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them. again

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JOJOVERSE ✨

(Are diamonds really unbreakable?)

Ready to make some friends? Join our new and growing community server where we play games, join voice channels, and talk about the intricacies of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure!

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Tips for writing flawed but lovable characters.

Flawed characters are the ones we root for, cry over, and remember long after the story ends. But creating a character who’s both imperfect and likable can feel like a tightrope walk. 

1. Flaws That Stem From Their Strengths

When a character’s greatest strength is also their Achilles' heel, it creates depth.

Strength: Fiercely loyal.

Flaw: Blind to betrayal or willing to go to dangerous extremes for loved ones.

“She’d burn the whole world down to save her sister—even if it killed her.”

2. Let Their Flaws Cause Problems

Flaws should have consequences—messy, believable ones.

Flaw: Impatience.

Result: They rush into action, ruining carefully laid plans.

“I thought I could handle it myself,” he muttered, staring at the smoking wreckage. “Guess not.”

3. Show Self-Awareness—or Lack Thereof

Characters who know they’re flawed (but struggle to change) are relatable. Characters who don’t realize their flaws can create dramatic tension.

A self-aware flaw: “I know I talk too much. It’s just… silence makes me feel like I’m disappearing.” A blind spot: “What do you mean I always have to be right? I’m just better at solving problems than most people!”

4. Give Them Redeeming Traits

A mix of good and bad keeps characters balanced.

Flaw: They’re manipulative.

Redeeming Trait: They use it to protect vulnerable people.

“Yes, I lied to get him to trust me. But he would’ve died otherwise.”

Readers are more forgiving of flaws when they see the bigger picture.

5. Let Them Grow—But Slowly

Instant redemption feels cheap. Characters should stumble, fail, and backslide before they change.

Early in the story: “I don’t need anyone. I’ve got this.”

Midpoint: “Okay, fine. Maybe I could use some help. But don’t get used to it.”

End: “Thank you. For everything.”

The gradual arc makes their growth feel earned.

6. Make Them Relatable, Not Perfect

Readers connect with characters who feel human—messy emotions, bad decisions, and all.

A bad decision: Skipping their best friend’s wedding because they’re jealous of their happiness.

A messy emotion: Feeling guilty afterward but doubling down to justify their actions.

A vulnerable moment: Finally apologizing, unsure if they’ll be forgiven.

7. Use Humor as a Balancing Act

Humor softens even the most prickly characters.

Flaw: Cynicism.

Humorous side: Making snarky, self-deprecating remarks that reveal their softer side.

“Love? No thanks. I’m allergic to heartbreak—and flowers.”

8. Avoid Overdoing the Flaws

Too many flaws can make a character feel unlikable or overburdened.

Instead of: A character who’s selfish, cruel, cowardly, and rude.

Try: A character who’s selfish but occasionally shows surprising generosity.

“Don’t tell anyone I helped you. I have a reputation to maintain.”

9. Let Them Be Vulnerable

Vulnerability adds layers and makes flaws understandable.

Flaw: They’re cold and distant.

Vulnerability: They’ve been hurt before and are terrified of getting close to anyone again.

“It’s easier this way. If I don’t care about you, then you can’t leave me.”

10. Make Their Flaws Integral to the Plot

When flaws directly impact the story, they feel purposeful rather than tacked on.

Flaw: Their arrogance alienates the people they need.

Plot Impact: When their plan fails, they’re left scrambling because no one will help them.

Flawed but lovable characters are the backbone of compelling stories. They remind us that imperfection is human—and that growth is possible.

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“you’re a writer, right?”

me, staring at the one sentence i’ve managed to add in the last hour and the 12 open tabs on the specifics of shoes in 1845 Ireland: In theory.

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reblog if you believe fanfics are as valid as books that were published and sold by authors who write as their main careers. I'm trying to prove a point

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Prompt #1349

The desperation of searching for a half-remembered smile.

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this was a lie.

i have decided to actually use my yapping tumblr. isn't that crazy, guys? (the audience seats are empty. the microphone is not plugged in. the stage is clean of any props or set pieces. it is just me, yelling into the void, listening to it echo back to me.)

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i have decided to actually use my yapping tumblr. isn't that crazy, guys? (the audience seats are empty. the microphone is not plugged in. the stage is clean of any props or set pieces. it is just me, yelling into the void, listening to it echo back to me.)

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UEUEUEUEUUEUEUEUUEUEUEEUUEUUUEUEUUEUEUUE the way citron immediately knows how hard they worked to match the movements of the violin to the playing UUUUU... obviously they can't fool someone so well-practiced at their instrument, and as observant as one can be.

sobbing so hard rn i will never recover

A3! Backstage Story Translation - Chikage Utsuki SSR - Today's Star: Toujou - Part 3

!! toujou is from harugaoka quartet; you can find a translation of its event story on yaycupcake! (+ page for the play itself); unless otherwise specified, the music that plays in the background of the play is odeur du printemps (the ost for the play itself)

this is a request by taruchikas, who also provided a video of the story! tysm!

