#but i always end up feeling like people see the conflict as an obstacle? a thing to get past so we can get them back together

[lgbtlunaverse]

I don't think we talk about xiyao exes to lovers enough. I understand that in canon the "breakup" ended with death and imo it was never going to end any other way (I have a lot of feelings about how jgy is doomed from the start) but even in aus where survival is an option I barely ever see their full potential realized. The fact that there is this heartbreaking gap that is between them now, and yet that, despite it all, they can't stop loving each other. When you have drama this good, why is the conflict relegated to outside threats and we end up with little to no exploration of internal strife, of the fact that these guys have been living a domestic lie for a decade (I cannot stress this enough, the amount of parralels between xiyao and jgy's marriage to qin su are staggering.)

And let me be clear I will NEVER begrudge anyone their hurt/comfort and wanting their faves who are denied happiness and peace at every turn to find it. god knows I need that sometimes. Or even the less healthy but so emotionally devastating fics where the caring isn't good, and it doesn't fix anything- might only make things worse, actually- and xichen ends up recreating his father's fate. I love all of those things. But. Man. This divorce was over 11 years in the making it should take AT LEAST that long to resolve. What do you do when the person you trusted the most lied to you for years? What do you do when the only person who's ever believed in you loses that faith so completely they'd hurt you over a lie without hesitation? I need me some xiyao who try to get over each other for 20 years and fail. I need them to meet after not seeing each other for years and have it hurt like no time has passed at all. I need arguments where no one raises their voice but that feel like a screaming match anyway. Do you see my vision?? Do you see what we could have?

(if fics that do exacly this are out there, recs are of course welcome)

#mdzs #meng yao #xiyao #lan xichen #jin guangyao #rs: i wish it could've been you #this might make some people really mad #at the idea that jgy has any right to have grievances with xichen but uh... #i'm not interested in arguing with jgy antis. go scream at a wall #or a different camp who DO like xiyao but who are like 'but xichen was lied to jgy wouldn't blame him' #the fact that it was a lie makes it WORSE you guys know that right? #some of you have never been the proverbial boy who cried wolf #and had people assume everything you say is a lie because you've lied in the past #and good for you! You SHOULD be honest with those you love i'm very happy for all of you #but also. lmao. you have no idea how that feels. #i have read aus where they break up and get back together of course #but i always end up feeling like people see the conflict as an obstacle? a thing to get past so we can get them back together #and not.. you know. the most interesting part. the selling point #I think in a slightly lower stakes au xiyao should wait a few years get back together because they love each other and then break up AGAIN #when they realize that the old relationship they had with that easy trust is gone forever. love isn't enough to bring that back #you can build something new. including a new kind of trust just as potent. but that old easy kind is gone. #and i think they should try to get it back because it was the best thing they ever had #and get fucked up about it when they realize they can't #and it should take them well over a decade to mourn it until they're ready to let it go and try to make something new of it #PLEASE let me talk about the xichen qin su parralels please let me talk about how rusong is nmj-coded #not in personality but in the function he has narratively as someone that can never stop haunting jgy. #the fact that nmj's death and rusong's birth were likely extremely close to each other timeline wise LET'S TALK ABOUT IT

[st4rtar0t]

Tarot reading: What vibes do you give off to strangers?

Picture one

Cards : knight of wands, The emperor and two of swords

When strangers encounter you, they might feel your infectious zest for life. You give off this vibe of being adventurous and always ready for something new. People might see you as someone who's not afraid to take risks and explore uncharted territories, and that can be pretty exciting to be around! I see that they might sense a strong sense of confidence and self-assuredness. You give off a vibe of being in control and having a clear plan. People may perceive you as someone who's organized and can handle whatever comes your way. Your presence might make them feel like you've got your life together, which can be quite reassuring.They might also sense that you're someone who takes their time to weigh options and doesn't rush into things. You give off a vibe of being thoughtful and considerate. People might feel like you're a good listener, someone who's open to different perspectives and doesn't jump to conclusions. you give off a unique blend of vibes. On one hand, there's that adventurous, energetic side that makes you seem like a fun and dynamic person to be around. On the other hand, your confidence and sense of control can give off an aura of reliability and leadership. And then, there's that thoughtful, considerate side that suggests you're not one to make snap judgments. These vibes combined make you an intriguing and well-rounded individual in the eyes of strangers. You're likely someone who can make people feel both excited and at ease when they meet you.

Picture two

Cards : Page of cups, 9 of wands and 10 of swords

First up, that youthful, dreamy vibe - it's like you're this open book of emotions and experiences. People can sense your readiness to dive headfirst into new things, to embrace emotions as they come, and to explore the world with fresh eyes. You're like a cup waiting to be filled with all these exciting feelings and ideas. And that's probably why folks find you super approachable; they see you as someone who's up for some real, heart-to-heart conversations. It's like you've got this welcoming aura that says, "Hey, let's chat about life and all the good stuff. It's like you've got this invisible armor, a cloak of resilience. People can pick up on your determination and grit, like you've been through some real battles and come out even stronger. There's a protective aura around you, a vibe that suggests you've faced your fair share of obstacles and setbacks, but you didn't back down. Instead, you stood your ground, and that makes strangers see you as someone who's not to be messed with. You're cautious, in a smart way, and that's something they respect. It's like you've experienced some major closures and endings in your life. Strangers might sense that you've put certain things to rest, that you're not dwelling on the past. There's this air of closure around you, like you've accepted the finality of some situations. And it's not just about endings; it's about transformation too. People might feel that you've undergone significant changes and personal growth. It's like you've faced your own dragons and emerged as a stronger, more evolved version of yourself.

Picture three

Cards : 5 of wands, knight of pentacles and 4 of cups

When strangers first meet you, they might sense a bit of inner conflict or restlessness in your energy. It's like you're constantly juggling ideas or ambitions, which can sometimes create a sense of tension around you. But don't worry; this isn't necessarily a bad thing! This inner struggle often stems from your desire to make things better, to improve yourself and your situation. People might notice that you're not one to settle for the status quo. Now, let's talk about your approach to work and responsibilities. You give off vibes of someone who's incredibly diligent and dependable. People might pick up on the fact that you're the kind of person who takes their commitments seriously. You're like the knight of pentacles, always focused on the task at hand and willing to put in the effort required to get things done. Your dedication and reliability are qualities that strangers can appreciate and respect. On the other hand, there might be moments when strangers perceive a certain level of indifference or introspection in you. It's like you have your own world of thoughts and emotions, which can sometimes make you seem distant or disinterested in what's happening around you. The four of cups suggests that you might occasionally miss out on opportunities because you're so wrapped up in your inner contemplations. But this introspection is also a part of your charm, as it hints at depth and complexity in your personality.

_________________________________________________________________

This is my very first post here. Please let me know if this resonated with you 🤗

#pick a card #tarot #divination #spirituality #tarot reading #tarot services #tarotcommunity #pick a picture #pick a photo #pick an image

[saturnianprincess]

[pick a card] your relationship

In this reading, I will tell you about the type of love you share with your future spouse / long-term partner.

How to choose a pile: Close your eyes, meditate on the piles if you feel like and pick the one your intuition guides you to. As always take what resonates and let the rest fly! Hope you enjoy this reading :)

Pile 1

The relationship you share with your person will be a calming yet emotionally fulfilling one. You both could be each other's wish or manifestations. There will not be any power imbalances and you both consider each other to be equal. There is a sense of building or creating something together. Mostly, I'm seeing starting a business or following a dream of yours with their help. It's like you both will help uplift each other to be your best versions. People may feel like your relationship with your person is too good to be true. People might feel that you are hiding or not sharing the negative aspects of it, but my lovelies your person is literally a gift to you from the universe. I'm not saying you would not have any struggles as such but I see an initial lack of commitment for either you or your person. At times you both might get too busy with pursuing your own dreams that you get tunnel-visioned so be mindful of that. All in all, they are your future partner and will be a lucky charm for you.

a song for this group:

Pile 2

You will have a fun, lively, and outgoing relationship with your person. You will socialize and party a lot. Some of you might meet them at one! You both will face a lot of obstacles, and encounter snakey people or situations but I see that you will overcome these challenges bravely. You both prioritize quality time with each other. They will fill your cup with so much love and gift (yea some of yall's person loves to spoil you with expensive gifts). There may be the occasional conflicts or arguments but I see both parties dealing with issues with emotional maturity and rationality. You both would place each other on the pedestal and treat each other with the utmost respect. I see you go on lots of adventures and impulsive trips with your person. Your person might be a little protective of you. You both complement each other in the best way. Ying-Yang energy. You both will encourage each other to step out your comfort zones. You both will experience so many new things with each other.

a song for this group:

