#am I the only one who remembers when people used to tag discrimination against mental health as saneism?
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I think it's really interesting and important to think about and talk about the solidarity between groups that experience different forms of oppression.
Neurodivergent people and physically disabled people can both experience ableism, but it can look different. People find out about some of my mental health diagnoses and decide they wouldn't trust me with children (regardless of how I actually act) or they wouldn't date me or hire me. But this can be different than some of the opression I face as a cane user, when people assume I am faking being disabled or that I only use a cane because I'm fat (the intersection of ableism and fatphobia). And yet they're still connected.
We also see this in racism -- there are specific and unique kinds of racism that different groups experience. For example, an Asian person in a non-Asian majority country being asked, "No, where are you really from?" is different than a Black person being followed around a store because they are Black, but these things are still connected.
We also see this in religion and spirituality -- for example, antisemitism is real and important to acknowledge, and so is islamophobia. For example, Jewish people being targeted with violence while trying to come together in houses of worship is different than people seeing a Sikh person and assuming they're Muslim and therefore a terrorist, but these things are still connected.
The discrimination and oppression I face as a bi person is different than the discrimination and oppression I face as a genderqueer person, and both of those are different than the discrimination and oppression I face as a demi aroace person, but they're also all still connected.
We see this with transphobia -- there are specific and unique kinds of transphobia that transfeminine people face and that transmasculine people face. We see this in the kinds of stereotypes we come across about each group, and the kinds of hate crimes that are committed, and the challenges each group faces when trying to date, have sex, get access to health care, or just go out to buy groceries. These things are different, but they're also still connected.
We see this with so many different things that I can't begin to cover here. And we see that many people are part of multiple communities affected by several of these forms of oppression at the same time.
Talking about this requires thoughtfulness, nuance, and balance. True solidarity requires us to be able to be aware of the different ways that we face oppression, to be cognizant and respectful of the differences, but to also resist the urge to position these differences in some sort of persistent hierarchy.
Harsha Walia says this more eloquently than I can:
"I think allies and accomplices have become identities in and of themselves, when in fact they are meant to be verbs—to signify ways of being and of doing, of relationship and relationality. It is impossible for any one person to be ‘an ally’ because we all carry multitudes of experiences and oppressions and privileges. Most people are simultaneously oppressed and simultaneously privileged, and even those are always specific and contextual.My paid work is in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country. Unsurprisingly, this is a disproportionately racialized neighbourhood but there are many older cisgender white men. A straight white cisgender man who is homeless faces a harsher material reality than me on a daily basis—with minimal to no access to food, shelter, health care, or income. Reductively, one would say that I have class privilege in relationship to him. But it goes beyond that. Even taking into account that I might be able to count off more forms of oppression, the entirety of my material reality is more secure.For me that is where intersectionality falls short; it has become a static analysis and one of fixed categories that leads to oppressed/ally dichotomies. Anti-oppression analysis becomes rigid in its categorizations when the question becomes who is more oppressed, rather than engaging in a dialogue of how oppression, which is relational and contextual, is specifically manifesting. Oppression develops a strange quantifiable logic, a commodity that can be stocked up on. This isn’t to say I don’t believe in anti-oppression allyship, but rather that I question its reductionism in place of a fluid, contextual and relational practice."
Harsha Walia, “Dismantle & Transform: On Abolition, Decolonization, & Insurgent Politics”
#op#oppression#oppression olympics#ableism#racism#antisemitism#islamophobia#biphobia#exorsexism#discrimination#quote#Harsha Walia#allyship#intersectionality#am I the only one who remembers when people used to tag discrimination against mental health as saneism?#we have always been looking for ways to talk about the discrimination we face#we have always faced discrimination that manifests in different ways#we have always tried to find ways to honor our shared struggles but also articulate the ways our struggles can be different
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hi alex, hope you’re doing well. i have a question um… why people, including you, say that queerbaiting doesn’t exist for real people? like what does that means? thank you in advance for your answer and happy holidays 💝
hi dear,
first of all, i recommend you to check this post (it gives the definition) and my tag queerbaiting.
queerbaiting is a term that is used for companies, for characters, etc. NOT for real people. why?
real people are allowed to not know their own sexuality/gender and play with gender expression or try having relationships with people of the same gender without having to give explanations as lgbt+ people owe NO explanations to cis-straight people.
real people are allowed to know their sexuality or gender identity and not want to tell their friends or a public because 1) we don't owe explanations to anyone. 2) coming out of the closet is literally a health risk both physically and mentally and if a person decides they don't want to go through that process, they should be respected and not accused without knowing.
lgbt+ people who use the term:
do you remember being in the closet? how would you have felt if, when you were just discovering your sexuality/gender identity, you had thousands or millions of people accusing and insulting you? you would have felt pretty bad, wouldn't you?
cis-straight people who use the term:
why the hell do you care so much if a person is ambiguous about their gender or sexuality? why does it bother you that you don't know EVERYTHING about EVERYONE? why do you think its an obligation for lgbt+ people to come out of the closet?
for all people:
do you really care that “cis-straight” people don't “use” or “benefit” from the lgbt+ community or do you only care about satisfying your own expectations? do you understand that you cant force people to come out of the closet against their will? you do understand that accusing a person without knowing what you are accusing them of is stupid, right?
then:
i want a non-queerphobic explanation as to why celebrities like billie eilish, harry styles, madonna, bad bunny, etc. are accused of literally NOTHING.
there is no such thing as “using” the lgbt+ community. the community and the people within it are not objects to be “used”.
there is no such thing as “profiting” from being lgbt+. WE LIVE IN A QUEERPHOBIC WORLD!!! HOW THE HELL AM I GOING TO BENEFIT FROM BEING AN OPPRESSED AND DISCRIMINATED MEMBER OF SOCIETY?
lgbt+ people are not bothered (or should not be bothered) that other people are discovering themselves as we all went through that process. we are not bothered that a person is in a closet as we were all in one at one time.
stop trying to use us lgbt+ people as an excuse to continue with the cancel culture.
i propose something ❤️LIVE AND LET LIVE❤️
—————————
anómino preguntó:
hola alex, espero que te vaya bien. tengo una pregunta um... ¿por qué la gente, incluido tú, dice que el queerbaiting no existe para la gente real?
greedy-queen responde:
hola cariño,
primero de todo, te recomiendo chequear este post (da la definición) y mi tag queerbaiting.
el queerbaiting es un término que se utiliza para empresas, para personajes, etc. NO para personas reales. ¿por qué?
las personas reales tenemos permitido no conocer nuestra propia sexualidad/género y jugar con la expresión de genero o probar de tener relaciones con personas de nuestro mismo género sin tener que dar explicaciones ya que las personas lgbt+ no le deben NINGUNA explicación a las personas cis-hetero.
las personas reales tenemos permitido conocer nuestra sexualidad o identidad de género y no querer decirla a nuestro conocidos/amigos o a un público por el hecho de que 1) no debemos explicaciones a nadie. 2) salir del closet es literalmente riesgo para la salud tanto física como mental y si una persona decide no querer pasar por ese proceso, hay que respetarlo y no acusarlo sin saber.
personas lgbt+ que usan el término:
¿ustedes recuerdan estar en el closet? ¿como se hubiesen sentido si cuando recién estaban descubriendo sus sexualidades/identidades de género, hubiesen tenido a miles o millones de personas acusándolos e insultándolos? se hubiesen sentido bastante mal ¿verdad?
personas cis-hetero que usan el término:
¿por qué demonios les importa tanto si una persona es ambigua respecto a su género o sexualidad? ¿por qué les molesta no saber TODO de TODOS? ¿por qué creen que es una obligación de las personas lgbt+ salir del closet?
para todas las personas:
¿a ustedes realmente les importa que las personas “cis-hetero” no “usen” o no se “beneficien” de la comunidad lgbt+ o solo les importa satisfacer sus propias expectativas? ¿ustedes entiende que no pueden obligar a las personas a salir del closet contra su voluntad? ustedes entienden que acusar a una persona sin saber sobre lo que se esta acusando, es estúpido, ¿verdad?
entonces:
quiero una explicación no queerfóbica de por qué celebridades como billie eilish, harry styles, madonna, bad bunny, etc. son acusadas por literalmente NADA.
no existe “usar” a la comunidad lgbt+. la comunidad y las personas que estamos dentro de ella no somos objetos que se pueden “usar”.
no existe “beneficiarse” de ser lgbt+. VIVIMOS EN UN MUNDO QUEERFÓBICO!!! ¿COMO DEMONIOS ME VOY A BENEFICIAR DE SER UN MIEMBRO OPRIMIDO Y DISCRIMINANDO DE LA SOCIEDAD?
a las personas lgbt+ no nos molesta (o no debería molestarnos) que otras personas estén descubriéndose ya que todos pasamos por ese proceso. no nos molesta que una persona este en closet ya que todos estuvimos en uno alguna vez.
dejen de querer usarnos a las personas lgbt+ como excusa para seguir con la cancel culture.
les propongo algo ❤️VIVAN Y DENJEN VIVIR❤️
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About me 💖
Since this is a mental health blog, here's a bit about my situation. ☘️
After being in therapy for years, I was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder and C-PTSD in early 2016. Because of personal reasons I had to terminate with my therapist in 2017. After years of searching I finally found a new therapist in 2021, but we put therapy on hold until I'm in a safe and secure environment.
Since my mental health issues are making me unfit for work and the state refuses to give me social benefits, I have no other option than to live with my parents. Soon I'll be out of here, though. 💚
Because I am very isolated in real life, I use this blog to connect with others. So if you want to be friends, feel free to chat with me. 💖 I'm awkward and disappear for a couple of weeks sometimes, but I'm friendly and non-judgmental and I can send you cute pictures of my pets. 💖
What content to expect from this blog ☘️
On this blog I focus on trauma recovery, especially recovery from abuse, although I rarely speak about it directly. I mostly reblog posts that I find comforting, encouraging or that express feelings I am unable to talk about. I try to add image descriptions to my reblogs, but sometimes images go undescribed because English isn't my first language and I don't know all the words. 😬 I also add common trigger warnings. If you need me to tag anything else, please let me know and I'll do my best!
My personal posts are about all sort of mental health and personal growth related topics. Since I have DID, you might see some of my parts around. Some of them tag their names, others don't. If you don't know who of us you're talking to, you can call us Linn which is our collective nickname. 😊 Please use they/them or she/her pronouns when you speak about us as a whole.
Who I am as a person ☘️
I am a 23 years old, bisexual person from Germany who has a lot of different hobbies and passions.
First of all, I am a fitness enthusiast. I love all kinds of physical activities, but my favorites are strength training, roller skating, swimming, yoga, cardio drumming, running, hiking and dancing. (But I can't dance well. 😏)
Occasionally I do art. This comes and goes in phases.
At the moment I am working on writing my third novel. Ever since I can remember, I have been a story teller. 📖 I also love to read, especially medieval fantasy.
Playing video games is another one of my hobbies. My favorite games are The Witcher, Skyrim, Minecraft, The Sims, Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing.
Fpur years ago I went vegan for the animals, the environment and my own health, but I already stopped eating meat ten years ago. 🌱 Animal rights are important to me.
So are human rights. 😊✌🏻 If you discriminate against other people for whatever reason or spread hate, we probably wouldn't get along well.
Boundaries ☘️
Just be kind and respectful. That's all.
