Kanej and Wesper's kids would be competing to see who could burn down Ketterdam first and then Helnik's kids would just be chilling at home gorging themselves on waffles.
On Christmas Day of 2018, I received a paperback copy of George Orwell's 1984. I was 12 years old.
I remember the adults - aunts and uncles, parents, grandparents, looking at me cautiously, as if they had handed me a live bomb rather than a book. "That's a very intense book, okay?" my father told me. "If you want, we can talk about it after you read it." 12-year-old me, with only a dim idea of what fascism actually was and an insatiable appetite for books, only nodded.
While my younger cousins and sister played with their new toys, I sat on the couch and read the book in one sitting. When I finished, I looked up to see the adults staring at me with a strange sort of fascination. "Do you want to talk about it?" my father asked.
"No." I shrugged and turned away.
The truth was, I had been expecting a happy ending. Winston Smith was the good guy, wasn't he? Why didn't he win? Evil governments always lost in the end, didn't they? How could Winston have been brainwashed into believing such an evil, awful dictatorship was truly great? After all, when my middle school history teachers talked about dictatorships, those of Hitler and Stalin, it was obvious that they were the worst of the worst. No one actually agreed with them, did they?
Then I remembered my fourth grade class talking about the upcoming election, laughing about how obviously stupid Trump's wall idea was, and how strange it felt to hear someone say Clinton was worse. I don't remember his reasoning, but I distinctly remember thinking it was dumb because what could be dumber than a giant wall around Mexico? I remembered my grandmother arguing against vaccinating children, and I remembered flat Earthers I had seen online. That day was the first time it clicked for me: people believe what they want to believe.
The years passed. I read 1984 again, and again, and again. I watched as Trump shut down the government for sake of a temper tantrum, as he was impeached, as he told Americans to object bleach, as he politicized a pandemic and let thousands die. I didn't know about his SA scandals. I didn't know he had called Mexicans "thieves and rapists." I just knew he could not be allowed to be president again.
Yet, when 2020 rolled around, I was only 14 years old and could not vote. I settled for watching anxiously as the votes came in - I didn't know much about Joe Biden, but he was clearly a better alternative. He actually believed the COVID-19 pandemic was real, for one. So I sighed in relief as the results came through four days later: Joe Biden had been elected president of the United States.
I kept watching. I watched as Trump incited insurrection, as terrorists stormed the Capitol. I stared in horror at the TV. How could this have happened? How were so many people so delusional?
In December 2021, for my sophomore year English class, I read 1984 again. I thought of January 6th.
My classmates thought it boring, confusing, stupid. It didn't make sense. What did it matter? Who cared whether or not we knew the significance of the character of O'Brien?
I kept watching. The summer before my junior year of high school, just before I entered a relationship with my now-partner, Roe v. Wade was overturned, and I felt a sinking pit in my stomach. Six months later, a friend of mine read 1984 for that same English class, and he loved it - we had a few intense study hall discussions about the nature of doublespeak, of totalitarianism, of a surveillance state. My partner agreed, reading it with a terrified fascination.
I kept watching. I realized I was nonbinary, and I watched in horror as the Republican Party made their creeping advances to eradicate trans rights. Idly, I reread 1984. What the right wanted did seem a lot like Oceania's government, didn't it? I wondered if I'd ever be able to marry my partner, who, despite also being trans, was still the same sex as me. If Trump ran again, he'd probably win, and then what would we do?
Then, 2024. Trump won the primaries in a landslide. I turned 18 and registered to vote. In the meantime, I skimmed Project 2025's bits about banning pornography and thought of 1984 and its carefully curated sexless society, created to achieve perfect complacency. I went off to college and voted absentee, carefully bubbling in the circle next to Vice President Kamala Harris's name. I woke up on Wednesday, November 6th to see Trump had won the presidency.
