#It’s felt so difficult to be recognized as a storyteller

[lawbreaker13]

There’s something about Elemental that I love but I can’t quite seem to articulate.

[Spoilers by the way]

At the end of the movie, Ember and Wade leave together so Ember can take her internship at the glass company. This is supposedly a full time thing for her, which means she’s moving. Like yeah, she underestimates herself like “oh it probably won’t go anywhere and I’ll be back home soon,” but that’s a very “ooh this is a big step and I don’t feel ready to move out” mentality (literally told my parents I’d be back at the end of my first year’s lease, it’s just a mental safety net, but boy was that a relatable line for me). Regardless of her lack of confidence in herself and this potential new job, she is moving out. And Wade is going with her.

She had said “I want to travel the world with you.” That’s great, and I hope they do, but that’s not what’s happening here. It’s said that this is several months, maybe even a year after the main events of the movie. The majority of the movie itself spans a couple weeks or so (edit: I counted, it’s about 8-12 days). So by the time they leave for Ember’s internship, Ember and Wade have been dating for a while. Anywhere between three months and a year. Wade is leaving with her, and it’s difficult for me to believe they’re going anywhere but the same place. Which means they’re moving in together.

Now I know that it sounds like I’m just freaking out and being incoherent about a ship, but the truth of the matter is, that’s really mature of Pixar.

Family friendly and kid-centric animation tends not to push anything but the “fall in love, kiss, get married, move in, have babies” pipeline. But what I loved about Elemental was that it portrayed a REALISTIC, HEALTHY, and MATURE relationship. One where the couple has arguments about real things that matter and after space, they talk it out. One where “I don’t understand” isn’t an invitation to shut down (even if Ember meant it that way in the heat of the moment), but an invitation to try and learn. One where anger and “I’m leaving” can be met with “I’m coming with you,” and one where the couple doesn’t just love each other right off the bat, they have to DATE MANY TIMES AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, SEE EACH OTHER IN THE WORST OF TIMES, and THEN, realize they’re in love. AND they said it out loud, which doesn’t happen often either (edit: I am well aware that a week or two is a very short amount of time to fall in love, but I’m gonna cut them A LITTLE slack because it’s not like. 3 days, and also they seemingly saw each other every single day for those couple weeks and had the months after that. It’s rare, but sometimes, when you know, you know).

But beyond that. Beyond dating, getting to know each other, communicating and helping each other out, and deciding “yes, we can and should be together,” Elemental showed these two doing an adult thing together—leaving home and moving out. Because they are ADULTS. And the fact that I felt like this movie was targeted towards me and my peers the same way a PG-13 or R rated movie might be, strictly because of the realism in the character’s interactions and dynamic, that is something that I absolutely adore. Like, Zootopia was a kid’s movie with mature themes. Miraculous is a kid’s show with mature themes. Even Avatar: The Last Airbender was clearly targeted towards children, even though we all know it has something for everyone.

But Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The Spider-Verse movies. And honestly, Elemental. These feel like our movies. Movies I’m glad the kids can enjoy, but they’re made for us. The 20- and 30-year-olds.

I’m just so happy to see animation studios treating adult characters like real people. Maybe soon people will start to recognize animation as a legitimate form of storytelling, too.

I loved Elemental. I really did.

#AND THAT’S MY RANT #Elemental #Wade Ripple #Ember Lumen #Animation #Animated movies #Animated shows #Elemental Pixar #Miraculous Ladybug #Puss in Boots The Last Wish #Avatar the Last Airbender #Into the Spider Verse #Across the Spider Verse #Pixar #Rant #Mine

[commajade]

kibum fucking did it again that teaser video was incredible he's a genius. this mv is gonna be sooooo good. people have been begging for sm to have the promotional shoot and mv have the same concept for ages cuz what used to be surprising and cool got old and felt arbitrary. everything key makes is so cohesive and connected and well thought out and so distinctly key he's a genius.

key's early career image was all about being shocking and standing out and being able to look good in anything because he has style and star power. and at the same time he was the multi-lingual multi-talented one from the start even if he wasn't recognized for it yet, he's always been about adaptability and being global in an organic connected way because he genuinely has in interest in places that speak english and japanese.

he came back from the military a lot more mature and more interested in ordinary people and being relatable and honest and down to earth and it shows in every single career choice he's been making. i live alone and his return to amazing saturday in conjunction with his viral live broadcasts and news stories about his gardening made him a household name in south korea like he had never been before, even at shinee's peak mainstream popularity in 2013.

and now he just wrapped up a fantastic and mainstream popular and critically lauded retro trilogy of albums that show everyone exactly what he likes and what he's capable of. from art direction to costuming to performance to promotion on variety shows he absolutely nailed it. so of course he comes back now with an extremely down to earth relatable feel-good pop song trying to give comfort to his new bigger audience as they live their ordinary difficult lives. he's shown korea through variety exactly how hard he's worked for so many years and how he still keeps moving forward despite the entire industry tending to cycle out and replace idols who are much younger than him.

it's just so perfect! it's definitely influenced by bss's fighting in the office setting and theatricality but he adds the city dance scenes that remind me of in the heights, a musical he starred in. his performance skills were primary in the retro trilogy but here his acting and storytelling skills are at the forefront. it's cute and well made and a little quirky and fantastical in a way only key can even think of.

#key

[amaurotine-daydreaming]

VII. Noisome

“You like gysahl greens very much. Yes, very much. Just as the hunters told me.”

The chocobo at the Vath’s side chirped and dipped its head once more. Bracing the vegetable with one of its taloned feet, it tore off another broad leaf with its beak. The Vath stroked its soft flank as it continued observing its companion.

“They call me the Birdkeeper now,” the Vath said. “I am happy to have a name, yes, very happy. But you are strange for a bird.”

A big brown eye swiveled toward the Vath Birdkeeper quizzically, then went back to its meal. 

“You have the feathers and the wings, but you cannot fly,” the Vath Birdkeeper explained. That eye swiveled to them once more, a bit more balefully.

“Perhaps that is rude,” the Vath Birdkeeper amended, chastened. It moved its claw from the bird’s flank to its wing, smoothing down the ruffled feathers there. “You must forgive us for saying so. Indeed, please forgive us. You do not need to fly. For that we have our kongamatos.”

The chocobo relaxed, soothed by its master’s hand, and with a soft trill nudged the Vath Birdkeeper’s head with its own. The Vath Birdkeeper in turn clicked its mandibles, relieved. These birds were very understanding creatures, it had come to understand, but it had also come to recognize the guilt and sorrow it felt when upsetting them. Such feelings were alien when it was part of the Onemind.

“The hunters tell me we must choose a name for you,” the Vath Birdkeeper told its friend. “We find this difficult—very difficult. We have only just found our own name. We do not know how to name others yet.”

The current bunch of gysahl greens was now down to a nub no bigger than a large fruit. The chocobo tossed the last mouthful into the air and caught it, its gullet working as it slid down its throat. The Vath Birdkeeper patted it, impressed.

“The Vath come to these decisions because of a skill. A very special skill. The Storyteller, The Kintamer, The Deftarm.”

The chocobo chirped. The Vath Birdkeeper found these strange, flightless birds to be very good listeners.

“We hope you will like the name we give you. Since you cannot choose it yourself, we are told. But we do not know much about you yet. Only that you are a cho-co-bo. But all your kind share this name, yes?”

Another chirp. The chocobo craned its neck around and tucked its beak into its feathers, grooming. 

The Vath Birdkeeper nodded. “Such is the way of the Onemind. It is the way of the Vath to be individual, and this is what we wish for you, too.”

The red earth of the Forelands was taking on an even more fiery hue, and the shadows were growing long. As its companion went about its after-meal preening, the Vath Birdkeeper reached up and adjusted the saddle and its straps, checking that it was resting comfortably and securely. 

“Something you are skilled at…” the Vath Birdkeeper mused, next checking the straps on the simple pack and bedroll behind the saddle’s cantle. “You are very skilled at eating these greens. Indeed, very skilled.” The Birdkeeper peered around to where its companion’s head was still tucked. “Maybe we will give you the name Greenseater,” it ventured. 