You can always send me asks or chat with me, but I kindly ask you not to trauma dump in my inbox or expect me to diagnose you (I'm not a therapist bro). If you ask me for advice, please keep in mind that I can only speak from personal experience and take everything I say with a grain of salt - and please warn me before sharing possibly triggering content with me. 😇
Unless I say so in my personal posts, I am not looking for advice from strangers. If we are friends or have been good mutuals for a while, I appreciate your input, though. 💖
To keep myself safe and stable, I have a lot of tags blocked. If we're mutuals and I go from interacting with all of your posts to being really quiet, know that this has nothing to do with you. It's just me taking care of myself.
If I unfollow or block you, know that this isn't anything personal either! 95% of the time when I unfollow or block someone, it has to do with triggers I haven't find ways to cope with yet.
That's it. If you read all of this, thank you. 😊💖 Have a wonderful day. ☀️
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Summary: Yami Sukehiro just wanted to join the Magic Knights and make his mentor proud. He knew there would be trails. He knew trouble would come his way. Knew he would be faced with discrimination for being a foreigner and a peasant. What he didn’t know. Didn’t expect. Was that literal Chaos would come his way. That he and his mentor’s sister would be at the center of world ending trouble. Or that he would fall in love with his mentor’s sister and face more than discrimination; but the jealously of Nozel Silva who loved the same woman he did.
Please remember this fic is rated mature and has warnings of violence, abuse, sexual tension, eventual sexual behavior, and other possible triggers. For a full list of story tags please check the fics AO3 (link to that at the top of my tumblrs homepage).
Chapter 95
Yami was woken by to the base trembling on its foundations. He jumped out of bed, stepping into his pants. Grabbing his belt with his grimoire and katana, he took up his boots and a fresh shirt. Bounding down the hall, followed by Gendry, Olsen and Iban, he ran into Teris on the stairs who was followed by Venice.
“Where’s--” Teris stopped, seeing Bran exit his room and hurry down the hall.
They reached the bottom of the stairs, ready for anything. Seeing no intruders Yami dropped his boots and put on his belt.
Looking them over, Greywright praised. “You Black Bulls make good time.”
“Put your shirts on.” Jax ordered.
Teris’ eyes dropped from Yami’s naked chest.
Pulling his muscle shirt off of his shoulder, Yami pulled it over his head. He looked back to see Olsen was also partially dressed, as was Gendry. Bran, on the other hand, was fully clothed and ready to go. No wonder Bran had been slow in exiting his room. Yami made a mental note to talk to him about his lagging time. Iban was also fully dressed, but his door had been open before Yami had even opened his. Yami wondered if the Blood Mage ever slept.
Pulling down his shirt, Yami eyed Teris who buttoned her blouse over her tank top and plopped into a seat to lace her boots. He sat beside her, pulling a pair of clean socks out of one of his boots and putting them on.
Venice turned her back to everyone and closed up her pants then knelt to lace and tie her shoes.
“Teris. When and where did you last see Fuegoleon and Nozel?” Greywright asked.
Teris blinked up at the Magic Knights Commander. “Yesterday at Nebra’s party. I was there for little more than two and a half hours after returning from the... questioning.”
“Did either of them say anything to you about going off anywhere?” Greywright asked.
Teris shook her head. “Nozel and I didn’t speak after… all that. And—well, Fuegoleon and I didn’t talk about any plans he or Nozel had. Why? What’s going on, Commander?” There was an all too familiar gnaw of worry tugging at her heart once again.
Greywright sighed. He looked at the Black Bulls Captain handing Jax his transportation charm. “Go to Headquarters. Inform either Julius or Sir Jorah of what she said then comeback for me.”
Jax nodded and took the stone. Activating it, he disappeared.
“Commander?” Teris got to her feet.
Yami glanced from Teris to Commander Greywright and back. Shoving his foot into the final boot, he quickly laced it and stood.
“Neither Nozel or Fuegoleon have been seen since last night. The Castle Knights stationed on the bridge say that they left the Royal Isle together but neither returned. Mereoleona and Kess both report that their respective Vice Captain's have yet to show at base. Teams of Sentries were sent around Castle City. One of those team learned that Nozel and Fuegoleon had been drinking in a gentleman’s pub until closing. The waiter that served them reported that though neither seemed intoxicated when they got up and left, they apparently were, saying that after they exited the pub they staggered about and three cloaked figures rushed from across the street to help them. We’re holding a Captain's meeting to discuss--”
Jax reappeared. “Sir Jorah’s unhappy and impatient.”
“Stay put and be ready to go. Your Captain will return shortly with further orders.” Greywright instructed the Black Bulls.
Handing the transportation charm back to Greywright, Jax ordered his squad. “Get something to eat. But be waiting here when I return.”
The Black Bulls Captain and Magic Knights Commander disappear leaving Teris feeling at a loss.
‘Goodbye, Fuegoleon.’ The last words Teris had said to her cousin echoed in her head. They hadn’t even made up from the argument the day of the Star Awards, and they had argued yet again. And Nozel…
Yami ran a hand down Teris’ back. As badly as he wanted to comfort her, he wouldn’t give her any false assurances. Not when he didn’t even have a clue what had happened.
“Take a seat. Someone will cook something up and bring it to you.” Yami told.
As if that had been a direct order, Bran took off to the kitchens.
Teris nodded in a daze and sunk slowly back down onto the sofa.
Sitting down beside her, Yami draped an arm over her shoulders. He looked at the others and tilted his head, silently instructing them to get out.
95.2
Entering the cell with Calen and Himmel following at his heels, Alowishus ordered. “Wake them.”
Calen watched his Master out of the corner of his eye. Ever since Flic had run off two nights ago, Alowishus had been ill tempered. Ellara’s unexpected letter, which arrived yesterday afternoon, certainly hadn’t helped. It seemed that Flic had not only left; but had gone straight into the hands of the Magic Knights. Calen didn’t know what his Master had told Ellara to do and wasn’t about to ask, too afraid to bring the subject up. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, things would progress as planned. It made Calen once again see the wisdom in his Master not informing his followers of his plans to reach their end goal as Flic would have ruined this next step.
Chained to a stone wall with Nozel beside him, Fuegoleon pulled against his bonds. “What’s the meaning of this!”
Nozel glared at his captors as if they were nuisances that had offended him and not adversaries who held him at their mercy. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“You are Nozel Silva, Teris Nova’s Intended. And you,” Alowishus turned mismatched eyes on Fuegoleon, “are her beloved cousin, Fuegoleon Vermillion.”
Fuegoleon swallowed, foreboding prickling the hair on the back of his neck. “You have us at a disadvantage, sir.”
“More like countless disadvantages.” Alowishus said.
“What do you want?” Fuegoleon questioned.
Alowishus took in a measured breath. “This isn’t about you. This is about who you are connected to.”
Nozel stared at the man. “You’re Alowishus Spade.”
“I am. Did your Intended tell you of me? I’m flattered.” Alowishus said.
Nozel wanted to rage and kill at the man for what he had put Teris through. But his magic wouldn’t work and the bonds, though physical, were too strong.
“I wouldn’t waste my energy.” Alowishus told Nozel, seeing the royal pull at his bindings. “Those bonds are unbreakable. Only one man has ever been able to break passed them and that was only by tapping into the Dark force inside him.”
“If they’ve been broken once, they’re not unbreakable.” Nozel glared, knowing Alowishus was speaking of Yami. He pulled against the restraints all the harder.
“We won’t help you.” Fuegoleon told.
“You already are.” Alowishus said.
Fuegoleon glanced at Nozel, thinking furiously. What was it Mereoleona had told him? If you have to lie, make sure it has a bit of truth in it. The best, most convincing lies weren’t complete and total falsehoods but distortions of the truth.
“You’ve taken the wrong people if you mean to coerce Teris into anything..” Fuegoleon said.
Alowishus arched an eyebrow, the scars along his face pulling and puckering. “Have I now?”
“She and I haven’t gotten on for a number of years. We even had another huge fight this last time we saw each other.” Fuegoleon said.
“Well it’s a good thing I have her Intended then.” Alowishus smiled.
Fuegoleon scoffed. “It’s her constant voicing that she won’t do what she’s told and wed Nozel that’s caused the rift between us. She can barely stand the sight of him. She’s with that foreign peasant.”
“Yami Sukehiro. That much I did know.” Alowishus looked at Nozel in mock sympathy. “I’m afraid you never stood a chance. Yami and Teris are two halves of the same coin. He is the Darkness to her Light, and she the Light to his Darkness. They were destined for each other from the start.”
Nozel glared at the Agents of Chaos’ Leader. He hadn’t thought he could hate the man more than he already did, but he had been wrong.
“But that hardly means you are unimportant to her.” Alowishus went on, as if bestowing Nozel some sort of consolation prize. “You and the Vermillion here are her oldest and dearest friends. Teris would do anything for you. And Yami would to anything for her. Where Teris may not have risked Yami, or Yami have stopped Teris if I merely took some unknown innocent. Teris will act without thought or care to see you two safe. And Yami, knowing what you mean to her, will follow Teris’ lead and therefore my command.”
“If it’s Yami Sukehiro you want I can deliver him to you. Just leave Teris out of it.” Nozel bargained.
“Were you not listening? They are a pair. Fated and inseparable.” Alowishus took a step closer. “Now. I have questions concerning Yami and Teris, as well as the traitor Flic you Magic Knights took into custody yesterday.”
“As if we’d tell you anything.” Fuegoleon snarled.
“Feel free to put up a fight. We have the whole day together. So long as you’re alive, I have little care what state you are in when I use you to get those two to bend to my will.” Alowishus’ expression took on a curious mixture of cruel taunting and tortured gloom. “I may be Death, but I know all too well that life is a far more painful punishment.”
95.3
Jax stepped into the Black Bulls great room through a portal created by Cob. Sir Jorah had given him, and the other Magic Knights Captain's, orders on the areas their squads were to search. It wasn’t unusual. Sir Jorah or Commander Greywright normally made such commands. But given the threat of the Agents of Chaos, Jax was wary. At least the Wizard King had left it up to him as to how and where he sent teams of his squad to search the areas assigned to him. If that hadn’t been the case, Jax would have definitely questioned if this was some scheme by the Agents of Chaos with Ellara effecting Sir Jorah to send Yami and Teris into Alowishus Spade’s hands. Even so, he was still suspicious.
You’re worrying about nothing, Jax told himself. The heirs to house Silva and Vermillion were taken. Not everything is about Yami and Teris. This is probably just another foolish, angry noble. Or some gang embolden by the assassins hired to kill Nozel six months back, who think they can take the prince’s for ransom.
Despite his mental word of reason, Jax couldn’t shake away his concern. The Summer Solstice was twenty days away. It brought to mind his selfish act last year when he had sent Yami and Teris out on mission in the hope of seeing them prompted. It made him wonder if he should keep them together now, or send them out separate.
Teris got to her feet. It had been a battle to stay put and wait for Jax’s return. With each passing second her anxiety had grown. She needed to be out there. To do something. “Our orders, Captain?”
Jax looked from Teris to Yami and back, deciding to keep them together. After all Yami was the only one who could light travel with Teris without any ill effect, no matter her control of the spell. He told his squad of the areas they were ordered to search. Putting them into teams, he sent the others out, keeping Yami and Teris behind.
“Before you go searching your assigned section. Mereoleona has sent Randall to check Fuegoleon’s emergency stashes. You know every Magic Knight has preferred areas they camp at when out in the field. Places where they keep a stash of supplies should trouble come. But Nozel’s not exactly friendly with his comrades, so none of the Silver Eagles know where he might keep such things. Would you happen to know?” Jax asked Teris.
