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toy-powerhouse · 1 month

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Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Disappointments: A Brutally Honest Review of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is the most disappointing thing since my son… And, my other three sons, my four sons who also happen to be teenage mutant ninja turtles. You know what they say: life imitates art. Much like my dissatisfying sons, I really wanted to like the series when I stumbled across it, but there was so much lacking in its execution that prevented it from reaching its potential (Editor’s Note: okay, Red Letter Media-esque joke over). Before its release in 2018, there were very vocal Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans who were skeptical about Rise of the TMNT and many of the changes the series made to established lore. Raphael is the fearless leader, instead of Leonardo; April is Black American as opposed to white like she is in most iterations; and the series is more comedic in tone, unlike other recent adaptations that have an even balance of comedy and drama. I welcomed all the changes to the TMNT formula, and I was eager to see it. Now that I’ve finally finished watching it, I’m left disappointed with it. Before we jump headfirst into why this series can be dissatisfying, I want to preface this to state that many fans treat this series with a certain level of reverence often to the extent of hyper analyzing it. Here, I’m going to give it that sort of treatment, but this time to analyze its shortcomings as a work of fiction.

Bad Comedy, Worse Drama

The major driving force of RotTMNT is its comedy (that acronym is unfortunately very apt). It’s arguably the most comedy-centric animated television series since the 1987 TMNT show. With comedy being the most important quality of the series, the biggest question then is: is it funny? Even ardent dissenters of the show say it’s somewhat funny. As for myself, I’m a person who can find humor even in media that I may otherwise dislike. I’m a simple kind of gal, if it’s funny, then I’ll laugh. With something like RotTMNT, that I did, initially, like, I’d sit patiently waiting for any of the slapstick or quips to make me laugh. Smiling politely at the screen, just waiting, only for me to not laugh or even chuckle before the end credits rolled. So, what’s the problem? Usually, there’s something off about the humor that stops it from being funny. The character’s expressions are too exaggerated or too subdued, sporadic insertion of weak meta or fourth-wall breaking humor, jokes running contrary to canon events or characterization, gags end too abruptly or continue for too long, poor timing of punchlines, poorly directed line deliveries or less than stellar audio mixing (e.g., characters’ speech being difficult to hear from speaking too quickly or quietly), and so on.

Something else that causes the humor to fall flat on its face, is the overreliance on subpar slapstick comedy with lots of pratfalls while mugging for the camera. Too much of Rise of the TMNT relies heavily on characters making goofy faces and acting buffoonish in place of carefully executed comedic scenarios or witty dialogue. There are many children’s cartoons that largely avoid resorting to overusing such low hanging fruit, so RotTMNT cannot be excused for its limited variety in comedic stylings in a bid to appeal to its young target demographic.

The character that best reflects all this bad comedy is arguably, and ironically, the funniest of the turtles: Donatello (no, why’d it have to be the overrated one). Jokes that tend to land often involve Donnie and his funniness seems to be confirmed in-universe when in Season 1, Episode 16, “Shadow of Evil,” Splinter refers to Donnie as being the “funny one.” Because much of the humor is flawed, many of the jokes or gags with Donnie at the center of them don’t stick their landing. Using Donnie, let’s briefly examine how something like inconsistent characterization can break a joke:

LEO: “And Donnie, where’s your . . . your thing, your – emotionless passion?"

DONNIE: "[Head down, speaks very quietly.] Here."

This joke doesn’t work because “emotionless passion” is not something that accurately describes Donnie. He’s a very emotional lad. Even in the context of this episode, he’s a very emotional lad. The very notion of Donatello being “emotionless” doesn’t make sense as it doesn’t align with his baseline characterization. Case in point:

Yup, baseline Donnie is totally emotionless. Look at all that no emotion.

As a result, what could have been a funny joke, is ruined by clashing with what’s been established about Donnie. Were Donnie a more reserved character, it could have been somewhat chuckle-worthy. As is, it's pretty unfunny. While this is only one example of how the humor is off, it’s still very indicative of this issue. Like, I could go on, but this review is getting long enough, and I get the feeling I’ll need to check on my own unfunny teenage mutant ninja turtle sons soon.

Anyway, the only thing worse than RotTMNT’s comedy is the drama. While the comedy of the series very occasionally has its merits, the dramatic cues virtually all fail. For dramatic points in any form of media to be developed successfully, they need time to be set up. In this series, finer plot points don’t get the opportunity to unfold properly and are mostly shoved into the finales. The rush to introduce new dramatic plot elements and quickly wrap them up really depreciates the value of moments that are meant to be heartfelt or intense. Premature cancellation aside, more could have been done to avoid this problem. If the first season had not wasted so much time with bad comedy, the series could have set up crucial stakes and important characters sooner rather than later. The season two finale is especially guilty of rushed, poorly set up melodrama with how they speedrun introducing a key character like Karai only to send her off before we as an audience really got to know her. Speaking of poor set ups, this segways perfectly into my next segment.

Overly Hyperactive Storytelling and Underbuilt Worldbuilding

A common complaint levied against RotTMNT by critics is how fast paced everything about it is, to the point of being downright incomprehensible at times. From the animation to line delivery, the show is HYPERACTIVE, caps locked and bolded for emphasis. This is especially true for fight and action scenes, where all sense of direction is easily lost by how quickly characters, props, and backgrounds move about. It can become grating having to rewind, pause, or even reduce the playback speed simply to understand what happens. Goodness, even my disappointing and rambunctious teenage mutant ninja turtle sons think this show needs to chill.

I’ve taken to referring to the series as being a “memory vampire.” I can watch an episode and almost immediately forget what I have just seen as if RotTMNT is feeding off my memories like a loathsome parasite. I can recall watching episodes from other TMNT adaptations that I saw nearly a decade ago, I remember even the smallest details with ease. But an episode of Rise of the TMNT that I saw last week: I got nothing. Because it’s so much of a whirlwind of pointless action and bad comedy where very little is usually accomplished. I’ve seen fans make light of how Rise of the TMNT is “ADHD the show,” and while true, it’s definitely not a good thing.

If that weren’t bad enough, we also must contend with careless worldbuilding. That issue of ill-advised worldbuilding being most apparent with the Yōkai and their world, the Hidden City. Possibly one of the greatest missed opportunities of this series is how underutilized and underdeveloped the Yōkai are. Despite their species namesake being lifted from yōkai, supernatural creatures from Japanese mythology and folklore, they lack any significant connection with that very specific lore. Most Yōkai we see in Rise of the TMNT, are generic monsters and anthropomorphized animal beings that don’t appear to have any direct relation to traditional yōkai myth. There’s Big Mama, who is a jorōgumo, a nefarious spider creature who often shapeshifts into a beautiful woman to lure in prey, and maybe Mayhem who could be the show’s take on a komainu or lion-dog, those lion-like dog statues positioned at the entrances of Japanese temples and shrines to act as protectors of hallowed ground.

Aside from Big Mama, Mayhem (maybe), and a few others (including one-offs like the dragon yōkai Boss Bruce and his posse and possibly Tummytello, that could be a take on the parasitic yōkai disease, oseichu), there isn’t much Japanese mythology that influences the portrayal of the Yōkai. As a casual yōkai enjoyer, it’s disappointing to see the crew behind the show not make full use of that rich history through explicit representation. Maybe there were concerns about mishandling Japanese culture, but then why invoke the yōkai name in the first place if cultural insensitivity was a concern? Maybe there are more explicit designs or references to Japanese lore that I’ve forgotten to mention, again this show is a “memory vampire,” but even if that were the case, there’s still too much plausible deniability to it all. Regardless, the Yōkai mostly being a hodgepodge of indeterminate ghoulies is distracting and fails to create a more cohesive, immersive world.

Various yōkai that don't seem to make appearances in RotTMNT. This is just a sample of what could have been.

Collective Characterization: Friendless Losers with Unearned Power (cool band name, idk)

This will be less of an in-depth character analysis as much as this segment is a general overview of how the series approaches two things: the turtles’ status as underdog superheroes and their social support network.

Besides disappointing, another word I would use to describe Rise of the TMNT is unearned. For much of the series, our protagonists tend to bumble about, causing almost as many problems as they resolve. In fact, just about every major problem the turtles encounter, is of their own making; from releasing the oozequitos that mutated the denizens of New York to unleashing the Shredder who has villainous ambitions of conquering the world, just about everything can be blamed on them. These aren’t heroes, they’re troublemaking buffoon clowns. These buffoon clowns ultimately get rewarded time and time again for blundering misdeeds that they fix at the eleventh hour. This especially becomes tiring when it’s all nestled in the series’ ad nauseam lesson: the turtles need to focus and take things seriously. Over and over again it’s the same lesson of “get your (pardon my French) merde together.” I’ve seen fans misguidedly try to spin this as the turtles being lovable cringefail, losers, which may have been the case had the series not tried to portray them very earnestly as the ultimate heroes, without a shred of irony or self-awareness. In that way, the show plays itself too safe and yet not safe enough. Instead of a cynical romp with mutant losers with even looser morals, or well-meaning mutants who try their damndest to achieve their noble goals, we get something awkwardly caught in between, unable to commit to either in a satisfying way.

Being the insufferable screw-ups that they are, it’s not surprising that the turtles lack a support network. Friends, allies, helpful acquaintances, or friendly neighbors; doesn’t matter, because these turtles ain’t really got ‘em. In actuality, the series is more about making fiends then friends as almost every character the turtles encounter becomes an antagonist. For a show that seems to pride itself in presenting more positive bonds between the characters, especially the turtles, it’s a little odd, isn’t it? In this regard, it’s hard not to compare Rise of the TMNT to other iterations, because it appears to be missing something inherent to many other adaptations. That something being the turtles desire to form connections with those outside their family unit and, seemingly against all odds, their ability to do so. A common theme throughout the franchise is their pining for meaningful relationships outside themselves and Splinter and how they manage to forge those relationships with other misfits. Rise of the TMNT has virtually no interest in engaging with this theme and, as a result, is left emptier for it.

While there are a handful of characters who do become allies, or even family members (e.g., the redeemed Baron Draxum), they’re largely kept at arm’s length with their loyalty to the turtles at times being, for lack of a better term, “dunked on.” For instance, in the season one finale, “End Game,” the following allies join April and Splinter to rescue the turds, I mean, turts: Bullhop (legit, forgot that dude existed), Frankenfoot (who deserves better than being a sentient punching bag), S.H.E.L.L.D.O.N (who, mind you, is basically Donnie’s son), and Todd Capybara (Splinter x Todd 5ever, fuck Draxum). Only for the quartet to be “humorously” captured immediately and never brought up again in the episode. RotTMNT is so strangely anti-friend/ally that the only relationships given any real weight are virtually all familial with April herself being upgraded from friend to honorary member of the Hamato clan by the end of the series.

The turtles lack a support system outside themselves and it’s not something they ever angst about or that poorly impacts them, despite how integral social deprivation tends to be for the turtles in other iterations. Even the Micheal Bay produced films portrayed that anxiety around being outcasts as worthy of attention, that the turtles are brutally aware of being misfits and that seeking acceptance from the outside world is important to them. This theme doesn’t need to be the focus of every adaptation. However, its absence in RotTMNT does strip from the characters an extra layer of depth and misses out on an opportunity to make them more relatable to members of the audience, especially those who’ve ever felt alienated.

