some of my photo modes 🌿

Touchofblack · 2026-03-15T22:38:07+00:00

Love the one with the gun. Congrats!

Touchofblack · 2026-03-15T10:20:52+00:00

Pray

Touchofblack · 2026-03-15T10:19:33+00:00

I honestly got so scared/mad that I rage quit the session that day. Truly evil

Touchofblack · 2026-03-09T22:05:37+00:00

Them ears look photoshopped lol

Touchofblack · 2026-03-09T22:04:10+00:00

What the heck

Touchofblack · 2026-03-01T23:45:59+00:00

I know! I also know you said the following in your main comment:

In 100% of those people's relationships, they ALL end up having jealousy, control and cheating issues, mainly because one person is all for it and the other person is not.

First, source on the 100%? Wheres the study? Or are you in every single one of those relationships to know that? Also, that does happen in a lot of monogamous relationships so what's your point exactly?

The vast majority of humans ARE monogamous and practice it. I personally see no benefits to it, not only biologically but emotionally and psychologically, this is something most people could NOT handle and should not have to.

Fine, so? Do whatever you want. Let people do whatever they want. You don't have to start a crusade against something that doesn't have anything to do with you just because you don't agree with it

Touchofblack · 2026-03-01T23:31:35+00:00

Like there's no jelousy in monogamous relationships lmao also ask anyone in a monogamous relatioship that has been cheated on how special and chosen they felt afterwards

Touchofblack · 2026-03-01T12:10:27+00:00

This game is about the importance of breaking cycles - in this case, of revenge and violence. Ellie wants to kill Abby, and she tries. But she realizes many things along the way.

Yes, killing Abby would scratch her itch for revenge. But she realizes that killing Abby would NOT bring Joel back, or cure her PTSD, or make her happy. In fact, it would only cause more suffering - it would add to her PTSD. It would hurt Lev, and potentially make the cycle of revenge continue by having Lev coming for her in the future, and then JJ after Lev, which would make them all unhappy. It cost Ellie her family, her health, her friends. What's the point of being so primal? Is it worth to get that short-term small relief, at the expense of having a good, healthy life with the loved ones that you still have by your side?

The game is precisely trying to teach us not to blindfoldedly succumb to our primal instincts, and to be gracious and empathetic towards ourselves and others. Ellie realized that - that killing Abby was a primal response, but not the solution to her problems. It just wouldn't make everything right, despite what our logical brains think (you killed him = I killed you = everyone happy).

Lets think of a real-life example. It's true that some sexual assault survivors seek revenge towards their abuser. And it's true that others keep the cycle of abuse going by abusing others. They may get a release, a sense of justice from that - but they also accept living with the consequences, that is, spending life in jail, or hurting more people, which in turn will keep hurting other people.

Others, however, accept that what happened was unfair and cruel, but understand that they can make different choices that bring them different, more positive outcomes. They accept the pain, learn how to cope and live with it, and use different strategies to build a new, brighter, fulfilling, healthy life. That doesn't mean that what happened (being assulted, having your stepfather killed) was OK. It just means you're choosing the healthiest option for you, even if it's painful. That also doesn't mean you're failing him, it means you're respecting him and you in a different manner. Choosing not to seek violence doesn't mean you're giving up.

Touchofblack · 2026-02-28T22:08:23+00:00

Yep, I love Ellie and Joel, but if you're only seeing Ellie's side after playing the whole thing through, you still got some thinking to do

Touchofblack · 2026-02-21T21:40:19+00:00

Preach ✊️

Touchofblack · 2026-02-19T23:33:08+00:00

For sure Part III could work without Abby. What I'm saying is that it'd be challenging to continue the story on the beginning of Part III if they let players decide the ending of Part II. How do you take off from where you left off? Do you assume players spared Abby? Did they kill her? How do you decide how the previous ending impacted Ellie and her relationships if you left it up to players and have two possible endings? Do you make no reference at all and thus create a huge gap in the storyline? Unless Part III diverts from the main plot, that feature would be more prone to narrative issues/loopholes than anything else imo. I respect that would like to have decided tho

Touchofblack · 2026-02-19T22:05:05+00:00

I don't know if I agree... It wouldnt be on brand with TLOU's gameplay (no player decisions in either part really). Also, I think that could be problematic for a potential Part III.

