너는 멍청이

got it from this twt post (has more stuff in the thread)

⊹ standing too close. like just barely not touching. why are their shoulders breathing on each other??

⊹ conversations that sound normal but feel like foreplay. “pass the salt” has never been so loaded.

⊹ one of them says something flirty and the other freezes for 0.2 seconds like “oh.”

⊹ eyes dropping to lips and then—back up. with effort.

⊹ holding eye contact just a little too long. like... are they gonna kiss or duel??

⊹ unintentional physical contact that lasts one second too long and now they’re both broken

⊹ a hand on the small of the back. that’s it. that’s the tweet.

⊹ tension so thick that other characters start noticing like “hey are you two okay?” (they are not)

⊹ “accidental” sleepovers. “oh no there’s only one bed.” yeah. suuuure.

⊹ biting back a smile. biting back a moan. biting anything really.

⊹ one of them walks away and the other has to physically restrain themselves from watching the hips

When she asks

1. When he’s happiest

2. What he wants most

3. What his biggest fear is

You gain approval for responding with the very surface level things that are a little true but not really the real answer.

1. Elbow deep in gore

2. Revenge

3. Breaking a nail

But getting the answers right and truly passing the test means gaining disapproval, because he is both upset that you are saying the quiet parts about himself out loud, and that you are revealing the deepest truest parts of himself to a stranger (the nymph testing you.)

1. Astarion has never been truly happy

2. Freedom

3. Being enslaved

There are so many ways to interpret this, so many ways to play the test out based on your character and your relationship dynamic, and it’s brilliant writing on Larian’s part in that way.

Personally, the way I interpret it is as a parlell to the mirror scene in Act 1.

Astarion is thrilled at what he admits is “shallow praise” because the shallowest parts of his appearance make him feel beautiful.

But, if, when “being reflected through someone else’s eyes” he is instead met with objectively true and more unique qualities of his, like laugh lines and the way his hair curls around his ears, he becomes distressed and begs to just be told he’s beautiful.

Astarion puts a LOT of work into performing his outer persona just as he wants it, he puts a lot of work into controlling how he is perceived.

From what I've noticed, he doesn't *really* object to a good character. He'll whine about the extra effort, but you can get his approval almost maxed without playing an evil Tav (I've done so). And I've noticed that he's neutral to a lot of the "I'll see what I can do" dialogue options. He only really opposes things when you make promises, and I think that's significant.

I think he doesn't like promising to help people not because he's selfish, but because what if you can't? What if you're just giving them false hope?

I've also wondered if he approves of the crueler, more deceptive options not because he's a evil man, but because it's familiar. It's safe. He knows the world is cruel. Cruelty is predicable. Kindness isn't.

I haven't gotten to the hug scene yet but I think the reaction we saw in the trailer confirms things, that Astarion is really thrown off by Tav being genuine and that he's not opposed to kindness or softness - he just isn't used to it. When was the last time someone wasn't trying to manipulate or control him? When was the last time that he wasn't trying to manipulate and control someone else?

I think his romance is very interesting because he's so flirty and cocky and confident at the start but that's because it's purely physical and seduction and sex are what he is good at. If you sleep with him before the tiefling party, and then at the party tell him that it should stay a one-time-thing, he's really quite heartbroken. He plays it off, of course, but there is hurt there, real hurt.

Idk, it's just cool to see a character who isn't reduced to being evil for the sake of it - it's more of a trauma response and a self-destructive attitude because destruction is familiar and Astarion is terrified of the unknown.

Disclaimer Game Version: All these analyses were written up to the game version v4.1.104.3536  (Early access). . As long as new content is added, and as long as I have free time for that, I will try to keep updating this information. Written in May 2021.

hey i’m a mental health therapist and writer here on tumblr dot com and i’m back with another “how to write mental health” guide! we’re talking about BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER today because too many people need to learn how to write people with bpd without demonizing them. incidentally most of the characters i actively roleplay on this hellsite have bpd and if you can’t write a fella with bpd without making them Bad after this post, i’ll bite your toes off one at a time and make a funny little windchime out of them!

