial. "The author wrote beautifully, this is the power of the arts. An excellent work is able to let those who have never been there to be filled with anticipation. But we should also have the thinking and realization of reality beyond what's wonderful."

In June, he returned to participate in the film festival, making good use of the time on the plane to learn Kazakh language. When he touched down and returned to the big city, Yu Shi was dazed for a moment. "People need to feel the power of nature more. When I returned to the city, I felt awed by the vast nature, from the bottom of my heart I kind of yearned for the mountains and waters. More importantly, cherishing it."

Taking root - child-like and also an inherent dexterity to live and grow

The Kazakh people are very respectful towards horses. "Among all the animals of its land, besides the wounded ones, horses nearly never require humans to look after them. They look for their own grass to eat all year round. It knows how to find grass under the layer of snow in winter, and horses love to keep themselves clean, they'll run into the water and roll around.” Sprinting on horseback, Yu Shi has a kind of "feeling of teleporting". "As I close my eyes, the horse could take me anywhere. This is different from driving a vehicle. Horses are really quiet most of the time, but they give off a powerful sound of urgency when they gallop. They're alive, they are living beings. You may hand yourself over to them. It's such a wondrous feeling. As it starts running, I imagine myself as a general in battle in the ancient times, I'd only hear the breathing sound and heartbeat of the horse, and the sound of the fierce winds."

In a press conference for a certain brand, the organizer planned for Yu Shi to enter on a horse. The horse was very tall and was totally unfamiliar with Yu Shi. They only had an hour's time to know each other. Also, the event was livestream. There were a lot of equipment at the set, the strobe lights could startle the horse. Half an hour before the event the trainer was still holding onto its reins at the entrance to prevent an accident. "But I felt it wasn't genuine in that way, it's like I was pretending to ride on a horse and it affected the overall visuals. Since they have invited me here I should bring forth all of my sincerity." After some consideration, Yu Shi suggested to his team "I can do it on my own, don't worry, please trust me." In the end he rode the horse on his own in matching chemistry. The result was wholesome.

The chemistry with animals and his comprehension of the natural world had come together to create Yu Shi's unique spirit. Having trained in mounted archery in the boot camp, riding horses for an extended time in Altay, shepherding, getting along with camels, cows and the puppies in the ranch, for most of the time he became used to vibing along to a rhythm he calibrates to, finding his own joys in them. He doesn't feel it's childish nor is he afraid of being laughed at. He's just spontaneous in the way he expresses his intimacy.

Last winter solstice, at the 5th Hainan Island International Film Festival's closing ceremony was also Yu Shi's 27th birthday. The hotel he was staying in the couple of days had a special aquarium and offered diving activities. After hearing the introduction his first reaction was "Can I dive then?" On his birthday he went diving in jubilance. In the blue waters, the animals and fauna under the sea was colorful and diverse. Yu Shi interacted with the fishes that swam by and greeted the tourists and people watching from outside the glass, making various fun poses.

An expression of a pure and clear soul. Both child-like and a dexterity to live and grow, as if he could take root no matter where he went. Also, what's precious about Yu Shi- is that such a vivid facet isn't just towards nature and humans, but also towards the people he interacts with.

"He hasn't actually formed a routine work condition. For example at interviews, he speaks to writers like a personal friend, speaking honestly, just like how he would chat in his daily life, there's no framework of limitations." His staff was once worried, such an honest and straightforward manner would be potentially problematic, but after wards decided to retain his vivid side of him & not interfere too much with his individual expressiveness.There are many who had interacted with Yu Shi that are moved by his unguarded sincerity. At the same time they can't help but be curious: How long would such scarce uniqueness remain under the spotlight? As his experiences increase, would an armor be built upon his inherent sincerity and evolve into something impenetrable?The magazine photoshoot took place in an old house in Shanghai. Perhaps the wiring was old and couldn't support sufficient current, there was a short circuit when the team had just arrived. The house was pitch black and was only lit by torchlight. The place was too narrow, props and clothes piled up and there was no walking space, so the people who had no duties at that time were squashed along the aisle or sat on bar stools. A couple of steps away, Yu Shi was curled up in a low and small couch, getting his hairstyle adjusted as he chatted and laughed with everyone.

At that time the video director prepared a pillow for him, with the seams removed and feathers would fly when pressed. As the music began, Yu Shi twirled holding the pillow above his head, danced, and the feathers danced around too, the lights hazy. When the music ended, he turned his head and paused- everyone's coats and down jackets didn't go unscathed, everyone's hair had feathers in them and were laughing at each other. Yu Shi carefully rolled up the withered prop, placed it neatly and laughed as well. "Sorry, sorry, I killed a pillow."

His humor triggered off something. As he looked at the feathers on his hair, Yu Shi got inspired and suggested to the photographer "how about we try a few photos like this?" The photographer smiled and gave an ok sign and he posed immediately. Everyone enthusiastically matched up to his moment of inspiration, scooped the runaway feathers and created an atmosphere of rainfall. Very quickly, the cover image of his single 《梦幻泡影 Pipedream》 was born.

In the eyes of the crew, "Yu Shi isn't the kind to wait for things to come his way, he's good at igniting the passion in the team. It isn't a linear way of everyone carrying out their duties but injecting a lot of thoughts and inspiration from coming together." But in private, he's a sincere and interesting friend who takes care and understands others.