Pile 3

For this pile most of your future spouses/partners are healers. You will meet them when you are in a dark place or struggling alone. At first, you will be guarded and defensive with them, but over time you will reach a point of understanding that they are here for you, to help you heal. You might be stuck in a toxic situation or with a toxic person unable to see the way out, but your spouse/partner will help you get out of that. Your relationship with them will be full of sunshine and happiness. Some of you will have a family with this person or for others, their family will be so accepting of you. They will be there for you whether you choose them or not. Your connection with them will feel so ethereal almost like you are imagining things. Your person will nourish your soul and heal your wounds with love. If you are burdened with something they will make sure to remove that burden from your shoulders. Will literally even sacrifice themselves for you so be careful to not let them overdo this. You both would need to ensure that there are strong boundaries in place.

a song for this group:

Pile 4

Those who chose this pile are most likely to end up with their soulmate. This is a love-at-first-sight relationship. You both were definitely supposed to be with each other in this lifetime. Your relationship is balanced with both of you being very much involved to make this connection work. There is a high level of intellectual stimulation. You both love to work or read in each other's company. The couple who loves to debate and chat about stuff all day long. There's a sense of familiarity with this person. You both are each other's safe space. Both of you are clingy to each other. But I do see that you both encourage each other to maintain your own life and personality. At times though either of you may get too co-dependent on the other so make sure to take some time out to reflect and keep the element of independence in the relationship. You both will be very emotionally receptive to each other. I see lots of cuddling and skipping parties just to be with each other. It is a very cute rom-com-type relationship. You both will laugh a lot together and have this best-friend vibe.

a song for this group:

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#Spotify #pick a card #tarot cards #tarot community #future spouse #love reading #relationship #astrology community #divination #pick a pile #free tarot #future lovers #pariposts

[vibingandsimping]

Another drabble as I work on more long headcanons and oneshots/fics… they’re in the works y’all.

Forewarnings: Age difference mentioned.

A friend and I were talking about Zevlor and I have come to realize I love older men. (Who said that? Not me.)

Longer blurb… got a little carried away.

You knew that since you saw him atop the Grove, Zevlor was a sight. A fiery red tiefling with sharp horns that curled upwards. In all honesty, from the distance, all you could make out was his general being was sharp if his chiseled features were anything to go by. Blade slashed and spells whizzed across the outside as you and your companions fought off the invading goblins. Everyone managed to hold their ground and survive while the foe was temporarily vanquished. The gates raised and you entered with heavy pockets. Your first stop, initially, was to trade with the local shopkeep. Those plans were soiled when you saw him arguing with one of the humans who led the goblin pack. With eavesdropping ears and peering eyes, you concluded he was about to explode on him.

Ever the savior you were, you interrupted and defused the situation. Yes, the human male’s mistake to lead them back here was idiotic… it did not warrant any further violence. One life was lost and that was a win itself. Things could’ve went worse, you reassured him, as he inhaled deeply from his nostrils with a look of growing shame. He seemed conflicted still and apologized but all you could really focus on the character he was. His face and voice showed his age- Zevlor clearly lived a healthy portion of his life. Yet, he seemed to be marking all the right boxes. He was humble and mature enough to admit his wrongdoings even in a noble cause. He wanted nothing more than to protect his tiefling family. Tiefling or not yourself, that was admirable.

After chatting, you ended up agreeing to clearing out the camp of goblins. Part of it was your nature and a more selfish part was to earn the favor of the fine aged man you’d met. Plus, it seemed to also benefit the druids. Two birds with one stone kind of deal. That in itself was a feat and there were quite the… obstacles along the way. You made sure to visit the grove and make conversation with him when you could. He was often found in the seclusion of his chamber, rather stressed actually, but always spared you the time to chat. Quick conversations evolved into learning more about him. Harmless gazes and smiles (which, you’d say his smile was about the most devilishly charming) turned into fleeting glances and sheepish. It was like he was fighting his nature.

The last time you visited him in the Grove was to announce the news of the liberation. His eyes widened and he stammered in shock that you even managed to do it. As emotion overwhelmed him, he drew you into a tight squeeze and thanked you in such a tone you knew that you saw him more than a newfound friend at this point. His touch was warm and tight, it made you feel safe. It was much too short for your liking and he cleared his throat with an apology for the outburst. You simply excused him politely with a blush and prepared for the celebration they’d throw at your camp that night. Your mind wouldn’t wipe of the man as you adventured, painfully distracted.

When you arrived at camp, everyone seemed settled in and already pouring their drinks. Voices sung, people danced and others staggered. They were the lightweights and got drunk off a goblet or two of wine. None of it seemed to interest you, though. Eyes darting along until you spotted him standing off by himself. Your heart pang at the sight- he should be enjoying himself. He was your first stop that night (and you sure did notice a certain vampire brooding as you strode right past). A soft expression enveloped his features as your stomach churned. He was too attractive for his own good. The two of you talked and he reminisced on the fact that seeing his refugee’s enjoy themselves was enough for him. He quietly thanked you once more as his gaze devolved into something more… intimate. There was a hesitance- a vulnerability. It seemed as if he was heartbroken before… possibly secluded? If you weren’t reading into things, he surely held some sort of affection for you. He regarded you whilst you two spoke as if you were unobtainable. Whether that was the challenge of your companions or believing he was too old for love.

You sought out to prove him utterly wrong. Even if he was an older tiefling, he deserved to live out his years with someone by his side.

(If you made it this far… I was tempted to write MUCH more. If you guys want a continuation or such let me know. More than happy to supply.)

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #my writing #baldurs gate 3 x reader #baldurs gate iii #bg3 x reader #bg3 zevlor #tav x zevlor #zevlor x reader #baldurs gate 3 zevlor #my thoughts #brain empty #older men… #kicking my feet

[young-royals-confessions]

Just pitching in since I see so much discourse about will they or won’t they that I think we kind of lost the essence of the story: I mean yes, Netflix is promoting the whole are they going to be endgame or not, tune in to find out but I think that’s just a generic marketing tactic.I’ve honestly been ignoring it.

Also, Lisa doesn’t strike me as the type of writer that would push only her own personal agenda or politics to a tv show, especially one that has critical acclaim as yr. That’s not what true storytelling is about. Please bear with me (apologies in advance for the long response !) but here’s my v long winded reasoning:

The theme has always been love v. duty & the monarchy is the enemy. Wille is on a Hero’s Journey - he is ultimately the Main Character; the Young Royal. What’s great about The Hero’s Journey is that it’s easy to follow and makes for great storytelling despite its predictability. I think some people here may have touched upon this so I am simply expanding:

As a viewer, we follow Wille and get to know him. He’s a likable character and we easily root for him and feel for him when we learn about the power dynamics in play; specifically how he feels caged as a prince. Then we enter into a Call for Adventure: him falling for Simon and the high stakes he enters when his brother passes and he is now Crown Prince.

This, then, propels the story forward, given the stakes are stacked up and it’s not looking good for Wille, especially after he/we find out August was the offender for sex tape leak.

After that, we enter into The Refuse to Call for Adventure; i.e, the hero (Wille) realizes he must face the challenge. We also step into the Meeting the Mentor, which is Boris, who helps Wille learn how to stand up and ultimately fight for himself (and Simon). While I see others thinking that W might push everyone away, including skipping his appts with Boris, I do not think that’s the case. Boris was set up to be the Mentor that W needs to realize the challenge he’s been facing and we may continue seeing him open up to Boris.

This will then allow W to “Cross the Threshold” and reinforce the central theme and conflict of the story - if W continues to stay with the monarchy and his obligations as Crown Prince, he cannot choose Simon. Love or Duty? Which will prevail?

S3 crosses that threshold and produces tests and obstacles that would make the fight for his relationship w S so much more complicated (basically everything we saw in the trailer). This stage in the Hero’s Journey is meant for the audience to doubt the Hero - Wille. It’s already a testament as we are debating if W is going to denounce his title or not just from the 2 mins of what we saw from the trailer. It’s intentional. We need to doubt in order for the central theme to drive home and also portrays the monarchy to be the overarching enemy of this story, without Lisa forfeiting her own political statement.

We enter the next stage of the Journey - which is the Cave - meaning the Hero and protagonists need to regroup and prepare for a counter attack (generally speaking) because the tension is continuing to rise and there are outside forces that wish to disturb the Journey (in this case, public opinion? paparazzi? Hillerska shutting down?).

Next, we enter the Ordeal - which makes the Hero break down bc he enters a mental barrier and is pushed to a corner. However, the Hero, typically comes out stronger after this stage in storytelling.

Ultimately, we reach the end: The Reward. The Hero makes the “attack” or choice and defeats the enemy/antagonist.

Imo, with how everything is set up, I do think it’s set up for W and S to be together in the end at least the end of the show (everything else after is obviously left for the audience member to interpret).

I have no doubt that W & S are going to come up on top and still be together in the end bc like some people mentioned - what would be the point? It was never a question whether they would end up together. The question is if Wille, our Hero in this story, would make the final choice and choose between love or duty. I think Wille would choose love. What better way of making history, especially with everything that’s been happening in real events, then choosing love? That would make for a strong ending.

#young royals #hero's journey #wilhelm #yr s3 spoilers #s3 speculation #wilmon #wilmon endgame #love or duty

[imaginepirates]

I love your take on potc characters and your headcanons for them. It’s just amazing. If it’s not a bother, I was wondering how do you think those characters would be as a parent? I mean we haven’t seen much parenting even for those that had kids in canon.