let’s get started. borderline personality disorder is defined by a pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts. like all personality disorders, borderline personality disorder is the brain coping with ATTACHMENT TRAUMA. borderline personality disorder is indicated by the following:

frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment–this does NOT include suicidal or self-harming behaviors.

a pattern of unstable and intense relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation. “i love you” one day and “i hate you” the next.

identity disturbances: unstable self-image or sense of self.

impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging. this does NOT include suicidal or self-harming behaviors. some examples:

spending money

sex

substance abuse

fighting

gambling

disordered eating

recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-harming behaviors.

affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood. “affect” refers to how a person presents themself in the world. e.g. someone with “flat affect” carries very little emotion in their face and voice, even if they are very happy or very sad. someone with bpd can be very intense in the way they present their feelings, or they can present their emotions in a maladaptive or inappropriate manner.

intense dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting at least a few hours and rarely more than a few days.

chronic feelings of emptiness.

inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger.

transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms. “transient” basically means “comes and goes.”

PEOPLE WITH BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER ARE NOT INHERENTLY BAD, EVIL, AND/OR ABUSIVE. i cannot stress this enough. this is the number one way i see people writing characters with bpd and it is incredibly damaging and inaccurate. people with bpd are coping with severe attachment trauma and very frequently also have complex ptsd. folks with bpd are far more likely to be abused than to be the abuser. stop it, stop it, stop it. 

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER IS DERIVED FROM ATTACHMENT TRAUMA. attachment trauma refers to parental or caregiver figures not providing adequate care to a person, the attachment to the figure/s being severed, or the attachment figure/s is abusive. think about folks who have lost parents to death, who have been abandoned by parents ( physically or emotionally ), or are in the foster care system. these individuals will learn that people are not there for them and they have to either cling to them tightly or push them away, and to go out of their way to make people like them. if someone does leave them after all this, they are “bad,” so it’s easier to push them out before they, too, can leave.

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER IS FREQUENTLY COMORBID WITH OTHER DISORDERS. as previously stated, many folks with bpd have complex ptsd. in fact, i’ve yet to work with someone with bpd who doesn’t also have complex ptsd. full blown dissociative disorders ( dissociative identity disorder, depersonalization/derealization disorder, etc ), substance use disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and mood disorders are also very frequently found in folks who have bpd. do your research here.

AS ALWAYS, CONSIDER “WHY” YOUR CHARACTER IS ENGAGED IN THESE BEHAVIORS. what purpose did it serve? what happened to them? many maladaptive behaviors begin because, at one point, it worked for the person and kept them “safe” and people don’t just develop personality disorders for the fun of it. if i fawn over this person they will not leave me, and if i push them away first, they cannot abandon me, and it will hurt less. if this person does leave me, i have to get them back, because when people abandon me that means i am bad. if i do not go above and beyond, if i do not do my best, then who am i as a person / what’s the point / i am bad if i don’t do the most.

it is a common misconception that people cannot have more than one diagnosed personality disorder. THAT IS NOT TRUE. while it is uncommon for people to have personality disorders in multiple clusters ( borderline personality disorder is considered a cluster b personality disorder ), it is possible to have more than one diagnosed personality disorder. for example, it’s not unheard of for someone with borderline personality disorder to also have histrionic personality disorder, as they are both cluster b personality disorders. it would be more uncommon for someone to have, say, borderline personality disorder and avoidant personality disorder, as avoidant personality disorder is a cluster c personality disorder.

here is a random list of jobs you would typically find in the restaurant / culinary field to help inspire .

restaurateur

general manager

assistant manager

executive chef

sous-chef

pastry chef

kitchen manager

food & beverage manager

catering manager

sommelier

line cook

short order chef

prep cook

server

busser

runner

cashier

barista

host / hostess

dishwasher

delivery driver

tv cooking show host

social media chef

social media food reviewer

Prompt Game (aka #Weekend Game)

Give yourself 15 minutes, get a random number between 1 and 918 and search for that prompt (search in my tags: prompt #{number}) and then start writing.

And if you already used that prompt choose another one or write it in a completely different way.

Combination Game

Choose three prompts (you can use random.org) from my blog between 1 and 918 and search for it on my blog by using #prompt [no.].