After the shoot that day, we made space to have a room for the interview. "This won't do," Yu Shi felt that the bar stools that were prepared wasn't convenient to relax and converse. He surveyed his surroundings and nudged the only chair available over. "Why don't you sit here." But there were no other chairs, so he sat on top a small coffee table. Not long after, he shifted a bar stool over and gestured "you can put all the recording stuff here."

The last time I saw Yu Shi was in Beijing. It was snowing. Filming took place from noon till nine at night, and it was nearly eleven when the interview was over. As I stood to bid farewell, I was shocked to discover that his teammates were all seated on the floor- there was actually a couch and chairs in the make-up room. Everyone was doing their own thing, huddled together talking softly, breaking into laughing from time to time. None of them felt it was problematic to sit on the floor, and they all looked really joyful.

Gift - having repeatedly tasted the bitter medicine, and so the gift from destiny had arrived

At Weibo Night, Yu Shi posted a group of photos which appeared to be him cutting his hair short at the mirror. At first the make-up artist specially prepared a wig and was making preparations to style him. But at the photoshoot, Yu Shi suggested to "try something different." He also picked a special present that day, Director Cao Baoping's "precious jar" (T/N: precious jar is also pronounced bao ping, a reference to the director's name)

His popularity expanded as the year draws to a close. Various schedules, including his birthday at the end of the year, Yu Shi received many blessings and gifts. Needless to say, he was joyful. What was most delightfully surprising is the love and support from his family. Crossing nearly half of China by flight, his parents had arrived specially to spend his birthday with him and watched his Hainan rehearsals and hosting debut. One week later on Shanghai's countdown stage, Yu Shi descended on wireworks, announcing his new movie role and even sang two songs. Also in the crowd clapping and cheering below the stage was his mother.

When the countdown ceremony ended, Yu Shi returned to Tsingdao for additional filming of 《封神 Creation of the Gods》. Nearly all of them were night scenes, his days and night went topsy turvy. He was used to playing the guitar, reading and writing at night, sometimes even worried about too much brain stimulation at night. "When I can't fall asleep it affects me, I have work the next day. I play videos about the universe at night and listen to Professor Ai's lectures (T/N: Ai Yue Jin, a Marxist and Maoism academia). Anyway I gradually get sleepy as I tune in." And now it's the other way around, major night scenes every day, heading back to sleep as the skies start to turn bright. In between the busyness and exhaustion he found stability.

Too many dreams were fulfilled in the past year. Returning to 《封神 Creation of the Gods》 production at the start of the year, it was as if a loop was formed. On the keywords of 2023, Yu Shi went silent for a long while. "Very complicated. There's a lot of things that touched me. A mixed bag of feelings."

When he was young a birthday gift that left the deepest impression was a basketball jersey. This year, as he pushed open the door after a day's work, was a dazzling sight. During his teenage years in the basketball team "I was facing setbacks almost every day, but the high pressure environment had made me more determined, I was just able to ensure through it all." He honestly expresses all his emotions and desires. In the past days of waiting, his earphones played many Liang Bo and Wu Bai songs, he feels that getting a sense of satisfaction from doing the things he likes is the best condition to be in. That's what music should be too. "When I was young my grandfather taught me to play the er hu, the flute, he really liked traditional music, but I was poor in both of them. It was until later that I learnt the guitar on my own. He gained satisfaction and has now released his own song.

His rich memories had evidently created the foundation of his personality. In the love wrapped in gentleness that he had received and the sharp piercing grueling training he had undergone, he grew into adulthood. Having repeatedly tasted the bitter medicine, and so the gift from destiny had arrived.

Many dramatic moments happened. From his perspective, the period of waiting was also a gift, the layering of experiences was injected into his life, becoming his observation of art, life and people. In the period of March and April last year, Yu Shi was still reading on his bicycle in Beijing, stopping as he wished, watching the congestion of people and traffic. "The weather was really wonderful, no haze, the sun was shining on the people passing by, really bright, there were also little dust particles moving in the air. You don't know their names and what these people had experienced, but the sun was warm. If you smile, someone would be smiling back at you. Every time this happens, I feel like I love this world a little more."

As work entered into rapid mode, such experiences became lesser. Yu Shi remained nimble, keeping that vivid and pure part of him. The day when movie 《星愿 WISH》 premiered, he received a small Valentino (T/N: Yu Shi voiced the character of Valentino) plushy. He couldn't keep his hands off it, bringing it wherever he went the entire day, even placing it on the table when at dinnertime. During that time he was working round the close and had lack of sleep. When the fireworks started, Yu Shi fell asleep as he took a nap on the couch hugging Valentino.

His nap was documented through behind the scenes recording by his team. He had almost no recollection of it, but he was feeling mostly happy that day. After wards, he detailed another nap time he had, where he had a strange dream. "I was rather tired that day and fell asleep in a daze as soon as I laid down when I returned to the hotel. Then I dreamt that my mobile phone was glowing, and many pictures flowed out of it, a bearded old man stood there and said these things are for you. I looked down and those pictures were marked onto my hand like tattoos, the markings wouldn't budge," he said and laughed, gesturing. "How sturdy were the markings? How should I put it? Let me think, ah yes, like the branding on pork meat."- the people around couldn't help but laugh.