The Cowabunga Conclusion: Let’s take a moment to enjoy our Hot Soup!

Not all of Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is disappointing. There are good aspects of the series. The increased presence of female characters. Big Mama, Cassandra “Casey” Jones, and Sunita (Casey x April x Sunita = Caprisun, the best ship 5ever); I <3 these girls! Casey had the most satisfying, fully realized character arc of the series. The turtles get to be more emotionally vulnerable, which definitely is a welcome change. I love that Raph is a proud lover of plushies and other cute things, that’s so adorable. Mikey is explicitly artsy, and as an artist myself, I really appreciate that. It’s been confirmed by a show writer that Donnie is on the autism spectrum. Right on! Leo is gay (that’s not confirmed, I’m just being facetious). RotTMNT has brought a lot of good to the TMNT table. As a result, it breathed new life into the overall franchise and its fanbase. Post-RotTMNT, the wider TMNT fanbase has experienced a bit of a paradigm shift into becoming a more inclusive, safe space. Honestly, I’d say my return to the fandom was all thanks to RotTMNT and its rejuvenating effect on the franchise.

Nonetheless, the series itself is still a raging migraine. I’m only scratching the surface with this. I plan to explore other failings of this series more in-depth in other posts. Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie… I’m coming for you… I got a bone to pick with how Draxum’s redemption was handled. The turtles’ deus ex machina mystic powers… Atrocious. The merchandise…

Sometimes a picture, of off-model action figures, is worth a thousand words.

I know I’m not the only one who thinks this series fumbled the ball big time. While executive meddling and lack of support from the network certainly contributed to RotTMNT’s downfall, a good deal of the show’s shortcomings cannot be blamed on those factors. Not the execs, not the airing scheduling, not the marketing, not the audience; the show itself is flawed and that in part led to its premature demise.

The series leaves me disappointed. Very disappointed. Like, Splinter is in “Insane in the Mama Train.”

RAPH: “Puppy dog eyes won’t cut it. [Splinter] isn’t mad, he’s disappointed. We need to make it up to him guys big time.”

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go check on my teenage mutant ninja turtle sons. I got a text from the unfunniest one, and it seems like they’ve accidentally doomed the universe like the cringefail losers they are. Oh, well. If they fix their mistake in time, I might treat them to some pizza rolls. Cowabunga, dudes and dudettes! 🐢❤️💙🧡💜🥷

#rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles #rise of the tmnt #rottmnt #teenage mutant ninja turtles #tmnt

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coffeistwriter · 4 months

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Sweet Indulgence

TW! GORE, CANNIBALISM, MURDER, PRE-CANON

Bg3 Half Elf Drow! Durge x Gortash (not smut, but still nsfw)

Durge has a described appearance but no name. Gif is not mine, the owner is @guccialli. I'll probably revisit this in the future and add to the gore factor of the projection and killing of the boy 🤷‍♂️ (on ao3)

AO3 link and tags for those I know might want to see this: @qiific3 @sycophantofbane

Purple hands covered in red splendor, heavy breaths from the mouth of sharp teeth, and peppered hair full of knots atop their head. Orangey red eyes stared into the dark room in front of them and behind their back held in tight hands, a gift. He lay in bed without a hint of knowing what’s to come. His short dark hair splayed across the pillow, his breaths even and calm, a blanket protecting him from the shroud of evil at his door. Enver, a beauty to behold by their eyes, only them.

They stepped across the threshold and into his room, eyes never straying from their prey as they advanced. Skillfully they avoided the creaking floorboards as they stepped closer. The gift in their hands dripped with gore, the blood souring the rug on the floor. They could care no more for the rug, having told him many times to get rid of it before.

Standing in front of him in his bed they crouched to eye level, admiring the young man as he slept. All signs of his usual malice and neediness gone as his mind kept its comatose trance. They reached a bloody hand out to brush away his messy hair and hoped he would not stir. Before placing his gift upon his bedside table, they pressed a gentle kiss to his head, one light enough to not stir even the most skittish of mice.

Retreating to the doorway once more, they whispered a sweet nothing to him “When the sun rises I shall fall and you’ll wake to find my love for you, dear Enver. Goodnight.” The door then closed and enveloped the room in pure inky blackness and the sound of his breath. Swiftly they left the home and entered the streets of Baldur, hiding in the shadows as they hunted for their next meal.

There, a raven-haired teen with poise similar to Enver. Hungry and unresting they stalked after the boy with quiet footsteps. In their sharp grasp a knife is steadily held and ready for action. When the boy is caught alone in an ally on his way home the knife lands in his spine, instantly paralyzing the boy. A scream is caught in his throat at the excruciating pain. They meander over top of him, watching as he tries to crawl away and cry for help. A foot on his neck stops him from moving further.

“I wouldn't do that, if I were you, sweetness.” All they could imagine was Enver, sweet sweet Enver, as they delved into the innocent boy's flesh. Ripping his muscles from the bone and devouring his lovely inner spoils. The crunch and squelch of his guts in their mouth only brings to mind what they wish they could do to Enver. Their only desire, to fill their mouth with him, to eat him whole. So he will never part with them.

“It was a delight for you to indulge me like this, sweetness. Your shortcoming was pleasurable. Now I hope you don't mind as my feast must be cut short.” They couldn't stay outside much longer as the sun would come up soon, and they needed to get back home to the temple. “I hope you liked my gift, my dearly detested Enver.”

Just as quickly as the night had begun it was over. Back in their dark room with blood covered sheets and grotesque corpses strewn across the wall from their bed. The shroud of sleep once more overcame them as the sun began to rise above the city above. They dreamt of only the sweetest indulgences.

The childlike rage of their childlike loneliness was no more for this day. Tomorrow would come and it would return, only to be gnawed at and gutted once more.

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chvrrycola · 1 year

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MOVIE NIGHT W JUNKYU

word count: 0.7k

warnings: existencial dilemmas a lil bit ? idk

currently listening to: sunshine by stray kids

you looked up from the netflix screen as you felt the edge of the sofa beside you sink with the weight of what looked like every blanket on the earth. junkyu was standing over you, checking out the screen to figure out the film you had been so anxious to watch with him.

you weren't much of a horror movie person generally but you wanted to watch something that would creep him out a bit, partly so he'd want to cuddle closer into your side, but more because even the prospect of junkyu leaping a foot into the air at every jump scare made you giggle.

you had been worried he might catch on to your scheme and try to back out, so you kept your choice from his knowledge, but now that he had seen he looked far less phased than you had been expecting.

he reclined beside you and let his head fall on your shoulder, reaching over to pull some blankets over your laps. you started the movie and looked down at junkyu, already giggling to yourself as your lips pressed against his forehead.

your stomach dropped when the creepy music started though, and it occured to you that you had never factored in your possible aversion to scary movies. you never watched them after all. you had no clue how you'd react.

the first jump scare took you totally by surprise, throwing your phone into the air and screaming. junkyu barely flinched, only looking up to check you weren't too shaken up. as soon as he was convinced he lay his head right back down on your shoulder where it had been and let his gaze soften as he mindlessly watched the tv.

again and again you found yourself shouting and starting whenever anything jumped out of the shadows at you, not quite realising how afraid you had been until junkyu's fingers brushed the tears from your cheek.

'hey... are you alright? why on earth did you pick this movie if you're so terrified of scary stuff?'

you tried to explain your reasoning, still hopping about every few moments until junkyu finally turned off the film and gave you some peace of mind.

'well do you wanna watch something else?'

you didn't want to have totally spoiled his night, and despite your regular jolting he seemed to have been enjoying the film.

'we could watch a documentary?' you suggested, knowing they were a favourite of his.

his excited smile told you your plan b was a success, and he immediately started babbling about some space thing he had heard about and had been dying to watch.

the documentary wasn't exactly a bundle of laughs either. it mostly focused on humanity's many shortcomings and the inevitability of annihilation should we be met by any real large-scale disaster. but junkyu was transfixed, so you watched on, arms around his neck and head on his shoulder, glad he could get something fun out of the evening.

it wasn't very long, but the palava with the film meant you were watching into the small hours of the morning, and it was the most you could do to trudge to bed and wash up before collapsing.

that apparently made one of you though, because after slipping into bed next to you junkyu was eager to get your thoughts on every piece of information the documentary had presented you with.

'do you really think humans would be that useless if an asteroid hit? how long do you think we'd last? a year maybe? no, that's probably too much, it's probably more like a few months.'

it was the most you could do to just smile at him and nod sleepily, eyes already closing as you listened to the rambling.

'i think the flooding must be pretty inevitable though, right? like climate change is basically guaranteeing a rise in sea levels.. do you know how high seoul's elevation is? maybe i should check that out...'

you held onto his shoulder to stop him from rolling over and googling it then and there, thinking the phone light would burn your eyes considering how desperate they were to end their shift for the day.

he stayed laying on his side facing you, only now realising how much of a struggle it had been for you to remain awake as he rattled on. he whispered an apology under his breath and wriggled his arm under your body, pulling you into his chest and aligning your ear with his heart, leaving you to fall asleep against its slow and steady beating.

#treasure #treasure imagines #treasure scenarios #treasure junkyu #treasure fluff #junkyu fluff #junkyu scenarios #junkyu imagines #treasure x reader #junkyu x reader #kim junkyu

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daughterofmytribe · 10 months

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I remember speaking to a sister about how horrible I feel as a person and how I’m so undeserving of anything good in my life, but at the time, I was in such a dark mental space and was letting Shaytan win by letting these negative thoughts prevent me from setting forth some goodness for my Akhirah. I didn’t feel I would ever be worthy of being chosen by Allah. Audhubillah from such a mindset.

Every person sins and falls short sometimes, but we should never let this stop us from doing good deeds. Rather, we need to repent and increase our good deeds. The sister gave me such beautiful advice. She told me, “you don’t need to be pious to do good deeds, it’s good deeds that make you pious.” Everyone should strive for their Deen and Akhirah. We should never limit ourselves because we feel unworthy.

As long as we are still alive, we have an opportunity to become better and redeem ourselves after falling short. Look at the Mercy of Allah and what He tells us in the Quran.

“Except for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them, Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 25:70)

So my brothers and sisters, never think you are unworthy of doing good deeds, don’t let Shaytan defeat you twice. You need to strive and work hard in this life, so in sha allah, with the Mercy of Allah you will be forgiven for all your shortcomings, rewarded for your good deeds, and given paradise.

And I end with another beautiful piece of advice.

“Do not let your past (carelessness) make you lose hope of achieving good, for many people have come back to wakefulness after a long sleep.”

— Imām Ibn al-Jawzī | Awaking from the Sleep of Heedlessness, p.58

Sometimes we need to fall in order to rise higher than before. Just because you hit rock bottom, doesn’t mean you need to stay there!

