#and not like an author's twitter or someone saying it on a panel or something

[lilac-vode]

huge win for aromantics

they actually used the actual word in a canon source 🥹

#star wars #the high republic #vernestra rwoh #aromantic #yall im elated...correct me if im wrong but this must be the first instance of the actual word being used in a canon star wars source #and not like an author's twitter or someone saying it on a panel or something #photo is from dk's thr character encyclopedia!

[ventismacchiato]

25 behind the lens — a glimpse of us !

scaramouche x g!n reader

notes; the next day

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

You were quite grateful for the VIP pass Kuni gifted you with because it gave you a seat directly in front of the Fatui panel. You felt uneasy under the stares of your coworkers, but once your locked eyes with Kuni who sent you a tiny wave your stress was lifted.

You kept to yourself for the entire panel, most of the questions directed at the entire group. Most of it was stuff you already knew from being friends with them as Star.

You were zoned out and focusing on how good Kuni looked sitting behind his mic when you heard your name mentioned in a question. You turn your head to see a timid girl standing by the podium, her face pink from the entire room collectively letting out a cheer after her question.

“Can you repeat that?” Kuni asks, his brow quirked.

The girl cleared her throat, “What’s something Y/n does that flusters someone as poker-faced as you?”

You shrunk in your seat at the question, cheeks aflame at the implication.

Childe let out a low whistle as Kuni fiddled with his microphone’s wire for a few seconds, twirling the cord around his finger.

“Everything,” he eventually says, ears red as Heizou smacks him on the shoulder. Kuni looks at your figure before focusing back on the panel.

Everything.

You wondered if that included Star as well.

_________ ׂׂૢ་༘࿐

behind the lens !

masterlist — prev | next

the emoji key in case anyone was confused (⭐️ = star, 🍃 = venti, ⚔️ = xiao, ☀️ = aether, 🌸 = ayaka, 🍁 = kazuha, ☂️ = scara, 🥕= childe, 🔎 = heizou, 🧪 = albedo, 🦊 = nari)

click this to read the star qna pic easier if ur having trouble

title from joji

typo in childe’s text **each other longer

author’s notes — long time no see

synopsis — you, better known as STARDUST, and BALLADEER have always been in competition for the top streamer spot on twitch, which is especially impressive since the two of you have never shown your faces. you’ve never been on good terms, constantly one-upping each other in matches and getting into petty arguments on twitter, causing your fans to also dislike each other. that’s until BALLADEER does a face reveal that breaks the internet with his good looks…which makes you realize it’s the same guy you went on a date with last night. the type of date that made you crave to see him again. the only problem was he didn’t know you were STARDUST and he was way different behind the lens than he portrayed himself online to you. should you keep your identity a secret to salvage the relationship or just let him go?

taglist is closed — @captainzep @elysiumarchieve @plinkuro @sakkakuu-squared @eliqusgenma @vuvulia @kunikuzushiit @ins4nebish @stxrgxzxr @lilneps @uma-umie @goubaia @mitsukifilms @caesars-bubbles @wheneverthesunrise @its-like-twilight @kazuhalvrr @erosdevil @thenightsflower @p1utto @noodleshark420 @lxry-chxn @orbitscara @court-jester-stuff @lauragalliart @veyu002 @kaeyas-eyepatch-69 @leathernourishingshoepolish @satowaluverr @lexlapis @drunkwithfever @exhaustedcommunist @vincanzu @ainlaw @ovaliz @kitsuvil @whatamidoing89 @celestair @kunihaver @kazioli @xiaosoneandonly @cridtiins @cherrybeomgyu @asukahiriko @moon-320 @orionicchaos [1/3]

#scaramouche genshin #scaramouche x reader smau #scaramouche x you #scaramouche x y/n #scaramouche x gender neutral reader #genshin x reader #genshin smau #scaramouche smau #behind the lens smau

[mysterycitrus]

actually why do you think that modern batman comics writers are so bad at compelling 6-8 issue comic arcs? (obvi TT's current nw run is just robbed of any conflict that isn't straight up good guy vs bad guy and is didactic as hell to boot but i haven't really felt grabbed by anything bat-related dc has put out in the last three years). is it an unwillingness to really shake anything up?

a general lack of engaging storytelling is an endemic problem at dc that i think can be partially attributed to a bunch of bad editorial decisions — green arrow for example was only greenlit as a series because williamson was determined to write it amid all his other projects. the pacing and character work suffers as a result. it’s suuuper slow to try and read

taylor is an interesting example though because he’s a terminally online liberal gen xer who seems to write comics like he wants panels to go viral on twitter. there’s no stakes because he’s too centrist to actually put an opinion on paper that might trigger some internal reflection. he tried to call out chuck dixons violent homophobia but thanked him in the same tweet. it’s bad. he should not be in charge of a character like nightwing who’s historically had issues with authority and like….. is defined by his passion. there is a total absence of nuanced interpersonal conflict because like fanon, everyone in comics seems too afraid to have characters be actually wrong about something.

when we read sincerely interesting comics — especially main events like knightfall or murder + fugitive or no man’s land or even utrh — those comics remain interesting because the writers had a perspective and a story to tell. some of those perspectives are bad, mind, but at least there was something there. now, all these writers are online and getting both blind adoration and violent hatred which i think makes them too self conscious to legitimately try. i don’t think it’s a coincidence that the most engaging writing jason todd’s had since 2005 was written by gretchen felker martin in the furry comic, aka someone who has actual things to say.

#dick grayson #nightwing #batman #the ask and the answer #dc comics

[flashyfools]

months ago, while mindlessly scrolling through twitter, i came across an analysis of this particular panel from chapter 434 (i can’t remember who wrote the thread, i’m so sorry </3), and i really want to talk about it too.

(EDIT: original author of the thread is @goingbuggy!!! go check out their metas, they're amazing)

the thread was focusing on the way the speech bubble covers shanks's scar completely, and how it can be seen as a sign of vulnerability. oda is using shanks’s own words to hide his suffering, letting his physical scars be representative of his emotional ones, even though the event he’s talking about is completely unrelated to the way he got his scar.

in fact, we know shanks is not ashamed of the scar, since just a couple of pages after this one he mentions it directly as a way to start the conversation about blackbeard:

he doesn’t have a problem with the marking itself, it’s just used as a narrative device, a tool to highlight (in an extradiegetic way) his emotional wounds and the pain he always tries so hard to hide, in an effort to keep his usual composure.

the original author of the thread compared the panel from chapter 434 to another, way older one, from the very first chapter:

this takes place right after shanks loses his left arm to save luffy’s life. it’s obviously a very emotionally charged moment, which means the best thing to do would be showing a close-up of shanks’s reaction to everything that’s unfolding in front of him at that moment (luffy’s cries, or even his own reaction to his sacrifice). oda, however, chooses not to do that; instead, he hides half of shanks’s face, just like he did in chapter 434. the way the moment is portrayed tells the reader shanks is willing to hide his pain in an even deeper way than what he’s showing by smiling at luffy right after getting his arm chopped off.

it’s a great way to explain an important characteristic without stating it right away. it's a focal point of shanks's character: it's his way of showing luffy he cares about him and would much rather hide his suffering than pass it onto him, but it's also oda's way of conveying that shanks is much more vulnerable than what he allows himself to show.

having said that, the reason oda chose to bring back this framing in chapter 434 appears obvious: shanks misses buggy.

it’s plain to see, especially if we look at the whole page.

shanks tries so hard to act collected when talking about buggy, but it’s obvious that he’s hurting. his wording makes it clear he’s trying to detach from him (“that’s the end of it” + “rumors have it”); he acts like buggy doesn’t exist in his thoughts anymore, when it’s obvious he still does. he feels remorse, he regrets letting buggy go. he’s scared he might have been in the wrong. he knows he hurt buggy, but he desperately wishes he didn’t.

all of this weighs on him in a way he isn’t used to, so he locks these feelings up, thinking of them only in relation to something that happened in the past, and as so, stays in the past. he smiles while talking about him and buggy, but it’s a remorseful smile. he cuts the conversation short even though he vividly remembers what happened between them, and as he does so, his words hide the scar. he desperately tries to patch things up in his mind by exclusively clinging onto the good memories they share, but the remorse always creeps up on him. he always smiles when talking about buggy, even when he’s talking directly to him. but his smile always ends up looking sour.

this is exactly why i hate it when people say shanks doesn’t care about buggy. oda wouldn’t have given these panels so much depth if he didn’t want to show just how much shanks actually cares. even just the fact the panel we are focusing on directly mirrors a panel from the first chapter, one so important and impactful, should tell you everything you need to know.

buggy will always be shanks’s weakness. caring so much about someone when you’re a pirate of that caliber is difficult in itself, even more so when that someone is so far away from you now.

#one piece #shuggy #red haired shanks #buggy the clown #shanks #buggy #one piece meta #? i guess? #if you're the author of the original thread please PLEASE tell me so i can credit you properly!!! #fun fact: whitebeard mentions shanks's missing arm right after he's done talking about buggy. that's funny right #the fact oda chose to bring back That framing for shuggy is so positively insane to me #star yaps #i. still don't know how tumblr works

[marshymoss]

HELLO EVERYONE!! IT'S BEEN A SECOND BUT I'M BACK BECAUSE BSD JUST DROPPED A BOMB OF CONTENT (AND ITS STILL COMING. TMMRW IS CHATPER 108) The convention in LA with Asagiri sounds SO SO SO FUN. And Asagiri sounds so kind!! Here's some things that people on Twitter have told us that he said/did + some other info ya'll might find interesting (I NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS STUFF): 1) He said he loves Sigma!!! This is great except for the fact that he also loved Oda ahahhaha (im scared)!! When asked about who to pay attention to in the next season he said "SIGMA!... and the rivalry between Dazai and Fyodor." (He loves the Meursault girlies!!) 2) He repeatedly showed how he loves the side characters of BSD, he's a king. exhibit A: “I really like writing characters who are not strong, like Sigma Mushitaro and Pushkin. I don’t think these characters don’t have any special qualities are interesting.” Specifically, he said “I love Sigma” exhibit B: It seems like you like writing rivalries. Which one do you like writing the most? "I think the one I thought the most thoroughly through is the relationship between Dazai and Chuya Personally, I’d pick Yokomizu and Mushitaro"

3) Read this Twitter thread about other things he said, some of them are pretty funny and I don't want to just rip off this persons hard work because they worked hard to document all of this for BSDtwt!!!: (2) Kalai Chik on Twitter: "Bungou Stray Dogs panel presented by Yen Press #AnimeExpo2023 https://t.co/PEdQdg468j" / Twitter OK. now some things that weren't in the thread I just linked... BSD S5 WAS PREVIEWED AT THE EXPO AND IT DOES NOT START WITH STORMBRINGER!!! IT'S JUST A CONTINUTATION OF THE MANGA WE HAVE WON. (This means that there will probably be a Stormbringer movie ANNNDDD not as many things will be cut off due to it beign shoved into the main series LOL) AND. Asagiri said that he wanted to work on a movie soon. Somebody supposedly called out "Stormbringer?!" and he RAISED HIS FIST!! HE'S ONE OF US. MY FAV AUTHOR EVER. (source: (2) silence ✦ AX2023 bsd fans followme im twt limited on Twitter: "someone shouted "stormbringer movie?!" and asagiri gave a fist in the air so i think its over for us" / Twitter ) He said he's sorry about the half chapters and that he's trying his best!!!!!! DON'T STRESS THE MAN!!!!!! (source: (2) jo | AX on Twitter: "HES SORRY ABOUT THE HALF CHAOTERS BUT LIKE HE SAYS HES TRYING HIS BEST😭😭😭" / Twitter ) OK. A lot of other things were said but those are probably the things I'm thinking about the most rn..... Now enjoy this silly sketch I did of Dazai relating to a donut. This also has something to do with a thing Asagiri said LOL (READ THE THREAD!!!!!!!!) PS: Chapter 108 is coming, tomorrow. I have no idea what it will contain but I'm excited!!!