Ok so I actually have a few posts about this for James (hc)(hc)(hc) and Barbossa (fic) but! I can always expand. I also have one for Beckett (hc) since I'm obsessed with the idea.

Jack – Oh god. This is such an interesting question, because I firmly believe that Jack is actively against having children. He really and truly cannot fathom the idea of having kids of his own and being torn between caring for them on land where they can lead good lives and being at sea where he himself is happy. It’s a moral conflict he just can’t bring himself to face. His idea of what a child’s life should be like is shaped by his relationship with Teague and the ways in which he recognizes his own childhood lacked structure and support. He knows he can’t be the parent he needed when he was younger, and is thus against having children at all. If he were to have kids of his own, he would have to make the painstaking decision to leave them on land. A pirate ship is no place to raise a child; it’s dangerous and unpredictable. In his eyes, the best place for a kid to grow up is in a place of more stability, where they might have a better chance at finding a legitimate profession and keep themselves out of the trouble Jack has lived in his whole life. Rather than having biological kids, I can more see him acting as a sort of father-figure to a lot of young boys who end up working on the Pearl, teaching them the ropes and watching as they grow in their abilities and confidence.

Elizabeth – Elizabeth would be an interesting parent to have, for sure. I think her relationship with motherhood would be something very complex. For one, she has nothing to go off of, having had no mother of her own for most of her life. With her father gone, she can’t ask his advice, either. She’s such a fiercely independent and active person, too, that mothering may feel like an obstacle for her sometimes. That being said, I think she loves her children dearly and wants to do her absolute best for them. She teaches them all she knows—from proper behavior at formal functions to sword-fighting multiple enemies at once. She’s going to have the most well-rounded kids of all time, tbh. I’ve always kept this image in my mind of her showing up to a meeting of the Brethren Court with a kid just strapped to her front in a sling across her chest, and nobody says a damn thing. This also works as a method of volume control because nobody dares raise their voice and make the baby cry. I have an intrinsic need to see this happen, actually. I love the idea of her kids having pirate baby-sitters half the time when she needs to do something dangerous; Pintel and Ragetti act as honorary uncles, Barbossa as a granddad. Jack is the wine aunt. In all, her kids probably lead a kind of busy, chaotic life with people coming and going throughout their childhoods, but they have ties to an abundance of people who simply adore them. 

James – The most devoted, doting father ever. James is terrified to mess things up as a parent, and is always worrying that he won’t be any good at it. He adores his children and has unparalleled dedication to them. He wants them to have a good scholarly education, something he never had, but if they choose the military over school, he’ll personally oversee as much of their training as he can. He’s a deeply caring father, too. Though not good at expressing his own feelings, he’ll do anything for his children when they need him. He wants them to feel safe when coming to him, something he could never do with his own father. He makes sure to spend quality time with his kids doing things that aren’t school or work, instead playing games or taking them out riding or reading to them. When the kids are young, he’ll take naps with them on his chest, holding them close. He recognizes that he may have to be absent for long periods of time due to the nature of his job, and it tears at him. His greatest fear is going to sea for months while his children are still relatively little and coming home to find that they don’t remember him. Thus, he works hard to be as present as possible while he’s home, wanting desperately to make a positive impact on their lives. 

Will – Honestly, I feel like Will would make the most sane parent. After resolving things with his own father, he’s one of the people with the fewest daddy issues, and actually has a dad to ask questions of when he needs advice. Will feels like a very relaxed parent, not putting a lot of pressure on his kids. He was poor for most of his life, and though he wants better for his children than he had for himself, he also knows that happiness can be found working simple jobs. He’s very open to his children’s wishes and interests, and he’ll support them in pretty much damn anything. He definitely advises not becoming a pirate, though. Assuming the curse has lifted for him by the time he has children, he spends a lot of time with them. If it hasn’t, then he exploits loopholes and just has his kids come aboard the Dutchman as often as possible. He wants to be a presence in the lives of his children, and takes active steps to ensure it. I think he’s a little in awe as he watches them grow up, so impressed by all the things they accomplish, doing things he’d never even dreamed of when he was their age. He’s their number one hype man, too. 

Beckett – I have…feelings about Beckett as a father. He’s not a particularly present one, given that he has zero knowledge on how to take care of kids. There’s a nanny, no question. He doesn’t really know how to properly bond with his children, but does ensure that they get the best education possible and that they have access to a wealth of resources. Especially as the children start to get older and enter society properly, he has a good time with them making snarky commentary about the social scene. Sass is the name of the game. Speaking of games, I do see him as the type to enjoy chess, and he feels a wave of pride whenever his kids beat him. He’s overprotective and possessive—he refuses to let his children suffer in fear as he did when he was their age. He has Mercer with them as a bodyguard whenever they leave the house. If anything happens to his kids, Beckett is not above having the person responsible killed. I think he has a certain terror of being alone, and though he’s not the best at socializing with his children, he never truly wants them to leave.  

Barbossa – Hector is another doting father. He’s led a rough life, and though he doesn’t want that for his children, he’s not above taking them to sea when they grow old enough to sail. Before that, though, he leaves them on land with someone else, coming to visit every so often bearing gifts from all the places he’s been in the meantime. He can afford some degree of comfort for his children, too, and he certainly doesn’t spare that expense—if he can’t be there for his children, they’ll want for nothing else, dammit. Barbossa can’t give up his pirating ways to raise his kids on land himself, which is unfortunate, but the truth. If they do choose to go to sea, he takes them on as cabin-boys (or girls, he doesn’t give a fuck), and lets them learn and progress just like everyone else. I think he’d be happy to have them around, though a little concerned for their welfare. He knows better than anyone how dangerous a life at sea can be. Still, he isn’t too worried; he’s a realist if nothing else, and knows that there are chances for both good and bad. He puts effort into teaching his children and making sure they’re safe and cared for, but he’s a bit more hands-off than some of the others so his kids don’t feel like they’re suffocating. He lets them learn things for themselves, but makes sure they know they always have a (sort of) stable place to return to should they need it. 

(also, if there’s anyone else you’d like to see for this, I think I could probably expand on the list)

#potc #pirates of the caribbean #jack sparrow #elizabeth swann #will turner #james norrington #cutler beckett #hector barbossa #potc fanfic #potc headcanon

[firsttarotreader]

can u please do a little reading on how the man is feeling rn (after finally winning some nice award)? 🙂

Hiya! Let’s see what the cards say about how he might be feeling right now, shall we? The first pull was the 8 of Coins, Ace of Coins and Queen of Cups.

8 of Coins means he could feel like he needs to keep working. He understands it’s about working every day, diligently, and learning the skills he needs to learn to do his job in the best way. He’s a hard worker and he feels like he just needs to maintain his routine and work. Ace of Coins points to him feeling so lucky and prosperous and wealthy, and he sees so much potential in his career. It’s that raw potential of being able to do anything. Queen of Cups shows him being caring, compassionate and sensitive. He worries about other people’s feelings, and he considers them.

The second pull was the 3 of Cups, 5 of Swords reversed and 4 of Coins. 3 of Cups means PARTY! He’s super happy, celebrating the hell out of it, with friends and family. 5 of Swords reversed points to him feeling like it’s time to leave the losses and defeat behind. The conflict and obstacles and pain are still very much alive in him, but it’s like he can understand now it’s not worth it to cling to his wounds. This card also reminded me of the way Sag-Aftra helped him when he was feeling defeated and gave him the resources to keep going. 4 of Coins shows him, again, feeling like he got everything he’s always wanted and worked so hard for. He could even be afraid to lose it now. He’s holding that success and win very close to his chest (maybe in bed with him, like be said his award would be lol).

I then asked for one card to sum it up and it was The World. He’s feeling on top of the world right now. He went through all the trials and tribulations along the way and he now feels like he reached the successful “ending” of a journey. He got what he wanted.

So as you can see, the man is enjoying every second of it. Now we can put this reading in the #confirmed readings tag because we have a lot of confirmed bits. First, this video about going to work every day, the “no’s” he got not being important anymore and how his union was important to help him deal with the worst times:

Then we have him saying it’s all for his girlfriends and guy friends on the internet, like the Queen of Cups:

Pedro celebrating with his friends:

Saying he’s gonna keep his award in his bed with him:

#sag awards #career #work #Readings #confirmed readings

[sharingfandoms]

So like in your tags under the bb vs msp poll I saw you mentioning that msp was bad written and tingun aren't as healthy as people claim they are.....and I was like YEAH!! EXACTLY!! But I wasn't able to pinpoint it. Would you mind elaborating on those tags??

ohhh wowwwww my first ask!!!!! of course i will. i am also really happy that someone agrees since i kind of always found myself pretty alone in this lmaooo. thank you for your question!!! much appreciated! ♥

First claim: MSP is bad written

Yes, it is. For many reasons. I will elaborate on the main two.

