#and if he has the force that likely supplemented his abilities

[beskarfrog]

#dinluke #digital art #dinluke art #the mandalorian #clan of three #force sensitive din #he's trying his best #its not very good lol #between din and grogu the baby is definitely the better student #look im not saying that din would have former gifted kid burnout when studying the force #but that is exactly what im saying #like to be the covert's source of income he must have been a fantastic mandalorian #and if he has the force that likely supplemented his abilities #so going into force training with luke he's expecting to pick it up easy just like always #but whoops he's actually just average and he is now struggling with that #grogu is just happy to have his dad do lessons too #this doodle has grown legs and lore sorry lol

[charliemwrites]

A continuation of this:

Outside time is heavily monitored but fairly regular. Simon keeps nearby and you learned early on that he’s more than capable of crossing the yard in the time it takes for you to even consider trying to scale the tall fence. It’s one of the only times he’s actually put hands on you, carefully restraining you and then letting go once you were both safely inside again. You sported one, singular bruise that he fussed over despite your hissing and cursing.

What about when he’s away on missions? He has the ability to call you, and you him, though you don’t. He preps well in advance for being gone. Frozen stews that you can heat up. Pre-cut meat if you want to cook. Frozen veggies aren’t GREAT, but he’s left some vitamin supplements and dried fruits.

When he gets back, he always gives you a once over. Usually from afar, but if he sees something that concerns him, he’ll have to try to coax you closer. After the first two times he cornered you just to inspect a stupid bruise, you learned to tolerate the poking and prodding with minimal snarling, biting, and yanking.

He’s got a plan if something happens to him too. Johnny will, of course, take over your care.

You didn’t think you could get angrier at anyone more than Simon, until he brings a strange Scottish man into your HOME, the place you’re SAFE. And the man takes one look at you, whistles, and murmurs, “isn’t she a beaut?”

You may or may not try to strangle him with his own dog tags. Simon may or may not laugh at his dumb friend before expertly prying you off. You take a bite out of him too, but he’s used to it by now. Just shakes out his arm and ushers you off, chuckling “go sulk in a corner, little one.”

And you do, but not because he told you to. In fact, you make it a point to scowl at Johnny the entire time he’s there, always just within view but far, far away. You’re pissed at Simon too. Can’t believe there’s TWO of them now.

When Johnny finally leaves, Simon tries to coax you from your room - there are no locks, but he understands what it means when you’ve cocooned yourself on the high bunk of your bed.

“You’re not going to come down?” He croons.

“Fuck off,” you grumble.

“Not even if I have a peace offering?”

You poke your head out and lean over the railing a bit, peering down narrow-eyed and terribly grumpy. Simon forces himself not to coo at you, it’ll just make you crankier. He holds up a new book - one you’ve been talking about wanting.

“Have something to go with this if you come down,” he entreats.

And well, you’re hungry anyway. So you clamber down, wrinkling your nose when he tries to scratch behind your ear. Then he leads you out, to the back of the house which has been blocked off for the last month. There’s a new door - he pops it open, revealing a closed in patio.

“Plexiglass,” he explains as you creep outside. “So you’ll be safe but can still see the yard.”

It’ll get a lot of light, you’ll see the rain. There are little tables and cushions and a daybed with blankets. It’s - damn him - perfect.

“Is… he coming by again?” you ask, feeling at a soft pillow.

“Johnny? Probably not, unless I die.”

You twist, looking alarmed.

“Not likely to happen,” he soothes, ruffling your hair just to see you pout and swat at him. “Have someone relying on me after all.”

You blush again. You’ve been doing that a lot. He lets you snatch the book from his hands.

“Unless you want him to come by again? You could use a little socializing, feral thing.”

He’s right, but Simon is barely tolerable, never mind is friends.

“Hmph.”

“Alright, maybe in a couple weeks.”

#my writing #cod #fanfiction #reader fic #thoughts™️ #simon ghost riley #ghost x reader #x reader #dark fic

[squash1]

currently obsessing over the dreamer trilogy being an extended metaphor for maggie’s chronic illness/chronic illness in general. maggie’s body was unable to make cortisol — a substance necessary for life. a lack of cortisol causes extreme fatigue — a clear parallel to a dreamer or dream being alseep because of a lack of ley energy. maggie got sick while writing the raven king and as a result she wasn’t able to create what she needed to. in greywaren, when the ley line shuts down, ronan is unable to create what he needs to. like maggie, ronan’s identity is centered around creating — it is the thing that sustains him (if he doesn’t create, the nightwash will kill him). ronan ends up literally stuck in his own brain, in this liminal space between being alive & human or being dead & otherworldly. he is aware that life is continuing — in fact there are many moments where ronan desperately wants to wake up, to come back to reality but cannot because without the ley line he cannot exist as he was. in many ways this is what having a chronic illness is like; it is watching life continue without you, an unwilling observer to all that you cannot have.

while looking back at the tdt dedications i reread the mister impossible dedication that says: “to the magicians who woke me from my thousand-year slumber.” to me this seems like a direct parallel between maggie’s illness and dreamers being asleep and ultimately the ability to wake from that sleep with help from other people. in greywaren, ronan finally wakes up after both choosing to exist not knowing what his life will look like, and after hennessy tattoos one of the strongest sweetmetals onto his arm. sweetmetals in this instance signify medication or treatment of some kind. sweetmetals are not a permanent fix. they do not last forever, they’re expensive and hard to acquire but they functionally match the ley line — the life force you are born with. in maggie’s case, she is woken from her sleep by doctors who are able to supplement what her body cannot produce.

what i find extremely interesting is the connection art/creating/dreaming has especially in the context of illness. it’s incredibly circular. sweetmetals are usually art pieces of some kind — they don’t have to be masterpieces, they just have to mean something to someone — and they are able to sustain dreams (or in ronan’s case a dreamer/dream). which means in a moment where ronan is not able to create, it is another person’s creation that saves him. when used as a metaphor for medicine/treatment you get this message of the interconnectedness of human lives; the way we all rely on one another for survival. maggie survives because there are people who have found treatments that work. ronan survives because someone created ink that functions as a sweetmental, and someone else stole it for him, and someone else decorated him with it for his protection. they give this to him so he can continue to live & create and hopefully help someone else with his creations, just like maggie is able to help all of us by continuing to write and create.

#this is all said from someone with a chronic illness #(sorry this was so long omg) #i have been thinking about this nonstop #tdt #greywaren #ronan lynch #maggie steifvater #call down the hawk #mister impossible #greywaren spoilers #trc #adam parrish #the raven cycle #blue sargent #richard campbell gansey iii #adam and ronan #pynch #the raven boys #blue lily lily blue #henry cheng #the dream thieves #gangsey #the gangsey #blusey #declan lynch #matthew lynch #hennessy #jordan hennessy #mine #ouch

[semisolidmind]

Since this was gonna be longer than a standard ask, I thought I'd submit it instead.

Here are my human x mascot OCs for Fuwa Fuwa Pandemic

Sakiko "Kiki" Djobo

They/she

Has a Togolese father and a Japanese mother. Raised primarily in the U.S. but spent a lot of time with family in their parents' home countries growing up.

Kiki was able to get a job as an English teacher at a Japanese school that happened to be close to where her maternal grandparents lived, so she spent some time visiting them before her job officially started. That is, unfortunately, when everything went down.

Kiki ends up escaping an encounter with a mascot, but her grandparents sacrificed themselves to save her. They hid her in an old bunker in the house, where she stayed until the threat of starvation forced her out.

Eventually, she meets up with a group of survivors, mostly around her age, who are trying to find the perfect place to settle, where there are few mascots or where they can more easily defend themselves from attacks.

The group travels far, but eventually they come across an old farm near a city that seems to be mostly left alone at this time and decide to make it their homebase. Kiki, who likes to garden, and a grad student who was studying industrial agriculture convince the group to try and farm it for a steady source of food. There's even a stream that bisects the farmland, a stable source of water they can exploit for themselves and the crops.

Suiko

He/him

Suiko is an apex mascot, inspired by a mythical water creature that, according to folk tradition, inhabited that very creek, the Kappa.

Because the mascot he was based on was actually made of waterproof materials, Suiko is one of the only mascots who has the ability to swim, as his skin is naturally smooth and watertight.

His swimming prowess has allowed him to supplement his carnivorous diet with water creatures, such as fish and frogs. But he'll drown a human if he's hungry enough and the opportunity presents itself. Transient survivors are often drawn to the creek because it's a good water source.

