#So like my only options here in the states as an “independent” would be going to my local collage (gross) while living w my parents

[selvepnea]

I can't believe how much thought I'm putting into the idea of going to canada for collage

#Sel talks #My brain did a big chain reaction of ms. Hollow_tones (streamer/canadian) saying she paid in the low hundreds for her tuition and #Another of my streamers mentioning going to Japan to study. And the minimum wage in Quebec us like 15.25 (about 30.000 yearly) and tuition #Now is like 15.000 for a year and cost of living us like also around 15.000 and I could apply for a work permit (though realistically I #Wouldn't be able to do full-time work and study and I doubt they'd let me apply for a student visa as a part time student) #Hhhhhhh #It's v v rough idea but it at least gives me some sort of direction #Possibly #Like I know I want to go back to school but I know I cannot do full time work and school here in the states especially as an adult #And I know I wouldn't be able to do online without a physical place to study (like one of those 3rd spaces?) #So like my only options here in the states as an “independent” would be going to my local collage (gross) while living w my parents #Or seeing about some online classes (ick) #My brain is full and I'm staying up far too late u_u

[dalishious]

Reclaiming Independence of the Dales

Before anything else, I’d just like to clarify that that vast majority of this is made of my own ideas, based on interpretation from the little canonical information provided, and a little inspired by my own people’s history and governing structure. Additionally, what I am presenting here is an ideal situation, not necessarily what I think is an immediately realistic outcome in the world-state established. So, please keep that in mind.

The Dales were established as a homeland for elves—a small piece of a continent that was once called their home in its entirety, before the humans colonized it—by Maferath in -165 Ancient. This was in reward for the eleven people’s participation in the fight against Ancient Tevinter. But in 2:10 Glory, Divine Renata I broke this treaty and declared an Exalted March against the Dales, ending in its annexation by Orlais.

[Related Post: All You Need to Know about the Exalted March of the Dales]

If Solas has very low approval with Inquisitor Lavellan, and Lavellan accuses him of not doing enough to help their people, he will say the following: “You could order Halamshiral returned to the Dalish, if you wished. But ultimately, you know that would fail. That even you cannot solve this.” I hate this with a burning passion. The reason I can’t do that, Solas, is because it’s not an option in the game! Why are you as a character angry at me, the player, for not doing something that is not an option for me to do? Why was this written? Just to push the point that it’s not worth it to try and fight back against oppression? Because if I refuse to accept hopelessness in real life, why would I in accept it in a video game where the story is made-up, and therefore anything is possible if the developers so wish it.

Regardless, according to Solas, the Inquisition has enough power to support the reclamation of an independent Dales. I imagine this would require a lot of political maneuvering within the Orlesian governance, and therefore I think the best opportunity to do this would be with Briala ruling through Gaspard. This would then later open the door for Briala to be the leader of the newly independent Dales, too. I would like to see Briala as ruler of the Dales not just because she is a favourite of mine, but because I genuinely believe she is the best established character fit for the job. She was trained in everything Celene was trained in, has first-hand experience in court, has extensive connections, and has demonstrated her ability and desire to utilize these skills and assets for the benefit of elven kind.

Briala’s blackmail on Gaspard may help prevent Orlais from invading again while under his rule, but to last longer, the Dales would need to establish itself as a strong, independent Nation with allies. This is why I believe it would also be important to have Leliana as Divine Victoria in such a world-state where this could happen. Leliana re-canonizes the Canticle of Shartan, and in making it available for the common person to understand, would ideally help sway the minds of the average Andrastian into supporting the Dales’s independence. The nobility would of course be much trickier, because they and the Chantry are the ones who actually benefitted from its annexation—but there is little they would be able to actually accomplish if they did not have the power of the people behind them.

As far as allies go, Ferelden could only gain from Orlais losing control of the Dales, because it would mean cutting Orlais off from a lot of Ferelden’s border, therefore reducing the threat of another invasion. Additionally, a leader with just plain good morals like say, Alistair, would easily accept the elven kingdom’s return. But even Anora is willing to grant part of the Korcari Wilds to the Dalish if Mahariel requests it, and while this sadly doesn’t last, it does show a positive sign into her potentially being open to the idea of an independent Dales as well.

I sincerely doubt that all Dalish clans would return to the Dales and re-settle down. After all, they have developed differentiating cultures over the years of wandering in separated groups, with different ideals and different ways of life that they might not want to give up. But many would return, and that would likely create conflict between the elves coming from the Dalish clans and the elves coming from the cities. We know that some prejudice exists against “flat-ears” as some Dalish call those from the city, and we know that city elves have adopted a lot of misinformation from humans into their views of the Dalish. It would take time and positive leadership to reconnect the people, without risking falling into some sort of hierarchy based on origin. This is why I do not believe one group or the other should single-handedly rule alone. Rather, I think there should be a Grand Council of High Keepers made up of those voted into the position each to represent a single district of the Dales. (I like the idea of there being seven High Keepers, not just because there are seven traditional districts of Mi’kma’ki, but because it works out that there seven of the Creators. So it makes sense that there would be seven High Keepers.) The Grand Council would meet and make decisions together, with one appointed leader at the head to act as the Council’s chair.

In terms of protection and order, the Emerald Knights should be reformed. This would include the Fade Hunters, to protect the people against demons and maleficarum, with there being no Circles or Templars.

Restoring the independence of the Dales would lead to a revival of elven culture in ways that could never happen before, because they would actually be free to pursue re-learning the language, re-discovering the history and culture, and sharing it all amongst each other. They would not have to fear arrest the crime of simply being an elf.  

But what of the other races presently living in the Dales? I see no reason why they would have to leave, so long as they would be willing to follow the Grand Council’s leadership. I imagine many nobility would flee to Orlais, simply because they would not stand for it. But for the average human or surface dwarf, their life wouldn’t really even change much; they’d still be managing their farms the same as always. Hell, it might even improve things for them, assuming the Grand Council gives fairer treatment than the nobility previously.

#dragon age #the dales #elves #meta

[decolonize-the-left]

Okay, I'm also a little on the confused train. I vote third party and independent in my local elections when their policies (as they often are) are better than the local democrats. I vote for some local democrats when they, as in my community they happen to be, black activists who organized the entire of the blm movement in my city and then moved to campaigning for city council and stuff. I participate in mutual aid, I use my free time to bake bread for, and then deliver the bread and naltrexone to unhoused encampments. I advocate for every school in my area to teach actual native history. I distribute land back and esims for gaza pamphlets all over my city. I volunteer at soup kitchens a couple times a month, ect. I "donate" monthly "rent" to the tribes on whos land i live. I am currently at the least protest voting uncommitted in my states primary.

But like, I do bump up against... I don't want to vote for Biden. But if Trump wins, he's states he's going to put his everything into not only the genocide in Palestine, but hella racist internal policies beyond what we already have, stripping voting rights, stripping any existing social safety nets, removing anit hate crime protections, ect

So like. Yes. I am thinking about how indigenous communities would be impacted, at least in the short term. Among many others.

My final vote isn't decided yet

Do you really think it will prevent harm to vulnerable people to risk another trump term?

Not trying to be an asshole, asking you bc I respect you

*scare quotes are to imply that I think that language is shallow and not useful but I don't know what else to say

Please don't block me I'm being completely sincere about being deeply empathetic to your anger and share in it, but also confused and scared about the right course of action and the reasoning behind it

My opinions stem from my own organizing and activism.

I think it's going over a lot of heads that the same way we organize for landback or BLM and leave zines around to have progress in dismantling those, we ALSO need to be organizing behind 3rd party candidates to dismantle the 2 party system.

Like how helpful would it be to Any of those causes if someone said that instead of organizing for landback or donating or helping houseless people you should just vote for Biden?

That'd be ridiculous. Biden doesn't have any intention of significantly helping with any of those things and he's no substitute for the activism that's being done or still needed right?

So why are we as organizers accepting this logic when it comes to one of the most powerful positions in the world?

Why are we settling and saying he's the "realistic" choice and accepting it when we Know there are other options and avenues because we've Already worked in them?

I don't understand this and if You could shed some light I would in All Honesty appreciate it.

It's ACTUALLY confusing as hell to me that people I respect and work with and see as peers and comrades think that harm reduction is the best way to vote. It's confusing that instead of advocating for other avenues and educating people about other options or working for 3rd party campaigns or leaving educational zines around throughout election cycles and campaigns..... They say they're just gonna vote for Biden.

Yeah Trump sucks. I'd never deny that. I'd never deny he's dangerous. I just Also don't see how Blue Fascism is different from Red Fascism. It's all fascism and idk why we think Blue Fascism is an acceptable trade off when we literally Do Not have to keep making this trade.

The fact so many of us regularly feel like we don't have a choice is a testament to democracy already being dead, you know? Idk what we're saying 'yeah but the other fascists could be worse so let's just keep our heads down' as leftists.