"Did you have any other impression at that time?" I asked.

"I forgot, but I remember I was really happy, and the person in the dream looked really benevolent," Yu Shi kept laughing. "I suppose it was a blessing."

[sapphos-darlings]

In a wlw relationship, does one person usually has preferences in regards to things that would often be gendered in straight couples, like lifting the other up, guiding or being guided in a dance, having your hands on her waist or hers on yours, or do most just don't really have much of a preference and enjoy doing either? Do those gestures mean something, is the one doing the 'top' and the other the 'bottom'? In straight relationships, people often atribute meaning to those things, but I don't know how that works between women. I'm figuring out my sexuality now and I want to date women from now on, but I'm trying to concile that with the heteronormative context I've been in until now, because I keep trying to understand, but I don't, and I think I have to if I'll be dating other women.

It's not quite that black and white and definitely not as rigid as it may seem! There is a culture of butch/femme in the dating scene for gay women, and a more widely spread idea of top/switch/bottom from the gay scene in general, though this one is more relevant to gay men than it is women. The reasons to why this exist are complex and historical, and our other mod (Lavender) may be better equipped to tackle that side, but contemporarily speaking, these roles are not as relevant as they were earlier in lesbian/bi history and subculture.

To establish first: there is generally a celebration of "true" equality in gay relationships, of being free of the sexist implications that have been placed on straight relationships, and the ability to move on the spectrum from feminine to masculine in terms of behaviours, activities and appearance freely. Particularly in relationships between women, the lack of a direct patriarchal influence in the relationship is generally celebrated as a positive. However, in the past, the butch party would assume the traditionally masculine role. Femmes had the appearance and behaviour of more socially acceptable women and provided "shelter" for the gender non-conforming butch lesbians, who dressed and behaved in a masculine manner, sometimes living in the male role in society altogether, regardless of the actual gender identity of the butch in question. These roles were often assumed for survival, and we're talking pre-80s culture here, from the 1900s upwards, during very "nuclear family" and "traditional values" times, the majority of which homosexuality was labeled as a mental illness or was illegal altogether. But it's our cultural heritage, which in better times has become less of a cornerstone of survival and hiding in plain sight and more of an identity, a celebration of who we are - so butch and femme survive to date, and are mostly regarded as valid and beautiful identities to take on in the community.

I'd still say that in modern dating, they're less prevalent than they were before. We still have masculine women and feminine women dating each other, surely, but we also have masculine women dating masculine women and feminine women dating feminine women and women dating women who just don't fit anywhere specific on that spectrum. It's very much up to a person's nature and preference; playing into each other's strengths, rather than holding onto a specific role. For example, I'm naturally quite strong, and love picking up my small partner and hauling them around the house for the sheer joy of it. Picking people up is delightful and my partner loves to be picked up. Meanwhile, we do house maintenance together as a team, both of us know how to wield a hammer and work with nails, and if we had a car, we'd be tinkering with that together.

When it comes to roles in dancing or such, it's up to a person's personality and their level of confidence - the one who is confident and tends to take a leadership role in general will likely feel more in their element leading the dance as well. Similarly, in sex, it's up to personal preference: what you like doing, what you don't, and what experiences feel good to you and what doesn't work out. Some people are natural tops, some are natural bottoms, most people like to switch around depending on what the specific activity is all about. Sometimes a top is a dominant personality, sometimes they're a very soft person who simply enjoys to be in "lead" of the act, similarly for bottoms, they may be masculine or feminine or anything inbetween, there isn't a set place for "the woman" or "the man" in a relationship between two women, as it is, and as it should be, a relationship between two women.

In my experience, there isn't an expectation that in any given couple, one of them will assume a masculine or a feminine role and vice versa. This tends to come from the heterosexual world, and is often summed up in the rather unintentionally homophobic, ever-repeating question of "so, who's the man?" Nobody in a relationship with two women is the man, unless one of them or both of them specifically want to be the man, or feel like "the man" is an identity for them. Same with being "the woman". Ultimately, we are all just people, and these are gender roles that patriarchy and heteronormativity enforce across the gender and sexuality spectrum. Inherently, all of us share some traits in common with these roles, but very few of us fit into the set boxes neatly with all our limbs comfortably inside. In gay relationships, one of the most freeing things is to be able to let go of all of that and focus on who you are as a person, and who your partner is, and what you two have together, how you fit each other, how your strengths work into each other's weaknesses, how you support one another as a team.

Restricting yourselves down to one party being "a man" and the other being "a woman" in all things would be unnatural and clip the wings off of the potential you two have together to be strong exactly as you are, regardless of societal expectations.

Hope this answers your question!

[altairtalisman]

Addy's Bio

"Alright, let's fuckin' rumble!"

