#tw adoption

[bloomingkyras]

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Telling her best friend about the pregnancy and her ways to make Arthur leave his family.

transcript under the cut:

C: what, u asking him to leave his family just because u pregnant? A: That the only way I have. C: U think he gonna leave them? I don’t think so. There’s still other way, Scar. U can ask for his child support or u can put the baby for adoption. S: why did u said that, Ciara? U are my bestfriends and u are a mum too. what if this happen to u? S: if u said he will not leave them, I’m still gonna rise this baby. But I still wanna him to take this as his responsibilities. C: I’m sorry.. I’m suppose not to said that. I know u love him. But u know the consequences, right? C: I’ll pray that everything will be ok. and let me know if u need anything. S: I know. thanks.

[1whistles-5x]

Every time someone calls the buying and selling an inanimate object for profit (Eg: art) an "adoptable" I should have $500 dollars directly deposited into my bank account as compensation

[terri-0-terrible]

maybe I'm not the person to be making this comparison, so forgive me if this isn't the most accurate, or comes off as insensitive I don't mean it like that in any way.

but I can't help but feel like kept folk who say adoption built families are the exact same as bio families give off the same vibe as white people who say they don't see color.

like I get the message you're trying to convey, but you really should acknowledge the different lived experiences and needs of adoptees and how the adoption industries flaws and (for those of us who have it) relinquishment trauma often still echo into our lives.

[reylokisses]

I read online that Vivienne Medrano cited Beatrice Horseman from Bojack Horseman as inspiration for Stella Goetia in Helluva Boss.

That makes sense, as Beatrice Horseman was a victim (of her father/mother/Butterscotch/society in general) and an abuser (of Bojack/Henrietta/Hollyhock), while Stella is a victim of forced marriage, forced pregnancy and a victim of her revolting brother, Andrealphus:

While also being Stolas’ abuser (and indirectly abusing Octavia by abusing Stolas in front of her)*

Speaking of Beatrice Horseman being an abuser, I was completely baffled when I read someone applaud Beatrice for being by Henrietta’s side while Henrietta was in labour with Hollyhock, and calling it an example of women supporting women.

Are you kidding me?!!!

The only reason why Beatrice was with Henrietta while she gave birth, was so that Beatrice could remove Hollyhock from Henrietta the second she was born!

The show even frames Beatrice’s actions as despicable- the scene switches from the traumatic memory of Joseph Sugarman, Beatrice’s father, burning little-girl-Beatrice’s beloved baby doll while she screams and begs him to stop, to adult Beatrice taking the newborn Hollyhock away to be given up for adoption, and refusing to let Henrietta hold her own baby.

Beatrice has just done one of the most evil things a person can do to another, and some people think she was justified?!

Even if viewers somehow think Beatrice was doing the right thing here, the show clearly doesn’t want us to think so. Henrietta’s face is scratched out, meaning that Beatrice is so ashamed of what she did to Henrietta, that she can’t bear to think about her.

The writers also make it clear that Beatrice was motivated by selfish reasons:

Beatrice wants to live vicariously through Henrietta and make her do what Beatrice wishes she herself had done - if Beatrice had had an abortion, or placed Bojack for adoption, then Beatrice would never have married Butterscotch and be stuck in a life that she hated.

However, one of the themes of Bojack Horseman is that “you’re responsible for your own happiness”. Beatrice and Butterscotch could have gotten a divorce and been free of one another- Beatrice came from a wealthy family, so she wasn’t trapped financially with Butterscotch. Blaming Bojack for their misery was cruel and unjust.

Butterscotch was being irresponsible and selfish with Henrietta- he could have paid child support for Hollyhock and then Henrietta could have afforded childcare while she finished her studies and qualified as a nurse. Henrietta didn’t have to sacrifice her dreams for her baby. Beatrice and Butterscotch had the 1950s misogynistic mindset that a woman who slept with a married man was a fallen person who wasn’t fit to raise a baby, and so Henrietta “had to” give up her firstborn.