#bsd #bungo gay dogs #bungo stray dogs #dazai #chuuya #sigma #asagiri #kafka asagiri #bungou stray dogs #STORMBRINGER MOVIE!! PROBABLY!!!!!

[amoransia]

I am now 99.9% sure the snails reference Belphegor, Lord of Sloth.

To begin with, I think that Belphegor is the figure we see within the boy's heart/mind during episode 31. It would explain why Beelzebub was kicked off his mind, being someone strong enough to fight back against another Demon Lord invading the boy's mind.

He also seems to recognize him, for that matter.

Belphegor being the mysterious figure within the boy's heart would also explain why there are snails nearby his heart as well, as snails seem to symbolize laziness. (Similar to the painting from episode 10).

His figure is also similar to one of a snail, though maybe it's just me?

In any case, it's almost assuredly the one invading the boy's mind and corrupting his view of the world is the Lord of Sloth.

To add onto the whole sloth madness, since he's in the boy's mind/heart, he's possibly the one making the boy, or at least enforcing, have a literally hellish view of the world.

Implied by these two panels of someone (who is most likely Belph) telling him that the world is twisted and covering his eyes to signify the altering of his views.

Finally, there's another theory a JP fan on Twitter posted. Here's an MTL translation since I can't be bothered to translate it properly for now:

It regards the identity of the author of File 11, an extra that came literally right after the chapter with the cross-filled heart with the snails painting. Aruma has a tendency of putting the extra pages right after a chapter related to it, so we can assuredly bet the diary has something to do.

Here's the extra:

Notice the "he loves me deep in his heart"? Considering there's literally snails in his heart, and the way he covered his eyes... Well, take that as you will. It's just a theory. Also, I checked the raws as well, and it's quite literally what it says, so no fear of mistranslation (as far as my japanese skills can see).

Considering it comes right after the chapter Mr. Priest draws the current state of his heart, it's not unlikely to think it's somehow linked.

The poster also mentions that the way of talking in the extra and the way of talking of the figure are similar, so it could be the same person?

Anyway, I love the implications of a Demon Lord having met the Boy first and him not even remembering. Belphegor is literally rotting him inside out.

#Make the Exorcist Fall in Love #Ekuoto #Mtefil #amotalk #its a theory... a bible manga theory! #reposting cuz i wanted it to be more easily accesible for myself sorz #Exorcist wo Otosenai

[bookishardor]

A Last Journey to Lorien~

Or, A Dream Comes True Again.

In October 2019 I wrote a short blog entry about a course of events that I could owe to a book I pulled from a box in eleven years earlier.

The Ape Who Guards the Balance by Elizabeth Peters set the trajectory of my life on that otherwise unremarkable day, and the knowledge that I simply skipped home none the wiser of how deeply it and its author would affect my life still gives me goosebumps.

I have looked back at that moment countless, and at all the moments that stemmed from it, with elated and sometimes stupefied astonishment. Moments that include choosing to attend Hood College because I read MPM lived in Frederick and had an honorary degree from that institution, pursuing my budding interest in archaeology/art history and Egyptology, and even traveling to Egypt.

After graduating college, I discovered and helped cultivate the most amazing community of fans on Twitter, and through that channel TeamRamses and Beth Mertz, MPM’s daughter. The two of them have been such joys to get to know and talk to on social media, the main forum for the MPM fans I know. It’s not often I run across people who know the books in real life, so being able to talk to fans from around the world online is important to me.

Funnily enough, it is rarer for me to find casual fans of MPM’s work than it is for me to find people who actually knew her.

In 2017 with the launch of The Painted Queen, I met the owner of Wonder Book, Chuck, who had been dear friends with MPM, as well as Ray and Jay, Egyptologists who not only knew MPM, but also purchased and moved into her Frederick home a few years after her death.

Eventually I would come to work at Wonder Book, and in that fateful October of 2019, I was invited to see the house and gardens, MPM’s Lorien.

One might suppose with that jewel in my proverbial crown, that this would be the end of a superbly lovely and incredible tale.

Oh, Dear Reader, it was not the end.

At the end of April of this year, I had the privilege to attend Malice Domestic—an annual conference of mystery writers and readers. TeamRamses and myself were kindly invited by Beth to be a part of the fun in honoring her mother, and while I was only able to be there for that Saturday’s events, I had the most wonderful time.  

I brought along my mother and one of my best friends—my roommate from college actually, so you could say I kind of owe MPM even more for the push that had me attending Hood—and we had a blast listening to the panels and walking the book room. You all likely know how hard it was for me to not snatch up a million books to buy in that room…

And then it was time for the panel. And here is where I met TeamRamses for the first time in person. There is something so special about meeting someone who loves a book series and author just as much as you do, even if online, and then to finally be able to hug and talk face to face. And TeamRamses is so easy to talk to, and so insightful about books and fandom. Chatting with her on the balcony outside later in the evening while we waited for the banquet was delightful. We talked books and television, and brought up all of our favorite topic: Who is your dream Amelia Peabody cast? Maybe we can run a panel on that someday. Or better yet, a panel about a show itself! Wishful thinking, I know.

The authors gathered on the panel for MPM discussed her amazing characters and her lasting influence over their own works. As soon as Gigi Pandian opened the discussion on Amelia, with an introduction along the lines of, “Peters’ most famous and beloved heroine” I felt a suspicious tingling in my eyes. As Amelia might say, just a bit of dust, nothing more!

But truthfully, I felt briefly overwhelmed. It’s been nearly 10 years since MPM’s passing, but being in a roomful of people celebrating her and thinking of Amelia and seeing her so vividly in my mind as I have for 15 years, sort squeezed the breath from me for a second. All of this culminated when we all realized that Barbara Rosenblatt, the voice of Amelia, was in the crowd and graciously answered a fan’s question, and illuminated us all on MPM’s more mischievous side.

When it was time for the banquet later that evening, I was seated at the same table as Gigi Pandian and some of MPM’s old friends; her veterinarian and her husband and son. It definitely still hits me in hindsight, how incredibly lucky I was to have gotten that seat. To be able to talk to an author so influenced by MPM. To hear first-hand accounts from the friends that knew her so well, including a riveting tale involving a treed raccoon and some rather presumptuous hunters. I have added each little detail I’ve picked up from her friends to my ever-increasing regard for the woman. In hearing these stories, I know I am beyond fortunate.

At the next table, Beth and TeamRamses sat with Beth’s family and Chuck. Barbara Rosenblatt was also in their set, and when I turned suddenly to find Chuck standing with her at my side…Reader, you should have seen how wide my eyes got. I could feel them become starry saucers. I shook her hand and thanked her—in my mind for all of the beautiful narration she has done for the Amelia books and beyond—though in reality it probably looked like I was just thanking her for standing next to me. Let’s be honest, I kind of was. Chalk one up for me being completely calm and smooth, certainly. If you ever read this, Barbara, I promise I’m more eloquent when I’m not star-struck!

Unfortunately, I was unable to stay for the entire award ceremony that night, but I took with me so much from that dinner and the people I shared it with. To them I also wish to say, “Thank you.”

The drive home gave me time to reflect. What a wonderful day. What a wonderful gathering of people. What a wonderful woman MPM had been. I turned to my friend, not for the first time that day mind you, and asked, “So when are you gonna read Amelia?”

On the following Sunday I was invited, along with my mother and TeamRamses, to visit Lorien again once more before Ray and Jay move.

Now, as I said before, I’d been to Lorien once, in the fall of 2019. But coming around that corner and seeing the house on that little rise again…

At this rate, I feel most everyone has seen photos of the house and gardens. I don’t know if I could paint that same scene with words that can’t be gleaned from those images. If you have not seen the photos, you can likely Google the real-estate listing, or find it on the Facebook fan page: Another Shirt Ruined. I recommend it; they’re a feast for the eyes.

Nothing I say could do it justice, but there are a few things that can’t be extricated from photos, and I’ll do my best to explain here.

Once the visual beauty and appeal of the home has settled around you the next thing you notice is the scent. In fact, you may notice it as soon as you enter the solarium, but the architecture and bright glass walls of the room dazzle, where the smell calms. It permeates the air until you can’t help but pay attention, until it ensconces itself in your memory. Weeks later and I can still recall it; I think I always will be able to.

I’m not exactly sure what it was entirely. Lavender, undoubtedly, as Jay had it hanging in the kitchen, but also the earthy smells of the garden and trees outside. And perhaps, the stone itself imparted a lingering trace of aroma. The overall effect was dreamy and sweet and I could only imagine many a quiet, rainy day in that room, sipping coffee and dozing while the rain ran down the windows and accentuated the smell of the air.  

The next thing you notice is the love.

It’s in the very bones of that house. It’s in MPM’s desk and chair that were still in situ. It’s in the bookshelves and artwork and posters that were still hanging in the rooms and up the stair case. It’s in the custom Egyptian murals of the bathroom and the tiles on the kitchen floor and backsplash. And of course, it’s in the gardens; where beloved pets were buried and where so much time and care was given to creating a paradise. It’s in the stories I heard about gatherings and exploits her friends and family recalled.

And that’s where the love was most. In the people that gathered at the open house that day.

As we all walked the rooms of the home, listening to Beth and asking questions, I know we all fell into pockets of personal reverie. Where we could just imagine the life of the woman who’d lived there, who’d filled each room with her blazing personality. It felt like that I had actually met her before, in a sense. And it felt like I could turn a corner and find her there, petting a cat or tending a plant, or writing away at her desk.

