╭───⌲ “As such, I have no regrets in meeting you, my dear lotus. Should the day ever come that we are not together, you will continue to shine like gold in my memories.”
Stellis Personnel Files -> about me!
Contract -> rules/byi/faq
Stellis Case Files -> masterlist
NXX Case Files -> tag direactory
Recent Case Files -> recent works
Take a Picture ; It Lasts Longer (Genshin Impact characters)
I'm the Words and You're the Tune (Zhongli, Venti, Diluc)
Let Me Take Care of You (Genshin Impact Men)
currently a linkon wanderer hunter by day, and rafayel’s little writer for @oracleofstars by night
╰───⌲ “Oh, it’s you. What a coincidence. We meet again… my dear.”
An analysis and opinion on the current state of fandom and pop culture.
In a world where few feel safe in their day-to-day lives, we’ve tried to carve out this safety online—we’ve learned that our experiences online are up to us, that it’s our job to follow, block, ignore, and engage with all the ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ materials that will give us the perfect feed. The perfect, safest experience. The cleanest dash ecosystem. You don’t have to see or hear from anyone you don’t want to online, especially here on tumblr, and especially in fandom spaces.
And I do still believe it’s good to curate your experience online—to not seek out material or people you actively hate. You wouldn’t (hopefully) do that in person, so you shouldn’t do it online.
But that does lead me to my next point: it’s impossible to create a fully “safe” space in person. And I don’t believe we should have them online, either.
Actually, I think even the language around “safe spaces” bothers me a little. Originally, I believe the term “safe spaces” came from the late 60s/early 70s LGBTQ and feminist movements, where they labeled gay bars or places as “safe spaces” to be themselves in a world that ordinarily rejected, abused, or killed them for who they are. They carved out a tiny slice of the universe that would allow them to be themselves for just a an evening, a moment in time. Of course, it still meant anyone could show up in most cases. Perhaps there was some precautions put in place to try and weed out bigots or danger, but for the most part, anyone was welcome.
The term “safe space” like many other phrases on the internet that were once apart of civil rights, activist, or social theory has now been mutated, transformed, and I believe, has come to die.
Or perhaps, should die. We should kill it.
(And before anyone jumps at me—I do still believe in the importance of “safe spaces” in its original form. I do believe it’s important for marginalized people to have real, in-person, safe spaces to be in whether to just exist, connect with other members of their community, celebrate, etc. I believe it is an okay thing to have some of this on the internet too.)
Now, carving out a “safe space” on the internet and especially in fandom means to immediately block anyone that doesn’t make you feel incredible, have all the exact same opinions as you, and never once ruffles your feathers. It means to never see a gif of that ship you hate or artwork you find distasteful. It means taking everything personally and being sensitive and hypervigilant. And breaking friendships and mutuals quickly, over very, very small things. It means never being able to debate or have conversations of analysis. It means to never disagree, to never step outside of your own perspective.
It means to become hyper-individualistic. To create your own, tiny, fragile world. And if anyone or anything disturbs that in any way, you annihilate it immediately. You have no tolerance for anything other than something that gives you immense joy, satisfaction, and reassures your view of life or fandom. (My partner calls this “sugar in your mouth all the time” and what they mean is you always want sweets, but to feel better, to be healthy, you need vegetables, too.)
Creating a safe space now means losing community and only tolerating, engaging, and encouraging people who bolster you specifically. And yes, you may bolster them in return, but it becomes transactional. Warped. It is all only ever about you. And how you feel. And how that person or people or community makes you feel.
I think this is why we’ve seen an uptick in intolerance for differing opinions in fandom spaces (or online spaces in general). No one is allowed to disagree with each other—you should block and move on. If you do disagree with an opinion, that person assumes you think they’re an evil, awful idiot and becomes defensive. Or now you’re starting drama. There’s an inability to add to discussions. Or jump off of each other. Or to disagree in a way that isn’t mean-spirited or condescending. In college, during discussion based literature classes, I was allowed to disagree with my classmates on the text and we rarely got heated or upset with each other. Occasionally, of course, there were personal topics that sparked larger emotions or a misstep, it’s always possible.
