#but that decision was never so clear cut. there was no right or wrong within it. he was given a choice and he chose it

[forestofsprites]

to attempt to categorize aziraphale & crowley's actions into the simple dichotomies of 'correct' and 'wrong' or 'good' and 'bad' is to employ the exact same fallacy that the show warns of. throughout season two we see aziraphale struggle with morals and their ambiguity, no matter crowley's assertion (and demonstration) that there is no true 'good', no true 'evil'- that the lines are not only blurred but frankly non-existent- aziraphale can't move past the principles he was raised on. good actions are good (inherent to angels, inherent to heaven), evil actions are evil (inherent to demons, inherent to hell). aziraphale's decision to try to 'fix' heaven is the perfect representation of the reality of the universe. he believes it to be a simply good decision, something angels do and heaven is all about (he'll get heaven back to normal! back to being good!) but the reality of his decision is so much murkier than that. it isn't that aziraphale did something bad or evil, nor is it that he did something correct or good, he did something that, like many things in the universe, embodies both.

#i haven't done meta in a year guys i am so sad and rusty #i just mean that #you can't define the show that seeks to reject the good/evil fallacy by employing that fallacy to denote their actions #i mean absolutely aziraphale thinks he is being good. he made that choice in the faith that it was a good one. something inherent to him #as an angel #but that decision was never so clear cut. there was no right or wrong within it. he was given a choice and he chose it #it's not going to achieve what he thinks it will. it isn't the path to his happiness #and i definitely think crowley is closer to that path in terms of understanding the reality of heaven and hell- good vs evil #but neither are simply right or wrong #neither is a simply good or simply bad option #the whole point is an 'us' #a middle ground #an understanding that choices and actions are not good or bad or wrong or right. they're just choices. they're inherently made with a bit #of both #good omens #good omens s2 #good omens season two #good omens spoilers #rambling #that tag hasn't been used in sooo long #good omens meta #good omens rambling

[blacst4r]

DECISIONS (1)

Pairings: Jey uso x black fem x Jimmy uso

Warnings: Smut, Infidelity

Summary: In the midst of relationship turmoil, Lola turns to the wrong person.

gifs ©️mocooper98

Lola & Jon shared a laugh amongst conversation as they sat on the couch drinking, they'd had a couple glasses since she got here an hour ago. The effects of the bourbon settled nicely in their system, giving them a warm and fuzzy feel as they talked. Jon was a lot more goofier than usual, which had Rayne giggling off every other word. She finished what was left of her drink, setting the glass down beside her feet as her phone buzzed- an incoming call from BABY💍She declined the call, setting her phone to dnd.  

Jon downed his glass too, placing his on the floor before clearing his throat, "so you and uce still not good?" he watched her through heavy lids.

"Nah, we on a break so I can figure shit out, I'm just over the back and forth with him" she rolled her eyes, recounting arguments her and Josh had in the past months. 

Jon chuckled, "guess I'm not helpin with that huh?"

She smiled in response, "no you good, you taking my mind off of it," palming his knee before removing it. 

This became the norm for Lola, as she'd been going through turmoil with Josh for several months now. The countless arguments and constant bickering had her seeking solace in his twin brother Jon, who provided a shoulder to lean on. They'd all known each other for years so she didn't feel uncomfortable going to him, especially since he opened the door figuratively, and literally to vent her frustrations. Jon always seemed to put a smile on her pretty face, taking pleasure in doing so more than his brother. 

Jon secretly had a thing for Lola, and that desire didn't dwindle just because his uce had snatched her up. The boys were different concerning relationships, Josh being more of a playboy, and Jon being more of the committment type. Lola desired marriage and kids when Josh wasn't in a rush with either, handing excuse after excuse. Yet it was Jon who shared similar wants, just unbeknowst to her. He never voiced them because it was evident she was in love with Josh. 

But when their relationship hit a rough patch, Jon was quick to offer up his support, as quick as she was accepting it. That's how she found herself frequenting his home to seemingly unwind from the stress. 

"Aye I'm at yo' service, whatever you need" his hooded eyes possessed a lust as they bore into hers, darkening the longer they connected. Lola became flushed with a heat that had her skin blazing under his stare. It was written all over her face that she was flustered, trying to play it off with an eye roll "boy don't play wit' me." 

Jon licked his lips, "i'm serious, shit i'm low-key mad lil bruh aint treating you right, you deserve better" he admitted, continuing to ramble, "I mean you fine as hell, thick, funny, wife material, shit I woulda been had you at the alter" he professed. He observed her stunned expression as he chuckled to himself, slightly embarassed, "damn I said all dat?" he rubbed his neck, "my bad-"

"Did you really mean it?" she cut him off softly.

With his head lowered, he leered at her, "hell yeah." 

That set off something in her, drawing a lust from within and making her act on it as she crawled over and onto his lap, straddling him. She flipped her braids behind her shoulder as his hands quickly found her hips. The heat that radiated between them was something dangerous, they'd never been this close, in this state of mind. 

"So you think you deserve me?" she spoke barely above a whisper as his hands crept up her sides, shooting a thrill down her spine.

"I know I do, you won't ever need for nothing if you were mine" he declared, with lips inching closer until they ghosted hers. "Big bruh gon treat you better," he planted one kiss, "do you better," then another, "and dig in dat pussy better," until they were full blown making out. Lola threw her arms around his neck, deepening the intoxicating kiss. Their lips moved deliciously in harmony, the small space provided when their lips did part, made room for his tongue to invade her mouth. They could taste the liquid courage that had them sucking each others faces off. 

Jon broke the heated exchange to sloppily kiss along her neck, applying pressure to the most sensitive areas of skin, as she bit her lip and hummed.

He spoke deeply into her ear, "he don't know what to do witchu, but I'mma get you right and send a messege to him."

"So get me right then" she purred boldly.

With her in his hold, he moved to the end of the sofa and rose to his feet, securing her around his waist as he cupped her ass. He headed down a hall, and into his bedroom where his foot nudged the door shut. Jon walked over to the bed and laid Lola down as she began stripping of her plum bralette and matching skirt. Jon followed suit, pulling his jacket up and over his head, revealing his toned and tatted body. He yanked his sweats and briefs down, letting his hard dick spring out. Lola gazed at the sight of his lengthy, thick, member at attention. Damn, he definitely gave Josh some competition.

He stepped out his remaining clothes, wasting no time climbing on top of her, snapping her legs back around him. With arms on either side of her head, his face hovered above hers, "i'mma show that you made a mistake pickin' the wrong twin."

He grabbed his dickhead to line it up with her wet slit, proding at her entrance as she whined before sliding in. They both shared lament as he delved between her walls inch by inch, Jon groaned as he submerged in her wetness, "pussy soaked already, damn Lo." 

"Sshit" she hissed at the way his girth stretched her wide as he buried himself inside, settling balls deep, practically in her stomach. "Fuck Jon" she cursed in amazement.

He started rolling his hips slowly inward, delivering tender strokes to get her adjusted to his size. She wore a softened expression, with sullen lids and lips formed into a pout as she whimpered from every thrust. As her eyes threatened to shut he gripped her chin, "look at me while i'm beatin my pussy up" his lips tighening as he growled with a crazed look, "i'm yo' daddy na."

Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly nodded in obedience, staying locked in on him as he began to pound her harder. Her sweet, mangled, cries filled the room as he dragged his length out to drop it back in. Jon placed their foreheads together as he ghosted her lips, "he shoulda never had you...fuck, imma take you from him baby." Lola wanted to verbally respond so badly, but her words were coiled in her throat, only forming broken wails instead.

Jon was drumming his pole through her cunt at such a frantic pace that her heart thumped, and eyes fluttered everytime he tapped her g-spot. He had her spine curved upward, and her toes curled in.

"Ooooh fuck daddy!!" she called to him weakly as he displayed that cheshire grin, loving the way it rolled off her tongue so passionately.

"Yeah say my name baby...just like that."

He lifted up and unhooked her legs, folding them back before pounding her cunt relentlessly. Her gut-wrenching screams echoed off the walls continuously as she gripped the sheets. He fucked her with purpose and intent while mentally thanking his brother for putting her in this position. Josh pushed Lola away and right into Jons arms, and dick that had her thick thighs trembling from the sensation as she clenched up.

"DADDY! M'BOUTTA CUM!" she shrieked as her stomach knotted up.

"Cum on this dick it's all yours" he snarled, rutting his hips aggressively. She did just that, her juices spurting out with a squeal as he refused to lessen up his speed or stop, too engulfed in her rapture.

He pulsated inside her clamored walls, about to buss with strokes that became more sloppy and rushed, chasing his nut.

"Shit! M'close!" his eyes closed and his mouth went ajar to exhale roughly. His skin shuddered as he emptied inside, filling her up with his warm, creamy seed. He came to a stop, finally pulling out of her and going in for a sensual kiss.

#the usos #black reader #jey uso imagine #jimmy uso imagine

[strgrlxox]

𓆞 what could have been 🐚

🌊  ↺ i combined two requests for this onee so hopefully it isn’t two shitty?? ❞¸

+ ¸ ❞ also ik yall see how good she looks in that picture oh LORD ↺ 🌊 

--

🌊 || SUMMARY :: request one here. request two here.

🌊 || CONTAINS :: reader is insecure. dark!abby. the relationship is a little toxic?? abby quite literally breaks into readers apartment (idk wtf is wrong w me either). fingering (both receiving).  

🌊 || WORD COUNT :: 1.7k

you had regretted your decision to leave her the second you made it. you had let your lack of confidence determine the fate of your relationship and it killed you. 

you were home, like you have been for days now. after ending things off with abby, you had pretty much nowhere to go. you missed her. you missed her touch, her smell, her face, and the way she looked at you. you groaned out loud, unable to hold in your distaste. 

you had brought this on yourself, you knew that. but it didn’t make it hurt any less. you couldn't help but cry at what could have been.

“why are you crying?” it was her. undeniably her. you had to have been dreaming. you blinked your eyes open, squinting to see better in the dimly lit room and there she was as clear as day. 

“what’s the matter? cat got your tongue?”

you felt your pulse rise as your heart threatened to leave your chest. “abby? why––––how are you here?” 

“you gave me a key, remember?” she answered simply, a tight (forced) smile meeting her lips. “now i wanna know why you tried to leave me…”

her pout said it all; that you hurt her, that she was upset, and that she had come here with a goal. you had left her but she had found you again, and she was determined to get an answer from you. 

“abby––––i don’t…” suddenly your mouth felt dry. sure, you should’ve been a little concerned at how comfortable she seemed coming into your home but all you could feel was relief. 

“that’s not a fucking answer.” you couldn’t help but flinch at the harshness in her voice, she had never spoken to you so sternly before. she walked up to you with quick strides, leaning over you from your spot on the bed. “tell me what i did so i can fix it…please?”

she sits in front of you on your bed, her right hand finding a place on your hip.

whiplash. she gives you fucking whiplash. how quickly she could go from looking at you so firmly to looking at you so tenderly. it hurt you to know that she thought it was something she did to you. 

“you deserve–––” you began but didn’t get a chance to finish because she was cutting you off with a hardened look in her eye.

