#it really is such a true representation of introverts

[xadenstorm]

the way i just gobbled up all 15 chapters of introverted us omgggg it’s soooooooo good!!!

[pomefioredove]

yeah the other characters think he's a loser, but I never really see anyone talking about how idia is perceived as like. mean? and rude? and selfish? and egotistical? by his classmates?

leona, vil, riddle, ace, and (I'm sure) others have all made comments on this multiple times. idia's social anxiety is, to the others, selfish. his avoidance is selfish. his awkwardness is selfish. people perceive idia as being pretentious and rude for "refusing" to speak to his classmates or go to events/classes/meetings in person. just as much, if not more, than they perceive him as a loser. it's such an interesting dichotomy. idia is constantly blamed for his own struggles in a specific way other twst characters really aren't. "if he was more social, he would have friends. if he tried harder, he would be liked. if he showed interest in other people, they would accept him" which is obviously not true and hurtful to idia. even when it's supposed to be helpful, it's ignoring his wants and struggles and personality

I just think it's a really good representation of introversion and extreme social anxiety because that's literally what it's like- there's a point where being "shy" isn't cute or charming or comical, it's just annoying, and people get frustrated with you. they treat you like you're doing this to yourself, like you're choosing to be socially inept. and yeah awkwardness does make you come off as cold and weird, even and especially when you're not trying to be. but. I don't know... this is a super shallow analysis, this is just a really specific thing about idia I latch onto

despite pretty much every piece of media ever having introvert characters, this is something I've only ever seen represented in one other thing. even though I think it's pretty relatable?

[leonardhoee]

William Rex MBTI Analysis

I just finished William’s route for the 4th time and wanted to write this since I see a ton of people on the personality database website mistyping him.

William is a classic Entj 8w7 tbh and I think the reason people aren’t clocking it is because of the stereotypes surrounding that personality type. Not every entj 8w7 is a demon war criminal with no feelings or morals. As one myself I saw a lot of myself in William with the way he thinks and operates and his values. He also reminds me a lot of Sylus from Love and Deepspace and that’s what made me start questioning the typing they have for him right now. Both him and Sylus are “healthier”representations of that personality type and are more in touch with their Fi.

If this makes sense to you guys please go to the PDB website and vote ENTJ 8w7 for Will so we can get it corrected.

Analysis under the cut.

1. Extraverted Thinking (Te):

Te is the primary way TeNi’s interact with the world around them. Te is all about efficiency and getting things done. It is the TeNi’s primary decision-making process, which means that if a decision is needed in the moment, they will rely on what makes the most sense logically.

William’s Te is at the forefront of his personality. Most of the info about him comes from the full love bonus story from reading both endings. In that story something that really stuck out to me was his statement, “I will make this power obey my will, control it, and tame it,”. He’s saying this in response to his moral dilemma about his power being able to take away people’s freedom. Rather than lament his ability to control others, which he considers a contradiction to his core values, he chooses to impose order on this chaos. A true monarch. His immediate response is to take control with no hesitation. His fate should’ve been a threat to him so his response is to become the master of his own curse.

On top of that, his sense of justice is incredibly firm but at the same time he believes in the ends justifying the means. He uses his powers as a tool for punishing those he deems to be oppressors, stating that those who trample on freedom are “unforgivably evil.” Furthermore, his Te ensures that his sense of justice is actionable. He doesn’t just hold abstract ideals; he transforms them into concrete systems, and actively uses his powers to enforce justice for those who violate his moral code.

Basically, all his decisions and values are rooted in clear, rational frameworks, where he sees himself as the ultimate arbiter of morality. This efficient, results-driven perspective is absolutely Te dominant.

2. Introverted Intuition (Ni):

Ni is the way that a TeNi perceives their inner world, it dictates the way they store information and how they perceive that information. It also heavily dictates the path that their train of thought will take.

William’s Ni is interesting because it shows up in his fixation on the concept of destiny and freedom. He recognizes the irony of his existence: born to value freedom above all else, yet cursed with powers that inherently strip others of theirs. But because of his age dominance, this contradiction doesn’ paralyze him but instead motivates him to enforce his moral philosophy with conviction and to use the hand date has dealt him to do so. His Ni allows him to create a unified vision of justice and morality, framing his powers not as a curse but as an opportunity to shape the world according to his ideals. His long-term perspective is evident in his acceptance of his role as a “villain,” choosing to happily shoulder the consequences of his actions rather than compromising his vision. This is evident throughout his whole route when he asks MC to record his sins as an irredeemable villain to make sure that the legend of the self righteous monarch lives on for generations even after he’s met his end.

3. Extraverted Sensing (Se):

Se helps the TeNi use their senses to understand the world around them. They enjoy living in the moment and are capable when it comes to dealing with things that they can experience and touch in addition the purely hypothetical. This is because their Ni and Se fall in the middle as far as preferences go, so they’re able to flip back and forth to use each one as it’s needed. Se is also what drives them to search out playful new sensory experiences.

William is shown to take pleasure and satisfaction in the way he delivers his punishments. The route makes a point of describing his eyes and the way William takes pleasure in his own ferocity during these punishments. He doesn’t just want to “get it over with” he wants to have the full experience of commiting the sin. His ability to focus on the tactile and sensory aspects—the sights, sounds, and even the emotions evoked—demonstrates a strong tertiary Se. And this tertiary Se doesn’t only manifest in his violent acts—it also shows in his appreciation for beauty, art, music and even sex (Ex: the scene of him eating strawberries in the cafe with MC, his passion for music, his interest in connecting with people from all walks of life). He’s the type of person to savor physical pleasures and immerse himself in the present moment of those things.

4. Inferior Introverted Feeling (Fi):

Fi is the ENTJ’s last function. Fi helps them to assess situations to see how things match up to their values and beliefs. They may think of their Fi as their “gut instinct”. It helps them learn to be sensitive to the values and feelings of those around them. It can act as a warning system when they think a decision makes sense logically, but somewhere inside, Fi is the alarm saying it’s a bad idea. However, because Fi is the TeNi’s weakest function, they will often act with the swift decisiveness of Te first, before considering how their actions might affect the feelings of others or taking time to think about whether their decision lines up with their values.

So there’s 2 points that can be made regarding this. The first part is about his morals.

Despite his rational exterior, William’s deep internal conflict over his powers points to his inferior Fi. He considers his ability to control others a profound moral contradiction, as it conflicts with his core belief in freedom. However, instead of sitting and agonizing over this emotional struggle openly, he rationalizes it through his Te-dominant framework, and to simply become its master. Also his repeated acknowledgment of contradictions in his existence shows the tension between his powers and his values. He says in the bonus story, “I gave them freedom and found joy in watching them love that freedom, yet I would be the one to take it away again.” This self-awareness highlights his internal struggle, but his default response—to let people go for the sake of their freedom���reflects his Te- dominance rather than an emotionally motivated decision. He will let them go even if it breaks their heart.