It has been one week. Again, I watch as Trump proposes a Department of Government Efficiency, which sounds euphemistically horrific. I watch as he suggests Musk to head it, a man known for being as inefficient as possible. I think of the Ministry of Truth and how its entire purpose was to disseminate lies. I watch as people celebrate, mocking me and many others who had desperately voted against a fascist, a rapist, a convicted criminal, a man who would kill us and spit on our graves if he was elected to office. I think of Parsons and duckspeak, the practice of simply spitting out the "correct" propaganda the same way a duck quacked. People really did believe what they wanted to believe, didn't they? I realize Trump won because, deep down, people hated minorities more than they loved democracy.
I hope my loved ones and I will survive another Trump presidency. I hope those in Gaza and Ukraine will survive it too, along with so many others - Jews, POC, immigrants, students, disabled, Muslims. At the very least, I hope to live long enough to watch as the bigots are forced to eat their own words and come to terms with the fact they gleefully voted in their own downfall.
At the end of the day, 1984 taught me something I could not have comprehended at age 12, 14, 15, or 16, but can understand now: democracy dies not with a bang, but with a whimper.
Concept: The Flags and the Agency being frenemies.
Albatross bounces over to Kenji and they both immediately start excitedly catching up and talking about some random adventure they went on together.
No one really knows what they’re talking about to be honest.
Doc and Yosano are comparing torture I mean treatment methods. He’s examining her chainsaw with delight and explaining whatever IV he’s attached to now.
And both are having a very heated debate over how much poison can truly kill a person.
Lippman’s getting teased by Ranpo for starring in a movie he already figured the plot off. But Lippman simply chuckles and remarks well you still went to see it didn’t you?
And they talk about that.
Chuuya is immediately making his way over to Atsushi and demanding that he fights him. Atsushi’s like really? Now? To which Dazai tells Chuuya that there’s a height requirement to fighting Atsushi.
I’m sure you can guess what comes next.
Iceman is sat watching everything from a corner peaceful silence. He nods in acknowledgment to Fukuzawa. They’ll probably go and have tea together in another moment.
Pianoman and Kunikida are bonding over their crazy co-workers who really do not listen to them.
Kunikida’s probably tallying up the bill for the damages and how Pianoman better not try and pay him in false notes again.
And avoiding the question as to how he can tell.
Love is in the air (in hell).
Billford Bill Cipher & Stanford Pines, Gravity Falls
Farcille Falin Touden & Marcille Donato, Dungeon Meshi
Poolverine Wade Wilson & Logan Howlett, the Marvel universe
Ineffable Husbands -3 Aziraphale & Crowley, Good Omens
Destiel -2 Dean Winchester & Castiel, Supernatural
Radioapple Lucifer Morningstar & Alastor, Hazbin Hotel
Buddie +3 Evan Buckley & Edmundo Diaz, 9-1-1
Phan Daniel Howell & Phil Lester, YouTubers
Polin Penelope Featherington & Colin Bridgerton, Bridgerton
Satosugu +16 Gojo Satoru & Geto Suguru, Jujutsu Kaisen
Percabeth +76 Percy Jackson & Annabeth Chase, the Percy Jackson universe
Bucktommy Evan Buckley & Tommy Kinard, 9-1-1
Hannigram -4 Hannibal Lecter & Will Graham, Hannibal
Labru Laios Touden & Kabru, Dungeon Meshi
Zosan +18 Roronoa Zoro & Vinsmoke Sanji, One Piece
