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religion-is-a-mental-illness · 2 years

Note

I was having this argument with this Muslim person i know who kept saying that islam is the true religion and is accurate because there are some parts in the Koran that mention stuff about embryos and astronomy in a way that is scientifically accurate and that this was all written before scientists made said discoveries themselves. What are your thoughts on this?

They love to say stuff like that, but it's simply not true. For starters, remember that Islam began in the 600s. The study of embryology goes back to ancient Egypt, India and Greece, including Hippocrates, he of the medical Hippocratic Oath, and around 1000 years before Islam.

And we've been studying the sky since we could first look up.

With that in mind, whether or not it's "scientifically accurate" is thoroughly unremarkable.

But let's take a look at the Islamic scripture that purports this supposedly previously unknown knowledge.

https://quranx.com/22.5

O People, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed - that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. [The rest of the ayah is not relevant.]

https://quranx.com/23.12-14

And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.

https://quranx.com/40.67

It is He who created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot; then He brings you out as a child; then [He develops you] that you reach your [time of] maturity, then [further] that you become elders. And among you is he who is taken in death before [that], so that you reach a specified term; and perhaps you will use reason.

This in no way reflects embryology, except to the scientifically illiterate. There is no mention of the egg. You don't develop as a skeleton and then skin and flesh grows on it. Humans aren't made of dirt or clay, and if this is a metaphor, it is by definition, unscientific. Science is precise. On the other hand, a clot of blood is precise, and it makes no sense to mix a metaphor with a precise biological term... one which is inaccurate anyway.

Ibn Kathir's tafsir (exegesis) is clear:

https://quranx.com/Tafsir/Kathir/40.66

(It is He, Who has created you from dust, then from a Nutfah then from a clot (a piece of coagulated blood), then brings you forth as an infant, then (makes you grow) to reach the age of full strength, and afterwards to be old.) meaning, He is the One Who Alone, with no partner or associate, causes you to pass through these different stages, and this happens in accordance with His command, will and decree.

He isn't trying to explain this as being metaphorical, he's saying, yep, these are the stages, Allah is the one who makes all these accurate things happen.

But an embryo is not "coagulated blood." And the entire development of the embryo is skimmed in a couple of words, making it useless.

It's far more remarkable what's missing from and inaccurate in the quran, how little Allah seems to know, how much other human cultures studying embryology had already figured out long before the quran was "revealed."

There are literally dozens of ayahs that say stupid things about astronomy, about the stars, the sun, the moon, the shape of the Earth, the sky itself.

https://quranx.com/71.15

Do you not consider how Allah has created seven heavens in layers

These are described as literal layers. When Muhammad later flies up into heaven on Buraq (the Night Journey), he ascends through the heavens one at a time, like going up the storeys in a building.

Also:

https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2919/earths-atmosphere-a-multi-layered-cake/

Earth’s atmosphere has five major and several secondary layers. From lowest to highest, the major layers are the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere.

There are five major atmospheric layers, so the notion of this describing the atmosphere is wrong too.

Granting "heavens" as atmospheric layers makes the problem worse, because this means the quran puts the stars inside the Earth's atmosphere, on the "nearest heaven," the troposphere.

https://quranx.com/37.6

Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars

https://quranx.com/2.29

It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things.

The stars are set into the underside of the nearest layer of heaven. And were made after the Earth.

https://quranx.com/67.5

And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.

The stars are, again, embedded in the underside of the heavens. And are weapons which will be fired at the devils like projectiles.

https://quranx.com/2.22

[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him].

The sky is not a real thing, least of all a "ceiling." The Earth is an object in space, with a thin later of atmosphere clinging to its surface. What we perceive as the sky is us looking away from that object into an infinite space.

Also, the quran says the Earth is spread out like a bed. i.e. flat.

https://quranx.com/20.53

[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out] and inserted therein for you roadways and sent down from the sky, rain and produced thereby categories of various plants.

The quran also seems to suggest that rain is sent down from the heavens/sky, and it's not a natural cycle of evaporation, condensation, precipitation. It rains because there is already water on Earth.

https://quranx.com/13.2

It is Allah who erected the heavens without pillars that you [can] see; then He established Himself above the Throne and made subject the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. He arranges [each] matter; He details the signs that you may, of the meeting with your Lord, be certain.

This again, seriously misunderstands what the sky is, and it only "makes sense" if the Earth is static and immovable and the sky/heavens are a thing being pulled down by its gravity. And again, as metaphors it's completely worthless to science.

https://quranx.com/18.86

Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. Allah said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness."

https://quranx.com/36.38

And the sun runs [on course] toward its stopping point. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

The sun goes into a spring of dark mud. The sun has a stopping place, a resting place. Except, in reality, the sun doesn't go anywhere. It's always day somewhere on Earth, and night is just when we're spinning away from it. Where does it "go"? Where and how does it "stop"?

https://quranx.com/Hadith/Muslim/USC-MSA/Book-1/Hadith-297/

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) one day said: Do you know where the sun goes? They replied: Allah and His Apostle know best. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Verily it (the sun) glides till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it falls prostrate and remains there until it is asked: Rise up and go to the place whence you came, and it goes back and continues emerging out from its rising place and then glides till it reaches its place of rest under the Throne and falls prostrate and remains in that state until it is asked: Rise up and return to the place whence you came, and it returns and emerges out from it rising place and the it glides (in such a normal way) that the people do not discern anything ( unusual in it) till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it would be said to it: Rise up and emerge out from the place of your setting, and it will rise from the place of its setting. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said. Do you know when it would happen? It would happen at the time when faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from the faith.

Apparently under Allah's throne, where it lies stretched out on the ground (prostrate) until it's told otherwise. And some day it will rise from its setting place. What is the "science" of this?

https://quranx.com/21.30-33

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe? And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them, and We made therein [mountain] passes [as] roads that they might be guided. And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away. And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.

So much stuff here. The "heavens" are not a thing. The Earth formed out of material that coalesced through gravity. Everything is not made of water - again, metaphors are scientifically useless. Mountains do not stablize the Earth, they're created by tectonic shifts - mountains demonstrate the instability of Earth, which we know as earthquakes. There's no "ceiling" in the sky. The only way the last thing makes sense is if Allah thinks everything is orbiting the Earth, since the sun, moon and everything else, are grouped together as being alike.

Again, let's go to the tafsir of Ibn Kathir to explain this and see if what we think it says is what it means:

https://quranx.com/Tafsir/Kathir/21.30

Do they not see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, i.e. in the beginning they were all one piece, attached to one another and piled up on top of one another, then He separated them from one another, and made the heavens seven and the earth seven, placing the air between the earth and the lowest heaven.

The Earth and heavens were one "piece."

Continuing...

Sufyan Ath-Thawri narrated from his father from `Ikrimah that Ibn `Abbas was asked; "Did the night come first or the day'' He said, "Do you think that when the heavens and the earth were joined together, there was anything between them except darkness Thus you may know that the night came before the day. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that Ibn `Umar said that a man came to him and questioned him about when the heavens and earth were joined together then they were parted. He said, "Go to that old man (Shaykh) and ask him, then come and tell me what he says to you.'' So he went to Ibn `Abbas and asked him. Ibn `Abbas said: "Yes, the heavens were joined together and it did not rain, and the earth was joined together and nothing grew. When living beings were created to populate the earth, rain came forth from the heavens and vegetation came forth from the earth.'' The man went back to Ibn `Umar and told him what had been said. Ibn `Umar said, "Now I know that Ibn `Abbas has been given knowledge of the Qur'an. He has spoken the truth, and this is how it was.'' Ibn `Umar said: "I did not like the daring attitude of Ibn `Abbas in his Tafsir of the Qur'an, but now I know that he has been given knowledge of the Qur'an.'' Sa`id bin Jubayr said: "The heavens and the earth were attached to one another, then when the heavens were raised up, the earth became separate from them, and this is their parting which was mentioned by Allah in His Book.'' Al-Hasan and Qatadah said, "They were joined together, then they were separated by this air.''

In the real world, the sun existed before the Earth. At no point in the existence of Earth as a recognizable planet was there not stuff with the light of the sun shining on it, and stuff in shadow. Everybody in this story is certain of things that one could only claim to be true if you had no knowledge of how the Earth formed and works.

Continuing...

(And We have placed on the earth firm mountains,) means, mountains which stabilize the earth and keep it steady and lend it weight, lest it should shake with the people, i.e., move and tremble so that they would not be able to stand firm on it -- because it is covered with water, apart from one-quarter of its surface. So the land is exposed to the air and sun, so that its people may see the sky with its dazzling signs and evidence. So Allah says, (lest it should shake with them, ) meaning, so that it will not shake with them.

The mountains prevent the Earth from shaking. Except we know that earthquakes happen where tectonic action occurs. So this is the opposite of the truth.

https://quranx.com/81.1-3

When the sun is wrapped up [in darkness] And when the stars fall, dispersing, And when the mountains are removed

Apparently, the stars can fall. The mountains can be removed, because they're things placed there to weigh the Earth down ("lend it weight" as Ibn Kathir said above).

https://quranx.com/Tafsir/Kathir/81.1

What will happen on the Day of Judgement, and that is the rolling up of the Sun `Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn `Abbas: (When the sun is Kuwwirat.) "This means it will be darkened.'' Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas; "It will go away.'' Qatadah said, "Its light will go away.'' Sa`id bin Jubayr said, "Kuwwirat means it will sink in.'' Abu Salih said, "Kuwwirat means it will be thrown down.'' At-Takwir means to gather one part of something with another part of it (i.e., folding). From it comes the folding of the turban (`Imamah) and the folding of clothes together. Thus, the meaning of Allah's statement, (Kuwwirat) is that part of it will be folded up into another part of it. Then it will be rolled up and thrown away. When this is done to it, its light will go away. Al-Bukhari recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said, (The sun and the moon will be rolled up on the Day of Judgement.) Al-Bukhari was alone in recording this Hadith and this is his wording of it. Dispersing the Stars (And when the stars Inkadarat.) meaning, when they are scattered. This is as Allah says, (And when the stars have fallen and scattered.) (82:2) The basis of the word Inkidar is Insibab, which means to be poured out. Ar-Rabi` bin Anas reported from Abu Al-`Aliyah, who reported from Ubayy bin Ka`b that he said, "Six signs will take place before the Day of Judgement. The people will be in their marketplaces when the sun's light will go away. When they are in that situation, the stars will be scattered. When they are in that situation, the mountains will fall down upon the face of the earth, and the earth will move, quake and be in a state of mixed up confusion. So the Jinns will then flee in fright to the humans and the humans will flee to the Jinns. [Continues...]

The sun and moon will be rolled up, folded up, like the folding of a turban. The sun will be darkened and people will be there to see it. This is amazingly wrong and demonstrates the impression of the sun as a smaller thing. When the sun collapses in 7+ billion years, it will have already first become a red giant and expanded to engulf and destroy Earth.

The tafsir mentions ayah 82.2:

https://quranx.com/82.2

And when the stars fall, scattering,

In the bible, Jesus himself says the same thing. The idea that the stars can fall demonstrates blatant ignorance of what they are. The tafsir then concludes that the mountains will "fall".... somehow, and the Earth will then be unstable due to their collapse - remember, they're "weights" holding the Earth stable.

I could honestly keep going and going with this. There are many more astronomical problems, and even the ones I've mentioned have more ayahs that reinforce it. On the topic of the flat Earth alone, spread out like a carpet, there's a good dozen or so.

This is worth considering or posing to any Muslim who wants to pretend that the quran is scientifically accurate. Ask them to identify a single ayah that meets these criteria. If they object to the criteria, ask them why. Why Allah's divine word isn't resilient enough to withstand this examination.

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Qur%27anic_scientific_foreknowledge#Criteria_for_scientific_foreknowledge

For a statement to be Qur'anic foreknowledge, it must fit all of the five following criteria:

It must be accurate. A statement cannot be Qur'anic foreknowledge if it is not accurate, because knowledge (and thus foreknowledge) excludes inaccurate statements. TLDR: It's true.

It must be in the Qur'an. A statement cannot be Qur'anic foreknowledge if it is not in the Qur'an, because Qur'anic by definition foreknowledge can only come from the Qur'an itself, rather than modern reinterpretations of the text. TLDR: It's in plain words in the Qur'an.

It must be precise and unambiguous. A statement cannot be Qur'anic foreknowledge if meaningless philosophical musings or multiple possible ideas could fulfill the foreknowledge, because ambiguity prevents one from knowing whether the foreknowledge was intentional rather than accidental. TLDR: Vague "predictions" don't count.

It must be improbable. A statement cannot be Qur'anic foreknowledge if it reasonably could be the result of a pure guess, because foreknowledge requires a person to actually know something true, while a correct guess doesn't mean that the guesser knows anything. This also excludes contemporary beliefs that happened be true but were believed to be true without solid evidence. TLDR: Lucky guesses don't count.

It must have been unknown. A statement cannot be Qur'anic foreknowledge if it reasonably could be the result of an educated guess based off contemporary knowledge, because foreknowledge requires a person to know a statement when it would have been impossible, outside of supernatural power, for that person to know it. TLDR: Ideas of the time don't count.

The big problem with the quran and its scientific inaccuracy isn't just that what it says is frequently explicitly wrong, but also what it doesn't say. It doesn't give us any new information, such as about bacteria, viruses, the structure of the solar system, or even the other continents. It doesn't use any scientific language or concepts. It doesn't give us any formulas, it doesn't give us any math. You can't start with the quran and discover anything scientifically useful. It doesn't predict or describe anything in the future beyond a desert warlord's limited misunderstanding of the world. All you can do is look back with 20/20 hindsight, squint and pretend it said it the whole time... metaphorically.

What this really means is that the quran is not authoritative. Needing to be "interpreted" makes quranic knowledge subservient to human knowledge and understanding.

https://quranx.com/3.7

It is He who has sent down to you, [O Muhammad], the Book; in it are verses [that are] precise - they are the foundation of the Book - and others unspecific. As for those in whose hearts is deviation [from truth], they will follow that of it which is unspecific, seeking discord and seeking an interpretation [suitable to them]. And no one knows its [true] interpretation except Allah. But those firm in knowledge say, "We believe in it. All [of it] is from our Lord." And no one will be reminded except those of understanding.

Interpreting it is forbidden, as it means Muslims are looking to make it work for them, rather than simply doing as it says. The entire notion of interpreting it means it isn't “easy” and "clear" as the quran itself claims to be.

https://quranx.com/54.17

And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?

https://quranx.com/2.185

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.

It also means that the "truths," if we must, of the quran are subservient to human science. You must use science as the authority to validate the quran, rather than the other way around.

Of course as we know, any mistakes in the quran obliterates Islam.

https://quranx.com/4.82

Then do they not reflect upon the Qur'an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction.

Since it does contain much contradiction, given it contradicts reality itself, then Islam is false.

#ask #islam #quran #quranic nonsense #science #scientific inaccuracies in the quran #scientific inaccuracies #religion #islamic science #reasons islam is false #religion is a mental illness

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julday4 · 3 years

Text

Aight! Hey ya'll! Long time no see, whoowee-

Aight how do I start this-

So some of you might know goodnightverse by now! (If not, here) the post is a bit old so uh @awelldressedtornado fucking edit it.

And well, since I'm now co-owner of it (wowie) I DECIDED TO MAKE A GNV2 MUAAHAH-

Aka, Goodnightverse: Bed Bugs.

And yes, these are all of the refs I've been talking about. (Warning: some of the refs gotten lazier over time cause I got feddup with drawing the clothes and stuff.) and plus, most of the templates here are copied from discord ahaha aight let's go!

(Also i didn't do everyone refs yet but I did most of them! I'll do the others soon if ya'll are interested-)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Name: Boots (Aka, Goodnightverse!Rust)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Creators: Knife and Rose

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Age/Years lived: 13/16 y/o

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Rank: Gaurdian

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gender: Male

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Weapon or Magic (Specify): A pirate sword that can easily cut through Shadow Demons and are really good for battle. (Especially sword fights). The pirate sword has an Iron blade thats bending a bit and golden plating on the handle.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Human they protect: Jesse

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Allies: Shine, Flare, PI.FI, Floral and Bush

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Boots acts exactly like a pirate and loves anything pirate related. He says "YARR" unironically, when something intensive is happening or when something awesome (in his opinion) happens. He can get angry sometimes and is very attached to Jesse, Shine and his twin siblings Floral and Bush. He also LOVES fighting shadow demons with his pirate sword :).

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Name: Shine (Aka, Goodnightverse!Lukas)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Creators: Heart and Lighter

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Age/Years lived: 13/16 y/o

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Rank: Gaurdain

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gender: Male

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Weapon or Magic (Specify): A microphone that blasts out colorful musical notes, once you press the star button, which explode once they touch a surface. (He can also control how many musical notes that can come out, if he holds in the button, he can swing his microphone and a bunch of musical notes will come out. If he just touches the button once, only one musical note will come out. Its like those mechanics in games). The microphone is like those microphones you see on the news with a singular button. The microphone can also be used for singing and making special effects like: Gasping, laughing, screaming, oof, yay, ect.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Human they protect: Emerald

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Allies: Boots, Flare, PI.FI, anyone

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Shine is a lil colorful boy who loves singing and making new friends. He loves learning new things and is very energetic! He talks alot like his dad, Lighter. Aka: Yo, bro, dude, BROSKI, broseph, pog, swag, ect. His aswell very attached to his bro, Boots. He loves going on pirate adventures with him, singing with him and everything else. Their the bestest of friends :). He aswell loves fighting Shadow Demons by his Bro's side. Thou sometimes his a bit soft with Shadow Demons and will comfort them if their hurt.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Name: PI.FI/Pinkie Finger (Aka, Goodnightverse!Hypernova)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Creators: M.W/Milky Way and Blade

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Age/Years lived: 13/16 y/o

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Rank: Gaurdian

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gender: Female

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Weapon or Magic (Specify): A wand made out of magic that can be used to summon and levitate things and blast out sparkly magic. Thou she needs to train the wand so she can summon more and levitate heavier things over the years. (Once she becomes a guardian, her wand can levitate a closet or two and summon a brush, rope and shit. Thou she only uses it when necessary). The wand has a baby blue handle with a lil yellow glittery star on top that has a bunch of spikes around, looking like a pretty rock. (Hehhe Sprinkle).