This leads me to my second point about this. When falling in love with MC, William was faced with a dilemma. Being with her would, in his point of view take away her freedom which is a sin he refused to commit. However instead of spending the time unpacking that he immediately jumped to his ate function and did what he deemed rational in that moment which was to decide to leave as he always does. It’s interesting because his inferior Fi shows up in both ways, staying true to his values, but also having a massive oversight on MC’s feelings and desires in that moment and causes her a lot of pain. And that oversight remains until she (in ch 18) almost takes control of the situation even above him and shows him what she wants through a very blunt display (getting stabbed).

Enneagram Analysis: 8w7

William’s need for freedom and disdain for oppression are hallmarks of Type 8. He refuses to let fate, his powers, or external forces define him, asserting instead, “I couldn’t let something like fate deny me of being my own master.” This fierce independence drives his actions, from punishing oppressors to letting others go to protect their freedom. However, his control is not limited to himself; as an 8, he extends his authority outward, enforcing his moral vision on those he deems unjust and encourages everyone around him to become their own masters as well.

Between 8w7 and 8w9, William would be a 7 because of his Se. His boldness and ability to captivate others with his convictions make him a natural leader. This wing also amplifies his avoidance of emotional vulnerability, as seen in his tendency to rationalize rather than process his internal contradictions.

Why William Is Not an ENFJ or INFJ because those are the other 2 I’ve heard people saying.

Both ENFJs and INFJs are defined by their reliance on Extraverted Feeling (Fe) and a focus on interpersonal harmony. William, by contrast, prioritizes efficiency and justice over emotional connection, ruling out both types.

• Not ENFJ: ENFJs are people-oriented leaders who seek to unite and inspire others. While William’s charisma might seem ENFJ-like, his approach to supporting others is far more authoritarian and pragmatic. He enforces his ideals unilaterally, without the Fe-driven need to create collective harmony or prioritize the feelings of others. He says so himself in the bonus story that the things he does are out of self righteousness only. Entjs and enfjs can often get confused but the differentiation is that he helps others because he’s honoring HIS desires. He’s not doing it because of some grand desire to help others.

• Not INFJ: While William grapples with moral contradictions, his struggles are rooted in rational frameworks, not emotional exploration. Furthermore, INFJs tend to avoid direct confrontation, whereas William thrives in it. Additionally INFJs are Se inferior which is the main reason it’s ruled out. William is not Se inferior at all.

Why William Is Not a 7w8 or 1w9

• Not 7w8: While William’s charisma and love for freedom might align with 7w8, his motivations do not fit this type. 7w8s are driven by a desire to avoid pain and seek enjoyment, whereas William’s actions are rooted in a need for control and justice. His moral philosophy is too rigid for a 7w8, which would prioritize adaptability and personal pleasure.

• Not 1w9: Type 1s are perfectionists who pursue moral ideals through discipline and self-restraint. William is the opposite of self restraint. While he has a strong moral code, it is not driven by a desire for perfection or self-discipline but by a a self righteous desire. He says many times throughout the route that if MC thinks he is evil she is free to punish him how she wishes. He has never said he is a good or moral person and in fact says the opposite. He’s a villain doing what he values. His willingness to accept his role as a “villain” further supports his ENTJ 8w7 classification. He views himself as a necessary force of justice, even if it means being seen as cruel or self-righteous. His statement, “I followed my heart and chose to commit sins as a villain,” reveals his willingness to embrace moral ambiguity in pursuit of his ideals.

So in conclusion he’s an obvious ENTJ 8w7

Here are some screenshots I used as evidence

[pancake404]

DogDay, you did betray his trust when you had pretended to be loyal to the Prototype.

“Let me tell you something I’ve observed.”

“1185’s charm seems to crack whenever feelings such as guilt rises. I find it interesting that 1188 doesn’t possess this either in his moon charm. I believe the individual and their identity of what they believe and value can be a depending factor on how you are made in the limbo as well as what ‘quirks’ are obtained. 1185 always held a strong idea of trying to be like the Smiling Critters from the show, after all they all had to act like them in orphanage as well as being the positive leader and the charm reflects that character. If something isn’t right, the mask breaks and the charm cracks. I find it surprising that he didn’t lose that after a decade in the factory but maybe the limbo gave some experiments hope for a change. Perhaps it’s a delusion in 1185’s mind as 1188 is not changing course in his mind anytime soon. Though I can tell, the factory did leave a mark on him and so did 1188.”

“The opposite occurs with 1188 as his charm is not affected no matter what. It doesn’t crack, glow, etc. I believe it ties with 1188’s mindset, Theodore’s mindset. He views the ‘Bigger Body Smiling Critters’ as just an act, a group forced to be together and behave like a close group of friends. Which is entirely true. Him being anti social and introverted, hated this. Despite it, he was patient and tolerated the act just enough since he was exclusively shocked and electrocuted if out of line. I recall recommending this once I learned about the incident that made 1188 in such a critical state as well as what happened during 1006’s absence. As I figured, it worked. However, over the years, 1188 began caring less and less about the Smiling Critters as a group of ‘friends’. Isolation really does make certain experiments see the truth of everything and the truth was that they were not the Smiling Critters, they just looked like them. 1188 then saw the others as other lab rats stuck in the same predicament as him, their equivalency being almost the same as the mini critters. Just looking little bigger though. The moon rings hollow as there is no representation of the character or what it stands for, it’s just part of the design.”

Access_Interesting1185And1168

[kimbappykidding]

Imagine getting jealous and insecure seeing Baekhyun flirting with other girls

You were pretty sure Baekhyun had asked you out based on your stage character. While performing, you often got the hot concepts and you did it well but it wasn't an accurate representation of your true self. Off stage, you were shy, quiet and introverted. You saw other kpop idols being very charismatic and loud and admired that, it's how you first noticed Baekhyun. You loved how fun and loud he was and found it entertaining. Baekhyun had always been polite to you, holding doors open, passing you microphones etc but he didn't ask you out until your latest comeback where you had the sexy concept. You said yes because you'd always liked Baekhyun and quickly fell into a 2 month-long relationship. The two of you were not technically official but you'd go on dates and hook up after work. You'd enjoyed yourself and the chemistry was great between the two of you but you couldn't help feeling like an imposter. You acted confident around him and channelled some of your stage character in an effort to impress him. You were sure he was going to realise you were nothing like he thought and anytime you couldn't be as social or outgoing as him at a party thought he'd realise and break it off. Then to make things worse tonight at the party you were both attending he actually had someone to match his energy in the form of a beautiful woman.

