#those intrinsic intellectuals

[spilladabalia]

Those Intrinsic Intellectuals - Radio Iceland

[kaurwreck]

for the ask game: LILAC CHARCOAL AND RASPBERRY

anon this is so sweet 😭

[ask game provided below for reference; if you'd like to play, please reblog from OP here:]

[incognitopolls]

We ask your questions so you don’t have to! Submit your questions to have them posted anonymously as polls.

[mywitchyblog]

Reality Shifting and Race Changing Explained: A Deep and Comprehensive Analysis of the Practice through the Perspective of a Person of Color.

Introduction :

Reality shifting, a practice where individuals consciously move their awareness to alternate realities or dimensions, has gained significant popularity and attention. Within this phenomenon, race changing—where shifters assume a different racial identity in their Desired Reality (DR)—has become a particularly contentious topic. Proponents of race changing see it as a way to explore different perspectives, foster empathy, and experience personal growth. However, critics raise concerns about cultural appropriation, identity integrity, and ethical implications. This essay will delve into the shifter's perspective and debunk arguments against race changing in reality shifting, examining the diverse viewpoints and underlying controversies.

Disclaimer : before interacting pls read the entire post carefully if you do not understand a part of it do not hesistate to tell me and i would gladly explain you in more details.

And as the title says im a person of color (POC) so i will give my opinion on the matter. I am lowkey (more high key lol) pissed that i see white people telling and talking about it as if they opinion is law its time you let people directly concerned by the matter speak on a subject that concerns them.

Taglist of people who might be interested in this post that i will update progressively i will also at the end provide a pdf version of the document if this post reaches 100 reactions if it reaches 150 to 200 i will also provide the one against age changing) :

@shiftinghoe @shiftersroom @leydenkilgore @jolynesmom @shiftinginferno @norumis @angelscatastrophe @thanossnap

My Age changing Post for those interested

Masterlist

Part I: The Shifter's Perspective

A-Immersive Nature of Reality Shifting

Reality shifting goes beyond elaborate daydreaming or role-playing. It's a full-fledged immersive experience where individuals become their "Desired Reality" (DR) selves entirely. This deep embodiment isn't just physical; it encompasses cultural, emotional, and even historical elements.

Shifters often perceive themselves with entirely different physical characteristics in their DR. This goes beyond appearance – they feel comfortable and familiar in their new bodies, experiencing unique sensations and abilities tied to their DR race. Imagine an East Asian shifter feeling their epicanthic folds affecting their vision or an Afro-Caribbean shifter experiencing the textures of their hair and the specific needs of their skin.

But it's not just physical. Shifters become integrated members of their DR culture. They might find themselves fluent in the language, complete with cultural nuances and dialects. They possess an intrinsic understanding of traditions and social norms, not just intellectually, but on a lived level. Family histories, community connections, and social networks become as real and meaningful as those in their original reality.

Perhaps the most profound aspect is the emotional and psychological alignment. Shifters report feeling emotions differently based on their DR cultural background. Their worldview, values, and beliefs shift to reflect their new identity, offering unique perspectives. Many even have a full set of memories associated with their DR life, from childhood experiences to major events.

Shifters don't just inhabit a new identity; they become part of a complex historical and societal narrative. They understand the weight of historical events that shaped their DR community and experience firsthand the societal advantages or disadvantages of their DR race. They feel a deep sense of cultural pride alongside the challenges and discrimination that may come with it.

For example, a Japanese shifter might not only speak the language fluently but also understand the intricacies of keigo and feel the emotional weight of concepts like "gaman" or "uchi-soto." They could have memories of local festivals, the excitement of catching goldfish, or the solemnity of a New Year's visit.

Similarly, a Latinx shifter might effortlessly switch between languages, understand the cultural significance of quinceañeras, and feel a deep connection to their abuela's traditions. They could have vivid memories of family gatherings filled with traditional foods, laughter-filled conversations, and the warmth of close family bonds.

This immersive experience allows shifters to see the world through a completely different lens, gaining insights otherwise impossible. In their DR, their new identity isn't a costume – it's as authentic and valid as their original self. This creates a profound sense of belonging and allows them to explore different aspects of identity in a meaningful way. This depth of experience is what proponents of race changing in reality shifting often highlight as a potential benefit.

B-Personal Growth and Empathy Development

Reality shifting, particularly when it involves changing race, offers a powerful pathway for personal growth and empathy development. Proponents believe this to be one of its most valuable benefits. Here's a breakdown of its potential:

Expanded Perspective: Shifters inhabit a different racial identity, gaining visceral, firsthand experiences. Imagine a Black shifter feeling the sting of racism, or an Asian shifter navigating the pressures of the "model minority" stereotype. This fosters a deeper understanding of racial dynamics beyond textbook knowledge.

Cultural Competence: Shifters become immersed in a new cultural context, enhancing their cultural competence. They gain insights into cultural nuances, values, communication styles, and nonverbal cues. For instance, a shifter embodying a Middle Eastern identity might understand the significance of hospitality, appreciating the cultural roots of seemingly excessive generosity.

Challenging Biases: The immersive nature of shifting exposes personal biases. Shifters confront and work through unconscious biases and stereotypes that may seem harmless from the outside, but feel hurtful or limiting from a different perspective. This uncomfortable process can be ultimately transformative.

Emotional Intelligence: Experiencing life through a different racial lens boosts emotional intelligence. Shifters develop empathy for the struggles and joys specific to different races, better understand emotional cues across cultures, and gain enhanced self-awareness through reflecting on their reactions in their new identity.

Social Justice Awareness: Shifters often report a heightened commitment to social justice and equity. Experiencing discrimination firsthand motivates them to become allies in their original reality. Understanding privilege (or lack thereof) associated with different races fosters nuanced discussions about systemic inequality.

Personal Identity Exploration: Race changing in shifting can prompt deep reflection on personal identity. Shifters might question aspects of their original identity, explore their cultural heritage and family history, and gain a greater appreciation for the fluidity and constructed nature of racial categories.

Linguistic and Cognitive Benefits: Shifters who become fluent in new languages experience cognitive benefits like enhanced cognitive flexibility from thinking in different linguistic frameworks and improved problem-solving skills as they navigate cultural and linguistic differences.

Artistic and Creative Inspiration: The rich experiences gained through race changing can serve as a wellspring of artistic and creative inspiration. Writers might create more authentic characters, while visual artists gain new perspectives on color, form, and cultural symbolism.

Professional Development: Insights gained through race changing can translate into professional growth. Shifters develop a stronger ability to work in diverse teams, enhance their cross-cultural communication and negotiation skills, and gain a deeper understanding that can be valuable in multicultural environments.

Healing and Trauma Processing: In some cases, embodying different racial identities has helped shifters process personal or intergenerational trauma. For instance, a shifter with a family history of racial oppression might find healing in embodying an identity free from that specific trauma. Conversely, embodying an identity that has experienced historical trauma might help shifters connect with and process their own unrelated traumatic experiences.

Part II: Debunking Arguments Against Race Changing

A-Cultural Appropriation

One of the primary arguments against race changing in reality shifting is that it constitutes cultural appropriation. This issue is complex and sensitive, requiring careful consideration.

Cultural appropriation involves adopting elements from one culture by members of another, often without a full understanding or respect for the original culture. This practice is typically characterized by a power imbalance, where the appropriating group holds more social, political, or economic power than the culture being appropriated. It also involves a lack of attribution, where the source of cultural elements is not acknowledged, leading to stereotyping and commodification of cultural symbols, often out of context and for profit.

Applying this argument to reality shifting, critics assert that when individuals assume a different racial identity in their desired reality (DR), they may trivialize the lived experiences of that racial group. They argue that such individuals might cherry-pick enjoyable aspects of the culture while avoiding its challenges and potentially reinforcing stereotypes or misconceptions about the culture.

However, several counterarguments challenge this perspective. Many shifters approach race changing with the intention of understanding and empathizing with different racial identities, rather than exploiting them. The immersive nature of shifting often involves a deep engagement with the culture, as opposed to the superficial adoption of isolated elements.

Moreover, cultural appropriation typically involves a dominant culture taking from a marginalized one, but in shifting, this power dynamic isn’t present. Shifters embody the new identity fully, integrating their experiences into the fabric of the DR, which can make their engagement more authentic.

Unlike typical cases of cultural appropriation, shifters often report experiencing both the positive and negative aspects of their new racial identity, including potential discrimination and societal challenges. This level of immersion extends far beyond wearing traditional clothing or using cultural symbols, as it involves a comprehensive engagement with the culture's values, traditions, and worldview.

Reality shifting is a personal and introspective practice, usually conducted privately or in small groups, rather than as a public display that might perpetuate stereotypes or commercialize the culture. This personal and nuanced approach differentiates it from more harmful forms of cultural appropriation seen in popular culture or commercial contexts.

Despite these counterarguments, there are still ethical concerns to consider. The ability to "opt out" of a racial identity at will is a privilege not available to those who live that identity full-time. There is also a risk of oversimplification or misrepresentation, even with the best intentions. The personal nature of shifting does not negate the potential for internalized stereotypes or biases to influence the experience.

Instead of viewing race changing in shifting as clear-cut cultural appropriation, it might be more accurate to see it as a complex form of cultural engagement. This practice has the potential for both positive outcomes, such as increased empathy and understanding, and negative outcomes, like reinforcing stereotypes or trivializing experiences. It requires careful reflection and ethical consideration from practitioners and might be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering the shifter's intent, approach, and outcomes.

The argument that race changing in reality shifting constitutes cultural appropriation could be seen as a false analogy fallacy, inaccurately equating the personal, immersive, and often respectful experience of shifting with the exploitative and superficial nature of cultural appropriation as traditionally understood. Some proponents suggest that, when conducted respectfully and thoughtfully, race changing in shifting could be seen as a form of cultural exchange rather than appropriation. This perspective posits that the immersive nature of shifting fosters genuine understanding and appreciation, with shifters often feeling a responsibility to respect and honor the cultures they embody. The insights gained can contribute to more meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and understanding in the shifter's original reality.

In conclusion, while the argument against race changing in reality shifting raises important ethical considerations, the issue is more nuanced than it might initially appear. The deeply personal and immersive nature of shifting, coupled with the often sincere intent of practitioners to gain understanding and empathy, sets it apart from more straightforward cases of cultural appropriation. Nevertheless, it remains crucial for shifters to approach the practice with respect, self-reflection, and a willingness to grapple with its complex ethical implications.

B-Fetishization

Another significant criticism of race changing in reality shifting is that it may lead to or represent a form of racial fetishization. This concern is both sensitive and complex, and warrants a thorough examination.

Racial fetishization involves reducing individuals to stereotypical racial characteristics, objectifying people based on their race or ethnicity, and exoticizing racial features or cultural elements. Often, though not always, it includes a sexual component. Critics argue that race changing in shifting might encourage shifters to focus on stereotypical or exoticized aspects of a race, leading to a superficial engagement with racial identity that is more fantasy than reality. This practice could potentially reinforce harmful stereotypes or racial preferences.

However, several counterarguments challenge this perspective. Many shifters who engage in race changing are not primarily motivated by sexual desire or attraction to stereotypical racial attributes. Their goal is often to understand and embody the full spectrum of experiences associated with a different racial identity, rather than to indulge in fantasy or stereotypes. The immersive nature of reality shifting encourages shifters to deeply engage with and appreciate the culture they are exploring. This process frequently fosters empathy and understanding, rather than objectification, as shifters report experiencing both positive and negative aspects of their new racial identity, extending beyond surface-level engagement.