Also uhh, her goop is made out of strawberry sauce. D. Does that count-

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Human they protect: Abigal

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Allies: Flare, Shine, Boots, anything.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

PI.FI is a sweet, lovely, calm but also bossy lil girl. (She's mainly bossy towards Boots and Shine due to their immaturity and stupidity). Shes loves EVERYTHING girly and especially loves sparkly things, like fairies. She's very protective over her friends and especially Flare because how how shy and easily frightened she is. She's very calm towards Flare aswell and tries to make her feel comfortable. She also loves singing with her wand with Shine, their a pretty good duo! (Not as good as Shine and Boots thou). And she loves trying out new things.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Name: Gold (Aka, Goodnightverse!Drake)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Creators: Indigo and Monarch

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Age/Years lived: 16/19 y/o

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Rank: Gaurdian......? (Yeah no his a fucking butler now)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gender: Male

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Weapon or Magic (Specify): Holographic purple or golden shields that are good for blocking off attacks or Shadow Demon essence. Gold has really good reflexes so his shields are pretty powerful at battles. He can also summon holograms that he uses to code so he can break through the barrier that's stopping him to travel through the multiverse.

He also has the ability to move his rat tail.

(also the reason he doesn't have any eyelights is well uh.. It happened when he started to slowly despise Jesse and despise gaurdians, like the eyelights started to slowly dissappear and they completely disappeared once he argued with Jesse and left her the next day.)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Human they protect: Used to protect Jesse.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Allies: Chloe, Floral.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gold is a very formal but ALSO EVIL ASS boy. He used to protect Jesse when they were 8-12 y/o until he started to get tired of them. He started to get tired of their same everyday problems, angryness, annoyance, everything. He was tired of humans. One day, he met Chloe and she started telling him her plans and thoughts about gaurdians and humans and about destroying and taking over the gaurdians, Gold, agreed. Gold started to despise gaurdians, despise humans, despise protection. He believe Shadow demons were victorious and were a better future for this world then gaurdians and humans. So one day, after an argument with Jesse, he abandoned them and left them for Chloe and started being Chloe's minion/butler.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Name: Chloe

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Creators: Neptune and a bunch of glitches

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Age/Years lived: Forever 13 y/o

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Rank: Fucking Shadow Demon Outcode thing

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gender: None but she calls herself female.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Weapon or Magic (Specify): Dark pink Gasterblasters and Bones. The same dark pink as her eyelights. That glitch out depending on how long their used. For example: One hour, they'll be glitched out af, and if she hits the victim with them it'll be a PAINFUL CRITICAL DAMAGE SINCE THE VICTIMS BODY WILL START GLITCHING A BIT. Thou she uses Gold, aka her butler/minion, to attack for her since she's also a bit lazy lmao.

She has the ability to enter humans' dreams like everyone else but SHE'S VERY DANGEROUS CAUSE SHE CAN MAKE THE DREAM BECOME MELTY AND GLITCHY, DAMAGING THE HUMAN BRAIN A BIT WHICH ISN'T GOOD.

She has the ability to travel through multiverses and enter shadow pipes like other shadow demons.

Her voice and body will glitch out sometimes and when she teleports inside a dream, she might glitch out a bit aswell like if a gaurdian is failing to enter a human dream.

And her Shadow Demon form is behind her, which she rarely forms into, but it's always behind her, mimicking every action she does. Thou, only Shadow Demons can see her form.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Human they protect: None. Fuck protection.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Allies: Gold, Flare, Grain, Alexa, Charlotte(?).

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Chloe is an outcode who's quite lazy and doesn't really care about anyone. She plans on destroying this world and let Shadow Demons rise. But for now she's starting small. She has Gold by her side to help her in battles and give her souls to eat. Other then that, she's just a glitch, a very dangerous glitch. Her main enemy is Boots. (She's also the main villian, lmao)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

(Female)

(Male)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Name & Last Name: Jesse Cherry Smith

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Parents: Chara Cherry Smith and Alec Margo

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Age: 15 y/o

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Sexuality: Transgender

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gender: Male (But currently female)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Hobby: being dead Drawing sometimes and playing the guitar a bit. They mainly just like laying on their bed and doing nothing.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Personality: Anger issued closeted teen who dislikes being social and will beat up someone if necessary.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Allies: Emerald, Kyle, Boots, her cat plushie Bow

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

(Yes this is a Alec x Chara shipkid stfu it's apparently canon now -)

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Name & Last Name: Kyle Cherry Smith

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Parents: Chara Cherry Smith and Alec Margo

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Age: 8 y/o

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Sexuality: Straight

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Gender: Male

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Hobby: Writing and GOING ON IMAGINARY ADVENTURES ANYWHERE and playing outside.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Personality: A sweet energetic adventurous imaginative boy who will always find a way to annoy someone and somehow sees good in anything people say. Like seriously how the fuck do I bully you you piece of-

Also he can't read.

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

Allies: Abigal, Jesse/Jess/Best sissy in the entire world-, Flare/Flarey/Best partner in the entire world-

—x—x—x—x—x—x—

(woah another alec x chara shipkid woa-)

ANNND THAT WAS EVERYONE!! WOOOWIEEEEEEEEEE THAT TOOK FORVER.

Anywho, I hope you guys like them and if you have any questions just ask away! (So sorry that it's so long like jesus-)

Anywho, Alec signing off 😎

(also goodnightverse belongs to @awelldressedtornado)

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basicsofislam · 3 years

Text

ISLAM 101: Muslim Culture and Character: Morals And Manners: Studying and Learning (Part 1)

The basis of acquiring knowledge is reading and studying. The first revelation of God’s Word to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the first command of his Prophethood, began with the command, “Read!” This announced a fundamental principle. Let us revisit these verses in Sura Alaq, the first verses of the Qur’an to be revealed:

(1) Read in and with the Name of your Lord, Who has created–

(2) created man from a clot clinging (to the wall of the womb)!

(3) Read, and your Lord is the All-Munificent,

(4) Who has taught (man) by the pen–

(5) taught man what he did not know! (96:1–5)

The first revelation begins with the command to read the miracle of creation through faith in God and knowledge of Him. Then it refers to the creation of human beings, encouraging con- templation on this miraculous occurrence in the second verse. It continues with another directive to “read,” and refers to “the pen,” “teaching/learning” (between God and people), “knowing” and “knowledge.” It is one of God’s great blessings that man, at first an insignificant being, was given knowledge that elevated hu- mankind to the highest level over all other creatures. Being taught not only knowledge, but also the use of the pen, humankind has thus been entrusted with the duty of spreading this knowledge far and wide, using it for development and progress, and preserving it for future generations. If it were not for the revelation of God and the blessings of abilities that are represented by “the pen” and “the book,” humanity could not have accomplished all the achieve- ments that have been constructed on the accumulated wisdom of centuries.

The basic state of humanity was unenlightened until God blessed us, allowing us to grow in knowledge. At every stage knowledge was given as a blessing and the doors of learning were opened by God. That which people thought they themselves had developed, in truth was given to them by their Creator without their realizing it. For this reason, everyone who has some knowl- edge should recognize the true Source of such blessings, praising and turning to the One Who granted them, and employing them in a manner that is pleasing to God. This will ensure that knowl- edge will never separate a person from God or cause them to for- get Him.

Any “knowledge” that distances a person from their Creator is divorced from its basic purpose. It can never be of benefit to peo- ple or make them happy, for it can produce only evil, depression, or destruction. As such knowledge has deviated from the Source of knowledge it has lost its direction and no longer leads to the Path of God. Therefore, it is crucial that someone who attains knowledge not forget, even for a moment, that the power and au- thority the knowledge has brought can be used for right or for wrong, and all persons will be responsible to the Originator of that knowledge for the way it is used.

“Knowledge is power,” or as the Qur’an says, “…whoever is granted the Wisdom has indeed been granted much good” (Baqara 2:269). In this verse, the word al-hikma—often translated as “the Wisdom”—means “beneficial knowledge.” Knowledge that is bene-ficial to people will also elevate the status of the person who knows. The Qur’an also says that those who know God cannot be on the same level with those who do not: “Is he who worships God devoutly in the watches of the night prostrating and standing, who fears the Hereafter and hopesfor the mercy of his Lord (to be likened to that other)? Say: ‘Are they ever equal, those who know and those who do not know?’ Only the people ofdiscernment will reflect on (the distinction between knowledge and ignorance, and obedience to God and disobedience,) and be mindful” (Zumar 39:9). This last verse makes it clear that knowledge must be used together with the ability to reason, drawing particular at- tention to the fact that any knowledge based on knowledge of God is true knowledge and beneficial to those who possess it. In fact, knowledge has a potentially destructive power in the hands of those who do not use their reason, merely acting in sheer ignorance of God. Beyond this basic adab of knowledge, let us now examine the further sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be up- on him, on this topic.

At every opportunity, the Prophet drew attention to the im- portance of knowledge. One day he said to Abu Dharr, “O Abu Dharr, if you leave your home in the morning to go out to learn a verse of the Qur’an, this holds more blessings for you than per- forming a hundred rakats of supererogatory prayer. And if you leave your home in the morning to go out to acquire knowledge, this holds more benefit for you than performing a thousandrakats of supererogatory prayer.”1 In another hadith God’s Messenger said, “When God wills blessings for someone, He makes them knowledgeable in religion.”2

Moreover, keeping knowledge from people, unless one is forced to by circumstances, is not a desirable act. This was made clear by the Prophet, who said, “If someone is asked to share their knowledge but they hide it and do not speak, they will be bridled with a bridle of fire (on the Judgment Day).”3

The Prophet also made it known that spiritual knowledge, which puts a person on the right path and leads to righteousness, is more valuable than the greatest worldly treasures: “By God, it is better for you that God should give guidance to a single person on the right path through you than that you should acquire a whole herd of red camels.”4 At this time, red camels were very precious, and a person who owned such a camel was rich; extremely few people owned an entire herd of red camels. This comparison, therefore, clearly shows the value of knowledge that leads to good, and of leading others to good.

Yazid ibn Balama once asked, “O Messenger of God! I have memorized many of your sayings. But I am afraid that those I memorize later will make me forget those I memorized earlier. Tell me a word that will help me retain all the things I have learned without forgetting the others!” The Prophet replied, “Stay upright before God in what you have learned (and that is enough for you)!”5

One of the most esteemed Companions of the Prophet, Ibn Abbas, gave the following advice: “Tell people one hadith per week. If this does not seem enough, recount two or three. And never cause people to become bored with the Qur’an! When peo- ple are talking amongst themselves, never let me see you walk up and interrupt them to teach them something. When they are speaking, be quiet and listen. If they come to you and ask you to talk, then you should teach them on their request.”6

In addition to choosing the appropriate time, it is also impor- tant when teaching ethical principles or religious knowledge to choose a level that can be understood by one’s audience. Some people try to appear knowledgeable by using a style and manner which is not clear or understandable. This is wrong, as it goes against the proper manners of speaking to people in a way that makes sense to them. No less a person than Ali ibn Abu Talib said, “Tell people things they can understand. Do you want to be re- sponsible for making God and His Messenger misunderstood?”7 He meant that plain and clear speech should be used, especially when speaking of spiritual matters. Ibn Mas’ud also said, “If you say something to a gathering which is above their intellectual ca- pacity, it will certainly lead some of them into mischief.”8

Someone who lives an exemplary life and tries to please God by teaching other people and sharing knowledge is on the Path of God, and God is indeed pleased by such a person. Kathir ibn Qays explains, “I was in the Mosque at Damascus sitting beside Abu al- Darda. A man came and said, ‘O Abu al-Darda, I came from the Prophet’s city of Medina to ask about a hadith that I have heard you are relating.’ Abu al-Darda, in order to find out whether this was really the man’s intention, asked, ‘Could you also have come to do business (trade)?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘I did not come to do any such thing.’ He asked again, ‘So you did not come for any- thing else other than to hear a hadith?’ The man replied, ‘No, I came only because I heard that you know hadith.’ Only when he had established that the man had truly come to win God’s pleasure did Abu al-Darda say, ‘I heard the Prophet of God say, “God will make the path to Heaven easy to anyone who takes to the road looking for knowledge. Angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. All the creatures in the earth and sky, even the fish in the sea, pray for God’s help and forgiveness for those who acquire knowledge. The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars (i.e., in brightness). Scholars are the heirs to the Prophets. For the Prophets left neither dinar nor dirham (units of money) but knowledge as their inheritance. Therefore he who acquires knowledge has in fact acquired an abundant portion.”’”9

The following points can be deduced from the hadith:

Any effort or endeavor that is expended on acquiring knowledge is counted as effort or struggle made on God’s way, and this leads a person to Paradise. To put it simply, the path of knowledge is the path to Heaven; what a beautiful path it is. The angels come to the aid of one who is on this path, and all creation offers prayers for them.

The difference between the scholar and the follower is like the difference between the moon and stars, for knowledge is a light that illuminates a person’s whole surroundings and the community of the knowledgeable person. It shows the right path to everyone. However, a person who sim- ply follows, even if they perform a great deal of super- erogatory worship, does not benefit others in the same way. Their worship benefits only themselves. Those who choose knowledge, on the other hand, bring blessings down upon themselves and all those around them.

Scholars are the heirs to the Prophets; the only thing the Prophets left as an inheritance was knowledge. When schol- ars choose the path of learning and the pursuit of knowl- edge, they win the honor of inheriting the legacy of the Prophets. One of the Prophet’s Companions, Abu Hurayra, was almost always at the Prophet’s side. He would listen to all the Prophet’s teachings, carefully memorizing his say- ings. One day in Medina, he spoke aloud to the people milling about on the street: “The Prophet’s inheritance is being divided up; why are you wasting time here? Go and claim your share!” The people said, “Where is it being dis- tributed?” Abu Hurayra said, “In the mosque.” So they ran to the mosque. But soon they turned around and came back, and Abu Hurayra asked, “What’s happened?” They said, “We went to the mosque, but we did not see anything like what you said being distributed.” So he asked, “Was there no one in the mosque?” They answered, “Yes, we saw some people; some of them were praying salat, some were reading the Qur’an, and some were talking about the per- missible and the prohibited.” Hearing this, Abu Hurayra told them, “Shame on you. That was the Prophet’s inheritance.”10

The Qur’an mentions the adab of sitting in the gatherings where a scholar or spiritual guide is teaching to increase one’s faith and knowledge:

O you who believe! When you are told, “Make room in the assemblies (for one another and for new comers),” do make room. God will make room for you (in His grace and Paradise). And when you are told, “Rise up (and leave the assembly),” then do rise up. God will raise (in degree) those of you who truly believe (and act accordingly), and in degrees those who have been granted the knowledge (especially of religious matters). Surely God is fully aware of all that you do. (Mujadila 58:11)

When knowledge, which leads one to greater piety and a bet- ter religious life, and allows others to benefit, is added to faith, God will exalt its owner by many ranks. God commanded the Prophet, “(O Muhammad,) Say, ‘O my Lord, increase me in knowl- edge!’” (TaHa 20:114).

In full submission to this Divine order, the Prophet prayed, “O God, make the knowledge You have taught me benefit me, and continue to teach me knowledge that will benefit me. Increase me in knowledge. God be praised at all times.”11 This prayer in which Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, asks God to make his knowledge beneficial to him is also complement- ed by another prayer in which he sought refuge in God from knowledge that would not prove beneficial.

Why do humans learn? Why should knowledgeable people be so highly regarded above all others? The answer to these questions can be found in the Qur’an: “Of all His servants, only those possessed of true knowledge stand in awe of God…” (Fatir 35:28). So it can be said that one reason for this is that scholars make it possible for others to know God better and to better understand the message of the Prophets of God.

God’s Messenger taught that it was worthwhile to envy two things. One of these is when someone takes the possessions God has bestowed on them and spends them in the way of God. The other is when someone blessed with knowledge and wisdom becomes a teacher and shares that wisdom with others.12 This means that when one acquires knowledge, one should then teach it to others; it is not wrong to “envy” (desire to be like) a person who does this.

The Prophet said the following regarding studying, literacy, education, making our knowledge a source of good for others, and educating others: “It is incumbent upon all Muslims to acquire knowledge.”13 As we can see, studying and learning are of critical importance in Islam. These hadith confirm the Prophet’s teaching,

“Knowledge and wisdom are the common property of every be- liever; wherever they are found, they should be acquired.”14

The technology we have today is without a doubt the product of knowledge. It is easy to understand, looking from the perspec- tive of the heights of knowledge, from the science and technology that have been achieved in the modern world, why Islam empha- sizes knowledge and education so strongly. Is it possible to ignore its importance when we are surrounded by all the useful fruits and products of intellectual inquiry? Certainly we must listen well to the teachings of Islam on this matter and show greater concern for educating the next generation if we are to solve some of the cur- rent harmful trends. Instead of leaving them material possessions, we should spend our money to make sure they receive opportuni- ties to become truly “rich” in knowledge. Ali ibn Abu Talib said, “Someone who has money will have to protect it, whereas a person who has knowledge will be protected by it. Knowledge is a king; possessions are captives. And when possessions are spent they di- minish, while knowledge increases when shared.”15 Highlighting the excellence of knowledge Prophet Muhammad, peace and bless- ings be upon him, said, “Be of those who teach or those who learn, those who listen, or those who love knowledge. If you are not in at least one of these groups, you are headed for destruction.”16

The adab of learning applies not only to those who are teach- ing and learning religious studies but all types of useful knowl- edge. Here we give some details for our younger brothers and sis- ters who are students, regarding the adab of learning to add to what has been quoted above:

If at first you don’t succeed do not lose heart.

Classes should be entered with a mind that is prepared and willing.

Listen to a teacher with your spiritual ears.

When you don’t understand something, always ask.

Try to make friends with successful students and get tips from them.

Always plan and organize your time.

Always try to be the best.

Don’t go on to something else until you have understood what you are working on.

If what you are studying is practically applicable, learn it through application.

Do not maintain ties with people who discourage you from learning or dislike your studying.

Be respectful and humble towards your teachers.

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obeyme-and-you · 4 years

Text

Lucifer Son of the Morning Star Part 2

Gabriel is italics

Kimimela is Bold

Verses are normal

Lucifer Son of the Morning Star

Who are ya?

PART 2 (Here we go again)

*Spoilers for chapters 16 and onwards, especially after chapter 20. Minor spoilers for the Lamp and Baddies events and the Search For Self Devilgram.*

Ezekiel 28 (King of Tyre)

“1) The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,

2) “Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God, Because your heart is lifted up And you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the heart of the seas’; Yet you are a man and not God, Although you make your heart like the heart of God-

3) Behold, you are wiser that Daniel; There is no secret that is a match for you.