It’s a pity that the viewers couldn’t see Hollyhock and Henrietta’s reunion, since Bojack is the main character and we could only see plot points that involved him. I’m glad that mother and daughter finally found each other again - Beatrice stealing Hollyhock from Henrietta remains the most harrowing scene in the whole show for me.

*Stella is shown screaming at Stolas in front of Octavia in Loo Loo Land, so I don’t agree that Octavia was somehow completely oblivious to how much of an abuser Stella was and how miserable her parents were in the marriage.

In the same episode, Octavia has a line about when she was a kid and “[her] parents didn’t hate each other”, so Stella must have toned down her cruelty at the beginning. I just hope the writers don’t retcon that and victim-blame Octavia for not knowing how much abuse Stolas endured.

I don’t want to end this post on a sad note, so here’s one of my favourite scenes in Loo Loo Land 🥰

[csaventing]

I am a victim of human trafficking through illegal adoption and adoption fraud. I was sold to a suicidal child abuser. The abuse started when I was a toddler. Physical, emotional, and sexual. Nobody outside the home knew, it was just me and this violent abuser. I was also sexually abused outside the home by a family member. I don’t know if it’s right to say I was sold for exploitation, but I was still sold to a violent criminal and i’ll never get justice. It hurts a lot.

.

[madamefluffnstuff]

An Unusual Request

Fandom: Elder Scrolls Online

Pairing: Prince Irnskar x Princess/Jarl Svana. Helpful friend Fem!Vestige.

Rating: T

Warning(s): Mentions of Pregnancy, Young Pregnancy (they are over 18 years of age and thus legal adults, but they're still Young Adults. And still a lil' foolish), unplanned/surprise pregnancy, thoughts of adoption, etc. Slight Spoilers for the Greymoor DLC if you squint.

Words: 1,512

AN: Delving a little deeper into my Brenda Steel-heart's lore and lemme tell you there's enough drama sometimes to rival a soap opera XD (Pic of her as a ref)

Special thanks to my friend @hircines-hunter for being my proof-reader and putting up with my silly ideas <3

─ ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──── ♡ ─── ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ ──

"Lyris, my dear friend! Good to see you!"

Lyris Titanborn wrapped her arms around her dear companion and comrade, Brenda Steel-Heart. The Nord warmaidens shared a brief but amicable hug, showing just how long it had been since they last saw each other.

"It's good to see you too, Vestige," Lyris said, equally happy to see her old battle friend.

"I came as fast as I could. You said there was a "situation"", Brenda's voice had genuine concern as she questioned her friend. "Has something happened?"

The taller Nord made a face and rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, that's... putting it plainly. Probably shouldn't discuss it here, though."

Brenda raised an eyebrow. "Lyris", she lowered her voice, "What's going on?"

"...maybe you should see for yourself."

~*~

"Arrow," Prince Irnskar greeted Brenda with her old nickname. "I'm pleased to see you arrived safely."

Immediately she knew something was off: the Prince's speech was overly formal and stiff, which wouldn't be unusual if they weren't already long past proper formalities. On top of that, Jarl Svana, normally loud and boisterous and barking orders, was hanging behind near the throne. And she was unusually quiet. Brenda saw the slightest bit of a worry crease on the young Jarl's forehead.

Her gaze went back and forth between the two royals, blinking each time she changed focus points. The silence was deafening. And painfully awkward.

"...I'd like to think I know you two well enough to know this-" Brenda made a small gesture in their direction, "-is not normal."

Irnskar and Svana quickly glanced at each other. The Princess shifted her feet. The Prince cleared his throat. The growing tension was becoming more and more apparent.

"And where is your Thane, Svana? I haven't seen- Wait, where is your Court!?" Brenda was appalled. Lyris' eyes widened and her palm struck her forehead as she groaned. How could the Jarl be so foolish? Both she and Brenda knew Svana was young and somewhat inexperienced, but this was reckless even for her.