I'm gonna be very real here, my concern is the future of humanity at this point. Point blank. White supremacy is an evil ideology that has harmed every person it touches while also making sure they help perpetuate it. In the last 5 years I've watched Nazis come back, several genocides, climate change and the death of winter, and police kill a man trying to protect a forest. Our president is more concerned with his campaign than the people he's killing or the families he's exploiting to do it.

Someone is going to have to risk something in order to stop a machine this big from killing all of us. The earth my child is going to inherit is going to be unrecognizable to me. She'll be lucky if she's never a climate refugee, just as it's Only luck that she's here in the first place after the USA tried to kill off the native Americans.

My concern is Everyone. And I know it seems backwards as hell to risk something so awful, but sometimes you have to make sacrifices to have something better.

I'd give anything to save my daughter from the future she's currently on track to inherit. And that doesn't mean that I don't love her. It's a testament to how much worse I genuinely believe things will get if we continue down this path accepting anything As Long As It's Not As Awful As It Could Be.

We would lie down and Vote to have robot dogs surveil our neighborhoods for immigrants and drag queens at this point "as long as it's not trump" and doesn't that terrify you more than he does?

It terrifies me.

There's no way that's harm reduction when we are NOT being harmed that way right now. That's Increasing the harm. A harm guarantee that you were tricked you into signing under threat of something worse.

#asked #answered #electoral politics #trump #leftist #socialist #anarchist #communist

[tammyoshanter]

I am seeing posts bullying and even telling others to kill themselves because they plan to vote for Biden, despite Biden's blatant endorsement of Isreal. I've even seen people saying things like "even as a non-American, I know you guys have a Socialist party. Vote for that" as if that's an option. Personally, and I am certain several of my other fellow Americans feel this way as well, I would LOVE to cast my vote to the Socialist party. But living in America, that's just not possible. We do not have the luxury of voting for the people we want to. We live under a government that has spent decades dividing the nation so that the two-party system is seen as the only viable form of democracy to the American people, while simultaneously meddling in world affairs and overthrowing small socialist nations with capitalist coups and then forcing their economies to tank just to show the American people just how bad the big bad S is. And we have slurped it up. As someone who has had leftist ideals for more than a decade, I have only within the past few years felt I could use that label because even I was afraid of the capitalist's boogeyman. A majority of the people I know wouldn't dare consider socialism or even leftism a good, citizen-friendly political system. And so, they are going to vote on the two running for office, which is looking to be Biden and Trump right now. Yes, Biden is a racist pedophile with very a questionable ability to cognitively navigate a presidency, and who also supports a full-on genocide. I would not want to vote for Biden in a million years. He's a shit guy, and has been for his whole career and likely before that too. Trump, however, is significantly more alarming. Trump is the person Netanyahu is drooling over to win the election, and let me tell you why. If you haven't, please do your research on Project 2025. If Trump or another Republican wins the primary, the Republican's plan includes a very alarming, and blatantly fascist playbook. The most notable pages include placing the entire executive branch under direct presidential control (eliminating the independence of the Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, and other agencies), further militarizing the police, cracking down on immigration (some are predicting our own genocide, beginning with our management of the US/Mexico border), placing a nationwide ban on abortion and undesirable media, targeting LGBTIQIA and other marginalized communities, and ultimately destroying the wall between church and state to create a Christian nationalist government. They are not being subtle about it; you can read the manifesto here. America, a leading world power with an obese military and other friends in low places, is set to become very fascist if the Republicans win. This could ultimately change the course of world politics as many other countries within the West are increasingly leaning fascist. Americans are not going to suddenly discover the third party and vote for it. They will be participating in the two party system. We have no choice to do so as well, or it may be decades before we get it turned back around. By then it will certainly be far too late for Palestine and all the other lives that will be lost along the way. Don't even get me started on climate change. The stakes are immense. Americans, It is your right to choose not to vote, or to vote for a third party during this primary. But this will be a slap to the face of POC, immigrants, LGBTQIA, people with disabilities, the working class, and several other targeted groups, of which there will be many. Bullying people for trying to prevent this is not going to put you on the side of history you want it to. When I vote for Biden, I will absolutely be thinking about how much I detest his stance on Isreal and the rest of his presidency and personality to boot. But I will be hoping against all hope this action is able to curb the right before they place us all in chains, if they'll have us alive at all.

#i rant #apologies guys but CAN WE PLEASE #I'm not trying to have my life or the lives of others cut shorter than they already have been #this is truly life or death #politics #american politics #us politics #biden #trump #fascism #project 2025 #isreal #palestine #free palestine #free gaza #genocide #please suggest other tags if this is found to be lacking

[alevolpe]

How do you feel about Usagi becoming Neo Queen Serenity? Do you like it or do you think it would be better if she didn`t? Do you think she would be a good ruler?

Crystal Tokyo is not my “happily ever after” ending and it’s not my go to for sure. I feel like it can work, but it has to be in the right circumstances. First of all, it’s not a “good ending” and I would not try to frame it a s such.

The ideal “good ending” in my mind is the girls being free from their burden of being senshi, but in my AU, that’s not really possible without a “hard reset” to say. It’s loosely based on a hc I’ve talked about briefly here, but the girls don’t get to just choose to stop transforming and live regular lives. The ultimate goal of the sailor crystals is to have their hosts live as senshi and actually use the powers that form provides, if they choose to live as humans, then what is the point.

Crystal Tokyo can work in the context of “destiny is inevitable, but let’s try to do the best with what we have”. It’s a bitter sweet ending, but again, I feel like it could work.

Here’s my conditions:

Crystal Tokyo is NOT the capital of the world! That is just ridiculous and that’s where I kind of draw the line tbh. Doesn’t matter how omniscient Serenity is, she cannot govern the whole world without it being a genuinely and utter disturbing reality to the level of ‘I have no mouth and I must scream’. CT is a city-state, much like the Vatican is. It has minor influences in politics and the area around them, but for the most part they kind of just stand as an independent city-state and do their own thing.

As stated prior, it’s not a “happy ending” and it would never be framed as such. The future is a terrifying perspective and if everything around them is pushing them to think that CT is the one and only safe option for them then they’ll take it.

No one is “immortal” or has extended lifespans. Usagi and the senshi do, but that comes with the “perks” of being a senshi, it’s not a gift given by the Silver Crystal. (Sorry Mamo..)

Usagi will eventually loose herself in the Silver Crystal and the role of Neo Queen Serenity. It’s something she feels coming and knows will be an inevitability, almost like her mother before her, so she makes sure to evenly split her power among her 4 guardians to ensure a “checks and balances system”. They keep each other sane and the future safe from repeating hard mistakes of the past.

Haruka and Michiru are NOT a part of CT. They refuse and instead opt to live a normal life (due to some hcs revolving them and Pluto, they have the choice to live as regular people, unlike the inners). Usagi has granted them and the others a choice, there’s no animosity between them and Usagi, not so much among the inners toward them tho, to varying degrees. Hotaru gets taken in and adopted by the inners instead, since she doesn’t have a choice about becoming a senshi.

The public opinion toward Crystal Tokyo is not all positive. Doesn’t matter how much love and work the senshi put into their image, decisions and rulings, the public will never be cool with what are basically non-humans to them installing an empire within their planet. Conspiracy theories and attempts at revolutions are rampant among CT, that is why is very rare for the senshi and even less the Queen to leave the Palace.

I do feel like Usagi would try her absolute best at being a great and benevolent leader, but unfortunately the world doesn’t work like that. Most everyone starts with good intentions, but failed diplomatic attempt, after failed diplomatic attempt after attempted assassination, the girls’ heart and will turns ever so bitter and cynical, not Usagi tho, til her last moment of consciousness she strives to remain the best person she could be, she’s just aware she can’t openly be so anymore or she’ll risk her own life. Choosing to live her later life mostly in the quiet of the palace, the senshi being her voice that will be heard to the outside.

There’s a certain feel of ‘doomed destiny’ with CT, this is them accepting that the “moon monarchy’’ is inevitable and is meant to happen. It’s basically a defeat on their part, they lose their individuality and dreams for the future and surrender to this cycle that was meant to be all along.

All the girls have grown out of the more cheerful and optimistic selves, having witnessed the inescapable reality of their own destiny and have been hardened by the crueler aspects of humanity. It’s a bit of a bummer, but it’s not all the “everything is terrible ending”. The girls still have each other, they are still themselves, even if hardened by their surroundings. They still love each other and they basically live for each other at this point, aspects of each other leaving permanent stains that remind themselves of the goods of the world and what they are striving to achieve. There’s still good in the world, it’s just sometimes harder to find.

#sailor moon #ask me stuff #crystal tokyo #Neo queen serenity #I just can’t accept this reality as a good ending #It’s a part of an inevitable cycle and it’s kind off terrifying imo

[vickyvicarious]

Jonathan Harker saying that he's going to have to contemplate later and make up his mind about what he believes about idolatry and what he had been taught about what's heretical and to use his own judgment was something I didn't expect

It's kind of interesting, actually. His response when first given the crucifix was somewhat mild:

She then rose and dried her eyes, and taking a crucifix from her neck offered it to me. I did not know what to do, for, as an English Churchman, I have been taught to regard such things as in some measure idolatrous, and yet it seemed so ungracious to refuse an old lady meaning so well and in such a state of mind.