As the two of you weren't official nobody except your members knew anything was going on so at parties you largely avoided one another but that didn't mean you didn't see the cute interactions he was having with Gaeun.

You watched as she and Baekhyun both raced for the door and how they crashed into one another laughing. You took a sip of your drink and watched as the hand Baekhyun had used to steady her stayed on her shoulder. The competitive childish side of you rose up and you decided if you were going to be dumped you atleast wanted to go out appearing to her having fun. So you asked your members if they wanted to dance and headed for the dancefloor. You channelled your stage character and she was there. A while later Baekhyun looked around the room and noticed you were no longer at your table. He felt a little upset because he wanted you to see how fun he was and how much other people liked him! That was the reason he acted so outgoing and social at parties but he scolded himself for being childish. He always found himself putting on a show and being more extroverted around you in an attempt to impress you. You had this amazing ability to go from being so confident and showy to being cool and calm. He wished he could be like that but being chill wasn't his strong suit and so he played to his strengths. He really liked looking up at an event and seeing you laugh at one of his jokes or smiling amusedly at something he'd done. He kind of felt like all that was for nothing if you hadn't seen it and so he headed out to look for you. Baekhyun wasn't shocked to see you dancing, he knew you liked to dance. He was shocked because you were going all out and pretty much everyone was pretending not to watch you while watching you. The two of you weren't openly a couple but Baekhyun didn't care about that watching the way you were moving. He moved further into the room and you spotted him gawking at you, smiled and flipped your hair. Baekhyun took that as an invitation and rushed over to you. You were clearly in a playful mood because you kept twirling and moving anytime Baekhyun tried to wrap his arms around your waist. You seemed to be enjoying teasing him because you had a big smile on your face every time Baekhyun sighed as you moved away from him. He'd finally got you in his arms and was just about to tease you back when you leaned forward and kissed him. It was one of those knee-buckling kisses and Baekhyun was a mess before he knew it. He was clinging onto you only for you to pull away he blinked his eyes open and stared at you. "Hi" he said and you stared back at him "hi".  "That was amazing" he told you and you paused "are you sure?". "Of course!" he cried "Y/n you're so hot". You nodded "but am I as hot as Gaeun?". Baekhyun froze "pardon?". "I saw you with her, your hands lingering and I wasn't happy. Do you want her instead of me?". Baekhyun shook his head grinning "never!" but there was something in your tone and how you couldn't look at him that made Baekhyun realise this wasn't a joke. "Y/n I promise we're just friends, of course I want you" he said going more serious. "Just because of how I look on stage?" you asked and Baekhyun saw your confident act fade away to be replaced by genuine worry. Baekhyun shook his head and took your hand. He led you somewhere quieter and carried on shaking his head. "Of course not just how you look on stage, where did you get that idea from?". "Well you asked me out after our latest comeback and I noticed you watching me on stage...is that the girl you want me to be? Who you thought you were asking out?". "No! Y/n you're an incredible stage performer but that's not why l asked you out". "It's not?" you asked. Baekhyun laughed "of course not! I mean I am attracted to you and that stage was very good but I liked you way before that and not just for your looks...I'm not embarrassed to admit I'd watched some of your interviews and I loved how funny you are. You're so smart and quick I really found that attractive. Then I also liked how you're kind of quiet and cool but you really care. I'd heard of the things you'd done for your members and fans and I thought you sounded so sweet I wanted to be with you". "And since we've been seeing each other...you haven't been disappointed?". Baekhyun chuckled "are you kidding me, hold on one second". He pulled out his phone and called Suho. "Hey hyung just real quick, what did I say the night I came back from my first date with Y/n?". "Erm that her legs looked amazing". Baekhyun blushed "not that! The other thing". Suho paused "ow you mean how you were ready to propose?". Baekhyun nearly dropped the phone "I didn't say propose!". "Well you said something like that...how you instantly got a great feeling from her and you could see yourself with her for a very long time. Then Chanyeol teased you about the two of you growing old together and you blushed like a teenager. Is that it?". Baekhun nodded blushing again "yep that's the one, bye" and hung up. He laughed "so that was meant to reassure you but it could've just as easily terrified you" he laughed. You smiled "it did reassure me...you thought that after our first date?". He nodded "I knew we'd be a good couple and that I really liked you". You blushed "wow that's really sweet". He smiled "well nothing's changed and I actually really like how different we are. You help calm me down and the members have commented how I'm a much better listener since I met you. So what I'm trying to say is I've hopelessly fallen for you and the thing with Gaeun didn't mean anything but I'm sorry I upset you". You shrugged "it's okay, I'm sorry for being insecure". "Don't be" Baekhyun said kissing your cheek. You relaxed into him and Baekhyun smiled wrapping his arms around you properly. Baekhyun held you, gently resting his head on your shoulder until eventually, you'd gotten enough cuddles. "So do you want to go back and dance?" you asked him. Baekhyun shook his head "if it's okay with you I think I'd just like to go home and curl up on the sofa together". You smiled "that sounds amazing" and left hand in hand, letting everyone know you were together.

[just-a-sad-sad-frog]

Eagerly awaiting chihiro fujisaki

(Very sorry for the wait I had a strong case of the lifen't and no motivation)

Okay, let's delve into the fashion of Chihiro Fujisaki, the Ultimate Programmer from Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc. (I LOVE HIS CLOTHES SO MUCH AAAAA *cries because I shall never be able to dress like him*)

Overall Impression: Chihiro's aesthetic is best described as deliberately child-like and traditionally feminine, bordering on androgynous. This is not a random choice; it's a visual shield crafted to protect them from a cruel world that shunned him

Key Elements and Their Significance:School Uniform Style: The core of Chihiro's outfit is kind of a uniform, a standard blazer/cardigan/jacket (idfk what to call it), white shirt, and a pleated skirt.

Blazer/Cardigan/Jacket (again i don't know what to call it so blazer is what im going to call it): I like the blazer. Very green very yes. I would wear.

Knee-High Socks: Common for school uniforms, Chihiro's knee-high black socks contribute to the youthful and almost childlike appearance because of the school association with long socks. They visually shorten their legs (at least for me it does) and further enhances the impression of being small.

Pleated Skirt: The pleated skirt, while standard, is also part of the "uniformity" that Chihiro seeks in a group setting, allowing them to blend in.

Really exaggerated collar:

✨️very eye catching✨️

✨️draws your eyes up✨️

✨️frames the face and sets it off so the face is the first thing you look at✨️

(✨️why am i here✨️)

Color Palette: The colors are muted and subdued:Neutrals: The colors are green (blazer), black (bow and socks), and a brown/dark beige (is that a colour???) (skirt). These colors are soft and calming, contributing to the feeling of non-assertiveness and is nice. In my professional opinion as a frog I love it because because green.