If he's not that hungry or he's too tired to hunt, he may engage survivors in polite conversation, but they should still be wary of him.

How They Met

At first, Suiko enjoys his solitary life, but he begins to grow lonely. Until, one day, a group of survivors overtakes the recently abandoned farm that surrounds his part of the creek. He revels in the prospect of a steady source of meals for the next week or so.

But one of them comes to the creek to do laundry, and he has to admit, he finds them kind of attractive. And he's not that hungry at the moment, so he reveals himself and promises not to hurt them if they don't try to run from him.

The human hesitantly agrees, eventually introducing herself as Sakiko, or Kiki, for short. Even though this mascot is polite to her, she can't help but feel disappointed that her group might have to move again. Until she remembers a bit of folklore about Kappas; they love cucumbers. And the farm has a few cucumber plants that are putting out fruits like crazy. So Kiki promises to come back and give him one. He's a little skeptical, but he lets her go because he's genuinely curious about this exalted "cucumber."

Kiki leaves to put the clothes out to dry and comes back with a handful. Suiko's face lights up when he tries the strange fruit and he becomes somewhat obsessed with them.

So he and Kiki strike a deal that, if she brings him cucumbers whenever she can and talks with him for a while, he'll leave the other survivors alone and will hide from them while continuing to defend his territory from rival mascots.

—————-

they sit by the river and “talk” (suiko talks, kiki listens and tries not to think about how easily he could tear her apart)

#submission #click for quality cause mobile is stupid #semisolid ocs #fuwa fuwa pandemic #kappa are some interesting monsters

[bloodofvalyriaarchive]

time for some dnd heavy theorizing about our beloved eddie, the banished

as we all know, we saw eddie die in the upside down, where his body was left. assuming this since there has been no proof of his death or whereabouts in the public eye. but what if there was a way he could be brought back? what if there was a way vecna brought him back?

there is a character in DnD named kas the bloody handed. he was once a human turned vampire during a battle against vecna, as his former first lieutenant turned betrayer. while i understand its not likely we will see eddie roaming hawkin’s as a vampire - this means that kas was at one point vecna’s puppet. all of the creatures in stranger things have their DnD counterpart who don’t LITERALLY have all the attributes of said counterpart. before eddie is killed by bats (a link to kas’ vampirism in DnD) he plays master of puppets by metallica. which you would think has no literal bearing on the story at hand... unless that is foreshadowing eddie’s fate in the upside down after death. eddie has bats tattooed on his arm, along with the master of puppets himself.

and not only that but while eddie is fighting and is eventually slain in the upside down, hopper picks up a sword which has a striking resemblance to the sword of kas. and imo there was a lot of emphasis on it as hopper picked it up off the ground... based on the prior fights that had happened in the pit there literally could have been anything there, an axe or WHATEVER. (there was actually nothing in the pit when joyce and hopper got down there so it almost seemed like it appeared in front of him, but that could be an oversight on the show productions part.) but THIS sword is what hopper picks up from the ground, as eddie is in the upside down keeping the bats off to the best of his ability.

A BIT OF A RESEMBLANCE, NO? i’m going share some stuff from the kas section of the greyhawk wiki.

“Kas is perhaps best known for the infamous artifact that bears his name, the Sword of Kas. The Sword of Kas first appeared in the Original D&D supplement, Eldritch Wizardry.  It was one of the first artifacts detailed for the Dungeons & Dragons game. The sword has been updated many times and has even been the object of quests as in the adventure Vecna Lives. The sword, variously described as a short sword, longsword, or greatsword, was crafted by Vecna. The blade is said to have been magically honed to a razor's edge, enhanced the wielder's strength, and could be used to call down lightning bolts from any storm clouds that might be overhead. The sword itself is intelligent, possessing a vile and murderous spirit. “

“After years of loyal service to Vecna, Kas eventually turned betrayer. It is said that the sword itself whispered to Kas, convincing him to slay his master and usurp his power. The battle destroyed Vecna's Rotting Tower, cost the lich his left hand and eye, and Kas himself was flung across the multiverse to Vecna's Citadel Cavitius on the Quasielemental Plane of Ash. The time he spent so close to the Negative Energy Plane changed him into a vampire, and he decided he would be called "Kas the Destroyer." “

eddie, the banished → eddie, the bloody handed → eddie, the destroyer

“When Vecna was defeated during his bid for control of Oerth, Kas was freed from his centuries of imprisonment, only to find himself facing a shapeless wall of mist. When it cleared, he was master of the domain of Tovag, across the Burning Peaks from Vecna's domain of Cavitius. Kas waged an endless war of attrition with Vecna's forces in the hopes of retrieving the Sword of Kas from Vecna's citadel, where he erroneously believed Vecna held it.”

“According to Dragon #341, when Vecna escaped from Cavitius, both realms were destroyed (explaining, in-fiction, their absence from 3rd edition Ravenloft). Kas was caught up in the destruction and very nearly obliterated; he survives only as a vestige, a soul outside time and space whose powers can be used by users of magic known as binders.”

i think there is a very high possibility we will see eddie munson, albeit changed, in season 5. there is also an additional theory linked to peter gabriel’s cover of “heroes” which plays in season one when it is believed that will has passed after his decoy body was found in the lake. this song also played after hopper “died” in season 3.. this song is also apparently heard after eddie has passed in the upside down. i’m not sure if this is confirmed because i was literally bawling my eyes out after and could have missed it so if anyone has an answer to this, please let me know!!

anyways with all of this symbolism it would be honestly pretty bonkers if it’s not true. this would give eddie a chance to fight in hawkin’s against vecna, in front of everyone, finally proving who he really was in life. even if at the end of it he is also destroyed. i know we all miss our boy and i just think this would be such a cool way to finish his arc as a true and known hero. which is what he DESERVES!

#eddie munson #st4 spoilers #stranger things 4 #stranger things volume 2 #stranger things theory #stranger things meta #stranger things #dungeons & dragons #vecna #kas the bloody handed #sword of kas

[channiebelly]

Ooh, maybe a Wonwoo Chan where Wonwoo is already the feedee in the pair and has gotten comfortably big but his habits rub off on Chan who starts to blow up and enjoys the weight that he's putting. Wonwoo notices and starts to encourage and feed Chan so that they both just mutually gain instead of one focusing on the other.

Ooh this is such a good idea! I hope you like this.

Ship: Wonchan

Word count: 1.4k

As Wonwoo has packed on the pounds, getting him enough food has become harder and harder, but this place makes it easier.

Twice a week, Wonwoo and Chan go out to a local burger place. The burgers are massive, and not too expensive, so it's the perfect way to supplement Wonwoo's calorie intake.

They walk into the restaurant and Wonwoo immediately goes to take his seat at one of the tables while Chan goes up to order. They always sit at this same table; Chan sits on the booth side and Wonwoo sits on the other side on a chair that gives his belly pretty of space to expand. They have a routine.

Chan orders a burger for them each, always the same thing. For Wonwoo, it's the works, the largest burger they sell. For Chan, it's the chicken burger, not as big but still impressive. He also orders Wonwoo a large milkshake and himself a soft drink.

Chan comes back to the table and takes his seat. They chat idley as they wait for the food to come out.

The food is quick, and that's when the conversation stops, both of them too focused on eating to talk.

Wonwoo wolfs his down as fast as he can, and then drinks his milkshake. When he's done, he waits for Chan to finish so he can order Wonwoo another one.

Chan finishes his burger. Wonwoo is shocked. The burgers are massive. Truly enormous. Even Chan's smaller one is way bigger than average. When they started coming here five or so months ago Chan could only eat half, maybe two thirds of the burger. But now he's finished the whole thing.

Wonwoo wants to point it out but Chan goes to order Wonwoo's second meal before he can. It's another one of the massive works burgers. But this time there's a change to the routine; when the food comes out, there's a side of fries.

"What are the fries for?" Wonwoo asks.

"Me," Chan says, pulling them towards himself. "Watching you eat makes me hungry, so I had to get myself something too." He takes a big swipe of ketchup on a thick fry and sticks it in his mouth. "Eat your burger."

When did Chan develop the ability to eat so much? Wonwoo has been so focused on how much he eats and packing food into his own stomach, that he hasn't been focused on Chan. The order of fries is definitely a new thing, but how long has Chan been able to finish the burger by himself?

