#truly inspired

[dropout-ninja]

Since I was told once again that I don’t share enough shitposts…

…what? If they’re gonna be siblings, then let her poof out too.

[helpimstuckinafandom]

Underrated thing in Neverafter that I haven't seen posts about but was brought up in Adventuring Academy: Pinnochio breaking off his nose so he can lie

Like that is such a great concept. the world is messed up and he needs to be able to lie to survive but also that is an actual part of your body like that is a part of you. did it hurt? will he get his nose back if he becomes real again? who knows. but it doesn't matter. because to survive in this world he needs to be able to lie and this is the price to be paid

[zazzander]

Octavian: the name

I didn't need the reminder. I'd been so proud of my son, the original Octavian, later Caesar Augustus.

So names have meaning, right? Perseus was the hero that got the happy ending, which is why Sally Jackson chose it, even though Perseus was a son of Zeus not Poseidon. The original Jason was the captain of the Argo. And our Jason sailed on the Argo "Two" (too).

Then there's Octavian.

“Possibly my namesake, Octavian – Augustus Caesar. Everyone says I bear a remarkable resemblance.”

This is the first mention of Octavian's name and how it's related to the first Emperor. Now, OG Octavian was a ruthless politician, not a hero. Which is interesting, because usually if someone has a namesake in these stories it would be an actual mythological hero (Percy and Jason being examples). Not like, an actual person.

Besides, the first day of August is most auspicious - the month named after my ancestor Augustus. And you know how he united the Romans? [...] He saved Rome by becomes First Citizen. He wanted peace and prosperity, not power! Believe me, Mike, I intend to follow his example. I will save New Rome."

Unlike a lot of the other heroes with namesakes, Octavian seems to have invested himself into being just like Augustus. To follow his example.

How so? Well, reading through the lines a bit, we can guess that New Rome is mostly based off the Roman Republic's culture. It's hesitance to embrace the Greeks - for one thing. But also the fact each cohort has its standard. The fact Apollo isn't really worshipped as an important god (and his children generally dismissed as cowardly).

Going back to the original quote (at the top), we see Apollo talking about how proud he was of the original Octavian (Augustus). Despite Augustus' earlier portrayal as a powerhungry tyrant.

Which means me think Octavian's need to follow Augustus' example stems, in part, from Apollo's pride of his son. Feeding into Apollo's nostalgia.

This was a smaller, kinder, much improved Rome - the Rome we always thought mortals were capable of but never achieved. And, yes, of course we gods came here for nostalgia, to relive those wonderful centuries when mortals worshipped us freely across the empire, perfuming the air with burnt sacrifices.

Because even though Apollo says this - he's like the only god who seems to agree. At least, according to pretty much every Roman demigod who isn't Octavian.

And note, Apollo talks about the empire. Because of course he does. Under the Republic, Apollo wasn't that important. He pretty much had no Roman equivalent and that made it very hard to integrate him. The person who pressed for that integration? It was Augustus.

(The Romans had been becoming more and more interested in Greek concept for a long time. It's not like Apollo was just ignored until then. He had a Temple near Rome. But importantly none in Rome.)

But while we see a bit of Octavian trying to replicate this idealised Augustus. Of following the footsteps of his namesake. Almost like... like he really wanted Apollo to acknowledge him.

I find it really interesting as well, that we don't have Octavian's last name (I know I'm bringing it up again but it's important). A lot of Riordan's main cast have last names. And especially for Octavian, his should be just as important as his first name. He derives so much of his political power from his family yet he also talks about them vaguely.

The name he clings to is Apollo's.

Rachel Dare faced the augur, "Octavian, son of Apollo, you should take this more seriously. Even Romans respected your father's Oracle of Delphi."

"Ha!" Octavian said. "You're the Oracle of Delphi? Right. And I'm the Emperor Nero."

Octavian doesn't correct Rachel when she falsely calls him a son of Apollo. She calls Apollo his father. Even though that's blatantly wrong. Maybe that's because he'd refer that reality over the current one.