“Not with any certainty but I could hazard a guess or two.” Teris said, after a moments thought.
While mildly disappointed, Jax had figured as much and had told Greywright so when the Knights Commander had asked. Sadly, the only other person who might know where Nozel would go if escaped or in trouble and unable to get to help, was missing right along with him.
“You and Yami go to the places you think Nozel might keep a stash. You know him better than anyone.”
“No, I don’t. Nozel—I mean were friends but--”
Jax placed a hand on Teris’ shoulder. “No one is laying this all on you, Teris. We’re all gonna be out searching. Even Randall checking Fuegoleon’s stashes is a long shot. But it’s best to check and be sure. No?”
Teris nodded.
Jax stepped back, hand falling to his side. “After you two have checked those places, start searching the area I assigned you. It’s a lot of ground. That much light travel will leave you weakened.” He glanced at Yami. “So look out for each other and take special care. No one expects you to cover the whole area in a day.”
95.4
Arriving at yet another location of the grid they were suppose to search, Teris staggered and would’ve fallen over if Yami hadn’t caught her.
“That’s it. We’re done.” Yami declared.
Teris turned, legs giving out at the dizziness the action caused. “I can--”
“Barely stand.” Yami finished, holding her up.
“If you’re tired just say so. You can go home and I’ll--”
“Stop.” Yami commanded.
Teris opened her mouth to argue further; but the unyielding look in his eyes made her stop. He had let her go on far longer than she thought he would’ve and hadn’t said a word against it. More then that, he was right. She was spent. She had never light traveled so many times in a month let alone a day. If they ran into trouble she would be more of a liability than use in battle. She wasn’t even sure she could do one more jump without falling over unconscious.
“Alright. I’m--”
“Quiet.” Yami hushed.
Teris bristled. “I’m trying to apolo--”
Yami pressed his fingers to her lips.
Finally, Teris noticed the tension in his body and focus in his eyes.
Yami felt Teris tense as understanding dawned. His senses strained, taking stock of the situation. Counting the number of distinctive Ki’s. He looked at Teris. She could barely stand on her own. He would've had her get behind him; but it wouldn’t have done any good. They were surrounded.
“Got one more trip in you?” Yami breathed, softly.
Teris’ hand clasped Yami’s forearm. She tried to light travel them away but nothing happened. Dread and shame filled her eyes. She had brought Yami here. Into this danger. And now she couldn’t take him away from it.
Yami cupped her face, thumb caressing her cheek. His lips pressed to her forehead. “It’s alright. I got this.”
A figure stepped out from the surrounding trees. Despite its nearness, it was nothing more than a dark silhouette in the moonless night.
“Don’t feel so bad, my dear. You wouldn’t have been able to travel away even if you weren’t exhausted.” Alowishus said. “Piper. Give us some light.”
Piper created several floating orbs of fire. The flames lit up their surroundings, affording Yami and Teris to see several of the encircling Agents of Chaos.
Teris looked up at Yami, feeling responsible. “I’m sorry. I--”
“This isn’t on you.” Yami silenced, eyes on Alowishus Spade.
“He’s right.” Alowishus told Teris. “We could have easily taken you at anytime. Truth be told, I was tempted to order the strike seven stops ago at the dry river bed, certain that Yami would call an end to things there.” His gaze focused on Yami. “You must truly realize how much those royal princes mean to her to humor her search to the point where she falling over exhausted and depleted of mana.”
Teeth gritted, Yami thought back. Never once had he sensed another persons mana or Ki at any of their stops. Obviously Teris hadn’t either or else she would have said something. But, Alowishus’ Ki told him that the man wasn’t lying.
“Where are they?” Teris tired to take a step.
Yami moved to stop her, but ending up catching her when she stumbled over her own feet. “Don’t listen to him.”
Teris looked up at Yami, dark eyes wide and beseeching. “But his telling the truth? He knows about Nozel and Leon.”
Yami swallowed thickly.
“Misandre. Open a portal. Let Kefer show the Lady Teris her beloved cousin, and Intended.” Alowishus ordered.
Misandre did as her Master commanded. Kefer appeared, stepping through the gateway. He put his hand through the portal making a connection to the other side. A vaporous cloud appeared showing Nozel and Fuegoleon.
Teris sucked a breath. She tired to move closer to the billowing image but was stayed by Yami’s strong arms.
Yami scowled at the bloody, battered state of the men. “What did you do to them?”
Alowishus smirked at Yami’s anger. “I merely asked them some questions. They were the ones who decided to be difficult.”
“Why? What do you want with them? They have no so called primordial force in them.” Teris said.
“No.” Alowishus agreed. “But in this instance, they have something nearly as important. Your love.”
Yami glowered.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that.” Alowishus toyed with Yami. “I hardly mean the type of love Teris bares for you. But still, her love for the prince’s is great. So great that you and she will do as I bid. That is unless you want to see Nozel Silva and Fuegoleon Vermillion die before your eyes.”
Two mages stepped to Fuegoleon and Nozel.
Teris reached out. “Stop!”
Yami felt her trembled in his arms. He wondered how much of it was from fatigue and how much was fear for her friends. He turned to Alowishus. “What do you want?”
“At present. I simply want you to walk through the portal.” Alowishus said.
Yami made to move forward, but Teris held him tighter and shook her head. “Yami! No.”
“It’s either this or we fight while the Royal Bird and Lion Cub die.” Yami told her.
Still, Teris hesitated.
Yami nearly broke and pulled his katana free to fight. He had no clue what Alowishus and his Agents of Crazies wanted this time. Just because Alowishus Spade had more in store for them didn’t guarantee their survival. Teris’ brief moment of death during last years Summer Solstice had proven as much.
He held Teris tighter. The memories he wanted so badly to forget but couldn’t flinting through his mind. Teris’ screams, her lifeless body…
“It’ll be alright.” Yami assured himself as much as her.
Comments are VERY MUCH appreciated and really make my day. Thank you to those who have left hearts. And a special THANK YOU to those who have recently commented or re-blogged. It really means a lot.
Next chapter snippet:
Alowishus shook his head. “That’s not how this goes. Your friends go free only after you and Yami do as I say. Play difficult and we will continue harming them until you do or they die; whichever comes first. But I warn you. They proved difficult themselves, refusing to answer the simplest questions. It’s left them in bad shape. I doubt they’d be able to survive much more.”
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Love & Anarchy: Chapter 15
YESYESYESSS!! WE FINALLY GOT TO THIS CHAPTER. I FRICKING LOVE THIS CHAPTER, I’D SELL MY SOUL TO IT. ok, maybe that was too much xd but yes, i absolutely adore this chapter: its vibes, its concept, its e v e r y t h i n g. i hope you like it as much as i do <3
REMEMBER THIS AU HAPPENS IN THE SAME UNIVERSE THAT THIS ONE
Find out what this AU is about here
Masterlist
Tag list: @healing-winston-pratt @dawniebb @obsidianfr3sk @nodrianbcyes @everyone-has-a-nightmare @magykaldealings @quintericksons @cerenoya @cassin-the-assasin @cindersnightmare
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Words
9,935
Part 2: A teen named Ace Artino
15 years old Alec
“You two are disgusting.”
“That's the only thing you've said over the last few months.”
Alexandra laughed, hicupping simultaneously.
They were sitting by the shore of the river that crossed Gatlon and flowed into the sea. The water was furious and dark, and on the other side of the river, you could see the lights of different ports. Alec and Alexandra were stuck like flesh and nail and James was pretending to despise that (although Alec wasn't quite sure if he wasn't serious and he was only being honest for once in his life).
Nights like these would be the ones Alec would never forget: the three of them sitting on a threadbare towel on the shore of the polluted Gatlon River, laughing, drinking, and eating fast food. Alexandra laughing, James reflecting on stuff, Alec smiling so much that his cheeks crampled. They were his family and always would be.
The wind caressed their skins with savage tenderness, and the river water ran mercilessly besides them, transporting pieces of garbage such as plastic bottles or plastic bags. Sometimes, Alec heard Alexandra’s complainments about contamination, but not that often, as what prodigies were to James, contamination was that to Alexandra. Anyways, in that moment, Alexandra wasn’t focused on the river as she was drinking from a bottle she had stolen from one of her mother's clients. On the other hand, James had brought coffee, and Alec wasn’t drinking anything.The three of them were nibbling fries from a family-size bucket that they had bought at a nearby gas station. The chips were delicious, crispy, and oily, just the way they liked them.
“It's amazing how a human being can have as little taste as you, James,” Alexandra observed, took a long drink of vodka and then commented, ironically, “I'm worried about your health; why do you drink coffee while eating french fries at 10 P.M.?”
James belittled what Alexandra said with a wave of his hand and a sip of his coffee.
“What is truly incredible is how prodigies could rule the world, but we are discriminated and killed,” he changed abruptly the subject.
Alexandra snorted, exasperated.
“Is it necessary to always come back to the same thing?”
“You always come back to the same thing with contamination and me, Alexandra. The only thing you can say is that we must stop using plastic and about me is that I ‘lack of taste’,” replied James, and took out a handful of fries to take one by one to his mouth. Alexandra opened her mouth, outraged.
Alec huffed and snapped his fingers twice, as if to stop a possible argument.
“One would hope that you two would put your differences aside when you grew older, but now I’ve realized that you two don’t grow up at all,” Alec said, expressing facts that he believed were objective.
Alexandra stuck her tongue out at him, just to further test Alec's point.
“On the other hand,” Alec continued, “I agree with James.”
Alexandra just said “agh” and stole a couple of fries from Alec. Rather, she tried to steal a couple of fries, as Alec took them away from her with his powers to return them to his hands. He put one in his mouth and chewed it, with a narcissistic smile on his lips.
“You two and your beloved revolution! Why don't you go out and break everything and stop bothering with this?” Alexandra exclaimed, the vodka effect surging through her.
“You say it like we're going to buy fries,” Alec replied, his mouth full of chips.
“Exactly,” agreed James, pointing a frie at Alec, “Taking down an empire is a planned act, a deep analysis of the enemies, a delicate and careful planning…”
Alexandra cut him short; she slammed her forearm into James's chest, causing James to spill some of his coffee onto the coarse sand.
“Stop circling and figure out how to bring down an empire,” Alexandra ordered.
Alec sighed, James straightened. They nodded and Alec spoke, although Alexandra had cut short James and not him.
“First, we should recruit more prodigies, powerful prodigies. Then, we should make ourselves heard, either with propaganda or…”
“Boring!” growled Alexandra. “This is not how you topple an empire. This is not how you rule the world. Also, didn't your mommys teach you that violence only leads to more violence?”
“Yes, that's right, Alexandra,” Alec contradicted, going back to the first thing the girl had said. “We could rule the world but it would take many more prodigies, planning, observation and time. It's possible, but right now I don't feel like it. Regarding violence, you are right, and it is one of the biggest reasons why I am not one hundred percent convinced; but we can agree that, indeed, it is possible,”Alec finished, and to emphasize his laziness, he leaned completely on the threadbare towel they had brought.
He didn't return to Alexandra's mention of moms.
It had been so long since he thought of his mother...
Alexandra snorted, but then smiled, satisfied.
“See, James? Even Acey knows that violence is not the solution,” replied Alexandra, empowered. She didn't say anything about Alec's ideas.
James just shook his head, and brought his fingertips together.