“is that what you think?” her breath is hot and minty against your face, and her grip on your waist never loosens but you begin to find some comfort in it––––your body recognizing her touch immediately and relaxing into it. “you think i don’t deserve you?”

the wake of her anguish which she masks as indignation makes you shudder. every hair on your body, standing because that is not what you said at all but fuck, does it sound good when she says it. you feel guilty for the way your body reacts to her whimper.

“i didn’t say that, abs.” you aren’t sure how you managed to find enough air to speak when it feels like she invaded it all. 

“well, then what did you say?” her eyes narrow and her tone hardens. if you thought you had ever seen her angry before it was clear that you knew nothing of her anger. 

“i just…you deserve better than me, abby.”

you expect her eyes to soften like they used to whenever you expressed insecurity, you expect her grip to loosen––––to become tender how you remember. what you do not expect is the laughter. it’s cruel and deep and targeted. she’s laughing at you. letting you know just how ridiculous you sound.

“when i told you i intended on being with you for the rest of my life, you agreed.”  

“i know but––”

“no. did you lie to me? or do you just not trust me to keep my promises?” there it is again, that childlike pain in her gaze. despite the anger seeping within her words, you can tell she is hurt…that you’ve hurt her.

you don’t like that you are the source of her anguish, it pains you. you’ll do anything to take that pain away. you can’t help it, you grab her face and press her lips to yours. her kiss is hesitant. on one hand, you don’t deserve to taste her after what you’ve done to her. on the other hand, you taste so good. fuck, you taste like hers. 

you wanted to atone, to show her that you’d realized the error in your ways. you wanted her to forgive you for letting your insecurities hurt her. because she’s taught you something you never dreamed of learning before her. she’s taught you how to pay homage. 

“let me show you how sorry i am.” you whine up at her, pulling back and staring at her unsure eyes. “let me show you how wrong i was, abby.”

she watched you for a moment, trying to decide whether or not she should let you have your way––––let you prove yourself. but it was no use, she could never deny you. not when you looked so pretty asking.

“you gonna be good for me?” she rasped out, her voice alone was enough to make you shiver. you nodded vigorously, eyes widening because you didn’t expect her to give in so easily. 

“i’m gonna be so good for you, you can take what you need from me.”

–

it was supposed to be a punishment; her making you watch as she made herself come and wouldn’t let you help. and it was…at first. but as her groans grew louder and her back began to arch…you couldn’t help but feel lucky to be able to see her this way.

your mind started to race with all kinds of (but all mutually nasty) thoughts. one of which seemed to cloud your judgment…you wanted to feel her inside you. “wanna feel you inside me, please.” her eyes flicker up to yours, almost feeling embarrassed at how despite you are to feel her. “please, abby. i wanna feel your cum inside me.”

she blinked at the request, not quite understanding what you were asking of her until your hand flew to her wrist as you tugged her closer, your mouth watering at how pretty her fingers looked covered in her own cum. she groans at how ravenous you’ve become, loving how badly you need her.

“why do you think you get to ask me for anything right now, hm? after what you did to me?” it physically pains her to deny you but she’s meant to be teaching you a lesson.

you sob, body moving with an unfocused speed. she had never seen you move with such haste before, hovering over her body with your legs on either side of her lap and letting your forehead fall against hers. “i know, i’m sorry but i just want you. so bad.” 

it annoyed her how cute you were, how impossible you made it for her to  keep up a tough appearance. she mocked your pout, deciding to be somewhat nice to you.

“yeah, okay. i’ll do it, baby, i promise.” her words do very little to sooth your wanting but the gentleness in her tone makes your eyes flutter. “but i need you to do something for me first, okay?”

you nod wildly, blindly agreeing to whatever she’ll ask from you. “anything, i’ll do anything. need to feel you.”

“i’ll make it all better if you tell me you love me, tell me you’ll never leave me again.” she pulls your head back so that your mouth is no longer touching her. “if you tell me you fucking need me.”

“i love you, i’ll never leave you again.” tears bubble up in your eyes as you buck your hips. “i need you abby, more than anything.”

she growls, feverishly and primal. you moan when she finally puts two fingers inside you, curling them in the perfect way. she always managed to make you feel so full. your breath hitching as she kisses below your ear. whispering about how good you’re being for her and how you take her fingers so well. telling you she’s proud of you for learning from your mistakes, that she’s so happy that you know you’re her girl––no one else's, and how perfect your pussy is.

despite how good it feels and how much her words turn you on, you huff at her lack of movement, hoping that she’ll remember you’re her good girl and take pity on you. instead, she hushes you and continues doing nothing but kissing you and whispering in your ear. you whine, hand reaching up to tug on her hair.

she laughs, it comes from deep within her chest. “well, go on. you wanna cum? you do it yourself.”

you whimper again, unable to process her words properly when all you hear is she’s not gonna make you cum. 

“no, none of that.” she rolls her eyes, her free hands coming down to caress you hip gently. “i was nice enough to give you my fingers, you can do the rest.”

“f-fuck, abby.” you whine when she doesn’t move, bucking your hips in disagreement.

“that’s it, that’s my good girl.” she coos, her fingers never changing pace or stopping but her kisses grow more persistent. “fuck yourself with my fingers.”

you place your hands on her chest to steady yourself. you set a fixed rhythm, bouncing desperately against her. she curls her fingers again to assist you while you smack your into her, eyes rolling when you remember that her cum is inside you.

“jesus, abby.” you whine, tears bubbling in your eyes. “you’re so good to me.”

she hums, her free hand wiping away your tears. 

you rode her until your thighs began to ache and your stomach began to burn. your orgasm passed over you leisurely, soft sighs of her name leaving your lips like it was the only language you could speak. her body keeping yours steady as you rocked slowly in her hold before doubling over with your head in her neck. she rode it out for you before taking her fingers out of your trembling cunt. she couldn’t stop herself from tasting the mess you made, moaning around her fingers as your flavor melted on her tongue. “you’re mine, baby. forever.”

#ꗃ%abby babyˑ༄ #abby anderson x reader #abby anderson imagine #abby anderson x you #abby anderson smut #abby anderson blurb #abby anderson fluff #ꗃ%jos library⤷✰

[ladymisteria]

AMAZON PRIME'S ZORRO PROS & CONS.

After days of watching and re-watching the episodes of the new Zorro adaptation, I decided to share what - obviously only in my opinion - are its main pros & cons.

(For fairness, since I will mention spoiler elements, I thought I'd insert my reflections below the cut).

PROS:

MORE POV. It is impossible to start mentioning the pros of this series without mentioning the very obvious - and extremely right - decision to "broaden" the points of view. Perhaps for the first time, in fact, the story is not narrated almost completely by Diego alone, but also by the various other characters who are part of it (be they the Chinese, the natives, etc.).

REALITY. As already said by @aragarna, this new Zorro gets rid of the "we are all friends/we sit at the same table" contours to show - finally! - the tense and highly classist climate of a sadly very particular historical period. We see the hatred and distrust towards the natives, with the enormous difference - compared to other products that focus on this particular "feud" between colonizers and colonized - of knowing "both bells" (I don't know if there is a similar expression, in English, I apologize) and therefore being able to realize how different things are, depending on who tells the stories. This makes the series refreshingly "real" (yes, even if it includes elements like the Spirits of Native American culture).

NOT CLEARLY GOOD/BAD CHARACTERS. Monasterio is no longer the Commander, absolutely "black", devoid of scruples and good sides. Indeed, as the season continues, he increasingly demonstrates that he is an individual who well understands the absolute injustice of what he does - while nevertheless not shying away from doing it because he is faithful to his position. He is in conflict between what his principles and his role impose on him, effectively making him a magnificent "grey" character. Diego and Nah-Lin themselves are wonderful examples of "well-rounded" characters, because even in their most wrong actions, they maintain a sincerely credible and even - at certain points - justifiable motivation.

TECHNICAL VISUAL ASPECT. The scenes are masterfully shot, the soundtrack is not intrusive but rather an excellent way to underline the various thoughts/feelings of the characters, etc..

ZORRO'S LEGACY. The idea of a "generational change" of Zorro, in a choice that potentially makes it possible to see more sides of the same character - trivially because more people interpret him. A fact demonstrated in this same first season, where we had three Zorros, all three with their "characteristic side".

THE DECISION OF DEPRIVE DIEGO OF HIS MOST RECOGNIZABLE TRAIT. Depriving him - and so soon! - of his father (and consequently of the only person who knows him perfectly), the series allows Diego to always act as himself (within the limits desired by the situation of the moment), without having to resort to that supposed inability to defend himself/laziness/cowardice which is renowned as one of the particular signs of his character.

DIEGO IS NOT INVINCIBLE. It might seem stupid, but in many adaptations, Diego is seen as practically infallible. His plans always come to fruition, he never gets hurt, he makes almost no mistakes... This "new" Diego doesn't; here Diego is young (according to my calculations he is just 21/22 years old), he becomes Zorro not because of his choice but because - literally! - the spirits give him (via Night Crow) the costume and send him home with a lapidary: "You are the new Zorro, whether you want it or not", he still acts like a daredevil boy (complete with Bernardo-Mother Hen)... And this translates into some - very justifiable - errors and just as many choices that are not exactly well thought out.

CONS:

TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE. To be clear: the various plot threads are all (well, almost: Samael and Guadalupe and their "inheritance hunt" have not managed to involve me at all, for the moment) interesting and well structured; but they are objectively many, for a single season. We have the Bear Clan, the Russian-American Company that wishes to "take over Los Angeles", Guadalupe's aforementioned inheritance hunt, Nah Lin's desire for revenge, the search for the truth about his father's murder on Diego's part... And of these very few - if not almost none - had an effective conclusion. The feeling I got was that the producers wanted to "play their cards" all at once, in the hope that this would secure them a renewal for a second season. Something along the lines of: "Hey, we need the renewal! Look at all the unresolved things we left!".

LOLITA. I'm sorry to say this, but I just can't understand what the producers had in mind when they created her character. Or rather, to be more precise, when they created her relationship with Diego. She is initially shown to us as angry at Diego for going to Spain (I think?), in an attitude that could even be understood - if only that same attitude didn't remain as if petrified throughout the rest of the season. Why, exactly, does Lolita remain so resentful towards Diego all the time? Because, despite knowing that he loves her (he himself tells her this, when she helps him with his wound, and even in the very first episode), she constantly pretends not to know what feelings bind him to her, and indeed continually acts in such a way as to hurt him on purpose? Mha! It remains meaningless to me.

Here it is. I have indicated, I repeat, what for me are the main pros and cons of the season (you will probably have found others, or even none).