(I think Riordan has admitted this was a mistake but it's in the text so I'm going to use it!)

Regardless, like all the namesakes, Octavian's comes with a twist. Percy = actually a son of Poseidon. Jason = actually not the captain. Octavian? = actually dies young.

Brutal.

Anyway, I just wanted to talk about it. Because there's a real potential for the two of them to be compared in the eyes of Apollo. And, of course, the second Octavian really doesn't measure up.

Their former augur, my descendant Octavian, had died in the battle against Gaia. (Which I had a hard time feeling sad about, but that's another story.)

[orallech]

In my top ten geralt moments

[lionblaze03-2]

See. I would say I’m sorry for my birthday behavior. But I am not. Had a blast my brothers thank you for tolerating me

[soosoosoup]

snowzone

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Lan Wangji Goes To Lotus Pier AU: Part 3: Enveloping Feelings.

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 4 (soon))

[delicourse]

i miss them a little if im gonna be honest

[girlbossdennnis]

anyways s/o to this baller anon for this totally spies x ho1000c/rob zombie parody song ur a real one like goddamn

[egophiliac]

redesigning my headcanon for Sebek's parents, based on important new information (SCALES)

(you can't see it but they're both wearing crocs)

[galoogamelady]

You can thank @soularch @therebelpeon and @cameronaugust for this

[naturecalls111]

Sanji’s thoughts when he snorkels normal seas 🤿🌊

And when he does find the All Blue:

[uncanny-tranny]

Periodic reminder that unless a person specifically and clearly tells you it is okay to tell others they are trans or queer, you should err on the side of caution and assume they do not want you to tell people (especially random people!) about their transness or queerness.

You have no idea, generally, why somebody doesn't talk openly about their trans or queer status, and you have no idea, truly, how somebody might react to that information. The most progressive person out there is still capable of harbouring incredibly negative thoughts about somebody's queer status.

[neeshachar]

On my 100th reread of tgcf (I'm halfway through the first book) I am only now realising how much of a romantic Xie Lian is.

I thought the only line that indicated his nature was during the seaside "what matters is you, not the state of you" conversation where Xie Lian said "there were very difficult times in my life where I imagined if someone could see me like that and still love me. I still don't know if there would be anyone like that". But this is way later in the 3rd book and before that I hadn't imagined Xie Lian wanting someone to love him.

But I am now realising its outright clear from the beginning. In the first quest, Xie Lian enters the tea shop and looks out the window, noticing how beautiful the scenery was and his first thought was "this would be such a nice place for lovers' chance encounters" and immediately after that he has in own meet-cute with the butterfly.

Later, as he is led out of the bridal sedan by Hua Cheng, he is constantly thinking how great a husband Hua Cheng would be, "considerate, patient, loving" etc etc. Xie Lian enjoyed playing the bride then. He was thinking "oh it would be so nice if this were real, and this man was my husband". You cannot tell me that Hua Cheng was the only one swooning at the hand holding.

I see so many posts and edits of Hua Cheng being whipped from the start, but honestly Xie Lian was falling in love right from Mount Yujun. He knows nothing of the man but from one romantic encounter he remembers the boot bells so fondly and decides "he was soft with me. I like him". I know it's mxtx's doing and all but there is still something to be said when the story is narrated entirely in Xie Lian's head that every interaction XL has with San Lang that onwards is painted so romantically. Xie Lian is a romantic, it didn't take him long to fall hard and love Hua Cheng on purpose.

[izartela]

All turtles for the @somerandomdudelmao fanart series are now done. :D I may do some more later on if inspiration strikes, but for now I'll be moving on to other projects (some also turtle related).

On another note, if anyone would like to get any of these fanarts as prints, let me know in a comment or message me. I'll post a specific poll and info sometime later but I wanted to know if there actually is any interest first.

