seen from Netherlands
seen from United States
seen from Ecuador
seen from Malaysia
seen from Malaysia
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from Australia
seen from Germany
seen from Russia
seen from Canada
seen from Saudi Arabia
seen from Brazil
seen from China
seen from United States
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seen from United States
seen from United States
*Emerald returns after completing the training exercise Adam gave her... Escort a living and breathing Tiger in a car around*
Emerald: A fucking tiger?!
Adam: If you're fighting Cinder, you need to be ready for anything.
Emerald, getting more frustrated: A FUCKING TIGER?!
Adam, deadpan: Don't lost the message in the method. You mastered your fear.
Emerald, stunned that he was right, but couldn't let it go: ....What the fuck is wrong with you?!
CHNT THEORY MASTER POST + EVIDENCE
> only evidence from within the text itself, no patreon spoilers
!! IN HONOUR OF SEASON TWO BEING ANNOUNCED HERE IS A BREAK DOWN OF EVIDENCE AND UNKNOWNS ACROSS SEASON ONE !!
0. background info
1. sydneys death
2. lucille and fire
3. jedidiahs project
to be added to ..?
Good Omens Fan Fiction Friday (5/30/25) - Characters with Disabilities
I love the way Good Omens is a great vehicle for telling varied stories. And fic writers have given us some amazing disabled characters. In fact, there are so many great stories, I'm setting some limits. First, I won't include the varied eye conditions ascribed to Crowley because they feature in a ton of fics. And they're often not major parts of the story. Second, I won't include fics where people are neurodivergent only. There's a nuanced debate happening about whether neurodivergency is a disability or not. It's certainly not something I feel qualified to opine on in a Tumblr post recommending fan fics. (Of course, how many disabilities would become less disabling if we simply provided reasonable accommodations for people, amirite?)
And third, I won't include psychological disabilities--severe depression, OCD, anxiety. They could probably comprise their own list as well.
So anyway, on to the fics!
Let's start with something fluffy and sweet - The War of the Pie Dish (G) by Sodium_Azide/@sodiumazideandothertoxins. Crowley moves into a new flat and finds a welcome gift in a blue pie plate on his front doorstep. He bakes his own treat to return with the pie dish which starts the war. And becomes the highlight of Crowley's week. Why is this included in the disability theme? Well, you'll have to read this one-shot to find out since Crowley doesn't actually meet his kind neighbor for ages.
I love how the writer had Crowley interested in his neighbor long before they met and his reaction to accommodating Aziraphale when his disability became apparent. It's lovely.
Another sweet bit o'fluff is Between Stations (T) by in_a_pickle. Aziraphale takes a part-time job as a passenger assistant at the train station. His assignment to help a disabled passenger board his train goes from bad to worse. Luckily, the passenger, Crowley, has a good sense of humor. One of my faves.
What We Make of It (Shotgun Wedding) (E) by @charlottemadison42 is a fandom classic in which Crowley is raising his nephew Adam when he finds himself attracted to Adam's teacher, Aziraphale. Unfortunately, Adam has several medical conditions that require regular care. And if Crowley and Aziraphale date, they will run afoul of HR rules, potentially risking Adam's much-needed health insurance. Yep, it's an American story. What else? But it's a classic for a reason and a great read.
In How My Light is Spent (E) by Azira_Amine, Aziraphale and Crowley experience near instant attraction when they meet at the coffee shop where Aziraphale works. Not so much a slow burn as a quick ignition. And fortunately, Crowley's guide dog, Bentley, approves as well.
Echoes of Luke 10:34 (T) by ChummyGeekery has Aziraphale understanding Crowley much better now that they've swapped bodies. Luckily, he's willing to help Crowley who has dealt with chronic pain over thousands of years.
On the Habits of Vampires and Retired Goths (T) by @munchmulch is the ultimate misunderstanding fic. Aziraphale moves in across the hall from Crowley thinking his sickly appearance is because he's a vampire. Actually, he's disabled. And the misunderstandings continue from there, making for a very funny fic.
Aziraphale notices Crowley is not himself in Out of Alignment (M) by @dragonfire42. Heaven and Hell come together to help resolve his issues. This fic offers great advice on supporting a partner through disability and recovery as well on self-management when in pain. Oh, and this story offers justice for Furfur. It's a fun take on our tiny demon.
This list is getting long. Do you need a break? A chance to stretch? A cuppa tea? Let's have a little Aziraphale break before we continue.
