#which may or may not have consequences

[karokawwo]

i've already seen posts talking abt ais sending hivemind members to keep tabs on you but i'm a silly corny ais truther and i like to believe he'd also send them on errands to annoy you or give you gifts or demand you go visit him that would be a little goofy

[lord-squiggletits]

On the MegOP fandom trend of saying "Optimus should apologize to Megatron"

(Speaking specifically for IDW1, though it applies to a lot of MegOP especially ones that do continuity soup with heavy reference to IDW1)

I was talking to a friend in DMs and they mentioned a common headcanon/fanfic trope that I also concurred with, and both of us said it's something that bothers us: a common take in the MegOP fandom goes basically along the lines of "If Optimus had just apologized to Megatron, the war would've ended" (or other variants including "if he'd tried harder to understand Megatron/work in collaboration with him").

And firstly, this is incorrect for a number of reasons:

There were attempts at peace negotiations during the war, but they fell through. So Optimus WAS trying to work with Megatron to the point of participating in formal diplomatic meetings.

Optimus tried multiple times on page to convince Megatron to just stop fighting and work with him for peace (Autocracy, Chaos Theory) that Megatron rejected. Given that these on-page examples take place at the start of the war and at the end of the war respectively, it makes sense that Optimus asking Megatron for collaboration is something he was trying/willing to do the entire time. So again, Optimus was always willing AND ATTEMPTING to work with Megatron and find a joint solution

Even before the war when Optimus was still Orion, he was very explicitly inspired by Megatron's writing and names Megatron as one of the people who "opened his eyes" to the wrongs of Cybertronian society. So how is it that people claim "the war went on for too long because Optimus never tried to understand Megatron" when OP literally named Megatron as one of his biggest idols, thus implying that OP does understand Megatron's ideals

But the primary purpose of this post wasn't to defend Optimus, actually. Even though I personally think Optimus did plenty (dare I say, everything) to try to end the war, there are some who may still think otherwise, so instead of arguing about whether Optimus did "enough", or who should apologize to whom, or who "deserves the blame" for starting/continuing the war, I'd actually rather talk about this:

No matter who is most "to blame" for the war, it's my firm belief that neither Megatron nor Optimus would even expect/demand the other to apologize to them at all.

On Megatron's side, he would never seek to judge Optimus negatively for the decisions to the point of saying "you wronged me, apologize." Whether it's evil Megatron who doesn't care about atrocities and revels in an opportunity to expose Optimus as a hypocrite, or post-war/Autobot Megatron who knows that his own evil actions are irredeemable, the idea of Megatron judging Optimus and demanding an apology for the war specifically strikes me as out-of-character. Why would Megatron demand or even want an apology from Optimus when Megatron knows fully well that he has his own sins to bear, he prolonged the war for his own selfish/material gain, and that he is responsible for an untold amount of suffering? Demanding an apology would imply that Megatron sees himself as the wronged party and Optimus as the wrongdoer, but by the end of the war, Megatron is too aware of his own part in the war to ever demand such a thing of Optimus. Even if he DID think that Optimus was "equally to blame" for the war (which he doesn't/wouldn't, btw), Megatron's own feelings of guilt would prevent him from trying to seek the petty satisfaction of the moral high ground or making Optimus beg for his forgiveness.

Additionally, Megatron knows Optimus very well as a person: he knows that the position of leadership is full of "loneliness [and] agonizing self-doubt" for Optimus (Chaos Theory) and that "when Optimus hurts others, he hurts himself" (MTMTE). Another reason that Megatron wouldn't demand nor want an apology from Optimus is because Megatron knows Optimus so well that he already knows that being a war leader fills Optimus with immense guilt and suffering. Given that Megatron knows about Optimus' self-doubt and guilt, why would he even need an apology when he already knows how much Optimus regrets the war and desperately wishes/wished for it to end?