#zorro #zorro 2024 #amazon zorro #don diego de la vega #diego de la vega #monasterio #nah-lin #alejandro de la vega #diego & bernardo #lolita marquez #pros & cons

[lietpolski]

i deleted the ask because i'm a dumdum, but @sneakystorms asked me to talk about denmark! so here it is, my denmark character analysis through history: warning, this is gonna get long and it will be a mix of canon, real history & my own headcanons!

denmark is a SUCH a fascinating character to me, because he has subtle but really important character development over the centuries!! (both in canon and in my crazy little head)

i think earlier on in his life he was for sure on the cocky side, and he had every reason to be! he and his buddies are destroying the british isles, gaining a presence in continental europe, and being all around incredibly powerful forces. as their presence in britain and ireland dwindles, that's still just fine to him, because now you have the kalmar union! where denmark, sweden and norway (with finland & iceland as territories of the last two) were united under denmark's crown! not only are he and his friends together as a powerful kingdom, but within it he is the one with the most power and political control

we see this manifest in him heavily because he begins to identify as the "leader" of the nordics (both then and in modern times, but i'll get to that later)

he is the leader, he makes the decisions, people listen to him. and that's when he gets too cocky, and it's not just cockiness anymore but a refusal to budge on what he thinks is right. which brings the stockholm bloodbath and the multiple battles that brought about sweden's independence and the end of the kalmar union

and denmark is upset. it's fine for a while, but then things get rough: he begins to lose battle after battle and war after war to sweden. here's a comment that i found interesting: even though denmark kept losing, he continued to risk the safety of the kingdom just for petty revenge

and even some of his other motivations are selfish: pride, wanting to protect the slowly crumbling image of a powerful empire

this also brings into the discussion what i think is a fascinating aspect of norway and denmark's relationship at the time. i think of this in a dennor context but it can be platonic if you'd like! but in both instances of denmark & norway that we see in canon during that time, norway is never bitter at him. denmark is having a rough time geopolitically and he's making mistakes over and over again, but their relationship never becomes strained, because norway cares too much

and in return, denmark who has internalized this idea of him as a leader and a protector comes back to this: he needs to get stronger, needs to make sure it doesn't come to this again

it doesn't last forever. in 1814, denmark-norway enter the napoleonic wars on the wrong side, and as war reparations, denmark must now cede norway to sweden. from himaruya's notes on 1814:

this is a clear example of how denmark's cockiness, his selfishness, his want to be the leader, to best sweden, to get revenge raptured his relationship with norway over time. and the word that stands out to me is childish: denmark is always described as a big brother type in modern day, a little silly but mature, a businessman. not one to throw tantrums and cut ties with his best friend, not because he misses him, but because he lost

and what's left of denmark then? an ex-superpower with increasingly dwindling territory and the man he's been in a union with for almost 500 years given away to the man who's only taken for him for 300 years (albeit, denmark instigated a lot of those doomed battles)

this is where denmark and iceland's relationship becomes so fascinating! because i think now is where the shift begins to happen. don't get me wrong - denmark was never a bad person, he's always cared for the people around him, but he's also been selfish and stupid and careless. and now his best friend's brother is under his care, he's lost everything, and the world stage is changing rapidly. what does denmark do?

well, he tries his best.

he's maybe not as tactful or sweet or comfortable with iceland as he is in modern day, but he tries. as he explains later, he believes he raised iceland. he views himself as his guardian!

also, this is just really cute:

this brings us to the denmark we see in modern day, after two centuries of learning how to be a nation instead of an empire. i think a lot of his modern day personality is a reaction to his past which he deeply regrets. he raises iceland, mends his relationship with norway, even mends his relationship with sweden! he's not the selfish cocky ruler that he used to be, and in my opinion, he purposefully overcompensates, making sure that this time he is listening to others, he is taking their feelings into account, he's more selfless:

we also see how he has redefined his "leader" identity! he still identifies with it, but now he uses it to be a good friend to the people he cares about:

and there he is! denmark, ex warrior, ex ruler, ex asshole trying his best, now reformed dad, friend, and boyfriend, still trying his best :)

there's more to get into, like his relationship with iceland and norway in more depth and other historical relationships like him and estonia, him and england, or him and poland, but that's a story for another day!

#CAN U GUYS TELL THAT DENMARK IS MY FAVOURITE. IDK I THINK IT KINDA SHOWS #hws denmark #hws iceland #hws norway #hws sweden #hetalia #hws #maia talks #if i got any historical facts wrong lmk i was going off memory!

[and-claudia]

His Heir pt.13 (Darth Maul x fem! reader)

Taglist Here

Masterlist Here

Wordcount: 2771

Warnings: Mentions of being sick, medical procedures

Three weeks turned into five weeks. Five long weeks without seeing Maul. Three weeks without speaking to him. Someone had tracked one of our calls and my location was almost discovered so we had to cut communication until I was finished. And to make matters worst, during the last week I picked up some type of stomach bug from this planet. It wasn’t uncommon for this to happen to me. I didn’t travel to other planets as a child so I was never exposed to other illnesses. 

Currently, I was sitting in the back of the ship waiting for us to land on Dathomir. Waiting until I could see Maul again. We had already been en route for nearly 47 hours… it shouldn’t be too much longer. 

“Lady Yn?” One of the guards called, snapping me out of my thoughts. 

“Sorry, yes? Is everything alright?” 

“Yes ma’am, just want to inform you that we would be landing soon.” He said. 

I nodded, “Good. It’s nighttime right? Or did we miscalculate?” 

“We calculated correctly, it is quite late there already.” 

“Okay… inform the others that upon arrival you are all dismissed. I’ll get droids to unload everything, and we will have a mission debrief tomorrow morning.” 

It was a spur-of-the-moment decision but I could not find it in me to care. I was exhausted and felt like I got hit by a speeder bike, I wanted nothing more than to go sleep in either my own bed or in Maul’s. 

“I will… Lady Yn, do you feel alright, you don’t look too well?” 

“No, I believe I caught something during the mission, but I will be fine.” I reassured him before he was dismissed. 

I stood from the desk and went to collect the few things I’d need for the night. I felt the ship shake slightly as we entered the atmosphere and my stomach did a flip. I tried to take deep breaths but it was no use. I dashed to the refresher and threw up. Once I was done I sat back and caught my breath. 

After a mental debate, I decided to get up and just brush my teeth to get the taste out of my mouth and then just sit down and wait until we landed. It didn’t take long, luckily. I slowly stood, testing to see if I’d get nauseous again… We were clear. I collected what I needed and went to make my way down and out of the ship. 

Usually, there would be a welcoming party but since it was so late, only Maul was there waiting for our arrival. I forced the way I was feeling down and put on a smile when I saw him. 

The moment I was within his reach, he had his hands on me. He pulled me close for a hug, his lips going to my neck on instinct. Everyone else had already exited the ship and gone their own ways so the risk of being caught was low. 

As much as I missed him, with my head pounding I wasn't in the mood. Despite myself, a small groan left my lips making him pull away quickly. 

"What's wrong, dear?" He asked, scanning my body for any physical injuries. 

"My head." I mumbled. "I’m still not used to going to different planets and being exposed to their illnesses. I think I caught a bug or something during the last week while I was there." I explained. 

"Oh, Yn, I’m so sorry. We by no means have to do anything tonight. Let's just get you to bed, alright?" 

I nodded as he began to lead me inside. 

"Can we just go to my quarters? They're closer." I requested, ducking my head slightly in the light. 

"You really feel that poorly?" Maul thought out loud to himself as he began leading us in the direction of my quarters. 

I only managed a hum in response. 

Once we got to my quarters, I changed quickly and wasted no time crawling into bed. As I settled in I heard him shuffling about in the room. When I picked my head up I saw him settling down on the couch. 

"Maul?" I called out. 

"I'm right here, dear. I’m not going to leave you alone if you're sick." He called back. 

"Then why are you way over there?” I asked pitifully. 

"What?" 

"Come here." Was all I said before laying back down. 

He got up and came over. 

"Yes?" He asked gently. 

I said nothing, just lifted the covers for him. He hesitated. 

"Please?" 

My weak voice was all it took for him to melt and get in with me. He held me close, running a hand over my back to help lull me to sleep. 

I woke up slowly the next morning, feeling groggy and even sicker. My head was already hurting and I could already feel some nausea working its way up. Maul was still there next to me. He was awake already and had stayed to hold me in his arms. 

“How do you feel?” He asked gently. 

“Like shit.” I replied, trying to lay completely still to try and will away the nausea. 

“Maybe we should get you down to the medical unit? This could be serious.” He suggested. 

I shook my head but stopped short when it made me feel even worse. 

“No, I am fine, I promise. It’s just some stomach bug. I always get them when I travel, it’ll pass in a couple of days. They never last longer than three days.” I tried to convince both him and myself. 

“Yn, you said you caught this ‘bug’ a week ago. By your logic, you should be fine by now. It’s not a bug… could it be that your cycle is about to start, I know since getting your implant removed it's started again, could it just be affecting you much more this time? I know some people have more severe symptoms than others may.” 

His question wasn’t too far-fetched. I had occasionally had some rough periods that took me down for a few days before it actually started. Despite the headache, I laid there and mentally counted the weeks. Ever since we started actually trying for his heir, I began to keep perfect track of my cycles. My eyes shot open I realized… I was late. 

“Maul… what is today?” 

He told me and my heart skipped a few beats. 

“I’m late.” I mumbled. 

“Are you sure?” 

I was surprised he even heard me. 

“Positive. I’ve been tracking it like a madman ever since we started trying… it should have come the first week of the mission. I guess I was so caught up in it, I didn’t even realize it… but this doesn’t mean that I…” my words faltered, I didn’t want to say the word yet. It had hurt so much every time I saw a negative test, just the thought of the slight possibility of getting another one scared me. I knew Maul knew what I was trying to say so I just skipped over it and picked up where my thoughts were originally trying to go. 

“The stress of the mission could have delayed it and now it’s catching up to me.” I said as if I was trying to convince myself. 

I couldn’t be pregnant. It just wasn’t possible. Right? I was beginning to panic. 

“Yn?” 

“Yeah?” I asked, still lost in my own thoughts slightly. 

“I asked if maybe you wanted to take a test… you don’t have to if you don’t want to. I am just thinking that maybe the combination of being nearly 5 weeks late and the nausea and headaches might be because you’re pregnant… So, do you want to try one?” He was asking so gently knowing that the last time I took one I had a bit of a breakdown. 

“Yeah… I should do it now. It’s best to do it right after waking up… I have some in the bathroom.” I said as my brain switched into autopilot and I got out of bed. 

I went into the bathroom and got out one of my tests. My hands were shaking. I took the test and then sat down and waited. About halfway through the time, there was a knock on the door. 

“Are you okay, Yn?” Maul’s voice was muffled through the door. 

“Yeah, just waiting…” I said quietly. 

“May I come in and wait with you? I am getting quite lonely out here.” He slipped in the small joke to lighten the mood that had set in on us. 

“Yeah, come in.” 

The door slid open and in two short strides, he was standing beside me before sitting down. He pulled me over into his lap and held me. Neither of us spoke. We just held each other and waited. The timer went off and I stood with Maul following closely behind me. 

“Can you please not watch as I look at it, it stresses me out.” I requested. 

He nodded and turned around. With shaky hands, I picked up the test and saw…+.

I sighed and threw it into the bin like I had time and time before. But then it hit me.

Maul had turned around when he heard me sigh and was just able to catch a glimpse of it as it went into the trash bin. I stood frozen staring at the bin. 

“Maul…” 

“It’s okay.” He began, assuming it had been negative. 

“No… I think it was positive. I don’t think it registered and I just tossed it into the bin out of habit…” I waited to see his reaction. 

“I’ll check it.” He said without hesitation. 

“Maul, no that has my pee on it. I’ll check it.” I said but he was already stepping over to the bin to get the test. 

“You’re cute. Do you really think that would bother me considering everything we’ve done together?” He asked. 

