WayV WinWin Sketch 13.07.2020

lucy covering valkyrie by oneus 💃

Prompts 28.07.2019

Prompt 2:” It doesn t matter, you weren t using those memories anyway...”

Everything felt blank, like someone drained every fiber of your being, like something was missing...

With just a snap of his long fingers, and a silent sound of someone mumbling something under their breath... You started to squirm into the chair that your captor tied you tightly.

„You are a monster... what have i ever done to you to deserve this..? „ , you tried to fight back the sleppiness and the pounding headache that fogged up your mind at the moment, but you could feel your eyelids starting to drop..

„It doesn t matter, you weren t using those memories anyway... weapon...”. A chill ran down your spine as the icy voice chuckled sinestrely at your misfourtune... You just hopped someone would come and find you... even if you can t remember exactly who would that be...

Exploring how Obey Me!'s portrayal of the Celestial Realm mirrors that of the how the Christian heaven is used as propaganda, and how Simeon, Luke, and Raphael tie-in with real-life people's experiences of the Christian faith.

-

to preface: I was born Christian and was raised as such, but renounced my religion when I was around 18. Experiences vary in different parts of the world of course, however, I will also be tying in things I see from online conversations about Christianity. Admittedly a lot of my insight comes from my experience (and by extension, my family and friends) of Christianity in my area of the world (southeast asia).

Additionally, this post is purely for fun and speculation, and my fascination with subversive portrayals of religion, particularly of Christianity. Please note that I will use the word "religion" as a whole, but this post will specifically go into Christianity, and by proxy, its branches.

As this post is a spur-of-the-moment thing, it is not proofread, so I apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors!

‼️This post will contain spoilers‼️

To start, let's lay out the things we know about the Celestial Realm from the story.

The Celestial Realm is home of the angels, and in contrast to the Devildom, it is a realm of permanent daylight.

Michael acts as its authority, however, we know that its most supreme being is the Father, who we can presume created the realm and its angels. Unlike the sleeping Demon Lord, we are at least aware that Father is still active, although presumably leaves the governing to Michael.

Similar to real-life angelology, the Celestial Realm also divides its angels by ranks. The current known ranks are Seraphim, Throne, Cherubim, Principality, Dominion, and Archangel.

Key observations:

Angels can either fall to become demons (demon brothers) or be stripped of their blessing and become human (Simeon).

Luke's current angel rank is unknown. We can assume this is from inexperience, as despite being implied to be at least a thousand years old, he acts and behaves like a typical ten year old.

Although "falling" can be a punishment by acting out of defiance against its virtues, we know that angels can still be morally grey, and in some cases, dubious, and still not be stripped of their blessing.

Now to the bulk of this analysis.

I. Christianity as a tool for propaganda and colonization

This is pretty basic history - western colonizers have used religion as a basis of conquering "new worlds" in the name of spreading their faith and belief systems. The effects of this still persist until today - racism, homophobia, etc. in general can be traced back to the colonial era. In more present-day scenarios, religion is also used as a leverage for morality and what people deem as "right or wrong". For some parts, it aligns with basic humanity, however, we know very well that it can also be used to spread bigotry and false moral high grounds as a justification for mistreatment of people.

In many countries, politics and religion go hand in hand. Many politicians will use their beliefs as a basis for bills and laws, and it trickles down to the justice system, where judges can display religous bias (whether consciously or not) in favor of their personal beliefs. As such, many politicians will use religion to forward their name and agenda, in the pretense of being a devout practicioner, in order to garner relatability and bias from people of the same faith. In Christianity, for example, many politicians will use the term "Lord's servant" as a subtext for people to latch onto.

In a societal context, we are very familiar with the phrase "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" as a rebuttal for homosexual relationships, and in general, relationships that bigoted Christians believe do not follow in their God's text. Cherry-picking bible verses and anecdotes to further their justification for acting the way they do is also a very common occurence, even though that very same Bible they read also emphasize the value of spreading love, with hate having no place in heaven.