Then, as established in the previous paragraphs, Optimus is too full of guilt for his part in the war (both before it started and in being unable to stop it sooner) to demand an apology from Megatron. Again, demanding an apology would put Optimus in an implied position of moral superiority and/or victimhood, but Optimus doesn't see himself as morally superior or as a victim (or rather, he sees himself as being responsible for these bad things happening and internalizes this as a duty to do better/fix wrongdoings). In other words, Megatron and Optimus both share this view of themselves and each other: Their hands are so dirty, and they both feel such guilt over this, and they know each other well enough to know that the other feels this way as well. Because both of them feel blame for the war and are acutely aware of their own flaws/part in suffering, both of them feel far too responsible for the war happening for them to ever blame their archnemesis for "not trying harder" or "being responsible for the war."

Hell, if you even look at the socio-political climate of Cybertron before the war started, neither Megatron nor Optimus were the ones who put this conflict into motion. The corrupt legacy of the Primes, Functionism, class issues-- all of these things existed before Megatron and Optimus did. Even once they started doing things like writing about social issues (M) or fighting against the Senate (OP), both of them were "underlings" in sense that they weren't leaders:

Megatron's writings may have inspired the Decepticon movement, but that movement existed as an independent entity with its own leaders and speakers long before Megatron became the "official" ruler of the Decepticons. He wasn't even the leader of the 'Cons until he took control of the gladiator arena and the nonviolent sections of the Decepticons were (presumably) subsumed into the underground, exploitative battle culture that Megatron created.

Optimus-as-Orion was a police officer to start, but even once he started going against the Senate, he mainly worked in collaboration with others like Senator Shockwave and Zeta (later Zeta Prime), who he either saw as his idols or who were literally superior to him in rank due to government/military structures.

So with this in mind, even from a social level, while Megatron and Optimus may have been "catalysts" of a sort that caused the war to escalate to an outright planetary/galactic level, the scenario is too complex to solely lay the blame for the war at either of their feet. I'm not confident in saying that Megatron/Optimus would explicitly think of this when talking to each other, but what I'm trying to say is that M/OP were just catalysts in a long chain of brewing tension that exploded into a war. Even if one could claim that one of them "started" or "escalated" the war, the social issues that caused the war and the positions of power that allowed them to become leaders in the first place were falling into place before either of them actually BECAME leaders.

In other words, this shared fate of being the final reaction that exploded a societal conflict into outright war... Megatron and Optimus both have that in common. And because of this, I really don't think either of them would even think to ask the other to apologize because they're both in such similar positions, with such similar feelings of guilt and responsibility, that they understand each other's feelings without words. To demand an apology would be akin to taking that shared vulnerability/guilt and stepping on it, attempting to claim that one is right/superior and the other is wrong/inferior, and that the inferior one needs to grovel and take responsibility for the bad things that happened.

[rosesradio]

seeing solangelo discourse is so funny to me bc it’s like ‘there might be a slight age gap maybe!!’ or ‘will and nico's bickering isn’t Good Bickering it’s Bad’ like have you ever simply considered no one really gives a flying fuck about william solace as a character and solangelo is just as bad a ship (if not worse) than caleo and the only reason people like it (or even tolerate it) is because it’s a canon gay ship with one of the most popular characters in the series

[bijoumikhawal]

also it really is shit how several popular bloggers were like. Horribly bigoted towards ace people when it was cool, but once it stopped being trendy they 1) deleted those posts so receipts couldn't be pulled 2) maybe put up claimed "redactions" or said "omg its been years if you really wanna know wether i still hate those people dm me" but never apologized for their behavior lmao. I don't think any of the people who did that actually changed, I just think they know it's not such an acceptable/fun target to bully anymore. It's really sick how that type of bullying was encouraged for years and how few people repented for their behavior.

