#the drama the tragedy of those 5 words
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Sometimes when I am sad I just think about the snau.
"I can't not snuck him" pops into my head at odd times I-
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10 (Mostly) Spoiler-Free Reasons to Watch Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon 2003 Live Action
A countdown to the 20th anniversary of Act 1 air date!
Reason 5: The captivating story!
Ultimately, I would say the live-action stayed true to the essence and intention of the original source material when concerning the Dark Kingdom arc.
I’m choosing to use the word “essence” though, because it is also factual that in multiple aspects, the story does diverge from its source material, but with the intention of further amping up the stakes and angst for drama, and possibly even pulling in elements from story arcs beyond the manga’s Dark Kingdom arc into the one season we (sadly) only have.
Sometimes those differences could be due to limitations of CGI and execution methods in real-life filming, while others could be due to updating the content to appeal to the newer generations of viewers in the early 2000s.
Regardless of what's faithful or not faithful to original source material, I think PGSM did really well striking a balance of making it a kid’s show, and also adding some complexities to appeal to viewers who were kids or teenagers that grew up reading the manga or watching the '90s anime, who would be in their late teens or adulthood or even parenthood by the time the live-action aired.
Warning: Going forward these series of posts will contain minor spoilers to introduce some live-action only elements. It will only be at the introductory level though!
Staying true and delving deeper into source materials
Personally, I can’t speak much to the ’90s anime, but I can confirm the live-action pulls many elements from the manga source material where possible. Here are just a few:
Introducing the Sailor Senshi!
The story of how Usagi and Ami discovered their Senshi power largely follows the same story, while Rei and Makoto's intro episodes heavily reference the original manga chapter and use the same theme behind the attacks that lead to them accessing their transformation. There's no magic bus to whisk victims away in Rei's case, and there's no wedding dress ghost story in Makoto's, probably due to the feasibility of recreating those scenes.
The Forbidden Love & the Past Life lore
The live-action definitely deep-dived into the 'forbidden love' concept when it came to Usagi and Mamoru, and further created a whole complexity of the storyline to justify WHY it's forbidden. In the manga/anime, it felt like the idea of their forbidden love was purely political and mostly glossed over since the past life kingdoms were dead, but in the live-action, there were actual stakes and consequences to consider even for the present.
And the ABSOLUTE MOST AMAZING THING and by far my favourite twist to the live-action storyline is they actually ventured into exploring the impact of making teenagers soldiers of war! There is actually ample screen time and dialogues AND monologues dedicated for us to see individual Senshi AND the team together grappling with the pros and cons and exploring both extreme sides of the need to follow the past life mission to avert tragedy regardless of the sacrifices made, versus the necessity of making one's choice and finding ways to live in the present in spite of the past life lore! Do they support Usagi's and Mamoru's love for each other or not???? Do they know for sure whether their love WILL cause misfortune again or not or can they trust Usagi to know what she's doing????? FASCINATING AND ANGSTY STUFF RIGHT THERE!
Rei’s Personality
More as an FYI, but Rei’s personality is much more similar to the manga Rei’s personality, instead of ‘90s anime Rei. More cool beauty and calm, less aggressively hotheaded and abrasive. And very importantly, NOT boy-crazy.
New, original dramatic elements
On the other hand, here are some live-action exclusive dramatic elements that I'd like to highlight:
Aino Minako the idol
Even many who haven't watched the series would have heard about how Minako's character is drastically changed in the live-action. Indeed, Minako is an acclaimed teenage idol and singer with best-selling songs in the show!
It's basically as if the live-action screenwriter pulled in the Outer Senshi elements from the Mugen arc into Minako's character: she's famous, experienced, and serious. Minako has full access to past life knowledge and is ultimately mission-driven like Haruka and Michiru are in the Mugen arc, which causes some of her decisions to maybe not be as morally white as we'd expect her to be (I think her costume style of white and black is a nice nod to the idea of her double life and her sense of moral).
Now, that's not to say live-action Minako is completely a new character, you can certainly see manga/anime Minako's character traits here and there if you pay attention - pun-loving, prank-loving, mischievous. For god's sake, the girl named her album Venus, and one of her most iconic songs is called C'est La Vie, which sounds exactly like "Sailor V" pronounced in Japanese. Just imagine this girl playing a vigilante life, and having a chuckle every time she sings her best-selling song that basically announces her identity to the world and no one realizes. lmao
Basically, Minako's character embodies the extreme result of what happens if a teenager is burdened with all the knowledge of the Past Life war and has the weight on her shoulders while working alone.
If you can get past Minako's changed character setting in the live-action, you'll find there are still plenty of Dark Kingdom arc manga/anime Minako elements in there, just some more exaggerated while others are more subtle. (Coz to be fair, Minako didn't start becoming Usagi's twin until after the Dark Kingdom arc.) And her relationship with Artemis is absolutely heartwarming to see in the live-action.
Who's in the wrong? Who's an ally, and who's not?
While our Senshi team is clearly the heroine, and the Dark Kingdom the villains, the live-action takes a more interesting take on what's considered "good" versus "evil", and more importantly, who's in the wrong on how things ended badly in the past life. Who is actually the person the Senshi needs to protect the world from? And that drives the story into a direction that is more complex than what you'll ever find in manga or anime, and certain characters react accordingly and act more grey than black or white - from both the heroine side and the villain side!
Shitennou & Endymion
Something we didn't really get to see as much in the manga and anime, while we know who the Shitennou are, we don't really see the Shitennou and Mamoru interacting until after they... became their name-sake rocks (okay, technically, GEMS). And we don't get many hints on what their past live relationships were, so for many years fans have taken to pen/paper/tablets/keyboard and filled the gaps with their amazing imagination and creative work instead.
In the live-action, we get a much more expansive and interesting take in seeing the Shitennou - technically still under the Dark Kingdom's influence, interact with Mamoru as they all grapple with what happened in the past life.
How would the prince's ex-guardians act seeing their master again? How would Mamoru react? Choosing to accept his responsibility for his past life or not? After all, they had such fond memories of arm-wrestling each other! (Spoiler alert: Nephrite won.) :P
I must once again emphasize that I love what they did with the Shitennou's characters and gave each of them a different story trajectory. They are written so well they pull at your heartstrings!
If you want some canon-material for writing the Shitennou in the age of Elysion Kingdom, definitely give the live-action a go!
Power up! The Senshi Needs Training
Because the live-action only gets one arc, there's no room for us to see the Senshi team (conveniently) get upgraded transformation like they do in each arc in manga or anime. Instead, the live-action takes a different, and I dare say, a more realistic approach, where the Senshi learns that their initial access to their transformation isn't the full access to their powers as they expected. They are put through some legit, and some questionable training of the body, mind and spirit, and each of them has to overcome something within themselves across the series to access their power!
This approach highlights and solidifies each Senshi's strengths AND ties in really well into the girls' character development throughout the series. As well, it makes it feel like the Senshi did have to put in work to get strong and gain access to their power, instead of relying on the plot to get them new powers at the right opportune time, seemingly out of the blue.
Remember: THEY ARE IN SCHOOL!
Yep, sometimes in the manga and in the anime, it's so easy for us to forget that the Senshi are kids in school when they are in the thick of a crisis or fighting evil. Somehow, it always seems quite clean and convenient that the Senshi could separate their school life and their heroine life, doesn't it? How the responsible adults in the world may wonder... "Gosh, where did that kid go in the middle of [insert context]????" Or for a fellow peer in school to wonder - "How the hell did this random group of girls come together like an odd band?"
The live-action takes time to make room for some reality checks in their episodic storylines to explore all the different repercussions our heroine's double (or triple) life has on their normal life, and with that ties in personable and relevant topics and themes into their episodic plots:
Family relationship
Peer relationship
Romantic relationships
Moments that remind everyone how awkward and tough it is to be a teenager.
The toll of lying through your teeth to keep a secret, etc
I cannot emphasize enough that the screenwriting is superb in the series! Not one thing is referenced only once and left out the window, everything that happened builds up into a moment of learning or lasting impact for our characters!
To people who've not watched the live-action, PLEASE GIVE IT A CHANCE! At least give it 6 episodes, and you'll probably be hooked!
You can watch the subbed versions of the series at:
Miss Dream Fansubs
Sea of Serenity Fansubs
The series is also on other online streaming sites, but be cautious to only visit them with good adware and firewall installed.
6 days till the 20th anniversary of Act 1 air date!
Part 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
#pgsm#pretty guardian sailor moon#bssm#bishoujo senshi sailor moon#sailor moon live action#pgsm appreciation#shitennou#reasons to watch pgsm#pgsm 20th anniversary countdown#khmyh's gif
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There’s this genre of BL that’s sad but not a tragedy, playful but not a comedy, and has meaningful drama instead of the flashy kind.
Sometimes it’s just a guy who just got cheated on and dumped after an 8 year relationship meeting another guy who has been kicked out and is now homeless.
Sometimes it’s a boy who hasn’t left the house in 5 years, who’s one sided crush is leaving him behind and sets him up with a roommate to watch over him
Sometimes it’s two boys who cross paths at a bus terminal and then the rest of their lives intertwine
Sometimes it’s a masochistic yakuza boss and his silent impotent bodyguard trying to figure each other out and somehow find happiness
Sometimes it’s a man who sees the mostly beautiful pair of hands on a stranger and can’t help but invite him to a hotel where he waits for him blindfolded
Sometimes it’s a werewolf who trusts no one except the man that killed his ex-lover
Sometimes it’s just a kid who loved his older neighbor so much he proposed. And now, years later would do anything to get him to take his love for him seriously
Sometimes it’s a straight man and a gay prostitute slowly falling for each other despite all of the rules forbidding it
Sometimes it’s two men holding onto the pain of losing those close to them, who find each other again and the pain doesn’t go away but the fact that they have each other makes life brighter
Sometimes it’s a boy in the drama club who falls in love with a boy thinking he’s a girl
Sometimes it’s someone wanting to redeem himself from his past mistakes and move on from his first love... only to find himself being confessed to by a boy who looks like sunshine
Anyway, I really love this genre ♡ I love to read it when I’m feeling something I can’t always put into words
#Aitte Yatsu o Oshiete Kure yo#home alone together#december rain#twittering birds never fly#saezuru tori wa habatakanai#red limit#wolf in the house#lover boy#birds of shangri-la#my way with you#boy meets maria#incorrigible
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what are your fanfic.net exclusive fic reccs? or fave fics from ff.net. I've never read sherlock ff from that site so I'm curious.
Anonymous asked: Steph!!! FF.net is probably closing or being abandoned, and I need to know the best fanfics over there before it closes forever!!! Any recs?
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Hey Lovelies!!!
Ah, I've so many FFNet fics... it's where I started, just haven't filed them like I did with my AO3 fics, hahah. I've done lists in the past you will enjoy, but I'll use your asks for an excuse to do another list!! <3 Hope you guys enjoy!