4) “By your wisdom and understanding You have acquired riches for yourself And have acquired gold and silver for your treasuries.

5) “By your great wisdom, by your trade You have increased your riches And your heart is lifted up because of your riches-”

Until we know all the events that caused the Celestial War in Obey Me, we cannot say with 100% certainty that Lucifer thought that highly of himself, but considering he is the avatar of pride and the Lamp event (he was also the Queen of Hearts in the Baddies event), it wouldn’t be reaching to assume he thought of himself as such. Lucifer is very wise and it’s hard to keep a secret from him. He knew MC went up into the attic without seeing them go up there or them saying they did. He also knows that Diavolo is hiding information from him in later chapters.

“6) Therefore thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have made your heart Like the heart of God,

7) Therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon you, The most ruthless of the nations. And they will draw their swords Against the beauty of your wisdom And defile your splendor.

8) “They will bring you down to the pit, And you will die the death of those who are slain to the heart of the seas.

9) ‘Will you still say, “I am a god” In the presence of your slayer, Though you are a man and not God, In the hands of those who wound you?

10) ‘You will die the death of the uncircumcised By the hands of strangers, For I have spoken!’ declares the Lord God!’”

The explanation of these verses will be explained in a different essay >;) (secret OwO)

“11) Again the word of the LORD came to me saying,

12) “Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.”

When Simeon meets Lucifer for the first time since the fall, he mentions how beautiful he was. (Luke mentions his Beauty as well)

“13) You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering The ruby, the topaz and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared.”

In Lucifer’s demon form he is seen to have a black diamond on his forehead, which could be a single stone left behind after the rest were stripped.

The demon brother’s eye colors are also similarly colored to the stones.

Lucifer- The Ruby and Onyx

Mammon- The Lapis lazuli and Topaz

Leviathan- The Jasper and Lapis lazuli

Satan- The Emerald

Asmodeus- The Beryl (beryl is usually clear but can be found red, some of which looking pink in color) and Topaz

Beelzebub and Belphegor- The Topaz (comes in purple, blue and pink)

(It could also be for nail colors which would be: Lucifer- ruby, Mammon- diamond, Leviathan- lapis lazuli, Satan- emerald, Asmodeus- the beryl, Beelzebub- jasper, Belphegor- turquoise)

“14) You were the anointed cherub who covers, And i placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.”

*Note: Cherubim are described as angels with 4 wings except in Revelation 4:8 which describes them having 6 wings like the Seraphim.

Before Lucifer was cast out of the Celestial Realm, he had 6 wings, which were all ripped out by himself. When he became a demon, he grew 4 back. (This is mentioned by Satan in the Search for self Devilgram)

“15) You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created Until unrighteousness was found in you.

16) “By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covered cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.”

Lucifer was full of anger and hate, and he allowed it to grow and fester to the point of sin, and when he sinned he created Satan. He was thrown out of the Celestial Realm, after ripping his wings off and destroying his angelic form.

“17) Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you.”

Lucifer was cast down into the Devildom, and the first demon to find him was Diavolo, the future king of the Devildom.

“18) By the multitude of your inequities, In the unrighteousness of your trade You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you.”

Lucifer was consumed by his pride and wrath and it destroyed him. His wings and possibly his hair have become black/dark gray when he fell, as if he was covered in ash. (The official opening of the game has Lucifer catching a black feather before it turns white and disintegrates in his hand)

“19) All who know you among peoples Are appalled at you; You have become terrified And you will cease to be forever.”’”

All the demon brothers are frightened of him (even though they do try to hide it) and fear his anger, so even though they do get in trouble with him frequently, they have been shown to hesitate when they know it will upset Lucifer. The MC has opportunities to act frightened or not by Lucifer, but whenever MC shows signs of not being afraid Lucifer is shocked or confused as to why MC isn’t scared.

Verses 20-24 talk about the judgement of Sidon, while verses 25-26 talk about Israel and will possibly be discussed in a future essay.

Summary: somethin about Lucifer being a beautiful baby boy but also deserves to be punched, jk that has nothing to do with this. Fuckin blah blah blah, lucifer this lucifer that, first half is mostly theories and this will have to be revisited at a later date once more info is unlocked. Second half is mostly just straight up info about Luci with a dash of bros and god have you ever thought about how fucking tragic this is??? Like, the fall was his own doing,,,,he was jealous and went “why do i gotta care about the humans huh? Why dont they worship us? I thought we were supposed to be your favorites! I thought I was your favorite!” and then he went and fought a war he never stood a chance against and like fuck man, idk if its cause im tired or emotional or both, and like ik you aint supposed to feel bad for him cause thats how he gets ya but damn. The one person who is most in need of a hug, or forgiveness, or whatever will never get it because he made a mistake. Can you imagine? Cause like, yeah sin and hell and blah blah blah, but he can never seek forgiveness, never get a second chance, hes doomed to his fate and thats just, so sad. Oh god dammit this is why i fucking picked Lucifer, its cause hes a damned tragedy, fml >:(.

Stupid game i swear (You good fam?)

Summary: Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 talk about the fall and destruction of Lucifer and Jesus Christ did the creators of Obey Me go ham wild with the research for their game. There seems to be a lot of connections between these two stories and the information received in Obey Me thus far. There is plenty of information that will need to be revisited further down the line once more content is released (or if me or Kimimela find some in Devilgrams and side stories). But until further notice, this is Lucifer and he brings with him foreshadowing.

SEE PART 1 HERE: Lucifer Son of the Morning Star Part 1

#obey me #obey me!#obey me shall we date #obey me theory #obey me swd #obey me Lucifer #obey swd Lucifer #shall we date obey me #shall we date #shall we date?#obey me luci #obey me ideas #Christianity cw #Christianity tw #obey me fandom #obey me thoughts

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blackdragon-selfships · 4 years

Text

My Decision: Thoughts, Theories, and Some Changes to how I do Things from here

Ok...so here it is. I’ve decided to keep F/O-ing Aaravos. What happened in season 3 wasn’t unexpected. The creators hinted numerous times about his role in season 3, and I knew something was coming. I just wasn’t sure how to process my feelings on it.

Warning: If you care about spoilers, don’t read any further. Spoilers for season 3 of The Dragon Prince is below.

I came to the conclusion it wasn’t that he did bad things...but who toward. That being Viren. The villain of the show. I like Viren as a character still, and I guess now I see what Jason Simpson (his VA) in an interview was saying. He likes Viren as the complicated villain he is...but if he wasn’t just joking around, he doesn’t feel the same about Aaravos. At least this season.

I think it’s because those that genuinely like Viren’s character (not agreeing with his actions, but not disliking him as a character) will have a harder time with the scenes where Aaravos is doing something to him. Like the webbed up eye so he could see Aaravos’ ghostly apparition or the scene where the caterpillar emerged from Viren’s mouth but much longer and larger...and then continued to change in the final episode. As well as the many times he used clever wordplay on Viren to steer his thoughts into bigger plans...plans I think Viren would have had already, but until he became king he didn’t have the power to go through with it and was still in the habit of not overstepping his boundaries.

Viren is capable of lying and could be lying to himself about what he wants from Xadia. He just got power, he doesn’t want to lose it over a risky decision...but Aaravos knows what Viren is like, and uses that to his advantage.

If you like Viren’s character...you’ll probably have a hard time still liking Aaravos in those scenes. Because Viren IS the bad guy...and Aaravos IS manipulating him slowly but surely. It still isn’t clear what this means, or why...but I’m sticking to my belief Aaravos’ role isn’t as a villain, but he is an antagonist. There’s a difference between the two.

The show creators say mixed things on him. In their Tweets we get quite a bit of subtle but ominous warnings...and a confession his design was an attack on the fandom, from Aaron Ehasz (show co-creator) as a joke. Then Ehasz repeatedly says throughout several interviews that Aaravos is very complicated, and has said once that Aaravos is “disliked, that’s not the same as bad.” This being in response to Justin Richmond (the other co-creator) saying “and obviously he’s bad enough they literally tried erasing him from the {history} books.” Ehasz’ exact response being “he’s complicated” and Richmond saying “he’s interesting enough they tried erasing him from the books.” Ending in the above line from Ehasz of “he’s disliked. That’s not the same as bad.”

He was making a clear distinction between the two words, probably anticipating the suspicions from the fans hearing or reading the interview of his (Aaravos’) place in the story. This doesn’t make him good either...canonically I can’t call Aaravos “good” in any sense right now. Except good at being sassy and a show-off. lol

But I won’t put him fully in the villain category. Sol Regem was willing to kill the future King of the Dragons and an elf of Xadia if they didn’t let him kill the human with them either way. Yet he’s in all the promotional posters for some reason as well as the prologue opening. That part, of course, is made more clear in the first episode of season 3, though. He was flying toward the Dark Mage from the prologue in episode 1 of season 1. Then flying blindly as his face was burning after the confrontation.

He’s clearly also important to the plot...but I can’t call him ‘bad’. Not great...but not a villain.

The last bit of evidence is Aaravos’ actual name. It’s of Danish and Arabic origin and means “between light and dark, not good or bad.” Every other name has been spot-on:

Callum-Dove King: He’s a Sky Mage, and the Skywing elves are strongly influenced by bird themes, much like Moonshadows have strong ninja themes and the Startouch...is literally covered in stars and wearing a constellation on his clothes. Callum is a Sky mage, doves are birds, and he’s working toward a peaceful future. Doves are a symbol of peace.

Ezran-Helper: Look how helpful he was this season especially!

Viren-Leader of heroes: Uh...ok I don’t know WHAT heroes...but he is a good leader. Say what you will about his character, he has leadership skills. Aaravos didn’t have to teach him that stuff.

Claudia-Lame: Ok this is a bit harsh...but it is the ‘crippled’ lame. She’s...not doing well now. She isn’t physically crippled, but mentally and emotionally she is pretty badly wounded.

Ziard-Wizard: He’s a Dark Mage. A wizard. Spot on.

Sol Regem-Sun King: They literally say his name meaning...SUN KING. He was a king of the dragons once and is an Archdragon of the Sun.

Zubeia-Beauty, grace any of those. She really fits that name. She is beautiful.

Avizandum-Reserve Judgement: I interpret that to mean on Aaravos. He locked him in the place behind the mirror because he isn’t sure how to deal with him yet before Viren and Harrow slay him (Avizandum.) Aaravos is literally in 300 year jail time right now, and Avizandum was still deciding if he should execute him or not for whatever he did.

That or he’s reserving judgment on humans, which is why he defends the border instead. We might find out eventually...cause that is still a mystery. Why is the king of the dragons guarding the boarder 24/7? I get he was basically the ruler of all of Xadia...but it’s still an odd choice.

Anyway, Aaravos. Names clearly mean things in this show. I think his is the hint that he seems bad right now, but he isn’t. He isn’t good, but he isn’t bad. I don’t know how they’ll pull that off...but I’ll be impressed if they do.

There was also still more evidence on a theory I have that he’s telling the story is true as well. In the prologue, he calls Avizandum by his human-given name: Thunder. He says “the humans called him Thunder. For when he spoke his voice shook the earth and the sky.” In the episode we learn what happened to Avizandum, Aaravos is the one to say the name, but Viren doesn’t recognize it.

Viren is the one that tells Aaravos what they called Avizandum. Which was “Thunder.” If Aaravos isn’t an omniscient narrator and has been imprisoned for 300 years or so...how would he know this in the prologue if he didn’t in that scene? Coupled with the opening sequence of his hands uncurling a map, the lighting and desk surface or the shade of blue of his skin being nothing like in his prison. I could be wrong, and while I’d be disappointed to be...oh well.

What I’m saying is...Aaravos lives to tell the story if my theory is right. Which means he isn’t bad enough the writers have to kill him or something else...I don’t know how they’ll do it if it’s true, but I will be quite interested to see it.

Aside from the Sunfire elves in Lux Area, who I don’t think deserved what happened, his actions are all for a purpose related to what’s happening...but if we knew his perspective maybe it would seem less like a random evil act, which contradicts him being complex if it was just a show of his power and how ruthless he can be. Because from our perspective there wasn’t a reason to kill the Sun Queen other than “look how evil he is! Oooh!” Which doesn’t go along with the information we’ve been given so far. There’s more to this scene, I’m sure. Though it could just be that he killed her so she couldn’t reveal what he whispered in her ear...which was also a strange move. See? He’s complicated and there are still a lot of mysteries surrounding him and his actions. Aside from that, the only one Aaravos has done much of anything to is Viren. Anything kind of graphic and sort of gross (at least with the caterpillar.) Who is again...the Bad Guy.

So all that to say...yes, I’m going to keep him as an f/o. But in doing so I’m ignoring the show canon on this blog. As in I won’t be trying to work my S/I into the narrative as much anymore for the time being. I’m going to treat the blog similar to how @justafictionalthing where I don’t worry about canon or accuracy to the character’s personality in the source material to a T. I still love the show, don’t misunderstand. I’m going to watch it to the end of the saga, whatever happens...but on this blog, for the time being, I’m treating it like the Aaravos here and the canon are separate.

My Aaravos, the interpretation on this blog, is aware of his source material. If anyone’s read Inkheart, think of it like that. Fictional character comes out of their source material but still exists in the story itself as well. I might make a little story or something explaining this, but that’s the angle I’m going for in all future Takeovers and commentary.

I don’t dislike his canon portrayal, I know he’s more than what we saw...but for the blog it just doesn’t work right now. My S/I would never be ok with what he’s been doing...and keeping it hidden from her goes into some risky territory... I like that kind of stuff if there’s a happy ending payoff, but for the overall blog and my way of selfshipping, which has turned more “I’m actually with this character, not just writing myself in their story,” it doesn’t work.

TL;DR: I don’t hate or even dislike canon!Aaravos, but he doesn’t work well with what I want on this blog. I’m still with him, but the version you guys have gotten to know on this blog. Sassy but friendly and knowledgeable, and now separated from his source material almost Inkheart-style.

I’m too attached to who he is now from relationship development to drop this. I still like his canon self, but he’s changed a lot on this blog. If you don’t like that, watch the show for the ‘true’ Aaravos experience. Nothing but soft and sassy here for now. With some dark stuff if I’m in the mood for it.

#announcement #meg rambles #about my danger star ✨#about megavos #about the blog structure

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ylizam · 5 years

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femslash exchange creator letter [currently a placeholder, soon to be real]

Hi, Hello, Hey. First of all–thank you! This is my standard you offered to write one of my fandoms, so you’re obviously a perfect paragon of humanity and all that jazz opening spiel, full of generals likes and dislikes, I’m sure you know the drill. I’ll make sure the fandom specific stuff is up by the time assignments go out. (That said, if you already have an idea about how you want to write about the fandom we match on—wow, I’m jealous! tell me your secrets!—just skip over the fandom stuff and go forth with your bad self.)

Things I like include, but are in no way limited to: fun with POV, fun with linear vs. non-linear storytelling, fun with tone, fun with writing. I really dig character studies, stories that really get into what makes a character tick (and something porny that can get at that is wonderful too), and I like relationships that are hard and prickly and worth fighting for. I like happy endings that don’t feel tacked on or forced. I like doubt, and hope, and theology; I like actors, and directors, and I like the random deity. I like fairy tales. I like (love) romance tropes. Forced to share a bed, marriages of convenience, fake dating, friends-to-lovers, idiots-to-lovers, enemies-to-lovers: it’s all like unto catnip. I like interesting turns of phrase, I like the perfect line, I like any story written just for me. If you have any questions about my taste (or lack thereof), feel free to ask @summervillen who probably knows my fannish tastes better than I do.

Things that I would prefer you not include—especially gratuitously; there are obviously ways to engage with problematic actions/thoughts/etc. in fiction, but there’s such a fine line there—are as follows: noncon, necrophilia, pedophilia, incest, non-character driven racism/sexism/[all]isms. I also have a pretty big embarrassment squick. A/B/O doesn’t do anything for me. And I’m not really interested in AUs for any of these fandoms: canon divergence is fine, but not-related-to-canon alternate universes really aren’t my preference here.

Babylon 5 Delenn/Susan Ivanova I just ship them post-canon so hard. Later in life chances at love are sort of a thing of mine, and add to that two of my favorite characters ever, well, it’s like this pairing is made for me. That said, if you can find a way to write them during canon (maybe John doesn’t return from Z'ha'dum, maybe Delenn and John just never get together at all, maybe you can think of something I can’t) I’d love that too. Delenn/Shaal Mayan I’d love a story about them that’s really Minbari–that understands that neither of them is human. Something set when they were young and just figuring themselves out (and first love is rarely forever but it feels like it must be) or something set when Mayan visits Babylon 5 in season one or, heck, something set after the series ends. (I have a thing for writing on skin, so if you can find a way to fit that in more power to you.)

ER Jeanie Boulet/Kerry Weaver Elizabeth Corday/Kerry Weaver

Oh, the women of ER, how I love them. While I don’t want a never a medical professional AU, I’m fine with playing loose with canon events for these. (That said, I love that Jeanie can be HIV+ and fall in love, have sex, be happy, so while you don’t have to go deep on that I’d rather you didn’t change it.) I love the idea of post-series Jeanie/Kerry, but would also love something that takes place earlier (does Kerry realizing she’s attracted to Jeanie make her admit she’s a lesbian? do arguments over staffing lead to heated makeouts in the break room?). As for Elizabeth/Kerry, just think of all the sparks. All. Of. Them. I’m not a huge Mark fan, so I’d rather he not be front and center, but I’m fine with you including him as part of Elizabeth’s past if you want to go that route. I’m also fine with ignore canon relationships all together. Go wild, basically.

Doctor Who Donna Noble/Thirteenth Doctor Donna Noble/River Song

Donna. Deserved. Better. Which is to say: ignore what happened to her, fix what happened to her, however you want to go about it, but make it better. I mean, imagine a world where Donna just shows up and has fun times with whatever Doctor is Doctoring at the time, and when it’s Thirteen they have to pretend to be married for some reason or other and, oh, kissing feels good! Or maybe River meets her during one of those times, and they spend so much time rolling their eyes about the Doctor that they end up in bed! (Or, um, feel free to go a threesome route with Thirteen, Donna, and River. If you want.) I just really do not want a story that is all about how much Donna loses or that ends with her without her memories again or any of that—if you fix it but keep what happened as story-canon, go ahead and have her deal with the fallout if if you want, but I can’t really cope with that being the (eventual or in-story) ending.

