#everyone should get what they need but these people do have livelihoods to think about

[eclecticopposition]

give meee... headcanons about the Sangfielle friends in the most boring AU you can imagine like. idk. office Sangfielle. grocery store Sangfielle. they all work at a movie theater. whatever sounds mundane as hell and you have Thoughts about :3

okay tumblr ate my fucking answer the first time. let's try this again.

the thing about these guys is that no matter how mundane you make it, they can make anything into a situation. that's just the guys they are. so we put them in a Walmart.

Marn is an employee with a great customer service voice. She's keeping it together in the face of some truly wild statements and requests. One man keeps asking for frootie hooties, a brand of cereal that he insists is real and everyone is just refusing to sell to him, and she's spent twenty minutes trying to tell him that they just don't have it in stock

Lye and Es are having an animated conversation in the clothing area, where she is examining various colorful dresses and he is distractedly picking things off of nearby shelves and putting them back down. The conversation started at how they got kicked out of dayward yve's novelty store and is now about whether stealing should be more or less of a crime than manslaughter, because it's not as bad as killing but it is on purpose. People are trying not to pay attention to them. Eventually they are asked to leave, at which point it is revealed that lye has about two hundred dollars worth of items in his pockets and es has some candles she liked and a new pair of shoes in hers. They are both barred from Walmart.

Duvall hates it here. It's loud, he hates the lights, the aisles make no sense, he can't find anything he's looking for, and people keep coming up to him to ask him where things are. He doesn't even work here. Why do people assume he works here? He's not even wearing any Walmart merchandise. Is that what it's called when you're an employee? Merchandise? Well, it's what it would be called if he wears it, which he never will, because he doesn't work here and never wants to. Have a nice day ma'am.

Pickman is slowly marching her way through the aisles one at a time, peering at her shopping list and holding a tiny shopping basket in one hand. She has to be very careful not to knock the shelves over sometimes. Just trying to get groceries. People are nervously avoiding her. Says "Hey, you" to some poor employee to ask where the milk and cigarettes are. Just grunts at everything else. When she's at the checkout, the guy there asks "Did you find everything you're looking for?", and she just says "No." and leaves

Chine comes out of the bathroom with a live rat in his hand. People scream. The manager finally comes up to him like "Sir, you can't have rats in here." They say "Oh, she's not mine. She was just having trouble opening the door." Gets a big meat on the bone at the deli and nothing else. When he asks how much it costs, they just say it's on the house and try to get him to leave as soon as possible. They go like "Oh, really? Are you sure? I have some money." and sound surprised but pleased, like they're being done a personal favor. The employees insist. He's like "Alright, thanks!" and then asks the rat if she wants anything

#the manager tells an employee to get the rat some cheese. chine says that cheese is actually bad for rats and some seeds would be better #the manager tells the employee to get the rat some seeds and for chine to get the fuck out of their establishment #chine is a little taken aback by the rudeness but leaves without further issue #runs into lye and es outside and is like “hey look they just gave me some free stuff” #Lyke is like “what???? I got kicked out because I wanted free stuff!” #chine says “I think I just got kicked out too. Maybe that's just what happens?" #lyke says “yeah but you got to keep the stuff!” #“Did you not get to keep your stuff?” #“I mean. Not *all* of it.” #“Huh.” #“They didn't let me keep the stuff I kept on purpose.” #es makes a reasonable sounding remark about how they'd be running a pretty terrible business if they handed everything out for free #everyone should get what they need but these people do have livelihoods to think about #is also putting on lipstick that she definitely just shoplifted #duvall comes out and swears he's never coming back here. is asked if he's also banned for life from the Walmart. #demands what the hell these people were doing in the Walmart to get banned for life #because he saw a man getting real heated about frootie hooties and that's definitely not a real cereal #so if that doesn't meet the bar he's not sure he wants to know what does #sangfielle #friends at the table #Shoop #asks

[grimrester]

i am really so sorry to continue harping on about the watcher entertainment streaming service. but this kind of stuff (internet content as a business & marketing it as such) is truly my obsession, and i think i will implode if i don't talk about some of the takes i'm seeing.

i'd like to emphasize again i don't have strong feelings about watcher either way. i like ghost files, i watch mystery files sometimes, i watched worth it back in the buzzfeed days. i don't watch any of their shows religiously.

anyway, here's the main things i keep seeing crop up and my thoughts on each:

"watcher has 25 employees they have to pay, and employing people in this economy is good, so we should be banding together to pay them."

employing people is good if you currently have the capacity to pay them. i checked watcher's linkedin page, and many of their employees were hired within the last year or two. if they hired people they cannot pay with the business model they had before, something is seriously wrong with their internal bookkeeping/decision making. it means they either didn't know they couldn't pay these people long term, or they did know and were content with risking newly hired employees' livelihoods on a huge content pivot in the next year.

of note is that none of their employees' titles have anything to do with managing the finances of the company. they are the size of a small business but have no one aside from the figureheads of the company in charge of their finances.

this is the kind of company decision making that leads to downsizing and layoffs, which can be devastating. but you know what's worse than laying off a portion of your staff? laying off everyone because your business is going under.

"not everyone can afford the subscription, but those who can should pay it to support the watcher team."

no. $6/month for a couple hours of content (depending on what shows you actively watch and the natural fluctuation of their release schedule) is a fundamentally bad value. i can pay that much for a few movies on amazon. i can pay that much for dropout, if i want to support a smaller business instead.

and to be totally frank, even if people do sign up, i don't think they'd get enough to compete with the amount they get through patreon/sponsorships. and the fact that they didn't know how many of their subscribers would realistically sign up is a bad sign.

a pretty good conversion rate of free to paid subscribers of a service or content is 3% (usually accomplished through a free trial). given the very poor reception of the announcement, let's say about 1% of their 3 mil youtube subs pay for their service. that's 30k people paying for their new platform. that's $180k a month in their pocket.

(they currently only have 12k subs on patreon so we are being generous here.)

a sponsorship deal (based on my googling, i have less direct experience with this) is anywhere from $10-50 per 1000 views. they've gotten about 1 mil views on their last few videos. 3 mil subs is nothing to shake a stick at, but let's say they're on the lower end of the payscale at $25 per 1000 views. that's $25k a video, $100k a month if they release 1 video a week. their lowest patreon tier is 5 bucks, so even if all their subs are at that tier, that's another $60k, so $160k total. it's entirely likely they're bringing in much more than that when you factor in merch, adsence, etc.

did anyone on their team crunch numbers on how many people would need to sub to make the switch worth it? did anyone do market research on how many people they could convert to paid users? because if not, if they really didn't have a game plan for this, the subscription service was always doomed to fail.

"this was their only option to continue making the content they want to make, with the production value they want."

i watched their announcement video. a key point in that video is that they have done sponsored videos and that's what used to pay for their content, but they did not like the amount of creative control the sponsor had over the content.

look, i get that's no fun. we'd all love creatives to be able to make whatever they want. but when you are a small business with a team of employees relying on you, you have to think about making money, sometimes at the cost of creative liberties.

and they had so many other options to make money for the projects they want to make without jumping to a subscription platform.

they could have started actually promoting their patreon, and maybe done some restructuring of the tiers. why not a highly produced, special series just for patreon members? or a special high-budget episode of each series, while the main series is lower budget?

bite the bullet and continue taking sponsorship deals on some less-produced shows, while axing sponsorships from the ones the crew feels more passionate about.

schedule larger, blowout-production shows only when they can be afforded. this is what Notorious Amongus Guy streamer jerma does. he saves up for big productions like his baseball or dollhouse streams, so he can really get creative with them.

they had other options and they've tried very little, especially when you compare them to other content house business at similar scales. try guys and good mythical morning both put out significant content with significant staff, and have had to diversify their income streams with auxiliary products, shows with widely varied levels of production, etc. but it seems to be working for them. watcher has merch and that's about it, and seems to only want to increase the production quality of ALL their shows.

really, all this just boils down to a terrible business decision. it's hard to say if the watcher team is working with a consultant or anyone outside of their team, but they certainly don't have anyone internally who is experienced with running a business like this. to me, it seems very much like they got in a room together and did some extremely optimistic income ballparking with no research behind it.

and that might have been fine for three dudes running a channel alone, but if they're a business, they have to start making decisions like one.

#i encourage discussion on this in my notes btw! #you can even be mean to me if you disagree. i dont actually care #watcher

[drtanner]

Genuinely wish I had the energy to talk more about UK politics here given that Tumblr is so US-centric and desperately needs the added perspective, but there's genuinely fuck all happening here that hasn't been par for the course for the last ~14 years. Tories gonna Tory.

A brief rundown for interested parties:

After a long and arduous battle to convince everyone that it should be legal to do so, our government has commenced with its plan to shove asylum seekers who attempt an extremely dangerous Channel crossing on small boats to find safety here onto planes and ship them off to Rwanda, a country with significant human rights issues. There does not seem to be any desire to do anything about the "criminal gangs" who are supposedly trafficking these asylum seekers and sending them here, or to ask any questions about what might make people so desperate that they'd risk crossing the Channel in a tiny boat in the first place.

