My emotional support demons

Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice.

'guys we're out of supplies/ we need to stop/ we're attracting too much attention with the flying bison we should walk' etc.

Like in the ´The Storm' when they're completely out of money and supplies the one to get a job in hopes of making money (he never actually gets paid, the world hates him) is Sokka.

In 'The Waterbending Scroll,' it's Sokka who's concerned about their lack of supplies when Aang sends them in a wave down the river, and is making sure they're careful with their spendibg when in town shopping.

He's also seen to catch fish and gather nuts (I know more often than not he fails to catch things on screen but it's implied he's the one that does most of the hunting and gathering)

The original tweet summarizes it pretty well. Fanfic tends to be popular among certain types of neurodivergent people (aka people most likely to read excessively as a child, and have burnout as an adult) for the same reasons that we tend to hyperfixate--neurochemical signaling (I hope I'm using that phrase correctly). What I mean is, for people who are really dependent on changes in dopamine/serotonin/neurotransmitter levels, who have low levels or wonky neural reward systems (perhaps the most common types of neurodivergence)...people like us rely on dependable external sources of those neurochemicals. In order to function, we spend a lot of our free time trying to level out our brain chemistry using things that can reliably bring us a steady stream of joyful moments (rewards) without costing too much of the mental effort that is already in short supply. 

significantly: the investment of reading has to be balanced with a steady "return on investment"--and this return has to start fairly quickly. because again, we don't have a lot of attention/energy to invest on tiring things. we have perpetual "low batteries" in that regard.

that doesn't mean these stories are “simple,” or that they lack complexity or value--only that the reward has to come in short regular intervals, and it has to have a low "upfront cost.” which is why fanfic stories are so perfectly formulated for neurodivergent readers--they are often beautifully written, but skip a lot of the upfront costs (of introducing new characters, of world-building, of getting the audience emotionally connected to the story elements).

the nature of fanfiction is that the reader has a pre-existing relationship with this world and these characters. that--combined with the shorter average length of fics--means that fan fics very quickly start "rewarding" the reader in a way that traditional fiction struggles to. that's not a bad thing! and maybe it's something more traditionally published writers should be paying attention to.

Ohohoho, is this angst hour I sense? Thank you for this ask, and I’m...sorry in advance for the heavy feelings-

(Me: Okay angst time, time to play the appropriate song

*begins playing Spiderman Pizza Delivery Theme*

Me: let’s begin)

Trigger Warnings: Panic Attack (Beel’s Prompt), PTSD Symptoms (Also Beel’s Prompt), Talk of Loss

----------------------------

Obey Me! Brothers’ Reactions To An Ultimatum

Lucifer

Well, he certainly does think about it.

No, not about the divinity...but about Lilith.

They could have her back in their lives? All for the price of one human?

This human, who has caused him nothing but grief and throws themselves head-first into danger.

If this was towards the beginning of the program, he’d be more inclined to take it-

But he doesn’t.

He can’t do that to you. Not you. You, who had repaired their broken family. You, who had seen all of their flaws and strengths and passions and fears and embraced them.

You, who continues to smile so brightly and say his name with utmost faith in him.

He lowers his arm. You look fearful, but...resigned. Like it will be fine, like it was okay if he killed you.

He hates it.

“Does your life matter to you that little?”

You smile sadly, and a small portion of him wants to scream. No no no, it cries out, this isn’t how you’re supposed to be! Your smiles aren’t supposed to be full of sorrow!

“Your sister meant-...means a lot to you. To all of you. Who am I to take that away, huh?”

He walks over to you, his steps measured. You close your eyes, waiting for the killing blow-

A weight settles on your head, giving it a few rubs. “You are worth more than you could ever know. Remember that.”

He continues to walk, heading out the door. A few tears drip from your face onto the floor.

He could care less about his divinity. If he had to choose here or the Celestial Realm, he’d much rather stay here. He knows, deep in his heart, that Lilith lived a long and successful life.

You, however, are irreplaceable.

Mammon

“H-Hey...ya gotta be kidding me.”

“Well?” You grin, holding your arms out. Your stance is peaceful, like all you’re asking for is a hug. But he knows better.

Divinity and Lilith? All for killing-...

For killing you?

He hates this. He hates the look in your eyes, hates the trust you’re showing him, and hates your bleeding heart that’s just waiting to be taken for granted. Hell, it already has been taken for granted.

“What do you think you’re doin’, playin’ the hero? Wanting to sacrifice yourself? You think that’ll make us happy?!” Tears gather in the corners of his eyes.

You lower your arms, shocked. “Wha-”

You let out a small oomph as he tackles you into a hug, pulling you close.

“You’re trembling, ya idiot.” He mumbles, and you feel something wet drip onto your shirt. He’s crying, you realize. He’s crying because this hurts him.

