maerie02-the-little-turtle

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

This is good meta analysis!

anyways i just love the way kpop demon hunters stayed true to its roots in korean/asian culture, especially around the core theme of community vs individualism

the fact that it's not a single chosen one but a group of three

the fact that the honmoon is not powered by the hunters themselves but by the energy and love of the fans

the fact that gwi-ma turns people into demons by promising that he is the only one who can help them when he is in fact reliant on his army of demons to collect souls for him

the fact that "your idol" is about surrendering yourself to a single higher power while "golden" is about soaring to new heights together

the fact that gwi-ma preys on people's individual insecurities and shame to get inside their heads while rumi, mira, and zoey set them free in the end by encouraging them to embrace their differences and reminding them that they're not alone

the fact that you can see the audience cheering individually and even pushing into each other to get closer to the stage during "your idol"

while they're linking arms and cheering together and hugging during "what it feels like"

i have not seen the live action lilo and stitch but it feels like that movie sits on the opposite end of the spectrum from kpop demon hunters as a case study for how to tell a story in way that is culturally authentic and still resonates with a broader audience

and i think given that the core theme of the movie is all about community over individualism, the ending, particularly as it relates to rumi and jinu's budding romance, is really the perfect culmination of that broader theme

rumi and jinu's connection has all the hallmarks of that all-encompassing, all-consuming, borderline co-dependent first love where you keep your relationship a secret and sneak out of the house to meet up and feel like the other person is the ONLY person who really gets you

i'm the only one who can understand you, i'm the only one who will love you is the kind of thing that sounds romantic when you're 16 until you get older and realize how toxic it actually is and i love that the movie counters that in "what it feels like" with rumi realizing that she had that love and support all along from her girls, and later, from the fans who continue to cheer them on through their comeback

it's about connection and sisterhood and love and sharing your fears and lifting each other up and becoming stronger and better together

and as compelling as i found rumi/jinu and as much as i would like to see their relationship explored more in a sequel/series, i just really love that this movie, which is clearly targeted at young women, ends on the message that romantic love is not the end all be all, that friendship is just as important if not more so than a romantic partner, that single women can lead successful, fulfilling lives, that true happiness and freedom start from within

it's crazy that this message still seems revolutionary in 2025 but given the current state of the world, it feels more necessary than ever

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

fic snippet: the aswang hunter AU

The fledglings thought that their shock and awe tactics would work.

They had the new Pope cornered, his protectors dead, dying or at least out for the count. It was a blood moon night, Walpurgisnacht in fact, a time when the powers of darkness were meant to be at their strongest.

They didn't expect the Pope to fight back.

They didn't expect that he could move with an unexpected lightness and speed, that what they had deemed "useless old relics" like salt and water had power in his hands, that he had managed to already take down at least 5 of their coven, obliterating them into ash and dust.

Still, he was outnumbered and they were legion.

There was a sound, like thunder, a low rumbling noise that made the ground shake, a sound that reverberated right into one's very bones.

It was a growl, feral and menacing.

It came from one of the cardinals.

(It was the Dean himself.)

He stood up, choir robes torn, swaying slightly on his feet. He spoke words that the fledglings didn't understand.

(The words were in Latin. One of them meant blood.)

The blood that had been spilled on the ground from the wounded and dead was behaving strangely, trickling in an unnatural fashion in this cardinal's direction.

As if it were being absorbed by his body.

No. It was being absorbed by his body.

The age spots and wrinkles and creases slowly disappeared from his skin. His hair, thinning from age, grew full and lush again. The years were being stripped away from him until he stood straight and young and strong once more.

His eyes, which were once a deep blue, were a molten gold now.

"You. Will. Not. Touch. Him."

-tbc-

a. All I'm going to say is that Thomas Lawrence in this AU may be related to a certain snarky, silver-haired dhampir with a fondness for vampire hunters named Belmont.

b. Fine. Actually, he calls said dhampir "Dad."

c. Which means he can actually call a Certain Lord of All Vampires "Grandpa."

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

I love them! 😍

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

The feels 😭

Vincent, a man who has spent his entire life being independent yet surrounded by love. Vincent who has seen how love can persevere even in places where God’s presence feels distant.