It kind of presents itself as some sort of heir of Bad Buddy, but the comparison is pale to say the least. The main characters don't really have any reasons not to date. They could date in secret from the very start, as soon as they realize they both have feelings for each other, and then come out as an actual couple as soon as the whole music contest is over, or something like that (even waiting for another year until they graduate could be a valid choice tbh). No particular drama needed. They could still go to each other's houses and make out all day in bed while Gun's mom is working, or go out somewhere public without their classmates present and have a real date.

The actual conflict that makes them star-crossed lovers is ridiculous at best. The mere idea that a school club in high school (well, Mattayom actually, but whatever) would have a rule like that is genuinely stupid - like, it's not even 'club members can't date', but 'those who are in this club and going for Hot Wave can't have a faen'. Like, hello? What if I've had a faen before joining this damn club? I'm supposed to break up with them because some idiot thinks that'll make me more focused on singing and playing music? Are you fucking kidding me? I'm only accepting this as something not entirely crazy and fucked up if there's some cultural reference I'm missing behind it (if things really work like that anywhere in Thailand, then apologies, pretend you never read this last complain; but I did look it up on the internet and didn't find anything about it). It'd still sound stupid, but at least it'd make sense. It was something so out of the blue that just felt like the opposite of plot armor: something made entirely just to create an obstacle to the love story of the main guys once their path was clear and they were both sure about their feelings (if that's such an important rule, why didn't it come up sooner? It felt like watching a kids show, where threats gradually become scarier the more our protagonist becomes stronger). Regardless, like I said, it was not that bad for them.

Pat and Pran are star-crossed lovers because the parents they love and admire - and are economically dependent on - hate each other and actively tried to keep them apart, causing trauma and pain on both ends. They can't get rid of them. It's not highschool, it's not a damn music club you'll eventually get out of (soon enough!!!). It's their whole life. It's the people they love the most who are trying to oppose their relationship (not to mention their friends as well, while Tinn and Gun have full support on that regard). They feel guilty, they feel sad, they don't want to have to say goodbye to their fucking families in order to keep their relationship going. This is serious, and complicated - and practical, as money does buy happiness after all. This will last, probably forever, until their parents will finally come around and accept things are the way they are - we see a glint of it happening in the last episode, at least. Compared to this, Gun and Tinn are fine, really. Even a teenager should be able to see that. The writers didn't have to go out of their ways to make comparisons that martyr PatPran's symbols, like having them use the word 'friend' instead of 'boyfriend' as an 'inside joke', or their colors, or anything at all really, only for them to be related to a fucking school club rule.

The secondary couples are bad handled, which is a shame because I was genuinely interested in Sound and Win at first. I even dared to hope - fully aware I was fooling myself, but at least hoping it was going to be a fun road to something interesting and original! - that they would have actually written an aromantic/demiromantic character in this drama, based on what Win says to Sound in episode 10. But then everything that episode was supposed to be a build-up for in terms of their bond just suddenly disappears in the next, when they're somehow in an established relationship already. Great? Would have been nice to see that happening on screen, I guess. I suppose that's what happens when you WASTE so many episodes around only two characters (TinnGun), relegating focus on your secondary couple (I won't even mention the third couple, since there isn't much to say about them tbh) in the last ones, making it rushed and kind of pointless (this also happened with the feud between Tinn and Sound, which never got explained to the viewers for some reason; okay). And they even get an explicit PatPran reference at some point towards the end of the drama, which makes me cry and not in a good way - poor babies, don't worry, we'll all just collectively forget your outfits and cans were even brought up in MPS in the first place.

Second claim: TinnGun are not as healthy as people say they are

I want to be brief with this one, because people are going to hate on me anyway, and I don't feel like writing a whole ass essay on those two. All I have to say is: if this couple had been heterosexual, people would have probably hated it. With how much double standards affect the way people perceive female characters and straight relationships, all those traits that make them state Tinn is a green-flag and a lovable simp would instead have them assert that he's a succubus, that he's not indipendent enough, that he's only obsessed with the guy and doesn't actually love him, and that he doesn't do much in the show other than being the love interest. Usually, when people say these things related to female characters, they're wrong - and just being mysogynistic, hating on any girl who dares to have a cute crush on a guy. Ironically enough, in Tinn's case, they wouldn't even be all that wrong.

Like I said, I don't feel like elaborating much on this issue, unless anon really wants me to - then I'll dive into it in detail in another post. But, like, genuinely, Gun really pissed me off at times, he often takes Tinn for granted (I'm thinking about that one moment where Tinn tells him he's not going to make it to one of their rehearsals and he gets mad about it, as if Tinn hasn't been at his disposal the entire fucking time; that scene really made me feel uncomfortable, because if I were the one who had been so helpful to anyone at all, just for them to treat me like that as soon as I have a problem of my own and can't attend to theirs, I'd be genuinely disappointed; and yes, I know that Gun will later change his attitude, but I feel like there was no weight placed on this matter, as if him finally acknowledging Tinn's struggles and effort wasn't a turning point in their story but more like something optional that just kind of happened), and I feel like their relationship is often unbalanced on many aspects.

I won't elaborate on all the other claims - "he's obsessed with the guy", "he doesn't do much in the show other than being the love interest" -, but I do genuinely believe there should be more dialogue about them in the fandom. I never once read anyone complain about these issues, and I know for a fact they'd have come up immediately had it been a female character in Tinn's place.

#i don't know how to tag this #because i don't want it showing up in t1nngun's tag #i don't mean to be an hater #i can certainly tag #bad buddy #bad buddy the series #patpran #my beloved #and then maybe my school president #hoping this won't be upsetting for anyone

[7serendipities]

Four Ways to Read Tarot Reversals

A couple of months back, I was doing an in person reading for someone who said they were somewhat new to their own tarot practice, and as I walked them through what I was seeing in the cards we’d laid out, I made a note to also explain some of the “Why”, and that turned into a short explanation of the four ways I usually read reversals, which I thought I’d share here!  And: major shout-out to Lynda Hardy, who gave a presentation on reversals about a decade ago, which really helped me organize my thoughts about them and understand them better, right as I was beginning to branch out and do readings for acquaintances!

I don’t always use reversals – some decks I never let the cards turn upside-down, sometimes I’ll turn the whole deck back upright before drawing, and sometimes I’ll just tell the deck not to bother because I’m going to read them all upright.  When I do use them, though, the first thing I do (as an intuitive reader) is try to feel what kind of reversal it is, by sorting them into one of three broad categories: Delay, Internalized, Shadowed, and Opposite. 

Delay

This kind of reversal means that the standard meaning of the card is still going to happen, but it’s going to take longer than it normally would to come about.  This delay can mean that some cards that are often understood to mean something happening soon or quickly can unfold over a longer period, like Death or the Tower.   In a “past” position in a spread, a delay reversal can either mean a lengthening of the past into the present, or a very long-term past pattern stretching into the more distant past.  This is probably the type of reversal that changes the meaning the least.

Shadowed

Shadowed reversals change the meaning only a little bit more than the delayed type.  For the shadowed meaning, the basic meaning doesn’t really change, but any negatives are emphasized and put front and center, and any positives are downplayed.  Even overtly positive cards like The Sun can be dimmed by a shadowed reversal, becoming a sign of “probable success” instead of a sure thing!  A lot of tarot cards are pretty neutral, but have aspects that can become negative when taken to an extreme, and that’s when I most commonly see shadowed reversals in a reading.

Internalized

An internalized reversal most often means that the conflict in the card is something the querent is feeling internally.  For example, the Five of Wands is usually understood to be about conflict, disagreement, and competition – all external, normally.  If internalized, that card could instead mean that someone is in disagreement with themselves, or that they’re feeling stress from what they perceive as a competition, though the other person doesn’t have a clue what’s going on.  This same kind of internalization can also mean that the actions associated with the swords and the material things associated with the coins/pentacles can become more about the querent’s inner world, their mental states and emotions.

Opposite

Opposite meaning reversals are probably the best known, and they are the type most people are familiar with, and the type that you’ll most commonly find described in the booklet that comes with a deck.  Positives become negatives, endings become beginnings, victories become losses, solutions become obstacles.  In booklets that don’t have keywords for reversals, it can sometimes be a little challenging to come up with opposites, but its important to remember that sometimes the opposite of a neutral thing is just a very different neutral thing.  For example, The Heirophant represents spiritual tradition and religious authority when upright, and the opposites of those two things might be developing new spiritual practices, and a neophyte.  None of those things are inherently negative, but they’re opposites of each other. (And before anyone gets on my case about “religious authority” being negative, yeah a lot of people who claim that title are fairly problematic, but it’s not inherently negative as a concept.  People who actually know the lore and the language/culture well enough to explain it to others are religious authorities as well!  It’s the demand for unquestioning followers that is toxic, and that doesn’t have to be a feature of our pagan religions.)

Hopefully that helps some of you get deeper meaning out of your readings!