“That’s different.” I sighed. 

Regardless, he kneeled down and reached into the bin to get the test. Luckily from being gone for so long, there was no other trash in the bin beside the test. I watched with bated breath as he brought it up to look at it. His face was unreadable. He set the test face down on the counter and then came over to me. His arms wrapped around me and held me close. 

I assumed I read it wrong and got my hopes up for nothing. Just as the tears were about to fall I heard a muffled voice speaking. 

“Thank you, Yn, thank you so much.” Maul said. 

“Wait… I’m…it’s positive?” 

“Yes, it is.” He said. 

I smiled and put a hand on my stomach. We finally did it. I was pregnant. Maul was getting his heir. I was getting my family. I smiled up at Maul only to find him already doing the same. I watched as his gaze shifted from my eyes to my hand on my stomach and then to my lips. Then, we both leaned in and kissed. It was the softest kiss Maul and I had ever shared. His hands came up to cup my cheeks and when we pulled away he held my face close to his as his forehead rested against mine. 

“Yn…” 

“What if it’s a false positive?” I asked. 

I hadn’t meant to cut him off. The moment the thought crossed my mind, my mouth was already saying it aloud. We had tried so hard to get here and it had taken so long. I would be crushed if it was a false positive. 

“Would you like to go to the medical unit and get an ultrasound to confirm it wasn’t one?” Maul offered gently. 

I thought for a moment. 

“I mean yes, but what about the debriefing meeting?” 

“I had them hold it themselves, they’re more than capable. They were told to send you their information and then you can review it and fill me in later.” 

“Okay… let me get dressed.” I said as I went over to my wardrobe. 

“I have the day off right?” I asked over my shoulder. 

“Yes, of course.” He said. 

With that confirmation, I opted to grab a pair of leggings rather than one of my nicer outfits. Without much thought, I began changing out of my clothes. 

“Comfortable aren’t we?” Maul said, causing me to realize that he had just seen my bare ass. 

I was so quick to turn around and apologize I forgot I now didn’t have anything covering me up my top half. 

“Very comfortable, indeed.” He teased, seeing my flustered state. 

I was about to apologize but then decided against it. It had been too long since I had been able to have our playful banter, and teasing. I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity. 

“You said it earlier, after everything we’ve done together, this shouldn’t bother you.” I shot back. 

“It doesn’t. Not one bit.” He shot back. 

I put on the shirt and then we were off to the medical unit. I was nervous that someone might see us and wonder why he was going with me but luckily no one was there. If I was nervous taking the test, then I had no idea what to call what I was feeling now. My leg wouldn’t stop bouncing, Maul even tried to put his hand on it to ease it but it was no use. 

Then a droid was leading us back to a small room. The stark white walls were such a contrast to the dark grey walls in the rest of the compound. They did all the basic checks they were required to do then we were ready for the ultrasound. 

“Please undress from the waist down, then cover up with the privacy sheet. I will leave now, to give you privacy.” 

My head cocked to the side in confusion. 

“Undress… why do I need to undress?” I asked. 

“This will be an internal ultrasound, it must be inserted vaginally.” The droid picked up the device and showed me the device. 

My eyes went wide for a slight moment before I nodded and the droid exited the room. I silently undressed from the waist down as I was told then got situated on the table. Maul stepped closer once I was sat down and covered by the sheet. 

“I saw that reaction to the probe…” He teased quietly.

“Yeah?” I hummed. 

“Mhm, you have no reason to be scared, darling. If you can take me, you take that scrawny little thing easily.” He said. 

Despite the crudeness of his statement, his voice was nothing but reassuring. 

The droid came in and walked us through what they were doing before they did it. They had a holoscreen in front of them and we could somewhat see what they were seeing but I had no idea what I was looking for. 

“If you look here, at this little black blob, that is your baby.” 

In that moment, everything around me stopped. I couldn’t even register Maul holding my hand. All I could see was that little blob… my baby. When I finally came back around to what was happening, the ultrasound was done. A copy of the image was being sent to my datapad. The droid stepped out and I was getting dressed again. This was real. I was having a baby. I was having Maul’s baby. 

“Maul…” I said, tears welling up in my eyes. 

I stood on my toes and threw my arms around him, burying my face into the side of his neck. 

“I know darling, I know.” He said. 

We stayed like that for a few moments just basking in the fact that our dream was becoming a reality. I finally pulled away and looked up into his eyes. 

Maul’s PoV

This was the perfect chance. 

“Yn, I-” 

The door opened and the droid returned and began to speak to Yn about scheduling her next appointment and a few other various details. Once they were finished we were free to go. 

Yn’s hand was still in mine as we walked out. But before we made it to the main hall she let go abruptly. 

“Sorry, I forgot we were still holding hands. Don’t want any rumors to spread.” She said, with a small smile. 

I waved her off telling her that I didn’t mind. Which was true, I don’t mind her holding my hand, and I wouldn’t mind if they made rumors. Maybe that would give me the courage to tell her how I felt. 

@fan-g0rl@mxkyrie@onceuponanightmareisawme@lothiriel9@wordsfromshona@kgbtardis@wondermia69@mh073099@ktrivia

@fifithexeno@perseny@justalittletomato

@pomiotszatana

@ameliachastain@lune-de-miel-au-paradis@its-me-meg@kbarnes-2001@bluusugar @happyheartsss

@clairebear1621@rljart

If your tag is missing but you know you filled out the form, either your age was not listed in your bio (which is clearly outlined as a requirement to be added) or the tag does not work, so please double check you tags before adding yourself to the taglist.

#darth maul x reader #maul x reader smut #maul x reader #darth maul fanfic #darth maul x reader smut #darth maul #darth maul imagine #darth maul smut #darth maul fic #starwars #star wars

[serenofroses]

Unmasked Trust. otp: cipher nine (f!oc) x Darth Marr. A/N: hearing impaired cipher nine protag, wlw pairing, transfem Marr, canon divergence.

(was posted on sideblog but this was being edited with recent characters updates.)

—

“Do you trust me, Ania?”

Ania was taken aback by the unusual question out of the blue, eying the masked warlord sat on the opposite side from her and set down a cup of decaf aside.  

“Of course, I trust you.” Ania told the warlord with a baffled reaction. She tilted her head curiously, wondering what prompted this, “What brought this on?”

The Sith caught her off guard over the topic of trust. They had been married for a couple of months, sharing the same bed for a better night’s sleep and taking turns caring for Naomi. Recently Ania had taken notice of Marr growing restless since the previous night before. Could it have been due to sleeping within their armour made them feel this way out of discomfort.

“I have…reasons,” the warlord spoke with a raspy tone, their visor fixated onto the cipher agent attentively, making sure to sign for her, “I thought it would be the right time for you to learn the person behind this mask.”

Ania doesn’t understand this, albeit worried if she had done something wrong, “But why? Didn’t I not gave you my trust and consent in our marriage?”

Maybe she wished she had opted to sleep on the couch or renovated one of the spare rooms into a personal bedroom when they moved in together.

“Yes, you did. But that was not the reason,” Marr reassured, clearing their throat, “Unveiling myself to you without your trust was the last thing I wanted to provoke you into reliving your traumatic past.”

Provoke my trauma, she wondered puzzledly to herself, until the realisation hit her now she acknowledged that Marr was referring to the first time she saw Jadus' unmasked face, which had completely startled her with their appearance. Afterall, Marr wanted to proceed with caution, and Ania greatly appreciated them for it–it is the littlest thing she liked how Marr looked out for her when they didn’t have to.

Then again, she recalled Marr’s vow to her on their wedding day.

“I understand your reason, but you didn’t need to–" 

“I know Ania,” Marr cuts her off, “This is as important to me because you mattered more to me than you think. This is my choice.”

Marr knew it was the right time to unveil themselves. They don’t want to be Darth Marr all the time, especially in the comfort of their home away from the Empire’s duty–they want Ania to see the other side of their persona. Ania, on the other hand, felt her breath hitched upon the way Marr mentioned that she means more to them. Was it because of that moment the two shared when she left Jadus' office at the Sith HQ? 

“I respect your decision.” Ania affirmed with a nod initiating that she was ready.

That was all Marr needed to hear. Fingers gripped onto the hood for a moment before letting it slide off from their head, then Marr paused with hesitation questioning whether this was really worth it or not. They wondered if they’re doing it too soon, or unsure how Ania would react towards their identity–that they’re not met with the expectations of the so-called rumour talks? 

“Are you ok?” Ania checked on them out of concern.

“It’s…” Marr heaved a sigh, “It’s been a long time since I took my mask off in front of the other,” they explained their hesitation, “I was around your age when I became Darth Marr and never looked back. The last person who saw my face was The Emperor himself.”

Marr subconsciously blocked the memory of the time at the Emperor’s Fortress from their head, but they never forget the moment when one of the Servants placed the mask onto their face, and Tenebrae was watching on with a smile ominously. Being Darth Marr was all they wanted to be–mysterious without the past hanging by a thread.

Until Ania came along in their life. It had brought a vulnerable side to them, but Marr had already made their choice to unmask and gained their spouse’s trust.

“How long has it been?” Ania asked curiously.

“About twenty years.” Marr answered.

Ania understood their hesitation with an acknowledged nod, her father wore a mask specifically for his dyspnea condition, “Take your time.”

“Are you sure?” Marr warned, double checking for signs of uneasiness, “There’s no going back after this…”

“I would not have agreed to this if I wasn’t ready.” Ania reassured with a smile.

There’s something about her smile that made Marr feel their knees go weak from the sight alone. Well, here goes nothing.

Marr lifted their hands up to their head steadying their posture as fingers grasped onto the side of their mask, waiting idly for a brief second to study their spouse’s body language, but Ania was waiting in anticipation and sensed the thrill of excitement from her moods.

Marr breathed a sharp inhale, slowly removing the mask from their face and held it within their hands, gazing their scarlet eyes onto the agent awaiting for her reaction. Ania was stunned to say the least, taken aback and unprepared for the shock reveal.

“You’re…” Ania was speechless. “A zabrak.” Marr said, tossing the mask aside onto the coffee table, "I'm not exactly what everybody making it out to believe I'm human." “Not to mention you’re a woman, aswell.” Ania added.

There was something about their deep, raspy voice that was soothing to her. Marr curled their lips into a smirk, setting the cipher agent off into a flustered state, “Surprised? I don’t blame you. I’m told that you… appreciate the company of other women--specially older ones.”

“I am, actually.” Ania slammered, trying not to get distracted by Marr’s face and covering up her flushed cheeks, she cleared her throat to continue, “You’re not what I expected from the rumours being said about you.”

“What rumours?” Marr indulged with an amused tone, “Listening to rumours when you shouldn’t?”

“So, are you implying the rumours about a Grand Moff who saw your distinguished face, disappeared and committed suicide was a lie?” Ania questioned.

Marr snorted by this.

“Admittedly, that rumour was a cover up story to throw anyone off their guard.” Marr explained while they leaned back into the chair with one leg up over the knee, ruffling their dishevelled hair, “It’s the only way I can protect my own identity without the rest of the Sith Lords looking to pry into my life when I was on the Dark Council.”

“Oh. I suppose that makes sense.”