And we're back with...
A Smell Can't Be Ineffable (M) by @thinkinginscripts, Crowley loses his sense of taste and smell after a case of Covid. But bookseller Aziraphale has a method he hopes will help. It's sweet and beautifully descriptive.
In the Demon and Angel Professors series (G) by Ghostinthehouse Crowley and Aziraphale support several disabled students. They have a special understanding of the students' challenges because Crowley is disabled but keeps it a secret. Highly recommend this long series of short fics. It's a great read to keep open in your tabs whenever you have a quick minute to read a 666 word fic.
An Affair to Remember (T) by GoodInspirationAD, is inspired by the film of the same name. Crowley stops by the bookshop to explain why he stood Aziraphale up on their planned date at the Ritz. But he loses his nerve. Will the pair reunite? And will Aziraphale understand Crowley's reasons?
Do you read WIPs? If so, check out Ineffable Beauty (M) also by GoodInspirationsAD. The love this writer has for their characters really shines through. Crowley is a fashion model and Aziraphale is a writer. Both were seriously injured in car accidents. Crowley became a paraplegic and Aziraphale a quadriplegic. They fall in love and navigate their relationship with a little angst, but mostly mutual adoration.
This fic is really a fantasy--one where the pair never have to argue with the National Health or insurance company for the equipment they need, have meaningful work they love and are paid well for, and caregivers who treat them with respect and love. So yeah, total fantasy. But isn't that lovely sometimes? If you like a spicy read, check out Lay Thee Sinner, 'Neath the Cross and Pole (E) by ElysiumLeo (The_Nerd_Alert). Aziraphale is a Catholic priest whose fellow teacher, Gabriel, takes him to a strip club for his 50th birthday. There he meets pole dancer, Crowley. The two develop a friendship and Crowley offers to mentor the priest in sexual pleasure to help him decide if he wants to continue his life of celibacy in the priesthood. Crowley has a condition that resembles Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (can't remember if it was named in the fic) and we see him managing pain while doing a physically demanding job. Also a WIP. Mind the tags, people. Thanks to @thinkinginscripts and @fumblingbuffoon for inspiring this list and suggesting several inclusions.
Do you have a favorite fic featuring disabled characters I missed? Your recs are one of the best parts of doing this weekly feature. Reblog and share in the comments.
I'll be back next Friday with more great Good Omens fan fics on a new theme. In the meantime, check out my other favorite fics on this pinned post of weekly Good Omens fan fiction recommendations. And if my faves appear to be your faves, check out my bookmarks on AO3--all the fics I rate in my top 10% of everything I've read.
Don't forget to nurture the fan fic community. Share kudos and comments to show the many wonderful creators how much we appreciate them.
RWBY Ice Queendom, Episode 1, Gifs and Clips - Pt. 1
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Hello everyone, 2026's White Knight Week is quickly approaching, we're about a month out. It will start on May 11th and go through to May 17th. You can read through more details on it and its prompts here. I encourage you to make a little fanfic, some art, a meme, or just enjoy the creative works of the fandom! Or check out last year's!
But, as part of the celebrations and to promote the event, I thought I might post a series of gifs and clips from Ice Queendom that I made for everyone to enjoy. I plan to cover two episodes from Ice Queendom every Sunday until the 17th, and I've made more gifs and clips than can fit in one post, so keep an eye out for more. I'll edit in links for the following posts and a master list to make it a little easier.
Anyway, without further ado, let's get into it.
The beautiful title card for Ice Queendom. I just really like the snowflake transition.
Ruby is so proud of Yang getting into Beacon, but also sad that she isn't going too. "Why can't I be more like her?"
But she shakes off those bad vibes! "When it comes to weapons I'm as good as anyone. Better even!"
And she gives a cute wink. "I'm going to work hard so I can protect the people from Grimm, just like you did, mom."
Always make an entrance with a Yang!
Target acquired, hug initiated.
We do a little subtle symbolism with Weiss. Most don't catch it on their first watch.
Man, imagine if some tall, blond, and scraggly love interest picked up on the snow angel theme right away.
"Day drinking already, mother. I guess I shouldn't be surprised." Poor Weiss, she has such a troubled family situation. Actually, when you think about it, every one of our main characters do. Ruby and Yang with Summer dead and Raven ran off. Blake having split from her parents over the White Fang's methods. Ren and Nora as orphans whose parents died in a Grimm attack and/or are vaguely absent. I think Jaune might have the closest to a normal and healthy relationship with his folks at this point in the story, and even he feels like they don't believe in him.