Star Trek: Classic Timeline Beverly Crusher/Vash Kimara Cretak/Kira Nerys

First of all, I don’t know book canon, so include it, don’t include, whatever floats your proverbial boat. Second of all, I am more than happy with “this character lives” stories here. Which is to say, feel free to have Cretak escape/live/etc. Feel free to ignore anything that happens to Bev or Vash or Nerys. I basically think there should be reams and reams of fic about both of these pairings, and yet there is not. For Kira/Cretak I’d especially love something that recognizes that neither of them is human; play around with what we know of their cultures, about how those cultures might clash or unexpectedly mesh, how that can affect a relationship both positively and negatively. And just have fun with Beverly and Vash (and feel free to bring Picard in if you want, either as a friend or a third romantic partner or whatever). And of course I love the crews of the Enterprise and Deep Space Nine, so their reactions and relationships with everyone involved are more than welcome additions (although, again, not necessary).

Game of Thrones Brienne of Tarth/Sansa Stark

Look, the show did everyone dirty. The show did their relationship dirty. The show did writing dirty. Feel free to fix things, either by using the canon ending as a jumping board—maybe it turns out that an all-seeing-knowing-etc. being doesn’t make for a good king and revolt happens! maybe Bran and Sansa meet up for some sort of political thing or another and Brienne’s there as Lord Commander and things happen!—or by going AU (in the for want of a sense, not the everyone’s in space sense). Oh, and this is definitely a pairing where I would dig service kink if you are interested in writing such a thing. Look, it’s right there.

This is also the only pairing I requested a vid for; I’d love anything that builds on their relationship, maybe plays around with service and fealty and honor and the way different women fight. (I’m sorry; my ability to write about vidding is limited, but know that I’d love anything. I love all sorts of music. I love all sorts of vids.)

#femslashex #dear author letter #long post #(i used a read more #which as we all know is less than helpful in places)#babylon 5 #star trek: ds9 #star trek: the next generation #er #game of thrones #doctor who

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courage-a-word-of-justice · 5 years

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I’ll be rolling out the tags around about the time of this post.

Sarazanmai 3

Kisu = kissu (kiss). Update: Or kisu (on the right side of my equation). You do you, subbers.

Goma-ae.

Gomennassara! (Oh, I get it…!)

It never occurred to me that a “micanga” was a bead or small pierced round object of some sort. I thought it was a race track sort of thing, but for soccer. Update: It’s a bracelet/anklet thing.

Wait, so what brought on this change of heart from Kazuki??? Is it like the 1st episode, where it was a daydream that was cleverly presented as real? Update: Yep.

Oh…have you noticed all the victims of Reo and Mabu’s scheme are men of the NEET/freeter age, or approaching that?

Notably, the signature pose of the Sarazanmai seems to be similar to the one Kazuki and Enta did in the soccer team.

I find it interesting that Enta is now the initiator of the Sarazanmai and thus the one to steal the shirikodama. I mean, he used to be the one with the least stakes in the Dish of Hope scenario…and now look at him!

Ooh, Toi is sharpening his ruler! (Or whatever you do in Touken Ranbu with that lil’ beater of his.)

Oh wait, I forgot Ikuhara always has a last-minute twist! Go back, go back!

It seems like Haruka has some kind of illness…hmm. Update: Oh, it’s not an illness per se…spoke too soon.

Haruka’s talking about the Little Prince…hmm. Last time I really bothered to engage with that story in any form was Star Driver.

Fruits Basket 2

I don’t think I ever really chose a side on the Kyo vs Yuki debate, but I guess I always subtly sided with Yuki (even though the end pairing is Tohru and *bleep*). <- sorry, had to censor myself

“It’s important for me to get to school every day!”

Kabedon! Eeeeee! (LOL, I really am a squealy person at heart, aren’t I?)

The writing says “she misheard [what Yuki said] as ‘being sick’”, so it was quite lucky that the word “sickened” worked in context.

Yuki has some mad ninja skills…LOL.

Shigure in a suit looks goooooooooood, man (<- gender neutral use of “man”).

“…the days ahead will be fun.” – Oh, Tohru, you don’t know how wrong you are…(says someone who completed the manga)

Fruits Basket 3

I’m hearing the OP for the first time…and it sounds like an ED. (Probably because I read some impressions that said the same thing earlier today.)

“…included in the zodiac?”

Ooh! Momiji! Wait, er…I didn’t expect him to be so high-pitched…

Lookit the tiny cat icon on the side! It’s cute!!!

*yells* It’s Kagura!!!!!!!! She ain’t my favourite, but man, is it great to see another familiar face!

I’ve been wondering what the title meant when it said “what year is she?” It means “year of the zodiac”.

Fruits Basket 4

“Shii-chan”…?

Kyo-kun ran away before Kagura even started making dinner…

Was Kyo’s katsudon a joke…? (Cats-udon, geddit?...No?)

“…marriage is a girl’s greatest dream.” – That used to be so, Tohru…nowadays, it ain’t.

Lookit how Kyo’s eyes lit up when he talks about his teacher!

OPM 2 2

That title’s…even more counterintuitive than “OPM 2 1”…hmm.

It’s…kind of dark right now.

I think there was bourbon on the counter. Someone likes to drink around here…

I guess with the mass animation exodus, OPM seems kinda…monologue-y. And cheap…

…nope, I take back my words. They were merely saving up for this action scene.

BSD 28 (S3 Ep 3)

Seriously, what are those metal things Dazai was wearing? Anyways, I like how it’s absolutely the norm that Chuuya swears now and I was part of forming that. Because I don’t swear a lot, I think Chuuya makes a nice outlet for my own frustrations...that’s what could be said, anyway.

D’aww. Someone acknowledges Chuuya’s identity. Ain’t that grand? (Now you see why I like Chuuya more than Dazai these days, huh?)

Come to think of it…a person hasn’t died in this show for a while, have they? It just goes to show you that despite one of its major stars being a guy obsessed with shinjuu (double suicide), the creators seem to be emphasising the sanctity of life itself.

Oh, I never thought they had an explanation for Dazai’s coat…

What is the age difference between Chuuya and Dazai anyway??? They’re both 15 during the LN that’s called that, but the exact difference…what is it? Update: Dazai’s birthday is June 19th and Chuuya’s is April 29th, so the difference is 1 month and 21 days (using the idea that 7 days = a week and May is 30 days, that’s 51 days in all).

Ooh, we’re getting Fyodor, Ace and the unnamed kid soon, aren’t we? That also means we’re in unknown territory for myself, too…hmm.

OPM 2 3

When did Saitama last meet Charanko anyway? Charanko is voiced by Toshiki Masuda, so I would’ve kept an eye out for him, but the art shift and the years between seasons mean I don’t remember anymore.

Oof, “justice crashed Mumen Rider’s head” is more like it.

CGI banana…Just saying “CGI banana” is funny.

Kimetsu no Yaiba 4

Headpats, headpats all around!

Hooo…boy. I already knew Sabito and Makomo were dead because Crow and Irina’s collab post was called “The Names of Dead Children”, but how it was delivered…was such a powerful move.

I saw the blonde boy who’s in the OP…hmm. Update: His name is Zenitsu, according to the next-ep preview.

OPM 2 4

When comparing this dissection of monsters against Mob Psycho…the biggest monster Mob has is himself…hmm.

I didn’t expect Saitama to actually enter under Charanko’s name with that wig he got…

“…name as a martial artist.”

Mojo for the dojo, it seems this man wants.

I think the centipede senpai is CGI. Hmm…

It’s been years…I’ve forgotten what Ponytail Head’s name is! (And I call OPM one of my favourite series in anime…!)

Sarazanmai 4

“Writers exist between life and death.” – …is Ikuhara expressing his own thoughts on how anime writers are treated…?

I anticipate a soba pun (soba = noodles and soba = beside [someone]).

“…gives a s***…” – Says you, Toi, with the “Golden Poop” in the background. Then again, that’s just an English pun. Don’t mind me.

Comic Sans…you can’t escape it, even in this day and age…

Yude = to boil, soba…is the noodles. (The “o” on the end of the Monster of the Week’s first name means “man”.) Ikuhara uses Monster of the Week names in service of symbolism, while Takamatsu uses inconsistency for the sake of humour.

Intetestingly, there’s a spiralling blue thing in the background of the dance number and it says “soba” (katakana) and “desire” (yokubou, in kanji).

The headline translates to “Tragedy! It was next to me, but then…” (Kigeki! Sakki made soba ni ita noni…) The subbers had to accommodate the soba pun though, so they went with “so bar away”.

Hmm…now Toi takes centre stage…

2007, huh? How old are Kazuki and co. again?

This is probably the least surprising secret of all, y’know. Also, I think Keppi and Kazuki have cucumbers in their mouths.

They have subs for Stand By Me now!!! Oh mai globbb!

W-Wuh?! I can see why he’d hate Haruka (feelings of “why don’t my parents look at me the way they look at him anymore?”), but…this really turns this entire story on its head!

Kimetsu no Yaiba 5

Interestingly, the “My” in the episode title is Onore (an “I” indicating professionalism).Come to think of it…what is Tanjiro’s pronoun of choice?

Aww…the fact Tanjiro kinda looks like the demon’s (previous body’s…?) bro made the scene kinda cute. Possibly, it could be even enough to drive someone to tears…not that I was driven to tears, of course.

Well, here’s Zenitsu.

This angry kid reminds me of Mike Teevee (from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). He seems like a rival, but he’ll disappear soon enough. Also, LOL, a sparrow instead of a crow.

“…my whole body hurts.” – Welp, that’s what happens when you lose sleep fighting demons for 7 days straight…

Why the obvious names? (re: Haganezuka – that is, hagane means “steel”…also, Nichirin contains the character for “sun” (at least, I think so…?) and Yoko can be understood to be/homophonous to the word for “sunlight”)

Tanjiro, son of Tanjuro…LOL. That was probably deliberate – it means the first son follows in the father’s footsteps.

For some reason, I wanted Haganezuka to pop out of the comic for the next-ep preview…aww.

Shield Hero 17

How many times did Fitoria say “I’m going to kill the heroes” and Naofumi say variants of “no”? Because of that, I had half a mind to jump ship and head to RobiHachi instead…but keep going.

That cowlick stuff was probably the most fun I’ve had with this show in a while…heh.

Oh great…Naofumi expanded his pseudo-harem to two bird waifus…then again, I had a stupid grin on my face seeing Fitoria’s old master, so maybe it’s not all bad, y’know?

Post-credits scene…keep watching!

Wah-wait…what the heck was that explosion???!!!

BSD 29 (S3 Ep 4)

That’s…Topaz (unofficial name)…ohhhhhhhh dear…

Oooh, Katai! Katai! Yay!!! (As you can tell, I had a very small thing for Katai. He reminds me of En-chan, y’see.)

The CGI in this OP…you can tell there’s quite a bit of it, huh?

It’s Deadmau5 (as the fandom used to joke)!

Fyodor’s eyes of disgust as Topaz dries his hair…hmm.

Older Topaz looks surprisingly like Oda…I don’t remember that exact shot, but it might’ve been in the manga. His background also reminds me of Chuuya’s.

OPM 2 Ep 4 (OPM 18)

“Irksome insect”…says the giant insect.

I think I saw a 7-11 pastiche in the background.

Why does the bird have a human hand in his belly? What??? (LOL)

This tournament arc don’t feel so hype, now that MHA’s is over…

Someone likes Donkey Kong… (referring to Marshal Gorilla and the other Kong guy (Heavy Kong))

Sarazanmai 5

…oh wow. Y’mean Kazuki is adopted???

“Why don’t you say anything, even though you know about me now?” (from Toi) – Probably because Kazuki is as f***ed up as you are, if not worse.

What are those sparkles coming off Sara’s face…? Not sure if they’re a shoujo thing or just…gratuitous sparkles.

LOL, Nioino Fukuro. Basically “pouch of scent” when you insert a space between the second I and the second N and change the first name kanji, plus change the “no” to hiragana.

I know the title of the song is Kawausoiya (translates to “awful otters” or something like that), but “soiya” doesn’t make much sense on its lonesome.

Wait…does that mean Sara is the creature? Or there are two Saras that can look the same, but one looks like the human and one is more kappa-like???

For some reason, I’m getting changeling vibes here…that Kazuki wants to look different to the rest of his family because he knows he’s different.

Hey…there’s this thing called the tourist gaze. It argues that because people create notions of reality differently, people have different ideas of what makes a trip “good” and “authentic”. In the same sense, Haruka’s “false” connection with Kazuki!Sara has become his reality, so it’s not wrong to say this Sara is real for him.

Oh…I just realised some kanji that appar early in the OP are the kanji for “extraction”.

So, uh…in a sense…can I interpret Kazuki’s love for his real mother a Fruedian thing? It seems all men’s love can be interpreted to be Freudian in some way or another…also, Sara kind of looks like his mother in a very “surface” kind of way. That is, they have a very passing resemblance to each other. Update: I’ve been reading some Stephen King lately and if I took anything away from that experience, it would be that everything is Freudian when it comes to men’s experiences. That’s why I say that.

Kimetsu no Yaiba 6

…*remembers something from the collab that was along the lines of “Astral doesn’t like Tanjiro’s green jacket”* Astral’s not gonna like this, then. (For those who don’t know the context, “Astral” is AstralGemini of the Zodiac Room.)

*Tanjiro is told he might not go very far with his demon slaying* *Tanjiro reacts with happiness that he’s on his way to get Nezuko human again* - Uh…I know I’ve watched my share of shonen, but I kind of didn’t expect that and yet also did.

Ugh…it’s the return of CGI Tanjiro…the vegie patch looks good in CGI though, for some reason.

Lemme guess…with a title like that (Swordsman Accompanying a Demon), could it be that Kazumi is a demon???

“I don’t get it at all.” – LOL…that was unintentionally funny (for the second time in this show, the first being Hand Demon).

BSD 30 (S3 Ep 5)

Moby Dick crashing into Yokohama? It was literally years ago for us!

I’m pretty sure these Park guys didn’t exist in the manga. Update: Nope, they did. I’ve read the corresponding chapter, it’s just that that was also 2 years ago…just like the last we saw of the anime.

I love how the “gyaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” ended in blood splatter, literally.

The Park guys apparently come from ch. 44 but Katai comes from ch. forty…what? One? Two? It’s not 40 (Hitori Ayumu), that’s all I know.

Katai is a good boy. You’ll see why in…oh, a few seconds.

Oh, I love the ending of this story. I already know the ending, but seeing it again will be a whole new bag of laughs!

Uh…I forgot how much of an interruption the anime’s humour is. My dream of a “whole new bag of laughs” is at least half dashed…*shoulders slump*

Apparently Atsushi cut his hair himself…not sure if that’ll be a spoiler for later, but it’s still something cool to know.

“So it’s your letter?”

Katai is basically me when it comes to my husbandos. See why I love him???

Come to think of it…I haven’t properly listened to the ED yet! Better do that while I still have the chance.

Fruits Basket 5

Shigure is such a troll…just like I remember him.

Fruits Basket 6

Hatori! Ooh! He’s hottttttt! Sizzling!...Okay, I think you get my point already…

I think someone else (Amelia from A Girl and Her Anime…?) pointed this out…but I don’t understand a speck of German outside 1 – 10 (I remembered the German word for “six” way too well when I was younger). So it would help if they bothered to make the German English as well.

For some reason, the stick figure was both obviously a cost-cutting measure and also elevated the hilarity of that scene…!

I don’t quite know what the Japanese equivalent of the “macaroni and cheese” thing was, but it conveys the same idea in the two languages and makes people laugh along the way, so…*shrugs shoulders* Makes sense, I guess.

Tohru is kandou about meeting an author. Kandou means to be deeply moved (noun form).

LOL, Hanajima reading the book.

…Oh my goodness. I just realised Fruits Basket has a lot of characters with fringes. 90s fringes for everyone!

“…a cartoon about a cat and a rat that are always fighting…” - Come to think of it, Tom and Jerry is popular in Japan.

Shield Hero 18

I think this episode title ends in inbou, which means “intrigue”.

This show is clearly trying to play the same cards over and over again…

Shield Hero 19

Hypocrites! Hypocrites everywhere! *does Buzz Lightyear hand gesture from the meme*

OPM 19 (S2 Ep 6)

The reason the fat guy is called Dave is not just because of B/V confusion, but because debu (without the line in the middle) is a slang word for…wait for it…”fatty”.

Interestingly, Murata previously worked on a oneshot called Gokiburi Buster. I wonder if this Cockroach Boi is from there…?

Did you notice the guys behind the umpire, who had a stretcher at the ready…?

“Mr Saynuthin” seems to be “Nanmoien-san” in Japanese.

“Waganma” seems to be a play on wagamama, or selfish. However, I can’t pin down the pun in the father’s name...

Well, well, well…at least someone acknowledges Speed of Sound Sanic (the ninja, not the CGI abomination or the monkey) is hecka-speedy.

Charanko (the real one)…he has ashi no ura (the back of the foot) written on his bandages…LOL.

Sarazanmai 6

Apparently Kazuki’s (foster) family all wear the same kind of stripes…which is what Kazuki means when he doesn’t want to wear the same kind of clothes as his family.

Okay…so the first set of kanji that appear in the OP are the one for “desire” and the ones after that are “extraction”…geddit? (LOL)

Oh my glob…how in the name of Iyami does Osomatsu-san get so popular that after I watched the first season of that show, it starts appearing in other places as well????

I saw a translation of the Reo and Mabu tweets and apparently at least one of them can make ningyoyaki (a type of cake you can make in all sorts of shapes – scroll down a bit on that page and you’ll find the description of ningyoyaki there).

Uhh…ghh…Keppi pole dancing was disturbing…*soul floats out of body temporarily*

Reo (I think that’s Reo, at least) has ningyoyaki…Update: Yup, that’s Reo.

“Headdress”, huh?

Why does this episode 6 feel like ending material…?

Wait…you’re saying Reo and Mabu are princes of the otter kingdom??? Wuh???

BSD 31 (S3 Ep 6)

(Lucy blushes) Wow…now there’s an option for a het ship right there…not that anyone will take it.

I saw a GIF of Atsushi floating naked and face down in the water (because Irina), but…I forgot exactly how the scenario before it went, so I LOLled.

Oh yeah…this chapter had a tie-in with Mizuki Tsujimura, because Mizuki knew Kyoka’s mother. Also, it shows you can inherit Abilities…

It’s Truck-kun and the curse of the isekai!...Okay, I’m kidding.

