A. Walker et al.

if you absolutely must, in primarily muscle force-based sports, create competitive classes like in boxing except separated by body comp, not just pure body weight. i mean, if you must. this will eliminate any tiny advantages in muscle mass. some will say basketball should have height classes but frankly some of the NBA's most impressive players were not tall so idk that this actually matters ever

the primary athletic impediment to all women is overwhelmingly cultural and psychological. i have won probably half the physical competitions with cis men that i have engaged in, friendly or otherwise. even without the benefit of a lifetime of people trying to make me throw or hit balls, i have won wrestling matches, sparring matches, funny backyard foam sword fights, video games, equestrian activities, dance, endurance tests of various kinds, etc. i'm small and weak. men think theyre stronger and more skilled than they are, women think the opposite about themselves

humans just arent that differently-sized or -shaped, as a species. we have almost no sexual dimorphism at all compared to the vast majority of other mammals.

animals that have similar levels of sexual dimorphism to humans, for example cats, dogs, and horses, do not generally have competitive events segregated by sex. the dog agility trials dont normally have separate leagues for male and female dogs (gendered competitions exist they're just unusual). because it doesnt matter. there is no kentucky derby 2 just for girl horses. thats not a thing

ID: A four-page comic in a limited blue-orange palette of Ben and Blue J. They are surrounded by branches that bloom over time. Page 1: They read together. Blue J points out the image of a blue jay in a book. Ben hands them a jay-feather necklace. Text: "And if you ask what bird I want to be, I'll say a blue jay". Page 2: Ben and Blue J walk; Blue J looks up at Red Jack, before turning and putting their arm over Ben's shoulder. Text: "If you ask what time I want to leave, I'll change the conversation". Page 3: Ben leans in with his hand on Blue J's shoulder; close up of their face and their hand as they kiss him back. Text: "If you lean in close and kiss me, I won't mind". Page 4: Blue J holds Ben and kisses him on the cheek. Text: "I'll probably respond in kind". End ID

In depictions of things happening before the Pact, we've seen quite a few witches with brimmed hats, and no judgment was made on their methods. But in the current era of the story, a brimmed cap pretty much signifies hidden agendas. That if you hide your face it means that you have something to hide.

And despite being quite simple, it's also quite brilliant. One single change and the narrative can immediately point us towards something. It's interesting because pretty much all of us are familiar with the depiction of a witch in a brimmed hat. But suddenly, the intensity of that meaning in the story immediately catches our attention.

That is to say, I want to point out that brims are a symbol of hidden agendas. Not necessarily evil morals.

(manga spoilers under the cut)

reminiscing (captions below)