Vincent who has seen children smile as they play in the rubble of houses. Who has seen mothers sing for their children to distract them from explosions.

It isn’t until he becomes pope that he’s truly lonely.

He’s constantly watched. He is public property. Every word he says is broadcast to the world, every decision he makes scrutinized. He’s surrounded by people, by the faithful, by guards, by ones he dares to call friends in private.

Yet, no one refers to him as their friend. No one tells him jokes or invites him to dinner. He is holy. He is sacred. He is a relic, not to be touched.

Once, he musters up the courage to ask Thomas to refer to him as Vincent, even if only in private. He’s met with a laugh. Sacrilege, he’s told.

He cries himself to sleep. Vincent is gone. Innocent remains.

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

Vincent Benitez is like Fluttershy. [Both in the movie and in the book, (I think, I am still reading the novel)]. He is quite shy, he is soft-spoken yet can make you afraid when he is saying something so serious that would crumble the walls of Vatican.

Another random thought is that Vincent and Fluttershy would have been besties.

Vincent, after living in warzones for decades of his life is obviously very good, and completely natural in crisis and it is very interesting to think about.

I imagine he's developed a very accurate sixth sense for danger, like he's out in Saint Peter's square and there's someone with a weapon, and he absolutely picks up on it before the Swiss Guards who are assigned to him. Which leads to the pope tackling the man assigned to protect him, who has a good head of height on him, before the would be assassin can get a shot off. (We can discuss how Vincent would feel about the 20 to 30 year olds who are swore to give their lives for him, when he has buried many many young soldiers before coming to the Vatican)

Like, he knows how to disarm someone who's holding a gun on him. He know how to safely handle the firearm. He knows how to disarm it. Knows how to talk someone down when they're determined to commit violence against you or others. Knows how to stall, how to delay. Probably can lie pretty damn well, if the situation calls for it.

And with so much of his ministry health focussed, I have to assume he knows a lot about medical care. He knows how to triage, how to determine who can be saved, and who should be made comfortable, he can splint limbs, and stitch wounds, and calculate doses of morphine in his head. He knows how to comfort those in pain, and those in mourning, and those who are going to die. If need be, he knows how to deliver a baby. (I don't know how that particular one would come up after his election, but I really want to think of a scenario where it does).

If he is injured, he probably knows exactly how bad it is, and what steps should be taken, and whether he's able to continue on for a bit before seeking help (not that people would let him). He probably has a very high pain tolerance, and can grit his teeth, and carry on.

He is so good, arguably at his best in a crisis. And I sometimes imagine sometime into his papacy, he is faced with one- not a diplomatic crisis, or a political crisis, but a real on the ground disaster, and and after jumping into the thick of it, despite the warnings of his guards, and officials, he realizes he finally, once again, know exactly what he's doing.

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

commission for anonymous!

(commissions closing soon!)

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

writing tip #3834:

it doesn't matter if readers have no idea what's going on, as long as you, the author, have no idea what's going on either

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

I just listened all the songs from KPOP Demon Hunters on YouTube (I haven't watched the movie yet, maybe in another time) and my first impressions that they are the BOP! Every beat, every note, every visual is so stunning in design! I watched the preview clips and got hooked. Not only that, I also listened to KDA music cuz of the same vibes ehehe...

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

Okay, Thomas Jacopo Lomeli Lawrence. He really saw Vincent like a beautiful piece of art and being poetic

i'm sobbing over the way Lawmeli clocked Vincent again in the first ballot

“And then there was Benítez, of whom Lomeli had lost track since the previous night. One could at least be certain that he would not be voting for himself. The choir dress that had been found for him was too long. His rochet hung almost to the ground and he nearly tripped over it as he reached the altar. When he had finished voting and turned to go back to his seat, he gave Lomeli a wry glance. Lomeli nodded and smiled encouragement in return. The Filipino had an attractive quality, he thought, not easy to define: an inner grace. Now that he was becoming better known, he might go far.”

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

"The prophesied"

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

Ok, I need to reblog this so you can hear it directly hehe. Most of it are from Ben&Ben songs. And here they are!