#letterstomypastself

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mariacallous · 2 months

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Over the past month, Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump stirred controversy by saying that a second Trump administration might not protect allies that are falling short in their contributions to the NATO alliance. He recounted a conversation with an unidentified NATO member in which he said, “You didn’t pay? You’re delinquent? No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You gotta pay. You gotta pay your bills.”

Trump’s statement predictably drew widespread condemnation and caused many panicked Europeans to contemplate a world without U.S. protection.

The more constructive response to Trump’s comments, however, would be for NATO members to acknowledge that Trump has a point. For too long, many allies have failed to live up to their commitments, and they will need to step up and do much more if the free world is going to deter China, Russia, and other rivals and achieve peace and stability in Europe and Asia.

Trump’s criticisms are not entirely new. U.S. leaders have been protesting inadequate European contributions to NATO for many years. In 2011, then-President Barack Obama’s defense secretary, Robert Gates, gave a major speech in Brussels, warning of “NATO’s serious capability gaps … the military—and political—necessity of fixing these shortcomings if the transatlantic security alliance is going to be viable going forward; and more broadly, the growing difficulty for the U.S. to sustain current support for NATO if the American taxpayer continues to carry most of the burden in the alliance.”

Unfortunately, Gates’s warnings went largely unheeded. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, NATO members unanimously agreed to spend at least 2 percent of their GDP on defense within a decade. Following Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in 2022, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that 2 percent is increasingly a “floor, not a ceiling.” Yet by the end of 2023, only 11 of 31 NATO members had met the 2 percent threshold. In 2024, that number is expected to rise to 18, but that still means that more than one-third of the alliance’s members are shirking their responsibilities.

This is not an abstract discussion. Defense spending translates into concrete capabilities needed for transatlantic defense. In 2023, NATO agreed to new “regional plans” under which all members were given specific capability targets, but inadequate spending is resulting in capability shortfalls. In other words, NATO’s supreme allied commander does not have what he needs to properly defend Europe.

Many were outraged by Trump’s comments, but it is outrageous for countries to neglect their obligations in NATO and still demand the full benefits of membership. If one stopped paying monthly gym fees, one would expect access to be cut off; European defense should be treated with at least as much seriousness as Zumba.

If, God forbid, Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked NATO’s European members, why should American soldiers be expected to die to save European countries that shirked their responsibilities, weakened the alliance, and thereby tempted Russian aggression? NATO’s Article 5 security guarantee is important, but so too is Article 3, in which members promise to “maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack.”

The flip side of Trump’s statement is that NATO members that pay their bills will be protected. Instead of condemning Trump, therefore, the more constructive path forward would be for all NATO members to simply step up and meet their defense commitments.

Savvy European officials are already following this script. At the Munich Security Conference, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and British Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy were among those who publicly validated American concerns and affirmed that Europe must do much more. Pistorius, for example, said that 2 percent will “only be the start of it” and that Germany “might even hit 3.5 percent. It depends on what is happening in the world.” Lammy said he “understands” Washington’s calls “for more equitable burden sharing” and would welcome “tough conversations” on this topic with “seriousness and respect.” In private conversations at Munich, several senior European officials confided that Trump is right.

Indeed, NATO allies are getting a bargain. The United States spends 3.5 percent of its GDP on defense and thereby accounts for more than two-thirds of all NATO defense spending. It is estimated that to meet the capability targets called for in the new regional plans, allied defense spending will need to increase to up to 3 percent. During the Cold War, the United States and its allies frequently spent more than 3 percent, and we recommend that NATO looks to set a new, higher floor of 3 percent at a future summit.

This is not just a matter of fairness but about meeting requirements for an effective global deterrence and defense strategy. The United States and its allies are entering a new Cold War more dangerous than the first. There is an ongoing war in Europe that could spill over into a direct NATO-Russia conflict. Iran is waging a shadow war against U.S. and allied interests in the Middle East that could escalate. Meanwhile, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has threatened to use force if necessary to take Taiwan. A major conflict with China in Asia would likely spread to engulf the Korean Peninsula and draw North Korea into the fighting. The United States and its allies in the free world, therefore, need the ability to deter and, if necessary, defeat China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea in overlapping time frames.

The United States remains the world’s preeminent military power, but it cannot do it all on its own. Washington already lacks the defense industrial base, and possibly the political will, to simultaneously provide weapons to its allies in Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific.

The formula for an effective free-world deterrence and defense strategy, as one of us has argued in these pages, is threefold. First, the United States needs to increase defense spending and revitalize its defense industrial base. Second, like during the first Cold War, the United States needs to increase reliance on nuclear deterrence. And third, allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are going to have to step up big time.

Trump’s statements are scaring the free world straight. European countries now have at least three reasons to meet their defense spending commitments. First, it is the right thing to do. Second, they can tell a future President Trump that they are not freeloaders; they are doing their fair share and are worthy of protection. Third, in the highly unlikely event that the United States actually turns its back on NATO, they are better positioned to defend themselves.

Indeed, the largest recent increases in European defense spending occurred during Trump’s first term, and, given the energy generated by Trump’s recent statements, we would likely see another burst of European defense spending in a second Trump administration.

To be sure, the suggestion that the United States might “encourage” Russia to attack delinquent NATO members risks undermining deterrence, but Trump’s campaign advisors have said that this was an off-the-cuff remark that should not be taken as a literal statement of policy.

Salena Zito, a journalist at the Washington Examiner, famously wrote that we should take Trump “seriously, not literally.”

There is nothing more serious than deterring World War III. It is time to stop complaining about indelicate political rhetoric, and time to step up and defend the free world.

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mickeymagpie · 6 months

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20 questions for fic writers

Tagged by @marypsue, thank you!

1. How many works do you have on AO3?

106 so far!

2. What’s your total word count?

321,819, which is somehow both lower and higher than i expected.

3. What fandoms do you write for?

a whole lot; most recently Rise of the TMNT, my fandom on ao3 with the most works is Rise of the Guardians. lots of rises.

4. Top 5 fics by kudos

The Gravity Falls trans dipper one-shot, the FMA Ishvalan!Elrics AU, an into the spiderverse fic, raven cycle pov outsider, and a star wars force awakens one-shot. i give all my fics long song lyric titles so that's all the info yall are getting lmao.

5. Do you respond to comments?

I always start out trying to respond to everything when i post a new fic, but then i get overwhelmed pretty quick. lo siento mucho.

6. What’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

I don't usually go for angsty endings tbh! I like a lot of angst in the middle, or i go for kind of bittersweet endings.

7. What’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

probably that star wars one; force awakens had just come out and i was one of many kylo ren woobifiers who wanted him to have accepted han's invite to come home.

8. Do you get hate on fics?

The most hate i've gotten is on a Different star wars fic where i made Luke trans and some people were Not happy. luckily, i have a permit (i can do what I want).

9. Do you write smut?

yeah lol. i don't post a lot of it though; most of the time i just share it with my discord friends.

10. Do you write crossovers?

all the time all the time babey.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

yes i've been notified 2 or 3 times that someone copied my stuff onto wattpad or ffnet. i usually go report them but don't care enough to follow up.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

I don't think so? not that I can remember. I've had one or two podficced though iirc.

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

nnnnot a finished one. my friends and i do a lot of half fic writing and half rp that usually doesn't turn into a polished product (but it's still fun <3).

14. What’s your all-time favorite ship?

ALL TIME FAVORITE FLYNN AND LUCY TIMELESS. i've never written fic for them and the show isn't even GOOD but god the way they look like "she fixed him" bs on the surface but really they're each so perfect to make up for the other's shortcomings. also i always wanted so badly for someone to tell her to get her dog on a leash <3

15. What’s a WIP you want to finish but doubt you will?

ahaha,,,, the good omens roleswap fic is burning a hole in my document folder. i have an outline i just have no inspiration/motivation :(

16. What are your writing strengths?

characterization; particularly I've gotten the feedback that i'm good at writing characters in different circumstances from canon while keeping their personalities both Intact and Logically Justifiable.

17. What are your writing weaknesses?

ending things, both in the sense that i start a lot of stuff and don't finish it, and the sense that i usually have too many ideas and don't know how/where to cut off a plot.

18. Thoughts on writing dialogue in another language?

google translate always does me dirty so now i usually just write the dialogue in english and use a dialogue tag like "she said in *insert language*"

19. First fandom you wrote for?

iiiiii think it was Rise of the Guardians! before that i mostly did over-dramatic RP on the cricket magazine forums where i had characters like a half-dragon bounty hunter.

20. Favorite fic you’ve ever written?

probably the ishvalan elrics fic! fma is already full of a lot of meaty concepts, and it was fun re-conceptualizing the canon plot and character beats while keeping the arching plot intact. stuff like that is like a puzzle to me, it's very satisfying when i finish one and it gets positive feedback!

tagging anyone who wants to do it, because im. so sleepy rn

#writing meme #tag meme

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debzcorner · 7 months

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FOR THOSE WHO CAN RELATE

Please tell me I am not the only one who feels this way.

“To be, is an action that starts in the mind but can be mutilated by one’s shortcomings or incapacity. The mind is a power house for the development of many ideas. And this is where my inspiration starts from”

I’m amazed at how I constantly see it in my head, and the way my mind and body speak to me. Telling me of the pleasures to come. I see it in my head even before the experience. The thought of it and the confidence my imagination gives me, arouses a special kind of feeling within me. this is my trigger. This is what stops me from holding back.

I’m whining my waist while slowing unbuttoning my shirt. Swaying to the slow song, that very old one song with all the right and wrong words, sending a sensation down my spine and slowly making its way, down to the part, the very one. My dress shirt will then slide down falling so casually but yet so sexily to the floor, making his eyes grow wide, wild and wondering. Knowing he enjoys this, gives me so much pleasure. I’m super excited, it’s telling. But only I know the intensity of this excitement as I start to feel that little skin underneath, coming alive. I can feel the soft, smooth and yielding part, building a rhythm as it rises and falls like a beating heart from a race. A race my entire body will soon engage in.

The sexy lacy and all so revealing under garment is revealed, heightening the sensation. He’s never seen that on me. The way my curves are accentuated by the custard yellow lingerie gives his pecker a rise in a manner of readiness. My flat smooth tummy, with my belly button pierced, are some of the things I know makes him go crazy. And they are all in the open. Now it’s beginning to get really slippery and I can feel it. I want it already but I am willing to wait. I want to get to the same heightened level together with him, to a point where none of us,can hold back.

One touch to my back frees my huge melons. They bounce out like babies eager to come into the world. The tiny dots, swollen and hard. You could see it’s surrounding, squeezed. Now he’s up. The tension so hot. He’s walking over. Then I turned, backing him. Just when he was a few steps away, and in a very sensual manner, I bend over, picking up my favorite shirt like it was of any importance in that moment. My cheeks round with a path in the middle. A path he’s walked severally and yet never satiated. The path that makes his peckers want to burst out and get dipped. And as if sensing he was near, I began walking towards our cradle of desire, while them cheeks keeps swaying both ways, bouncing like it was in a dance of its own, acting like I had no idea i had triggered an internal war. And just as I made it to our haven of love, I felt the long hard smooth silky skinned pipe hit me where it belonged. My mind was bent over it already, having the whole of it where it should be. But in reality, I wasn’t giving in. I was enjoying the tease. Seeing how much he wanted me gave me joy unimaginable.