[wilteddreamsofbaldursgate]

New dad Astarion who is about to see his newborn child for the first time.

Of course, he expects his child to be the personification of serene beauty and divine grace. Them to have their father’s silken silvern locks, his immaculately chiselled features—the artwork perfected by Tav’s wonderful watercolour eyes…

And then he actually sees the child and—well—everybody assures him that, yes, Astarion, all babies look like that barely a half hour after birth…

He kind of has to take that at face value because he hasn’t seen an awful lot of newborns in his lifetime.

But it would’ve been nice if someone had told him that newborns happen to look like shrivelled potatoes, because he’s really, really trying to not let his bewilderment show. 

Astarion swallows. 

Tav’s beautiful eyes are watching him, waiting for a reaction—an enthusiastic one, no less. 

Maybe Tav will believe that he’s overcome with emotions at seeing his firstborn child? 

“Oh my, darling, I’m…speechless,” is all he can choke out, though, being rather proud that it’s at least not a lie. 

To his luck, Tav only nods dreamily, her full attention back on the odd little bundle in her arms.

“Isn’t she perfect?”

Yes, perfectly hideous. 

Astarion only hums in a way of reply.

That—his daughter, he supposes—is with no doubt one of the ugliest things he’s ever seen, but he has a feeling that his honesty wouldn’t be appreciated after Tav laboured for hours to give birth to this…potato-baby.

“Come, hold her, Astarion,” Tav says, then, bidding him to sit next to her on the bed.

The mattress shifts under Astarion’s weight and he obediently holds his arms out so that Tav can gently place the sleeping child against his chest.

Now that Astarion can take a better look, he can confirm that his daughter’s hair is of an indefinable colour and that her features are neither his nor Tav’s, plain as can be. Surely it won’t stay like that?

He and Tav are so ridiculously beautiful, their child can only be drop-dead gorgeous, right?

Astarion’s stomach drops indeed when, suddenly, something occurs to him. 

Oh dear, what if it’s his fault? He has no recollection of his family whatsoever; it’s very much possible that he and his immaculate looks are the exception in his lineage, and that he’s passed on only those mysterious less-than-perfect genes…Tav, as per usual, can’t be the issue!

Astarion is still catastrophizing when the bundle in his arms begins to stir.

All of a sudden, gold-speckled pale green eyes are looking up at him as if to ask what the fuck this weirdo’s problem might be. 

“Oh,” the weirdo in question exclaims at once. “Darling, look, she has your eyes!”

Tav, hugging him from behind, rests her chin on his shoulder, so she can watch as Astarion’s finger tenderly strokes their baby’s chubby cheek.

Their daughter also has, as it turns out, ten fingers and toes, a cute little nose and a hungry mouth—everything that’s supposed to be there is there, and it seems to be working fine, too—which is a huge relief. 

And aren’t those the tiniest pointy ears Astarion has ever seen? Let alone the unexpectedly strong fingers grasping at his!

Astarion, worries forgotten in a heartbeat, can’t help but smile at the baby in his arms. 

She is perfect, after all. 

Tav, face hidden in the crook of his neck, begins to tremble against his back. 

For a second, Astarion thinks she’s crying but then her laughter fills the chamber. It takes her a good moment to articulate whatever it is she finds so very funny.

“She'll grow out of it, you know?” Tav giggles in between her fits of laughter. 

Astarion stiffens. “Of what?”

“The turnip look. That’s what you’ve been worrying about the whole time, haven't you?”

“I was leaning more towards potatoes—but yes, I might’ve been a little worried about that,” Astarion admits sheepishly, although a grin is already tugging at his lips.  

Regaining her composure, Tav reaches over Astarion’s shoulder, her hand joining his as they get to know their child.

“Give it a couple of days and she will look like your proper little elf—beautiful just like her father.”

A content sigh leaves Astarion’s lips, right before he presses them against Tav’s temple.

“That’s the second best news I’ve heard today, my heart, truly.”