Oh yeah…this is the chapter about the Headmaster…

I haven’t been in a good place mentally for the past few years or so, due to my world basically fragmenting around me, so the words “don’t hate yourself” are strong ones coming from a place both nostalgic and new.

Dazai inherits a particularly interesting space in Atsushi’s life. He’s like a brother and father wrapped up into one (Kunikida is the nagging mother in that analogy, LOL), but also obsessed with suicide to the point he can also be a liability.

“…didn’t tell anyone…”

It’s also interesting to compare Tohru (of Fruits Basket) and Atsushi. They’re both selfless, but Tohru’s selflessness is shown to be a double-edged sword while Atsushi’s gives him a lot of resentment but is overall a positive thing.

Aww…seeing Atsushi slowly tear up almost made me tear up too…

Fitzgerald Rising…that’s the name of the chapter where…oh, sorry. It’s been years, so I’ll let it all play out for you and me again without mentioning any spoilers until they happen in (close to) real time in the show, okay?

Fruits Basket 7

This is the first time there’s been English lyrics on the OP for this show…I think.

Who’s this “he” Tohru’s referring to when examining the woman’s picture? Akito, probably, but I’m not 100% sure…Update: It was Hatori, actually.

“Shii-san”, “Haa-san” etc. is…cute. *cue “O kawaii koto…” from Kaguya-sama*

I get the feeling that Shigure is almost like a prototype Dazai (Bungou Stray Dogs). Or they just have a lot in common.

“Are these my just desserts?”

Demon Slayer 7

Nezuko’s playing whack a mol-er, demon, isn’t she??? (LOL)

Whoa…it must be mighty freaky to be floating in a swamp of dead people’s possessions…

Welp, Tanjiro…that’s one way to say “hands off my sister”. *nods* By cutting the demon’s hands off…

I like the contrast between Tanjiro’s callused hands and Kazumi’s smooth ones.

Hey…why does food always get wasted in movies and other media…? I know I’m applying real-life consumption habits to media, but it always looks quite wasteful, y’know…?

OPM 20 (S2 Ep 7)

I never noticed that shot of Watchdog Man in the OP before…huh.

Pig God’s shirt says DEV. It’s a pun on debu (fatty)…again.

Ooh! I saw him in the OP! Flashy Flash! I’ve never seen him in action outside the OP before, but I know his name and appearance from reading around.

“You all are the strongest swordsmen we have.”

Seriously, Saitama, just get something to stick the wig on and you wouldn’t have gotten into this mess. Maybe superglue…(okay, I’m kidding about the superglue).

OPM got really childish this time…

#simulcast commentary #one punch man #Fruits Basket #The Rising of the Shield Hero #Kimetsu no Yaiba #Demon Slayer #Sarazanmai #Bungou Stray Dogs #chesarka watches bsd #Chesarka watches Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari #Tate no Yuusha no Nariagari #Chesarka watches OPM #Chesarka watches Sarazanmai #Chesarka watches KnY #Chesarka watches Furuba

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lothiriel84 · 6 years

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Only last night I found myself lost (by the station called King's Cross)

Here follows another of my long rambling travel blogs. You have been warned.

Saturday 8th September

It’s fair to say that I have a complicated relationship with Stansted Airport; on the one hand, it’s my default gateway into the UK (I’ve only ever landed at Gatwick Airport exactly once, and of course Edinburgh Airport on my one trip to Scotland). On the other hand, it’s stupidly far from London, and I’ve been seriously sleep deprived every single time I set foot in it. (Oh, and there’s also that one time when I actually missed my flight, but let’s not dwell on that.)

Still, it’s been way more fun than it had any right to be to stand on the train platform right outside the airport, and watch the music video of Single-Bilingual by the Pet Shop Boys on my phone. It’s quite a silly video, and it’s actually been filmed at Stansted Airport. I hadn’t been this much into Pet Shop Boys’ music on my previous visit, or, you know, at all; now they’re probably my favourite musical group, and a brilliant sountrack to my trip on top of that.

But I’m digressing. The thing is, rather than going straight into London from Stansted, I took a train to Cambridge instead. As it turns out, Cambridge is relatively close to Stansted, and as I had recently watched (and fell in love with) James Ivory’s Maurice, I was really looking forward to seeing one of the main locations of the film/novel. Given how I was planning to go on the Ghost Bus Tour in London that same evening, I was on a rather tight schedule; still, I managed to visit King’s College and its chapel (which is one of the locations where Maurice was filmed), and Queens’ College with its Mathematical Bridge.

After that, I had to rush and take a train to London; and as it happened, my train arrived into King’s Cross station, which is not only the title of a Pet Shop Boys song (yeah, I’m going to bring up PSB a lot throughout this post, I’m not even sorry), but also the location of a statue dedicated to Sir Nigel Gresley, of Infinitely Bad fame.

In the end, @smegandtheheads and I both succeeded in reaching Northumberland Avenue on time for the first Ghost Bus Tour of the evening (sorry again, Lizzie, for making you dash all the way there at such short notice). Neither of us had ever been on that specific tour with Peter Davis as the conductor, so it was quite brilliant; Peter is such a sweetheart, and terribly funny on top of that. Here’s a picture of the man himself, looking as if he’s some kind of ghostly gentleman. (Sorry.)

On a side note, I’m absolutely sure he added the final “Get out of my bus” specifically because he knew Lizzie and I were on board. I really can’t wait for the re-release of the old Monster Hunters episodes, and the new ones to follow.

(Peter also hinted that there might be a fourth season in the cards, which would be absolutely amazing.)

I was really quite tired after that - not only I had had very little sleep prior to, or even during, my flight, but I had been carrying my cabin baggage on my back all day long, both in Cambridge and in London. I’m so glad I eventually decided to accept when Lizzie invited me to join her and her boyfriend for dinner, along with their podcaster friends. I had such a fantastic time listening to Max talk about all of Definitely Human’s past, present, and future projects - including the Monster Hunters re-release, which is probably the one I’m most excited about at this moment in time.

(Well, that, and the final few episodes of The Infinite Bad. I’m so going to die before it’s over, the one thing that still needs to be seen is whether that will happen out of dread, grief, or both of those things at the same time.)

Anyway, for those of you not in the know, The Monster Hunters is an absolutely brilliant comedy/horror podcast, set in swinging London in the early 1970s; written by and starring Peter Davis and Matthew Woodcock, featuring (among others) the incredibly talented voices of Simon Kane and Laura Marshall. All existing episodes will be re-released under the Definitely Human label, each one featuring a short commentary from the creators themselves; there will also be additional Patreon-exclusive content, and new episodes coming up in due course.

(And, well, sorry Max if I sounded much more excited about MH than any of the other projects you’re currently involved in, but I’m so grateful that DH stepped in to make the rest of series 3 happen, and so much more.)

Sunday 9th September

Sunday was a rather quiet one, as I was still tired from the previous day. Passing through Brixton I accidentally discovered they have a David Bowie mural there, which I hadn’t known in spite of having very nearly walked past it on two previous occasions, and it was a nice surprise to find out.

Eventually, I did reach the Festival of the Great North Wood in Sydenham Hill Wood, which I think I had previously heard about from one of Carrie Quinlan’s tweets. It was a relatively small event, but they did have a few birds of prey on show, including this lovely little chap.

They also did guided walks through the wood, and it was lovely to be able to join one of those. Our guide talked us through the history of that particular wood, and the railway that once ran through it; it was quite nice, even more so as I do tend to spend quite a lot of time in parks and green areas whenever I’m in London.

After that, I headed to Crystal Palace Park, which is not very far from there. I had already been there before, but it’s always nice to see those big dumb Victorian dinosaurs loitering in the shrubbery.

Monday 10th September

After spending quite some time on Google Maps trying to work out whether it made any sense to attempt a day trip to Ottery St Mary (for much obvious Cabin Pressure reasons) or anywhere else in Devon, I had eventually settled for Dorset as a much more feasible option. Quite apart from some rather specific associations that I’m not going to mention here, Poole was the perfect place for a Jurassic Coast boat trip; and given how the stunning Durdle Door is quite a difficult place to reach, that was the next best thing, at least as far as I am concerned.

The coastal cruise, sailing from Poole Quay, allowed a really stunning view on Poole Harbour and Old Harry Rocks; and after a brief stop at Swanage Pier, it circled back, giving us passengers another chance to admire the chalk cliffs on our way back to the quay.

Once back on dry land, I went to visit Poole Museum, and also stopped by an old sweet shop which somehow reminded me of Carolyn Knapp-Shappey. It’s even called Truly Scrumptious, which is - an interesting coincidence, I guess?

And then, back to London, where I had a bit of a random walk, ending up in the approximate spot - facing the Palace of Westminster across the Thames - that is featured at some point during the music video for West End Girls. Which I then proceeded to watch on my phone. (Nothing to see here, guys - just a completely normal human being, doing completely normal stuff. Yep.)

Tuesday 11th September

Having worked in a mail centre for a little over two years, I thought it would be fun to go and visit the Postal Museum, even more so as they give you the option to ride the Mail Rail, which was basically an underground railway used to move mail between sorting offices. The museum was nice, and the ride was quite cool, albeit rather short.

On my way back to my hotel I made a detour to St Pancras Gardens, where the tomb of Mary Wollstonecraft is, and also that rather curious landmark that is the Hardy Tree. Plus, I very cleverly accidentally located the Mornington Crescent underground station, which is apparently the subject of a game I literally know nothing about, save for its name.

In the evening, I went to the first preview show of An Execution (by invitation only), which was the actual reason why I was in London in the first place. I will probably try and write a proper (-ish) review as a separate blog entry at some point; for now, suffice to say that it was weird and brilliant in equal measure, with quite an unusual set design combined with decidedly intense performances from all four actors.

(The cast included Simon Kane, Tom Lyall, Greg McLaren and Shamira Turner. I assume most of you will at least be familiar with Simon’s voice as featured in John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme; as for Tom Lyall, he played a rather magnificent Oberon in last year’s Mighty Fin musical A Midwinter Night’s Dream, as well as the delightfully over-the-top boss of a record company in The Devil Gets All The Best Tunes.)

After the show, I took a detour in order to get a few pictures of the Post Office Tower (yeah, I do realise it’s mostly referred to as the BT Tower these days, but to me it will always be the Post Office Tower of Monster Hunters fame) and King’s Cross too, despite having already been there on Saturday.

(Sir Nigel Gresley still hadn’t turned into a mass of writhing hands, which I decided to take as a good sign. I still hadn’t listened to the episode of The Infinite Bad which was due to be released the following day, which definitely had me screaming at the unexpected turn of events. Well.)

Wednesday 12th September

As I was planning to go to the Wellcome Collection, I decided I might as well have a walk through Regent’s Park first. The weather was a bit changeable, and it even rained for a bit; still, it was nice, and I accidentally stumbled upon the Frieze Sculpture 2018, which included some rather curious works by contemporary and modern artists. The malevolent looking penguin was quite a treat, giving off such powerful Infinitely Bad vibes - though there were no carcasses of supernatural stags knocking about, much to everyone’s relief.

(On a side note, how long has the Wonderpass under Marylebone Road been there? I’m pretty sure I’ve been in that area at least a couple of times before, but I might have simply failed to notice it, I guess?)

In order to gain further dread, I then proceeded to visit the Teeth exhibition at the Wellcome Collection; it was a must see for a fan of The Infinite Bad, and I had been hoping to be able to just sit outside the exhibition area afterwards, and listen to the new episode. As it turned out, data roaming was just awful inside that building, and as it was getting late I was forced to postpone the listening.

(Which I then ended up doing whilst packing my bag for my flight back home, much later that night. Not exactly ideal for such a detail/reveal-packed episode, but still.)

That evening I went to the second preview show for An Execution (by invitation only); it was still as good as the first time around, with the added bonus of a rather - shall we say, interesting? - poem about a spider, which had apparently been added in the space between the two shows.

And, well, that’s it for me this trip, I guess. Or, rather...

Thursday 13th September

As it turns out, there’s about one thing that can make a forty-five minute walk to Victoria Coach Station at four in the morning marginally more bearable, and that’s listening to Pet Shop Boys’ music.

What is rather less pleasant is having your flight departure delayed by over an hour - though thankfully with us passengers already boarded, or I would have literally fallen over - because they had taken too long to load the baggage onto the plane, and the flight plan had expired. Which, I’ll admit, is an interesting piece of information for a Cabin Pressure fan, but it doesn’t quite help when you’ve had no sleep and there’s no way you can actually manage to doze off on one of those contraptions that Ryanair insists on calling a seat.

(Arthur, dear heart, as much as I adore you, could you please stop referring to takeoff delays as ‘brilliant’? And we didn’t even have Monopoly to play, such a shame.)

#Cambridge #London #Poole #September 8th to 13th #2018 #An Execution (by invitation only)#Ghost Bus Tour #Festival of the Great North Wood #Old Harry Rocks #Swanage #Postal Museum & Mail Rail #Wellcome Collection #The Monster Hunters #The Infinite Bad #(this was such a good trip podcast-wise)#(in other news it's 1.14 am and I've only just realised 'Cambridge' has the word 'bridge' in it)

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waterstar2016 · 6 years

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I recently saw a post about someone asking why some of us find the TMNT characters attractive. I’m sorry, I can’t remember who it was.

For me it’s Raphael. 99% holy fucking shit he floats my boat. Sure, he’s a mutant, he’s a turtle, and yes he has green skin. Don’t forget that he’s absolutely fucking huge. Swoon.

The reason I say 99% is because there is a part of me that is drawn to Leo. The control he exudes, those blue eyes, how each of his movements seem perfectly executed, and that strut! He looks like he is as almost as strong as Raph, just in a more compact form. And talk about kinky vibe, yum. The submissive part of me screams “YES!” to his persona. The scene in the first movie when he yells “Enough!” Leo flips in the air and tells Raph to back off after landing on the buildings edge, Katana singing and dust and rubble exploding away from his impact (Woah). April is backing up, hell, I would too with that gaze focussed on me. But part of me would be tempted to not move. Anyways…

I found myself wondering why I was attracted to fictional characters that weren’t even human (I eluded to this in my first post “Why?”) I’ll expand on that post. I’ve always been drawn to the big, strong and or burly type. The ones that you know could pick you up and carry you away. Vin Diesel makes my heart pound and I really wouldn’t mind ending up in a dark corner with him. I am not afraid of the dark. *grin*

So, here’s my explanation as to why my body sings at the thought of Raphael. Leo, I summed up above because this is going to already be a long enough post.

Raphael:

1. His size. I’m pretty tall for a woman and I am not delicate. Being 5’11 and not small statured (have a curvy figure and a little bit of extra weight that I am working my ass off trying to lose), I have a 36” inseam (impossible to find jeans at a reasonable price) I have always, ALWAYS felt like the “big” girl. I tower over all of my girlfriends, have been called an Amazon by friends and boyfriends (hence the idea for my OC Immogene) and have found that the majority of my relationships have been with guys that were shorter than me. I have confidence in myself most of the time, I just feel awkward in certain situations. I would be rich if I’d gotten a dollar for every time a guy would come up to me, compliment me, and then walk away. There were a few guys that I was with that I felt like that if I went on top, there was a small chance that I could crush them (yes I know, probably not gonna happen, but my head would go there) I love doggy style, but if the guys a little short, I’d have to kneel on the edge of the bed while more time is spent adjusting the height that my ass is at, than the actual fucking (“Shit, hun lower your ass, I can’t stand on my tip toes this long.”) Meanwhile, I’m waiting to be pounded into the mattress… I’m pretty strong. I lift weights a few times a week and do not shy away from heavy work.

I’m the one in the grocery store with the little old lady beside me who looks at me and then looks at the top shelf. I know she wants to ask me to grab something up there, but she’s afraid. Sighing, I will turn and gently ask “Is there something I can grab for you mam?” Crisis averted, she realizes I won’t pounce and I finally get a smile “O yes dear, could you grab me the olive oil? Thank you. Wow, such a tall girl, pretty though.” I’m the girl that guys get intimidated by. Have you read my fanfic “Two Shades of Green”? Immogene resembles me in so many ways and Brian’s character is actually based upon a few guys that I dated.

With Raphael, well lol, there would be NO worries about me crushing him. In fact, it would be the opposite. I would love the feeling of being utterly surrounded by his massive form. Don’t get me started on his thick fingers. Mmmm. Not many people can manhandle me (one guy I dated was 6’5” and could lift me with one arm…for the first time in my life, my mouth actually went dry. Too bad I found out he already had a fiancee *rolls eyes*…asshole) and the thought of being swept up and held by those gorgeous biceps draws an interesting tingle. For me to have to reach up to kiss him, for him to be able to put me where he wanted me to be? Bring. It. On.

2. His personality. Raph is so passionate. He has an internal fire. He has an attitude. He’s full of testosterone. He’s protective of April. He love’s his brothers. Raph and Leo may fight (a lot) but there are scenes in the where you can see the brotherly love. Like most Raph fans out there, I feel he is the type that is hard as nails on the exterior, but on the interior he’s a big pile of goo. I would love to be the one that could cool his jets (and then heat them up in different ways ;)). I get the feeling that if Raph’s character found someone, she would be his entire world (yes I know I am a romantic and a sap, but I try to let slowly ooze out, not flow over you like Niagara Falls).

Raphael speaks from the heart. The expressions on his face convey such raw emotion (thank you movie magic!). He’s a rebel. One of my favourite lines in the 2016 movie was “Normal, what fun is that?” Total high three for that one. I went to University and did two degrees at the same time. I target shoot, I can rough it in the bush for a few days (as long as there is a nearby water source), I fish, I can throw a baseball further than most guys I know, I love getting my hands dirty and am not afraid to open up a DIY book when my fridge stops working. I also love star gazing, wearing makeup occasionally to make my eyes pop and wearing skirts. Don’t get me wrong I know there are other woman that do these things…it just seems to be rare where I come from. Or, at least I’ve been told it’s rare. In the past those hobbies, skills and habits made me intimidating. I actually had one guy take me camping and who broke up with me shortly after (I found out the reason why from a mutual friend) because I could actually do what I said I could - start a fire, paddle a canoe for hours (I actually dragged him and that damn canoe over a beaver dam because he was scared), set up a tent, etc. He didn’t believe me when I told him I was ok to go camping a little off the beaten path (yes, I know, good riddance). I was raised by my father. He brought me up to believe that a woman could do anything she wanted to (my dad was actually a mentor for young woman in his field who were just starting their careers. He helped so many gain confidence and be proud in a male dominated career choice) I feel that Raph’s (and have personal experience with “Raph” types) personality would be drawn to someone who was sweet, caring and kind, but had a backbone. He would be the type to encourage you to be who you were (girlfriend or not). Reading a fair number of blogs I am not the only one that feels this way about this characters personality. I can see him really shy and afraid of rejection at first but not being able to resist testing the waters with an occasional dirty comment just to see the reaction. When he finds out that she’s interested. There would be no going back.