The chocobo lifted its head, stretched its neck forward, and gave a short, shrill retort.

The Vath Birdkeeper winced. “I see. You do not like the name. Well, we are–” it tilted its head, hesitant, “I am–not called the Namegiver, and it seems this is for a reason.” 

It gently inspected the reins on its companion’s beak. “But you and I will come to an amicable solution, yes? An amicable solution.”

The chocobo bobbed its head. As the Vath Birdkeeper stood there, lost in the dilemma of a suitable name, its companion scratched its talons against the earth restlessly and prodded at the dirt.

“You are also very good at finding things in the soil. Perhaps… Earthdigger.”

The chocobo eyed them.

The Vath Birdkeeper’s shoulders slumped and its head bowed. “We will think on it further while we are on the road. Come.”

The chocobo obligingly knelt, and up into the saddle the Vath Birdkeeper swung. Its feet still scrabbled a bit at the stirrups, but it was careful not to accidentally scratch its friend, as it had done the first time the kind hunters at Tailfeather had tried to show them how to ride. 

“You know the gysahl green, but do you know about the others?” the Vath Birdkeeper asked, as they left the shelter of the forest for the open expanse of the Wastes. It nudged the chocobo’s flank and gently tugged on the reins, directing attention to a cluster of sprigs poking out of the ground a few paces away. Though the Wastes were very dry, the long leaves shone as if they were wet with rain.

“This one is called silver dew. The dragons find it noisome, yes, very noisome. We light our censers to keep them away.” The Vath Birdkeeper looked to the open sky, clicking its mandibles. “We appear to dragons a tasty snack. A tasty, savory snack. Crunchy on the outside, gooey on the inside. We find this thought distressing, so very distressing.” 

The chocobo shifted its gait, sensing its rider’s unease. A boon of these birds was how well they came to understand both words and nonverbal gestures, but the Vath Birdkeeper had to remind itself now to still its nervous clicking. Being able to understand a Vath’s feelings, the Birdkeeper thought, was not always helpful for either of them. 

“We will protect you from the dragons with this noisome silver dew,” it said, patting its companion’s neck. “They will not take you for a snack if you smell of it.”

Its companion whistled happily, and although the bird’s strides lengthened as they traveled, the pace remained leisurely. Similarly more at ease, not least of which because of a sky unclouded by any Dravanians looking for a meal, the Vath Birdkeeper took in its surrounds with a more inquisitive eye. 

It had always known these lands, but the idea of stopping and looking at this place for its beauty–or for anything that wasn’t food or a threat to the Onemind–remained new, even moons on. Every day, it found new things to simply look at, and marvel. It was glad its boon companion also had an appetite for the sights of the world, for even short journeys tended to become twice as long with the Vath Birdkeeper in the saddle.

The sun was only halfway behind the mountains, its light slanting long, and so the Birdkeeper consoled itself that the Vath of the guild could at least not scold them for arriving home from their journey after dark again.

The setting sun’s orange hues reflected off of the Vath’s carapace, but its companion seemed to simply absorb the color, lending its feathers a fiery glow.

“Sunkeeper?” the Vath Birdkeeper asked, surprised by the serendipity of inspiration. “Your feathers shine like the sun, they are so very golden and beautiful. Like you have captured the rays in your coat.

“If you do not mind sharing part of a name,” it added. “The hunters share names sometimes. They have a special word for it. We think it is ser-names. They put them in the front on some occasions, as with ‘Ser Jantellot.’ It is clearly respectful, yes, very respectful. But we have noticed that the ones who share names placed at the end are very close, like family.”

The Birdkeeper’s companion did something unusual then: it wiggled, its feathers puffed out not with displeasure or anxiety but with pride.

“Kweh!” it trilled.

“Sunkeeper,” the Vath Birdkeeper nodded, satisfied that its companion was satisfied. “Your name will be Sunkeeper.”

#ffxivwrite2023 #ffxivwrite #ffxiv #vath

[kay-then-i-guess]

I don't know how many dsmp-ers agree with this, but from a storytelling standpoint, c!Dream is just. A bad villian. I think it's a big reason why the ending is so universally hated.

I think in the beginning, it was okay, because we were all expecting more depth to get added to his character later. I saw so many fancomics and theories and analyses that gave such good ideas for a solid character, motive, and overall, a good villian. But we never really got that payoff.

He starts off with a basic "control obsessed" trait. He opposes the L'Manbergians for a mildly valid reason, and then only gives up the fight for control over Tommy (the discs). Then, Schlatt gives him the revive book; he gets even more control crazy. It's a good setup, but it never pays off in the way we want it to. The ending is unsatisfying for many, and nobody really stops to pity Dream, even though that's what they're trying to do. They're trying to pull this "aw, what a tragic character" card, but it's ultimately unsuccessful. Why? Well...

As I said, the setup is good, but things get muddled in the middle. After Dream gets the revive book, there is not a single moment where he's protrayed in any positive light. In fact, after this point, people's view of him gets worse. He slowly becomes more and more unforgivable. The problem with this is that after a certain point, characters cannot have a redemption arc. Or, at the very least, it would be very, very difficult. Dream hits this point. Once he hits that, the ending that people are expecting for him likely ends in death, or worse. The most satisfying ending for the audience is for him to die in a dramatic fashion—kind of like what happened with Schlatt. Schlatt's a good villian with a good ending; it's a satisfying end for a villian while still making it clear that our protagonists' stories are not over. We expected something like that for Dream, and frankly, nothing else would make sense. He had become so evil that the only option was death. There was no pity.

After he escapes from prison, we were ready for this ending. Clearly, it was ramping up for some big finale. And then, he never shows up. I recognize that there were other things going on behind the scenes that led to the lack of content, but it got to such a point that I was beginning to doubt if it ever would get an ending. I started to think that the dsmp would just fade away, all because their lead villian would not show up. All that build up to a dramatic death was, well, dying off. It was taking too long.

And then, when the ending did come along, it only pushes his "evilness" more. He reveals his revive book experiments and his end plan for Tommy and Tubbo. For a moment, the fact that he was gone for so long disappeared. The tensity is back.

And then they pulled the pity card.

It felt like a cop-out. There was no build up to it, no extra scenes with him before this moment where we stop to see his stuggle. No earlier streams where we can see him in an even slightly positive light. It just doesn't happen. So, of course, when they pull the "why can't things just be simple?" we all are yanked from the illusion of the world.

There are a lot of problems with the ending, but the failure to understand Dream's character, role as a villian, and audience expectations for him definitely harm the ending more than others.

I'd love to hear if you guys agree or disagree or just have anything to add! This is just my opinion, so I'd love to hear if anyone thinks differently. I like analyzing <3

#im trying to fix this in my comic #dsmp #dream smp #dsmp discussion #dsmp dream #dsmp discourse #dsmp opinion #dsmpblr #dsmp tumblr #dsmp theory #dsmp analysis

[smimon]

The other promised personal post, this one about my self-discovery that I completed last year and in the result gained a weirdly powerful feel, like when Eragon found his true name if you know what I mean

Three main paths: art, brain training, isolation.

1. Art

Art was something I always loved, of course all kids do art but I never stopped. I kept making up characters and settings and stories and theme songs and game designs. I did my first zine at like 6 years old lol.

Living in capitalism meant that the most attractive stories were beyond my reach for financial reasons, so out of disappointment I decided to start telling my own stories, as if that was hard. This was all very early in my life and I believe I was always meant to be an artist and storyteller, and the skills I gained only helped me later.

Like when things started to get more difficult around middle school. When family started demanding and gave nothing back anymore. When the only protector I had left me alone to pursue a career, repeating that if they can handle it, I can too - but I was still a child.

When it was forbidden to talk, feel and hurt, I kept creating. Losing myself in fiction, which years later turned out to be much less fictional than it seemed. Most of my writing was about myself this whole time. I was scared someone might find out so I concealed the message so deep that I alone couldn't see it anymore.

And new stories kept coming, I kept drawing, the XP I gained brought improvement. Never completing anything but always creating something new, finding endless joy in rotating the blorbos in my head. And this continues until today.