[fiveeeee]

i think ppl forget sometimes that ppl who genuinely do not feel emotions do not do much of anything, bc u need emotions to feel motivated to do things and make many decisions. not feeling anything are characteristics of depression and schizoid personality disorder and both are characterized by lack of drive to do much of anything. often ppl use emotionless as short for smart and cold but truthfully those ppl are not emotionless, they must be motivated by something whether curiosity or fear or a sense of utilitarian morality.

and i think also ppl forget there is a price for repressing ur emotions. that shit is incredibly taxing on ur body, incredibly stressful. it will straight up make u sick. so all of this must be considered when u have a character that doesnt express themself much.

[throughtrialbyfire]

Director’s Cut!

"It's a rare edition these days. Keep this between us, but with Whiterun's neutrality, my buyer can't exactly come marching up the city steps."  "Stormcloaks?" Wyndrelis murmured, stepping closer. Belethor shook his head. "I'll give you a hint, if you're so keen to know." He made a sweeping motion with his index finger along his ear, bringing it up high along the side of his head. Emeros' blood ran cold. "Thalmor," he whispered. He'd recognize the Breton sign that indicated standard Thalmor earcuffs anywhere, the shape of an eagles wing that would arch out from the ear of whatever Justiciar wore them.  Belethor nodded gravely. "And if he doesn't get what he wants, well..." Belethor trailed off. Eventually, he turned on his heel, murmuring about writing a letter, something about a delay in the shipment, no problem, he'd miraculously get his hands on another edition, leaving the three to watch him as he shut the door to his shop. Athenath looked from Emeros to Wyndrelis, then back again. Wordlessly, the trio split to wander separate parts of the city, the conversation repeating in their minds like a stanza in a particularly cruel poem.

OOOOOOOOOHOHOHO okay there is a lot in that scene and i love it, thank you for sending this! >:3c

alright. with this scene, my main goal was to show that, well, there are consequences to not getting enough information and just grabbing whatever was wanted (whether to themselves or to others). athenath's actions in the previous chapter - stealing the Book of the Dragonborn - was done with good intent at the end of the day (hey, you and your new friends were just told you're dragonborn? okay, cool, get information on what that means), but… well, it was impulsive. and dangerously so.

this scene is like a warning, in a way. athenath stole something that was being sold to a thalmor justiciar (ondolemar, actually), but had no idea that was the case because they didn't even bother to search for information, didn't think this through, just went "i need this, he has it, i'll take it". if athenath had more foresight, they would have thought to check records in the shop, and while this wouldn't have changed their mind right now in the story, it would make him think this over a bit more. he would have hesitated.

it also acts to prop up the next chapter's conflict between emeros and athenath, two people who despise the thalmor for different reasons. some personal, some moral, and gives me a great way to show their perspectives. and it shows that while athenath is a damned good thief, that doesn't mean he always makes the best decisions. in my notes on this chapter, i have the sentence: "With how severe the consequences for Belethor could be, Athenath's impulsivity has the potential to cause genuine harm to others."

also it gave me a chance to give a nod to my headcanon thalmor jewelry >:3 which i need to draw more art of, bc it's very fun.

thank you again for sending this ask!!!! <33333333333

director's commentary

[aeide-thea]

truly just SUCH a typical tumblr experience but like.

Familiar Tumblr Name makes a post that's like: 'you know how fast fashion perpetuates itself by selling us clothing that gets dingy and grody really fast, so we have to replace it yearly?'

me: uh, no, actually—historically i've found that the few fast fashion pieces i acquired long outstayed their welcome, and were perfectly wearable long after i was heartily sick of them! but go on, i guess

FTN: 'let me tell you about this traditional domestic wisdom (implied: that's been lost because of, uh, capitalism) that will fix this problem (that you, too, definitely have) for you!'

me, googling: okay so this residue that FTN said was somehow a Fast Fashion thing is apparently generally caused by like. fabric softener and/or hard water. using discount detergents that skimp on active ingredients. using too much detergent so it doesn't wash out. letting your bedding go too long between washes. letting your washer go too long between cleans. etc. anyway. lots of specific factors here, many of which may in fact not apply to you in particular!

but like. why get specific when instead we could assert You Know This Problem, Right? This Lost Traditional Wisdom Will Definitely Help You Personally!!