-

II. How it ties to the Celestial Realm

Behind its perma-daylight nature, we learn that the Celestial Realm is a place of strict rule and order, and an angel can easily get demoted, as was the previous case for Simeon, who we know was originally a Seraphim, and in some cases, even falling to demonhood, like the brothers. This walking-on-eggshells type of ordinance is very tricky, as the reasoning for being casted out of the realm can get very blurry. In Lilith's case, it was her act of using Celestial Realm medicine in order to heal a human she loved; this then led to Lucifer questioning why her act was tantamount to falling, as he always believed love to be a precious thing. This doubt and questioning, however, then led to his own falling, which led to the rest of the brothers siding with him and Lilith, resulting in the Great Celestial War.

We can then paint a picture of the Celestial Realm as a false/disillusioned utopia - externally, it is very lavish, warm, and golden, but taking a closer look reveals its suffocating, anti-freedom, gray nature, where one wrong move could spell your last day. Simeon is very much aware of this, and has, on multiple occassions, openly expressed disdain on how the realm operates.

It is then a matter of Self vs. Governance; at what point does the Celestial Realm draw the line between individual autonomy and total subjugation of its angels? If Lucifer, once one of its most prominent, respected, and powerful angels, gets casted due to defiance for asking a very valid question regarding a value that is taught and propagated within the realm, as he believes Lilith's punishment directly goes against that value, then what of the lesser angels who wish to ask the same? If standing up for those you hold dear is tantamount to unholiness, then why teach the value of love and family in the first place?

I hope you can see where I'm going here - the teaching of these values in the Celestial Realm being the same ones that can get you ostracized VS. using these values to advance a real-world political agenda and cherry-picked beliefs is intrinsically linked.

People that use religion as a means to justify cruelty or feign moral superiority despite the main point of their religion being to "love everyone equally, as you do yourself" are setting a status quo that they built for themselves and their hivemind - if you don't follow these specific rules and beliefs, you are not a true devout. If you question or point out inaccuracies on the beliefs that we want you to follow, you are a deviant.

Sound familiar yet?

-

III. The three main angels

Excluding Michael and the demon brothers pre-fall, there are three other angels the story focuses on: Luke, Simeon, and Raphael. Despite all three being angels, they cannot be any more similar from each other. One is a brash, tempermental, and an overexcited youth with a sweet tooth; one freely lies and openly involves themselves in un-angelic deeds; and the other is a quiet, stoic, and blunt individual with a questionable taste in cuisine. These three angels encapsulate, almost perfectly, a religous pipeline.

IIIA. Luke

Luke represents the first entry to a religion (I'd use the word indoctrination, but I don't want to unknowingly portray it negatively as some people are born into a religion by default). He is young, inexperienced, idolizes a high-ranking angel who he follows with no question, and above all, naive. We know that he does not know the full reason of why the brothers fell, nor does he know of Lilith. Similarly, children and young people in religion often follow their parents/guardians blindly without question, their understanding of faith being minimal and surface level, something easily digestible for a young, developing mind.

IIIB. Raphael

Raphael is compliance. He knows and understand the ins-and-outs, the ifs-and-whys of the realm, yet continues to follow its order. Although he did not side with Lucifer, we eventually learn that he wishes he did (most recently in NB), yet unlike Simeon, does not actively wallow in his choice and continues to fulfill his duty as a Seraph. Whether we see a development with this in Nightbringer, time will tell. In a similar vein, many people will silently comply with their own faith, regardless of doubt. In my experience, this compliance, either out of familial pressure or feeling indebted to a religion, starts to happen during major developmental stages, either as a late teen or early adulthood, when you can freely do your own research and start to understand the deeper intricacies of a particular religion.

IIIC. Simeon

Simeon is representative of actively going against the status quo. He is an angel that has, on numerous occassions, displayed manipulative and wrathful tendencies, and has admitted to freely partake in lies and deceit. He has also stated that his biggest regret in life was not siding with Lucifer during the war, which is why he actively tries to help him and the brothers as much as he can, not caring if his action could be deemed as heresy. Although we see bits and pieces of it in the original game, Nightbringer Simeon fully procalims this, as asking him to ally with the brothers will result to him in saying that he always will be on their side. In real life, people have their own breaking point that leads them to this path, no matter how personal or educated the reasoning may be. Denouncing one's faith, especially one that was given to you by birth, can be considered an act of both defiance, and in the case of Christianity, becoming unholy, or impure.