Lack of Vibrant Colors: The absence of vibrant or bold colors reinforces Chihiro’s quiet and introverted nature. They are not trying to draw attention to themselves through their clothing.

Flicky hair: (IF FROGS HAD HAIR I WANT HIS.) This Is all I have to say

Accessories (or Lack of): Chihiro wears very minimal accessories (none), further keeping their overall aesthetic simple and not attention grabbing. The lack of jewelry or other adornments emphasizes their focus on function over fashion and doesn’t draw too much attention.

Psychological and Narrative Significance:

Gender Presentation: Chihiro's feminine presentation, particularly the skirt, is revealed later in the story that this is a way for them to hide their gender and avoid being bullied. The clothing becomes a symbolic representation of hiding one's true self.

Irony: The irony is that Chihiro, despite appearing weak and fragile, is actually incredibly talented in programming. Their clothing acts as a misdirection, leading others to underestimate their abilities.

Contrast with Talent: The contrast between Chihiro's seemingly delicate appearance and their incredible programming abilities creates a fascinating juxtaposition. It challenges the viewer to question assumptions about people based solely on their outward appearance.

In Conclusion:

Chihiro is a legend and an icon and if anyone says otherwise then they can, politely, go and fuck themselves. (I could do a long waffle like I normally do but I can't be fucking bothered so adios)

@ask-chihiro-fujisaki14-roleplay ₍𝄐 ̫͡ 𝄐₎

[mylifeincinema]

My Best of 2024: Lead Actor

My Best of 2024 is a series of annual lists in which I pick the best of the best from 2024, all leading up to my official picks for My Top 10 Films of 2024.

I gotta be honest... this was tough. There are a few I really liked and a couple that really impressed, but the only one here that truly blew my socks off this year was Ralph Fiennes. Conclave is the all-around powerhouse that it is because of his performance; the urgency and ethical turmoil roiling within his character fills the film with its heart and soul, it's religious and political ambiguity and morality. He's long been one of our best, and this is definitely one of his best. I'm still not entirely sold on Timothée Chalamet, in general, but I really enjoyed his introverted, thoughtful approach to Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, which delivered an immediately noticeable Dylan while never once even coming close to caricature. Hugh Grant is having such a viciously good time in Heretic, and it makes what would've been an overly dry religious-horror film into a real treat. I was thoroughly unimpressed with The Brutalist, as a whole, but Adrien Brody's performance is undeniably one of the most transformative and ugly representations of the plight of the immigrant in mid-century America we've seen in quite some time (or ever). Austin Butler personifies the pull of the motorcycle club with his loyal and obsessed turn in The Bikeriders. Glen Powell puts on an impressively likable acting showcase in Hit Man. Jesse Eisenberg—despite being outshone by his flashier co-star—acts as the emotional compass of A Real Pain. David Dastmalchian finally gets a true starring role, and nails it with his driven, tortured, utterly weird talk-show host in the twisted Late Night with the Devil. Liam Neeson does what he does best in In the Land of Saints and Sinners, just better. And Nicholas Hoult is the very image of terror in Nosferatu.

Here they are...

My Top 10 Performances by a Lead Actor in 2024!

1. Ralph Fiennes in Conclave

2. Timothée Chalamet in A Complete Unknown

3. Hugh Grant in Heretic

4. Adrien Brody in The Brutalist

5. Austin Butler in The Bikeriders

6. Glen Powell in Hit Man

7. Jesse Eisenberg in A Real Pain

8. David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

9. Liam Neeson in In the Land of Saints and Sinners

10. Nicholas Hoult in Nosferatu

Enjoy!

-Timothy Patrick Boyer.

Next Up: My Top 10 Films of 2024!

More of My Best of 2024…

[aedislumen]

Are there any movies, books in which Prieur is in it?

Not many as far as I know. The only two legit examples that come to mind are the documentary Un mètre pour mesurer le monde by the studio Arte and the play I Giacobini (= "The Jacobins") by Federico Zardi.

Left: an unknown guy playing Prieur in the documentary (source).

Right: the actor Luigi Pistilli starring as Prieur in the theatrical representation of Zardi's play of April 13 1957 (source1, source2).

Are these two faithful representations?

As far as the documentary is concerned, aside from the appearance, which could fit the real Prieur, absolutely not.

It's incredible how during his whole lifetime and beyond, Prieur was surprisingly spared from the slanderous propaganda (thermidorian/anglo etc) that his colleagues at the CSP endured, only to be painted as an envious, spoiled child who enjoyed playing dictator in a 2012 documentary on the history of the metric system. He was basically reserved the same treatment of Saint-Just in La Révolution Française (1989).

I will talk at length about Arte's doc in a separate post; for now just know that whatever was said about him is either not true or interpreted in the worst, most negative way possible.

Talking about Zardi's portrayal, it's a bit difficult to judge, because in the play Prieur is a secondary character: he doesn't have much lines. He's presented as military man, friend of Carnot; Robespierre and Couthon are very fond of him, praising his ardent personality, making me wonder if Zardi hadn't merged him with the other Prieur, considering also that he's listed has a Jacobin (Claude-Antoine Prieur never joined the club) and as being 37 years old, the age of Prieur de la Marne in Year II. In spite of that, I was personally very glad to see him being included and described positively.

I was also told by a friend that Prieur de la Côte-d'Or is a character in a play written and staged in 2009 in Paris. I avoid to mention its name, because the whole thing is simply atrocious. Most likely the writers and directors read a few wikipedia pages (in English, because such nonsense can only be found there) on the CSP and thought themselves ready to stage a play about them. Spoiler: they weren't. Moreover there's no script or recording of the play online: it seems to have luckily fallen into oblivion and I don't want to change that.

Last but not least, I wish to mention a fictional character whose personality and background are astonishingly similar to those of Prieur de la Côte-d'Or. I'm talking about Viktor from the show Arcane (season 1):

Both are thin, reserved, introvert, awkward and uncomfortable in public, but incredibly sweet and caring in private. Both had no parents (*) and their mentor/father figure was a chemist, both worked as assistant in a laboratory; both have a limp leg. Both are brilliant scientists, strongly devoted to their work, striving to make the world a better place, but they'll end up using their knowledge to build weapons to defend their country. Viktor's best friend and close collaborator, who he clings to, is another brilliant scientist, who is terribly naive and dramatic, doesn't understand a thing about politics and thus lets himself being played and exploited by politicians without scruples. Both do much of the manual work, but it's always said best friend (hi, Carnot) that gets credit and attention for it, but they don't complain.

It's not a 1:1 perfect comparison: Arcane is a fantasy show after all and Prieur would have never abandoned his mentor because he questioned the ways he was conducting research as Viktor did for instance; still, it's a portrayal that gives an overall fairly accurate idea of his personality.

(*) Prieur had a father, but the latter abandoned him as an infant and the two never really formed a bond, when his father tried to get in touch with him.