Wonwoo's habits have really been rubbing off on him.

Wonwoo notices something similar the next day. Chan cooks a thick, creamy pasta for dinner. When Wonwoo looks at Chan's portion, he notices for the first time how large it is.

Any portion would look small in comparison to the amount of food piled onto Wonwoo's plate, but when he looks at Chan's in isolation he realises how much Chan has been eating.

He wonders if Chan even notices.

Chan finishes his plate, and even goes back for seconds.

The same thing happens a few days later. Wonwoo is on the couch, stuffing himself with a massive heavy chocolate cake while Chan encourages him. But Chan has a slice of cake too, and in between praising Wonwoo, and encouraging to eat more, he's taking bites.

Usually, when stuffing, Wonwoo loses track of everything except the taste of the food and the satisfying feeling of his belly getting heavier and heavier, but today he forces himself to take notice of Chan.

Chan must eat at least three slices. Wonwoo's a bit miffed; that's food that he could've eaten, but at the same time, he thinks it's incredibly hot.

On Friday night, they go to a buffet. It's their favourite buffet, and they go here every week like clockwork.

Chan will deliver Wonwoo plate after plate and Wonwoo loves the feeling of losing control; of Chan deciding exactly what he has to eat and when.

But this time he pays more attention to what Chan's eating, and notices that every two or three times Chan goes up to refill Wonwoo's plate, he's refilling his own plate too.

By his count, Wonwoo eats eight plates, and Chan eats three. Three plates piled high with food.

Wonwoo's standards for what counts as a lot of food have been a bit destorted since he started consciously gaining, but he can still realise that that's a lot more food than the average person eats in one sitting.

Fuck, he's really rubbed off on Chan.

When they get home, Chan has to help Wonwoo get ready for bed. That amount of food always makes Wonwoo lethargic and clumsy, and Chan has to help him slip off his clothes, get into his pyjamas and brush his teeth. Wonwoo loves it.

Wonwoo has been gaining for around nine months now, and has put on a significant amount of weight. When he started he was around 155 pounds, but now he's more than doubled it. He has an impressive belly that has begun to droop down to cover his waist band, enormous thighs that have forced his walk to become a waddle, two chunky moobs that rest on the shelf of his belly and very chubby cheeks.

He loves the way he looks how, and Chan loves it too. Wonwoo has never felt more sexy than he does at 320 pounds.

Usually, he conks out as soon as his head hits the pillow but today he watches Chan get changed. He's noticed just how much Chan's been eating and wants to know how much his body has changed.

When Chan turns side on, Wonwoo almost gasps. Chan's belly is enormous. It's a taut dome that is impossible to ignore. Chan used to have a flat stomach so this is a massive change.

Wonwoo watches as Chan gingerly presses a finger into his side and it barely moves. He must be completely stuffed. Chan then runs a hand over the curve as he watches himself in the mirror.

Wonwoo wonders if Chan did this on purpose, or whether it was unintentional. He doesn't know which one he finds hotter.

Chan turns around a Wonwoo is given a full view of his backside. Chan has always had a nice butt, but it has definitely grown bigger. Shit, he's so hot.

Wonwoo surveys the rest of Chan's body. The stomach and the butt seem to be the only changes so far.

Chan has definitely noticed his body change, but Wonwoo doesn't know how he feels about it. He vows to bring it up to him tomorrow.

Chan slips into bed and attaches himself to Wonwoo's back. Wonwoo can feel the solid mass of his stomach pressing into his back. It feels good.

The next morning, after breakfast, Wonwoo is sat on the couch. "Chan, can you come here? I want to talk to you about something."

Chan walks over, and Wonwoo stares at his belly. It's extremely obvious through his shirt, which is almost stretched tight around the widest point. How did Wonwoo not notice it before?

Chan sits down next to him. "What's up?" His belly is almost resting on his lap.

"I noticed that you've been eating a lot more, and you've put on quite a bit of weight." Wonwoo reaches out and palms Chan's belly briefly, which even now is surprisingly solid. Chan blushes a deep red. "I just wanted to know how you feel about it?"

"Oh," Chan says. "I think at first, I didn't notice how much I was eating because anything compared to you looks small, but then I noticed this," he points to his belly, "and I actually really liked it. So I just kept eating as much as I felt like."

"I really like your belly too," Wonwoo says. He puts both of his hands back on Chan's belly and rubs small circles into it. Chan stifles a moan.

"I'm sorry for not mentioning it to you. I know you were really into the size difference between us, but it just happened."

"You have nothing to apologise for, sweetheart. It's your body, you can do what you want. And, yes, I was into our size difference, but I am also really into watching you get bigger."

"Really?" Chan asks.

"Definitely. How about this? Tonight, we can go back to the burger place, and you have to order two burgers, just like me. We can't leave until you finish them both."

Chan presses his belly further into Wonwoo's hands. "Okay," he says, breathlessly.

Wonwoo stands up and pulls Chan to his feet so they can kiss. Their bellies press into each other and Wonwoo feels a rush of arousal.

Chan with a belly is perhaps the best thing to ever happen to him.

#kpop feederism #svt feederism #fat wonwoo #chubby chan #feeder chan #wonchan

[littleeyesofpallas]

i want to rant about this but i dont even know where to start...

like the quincy appear and we know it's quincy, that's been made clear. we get mystery shadow powers. we get mystery bankai stealing medallions. we get arrancar converts.

we already know quincy are human.

that they use bows and arrows. that they were supposedly wiped out 200 years ago.

that they manipulate reishi and make reishi constructs. that they produce no innate spirit power of their own.

that their methods "destroy" a soul rather than purify it the way a zanpakutout does,

and that that threatens the balance of spirits.

And right away we get some neat answers to obvious questions:

Blut means they don't need spirit bodies to fight on par with shinigami (or hollows for that matter), but it has a clear weakness in how it only operates offensively or defensively at any given time but never both.

They can seal/steal bankai which helps even the playing field for the kind of raw destructive power they otherwise can't muster on their own.

They have swords now which raises neat questions about them trying to mirror the shinigami and/or fight them on their own grounds.

We learn the arrancar are being recruited because training new Quincy takes time, implying the existing ones are mostly new, with some of the oldest being the strongest.

We learn their power comes from their blood lineage, which traces itself back to YHWACH and his ability to grant power to others. He further supplements that innate power with schrift for the sternritter.

And then we get this perfect set up where the bankai are stolen. the shinigami are all looking into alternative ways to fight. And there are obvious tactics, like exploiting Blut's blindspot, finding way to cut off their reishi supply, just using established alternative fighting tactics like shunko and regular old swordsmanship...

But the hollow pills? Utter gibberish.

On the one hand, the idea of the hollow's affecting some kind of blood purity was established in the flashback with Masaki but the specific lethal virality was attributed to White's unique build, not to hollows in general. In fact this is made clear by the fact that Ryuken's mother is specifically concerned with Masaki's viability as a pureblood heir; there's actually no immediate concern about her dying from her wounds until Urahara brings it up, the concern is that she's no longer "pure blood" enough to carry on the Ishida bloodline.

And even though the initial suggestion had been that Quincy just learned a simple set of skills that had nothing to do with blood inheritance --but could be sealed or restored with a kind of acupuncturist chi flow control but for reishi-- this arc went out of its way to establish that it all comes from YHWACH's blood that someone can either be born with or sworn into by covenant.. So the arrancar implicitly don't hold up to the supposed innate hollow weakness.

but even if they did there are are holes... the visord implicitly have inner hollows that --despite ichgio's stupid retconned explanation with White-- exist in the same inner world as their sword spirits, and both the swords and masks are manifestations of their heart, which always made them two sides of the same coin. There are thus 4 visord as natural countermeasures to this anyway.

and shouldn't introducing hollow elements to the sword spirit itself have side effects like forcing the shinigami to grapple with their own inner hollows? And wouldn't that disrupt their relationship with their sword spirits to the point of compromising their ability to use bankai at all?

And as ever I'm furious that he tossed around that Hitsugaya hollow mask/ice thing and the westernized dragon design for hyourinmaru as if the hollow pills were just an excuse for some cool hollow style redesigns (which i actually would have understood as a move if only to milk ratings with) but then didn't give anyone else a hollow bankai.

But even beyond that, the idea that the hollow pills inject hollow energy into the bankai that can then infect the quincy is full of so many holes...