And now he’s grabbing, he’s touching and lips are joined. My hands, on a journey, treading familiar territories. Territories not fully charted. It makes several stops at destinations, the ones that triggers a new kind of wanting. I knew all the right places he wanted me to stop but, not so fast mister. I play a little around some areas, the ones just above my favorite destination, taunting him some more and enjoying the look of his dilated pupils. And just when he thought I wasn’t going for it, I slide it down to them peckers. They were waiting. Just like I wanted them to. Lips began helping my hands. They work in harmony, pleasuring my darling. I call him P, because HE’S POISON. An irresistible poison. One I dare not say no to. Loads of slippery and wetness began to emerge from several areas. And we both birth our first sound. That gasp, it sent a warmth down my entire body ……

So much is happening right now. I am doing all the works, squatting, bending over, sliding, lifting, it felt like we are in a tangled dance. I am taking all the positions. Then the best part comes, when all has been fully explored and two become one with sweats and shivering, names called and a release that brings the best satisfaction one could never imagine.

For it is at these moments I jolt back to reality, remembering how bad my knees are and how I would always lie flat on my back and make him do the work. How that my best was turning my cheeks up and staying put on the spot. And of course, I remember where the story started from and reminded myself of my stretch marked filled, protruding belly that hides what should have been the best sight away from view. Yes, they get slippery. But what good is slippery with no action. However, its so hard to make me picture myself otherwise when in the act because that’s how I see myself even though in reality it’s a far cry. Who cares.

I hate to disappoint him. But the strength in my knees is gone with days of child bearing and so many untold struggles. The tummy was a major concern till I couldn’t do anything anymore and started liking them after trying out numerous skin care this, skin care that and weight loss programs that never seemed to work. Ah, I won’t forget to mention my love handles, always piled up on one another like books on a shelf. Those curves described in the beginning were from years before child bearing.

I must say here that this is no story of regrets. This is just an illustration of how my mind works while in the act. And the pleasure it gives me in that moment, knowing that I feel good with myself.

Yeah, that’s it. My wild bedroom experience.

I’m sensing you enjoyed this read up until the end. So perhaps, at my next attempt, I will read him a story that would create my imagination. Perhaps that will make me less boring.

#plus size #bodypositivity #positive mindset #self love #self care #love #relatioship #imagination #follow #like4like #foryou #share

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luminnara · 1 year

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Flying On Wings Made From Feathers and Wax | Ganondorf x Gerudo OC | Ch 2

Chapter one | Chapter two | Chapter three

Summary: 10,000 years before the events of Breath of the Wild, a little Gerudo vai moves to the desert and makes a new friend in the form of the young Gerudo prince, Ganondorf. The two grow up together, enjoying a worry-free life…but distant memories of a long-dead demon king and a sheikah prophecy nag at everyone’s minds, and tensions between the Gerudo and Hylians are on the rise. As the years pass, it becomes clear that this little vai will play an important role in the shaping of Hyrule. Loyalty and love will be tested, empires will rise and fall, and at the center of it all is that mysterious godly power…

Growing up in the Gerudo Desert is hard.

The sun is merciless, especially to the small. For someone like Ilula, it is draining, seemingly determined to exhaust her as it beats down on her during the day. It will never stop doing so, but at a young age, she learned how to deal with it.

The others called her lazy, but she considered herself clever. Just like the lizards that liked to snooze while they sunned themselves, she took naps during the day. It wasn’t that the other Gerudo didn’t—naps were almost a necessity in such a hot environment, and it was common to see be back in an hour signs hanging on merchant stalls—but Ilula simply napped more than the rest of them.

It concerned her mother greatly.

Kiluki took her daughter to the best healer in town, the one who looked after the chief and royal family, hoping to find answers about Ilula’s small stature. Just like the Hylian healers, though, this one declared that Ilula was, for the most part, fine, she was just...small. Small, and a bit weak. For Kiluki, a tall, strong vai, who had once been a member of the Chief’s guard, Ilula’s relatively tiny stature and shortcomings were cause for major concern; she knew that many Gerudo never joined the guard, and to keep Gerudo Town running, they needed all sorts. But she wanted Ilula to follow in her footsteps, to become stronger and braver than even she, and Kiluki feared that it was a dream that could never be.

Ilula knew that her mother worked, but what could she possibly do about it? It wasn’t anything that she could control. She spent her days playing or helping Uvira sell her produce while her mother advised the Chief, trying to forget the way that she couldn’t reach things the other girls could. As she grew older, it became obvious that she would never hit a growth spurt, and while Ganondorf shot up like a weed, Ilula stayed at least a head shorter than the others her age.

“C’mon, pipsqueak!” Ganondorf scooped her up one day, interrupting her midday nap.

“Gan!” She yelped in surprise as he threw her over his shoulder. “Put me down!”

“Not a chance,” the prince grinned as he ran towards the palace. “I’ve been looking all over for you. I’ve got something to show you.”

Even at twelve years old, Ganondorf could carry her easily. He spent his days studying and training, his mother keeping a watchful eye over him and ensuring that her son would become strong and capable. While Ilula had already finished most of her schooling, knowing how to read and write and do simple math, the prince had many years of studies still ahead of him, his chambers lined with shelves full of thick books. Being royalty meant that he needed to know everything about the world, and he enjoyed reading about Hyrule and its politics and history. Ilula didn’t share quite as much appreciation for the Hylian kingdom neighboring the desert, but whenever he was reading, she had a chance to take a nice nap in his incredibly soft bed, and that was something she could absolutely appreciate.

“It better not be stupid,” she grumbled with a yawn. “Interrupting me on my day off…”

“Day off from what?” He snorted. “You can’t even start real training until you’re twelve. That’s a whole month away.”

“So?” She argued.

“So you can’t possibly be too busy for me,” he rolled his eyes. “Sav’aaq!” He called to the guards at the top of the steps as he passed them.

“Sav’aaq, my prince!” They snapped to attention, bowing their heads. “Ilula, sav’aaq.”

“Sav’aaq,” Ilula mumbled. She was used to the guards keeping watch over her and the prince, and they had all developed a certain fondness for Ganondorf’s runt of a friend.

Ganondorf carried her through the throne room, past the chief and her advisors as they pored over a map of Hyrule. They bowed to him as he walked by and he grunted in acknowledgement, too focused on his task to stop and ask what they were doing.

They allowed him to rush by without interruption. He only had a few years of childhood left before the burdens of leadership would fall on his shoulders, and his mother wished that he enjoyed his time as much as he could. He was growing into a fine young voe, the Sheikah prophecy a distant memory now, and As any voe, he should be enjoying the years of his youth as much as possible.

When he reached his chambers, he threw Ilula down onto his bed. She laughed as she bounced, sitting up to look at him as he grabbed a wooden box from his desk.

“Here,” he said, slightly out of breath as he pushed it into her hands.

She took it, hearing something rattle inside. “What is it?”

“Just open it!”

With an inquisitive glance up at him, she slid the lid off the box. Inside, something was glimmering, reflecting the light of the desert sun that streamed in through the windows. As Ilula reached inside, she picked up a set of earrings, a teardrop-shaped sapphire hanging from each hook.

“Oh, Gan,” she breathed, holding the jewelry in her palm as she stared down at it, “these are beautiful…”

He was watching her anxiously. “Do you like them?”

“I do!” She looked up at him with a wide smile.

The prince let out the breath he had been holding, relieved. “Oh, good.”

“Did you have these made?” Ilula asked, peering closely at the stones.

“I did,” he smiled. “Just for you. Well, actually, they were going to be a birthday present, but Amira finished them early. I couldn’t hold my tongue for an entire month.”

“This is the best early birthday present I’ve ever gotten,” she beamed up at him. “Thank you, Gan.”

“Oh, they’re not a birthday gift anymore,” he laughed. “I figured out something else for your birthday. These are just normal gifts now.”

Ilula raised an eyebrow. “You really shouldn’t be spending so much time spoiling me, you know…”

“Or what?” He laughed. “You’re my best friend, Lula. You deserve gifts.”

“Well, it’s not like I’m not going to accept them,” she grinned at him as she stood and walked to the mirror on the wall.

“I put a spell on them.” he blurted out. “To help you stay cool in the sun. Sapphires are good for that.”

She glanced back at him. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he nodded. “I had the jeweler make them and then I enchanted them. I’m supposed to be practicing, and I wanted to try it out…”

“I can’t believe you know magic,” Ilula said as she faced her reflection. “I wish I could put spells on things.”

“It’s not that big a deal,” he shrugged.

“Shut up,” she laughed. “It’s a super big deal!”

He watched with a serene smile on his face as she took out the big gold hoops she was wearing and replaced them with her new earrings. Just as he had hoped, the bright blue sapphires contrasted perfectly with her fiery red hair…though the thick green band she used to keep it up off of her shoulders didn’t match at all. He made a mental note to add a new, nicer one to the small pile of birthday gifts he would be giving her in a few weeks.

Ilula admired the way the sapphires hung from her pointed ears. She had to admit…Ganondorf had an eye for jewelry. Maybe it was because he had so much of it himself; as she looked at his reflection behind her, she could count no less than ten incredibly expensive precious stones on his head and arms alone. The perks of being a prince, she supposed.

When he noticed her watching her, he suddenly shuffled his feet awkwardly, glancing away for a moment before looking down at his hands.

“I’m, uh…glad you like them.” He mumbled.

“Gan, don’t be sheepish,” Ilula laughed, turning to face him.

He looked up at her, hoping that she couldn’t see the blush on his face. She was the only person who ever made his skin heat up like that, the only Gerudo he ever wanted to be around, the only vai whose hand he wanted to hold. It confused him, the way he felt about his best friend, but he was headstrong and determined not to shy away from whatever he was beginning to feel.

“I’ve never seen a sheep,” he chuckled. “What does sheepish mean?”

Ilula’s laughter grew louder as she plopped down on the edge of his bed and looked up at him. “They’re soft. Hylians cut their hair and make things with it. They look like fluffy little clouds with legs.”

Ganondorf grinned. “I can’t wait until I’m king and I can see all of Hyrule. I want to go to the castle, see the Hylians.”

“It’s a long walk,” Ilula said. “…well, Mama carried me most of the way, I think. I don’t really remember much of it. I know it rained a lot before we got to the outskirts, though.”

Ganondorf suddenly sighed and turned to the window. He walked towards it, placing his hands on the cool sandstone and leaning on them as he looked out over Gerudo Town and the wide, flat desert outside the gates.

“What is it like there?” He asked, gazing towards the distant mountains that marked the Gerudo Highlands and the edge of Hyrule.

Ilula frowned at his change in demeanor and stood to join him. “It’s…green. Everything is green, and you can smell all the plants. And there’s so much water, everywhere…when it rains, it isn’t like here. It just rains for a few hours, and then the sky clears up again, and the birds come back out.”