Additionally, many shifters approach race changing as a means of personal growth, aiming to challenge their own biases and expand their worldview. This experience often leads to increased cultural sensitivity and awareness, rather than reinforcing stereotypes. In their desired reality (DR), shifters often experience a fully realized and complex identity that includes family histories, cultural practices, societal challenges, and individual personality traits, going far beyond mere racial characteristics.

Despite these counterarguments, it is important to acknowledge potential risks. Shifters might unknowingly bring racial stereotypes or biases into their DR experiences. There is also a risk of focusing on more "appealing" aspects of a racial identity while downplaying its challenges or complexities. The ability to "try on" different racial identities at will is a privilege that could lead to a form of racial tourism if not approached thoughtfully.

From a psychological standpoint, the experience of race changing in shifting could be seen as a form of identity exploration rather than fetishization. It serves as an exercise in perspective-taking and empathy development and provides an opportunity to confront and work through internalized racial biases.

Culturally, it is worth considering whether race changing practices in shifting might lead to more nuanced representations of diverse racial identities in media and art, foster more open dialogue about race and identity in society, or risk oversimplifying complex racial issues.

Ethically, shifters should be encouraged to reflect critically on their motivations and experiences, seek diverse perspectives and real-world knowledge about the races they embody in their DR, and be mindful of the line between appreciation and fetishization. The argument that race changing in reality shifting constitutes fetishization could be seen as a straw man fallacy, as it misrepresents the shifters' intentions and the nature of their experiences, reducing a complex and often empathetic practice to a simplistic and objectifying one.

Some proponents argue that race changing in shifting could help deconstruct harmful racial categories by highlighting the constructed nature of race, encouraging people to see beyond racial stereotypes, and fostering a more fluid understanding of identity. Comparing this practice to other activities, such as actors portraying characters of different races, virtual reality experiences designed to foster racial empathy, or imagining oneself in someone else’s shoes through literature or film, reveals that race changing in shifting may differ fundamentally from these practices in its approach and intent.

In conclusion, while the criticism of fetishization raises important concerns about the potential risks of race changing in reality shifting, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture. The deeply personal and often transformative nature of these experiences, combined with the typical intent of fostering understanding and empathy, sets it apart from more straightforward cases of racial fetishization. Nevertheless, it is essential for shifters to approach the practice with self-awareness, respect, and a commitment to genuine cultural engagement rather than superficial or stereotypical representations.

C-Race Changing is Racist

The argument that race changing in reality shifting is fundamentally racist is a serious allegation that requires careful examination. This perspective is based on several concerns: it may trivialize the real struggles and discrimination faced by racial minorities, allow individuals to "play" at being another race without encountering the associated societal challenges, perpetuate the idea that race is something that can be donned or discarded at will, and reinforce the notion that race is merely about physical characteristics or stereotypical behaviors. This criticism often stems from worries about cultural insensitivity, fears of minimizing systemic racism, and the historical context of racist practices such as blackface and yellowface.

However, this argument can be contested on multiple grounds. Firstly, many shifters engage in race changing not to mock or belittle other races but to gain a deeper understanding and empathy for those experiences. The immersive nature of shifting often results in increased awareness of racial issues and a stronger commitment to anti-racism in the shifter's original reality. Furthermore, shifters in their desired reality (DR) often experience life as an integrated part of the culture they embody, including facing discrimination and navigating societal challenges associated with that racial identity. This depth of experience goes beyond superficial engagement.

Additionally, race changing can lead to significant personal transformation. Many shifters report profound growth, challenging their own biases and increasing their cultural competence. These experiences foster a deep sense of connection and solidarity with different racial groups. Race changing could also be viewed as an immersive form of education about racial experiences, potentially offering more impactful learning than traditional methods.

Despite these counterarguments, it is crucial to acknowledge potential issues. Shifters have the privilege of opting out of their new racial identity and returning to their original reality, a luxury not available to those who face racism daily. There is also a risk of oversimplifying complex racial experiences into simplified narratives. Without proper reflection, shifters might misuse or misrepresent aspects of the racial identities they embody.

To address these concerns, shifters engaging in race changing should approach the practice with humility and a willingness to learn. Complementing their shifting experiences with real-world education about racial issues and using insights gained to actively combat racism in their original reality can help mitigate potential problems. Critical reflection on their experiences and motivations is also essential.

From a psychological perspective, race changing in shifting can be seen as a form of perspective-taking, which has been shown to reduce prejudice, an exercise in empathy development, and a way to confront and work through unconscious racial biases. Sociologically, it is worth considering whether widespread engagement in race changing might lead to increased racial empathy, contribute to a more nuanced understanding of race as a social construct, or challenge existing racial categories.

A comparative analysis with other practices such as diversity training programs, role-playing exercises in anti-racism workshops, and the concept of "passing" in racial identity reveals that race changing in shifting might differ fundamentally in its approach and intent. The argument that race changing is inherently racist may be seen as a hasty generalization fallacy, drawing broad conclusions based on limited understandings of shifters' experiences and motivations.

Some proponents argue that, when approached thoughtfully, race changing in shifting could be an antiracist practice by fostering a deeper understanding of diverse racial experiences, motivating action against racism in the shifter’s original reality, and challenging fixed racial categories. Considering how race changing intersects with other aspects of identity, such as gender, class, or sexuality, further complicates the discussion and could lead to a more nuanced understanding of intersectional identities.

In conclusion, while the argument that race changing in reality shifting is inherently racist raises important ethical concerns, a closer examination suggests a more complex picture. The potential for increased empathy, understanding, and antiracist action indicates that, when approached thoughtfully and ethically, race changing in shifting might contribute to combating racism rather than perpetuating it.

Part III: Community Dynamics : 

A. Shiftok Culture and Hypocrisy

The community of shifters on platforms like Shiftok has become a significant space for discussing and sharing experiences related to reality shifting. However, this community is often marked by striking inconsistencies in its attitudes and practices, particularly when it comes to race changing. These inconsistencies reveal underlying biases and a selective application of ethical standards within the community.

One of the most glaring examples of this hypocrisy is the community's disparate treatment of shifts involving fictional races versus real-world racial identities. Users enthusiastically support and celebrate shifts into races from popular fiction, such as elves from "Lord of the Rings" or Veela from "Harry Potter." These shifts often involve adopting stereotypical characteristics of these races, such as ethereal beauty or magical abilities, without any criticism. Similarly, shifts into anime characters, even when these characters are explicitly Japanese or of other Asian ethnicities, are widely accepted and applauded.

In stark contrast, when a user mentions shifting to experience life as a different real-world race - for example, a white person shifting to be Black, or an Asian person shifting to be Latino - they often face harsh criticism and accusations of racism or cultural appropriation. This double standard extends to cultural practices as well. Users might criticize someone for shifting to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony as a Japanese person, calling it appropriation. However, they remain silent when shifters adopt fantastical versions of cultural practices, such as magical rituals in The Vampire Diaries Universe, which are often based on real-world cultural elements such as Hoodoo and Voodoo.

The inconsistency becomes even more apparent when considering shifts into races that face oppression or discrimination in their fictional universes. Shifting to be a Na'vi from "Avatar," who face colonization and violence from humans, or becoming a vampire who must hide from hunters and deal with societal prejudice, are widely accepted and even romanticized. These shifts often involve experiencing fictional forms of racism or oppression, yet they don't receive the same scrutiny as shifts involving real-world racial experiences.

This romanticization of struggle is particularly problematic. Users might enthusiastically describe the thrill of being a hunted vampire or the nobility of fighting against oppression as a Na'vi, while simultaneously criticizing those who wish to explore real-world experiences of discrimination through shifting. This glamorization of fictional oppression trivializes real-world struggles and reveals a lack of critical thinking about the implications of different types of identity shifts.

The community's acceptance of shifts into historical periods further highlights this hypocrisy. Shifting to experience life in different historical eras, which inevitably involves a change in cultural context, is generally supported. For instance, shifting to be a noble in Victorian England is rarely questioned, while shifting to be a person of color in modern-day America might be condemned. This inconsistency reveals a troubling bias in how the community views and values different cultural and racial experiences.

Perhaps the most striking example of this double standard is the widespread acceptance of shifting to become a Na'vi from the movie "Avatar." This shift involves taking on a completely different racial identity, often with spiritual and cultural elements inspired by real-world Indigenous cultures. Yet, this is rarely criticized, while shifting to be an actual Indigenous person would likely face significant backlash.

These inconsistencies in the Shiftok community undermine the credibility of criticisms against race changing and point to a need for more consistent and reflective ethical standards within the shifting community. They reveal that many users are more comfortable with the idea of exploring different identities and experiences of oppression when they're framed as "fictional," even though the immersive nature of shifting means these experiences are just as real to the shifter as any "real-world" shift would be.

This hypocrisy not only stifles meaningful dialogue about race and identity within the context of shifting but also reflects broader societal discomfort with addressing real-world racial issues. It highlights the need for the shifting community to engage in more nuanced, thoughtful discussions about the ethics of identity exploration, the nature of reality in shifting, and the responsibilities that come with experiencing different racial and cultural perspectives.

B. Judgmental Attitudes and Ignorance

The shifting community, particularly on platforms like Shiftok, often displays a complex web of judgmental attitudes and ignorance about the nuances of shifting practices. This creates a challenging environment for shifters exploring different identities, especially when it comes to race changing. (in this part and all the other parts of this essay, “real world”=CR aka this reality ik they are no such thing as the “real world” but for the sake of the argument i employed that term).

Many users within the community are quick to condemn those who shift into different racial identities, particularly when these involve real-world races. This rush to judgment often stems from a superficial understanding of shifting practices and a lack of empathy for the motivations behind such explorations. Harsh comments, gatekeeping behaviors, and in extreme cases, online harassment, have become unfortunately common responses to shifters who engage in race changing.

However, this judgmental attitude is starkly contrasted by the community's acceptance and even celebration of shifts into fictional races or non-human identities. This inconsistency reveals a deep-seated ignorance about the nature of shifting and its implications. Users often justify their acceptance of shifts into fictional races like Elves or vampires from various mythologies by arguing that since these races are fictional, they're somehow "safer" or less problematic to explore. This reasoning, however, fundamentally misunderstands the core principle of shifting: that all realities, whether based on fiction or the "real world," are equally real and valid from the perspective of the shifter.

This ignorance leads to a troubling double standard. Shifters who explore the experiences of fictional races facing discrimination - like the Na'vi battling colonization or werewolves hiding from hunters - are often met with enthusiasm. The community readily engages with these narratives of struggle and oppression when framed in a fictional context. Yet, when shifters attempt to explore real-world experiences of racial discrimination, they face harsh criticism and accusations of appropriation or fetishization.

This attitude demonstrates a lack of critical thinking about the ethical implications of different types of shifts. The community fails to recognize that from the perspective of shifting theory, the distinction between "fictional" and "real-world" races becomes arbitrary. The experiences of discrimination, cultural immersion, and identity exploration are just as real and impactful for a shifter whether they're embodying a Na'vi or shifting into a different human race.

Moreover, this ignorance extends to a misunderstanding of the depth and complexity of shifting experiences. Many critics within the community underestimate how fully shifters can embody and experience a different identity, regardless of whether it's fictional or based on a real-world race. They often fail to grasp the profound impact these experiences can have on a shifter's perspective, empathy, and personal growth.