It feels not so much that he's deeply opposed himself, exactly. Just that this is what he has been taught as an English Churchman. And even then, it's only in some measure idolatrous, not totally. So right from the start it seems almost like something he hasn't really had opportunity to form an independent/strong opinion on before now, so much as something he's just been told and didn't particularly question.

But the gift was so kind and she obviously cared so much about him taking it that he accepted. Even more, she and the rest definitely got to him a bit, and so Jonathan continuing to wear the crucifix was not only out of respect for her feelings (he could have taken it off and just kept it with him if his only consideration were not offending her), but also because a part of him is already perhaps wondering if it will be helpful. At the very least, he is drawing some amount of comfort from it, even if it's just from the thought of the old woman's care that the gift reminds him of. He must be, because he's still wearing it around his neck while shaving several days later. We know Jonathan shaves every day, so it seems clear that he has a routine of daily ablutions (quite aside from the character notes of him being on an Important Professional Business Trip and probably wanting to look his best). I highly doubt he could have just forgotten he had it on. Continuing to wear it that long was a deliberate choice, even before it tangibly helps him out. And then comes that bit you're talking about:

What meant the giving of the crucifix, of the garlic, of the wild rose, of the mountain ash? Bless that good, good woman who hung the crucifix round my neck! for it is a comfort and a strength to me whenever I touch it. It is odd that a thing which I have been taught to regard with disfavour and as idolatrous should in a time of loneliness and trouble be of help. Is it that there is something in the essence of the thing itself, or that it is a medium, a tangible help, in conveying memories of sympathy and comfort? Some time, if it may be, I must examine this matter and try to make up my mind about it.

The crucifix makes Jonathan feel comforted and strengthened whenever he touches it. Both could stem from the circumstances in which it was given and when he saw it protect him already. He feels comforted/stronger because it is a form of protection, something of which he has very few in his current situation. Or maybe it's comforting/strengthening because of the tangible reminder that as alone as he is currently, there are still people out there who care about him and want/tried to protect him. Both of those options would be purely emotional placebo effects.

But Jonathan wonders if there is a literal benefit to it as well. If there is some kind of holy essence in fact, which has positive effect on him as well as negative ones on Dracula. He has after all already observed the latter. In considering this option, he is showing a willingness to reevaluate what he has been taught and possibly make his own judgement contrary to his prior beliefs about idolatry.

I'm not going to get into spoilers in this reply, but a decision Jonathan later makes about the crucifix, as well as some later statements about souls/God, seem relevant here. It kind of makes me wonder if Jonathan has viewed his religion mostly as a sort of given, natural state. It's something into which he was educated/raised, it is an identity (English Churchman) that he has accepted as natural but not truly spent a lot of time thinking hard about before. His time here in the castle immediately challenges some of the beliefs that go along with it, and as we progress through the book Jonathan's relationship with religion gets deeper and more complex (both in more-sincerely-religious-than-default and more-contrary-to-his-teachings/blasphemous ways).

#dracula daily #jonathan harker #anonymous #replies #i really don't have enough knowledge about the intricacies of religion to go fully in-depth on what this means for him #and there are later scenes i kind of want to consider the buildup towards/introduction of with this in mind before getting too into them #at least for now #but yeah...

[sith-shenanigans]

So I’ve been playing post-Onslaught content, finally…

Ahene is having a terrible time, and originally when the post-Zildrog arc kicked off I was very depressed about it, but I’m actually enjoying it. Possibly my tolerance has increased for Putting That Character In Some Situations over the time I’ve spent writing Liminality. Probably it helps that I’ve been editing certain things in my head.

(For one thing, while she’s taking the saboteur plotline in-game, her actual goal is revolution in the Empire—and I’ve been playing to that as much as I can, so there were a fair number of times she hasn’t taken the saboteur options. I’d call out the speech, but I feel like it’s a given she didn’t do the saboteur speech. I’ve also been chewing on the thought of the Fleet not being totally destroyed, but stranded in Odessen unable to make hyperjumps without extensive retrofitting the Alliance doesn’t have the components for… but recently I’ve been feeling like “get the superweapon fleet back” is not the goal that aligns with the narrative themes here, and Ahene is not actually having the mental breakdown I was originally projecting on her, so I’m also kind of interested to see how the narrative where it’s actually gone goes.)

Anyway, having Rivix around has been fascinating, because I really see why people say that the Commander no longer gets “proper respect”—but I’m kind of into it, because the Watsonian explanation is that it’s deliberate. And that is such a dynamic with Ahene.

She hates Rivix, of course. It doesn’t help that he’s an insufferable flatterer, since she respects that not at all when it comes from someone who expects you to be taken in; she’s always considered that an insult to her common sense. (She can appreciate a well-placed compliment, but she doesn’t think anyone in the galaxy appreciates fawning—unless they’re forcing people to fawn over them for the power trip, which is odious but unfortunately comprehensible—and she’s not sure why people ever try it.) But it’s an extremely impersonal kind of hatred, because it’s not really about Rivix. It’s about the Empire seeing the Alliance’s current situation as the kind of fall from power that can’t actually be recovered from, and her as someone who reached beyond what her capabilities could hold. The ex-Councilor, the disgraced Commander, who could have had the galaxy in her grasp if she hadn’t choked.

The way Acina is treating her—partly by proxy of Rivix, but by policy as well—isn’t the way the game is played. You watch your important vassals with spies and “liaisons,” yes. (Rivix was never the problem on his own.) You do not station your troops all over their powerbase. It’s notable, there, that there’s no option to refuse the extra; all you can do is set conditions. Normal for a client state—but Sith are expected to give their vassals a degree of independence corresponding to their rank. Which means that, paradoxically, the insistently independent Alliance is given less leeway (at least in some directions) than Acina’s Council.

She has seen how the Empire treats minor planets’ leaders: as having some kind of status, but no respect, and no real say in the decisions made about them. Negotiations are a foregone conclusion, deals are worth only what you can enforce from them. And Rivix is a deliberate insult, meant to remind her that she is in that place.

Rivix shows up on her base unannounced and makes demands (that she only indulged because it might actually have been a crisis, and if it was, she would have been very foolish to make him wait to salve her ego). Rivix landed a Councilor on her base, also unannounced, and then tried to hustle her away before she actually told her command staff where specifically she was going. (Okay, the person she actually wanted—for a value of wanted—to call was Jonas, but that’s beside the point. Notifying her people would have been the proper thing to do even if she weren’t using it as a cover for her extracurricular activities.)

Rivix uses her briefing room to call Acina. Minor in the grand scheme of things, maybe, but it’s acting like he has as much of a right to the place as she does.

Of course, Rivix’s zeltron pheromones thing is probably part of all this, at least in that he’s likely used to people putting up with behavior they wouldn’t otherwise. But taken together, the political insult seems… deliberate.

Leeha went “…considering who you’re working for” at her, and it landed that it was not “working with,” but—that’s not a surprise. Ahene knows what people think about what’s happened. She’s playing along with it as much as she can without showing weakness; she’s obligated to put up a fight. And she’s angry with herself too, a bit, for how much this grates on her, when she’s opposed to the whole Sith game on principle—when she’s spent so long telling herself not to be invested in having power, in being treated as powerful. (Even if she outgrew that gnawing anxiety as she came to know herself better, to be more confident in her self-control… sometimes it comes up, when she’s feeling self-castigatory. Some things aren’t linear.) And she certainly doesn’t want people acting like she’s still Darth Occlus, but—

The Empire keeps insisting that she’s Imperial, that she is Sith. And they keep disrespecting her as one. She may have given up her title and her seat, but she had them, and they’re taking every opportunity to remind her that she currently does not. That she doesn’t have the ability, the right to control her own domain. That she would have had more agency if she stayed, and now they consider her another minor power to put on a leash.

Sith or not, it’s not something she can abide.

#yes this is a cleaned and edited version of a discord ramble #io plays swtor #(somehow not a tag i had) #oc: ahene coris

[mixreality]

"Rumble" theories, headcanons, and musings

My personal opinion on the events in the movie and the events before and after it. Correct me if something is wrong!

Perhaps I've gone too far, but I think - it's closer to the reality of the world we were shown in the movie.

Theory on the disappearance of Rayburn and Jimbo. At the beginning of the movie we are told that they disappeared (died) somewhere at the sea. After we are shown Stoker's new monster - Tentacular, which all his appearance indicates he's marine-type monster. Based on these two facts we conclude that Tentacular is involved in the disappearance of Rayburn and Jimbo. Brilliant deduction, I know.

Headcanons!

Tentacular got a scar on his face from Rayburn's claws when he tried to drown him.

T and Rayburn are about the same age and knew each other long before the events of the movie. Their paths parted after Ray's decision to become a wrestler and the birth of Steve (Rayburn Jr.). Hence, the envy of success and the desire to be better than his former friend.

