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banterismylovelanguage · 4 months

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I’m gonna try to say this without sounding weird… okay?

Another reason why I like Barbatos so much as an Archon is that he is the type of god I would want for me.

He’s so human-like that it’s easy to forget he’s a god. He actively interacts with humans regularly to understand their culture, and he encourages “rest” and “joy” in life through a strong drinking culture and “whimsical” lifestyle.

It really is about finding joy in an everyday life.

Not only that, but he actively participates in putting on events to further this motto, most recent case scenario: The Poetry Event!

It’s these small things that he partakes in that encourages his people to grow and learn new things/try new things while—most importantly—having fun (!) that portray a god that is FOR the people first and foremost. Remembering that even though it’s simple (ish. Poetry is hard, sometimes, to me LOL), it is something new and exciting and breaks that monotonous life cycle.

He’s also a god that doesn’t “hover”; he’s there if you really need him but, otherwise, you have to fight your own battles. You need to grow; you need to realize your own strength by not having him around all the time.

Sure, he pokes fun at himself in these instances, sleeps so often that he really isn’t there all the time, is a drinker, etc., that it’s almost hard to see him as a god at all. He is so human.

You’re only reminded he’s a god when you realize he’s had a whole life, and several lives, really, before this one.

So, perhaps the reason he’s so appealing as a god is because he doesn’t really act like one at all. He acts like a “good” and humble human.

I suppose those that you find similarities in are what attracts you, so maybe that plays a part in Venti’s appeal. (Aka his human similarities)

On the other hand, Zhongli is probably best in encompassing the picture of a god: strong, capable, ready to step in but also ready to test his people “if they’re worthy” of standing on their own.

Ei is… a god in the sense that she’s feared. Untouchable. Hard to see any likeness in her to a human, so, she is, indeed, separate from her people.

Nahida holds knowledge so unfathomable and intangible that she is otherworldly, but due to her age, she is hard to compare to an “otherworldly god” and more seems like “another power”/“oracle”/“great other being” to seek out advice but to never quite “worship”—or at least, that’s what the Archon quest felt like to me.

Focalors is… well, she is painted to be the one imitating a god—down to the dotted ‘i’ where she puts on a bravado with none of the power to back it up. By all means, she should be the feared god, the powerful and interesting one that has an iron hand and all-wisdom—as if she plays both Nahida and Zhongli at once—but her power is that of a Venti, an everyday man that speaks ostentatious language to intimidate but never follows up on his word—for now. She’s just getting started, after all.

(Note: haven’t played the continuance of the Archon Quest at this time)

I guess it depends on how you define a god, which is why these portrayals are all so unique. It would then also depend on each individual to pick which one is the most appealing god to you—a protector, one with wisdom, a feared god, one that is active and fascinating, or—the one that blends in with its people.

#this was inspired by someone saying ‘Venti is a god I’d worship’#and while I felt weird putting it that way #there is something so appealing about Mondstadt and its god (Venti bias here) that made me to love this region and archon the most #my type is the ‘gentle god’ archetype #also short men.#anyway #venti #zhongli #nahida #focalors #furina #it’ll take me a minute to switch over to her name #genshin impact #genshin archons #my rambles or something #truly these are just rambles #aka if I was iseki’d into genshin

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itspileofgoodthings · 16 days

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like. Nina listens to Taylor, moderately keeps up with the front-facing aspects of her life, enjoys her quality, has her minor critiques, recognizes her place in the current culture, can set her down and do other things when she wants to, and most importantly knows who Taylor is through her art.

#you cannot engage with Taylor completely casually it doesn’t work #you won’t get to know her #you have to let her in. go on a sunset walk with your headphones in and open your heart to her and just HEAR her #and then once you know who she is you can go from there #but there absolutely is this level of refusing to get to know her #and I am truly (once again) not addressing people who have that door simply closed (my mom! my older sister!)#people whose opinions matter so much to me #but I am talking to the people who wrestle and want to love her but actually hate her and idk. I feel that it is something where—-#well it’s like people isn’t it. you have to get to know her without judgment #and without bias #you have to know her FROM her #(which does not involve Easter eggs OR celebrity headlines if you hate both of those things #and then if you don’t like her you do in fact have to leave without making that other people’s problem #especially Taylor’s!#I am thinking of this girlboss journalist who wrote a piece on Taylor the other day #that was LIVID with Taylor for sharing only positive reviews on her insta story #(as is not only Taylor’s right but literally normal behavior??????????)#and was practically foaming at the mouth about how Taylor’s level of power was getting scary #and it’s like. I’m so sorry for swearing but BITCH #a lot of the numbers are out of Taylor’s control and also NOT REAL. Taylor also DESERVES her success and is simply doing her job very well #and riding the waves of virality she knows how to create in ADDITION to that #also stop worshipping power and money!!!! the way you clearly do!!!!!!!#Taylor is not doing anything with it except her job!!!!!!!!!!!!!#she is also CLEARLY a human being who suffers #SEE HER AS SUCH #and end it THERE #INSANE #turning off reblogs for this one #because I have gotten carried away but wow

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animationismycomfort · 1 year