The judgmental attitudes and ignorance prevalent in the community have serious consequences. They stifle open and honest discussions about race and identity within the shifting context. Shifters who feel judged may withdraw from the community or hide their experiences, limiting opportunities for collective learning and growth. The hostile environment can discourage exploration of different identities, potentially limiting the personal growth and empathy development that shifting can facilitate.

Furthermore, this environment of judgment and ignorance often leads to the mischaracterization of shifting experiences. Complex and nuanced explorations of identity are frequently oversimplified or dismissed. The potential benefits of respectful identity exploration through shifting are overlooked, while stereotypes about shifting and shifters are reinforced.

To address these issues, there's a clear need for more education within the community about the nuances and complexities of shifting experiences. Promoting a deeper understanding of the psychological and experiential aspects of shifting could foster more empathy and less judgment. Creating spaces for open, non-judgmental discussions about controversial shifting practices could help combat ignorance and promote a more nuanced understanding of the ethical implications of different types of shifts.

By confronting these judgmental attitudes and areas of ignorance, the shifting community has the opportunity to create a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive environment. This could not only improve the experiences of individual shifters but also contribute to more nuanced and productive discussions about identity, race, and the ethics of shifting practices. Ultimately, addressing these issues is crucial for the growth and maturation of the shifting community as a whole.

C-Understanding Morality and Multiracial Identity in Shifting

The concept of infinite realities in shifting brings about profound implications for our understanding of morality and identity, particularly when it comes to race. Each Desired Reality (DR) has its own unique set of morals and cultural norms, presenting a challenge when applying Original Reality (OR) ethics to these varied experiences. This moral relativism in shifting creates a complex landscape where what is considered ethically acceptable in one reality may not hold the same value in another.

The shifting community's approach to fictional races inadvertently highlights this moral complexity. Many shifters enthusiastically embrace identities like Na'vi from "Avatar" or vampires from various mythologies, often without the same level of ethical scrutiny applied to shifts involving CR races. This discrepancy reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of shifting itself. If we accept the core principle that all realities are equally real and valid, then the distinction between "fictional" and "real-world" races becomes very blurry to a point where said distinction vanishes since what is fictional in this reality is 100% real in that DR.

This paradox becomes even more apparent when we consider that many of these fictional races face discrimination, oppression, or complex social challenges within their realities. Shifters who take on these identities are, in essence, experiencing forms of racism or societal prejudice, yet these experiences are often romanticized or seen as less problematic than explorations of real-world racial discrimination. The Na'vi fighting against human colonization or Mutants from the X-men hiding from societal persecution are, within the context of shifting, as real and significant as any historical or contemporary struggle against oppression.

The romanticization of these fictional races raises its own set of moral questions. For instance, the glorification/romanticisation of vampire culture in shifting could be seen as problematic on multiple levels. It potentially trivializes issues of consent and power imbalances, and could even be construed as a form of necrophilia, given the undead nature of vampires (vampires are dead not alive ergo necrophilia in a way. This argument that I use is to further emphasize the hypocrisy of the shifting community since yall wanna talk about fetishization and romanticisation). This level of ethical scrutiny is rarely applied to fictional race shifts, despite the community's readiness to criticize CR race changing on similar grounds.

For multiracial shifters, this moral landscape becomes even more complex. A multiracial individual might choose to shift to embody only one aspect of their racial heritage in their DR, reflecting their sense of connection and belonging to that part of their identity. This choice doesn't negate their other racial identities but rather reflects the fluid and personal nature of racial identity itself. However, the community's inconsistent approach to race in shifting can create additional challenges for these individuals. They may find themselves navigating not only their own complex identities but also the arbitrary distinctions and judgments imposed by the community.

The multiracial shifting experience underscores the limitations of rigid racial categorizations and highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of race and identity within the shifting community. It challenges shifters to consider how their experiences across different realities might inform and expand their understanding of racial identity in their OR.

Moreover, the moral relativism inherent in shifting raises questions about the nature of ethical growth through these experiences. If a shifter encounters and adapts to vastly different moral frameworks across their DRs, how does this impact their core ethical beliefs? This moral fluidity could lead to a more nuanced and empathetic worldview, but it also risks ethical inconsistency or moral relativism taken to an extreme.

In conclusion, the intersection of morality and racial identity in shifting presents a rich area for exploration and discussion. It challenges our understanding of ethics, identity, and the nature of reality itself. By engaging with these complex ideas, the shifting community has the opportunity to foster more nuanced, empathetic, and inclusive approaches to race and identity. However, this requires a willingness to apply consistent ethical standards across all forms of shifting, whether they involve "real" or "fictional" races, and a commitment to deeper reflection on the moral implications of these profound experiences.

Conclusion : 

Ultimately, we can argue that race changing in reality shifting isn't inherently problematic and can, in fact, be a powerful tool for personal and societal growth. The ability to experience life from diverse racial perspectives has the potential to challenge deeply ingrained biases, foster genuine empathy, and contribute to more nuanced discussions about race and identity in our society.

However, we must tread carefully to ensure that these practices do not veer into appropriation or fetishization. This requires:

Approaching race changing with respect, humility, and a genuine desire to learn.

Engaging in thorough self-reflection before, during, and after shifting experiences.

Complementing shifting experiences with real-world education about racial issues and histories.

Being mindful of the privilege inherent in being able to "opt out" of a racial identity.

Using insights gained from shifting to actively combat racism and promote understanding in one's original reality.

Fostering open, honest dialogues within the shifting community about ethics and best practices.

Developing clear community guidelines that address the complexities of race changing.

By maintaining this careful balance, race changing in reality shifting can serve as a unique and valuable tool for promoting intercultural understanding, challenging racial prejudices, and fostering a more empathetic and inclusive society. As with any powerful tool, its value lies not in the practice itself, but in how we choose to use it. With thoughtful consideration and ethical guidance, race changing in shifting has the potential to contribute positively to our ongoing dialogues about race, identity, and human experience.

[glorious-spoon]

i think that if you find yourself penning a post arguing that women are intrinsically too sentimental/hysterical/emotional/intellectually shallow/sexually frigid/otherwise deficient to have valid opinions about a fictional male character (excepting, of course, those women who agree entirely with your opinions), you should perhaps stop and ask yourself 'am i committing a misogyny in the name of winning a stupid ship war on tumblr dot com?'

and then you should shut the fuck up.

[lala-blahblah]

I absolutely cannot sit down and write a nice version of this bc my brain says no, but i would like to let you all know I'm thinking of a fanfic where older Edgeworth is moving back to the US (or japan, whichever universe you subscribe to) and runs into Nick in the store while buying mass produced art to hang on the walls of his new house.

And Nick is like "dear god do you want your house to look like a dentist's office. Please do better" (in a friendly way, they are too old for rivalry at this point) and so Nick invites Edgeworth to come over and take any of his old artwork from college, since it is just sitting in a portfolio in a closet somewhere. And Edgeworth agrees to come over and look through Nick's old stuff together. There are themes of 1) growing older and like reflecting on the past and 2) Nick's character trait of finding meaning in challenges vs Edgeworth's tendency to stick with what he does well. In my head I imagine that Nick was good at art and it came somewhat easily to him and that bored him, and he was drawn to law in part because it was hard and it excited him and made him want to try harder. And i think tying that in with fatherhood, like it being unexpected and hard but something he thrives at because he feels good when there's a challenge. Potentially also touching on how like, when he lost his badge he felt very listless and depressed because he wasn't being challenged anymore, there wasn't anything to drive him and motivate him. And I think Edgeworth would be impressed by seeing Nick's old pieces (I assume he hasn't seen much of his art before) and wondering why he didn't choose to pursue art further. He also thinks about how art had always put him off personally because he couldn't get it "right" right away, and on the other hand how the structure and logic of law came easily to him, which led him to become a lawyer. I think he measures his self worth by his success in his field because he never had the support to believe he had intrinsic value as a person and maybe wasn't so good at making emotional connections with people. So that big contrast between them is so interesting... I think Edgeworth would be jealous of Nick's bravery in pursuing something he was bad at without giving up and Nick would be jealous of Edgeworth's success in law, but in a subdued way as they've grown older.

A far as actual scenes in the fic, I think I would use Nick's art as a conduit for my own agenda to have them talk about topics that are of interest to me... I would like Edgeworth to feel out of his depth for once and for nick to be the confident one as he talks about something he is well versed in, and for edgeworth to have to face that discomfort and also be a little impressed intellectually with Nick. I think I would do that by having them look through some abstract art Nick did (my intro painting classes were all abstract so we could focus on color mixing and getting comfortable with the medium). Edgeworth compliments Nick on a painting with a bunch of colored squares in gradient clusters and then gets embarrassed when Nick tells him those were just color mixing swatches. Alternatively, in my mind they are both asexual and I think even though this feels like a hallmark cliche I would have Edgeworth flounder and be very embarrassed over Nick's old figure drawing piece. I feel like Nick would be like "no you don't understand it's all very professional and normal when we draw them, like it's just about learning the shape language" and Edgeworth would be like "this is very improper and I don't know how to react can we please not look at naked people!". I don't think i would do both, but something to upset the power dynamic for a moment would be interesting! Nick is always the awkward one I want to see him shine for just a moment enough for edgeworth to go "wait what... i've known him for so long but perhaps i don't really know him at all..."

I would want Edgeworth to end up taking a series of 3 canvases Nick did in an oil painting class that were still lifes of objects the teacher had set up around the classroom. I headcanon that Nick actually far preferred drawing people to objects and rebelled against the assignment by hiding his reflection in one of the objects in each drawing- the top of his head is hidden in an ornament on a christmas tree, his eye is reflected in the shine of a china vase, etc. So it's a little secret, and Edgeworth kind of likes that... it is sweet in a way to see a much younger Phoenix captured in time like that. Something Edgeworth will be reminded of when he sees the paintings but nobody else will catch onto

I would want to layer this with a fatherhood storyline... I think i would frame it as nick inviting edgeworth over to dinner with him and Trucy and Edgeworth stepping into this domestic family life as a visitor and witnessing how its transformed Nick, like seeing him from a different lens. I think after they pick out paintings and have dinner they sit around talking. Trucy had been sitting with them, earlier she showed off some magic tricks and gave Edgeworth a picture of hers from the fridge to add to his new art collection (it's a rainbow dolphin and a sea turtle wearing top hats. Nick says she's in her Lisa Frank era). But she's been quiet for awhile and Nick realizes she's fallen asleep and it's like 11. He's like, crap, i screwed up i should've paid attention and gotten her put to bed, I'm a bad father and I have an audience for this failure. And on top of that, I already failed at being a lawyer, no matter what I try I always disappoint everyone. It's an unexpected moment of vulnerability there... like he's seemed so put together and grown up to Edgeworth this whole time like a whole different person, but he's not a different person he just has different sides to him. And this moment is one where edgeworth can be like hey, no, you're a great dad, and I'm impressed by you and everything you achieved. And I think that could lead into vulnerability from Edgeworth about his relationship with his dad and how he misses him/how he feels like he hasn't really been loved by anyone since his dad died, and how Trucy is lucky to have someone like Nick in her life.