As an aside, I just want to state that I don't know if these are EXCLUSIVE to FFnet; they probably have AO3 counterparts, I just don't know. These are just fics, at the time of making this list, I had on my FFNet bookmarks and haven't found on AO3 yet :) Enjoy!
TOP 25 FAVE NON-AO3 FICS Pt 3
See also:
Top 25 Fave Non-Ao3 Fics (Nov. 2019)
Top 25 Fave Non-Ao3 Fics Pt 2 (Apr 2022)
Five Seconds by xXLadyLovelaceXx (K+, 658 w., 1 Ch. || TGG Pool Scene, Friendship, Introspection) – In the half-second before Sherlock shoots the jacket, John notices something.
Message Not Sent by Queerasil (K, 762 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, One-Sided Texting, Pining Sherlock) - Sherlock texts John after the fall and during the hiatus. The messages are sent, but never received. Sequel to WORDLOCKED, TSTM, and Wait, How Do You Play This Game Again?
The Three-Word Tin Collection by TheBookshelfDweller (K, 1,885 w., 1 Ch. || First Person Sherlock POV, Mild Pining, Angst, Romance, Hiatus) – What happens when Sherlock has to store the things he wants to say to John while deconstructing Moriarty's web, but the Mind palace proves an inadequate place to store them?
BBCSH 'The Comfort of Company' by tigersilver (T, 2,769 w., 1 Ch. || Post-TRF/Mary, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Bed Sharing, Grumpy John, Touching, Clingy/Handsy Sherlock, Cranky Sherlock, Fluff and Light Angst) – It's a trope that John and Sherlock end up sharing in the same bed eventually and I admit I do adore it unconditionally, along with all it infers as to the lowering of defenses and the heightening of trust. I put forth for your consideration that the notion persists because those who think about these things realize these two men are each in dire need of some good company.
Explosions, Literal and Otherwise by Jennistar1 (T, 3,288 w., 1 Ch. || Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Worried Sherlock, Sort of Rev.-Reichenbach) – Sherlock does not react well to the idea that John might be dead.
Very Good Indeed by StillWaters1 (T, 4,531 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Doctor John, John Whump) – John Watson was a doctor, trained to observe details; a fact Sherlock had never been more aware of than when a drugged John’s lifesaving instructions were based on an unlabeled syringe and an unconscious murder suspect’s body.
De Veritate Unicornis Moderni by tepid sponge bath (T, 5,260 w., 5 Ch. || Fantasy & Drama) – John Watson, a unicorn of this day and age, is trapped in a mortal body. Life as it is seems pretty pointless, almost unendurable, until he meets one Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective and very much a virgin.
London's Ghost by JustlikeWater (K+, 5,642 w., 1 Ch. || Tragedy, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Post-TRF AU, Sherlock POV) – "Today, it's been weeks since Sherlock died. Other times, years. He doesn't know for sure, though. Time passes differently for the dead"
Same Same But Different by Kerkerian-Horizon (K+, 6,435 w., 2 Ch. || Friendship, Angst, Post-TRF, Gladstone, John/Mary, Christmas, No Slash) – After Sherlock's return, a lot of things have changed, things the detective has to learn to contend with- or rather, to accept. A sometime-post-Reichenbach story in two parts, no male pairing. Contains Mary, the puppy Gladstone and Christmas as well.
Not Without You by thisisforyou (T, 6,313 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Adventure, Mycroft is a Good Brother, Pining Sherlock, Suicide Mention, Sherlock First Person POV, Post-TRF / Reunion Fic) – "I can't, Mycroft, I can't do this without John." Mycroft comes up with an alternative solution to the three years of two broken hearts that would have otherwise happened.
Five Times by AliuIce0814 (T, 6,667 w., 6 Ch. || Drama, Canon-Compliant S1 & 2, Angst, 5 and Ones, Reunion) – ... Sherlock woke John, and one time John woke Sherlock.
Lost for Words by notactivesherlockaccount (T, 6,709 w., 1 Ch. || Friendship, Hurt/Comfort, John Whump, Temporary Mute John) – While on a case, John temporarily loses his ability to speak, and he and Sherlock have to find a new way to communicate.
Catastrophe Medicine by LaSuen (T, 11,550 w., 1 Ch. || Hurt / Comfort, Suspense, Adventure, Whump, Hard Core Bromance) – Chasing after a pyromaniac bomber Sherlock and John wind up in a deserted building which explodes and leaves them trapped under the rubble, both severely injured.
Always the sun by Rose de Sharon (K+, 12,377 w., 3 Ch. || Song Fic, Alternate Post-TGG, Friendship/Bromance, Hurt/Comfort, Introspection / Reflection, Injury Recovery, Obsessive / Protective Sherlock, Nightmares, John’s Past, Bed Sharing / Cuddles) – Sherlock ponders about how much his life has changed since John has become his flatmate.
A Study in Linguistics by rizandace (T, 12,425 w., 1 Ch. || S1 Canon Compliant/S2 Divergence, Friendship, Slices of Life, Communication, Cranky Sherlock, Hospitals, Sherlock Whump, Pet Cat, Jealous John, Sherlock’s Violin, Anxious Sherlock, John Whump) – Sherlock Holmes and John Watson had their own language. It was a language of few words and minute facial expressions, and John had learned that it was nearly the only way to have an honest conversation with his eccentric flat mate.
Sunset's Wake by StillWaters1 (T, 13,136 w., 4 Ch. || Angst, Hurt /Comfort, Minor Character POV) – It wasn't until that moment, when the dazed man in the practical black jacket came pushing through the crowd and into her arms, that she understood why she had been drawn outside St. Bart's that day.
First Response by Arwen Jade Kenobi (T, 13,516 w., 6 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Five and Ones, Whump / Injury) – Five times John had to perform first aid on Sherlock and one time Sherlock had to perform it on John.
The Acronym by DancingGrimm (T, 15,057 w., 12 Ch.|| Humour) – "'Bee Ay Em Eff'. Hm, that's a new one on me. Do you know what it means, Sherlock?" John might not know what it means, but there are many little ways in which he proves the acronym suits him.
The Haze by Ulura (T, 15,381 w., 12 Ch. || Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Whump, Turmoil, Mystery, Worried Sherlock, Mycroft Helps Sherlock, Flashbacks, Blood, Kidnapped John) – Sherlock wakes up, injured and confused on the floor of 221b, the last two days a complete blank. He must struggle not only to recover but to figure out what happened to him and most importantly, find his missing friend John Watson.
Obsession by storylover18 (K+, 15,213 w., 10 Ch.. || Hurt/Comfort, Case Fic, Friendship, John Whump, Sick Fic) - Dr. John Watson wakes up ill one morning but it is not the 24 hour flu he thinks it was. Soon he lands in hospital, quickly deteriorating and Sherlock must work to find out what has happened to his blogger before it is too late. Case!fic mixed with sick!fic / No slash.
The Consequences of Caring by Richefic (K+, 16,156 w., 5 Ch. || Friendship & Angst, Domestics, Platonics) – Sherlock might scoff at this 'caring' lark. But John Watson's situation cries out to be 'solved' and there is nothing that Holmes likes more than solving things. A series in four parts.
Partners in Crime by Richefic (T, 16,560 w., 5 Ch. || Post-ASIP/Pre-TBB, Hurt/Comfort, Friendship, Sick John, Meddling Mycroft, Caring Sherlock, Domestics) – John Watson receives some devastating news which puts a spanner in his medical ambitions. Will Sherlock prove capable of the kind of comfort and reassurance he needs or will their partnership be ended before its even begun?
Pressure Points by Starlight05 (T, 17,677 w., 11 Ch. || Suspense & Friendship, Intense Themes, Torture) - SEQUEL TO ‘RIDDLES IN THE DARK’ – Sebastian Moran is locked away in prison, but he plots to escape and seek revenge on Mycroft Holmes. Meanwhile, Sherlock and John are dealing with a change in their relationship, trying not to fall apart. And as ties are tested and allegiances altered, events unfold in the streets of London that threaten both the Holmes brothers and everyone they care for.
M Is For Moriarty by ElvendorkInfinity (T, 29,882 w., 12 Ch. || Suspense, Mystery, Case Fic, Worried Sherlock, No Slash, Whump) – A figure at the end of the hospital bed; a needle in the dark...Moriarty has John, and Sherlock must follow the paper trail through London to find him before time runs out. Sequel to BANG.
Sentenced by SarahKnight (T, 44,777 w., 30 Ch. || Dev. Rel., Alternate S4 Canon, Drama, Angst, Pining, Feelings are Hard) – Virtual series 4 opener. Sherlock's in prison being targeted by a murderer, John's married to a pregnant assassin and Moriarty's back.
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The house at the edge of the world Ch.2
Pairings: Wanda Maximoff/SW! x Female!Reader
Warnings: Minors DNI! +18, angst, jealousy, drama, slow burn, hurt and comfort, friends to lovers, pregnancy, romance, fluff, mentions of depression and self harm, healing, R owns an Airbnb that welcomes many known characters from Marvel, R has powers, Wanda needs healing, and so does R, R sometimes is an asshole but for a good reason. More warnings as the story progress.
Author's Note: The story follows up the events of Wandavision right before the twins birth. Since I didn't like the fact Natasha died in Endgame, she is alive as well as Tony everything else just happens the same way it does in the movies. We will see some Eternals and mentions of all the new members of the cinematic MCU.
English is no my mother tongue so I do apologize for any grammar, spelling or funny mistake.
This is slow burn so it will take sometime for R and Wanda to get there, but there would be signs and confussion and drama.
Chapter 1 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7 - Chapter 8 - Chapter 9 - Chapter 10 - Chapter 11 - Chapter 12 - Chapter 13 -Chapter 14 - Epilogue
A helping hand
They used to tell her time would cure everything.
She remembered her mother telling her this after her first pet had died, she had been sad and had learnt from a very early age that dead was a fundamental part of life. She didn’t like it one bit because losing someone you loved should never happened. It was supposed to be forever.
Her mother had tried to explain it to her, but it was actually her father the one who could go through her stubborn mindset and finally made her understand that losing someone you love to tragedy or natural causes was something meant to happen.
“The important thing, Wanda bear, is for you to hold onto the memories, the teachings and that happiness and love they left in you. That’s how you remember them and honour their memory, by carrying on and making sure you keep loving and being the beautiful person you’re now. Because that’s the person the love, the one they honoured even in death.”
Wanda had always kept those words close to her heart, and when her parents died and she and Pietro waited under the rubbles of their home she hold onto them for dear life. Her father and her mother had trusted her with that, with Love; they had always said of the two Wanda was the one who felt the most, ready to love without measure to be protective of those around her. It was one of her best qualities, and her cursed.
Because even if she tried to forgo the growing pain in her heart, she could not let go of the memory of losing her parents. Of never being able to see her dad smiling at her, calling her Wanda Bear, of her mother tugging her in, or sharing small gossip while laughing and teaching her the secret ingredients of dinner. Wanda held tightly to the pain and grief until she and Pietro offered themselves as experiments.