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just unsubscribed from vivzie after realizing that these shows aren’t gonna go anywhere and they’re pretty horrible in terms of everything and I am UPSET about it

but other then that cheers mate🧃

#vivziepop #hopefully people rewrite them cause they deserve that #I’m not really upset like I thought I’d be #I’m jsut upset that I didn’t see it sooner #my stuffy stuff #idk just wanted to announce that I’m free #🎶raise a glass to freeedom🎶🧃#but yea feels pretty good honestly might look up rewrites for this sh-t cause wtf #now I can enjoy other things that a lot of people hate mostly because of the fandom instead of the creator #idk why I have a hard time realizing when something is bad that i previously worshipped #it’s called rose colored glasses unfortunately #and I SUFFER FROM IT #it just be like that tho #listen none of this means you can’t like it or still watch it #by all means go right ahead idc #I feel like I need to say that cause I know some people will take this the wrong way #funny thing is I was never really in the fandom or really that into the show if I’m honest I jsut wanted to give it a chance cause #youtube shows excite me #and I was subscribed to viv for a while so I basically saw helluva boss come to be #so I am and was a very bias person #I’m not ashamed to admit it #we are all bias of something or multiply things #it’s natural #at least I think it is #but whatever #that’s all I’m gonna say #if anybody wants to complain or point out things that suck about helluva boss #I’ll be here #in my corner with some hot cocoa

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petrichorium · 9 months

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kaiser/ness being tied with gagamaru is actually so funny to me. the universe is out to get you pluvi

I mean if nobody wants him I don’t have to share right?

#ask.🌧#saintshigaraki #listen I get why he’s losing to kunigami and isagi and barou I get why ppl r more into them #but it’s NOT BIAS when i say he’d be a good bf esp compared to like sae or Kaiser and ness #like unironically he’s one of the most considerate chars in the series ik he’s not one that comes to mind but u can’t deny it #it’s easy to write him off he’s a lil goofy ofc but I’m so dead serious when I say I do think he’d be better than the vast majority #idk if I get into it I’ll feel like I’m putting the other chars down but I think in general…….#gagamaru has the same tendency for worship and utter dedication and borderline obsession as all the other bllk boys #but at the same time he DOESNT have the same level of arrogance and selfishness that the others r very prone to #I’m dead serious when I say that realistically I think his flaws r more bearable than the competitors’#anyway #it’s okay if I’m the only one who sees that then it’s all mine to enjoy :)

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sideshowmads · 11 months

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It’s a Good Omens Rant ✨

I’m really sick of holding this in so here it is, and I don’t really give a fuck who sees this at this point because I’ve had it. If you’re pissed by the end of it, it’s probably because I’m talking about you 💓 ✌🏻 I really feel like a lot of the people I've seen complaining about the nepotism when it comes to Ty and Peter's roles or Georgia & Anna being (or now in this case, not being) in Good Omens are the people that ship David and Michael together aggressively or have this extreme attitude towards G & A and at this point, I'm really starting to believe the only reason y’all are pissed is because you know it's gonna break the alternate reality you’ve built in your head where Georgia, Anna, and/or their families aren’t around and Michael and David can live happily ever after together because other than that, it doesn’t make sense to me. It feels so disingenuous that so many people would say “Well it’s nepotism and it’s disgusting” etc. when no one made a peep about nepotism until it had to do with Good Omens. So, in that case, I ask everyone with “concerns”, where is your outrage for every other time this has happened in the industry? Or even with Michael and David specifically before Good Omens? There wasn’t a huge outcry when Ty was in ATWI80D No one said anything when Georgia Produced YM&H and David had a leading role No one had anything detrimental to say about Georgia meeting David on the set of DW which she most surely got that part because of her father How many times has David worked with Nina Sosanya? Jessica Hynes? Sarah Parish? Fenella Woolgar? Several times for each person and no one bats an eye...

We could go on and on and you’ll still find that there was nowhere near the level of complaining and “concern” with any other show/film than there has been with Good Omens and it’s really sad. Because it’s very apparent that the “concern” is very one sided to the narrative of “We have to keep their families out of it because it ruins the illusion” and that’s such a weird take to have... especially because you know David and Michael wouldn’t vibe with that, whatsoever.

Listen, I understand, I enjoy RPF, kinda, in the right circumstances, and usually I’m all about letting people believe what they want, but the fact that so many of you have had this attitude towards something that you haven’t even seen yet and don’t have any context for strictly because you’re pissed that David and Michael don’t get to stay in their little bubble where their real outside relationships don’t exist is mind blowing. I honestly don’t care whether or not you’re mad about it. It’s a fucking tv show that many, many, many people poured their heart into making and if you believe for a second that two people could “ruin” that with their presence and it causes you genuine “concern” then maybe you should step back and re-evaluate on whether or not this fandom is the best place for you. Not only is that just a shitty attitude to have, it’s such a slap in the face to every single person that worked on the show and did their best to make it something worth watching. And before everyone jumps the gun, because I know it’s coming, we can all save it with the “no one is exempt from criticism” angle, because y’all passed criticism about 8 miles back and it’s now just turned into a full fledge bitchfest where you’re looking for insults on purpose. But y’all can do you. I’m not bothered by any of it and I’m gonna enjoy every bit of Good Omens 2 🥰

#Good Omens 2 #fandom discourse #Rant #David Tennant #Michael Sheen #You guys can say whatever you want #it's just glaringly obvious at this point #and I can't help but think about how the people you worship would feel about you talking shit about their family #and not in a criticism sort of way #in a way that makes it very clear that you have bias #and a hatred #which whatever #but you don't have to constantly be a dick about it #🤷🏻‍♀️

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smtown-tourist · 8 months

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Taemin:

Proves time and time again that he is every K-pop fan’s Bias Wrecker even if they aren’t a Shawol

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that-bi-bitch-writes · 2 years

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i try to be friendly in the comments of fanfic but racism i can't deal with so 🤷‍♂️

#they made bucky captain america because 'the world still needs it's falcon'#seems racially motivated to me seeing as how if you've actually watched falcon and the winter soldier you know how importnat it is #bucky needs to take time and learn how to be a person #he is not in any way prepared to be captain america #but you do know who is?#the much more well adjusted black man #knowing america's history of racism #and the whole storyline about what they did #to black soldiers?#are you gonna sit there and tell me it isn't your bias for the troubled white guy and all your stucky worship?#bc then you're lying #that man hasn't even finished his court mandated therapy #he's still reeling from being a brainwashed nazi assassin #how is he gonna represent america?#well i guess in a way this country is being run by neo nazis #but really?#really?