Having sent everyone back to the office despite COVID still very much being a thing so that we can oil the wheels of the UK economy with our blood and to prevent their portfolios from losing value, the same ghouls are now proposing that disabled people "do their duty" by being forced to work from home, or else lose their benefits. They're also proposing mandatory work placements for people who fail to find work within 18 months.

Transphobia remains the culture war du jour, despite all evidence showing that it is a vote loser. Our government continues to be obsessed with policing the genitals of children and ensuring that trans people receive abuse from every possible direction, having recently released "guidance" for schools that essentially instructs them to deny trans kids any kind of shelter or agency whatsoever and to refuse their requests for basic dignity whenever the opportunity to do so arises, whilst simultaneously attempting to introduce the term "gender ideology" into mainstream parlance.

The Online Safety Bill, which proposes that social media sites should require ID in order to sign up, is also a porn ban.

We (and the US) are still bombing people in another country, without it having been approved by vote beforehand, in order to prevent Israel from suffering any economic hardship while it continues to commit a genocide using weapons that we (and the US) provide. Our government assures us that this will continue for as long as Israel wants it to, and is still talking about "humanitarian pauses" instead of any kind of actual, real ceasefire.

Labour (the supposed "opposition" party) has wholeheartedly supported every part of this and in some cases seems to think that the current government doesn't go far enough.

We're still in the middle of a cost of living crisis, by the way. Also the climate crisis, with more and more people losing their homes and livelihoods to flooding with every passing year. No one's talking about any of that, though. There might be a transgender child receiving lifesaving healthcare somewhere, or maybe an immigrant being treated with respect, which is obviously much worse.

So that's where we are right now. We've been promised an election this year but given that Labour haven't opposed any part of the cruelty this government has been visiting upon everyone but the white, cishet, ablebodied rich, it's unclear whether getting the Tories out will actually materially improve anything. If you've got the Greens or Lib Dems as candidates in your constituency, I guess it's time to make peace with voting for them instead of Labour, maybe.

So, yeah. v( ._.)v

#Tanner talks #UK politics

[pikahlua]

Thoughts on the official translation of 405?

Yeah, thoughts abound.

1. Is the official translation of the final line in chapter 405 accurate? No.

2. Regardless, some people think it's inaccurate in really blatant ways that it actually is not. For example, some people think the official translation is changing some explicitly used pronouns around. If there's EVER anything about Japanese that isn't completely clear, it's what the pronouns should be--because the vast majority of them are implied.

3. Re: the "yeah yeah" line, I can conceive of a delivery of the line that does not sound disrespectful. That doesn't mean that's how the translator meant it, and this translator does have a habit of translating Katsuki's rude language with a certain *VIBE* that I don't always agree with--but that doesn't change the fact that Katsuki does speak very rudely and the translator clearly tries to capture that in the way they seem to think is best.

4. It's quite a leap to claim that this official translation is inaccurate due to deliberate malice, which I see a lot of people doing. From what I can tell, the translator just didn't realize the final line is a callback to chapter 322. Without that context, yeah, I can see how it'd be difficult to fully understand what's being said there, because enough of the words are vague or implied that it'd be confusing what Katsuki's talking about without that realization. Katsuki doesn't say "I (ore)" in the line, he says "kocchi (this/here)," which depending on the context can mean "I, we, us over here on this side (of the line, of the argument)." He also doesn't say "Izuku/Deku/that nerd" specifically, he says "aitsu (that guy over there)" with the kanji reading as "One For All." Without the context of chapter 322, it could easily read like "we'll wipe the floor with you where those One For All guys couldn't."

5. Building off #4, we need to be a little more self-aware as fans. When you are a big fan of something, you're gonna be more likely to remember specific lines and notice callbacks and be keyed into the little details. First of all, not everyone is capable of that, especially with respect to a long 405-chapter-and-counting manga. This line is referencing something that the translator hasn't necessarily seen in over two years. Should the translator have to comb back through the entire manga every week just to be safe? Is that really feasible? Of course I'd love for the official translation to be as accurate as possible, but when you're translating something on a weekly basis that isn't even finished yet, it's just a fact that there will be times you miss things. You don't always have the luxury of time to go back and check for things you've missed that need to be tied together. I've messed up lines in my translations before too. Please keep in mind this is the translator's JOB, not necessarily their PASSION. They're likely translating multiple projects at the same time for a meager paycheck. They've got a lot of stuff to remember from various projects at the same time, and they're gonna miss stuff on occasion. Did the translator "not care" in this case? I think it's far more likely the translator cares enough, but if they're not in the fandom they're not gonna care more than the fans nor should we expect them to.

The proper response is not to ATTACK THE TRANSLATOR'S LIVELIHOOD like I see MANY people doing, holy crap.

Translating is often a thankless job. No one writes Viz telling them how good of a job the translator is doing when they get 99% of the translations right. The most obsessive fans often jump on mistakes as if those mistakes are personal attacks. But we're complaining about 1 or 2 lines out of the whole chapter. The rest was pretty good. That's the case for most chapters. It's hard to justify claiming malice when the translator far more often than not gets it right. But goodness, attacking the translator is not going to endear you to anyone who matters. If the translation is something you truly care about and you want to foster nontoxic fandom spaces and have good relationships between the fandom and the producers, a more proper response would be something like:

"Hey Viz, I think the translator missed this key bit of context which could have helped him with this line's translation. I love Horikoshi's work and want the best for it, and I think the translator cares about doing a good job. Would you please let the translator know about this and have him look into it for the official print tankoban release in English?"

The more you alienate and dogpile the translator, the less they're gonna care about doing a good job.

#ask pika #anon ask #my hero academia manga spoilers #final showdown spoilers #linguistics fun

[jaylleoo14]

Its not the spooky season anymore 😔 But I dont need it as an excuse to write it!

TW// Dark/gory/horror themes up ahead so tread carefully

I've been thinking, imagine what the characters would be like as serial killers. Who would be a best fit for one? And honestly, I feel like I'm able to write all of them as possible ones, well except for Ortho. Okay and maybe for Silver too but everyone else I think I can make do with it. I think.... I feel like characters that are obvious to fit the role is already generic such as Jade or Leona or Malleus! So i wanted to get more creative and try to expand more on the other characters. It would be fun to write about them though but I want someone who I think would fit the role just as nicely. Riddle and Trey was also a close one but I just really thought there could be someone more fitting. And what better character than to do the secretive man himself, Cater! I love Cater! And the potential he has a killer! Huihuihuihiuhihi Its making me shiver just thinking about it (with excitement) Perhaps I'll make the narrative as if you are looking through his eyes. That would be a fun read, no? Well I'll definitely switch the narrative to you and him but its a fun thought!

One day your boring, depressing, and mundane life gets interjected by Cater, the fun loving and bright barista! Some days you would always find yourself dreading as to why you should even continue. You live in a shitty area and your living situation is a mess, your neighbors are always partying, your boss is always picking on you, you're family situation is complicated, and all your friends seem to have moved on doing their own things in life. Life sucks, why do you have to go through this? You just want to go home already. Recently whenever you come by this super cute cafe this barista is always happily greeting you. "Another rough day?" He asked one day, and ever since that question you both have been making small talk whenever you would come by. He was easy to talk to, very friendly and bright. He was something you looked forward too during your days before and after work. One day when you go by the cafe you don't seem to see Cater around. Instead another worker rings you up instead. Out of curiosity you ask them where Cater was, and to none of their surprise that it was you who asked they simply answer with a "he called in sick." They recognize you as well considering you are a regular patron, one of the many other people who seem to enjoy Caters livelihood. Well you needed it in your life anyways. When you take a drive to your workplace you hear on the radio that two missing reports have been filed just last week, and to add on, just today they found a dead body belonging to one of the missing persons. They've been found brutally handled, the skin of their face peeled off and missing. What a grotesque and horrific way to go out.

A killer has been out on the loose in your city for who knows how long now. Though one thing is for certain, they've been going on for quite sometime now, all the victims going out in the same vindicative way. With their faces taken from them. This killer has been going on for quite some time now, but its just recently that they are starting to make another strike. For how long exactly? Who's to say. One thing for sure though is that you plan to save enough to finally move out of this godforsaken city, your awful apartment, and quit your damn job once you make enough. Despite all these killings going around, a lot of people seem to still go by their normal days just only hoping that they wont be the next unfortunate victim. "I hope Cater's alright" You say to yourself as you turn off the radio. The weather has been getting a lot colder lately, and it has been frequently raining. It would make sense that he'd get sick. Hearing about the reoccurring news causes you to let out a sigh, taking a mental note to be a bit more wary now.

You both don't really delve into each others personal life like that, so you can only hope for the best that he has someone to take care of. However on the way to work your light makes you stop and next to you is a deep alleyway. The day still being freshly new, the weather being a dewy light blueish grey after a slight rain, you dont care to look anywhere around you until a little glare hits your eyes on the side. Without much thought you turn around to see what the cause could be. Perhaps a shiny or passing car? Or perhaps it was just the reflection of someone's skateboard on the nearby sidewalk next to your car, or maybe it was- Oh.