[vse-kar-vem]

how to write vent post title that does not come off as self-pitying and or accusatory (because it's NOT !)

[themyscirah]

This is technically a Diana's age poll but I framed it partially around Julia's rescue because that's the event I need to contextualize and whether or not Diana is a thing yet is p important for my purposes. I would keep the Pérez run and postcrisis continuity in mind when answering this bc that's when this is relevant but I'd keep in mind that even though Diana is very young there (like early 20s) we don't know I don't think if she ages differently as a child (esp as a themysciran AND being made from clay) and in some versions she is older than she looks and was made earlier

Edit: I accidentally logic-ed this out in the tags lol 🤦‍♀️but feel free to still vote however you want. Going to publish this anyway bc I think I made some good points later in my tags

[tragedykery]

I should. probably find a way to sit while doing calligraphy/lettering that doesn’t completely fuck up my back bc this is uhm. not ideal

[theshadowrealmitself]

Tired sorcerer who keeps informing people that they don’t have to ask for drastic stuff and get drastic consequences like “wanting a baby so a parent dies” or “wanting to be the best swimmer so their legs stop working on land”

just take a fertility potion and try on your own again!! or just let them cast a spell on you to be able to hold your breath longer so you can practice becoming a better swimmer!!

Just a sorcerer who’s main focus with magic is finding a way to lessen the consequences of using magic

[stillresolved]

It's symbolic, whenever he and Ballister narrowly meet each other from these two different fronts they've taken on in a battle he'd never dreamed of seeing, not even in his worst nightmares, to be anything but at eye-level.

Ambrosius stares up at a shape he hates to call villainous, the menacing silhouette, the distance Ambrosius is himself participant in creating, and feels the squeeze of it in his chest.

"Bal!" he shouts, because as much as Bal doesn't seem able to stop whatever crazy crusade he's set himself on, Ambrosius can't let him go on it.

"Can't we talk? Can't we try to talk? Just once?" a pause, a harsh breath under widened, pleading eyes, shortness he can't justify, because he doesn't feel physically exerted... as much as he feels always on that precipice his heart is hanging from.

"Here," he throws his sword to the ground, symbolic and idiotic, and a reminder of what he did with it. He grimaces. "Let's talk."

((ONE FOR THE KNIGHT EXES!!!!!!!!! for some bizarre reason I feel like I've written something similar already SO FORGIB ME IF IT'S REPETITIVE OF SOMETHING OF THE PAST 🥺 also hope it makes sense, wasn't so sure about the writing here, MWAH ♥ ALSO HOPE IT'S NOT GOD-MODDY? to yknow idk i had this visual of Ballister 'having the high ground' Obi-wan style so hope it's okay~?))

@mythvoiced / so he picked violence today....

Oh Ambrosius. 

Bright-eyed, righteous, level-headed Ambrosius. Sweet, loving, hopeful Ambrosius.

That’s why Ballister was drawn to him, all those years ago, wasn’t it? Because Ambrosius, heir to the heroine herself, beloved child of the Kingdom, always saw the best in people and Ballister only knew the worst of people. Lived as if he only expected the worst of people.

Loving Ambrosius was an exercise in faith. Faith that against all odds, things would turn out okay. Even if the nay-sayers said Ballister would one day end up in the very prison cells they used to lock away the criminals threatening the good of the kingdom. Even if the nay-sayers said Ballister was only using Ambrosius for extra points with the queen. Ambrosius always told him to ignore those voices. Words said out of love, out of encouragement, Ballister knows, but how could he say such callous words when Ambrosius has always lived his life, knowing who he is, knowing what his destiny would always be?

( And to some degree, Ballister will only admit when he is alone, it came true. The faith that Ambrosius believed so fervently in did bare fruit. Or at least, it should've, if not for– )  

How? Ballister has always wanted to ask him- how did it feel to step forward in life, always knowing the summit would be the inevitable destination? What was it like, knowing that even if he did stray from the path a little, his destiny would still be there waiting for him, like an armor waiting for its knight to slip into the shell?