Many many times I had doubts if it's all worth anything, a devil telling me I should drop art. And always some inner force pushing me back to the drawing desk. So many times I had to ask myself the question: why do I keep making art? And finally, very recently, I have found the answer.

I am an artist. Artists make art. It's that simple.

2. Brain training

Similar to other body parts, brain can be trained. Solving puzzles, finding patterns, learning, math, there are many ways.

For me it was trying to understand my family.

Recognizing patterns level hard. Predicting what will happen. Inventing ways to protect myself. Teaching myself to do things no one would explain to me but everyone demanded me to know.

School was easy compared to this. Studying gave results in a short term, sometimes it was even fun. Teachers noticed and behaved as if it was their success. Other kids' parents noticed and started bullying their children to get the same results, because if I can do it, why can't they? They were not abusive enough to trigger a similar mechanism, but abusive enough to make their children hate me.

But I haven't noticed. I had a few friends and did not even notice everyone else was against me. This was my elementary and middle school, and then at high school the level was much more even so I could be more invisible.

All the time I tried to figure out my family, and they kept surprising me. All the time I could get good grades, and felt like this is the only thing I am good at.

But as Master's degree approached, I had to accept this can't continue forever, that I am not smart enough to get a PhD. That after graduating I will have to start a job, live a normal life, do things I never learned. I was sure I will die within months, but hey, it's been years already and it only gets easier!

My true victory came just a few years after. I have finally realized there is no way to understand my family because they are simply irrational.

That's it! I am free now! High-fiving all the mathematicians who proved a problem to be unsolvable because hey, that's an accomplishment too!!!

3. Isolation

Introverted by nature, I don't like to spend too much time with people, especially the same people over and over again. Especially my family. Three days is my limit.

And I was tied to them all my life. So when I finally moved out, the sudden experience of freedom overwhelmed me. I did not want to give it away until I get saturated with how good it feels to be alone. Also, gaining distance feom my abusers allowed healing to start. But before that, long hours of remembering and understanding and grieving. Gaining courage to finally meet myself, discover who I am. Forget who I was supposed to be. A journey of self-discovery that brought peace and hope and skill and confidence.

But I am still human. Humans are social animals. I need some contact every now or then or I go insane.

For a few years, I used pokemon go. Going to raid hour every week. But everyone was busy playing so the contact was very shallow.

I started going to fandom conventions trying to relive the same kind of wonder I felt as a teenager. It is different this time, of course. I got used to the fun parts. Nothing seems as impressive as earlier. But even then, I felt like this is my place, and my kind if people. I only needed a way to connect.

Then Käärijä happened, of course. Suddenly I had a thought: the biggest fandom convention in the country doesn't have much to offer for me, but maybe I can do something crazy, maybe I can make this event a bit more me-friendly. I returned to fb after years of break to ask on groups if there are any Käärijä fans willing to meet up.

And they were. It only gets crazier from there.

I started talking to some of them. One suggested a Frank fanclub because we all had some Frank gadgets. I designed a sticker. I designed another one. I organized three meetups, day after day. People came. I made friends. A group chat was founded. Was it me who did it?

Then another crazy idea. Make more stickers. Repeat this at other conventions. And so my convention tour started. With many many stickers.

And then I start a daily Käärijä sketchbook. And then I find friends through the stickers. And then I find friends throught the art. And then the friends warm my heart and break it open and put a foot inside so it doesn't close back too soon.

And I realize I am not alone.

Okay?

So I am an artist, I stubbornly forced my way through my early years and ended up with a pretty cool job, and now I get just enough money and independence to decide how to spend time with people who are in general pretty amazing after all ✌️ still no idea what I want next but I am really happy I made it to here

#diary post #vent post #yeah it's. it's all connected #my biggest accomplishment is figuring it all out #truth does hurt but in the end gives freedom #semira origin story

[thepropertylovers]

Life Begins in a World of Gunfire

Methusella's story is the featured selection from USA for UNHCR's annual Refugee Storyteller Celebration, an opportunity for former refugees under the age of 30 who are now living in the United States to share their courageous journeys, passions and inspirations. 

Life Begins in a World of Gunfire By Methusella Rwabose

My life began in a world of gunfire, but I’m determined to build a more peaceful path forward.

As a child, my life was chaotic — there was little peace or safety. I was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a violent time for the country. Our small village was embroiled in a violent conflict between rival militia groups and the national army and due to my father's involvement in politics, our family was frequently targeted by militia groups, causing us to flee our homes in the middle of the night to seek refuge in the woods or neighboring villages.

My parents tirelessly worked to keep me and my siblings safe. But in the chaos of that environment, nothing was certain. In 2008, as the violence and conflict intensified, my family fled our village and sought refuge in Uganda. We would live in a refugee camp for seven years.

Although I was young, I remember the moment we arrived at the camp. We were given a small plot, where we had a tent and a small area of land to farm. Life was not easy there and I soon recognized that things that I loved, like going to school, were no longer a guarantee.

When classes were offered, the classrooms were always overcrowded and under-resourced. For children in a refugee camp, there are other barriers to going to school even when it is available. Many parents rely on the help of their children to farm and help run the household because it is difficult to make ends meet in the camp. Sadly for other children, they may not have had enough to eat.

I always wondered how different my life would have been if I had been afforded the privilege of a viable education. I realized that what should have been a fundamental human right was a luxury beyond my reach. It left me yearning for the chance to go to a school where I could actually be taught how to read and write like anyone else, but this was something I could only dream of achieving.

In 2015, after seven years of living in the camp, a remarkable thing happened; my family was resettled to Denver, Colorado.

I knew there were challenges ahead of me, like learning English and becoming part of a new community. From day one, I was resolute in my pursuit of education and relished the comfort of sleeping soundly without the fear of being displaced.

The moment I arrived in Denver and stepped into South High School, I was so amazed. I felt so happy. In my first year, I was a student in a class with other refugee and immigrant students from all over the world. Our experience in that class was documented by Helen Thorpe, author of the book, The Newcomers. We all learned English together and despite not being able to communicate with each other at first, we became friends.

With a lot of hard work, and help from teachers and volunteers like Ruthann Kallenberg, who helped me learn to read and write, I thrived in school. My English steadily improved, I made the varsity soccer team, joined student government and began doing community service on weekends.

Each step of my journey continued to reinforce the idea that education must be a human right, and is something that every child should have access to. This idea continued to inspire me throughout high school as I began to envision where I wanted to go to college and what I might want to study. In my senior year of high school, I earned a scholarship to the University of Denver. Four years prior, I lived in a refugee camp and didn’t speak English. I’m still in awe when I think about how far I’ve come.

Inspired by my father, I studied Political Science with the hopes of one day working in politics and positively affecting policy and bringing change in my community. In college, I was active in student government and further supplemented my education and aspirations of working on public policy through internships with Colorado state representatives Leslie Herod and Joe Neguse (the son of refugees himself, who later went on to serve in the U.S. Congress) and U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper in Washington, D.C.

My father and I have often talked about the future and about how we might help people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. One thing I’ve learned throughout my journey as a refugee is that those with lived experience are often in the best position to help bring about positive impactful change. While I hope for a peaceful future for those back in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I know that my knowledge, energy and opportunity to make positive changes are here in my community in Denver.

In 2021 I put this idea into action. With my friend Hridith Sudev, I helped found the non-profit, Colectivo de Paz, with a mission to create communities of action that empower working-class immigrants, refugees, people of color, veterans, unhoused community members, at-risk students and other historically marginalized peoples and families in the greater Denver area. I know my experience can help others but I also see the work of Colectivo de Paz as a way for me to give back to the community that welcomed me and gave me so much.

Last week I graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Political Science. I’m the first college graduate in my family and earning this degree only reinforces those thoughts I had as a child in the refugee camp in Uganda — education is a human right and every child should have access to one.

On graduation day, I was thinking about the kids in the Congo, Somalia, Syria, Afghanistan and now Ukraine, and how I want to tell them that living in peace is not a dream and that going to school is not a luxury.

The path I take moving forward is full of choice and it’s because I was able to find a life with safety and a chance to pursue an education. I’m grateful for that. But I'm also mindful that my story should not be extraordinary, and that all refugee families deserve peace, dignity and a future.