More details about Addy is under the cut

Name: Addyson "Addy" Stríodea

Age: 958

Height: 181 cm

Birthday: 24 Vierum 1064 (Laintayra)

Orientation: Transgender Bisexual Female

Pronouns: She/Her

Species: Dullahan (formerly elf)

Title: The Sixteenth Dullahan

Country of Birth: Balwirk

Likes: Freedom of expression, loud noises, fireworks

Dislikes: Silence, tradition, social expectations, milk

Hobbies: Hosting parties, hobby fireworks

Personality: Fearless, extroverted, and unafraid to say what's on her mind, she gets into trouble frequently. She's good at inspiring others and keeping morale up, but surprisingly hesitant to take on a leadership role. She actually prefers to do things by herself is possible, but that doesn't mean that she's not a team player though and if anything, she's fantastic at it

Style: Glittery singlets with translucent straps and three-quarter pants along with boots that have buckles. Also ties a long sleeved denim shirt with buttons at the sleeves in case she gets cold

Status: Alive

Abilities: Shadow manipulation, proficient with sound magic

Background: Considered the black sheep amongst her family, Addyson was left alone to her own devices as her family shunned her for not conforming to her assigned gender at birth and outspoken opinions about how Balwirk's elven society was a failure. In 1149, there were whispers of a radical group of elven researchers who sought ways to preserve life even after their heads had been severed from the neck. Addyson ignored them, chalking them up to rumours. However by Rexim 1182, the number was estimated to be around twenty thousand which did nothing to allay the worries of the remaining 60 percent of Balwirk

Addyson, fed up with the nobility's lack of action, confronted them and berated them over it. Afterwards, the Réiteode matriarch privately admitted to her that her son went missing after investigating the Soféinaiths and she sincerely hoped that Addyson could do what everyone else couldn't and put an end to the disappearances. Determined, Addyson confronted the Soféinaiths only to be knocked out. She then woke up strapped onto an experiment table with her head severed from her neck. She was facing Aileen, who quickly mouthed for use her magic to break free before she was chained up. Compiling, Addyson amplified her shout such that it stunned everyone present. Addyson managed to wriggle free from the straps and rushed to free Aileen. Afterwards, she located a room where some survivors were locked in and freed both Berine and Finbar, quickly adding that nis mother was worried about nim

Addyson then proceeded to free the survivors in another room, stunning any researchers who tried to stop her with her sound magic. Apart from Gerald, Cain and Fiona, who was in a seperate room with Dylan, the 13 of them killed the researchers and ended the experiment, afterwards they kept the notes and studied it despite their distaste towards the entire act. Aileen was able to identify the flaws in the research notes, which cultivated in the alarmingly high mortality rate. Together with Eva, Hywel as well as Ilias' existing research on arcane magic, the trio was able to create a ritual that tapped onto Ratein's ley lines which made it safer to turn someone into a dullahan. Afterwards, they destroyed the original notes such that no one could ever attempt the cruel methods used to create dullahans again

Brianna and Danielle then pointed out that the very notion of turning someone into a dullahan was unthinkable, and sought to get an unanimous consensus that under no circumstances should the 16 turn others into dullahans unless the individual in question was prepared to bear the curse of being one. Addyson agreed, not wanting the nobles to make things worse should a similar incident occur again

Addyson then spent the next few centuries working hard as an apprentice under a famous pyrotechnician, eventually going independent in Unaiem 1603 and building a reputation as a pyrotechnician that doesn't use magic for her pyrotechnics. Due to her hard work and reputation, she was finally able to afford Corportus in 1675 and transitioned to her ideal physical characteristics. In Trieme 1701, the Balwirkian War started and Addyson, not wanting to wait for the remaining nobles to take action, rallied the Balwirkians against the Unois Empire. However on 18 Rexim 1706, the empire ambushed the Balwirkians, killing a significant majority of the dullahans. This brought the war to an end and separated Balwirk into two halves, with Addyson remaining in East Balwirk to remind the empire that the half didn't necessarily bowed down to them and to never forget what Cain had done despite being a Balwirkian himself

In 1764, Addyson discovered a hidden stash of weapons in East Balwirk as well as a faded message from the Duxburys to Finbar. She decided to move the weapon stash into her residence after deciding that it was easier to blend it in with her pyrotechnics. Even so, she decided to spread the news of the weapons to the West Balwirkians as she knew that the empire's influence didn't reach them yet. Shortly afterwards, Giselle had sought her out with plans to launch a full scale rebellion against the empire, adding that she was also planning to recruit Emmet and Berine

Addyson agreed, and helped Giselle to persuade Emmet to spearhead more violent rebellions by saying that he could use his popularity for good and that Finbar had a hidden weapon stash that almost all of West Balwirk would've been aware about by now. In 1772, Emmet finally agreed and initially used his soup kitchen to accommodate the rebels, moving into the orphanage in 1838. Able to plan in a relatively safe location, the rebels were able to unite East Balwirk, Crex, Lindow and Nantrax together over the years but still weren't enough to go against the empire's military. The turning point came in Dia'ae 1863 when Noah suddenly returned to Relnivon in his true form and caused mass destruction within the country

Due to the sight of a free wyvern openly rebelling against the empire, the dragon captives followed suit, which started a domino effect that led to the Relnivians to openly rebel against the empire. West Balwirk had also seized this window of opportunity to launch another rebellion against the empire, forcing the Unois Empire to divide its resources against three fronts. In order to advance, Emmet, Giselle, and Addyson entered Relnivon to provide the Relnivians with support, which meant working alongside Noah