The ground shakes beneath them. Ballister keeps his feet planted on the ground as part the wall begins to crumble. Lower, at its foundation, a pink dragon metaphorizes itself into a rhinoceros. A speedier steed as the knights of the kingdom charge at her. Nimona will be able handle them by herself for the time being, but soon, Ballister will join her. The mastermind, hand in hand with the heart of the crusade. 

For now, there is another matter, one in the shape of his beloved a hero of the realm to contend with. A knight, it seems, who foolishly approaches Ballister, not as an enemy, but as a lover. Ballister tries not to let it show: the way his fingers twitch around his sword. When was the last time someone had called him Bal?

It doesn’t help that Ambrosius is looking upon him, pleadingly, like he knows, believes that Ballister will be a better man. Ambrosius, the hero of the realm, the champion of justice, light, and most of all peace. Ambrosius, who looks at Ballister like he is still that man from three years ago, a man who is better than the crude means of plundering and vandalism and violence he has sunken to.

Ambrosius is a man who sees the best in people. Sees and believes in the best of everyone. That is why he is considered the HOPE of the Kingdom, one who speaks and believes in the potential for peace and serenity in the realm for both humans and monsters alike. 

Ballister watches Ambrosius throw his sword to the side. Gloreth’s blade clangs against the ground– what scandal, what blasphemy, how far will the golden child fall now– the metal echoing against the cobblestones. Ballister keeps his grip steady around his sword with no intention of mirroring his love. Nor of sheathing said blade either.

However.

However much of a hero Ambrosius may be, he is still but one person in a system of thousands. And a system that keeps the walls of the Kingdom up, a system that declares monsters savages to be destroyed, a system that casts outliers like Ballister as no better than monsters themselves, is a system, which keeps the Kingdom at the top, that is inherently violent. 

“Talking won’t change anything. The Kingdom will never change unless something is done. You know that as well as I do– try speaking to the Director about the monsters as anything but vermin. She’s already closed her ears to any alternatives.”

Ambrosius can speak of peace and compromise all he wants, but the only thing that such a system will respond to, the only action that will bring about change is violence itself. 

Ballister points his blade at him, the man he once loved. “You’ve chosen your grave where you stand now, Goldenloin. Prepare yourself.”

[nicname]

[BENDY AND THE DARK REVIVAL SPOILERS, if you don’t want spoilers turn back now !!]

DID ANYONE ELSE Pick up on how, at the end when Joey was talking all lovingly to Audrey, he was just actively Ignoring the Ink Demon, his First Creation that he cares negative about and considers “a monster” and “a mistake,” all while praising Audrey for being everything the Ink Demon wasn’t?? The creation that he actively neglected and looked down upon from .. creation??? For lack of better phrasing. THIS IS NOT A SLIGHT AT THE WRITING By the way, I think it helps exemplify the kind of person Joey Drew is (AND It gets Especially interesting if you choose to interpret the Ink Demon as a metaphor for all the people Joey Drew hurt along the way pursuing his folly, and how he feels they don’t need or deserve an apology from him, or even deserve the time of day. Chefs kiss)

[aria0fgold]

Having a pulled muscle by the ribs aint fun actually. Why is there no other treatment other than "rest," I want this sensation gone right now already.

[duelbraids]

a hot take i like... have about BG3's progression is the same problem i ahve w/ a lot of RPG games where like... in order for your character's stats to scale properly, you basically must pick only ASIs. basically, all horizontal progression is blocked off if you want to keep your characters dealing and taking damage on par with the enemies. i dont think this is as noticeable on the standard difficulty (and basically this problem doesnt exist in the lowest difficulty, which, as it should) but on tactian and honour it is NOTICEABLE noticeable

[luxlightly]

Oh, cartoon sick person ice pack filled with freezable fruit shapes, we're really in it now.