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gracefullou · 7 months

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did you see the article from that douchebag “journalist” about the antwerp concert? it was so obvious he just wanted to shit on louis. the way he was talking up baldy, someone tell that dude wigrry’s not gonna fuck him.

I said it before and i'll say it again: every Louis anti is a fan of that man. It should be studied why that man's fans have this obsessive hatred towards my man. The fact that my man is thriving, making the best music, touring the world and living his best life hurt such people. I love it. They can keep crying and embarrassing themselves. He's here to stay 😌. Like zero professionalism, that "journalist" has no shame 😭. I'm not a journalist and i don't like that man but if it were my job to do an article about a concert of his, i would've shown more professionalism and neutrality than whatever garbage spewed in this article towards Louis.

#like they don't even try to hide their hatred towards louis #and worship towards the other one #disgusting #these people should be fired #seriously #if you're a journalist and can't write an article without glaring bias #you should just quit #or get fired

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strawberryscare · 2 months

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buddy suggesting his evangelical sol-worshipping grandfather replace yolanda and excusing the clear issues with bias by saying “well all clerics have some deity, it’s never going to be completely neutral” sits VERY wrong with me when remembering that yolanda literally gave up her divinity to become a teacher??

#idk maybe he just doesn’t know that stipulation but that raised a major red flag for me #my hackles are RAISED motherfuckers #fantasy high #d20 #dimension 20 #buddy dawn #fhjy #fhjy spoilers #yolanda badgood

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edelweissacermacrophyllum · 1 year

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A Prophet without Honour

Exodus 27-28, Psalm 24, Mark 27:1-28:43

Jesus visits his home town and begins to teach, but because they knew his commoner family they did not respect him. They refer to him as Mary's son, which is strange, and indicates one of two things: Joseph had died some time before as is traditionally held, or that Jesus was widely considered to be an illegitimate child.

Regardless, the familiarity that they felt for Jesus hindered their understanding of who he really was. Elsewhere, there was a mysticism built up around Jesus, a story that included only the miraculous and prophetic. But those who knew the mundane details about him, where he ate and drank, the paths he trod, how he liked his food prepared, these people did not respect him.

I think they were wise, though, to second guess Jesus. The world is full of cults of personality that grow, burn out, and die. Some linger and some get big and at most one of them can be really true. So we need to examine our role models. But we shouldn't discount them because they are not pure forces of theological wisdom. I think we tend to put our role models up on pedestals and worship our pure ideas of them. We become disillusioned when they don't live up to our unrealistic expectations.

Jesus was a bit of an exception here, actually being a perfect God, but even then, people had expectations of him that he didn't live up to. But we can worship him in a way that we can't worship our other role models. But worship him for who he is, not for who you imagine him to be. This is actually impossible, given human proclivities for bias, but we should do our best.

#bible in a year #bias #worship

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vulturelined · 8 months

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sanji nsfw drabble w/ fem reader, mdni | first nsfw writing, go easy on me gang |

sanji had always respected you, and he made it painfully obvious in everything he did. he was always over the top for anyone he deemed attractive, sure, but with you he always tried a little harder. he'd serve you first before all, make snacks/beverages exclusively for you (not for anyone else unless they ask). I mean, he'd even sit beside you and fan you with a paper plate on a hot day if you asked.

he had an unmistakable bias for you, practically worshipping you. he would drop to his knees in an instant if you asked him with that pretty look you always give him when you request things. he was utterly smitten, and everyone could see it.

sanji gives you whatever he can without expecting anything in turn, which is why he is struggling to believe that you are in front of him, between his legs, sat on your knees and stroking his cock at such a languid pace that it makes his head spin.

one hand was tugging at his tie, the other combing through his hair. he's between staring at you with wide eyes and squeezing them shut, jaw slack. small, shocked laughs mix in with his heavy breathing and choked moans, and it only makes you smile.

pre-cum beads at his tip, and when you run your thumb over it, he shudders - melting into the chair he sat in and heaving a sigh. "feels, s'good..." he mumbles, sliding his hand down to grip his thigh to resist the urge to buck his hips up into your hand. even now, he respects you, and in response to the sweet gesture, you start to speed your hand up.

"you deserve it," you coo up at him, watching his eyes practically turn to hearts at your gentle, sultry tone. "always so sweet, need to treat you the way you need to be treated." his whole body tenses when you lean forward, dragging your tongue from the base of his cock to the tip, swirling it.

his gasps and moans are choked, and at some point, he slaps his hand over his mouth, tilting his head back. he's absolutely stunned this is happening, close to fainting the more he thinks about it.

sanji knew he probably wouldn't last long with your sweet hand wrapped around him, pumping him with your gradually increasing speed and praise dripping from your lips like honey - he just doesn't expect to nearly cum when you finally take him into your mouth.

his eyes roll back and he thrusts his hips up, muttering an apology into his hand and digging his heels into the ground to try to keep himself still. when he finally looks down at you again, he has to physically fight against fucking your mouth the way he's dreamed of doing.

reaching a trembling hand out to brush your hair from your face, his brows furrow and his heart skips a beat when you open your eyes to meet his. "so pretty," he groans, tangling his fingers in your hair. you hum around his cock, not missing the way it makes him flinch and choke on a moan, dragging your tongue along his length every time you bob your head.

you had almost always imagined the way sanji would look like in this situation, but you'd never expected it to be this good. you adjust to press your heel against your core, gently rocking your hips at the sight of the man above you. his hair is messy from combing his hand through it and tossing his head back in pleasure, blonde strands sticking to his forehead and sticking out in every way. his brows are curled up, eyes squinted, face red, and his bottom lip pulled between his teeth.

it makes you moan around him, closing your eyes and moving your head faster.

if he was always this pretty when you suck him off, then you'd for sure have to do this again.