However, Giselle's death had an impact on Emmet and Berine, something which the latter would insist that it didn't. Addyson could only watch as Emmet made things worse for Berine when he told her something that she couldn't make out but was sure it was about the Balwirkian War. Not wanting the rebels to lose momentum, she rallied the rebels together and informed that with the other countries' assistance, the Unois Empire was sure to fall soon. Addyson was relieved when Emmet and Berine actively participated in the rebellion, though she couldn't help but worry about both of their mental states

On 4 Primna 1865, he and Addyson had managed to corner Cain, who was prepared to kill them both at the cost of his own life. Despite their best efforts, Cain proved to be a competent fighter despite his inability to use magic. Emmet, who wanted to capture Cain alive so that he could face his misdeeds, attempted to freeze him so that he could be brought back to Balwirk. However, in the midst of freezing Cain, the latter had detonated a bomb that would kill everyone within range. Realising that Cain had never planned to leave the war alive, he decided to freeze himself along with the Eighth Dullahan in an ice prison in hopes of containing the explosion. This saved Addyson, but she had to watch the First Dullahan explode along with the Eighth Dullahan

She as well as some of the surviving Balwirkians brought their fellow Balwirkians' bodies to Aocite Cemetery along with Cain's. Hugh planned on burying Cain in the cemetery, but Addyson, who was still enraged over Cain's betrayal as well as the reason why Emmet died, intervened and bitterly reminded him that Cain was the reason why so many of their friends died, imploring him to let his body rot elsewhere. Addyson was then approached to lead Balwirk for rallying the rebels together at crucial moments, but she turned them down as not only did she feel that she would make a terrible leader for the country, she wanted to be as far away from Balwirk as much as possible to distance herself from memories of the war

With her decision made, she decided to travel across Ratein and occasionally came across Danielle during her travels. Currently, she earns money both as a pyrotechnician and as one of the usual winners in the annual Ratein Combat Championship... all while avoiding Balwirk as much as she can

Former Appearance:

[cerealmisandrist]

Avatar 2 Metkayina Headcanons!

Most of these are genderqueer AF I have no regrets.

- The Metkayina have three genders!

- Through a ritual dedicated to Eywa both male and female Metkayina can change their reproductive organs in a way similar to Earth’s Clownfish, etc.

- The Metkayina view this as sacred and the individual “chosen” by Eywa Herself. These individuals usually hold important spiritual roles in Metkayina culture.

- Ao’nung actually hates the Sullys not just because they have “alien blood,” but because on top of that they are for the most part accepted by the Forest Na’avi despite their differences.

- Many Forest Na’avi view Metkayina cultural practices and traditions in their worship of Eywa as strange, even sacrilegious although same sex couples are often accepted by all clans as a whole.

- Ronal’s ancestors in particular have often taken highly respected Metkayina spiritual positions in the tribe in the past as well as having identified as the Metkayina third gender.

- Dance plays a major part in many Metkayina traditions. Even when two Metkayina members mate it’s Metkayina tradition to do a ritualistic dance with their partner first. The dance is meant to strengthen their bond and bless them with a life free of obstacles in the face of their love for each other.

- Pretty much all the Metkayina agree that Ao’nung is the best dancer in the tribe, but Tsireya is a close second. When they dance together during festivities their synchronization is WILD.

- Rotxo is that one dude who is down for literally anything and everything and is always doing the most at parties and rituals.

- Rotxo’s haircut is based on a picture he really liked from an old men’s fashion magazine he found abandoned by humans.

- Tsireya braids Ao’nung’s hair for him because he never has the patience to do it right and HATES when it gets in his face when he’s swimming. His hair is actually almost as long as Tsireya’s hair.

[mariacallous]

Greece’s parliament, despite strong reactions to the bill, legalized civil marriage and childbearing by same-sex couples at midnight on February 15. The bill passed with 176 votes in favour, 76 against and 31 abstained.

“I have received countless messages from the LGBTI+ community. Addressing its thousands of members, I want to say that I fully recognise what they have been through and what they are going through over the course of many generations… They were the children of an inferior God,” said Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

“Today is a day of joy because from tomorrow, another barrier between us will be removed to become a bridge of coexistence in a free state, with free citizens,” he added.

Under the bill, Greece recognises same-sex marriages, grants full parental rights to same-sex couples that already have children and allows same-sex couples to adopt. But it stops short of allowing same-sex couples to have children via surrogacy in future.

Surrogacy is currently allowed only for women, single or married, who are unable to have children on health grounds. Heterosexual couples and single men and women are allowed to adopt.

Around 130 MPs spoke in the two-day debate, including political leaders, rapporteurs, and parliamentary representatives.

Dimitris Koutsoumpas, leader of the Communist Party, KKE, expressed opposition, saying the new bill brings substantial changes in childbearing and will lead to commercialization.

“The bill is neither neutral nor trivial and does not simply resolve issues concerning the relationship of children who already exist with the partner of the biological or adoptive parent, problems that can largely be resolved with the existing legal frame. On the contrary, it brings substantial changes to what concerns childbearing and adoption in the direction of even more generalized commercialization,” he said.

Koutsoumpas added that the KKE condemned hostility to people of a same-sex sexual orientation, and also submitted specific proposals for the protection of every person from all kinds of discrimination.