[Buzzer sounds, the curtain lifts]

Izumi: (In a classroom in Private Harugaoka Music School, while the cherry blossoms are still in bloom…)

Toujou (Chikage): “Looks like he’s not here yet–”

Toujou: “... Good grief, did someone leave their scores behind? I sure hope it’s not one of my students.”

Izumi: (The scores on the desk were Beethoven’s Violin Sonata No.5 and Mendelssohn’s Spring Song…)

Izumi: (Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto No.1 from “The Four Seasons”... Feeling nostalgic, Toujou closes his eyes–)

Toujou: “…”

Izumi: (Chikage-san is laughing…? I don’t think that was in the script…)

Toujou: “... “Because I dream, life is bright”, huh.” (1)

Izumi: (... This is one of the scribbles Itaru-san left on the scores. I didn’t think Chikage-san would use it as improv, but it makes for a good transition.)

-

Izumi: (The scene changes back to Toujou’s school days…)

Toujou: “My sound is lonely, huh…”

[Violin playing Mozart’s Spring in G major, Allegro vivace asai]

Toujou: “Just my luck to have this song playing at a time like this.”

-

Toujou: “Room E-LR301… Ah, over there.”

Izumi: (Once he finds the temporary practice room, he hears a violin playing from the other side of the door…)

[Violin playing briefly]

Toujou: “...”

Izumi: (As he was listening, the music stopped, and he entered the room–)

[Door clicking open]

Machida (Itaru): …?

Toujou: “... You forgot to close the soundproof door. You are?”

Machida:  “I’m Machida, a third year. I major in— conducting.”

Toujou: “I’m–”

Machida: “Hibiki Toujou. Third Year. You’re a violin major, right? Ah, congratulations on winning last month’s competition.”

Toujou: “... Thanks.”

Machida: “There’s no one in this school who doesn’t know about the genius that entered the school at the top of his class and has always been on top in grades and competitions.”

Toujou: “... I see.”

Toujou: “By the way, I’m scheduled to use this room for a while starting today.”

Izumi: (They find out the school made a mistake and double-booked the room. Machida tries to give in and leave, claiming he’s not a musician, but…)

Toujou: “… Wait. If you don’t mind, how about we use it together?”

Machida: “I’m saying I don’t mind giving it to you–”

Toujou: “I want to play with you.”

Izumi: (And so, Machida begins accompanying Toujou in his practice.)

-

Machida: “Are these the songs you want to play next? Woah, it’s full of songs that have to do with spring… You’ve got a surprisingly common music taste..”

Toujou: “Then I’ll let you pick, Kanato. I think they’re all good–”

Machida: “... Mozart’s Spring?  If we go with that, we’ll have to get a viola and a cello from somewhere.”

Toujou: “No… This just got mixed with the other scores. If anything, I’m not that good at it.”

Machida: “What do you mean?”

Toujou: “... Right after I joined the school, I heard there was a vacancy in the quartet for a concert, so I applied out of curiosity.”

Toujou: “But no matter what I did, it seemed like my sound was the only one that stood out, and it wouldn’t mesh with the others’... It didn’t go well.”

Toujou: “The members tried to tell me that wasn’t the case—”

Toujou: “That I’m a genius, so it couldn’t be helped.”

Toujou: “... They might have meant it as a joke, but it felt like it was their true feelings.”

Toujou: “Genius… Being called that has always made me feel lonely.  Even if I’m a genius, I’m in no way a wise man.”

Toujou: “After that, I started finding it difficult to play with other people. Especially this song that I played back then.”

Toujou: “But the other day, one of the professors that’s been evaluating me told me, “Your sound is” –”

Machida: “... Lonely?”

Toujou: “——”

Machida: “Whenever I heard your performances as the freshmen’s representative at things like the entrance ceremony, monthly performances or competitions–”

Machida: “I felt like your music could make you, and me as a listener, feel lonely.”

Machida: “Well, I don’t think so anymore.”

Toujou: “... Sorry I made you feel that way.”

Toujou: “I also felt something like that when I heard your violin the day we met.”

Machida: “——”

Toujou: “I wondered what would happen if we played together. I thought that maybe if we added two lonely people together, then just like 1+1, we wouldn’t be lonely anymore.”

Toujou: “That’s why I wanted to play with you.”

Machida: …

Toujou: “After a long time, playing with you made me feel that playing the violin with someone else is fun.”