[not-poignant]

Hi, Pia.....Do you mind if I ask your top 10 favorite characters (can be male or female) from all of the media that you loved (can be anime/manga, books, movies or tv series)? And why do you love them? Thanks if you want to answer...

Hi anon!

So... they change and tbh I'm going to forget a ton of characters I love and then scream in my head later like 'oh no but THAT character and THAT character and THAT character' but I'll do my best!

Kiriyama Rei from March Comes in Like a Lion - Probably my favourite character possibly of all time. Introverted, kind of ace-coded right up until the end of the manga when it changes (and since the anime never ended he stays ace-coded throughout that lmao), very human, extremely depressed, and I just think he's a very good depiction of like...what it's like to live with extremely repressive depression and post-trauma while not necessarily knowing you have those things.

Dazai Osamu from Bungou Stray Dogs - He's a brilliant intellect genius with too much ability to know so much about the world that he kind of ends up suicidal all the time due to his upbringing / some of the things he's done and also what he's experienced. I just enjoy him. (Notable runner up here is Nakahara Chuuya but dslkajf)

Felix Harrowgate from the Doctrine of Labyrinths trilogy - Angsty, PTSD, waspish, 'I'm going to hurt you because I was hurt and then hate myself and do very self-destructive things about it but keep that part a secret so I just look like a constant dickhead,' brilliant, very good at magic. Love this dude. Would walk hundreds of miles for this dude, like the song. Would definitely write a long-ass fanfic about him.

Daeshik from Love So Pure - I love this guy SO much. He's a side-story / secondary pairing in the manhwa but I LOVE him because he's so against type. He's dorky but not in a very cute way, he's overbearing, he's SO neurodivergent coded it's painful and sometimes hilarious, he's determined and ambitious, he's not 'hot' in any typical kind of twink way, and I know he's split the fandom between 'god he's so annoying' and 'Daeshik is the BEST.' The whole webtoon is fucking amazing anyway, but Daeshik has my whole heart in his journey from 'dorky annoying overbearing friend' to 'oh I just realised I'm gay and now everything is Pride Pride Pride and I'm definitely crying next to a dildo I bought that was too big for me.'

Presenting Daeshik:

You'll never guess what he's sitting on sdlkjfas (he fails abjectly and then cries about it in a way that's kind of hilarious honestly).

Dana Scully from The X-Files - I didn't know it at the time, but this was very much my bisexual awakening. I mean I'm pretty heavily ace now, but I'm mostly not into cishet dudes, and I had pictures of Scully up on my wall like how did I not fucking know. Anyway, scientist, smart, 'so done with your shit' and just wry and witty and *clenches fist* so short and tiny and powerful. I love her. (And Gillian Anderson).

Loki from the MCU - Not necessarily every iteration, but I do love how Tom Hiddleston plays him, and I appreciate the queerer representation. Adore this guy. Look at him, what an absolute dickhead of a god. 10/10 would read him in hurt/comfort fics and PWPs again.

Hyunsoo Seo and Youngchan Baek from Perfect Buddy / XXX Buddy - Possibly my favourite manhwa of all time and I really hope that stays true because it's not finished yet. Idk how to describe these characters because they're both very complex as you get to know them better, but basically 'angry wet cat man with past trauma that he hides exceptionally well vs. Gwyn-dimensioned blond puppy dog who is just pretending to be a puppy dog because he knows exactly how threatening he is and is willing to be to protect the people he loves.'

Murderbot in the Murderbot novella series - I think all of us - or most of us - find Murderbot incredibly relatable and that's refreshing as fuck in any novel series tbh. (ART as runner-up though, love that fucker).

Sebastian Michaelis from Kuroshitsuji / Black Butler - Honestly there were a lot of kind of 'extremely powerful but kind of shitty fuckboys' I wanted to put in this category including Gojou Satoru from JJK, Reigen from MP100, and even Louis from Beastars, but Sebastian's gonna win out because I still don't know if he's going to eat Ciel at the end of that series and I very much love not knowing because he's such a devious fuckhead. Love that not-actually-a-man.

Yuurakutei Yakumo (Kikuhiku) from Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu - I just... *flails* Almost no one has seen this anime series and it kind of kills me because firstly the books were written by someone practiced in writing BL and even though this isn't BL you can still tell the vibes are there. Secondly, one of the most ace-coded characters ever. Gender-fuckery abounds, which is fun. Thirdly just, honestly, more folks should watch this?

There were a lot of characters I know I missed but I'm pretty satisfied with this list.

I've just given myself a bunch of stuff to rewatch and reread because of this anon! :D

[simpofhans]

@princess-ibri Some lore ideas especially for you, as a diehard Disney fan and explorer of the universe <333

SO.... SINCE 2O22 WE HAVE THAT IDEA FOR A DISNEY TWIST ON PRINCESS AND THE PEA AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS SO.... I DECIDED TO EVENTUALLY, IF THE MOVIE WILL CAME OUT AND THE RUMORS WILL COME OUT TO BE TRUE, DESIGN MY OWN VERSION OF PENELOPE HERSELF AND THEORIZE WHAT WILL BE HER ROLE IN THE MOVIE AND OVERALL : HOW THE THEME OF BEING A PRINCESS WILL INCORPORATE THE PLOT????

Things we know :

That will be the movie directed by Jennifer Lee probably, or written by her, and it could be 2D according to the insiders, but I think 2D is dead now unfortunately, at least at Disney, so.... the movie will be 3D :CCCCC (and the fact that Jen directs it.... @frozen-snowflakesandsunflowers something for you as a Frozen fan and Jennifer Lee directed content!!! <333)

The movie was supposed to be released in 2023 and announced in 2022, but it was either fake, or scrapped in the favor of Wish :CCC

That was/is supposed to be a movie musical based on Princess and the Pea, and be the first Disney movie based on a fairytale since Frozen

That was announced first by the Skylar Schuler from DisInsider in summer 2022

So... we don't know much about the story, but we know as far as the direction goes to say - Jennifer Lee likes original stuff. And she reworks often known stories to show the diversity, feminism and the power of the underrated and underestimated people in the world, but as she said in the interview for The Guardian in 2023, only if they know the reception of the story will be good and... Disney has some tropes that they could incorporate into Penelope, and that agree with Jen doing representation and diversity in her latest projects (Wish, Frozen and Frozen II, three movies she directed and written) :

Quirky lead and her introvert/morally grey sister who hides who she is

Ambigious character who later became pure good (Flynn Rider, Kuzco, Maui, Namaari, Isabela Madrigal)

Character development

Family expectations of a character's family

Self-love (especially seen in Frozen and Frozen II)

So.... the theme of "The Princess and the Pea" is mainly.... what it means to be a princess? And what can you do to deserve a title of a princess? And considering Disney loves twists on classic stories, I think that, in the popularity of Flynn, Maui and Isabela, that are neither good, neither evil, at least at the beginning, we can say that....

