#this is how you ascend from map to map right

[thevedicarchives]

Crows and their connection to Ketu and Ketu dominants ☋ 

In my long, long ongoing period of astrology observation so far, is something that keeps re-occuring day by day that i wanted to share with fellow observants of this crazy world.

Ever wondered why certain actors in films or series are quite often under the guidance of a fellow crow/raven? Mostly serving as 'the eyes or compass' to the persona itself? Or maybe why you have a great interest (or even daily companionship) from these magnificent creatures? Do please keep reading!

Before i even knew about vedic astrology and thus this amazing link between ketu and crows, i always had these beasts follow me arround my neighbourhood, even appearing right in front of me in moments where i felt unsafe. As if they knew and wanted to guard me or something. I even had a tattoo done years ago that said 'raven' in my native language and carried a big raven skull ring on my middle finger.

When i started to learn and delve deep into the vedic world, i not only discovered that i was (ofc) heavily ketu dominant, but also about the beautifull Hindu goddess or 'Mahāvidyā' that rules over Ketu ; our beloved granny 'Dhumavati'.

As you can see, this widow goddess is (almost) always portrayed sitting on a chariotee under the guidance of crows. Sometimes the crows are even portrayed as the ones pulling the chariot or Dhumavati is shown riding them as horses. She stands for all things Ketu-like, think cosmic forces, destruction of illusions, supernatural powers, divine ancient knowledge, salvation or "moksha", cremation grounds, the void that's left after desolation and destruction of the universe, spirits, death, and so on...

Now me being the horror fan that i am, i ofcourse started to see patterns between crows being used in scary movies or series, and certain actors being accompanied by said crows. One thing led to the other, and alot of birth chart investigations later, i can confidently say there IS a connection.

As followed, i'll sum up the actors who are obviously portrayed with crows/ravens in a movie/show with their respective birth chart placement that makes them all heavy Ketuvian :

-Bill Skarsgård - playing Eric in The Crow, who is literally being resurrected by crows and granted healing abillities to take revenge on the ones who killed both him and his girlfriend : Ketu conjunct Sun.

Ian Somerhalder - Damon Salvatore using his crow to spy on Elena : Has Mula (Ketu ruled Nakshatra) Mars in his 1st house.

-Britne Oldford playing blind Fei in The Umbrella Academy, who uses her crows to see and attack others. Highly possible Ashwini (Ketu ruled Nakshatra) moon. Birth time not confirmed.

-Angelina Jolie as Maleficent, using her crow boy Diaval as her spy and loyal companion : has Ketu conjunct her Sun.

-Tippi Hedren in The Birds, posing with a raven : has Mula ascendant (Birth time confirmed).

Now coming back to my own personal experience with crows, they still follow me arround everywhere i go. I recon moments where they will literally show me the way when google maps fails me. Whenever i get lost somewhere there is a crow flying in the air in a certain direction that i can just follow to find my way back. I am not making this up.

I've always seen them as my spirit guides, long before i knew about astrology or mythology in general. They are by far one of the most magnificent animals to be flying arround this earth.

As time and knowledge goes on, i"ll probably add more names and planetary aspects to this piece of text. For now i just wanted to share what i already know and stand behind, as well as giving my major preach to these beautiful birds and the Hindu Mythology.

For the ones who know : Do you have heavy Ketu influence in your chart? And do you have special connections with crows/ravens in your life? Do they keep popping up wherever you go or maybe you even have a tattoo or favorite art piece related to them? I'm so curious to hear about others and how they experience this!

[capseycartwright]

kisses that travel from your lover's nose to their lips pretty please!

Eddie’s a little stupid with it, he knows. The flush in his cheeks doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere fast, and Buck joining him in the bathroom wasn’t exactly going to ease the pink blush any time soon. He’s a little stupid about it, drunk off endorphins and the  memory of Buck’s hands on his body, and still, Eddie can’t help but feel embarrassment snaking up his spine, Buck recognising the feeling before it could turn to shame clawing at Eddie’s throat.

“Tell me what you’re thinking,” Buck murmured, hands gentle as they came to rest on Eddie’s shoulders. Buck was beautiful. Eddie had always known he was beautiful, really, but it felt all the more evident now, Buck’s hair messy, and free of product, his own cheeks flushed pink and his eyes soft, the expression on his face more open than it had been in a while, no secrets left between them now. Buck was more beautiful than ever, there and then, and it was because Eddie could look all he wanted now, he knew – he didn’t have to tear his gaze away, keep up the pretence that he wasn’t madly, deeply in love with his very best friend. He could drink his fill and not worry about being caught doing something he shouldn’t be.

One, two, three.

Eddie took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to say it.”

“The words don’t have to be perfect,” Buck reassured. “But I’d like if you tried,” he admitted, Buck always better than Eddie at voicing his concerns. “We’ve just had sex, for the first time, and now you’re in the bathroom and you seem to be freaking out, a little, so I’m – well, I’m a bit worried, Eddie.”

“You don’t need to be worried,” Eddie shook his head, leaning back against Buck. He couldn’t help but look at the picture they painted, the two of them standing in front of the mirror, Buck’s chest broad and glorious, the smattering of random tattoos inked onto his skin patterns Eddie wanted to map every inch of. They looked like a couple – they were a couple, Eddie knew, but they looked so comfortable with each other, even now, roughly seventeen hours into their relationship, that it kind of stunned Eddie.

Buck’s palm was broad, as he flattened it against the expanse of Eddie’s stomach. It made Eddie feel small, and safe, and he sort of wanted to cry.

“I just – I didn’t know it could be like this,” Eddie admitted, thumb stroking Buck’s wrist. He wanted to touch every single inch of Buck all at once, physics bedamned.

“Sex?”

Eddie nodded. “Yeah,” he let out a shuddering breath. “It feels like I just figured out everything I’ve been missing my whole life,” he paused, for a second. Sex had been a weird one, for Eddie. Sex had been nice, and strange, and awkward, in the beginning, and then it had been the only way that he and Shannon could communicate, and he’d ran from it, with Ana, and with Marisol it had felt like a performance: a box he needed to move their relationship to the next phase.

Sex with Buck had been exciting, and it had felt electrifying – and it had been fun, in a way Eddie hadn’t expected. Buck had tripped over his own feet in his rush to remove his socks, and it had sent Eddie into a fit of giggles that had only been silenced with a kiss Eddie had felt right in the tips of his toes, and then Buck had gotten his hands on Eddie’s dick and every thought Eddie had ever had, or could have, had gone right out of his head, the whole world narrowed down to Buck’s hands on his body. It had been a revelation, the way Buck’s body had moved against his own, gentle, and firm, strong as Buck had moved Eddie right to where he’d wanted him, over and over, wringing an orgasm out of Eddie that had him ascending to a higher plane.

“It wasn’t just the sex, though,” Eddie continued. Buck had been quiet, so in-tune with Eddie that he had realised Eddie hadn’t quite finished. After, when they’d done the awkward clean up, Buck had tucked Eddie under his chin, voice low as they’d talked, gentle hands scratching through the overly long strands of Eddie’s hair. It had been calm, and quiet, and Eddie had luxuriated in the feeling of being held.

Eddie twisted, in Buck’s arms. “It was the after,” he hummed, drinking in Buck’s face at such a short distance. It was different, looking at Buck like this, rather than in the mirror. Like this, he could admire the way Buck’s birthmark stood pink against his skin, the slight furrow of his brow and the way his breath hitched, as Eddie pressed his thumb into the divot of Buck’s shoulder, a place he’d come to think of as his, after all these years.

“The after?” Buck looked a little confused.

“I just – I didn’t expect the intimacy of the after, because I didn’t really have that before. Sex was – sex was different, before, for me, and I found it hard to want to just – stay in it, like we did,” Eddie explained, hands on Buck’s waist. “But I want to stay in it, with you. It was – it was nice. I felt nice. You made me feel good, Buck, not just during the sex – which was like, objectively great – but in the after.”

“I’ve always liked the after the best,” Buck admitted, sounding a little shy. “You see so much – so much vulnerability, from your partner, in sex, but you get just as much of that after, too. When sex was – when sex was transactional, for me, a way to try and fill this void of intimacy, I didn’t appreciate how good the after was – I didn’t understand that’s where there’s so much intimacy too.”

Eddie couldn’t help but smile. “I love you,” he hummed, the smile turning to a big, bright grin as Buck began to trail kisses down the bridge of Eddie’s noise, a giggle escaping his throat as Buck kissed the tip of his nose, moving his focus to Eddie’s cheeks, chin, and lips, finally, the kiss chaste compared to the ones they’d spent the last hour or so exchanging, but still one that Eddie could feel right to his toes.

“Is it always this easy?” Eddie asked, and he didn’t need to finish his sentence for Buck to know what to ask: was it always this easy, sex and intimacy?

“No,” Buck shook his head, pressing another kiss to the corner of Eddie’s mouth. “Only with you.”

send me a kissing prompt

[slytherinzz]

Scars of the past

Summary: after one of your late night rescues, they find themselves in the Room of Requirement to tend to their battle wounds. It has been two years since the event of fifth year, but Sebastian can't help but to think back at that awfull time after seeing the scars on MC's body. His scars.

Pairing: Sebastian Sallow x F!reader

Warnings: A lil angst a lil fluff

The castle was quiet as Sebastian and MC trudged up the winding staircases of Hogwarts, their steps heavy with exhaustion. The faint light of the moon streamed through the tall, arched windows, casting long shadows across the stone floors. They had just returned from yet another escapade—clearing out a poacher camp and rescuing a pair of distressed mooncalves.

It had become a ritual for the two of them, these late-night missions. They both shared a deep-seated need to right the wrongs of the magical world after their 5th year, and somewhere along the line, their shared purpose had grown into something more.

Sebastian stole a glance at her as they ascended the final staircase to the Room of Requirement. Dirt smudged her cheeks, a faint streak of blood ran along her forearm, and her hair was in wild disarray. And yet, to him, she looked radiant.

“You’re quiet,” she said, giving him a sidelong look. “What’s on your mind?”

“Just wondering how many poachers we’ve pissed off this time,” he teased, though the smile on his lips didn’t quite reach his eyes.

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Enough to ensure they won’t be coming back anytime soon.”

The wall before them shimmered as they approached, and the Room of Requirement opened to reveal a familiar, cozy space: a crackling fireplace, two plush couches, and a simple bed tucked away in the corner for nights like these when they didn’t dare risk sneaking back to their dorms.

Sebastian let out a sigh of relief, stepping inside and kicking off his boots. “Merlin’s beard, I think I’m too tired to move another muscle.”

“You and me both,” she agreed, plopping down onto one of the couches and wincing slightly as she stretched.

As they worked in companionable silence, patching up their injuries with Wiggenweld potions and quick healing charms, Sebastian couldn’t help but notice how her hands trembled slightly. She always tried to hide it after these missions, as if refusing to acknowledge the toll it took on her body would make it less real.

“You should let me take a look at that arm,” he said, nodding toward the shallow cut on her forearm.

“It’s fine, really—”

“Let me,” he insisted, his voice softer this time.

She relented, sitting beside him and holding out her arm. His fingers brushed her skin as he muttered a charm to clean the wound, and she shivered slightly under his touch. He felt his heart quicken, but he forced himself to focus.

“There,” he said after a moment, leaning back and admiring his work. “Good as new.”

She smiled at him, and for a moment, the room seemed to grow warmer. There was something unspoken between them, something that had been building for months but neither dared to address.

“You’re staring,” she said, breaking the tension with a teasing grin.

“Can you blame me?” he shot back, though the words held more weight than he intended. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly stood to rummage through her bag.