Referring to the quote about “Normal” again, Raph himself realizes he likes who he is at the end of the movie. Love that ending.

A violent teddy bear suits Raph to the T. Yes he can crush you, yes he would enjoy it (if you were the bad guy), but if you were someone he loved…those same actions would be expressed in an ENTIRELY different way. He would crush you to him and enjoy it just as much. Even though I don’t think he would admit it, Raph wants acceptance. Most of the time he expects the worst from someone. I often ended up in a not so great relationship because the guy accepted most of me (that didn’t take long to piss me off. I would move on to try again). I still struggle some days, but most of the time I am good with who I am now.

3. His voice. The timbre of it, the batman voice, the accent, and that chuckle. He can convey so much emotion in that voice. Good choice on the actor they chose to play him! One Raph Imagine even mentioned him singing to you! I can totally see that. I could listen to that voice for hours.

4. How he moves. Raph has a rolling walk. Shoulders moving with each step. It’s predatory. It’s fucking delicious. Combine how he moves with his never failing focus on his target makes me want to run and hide, but, in a place I know he will find me. The sit-ups on the pipes in the 2016 TMNT movie. His Sai piercing the metal in front of Casey’s face, when Raph doesn’t want him getting any closer to April. The motorcycle scene. I could go on. He moves instinctively. He doesn’t have to plan his next move, his body just does it. Imagining him doing that rolling walk, with me as his target. Hella yes.

For these reasons and a few more I haven’t listed here are why I found myself thinking of a mutant turtle as a partner to bump in the night with. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you or me for feeling this way. We each have things that turn us on, grind our gears, lift us up or put us down. The creators of TMNT just happened to be very good in making Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo each exhibit a typical male stereotype. We are bound to find one (or more than one, or even bits and pieces of each) of those personalities striking a chord with our own.

There are so many fandoms out there. If you find one that rubs you the right way. Close your eyes and let your imagination run wild. Your thoughts are yours and yours alone.

Thanks for reading.

#why?#tmnt #tmnt raphael #tmnt leonardo #fantasizing over fictional characters

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cosmic-elementalist · 6 years

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I. The Magus

The Juggler

The Lord of Illusion

The Wisdom, the Will, the Word, the Logos by whom the worlds were created.

Being the unexpected, he unsettles any established idea.

Being creative, he has no conscience.

Archetypes:

Unconscious Will

Messenger of the Gods

Law of Necessity or Chance

Fluidic Basis of All Transmission of Activity

Continuous Creation

Action in All Forms and Phases

Interpretation is the root of misinterpretation

Fulfillment of Potential

Duality

Symbols:

Tree of Life: Mercury is the Path leading from Kether (the Crown) to Binah (Understanding), thus he is the messenger of the gods, the Word of creation whose speech is Silence.

Second emanation from the Crown; adult form of the Fool, the Unity. It is the nature of these ideas to flow one into another.

The Will: The Son, the manifestation in act of the idea of the Father

The Word: Gospel of st. John: in the beginning was the word; and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The law of reason or of necessity or chance, which is the secret meaning of the Word (the factors, seemingly out of our control - be they subconscious or external - which influence action and come before logical decision)

Medieval Deck: 'Le Bâtleur', the Bearer of the Baton (energy sent forth)

One arm points up, the other down. As above, so below.

Wand with a knob at both ends reflecting dual polarity of electricity, but also the hallowed wand of Prometheus which brings down fire from Heaven.

"With the Wand createth He.

With the Cup preserveth He.

With the Daggee destroyeth He.

With the Coin redreemeth He."

Liber Magi vv. 7-10

Duality: truth and falsehood, wisdom and folly

Hanuman: flying monkey god of Hindu mythology.

Some stories tell him as an incarnation of Shiva, others his son.

Son of the wind.

Prankster as a child

Epitome of wisdom.

Rama's messenger.

Hanuman Chalisa (translated): monkey god and devotee of Rama, grant us the power of higher life-force (prana) that elevates the mind and increases our devotion.

Tahuti or Thoth: Head of the ibis; concentration (meditative spirit, possibly reference to the secret of the Aeon of Osiris; that male intervention is necessary for having children)

Bears a phoenix wand (resurrection through the generative process; multiple incarnations) and Ankh (breath of life)

Alternatively: Style and Papyrus (transmits words of the gods and records their acts)

It was seen from very early times that the use of speech or writing meant the introduction of ambiguity at best, and falsehood at worst; Thoth was therefore followed by an Ape (Cynocephalus, a sacred Egyptian baboon with the face of a dog) whose business was to distort the Word of God; to mock, to simulate, and to decieve.

Other myths suggest that Thoth created himself through the power of language.

Shapeshifter: could turn into a babboon.

The Ogdoad were created from his song.

Thought to have invented writing, medicine, magic, and the Egyptian's civil and religious practices (shared music with Hathor)

Recorded the verdict of the dead; He Who Balances

Voice of Ra

Author of Every Work on Every Branch of Knowledge, Both Human and Divine

The One Who Made Calculations Concerning the Heavens, the Stars, and the Earth.

Linked to creation of calendar

Said to be the husband or father of Seshat, an ancient goddess of wisdom. He absorbed most of Seshat's roles, and became seen as his female aspect (not in Hermopolis)

Overcame the curse of Ra, allowing Nut to give birth to her five children (a myth regarding a change of calendar), with his skill at games.

Astrological Mercury: Planet of connections; everything that links and conveys; synchronicity; the magical crossroads at which the observer stands to see the similarity of meaning in the converging strands of various causes and effects.

Meeting place of Mind and Matter; logic, wit, and reason are brought into play.

The ancestor of every action is thought, and how we say something is often more important than why we say it.

Words trigger attitudes and set up resonances up resonances of their own, continuing to do their work even when the attention is elsewhere.

Bridge between the self and the world.

Shows how one can 'hijack' people, places, and situations to our best advantage - the way one can go about getting their way.

Hermes: Messenger for Zeus, and his son by Maia of the Pleiadies, and guide to the underworld.

Trickster Child.

God of language, writing, travellers, thieves and cunning, herdsmen, teaching, athletics, astrology and astronomy.

Carried herald's wand Greek 'kerykeion', Latin 'caduceus'

Hermes Trismegistus: composite of Thoth and Hermes.

Origin of Hermetic texts

Inventor of language, guide of the dead, son and messenger of God.

Said to have written the book of Thoth, 'Hermetic' text relating to sacred knowledge of the gods.

Caduceus: contains a complete symbol of the Gnosis.

Winged sun (phallus) = joy of life on all planes from the lowest to the highest.

Serpents = active and passive = Eagle and Lion

Unites Microcosm and Macrocosm, and the symbol of the Magical operation which accomplishes this.

Life itself, and is of universal application.

Wings added in 2nd century CE, but did not become popular until 15th century.

Not to be confused with staff of Asklepios (one snake on a wooden staff), which is a symbol of healers.

Loki: Originally a chaotic neutral symbol, was changed to an evil chaotic one by Christian invaders.

Shapeshifter. Androgyne (takes on both male and female forms/roles). Magician.

Trickster; beyond concepts of “good” and “evil”. Works his will at all costs.

Pre-viking myths point to an earlier version of Loki as a creator god. The Poetic Edda also references Odin, Lodur (associated with Loki), and Hoenir as those who gave life to the first humans, with Lodur providing them with Life Fire.

Eleggua: (an article on misinterpretations of this diety) God of the roads and of liminal spaces.

In Santeria, is the most important of the Orisha. Without his blessing, nothing can proceed. Allows prayers to reach the Orisha. Facilitates divination.

The first to test our integrity and our word. “Because of this quality many followers of Santeria consider Elegba to be a trickster or a troublemaker. At our church we prefer to think of him as the great experimenter, always testing humanity to see what will happen next.”

In the Vision of the Universal Mercury, Hermes is seen descending upon the sea, which refers to Mary. (The path of Beth on the Tree of Life shows him descending from Kether, the Crown, upon Binah, the Great Sea)

To continue the identification, compare Christ's descent into hell with the function of Hermes as guide of the dead.

It may be noted here that Mercury and Venus are the planets between us and the Sun, as if the son and mother were mediators between the Earth and the father.

3 days for Mercury to become visible after separating from the orb of the sun, compared to Christ's resurrection after 3 days

The Lord of Illusion: Vi Veri Vniversum Vivus Vici = By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe

Universal Solvent: water & blood. sperm & amniotic fluid & menstrual blood

Alkahest: hypothetical universal solvent. Paracelcius' philosophers's Stone. Dissolve anything into it's elements.

Sal alkali: caustic potash in alcohol. Caustic lime, alcohol, and carbonate of potash.

Azoth: started as hypothetical universal solvent, later became term for element Mercury.

Symbol was caduceus

Name is medieval Latin, an alteration of Azoc, derived from Arabic al-zā'būq, "the mercury"

As the Universal Life Force, the Azoth is the animating energy of the body and the inspiration and enthusiasm that move the mind.

"light of nature", or "mind of God"

Philosopher's Stone: Ignis et Azoth fibi sufficiunt

Azoth is related to Ain Soph

“Azoth, or Universal Medicine, is, for the soul, supreme reason and absolute justice; for the mind, it is mathematical and practical truth; for the body it´s the quintessence, which is a combination of gold and light. In the spiritual world, it is the First Matter of the Great Work, the source of the enthusiasm and activity of the alchemist. In the mental world, it is intelligence and industry. In the material world, it is physical labor.

Sulfur, Murcury, and Salt, which, volatized and fixed alternatively, compose the Azoth of the sages. Sulfur corresponds to Fire, Mercury to Air and Water, Salt to Earth.” - Eliphas Levi, Transcendental Magic

Believed by Aleister Crowley to represent a unity of beginnings and endings by tying together the first and last letters of ancient alphabets (A, Aleph & Alpha) (Z, final in Latin) (O, final in Greek) (Th, final in Hebrew). Universal synthesis of opposites as a ´cancellation’ (i.e. solvent) or cohesion (i.e. medicine)

Schamayin: “(hebrew for ‘heaven’) who is Androgyne, who is Divine Fiery Water, the first outflow of the Word of God, the flaming river pouring from the presence of the eternal mind.

Universal Mercury or Azoth - the measureless spirit of life.

This original spiritual fiery water comes through Edem (”vapor” in Hebrew) and pours itself into the four main rivers of the four Elements.

In this Edem (vaporous essence or mist) is the first, or spiritual Earth, the incomprehensible and intangible dust out of which God formed Afam Kadmom, the spiritual body of man” - Manly P. Hall, The Secret Teachings of All Ages

Divinatory Interpretations:

Skill, wisdom, adroitness, elasticity, craft, cunning, deceit, theft.

Sometimes occult wisdom or power, sometimes a quick impulse, a “brain-wave”.

It may imply messages, business transactions, the interference of learning or intelligence with the matter in hand.

#magick #witch #witchblr #witchcraft #witches of tumblr #pagan community #magical theory #magic theory #magic community #tarot #toth tarot #tarot community

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recentanimenews · 3 years

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FEATURE: Giving Thanks for Kyoto Animation

Hello everyone, and welcome back to Why It Works. Have you caught the new trailer for Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid Season 2? The world has changed massively since Kyoto Animation last produced a TV anime, and it frankly took the viewing of a genuine, fully animated trailer to convince me they’ve returned. The Kyoto Animation fire was a tragedy beyond imagining, an attack on a studio that helped inspire my own passion for animation, and the world of animation has been darker without their presence. While I still mourn the many brilliant creators we’ve lost, I’m thankful the studio is carrying on their legacy — and with Dragon Maid now on the horizon, I’m realizing anew just how much joy they’ve brought to me and how much hope they still inspire in me regarding the future of anime. Today I’d like to share some of the reasons and memories that make me thankful for Kyoto Animation, and I encourage you all to share some of your own!

The first time I became aware of Kyoto Animation as a distinct studio was during the airing of Chuunibyou, almost ten years ago. I was working an unsatisfying job at the time, commuting into the city to proofread wellness and self-help books, then commuting back to my parents’ house. One of my sources of joy in that quasi-adult stasis was the thought of the next Chuunibyou episode waiting for me as I rode the train home in the dark. The show possessed a seemingly effortless cohesion of animation and art design, and what’s more, it was genuinely hilarious — while most anime failed to get a giggle out of me, Chuunibyou’s comedic timing seemed beyond mortal comprehension. I enjoyed the show so much that it actually inspired me to first start writing about anime and sharing my thoughts about storytelling on reddit.

The next Kyoto Animation property to really grab my heart was Sound! Euphonium. By the time Euphonium arrived, anime writing was more than an idle passion of mine; I’d established my own blog and was lucky enough to write about it weekly for Anime News Network. Euphonium helped to both sharpen my own critical abilities, and also pin down what I truly love about anime in the first place. The show embodied my artistic passions: thoughtful, intimate character drama, a strong focus on private emotions, and a gorgeous fusion of cinematography and animation, such that the feelings of the characters are visually, viscerally clear. As someone whose formal education was focused solely on prose fiction, it was shows like Sound! Euphonium that made me fall in love with visual storytelling, too.

From there, I was hooked on Kyoto Animation and started diving back into the rest of their catalog. I’d seen Hyouka before, but watching it now, with an eye trained by years of media criticism, was a genuinely revelatory experience. Hyouka is quite simply a masterpiece, one of the grand treasures not just of Kyoto Animation’s catalog, but of animation as a whole. The show embodies a profound synthesis of cinematography, animation, and emotional intent, with each frame implying hidden icebergs of subtext, character history, and thematic contrast. Yasuhiro Takemoto was one of anime’s greatest directors, and while it’s painful to see Maidragon continuing without his presence, I can only feel thankful for the grand legacy he has left us.

While Takemoto was Hyouka’s overall director, the very process of rewatching Hyouka helped me to better understand what a collaborative process anime production is, and how much individual animators and episode directors can contribute to a work. While it can be tempting to attribute some work’s greatness to the talent of a studio overall, studios are fluid and nebulous constructs, even when you set aside how many of the medium’s talents are purely freelance or conscripted only for specific projects. With Kyoto Animation’s in-studio school, fully salaried workforce, and generally collaborative culture, their works tend to feel a bit more cohesive than most — but even among their talented and synergistic team, it was impossible to deny the talent of Naoko Yamada.

It took me longer than it should have to clue into Yamada’s greatness, given her early directorial successes were slice of life projects like K-On! K-On! initially seemed like it wouldn’t appeal to me at all — after all, as I said, my journey began in pure narrative fiction, and K-On! seemed almost willfully anti-narrative. But while watching it, I began to realize just how many stories are being told every day, every moment, in the smallest pauses and tiniest human interactions. K-On! brings these tiny, precious moments to life, emphatically declaring that ordinary life with people you love is a story well worth celebrating. By the end of its second season, I was bawling alongside its characters, unable to let their stories go.

Since then, Yamada has ascended to the stars, directing a series of feature films that are all fantastic in their own way, but which have culminated in the utterly sensational Liz and the Blue Bird. From the film’s opening moments, you know you’re in for something special. With its incredibly precise sound design, palpably anxious cinematography, and gorgeous character acting, it builds an entire emotional landscape, inviting you to truly see the world from the eyes of its lonely heroine. Liz is perhaps the most delicate, carefully observed film I’ve seen, and its brilliance has inspired me to follow Yamada’s own journey — to explore the peaks and valleys of film at large and bring those influences and insights back to animation.

Great art is never a finish line. Great art is a journey, a source of encouragement, an open door leading to even more inspiring art experiences. It is a statement of high praise to say that some work inspired you to seek out more art, and Kyoto Animation’s works have instilled that feeling in me again and again, constantly pushing me to explore more widely, and engage more deeply. Through their works, I have come to love art more fiercely than ever, and appreciate just how much thought and passion goes into the works I love. I’m forever thankful to all of their generous artists for this gift, and happy beyond words to see them returning to feature production. They are a bright light in an often harsh world, and I pray for the best for all of them.

What has Kyoto Animation meant to you? Let us know in the comments!

Nick Creamer has been writing about cartoons for too many years now and is always ready to cry about Madoka. You can find more of his work at his blog Wrong Every Time, or follow him on Twitter.

Do you love writing? Do you love anime? If you have an idea for a features story, pitch it to Crunchyroll Features!

By: Nick Creamer

#Anime #News #Latest in Anime News by Crunchyroll!

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basicsofislam · 5 years

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ISLAM 101: Muslim Culture and Character: Morals And Manners: Part 4

STUDYING AND LEARNING (Part 1)

The basis for acquiring knowledge is reading and studying. The first revelation of God’s Word to Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), the first command of his Prophethood, began with the command, “Read!” This announced a fundamental principle. Let us revisit these verses in Sura Alaq, the first verses of the Qur’an to be revealed:

(1) Read in and with the Name of your Lord, Who has created–

(2) created man from a clot clinging (to the wall of the womb)!

(3) Read, and your Lord is the All-Munificent,

(4) Who has taught (man) by the pen–

(5) taught man what he did not know! (96:1–5)

The first revelation begins with the command to read the miracle of creation through faith in God and knowledge of Him. Then it refers to the creation of human beings, encouraging contemplation on this miraculous occurrence in the second verse. It continues with another directive to “read,” and refers to “the pen,” “teaching/learning” (between God and people), “knowing” and “knowledge.” It is one of God’s great blessings that man, at first an insignificant being, was given knowledge that elevated humankind to the highest level over all other creatures. Being taught not only knowledge but also the use of the pen, humankind has thus been entrusted with the duty of spreading this knowledge far and wide, using it for development and progress and preserving it for future generations. If it were not for the revelation of God and the blessings of abilities that are represented by “the pen” and “the book,” humanity could not have accomplished all the achievements that have been constructed on the accumulated wisdom of centuries.

The basic state of humanity was unenlightened until God blessed us, allowing us to grow in knowledge. At every stage, knowledge was given as a blessing and the doors of learning were opened by God. That which people thought they themselves had developed, in truth was given to them by their Creator without their realizing it. For this reason, everyone who has some knowledge should recognize the true Source of such blessings, praising and turning to the One Who granted them and employing them in a manner that is pleasing to God. This will ensure that knowledge will never separate a person from God or cause them to forget Him.