“There is no other way. If we are peaceful they will crush us, and what we need is to empower ourselves. People didn't get rights by asking for them nicely,” James took a frie from the bucket and looked at it, his eyes burning so much it looked like he was going to set poor frie on fire,“We get rights by taking them, without intermediaries.”
James put the frie in his mouth, and looked at Alexandra, empowered and crazy.
Alexandra snorted. There were times when Alec wondered if they had a bet between the two of them, something like “whoever snorts most often wins.”
“And, in the way, you create a whole cause and gain power,” Alexandra analyzed, as she searched in her fanny pack for her blood red gloss. She applied some to her lips, which were spread out in a triumphant smile.
James said nothing but it was implied that Alexandra was right. Alec chose to make it explicit.
“She's right.”
James arched an eyebrow.
“Don't you want to avenge your sister, Ace?” James snapped, sipping his coffee.
Alec froze, like a block of ice floating in the sea.
“Yes, more than anything. But I know this is not the right time,” Alec explained and sat back to kiss Alexandra on the forehead. She smiled, pleasantly.
James rolled his eyes, and took another long drink of coffee.
Alec saw an opportunity and said, rogue:
“What? Do you want one too?”
“I think he’d love it,” judged Alexandra, in a childish hum. “He reminds me of a friend who hasn’t yet made up his mind about his sexuality..”
James didn’t answer until a minute passed but his cheek trembled. He sipped more coffee and said, solemn but young:
“It's something I discover every day.”
Alec nodded. James was right.
As usual.
Alexandra stretched her arms, both stretching and yawning.
“Well, gentlemen, if I learned something today, it is that you are the worst possible revolutionaries in existence,” Alexandra said and tried to stand up, but the sand from the beach began to rain on her and began to bury her and...
“ALEC ARTINO!” the girl snapped, desperate to free herself from the sand. The beach soon became surrounded by spiders, all going to save Alexandra and/or to bite Alec and James.
All three screamed and laughed, hysterical at getting rid of sand or spiders and euphoric at the other's screaming. Sand rained, spiders appeared, James laughed. After about five minutes of fighting each other like kids, they ended up lying on the beach, covered in sand and with spiders scampering among them. Alexandra’s hair looked desastrous and Alec’s clothes were filled with sand. James, on the other side, was flawless.
“I won,” Alec and Alexandra said at the same time. They looked at each other with a frown but with a smile on their lips. None of them looked like a winner but some ordinary loosers.
“No,” James, the prince, denied. “I won.”
Alec and Alexandra nodded, not approvingly but concordantly.
Sand started raining down on James and spiders started chasing him.
They were a united front of loosers against him.
However, despite being two against one, James could teleport and that is what he did one more time. The rain of sand and the march of the spiders abruptly stopped. Alexandra moaned in frustration.
A united front of useless loosers, Alec thought.
“Cheater,” Alexandra muttered.
“I just used my powers,” James replied, who had appeared at their side in a second. “Just like you did.”
Alec nodded. James was right.
As usual.
“Lately, I've been thinking that the only way to kill you is by poisoning you,” Alexandra told James, when she took out her blood-red lip gloss to apply some on hers. She smiled mysteriously.
“Do you think about it for comfort or practicality?” James replied, out of pragmatic disinterest. He was searching for his cup of coffe when he said that. Alec find it and with his mental hands, he put it in a garbage can.
“Both,” Alexandra said, with a smile from ear to ear that made her eyes close. She put away her lip gloss.
“Sounds logical to me,” James replied and took the bucket of fries now full of sand. Alec took it from his hands and deposited it with his mind in the nearest garbage can. Alexandra's spiders went back the way they came and the three prepared to go back to their not-so-sweet homes.They looked like homeless (except for James, of course) but the smiles on their faces contradicted that.
“I wish these nights were eternal,” Alexandra implored, interlacing her elbows with Alec and James, ready to march back to the city.
James nodded and Alec agreed as he said:
“Me too.”
#love & anarchy au#love & anarchy#ace anarchy's backstory#ace anarchy#alec artino#a teen named ace artino#ace artino#renegades#before renegades#renegades au#renegades fic#marissa meyer#my au#au#fic#fan fiction#writer#read#reblog
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Comprehensive RP Standards & Rules
Please Note: If I’m slow or unable to reply, there’s likely a very good reason behind it (ie. mental illness/lack of spoons, inability to get into character, personal matters, etc). All I ask is that you’re patient and understanding -- we’re only human after all! You can even occasionally inquire updates from my end since I do care about keeping both of us up-to-date. Thanks for understanding!
RP Standards & Guidelines
This RPer is friendly/practices [unless otherwise stated] towards the following:
OCs and muses
Multi-verse & AU’s (unless otherwise stated or specified in RP Blog descriptions)
Smut/SRP, NSFW, Fluff, Dark/Triggering content
Trigger Warnings will be tagged respectively -- please notify the mun if you’d like a TW tagged on a post!
SRP will be censored via Read-More Feature
Multi-ships – both platonically & romantically; Canon×OCs are welcome!
by default, i make ships strictly tied to a respective relationship sub-verse tag -- main verses are usually left without a permanent relationship.
because the mun welcomes almost all kinds of ships (albeit depending on the fandom), be sure to check for respective ship tags in order to blacklist appropriately for those you do not like!
Chemistry/Relations between muses = RP/Interacting with each other
This way, I’m able to get a feel for how you portray your muses, and can determine whether or not there’s compatibility. This also helps me understand you as an RPer, too!
regardless of muses being canon or OC’s, please consider having some chemistry (interactions/threads) done before trying to ship with my muses!
As much as I advocate having All the Ships™, jumping straight into ships without getting a feel of your muse(s) makes it difficult for me to get into them. (´・ω・｀) Apologies about that!
pre-plotted/pre-existing relationships will require that we’ve RP’d together enough for me to get a feel of your RP style, especially with OC’s.
canon characters & their canonical history/relations are assumed to be their default and are thus taken into consideration unless circumstances (i.e. AU’s, verses, etc.) state otherwise
regardless, i would still highly recommend we interact with each other enough so that I get a feel of your portrayal!
Format Leniency™ w/ icons, rp length and formatting as well as script-style and paragraph-style RPing (link for info on ‘em)
script-style/in-character RPing for me will always be in third-person for action
basically, you are absolutely free to follow your own kind of format, and are not obligated to follow the length/format that I use so long as I have something to work with!
Getting referenced/mentioned/involved in other RP threads (IT’D BE AN HONOR.)
muses that I refer to for specific circumstances (i.e. events from a thread, sub-verses, etc.) will be @mentioned on my part.
‘Read-More’ Censorship – for SRP, spoiler content, extreme gore [on a (N)SFW labeled blog], & long posts
Aged-up versions of fictional characters who are originally/canonically no younger than 14 years old.
I am perfectly, absolutely aware of the fine lines over aging up fictional minors for smut content and will admit that I am perfectly fine/understanding towards RPing such things—so long as it applies to the 14+)—while also fully understanding the controversy it brings.
Aged-up characters or verses that I RP/provide are never intentionally or solely made for smut/SRP content, nor will they ever be.
There’s a good chance that any of my originally/canonically minor teenager whose blog is labeled 18+ may imply an aged-up verse for SRP content. Hopefully, this will help determine if you should be wary of these blogs of mine!
If all else fails, you are absolutely allowed to politely and respectfully ask if there is an aged-up verse with potential SRP content! This way, you can blacklist appropriately.
RP Blogs with smut content will always be labeled accordingly
Rule of Thumb on Age Gaps for Ships: no more than 2 years between minors with 18-year olds, and 3 years between muses aged 18-20 years old with 21+.
Even then, minor×adult SRP/smut is PROHIBITED.
Both muns must take/understand necessary precautions when involving aged-up fictional characters or minor muses, consider any adjustments that may be needed, and must be both adults (18+).
Of course, if you yourself actually condone pedophilia, I will block you.
This RPer is against/does not practice the following:
Godmodding
Rude/Excessive reminders to reply to thread
Complaints of unreplied/dropped threads
Engaging in SRP content with minors – will be blocked upon discovery
doesn’t include engaging in SFW content, but once you are blocked you’re unable to interact with me at all
I do not condone pedophilia and RP smut with RPers who are minors.
Reblog Karma – you are not obligated/required to send an ask in exchange for its respective inbox meme; feel free to reblog any memes from me!
If you, however, do practice reblog karma and I reblog without sending something in, though, please let me know!
Likewise, if you prefer people reblogging from the source and not you, please let me know if I ever do as such! I am a very forgetful bun.
Hate mail/anons in any shape or form (ie. suicide instigation, death threats, cyber-bullying)
Hate/‘Phobias’ towards any gender
Soft-blocks — you’re either permanently blocked or not, so be sure to act accordingly.
If for any reason I have blocked you by mistake or under a misunderstanding, I will either unblock or consider unblocking.
Likewise, if you have soft-blocked me for any reason and I, for some reason, somehow, still get to you, you have every right to let me know that I’ve made you uncomfortable and request that I no longer interact with you! (And if it still persists because I can be one hell of a forgetful bun, do remember that you have the right to permanently block me, I understand!)
I’m honestly still trying to understand these soft-block mechanics, if I’m honest...
Racism, Discrimination, Witch Hunts/Call-Out posts — being actively involved in one will automatically be an unfollow & potential block from me.
Pressure regarding thread replies/involvement in drama/desired content
Mutuals-Only interactions
More often than not, my RP blogs may be side-blogs to a main hub (especially if I’m RPing more than one muse in a fandom). Please be sure to check if they are! They’ll usually be mentioned in the descriptions of the blog.
If you are a mutuals-exclusive RPer, please let me know!
Outside Reblogs on RP Threads — Unless you are the RPer(s) involved, DO NOT REBLOG the thread.
Liking & commenting the post is okay for me. HOWEVER, please also respect what rules & policies the other RPer(s) may have! They have the right to react accordingly on their part.
This RPer has the rights towards the following:
Not expanding on ask-response replies
Refusing to start/continue a thread for any particular reason
Dropping a thread for any particular reason (especially when it feels that there isn’t much to continue on in it)
Giving more attention to some threads than others
Being finicky between doing legitimate RP threads vs. casually being IC
Being finicky with social interactions between individuals
Not becoming mutuals
Other Universal Standards & Guidelines
Dash Organization > Mutuals-Exclusive Practices
Follows & Mutuals =/= Interaction Privileges --- for me, follows are a means of controlling the content on my dash, not an indication of whether or not I want us to interact!
Depending on the blog’s popularity, RP blogs may or may not be fandom-restricted (interactions exclusive to canon/-versed/-oriented muses/OCs), unless exceptions for particular individuals are granted.
Multi-Muse Blogs are less likely to be followed (which might also be highly dependent on blog’s popularity) for dash content organization, especially if the muses extend across multiple fandoms.
Interactions > Reading Rules/Following when it comes to receiving a follow from me as it again depends on how often we interact.
Individual RP Blogs can and will have their own, more specific guidelines to follow depending on its fandom/popularity!
Policies can usually be found at the top of the blog’s description, listing what the blog consists of and what content is followed/allowed/restricted.
These policies can and will overrule respective universal policies here.
RP & Liked Content =/= Morals & What I Condone
Likewise, even if there are ships/morals/opinions that do not match with mine, it’s just as the saying goes: to each their own. So long as conflicts do not rise, we can still interact! People can like different things and still be nice to each other. God, I can’t stress this enough.
