#zone's ramblings

[phantom-z0ne]

Couldn't figure out a way to add this onto the previous reblog, so i'll just put it here :D

[acadieum]

started my first re-listen of taz balance since starting it in 2018 (?)

and i just wanted to explore what their origin backgrounds were vs the characters they ended up becoming... they are interesting...

[phantom-z0ne]

Tags were too long to fit so heres my (stupidly long) ramblings, excuse how disorganized this is ^^'

Yikes. That would NOT be pleasant.

This could be an au where the GIW have been rounding up anyone that was even slightly liminal, including some of Danny's classmates, and Valerie was nabbed quickly bc her suit integrated with her body and gave her minor ghost abilities, much to her horror. I imagine she was one of the first the GIW took, and they sort of lured her with a ghost sighting when they figured she had a (weak) ecto-signature.

For the GIW itself, the agency is one that locates and investigates the supernatural. It is still technically part of the government, but is very very close to being axed due to their last audit notifying the government that they cost more than they bring in. The agents were growing desperate when their repeals to stay open were rejected, so they set their sights on providing hard evidence of the harm supernatural creatures, ghosts in this case, pose and issued an illegal martial law of Amity Park. They fabricated the Anti-ecto Acts and silently shut down communication between Amity Park and the outside world before nabbing those with higher than average ectoplasm levels. (Great plan, right? Nothing could possibly go wrong, right??)

Back to Valerie, with her body already changing and weak from the invasive experiments she's been through and Dionesium being added to the mix, she's slowly being converted into a halfa. There could be some side effects depending on if the Dionesium is pure or not. Liminals can't absorb excess amounts of ectoplasm without being harmed since they are technically still alive, so since concentrated halfa blood IS still ectoplasm, she wouldn't be able to properly absorb it. Where and how the excess Dionesium goes/effects her is up to the writer since there's so many ways it can go.

Even worse, if the halfa blood is mixed with additional metals and/or contaminants(its rare to find uncorrupt Dionesium according to the wiki), there's no way there won't be any consequences for her body, let alone her SOUL, absorbing that. It simply should not be in there!

I doubt the transformation on its own would be a painless experience either, much less a natural transition from liminal to halfa. Her growth could be mutated, stunted, have long-lasting negative effects, etc. With all the elements listed above combined, there's little chance she'd turn into a healthy(ish) halfa with a normal/healthy core.

(or, if her body is under enough stress and weakened severely, she could've skipped the halfa phase and jumped straight into being a full ghost? how would the CoO manage to control her in that form?)

Valerie is obviously not taking the whole situation very well, what with being imprisoned, experimented on by two separate organizations, and figuring out she's turning into something she harbors a deep hatred for (assuming she hasn't got over her hate of ghosts and wasn't let in on Phantom being danny). The mental toll of her body changing in unexpected and horrifying and otherworldly ways while she's unable to do anything to stop or even alter its course would be HEAVY. Of course, that's only if you choose to go down the body horror route (which i would love to see explored <33)

Still! She wouldn't be Valerie if she didn't even attempt to fight back or escape. And if one of those times she managed to kick up a fuss large enough to garner some attention, who's to say she wouldn't be getting some help from the local vigilantes?

OR! OR! The CoO DO successfully turn her into a Talon despite the Dionesium not mixing too well with her body and send her on her first mission, where she has to take out a high profile individual (Bruce??)

Naturally, she catches the interest of the Bats(or any non-bat hero in the area). Maybe she does still have full control or even some semblance of control of her mind, but ultimately the CoO have command of her body. The most she can do is abuse some loopholes in the orders she's given to leave clues of her situation.

That begs the question, who will be the first to figure it out, the heroes who would save her or the villains who control her...?

DPxDC Prompt #18

Dionesium is Halfa blood.

The Court of Owls has bought a new asset off a failing government agency. They intend to turn it into a new, perhaps superior kind of Talon. However, the asset's body is reacting strangely to the Court's Talon serum.

[chestersbraincell]

Guys. Hadal snailfish. Okay?

[redeemed-wren]

Thinking about. Stanley Pines. Once summer, not long after Weirdmaggedon. Sitting in his seat, staring at the tv but realising slowly he's not really watching TV, he's listening.

Listening to Soos, taking a tour group around the Shack, his voice confident and happy, eagerly telling tourists all kinds of tall tales. Soos, with his young son strapped to his chest, held close and dear to his heart, always knowing he is loved and wanted by his father.