Narilamb Narinder & the Lamb, Cult of the Lamb
Huskerdust Husk & Angel Dust, Hazbin Hotel
Steddie -16 Steve Harrington & Eddie Munson, Stranger Things
Sonadow +27 Sonic & Shadow, Sonic the Hedgehog
Ghostsoap -6 Simon “Ghost” Riley & John “Soap” MacTavish, the Call of Duty franchise
Jegulus -3 James Potter & Regulus Black, the Harry Potter universe
Fiddauthor Fiddleford McGucket & Stanford Pines, Gravity Falls
Byler -19 Will Byers & Mike Wheeler, Stranger Things
Wolfstar -8 Remus Lupin & Sirius Black, the Harry Potter universe
Soukoku -3 Nakahara Chuuya & Dazai Osamu, Bungou Stray Dogs
Bakudeku -6 Bakugou Katsuki & Midoriya Izuku, Boku no Hero Academia
Loustat +5 Louis de Pointe du Lac & Lestat de Lioncourt, Interview with the Vampire
Hualian +30 Hua Cheng & Xie Lian, Tian Guan Ci Fu
Chaggie Charlie Morningstar & Vaggie, Hazbin Hotel
Lestappen +37 Charles Leclerc & Max Verstappen, Formula 1 drivers
Hilson James Wilson & Gregory House, House
Narumitsu +13 Phoenix Wright & Miles Edgeworth, Ace Attorney
Spirk +15 Spock & James T. Kirk, Star Trek
Stolitz Stolas & Blitzo, Helluva Boss
Lokius +43 Loki Laufeyson & Mobius M. Mobius, Loki
Merthur -19 Merlin & Arthur Pendragon, Merlin
Payneland Edwin Payne & Charles Rowland, Dead Boy Detectives
Chilshi Chilchuck Tims & Senshi, Dungeon Meshi
Rhaenicent +61 Rhaenyra Targaryen & Alicent Hightower, House of the Dragon
Astarion x Tav +48 Astarion & Tav, Baldur's Gate 3
Armandaniel Armand & Daniel Molloy, Interview with the Vampire
Griddlehark -2 Gideon Nav & Harrowhark Nonagesimus, The Locked Tomb series
Superbat +12 Superman & Batman, the DC universe
Zolu Roronoa Zoro & Monkey D. Luffy, One Piece
Zelink -33 Zelda & Link, The Legend of Zelda
Jonmartin +5 Jonathan Sims & Martin Blackwood, The Magnus Archives
Vashwood -36 Vash the Stampede & Nicholas D. Wolfwood, Trigun
Zukka +20 Zuko & Sokka, Avatar: The Last Airbender
Staticradio Alastor & Vox, Hazbin Hotel
Ratiorine Dr. Ratio & Aventurine, Honkai: Star Rail
Blackbonnet -36 Edward "Blackbeard" Teach & Stede Bonnet, Our Flag Means Death
Hanamusa -9 Jessie & Delia Ketchum, the Pokémon franchise
Wangxian -28 Lan Wangji & Wei Wuxian, Mo Dao Zu Shi
Pearlina Pearl Houzuki & Marina Ida, Splatoon
Firstprince -32 Alex Claremont-Diaz & Henry Fox-Mountchristen-Windsor, Red, White & Royal Blue
Shuake Kurusu Akira & Goro Akechi, Persona 5
Drarry +6 Draco Malfoy & Harry Potter, the Harry Potter universe
Landoscar Lando Norris & Oscar Piastri, Formula 1 drivers
Bingqiu Luo Binghe & Shen Qingqiu, The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System
Shadowpeach +2 Sun Wukong & the Six-Eared Macaque, Lego Monkie Kid
Zutara Zuko & Katara, Avatar: The Last Airbender
Itafushi Itadori Yuji & Fushiguro Megumi, Jujustu Kaisen
Loumand Louis de Pointe du Lac & Armand, Interview with the Vampire
Timkon +25 Tim Drake & Conner Kent, Young Justice
Klance +18 Keith & Lance, Voltron: Legendary Defender
Nuzi N & Uzi Doorman, Murder Drones
Durgetash The Dark Urge & Enver Gortash, Baldur's Gate 3
Cherik Charles Xavier & Erik Lehnsherr, the Marvel universe
Kathony Kate Sharma & Anthony Bridgerton, Bridgerton
Staticmoth Vox & Valentino, Hazbin Hotel
Shin Soukoku Akutagawa Ryunnosuke & Nakajima Atsushi, Bungou Stray Dogs
Huntlow -65 Hunter & Willow Park, The Owl House
Haikaveh Kaveh & Alhaitham, Genshin Impact
Chainshipping Lawrence Gordon & Adam Stanheight, Saw
ButtonBlossom Ragatha & Pomni, The Amazing Digital Circus
Agathario Agatha Harkness & Rio Vidal, the Marvel universe
Broppy Branch & Poppy, the Trolls franchise