But no one was ever unsafe.
Which is why I dislike the phrase “safe space” on the internet, in the modern era.
You’re not in danger, you’re just uncomfortable.
On a more specific level, I think this is also why there’s been such an uptick in selfshipping in our corner of fandom. We’ve curated our spaces so far that it truly is just about the individual and their individual self ship. Gone are the days of sharing and connecting—unless you’re willing to engage with someone’s selfship, they will not engage with yours. It leaves us all to play dolls separately, rather than together. There’s been a decline in fics, especially longer ones. There’s been a decline in just general content. Now everything is individualistic. Tailored so specifically to you and only you, that it sorta leaves you isolated.
Or leaves many members of the community isolated.
It’s become fractured and lonely. Uninspiring and an echo chamber of voices that all, always, agree and love and play and talk and adore each other, by themselves.
It leaves no room for difference, uniqueness, community, or even creativity. It leaves no room for discomfort. It leaves no room to learn how to regulate yourself over something small, like a differing opinion or someone else who enjoys that same character, differently. It’s crucial that you know how to let things roll off of you in order to be in community with each other.
Community has disagreements, it has diversity of thought and art and personhood. That is a good thing. It’s possible to disagree with someone and still maintain respect, kindness, and even curiosity for them.
Beyond that, the internet, no matter how much tailoring you do, is never just for you. If you post an opinion on your blog, someone is allowed to disagree or add to that and it doesn’t always mean they’re trying to destroy and kill you mentally. And beyond this, fandom is not just for you. Fandom has always been about community. And community should not all look, talk, act, think, and agree exactly like you.
This is dangerous and indicative of grander socio-political trends in our world and capitalism. But that conversation is for another day.
I say all of this mostly to get my opinions on the matter out—and to perhaps change minds or get people thinking. I want us to be reflective on our spaces and on ourselves. If you enjoy being in fandom spaces, it may be good to reflect on why! I think part of the reason I haven’t enjoyed it as recently is because of this hyper individualistic trend. I always enjoyed fandom as a community and place to discuss analysis, art, writing, and The Characters, together. And that just doesn’t feel as possible anymore in the xreader world that I currently live in.
Feel free to disagree with me or raise different points or thoughts, promise it won’t make the space unsafe.
My man literally doomed his people for us. If that isn't dedication I don't know what is. He also seems the only (Love interest) that wants mc to actively remember their previous lives, constantly reminding us that we've 'forgotten' something.
And I think it might just be Western bias/stereotypes around men, but I hate how the fandom as whole represents him as a whiny brat when he is so much deeper than that. And yeah he can be annoying sometimes but wouldn't you also be irritated and mopey if the person you love has forgotten about you multiple times after everything you've been through.
Yes he's sassy and yes he's needy and dramatic at times. But he misses you and doesn't know any other way to express it.
Not to mention he's a romantic at heart. If you listen to any of his secret time audios you would know that he really does care about you. Hell, he lied about needing a bodyguard just to get you to be around him more. Even in his recent card [Intertidal Zone] you can see that sweet/caring nature come out. He sings a Lemurian love song to lull you to sleep at your request.
Not to mention he has a dark side.
1. If you look back at his interactions with anyone other than MC. He's only ever (ha) nice to you. Because outside of you Rafayel's kind of an asshole. (Chapter 8 *cough*) Not to mention his underlying hatred for humans
2. He has stalked mc
3. He has murdered and lied to your face about it
4. He's definitely done some criminal work. Did you see how effortlessly he blended in, in chapter 8. Not to mention he has, in his own words, ‘connections' to the underbelly of Linkon
——> You don’t have to like him, but don’t give him unnecessary hate, pls 🙏
Please give our fishy boi some justice. #JusticeforRaf 😔
(correction on the header, we will see you again on the 10th!)
congratulations to everyone who has passed the hunters exam! we deeply apologize for the recent inactivity around the network, everything should be back up and running again!
as for updates on the next 3VOLS issue... we will be making a separate announcement. for now, keep making sylus works! we will be scouting out for new authors to feature soon.
now, here are the list of hunters who have passed. welcome to oracle of stars!