She wanted revenge for what had been taken away from her.
It was not fair.
But then…Ultron happened, and she became a monster, her powers showing more of that unstable nature of overwhelming emotions she didn’t know how to handle. The overwhelming pain she experienced when Pietro died, the emptiness growing deep inside her heart and darkness filling up the space in her mind where her family had been.
She was left alone.
She was left lost without a real place to belong to.
Vision had been her saviour in many ways. He had come to her at a moment in which she was really unsure or what was expected of her, or what she was supposed to do. And she fell in love, because he showed her that love was not that bad and it was something she was allowed to experience without having to let go of her past, or those she had loved before.
Wanda would forever hold close to her heart the moments she had lived with Vision, every single tear, every single smile and conversation, the time they spent together was something she would treasure in a special part of her heart.
Then, Thanos happened and she was made to kill the one person she had loved more than life itself.
“I feel you.”
Once again she was alone, she was lost and this time around there was nothing there to anchor her to reality.
Westview had been heaven.
And it had been real.
The pain of losing everything all over again never left her.
It didn’t leave the first day, or the second. It didn’t go away on the tenth and, by the time she reached the fifteenth day it was still there piercing right through her soul and heart. Everybody forgot how it was, how it felt and if she was honest with herself, she was pretty sure not many cared or understood what it was like to be like her.
No one had to face the morning, how the world around her was like a nightmare while she waited patiently for the night in which she could dream. When she closed her eyes she was transported to the world that matter, the one she had created with sheer will in which life was perfect. No pain. No loneliness. A place where she had a family, her children, her husband, her brother…happiness.
There were days in which she felt so much that her only relief was found in the study of the Darkhold. The book she had stolen from Agatha had been a great instrument to learn about herself and her power, and as she read each word the possibilities of recovering what she had lost in that world became clearer. Wanda knew with time she would be capable of making her life with Vision a reality, to go back to the place where she was to have his children and be a happy family with her was just a few pages away.
However, and this little fact caught her by surprised, whenever the Darkhold was not enough and Wanda was left with cold and desperate there was only one thing that could bring peace to her heart.
It happened by accident.
She didn’t mean to spy on you, nor was she meant to make of those morning routines a…well, a routine.
The second morning of her imposed vacation found Wanda trying to make some tea, the night had been a bliss, and the morning a complete nightmare; Wanda woke up to an empty bed, tears rolling down her eyes trying to catch what she had lost in the land of dreams.
The tea warmed up her cold hands, her body shivering while she tried to compose herself. Her eyes flickered to the window, watching as the golden rays of the sun sneaked inside the kitchen announcing another new day. Without thinking to much, Wanda approached the window feeling an easiness she hadn’t feel for such a long time. Her eyes started into the distance, losing herself at the sheer beauty that was the morning right in front of the ocean when, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a figure approaching.
It was Y/N.
That morning you were wearing your usual training attire, black sweatpants, and a black top, you had on your earphones moving your lips to the lyrics of the song playing inside your head. Without really noticing the green eyes on you, you started working out stretching and warming up while enjoying the summer morning.
It was nothing out of the ordinary, a normal training session of someone that had a habit of doing exercise every morning. What really caught Wanda’s attention, was the easiness in which you seemed to let go of everything around you. How could you ignore the world so easily and give yourself to the solitude you obviously lived in. There was such a calmness behind your gestures, a peace that was reflected in your actions that Wanda envy.
By the time Wanda realized she had been staring, you finished your routine and went back inside your house. Whatever Wanda had been thinking on that very first morning, she dismissed it as curiosity. Nothing else, nothing more.
Everything would be easily forgotten, even the thought of you being attractive, if it had happened just that one time.
But it didn’t.
The next morning, almost by accident, Wanda found herself looking at you out of the window. The same routine, the same outfit…probably a different song.
And then, just as the darkness inside her mind tried to take over, just as the whispers of words said by Vision, or the what ifs in the world she had created plagued the days and nights, Wanda’s mornings were dedicated to observing the approaching sun and you. And you and her observations of you became a morning routine, something she was waiting anxiously only to dismiss as a mere causality, nothing worth thinking over or looking deeper into.
Wanda found excuses for her actions, she convinced herself it was a coincidence. That she actually enjoyed the mornings and the sight of the ocean, she even convinced herself that she was just curious because the love of her life was Vision and it was impossible for her, after all this time to feel anything but mere curiosity towards someone else that wasn’t him. It was just not possible. Wanda loved Vision with all she was and all she had, that was why she was looking for a way to go back to her world, to their world.
Wanda could downplay her reactions; she could even kid herself about the reasons behind her peeking. What she could not deny, what she found impossible to deny was that every morning for a single instant could forget all about her pain, her loneliness, her misery.
On the morning number seventeenth of her imposed vacation, Wanda found herself going to her usual spot on the window in the kitchen. There was an eagerness behind her footsteps, her fingers tapping impatiently on the kitchen counter while she waited for the water of the tea to be ready. Her eyes flickered to the window, then back to the teapot until she decided the water was warm enough, in less than two minutes she was standing in her usual spot waiting.
The night before had been awful.
And Wanda was just looking for some comfort, for some peace. The young woman waited to notice the backyard was empty, the sun coming in and the waters of the ocean reflected the approaching morning with an impassiveness Wanda didn’t feel. The young witch pursed her lip leaning against the wall, her eyes sweeping around the backyard until her brows knitted up together in concern and disappointment.
You had never stopped doing your morning routine ever since that first morning Wanda saw you.
The fact that you didn’t show up that morning made Wanda’s heart twisted uncomfortably in her chest. The coldness she had been experiencing since the night before came in rushing through her veins, the dark cloud above her head growing as she finally realized you would not come that day.
It occurred to her at that very moment how pathetic she really was.
She had never spoken to you, she was even rude on the day she actually met you. What she had been doing as of late was behaved like a freaking weirdo watching you without you being aware of this.
Wanda clenched her hands tight around the mug on her hands, her eyes growing red with her mind already pushing her back towards the Darkhold. She needed to get out of this world, of this reality and go back to her home, the real one…
A loud knock on her door broke the darkening thoughts in Wanda.
Wanda turned sharply to the front door, startled by the sudden interruption, and wondering just who could be, she made her way to the front door wearing a frown of perplexity. The mug forgotten on the kitchen counter.
The door flung open to reveal you standing right at the threshold with two white cups with steam coming out of them. Wanda stood there with her eyes wide open by the shock, while you offered a simple smile your eyes gleaming amusedly at the young woman in front of you.
For a moment nothing was said, you could tell Wanda was checking you out with a mixture of surprised and confusion that settled on her green eyes. You for your part could tell the woman in front of you had spent the last couple of days doing nothing but existing. Wanda wore some loose pants, worn out shirt, with her hair put into a ponytail and a face denoting lack of sleep and constant crying.
You cleared your throat lifting the cup on your left hand, soon the smell of hot chocolate hit Wanda’s nostrils and the woman almost smile at the gesture. She held back, though with her eyes trying to glare at the woman standing right before her.
“I thought today we could go out for a stroll, you know?” You broke the silence nonchalantly, still offering the cup filled with hot chocolate. “I figure that, instead of you ogling at me through the window we could talk and I could actually show you around.”
That was all Wanda needed to come back to earth, soon her confusion turned into annoyance though she wished the blush would just be dismissed as anger and nothing else.
“Ogling at you? I believe you must be mistaken.”
“So, you’re not the one standing by the window in the kitchen?” You asked perplexed, blinking a couple of times though the tug on your lips told Wanda you were mocking her. “Should I be worried someone is inside the house trying to take a peek at my morning training?”
Wanda tried to compose herself by putting her shoulders back and straightened up, her face changing the tension into an expressionless mask she had practiced several times before. Her eyes hardened as they tried to ignore the tug at her heart.
“Perhaps, that’s what’s happening,” Wanda really wanted to hit herself for such a lame answer, she felt mortified when the knowing glint crossed your eyes. “Either way, the only interesting thing in the backyard it’s the sight of the ocean…”
“Whatever makes you sleep at nights…” You shrugged stepping closer, without meaning to Wanda took a step back with her eyes growing big. You stopped your advanced, scowling at this you lift the offering cup once more.
“I brought you this, chocolate, dark in water, right?” You asked to which Wanda couldn’t help but nod surprised, her hands wrapped around the cup watching the warm beverage with confusion.
“How did you…?”
You waved your hand away stepping back, “never mind that, as I said, I came here to invite on a morning stroll, perhaps getting out of the house for change.”
“Thank you, but I don’t think now it’s a good time, I…” Wanda answered way to fast, almost stumbling over her words. You set your eyes on her, for a moment that seemed like an eternity you thought about her words, how evident it was she had been wallowing in her sadness all this time.
You had promised Natasha you would look after her, and while you made sure everything was alright you also realized it was time to just approach the young woman and see what would happen.
"What? You haven't brood enough in the last couple of days?" You pointed out arching an eyebrow while looking closely to her reaction, “I promise you it won’t take long, and then you can come back here with that dark cloud above your head and drown back in your self-pity and sadness. Wouldn’t want to ruin your wallowing in misery.”
You could see the myriad of emotions crossing those green eyes, sadness, and disbelief, then anger and desperation. You were quite sure no one had dare to call out her actions, this seemed to be the very first time she heard those words and was confronted with the reality of her actions.
You took a sip from your coffee, what would Wanda do? Would she follow or was she too far gone to even try and do something about her life? About her sadness?
With a last glance, you turned around waving your hand in the air.
“Don’t worry, I understand if you prefer to be alone, in the house…wasting your time and your life for something as stupid as your mistakes.” You waved your hand away. “Good day, Principessa.”
Wanda stood there with her mouth hanging open for a second before she glared at your back, she was seething playing around the words in her head. They hurt, and they hurt even more knowing they came from a stranger she had been admiring from afar. Confusion settled in her mind, though her anger was stronger than any other emotion she felt at the moment.
With the mug still on her hand, Wanda took long strides to get to you. Her hand grabbed your forearm turning you sharply to face her. Her eyes gleaming red, and her face contort in anger, and desperation.
“How dare you speak to me like that? Who the fuck are you to tell me how to feel or how to act? Who gave you the right to…?”
Wanda was cut off by you jerking your arm away, there was an infuriating grin on your face as you lifted a hand and Wanda stopped her tirade.
“This is a free country, Principessa,” you replied lifting your chin, your eyes gleaming in defiance at Wanda. “I can do and say whatever the fuck I want, to whoever the fuck I want. Even if they don’t like it when I face them with the truth.”
Wanda wanted to wipe out the arrogant smile on your face, her eyes grew red as she stepped closer to you. You tilted your head with all the tranquillity in the world, your body tingling at her closeness, the magic in Wanda coming in waves at you. Fifteen days had been more than enough to let Wanda out of your sight, things had not improved and while you certainly could care less about what she had done previously, you did care what she did in the now.