Back to the theory. Tentacular comes in Stoker sometime after the tragedy, under the guise of "I hear you're looking for a new champion". Since the town had big problems and came in grief after the "disappearance" of their favorites, they gladly accept T, and Siggy becomes his trainer.

Headcanons!

Siggy probably knows that Tentacular is involved in the deaths of Jimbo and Rayburn, but doesn't show it until he's sure it's true. OR he took part in it too.

The loss of his leg is unrelated to the incident in the sea, as in the movie in Vinnie's flashbacks, Sig was already wearing a prosthetic leg.

After the death of his father, Steve may have lived with his mother away from the city for some time. There is no mention of her in the movie, but I assume she just lives somewhere far far away from civilization. The second option - Steve leave town and just wandered around the region/state for a few years until he got into underground monster fights because he needed money to keep living.

Another interesting moment. Siggy tells Winnie to stop the fight, because if Tentacular senses blood, the situation will get out of hand. What did he mean by that? Sharks have a phenomenon called "food fever." It's when there's a lot of blood in a place and the amount of blood makes sharks go crazy and eat everything. T is a shark, and a pretty big one; perhaps his senses are more heightened than normal sharks too. If Steve got a nosebleed during a fight, for example, T would probably go berserk and destroy not only the arena, but also the stadium and even the entire city. Of course, not without casualties, and here the irreversible process of total 4uckup. We wouldn't see it in the movie, so we will stop only at the destruction of the stadium (take into: all the people have time to evacuate).

Other.

Not all monsters in the movie universe are wrestlers. Example: Mac is a monster who works as a commentator (albeit on the subject of wrestling). Monsters, due to their incredible strength, can be useful in professions where that strength is especially valuable. Such as construction and demolition on a large scale, heavy lifting, working at heights/depths, mining, etc. Those who are not satisfied with either of those things go into the creative arts. I'd really like to see a monster DJ!!!

"Tentacular" is a stage name. Personally, I think the name "Nigel" would suit him perfectly. Name meaning: champion, perseverance, independence, zeal; also: cruelty, egoism, envy, hatred. The colors are blue and purple, the element is water. 100% hit. It's compatible with his looks, too.

Steve and his father can tolerate extra high temperatures.

In the second part of the movie (if it ever comes out) Steve will bring his "dancing style" to the end and it will be more like wrestling. However, lazy as he was, he will remain lazy.

There is a very small chance that Rayburn and Jimbo survived, but decided to lay low after the "mysterious disappearance".

Ray and T are about 20-23 years old at the time of their friendship (before the movie), 35-45 years old during the movie. Steve is 3-5 years older than Winnie. I can get very confused about the timing of what's going on in the movie, so consider this as headcanon. I'm having trouble with "time feeling"…

Winnie is a foot-fetishist.

#rumble #rumble 2021 #rumble 2022 #rumble movie #tentacular #rayburn #winnie coyle #steve the stupendous #rumble tentacular #rumble steve #rumble rayburn #monster #monsters

[writingwhimsey]

Married to the Enemy- Shingen Ch. 10

Chapter 10

I spent the next couple of weeks happily working on the commission during the day, putting in my best effort to make the clothes my best work. I really wanted to impress the client and the people of Echigo who would be seeing these clothes at the festival. I finished the order the day before the festival.

“These are of superb quality.” Kanako commended me, as she looked over the finished pieces. “I am sure the customers will greatly appreciate them.”

“I hope so.” I said. “Will they be coming by or do I need to go deliver them?”

“We have a runner who delivers the goods and collects the fees.” Kanako answered. She was then summoning a young boy, he couldn’t have been more than ten.

He bowed to me. “Don’t worry my lady, I will get these delivered.” He was then leaving.

“He’s so young.” I remarked once he had finished.

“Due to the nature of the times, there are many orphaned children.” Kanako said. “Lord Kenshin and Lord Shingen employ many of them for such tasks. It is a way for them to earn some money to keep food in their bellies and a place to stay.”

It broke my heart that children had to have such rough lives. In my time there were more options and children weren’t in danger of being orphaned so easily. Yes some children still lost their parents, but not as often or easily as here. It did warm my heart though, to know that Shingen and Kenshin both did what they could to help these children. “It’s sad that they’ve lost their parents, but I am glad that Shingen and Kenshin are helping them.”

Kanako smiled. “Yes. They are truly kind lords and we are lucky to live under their rule.”

“Is there any other work that needs to be done?” I asked.

Kanako smiled. “Yes, we have plenty of work to go around.”

I spent the rest of the day getting started on another commission. During that time the young boy returned and gave me the news that the nobleman had enjoyed my work and also gave me my portion of the fee. He was then leaving to take more deliveries into town. The seamstresses and I all worked till late in the afternoon before they were leaving to head to their homes. I headed to my room, an extra spring in my step as I went.

I was definitely excited to have earned my first “paycheck” here. Though I knew Shingen was likely to buy me anything I needed, just as I was offered to have anything bought for me by Nobunaga and the others when I was in Azuchi, I still preferred earning my own money. It was a source of pride for me to be able to earn money on my own. Though that wasn’t the only reason I was so happy.

Shingen had made it a habit of coming by my room every night after we had both finished up our days. We would share a meal or sweets together and view the moon. We chatted about things…Shingen flirted with me. Sometimes we would be up late, other times our nights would end a bit early…either way I always looked forward to them and enjoyed my time with Shingen.

The sun was just starting to set when Shingen knocked on my door. “Are you ready for our evening, Ava?” Shingen asked as he poked his head into my room.

I smiled at him. “Yes, come in.”

He smiled as me as he slid the door the rest of the way open. He had a package tucked under his large arm. “You are looking lovely even more radiant tonight.” He said as he came to sit beside me on the tatami mat floor. “You have a glow about you.”

I felt myself flushing as usual from his compliments. “Oh, I guess I’m just excited about having finished my first commission here.” I replied. “Even though I didn’t get to meet my customer… but it does feel nice to have my own money for the festival tomorrow.”

“I see.” Shingen replied. “You know when we attend I will buy you anything you wish.”

“I had a feeling you would say that.” I told him. “But I don’t want to rely on your kindness all the time.”

“You like to be independent.” Shingen stated, observing me.

I nodded. “Yes…when I was young…well my father left. My mother struggled to become independent, but eventually she figured things out and provided for herself and me…in the process she taught me that it was important to have a skill to fall back on and that just because a woman gets married that she didn’t have to give up her independence.”

“It sounds like your mother is a strong woman.” Shingen replied. “Who raised another strong woman.”

I nodded. “Yes, she was.” I replied. I could feel my eyes getting misty so I mentally shook myself. “Anyway, what is that you have there? Did you bring some new sweets?”

Shingen could sense this was a difficult topic for me so he didn’t press further. He smiled as he held out the package. “Actually, a present for you.” He said, holding the package out for me.

“I couldn’t possibly…Shingen you’ve already gifted me so much.”

“Please, accept it?” Shingen asked. “I actually would love to see you wear it to the festival tomorrow.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but Shingen was giving me puppy eyes…and there was no way I could say no. I accepted the package and opened it to find a very familiar yukata. “YOU were my mystery customer?”

Shingen gave me a sheepish smile. “Yes…are you upset with me over it?”

I shook my head. “No…I’m flattered in fact.” I replied, my cheeks reddening. “So…you’ll be wearing…”

“The matching one, yes.” Shingen replied with a smile. 

I flushed further thinking about matching Shingen for the festival. The thought he had put into this…it was so sweet. On impulse, I leaned towards him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Shingen.”

If I wasn’t mistaken, I thought I might have seen a flush on Shingen’s cheeks as well. “If it earns me kisses, I’ll happily continue to commission your work.”

I giggled and blushed. “You don’t have to do that…”

“Hmm, then what else can I do to earn more of your sweet kisses?” Shingen asked, smiling warmly at me, as he lifted a hand to caress my cheek.

I felt my face heating up beneath his palm. “W-well…I mean you…don’t really have to do anything…I just…I just wanted to…”

It was then that I felt his soft warm lips on my forehead. “You’re far too adorable, Ava.” He murmured.

My heart was a jackhammer in my chest. “Th-the sun is still…setting…why don’t we go watch it together?” I suggested, trying to get the focus off of me.

“Whatever you wish, my goddess.” Shingen replied, standing up and offering his hand to me.

I placed my hand in his and allowed him to help me to my feet. Then we walked out to the veranda and sat down to take in the sunset. My heart was able to calm down by getting to focus on the beautiful colors of the sunset sky.

“I can see why sunset is your favorite color.” Shingen said, calling back to our conversation on our first date.

“I’m surprised you remember that. It feels like that conversation was so long ago now.” I replied.

“I remember every word you tell me, Ava. Especially when it’s something about yourself.” Shingen replied.