Toujou: “Kanato, you’re good at conducting and piano accompaniment. But to me, what suits you best is the violin.”

Machida: “... Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve quit the violin.”

Toujou: “What?”

Machida: “I changed majors. From violin to conducting.”

Machida: “I was only doing what my parents had forced me to do, so I couldn’t match everyone else’s enthusiasm or abilities.”

Machida: “So I changed my major to conducting as soon as the second year started.”

Toujou: “Sorry, I didn’t know…”

Machida: “With this many people majoring in string instruments, it couldn’t be helped.”

Toujou: “Then, if you become an orchestra’s conductor one day–”

Machida: “... Sorry to disappoint again. I’ll quit music once I’m done with high school.”

Machida: ““Kanato”... I didn’t like my name, because it felt like a curse that would force me to keep playing music forever.”

Machida: “Despite that, on that day, I suddenly felt like playing. I was in the practice room for the first time in a while when you barged in and caught me—”

Machida: “And so, I kept playing, only in this room.”

Toujou: “... And yet, you’re going to quit?”

Machida: “Unfortunately, my feelings haven’t changed.”

Toujou: “I see…”

Toujou: “In that case, I want you to keep playing in this room until we graduate. You don’t have to force yourself to play if you don’t want to.”

Machida: “... Got it.”

-

[Canon by John Campbell in D major]

Izumi: (The day before the graduation ceremony– Their usual practice room is closed, so the pair decide to play in the classroom instead…)

Machida: “The cherry blossoms are beautiful. Perfectly fitting for a new beginning.”

Toujou: “That’s right.”

Machida: “I wonder if there are cherry blossoms in Germany.”

Toujou: “Well, I wonder…”

Machida: “You said you’re going to a music academy in Germany, but you haven’t even looked that up?”

Toujou: “I’ll look it up later.”

Toujou: “... This will be the last time I ask, but have you really not changed your mind?”

Machida: “... I haven’t. I’m aiming to become a teacher.”

Toujou: “That’s… a pity.”

Machida: “So, what’s our last song going to be?”

Toujou: “Let’s play–”

Izumi: (And so the seasons pass…)

-

Machida: “... Toujou-sensei?”

Toujou: “——”

Machida: “Are you asleep?”

Toujou: “No, I was just reminiscing.”

Machida: “Ahh… This score, eh.”

Machida: “The teacher who is scheduled to perform at the next monthly performance suddenly can’t make it.”

Machida: “The other teachers asked me to talk you into doing it.”

Toujou: “So that’s why you called me here. Is this score part of the negotiations?”

Machida: “I’m just trying to help with the song selection.”

Toujou: “Is that why it’s full of songs that have to do with spring?”

Toujou: “... Alright.”

Machida: “Really?”

Toujou: “But under one condition. I want the song to be Mozart’s Spring.”

Machida: “Heeh, that sounds good. Maybe you can become a wise man the way you are now.”

Toujou: “Then, Machida, I’d like to scout you to become the wise man by my side.”

Machida: “... I am not a wise man, I am a simple teacher.”

Toujou: “... Then, this will have to stay as my dream for now. I read somewhere that life is brighter when you have a dream?”

Machida: “...”

Machida: “... Do your best. I won’t lend you any more help.”

Toujou: “That’s a pity.”

-

Citron: You both did great~!

Chikage: Thanks. You came to watch.

Citron: You said… You were worried about whether you’d be able to sparkle. But your youth came across!

Citron: Also, the violin imitations were perfect. Itaru, you’ve improved at loving~

Itaru: Hate to correct you on this, but you probably mean lying. I did the best I could as a beginner.

Citron: … You two practiced in secret, yes?

Chikage: …

Citron: My eyes can’t be fooled. I can tell just by watching your movements.

Chikage: … I suppose there’s no point in hiding around here.

part 1 | part 2 | part 3

NOTES:

(1) this is a japanese proverb often credited to mozart, but there's no actual english equivalent for it, so i took a try at translating it in a way that fits with the callback later

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You 👉 very cool

why thank you!! you are also very cool 🥺

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A3! Main Story: Part 4 - Act 13: Budding Spring - Episode 24: Wishing For A Family

!! further context for this chapter can be found in the moon traveler event story! translations up till chapter 9 by izumi-fanclub is here and by prideoftheknights here!

Chikage: Be careful on your way home.

Employee A: Hm? You’re not on the same flight as us, Utsuki-san?

Chikage: I have some business to take care of, so I changed my flight to tomorrow.

Employee A: Is that so? You were a big help this time, thank you so much!

Employee B: It’s thanks to you that the business negotiations went smoothly. Their attitude towards us softened with you here.

Employee B: There’s a lot to be said about the power of words, huh?

Chikage: I’m glad I could be of help.

Employee A: We’ll be leaving, then.