The conservative New Democracy government proposed the bill.

The Greek Orthodox Church spoke against it, saying it was step towards the abolition of traditional perenting and the “disappearance” of gender roles.

“The initiators of the bill and those who agree with it are promoting the abolition of fatherhood and motherhood and their transformation into neutral parenthood, the disappearance of gender roles within the family, and the placing of the sexual choices of homosexual adults above the interests of future children,” the Holy Synod of the Church said on January 23.

The three far-right parties, Ellyniki Lysi, Spartans, and Niki, submitted objections to the bill, which were rejected.

Citizens opposed to the bill gathered at Athens’ Syntagma Square on February 15, holding crosses, icons, and placards with the slogan “Homeland – Religion – Family” written on them.

A BIRN analysis of the regulation of same-sex marriage in Greece heard from LGBT families who said that the bill was long-awaited but still leaves out many categories.

[the-official-account]

Three of Hearts episode 17 live blog

(this bitch has spoilers)

On sabbatical from my impromptu career in marketing, and also (sigh) life, here's another liveblog! The first one on tumblr, the platform where I am somehow even more unapologetically long winded

@threeheartscast

OOOH another flashback I love these. Getting to know spar before clovenheart is <3. Of course it's malicious compliance that's the best type of compliance.

Ooooh I gotta love a seedy literal underbelly. I'm excited to listen to that quiet year series omg.

Okayyyyy I see that moody lighting we've got going one 👀👀👀

ALL THREE AT ONCE IF YOU ARE EXTREMELY SKILLED

Invite only altered people club is so rad.

Scales and tails notes for future me writing a very particular sort of fanfic

Note to find out how to spell yaccab's name right for that fanfic LMAO

GOD I love spar. The puring for the table, the going out to have fun and going it by acting like a host. He's such a people person in a way that's like....Shepardly? OH like a herding dog! Not so much that he's forceful but so much that when he's got you marked as a friend he's gonna make sure you're ok make sure you're okay make your you're okay, your good? OKAY GREAT!!!!! :D

And it's so lovely and wholesome and warm and I'm glad it's a dude filling that sort of role. As much as I love my sexy hostess with the mostest trope, accommodating individuals come in many flavors and genders!

OMG YACCAB IS SO NICE IM SO GLAD SPAR HAS A FRIEND LIKE THAT

Okay writer brain is telling me that while I don't think vellum is TOO straight laced to go here...... hmmm these notes will NOTE be posted yet

(I would've listened to more of the episode by now and maybe gotten to 18 if my brain didn't go on a HARD left turn after that. Know that the live in liveblog means "with many, MANY pauses")

Spar is like "hmm. I moved away from my tribe of people like me. Unacceptable. I'm gonna adopt everyone in this shady ass establishment" and yk what I respect that. Queer life goals.

Let a man get drunk without interruption, oh my god!

I realized "Yaccab" might be "Jacob" and I am... a perfectly intelligent English speaking person! But monolingual.

I don't like this dude for ruining the party. He's probably fine but. Still.

The dynamic I'm imagining between Spar and Jacob is like...Not friends with benefits, but not NOT friends with benefits. Sex-positive, queer, and close enough to where they're super physically comfortable (he was literally on his lap lmao) and they may have kept eachother company once or twice! But like. I'm thinking of that dynamic that is sort of "our relationship is neither platonic nor romantic not queer platonic but between all of those things, and I want you to find somebody but I consider it my responsibility to decide if they're good with you" type beat. Yes these posts are very often me taking notes for myself later. Ah to be free of the twitter character limit.

"....that's fucked up." THE WAY I HOLLERED. Yacob (final awnser) is so confused and spar is so drunk lmao.

OH WAIT IS YACOB AN EX? idk I mean previous statements still mostly count.

I'm too aro for this shit— I don't care how much characters kiss I deadass forget traditional romantic situations are like. Possible.

Why does spar keep giving YACOB responsibility 😂😂😂😂 narrative brain is saying "Setting up to spar trusting vellum with Anya or sorrel n them/paralleling when he sort of did fighting jasper" the part of my brain that wants to put my blorbos in my mouth and chew on them like the word "intellectual" was never invented is going HAHA. SHEEPDOG!

Ah yes the classic Italian stereotype: possessing fancy hats

Jordan introducing the folks in this room as "two women and a man" is THE most gendered sentence that I think exists in this podcast and that is VERY funny to me

*fanning myself* There is something SO admirable about a man with convicti— HES GOING FOR THE DOOR LMAOOOO

"I know what I wanted to know now" my deeply embedded distrust of gms (as a runner-of-games who also loves to get up to nonsense at the first opportunity)has alarm bells going off a bit

OMG VELLUM IS HERE NOW HI HI HI!!!!!

OH MY GOD I love little cute scenes where characters met before they like met, if one or both parties forgets it I call them "meet moots" because they meet and nothing happens JFKSVSLDVSKDVKZ

I mean yeah timbleton has gotta pursue hell lose his job and probably get arrested.

I was about to be like "vellum fuck your bosses stop staying late RISE RISE RISE!!!" and then I remember vellum kinda owns the place dushdgoddb SO DO SOME SELF CARE AND SLEEP, DUMMY.