“Ugh, I need to get out of these clothes,” she muttered, turning her back to him as she pulled her shirt over her head.

Sebastian’s gaze immediately dropped, his cheeks reddening as he tried to give her privacy. He’d seen her change before, in hurried moments during their missions, but it was different now. There was an intimacy in the air that hadn’t been there before, and it left him flustered.

He couldn’t stop his eyes from drifting upward, and that’s when he saw them—scars. Her back was littered with them, pale lines crisscrossing her skin like a map of battles fought and endured.

And then he saw it.

A jagged, lightning-shaped scar stretched diagonally across her back, angry and red even after two years. His breath caught in his throat as he recognized the distinct mark left by the Cruciatus Curse.

His Cruciatus Curse.

“Sebastian?” Her voice was quiet, unsure, as she glanced over her shoulder and caught the expression on his face.

“Did I do that to you?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

She turned fully to face him, clutching her shirt to her chest, her eyes softening. “Sebastian—”

“Did I do that to you?” he repeated, his voice breaking this time.

She hesitated, then nodded. “It happened that night in the Scriptorium. When you… when you cast the curse on me.”

He felt like the air had been knocked out of his lungs. He had tried so hard to atone for the mistakes of his fifth year, to make amends for the darkness he had embraced. But seeing the physical reminder of his actions carved into her skin—it was almost too much to bear.

“I—” His voice faltered. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know… I didn’t realize—”

She stepped forward, placing a hand on his cheek. “Sebastian, stop. I’ve forgiven you. I forgave you a long time ago.”

“How can you forgive something like that?” he asked, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Because I know who you are now,” she said simply. “And you’re not that boy anymore.”

She guided him to sit on the edge of the bed, kneeling in front of him as she took his hands in hers.

“I don’t blame you for what happened,” she continued, her voice steady despite the weight of her words. “It was a dark time for both of us, and we’ve both made mistakes. But you’ve changed, Sebastian. You’ve become someone I trust, someone I… care about.”

He looked at her, his heart aching with a mixture of guilt and love. “I care about you too,” he admitted. “More than you know. And that’s why it kills me to see what I’ve done to you.”

She smiled softly, brushing a stray tear from his cheek. “You can’t change the past, but you’ve more than made up for it. And I wouldn’t be here without you.”

For a moment, they just sat there, the silence between them comfortable and warm. Finally, she stood, pulling him up with her and guiding him toward the bed.

“Come on,” she said, her voice light despite the heaviness of their conversation. “We both need some rest.”

He hesitated, glancing at her nervously. “Are you sure?”

“Sebastian,” she said with a small laugh, “you’ve slept here before. I’m not going to bite.”

As they lay side by side, the tension between them began to melt away. His arm found its way around her waist, and she didn’t protest. Instead, she shifted closer, resting her head on his chest.

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the crackling fire.

“For what?”

“For forgiving me. For giving me a chance to make things right.”

She smiled against his chest, her eyes already drifting shut. “Always.”

As sleep claimed them, Sebastian pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, silently vowing to protect her from any harm—even from himself.

[rikkahonyaku]

Japan Housing Websites (part two)

Want to move to Japan? Me too! A while ago, I made a post with some key vocabulary for navigating Japanese real estate websites. This time, I'd like to highlight vocabulary that will help you refine the search results until you find the perfect house.

After selecting the property type and narrowing down the area to search, you'll eventually be presented with a list of houses. Here's a convenient link to a list of houses in Tokyo so you can follow along: TOKYO(SUUMO)

Search & Sort Functions

The orange number at the top of the screen tells you how many total properties were found with your search.

The upper options all have to do with displaying the search results.

通常（つうじょう）表示（ひょうじ）：Regular Display シンプル　一覧（いちらん）表示：Simple Summary Display 地図（ちず）で　表示：Display with Map 表示　件数（けんすう）：Display Item Number

Below that, we have the options to sort the results. 並び替え（ならびかえ）：Rearrange 指定（してい）なし：No Designation

Click the drop-down to see all the different sorting methods, which I've translated below with my best attempts to maintain readability.

新着（しんちゃく）更新（こうしん）：Newly Updated

所在地（しょざいち）：Address 昇順（しょじゅん）：Ascending 降順（こうじゅん）：Descending

価格（かかく）：Price 安い（やすい）：Low / "Lowest" 高い（たかい）：High / "Highest"

土地（とち）面積（めんせき）：Land Area 建物（たてもの）面積（めんせき）：Building Area 広い（ひろい）：Wide / Large 狭い（せまい）：Narrow / Small

築年月（ちくねんがつ）："Years Since Construction" 新しい（あたらしい）：New / Newest 古い（ふるい）：Old / Oldest

More Filters

To the right of the house list, you'll see a thin section that will allow for more general filters to refine your search.

絞り込み（しぼりこみ）条件（じょうけん）：Refine Conditions

Under this section are a few familiar words: Price (価格), Land Area (土地面積), and Building Area (建物面積). Below each section is the same two drop-down options:

下限（かげん）なし：No Min Limit 上限（じょうげん）なし：No Max Limit

The drop down will let you set the minimum and maximum value for each section. For example: ５００万円以上（いじょう）〜１０００万円未満（みまん） Above 5 million yen 〜 Below 10 million yen

The next section deals with the amount of rooms in the house.

間取り（まどり）：Layout 1K/DK/LDK：1 bedroom houses (plus a kitchen (K), or a kitchen + dining room (DK), or a kitchen + dining room + living room (LDK))

Because public transit is so common in Japan, you also have the option to choose how far away from a train station your house is.

駅（えき）徒歩（とほ）：Station Walk In the drop down, you can select the maximum distance in minutes you'd like to be located from a station. １０分　以内（いない）：Within 10 minutes

バス　含む（ふくむ）：Include Bus Stations Some rural locations might be far away from train stations, so you can select this option here to include bus stations as well!

The End.

Here's the complete vocab list for ease of viewing:

通常（つうじょう）：Regular / Normal 表示（ひょうじ）：Display 一覧（いちらん）：Glance / Summary 地図（ちず）：Map 件数（けんすう）：Item Number 並び替え（ならびかえ）：Rearrange 指定（してい）：Designation 新着（しんちゃく）：New Arrivals 更新（こうしん）：Renewal / Updated 所在地（しょざいち）：Address 昇順（しょじゅん）：Ascending 降順（こうじゅん）：Descending 価格（かかく）：Price 安い（やすい）：Low / "Lowest" 高い（たかい）：High / "Highest" 土地（とち）：Land Area 建物（たてもの）：Building 面積（めんせき）：Area 広い（ひろい）：Wide / Large 狭い（せまい）：Narrow / Small 築年月（ちくねんがつ）："Years Since Construction" 新しい（あたらしい）：New / Newest 古い（ふるい）：Old / Oldest 絞り込み（しぼりこみ）：Refine 条件（じょうけん）：Conditions 下限（かげん）：Minimum Limit 上限（じょうげん）：Maximum Limit 以上（いじょう）：Above / More Than 未満（みまん）：Below / Less Than 間取り（まどり）：Layout 駅（えき）：Station 徒歩（とほ）：Walking 以内（いない）：Within 含む（ふくむ）：Include

[rannie-moon]

what song would heran cover on their YouTube?

now playing... youtube covers!

masterlist | wattpad

WHAT THE HELL! | avril lavigne

⤹ 2021

this was her first cover on their youtube channel. It was early november and she had some free time (which was super rare) and instead of relaxing she decided to hop in a booth. on live she asked engenes if they wanted her to cover any particular songs and they swore they didn't care as long as she dropped something.

so heran being heran, shuffled her playlist and stuck with the first song that played—what the hell. she didn't even waste a second, reached over for her guitar in the rack beside her desk and plugged it into the amp. after barely 10 minutes she messaged her manager: "can you book the booth please? don't ask questions."

less than an hour later she's in a recording studio, putting her headphones on—ready to record with beomgyu on the other side of the glass. he was just there to keep her company. nothing much. and two takes later, she was done. that's all it took.

beomgyu was tripping out on her, lecturing her about how most idols take time to record their covers and put a lot of effort into it with an actual production crew, and here she was recording a pop-rock song in less than an hour.

her excuse, "does it look like I have the time? just because I didn't spent 3 months recording a single song doesn't mean that it's low quality jeez. let me be good at my job in peace!"

she didn't waste any time to get that video shot either oh my days she was on a generational run. the staff were still asking if she wanted to make the set pretty and she was like, "just give me my guitar, an amp, a mic stand in a garage set. we'll just keep it authentic, yeah?"

who could blame her though? she had to study for finals, practice for their upcoming award shows, make time for her therapy sessions, and her own studio time, while also staying present in her members' lives. they didn't even know that she recorded the cover, and only found out when it was uploaded. "my bad, I forgot to tell you guys but it's good right?"

so the what the hell cover drops randomly on a thursday night, no teasers, no posts, no nothing—just the thumbnail of heran with her guitar slung over her shoulder, a smile on her face, and “HERAN — What The Hell (Avril Lavigne Cover)”.

beomgyu’s in the credits with a sarcastic “recording assistant / emotional support / unofficial hype man.”

engenes were so confused and shocked, they all flooded her weverse bro.

💬 : heran you never told us about the cover! wtf mahn I threw my phone across the room when I saw it! ⤷ rannieYUH my bad? bro I'm in the middle of math class it's never that deep I swear 🤷🏼‍♀️ 💬 : POP-PUNK PRINCESS HERAN?? I ASCENDED ⤷ rannieYUH congratulations 👁️👄👁️ 💬 : heran what was the reason that you decided to bless us all with an avril comeback? 🎤 ⤷ rannieYUH I shuffled my playlist and chose the first song that played 🎤

the middle of the night | elley duhé

⤹ 2022

okay, so for this one she did practice! It wasn't spontaneous (shocker).

heran had this quiet longing to explore her ballet roots again—not in a rigid, traditional way, but something emotional. raw. something that could blend her contemporary influences with the delicate control she developed from ballet.

she just didn’t know what song could carry all that weight. until one night, middle of the night played while she was organising her choreography notes. she only settled properly when she had a clear vision of the execution, only then did she pitch the idea.

she sat with the song for days. listened to it on repeat. at night. on the way back to the dorm. while doing her skincare. she listened to it so often until she felt her body lean into certain dance moves, silently marking and mapping out her flow. once she had the vision, she brought it up during a meeting and everyone was borderline shocked... (because she was actually consulting them first for ONCE).

she was clear: she wanted it to be elegant but emotionally intense. and there was one very important factor: she needed water. and a lot of it.

she met with her dance instructor whenever she was free, asked for help, some constructive criticism, and some ideas to bring her vision to life.

the video shoot

the set was stripped down to it's bones. no fancy backdrop, no led screen. just a vast, blacked-out soundstage. all the lighting focused on her.

on the floor was a huge, clear pool/container that was filled with water (but from the video you could only see he water on the floor, nothing else). she was standing in a shallow, reflective pool of water. barely ankle deep, just enough for each step to ripple.

scene 1

she stood motionless, head bowed, arms loose at her sides. the began—and the camera circled her. her first step created a ripple that moved across the surface like glass cracking in slow motion. the choreography started slow and delicate, her eyes closed as if she were physically feeling the song flowing through her veins. the water only adding to the beautiful imagery.

every turn, every kick, every glide of her feet created beautiful arch of water, until she dropped down and was on her knees, halfway drenched as she danced with a desperation that she conveyed so well.

by the second chorus, the lighting begun to pulse, faint strobes like thunder in the distance. the choreography picked up—sharper, angrier, like the song was crawling in her skin. her dress clung to her frame, soaked from the water as she continued dancing knee-deep.

the camera zoomed in during floorwork—her hands dragged through the water as she hit the beats like they owned her or something. her hair was loose, dripping in a way that shouldn't have been that pretty. she looked ethereal.

and just as the final chorus swelled—BOOM. the overhead sprinklers turned on.

rained poured down in sheets, instantly drenching her. she turned, reached, spun, her dress spinning with her. she hit her final beat on the downbeat, chest heaving, face toward the ceiling, eyes shut. the water shimmered down her like a crown.

when the video was posted, it hit over a million views within the first 24 hours. fans were handing out titles left-right-and-center, as if she single handedly proved that she was the best female dancer in 4th gen, and was on the list of best dancers in the industry period. she was.