“It sounds…nice.” He admitted.

“It is,” she agreed. “You can just lean down and drink out of a stream if you’re thirsty. And if you’re hungry, there are apple trees all over! And fish in the rivers, and boar in the woods…”

“I like boar,” Ganondorf laughed.

“Yeah, they taste pretty good, I guess. When you add enough spices.” Ilula shrugged.

“No, not to eat!” He looked at her like she was crazy. “I like the way they look. Those big tusks…there are drawings of them in some of my books. I’ve always liked them.”

“Yeah, I guess they’re pretty cool.” Ilula giggled. “There are lots of other animals, too.”

“Life there must be easy.” He commented. “The Hylians have it all.”

“What do you mean?” Ilula frowned. “I thought you liked the desert.”

“I do, I just…wish we had things like grass and trees and forests. I wish we lived more comfortably.”

“You live very comfortably.” Ilula snorted.

“What do you mean?” He looked down at her, nose wrinkled slightly.

“Uh, all of this?” She gestures to the room around them. “The palace? You’re royalty. You hardly have to worry.”

“I have to think about our people!” He argued. “What’s Castle Town like?”

“Busy and big.” Ilula shrugged. “The streets are all made of stone, and there’s a big market where people from all over sell things. Mama didn’t let me go there very much, because of the way the Hylians are sometimes.”

Ganondorf looked down at her in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“They don’t really…trust Gerudo that much.” She folded her arms, hugging herself lightly. “They don’t treat the Rito or the Zora like Hylians, either, but they like them more than they like us.”

As Ganondorf listened, he considered her words. “I’m going to change that.”

“You’re going to change how they think?” She asked skeptically.

“I’m going to show them that they should respect us.” He said.

“How?”

“Maybe I’ll…send them aid, if they have a natural disaster.” He thought out loud. “Or take a big delegation to visit the castle, or invite them here.”

“The king can’t enter Gerudo Town,” Ilula laughed. “You’re the only voe allowed. Remember, you spoiled prince?”

“Oh. Right.” He chuckled. “Well, I’m going to be in charge someday. I’ll have to figure out this whole diplomacy thing.”

Ilula smiled softly as she looked up at him. “I’m sure you’ll be good at it.”

He grinned down at her. “Only if you help me.”

She returned the grin. “Deal.”

“I don’t think I could handle the throne without you,” he bumped her with his shoulder, nearly throwing her into the wall. “I still have so much I have to learn.”

Ilula stumbled, but she didn’t fall like the last few times he had forgotten how big he was. “That’s why kings always have advisors. Nobody can run everything by themselves.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” He sighed, his attention returning to the world outside his window. “I’ve got six whole years to figure it out, though.”

“Yeah, and it’ll be fine.” She tried to bump her shoulder into his arm with the same force that he had, but he didn’t budge. “Hey, seriously, are you made of rock?”

He barked a laugh. “No, I’m just bigger than you!”

“Well stop it!” She snapped, only half serious. “If you keep this up, you’re not even going to be able to see me!”

“Maybe you should just start catching up!” He retorted.

“I would if I could.” She rolled her eyes. “My mom keeps making me go to the healers to figure out why I’m so short. I keep trying to tell her that it’s not that big a deal, but she won’t listen.”

As she spoke, her tone grew more serious, until it had Ganondorf frowning. “You’re fine.”

“That’s what I keep saying, but it doesn’t matter.” Ilula sighed. “She’s always worrying that I’m going to get hurt because I’m fragile. I always tell her that I’m not, and I know I’m not because you’re always throwing me down off the walls or into the aqueducts or whatever, but she just always gets mad and tells me to be more careful.”

“Do I ever hurt you?” Ganondorf asked, his eyes wide in alarm.

“No, you don’t,” Ilula shook her head. “I’m serious, I’m not that fragile, but all she ever sees is me lagging behind everyone else. That’s why I want to start training with the guards, so I can show her that I’m fine.”

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “You know, if you start training, you’ll be busy all the time…”

“Gan, they train literally right outside your window.” She rolled her eyes. “You won’t miss me. I’ll be right there.”

“…oh. Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“But I bet my mom is going to be all worried about me training, too.” She sighed. “Until i show her that I’m not some fragile little flower. You know, back in Castle Town, I was always the biggest kid. She didn’t worry as much back then.”

“Do you ever miss it there?” Ganondorf asked, studying her face.

“Sometimes. I miss everything I could get at the market, and I do miss my father. But…I didn’t fit in there. I guess I don’t really fit in here, either.”

“Yes you do.” He nudged her with his elbow, gentler this time. “You’re Gerudo. You belong here, with your people. With me.”

Ilula smiled up at him. “I know, Gan. I think it’s less about the place, and more about who’s there. You know?”

He looked down at her, his heart fluttering in a way he wasn’t used to. “Yeah. I know.”

000

On Ilula’s twelfth birthday, she woke to the smell of meat cooking over the fire. As soon as her eyes were open, she remembered what day it was, and she shot out of bed to investigate the main room of the home she and her mother shared.

“Sav’otta, my little desert flower,” Auntie Uvira greeted her as she prepared breakfast over the small wok in the middle of the room. “Sleep well?”

“Fine,” Ilula shrugged. “Where’s Mom?”

“Right here,” Kiluki appeared in the doorway, a parcel in her hands.

Ilula eyed it. “Sav’otta, Mama.”

“Sav’otta, Ilula,” Kiluki smiled, holding the parcel out towards her. “Happy birthday.”

Ilula lunged for it excitedly, tearing the wrappings open while Uvira yelled at her to be mindful of the fire.

As the brown paper fell away, airy pink fabric was revealed, and Ilula pulled out a bandeau top. Matching pants were next, made of a thin, breathable weave, and as she rushed back to her room to try the new outfit on, Kiluki smiled.

“How do I look?” Ilula asked breathlessly when she returned, holding her arms out as she spun around to show it off.

“Oh, it’s stunning!” Uvira clapped.

“I think it suits you perfectly,” Kiluki nodded. “How is the fit?”

“I think it’s good. What’s for breakfast?” Ilula was buzzing with energy, bouncing over to look at what Uvira was cooking.

“This is for later,” her aunt laughed as she sprinkled in some Goron spices.

“We will be eating breakfast at the palace,” Kiluki informed her daughter. “That’s why I wanted to give you that gift first thing in the morning. You should look your best.”

Ilula grinned. Eating at the palace meant getting to see Ganondorf, and as she rushed to get ready, she wondered what sort of gifts he had in store for her.

She found out soon after she walked through the impressive archway and approached the throne. The chief sat with her hands on its armrests, her back straight as she looked down at Ilula and Kiluki.

“The prince and queen mother are awaiting your arrival, Ilula,” she said, her voice firm and strong. “I would not keep them waiting. Kiluki, if I could have a quick word.”

Ilula glanced up at her mother in confusion, but when Kiluki waved her off, she was eager to run towards the dining hall. It was her birthday, after all, and she wasn’t going to allow herself to worry about anything. Whatever the chief wanted wasn’t of her concern, and when she saw Ganondorf waiting for her with a pile of gifts, any and all thoughts about what her mother could possibly be needed for flew out the window.

“Happy birthday, Ilula,” Ganondorf’s mother, Mira, said, a smile on her face as she watched her son shove a box into Ilula’s arms.

The Gerudo royal family spared no expense. Ganondorf had given her a sapphire necklace, one that matched the earrings, and a ruby wrist cuff that he said would keep her warm at night when the desert winds pierced Gerudo Town. His eyes lit up at the sight of her happiness, and though he had certainly given her birthday gifts before, he was especially glad to see that all of his hard work and pondering over what to get had all paid off this year. He gave her a new sirwal, the light, baggy pair of pants a bright white with golden accents threaded throughout. Then came an assortment of her favorite candied fruits, a beautiful sand sealskin journal, and the biggest breakfast feast she had ever seen.

By the time the unwrapping was finished, the table was covered in a plethora of delicacies. Everything from platters of sliced hydromelons, to gourmet meats hunted in the highlands, to rare seafood brought all the way from the coast, was piled up and presented to Ilula. It was a lavish celebration, the kind usually reserved for holidays or royal birthdays, and with Kiluki returning from the throne room to partake, the festivities were finally truly underway.

The adults drank as the children laughed and played. They were nearly too old to be doing so, both nearing the age at which they would begin training for adulthood, and one last romp before it all started seemed to be in order. The day was full of merriment and their spirits were high, and as the two tore out of the palace to get themselves into trouble elsewhere, Mira turned to Kiluki with a sigh.

“He will be devastated,” she said.

“As will she.” Kiluki raised her cup to her lips and drank.

“How long do you have?”

“I do not know.” Kiluki lifted her eyes. “Ryla did not say…all I know is that we are to return to Castle Town when she deems fit.”

“Why is she sending both of you?” Mira asked. “I hardly see the sense in taking Ilula away from her training.”

“I believe she wants us to keep up appearances.” Kiluki sighed. “Perhaps by the two of us seeming to return home, the Hylians will be less on edge.”

“Still…” Mira sighed again. “I am sure we will all be focused on our tasks, but your absence will be hard.”

“I only wish I knew when we would be leaving.” Kiluki frowned. “Ryla told me that it could be tomorrow, or in five years.”

“And I don’t suppose you’ll be allowed to visit home…”

“I doubt it.”

“Not even if Ganondorf requests it?”

Kiluki pursed her lips. “Perhaps after he takes the throne, he will summon us back to Gerudo Town. I should hope he will see the value in placing me amongst the Hylians, though, and so close to the royal family…”

“Like a spitting sand cobra, nestled right within their own walls,” Mira chuckled. “You must do your job well, for Ryla to send you back again.”

“Yes, I suppose I must. Though it was easier back then.”

“Will you return to that voe?”

Kiluki wrinkled her nose. “Perhaps, if he is willing to see reason.”

“What did you even fight about?”

“Everything.” She shrugged. “Hylian voe have a single use. The rest of the time, they are wholly disagreeable.”

Mira threw her head back and laughed, the hearty sound echoing off the sandstone walls. “That they are! That they most certainly are.”

#flying on wings made from feathers and wax #ganondorf #ganondorf x oc #gerudo #Gerudo OC #gerudo ganondorf #botw #the legend of zelda

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chemical-bunz · 2 years

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The crash was Fumbleshy’s fault. It doesn’t matter how many times everyone else insists it wasn’t, it doesn’t matter it it was “completely unforeseeable” or “a freak accident”, it was all. Her. Fault.

If she hadn’t been such a baby, Hoops and Dumbell wouldn’t have paid her any mind, Dasher wouldn’t have felt obligated to protect her, and that stupid race would have never happened! Dasher had been cast to earth for Fumble’s shortcomings, and she couldn’t stand it. She visited her friend in the hospital, did everything she could to cheer Dasher up from the practical death sentence (“What am I without my wings? Oh god, what am I?”), she tried so, SO HARD.