“Mammon...I-”

He pulls back to clamp his hands down onto your shoulders. “Save it!” He barks forcefully, making you blink. “Ya really thought I’d give all this up? For something that’s already happened? I like what we got goin’ here. My brothers like this life way better than the ones we had in the Celestial Realm. Everyone’s happier lately, and it’s ‘cause of you.”

The minute trembling that ran through your body before returns in full force, tears pooling forth as you grip his shirt. He pulls you back into the hug, and you feel safe. That’s right; he’s your number one protector, the Avatar of Greed.

How could you forget that?

He grins, reaching a hand up to ruffle your hair in a playful manner. You laugh thickly, your tears still falling. “You’re stuck with the Great Mammon, and don’tcha forget it!”

Because you are his priceless treasure. Not Lilith, not some stupid divinity...

You.

“PUT A NUMBER IN MY ASK!” (all answered q will be permanently posted in my dash)

Little quick and light kimono tutorial because I’m noticing a trend of weird things non-Japanese people do with them.

Bathrobes =/= Kimonos

Iroh: Pride is not the opposite of shame, but its source. True humility is the only antidote to shame. 

Iroh: There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and propserity. I suggest you think about what it is you want from your life, and why. 

Iroh: While it’s always best to belive in one’s self, a little help from others can be a great blessing! 

Iroh: You must never give in to despair. Allow yourself to slip down that road and you surrender to your lowest instincts. In the darkest times, hope is something you give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength. 

Iroh: It is important to draw wisdom from many places. If you tale it from only one place, it becomes rigid and stale. 

Iroh: Protection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love. 

Iroh: Sometimes life is like this tunnel. You can’t always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you keep moving, you will come to a better place.

Iroh: There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you.

Iroh: Are you so busy fighting you cannot see your own ship has set sail? (hehe)

Iroh: With a poor stance you are unbalanced and can be easily knocked over. With a solid stance you are a much more serious threat!

Iroh: Is it your own destiny, or is it a destiny someone else has tried to force on you?

Iroh: It’s time for you to look inward and begin asking yourself the big questions: Who are you? and What do you want?

Iroh: Now you’ve come to the crossroads of your destiny. It’s time for you to choose. It’s time for you to choose good.

Iroh: I was never angry with you. I was sad, because I was afraid you’d lost your way.

Iroh: Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not. 

Lion Turtle: The true mind can weather all lies and illusions without being lost. The true heart can tough the poison of hatred without being harmed. Since beginningless time, darkness thrives in the world, but always yields to purifying light.

Lion Turtle: To bend another’s energy, your own spirit must be unbendable… or else you will be corrupted and destroyed.

Avatar Roku: Some frienships are so strong, they can even transcend lifetimes. 

Aang: It’s easy to do nothing, it’s hard to forgive. 

Aang: The past can be a great teacher. 

Aang: When we hit our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change.

Aang: What?! I’m saying I’d rather kiss you than die! That’s a compliment! :/

Aang: If anything, their story proves anyone is capable of great good and great evil. Everyone, even the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation, have to be treated like they’re worth giving a chance. 

Aang: Baby, you’re my forever girl. ;)

Avatar State Aang: FIRE LORD OZAI, YOU AND YOUR FOREFATHERS HAVE DEVASTATED THE BALANCE OF THIS WORLD. AND NOW, YOU SHALL PAY THE ULTIMATE PRICE!

Katara: But now you’re not letting yourself feel anything. I know sometimes it hurts more to hope and it hurts more to care. But you have to promise me that you won’t stop caring.

Katara: Yes, they have taken away your ability to bend, but they can’t take away your courage and it is your courage they should truly fear! Because it runs deeper than any mine you’ve been forced to dig, any ocean that keeps you far from home. It is the strength of your hearts that make you who you are, hearts that will remain unbroken when all rock and stone has eroded away. The time to fight back is now!

Guru Pathik: You must learn to let go.

Guru Pathik: The greatest illusion of this world is the illusion of separation.

Alternatively 

Huu: Pants are an illusion, and so is death. 

Huu: You think you’re any different from me, or your friends, or this tree? If you listen hard enough, you can hear every living thing breathing together. You can feel everything growing. We are all living together, even if most folks don’t act like it. We all have the same roots, and we are all branches of the same tree.

Zuko: I know now that no one can give you your honour. It’s something you earn for yourself by doing what is right. 

Zuko: Never forget who you are, for surely the world won’t. 

Sifu Pakku: With fierce determination, passion, and hard work, you can accomplish anything.

Bumi: You need to find someone who waits and listens before striking.

Smellerbee: As long as I’m confident with who I am, it doesn’t matter what other people think.

Cave of Lovers Inscription: Love is brightest in the dark

Child MC: I want... I want...

Child MC: To be your child.

Diavolo: Do you want me to be your dad?

Child MC: *nods*

Diavolo: *chuckles* Are you sure?

Child MC: *nods again*

Diavolo: Okay. Barbatos, this child is mine. I'm adopting them.

Barbatos: ...