💬 : she didn't just eat. she fasted for days. cooked a seven-course meal. fed the industry. AND left no crumbs 💬 : when the video ended I was just staring at my screen, watching a solid 10 seconds of heran looking up as the rain poured down on her. she literally left me speechless... 💬 : I don't care what ya'll say, she is easily top 5 in the industry. never in my life have I seen an idol dancer as technically gifted as her I'm sorry, your favs are not sitting with her just yet. 18 years old by the way!

even idols were openly talking about it! taemin mentioned her in a fucking interview and put it on his insta story! the king of art himself recognised her!

die for you (feat. heeseung) | the weeknd and ariana grande

⤹ 2023

what else did you expect? LITERALLY WHAT??

this cover was super chill, just straight vibes. even the video was literally recorded with a go-pro and in the studio. clips of them during recording and just chilling. the lights were dim, they both looked comfortable and freakishly attractive.

heran and heeseung are both hugeeee the weeknd fans, and just them doing this cover with their voices sounding absolutlely heavenly together. It only showed the industry why bang pd was fighting wars for them to debut together. once again they had to remind everyone that they are THAT duo. NYEAAHHHHH!

the video shoot

heran was radiating a different type of girlfriend energy in this video (r.i.p jungwon). it was insane how effortlessly intimate the energy was—not romantic (obviously), but something even more maddening. that lowkey, undeniable chemistry that comes from knowing someone so well your voices just lock in like puzzle pieces. the best friendship ever. they are the epitome of homeboy and homegirl.

heeseung was leaned back in the chair, headphones around his neck, hoodie slouched just right. heran was sitting next to him, hair pulled up into a messy bun in the most effortlessly cool way in an overzised t-shirt (jungwon's, but nobody needs to know that) and a pair of sweats.

💬 : jungwon watching this like 👁️👄👁️ 💬 : the vocals, the atmosphere, I'm never knowing peace again

the whole thing felt like the softest flex—no elaborate set, no high-concept visuals—just them. just raw talent and the type of synergy that you can't manufacture. they were so in sync, engenes joked they were probably breathing in harmony too.

the video ended with the clip of them laughing at the end, both yelling "WAIT WHY WAS THAT SO GOOD??" and heran throwing a water bottle at heeseung while he laughed too hard to dodge it. the credits rolled in the form of handwritten notes over footage of them ordering food post-recording.

naturally the cover blew up! but the best part? jungwon's weverse reply to an engene.

💬 : jungwon did you see heran and heeseung's cover?? don't you think they looked so cute together 🤗 ⤹ jungwonie she sang that song for me by the way 👍🏼

wants and needs (with ni-ki) | drake ft lil baby

⤹ 2024 (original by sean lew and and bailey sok)

absolute perfection of a dance cover. too much skill and swag in one video I fear. I wanna say mother and son but damn. just two talented best friends having a good time on set ugghhhhhhh.

this and their collab stage to that michael jackson medley during their fate tour?? YESYESYESYESSS A MILLION TIMES YESSS! It was practically "how many times can one maknae duo leave everyone screaming".

ni-ki really wanted to do a dance cover with heran for their youtube channel, seeing as him and jungwon did a performance for studio choom. poor boy literally begged her aww.

"noona, I know you're super busy. like with a billion things, with the tour and you solo stuff but I really want to do something with you."

heran tried to resist at first. not because she didn’t want to do it—never. she’d actually been itching to do another dance project with him for a while. but between comeback prep, her solo concept shoot, rehearsals, and those ungodly early morning recording sessions, she had zero free time.

still, ni-ki was giving her the biggest eyes. full pout. slight tilt of the head. the “maknae begging his favourite noona” combo.

“riki,” she sighed, closing her ipad after reviewing practice footage. “you’re literally weaponising your cuteness and it’s working. can you please go back to being nonchalant or something?” “Is that a yes?” “…shut up. send me the choreo.”

they practiced like there was no tomorrow but ni-ki couldn't help the slight twinge of guilt that he felt because he was keeping heran from her schedule. but she swore that those things were the last of her priorities. "you before anything else buddy. now help me up so that we can re-run the first section."

they were so locked in it was borderline scary.

the two of them sweating it out, marking moves until they could do the routine in their sleep. every time heran stumbled or missed a beat, she'd slap the air like it offended her and go, “again. again. again.”

ni-ki would just laugh and go along with it, even if his body was already sore from his own rehearsals.

“your perfectionism is showing.” “and yours isn’t?” she shot back, already restarting the song.

the video shoot

the concept was very movie-esqu. starting off with heran working in an office and then ni-ki joining until the song played. the choreography was very hefty on partner-work which made it all the more fun. overall it was just such a vibe and they enjoyed filming it, and had even MORE fun dancing together.

you could see it in their faces, the chemistry was palpable through the screen. ughhhhh mother and son yessssir.

💬 : the way the move like they share one braincell ughh my babies 😭😭😭 💬 : not me crying over a drake cover... THEY MAKE ME DO THIS SHIT EVERYTIME 💬 : introducing nishimura "nonchalant around everyone but heran" riki! 💬 : I paused to breathe and missed three transitions. riki and heran... you'll always be famous

and heran's weverse post?? everyone was in tears!

late night with the boy, because that's more important than whatever my manager keeps on calling me for <3 we finished filming our dance cover today so I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate my cutie 😭😭

💬 : NO STOP IT! STOP I CAN'T DO THIS TONIGHT 💬 : all I do is cry... 💬 : I heard through the grapevine that jungwon is punching the air rn

takes me back home | wasia project ⤹ 2024

when you show up to a "who loves enhypen more" challenge but heran is your opponent. might as well pack it up, yeah?

she posted the cover for their debut anniversary and it was such an emotional process—and it actually took her so long to record because of the amount of crying she was doing. because there's just something about her relationship with her members that she can't put into words.

It's a feeling, intangible, indescribable through words alone. and they just had such an overwhelming year, that taking a moment to record this song was a breath of relief.

those seven loser boys are quite literally the main reason that she stays grounded, whether it's through laughing at something stupid, jokingly fighting, or sharing quiet moments. nobody compares to them.

the video shoot

the video was emotional too—a compilation of videos straight out of heran's camera roll. and these were videos she's kept since debut (she takes emotional attachment very seriously) so it was beautiful and raw. the moments that fans didn't get to see, just her and her seven loser boys.

this video was her heart laid bare:

their first album photoshoot in jeju after i-land���the moment that felt like the real beginning. jake and sunghoon jumping ten feet in the air because they thought a bee was chasing them, the rest of the members yelling in panic while heran’s laughter echoed from behind the camera, shaky footage catching her nearly dropping the phone from laughing too hard.

their first christmas together—seven boys and one girl trying to decorate a tree way too tall for their dorm ceiling. it almost toppled over when ni-ki tried to hang a giant bow at the top while standing on jay’s back. absolute chaos. the clip ends with the tree lopsided and everyone wheezing on the floor.

the dressing room after their debut showcase—shaky footage of limbs everywhere as they screamed, cried, and collapsed into one giant pile of disbelief and joy. heran’s voice barely audible through her tears, “are we even alive right now?”

a soft moment in the backseat of their van—heran squished between jake and ni-ki, both of whom had fallen asleep on her shoulders after a long day of rehearsals. she looked into the camera with a helpless smile, whispered, “send help please,” but her eyes were soft, her voice warm. like this was home.

jungwon and heran on a swing set at 2 a.m.—one of those quiet, late-night walks they took when the world felt too loud. the camera sat on the grass in front of them, catching flickers of light from a nearby lamppost. jungwon pushed the swing gently with his foot while they talked about everything and nothing, laughing like they didn’t have a care in the world.

the video cuts between moments like that—raw, real, painfully beautiful.

sunoo crashing out on her at the arcade while she was at the claw machine, trying to get him a plushy. heeseung and her in the booth together as they recorded their background vocals and adlibs for a song, unable to take the moment seriously at all until they were hanging onto each other laughing. jay dramatically reciting lines from a script for one of their conceppt films while everyone booed him. sunghoon trying to braid her hair and accidentally tying a knot. heran filming her own face, mock annoyance etched into it. "hoon I swear if you can't untie that I'm—"

"I can I swear! jsut give me a moment!"

It wasn’t just nostalgia. It was a mosaic of love, growth, and being seen.

and the final scene—the one that shattered everyone?

a quiet rooftop shot. all eight of them sitting together, backs facing the camera, watching the sunrise after a long night of filming. nobody said a word, but you could feel the weight of everything they’d been through sitting gently on their shoulders. heran turned the camera slightly to catch the way jake leaned his head on sunghoon’s, ni-ki pointing something out in the sky, jungwon quietly, sunoo and heeseung complaining about something.

until the song ended, the instrumental fading out and allowing for the video's audio to play. heran saying, "what I just pushed all of youu off the roof and ran away."

and just like that, she left the entire fandom curled up in fetal position.

💬 : why did I think I was emotionally prepared for this video??? like oh cool, a little throwback— proceeds to sob uncontrollably for ten minutes straight 💬 : me watching the swing set scene like: 🧍🏽‍♀️🧎🏽‍♀️😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 💬 : the way she just kept everything. like imagine how much she cherishes these moments that she saved them for YEARS and chose to share them now. HERAN YOU ARE SO LOVED 😭

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[misticloyal]

Pure Vanilla and his fated 'other half'

So I'm currently drafting a huge master post of my analysis/comparison of the entire Beast-Yeast Campaign thus far but I could not let this idea go so here's my thoughts.

Throughout Beast-Yeast it's pretty clear that patterns can be seen. Every Beast has a 'lackey' of some sort- and ever Ancient has a 'right hand' so to speak.

And as it happens, these tropes actually help guide the story along.

In the end (imo) in Apathy vs Resilience it was Dark Cacao's love for his kingdom, and his right hand- Caramel Arrow Cookie (and Crunchy Chip) that help him overcome the things that Mystic Flour torments him with. That was what motivated him to ascend and 'beat' his beast.

Similarly, Golden Cheese sets out with a specific other cookie (Burnt Cheese Cookie) and it was the greed and love for her kingdom that helped overcome her beast.

Now with Holly berry's story out I can FINALLY address Eternal Sugar's whole deal with her (holy shit there's so much to unpack lmfao) but something intriguing I noticed is that she ALSO has a right hand (Wild berry Cookie and Raspberry Cookie) that clearly serve as a catalyst and her main support system throughout the story.

As of writing this I haven't finished Eternal Sugar and Hollyberry's campaign, so I'm not sure how her love of her kingdom will help Hollyberry actually ascend but from what I've PLAYED- Eternal Sugar literally involved HOLLYBERRY'S ENTIRE KINGDOM.

So far every Ancient's kingdom had been involved as collateral damage in somehow someway.

--

So what about Pure Vanilla Cookie?

Well he's a weirdo. Pure Vanilla's right hand is White Lily Cookie. His best friend- the one that literally half of his entire kingdom is DEDICATED to. It's clear throughout even the first two episodes that White Lily is SUPPOSED to Pure Vanilla's right hand and main comforter when he is being tormented by Shadow Milk.