So the shinigami still maintain a direct link from their body to their bankai even when its removed from them? Then what was even the mechanism for stealing them in the first place?

given the Quincy M.O. the suggestion would be that they just physically disassembled the bankai and put it back together but under their control.

But if that was so then why would the shinigami still have a viable link to the physical form?

Moreover, if the link wasn't ever severed then what link do the quincy even have to a bankai that's only down to the material and not the inner spirit? What stopped them from stealing/sealing shikai too? And why can the shinigami even use shikai still?

And then besides that, the quincy even very specifically bind the bankai to a medallion, they aren't taking any of it inside themselves; even if the hollow pills worked, and did make the quincy incapable of directly using the stolen bankai, they should still be able to just put it away and keep it out of reach of the shinigami.

[mariacallous]

President Joe Biden’s meeting with Poland’s two leaders at the White House on Tuesday is both about getting more aid to Kyiv, and an attempt to show that even political rivals can come together for the defense of Ukraine.

Conservative Polish President Andrzej Duda joined Poland’s prime minister, the center-right Donald Tusk, on Tuesday for a discussion about sending more weapons to Kyiv. They have an intense political feud at home, but they’re putting differences aside to convince Congress and Biden to ensure Ukraine doesn’t lose more ground to Russia.

“The entire Polish political scene, dare I say it, is coming together to show that we are united in matters of our country’s security,” Duda said before flying to the United States. Tusk added: “I differ politically with President Andrzej Duda on almost everything, but on the security of our homeland we must and will act together.”

Duda and Tusk’s hope is that their show of unity will convince partisans in Washington to work together in common cause of defending a democracy in Europe. White House officials said they want to see that message resonate throughout Washington — and particularly in the halls of Congress.

“There cannot be a free Europe without a free and independent Ukraine,” Tusk said at the outset of the Polish leaders’ East Room meeting with Biden.

In a clear signal to Republicans, Duda used an op-ed in the Washington Post on Monday to call on all NATO members to increase their defense spending to three percent of their GDP.

Biden, during brief comments while reporters were in the meeting room, praised Poland for spending nearly 4 percent of its GDP on defense — double the NATO benchmark many member states have yet to meet. And he continued to emphasize the urgency of getting Congress to approve more defense aid for Ukraine.

“We must act before it literally is too late,” Biden said. “Because as Poland remembers, Russia won’t stop at Ukraine. Putin will keep going, putting Europe, the United States and the entire free world at risk.”

Duda, a darling of conservatives, also met alone with Speaker Mike Johnson, who hasn’t brought the $60 billion supplemental for Ukraine aid to the House floor. “Duda is our Republican whisperer,” said Michał Baranowski, who leads the German Marshall Fund’s Poland office and is in close contact with senior officials in Warsaw.

Tusk, speaking in Polish to reporters outside the White House following a meeting that lasted an hour and 40 minutes, said he hoped Johnson would realize that inaction could cost “thousands of lives in Ukraine.”

“This is not some political skirmish that only matters here in America,” he continued. “The absence of this positive decision of Mr. Johnson will really cost thousands of lives there: children, women. He must be aware of his personal responsibility.”

The visit comes at Washington’s initiative and has forced the leaders to paper over their deep political divisions.

“Especially on the importance of support for Ukraine, there really is national unity in Poland, so going together is this absolutely unique sign of political unity meant to show that this is a serious situation,” Baranowski said.

U.S. officials said the gathering was scheduled partly as a celebration for the 25th anniversary of Poland’s accession to NATO. But it’s clear that Ukraine will dominate the Oval Office conversation, even if other issues like energy security and democracy protection in Poland will come up. “The leaders will reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s brutal war of conquest,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a February statement.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan announced before the meeting that the U.S. will offer Poland a $2 billion military financing loan and the ability to purchase 96 Apache helicopters.

There’s fear throughout Europe that the U.S. won’t pass the supplemental, but concern is palpable in Warsaw, which under Duda and Tusk’s leadership became a key node in sending weapons to Ukraine. Biden twice has given speeches in Warsaw to rally the West to Ukraine’s side.

CIA Director Bill Burns told lawmakers Monday that, with the supplemental, Ukraine could hold its positions into early 2025 and strike strategic Russian positions in Crimea and the Black Sea. Without it, Russia will take even more key cities and territory. “And that, it seems to me, would be a massive and historic mistake for the United States.”

The White House is expected to announce a new $300 million package for Ukraine on Tuesday that will include a number of Anti-Personnel/Anti-Materiel missiles, an older version of the Army Tactical Missile System, which travels 100 miles and carries warheads containing hundreds of cluster bomblets.

Radek Sikorski, Poland’s foreign minister, echoed Duda’s push for boosted defense budgets in a Tuesday meeting with reporters just blocks from the White House.

“Three percent was more or less what western European countries were spending during peacetime during the Cold War,” Sikorski said . “This is just an acknowledgement that continental peace has ended and that disarmament and deindustrialization in the defense field have gone too far and you need to spend up front to bring back even the capacities to produce more weapons.”

Poland is one of only three countries, along with the U.S. and Greece, currently spending three percent on defense.

Sikorski also told reporters he urged Johnson, who hasn’t budged on Ukraine aid two weeks after being pressured by Biden, Burns and the three other congressional leaders during an intense Oval Office meeting, to think beyond his current political calculus and consider what a Russian victory in Ukraine might mean.

Should Russia succeed in Ukraine and then advance further west, eventually NATO “will need more troops in Poland, including American troops,” Sikorski said. “So if you don’t want to send your people to Europe, the best thing is to defeat him in Ukraine.”

[possiblylando]

Jojo Part 9 Stand Ability Analyses and Predictions

In the time between Chapters 1 and 2 of Jojolands I wanna put down some of my own predictions for what the stands of the Jojolands Protags are gonna be able to do in the future as well as what their abilities are. Obviously this will contain spoilers for chapter 1 of Jojolands and possible future chapters if I'm correct.

November Rain, Purely from what we've seen of November Rain so far it's ability is to create a localized area of Heavy Rain. This Rain hits with a force comparable to a non-piercing bullet or a miniature bowling ball. It's likely that the stand itself needs to stand above the target to hit it with it's abilities due to the size of it and how we see it used within the chapter itself. November Rain stands right around twice Jodio's height. Assuming Jodio is the average 15 year old height of 5'5'' that would make November Rain around 8-12 feet in height. As for what I think November Rain's actual ability is, What would be localized gravitational manipulation. Meaning it's able to control the gravity of objects under itself. The Rain is likely a secondary supplemental ability which is used to help it's primary ability shine. Additionally in it's reveal panel it almost looks as if Jodio is floating underneath it. Evoking similar imagery to a flying saucer which are known for their tractor beams. As for what it's abilities in the future will be assuming I'm incorrect and it really is just Heavy Rain, We'll probably see a long ranged application where the rain droplets are fired off like bullets. Possibly a rain shield aswell.

Smooth Operators, The stand of Dragona Joestar allows them to move objects. Smooth Operators appears to function differently based on what kind of object it's being used on. Flat objects such as a license plate or an ID can have flat objects just slide around and be morphed. Even when the item in question is molded into the thing they're moving. When using it on a human it allows them to stretch and mold them like clay or playdoh. However we see that Dragona has a habit of scratching objects. This may be a requirement to activate their stand on objects. Or it might require physical touch to activate. Since in all 4 situations we see it used in Dragona is physically touching the object. Smooth Operators is a stand with an insane amount of potential as depending on it's scale it has the potential to negate all defense. The stand is very reminiscent of Vitamin C from part 8. Which I doubt I need to explain the strength of. I do believe it's ability is rather face value however.

The Hustle, is a stand I believe is much more than what we see at face value. The Hustle is what appears to be a phenomenon type stand which allows Paco to control his muscles. The only applications we've seen of this so far allow him to grab objects using his muscles. As shown in the chapter itself it seems to be an underwhelming stand. However The Hustle is likely a much more basic stand than people give it credit for. I mean this in a good way. The Hustle's true ability more than likely allows Paco the ability to control his muscles in more way than just grabbing objects. This could result in him being able to strengthen his own muscles for combat or being able to pull some sunlight zoom fist stuff. In which he dislocates his bones and uses his muscles purely to move through tight spaces or extend his reach. Both of these applications would fit with his thief persona.

