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sweetestdesire · 11 hours

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3:28AM

WARNINGS: absolutely none. Just some pure, sweet content.

PAIRING(S): Quinn Hughes x Fem!Reader

SUMMARY: in which Fem!Reader wakes up Quinn Hughes with a very important question at three in the morning.

“Hey.” Y/N poked Quinn’s chest, hearing a low groan rumble underneath her cheek. “Quinn?” She shoved his chest, making him groan as his arms tightened around her. His upper body was bare, and the warm skin against hers felt like home, but it was simply not enough to have her go to sleep. “Quinn, wake up. C’mon.” She insisted, each word was spoken with a poke to his rib cage, and Quinn hissed, rolling over in bed to turn away with his back to her.

“No.” He mumbled sleepily. His voice was low, words slurred in his tired state, but it did little to break her resolve. She simply poked his back instead.

“Quinn, it’s important.” Y/N whispered urgently. He waited a few moments before ultimately grumbling as he gave in, turning to face her as his eyes glared at her while he rubbed the sleep out of them.

“What? What is it?” Quinn asked, his voice flat.

“Okay, so.” Y/N grinned. Quinn raised an eyebrow, and he didn’t like where this was heading even if he didn’t exactly know where this was heading. “If we were like, I don’t know, forbidden lovers or something, and we had to run away to be together, where would you wanna go?”

“It’s three in the goddamn morning, Y/N.” Quinn groaned, rubbing his face exasperatedly with his hand. Peering at her from the side, he exhaled at her pout. “Don’t make that face at me. Okay, you know what? Go ahead.”

Quinn always gave in when it came to her, and at times like these, it concerned him a little just how far he’d go for her. That much control in her hands over him couldn’t be good, but still, he trusted her. Blindly, with no doubts, Quinn always trusted her. Although, right now, he was second-guessing his choices.

“Okay, as I was saying,” Y/N huffed, “if we had to run away to be together, where would you wanna go?”

Quinn was tired and cranky, and his muscles ached, and his eyelids were the heaviest they’ve been with sleep, but still, he sighed before pondering over an answer for her question. And it was sweet, really, how he always indulged her in her mindless thoughts, no matter how pointless or how late. He always had a soft spot for her, and even if he rethought his choices sometimes, he couldn’t ever bring himself to regret them.

“Like... to another country?” Y/N hummed in confirmation. “Then I guess France.” He mumbled.

Resting her chin on his chest, Y/N peered up at him, his arm curling around her and pulling her closer. “How come?”

“So that I can push you off that big ass tower and finally get a good night’s sleep.” Quinn grunted, closing his eyes with a yawn.

Scowling, Y/N slapped his chest, making him scowl back. They both glared half-heartedly at each other, his eyes boring into hers. And he had to be up soon, but all thoughts of rest were whisked away for a moment when he caught a glimpse of her in the dark room, nothing but the moon offering any sort of light.

“Well, I wouldn’t run away with you if you treated me like that.” Y/N muttered, adding, “Jerk.” after a few moments just to ensure she got her point across.

Quinn snickered, and his arm tightened its grip on her. He felt safe because he always spoke through his actions, no matter how big or small. The way his arms grasped her, how they always kept her in place, right by his side spoke figures. His love was pure, it was raw, and it was real. She cracked a smile at his chuckles, the soft sound melting her heart and then some.

“I’m kidding, baby.” Quinn grinned, softly pecking her forehead. “I wouldn’t blow all that money on a plane just to push you off a building. I can do that anywhere.”

Rolling her eyes at how pleased he seemed at his answer, Y/N grabbed a loose strand of hair resting on his forehead, twirling the ends as she hummed thoughtfully. “Okay, if you’re about done with the shitty jokes.”

“Hey, I’ll have you know that they're not shitty.” He grumbled, poking a finger at her side.

“Why else do you wanna go there?” He shrugged, mindlessly stroking her back with his palm, looking off out the window.

“I don’t know. Isn’t it supposed to be like a romantic place?” Y/N stared at him for a moment, blinking, and for a second, he wondered if he said something wrong. And then she broke into a fit of giggles, making him stare at her bewildered as a soft blush dusted over his cheeks.

“Oh, Quinny.” Y/N snorted. “My little hopeless romantic.” She teased, pinching his cheek. The blush spread to the tips of his ears as he scowled, shoving her hand away and huffing. She hoped he didn’t feel her heart hammering in her chest from his words, though.

“I will shove you off a building. It can happen, you know.” He warned playfully. But despite his words, he still leaned in and accepted the sweet kiss she pressed to his lips, grinning as he pulled away. “Okay, your turn. Where would you wanna go?”

Shrugging, Y/N twisted the strand of hair around her finger, moving to trace the slope of his jaw. “Anywhere.” She whispered. “As long as I’m with you.” She said it truthfully, and Quinn was oddly emotional from the confession. Smiling softly, he pressed delicate kisses to her cheeks before connecting her lips, humming into the kiss as his hand rubbed up her spine.

“Baby.” Quinn murmured, and she hummed in response. “That’s real cute.” He huffed with a small chuckle, making her beam. And all too swiftly, she was pulled down with her cheek smooshed against his chest and his arms locked firmly around her, no chance for escape — though, she didn’t think she’d want to leave, anyway. “Now go to sleep.”

#quinn hughes fanfiction #quinn hughes one shot #quinn hughes x reader #quinn hughes blurb #quinn hughes imagine #quinn hughes #quinn hughes oneshot #quinn hughes fic #quinn hughes fluff #quinn hughes x female reader #quinn hughes x fem!reader #quinn hughes x y/n #quinn hughes x you #quinn hughes drabble #qh43 #vancouver canucks

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azure-cherie · 2 days

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Some astro observations pt:4🧡

It's been a year I have done an observations post ☠️ I hope you guys enjoy this one 💟

In case you want a reading :

Paid readings, paid readings 2 , masterlist

🍊 Combust or retrograde Venus can be cured through worship of Devi , respecting women and general and treating yourself well . Whereas combust mercury can be cured through practicing mathematics. Combust Saturn through practicing more routines.

🍊 Rahu synastry makes you delusional true but ketu synastry is even more delusional you will feel a sense of familiarity with the person you have the synastry with but soon you will realise oh it was all play and eventually the ketu person will actually start hating the moon person .

🍊 I think purva bhadrapada is he sign of sati as when sati was born on earth to be wife of Shiva only the expansiveness of purva bhadrapada could make her realise her true potential as mahadevi herself how she's nature and everything that truly exists in the cosmos . Likewise purva bhadrapada expands their horizons to realise their true purpose . I found some purva bhadrapada prominence in her media depiction of sati as well .

🍊 Purva bhadrapada are also truly sweet and kind people who have so much intelligence but it stays hidden for the early part of their life .

🍊 Purva Ashadha as a young girl or a maiden is often envied by her peers for being pretty , use protective things as a means to protect from evil eye , PA is associated with liver and evil eye can cause bumps in the face or skin disease .

🍊 Shravana girls have the quite confidence, they're genuinely bubbly but it's hidden in the quite girl interior, they know who they are and are constantly working on themselves.

🍊 With pisces placements in a man's chart one can have a good balance between the masculine and the feminine energy, I have generally seen pisces creating a nice atmosphere for their wives or the girls they love . They enjoy cooking and also get a lot of girl friends around them who trust them .

🍊 Gemini guys in general are the most confused people though girls can be assertive or be quickly change the men are just diplomatic about everything.

🍊 Vishakha women have the tridosha of kapha , which makes them effective in transforming their body fast .

🍊 I've seen that you might attract the sign of your 7th house but mostly it doesn't work out 💀 rather the sign in your 12th house works better , the chemistry is unbeatable and they treat you so well . Even in my case Taurus is my 12th house 💀 Taurus men be spoiling me 👑

🍊 Sun moon synastry is so passive agressive

🍊 Your atmakaraka can provide you insights on which Devi you should worship , for example if mars go for some ugra Devi like Kali , Durga etc . They can prove to be your ishtha or kuldevi please note that to find one's ishtha /kuldevi more things are to be considered.

