Greetings

-Kpop Kai anon

Lloyd: Cole, are you going climbing?

Cole: *nods*

Kai: Have fun.

Lloyd: FSM, what is wrong with Cole right now?

Zane: Yeah, is he okay?

Kai: Cole is going for a climb, if anything we should be asking what is "right" with him.

Nya: He only goes climbing when hes upset, and hes wearing his "sad satchel" and by the looks of it, it doesn't have snacks, which is bone chilling.

Kai: He's fine. Everything is okay.

Jay: I just saw Cole climbing! On the mountains! On purpose! First Spingitsu Master!

Kai: Maybe I was wrong...

Jay, pulling out a megaphone: Cole! Are you okay?! I see you, and I love you!

Kai: In my defense, no one here emotes in a normal way.

To Sora, the ninja in general, were nothing more than overexaggerated stories told to her by her enthusiastic best friend in the middle of the night. She took those tales with a grain of salt, not really thinking much of it. Ninjago was not a world Sora came from. She didn't grow up with the ninja, they were never part of her life, her story or her culture the way they were of Arin's. So until Lloyd came along, she didn't really have much of her own view of him.

To Sora, Lloyd was a blank slate - someone she based her opinion on purely on what she saw in front of her. And what she saw was someone far from perfect. She saw someone who is incredibly skilled at what he does, but also someone messy, sheepish, self-conscious, a bit of a dumbass, and more often than not just as unsure about things as his own pupils. But also someone kind, gentle and safe. The only adult in her life thus far, who, despite taking the role of a teacher didn't feel overly strict or demanding, who she didn't really feel all that inferior to, who didn't like being called master despite being levels above her...like a friend. A caretaker, an authority figure, but also someone more than that, someone who wasn't too imposing, who made her feel welcomed. Sora, just like Arin had been doubting herself constantly ever since she decided to live in the Monastery. Because of the way she was brought up, she had a habit of basing her value on her skills and usefulness alone. So whenever she felt like she's failing, like she wasn't meeting this invisible standard that she made for herself, she started believing that she wasn't earning her place. On the other hand she saw Lloyd, someone incredibly powerful, regarded and accomplished, someone who by all means should know exactly where he belongs and what he's doing, and yet all she could see, was someone struggling in the exact same way she was. And it felt so reassurring to know she's not the only one who doesn't have quite everything put together yet. That this radiculously important adult is just as much of a loser as the rest of them, that she could connect with him like that, that she could relate to him it that way. I think it really helped Sora believe in herself so much more.

To Arin, the ninja were everything. Strong, brave, untouchable, legendary, everything Arin ever wanted to be. They were role models, an example, and a sense of safety. It's clear that Lloyd was Arin's idol, his hero, way before he was his friend and mentor. Just like many citizens of Ninjago used to watching the ninja from afar, Arin had put Lloyd on a pedeatal. To him, he was a figure close to divine. Similarly, being a ninja was an idealized concept. An illusion of a life full of thrilling adventures with very little peril in-between.

He gave the ninjas some colorful new outfits and enhanced their powers.

Someone did something similar before;

The obvious conclusion to draw from this of course;

This took me so long but I finally did it! Full body designs for the ninja (+ Pixal)!

To make them I broke down their canon outfits to see if there were any patterns in their style or the color palettes used. I drew inspiration from some fanart, especially this post by @asooffa , please check it out they're amazing (and they also inspired me to make the character sheets more interesting hehe).

(I do have other drawings about the detailed outfits and the design process, I'll post it in the future)

Some details:

Lloyd's Oni and Dragon form are not complete (I'll design those eventually). It's just to show how his general features change depending on what form he's taking.

Jay's bracelets were made by Cole and the other Nya. I meant them to be platonic but they can be seen as romantic too. The other charms represent the entire team obviously.

Between seasons 7 and 8, Kai tried to reconnect with his father and he finally learned how to properly blacksmith. From then on, all their weapons are made by him, which is why they have his signature.

Arin: so, like, when I was in the Cursed Realm I met the old elemental master of wind.

Lloyd: oh. Morro. Great.

Arin: you know him?

Lloyd: Not really. Sort of? I was possessed by him for about two weeks? It was a whole thing.

Arin:

Arin: what?

Sora: I wonder if Riyu will ever make some other dragon friends.

Lloyd: well, he has me I guess.

Sora: huh?

Lloyd, laughing: I know I'm not full-blooded, but I'll have to do, right?

Sora: what?

Lloyd, watching Frak train in the background: you know, I always felt really bad about all the things I did with the serpentine, especially after Harumi, but now I think I see that it was good decision after all.

Arin: what did you do with the serpentine?

Lloyd: oh, I freed them all from their tombs when I was a kid.

Arin: . . . they were in tombs? How were they alive?