She was supposed to be there for him. But we all know that White Lily is a little bit quirky and whenever she's 'supposed' to do anything sheeeee goes 'off script' a little. Which in this case actually worked in Shadow Milk's favor but still lol.

Point is that as soon as gang arrives at the Spire of Shadows White Lily splits up with them- Pure Vanilla just LOST his main support. I can't remember if it's canon whether or not Shadow Milk actually addresses this but it's quite intriguing because we've already broken the pattern set up so far:

Pure Vanilla has no right hand. He is alone in a spire to face his beast with a band of three crack kids on cocaine /j

And the effects of this is immediate in the way where he hallucinates the trio becoming incredibly angry and bitter at PV for misguiding them to the spire. Normally; the supporting role would help the main character. But that doesn't happen at all does it?

Might I add as well that Shadow Milk also breaks the monotony for once by having not one but two well trusted henchmen. And not any more.

Shadow Milk and PV's entire arc revolves around them being incredibly isolated and not being able to rely on anyone around them. Literally JUST to emphasize this I made a diagram of how Shadow Milk harasses everyone in Crispia.

If you were lonley... you'd go out of way to harass ANYONE. Everyone. Just for attention. If you already had your playthings exactly where you wanted them why would you try to manipulate anything more?

Mystic Flour and Burning Spice only target things related with their ancients because their goal is the soul jam. Eternal Sugar only targets the Hollyberrian Kingdom because her goal is Hollyberry. Annddd what does Shadow Milk do?

He reaches his grubby little hands out into Crispia and targets EVERYTHING BUT THE VANILLA KINGDOM.??

Sorry but I still haven't processed that right.

The only time we get a glimpse into who Shadow Milk torments with his lies is specifically those shown on the map- GRANTED it's supposed to be implied that Shadow Milk's power and deceit stretched across the entirety of Crispia. That doesn't disprove my POINT though- Shadow Milk's lonely ahh bitch decided that if he's truly 'lonely' he's going to straight up harass the entire COUNTRY.

Right so how does this relate to PV?

Well the other ancients surley ascended because of their love of their kingdom (because it's being tormented) and their right hand right-?

Lets go through our list here....

Right hand? No where to be seen White Lily is GONE and PV has only three friends who he CLEARLY does not want to burden with his issues.

Kingdom in peril right-... oh. Well erm this is kind of awkward... Who's going to tell Truthless Recluse that he should be CARING about the Vanilla Kingdom (that he renounced king-dom-ship over...)

My live reaction /lh

So yeah as FAR as the story is concerned PV ascends because of the love of his friends- as in Gingerbrave, Strawberry, and Wizard right.

Okay so maybe he didn't have the love of his kingdom (on my MAMA he never mentions his kingdom one god damn time despite LITERALLY BEING A KING IN THE PAST </3) - but that leaves us with one... final... issue...

PV's ascended now, we all find out that Truthless Recluse was a trick he did to better understand Shadow Milk but where the HELL is this man's one person???

Where is the person that at the end of the beast arc he comes to reconcile and say 'Oh wow I'm so glad THATS all over'...

...

Case in point, White Lily was supposed to be Pure Vanilla's support system... she was supposed to be there for him. Instead, PV not only figured it out by himself b u t.

Yknow he wasn't exactly wrong.

The entire time their arc consisted of conquring lonlieness. Was Shadow Milk the villian really? Or was it the fact that he lashed out- not knowing how to deal with the truth. Pure Vanilla was not the only one that was missing his 'person' so to speak (take this romantically or platonically).

While both Shadow Milk and PV had their friends there with them (ie; Black Saph, Candy apple | The trio) they were missing their main pillar of support.

So in the end what better way to end their arc then having PV extend his hand towards Shadow Milk and ask him if he wants to be his friend? The reason why PV's proposal is the final chapter in their story instead of an ascension and an 'epic battle' because the main antagonist of their story was merely a facade. And all they needed was each other to conqure it.

SPOLIERS FOR THE MOST RECENT ETERNAL SUGAR AND HOLLYBERRY ARC THIS IS UR ONLY WARNING CHAT ALR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Too bad Shadow Milk ran away though right guys /lhj

[the-owl-tree]

also figured out the clan names i wanted to use so! we got mustangclan, serpentclan (might change), coyoteclan, boarclan (thank you bonefall), cardinalclan and tempestclan.

some light notes on each, might do a more detailed post later-

some general worldbuilding notes:

do not ask me how this biome functions

the cats cook, prepare food, and know how to start fire.

subranks like courier, head of patrols, head of hunting, and so on exist. their power and relevancy varies within each clan. the deputy/deputies are in charge of managing them.

not all clans have the same positions and wording.

no starclan, these cats worship a pantheon of gods and pray to the appropriate god for advice. the gods have different names and appearances depending on which clan you go to, not writing them out because i haven't figured out every name yet lol

mustangclan

leader: bearstar; deputy: duskclaw; medic(s): fogstep and foxtrot

semi-nomadic, have a few different camps scattered around the map they travel to depending on their needs.

because their camps are so scattered, they often have pre-arranged travel paths through other clans territories. in the past, they'd just brute force their way through though, with different leadership, have begun to put more value in negotiations.

heavy emphasis on might makes right, though that's begun to change. lots of value in conquest, combat, and defending one's honor through force.

names often reflect this with aggressive predators and suffixes like -claw, -strike, -bite being common.

the clan is your family, lineage and blood relations are downplayed in favor of serving one's clan.

unfortunately for bearstar, his father was the last leader...and his own daughter won the trial for deputy. no one would outright accuse such a popular leader of nepotism and spitting on their values...at least not to his face.

leader and deputy are decided through combat, i like the idea that there's a makeshift "coliseum" that all the clans can use to settle minor disputes.

you can challenge the leader and deputy for their position at any time, you just have to win through battle.

outsiders can enter if they prove they're strong enough.

mustangclan cats are blunt to the point of coming across as rude and have a dark sense of humor, which can often rub other clan cats the wrong way.

strongest ally is boarclan, whom they fought alongside in a moon's old war against coyoteclan (pre-war, who were actually three small clans in a coalition!) and cardinalclan.

most of the cats here are followers of the god of war and glory, though followers of the god of the hunt and harvest are common (though they are a popular god in all clans)

serpentclan

leader: troutstar; deputies: saugerleap & pikesnap; physician: turtlestep

stationary, reside in one massive camp that's split into three sections: exterior where the warriors sleep, middle section where the nursery, elders, and physician's den lies, and the central section where the leader, deputies, and other leaderkin stay.

essentially a hereditary monarchy, the leader here is the one that speaks with the gods. this keeps their power absolute, the physician in serpentclan is purely to help heal.

some leader lineages have placed their children in the physician position, just to maximize their power over the clan. troutstar didn't get that, had two sons with no interest in learning medicine.

family lines often have a naming theme. troutstar's lineage uses fish names.

they try to completely avoid war, troutstar has established a long history of lengthy negotiations to avoid combat (saugerleap likes to joke his father has won negotiation wars by boring his enemies to tears).

can come across as snooty and arrogant to the other clans, they find the other clans history of war and bloodshed to be, not repulsive, but almost like...embarrassing?

they don't get along with mustangclan and boarclan cats lol

completely isolated during past wars.

outsiders are allowed to join, but most are barred from every ascending to the position of leadership or even become a physician.

one of the clans that practices betrothals, though it's most used for cross-clan negotiations. saugerleap and duskclaw were briefly engaged to cement a travel path for boarclan through serpentclan territory, though that fell through after saugerleap got discovered with his boarclan boyfriend.

lots of followers of the god of water here, thanks to troutstar's long reign; also lots of followers of the god of art.

coyoteclan

leader: oxeyestar; advisor(s): goosehop, duckstrut, grousetail; saint: icesnap

once three small clans - lupineclan, roseclan, yarrowclan - that worked in a coalition; a past war against stallionclan devastated them as they were forced into one cohesive unnamed clan to better control them. when the war ended, stallionclan pulled out from this group, leaving a massive power vacuum that a new player, tempestclan, took notice of.

this ended with them putting a leader of their choosing into this new clan, renaming them coyoteclan for their cleverness and resourcefulness to survive. this move solidified the alliance between the two groups...an alliance which slowly has begun to degrade as more of the warriors recognize just how much control tempestclan assumed.

the advisors and the saint of coyoteclan are all sent from tempestclan, feeding information back to tempestclan and swaying oxeyestar's decisions.

oxeyetail was no special warrior when picked, some naive and arrogant enough to believe he was so special that the god tempestclan worships picked him out of everyone. it's gone to his head quite a bit.

leaders are picked by the advisors of the clan, though they do a bit of fog and lights to try and make it more legitimate, as if the leader really has been handpicked by a god.

anyone can join, not many want to unfortunately.

it's not uncommon for coyoteclan to skip gatherings, there's a lot of resentment. when they do go, they can come across as prickly and quick to judge. but their sharp wit can make them good conversation partners.

their closest ally is tempestclan.

while tempestclan's influence has forced a lot of them to believe in their sole god, followers of the god of the sun and day still take up the majority in coyoteclan. other popular gods are the god of luck and the god of the hunt and harvest.

boarclan

leader(s): dawnstar & sandstar; deputies: nightstride, darkwater, dewleaf, lifeseeker; healer(s): raindrop, jaycall

a big clan with five different camps, set up around their territory where they often shuffle around depending on what they need. one's probably utilized completely for the healers, acting as both a herb garden and a quarantine zone.

the non-healer camps are run by the four deputies while the leaders often circulate around each week to make sure everything is alright.

similar to mustangclan, boarclan has a big culture around combat. though, it's more considered a performance akin to art rather than a way of life. showing off your strength is encouraged.

leadership is done the more traditional canon wc style, picked based on merit. however, you can absolutely challenge a deputy, healer, and leader if you'd like. it's a big event though, everyone's getting their roasted duck legs to watch a fight.

while hereditary leadership lineages aren't law enforced, they aren't discouraged. dawnstar and sandstar are mates, with their deputies and one of their healers (jaycall) being their kittens.

two leaders only, any more is demanding too much from the gods. they used to have more, but it resulted in a civil war that killed all four of the original leaders. two makes sure there is balance.

a very boisterous and loud group, play fighting is common and loud tales of glory and survival are often told at night around a fire.

for that reason they can come off across as abrasive, loud, and disruptive. they aren't trying to be, but not a lot of boarclan cats realize how loud they are.

they used to be a closed clan, though they've opened up somewhat to idea of cats joining.

their closest ally is mustangclan but dawnstar and sandstar has been working to try and repair relationships with cardinalclan.

a majority of boarclan cats are followers of the god of beasts.

cardinalclan

king: swiftstar; next-in-line: cranegaze; magistrates: cootwaddle, crowfoot, piperstreak, tattlertail, gullcry; cleric: loonback, cormorantpelt, pelicanjaw

a very hierarchical clan, their hierarchy extends to warriors themselves though i'm still teasing out the details.

forest clan, their camp hidden away. i'm still figuring out the details, i think they operate similar to serpentclan's camp just with more layers to reflect their hierarchy.

a hereditary leadership system, swiftstar is a long line of leaders groomed from birth to inherit the throne. his sister cranegaze is next-in-line, with their youngest sister, mallardsong, being the one to inherit afterwards.

magistrates act as the leader's advisors, the next-in-lines mentors, and enforcers of the leader's rulings. despite not inheriting the throne, they command a massive amount of respect from the clan and hold a lot of sway, with some forming their own unofficial courts of cats they can rely on to get things done.