Whitley brushes his hair in an absurd close-up. How do we establish this character as posh and perhaps a little self-centered?
This is a fun little scene. He's got that sort of smug look and almost mocking way he says this isn't a normal test she's walking into, and that they wouldn't want her getting hurt. He's expressing concern, but in a way where there's this wall between them.
But wait, there's more! It's further emphasized as Weiss walks away, saying,
"No, this is hardly enough to be intimidating. So, just shut up and watch."
And Whitley says in response,
"I've always watched you, my fearless and foolhardy sister."
Whitley was defensive in putting on that sort of front, and there's certainly a rift between them, but he is genuinely concerned for Weiss. It's cool of the writers to add that in so early in the story.
Weiss bows as she begins the test.
And Whitley takes up his position next to Jacques, while Winter is across the room from them. Very clear dynamics getting established. And this would pay off, if Ice Queendom ever actually had more seasons.
Got to appreciate how the Arma Gigas is brought in via an industrial freight elevator. Imagine the events the Schnees must hold in their ballroom to justify this.
And during the hard fought battle, Weiss struggles to her feet. A new scar fresh upon her face.
Blake and Adam enter. I like how that's animated. It conveys a good sense of speed, which they don't always do in the following scenes.
Blake fights. I think the train fight loses out compared to the Black Trailer in RWBY proper, but this particular shot of it in Ice Queendom is pretty good.
Weiss tries to be as subtle as she possibly can. Angel theme? Who said anything about an angel theme? One of her love interests? Would be pretty crazy if that guy was also themed after a saint.
Weiss is in awe of Winter. "Those without power will return to dust. That is the law of this world."
Weiss fights.
Some people mistakenly believe the Arma Gigas to be gigantic.
In truth, Weiss is just really, really small.
Weiss defeats the Arma Gigas.
Angelic Weiss takes in the holy spirit, or something. At last, she is free.
Blake's bs superpower.
I sped this one up quite a bit, it's silly slow in the original scene.
And with that, we've finished up all the introductions. I have more gifs and clips to post for episode 1 as Ice Queendom begins the story proper, but I'll be putting them in a part 2.
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Thoughts on this meme?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ancient_History_Memes/comments/18wwzob/i_just_wanna_create_a_fight_in_the_comments/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
The meme in question:
Okay first of all it's a ragebait joke about the people who are fans of either, it's not about the city-states themselves, and I wouldn't like to assume who is what and why.
I can talk a little about the city states pit though.
To me it's obvious that if you compare the two in the classical period after the Persian wars, Athens is on another level culturally and influentially. Sparta's strong asset is always the military, and even this superiority is not a given at all times, since Athens has defeated Sparta on several occasions. It's a bit like method acting; there are great actors who resort to method to achieve stellar performances, however many other also great actors have revealed that method is an overkill and a good actor does not actually need it. In my opinion, Sparta's extreme military culture was an overkill. Moreover, as a Greek, it counts for me that one reason the Spartans were so adamant about training obsessively was that they wanted to make sure that they kept the helots as slaves, and the helots were the Messenian Greeks. Not that if they were anything else it would not be equally terrible, but my point is that as a Greek the concept of Greeks becoming super macho warriors in order to keep other Greeks enslaved for eternity kinda kills the vibe. With my current ethnic Greek perspective, of course. Ancient people rarely thought this way.
To be honest, I sort of agree with the meme in the sense that for classical period loving, evidently non-Greek nerds, I cannot imagine what else is there to be a fan of beyond the ultra-militaristic culture. Okay some other notable things about Classical Sparta are the law-making, the better living conditions for women (within the greater stern if not cruel Spartan system, though), some good kings, the cool laconic speech and the battles in the Persian Wars. But I don't know if those are enough to make someone a Spartan fan hostile towards Athens, if they are not largely biased in favor of a militaristic system and an especially militaristic fascade. Spartan fanboys are a bit like Classical Roman fanboys. It's all about giving fights, winning, expanding or defending and being intimidating. Cultural achievements are secondary to them.
This does not mean that Athens did not have issues or that Sparta is not fascinating though. But such pittings are clearly an American / West European fan thing, because they are hugely irrelevant to a Greek, especially a Greek who knows history goes on beyond the classical era. For a person who knows that, such comparisons are entirely pointless between the two because in truth they are so vastly different and incomparable in the way they left their impact in the course of time.
