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Traffic Character Analysis - Tango

Tango is very quick to act. He is propelled by his emotions and tends to let them take over. Everything that happens to him is shoved down deep inside and builds and builds until he finally bursts. He is deeply motivated by revenge, if someone wrongs him, he will get back at them tenfold. Tango is not afraid of what others think about him, he is happy to speak his mind and put his cards out on the table, just not all his cards. Tango makes a big impact in small ways that ripple and twist into waves. In reality, he holds all the cards and keeps them close to his chest. He has an interesting relationship with life and death. He uses fate as a bargaining chip without a second thought. To him, life is simply a commodity, same as any other. Tango is willing to sacrifice himself if that means that things go according to plan, fulfilling a perceived destiny. But that’s the thing, for someone so intrinsically connected with something so vital, for someone who tries to be everybody’s friend, for someone who’s alliances are ones of deep trust and reliance, Tango always ends up alone. He always takes his last breath away from the warmth of those he cares about. The fact that he is seemingly able to control life, doesn’t mean death will be so kind. 

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That’s the thing about sand. It gets under your fingernails and sinks into every wrinkle. It clings to every piece of fabric and fills your shoes. It stays with you, no matter how far you go. For the next few days and months you will wash and wash but there will always be a few grains left.

And alongside those grains sticks a memory, a moment that replays with each step that digs the little specks into your feet. You get used to the pain, the constant itch, because no matter how bittersweet, it's nice to reminisce.

But the little pricks don’t come with the cool breeze of the ocean, with the laughter of children and the relaxation of tired muscles. They come with hot summer sun that was never really summer. They come with shaky breath and screams. They come with red.

The desert stays with you.

No matter how hard you try to leave.

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The final chapter of Gilded Moonlight is out now!

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Do you remember the flowers that bloomed? I remember how they peppered the countryside. I remember how they hid the bloodstains in your hair. 

Do you remember a towering spiral of stone? I remember how it kept us safe. I remember how it was supposed to keep you safe. I remember how the grey stone turned red when you smiled. 

Do you remember wooden floors that creaked? I remember how we built this home together. I remember when I didn’t recognize who you were. I remember how the blood never left my hands. I remember how I kneeled. 

Do you remember the beautiful sky? I remember the sunsets kissed by golden light. I remember the sand under my nails. I remember your blood mixing with mine. I remember wilted petals. I remember how I couldn’t bring myself to cry. 

Do you remember how it ended? 

I remember.

I don’t want to remember. 

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Traffic Character Analysis - Jimmy

Jimmy is seen as weak, defenseless, vulnerable. Others think he needs to be cared for, to be protected. That may be true, but not for the reasons one may assume. Jimmy is often blamed for misfortune, used as a scapegoat, treated as the runt of the litter. He is reduced to a living symbol. However, he is more than just a symbol, he is a warning. Jimmy is a living, breathing cautionary tale. He is a warning to those who dare to think that things could change, to those who forget the real reason they are here. He is an omen of violence and death to come. But Jimmy refuses to go down without a fight. He tries his best to have fun, to lighten the mood, to make people’s days just a little brighter. When that inevitably fails, he grits his teeth to survive. He will do whatever it takes to live another day because he knows deep down that the moment he stops breathing is the moment his friends do as well. So he fights and claws his way out of the dirt, he works so hard to be anything more than the silence he leaves behind. He wants so desperately to be taken seriously, to not just befriend him out of pity. So when he does feel truly cared for, he doesn’t know how to react. He can’t imagine that he could be anything other than the butt of the joke. If someone likes Jimmy for who he is, they must be lying. But if they aren’t, well, Jimmy doesn’t faint at the sight of blood.

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Scar was used to being alone. It used to sting, but he stopped caring long ago. At a certain point he just had to accept that no one wanted him around. It wasn’t his fault, at least, he didn’t think it was. There was always something out of his control. Even when he managed to gain allies, they always left, or made it clear that they would if they could. But that didn't stop Scar from trying. Sometimes, there would be a few magic moments, and it felt as though someone truly cared about him. Scar wasn’t sure why he kept believing those lies. Now, as he sat on the hard stone with his back to that cursed button, he couldn’t help but smile. Near manic laughter fell from his lips as he leaned further into the rock, so lost in his own thoughts that it felt like a warm embrace. 

At least this time, he wasn’t stuck on the sidelines watching everyone else have fun. He felt less lonely in the company of dead bodies, than being surrounded by smiling faces just out of reach. 

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Traffic Character Analysis - Joel

Joel only truly cares about himself, he tries to act that way at least. He’s loud and bold and self possessed to the point of arrogance. His ego is larger than the size he claims his brain is. His alliances are merely friendships of convenience designed to get him just that much further. That’s the show he puts on at least. Inside, his insecurities overshadow his confidence. He desperately needs the approval of others, to think he is better than those around him. He operates on a sort of fake it till you make it basis, pretending to have the self assurance that he works so hard to scrounge up. This internal turmoil gives him a lack of stability. All it takes is one thought, one rumour, one temptation, and his hands are sticky and red. The violence gives him a rush he is yet to find another source of. The screams and pain twist into a sense of giddiness. Joel loses himself to the blood lust, exhibiting a complete lack of self preservation in the name of obsession. But the names in his mind are swimming and he doesn’t know who’s blood is coating his blade. None of that matters anymore, each slash is a step closer to a goal that’s since been lost among the dense forest of fear and pure elation. So he keeps pushing and stabbing, hoping that one day, he will finally feel like he is enough. 