DUM DUM DUM...

PENELOPE WILL BE THE FIRST AMBIGIOUS AND DRASTICALLY CHANGED (FOR BETTER!!!) DISNEY PRINCESS.

I doesn't count Meg from Hercules, because she is :

Unofficial Disney Princess

Love interest

But she counts too ^^

I also don't count Namaari, because she is considered an antagonist, and in the beginning of RATLD, rather not a part of the main cast.

So..... Penelope will be the first ambigious Disney Princess, but how it will affect the plot?

This is my take on it :

Penelope will be at first, typical spoiled Princess like in the think of the way some people think about the word "princess" - she will be snarky, awful, counting only on her money and beauty, even cold, but when something will happen, and she will lose anything that she was counting on, she must have embark on a journey of remorse and humbleness, to finally meet her happily ever after and discover what she really needs in life, not what she thought she needs.

I also think giving her a girlfriend, rather a boyfriend, would be a somekind controversial for the world, but that would also fight with stereotype of a Perfect Princess Penelope tries to be that hard, that she loses the sense of herself and what it means to be a Princess - for example, a cheerful and optimistic pirate (hehe, @pirate-of-the-southern-isles, this would be something for your aesthetic and fic ^^), who will change her world forever and she will show her the true meaning of life, not only what her parents wanted from her in her own life....

And here it's my art of Penelope, at least with her classic outfit from the beginning of the movie <3333 :

[cailynwrites]

Harry Potter Rec Fest Day 21 - Thought-provoking

@hprecfest - this prompt was itself very thought-provoking, it made me go back and think about the fics that made me close my Kindle and stare at a wall for a while. The fics I love best make me re-examine canon and rethink the things I knew about characters and situations, or even my own life.

The Audacity of Lavender Brown by @malpal132 Pairing: Lavender x Charlie Word count: 6,457 Rating: E

Canon did Lavender Brown dirty. I'm not sure who did her dirtier - JKR or the movies - but I really think she's unfortunately a one-dimensional plot device in a series of books already bereft of strong, admirable female characters. @malpal132 sets out to change this. This fic not only made me rethink Lavender in and out of canon, but female characters in general. Come for the feminism, stay for the sexy smut with Charlie Weasley.

Pop Up Pals by bambimoss Pairing: Draco x Harry Word count: 62,447 Rating: E

I love down-and-out Draco. I think it's a good impetus for a redemption arc and humanizes him for Harry and others who spent years villainizing him. This fic takes it to another level. I got literal stomach aches feeling so sorry and sad for Draco in this fic. As an introvert who doesn't love leaving the house but still experiences loneliness like all humans, I related to his "imaginary friends" and the embarrassment of having your lackluster (as judged by others) personal life outed. I don't want to spoil too much, because this fic is so small and heartbreaking and wonderful. You all need to experience it for yourselves.

************************************************************************

And finally, a couple of little self-recs ...

Keep Your Eyes on Me by @ahhhnorealnamesallowed - a Podfic (Spotify) Pairing: Draco x Harry Word count: 2,786 Length: 17:55 Rating: T

How Harry became a tattoo artist. The descriptions of art in this fic are so beautiful; I can picture them clearly. The writing is efficient and minimalist but evokes so much emotion. I love this alternate journey for Harry - a way for him to work through some of his trauma.

A Gift of True Esteem by @teledild0nix - a Podfic (Spotify) Pairing: Draco x Harry Word count: 53,965 Length: 5:37:00 Rating: E

This is a personal one. I recorded this for the wonderful @teledild0nix at the request of their partner for an anniversary gift. Of course, I said yes! It's a sweet and thought-provoking fic: Hogwarts professors Drarry, educational reform, werewolves, actual queer representation, adorable magical pets. For me, the educational reform was the thought-provoking part, and Liddy does a great job laying out some of the problems with Hogwarts curriculum and then trying to fix it. I so enjoyed recording it, and even moreso the thought of @teledild0nix listening to it.

Mini-soapbox rant to hopefully make my post meta-thought-provoking: Liddy's partner asked me, when recording this, if they could compensate me for my work. I do some paid audiobook work in my free time, but this is fanfic, and I would have done this for free just because it's such a sweet thing for someone to do for a loved one.

(Shouting into the void and very much not at @teledild0nix's lovely partner:) But also don't try to monetize fandom!!! We do this out of love for the fandom and to increase accessibility for those who might not always be able to read. It's fun, it brings people together, and no one should be making money off it! Let's just all scream on the internet about how great and fun it is, okay?

[honest-moth-of-silver-grove]

Thank you so much for opening up matchups, I always love seeing my results! As for myself, I’m an asexual girl who’s somewhere on the aromantic spectrum. I adore history, reading, tea, writing, ice skating, art and sewing!

I’m pretty introverted and can get quickly drained being in large social groups or gatherings so I tend to prefer small hangouts or just time spent with one individual. When I really click with a person though I don’t find myself drained and can get pretty touchy and talkative! I have ocd, some past trauma and anxiety issues so if I did have a partner I would hope that they would be open to those parts of me and willing to be there for me when dealing with anything related to that. (And if they had that I’d do anything to help them work through it or just to help them feel comfortable and safe!)

I’m pretty easy going and relaxed for the most part although I am told I can be a bit blunt and that it looks like I’m always glaring (I’m not). I’m pretty upfront in setting boundaries and letting people know what I am comfortable with or not. While I do enjoy easygoing and light conversations, I also appreciate deep and intellectually stimulating discussions (or even just taking the piss out of someone).

Honestly as long as someone is open to engaging with my interests, is there for me both physically (not sex) and emotionally, and accepts me, then I’d be content! I’d be happy with that person no matter what (aka gender and orientation aren’t factors in whether I would like someone or not) although I would hope they are a more clean and tidy person or at least can learn to be one.

A/N: For you @amefuyuu, I’m thinking your best Baldur’s Gate 3 match would be Gale! 

☸ Gale is the right person for you! There’s been some discussion of the lack of ace representation in Baldur’s Gate, however, I read a very interesting Twitter thread that suggested that the characters of Gale and Asatrion could be interpreted as asexual if you squint. Astarion because he’s endured so much trauma, and in Gale’s case because his character makes a point to be clear that what he wants isn’t “just sex”, and that love and romance for him is something much deeper, much more spiritual than anything we could understand in just the physical realm. I’m not sure Larian would label Gale as asexual outright; instead, I believe it’s meant to be up for your interpretation. In this case, I see Gale as greysexual/demisexual. For him, sex is only wanted or a positive thing if he's developed a true romantic connection first. That being said, I think he’d also truly value a mostly aromantic companion, as long as your relationship is based on mutual respect/admiration and communication. He’s been holed up in that tower of his in Waterdeep for so long, so alone. He needs a companion he can't open up to. A companion he can enjoy quiet studying with. Someone who won't judge him too harshly for the mistakes of his past; someone who can see past his shortcomings into the kind of man he could be. And in return, I’d imagine he’d do the same. 