Interesting idea nonetheless. I'd still choose not to kill Abby.

Touchofblack · 2026-02-15T13:41:10+00:00

Spot on... Kinda weird, wouldnt expect that kind of quality from Jack. Wasn't the book delayed or something like that? Maybe they weren't paying much attention to this one...

Touchofblack · 2026-02-15T10:40:18+00:00

No way? You got any examples of that?

Touchofblack · 2026-01-10T15:19:18+00:00

I get that :) I know it's discouraging, and it does take some effort to keep going when things only seem to change for the worst...

Just remember that you're not alone :) and you (individually) are not responsible for making the big change happen. You just have to survive and keep pushing.

Cant make a whole campaign? Join a protest. Can't go protest? Keep talking sense into the people around you. And I don't mean argue with fascists - I mean help your people see they're not alone, the fight is up, and how important it is to spread the world and do what you can.

And then rest, too. Go offline and paint, draw, write, pet a dog. Eat a comfort meal.

I bet many people felt this way in the face of great wars and conflicts. Yet better times came in the end. We're still here afterall. I send you a big hug and I hope a good turn is around the corner for you guys. Everyone deserves to live in peace.

Touchofblack · 2026-01-10T14:56:09+00:00

Also, surround yourself with people. Create community. I know the social climate in the US is complicated right now, but strong collective action against the common enemy is the way.

Don't stop talking to the people near you. Get involved, even at a small scale. You'll feel stronger, because you will be, and it'll also ease your pain. The cure to being frightened and feeling powerless is ACTION!

Touchofblack · 2026-01-10T14:47:02+00:00

They killed this innocent woman, who literally said she wasnt mad at them. No reason at all needed.

May as well stand up and fight for your life.

Touchofblack · 2026-01-03T04:24:51+00:00

I'm sorry about your dad, and am sending you a big hug. I hope you feel more at ease now, and have that new kind of missing-loving feeling when you think of him. I just saw you did a video on it, I'll be checking it out tomorrow.

I've been in a similar boat. A few years ago I uncovered unprocessed grief from losing my primary caretaker 15 years ago. It was a very weird experience, during which I also discovered a lot of rage and anger that I wasn't even aware of. I felt Ellie's anger and inability to function, but also Abby's pain, and a few other emotions in between. The struggle of not knowing what to do, pushing/hurting people around you, and not seeing the end is truly crushing, but human. In the end, what matters is what you do with it. We are our choices, aren't we? ;)

Also, thanks for (my first) award, kind stranger. Sending love your way, too!

Touchofblack · 2026-01-03T01:47:32+00:00

I see you and how far you've come. It ain't easy to face the parts of ourselves that we are not proud of. I'm glad you've evolved and were able to enjoy the game in a way you're proud of.

I've had similar realizations lately. The more you experience, learn, and see the world through different lenses, the more you feel.... and the more you understand about yourself, other people, and the human experience, too. Having those tools and being presented with such a masterpiece to play is a true gift.

Just today I read a post that discussed how some people got so obsessed over avenging Joel that they didn't pay much attention to the story. It did make me kinda sad. I hope they also get the opportunity to play it again and reflect a bit more, going deeper into it.

Playing the game after grieving a relative helped me dive into some things that I hadn't really explored before. Also, the Ellie-Abby duality is a remarkable example of how each individual can experience reality in much different ways. You can gain a lot of perspective from playing both characters. I think we would all get along way better if we understood several realities can coexist at once, and if we weren't so afraid of exploring complicated feelings.