After a tour of the house, TeamRamses, my mother, and I took a turn through the garden, ruminating on all the reasons why it would be so easy to never leave the property. It’s simply idyllic, even in the misty weather of that day.

And love was to be found lastly in the performance given by Barbara Rosenblatt.

As a delightful treat for all of us, before she had to drive back up to NYC, Barbara read an except from The Curse of the Pharaohs, the second book in the Amelia Peabody series. Fans will know the scene well—where Amelia and Emerson return to Evelyn’s to collect their progeny…little baby Walter Peabody Emerson.

Ramses, to those of us who know him best.

It was surreal to stand there in MPM’s home and listen to Barbara read. I’m still in a daze thinking about it. A little teary, too. I never gave audio books the time of day until I thought to try the Amelia recordings as a reread method. And to hear her voice come alive in the home where so many of the stories were written? To hear Emerson bellow and Evelyn laugh, to hear baby Ramses proclaim in somber, serious tones, “it is a femuw. A femuw of a winocowus…”

I have said before that somewhere in my mind and heart, I am always in the desert of Amarna with Amelia and Emerson. The first book in the series is my favorite for so many reasons, least of which is the nostalgia and peace it brings me. My original copy is well loved, and I know pieces of it by heart. Part of me is sitting with them at the fire, looking at the stars and listening to the jackals, chiding Walter and Evelyn’s young love, and scoffing at Lucas. Part of me is always snickering at the feelings brewing between Amelia and Emerson, even as he sets his own pocket on fire and she bosses him around.

In the same vein, I know part of me will always be standing in that solarium with MPM’s nearest and dearest, listening to Barbara read. The smell of lavender, rain, and stone in the air, the sound of all our laughter, and the sense of MPM just out of eyeshot, chuckling with us all.

I write my own story, from time to time. I’m not very disciplined with it, at least, not as much as I used to be. I have varying feelings about it, and I don’t imagine it will ever be much more than a tale of my own whimsy. But I do feel like every time I add even a little bit to it, that I’m adding to a love letter to MPM. And I do think I could add endlessly to a love letter to MPM. Writing my story, reading her books, talking to fans and friends on Twitter—it’s my way of saying thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over to an author I owe so much to.

So does the story end with the last visit to Lorien, the last glimpse into the sanctuary of a woman I can only wish to have met? Maybe. But so many things have happened these last 15 years that can find threads trailing back to my decision to read that book.

I can’t wait to see where she leads me next.

#amelia peabody #elizabeth peters #mpm #barbara mertz #barbara michaels #mine #blog post #essay

[davekat-sucks]

to the anon

well you see there is a tumblr sexywoman and people want vriska in it but the host of the blog is uncomfortable putting her since she is a minor (which is understandable because the mod is also a minor i believe and is allowed to have discomforts, but my god people on that blog are so dumb, calling adult characters minors when you can easily google search it) and someone said that the clone of vriska was her child which is false, the clone of vriska from my understanding is kanaya and rose’s child

I find it stupid that someone would think putting a minor on a tumblr sexywoman list is problematic because A. She is a fictional character. She ain't real. B. Same tumblrites and twittertards bitched about Nagito being part of the sexy tumblrman, because his anime debut in DR3 and Ultra Despair Girls, showed he was 17, prior to Danganronpa 2. Nobody knows how old the characters of DR2 were and all assumed that they were teens, so 15-17. It wasn't until the end of the game and DR3 anime that it is implied they were now adults. But he was still allowed in for the first time it happened and once more in the rematch. Standards don't mean shit unless someone wants to assume it is okay to be a pedophile to men than women. Which seems to be a thing happening even before people jumped from Twitter back to this shit site. Shotacons have more rights than lolis, m i rite? I am hesitant to say if the grubs hatched from the Matriorb that was made by Roxy Lalonde would be a clone of Vriska, since the process of it is like this Matriorb > Mother Grub Mother Grub then shits out eggs by the cum genes given by trolls after sex. The eggs then would pop up into wrigglers. Mother Grub would have a new Matriorb deep inside them as time passes so that a new one takes it's place and cycle continues. It be better to assume that if a cerulean blood were to happen, either Vriska had to fuck someone and her genes given. Or that by off chance during the hundreds of incest slurry mixed in, one of the m HAPPENS to have similar ceruleanblood and traits like Vriska. How many incest babies were involved, up to your imagination. I would not count that other Vriska Maryam Lalonde child as her own character since authors like Aysha and Kate love her to death they just wanted to make another if the prime Vriska is not involved with the main cast. And carry out implications that Kanaya is still upset of not getting her and is stuck with a human as a replacement. And the fact Homestuck Epilogue and Homestuck^2 are fucking shit that why would anyone want to take that account to bring that as canon for a tournament. If it's because the person used a panel from the HS2 instead of using something like from the base webcomic, then I can understand where the issue lies of HS2 being suddenly involved.

#vriska maryam lalonde #Homestuck^2 #Homestuck Epilogues #Homestuck 2 #Homestuck2 #HS2 #Matriorb #Mother Grub #Vriska Serket

[ben-talks-art]

JJK and its use of HYPE!

There has been a silly little "war" going on at Twitter lately about which series is better, My Hero Academia or Jujutsu Kaisen, with people trying to compare what are things that one series does better than the other.

I don't usually like this type of thing where we try to put something up by putting something else down, it always feels like trying to shame someone for liking what they like in order to validate what YOU like, as if you need to make sure everyone knows that the thing you like is superior so you will feel validated for enjoying it, which to me always sounds like insecurity.

(Heck, my all-time favorite manga is "Zatch Bell!", a series that literally nobody ever talks about, yet I don't feel the need to go around writing essays to convice people of its quality. I know why I like it and that's enough for me.)

However, in this case, this discussion did bring up a small point I want to talk about that I think it might be interesting, the way JJK uses "hype" in a way I don't really see MHA doing it. (Spoilers for JJK and MHA)

As always, I need to make it clear, I am not a JJK fan. I tried reading it, didn't felt like it was for me. And moved on.

But even as someone that doesn't love this series, I can't ignore its ability to generate hype. Something about the way this author writes this comic manages to make every single character in it look like the coolest person on the planet.

I was thinking about that when wondering why so many people were upset that characters kept dying in JJK but not so much in a series like Chainsaw Man, and I realzied why after reading this thread:

When a character dies in CSM, it's expected, because the way Fujimoto writes it makes each of them look pretty lame in their own way, while still being very likable and interesting as characters.

Even though you love these people, when they die, you just go "Yeah... Sounds about right."

In JJK, deaths are more upsetting cause the people in there are build-up like mad, and hyped up as if they were rock stars about to enter a stage.

When a character suddenly enters a fight, the readers will always go "OMFG! That character is entering the fight!!"

They just make these people look cooler and treat them like they're Superman arriving at the last second to save the day...

... And I was thinking to myself, I don't think My Hero really is that good at doing this.

Maybe this is just me, I don't know, but for some reason I just struggle a lot to feel hyped in My Hero. Even though I like/know these characters more, I vibe with this story and setting more, I dig these desgins and visuals and can actually understand the fight a lot more... But whenever they have their big "Oh, sh*t!" moments, I just don't get that excited.

I don't think I've been hyped for My Hero since the All Might vs. AFO fight, even when they do have scenes where you know you're meant to be excited, it just doesn't come for me.

I've been reading this latest arc of JJK due to curiosity from people constantly talking about it on social media and, even though I still don't know what the heck is happening most of the time or how each person's powers works (to this day I have no idea what the f*ck domain expasion even means), or what most of these people's backstories are, even though I'm so lost while trying to read this, I can still feel the emotion somehow.

The panel with Megumi at the bottom of a pit of darkness after the events that happened outside legit messed with me when I first saw it.

I reremember reading this and going "Jesus! Someone give this boy a hug!"

Now, I don't know why that is, and I'm not using this to say that JJK is better than MHA, after all, MHA did get me to read its whole series while JJK basically made me skip to its latest arc due to ocasianal lack of interest in its plot and events, but I do feel like JJK has a way of getting an emotion out of you that MHA doesn't seem to be as good at.

I don't know if it's because MHA struggles with making stakes feel real (like, I think you can count on one hand the number of times the villains won a fight), or if the emotion of the characters are just more relatable and easier to connect, or if the way the story is told makes it easier to get you hyped up, or what. I don't know what the secret formula is.

This is just me saying, I know everything that's happening in MHA and know very little of what's happening in JJK, and yet I still feel more hype from JJK than from MHA, and I think this might be an interesting thing to analyze and think about.

This is what these "Series A" vs. "Series B" should be about imo. Not trying to have one up the other, but trying to understand what they're doing and how they're doing it that makes them succeed of fail in one specifc narrative aspect.

I would honestly like to hear some opinions on this, maybe from people that do enjoy both series and understand both series enough to talk about what each excel and fails at without just trying to say one is better than the other.

My Hero fans, do you feel your series suceeds at generating hype? Am I alone in this? Do you feel complete emotional investment whenever a big moment arrives? Yes? No? And if not, why not?

JJK fans...

I don't really know what to ask, I don't know this series that well... Uuhh...

Why don't these people use blades? If they're trying to kill this guy isn't punching him to death the worst way to go about it? This just looks so ineffective...

#jujutsu kaisen #my hero acedamia #boku no hero acedamia #mha #jjk

[armoredsuperheavy]

I've seen more and more monetisation / paywalling of fannish activities, most recently Bookbinding. The people who monetise this, from what I can tell, often don't live in material comfort and seem to have genuine need for funds. On the other hand, this financial gatekeeping is impacting fannish activities and causes differential access based on means. Do you have any suggestions on how to promote/preserve the inherent anti capitalist aspects of Fanfic, as readers, writers, and book binders?

There’s definitely a tension and a bit of a generational fault line but I think, as you say, it comes down to (1) if an individual has the financial and temporal space in their life to pursue a hobby (a non revenue generating activity) , related, (2) how deeply a person has internalized the “always hustling” mentality, and (3) whether they are aware of, and subscribe to, the traditional “gift economy” model of fandom participation.

Probably financial situation is going to be the biggest single determinant about whether someone is making gifts for strangers, or doing fanbinding for pay.

But financial angle aside, thinking about fandom activity generally over the last decade it’s gotten progressively more mainstream, transactional, less personal, conducted on ever more public platforms (twitter- the antithesis of intimacy!) and honestly in that context it’s almost indistinguishable from commercial posts. Not a lot of community building sort of interactions. It feels like a gig already to maintain a presence on social media.

So if the past few years were a person’s entry point into fandom, I can see how it would feel pretty natural to attempt to squeeze a gig out of it.