✩ @blaire-apricity
⋆ blaire ( she / her ) - author
✩ @twistyfish
⋆ kye ( she / her ) - author
✩ @syllikins
⋆ raven ( she / her ) - author
NOTICE: congratulations on passing! please tag us ( @oracleofstars ) somewhere visible on your blog.
you may use our tag #oracleofstars so we may reblog your works, but make sure to maintain it as an sfw tag. meaning you may only use it on your sfw works.
please send an ask to @staarri for the discord server & the code needed for the network role!
reblog if your inbox is always open for new members of the fandom who may be a little shy or intimidated. doesn’t matter whether or not you’re a “popular blog”; everyone here is equal and if you’re reading this as a new person/someone considering entering the fandom, we will not turn you away!!!! talk to us!! make friends!! i more than understand being shy but trust me this fandom is chill come join us in this hellhole
with the many complications for this month, we are glad to say that applications for july are officially over! thank you for everyone who participated & was patient despite our errors.
now, here are the list of hunters who have passed. welcome to oracle of stars!
✩ @revasserium
⋆ rain ( she / her ) - author
✩ @kykyonthemoon
⋆ ky ky ( she / her ) - author
✩ @lonely-dreamer
⋆ keira ( she / her ) - author
NOTICE: congratulations on passing! please tag us ( @oracleofstars ) somewhere visible on your blog.
you may use our tag #oracleofstars so we may reblog your works, but make sure to maintain it as an sfw tag. meaning you may only use it on your sfw works.
please send us an ask here for the discord server and your verification code for our network role!
with the many complications for this month, we are glad to say that applications for july are officially over! thank you for everyone who participated & was patient despite our errors.
now, here are the list of hunters who have passed. welcome to oracle of stars!
✩ @revasserium
⋆ rain ( she / her ) - author
✩ @kykyonthemoon
⋆ ky ky ( she / her ) - author
✩ @lonely-dreamer
⋆ keira ( she / her ) - author
NOTICE: congratulations on passing! please tag us ( @oracleofstars ) somewhere visible on your blog.
you may use our tag #oracleofstars so we may reblog your works, but make sure to maintain it as an sfw tag. meaning you may only use it on your sfw works.
a message will be sent to you regarding the discord server!
✦ messages i cant send : dear zayne !
an oracle of stars prompt-based event.
Something BETTER THAN THE MOVIES, where you recreate your favorite FLUFFY movie scenes that have a hint of AWKWARD OR ACCIDENTAL CONFESSIONS. Or, you could just go for a regular CONFESSION SCENE, that works too!
They see that you're capable of so much love. You give and give and give so much of your love, until your cup is empty but when someone kindly offers you a refill, your hands shake and you basically drop said cup. Unable to accept love in the ways you deserve
They have the patience to pick it up and fill it up for you, stay by your side until you feel comfortable taking a sip. They'll be right there with all of their love, pushing and tugging until you let them in, masking your embarrassment with frowns and snarky remarks
They know you mean none of it. They know you love them and that you're just struggling
i am so so incredibly proud of this network! here's to the third round of applications! lets welcome the new hunters with open and warm arms <3
✩ @milknbagels
⋆ milk ( she / her ) - author & artist
✩ @vilhelios
⋆ keisha ( she / they ) - author
✩ @beneathashadytree
⋆ maya ( she / they / xe ) - author
✩ @hanyi-writes
⋆ hanyi ( she / they ) - author
✩ @rninies
⋆ kylin ( she / her ) - author
✩ @yuansie
⋆ dea ( she / her ) - author
NOTICE: congratulations on passing! please tag us ( @oracleofstars ) somewhere visible on your blog.
you may use our tag #oracleofstars so we may reblog your works, but make sure to maintain it as an sfw tag. meaning you may only use it on your sfw works.
as we cannot send messages to all of you ( tumblr limits us ), please send an ask for the server link and your hunter code for the discord server!
Ahhhh, I finally have a day off from work! Now I can do my commentary for the fanfics I have saved in my drafts. And do some stuff for the oracle of stars network!