betrothals are common in the "noble" bloodline of cardinclan, with swiftstar, cranegaze, and mallardsong's parents' mateship having been prearranged.

their parents were killed in a raid organized by the previous leaders of boarclan in a bid to control a very lush piece of territory. the devastation of losing their king and queen increased the antagonism towards boarclan tenfold.

swiftstar entertaining dawnstar and sandstar's pleas for peace is wildly unpopular, especially among his own magistrates.

cardinclan only names their cats after birds, yes this will probably come to bite me in the ass if I ever try and do a full allegiance.

i'd like the swiftstar line to have some sort of surname or title? still mulling it over.

a big artsy culture encouraged by the ruling cats, portraits of the king, of the clan in its prime, and of the god of art are very popular. cats of cardinclan also love to decorate themselves for gatherings and just general special events, smearing mushed up berries on their fur and rolling in flowers.

they used to have a strong alliance with the three clans that once made up coyoteclan, but tempestclan's control has withered that alliance away.

tempestclan

leader (referred to as the "father" of tempestclan): tempeststar; saints: martinbounce, wolverinesnarl, cariboucall, lynxstrike, cougarpelt, marmotscreech, beaversnap, pikapounce

isolated in a mountain range, the harsh weather and conditions to travel to this clan has kept them from being invaded by others for a long, long time. their camp resides in an abandoned village with an old church being where camp meetings are called.

an intensely religious clan, born around the idea there is one singular god whom they must devote themselves to entirely. they are patriarchal in nature, mostly as a way to better control the numbers of their clan.

this extends down to sometimes arranging mateships for the cats of tempestclan, blightspirit's parents was an arranged mateship between cariboucall and sheepstomp, a loner who was "rescued" by tempestclan after nearly freezing to death and was coerced into joining them. yes, it's as horrific as it sounds.

saints are often from a long lineage, though they dress it up with the idea they have been picked by their god. their leader, who when ascending to leadership is always renamed to tempeststar, is mostly just a figurehead to vocalize the saints orders. an ultimate figure of authority for the cats to follow. the current tempeststar's old name was snowdancer, he misses his old name and his close friends refer to him as 'snowy' in private.

blightspirit was being trained to take over his father's position, decided to get rid of any specific healer position. saints now handle that to maximize their control and authority over the clan.

this intense isolationism in both their policies and their territory has resulted in their clan numbers dwindling, taking a heavy toll when an exiled cat, stripped of her full name and just referred to as 'wolf', took some of her followers with her in exile.

so when mustangclan left a group with a big ol power vacuum in a region with prey, herbs, and lots of kittens to bring up the mountains...the saints decided the kindest thing to do would be to lend their aid, in exchange for herbs, resources, and some apprentices. it's only fair after all they've done for coyoteclan, don't you think?

kind of a miserable place to live, either with those unable to leave or those who genuinely believe in the religion pushed by the saints.

reserved, tired, and distrustful of strangers, most of the other clans barely know what tempestclan is like. they never come to gatherings and none, besides coyoteclan, have gotten into talks with them.

closest alliance is coyoteclan, whom they essentially rule from within and take advantage of.

they pray to a different god from those in the pantheon, choosing one singular god of cats that rules absolute.

[starleska]

YELLING THOUGHTS ABOUT DOCTOR WHO SEASON 2 EPISODE FIVE 'THE STORY AND THE ENGINE' 🕷️💈

enormous gigantic insane spoilers for this episode!!!! what are you doing?!?! GO AND WATCH IT NOW!!!!!

jaw is on the actual floor after that episode, holy SHIT. we knew that anything written by Inua Ellams was going to be profound and absorbing, but oh, that felt like a movie in its own right. this might be the most...evolved episode of Doctor Who we've had in a long time: a perfect, self-contained story that encompasses multitudes of stories and cultures and ideas, and such a huge love letter to Black barbershop culture and African mythology 👀 from the second we saw the spider lots of us clocked that Anansi and West African folktales were likely going to be a huge part of this episode, especially with Inua Ellams being known for The Barbershop Chronicles...and the beautiful, meta, character-driven story is such a wonderful combination of them all! it was so interesting to hear how the Doctor reached out to the Black community in Lagos to find a sense of belonging in his new body, and absolutely devastating to see that sense of safety and comfort ripped away again, reinforcing that he is still an alien, and still without his own family and culture...jesus 😭💔💔 Omo's betrayal was so well-written, and it cut like a knife, because he was trying to save those who he has true allegiance to: his fellow humans. it echoes the transactional nature of the Doctor's relationship with so many humans, because the Doctor is an 'evolved life form': he's the one who's supposed to save us, and time after time he's wounded for it, but he can't stop himself coming back. so much so that in this ultra-meta run of Doctor Who, he's aware of the power of his own stories: that he drives the narratives, he powers the engine. but that's the difference with this story, isn't it? this time, the Doctor was saved by the ingenuity of enslaved Black women and the maps they wove in their hair. he's saved by the stories he's lived through with humanity. and he's saved by knowing that he does always have a place on Earth, with us 💔 i loved seeing more of Fifteen's insecurity, anger, and fear...we need that. this is definitely one of Ncuti Gatwa's best episodes 👏👏 i could gush for hours about The Barber | Adetokunbo: what a spectacular performance from Ariyon Bakare, i got chills!!! 😭💖 gahhh i adore the idea of a spurned, overworked human being who propagates the stories of the gods and becomes so consumed with envy and spite that he wants to take the power for himself!! he's so skilled and intelligent that he could well have ascended to godhood himself, and honestly, i would've loved to see it. there was a good ten minutes in there where i thought the Barbershop was a TARDIS and The Barber was a Time Lord name—but the concept of the Nexus and his spider-inspired machine-shop traversing the web is so genius and fitting with the story!!!! i'm just so blown away. sounding like a broken record without offering much criticism this season, but of all the episodes for series 2, this was the one that had me rapt and breathless the entire time. i yelled seeing all of the other Doctors and the Fugitive Doctor again!!! what a treat!!! the big question on my mind is: where does that leave us with Mrs. Flood? i was utterly convinced that she was going to be a member of the Pantheon and have dominion over stories, but is that possible now we've seen that The Barber | Adetokunbo effectively ghost-wrote the gods' narratives?? god i need to watch all of series 1 and 2 again to understand 🙈💖 my guess? i think that The Story and the Engine was able to happen as a consequence of the Doctor casting salt and inviting in the Pantheon, driving the main narrative from science-fiction to sci-fi/fantasy, and without that happening, we would not have been able to see The Barber | Adetokunbo or Abena. and i think past The Interstellar Song Contest, reality is going to break in a huge way 👀

[mrmoldavite]

Understanding the Mercury Ascendant Line in Astrocartography

Mercury in astrology governs communication, intellect, learning style, thinking patterns, and how we process and share information. When traveling or living on a Mercury line in astrocartography, these themes become amplified, influencing your experiences in profound ways.

I recently decided to visit a city where my Mercury Ascendant (AC) line runs through, and leading up to the trip, my naturally curious mind had me diving deep into research to understand how this energy might impact me. From everything I’ve learned, I knew this place would enhance my communication skills—not just in terms of speaking, but also writing, social media engagement, and creative self-expression.

Upon arrival and settling into my apartment, I immediately noticed a series of synchronicities. The very night I booked my flight coincided with the New Moon in Aquarius—a time known for new beginnings and fresh starts. Adding to the alignment, my apartment is located right next to a university, a hub of intellectual exchange, and a Buddhist temple, where monks engage in meditation and deep contemplation. These signs affirmed that I was exactly where I needed to be.

Astrocartography is something I already trust deeply. A couple of years ago, I traveled to Dubai without any knowledge of my astrocartography lines, yet I intuitively felt more radiant, magnetic, and ethereal there. When I later studied my map, I discovered that my Venus line ran right through Dubai—perfectly explaining my experience of beauty, pleasure, and attraction while there. Now that I am on my Mercury AC line, I can already sense how it is shaping my reality.

The Influence of the Mercury Ascendant Line

Living or spending time on your Mercury AC line significantly amplifies your intellect, adaptability, and communication style. These locations sharpen your ability to think quickly, express yourself clearly, and engage socially. You’ll likely feel mentally stimulated, eager to learn, and inspired to teach or network. The energy here is fast-paced, full of movement, ideas, and conversations. It’s an excellent environment for writers, teachers, public speakers, and anyone whose career relies on verbal or intellectual skills.

However, the Mercury AC line isn’t without its challenges. This energy can bring a sense of nervousness, restlessness, and overthinking. If you have an anxious disposition—like me, with my Moon in Virgo—you may feel overwhelmed by the mental activity. The need to constantly be engaged can lead to burnout if you don’t take time to ground yourself. Fortunately, having access to meditation and nature, like the nearby beaches, helps me stay balanced amidst this heightened mental energy.

Professional and Personal Opportunities on a Mercury Line

The Mercury lines on your astrocartography map favour careers and projects that involve communication, networking, and information exchange. This makes them ideal for success in fields such as:

Writing, publishing, and journalism

Teaching and academia

Sales and marketing

Advertising and public relations

Politics and community leadership

Digital communications and technology

Transportation and travel-related industries

The placement of the Mercury line in relation to the Midheaven (MC) or Nadir (IC) adds further nuance to how its energy manifests. When Mercury is near the MC (top of the chart), professional ambition and public recognition in communication-based fields are heightened. This placement is perfect for those looking to inform, educate, and lead discussions on a large scale—potentially even globally.

In contrast, when Mercury is near the Nadir IC (bottom of the chart), the emphasis shifts to fitting into prevailing ideas and cultural norms rather than reshaping them. Living on a Mercury Nadir line can create a sense of intellectual contrast, where you might feel more progressive than those around you. Alternatively, it can foster a feeling of comfort and familiarity, much like residing in a small town where conversations remain predictable but reassuring.

The IC (Imum Coeli) represents your roots, home, private life, and deep emotional foundation. When Mercury is near the IC, communication and intellectual pursuits may be closely tied to your personal life, family dynamics, or ancestral influences. This placement can make home a place of constant learning and discussion or lead to introspection and journaling as a way to process emotions.

When Mercury is near the Descendant (DC) line, the focus turns toward relationships and interactions with others. This is a place where partnerships, collaborations, and social dynamics take centre stage. You may find yourself drawn to intellectual debates, forming strong networking connections, and engaging in lively discussions with those around you. This placement enhances your ability to understand different perspectives, making it an excellent location for diplomacy, counseling, or public relations. However, it can also highlight differences in communication styles within relationships, requiring patience and adaptability in conversations.

Mercury’s influence can also shift depending on proximity to other planetary lines. For example:

Near a Jupiter line, Mercury enhances law, government, and expansive thinking, making it a great place for legal professionals, educators, and philosophers who want to inspire and inform on a larger scale.

Near a Uranus line, it amplifies digital technologies and telecommunications, fostering innovation, tech start-ups, and revolutionary ideas that push the boundaries of communication and networking.

Near a Saturn line, it fosters discipline and structure in intellectual pursuits, supporting meticulous research, academic rigor, and professional credibility in fields requiring patience and long-term focus.

Near the Sun line – Your self-expression becomes more confident and radiant, making this a powerful place for personal branding, public speaking, and leadership in intellectual fields. Your ideas are likely to gain recognition.

Near a Venus line – Mercury blends with Venus’s charm, enhancing artistic writing, eloquence, and social ease. This is an excellent place for poetry, storytelling, and persuasive communication in business or romance.

Near a Mars line – The mind is sharp, direct, and sometimes aggressive. Conversations can be more heated, debates more intense, and decision-making quicker. This is great for high-energy professions like journalism, politics, or sales but may create verbal conflicts if not balanced.