Listening to Wendy and Melody, laughter turning to deeper conversations in the gift shop as Wendy pours out her latest dating drama and Melody listens sympathetically--not quite a mother, but an older sister figure is all Wendy wants at the moment.

Listening to a distant boom coming from the basement, a cause for some concern that fades quickly as three peals of laughter follow soon after. One deep and familiar, as comforting and close as the sound of a ship's motor and the open sea. One young and high, cracking with adolescent awkwardness. One loud and cackling, a hint of madness never quite leaving it but more settled than it used to be. And Stan figures it's probably time to send someone down to drag Ford, Dipper and McGucket upstairs before they forget what light is and get too nerdy.

Besides it's nearly dinner time, and he's listening to Mabel's steady, unrelenting chatter in the kitchen, punctuated by a few grunts of acknowledgment from Abuelita as they prepare a meal.

And Stan feels a strange, unusual sensation wash over him, something he hasn't felt for over half a lifetime, by a boat on a beach. A sensation of contentment, of security, of peace. And he realises that if he stood up and walked into any one of the rooms in the Shack he would be greeted with smiles and faces lighting up to see him and cheerful cries of his name.

And he looks down at the darned pig sleeping beside his chair and things, with oddly misty eyes, that he spent thirty years trying to find his brother again. And he succeeded--but somehow, he got more than that. He had formed around him, without even realising it, a family.

[festivating]

glinda running away screaming and crying and then standing against the wall and closing her eyes and waiting for death... elphaba saw firsthand how much of a TERRIBLE fugitive glinda would've been and was still like mmm yes please come with me we'll be the greatest team there's ever been. she loves glinda so dearly.

[phantom-z0ne]

Of course!! \( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ )/

I read Not So Imaginary when I started becoming interested in book binding. I loved it so much and immediately wanted a personal copy, so I tried my hand at turning it into a physical book, even though I've never done something like it before.

It has, like, a lot of mistakes; my needlework isn't very good, it doesn't have a title, I didn't realize the first page needed to be blank and NOT the title page, and I was very liberal with my use of glue, so the last page is kinda soaked . . . (•_•ᵕ)

BUT! I still very much enjoyed the process. I went a bit out of my comfort zone with this project, but it was super fun and worth it in the end! If I had the time and resources, I would absolutely love to bind all your works!

Now, onto the book in question!!

(Google Docs link for better quality)

It honestly came out a lot better than I anticipated, considering I don't have much luck with arts and crafts.

Anyway, I just wanted to say I love your works, and you've been a great inspiration to me and likely many others. Your writing style is so unique and captivating, and I'm always eager to read what you put out next!! (ෆ˙ᵕ˙ෆ)/♡

EDIT: I didn't realize you couldn't put videos in reblogs, so heres me flipping through the pages :)

(in case anyone is interested, this this and this are the main tutorials I followed, but I also encourage you to research more, there are so many different ways to book bind out there!!)

Alright my darlings! City Pigeons Bleed Green is all but done! Masked is getting updated soon. I'm squinting at a possible Soup update. Helping Hands just got done. I have some freedom!

I am considering that Birdritch will be what I start to edit and put up as the next long fic, mostly because it already has an absurd thirteen chapters to edit, but I want to run though some of my current short(er) fics as I do so and get them done and published too! So, I figured why not let you all vote?

Up for vote we have:

Danny in Metropolis (title pending)

Kon Kent has a new classmate in Metropolis--one that he has a crush on. By there are some concerning things about Danny Fenton: his nosebleeds, how he won't eat food from home, how jumpy his is about Superman, or even being treated to things... oh, yeah, and his parents work for Lex Luthor.

The Haunting of Danny Fenton

Danny Fenton was being haunted. Annoyingly, that wasn’t at all unusual. Danny was sadly used to being haunted. One could even claim, if one was being pedantic, that Danny haunted himself. Sure, since Danny had moved away from Amity Park and the mess his life had been there, the haunting were a lot less frequent, but they still happened from time to time. The thing was, is this haunting was different. Different in a way that made Danny worried about the ghost and their well-being.

Nightbird's Song (Explicit, but skipable scenes.)