🍊 Sun in the 10th house gives one fame but makes one work hard asf , when you're at the verge of giving up that's when true fame comes in to save you being the house of Saturn .

🍊 Jupiter in 3rd makes one materialistic they were the kids that were obsessed with new toys and gadgets as it generally makes one fidgety, also they were fulfilled in their wants for toys .

🍊 Combust mars in a girls chart overworks themselves because they feel a lack of vitality, they don't know where to exactly put efforts or what to do to make themselves feel better. Combust mars in a man's chart has the delusion of being masculine when in turn they do nothing to nourish their essence , true help in this case can be attained through puja in Tuesdays of Mangal Dev or Hanuman .

🍊 Ketu and mars can give hidden anger issues and can cause anger outbursts like Taurus mars . One way to combat that is to donate blood .

🍊 Saturn in 1H should do atleast one thing they don't like to do but is Essential for them everyday as this position might show feeling inferior or uninterested in themselves the act of doing something for themselves makes them more confident.

🍊 Mercury in combust , 6th house gives skin problems .

🍊 Rohini isn't materialistic for money but for comfort .

Thank you so much for reading, have a great day/night 🧡

#vedic astrology #sidereal astrology #astrology #astro community #astrology notes #astro notes #astro observations #astrology community #astrology observations #astrology placements

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sunkissed-zegras · 6 hours

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Can you do a pt.2 of UConn wbb manager headcannon pleasee

𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐌 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐍𝐒 ─ UCONN WBB MANAGER

─ warnings | mentions of injuries, fluffy, nothing else?

─ taglist | @xocherishxo @iienstein @yazmunson @euphternal @uraesthete @hello-nah817 @wanderlusturous and here's a link to my taglist if anyone would like to join!!

there are soooo many videos of manager getting upset over dumb calls that they make on the court

and people like read her lips and it's so funny because she'll just cuss them out not knowing there's a camera on her

like she gets pissed but since she can't get involved, she'll just talk to herself as she takes pictures

they become reaction pictures

the caption would be like "when my mom pisses me off but i can't let her hear" or something like that

there are a lot of videos of manager being really sassy but there are PLENTY of her being a sweetheart

especially to fans!!!!!!

not necessarily like clips or anything but anyone who's met her LOVES HER

she will gladly take pics of you and the player she's with, and not only that but baby girl will get ALL the angles

it's adorable

i feel everyone is very protective of manager but ESPECIALLY kk and paige because they're like her guard dogs

this may be like a really niche example but kinda like kiyoko in haikyuu??? yeah...

also NIKA

paige/kk get really protective over literally anything so it's just them tryna make you laugh when they're protective, but you/nika have a different dynamic where it's like

if anyone tries to disrespect you, not only will they have to deal with paige/kk but NIKA

and she's sm scarier than them no offense...

you know you've made into manager's heart when she starts to tease you because she's like... not being too professional with you anymore

especially like the freshman, ooo she loves teasing them

in this ask, where nonnie talks about how the team brings out manager's soft side is sooo true

like she may seem like a cold-stone bitch but in reality, she's NOT !! not even a tiny bit, poor girl just has the worst case of rbf EVER

her soft side comes out when any of the girls get injures, oh my gosh

she's the first to come to their aid and help them

and she's always there for them after the fact cus she knows how hard injuries can be when you play a support

she's there emotionally and talks them through it, makes sure that they know they're still part of the team injury or not, and of course that she loves them!!

AND she's very soft with the girls when they're going through stuff outside of basketball

relationship issues, family issues, drama within your friendgroup, baby girl is there to help them through it!!!!!

but she's not just like "therapist" friend, trust the team in return knows when theres something up w her and will do everything in their power to help her

and jump whoever hurt you

when manager gets her nails done, the team gets SOOO hurt bc they can't get theirs done bc of basketball so they get super mad at her (jokingly ofc)

so she just rubs it in their faces to get them angry LMAOOO, its very funny to witness

every once in a blue mood, manager will post a thrist trap and OH MY GOD

the entire team is in her comments hyping flirting with her up!!

and especially after uconn kinda blows up on tiktok, you bet those old thirst traps will make themselves into the damn edits

you and paige will hang out during that time and just look at edits while laughing your asses off (but paige is lowkey into yours cus she favorites them)

OOOO AND SHE FORGETS THAT THE EDITORS CAN SEE WHEN SHE SAVES THEM SO SHE JUST GETS EXPOSED AND EVERYONE'S JUST LIKE PAIGEEEE PLS 😭😭

i feel like there's def an edit with the audio "milkshake instrumental" bc everyone thinks u give off like... mean girl vibes

BUT EVERYONE FALLS IN LOVE WITH U BC OF IT, IF THAT MAKES IT???

↳ make sure to check out my navigation or masterlist if you enjoyed! any interaction is greatly appreciated !

↳ thank you for reading all the way through, as always ♡

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acewritesfics · 3 days

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Sweetheart | Tommy Shelby

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x wife!reader

Request: No

Warnings: The word whore being used a few times. A threat made.

Word Count: 640

Tommy Shelby Masterlist | Main Masterlist

Tommy enters his office and is taken aback to see his wife seated behind his desk, wearing a displeased look on her face. He lights his 6th cigarette for the day and moves to stand near the windows, knowing that whatever is about to unfold cannot be good. Her eyes follow his every move as she remains quiet waiting for him to speak first.

"I suppose I should ask if everything is well, but I have a feeling it would only anger you further," he says, observing her as she stares at him. "So why don't you tell me what I've done wrong so we can sort it out?"

She continues to scowl at him, saying, "I know you are willing to do anything to get what you want, I just never thought I would have to witness it."

His expression remains stoic, revealing nothing about what he's thinking or feeling.

"Imagine now my amazement when I saw every man's favorite whore with her hands all over my husband only to see him do nothing about it. He seemed to be encouraging it."

Tommy could see the sadness and the hurt in her eyes. He didn't miss the way her voice became strained at the end. It hurt his heart to know that it was his own foolish impulsive acts that caused her feel this way. But he could see she wasn't done talking. He remains silent, knowing that trying to apologise before she finishs would only make matters worse.

"But instead of simply confronting you, I went and confronted her," she confesses.

Tommy struggles to conceal his smirk. Y/N's headstrong personality causes her to protect what belongs to her and causes her to make sure people knew where she stands and where they stood. If he could be possessive over her, than so can she when it comes to him. Tommy was hers - him being the father to her three children, her husband and the love of her life - and she wasn't about to let anyone forget it. It's one of the many things Tommy loves about her.

"Don't worry, she said you merely used her for information. That you flirted a little, got her hopes up, and that was the end of it," Her eyes never leave his while a smirk appears on her lips. She trusted him not to go any farther than flirting. It was the whores she was wary about. Her lover before Tommy was always persuaded by them . When they first started their relationship, she made it clear to Tommy that adultery would not be tolerated.

"And what did you tell her?" Tommy enquired, slightly amused by her possessiveness. Y/N didn't typically take such action, but he admires that she was willing to confront anyone who threatened their family and marriage, even if it was against a lady of the night.

"I told her, if she touches you with her filthy little hands again, I'll cut 'em off," she confidently tells him.

"Sweetheart," he said not bothering to hide the small smirk that's forming, his head shaking side to side. "After all these years, you still surprise me with your words."

"How else are those whores meant to know I won't tolerate them trying to seduce you?" She wonders aloud as he rounds the desk, standing in front of her.

He pulls her up from the chair, lifting her to sit on his desk as he stands between her legs. "What if I need information from them? I can't have them scared of me."

"Then you get someone else to do your dirty work," she tells him. "Preferably someone who isn't married."

He smiles and kisses her, knowing she's no longer angry at him. "I love you."