Gale loves history! He’s a bit of a history buff himself. Sure, most of it pertains to the history of magic or The Weave, but he’s also quite knowledgeable about the history of Waterdeep. He’d love exchanging knowledge with you- you tell him what you know of your world and he’ll tell you what he knows of his. And reading, oh my goodness! The man practically has his own private library back home with hundreds of tomes dedicated to all sorts of subjects. And although he may initially be hesitant to admit it, he has an entire section dedicated to nonfiction. 

Gale would love nothing more than to spend a beautiful sunny afternoon with you outside his home in Waterdeep, picnicking and having tea while you each sit in each other’s company, reading your respective favorite books. When the weather turns colder, he’d love to go ice skating with you. Well, he’d like to watch you ice skate, while he keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground beyond the rink. He’s not the smoothest of people. But that doesn’t mean he won’t go above and beyond to make it happen for you! Even conjuring an ice rink himself with a spell if he has to. If it really makes you that happy, then it’s worth it to him. 

Gale may not be the finest connoisseur of art, but he does enjoy showing off the things you create. And he’s very happy someone between the two of you knows how to sew. It’s also so bothersome to rip a hole in your clothes after an adventure or battle and need to go all the way to a tailor to get them fixed. 

Gale prefers smaller crowds as well. And he comes with his fair share of trauma- being raised by a single mother, his fallout from his unbalanced relationship with Mystra, to being infected with a Mind-Flayer parasite. He can be rather anxious himself, which is why he tends to talk in circles sometimes. He’s not always trying to be elusive, it’s just that it can be hard openly admitting your feelings when you don't know if the audience is right. He won’t ever judge you for the things you deal with, be it your anxiety or OCD. He knows he has his fair share of quirks and absolute ‘no-nos’ that most partners would find a bit annoying. He’s extremely grateful for how patient you are with him. He understands, even more so with you by his side, that healthy relationships are give and take across the board. Everyone has their moments. Everyone takes their turn. And that’s alright. It just means you’re human. (Or you know, whatever humanoid Faerun creature you happen to be!)

Typically easygoing himself, Gale is happy you’re not overly boisterous like Karlach. He too prefers more stimulating conversations. (He also secretly enjoys ribbing those he’s closer to, and he’s a fairly big fan of puns. But it might take a while for him to reveal those little fun facts to you.)

And while his workspace might be a bit messy, he’s more tidy than not. Granted, things may get strewn about here and there after a night of spell research, but he makes a point to eventually put things back where they came from. He learned this the hard way when he left a book out on his bed only to come back to it to find Tera sleeping soundly on its open pages. He was forced to wait for hours to finish his spell! All because he didn’t want to wake her by retrieving the book. (He has since done what he can to ‘tressym proof’ his home lol.) 

Honestly, Gale doesn’t mind not having sex. He’s used to it. He just really misses the other kinds of physical affection: hugs, pats on the back or shoulder. Touch can be so healing and grounding, but it’s hard to get any of that when you isolate yourself in a tower for years. He’s very pleased you care enough about him to give him that much. 

He thinks himself so blessed to have you in his life. 

[phregnancy]

The thing with the whole non monogamy discussion from queer culture of clubbing and other things like that is that the queer phannies who are around that completely forgets that some queers aren't into clubbing or hooking up at all. I knooow you can use hook ups without being a huge clubber and all i'm not grouping everything together of course but some phannies are so in love (and that's great theh love it) with that part of the queer culture they completely projects it on dnp and somehow thinks it's the ones that are queer but not engaged in that culture that project themselves. i totally get what you guys see with that poly/non monogamy view on dan and phil but to me their aura is not that style, they are just so. Like they are so. I really feel these phannies just. Don't get it. Dnp have a persona, they are entertainers, everything they say is always controlled to control the perception you have on them. You'll never know them the way a close friend will with them. They are board games gays, gaming gays, introverts stay at home gays (not that you can't do that if you hook up but you get my point) and phannies cannot cope with the fact they aren't going to parties, clubbing, smoking weeds (i'm not saying they never ever did that of course, just not at the same level some thinks.), on grinder, looking for polycules and texting their polycule. They are not the same generation first of all but also they grew up in such a different way and in a different time and in a culture that just is not... what phannies are trying to project. It's not erasing that that culture exist and is more common with gay men, it's that sometimes it's just not the case and there is a small part that is not like that. I could be wrong but the fact that many who totally believe they are non monogamous don't entertain the idea they might be wrong that i find a little weird. I love polygamy, how it change the way we look at love and sex, love that queer culture, i think it's united and beautiful and i think it's cute phannies use dnp as a way to identify themselves in them and get that representation don't get me wrong but i have so much to say about how i just think sometimes... it's just not it. unfortunately it's such a complex/controversial topic.

so i think it’s very interesting that all i’ve said is that open relationships are more common in mlm relationships and that i personally do not have any thoughts or opinions on them applied to dan and phil except that it wouldn’t be so incredibly shocking (because we don’t know the real intricacies of their sex lives) but that alone has led me to receive multiple asks claiming that i am throwing ENM onto them. i’m not, i literally do not care or imagine it at all. i don’t care about dan x stranger + phil x stranger, if it’s true or untrue it changes nothing about how i view them. i am only here for them as individuals and their relationship with each other.

and again i’m sorry but you’re showing lack of familiarity with diverse queer communities. i’m not engaged in club culture at all and i don’t think dan and phil are the types to be engaged in clubs or drugs or any potentially risky behaviors. i’ve worked a lot of jobs and have lived in multiple countries and have met a lot of people in my life because i actively seek out local queer communities. i know sweet married gay realtors who are in open relationships i know very catty engaged gay kitchen designers who are in open relationships i know multiple people who play on gay kickball leagues who are in open relationships - non monogamy is not as exclusive to club culture as this ask is making it out to be.

also - you mean polyamory, not polygamy.

[mahiiimahiiii]

This is my first asking to be paired up form a character so I hope it's okay to ask who I'm paired up with in BG3 just out of curiosity. Okay here gose.

I'm 24 years old woman. Some people say I have a bubbly personality but I'm not really a fan of talking to people. I like to read, I'd say my favourite book is pillow thoughts by courtney peppernell and a monster calls by patrick ness.

I also love animals so I graduated college for animal handling and behaviour. I'm 5'2 and I'm also chubby which I'm not a fan about myself with median strawberry blonde hair. My favourite colour is pink and food well you can't beat a Sunday dinner 😋.