“I find that, for me, the work is a safe place to put all the stuff you don't want to put in your real life. I don't want to be a crazy, manic asshole. I don't want to have an affair. I don't want to have a fucking gunfight. But! There's a part of your brain that wants to experience everything, and so work's a safe place to explore it all. Both in the writing and in the performing. I get to write about an affair. I get to have the guilt and the feeling of that without having to fuck my life up. [laughs] Art is the place to safely explore all those other sides of you, because the side you want to bring home is the side that wants to be a good father and be a good husband and be a good son. In art we can be fucking nuts.” -- Lin-Manuel Miranda [ x ]
Muse =/= Mun
Rule of Thumb: if the muse’s behavior is beginning to come on too strongly, chances are that I’m fully aware of this and will most likely show it via tags!
Tag Commentary — you are absolutely free to not provide OOC commentary in the tags, especially if you are an IC blog. This just helps show who I am as a mun!
Level of Investment = Thread Priorities & Muse Activity
I, unfortunately, am inspirationally-driven when it comes to my musings, and can therefore be selective with my activity or drop threads I’m unable to continue having a musing for. However, this does not mean I have anything against you, it’s just how my fuel for RPing works.
Still, I do my best to answer all my threads, so please be patient and understanding with me! Thanks!
By default, I will always assume that threads with me are the lowest priority and can/will eventually be dropped at any time by you.
All in all, so long as we keep to our own lanes instead of actively pursuing the other on behalf of our differences in beliefs, there shouldn’t be any problems. RPing is meant to be a fun, creative and laid-back FICTIONAL environment that is meant to be kept separately from reality.
Regarding Asks & IMs
IC & OOC Asks outside of inbox memes are allowed!
If sent anonymously for side-blog reasons, tag your blog and it will be re-tagged for notification purposes!
ex: ((@nameofrpsidebloghere))
If responding to an ask-response, please post it in a new text post by tagging the blog name and adding a link to the ask-response!
ask-response posts and even photo posts clutter the dashboard and ruin RP consistency...!
You are free to IM me for plots and reply reminders! (I’m a really lenient, GWF/go-with-flow RPer)
Please note, however, that if I feel the thread isn’t really going anywhere, no longer following a sort of plot, and/or isn’t keeping my interest, I eventually assume that it’s drop-able and will drop it myself.
Universal Tags for Inbox Memes & Themed Starters
For IC
Ask/M!A/RP asks --- #askmarp memes || #askmarp response
Ask/Inbox Memes --- #inbox memes || #inbox response
Themed Starter Memes --- #starter memes || #starter response
Drabble Memes --- #drabble memes || #drabble response
For OOC aka the Mun
Ask/Inbox Memes --- #mun inbox memes || #mun inbox response
Themed Starter Memes --- #mun starter memes || #mun starter response
For NSFW Content
Ask/M!A/RP asks --- #nsfw askmarp memes || #nsfw askmarp response
Ask/Inbox Memes --- #nsfw inbox memes || #nsfw inbox response
Themed Starter Memes --- #nsfw starter memes || #nsfw starter response
For a Faster Inbox Response – include corresponding rp/ask meme post!
ex: [Name of Meme Here!:] ♡ - symbol description here!
If even after reading the standards you still aren’t certain how RPing with me is like, you can also refer to these universal tags:
#rp guidelines - guidelines I follow as an RPer
#chill rp blog is chill - worrisome topics I’m okay with as an RPer
That aside, when in doubt, just ask! I’m totally cool with it, and always want to make sure the both of us are having a fun, comfortable time RP/interacting IC with each other! Do also remember that you are always, always able to just unfollow me, even softblock me if you have to (though I’d appreciate a direct notification/explanation for the first time I address the softblock if that ever occurs...!).
Were you able to read the whole thing?
Feel free to let me know by sending ‘whispers among psithurism’ in the ask (you aren’t required to, though)! Thanks for taking time to read this! Happy RPing!
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Comprehensive RP Standards & Rules
Please Note: If I’m slow or unable to reply, there’s likely a very good reason behind it (ie. mental illness/lack of spoons, inability to get into character, personal matters, etc). All I ask is that you’re patient and understanding – we’re only human after all! You can even occasionally inquire updates from my end since I do care about keeping both of us up-to-date. Thanks for understanding!
RP Standards & Guidelines
This RPer is friendly/practices [unless otherwise stated] towards the following:
OCs and muses
Multi-verse & AU’s (unless otherwise stated or specified in RP Blog descriptions)
‘Read-More’ Censorship – for SRP, spoiler content, extreme gore [on a (N)SFW labeled blog], & long posts
Smut/SRP, NSFW, Fluff, Dark/Triggering content
Trigger Warnings will be tagged respectively – please notify the mun if you’d like a TW tagged on a post!
SRP will be censored via Read-More Feature
Multi-ships – both platonically & romantically; Canon×OCs are welcome!
by default, i make ships strictly tied to a respective relationship sub-verse tag – main verses are usually left without a permanent relationship.
because the mun welcomes almost all kinds of ships (albeit depending on the fandom), be sure to check for respective ship tags in order to blacklist appropriately for those you do not like!
Chemistry/Relations between muses = RP/Interacting with each other
This way, I’m able to get a feel for how you portray your muses, and can determine whether or not there’s compatibility. This also helps me understand you as an RPer, too!
Regardless of muses being canon or OC’s, please consider having some chemistry (interactions/threads) done before trying to ship with my muses!
As much as I advocate having All the Ships™, jumping straight into ships without getting a feel of your muse(s) makes it difficult for me to get into them. (´・ω・｀) Apologies about that!
pre-plotted/pre-existing relationships will require that we’ve RP’d together enough for me to get a feel of your RP style, especially with OC’s.
canon characters & their canonical history/relations are assumed to be their default and are thus taken into consideration unless circumstances (i.e. AU’s, verses, etc.) state otherwise
Regardless, I would still highly recommend we interact with each other enough so that I get a feel of your portrayal!
Format Leniency™ w/ icons, rp length and formatting as well as script-style and paragraph-style RPing (link for info on ‘em)
script-style/in-character RPing for me will always be in third-person for action
basically, you are absolutely free to follow your own kind of format, and are not obligated to follow the length/format that I use so long as I have something to work with!
Getting referenced/mentioned/involved in other RP threads (IT’D BE AN HONOR.)
muses that I refer to for specific circumstances (i.e. events from a thread, sub-verses, etc.) will be @mentioned on my part.
Aged-up fictional characters who are originally/canonically no younger than 14 years old.
I am perfectly, absolutely aware of the fine lines over aging up fictional minors for smut content and will admit that I am perfectly fine/understanding towards RPing such things—so long as it applies to the 14+—while also fully understanding the controversy it brings.
Aged-up characters or verses that I RP/provide are never intentionally or solely made for smut/SRP content, nor will they ever be.
There’s a good chance that any of my originally/canonically minor teenager whose blog is labeled 18+ may imply an aged-up verse for SRP content. Hopefully, this will help determine if you should be wary of these blogs of mine!
If all else fails, you are absolutely allowed to politely and respectfully ask if there is an aged-up verse with potential SRP content! This way, you can blacklist appropriately.
RP Blogs with smut content will always be labeled accordingly.
Rule of Thumb on Age Gaps for Ships: no more than 2 years between minors with 18-year olds, and 3 years between muses aged 18-20 years old with 21+.
Even then, minor×adult SRP/smut is PROHIBITED.
Both muns must take/understand necessary precautions when involving aged-up fictional characters or minor muses, consider any adjustments that may be needed, and must be both adults (18+).
Of course, if you yourself actually condone pedophilia, I will block you.
This RPer is against/does not practice the following:
Godmodding
Rude/Excessive reminders to reply to thread
Complaints of unreplied/dropped threads
Hate/‘Phobias’ towards any gender
Hate mail/anons in any shape or form (ie. suicide instigation, death threats, cyber-bullying)
Racism, Discrimination, Witch Hunts/Call-Out posts — being actively involved in one will automatically be an unfollow & potential block from me.
Excessive pressure regarding thread replies & involvement in drama/desired content
Engaging in SRP content with minors – will be blocked upon discovery
Doesn’t include engaging in SFW content, but once you are blocked you’re unable to interact with me at all
I do not condone pedophilia and RP smut with RPers who are minors.
Reblog Karma – you are not obligated/required to send an ask in exchange for its respective inbox meme; feel free to reblog any memes from me!
If you, however, do practice reblog karma and I reblog without sending something in, though, please let me know!
Likewise, if you prefer people reblogging from the source and not you, please let me know if I ever do as such! I am a very forgetful bun.
Soft-blocks — you’re either permanently blocked or not, so be sure to act accordingly.
If for any reason I have blocked you by mistake or under a misunderstanding, I will either unblock or consider unblocking.
Likewise, if you have soft-blocked me for any reason and I, for some reason, somehow, still get to you, you have every right to let me know that I’ve made you uncomfortable and request that I no longer interact with you! (And if it still persists because I can be one hell of a forgetful bun, do remember that you have the right to permanently block me, I understand!)
I’m honestly still trying to understand these soft-block mechanics, if I’m honest…
Mutuals-Only interactions
More often than not, my RP blogs may be side-blogs to a main hub (especially if I’m RPing more than one muse in a fandom). Please be sure to check if they are! They’ll usually be mentioned in the descriptions of the blog.
If you are a mutuals-exclusive RPer, please let me know!
Outside Reblogs on RP Threads — Unless you are the RPer(s) involved, DO NOT REBLOG the thread.
Liking & commenting the post is okay for me, but please also respect what rules & policies the other RPer(s) may have! They have the right to react accordingly on their part.
This RPer has the rights towards the following:
Not expanding on ask-response replies
Refusing to start/continue a thread for any particular reason
Dropping a thread for any particular reason (especially when it feels that there isn’t much to continue on in it)
Giving more attention to some threads than others
Being finicky between doing legitimate RP threads vs. casually being IC
Being finicky with social interactions between individuals
Not becoming mutuals
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Other Universal Standards & Guidelines
Dash Organization > Mutuals-Exclusive Practices
Follows & Mutuals =/= Interaction Privileges — for me, follows are a means of controlling the content on my dash, not an indication of whether or not I want us to interact!
Depending on the blog’s popularity, RP blogs may or may not be fandom-restricted (interactions exclusive to canon/-versed/-oriented muses/OCs), unless exceptions for particular individuals are granted.
Multi-Muse Blogs are less likely to be followed (which might also be highly dependent on blog’s popularity) for dash content organization, especially if the muses extend across multiple fandoms.)
When it comes to receiving a follow from me, it again depends on how often we interact.
Individual RP Blogs can and will have their own, more specific guidelines to follow depending on its fandom/popularity!
Policies can usually be found at the top of the blog’s description, listing what the blog consists of and what content is followed/allowed/restricted.
These policies can and will overrule respective universal policies here.
RP & Liked Content =/= Morals & What I Condone
Likewise, even if there are ships/morals/opinions that do not match with mine, it’s just as the saying goes: to each their own. So long as conflicts do not rise, we can still interact! People can like different things and still be nice to each other. God, I can’t stress this enough.