. . . Oh

Your heart drops. You suddenly feel cold and goosebumps arise in you as you slowly flare up and your eyes widen with hyperactivity.

Someone is over there

In the alley way, next to you. Just slightly, are you able to make out a figure hidden under the shadows casted by the surrounding and clustered buildings.

Someone with a dark hoodie to blend in with the shadows, their back slightly angled towards you in the dark.

HONK

A car honks from behind you and you're woken from your trance. Just then though, the person in the alleyway slightly shoots their head towards where the sound of the honking originally came from quickly and for a split second your eyes meet. You hit the gas pedal, quickly speeding off with your heart racing as you pass the streetlight. Your cold clammy hands grips onto the steering wheel as you slightly speed off in a hurry and you bury yourself into your seat as the sound of your engine revs away down the dampened street.

They saw me...... I saw them...... they saw me

Was that? Did I see, the killer?

As he watches you speed off in your car he turns back to his finished business. The bloodied and lifeless corpse in front of him lying in a dirty puddle mixed with gravel and rain water from the earlier light rain. With his bloodied gloved hands, a dark shining glint glossing over it, he brings it to drag his mask down to inhale the dewy freshness of the air and out with a heavy breath.

"Ah, Cay-Cay should've been more careful huh?"

With no response he only laughs to himself a bit, nudging the lifeless corpse with his foot as if it were a ball.

"Oops. Forgot you've kicked the bucket now. Oh well, they didn't see me anyways. I shouldn't worry too much anyways."

"heh, who would've thought It would be (y/n) to see me down here... I guess I'll keep a close eye on them from now justttt in case."

Definitely will expand on this when I have the time and finish my other work, but oh how I cant wait to share! >< This is just a base and loose little draft for me to go off of but I was thinking of something like Cater placing pictures around the victims, pictures of perhaps locations to where he could have put their faces. But regardless, I think it'd be fun to write a really slow burn between you and Cater, a psychological horror experience :3

#jellorambles #twst #twisted wonderland #cater diamond #cater twst #cater x reader #people like yanderes right? #yandere cater diamond #twst x reader #serial killer au #My brain cannot seem to stop thinking about sk!Cater and >< #does anyone else like cater #this is pretty vile in all honesty but thats the point #I hope i can make this an immersive read for the intended audience #twst cater

[pinkandpurple360]

Triggering material: Dangerous SA victim blaming rhetoric of the HBoss fandom that’s sending a dangerous message and hurts real people:

Pretend this isn’t about your ship or your faves, just listen objectively.

[character] guess who, of HBoss is not a victim of r*pe / SA by [character] because:

The guy doing it to him is an abuse victim himself

This is not an excuse.

The guy doing it is sad and crying. His mascara is flowing. He’s on anti depressants.

I’m sad you think that’s an excuse to SA someone regularly.

The guy doing it doesn’t mean it.

Still doing it.

The guy doing it is a queer man!

His victim is a queer man.

The guy doing it has repressed sexual urges he needs to let out, his wife and him didn’t have a good sex life and she’s a bitch. He makes him feel better.

Hell fucking no. Just no.

You’re playing into the stereotype of gay men being sexual predators.

You’re defending the sexual abuse of a queer male character. An abuser can be any orientation. How many lgbt+ victims are afraid to speak out on their SA by another lgbt+ person, in case they also fuel stereotypes, do you think?

The guy doing it is offering him something in return

He’s holding his job and entire livelihood over his head and knows he can be killed by him at any time.

The guy doing it doesn’t understand consent cause he’s very sheltered, he doesn’t mean it. He’s actually in love.

Id argue that he doesn’t understand love because he’s sheltered, he actually just thinks consent doesn’t really matter. And a victim shouldn’t worry about the abusers rationality.

He (the main character) is just a sex worker so he can’t be a victim of SA, you’re a prude who hates sex workers

He is not willingly a sex worker this is not his choice of work, he has no choice in the matter. And sex workers have higher rates of SA and r*pe than any other member of the population!!! Sex workers are human beings who get to say “no” who shouldn’t have to sleep with people who abuse them and who people they find repulsive. They should choose who they want to be with, on their terms. Sex workers do not have to be down for everything!!!

It’s kinky and meant to be dark

If it’s meant to be dark it should stay dark, and stop trying to make the SA a comedy and then into a sad romance. It also worryingly, correctly portrays something sex workers have to deal with, Johns imposing increasingly violent, damaging, possibly fatal kinks on them with each session, and coercing the person to go along with the elevating kinks out of their comfort zone because they know that they can’t really decline.

He’s the top, he’s tough and he’s masculine. He’s confident in his sexuality. He can’t be a victim of SA

Girl. Go home. That is sick. This is the worst fucking one for me because when are we going to let the myth die that only effeminate or weak virginal people can be victims of SA

He deserves it because he’s hypersexual to other people too, and he stole from the guy and played with his heart.

Nobody. Deserves. S.A. No matter what. Scream. Also being objectified in this manner actually triggers an unnatural hypersexuality as a way to claim back a feeling of control over the situation. That is no excuse either, but it shows that SA only leads to more SA.

(Some micro-aggression about bisexual/Pansexual or polyamorous people or anyone who is promiscuous in general, being down for everything from everyone at all times)

Stop.

He’s a bad person too! He’s just as toxic!

Bad people don’t deserve SA. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A GOOD PERSON TO BE A VICTIM OF ABUSE

The guy doing it thinks He likes that sort of thing.

He was told “Stop it.” In that same scene. He won’t stop.

He’s a grown man who can make his own decisions.

You can be any age or gender and be a victim of SA, his decisions have been taken away from him. That is not something to be ashamed of. Small decisions being available don’t downplay big decisions not. His abuser is a grown man too.

Ok, it is SA, they need to break it off, make character growth, and then they’ll get back together healthier. Redemption!

“He can change!!” “I went back to him Martha, he changed just for me!” Once you get SA’d by somebody, PLEASE NEVER GO BACK TO THEM. YOU DONT OWE THEM SHIT even if they’ve changed. The reward for you not being shitty anymore isnt the love of the person you abused.

He secretly wants it and enjoys it, he’s playing hard to get. He hates himself too much to admit he loves it and is afraid to let it develop into love…the guy doing it is the real victim here.

Jesus fucking H Christ hopping on a pogo stick Batman go to gilded jail

I know this last one is probably what the writers are trying to do but that doesn’t make it any less fucking disgusting and vile.

Lust shouldn’t be about force. And there’s no going back once you have forced that.

#triggering #sa mentions #mentions of sa #helluva boss fandom #Helluva Boss

[imabeautifulbutterfly]

Once Upon a Time on the Razor Crest

Summary: Din let's out a little more than he should

A/N: Hello lovelies,

Well hello gorgeous people, I'm posting this earlier than usual because I'm going to get my hair did and then I'm busy. Last day of vacation before I go back to work on Monday. Unfortunately, I didn't get as far with my writing as I wanted to during my vacation. Mainly because I was enjoying reading, sleeping and chilling way too much. But it's all good, because things are brewing in this head of mine.

Hope everyone has an amazing first 2024 weekend.

Love oo

Due to the past history of the OC there will be discussions alluding to past domestic abuse, please note that as it could be a trigger for some.

Warnings: tension, accusation of using someone, dealing with anxiety, misdirected anger, I think that's about it, if I miss any warnings please let me know.

AO3 Link |   Words: 1,094 |   Previous -> Next

Main Master List   |  Once Upon a Time on the Razor Crest

THE CRESTWORLD

CHAPTER TWO

My eyes glanced over Din one more time before I turned back to focus on Gorgu. 

Truthfully, I’d been surprised when he agreed to leave Grogu and I here, especially since it hadn’t even been a month since I joined them. 

However, he reminded me that a neighbour, a good one, was the difference between life and death out here in God’s country. It was a phrasing Din made sure to repeat at least twice a day since I joined him on the ranch, to help me realize and understand why having neighbours you could count on made all the difference. Seeing him willing to take off and help his neighbour simply reinforced his strong sentiment.

Kuiil no doubt appreciated the help from Din, especially when he almost lost his livelihood, because his flock of sheep took off, it was something that could’ve been detrimental to him.

I understood why he had to leave, but seeing as I was still new in taking care of his own livestock, granted it was only two horses, a nerf and nunas, it was still nerve wracking to be responsible to look after them. Din was gracious enough to write out detailed instructions on what needed to be done during the time he was away, which eased my anxiety somewhat, and really he wasn’t in the mood to have a tete-a-tete when he gave me the instructions, he was too annoyed and upset to discuss if he should or shouldn’t leave.

There was not much to discuss anyways when he still had that same attitude, I ignored his comment about Grogu’s lunch and paid attention to the adorable child eating his pancakes. 

“That’s no fun, right Grogu? Having the same lunch twice in a row?”

“Yup, Annie”

He wasn’t exactly comfortable around me, despite the amount of time we had spent together, but he was slowly opening up. He stopped hiding behind his father whenever he saw me, which was a huge step forward. He even liked it when I sat beside him during meal times. However, during the two days Din was away, I did notice he started to answer my questions more, which I believe was slowly helping us to grow more comfortable around each other.