"I love you too," she replies pulling him closer to kiss him again.

#acewritesfics repost #peaky blinders #tommy shelby x reader #peaky blinders x reader #thomas shelby x reader #thomas shelby #tommy shelby

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salternateunreality2 · 23 hours

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Time Travel AGSZC AU (AKA 2-for-1 whump hammer on Sefikura) - Opening

from the @strayheartless archives <3

Sephiroth and Cloud are fighting and jump into the past, but doing so knocks Jenova’s hold loose on both of them, and reduces Cloud's enhancements, so now they're in the middle of the desert outside of Midgar, Cloud is dying of injuries because his healing factor is gone, and Sephiroth is a mess of guilt and horror at what he's done.

Their sudden appearance is noticed by the Turks, who fly out with Genesis and Zack to see what's up. They see their lovers, Cloud a bloody heap, surrounded by Tsurugi's pieces, Sephiroth on his knees casting healing spell after healing spell, completely disheveled and unresponsive.

Zack: SEPH?! What- CLOUD?!?! GENESIS!!!

Genesis dives in immediately, shoving Sephiroth aside when he realizes he's just casting wildly. Sephiroth slumps, his arms barely supporting his torso, hair a wild mess around him as he stares at the ground with unfocused eyes, heedless of his own (albeit minor) wounds. Zack runs up with Genesis and tries to get Sephiroth to make eye contact. Nothing's getting through to him though, so Zack just works on healing Sephiroth's wounds.

Genesis is concentrating hard. Eventually, he gets Cloud close enough to stable and starts yelling at the Turks to help. Under his direction, Reno, Rude, and Zack finish what they can on Cloud, wrap him up, and strap him to a stretcher.

Genesis: Sephiroth. I don't know what's going on, but you are going to listen to me and you are going to get up and get in that helicopter. Now.

Sephiroth drags himself up, Zack supporting him, and they get on while Reno and Rude secure Cloud. He can't look at any of them. He can't think. He can barely breathe. He feels their questions, but he can't make sense of the words. Following orders is the best he can do.

—--

Hojo is at the landing pad when they touch down, hearing that Sephiroth might be injured and unresponsive. Cloud is removed first, Zack and Reno running alongside his stretcher, giving the medical team an update.

Genesis: Sephir-

Hojo: Sephiroth! Come ou- GURK!

Sephiroth is securely strapped into a helicopter seat one second, and the next, his hand is crushing Hojo's throat, lifting him off the ground, Masamune through his gut. Then in the next second, before even Genesis can do anything, Hojo is on fire and hurtling over the edge of the building, his screams only croaks through his crushed windpipe. Everyone stands in silence, mouths agape, when suddenly, Sephiroth jumps after him.

Genesis: SHIT. Call Hewley and a lockdown!

Rude nods and calls it in, and Genesis starts making his way down the side of the building only a little more safely than Sephiroth did.

What he finds at the bottom is horrifying; a smoldering mess of deformed humanoid sludge with a sword through it, and Sephiroth with broken legs from his landing, leaning on the sword, glaring at the mutated sludge. No civilians are hurt, and fortunately, everyone is standing back.

Genesis: Sephiroth?

No response.

Genesis: Sephiroth, you're hurt.

Nothing.

Genesis: Sephiroth, I'm walking to you now. I'm going to put my arm around you, and you will come with me calmly. Mission complete. Do you understand?

Nothing. Then, a slight nod and grunt.

Genesis carefully grabs him around the waist, forcing Sephiroth to lean on him while lifting his entire body with one arm. Genesis barks at the onlooking SOLDIERs, Turks, and infantrymen to "clean that up" and "get that door open" as he takes Sephiroth in through a side entrance, then to a service elevator. Angeal runs up as they're waiting for the elevator.

Genesis: Angeal, take his other side, we're going to the SOLDIER clinic.

Angeal: *nods and obeys, trusting Genesis implicitly*

They reset Sephiroth's bones so they heal correctly, and he doesn't make a sound. That's normal for him, sure, but not even a huff or a hitch of breath comes out during the whole process, which would have a normal man screaming.

He can't look at them. It hurts too much. The betrayal is too much. How he hurt them is too much. What he did to Cloud and Zack... Sephiroth stays in his shell.

Meanwhile, Zack is pacing as the medics work on Cloud. He's ready to jump in at any second if they ask; his magic power is strong as a SOLDIER, though he's not as talented of a mage as Cloud, Genesis, or Sephiroth. Then Cloud starts seizing.

There's not much they can do, just keep him on the gurney, protect his IVs, and tilt him on his side to prevent choking. But it calms down eventually, and they get back to work.

Finally, Cloud is wrapped like a mummy, blood in one IV, medicine in another. They try a mako drip since his file says he is enhanced, but it makes the seizures start up again, so they turn it off. Zack is left alone with Cloud, watching his breath fog up his oxygen mask, holding his hand, shaking and crying quietly.

Then Zack gets a call. From Cloud.

#ff7 #sephiroth #zack fair #cloud strife #genesis rhapsodos #angeal hewley #agszc #time travel #whump #tasty angst

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workingchemistry · 1 day

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Echo curls up in the window seat of the apartment Fox has somehow acquired for them. It’s laden with the ugliest throw pillows known to Coruscant and a few other worlds. It doesn’t matter, each one was carefully chosen by their commander and that makes them the best pillows Echo has ever seen. He’s got a real flimsy book held up with one hand but he hasn’t looked down at the pages since Fox’s arrival.

Fives sidles up to Fox with a happy hum before he takes over unbuckling armor. “Well aren’t you a pretty sight?”

Fox doesn’t rise to the bait or try to slap Five’s hands away. Visible emotions aren’t really their partner’s thing but something flickers across his expression. He looks between Fives and then Echo before looking back at Fives. “Are we dating?”

Of all the questions…

Fives’s immediate reassurance breaks off as he doubles over with the force of his coughing.

That leaves Echo to take over. He half stands before he realizes that maybe Fox wants the space—that their commander wasn’t on the same page after all. Instead he stays put and makes sure he catches Fox’s gaze. “We were under that impression, yes, but if it’s not what you want then nothing needs to change.”

“Oh.” Fox says.

He doesn’t jump to reassure them that he wants them in return but that’s alright. Any immediate answer Fox could give wouldn’t be true. It’s honestly a point of pride that Fox trusts them enough to tell the truth.

Meanwhile, Fives stops dramatically choking on his own spit long enough to go back to helping with Fox’s armor. He isn’t immediately pushed away, so that’s also a good sign.

Echo watches from his window seat and hopes.

There’s not much physical difference between Fox’s blacks and their own, but it still soothes a possessive nerve to see Fox replace his dirty blacks with Echo’s. It’s his favorite set, the one with a little tear down the side mended with a decorative stitch in blue.

Fives scoops up the dirty blacks and scuffed armor to do maintenance on in the other room, shooting Echo a sharp look as he does. That is where he deviates from routine, pausing this time before he kisses Fox’s cheek to give their commander time to pull away.

Fox does no such thing. He leans into the touch, tipping his forehead to rest against Five’s. Then he’s pulling away to drop onto the seat next to Echo. “So if you thought we were dating, I’m guessing you’ve already filed the paperwork?”

That draws Echo up short. Sure he doesn’t abide by the regs as strictly as he used to, but surely he would have known if there was paperwork. “For dating?”

“Mm.” Fox isn’t looking at Echo. “We’re in different battalions. I’m head over the military police force. That’s more than enough to be a conflict of interest.”

“Fuck. We can get it done tonight if you…” Echo breaks off when he catches a telltale amused twitch of Fox’s nose. He shoves their commander with a bright laugh. “You bastard! Who taught you a sense of humor?”

Fox’s lips tip up ever so slightly at the corners in the closest he ever comes to a genuine smile. “I found these parasites in the drunk tank. I think their bad habits are starting to rub off on me.”