I turned to look at him and he was looking right back at me, his gray eyes soft and full of honesty. It seemed he really did want to make this marriage work and make me happy. It made me wonder if he was starting to feel the same way about me as I was about him. “I…I think the same about when you tell me things.” I replied.

Shingen smiled. “I am glad to hear that you find me just as intriguing as I find you.”

We soon fell into a companionable silence as we both turned back to the setting sun. Night was soon falling and we were completely in the dark as the moon shown above and all of the twinkling little stars. The sky was so gorgeous here with no light pollution to block its natural beauty. It was peaceful, sharing the night together with Shingen. I hoped we would be able to enjoy more nights like this together.

The next night…

During the day Shingen had some work he had to finish up before the festival. So I spent the day with Saki getting ready. “So, are you excited?” Saki asked me as she helped me put up my hair.

“Yes.” I answered. “It will be fun to spend the festival with Shingen…and I still can’t believe he was the one to order the yukata from me…and making a matching set for the both of us…”

Saki giggled. “Do you like the fabrics?” She asked.

“Yes, they’re stunning.” I answered.

“He asked me to pick them out.” Saki said as she was pulling my hair up into a braided bun.

“Really? And you didn’t tell me?!”

“I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.” Saki replied. “Besides, I thought it was very sweet and I was happy to help.”

“Well, thank you.” I replied.

Saki was finished with my hair and then moving to sit in front of me and do my makeup. “So, how are things progressing with you two anyways?” She asked. “You think you’ll be inviting Lord Shingen to your bed after the festival tonight?” She asked with a giggle and suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows.

I couldn’t help but to giggle. “I…we haven’t even kissed on the lips yet!”

Saki clucked her tongue at me. “Well then you’ll just have to remedy that. You kiss him at the festival and then invite him back here.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “I…I don’t know about that…”

“Do you not want to kiss him?” Saki asked. “Or go to bed with him?”

“It’s not that.” I replied. “I mean…we’re still getting to know each other…and stuff.”

Saki gave me a look. “What stuff? Come on, we’re friends. Talk to me.”

I sighed. “I just…there’s just no need to rush things.” I replied with a shrug. “And… it’s nice… to be romanced like this.”

Saki smiled. “Well, I can see how that would feel nice…just saying I get the feeling other things would feel nice with Lord Shingen.”

I giggled. “I have no doubts.” I replied. “But I mean…it just feels nice to be romanced, wooed, even.”

“I understand.” Saki said. “And you SHOULD enjoy it. You deserve it.”

“Speaking of romance…you have certainly been spending a lot of time with Yukimura.” I told her, my tone taking on a teasing lilt as I did my best to get the subject off of me.

Saki shook her head. “We just happen to work closely together considering he serves Lord Shingen and I serve you.” She replied. “He is cute…a bit of a moron at times though. He’s fun to argue with…of course ninja boy is cute too.”

“Oh? You like Sasuke?” I asked.

“He’s cute, but he says a lot of strange things I don’t understand, even more than you do.” She replied. “But I don’t see anything happening there other than friendship.”

“Why not?” I asked. “Sasuke is a perfectly good guy.”

“Oh, he is, I agree.” Saki replied as she put some rouge on my lips and at the corners of my eyes. “But I just don’t feel it.” She answered with a shrug. “No spark.”

“That makes sense.” I replied. “What about with Yukimura?”

Saki frowned at me. “No.”

I giggled. “I think you’re lying there.”

“I said he’s fun to argue with.” Saki replied. “There is no way I could be with someone like him. He has ZERO tact. Boy is blunt as an anvil.”

“I’ll give you that.” I replied laughing. “But you know, I think you’re protesting a bit much…”

Saki gave me a look. “Just remember I AM currently applying your makeup. My hand could slip VERY easily.”

I giggled. “Alright, alright.”

Saki finished applying my makeup and helped me into the yukata. By the time she had finished, there was a knock on my door. “Ava, are you ready?”

“Yes.” I answered as I made my way over to the door and slid it open to reveal Shingen standing on the other side. Instantly I regretted not preparing myself for how handsome Shingen was going to look in the clothing I made. Of course, a lot of that had to do with how he wore it… with the top half so open, revealing his perfectly sculpted chest.

“You look even more beautiful in that yukata than I imagined.” Shingen said, smiling at me as he reached for my hand, bringing it to his lips.

I felt my cheeks flushing instantly…he seemed to always reduce me to a blushing mess. “Thank you.” I managed to get out. “You…you look amazing as well.”

“How about I just go ahead to the festival and leave the two of you alone?” Saki suggested. She was then winking at me as she walked by and whispered to me, “I am sure no one will miss you if you miss the festival.”

“You did a splendid job on this.” Shingen told me, gesturing to the jinbei I had madam which matched my yukata. “It is comfortable and fashionable.”

“I am glad you like it.” I replied, smiling from his genuine praise.

“Are you ready to go?” He asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

Shingen took my hand in his and led me out of my room. “I am looking forward to this festival with you tonight.” He told me as we walked from the castle and headed towards the town.

I smiled. “I am looking forward to it, too.” I replied. “Of course, I think you’re really looking forward to all of the festival sweets.” I teased.

Shingen chuckled. “And hopefully Saki is keeping Yukimura busy enough that he won’t come near me to lecture me.”

I giggled. “Oh, I am sure she will.” I had a feeling we were in for a fun night. I couldn’t help but to feel excitement bubbling up in my chest in anticipation for this night.

#ikesen shingen #ikemen sengoku shingen #shingen takeda #otome shingen #cybird shingen #ikesen #ikemen sengoku #ikesen au #arranged marriage #cybird ikemen #cybird otome #fanfic #ikemen series #otome boys #fanfiction #cybird

[persnicketypomelo]

All right my dude, you ask for some different fandom request(s) and here I am.

What do you think of someone meeting the T1000 from Terminator 2 and (somehow!) the machine decided that it has a strange affinity for you? That it would rather follow you and insure you’re safety than to hunt down John Connor.

If you’re unfamiliar with the fandom/don’t want to write for the character I totally understand.

May inspiration strike you like lightning on whatever you decide to write!

That's a really good idea! The actor who plays T-1000 is really good at portraying a robotic inhuman android--awesome performance from him in the movie.

Yandere T-1000 Scenario

These androids have some degree of sentience, not in the way that we are familiar with as humans, but enough to make independent decisions

As to why his or its focus shifts to you is a bit of an anomaly

Perhaps you remind him, in some way, of the target he was sent to the past to eliminate

Humans are simple, fleshy, vulnerable

Maybe that is why the T-1000 decides you are in need of its protection

It is unlikely you would know that this android is stalking you at first

Eventually, the odd feeling that something is off in the people around you creeps up, to the point you can't ignore the uncomfortable sensation

So you decide to test your uneasiness by casually bringing up past memories in conversation with the suspicious friends and family, but with a deliberate error

Perhaps an important detail left out or a construed event

To your alarm, none of the people you test point out your mistake

Something is definitely wrong

It's why you take a few essential belongings and drive out-of-town to a motel in the middle-of-nowhere

Just until you can figure out what is making the hair on the back of your neck quiver and stand on end

You pull into the parking lot only to be greeted by a young boy trailed by a stoic looking man in sunglasses

It is hard to believe the boy--John Connor as he calls himself--when he says that you're being followed by an android sent from the future

It is even more impossible to believe when the man behind the boy, who also claims to be a robot, says that the...thing...following you is a T-1000 android, an advanced, indestructable model sent by some company called "Skynet"

You almost entertain the possibility that you are dreaming this whole interaction, until the man--android tells you that this model shapeshifts into people it's killed

And then you connect the dots with the strange behavior of your friends and family...

Had that...thing killed them? Was it using their forms to deceive you? What did it want from you?

The android accompanying the boy notes that it is quite unusual that the T-1000 had not killed you yet, and it puzzles both of them as to why it is stalking you

All you know is that the boy tells you that his android will keep you safe, and offers for you to join them in their journey to Pescadero State Hospital

With little other options to avoid the android invading your life, you agree to go with them

When you next encounter the T-1000, you know it is him the moment you see his dead eyes in the asylum

You've never see that face before, but you recognise the unsettling chill you feel run down your spine

And that he-it melts through the bars of the gate as soon it meets your eyes

As if the android could just choose what physical laws apply to him

The whole time as you glance back the rear window of the police car, until his running form fades to a small speck, you can feel his eyes trained on you

Even once he's no longer out of sight, you know better than to believe that you're safe

Your nightmares are just beginning

#terminator #terminator 2 #t 1000 #john connor #reader insert #x reader #stalking #horror #yandere

[extreme-neutral]

The Siedestep ask is still pinned to your dash. New day, new questions, or is that too cheeky? I'll ask anyway.😈

21. what is their philosophy? 24. how do they typically come across to strangers? to friends? do they frequently use their telepathy to influence others’ perceptions of them? 30. what is their love life like?

Yes, I still have no creative outlet in the evenings, so those are very much appreciated, thank you!!

You went with tough ones tho :,D

21. what is their philosophy?