“I find that, for me, the work is a safe place to put all the stuff you don’t want to put in your real life. I don’t want to be a crazy, manic asshole. I don’t want to have an affair. I don’t want to have a fucking gunfight. But! There’s a part of your brain that wants to experience everything, and so work’s a safe place to explore it all. Both in the writing and in the performing. I get to write about an affair. I get to have the guilt and the feeling of that without having to fuck my life up. [laughs] Art is the place to safely explore all those other sides of you, because the side you want to bring home is the side that wants to be a good father and be a good husband and be a good son. In art we can be fucking nuts.” – Lin-Manuel Miranda [ x ]
Tag Commentary — you are absolutely free to not provide OOC commentary in the tags, especially if you are an IC blog. This just helps show who I am as a mun!
and speaking of tag commentary: Muse =/= Mun
Rule of Thumb: if the muse’s behavior is beginning to come on too strongly, chances are that I’m fully aware of this and will most likely show it via tags!
Level of Investment = Thread Priorities & Muse Activity
I, unfortunately, am inspirationally-driven when it comes to my musings, and can therefore be selective with my activity or drop threads I’m unable to continue having a musing for. However, this does not mean I have anything against you, it’s just how my fuel for RPing works.
Still, I do my best to answer all my threads, so please be patient and understanding with me! Thanks!
IMPORTANT NOTE: by default, I will always assume that threads with me are the lowest priority and can/will eventually dropped at any time by you.
All in all, so long as we keep to our own lanes instead of actively pursuing the other on behalf of our differences in beliefs, there will be no problems. RPing is meant to be a fun, creative and laid-back FICTIONAL environment that is meant to be kept separately from reality.
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Regarding Asks & IMs
IC & OOC Asks outside of inbox memes are allowed!
If sent anonymously for side-blog reasons, tag your blog and it will be re-tagged for notification purposes!
ex: ((@nameofrpsidebloghere))
If responding to an ask-response, please post it in a new text post by tagging the blog name and adding a link to the ask-response!
ask-response posts and even photo posts clutter the dashboard and ruin RP consistency…!
You are free to IM me for plots and reply reminders! (I’m a really lenient, GWF/go-with-flow RPer)
RP without any plot tend to be labeled #casual rp (some descriptive no-plot RP content) or #ic chat (muses simply conversing) — can be changed into regular #rp should a plot be implied somewhere down the lines, though, just a heads up!
IMPORTANT NOTE: I’m pretty asocial, so more often than not I tend to forget about replying to IMs especially if there’s no need for it (like an end to the conversation topic). But don’t worry, it’s not you! You aren’t annoying me! It’s just me being an asocial moron. ( ◉◞౪◟◉) You are in the safe zone, friend!
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Universal Tags for Inbox Memes & Themed Starters
For IC
Ask/M!A/RP asks
#askmarp memes || #askmarp response
Ask/Inbox Memes
#inbox memes || #inbox response
Themed Starter Memes
#starter memes || #starter response
Drabble Memes
#drabble memes || #drabble response
For OOC aka the Mun
Ask/Inbox Memes
#mun inbox memes || #mun inbox response
Themed Starter Memes
#mun starter memes || #mun starter response
For NSFW Content
Ask/M!A/RP asks
#nsfw askmarp memes || #nsfw askmarp response
Ask/Inbox Memes
#nsfw inbox memes || #nsfw inbox response
Themed Starter Memes
#nsfw starter memes || #nsfw starter response
For a Faster Inbox Response: include corresponding rp/ask meme post!
ex: [Name of Meme Here!:] ♡ - symbol description here!
If even after reading the standards you still aren’t certain how RPing with me is like, you can also refer to these universal tags:
#rp guidelines - guidelines I follow as an RPer
#chill rp blog is chill - worrisome topics I’m okay with as an RPer
That aside, when in doubt, just ask! I’m totally cool with it, and always want to make sure the both of us are having a fun, comfortable time RP/interacting IC with each other! Do also remember that you are always, always able to just unfollow me, even softblock me if you have to(though I’d appreciate a direct notification/explanation for the first time I address the softblock if that ever occurs…!).
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Were you able to read up to this point for the RP standards/rules?
Then feel free to let me know by sending ‘whispers among psithurism’ in the ask (you aren’t required to, though)! Thanks for taking time to read this! Happy RPing!
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Comprehensive RP Standards & Rules
Please Note: If I’m slow or unable to reply, there’s likely a very good reason behind it (ie. mental illness/lack of spoons, inability to get into character, personal matters, etc). All I ask is that you’re patient and understanding -- we’re only human after all! You can even occasionally inquire updates from my end since I do care about keeping both of us up-to-date. Thanks for understanding!
RP Standards & Guidelines
This RPer is friendly/practices [unless otherwise stated] towards the following:
OCs and muses
Multi-verse & AU’s (unless otherwise stated or specified in RP Blog descriptions)
Smut/SRP, NSFW, Fluff, Dark/Triggering content
Trigger Warnings will be tagged respectively -- please notify the mun if you’d like a TW tagged on a post!
SRP will be censored via Read-More Feature
Multi-ships – both platonically & romantically; Canon×OCs are welcome!
by default, i make ships strictly tied to a respective relationship sub-verse tag -- main verses are usually left without a permanent relationship.
because the mun welcomes almost all kinds of ships (albeit depending on the fandom), be sure to check for respective ship tags in order to blacklist appropriately for those you do not like!
Chemistry/Relations between muses = RP/Interacting with each other
This way, I’m able to get a feel for how you portray your muses, and can determine whether or not there’s compatibility. This also helps me understand you as an RPer, too!
regardless of muses being canon or OC’s, please consider having some chemistry (interactions/threads) done before trying to ship with my muses!
As much as I advocate having All the Ships™, jumping straight into ships without getting a feel of your muse(s) makes it difficult for me to get into them. (´・ω・｀) Apologies about that!
pre-plotted/pre-existing relationships will require that we’ve RP’d together enough for me to get a feel of your RP style, especially with OC’s.
canon characters & their canonical history/relations are assumed to be their default and are thus taken into consideration unless circumstances (i.e. AU’s, verses, etc.) state otherwise
regardless, i would still highly recommend we interact with each other enough so that I get a feel of your portrayal!
Format Leniency™ w/ icons, rp length and formatting as well as script-style and paragraph-style RPing (link for info on ‘em)
script-style/in-character RPing for me will always be in third-person for action
basically, you are absolutely free to follow your own kind of format, and are not obligated to follow the length/format that I use so long as I have something to work with!
Getting referenced/mentioned/involved in other RP threads (IT’D BE AN HONOR.)
muses that I refer to for specific circumstances (i.e. events from a thread, sub-verses, etc.) will be @mentioned on my part.
‘Read-More’ Censorship -- for SRP, spoiler content, extreme gore [on a (N)SFW labeled blog], & long posts
Aged-up fictional characters who are originally/canonically no younger than 14 years old.
I am perfectly, absolutely aware of the fine lines over aging up fictional minors for smut content and will admit that I am perfectly fine/understanding towards RPing such things---so long as it applies to the 14+)---while also fully understanding the controversy it brings.
Aged-up characters or verses that I RP/provide are never intentionally or solely made for smut/SRP content, nor will they ever be.
There’s a good chance that any of my originally/canonically minor teenager whose blog is labeled 18+ may imply an aged-up verse for SRP content. Hopefully, this will help determine if you should be wary of these blogs of mine!
If all else fails, you are absolutely allowed to politely and respectfully ask if there is an aged-up verse with potential SRP content! This way, you can blacklist appropriately.
RP Blogs with smut content will always be labeled accordingly
Rule of Thumb on Age Gaps for Ships: no more than 2 years between minors with 18-year olds, and 3 years between muses aged 18-20 years old with 21+.
Even then, minor×adult SRP/smut is PROHIBITED.
Both muns must take/understand necessary precautions when involving aged-up fictional characters or minor muses, consider any adjustments that may be needed, and must be both adults (18+).
Of course, if you yourself actually condone pedophilia, I will block you.
This RPer is against/does not practice the following:
Godmodding
Rude/Excessive reminders to reply to thread
Complaints of unreplied/dropped threads
Engaging in SRP content with minors – will be blocked upon discovery
doesn’t include engaging in SFW content, but once you are blocked you’re unable to interact with me at all
I do not condone pedophilia and RP smut with RPers who are minors.
Reblog Karma -- you are not obligated/required to send an ask in exchange for its respective inbox meme; feel free to reblog any memes from me!
If you, however, do practice reblog karma and I reblog without sending something in, though, please let me know!
Likewise, if you prefer people reblogging from the source and not you, please let me know if I ever do as such! I am a very forgetful bun.
Hate mail/anons in any shape or form (ie. suicide instigation, death threats, cyber-bullying)
Hate/‘Phobias’ towards any gender
Soft-blocks --- you’re either permanently blocked or not, so be sure to act accordingly.
If for any reason I have blocked you by mistake or under a misunderstanding, I will either unblock or consider unblocking.
Likewise, if you have soft-blocked me for any reason and I, for some reason, somehow, still get to you, you have every right to let me know that I’ve made you uncomfortable and request that I no longer interact with you! (And if it still persists because I can be one hell of a forgetful bun, do remember that you have the right to permanently block me, I understand!)
I’m honestly still trying to understand these soft-block mechanics, if I’m honest...
Racism, Discrimination, Witch Hunts/Call-Out posts --- being actively involved in one will automatically be an unfollow & potential block from me.
Pressure regarding thread replies/involvement in drama/desired content
Mutuals-Only interactions
More often than not, my RP blogs may be side-blogs to a main hub (especially if I’m RPing more than one muse in a fandom). Please be sure to check if they are! They’ll usually be mentioned in the descriptions of the blog.
If you are a mutuals-exclusive RPer, please let me know!
Outside Reblogs on RP Threads --- Unless you are the RPer(s) involved, DO NOT REBLOG the thread.
Liking & commenting the post is okay for me, but please also respect what rules & policies the other RPer(s) may have! They have the right to react accordingly on their part.
This RPer has the rights towards the following:
Not expanding on ask-response replies
Refusing to start/continue a thread for any particular reason
Dropping a thread for any particular reason (especially when it feels that there isn’t much to continue on in it)
Giving more attention to some threads than others
Being finicky between doing legitimate RP threads vs. casually being IC
Being finicky with social interactions between individuals
Not becoming mutuals
Other Universal Standards & Guidelines
Dash Organization > Mutuals-Exclusive Practices
Follows & Mutuals =/= Interaction Privileges --- for me, follows are a means of controlling the content on my dash, not an indication of whether or not I want us to interact!
Depending on the blog’s popularity, RP blogs may or may not be fandom-restricted (interactions exclusive to canon/-versed/-oriented muses/OCs), unless exceptions for particular individuals are granted.
Multi-Muse Blogs are less likely to be followed (which might also be highly dependent on blog’s popularity) for dash content organization, especially if the muses extend across multiple fandoms.
Interactions > Reading Rules/Following when it comes to receiving a follow from me as it again depends on how often we interact.
Individual RP Blogs can and will have their own, more specific guidelines to follow depending on its fandom/popularity!
Policies can usually be found at the top of the blog’s description, listing what the blog consists of and what content is followed/restricted/allowed.
These policies can and will overrule respective universal policies here.
RP & Liked Content =/= Morals & What I Condone
Likewise, even if there are ships/morals/opinions that do not match with mine, it’s just as the saying goes: to each their own. So long as conflicts do not rise, we can still interact! People can like different things and still be nice to each other. God, I can’t stress this enough.