Nick excuses himself to carry Trucy to bed and Miles starts cleaning up the kitchen. I would give a moments pause here to talk about the strange intimacy of going through someone else's kitchen cabinets and drawers, you feel like a stranger there trying to put yourself into someone else's shoes to understand how they live in this space. Maybe he guesses the right drawer for the silverware first try and he feels a little spark of connection. like "we are different in many ways but we are alike enough that we look in the same place for our spoons". Details on the kitchen too about the kid safe plastic bowls and knives that indicate a child is part of the household, that the household has been built around the child, in fact. Edgeworth lives alone and I imagine things are kind of fancy for him (he's a man who wears a cravat so he probably has fine china right). It's completely different from this shabby mismatched cutlery that Nick has, but this kitchen has personality. Maybe he wouldn't mind having a kitchen like this so much. This is a hint at him being lonely, being included in this family unit just for a day has given him this curious sense of longing, for what he isn't sure... does he want kids? Does he want Nick? Does he just want to be part of a family? These are confusing questions and he would much rather not feel anything at all, but unfortunately it is late and he did have a glass of wine with dinner so emotions are Happening.

He hears Nick sigh tiredly as he comes into the kitchen, and Edgeworth starts to ask him where his tupperware is when suddenly Nick is wrapping his arms around him and Edgeworth is Very Tense because he's never good at knowing how to act in situations like this and he and Nick have never been on a hugging level before and he's not sure what this is even for. Then Nick is like "I keep thinking about what you said earlier, about feeling alone ever since your dad passed away. I didn't know, that's such a long time to feel alone. I don't want you to think you're on your own". Edgeworth relaxes a little bit because now he knows what the hug is for and what he's supposed to feel from it. Its very kind of Nick to worry but its unnecessary and he says so. He has colleagues he's friendly with and people from law school he keeps in touch with, he's alright. And Nick says he knows but he also knows it's difficult living the way they do, and what he means is single and in your thirties. Because everyone else is getting married or living with a long term partner or at the very least dating and their lives are focused on that relationship as the center of their being. And when you don't have that, not only is it harder to relate to the people around you but it is harder to feel like you matter in people's lives, because they all prioritize their partner before their friends. And maybe their situations aren't exactly the same (Nick has a daughter while Edgeworth lives alone) and maybe their choices were made for different reasons (Nick used to date and didn't mind it but didn't see a need to prioritize it. Edgeworth found himself unable to distinguish with certainty whether or not he was actually romantically interested in people, and rather than make the wrong choice he decided he would rule out error by choosing no one at all). But regardless, they both know first hand the isolation that comes with trying to carve a path for themselves that does not include a life partner in a world where everyone else comes in pairs. And Nick is reaching out across that emptiness saying hey, we might both be building different lives, but there's room for you to be a part of mine if you want.

Outloud, Nick says "Really, Miles. You aren't alone in this." and Edgeworth says "Well, Phoenix, neither are you". And he stands there and lets his friend hug him, and it doesn't feel like butterflies but it does feel solid and warm and good. And he doesn't even worry about whether he's supposed to let go by now or not, because it's nice, not being alone.

They stand there in comfortable silence for a long moment before Nick speaks again. "hey, remember when you used to hate me? And look at us now." Edgeworth turns his head sharply. "I never HATED you, Wright. I simply thought you were foolish and a waste of my time." He realizes a little too late that this is probably a rude thing to say to the person that just gave you a pep talk, but Nick just laughs, his head still resting on Edgeworth's shoulder. Looking at him from this angle, face almost fully hidden, Nick could be any age at all. It's easy to imagine for a moment that he's the same nervous version of himself that stood across from him in the courtroom for the first time all those years ago. The only thing breaking the illusion is the subtle streaks of silver that cross his temples. Not entirely sure why he does it, Edgeworth kisses the top of Nick's head. He feels odd about it the moment he does so, realizing it comes across not as a platonic or romantic action but as a gesture suited for a dog or pet of some kind. Nick looks up, looking confused but not displeased. "What was that for?" "It was a thank you I suppose". Miles steps away now, still uncomfortable with perceived failures even if those failures are just in social interactions, and begins to gather his things while Nick gets down a tupperware from a cabinet. "Thank you, for the dinner and for the paintings." Edgeworth continues. "I'd like to repay the favor once I get settled into the new house. Trucy's invited too, of course". As he says it, he realizes he genuinely is looking forward to seeing them again. Nick walks him to the apartment door and they say their goodbyes while Edgeworth tucks the paintings (and Trucy's dolphin drawing) under his arm.

He gets halfway down the hallway when he hears Nick calling after him. "Hey! Miles! Take an art class with me sometime" Newfound friendship or not, Edgeworth just looks at him in disdain. "what, so you can show off your superior art skills? No thank you, Wright" "No, for fun. You can make things of your own to hang on your walls. We can do something I've never done before so we're evenly matched. Like printmaking? Origami? Um, pottery?" Edgeworth bristles at the suggestions but takes a moment to acknowledge why he's feeling that way; again, it's that fear of failure. But he's enjoyed himself today and deep down he thinks it could be fun to try something new, not with the goal of being perfect at it but with the goal of spending time together. Nick surprised him today. Maybe he can surprise himself. "... I would consider pottery" Edgeworth admits. And Nick looks really happy about it. "Great. I'll book us a session then. It'll be fun, you'll see. Edgeworth shakes his head, but there's no malice behind it. "Have a good night, Phoenix" "You too. Get home safe Miles".

Edgeworth gets home a little before midnight and props the three canvases against the moving boxes still stacked up in the foyer. Tomorrow, he'll figure out where he wants to hang them. Right now though, he walks over to the bare fridge and carefully pins up Tracy's dolphin drawing. There's a lot more work to do, but it's already starting to feel like home.

[schizoidvision]

7 Reasons Schizoids May Struggle to Take Action

Schizoids can find it challenging to engage in activities or take action, a phenomenon rooted deeply in their psychological makeup. Below, we take a look at some of the reasons why schizoids may find it hard to take action..

1. The Anti-Libidinal Ego: The anti-libidinal ego can become a powerful force within individuals, particularly those with schizoid tendencies. It is a part of the personality that develops as a response to frustrating or rejecting experiences with primary caregivers or important figures during early development. This internal voice often manifests as negative thoughts or an inner dialogue that creates reasons to avoid engaging in activities.

The anti-libidinal ego serves as a defense mechanism, protecting the individual from perceived threats or overwhelming stimuli by discouraging action. It shields the individual against negative experiences in the external world. However, it can lead to self-sabotage, self-criticism, and a general inhibition of desires and motivations, as it seeks to protect the individual from disappointment by curbing emotional and libidinal (desire-driven) impulses.

2. Lack of Motivation and Personal Drive: Schizoids often struggle with a lack of feeling, motivation, and personal drive. This can result in a general disinterest in activities that are not strictly necessary. The absence of intrinsic motivation makes it easy for them to talk themselves out of doing things, leading to inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle.

3. Overthinking and Intellectualization: Schizoids are highly mentally active, often engaging in creative thought, imagination, and theorizing. This tendency to live in their heads can lead to overthinking and intellectualization, where they get caught up in the idea of doing things without actually taking steps to make those ideas a reality. Intellectualizing actions can also involve creating hypothetical reasons why something might be enjoyable or beneficial, yet failing to act on these thoughts.

4. Anhedonia and Despondency: Anhedonia, the inability to experience pleasure, is a common trait among schizoids. This condition can lead to despondency and a general lack of enthusiasm for activities. Schizoids might foresee activities as unenjoyable or not worth their time, which reinforces their tendency to avoid engagement with the physical world.

5. Foreseeing Negative Outcomes: The anti-libidinal ego often emphasizes potential negative outcomes, making schizoids wary of taking risks. This fear of negative consequences, coupled with a lack of foreseeable positive gain, can deter them from pushing beyond their comfort zone. Evaluating the real potential for negative outcomes and applying cost-benefit analysis can sometimes help in mitigating these types of concerns.

6. Difficulty in Assigning Importance: Schizoids may find it challenging to engage in activities that are not immediately necessary. They might need to psych themselves into taking action by creating rewards or convincing themselves of the potential positives. The ability to regard an action as being important without overly relying on creativity to inflate its significance can be helpful in overcoming inertia.

7. Historical Defense Mechanisms: The anti-libidinal ego often develops as a defense mechanism during vulnerable periods, protecting individuals from threatening or overwhelming external stimuli. This defense can persist into adulthood, making it difficult to engage with the outside world. Recognizing this defense mechanism when it is activated, rather than allowing it to unconsciously dominate, can make a significant difference in a schizoid's ability to take action.

In Summary... Understanding the underlying reasons why schizoids find it hard to take action can provide valuable insights into their behavior. By recognizing the role of the anti-libidinal ego, lack of motivation, overthinking, anhedonia, concern of negative outcomes, difficulty in prioritizing importance, and historical defense mechanisms, we can develop strategies to help schizoids engage more actively with the world around them, leading to potential improvements in their quality of life.

Video From My YouTube Channel:Why Schizoids Find it Hard to Take Action

[keeksybee]

Just watched ‘Fear no Mort’ and wow was it a gut punch, I mean ooft “You’re irreplaceable” being the thing to tip him off, but that’s already been done to death, I’m personally more fascinated with Morty’s subconscious interpretation of his Grandmother, IMO it was a curious direction for the writers to take her, she’s a little too much like Rick for my taste, her her being intellectual definitely tracks, I doubt Rick would have married stupid but I always imagined she’d be…gentler, kinder, Rick’s grounding point.

They were happy when they were married, he loved her, there’s no reason for her to be a drinker or cruel or have that mean streak like Rick does because he didn’t really do those things before her lost her, she was the catalyst for his self sabotaging behaviours, I can see her being witty, knowing how to reel Rick back but I never thought she’d be like him, then I realised this *wasn’t* Diane it was Morty’s subconscious creating what he thought his Grandmother was like and since he’s never had any other reference for Diane except Rick’s anecdotes, nor seen Rick when he was healthy it makes sense he assumes Diane had to be like Rick for them to have been compatible.

He can’t actually fathom that Rick might have married a perfectly normal, intelligent woman and stayed in their small Washington town, raising their daughter in their little suburb, in their little nuclear family and he would have been content with that, because Rick can’t be content, he’s always chasing the next physical or metaphorical high, the exceptional, something he (Morty) is not, as Rick takes great relish in reminding him, I found it kinda sad that he sees Diane as competition for his Grampa’s affection rather than a new figure to create a relationship with, this is his Grandmother whom he’s never gotten to meet, that most children would be ecstatic to get to know a long lost family member, especially one held so dear by another close to them, but he doesn’t seem to want to get to know her because she takes Rick away, and let’s be honest Morty doesn’t have anyone else, his life is intrinsically tied to his Grandfather, he doesn’t have friends that we can see, his family either treat him like a burden or ignore him completely so the only person to give him attention, positive or negative is just Rick, they’re parasitically codependent to the point he is nothing without Rick. He’s more competent than he ever was and yet he still doesn’t get half the care or consideration that a fake simulation of his Grandmother gets.

I honestly interpret this version of Diane as not canonically how she was as much as this version is what Morty’s jealousy over Rick never moving on from her manifests as, he’s jealous that Diane got normal, family man Rick, that there was a time when he was decent and good and selfless that he’ll never get to experience, Rick won’t even help with his damn homework and he’s just willing to die for HER, she doesn’t even EXIST, Rick who never gives up, never accepts failure, will happily walk like lamb to the slaughter for HER, he’ll just stay in the hole until it consumes him. Why isn’t Morty good enough? He deals with all Rick’s Bullshit ALL the time, he’s the one losing limbs, he’s the one Rick leaves at the drop of a hat for two crows, he’s the one that he trusts less than Summer, he’s the one taking the blame for too many of Rick’s fuck ups to count and he won’t LEAVE THE DAMN HOLE.