Lumity -65 Luz Noceda & Amity Blight, The Owl House
Radiorose Alastor & Rosie, Hazbin Hotel
Imodna -53 Imogen Temult & Laudna, Critical Role
Rosekiller Barty Crouch Jr. & Evan Rosier, the Harry Potter universe
Everlark Katniss Everdeen & Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games
Wenclair -78 Wednesday Addams & Enid Sinclair, Wednesday
Kataang Katara & Aang, Avatar: The Last Airbender
Caitvi -5 Caitlyn Kiramman & Vi, Arcane
Adrienette -50 Adrien Agreste & Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir
Davekat +3 Dave Strider & Karkat Vantas, Homestuck
Adamsapple Adam & Lucifer Morningstar, Hazbin Hotel
Twiyor -58 Loid Forger & Yor Forger, SPY x FAMILY
Shuggy Shanks & Buggy, One Piece
Scollace Scott Pilgrim & Wallace Wells, the Scott Pilgrim franchise
Madohomu Kaname Madoka & Homura Akemi, Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Solangelo -23 Will Solace & Nico di Angelo, the Percy Jackson universe
Kimharry Kim Kitsuragi & Harry Du Bois, Disco Elysium
Klapollo -2 Apollo Justice & Klavier Gavin, Ace Attorney
Maxley Max Goof & Bradley Uppercrust III, An Extremely Goofy Movie
Megop Megatron & Optimus Prime, Transformers
Wilmon -34 Prince Wilhelm & Simon Eriksson, Young Royals
Johnshi Johnny Cage & Kenshi Takahashi, Mortal Kombat
Korrasami -5 Korra & Asami Sato, The Legend of Korra
The number in italics indicates how many spots a ship moved up or down from the previous year. Bolded ships weren’t on the list last year.
Love love? Create a Community for your OTP today, and enjoy yelling about it with others in the comfort of your own dedicated online yelling space.
Now I can't stop thinking about how happy I would be if this musical actually existed
Once again thinking about a Six of Crows musical featuring delightful hits such as:
Overture (Instrumental)
Ketterdam [Capitol of Capital] (Ensemble)
The Bastard of the Barrel (Kaz's song)
Stars and Saints (Inej's song)
Trigger Finger (Jesper's song)
Son of the Council (Wylan's song)
Welcome to Hellgate (Matthias's song)
To Hold a Heart [To End a Life] (Nina's song)
Two Step Plan (The Crows)
Tainted (Kanej Duet)
The Ice Court [Infiltration Destination] (The Crows)
Up the Incinerator (Ensemble)
Dance of the Dignitaries (Ensemble)
Two Pair (Wesper)
Hands of Flame (Ensemble)
Waters of Djel (The Crows)
Escape [We Have a Tank] (The Crows)
Jurda Parem (Ensemble)
Stay Afloat (Helnik Duet)
Bastard's Lament [To Lose a Spider] (Ensemble)
No Mourners, No Funerals (Ensemble)
Exit the Crows (Instrumental)
Now if only I knew how to compose music...
nobody talks about how chapter one is basically a messy first date between you and the reader
I just read that Donald Trump and his circus took down a website called reproductiverights.gov
This was a website to help women learn about their reproductive rights in the US and to find health care.
This is absolutely disgusting so I’ll share in this post some resources in case you need them:
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn
OC's Belong to Zeyn_Syre on youtube
I Just finished the anime of bungo stray dogs and i read the chapter 114 of the manga, but i have the feeling i missed something. Someone can say to me if there are some manga chapter or manga extra i have to read? (Maybe for some character backstory or information that wasn't in the anime)
(I just watched the five anime season and read the chapter 114
Man I miss them can jan 24th come already
Hello!🇮🇹 I love anime and books, i do gacha videos, i like write and i'm trying to learn to draw. a lots of AU's live rent free in my mind
164 posts