#opla #one piece x reader #sanji x reader #vinsmoke sanji #one piece sanji #one piece smut #op x reader #op sanji #sanji smut #sanji vinsmoke #sanji vinsmoke x reader

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astonmartinii · 7 months

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we don’t play about halloween | max verstappen social media au

pairing: max verstappen x fem reader

max doesn’t play about three things: formula one, his cats and his girlfriend’s love for halloween

MASTERLIST | TIPS

yourusername

liked by oscarpiastri, maxverstappen1 and 607,344 others

tagged: maxverstappen1

yourusername: yes we dress up to carve pumpkins, it’s rude if you don’t.

view all comments

user1: gosh they are so cute

user2: did max just dress as himself whenever he’s within 5ft of y/n?

maxverstappen1: i get why the americans don’t play about the statue of liberty

yourusername: i think they should build one of you in zandvoort

maxverstappen1: and they still wouldn’t worship it as much as i worship you

yourusername: i literally light candles in your name and pray for you with you mum, i think i worship you more sorry

maxverstappen1: the ONLY loss i’ll take

user3: i feel lonely year round because of them but it’s SO much worse during halloween

user4: they are the definition of the couple costume they invented it and they PERFECTED it

landonorris: i thought your apartment was a safe space, why did i get harassed over my costume?

yourusername: it was more of the lack of costume? “streamer” does not count

landonorris: who actually dresses up to carve pumpkins?

maxverstappen1: COOL PEOPLE

yourusername: imagine not dressing up and having an awful pumpkin … could never be me

landonorris: STOP BULLYING ME

maxverstappen1: do better then.

user5: obsessed with how peace and love y/n is for the whole year but as soon as someone doesn’t care about halloween it’s fight time

charles_leclerc: remind me to never accept an invite to a halloween event at the verstappen-l/n household - far TOO much stress

yourusername: but you’re like the only one who deserves an invite to next year because the air max costume slayed

maxverstappen1: i might even let you back on it

charles_leclerc: might???

maxverstappen1: follow me on instagram

yourusername: 2019 was so long ago we really need to move on

danielricciardo: you seriously underestimate just how petty these men are

maxverstappen1

liked by danielricciardo, yourusername and 894,560 others

tagged: yourusername

maxverstappen1: halloween is a full family affair

view all comments

user8: JIMMY AND SASSY I CAN'T

user9: yall looking at the croissant and the lobster i'm focusing on AMY AND NICK?

user10: has max even seen this film?

maxverstappen1: nope i just like doing the costumes y/n wants to do

user11: i wish i had enough friends to have like ten billion halloween parties

oscarpiastri: i didn't know what to expect but i did not think i was going to see alex trying to drown george at the apple bobbing station

yourusername: i let them work out their own mess as long as they don't accidentally flood our living room again

oscarpiastri: AGAIN?

maxverstappen1: f1 drivers are just competitive about apple bobbing as they are about driving

alexalbon: in my defence there is a sick trophy for the champ i simply cannot let anyone else win it

user12: they got a trophy made? and girlies are serious about this?

yourusername: custom trophies for apple bobbing, pumpkin carving and best costume

alexalbon: three time apple bobbing champ right here

charles_leclerc: i'm coming for best costume this year

danielricciardo: pumpkin carving was an easy dub last year

maxverstappen1: but no one has out done us for costumes thus far

yourusername: and that's not bias, there is a democratic voting process x

user13: i need to be in this friendship group right now

yourusername

liked by georgerussell63, maxverstappen1 and 723,409 others

tagged: maxverstappen1

yourusername: it's the most wonderful time of the year ! thanks to everyone who came out and making the spooky season special. p.s. shout out to max who found this wig while going through our costume box and insisted on not taking it off the whole set up.

view all comments

user16: NOOOOO WHY IS HALLOWEEN OVER ALREADY

user17: rip to all of us who were hoping for a sexy y/n x max costume

user18: they heard we wanted sexy and gave us ratatouille i hate their asses

oscarpiastri: okay so lando wasn't lying when he said you guys go insane for halloween

yourusername: i fear not. i hope you enjoyed your dip in the pool, we found you in a guest room in my bath robe at 3am

oscarpiastri: oops.

maxverstappen1: you fared better than others on their rookie halloween appearance, just ask lando and charles

landonorris: you told me there was no alcohol in the jelly so it's not my fault i ate the whole bowl and threw up in your shower

yourusername: wow way to blame the victims there lando, you literally blocked the drain

landonorris: MAX SAID THERE WAS NO ALCOHOL

yourusername: it was labelled with the ingredients. you just can't read

landonorris: no comment

yourusername: and charles got so drunk that he decided he would sleep on the couch but got 'lonely' and insisted on cuddling with us

charles_leclerc: Y/N!!!! YOU SAID YOU'D KEEP THAT A SECRET

maxverstappen1: don't worry we thought it was cute

carlossainz55: wait is that why you came as a "cuddle bug" this year?

charles_leclerc: NO

alexalbon: and that must be why he got best costume RIGGORY

yourusername: no riggory here, you and lily as mavis and jonathon were a close second

user19: i won't rest until i have an invite next year.