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Pearl sat on her knees on the floor of her tower. Tilly sat across from her, tail wagging. Between them sat a small cake. It wasn’t much, Pearl had never claimed to be a good baker, but it was something at least. Plus, trying to use dog safe ingredients made the whole thing a bit of a mess, but it was still edible, probably. Peal took off her hood, shaking her head and letting her hair fall loose around her shoulders. A soft whine came from Tilly, the dog shuffling her paws anxiously. 

Pearl laughed. “I know, I know, just one more second.” She stood, grabbing a pair of small hand made wooden cups and filling them with some water that had been heating over the fire. She then dropped a few leaves into each cup. Placing the cups on the floor, one on each side of the cake, she sat down once again. 

“Alright.” Pearl raised her cup and tapped it gently against Tilly’s. “Happy dumping day!” Tilly immediately stuck her nose in the cake. 

Pearl tried to pull the cake away, but it was too late. “Oh come on! Save some for me!” Tilly let out a joyful bark. “Well at least someone likes my baking.”  She rolled her eyes and took a sip of the impromptu tea, nearly burning her mouth. 

“You know,” Pearl began, setting the cup down and leaning back, propping herself up with her arms. “I thought celebrating it like this would help take the bite out of the whole thing, but I guess not.” She let out a sigh, sinking down with her back against the floor. Tilly, as if sensing Pearl’s sudden change in mood, ran over and started licking her face, nose still covered in cake. Pearl tried to fend her off to no avail. Tears pressed against the back of her eyes and were promptly licked away. 

Maybe this whole idea wasn’t such a bust after all. 

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Traffic Character Analysis - Scott

Scott is a man of honour. He puts the needs of others above his own. He will do anything for those he cares about, even to his own self detriment. Sacrifice is a concept Scott is very familiar with. He will sacrifice everything, including his own life, to give his allies even just a small chance at survival. But no matter what he does, it’s never enough. Scott always ends up being the one left behind, the one left standing over a grave with wet cheeks. So he tries again, and again, doing everything in his power to force fate into taking him first. Still, he ends up a widow. But Scott is different in that respect, he refuses to shut everyone else out to avoid another heart break. He refuses to stop caring. That’s not the whole story, because there is a reason he only gets close with one, maybe two people. It limits the number of times he has to say goodbye. But Scott tries not to think about that. He exists in his own little bubble away from all the blood and death until it forces itself onto his doorstep. Then Scott will fight like hell to keep those he cares about safe, putting his life on the line for one more chance to see them smile. But there is one Scott refuses to do, play dirty. 

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Scar had never been religious. His time with the vex had taught him that those who were worshiped usually didn’t deserve the praise. It was fine, when half your best friends fall into the category of mad scientist, there weren’t a lot of things that went un-explained. The drama of gods and deities just made things more complicated, and Scar’s life was complicated enough already. It didn’t really matter, even magic could hold its own without some being in the stars to thank. But there was one thing, one small inexplicable thing that hung over Scar’s head and danced in his dreams, one tiny thing that refused to leave him alone. 

Scar couldn’t die. 

That fact on its own wouldn’t be worth fussing over. It was just a fact of life that people could die over and over again before finally kicking the bucket. Scar was not an abnormality. At least, that’s what he thought for the first couple hundred years. 

At first he thought it was vex magic, or maybe he was just really lucky. But the vex had abandoned him years ago and he was hardly considered lucky. Something was up. Every mark and divot in his skin was a testimit to a strangeness he couldn’t seem to shake. Proof of the thousands of times he had fallen and gotten back up again. Scar had met countless people that held similar claims, eldritch beings, immortal creatures, Joe, but none of them lived and felt pain the way Scar did. 

Scar was agonizingly human.  

He felt every breath as it entered his lungs, he got sick, he knew cold and warmth, he was made of blood and flesh and bone. Every once and a while, he would look up at the stars and feel the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. It felt as though he was being watched. As Scar went about his day, with all its small cuts and bruises, with all its sharp inhales and relieved exhales, he couldn’t help but start to think something was looking out for him. 

Or someone. 

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Traffic Character Analysis - Skizz

Skizz just wants to make everyone’s day a little brighter. He does everything he can to take people’s minds off all the chaos and grief if only for a moment. In Skizz’s mind, everyone has goodness within, somewhere deep down, even if it doesn’t seem like it. He puts allegiances aside in favour of smiles. But he doesn’t always get that chance. Skizz is loyal, he dedicates everything he has for the people close to him, for those he cares about. Teamwork is of the utmost priority. If everyone works together and does their part, there is nothing that can’t be accomplished. Skizz is the glue that holds people together, that stitches the fractures back together. All the conflict on the outside doesn’t matter if those he cares about care about each other. But all that work takes a toll, and Skizz needs an outlet. When he gets a chance to let loose, he takes it to the extreme. Skizz gets blinded by his own desire to be free from the responsibility he has forced upon himself. But all the blood on his hands is worth it if it means everyone gets to be friends for just a moment longer…right? Because that’s all this is, making sure everyone else stays all buddy buddy. So why do they keep looking at him like that? Like he’s some crimson monster? That doesn’t matter. All that does matter is that he’s surrounded by smiles. Is it so selfish to wish for one on his own face?