Her mood would rise and fall, a d the same jokes would only work for the first five days, and so Fumble escalated it. She had a carefully orchestrated dance routine to keep her friend entertained, and it went horribly wrong. the curtains torn, dishes shattered, and a few of Fumbleshy’s bones painfully dislocated, but… Dasher was laughing, harder than she’d seen her laugh in such a long time, and that made her feel… warm.

It took a moment to realize that her flank was glowing with the magic of her cutiemark. it was a shock, really! To look back and see a set of balloons proudly displayed, and it only brought more confusion, and Dasher tearfully congratulated her.

It’s been years since that day, and Fumbleshy’s talent has made her miserable for every one of them. Fumbleshy is one of the more successful party ponies in the area, and she HATES IT! She hates being laughed at, she hates being the center of attention, she HATES being a clown! But she deserves it. Every moment of this horrible existence, she deserves. Because, Dasher Dreams would be a Wonderbolt by now if it wasn’t for her.

#my post #art #[my art]#digital art #painting #illustration #[my post]#artists on tumblr #oc #original character #mlp #my little pony #writing #my writing #mlp fic #flutterdash #fluttershy #angst

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kir4svn · 2 years

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Social Media, Bane or Boon?; a discursive essay

Young people have a tendency to fall prey to trends, adverts and fads, and often thrust their money into chasing new material joys they find off their Instagram “explore” pages. With the rise of Social Media, and the prevalence of young people on it, it has become more than easy for attractive young adults to show off their pricey possessions to teenagers watching from behind small screens. In an age where social media entangles itself in our everyday lives, does it serve as more of a bane or a boon? I personally feel it is a polite mix of both.

Money makes the world go round, and in the world of trade, social media is one of the best marketplaces out there. When the whole of the world pools together to form a segregated online space, it becomes far too easy to find someone who’s interested in something you’re selling. This acts as a massive advantage to businesses, allowing them to market their products free of charge, to people with real interest in buying them. For businesses with heftier budgets, turning to the more influential of the online bunch, whose eager followers are often more than willing to spend, usually promises high returns. So for businesses, Social media is surely a boon.

Everyone wants their 15 minutes of fame. Seeing the lives the rich and famous enjoy, many wish for a chance to live in the spotlight. Social media can bring one to the public eye, but those who reach often lament about the scrutiny they face. When one’s fame is online, it’s often that they will receive bouts of harassment, even if they far from deserve it. Take celebrities like Charli D’Amelio, who rose to fame at the young age of 15, for example. By the time she was 16, she was receiving threats from the online public, claiming she did not deserve her fame, comparing her to her sister, and pointing out the smallest of her shortcomings. A life in the limelight can be thrilling and enticing, but it can also be detrimental to ones mental health. As such, social media can easily bring harm to those who put themselves at the front of it.

That’s not to say that influencers are always right. More often than not, the most well received online personalities plant toxic standards in the minds of viewers and fans. Be it girls with small waists and hourglass figures, or men with broad shoulders and long legs, social media builds an image of the “perfect” body. As time passes, this ideal shape begins to pop up more and more, and evolves into an expectation. This leads to the popularisation of crash diets, bouts of self-hatred, and an increase in eating disorders amongst young people. These unhealthy practices are detrimental to the health of those who fall into their clutches, and affect the growth and development of today’s teens. As such, the unrealistic expectations evolved from social media culture can easily turn social media’s presence into a bane.

Social media allows us to catch up with others, and in some cases, live vicariously through them. It doesn’t matter whether an old friend is an hour or a hundred miles away, social media makes it easy to close the gap. On social media, you can find out what someone has been doing the past month, what someone is looking forward to celebrating in the next few days, or whether someone has just welcomed a child into the family, all in a couple of taps. Along with social media comes the ease of connecting with others, through a platform that requires little to no effort. In this way, social media serves as a boon, giving us the opportunity to come together virtually, no matter how far away we may physically be.

Social Media has clearly proved to be a double edged sword. Despite how it has brought undeniable benefit to our society by shedding light on pressing issues that might not have surfaced otherwise, it has also brought about unrealistic expectations and envy amongst the online community. Many question the ethicality of businesses cashing in on insecurities brought about through social media, and it seems social media is only beneficial to some and greatly detrimental to others. The reality is, nothing can truly be flawless, as consumers of social media, we should be mindful of what we choose to consume. Only then can social media serve as a benefit to us.

#essay #discursive #writing #kira's library

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fatedrp · 2 years

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CREATURE LORE

VAMPIRES

Formerly human, vampires are beings with sharp fangs who sustain their elongated lives on the blood of mortals. In order to be transformed, a person must be bitten by a vampire and completely drained of life. If a person who has been drained by a vampire has not properly been put to rest with a wooden stake through the heart, burned, or beheaded, they will rise again within twenty-four hours and join the ranks of the undead. Contrary to popular belief, vampires are not immortal, but are granted an extended life and extended youth. Once bitten, the person will cease to age, though their physical appearance will change over time.

There are three stages of a vampire's life, each with its own unique strengths and shortcomings.

The first stage begins once a human is transformed into a vampire and lasts for roughly 30 years. Freshly turned vampires appear twitchy, with erratic movements and overly acute senses. Their new abilities take an adjustment period, and the younger generations often rely on their sires and other more seasoned vampires to help them learn steadiness in this new life. New vampires have stone hard skin that is cold to the touch, are unable to retract their fangs, and though they require the least amount of blood to survive their thirst is the strongest.

The middle stage of the life of a vampire is the one most fall into, and the type least likely to be indistinguishable from “normal” society. After about 30 years (though it could take much longer for more “savage and untrained” vampires) the body begins to settle, the senses finally something natural and the skin “learning to live” again with a new life source. Still somewhat cold to the touch, middle aged vampires feel and appear more like their human counterparts, able to retract their teeth and control their thirst more readily. These vampires require a modest amount of blood to survive, though as they age they will begin to notice their thirst growing, reaching a climax just before they enter the final stages of their lives.

Vampires who have reached beyond the 400 year mark begin to slow down, physically at least. They find they require much more blood to survive, and their once flawless features begin to betray them. Their movements become sluggish, their senses dull, but their mind becomes more keen than ever. Elder vampires develop a strong sense of preservation layer in their lives, feeling the end coming closer and knowing they must protect themselves. These vampires are known to be defensive and viciously territorial.

As a whole, most vampires are more secretive and capable of living under the radar, and the ones who aren’t are often taken under the care of those more seasoned. Because of this, the registries set in place for vampires are often inaccurate and not up to date. Much like werewolves, the ways in which vampires choose to live are varied; both solitary and cooperative modes of existence have been recorded. Covens have formed over time, which tend to be very insular and unwilling to interact with the wizarding world. There is some sense of superiority here, given many vampires have lived several lifetimes and seen the tides of the magical world come and go. Elder vampires are more likely to surround themselves with covens, needing the protection of the younger generations and easing their innate sense of paranoia. However, freshly turned vampires tend to prefer to stick to the one student-one teacher group, needing specialized attention in order to learn to better control their thirst and senses. Some covens have begun to cater to these younger vampires, specifically those who have aligned with the Dark Lord, as they have been manipulated to believe they are making a difference for the younger generation. In reality the Dark Lord sees them as the perfect savage foot soldiers and wishes to grow their numbers.

FACTS

The typical lifespan of a vampire is between 500 and 600 years.

Vampires have enhanced senses and speed, and the most powerful is their sense of hearing. A vampire's ears are capable of picking up the most subtle of sounds, even from great distances.

Their strength is comparable to any normal mortal their size, though heightened agility often helps in any hand-to-hand situation.

Vampires have a bite strength of 215 lbs per square inch, with powerful jaws and sharp fangs. Younger vampires are unable to retract their fangs, however as a vampire ages and they gain a better control of their thirst they gain the ability. Vampires no matter what age however will show their fangs when they have lost their mind to the thirst and must feed.

While vampires who were once magical retain the use of their wands and some special magical abilities, those who once had abilities allowing for physical transformation will lose them due to the new nature of their new bodies. This means that Animagi and Metamorphmagi will no longer be able to alter their shape.

For the most part, a vampire's magic will remain the same, though they are unable to ingest potions like normal witch or wizard. A potion will often cause extreme sickness in a vampire, even death if it renders them incapable of feeding for too long.

Vampires can walk in sunlight, as it has no effect on them. The idea that it can harm them comes from the fact that many vampires only ever travel at night in order to avoid detection and registration.

Healing magic does not work very well on vampires but they heal at an accelerated rate on their own, as long as they are fed.

The Killing Curse is ineffective against these beings.

Vampires cannot consume human food or drink, and will reject it as their body is unable to process it. They are able to drink the blood of any animal, though only human blood can truly fill them.

For a vampire, drinking the blood of another magical creature causes extreme pain and sickness. Sometimes fooled by those of partial status, even the smallest bit of tainted blood can make a vampire ill to some extent. However the same is not true for those who ingest vampire blood. Something of a “party drug” these days, “Red Crystal” is the name given to dried, crystallized vampire blood that can be taken by wixen and tainted alike (excluding vampires). Crystal causes a sense of euphoria, heightened senses, and an increased desire to eat and drink things high in iron. The effects last about four hours, and the hangover often takes people out for a full day.

WEREWOLVES

A werewolf is a wixen or muggle who transforms into a wolf-like creature during the full moon. The cycle of the transformations last the day before, day of, and day after the full moon. During this time, the mind is lost to the beast, those transformed becoming uncontrollable and detached from their human mind. The only way to maintain control of one's self during the full moon is with the use of Wolfsbane Potion, though the werewolf may remain unpredictable and prone to more destructive tendencies than their normal selves would be. In order to be turned, a person must be bitten and/or scratched by a werewolf while in wolf form. If the wound is not sealed with a mixture of powdered silver and dittany, the person will never heal and will die of their injuries within days.

Many werewolves are naturally drawn to their own kind, and packs exist all over the world. In most cases, members of a pack make up the same “sire pool”, meaning they have all been turned by those connected to the oldest branches of the cursed line. Werewolves are able to easily identify those turned by the same sire, or “descendants” of that sire, which is why they group together in this way. Even in human form it is easy for a werewolf to sniff out those with the same sire pool, and can be willed to return to their original creator, especially during the cycle of the full moon.

Though there are packs all over the world, it isn’t always in a werewolf’s instinct to be drawn to their own kind as a normal wolf would be. Some live in solitude, hiding away from the judgment of the outside world. However, as life on the outskirts can be dangerous, others choose to stick to their own kind and protect one another.

In general, werewolves have been highly stigmatized in wizarding society. They are a feared and rejected species, labeled vicious and dangerous by most. Many magical governing bodies have strict werewolf registries, meant to keep track of these tainted individuals for the protection of the community as a whole. In the UK, Lyall Lupin was instrumental in the creation of the werewolf registry. These prejudices hold firm among society today, and with the crackdown of muggleborn registration, werewolves are being more scrutinized as well. There is a way around – packs that are willing to bend the knee to the Dark Lord and offer their loyalty may receive protection from the Ministry. Many have taken up this offer, bringing in groups of wolves such as the Greyback Pack. Some come in unison, looking for a way to last through the war and darkening future, while other packs have splintered, some turning to the Dark Lord and others feeling it’s best to protect themselves, as they always have.