Oh no, I didn’t have the time to pick on other people’s answers to this 🥲

Ok, it means like a rule he lives by or some such right? Hmm..

Let’s go with “Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”

With Cy you always get the treatment you provide. It goes for every timeline.

He is also very pragmatic, he doesn’t initiate anything unless it’s a part of some plan.

Also, sorry for repeating myself but, a goal and a way to execute it is all that matters. Tho the later might get somewhat skewed due to stupid feels, much to his chagrin.

24. how do they typically come across to strangers? to friends? do they frequently use their telepathy to influence others’ perceptions of them?

I’ll start from the end: with strangers he won’t think twice to use telepathy to influence their perception, tho he doesn’t need it to do so.

So to strangers he comes across as whatever he needs to, if they even notice him. On average - a polite young man.

To friends - well, bold of you to assume he has those.

Really tho, it’s an impossible question to answer. He’s as real around closer people, as his fake adaptive ass can be, except he wouldn’t want them to worry about him for whatever reason. He won’t use telepathy to influence their perception of him, only to scan for hidden emotions or as a lie detector.

So it would depend on a friend’s perception, how Cy comes across. If he was my friend, I’d see him as a friendly, but shy, helpful, but independent and very private and introverted, but not in a suspicious, creepy way? I’d also genuinely laugh at his stupid jokes even tho I’d know he uses humour to deflect.

30. What is their love life like?

The what now? :x

Ok, fine.

I actually liked the now-nurfed hidden label in Rebirth that stated “sexual_experience = shy” (or something like that) ‘cause it really suits Cy.

He wouldn’t intentionally flirt with anyone, wouldn’t initiate a relationship. He keeps his old-ass crush on Ortega hidden even when faced with a real option to try being romantic with him!

Romance is a liability, love is unnecessary, attachment is a risk, aaand he’s kissing Marshal Steel. 😐

There is an explanation, I swear! I think it’s touched upon in an old fic somewhere…

Guess he envied Spoon for a minute and it span from there.

It’s weird, ok. He made piece with never having a love life what’s with the whole re-gene thing. Even the hug in the park was a BIG fucking thing to him. And a kiss at Chen’s place left him in shambles. He has NO experience in romance and this makes him feel very inadequate. He will definitely try to rationalise his way out of this and at least make it very weird for the both of them 👍

#oof this came out long #sorry #i’d answer this YESTERDAY #if I’d have straighter hands and didn’t accidentally delete half of it #fhr #Cyrus Becker #character study #babbling

[stonebricks-mcytstuff]

I absolutely love the Hermitcraft kingdom arc they’re doing right now because my brain is getting so many ideas (this became really long so I put them all under the read more)

We’ve got:

A sad pathetic wet dog of a king. Trying so hard to become menacing and enforcing rules but his pathetic vibes just overshadow his “kingliness”. If the pathetic hermit survey ever makes a comeback he would absolutely be my first option on there. Also his establishment of a new type of currency (~Royal Emeralds~) because his diamond coffers are empty is giving me DerpCoin flashbacks and I see absolutely no issue with this uh huh no siree this will go down well in Hermitcraft, a diamond currency server, mhmm, no problems here at all chief

A yes man with a knife ready to stab you in the back, the kingmaker Bdubs has once again put another person on a position of power that he is actually the true owner of. This scrunkly moss man has enamored me with his really obvious “villainous henchman who is ready to replace his boss any moment” vibes and honestly you go king— I mean, Royal Architect, sir

A king’s court that are like, one second away from taking the throne away from Ren themselves. 4/6 of them were at the Xisuma party (Bdubs, Cleo, Joe, and Cub) and yet only Bdubs was the only one who owned up to it. Their loyalties to the King are on absolute thin ice that I won’t be surprised if several (or all of them) become moles for any resistance brewing up on the server (or pull an Eret and betray Ren for like, The Perimeter or something). Cub’s video has most them ready to jump ship (or attempt regicide) during the part where King Ren is asking for their loyalty and paying them with ~Royal Emeralds~ so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Plus, the king’s court and the lack of diamonds in his vault isn’t even the only issue that our king has, we’ve also got:

Menace #1: Pesky Bird himself. I absolutely love that he is aware that we’re expecting a resistance from him, and his N.A.R. bit is very funny because it feels like he would break any second now and just pull out a resistance plan board behind the N.A.R. wall (not to mention his Rift thing because his way of telling a story with the AU Grumbot slaps)

Menace #2: Just a Tomato Farmer, Docm77, ruler of the independent state of the Perimeter. Honestly he feels like an overpowered supervillain who got bored of being a villain, so he got a piece of land that he could use for tomato farming and other farms that are gamebreaking but mostly for fun, but now King RentheKing is pulling the tyrant arc and Doc is like “whoops, time to go back to being super evil, I guess” and just pulls a L’manberg arc but he’s the overpowered one in the situation so what is Ren even going to do about him? Also, his Goat Tapes and the Perimeter National Anthem are ABSOLUTE BANGERS I highly recommend giving those a listen if you want to hear cool music alongside gamebreaking

Menaces #3, #4, & #5: the Soup Group. I’m not even surprised that Impulse, capitalist CEO of several shops on the server, is the first to take a stand against King Ren “thy must throw your diamonds into the pit” the King. Pearl “cleaning lady who likes to make soup but my past life is an absolute wet cat of a serial killer and a queen who will kick your ass” is also not a person that I’m surprised about. Gem, however, has that “my friends are doing this thing so I might as well join them” vibes and I love that for her. Also, GeminiSlay will be fun to see right alongside the other two who are admittedly bloodthirsty in their own rights (though for Impulse an interesting thing to think about is how Bdubs being on the other side of this “conflict” affects his plans, seeing as the Life series is vaguely canon on Hermitcraft so that is also fun food for thought). In their trio meeting as well, the way that the three of them plan to do a resistance by annoying the king off the throne is top tier, and the way that their vibe is “We’re going to destroy a monarchy :D” is something that I want to see further because I want to imagine a future Hermitcraft episode where this trio has “Committing Regicide | Hermitcraft Season 9” in their episode titles and it is just them putting Ren in a death loop while still using their positive vibes voices (This is me just wanting to see more GeminiSlay, Unhinged 5AM Pearl, and also maybe a bloodthirsty Impulse, don’t mind me)

This isn’t even my entire rant I can keep going with the rest of the hermits but yeah I love Hermitcraft Season 9 so much any hermit posting a new video is a joy to watch (even if it isn’t Hermitcraft content because I am here for the content creators on Hermitcraft and not necessarily Hermitcraft content itself). I am that one guy who is camped at the Hermitcraft website and being excited when the “All Videos” section updates, don’t mind me kskskksksksks

#hermitcraft #king ren #rentheking #renthedog #bdoubleo100 #bdubs #zombiecleo #joe hills #cubfan135 #grian #docm77 #soup trio #soup group #impulsesv #pearlescentmoon #geminitay #sb rambles

[spikeinthepunch]

i made a post a bit ago before the reddit black out even happened, talking about how many AI written articles i find when searching for answers on stuff- usually things a little more specific (questions for video games, tech, everyday things but more specific to you, etc. not just "what city is this state in"). its bad- i basically get that or i get reddit threads when i google. and before the reddit black out, i hadnt thought too much about how those AI threads would be.... the only thing left behind if i didnt have reddit. still i watched the reddit black out live, i watched /r/funny go private at midnight. and yet it didnt really hit the importance of reddit until i went on the next day looking for help on a mac laptop i was restoring and realized all the reddits i checked were private. needing mod help for my server, all private. searching reddit for a game i couldnt remember, private.

theres a lot on the internet that needs to be preserved, kept alive, kept relevant. over and over i see people reminisce on old forums and how theyre gone and be brought back- and i think no ones follows through with the format because places like reddit at least fulfill that to some extent. staying with the mainstream is easier and its understandable, bc its relevant and trying to start up your little forum and advertise it isnt easy. Reddit being mainstream becomes the useful google option for a niche forum subject without being a lone forum you probably wont find in typical google search.

and now Reddit isn't available. the most mainstream iteration of those lovely little forums of discussion and support is not available. does it hit now? does it sink in now how bad this is? the past year- maybe even less than a year- has been so so chaotic and bad for the internet. instagram starting turning into tiktok a while back with its changes to feed and format. youtube has slowly followed suit with forcing short's as more relevant for creators than normal videos. twitter did... well, all of That, a lot of Things. Reddit goes along to make their API paid for. Discord turning to the methods on social media, with username changes and more. tumblr is also shifting so much of their entire deal, i think you should all be prepared for tumblr to become unrecognizable too because theres many hints of it happening- some already here.

when i made my personal website over a year ago, it was partially fun but it was a statement for myself too. it was recognition that social media had become unhealthy for me, and i didnt like how it was The thing that existed now, and that bigs corps suddenly taking more and more control of the web was bad and not something i wanted to be stuck with. but suddenly its not just a gentle step to the side i have taken, still knowing i can be on social media to see my friends and build an audience. but now it feels more like all the walls are crumbling around me, and soon i will have no choice but to jump ship entirely. i went from one, to the other, to tumblr where i had always been- the one site that stuck out from the others at least. had an 'old' format. in many ways you need social media.... because its how you made your friends, its how you stay in touch, its how communities get built these days!!

we can try to move back to the independent, the personal sites, the forums, but we all know its not easy. thats truth. its not going to spread as far as we'd hope, many will not follow suit or not know they can. i can only imagine all the old, tech unaware people who will continue to use the internet, never realizing why they struggle to get info or unknowingly follow nonsense AI articles, and have no idea that anything exists outside of the bubble theyre forced into. Not even the old people, but the young generations that will grow into that too and not get out of it.

im just waiting for the mainstream internet to just become entirely unusable from our perspective and its dreadful to me. trying not to be a doomer but i dont think its something you cant ignore when something as simple as googling slightly more specific questions brings nothing but AI nonsense articles or reddit posts and when one of those massive and only relevant sources is down, there is suddenly nothing.