To Nightwing, Danny's building is a sanctuary in the night. He wants to wrap himself up in it forever. But he can't. Not as Nightwing. Not as a hero. Not as flawed as he is. To Danny, Nightwing ins a man that he loves deeply, but he knows saying as much will case his songbird away. He'll wait instead. Wait until Nightwing is ready. Or at least that was the plan.

Stardust Dance (Explicit. It's just smut.)

Dick needs a break from his life. All of it. Good thing there's a club with an enchanting person in it that has caught his eye.

Mx. Minx (Maybe explicit?? but skipable scenes.)

Danny is a damn minx. Jason doesn't much mind.

Battinson/John smut (title pending) (Explicit. It's just smut.)

John just finished a set and was out smoking when a delightfully shy man joins him. A delightfully shy man who is a fan... and someone John wants to take back to his hotel.

Neon Adjuration (Explicit, but skipable scenes?)

It’s about Jason returning to Danny and the town full of the dead again and again to gently lay with Danny in the dark of the night and beg ‘Come back with me’. Because Jason doesn’t want to live without Danny any more but Danny doesn’t know how to live at all. It’s about how Jason begs.

Not so Imaginary sequel (title pending)

Self explanatory! Danny's POV focusing on him settling in with Diana as his guardian, healing, and seeing Jason.

(Why is 'A Hill to Die On' not on this list? Well, because that mofo is going to be in the 'big' camp. Or at least bigger.)

[lazylittledragon]

so uhhhhhhhh. not to be cryptic and bitchy on main but congratulations to everyone in my messages for like 5 months on being right i guess

[pretend-theres-a-name-here]

Little thing I wrote while procrastinating writing part 5 of Hide Your Heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Steve Harrington who knows his kid brother is obsessed with some niche, up and coming metal band. Steve Harrington who groans and grumbles and carries on about having to drive him around to shows and listen to him nerding out but does it anyway. Steve Harrington who doesn’t really pay attention because the lights on the stage are too bright and drown out whoever’s playing. Steve Harrington who is currently wading through a crowd making their way to the door, going against the current and stumbling as he searches for the mop of hair he promised to get home.

“Henderson!” He cups his hands around his mouth, “Where is that kid?” 

He finds himself pushed to the outskirts of the mass of bodies, plastered to a wall but he still pitches forward when a particularly rowdy young woman rams into him. He thinks he’s going to go all the way to the floor when a hand snags his elbow, holding him up. He turns to rush out an apology, a few thanks for the save, but stops before he can get the words out because holy shit the guy is gorgeous.

And Steve—well Steve has been doing some thinking about himself. About how most guys don’t have to mentally prepare themselves to go into the locker room after pe class. About how most guys don’t let their friends paint their nails pretty colors. Robin told him that there was this thing called being bisexual and he thought some things were clicking into place. So he’s gotten used to going out and noticing more than just girls, it’s not uncommon, but this guy is hot, like really hot. 

He’s dressed in leather pants and a cut off tank top that hangs around his sides. Tattoos, more doodles than actual designs, on full display for the world to see, running up his arms and peeking out from his ribs. His hair is in curly tangles, sweat sticking it to his forehead but he’s grinning. He has a jacket, leather, in his other hand. 

He’s also still holding on to Steve’s arm. Warm rings press into the inside of his elbow as he rights himself.

“First time?” The man asks.

“Y-yeah.” Steve gets out, “I’m supposed to be here with my brother, he’s a huge fan of some band playing here. Molded Coffin or something.”

The guy’s face breaks out into a full on smile, humor sparking in his eyes but Steve doesn’t know if what he said was that funny.

“Yeah? Where’s he at?” The guy still hasn’t let go, leading Steve away from the crowd and further into the room where there were less people.

“I’m actually looking for him now. Left him alone for five minutes to get a drink and he disappears.”

“You need help? These things can get a little crazy.” The man offers.

“You do this a lot?” Steve asks, immediately mentally face palming. He practically asked the guy if he came here often, he was going to think he was flirting. Was he?

The man just smiled, “You could say that. Eddie.” He finally released Steve’s arm in favor of holding out his hand. They shook hands and Steve told the man—Eddie—his name.

They talked for a while, Eddie got them drinks and Steve told himself that Dustin was old enough to behave himself for 15 minutes. Eddie kept an arm around his shoulders the whole time, shielding him from the chaos of the dwindling crowd was his excuse. Steve would have told him he didn’t need an excuse if that didn’t seem too forward.