For me, Sparta is not fascinating for being the best in anything in classical times, for it was not, but for being this outlier in the Greek world. We consider Ancient Spartans weird today and they were considered weird back then too. That's kinda hard to achieve! Sparta is also far more interesting to explore in the passage of time rather than when set solely on a certain period.
The Spartans founded Mystras next to Sparta, which by the end of the Byzantine period was the last region standing against the Ottoman Empire. This is where the last Byzantine emperors were getting crowned. They progressively retreated to the rugged mountains and peninsulas of Mani (within the greater region of Sparta, called Laconia or Lacedaemona) and due to that they are nowadays the Maniots, and they kept their region free from the Ottomans, along with only other two attacked regions in Greece, and kept defying them for all the centuries the rest of Greece was part of the Ottoman empire. (Okay they were less formidable with the Latins, but still.) They became pirates, this was their normal lifestyle, and viewed piracy as a good thing. They lived and a few might still live in stern towers. They were the first to declare the Independence War to the Ottoman Empire. Unfortunately, a few of the Maniots became also detrimental for the first couple of years of Greece as an independent state (to anyone wondering I'm talking about Kapodistrias' assassination), much like Ancient Sparta had both a good and a bad side to it in regards to its impact to the rest of the Greek world. This is not to judge, I just find it fascinating how there are elements that recur. They still have a reputation about them. They are more aloof than the average Greek, less friendly, less talkative, more prone to anger, prouder, fierce, very patriotic. Or that's the stereotype at least, maybe not now with the tourism and the internet and all the communication, but at least up to the last decades. But seeing all this unfold in the process of time is what's fascinating to me about Sparta. Yep, that's a cool story. Athens vs Sparta, who cares. For actually most of their existence this does not even apply as a question.
EDIT: A hilarious detail I forgot to mention in the stereotype is that the Spartans and the Maniots nowadays probably have the highest percentage of royalism and monarchy nostalgia in the country whereas most of the country is decidedly against having a king. I imagine the Spartans even 2,500 years later being like "democracy my ass, what are these athenian frivolities?" That's a joke of course, even when it was a kingdom, Greece had a constitutional monarchy with a parliament, elections and all, but a few Maniots really want a king back, to the point that it seems they wish for a more active role from him. I think ultimately it's just that they still hold the legacy of the Despotate of Morea dear in their hearts (the aforementioned last Byzantine stronghold with Mystras as its center).
Youtube Video Essayists part 2
I made one of these lists years ago, so if you're wondering why big names like hbomberguy and Kat Blaque aren't here, that's why.
Science and Tech
Miniminuteman - Archaeologist and science educator whose content focuses on archaeological mysteries and debunking pseduoarcheaology. Videos average about 20 minutes to an hour and a half.
Adam Something - Most of his videos focus on urbanism and transport (it's more interesting than it sounds, I promise), but he also occasionally covers politics and culture. His bread and butter is tearing apart impractical billionaire passion projects (hyperloop, the cybertruck, Munger Hall). Big fan of trains. Average video playtime is 10 to 20 minutes.
Petal Palmer - A pre-med student and cancer patient who covers true stories of medical oddities and malpractice. Some of my favourites are on the Tylenol murders, the woman who froze alive (and survived unscathed), and fraudulent cancer awareness orgs. Videos run from 10 minutes to an hour and a half.
Politics and Culture
Caelan Conrad - Their channel mainly covers gay and trans rights, with a focus on debunking right-wing narratives and commentators. Videos average 30 minutes to an hour and a half.
Fundie Fridays - Started as a channel where Jen did her makeup and talked about various figures and sects of Christian fundamentalism, has since grown to include her husband and to cover politics. Very respectful in her tone, and very funny. I'd recommend their videos on the Miracle Mineral Solution (bleach), Eugene Scott, Duck Dynasty, and Gwen Shamblin Lara. Their early videos are only around 10 to 20 minutes, but these days they run as long as an hour and a half.
Khadija Mbowe - Honestly, her channel could fit under any of these categories. Her content varies wildly, but is always engaging and thought provoking. I'd recommend her videos on meritocracy in health and weightloss, Poor Things and engaging with 'problematic' material, and Barbie and white feminism. Videos average 20 to 40 minutes
F.D Signifier - Very well researched and presented commentary on politics, media, and black manhood. I'd recommend his videos on Eminem and white rappers, what makes men desirable, white men and edge lord movies, and how black athletes are exploited. Videos average 40 minutes to an hour and a half.