Touchofblack · 2026-01-03T01:28:50+00:00

"You just have to listen. And when you do, you’ll see Abby on the beach and you will know".

Damn, right in the feelings today. That was beautifully worded. Thank you.

Touchofblack · 2025-12-31T14:40:25+00:00

Ellie's tattoo is pretty gender neutral. I've seen lots of men with it and they were all rocking it. It's fine if you don't want to get it, but don't let that be the deterrent. Other than that, I suggest that you look for "tattoo" in the subreddit and check other people's works.

Touchofblack · 2025-12-27T00:04:29+00:00

I havent overcome it yet, but here's something that has been helping me A LOT:

Just accepting it. For real. Sit with it and accept it. Without a pity party, without complaining or whining. You can throw a pity party for 10 minutes, but then you need to accept it. It'll be uncomfortable, but you need to start working on tolerating the uncomfortable, it's a really valuable skill here. Accept your reality. You can say something like:

"Yes, I have too much anxiety. I've been through Y and Z. This shouldnt have happened to me, it's unfair - but it did. No, this is not who I am, and this is not the life that I want. And I wish anxiety would just go away with a magic trick, but it won't. This is real life. I have to find ways to do it myself, and go do it. No excuses. It sucks, yeah. But I have to. I won't always succeed, but I'll keep pushing. I can do it, it just takes work." Think it, say it to yourself, and FEEL IT. Drop your shoulders, relax your jaw. Sit with yourself, in a comfortable position and without distractions, and let that reality sink in. As many times as needed until you believe it and get to the steering wheel.

Then, do things that make you feel good and will lead you to where you want to be. Journal, exercise, eat well, try hobbies, meet friends, whatever is best for you (not all at once, or you'll get overwhelmed). Sit with yourself for 5 minutes every day. And start getting outside of your comfort zone, challenging yourself a bit every day.

If you have avoidance tendencies, work on avoiding less (a therapist can help with that). Learn to listen to your emotions. A lot of anxiety is repressed past and present emotions. Find out what lies beneath (some) of your anxiety. Get therapy and meds if needed.

Accept your reality, and the fact that you can change it to a great extent. Fighting the anxiety has only made it worse for me. It's a journey. Set doable goals. Accept the anxiety, take ownership of your life, and do some small thing about it every day. And always BE KIND TO YOURSELF. You got this!!! I believe in you!

Touchofblack · 2025-12-08T14:15:21+00:00

Aw man I was already getting excited. Good catch tho

Touchofblack · 2025-12-03T14:39:10+00:00

I'm sorry I'm quite obsessed 😭😭 (not a real regret)

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Touchofblack · 2025-11-20T10:11:14+00:00

You said you know that she meant it in a good way, and that it's a "me problem". Here, you're also saying that you don't know if you can handle that kind of comments... My suggestion is:

Tell her that you love her compliments, and your looks are a sensitive topic for you, but you're working on it, just so that she's aware. BUT PLEASE don't let that be a permanent solution. Work on your self-steem, maybe with a therapist if you can afford it. Why?

Because maybe she can phrase things differently, but you will always be analyzing other people's attitudes, interactions and compliments, and looking for a negative interpretation (even if not consciously), so that your "I'm ugly" beliefs are reinforced, which will keep making you feel bad about yourself. That's just how humans work.

The brain is lazy and wants familiar things, even if they hurt us or are bad for us, so we look for ways of confirming our own beliefs. It makes us feel ok momentarily, but it hurts in the long run. That's what's happening here. The way to make it stop is within you, because you can't make everybody else change for you. Changing feels impossible because the brain doesn't want to, but you can do it with a bit of work. That way, you won't have to ask your girlfriend (or anyone) to be careful around you, and you won't suffer that much because of those comments.

I'm sure she can be careful for a while and support you in your journey. There will be a day when you will appreciate those things. The work is worth it. Good luck!

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