Chikage: (With that done… The next bus is coming soon.)

-

Chikage: (It’ll take some time getting there, so I guess I’ll get some work done.)

Chikage: …

[Keyboard keys clicking]

-

Driver: << Have a nice trip! >>

Chikage: << Thank you. >>

Chikage: (As I expected, I don’t pass as a local dressed like this.)

Chikage: (It’s been almost 20 years, hasn’t it…?)

Chikage: (The scenery has changed quite a bit since then. I shouldn’t expect it to be the same after so long, though…)

Chikage: (For now, I should go to a place where people like to gather…)

-

Shopkeeper: << Welcome. >>

Customer A: << I got a real shock! >>

Customer B: << No, seriously. >>

Customer C: << Dad said he’ll take some time to get here. >>

Customer D: << Let’s eat ahead of him then. >>

Customer E: << What should I eat… >

Customer F: << I’m not even that hungry yet. >>

Chikage: (How nostalgic. Just sitting here has me listening to various languages from left and right.)

Chikage: (It’s a great place for multilingual input.)

Chikage: (If our theater company wants to increase our overseas audience in the future, supporting many languages is important…)

-

Chikage: (If I stay here too long, I’ll miss the bus.)

-

Chikage: (There’s a lot of graffiti on this wall… Was there this much before?)

Chikage: (It doesn’t seem like the public security has worsened any.)

Resident: << This part’s already full. Unless you wrote in real small letters, it’d be impossible for you to fit anything in. >>

Chikage: << Does the graffiti here have some kind of meaning? >>

Resident: << Ah, so you don’t know. They say that if you write your name on this wall, your dreams will come true. >>

Residents: << Even tourists started writing things here. >>

Resident: << Though the owner of this place doesn’t seem to care, so everything just stays here. >>

Resident: << At first there were only one or two names written here. >>

Chikage: — —

Chikage: (This one’s my name…)

Chikage: (There’s only one person who’d do something like this, and there’s no mistaking this handwriting—)

-

“Hey.”

“Do you have a family?”

“Do you have a dream?”

-

Chikage: …

Chikage: (Your dreams will come true, huh… Did the rumor come first? Or was my name written here first?)

Chikage: (Good grief, I could never tell what that person was thinking.)

Chikage: (My dream, huh… You could say that I was able to come here because it came true, in a way.)

Resident: << Hm? I feel like I’ve seen your face before… No, you just resemble someone I used to know. >>

Chikage: ?

Resident: << You look a little like an old coworker of mine. Your smile, especially. >>

Resident: << Though he passed away about a decade ago. >>

Resident: << His wife got sick and died several years ago… They had a son, but I think they entrusted him to someone far away. >>

Chikage: << … I had heard that some distant relatives of mine live around this area, so there might be some connection. >>

Resident: << Might be. If his wife were still alive… I’m sure she’d be happy. >>

Resident: << A long time ago, when I asked her about her son, she told me she’ll never see him again, but that she hopes he’s not alone. >>

Resident: << Looking at you makes me feel like I just met their son. >>

Chikage: …

Chikage: (They did what they wanted till the very end.)

Chikage: (I didn’t feel like they loved me. I don’t even know if I loved them.)

Chikage: (When I was a kid, they loomed over me like a large, undeniable existence. Even after they left me, even after time passed, they remain imprinted on me like a sludge stain that can’t be removed…)

Chikage: (But, I see… I don’t have to look at this name anymore.)

Chikage: (This name doesn’t exist anywhere in this world.)

Chikage: (... Just what is this feeling? It’s not nostalgia, or sadness, or even relief.)

Chikage: (It’s like there’s a small space in my heart… And this fits perfectly in there.)

Resident: << Since they might be your distant relatives, do you want to visit their graves? >>

Chikage: << — No, the bus will be coming soon. I have to hurry back to my family. >>

Resident: << Is that so? Have a safe trip. >>

Chikage: << Thank you very much. >>

-

Chikage: (... I don’t think anyone will be on right now.)

UC has entered the chat UC: I’m about to go to a hotel near the airport. taruchi: good work UC: Ah, I see. You’re not that far from where I am, are you? taruchi: i think i’m between japan and where you are taruchi: how did your new challenge go? UC: Who knows? I do know that I’m glad I came here, at least.

previous episode | masterpost | next episode

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Spoilers for Marineford and Wano!!

They were literally all I could think about after hearing this song.

Link to my TikTok so u can view this with the song!

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yes hi. impulse drawing and now its 3am.

first time drawing ecto. couldve been worse but also i hate this so—💥💥

blame @peachyruss :)

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giri chocolate x ☜(⌒▽⌒)☞

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I LOVE U DEUCE SPADE!!!

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Grumble grumble…