The arts of shipping

I just love arts and some beautiful and rare ships like Spirk, 00Q, Sebaciel, Subakam and some more.

[greta-monroe-deactivated2023011]

Botanist / floriculturist / anthomaniac side of the Sebaciel fandom, I’ve got a question. ☺️

It’s this superb artwork from Yana Toboso’s Art Book (vol. 3) in commemoration of the series’ 15th anniversary.

Okay, Sebastian is pouring tea into our!Ciel’s cup.

But there’s a green liquid string coming from the flowers and plants blooming inside that fancy teapot, which then start to grow inside our!Ciel cup. What type of flower(s) Sebastian and our!Ciel are holding… I guess they are the same, right? Most importantly, what’s the meaning behind them? Also, those slightly violet, spiky flowers, curiously positioned in the foreground of the picture? It ought to have a symbolism too.

I’m completely in love with this imagery. There’s a faint bit of melancholy in our!Ciel’s stance… and serenity. Sebastian is 300% mesmerized by gazing intensely at his extravagantly dressed master, in a very relaxing way cocksure bitch is not even paying attention to the task, yeah I know, “one hell of a butler”, they said. There is a bright sunlight bathing both from behind, partially, but it gets diffused through the foliage. So, on the whole, the picture seems positively idyllic…

…unless the flowers’ symbolism tells otherwise?

[castleartsebaciel]

Okay - I am sure someone had already done that. But I have a fucking cold and I am bored. So here I come with my picture analysis.

Enjoy.

Afficher davantage

[tohru-n]

Thank you for your analysis! It’s wonderful!

I have got some questions though.

As I understand it, baby’s breath is on the right of the teapot on this picture. Do you know what flowers are the ones I circled in red and in blue?

[castleartsebaciel]

Thank you @tohru-n very much for this high resolution snippet. I must confess that I didn't really notice these two yesterday. And I really had to do a lot of research, because the flower with the red frame was very difficult to find. Likewise the blue one, but this one more, as there are many similarly flowering species. So I had to focus on the leaf shape and leaf colour.

However, I hope I got it right.

Let's start with the flower framed in red, which I could identify as a Bellflower. I must confess, I must have looked for about a hundred flowers to come across it. But from the shape of the flowers and the very fine stem, it is my result.

As you can see, the Bellflower is extremely diverse. Probably because there are over 500 species. Some of them grow with their calyxes upwards, others fall gently downwards. However, its dominant petal colours are white, blue and purple. Matching the colours that reflect O!Ciel.

Its meaning, which again fits very well into the history of the painting so far and is very beautiful: The close calyxes of the Bellflowers symbolise togetherness and unity. Whoever gives Bellflowers as a gift wants to say: "Our hearts beat in the same tact".

Well, a plant couldn't express better how closely O!Ciel and Sebastian are connected, could it? Even if we take away the implied romantic background, the focus here is on their magical bond of contract.

But let's take a look at the other flower in the blue frame, which I identified as white Forget-me-not.

After thousands of flowers - I'm not exaggerating - it was the leaves and the rich dark green of the leaves that made me think of the flower species. Also the small distance between the petals.

Ironically - in relation to this fandom - according to a middle-age myth, the plant Forget-me-not got its name because God asked it not to be forgotten.

Because of the emotional and romantic association, the flower is very often given as a gift to express love to someone. And the wish not to be forgotten.

If we take a look at the mythology of this flower, it becomes very interesting. Because apart from the fact that the Greeks saw in it a sacred flower of the faithful lovers, it belongs to the so-called elf plants of which there are two species: Those under the special protection of the elves and those who are supposed to protect against them. Forget-me-nots are among the latter.

Maybe I'm interpreting too much here, but are Sebastian and Undertaker possibly the focus here? Sebastian protecting O!Ciel from the Undertaker the whole time, while the Undertaker preserves and protects R!Ciel? I find this idea very interesting somehow.

And as if things couldn't get any better, the flower is called the Blue Heaven's Key. Or also: "The Forget-me-not - the key to the true treasures of the soul."

I hope you enjoyed it again. Apart from almost giving up because of the slightly excessive variety of species, I enjoyed it again. And if you want more analysis on flowers or something similar, feel free to write me.

[quantumseeker]

There is nobody more upset by modern Star Trek than my 80 year old grandmother. She called me after SNW’s final episode and starts the conversation with “Neshama I have been strung along for 60 years. It is legal now, why are they doing this?”

What is she upset about you may ask? Straight Spock. She is an avid hater of straight Spock. She said it was fine in AOS because he was “In the closet. Clearly he was dealing with some things.”