Reminder: All of my 12-card or 12-rune spreads, and all of the year-overview and life-overview spreads are on sale in my web shop for approx. 20% off, now through the end of January!  No coupon necessary – the sale price is just listed in the shop.  (And look for a flash sale on all divination at the end of December!)  Make sure you’re shopping on my website, though – I have an Etsy shop as well, but the sales won’t be active there.

#Tarot #Tarot Tips #divination

[nicolesainz]

Fake it, till you make it (CL16)

Charles Leclerc x reader

Warnings: angst, mostly kissing, enemies to lovers. Everything on this shot is purely fictional. (I mention the break up of Charles, but the reason mentioned here aren’t true)

“Eh come on, you’re not enjoying yourself! I thought this would be fun” Carlos whined as he saw my smile leaving my lips.

“I am having fun. Truly” I wasn’t even looking at Carlos. With the corner of my eye I had noticed Charles sitting in the middle of the bar with a few empty glasses surrounding him.

“I know that Charles bothers you but tonight he won’t. He’s not in the mood to tease you”

“How do you know that? Maybe he’s faking it”

“Charlotte broke up with him”

My body froze for a moment. Charlotte had been with Charles for a handful amount of time. Followed him at almost every race and even when not attending, posting about it on her insta. She was very supportive of his career. This was unexpected.

“What? When? Why? How?”

“Slow down there! Well, they broke up a few days ago and the why, is kinda complicated”

“What do you mean complicated?”

“With the pressure of wanting to win the championship and constantly being away, even during holidays and staying close to the factory, can seem like you neglect your partner”

“But..but that’s his job! What else is he supposed to do? He’s got no choice. Sacrifices need to be made”

“Don’t tell me, I know it firsthand. Maybe Charlotte didn’t want to be an obstacle on this dream and also wanted to focus on herself too.”

I’ve never felt bad about Charles before. Ever. I always ignore and mock him, because he constantly finds a way to insult me somehow but now, I felt sympathy for him.

“Oh. Well, I hope he gets better soon. Breaks ups happen in life. People come and go”

“You should have told that to yourself when you broke up with—“

“Ah ah ah! That’s not the same. Definitely not the same case Carlos. I was cheated on. They had scheduling conflicts.”

“So, why was Charlotte at the podium today? Why did she come all the way to Abu Dhabi?”

“As a final goodbye to him. Before dating, they were friends too, so why hang up on him now? A friendship shouldn’t end because a relationship did”

“I guess you’re right”

“So at least you should enjoy tonight! I don’t want another grumpy person around. Go find Isa and the girls”

“I will. Thank you Carlos”

“And if you need me anything, I’m over there with Lando”

I simply nod and pave my way towards the bar. I know it was a really bad idea to even go there, but something tempted me to do so.

Charles’s head was facing the hard wood of the bar’s surface and his hand was holding a semi finished vodka shot. Suddenly I felt a pinch at my heart. No no no, this is not happening!

What do I do now? Do I say sorry? Do I console him? Do I drive him back to the hotel? I don’t know how to drive a Ferrari what am I even thinking?

“Hey Charles” was all that came out before I received a groan as an answer. Great!

“Do you need any help? Want me to take you back to the hotel?” Finally, he raised his head and looked towards me. His eyes were red and sore. He was in an awful state. No matter how much I disliked him, I didn’t enjoy seeing him like this.

“What do you want from me Y/N?” He said before drinking the last sip from the shot.

“To help you! You’re drunk and apparently in a horrible state”

“Wow, what a way to make a man feel happy. Thanks”

“Ugh! Just tell me if you need anything. I’m trynna show some sympathy here”

“I don’t need you to pity me Y/N. Go find someone else’s ass to annoy”

“Fuck you Charles! Keep acting like this and you’ll remain alone”

Before I could move away from the chair, Charles grabbed me angrily by the arm.

“What did you say?”

“Stop being cruel!”

“Or what? I’ll die alone? I don’t care anymore. As it seems no one cares about me either! So it’s a win win case”

“You’re not letting anyone help you that’s why!”

“And why should I? I don’t need anyone to pity me after a hard time”

“I am sorry”

“Are you mocking me right now Y/N? Why are you apologizing?”

“Because of what I said”

“I don’t need your apology. I wasn’t offended”

“Ok fine, you know what? I give up. Have a good night Charles”

I release my arm from his and go to where Carlos and Lando are sitting. It was wrong to try and comfort Charles. He’s heartless anyway.

“Hey, I saw you at the bar with Charles. What did you say to him?” Carlos asked the moment I sat down next to him.

“I asked him if he needed anything, but was a total dick to me, so I gave up”

“Give him some time Y/N. I get what he’s going through. I felt like shit when me and Luisa broke up too. It wasn’t easy. I know you’re just trying to help” Lando tries to relax me with his words

“I understand that feeling too, Lando, but he could have at least declined my offer in a nicer way”

“Oh uh” Carlos exclaims

“What?” I looked at him quizzed. Then I turn around and see an angry Charles coming towards our way.

“Can I talk to you Y/N for a moment?”

“No”

“Y/N!” Carlos and Lando both look at me with raised eyebrows!

“Please. Just for five minutes. Then I’ll let you to your peace”

I raise and follow him towards the bar once more.

“I acted like an asshole before. I am sorry Y/N. You simply came to help me and I just got all cranky with you for no reason. I’ve been in the shambles lately and my mood is not exactly the best it’s ever been. Please forgive me.”

“You did act like an asshole and you were pretty mean for no reason, but I forgive you. I get it”

“You get what?”

“Break ups are never easy. I am so sorry. Carlos told me the news”

“I was kinda expecting it to happen. At least now she’s free and won’t have me as her burden”

“You weren’t her burden. You were someone she loved and didn’t enjoy seeing so broken and pressured most of the time”

“The past few months had been shit and I wasn’t exactly nice towards Charlotte. She deserves better than this.”

“You’re a good man Charles. And you deserve to be happy too. This season had been mostly painful but you did the best you could. We are all proud”

“I’ve actually never heard you say a good thing about me, so could you please repeat that so I can voice record it” he cracks up a joke to lighten the mood

“Hey, I’m trying to be nice here. And that’s the truth though. You gave it everything” I flash him a kind smile and probably the only smile I have in the two years I’ve known him.

“Thank you Y/N. Carlos is a smart man for having you around. You’re very sweet and I don’t deserve this. I should be sorry for all the things I’ve said about you. You realize I don’t mean them, right?”

“Wait! You don’t? But I thought you disliked me?”

“For what? Being nice and supportive? Are you serious? I was only teasing you to make you a bit mad. Because I am mad about you! I remember you during the podium celebration at Monza. It was one of the toughest races I’ve had this season and even though Carlos wasn’t on the podium, you were there for me. To cheer and be happy.”

My cheeks blushed in milliseconds. How does he remember me being on the podium celebration? I wanted to congratulate him, because even after getting pole, he lost the first place, which was heartbreaking. And hold on, did he say he’s mad about me? In like, the good way?

“Y/N?”

“Yes” our eyes had never locked this way before. It felt like he was looking deep into my soul, trying to find a way to say that “it’s okay, we are good now”

“May I kiss you?”

I don’t reply to him but simply connect our lips. I could feel a smile growing against his lips, but he immediately hid it and put more of himself into the kiss. His hand caressed my cheek and held my face firmly. I couldn’t believe that I was actually kissing Charles. The kiss was becoming even more deep and hungry. Sadly, he pulled away to take a breath.

“Oh, I wanted to do this for such a long time” Charles confessed and my jaw immediately falls on the floor.

“I think I like you now, Mr. Vice Champion”

“I think I’ve always liked you”

#formula 1 #ferrari #charles leclerc #charles leclerc one shot #oneshot

[the-modern-typewriter]

Any advice on how to write enemies-to-lovers relationships? I have these two characters (one is a heroine/ protagonist and the other is an anti-villain/ antagonist) that I imagine to start off as enemies and slowly fall in love, but I am afraid that they’re incompatible/ the chemistry between them won’t work. And I don’t want their relationship to be forced.

I did a post here on writing conflict in a romantic relationship:

Much of what I say there applies to enemies to lovers and is a good way to start thinking about the characters you have.

If you know you are writing enemies to lovers from the start of your story, the way you set up and create the characters is typically different to when you just write characters who aren't intended to get along ever.

Background bits that are relevant when I talk novel advice

For background reading, generally, if writing a novel, I would recommend familiarising yourself with some common story structures such as The Three Act Structure, The Hero's Journey or Savannah Gilbo's romance-specific take on the Seven Point Story Structure.

Also, this thorough guide on character arcs by K.M Weiland.

I feel it's important to throw this in, because I'm ultimately doing a quick tumblr post, so my tips aren't going to do dig super deep. I'm just hoping to get you thinking about your characters/offer perspective and hopefully clarity.

Now onwards, to enemies and lovers...

I personally like to think of enemies-to-lovers romance characters (though, let's be real, also my protagonists and antagonist generally) as a set. They don't have to match, but they are designed to comment on each other - be that through reflecting the worst or best (in a happy romance, they reflect the best) of each other.