How can you help:

USA for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency supports the full journey of refugees like Methusella. Not only do our donors help refugees in their greatest time of need, but their support builds awareness for resettled refugees living in the U.S. With your help, more refugees will have the opportunity to build a peaceful life and safely pursue their dreams.

[sarnemingalbaver]

Just a borderline psychotic little guy who will do anything for the man he loves.

Backstory:

Sarnemin Rellias Galbaver was born August 27th, 1215. He was born to a wealthy family in Vemor, the small port town on the banks of the Carigsard river. His father, Lanreth was very hard on him and often cut off Sarnemin’s hair, despite the boy’s insistence on wanting to keep it. Sarnemin was always a feminine child, and enjoyed things his sisters did. His father thought it would just go away, but it didn’t. It only got more evident as he grew.

He learned how to sew and embroider from his mother and became quite skilled at it. His father disapproved of this and pushed him towards more masculine pursuits. Sarnemin’s fighter side didn’t go untapped though and he became incredibly skilled with a dagger he kept hidden on his belt.

Sarnemin had a difficult childhood due to his father's harsh treatment, but he found solace in music. He taught himself to play the lute and would often sneak out at night to play for the townspeople. His talent was quickly recognized, and he was eventually hired to perform at local taverns and inns. He began growing out his hair and made a name for himself. It is said that Sarnemin's performances were so captivating that they drew the attention of a visiting nobleman. The nobleman was so impressed with Sarnemin's talent that he offered to take the young musician under his wing and teach him the ways of courtly life. Sarnemin accepted the offer and was soon introduced to the world of high society.

He continued to play music and it was there that he met Kazimir Bavrild, a greatly feared warrior. After meeting Kazimir, Sarnemin's interest in fighting and combat grew. He began training with the warrior, learning how to wield a sword and use his dagger more effectively. Sarnemin also found himself drawn to Kazimir in other ways, and the two soon became lovers.

As Kazimir Bavrild's lover and confidant, Sarnemin held significant influence in the Zalstian court. He was known for his sharp wit and extravagant tastes, and often advised Kazimir on matters of strategy and politics. Sarnemin had a reputation for throwing lavish parties and entertaining guests with his storytelling and musical performances. He surrounded himself with a group of artists and intellectuals, who were seen as the cultural elite of the Zalstian court. While some viewed Sarnemin's flamboyant personality and love of luxury as a distraction from more pressing matters, others saw him as a necessary counterbalance to the seriousness and militaristic focus of Kazimir and his followers. Regardless of how one viewed him, it was clear that Sarnemin was a powerful figure in the Zalstian court, and his influence was felt in all areas of the city's culture and politics.

He is now part of a task force of soldiers known was the Sobraniye. They often deal with less than present visitors and protect the prince and his family. The Sobraniye are known to be quite violent at times, Sarnemin too, doesn’t shy away from violence despite his appearance.

Despite his reputation for flamboyance and love of luxury, Sarnemin was a capable fighter and often accompanied the Sobraniye on their missions. His skills with a sword and dagger were unmatched, and he had a keen eye for strategy and tactics, which he used to great effect in battle.

Sarnemin's presence in the Sobraniye was a controversial one, as some members of the group believed that his flamboyant personality and lack of seriousness were a liability in combat. However, others recognized the value of having someone with Sarnemin's skill level.

Over time, Sarnemin proved himself to be a valuable asset to the Sobraniye. He played a crucial role in several successful missions, and his influence in the Zalstian court helped the group gain valuable resources and support. Despite his love of luxury and extravagance, Sarnemin was fiercely loyal to his comrades and dedicated to protecting the prince and his family at all costs.

#my guy loves to partayyyy #he’s drunk like 90% of the time #Just a little queer medieval guy #a cunning lad #definitely slightly psychotic #inspired by fyodor basmanov #oc #historical oc #worldbuilding #queer oc #lgbtq #queer history #story writing #Sarnemin Galbaver #cocky bastard

[urdearestmom]

i feel like the reason why mike is so hated by the fandom is that the writers ideolize him a lot and then just don't write him to meet those expectations.

like he's supposed to be the heart, the glue, the hero. and then they make him ignore his friends for eight months. like. what the fuck is up with that??? do they expect me to belive that???

like his behaviour could be explained by all the trauma he's gotten that lead to behavioural issues or something but even that wasn't acknowledged or put as a possibility so far.

and apologising wouldnt really do anything because every single one of his apologies lead to little to nothing changing.

and it makes me so mad because like the way his character is portrayed in earlier seasons and what his friends think of him doesn't really align with that yk? and everyone just hates my protegee mike wheeler because the writers did him dirty.

i feel like he's to worried abt el. which makes sense. all the sense in the world and im not saying he shouldn't. but make him worry abt the rest of his friends out loud too??? especially will??? most of his interactions with people who were not el were just sending will deeper into the friendzone and treating him kinda badly after apologising to him for doing exactly that and it's like. no. he wouldnt do that. wtf.

if i can get past everything wrong that happened in vol2 then i like it. i like it a lot. but seriously????

(i am not blaming this on mike, im blaming this on the writers if that wasn't clear)

I really liked vol 2 but I do have some bones to pick and this is one of them!

Mike gets a lot of flack because he's too complicated an individual to be an immediate fan favourite, the way El is for example. Not to say that she isn't also a complex character, because she DEFINITELY is, just in different ways. A lot of his motivations aren't clear (as opposed to El, whose motivations ARE clear and easy to understand. They have to be because the story doesn't move forward without her) and I don't know if that's because the writers are bad at writing him or if it's on purpose and it's Mike himself who doesn't actually even recognize what's going on with him.

I do think this is a symptom of plot-driven storytelling rather than character-driven. There's so much going on in the plot that they don't have the time to get into each character in depth. What ends up happening is that the characters are used to further the plot instead of the plot happening because of character actions. It starts to cheapen some characters and they become flat (a flat character is a character with little to no complex emotions, motivations, or personality. They also don't undergo any kind of change to make them more well-rounded). I think that's what's starting to happen to Mike and it SUCKS because I love him so much he's great!! They just made him so difficult to understand and then he doesn't have enough screentime to fully be developed (again because there is so much going on in the plot that this just isn't possible). And I get it because he's not the main, but in that case could they make the shorter screentime he has more meaningful?

He definitely does have trauma because they all do. There's no way you can come away from all the shit they've been through unscathed! I've said this on this page before, Mike has seen so much shit and literally nobody ever asked him how he felt about it. Tbh he probably wouldn't even answer completely because when does Mike ever talk about his feelings, but still. A LOT of the way he is is completely reasonable for someone his age who's been through the shit he's been through. People are difficult sometimes. He's also been bullied basically his whole life and I'll tell y'all right now that shit takes a toll on you. I'm 22 and I still struggle with certain things because I spent my whole childhood being bullied too. The writers are just choosing not to address any of it when it's not relevant to the plot because- you guessed it- plot-driven storytelling does that. All the other things that need to happen in the limit of 9 episodes make showing each character's struggles impossible, and since Mike isn't central to the plot (like El always is, and like how Max was this season) he doesn't get to have any of his problems really delved into. The only thing that gave a little insight to his psyche was the Lois Lane bit, but I could write a whole other post about that. I probably will at some point 🤷🏻‍♀️

But you're right when you say he was TOO worried about El and nothing else. He absolutely should have been worried about her and it makes total sense that he was because she's his girlfriend and he's in love with her, but there are other people he cares about too. The only time he really showed that was in episode 4 when the agents were explaining what happened and he said, "My family lives in Hawkins!" Nothing after that, about his family or his friends.

I think Mike as a person definitely was thinking about everybody else, they just didn't show it because that wasn't relevant to the point of his character this season. The whole point of Mike's character this time around was literally just to help El fight Vecna and make Will sadder, lmao. I was waiting for that moment where he usually snaps into action and starts leading everybody into battle with some deranged ass plan! Left me disappointed because it didn't really happen. The Cali crew going to Suzie was like a watered down version of that. I loved the Mileven moments season 4 gave us, but it's still a total disservice to him because people are more than their relationships, but there's that plot-driven storytelling again. Mike IS the heart, he IS the glue, you can tell by the small things his friends say about him or the way they react to him. He just doesn't look like it anymore because the writers don't have the time to show it since they're so busy doing everything else.