Any “knowledge” that distances a person from their Creator is divorced from its basic purpose. It can never be of benefit to people or make them happy, for it can produce only evil, depression, or destruction. As such knowledge has deviated from the Source of knowledge it has lost its direction and no longer leads to the Path of God. Therefore, it is crucial that someone who attains knowledge not forget, even for a moment, that the power and authority the knowledge has brought can be used for right or for wrong, and all persons will be responsible to the Originator of that knowledge for the way it is used.

be used together with the ability to reason, drawing particular at- tention to the fact that any knowledge based on knowledge of God is true knowledge and beneficial to those who possess it. In fact, knowledge has a potentially destructive power in the hands of those who do not use their reason, merely acting in sheer ignorance of God. Beyond this basic adab of knowledge, let us now examine the further sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be up- on him, on this topic.

At every opportunity, the Prophet drew attention to the importance of knowledge. One day he said to Abu Dharr, “O Abu Dharr, if you leave your home in the morning to go out to learn a verse of the Qur’an, this holds more blessings for you than performing a hundred rakats of supererogatory prayer. And if you leave your home in the morning to go out to acquire knowledge, this holds more benefit for you than performing a thousand rakats

of supererogatory prayer.” In another hadith, God’s Messenger

said, “When God wills blessings for someone, He makes them knowledgeable in religion.”

One of the most esteemed Companions of the Prophet, Ibn Abbas, gave the following advice: “Tell people one hadith per week. If this does not seem enough, recount two or three. And never cause people to become bored with the Qur’an! When people are talking amongst themselves, never let me see you walk up and interrupt them to teach them something. When they are speaking, be quiet and listen. If they come to you and ask you to talk, then you should teach them on their request.”

In addition to choosing the appropriate time, it is also important when teaching ethical principles or religious knowledge to choose a level that can be understood by one’s audience. Some people try to appear knowledgeable by using a style and manner which is not clear or understandable. This is wrong, as it goes against the proper manners of speaking to people in a way that makes sense to them. No less a person than Ali ibn Abu Talib said, “Tell people things they can understand. Do you want to be responsible for making God and His Messenger misunderstood?” He meant that plain and clear speech should be used, especially when speaking of spiritual matters. Ibn Mas’ud also said, “If you say something to a gathering which is above their intellectual capacity, it will certainly lead some of them into mischief.”

Someone who lives an exemplary life and tries to please God by teaching other people and sharing knowledge is on the Path of God, and God is indeed pleased by such a person. Kathir ibn Qays explains, “I was in the Mosque at Damascus sitting beside Abu al- Darda. A man came and said, ‘O Abu al-Darda, I came from the Prophet’s city of Medina to ask about a hadith that I have heard you are relating.’ Abu al-Darda, in order to find out whether this was really the man’s intention, asked, ‘Could you also have come to do business (trade)?’ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘I did not come to do any such thing.’ He asked again, ‘So you did not come for anything else other than to hear a hadith?’ The man replied, ‘No, I came only because I heard that you know hadith.’ Only when he had established that the man had truly come to win God’s pleasure did Abu al-Darda say, ‘I heard the Prophet of God say, “God will make the path to Heaven easy to anyone who takes to the road looking for knowledge. Angels lower their wings over the seeker of knowledge, being pleased with what he does. All the creatures in the earth and sky, even the fish in the sea, pray for God’s help and forgiveness for those who acquire knowledge. The superiority of the scholar over the worshipper is like the superiority of the moon over the stars (i.e., in brightness). Scholars are the heirs to the Prophets. For the Prophets leave neither dinar nor dirham (units of money) but knowledge as their inheritance. Therefore he who acquires knowledge has in fact acquired an abundant portion.”’

The following points can be deduced from the hadith:

Any effort or endeavor that is expended on acquiring knowledge is counted as an effort or struggle made on God’s way, and this leads a person to Paradise. To put it simply, the path of knowledge is the path to Heaven; what a beautiful path it is. The angels come to the aid of one who is on this path, and all creation offers prayers for them.

The difference between the scholar and the follower is like the difference between the moon and stars, for knowledge is a light that illuminates a person’s whole surroundings and the community of the knowledgeable person. It shows the right path to everyone. However, a person who simply follows, even if they perform a great deal of supererogatory worship, does not benefit others in the same way. Their worship benefits only themselves. Those who choose knowledge, on the other hand, bring blessings down upon themselves and all those around them.

Scholars are the heirs to the Prophets; the only thing the Prophets left as an inheritance was knowledge. When scholars choose the path of learning and the pursuit of knowledge, they win the honor of inheriting the legacy of the Prophets. One of the Prophet’s Companions, Abu Hurayra, was almost always at the Prophet’s side. He would listen to all the Prophet’s teachings, carefully memorizing his sayings. One day in Medina, he spoke aloud to the people milling about on the street: “The Prophet’s inheritance is being divided up; why are you wasting time here? Go and claim your share!” The people said, “Where is it being distributed?” Abu Hurayra said, “In the mosque.” So they ran to the mosque. But soon they turned around and came back, and Abu Hurayra asked, “What’s happened?” They said, “We went to the mosque, but we did not see anything like what you said being distributed.” So he asked, “Was there no one in the mosque?” They answered, “Yes, we saw

some people; some of them were praying salat, some were

reading the Qur’an, and some were talking about the permissible and the prohibited.” Hearing this, Abu Hurayra told them, “Shame on you. That was the Prophet’s inheritance.”1

The Qur’an mentions the adab of sitting in the gatherings where a scholar or spiritual guide is teaching to increase one’s faith and knowledge:

O you who believe! When you are told, “Make room in the assemblies (for one another and for newcomers),” do make room. God will make room for you (in His grace and Paradise). And when you are told, “Rise up (and leave the assembly),” then do rise up. God will raise (in degree) those of you who truly believe (and act accordingly) and in degrees those who have been granted the knowledge (especially of religious matters). Surely God is fully aware of all that you do. (Mujadila 58:11)

When knowledge, which leads one to greater piety and a better religious life, and allows others to benefit, is added to faith, God will exalt its owner by many ranks. God commanded the Prophet, “(O Muhammad,) Say, ‘O my Lord, increase me in the knowledge!’” (TaHa 20:114).

In full submission to this Divine order, the Prophet prayed, “O God, make the knowledge you have taught me benefit me, and continue to teach me the knowledge that will benefit me. Increase me in knowledge. God be praised at all times.” This prayer in which Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, asks God to make his knowledge beneficial to him is also complemented by another prayer in which he sought refuge in God from the knowledge that would not prove beneficial.

Why do humans learn? Why should knowledgeable people be so highly regarded above all others? The answer to these questions can be found in the Qur’an: “Of all His servants, only those possessed

of true knowledge stand in awe of God…” (Fatir 35:28). So it can be

said that one reason for this is that scholars make it possible for others to know God better and to better understand the message of the Prophets of God.

God’s Messenger taught that it was worthwhile to envy two things. One of these is when someone takes the possessions God has bestowed on them and spends them in the way of God. The other is when someone blessed with knowledge and wisdom becomes a teacher and shares that wisdom with others. This means that when one acquires knowledge, one should then teach it to others; it is not wrong to “envy” (desire to be like) a person who does this.

The Prophet said the following regarding studying, literacy, education, making our knowledge a source of good for others, and educating others: “It is incumbent upon all Muslims to acquire knowledge.” As we can see, studying and learning are of critical importance in Islam. These hadith confirm the Prophet’s teaching,

“Knowledge and wisdom are the common property of every believer; wherever they are found, they should be acquired.”

The technology we have today is without a doubt the product of knowledge. It is easy to understand, looking from the perspective of the heights of knowledge, from the science and technology that have been achieved in the modern world, why Islam emphasizes knowledge and education so strongly. Is it possible to ignore its importance when we are surrounded by all the useful fruits and products of intellectual inquiry? Certainly, we must listen well to the teachings of Islam on this matter and show greater concern for educating the next generation if we are to solve some of the current harmful trends. Instead of leaving them material possessions, we should spend our money to make sure they receive opportunities to become truly “rich” in knowledge. Ali ibn Abu Talib said, “Someone who has money will have to protect it, whereas a person who has knowledge will be protected by it. Knowledge is a king; possessions are captives. And when possessions are spent they diminish, while knowledge increases when shared.” Highlighting the excellence of knowledge Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Be of those who teach or those who learn those who listen, or those who love knowledge. If you are not in at least one of these groups, you are headed for destruction.”16

The adab of learning applies not only to those who are teaching- in and learning religious studies but all types of useful knowledge. Here we give some details for our younger brothers and sisters who are students, regarding the adab of learning to add to what has been quoted above:

If at first, you don’t succeed do not lose heart.

Classes should be entered with a mind that is prepared and willing.

Listen to a teacher with your spiritual ears.

When you don’t understand something, always ask.

Try to make friends with successful students and get tips from them.

Always plan and organize your time.

Always try to be the best.

Don’t go on to something else until you have understood what you are working on.

If what you are studying is practically applicable, learn it through the application.

Do not maintain ties with people who discourage you from learning or dislike your studying.

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bnrobertson1 · 5 years

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“It made our trials seem smaller” BRMR #15: The Straight Story

You can’t throw an internet rock without hitting an article about the greatness of 1999 film. And with good reason. Between the emergence of new talent (Spike Jonze) to the ascension of some of our most lauded artists (P. T. Anderson, David O. Russell), the year was filled with great filmmakers making great fiction. And that statement wouldn’t even reflect my personal favorite film of the year, American Movie. Those who whined there was nothing good at the multiplexes- and there’s always more-than-enough of those bags o’ fun around- look like unimaginative Philistines in retrospect.

And then there was The Straight Story.

Until very recently (August 2019ish?), I could have sworn to you I had never even heard of the existence of this movie. Which… well, whatever, hundreds of thousands titles wear that definition comfortably. But none of them were directed by Mr. Eraserhead himself, David Lynch, as The Straight Story was*.

[Like 99% of the internet, I’m a big David Lynch fan. One that wrote extensively about him a decade ago, and whose interest has only intensified and enriched in the days since. I would argue there are few artists are responsible for American art’s evolution as Mr. Lynch, but that is a for another piece. Just know I like David Lynch for most of the same reasons others do.]

Between the masterpieces about the female orgasm, the genre-smashing television series, and the reclamation-in-the-name-of-cool of PBR, few artists define “weird” as acutely as David Lynch. His name is so closely associated with the grotesque yet alluring that it has literally become a synonym for it. And while I’m not watching-blu-rays-backwards obsessive about the director, I am a big enough fan to at least know his strange-stuffed filmography by heart.

Or so I thought until I read about the existence of The Straight Story, barely mentioned as a lesser-film in one of the bigger 1999 retrospectives. Even though it was made in between Lost Highway* and the aforementioned Mulholland Drive, The Straight Story does not fit into the “David Lynch is the weirdest dude on the planet” narrative. At all. Whatsoever. And that’s the exact reason self-described film-geeks like your’s truly don’t know it- and the exact reason why we should.

*My pick for the film that best captures Lynch’s philosophical dance with the bizarre

The Straight Story features very few Lynchian qualities. There is virtually no violence, no perverse close-ups of bloody, loose limbs, and no suddenly naked, screaming femme fatales. It doesn’t even feature a curse word. It’s literally G-rated, which is the first thing that makes you think this must be some other David Lynch. This must be a case where you’re mixing up one Paul Anderson with Paul Anderson.

Alas, nope. It’s the same David Lynch. So, prelude over, how is Chief Cole’s G-rated foray into sentimental Americana for mass-consumption?

As profoundly gorgeous as any film in recent memory.

How, exactly, did this happen? How did Lovecraft’s metaphorical son produce one of the most genuinely warm and moving films I’ve ever seen? By staying true to himself, of course. While The Straight Story’s story, a based-on-truth tale of an aging man driving a riding lawn mower to visit his ailing brother, is about as far as narratively possible from the intentionally convoluted works with which Lynch is most oft identified, watching the film it becomes obvious that it is still the same director. The lushness of detail where art, and life, really come to life is unmistakably DL. No, there is no 60s icon sucking on a mysterious gas; there is, however, a deer-loving woman who constantly finds herself hitting them with her car on her way to work. While there are no focused-upon phones or boxes that represent chaos, there are a pair of hot pink gloves at a greasy spoon prominently displayed at a turning point. Instead of beer being discussed, a “grabber” is. There is no starlet’s naked body filling its frames with detached beauty, just the grace of some of the best crop-porn the Midwest has ever produced. The lead performance* doesn’t give pause because of its nuanced complexity- it gives pause because of its deeply-rooted earnestness. While it is purposefully lacking in the detached irony of many of Lynch’s most celebrated works, it more than compensates with knotless empathy of rare fidelity.

*Richard Farnsworth, who was nominated for Best Actor, would lose to Kevin Spacey and his performance in American Beauty, a candidate to take Film that Has Aged Worst in the Last 20 Yearsaway from Revenge of the Nerds

To close, I wanted to discuss a question that has been mentally looming since my misty eyes found the “Eject” button as the end credits rolled: would I have liked this film nearly as much as I did were it not directed by The One David Lynch, aka MR. BELOVED* AMERICAN AUTEUR? The short answer is “no,” but not for the reasons you might presume. At 36, I’m confidence enough in my tastes to like a piece of art that is not made by some universally-lauded artiste. I think I would have liked The Straight Story quite a bit for its meditative and kind qualities. For the way it looks at the goodness of the human race, and life itself. For its frame-worthy cinematography and great leading performance. For the way it methodically builds to its ending, one of the most soulful I can remember seeing on celluloid. Ironically, I could see me thinking some of the stranger details, such as some of the turns of phrase or the entirety of Sissy Spacek’s character, coming across like a film school imitation of the Lynchian aesthetic, implying some sort of warped commentary about the America we see versus what it really is (whatever the hell that may mean). But it wasn’t some star-gazing film student who made this film- it is the OG himself, the one with the filmography of dark, beautiful delights. And it is the images of darkness that Lynch has conjured that makes the light he brings simultaneously stunning and moving (somehow). Lynch typically rhapsodizes about America and the nature of existence in his films- The Straight Story is no different with a point no less substantial, except instead of commanding the alienating to make his point, he utilizes the inviting. The really odd thing is that this sweetly-natured side of Lynch has never really been hidden. It has been in the interviews** he gives, the passion he talks about transcendental meditation, even the character he plays from Twin Peaks. Sure, they’re weird, but they have a genuine, boyish enthusiasm for life that is impressionable in the best ways imaginable. Art is not in a vacuum and it’s impossible to act like it is and that should also apply to evaluation. What The Straight Story lacks in its creator’s typical irony and complexity it more than makes up for with a surprising light of endless warmth and beauty*. Break out your grabber and pick up a copy. Not only is it itself a masterpiece, it makes all of its master’s works shine even brighter. Grade: A+***

*For the minute, at least

**You’ve never seen a man say GEE GOLLY! and similar 50s sentiments so genuinely and lively.

***My inspiration for this piece was born out of a quote from the film. While discussing his estranged brother with a hospitable stranger, Alvin talks about how the two of them would stare at the stars together in the cold and comfort one another. “It made our trials seem smaller.” I couldn’t figure out a way to weave this into this piece, but I feel an obligation to point out my awe of that sentence’s structure and sentiment. About as beautiful as it gets. Maybe I can sneak it in the title somehow…

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celestialsushi · 7 years

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It’s Just Tea (Undertale Shipping Pride Month 2017, Day 9: Alphore)

(Wow, long title, lol. Anyway)

First and foremost, happy birthday to my friend, @the-intuitive-special, who started Undertale Shipping Pride Month :D This fic is primarily written for her:3 Second, Alphore (Alphys x Asgore) landed on her birthday this year and, seeing as she ships it, I thought this would be a great birthday gift for her :D I hope you all enjoy it as well!

(Honestly, this ship needs more love; it’s so cute!)

~~~

“It’s o-okay. Y-You’re fine. I-It’s just… tea. J-Just tea with… with…”

She couldn’t even bring herself to say his name. Just the thought was turning her face hot and sending her heart pounding like a madwoman. Sighing loudly, she threw herself on her bed--making sure that it was in its sleeping state rather than its storage cube state. The last thing she needed was a physical injury to add to her already frenzied mental state.

“DARLING~!” came a loud voice as soon as its owner popped in through the door. Mettaton looked around, expecting the little dino darling to be right there watching anime, but to his surprise, she was nowhere in sight. “Well, that’s odd…” he muttered. Stepping over the threshold, he began wandering around, searching for his body’s creator.

“Oh for… whyyyy him and whyyyy now…?” Alphys moaned. She grabbed a pillow and threw it over her face, screeching into it.

Unfortunately for her, Mettaton heard her distressed noises and came immediately bolting into the room. “Alphys, darling, are you all right??”

The jig was up. She threw the pillow up over her head, missing its intended spot by about a foot. “N-No.”

It didn’t take the robot long to figure out what was going on. “A date, is it? I must say, darling, that looks rather ravishing on you! It’s too bad I have way too much on my plate right now and no time for dating, otherwise I’d snatch you away in a nanosecond!”

She frowned. “Thanks, Mettaton…”

“I mean it, darling; you really do look lovely. Whoever you’re going out to dinner with is a lucky monster. Or… is it perhaps a human?”

“Monster!! Monster. Th-They’re a monster, M-Mettaton…” she said, bolting upright to quickly correct her friend. “I-I have no i-interest in h-humans…”

He flashed her an incredulous smile. “We’ll save that discussion for another day, Alphy-dear. Now then, where are you going?”

“Uh, n-not dinner, like you th-thought. I-It’s just tea…”

“Tea? Well, my my my, that DOES narrow down the list a bit.” He began pacing back and forth, watching Alphys sweat bullets out the corner of his uncovered eye. “And… this person you’re having tea with… she’s really impressed with you, isn’t she?”

“W-Wrong again, M-Mettaton…”

“You mean she’s NOT impressed with you?”

“N-No!” Alphys quickly covered up her mouth. She REALLY needed to get a hold of herself; the overreacting was way too obvious. “I-I mean… it’s not a sh-she…”

“Oh! Okay then… that definitely narrows the list down…” He continued to pace.

“Y-You know it wouldn’t have been Undyne a-anyway… not after w-we…”

Mettaton stopped and gave her a sympathetic glance. “Ah, yes, I see. Well wait, didn’t you and her meet for coffee yesterday?”

“W-Well, yes, but what else w-would crazy close friends do? Besides, we reconciled ages ago.”

“I can’t keep up with ALL the gossip, darling; touring does that to a poor, out-of-the-loop robot. But I see. And well, of COURSE you two would be ‘crazy close’, having seen--”

“Where THIS conversation is going and I’d LIKE to change the subject, IF YOU DON’T MIND…!” Alphys’ now puffed-out cheeks were a brilliant shade of ruddy tangerine.

“So,” Mettaton said, continuing on as though nothing had happened. “‘He’, huh? It isn’t…” he muttered, stopping dead in his tracks. “Darling, you didn’t finally woo the KING of ALL MONSTERS, did you??”

Just hearing the title was enough to make Alphys fall backward on her bed. After a few moments of silence passed, she sat back up, staring at the oddly silent Mettaton. “Wh-Why aren’t you making a fuss over this?”

He shook his head. “Darling, I can see that you’ve finally attained a dream of yours. For so long, I’ve heard you pine after the king. And here he is, right here, waiting just for YOU. Alphy, dear, you’ve really struck a vein of amazing luck buried deep within the crust of life’s surface. How can I ever make light of that?”

That was oddly thoughtful of him, she mused. “W-Well… th-thank you…”

“Hey, you helped me achieve MY impossible dream. We as monsters all did, finally coming to the surface. I can’t think little of a situation like this at all, not when a dream is finally coming to fruition. So!!” He sprang to her bedside, the energy in his voice dramatically returned and increased threefold. “I am going to help you get ready for this big event! It’s your first date together, right??”

“W-Well, y-yes. A-And thank you, M-Mettaton, but…!”

“But NOTHING, darling! I shall make you the beautiful monster you are on the inside and show the entire world the TRUE Alphys! Ohh, you will be as radiant as the stars and as intense as a spotlight~!”

It was no good; he was on one of his tangents and wouldn’t be stopping anytime soon, especially not with Alphys’ lack of assertiveness. “...But it’s just tea…” she squeaked.