The tension was quite evident, and Wanda couldn’t help but wonder if you were an idiot or you were hiding something. No one had stood to her the way you were doing right now; no one even dare when she was getting her powers ready to act. You decided to take another seep from your coffee, then stepped closer to Wanda until the both of you were a breath away.
"Besides if it gets the job done,” you continued casually, “why shouldn’t I do it?”
Wanda almost faltered in her step; the closeness of the other woman made her lose her control. She let go of the anger to try and get a hold of her mind, of how she never noticed the colour of your eyes or the softness of your skin. How there was age and youth all in a single face, or how the hair gleamed dark gold when under the right light while in another, it was a nice shade of caramel. Wanda scoffed standing back, her face turned to the side but the frown still present.
"What do you mean?" The young woman finally asked puzzle.
You shrugged walking past her, “it made you get out of the house, now we can stay here and you can use your powers to teach me how I shouldn’t talk to you like that. Or we can follow on my original plan to show you around. Your choice, Principessa.”
______________________________________________________________
The walk was done in silence.
It was a warm morning; the smell of summer filled the hill and the breeze caressed your skin as you walked down a dusty path. The trees and the grass around you were of a deep green mixing up with soft earthy colours, the birds singing right above your head brought comfort to your heart.
You had always loved your life in this part of the world.
It brought a peace no other place or person could, not after everything that had happened. Life had not been kind, and after a while, you learned you didn’t owe the world a thing. The moment you open your side house for visitors, you made it your duty to make sure they could find in there what you did at some point. Peace. Themselves.
Sometimes, it worked. And some of them were still your friends. Some of the best you ever had.
Some others…well, everyone dealt with the world differently.
“Where are you taking me?” Wanda finally asked looking around herself, feeling the breeze on her face for the first time in more than two weeks.
It was a beautiful morning, and the place was amazing.
The only sounds those of the nature and your footsteps on the ground. You turned left and then you were going down some nature-made steps to an open space lying in between a group of high trees.
“A friend of mine, she comes by sometimes and whenever she is here, she likes to take care of her garden.” You explained stretching your hand to Wanda to jump down the last step.
Wanda lifted an eyebrow ignoring your hand, she landed without any effort walking past you. You followed the young woman with your eyes, pursing your lips before going after her.
There was a small hut to the far corner of the round space. It held a bed, and some candles, books, and a tea set. What had Wanda quite surprised was the fact there was a garden right in the middle of nothing. From that point they could see the ocean stretching out through the world, the rest of the mountain chain lifting protectively around them and the trees covering this small space of land.
The garden was beautiful.
It was circular in form, the edges decorated by flowers of multiple colours that Wanda was not capable of naming but that she admired for what they were. The inside of the circle was made of gravel crossed by steppingstones setting the path right into the hut. The white gravel had taken the form of waves, curved lines following a pattern Wanda could not decipher but obviously had a meaning to the owner of the garden. The rest of the space was decorated by violets and lilies giving it a lively colour that for some reason brough a smile to Wanda.
“Thena loves taking care of her garden, and the flowers.” You continued as if the silence hadn’t stretched too long. “And I come here once in a while to make sure the flowers and her plants have enough water.”
“Why?” Wanda asked before she could stop herself, you knitted your brows together looking back at her.
“Plants need water.” Your answered earning a clear glare from the woman, you chuckled making your way to the hut. “Because I can, and because she will be sad if something happens to the garden.”
Wanda observed as you made your way around the small hut, coming out with two water bottles. You bit on your tongue softly glancing around the garden, your eyes fell on the plants growing to the right then to the left.
“I wouldn’t mind the help, you know?” You continued your eyes away from Wanda.
“What makes you think I want to help?” Wanda pressed forth, observing your reactions.
You snorted shooting her a quick glance, “you’re here, right?”
Wanda looked away clenching her jaw, she hated the smugness behind your voice and the smile adorning your features. She finished her drink trying to organize her thoughts, her heart beating fast and her mind at ease in the middle of such a beautiful garden. Of such a beautiful setting. When she went to look over at you, she found you kneeling down in front of the plants looking around before putting some water on them.
With a sigh she started walking towards the bottle of water you left on the ground, with a frown she put the mug there and grabbed the bottle before moving opposite to you and watering the other plants.
You glanced back watching Wanda bended over the flowers, her face finally softening the rough edges it held ever since she arrived there. Your lips curled slightly before you continued your work.
There were no more words between the both of you.
By the time you were back home, Wanda was deep in thought and the weight she had on her was returning slowly. The young woman furrowed her brows giving your mug back.
“How did you know I like chocolate?” Wanda finally broke the silence, you shrugged taking the mug while locking your eyes to hers.
“I didn’t.”
Wanda nodded a little confused, you turned around ready to leave when her voice reached out to you.
“Thank you.” It was but a whisper, uncertain and confused.
“You can go back there whenever you want, it would be really appreciated it if you help water the flowers once in a while.” You mentioned casually, then you left never looking back to the woman that had her eyes glued to you.
It took her a while, but in the end Wanda took your offer and decided she needed to go back there.
The next time she was back to the garden, she was alone. The thoughts inside her head were dark, filling her with sadness and desperation, screaming at her to just go ahead and take what was hers. The world was at her feet, always had been.
The moment she took a step inside the garden everything faded away, and she set on to work. And thus, every morning after watching you out her window, Wanda went back to the garden to ease her soul and the thoughts that were slowly but surely consuming her.
She never noticed it, nor did she paid it any mind, but soon she found herself wondering about her host, about her life in such a solitary place, about the garden and her training sessions.
Soon, while working around the garden or giving in meditation, Wanda forgot about her pain and her ambition. She never noticed the peace in her heart, the tranquillity in her mind, or the fact she actually liked the different kind of smiles you were capable of producing.
It always went unnoticed by her that peace reached her out every morning, only to let herself be overwhelmed by the darkness of the afternoons and the nightmares and desperations of the evenings.
Wanda never noticed it, yet slowly but surely she was starting to change the question was if she was ready to accept the change.
If she was ready to give herself and others a new chance.
#imagine wanda maximoff#Wanda Maximoff x Female Reader#WandaxReader#Wanda Maximoff x Reader#WandaxF!Reader#marvel mcu#fanfic#Reader#Female Reader#Wanda Maximoff
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if you're still doing it top 5 relationships... can be romantic platonic family etc
I'll be assuming you mean among animanga characters!
whatever is going on between matrioshka and mister 5 protagonist of the manga that bears his name. a friend of mine who's better with words described them as simultaneously acting like old friends of several decades and like a couple on a honeymoon. they're clearly fond of each other yet by nature do not express it in ways that are socially normal, both being distant and rather asocial people in the middle of serious geopolitical bloody drama; but neither care about that and are fine just chilling and trust each other with infinite amounts of personal space. the concept of a normal (ish) human person in a mutual loving relationship with someone bearing a level of intelligence and perception that is so inhumanely high that their take on life is fundamentally unrelatable for other human beings is so so good. I don't have to wish them the best they got their happy ending fucking off in the moebius desert to raise a kid
custas and dagda 😢 cus describing their relationship is what got me to love both of them so much in the first place..."he's not my dad but he's family [...] He's a really great guy, he's too nice" vs dagda seeing him as his son because he taught him what he knew, but being surprised custas sees him as family regardless. very heartfelt and bittersweet. I do like found families and this one is a good example of a very loving one that does not fit in the mold of a nuclear family fandom is so obsessed about. they're both flawed people with a rocky relationship but who genuinely love each other so they don't mind those bumps in the road...
the kazukabes from dorohedoro. what did i just say about a human being and a greater form of consciousness being in love? but this time they're both retirement age and also huge freaks. the stage of romantic love where it's been so long it's mostly just commitment and lovingly held up routine that remain is my favorite but this is dorohedoro that we're talking about so they're batshit on top of it all. when he violently dies and she pulls out his dismembered hand to hold it to say she loves him? peak romance. when he talks about how she burns people in hell with fondness that freaks out his colleagues at the coffee break? peak romance. when he's all flustered bc she opened her back to hide him in her innards? peak r- you get it
it's hard to pick a favorite relationship in dungeon meshi because they're so well written, but i really like laios and farlyn's unspoken complicity in being siblings born to parents who did not give either a happy childhood; chilchuck immediately noticing and taking into his own disgruntled hands the teenage moody callousness of izutsumi and protecting her emotionally without overstepping her boundaries because goddamn that's a man who's raised four teenage daughters and knows what to do; kabru and rin being childhood friends who both survived similar traumatic events and grew up into an introverted stuck up discreet mess and a master of emotional manipulation with unmatched shrewdness for analyzing human behavior who yet is completely blind of how in love she is of him
the unique flavor of genuine love, codependency and mutual mental health issues ping-pong between black and white. white's little speech about their relationship defined as "i'm missing some screws but i got all the screws he needs" is one of my favorite scenes especially in the film. their relationship and its duality is a major focus of the story so i could go off for pages but it's interesting how one is mentally disabled yet very emotionally intelligent vs his brother being on the stupid side and so hellbent on protecting his brother it bends back into borderline ableism. every horror happens to them that my tragedy loving self can ram into walls about INCLUDING how their love for each other and dedication to a common goal that might doom them concludes the whole story. alexa play plaid - white's dream
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[cisfemale and she/her] Welcome to Aurora Bay, [BLAIR HARRIS]! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [GRACE VAN PATTEN]. You must be the [TWENTY-THREE] year old [ATTENDANT AT PINBALL WIZARD ARCADE]. Word is you’re [CANDID] but can also be a bit [SELF-DESTRUCTIVE] and your favorite song is [ALL-AMERICAN BITCH BY OLIVIA RODRIGO]. I also heard you’ll be staying in [SEABROOK QUARTER]. // @aurorabayaesthetic
CHARACTER BASICS
NAME: blair sofia harris
NICKNAME: blair
AGE: twenty-three
DATE OF BIRTH: may 26
ZODIAC SIGN: gemini
GENDER & PRONOUNS: cisfemale, she/her
ORIENTATION: bisexual
STATUS: single
HEIGHT: 5′8″
OCCUPATION: attendant at pinball wizard arcade
NEIGHBORHOOD: seabrook quarter
QUICK FACTS
born and raised in aurora bay and lived a pretty comfortable life growing up since their father always provided for them while their mother took care of them.
in school, she never really excelled in academics and because of this, their dad always compared her to her high-achieving brothers. ger lack of study habits, coupled with a preference for extracurricular activities, set her apart as the family's outlier. however, her hardwork in volleyball was rewarded when she became the team captain during junior year. she also dabbled in the drama club, but more of the person behind the scenes rather than the one acting in it.
since she didn't really have much prospects for college, blair just ended up going to aurora bay college. however, she wasn't really sure what she wanted to take so she found herself drifting from one major to another. she was one of those kids who had no idea what they wanted to do with their life, unlike her brothers who seemed to have their life mapped out ahead of them. her older brother, rhett harris, was starting to make a name for himself and their band; blair was obviously their biggest fan and she attended almost all of their gigs. but tragedy struck just after his band was scouted for a tour and that was one of the things that turned her life around. it forced her to confront the unpredictable nature of life and inspired her to pursue her passion—film.
aurora bay's film school in their college wasn't exactly top-tier, but she didn't want to go far away from home especially when her brother was still recovering. nonetheless, she enjoyed this course much better than her previous ones. the course of her life was just beginning to get better when another unfortunate event struck them. their mother has fallen sick. considering that blair has always been a momma's girl, she was shattered by the news and started acting out more.
she's never been a straight-laced girl, but the news only made her more volatile and destructive. she always ends up putting a facade that she doesn't give a fuck about anything when in reality, she's just trying to numb all her feelings. also the type of girl who has no filter and says what she means without really thinking about what the other person might feel. she currently revels in chaos because her life is just a mess of chaos lately.
currently, she's on awol at school without her parents actually knowing about it. as far as they're concern, she's still diligently attending her classes and not spending her days working at the pinball wizard arcade.