Another thing is also that the majority of people who watch this show aren't sitting here analyzing everything. Even if you are a fan, you don't typically think super in depth about characters that aren't your fave (I don't anyway. The only characters I really really think about a lot are Mike, El, and Max). What that can lead to is taking characters at face value instead of thinking about what their reasons for doing/saying a certain thing might be. It makes sense why people are annoyed by/dislike him, though, because he does make a ton of mistakes and he never gets a chance to explain himself properly because the writers don’t give him one :/ Everything is nuanced, people aren't black and white. And it's fine really because this is a tv show and these people are fictional but it does say something about how we react to others around us. Cancel culture is an insidious thing and I think that has a little bit to do with why so many people don't like Mike.

As usual y'all this is me rambling completely unedited so forgive me if it's incoherent LMAO

Thanks for this! Mike Wheeler will be my baby forever even if the writers keep doing him dirty 🥰 that's what my fanfictions are for

#brainzz #ask #answered #stranger things #mike wheeler #urdearestmom

[neliakablog]

Exploring Denny Ja’s best work 30: A Magical Bird Named Faib with Professionalism

In the world of Indonesian literature, the name Denny Ja is a very respected figure and recognized his greatness in producing unforgettable creative work. Denny JA is a writer, actor, and also a literary activist who has made extraordinary achievements over the past 30 years. One of his best works that deserves to be explored is “Unseen Bird named Iman”. In this article, we will explore Denny JA 30’s best work with a focus on the theme of professionalism embedded in the essay poetry.    In “The Unseen Bird Named Iman”, Denny JA presents a story that inspires and captivates the hearts of his readers. This essay poem tells the journey of a young journalist named Iman who fought against various obstacles and dilemmas he faced in pursuing the truth. During this trip, faith must fight the supernatural powers that threaten his life. Denny Ja carefully described the character of faith as a very professional figure in carrying out his duties as a journalist.    One of the things that made the “occult bird named Iman” so interesting was the use of a very neat and professional language by Denny Ja. This author shows his expertise in assembling beautiful and charming sentences, as well as conveying in -depth and meaningful messages. In every word written by Denny Ja, the strength and depth that can touch the reader’s emotions.    In addition, Denny Ja also uses a very effective storytelling technique in the “Unseen Bird called Faith”. He was able to build a tense storyline and maintain the tension until the end of the essay poem. In each chapter, the reader will continue to be curious about the fate of faith and how he will face every problem he faces. This technique keeps the reader trapped in the story and is difficult to escape.    The theme of professionalism is also very thick felt in the “Occult Bird called Iman”. Denny Ja smartly illustrates how important professionalism is in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of a journalist. Faith, as the main character, always tries to provide accurate and objective reports, although often faced with temptation and pressure from various parties. Denny Ja sharply criticized the condition of journalism in Indonesia and reminded the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism in carrying out his profession.    In this essay poem, Denny Ja also invites us to look deeper about the meaning of life and self -existence. Faith as the main character faces various questions and dilemmas about the purpose of life and truth. Denny Ja smartly builds the character of faith as a figure who is looking for the meaning of life and struggles to maintain his integrity as a journalist. The message delivered by Denny Ja through the character of faith is very evocative and able to make the reader reflect.    As a closing, “Unseen Bird named Iman” is one of Denny Ja 30’s best works that should not be missed by Indonesian literature lovers. Denny Ja with his expertise in using language and storytelling techniques, succeeded in producing an interesting, inspiring, and loaded essay poem with deep messages. Through the theme of professionalism summarized in this story, Denny Ja invites us to reflect on the importance of maintaining integrity and professionalism in living life and carrying out his profession. “The unseen bird named Iman” is a concrete proof of the greatness of Denny Ja as a writer who is not only able to entertain, but is also able to provide inspiration and in -depth thought to his readers.

Check in full: Exploring Denny JA’s best work 30: A Magical Bird Named Iman with Professionalism

[krspunay05]

Nurtured by Love: Unveiling the Extraordinary Treasure of Motherhood"

Have you ever felt the presence of that one person whose mere thought of being lost sends a shiver down your spine? This individual serves as your guiding light, an unwavering source of support, and the driving force behind your pursuits.

It's a universally relatable sentiment, isn't it? We all have that special person in our lives who plays this irreplaceable role. It could be your significant other, your closest friends, relatives, or family members. In my case, that irreplaceable figure is none other than my mother—she's like my morning alarm, the radiant guiding light that brightens our home.

In a world where treasures typically evoke images of glistening jewels and concealed riches, there's one treasure I hold dear that outshines all others. It's not adorned with gold or hidden in a secret chest; my treasure is my mother.

But how did my mother become this cherished treasure, this source of boundless love, wisdom, and unwavering support? In this blog, allow me to recount her extraordinary journey.

Recall a time when the world appeared vast and filled with mysteries. In my earliest memories, my mother was always there for me. She had a unique way of transforming scraped knees into badges of bravery and converting bedtime into thrilling journeys through imaginary lands. Her lullabies were the sweetest melodies I'd ever heard, and her laughter filled our home with warmth.

As I grew up, I recognized that my mother was more than just a storyteller and a source of comfort. She was like a wise teacher, imparting valuable guidance that assisted me in navigating life's challenges. Whether it was advice on love, friendship, or Getting through the uncertain challenges of being an adult., her words acted as a treasure map leading to safe havens.

Life often confronts us with trials, and in these trying moments, my mother served as my sanctuary. Her unwavering support and encouragement were akin to an anchor, keeping me grounded even in the roughest storms. She instilled in me the profound truth that courage isn't the absence of fear but rather the strength to persevere despite it.

Few tasks are as complicated, difficult, and profoundly rewarding as being a mother. Mothers are masters of multitasking, receptacles of wisdom, and the epitome of unending love. They are often unsung heroes in the narratives of our lives. In the grand tapestry of life, my mother is a vibrant thread, woven with love, laughter, and limitless compassion. She isn't the treasure found in tales of daring adventures; she's the treasure that guides you through the adventure of life itself. I am eternally grateful for my mother, my most precious and unforgettable treasure.

So, to all of you who hold your cherished individuals dear, be they mothers, fathers, friends, or loved ones, I implore you to cherish and celebrate them for the light they bring into your lives. Their presence serves as a reminder of the love and wisdom that make life's journey genuinely extraordinary. In the ordinary moments of everyday love, we discover the most extraordinary treasures of all.

#Treasures #Motherslove

[drew-mga2022mi5016]

Research | Personal Branding - Initial Realisations

This module has us think about who we are as people, what we want to do and how we want to represent ourselves. Who am I? What makes Drew (that's me), Drew?

First, I analyzed my current portfolio and art style to try and identify any strengths and weaknesses, a SWOT analysis if you will. As mentioned earlier, I plan on focusing on 2D animation and illustration and mixed media artwork for now, so my work mainly capitalizes on these aspects. I realised that my art has a certain flavour; sketchy, with a soft palette and somewhat simplistic art style, but still packed with details. In my work, I enjoy adding smaller intricate designs and easter eggs, one could think of it like an onion (admittedly, I stole this phrase from a friend of mine in our Visual Communication department who follows roughly the same work ethic as me. Sorry, Dulana). Furthermore, I am also fond of the process that goes into making art, so I've included process work from concept sketches to the roughs of all my pieces.

The most glaring weakness in my portfolio however, is a severe lack of work that I can tangibly showcase. Although a lame excuse, the reason for this is my investment of time in the degree programme, however this would change with this semester, as the focus is to find a decent internship.

With that done, I now come to the question of what makes me? Why would people want to work with me? Am I a person who is part of a larger machine, or am I the pilot? Am I even related to the machine? Maybe I'm just some painter on the side of the road? I see myself as a creative force of nature, so to speak. I do not think I could merely be one part of a larger project, I'm more like a spontaneous burst of energy on a whim. I do recognize that due to my activities in the Student Chamber at AOD and my previous position as Vice President that I do have a certain skillset that pertains to leadership, communication and consistency, however I feel that in the future I want to make things that are successful because of what they say, not because I made them. In other words, I do not want to chase fame.

