US

got into tears of themis so bad recently but too broke to buy foreign merch, so diy we go:

Bad lighting x)

TGCF spread I made because why not? [Its messy. Just like, gods, humans and ghosts alike. Trust. (Totally not because i am bad at crafts)]

Art creds;

saadix.art on insta, for hua cheng icon above

(will edit and add later, cant find) xie lian icon below

rest are official arts or from manhua!

Villainification of Perfectly Reasonable Anger; A Queer Feminist's Rant.

I am so tired of the entire 'man hating' feminist narrative and everything surrounding it, honestly. Yes, I am angry, Kevin. And this anger is here to stay. I am angry because you are quite literally making me debate if I deserve human rights or not? If my gender deserves healthcare or not?

I was watching a video (Essayist: Contrapoints) today where the woman perfectly articulates the immense emotional disdain and burden felt by the person of minority when they are asked to sit and 'debate'/explain why they deserve the bare freaking minimum, why their existence is valid, to their 'oppressor'-- and it almost made me tear up, because I have been put into that position to explain/debate so so many times. Topics like abortion, equal pay, LGBTQ rights-- that I have had to discuss 'rationally' with people in my life, because they simply have differing 'opinions'. I could never put that terrible feeling into words.

My dear, you are putting people in the position where their entire existence is put to question and placed up for debate like a simple small political issue-- and then you ask them to not be angry? When they argue back, why is it an 'overly emotional' and 'irrational' response? Is their pain, sadness and fury not warranted? Is it really an overreaction, or simply the most natural fucking response?

Is feeling hurt and angry because people who I am surrounded with, live with, frequent places with, talk daily with, cannot-- forget accepting my identity--even wrap their head around it sometimes, that unreasonable? I would say.. it isn't. So my rage is here to stay. And whilst it won't be directed at you, it will stay until we have fixed this accursed state of society.

Or nevermind that.

Which brings me to my second point.

The Romanticisation of Cold Logic and Neutral Stance

Why have we started romanticizing 'neutral cold hard logic' or 'detached stance' so much? A person who remains emotionless in the argument is not the winner. They simply do not have enough leverage in the topics being discussed (especially in cases of gender issues).

You say 'let's discuss why women shouldn't be allowed body autonomy' and you expect me to be like 'oh dear Jared, of course, let's have a calm and collected "debate" about our body rights. Do you want a tea while we discuss this little measly political issue?'

Jared, the only reason you aren't loosing your shit right now is because this thing won't ever affect you the way it does the person opposite to you. So don't ask me to 'chill out'.

We are angry and it's fucking valid.

Peace.

It's the way Aziraphale is a terrible liar and magician but he always effortlessly pulls through whenever it is to protect Crowley.

Exhibit A:

In season 1, when Gabriel and Sandalphon drop by for a surprise visit, and they can tell something smells evil, Aziraphale very smoothly lies which is one of the only times he isn't an anxious mess in front of the Archangels.

Exhibit B:

The picture swapping in season 2 which is emphasised even further later when Aziraphale tries to recreate the magic trick once they're back (safe) in the bookshop and just fails lol

There's no conclusion to this I just thought it was neat and I needed to ramble a bit

Edit: OK there is a conclusion, actually (my brain just needed to process lol). I think it really reinforces how at his core, Aziraphale is a protector. A guardian, if you will. It comes naturally to him. We see it with the way he decides to help Gabriel in s2 with no hesitation, with how he immediately puts the humans' safety first when the demons attack the bookshop. We're often so focused on Crowley's protective side towards our angel, it's easy to miss the maybe more subtle ways Aziraphale protects him right back.

And I think it could play quite a part in his decision to go back to Heaven. Perhaps it's wishful thinking but I don't think he'll fumble his role as Supreme Archangel, if we are to believe he made that decision partly to protect Crowley, then I 100% believe he'll pull through. Because he gets it right when it matters, after all.

lets talk about the plane scene in bridon arc, where cheng xiaoshi's sleeping head falls on lu guang's shoulders and lu guang, the man, reaches his hand out to touch his hair. I dont even ship them but just his yearning, trying to feel that yes, he is here. trying to feel the 'there-ness' of CXS. I love them your honor.

Btw stop making lu guang suffer omg

"Hope comes so naturally to you."

I read this line over and over again and sometimes I wish, it didn't. Sometimes, I wish hope didn't come easily to me. Sometimes, I just wish your comforting nihilism and words of how it shall all turn to dust either way appealed to me naturally.

I walk around this world and as I grow, I learn more of it. I see the destruction, the ruins we send our environment into, the hatred that spreads like a deadly poison, the bigotry, the complete breakdown this economy is having around us, the rich become richer and the poor only grow poorer. The divide, the ignorance, just the sheer amount of misery-- Misery. The common affliction to human condition.

And yet, I hate to think, 'Nothing will change'.

It would be *so* easy to. But I cannot.

Because I don't know what happens next-- then how can I say it never changes? Never will?

We don't know what will happen to everything.

What do we know?

That it will all eventually turn to dust.

Might as well turn to dust bearing some hope. Trying what little we can, bringing change in the little corner of the world. Maybe, just maybe the world will learn.

Because if it all ends, then what's the harm in hoping?

There are two ways you can live your life-- as the ignorant one. Ignorance is, in itself, bliss. To never let yourself be aware of the wretchedness of it all.

And as the aware one. To be aware, to be conscious, to be critical and slowly feel yourself become jaded. It is the more painful way.

But if history stands as evidence, it is the critical one who challenged the status quo. The critique who dares to hope for better has always been the one bringing change.

"I look around and see the misery. I look around and can't help but be aware of the futility. But I still clutch kindness closely to my heart. I still hold on to humanity and its dynamic ability to change. I still hope.

Because to hope, is to live.

And to live without hope, is to live a miserable life."

Re: Hope might come naturally to me, but even if it did not, even if it stopped being the case- I will still choose it.

Crowley's expressions of love in season 2

Bonus:

The amount of joy I get from hearing this cuz my fav chappell roan song is casual too omg 😭😭

Hozier's interview for parademag at Lollapalooza

❝ Is there anyone you're looking forward to seeing? Are you going to watch any performance this year? ❞

how to ask the demon you've been smitten over for 6000 years to dance: an angel's guide

bonus:

Thought of this while taking a walk in park and listening to Conan Gray...