He doesn’t see himself as important enough to leave the hole for, he makes Diane mean and selfish because it makes her easier to resent, because if she was sweet and loving and considerate she’d be so much harder to despise so he makes her selfish and compatible with the Rick *he* knows so he’s not forced to think about who Rick would chose if push really came to shove because he has a nauseating feeling it wouldn’t be him, that Rick wouldn’t hesitate.

I wonder what Rick would think if I’d he’d gotten to see just what his Grandson thought of himself.

[anghraine]

I'm usually irritated by the people sneering about fanfic insisting it is just intrinsically inferior to early modern writers raiding Ovid or Chaucer or the news or each other or whomever. I've never seen anyone have a decent rationale beyond early modern writing is intrinsically Art and fanfic is intrinsically Not Art, because of reasons (the artistic purity of working within early modern patronage and censorship, I guess?).

I'm not talking Shakespeare specifically (though Lear <3). He was by no means alone in borrowing characters and plots from previous sources and then doing his own thing with them. A lot of my favorite plays of the time re-purpose established stories in this way.

But also, it comes around to kind of funny when people are not only insisting that fanfic is definitionally Not Art and in some way totally different from the usual kind of borrowing that goes back millennia, but also that fanfic is somehow morally degenerate and harmful and unhinged in a new and shocking way.

Because if early modern English literature is defined by anything, it's being absolutely fucking unhinged.

I mean! The Revenger's Tragedy?? The White Devil (borrowed directly from the murder headlines)??? My best beloved 'Tis Pity She's a Whore (pretty obviously a spin on Romeo and Juliet But Now With Incest and Even More Murder)? These things are batshit. And fantastic! I love them! But holding them up on some pedestal of artistic and moral purity is just bizarre IMO.

There are differences between what they did and contemporary fanfic because we live in different eras and cultures, in some ways radically so, because copyright and intellectual property work so differently now and have affected storytelling so much, because of the effects of things like genre romance and the Internet and AO3, because patronage and censorship now work very differently in a lot of ways, because educations and literary norms are so different, and so on.

But is fanfic in some way uniquely trashy and shocking by contrast to what those men were thinking up? Nah.

[copperbadge]

It's very weird but apparently true, according to the research, that Adderall doesn't just help with focus and clarity, it lowers rejection-sensitive dysphoria for some people. Those don't seem like they'd be governed by the same brain chemicals but nature is wild I guess.

Taking an Adderall before attending a social event doesn't make me behave differently, because my behavior was actually fine to start with, but what it does do is soften the impact afterward. I don't spend the hours and days following the event dissecting every interaction for what I did wrong. I knew intellectually that I was fine and my faux pas weren't that memorable when they happened, but now I know it intrinsically as well. The memory of the awkward (which wasn’t even awkward!) is dulled, which is nice.

It does bring a certain clarity about what the real issues are, though -- like I can see through the insecurity and pinpoint what was actually awkward. I think something I need to work on is accepting compliments gracefully, because I'm not good at it. I don't process them very quickly and usually respond...not incorrectly, but not appropriately either. Not so much random people, like the dude who complimented my hair as he passed me on the sidewalk today, but friends and acquaintances in a social situation, that requires more work. 

The correct thing to do would be to say thank you, say something brief about what was complimented, and then turn it around and say something nice to the other person. I just get shocked that someone thinks there's anything particular about me to compliment, and I don't know how to reply without mitigating the compliment and then going off on a tangent. There’s a pretty easy script for all this, it’s just remembering to employ it rather than panicking -- just say “thank you!” brightly, which I already do, and then some nonsense like “I’m very pleased with X” instead of “Yeah it’s cheap but I like it” or whatever, and then “Hey you’re also XYZ, nice” instead of talking more about myself.

This all sounds extremely neurotypical I think you will agree.

Anyway, I just need to remember when I hear a compliment not to be weirded out that someone else thinks something nice of me, and instead remember to say thank you and compliment them in return. There is no reason people shouldn’t think nice things of me, I was literally diagnosed as being extremely charismatic. Also I am forty three years old and have two college degrees and own my own home, I am capable of learning to make better small talk. Lord I hope, anyway. 

[elminx]

Numerology, Part 2: Musings on Numerology in Spellwork

Note: I began my discussion about Numerology, how it relates to astrology, and why I use it here. This post is about the practical application of numerology. Please refer to the first post for how to calculate the numerology for specific years, months, and lunar events.

When thinking about Numerology, it is important to remember that it works sympathetically. Geometric shapes and numbers have intrinsic cultural meanings which we can apply magically. We will spend some time discussing the shapes made by varying numbers - the shape of the number itself and the shape made by combining that number of objects. You probably already understand how Numerology works in spellwork and might even use Numerology in your magic practice without knowing it! Numbers commonly used magically are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9. I will focus on those numbers in this post. Numerology will change somewhat based on cultural practices and superstitions. If you are not American, your mileage may vary.

It is wise to keep in mind that numerology reads like an ascending story that begins at 1 and ends at 9 - once you understand this story, you can identify where your intended spellwork falls and apply numerology more accurately.

Number 1 1 is the number of beginnings. Everything starts with 1. When we are born and take our first breath, we individualize and enter selfhood. This is why the number one is connected, through the 1st house and the Ascendant (dictated by the exact minute of our first breath), with Aries and the planet Mars. One can look at all ideas as intellectualized pregnancy; we need energy and oomph to bring that idea out of our minds and into reality. That energy (Mars) comes from the number 1. In this way, any start to a project or beginning of any kind can be augmented by the use of 1 numerologically. We do this instinctively with based candle magic (burning a single candle), by writing one focused petition, or by making a spell bag or a spell jar. Other than the Number 9, the Number 1 is the most complete number. Many types of spellwork can be achieved with a single candle burn or other action. To begin a longer project or to perform a one-off spell, apply the Number 1.

We have all heard the phrase "One is the loneliest number". Though this is true for many, there is one big caveat to it: if you are not a number 1. Those who carry Aries (or the first house) strongly in their charts know this intimately. Many tasks are better performed alone. When that doesn't work, we move on to the later numbers.

Practical Applications: 1 Magic is fairly simplistic. You can burn one candle, write a petition for 1 thing, create 1 spell pouch, or enchant 1 item. This is really the basis of magic. The energy of 1 can be combined well with the energy of any of the other numbers as I will outline below.

Number 2

Number 2 is a connection number; it can be used to combine or to separate. It is often used in relationship spells of all kinds - one might burn two candles in a movement spell to bring two people together or in a cord-cutting to create distance. There are also candles made with two wicks that might be used for marriage work for good or ill. That said, relationships are not the only thing we want to draw into our lives. If your magic involves you and anything else, you can use the powers of two to draw together or push apart.

An easy way to think about the sympathetic magic of the Number 2 is to consider a line between two points. You can strengthen that connection by decreasing the distance between these two points or weaken it by moving them farther away from each other. Or, alternatively, you can interpose something between the two objects, breaking the line altogether. Practical Applications: Because of the nature of 2 energy, it also almost always includes the energy of the Number 1 as well. In this way, when doing relationship work, one will use one candle to represent the first partner and the second candle to represent the other. Alternatively, we can use one candle and a spell jar to bring in or remove, depending on our needs. Sometimes, especially in separation work, we may combine a third candle or object (therefore invoking the number 3) that we move one candle towards. Sort of a "fuck off and go find something else" energy. Number 3 If you look at it from a procreative perspective, three is a creation number. It takes the combined DNA of two individuals to make a baby and in this way, three naturally comes out of the combining of two number 1s. This shows the natural association with fertility and fecundity magic of all kinds, but don't let that pigeonhole your thinking about the number.

Undoubtedly, 3 is the most commonly used number in modern witchcraft and other esoteric practices. Whether it's within the Christian idea of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Wiccanized Maiden, Mother, and Crone, the Threefold Law, and many other practices, three is almost always considered a very magical number. And it is!

An easy way to visualize how to use the number 3 is to think about the triangle. A triangle has a base with two connected points and a third point offset from them. Depending on how you draw your triangle, it can be used to increase or decrease energy. An upright triangle is believed to increase energy whereas a downward-facing triangle is believed to decrease energy. (you see this in the folk magic of Abracadabra, as an example) Practical Applications: Incorporating a triangle shape into your magic is an easy way to bring the number 3 into play. Additionally, you could burn 3 candles or use 3 items in your spellwork. A great "basic" creation ritual is formed when you use 1 candle + 1 oil + 1 herb in a spell. Here you are adding the Number 1 of new beginnings with the Number 3 of creation.

Number 4

The number 4 is a stabilizing number. It is highly represented in our world (we acknowledge four seasons Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, the directions North, South, East, and Wes)t, and in magic with the four common elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. We marvel at the longevity of objects like the Egyptian pyramids which have four sides.

The Number 4 can be represented as open (an equal-armed cross) or closed (a square). As one might imagine, for ultimate stability, a square is advised. A square 4 is complete, it needs no outside influence - this can be highly advantageous for certain types of magic where you want to control something or hold something in place. Alternatively, four energy can remain open and than it carries the energy of all. Open 4 energy carries with it the liminality of the crossroads: it contains everything and can travel everywhere. This echoes the prevailing idea that through the four primal elements of earth, air, fire, and water, control of all things is possible. Pathfinding, compass magic, road opening, and many other types of magic often invoke 4 energy. In this way, you are turning the inner creation of 3 into reality and forcing it out and into the world.

Practical Applications: When you put something into a box to control it, you are invoking the energy of the number 4 (and some of the number 6). Calling the elements to complete a magic circle of protection is also invoking the 4 energy of control. 4 naturally combines with 1 energy quite well. It is common in candle magic to separate the burning surface into four quadrants: sometimes the past/present/mental/physical, or other times, the elemental energies. This can be used for divination purposes (reading whether the candle wax flows amongst these quadrants). Alternatively, it is common to burn 1 primary candle and 4 support candles when trying to accomplish a complicated task. This combination is especially well applied for things like building long-term wealth or growing a business, topics that are well supported by the structure of 4 energy. One can also burn one candle with lines leading away in the four cardinal directions, this directs the energy of your 1 intention out into all the corners of the world. Number 5

The number 5 can be seen as a tense number that breaks the perfect symmetry of the 4-sided square. You may notice that five is considered a tense number in the minor arcana of the tarot that often indicates conflicts and strife. Alternatively, the 5 Major Arcana card in the tarot is the Hierophant which shows the other way that five energy can be used magically: to focus.

This has been used traditionally in magic through the shape of the pentacle or pentagram. Here, in modern magic, the four elements of magic are joined by a fifth: spirit. For some, spirit is considered to reside within us all but others view it as a Higher Power, much like the Hierophant or "Pope" of the major arcana. I want to note a connection here to the 5th House, the Sun, and Leo - all rulers of the number 5, and the mythology of how Jesus was born under the sign of the King of Kings which would almost certainly make him a Leo. In this way, 5 is our power number. You can use the number 5 to increase or decrease the power of yourself or another - especially through the use of the upright (power up) or down turned (power down) five-pointed star. Practical Applications: I often see the use of 5 in magic through the shape of the pentacle. Point the star upwards for an increase in power or downwards for a decrease in power. A pentacle can be drawn onto a surface, made with an arrangement of five candles, or drawn in the air with your finger or tool of choice.