Hot Dog Guy His stand will probably be themed around water and/or diving. It could end up being comparable to Diver Down in some fashion. I hope his stand is named after a Joji or Filthy Frank song purely for the meme but I know there's no chance that'll happen. Ultimately there's no way to predict something like this due to how unpredictable Araki is.

#jojolands #jojo part 9 #november rain #smooth operator #the hustle #jodio joestar #dragona joestar #paco lovelantes

[misfitwashere]

It’s been an exceedingly weird 24 hours. 

Last night the Senate released the text of the national security supplemental bill on which a bipartisan team of negotiators has been working for four months. Negotiators were working on adding a border component to an urgent measure to fund aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Gaza, since extremist House Republicans said they would not pass such a measure until Congress also addressed what they insisted was a crisis at the U.S. border. 

The measure appropriated $60.1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, $14.1 billion in security aid for Israel, and $10 billion in humanitarian aid for Palestinians, Ukrainians, and other civilians in crises. It also invested about $20 billion in securing the southern border of the U.S., money to be used in hiring new officials, expanding detention facilities, and increasing the screening abilities of border agents to detect illicit fentanyl and other drugs. 

Other provisions would trigger border closures if the volume of migrants climbs past a certain number and make it more difficult to qualify for asylum. At the same time, the measure offered more pathways to citizenship and more work visas. 

But it appears the MAGA Republicans never really intended for such a measure to pass. They apparently thought that demanding that Congress agree to a border measure, which it has not been able to do now for decades, would kill the national security bill altogether. Certainly, once news began to spread that the negotiators were close to a deal, both former president Trump and House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who said he was conferring with Trump, came out strongly against the measure even before anyone knew what was in it.

Trump and MAGA Republicans have been drumming up hysteria about the border as an issue before the 2024 election in part because they have very little else to run on. Voters are angry at the Republicans’ restrictions on abortion—especially in Texas, which has had a number of high-profile cases—and the economy is too strong for Republicans to get much traction by attacking it, especially as the numbers under Biden are dramatically stronger than those under Trump. 

Keeping alive the immigration issue could cut into those numbers, especially in Texas.

But as David Kurtz points out in Talking Points Memo today, it is a terrible mistake to forget that the measure Trump and the MAGA Republicans are blocking is primarily a bill to fund Ukraine’s war against Russia’s invasion, because the administration believes that Ukraine’s stand against Russia is vital for our own national security. Without U.S. weapons and money, Ukraine is running out of ammunition and Russian forces are beginning to take back the territory Ukrainian forces had pushed them out of. 

Funding Ukraine is popular in the U.S., even among a majority of non-MAGA Republicans. Americans recognize that Ukraine’s forces are not simply defending their sovereign territory, they are defending the rules-based international order that protects the United States. Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, is trying to destroy that order, replacing it with the idea that bigger countries can conquer smaller countries at will. 

Putin’s war on Ukraine has drained Russia’s money and men—just yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Russian civilian airplanes are malfunctioning as sanctions bite—and Putin would clearly like the U.S. to abandon Ukraine and clear the way for him to take control of the country. 

Trump and the MAGA Republicans have always had an unusually close relationship with Putin. Over the weekend, former Fox News Channel personality Tucker Carlson, who routinely echoed Russian talking points on his show, was spotted in Moscow. Reports say he has been there since last Thursday, staying in the city’s top hotels and visiting its main cultural sites.

Carlson was fired from Fox in the wake of the election lies in which he participated, and which cost the company $787 million. He said on his now-defunct show that in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, he was “rooting for Moscow.” The Russian Union of Journalists has said they would gladly accept Carlson as a member. 

President Joe Biden and his administration, along with congressional Democrats, are so adamant that the U.S. must aid Ukraine that they were willing to cut a deal with the Republicans in order to get that funding through. That deal did not include a path to citizenship for so-called Dreamers, people brought to the U.S. without documentation as children who have never known another home but this one, a demand Democrats in the past have stood by. Biden today expressed his frustration that the Republicans excluded the Dreamers from the bill, but he still urged Congress to pass it.

Indeed, as soon as the bill was available, Biden urged Congress to pass it immediately and promised to sign it into law as soon as Congress sent it to him. Over the course of today, those interested in a border measure joined with those interested in aiding Ukraine to call for the bill’s passage. The spectrum of those urging Congress to pass the bill was wide. The right-leaning U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Border Patrol union both called for the bill’s immediate passage.

But MAGA Republicans stood against the bill from the start. By midday, the top Republicans in the House—Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-NY)—had released a statement saying: “Any consideration of this Senate bill in its current form is a waste of time. It is DEAD on arrival in the House. We encourage the U.S. Senate to reject it.” Although it seemed clear that the measure would pass the House if it came to the floor, Johnson said he would not introduce it.

A storm raged throughout the day as the Republican senators who had negotiated the bill joined with Republican senators who want Ukraine aid and with Democrats to demand the passage of the bill. Former U.S. ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul noted that Johnson was “blocking the overwhelming majority of the House. Last September, when a related piece of legislation was on the floor, the House voted 311 to 117 in favor of continuing to provide security assistance to Ukraine.” In the Senate, CNN’s Manu Raju reported, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urged the bill’s passage, noting: “This is a humanitarian and security crisis of historic proportions, and Senate Republicans have insisted—not just for months but for years—that this urgent crisis demanded action.”

But by the end of the day, enough Republicans had peeled away from the measure that senior senate reporter for Punchbowl News Andrew Desiderio reported that McConnell had ceased to push the measure, saying that “the political mood in the country has changed.” 

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) wrote. “They literally demanded specific policy, got it, and then killed it.”

Foreign affairs journalist Anne Applebaum reflected on the teetering national security measure and wrote: “People will die, today, because of the cynical game played by the American Republican party. Their irresponsibility is breathtaking.”

Foreign affairs specialist Tom Nichols of The Atlantic wrote: “Letting Ukraine fall because of [Republicans’] cultish loyalty to Trump will be a betrayal that will stain America forever—and probably end up pulling us into a fight for Europe later. This is one of the rare moments when the path to disaster is clearly marked and avoidable.”

Former representative  Liz Cheney (R-WY) summed up the day’s crisis over the national security measure: “On Trump’s orders, Republicans  in Congress are rejecting the border security deal. They’re also abandoning America’s allies in Ukraine. Trump and the [Republicans] are losing the war on purpose in an inexcusable betrayal that will strengthen America’s enemies for years to come.”

#political commentary

[not-poignant]

I was just wondering, in the UTB universe, how are peak alphas differentiated from regular alphas? You say Caleb acts like a peak alpha, and Augus is mild as a peak alpha. So how are peak alphas recognized as such?

Hi hi!

So all secondary sexes (omega / beta / alpha / peak alpha) are determined by a combination of blood + genetics + physiological markers (i.e. normative penis size / presence of certain glands / knotting etc) + active hormone levels - and for peak alphas: a range of unique abilities they have that no other secondary sex possess (like the ability to use alpha persuasion on other alphas, and the ability to use an innate persuasion/hypnosis ability on everyone).

This is why they test Efnisien to make sure he's an omega because of what he says in the beginning of the story - there's a biological component to secondary sex (and we see this too in the story when Temsen talks about normal hormone level ranges in the chapter where he talks about Efnisien's hormone levels).

The genetic / biological components of secondary sex are talked about in the story quite a bit (Efnisien being omega according to both blood tests but also genetically is mentioned around 10+ times).

So Efnisien will always be biologically an omega despite his active hormone levels (and they do have to take that into account when they supplement his hormones/ardolphogen levels, even as they recognise him as an alpha as well - which is about identity and not biology). And Caleb is biologically be an alpha despite acting more like a peak alpha. And Augus is biologically a peak alpha, despite his behaviours. Acting like a peak alpha isn't the same as being one!

As to Efnisien being treated like an alpha, that's partly because he has been scientifically experimented on, mutilated, had organs removed, and changed so much that he just is no longer really exactly anything at all completely. He can no longer make larentin, he no longer has Kaeper glands or lare glands, he developed unique alpha abilities because he was forced onto ardolphogen years before even alphas start producing it in large quantities, etc. And partly because he's been raised an alpha. And partly because he sees himself as one.

Caleb doesn't see himself as a peak alpha, even though he can behave like one. Augus doesn't see himself as a softer alpha, even though he behaves like one.