WANTED CONNECTIONS:
friends/enemies/girl squad/childhood friends
a ride or die where they're probably just bad influences to each other or enables the other person's destructive behavior
ex-fling/hookups/one night stands/fwbs/enemies with benefits/tinder matches
someone she hates for no particular reason other than because they annoy the shit out of her or vice versa
neighbors/family friends/drinking buddies/party buddies
something based on lacy especially over this verse: and i despise my jealous eyes and how hard they fell for you, yeah, i despise my rotten mind and how much it worships you.
pretty much open to anything tho so just hmu xx
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Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. spread the self-love ❤
Thanks for the ask! It's going to be hard to decide, since there are so many fics I still love for the plot or ideas but my writing style and/or tone makes me cringe 🥲 ("perks" of starting to publish at 14 I guess) ; and so many fics I haven't finished (let alone publish) of which I am very proud of... All of these will be in French because I'm deeply insecure about my writing in English.
5. Seguimi O Uccidimi (Spamano) - I worked very hard on that one, had fun with the characters and this is the first Hetalia fic in which I truly made the characters my own, of sorts. Not in the first chapters, but slowly and steadily as the story went on. Some things I established along the way are still sticking with me to this day (almost ten years later) e.g. some human names, my unexpected Belgium/Cuba thing, and probably Romano's portrayal. Also, my most successful story and I'm weak for readers' attention
4. You Give Love A Bad Name / Château de cartes (RusPru, PruAus) - Again, worked hard on this one even though the plot is a bit weak and I'm still pissed that I screwed up the ending's writing. I loved to venture into mature themes and building the atmosphere for it. It was also my first fic set during the Cold War, hence the beginning of a (life-long?) love affair; and also a gift for my dear friend Coline. So yeah, this story is very special to me.
3. Cigar, Single Malt and Tuxedos & Coffee and Contemplation (Prussia, hints of (former) PruAus) - Those are very short but I think they shaped my writing style (even 3 years apart) and are defining for my views on Prussia.
2. The Kings Who Are Gone (PruAus) - Took years but it's kind of an homage to my medieval literature course.
1. Will probably be Zeitgeist (Patria's PruAus chapter) when I finish it. Each word is carefully chosen, I love the atmosphere, I'm finally writing about Weimar Era Berlin, I feel like the story delivers in terms of drama and angst and tragedy.... Something I'm trying to do with Renaissance as well (Spamano, partially published) but Zeitgeist will probably end up being the best out of the two.
(I'm always too verbose with these things aren't I? 😇😅)
Thanks for asking!
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Hi lovelies,
First of all, whoever decided A-levels were sensible. Run. I will find you. Secondly, whoever put the Classics, Politics and History paper in TWO DAYS. Don’t even bother running, it’s on sight.
Anyways, so on Tuesday I have my Greek Theatre exam and I’ve been so wrapped up in History and Politics that I’ve done no Classics revision, so today I’m going to try and summarise all the context to the competent. Don’t know if it’ll work but here goes nothing.
Okay so a quick introduction to Greek theatre. It started in Athens in the late 6th century BC and there’s varying arguments over whether or not it developed from the performance of Epic or as a religious ritual to Dionysus. The tragedies written at the time are still hugely popular today because they concern themselves with aspects of human life that don’t change (i.e. happiness and suffering, the relation between the individual and the state, or just general human relationships). It is really important to understand that drama in the Ancient world was not for the purpose of entertainment, but rather it was your civic and religious duty to attend.
The biggest festival in the dramatic scene was the city Dionysia, which would take place in late March/ early April in Athens. The festival was a way of honouring Dionysus and in total eight playwrights would take part (5 tragedians, and 3 comedians), and the whole event was organised by the leading political figures in Athens. In fact, if one wanted to gain public favour for the next election he would fund or pay for either all, or parts of, the Dionysia. Anyone who contributed to the production of the plays was called the Choregos, and there was a liturgy on the super rich which required them to contribute to the festival as part of the functioning of Athens. The Dionysia was attended, it is thought, by the male population of Athens, and in demonstrating its importance, some seats were reserved for slaves and convicts, who could afford to attend thanks to a state fund. It being in spring meant it was the perfect time of year for foreign dignitaries and allies to attend as well. At the Dionysia it is highly unlikely that women attended at all, apart from a high priestess. Before the actual ‘Dionysia’ there would be a Komos in the streets, which was basically like a loosely organised revel in honour of Dionysus.
There were two other notable dramatic festivals that also took place and they were the Lenea and the Rural Dionysia. The Lenea was held in late January and it was competition creation in 440 BC. The rural Dionysia was held mid i winter and it was celebrated by the rural, more far flung, areas of Athens. Its thought by some scholars that the plays performed at the Rural Dionysia were like ‘tour’ versions of the plays that had been successful at the Dionysia.
Okay so when it comes to Greek theatre, there are a few key features that were shared between both comedy and tragedy. These features included costumes, masks, chorus, actors, messenger speeches, and an agon. Okay so starting with costume, they were key for a playwright to give information o the audience, because there was a set archetype of costume used for a god, or to depict a woman, or a soldier etc…. Masks were a hugely hugely important part of plays because of the depth they added to the performance. Tragic masks often had solemn faces and comedic ones were farcical in nature, but in any case they were all used to depict emotion and even stage effects (so for example when Oedipus blinds himself, a mask covered in red paint would be used by the actor). The next feature was the chorus, absolutely not in any sense of the word to be underestimated. The chorus was made up of 15 ordinary citizens (initially 4, then 12, then 15). There is not record of how chorus members were chosen but due to the competitive nature of festivals, those who were chosen were excused from military service during their practice time. There is no surviving information on how the music accompanying the chorus would’ve sounded, but safe to say it would’ve added to the vibes of whatever the chorus were doing. The chorus were often used to provide sublime political and social commentary in their roles (for example the chorus of initiates in the Frogs). The next, and most obvious part, was of course the actual actors. Actors, unlike the chorus, were trained professionals and in tragedy it was the same three actors that played all the leading roles, they would just hide behind the skene (backdrop) and change masks and costumes. The next feature was the messenger speeches. Due to its religious nature, and also just tradition, violence did not happen on stage in theatre. Messengers are the ones who report this violence and the messengers are usually chorus members. The last feature was thing called an agon. An agon was a dialogue at times of high tension between two different actors culminating in a debate (for example Euripides and Aeschylus in the Frogs).
Okay so tragedy! Tragedies were performed in open air theatres and as a consequence of being part of the serious matter of Greek religion, they were very serious, dealing with moral wrongs and rights. Violence was not permitted on stage and its important to note that tragedians weren’t technically allowed to make political commentary, that had to wait to the comedians. In very early tragedy, there would only be one actor who would perform in a costume and mask. The actor would often speak to the chorus (up to 15 people) who sang and danced but did not speak. After a time, the number of actors grew to three (but it was capped here so that were wa a level of equality in competition). Tragedy was meant to be cathartic for the male audience of Athens, approaching topics that they wouldn’t discuss in every day life (for example the treatment of women as discussed in Medea). Plays like Oedipus may have been cathartic through their demonstration of tragic heroism. There are three main tragedians- Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Aeschylus often had a theme between plays- creating trilogies like the Oresteia. Sophocles was known for adding the third actor, and also for his complicated plots, and changes of scenery in plays. The last of the famed tragedians was Euripides. He was particularly known for having opening speeches to set the theme, using simpler language so that his plays were more accessible, and for posing unsettling themes to make the audience question things.
Comedy time! The word comedy comes from ‘komodia’ meaning the ‘song of Komos’. Aristophanes is the only comic writer who’s plays have survived (11 of the 40 he wrote). He was a very satirical writer and make a lot a lot of political comments, particularly about the Peloponnesian war. In comedy, 4 actors were allowed, and 24 chorus members who were divided into 2 semi-choruses. The chorus often broke the fourth wall and would talk directly to the audience themselves. For example, in Aristophanes Frogs they offer to buy the priest wine after the show. Actors in comedy would wear ridiculous costumes, like comically short tunics and tights stuffed with padding, fake phallus’ and grotesque masks. There was also this thing called a parabasis which was like a little interval in which the chorus would deliberately break the fourth wall and talk about literally anything, including any scandals of the day, politics, or even why that play deserved to win.
Okay, last thing! The layout of a greek theatre. Greek theatre was always performed outdoors. Early theatres were probably just open areas in city centres or next to the hillside where the audience would just stand and watch. From the last 6th to 4th century BC there was a gradual development towards more elaborate theatre structure, consisting of an orchestra, skene, parados, and Theatron. The orchestra was normally a level circle space where the chorus would sing, dance, and interact with the actors. The Theatron (which translate to ‘viewing place’) was where the audience sat. It was usually just larger than a semicircle (which was great for acoustics). It was usually part of larger hillside and made of stone seats. The skene was a building directly behind he stage which worked as a backdrop as it was usually decorated as a palace or temple etc…. The skene also had a set of doors which actors could enter in and out of. The parados were a set of a passageways that the chorus and messengers could make entrances through. There were also two main mechanisms used for dramatic effect. There were the ekkyklema and a crane. The ekkyklema was a like a platform on wheels that was brought on stage to depict the violence that had happened off stage. For example, in Euripides’ Bacchae the body of Pentheus is wheeled on stage using an ekkyklema. The crane was, literally, as it sounds. A crane used to show characters from above, usually reserved only for gods.
Anyways, there you have it. A whistle stop introduction into greek theatre. Guys I promise not long left of me bullying you with revision. I hope you all have a lovely weekend <3
~Z
#classical studies#classics#dark acamedia#greek mythology#ancient rome#roman mythology#ancient greece#ancient world#history#hellenic deities#theatre#greek theatre#theatre kid#dionysus#hellenic gods
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a fanfic writer questionnaire
THE BASICS
Name(s): keyrousse
Where do you post fic? mostly here
Primary/current fic writing fandom: The Witcher (books and games, especially TW3)
Secondary/past/rotating fic writing fandoms: oh so many, but I have maybe 2 or 3 fics written for each of them
Are there fandoms you write for but don’t read, or vice versa? not really. I read some, ahem, original stories (coughcoughporncoughcough), and write only fanfiction.