Number 8

Though I find reference to the number 8 less often in magical lore, I think that it is important to mention here. If you turn an eight on its side you can immediately see that it is an auroboros or infinity sign. This gives an important hint as to the meaning and uses of this number.

As an infinity sign, the energy of 8 is neverending. This energy can be harnessed for beneficial and baneful magic alike. Want to trip somebody's life up? Put them in an endless cycle of not having enough or of being forced to repeat the same lessons that they inevitably can't seem to master. Alternatively, do you want all the money that goes out of your house to return to you? 8 can do that, too. What about the love that you send out into the world? With the number 8, the possibilities are endless. I will caution that the number 8 is more fiddly and you have to be willing to accept the nadirs that come with the apexes of this energy. As an example, if you are trying to save money, that eight money trick wouldn't work so well because it is predicated on the idea that money is going out to come back in. I would instead look to the number 4 combined with 3 (see also that pyramid energy) for money matters of that kind. Practical Applications: What comes around, goes around. Draw an infinity symbol, and go from there. You can put a candle representing yourself or your target on one "end" and the thing that you want to return to them at the other. Focus on the cycling of energy here, it is easy to manipulate energy around this shape. You can use your pen, your finger, or some other object to direct it if you wish. For returning magic, consider writing your intention in the pattern of an infinity sign. Because breathwork is cyclical, it holds a natural affinity with the number 8. Try breathing in and out prosperity while imagining it as an ever-returning infinity sign between you and the world as a way to get yourself in the right headspace to perform some money magic.

Number 9

As the last of our base numerological numbers, 9 is the number of endings and completion. This can be used to stop something in its tracks or to bring a long-standing project to fruition.

Practical Applications: Many traditional spells call for burning a candle or performing a ritual for nine days; this invokes the energy of completion. Also, all 3x3 magic uses the energy of the number 9; the idea here is that the creation of 3 performed 3 times will reinforce your final result (9). I will write more about 3x3 spells in particular as they are a topic worth their own post. -----------------------------------------

My goal in writing this series is to take numerology out of the hands of the New Age woo-machine and place it where it rightfully belongs, in our magic. No matter how mathy you are, numbers still exist. They make up a fundamental way in which we all collectively choose to view the world. We can use that. Moreover, numbers are ALREADY in our magic. If nothing else, I hope this series helps you to understand why a particular writer might call for you to use 3 cloves or burn a candle for 9 days.

Do you need to use numerology in your magic? Absolutely not. (Why do I need to keep saying that?!?) Can it help your magic?

Absolutely.

Do you like my work? You can support me over on Kofi by tipping me, purchasing art or an astrological report, or becoming a monthly supporter of my writing.

[petplant]

I've seen autistics with (mainly) low support needs arguing that those labeled as high/medium support needs usually get the label becase they have comorbidities like apraxia, intellectual disability, (epilepsy), etc. which are separated from their autism therefore levels of support needs are not legit.

I think that although it makes some sense, that statement is not consistent with the way those same advocates talk about (their) autism.

Because even if those are diagnoses on their own, they are intrinsically connected to their autisticness. Even more so considering that autism is characterized by developmental delays and differences in cognition. So it doesn't make sense that they're not part of their autism.

I also find it particularly hypocritical because they do connect things like hyperlexia, difference processing information (which is what ID is), motor problems, etc. to their autistic neurotype.

Why their processing differences and developmental delays are part of autism but more severe and disabling expressions of these are not? (this is a retorical question)

I would really like to know what you guys think about it, especially those of you who fall into medium and high support needs.

[dailyanarchistposts]

A.2.1 What is the essence of anarchism?

As we have seen, “an-archy” implies “without rulers” or “without (hierarchical) authority.” Anarchists are not against “authorities” in the sense of experts who are particularly knowledgeable, skilful, or wise, though they believe that such authorities should have no power to force others to follow their recommendations (see section B.1 for more on this distinction). In a nutshell, then, anarchism is anti-authoritarianism.

Anarchists are anti-authoritarians because they believe that no human being should dominate another. Anarchists, in L. Susan Brown’s words, “believe in the inherent dignity and worth of the human individual.” [The Politics of Individualism, p. 107] Domination is inherently degrading and demeaning, since it submerges the will and judgement of the dominated to the will and judgement of the dominators, thus destroying the dignity and self-respect that comes only from personal autonomy. Moreover, domination makes possible and generally leads to exploitation, which is the root of inequality, poverty, and social breakdown.

In other words, then, the essence of anarchism (to express it positively) is free co-operation between equals to maximise their liberty and individuality.

Co-operation between equals is the key to anti-authoritarianism. By co-operation we can develop and protect our own intrinsic value as unique individuals as well as enriching our lives and liberty for ”[n]o individual can recognise his own humanity, and consequently realise it in his lifetime, if not by recognising it in others and co-operating in its realisation for others … My freedom is the freedom of all since I am not truly free in thought and in fact, except when my freedom and my rights are confirmed and approved in the freedom and rights of all men [and women] who are my equals.” [Michael Bakunin, quoted by Errico Malatesta, Anarchy, p. 30]

While being anti-authoritarians, anarchists recognise that human beings have a social nature and that they mutually influence each other. We cannot escape the “authority” of this mutual influence, because, as Bakunin reminds us:

“The abolition of this mutual influence would be death. And when we advocate the freedom of the masses, we are by no means suggesting the abolition of any of the natural influences that individuals or groups of individuals exert on them. What we want is the abolition of influences which are artificial, privileged, legal, official.” [quoted by Malatesta, Anarchy, p. 51]

In other words, those influences which stem from hierarchical authority.

This is because hierarchical systems like capitalism deny liberty and, as a result, people’s “mental, moral, intellectual and physical qualities are dwarfed, stunted and crushed” (see section B.1 for more details). Thus one of “the grand truths of Anarchism” is that “to be really free is to allow each one to live their lives in their own way as long as each allows all to do the same.” This is why anarchists fight for a better society, for a society which respects individuals and their freedom. Under capitalism, ”[e]verything is upon the market for sale: all is merchandise and commerce” but there are “certain things that are priceless. Among these are life, liberty and happiness, and these are things which the society of the future, the free society, will guarantee to all.” Anarchists, as a result, seek to make people aware of their dignity, individuality and liberty and to encourage the spirit of revolt, resistance and solidarity in those subject to authority. This gets us denounced by the powerful as being breakers of the peace, but anarchists consider the struggle for freedom as infinitely better than the peace of slavery. Anarchists, as a result of our ideals, “believe in peace at any price — except at the price of liberty. But this precious gift the wealth-producers already seem to have lost. Life … they have; but what is life worth when it lacks those elements which make for enjoyment?” [Lucy Parsons, Liberty, Equality & Solidarity, p. 103, p. 131, p. 103 and p. 134]

So, in a nutshell, Anarchists seek a society in which people interact in ways which enhance the liberty of all rather than crush the liberty (and so potential) of the many for the benefit of a few. Anarchists do not want to give others power over themselves, the power to tell them what to do under the threat of punishment if they do not obey. Perhaps non-anarchists, rather than be puzzled why anarchists are anarchists, would be better off asking what it says about themselves that they feel this attitude needs any sort of explanation.

[l0gic1]

The Inclusivity Facade

Like the name suggests, ‘inclusionists’ often perceive themselves as the inclusive side. They see themselves as martyrs—morally righteous individuals guided by a one-track goal: to promote “inclusivity” and “compassion” in all areas of life, particularly in LGBTQ+ discourse. Admirable, right?

However, despite what it might seem like on the surface, the core principles of inclusionist rhetoric are not based on actualized inclusion. Instead, they are based around dogma, control, blind acceptance, exclusion (surprise!), and sometimes even abuse. Inclusionists typically spread their value of “inclusivity” by blithely accepting any identities, no matter how contradictory, illogical, or unscientific they may seem. They will claim they believe in inclusivity, yet they are notably exclusionary towards those of different beliefs. They will claim they believe in compassion and understanding, yet they will send death threats or threats of violence to transmedicalists, exclusionists, and others that don't conform to their ideology, tell them to harm or kill themselves, verbally abuse them (cyberbullying), enable their eating disorders, claim false and derogatory things about them, dox them, engage in online harassment campaigns, attempt to silence dissenting opinions through mass-reporting, etc.

As such, the vast majority of inclusionists (it is unfortunately not a small but vocal minority, as one might hope) are as averse to basic human decency as a vampire is to sunlight. The truth is that inclusionists, for the most part, are not really trying to spread “inclusion”. Instead, they use the deceptive veil of “inclusion” as a way to make them seem better than they really are; if you present yourself as someone who stands for such an agreeable ideology (inclusion), people are more likely to perceive you as a virtuous person who stands for virtuous things.

That said, their actions often reveal their true intentions. In reality, inclusionists are quick to label anyone who disagrees with them as intolerant, bigoted, or even evil. They have no interest in understanding different perspectives or engaging in meaningful dialogue. Instead, they resort to unethical, damaging, and even borderline abusive behavior patterns that make a genuinely positive shift in society and online discourse virtually impossible. It becomes readily apparent that their supposed commitment to inclusion is nothing more than a facade to boost their own egos and maintain a false sense of moral superiority.

What inclusionists fail to realize is that inclusion is about creating a space where people feel respected and valued, regardless of their opinions and intrinsic qualities. This doesn't mean one should welcome people who are bigoted or hold harmful views, but rather that creating an environment where differing perspectives can be respectfully challenged and debated is essential to intellectual growth and fostering a culture of critical thinking. Inclusionists should understand that true inclusion involves embracing diversity and allowing for open dialogue, even with those who hold opposing views. It is through respectful engagement and the exchange of ideas that we can foster empathy and understanding and ultimately work towards positive societal change. By excluding individuals solely based on their opinions, we risk perpetuating echo chambers and hindering progress in our collective pursuit of knowledge and enlightenment.

[bananonbinary]

every time you don't specify who you actually hate you make all intellectual discourse a little bit worse for everyone.

"no proship content"

"standard dni applies"

"no assholes"

these phrases mean NOTHING. they just mean that you don't like People Who Are Bad, and instead of actually TELLING US which people those are, the audience will automatically fill in the blank with people THEY think are bad. this creates a fun little trap where the audience feels validated and agreed with, without you actually committing to anything, and where anyone who asks for clarification is immediately suspect of Being A Bad, because ~everyone~ knows who the Bad People are intrinsically!

you sound like a fucking politician talking about a vague threat to The Family or some shit, if you're gonna be hateful fucking mask off and say what the fuck you mean.

[whositmcwhatsit]

An Enjoyable Slide to Oblivion

Chapter 8: Walk Like A Man A/N Written using the prompt: "You're staring." So, this one got a bit angry and a bit sad, which I guess is in keeping with the time. Warnings for implied drug use, so much swearing, little bit of smut, and a really, really bad temper?

Thank you to @thatbanditqueen as ever for reading and persuading me to post this against my better judgement. Previous chapter: Chapter 7

Chancy did not wake feeling as though she had regained her energy. Saying that, it was just four and half hours later when the telephone beside the bed began trilling. The jangle shattered her opaque sleep into thousands of tiny shards and she lay reeling on the bed, trying to understand what was happening.

When her chemically numbed mind finally slid the pieces of information together like a Rubik’s cube, the phone abruptly stopped.