Near a Pluto line – Mercury takes on a deep, investigative quality, making this a place for research, uncovering hidden truths, and transformative conversations. You may feel drawn to psychology, esoteric studies, or journalism that challenges societal norms.

Near a Moon line – Emotional intelligence merges with intellect, making this a place where communication is deeply personal and intuitive. It’s a great spot for writing memoirs, counselling, or public speaking that resonates emotionally, but overthinking feelings can also be a challenge.

Near a Neptune line – Imagination and intuition are heightened, making this an excellent place for creative writing, spiritual teachings, or artistic pursuits. However, communication may be more abstract, and there’s a potential for misunderstandings, deception, or mental fog if not grounded.

Mercury and Relationships

While Mercury lines are fantastic for career growth, networking, and mental stimulation, they are not typically associated with passionate romance. Mercury’s energy is mentally driven rather than emotionally or physically intense. As a result, relationships formed here may be warm, affectionate, and intellectually engaging—what Benjamin Franklin and his admirers once called a “sentimental romance”—but they are unlikely to be deeply passionate.

If you’re seeking love and sensual connection, it’s better to look at your Venus lines (often marked in light blue), as Venus governs beauty, attraction, and romantic harmony. Mercury, on the other hand, is more about intellectual rapport, witty banter, and friendships that may or may not deepen into something more intimate.

Final Thoughts

Astrocartography is a real and valuable tool for understanding how different locations can shape our experiences. Even though I've only just gotten here my journey on my Mercury AC line has already confirmed its effects—bringing mental stimulation, synchronicities, and a heightened sense of engagement with the world around me.

Just even the fact that I am putting a lot more effort into writing this astrology post and I've suddenly been overcome with a strong intention to up the levels of my overall astrology content on here just further confirms how real astrocartography is.

So if you’re looking to refine your communication, launch an intellectual pursuit, or immerse yourself in a fast-paced, idea-driven environment, a Mercury line could be the perfect place for you.

Start studying your astrocartography map. Learn the properties of each planetary line, and travel with intention people! My mind is feeling fantastic!

[lesb0]

I don't think we can expect everyone to know a lot about art on a deep level, but I do miss more info in art museums. If there are texts I find that they tend to be very surface level. I think it would be nice if either there just was given more info on the plaques in the museums, or that there would be also a sort of digital tour you could follow on your phone where you could access the info. The digital tour on your phone gives you the possibility to give way more info than you would ever put on a plaque in a museum and you don't have to try to read it with 7 people at once. I just remember that two summers ago I was walking through the National Gallery in London constantly looking up paintings and the historical events/stories they depicted. I do think, with the internet in our pockets, that the people who are interested have so much more access to art and info about them, but I still think that for permanent expositions museums could put in some more effort.

Having info about the painter, the event/story depicted, the symbolism (or interpretation of it), and some info about the materials used per painting would be nice, but I am also aware that that would end up being a huge amount of work. Non-academic people just often don't have access to academic publications, or simply don't know how to access them (I'm writing here in English, and in my experience publications in English are way easier to find for free in some way than those in Dutch, German or French, at least those I've needed, but you still don't find everything).

Interesting! There is an ongoing critical restructuring of the art museum, as they grapple with changing the ways they function. being colonial institutions invented to create a civilizing effect for the uneducated masses who suddenly are no longer at work 15 hours a day is pretty bad, right? the 18th century ruling class was extremely worried about what poor people would do with all the new leisure time + human rights they had gained after all those pesky revolutions. so enter the public, free, national art museums.

This crucial book by Duncan first criticized national art museums as a ritual space to replace the power that the church used to have: you get dressed up nicely, walk into a museum and perform an act of pseudo-worship by ascending up the giant steps, you follow a map that leads you from one room to the next, in chronological order with Italian renaissance art as the most valuable in this little micro world, and the other cultures ranked lower (looted african art at the very bottom, unless its with a picasso). You speak quietly, never point, don't stand too closely, follow the map, and NEVER run. if you step out of this order, the guards and the other guests will get angry and yell to correct you.

The museum takes the low uneducated dirty working class and teaches them how to act proper through a civilizing ritual.

Last night I told my friend a story Barbara Kruger mentions on Katy Hessel's podcast, that she gained her visual culture education in the lowest way possible, in a basement as one of the copy-paste girls who put the ads together at conde nast.

She wanted to go to museums and teach herself more about art, but felt like she could never feel clean enough to go in, her clothes felt too dirty and old. she felt like she needed to be lint rolled first. Many of my students feel exactly the same, "I can't go to the museum in sweatpants"

As a museologist, there's an idea of removing this authoritative condescendingness to art museums, and that starts by making didactics have as little of the curator's voice as possible, with just a tombstone. I'm trained to look at an artwork and immediately know the things you mentioned: the era, materials, iconographies, and the artists biography. communicating that to a student takes an entire hour every week. I do not look at didactics because I already have immediate basic info and context of every artwork, and I want to spend my time looking at the art itself. About 1% of this info is available on google/wiki.

You think museums should have a digital didactic for each object in a permanent collection? That'd be a fun initiative, essentially digitizing the work of the docent educator.

How would you feel about other visitors, instead of lining up to read a long didactic, were lining up to look between their phone and the art for a 10+ mins lecture that theyre playing at volume level 100?

Now how do you feel when I tell you the British Museum alone has over 8 million objects in its permanent collection, and doing a digital explanation for each one would take centuries if every qualified artist historian in the world worked on it.

To bring up Katy Hessel again: she does a great job at bridging this gap! She only has an undergrad level of understanding art but that actually makes her a great art communicator and instagram docent, she explains really basic things every art historian already knows, the 1% of art history you get on wikipedia but through her great voice. Museums Without Men accomplishes what you propose on a one woman level; an audio guide to the best women artists in a museum collection:

[chronic-escapixt]

His Rose ~ Part 2

(Kai Parker x Bennett OC fanfiction)

content warnings/tags ~ Dark fiction, CNC, dubcon, yandere, murder, abuse, trauma, smut, innocence kink, mutual attraction, slow burn, manipulation, childhood trauma mentioned. Minors DNI

I don't claim ownership of The Vampire Diaries or its characters. All credits go to the rightful owner(s). I only own my original character(s).

Word count: 1.7k

K.P. Masterlist

Burning candles lined each side of the table where Rose and Kai sat across from each other with a map between them. He suggested they use Portland, Oregon as a starting point to locate the ascendant. He told her it was the hometown of the Gemini leader. He lifted the dagger and dragged the jagged edge across his palm to draw blood before dripping it on the map. In turn, Rose started the incantation: “Phasmatos Tribum, Nas Ex Veras, Sequitas Sanguinem…”

He watched, waiting for the location to reveal itself but nothing happened. Even the flames kept a consistent burn, failing to rise as they should in reaction to magical energy. She continued the chant, her voice wavering until he stopped her. “What are you thinking about right now?” he asked.

“I don’t know… I just don’t want to mess this up.” 

“That’s your problem. If you keep imagining yourself failing, then that’s what will manifest in your spells. Magic draws on your energy and emotions.” She nodded and took a deep breath to settle her nerves before beginning again. The crimson droplets twitched before they conjoined into one surging arrow as the candle fire erupted into a light roar. Rose peaked down at the map. “Keep going. You’re almost there.”

She continued until the blood gathered in one spot, the candle flames dying out in unison. “Oh. my. god. It worked…” she whispered as soon as her eyes opened.

“Don’t sound so shocked. You’re a Bennett witch. You know, my coven has a long history with Bennetts. Your magic has to be one of the most powerful of any coven, that’s why they seal prison worlds with it.” He searched her eyes, detecting insecurity, “you doubt yourself too much.”

Her face warmed, but she didn’t avert her eyes from his. “Thank you.. for the advice.” 

“Don’t mention it.”

Without wasting time, they got on the road to Oregon, with Kai taking the first turn behind the wheel. After only half an hour on the road the silence unnerved him, prompting him to strike up a conversation.

“You never told me how you ended up here.” He glanced at her.

“The truth is, my sister Bonnie was supposed to, not me. Her life was bound to the Other Side but it was falling apart and I couldn’t sit back and let her die... again.”

“So, you sacrificed yourself for her?”

“Yeah.. I guess I did. I was looking for any way to help, then this spell practically fell into my lap. It let me switch places with her and time was running out so… I just did it.”

Confusion contorted his face “But why?”

She turned sharply, “Because she’s my sister and she always puts everyone before herself, especially me. But more than that, she’s the smartest and most beautiful person I know. If anyone deserves life, it's her,” she frowned, “if I had more time, I would have told her that.”

He wanted to ask more questions because truthfully, the idea of loving someone, let alone a sibling that much was.. odd, but he saw how emotional it made her, so he went the reassuring route. "You can tell her everything you need to when we get you back home."

She nodded.

After a day and a half, it neared midnight when they arrived in Portland. Rose snored softly beside him having been asleep for the better part of an hour. Kai took over the last stretch of driving, glad that she was sleeping so he wouldn’t have to pretend to follow the map. He didn’t need the locator spell in the first place. The ascendant was exactly where he left it. The spell was a test that showed him she had the ability to do magic. Her low confidence and inconsistency could be an obstacle but he hoped that wouldn't be an issue come the eclipse.

They pulled up to a large white house at the end of a gravel road surrounded by a modest expanse of field and woodland. He nudged her awake before they got out and approached the house.

“The ascendant is here?” she asked, staring back at the facade.

“The spell led us to this address,” he confirmed.

An odd feeling took hold of her. Maybe it was dread, but she couldn’t quite place it. Whatever it was left her feet stationary at the cobblestone just before the porch steps. “Rose… Roseee, are you.. coming?”

She nodded and followed him, pushing down the indiscernible feeling.

Little did she know, this place had unpleasant memories for many, especially those familiar with its bloody history. Having grew to befriend his demons, Kai found a twisted comfort with the place that nurtured them through a childhood of abuse and depravation.

They searched the house together, starting with the ground floor and moving deeper until they reached the study. Her eyes locked onto the brown trunk against the far wall. She removed the heavy grimoires stacked on top and fumbled with the lock.

“I have a feeling it’s in here but the trunk is locked,” she stated. Kai searched the desk, opening drawers until he found a small key. He crouched down beside her and put the key in the lock, turning until the subtle click sounded. She reached inside, pulling out a circular piece of metal with a small reflective crystal in the center. 

Before the night ended, Kai brought her down to the nearby caverns which he said would be an ideal location to access direct moonlight for the spell. Rose followed in silent awe, tracing her fingers along the granite walls that glistened in hues of blue. They stopped below the skylight which granted direct access to the moon above. “It’s beautiful,” she remarked breathlessly. He turned to her, immediately noticing the way her eyes sparkled, taking on a silvery color in place of their usual hazel hue. Her gaze met his just before he could look away and pretend he wasn’t staring.

“We should head back and get some rest. It’s been a long day,” he finished with a stretch and a yawn. 

Bubbles rose to the surface as he topped her glass with Pinot Grigio. Kai insisted she relax while he made dinner in exchange for the meal she made him the other night. She complied despite her desire to help, not only because she knew her way around a kitchen but also just to be close to him. His energy, his scent, the slightest physical contact gave her full body goosebumps.  

Sip after sip had her inhibitions waning until her eyes shamelessly traced his body, the contour of his back, the ever moving muscles that bulged along his arms as he worked with his hands. He was saying something, but it all faded into the background. His broad shoulders were strained by his tight t-shirt, sleeves clinging to his biceps. She silently thanked him for taking off that hoodie before cooking. He poured some wine into the hot pan before bringing the bottle to his lips and taking a generous sip.