[oswinsdolma]

i've been reading a bunch of modern aus lately, and i've noticed that quite a lot are a bit uncertain about how the british education system works. it's not a problem by any means, but for anyone who wants it, here is a brief explanation:

we don't say "grades", we say "years", e.g. 7th grade would be year 7. we also don't say things like freshman/sophomore/senior etc. it's just the numbers.

however, some primary schools split into infants and juniors, infants being from yR-2 and juniors being y3-6

we also have a national curriculum all throughout compulsory education, which means everyone studies the same thing, more or less. there are discrepancies at GCSE/A-level with different exam boards, but in general, most people take either the same, or very similar exams, and are taught the same skills.

you start primary school when you are four or five in year R, and continue through primary school from years 1-6.

at the end of year six, you take the SATS, which are a really insubstantial national standardised test for english, maths and spag

it is also optional to take an exam called the 11+ at the end of y6. if you pass, you can go to grammar school. these can be state or private, and are basically redundant nowadays, and just used so parents can say that their child passed the 11+ and got into the Smart School. These are usually single gender and low-key cult like, but otherwise, are exactly the same as normal state "comprehensive" schools.

secondary school is from y7-11. at the end of y11, everyone takes the GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education). you have to do english, maths and sciences, plus several other subjects. most people have between 7-13 GCSEs, and if you fail english language or maths, you have to retake until you pass, even into college.

GCSEs are graded on a scale of 9-1, 9 being an equivalent to A** and is the top 1% of the students who got 7+, and 1 being an F/U. the pass mark is a 4.

the grades you get in your GCSEs are kind of irrelevant, except they determine which subjects you can take for A-level.

After secondary school, you have to stay in full time education for another two years (allegedly, though ik a few people who dropped out), and most people do A-levels (Advanced Level Exams). Instead of doing loads of subjects like at GCSE, you pick 3-4 and study them for two years. these are a LOT HARDER than GCSEs.

if you do four a levels, you're kind of a try hard. honestly, if you do it, good for you, but as a cultural thing, so many people who did four a levels were the most insufferable people who only did it to gloat, and then couldn't handle the workload.

oh, also this entire system is pretty much 100% exam based. for 2/3 of my a levels, i had a coursework essay that was pre graded, but it was only worth 20% of my final grade, and those were rare occurrences. at GCSE, unless you do art or something like that, everything is exam based.

A-levels are graded on a scale of A*-E, and then a U if you literally get nothing. which happens more often than you might think.

this is the bit that i see a lot of people get confused about. in the UK, we don't call university "college". college, to us, is where you take your a levels. if it's an independent institution, it's a "college/further education centre". if it's attached to a secondary school, it's called a "sixth form" (because y12 was year six of senior school in the old system).

i'm sorry i'm trying to be as clear as i can but our education system is complex af

your A-level grades determine where you can apply to uni, which you HAVE to do through a system called UCAS.

UCAS (the university and colleges admissions service) is a national system where you put in all your details required to apply for uni. you start it in the june of y12 and send it in by January** IN MOST CASES

to apply for uni, you need to list all your qualifications/details, predicted grades, personal statement essay and teacher references. this all gets submitted by your school.

HOWEVER. if you are applying to medicine, vet, dentistry, oxford or cambridge, the deadline is in october, and you have to submit written work, do multiple assessments and do rounds of interviews in addition to everything else (would not recommend).

you can also apply to conservatoire for music/drama schools, which tend to have their own deadlines and systems because they're not technically universities

okay nearly at the end

the closest thing we have to an Ivy League is the Russell Group, but it's not as prestigious. Russell Group unis tend to be higher ranked, offer niche courses and demand high grade requirements.

Oxford and Cambridge are not normal universities. i CANNOT stress this enough. you apply through ucas, but the courses themselves are unique and highly competitive (the one i applied for had like 10 spaces)(i got rejected lmao). also they are arranged in colleges within the uni, so it's like a collection of tiny unis linked by a larger institution. colleges are not subject specific and most of them have weird cults. if you're writing oxbridge students, google it, not just for accuracy, but because it's absolutely hilarious.

interviews are also more like interrogations. i was reduced to tears on several occasions, and you also have to swear not to reveal the questions you were asked (everyone does it anyway but STILL IT'S WEIRD). for example, one of my interviews, i was given a poem about feet and asked to analyse it on the spot over a blurry zoom screen. they don't ask you about yourself. they don't ask you about school. they just quickfire questions at you for forty minutes and roll their eyes when you take more than a few seconds to answer.

we also don't have majors/minors. you choose one subject that you apply for specifically, and spend 3-7 years studying that subject pretty much exclusively. the only deviations from this might be if you were taking archaeology and took an art history class or something — everything is really closely related.

we can also drink at 18. not that an age limit has ever stopped anyone in the uk from getting drunk. getting pissed in a field is a major pastime for anyone from the ages of 12-28. it's a problem.

instead of having dorms at uni, most people live in flats. there will be like ten people on a corridor with a shared kitchen. you only live in university housing for your first year, unless you are at oxbridge, in which case i think it's mandatory to live in your college for your whole course.

community college and private universities aren't a thing either. when you apply to uni, you apply to student finance (unless your parents are absolutely LOADED and pay for you) and get a loan for your tuition, and also a maintenance loan based on your household income, which is used to pay for rent, food, etc. you cannot be exempt from financial aid but a lot of people do not receive enough, particularly in recent years when the cost of living in the uk has gone up so much.

university is roughly £9-10k per year (depending on where you study) which is a Lot. but why are people in the US paying hundreds of thousands of dollars, are you guys okay???

also, if you're scottish, university in scotland is free. they also have a standard four year systm rather than the three year system in england and wales (idk about ni i didn't apply there). why?? because the english government is absolute shite and they got rid of the state university programme for england (blame the tories)

don't do your research on the student room. just don't. for your own sake.

and a couple more cultural things before we leave off

we all wear uniform until we get to year twelve. everyone. even the four year olds.

Nottingham Trent university is just the butt of so many jokes and I really don't understand why (they're not even the lowest in the league table 😭😭)

Durham is full of Oxbridge rejects who are in denial about it, and is also the butt of a lot of jokes

everything i have mentioned so far is about STATE education. private education runs on different tracks: you have prep schools, which run from yR-8, and senior schools that run from y9-11, and most of them have attached sixth forms. there is a massive cultural and economic divide between state and private school kids, because they get so much more help applying for uni, and also there is so much nepotism in our government. like. politicians wear their old school ties in parliament so they know who to give favours to. it's AWFUL.

some private schools are so fancy they loop back around and are known as "public schools". they're schools like Eton, Harrow, Winchester, Marlborough, etc. really old institutions that basically guarantee you a place at oxbridge because of family legacy (though this has got a lot better over the last decade or so)(but they still have an unfair advantage).

a lot of compulsory education schools are really religious because education in the uk used to be run basically by the church, and the church still own a lot of schools. universities though, even the ones with roots in the church, are atheistic, their religious links symbolic or supplementary to their main purpose.

okay that ended up being way longer than i thought, but i hope someone finds this useful when writing, or at least interesting.

#writing #writeblr #fanfiction #also if it wasn't clear i hate private education with a passion #how did bojo get into oxford fr

[scratchandplaster]

Stack The Deck - PART 11

CW: obsessive thoughts, drug mention

Intermezzo ⇽ [Masterlist] ⇾ PART 12

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Yaletown Park looked more like a rocky desert than anything adjacent to the open hangout it was sold as, especially in the hollow glow of the streetlights. Caught between high-risers and vacant retail space, the few square meters of cobble only offered some trash or needles to pluck from the ground. If the grass patches shooting out here and there were ever kept trim in the first place remained a mystery.

Behind a strategically chosen planter sat a reserved man, smoking the second pack of the day and stewing in his jaded mood, still waiting for whoever wanted to stop by. All this was normal for Morris by now.

The evening had started promising, with frat boys strolling along the sidewalk and a few girls in tow; a view that was starting to become more and more frequent. He smiled joylessly, remembering how he met Amber on a night like this.