“I find that, for me, the work is a safe place to put all the stuff you don't want to put in your real life. I don't want to be a crazy, manic asshole. I don't want to have an affair. I don't want to have a fucking gunfight. But! There's a part of your brain that wants to experience everything, and so work's a safe place to explore it all. Both in the writing and in the performing. I get to write about an affair. I get to have the guilt and the feeling of that without having to fuck my life up. [laughs] Art is the place to safely explore all those other sides of you, because the side you want to bring home is the side that wants to be a good father and be a good husband and be a good son. In art we can be fucking nuts.” -- Lin-Manuel Miranda [ x ]
Muse =/= Mun
Rule of Thumb: if the muse’s behavior is beginning to come on too strongly, chances are that I’m fully aware of this and will most likely show it via tags!
Tag Commentary --- you are absolutely free to not provide OOC commentary in the tags, especially if you are an IC blog. This just helps show who I am as a mun!
Level of Investment = Thread Priorities & Muse Activity
I, unfortunately, am inspirationally-driven when it comes to my musings, and can therefore be selective with my activity or drop threads I’m unable to continue having a musing for. However, this does not mean I have anything against you, it’s just how my fuel for RPing works.
Still, I do my best to answer all my threads, so please be patient and understanding with me! Thanks!
IMPORTANT NOTE: by default, I will always assume that threads with me are the lowest priority and can/will eventually dropped at any time by you.
All in all, so long as we keep to our own lanes instead of actively pursuing the other on behalf of our differences in beliefs, there will be no problems. RPing is meant to be a fun, creative and laid-back FICTIONAL environment that is meant to be kept separately from reality.
Regarding Asks & IMs
IC & OOC Asks outside of inbox memes are allowed!
If sent anonymously for side-blog reasons, tag your blog and it will be re-tagged for notification purposes!
ex: ((@nameofrpsidebloghere))
If responding to an ask-response, please post it in a new text post by tagging the blog name and adding a link to the ask-response!
ask-response posts and even photo posts clutter the dashboard and ruin RP consistency...!
You are free to IM me for plots and reply reminders! (I’m a really lenient, GWF/go-with-flow RPer)
IMPORTANT NOTE: I’m pretty asocial, so more often than not I tend to forget about replying to IMs especially if there’s no need for it (like an end to the conversation topic). but, don’t worry, it’s not you! you aren’t annoying me! it’s just me being an asocial moron. ( ◉◞౪◟◉) you are in the safe zone, friend!
That aside, when in doubt, just ask! I’m totally cool with it, and always want to make sure the both of us are having a fun, comfortable time RP/interacting IC with each other! Do also remember that you are always, always able to just unfollow me, even softblock me if you have to (though I’d appreciate a direct notification/explanation for the first time I address the softblock if that ever occurs...!).
Were you able to read up to this point for the RP standards/rules? Then feel free to let me know by sending ‘whispers among psithurism’ in the ask (you aren’t required to, though)! Thanks for taking time to read this! Happy RPing!
#ooc#blog info#rules#r#rule#rp standards#rp rules#rp standards & rules#// because tumblr won't unflag my info hub on my other tumblr acct#// might as well repost it here.
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Social Contract Theory and Fandom Libertarianism
An essay in which I finally get to put my political science degree to work
So I was out walking my dog this morning and ruminating over why I have such a hard time with the conversations in fandom that seem to assume that the only two options when it comes to content are “all fan works must be pure vanilla innocence” and “all criticism is policing and evil.” To be clear, I think both extremes are, well, extreme and lacking nuance. But since I don’t actually see a whole lot of “no one can write characters doing anything wrong” in my corner of fandom (although I’m aware that plenty of it exists other places), I was much more interested in trying to figure out what bugs me so much about the “policing is the greatest evil in fandom” side of things.
Here’s the epiphany I had — people on that extreme end of things bother me because they sound so much like libertarians, much like a lot of us see echoes of fundamentalist purity culture on the other end. And then I got excited because once upon a time I was a political science major and now I get to take my epiphany and my degree and talk about social contract theory like the giant nerd I am :)
Strap in, folks; this got crazy long.
(This is, obviously, going to be pretty U.S.-centric. I’m assuming libertarianism exists in various forms in other countries, but I’m most familiar with the U.S. version, being an American and all, so that’s the lens I’m working with.)
The Libertarian Party in the US is all about “minimum government, maximum freedom.” Their website claims that they are the “the only political organization which respects you as a unique and responsible individual.” They “seek a world of liberty — a world in which all individuals are sovereign over their own lives and no one is forced to sacrifice his or her values.”*
Sounds pretty good on the surface, but when you start to look at the practical implications, well, there are a lot of problems.
Libertarians believe that people should only pay taxes if they want to, which sounds nice if you don’t like paying taxes, but also means there would be no government-provided social programs to help people in need. No WIC, no EBT, no unemployment assistance, no libraries (at least none that weren’t privately owned).
They believe that an unbridled market, free of government interference, will lead to greater prosperity and equality for everyone. Except their version of government interference includes things like child labor laws and environmental protections and product safety regulations.
They support civil liberties for everyone, claiming that “other political parties prioritize the rights of some, but not others.”* Again, sounds good, but when combined with their emphasis the free market, in practice this means that most libertarians end up supporting business owners’ right to discriminate rather than protecting customers from being discriminated against.
And don’t even get me started on school choice.
From the many conversations I’ve had with libertarians over the years, I’ve learned that what it boils down to is basically libertarians wanting all the benefits of living in a society without any sort of responsibility for their fellow community members. They don’t understand just how much of their life is a benefit that comes from the work other community members have done. They believe that everyone should just take care of themselves and leave everyone else alone, which can sound appealing, but breaks down as soon as you add in the existence of history, inequality, and injustice.
“Responsible individuals” who are “sovereign over the own lives” thinking everything would be best if we all just did our own thing and ignored everyone else…starting to sound familiar?
Fandom libertarians, then, would be the people who insist that if everyone just did the fannish things they wanted to do and stayed out of everyone else’s business, we would all have a great time in fandom. And just like with political libertarianism, that sounds pretty good on the surface.
And here’s where we get to social contract theory. Because in addition to thinking libertarian politics would be ineffective, I also believe they violate the social contract underpinning American society.
Social contract theory has existed for basically as long as Western civilization has existed (and probably arguably even predates that, although that’s out of my realm of expertise). There is a lot of nuance and a lot of variation, but for the purposes of this essay, I’m mostly concerned with Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s version.
Rousseau interpreted the social contract not just as an agreement between individuals and a ruler for the sake of protecting oneself from the State of Nature and death (the more Hobbesian view), but rather as a form of reciprocity between individuals and a ruler as well as between each individual. Rousseau believed that people could not both determine for themselves whether to fulfill their obligations to society based on their own interests and be allowed to reap the benefits of belonging to that society. This is basically the argument a lot of people use with libertarians — you don’t get to use roads, fire trucks, and other municipal services and refuse to pay your taxes.
One thing I (and many political theorists) would add to Rousseau is that in the 21st century, the social contract is not an opt-in contract. Unlike legal contracts, which you can choose to enter into or not, as soon as you are born into a society, you are part of that contract. As much as we might like to erase what we’ve got and start from scratch building society, we’ve got to start with where we are now (Even Rousseau talks about the impossibility of returning to the State of Nature in his work).
You can want it to be voluntary, you can argue that it should be voluntary, but ultimately, it’s not. Even if you have the ability to relocate and join a different society, you will then be a part of that society’s contract. We are all part of human society and that comes with certain responsibilities and requirements. There’s a lot of debate about what those responsibilities and requirements are, but only libertarians seem to think they shouldn’t actually exist.**
Fandom, on the other hand, is an opt-in community. You can choose whether or not you want to participate. Which is awesome! We all like having choices! And as many fandom libertarians will tell you, if you don’t like what’s happening in fandom, you can leave. Which is true.
However.
I would argue that if we choose to participate in fandom, we are also choosing to have some measure of responsibility for our fellow community members. If we don’t want that, we can opt out - we can make our blogs private, we can create a private subscription list for our fan works, etc. But by posting our fanworks in a public forum, by engaging in fandom activity openly online, we are agreeing to be a part of a community and all communities have guidelines and responsibilities.
Of course, we have a hard time determining what those responsibilities are even when we have laws and constitutions and things, so it’s not like something as fluid and unwieldy as fandom is going to have a codified list of rules and responsibilities outside of the terms and conditions of the platforms we use. But it boggles my mind that some people would then argue that they have no responsibility for the well-being of other community members at all.
And this is what bothers me about so much of the “Do whatever you want! People are responsible for their own experience!” side of fan culture. Yes, we can write/draw/do whatever we want. Yes, people should do what they can on their end to protect themselves. But we should also do what we can to help our community members protect themselves.
When someone claims they shouldn’t have to do that, all I can hear are the people who complain about paying taxes that they don’t benefit from or whine about having to include wheelchair ramps in their building plans or say that poor people should just work hard and get a good education. When fanwork creators call any and all criticism “policing,” all I can hear is people screaming “taxation is theft!”
And just like those people, when we refuse to make reasonable accommodations for our fellow fans — like tagging posts and fanworks accurately, avoiding racist/homophobic/transphobic tropes in our writing/art, listening when marginalized groups say something is harmful, etc. — we are actually harming our community. No one is advocating that we require people to have every single thing they create approved by a panel of judges, just like no one who wants single-payer healthcare is advocating for “death panels”. We just want to be a part of a fandom community that prioritizes minimizing harm to its members and freedom of expression.
I can already hear people screaming, “But who gets to decide???” And you know what? I don’t know the best answer to that. Here’s where that nuance that I talked about in the very first paragraph comes in. I believe that fandom communities have the capacity to navigate these gray areas respectfully and usefully without resorting to attacks or falling into the trap of fundamentalism. Maybe that’s overly idealistic of me, but well, my idealism is hard-won and refuse to give it up.
But I would also encourage us to remember that when it comes to issues of racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism — anything outside the realm of personal preference — fandom is not immune from the power differentials that exist in the broader world. Which means that the burden is on those with more power — white fans, straight fans, cis fans, abled fans, etc. — to work to make their own positions more nuanced before demanding it of fans with marginalized identities (and to remember that people exist at the intersections of all of those identities as well, so that I don’t use my queer, mentally ill identity to excuse myself from doing the work my whiteness requires).
Of course, this post assumes that most of the people in fandom agree with me that libertarianism generally turns people into arrogant assholes who don’t give a shit about others. I might be wrong about that; maybe fandom is full of libertarians and think it’s absolutely right and good to bring libertarianism into fandom as well. I just wish libertarians, both in fandom and outside of it, would stop insisting that people should have complete freedom without any acknowledgement that 1) that freedom has the ability to hurt someone else and 2) not everyone has the same access to that freedom.
*Quotes are pulled directly from the Libertarian Party’s website
**Note: there are a lot of criticisms of social contract theory, often through a feminist and/or race-conscious lens, that believe the idea of a social contract is inherently flawed; those criticisms, however, have more to do with acknowledging the ways in which people other than straight white men have been excluded from these contracts, and actually argue for greater responsibility for other individuals in society.
#fandom#fan culture#i tried to bold some of the main ideas#just in case you don't have time for 1800 words of political theory today
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Victim Consciousness
I had an amazing interview with my favorite nuclear physicist Tom Campbell at the beginning of the month that we labeled “Tough Love”. This show had some very controversial points made that listeners responded to. The show really discussed how to ‘Let Go’ but most of the responses were to comments made around Victim Consciousness and that is why I am going to write about it this month. Also ‘victim consciousness’ fits with the typical theme of November which is family and holidays. How do these link to Victim Consciousness? They link because usually our triggers and issues around holidays and family have to do with us taking things personally and then going into feeling like we are the victim.