Now try to think of a way to combine all of them in one story. No matter how outlandish they seem together at first, in the end this game helps you to see them in a completely different light and to get a new multi-dimensional idea for a story.

+ if you use even more prompts;

who can fit the most prompts into a drabble or a 500 word short story?

++ if you choose prompts that at first glance don’t seem to fit together at all

Genres Game

Choose one prompt from my blog (you can use random.org) between 1 and 916 and search for it by using #prompt [no.] on my blog.

Whatever your first inspiration is, the goal of the game is to write this one prompt in as many genres as you can think of for it. Write about 5 to 10 sentences for each genre and see the different directions you can take the same prompt in.

Tropes and AUs Game

Let your followers send you a number or use a randomizer (like random.org) for this list of tropes and some of my favourite AO3 tags and/or for this AU list.

+ if you combine tropes/AUs

++ if you combine them with a prompt (between 1 and 918, search on my blog)

Drabble Game

Choose a prompt from the drabble lists and then write a short piece with precisely 100 words.

Title Games

1. Game:

Choose a title or let your followers send you some in. Write a short drabble or a full story with that title. What is the first idea that comes to your mind?

+ if you take the same title and write completely different stories/different genres with it

2. Game:

Let your followers send you the titles and then create a short summary for what a potential story would be about.

3. Game: The Alphabet Game

Choose one title for every letter in the alphabet from these lists and fill them or let your followers pick characters for you to write a story for each title with. (Inspired by evilwriter37)

Here you can find all the titles.

You can find all the prompts here.

Bingo

Fluff Bingo

Have fun!

hey i’m a mental health therapist and a writer here on tumblr dot com, back again with another “how to write mental health” guide! this time we’re talking about SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS! this is MY very specific wheelhouse because i do intensive outpatient work for a substance use disorder treatment agency!

i have seen SO MANY gross mischaracterizations of addictions on tumblr, specifically within the indie roleplay community, from demonizing addicts to misinterpreting addiction to calling their “has a glass of sometimes after work and blacked out once after one night of drinking” little dudes alcoholics. for the purpose of this post, i’m going to try and stick to the CLINICAL side of addiction because there’s a pretty huge addiction recovery/sobriety culture that is incredibly lovely and supportive but it can get convoluted with all the different programs there are out there.

now, let’s start with what makes a substance use disorder a substance use disorder. a substance use disorder is any sort of PROBLEMATIC USE OF A SUBSTANCE THAT INTERFERES WITH DAILY LIFE AND DAILY FUNCTIONS. depending on the specific substance the diagnostic criteria looks a little different but all substance use disorders diagnoses more or less follow the following criteria ( pulled from the opioid use disorder criteria in the DSM-5 ): 

a problematic pattern of [drug/alcohol] use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by at least 2 of the following, occurring within a 12-month period:

[drug/alcohol] are often taken in larger amounts or over a longer period than was intended.

there is a persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control [drug/alcohol] use.

a great deal of time is spent in activities necessary to obtain the [drug/alcohol], use the [drug/alcohol], or recover from its effects.

note: THESE DO NOT JUST INCLUDE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES. i’ve had clients with alcohol use disorders wake up early and hang around the gas station until it opens at 7am to get their first 12-packs for the day, go through great lengths to hide alcohol from spouses, stash alcohol around their work spaces so they can drink periodically throughout the day, etc. not necessarily illegal, definitely problematic.

craving or a strong desire or urge to use [drug/alcohol].

recurrent [drug/alcohol] use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home.

continued [drug/alcohol] use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of [drug/alcohol].

note: ask yourself here how your character’s relationships are effected by their drug/alcohol use.

important social, occupational, or recreational activities are given up or reduced because of [drug/alcohol] use.

recurrent [drug/alcohol] in situations in which it is physically hazardous.

continued [drug/alcohol] despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physiological ( physical–think of the body reactions ) or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.

tolerance, as defined by either of the following:

a need for markedly increased amounts of [drug/alcohol] to achieve intoxication or desired effect.

a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of [drug/alcohol].

withdrawal.

debunking some common themes i see across the writing community:

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ARE, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, A RESPONSE TO COMPLEX TRAUMA. i’ve been in this field for 4 years and 99% of the clients i have seen have experienced some degree of trauma. getting absolutely plastered and high is a damn effective way to check out when someone is experiencing chronic trauma and doesn’t want to deal with the overwhelming emotions that come with it. 