-

IV. The Celestial Realm as a commentary of how religion, particularly Christianity, is used in real life as a tool to further a cherry-picked, propaganda-ridden agenda, despite it being a contradiction to its teachings.

It is no secret that a lot of societal problems nowadays regarding bigotry, refusal of understanding, and unacceptance of others outside your status quo can be traced back to religous conservatives. This is a walking contradiction, of course, as Christian teachings always puts love above all, yet bringing this up as a rebuttal will elicit anger, not reflection. The Celestial Realm is the same, as its blurry definition of defiance goes against its importance of love and familial relationships, so much so that in its eyes, an angel trying to elicit defiance by acting un-angel-like is ultimately a lot more angelic than one who dares question why its teachings are being used as a leverage of defiance.

Of course, a lot of this can be chalked up to mere coincidence, and some might even say that I'm stretching a lot here, but it's still very interesting that a portrayal of heaven is morally ambigous at best. In some ways, the Devildom, or what's supposed to be hell, feels like the better place to live in out of the two.

Anyways, if you made it this far, thank you for reading my random spat-out ramble that i started writing out of nowhere and I fixated on finishing 💀 Share your thoughts with me too, if you'd like. I'd love to hear what you guys think.

FRENCH MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS

Note: Some of these artsits are not from France, but are Belgian, Canadaian, even Austrian. What I mean by ‘French music’ is that it is sung in the French language.

THE NATIONAL ANTHEMS OF THE FRANCOPHONE COUNTRIES: France - La Marseillaise Belgium -  La Brabançonne Canada - Oh, Canada!

POP AND JAZZ

It would be fair to start off with one of the most successful and famous French singers - ZAZ. Her genres are jazz and acoustic, some songs you should definitely check out are: Je veux | On ira | Les passants | La vie en rose |  Si jamais j'oublie; Another obvious one is Lara Fabian. Some of her songs are: Je t’aime | Je suis malade | J’ai besoin de parler | Ma vie dans la tienne | J’y crois encore; Céline Dion Pour que tu m’aimes encore | Je sais pas | On ne change pas |  Parler à mon père | Encore un soir; Desireless Voyage, voyage; Indila Dernière danse | S.O.S. | Tourner dans le vide | Feuille d’automne;  Amir Haddad (my personal favourite) J’ai cherché | On dirait | Au cœur de moi | Oasis; Alma Requiem | La chute est lente | Ma peau aime; Tal Le passé | Le sens de la vie | Rien n’est parfait | Je prends le large;  Vianney Je m’en vais | Moi aimer toi | Dumbo | Sans le dire;  Zoë Loin d’ici | Mon ange | Adieu | La nuit des merveilles;  Le coeur de pirate Comme des enfants | Crier tout bas; Christophe Maé Il est où le bonheur | La parisienne | On s’atache | Belle demoiselle; Jean-Jacques Goldman 4 mots sur un piano | J’irai où tu iras | Sarbacane;

RAP AND HIP-HOP

Stromae 

Papaoutai | Alors on danse | Formidable | Tous Les Mêmes | Ta fête | Carmen |  Quand c’est; Maître Gims J’me tire | Est-ce que tu m'aimes? | Bella |Habibi | Sapés comme jamais | Laissez passer;  Columbine Les Prélis | Dom Périgon;  Suprême NTM Ma benz | That’s my people | Seine-Saint-Denis Style | Métèque; Diam’s Jeune demoiselle | Car Tu Portes Mon Nom | Par Amour | Coeur de bombe;  Booba Validée | Tombé pour elle | Scarface | Comme une étoile | Ma couleur | Au bout des reves;  Nekfeu Mauvaise graine | Tempête | Egérie | On verra | Ma dope; SCH Allo maman | Fusil | Champs-Élysées | A7; Lacrim Grand Armée | Colonel Carrillo | Gustava Gaviria | Poutine | Brasse au max;

ROCK - classic, alternative, indie, folk

Kyo Dernière danse | Le chemin | Le Graal | Je cours | Je saigne encore | L’équilibre; Indochine J’ai demandé à la lune | L’avanturier | Trois nuits par semaine | 3ème sexe; Noir désir Le vent nous portera | L’homme pressé | Un jour en France | Comme elle vient;   Izia La vague | Les ennuis; Images Les démons de minuit | Corps à corps; Rita Mitsouko C’est comme ça | Marcia Baila; My diet pill L’air de rien; Luke La sentinelle | Soledad | La terre ferme | Le reste du monde | Se taire | Stella;  Sortilège D’ailleurs | Metaporphose | Rock city;