maxverstappen1

liked by charles_leclerc, yourusername and 821,309 others

tagged: yourusername

maxverstappen1: sorting the recycling with your head barely attached is always the worst part of halloween

view all comments

user20: drunk max looks like so much fun

yourusername: i think i might drink my weight in coffee today but i need to see the kitchen floor soon before i lose my mind

user21: ma'am i know you're clinging to life rn but can we know who won what?

alexalbon: ALEX ALBON APPLE BOBBING CHAMP FOUR YEARS IN A ROW

charles_leclerc: i won best costume and it's purely because i'm cute cause NO one there knew about my cuddling escapades last year

landonorris: ugh pretty privilege back at it again

charles_leclerc: jealousy is a disease get well soon

oscarpiastri: my pumpkin ended up winning !! turns out people love a kangaroo in the ghostface mask

maxverstappen1: first rookie to win that title (i am so impressed by the kangaroo)

yourusername: you were actually so good you have to help me with all the decorative ones next year

oscarpiastri: i'm in

user21: but who won the real award - most embarrassing moment?

maxverstappen1: daniel got stuck in the door in his inflatable horse/cowboy costume

danielricciardo: NO esteban dressing as the cheese string man was worse

estebanocon: that's real creativity at least i didn't fall asleep in the bath like carlos

yourusername: not to gang up on carlos but the blanket you took in their is damaged beyond repair and i request a replacement

carlossainz55: fair, but it was me, lando and george in the tub

georgerussell63: fake news @carmenmundt

carmenmundt: i was also at the party babe, it was impressive how you all fit in there

user22: the fact they do all of this and race like two weeks later and the teams just deal with it

maxverstappen1: we've done much worse on race weekends

yourusername: someone didn't have to try and get home after abu dhabi 2021, halloween is nothing compared to that

note: a lil halloween one for you all. i also DO NOT PLAY ABOUT HALLOWEEN. and am currently planning my costume lol. just wanted to get a small one out before all my work comes in tomorrow, much love xx

#f1 imagine #f1 x reader #f1 instagram au #f1 #f1 x you #max verstappen imagine #max verstappen fanfic #max verstappen x you #max verstappen instagram au #max verstappen x reader #max verstappen

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creatingblackcharacters · 11 days

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"Let's Have a Talk, First"- Stereotypes, pt 1

Come sit down. You and I, before we get into any of the things I'm sure you're impatient to know: we need to have a come to Jesus talk, first.

There are some things that I've been asked and seen that strengthens my belief that we need to have a reframing of the conversation on stereotypes in media away from something as simple as "how do I find the checklist of stereotypes to avoid". Because race- and therefore racial stereotypes- is a complex construct! Stands to reason then, that seeing, understanding, and avoiding it won't be that simple! I'm going to give you a couple pointers to (hopefully) help you rethink your approach to this topic, and therefore how to apply it when you're writing Black characters- and even when thinking about Black people!

Point #1: DEVELOP THE CHARACTER!! WRITE!!

Excuse my crude language, but let me be blunt: Black people- and therefore Black characters- will get angry at things, and occasionally make bad choices in the heat of the moment. Some of us like to fuck real nasty, some might be dominant in the bedroom, they may even be incredibly experienced! Others of us succumb to circumstance and make poor decisions that lead to crime.

None of those things inherently makes any of us angry Black women and threatening Black men, Jezebels and BBC Mandingos, and gangsters and thugs!

Black people are PEOPLE! Write us as such!

If all Black characters ever did was go outside, say "hi neighbor!" and walk back in the house, we'd be as boring as racist fans often accuse.

I say this because I feel I've seen advice that I feel makes people think writing a Black character that… Emotes negatively, or gets hurt by life and circumstance, or really enjoys hard sex, or really any scenario where they might "look bad" is the issue. I can tell many people think "well if I write that, then it's a stereotype" and to avoid the difficulty, they'll probably end up writing a flat Black character or not writing them at all. Or- and I've seen this too- they'll overcompensate in the other direction, which reveals that they 'wrote a different sort of Black person!' and it comes off just as awkwardly because it means you think that the Black people that do these things are 'bad'. And I hate that, because we're capable of depth, nuance, good, evil, adventure, world domination, all of it!

My point is, if you write your character like the human being they are, while taking care to recognize that you as the writer are not buying into stereotypes with your OWN messaging, you're fine. We have emotions, we have motivations and goals, we make decisions, and we make mistakes, just like anybody else. Write that! Develop your character!

POINT #2: YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE READERS!!

Okay. You can write the GREATEST Black character ever, full of depth, love, nuance, emotional range, all those things…. And people are still going to be racist about them. Sorry. There is absolutely nothing you can do to control a reader coming from that place of bias you sought to avoid. If it's not there, TRUST AND BELIEVE, it'll be projected onto them.

That passionate young Black woman who told the MC to get her head out of her ass? Yeah she's an angry Black bitch now, and bully to the sweet white MC. Maybe a lesbian mommy figure if they like her enough to "redeem" her. That Black gay male lead that treats his partner like he worships the ground he walks on? Yeah he's an abusive thug that needs to die now because he disagreed One Time with his white partner. That Black trans woman who happened to be competing against the white MC, in a story where the white MC makes comparable choices? Ohhhh they're gonna be VILE about that poor woman.

It really hurts- most especially as a Black fan and writer- knowing that you have something amazing to offer (as a person and creative) and people are gonna spit on that and call it "preference". That they can project themselves onto white characters no matter what, but if you project your experiences onto black characters, it's "pandering", "self insert", "woke", "annoying", "boring", and other foul things we've all gotten comments of.

