Valjeansemble

short form writers look at people writing 100k+ fics as though this is some sort of talent given as part of a fae bargain, that the commitment required shows some sort of ungodly mental fortitude.

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I was reading a book to one of my kindergarten classes, Yuyi Morales' wonderful Dreamers, about her journey to the US from Mexico. We are celebrating immigrants this month and their bravery and artistry, and my little ones have loved the book so far. In the midst of reading, though, a boy raised his hand and said, "She is an immigrant?" I said yes. He paused. "Um, if she's an immigrant, will ICE capture her?

I said "I hope not! But she wrote this book a few years ago, and people were kinder then. They remembered that it's important to welcome new people and be friends. Now, some people have been being mean to immigrants. But what should we do if we see a new friend?

"Be kind!" several kids said, and we continued with the story. I kept everything light and cheerful during the rest of the class, focusing on admiration and joy and connections to the kids' own experiences, many of whom are immigrants themselves. But afterwards, I cried. What is this world we inhabit, where kids take it as a matter of fact that immigrants will be hunted down and kidnapped? How did we get here? Can we change?

I hate where we are right now. I hate that this is what we've become, just when I thought we were making progress as a society to become more just, more empathetic - still flawed of course, but better. But then, thus backside. I know it's a historical pattern - slavery, then Reconstruction, then Jim Crow laws, then the Civil Rights movement, then police brutality, then Black lives matter, and now, persecution of everyone in the global majority. But that doesn't make it less horrific. It doesn't change the terror that's being wrought upon families just trying to make a better life for their children. We'll feel the repercussions of this cruelty for years to come, even after we've voted out the worst offenders.

that's why im eternally grateful to find kind people and know that everywhere, there are those who do change, as isolated as we may seem

keep fighting the good fight, it never stops mattering

There is more kindness in the world than evil, even if it is hard to see at times. One day, this will be over and we can all start to heal, but until then, we have each other.

I just spent the weekend as a queer woman with a bunch of cowboys and back country folks. There I was so much more that united us than divided us, and I know that one day, we will remember that.

Thank you for being on the front lines with our children at a time like this.

Yay for joy among community of different backgrounds!!! ❤️

✨ CHAIN ✨ 

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I was reading a book to one of my kindergarten classes, Yuyi Morales' wonderful Dreamers, about her journey to the US from Mexico. We are celebrating immigrants this month and their bravery and artistry, and my little ones have loved the book so far. In the midst of reading, though, a boy raised his hand and said, "She is an immigrant?" I said yes. He paused. "Um, if she's an immigrant, will ICE capture her?

I said "I hope not! But she wrote this book a few years ago, and people were kinder then. They remembered that it's important to welcome new people and be friends. Now, some people have been being mean to immigrants. But what should we do if we see a new friend?

"Be kind!" several kids said, and we continued with the story. I kept everything light and cheerful during the rest of the class, focusing on admiration and joy and connections to the kids' own experiences, many of whom are immigrants themselves. But afterwards, I cried. What is this world we inhabit, where kids take it as a matter of fact that immigrants will be hunted down and kidnapped? How did we get here? Can we change?

I hate where we are right now. I hate that this is what we've become, just when I thought we were making progress as a society to become more just, more empathetic - still flawed of course, but better. But then, thus backside. I know it's a historical pattern - slavery, then Reconstruction, then Jim Crow laws, then the Civil Rights movement, then police brutality, then Black lives matter, and now, persecution of everyone in the global majority. But that doesn't make it less horrific. It doesn't change the terror that's being wrought upon families just trying to make a better life for their children. We'll feel the repercussions of this cruelty for years to come, even after we've voted out the worst offenders.

that's why im eternally grateful to find kind people and know that everywhere, there are those who do change, as isolated as we may seem

keep fighting the good fight, it never stops mattering

James Kirk - loneliness, loves horses, dislikes small dogs, but would get followed by a small dog and so he would grudgingly accept it

yeah, see, tiny dog hopping around Javert and following him everywhere would also be perfect

As requested by @im-bad-at-names-okay :)

Happy Pride Month! If Cosmere characters wanted to "come out," here is how they would do so.

1. Renarin: A series of unsigned letters

Lore drop: I came out via a letter to my parents when I was in high school.

Dalinar: The first note said, "Someone is gay." Dalinar: The second note said, "Someone you know." Dalinar: The third note said, "Someone in your family." Dalinar: The fourth note said, "One of your sons." Dalinar: ... Dalinar: I think I can predict what the fifth note will say.

2. Adolin: Tells people face-to-face

He just figures that telling people in person is the right thing to do.

Adolin: ...So anyway, I like men as well as women. May: Yes. I am aware. Adolin: Y-You are?? Did someone tell you?? May: You stare at a lot of butts. Adolin: ... Adolin: Yeah, okay, that makes sense.