 Eddie was just asking for his number when someone behind them called, “Ed! Quite flirting and get your ass over here! You’re helping us tear down this time!”

Eddie sighed, “Duty calls.” He scribbled something on to a napkin, patting it against Steve’s chest and backing away, “I’ll be waiting for yours, sweetheart.”

And Steve was either drunk or insane because he actually laughed at that. Laughed again when he looked at the napkin and saw numbers almost unreadable, a winking face below them.

“Steve! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you—What’s that?” Dustin’s tone went from annoyed to prying as soon as he saw the napkin.

“None of your business.” He stuffed the napkin in his pocket, “Are you ready to go or what, kid, I’ve been waiting forever.” He poked Dustin’s shoulder until he got moving and then he poked it again when Dustin scowled at him.

In the car he was once again subjected to Dustin’s after show rant about how cool it was. The guitarist apparently broke two strings and flipped the crowd off with his bloody fingers—which they went wild for, which Dustin screeched along with them for. They played a new song, but it all sounded the same to Steve. That was as much as he heard, though, his mind kept wandering back to the man after the show. To the number in his pocket. He debated putting it to use, was the next day too soon? How long was too long until Eddie forgot about him? A guy like that probably had a mountain of napkins with numbers thrown at him every day. He decided to get over himself and call late the next day. 

“Hi, this is Steve.” He suddenly felt very silly for calling but it was too late now.

“Steve, pretty boy from the show last night Steve?” And just like that he forgot why he hesitated to call.

“That would be me.” He cringed, “No, wait, that sounds so self centered.”

“Not self centered if it’s a compliment.” Eddie argued.

“If you say so.”

They talked, got 10 whole minutes of random conversations Steve never wanted to end before Eddie cursed.

“I’m sorry, I promised my uncle I’d help at the shop.” He muttered, “I’m gonna be late.”

“That’s fine, you should go help him.”

“I’ll call you later?” Eddie asked, and if Steve didn’t know any better he’d say it sounded hopeful.

“I’ll be here later.” He responded. 

They called all the time after that, whenever they were both free. They even met up in person, it was just to the park because Eddie found out Steve had never fed ducks before, but it ended with another day scheduled to spend together and then another and then a month had passed and he could say they were officially dating. It was the best time Steve had had in a long time and he really didn’t want it to end. The realization came to him one night, after another day with Eddie, and it wasn’t as shocking as he thought it would be. It was a Friday night, Eddie was busy most Saturdays—something about going to shows with the guys—so a lot of their slow nights were Fridays. They were watching TV on the couch in Eddie’s trailer, which was quickly becoming Steve’s favorite place, when he found himself watching the way Eddie laughed and even jumped at whatever horror movie was on more than he was watching the movie itself. 

“I love you.” He whispered. 

Eddie’s head whipped around, eyes wide, movie forgotten, “I love you too!” And then Steve couldn’t be blamed for not watching the movie anymore when he was practically tackled to the couch, laughing the whole way down.

It was a month after that night that he was steeling himself outside of his front door.

“It’ll be fine.” He said to himself, “They’re going to love you.” He said to Eddie who was gripping his hand.

“It’ll be fine.” Eddie agreed and he almost sounded convinced.

Today was the one day that everyone could gather at Steve’s. The whole party had shown up, everyone he had folded into his makeshift family was in his living room waiting for him to get back with the new partner he told them he was introducing. Today was the day they decided to tell people about them.

Steve pushed the door open, taking a deep breath before leading Eddie to the living room. All of his friends sat scattered around the room. On the couch and floor and coffee table. He could do this.

“Uh. Hey.” He cleared his throat, “I’m back.” All eyes snapped to him, eager to know who this mystery person was.

Eddie tried for an awkward wave but their hands were still connected so they just shook between them.

The silence was getting unbearable until finally Robin shot up from the floor and tackled him in a hug, subsequently dragging Eddie along into it.

“I’m so happy for you, dingus.” She laughed as she pulled away, “Robin.” She stuck her hand out to Eddie who visibly relaxed, “Best friend, platonic soulmate, hurt him and I swear to god you’ll wake up with no kneecaps.”

“Eddie.” Eddie squeaked, shaking her hand hastily.

“Bobbin.” Steve only called her that when she was being particularly over the top because it annoyed her to no end and she knew this, “Tone it down, would you?”