Staring at the tiles on the ceiling, she noticed that one of them had crumbled away slightly at the corner. How did that even happen? What could have caused friction or disturbance up there? Rats, she decided, the hotel was probably overrun with rats. Her brain instantly embraced this as a certainty and she sprang up into a seated position as if she was operated by a hinge, only for her head to protest this movement by making her feel as though she had performed a loop-de-loop in a fighter plane.

With trembling limbs, she manoeuvred herself to the edge of the bed feeling as though she weighed a thousand pounds, but also like she might float away at the same time. Just as she was contemplating trying to stand, the phone began its assault again. She glanced hurriedly over her shoulder at Elvis, who was sprawled across the mattress. The telephone was about a foot from his head, but he didn’t stir.

Chancy was frozen by indecision. Of course, she didn’t want Elvis to be woken as she had been, so she should have picked up the phone. However, she also knew that the phone in his room only rang if the caller knew the fake name that he was registered under and the codeword that Joe circulated to those who needed it. That meant that the caller was either a member of the group they were travelling with, which was unlikely as they all knew that Elvis would not be awake, or it was someone not on the tour that was close enough to him that he would want them to have a direct line to him. Chancy did not want to answer the phone to his ex-wife or another girlfriend. Even contemplating how awkward that would be made her face flush hot.

Avoidance was the key, she decided. She showered and changed into a pair of jeans and a sweater, shoving aside the masses of plastic covered clothing she had been bought the night before in order to find her ordinary clothes. She put on minimal make-up and combed her hair, smiling at the reflection in the mirror. She still felt like she was suffering from the world’s worst hangover- the balls of her feet even ached- but she looked like herself again.

It was a mistake to look back at the bed before she left the room. Elvis had rolled onto his side, his hand stretched out against her pillow and his face looked soft and vulnerable. The power of the drive to stay by his side was terrifying.

It felt like an intrinsic need to protect him, watch over him, and it made absolutely no sense. She wasn’t his mother or his bodyguard and he wasn’t a helpless baby. She knew this intellectually, but the griping in her stomach as she walked to the door and the pricking sense of unease was real and undeniable and it infuriated her. She stoked that anger, using it as a sword to cut the binds of obligation. Elvis was manipulating her somehow, she told herself, in that magical way he had, trying to get her to stay and become consumed by his idea of who she should be.

On her way out, she let the man sitting outside her door- a new guy she didn’t know very well- know that she was just going across the street to the diner she had spotted out of the car window yesterday. He looked at her a little too long as if he wasn’t quite sure who she was either. That seemed to bode well.

The pancakes at the diner were subpar, but the coffee wasn’t too bad. She had three cups while she flicked through the newspaper and caught up on the Watergate drama. She checked her horoscope- “Beware of those with hidden intentions. Trouble is on the horizon, but you can avert it if you ask for help from a friend”.

The entertainment section was plastered with articles and pictures and blind rumours about what had happened on the set of ‘The Way We Were’. She recalled briefly meeting Barbra in Las Vegas a few years before. Elvis had gone backstage to congratulate her on her opening. It had been strange and uncomfortable from what Chancy could remember, having two such huge stars in a confined room meant very little space and oxygen for the ordinary people. Lucky girl for getting to kiss Robert Redford though.

Chancy’s stomach lurched as she turned the page to be faced with a grainy photo of Elvis belting one of his songs into a microphone. The photo was a couple of years old, but the headline was about his show the night before. Feeling like she was about to be caught, though by whom she wasn’t quite sure, her eyes sped across the type.

There was the usual spiel about Elvis’s fame and position in popular culture, his existence as a phenomenon rather than simply an entertainer, his effect on audiences… Then the jabs started. The first one was odd, noting that the audiences were no longer solely comprised of hysterical teenage girls, making it sound like a weakness to maintain adoration from people as they grew and aged as well as attract new fans. The writer then went on to observe that Elvis was older than he had been when he first rose to fame nearly twenty years before. Get the man a damn Pulitzer. Her blood truly began to boil though, when he observed that Elvis had slowed down a lot since then too and was beginning to look ‘paunchy’. He delivered one final poke of the knife by noting that the fans’ devotion did not seem to diminish as his waistline increased.

Glancing around the diner, she spread her palm over the page and then grabbed the whole thing in her clawed hand and screwed it up into a ball. The rage sat hot and impotent in her belly, and she felt uneasy about how pervasive and fierce it was.

Back in the foyer of the hotel, she raised a hand to wave to Sonny standing by the elevator but soon dropped it along with her smile when she registered the look on his face. "You're staring. Everything okay?"

“Where have you been?” he asked tightly as she reached him.

“The diner over the way. I told the new guy.”

“You don’t tell him shit, he don’t know his ass from his elbow.”

“Well, one day you guys might want to let me know these rules,” she replied, following him into the elevator. “What’s the matter?”

“Priscilla called.”

Chancy nodded, knowing she was right to listen to her intuition and not answer the phone.

“Okay. And?”

“I think Lisa got into trouble at school. Cilla and Elvis really got into it- I guess it must have been bad, because she wouldn’t normally call so early…”

Chancy could hear him as soon as she got off the elevator, though the actual words were largely muffled except for the curse words he was taking the care to enunciate especially clearly. A few people from the show were standing around in the hallway looking tense.

“Joe’s talking about calling the doctor up to give him something to calm him down,” Sonny said under his breath. “He’s lost it.”

Pushing open the door, Chancy had about three seconds to react before a lamp flew in their direction. She tugged the door back towards herself as a shield, flinching at the force with which the metal base thumped into the hollow wood.

Jerry yanked the door out of her hand as he rushed across to check she was okay.

“I’m fine,” she murmured, eyes on the pacing form tearing through the hotel room rather than the one in front of her. Red was standing on the other side of the room, arms folded and shoulders squared as he quietly urged Elvis to sit down so that they could talk it through properly and figure out a solution to the problem.

“Only one solution,” Elvis returned, quieter but still manic. “Only one solution, I will take that bitch to fucking court, so help me. Her and that limp-dick fucking traitor she’s screwing and I will tell them- I’ll tell the whole fucking world- what a lying, conniving cunt she is. Taking my family from me, my baby! Who the fuck does she think she is, huh?!”

Chancy didn’t recognise the wild haired monster spewing such vile things in front of her. She thought about the sweet boy that she had dated, had loved, and imagined him standing beside her looking on in horror at what he was saying about the mother of his child.

“I think everyone said things they didn’t mean,” Red intoned impassively, trying to balance him out, trying to tug him down. “I think once she’s had time to calm down an’ you’ve calmed down, you can talk it out and straighten everything out.”

“I can call Joanie,” Joe put in, talking of his own ex-wife who was friends with Priscilla, “get her to go over and talk to her.”

“I give her everything, man, every- fucking- thing she asks for. She wanted to leave, wanted her own place, and I gave her that. She wanted to move my child to California and I weren’t happy about it, didn’t want it, but I didn’t stand in her way. I paid her what she asked for. I- She got everything and I got the fuckin’ scraps and now she even wants to take that away from me!” He roared, a sound so animalistic and full of rage that even Red, as broad, weary and unimpressed as any man could be, flinched.

“She’ll come round, man,” Sonny put in over Chancy’s shoulder. “You’ll figure it out.”

Elvis didn’t want to hear it, couldn’t hear it. He shuddered like just the sound of their voices disgusted him.

“You just don’t get it,” he spat. “None of you motherfuckers understand, you don’t get how this is tearing me up inside. You don’t even give a shit!” Without another word, he stormed off to the bathroom and slammed the door so hard that a picture fell from an adjacent wall.

The roomful of men stood in silence for a beat, looking at each other and then at their feet.

“Hotel manager’s on his way,” Dick informed them from the corridor. “He’s received some complaints.”

“I’ll deal with it,” Joe sighed. “Jerry, Lamar, can you put the room to rights? Write a list of anything that can’t be salvaged and I’ll go through it later.”

Lamar unpeeled himself from the wall by the bed and bent to pick up the telephone from the floor.

“You sure you’re okay?” Jerry asked Chancy, crouching down at her feet to take care of the lamp.

“Yeah, it got the door not me,” she replied.

“Those were some good fuckin’ reflexes,” Sonny murmured, patting her on the shoulder. Chancy tried to pretend to smile, but it didn’t really take.

“What happened?” she asked quietly.

“Lisa got sent home from school for mouthing off to the teacher and apparently gave Priscilla some too when she tried to deal with her. So Priscilla said she can’t come out and see the last couple of shows.”

“She’s punishing her by stopping her from seeing her daddy?” Chancy asked, sure that she had misunderstood.

“Yup, Ice Queen strikes again,” Lamar remarked.

“Hey now,” Jerry murmured.

“I said what I said,” Lamar shot back.

“Someone needs to check on him,” Red said pointedly, stopping by the doorway where they were huddled. And if there had been any chance of his words being misconstrued, the pointed way he was staring at Chancy with his eyebrows raised left no room for doubt.

“Aw, give him a minute to cool down,” Charlie put in, pouring himself a drink from the minibar.

“We know how he cools down, man,” Red returned. “A minute is too damn long.”

Chancy nodded and crossed quickly to the bathroom, pressing her ear to the door. She knocked tentatively.

“Baby, it’s me.” She looked to the group of men standing at the doorway watching her and hated the performance. She turned, put her back to them, and rapped on the door harder.

“Elvis, let me in please.” She put iron in to her voice, picturing her grandmother, her mother, Mrs Presley, her sister, all the tough women in her life. She heard the lock being turned and nodded to herself, letting out the breath she had been holding.

Elvis was standing over the sink, his hands splayed on the counter as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. Closing the door behind herself, she watched his jaw muscle flex as he visibly ground his teeth. Her eyes lowered to the black case on the counter, a couple of the drawers not quite pushed all the way back in.

“Honey,” she started, reaching out a hand, but she stumbled back when he swiped his arm and gestured for her to stay where she was. 

“Where were you?” He was hoarse, she wondered how long he had been ranting.

“Across the street at the diner. I’m sorry, honey, I didn’t think you’d be awake for hours.”

“Why’s she doing this to me, Cha-Cha?” His head dropped as his voice all but disappeared. “I know I wasn’t a good husband to her, I know that, but I’ve tried so hard… I- That child is the only thing that matters to me and she knows that.”

“For what it’s worth, I think she’ll change her mind, like Red said, when she calms down. Sounds like things got real heated between them and she went for the only thing she knew that would get through to Lisa.”

“Would you talk to her? Make her see what this is doing to me? Please?”

Chancy stared at his bloodshot eyes pleading with her from beneath his lowered brow and she sighed thickly. Her gorge rose as she envisioned it, those dry, overcooked diner pancakes catching in her throat.

“I don’t know that it would do any good, darlin’. We haven’t spoken in… forever. And what could I say to her? I don’t have any kids, I’d be talking out of my hat. What about Patsy or Grandma? She’d be more likely to listen to them. I can call and ask them to call her?” He nodded, levering his arms down so that he was propped up on his elbows rather than his hands.

“I just…” He shook his head slightly. “I just don’t know what I’d do without her.” His words slurred and thickened, fading into nothing.

“I know, sweetheart, but it won��t come to that.” She tried stepping forward again, watchful for any sign from him that he didn’t want her near. He turned foggily as she brushed against his side and stumbled, struggling to maintain his balance. She grabbed him as he wrapped his arms around her. Oh so gradually, they sank down, Chancy using all her strength to slow their fall.