#commander fox #arc trooper fives #arc trooper echo #fives/fox/echo #Fox really wasn’t sure they were dating #he’s not displeased by the news though #I’m picturing Rex asking Fox about his boyfriends #and Fox being like ?? you mean the guys who I stole an apartment for and who #feed me while I lay in bed between them and sometimes we kiss?#I’m pretty sure it’s just a fling #Fox is a very raunchy asexual with limited romantic experience #it’s okay #Fives and Echo are prepared to fix that.

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starlight-bread-blog · 2 days

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My Interpetation of The Southern Raiders: Part 2 – Zuko

Warning: The views expressed in this analysis will be somewhat uncritical of Zuko. If you aren't likely to agree, you aren't going to enjoy this post. This is your chance to leave. I probably won't have a debate for personal reasons.

——————

This is the second part out of a three part series trying to answer every question posed by the discourse on The Southern Raiders. If I take some things for granted, it's because I discussed them in part 1, in which I delve into A\ang's role in the episode. Today, I'll set my sights on Zuko.

——————

1. Was Zuko a negative influence on Katara?

No, he did not. When Zuko merely presents the possibility of tracking her mother’s killer, it cuts through her reply right to her already leaving. In literature, what isn’t in the text holds no relevance and is to be disregarded as mere speculation. We don’t see Zuko convincing her, therefore he had no influence on her, and that she made the choices she did because she wanted to.

All Zuko did later on was defend a decision Katara already made on her own. And in both the first and second disagreements with Aang she had the last word. Ergo she was making her own choice.

Additionally, before they enter the room of who they think was her mother’s killer, Zuko asks her if she’s ready. And when she finally spares Yon Rha, he supports her decision. If he were to influence her, he wouldn’t have done either of these things. He only wanted to help Katara heal and never brought up anything that wasn’t already there.

——————

2. Was Zuko being too harsh on Aang?

(1) That's cute, but this isn't air temple preschool. It's the real world.

(2) [Forgiveness]'s the same as doing nothing!

(3) Okay, we'll be sure to do that, guru goody-goody.

He was definitely disrespectful towards Aang's culture, although his disrespectful remarks are a response to Aang’s own disrespect, imposing his beliefs onto Katara. And he didn’t say that until after Aang compared Katara to Jet. It was still wrong to come after the Air Nomad teachings, but they’re not as insulting as people paint them to be.

And it’s not like he didn’t take them back by the end of the episode. Zuko had good intentions, made a mistake and learned from it. That’s how characters grow, through mistakes. (More on that later).

——————

3. What motivated Zuko to find Yon Rah?

He wanted to earn Katara’s trust. The show makes it explicitly clear.

Zuko: What can I do to make it up to you?

And so later:

Zuko: Katara mentioned it before when we were imprisoned together in Ba Sing Se, and again just now when she was yelling at me. I think somehow she's connected her anger at that to her anger at me.

I’ve seen many describe this motive as selfish or manipulative, but I have to disagree. He has no reason to do anything to earn Katara’s trust. He saved her life on that very day, is fully accepted into the GAang, and in this episode he found out that some of her anger at him is rooted in projection. But he still goes out of his way to do the impossible, to give Katara the closure she needs in order to put faith in him.

——————

4. Why did Zuko think revenge\murder would help Katara?

Katara is a kind soul and murder wouldn’t have helped her heal, but Zuko had good reasons to think it would have. He didn’t know Katara’s soul, she didn’t even consider him a colleague, at that point she hated him. However, he did see Sokka killing Combustion Man in The Western Air Temple. So he has no way of knowing whether revenge would help, but he’s under the impression that murder isn’t a big taboo at least for some of the GAang.

Moreover, he knows that the person who took his mother away from him will receive justice, and that it helps him sleep at night. Katara doesn’t have that, Yon Rha retired in peace. So he offers her the justice he knows helps him.

But the main reason why he thinks revenge would help Katara, is that she told him it will. Zuko plays a largely passive role in the episode, simply assisting Katara in whatever way he can.He’s only fulfilling Katara’s wishes, and she told him that her wish is to seek justice on “the monster”.

——————

5. Did the trip have an effect on Zuko?

It did. By the end of the episode, Zuko delivers the following line:

This is an important part of his arc of unlearning the Fire Nation’s black and white philosophy that values aggression above all else. He comes around to Air Nomad pacifism and non violent solutions from seeing them work first hand. And as the good (redeemed) person that he is, he admits he was wrong and changes his views. He grew as a character to become a better version of himself.

——————

In conclusion, despite the somewhat questionable nature of Zuko's actions in "The Southern Raiders", his underlying good intentions shine through. His role was not a devil on Katara’s shoulder, but a natural force backing up whatever decision she makes. And this allows him to emerge with a valuable lesson learned.

#can't believe i wrote this so fast #wow #zutara #zuko x katara #anti kataang #katara x zuko #zukoxkatara #kataraxzuko #pro zutara #pro zuko #zuko #anti anti zutara #zutara analysis #zutara evidence #zutara forever #zutara meta #zutara nation #zutara should have been canon #zutara was robbed

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am-i-interrupting · 2 days

Text

Reckless | Vox x Alastor’s Child— OATSH

If you like what I’m doing consider tipping me for priority requests & access to characters I don’t usually write for such as Charlie, Valentino, Carmilla, and more.

You attend the overlord meeting. It doesn’t go as planned because of course it wouldn’t.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?” Vox asked.

He was leaning against the foot of the bed as he watched you get ready for the meeting. You were sitting at the vanity and finishing smocking out your eyeshadow.

“I would really rather it be Velvette,” you said. “I do love you but I don’t trust you to keep your composure.”

“And she’s so level headed?”

“More so than you. At least with Da— Alastor.”

“I. . . Actually can’t disagree with you. But, speaking of heads, do you want me to pack up our exorcist guest?”

“No, but I do plan to talk to Camilla and Zestial afterwards. If anyone will know what happened, it would be one of them.”

“Okay. . . Are you sure—“

“Vox!”

“Alright,” Vox said, raising his hands up as he walked over to you, “I surrender.” He placed those hands on your shoulders and squeezed. “You know all you have to do is call me and I’ll be right there.”

You squeezed his hand. “I know.”

You gave him a kiss as you stood up. Your fingers on the bottom of his screen forced him to look at you when he opened his eyes. A little wave of electricity sparked between his antennae as his eyes opened.

“I’ll call if I need you.”

You saw a flicker of worry cross him before his face glitched for a second and it was gone.

“If that’s what you want.”

He kissed your hand. His fingers twisted your ring to make sure it was secure. He let you walk out.

“Hey,” Zeezi said with a bit of a chuckle in her voice as she shook the floor with her steps. She leaned down to as close to your height as she could and asked in a softer tone, “You okay, babes? I saw the broadcasts.”

“I’m here,” you said simply and she nodded.

Together the two of you walked into the meeting room.

You froze in place, breath quickening when you saw Alastor sitting next to Rosie. The two chatting, as though nothing had changed. As if time hadn’t passed.

“Psst,” Zeezi said.

You looked over and she beckoned you over to her. You sighed and shook your head, a small smile coming to your lips. You walked to her.

She patted her thigh. “Come sit with Missi Zeezi,” she said as she wiggled in her chair before settling. “Come on, Miss Thang.”

You took her outstretched hand and let her pull you into her lap. You nearly toppled backwards onto yourself from the slope that came with how she was forced to bend her knees but you managed to catch yourself. She laughed, a real booming one that vibrates her entire body. It was comforting.

You tail curled around her and wrapped around her own, a silent motion of thanks.

The tink of metal ballet shoes against the floor got everyone quiet. Still, you moved in Zeezi’s lap so you weren’t straddling her thigh and instead had your feet pointed towards the back of the room with your legs crossed. You settled just as Camilla came into the room.