"I gave them the afternoon off," Svana quickly answered. "They're coming back this evening."

"Svana I don't care what your reasoning is, you cannot just dismiss your entire Court! What were you thinking!?"

"Stendar preserve us," Lyris pinched the bridge of her nose.

Irnskar hastily interrupted, "We thought it would be better to tell you privately!"

"Tell me what? No- wait-" Brenda threw her hands up in exasperation. "You wanted to see me, you said it was urgent, and I'm here now. What in Oblivion is going on!?"

Just as Irnskar opened his mouth, Svana blurted out-

"W-We're pregnant!"

~*~

Jarl Svana took a deep breath as she drank the tea Brenda made. A battle-hardened warrior she may be, but the Nord lady knew very intimately the benefits of a hot cup of tea. And she knew the young Jarl needed one now.

"Now, Svana," Brenda's voice was much more patient from before. "You and Irnskar are... expecting?"

She nodded, "Yes."

"Are you certain?"

Lyris spoke up from her position guarding the bedroom door, "She's showing some classic signs. Sounded like a sick horker the other morning."

Against his better judgment, Prince Irnskar snickered at Lyris' choice of words, which prompted Svana to elbow him in the ribs.

Brenda, choosing not to dignify that remark with a response, slowly breathed through her nose and cleared her throat.

"Yes. Well. Have you spoken to Joruun yet? Either of you?"

The two younger Nords looked at each other, then turned to face their friend and shook their heads. Brenda leaned forward in her chair and folded her hands.

"I'm going to be... tactfully blunt with you. You will not be able to keep this from your father for very long."

"I know. We know," Irnskar sighed. The slightest hint of defeat tinted his voice.

Svana was looking more and more anxious as the conversation went on. Her fingers wrapped around her cup, constantly fidgeting, turning it in her hands and looking down. This did not go unnoticed by Brenda.

The more experienced Nord sighed. "All right. What do you want me to do? No- ...what do you need me to do? That I can do right now."

Inrkskar answered first, "For starters, we need you to not tell my father for now."

Svana nodded. "We will worry about telling him. We just... need to figure out how. But we'll take care of that."

Brenda slowly nodded back at them. "All right. That makes sense. It would be better if Jorunn heard it from you two, anyway." She was impressed with how much planning they put into this.

"Now, what we want you to do," Prince Irnskar reached over and gently held Svana's hand. "We want you to adopt our child."

Both Brenda and Lyris' heads snapped up at the request. "What?"

"Svana and I have talked it over. We know my father wouldn't approve since our child was conceived out of wedlock. And there's no one else we'd trust with something like this, Arrow."

"I'm pretty sure the Skald King would have little to no room to talk," Brenda interjected bluntly. "I know he had you young, and he never talks about your mother. I'm inclined to believe it's entirely possible you were also conceived out of wedlock, Prince."

Lyris managed to turn her laugh into a cough at the last possible moment, while Svana’s face went back and forth between looking absolutely stunned and highly amused.

Irnskar shrugged. "The possibility has crossed my mind, I must admit. But- that's for another day."

Svana added, "I know we're asking a lot of you. You're the hero of Solitude, after all. But..." Her fingers tightened their grip on the Prince's hand. "I still have to help rebuild the city. And Irnskar hasn't been formally crowned yet- I have. It would be improper for us to get married right now."

Brenda hummed as she let Svana's words sink in. Old traditions die hard, and she probably picked that idea up from Svargrim and Gerhyld. Even though they were technically adults- she in her nineteenth winter and Irnskar in his twenty-first - they were still young. Inexperienced.

It was incredibly mature and responsible for them to reach out to her, Brenda realized.

But in all honesty, could she do any better at raising a child? Or worse? She was a battle-hardened soldier; a Hero to some, a savior to others. An absolute nightmare to those who crossed her. She had seen some horrors she hoped these two would never even imagine, let alone experience.