“Plus, I just let them run their own wild fantasies and theories about me.” Marr added, “Something to get them off my back.”

“You must’ve had some really bizarre ones.”

“Only if it keeps them entertained and it worked.”

Ania couldn’t resist staring at the warlord to study the details to memorise for later. Jet black short hair with horns, red skin tone, black inked facial tattoo and scarlet eyes. She faintly noticed the scar across their face–she was curious about how they got it but wanted to save the question for another day.

Marr caught her staring, “What?”

“Has anyone told you how attractive looking you are?” Ania, without thinking, replied with a question… rather bluntly. She wasn’t sure whether to feel mortified or not.

The warlord chuckled. Ania felt her heart flutter rapidly after hearing them laugh… for the first time.

“That’s not the first I’ve been told.”–Marr smirked, deciding to tease the cipher agent–”Do you find me attractive, Ania? I might know what your preferred type of an ideal woman that you appreciate.”

Ania couldn’t tell if Marr was teasing her or throwing subtle hints. Maybe she shouldn’t be thinking of Marr like this… She picked up her cup of decaf before it started to get cold and took a sip, looking elsewhere avoiding Marr’s gaze.

“It was an innocent question.”

#swtor #seren swtor writings #oc: ania nevrakis #ch: darth marr #darth marr #otp ania x darth marr

[windowlessatmosphere]

That's My Man

Summary: Sky is very aware of how many people at the racetrack are into Prapai. It doesn’t exactly bother him, but he’s well within his rights to make it clear that Prapai is taken. Pai is very on board with this.

“Who is that?”

Sky couldn’t help a smile when the not-so-hushed exclamation was followed by insistent shushing. He pretended not to notice, given that he really couldn’t blame them. If it were him, he would have been gushing over Prapai too. Well, given a strict guarantee that Prapai would never find out.

“What?” came the voice again, way too loud and immediately met by more shushing.

“He has a boyfriend!” a hushed voice said.

“I can’t look?” the first voice wanted to know, quickly followed by a disappointed, “oh,” when Prapai made a beeline for Sky.

There may have been a tiny part of him that reveled in it, that wanted everyone to know exactly who Prapai was there with. Tiny, though. Miniscule. Besides, they weren’t wrong. Who wouldn’t want to look at Prapai?

Given that thought, Sky pulled him in for a kiss, slightly unusual for him at the racetrack but not out of the realm of possibility. Of course, based on Pai’s expression, it seemed like it had never happened before. He pulled Sky back in a moment after they separated, hands traveling down to his lower back and holding him firmly in place.

“Awww,” he heard from behind them, in a softer tone. “They’re so cute.”

Well, Sky didn’t particularly mind that one.

Pai took a step closer, nuzzling his nose into Sky’s cheek and trying to hide a smile when it was met with more whispering.

“Lucky,” someone muttered, a slight hint of reproach in their tone.

“You can keep that one,” someone else piped up. “I’d prefer his boyfriend.”

Pai’s half-hidden smile instantly turned into a scowl, pulling Sky in further and tucking his chin over his shoulder to glare at the gaggle nearby. They disbanded quickly, leaving Sky to be the one stifling his laughter. He shook his head at Prapai, tugging on his jacket to get his attention.

“Mmm?” Prapai asked, head swiveling back around immediately.

“They were just having fun,” Sky pointed out, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s fun to steal my boyfriend?” Prapai wanted to know, pouting ridiculously.

“Apparently.” Sky grinned at him, poking Prapai’s cheek incessantly until he started smiling again.

“That’s illegal,” Prapai decided, informing Sky sternly of his decision. 

Sky snorted.

His eyes moved past Prapai for a second, and he realized the group that had been commenting earlier was still watching them, just from farther away. An idea formed in his mind, and he started blushing before he could even carry it out, prompting Prapai to raise an eyebrow.

“Is everything o–” He was cut off quickly, Sky pulling him in by his jacket and kissing him firmly, despite their audience. He was still blushing when they broke apart but had decided not to acknowledge it. Maybe Prapai wouldn’t notice.

Pai ran a thumb over one cheek, smiling, and pressed a kiss to the other one. No such luck, then.

“What was that for?” he asked, not sounding like he minded in the slightest.

“Luck,” Sky decided, nodding towards where Payu was standing over by the bikes.

“If I win the next race,” Pai started, tilting his head towards Sky’s ear, “will you kiss me like that every time?”

“No,” Sky told him immediately, flicking his cheek.

“You don’t want me to have good luck?” Prapai pouted.

Sky’s gaze drifted back over to the group from before, noticing how many of them were still eyeing Prapai.

“Okay,” he said. “Fine.”

#love in the air #prapaisky #prapai lita #sky lita #lita fanfiction #prapaisky fanfic

[crytidsprinkles]

I was unaware Aquaman 2 was releasing last month. I found out or probably was reminded because I forgot by my mom mentioning it to be (she enjoyed the first and LOVES Jason Momoa).

The bizarre behavior towards Amber Heard and Depp frankly continues to permeate public discussion, conscience and culture. To the point there are still people bemoaning, shredding and ridiculing her. And frankly it's quite tired.

Cases of abuse requires understanding and education, not knee jerk reactions, parasocial clamoring and armchair commentaries (including body language experts to pseudo pop psychologists).

This isn't Crime and Punishment, holding people accountable for abuse in the way people are currently going about it would mean Depp and Heard getting the same treatment, they aren't.

This acknowledged, I would love to have a chance to view the film with Meera having a much more active role. I've already heard much of Amber's screentime has been cut and it does impact the film. I was so excited for the fight scenes and based on the hinting at other versions being shot, I think one with Meera's role and arc not being minimized is the stronger movie.

And at minimum if not in theaters, give people the alternate cuts on dvd/blu ray. Let there be a choice. The situation shouldn't mean the project suffers or is taken out on Heard (especially when it's not being taken out on Johnny).

Whoever was involved with the decision to whittle Heard's role down only made matters even more magnified and a focal point, when it could have been handled much better, with care and sensitivity. The lack of support or understanding at least also speaks poorly of the studio and any team members this applies to.

Especially given so many other instances in entertainment of people openly committing, accused of and even charged with abuse who Hollywood has no problem continuing to work with. It's quite hypocritical, and simplistic.

The trial happened, some of us witnessed it, some made skits, commentary and some steered clear. I chose not to watch the trial while it was happening or a majority of the posts/videos people created. I found nothing about it amusing and thought people choosing "teams" and going so far as to call it that incredibly strange behavior.

I paid attention to the impact to victims/survivors and what those with expertise or careers in the field of domestic violence or any related to. I listened when people spoke of the power imbalance, PR team, prior charges in UK and much more.

Some people were and still are so invested in this team sport like, and misogynistic nonsense they'd never admit now they were deeply in the wrong and caused a lot of harm. This isn't a game or fable, there's no winners, losers, good guys, bad guys.

It's the nuance and complexity of human beings and awful situations. I'm saying any of this because I know it will come up or someone will want to open their mouth about it.

Here's some great videos to compliment my comments:

TW: Ableism (unhinged and idiots are terms used) barring this, it is an very salvageable video.

In closing I'll say it should but didn't concern everyone that so many incels, reactionaries, garden variety misogynyist of all sorts (and not just men) as well as abusers standing right alongside them while the general public dog piled.

It reveals greater issues within societies as far as talking about abuse, abuse cases, survivors and we have a long way to go.

The public needs to learn and progress, so one day our world addresses trauma, harm and violence with thoughtfulness, knowledge, RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, radical love and critical thinking.

#Aquaman 2 #Sequel #Amber Heard #Jason Momoa #DCU #DC #Youtube

[downthepub]

The problem with the ending of Good Omens 2 and people being so upset about it is like, you never believed in it, you never thought anything about heaven could be good, but Aziraphale did, has, and wants to. Agnostic / atheist people may find this more clear cut, but folks who grew up with strong religious beliefs have to at least get it on some level. Like it's more complicated than just "be with you bf bc you love him."

Let me put it in a secular context.

Imagine you, a citizen, "hate" your country because you're so disillusioned with the government and things it's done and / or is currently doing. But suddenly you have the opportunity to get a high up position in that government with the promise that you can make a difference and help people and maybe even change the system from the roots up.

Your own view of the government hasn't changed; you don't like where it's been, or where it's at, but you believe in the people who live under that authority, you love and want to help them, you want to make amends, fix things, change things......even if it costs you something, and you never wanted to be a government employee in the first place. It's a hard decision but it's not about putting yourself first, it's not about "hating" your country, it's about doing what's right.

Meanwhile the person you're dating not only disagrees with this choice but says fuck your country, we need to run away together halfway across the world, we don't need your country, you hate it too, don't you? Why didn't you say no?? And uhhhhh....it's more complicated than that. Your world doesn't work in "do whatever you want and never consider anyone else" ways. It works if you take responsibility and do good when you can.

And perhaps someday you will realize you couldn't make a difference, but right now, this is the moral choice you will regret if you don't make, and loving someone who wants to just run away from that is very complicated and painful.

Because they're not who you thought they were, and you're not who they thought you were, and this is something you can't compromise on. There's no "in-between" right now for this decision. He's an anarchist, you're a liberal, or whatever parties / political ties you want to associate with. He's ready to tear it all down or just walk away; you want to do whatever good you can with the tools at hand, and fix what's wrong, help people where they're at now.

You take your chance and go and do the good you can and try to change the world, or you walk away because someone else says you should - not because you actually think you should walk away.

It's going to break your heart no matter what, but it's not a question you can dodge. Take the chance and do what you believe is right, or go and be with the person you love, but know you made the choice you didn't think was right, and that they don't really understand what makes you tick.

Actually I was surprised and blindsided because I somehow also thought Crowley wanted to be on the side of fixing things, through whatever means possible, opportunities inside or outside of channels. The way he talked in S1 about God and good and evil and regrets and questions, didn't make me think he would be 100% opposed to a chance to go back, to do some things differently, to work to change things. He's clearly willing to march into heaven on a mission, in disguise etc.

And obviously Heaven is not equal to God in this universe where God is a mysterious and terrifying force with inexplicable motives that Heaven (at best) tries to interpret in muddled and toxic ways, while Hell simply goes against whatever they think Heaven or God might stand for. But Heaven does have a lot of power and *some* tenuous link to the divine, however messed up, and it's quite easy to see a disillusioned angel finding the chance to influence and work within this system painful and difficult, but necessary.

And yet my own religious related trauma gives me Crowley's same visceral "fuck no" reaction to the idea of going back and working inside the lines, working within the system, bowing my head in obedience to something I don't follow anymore, can't follow anymore.

To believe that the connection to the divine is owned or usurped by people and systems who have actively used it to hurt and oppress, to do bad things and make excuses for and cover up other bad things, all while claiming to be holy and perfect and above critique themselves. It can make one actually feel a bit sick to think about it too hard.

Once again, it's More Complicated Than That, more complicated than just going along and working in the system. Crowley seems to see nothing redeemable in the system, it's pure toxicity, something to escape, not try to fix, not even try to save or help the people caught up and hurt in it. Just get away before they get you again.

There's no simple compromise, no in-between here. They still love each other deeply. And can't fix this by simply one of them changing their minds. No quick fix. It's about what they actually believe and doing what they each think is right. A separation, a distance, a love from afar, and very much being disappointed in each other not being on the same page.