Lloyd: some of them weren't. The entire anaconrai tribe cannibalized each other because they got so hungry.

Arin: wait wait wait

Sora: how many times are you gonna die, Lloyd?

Frak: we’re never beating this game, are we?

Lloyd: prime empire is a very difficult game! And I’m still better at it than Kai.

Sora: really?

Lloyd: yeah . . . I mean, he died before me when we got sucked into this game, so I think that counts.

Sora: you got sucked into a game?

Frak: oh yeah, I think I’ve heard of this . . .

Sora: wait, Kai died?!

Lloyd: all of us died except for Jay.

Sora: WHAT?

Arin, whispering to Lloyd: we can't be required to eat this—it's torture.

Lloyd, also whispering: true. not even prison is worse than Cole's cooking.

Arin: you've done time?

Sora: so I found this super old commercial online—

Frak: and you found this to be relevant information?

Sora: well, it has Lloyd and the others in it. Frak: what?

Lloyd, blushing: ugh. That was back when Dareth was our manager. I never wanted to do those.

Frak: you had a manager? What, were you like celebrities?

Sora, looking it up: whoa. Wait. You were on magazines? Wow, these are sexist.

Lloyd, taking the phone from her: okay, that’s enough of that.

Arin: I can't be a ninja, Lloyd. I don't have any elemental abilities!

Lloyd: yeah, but I was still a ninja when I lost my elemental abilities.

Arin: when you did what now?

Lloyd: oh, um, they had to remove my elemental powers in order to bring me back to life. And in a tournament thing, once.

Arin: what do you mean bring you back to life?

Sora: it's just so hard having parents who think they're doing what's right for you, when they don't even know you at all.

Lloyd: yeah. I get what you mean. Like, I know my mom really was trying to save me from the prophecy that said I had to kill my dad, but then she just left me at a boarding school and didn't come back. I know sometimes they think they're doing things for the greater good, but they still can hurt you.

Sora: wait your mom just . . . left you? At a boarding school? For how long?

Lloyd: until I was around eight?

Sora: well, when did she bring you there?

Lloyd: oh, uh, I don't actually remember.

Sora: ooookay, well was it a boarding school well-equipped for raising children?

Lloyd: It was school that made kids into criminals.

Sora: doesn't ninjago have an adoption system?

Lloyd: um, I think so, yes? My ex was adopted.

Sora: then why . . . ?

Lloyd: I don't know.

Arin: you have an ex?

Arin: I found these old movies in a drawer, want to watch them?

Lloyd: oh yeah, I used to love those.

They start watching starfarer.

Lloyd: the lighting is kind of inaccurate. It was a lot darker when I was on the moon.

Arin: you went to the moon? Why did you go to the moon?

Lloyd: my dad—well—it doesn’t really matter now.

Sora: did you guys always have this random monastery? Cuz that’s not really a normal thing for people to just have.

Lloyd: no, it burned down a few times.

Sora: oh.

Lloyd: yeah. We mostly lived on The Bounty. Except when it got destroyed.

Sora: where did you live then?

Lloyd: I lived in an apartment when I was around nine. Sora: that’s weirdly normal for you.

Lloyd: and Nya and I lived in a trash depot once.

Sora: there it is.

Frak: um, do you happen to have any dating advice? For no particular reason, and definitely not because I want to ask out a certain pink haired genius without seeming insincere but also without coming off as desperate? Hypothetically?

Lloyd: I'm not very good with romance.

Frak: but you've dated, right? You know how to ask someone out?

Lloyd: well, I haven't actually dated before, and the only girl I ever tried to date turned out to want to kill me for inadvertently killing her parents. And so she pretended to be in love with me, only to use me in a seance to bring back an evil version of my dead father. She took control of Ninjago city with him, and I thought that she killed all my friends for about three weeks. Then she died.

Frak: oh, wow. Um. Okay.

Lloyd: then she came back to life and captured me for a while. I think I might still have feelings for her actually. I don't know.

Frak: so, I'm just gonna go ask Cole.

Sora: Arin, that pie is way too hot to eat right now. The filling is basically lava.

Arin: volcanos wish they tasted this good.

Lloyd: I almost died in a volcano once.

No, the issue was how we got to that point and how abrupt it feels. We get four episodes into s4 and Jay gets his ex-coworker to tell him how to fix things. There's no caveat or flaws with this method presented in the immediate moment, just a "do this and it'll be fine!" and it literally is fine.

Like do they genuinely think a ban as large as this will 1) be affective with the amount of teens and adults who may be over the age limit but cannot confirm so, and 2) will not be protested against in some way??

MY HOME IS ON THE LIST/LIKELY TO BE TARGETED, WHAT CAN I DO?