Personally I hope I’ve communicated that fanbinding in any form is worthy of the time you take to do it, and gifting that binding to an author is the ultimate compliment. I encourage people to bind within their means. The Renegade discord server is full of folks improvising materials and making it happen. I’ve also been experimenting with less costly methods, e.g. the zine tradition, with satisfying results.

It’s a bit hard to explain the feeling of giving a gift to someone who never expected it. Hearing about how they cried with joy when they held it in their hands. And also the satisfaction of selecting a work to print based on your own personal standards and no other considerations. Editorial & creative control - there’s a reason people want it.

I agree with you that the fannish gift economy tradition is rapidly eroding, especially as we’ve all but lost the opportunity to gather offline and make real personal connections. We’re losing something very rare in our society, a radical, subversive way of thinking based on connection and giving versus “burn it all down” angry reactionism. It’s exactly the kind of peaceful resistance that social media disincentivises. I hope when Covid hell is done, we will emerge in droves from our homes and make an effort to do more in-person interaction. I mean panels and cookouts and swap meets - not just merch table grazing. To me, that’s the only way out of the dwindling spiral of commodification.

Also I think that passive consumers of fandom should try to think a little creatively about ways they can contribute to fandom because there is much satisfaction to be gained in volunteer labor - and that’s the foundation of fandom’s existence.

#meta #fandom #gift economy

[ckjbun]

What kind of ability would Higuchi have and its potential name?

Hi to whoever is reading this! This is my first self-written post so I’m still figuring out how all this works and I’m sorry, if it gets a bit chaotic. Anyways, recently, I came across a question regarding Higuchi from Bungou Stray Dogs. It was about what Higuchi’s ability would be called and what type it would be. So I won’t go into details whether she has an ability or not. I believe she has since she is named after an author (and Asagiri himself kinda confirmed it via Twitter). Thus, I just want to write my thoughts on the potential names and kind of ability. 

Since abilities in the BSD world are always named after rather well-known works of the authors, I compared some of the famous works of Higuchi Ichiyo. Now mind you, I haven’t read her works myself. I mostly relied on comparing summaries and analyses of them. Since there are not a lot of summaries, I read two lesser-known stories myself. I will add the links of the summaries/analyses of the works down below. However, while comparing I found two works that would fit Higuchi. Now, first what do I mean by “fit”? Well, it might be best to start explaining what I think about the type of Higuchi’s ability.  

I believe Higuchi has not an offensive type of ability. Nothing like Atsushi’s, Akutagawa’s, Kyouka’s etc. If she had, I’m sure she would have used it already, since she’s fighting a lot with her guns, why wouldn’t she use her ability as an addition, why would she hide it? There are two possibilities why we haven’t seen her ability yet. First possibility would be that her ability is not visible like Odasaku’s or Ango’s, maybe it’s even an ability that she hasn’t even discovered, just like Fukuzawa hasn’t realized he has one before the ADA. Second would be that she can use her ability only under stringent conditions. And I believe it’s the latter, hear me out. 

Remember this scene from Chapter 14? Higuchi reaches out to hold Akutagawa’s hand but then pulls back because she remembered him saying that he doesn’t need her help. Now, you could argue that holding the hands of injured loved ones is a gesture of closeness, a way to show them your support, a way to tell them that you’re staying by their side. And Aku doesn’t want this support, so that’s why she retracted her hand. But something bothers me here. In this scene it looks like Aku slapped Higuchi’s hand away, doesn’t it? And then he says, he doesn’t need her help, instead of support. I know, you could say support and help are almost the same. But to me, help is something that you do more “actively”, while support can be something passive. What if Higuchi’s hand represents this “active” help? And what would actively help Akutagawa in this very moment? A healing ability for example. Coincidentally, in the panel before, Hirotsu asks Higuchi what power she posses to make them [the black lizard] obey. Is this a hint that there is a hint about Higuchi’s ability in the next panel? Maybe. But let’s look at the next panel. It’s the title page of this chapter. 

As you can see, Higuchi has a bandage wrapped around her leg and they seem connected to Akutagawa. In this chapter, it is revealed that Higuchi contemplated about leaving the Port Mafia but her reason for staying is implied to be Akutagawa. This is perfectly symbolized by the bandages in this title page. The bandages coming from Akutagawa are holding her leg back, stopping her from walking away from the PM. But maybe there is a second interpretation? If you’re looking at Akutagawa’s left hand, the bandages are starting to come off. What if this means Akutagawa is healing and doesn’t need the bandages anymore? Instead it wraps around Higuchi’s leg, restricting her movement. What if Higuchi’s ability allows her to help someone else (doesn’t have to be necessarily a healing ability) but in exchange she needs to sacrifice something? Anyways, I think she has an ability which allows her to help other people in a non-combat way. With this in mind, I was looking through several works of Higuchi Ichiyo, searching for something that “fits”. Meaning that I was looking for parallels and themes in irl Higuchi’s stories that could be “converted” into an ability. Just like the coat that the protagonist of Rashomon stole in order to now die of hunger was used as Akutagawa’s ability which seems to be able to eat everything, or like the wish that one’s brother does not die in war in Thou Shalt Not Die became Yosano’s ability and serving as a basis of her background story. Anyways, I’d like to present the works that could be used for Higuchi’s ability and draw some parallels. 

1. The Thirteen’s Night

The story revolves around a poor woman, called Oseki. Thanks to her marriage to a rich man, her family was able to live a better life and her brother found a job. But on the thirteenth night of the ninth month of the lunar calendar (one of two special nights for moon viewing), Oseki visited her parents with the intention on asking her parents for approval for divorcing her husband. Before entering, she overhears her parents talking about how lucky they are that they have such good children who don’t cause trouble and that they are very thankful for this marriage. Hesitating at first, she finally goes in and admits that she wants to divorce her husband because he abuses her mentally. He insults her constantly and tells her that she's worthless, stupid, and uneducated. Her mother is outraged. But her father, even though he acknowledges her suffering, reminds her what her husband has done for this family and that she would lose her son since women couldn’t get custody of their children after a divorce at that time. Agreeing with her father, Oseki decides to go back to her husband: 

“It was selfish of me to think of a divorce. You're right. If I couldn't see Tarō, there'd be no point in living. I might flee my present sorrows, but what kind of future would I have? If I could think of myself as already dead, that would solve everything… Then Tarō would have both his parents with him. It was a foolish idea I had, and I've troubled you with the whole unpleasant business. From tonight I will consider myself dead — a spirit who watches over Tarō. That way I can bear Isamu's cruelty for a hundred years to come.” 

– In The Shade of Spring Leaves, translated by Robert Lyons Danly

Just like BSD Higuchi contemplates leaving the PM, the protagonist here wants to leave her husband. The PM is like the husband. It allows her to support herself and probably her family (at least we saw that she has a sister). But there is constant abuse. Akutagawa is clearly the biggest source of abuse that we can see. But it’s not only him. In Chapter 14, Mori asks her if she is really suited for this job. Telling her indirectly that she is useless or that she is too weak for the PM. Later, you can see the Black Lizard doubting her capabilities, even threatening her. But just like Oseki she stays because of a loved one. What really concerns me is Oseki saying that she will consider herself as a dead spirit watching over Tarō. What if Higuchi, in order to use her ability, has to sacrifice part of her lifespan? Or maybe she loses a feeling? Like e.g. she loses the ability to feel happiness, making her a bit more dead inside? If you draw this parallel, you could also say that when ‘consider myself dead’ is the condition of the ability, then ‘watching over Tarō’ is a hint to Higuchi’s ability. An ability that allows her to watch over and protect her loved ones? This theme fits Higuchi perfectly, since a big topic in Higuchi’s story line is how she wants to help and protect Akutagawa. So it makes sense that her ability might be something that would help him (**intensely squinting at the recent events in the manga, especially chapter 88**). Moving on to the second possibility before the pain starts to set in. 

2. Takekurabe (literally: "Comparing heights", "Child's Play" in the Robert Lyons Danly translation, "Growing Up" in the Edward Seidensticker translation)

Now this is considered as Higuchi Ichiyo’s masterpiece. So the chances are high that the ability is based on this story. The story accompanies a group of children who live next to the Yoshiwara quarter. There are two rival gangs: the main street gang (’omote-machi’), lead by Shōtarō, a cultivated young boy who is the grandson of the owner of a pawnshop, and the back street gang (’yoko-chō’), lead by Chōkichi, the impulsive firefighter’s son. (Maybe a parallel to the ADA with (cultivated) Fukuzawa and the PM with Mori who’s a doctor which belongs into the same category of occupation as firefighters?). Among the main street gang, there was Midori, popular and pretty, who lives in the brothel where her sister works. Shōtarō probably has a crush on her. But Midori probably has feelings for the other main character, Nobu, the son of a Buddhist priest. Even though he returns her feelings, he distances himself from her out of his self-consciousness. Later he joins the rival gang after repeated request by Chōkichi. Anyways, they spend their days very care-free, attending school, playing with each other after school. One day, some conflict arises between the gangs and Midori, while protecting someone else, gets slapped by Chōkichi with a sandal. He then proceeds to tell her that their gang is backed by no other than Nobu. Midori feels humiliated and stops going to school. Soon she also stops playing with the other children. After some time passed, Midori is seen with her hair all done up. She has become a distant, lady-like young woman. This probably means that she got her first period and is old enough to become a prostitute or that she just had her first client as a courtesan. Little by little, the children grow up. Nobu is sent off to be trained as a priest and Shōtarō has come to accept the responsibilities of his family’s shop. 

There are several themes in this story that I’d like to point out, namely unrequited love, Midori’s transformation and underlying unchangeable fates. The first one is obviously a big theme in Higuchi’s story. Midori and Nobu are unable to express their love for each other because of their positions in life. Just like Higuchi is unable to express her feelings for Akutagawa. If you want some hope, AkuHigu shippers, maybe Aku has also feelings for Higuchi but is still very confused and self-conscious about it just like Nobu. Anyways, because of their positions in the PM, it would make everything very complicated if Higuchi confessed. Additionally, Midori feels like she was humiliated by her love when she got slapped by that sandal. I’m sure that Higuchi gets humiliated by Akutagawa a lot. The next theme is Midori’s transformation from a tomboyish to a lady-like, distant woman. We all know Higuchi looks really badass in her suits. But again, look at the title page of chapter 14. Higuchi is dressed up all prettily and lady-like in a dress, and her hair is done all up. Just like Midori after her transformation. Midori’s transformation stands for Midori accepting her occupation as a prostitute even though she doesn’t want to. In this chapter, we see that Higuchi has accepted her job in the PM, even though she doesn’t want to do this job. At the end Shōtarō sings the following: 

"Growing up,

she plays among the butterflies

and flowers.