But they just aren't. They aren't on the same page. They can't be right now. It's honestly not even about who's right or wrong, because it's More Complicated Than That. They really are living the Free Will Version of their own lives, with all the responsibility and pain that comes with that. It's not always the happy, easy stuff where things get to stay the same.

They are making choices, and they are living with those choices. And, just like humans, they are saying OUCH on the inside, very loudly.

#good omens 2 #meta #spoilers #long post #it's rambling #personal #slkfjadlskfjadfsj

[voltagesmutter]

I hope you had a relaxing break, and you're taking care of yourself. As for my request B.9 Theo Ikemen vampire sfw. Also you don't have to if you don't want to but can the MC say this to him?

Hi lovely! Thank you for being my first, it was an interesting one to do!

FanFict - Ikemen Vampire Character: Theo SFW Prompt: “Let's save us both some time and just be honest with each other from the start. If you're not, I'll find out eventually anyway, so let's just cut the crap right from the get-go." Warning: None

It happened again. You don’t remember the exact details of how it started. But what you did know, was it something stupid and miniscule. 

“Hondje.”.

That sharp tongue and smart-whip, it was driving you insane. 

“Hondje!” This time it was louder, the sound of it making your teeth grit.

“Hondje!”.

This time it was enough to stop you in your tracks. Feet stomping on the cobblestone floor, it echoing off the walls of the tunnel you had stormed through. Anger in your face, having risen from deep within until it had bubbled to the surface.

“I am not a dog,” Is all you can muster, seething as you watch the chestnut haired man (almost) running behind you to catch up. A pitiful annoyance over his face. 

“I-,” Is all he can manage before he’s cut off, the skirt of his coat flapping as he finally comes within standing distance of you.

“I am not a dog, you do not call me that,” Having grown tired and weary of his disrespectful manners. His treatment towards you during the handling of a client deal had been the final straw. Belittling you, making you feel small. He was like… like a small child! 

But you could see in his face as he slowly loomed closer, he did not approve of you speaking back to him. But enough was enough, tired of his charades. Of being up and down with him. Why only a few days ago, you believed he actually liked you. Oh what a fool you felt. To think that Theodorus van Gogh would ever have feelings towards you. And what a fool you felt for indeed having feelings for him…

Was it love you felt? Surely not. But even now, even when he is being a spiteful brute, you can not ignore the way your heart races. How the world simply seems to stand still and time just.. vanishes. It was like your own body was betraying you, a flood of emotions coursing inside you as you focused on nothing more than that chiselled, perfected jawline. 

“I’m sorry okay.. I won’t repeat it again,”. The words snapping you out of your gaze, realising for the past minute you hadn’t heard a word he had said, or even that he was now standing before you. A bashful look as he refused to look you in the face, eyes averted and speaking in a low grumble. 

Whilst he was apologising, the inconsistency of being hot and cold with him was too much. The doors would be opening in a few days and you needed to make your decision, and you simply couldn’t hang around for him to be giving you mixed signals.

“Look,” You begin, taking a deep breath and releasing this needs to be spoken, now or never. “You don’t like me, it's clear and simple-”.

Cut off, you let out a gasp as your back is pressed to the cold stone wall. His face inches away from yours, the lingering scent of sweet honey vivid from his closeness. 

“Who said I didn’t like you hondje?” A curiosity in his eyes. The pit of your stomach dropping to see a look within them that makes the words you said doubtful. A look in his eyes that he gives his brothers paintings, a tender form that shifts within the blue sky of his orbs. A look that makes you feel, ‘He’s going to ask you to stay’. A look that makes you hopeful…

“D-Do you?” You stutter, unable to help yourself.

But there's no reply, just a smirk. A smirk that rubs you the wrong way, yet again the man is incompetent of giving you an answer.

“Let's save us both some time and just be honest with each other from the start,” You end up spitting at him, a little more angst in your voice than intended as you still find yourself trapped between him and the wall. 

“If you're not, I'll find out eventually anyway, so let's just cut the crap right from the get-go. Do you want me to stay?” Your eyes looking up to find his, the directness of you leaving him flustered for a few seconds. For a quick split, your eyes hold contact before he diverts away to observe the ground. 

His silence is enough. 

With all dignity in tack, you simply shrug him away. Holding back the tears, you would never let him see you cry. 

“I’ll see you back at the mansion,” You muster with a shaky breath, making your way alone. A hurt inside you to not hear the footsteps behind you, no calling of that stupid nickname you came to love and loathe. 

But as you walk away, you miss the longing look he gives you. One of a private affair as you disappear slowly before him. A foreshadowing of what will come in the next few days, an emptiness being left.

“How can I ask you to stay…” Is whispered only to the wind, the tearing apart he is facing alone. “I want you to stay…” His words only spoken to himself, as he can not manage them to you…

#ikemen #ikemen series #ikemen vampire theo #theodorus van gogh #ikemen theo #ikevamp theo #ikevamp #prompt sfw #prompts #prompt writing

[1016anon]

Title: A Man of Action Author: 1016anon Fandom: Bridgerton Pairing: Anthony Bridgerton/Kate Sharma Summary: When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.

A/N -- Unhappy, and not in an angsty or a dark way. More like miserable, cuts too close to reality way: Anthony is as ugly as he is handsome. That is canon. Bridgerton will always promise a sweet and happy ending. I won't.

A/N 2 -- It has come to my attention, and this is a failure on my part as a writer for not having made it clearer-- Kate is an unreliable narrator here. If you'd like to read more explanations, please visit AO3's comments.

A/N 3 -- It also been brought to my attention, and this is once again a major error on my part, that some of the content within may be triggering. The fact that Kate is an unreliable narrator plays a huge role in this fic. Again, please see the version on AO3 for the specific nature of the triggers.

I would also like to apologize to everyone who was triggered by the material. It is never my intent, and I am thankful for those who brought it to my attention.

She should have known.

They all told her, they warned her, and she'd seen it with her own eyes-- all the warning signs were there.

His explosive temper. His cutting words. His pride, his arrogance, the way his eyes measured a person according to his arbitrary standards-- ones he did not hold himself to-- and immediately passed judgment on their worth. His duplicity, the way he changed depending on whose company he was in. His inconstancy, his mercurial nature, his anger and propensity to shout in order to beat a person into submission.

His impulsive decisions, the way he went through a person's life completely destroying it, laying waste to it, then apologized and meant it sincerely, but did not prevent him from taking whatever course of action he thought necessary, no matter how reckless, foolish, thoughtless, stupid. He apologized and meant it and still never stopped to think.

Never made the same mistake twice, but made all of them. He destroyed himself and everyone around him. Would not heed warnings. Did not take advice. Believed he always knew best. Could not tread carefully. Would not tread carefully, because he'd always come through it with everyone alive, if not whole, and so had no reason not to believe the next time would be any different.

His obsession with duty and the way he heeled whenever his mother pulled his leash. His resentment of his role and his inability to divorce himself from his title. His unwillingness to change course. The sheer inertia of his father's death, the way his bitterness defined him. The way he did not have any convictions, absolutely no moral compass as to what was right and wrong because he'd never been held to account for anything.

His possessiveness, his jealousy, his sheer hypocrisy.

They were all there before she married him. She knew what she had been getting into. She saw him with clear eyes. She should have known better.

But apparently, she had not.

She thought she'd found a kindred spirit because they'd understood what it was like to live for their families. But that was where the similarities ended.

It had been mere passion, just as she'd said.

Love would have no place in their marriage-- he'd always said from the beginning. He had warned her from the first. Lady Whistledown had written of his reputation at great length.

As they say: a leopard cannot change its spots.

Yet she thought he'd loved her enough, that she'd loved him enough, to make their lives better and happier, embark on a new chapter together. It had been that way for the first two years. They'd tried. They failed so many times, but they kept trying.

She doesn't know where it all fell apart.

After their firstborn.

After their firstborn, he stopped trying, having discharged his all-important duty of siring an heir and continuing the Bridgerton line. Having completed his life's purpose, he stopped. And that was when it fell apart.

He'd said to Edwina: he would often be away on business while his wife and children were at home. Sometimes for an extended period of time. Everyone told her: don't expect fidelity. Men kept mistresses, it's simply how things were done. He'd told her: he could not imagine his life without her; he would humble himself before her; he loved her.

What she should have remembered was: he kept his promises so long as it suited him. As long as he wanted to. Of course she'd learned about Siena Rosso-- people could not help but drop snide remarks and pointed hints meant to skewer about all the women he'd kept in the past. The great love match, they sneered. We'll see how long that lasts. He'd made his last mistress leave. Without warning, without a place to go, expecting her to make her own way somehow.

He was capable of turning a gun on his best friend because society expected it of him; whatever fraternal affection they'd shared meant nothing in the face of the concept of honor.

Honor. Call it what it was: saving face.

All the signs had been there. All the words. The history, the cruelty, the meanness: she'd seen all of it, had been on the receiving end far too many times during their mangled courtship. She'd thought there were more pieces left of him than there actually were, despite all the warnings.

He was not devoted to his family. That is what she hadn't understood. He was devoted to the Bridgerton name; devoted to carrying on the Bridgerton name. That was what outweighed everything else. The Bridgerton name was not blood. It was legacy. He was devoted to duty. It was not the same thing as being devoted to family.

Kate should know: family is not in a name. Or so Mary had told her. Even though she'd told Kate to go anywhere. Even when she'd reconciled with Edwina-- the knowledge they were half-sister always burning in her. Family should not be in a name.

When she'd had their firstborn, Benedict had later smiled crookedly and said she'd relieved him of his familial duties. She hadn't understood. Benedict shrugged and told her that Anthony had never tried to hand off the management of the estate, or finances, or Parliament, or any of it, to Benedict. He had always, always tried to hand off the siring of an heir. The continuation of the family line.

That was the duty. And now free of it, now that he had his children of impeccable quality: pleasant face, acceptable wit, genteel enough manners befitting a Viscountess. Genteel manners, she learned over time, did not mean submissiveness. Not to him. Like everything, genteel meant whatever the hell he wanted it to mean because he had the power, he was used to holding the power of changing the meanings of words.

She was Viscountess and performed her duties admirably, beyond expectation, elevated the Bridgerton name. Therefore: she was genteel.

Now here she was. Unable to take her own lovers because they made him rage with jealousy. He did not love her, but she was his, his wife, the mother of his children, and apparently this meant her life was his to dictate.

A fire cannot burn forever. A marriage cannot be made of sparks. The flame needs to be transmuted; needs to be made into something, its heat and power transferred to creating and sustaining, not merely burning.

It was all there, from the beginning. All the signs. His character, all his flaws. She'd done her due diligence, she'd taken the risk, she thought for some reason he would change. Instead, he changed her to match his grotesque form: bitter, angry, resentful, capricious.

They could have brought out the best in each other and before the child was born, they did. And then they brought out the worst in each other, duty no longer a thread which could unite them. She never thought she'd see the day when he would neglect his youngest siblings who thought of him like a father, but they were not the Bridgerton name.

They were not the heir, they were not the future.

His obsession with his father and his worship for a ghost had rendered everything empty, stale, until the only things he had left was time and a name. Time: to fulfill his duties. A name: to pass those duties on to the next, so he could be rid of them.