Sugat (Collab with Munimuni band)

2. Maybe the night

3. Bibingka (this song was mostly played during Ber Months and Christmas season)

4. Paninindigan kita

5. Lifetime (this reminded me of a fic series "amor tam penitus" by whackadoodle, thinking that they could have been together yet separated by circumstances they cant be. As I mentioned before, these two-fic series made me cry along with another fic, "papás in every lifetime" by the same author.)

6. And lastly, although not from the band, this song also screams to the fics I mentioned at number 5. And this song is everyone's favorite: "Love Story" by Indila. This orchestra and live versions are my favorite :)

Just to share eheheh. I would like to say that somehow Ben & Ben songs (which is one of my favorite bands) are a playlist to my otp, Lawrenitez. And that song “Sugat” (a collab with another band Munimuni - i think correct me if im wrong) made me imagine Vincent singing that song to Thomas (like a lullaby) to comfort that old man……

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

Another song that screams "Vincent cannot help but feeling angsty over his crush on Thomas when he is seeing those ocean blue eyes."

And speaking of ocean blue eyes, it's one of my favorite songs from Taylor Swift (I love her songs <3)

P.S. I have been trying to write a fic (though I'm not yet ready to post it in the future) and this song help me motivate and even maybe write more based on the song.

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

thinking about the fact that all the men in conclave were seen in exclusively red or black, and all the women were seen only in blue, but then in the room of tears scene, benitez had a navy blue shirt on.

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

Ngl, I also have this thought when I read @frogguchi 's fic titled "promisa ko saimo, sakuyang padaba" about Vincent's family might be thinking that he is bringing home an afam 😅 especially si Ate Jo. Would recommend to try and read the amazing fic, you will feel the kilig. ☺

Deny all you want tito enteng, but we already know about it. Aminin mo na kasi hahah dejk.

Vincent Benitez is normally serene, unflappable, very much zen and true to his name.

That is, unless he's around his favorite niece, Erika Ranielle Benitez aka Ikay.

(This is the little bebe's mom, btw)

He practically helped raise her so she considers him pretty much her positive parental male role model.

Also, she has a mischievous streak and a gaydar like nothing else, so she clocked her Tito Enteng's feelings for Dean Thomas in less than 2 minutes.

(At this point, Thomas Lawrence has yet to be adopted by the Benitez clan.)

Therefore: "Haaayst. Daig mo pa ako, Tito Enteng. Naunahan mo pa ako magka boyfriend na AFAM." (Loosely translated: when your uncle the Pope has a better lovelife than you.)

Vincent: HUY!!!!! 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️😨🫠😭😱

Thomas is watching everything with GREAT INTEREST and amusement, even though he's yet to understand Tagalog at this point.

Ikay: Luh, Tito Enteng, namumula ka. (Uncle Enteng, you're red!)

Vincent: DAHIL SA KUNSUMISYON! (😡😡😡)

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

Thinkin about a vampire au

Translations

- damned bastard

- do you understand?

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

perfume thoughts + conclave

lawrence: green, green, green. hinoki and cedar. vetiver. ambergris.

bellini: something citrusy for everyday (neroli, lemon, petitgrain), and leather/rose if he is Going Out.

benítez: cucumber bodywash. or ck one if he is feeling nostalgic.

tedesco: in my mind he smells like a combination of incense, cherry, sweat, wine, and burnt matches. (in my heart of hearts i know he wears fifteen sprays of dior sauvage.)

adeyemi: amber! oud! rose! sandalwood! something lush.

tremblay: some kind of classic fougére. simony smells like a field of lavender.

ray: kiehl's musk. a banger of a classic!

sabbadin: tobacco. pink pepper. severe, masculine, yet comforting. smells like sauvage, but is actually a super niche brand.

agnes: she thinks bengale rouge is a more challenging scent to wear than salome and she would be correct! (more likely she mixes her own essential oils together and dabs a bit on her wrists)

[maerie02-the-little-turtle]

What Vincent Benitez sees when he's with Thomas Lawrence.

Also Vincent B:

Kawawa naman si mahal, he's working too hard.

Starts meal planning.

Thomas Jacopo Lomeli Lawrence, you WILL start taking care of yourself more because I plan on celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary together, do you understand me?

Thomas Lawrence: Yes, dearest. *and sensibly enjoys whatever it is Vincent cooked because it's delicious and he's a wise husband*