"yeah I'm fine are spars first words to vellum" oh ouch but cute

NO AGENTS HERE DKSVSODVSOSVSO OH MY GODDD this. This is. This is very cute. NOT SPAR INTRODUCING HIMSELF AS GAMBLER. vellum sounds. Confused but endeared (BECAUSE WHO WOULDNT BE) but ENDEARED!!!!

Vellum is so cool. WOULD IT BOTHER YOU IF I STAYED WITH YOU. AWH.

Bestie if he pushes the key under the door anybody who comes past can open the door.

Spar said "idgaf I can fuck I fucker up, do it all the time, try me"

VELLUM WAITING WITH HIS SWORDCANE AFTER GAMBLER HAS PASSED OUT ON THE FLOOR IS SSUUUUUUCHHHH A GOOD MENTAL IMAGE

OH THEM FLANKING THE DOOR WITH TWO SWORDS IS GO GOOD ALSO

BUT THUNBLETON MY MAN WHAT THE FUCK

YACOB IS HERE!!!! OMG FRIEND! Oh my god I love him.

OOOOOH AND VELLUM IS HERE TOO TIMBLEICBDMD IS SOOOO FUCKED.

POV: you're thinininininnton and vellum is pointing his rapier (I imagine that when he presses the button to unsheathe it an intricate collapsible golden guard springs out) at you're throat is something I wanna draw SO bad that is SOOOO cool and sexy and rand but wayyyy out of my ability right now. It will live forever in my brain (also my list for 3o♥️s stuff to draw is sooo long )

(also I shouldve guessed those people were shady they had one-word genders)

Yacob saw spar running and was like "guess this is my life now!" What a real one.

HE PULLS OUT A FLASH. KIIIIIING SHIT. Spar kisses him...but...but are they.....whatever dlegdkvdskdvd

Also I feel like grey for sure has that eye. Or diamond had the eye and grey has the gem now.

Efficiency-opsec brain getting really excited about the idea of vellum adjusting security protocols....I fucking love protocols.

Oh Vellum honey maybe don't go interrogating the single most secretive person with the most open desire to kill you.

"do you need somebody to take you there?" 🐑🐕

OH SHIT CATS. I miss destiny

I feel like Arabella is for sure in that lighthouse

YOU TURN TO LOOK AT THE WIGHTHOUSE AND YOU SEE THE PRESIDENT JXOSGSODHSODHDIDH

OH. AWH. VELLUM GETTING FLUSTERED WHEN HE'S APPRECIATED THATS CUTE BUT HE DESERVES ALL THE APPRECIATION AND TO BE USED TO THIS!!!! BUT ITS STILL CUTE!!!

BFKSGSKDVS VELLUM GIVING THIS TEEN AN EVEN SAFETY LESSON ♥️♥️♥️

Look like I Respect Meraphina's biomancy, and I respect her ability to use it for healing while also being very skeptical about the role of magic but like .... I disagree with the "don't bring magic back" thinking. If YOU have access to it it's clearly still there. Better for the world to recon with it as a whole then to have it available to some mysterious small number of folks only. Idk. Maybe my opinion on that will change but :\

OH. OH MERAPHINA LIKES HIM NOW? ....COOL!

They're still in cloven heart...hmm. in the lighthouse? This is probably related to preparing something big for bridge since they were all jacks.

"you dont just give things freely" somewhere in town Brunhilde has started frowning

OH. OH THATS A DAMN GOOD JOKER PLAY. WOW. WOW!!!! THOUGHTS. IMPLICATIONS. WOW! Now she can't kill him lmao

Anti-thaumatera is wearing Mayor Thorne as a glove puppet

"everyone in cloven heart at the time the spell was cast" diamond? Didn't diamond arrive soon after?

LOL ok so she'll still kill him

Midtro dance midtro dance

[ID: several repeats of the same very low quality image of a strange silhouette, humanoid but with a head that is too long from nose to ear, feet planted apart, arms out, and butt back, almost as if halfway through a squat. It is black on a white background. End ID]

Ooh Arabella can't do magic. Good to know.

"diamond took care of that" ALSO good to know

Okay but like...jasper...I can see where they're coming from

"he is posted up scanning the river and trees for potential assailants" the sheepdog joke will stop being funny when it stops being relevant and that is no time soon.

DESTINY WITH BRUNHILDE, THE TWO CUTEST CHARACTERS TOGETHER MY HEEEART

"that is definitely where I would be sneezing" 👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

"they are both committed to this...to this Investigation"

OKAY BUT TATI AND ANYA COULD BE SOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE. I'm glad I'm not the only one that hears this. Tatianya....though I prefer Anyati

I didn't know tati was altered!

Edit: yes I did, what? Just forgot

...hmmm stowaways.....Arabella would probably be a much stronger presence probably. Xoechi and Joaquin maybe????

VELLUM NOT THINKING ABOUT THEM BEING ALONE BUT I FOR SURE WAY

JOSEPHA DID FUCKING NOT.

BEZTIE LIKE FUCK OFF

If you're trying to get money from the Harrington's for a good reason you could consider just ASKING

ABNFOEVDMD OHHHHH IT WAS TATI.

Girl I love you so much but you are like one week from the world's best full time jobs with the world's most eccentric investor like you'll be fine.