“It’s okay, s’okay, s’okay,” Elvis murmured softly, like she was the one who was dropping and he was taking care of her.

As soon as her butt hit the floor, Chancy swallowed down her grief and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. She wanted to cry, her lips were trembling and her throat ached with unshed tears, even her skin was icy cold with pain, but she was sure that if she started she would never stop. And he needed her. He needed so much.

Elvis hummed to himself before quietly singing in a falsetto. Chancy blinked as she recognised ‘Walk like a man’ by Frankie Valli.

“You know,” he mumbled, “that was playing in the hospital when we were waiting for her to be born.” He snorted, resting his head on her shoulder. “This nurse came barrelling in and turned off the radio like hearing someone else’s song’d make me mad. And… And I remember thinking it was a sign. Ain’t no coincidences, there was more to it than met the eye. Things were about to change and I was gonna find out what kind of man I was.”

“Aren’t the lyrics about walking away from a girl that’s been doing him wrong?”

“Yeah,” he huffed. “Maybe should’ve listened closer to that part too.”

She took a moment just to breathe and assess the situation. They were on the floor in a hotel bathroom, which was not the most sanitary place in the world, but there was no more yelling or throwing things. Elvis was high, undoubtedly so and to the point where he could no longer stand, but he was talking largely coherently, at least to her attuned to thick Southern drawl ears. It could be worse. Could be better, but could be a lot worse too.

“So, wait, did the nurse think that you just, what, listen to yourself all the time? You have a jukebox with all your own records on it?” He started laughing and it was such a blessed sound that she did too.

“Yeah, and I walk round shooting out car radios and in stores…” He dissolved into uncontrollable giggles, dropping down until his head was in her lap. 

“Disc jockeys hear that you’re coming in town and just-“ She made a record scratch noise and mimed tossing a record like a frisbee. “And play your latest single on a loop. Where do people get their crazy ideas?!”

“Goddamn tabloids and gossip magazines,” he sighed. His face creased as he burst into another fit, unable to even explain what had set him off. Whatever it was tickled him so much that he ended up gasping for breath, wiping the tears from his eyes. “Oh Lord!”

“Crazy boy,” she murmured affectionately, combing her fingers through his hair, working out the sleep knots. He hummed, fighting the giggles, and rolled so his face was turned towards her stomach.

With a sly smile, he lifted her sweater and stuck his head underneath. She shivered as she felt his lips brush against her rib cage. The scrape of his stubble tickled just above the waistband of her jeans and she couldn’t help the way her stomach muscles twitched beneath his kisses.

“Need a flashlight or a miner’s helmet in here.” His voice was muffled beneath the fabric and she felt a huff of warm air against her sternum as he laughed. She rolled her eyes and pulled back the neck of the sweater.

“Oh hey, fancy meeting you here!” she remarked brightly. “You big goof!”

There was a sharp rapping on the door and Chancy knew before she even heard the voice that it would be Red. It was his kind of knock.

“Hey boss, uh, everything all right in there?”

In response, Elvis reached up and grabbed hold of her sweater to make sure to keep it over his face. Chancy watched and also felt him pressing his whole face into the soft hollow of her stomach like a little kid’s attempt at hiding.

“Uh, everything’s fine!” she called out instead.

“Well, I, uh, just wanted to let you know that we were gonna go to lunch, unless you needed us for anything. Dave’ll be just outside the door and you can reach us down in the restaurant.”

“Okay, thank you, Red!”

“Yeah, uh, take it easy.”

The sound of the door clomping shut signalled their departure. After that brief intrusion from the real world, the humour ran right out of their situation. Once a couple of minutes had passed, Elvis pulled back from underneath her sweater and squinted around them.

“Uh, Cha-Cha, why’re we on the floor?” he asked in a bemused, childlike drawl. She blinked and a tiny, stupid tear sneaked out of the corner of her eye and trickled against her earlobe.

“You fell down, baby, don’t you remember?”

“No, I didn’t!” he muttered dismissively. He went to sit up, but it was clearly a struggle for him and she gave a helping hand where she could until he finally made it leaning back against the counter.

“Can you go check they’re all gone?” he asked quietly. She nodded, reaching up to grab hold of the edge of the sink and pull herself to her feet. Cautiously, she opened the door a crack and peered out.

“They’re all gone, honey. It’s just me and you.”

“’K. Then take those damn clothes off.” She raised her eyebrows and crossed her arms. “I bought you half a fuckin’ clothing store last night, woman, and you’re wearing jeans. Blue fuckin’ jeans!”

Whatever he had taken had stolen the fire right out of him along with his balance, and his rant was breathy and bemused rather than furious. She bit down to stop herself from smiling, not wanting to test the limits of this muted temper. 

“I couldn’t wear an evening dress to a diner,” she pointed out. “I might have spilt syrup on it!”

“And what in the hell were you doing at a goddamn diner?!”

“Eating pancakes.”

“Motherf-” He pinched the bridge of his nose and peered with one eye open at her. “You are so lucky that I can’t get my ass off this floor right now, because you are asking for a whoopin’.” 

“Because of my blue jeans?” she asked, leaning over onto the bed and shaking her butt in the direction of the bathroom. She clambered onto the bed, thinking about how soft and comfortable it was under her knees and considering whether she actually wanted to pivot from teasing him to suggesting they both take a nap, when there was a clatter and commotion behind her. The weight of him crashed into her and they both collapsed onto their backs.

“Ow,” she said finally, staring up again at that one tile with the crumbled corner.

“Serves you right,” he muttered.

“All right, all right,” she sighed. “If it bothers you that much…” She unbuttoned the fly of her jeans and wriggled them down her hips and legs, letting them drop from her feet, but when she stretched out on her side beside him, he looked pointedly at her sweater and raised his eyebrows. So, she sighed and tugged that over her head, trying to smooth down her hair with her hands.

“Don’t bother me none,” he murmured, rolling onto his side to face her. “Just don’t understand why you wanna dress that way. God made you a beautiful woman, honey, so be a beautiful woman. Don’t try and be something that you’re not and throw away what He gave you.”

“So, God doesn’t want me to wear blue jeans either?”

“Nope.” He smiled wryly, his lip curling. ”We’ve had some pretty in-depth conversations about it.”

“All those times I took you to church did nothing, did they,” she sighed.

“Woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” He wrinkled his nose and gave her a smug smile.

“…Women should adorn themselves in modest apparel… not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly array,” she countered. “If I can’t wear jeans, I also can’t wear jewellery or those fancy dresses.”

“Whoa, whoa, let’s not go crazy,” he replied softly.

“Don’t go crazy,” she echoed. “I’m sitting in my underwear in bed with Elvis Presley arguing bible verse. I think we passed a ‘Welcome to Crazytown’ sign quite a way down the road…”

“Honey, I live in Crazytown.”

“Yeah, you are pretty much the Mayor of Crazytown,” she agreed.

“You ain’t supposed to agree!” He reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her down onto him.

“Well, you don’t want me to lie, do you?!” She kissed him, smiling into it as his warm arms encircled her.

“First you insult me and then you kiss me, I see how it is,” he mumbled, opening his mouth, and nipping at her bottom lip. She deepened the kiss, wanting to draw him in, wanting to break through to him, to meld them both together so that no one else, not even spiteful reporters or angry ex-wives could cause them pain again.

He cupped her jaw as he returned her kisses, kneading his soft lips against her like she was fragile. This would have been endearing and lovely any other day, but today gentle and sensitive was not what she was looking for. She hooked her arms under his, digging her fingers into his shoulders and pushed in tighter. He grunted beneath her, exhaling sharply as she rocked into his soft belly.

“Hey, slow down, baby, ain’t a race,” he mumbled. He gently but firmly pushed her back, supporting her neck as she tipped back onto the mattress.

“I just want to be close to you,” she said quietly, feeling her cheeks heat up as she stared intently over his shoulder.

“I know what you need,” he said, his tone teasing. He pulled her in tight so that her side was pressed against his front. She could feel the rise and full of his breathing against her rib cage. And then his hand trailed down to her new white satin panties, fingertips running across the front of them appreciatively. She shivered.

Biting his lip, he slipped his hand under the elastic, fingers sliding slowly between her folds. Even as she melted, he let out a soft, breathy moan, pressing his lips to her jaw, his forehead to her temple, like he had to be in contact with her in as many places as possible.

“Damn, like the fires of hell down there,” he remarked, fingers slipping and gliding as if he was writing his damn autograph. She felt as though he was showing attention to every part except for the bundle of nerves just begging to be explored. “You been burning for me, baby?”

“Mmm hmm,” she managed, jutting her hip slightly to surreptitiously move his hand. In response, he inched slightly further away because he was an ass and a control freak.

“Uh uh, in your patience possess ye your souls, honey.”

“No more… Bible,” she pleaded. He pretended to be shocked at such a thing coming from her good, Christian mouth, but finally took pity on her and kneaded her clit with the pad of his thumb. Her leg spasmed as her nerve-endings exploded with sensation. Elvis draped himself over her side, slinging a leg over hers, his face pressed against hers like he was escorting her on the journey instead of presiding over it. She felt his pillowy lips press against her cheekbone as he slipped a finger inside her, the ticklish drag drawing out a moan.

“I got you, baby, I got you,” he cooed, as she reached up and grasped his shoulder. He set an inexorable pace, his shallow breaths and occasional moans in her ear doing just as much to send her over the edge as his fingers. As the crescendo built, she turned her face and sought out his lips, crying out into his mouth as she came.

When she opened her eyes, she found his still closed, a faint line of concentration between his dark brows. It made it difficult for her to pull away, even as she needed to in order to ground herself. She frowned ruefully when she noticed three thin red lines running from his cheek down to his jaw, the blood already dried on the reddened skin around them. She reached up to touch, realising that her fingers lined up perfectly. Elvis winced slightly, finally opening his eyes.

“You’ve scratched yourself, darlin’,” she murmured.

“S’probably old,” he murmured. “From the show.”

“No, it’s been bleeding.” She rose and grabbed a tissue from the bedside table, trotting off to the bathroom to wet it before dabbing the dried red beads away.

After some careful suggestion and cajoling, she finally managed to get him to agree to take a shower, promising that she would have breakfast waiting for him when he returned. She had to help him into the bathroom, though he seemed steadier on his feet than he had before.

“I’m going to call down for room service,” she told him emphatically as he seemed to change his mind and started to follow her back out of the bathroom. “But you need to get washed up, baby. Be good now.”

“Don’t shut the door,” he garbled back quickly, all the words running into each other.

“Okay, I won’t.” She left it open a crack and walked to the phone, feeling disquieted and afraid, though why she couldn’t pick out. She discovered that when Lamar had picked up the phone he hadn’t quite put the receiver properly back on the hook.

It wasn’t until Chancy started giving Elvis’s breakfast order to the room service attendant that she finally heard the shower turn on, as if he had been waiting to check that she was doing as she promised. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thanks to the sister wives:

@ellie-24, @be-my-ally, @vintageshanny, @from-memphis-with-love, @missmaywemeetagain Tag List: @richardslady121, @dkayfixates, @c-rosenn, @fallinlovewithurlove, @notstefaniepresley, @heartbrake-hotel , @freudianslumber, @bbrtt777, @18lkpeters, @prompted-wordsmith, @literally-just-elvis-fics, @eliseinmemphis, @lookingforrainbows, @stylespresleyhearted, @amydarcimarie, @returntopresley, @savedrebelcreation,