When we engage in Victim Consciousness we are blaming others or ‘society’ for something personal that we perceive as happening to us. During the holiday season we often are triggered by something our family or friends do that we take personally as we see it as happening to us. Our families have the largest impact on us and holidays are when we get together with our families the most. Our families easily trigger us because they are often intermingled with the beliefs we chose when we were under the age of 7: the belief that somehow our family is to blame. Prior to the age of 7 we didn’t have a say in how we chose our life and regardless of what may have happened we created a trigger around family and believed we were a victim. So the Victim Consciousness is deep within us all.
It is my hope that we all can see that this is not about laying blame on family, friends or society as blame feeds into our fears. The intent of my shows with Tom Campbell are to find practical applications for his work. He made a comment about being ‘short’ – which by the way I am – which was to assist us to see when we are in Victim Consciousness because there is a belief that short people are treated differently and are usually less successful. When we are in Victim Consciousness we are in fear. Fear propagates more fear. My shows are to assist us to Grow Up and in Tom’s words: “lower entropy” – in my words: “BEcome Love”. People are discriminated for many reasons – age, race, sex – and people have overcome insurmountable challenges by facing their fears. Nelson Mandela was an inspiration to millions of people because he let go of the Victim Consciousness many would have suffered from by being falsely imprisoned. He would never have been able to Let Go if he hadn’t had the courage to face his fears and forgive those who wrongly accused him and betrayed him. He rose above his fears and found Peace, Acceptance and Unconditional Love. If you believe because you are short you will be discriminated against – you never have the courage to try or to face this fear, you will believe you are a victim. We can’t change others, or their prejudices, we can only change how we view the world. If we accept we are a victim then we are letting our fears control and manipulate us and, more than that, we fail to grow up.
Most people have challenges. In fact we all have our crosses to bear and we have these crosses to assist us perfectly to Grow Up. Otherwise, if we have a Pollyanna life, there is nothing pushing us to Grow. And most people don’t have perfect childhoods, however, it is how we perceive these challenges that is being addressed.
No one knows completely where our fears come from – it is hard to see the bigger picture – we don’t remember the belief we took on from some of the simplest of happenings – as most of our beliefs, habits and stories are created before the age of 7. And it may not have been the sexual abuse or the abandonment of a parent or the physical abuse that occurred when we were young but a simple event even earlier than the ones we remember.
However the point of this article is to help us understand Victim Consciousness and that only we ourselves have the ability to change our perceptions, beliefs, habits and stories. We can’t do this change if we believe we are a victim so we have to let go of the pain – the fear. And although it sounds simple – it isn’t easy. And that is the way to Grow Up! It doesn’t matter when we do it – we will continue to have experiences that appear to justify and validate our stories – until we make different choices. It is through our choices that we can intend to BE Love!
Tom and I believe we move out of Victim Consciousness through having the courage to face our fears. Courage is a way to overcome our fears and to see when we may be falling into Victim Consciousness. Courage helps us face the harder truths – things are never personal – and it helps us align with our True Essence because we can know that life isn’t exactly how we see it or perceive it. We aren’t our story, we aren’t victims. We are Divine BEings who can choose how to respond to life and choose what we believe. Of course the first piece in this puzzle is to know when we hold beliefs that suggest we are victims in our life. It is always easier to blame others or society – it is more powerful to take responsibility for the Story we have told ourselves most of our life and have the courage to examine those beliefs, habits and stories. I choose to take responsibility for my life and make choices that empower me to Grow Up. What do you choose?
See more at- https://www.intuitivesoul.com
Content Source- https://www.intuitivesoul.com/victim-consciousness
This entry was posted in Blog and tagged Beliefs, change within, evolving our consciousness, Growing Up, habits, Laurie Huston, Letting GO, our stories, Perceptions, Tom Campbell, Tough Love, Victim Consciousness, victim mentality.
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Making friends...in a Shadowhunters and Malec Fandom. It's a long read...addressing the negativity and the ship wars.
Growing up I learned a valuable lesson. “If you want to make friends, never talk about religion and politics.” You just can’t make friends that way. Lesson learned. Ha!
Look, I was cruising through the Malec fandom. Throwing some “likes” and comments to some post. And once in while under a mystical full moon…I stumble upon some hate. That’s expected. It’s a massive growing fandom…so opinionated minds are expected. There’s not a fandom out there without its own brand of drama. Drama is guaranteed in all fandoms. We’re always at each other neck, one way or another.
One of the biggest thing about the Shadowhunters fandom is shipping. I have never been so overwhelmed by the “shipping” in this fandom. I ship too. But I am not big on it. I really I am not. I got few favorites and a few one hit wonders in my lifetime, but I have always like to stay away from shipping. Ship wars is very obnoxious…but strangely interesting…if you interested in how human act and think when it’s other people’s relationships and not theirs.
Malec is actually my first big ship that I actually actively supporting. I’ll have been a Supernatural fan since season 1…ironically it was a clown episode, and I hate clowns. However, I loved the two brothers, the storyline, the acting, the cases, and the supernatural elements…all of them was all in the “good” categories for me. But I choose to stay away from the fandom. Not because there isn’t good people within the fandom, it’s just too much drama…too much shipping that it was beginning to look like a high school level debate team…when you realize that the frontal lobe hasn’t been fully developed yet…so maturity is too much to ask for. So, I stayed away. Enjoyed the Supernatural fandom on my own terms…and as much as I enjoyed the bromances of Supernatural. I actually have no real ships within that fandom. I just watch the show, for the show. For real. Really.
When I heard that The Mortal Instruments was becoming a television series and that Malec is an aim for development. And Magnus is being played Harry Shum Jr…no Whitewash Magnus Bane! Yes! I was so happy, but I was unsure if I wanted to actively support them in the magical world of social medias. Because it wasn’t because they didn’t deserve the love and the support, but because of the drama that was coming when an interracial relationship was going to be put in front of a massive collection of opinionated minds. And sadly with honesty…I knew Magnus and Harry was going to get most of the heat. It was my nature to think that way. Is it justified? Like most human, I based my worries from years of witnessed discrimination and hatred. And I have seen it within the Shadowhunters fandom.
It’s not a perfect world, it’s learning, it’s better than it was…but a person of color and a person of a different sexual orientation that isn’t straight and white is going to have to work harder…just to be accepted. Mostly when they going to be judge by very impressionable minds that grew up with a set of conditioning. It’s a shameful social rule that we don’t want to admit to it, but it’s ignorance to believe it doesn’t exist.
I remember talking to my best friend, who was surprised that I was actually taking a step in the dark side of shipping. But Malec matter to me. I know that in books, there are problems…but it’s the author’s books, it was her choice and her directions. You can only say so much. What I love about is that potential of them. The simple beauty of two guys, from two walks of life, coming together…learning from each other…and loving each other is very heart warming and it made me very happy that for first time in my lifetime that this interracial couple between a White Gay man and a Asian Bisexual man are canon and they actually have a fan base. A strong one too. I am very proud of the Malec fandom. There’s a lot of very amazing individuals…that’s are so talented and so creative. Really amazing individuals in this fandom, that deserves a lot of love and support.
So I stayed. And I know about the drama. Hell, I am no Saint. I am sure I offended somebody at some point and the future doesn’t guarantee that I won’t offend someone again and again. I am not them and they are not me. We’re not expected to share same the principles and feelings. I have very strong stands with Malec. I only ship Magnus with Alec and Alec with Magnus…no “ifs” or “buts” with me with them. I don’t need to understand or justify other ships. I don’t going looking for them. Doesn’t mean I don’t respect other people opinions and feelings. But I don’t go dwelling on them either.
It’s true, Malec are not real…fictional and made for the purpose of entertainment. But it’s the idea behind them. That idea is real. That’s the most important element to me. There has been many interracial relationships in the past, shown through many massive media outlets…but they are not treated like Malec. There a sense of thought and protectiveness within this Malec fandom. And they can get very passionate about it.
They surpassed in popularity against the “main” couple of the show and they can compete with likes of large “ship” fandoms like Olicity and Clexa. I was at awe and was very proud of the support. (I hope I am getting a message through here). But there has always been this feeling. It’s kinda of like a “it’s too good to be true” feeling…like it’s a dream and you going to wake up and realize they just another token to the same old song. Some of the choices done within the show isn’t without questionable concerns. But my focus here is “the idea” behind Malec.
That it’s okay, that you’re a gay conservative White guy falling in love with a flamboyant make up wearing bisexual Asian man. That you both come with baggages of years of discrimination and shaken self esteem…but yet willing to fight pass it and see each other…and be there for each other through the adversity and the pain…I actually do believe these two will fight to stay together (in the books and in the show)…that even if they don’t agree with each other all the time…it doesn’t break that love between them…that’s a big deal…to the likes of me.
I need people to know that this kind of love is out there and look at the SUPPORT this kind of love is getting…that through this use of medium (this art form of storytelling)…that’s it’s okay my friend that you in love with someone who isn’t in your “enforced” circle of life. That’s because you come from different culture, ethnicity,…skin tones…doesn’t make your love for each other any less important. That it’s okay to follow your heart. That when your world tells you that it’s wrong to love that person…because the way they look, because of their sexual orientations, their religion…their gender…or because they’re a boy who has more make up than your own mother…that it’s okay. That somewhere out there there are people like you, will accept you, support you, and love you. That’s why Malec matters to me. That’s why they need to exist.
It’s doesn’t matter how much you think people are made to be strong, or encouraged to be strong…people still need to be reminded that’s it’s going to be okay. I will be one of those people. That’s you’re going to be okay. You’re not alone and there will always be people that’s on your side.
Here is a little nod to the negativity. I don’t want people to think that Malec are the villains of the Shadowhunters fandom. There are individuals who choose to spread hate and negativity…and that comes from every corner of this shipping fandom. Do not think that your fandom doesn’t come with hate. I expect it from all the corners. It’s sad. It’s not right, but it’s ignorant to think it doesn’t exist and just because you don’t see it…doesn’t mean it’s not there.
People are not expected to share your opinions and your principles. I am speaking to all of you. If you looking for fight, you will get one. Fighting words are fighting words. You can ask for peace, for respect, for equality…but you can’t sit there and think it’s going to be fix overnight…and that once in the full moon that there isn’t someone out there that isn’t going to offend you.
I apologize for the behalf of this fandom due the negativity among shippers. No one should be bullied and threatened. No one. Some lines should never be crossed especially when it’s for fictional shipping. Bullying is terrible. Never a justified action. That’s not what Malec is…for me. I am very sorry. I do honestly hope people can play nice and at least stay in their tags, but I can’t promise you that. I know I will face another wind of negativity soon…the show is coming back. So I hope you are mentally preparing yourself if you planning to stay within this fandom. Drama is definitely promised.
What I can advise. Is the only control is your own actions. If you’re going to be opinionated, you’re going to be opinionated…no one should ever take your right to speak your beautiful mind. I ask as politely as I can…do it respectfully and civil as it can be. But if it isn’t…it’s isn’t. Retaliation is going to happen, either ways. I am sorry. That’s just how the world works. To protect the freedom of speech is to accept the good and the bad. But you do have the power and the ability to avoid…to walk away, to block, log off…take a deep breath…call someone you love…have a good rant and drink some tea and have a cookie…or a brownie. Watch something else, maybe a comedy?
Keep your sanity. And take care of yourself.
#shadowhunters#malec#magnus bane#alec lightwood#harry shum jr#matthew daddario#the mortal instruments#shippers#shipping#ship wars#antis
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