The rest of the group chorused their hellos and introductions and a weight lifted off of Steve’s shoulders at the sight of all of his friends accepting the news without comment. Until he realized there was only one person who hadn’t spoken a word, standing in the middle of the room with a strange look on his face.

“Dustin?” Steve prompted, voice strained.

“Oh my God.” Dustin mumbles in disbelief.

“Dustin…” Steve shot him a warning glance, “If you’ve got a problem with it—”

But Dustin ignores him, he’s staring at Eddie in shock, “Oh my God!” He practically shouts, coming to life to jump and screech, “That’s—! You’re—! You’re Eddie Munson!” 

Eddie grins, seemingly unfazed by this bizarre reaction to meeting your brother’s boyfriend, “I take it you’re a fan?”

“A fan of what?” Steve asks, pulling his hand out of Eddie’s to turn to him face to face.

At the same time, Dustin starts babbling hysterically, “A fan? Only the biggest CC fan in all of Hawkins! I have every song on vinyl, like three posters and—oh my god this is so embarrassing. Eddie Munson is in my house and I’m telling him I have his face on my wall.” 

He keeps talking but it’s more to himself than anyone else in the room so Steve raises an eyebrow at Eddie, “What’s he talking about? Why are you on posters and why does he have them?”

Eddie, for the first time since Steve has known him, looks almost sheepish, “Oh…I guess I’m kind of, maybe the frontman of Corroded Coffin.” He might be blushing.

“You’re that nerd Dustin’s always going on about?!” Steve exclaims.

[phantom-z0ne]

"Does Madeline Riddle live here?"

Danny squinted at the assortment of people crowded on his front steps. The one who asked, an elderly man that reminded him of Gandalf—down to the long, white beard and flowy, if not obnoxiously colored, robes—was flanked by a stringy haired wild-eyed man who looked one gentle breeze away from completely losing it, and a pale, dour faced man dressed as if he were in a competition with Vlad to look the most like a vampire and eyeing Danny like he was something unpleasant he had found under his boot. Rude.

Peeking out from behind the adults was a bespectacled boy. He adjusted his circular frames with a tinge of anxiety, looking to catch a glimpse of the interior of the house Danny blocked with his frame. They looked around the same age, give or take a year or so.

The group was odd, yes, but not the weirdest that'd arrived at their home. Though, none of the others ever referred to his mom by her maiden name.

Danny craned his neck, spotting the tell-tale glow of the FENTON WORKS sign, then turned back to the group. "Who's asking?"

"I am Albus Percival Dumbledore," Gandalf's long lost twin began, a solemn expression settling onto his face, "and I'm afraid, my boy, that you and your family are in grave danger."

Danny blinked, opened his mouth, then shut it.

When were they not, he thought sarcastically. Their basement is a certified OSHA hell, never mind the entrance to the afterlife was just a floor down. It's more surprising only one of them was lowered into a grave considering. A small, unnamed grave, but a grave nonetheless. That didn't include the many, many close shaves Jazz and his parents went through after the ghost attacks began.

"It's true. Your grandfather is a very dangerous man, one who recently learned of your mother's, and subsequently the rest of your family's, existence. There's no telling what sort of vile acts he will commit with this information."

Wild Eyes leaned against the railing and feigned interest in his chipped nails, briefly glancing up at the halfa to declare, "Probably already sent his Death Eaters to get rid of this particular stain on his image. Can't image someone like him would want a squib walking around freely, let alone if it was his daughter."

"Mind your words, Black!" Vampire-wannabie hissed as Dumbledore shot Wild Eyes an admonishing look. The boy behind them looked scandalized, his eyes darting between the adults and Danny.

It, as much as Danny loathed to admit it, did somewhat make sense. Not the 'Death Eaters' or 'squib' part, whatever they meant, but people being sent after his Mom. Both as Danny and Phantom, he's been noticing the uptick of unfamiliar faces walking about in Amity, nearly all dressed in long, dark robes like they were cosplaying stereotypically evil wizards.

He had followed after a few of them invisibly, curious, but all they did was mutter derisively under their breaths about something called a 'muggle', glare at anything that moved, and occasionally wave around a wooden stick. It didn't look like they were harming anyone, so he left them at it. There were better things to do than stalk uninteresting LARPers, or so he believed at the time.