FACTS

Wolfsbane Potion is expensive and very difficult to make, because of this many are left without.

While in creature form, a werewolf appears like an oversized wolf, though much larger, and stands on all four paws. Their fur is typically close to the color of their natural hair, and their general physical structures resemble their human forms; a stout/short person will be a smaller werewolf while a taller/larger person would be bigger.

Werewolves have heightened senses even when in their human form, but they are at their most powerful close to the full moon. Their sense of smell is incredibly strong even in human form, and werewolves can smell other wolves, as well as any creature blood inside another person. Werewolves can detect scent at a range up to 4 miles (6.4 km) while in wolf form and 1.5 miles (2.4 km) in human form.

Though they do not have enhanced strength while in human form, werewolves are known to be physically more capable than a typical human, as their constant transformation causes the body to become more lean and muscular.

While in their creature form, a werewolf is stronger and more agile than a natural wolf would be. A werewolf can typically run at speeds up to 40 miles per hour (64.3 km per hour) and has a resting bite force near 450 lbs. As werewolves often reflect the physical traits of their human selves, people who are stronger or faster in their human forms may also be so in their wolf forms.

Upon returning to their human form, a person will only recall what they have done while transformed if they have taken Wolfsbane appropriately.

Female werewolves cannot reproduce due to the monthly transformations their bodies undergo. Male werewolves do not pass on the werewolf gene, though their descendants can sometimes be more "animal-like" in their mannerisms around the full moon.

Transformations are extremely taxing on the body and mind. Many werewolves resort to the use of pain relieving and beautification potions in order to pass through their toughest days without notice.

VEELA

A veela is a human-like being that has the ability to appear as an enchanting and beautiful person. Their nature is one of seduction, and they are known for their innate ability to entrance and draw others in. Veela are also noted for their fiery temper and pyromantic abilities. Like wizarding kind, Veela have a slightly extended lifespan, though they physically age much more elegantly than normal magical folk and don’t look quite as old in their upper years. For a full blooded Veela, this human form is only an illusion. Their true form resembles a bird-like humanoid creature with a sharp beak and scaly wings that erupt from their shoulders. Those with partial Veela blood are not able to fully take this form, however upon times of extreme anger, or sometimes deliberately with training and control, the partial blood person may display some of the physical qualities of that true form, such as appearing more bird-like or appearing to grow wings made of flames.

The pyromaniac abilities of a full Veela are much stronger than those of partial blood, however many still retain total control of flame without the use of their wand or other magic. As the tainted blood thins, the ability to produce the flame dwindles, but the control often remains through many generations.

Because partial Veela are able to blend in so easily, they often go largely unnoticed by the wizarding government as long as they stay in line. Theoretically, however, they must register their tainted blood status. Overall, partial Veela are treated much like other creatures, as lessers, but there is also an added wariness that comes along with the infatuation caused by these creatures. They are considered “dirty” and “naughty” creatures, not capable of being part of polite society.

Full blooded Veela are mostly confined to designated land given to them by their country's Ministry. Like giants and dragons, they are heavily regulated, and meant to be kept out of the general magical population. In recent years many of these habitats have been breached by Death Eater aligned Ministry personnel and deals have been made. Many Veela are angry and tired of being kept under such tight lock and key. They have been promised more freedom if they fight alongside the Dark Lord, and many who are locked away send for or give up the names of their partial-blood offspring in hopes of gaining leverage from the outside. The Death Eaters track these people down and offer them much of the same, freedom from registration and persecution from the Ministry if they fight for the “right side”. Some don’t care to fight for their tainted relatives but see a chance for themselves, while others feel for their Veela creators and hope to help them too into a better life.

FACTS

Veela come from all countries and can have any skin tone or hair color, as well as be any gender.

Pyromantic abilities are innate in the nature of a Veela. They are able to create and control fire to varying extents depending on the purity of their blood, as well as level of training.

A Veela is known to have the ability to entrance those around them with a dance composed of movements that are deeply rooted in their instincts. While a full Veela has more control over this dance, those of lesser blood may only be able to tap into this ability on occasion or not at all.

While normal fire can burn a Veela or part Veela, the fire they produce with their own magic does not harm them.

GIANTS

These mountain dwelling creatures are noted for their extraordinary size, with some known to have grown as large as twenty feet tall. There are many different types of giants from many different tribes, some more human-looking, and others more beastly. In general, they are clannish creatures, living in tribes and family units. Giants are more intelligent than most of the wizarding world will give them credit for, and often are not the hulking, angry creatures that they are portrayed as. Most tribes can live peacefully amongst themselves and each other, given the proper space and resources. However, with the growing Muggle and wizarding population around the world, giants have been forced closer together and have limited food supplies causing more conflict to arise. For the most part, giants are largely controlled by various wizarding governments, herded and watched closely so that none of the fighting crosses over the lines of their established sanctuaries. They are able to communicate; however, they have limited patience for wizarding kind. There’s been little by way of compromise between the two groups, and giants are treated much like a burden on the world. Recently, some giants have joined the cause of Lord Voldemort, being offered new territories and protections if they help lay his claim to the wizarding world.

Those with partial giant blood are not unheard of, and are often easy to spot. Traits like size and strength are often inherited with the giant’s blood. Because of their inability to blend in, part-giants are treated poorly, and often unable to do things normal wizarding folk can, such as attending schools or applying for certain occupations. However, this isn’t always true, and some part-giants have risen through despite their blood status to be something more, while others have successfully played off and hidden what they truly were to get ahead.

FACTS

Giant tribes hail from mountainous regions all over the world and come in all shapes and sizes.

Known for their immense strength, even those with only partial giant blood have this trait.

Giants have extremely dense bones, and can weigh thousands of pounds depending on their size.

Those with partial giant blood are prone to changeable temperaments and often find it difficult to control their anger.

Though giants do not have any inherent magical abilities, they do have a resistance to magic, including spells and potions. More powerful spells are needed in order to affect them, as well as stronger potions and in greater volumes.

A giant, as well as a partial giant, takes more food and drink than a normal human would due to their larger size. Because of this, substances that would inebriate them would be needed in larger quantities to have the same effect as on a human.

GOBLINS

Small, humanoid magical creatures, goblins are known for their high intelligence and cunning natures. Though some may find their language and culture primitive, they are extremely sophisticated creatures who have found their place in wizarding society through their own will and hard-work. They are excellent metal-workers, and as such create much of the currency used in the magical world. Witches and wizards often see goblins as inferior, and think absently that their arrangements and "freedoms" are satisfying the small creatures. Truthfully, goblins are a crafty and proud people who manipulate the system to their advantage. Goblins control the Gringotts Wizarding Bank, and few know how deep their tiny pockets actually run.

Goblins are short, have long fingers and feet, and are often quite pale as they spend little time outdoors. These characteristics are sometimes passed on to partial-blood offspring, most notably the tiny stature. However goblins for various parts of the world appear quite differently from one another in facial structure and body structure, some much more lean and taller, others stout and round. In most cases, goblins have large pupils, allowing more light to enter their eyes. They are able to see more clearly in the dark, but have a greater sensitivity to light.

FACTS

Gobbledegook is the name of the language of the goblins.

Due to their small size some would assume goblins need to consume less than an average sized person, however this is false. As diligent workers, often with harty bodies, goblins often ingest the amount of calories a person of a much larger size would. Their healthy appetites are often very refined, and goblin cuisine is thought of as a delicacy in wixen society.

A goblin's unique magic has no need for wands, and they have a natural gift for charm-work as well as the ability to manipulate metals. This unique magic is something of a mystery still to many wixen, and only those very trusted few are allowed in on the secrets of this ancient and innate magic.

GHOSTS

These spirit-type creatures are the imprinted souls of once-living witches and wizards. There is still much mystery surrounding how and why some remain tied to the Earth after death, and many have dedicated their lives to this study. Some are able to move relatively freely, traveling from place to place by floating. Other ghosts, however, are tied to certain locations, some by spells and curses, and others by something within themselves that will not let go. It is possible for a ghost to pass on, though the circumstances which allow this seem to be different for each spirit. Some may complete their unfinished business, while others may simply grow more ready to let go. Overall, ghosts are treated with a degree of wariness but not completely rejected from society as they typically cannot do too much harm. They tend to be considered “creepy” more than threatening.

Ghosts are visible to witches and wizards, and also to Squibs and muggles with tainted blood. Some appear in normal human colors, though perhaps more pale than in life, while others may appear greyish or even green. They are able to pass through solid objects and create disturbances in water, fire, and air. Not all ghosts have the ability to make contact with these elements, and some can even be so lost in their own drifting they may not recognize the outside world around them. The temperature is known to fall when a ghost is near, and sometimes flames will turn blue. Ghosts are weightless, and are able to float around, even fly through the air by manipulating the elements around them.

FACTS

Not all ghosts are trapped in one location, though they are normally contained to the region of their death, some more tightly than others.

Ghosts appear as an imprint of their soul when they pass, and not their physical self. Sometimes the markings from their death are carried over, sometimes they are not. If the method of their death had a significant impact on their being before death or somehow was representative of their soul, they are more likely to bear these markings in their afterlife.

On occasions, ghosts who misbehave will be purposely tied to a location where they can’t do too much harm or someone well trained can look after them. In the most dire of situations a ghost can be bound in a mirror, something that is still thought to be irreversible to this day.

Some spells work on ghosts, but the true extent of this is still being tested every day. The best known ways of dealing with an unruly ghost are to use either a magical light or a Skurge Charm to repel them.

Only magical people can become ghosts.

There is currently no known way to destroy a ghost.

When a ghost is in a frightened or anxious state, they excrete ectoplasm, a substance that is used in many Dark Arts practices. This is often the main ingredient when attempting to curse a ghost and bind them to a certain place. It is frowned upon to collect ectoplasm, and generally people are taught to quickly wipe it away or otherwise dispose of it. The pain experienced during the production of ectoplasm is said to be one of the only real physical pains a ghost can feel.

Ghosts cannot make physical contact with the living world, but interact with it through manipulation of elements. They can affect air, fire, and water, allowing them to float a book just above their hands and turn the pages for example. They could pass through water by controlling the elements around them to move. Ghosts can however make contact with each other as well as other spirits, as their forms are made up of compatible spirit elements that can make contact with each other. A ghost has little control over this "spirit element" other than in this context.

Some ghosts who become erratic, fractured, and/or lost to their own minds through time may begin to transform into what is known as a poltergeist. These spirits lose all sense of their former selves, and often become much more of a problem than they are worth. In general, poltergeists aren’t given much of a second chance. If they act erratically or unpredictably and cause harm to another they will be hunted for capture, placed in a mirror, and tucked away for eternity.