“Okay, how about …” I looked in the fridge quickly, “how about a grilled cheese with veggies and fruits for tomorrow? Sounds good?” I asked as I took a seat beside him, eating my breakfast, as well.

He simply nodded as he ate his pancake, humming contentedly as we both danced while we ate, it wasn’t the best etiquette to have at the kitchen table, but if it allowed him to open up more to me and feel more comfortable, I was willing to do the little things I could.  

“You don’t have to do that.” 

Din’s miserable voice washed over them, as his eyes glanced from Grogu to Ann overtop his mug. He didn’t know why but something about her was starting to irritate him, or maybe it was just the exhaustion he felt from helping Kuiil round up his wayward sheep that was making her more irritable than usual. Either way, he wasn’t in the mood for her happy persona or the fact she somehow grew closer to Grogu while he was away.

“Do what?” 

I asked as I finished my tea and breakfast. I grabbed the empty plates and took them to the sink. He still hadn’t answered my question, as I packed up Grogu’s lunch that I made the previous night. I double checked Grogu’s backpack as I put his lunch bag inside, making sure he had everything ready for class, “Grogu, where’s your homework?”

“Grogu, get your homework” Din stated as he motioned with his head for his son to leave. His annoyance was at an all time high and he wasn’t able to hold back any longer. 

“Patu?” Grogu tilted his head as he shrunk back a little into himself. He knew his father could have a temper, though it was rarely seen, but somehow Grogu felt he may have done something wrong. 

Din noticed Grogu’s reaction, he leaned over and ruffled Grogu’s hair, and cupped his son’s cheek reaffirming that he was fine. He gave him a subtle smile, “It’s alright buddy, just get your stuff.” 

He watched as Grogu nodded and headed off, leaving him and Ann alone in the kitchen. There was something he needed to make very clear with her, and he didn’t want his son having to listen in to this particular conversation. As soon as Grogu was out of ear shot, he took the opportunity focusing his glare at Ann.

“Listen, I’m going to say this once and only once. I appreciate your help Ann. I’ll admit since you joined things have been going smoother, and I appreciate that you stepped up when I had to be away, but there’s something you need to keep in mind”

Silence filled the kitchen as I looked at him, there was something about the way he was keeping himself constrained that made me get my back up. I’m not sure what exactly triggered him or made him so irritable, but I felt as though I just walked through a minefield. Somehow, I was very close to setting him off, the wrong word or question and it seemed as if his self-control would evaporate. I took a deep breath and pushed away my nerves. Keeping my voice steady as I locked eyes with him.

“What’s that?”

“You’re. Not. His. Mother.” 

Din’s voice was laced with warning as his hand clenched around his fork, “You’re here to help, got that! So don’t use my son to try and get close to me. Understood!” 

As soon as those last words left his mouth, he saw how taken aback she was, and for a split second, he could have sworn there was a look of utter pain and disgust across her face.

My hands clenched around Grogu’s backpack, it took all of my strength, all of my patience, every last ounce within me, not to recoil or run away. For the first time since my ex, I actually wanted to yell at someone for saying something stupid and accusing me with an ulterior motive. In my head, I screamed, ‘WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING!’ But at this point, it wouldn’t have helped either of us. I took a moment, closed my eyes, took a deep breath and counted to ten to steady my nerves and quell the beginnings of anger in my heart. 

AO3 Link |   Words: 1,094 |   Previous -> Next

Main Master List   |  Once Upon a Time on the Razor Crest

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#din djarin #din djarin series #din djarin fanfiction #din djarin x reader #din x reader #western din #the mandolarian #cowboy din djarin #mando #western din djarin #the mandalorian x reader #the mandalorian fanfic #the mandalorian x ofc #the mandalorian #cobb vanth #grogu #mandalorian and grogu #peli motto #fennec shand #boba fett #mando fic #mando fanfiction #mando x reader

[vergess]

So a friend reblogging this interview tips post, which is a perfectly fine post with advice that is useful or whatever.

But I desperately need hiring managers to stop acting like the livelihood and continued survival of their interviewees is "playing the game." It's not a game; it has never been a game. It's people's survival. Our lives.

I understand that to management it's about showing team spirit. But to everyone else, management just said that I need to buy new clothes if I even want to be considered a meritorious applicant, regardless of my skills, experience and attitude.

Because every single thing I own is "ratty." That is to say, it is worn out, thread bared, and has stains/rips embroidered over. That's what being a poor person looks like.

"Oh just spend $20 on a shirt and pants."

I'm also fat. Button down shirts that won't be an Obscenity charge are $40. Pants are $60. I have 37 dollars to my name and I still have to buy medicine and shelter.

And remember: this expense is for the lottery chance that I may get hired. It is NOT an expectation presented AFTER an offer.

I get to pay for new clothes for russian roulette.

I should spend everything I have and more to buy one outfit for interviews and really, really hope that this time I get the job. Even though interviews are notoriously biased against fat people, POC, queer people, and women.

Management also just said I need to prove that I know about the company atmosphere from personal, unpaid, off the clock research above and beyond the application and interview process.

That I should self teach, BEFORE so much as an offer is made.

Meanwhile literally hundreds of my applications are thrown away on a weekly basis (I do about 15 applications a day most week days, and have been for multiple years now). The reasons for this are varied. Sometimes its because my name sounds too ethnic (I've had so many interviewers compliment me for not being Black which they thought based on my name). Sometimes they think I'm over qualified for every single job within 55 miles of me, as though having a college degree means I can photosynthesize instead of needing a home.

Often it's simply because companies lie all the time about whether they are actually hiring, posting dozens of fake job listings. That way they can tell their overworked and underpaid staff, "Oh, the reason you have 3 doubles a week is because of all those lazy unemployed assholes that don't want to work."

The fact that there is a "game" where the loser may become homeless or dead at all is deranged. The fact that the losing players all have to smile, and cheer, and cooingly tell the winners what a Good, Good Job they did is significantly more disgusting.

And let me be clear: the OP of that post is a hiring manager. That shit about "ratty clothes" is entirely under the hiring manager's opinion. There's no way to know what a given hiring manager thinks of your clothes, though if you're visibly poor, fat, or nonwhite chances are they would think you look unkempt in a full 3 piece suit with garters.

That shit about "show me you did independent unpaid labour to prove your loyalty to a company that isn't even hiring you yet" is ALSO under the manager's absolute judgment. You have NO way of knowing what stupid tidbits of information are the "right" ones to recite. You could memorize every piece of information that company has ever published and you STILL would not know which trivia is the Right Answer.

Same with the "ask me a question" shit.

There is no right answer. Interviews don't check for skills, abilities, experience, or even team cohesion.

They are vibe checks. They exist to give hiring managers a way to disqualify IMMENSELY qualified candidates over their own unexamined bigotries.

And btw? We have the science to prove it. It's called "implicit bias."

If you have an accent, are fat, aren't white, are visibly disabled or queer in any way, etc? Your inability to get a job is not because you "didn't play the game."

It's because the "game" was rigged to fuck you over from the start.

[tarttheart]

PRECIOUS LOVE: CHAPTER 9 - JAMIE TARTT x YOU

summary: you receive an offer of help.

word count: 660 words

warnings: language

-

chapter 9: its teaching me

You: Jamie knows.

Keeley: I’ll be there in half an hour.

Rebecca: See you both soon.

You: I’ll leave the door unlocked.

For the first time in months, there were no tears. You had no tears left to shed about this entire saga. Was it a good thing? Was this progress? You were not sure but Keeley and Rebecca had wrapped you up and cuddled you to bits anyway.

“I should apologise first for ghosting the both of you the last couple of months,” you piped up and the two shrugged it off.

“Babes, you were dealing with a lot and sometimes we sort our shit out with people and sometimes we don’t. We knew you’d come around eventually.”

“What she said,” Rebecca said, raising a glass.

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” you replied graciously, peeping out from under your quilt.

“So, out with it then, how’d it all go? You wouldn’t have us here if you didn’t want to tell us.”

You groaned, hiding under your covers again.

“It was awful. Michael started at my workplace a few months ago and we hit it off. He convinced me to go on a blind date with his boyfriend’s teammate and when he said teammate, I thought he meant like an office team. Like the marketing team, you know? Not a fucking premier league team,” you ranted from under your covers.

“Right, Colin’s Michael is your colleague.”

“Yea, Colin. I don’t know. Michael doesn’t follow football so I assumed he wouldn’t be involved with someone whose entire livelihood depends on football. And then, Jamie of all the fucking people on the team has to show up.”

“Babes, you ever considered why that might be? Maybe you guys are better suited for each other than you think,” Keeley asked gently as she stroked your arm.

“It’s not that I don’t like Jamie. Wouldn’t have slept with him if I didn’t. I just…” you sighed, fiddling with your quilt, “I just can’t see us being together now.”