At the end of the day, I want to be an independent creator, which is a difficult journey for sure. In order to get there, I need to learn the skill of selling people my ideas, which is essentially (dreadfully) marketing (what a BORE). I'll need to foster an entrepreneurial and narrative mindset for this. At the end of the day, it's simply a means to an end. I also asked the question of where I would proliferate myself, and to that I do not have a solid answer as of yet. Off the top of my head, the first and easiest thing that comes to mind is social media like YouTube, TikTok, Vimeo, Instagram, anywhere people interact. Furthermore, I would love to proliferate in real life as well, through some form of design campaign (AR perhaps?). These are merely initial speculations, so I will have to properly think about this and the feasibility of it as time passes.

Finally, I asked myself what my story was. What got me where I am now? Right now, nothing of note comes to mind. I studied English Literature at school, and on a whim, decided to drop out during my Advanced Level examinations and change gears to the arts. I had realised that the education system in schools are extremely flawed, and wanted a new, non conformational change of scene. I'd always been an artists (in a sense, I wrote novels and drew anime characters from time to time, and my mother and I have a string background in music) and I felt joining the Motion Graphics and Animation programme on campus would help me become a better storyteller. Somewhere along the line, I fell in love with the visual arts again and as of now, I'm on a trajectory to combine my love for literature and art going forward by creating books, graphic novels, short films, table top games (maybe?) and essentially creating my very own universe with all these interconnected characters and stories.

This made me realise that maybe to get where I need to go, an unconventional internship may benefit me here. As a creative, broadening my scope could possibly help me get where I need to be in the future. For example, an internship in finance could help me learn how to actually price my work, lots of creators ask the question "how do I price myself?" Art is hard to quantify as it is, but we need to do it in order to make money (I'm not saying I want to intern in finance, God no, but it illustrates what I'm trying to say about a different sort of internship). In my case, maybe I could look at places with strong connections to art and culture, or hone in on my strengths of music to learn how to create a multisensory experience through my work? I believe now, it's time for a bit of self reflection.

[rainyblue]

1/12/23

Here with a couple more thoughts on a couple more books.

Idol, Burning by Rin Usami

This was a short novella about a young Japanese girl whose oshi, which I take to basically have the same meaning as bias in the k-pop fandom, gets sucked into scandal after scandal and the effects that this has on her, as a die-hard fan.

I remember taking a class in college about East Asian pop culture and for my final project, I decided to write a short story illustrating the toxic effects of fandom in k-pop, but I think Usami's done it better in this one. It was pretty crazy reading this novella and recognizing my old self in Akari. In life, she is pretty slow to learning new things and isn't the best at school, but in her fandom, she's something of an authority on her oshi, Masaki. Following updates on his life and his career consumes her to the point that she's unable to focus on her own life, as his trials and tribulations and successes become her own.

I loved the way this book examines the dark side of fandom and how obsessive and toxic these parasocial relationships between fans and idols can become, while at the same time remaining sympathetic toward both. It's unhealthy for anyone to be obsessed with an idol in the capacity that Akari is obsessed with Masaki, but the story also hints that Akari may have a learning disorder of some kind, and she feels isolated, helpless, and abandoned living in a world that doesn't feel designed to help her thrive. When she's fangirling over Masaki and writing blog posts with updates about him, we get to see how perceptive and emotionally intelligent Akari really is. It's the one time she can feel a sense of control and feels the most like herself.

On the other hand, we also get glimpses of Masaki's life as an idol and the object of Akari's and so many others' attention and adoration, and how the scrutiny over his many scandals is slowly crushing him as commentary on the difficult lives of Japanese pop idols.

Interesting, though at times I felt the "plot" meandered a bit. 3.75/5

Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven

I've got some thoughts about this one. I think it'd be best if I laid it out with some bullet points:

What I Liked:

The audiobook narration: This book was meant to be read via audiobook. The way the story is told is in the form of a series of interviews of survivors from the Fantasticland disaster as well as other authorities such as the National Guard, corporate leaders, etc. I think if I were to read this as a physical book, there wouldn't be much to separate the individual characters in my head as there are no physical descriptors and each "voice" for the most part sounds the same. But the narrators really knocked it out of the park here, doing all these different accents and changing up the rhythm and cadence of each characters' voice that made it both easy to distinguish them and the book more fun to listen to. Well done.

Overall, a very interesting concept. Several synopses tout this book as a Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale, and I would say that is pretty accurate in terms of the overall storyline and the level of violence and gore. A bunch of young adult theme park employees get trapped there during a hurricane and, despite having enough food and supplies to last it out, quickly devolve into savagery, forming rival tribes that repeatedly brutalize each other.

The format was interesting. Like I said, it is told in the form of individual interviews, making it kind of like a Blair Witch-esque found footage horror story. Normally, this is not my cup of tea as I find this documentary-style of storytelling to be very simplistic, a little too much "telling" and not enough "showing," interrupts my ability to get immersed. But I gotta give credit here to the narrators, again, as they did a fantastic job of making the interviews feel authentic and engrossing, and eventually the interview format grew on me.

What I Did Not Like:

What social commentary? Repeatedly, the book ponders the questions of how and why these young adults turned on each other so quickly. It's mentioned throughout the book that the park had enough emergency food and supplies to last 400+ employees a month or two in case of an emergency like this, and in this case, apparently there were fewer employees than expected since some didn't show up, meaning that that there was more than enough for all, so trying to survive shouldn't have been a factor influencing the employees' (who are frequently referred to as "kids" even though they are all 18+ and majority adults) descent into savagery. So why all the killing? The author tries to do some social commentary here about how the younger generation is obsessed with social media and technology and how they completely fall apart if you take their phones away, and it just... completely misses the mark? It's such contrived reasoning and reeks of "kids these days with their MyFace and SpaceBook" energy. Having no access to the internet in a world as connected and reliant on online communication as today's society can feel truly isolating and have real consequences, and having no access to the outside world during a natural disaster is even more anxiety-inducing, and the author sidesteps all of that in favor of "kids become savages when they can't check Instagram" commentary.

The plot feels contrived and implausible. There's absolutely no way a theme park (that supposedly has the same prestige and success as Disney World and Universal Studios) would force their employees to stay onsite during a hurricane to "protect the park from looting." Early on in the book, they talk about how if a disaster like a hurricane hit the park and pandemonium broke out, they could lose millions of dollars from looting. So their solution is to *checks notes* make a bunch of college kids stay onsite to fight the looters? Just get your damn popcorn buckets insured against theft and let the employees evacuate normally.

Idk, I just feel like all throughout reading the book, I was waiting for one of the characters to suggest or ponder that maybe there was something supernatural about Hurricane Sadie that made everyone go Mad Max so quickly, but the author still tries to chalk it all up to a bunch of kids going crazy without their phones. Yes, some of it is tried to pin on the villain Brock Hockney being some kind of charismatic psycho who convinced the pirates to kill, but that doesn't explain why the others formed rival gangs too.

Or maybe the book could have benefitted from some stories of what the employees' relationships with each other and management was like before the hurricane hit? Some hints that maybe there was ill will already being sown between employees of the different sections from before the hurricane that just got compounded by the disaster?

Personally for me, the real horror in these kinds of Lord of the Flies type of stories isn't in the blood and gore, but in the psychological aspect of it. It's scary being stuck in an abandoned theme park and not knowing who you can trust or not knowing when someone is going to turn on you, and the slow reveal of that madness is where the true horror lies. But the speed at which the kids turned savage left no room for that slow terror to build, and whatever climax the tension was building up to, it did not pay off.

Still, I like the audiobook narrators. 5/5 for the audio, 2/5 for the story, so let's call it an overall 3/5?

Up next: Infinite Country by Patricia Engel, then Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry.

Also, I had to DNF The Ones We Burn. I was about 50% through and couldn't get through it. Probably because I was in the middle of reading it when my cousin passed away suddenly, and I was listening to it non-stop to keep myself distracted only to find myself too distracted to pay attention to the story. I've decided to set it aside for now and try again once I'm in a better headspace.