But expect that it's gonna happen when you write a Black character, again, especially if you're a Black writer. If you're not Black, it won't hurt as personally, but it will probably come as a shock when you put so much effort in to create a lovely character and people are just ass about them. Unfortunately, that is the climate of fandom we currently exist in.

My favorite example is of Louis De Pointe Du Lac from AMC's Interview With The Vampire. Louis is actually one of the best depictions of the existential horror that is being Black in a racist White world I have ever seen written by mostly nonblack people. It was timeless; I related to every single source of racist pain he experienced.

People were HORRIFIC about Louis.

It didn't matter that he was well written and what he symbolized; many white viewers did NOT LIKE this man. There's a level of empathy and understanding that Black characters in particular don't receive in comparison to white counterparts, and that's due to many of those stereotypes and systemic biases I'm going to talk about.

My point is, recognize that while yes, you as the author have a duty to write a character thoughtfully as you can, it's not going to stop the response of the ignorant. Writing seeking to get everyone to understand what you were trying to do… Sisyphean effort. It's better to focus on knowing that YOU wrote something good, that YOU did not write the stereotype that those people are determined to see.

POINT #3: WHY is something a stereotype?

While there are lists of stereotypes against Black people in media and life that can be found, I would appreciate if people stopped approaching it as just a list of things you can check off to avoid. You can know what the stereotypes are, sure, but if you don't understand WHY they're a problem and how they play into perception of us, you'll either end up writing a flat character trying to avoid that list, or you're going to write other things related to that stereotype because "oh its not item #1"... and it'll still be racist.

For example: if you wrote a "sassy Black woman" that does a z formation neck rotation just because a store manager asked her something… that's probably stereotype. If you thought of a character that needed to be "loudmouthed", "sassy", and "strong" and a dark-skinned black woman was automatically what fit the profile in your mind, ding ding ding! THAT'S where you need to catch your racist biases.

But a dark-skinned Black woman character cursing out a store manager because she's had a really bad, stressful day and their attitude towards her pushed her over the edge may be in the wrong, but she's not an "angry Black woman". She's a Black woman that's angry! And if you wrote the day she had to be as bad as would drive anyone to overstimulation and anxiety, the blow up will make sense! The development and writing behind her led to this logical point (which connects to point #1!)

I'm not going to provide a truly exhaustive list of Black stereotypes in media because that would ACTUALLY be worth a college credited class and I do this for free lmao. But I am going to provide some classic examples that can get y'all started on your own research.

POINT #4: WATCH BLACK NARRATIVES!

As always, I'm gonna push supporting Black creators, because that's the best way to see the range of what you'd like. You want to see Black villains? We got those! Black heroes? Black antiheroes? Assholes, lovers, comedians, depressed, criminals, kings, and more? They exist! You can get inspired by watching those movies and reading those books, see how WE depict us!

I've seen mixed reviews on it, BUT- I personally really enjoyed Swarm, because it was one of the first times I'd ever seen that "unhinged obsessed murderous Black fan girl" concept. Tumblr usually loves that shit lmao. Even the "bites you bites you bites you [thing I love]" thing was there. And she liked girls, too. Just saying. I thought it was a fun idea that I'd love to see more of. Y'all gotta give us a chance to be in these roles, to tell these tales. We can do it too, and you'd enjoy it if you tried to understand it!

POINT#5: You are NOT Black!

This is obvious lmao, but if you're not Black, there's no need to pretend. There's no need to think "oh well I have to get a 100% perfect depiction of the Black person's mind". That's… That's gonna look cringe, at its best. You don't have to do that in order to avoid stereotypes. You're not going to be able to catch every nuance because it's not your lived experience, nor is it the societally enforced culture. Just… Do what you can, and if you feel like it's coming off hokey… Maybe consider if you want to continue this way lol. If you know of any Black beta readers or sensitivity reviewers, that'd be a good time to check in!

For example, if your Black character is talking about "what's good my homie" and there's absolutely no reason for him to be speaking that way other than to indicate that he's Black… 😬 I can't stop you but… Are you sure?

An egregious example of a TERRIBLE way to write a Black character is the "What If: Miles Morales/Thor" comic. I want to emphasize the lack of good Black character design involved in some of these PROFESSIONAL art spaces, because that MARVEL comic PASSED QA!! That comic went past NUMEROUS sets of eyes and was APPROVED!! IT GOT RELEASED!! NO ONE STOPPED IT!!

I'm sorry, it was just so racist-ly bad that it was hilarious. Like you couldn't make that shit up.

Anyway, unfortunately that's how some of y'all sound trying to write AAVE. I promise that we speak the Queen's English too lmao. If you're worried you won't get it right, just use the standard form of English. It's fine! Personally, I'd much rather you do that than try to 'decode AAVE' if you don't know how to use it.

My point is, if you're actively "forcing" yourself to "think Black"… maybe you need to stand down and reconsider your approach lmao. This is why understanding the stereotypes and social environment behind them will help you write better, because you can incorporate that Blackness- without having to verbally "emphasize how Black this is"- into their character, motivations, and actions.

Conclusion

We need to reconsider how we approach the concepts of stereotypes when writing our Black characters. The goal is not to cross off a checklist of things to avoid per se, but to understand WHY we have to develop our Black characters well enough to avoid incorporating them into our writing. Give your Black characters substance- we're human beings! We have motivations and fears and desires! We're not perfect, but we're not inherently flawed because of our race. That's what makes the difference!

And as always, and really in particular for this topic, it's the thought that counts, but the action that delivers!