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS ARE, MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, CO-MORBID WITH OTHER MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS. similar to the above point, checking out with drugs and alcohol is a damn good way to forget how shit your brain is.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER/ADDICTION AND CASUAL DRUG AND ALCOHOL USE. if your character smokes weed at the end of the day, or takes prescription pain pills for chronic pain as prescribed, or goes to the occasional party with their friends on the weekends, or drops acid at a rave, and these things are otherwise not interfering with their lives–that’s not an addiction. that’s casual drug and alcohol use and it’s fine. people are allowed to let loose sometimes.

PLEASE TRY TO STRAY AWAY FROM DEMONIZING A CHARACTER WITH A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER. a big part of treatment is processing the “why” while also acknowledging that your actions related to your substance abuse have affected others. that does not mean people who are struggling with addiction are less deserving of love and compassion. the reality of addiction is that yes, a lot of folks with an addiction do have very strained relationships and have done unsavory things while in their active addiction. if you come at it from the perspective of “this person is dealing with strong internal turmoil” though, how does your portrayal of your character change? how do their internal monologues change?

CONSIDER WHY YOUR CHARACTER IS TRYING TO CHECK OUT WITH DRUGS AND ALCOHOL. what’s going on in the ol’ coconut that they’re struggling to deal with? alternatively or in addition, do they have something going on PHYSICALLY that they’re trying to deal with, like chronic pain? common feelings associated with people who are in their active addiction are anger, anxiety, grief, self-loathing, depression, sadness, fear–i assume you know feeling words if you’re a writer so i’ll stop there.

NOT ALL ADDICTS ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND EVEN IF THEY DO, THEY ARE NO LESS DESERVING OF LOVE AND COMPASSION. i work primarily with court ordered clients with high criminogenic risk factors. i have groups full of felons and they are some of the loveliest, kindest people i have ever met. similar to substance use disorders, criminality can be a response to trauma. a teen who is growing up in a loving stable home isn’t going to turn to gang activity, an adult with healthy relationships and coping skills isn’t going to hold up gas stations or get into dealing drugs. people are just people. similar to the above point, if your character is engaging in criminal activity, ask yourself why they would be and see if that changes the way you portray them.

that’s all i have for now! feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions because again, this is precisely my wheelhouse. it’s what i treat every day. 

here is a list of very random office jobs to help inspire .

executive director

cheif executive officer

cheif operating officer

cheif information officer

cheif marketing officer

cheif financial officer

vice president

administrative assistant

administrative coordinator

executive assistant

operations manager

account manager

office manager

product manager

social media manager

regional sales director

program coordinator

SEO specialist

creative director

marketing coordinator

marketing assistant

digital content specialist

marketing promotions specialist

public relations manager

publicist

communications coordinator

client relations manager

payroll manager

sales manager

client advisor

corporate attorney

accounts payable clerk

data entry clerk

office assistant

office clerk

mail clerk

budget analyst

bill collector

technical support specialist

IT coordinator

computer systems manager

sales representative

secretary

receptionist

ghost/cryptid hunter and person who will believe any dumb shit for a steady paycheck 

roommate A grabs the baseball bat only to find roommate B eating pickles and macarons in the kitchen at 4 in the morning 

yes I am a vampire sorry no the sleeping upside down hanging off the ceiling thing was just a bit

undeniable chemistry between the two lead actors in the worst hallmark movie ever

verified purchase reviewer on multipack of toy horses that only says THE RED ONES TASTE THE BEST and customer service agent going hello???? enemies to lovers nightmare 

librarian desperate to understand what wild phase the other character is going thru rn

goofing around in ikea and accidentally spending +2 hours in there. where does it end and honestly where is the bathroom 

roped into a d&d game with someone and having a crush on them but only knowing their character name