* it may bring you peace of mind to have a go-bag ready, just in case. A go-bag is a bag with everything in it that you need to get out a volatile situation quickly. Any bag that can be secured (buttoned or zipped) will do. In your go-bag, you should include;

- identifying documents; passport/driver’s license/asylum card/ILR certificate/British Residency permit card

- Wallet and/or banking books

- A spare charger & cable and/or a power bank

- any shelf-stable medication (tablets, inhalers etc.) if you are on medication that needs to be refrigerated, leave it in the fridge until you have to leave

- Sanitary items; toothbrush, toothpaste, sanitary pads & tampons, deodorant. If you have very young children with you, you may also want to take your nappy bag.

* If you have to leave, a go-bag is a convenient way to ensure you have everything of importance with you.

* If you are being supported by an asylum seekers or refugee charity, or are a member of a gurdwara/temple, mosque, synagogue or church, reach out to your religious leaders. They may be able to provide direct support, or put you in contact with organisations or other congregants who can help. If you are friendly with your neighbours, it may be worth contacting them too.

* IN THE EVENT THAT “PROTESTORS” DO COME TO YOUR HOUSE, CALL 999 IMMEDIATELY, AND FOLLOW ANY INSTRUCTIONS THEY GIVE YOU. MOVE AWAY FROM ANY WINDOWS. DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY EMERGENCY SERVICES.

I’M AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT/CARE WORKER/NHS WORKER, WHAT SHOULD I DO?

* Contact your student welfare office/NHS Trust/agency for advice, support and referral to organisations that may be able to provide assistance

* if you live in or commute through an area that is likely to be targeted, contact your lecturers and your faculty to find out whether remote study is possible; if you work in care or as part of the NHS, find out if it is possible to change shifts.

* If it would provide peace of mind, prepare a go-bag as listed above

* Reach out to your the uni society or student’s organisation for international students or students of specific ethnic origin; they may be able to provide you with direction to resources and peer support. If your university has a Marxist or Socialist society, reach out to them for mutual aid with a travel buddy etc., for getting to and from your place of study/work

* If you are a member of a gurdwara/temple, mosque, synagogue or church, reach out to your religious leaders. They may be able to provide direct support, or put you in contact with organisations or other congregants who can help.

* If you are friendly with your neighbours, it may be worth contacting them too for assistance with travel to & from work.

* Report any racism or racialised violence you are subjected to. NHS staff have a right to refuse to treat patients who harass, abuse, threaten or insult them; if a patient is racist to you, where possible, ask another member of staff to take over their care.

PERSONAL SAFETY:

* do not leave your home unless strictly necessary. If it is necessary to leave, don’t do it alone.

* use NextDoor, WhatsApp, social media and word of mouth to avoid commuting through “protestor” road blocks, areas of active conflict etc.,

* When travelling, use Share My Location or Life360, and keep at least two people aware of your expected time of arrival at your destination with instructions to contact the police if you do not let them know you’ve made it safely

* do not directly confront any individuals involved, or allow them to bait you into becoming confrontational

* only record if it is safe. Do not record individuals directly/from up close

* Do not directly intervene. If you see violence occurring, contact emergency services and if safe to do so, record what’s happening.

ALLYSHIP & HOW TO HELP:

* if you have neighbours, friends, coworkers or acquaintances form targeted communities, reach out to them. Ask them what you can do to help them feel safe.

* If you live in an area likely to be targeted, reach out to any vulnerable people you know. If safe and possible, offer to let them shelter with you in the event they need to leave home

* If you see any incitement to violence online screenshot it; it may prove useful in the event of individual “protesters” being prosecuted

* If you see any specific areas being discussed as targets, alert anyone you know at risk in the area

* Reach out to local refugee & asylum seekers’ organisations, to organisations supporting foreign national care & healthcare workers, and to churches, mosques, gurdwaras; they may be looking for short term assistance in helping to provide for vulnerable members of their community

CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE & TO SUPPORT:

* NASC Ireland; refugee & asylum seeker charity

* Doras.org; migrant, stateless persons, refugee and asylum seeker rights advocates

* Jesuit Refugee Service; religious refugee & asylum seekers charity

* Irish Refugee Council; supporting stateless displaced persons & refugees in NI & ROI

* International Student’s House (IE & UK WIDE): provides hardship funding and help to international students

* PathFinder (UK WIDE); supports international students

* Care International (GLOBAL); global carer’s charity

* Choose Love (IE & UK WIDE); charitable organisation supporting refugees and asylum seekers

* Praxis UK (UK WIDE); supporting refugees & asylum seekers

* The Runnymede Trust (IE & UK WIDE); antiracism education charity

* Migrant’s Rights Network (IE & UK WIDE); advocacy and support for migrants and refugees

* ShareTheMeal (GLOBAL); providing meals for refugees and those fleeing conflict globally

* Amnesty (IRELAND, UK & WORLDWIDE); human rights NGO