THE STATS
How long have you been writing fics? since I was 19 I think?
How many have you written? I think I easily hit 40, but I can't be sure - some were unpublished or lost.
How many have you posted (complete or incomplete)? 26 posted on AO3, some short ones also on ff.net.
What’s your word count by year? this year measly 6,3k, last year 114k. It varies ;)
What was your first posted fic? a partial translation from English of a "24" fic when I was 19 and supposed to study for my high school graduation exam, but it was lost when the forum I posted it on died.
If you write in more than one fandom, which is your most popular? still "The Witcher", although my most kudosed fic was for "Broadchurch".
What is your most popular fic by bookmark? "Bits from the Path"
What is your most popular fic by subscription? "Reasons" (I might continue this one. One day.)
What is your longest fic? "Consequences", 114k.
How long did it take you to write it? A year. Which doesn't mean anything, because my currently edited ~40k fic I also have been writing for over a year. :)
What is your shortest fic? "Useful", ca. 700 words.
How long did it take you to write it? One afternoon or two :)
How many series do you have? technically 5, but one of those is a part of another, so 4.
Who’s your most commonly tagged character? Geralt of Rivia and Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon.
What’s your most commonly tagged relationship (slash or &)? Alec Hardy & Ellie Miller.
What’s your most commonly used other tag? hurt/comfort :)
THE EMOTIONS
Was there a fic or writer who inspired you to start writing your own posted works? I don't think so :)
What do you remember about writing your first posted fic? I remember loving the emotions in the fic I was translating, the family drama, the unfolding troubled story etc. I don't remember what fic was my own afterwards or the emotions that accompanied writing it.
Is there a fic or fics you’re most proud of, and why? I really like my The Witcher modern!AU, for how long they are and how many themes from the games and books I managed to modernise while keeping the characters in character :)
Is there a fic you would redo completely if you could? Yes, I deleted a series of The Witcher ficlets in Polish just for that purpose. Maybe not rewrite completely, but I use one problematic trope far too many times and I hoped to change that. Still haven't even started, so I probably won't.
Is there a specific detail (setting, interaction, quirk, dialogue) you stole from your own life to use in a fic? Not really.
Is there a line in your fic that makes you smile/snicker/chuckle every time you remember it? I have that in a fic I haven't published yet. :)
Is there a line in your fic that makes you sad every time you remember it? I don't think so. I write hurt/comfort, not tragedy ;)
Are there any story ideas you’ve considered but are too nervous/intimidated to attempt? What are they? SMUUUUUT. I mean, I wrote two sex scenes in my long 'writing career', one I still have to edit, and one was changed into something more vague (might still delete that one). I just... I wanted to try it as a challenge, but my stories are fine without smut. Won't force myself.
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🎨#ArtIsAWeapon
Reposted from @nmaahc “Art is only important to the extent that it aids in the liberation of our people.” - Elizabeth Catlett
Visual artists regularly infuse themes of liberation, protest, revolution and healing into their work, and use their art as platforms for social justice. Our museum’s collection includes an assortment of Black visual artists representing a wide range of mediums, time periods, and perspectives within our “Reckoning” visual arts exhibition and throughout the building.
Sculptor and graphic artist #ElizabethCatlett believed that art could bolster the public’s awareness of injustice and oppressive systems. She captured the injustices of Jim Crow in her bronze, wooden, and terracotta sculptures, prints, and paintings. Catlett created with an eye for showing the grace, dignity, strength, and pride of women, African Americans, those experiencing poverty, and disadvantaged social classes. When you walk into our museum’s Heritage Hall, you can view Catlett’s 5-foot-tall sculptures, “Offering Education,” “Offering Life” and “Rejecting Injustice” are on display.
Similarly, legendary photographer Gordon Parks used the shutter and lens of his camera to reveal the hidden realities of racial injustice and its impact on Black America. The self-taught Kansas native spent decades (1940s-2000s) integrated into the households and neighborhoods of his subjects and making their daily existences – travails and all – a matter of public consciousness. Parks said, “The world must see the tragedy of poverty as it is and feel all its drama. Everyone must face the problems of humanity. My way of facing these issues is through photography. It is important because it can show, without needing words, everything that is wrong and can be improved.”
His Life magazine photo series, “Flavio da Silva” (1961) and “A Harlem Family – The Fontanelles” (1967) gripped global audiences and made a lasting impression on those public sentiments surrounding poverty.
#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackArt #Liberation #BlackArtists
📸 Josh Weilepp/NMAAHC
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2023 Book Log (part 3/3)
++++October++++
Mort (discworld 4) by Terry Pratchett
~ Adventures in the Discworld continue!!!! I still haven't been completely captivated by any book in this series yet, but they're never too disappointing either. It's just reliably fun sci-fi fantasy.
~ my rating: 7/10
++++November++++
Witch King by Martha Wells
~ This book was kind of like solving a puzzle. You're suddenly dropped into this fantasy world, and every character there understands what's going on, but you as a reader are just staring at all these pieces and trying to put them together until you get a picture of the book's setting. That aspect of discovery and worldbuilding worked well for me, but I didn't feel like it was properly coupled with down to earth character moments. In other words, the world was interesting but the characters were not, in my opinion. I think I liked the way that the narrative swapped between the past and present, but it's also worth noting that I felt like the past story was not as strong as the present one, and I sometimes felt like the chapters were too short and it swapped between them too soon. Anyway, I had fun, so if Wells writes in this world again I will probably read it.
~ my rating: 8/10
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
~ This book is about 1/3rd horror story, and 2/3rds tragedy about coping with death. It is a concise and beautiful attempt at expressing something very difficult. Though it was a heartbreaking and terrifying journey, it also ended with a celebration of love, and a little cosmic horror to boot. I don't know how many times I've read short fiction online about "the horrors of the deep", and felt like those stories were missing something. Well, while it may not incorporate EVERYTHING I'd like, this book still manages to feel like nice mosaic made up of many of those great short form ideas. Two well rounded characters, and their relationship, form the glue that holds all those ideas together. I highly recommend this one, for many reasons.
~ my rating: 9/10
Shards of Honor (vorkosigan saga 1) by Lois McMaster Bujold
~ I enjoyed this book immensely at first, and upon finishing it I still have to admit that Bujold is extremely skilled at writing drama that is both exciting and easy to understand. She had no scruples about letting major plot events happen off screen, for the benefit of only focusing on what, I'm sure she believed, were the most exciting parts of her story. However, I might need additional convincing to continue this series because this book comes across as very conservative and problematic by my standards. I get that it was published in 1986, but even for its time I felt like there were a few unexpected trip-ups that make it difficult to enjoy today (the main characters referring to 'fetuses' as 'people' raised some serious red flags, for instance). I know it's a sci fi staple, and I have friends who still like it, but I'm willing to bet that there are some other books out there that I'll enjoy more.
~ my rating: 5/10
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
~ I love Chuck Tingle's spirit and all the ideas that he crammed into this novel. I didn't find his writing entirely believable, and there were a lot of events that didn't feel earned, in my opinion, but I did like it overall and I felt like the second half of the novel was stronger than the first. That's probably because I have an aversion to stories based around amnesia (which was a big reason why the first half was losing me), and I thought that Saul was an interesting foil to Rose, so my interest spiked after he was introduced (in the second half). In the end, despite the story kind of feeling like a stream of consciousness rather than a well sewn together narrative, I still think that Tingle's good ideas carried it a long way and I actually had a lot of fun with it.
~ my rating: 7/10
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
~ Honestly, this book lacked even a modicum of substance, and the only emotion that it managed to stir in me was bitter disappointment. I wrote several paragraphs (on goodreads) about why exactly I hate it, but even they fail to do justice to just how worthless and frustrating the experience of reading this book was, on every level. Congratulations, worst book of the year.
~ my rating: 1/10
System Collapse (the murderbot diaries #7) by Martha Wells
~ I love Murderbot!!!! ٩(๑❛ᴗ❛๑)۶ The conflicts in this series are always so cathartic to read about. As always, Murderbot is extremely relatable and groundbreaking as a character. I really need more authors like Martha Wells, who can write good neurodiverse characters outside of the gender binary (bonus: even neopronouns were featured in this book). This did not disappoint.
~ my rating: 9/10
++++December++++
README.txt by Chelsea Manning
~ It's unbelievable to me that this book hasn't picked up more of a focus in the American cultural psyche. I've been casually interested in Chelsea Manning's story since highschool, and this book is a stunningly well written and levelheaded account of what Manning (hopefully) believes are the most crucial parts of her singular life narrative. I feel like Manning's story has got to be one of the most important stories about American identity, propaganda, and foreign policy, of the last three decades. Also, Manning did a great job narrating the audiobook. I feel like I should recommend this to everyone I know.
~ my rating: 10/10
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One Day (2009) by David Nicholls - Spoiler Filled Review
In addition to this review, a spoiler-free review of the book will also be posted if you haven’t read the book or watched the movie. While I recommend reading the book, I didn’t like the movie. See that version of the review for why.
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
There are many parts of this story that are a bit cliche. Boy meets girl, they have crushes on each other, spend the next grand amount of time avoiding their true feelings for each other, they get together. YET, the end of the novel was very unexpected and the emotion and the humor these characters had toward each other was so moving. Nicholls said loud and clear: This. Is. A. Drama. Tragedy. NOT. A. Romantic. Comedy. The dialogue was top notch and I honestly had to look up quite a few phrases and words because I am not familiar with all of the British jargon.
Plot and Structure: 3.5 out of 5 stars
I also liked that he split the book into smaller sections based on the ages of the characters as each section was a new turning point or challenge in their lives. The bits of literature preceding each section were well-chosen and foreshadowed major events and themes. Docking points only for the cliché plot aspects that all romance novels do to make the tension last longer. I like that we see into each year of their lives, but some years not a lot happened, and I would have been okay with skipping a few extra years into the future.
Part 1 - Early to Mid 20s
I really related to Emma in Part 1 of wanting to do all these amazing things for the world like protesting and volunteering and traveling and then realizing that you have bills and have to work a demeaning customer service job. Life sucks ass sometimes and I’m sad for her that she was stuck in that emotional and financial space for so long, but happy that she was brave enough to quit the restaurant and do more for herself. I was irritated with Dexter because I had to work to put myself through school and I know wealthier students who had a free pass and gap year like him that just grind my gears. On top of that, Dex getting quasi-famous for basically being hot and annoying just made it worse.
Nevertheless, I really wanted them to bang out the tension they’d had those couple of years during their trip to Greece, but alas, dreams didn’t come true for any of us. I thought the skinny-dipping scene was super fun and steammmyyy!