She watched with baited breath.

He swallowed then turned to her suddenly, “Do you like shellfish?”

“Yes!” She blurted out loud. If her face could get any hotter it would have, “I mean, yeah… shellfish is fine,” she murmured quietly. Kai turned back to the stove, stifling a chuckle.

They ate a shrimp pasta with a white wine reduction and finished off the bottle of Pinot. Perhaps it was the wine or the way he looked at her like she was the most interesting person alive but she felt open enough to tell him all about her life back in Mystic Falls.

Although he liked to talk, Kai was attentive to her stories, vampires, love-triangles, originals and travelers. He took particular interest when she mentioned a pair of twins, Liv and Luke Parker. “Bonnie met Liv in her occult studies class. She’s really powerful. She gave me a few lessons in channeling.”

Kai looked up from his wine glass, “what about the guy... Luke?”

Rose thought for a second, “Oh, I only met him once. He was nice and I heard he was even more powerful than Liv.”

As the meal wrapped up, he asked if she enjoyed it. “It was delicious. Where did you learn to cook like this?” 

He chuckled. “I’ve had to cook for myself for almost 20 years now, so I’ve picked up a few things along the way.” 

“How did you do it? Spending so many years alone without anyone to talk to must have been difficult,” she inquired.

Kai offered a strained smile, “Loneliness isn’t new to me. I've always been by myself for as long as I can remember.” 

“Why?” she asked. 

“My dad kept me away from my family. He said I was an abomination. In his defense, I’m not like other witches in my coven.. I can’t make my own magic. I can only siphon it from others. Ever since I was little, he forced me to stay away from everyone else or face whatever punishment he felt like doling out. Early on, I wanted to be around them, but I quickly realized it was safer to just stay to myself.”

“Kai, that’s horrible. He couldn't be more wrong about you.”

He raised his hand, “If I touched you right now, I could siphon your magic right out of your body. Doesn’t that scare you?” 

Rose stared back unwavering, “I’m not afraid of you.” She closed the distance between their hands brushing her fingers against his. “I trust you and I’d let you have some if you asked, I'm not that good with magic anyway.” 

For the first time, she did something he didn't expect. He could almost get lost in her soft touch and genuine eyes but couldn’t afford to. Reminding himself of his plan in which her purpose did not include making him vulnerable. His hand slid away and he rose from the table.

“I should get started on the dishes.” 

“I’ll help you,” she chirped after him. 

“No-no, I got it,” he insisted. 

She frowned, suddenly noticing his mood change. Whether she had crossed a boundary she wasn't supposed to or the topic of his childhood made him uncomfortable (or both), she didn't push it any further, hoping that by giving him space, he would feel more at ease and open up to her about his past but clearly, that wouldn't happen tonight. Rose stood up and said goodnight before heading upstairs.

[dreamingmantis]

So here are some of my imaginings of what could have happened with human star. This isn’t a full rewrite (in case it seems choppy), just me rambling about many of the ideas I had. Though, I may write some of these. But please, ask or talk to me about it. It's so much fun to imagine. This is a long post, so I've put the rest under the cut. ✨

Some people have mentioned Star being mute. I’m not sure if they are actually referencing the star we got in the movie, so I’m just going to say that his voice is the last thing he finds in his humanoid form, and that he does in fact, mime things. If he talks, it's very little.

I want to know more about Asha’s father and her relationship with him. He seemed to be some sort of philosopher or astronomer. He drew maps, and he always recognized a certain star that only appeared at certain times of the year, right above the castle, and moved in an arc over it with the Earth's rotation. He called it the wishing star. You know, the star. He had a powerful wish too—one that he gave to King Magnifico before he tragically passed. But, he doesn't have full control over the wishes... yet. The wishes of those who have passed ascend to the stars, where they hold them safe.

Perhaps she's already known about his evil intent, even though no one else does. I'd also like to see more of Asha's flaws. If she's caring or people pleasing to a fault, I almost want to see it cause a problem. Maybe she accidentally impedes on something important and completely messes it up, possibly even the wish ceremony in an attempt to get her grandpa's wish granted (to inspire future generations). It would give more impact before she runs into the woods and sings This Wish. (just please don't say "throw caution to every warning sign" cause... what?)

Do you know the concept art of when Star first comes down to Earth? I think after Star's light envelopes the island, he would awaken in the forest, confused as to why he is so far from home. Asha finds him, and of course, is equally confused. He sees her and slowly realizes that she is the one who called him down and that he's on Earth.

I would want to see lots of shapeshifting here. There could be a song as he slowly gives his magic to the trees and the animals that explains who exactly he is, and by extension, how the galaxies, planets, and life are formed. He personally knows many of the stars we know about (you know, like Spica or Arcturus). In fact, when she tells him about her seven friends, he is reminded of seven stars he knows deeply, the Pleiades (his guiding constellation). She knows about them because her father showed her.

I think that concept would also give more depth and lore to King Magnifico’s sorcery. What he keeps in his room are akin to chemistry experiments, if you will, so it’s clear that he practices some sort of alchemy. He could have only retrieved magic like this from the cosmos, possibly the life force of the stars. She asks him if he can grant her grandfather’s wish. He shakes his head or signals. He can't. And of course, he doesn’t know or have the wish. King Magnifico is in possession of it.

Imagine they fly, like a Peter Pan-esque way (or maybe in the end, because they have to stay hidden). I want her to talk more about her father. Maybe he has an observatory. If the stars need to align a certain way for Magnifico to perform an ultimate spell, one of the keys to stopping him would be there.

He's still naive to exactly what's going on, yet he imparts wisdom, almost by accident, that make Asha realize. Since he isn't fully familiar with humans and their world, he probably messes with some items he sees and definitely knocks some things over. (I don’t know why but I imagined him hiding inside a jar.) But he's so fascinated by the smallest things in the world. Asha doesn't want him to be seen because she knows they'll be in deep trouble, but what if Star runs off out of curiosity and impresses a small crowd of people with his magic tricks. But of course, someone goes to pass along the word and soon enough, it'll reach Magnifico. I'm sure he wants to meet her friends too, but she has to try to hide him as she interacts with them and maneuvers her way up the castle.

I want the idea of humans being like stars of our own to slowly come to light over the story rather than in one song. Star can see all the wishes in people’s hearts, like the cores of stars. He can see each person for who they truly are at the core of their beings, in their purest forms. He wants to show her at some point, so, he takes her hands. And he feels a profound love for the first time. He feels the love she has in her heart for her family and her. For the first time, he can see where the wishes he hears come from, because...

After everything, Asha and Star finally reach the castle and find all the wishes. Star instantly recognizes their forms. And here, Asha finally sees the wishes of her family—her mother, her grandfather. But one is missing. Some people have died never knowing their wishes they gave to King Magnifico. Star has seen and held them before, because the wishes of those who have passed ascend to the stars, where they hold them safe. That includes Asha’s late father’s. And Star is the one holding it safe. So, he reaches deep within himself and pulls it out. She hold it in her hands, and it breaks her heart. His wish was for all people to know that in a world of matter who they are, their dreams are within reach. They shouldn't ever stop looking up because someone told them they can't. If they're going to sing At All Costs with the original words, this is when it would be. It would be so profoundly magical, like an I See The Light kind of moment. Their love for these precious wishes and for each other. Imagine, Asha’s holding her father’s dream in her arms, and very carefully, she passes it back to Star for safekeeping, yet at the same time, they’re holding each other.

Imagine, just imagine, that he was the star on her father's map.

Magnifico still ultimately wants to capture Star and keep him inside his staff forever so he can dictate the world. And Star holds some of the wishes of the passed? That’s even better for his quest for power. In fact, he aims to become so powerful that he can pull the wishes down from the heavens. He could extend his power into the cosmos. And if Asha made a mistake earlier in the film, people would be much more likely to believe him at first when declares Asha a traitor and lies that she's the one who destroyed their wishes. Also, he needs a bit more epic of a villain song.

I think they would be forced into hiding. Asha's friends are there and they still sing Knowing What I Know Now complete with some Star shapeshifting.

Her friends hadn't showed up as promised. Perhaps Magnifico had put an end to their uprising. Either way, Asha and Star confront him. Star is the last person she has by her side, and with a few words of his spell, he sucks him into his staff. He finally has the power he's craved. He can pull the wishes down from the heavens and crush them. She is alone when he commands the clouds to cover the stars and says his line of “There will be no more hope" (I don't remember the exact wording). She looks out to see the kingdom in hiding, wondering if her friends are really there like they said they would be. It's dark and storming, and she's so alone in the moment that it seems that Magnifico has already won. There are no stars in sight. Yet, she remembers how Star showed her that each person is made of everything that comes from the stars. So she begins to sing: So I look out to the stars just like me.

It turns out, her friends are there. They show up right when she needs them most and begin to sing with her, their hearts alight like the cores of stars. It's not enough. But the kingdom sees hope, and that's when they begin to come out. I mean from across the island, from their homes. He still casts a spell, and while weighed down, they still sing. That way, Magnifico's "mirror mirror" sequence could also extend across the whole island.

And Star breaks free. He ascends, high, and the wishes Magnifico attempted to pull down to Earth are let free. And when the clouds dissipate, he's sucked into his staff and defeated.

It would honest be funny if Star plummeted just to appear over the balcony and surprise her. And then... this is when they kiss.

So, she reunited with her loved ones as was in the ending, and of course, he must return to the heavens soon. (And be the guiding star). Asha loves him, but she loves her friends and family too, and her kingdom needs her. So, he bestows a new gift on her that she's worthy of. She would become the first fairy godmother and have the ability to commune with the stars. She can go between the heavens and Earth. She would have a dress transformation that would be reminiscent of the one in Cinderella. Sabino also begins to pluck his lute and play When You Wish Upon a Star in the end. When Star does return home, maybe, he leaps like a shooting star over the castle. Get it?

I appreciate that the setting alludes to the various cultures of it's inhabitants from around the Mediterranean region (I would love if even more variety was shown as a Mediterranean person myself), but I really want more of Asha's specific cultural background to be portrayed. I'm trying to think exactly what role Queen Amaya would have in the narrative. I've heard her and Magnifico were supposed to be the first villain couple which sounds so cool! I'm trying to imagine how exactly the dynamic would be there. If you have any ideas then lmk. ^^

[makingspiritualityreal]

Basics of Astrocartography - Ascendant Matters!

For those who haven't heard of Astrocartography, it is an astrological concept, that talks about how living in different parts of the world can activate different placements in our chart, which influences your perception and life experience. Of course, that is calculated based on individual birth data, so the same places will feel differently to different people based on their perception and experiences.

If you want to check out your own map, you can do it HERE.

After many years of studying astrocartography and having the opportunity of living away from my birthplace in several locations, I have come to a conclusion on intuitive understanding of interpreting the planetary lines (colourful lines you see in the image above, each line is a different planet/aspect).

As you can see on the image above, planetary lines are in fact superimposed with the fact, that out ascendant changes based on our location. I was born a Scorpio rising (location marked by the cross) and so on this entire longitude my rising will stay the same (the pattern is flowy and circular since the Earth is an irregular orb). But if you move my location far enough away from the birth place, the ascendant will change, following in a stripe curvy pattern, just like the image above.

Within these patterns and waves, certain places pop up significantly through planetary lines, making specific towns in bigger areas centers for planetary focus.

Example - where I live right now on the West Coast of the USA, my ascendant changes from Scorpio to Libra. But more than that, in a specific location along the coast, my Jupiter line (the pink one right on the edge of the pacific) becomes active, as my Natal Jupiter in Libra now moves to the first house, with the ascendant change. If I moved somewhere in the middle of the USA, my Ascendant stays the same, but instead what is activated is my Moon Mars conjunction, now activating the 10th house, which is stronger than Jupiter in that particular area.