E.g. for me they are often narrative foils or mirror characters. This means that the characters contrast in a way that they highlight each other's qualities, be it how they are different (foil) or how they are the same (mirror).

A romance story in particular is often all about answering the question 'why are these two great for each other?' 'Why should they be together?' 'Why is it worth fighting for this love despite all the obstacles in the way?'

In an enemies to lover's story, one reason is often because they have a unique perspective/ability to challenge each other to reassess their own attitudes and stances (see where this is going back to foils and mirrors?) and thus further each other's character arc.

Foil route:

A simple version of this is, 'hero' character must learn to look out for themselves and not just other people, 'villain' character must learn to not just look out for themselves in order to be truly happy. Bam, collide, and somewhere in the middle of these two extremes you have an actual healthy approach to life, which they end up landing on through interacting and learning from each other. Thus, despite being fundamentally different, they both make each other better, happier people, and this is the basis of opposites attract. They complement each other flaws.

The mirror route:

The characters, despite having opposing goals, learn as they interact with each other that they actually have a lot in common, value similar things, and so a bond forms between them because of this as they realise that, oh no, they actually like each other. A lot. The internal conflict of the novel is reconciling their growing fondness for each other with their still separate goals.

This also means that, for me personally at least, the two sides of your enemies/lovers romance need to be somewhat balanced. I.e. your antagonist cannot be unredeemable monster with no valid points to make, and nothing for your protagonist to reasonably attracted to in them. Similarly, your protagonist cannot be always right, completely wholesome or perfect or...what do they have to learn from the antagonist? What do they have in common?

Obviously, add attraction on top of this + specific reasons to be attracted to each other that fit your characters. Like, as many reasons as you can give why yess, these two, the better.

I don't know your characters, so I cannot tell you if they are incompatible or not. So take-away question, do your characters have the potential to support each other and make each other better? If not, then you may have great tension as a protagonist/antagonist dynamic and they may have sizzling antagonistic chemistry, but that does not necessarily mean they should be in a romance together.

#writing talk #enemies to lovers #writing tips #writing advice #hope this helps #writing

[feralkwe]

top five worst tropes, in your opinion?

ooh! a tough one, because there are so many tropes, and so many categories of trope (character trope, relationship trope, plot trope) that i could make a list just in one of them. but just generalized off the top of my head, no specific category:

5. amnesia. oh my GOD i hate an amnesia plot, especially when it is the only thing preventing the conflict from being resolved, or used as the conflict keeping a ship apart. the closest thing to an amnesia plot i have ever liked, and i feel dirty giving terry goodkind anything related to a compliment, but the chainfire spell in the last two sword of truth books was actually compelling because *everyone* magically forgot the character in question existed, every touch of her was wiped away in an actually cool concept. it's too bad tg wrote the most insufferable male protagonist ever committed to the page. he seriously ruined the entire series by existing. i wish there was a chainfire spell to make me forget richard rahl.

4. the misunderstanding. if your whole story arc/plot/reason a ship can't sail is because of some misunderstanding that could have been resolved with a reasonable conversation, you've lost me. it's uninteresting to me. it's just so flimsy as a concept that it cannot carry the weight of a compelling story. it makes the characters feel shallow. come up with a better obstacle. i believe in you.

3. deus ex machina. i love a good twist or unexpected turn, but babygirl you gotta leave us crumbs that lead us there, even if we, the reader, might be too dumb to see them. idc if it's a random convenient power introduced at the exact moment it's needed or a literal deus ex lowered on a crane to solve the problem. if it's too convenient without any context clues, i'm gonna be annoyed because i feel cheated. leave that stuff to the theatre professionals. you're not an ancient greek.

2. the perfect protagonist everyone loves. no, i don't mean mary sues as they've been smeared across fiction everywhere. i love me a mary sue! more people should be so bold! i mean the characters who never seem to have conflict with anyone ever. everyone is their friend. no one ever argues with or challenges them. no one is ever annoyed with them. wronged parties forgive them right away, even when they are wrongity wrong wrong. even the pc of an rpg runs into personality clashes with their closest companions and have to rng their way out of it. give me a little grit or friction, please! bonus irritation points if the characters just bang and it's all forgiven.

1. the love triangle. just... heck off i am so tired of it. no one writes it in an interesting way anymore. it's always obvious who will pick who in the most boring way. more often than not the third person is just mistreated and left hurt and alone or as a lazy plot device to keep the main couple in conflict. let me balance the scales of my terry goodkind compliment from earlier by saying that he did this most egregiously to my poor girl nikki in confessor, building her up in a relationship with the horrible protagonist who did not deserve her until the last minute when she helped rescue his real love. then he just... discarded her. it's boring. give me (believable, well developed) polyamory or find a better conflict for your obviously destined to be endgame couple. heck, even give me a person who genuinely loves both people and *tries* while slapping on a bittersweet ending! if your third person is disposable then your character did not earn their hea*.

*i purposely left off the hea. that's a post of its own.

#from the annals of my askholebox #tropes #top five #kidspawn #idk what earned me such a fun ask #but thank you

[and-then-there-were-n0ne]

I’m always sensitive to the ways internet culture pressures people to adopt certain performances of how to be a person. And it feels like the most aggressive of these pressures are about how to be a modern woman.

For example, there’s a well-meaning but casually destructive trend that’s prevalent on Instagram. These memes idealize a state of impossible self-regard in women, an unachievable narcissism that’s justified through a garbled kind of feminist empowerment. You are not merely to be a healthy and functional adult who rises above the depredations of everyday sexism. You have to be some sort of Amazon warrior queen mystic who “manifests” what she wants through sheer force of will. It’s not hard to see where such impulses might come from. Women are systematically robbed of confidence in essentially every human culture, unless it’s in the specific arena of physical attractiveness or motherhood. I don’t know how you’d go about denying that. [...]

Unfortunately, the way that meme culture has responded has been to produce images like the one at the top.

There’s an endorsement of absolutely deranged self-confidence, an impossible level of self-belief that I imagine is actually only achievable while high on PCP. The meme I’ve included is in fact a pretty tame example of the genre. The idea seems to be that because women often lack confidence for bullshit reasons, we should convince women to try and pump themselves up with confidence like a child overfilling a balloon. Ideas common to these memes include that you don’t care about what anyone thinks (you do and should care), and that normal emotions are beneath you (they’re not). The problems in your life, no matter how mundane, are all the product of sexism or haters or sexist haters, and there is no such thing as a legitimate conflict between two sincere people who both have defensible desires. Anything that obstructs your goals, including people with their own autonomy, is merely an obstacle to be stepped over without a second thought. The standards of self-love here are so lofty that they seem just as unreachable as all of the other social standards that woman can’t possibly meet.

I find the attempts to embody this trend pretty sad. You may get a pretty standard picture on a woman’s Instagram, completely innocuous, and the caption will be like “watch out bitches, I’m finally ascending to my final form.” It’s all a little… strange.

Sadder still, this stuff comingles with the batshit generalist mysticism that is so common on social media today. Horoscope stuff, obviously, but also Tarot and numerology and (let me calculate the necessary number of quotation marks) “““““““energy”””””””. The previously-mentioned notion of “manifestation” has endured as a zombie grift 15 years after the publication of the book that popularized it, The Secret. Manifestation or “the Law of Attraction” tells people that everything they get or don’t is the product of their desires and intentions, so stop complaining about your leukemia, thanks. How this fits alongside the Zodiac stuff, which asserts the exact opposite of you being solely in charge of the events of your life, is unclear. One way or another you end up with an incomprehensible set of beliefs about the world that are both exacting (if you don’t tend to your energy you deserve what you get) and opaque (who could actually follow all this shit?). As an atheist this concerns me. As a feminist it offends me: apparently now women need literal magic to escape oppression. For whatever reason, the popular conception of the paths to women’s liberation just gets more convoluted and inscrutable over time.

I don’t know, to me being a badass bitch doesn’t seem fun. It seems alienating and tiresome. Also I’m so sick of the constant modern insistence that we love ourselves. Stop telling me to love myself all the time. Mind your business.

Here’s what I suspect: mentally healthy people, if they still exist, aren’t healthy because of the constant presence of positive feelings of self. They are healthy because of the habitual absence of any feelings of self at all. (I guarantee you this is already a thing in psychology or some 19th century German philosophy but it’s proving stubbornly resistant to my Googling.) Where we’ve gone wrong as a civilization in terms of understanding confidence is in thinking of it as a presence, as an emotion. But I think what we perceive as confidence is simply not constantly thinking about yourself and your value. That’s more real and sustainable to me than thinking about yourself all the time and consistently feeling good about what you find. Unfortunately it seems like not thinking about yourself is what many modern people find hardest of all.