But the main reason she’s upset about it is because Spock always reminded her of her friend who was a queer Jewish man in the late 60s when they became friends. And I think that story perfectly summarizes the importance of Spock as a character, he was created specifically for those who were outsiders. Removing both the queercodedness and the Jewishness from Spock’s character had been a massive mistake on paramount’s part because that was a major factor in why Spock was a favorite. Trying to force Spock to fit whatever mold the political climate calls for goes against everything Spock and Star Trek represent. If my nana says Star Trek was more progressive in the 60s then we’ve lost the plot, the boundaries towards progress should not stay stagnant on the show they should continue to be pushed. They should not bend for the conservative base.

[fienyx]

Rewatching the AOS movies agian and one of this things I like about the Kelvin timeline movies is the way it flips the Spirk yearning for me.

TOS Spirk for me has Spock falling for Kirk first. With him obviously holding feelings for Kirk but not saying anything till at least post the motion picture. But there is an underlying jealously and slightly melancholy to Spock’s affection for Kirk, that is amplified by Kirks many MANY romantic forays. I think we see it especially in episodes like the Edith Keeler time travel one (I can’t remember the name right now).

But with the Kelvin timeline I think it flips with Kirk falling for Spock first. After the 2009 film we don’t really see Kirk experience the same attempts as romantic twists that TOS Kirk does. Instead from into darkness onward his strongest emotional connection is with Spock. Spock is with Uhura in these movies (which I personally do not like much at all but hey it’s there I suppose) and thus that emotional sensitivity is tied to their relationship rather than Kirk and Spock’s like in the original. And I’ve always read aos kirk as being a little jealous of that, much like tos Spock is of Kirk’s romantic connections.

I also feel like the presence of tos Spock in the Kelvin timeline might have amplified those feelings, cuz the is NO WAY that some of tos Spock’s gay feelings for tos Kirk didn’t bleed through that mind meld. And the idea of aos Kirk knowing that he and Spock had something in another life really adds to the repressed yearning.

While I have many issues with Kelvin movies and I do think they tone down a lot of queer subtext especially with Spock’s characterisation (which is crazy to me because to me Spock always felt like the queerest character in the original series) I do like the idea of the flipped spirk yearning.

[castleartsebaciel]

Yes.

Jim fell in the AOS movies first. And I wouldn't be surprised if it was the moment Spock stood up in the hearing.

In my opinion, this Jim really falls for people who held them at distance, because of all the hurt he receives in the past. And as soon as they come closer he pulls away.

However. With Spock it's a save number, because he is Vulcan and also seems to dislike him clearly. But then the good old Vulcan comes into the picture and Jim feels not only all of his hurt feelings, but also gets some memories transferred.

This or it's clearly coincidence that Jim does literally everything, just to keep Spock on the bridge and away from Khan.

But that's not easy, because Spock tries so hard to make Jim see how he got deeper and deeper into a situation he can't get out without getting hurt.

And in the end this happens.

In my understanding Spock is a very strong touch telepath. We know this from TOS Spock who can also manipulate people through doors and walls. And can also meld with a lava alien.

So in that Kelvin time line it's possible the first time Spock touching Jim's mind is the moment Jim dies in the radiation chamber.

His other hand is still on the level of Jim's face, so it's possible he was so deep, that he also got aware of Jim declaring of his love for Spock. This beautiful little kitten possible knows everything about hand kissing, fraals and whatever kinky Vulcan stuff he could hack himself into.

But from the moment he was alone in his head, all his fear suddenly seems to go away that moment Spock touches the glass. And that's why I believe they melded and Spock got aware not only of Jim's feelings for him. But also that they are T'hy'la.

Why?

I know many people hate how aggressive Spock reacts to Jim's death. To me it's only logical. Because when he got aware of Jims compatibility and also them being T'hy'la, he was so deep, Jim was ripped from his mind as he died.

Spock lost already so much. His home planet. His mother. And now his T'hy'la. And this is the breaking point for Spock.

All his Vulcan rage breaks off and so he chases for Khan to kill him. Breaking his own bones while breaking khans. And invasion his mind to break him from the inside.

Those are ancient fighting rages of Vulcan before Suraks teachings.

Because of a love he lost. A bond he could have had, but did not know it would exist for him.

And Jim later say so himself.

When we lose someone we love, our first instinct is to take revenge. But this is not who we are...

After this, their friendship seem to take a road closer than ever. And deeper than ever before.

I find it interesting when in Beyond Jim speaks to his captain log, we see in his voice over Spock. The same time when he speaks how it feels to search for the one thing that seems unreachable.

And later we come to this... After-sex Scene. I can watch it a thousand times. And every one time it feels as if they had something between them and I do not mean their strange secrets of leaving each other. What also is strange next level, if they wouldn't love each other so much.

So many things happen after this. But one thing is ground breaking.

Spock gets hurt and nearly killed by that shrapnel. Also they are separated and Jim says so himself.... After Bones already told Spock himself.

I need to know that you are okay, so I can think clearly.

I mean. Hello?!