But she turns sixteen,

and all she knows

is work and sorrow."

– In The Shade of Spring Leaves, translated by Robert Lyons Danly

I don’t know about you guys, but to me that necklace that Higuchi is wearing in that title page looks like a butterfly to me. This is really farfetched but maybe this could be a hint about when Higuchi joined the Port Mafia? However, the biggest theme in Takekurabe is the underlying unchangeable fate of the children. Shōtarō was destined to become the next owner of the pawnshop, Nabu was destined to become a Buddhist monk and Midori would become a prostitute. Maybe this gives us some insight into why Higuchi joined the PM? Maybe one of her parents was a PM member? I also like to think that since Aku is in the PM, since she wants to be with him, she can’t but stay in the PM, and this is her fate. Nevertheless, fate is a central theme in Takekurabe. This is the reason why I think, if the ability is based on this story, Higuchi’s ability would be something like changing fates. Changing fate of someone else but in return she must sacrifice something. 

Okay, so this post has become quite long. But I still wanted to mention two other stories Yamizakura (Flowers at Dusk) and The Sound of the Koto where I saw a lot of parallels. I just want to briefly tell you the story of The Sound of the Koto. In this story a woman abandons her son in order to leave her husband who has a bad reputation. The husband then turns into an alcoholic and dies later at a party because of alcohol intoxication. The boy becomes hardened to the world, despises his mother for leaving them, and even contemplates suicide. The story shifts then to a woman playing the koto.  I want to give you an excerpt for the end of this story: 

“On this night the sound of the woman’s playing helped another to be reborn. Through fourteen springs and fourteen autumns, the boy had been buffeted by the rains. His heart had gradually toughened until it had become as hard as stone. No arrow could penetrate it. He seemed destined to follow the example of his father, to die among the fields or in the mountains, where his remains would be bleached by the elements. Some were convinced the boy’s life would end in prison chains, while his bad name spread to every roadside. 

But now, at once, the tenderness buried in his heart was freed by the midnight strains of the koto. For the first time in many years, he felt tears come to his eyes. Or were they jewelled drops of dew? He would not exchange them for anything. 

He, who had known neither love nor compassion, and who had no idea what the player of these refrains could even look like, felt a moment of happiness as the music drifted over the garden wall. […]

[…] How could a stormy wind blow now? The clouds in his heart had disappeared. Once more the woman began to play. The sound of the koto would be his friend for a hundred years, the seed for a hundred years of yearning. He had entered a world where a hundred different flowers wer in bloom. 

– In The Shade of Spring Leaves, translated by Robert Lyons Danly

This boy somehow just reminds me so much of Akutagawa. Just like this boy, without any parents and home, wandering around in this world, Akutagawa has become hardened to the world. I’d like to think that Higuchi’s ability could free Akutagawa from his pain, just like the sound of koto does for this boy. 

So, now I said everything I wanted to say, I guess. If there is really anyone reading this and reading this until here, thank you so much! I appreciate it very much that you kept reading even though my thoughts are probably quite chaotic. I’m sorry if there are any grammar mistakes or weird sentence structures or anything like this. English is not my first language. I’m very happy, if you could point out any mistakes or have any suggestion for improvement. Lastly, I just want to remind you that these are my thoughts, I love discussing so feel free to comment your thoughts but I’d like you to keep in mind that there is not necessarily a wrong or right, theories are theories, interpretations are interpretations. Everyone has another interpretation. They can only be proven wrong by Asagiri sensei himself. Until then just keep the discussions friendly and tolerant towards other people’s thoughts and opinions. 

Sources:

All manga panels used in this post are from easygoingscans

Higuchi Ichiyo (樋口 一葉)

Higuchi Ichiyo: "In the Shade of Spring Leaves"

In The Shade Of Spring Leaves: The Life Of Higuchi Ichiyo, With Nine Of Her Best Stories, translated by Robert Lyons Danly

In the Shade of Spring Leaves – Ichiyō Higuchi, Part 1

“Flowers at Dusk” and Other Notes – Ichiyō Higuchi, Part 2

“Encounters on a Dark Night” and Other Notes – Ichiyō Higuchi, Part 3

“Child’s Play” and Other Notes – Ichiyō Higuchi, Part 4

HIGUCHI ICHIYŌ: BADASS WOMEN IN JAPANESE HISTORY

The Thirteenth Night (Wikipedia)

Female Subject, Interrupted in Higuchi Ichiyō's "The Thirteenth Night"

GAME OF TRADITIONS: TRADITION IN THE THIRTEENTH NIGHT AND DIARY OF A MAD MAN

HIGUCHI ICHIYŌ IN MODERN JAPANESE AND EUROPEAN DRESS: Modern Japanese versions (gendaigoyaku) of Higuchi Ichiyō’s Takekurabe and their Relationship with English, Castilian Spanish and Catalan Translations

Separate Ways Summary

Literary Analysis of “Separate Ways”

Flowers at Dusk

Nigorie (Wikipedia)

From the Margins of Meiji Society: Space and Gender in Higuchi Ichiyō's "Troubled Waters"

#bsd #bsd manga #bsd theories #bsd theory #bsd higuchi #bungou stray dogs #bsd akutagawa #bsd thoughts #bungou stray dogs theory #bungou stray dogs analysis #bsd analysis #bsd characters #bsd chapter 88 #bsd mori #bsd hirotsu #bsd black lizard #port mafia #bungo stray dogs #bsd abilities #higuchi theory #Q overthinks again

[shunkani]

Chapter 132 Levi/Hange Analysis

Summary: An attempt to explain the sentence in chapter 132

Levi: I see your one sided love with Titans still goes unrequited, four-eyes.

Hange: ...We’ll be getting along soon enough.　（…��ぐに仲良くなるさ）

Disclaimer: this is just interpretation and not meant to be taken as official proof of romance between Levi and Hange in Attack on Titan. This is theory and nothing else. I’ve read multiple tweets and essays to compile my own thoughts.

I personally do not have any qualms with other ships, and this essay doesn’t discredit other Hange or Levi CP’s. Also, sorry but this essay has no pictures. 

Lesson_____

A quick Japanese lesson (and language comprehension); I will try to make it painless. I make no assumption on the reader’s Japanese level/English grammar understanding and will be talking about it as is.

When は is combined with another particle, it puts emphasis in a way such as English has intonation. Since Japanese does not stress tone (like how one says the words sarcastically/meaningfully/sadly/cheekily) it uses particles to do this job.

So, when Levi says, “相変わらず巨人とは片思いのままだったなクソメガネ“

It means literally, “As always, still an unrequited love with Titans, four-eyes.”

Naturally, “Your love for Titans is one-sided, as usual, four-eyes.”

In Japanese, using には or とは creates a third, invisible option that is outside of the realm of the sentence.

When you use に or と or even は by itself, it creates a one dimensional statement. When used with other particles combined with は it creates another, outside dimension to the sentence. A third suggestion or comparison. は can be used as a comparative or stress particle as well as a topic marker.

quick example.

I didn’t go to the library with him. ->彼と図書館に行かなかった.（ Forward statement. It is as it is. ）

I didn’t go to the library with him. ->彼とは図書館に行かなかった （Implying I went there with someone else, but not him. ）

Just like you’d expect, English speakers understand the implications of stressing “him.” Just as Japanese speakers understand the implications of とは etc. If we stressed library(図書館には）instead of “boy” (彼とは）then it’s implication is that we didn’t go to the library with him, but maybe somewhere else. I hope this is clear. 

____

Okay, on with the analyses. Just a note again, but I’ve naturalized any Japanese so that it’s not literal, but the meaning is the same so it’s easier to comprehend for native English speakers. I’ve changed “I” to “we” considering I formatted to fit essays.

From  ストリキーネさん’s essay

Like others have said, Levi’s words feel like his true confession. Whether it’s romantic or not, it’s up in the air, but while making small talk and commenting about his long time comrade in arms, it seems like this comment is loaded with unlabeled feelings, like “You gross me out, but I feel something special for you and I get you.”

It feels natural to say “You still have unrequited love for Titans.” right after the banter of Hange and Pieck’s exchange.  {note: 巨人に片思いのままだな is using に here, not とは, so it feels natural to say に）

So why did he use “とは” and not ”に”？

If there’s official announcement that say’s there’s no meaning to it, or that it’ll be corrected in the official volume, then this sentence will be meaningless. But if it’s intentional or even unconscious decision, we get the impression that he is recalling a third person (”me” ie Levi) among Hange and the Titans. 

 Moreover, hearing “four eyes” was unexpected and we can only imagine it was surprising for Hange too. Since we might have never expected that we’d hear “four eyes” in the original manga again, it’s perplexing, but feels filled with something like nostalgia. 

With Hange taking over as commander and the world rapidly changing, we get the feeling that there’s a distance between them, at least from what is shown to us from the story. 

Because of this short exchange about Titans, all at once we are brought back to “An eccentric, Titan-loving section commander,” and “Captain who’s fond of four-eyes,” and it’s moving. 

There’s a little pause (note: talking about the “...” before Hange starts talking) at the end of Levi’s lines and the start of Hange’s dialogue. One wonders if it couldn’t be a mix between surprise and relief on Hange’s end. 

Also, as many others have said, Levi is answering Hange’s “I’d prefer if we live here together,” from the forest, to the best that he can. There was no reason to look back at that scene in relation to this because Levi seemed to have brushed off Hange’s shocking statement, but since everyone was referencing that scene, a second re-examination was in order. (Note, the author actually said something a little more personal, so I condensed it to match a more essay-like statement)

Levi could have been surprised.

Someone who he’s known for a long time, and supported each other, and can admit that (Hange) can be troublesome sometimes, but also they hit it off well, yet each of their own responsibilities have become heavier and the world is in this state... in a situation like this, when suddenly alone together in a quiet forest, he might think Hange has stopped thinking if seriously suggesting to run away and saying things like “let’s live together.”

Under circumstances like this, if it were us, we’d likely want to do it, but remember we have responsibilities, maybe we don’t know what the other person feels, perhaps we’d rather we never heard it, so we pretend not to. In Levi’s case, perhaps pretend to sleep (pretending to not be able to hear it) or when he wakes up, change the subject completely.  

It’s unlikely that Levi could give an answer on the spot, and would want time to figure it out. 

(There’s more to the essay but it’s thoughts on relationships between people and some other things that don’t apply to the quote)

ーーーーー

Notes concluded from various twitter surfing:

Many JP fans think Levi’s statement alluded to the forest scene. It’s like his clumsy answer to Hange’s proposal, since he didn’t give a direct answer. Actually the essay above felt his answer was cold and ignored Hange. But Hange doesn’t seem displeased about it. 