Like I said I'm not really a fan of talking to people, which is ironic because my job place is a concert so it dose get lively. I'm aslo not a fan of loud noise so I bring my ear plugs with me when I start work.

My hobbies and interests well I like to read, draw sometimes and I like playing video games. My interests well I did say I love animals but I also love dinosaur so I'm very interested in fossil and learn more about them.

I hope it's not too much. 😅

hello!! thank you for your asks! I'm on a little break rn so I'm just crankin em out!

yay I'm glad this is your first time! i hope i make it worthwhile lol.

for you i would say Halsin, the vibes i derive from you are rosewater mist spray, oranges (specifically when you put the peel in your mouth and smile!).

you both share an interest in animals, which is a great place to start lol. i think its possible to be bubbly, and still be introverted, I'm sure that's something y'all could bond over. as his nature is calming and good hearted. i see y'all as the friend-group parents, always making sure the party has snacks and full canteens of water. even if its for a short nature walk.

i think the best representation would be, subak hwache (a cool watermelon punch is the best way i can describe it) sweet, refreshing, little bit of cronch, and slightly fizzy. something i would faceplant into if given the chance.

he's a very caring individual so i believe he would drop anything to take you anywhere, a true service partner. making time for you is his ultimate priority.

also you should be your biggest fan!!!!! you sound very cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm certain he would be a strong admirer of your softness, as nature had made you as you are- there's nothing wrong with how you look. if it means repeating to you day in and day out he will do so. your joy, your encouragement, and your confidence is a big thing in his heart

id believe he'd want you to be the most confident and the most sexiest you, you could possibly be

thank you for the ask <3

[renardtrickster]

That transradfem post really hits. My partner showed it to me and every point is spot on.

Even for a while on HRT it's still the "introvert guy with long hair" experience for a long time. I hope you get to transition one day <3

To throw out a crumb of charity, I do recognize that the aversion to talking about the IGwLH gap does come largely from a well-meaning place. Even putting aside the outwardly rude transphobia of "trying and failing to become a man", a fair amount of older, benevolent-intentions-but-still-kinda-harmful talk about trans women would describe them as "androgynous", "blending the lines between genders", liminal figures who aren't truly men or women, stuff like that. Affirmations like "you were always a woman", "there's not a single thing about you that screams 'guy'" push against that, and they are, in fact, Gööd™ and I like them. But in instances like this I think we're so hostile to the idea that there is any liminality or overlap present in the experience of thinking of yourself as a guy and living like that for X years and then realizing you're actually a girl and living like that for Y years that we just arrive at not only obstinance and pedantry, but actively erasing and talking over the lived experiences of other trans women. Which I find to be deeply ironic and kinda sad.

In addition to just being kind of weird sometimes. Like the common narrative is that of a trans girl who was deeply miserable, living in denial of an obvious truth, but then she realizes who her true self is and blossoms. But in my case, I wasn't particularly *unhappy* or in denial of anything. I had just never considered the possibility, and then I considered it, and then I figured "this is probably a more authentic representation of myself" and I think that's cool. But then I see other girlies saying that thinking of yourself as a guy in any way is indicative of you actually having deep-seated self-loathing, or talking about the fact that they were assigned male at birth as a crushing weight or entrenched source of guilt that they have to spend the rest of their lives "atoning for" and like. Jesus Christ. Who's talking about self-loathing here?

Tangent aside, I appreciate the kind words. I hope you and your partner have a pleasant week.

[thesunmoonandyou]

Eighteen years ago my best friend gifted me metal coasters in the shapes of a sun and moon. At the time and until recently, I thought they represented her and me- a Leo and Pisces. I have always kept them visible in my home. Staring at them now on my coffee table, I see them differently and am astounded at their new representation.

Our lives often twist and turn, winding us down switchbacks and tumultuous roads. When my monogamous marriage came to a screeching stop and dove right off a cliff into icy depths we could not escape, I thought I would never heal.

Nearly a year ago, I took a solo vacation that would change my world. I reflected on my hurt and began to slowly close those gaping, festering wounds. I returned as a new woman with a different perspective. I needed to focus on myself and learn to put me first. Slowly, I learned to enjoy my own company, and I found a peace and love for myself I had never known previously.

I began to embrace who I was. I needed to have more support in my life and to be around people who would also accept me exactly as I am. As introverted as I may be, I felt it important to socialize. I branched out into my local community. I didn't think much about dating or really actively seek any partners. I wasn't sure what I needed. But I began to meet some incredible people.

I already had one partner, but our foundations were shaky and our relationship complicated. I started to unravel my knots and realized that I no longer saw a single, monogamous relationship for myself. I am multifaceted with so many different interests. Why shouldn't my relationships reflect that? I love oranges. I eat them every single day. And oranges are more than enough for me.

But I also love peaches, and sometimes I want them. It doesn't change how much I love oranges. I started to realize that I wanted to add to love, not take it away. My entire life I thought I was only capable of loving one person, but I started to see that wasn't true. I could love others in different capacities, and no one love took away from what I was capable of feeling for someone else.

I was not a soul meant to only give my love singularly. And I firmly believed we had many true loves and soulmates that we would encounter in our lifetimes. I wanted to give that affection and love to as many as my heart could stand.

I am often asked by those who know about us how we came to be. It's a funny story that makes me laugh. She and I were friends first. Honestly, I paid little attention to him in the beginning. Handsome, kind, and charming he was quite desired by the other ladies in our community. Our encounters were brief. In fact, when we sat together at dinner he got up and went to sit elsewhere.

So imagine my shock when he messaged me the next day and asked me out. My immediate response was to send him a photo of me to make sure he had the right person. He did. My first question was if his wife, my friend, was okay with him reaching out to me. She had told me they were opening their marriage, but it was important to me first that she be comfortable before I even considered accepting a date.

He picked me up like a real gentleman and took me to dinner. He is far more of a talker than I am so I let him monopolize conversation while I observed. We connected pretty instantly and when he asked if we could try a scene together I agreed.

I found myself to be comfortable with him easily, which was uncommon. Before that night ended he asked if I would be his play partner. I agreed, which began the entwining of our threads. But our connection was strong and started to deepen quickly. Only a few weeks later, he called me to ask if I would be his girlfriend.

Laying together sleepily, I began to trace the tattoo on his arm. He had a sun on his right arm and moon on his left. I also have a crescent moon tattooed on my back. While I idly ran my fingertips around the sun, I felt an epiphany. She is bright, energetic, beautiful and vivacious- like the sun. I am quiet and reserved, giving way to light the shadows.

Those coasters given to me nearly two decades before I met them suddenly had different meanings. They were a foretelling of my path.

She is his Sun.

I am his moon.