Bad folk wisdom about confidence is all over our culture. [...] Whatever the case…. I am not a woman and I have no idea what it’s like to experience the endless swings in society’s perception of not just What Women Need to Be Now but also Why Women Need to Reject What Society Thinks Women Need to Be Now. I don’t want to condescend, nor do I want to do the Good Male Ally routine. I just want to say as a typical dude that it’s not that men don’t feel much pressure to conform to gender stereotypes. We do. It’s that we don’t have to deal with the meta layers women seem to have to navigate, the sense that you can’t just resist societal pressures to act according to gender expectations but rather have to swing wildly between one conception of femininity to another, endlessly made to worry that you’re doing it wrong as you try to shake off one bogus caricature of your gender while leaping to another. [...]

There was a version of this post that included a bunch of the weird empowerment/yoga/girlboss/mysticism/juice cleanse memes I’m talking about and made fun of them. But I realized pretty quickly that it would be a shitty thing to publish. The women who are making and sharing those memes are just trying to navigate a bewildering array of choices about how to exist in a sexist world, and if they’ve arrived at a cartoonish version it’s only because all the more mundane approaches seem to have failed. It’s certainly possible that I overemphasize meme culture and that it’s all ephemera that nobody takes that seriously. But I suspect not. Memes are a language of the youth, and it appears that the youth are facing the same old challenge of forces that pressure women to be everything and nothing all at once.

#freddy deboer

[44image]

what do they think of you? (significant other)

pick a number 1-4 take what resonates and leave what doesn’t :)

pile 1 ⋆⑅˚₊

2222 ✦ 2555

« lyrics here »

for some i see you guys broken ties with your s/o or are about to like on the verge, and for some this could be a new connection that started too quick and might be ending sooner because of conflict.

if you have broken up or ended the relationship for any reason, i feel like your s/o just needed space and wanted to make things work and give you everything they could but, for any reason, couldn’t. they see this relationship between you guys as a right person at the wrong time, and they wish they mentally and financially better, but unfortunately they think they aren’t enough for you; they can’t keep up.  

for the people who recently met your s/o or think you met the one, I feel like this is a cycle and persona they put on for whoever they got into a relationship with. this s/o might buy you things, spoil you in the beginning, and give you the reassurance that you're the only one in their world, but i feel like they have said this thing in the past to other people. they might be from a well-off family and treat you like royalty, and that sounds like a dream all together, but i feel like once the relationship goes on you’ll end up getting hurt and be in a bad situation with them, and they’ll finally show their true colors once you break up or during the relationship.

messages for pile one .. with chemistry, you guys have an insane amount of love for each other, but with new love, there’s someone who will be better, ultimately suit you and treat you better especially if this current s/o is confusing and draining and this new love might end you up with an engagement ring. this new love could make you happy and you feel enjoyment with being with this new person. things always come to light they might’ve done something and I feel like this is more directed to the people who recently met their s/o, and you need to put boundaries when your s/o becomes too controlling and have to know when someone is using you. it’s also always good to talk to friends you trust to get advice on situations you’re going through.

pile 2 ➳♡

1212 ✦ 4343

« lyrics here »

they honestly think as you are an angel from heaven as corny it might seem but really they are in love with you !!!

they honestly feel so lucky to be with you and have you as their partner; you make them super happy, as if they hit the jackpot with you. before you, they might’ve been full of problems & issues that they weren’t confident facing alone, but with you, you gave them the ability to be carefree and stable. with the fool here, they honestly could’ve been in a toxic relationship or an unstable environment that limited them from doing things that they could’ve never done without meeting you and having you. you’re their strength, and hopefully you feel the same about this person because they were filled with insecurities and doubts that they don’t deserve happiness and a healthy relationship, but with you they honestly feel incredibly lucky. you guys might have had problems here and there, but that’s totally normal. what’s important is that you guys can overcome any obstacles that come into your lives together. 

messages for pile 2 .. they have let go of their worries and instead focused on loving you. they at times feel like they aren’t enough and worry about love bombing you but they honestly just want to show you how much they love you but don’t know how to express it well, and like i was saying, once they met you, they finally got a new beginning and progressed in a healthy way with their environment and healing their issues. heart to heart conversations are always best to discuss your feelings and concerns. always remember to love yourself first; this goes for both.

pile 3 ➳❥

777 ✦ 662

« lyrics here »

they feel conflicted about this relationship / situation ship and i say situation ship because i feel like either you guys haven’t talked in a romantic way or it could just be a crush and for the other group it can be a relationship. this relationship is more like a yin and yang with all these cards like the empress and queen of pentacles the feminine side might feel unsure or not sure where this is heading this feminine energy can be you or the other person does not matter. they aren’t sure what you will do or how this relationship is going to end up like. a lot of undecided thoughts that they need time figuring out for. you can wait for them but you never know when they’ll be ready. if you do decide to wait good things will be the outcome and even if you don’t wait and move on that’s fine as well, both of your decisions will make you happy and your happiness comes first. they honestly have this habit of being unprepared for relationships but with you it’s different they want to try but need to learn from you or just overall how to keep a relationship sustainable. my overall advice is that if waiting and being patient with them makes you happy go for it and if this relationship isn’t working at all you always have the choice to leave. but something about being patient and understanding towards them feels like a great thing:)

messages for pile 3 .. ah wow this pile is like a perfect half and half. wow so like i was saying in the reading if this situation isn’t the best and ideal for you to not wait on this person keep an open mind about this and try to keep this as stress free, your s/o can be different from your ideal expectations and that’s okay because you have control over your life, nobody can stop you from any decision, and with this situation ship / relationship over you’ll easily find some to meet and start getting back to normal activities, keep a positive mindset & manifest gratitude you have all eyes on you. for the other group that are willingly being patient i see this will make you so happy this is why i had a feeling before even asking for messages from spirit, that being understanding of your s/o will pay off because not once but twice is the soulmate card here, this pile honestly blew my mind this is the first time I get clear understanding of what is displayed out here. union, eternal love and married is here, this person may just be the one, sure it might not feel like it this right moment if you’re just starting but like i said understanding and being patient is always the best when you’re in a relationship.

pile 4 ✽・ﾟ＋

888 ✦ 1122

« lyrics here »

they want to give you everything and make sure you’re not missing anything or going through a rough patch. im not sure if what they are doing to help you financially is the best but they will do anything to see you happy and make you make ends meet. i see you either met this person when you were going through a difficult situation and seeing you like this made this person’s mission to make you happier and stronger. seeing you like this was emotional and hard for them they just want the best for you. they get emotional too because their financial situation wasn’t the best either to sustain themselves but i see they got an offer and opportunity and chased it for you and them, they want to start a family with you and overall care for you. this is so sweet you guys :(( they also are probably also looking for offers to help you out because I feel like you might be stubborn and want to help out which is fine !! you also don’t want to burden them with all the leverage. they feel so much for you they love you so much you are so precious to them and they hold you dear in their heart, this relationship could have its up and downs but you guys are so mature that any obstacles are always easy to overcome.

messages for pile 4 .. learn from the past & live in the moment, with this s/o treating you way better imagine how those past relationships and experiences have shaped you into the person you are today, forget and move on from these experiences they happened for a lesson and focus on the future not the past. transform your life & listening to ego, like i said focus on the future with your s/o and your life will be transformed into a higher place than you were without this person. don’t stay in your head and overthink about this relationship it seems genuine this time, don’t ruin it for yourself or your relationship.

i hope this somewhat resonates with whatever doubts you had and remember take whatever goes and leave what doesn’t! stay safe <3

#pick a pile tarot #kpop tarot #tarot reading #pick a number #tarot #moodboard #kpop

[acourtofthought]

I’m curious as to what you think elain and Lucien have in common, personality wise? What do you think their story will be about? What will be their conflicts? Obstacles? Suspense? That kind of thing.

I love you for this ask and I apologize because you're probably about to get way more than you bargained for.

I'm not sure SJM has created two characters who so strongly mirror one another. Rhys and Feyre were similar but they had noticeable differences to me in terms of their personality. Like Rhys really struggles with forgiveness and letting go of the past while Feyre is pissed at 3 pm, then over it at 3:04 pm (with Tamlin it was more like 3:55 but she's even moved forward since ACOFAS while Rhys is still holding a grudge as of SF). 😂. Feyre is also more open while Rhys still tends to hold his schemes close to the vest.

But Elain and Lucien. They are these two characters who have both suffered immense losses and violations to their bodies. Yet they still internalize their anger and sadness and don't lash out at others. I think people mistakenly believe they don't have much depth as a result but I actually think it's because of their reactions that prove how much they actually feel. All the times they aren't talking, yelling, or demanding to be seen is time they're spending turning everything over in their head. They're also observing the world around them, they're watching the interactions of others. And all that time they're spending simply paying attention adds to their knowledge of how relationships and society in general function.

They have also both ended up in places that they did not choose for themselves. Their responses to that are what I'd consider both a strength and a weakness. I love their optimism and attempt to make the best out of any situation they find themselves in but at the same time, they can be too complacent as a result. They haven't learned to fight for what they want and where they want to be and instead just allow life to happen to them.

Some other very similar core values they seem to share is a respect for tradition (I actually could provide text from the books to support all this but that would end up being extremely long so I’ll spare you).  They have both mentioned an awareness of traditions and values of a certain place and why it’s important to uphold them.  