“Welcome, Hell sovereign overlords,” Camilla began, “I’ve invited you all here because you represent the controlling powers of our city. Together you own millions of souls. Souls at risk with the new extermination schedule. We need to discuss what can be done to minimize the impact to our interest.”

A light hissing and chattering noise accompanied the man clad in black and green as he moved into his seat.

“Zestial, so good to see you, my friend.”

“Enchanted as always, Camilla.”

Zestial summoned himself a cup and saucer and raised it to his lips. It was that motion that caused her to catch a glimpse of—

“Alastor?”

He smiled. You felt a snarl curl on your lips. Your hands in your lap balled into fists. You didn’t register the sting pain that should have been there when your claws dug into your skin.

“Yes, I know, I’ve been absent some time. I’m sure you’ve all been wondering,” he said.

Yes, yes, you had but if your husband wasn’t attending so he couldn’t make a scene then neither could you. You remained silent.

Zeezi’s claw gently worked its way between your hands. The feathers on her wrists softly brushed against your skin. You looked down to see blood beginning to spill over your palms.

She looked down at you with her brows furrowed, a silent question. You shook your head and waved her off. You licked your palm and her nose scrunched up at the sight.

“Not really, but welcome back in any case,” Camilla said.

It wasn’t the snap that caught you attention but barely audible sound of a radio crackling. You knew that crackle meant he was displeased. You licked your lips of the blood and smiled.

“This year’s extermination was brutal,” Camilla said, her accent thickening on her last word, “far more even than years passed. We have assessed that about sixteen percent of the population was lost. With the angelic legions now returning twice as quickly, I think it prudent we—“

She was interrupted by the door slamming open to reveal Velvette. She was wearing a crop top, heigh waisted jeans, and a long jacket, rather reminiscent of the outfits she’d supplied your closet with not long ago.

“Yes, I’ve got it handled, Vox. Are you doubting me? Really? Me?” she said into the phone. “That’s what I thought.”

She laughed as she leaned against her chair. “Yes, I know, they’re all a joke.” She quickly corrected herself when she saw your disapproving look, “‘Cause they’re all just so damn funny. Especially, your sweet darling vixen.”

She rolled her eyes, “I just got here, Vee. What do you want me to do? Already have a goddamn list of every notable expression? Uh-huh, yeah. You’ve got you little ring. You’ll know if somethings wrong. Of course, we will. Thank you, Vee.” She puckered her lips together several times, “Kisses, darling!”

She fell back into her chair.

“Nice of you to join us, Velvette,” Camilla said. “Will Vox be joining us?”

“No! He’s got better shit to do than be in the company of outdated technology that thinks it’s relevant,” Velvette said. “I’m here to represent.”

She held up her phone and made a pointed look at Alastor who’s gums briefly showed before his lips fell into the normal smile he often had. He sat back in his chair. A quick moment where your eyes met, and then it was gone.

Zeezi’s tail squeezed yours softly.

“So, as I was saying, we need to discuss—“ Velvette’s hand shot up. You looked at her, eyes flaring open in warning but she ignored it. “Yes?”

“On the subject of discussion.”

Velvette pulled out an exorcist head and threw it onto the table. The slightly congealed blood was still liquid enough to drip onto the table.

“Oooh, shit!” Zeezi said as she sat up, carefully moving you with her.

Alastor also leaned forward. “Oh, tasty.”

‘What are you doing?’ you mouthed to Velvette.

‘Showing daddy who’s boss’ she mouthed back.

“Where did you get this?” Camilla asked.

“Vox found it during extermination day,” Velvette said simply. “If these holy rollers can be killed, the game has changed.” She jumped up onto the table. “We can take the fight to them. Vox and I have come up with a full assault plan.”

Loud sipping interrupted Velvette for which you were grateful. Zestial slurred from his teacup with intent, making all eyes go to him.

“If it be true thee and thy colleague desire to war with such meager proof, thou art far more foolish than I be thought,” Zestial said.

Velvette scoffed, “‘Meager proof’? It’s a dead fucking exorcist. I’d say that’s pretty fucking definitive. You going blind, old man?

You felt your entire body tense.

“Velvette,” you said between gritted teeth.

“We know not how this perished,” Zestial said. “Mayhaps it was not by a demon’s hand at all. If we rush to war without knowing, mighten they purge all of Hell for daring an uprising.”

Even with the words of agreement, you didn’t untense.

“It could happen.”

You hands began to curl again but you relaxed them.

“Oh, I get it,” Velvette said. You slipped out of Zeezi’s grip. “So grandpa is too pussy to fight so I guess there’s no point, right?”

“What’s the matter, fossil?”

“Velvette!”

“Too senile to make a real power grab?”

“You better show some respect!” Camilla yelled as she got in Velvette’s face. “Check your behavior! No one speaks to Zestial that way!”

You motioned a hand towards Camilla. She backed down, placing the problem in your hands.

“Did you expect them to sit back and take your insolent, brazen display?” you asked.

Velvette took a step away with a mixture of betrayal and confusion written across her doll-like features.

“I know you feel special and I hate to break the news but we can’t afford to lose. There’s too many people here that’d rather live in fear. This has to be a calculated attack, not just one random act,” you said.

You heard Alastor’s chuckle. You whipped around to him. “You showed no respect! Didn’t check your behavior! Did you think it’d be okay? That no one would notice your little va-cay?!

“Left all your souls unwatched and unsupervised. Leaving them vulnerable to heaven’s all seeing eyes. Not all of them are here. You didn’t shed a tear. Could have prevented it. Not like you have a shit. Your people were dying! They were out crying! Had you not been reckless, they wouldn’t be breakfast.

“Let me say this right here, we’re all beyond our years. Too old for this drama. Can’t just do what we wanna. Don’t forget that Heaven’s eyes can probably see our afterlives. We’ve got to be patient. Can’t act fucking brazen. Understand this arrangement. We’ll all be effected so show some respect and don’t be reckless.”

Camilla placed her hand on your shoulder. “Thank you,” she said softly. “As always, even in moments of frustration you remain well spoken.

“Velvette, your information will be taken into consideration. However, as said, this cannot be a random act. We must have all the information, including how this angel died. Does anyone here have information they’d like to share?”

Camilla looked around the room. Her daughters’ eyes didn’t meet hers and though she looked at people, you noticed hers didn’t either.

“Then we have nothing more to discuss,” Camilla said. “Due to high emotions, I believe it best we adjourn this meeting and come back to discuss in some weeks time. Perhaps there will be more information to share then. Until then, this meeting is over.”

“Whatever,” Velvette said as she gave the finger and stormed out.

Camilla walked out of the room quickly. Your head turned that way as your shoulders slumped.

“Zestial,” you said with an unspoken request.

He didn’t respond verbally but he bowed his head and followed Camilla. Everyone else slowly began to filter the room.

“Do you want me to stay, girlie?” Zeezi asked when it was just you, her, and Alastor left.

You shook your head.

“Alright then,” she said as she got up. “You know where to find me if you need some drinks after.”

The room was silent for several long moments. Neither one of you knew what to do, what to say.

Your ears flickered back as you took a steadying breath. “I know we’re twisted but I didn’t think your screws went so loose. Maybe you missed it, but I’ve always cared about you. Thought that you did too. Mad that you acted so reckless. Think maybe I’d expect this.”

You couldn’t look at him as you continued, “Here’s my sorry to me. Guess you never gave a shit. Maybe I should’ve seen it.”

Your face began to prickle. Your eyes and nose burned. “Fuck, why am I crying? Not like you were really dying.”

“Let me explain,” Alastor said as he stood from his seat. “I never meant to cause you this pain. I made a promise I try to keep. It pains me to see you weep.”

You flinched away from his attempt to touch, his hands having gone to try and stroke your hair. A familiar act. “Do you really think I’d be so quick to forgive? Especially after you’ve been allusive?!”

You turned to look at him. “So go on, tell me something true. I’m done being lied to. Spit it all out, knock that smile off your mouth. Let’s see what it’s been about; Why you’ve been so reckless. Let’s get some directness or will you be respectless?”