[jujutsukaiseninfo]

Why Boruto Will Never Live Up To Naruto's Success

Boruto should have ushered in a new era for Naruto fans, but it ultimately resulted in the franchise being a knockoff of the original franchise.

In 2002, Naruto and its sequel, Naruto Shippuden, captured the attention and praise of the anime world with their engaging ninja techniques, intense fight scenes, and heartwarming and sometimes heartwarming stories. To date, he is regarded as one of the biggest contributors to anime, along with series such as Bleach and One Piece, with over 250 million copies of his manga on shelves worldwide and an average volume of 3.47 million. Is there profitable trading.

Naruto poster are a great way to show your support for the popular anime series. It features a vibrant design and is printed on high quality paper. Order your poster today and show your friends that you are a true anime fan!

Next Chapter Boruto: Naruto Next Generation follows the story of an elderly Naruto who plays the role of the 7th Hokage and more importantly, his son Boruto. The idea of ​​a more escalating story, continuing the series and introducing the next generation of Uzumaki ninjas into the pack, quickly emerged as excitement. Unfortunately, reception was foremost, as fans of the main series quickly turned sour over many aspects of the series and its shortcomings in living up to its predecessor. Whether it's questioning artistic integrity or a general lack of direction in storytelling, why has the Naruto franchise been so infatuated with its fandom?

New characters, similar qualities.

In Naruto Episode 1, "Enter: Naruto Uzumaki!", viewers tragically encounter Naruto: a parentless child, ostracized from his peers, and someone who doesn't want to be recognized or noticed. Wants some kind of attention. When Boruto entered his story, fans were confused by a similar character who despises his father. His parents were active in his life, however, as the Seventh Hokage, Naruto took the role of a neglectful father figure to Boruto, causing a rift in their father-son relationship as he had to be active in defending his village. role should be played. Whether acting out a narrative about a troubled boy with a chip on his shoulder, or deciding to create more drama between family members, audiences did not appreciate Naruto Uzumaki's imitation, nor did he appreciate Naruto's imitation. I cared about the choice of the parents.

The issue affects other main characters such as Sharada, Sakura and Sasuke's son, who find it difficult to decide whether she wants to sit on the sidelines and analyze the situation like her mother, or the self-confident living in conflict. Wants to be a warrior. his father. Metal Lee is a slightly more shaggy version of Rock Lee, going right down to his bushy brows and old-fashioned hairstyle. Chocho is the food-loving warrior who offers comic relief like his father Choji before him, only he seems sharper and sharper than the previous generation. It makes sense that the characters represent their parents, but the characters feel like characters from the past, to the point where it felt like a cheap reunion tour with people less interesting than their original counterparts. does.

The sequel is always a shadow.

Perhaps from the outset, Boruto and his friends found it difficult to get the same level of attention as the original Naruto series. Historically, sequels fall short of the original run due to nostalgia, and have often been compared to an idea that was unique only during release. Even though the show aired two decades ago, people still make their own jutsu with folded hands in honor of Naruto. The magic he captured is almost unmatched to this day, and perhaps it's a bit unreasonable to place those hopes on Boruto's shoulders.

Another obstacle is the fact that the manga is a monthly release, which made it possible to get anime directly from the manga, unlike Dragon Ball Super, which adapts manga from anime while maintaining a long-running weekly anime. Because of this, The Pierrot Company, Ltd. was satisfied with what it had and produced a large number of filler episodes and sometimes childish and cartoonish storylines to fill in the blanks. This problem prompted Boruto and his friends to fight the gods in the bow, and soon thereafter the gang hunts down to find the cat.

As the audience watched, the oncoming train of thought hit like a ton of bricks: it's not like Naruto, but it sounds like it. The characters that everyone once fell in love with were completely ignored or treated as plot twists.

For more information visit our website Merch Fuse.

[dreams-of-the-arcana]

Happy Storyteller Saturday! What is one of the hardest scenes you've had to write, something that just really took it out of you?

Wow, hi! Thank you for the ask! This actually means a lot to me (I’m hopeless I know).

I’ll stick to stories I’ve written for my girls!

The hardest so far has been one I haven’t shared yet because it’s a very emotional scene for Cleo and Count Lucio. So far, everyone has seen the dark side of Lucio in Cleo’s story but it has not been like that forever. They were in love for a very long time before everything went wrong and the worst part as the writer is I know that it’s not entirely Lucio’s fault.

The scene is actually Cleo’s death. It’s a moment of deep anger, sadness, betrayal and even amongst all that it’s the hard reality of how their love hurt them both. Writing it hurt My heart because I wrote Cleo’s journey with Lucio first and now for the second time he had to be an unwilling villain.

#the arcana #the arcana game #arcana apprentice #arcana oc #get to know the apprentice #fan apprentice #cleo the apprentice #arcana fanfic #lucio morgasson #count lucio #storyteller saturday #I’m actually so happy I got this ask #It’s felt so difficult to be recognized as a storyteller #up until now I’ve actually focused on poetry

[krawdad]

Gf and I made our first attempt to actually finally watch the first of the new muppet movies.

We both knew going in that the plot was going to feel exceptionally fanfiction-ey, and things were generally probably going to feel weird.

We made it like a couple minutes in before we got interrupted by something. Then we weren't really interested enough in what we'd already seen to continue. And boy do I feel things about that.

Probably will try again at some point. But like, I guess it taking until literally yesterday to finally attempt watching it kind of illustrates how eager I am to see it.

#like i was kind of just as well not watching it ever so i won't be disappointed in what the muppets are now #but at the same time i literally have friends who performed in those movies I'd like to at least get to see their names in the credits #also it's kind of hard to articulate but like minutes in and i already felt like they were trying to emotionally manipulate me #like you're supposed to see the generic fan character falling in love with the muppets and be like 'that's me. that's the way i feel' #I know I will at least be able to appreciate the puppetry if not the story. #those guys are still good performers and entertainers #would love to not have complicated feelings about all this #but you can't go back #things are different than they used to be #nothing stays the same #everything ends #all that #it was what it was and it is what it is #it's weirder than having a loved one die #it's like if a loved one became a different enough person that you barely recognize them and can't feel the same way you used to about them #pretending to be the same person and insisting that i should treat them the same even though it's clear that they won't do the same for me #it's weird man #it's difficult to try and it's unclear what good could come from the effort anyway #also like. opening a muppet movie with characters you don't know and haven't been given a chance to care about yet seems like. a poor choice #storytelling wise #if your opening hook is 'original character do not steal' like. maybe the movie isn't going to be what I'm looking for #it's like if an intellectual property could get dementia #like #yeah i guess it's technically the same #living the best life it can #but i kind of can't trust that whoever is making the creative decisions is like. allowed to be particularly entertaining #as i would define it anyway #they've been tamed i guess #and that's pretty sad

[lantsovsupremacist]

nikolai lantsov: august

@wafflesandschemingfaces requested a piece inspired by august, and i am more than happy to push the august agenda. THIS TOOK WAY TOO LONG IM SO SORRY!!! i hope it’s okay that i worked this in as a part two of “mirrorball.”

happy AUGUST babes! this was originally going to end angsty but i was feeling generous so enjoy the happier ending :)))

he tasted like salt, which had been a rarity at home. with the prices spiking in the cities, the smaller markets in the countryside could not supply even the simplest spice. having reignited the placated desire, you were greedy for more of him.

over the last seven months, you took advantage of nearly every opportunity the volkvony offered. you strengthened your abilities at sea with the careful instruction of the two other tidemakers onboard. tamar’s twin brother, toyla, guided your interest in grisha literature and history.

certain adjustments proved more difficult than others. you were no stranger to early work or rising in a shared room. however, despite the bright flush from the use of your powers, your muscles ached under the strain of the new practice. you found your training to be an unfamiliar yet cherished consistency.

you struggled with feelings of inferiority at first. the other female tidemaker, yelena, was a stowaway from the little palace. disregarding her heavy contempt for the school there, her experience helped you immensely.

peter was also a comfort in his own way. another self-taught grisha himself, it only pained you to hear of his family’s acceptance and attempts to teach him. your family might not have thrown you to the fjerdans but they offered little to help you control the power.

time could not move backwards to prevent your wounds but it could move forward to heal them.

now, perched on the deck beside yelena, you were calmer and more confident than ever before. you watched sturmhond out of the corner of you eye, turning your head in the wind to guide a piece of hair back out of your face. his white shirt billowed in the wind, sleeves rolled up and hands in the air to help dictate one of his famous stories.