They both share in the ability to apologize for having made mistakes and we actually see them make changes to their behaviors showing that they've learned from those mistakes. 

It’s a weird thing to note but neither Lucien or Elain have said “Fuck”.  Lucien has said “Shit” and “Hell” and Elain has said “Hell” but I find it interesting that they both share a similar manner of speaking and neither is what I’d call crass or vulgar.  Speaking of “Hell”, they actually insult people in a similar manner and make similar jokes.  After the Human Queens left, Elain said they could all “burn in Hell” and Lucien told Amarantha she could crawl back to the shit-hole she came from (we find this out after he tells Feyre about something that was sent (Amarantha) from the shit-holes of Hell.  And they both made a joke about Amren being cranky.

They are both extremely social, good at talking to people, enjoy parties, enjoy the outdoors, and neither is afraid to show love and affection to their loved ones.  Lucien told Feyre she was a better friend to him than he was to her (I don’t necessarily agree but Lucien felt it) and Elain acknowledges that she failed Feyre (it's note worthy that it happened before Elain even has a book) but realizes she’d always been the foundation that held them up.  And both Lucien and Elain have held Feyre in their arms to comfort her at different points in the series.

 

As far as their story, I think it will start in Spring. Lucien is permanently stationed there as of SF and while I’m not entirely sure how Elain will end up there, there seem to be definite hints that it’s coming.  I have this weird head-cannon that I can’t seem to shake that Elain is going to feel the drums of Fire Night and find herself pulled there because the magic is calling her to restore Spring (and she’ll possibly perform in the Rite with Lucien though I could see a few problems with that, one being that if the Magic chose someone for her (even if she were unaware of who that Male was), would she again feel violated as a result?  Or would she feel connected enough to the lands that she was comfortable with it.  If she is an owl shifter than her physically get there would be easy enough. I've also considered that the book will open with her staying in the townhouse to give herself some independence after some of what happened in SF.

Even if Calanmai doesn’t happen or doesn’t happen right away, I’m still certain she’ll be going to Spring where she and Lucien will begin interacting.  I think they will both be extremely instrumental in getting Spring back on it’s feet, helping the people believe in the leadership again.  Once that happens, the armies will be in a stronger position to join in the upcoming war efforts. And I do think the reason Elain will be capable of this is that she's been gifted Goddess of Healing like powers to restore a fallen land.

I also see them traveling to the continent to help free Vassa.  It’s possible Koschei is Valg and from TOG we know that fire can defeat him though I don’t think Lucien’s fire can stand up to the lake where he’s at.  There’s a line in SF where Briallyn states Eris’s fire wouldn’t have withstood it so I think that’s a hint of something that will be a problem for Lucien.  Either this would be an opportunity for Elain to step up and use what I think are her healing powers (again, something else we know that can defeat the Valg) or maybe along with Elain’s powers, Lucien will discover more of his Day powers.  I’m not 100% if they’ll actually defeat Koschei or just manage to free Vassa while Koschei finds a way to escape from the lake.  If SJM plans on bringing the Asteri to Prythian in the final book (and depending on what number book Elucien’s would be) than I could see her having them defeat Koschei in their story since the Asteri would then be the new big bad.    

Major conflicts would be both Lucien and Elain addressing their past loves and finally letting go of them so they can move forward.  Elain learning to let go of her stubbornness over something she believes wasn’t her choice and realizing that even with accepting her destiny, she still has a choice in it.  I don’t think Elain will act quite as hostile as Nesta did towards Cassian but I have no doubt we’re going to see a little fire from her when she first starts interacting with Lucien. She might touch upon how her sisters and even Az view her as someone in need of protecting when she no longer needs it.   I also think we’re going to witness the emotional bombshell that is Lucien discovering who his real father is as well as making some sort of peace with both Eris and Tamlin.  I’m not sure Lucien will ever have the same close relationship with Tamlin as he once did but I can see them finding peace with one another and then maintaining a casual acquaintance in the future.  I do see his relationship with Eris growing stronger though.   

Really, there are so many loose threads surrounding both Elain and Lucien.  She would take their story in so many directions.  (Will they stay in Spring for awhile or head to Day? Will Helion be High Lord for years to come or will SJM find a way to have Lucien take over? Could Lucien step up as High King? ). Personally I don’t think the Autumn Court will play a huge role in Lucien’s book only because I feel like it would make more sense to be a focal point if Gwynriel end up together (what with her unknown grandfather and all and Eris, looking to take over the throne, as an ally of the NC.  But still.  Lucien does have ties to Autumn, Spring, Day, the Human Lands, etc. and Elain has always wanted to travel.  They both have unknown powers, they’re both sort of the underdogs of the series, they are the only Mates of the series who instantly knew they were Mates and had the bond snap into place.  

I could be way off base with all of this but I just hope that the one thing I’m not wrong on is an Elucien endgame!

Also, I apologize because I was rambling with my thoughts and it might all sound a bit convoluted!

#pro elucien #acotar theory #acotar headcanon #Elain and Lucien #pro elain archeron #pro lucien vanserra #sarah j maas #elucien

[capricioussun]

what is fell papyrus' biggest obstacle in becoming the best version of himself?

His inability to self assess, without a doubt.

This is a problem consistent with all Papyruses imo, but it’s quite possibly the worst/most difficult to deal with for UF Papyrus. He struggles a lot with a personal sense of self, and isn’t really even aware enough to realize that, which causes, as I’m sure you can imagine, a lot of conflict when he‘s influenced by two (or possibly more) contradictory “goals”.

In general, I hc all Papyri as being…impressionable, of their surroundings and the people they care for, and due to…a lot of things that happened in his past/early childhood, UF Papyrus specifically wound up with an overactive sense of responsibility. He feels overly responsible for…like, everything, and constantly assumes the role of “problem solver” any time he comes across a problem he feels could impact him/the people he cares about (which…is most problems).

Aside from obvious reasons why this is unhealthy on its own, it becomes especially counterproductive when partnered with the fact that, despite how “malleable” his personality can be, at his core, there are some traits that are inherent, most of which are…rather “good” or “innocent” things, like his desire for companionship, his compassion for others, the genuine belief in the greater good. While those things can, and are impacted by his surroundings, it’s very difficult to fully and truly uproot or damage them. So in a world like underfell, he has essentially been raised and influenced by ideals that are the polar opposite of things lying at his core.

And that’s only just the first inception layer of complicated for him. The lines only get muddier and muddier as time goes on and his pool of people he cares for grows. Yes, there are tiers, for example, he would choose his brother over Undyne and Undyne over the Dogi, etc if pushed to it, but overall, he becomes influenced by all the people in his life. This causes a considerable amount of internal conflict, since he desperately tries to be…what he thinks he needs to be by everyone else(that he cares about)‘s standards.

So…when left to his own devices, like, for example, on the surface, after everything slowly becomes lower stakes for them, as the people he’s tasked himself with being caretaker/loyal to start “needing” him less, well, it can be a very difficult balancing act for him. Without a solid influence (be it good or bad) in his life, Papyrus struggles to understand what he “needs” to do. What his purpose is. And…I supposed “relapses” into simply looking to be as “useful” as possible in whatever ways he thinks he needs to be.

This is why being ambassador or something similar would be such a double edged sword for him - while it would be good for him to feel important and have a lot to do to keep him busy, it would be all too easy for him to slip into a sort of…unhealthily codependent relationship with his work.

At the end of the day, he always assumes if something in his life isn’t working out the way it should be, it’s somehow some fault of his own, to varying degrees, and if he wants to fix it, he has to fix “himself” in whatever ways this applies. This is a very unhealthy and even dangerous mindset, especially for someone as genuinely kindhearted as Papyrus, as he could so very easily forget about his own health and wellbeing for the sake of others’ (or a cause he’d believe worthy of it).

His lacking self awareness is the biggest roadblock in meeting his own goals, ironically, considering his main goals are…essentially always meeting his own goals. But, as the saying goes, you cannot feed others from an empty basket, and since he also doesn’t ask for help (it’s his responsibility, he can’t burden others with this), he can’t really see or learn how to identify this flaw in his own thinking. It’s one of his biggest fatal flaws, and can lead to even heavily self destructive behaviors in extreme enough circumstances (and unintentionally hurting/“burdening” those he’s trying not to in the process).

#this is something that comes up a LOT in writing him u can ask anyone I’ve talked abt w/ him in depth he is a PROBLEM CHILD when it comes #to character development because it’s such a self perpetuating issue. it’s so deeply ingrained in him it’s not something he can ever truly #get ahead of so to speak. and you can see a milder version of this even in published stuff like Glasses w/ UT Rus. it’s a bitch and a half #it’s SO so difficult for him and he tries so hard but he just…doesn’t ever FULLY get it ya know. it’s just something he needs help w/ tbh #left to his own devices w/o at least *some* support…he wouldn’t do very well #ty for the ask mwuah mwuah #weia-yo #clear sky sunset #underfell papyrus #uf edge #sun spots #papyrus #underfell