As many have said, Hange and Levi are definitely “adults” in this world. They both understand it’s not feasible to do the things they want to do, because their duties supersede that. Hange carries the immense duty of commander, and both hold the responsibility to stop Eren or fight for humanity as a whole. 

It’s rather evident to me, even as an ordinary reader, that Levi did not want Hange to go. In fact, Hange says, 行かせて, “let me go.” and anticipated Levi would try to stop Hange. Mind you, it’s not “release me” but “I have to do this, so don’t stop me.” It took him three panels, focused on his dead-like eyes to finally say “Dedicate your heart,” something he’s apparently never said before. To me, “Dedicate your heart” is a self-sacrificing quote when applied to the Survey Corps. Pretty much “go in bravely, and don’t expect to come back.” Levi is a “Live and come back’ type. The strange thing is that Levi puts his hand on Hange and says it.. in Hange’s place..? It’s a salute before battle, but here it feels like a gentle sentence. Why it was delivered that way? I hope that Isayama will answer these questions in future interviews. 

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

Another thing, Levi says みててくれ to Hange, a now deceased person. Levi has never asked anything from the dead. He’s mentioned fulfilling his promise to Erwin about killing Zeke, but some have found it strange for Levi to ask Hange to “Watch me (kill Zeke.”) (edit: the point is that Levi asked Hange to keep watching him, so it seems that his promises and goals may have changed)

One user said something pretty sad. “For Levi, I think Hange is treated as a MIA. Even if there’s no chance of survival, if Levi looks at Hange’s death, Hange has ended for him right there. So since Hange hasn’t ended, he said “ watch out for me.” That’s the reason why Levi, who’s looked at dead soldiers in the eye, didn’t look at Hange.”

It’s simply, Levi didn’t say “Rest in peace,” or “Goodnight.” but “See ya, Hange. Keep looking out for me.” 

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

Going back to the quote about Titans, the summary is, that in Japanese, Levi’s speech seems incredibly nuanced because he uses language that suggests that Hange and him have come to a mutual feeling, and it’s simply by stating “with Titans” (but there’s a mutual love with me). That’s why the above essay questions if this isn’t a misprint or mistake, or perhaps it’s nothing at all. (I want to point out, that one user suggested it could refer to Eren, but it seems unlikely) 

This is his “answer.” And Hange says...”...We’ll get along soon enough.” 

There’s a “...” before Hange says that, indicating a pause, whether out of surprise by being called “four-eyes”, or carefully thinking on how to respond to “とは” 

Some other notes before I close this up, I thought this was a nice thought on LeviHan:

Hange was introduced while talking and having contact with Levi and Hange exited while talking and having contact with Levi. Really, Hange’s story started and ended with Levi. 

＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿

I apologize if this seems everywhere, I’m not particularly fond of writing, but for Hange’s last chapter, I feel like English speakers should get in on what Japanese levihan fans were saying. 

終わり

#levihan #snk132 #essay

[captnjacksparrow]

it baffles me how much s*sus*ku stans have to use secondary sources — especially the novel — to support their ship. in the novel, it was stated how sakura’s skin was glowing since sasuke’s return, indicating that sasuke and sakura were having s*x when he comes home late at night when sarada isn’t aware.

to me, this seems heavily ooc as he doesn’t even show affection to his own wife in gaiden whereas he has no issue showing affection towards Naruto with pet names, close proximity, smiling and eye contact, etc.. just where the hell does this kind of thing come from? why would he willingly choose to neglect spending time with sarada to have s*x with sakura late at night? like honestly

and it’s funny because the majority of these novels who depict sasuke in this manner are written by DIFFERENT AUTHORS! that says enough for me.

but anyways, have you seen the SP’s illustrations of sasusaku’s relationships in the blank period? you know, the journey that sasuke wanted to go on to atone for his sins but sakura decided to selfishly chase after him? 🤔throughout the whole thing sasuke’s character was absolutely shat on. since when is he a blushing mess? since when does he come late at home to shag his wife that he supposedly hadn’t seen in 12 years? why does he suddenly tolerate and love sakura? it’s hilarious how much the novels and gaiden manga don’t make sense together. this awful characterization of sasuke makes me sad and hateful of what his character was turned into for SS fan-service.

Thanks for the ask, Anon!!!!

it was stated how sakura’s skin was glowing since sasuke’s return, indicating that sasuke and sakura were having s*x when he comes home late at night when sarada isn’t aware.

This!!!!!

This is not the first time I am hearing this. I heard that, in the novels, since Sakura's skin was glowing, according to Japanese Tradition, it indicates that the woman was having an active and healthy Smex life.

Well what can I expect from a thirsty and horny fandom who once enraged about Sasuke had smex with her with just One Arm!!!!! They were so worried that he couldn’t have done IT properly... PUKE!!!!

Seriously??? What can we expect from them other than horniness just like their kween???

They didn't care about Sarada at all... Instead they were so pissed about Salad throwing tantrum and questioning their 'Relationship' when Gaiden was released... For them, every thing revolves around Smex, Smex, Smex....

They were not worried about any other problems that were addressed in the Gaiden Manga, such as Sasuke not making any contact with them for a decade, having given birth in a Orochimaru lair, no wedding photo, no Birth certificate for Sarada... But they quickly went into Horny Mode when Sasuke called her 'My Wife' and then this panel....

"Kyaaah!!!! Sasuke-kun checks on Sakura..... He was so in love with her.... They were going to have some steamy smex tonight!!!!" ... This was how they reacted, as I heard....

Somehow, whenever they share a panel or Sasuke cares about her, their fans always associate his gesture with smex.... That's how low their fandom was thirsting and craving for, even till this very day.

Why would he willingly choose to neglect spending time with sarada to have s*x with sakura late at night? like honestly and it’s funny because the majority of these novels who depict sasuke in this manner are written by DIFFERENT AUTHORS! that says enough for me.

Like I said earlier, they are one of the horniest fandom in Narutoverse and the piss poor Authors are catering to their needs by writing Sasuke into an OOC mess who fell in love with those green emerald eyes.... Who couldn't tolerate seeing a small wrinkle in her face.... Without Sakura, he wouldn't know how to survive in this world and she is the most important person in this world.... EWWW.... I can't even write this without making a disgusting face.

And I don't even know what will happen if that Sasuke Retsuden will be adopted into the anime..... Anyways, I am just going to wait for that abominated mess to happen...

have you seen the SP’s illustrations of sasusaku’s relationships in the blank period? you know, the journey that sasuke wanted to go on to atone for his sins but sakura decided to selfishly chase after him? 🤔throughout the whole thing sasuke’s character was absolutely shat on. since when is he a blushing mess?

Actually it was a Doujinshi published by the Boruto Animator, Sekibeing, I guess. I don't think those panels belong to SP.

But still, those ungrateful SS fans harassed that Animator guy because he drew a fanart of NH and this spurred SS blokes who went to his Twitter handle and called him out with unpleasant words... 

And yes, I watched those Illustrations and all I felt was I need to bleach my eyes so badly...

Sakura was seen leaning on him, covered with Sasuke's robe and his Susanoo armour!!! Pfft.... Really??? Atleast I could envision Naruto doing something like this for Hinata. But Sasuke????

And the problem is, they completely believe that this is what happened during the Blank Period. I have seen an SS shipper coming into our tags and lecturing us that, 'You people don't understand Sasuke, he has a softer side that he only shows towards Sakura. A special smile that he only projects towards Sakura'...

When I asked that person, 'Well, I've never seen Sasuke did anything as you mentioned in the Manga, Where's the proof?'.... That poster just bailed off....

it’s hilarious how much the novels and gaiden manga don’t make sense together. this awful characterization of sasuke makes me sad and hateful of what his character was turned into for SS fan-service.

I think we shouldn't worry too much about that stupid novels where Sasuke was portrayed as an horny man who wants to be with Sakura always... Because it doesn't match up with how he was portrayed in the Boruto Manga.

In the Manga, Sasuke was portrayed as someone who wanders alone and does his job on his own accord without any trappings of a Family. I think it's just these fillers pay more attention to this Domestic Drama which feels like a Total cringefest.

Logically, they could never adapt those novels. Because if you have a version of Sasuke who behaves in a certain way in Canon Episodes.... and if you make him do something OOC in fillers, that character will lose its credibility and people lose their interest altogether. And that shitty Anime was still running on the shoulders of Naruto and Sasuke’s popularity. If you make them go horny for their wives, 12 year old kids who are watching this drama would feel , “Ewww.... Instead of showing us how Boruto romancing Sarada, why the fuck they are showing some old peeps kissing each other??”

In my opinion, let them dream about their Gospel as much as they want. As long as the Anime Team don’t adapt those craps, I can begrudgingly digest this series!!!!!

#anti sakura #antisakura #sasuke

[davidmann95]

Sooo… Superman and the Authority?

magnus-king123 asked: Your thoughts on Superman & the authority Give it to me...lol

Anonymous asked: Seeing Bezos take his little trip into space the same day Morrison puts out a Superman comic that touches on how far we’ve fallen from the days when we dreamed of utopian futures where everyone explored the stars was a big gut punch. Not used to Superman being topical in that way.

Anonymous asked: What'd you think of Superman and the Authority#1?

This is far beyond what I can fit in the normal weekly reviews, so taking this as my notes on the first six pages, with this and this as my major lead-in thoughts:

* Janin's such a perfect fit for Morrison - the scale, the power, the facial expressions selling the character work, the screwing around with the panel formatting as necessary to sell the effect, the numinous sense of things going on larger than you can fully perceive amidst the beauty and chaos. It's a shame he wasn't around 25 years ago to draw JLA, but I'll take him going with Morrison onto other future projects.

* His intro action sequence is such a great demonstration of why Black actually does have something to offer, and also how he's such a dumbass desperately needing Superman to save him from himself.

* While Jordie Bellaire didn't legit go with an entirely monochromatic palate the way early previews suggested, it's still an effect frequently and excellently deployed here. And glad to see Steve Wands carry into this from Blackstars since there's such an obvious carryover from its work with Superman.

* "Gentlemen. Ladies. Others." Great both because of the obvious - hey, Superman's nodding at me! - and because it's a phrasing that reinforces that this take on him (and let's be real Morrison) is old as hell.

* I'm mostly past caring about whether this is an alt-Earth Superman until it becomes indisputable one way or another, this and Action both rule so what does it really matter? But while there are still a couple signs in play suggesting some kind of division (the Action Comics #1036 cover, Midnighter up to time-travel shenanigans) the "lost in time" quote clearly thrown in after the fact to explain how he could have met Kennedy outside of 5G that wouldn't be necessary for an Elseworlds, the assorted gestures towards Superman's current status quo, the Kingdom Come symbol appearing in Action, and that Morrison would have had to completely rewrite the ending if this wasn't supposed to be 'the' version of Clark Kent going forward as was the intent when they first planned it all say to me that no, no fooling around, this is our guy going forward one way or another.