“you look at him as if he hung the stars in the sky himself,” yelena snorted, elegantly drawing up a rather powerful wave to hasten your journey south, “trust me, he’ll take the hint and never let it go.”

but for you, perhaps he had. a new constellation, at least. three stars shined brighter than before for you, now visible to the naked eye. freedom, purpose, and opportunity. his gracious offer extended to beyond the imaginable.

“i could never have dreamed of this,” you replied earnestly, lightly bumping into her hip with your own.

“kerch does not have blondes, no?” she teased, exaggerating her already thick ravkan accent.

you blushed, nonetheless, “you’re going to get us off task, yelena.”

she rolled her eyes, returning her attention to the sea with a grunt. you did not miss the small smile that barely touched her face after, however. you would have missed it if she had not adjusted your arm, lifting it higher to create a higher crest.

in truth, you did not mind. you enjoyed observing. from your station at one side of the hull, you had a suitable view of the surrounding activity on the deck. storytelling only happened to be one of the aforementioned pursuits by the crew.

—

the first time was an accident. you nearly ran into him one morning during your second week onboard. the sun had filtered through the cracks in your room, beckoning your rise. you chased the sunbeams up the staircase adjacent to the door and soaked in the warmth they graciously provided.

the sunrise was magnificent. too distracted by the beauty painted in front of you in the sky, your elbow caught the captain’s. your eyes immediately went wide, an apology poised on your tongue. growing up with seven siblings, you were accustomed to making yourself smaller to allot room for the others. what other habits would you lose during your time aboard the volkvony?

“that’s quite alright,” sturmhond replied, eyes twinkling at the pale pink flush of your cheeks, “i suppose the sunrise caught my attention, as well,” he turned his head back, “though, that might not be all that did.”

as the tempo of your heart approached a crescendo, you nodded with a nervous smile. your eldest sister’s experiences with boys were all you had to go off of. your parents were together, yes, but as you aged, you realized that the nature of their union simply secured stability for the both of them. love had been an after thought and a forgotten one at that.

“want to watch it with me?” his eyes were brighter than the sun, more vibrant than the various hues splattered across the sky.

sounding just as much of a child as did he, you responded, “i would love to.”

he waited for no counter, immediately taking your hand in his to nearly drag you up the stairs. his hand was surprisingly warm despite the slight chill in the morning air. your brain fought the feeling of his touch at first, recognizing the pressure of his fingers now intertwined with yours but refusing to reciprocate the gesture.

by the time the sun reached a pinnacle in the sky, shining it seemed for just the two of you, you had given him your hand and your heart.

you let him memorize your story, pausing when he could not remember the order of your siblings. you repeated it until he could. the mornings were filled with whispers and soft touches. you thought he was helping you write a new story—one where maybe, you could have your perspective at the forefront.

—

the pressure of his his knee shamelessly pressing into yours dominated your thoughts. you decided that it would be more disconcerting to slide away from him but each passing moment added fuel to the fire of his warmth. you did not know what to think about the way he made you feel.

“i’m not who you think i am,” the privateer spoke, deadly calm. his tone did not waver, nor did the contact his eyes maintained with the horizon.

you wanted to tease the boy beside you but one look at the frown overtaking his face gave you pause. you felt increasingly uncomfortable, which you never did with him, not even when he first introduced himself. it was all wrong.

“i’m not sure what you mean,” you whispered hesitantly, trailing your fingers in the dust of the deck before they grew too numb to control.

his jaw clenched. his eyes bore into the sea. you only heard the sound of his breath—strangled and uneven.

“sturmhond,” you tried, watching as the wind ruffled his tawny and unkept hair.

“no,” he strained, “nikolai.”

an unusual name but a beautiful name, you decided.

“i-i don’t understand,” you fought to get the words out—battling with breaths instead of bombs, syllables instead of swords.

you wanted to push it all aside for naive hope, content with your pocket of fool’s gold.

“do you remember when we sailed to the outskirts of ravka?” he questioned you, gaining control of the previous shake in his voice.

you hummed in reply, trying to put together the pieces of his puzzle before he realized you had not finished yet.

the blonde looked like he was in pain when he next spoke, “the prince,” he began with his eyes timidly locked on your own, “his name is nikolai.”

contrary to your lack of education, you were clever and thus, able to fill in the blanks for yourself.

“who else knows?” you might have hoped for something more but you were not innocent enough to believe the prince only shared his identity with the girl who had succumbed to his longing stares.

“the twins,” he began with a sigh too heavy for him to carry alone, “yelena. one or two others.”

yelena knew. for some reason, your stomach turned at that. you knew it was misplaced and unnecessary jealously but there it sat all the same, weighing you down like an unmovable stone. a similar pressure pulsed behind your eyes, forcing a collection of tears to your waterline.

he offered an apology with words, but it was his eyes that held the true sincerity, the way his fingers restlessly knotted in his lap, and that even though it was a fight, he had moved aside to give you space. you wanted to believe that everything would be okay despite the change, that it could be, at least.

your heart ached. you never wanted him further away from you. or closer. his body was too familiar now.

nikolai never belonged to you, not really. and even if ravka would inevitably melt his golden heart and carelessly mold it to their benefit, he belonged to the broken country. not to you. never to you—alone.

with that, of course, you could not belong to him, either. a farmer’s daughter who did not complete her primary studies. maybe you did have a claim to grisha power, but you knew enough about ravka to understand that you would be a soldier. you already felt like one, fighting an endless battle between your head and heart. diligence and desire.

“you let me—,” you swallowed thickly, “give myself to you. you made it so easy to be sure.” now, you were no longer as certain in your decisions.

he kicked his feet in the water, unable to carry your gaze lest he lose it much like your heart, “i hoped it could be different.”

you searched for anything to ground yourself in along the horizon, burning your eyes in the sinking sun, “you’ll have to go back, then.”

he nodded, his head bobbing more fitfully than the waves, “yes.”

your did not want to talk any longer because if you did, you were sure that you would cry. you decided that you had, in fact, been foolish. how could you live off of hope alone? your destiny belonged to the fields not the sea.

“okay.”

“okay?” nikolai repeated, voice dancing between disbelief and what might have been anger, unable to remember the next step, “that’s all that’s left?”

“i think so,” you replied airily, turning to brush a lock of his hair behind his ear, “because i understand. i might not want to. well, i certainly don’t want to but—,”

you were cut off and for the blonde boy beside you to do it, you knew he had good reason. he gave you a voice simply by listening, something few had done for you before. your words had been stolen by his lips in the end.

“i might not be able to give you nikolai,” his lips were down turned but now flushed with color, “but i can give you sturmhond. i can give you nik,” he brought your hand to his heart, “that is if you’ll have me?”

you did not belong to prince nikolai of ravka. he could not be a character in your story. but, you could write another chapter. you could change the plot for the better.

you kissed him with as much fervor as he had earlier. he twisted his fingers into your hair, winding a passage to the back of your neck. you curled into the warmth radiating from his side, fisting his shirt before slowly pulling away.

“i can’t believe you’re a prince.”

that earned you a laugh. the laugh you knew you could never live with losing. if you could not have him entirely, you would hold onto anything that could be yours. just yours. for now, the heat of the sun on your faces split wide with grins was enough.

grishaverse taglist: @just-a-human-witha-pen @ilovemarvelanne1 @story-scribbler @subjecta13-thefangirl

#nikolai lantsov imagine #nikolai lanstov x reader #nikolai lanstov imagines #nikolai lantsov #sab fanfiction #sab fanfic #sab fic #sab netflix #shadow and bone fic #shadow and bone #siege and storm #ruin and rising #grishaverse #the grisha series #rule of wolves #sturmhond