There must have been real love at some point; real love for his siblings. But it had been burned out of him-- either they had burned it out, or he had burned it out; in the end, it didn't matter.

Just as there had been real love for her.

He died the day their son was born.

He had done everything asked of him. He had fulfilled his purpose. That all-important goal which was the only thing that mattered to the name. With his purpose in life complete, he died in spirit and did not have enough to build anything and so the husk which remained was this:

The same man she had married.

Mere passion.

She had no one to blame for this predicament but herself. And she did blame herself. Because it had all been there, everything, from the beginning, all of it.

She'd had true love. The souls meeting and hearts dancing or whatever it was she'd said to Edwina. And she'd been warned about that also, hadn't she? In the death of her father; in the death of his father.

It was foolish, to think there was only one kind of death which could visit a human being.

He was as he had always been.

She was the fool who'd believed his unproven words when he was as he had said: a man of action. Every single action; every single flaw, defect, vice, everything. There in his reputation, written in gossip sheets, revealed in its ugliest light while he'd courted Edwina.

There was no pity for her predicament: what did she expect.

She chose him.

Of her own free will.

Knowing he had a temper, did not keep his promises, used words to cut, changed according to fashion, was duplicitous, hypocritical, practiced in self deceit and practiced in destruction. Devoted to duty; it was futile-- or rather, less than worthless-- to make the paltry, threadbare, weak excuse that: she hadn't understood.

She hadn't understood that what he considered duty and what she'd considered duty were not the same, and she had not discovered it until their son was born. Their son was born: he died and became the man she'd met.

They told her. She'd known from the beginning. She bought the house knowing full well there was a crack in the foundation; a gash, a gaping maw, which everyone told her the cracks would spread, the foundation would turn to dust, she hadn't listened-- but they'd warned her. What did she expect.

She'd known, she could never claim she never knew. She knew better than anyone.

Bought the broken goods because she'd been in love and had made her bed.

So lie in it.

#bridgerton #kathony #fanfiction

[notdrifting]

some quick notes on my portrayal of lady d and shipping under the cut - ah, also ? please be mindful and respectful that me sharing my own hcs and portrayal do not necessarily mean that i claim that other hcs and portrayals of other muns are wrong. everybody is entitled to their own hcs and understandings of characters, there’s literally no right or wrong there.

as i have mentioned before  i do not accept nor ship maidens/lady d, she wouldn’t fuck nor fall in love with her own food - with that being said, shipping with her is complicated.  and i feel compelled to express my firm stance against endorsing or engaging in any romantic plots or shipping involving lady d and the maidens under her employ. i see such relations as deeply problematic due to not only the inherent power imbalance in their dynamics and the exploitative nature of their relationship. as much as a queer icon as she is to us all, it is crucial to remember that alcina is and will always be ( except perhaps in aus, of course ) a cruel vampire who feasts on human flesh and effectively keeps these girls as pretty much prisoners/slaves, considering them far beneath her and her daughters in the food chain, depriving them of their autonomy and personhood. with that in mind, romanticising such a relationship could not only perpetuate harmful tropes, but also normalize abuse ( which is a big no no as you can see in my rules ), and i don’t want any of that here. alcina's callous disregard for the well-being of the maidens is an essential aspect of her character, and any attempt to force her into a romantic relationship with them would pretty much undermine her consistency as a character and the gravity of her actions. furthermore, this sort of relationship portrayal may lead to a faux idea that abusive dynamics can be redeemed through love, a notion that can be harmful and manipulative. i am always eager to explore alternative storylines that empower the maidens though, allowing them to break free from their oppressive situations, form supportive bonds, and assert their agency. so yes, i am steering clear of romanticizing these harmful relationships, however in case anyone wants to explore other dynamics i’m 100% here for it. lady d probably would never fall in love or be attracted to a human, that is a regular human, as she finds weakness ( and she deems all humans weak ) disgusting. to get her attention they need to be powerful but not enough to pose as a threat to her or her daughters.

i write her a sapphic demisexual demiromantic as, to me personally, it makes sense considering what i saw of her and the other hcs i have for her - although most hc ( and i say hc because it wasn’t formally confirmed nor denied by capcom itself and despite one of the writers giving his opinion on it in a rather jkr w/ albus fashion, as it is re8 is a collaborative work and in the end the decision to make something canon or not is capcom’s ) her as a lesbian and i have no issue with that,  as a fellow queer i do find the entire man-hating-lesbian trope to be rather harmful. my main issue with this trope is that it follows patriarchal, hetero-normative ideas that often refuse to acknowledge the idea that a relationship between two women can exist on its own without having anything to do with men  ( as most hcs that i have seen are deeply linked to her misandrist personality and the mindset that just because she hates men she is automatically a lesbian ), the trope is flawed, simple minded and rather disrespectful to the sapphic community ( the trope suggests same-sex relationships are rooted solely in disdain for men, trivializing and undermining genuine emotions and love within them ). now, does that mean you cant hc her as lesbian? of course you can! her being lesbian or not is not the issue, hcing her as a lesbian should have nothing to do with this bad trope and we are all free to hc whatever we want that makes sense and relates to us individually, but let us all be mindful of the sexist tropes the fandomTM and the media loves to apply to female characters. as it is, since no official announcement has been made by capcom regarding the character so far, i will write her within the aro/ace spectrum for my own comfort, which i will  explain best in the next section

although she is within the aro/ace spectrum i don’t necessarily belive her to be sex repulsed per se,  though it is worth noting she is nowhere near inclined on having flings or one night stands at all -  ever since day one that she called the attention of the re fandom and from all sort of people, sadly as it usually goes with attractive female characters in media, she was painfully fetishised to no end. that makes me severly uncomfortable and has driven me off from writing her in the past. my portrayal will not focus on her sex appeal to the point of objectifying her, if at all. i want to go beyond that and bring out  depth and authenticity, exploring more than just her appearance. lady d is a lot more than just “tall vampire mommy makes me go brrrr”  she's complex and fascinating, that's why i think it'd be awesome to showcase her forming deep emotional bonds before experiencing sexual or romantic attraction ( if any ). this adds a whole new layer to her identity, and while i'm totally down for some fun shipping, it will be handled it with care. i’m all about respect and creating inclusive fan content that celebrates her character and explores different aspects of her life and relationships.  so while her natural despite for men in general still remains and her usual cruelty to those women who serve her is also present, she'll be free to explore relationships within her demi orientation in case plotting happens. of course some lighthearted flirting might appear every once in a while, but they will be nothing but crack. for actual shipping severe plotting is necessary.

#ALCINA 「study」 #please remember that this blog is not a democracy and as such i am not obliged to follow the fandom's ideas #once we get an official confirmation - and by official i mean capcom's confirmation - i will more than gladly to retcon this one out #as it is - if you disagree or find it appalling my portrayal by all means hit the unfollow button and/or the block button for your own peace #it be me and lady d against sexist tropes #i still got traumas from jkr - too many writers/producers try to get pink money

[moonstrider9904]

I rewatched the Bad Batch arc of TCW in honor of May the 4th and I feel like they totally changed Crosshair's personality in TBB or is it all the chip?

Nonnie! Hello!

I love analyzing Crosshair's character and how it changes throughout canon, and I can say for sure that yes, there's a difference in his character between TBB and TCW.

I take Crosshair's character and analyzing him a *bit* too seriously hehehe so I'm putting this under a cut. It is way longer than anticipated; it'll be a mix of facts and theory, observations of mine, etc.

For starters, back in TCW he displays more banter with his siblings, particularly Wrecker, with their competitions and so on.

I'm honestly sad we didn't see that at all in TBB season one and haven't given up hope it'll happen in future seasons.

But as to your question--was it a matter of writing or was it just the chip? From the realistic point of view, I think writing did have to do with it. As far as I'm aware, the writers in TBB and in TCW weren't the same, but I could be wrong.

Either way, Crosshair's inhibitor chip was activated within the first ten minutes or so of episode one, meaning there was barely any room for us to see how the writers of TBB wrote him without his inhibitor chip active before order 66. Before that, he was distant, snarky, bit cocky, and that much is consistent between TBB and TCW.

From my point of view, his personality did change with the chip, as it did with all the clones. With the chip, Crosshair shows concern over Saw Gerrera and his soldiers plotting against the Emperor, something that Crosshair (in all honesty) never would have given two craps about. Even his brothers point out this difference--Crosshair was acting differently. He was thinking differently, and he couldn't control it.

However, his chip wasn't active all the way, as stated by that evil Nala Se, so because of the way Crosshair was altered genetically, the chip's functionality was due to have some differences with the way the other clones' chips did, mainly the fact that a big part of Crosshair's actual personality was still visible while the chip was active. Even after Crosshair had his chip programming intensified, he retained his usual sneer and snark (we see this in the way he confronts Hunter at the end of ep 1 with quotes such as "make it easy on yourself" "I guess it is [an order]").

From here on out is mostly my own theory and my observations, bear with me: I do believe the programming intensification was supposed to be reinforced periodically, i.e. the intensification could wear off. I think that by episodes 7 and 8, Crosshair was more able to make his own decisions above the chip.

At the very start of episode 8, Rampart gave Crosshair the direct order to kill Clone Force 99, and Crosshair did no such thing despite having multiple opportunities to do so. When he has them lined up and surrounded, he banters and deliberately stalls for time by asking questions and saying things like "I suggest you drop your weapon," things that don't really have?? to be said?? Why else would he say those things when he has a direct order to put a swift end to his former squadron?

When Tech and Hunter peek out from the engine, we see Crosshair aiming at them through his scope. On two occasions, Crosshair has a clear shot. He doesn't fire, and instead resorts to pointless chatter. "Try again, Hunter!" Why? Crosshair is a sniper. He has no need to distract himself. He sees his objective cross his scope, he fires. End of story.

And then, in the engine scene, once he notices the explosions detaching the cone of the engine from the main structure, Crosshair was already on his way out. Now, my man is smart. He's got brainpower. He wouldn't do anything deliberately stupid. So why in the flying tookas would Crosshair return, put himself directly in blast's way and look at the scene through his scope, all to yell "No!" right before the explosion? I very much believe that the whole engine scheme was to give them a chance to get out of there, and when he saw that his brothers had once again been completely reckless, he legitimately thought they would perish there.

Bringing me to my next point. Why, pray tell, would Crosshair be so anxious to personally be on the shuttle overseeing the persecution to the Marauder when he's just been notified that his forces have the means to capture them without his help?

What I want to say is Crosshair's behaviour with the chip evolves, but the chip isn't all of it. Not only did his chip activate, but he also suffered abandonment. It is no secret at all that Crosshair felt abandoned, and that was made clear many times before the infamous "We were brothers once" speech. We see it in episodes 1, 3, 9, and 12.

And I'm still not fully convinced Crosshair's inhibitor chip is out, but that's a whole other post uwu

And while the technical level of the writing is different, we see that with the other batchers as well. Like Crosshair, they've gone through different things that have also changed them as people. Now, I'm not saying the writing of TBB is flawless and I do by all means hope that future seasons elaborate more on their sibling dynamics. But I am saying that, on some level, it makes sense that the characters behave differently.