Danny should have looked deeper. Outsiders in Amity didn't typically bode well for him. The last time there was, he'd been brainwashed into joining a circus. Ugh, he did not like that in the slightest.

There were also the throwaway lines Mom and Dad said the last few times they spoke with Danny, complaining about how their latest sensors were randomly malfunctioning and leading them straight to a living person.

He'd thought of it as odd, he hadn't had the chance to sabotage their latest inventions yet, but nothing to really worry about. His parents would never deliberately harm people. Through negligence, sure, but never intentionally.

That begged the question, what exactly were they here for?

Almost deliberately, Danny tightened his grip on the doorknob and creaked the door shut a couple inches, playing up his uncertainty as he asked, "How do you know this? You guys obviously don't like my grandfather but seem to know a lot about him."

The boy Danny's age spoke up this time, a hard glint in his eyes, "You're right, we don't like him. He's hurt—killed—hundreds of our people already, and he would go on causing more destruction and chaos if we weren't there to oppose him."

Our people. Interesting distinction, but . . . "Wouldn't I have heard about something like that, even if it happened across the pond?"

"What young Harry means to say is that we," Dumbledore gestures to his three companions, "are part of an organization that opposes your grandfather and protect the innocent from him and his followers. And I'm afraid you couldn't have known, our community takes great measures to ensure his actions are never reported to the general public. It's simply safer that way."

He had the gall to look apologetic, like it was a great loss Danny had suffered by not being part of said community.

Great. So not only was Danny dealing with a homicidal grandfather, but also a shady secret society and-slash-or cult that his grandfather, and by association Mom, are (and were) members of.

And just when he thought his (after)life was settling down—Danny was finally sleeping longer after an agreement with his rogues, his grades were steadily climbing higher, and he'd finally had the time to indulge in his previously abandoned hobbies!—he was hit with this.

Biting back a sigh, he plastered on a sugary sweet smile, said, "Well, wait just a moment, 'kay?" then slammed the door in their faces.

This was something for his mom to deal with. He had no doubt she would be able to handle whatever this situation hurled at her, doubly so if she brought Dad with her. That meant a blissful, explosion-free home where Danny didn't have to anxiously look over his shoulder whenever he went ghost.

Danny strode towards the basement door, something almost akin to excitement in his steps. Perhaps this situation wasn't all bad.

===

I know this focuses heavily on Danny, but I just couldn't get the mental image of 'some strangers coming up and heavily implying that not only was your grandfather part of a cult(and maybe even the leader??), one your mom apparently escaped from(???), but that they, as an opposing faction within that same cult, were there to whisk you and your family to safety' out of my head (￣∀￣*)

HPXDP prompt #7

Hear me out!

There's many (a lot) of pjoxhp fics about Percy Jackson, which is Voldemort's grandson.

But what about Danny being the grandson of Voldemort?

How? Well...

Everyone knows that Jack's obsession with ghosts comes from family tradition, but what about Maddie's?

Maddie's interest with ghosts comes from her want to END her sperm donor.

She's the lost daughter of the Dark Lord that runned away from England in search of a weapon that could kill immortals.

[phantom-z0ne]

compiling and adding onto my AUs for a transformer oc only to realize I have wayy too many branching AUs for him. the current AU im outlining for is 4 AUs deep O.O

[acadieum]

girlhood is a spectrum or smth like that...

(lup doodle for my treasured mutual, @lichlover !!!)

[starrattlerofprydain]

Being on Twitter:

Being on Tumblr:

[izzybluebell]

Huevember: Day 3 - Amber Stalker 👁️🌲🌟

[midnight-coffeebreak]

[sixamese-simblr]

Inzoi doesn't appeal to me personally at this point, but I do find the comments that other people have made that it seems very Korean aesthetically and in terms of gameplay to be really funny. Do you realize just how American the Sims is and has been from its very inception? The aesthetic of the Sims 1 is explicitly a parody of Americana. Like do you mean you haven't noticed the way the game revolves around getting higher levels in your career so you can afford fancier stuff and a bigger house so you can more efficiently reach higher career levels in a way that exactly mirrors the American dream? The way the vast majority of houses in every Sims game, in some cases the only option for houses, are single-family free-standing homes on a large lot, that are by default zoned in a single-use residential area that is extremely atypical outside of US suburbs?

I want to be very clear that this is not a critique, I think the Americanness of the Sims is very much part of its charm, but it's definitely a core part of the game's design.