* Janin and Bellaire making the first version of the crystal Fortress ever that actually looks as cool as you want it to.

Anonymous asked: I like that Superman and The Authority is basically the anti-All-Star; instead of the laid back, immortal Superman who is supercharged, we have a stressed, ageing Superman whose tremendous powers are fading. The former will always be there to save us, but the latter is running out of time and needs to pull off a Hail Mary. Also, he mentions in his monologue to Black that he was "lost in time" when he met JFK, so maybe he is the main continuity Clark. Or he's the t-shirt Supes from Sideways.

* You're absolutely right - the power reversal is obvious and the ticking clock in play seemingly isn't for his own survival but everyone around him as he wakes up and realizes all the old icons grew complacent with the gains they'd made and he's not leaving behind the world he meant to. Both, however, are built on the idea of preparing the world to not need them anymore - it'll still have a Superman in his son, but that'll only work because of the others he empowers and inspires. The question is what happens to Clark if he's not going to live in the sun for 83000 years.

* Clark's 'exercise' here does more to sell me on the idea of Old Man Superman as a cool idea than however many decades of Earth 2 stuff.

* Intergang being noted alongside Darkseid and Doomsday speaks to how much Kirby informed Morrison's conception of Superman.

* This isn't exactly the most progressive in its disability politics but at least it makes clear Black's being a piece of shit about it.

* It's startling how much Clark can get away with saying stuff in here you'd never expect to come out of Superman's mouth. "I made an executive decision" "Privacy, really...?" "You have nowhere to go, Black. Nothing to live for." "There are few people in my life who I instinctively and viscerally dislike, and you've always been one of them." It only works because there's zero aggression behind it, he's just past the point of niceties and being totally frank while making clear none of these assessments preclude that he cares and is going to unconditionally do the right thing every time. He is absolutely, per Morrison, humanity's dad picking us up when we're too drunk to drive ourselves home.

* The story doesn't put a big flashing light over it, but it's not even a little bit subtle having the material threat of the issue be a ticking timebomb left by the carelessness and hubris of generations past.

* Manchester keeps trying to poke the bear and prove his hot takes about Superman and it's just not working. The front he put up under Kelley is gone after decades of defeats, and as Morrison understands what actually conceptually works about him as a rival to Superman underneath the aging nerd paranoia he's exposed as what he absolutely would be in 2021: a dude with a horrific terminal case of Twitter brainworms. I was PANICKED when I heard there was an 'offensive term' joke in this, I was braced for Morrison at their well-meaning worst, but it's such a goddamn perfect encapsulation of a very specific breed of Twitter leftist who uses their politics first and foremost as a cudgel and justification to label their abrasive, judgmental shittiness as self-righteousness (plus it's a killer payoff to a joke from way back in his original appearance). Cannot believe they pulled that off when they're so very, very open about basically not knowing how the internet works.

* @charlottefinn: Manchester Black using his telekinetic powers to force someone he hates to fave a problematic tweet so that he can screenshot it and start a dogpile

@intergalactic-zoo: “Once they cancel Bibbo, Superman won’t be *anyone’s* fav’rit anymore!”

* Friend noted this issue had to be fully the conversation because the whole premise stands on the house of cards of these two somehow working together, and with three 'silent' inset panels the creative team pulls off that turning point.

* So much of this feels on the surface like Morrison bringing back the All-Star vibes with Clark, but when he drops a "That's all you got?" in a brawl you realize what's underlining that bluntness and confidence in the face of failure is that deep down this is still the Action guy too. This dude ain't gonna get wrecked in his Fortress while the other guy chuckles about him being A SOFT WEE SCIENTIST'S SON!

* Bringing up Jor-El made me realize that Morrison already spelled out that this is the final threat to Superman, what he faces at the end of the road:

"Now it's your turn, Superman."

* A l'il Superman 2000/All-Star reference with the Phantom Zone map!

* There's so much intertextuality going on here even by Morrison standards - Change or Die with the old hero putting together a team of morally nebulous folks out to 'fix' everything, Flex Mentallo with the muscleman trying to redeem the punk, Doomsday Clock with the fate of the world hinging on whether Superman can get through to a meta stand-in for an idea of 'modern' comics cynicism, DKR and New Frontier and Kingdom Come and Multiversity and Seven Soldiers and What's So Funny and All-Star and Action and the last 5 years of monthly Superman comics and Authority and probably Jupiter's Legacy and Tom Strong - but none of that's needed. You could go in with the baseline pop cultural understanding of the character and not care about any of the inside baseball shit and get that this is a story about a leader of a generation that let down the people they made all their grand promises to as inertia and day-to-day demands and complacency let him be satisfied with the accomplishments they'd made long ago, looking at a new era and seeing the ways its own activists are dropping the ball. The only thing that fundamentally matters in a "you have to accept you're reading a superhero story" sense is that because he's Superman he's willing to own up to it and listen to people who might know better about some things and try to set things right while he and those who'll take his place still have a chance. And yes, the oldster looking back on their legacy with a skeptical eye and hoping for better from the next generation, hoping most of all that their little heir apparent can fulfill the promise inside of him instead of being a provocating little shitkicker, is obviously also autobiographical.

* The overlaying Kennedy reprisal is such a great visual of a sudden intrusive thought.

* The Kryptonite secret is the obvious "This is going to matter!" moment, but "He lied about his son" is a bit that doesn't connect to anything going on right now so maybe that's important here too? More significantly, the Justice League can't actually be the villains here but that Ultra-Humanite's crew are in an Earth-orbiting satellite makes pretty clear what's up.

* I've said before that between Superman, OMAC, and a New Gods-affiliated speedster this was going to use all of Morrison's favorite things. King Arthur playing a role isn't exactly dissuading me.

* Love the idea that all the antiheroes have their own community in the same way as the capes and tights crew. They definitely all privately think the rest are posers though and that they alone are Garth Ennis Punisher in a mob of Garth Ennis Wolverines.

* Manchester's fallen so far he's gone from trying to convince Superman to kill to convince him to dunk on people for their bad takes and Clark just doesn't get it. Official prediction of dialogue for upcoming issues:

"According to these bloody Fortress scans, the only thing that can restore your powers is an unfiltered hit of dopamine. Don't worry, Doctor Black has a few ideas."

"Hmm. Maybe I'll plant a nice tree?"

"...fuck you."

* Ok I already talked about how great the Fortress looks in here but LOVE this library.

* A pair of pages this seems like the right spot to discuss from Black's original appearance that underlines both his and Superman's inadequacies up to this point:

Responding to the problem of "the government and penal system are hopelessly corrupt" neither of them has any actual notion of what to do about it in spite of their respective posturing beyond how to handle individual outside actors - each is in their own way every bit as small-minded and reactionary as the other. Clark's coming around though, and he's holding out hope for the other guy.

* Superman: Have a lovely mineral water :) proper hydration is important :)

Manchester Black: *Is a dude who can get so mad he vomits and passes out. At water.*

* That last page is the one to beat for the year, and does more to put over the idea of this as an Authority book than that Midnighter and Apollo are literally going to show up. It also feels like Morrison tacitly acknowledging all the ways the premise could go or at least be received wrong - from Superman saying 'enough is enough' to who he's bringing into the fold to go about it - in the most beautifully on-the-nose fashion imaginable. Maybe they'll save us all! Or maybe they'll drown us in their vomit.

#Superman and The Authority #Superman #The Authority #Manchester Black #Grant Morrison #Mikel Janin #Jordie Bellaire #Steve Wands #Opinion

[yurimother]

LGBTQ Comic Review - Amongst Us Book 1

A masterful combination of comedy, subtle romance, and incredible sensuality

I make no attempts to hide my complete admiration and infatuation with Shilin Huang's Yuri webcomic Amongst Us. The slice of life AU featuring reimagined versions of the lead characters from fantasy series Carciphona as a lesbian couple has held a special place in my heart for a long time. I named the series one of the best Yuri works of the past one-hundred years, can frequently be found lurking in the author's Twitch streams, and even have a wall in my office dedicated to the artwork of the main couple (or I did before my office became a remote classroom). So, when a Kickstarter by Shilin and Hiveworks Comics launched promising a print version of the work, I was eager to support it financially and promote it with my humble platform. The Kickstarter took place in March, and books were initially estimated for release in May of 2020. However, as you have probably realized by the dates alone, the world went very South around this time. A combination of disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, a healthy amount of bad luck, and what I am inclined to believe, for various reasons, was some awful mismanagement by Hiveworks led to numerous delays. Indeed, by the time the book finally shipped, I had moved, so my copy arrived a little later as it had to be forwarded. But, at the end of this frustrating and anticipation-building event, I finally have the volume in my hands, and it was worth the wait. While I adore the webcomic, this gorgeous print volume completely enthralls me. The book is absolutely the preferred way to read this spectacular comic.

Before getting into the exquisite details of Amongst Us Book 1: Soulmates, I need to take a minute to praise how well this book is put together. The paperback binding is thick and features amazing spot glass that sparkles in the light. This feature only accentuates the fantastic and bright the cover illustration of main characters Veloce and Blackbird loving holding each other is. The back cover has a simpler but more imaginative illustration of the two flying through the sky, and the character's expressions tell you everything you need to know about this fantastic, odd couple. There are a few things you will notice upon opening the volume. The first is how well Amongst Us made the challenging transition from vertical webcomic to the page. The assembly and paneling are fantastic and clear, and chapters feature stylized illustrations and title cards. You will then see the inside cover, a powerful display that perfectly contrasts the front's glowing and tender love. Finally, there is Shilin's presents moving forward and dedication, where she lovingly dedicates the book to her partner, Kristen.

I assure you, as good as the book's presentation and assembly is, the contents within are even better. Amongst Us follows Veloce and Blackbird's bombastic relationship. The two women are eccentric and striking musicians in their early twenties, and I swear you will never forget them. The slice of life storylines are, per the genre's definition, mundane and include events like shopping at the mall, riding the train, and having lunch with a friend. The charming simplicity of the story serves well to the reactions of the characters. Shilin effortlessly transitions from adorable moments of affection to explosive and hilarious comedy and irresistible and delightful moments of sexual tension; Veloce's neck and jawline alone could topple a monarchy. Often, slice of life works can become dull or repetitive, but these stories and the frequent changes in tone help the reader stay engaged and excited.

