#therabine

The ending of Arcane was MESSY, but not surprising. After all it's still a LoL promo, and for it to work this way the conflict could only ever "resolve" as going back to status quo. At least that's what I'm telling myself when I'm trying to figure out why the writing is so good with characters on interpersonal level, but turns to the most simplified black and white shit when it comes to the larger systems. In retrospect - OF COURSE they weren't going to resolve Pilrover/Zaun tension. I mean they tried to pitch us "they all unite against a larger enemy" thing with Sevika being on the council (outnumbered by Piltover councilors 7 to 1) and people of Zaun fighting for their basic survival. But I don't really buy it as a lasting improvement because the core issues between them are not resolved. Just like with any superhero media, they only thrive in conflict, so their characters can clash over it and make us feel things. No resolution ever is the primary goal. Meanwhile we fall in love with Vi, Jinx, Ekko, Jayce, Mel, Victor etc (not Cait though because her Nazi tendencies were swept under the rug). Almost as if the show says oh but don't you want to experience playing as one of them with their cool unique abilities. Which is fair I guess, but a lot of gaps in Arcane feel like a missed opportunity for something deeper than it is currently. Overall I like the show enough for what it provides best - intricate family and friendship dynamics, unique visual style, top tier animation and lesbians. I feel grateful that we've got some sort of complete story at all, given how terrible the animation industry is lately to its workers. Fortiche deserves all the flowers (and well earned money) for their hard work.

Forever gushing about Realm of Elderlings, the books about Fitz and Fool specifically. Pros: - amazing worldbuilding - magic that has hard rules about it - Fitz being the Most Blorbo Of All Times - books are split into trilogies so you basically get 3-4 different stories within one huge book series - "oh, this character has been nonbinary the whole time? cool" moment - amazing complicated female characters - there's a talking wold who makes fun of the protagonist all the time, it's hilarious - author doesn't use gore or tragedy just to shake reader up whenever the plot goes too stale (looking at you GRRM) - platonic soulmates are just as important as romantic ones - cool dragons Cons: - idk, it's a lot of books (15) which looks intimidating and it's hard to convince your friends to read it with you

Was kind of curious about how you promoted your blog (in case you ever did). Because whenever I post some art in mine, it seems to be just dropping into the void of Internet with no splash...I know, we're doing art most and foremost for ourselves, but it is kind of sad to spend 10+ hours on a piece only for no one to see.

Have you watched the Infinity Train? Honestly the is the best animated show since Gravity Falls and it's getting better with every new season (they are loosely connected, but every season is centered around a new group of chartacters, which actually works really good with the setting). But I never see people talking about it online for some reason...

On keftas (not sure if this context was implied): it's a bit weird to see an outdated kaftan-based clothing in a 19th century inspiring setting. HOWEVER it might reflect a trend that gained popularity among the Russian aristocracy to dress up "a-la rus" for mascarades, to show off their patriotism, which only showed how out touch with the commonfolk they really were. I think that creates an interesting parallel for kefta - clothes that's distinguish grisha both from royalty and ordinary people.

I believe all book fans already know that Grisha is a weird way to call you magical soldiers (since it's just a short version of the name Grigoriy in Russian), so in my head I've imaginged this clownery of a scene: (Darkling): - Girl, you are a Grisha. (Alina) - No, I'm Alina.