If I moved lets say to London, England, my ascendant would instead be in Capricorn, which would activate my Venus line, since my Capricorn Venus would move to the first house.

Fun fact is, you can have several planets activated if you have more planets in angular houses, or at least the same modality. For instance, staying on the Scorpio Rising Line, gives me a significant difference between my Sun line, which is located more in Eastern Canada and near Panama Canal, and my Saturn in the 4th house line, which goes directly through the Chicago area, yet the houses don't change so I'm still pretty much living out my basic birth chart.

I think sticking to the simpler lines is important, because looking at too many smaller ones will make you lose sight of what your life is going to be about in this given area. Even if you do look into more options, don't forget that the ascendant and main cardinal lines are what are going to be your main driving force in any location.

Remember, that God always sends you to where you are meant to be, and any location should be explored, not controlled. You will, however, have the most meaningful experiences under the influence of main lines, explained in this post, mixed with local space lines, which is something you will need to look into individually.

[litsnobconfessions]

A Year of Animation Day 75: The Dragon Prince S7E1-4

Date: March 16, 2025

Day: 75

Content Watched: The Dragon Prince, Season 7, Episodes 1-4

Year: 2018-2024

Rating: TV-Y7

Run Time: 104 minutes

I know I'm about to start an argument here, but I really like season 7. I love seeing how everything comes together. We get to find out about the orphan queen (is this why Katolis has a law that only orphans can ascend to the throne? I still think it's weird), we get more history about Katolis and Xadia, and things from the first and second seasons come back to haunt us. Season 7 is also where I realized that arc 2 is a whole hell of a lot darker than arc 1. Is it just season 7? Or does it slowly descend into darkness and you don't realize it because you're in the pot as it boils? Regardless, a lot of people have to make a lot of tough decisions, and I have a lot of feels. Let's get into it.

I think my favorite bit of animation here was when Astrid removed her blindfold and saw the sun for the first time, so bright that it was almost too much for her. I think my favorite episode of these is "Unfinished Business." I've found that this show does a really good job of playing similar plotlines against one another, and I like how both Rayla and Terry have to find a way to stand up for theirselves, their choices, and their beliefs, even if it means burning bridges. Both narratives also highlight the general theme of love over strength and do so via a story about ghosts. Furthermore, the way Terry takes in the two shimmercrow hatchlings reminds me of Tobias morphing the mother rabbit in The Pretender. And I like the New Moon Ceremony. I like how Rayla faces the literal ghosts to remove her metaphorical ghost status.

As far as things coming full circle, this is where we learn that Claudia had, as a child, a map to the Garden of the Innocents. We learn that only someone with a true heart can see the map, and it leads to a unicorn graveyard. Which is likely how Claudia once aquired a unicorn horn for Viren (back in season 2). And when they go to the Puzzle House, they learn that Kpp'Ar was practicing self-eating, which is why he had a bandage on his arm in last season's flashback when Viren took the staff from him.

"Death Alive" was another opportunity for The Dragon Prince to create a major conflict between Callum and Rayla. As soon as she promised that she wouldn't leave for the Silvergrove without him, my husband and I both thought something was going to get in the way. Like Runaan just taking off by himself and Rayla having to follow him. Instead, Rayla makes him go with her to Katolis because, as she (re)states what Runaan told her, "I made a promise to the human I love." This, of course, leads to Runaan being imprisoned and the first of Callum and Rayla's Big Choices: whether or not to break him out. I really like the scene in which Rayla tells him she wouldn't ask him for help, and he answers with, "you don't have to ask."

Callum here, is a foil to Miyana, who has been going along with what her lover has wanted and now has to make the Big Choice of whether to continue. In this case, she decides that raising her child is now more important to her than any plans of revolution, and I think Karim's description of their son as his "heir" is really telling of his priorities. I also think the big difference here between Miyana and Callum, both agreeing to break the law to help the person they love, is that Miyana seems to have stolen the sun seed specifically for Karim, whereas Callum has his own reasons for helping Runaan--he doesn't do it just because he loves Rayla. He does it because he thinks it's the right thing to do.

Which is the conflict that Terry finds himself in and the Big Choice he has to make. Up to now, Terry has gone along with what Claudia is doing because he loves her. And he's been rationalizing the hell out of things because he loves her. But we see, even as early as the "Death Alive," that this reationalization is getting harder and harder. He backs away from Aravos. And he provides Claudia with his opinion. Up to now, he's told her that she needs to make these decisions on her own, though he will support her, whatever she decides. But now he tells her he thinks its a bad idea because it will continue a cycle of vengence and violence. And he continues to discourage her from engaging in dark magic--such as using Kpp'Ar's story about giving it up. Terry's morals are slowly becoming stronger than his love, and in "The Glittering Bones," he hits his tipping point and has to make his Big Choice.

But going back to Miyana and Karim, Janai and Ezran are faced with Big Choices regarding their prisoners and the conflicts with their brothers. Fortunately for them, they each have an advisor (Amaya and Anya respectively) to assist them in this process. I do like that Janai agrees to pardon the army that goes with Miyana, and I think her mercy shows fruit here--the soldiers do seem ready to take their second chances, and even Miyana, once she is granted amnesty, is ready to accept the life she has been given in order to raise her child, leaving Karim as the only holdout, and Janai trapped between pardoning the leader of the rebellion and execuiting her own brother.

I do think that in real life, this would be an even more difficult situation. That is to say, we approve of Janai's actions and disapprove of Karim's because we are guided to these opinions. Janai is written as a hero and Karim as a villain. But in another story, Karim might be written as a hero (peraps the story of Marcus, who is forced to wear a broken link when Viren becomes king in season 3). Certainly from his point of view, he is in the right not to back down. So I think that we should ask ourselves: how do we know? How do we know that we're Marcus or Karim? Janai or Viren?

 I think the answer lies in Harrow's words about strength and vulnerability. We must ask ourselves: are our actions out of love or strength? Do do they build up others around us? Or only ourselves? Are we defending and supporting the vulnerable? Or tearing them down? I think that when we know we are acting out of love, rather than strength or vengence (like Callum, defending Runaan), we know we are making the right decision. Of course, ever since Callum acquired the ocean arcanum, this has also been an ever increasing theme in the show--you don't know if you're making the right decision. On some level, you never do.

I feel like seeing Viren again was a turning point for Ezran. It was the first time he approached someone purely out of anger and revenge. But for the most part, he still believed in creating a narrative of love, rather than a narrative of revenge. Until Katolis burned. Honestly, I think I felt about as shocked as Callum and Rayla when he demanded Runaan be imprisoned for killing Harrow, so I was grateful for Anya. Come to think of it, she plays a role a little like Terry here. Up to this point, she has only offered her support and told Ezran he had to find his own path. But here, she finally offers wisdom--to let Callum go--which ultimately helps lead Ezran back to the path of love over strength.

Finally, the scene in which Ethari and Runaan reunite reminds me so much of the end of Peter Pan, when Wendy and the boys return to find that when their mother sees them, she doesn't believe her own eyes. She's seen them so many times in her dreams, she says, that she can no longer tell if she's dreaming or if she's awake (those of you who have seen Hook may remember this line from that movie as well.) I felt like Ethari had been through a similar experience in mourning Runaan.

[alyss-erulisse]

Morph Madness!

Fixing Exploding Morphs

Marik's Egyptian Choker is currently in production. It is the first accessory I've made that involves assignment to more than one bone and morphs for fat, fit and thin states. So there is a learning curve, and it is during that learning curve that interesting and unexpected things can happen.

As with my other content, I'm making the choker fit sims of all ages and genders--that's 8 different bodies.

Adding fat, fit and thin morphs multiples this number to 27 different bodies.

I'm also making 3 levels of detail for each of these. The number comes to 81 different bodies, 81 different bodies for which I need to tightly fit a cylinder around the neck and avoid clipping.

That's a lot of work. I can see why most custom content creators stick with one age, gender and detail level. At least, they did in the past. Our tools are getting better day by day, and that may partly be because of creative, ambitious and somewhat obsessive people like me.

There are usually multiple ways to solve the same problem. Some ways are faster than others. This I've learned from working in Blender3D. You can navigate to a button with your mouse or hit the keyboard shortcut. You can use proportional editing to fiddle around with a mesh or you can use a combination of modifiers.

If I am going to be creating 81 chokers, I don't want to be fiddling around on each one of them for an hour. I need something automated, repeatable and non-destructive so I can make adjustments later without having to start over from the beginning. I need to work smart rather than just work hard.

This is where modifiers and geometry nodes come in. After you develop a stack to work with one body, the same process pretty much works for the others as well. That is how it became easier for me to model each of the 81 chokers from scratch rather than to use proportional editing to fit a copy from one body to the next.

But I was about to confront an explosive problem…

Anyone who has worked with morphs before probably knows where this story is headed. There is a good reason to copy the base mesh and then use proportional editing to refit it to the fat, fit and thin bodies. That reason has to do with vertex index numbers.

You see, every vertex in your mesh has a number assigned to it so that the computer can keep track of it. Normally, the order of these numbers doesn't really matter much. I had never even thought about them before I loaded my base mesh and morphs into TSRW, touched those sliders to drag between morph states, and watched my mesh disintegrate into a mess of jagged, black fangs.

A morph is made up of directions for each vertex in a mesh on where to go if the sim is fat or thin or fit. The vertex index number determines which vertex gets which set of directions. If the vertices of your base mesh are numbered differently than the vertices of your morph, the wrong directions are sent to the vertices, and they end up going everywhere but the right places.

It is morph madness!

When a base mesh is copied and then the vertices are just nudged around with proportional editing, the numbering remains the same. When you make each morph from scratch, the numbering varies widely.

How, then, could I get each one of those 81 meshes to be numbered in exactly the same way?

Their structures and UV maps were the same, but their size and proportions varied a lot from body to body. Furthermore, I'd used the Edge Split modifier to sharpen edges, which results in disconnected geometry and double vertices.

Sorting the elements with native functions did not yield uniform results because of the varying proportions.

The Blender Add-On by bartoszstyperek called Copy Verts Ids presented a possible solution, but it was bewildered by the disconnected geometry and gave unpredictable results.

Fix your SHAPE KEYS! - Blender 2.8 tutorial by Danny Mac 3D

I had an idea of how I wanted the vertices to be numbered, ascending along one edge ring at a time, but short of selecting one vertex at a time and sending it to the end of the stack with the native Sort Elements > Selected function, there was no way to do this.

Of course, selecting 27,216 vertices one-at-a-time was even more unacceptable to me than the idea of fiddling with 81 meshes in proportional editing mode.

So… I decided to learn how to script an Add-On for Blender and create the tool I needed myself.

A week and 447 polished lines of code later, I had this satisfying button to press that would fix my problem.

Here are the index numbers before and after pressing that wonderful button.

My morphs are not exploding anymore, and I am so happy I didn't give up on this project or give myself carpal tunnel syndrome with hours of fiddling.

Marik's Egyptian Choker is coming along nicely now. I haven't avoided fiddling entirely, but now it only involves resizing to fix clipping issues during animation.

Unfortunately, I'll have to push the release date to next month, but now, I have developed my first Blender Add-On and maybe, after a bit more testing, it could be as useful to other creators in the community as its been to me.

Looking for more info about morphing problems? See this post.

See more of my work: Check out my archive.

Join me on my journey: Follow me on tumblr.

Support my creative life: Buy me a coffee on KoFi.