"So what brings you to the ER today?" well I laughed so hard at my own joke I passed out and hit my head? "oh my god" I know 

made a little offering to an ancient deity for funsies and woke them from a deep slumber. oops

I don't know why you've got a ferret on a leash but at least I've stopped crying on public transportation to watch that lil guy go

the decorative fishtank at this restaurant just broke, my instant reaction was to pick one of the fish up with my bare hands, and now we've made eye contact about it

sorry for swearing a blood feud against you but in my defense you paid for your whole transaction in quarters

I'm so so sorry I didn't mean to honk at you, I sneezed and hit the honker on accident please don't be upset at me

nothing against your choices at all, honestly kind of enthralled, but the fishnets and thigh high boots and pirate blouse seem like a lot for this 8am class 

you make me sick. babe I want to make this work but I'm so allergic to your fur

i can excuse unethical science but I draw the line at skirting lab safety. you cannot be eating rn

doctor doctor give me the news, I got a bad case of uncontrollable super powers

listen it's just a mild case of radiation poisoning you don't have to yell abt it

accidentally saw their coworker's nipple piercings

hang on have you never seen the stars outside of the city? we're going on a road trip immediately

working on the moon is fine but the alien jokes are getting old

pretending to be married for this high stakes heist is kind of distracting not gonna lie

truth serum is stupid and this is never gonna work but the fact you believe it will makes me love you even more. wait. shit

you know I've been waiting for an excuse to come unhinged and I think this might be it actually, so thank you for that

hahaha no worries, it's not my blood

but what's wrong with the lyric, "baby you make me feel like the home depot light fixture aisle" ?? I don't understand 

haha don't roll up your sleeves and tie up your hair our relationship is so platonic rn haha

I would help you move. I would follow you into hell. but you cannot make me come on vacation with your family I will do an actual homicide stop nodding and smiling at me I'm so serious 

I didn't know you wore glasses and I'm thinking normal and platonic thoughts about you right now I swear

I'm going to take over the world and no one can stop me not even y- okay well if you ask nicely I guess

you say childish like it's a bad thing but I see you eyeing that life size Pokémon plush don't kid yourself 

be honest are you crying about the commercial with the kitten in it

this marriage was supposed to be a scam but, but listen,

soooo *twirling hair and fluttering eyelashes* why does everyone think you're a freak

I know I'm your doctor and the horns growing in overnight was kind of a surprise but why do you want them removed those are sick as hell

babe. my love. song in my heart. are you purring 

okay so if you want me to rescue you from up there you have to try to come with me--okay I guess I'm picking you up

I have never been this sick before I'm sorry did I, haha this is so weird, but did I confess my love for you? f- four times? yeah? haha oh

every time you taste my cooking you just say it's amazing does it need more salt or not I swan to John

oh it's nothing it's just. you sing when you're happy and the place has been so quiet for so long, and I heard you- nevermind,

you frost cookies like you're neither left or right handed but a third other hand that you don't actually possess and I can't stand it (affectionate)

I don't think you understand how much your good morning texts legitimately keep me from rotting in bed all day 

you must be pretty down if me juggling your oranges doesn't even get a laugh out of you :( should I light them on fire? 

no I see the super powers yeah I just, I'm not sure you got them from your medication, yeah, and would you say that's a negative side effect or

you bought me a SWORD? OH MAN IM GONNA BE SO DANGEROUS 

ooh what's this potion do? coffee? that's a funny name. what happens if I press this button? humans are so fascinating this is the best I hope I never go home

you've been blinking SOS in Morse code at me for ten minutes honey this award ceremony is supposed to be honoring you 

when we kiss I feel like I'm floating, like literally gravity stopped working on me please don't let go?? also another kiss wouldn't hurt just saying 

so it was YOU who took a full bite out of that stick of butter!! please. please. why??

let's go on vacation somewhere cheesy and act like we're a couple wouldn't that be sooooo funny haha

okay so sleeping it off didn't work. let me consult my list. hypnotism, no. meditation, certainly not. well something has to work because I simply cannot be in love with them

I'm a spy. i can do unspeakable crimes under the morally bankrupt cover of night but I'm not sure I can pretend to look at real estate as a couple with you