Rebecca huffed, pausing for a moment before she started, “darling, we love you, you know that. So, it really fucking hurts to watch you punish yourself for something you had no control over. I know what you went through was fucking hard and it must hurt like a son of a bitch. I’m not going to diminish your pain and I admire your strength to even get to this point but you have been suffering for a long, long time. Maybe it’s time to let the wound heal? It might leave a scar but scars are beautiful. It shows everyone how strong you are and it makes you you.”

“Yeh, I’ve got one from when I stepped on a sea urchin during a photoshoot.”

You and Rebecca laughed at Keeley’s input and Keeley smiled, “fina-fucking-lly, a smile.”

You heaved a long sigh, “I need help, don’t I?”

“Well, I was thinking about this. Why don’t you see Dr Sharon? She’s the club psychologist,” Rebecca held up her hand when she saw you about to interrupt, “let me finish. She can see you online so you won’t have to go anywhere near Nelson Road if you don’t want to. And, if you don’t feel comfortable with her, I’m sure she will be able to find someone who you can talk to.”

“I appreciate the offer, Rebecca, but I don’t work for the club or do anything related to the club.”

“Well, in a way, it’s related to Jamie and he’s at the club, so as boss, I’ll allow it.”

“I—I…”

“Think about it. You don’t have to say anything right away. When you’re ready, the offer is there if you’d like it.”

“Thanks Rebecca.”

You held out her arms and Rebecca moved from her seat in the corner of the room to give you a squeeze, you and Keeley shuffling to give her room to join you two on the bed. Your bed and heart have never felt this full.

-

< chapter 8 | master list | chapter 10 >

#jamie tartt #jamie tartt fanfiction #jamie tartt x ofc #jamie tartt x reader #jamie tartt x y/n #jamie tartt x you #jamie tartt fic #jamie tartt imagine

[the-wayside]

I don't want to get too into the weeds because I understand the frustration at having paid for content, but I don't think anyone really understands what the purpose of the event is. It isn't to piss people off, it's to generate revenue, particularly profit.

Oh, make money, business bad. No. You need to understand that revenue profit is what allows IDF to take on more projects, grow the company, pay their people, take on people, source talent, and give raises. Saint largely paid out of pocket to get The Sign going, which he likely took on as a sunk cost. But even if he is the CEO, he still has an operating board that is asking questions that need to be answered, i.e. what's our Sales plan and distribution market? How are we going to generate enough revenue profit to have the budget we need to generate even more revenue and sustain growth and do more of what our consumers want?

Capitalism is what it is, and we're not getting out of it for the foreseeable future. In that case, I'm going to support the businesses I think are worthy of that. And I get that my perspective isn't favorable, but I also work in a Sales team where it is very clear if we don't make X revenue we as a team, the whole business, suffers. No more resource, workloads increase. None of us are sitting there out of malice. Our service's ultimate goal is to keep people safe. You are not obligated to pay that money, but *it is* about the money. It is the system we live in, unfortunately. The arts are never funded, so they have to go to other avenues and make choices like this. Because really, what is their next option: exhaust their actors with paid for promotional events? Sponsorships are one revenue stream, but it should NEVER be the only one. So they do nothing and downsize? Eventually close?

Putting The Sign on a streaming paid for platform would have seen everyone take a pay cut out of what ad revenue they get out of YT and likely a % cut of value of how much it was streamed. We got 95% of the show for free and to generate assured revenue for IDF, they have had a paid for finale event. I think that isn't the worst outcome.

Be pissed and angry at captialism, but cut out the dogging Saint as a sell out because he has to function within it and ensure all his people, because that's what his company is, his people get paid for their jobs and keep their livelihood. We all need to make money. There are no clean hands in that respect, remember that.

#tw: rant #negativity #don't reblog im just frustrated because people acting like IDF isnt a business

[possibly-astraeus]

if you have any reason to believe it isn’t safe for you, don’t do it even if the post reaches your goal! there’s ways to test what your parents think about the situation without putting yourself in danger. mention you overheard people talking about it, for example, without mentioning in what context (i.e outside, etc etc). maybe say you heard your teachers talk about transgender people negatively; if your parents reach in the appropriate manner (i.e ‘that’s rude of them, let people be’ or ‘they should be reported’ you can easily admit you were just testing their reaction)

this is especially important because you’re a minor; you are still under your parents’ care and won’t have many other actions available to you if it turns out they aren’t understanding, or even cruel about it. i’ve found that even people who were like ‘that’s weird, but i won’t harrass them,,, don’t be like them, but no harrass’ have become much more polarised in their disgust due to social media

i feel i need to tell you this as a person who knows their parents won’t react well if they ever learned their child is trans, as well as a person living in a country that would persecute them for being queer. no matter how loving they are otherwise, you have no guarantee what they’re like on this. one of my parents peels oranges for me and tries to get me to eat healthy meals. they hate the idea of lgbt anyway

don’t go into this with the perception that ‘if i lose them, they weren’t worth it anyway’; you can do that when your safety and livelihood isn’t dependent on them as a child legally obligated to a guardian

I'm actually going to cry. Thank you so much for the support, and that goes to absolutely everyone who is positively spamming my notifications

Thank you so so much 😭💚

#mask says stuff lol

[lucky-berry]

No, you cannot just fucking say you represent everyone of a certain group. Especially with a multi-decades long religion with branches upon branches of belief.

No, a religious state has no place in the modern world. Religion and state should stay seperate lest we want another pope war situation.

No, hurting people for the simple fact of not wanting their livelihoods to go poof is bad. You wouldn't want that either now would you?

No, I do not care for the ones that are neutral. Their opinions don't matter to me as I will stay firm even if they try to convince me otherwise.

No, how are you so dumb to think carpet bombing is a good idea?

Yes, it is rather similar to the blitzkrieg isn't it?

No, I do not want Judaism to die, I want your hate to die and for you to realize your faults.

Yes, I hate politics with a burning passion because I have learned no one in the current political power could care any fucking less about the people that helped them gain the power that they have.

No, again, I do not want a religious state. It is a stupid idea. Like how is that bs gonna work in this current society?

For fucks sake, is it that hard to not want to hurt people that are different from you?

No it doesn't matter what happened in the past when you are currently doing something as bad and even, dare I say, worse than what happened.

I think Hitler would be jealous of how more effective you guys are at killing the opposition. That is not a good thing to those of you who didn't get it.

No, you cannot condemn someone for their perceived sins. You are not God. You are a human with a God complex.

No, I will not change my opinion.

Yes, it is an inevitable tragedy when people die in a battle regardless of which side, but that doesn't mean I can't grieve for the lives lost and be angered about it.

Yes, I do believe that war is a stupid dumb dick measuring contest by greedy people.

No, I do not understand why people insist on sending defense armies out to fight a threat that's not in their own homeland. That is aggression, not defense.

Yes, the world is fucked.

No, I will not give up on it.

Yes, I want to give a chance to Israeli people. Continuing the hateful cycle will only repeat this whole boffunery all over again.

No, I don't want to. They are hateful.

Yes, I still will try. For the sake of a better world I want to give love a try.

If that does not reach them, then may the devil find your company more pleasant then I have.

Yes, pirating is good in this economy. Give it a shot.

Yes, I think celebs should not say their political opinion. They've opened a can of worms and are surprised that it is a can of worms.

Yes, the world will be a better place if grudges are handled by world leaders duking it with fists boxing style. No need for sending people into battle and no need for civilian casualties.

Yes, I hate war.

Yes, I hate guns that go kill this fucker.

Yes, I love history about war.

No, I would not like a repeat of war.

It is only February but many people of the world has given us a reason to believe God truly has abandoned us.

#free palestine #palestine #free gaza #gaza #from the river to the sea palestine will be free #fuck israel #end the genocide #freepalastine🇵🇸 #pirating

[arkus-rhapsode]

So I try to keep recent news out of my posts. Usually I like to wait for a situation to pan out to avoid snap judgements. But recently, some news has been playing out that really made me upset.

If you haven’t heard, SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) had recently signed a deal with an AI voice production company known as Replica Studios for licensing actor’s voices in video games.

This is coming off the massive strike where SAG was fighting against things like AI implementation in film and script development. Though the claim is that this will be an “ethical” implementation of the technology. And the irony and backlash was quite apparent. But the important thing that should be obvious to everyone is the ones this affects the most, voice actors.

This article by Forbes has many links to some of the people I’ll be citing and their reactions. So please check that out if you want a more professional run down: https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/01/10/video-game-voice-actors-criticize-sag-aftra-over-agreement-with-ai-company/amp/

So the reaction from VAs has been pretty understandably upset. Well known VAs like Steve Blum, Veronica Taylor, Allegra Clark, and Brenden Blaber. Expressing disappointment in the union and that this opening a gateway for video game companies to cut use their voices without actually needing them to record. Now this deal is for just Replica Studios, but it’s still very disheartening that this was a concession.

Now I am not an actor. My career and life doesn’t hinge on the choices of millionaires running film production companies and what policies or investments they make that would require me seek out a union’s protection. Any discussion around how SAG itself internally operates and it’s treatment of certain professions over others is not my place to talk about. I instead implore you to listen to people have been a VA and part of that Union and listen to their experience with them. So why make this post? I’m not particularly important or an influencer. Well the answer is simply I love voice acting and care about it as a profession. Even if I’m not one, I can’t tell you how so many of my favorite moments in fiction/media were elevated by someone’s acting. And this is prominent in video games.