#creatingblackcharacters #character design #black characters #black character design #black culture

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another-lost-mc · 8 months

Text

a/n: this is for a friend that celebrated a birthday this week. I hope it was a good one! 🎉

when it's mc's birthday | the demon brothers

2.6k words | nsfw | gn!reader | fluff and non-explicit smut

cw: my fav bias is showing again. mostly soft!demons. car sex; levi's tail gets its own warning; bathing together and bath tub sex; dream magic and implied dream sex.

Lucifer plans your birthday with the utmost care. He booked a reservation at your favourite restaurant so that he can treat you to an intimate dinner. He remembered the various items you've pointed out to him in the past while browsing through the Devildom's shopping district. He went back and bought every single one of them, and they're already wrapped and tucked away in the back of his closet for later.

After he walks you home from the restaurant, there's a bottle of Demonus on ice waiting in his room. You share a toast while he watches you open your gifts. You kiss his cheek, eyes shimmery and warm with so much affection, and he can't resist the urge to kiss you properly. A soft, booze-sweetened kiss leads to another kiss, and another, and another after that. He strips your clothes off slowly, like he's unwrapping a gift of his own. He memorizes the sight of your body stretched languidly against his dark sheets. He almost feels selfish for a moment because he wants you so desperately, but the lust simmering in your gaze makes his heart race. He knows how much you want him too, and he's powerless to deny you.

The first time he makes love to you, it's heat and frenzied passion, the build-up of coy anticipation that finally boiled over. He reaches for you throughout the night between quiet conversation and short naps. Each time he pulls your body close to his again, his lips whisper tender confessions against the delicate shell of your ear while he worships your body with his over and over again.

Mammon isn't very subtle. In the days leading up to your birthday, he asks random questions about things you might like or activities you're interested in. He wants to get a head start and beat his brothers to the punch. His fake nonchalance isn't convincing, but it's still endearing how much he truly cares. Who else should celebrate your birthday if not him? He's your first, and he's not going to let anyone else spoil you more than he does.

He tries to budget his money and curb his spending so he can afford whatever it is you ask for. If that fails, he takes on some less-than-prestigious part-time gigs for extra cash. You could ask him for the world and he'd find a way to scrimp and save and scavenge and steal if he has to so he can give you whatever you want. He doesn’t realize (or doesn't believe) that his company is what makes your birthday really special.

He dresses up nice and polishes his car to a high-shine to match your own stunning smile and natural radiance. It doesn’t matter what you wear because when he tells you how gorgeous you are, he’s so sincere. You outshine all the riches and jewels he used to dream about—now he dreams of you instead.

He takes you on a date that's sweet and light-hearted. He holds your hand and stares at you across the table with a dopey grin on his face when he thinks you're not looking. Once you're alone in his car, that boyish giddiness fades into something greedy and confident. You meet him halfway when he leans over to give you a kiss. When kissing isn't enough for either of you, you push the seat back so he can climb over and settle between your legs. He takes you apart in the cramped front seat of his car until your voice is hoarse and you push him away from sensitivity. The car smells musky with sweat and cum and he doesn't care that you made a bit of a mess on the seat. He palms himself on the drive home, and by the time you get to his room, he's eager to do it all over again in the comfort of his bed.

Levi isn't sure what to do for your birthday, but you offer to plan a little outing for the two of you. All he has to do is keep you company, right? He braces himself with a mantra he repeats over and over in his head: do it for them, do it for them, do it and LIKE IT because you love them. It ends up being a lot more fun than he expects: a lunch date at one of the cafes you both like followed by a movie you’ve been excited to see. You don’t make fun of his sweaty palm when you hold hands in line to buy movie tickets and overpriced snacks at the concession bar. There's a cute plushie on display where they sell collectible merch. He buys that for you too and shoves it into your arms before you can protest.

He relaxes when you take your seats and the theatre lighting dims as the movie starts. You lean against his shoulder and he's glad you can't see how pink his cheeks are. Partway through the film, he decides he likes the movie, but not as much as he enjoys your warm fingers laced with his.

He jolts suddenly when you pull your hand away and slide your fingers onto his denim-clad thigh instead. Your fingers squeeze with the tiniest bit of pressure and he nearly gasps at the unexpected wave of lust that washes over him. He glances at you in confusion—you're still focused on the screen, but he can see the little smile curling the edge of your mouth. He squirms a little and pretends not to notice your fingers drawing lazy circle-eights across his jeans, inching higher up his leg when he doesn’t stop you. And you're right, he's not going to stop you. You run a fingertip over the growing bulge hardening against the zipper of his jeans, just as you feel his tail slide onto your lap and tease the sensitive skin between your legs.

Satan decides to take a different approach when he sees how overwhelmed you are by his brothers' plans for your birthday. Sometimes simple is best and what could be more relaxing or romantic than your favourite home-cooked meal? He fusses in the kitchen until everything is cooked exactly to your liking, and the dish he serves you looks as good as it smells. His room is tidied enough so that a small table fits—he doesn’t want the others bothering you if he serves you in the dining room. There are dozens of candles that cast you both in an ethereal glow while you eat together. His room might not offer the rich ambience of Ristorante Six or the electric atmosphere of The Fall, but nothing outshines the romance he creates here, just for you.

Once dinner is finished and he tidies up the mess, he pulls you to your feet and wraps his arms around you in a slow dance. It's more like swaying back and forth together as a classical record plays quietly in the background. Candlelight flickers playfully along the walls of his room, and your face is painted by a mirage of shadow and flame. He eagerly traces those shapes on your skin with his tongue after he lays you on his bed, and by the time you're shaking and falling apart in his arms, you'll know how much he loves you.

Your birthday is another chance for Asmo to spoil you. Throughout the afternoon, he leads you to each of his favourite boutiques in the Devildom's shopping district. He holds up dozens of clothes against your body and admires how the colours bring out your eyes or compliment your complexion or how luxurious the fabrics are. He pretends that he didn't pick all these out to show you (and buy them for you) in advance.