The answer is both 'with science' and 'it's complicated' depending on the person :D

#asks and answers #underline the black #fae tales AU #efnisien ap wledig #caleb crawford #but yeah you'd differentiate basically with a blood test #although sometimes you can just tell as well #parents generally know what the secondary sex of their child will be #in the third trimester #with high accuracy (even if they don't know the primary sex) #administrator gwyn wants this in the queue

[lizzybeth1986]

Headcanon: Sloane as an Author of Children's Books

• Sloane's interest in writing stories began a little late, at around 10 years of age. The thing about the way Sloane holds interest in a hobby is that she tends to hyperfocus on one or two and won't leave that till another one captures her interest enough. And for little Trudy, that initial interest was and is always going to be in science, coding and hands-on experimenting.

• Sloane has always had a bit of a fertile imagination, that she supplemented with things she read about, esp related to science and fantasy.

• Part of her inspiration came from her English teacher at the time, Jessica Bass, who felt Sloane's fertile imagination could be put into great use in fictional writing if she nurtured that talent enough. Mrs. Bass would often suggest a few assignments to Kim, Trudy's mother, who also taught at the same school.

• It also helped to a great extent that Trudy was best friends with Mrs. Bass' son Isiah, who loved writing! The two teamed up on storytelling and writing exercises together. A story on space explorers that they co-wrote featured in a science digest for kids when they were 12!

• Unfortunately, Mrs Bass and Isiah had shifted to another state when the two kids were 15, and a lot of Sloane's momentum, and drive to write fizzled out without someone to bounce her ideas off of.

• The last thing she'd tried to write at the time was a space odyssey called Across the Void. Very impressive and detailed for her age, but she still felt like she wasn't fully into writing it. She had to force herself to complete the whole thing, and often couldn't bring herself to read that draft again.

• Cut to two decades later, when Sloane is still in NY, living her best life and now the CEO of Eros. As things begin to stabilize at the company, with relations between the organisation and the Unity for Matches (Psyche) in a good place and the surviving Matches feeling comfortable enough to live functional, independent lives - Sloane gets a bit more time to pursue old interests that she'd thought she was no longer any good at.

• Like her Momma Kim, she does want to encourage more children to see science as fun. She begins to get in touch with schools and educators, eventually starting a STEM-based summer camp for kids and pre teens. As she starts caring for Hamza and then having her own children, she visits kids' libraries more, and starts getting interested in writing for children.

• A STEM-based Book Festival is planned in the upcoming year for kids in NYC, and a popular kids' publishing house comes up with a pitch for Sloane (a very famous scientist and science educator by then) to co-write a set of books in time for release at the festival. The person she is meant to partner with is her old friend from Queens - famed children's book author and illustrator, Isiah Bass.

• The two had kept in touch off and on through letters and email all through their late teens, before losing touch eventually once university and work took over. This reunion was a pleasant surprise to both of them, even though they'd kept tabs on each other from time to time.

• Sloane was understandably nervous when the offer came up, but Isiah was super proactive and helped her out with resources, writing exercises and prompts just to build her confidence in her ability to write a compelling story. He showed her what his writing process looked like, gave her a view of his concepts moodboard. Isiah told her that exercise was particularly useful in getting him to keep track of his ideas and maintain flow.

• Even after this particular project is over, Sloane is determined not to lose touch with her writing, and at least tries to participate in ChiBoWriMo* with her friends in the children's author community every November.

• She keeps a specific room in her home decorated and ready for just writing practice. Files and folders full of notes and ideas, moodboards on the wall for her writing projects, her favourite music, scented candles to keep her calm. It even has a calm down corner whenever she feels a bit stuck and needs to get out of a rut.

• Sloane and Isiah's first collaboration, a book named A Slice of Pii, was an instant hit. It was a fun math-based book, and followed by books on the chemistry of baking and physics-themed books as well. They got a LOT of publicity at the festival and Sloane shot to fame as an aspiring children's book author overnight. She became very in demand for more projects, but always maintained that it was a side hustle, with her main job still being science-specific education and heading Eros with Khaan.

• One of Sloane's greatest achievements as a writer is her collection of books on galaxies and constellations, which released around Oct (World Space Week), four years after her debut. The books were informative, but in a way that was fun and approachable. The series won her the Orbis Pictus award that year.

--

Faceclaims:

(Sloane Washington: Nelly Muse/Muses Uniform

Isiah Bass (OC): Dimitri Abold)

Tagging @sloanewashingtonappreciationweek, and host @sazanes for SWAW Day 5: Hobbies!

#sloane washington #perfect match #sloanewashingtonappreciationweek #SWAW #SWAW 2024 #SWAW Day 5 #SWAW Day 5: Hobbies

[masterjacobofficialblog]

Siblings and their "dad and foster mom"

Initially, I wanted to redraw Unikitty before publishing it and Puppycorn, but I have accumulated a lot of debts because of my studies, I decided that I would post at least this Unikitty, BUT I IMMEDIATELY SAY that in everyday life she will wear a different suit, and I also think to supplement the Puppycorn suit)

Princess Unikitty. 30-31 years, bisexual panromantic. The kind, fair and most optimistic ruler of Unikingdom, the elder sister of President Puppycorn. Even years later, the ruling princess did not lose her optimism, but she began to take the matter a little more seriously, especially when Coco, a completely new and a happy Unigang appeared in her life. By its unique nature, it has unusual abilities such as the ability to fly, change the shape of the blush and the color of the coat depending on the situation or emotion, as well as release the largest amount of Sparkle Matter. Although Unikitty, as the ruling monarch, can change the laws and the form of government, but because of her personal considerations, she cannot transfer power to her brother.

President Puppycorn. 28 years, asexual. The fair and slightly lazy president of Frowntown abd younger brother of Princess Unikitty. Since he was born a boy and his horn was broken in infancy, he cannot control the Unikingdom (in the kingdom of matriarchy and Unikitty cannot transfer power to his brother due to personal considerations) and could not control his magic as well as his sister. However, he can digest almost any food, including even those that are dangerous for dogs, and also learns about his other abilities, the existence of which he could not imagine before. Became president by the Force of Justice. And Really Old Edith's old book.

Richard, 59 years, straight. Advisor to Princess Unikitty and sometimes to President Puppycorn, who, in addition to his regular job, had another one. If not for the long-awaited appearance of Coco and her entry into The Unigang, his life would have been boring. Now his life is a little boring (because of Coco), but it is also saturated (also because of Coco).

Coco, 55 years, asexual heteroromantic. A flower seller and Feebee's assistant with QT, who also happens to be her mentor, since Feebee couldn't control herself for a long time. She was absent from the Unikingdom for a long time due to the fact that Feebee gave her a vacation in order to rid her of control. Also, after a while, she met Richard, thereby becoming a member of the Unigang. Yes, she's that the Richard's GF, but she's his wife now^^

That's right:

Richard's girlfriend in this AU has a name;

Unikitty bears the title of "Princess", not "Queen", in order to make a reference to "My Little Pony" as a tribute to both this show and the voice actress Tara Strong, who voiced both Unikitty and Twilight Sparkle.+princesses are more often shown in many media as kind characters than queens;

And yes, because Richard's Girlfriend was picking flowers in Richard's flashback, I invented a place for her in the plot;

And yes, Puppycorn is here dressed as the Evil Morty from Rick and Morty, and Richard is reading Stephen King's Carrie;

Since Careen Ingle has long since confirmed that Puppycorn is not an alien, I decided to give him a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT role in the plot in AU, compared to other Unikitty's AU.

I hope you like it! Do you wanna See more New content? So, we can see it soon!