This blog has many times devoted itself to live blogs and posts about games. Games like Fire Emblem Three Houses, Persona 5, and Danganronpa. Games with noticeable voice acting involved in their presentation and their narratives. And in my experience some of those performances are tied to some of the enjoyment and identity of the game. And it sucks knowing how all those things you love or admire can potentially be replaced by machines. When there was a union that had been fighting to avoid things like this for on screen actors.

I cannot imagine the hurt this has caused for people’s whose job is to be a professional VA, and you are hearing about companies in the video game sphere like Square Enix and Microsoft going hard in AI. I can imagine many are scared for their livelihoods. And knowing how greedy or unscrupulous some game companies can get, the possibility they go through with AI will be not in the favor of “ethics” it’s in the favor of profits.

All I can say is that im a VA fan. And I know plenty of games that have been elevated by their voice acting. And I will say that voice acting is acting. It is an art form that deserves the same amount of protection as screen actors.

Please support the VAs. Even if you don’t think about it as much, if there’s a character you liked in Persona or Fire Emblem game, please check out who is doing those voices. Because their work is part of the experience.

#Rhapsode speaks #voice actors #voice acting

[writernopal]

Find the Word Tag

Fair warning this is going to be a FAT post because I had several lovely peeps tag me for this one!

@captain-kraken, here

@toribookworm22, here

@autumnalwalker, here

@squarebracket-trick, here

@talesofsorrowandofruin, here

Thank you all so much!

Tagging (gently): @kosmic-kore @sunset-a-story and @sugar-phoenix

Your words to find will be: deprived, include, major, and hate

***

From Kraken:

faint (AASOAF 1)

And then, I heard a faint sound. A thud? I stopped, struggling to figure out what it might be, but my nervous breaths seemed to overshadow anything that my ears might pick up.

lonely (AASOAF 2)

In any case, they fed and clothed me without complaint and made sure I wasn’t lonely or wanting for anything, even going so far as coming to have supper with me in my recovery room. It was touching.

grow (AASOAF 2)

I looked down at my hands and chewed my lip. “I-I can’t help but feel as though there is something that you are not telling me.” My comment did nothing to make him speak, but I could feel the atmosphere between us grow heavy, sign enough that my suspicions were correct. 

memory (AASOAF 2)

Who did I find? I’d been pining after her so desperately without even knowing who or what she was to me. His question and the memory of her cruel words further overshadowed my momentary happiness at seeing her again.

***

From Tori:

subdue (AASOAF 1)

As terrified as I was, I needed to be brave. I needed to protect Samuel, but to do that; I would have to subdue him, and quickly.

fate (AASOAF 1)

Why was he being cruel? I’d lost my livelihood because of him! Not only that, but managed to save his life once more! It felt like some sort of cruel joke that fate would force us to make such an unfair and savage exchange.

told (AASOAF 1)

She wasn’t even in half-mourning. Husbands had the option to be in half-mourning after the passing of their wives, but wives weren’t given such a choice. She should still be observing it if what she told Xaxxix was true.

believe (AASOAF 1)

Sometimes it was exceedingly easy to believe that they were my underlings. This was one of those times. And with their constant ribbing of one another, one might easily mistake them for brothers.

***

From Autumnal:

broke (AASOAF 1)

“She said wells be portals to the Kin’dom of Frogs, and I wanted to go there to see as so for myself. So I jumped into the first well I could find. Broke my leg and near scared my mother to death.” He said with a nostalgic look on his face.  “It sounds less that she played the trickster and more that you were simply impatient.” I remarked with a giggle. 

flattery (AASOAF 2)

“I’m not buying you more furs, Anise. We can barely afford to feed ourselves as it is. Do you think there is gold just lying about for you to spend?!” I yelled, throwing an angry hand up in frustration.  “You have so much hair.” She said, changing her strategy to blatant flattery, “Wilkes is lucky he gets to sleep in it.” I smacked my lips in an annoyed fashion. “You and Wilkes are lucky I let either of you near me…”

miniature

I don't have this word! Have an AASOAF fun fact instead! I legitimately thought that everyone was going to hate Axtapor while I was writing AASOAF 1 so I was genuinely surprised that so many people liked him when I started sharing my work online.

rattle (AASOAF 1)

I tried to lift my head before a shock of pain thrust itself through the base of my neck. I cried out and heard the rattling of chains in my ears as I fell to my knees. The water is rising. No. I’m sinking. I struggled further and called out to anyone who might hear me, but there was no response. No echo. No sound. 

***

From Kate:

smooth (AASOAF 1)

The pair of smooth sloped horns upon his head, his bright red eyes, and the ruby set in his forehead helped me confirm my suspicions about who he was, though they were hardly needed. He was unmistakable.

free (AASOAF 1)

“Do ye want to be free? Or will ye let them step on ye again?” “Even if I wanted to be, what can either of us do?” I whispered shakily. “It nay matters tell me what ye want.”

broken (AASOAF 1)

“Oxlo, Oxlo. First Mate, broken-hearted Dreamer. Broken man, broken heart, broken Dreamer. Nightmares. Dark. Terror. Oxlo.” “Aye, Kirik.” I responded with a frown as I pulled my pipe from my pocket and began to stuff it with tobacco.

slowly (AASOAF 1)

But we would need to stop to water the horse soon; the poor beast was foaming at the mouth and proceeding slowly after being worked so hard the night before.

***

From Nerissa:

anger (AASOAF 2)

He departed, and while I did my best to temper my anger, it got the better of me as I seized one of the paperweights from my desk and threw it across the room, shattering some glass thing wherever it landed.

opposite (AASOAF 1)

People bustling about and minding their own business seemed to suck whatever unique value such an environment could provide to any new eyes that might lay upon it. I let out a small sigh as I scanned the crowd in the opposite direction and felt my limbs become tense.

continue (AASOAF 2)

Of course, such things would not go unnoticed by her. She knew me well, and no matter how much I dismissed her, she would just find another angle and continue to prod, but where would I even begin telling her about what was troubling me?

answer (AASOAF 2)

I supposed his answer was sweet, and I should be happy that my grandmother would finally have a chance to be with someone who treasured her in the way she deserved, but I wasn’t. When it came down to it, I didn’t like his response at all, and I didn’t know why.

#tag games #find the word tag #manuscript search tag #writeblr tag games #aasoaf #aasoaf 1 #aasoaf 2 #mariel #axtapor #fay #my writing

[atwooozi]

Almost Perfect (Sebastian x Fem!Farmer) Chapter 3: Friday

Warnings: Slow burn, personal struggles, anxiety, depression, eventual smut

Summary: It's Friday which means Angeline will be doing what she can to integrate herself with the townspeople of Pelican Town at the saloon. One of the things she so desperately wanted when she moved out here was to feel like she was part of something and hopefully that happens.

A/N: When writing this I kept going back and forth on whether I wanted to include characters from SVE and I decided plot-wise it would make a lot of sense for Sebastian's character arc. It might be a bit clumsy, but I'll try my best to include a majority of the characters where I think it makes sense.

READ ON AO3

Chapter 3: Friday

Spring 5

Angeline dusted herself off and checked her phone. It was 3:30, and she still had time before meeting Sam and his friends. He didn’t specify when Angeline should meet up with them but he mentioned them getting there around 5:30. Since she had been here Angeline had met a handful of people and while they were nice she was looking forward to meeting more people around her age. 

She had met Alex, and while he was handsome he made her feel so small. While she didn’t want to take it to heart she couldn’t help but be put off by him. When she told him her name he seemed to outright refuse to learn it, settling just for farmgirl. It felt dehumanizing. Not to mention Haley. Haley was stunning, like a model. However, Haley’s beauty couldn’t cover up the way she looked Angeline over and brushed her off when she tried to introduce herself. It made Angeline feel like she was back in high school all over again. 

At least Sam was nice. Who was she kidding? Sam embodied sunshine. He was pure goodness put into a lanky blonde. Angeline hoped his friends were the same. She couldn’t really handle the high school antics for a second time when she was teen that was more than enough for her. 

Angeline looked around her farm. She made quick work of it once Lewis and Robin left. She cleared what she could and while that wasn’t much given her rusty tools it was enough to plant her first batch of crops. She was proud of herself, truly. She wasn’t completely sure if she was going to make it three days before calling her dad, begging to be picked up. Maybe it was just out of spite that she was making so much progress, but she didn’t care. Angeline had kept plants in Zuzu and they did okay, but this was going to be her livelihood now she needed it to be perfect or at least worth the effort she put in.