Alastor didn’t speak. His smile went small. His ears pinned themselves against his head in what seemed like a mockery of your own.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” you said, voice going weak. “I’m done with this ‘talk.’”

Vox had been staring at your vitals the entire time. He took note of every time your heart rate spiked. The camera he’d placed on Velvette could only do so much when she wasn’t by your side, looking at what you were like he would if he’d been there with you.

“Velvette,” he growled under his breath when she brought out the angel head.

Maybe he should have gone. Surely a battle between him and Alastor would be more effective than this. At least you’d get to see the man who brought you pain get bloodied instead of getting a new reason to worsen your migraine.

When Velvette slammed the door as she entered, he didn’t even flinch. He had turned off her camera as soon as you were no longer in sight and the microphone no longer picked up what you were saying.

“Ungrateful brat!”

Oh, that got his attention.

He whipped around, eye swirling, and his voice coming out distorted, “What did you just say?”

“Your little toy decided to fuck up my entire plan and everyone, even you, got a front row fucking seat!” Velvette screeched as she threw down the camera that Vox had planted on her. She squished it with her shoe.

Vox laughed but he wasn’t amused. “Let me make something very clear, Velvette, you are not to talk about my wife in that manner. My wife, who— mind you— has been an overlord longer than you’ve been alive! Did you even think that maybe there was a reason I told you to leave the fucking head in her goddamn weapons’ room?!”

“Well, maybe I would’ve done it if you told me why!”

“You didn’t need to know and it’s for exactly this reason!” Vox took a deep breath. “You were supposed to sit still and listen. That’s all you had to do, Velvette—“

“And you couldn’t do that instead?” Velvette challenged.

“I’ve known Alastor for nearly seventy years,” Vox said. “We have a history and most of it involves fighting. You’ve known him for not even ten and you’ve interacted with him a grand total of fourteen times excluding today. One would think that you’d be able to keep your composure which is the entire point of you going to the meeting in the first place. How many times have I made you go to a meeting?”

Velvette didn’t answer. Instead she looked away from him.

“Don’t be a child,” he said, his voice glitching once again and his eyes spiraling. “How many times have I made you go to an overlord meeting? Answer me!”

“None!”

“And the one time I do, you fuck it up! I know you feel like you’re invincible, but know your place,” Vox gritted from his teeth. “You only got here because of us. Act like it!”

Velvette glared at Vox. Then she stormed away.

Vox panted for a moment. His fists clenched. He turned to look at your vitals. He calmed when he saw they were normal.

He watched them for the rest of the night. Watched as they would slightly spike occasionally before going into a slightly faster but steady rhythm.

Vox didn’t even flinch when he opened his eyes as you appeared on his lap. Your breath reeked of alcohol.

“I love you,” you said as you wrapped your arms around his neck.

He sighed and finally relaxed. “I love you too.”

He rested his head against your curls. One hand went to rest above your heart. The other carefully embraced your tail as it curled up his arm. His claws held the fur in a gentle grip.

You nuzzled your head in the crook of his neck. Your ears tickled his screen as they flickered.

“I wanna go to bed,” you said.

“We can do that.”

He got up. His arms were beneath you to support your weight. He carried you to the bedroom. Before he closed the door he whistled.

You groaned. He chuckled. “Sorry, doll.”

Vark came running into the bedroom. Vox closed the door with his foot.

He sat you on the bed and pulled off your shirt. He unclipped your bra. He slipped off your shoes and your pants followed. He then undressed himself as you pulled at the blankets.

He saddled up beside you. You quickly curled onto his chest. He patted the bed and Vark jumped up. The shark curled up against your back.

“I love you,” you said as you began to doze.

“I love you too,” he said.

As soon as the words came from your mouth he knew he wasn’t supposed to hear them and it only slipped due to the alcohol, “Don’t leave me.”

His chest tightened. His heart shattered at those three little words.

He placed one hand atop yours and squeezed it. His other pulled you even closer to him.

“Never, doll,” he promised. “I’ll never leave you.”

If you like what I’m doing consider commissioning me for canon/canon stories AND personalized canon/reader stories.

#vox x reader #hazbin vox x reader #one author two show hosts #alastor x reader #hazbin alastor x reader

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elffees · 2 days

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How Fragile Allyship is Portrayed in Frontiers of Pandora

So I really love this audio log from Priya and needed to talk about it. This entire post will be based on this log.

Transcript:

"I ... it's Priya. Obviously. I don't know what day it is. Nothing makes sense... Alma's dead. Alma. Is. Dead.

Oh wow. That's weird. But you know what the really weird, screwy part is? There's this whole other Alma just walking around. Except she's not blue and she's got tiny eyes. Do we all have such tiny eyes? I just ... I feel like good Alma was killed. And we're left with this other one who everyone hates. But really it's the same person. Or is it?

I don't know what to think. I'm not really the one for existential crises, but this is a real brain-breaker. And I'm ... I'm sad. My friend died. No. No. She was murdered. I know she did some bad things, but Nor had no right. I'm glad he's gone. Maybe he's glad too. He never liked it here. Never liked us. Humans.

But we're trying to help. Alma was trying to help. She was protecting them. She tried. Right? Mercer's the bad one. That's all I know for sure. And that other Alma... she wants to hang out, just like old times. But... she's not my friend. Not— I think I hear someone. Signing off."

This audio log can be found in the Resistance Hideout.

I really like this log because it encapsulates the different ways allies & marginalized peoples view and are affected by certain situations.

Disclaimer before I start: I am not saying Priya is a bad person, nor am I saying allies are bad people.

For starters, I can understand why Priya, and likely other Resistance members, have mixed feelings towards Alma. It's a very complex situation. So Priya regarding it as "weird" and being at a complete loss makes sense.

What I want to focus on in this post are the last 3 paragraphs. Where she expresses confusion and hurt because "Good Alma was murdered".

I think this right here is a very well written distinction on how allies and the marginalized communities they assist experience situations differently.

Alma's Reveal

Everyone had their worlds turned upside down when Alma confessed the full extent of her actions in TAP. Alma admits that her avatar was a tool for manipulation. Although she may care for the Sarentu children now, for the majority of their relationship, from the genocide, to TAP, to being frozen and left behind, Alma's avatar was a tool to manipulate and coerce Na'vi into viewing her (and by extension TAP, then later the Resistance) as "one of them". As someone to trust and relate to. The purpose of her having an avatar was to act as a golden ticket into Na'vi society.

Alma was not "murdered". There is no "good" or even "bad" Alma. There is only Alma.

The human who played a role in the massacre of a clan, then manipulated its survivors for years, then left them behind to remain in stasis for nearly 2 more decades.

Who is also the human who founded the Western Resistance and tried to band together several Na'vi clans to protect Pandora, who encouraged the Sarentu to reclaim their culture and customs the ones that didn't expose her ofc, and who helped rid Pandora of cackling narcissist John Mercer.

There is only ONE Alma that has done all of these things.

Alma was not "murdered". Her tool of manipulation was destroyed. The object, the mask, the weapon that gave Alma her power and confidence and that helped her fool not only the Sarentu, not only the Resistance, but also herself into thinking she was something she was not, was taken from her.

Alma was not murdered. She was thrust back into reality.

And so, Priya's last 3 paragraphs interest me. It's completely fine that she mourns the image of who she thought Alma was. In a way I think the Sarentu (sans Nor) do as well. Everyone thought Alma was just a good person who only wanted to help with no ulterior motives. It's painful to realize that was far from the case.

But then Priya goes on to hate Nor. She spits his name out like a curse. Glad he's gone because "he never liked them anyway". That he had no right to "murder" Alma because she only did a few "bad things".

There's a lot to unpack there.

Priya's Blaming of Nor & It's Ties to Fragile Allyship

I want to break down the lines one by one.