And Spock can break up with everyone around him. But not tell him he is going away. Totally logical.

But that's not enough.

Later Jim again nearly gets killed by saving everyone else, and Spock pulls him inside with all his Vulcan strength while having heavy petting with him.

I don't know what I would do without you.

Jim's words after Spocks left hand is underneath his shirt. That's rich coming from mister I do not need anyone. And I can leave the ship into the hands of my Vulcan captain. He is the best in everything.

Being separated and getting confronted by the situation of a hurt Spock maybe brought out the realization that he can't leave. Not when Spock is also right now single and he can't die another time, while not telling him of his feelings.

And yes. I know what they force at us at the end of the movie. But tell me this expression on Spock face doesn't say.

I know you still love me and I don't want to be apart from you. You are my T'hy'la forever.

[arnniexxx]

That moment when you can’t resist the cute guy working at the dessert shop

[m00nnewt9]

STAR TREK - AUGUST 29, 2025 - SPIRK ANIMATED GIF

[botanyshitposts]

just saw a sunflower in an urban garden that was so big i had to look up to see the top of it. stem the thickness of my forearm. they had it tied to an electrical pole with a length of twine to keep it balanced. leaves like TWO dinner plates, ten or more alternating pairs, jack and the beanstalk type shit, no sign of stopping. a tree is a somewhat ambiguous growth form botanically speaking and that IS a tree to me

[botanyshitposts]

[castleartsebaciel]

In Germany it's normal to plant big sunflowers on the field to make the soil better in the next season. I wish to have one too in my garden.

Myself can't make sunflowers grown for good. But I have every year a giant lilly which is around 1.5 meters tall and it's blossoms are around 30 centimeters. This year I have three giant lilies and the bees and bumblebees are so happy for them.

[rosie-tyler]

Star Trek 1.19

[halmablog-deactivated20140213]

[fedoratheexplorer-deactivated20]

is this real life

[owlmylove]

is this just fantasy

[tforgery]

No way…no way

[brigyda]

I believe it, it’s similar to the Nutella cake in a mug and that was GOOD SHIT

[castleartsebaciel]

I have tried recipes with mugs before. Sadly for me it never works. I still need my exact measurements.

[zimowahistoria-kuro]

i can’t believe r!ciel saw that scene and immediately thought about taking the ring off his father’s finger.

[drafts-in-progress]

He did it because when they escaped he’d marry O!Ciel and they’d assume roles as Husband and Wife and he needed the ring to solidify his role as O!Ciel’s protector and husband and caregiver and——

[mistyblue-shadowdance]

no no wait you're so right, he was so ready to take over as vincent and make o!c into his own rachel

[drafts-in-progress]

Like. Vincent and Rachel tell R!Ciel he has to become the next Earl so he can take care of his little brother and help him whenever he needs it. Would it be an over-exaggeration to say that R!ciel being the only one who is fit to protect his little brother is practically ingrained into his psyche?

[mistyblue-shadowdance]

right! he was very clearly thinking back to what his parents said during this scene. his motivations are fully dedicated to protecting his little brother

[mightymads]

Leonard Nimoy on set of Star Trek Into Darkness (1, 2)

[macrolit]

[castleartsebaciel]

[thrinoskia]

who doesn't long for someone to hold who knows how to love you without being told somebody tell me why I'm on my own if there's a soulmate for everyone

[queerolddad]

Don’t let fake fans tell you different, Trek has always been queer 🏳️‍🌈🪐🚀

[zimowahistoria-kuro]

ok but why did modri do that? nothing in his backstory suggests that blood had anything to do with the demon he encountered.

[castleartsebaciel]

I think that Undertaker bathed Modri in lies. To make him loyal to himself, he maybe told Modri his blood is holy. And we know practical everything that got blessed or is holy can hurt a demon. So he thought, he could hurt Sebastian like that. With his holy blood. And would be reminded of the Exorcist that fought him back into hell.

[psychotickenesis-deactivated202]

Seriously they release new animals every week what the hell is this

[iamoutofideas]

my 2 sons scunt and grout who I am trying to give up custody of

[teaboot]

COLUGOS MY BELOVEDS

I LOVE THIS PLANET SO MUCH

[chamomileharborseal]

colugos are amazing!! there are only two species of them and they’re found in southeast Asia. they may resemble bats, but they’re in their own order (Dermoptera) and their closest relatives are primates!

they’re also sometimes referred to as flying lemurs which is funny because they neither fly nor are lemurs :) they ARE able to glide though, and they eat fruit, leaves, and flowers. their incisors are super cool and have grooves that help them feed and also groom themselves!!! they are so interesting and amazing and more people need to know about them!!!!!!!!