VELLUM'S FLIRTING LMAO

to protect him...

IT WAS GREY!!!! I FUCKING KNEW IT.

Still bestie it is NOT hard to guilt your niece into going to a blood drive you're setting up and like yoinking that shit. The drama! Unnecessary!!

Unless she's doing something super secretive and vellum might suspect that the blood being related to grey at all makes his behavior weird........HMMMM. HMMMM!!!!

I just KNEW tati was about to make that joke

Maybe grey is being Ransomed by a third party who wants vellums blood for some reason and she can't ask him for it because she knows the third parties goals go against vellum's morals and that the only way for them to be happy together after the third party does whatever thing with vellums blood he disagrees with is for her to pay for other people to get the blood so vellum assumes they were involved at all?

Like protection and ransom feel like good grey motivations to be but idk

BLOOD MAGIC?

okay okay maybe not.

Yeah because if grey was REALLY their employer it means that she doesn't have working for him as an out anymore really ...

Spar it might buy you time but it might also put you in danger. And there are possibly worse forces looking for the blood of altered people for expiriments!!!!! Though....well supplying it to them isn't actually doing any harm it's it's conventual since their goal isn't harmful? Well arabellas isn't but....UGH!

This blood drawing scene feels...intimate?

I was right!!!! Just some teens having fun going on an adventure.

BDJSGSJDGDKDBim imagining spar doing full manly-frown lean-on-the-banister stern older brother, vellum starting to smile when he sees the teens (because they're NOT Arabella!) Looking at spar and then going ahem yes. Serious. I am serious now.

Okay yeah but your mom's said no because diamond is a person of interest in a fucking KIDNAPPING

Ah yes the feeling vellum will feel upon spars death is surely "disappointment"

I really hope there's some really crucial information in the couples party djdgskdbd.

THE EYE?????????????? OH DAMN.

That was a really good one. No conclusions I am very tired now. Lots of love goodnight

[cythion]

Character Profile

The Basics ––– –

Name: Cythion

Nickname(s): Cy

Age: Adult

Birthday:

Race: Kaldorei

Gender:  Male

Marital Status: Single, with attachments. Many lovers and a few very important people

Physical Appearance ––– –

Hair: Magenta

Eyes:  milky blue

Height: 7'9"

Build: Very well defined muscles

Distinguishing Marks: N/A

Tattoos: Kaldorei tattoos on his arms, neck and face

Piercings: Both earlobes with wooden plug, Snake bites in bottom lip with silver rings, both nipples with silver barbells, a PA

Likeness:

Personal Information––– –

Profession: Dancer, Escort, Prostitute

Hobbies: Growing plants

Common Accessories: Leather leaf ponytail holder, gold rings in his beard

Languages: Common, Darnasian, Dwarvish, a tiny bit of Orcish

Residence: Goldshire

Birthplace: Teldressil

Religion:  Druid of Elune

Patron Deity:  Elune

Fears: Abandonment

Personality: Flirty, Outgoing, Hedonist. Sometimes melancholic and introspective

Relationships ––– -

Spouse:  None - but has an estranged mate and a few very dear lovers. He also has many clients.

Children:  Olithion, his son 4yo

Parents:  Both deceased

Siblings:  Sister deceased

Pets: None

Sex & Romance ––– -

Sexual Orientation: Omnisexual

Preferred Emotional Role: switch

Preferred Sexual Role: switch

Libido: High.

Turn ons: Smiles, sparkling eyes

Turn offs: Rudeness, egotism, and narcissism.

Love Language: Touch, Quality time

Relationship Tendencies:  Polyamory, Open loose relationships, Free love

Traits ––– -

* Bold your character’s answer.

Extroverted / In Between / Introverted

Disorganized / In Between / Organized

Close Minded / In Between / Open Minded

Calm / In Between / Anxious

Disagreeable / In Between / Agreeable

Cautious / In Between / Reckless

Patient / In Between /  Impatient

Outspoken / In Between / Reserved

Leader / In Between / Follower

Empathetic / In Between / Apathetic

Optimistic / In Between / Pessimistic

Traditional / In Between / Modern

Hard-working / In Between / Lazy

Cultured / In Between / Uncultured

Loyal / In Between / Disloyal

Faithful / In Between / Unfaithful

Additional information ––– –

Smoking Habit: never / rarely / sometimes /frequently / to excess

Drugs: never/ rarely / sometimes /frequently / to excess

Alcohol: never/ rarely / sometimes /frequently / to excess

RP Hooks ––– –

Escorting: Do you need a private dancer? And escort to a party? A lover for the night? Cy will happily be propositioned. Please don't be rude about it and take no for answer.

Gardening: Cy loves to grow things. Ask about his green house and his plants

Dancing: He loves dancing, even when not working. He is skilled in floor and pole, both still and free and poi. He has training in belly dancing and can shimmy with the best of them.

Kink: Cy often carries a whip or flogger with him on his hip. Feel free to ask about them. He loves kinky talk and showing off his skills with his toys.

Looking For ––– –

Friends, acquaintances, enemies, whatever ya have!

I'm cool with slice of life, fluff and heavy! Storyline, one off's, casual, romantic, though his dance card is fairly full for LT romantic relations, but one offs are nice too! Also cross-server and cross-faction friendly!