She was murdered. I know she did some bad things, but Nor had no right.

For starters, it is EXTREMELY COMMON for allies of marginalized communities to "insert their two cents" on a delicate topic. More often than not when there is inter-community issues, allies have a tendency to say the phrase: "I'm [insert demographic] so take what I'm saying with a grain of salt, BUT I think..." Any and all oppressed classes have heard this phrase from MILLIONS of allies before.

The FOP writers did remarkably well at capturing what allyship looks like when writing the Resistance. Because Priya, as a human formerly part of the oppressive group trying to wipe out the Na'vi and Pandoran wildlife, fully believes she can judge whether Nor had a right or not.

It's not her call.

She cannot determine whether Nor was justified or not because she, as someone part of the privileged class in the world of the game, has never suffered from the harm that Alma's avatar has caused.

She, and none of the Resistance members, were raised by Alma's avatar.

They were not lied to by Alma's avatar for YEARS about the true fate of their families and loved ones.

They were not encouraged to view Alma as a mother-figure or nurturing teacher or beloved caretaker, when she was actually just eager for fame and success.

They were not put into cryosleep and then left behind for 16 MORE YEARS with suspicions that this abandonment was an intentional coverup.

They did not suffer any of that.

They saw her as the leader of the Resistance and as a friend, which does cause an impactful betrayal of course, but Alma's avatar never tried to force them to see her as family. As someone to love.

While Priya only says all this in a private audio log and thankfully doesn't say it to any of the Sarentu or god forbid So'lek, these are her thoughts. The simple fact she believes she can judge Nor, that she has the capacity and authority to scold one of the main victims, is a reoccurring feature of privileged allies who struggle to realize that they cannot relate or ever fully understand how marginalized communities experience oppression.

Priya says Nor had "no right" to "murder" Alma. When truthfully, Priya has no right to judge how the Sarentu feel and respond.

I'm glad he's gone. Maybe he's glad too. He never liked it here. Never liked us. Humans.

After Priya attempts to place judgement on Nor's actions, she then dives deeper.

She is glad Nor is gone. Not ONLY because of what he did to Alma's avatar. No. She is also glad he's gone because Nor was not friendly.

Another prime instance of fragile allyship is that allies tend to believe that marginalized people are only worth their sympathy if they're likeable.

This has a lot ties to the "Perfect Victim" concept.

Because Nor was not friendly, because his trauma caused him to distrust humans and he did not quickly get over it and befriend Resistance members, he is undeserving of as much sympathy as the other Sarentu.

It's seen as a positive that he's gone (despite the fact he ran away in clear emotional distress.) Not just because of what he did to Alma's avatar, but because now Priya and the Resistance no longer have to assist someone that's "ungrateful" and "not as nice" as they should be.

The purpose of being an ally is to help oppressed classes survive against circumstances that would otherwise have them discriminated against or have them dead. Being a truly good ally should not hinder on whether the person is "likeable" or "grateful" for their services. But sadly, in the real world, that is one of the most common "conditions" a LOT of allies have when it comes to offering support. How much they like the person or groups they claim to want to help.

Allyship is more often than not based on likeability, rather than morality.

But we're trying to help. Alma was trying to help. She tried. Right?

Another feature of fragile allyship is the tendency to change sides.

Priya agrees that what Alma did was wrong. She understands that.

But because of the simple fact that Alma is human, Priya not only relates but tries to defend Alma's actions. Seeing herself in Alma is understandable because they are both human and were friends. The problem comes when Priya begins to project and defend Alma's actions.

It doesn't matter that by her own admission Alma's main goals were fame and achievement. It doesn't matter how much the Sarentu are hurt by her actions. It doesn't matter that Nor was outraged. It doesn't matter that even calm and collected Ri'nela was disgusted. It doesn't matter HOW the Sarentu, as the direct victims, feel about Alma's actions. It doesn't matter that intent ≠ impact.

Alma is human like Priya, so from Priya's POV, Alma's 'intentions' hold more value than how the Sarentu were impacted. "We're" trying to help. Alma was trying to help. So her actions can't have been that bad. Right?

Mercer's the bad one. That's all I know for sure.

And finally, this is another feature of how allies tend to respond to things.

Of the two, Mercer is the one who unabashedly committed the massacre and oppressed the Sarentu for years. Mercer is "the bad one" because his actions are overt. They are clear cut, obvious, and maniacally evil.

When real world marginalized groups face microaggressions or covert prejudice, allies have a tendency to step in and defend the offender. "Hm, I don't think that was racist." "Are you sure that's homophobic?" "It's just a word. I don't see how it can be ableist to say." - "It's not like it's really hurting anyone."

When oppression is not as clear cut to allies, they tend to dismiss it entirely. It doesn't matter how the victims feel about the situation. As discussed earlier in the post, allies tend to think they have the authority and capability to make judgements on prejudice they do not face, and ergo believe they can determine how "bad" something really is. Better than the marginalized class can themselves.

In Priya's eyes, Alma is better than Mercer because Mercer's oppression was harsh yelling, explosions, and murder. "Mercer's the bad one" while Alma was "only trying to help."

But in truth, both Mercer and Alma have done and continued to do harmful things. They both played a part in the decimation and continued manipulation of the Sarentu. Both for their own selfish purposes.

Oppression has many faces. It does not always look the same, it is not always a mustache twirling villain. It can be subtle and quiet. It can be hidden behind gentle eyes and smiles. It can be from "good intentions" just as easily as it comes from "bad intentions". It can be subconscious, it can be self aware, it can be secretive, it can be out in the open. It can be many things. There is not only "one bad" style.

Oppression is just as diverse as the communities it aims to harm.

Conclusion

I want to reiterate that I do not dislike Priya and this post isn't a hate campaign against her. I know many dudebros in the fanbase unfairly criticize her.

The point of this post is to applaud the FOP writers. It is very rare when mainstream media is able to accurately depict how fragile allyship is. Priya's reaction to Nor stabbing Alma's avatar is painfully realistic to the many ways allies have reacted to certain situations in the real world.

This is one of the many reasons why I love this game and feel it hits home. Not only can I relate to the Na'vi clans, but my god can I relate to the way allies are written in relation to them. And I feel like this audio log from Priya, while brief and easily missable, is one of the prime moments of realism this game portrays really well.

#it's such a minor audio log / note #but it really hit me and i just had to talk abt it #frontiers of pandora #avatar frontiers of pandora #afop #priya chen #alma cortez #lexi plays afop #long text post //#long post //#sorry lol

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somewhatsentientspellbook · 11 months

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I get that there's needs to be nuance with Vasselheim being an oppressive force in Exandria. It's pretty clearly meant to be a message of how religious structures stray beyond their original intent and grasp for power in a desperate need to spread a certain doctrine.

The thing is, I can already tell that there are going to be people who use what's happening in C3 as ammunition for an anti-pantheon interpretation. But I desperately want to grab those people and shake them telling them that "it's not the fault of the fucking gods."

Do you genuinely believe that the Wildmother, or the Everlight, or the Platinum Dragon are the type to tell religious leaders to go out and kill/silence/oppress anyone who disagrees with Vasselheim? Because based on what we know (based on previous appearances and that these gods are canonically good/neutral aligned) they would be against it!

But, of course, the gods can never win in this debate. Because if they don't do anything - they are apathetic or hubristic and deserve to be taken down a few notches for not caring about their creations. But if they do step in and do something - they are interfering with or restricting free will and deserve to be taken down a few notches for being too controlling.

Like, obviously religious trauma is a very real and valid experience for many people both in our world and Exandria, but once more, this is because of the people in power within the religion, not the deities themselves.