#master jacob au #unikitty #unikitty au #princess unikitty #unikitty! #unikitty furry #unikitty humanoid #unikitty anthro #puppycorn #prince puppycorn #unikitty richard #happy happy siblings #I'll redesign Unikitty later #and also show Princess Cornelia #Edit: Coco work with Feebee and QT

[quirofiliac]

on and in regards to bites the dust: as far as i'm personally aware, bites the dust is one of those... "stands" (quotations because it's essentially a supplement, of sorts, to killer queen itself. it's both its own separate entity yet perpetually attached to its "host" stand's existence.) where it's unnecessarily overpowered and pretty ridiculous. in typical jojo fashion, of course, it's an ability that seems overly "coincidental", meaning that it comes off as a stand that only applies in certain situations. which... yeah! it does.

kira doesn't really utilize bites the dust regularly, because its major caveat is that once it's active, he's left vulnerable in the most unpleasant way: he simply doesn't have a stand until disabling its effects on his chosen prey target. it's more or less something to only be used when kira believes that he has nowhere to go, nothing to do, and no one else to rely on. to sum it up, it's both his trump card and a failsafe.

since his so-called "resurrection" (when does it start to normalize for a man to realize he should be dead?) and subsequent arrangement with a certain mangaka, kira hasn't really felt a need to engage thoroughly with bites the dust. i can, however, state with the utmost confidence (because it's my city now.) that he still retains it at full strength and full potential.

of course, there are always new things for him to learn. he understood that as soon as he felt the (crunch of his skull caving in, forced to see what his brains looked like splattered on the asphalt. no human should bear witness to that, especially not him.) inevitable stench of defeat. no one could've missed that, especially not when you're as close as kira was on that day.

he thinks about it sometimes.

to say that bites the dust only takes effect when placed on non-stand users miiight be downplaying its potential because, while that is true, i'd like to go a step further and state that this applies in a very literal sense. meaning, that if a person (or thing, for that matter. as long as it has "sentience", bites the dust isn't picky.) is not in possession of a stand and, precisely, a stand then bites the dust can and will apply.

stands have a tendency to disregard reality as we all know it and, as a "side effect" of sorts, attempt to blatantly ignore the abilities of those around them. this isn't to say that bites the dust couldn't be used against a stand user (rather, kira theorizes that it might depend mostly on the user's stand and how they utilize said stand.) but, instead, targeting somebody that he knows cannot fight back in the "expected" or "normal" manner. characters with any "supernatural" ability -- or, honestly, any ability that can be described as "otherworldly" and slash or a "superpower" for that matter -- are not immune to its effects.

to explain bites the dust as simply and as briefly as possible, it's a stand ability that "traps" its target (it is of a single-target capacity, kira knows and understands this much.) in a groundhog day-esque loop, repeating the same "events" over and over with each ending in a death that feels all too real. anybody who gets involved, too, will be pulled into the loop and inevitably die, even if the initial, intended mark has managed to avoid involving them on future loops. whatever has played out in the first (and who's to say what was the first? everything, after a period of time, just starts... to... blend together.) loop will play out as intended, even if it doesn't seemingly make sense.

in terms of those with powers being pulled into the neverending cycle that is bites the dust, they'd most likely retain their powers. how beneficial and how useful they would be in such a situation, however? it would remain to be seen and would solely depend on said person's creativity and resourcefulness. if they are not the so-called "quarry", however, they're most likely unaware of being stuck in a loop in the first place-- one second, they're alive and then the next? boom, literally.

now, focusing on those that do have stands? bites the dust could probably work-- that's a potential i'm still shaky on. because, generally speaking, if i say it works on those with other abilities that aren't stands, who's to say that it couldn't (or wouldn't.) on stand users? who's to say he couldn't use this on the likes of dio or somebody of similar caliber? well! no one can say that, actually! it's fully possible and, theoretically, completely doable.

i'd like to reason this with a small excuse from kira's end: he picks people that cannot defend their selves. it's simple and easy, and he prefers things to go as smoothly as possible.

so, for sake of me rambling a little too much and making up for the time i spent doing that, bites the dust can, indeed, work on other stand users in theory. this is something that kira himself hasn't tested and, admittedly, really doesn't wish to... however, if given the opportunity with absolutely no other course of action available to him, he can and will take it-- if only to flee the scene and withdraw bites the dust as soon as he believes his safety (and life. can't forget about that.) is an absolute guarantee.

#＊ 💥 断片：headcanon. #* wipes the sweat off my brow even though i really didn't do much * phew!

[docgold13]

365 Marvel Comics Paper Cut-Out SuperHeroes - One Hero, Every Day, All Year…

July Supplemental - The Imperial Guard

The Imperial Guard is a legion of super-powered champions from throughout the intergalactic Shi'ar Empire who acted as enforcers of Imperial law. The original Imperial Guard was formed to stop Rook'shir, a Shi'ar who became the host of the Phoenix Force.  The unit continued on as the primary defensive force of The Shi’ar Empire.

When the X-Men sought to rescue the Princess-Majestrix Lilandra from her insane brother, then-Majestor D'Ken, they fought members of the Guard on the planet of the M'kraan Crystal.  With the aid of the Starjammers, the X-Men defeated the guard and saved the universe from destruction.  The X-Men and the Guard subsequently clashed again after Lilandra had assumed the Shi'ar throne and sought to end the universal threat posed by the Phoenix Force, which had assumed the form of X-Man Jean Grey. This time, the Guard defeated the X-Men, but allowed them to return to Earth after the Phoenix Force seemingly ended its own life.

The Guard continued to serve the Empire, yet became divided when the Mutant known as Vulcan killed Lilandra and assumed the Shi’ar throne.  After Vulcan fell in battle against Black Bolt, Kallark (the leader of the Guard) became the stewardship Majestrix of the Shi’ar.  Unfortunately, the civil war Vulcan had created left the empire in a weakened state and it was defeated and annexed by The Kree.  

In the wake of the Secret Wars event, the Shi’ar Empre became freed from the Kree.  Kallark pledged to help revuild the empire and reform the Imperial Guard to once more defend the Shi’ar people.  

Key members of The Imperial Guard include:

Kallark The Gladiator

A powerful and nobel being from the planet Strontia who possesses incurable strength, speed and durability along with the capacity to fly through outer space.  Earning the supreme title of Gladiator from his native Strontians, Kallark has served the Shi’ar people for over a century as the leader of the Imperial Guard.  His son, Kubark, has trained with both the Imperial Guard as well as with The X-Men in preparation of one day succeeding his father as leader of The Guard.  

Oracle

Lady Sybyl is a powerful psychic and telepath from the planet Dockrum VII.  Recruited to serve the Guard, Oracle has proven herself in battle and quickly became Gladiator’s top lieutenant.  She has acted as leader of the Guard during times when Gladiator was unavailable.  Oracle was briefly married to her teammate, Flashfire.

Flashfire

Sometimes known as ‘Tempest,’ Grannz is a native of an unspecified alien world and possesses electrokinetic powers where he can summon and mentally manipulate powerful masses of electrical energy.  He has served the Imperial Guard admirably for a long tenure and has had an ongoing, tumultuous romance with his teammate, Oracle.   Flashfire continues to serve as a high-ranking member of The Imperial Guard.  

Nightside

Nightside was a member of an unidentified alien race whose members possess the ability to tap into the other-dimensional realm of the Darkforce, an energy source of pure darkness.  Nightside perished while serving the Guard and was later replaced by another member of her species who assumed the same name to continue serving the Empire.    

Mentor

Mentor is from a race of super-intelligent beings who posses computer-like minds.  Mentor has acted as the primary strategist in the Imperial Guard.  During a mission to the Fault, Mentor was forced to give himself over as a host to the Fraternity of Raptors so to augment their firepower. Mentor bonded with a Raptor amulet and was taken over by Strel. His fate in the wake of this adventure remains thus far unrevealed.

Astra

Astra is a native of an unspecified world and possesses attributes that allows her to alter the molecular density of her physical form.  This allows her to phase in a fashion where she can pass through solid matter and cause attacks to phase through her without harm.  Astra continues to serve as a member of The Guard.

Starbolt

The heroic Starbolt heralds from an unspecified world were his species is composed of a sentient cosmic energy resembling fire.  Starbolt can channel this energy so to avail flight and the capacity to fire devastating bolts from his hands.  The original Starbolt perished in a mission to The Fault, yet was subsequently replaced with another of his species who assumed the former’s mantle.  

Magique

The Guardian known as Magique heralded from an unknown world and possessed magical powers.  The powers enabled her to cast certain spells and her most prominent spell was one that enabled her to project highly realistic illusions.   Magique was tasked with obtaining the Nega-Bands from the hero, Quasar.  Although she managed to defeat Quasar, the bands were taken by Adam Warlock.   Magique was seemingly killed in battle against Warlock.

Hobgoblin

Hobgoblin was from an alien species that possess shapeshifting powers similar to that of the Skrulls.  He served as a member of the Imperial Guard, acting primarily as a spy and body guard.  Hobgoblin sacrificed himself to save Majestrix Lilandra, assuming her guise and taking her place to foil an assassination attempt.  Since then he has been replaced by another member of his species who serves the Guard as Hobgoblin II.  