~~~

*Ding-dong*

It was too hot. Too hot to be standing outside in July in what amounted to a deluxe cupcake of a dress, frilly layers and fabric everywhere. And the hat, the wide-rimmed lady’s sun hat tied under her chin with a ribbon… oh, it was adorable--the whole outfit was, in fact--but much too hot for a sweltering day like this.

Alphys grumbled, muttering to herself about anime-sharing regrets when she heard footsteps behind the door. Standing bolt upright, she could feel the color draining from her face as the door opened to reveal a nicely--but casually dressed--Asgore.

“Ahh, good afternoon, Alphys! I’m…” He paused a moment, adjusting the collar of his buttoned Hawaiian shirt. “...Very glad you could make it today! Please, come in!” He stepped out of the way, gently gesturing for her to step over the threshold.

“Th-Thank you…” she murmured, grabbing some of the ample ruffles of her skirt and trying her best to keep them from falling on her face. After a little trouble negotiating the doorway, she finally made it inside, happy to be in the sweet embrace of air conditioned atmosphere.

She turned around a bit, taking a good look at her surroundings. She hadn’t been to Asgore’s apartment yet, even after a few years on the surface, but it had the same homey feeling that his house back in New Home had had. Country-like decor hung here and there on the walls, and there was the inviting scent of something having just been pulled out of the oven. She closed her eyes to take it in.

When she’d finished soaking up the scent, she realized that Asgore had… had been staring at her for the past few moments. “O-Oh!! I’m s-sorry, I probably should do something… o-or say something…”

Asgore shook his head. “Oh no, you’re fine, Alphys. I was just… I was just admiring you,” he said, clearing his throat. “That dress is rather stunning, after all.”

“O-Oh, this? W-Well, it’s kind of funny, actually. Mettaton was looking for show ideas and I ended up introducing him to this ‘Gone with the Wind’ anime, and… w-well, suffice it to say, I think he’s… he’s on a southern culture rampage?” She giggled tremulously, adjusting her glasses and swallowing a little. “B-But yeah, that’s exactly the reason I’m dressed like a southern cupcake. I have no idea how I feel about it at the moment, to be honest…”

“Not that I want to sway your judgment,” said Asgore, heading to the kitchen and beckoning for her to follow. “But I find it rather charming. It really enhances your beautiful features.”

If Alphys had been sitting on the barstool, she’d have fallen off. Thankfully, the volume of her skirt had hidden the fact that her knees had buckled a bit. Heck, even the cage under her many layers had helped keep her standing. “U-Uh… th-thank you…”

“Now then,” said Asgore, quickly turning to a pot of hot water on the stove. “What kind of tea would you like? The grocery store down the road has quite a selection, so I’ve been able to stock up on many kinds. What mood are you in?”

“You,” she muttered. Her eyes flew wide open. “I-I MEAN… I’d like whatever YOU are having, aheheh… I’m… r-really not too picky.”

She could’ve sworn she saw his cheeks redden a bit as he looked back at the kettle.

“Ah, all right. Then… I shall make us both some golden flower tea. And as we’re having the same,I’ll infuse the whole pot; it’ll save time.”

Alphys nodded absentmindedly. Had she just told Asgore she was in the mood for HIM? Was there any way to go back in time and check that for memory accuracy? Suddenly she found herself feeling like a dippy teenager in one of the many highschool love triangle anime she owned.

A few moments later, Asgore had turned around, now carrying a tray. “I was going to suggest that we sit here in the kitchen for our tea, but I realize you may have some trouble with the barstools. The living room might be a better location.”

The little monster had to snap herself out of her daze, turning to look out the way they’d come in. “O-Oh! R-Right… that should be… yeah, that should work…” She led the way out of the kitchen, marching over to one of the couches. Asgore may have been a big monster, but at least his couches weren’t too high off the ground. She did her best to climb up onto the seat, pausing a moment when she heard a loud clink coming from Asgore’s tea set. She quickly flipped around on the seat to face forward, soon realizing exactly why that noise had occurred.

In the cloud of fabric, she couldn’t see anything. Asgore, on the other hand…

She was thankful she was wearing bloomers.

“OH!” Alphys yelped. Frantically, she tried as hard as she could to push down the skirt, but all she ended up doing was flipping forward, her dress holding her dangling over the ground, between the couch and the coffee table.

Asgore quickly got up from his chair. “Alphys! Are you all right?” He stood there, looking at her like a confused puppy, waiting for instructions.

Thoughts and images of Mettaton wheeled through her mind as she cussed the robot out under her breath. He probably knew this was going to happen… somehow, he had a way of putting her in embarrassing situations. Call it natural talent or general assholery. But she should’ve realized by now that to avoid getting into an embarrassing MTT-Brand Moment™, you had to be direct, put your foot down, and just say no. ...This was, admittedly, something that Alphys needed to work on.

“Y-Yeah… Asgore… I think I’m all right?” she said, defeat tinting her voice.

“Would you like me to get you down from there? That cannot be comfortable…”

“N-No, it’s fine. I’m o-okay.” A few awkward moments of her twiddling her thumbs passed before she said, “I c-can’t reach the cookies, though…”

Smiling, Asgore stood up, gave her a small plate with some cookies, and moved to sit down on the couch right beside her. Even with the skirt-induced height, he still towered over her while standing, but while sitting, the height difference had somehow become more tolerable. “Just let me know if you’d like more; I would be more than happy to get them for you. And, of course, to hand you your tea when you’d like it.”

Alphys tried to ignore the lump forming in her throat, but no matter how much she swallowed, it stayed, and brought its lacrimal friends with it. “D-Damn it…” she muttered, trying to quickly wipe away any evidence of her sensitive nature.

Asgore gently rested a hand on her shoulder. “What is the matter, Alphys?”

She shook her head, trying to dismiss her thoughts. “I mean, I-I guess it’s insignific-cant, but… well… h-have you ever wanted something so badly, that wh-when you finally got it, you have absolutely no idea HOW you got it, and you’re worried y-you’re in some kind of dream and will lose it as soon as you… as soon as you wake up?”

The large goatlike monster nodded so gently, almost immediately upon hearing her question. “Every day.” Looking up and beyond Alphys, over to the window by the front door, he surveyed the scenery outside. “When I think of what I promised my people, and about how differently things came to be, it seems like a dream every single day.”

That made sense. He was always a benevolent king, eager to help others and really get to know them… of course he would put his people first. Even now, with no throne, he still was concerned for the welfare of all monsters.

“So I suppose…” he continued, “that I do understand how you’re feeling.” He took a sip of tea that, amount-wise, looked more like a pint from her perspective. “How about yourself? If it’s not too personal…”

Alphys shook her head. “I-It shouldn’t be… I-I mean, well, this IS a date after all, aheh… and it has to do with that.” She turned to Asgore as best she could in the cupcake dress, the mistiness of tears starting to cloud her vision a bit. “I… w-well, I can’t tell you exactly how long I’ve been in love with you, Asgore. Maybe since the first time I met you, who knows?” She paused a moment. “Oh, w-wow… this feels so weird actually saying all of this to you… like, finally, after all those times I practiced it in the mi--Uhhhhhhh you know what? I should probably get back on track…”

The former king chuckled. “It is all right; please continue.”

“Anyway, uh… y-yeah. I’m just terrified that… well, th-that this is all just s-some crazy amazing dream where I end up with one of my crushes, only to have it all ripped away from me as soon as I wake up. Silly as it is, I’ve actually started pinching myself when I get up first thing, just to see how much of all this is real.”

With a tender smile, Asgore gently cupped the side of her head with his hand. “Let me be the first to assure you that this is very real. Everything that happened last month was very real as well. And you most certainly asked me out then, too.”

Her cheeks flushed a peachy pink. Closing her eyes, she rested her tiny hand on the back of his, her fingers lost in the fluff. “Th-Thank you… just… thank you.”

“It is quite my pleasure,” he said. “If we’re being honest, I would like to think that I first had the tiniest inklings of fancying you… mmm, probably back when… when you’d been the royal scientist for not even six months.”

Alphys’ eyes flew wide open. “Th-That long ago??”

“As I said, they weren’t large feelings. But rather, tiny thoughts and musings. They weren’t allowed to grow to full fruition until you had declared your love to me after the kidnapping, but they were most certainly there.”

“B-But… what about Toriel?” The little pangolin-like monster’s eyebrows creased. Admittedly, this was a topic she was concerned about but wasn’t sure how to approach. Was now the right moment?

But Asgore shook his head. “She is fully contented where she is. If I weren’t to move on, how could I ever see myself in a healthy relationship with anyone else? With you? I can’t leave myself in that kind of emotional bondage.”

Her cheeks flushed as she viciously fought back thoughts that were decidedly inappropriate for the moment, but still… she felt relieved. “C-Can I just say… that I’m… a little more at ease after hearing you say that?”

The larger monster smiled. “Well, of course. And besides, it isn’t healthy to go into a relationship with someone while carrying extra baggage. I want to start fresh. And I would be honored to start fresh with you.”

Alphys giggled, trying to fight back a fresh batch of tears that was trying to spread down her cheeks. “W-Wow, I still can’t believe… of all people, th-that you’d choose me.”

“Ah, yes, about that…” he said, sitting up a bit. “I was going to tell you why, but we got side-tracked. Anyway, I came into the lab one day and you were feverishly typing away at your computer. I didn’t realize at the time, but you were online, writing a heated defense of your favorite anime. Um, ‘Mew Mew,’ was it?”

Her heart leapt and the tears dissipated almost immediately. “‘Mew Mew Kissy Cutie,’ yes! You remembered the title! Anyway, yes, someone was criticizing her character arc in season two and I just HAD to tell them about the sheer brilliance behind what the director was doing. It’s amazing how these people tend to miss these things; they’re just going in and looking at everything at face value!”

The warmth that manifested on Asgore’s face was impossible to miss. “And there is why I fell in love with you, even if my feelings were just beginning back then. Your notable fervor struck me that day, even if you didn’t notice I was there. You were so strong in your convictions and passionately defending them… it was quite the sight.”

“O-Oh…!” she said, averting her eyes. “W-Well… th-thank you. But really, they needed someone to put them in their place… and if someone else wasn’t going to do it to defend Mew Mew’s honor, well, I was going to be that monster myself.” She glanced down at her teacup.

Without saying a word, Asgore understood her signal, took his hand from Alphys’ cheek, and gave her the tea. As she thanked him and took a sip, he looked about, thoughtfully. “You know… we should probably arrange another date like this. I couldn’t think of a better location than an intimate setting such as my home or yours, and I would love to see this anime that you are so passionate about. Also... I am very much interested in finding out more about those two robots who were… kissing, if I recall correctly? I wonder what their story is…”

Alphys could’ve died right then and there, her only lingering regret being that she couldn’t have spent more time with Asgore. But as she was still very much alive, the regret was nonexistent. “Oh!! Yes! We can go to my place next time; I have a HUGE library that we can choose from. I’d recommend that we start with the very beginning of ‘Mew Mew Kissy Cutie,’ and then move on to ‘Kiss! Love! Robot Taisen’ right after that. They’re both REALLY good shows, but we need to skip the last episode of ‘Taisen’ because it was SUCH a letdown! I mean, after all the brilliance that was the entire show, they utterly WRECKED IT when Todosuke went and--uh, whoops, almost spoiled it! Uhhh…”

Asgore chuckled. “We should watch it soon, then.”

“Uh,” she said, unsure of what his words were indicating. “Y-You don’t mean that this d-date is almost over… do you?”

He shook his head. “Heavens, no, I am not ready for this date to end anytime soon. I just wanted to ensure that we would have a second date.”

She felt like the luckiest monster in the world. “W-Well… I’m glad, then. Because I feel the same.”

They sat in silence for a few moments, just taking the warm, sweet atmosphere in. Asgore was the first to break it, however. “So… tell me, what other anime have you shared with Mettaton? Has he gone on a kick for each of those too?”

Alphys chuckled and rolled her eyes. This was going to be a weird, convoluted story. But she knew that Asgore wouldn’t have minded at all. After all, it was her company he enjoyed, because she was who she was. And she didn’t need any more reassurance than that.

#happy birthday!#undertale shipping pride month #spm #shipping pride month #alphore #alphgore #spm 2017 #day nine #undertale #alphys #asgore #mettaton #post-pacifist #fanfic #fanfiction

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krinsbez · 4 years

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Random Pulp Hero Thought

Spent the last week reading reading Vols. 3-5 of Sanctum Books Double Reprints of The Avenger, each containing two "full-length novels" by "Kenneth Robeson" (actually Paul Ernst), an interstitial essay about 'em and the character generally by Will Murray, plus a third, shorter piece, sometimes with an introductory essay by Anthony Tollin. -Vol. 3 featured The Frosted Death, wherein an unscrupulous pharmaceutical exec working on a bioweapon for an unnamed foreign country (that is clearly Nazi germany) accidentally unleashes it on NYC, then kills his lab partner (who wants to inform the authorities, because duh) and frames his business partner (who is entirely unaware of any, because he's been too busy trying to save the company from ruin, because the first party is apparently addicted to shady deals, to notice the latest scheme), so The Avenger and Co. have a lot to do. It was good, though it is somewhat horror-y, which I'm not a fan of, and also, annoyed that Nellie and Rosabel didn't get to do much; on the upside, there's a bit where Mac and Josh are threatend with being made into "human automatons" and despite Josh being black, neither Voodoo nor zombies are brought up, which takes a certain degree of restraint from a writer of the era that I wasn't expecting. The second story was The Glass Mountain, where an old friend calls The Avenger in to deal with spooky happenings around an effort o drill through a mountain for a new rail line in Idaho. This one is also pretty good, despite some rather eye-roll-y and frequently cringe-y Native American stereotypes and the fact that Rosabel doesn't even show up. There's also one bit near the end which puzzles me a bit. I did really like the summation of how the spookiness was performed at the end. The extra is a one-shot story Ernst wrote featuring The Wraith, a character Tollin argues was something of a prototype for The Avenger. -Vol. 4 featured The Blood Ring, in which weird shit happens involving the latest acquisitions of the Egyptian wing of the Braintree Museum in DC. Also horror-y, says all kinds of absolute rot about Egyptian history and mythology but still fun, and Nellie gets to be useful, though still nothing from Rosabel, still fun. Second feature was Stockholders In Death, in which, on his deathbed, a man tells his two sons that he was murdered by a crooked bank trying to cover up that they stole over $2 million dollars in stock certificates from him, stock he'd acquired in an attempt to block said bank from doing a crooked deal. Since they have no proff of either murder or theft, one brother goes to The Avenger for help, the other brother, who apparently suffers from a fatal blend of cynicism and stupidity, insists that anyone who claims to Help The Helpless must be up to something and instead enlists gangster Nicky Luchow, who of course immediately begins planning to doublecross the kid. It's Gambit Pileups galore, especially when the bankers hire another gangster to deal with their Avenger problem, the said bankers turn out to be puppets of an unknown mastermind, a veiled mystery woman gets involved, and both brothers go off the rails. Rosabel actually gets to do something (she goes undercover as a maid for Luchow's sister, though granted she gets caught immediately after making her first important report), and The Avenger engages in some financial shenanigans of his own to put pressure on the bankers. Extra feature is a script for The Avenger's radio show. -Vol. 5 featured Tuned for Murder, in which The Avenger investigates when prominent citizens of an upstate New York town start having odd bouts of temporary insanity shortly after a local brilliant, but eccentric inventor announces that he's invented a new superweapon which he will only divulge to small countries that have been invaded by larger ones. Very fun, though the solution to the mystery is pretty obvious. I enjoyed quite a lot of the guest characters, and there's some particularly neat sequences. Also, The Smiling Dogs, when The Avenger is called in to investigate a mysterious murder in DC, while several prominent members of Congress begin to experience what seem to bizarre hallucinations, and their resultant fear that A: they might be going mad, and B: that their going mad might become known puts them in the clutches of a psychologist who's up to no good...Good stuff, though there's one of those occasional immersion-breaking "this was written in 1940" bits in that the baddie's cover story for hwy he's in DC is that he's lobbying for a bill that would obligate people to undergo mandatory sanity tests before they're allowed to marry for eugenics reasons, and everyone seems to think this is a good idea, with the only objection anyone raises to it that it might be bad politically to back a bill telling people who they can and cannot marry. The extra is a story starring minor Pulp Hero Click "Gadget Man" Rush, by Lester Dent (creator and primary writer of Doc Savage) which is apparently the middle of a trilogy who's preivous and next installments appear in volumes of Sanctum's Doc Savage reprints, but I had no trouble following it. It was verra fun.

#Random Thoughts #The Avenger #Pulp Heroes

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