Putting slice of life aside for a moment, it is also important to note that Amongst Us is also has an interesting place within the Yuri genre, or "Girl's Love/GL" as it is often called in webcomic circles (originally an analogous term of Boy's Love). Webcomics have often been a bit more adventurous with their storylines and styles than Japanese manga. While the genre rose to popularity in the space thanks to digital manhwa and manhua, some (not all) of the Yuri tropes did not carry over between the similar mediums. Many modern webcomics and webtoons take their inspiration more from manhwa and manhua GL, which has developed its own canon and tropes over the years. However, even for a webcomic, Shilin's work feels somewhat divorced from most other worlds of Yuri. This first volume exists mainly against the Yuri genre's expectations. However, the next book, which flashes back to the couple's origin, undoubtedly is more in line with convention, for better or worse. It feels like the author decided to screw the norms and write a work that she would enjoy, and I am so glad that she did. Veloce and Blackbird are young adults, out of school in an established relationship with no drama. This (sadly) unconventional setting is made all the more irregular because of just how distinctive, and unwonted Blackbird and Veloce are.

Blackbird and Veloce, originally from the fantasy world of Carciphona, take on a new life, literally, in this wonderful modern reimagining and homage. You do not need to be a fan of the original work to enjoy their bizarre and larger-than-life personalities. Indeed, when I read Amongst Us online for the first time, I had not ever even heard of Carciphona. Veloce is the quieter and more stoic of the two, although she is not afraid of showing a more relatable and human side as she reacts to Blackbirds wild antics. Veloce's (not)straight man approach is hilariously sobering. But, her best moments are in those when she lets loose a little bit, like when she is rendered drooling by the promise of her favorite smoothie or in her stoic yet alluring flirtations with Blackbird, only to get close enough to steal a healthy chomp of ice cream.

Blackbird, on her part, is completely insane. She continuously pulls of wild antics like jumping on Veloce to surprise her or singing an especially threatening song after a glorious battle over lunch. However, she is perfectly capable of showing her love and admiration for Veloce in her own cheeky way. However, true to form, each softer or more personal moment between the two is often immediately and perfectly juxtaposed with comedy, with the apparent exception of the book's touching and thoughtful finale. Veloce and Blackbird will both more than please readers individually, but you will fall in love with them as a couple. I must have read this at least a few dozen times between the webtoon and the book, and I am just as enchanted as ever by their loud and unapologetic love.

The ordinary misadventures of Blackbird and Veloce are accompanied by genuinely astounding artwork. No, that statement does not do Shilin's illustrations justice. Veloce and Blackbird lead from the page thanks to stunning, full-color illustrations that detail every moment of hilarity. Every movement from the slightest smirk to the over-the-top dramatizations of regular events thoughtfully and beautifully sprawl across the pages and invite you to stare for hours. Shilin is the only person possible who could make something as simple as someone softly singing Happy Birthday so epic and sultry. Speaking of which, my goddess of Yuri is this work titillating. No, there are no gratuitous scenes, but just the characters leaning over each other or touching the other's chin makes my hands shake. My only small complaint is that some early chapters show their age slightly with noticeably lower quality linework and flatter colors than the dazzling and dynamic work demonstrated towards the end. Still, even on its worst day, Amongst Us looks better than most of its peers and the entirety of its many inferiors.

Amongst Us is nearly the perfect work. It has a uniquely compelling and mirth-inducing way of displaying a young yet very unordinary couple's everyday life. Its characters, from design to personality, are instantly memorable and striking. Despite being ready to rip each other's heads off at the drop of a hat, or rather because of it, Blackbird and Veloce feel the perfect and natural couple we so rarely witness. Shilin's masterful combination of comedy, subtle romance, and incredible sensuality is astounding. This book is worth it for the outstanding and vibrant artwork alone, but its combination with excellent writing create a sonorous and majestic modern romance unlike any other. I believe that Shilin has created something genuinely special here, and I can confidently say that out of the hundreds of webcomics I have read, this one is the pinnacle of its kind and my absolute favorite.

You can purchase Amongst Us book 1: Soulmates exclusively on Shilin's online shop and read the webcomic now for free on Twitter, Webtoon and Tumblr​ @okolnir​.

Ratings: Story – 9 Characters – 10 Art – 10 LGBTQ – 8 Sexual Content – 5 Final – 10

#yuri #reviews #lgbt #lgbtq #lgbtq+ #queer #gay #anime #manga #amongst us #shilin #lesbian #gl #wlw #girls love #comics #comic #webtoon #webcomic #cute #funny #lol

[pascalscenarios]

THE ONE (Frankie Morales x Reader)

THE ONE

Frankie Morales x Reader  

Based on my short Frankie “Confession” Scenario on Twitter

Summary: You’re getting ready to be married in a month, but then you end up seeing Frankie Morales for the first time in a decade. 

Warning: None

Words: 1257

Authors Note: Hello! I’m really excited for this one! I hope you enjoy. :)

CH 1 | CH 2

Chapter 1

“Oh my god!” Your bridesmaids gasped as you walked in front of a full-length 3-panel mirror in the bridal store. You stood on the platform, examining yourself in the outfit.

“What do you guys think?” You asked your bridesmaids as you turned to face them. The five of them sat on the white sofa behind you.

“You look amazing!” One chirped.

“You HAVE to get it!”

“It's so stunning!”

“You’re going to take everyone's breath away!”

“Wait till Alex sees you in this! They’re going to pass out when they see you walking down that aisle!!!” Your maid of honor gushes.

You turn to face the mirror again, examining the outfit more. Your hands rake up and down the sides of the outfit. You turned left and right to get a better look from different angles. You loved how you looked it in. You felt great and looked beautiful.

“I think this is the one!” You smiled.

Your bridesmaids smile and cheer at your approval.

“That’s a great choice! Congratulations! You’re going to look absolutely gorgeous on your wedding day. I’ll have it boxed up for you!” The bridal consonant says.

“Thank you so much!” You smile.

…

“Alright, We’ll see you in a couple of weeks for the party! We’ve got everything planned out! You’re going to have so much fun! One last hurrah before you’re off the market and married!” One of your bridesmaids says excitedly.

“I can wait! Thank you guys for coming!” you say as you hug all of them.

“Of course! We’d be terrible friends and bridesmaids if we didn’t!”

“Thank you guys again. I’ll text you!” You waved goodbye.

“Bye love you bitch!” They opened the door, looking back to wave at you. You chuckle watching the four of them trail out. Your maid of honor stayed back to help you.

“I’m going to pick up more decorations and finish those centerpieces tonight! Do you need help taking the box to your car?” They asked as they slipped their bag on their shoulder.

“No I got!” you smiled.

“Are you sure? Cause I can-”

“I’m fine! Go meet Jordan! I know you're running late for date night!” You reassured her.

“But-”

“Go!” You laughed. Your maid of honor hugs you quickly.  

“Alright! Thank you! I’ll call you tomorrow! Love you! ” They say rushing off out the door.

You pick up your bag putting it on the shoulder and bend over to pick up the wide and semi-heavy box. You thanked the bridal store consultants again for everything, as they opened the door for you. They congratulated you and wished you well.

As you walked through the parking lot, your bag was slipping off your shoulder. You kept having to stop to adjust your bag and then the heavy and long box in your arms. You must have looked like you were struggling because someone stopped to help you.

“Here, let me help you.” They say taking the box from you.

“Oh my gosh, thank you so-” You stopped talking once you realized who was helping you. He was tall, wearing a worn-out t-shirt, jeans, tactical boots, and that famous Standard Heating Oil hat he loved so much on top of his short floppy curls. He hasn't changed a bit since the last time you saw him. He still looked like the Fransisco Morales you knew.

“Frankie” you breathed, your eyes wide.

“Hey…” he says softly.

You both stand in the parking lot in silence, staring at each other both of you unsure what to say.

“How are you?” He takes the initiative to make things less awkward.

“I’ve been good...busy, but good. How about you?” You asked, holding to the straps of your bag.

“I’m good as well. I just came back home not too long ago.”

“Yeah, Santiago told me.”

You knew Frankie since you were a kid. Your cousin Santiago has been best friends with Frankie since childhood. They’re three years older than you. When you guys were younger, Santiago would hate when you tagged along with him and Frankie, but Frankie never seemed to mind. He always made sure to include and invited you in everything they did. Middle school is when you develop your crush on Frankie, but it wasn’t until your freshman year of college you found the courage to make the first move and ask him out. You guys dated, but things ended badly for you two.

From time to time, when you missed Frankie, you’d ask your cousin about him and how he was doing, just to make sure he was okay.

“So…” he says, lifting the box. “Are you apart of a wedding or something? Bridesmaid?” he chuckles. Oh god, He didn’t know. You were sure that Santiago would have said something to him.

You stare at him. He looks down at your hand noticing the engagement ring on your finger. His smile slowly fades, his eyes growing sad.

“Oh…” he nods. “Congratulations.”

“T-thank you.” you stuttered. 

“Who's the lucky person?” He was curious to know if he knew them.

“Their names Alex. I met them through a mutual friend. We’ve been together for two years.”

“When’s the big day?” he asks

“It's next month, on the twenty-first…Um, we should take this to my car, it's over there.” You motion to the White Camry. You grab your keys out of your bag and press the button to unlock the trunk. When you walk over to the car, you press the trunk handle, opening it up.

Frankie places the box down into the trunk and closes the top for you.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Silence and awkwardness again.

“I’m happy for you, Smiles. I really am.” And there he goes calling you by his nickname for you. Smiles. He gave you that nickname as a kid because you were always smiling. Even when things get bad for you, you always find the positive and smile about something.

You chuckled. You haven’t been called that in a very long time.

“You should come to the wedding!” you blurted out. Shit. Really? You really asked Frankie Morales to come to your wedding, like he wants to see his ex get married.

“Or you don’t have to! I would understa-” you say trying to save yourself from the mess you’re creating

“No. No, I’ll be there. I wouldn’t miss it for the world, Smiles.” he smiles slightly.

“O-okay. I’ll put your name on the list.” You fiddled with your keys.

“I have to go, but it was nice seeing you.”

You wrap your arms around his body, as you get pulled into an awkward and uncomfortable hug, but after a moment, you melt into it. The hug felt familiar. It like home.

You both pull away.

“I’ll see you around.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets, backing away slowly from you.

“Bye, Frankie.” He turns around and starts walking towards the grocery store.

You stand there for a bit watching him stroll off, but decided it was time to head home. As you got into the driver's seat, you started crying due to rushing emotions. It was your first time seeing or talking to him since the night you broke up ten years ago. Why were you crying over him? You’ve broken up so long ago! Weren’t you past that? You were going to marry the love of your life! But deep down, no matter how hard you try to ignore it and shove it far down, you loved him. You always did and always will.

#triple frontier #Frankie Morales x Reader #francisco morales #frankie morales #Frankie #frankie catfish morales #pedro pascal #pedro