FOLK/ CHANSON FRANÇAISE

Jacques Brel Ne me quitte pas | Quand on n’a que l’aimour | La chanson des vieux amants; Renaud Toujours debout | J’ai embrassé un flic | Mistral gagnat; Bénabar Le diner | L’effer papillon | A la campagne | Politiquement correct | Dis lui oui;  Fréro Delavega Ton visage | Le coeur éléphant | Mon petit pays |Autour de moi; Louane Avenir | Jour 1 | Jeune (j’ai envie) | Nos secrets | Rester seule; Edith Piaf Non, je ne regrette rien | La vie en rose | La foule | La boheme; Claudio Capéo Un homme debout | Ca va ça va | Riche; Kendji Girac Andalouse | Cool | Conmigo | Elle m’a aimé | No Me Mirès Màs | Les yeux de la mama; Léo Ferré Avec le temps | C’est extra | La solitude | La mémoire et la mer; Mes Aïeux Dégénérations | La différence | Ça va mal | Train de vie; 

EDM/ ELECTRONIC 

WoraklsToi | Salzburg | Bleu; N’to Trauma | Time | Minuit Caféine | Sur les berges | Flash;

INDIE POP/ INDIE ELECTRONIC

Le couleur L’amour le jour | Jukebox | Voyage amoureux; Bagarre Mourir du club | Le gouffre | Claque-le | Ris pas; Les Pirouettes L’escalier | Je nous vois | Dernier métro;  Poom Les voiles | Toi et moi | Qui es-tu?; Aline Je bois et puis je danse | Elle m’oubliera | La vie électrique; Fishbach Un autre que moi | Béton mouillé | Y crois-tu; Lescop La forêt | La nuit américaine | Le vent | Le mal mon ange; Juniore Panique | A la plage | La fin du monde; Frànçois & The Atlas Mountains La Fille Aux Cheveux de Soie | La vérité |  Grand Dérèglement;

9.6.16+10:45am // sneak peek of the new office/study space! moving in has been so crazy so i haven’t been active much, but i hope everyone is starting off the semester well so far. keep it up!

A little cover that I did of one of my favourite songs from Enhypen- Polariod Love!

Hope that you like it and if you want, you can leave me your opinion in the comments down below.

Until next time, see ya~♡ And take care♤

The best one so far in my humble opinion: THE ROSE!!! The first kpop band I' ve ever stanned. I need to work on different head positions tho... poor Woosung... and I think I also need to learn how to draw flowers since I m pretty sure we both know that these are not roses, but hey, at least they look aesthetic so I count this as a win😁.

Until next time, see ya everyone~♡

I would love that

Reblog this if its okay for your followers to introduce themselves to you.

Just come to my ask box and tell me stuff about yourself. Your pets. Your favorite music. What you had for breakfast this morning. Literally anything you want, I love making new friends

You got my bet, I' ll bet myself... #mine #fashion #ulzzang https://www.instagram.com/p/ByNJ-GVo0vM/?igshid=152wp3kuxghhe

Hello everyone ! In celebration of Stray Kids’ comeback and 1st Year Anniversary, I am hosting an album giveaway ! (open internationally)

PRIZE: Stray Kids mini album CLÉ 1 : MIROH (Clé 1 + MIROH versions), and 2 posters (folded)

THERE WILL BE TWO WINNERS WHO WILL EACH RECEIVE ONE (1) VERSION OF THE ALBUM + ONE (1) POSTER

HOW TO ENTER:

💜 please make sure you’re following me !

💜 1 reblog = 1 entry ***likes do not count as entries ! also please do not spam your followers. 

💜 please have your messaging and/or ask box open so that I can contact you if you win !

💜 please have permission from your parents or guardian to share your address for delivery if you are under 18

💜 ***in the tags go ahead and leave me a note as to who your bias is ! 

GIVEAWAY ENDS APRIL 27TH AT 11PM PST.  WINNERS WILL BE CONTACTED APRIL 28TH.  Good Luck !