#i mean seriously #just admit that nothing the gods say or do will make you like them #nothing they have done or will do can make you trust them #critical role #critical role spoilers #bells hells #cr3 #cr meta #cr discourse #prime deities #betrayer gods #exandrian lore

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girlcrushau · 1 month

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#me? about to use tumblr as a diary again? in 2024? unfortunately:/#but here have a waterfall i saw on a hike last week as payment #i am sO tired and exhausted emotionally after dating #there's this guy that i fr thought was going to last and be around for a long time. we spent like every moment together that we could for 2 #months straight and if we werent physicaly together we were texting or calling or on ft . just every part of our day had the other in it #not once did i ever feel unwanted undesired or uncared for. not once did i feel that i wasnt sure of his intentions. i felt safer with him #in those 2 months than i ever did with any one else i could think to compare to.#until one day he just didnt think it important to communicate any more. after 3 days of nearly nothing .. hardly any talking . i asked if #he was ok if we were ok. what was going on in his head. he said some ive just been with my buddies and family and havent been on my phone #and just. immediately thats heartbreak yanno. thats :// thats what they say when theres a new girl. but there'd never been a reason to think #there was another girl so i was like ok we're gonna trust bc this dude has been So good in every way. so i said imy but i understand. enjoy #your time with your buddies and with your fam -- i cant wait to hear about it (and hold you)#and i havent heard from him in the 3 weeks since. just randomly #so last night #i send the dreaded 'i miss you' text.#i dont expect to hear back and i accept the hurt that will come with that and the confusion that i've felt settles deeper into my heart #until this afternoon i hop on ig and see a hard launch that was posted an hour after my text was sent #that shit kinda hurt different. but also sent me into a bit of a delirious state where all i could do is laugh bc are you for fucking real #did she see my message? i know it. bc i know him and i know that he wouldnt hide anything from the person he's giving his heart #and his softness to. i can almost imagine how he showed her and promised her theres nothing to worry about #and there really isnt anything to worry about because he genuinely is the type to give his all to the relationship he's in #which feels silly to say after what happened w us. like no there wasnt a title ever #it sucks to call it a situationship because a month ago we were laughing in bed together about how we could never bc we were all in.#just the timing of the hard launch makes me giggle. did my text push them to have a conversation about what they are. was she really the #reason that he went away on me.#im trying not to blame myself . trying not to think about the phone calls i didnt answer. about what i could have done differently. trying #not to think about where we would be if i didnt let my anxieties hold me back. if i wasnt scared about what he'd think of the parts of me #that i keep hidden just a little bit longer than the rest.#and at the same time im trying not to put him on a pedestal. but that pedestal is just where i wholeheartedly believe he belongs #he set the bar for me. he set the standard. i was never too much. i was never too little. he made me feel perfect just as i am

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ranger-kellyn · 10 days

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i said it on my swiftie blog last but fuck it i'll say it here too bc i woke up still annoyed about it:

for a website that does a ton of bitching and moaning about media literacy and and saying all this "you all clearly didn't pay attention in high school english", funny how suddenly none of y'all know what a fucking metaphor is.

of course taylor wasn't literally raised in an asylum! the public eye is the inescapable asylum!

i think about all the genuinely shitty and harmful things i've said and done across all my nearly 30 years. i have said and done some awful shit, because i am an incredibly fallible person who was raised by incredibly fallible parents and relatives, raised in a fallible community (things i literally had ZERO choice in) and surrounded by incredibly fallible friends. i have hung around some horrible people who said and did horrible things.

if i had to learn everything i've learned all while under a microscope from the public-- yeah! i'd go fucking insane! i wouldn't last ten seconds in that!!

and i really reckon you wouldn't, either, because the unfortunately reality is we're all fallible. most of us just have the luxury of being complete nobodies

#i'm not saying anyone has to LIKE the album #i'm not even saying everyone HAS to listen to the album i really don't care and honestly i'm glad we're weeding out some of the normies #but the way some of y'all act like you've never said or done ANYTHING shitty in your life #idk maybe i'm too forgiving bc ever since i was 13 i've just been existing from one mental health crisis to the next #also it does continue to be LAUGHABLE at how little self control some of y'all have #like it's so fucking easy to ignore the artists bands and celebs i hate or don't like #y'all probably don't even know who that list includes apart from the obv musk and bezos bc i waste no brain space on any of them #anyways it's probably time for another small tumblr break because THIS asylum regularly drives me insane lmao #i get being a hater can be fun now and again but at what point are you doing nothing but engaging in being a hater as a form of self harm #trust me:#surrounding yourself with nothing but other haters and negativity actively makes you see and think the world is worse than it already is #been there #like one of my psych professors would say: cathartic behaviours are only helpful up to a point. they can quickly become a form of self har

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isekyaaa · 4 months

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wld love to hear ur thoughts abt ur last post on true selves - @milkstore

It's really simple tbh? Basically people have this assumption that if they've never opened up to you, you can't ever know their "true face." They assume that the face that they show to the world is heavily divorced from their true self. Sure doesn't help when they act differently around different people, blah blah blah. To them, their masks are lies and their heart is truth. To be honest, I'm not sure I understand why these people think this way. Are not the different faces a person wears just different facets of their personality?

Regardless, I think because people operate under the assumption that the masks they show to the world aren't their true self, they assume they can't ever be known without their consent. It's a really ridiculous assumption tbh. It'd take a lot of conscious planning and decisions to truly create a persona that is completely unlike yourself. Like you'd literally have to be insane to do that.

In reality, people do not think much before making majority of their day to day decisions. Must you play a mental chess match to decide whether or not to greet your coworkers? Do you make conscious decisions to purchase food you dislike so nobody will know what you actually like? Do you have to physically and consciously move the muscles in your face to form a smile or a frown for every interaction? If these things do not take much conscious thought, then are you not acting true to your "true self?"

Then think about the things you consciously do or don't do. If someone disagrees with you but you don't argue back, does that not say something? If you tell jokes at work to get people to laugh, does that not reveal things? Even if these actions are not a part of your "true self," does not the fact you simply did them tell something about you?

This is just talking about actions. This doesn't even go into reactions. People assume that they are the best actors and can fool the world, but they are just fooling themselves. Initial reactions are hard to hide. True happiness and excitement is hard to fake. Feigned interest is quite easy to see. Stress, anger, and hurt are hard to gloss over. Are not emotions and the reasons for them very revealing for true selves?

And kinda going into my other post, you work from there. [Observation + observation] = intuitive observation. [Intuitive observation + intuitive observation] = mid-tier observation. Etc.

In my personal opinion, while intuitive observations are where the meat of everything is, that doesn't make simple observations less... intimate. For example, you observe a person doesn't eat many vegetables. You can rightfully assume they don't like vegetables. The very fact you noticed this means that you were paying attention to them. You know something about their true self.

#interactions #this post has a terrible ending but i ran out of points lol #but what i'm guessing is that people like this tend to assume that [thoughts/opinions = true self]#[reasonings = true self]#'i think therefore i am' sorta deal #they don't realize that by the way they act we can intuit what sort of thoughts and opinions they may have #not exactly i mean #but you can tell when you observe a person if they'll have logical opinions... emotional opinions... fake edgy opinions LOL #so in the end when they finally do open up nothing comes as a surprise because those thoughts match the person you know them to be #instead of being like 'wow that surprised me' it's more like 'yeah that makes sense lol'#getting a grip of a person's true self will take time (yes) but it's pretty easy once you've done it enough #and like.... i don't mean you take a deep dive into their psyche #but from first meeting you can tell the type of person they are #can you trust them? will they cause you issues? are they fun? will you possibly offend them? etc #everyone does this #if you want to get better though when you do get a general vibe of a person ask yourself 'why do i think this?'#'why don't i think i can trust them? why do i think i'd get along with them?' etc #at the same time though as i've said before put enough stock into your observations to protect yourself but also like...#not enough to the point you refuse to acknowledge evidence to support something else #always refine your observations and never ignore new information #always ask 'why'#ngl i have thoughts on nearly every single person i've met and am not afraid to share them but nobody ever returns the favor haha #bums me out a lot #i want someone to do an anon analysis for me HAHA

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