Electon

Electon was a native of the Shi’ar home-wolrd and gained the ability to mentally control electrical energies by way of a special experiment.  After battling The X-Men on the planet of the M'kraan Crystal, Electon was part of a contingency off Guardians dispatched to obtain the Nega-Bands.  Herein Electon perished in a battle against The Silver Surfer.  

Manta

The Guardian known as Manta comes from an unspecified alien race and it remain untold whether her powers are endemic to her people or are unique.  By opening her cloak, Manta can release a powerful blinding flash of light that has an incapacitating affect on nearly all who see it.  Manta has served alongside the Guard since the trial of Jean Grey and remains a crucial member of the team.  

Fang

Fang is a member of the Lupak, one of the many extraterrestrial species who comprise the Shi'ar Empire. The Lupak procreate by way of advanced cloning and Fang was created with advanced combat skills and wolf-like physical features.  He served admirably as a member of the Imperial Guard until he was killed by The Brood.  A new clone of Fang was provided to the Guard to replace him.

Scintilla

The Guardian known as Scintilla heralds from an unspecified alien world.  The natives of her planet cultivated the power to alter their size and shrink down to approximately two centimeters in height.  Shrinking down in this fashion additionally bestows increased strength and speed.  Scintilla has used this ability to serve as a member of the Guard and she remains a part of the team.  

Smasher

Vril comes from an unspecified world inhabited by a race of beings closely resembling humans.  Outfitted with a specialized pair of goggles called the Exospex, Vril is able to utilize a number of super powers, including flight, super strength and invulnerability (although the workings of these Exospex makes it so he can only use these powers one at a time).  Taking on the name of Smasher, Vril has acted as one of the Imperial Guard’s longest-serving members.  Smasher perished in a mission to warn the X-Men about Cassandra Nova.  His Exospex ended up in the hands of the human, Isabel Kane, who used them to become the new Smasher.  

Titan

The Guardian known as Titan heralded from an unspecified alien world of The Shi’ar Empire.  The inhabitants of this world possess the power to alter their size and grow instantly to five times their original height and weight.  This additionally bestows greatly enhanced strength and durability.  Titan used this ability to serve alongside the Guard, ultimately falling in battle during a mission to The Fault.  

Hussar

The Guardian known as Hussar heralds from an unspecified alien world.  She possess enhanced strength and dexterity and wields an electromagnetic whip.  Hussar is highly proficient with this whip and can use it to devastating effect.  After siding with Deathbird in an attempted coup, Hussar was expelled from the Guardians.  She later joined a force of former guardians who sought out the X-Man, Rachel Grey, in a twisted scheme to gain revenge against the Phoenix Force.  Her current status and whereabout remains unknown.  

Neutron

Formerly known as Quasar, the Imperial Guardian called Neutron heralds from an unspecified world.  The origins of his powers remain unrevealed; he possessed a specialized form housing a quantum singularity whose energy he could manipulate for various effects (including invulnerable, increased strength, flight and energy projection).  Neutron served the Guard until he sacrificed himself to save the life of his teammate, Fang.  

Warstar

The Guardian known as Warstar is a being composed of two symbiotically linked mechanoid aliens.  The smaller of the two aliens is B’nee who acts as the being’s primary intelligence and strategist; whereas the larger of the two, C’cil, acts as the primary body, possessing greatly enhanced strength along with a bevy of offensive and defensive capabilities.  Warstar has acted as a member of the Guard since the Trial of Jean Grey and continues to serve as a member of the team.  

Pulsar

Sometimes known as ‘Impulse,’ the being called Pulsar heralds from an unspecified world where the inhabitants are beings of sentient energy.  Utilizing a special containment suit that offers a humanoid form, Pulsar can release his energies in the form of a powerful, concussive blast emanating from a large visor on his head.  Pulsar served the Guard until he perished when his containment suit was breached during a mission to The Fault.

Earthquake

Earthquake was a long standing member of the Imperial Guard who heralded from an unspecified alien world.  He possessed the ability to generate seismic energy projections that create tremors beneath the surface of a planet.  Earthquake has not been seen from in some time and his fate remains unrevealed.  

Kid Gladiator

Kubark is the son of Kallark The Gladiator and possesses many of the same Strontian powers as his father.  Following a semester at The Jean Grey School for Gifted Youngster on Earth, Kubark began training alongside the Imperial Guard, readying himself to one day take his father’s place as praetorian and commander of the Guard.

The Imperial Guard and its members were originally designed as analogs of DC Comics' Legion of Super-Heroes.  The team first appeared in the pages of X-Men Vol 1 #107 (1977).  

#365 Marvel Comics Heroes #Imperial Guard #Shi'ar Empire #X-Men #cut-outs #paper art

[yukipri]

Something bothers me about Ahsoka's training.

You said it was secure, but the training is done in a place that is not at all suitable and she falls (several times) on an extremely hard surface. There is no end to the training, no time limit or victory, she just has to hold on until she passes out. And no one comes to look after her when we see her stagger from the FIRST time. Even Rex, used to worse on Kamino, worries.

Then, for what the training brings, it trains her endurance but NOT how to get out of the situation. Anakin is an overpowered child of the Force, he can stay under enemy fire for a long time, but it is completely useless for another Jedi. If they do not escape or defeat their opponents, they’re dead.

If Ahsoka survived Order 66 (other than luck, Rex's hesitation, help from others...), it's because she managed to escape, she didn't stay inside to take the shots (less than a minute so stamina is not very useful). From this point of view, the Jedi test was much more useful since she moves and gets rid of the threat in a limited environment (test which uses droids programmed to more closely match the tactics of battledroids, so also useful in war).

Even to train his perception of the opponent's intentions (not very useful against robots), it is not very effective. Anakin gives no advice, he never praise here, he's even dismissive for her well-being. It's more of an exercise than anything else, but with no definite end (other than getting knocked out).

This training would be useful if it was safer and more progressive (because clones are actually better than droids) and as a supplement. In the end, Anakin is very Anakin. He doesn't want to lose her because it will hurt him, but her immediate safety and well-being doesn't bother him.

And if Ahsoka does not protest, it is because she is 14, she trusts her mentor. She doesn't know anything about war so she doesn't know what training she needs. She is too young and inexperienced to know any better and protest.

(but I think I'm just bitter because Filoni added a scene that no one needed to prove that Anakin is great, Ahsoka the best, and that the other Jedi died because they weren't as clever. Even though we already knew that she was strong with TCW and that the Jedi were taken by surprise by people they trust) (and really, if it was someone else instead of Rex, he would have ordered to shoot at her, and Ahsoka would be dead)

(and Anakin trains the clones to shoot a Jedi. Jesse was there)

On a side note, I really like your new chapter. Oddly funny and emotional.

I debated whether I should even publish this ask, because while I respect your right to having your own take, I strongly disagree with the vast majority it, and it largely baffles me.

In response to this ask.

It seems your major complaints with Anakin's training is that she falls...on a non padded surface??? And that he's over-training her for a difficult situation that she should likely be able to escape?

Please keep in mind that while she is a child, she's also not a helpless child who needs to be babied. At the time of the training, she has already survived battles. Anakin has already seen her in action and is aware of her current abilities.

Of course if it was in a live scenario, she should look for alternative solutions. Anakin knows she's smart and can think outside the box. There are infinite scenarios she may potentially be in, and in every single one she will have different contexts to consider. That is not the point of this exercise. The point of this exercise is so that if she is under fire, for however long she needs to be given the situation, she'll make it out alive.

I don't have the time or energy to refute all of your points, nor do I have interest in prolonging discussion on this topic (perhaps you could find an Ahsoka-centric blog who would be interested!).

And while Anakin is a flawed character, I am also not remotely interested in bashing him. Likewise, while I don't agree with all of Dave Filoni's choices, I am also utterly uninterested in bashing him on my blog, as he still is responsible for the creation of many things that I love.

While the episode may have felt unnecessary for you, I enjoyed it, thought it was told beautifully from both a narrative and cinematographic perspective, and felt it made sense for the context of the story as well as for both Anakin and Ahsoka's characters. If the episode is upsetting to you, I recommend not thinking about it!

Follow ups on this topic will not be answered. I believe I have already clearly articulated my response in my previous ask response linked above. Thanks for understanding!

And thanks for liking the last chapter of the Prime Override!

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#YukiPri replies #Anonymous #Ahsoka Tano #I only responded because I assume you're the Anon who sent the original ask #I respect your opinion #I hope in sending me an ask you'll respect if I don't agree with that opinion