Foreign Man in a Foreign Land - Commentary on race and Caribbean culture. I'd recommend his videos on racism in gaming, tourism as the new slavery, and Elizabeth II and english colonialism. Videos average 20 minutes to an hour.
Arts and Entertainment
Broey Deschanel - Channel focuses on film and film criticism. I'd highly recommend her videos on the problems with method acting, feeling cynical about Barbie, and the 'death' of cinema. Videos average about 20 to 50 minutes and have a high production value.
Jane Mulcahy - Film and tv analysis, with a focus on media aimed towards female audiences. Lighthearted but thoughtful. I'd recommend her videos on the Red White and Royal Blue movie, Lifetime 'Daddy' movies, and the 'psycho biddy' genre. Videos average 20 minutes to an hour.
Verily Bitchie - Examining movies and tv through a queer and feminist lense, along with occasional videos on culture on politics. I'd recommend her feminist critique of Doctor Who, a look at bisexual representation on TV, and her video on trial by tiktok. Videos average 10 minutes to an hour and a half.
Coldcrashpictures - Pretty standard long-form film analysis. I'd recommend his videos on the current state of Hollywood, Freaks (1932) and old school horror, the 2020 dumpster fire watchlist, and cinematic masculinity. Videos average 20 minutes to an hour.
Internet Culture
WURLD - Commentary on internet trends and culture. More lighthearted and off the cuff in her presentation. Best videos include Is Booktok Ruining Reading?, the obsession with reusable cups, and hustle culture is a nightmare. Videos run from 15 to 45 minutes.
Gabi Bell - A lot of variation in her content, ranging from internet culture, to (bad) movies, to (bad) tv. I'd recommend her videos on tiktok drama and fake verification. Videos average 10 to 50 minutes.
Tiffany Ferg - Content focused on internet analysis. I'd recommend her videos on concert culture, learned helplessness and tech illiteracy, and 'body trends' and plastic surgery. Videos average from 20 to 40 minutes.
Salem Tovar - Nuanced commentary on internet culture. I'd recommend her videos on gen Z's aesthetic obsession, millennial parenting problems, and filming strangers in public. Videos average from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.
Ro Ramdin - Probably the funniest person on this list, I can't recommend her enough. Videos are thoughtful well edited. I'd recommend her videos on Hogwarts Legacy and financially supporting JK Rowling, the NFT island, the metaverse, and XQC. Videos average 20 to 40 minutes.
Also, misc. video essays: 2010s Pop Feminism: A Painful Look Back, We Need to Talk about TikTok's Obsession with Face Reading and its Dark History, Transphobia: The Far Right and Liberalism, You're Wrong about Modern Art, Who is Killing Cinema? - A Murder Mystery, Transition Regret & the Fascism of Endings, I Debunked Every "Body Language Expert" on Youtube, These Stupid Trucks are Literally Killing Us, How Conservatives Created (and Cancelled) Gender.
𝐋𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐮 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐬
Shu was not the best role model for any of the brothers after Edgar's death. As they grew up, Laito definitely took notes on how Shu lured women
One of the most prominent tactics Laito took notes on from Shu was how women often tried to attract Shu rather than the other way around
Delving into this deeper, Laito concluded that due to Shu's position as the heir and his nonchalant attitude, this made Shu much more different than the average vampire noble because anyone who could 'tame' Shu was the most deserving to be with him; thus adding to his appeal
Laito struggled with how to use this to his advantage before he perfected his perverted persona. He wanted people to come to him, but he didn't have the patience that Shu did
Shu, being Shu, noticed that Laito kept on staring at him. He even commented on it using a throwaway passive comment: "Looks like someone's training to be a voyeur."