More than a year must've passed since then, he figured, trying to cling onto thoughts that wouldn't shock him with memories of someone he didn't have to think about anymore. At least when he was chased around enough.

"You're gonna sit there until I tell you otherwise!"

Goddamn. Not that it was easy for Belanger either, patrolling the streets to prospect the usual scum. No regret laid in avoiding each other, but since Morris was dependent on any signal to engage with the more casual clientele, he was stuck in place. 

That's what I get for my not so tight scheduling. 

As a fixer caught at the bottom of the food chain, and honest to god no agency or willingness to change his position, it was better to keep his mouth shut and head down. But with skin still in the game, did he have another option? For all he cared, they could make him do their laundry and scrub all crack houses of the state squeaky-clean. Anything else than ending up in Dutch's office with that thing-  

Another thought he quickly shoved aside, another problem to ignore till it blew up.

Except a lone hobo who threw up way too close to his shoes, nothing ripped Morris out of the daydreaming that kept his last sliver of sanity alive. The risk of being arrested on the spot or stabbed to death by someone who needed cash even more than him aside, the prize of it all was just...surviving.

"One day you wake up, and your whole life is spent in what?" Amber's life lesson was now sober reality, spot-on to the last detail.

Hearing her voice again used to pierce through his gut and leave him wrecked with self-hatred, although these feelings had died down in the time they spent apart. Not that he didn't try to distract himself from the distraction, oh no, he had several chances to drown out boiling memories of past love during the spring months, but this year it was different. Nobody was waiting at home. Morris couldn't let go, not this time, not since her...since him-

If Belanger didn't call right now, he would find a good use for all those narcotics in his pocket.

A break from it all, that's what he needed to work himself to the bone for. 

Wrapping his leather jacket closer around his body, Morris wished to disappear into it completely. Even the colorful August couldn't hide that it had gotten colder in the last days of an already far too chilly summer. 

Without any warning, his peaceful solitude was interrupted again. 

A figure stumbled blindly along the sidewalk. Morris' gaze followed them closely, how disoriented feet pushed each other forward and finally letting them flop down onto a bench near the park's exit.

Drunk or high, certainly. Care for another round? 10 bucks for a flat of fentanyl - dark green, quite popular at the moment. 

Still, Belanger didn't give him the go-ahead yet. Maybe he should make today's slow business hum: be proactive, independent. Write it on a resume, why not.

His stiff knee gave an audible crack as it was forced to stand straight, lazily stretching the sore muscles in his back and taking the first few steps towards his potential customer, Morris started to become flustered. 

Could be a setup, for all he knew. Something was off. 

The soon-to-be buyer was wrapped up in shadows, sitting quietly by themself and only rarely mumbling at the stones below their feet.

He approached until their shoes nearly touched, time to play offense: "You good?"

Nothing. Awkward, he wasn't used to making the first move like this.

Shoving at the motionless shoulders only made their head flop forward, and a forced sigh quickly followed it. First week on campus, probably, lost their friends and self-control only to aimlessly walk around the neighborhood.

"You definitely had enough fun for today, buddy," Morris scoffed, ready to turn around. 

Suddenly, he faltered. They had to rethink Belanger's strategy if he ought to stay here, passed-out freshmen were only good for catching unwanted attention and as long as Dutch didn't want to see his ass in jail, any cops on patrol should be avoided. Not that they lost sleep about the mass of catatonic bodies scattered throughout the city streets, just when they were seen in the wrong parts of town - the pleasant ones.

"Move," so he demanded, quickly lifting up their chin, nestled against the stiff collar of their windbreaker, with his fist. "You're gonna get me in trouble."

The hot breath against Morris' hand sent shivers up his spine. After nights like these, he felt mostly frozen numb, but the air coming out in labored and shallow puffs let his fingers tingle with newfound life.

Suddenly, the howl of an ambulance cut through the silence. Not for them, of course, it was surely headed east. As it took a turn and rushed past the unusual couple, Morris caught a quick glimpse of his vis-à-vis.

For less than a heartbeat, his body froze.

His mouth began to open and close like a fish on land, unable to produce a single word, whilst the prickle spread from his back through every inch of his body. A wonderful illusion bloomed under the blue-red-blue-red flicker and as quickly as it had reached both, it left them alone in the nightly glow of streetlights.

Morris didn't hear himself gasp, the rush of blood in his ears was too deafening. Now dead focused on the freckle-sprinkled skin, tousled dark hair and soft lashes, an inward pull kept him from blinking: the fear that he would be ripped out of his trance.

No dream, no wishful thinking. Morris would recognize this face anywhere.

"Elliot?"

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

Thanks for reading 🤍 [Masterlist]

Taglist: @whatwasmyprevioususername, @canislycaon24

#stack the deck #christoph morris oc #elliot ribera oc #they are b-b-b-back #only took me 8 months whoops #happy halloween #nothing is scarier than meeting your whumper while plastered #whump series #kidnapping #not really but kinda #whump #whumpblr #creative writing #whump community #lima syndrome #drug mention #accidental overdose #disabled whumpee #drug addiction #fentanyl mention #obsessive whumper #recapture #but offscreen

[oraclekleo]

Lee Hee Seung (Enhypen) Ideal Job Characteristics based on Tarot Reading

Hello and welcome!

I’m Kleo and I’m here to present some k-pop related tarot readings to you.

I have received a request to tell what would Enhypen members do if they weren't idols. Well... I don't really work with 'if' questions but I can tell you the ideal job for the members, same as I can tell the ideal partner. So I have come up with this new type of spread.

Please, let me know if it meets your criteria! I have picked Heeseung as my lab rat today but I truly need a feedback when this is the first time I'm trying this kind of reading! Thank you!

Disclaimer:

I would like to state that all these readings have a purely entertainment nature and their purpose is to bring some fun into my and hopefully yours lives. I have never ever met any of the idols / actors / celebrities in my readings, I don’t know them personally. Tarot reading isn’t an exact science and I can never guarantee any of it. Most of it is my intuition mixed with fantasy. Don’t take these readings seriously and don’t base any important decisions on tarot readings only, use your common sense.

If you wish to request a tarot reading, please read the pinned post on my profile first to see the instructions on how to request. I only do readings for idols / actors / celebrities of 18 years of age or older. Requests for readings including younger people will be automatically dismissed. If you feel uncomfortable with these tarot readings, do not engage in reading my posts. Thank you for understanding.

Reading Info:

Rating: PG13

Reading Type: Single - Couple

Requested: Yes - No

Deck: Tarot of the Divine

Spread: Ideal Job

Questions:

Field

Environment

Boss

Coworkers

Best aspect

Challenging factor

Full Name: Lee Hee Seung

Stage Name: Heeseung

Group: Enhypen

Lee Hee Seung

Heeseung (Enhypen)

Deck: Tarot of the Divine

Spread: Ideal Job

Field - XII The Hanged Man

If Heeseung wasn’t an idol he would probably choose to start his own business. It would be something where he could fully use his skills and abilities. He might become a freelance music or perhaps language tutor. He might go as far as establishing his own school. He’s skilled with words so the option of journalist or writer seems rather likely as well. The job would allow him to work on his own schedule without following other people’s rules.

Environment - 8 of Swords

Heeseung would probably like to travel a lot in his new job which goes together with being a journalist, writer or tutor as well. He would enjoy learning about people all around the world and talking to them. The only thing that might bother him would be the time zones. His sleep would get affected by those.

Boss - King of Cups

As said before, Heeseung would be his own boss. He might want to expand his business and maybe take in some subordinates. In that case he would be a good, fair and sensitive boss himself. He would always consider the well-being of his employees.

Coworkers - 2 of Cups

Heeseung would be well-liked by his coworkers. They would respect him and admire him for his skills and his sensitive approach. Some romance is even suggested. Heeseung should look out for someone special coming for a job interview and maybe getting a position in both his company and his heart.

Best aspect - I The Magician

The best aspect for Heeseung about being an independent entrepreneur is the fact he’s got everything under control and everything happens by his rules. He might come off as a very meticulous boss and he’s likely to check bills and other administrative processes most diligently. He’s likely to be the kind of boss who actually truly understands what his employees are doing and would be able to substitute them if needed, rather than the detached kind of superior with no idea what’s going on in his company.

Challenging factor - 2 of Swords

The biggest challenge for Heeseung would be the decision making. He would be the one who needs to decide and because he would be the boss, there would be nobody else to do it for him. He’s likely to go through some tough times when there are difficult choices in front of him but he’s got the wits to stand the challenge and come out victorious.

Thank you for reading!

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#enhypen #enhypen fluff #enhypen scenarios #enhypen imagines #enhypen tarot #enhypen heeseung #enhypen lee heeseung #heeseung fluff #heeseung scenarios #heeseung imagines #lee heeseung #lee heeseung fluff #lee heeseung scenarios #lee heeseung imagines #oracle kleo #kpop #kpop tarot #kpop enhypen