3. Kaladin: The most dramatic moment possible

Think about every time Kaladin let someone know he was Radiant. Now apply that logic to Kaladin coming out.

Kaladin: [Glowing with stormlight, descending slowly from the sky] Kaladin: Romance. Sex. Gender. None of it--none of it--is compulsory, and none of it is for me! Lirin: You literally could have told us this normally at dinner last night. Hesina (elbowing him): Shhhh!

4. Wayne: Casually, conversationally

Wayne drops the lore as if it's no big deal, although he is admittedly a bit anxious the first time (when he tells Wax).

Wax: Listen, Wayne, if you want to be a good man... Wayne: Actually, I'm a girl today. Wax: [processing very quickly] Just today? Wayne: Well, we'll see, I guess. Sometimes it's just for a day. Sometimes it's a girl week. Wax: Noted. Wax: Listen, Wayne, if you want to be a good woman...

5. Rlain: Matter-of-factly

Rlain knows he has to make humans accept him as a person. Sometimes he tells them that he plays cards. Sometimes he tells them that he is gay.

Rlain: I'm Rlain. And this is my boyfriend, Renarin. The Alethi guy who was just talking shit about Singers: Uh... Rlain: Now you know something else about me. Rlain: Namely, I can pull.

6. Shallan: Eventually and with difficulty

Look, Shallan does not like to reveal lore about herself. Sometimes it takes being trapped in a cave in a high storm. Sometimes she makes her alters do it. It's a process.

Shallan (currently huddled with Kaladin in the little nook while the high storm rages outside) Shallan: ....A-And also, I think I have a crush on Jasnah! Shallan: Does that mean I like women??? Kaladin: Even worse, you might have bad taste in women! Shallan: What Kaladin: I shouldn't say my first thought.

7. Sazed: Makes Wax do it

This is always the Sazed-Harmony strategy.

Sazed: [communicating with Wax via his earring] Please tell everyone that my pronouns are now "they/them" so if they could stop using "he" for me, I'd appreciate it. Sazed: I know that there are other things going on, but it has been annoying me for hundreds of years now. Wax: ...You sent a kandra to command me to put in my earring for this...? Couldn't the kandra just do it...? Sazed: You try explaining pronouns to a kandra!

8. Vivenna: Just kinda assumed people knew

The short hair and the sword aren't enough??

Beard: Captain, we've been talking... Beard: And we've come up with a list of just three guys in all of Kholinar who we think MIGHT be worthy of going on a date with you! Vivenna: ...Try again, but with women. Beard: .... Beard: Oh! Vivenna (to herself): How much more obvious could I make it?

9. Jasnah: Writes a truly groundbreaking treatise

Jasnah is not going to bother coming out if it's not also scholarship.

Ethid: Your treatise on asexuality will truly have a lasting effect on scholarship. Jochi: I predict that the undertext referring to your own experiences will promote much speculation in future generations. Jasnah: Thank you, both. Jasnah: ...Glad that relationship was worth something.

10. Nikaro: Tells no one until they all figure it out for themselves

Nikaro can't shake the fear that everyone will leave if they know the truth, groundless as that fear may be.

Akane: Last week you had a boyfriend. Yumi: Correct. Akane: Today you have a girlfriend. Yumi: I do. Akane: Your girlfriend looks quite a bit like my old friend, Nikaro. Yumi: Fancy that. Akane: ... Akane: Congrats on the gender, Painter! Painter: ...It's that easy?

11. Dalinar: Unintentional lore drop

Dalinar is one of Those dads.

anyway i wanted a memento of my first pride, you know, and this one vendor was selling keyrings, and i liked it, so i bought one. do you remember those italian charm bracelets that were all the rage like 10-15 years ago? it was a keychain like that, and it had a rainbow rooster, a rainbow cat, and then just a rainbow, and so I bought it.

i run into my mom a couple of vendors over and she goes oh you bought something? what’d you get? so i showed her, and i was like, “I’m not sure why it’s a rooster and a cat. Seems kind of random. But I liked the rainbows.”

and my mom, who was some form of minister’s wife for most of my childhood and teenagerhood, stares at me like she thinks i’m joking.

“What?” i say.

…relic…

But. I’ve noticed that on the relatively rare occasion when I literally have no deadlines, no schedule, no worries at all, that I am in fact just much kinder, more patient, and more helpful. When I have no stress on me, I become that guy who will miss his train to explain how the metro works. I will carry stuff for you. It’s just… I’m a better person when I’m entirely relaxed.

And I think maybe that’s across the board? That maybe we’re all low-key kinda stressed all the time, and that makes us more hurried, less inclined to help, less compassionate… simply more selfish and less caring.