Part 2 - Late 20s
I think that the hardest part of this book for me to get through was Part 2 because a lot of it revolved around Dex’s grief. His downward spiral with mood-influencers like sex, drugs, and alcohol while his mom was sick was all too real for me as I am someone who has a parent with cancer (luckily, I never went down this path like Dexter, but there are a lot of people who do who can’t get out). It is hard to see him hurt himself that way because it’s already written and can’t be changed. As a reader all I could do was watch him tumble even further down the rabbit hole and it sucked.
I was excited at first when Emma branched away from Dex and started dating Ian because he’s a bit of a goober, but he’s really nice and fun (just not funny). When Dex started parading sexy Suki in front of Emma and bullying Ian I was SEETHING.
I definitely think Emma did the right thing cutting Dex out of her life because he was being an ass and so full of himself, which is sad because he was masking his grief. IF HE HAD JUST BEEN HONEST WITH HIMSELF AND HER---- ugh, I’m wasting my breath.
I was broken (again) when Emma dumped Ian. I get it, she didn’t love him, but she treated him like shit and all he ever wanted was someone who loved him just the way he was. I’m glad that Nicholls showed us that Ian got a happy ending in Part 5.
Part 3 - Early to Mid 30s
Looking back at Part 3 there was SO MUCH to unpack here. It feels like three separate parts within it because it has adultery and marriage and parenthood being added into the mix.
When I found out that Emma was working as a theater teacher (cool) and trying to become a writer (even cooler) and sleeping with the principal (not so cool) I wanted to scream: GIRL, YOU NEED SOME GIRLFRIENDS TO HYPE YOU UP AND GET AWAY FROM THIS YUCKY GUY. I could have been her Hype Girl. Oh well.
When Dex met Sylvie’s parents and played that stupid game, I had second-hand embarrassment for him. Yikes. I felt bad that he was so out of place and bullied when he was starting out with Sylvie, but at the same time he was doing that to Emma for years with her and Ian so I was somewhat satisfied that he got knocked off his high horse.
I feel like literally the worst thing that Dex could have done was getting married to Sylvie and telling Emma about it in such a public place (coward) instead of dealing with his grief and being single for a while. Adding a baby to the mix was like going from the frying pan to the fire. Oi. Boy loves himself some drama. I think he ultimately became a good husband and dad in Part 5, but Sylvie. Is. Not. His. Match. As seen with their on-again and off-again relationship with each other and Dex’s other on-again off-again relationship with alcoholism.
Ok, so I low-key was so tired of Dex’s shit that I just wanted Emma to stay in Paris with the sexy Jean-Pierre and leave Dex in the dust but nOOooOOoOoo. It’s fine. Where’s my A.U. where Emma was right about Dex and he’s fat and bald with a zillion ex-wives and she’s married to JP?
Part 4 - Late 30s to Early 40s
Something I appreciated in Part 4 was that even though Dex and Em FINALLY get together, it’s not all smooth sailing. It’s not a “happily ever after” and I think this is super important because it is so honest. Getting divorced and married is hard, and even harder with a kid (Dex), especially to someone who has never been married or had children (Em). They have known each other for almost two decades, but they had such different interests and addictions throughout their lives that they had to come to terms with (they didn’t) and never fully showed each other that dark side of themselves. I think it’s a great lesson because Nicholls is showing that even the perfect person for you is not going to be perfect all the time because we are all imperfect people with our own problems.
I wish I hadn’t seen the movie before I read the book because Emma’s death would have hit so much harder if I didn’t know it was coming. It definitely would have been a moment where I would have had to reread the passage because she is just going about her normal routine and is killed out of nowhere. The shock factor would have been devastating since they had just officially gotten together and most romance novels have the “happy” ending.
Part 5 - Mid 40s
My favorite part of the entire story was in Part 5 which seamlessly went between the night they met in 1988 and the mid 2000s when Dexter reflected on the photo of him and Emma from their hike in 1988 to Arthur’s Seat. Dexter choosing to bring his daughter, Jasmine, there was a sweet and humorous moment that Emma would have loved. An honorable mention is when Sylvie and Dex’s dad help clean him up after his drunken night trying to ease the pain of being a widower. It pulled at my heartstrings to see the kindness of Sylvie despite her jealousy of Emma and later when Dex and his dad bond over being widowers. I also liked that Sylvie got a taste of her own medicine when she found out that while cheating on Dex with Callum that Callum has been cheating on her with someone else. Ha. Ha.
Characters: 4 out of 5 stars
The way he wrote the characters made it seem like they were real people who actually did know each other for a long time. It is hard to write three-dimensional characters, so kudos to Nicholls.
Even though I prefer first person, I think his choice of third person limited made quite a wonderful story to go back and forth between not only Em and Dex, but also Ian, Sylvie and a few one-scene characters. At times I LOATHED Emma and Dexter when they were whining or making terrible choices, like dating the wrong person to avoid loneliness, drinking to drown out the sadness, staying in the wrong job because they’re unconfident, and lying to each other. At other times I wanted to give them a hug and a kiss and tell them I was proud of them, especially at the end of the story when Dex FINALLY got his shit together.
I think my favorite character was actually Ian Whitehead, who is Emma’s partner for a time. I admired his desire to go for his dreams even if they were a long shot, his loyalty to Emma, and his choice to take the high road in the end. There was one point that I didn’t like his character when he and Emma were fighting about the breakup, but to be honest, if I was in his position, I probably would have felt the same way if my significant other was in love with their best friend and not me.
Themes, Motifs, & Symbols: 3.5 out of 5 stars
St. Swithin’s Day:
I wasn’t familiar with St. Swithin’s day on July 15th other than the fact that it’s also my mother’s birthday, so I will now use it as more of a marker for the year ahead. While the mythos is more in regard to summer weather, I considered it more of a symbolic reasoning of whether or not Dexter and Emma were going to have a good or bad year. For instance, many of the rainy days it seems that the whole next year that they had terrible experiences while on the sunny days their lives seemed to be getting better. For instance, it was raining on the day Emma died and then Dex had a rough year ahead while other years that it was sunny were years where on the sunny days where when Emma and Dex had lots of love in their lives, whether it be with each other or others. One of the best examples of this is when they go on holiday together in Greece and get very flirtatious with each other but are too coy to do anything but skinny-dip.
Yin and Yang:
Toward the beginning of the book, Dexter gets a yin and yang tattoo while on holiday. In my opinion, it greatly resembles their differences and similarities to each other. Not only does it represent their personalities and how they complement each other, but it also seems to foreshadow that when one of their lives was great, the other’s was terrible. Together they are strong. Apart, not so much. They were two halves of a whole and they needed each other to balance.
Making a difference:
The first lines of the novel are these quips between Em and Dex:
E: “I suppose the important thing is to make some sort of difference… you know, actually change something.”
D: “What, like ‘change the world,’ you mean?”
E: “Not the whole entire world. Just the little bit around you.”
This theme is super important throughout the whole story as they both take on the world in their own ways and I had to go back and re-read the first page again after finishing the book to really understand and enjoy the impact of the theme.
I think both Emma and Dex made an impact on the “little bit around” them, but just not in the ways they expected. Dex wanted to be a famous media professional and life-long womanizing bachelor, yet he ends up becoming a divorcee (and widower), has-been tv-presenter, and a single dad. Emma, on the other hand, became a children’s author instead of an activist or journalist and never got to have her own biological child despite becoming interested in motherhood toward the end of her life. She didn’t publish anything Nobel Prize winning or Earth-shattering like she wanted to, but she did shatter Dexter’s life for better and for worse.
Re-readability:
Would I read this book again? Probably not because it is a very emotional book and rather long as it is single spaced and over four hundred pages. On the plus side, this is the best romance novel that I have ever read. I appreciate that is not super lovey-dovey gooey and gets into the real issues of cheating, drinking, family, self-esteem, depression, loneliness, and loss. It’s raw and real and isn’t unrealistic like those Fabio-model romance novels your naughty housewives read and war romance novels (ie: Nicholas Sparks).
#one day#St Swithins#David Nicholls#British Literature#British Novel#british book#anne hathway#life is short#love exists#existentialism#existence#jim sturgess#tragedy#drama#book review#spoiler book review#spoiler review
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Here I was, trying to avoid fandom discourse/drama from Twitter, then Tumblr's algorithm suggests a fandom discourse rant to my Dashboard. Maybe it's time to go browse Instagram instead.
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I'll, admit, when 3Hopes came out, that was a messy state for my perception. I don't remember too much and I doubt I got the whole story. I don't even know if I still hold most of the views I had from my initial reactions to that story and characterizations. I was pulling multiple all-nighters, watching whatever out-of-order playthroughs I could scrape up, because it wasn't even technically released in my time zone yet. That sleepiness may have askewed my opinions of the story. But also, I am pretty dumb, and I wouldn't think myself exempt from bad opinions. So I keep praying no one found my initial reactions to 3Hopes and isn't writing some rant over an opinion or 5 that I don't hold anymore. But still, even those posts are all important documentation of my fandom experience to me, and I don't want to make my blog no longer about that, even the messy parts, just because other people happen to be digging through my nonsense blog, looking for a fight (that I don't want).
So I'll admit it: I remember writing some posts or 3 about 3Hopes Claude "still being in-character" and "still the same Claude". But apparently there's a whole racist section of the fandom who eagerly wished for Claude to adhere to some kind of stereotypical perception of "brown man bad"???? I may be a brown girl, but I am EXTREEEEEEEMELY sheltered, so I didn't even know about stereotypes about "brown people assumed to be scheming/untrustworthy," etc., until a few video essays and the Claude fandom ranting about certain parts of the FE3H fandom being racist about him. I had no idea. And I don't want to go looking for exposure to its specifics, so I just take everyone's word for it. But I seriously thought that any headcanons about "dark Claude" that I came across were no different than "dark AUs" and "dark fics", about angst and emo tragedy. Y'know…like dark "what if"s…Were people really taking that to racist degrees?
Anyway, I don't want people to think "hoping for dark Cluade" was what I meant. When I said 3Hopes Claude "is still the same Claude; he just stumbled along the way", I meant that he still has that compassion, that same warmth, and his dream. …Though maybe by 3Hopes, his dream has been compromised, and I was very likely in denial---even WHILE I was writing essays about how killing Shahid was devastating to Claude BECAUSE it forced him to doubt his ideals/dreams. I still thought that after such internal conflicts, Claude eventually got back up from that stumble, to strive towards his dream again. …Even if he wasn't doing it as well as in FE3H. (Still really disappointed Golden Wildfire Claude killed Rhea at the end, vs talking her into peace. Isn't he supposed to be the silver-tongued negotiator? The alternative to Edelgard's "war for enough control to weed out those who do harm" and Dimitri's "war to re-stabilize after the initial conflict"?) And I do agree with that video essayist or whoever said Claude's characteristic curiosity to find the truth, was degraded in 3Hopes, leading him to make decisions based on as faulty knowledge as FE3H Crimson Flower Edelgard.