Angeline put her tools away and went inside her cabin, grabbing her makeup bag and some toiletries to freshen up a bit at the spa. She couldn’t believe that her grandpa did this every day. She had never felt so sore in her life. As she made her way up north she spotted the man that lived in the yellow tent near Robin’s house. She gave him a small wave and he hurried off in the opposite direction when they made eye contact. Angeline frowned, aside from Lewis, Robin, Sam, and Marnie everyone else felt stand-offish (at least of the few that she met) like back in Zuzu. She stopped herself, it hadn’t even been a full week yet she couldn’t give up yet. She was new, and a new person wasn’t necessarily something that happened in Pelican Town often. They would warm up to her. She would have friends and she was going to make this work. She had to.  

~*~

Angeline made her way to townsquare and took in the scenery. A general store, a clinic, and a saloon all within a few feet of each other. Angeline liked it, in Zuzu if she wanted to hit up the grocery store, her doctor’s office, and a decent restaurant she would take at least two different trains not even including the train she would need to take, plus, the 15 minute walk that she would then need to take from the station to her apartment. 

Angeline was about to check out the bulletin board when she bumped into someone. 

“Oh I’m so sorry.” The red head gaped. “I was just trying to look at the calendar. “ 

Angeline shook her head and smiled at the girl. She looked a bit like Robin. Was this Maru? “My name is Angeline. I’m sorry I wasn’t paying attention.” 

“I’m Penny.” The red head smiled and held out her hand. Okay, so not Maru. Just another red head. Not all red heads are related, Angeline. 

Angeline smile and shook Penny’s hand. Her hand was slim and a bit cold. Penny was pretty. Angeline could picture Penny being the star of one of those cheesy rom-coms where the jaded-city business exec tries to buy up a historical building to place condos in the quiet town, but Penny would win them over with her charm and down-to-earth feel. 

“I should be going. I still need to get this one home.” Penny gestured and looked towards a boy with strawberry blonde hair. Are they related? Angeline couldn’t really tell if she was going just by hair then it was definitely a maybe. 

Angeline nodded, “Have a nice night. It was nice meeting you Penny.” 

Penny smiled and gave a small wave, leading the small boy away towards what she believed was Sam’s house. Were they all related? 

Angeline shook her head. That didn’t matter right now, she made her way into the saloon. It felt cozy despite how large the building was. The wood and the fire made the bar feel warm and inviting. 

For the second time someone had bumped into her. She quickly shuffled away from the door and looked over her shoulder to see a guy with somewhat stringy hair and a five o’clock shadow. He looked tired and maybe a bit sad? 

“I’m sor–” Before she could even get here apology out the guy brushed past her and made his way to the far corner of the bar. 

Angeline sighed and made her way to the bar. The people of Pelican Town have been a bit of a mixed bag. She felt like maybe she was putting too high of expectations on the people here, but so far she felt alone if not more alone than she felt in the city. She felt herself tearing up and her body began to tremble. Her anxiety was starting to get the best of her. Maybe moving out here was a mistake. Before a tear could fall Angeline felt a hand reach out over her own. She looked up to see a woman with striking blue hair and matching blue eyes. 

“I can read your face,” she smiled warmly. “You’re going to love it here.” 

I am? Angeline swallowed her anxiety back and returned the smile she had been given. “I hope so.” 

“I know so.” The woman replied with a firm nod. “My name is Emily. If you’re ever looking for something to do come by the saloon. I’m always here.” 

Angeline nodded, “I’m Angeline.” She let out a deep breath. “Can I have some water, please?” 

“Of course!” Emily smiled and quickly served her a glass. 

Angeline drank her water and scanned the room, before she could find something to focus on a hand clapped her on the back. “Angeline!” She straightened and turned to see Robin with a tall man standing behind her. 

“I’m glad you came!” She turned towards the man behind her. “This is my husband, Demetrius.” 

Demetrius gave a slight nod and a small smile as a greeting. “How’s the farm? Are you getting used to the slow pace of the valley?” 

Angeline shrugged and gave a polite smile. “It’s a little overwhelming but I’m doing my best.” 

Robin smiled and nodded. “Oh good.” She sighed, “ I wish we brought Maru– our daughter. She’s been anxious to meet you.” 

Demetrius cut in. “She is quite busy though with all her work, so it will have to be a different day.” 

Robin nodded and gave a small frown before brightening a bit. “But you can at least meet my son, Sebby, I mean, Sebastian, he’s a bit shy but he’s a good boy.” When Sebastian was mentioned a complicated expression that Angeline couldn’t quite read spread over Demetrius’s face as he stepped away to socialize with Lewis. 

Robin frowned as she watched Demetrius step away but she turned back to Angeline with a smile. “He should be in the game room with his friends.”

Robin nodded towards the room off to the right. “Go say hi. Sam, Abby, and Victor are sweet kids, too.” with some light cajoling from Robin Angeline made it to the game room. She peeked her head in and she felt three sets of eyes fall on her. 

“... Like I was saying, you should totally think about being our drummer Abs.” Sam said, “Maybe you, too, Victor. Do you play anything?”  When Sam looked up from the pool table at Abigail and Sebastian he followed their line of sight and immediately straightened. “Angeline! I was worried you weren’t going to come.” 

Angeline took a step into the game room towards Sam and waved shyly at Abby and Sebastian. “Hi I’m Angeline. I just moved here from Zuzu. I-I’m taking over the old farm.” she said in a voice that didn’t feel like her own. It felt softer and scared than what she was used to. She felt like she was intruding on an already tight-knit friend group. Sam was very welcoming and friendly, but the energy that Sebastian and Abigail gave was intense and a bit intimidating. She looked over towards the arcade cabinets and gave a small smile to the other young man in the gameroom. She wasn’t sure if he was also friends with the others, but he felt far less intimidating than the violet and raven haired pair on the opposite side of the room. Robin said shy when describing her son and sweet when talking about Sam, Abby, and Victor, but all she could feel was her own anxiety. Angeline pushed some hair behind her ear to soothe her nerves but she felt small under their stares like how she did with Alex and Haley.

Abby got up from her seat on the couch and walked over to Angeline. “Hey I’m Abigail, but you can call me Abby.” 

“Hey” Angeline said softly. 

“I always liked exploring the fields of the old farm, but I guess it’s cool that you’re taking over.” 

Angeline smiled and gave a shrug, “It’s still a bit overgrown in some spots, so you can still explore whenever.” 

Abby returned Angeline’s smile and led her to the couch. “Really?” 

Angeline nodded. “Yeah sure.” Maybe Abby was sweet she just seemed a little guarded at first?

~*~ 

Angeline had really loosened up as she spoke with Abigail and with Sam and Victor, the man standing near the games, interjecting every now and then. Sebastian however only spoke to Abby and Sam, though. He didn’t even seem to care that Angeline was there. He only focused on his pool game with Sam or would look Abby’s way to answer a question or quip at either of his friends. He seemed nice when speaking with them, funny even. Angeline couldn’t help but think that maybe she had done something to upset him. She didn’t know what it could be but she must’ve done something. Perhaps it was the fact that she was there in the first place? Friend groups were tricky and introducing someone new was never an easy thing. It felt apparent given that the group didn’t interact much with Victor either despite him seeming so kind.  

Angeline studied Sebastian as he lined up his shot, she never knew of someone being so shy that they just ignored a person’s existence. Of course anything was possible but was that truly the issue that Sebastian was having with her? She wasn’t sure. All she knew is that him icing her out completely made her feel on edge. 

Angeline checked the time, it was 9:20. “I should get going” she said as she stood up. 

“Already?” Sam pouted. 

“Yeah I have to get up at 6. Farm work.” Angeline lamented. 

“That sucks.” Abby frowned. 

“It was nice meeting you Angeline.” Victor gave her a kind smile. “Don’t be a stranger.”

Angeline returned Victor’s smile and shrugged at Abby. “It is what it is.” She walked towards the door. “Thanks for the nice night. Goodnight Sam, Abby, Sebastian, Victor.” She waved and made her way out of the saloon and to her farm. Aside from a few hiccups Angeline felt that maybe she would be okay. She hoped Emily was right that she’d love it here.

#sdv sebastian #sdv #stardew valley #fanfic #fanfiction #stardew valley sebastian x oc

[the-valiant-valkyrie]

every reason imaginable* why charlie and wigfrid should kiss i think

i was gonna do this in 2023 but idc anymore i've been holding onto this for well over three years and its time to make it everyone else's problem

The dichotomy between good and evil:

One of the main reasons why Charcoal/Charlow resonates so well with people is because of the contrast between the two characters. One of the main motifs of Don't Starve is light vs dark, after all. But Charlie and Wigfrid are really good foils for each other as well! Especially when you take Wig's... you know, protagonist syndrome thing into the equation.

Wigfrid is a just and noble self-proclaimed warrior, who balances her somewhat prideful demeanor with loyalty to her allies and an honor she carries about her at all times. Charlie is a bitter and power hungry ruler who disguises her more unsightly traits with an air of regality and elegance. Though part of it is seemingly out of her power, she strikes invisibly and ignobly, and has been shown not to be above things such as manipulation and deceit to get her way.

But they slip up a bit every now and again. Charlie will occasionally get uncharacteristically soft- little bits of her former self slipping through. Wigfrid, on the other hand, will sometimes need to reel herself back in, struggling to keep in tune with the moral allignment of her persona. There's little bits of greys between the black and white that they so desperately try to repress, but that sometimes comes peaking out every now and again. Could they make each other better? Could they make each other worse? I don't know, but they sure could make themselves something, that's for sure.