When he finally takes you to Majolish, his greatest gift is revealing that he personally designed this outfit specially for you. It fits flawlessly and even you think you look amazing. It’s obvious that he poured his love and passion into creating this for you when no one else ever has before. It’s almost overwhelming, the way his smile radiates warmth when he looks at you. His eyes burn with all the ravenous love he feels for you. He loses control of himself and kisses you, pressing you against the changing room wall and sliding his thigh between yours. He doesn't want to stop, but he doesn’t have the time or space to touch you properly here. When he pulls his leg out from between yours, he misses the searing heat of your body against his. Perhaps it’s for the best that he take you home first—he would hate to get stains on your new outfit so soon.

(He originally planned on taking you to The Fall but he changed his mind. He’s not in the mood to share you with anyone else tonight.)

When he takes you home, he leads you straight to his private bathroom and urges you to get undressed while he gets everything ready. He draws a warm bath and the steamy air clings to you both like a second skin. You feel self-conscious about being naked even though he stands before you, waist-deep in the bathwater and just as naked as you are. He takes your hand and pulls you gently into the water with him. He supports your weight when you lean against his chest and his hands start to wander over your body. His fingers leave a soapy trail up and down your spine. He cradles your neck and leans forward, capturing your lips in another kiss because he can't possibly wait anymore.

The kiss reignites both your desperate desires to touch and be touched. He walks you back towards the edge of the tub. When your back touches the cool marble stone, he reaches behind your thighs and lifts you onto the edge; he swallows your half-hearted protest with his lips moving greedily against yours. His mouth moves away from yours, ghosting along the curve of your jaw and down your neck while his fingers gently pry your legs apart. He bends his head low once you’re spread open for him, hot and trembling and all his. His eyes glow bright when you tangle your fingers in his hair, and it’s the last thing you see before he dips his head between your legs.

It's not surprising that Beel plans to take you out for dinner on your birthday. It's a tricky proposition because it's easy for him to lose control of his hunger when he goes out to eat. He doesn't want his sin to ruin your birthday dinner, so he eats a meal's worth of food beforehand. Having a partially-full stomach means he's not going to be completely distracted by hunger—he wants to focus on you.

He likes taking you to nice restaurants and your birthday is no exception. You put on a new outfit he’s never seen you wear before, but it looks so good on you that he's drooling from the corner of his mouth before you even leave the house. The restaurant is cozy and everything on the menu sounds delicious. Your nose bunches up adorably when you can't decide what to order, and Beel suggests ordering one of everything. He laughs deep in his belly when you glance at him skeptically over the brim of your menu. His eyes are bright with mischief even though you know he's dead-serious. He simply grins at you from across the table and reminds you that he won't let the food wouldn’t go to waste.

It doesn't take long for your food to arrive. Beel enjoys watching you eat while you make little sounds of contentment between bites. He offers you food from his own plate to try. When your plate is empty, he worries you might still be hungry; he's only satisfied when you promise that you're close to bursting and completely full. He leads you out of the restaurant by the hand, and his other hand carries a bag full of leftovers to share with you tomorrow.

When he walks you home, he doesn't want to seem needy or presumptuous even though he's reluctant to end the night so soon. He pauses outside your door and kisses you softly, whispering happy birthday against your lips that still taste sweet from your dessert earlier. He can’t resist swiping his tongue across the seam of your mouth for one more taste, and the kiss deepens when you part your lips for him. You only break the kiss just long enough to open your door and pull him inside your room before slamming the door shut again. Your hands tug impatiently at his waist, and he shivers at the metallic clink of his belt buckle coming undone. He can sense hunger rising inside you again, and when he pushes you gently onto the mattress and covers your body with his own, he realizes your appetite is as insatiable as his own.

Belphie doesn't mind if the others want to take the initiative and plan your birthday party. He prefers it that way, actually. When his brothers ask for his input, he recommends something casual at the house, nothing too fancy. He wants you to be happy and relaxed and spoiled where you can be comfortable.

He sneaks into town to buy you a gift before the party, of course—something you mentioned to him in passing once that was too expensive for you to justify buying at the time. He and Beel wrap the presents they bought you in their room. Belphie's present looks insignificant compared to the large pile of gifts stacked near your birthday cake. He's not worried, especially when your eyes light up when you open it. You're just as appreciative of his small gift as you are of the others you receive. He knows you so well.

(You keep the contents of his card to yourself: a reminder that he has something special to give you later.)

Sometimes when he takes you to the attic for bed, he falls back against the mattress and waits impatiently for you to crawl on top of him. There's no hint of his lazy smugness tonight though. His hands are gentle but efficient when he strips your clothes away first before taking off his own. He follows you down onto the bed and smothers your body with his. The soft mattress cushions you when he grinds against you, and it squeaks from the force of his thrusts when he rocks inside you too. Your skin is littered with the little marks he sucks and nibbles into your skin. He cleans you with a warm, damp cloth after because your thighs and belly are covered in a sticky mess of you and him. He takes care of you with so much tenderness. You’re already snoring lightly by the time he's finished, and he cuddles against you with a yawn.

Shortly after you fall asleep, you dream of him. It’s a shared illusion between you conjured with the sleepy brand of magic he commands. You writhe against him in your sleep as the embers of lust continue to burn deep inside you. When the dream ends, you both wake up and instinctively reach for each other as the remnants of the dream fades away. He kisses you breathless despite your stale morning breath. You whimper against his mouth and he rolls over until you're underneath him again. After indulging in a night of dreamy, lustful sins, you're both still desperately eager for more.