Their four episode arc in TCW was a manner of introduction of these characters. They were a semi-freelance squad who did as they pleased, who were cocky enough to call themselves the Bad Batch, who prided themselves in their recklessness. In TCW, they were like boys at the start of college. Energetic, proud, cocky, laughing at one another. By the time of TBB they're adults having to make their way in the real world. It's the simplest comparison I can think of.

TLDR yes, Crosshair's personality does change. A lot of it must be due to the writers themselves on a technical level, but I'm not discarding the fact that the chip as well as the events surrounding Crosshair in canon can contribute to him behaving differently. In short, he is now sadder than he used to be, and he's lost, and that frigging breaks my heart.

Let me know what you think!! Like I said, I love analyzing Crosshair's character, I've spent a full year trying to get a better understanding of him so I like to believe I'm on the right track, and I'm always down to talk about things like these!

#moonstrider answers #nonnie asks #tbb #the bad batch #crosshair #tbb crosshair analysis #crosshair analysis #tbb analysis #clone trooper crosshair #crosshair isn't a villain #crosshair deserved better

[apple-talk]

Day Thirty, The Heart

Pittyober Day 30- Swashbuckler/The Heart

Able Valenciani had always been a sickly child. Ever since he was a baby he caught sicknesses as easily as twine caught fire. It could’ve been something as simple as a common cold, or it could've been his heart acting up once again. He was born with a weak heart, one that both his father and mother worried would not be enough to support him through a long and healthy life. Gazpaccio, his father, had always been insistent on finding his son a new heart, whether it be a natural, organic one…or a machine. His mother, Marcella, had been less keen on the latter, she wanted her son to just live and be happy, not having to worry about a metal machine malfunctioning while trying to keep him alive. So for years, his father tried to abide by his mother's wishes, attempting to find any treatments, magical and non-magical alike, to try and find a cure for his son's heart. But when Marcella died of unknown circumstances, well that restraint had been cut loose, and Gazpaccio was anything if not a stubborn, selfish, and downright arrogant man. 

One fateful day, his decision had been made, and Gazpaccio pulled out the old golden heart from El Dorado he had taken from his adventure as a part of Marco Pollo’s crew. It would be his son's new heart, not that Able had any say in the matter. No, the young man wouldn't be able to deny his father the right to keep the last reminder of his wife alive, not if he had anything to say about it. Able became the keeper of the golden heart, and a part of him despised his father for it. It made him an experiment, something for his father to run tests upon tests on. 

He hardly thought Gazpaccio saw him as a son anymore, rather just another machine like everything else in his father's workshop. Something for him to perfect, something for him to command, something for him to throw away once it didn’t suit him anymore. And one day, that day came in the form of Kane, a clockwork automaton that became the keeper of the golden brain. A machine that his father had so gracefully given the same physical appearance as his own. They were twins, Kane and Able Valenciani. How quaint. Some part of him always had wanted a brother, but there was something off about Kane. He could never place his finger on it, in the same way, his golden heart was drawn to the golden brain, it also screamed at him that something about Kane was inherently wrong. But his newfound brother was quick to put those concerns at ease. He was a good brother, and although he did work purely on logic, he must have found there was some logic within a good relationship between the two. They were two sides of the same coin; Kane and Able, the brain, and the heart. 

There were times Gazpaccio was less than patient with in human son’s so-called lack of skills, and he would take out those frustrations physically on the young man. When asked about his litter of bruises by his twin, he found that he always answered truthfully. He would confess what their father had been doing to him, and Kane would listen intently, looking upon his twin with the cold, black, voids that were his eye sockets. He would hum softly, and change the topic swiftly once he saw Able was veering toward becoming emotional, but there would always be an undertone of anger in his movements after. Sometimes Able would mistake the anger to be towards him, for being a less than adequate brother, but Kane made it clear that it wasn't him, but rather their father.

The next time Gazpaccio had laid a hand on Able, he made the mistake of doing it infront of Kane. The two had been working on some…rather odd machines, ones geared towards their father's revenge against the Tortellinis, not that Able had a choice in the matter. If he spoke out against his father, he would surely be punished for it. He had made a simple error in one of the machines and was forced to take it apart to rebuild it once more. It was a simple mistake really, but it was enough to set his father off on him. He was yanked upwards by his wrist, yelling some obscenity at him, something about how he was a waste of space, or how he was no good. It hardly mattered, Able had heard it many times before. Gazpaccio had raised his hand to strike him in one swift movement, and Able had turned his head away, only for the blow to never land. The pressure on his wrist disappeared, and when he opened his eyes again, Kane stood infront of him, holding their father's wrist, gears whirring in something akin to anger.

“This will be the last time you touch him, father. Do you understand me?” Kane spoke in his monotone voice, his head tilted to the side. Able had always noticed he never used that voice while speaking to him, it always had some sort of emotional undertone to it.

A few days later Kane had awoken Able from his sleep in the pitch black of night, telling his twin to pack anything he held dear. They were leaving, they were going to become something together. And Able agreed, he would go with his brother and leave their father behind. They were the brain and the heart, they were Kane and Able Valenciani, what couldn’t they do without the other at their side? For without the heart, the brain cannot have morals, and without the brain, the heart cannot beat.

#pirate101 #pitty101 #pitty fandom #pittyober #pittyober 2022 #writing #pirate101 kane #OC: Able Valenciani #OC: Marcella Valenciani #kingsisle #pirate101 gazpaccio #kane is NICE #read: Kane is manipulative

[alyjojo]

September 🍄 2022 Monthly - Aries

Whole of your energy: 5 Swords

Interesting sight for your reading and it came right away. I’ve only ever seen the first episode of Tiger King, so I know the guy’s voice, and the meme jokes, but I haven’t actually watched it, so idk. First I heard the line “I’m never going to financially recover from this.” Which made me laugh because…random. Then I saw a mountain 🏔 , a teenage boy throwing a lasso over the top of mountain, swinging around and up, shoving a flag in the ground and swinging back down to a ledge with a “whooooo hoooo!” 😂 Best thing I’ve seen in awhile, I smiled the whole time. NOW, you pulled 5 Swords, which isn’t great but it gets better. You’ve been in a nasty conflict with someone that’s been very unfair to you, or a situation that’s unfair and undeserved. Mind games are involved, nasty things have been said. Wheel of Fortune shows positive things are coming to you, your luck is changing. If you are the one in this petty, mean, mind fkery energy, then that’s what is going to change.

First card out is The Tower, which I immediately heard “The Mountain”, followed by 3 Wands “climbing” and The World “it’s done”. I haven’t had a reading be so blatant and clear for awhile, I love it, good things are coming 💚 444 on the clock, 4’s are stability, savings, having the power to decide what comes next, you may be financially recovering from this 🐅

What’s going on in September:

The Tower:

Something shook the very foundation that you stand upon, something came crumbling down that was built on sand, especially regarding a romantic relationship. The Lovers & 2 Swords show above all, a choice needing to be made. You’ve been very patient in making decisions, mostly to put them off, you aren’t sure which path is the right path so you never made a clear cut decision, and Spirit chose for you by making the Tower fall…whichever option wasn’t meant to be yours. This could simply be a major wake up call within a current relationship, or any plan to heal a past one has ended up in shambles.

3 Wands:

You’re waiting expectantly, moving forward a little every day towards The World, the end. I get relationships as the dominant story here, but apply to career where that fits. You were hoping and expecting one particular option to show up or come through, out of several you had on standby, and when it didn’t, your sadness and disappointment heavily remained on that which you had lost vs. what remained. If you had not chosen a specific person and they left, you’re very upset and there are a lot of regrets about what took place. Or this is switched and these describe the unfair actions, the reason you feel bitter & angry. Any options you can see make you upset, you want one particular thing that isn’t happening.

The World:

The ending of this cycle is near, you’re very conflicted about whether to try to heal a relationship, or whether to let it rest for good. Any arguments or competition is being left behind in favor of celebrating with friends, reuniting with people you haven’t seen for awhile, traveling. If you’ve recently been through a break-up, you’re getting over it by spending time with other people. The World with 6 Swords can even indicate world travel, very long distances, probably with the intention of seeing people, friends or family you want to connect with. If this is a trip, it could be one you’ve waited for, saved for, and anticipated a long time.

2 Pentacles:

You’re going back and forth on what you can give to others, whether a career, a family situation, an ex with or without children. There is a very petty and “better than you” or “I’m right you’re wrong” energy here, you trying to get revenge, you trying to prove a point. It’s led to The Hermit within a family or career dynamic. Some of you simply haven’t had the time for others that maybe you should have, or they for you, that’s led to some bitterness and conflict. If that’s the case, then that’s what is being healed.

7 Pentacles:

This is a wait and see energy. You’ve planted your seeds, they’ve been watered, now you can rest for a bit and just watch them grow. Queen of Wands & 10 Cups follows. I definitely see a family reunion, a gathering of friends, very positive, happy, and loving energy coming out of what was initially a very sticky situation. Further advice shows Page of Cups & The Sun, there is very good news coming that is sure to make you very happy. Either you are healing this conflict you’ve had with others, or you’re physically moving away from that and into more present relationships with the people you love - that aren’t a partner. Possibly visiting people you haven’t seen in a long time. It’s a very good feeling, like you’re right where you’re supposed to be.

Signs you may be dealing with:

Every single sign is here, more than once

Oracles: ✨

30 Divine Timing ⏱

How often do you feel that you want things in your life to change NOW? Not two years from not, not even two months, but: Right. This. Instant! Seldom do we see the whole picture of why our lives are unfolding the way they are. We don’t need to. What we need to do is surrender to the way things are right now. This doesn’t mean to not take action when a situation is untenable. What it means is to let your life unfold before you so that you have access to all the information, all the lessons, and all the people you will need to go where you are headed. Divine timing is at work in this situation. Try not to fight it. Instead go within during meditation and ask the questions you want answers to: “why not now?” “how can I best prepare myself?” “what lessons do I need to learn prior to the change I want to see?” You will get answers.

We enter into September as:

Righteous Raspberry 💅🏽:

“I have the same high standards for myself as I do for others.”

This is a message to lighten up! Notice your present attitude towards others. Perhaps you’re being too hard on yourself, and others as well. Allow others to be as they are. Supporting others around you creates allies. Watch your expectations, you could be setting yourself up for disappointment. You cannot be satisfied if you expect others to live up to standards you can’t even live up to. Besides, others are not you. Do it wrong, mess it up, have flaws. Trying to make the world perfect will only exhaust and alienate. Allow things to simple be. Look for what’s right in your world.

What is to be learned in September:

Sage 🧙🏼‍♂️

“Wisdom...is knowing the difference between risk, and stupidity.”

It is time to listen to what others are telling you. Is there some wise counsel that you have sought, only to ignore it? Are you trying to do things all by yourself? A solution to your problems may come from those more experienced than yourself. Trust that whomever you think to ask will be the right person. Sage can also indicate a time of surrendering what you have no control over. Wisdom only comes from experience, and we all have challenges because we need the lessons they provide. Remember to stay in today, no jumping ahead. This is an opportunity to start over and clean out the old, it’s the perfect time to do it. Rejoice! You are walking a path of Great Spirits 🍃

Green may be a lucky color 💚

#aries tarot reading #aries monthly reading #september 2022 #Aries #tarot