"I... I would have to think on it. Not that I'm not flattered, I'm- very honored you asked me!" Brenda quickly tried to soften the blow. "Just... did not see that coming."

Svana laughed at Brenda's flustered response. "It's quite alright, Hero. Irnskar and I understand. And like I said, it's a lot to ask of you. If you need some time to think it over, feel free."

~*~

"So... Are you going to do it? Take in the kid, I mean?"

Brenda sighed. "Naryu it hasn't even been twenty minutes since I got back." She loudly guzzled a swig of her stout.

The dainty Dunmer woman, currently lolling on the inn room couch, rested her chin on her arms. Her cheek pushed up a bit when she fully relaxed. "Yes, and you've been staring into your mug ever since. One might think it's a tragic love letter."

"Shor's Bones, woman! I just... I'm still trying to sort out what happened. People ask me for favors all the time... I never thought someone would ask me a favor like this."

"Why not? You're already a role model, being the Hero of the Pact and all," Naryu pointed out.

Brenda gave her a bemused, level look. "The Hero of the Pact who happens to be spoken for by a Dark Elf. A Dark Elf assassin, might I add."

"Never said you were a great role model, love."

A tired, heavy sigh took nearly all the air out of Brenda's chest. "In all honesty... Divines grant me patience," she muttered as she rubbed her eyes, "I probably will. Kid didn't ask for this... I couldn't be any worse than Svana and Irnskar. Maybe this is a sign I should take a break from adventuring." As if on cue, an old sword wound on her hip started to ache.

Her Darling wordlessly shifted positions, giving Brenda a chance to speak her thoughts. Another sip of stout.

"I assure you I'm not drunk. Yet. I'm simply trying to..."

"In a bit of shock?"

"...Yes. Very much. Does it still count as a bastard child when one parent is about to be crowned? Like will be soon?"

"Yes. Yes it does," Naryu stifled a chuckle. "Though, I have a question for you now, dear; there's a Temple to the Divines in Solitude, right?"

Brenda thought for a moment. "Aye, I believe so. Why?"

"Couldn't Svana and Irnskar just go to the Temple with Mara's shrine to get hitched? Deal with a royal wedding later?"

[hellsbelas-a]

mother’s  day  is  always  a  fun  time  to  remember  bela  has  a  child  somewhere  in  the  world  that  she  had  adopted  at  seventeen,  because  she  didn’t  think  she  could  protect  them  when  she  couldn’t  even  protect  herself.<3  she  then  spent  years  sending  large  portions  of  the  money  she  earned  from  every  job  to  the  family  who  adopted  them,  aiding  them  in  raising  the  kid.  before  her  death,  bela  sent  everything  she  had  left    (  as  well  as  a  hefty  saving  )  to  them.  they  never  knew  what  happened  to  her,  only  that  they  never  received  anything  else  after  that  day.  

[hopalongfairywren]

I always liked the idea of Ashfur being obsessed not only with Squirrelflight, but with having his very own biological children. His own direct lineage. It's not just that Squirrelflight left him, it's that she gets to have kits of her own and he doesn't. Of course, he sees kits more as a status symbol rather than just wanting kits for the sake of lovingly raising anyone. He lets the three go because they aren't Squirrelflight's bio kits and in his mind, they aren't worth the trouble of then having to deal with the fall out of the three and possibly Squirrelflight's deaths to cover it all up. He wants to erase Squirrelflight's 'children' as revenge for denying him his own with her. But she doesn't have any, at least in Ashfur's mind, so he settles back for the good old revenge via exposing her publicly, letting her and her family shatter. Also because then it can be less the over all narrative of the book saying 'adoption isn't as valid as bio parenting' and more of, well, Ashfur the antagonist saying that. Also yes I'm aware of Cloudtail being Ashfur's adopted brother, however in this take of him I see them both falling somewhere during or after Firestar's quest, and that rift only growing as Ashfur adopts the mindset that the only 'true' kind of family is biological, and his jealousy at how all of his clanmates have their own, except him.