[blanc-ci]

If SNW is gonna keep insisting that the “deepening slow-burn bond” between K/S that’ll be happening in S3 is strictly platonic, then I think AOS4 should come out with Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto making out sloppy style for a third of the running time just to prove a point

[1shirt2shirtredshirtdeadshirt]

Funny enough, this concept is explored in The Motion Picture novelisation by Gene Roddenberry.

It is very, very rare for Vulcans to have a mind link, or bond, with another individual that can be achieved without some form of physical contact -- thought to be unheard of between a Vulcan and a human.

That is what a lot of Vulcans aspire to achieve in their relationships and connections. Roddenberry coined that as a*T'hy'la* bond in Vulcan culture.

Spock is basically outed as having that type of bond with Jim Kirk in TMP novel when he is attempting to complete Kolinhar. He fails it because when the Vulcan elder melds with Spock's mind, she can actually hear Jim Kirk's worried ruminations in Spock's mind -- on Vulcan -- all the way from Earth.

Anyway, that is particularly scandalous, and largely unheard of, in Vulcan culture. The elder instructs Spock to take leave of Vulcan and answer this call, as "his place is elsewhere".

This post summarizes that moment in the film beautifully while conveying more of the emotion of TMP novel -- that it was the connection to Jim that Spock could not sever or let go of in order to complete Kolinahr.

Shout out to @kristascoffee-blog1 for creating these gorgeous gifs and the OP which articulates this moment so well.

In the movie version, Spock's summoning is depicted as solely being about sensing V'Ger.

In the novel, it is because he is essentially caught having a T'hy'la bond with Jim Kirk that is strong enough for them to hear each other *on other planets*.

In TMP novel, Roddenberry describes Spock and Jim's mind link as a very unique, rare and much sought after type of bond that is revered in Vulcan culture.

Roddenberry wrote: "For Spock, theirs had been the touching of two minds which the old poets of Spock's home planet had proclaimed as superior even to the wild physical love which affected Vulcans every seventh year during pon farr." I mean . . . That's pretty major. LOL

I thought they were intentionally nodding to that quote about poets and the T'hy'la bond from the novel when Pelia referred to Kirk and Spock's connection as "poetic", a reference to how Spock himself thinks of their bond in TMP novel.

I always felt the film version lacked a great deal of that incredible humanity and affection found in the novel because they were so late getting Nimoy involved. They didn't have enough time filming with him to deeply explore some of the more meaningful moments with Spock on screen outside of what we did get.

In the novel you get to hear all of his pained, desperate, and insecure thoughts. How much his heart is bursting when he first comes aboard the Enterprise. But we see little of that inner turmoil displayed in the film, sadly.

I know given the opportunity and time, Nimoy would have done a wonderful job with fleshing out Spock's story, because honestly, TMP is about Spock. V'Ger simply mirrors what he is going through and helps him realize where he belongs.

They just took so long getting Nimoy involved, they barely had time to film with him. So the story feels very cold on screen, and that's too bad, because the book actually made me weep when I read it growing up because it moved me so much. It has so much heart, and it is at its core a beautiful story of self acceptance -- a willingness to be vulnerable and accept love.

Spock starts the book like V'Ger -- cold, broken, and desperately seeking answers to the meaning of his existence.

He attempts Kolinahr and is refused by Vulcan when they realize he has a T'hy'la bond. They tell him to seek out the voice calling him, as that is where he belongs.

He comes full circle in the sickbay scene when he takes Jim's hand and admits that V'Ger is what he had aspired to, and he doesn't like what he sees -- he realizes the incredible value in the simplicity of love, trust, and loyalty.

TMP is actually supposed to be about Spock and how his journey from shame about his connection to Jim to unabashed pride mirrors V'Ger's experience.

V'Ger also goes from being cold and barren to discovering the potential and value of human love. Sadly, they took so long to get Nimoy signed on for TMP that the end result was a story that really wasn't about Spock or his journey, even though the novel almost entirely focuses on what Spock and Jim went through and how that parallels V'Ger.

Spock tries Kolinahr, Jim tries admiralty, and they both end up miserable pursuing what they *think* the next step naturally should be, not what they actually want. The conclusion is them actually accepting that they are far, far better together than they are separate.

Their T'hy'la bond, this form of Vulcan bonding thought to be so rare it is often considered a myth on their planet it is considered so unattainable -- this bond is shared between a human and half-human Vulcan.

It solidifies that Vulcans actually stifle themselves and their potential when they get too hung up on being pragmatic, stop at logic, and don't explore beyond logic as a meaning to life. As Spock says many years later, logic is only the beginning of that exploration, not the end. Spock has grown by not permitting himself to have such limitations.

So in summary, you are absolutely right -- this kind of mental bond or connection is extremely rare in Vulcan culture, and seldom seen without there being a physical connection to establish a link.

The absolute irony is, a rare Vulcan T'hy'la bond is shared between a human and half-human Vulcan, while many full Vulcans will live out their long lifetimes without ever knowing what that is like.