PARTIAL BLOOD CREATURES

Some creatures have the ability to mate with humans, and as such partial-blood creatures sometimes occur. The amount of creature blood often determines the level of shared nature; those of half-blood have more shared characteristics with both parents, while one of only quarter-creature blood would be more "human". Traits, both magical and physical, are adopted by most partial-blood people, though some are less noticeable. Partial-breeds are frowned upon in society in general, and most do their best to keep their creature sides hidden. Veela, male werewolves, giants, hags, banshee, and goblins can all mate with humans. Vampires have the complete inability to produce offspring, and as such there are no partial vampire. Female werewolves cannot produce offspring, and male werewolves do not pass on their traits to their children but can have offspring.

#fatedrp #fated #creature lore #site buzz #jcink rp

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whatsonmedia · 2 months

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Jeremy Hunt’s Budget Revealed: 7 Failures Exposed

In a recent announcement, Jeremy Hunt unveiled the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. However, despite his attempts to paint a rosy picture, many critics argue that the budget cannot hide the failures of the Tory government. Here are seven key points that highlight the shortcomings of the budget:

1. Austerity measures continue:

Despite promises to end austerity, the budget indicates that the government will continue to implement harsh spending cuts. This has already had a detrimental effect on public services such as healthcare and education, with many individuals and communities feeling the impact of reduced funding.

2. Tax Breaks for the Wealthy:

On the flip side, Hunt’s budget included tax breaks for the wealthy, further exacerbating inequality in society. This move has been met with criticism from opposition parties and advocacy groups, who argue that the government should be focused on supporting those in need.

3. Lack of investment in key areas:

The budget fails to adequately address crucial issues such as rising poverty rates, an underfunded National Health Service, and a struggling education system. Instead of prioritizing these areas, the budget seems to prioritize tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.

4. Inequality remains a major problem:

The budget does little to address the growing wealth gap in the country. Income inequality is on the rise, with the richest individuals benefiting the most from the government’s economic policies. This lack of focus on reducing inequality is a major failing of the Tory government.

5. Climate crisis ignored:

Despite the urgent need for action on climate change, the budget does not allocate sufficient funds to address this pressing issue. The government’s lack of investment in renewable energy and sustainable practices is a clear indication of its failure to prioritize environmental concerns.

6. Failure to deliver on Brexit promises:

One of the key reasons for the Tory government’s popularity was its promise to deliver Brexit. However, the budget fails to provide a clear plan for the country’s future post-Brexit. This uncertainty and lack of direction are further evidence of the government’s failure to effectively govern.

7. Healthcare Cuts:

Hunt’s budget included significant cuts to healthcare funding, despite promises to protect the NHS. This move has sparked outrage among healthcare professionals and patients alike, with many questioning the government’s priorities.

In conclusion, Jeremy Hunt’s budget may attempt to mask the failures of the Tory government, but upon closer examination, it is clear that these failures cannot be hidden. From continuing austerity measures to ignoring key issues such as inequality and climate change, the budget falls short in addressing the pressing challenges facing the country. It is essential for the government to reassess its priorities and take decisive action to address these failures in order to move towards a more equitable and sustainable future.

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internationalrealestatenews · 2 months

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[ad_1] One in every of Texas’ most storied builders posted some report numbers in 2024, however not all is properly in Houston. Howard Hughes Holdings reported its fourth quarter and year-end outcomes this week, with shortcomings in New York offset by its residential developments in hotter climes. The corporate’s web working earnings reached $244 million final yr, up 4 % from the prior yr. That was pushed by a 16 % NOI spike in multifamily to $53 million. Charges on the firm’s rental portfolio jumped a mean of 9 %, whilst different Solar Belt operators struggled with flat and even destructive lease development. Workplace NOI grew 6 %, because the agency leased 357,000 sq. toes of house within the Woodlands alone. Nonetheless, retail NOI dropped 11 % on the yr, and workplace is predicted to remain flat as free months expire and extra provide comes on-line, driving up emptiness. The corporate revised down its NOI projections in workplace and multifamily, largely resulting from rising tax and insurance coverage prices in locations like Houston. Whereas the corporate continues to develop in Texas, its New York belongings didn't fare so properly. The corporate misplaced $18.2 million greater than it made on its portfolio within the Seaport space of Manhattan. In a corresponding earnings name, the corporate’s leaders gave a line of sight into how certainly one of Texas’ largest builders is coping with lenders. “I’ve by no means seen a development mortgage market like this,” stated David O’Reilly, the agency’s CEO. “It’s virtually flipped on its head.” O’Reilly stated a current rental undertaking the agency inbuilt Hawaii was certainly one of its simpler developments to get financed. Condominiums may be presold, giving lenders some sense of the constructing’s worth as soon as it's accomplished. Multifamily leases, then again, have seen asset values fluctuate lately, sapping lender confidence. 1 Riva Row, a high-end multifamily growth within the Woodlands, would in additional regular occasions have obtained a flood of bids from lenders. As a substitute, O’Reilly stated, “that was one of many hardest development loans I’ve seen us attempt to get in my time at Howard Hughes.” Primarily based on how its Ritz Carlton Residences within the Woodlands are promoting, the corporate is exploring one other rental undertaking within the space, O’Reilly stated. Nonetheless, Howard Hughes pulled in $659 million in financing final yr, together with a number of refinancings for loans nearing maturity. Some $498 million went to development loans for brand spanking new growth. Trying to 2024 in Texas, the corporate appeared most optimistic about offers in Bridgeland, a fast-growing city on the outskirts of Houston, and the Woodlands. It particularly cited the dearth of properties up for resale, as house owners with lower-rate mortgages are locked in to their present properties. That ought to push patrons to new development, executives stated. Accordingly, new residence gross sales elevated 45 %. Learn extra The corporate posted report earnings earlier than taxes at its master-planned communities of $341 million. Nonetheless, it expects these earnings to fall by 10 to fifteen % year-over-year to about $300 million. In the meantime, a “important undersupply” of vacant tons in Houston ought to hold demand excessive for websites. Howard Hughes, as a master-planned group developer, typically sells tons to homebuilders, who then assemble the precise homes. These lot gross sales are actually extra priceless than ever: residential value per acre reached a report of $944,000, the corporate stated. [ad_2] Supply hyperlink

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datexterminatingla · 4 months

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From Infestation to Innovation: Why Specialty Termite Services Are Your Best Defense

Introduction

When it comes to your home, even the tiniest invaders can cause major damage. Termites, notorious for their destructive capabilities, can wreak havoc on your property if left unchecked. That's why specialty termite services are your best defense against infestations, offering innovative solutions to protect your home and your peace of mind.

With years of experience in the pest control industry, our dedicated team understands the unique challenges that homeowners face when it comes to termites. We know that a one-size-fits-all approach won't cut it. That's why we offer specialized services tailored to your specific needs, providing targeted treatments to eliminate termites and prevent future infestations.

Our innovative techniques and advanced technologies ensure that we stay one step ahead of these relentless pests. From state-of-the-art termite detection systems to eco-friendly treatment options, we utilize the latest advancements to deliver effective, long-lasting results.

Don't let termites take control of your home. Invest in our specialty termite services and experience the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property is protected. Discover the power of innovation when it comes to termite control and safeguard your home for years to come.

Understanding the Threat of Termites

Termites may be small, but their impact on your home can be massive. These wood-destroying insects silently feed on the structural components of your property, causing extensive damage that can lead to costly repairs. Termites typically build their colonies underground and can go undetected for years, making it crucial to understand the threat they pose.

The Shortcomings of Traditional Pest Control Methods

Traditional pest control methods often fall short when it comes to effectively eliminating termites. Many general pest control companies offer generic treatments that may not target the specific needs of your termite infestation. These methods often rely on chemical pesticides that can be harmful to the environment and may require repeated applications, resulting in additional costs and inconvenience.

The Rise of Specialty Termite Services

Specialty termite services have emerged as a more effective and targeted approach to termite control. These services are provided by professionals who specialize in termite eradication and prevention, offering expertise and knowledge that general pest control companies may lack. By focusing solely on termites, these specialists can provide tailored solutions to address the unique challenges posed by these pests.

Benefits of Specialty Termite Services

Choosing specialty termite services offers several benefits for homeowners. Firstly, these services provide a comprehensive inspection of your property to identify the extent of the infestation and any potential vulnerabilities. This thorough assessment allows for targeted treatments that specifically address the termites present in your home.

Additionally, specialty termite services utilize advanced termite detection techniques to ensure that no infestation goes unnoticed. State-of-the-art technologies, such as thermal imaging and moisture meters, enable specialists to detect termite activity even in hard-to-reach areas. By identifying the source of the infestation, these services can effectively eliminate termites and prevent future problems.

Advanced Termite Detection Techniques

Specialty termite services employ cutting-edge technologies to detect termites with precision. Thermal imaging cameras allow professionals to identify termite activity by detecting changes in temperature caused by the presence of termites. This non-invasive method allows for accurate identification and targeted treatment.

Moisture meters are another valuable tool used by specialty termite services. Termites thrive in damp environments, and moisture meters can detect areas of increased moisture that may be attractive to termites. By addressing these moisture issues, specialists can eliminate the conditions that attract termites, effectively preventing future infestations.

Eco-Friendly Termite Treatment Options

Specialty termite services prioritize eco-friendly treatment options that minimize the impact on the environment and your family's health. These services often utilize baiting systems that target and eliminate termites without the need for excessive chemical pesticides. By strategically placing bait stations around your property, specialists can attract termites away from your home and eliminate the colony.

In addition to baiting systems, specialty termite services may also offer alternative treatments such as heat or cold treatments. These methods use temperature extremes to kill termites and their eggs, providing a chemical-free solution that is safe for both humans and pets.

How Specialty Termite Services Protect Your Property Long-Term

Specialty termite services go beyond simply eliminating termites in the short term. These services focus on long-term protection, ensuring that your property remains termite-free for years to come. By identifying and addressing the underlying causes of termite infestations, such as moisture issues or structural vulnerabilities, specialists can implement preventative measures that reduce the risk of future infestations.

Regular inspections and monitoring are also an integral part of specialty termite services. By conducting routine checks, specialists can identify any signs of termite activity early on and take immediate action. This proactive approach helps to maintain the integrity of your home and prevent extensive damage caused by termites.

Choosing the Right Specialty Termite Service Provider

When selecting a specialty termite service provider, it's essential to consider their experience, expertise, and reputation. Look for a company with a proven track record in termite control and prevention, as well as positive customer reviews. A reliable service provider should offer a comprehensive range of services, including inspections, treatments, and ongoing monitoring.

Additionally, ensure that the service provider uses safe and eco-friendly treatment methods. Ask about their certifications and licenses to ensure that they are qualified to handle termite infestations. Remember, investing in a reputable specialty termite service provider is an investment in the long-term protection of your home.

Conclusion:

Termites pose a significant threat to the structural integrity of your home. Investing in specialty termite services is the best defense against these destructive pests. With their innovative techniques, advanced technologies, and tailored solutions, these services offer comprehensive protection that goes beyond traditional pest control methods.

By understanding the threat of termites and the shortcomings of generic treatments, homeowners can make an informed decision to invest in specialty termite services. From advanced termite detection techniques to eco-friendly treatment options, these services provide long-lasting results and peace of mind. Don't let termites take control of your home – take proactive measures and safeguard your property with specialty termite services.

#termiteservices

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