0-0malik - Mal

I get asked a lot for tips with coloring black people, so i put together a little tutorial! (and bumps my kofi if you found this helpful)

The Parallel Betrayals of Damen and Erasmus

This short essay explores Erasmus and Damen's parallel paths into slavery.

Initial Attraction

From the start, both Erasmus and Damen are captivated by the physical beauty of their respective betrayers, Kallias and Jokaste. This initial emphasis on appearances sets the stage for their subsequent betrayals, highlighting how they were initially drawn in by their allure, only to be deceived by those they held in high regard.

Sudden Disorientation and Self-Recrimination

Their sudden and unexpected enslavement leaves Erasmus and Damen feeling disoriented. Erasmus turns to Kallias for guidance but quickly recalls Kallias's betrayal, making him feel foolish for wanting to ask Kallias what was happening. Similarly, Damen, usually a clear thinker, struggles to make sense of his bewildering new reality. He, too, blames himself for not seeing the betrayal coming, realizing his own naivety in the process.

Struggle for Understanding and Loss of Identity

Erasmus and Damen both struggle to understand the betrayals, even when presented with evidence. Their initial innocence and naivety make it challenging for them to discern the true intentions of their trusted companions. This struggle not only highlights their vulnerability to deception but also the profound loss of agency and erasure of their former identities accompanying their transition into slavery.

Strong Emotional Responses to Change

Their abrupt changes in surroundings evoke powerful emotional responses, underscoring their powerlessness. Erasmus shakes with fear upon entering an unknown part of the palace, while Damen's struggle intensifies as he realizes his fate.

Profound Emotional Impact

The betrayals suffered at the hands of Kallias and Jokaste deeply affect Erasmus and Damen. Erasmus grapples with a sense of loss at the hands of someone he loved, and Damen is shocked and anguished by Jokaste's betrayal. The distress in their voices only highlight the depth of their connections and the trauma of their betrayals.

Induction into Slavery

The ritualistic aspects of their induction into slavery, such as collars and paint for Damen, and the absence of traditional ceremonies for Erasmus, showcase the drastic shift in their identities and further emphasize their disempowerment.

Protective Facades

Kallias's choice to wear a plain gold pin aligns him with Kastor and hides his true motives to protect Erasmus from Kastor's wrath.

Similarly, Jokaste's response, 'Nothing, but choose between brothers,' downplays the choice between Damen and Kastor. Her cold demeanor shields her true affections and the sacrifice she made by choosing Kastor for Damen's safety.

Longing for Connection

Damen and Erasmus long for understanding and connection from Jokaste and Kallias, but recieve emotional detachment or cruelty due to societal norms and power dynamics. This is because Jokaste and Kallias must maintain the appearance of allegiance to Kastor while secretly working to save Damen and Erasmus' lives, preventing them from openly expressing their true feelings.

Hidden Affection

In moments of vulnerability, Kallias wishes Erasmus could be his first, while Jokaste's letter to Damen hints at lingering feelings and missed opportunities for intimacy. These instances reveal that Kallias and Jokaste concealed their love from Erasmus and Damen, adopting a cold facade to protect them from Kastor's reign of terror. While Erasmus remains unaware throughout the series, Damen later discovers Jokaste's enduring affection, and ultimately lets her go in recognition of her sacrifices to save his life.

In conclusion, the parallel experiences of Erasmus and Damen during their inductions into slavery reveal not only the harrowing challenges they face but also deepen our understanding of Kallias and Jokaste's complex characters and the sacrifices they make to protect their loved ones.

‘If I were Jokaste and a king maker, I’d have chosen Kastor over you too.’

‘I suppose you are going to enjoy telling me why,’ said Damen. He felt his hands curl into fists, heard the bitterness in his throat.

‘Because a king maker would always choose the weaker man. The weaker the man, the easier he is to control.’

‘What makes you think Kastor is the weaker man? You don’t know him.’

‘But I’m coming to know you,’ said Laurent.

A cake for the heart

Jujutsu Kaisen Fic Rec List

i’ve been meaning to put something like this together for a long time, because there are a lot of amazing fics in the jjk tag and many of them definitely deserve more attention. here are several fics that i’ve read and enjoyed since joining the fandom; this list will be satosugu heavy, since that is the majority of what i read, but there are others listed as well. be aware that the majority of these contain heavy manga spoilers:

Keep reading

BSD STORMBRINGER SPOILERS

I JUST RAN AROUND THE SOFA MULTIPLE TIMES UNTIL I GOT EXHAUSTED JUST BECAUSE OF THIS SCENE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Honestly the sheer drama of Tom Riddle and his You-Know-Who nonsense...bitch changes his name to the tackiest french nonsense he can conceive of. and then doesn't even let people use it. What was the point Tom? What was the fucking point?

That ol’ chart of mine makes the rounds online periodically and it drives me crazy because it’s frankly not very good. So, I finally got around to remaking it.

I doubt this will get anywhere near as popular, but I wanted to make it.

Good reference for animation, comics, and for visualizing phonetics!

Currently reading^, it's a romance and since it Valentine's Day, I thought it apt to make a fanart of it.

I think sending someone to kill the other is their way of giving gifts, and killing the person sent their way is the gift. 

“I’d say this makes us even. I sent someone to kill you… you sent someone to kill me. Even-Steven.”

“Consider it an act of reciprocity.”