it was really heartening to learn that the purpose of creating such a thick uterine lining during the menstrual period was to prevent the implantation of embryos rather than encourage them, and that our uterus is basically flushing out anything it deems unworthy during the period itself rather than “punishing” us for not being pregnant (which is how it’s usually framed). it’s almost as if your female body is more concerned with the protection and continuation of itself rather than being used as a procreative vessel.
the fact that we’ve come to accept the idea that our reproductive organs are punishing us for not being continuously pregnant is proof of how deeply patriarchal brainwashing has convinced women that we are nothing but broodmares for ‘their’ children.
periodic reminder that if you’d like to read a fantasy series with any of the following:
small, angry mindreader who can scale a cliff to break into a mansion and would rather do that than talk about her feelings, thanks; her magic makes it painful to touch people, which is fine, she’s fine with it, she doesn’t want to touch anyone anyway, especially not that tall girl over there with all the muscles who’s been so unbearably kind
big, sweet, quiet farm girl who could fuck you up with her staff or her fists but would prefer not to; dreams of adventure; tries very hard not to have a crush on that talkative and difficult mindreader (it’s not working); intensely dislikes that smug, sharp-tongued linguist they meet in book 2, you know, the one with the hair and the eyes and the smile
beautiful, stylish, wealthy woman who would never do anything to hurt you and is definitely not plotting something nefarious
a mysterious encoded book, found by the mindreader and the farm girl, that probably reveals something incriminating about that rich lady, if only they could read it
a genderfluid linguist who is here to wear pretty clothes and write erotic poetry and be the smartest person in the room at all times; deeply resents getting caught up in all of this murderous conspiracy nonsense; does not care about justice or doing the right thing or that sanctimonious tall girl with all the muscles and the beautiful smile, fuck off (this one doesn’t show up until book 2–some things are worth waiting for)
is it a love triangle? NO IT’S A TRIAD
they travel all over the world
there’s a really big, diverse cast of supporting characters, e.g.: a teenage boy who takes up writing seditious pamphlets; a shy trans guy who has the power to alter memories with a touch; a charming sailor who mostly uses his magic to cheat at cards
also there are sea monsters
and some of it’s written in epistolary form
and at one point the main characters break out of prison
and infiltrate a fancy party
and there’s a lot of flirting but also a lot of mutual pining
does anybody get hurt and require comfort? count on it
Shout out to my Arabic teacher that looked at us yesterday mid-lesson and said, “I’m worried. You all look exhausted and depressed.”
Of we were all like, “Oh yeah we’re dead inside, you haven’t noticed?”
And he snapped shut the textbook, threw up his hands and said, “That’s not healthy! No more vocab! Time for dancing!”
And he taught us a dance from Iraq and we danced instead of doing vocab. We didn’t stop dancing until he saw all of us laughing and was satisfied that we were all feeling better. It was perhaps the coolest, most kind-hearted thing I’ve ever seen a college instructor do.
“Why did it take you 10 minutes to clean 1 window?” “There was a cat.”
No but. This person is hanging from a harness several stories in the air, on what appears to be a chilly and/or windy day. And they took time to play with a cat.
Steel Phoenix Studios 