Shu doesn't care for Laito and the same goes for Laito. However, their closest interactions might possibly be Laito trying to discover how he could develop into his pervert persona while masking his hypersexuality (caused by a certain purple vixen) and Shu making off comments that Laito should just be himself rather than try and imitate him
As Shu grew more distant and Laito grew more merciless with his methods, there have been times where Shu silently watched his fedora-wearing brother in the background, unbeknownst to Laito
Why? Because Karlheinz. Karl, also having the side job of being a time god and resetting the timeline anytime something went 'wrong' or there was a wrinkle he didn't foresee (it's possible and I'll delve more into this in another post), often pressures Shu to see how Shu's presence affects his younger brothers as he believes that Shu is an interesting variable in his experiment of the Adam and Eve plan due to his birth of being the first son
If Shu had enough energy and was bothered enough, he'd order familiars to deliver almond and pistachio macarons to Laito's room in the event that Laito was experiencing a rare mental breakdown if he recently had night terrors of Cordelia
Although Shu is often asleep, that doesn't mean that his hearing's turned off. His hearing might even be the sharpest out of all his brothers since he had to develop the quickest in order to be a proper candidate for the throne. He'd hear Laito flailing around and sobbing into his pillow in order to muffle out the sounds as he knows that vampiric hearing is extremely sensitive (If you've played his route in HBD, you'd know he's commented on it multiple times to Yui in order to fluster her)
Laito is the most observant when it comes to his brothers. From how Reiji purposely turns his back away from Shu's direction, to how Ayato sucks in one side of his cheek when he's getting irked from the taunting of a rival basketball team, Laito can see through everyone however the biggest enigma to him is Shu
That doesn't mean that Shu is an impenetrable fortress though. The most shocking scene Laito has witnessed was Shu staring a bit too intently at a sacrificial bride before walking off as he clicked his tongue. This one single moment clicked in Laito’s head that Shu often felt the need for a companion but would never EVER initiate it
Laito’s complex mind-mapping could never comprehend what went on in Shu’s head from that day. But the fact that Shu acted too human to even be considered a cruel and sadistic creature of the night spoke thousands of words that were too vague to be concrete
In the days that Shu was too quiet even by the eldest’s standards, Laito plays a snippet of the past songs Shu played in his, now broken, prized violin that younger Reiji destroyed. He wanted to make sure that the Blonde Sakamaki still had some life left in him
With how powerful Shu was and how often he’d conceal it, there was no doubt that he heard the piano keys calling out for him in a mantra that uttered for his name and his name alone
Most of their daily brotherly interactions now are just passive comments that either poke fun at each other (Laito's underwear drawer vs. Shu hilariously getting viruses from downloading erotic audios that all have some kind of varied ear licking involved)
Yeah, the Bees vs Adam fight had a lot of iffy dialogue but nothing quite had my head in my hands as much as, "Did she make that promise to you? Or to the person you were pretending to be?" You mean the guy who runs around in a monster mask explicitly because he wanted humanity to fear the Faunus like they do with the unambiguously-evil Grimm was, actually, not a good or mentally-sound person? Shocker. Like say what you want about Adam, but there is nothing subtle about him. From the moment go, he is 100% transparent in who he is and yet the characters acts like he isn't.
Yeah, I think a lot of fans who get frustrated by critiques forget that the disappointment has never been, "Omg they made Adam a bad guy!" but rather, "It's a problem that the minority representing an oppressed group is depicted as the bad guy and also a lot of people are doubly frustrated that his crimes changed from political extremism to stalking a presumed ex." Because you're right, nothing about Adam is subtle. He's introduced in black, red, a creepy mask, and callously shrugs off the potential death of countless humans. He's preeeeetty straightforward.
However, that line still should have made sense by the time we reached that fight because based on everything else we know, Adam wasn't always like this. Blake grew up in a rich, loving family that was at the heart of peaceful activism. AKA she's well-adjusted and primed to question extremist methods. Given that we've seen no manipulation on Adam's part--again, he's straightforward--that heavily implies that Adam was once a far more empathetic, level-headed activist who could legitimately inspire one of our heroes. Someone like Blake isn't going to just randomly join the guy who's just as happy with humanity's destruction as their change in treatment; she's going to join someone who seeks her own goals and reflects her own morals. Sometime between Blake first joining the White Fang and cutting the train cars, Adam changed. This is supported through, again, what we know of Blake as a person, her early Volume comments that the WF wasn't always like this, how Adam steadily grows more and more unhinged as the series goes on--a spiral that began long before the show started and is continuing until his death. Hell, it's shown through Blake having some sort of ~intimate~ relationship with him (mentor or romantic) and doodling him in her notebook. There's a version of Adam that exists pre-RWBY that's the kind of man Blake would befriend, defend, and possibly fall for. Or, to put it another way, make promises to about loyalty and companionship.