Prisoners of the persona:

It's one of the more obvious things people tend to notice about both their characters. Who Charlie shows to the public isn't really Charlie. Not completely, anyways. And likewise, who Wigfrid is isn't truly Wigfrid, either- though with her it's far more difficult to pick apart what part is the persona and what's genuine.

The thing is, while both of them are probably aware that their personas are not themselves, both of them struggle with the same issue in regards to it: That persona happens to be the only thing they have left of them after the hardships they needed to face.

For Charlie, it's obvious. Whatever happened to her after the Final Act damaged her irreparably- both mentally and probably physically as well. There's no room for something like Old Charlie to resurface in the position she's in now, overseen by eldritch beings, wrapped around their finger, debatably physically a part of Them. To embrace Old Charlie is a risk that could result in unspeakable consequences- should she ever find the strength to embrace Old Charlie at all.

Wigfrid, on the other hand, at first took up the persona under much easier (yet, to her, still very impactful) stakes. That being the fact that her career and ultimate passions were on the line. Almost certainly suffering from something (an anxiety or some form of self doubt that manifested itself into a hatred of the self), she eradicated the actress entirely, further embracing Wigfrid more and more in a desperate attempt to cling to what remained of her livelihood. Though, it can also be implied that a lot of 'Wigfrid' was developed during her time in the Constant, which in itself would also come with it's own implications... Surviving only because of the adeptness and skill of your persona. Having it to thank for the person you've grown to become.

And yet, again, sometimes you see cracks in their masks... Sometimes Charlie drops her catty and uncaring act- if only for a second... Sometimes she makes gingerbread, or eggnog, gives presents to survivors on the holidays, or quietly observes the cheerful ongoings of the Midsummer Cawnival... And meanwhile Wigfrid has been bringing up her prior stagelife with an almost unnerving frequency, whispering her recollections of old stagehands (real ones not Charlie's evil ones) to the kitcoons, basking in the glow of Winona's spotlight, showing off her perfect pitch with the shell bells, and even writing her own scripts to take with her into combat.

Whether they know it or not- whether or not they even want to admit it- there's an obvious desperation to exist beyond the mask, even for mere moments at a time... There's a clear struggle between fulfilling those desires, and tamping them down and completely ignoring them, and they're both teetering on the edge of both at any given moment. If anyone is going to understand how it feels to keep that hidden little part of you in check (excluding Maxwell), it would be the two of them.

Stage motif:

Absurdly obvious point to make but that is exactly why I'm bringing it up. Wigfrid used to be an actress, and even in the Constant still puts up her (incredibly convincing) performance. Charlie's role on stage, while more ambiguous, can also be confirmed to have been on the stage beyond her appearance as an assistant with Maxwell (maybe as an actress herself. Probably not a playwright, though that can also be tossed around as a potential).

But the reason why this holds so much weight is because of the value they themselves attach to the stage. Charlie's turned it into her entire motif! Even before A Little Drama, the Florid Postern and Stagehands have always been a telltale sign that she's never truly forgotten those elements of her past- and even seemingly holds a distant sentimentality to it (which only seems to have been growing lately, after aLD and Encore).

While Wigfrid tries her best to keep it under wraps, there's an undeniable fondness that she still holds for the stage. And in anything that even vaguely resembles such, she'll make note to call it out. From the horses own mouth there's a longing. Klei themselves call it an "irresistible urge to perform", and yeah, the fact that she'd love anything enough to introduce it as a new element of her persona is evidence enough of how much worth it holds to her.

It's more than just a little hobby or characteristic they share. It's Charlie's lifeline to the past, and Wigfrid's siren song. It's pieces of their past selves clinging for dear life, unraveling the character they've built around it. And they're probably the only two characters who really get that. Who understand it's worth. And I don't even have to specify excluding Maxwell in this example, because while he is an actor his attachment to the stage pales in comparison to his attachment to the Codex and dark magic itself. That's what he bonded himself to; the power and prestige and new sense of self that it gave him. But the girls found a liberation in acting itself that still haunts them like a ghost to this day

+ Reflections of the past:

Another very important thing to take into account is the fact that Wigfrid and Charlie probably had some connections with each other in the past... And if not connections as in flat-out interactions, then connections as in shared experiences- something that can be equally as important when you've been torn away from any scrap of society.

We know plenty of strange similarities that Wigfrid and Charlie share. They were both abducted in 1906, meaning that they shared the same time period. They both had careers in the acting field (seemingly to varying success), and even more specifically than that, they both had an affinity towards Shakespeare, something that Winona can confirm for us when she examines some of Wigfrid's scrips. They also both happen to be women in their field, which in itself was rather rare for the time (although steadily becoming more common, as progression slowly does what it does).

That's all well and fine enough, but then you get into more specific things... Like the fact that the Florid Postern- an invention from Charlie's own hands, suspiciously resembles Wigfrid's archway in her own home. To me, that's well a cue as anything that their pre-established relationship- or at the very least their pre-established shared experiences- go further back than what even we're privy to. If it turns out that they knew each other pre-Constant I don't even need to keep going I could finish this essay right here and everything else would already speak for itself.

They're so distinctly different- as different as night and day. An elegant queen and a blood-soaked warrior. And yet, it seems both of their pasts weren't all too unique... maybe even intertwined. It's the fact that they could go as far as to share the same thought process that really gets me. That they could find beauty in the same things. That they could probably recite the same poetry.

Where Wigfrid differs from Maxwell:

Now by this point, you may be thinking "Savvy, this is a great analysis and I agree so so much with your points-" (thank you) "-but you've made several points explaining Wigfrid's similarities to Maxwell in the past. Don't you think that something like that- sharing similar traits to a man she holds so much ire for- might make Charlie more adverse to interacting with her?"

And to that I would say: First of all, I also ship Maxlie so that argument is completely void because I think they should kiss either way. But second of all, Wigfrid has a glaring advantage that Maxwell pre-constant completely missed out on:

Charlie knows that Wigfrid is a persona. Charlie didn't even know that 'Maxwell' wasn't his real name! That's what Wigfrid has over him. Maxwell's whole 'thing'- as much as he didn't intend for it to be- was an act of deceit.

Wigfrid's not deceitful, she's just stuck in the embrace of her own persona. But even if she was deceitful, Charlie can't be deceived- if not because she's God and Knows Everything, then because even before she was taken to the Constant, she's either seen or heard of Wigfrid in the past (an actress at the time getting as popular as Wigfrid got? Seemingly making the headlines on a repeated basis? There's no way you wouldn't be privy to that- especially if that's your field of employment).

To her, I think that would be a practical gold mine of entertainment- especially as someone who was deceived by Maxwell in her past. Batting around another persona- one with origins so similar to yours. It's like one of those ground beef filled pumpkins, except the ground beef is whoever's under Wigfrid's mask, and the pumpkin is. Wigfrid herself.

Another very important part when it comes to shipping Wigfrid with anyone- especially her friends- is the implication of the Mask vs the Self...

To make this quick (because I could write a whole essay about this alone): The Actress has already been scarred for stepping out of the persona of Wigfrid before; with her old audience. And it caused so much strife in her life that she fell into the persona like quicksand, and to this day hasn't dared resurface. I think the biggest hurdle between Wigfrid and a relationship with any of the other survivors is the fact that- for all she knows- they could be in love with the persona, and not her. And why shouldn't they be? Who could blame them, when the persona is all she's ever shown?

It's a matter of trying to balance the pros and cons of showing someone you care about who you really are... and potentially dealing with the consequences of them disliking you- or worse, flat out hating you. Like her old audience did.

All this to say, Charlie can skip right over this hurdle immediately... True, she may not know all the details (or maybe her position on the throne lets her know everything, who knows), but she knows enough to poke holes in Wigfrid's persona like it's paper. As much as that fact may unnerve her, you gotta be honest, it solves that issue pretty much completely.

Other stuff that you should also consider but I don't know how to phrase it in a way that makes any sort of sense:

The beauty of a rose needing its inelegant roots in order to survive. Death's unrequited lover locking gazes with its Harbinger. Being puppeteered by a shadow of your own making. Wearing masks of your own face. Brighter spotlights only casting darker shadows. Does this make sense?? Is this making sense? A white knight and a black queen. Looking at your own reflection and seeing a stranger in its place. The way dusk will always lose to twilight, but twilight will always lose to dawn, but dawn brings way to day, and day brings way to dusk again. Is any of this making any sense? It's about pulling back the mask for someone else because try as you might you're not strong enough to do it on your own. Does that make sense to you?

ALSO. Wigfrid has already seeming displayed an attraction towards Charlie at least physically and its the funniest thing and I think about it once a day at LEAST

ik 'fair' doesn't always have to mean beautiful but. it does in this context. i asked mr klei and he told me. so its true trust me on it.

#NOT TAGGING THIS..... OBVIOUSLY. #but i TOLD you i was keeping this back for YOUR benifit #LONG POST #by FAR too long a post