But despite plot points that reflected badly on Claude's 3Hopes character, especially in contrast to his FE3H characterization, I still stand by some of my initial reactions to 3Hopes: I like how Golden Wildfire really showcased Claude's angst. I know half of his decisions were bad and if he had better information (like his original FE3H curiosity for truth), he likely wouldn't have felt so trapped into such bad options. But I'd be lying if I said it didn't make GW Claude interesting. Not a better character, but interesting. 3Hopes Claude wasn't a better person than FE3H Claude, but he was interesting. Interesting, if your tastes are in emo tragedy---the tragedy being the "dramatic irony" of the audience knowing that such actions weren't necessary, but the character thinking they have no other choice than to do the painful, cruel, or more evil thing. Code Geass is one of my top 3 personal favorite anime, after all. It's just my thing. (Which is why I am continually astounded at my disinterest in Edelgard, after everyone kept comparing Crimson Flower to Code Geass.) I KNOW that narrative trick of focusing in on the anti-hero's angst over enacting bad decisions is just a trick to get us to overlook their negative actions. But damn it, it's still pretty effective on me. I like the angst! What can I say? That on-screen emotiveness really grabs my sympathy. I can't help it, even if it's just suckering me into sympathzing for an anti-hero while they do actions as bad as Code Geass's Lelouch. (I've always assumed Crimson Flower did the same trick for Edelgard, but sorry, I'm not going to take the time for Crimson Flower, when, despite how much I like angst, I also much more prefer happy ending paragons, like FE3H Claude.) 3Hopes Claude is an interesting "what if", but I still idolize FE3H Claude, while 3Hopes Claude is just "oh, that sad AU".
I like 3Hopes Claude's purple outfit, but I'm still reluctant to buy any merch of him, because I'd much rather remember FE3H Claude's shining example of hope. When 3Hopes was previewed, I put 3Hopes Claude on my WonFes bingo wishlist; after, I took him off and kept my multiple wishes for FE3H Claude figurines. I totally get why FE3H Claude fans dislike 3Hopes Claude. If I was sold on a paragon of Hope in the first game, I too would be disappointed to be suckered into a messy anti-hero story. But I will take solace in him having a similar warmth in his 3Hopes Support cutscenes. (And I did like 3Hopes showing Roundtable Conferences and Claude as king, initiating including commoners into the Conferences.)
But again, I'm still confused over the idea that Claude is EITHER "funny ha-ha meme lord" OR "super serious paragon with only super serious themes/insights about war". I love Claude because he is BOTH. If he was just a stalwart paragon, I'd be just as disinterested in him as Academy Dimitri. (Though I did eventually come to love Dimitri too, though secondarily.) I love Claude because of his warmth and playful compassion, on top of his ideals and his exemplary striving to live according to his ideals. But I also love how he casually inserts all his big, compassionate ideals for a better world, into so many of his interactions, even at the most minute of instances. And he's able to do that BECAUSE of how casually he treats Compassion as the everyday, ubiquitous thing it should be. He injects his ideals for a better world into every small decision, because of how open and warm he is, in his playful, rather than formal mannerisms. I think Claude's playfulness makes him more trustworthy than stiff or intimidating. It makes him the type of leader you CAN bring objections and input to, regardless of rank. And I think that approachable trustworthiness also helps better facilitate the world of understanding, regardless of race/nationality/religions, that he's trying to make on a grand scale. So I don't get these Claude fans who hate Joe Ziega for having fun with his character. (I couldn't believe it when I found that corner of Twitter.) But I also don't get people who think Claude is ONLY JUST a "ha-ha funny meme lord". I mean, we can joke about Claude being funny. Because he IS funny and charming. But are there really Claude fans who only take him at that face value and don't see his depth? I haven't been running in those circles, so I'll take critiques of the fandom's word for it. Sounds like such people are missing out on a great perception of Claude.
(Though it did take FE3H Claude a bit of Growth to understand his dream is best facilitated through emotional bonds, beyond his unfazable facades in the face of criticisms/antagonism---FE3H Claude only had LITTLE more to grow in my opinion. I still maintain that FE3H Claude had already mostly actualized by the time he reached Fodlan. That's another instance of how he narratively serves as contrast to Edelgard and Dimitri. In this case, specifically reflected in how much less he NEEDED Byleth to emotionally stabilize him. Again, for you Claudeleth shippers, I'm the type who idealizes WANT, over NEED to be in a relationship. And an already-actualized partner is way more ideal than someone who needs you to fix them, in my opinion.)
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Did I just waste an hour and a half on my stupid venting??? Ugh. See, this is why I try to avoid even glimpsing fandom discourse. Whether it emotionally devastates me on a socially anxious, parasocial level, or if it gets me heated on a "ruin my mood for the rest of my day" level, I still end up wasting so much time, just writing, processing my feelings. And I can't just not process my feelings! Gotta vent that stuff from festering! Anyway, I'm off to Instagram now, to look at cute art, and hope that THAT algorithm won't push discourse my way when I'm not looking for it.
#lrb~lrt#processing thoughts#please ignore my idiocy#personal fandom records#please don’t pick a fight over this as i don’t have the emotional resiliency to deal with internet fights#venting#reactions#fandom#fe3hfuukasetsugetsu#claudeVRkhalid#elredeaglescrit#3hopes#contrasts#toxic fandom#characterization#interpretations#fandomfrictionfracas#mypovclaudecharacterization
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SIGNS AND SYMBOLS:
Lent 4, Year A - Lessons: 1 Sam 16: 1-13 and John 9: 1-41
Today's gospel is so rich in signs and symbols. On its surface, it's a healing story, but it turns into an indictment of a blind man and his healer. The questions and the drama take the story to another level. We see the stubborn blindness of the Pharisees and their refusal to acknowledge that what has occurred here is the work of God.
Let's set aside John's wonderful theology/Christology and Jesus' powerful metaphor of bringing a man from darkness to light. Let's, for a moment, focus on the disciples' question, which started the story: they asked Jesus, "if the man was born blind, ‘Who Sinned’ – the blind man or his parents?"
This question, 'who sinned,' is not new. Since people started believing that we have a good, just, and loving God, we have asked the same questions.
You may have read one of the many traditional answers – either science or biology, which may suggest that birth disabilities are related to some damaged chromosomes.' Despite these scientifical facts, the question exists. The biblical thought stems from the book of Deuteronomy 5:9,' which is an extension/addition of the 2nd Commandment – 'for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me.' Please listen to this - the prophet Ezekiel (18:2-4) reversed the extension of the Deuteronomy writer when he writes, "A child shall not suffer for the iniquity of a parent, nor a parent suffer for the sin of a child." And 1 Sam 16:7 tells us that 'God judges the heart of eachman' [not that of his/her parents].
So, the question of sin and suffering continues, and the 'whys' don't go away. Then comes the teaching moment; Jesus' response rejects all explanatory answers. Jesus says, "so that God's work may be revealed in him." Wow!!! God's work revealed in someone's suffering?" Is this a rhitorical answer in the face of tragedy, pain, and loss? The answer is hard to accept. But, if you pay close attention, you get Jesus's point. Jesus is telling us that 'GOD IS ENOUGH. God's presence is what matters in any tragedy.'
Unfortunately, we will never understand the depth of this answer - unless we accept that the place to look for God when things are wrong is NOT at the front end of the catastrophe - God won't be there. He is at the center of the crisis, working to bring something new. And to back up this answer, Jesus performs a sign – he heals a man born blind. Jesus uses the dust from the earth – the same substance with which God created human - and creates a new pair of eyes for the blind man. The blind man joined in this miracle; he trusted and followed the directions to go and purify himself in the water of purification, and he gained new eyes.
There is a lot to learn from the gospel. While John is sharing with us significant symbols and signs that call attention to the divinity of Jesus the Pharisees are clearly displaying their spiritual blindness, which is no surprise because they demonstrated such unbelief each time Jesus performed a miracle.
Spiritual blindness is an internal condition when we focus on our pride, desire, or limited understanding. And, who among us has not experienced spiritual blindness in one form or another? When we proudly put ourselves before others, hold grudges, and refuse to forgive, we are blind. Spiritual blindness affects our communities; it creates suffering in its many forms.
Yet, the gospel's powerful and life-giving message is that we must accept God's word and join Christ in His suffering and grief. God knows the "big picture." He is willing to absorb our frustration and our many questions and will give us the spiritual sight we need to feel his presence – which is all we need as He brings us new light, a new life, and peace in Christ. Amen!
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quotes almat
1. Form yourself Body like children's plasticine, become such a man so that girls and women have a natural fire between their legs, so that trousers are on fire with excitement. The same applies to girls, the more your shape, that is, the bait you are more likely to get married.
2. Cybernetics of etiquette The danger is that the robotization of the formal hypocrisy of the selfish world is developing. The cybernetics of selfish etiquette, where one will unlearn compassion and even cry, everyone will only smile politely while committing an unconscious sin that is the result of hopeless despair.
3. Around you there are a lot of ironic gifts in which there may be a hypocritical sarcasm of approval. Gifts of Fate and they all tick and only a few of them will not explode and cripple you. Be sure to save those that talk about your family and children.
4. Wild anger enveloped in chains of patience, red-hot with the fire of rage. Abstinence is the highest human feeling. You must live a life without anger, shackling him in the arms of nobility and love, and then the hellish flame of anger will turn into a steel of peace. Anger is painful because it is a delusion devoid of any sense of justice, it does not give you respect or a sense of satisfaction from justice, only a contemptible shame in front of higher powers. Anger is an unnecessary feeling of the mind and heart, it is a fire that burns the soul and defiles memory. Anger is the product of new grievances, dramas, and tragedies. Live only one life without anger, and the vicious circle of self-deception, the wheel of samsara and reincarnation of déjà vu, the whole life as an inadequate sleep will stop, and you will wake up in paradise, the same life will stop repeating itself.
5. Cyber Animatronics In all this cyber illusion of the human world, the animatronic work ethic needs to be lubricated with the machine oil of the humanity of empathy.
6. Your self-deception and selfishness Beat to death only a few enemies, laziness because of which you will become poor, fear giving problems (beat the problem, not people) and your own selfishness, because of which you will be lonely. And your most important enemy, the boss of all your problems and sorrows because of which you live in the illusions of deception - it is your self-deception because of him, you do not see the truth and the light of holiness of spirit, their death will give you happiness.
7. Fear is your shadow, the sun reflects in it all your instincts in which vices and inner flaws are hidden. Fear is a confirmation that you are alive, since the dead do not have a shadow, some after death themselves turn into a shadow.
8. Relationships are children's play tea.
9. Chaste modesty in modern society is the pestis of a hypocritical girl in an erotic costume of an angel with a trident of a devil as a symbol of bitchiness.
10. For higher powers, feelings are not important, only a reaction.
11. Loneliness is an oppressive silence, plunging into the depths of reality and the words are just noise.
12. Be against any kind of smoking, because the smoker smokes and exhales cigarette smoke. This smoke from his rotten lungs, spoiled body, harmful bacteria, all this nasty dirt in the smoke goes into your nose and mouth. If you value your health, then be against smoking
Author: Musin Almat Zhumabekovich
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