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Hermitcraft microfics 8

Gem sat up with a jolt, gasping for breath, hands patting her chest for the bloody gash that had been there only moments ago. Reality hit her, foggy memories growing sharp. 

She had just lost a fight, to Joel of all people! Gem’s eyes drifted to her communicator, to the message that sat front and center. She smashed her hand against the wall, wanting the message to disappear, wanting her failure to disappear. The effort was in vain, and she knew it, but it felt so good to hear the screen crack, to feel the impact in her bones. 

It still didn’t change anything. 

Gem had spent her time with these people building a reputation. Trying desperately to prove she wasn't some weak little forest girl. That was always how others saw her, some child that needed protection. But when she had a sword in her hand, when blood stained her shirt, she felt strong. That was how she wanted to be known, as someone who wasn’t to be messed with, someone who could take care of herself. But now look at her, she was weak and defenseless and now everyone knew, all of that work had been for nothing. 

Gem forced herself to stand, to begin the walk of shame back to the club. 

It was only a matter of time before all the voices were proven right.

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Traffic Character Analysis - Ren

Ren is a natural leader, but he doesn’t want to be. He craves the power, but hates the responsibility. But he can’t have one without the other, so he tried to find work arounds, giving the responsibility to a close ally, being in charge of something most people don’t even know exists, pledging himself to some other leader, but it isn't enough, it isn't the same. So he deals with it, trying to make decisions that help those he cares about. Ren cares fiercely, and he takes loyalty incredibly seriously. Betrayal is a cardinal sin. If he is willing to lay his life down for someone, he expects the same of them. He puts his cards out on the table, doesn't hide his intentions, does not give people a reason to leave. They know what they are getting into, so they have no excuse. Ren trusts completely, and it is not hard to earn it. He is a sucker for the dramatic, he needs to make a statement, he needs to make his actions known. He needs the glory. Ren is insecure, he is afraid that if he doesn’t make some sort of big spectacle, what he works so hard to achieve will be for nothing. That is unacceptable in his eyes. So he puts on a show, makes himself into whoever everyone else wants him to be, who he thinks he needs to be. It has gotten to the point where he doesn’t really know who the real Ren is anymore, he has played so many characters he doesn’t know which one is real. So he keeps pushing, keeps doing the next big thing, keeps being the next big thing, because that’s all he knows. As long as those he cares about care about him, as long as his name never stops floating on the breeze, as long as those around him trust him as deeply as he trusts them, that’s all that matters. 

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Oh I love this idea!

Etho always gets too attached to his allies to the point of obsession. He drives himself into the ground, doesn’t care about his own well being.

Tango has rage issues. He takes things too personally and too far, trying to cope by ignoring his problems.

Bdubs feels like his has to prove himself, like he has to go out of his way to make others see what he is capable of. This is often to his own self detriment and those he cares about being caught in the line of fire.

The games have always had a lasting impact on Mumbo and Lizzie, and even something like this is too much too soon.

Skizz is the only member of B.E.S.T in Real Life. That’s because while the other members are stuck in their habits, Skizz is far more open minded. He is not there to heal, but to help others around him heal.

I just wanted to share my thoughts on Real Life.

It’s Girlboss Gasslight Gatekeep reuniting after Double Life separated Pearl so completely from those she has grown so close to

It’s Scar and Grian getting a chance to just have fun and heal without their past mistakes weighing on them

It’s Martyn and Ren getting back together and filling the hole they left in each others hearts

It’s Bigb being unable to be ignored

It’s Jimmy not being but a warning of death to come

It’s Gem no longer being chained down by her reputation

It’s Cleo getting a chance to be in the spotlight and not be left in the shadow of her allies

It’s Skizz being able to rekindle old friendships

It’s (most of) the Southlands getting back together and mending what was broken

It’s Joel working with Scar and others without being reliant on his allies

Real Life was about healing what was so deeply fractured, about wordless apologies and smiles that made all the pain melt away. Do you know why Real life was merely a joke and not really canon? Why everyone wasn’t there? Because the lifers would never truly be allowed to be happy like this.

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I just wanted to share my thoughts on Real Life.

It’s Girlboss Gasslight Gatekeep reuniting after Double Life separated Pearl so completely from those she has grown so close to

It’s Scar and Grian getting a chance to just have fun and heal without their past mistakes weighing on them

It’s Martyn and Ren getting back together and filling the hole they left in each others hearts

It’s Bigb being unable to be ignored

It’s Jimmy not being but a warning of death to come

It’s Gem no longer being chained down by her reputation

It’s Cleo getting a chance to be in the spotlight and not be left in the shadow of her allies

It’s Skizz being able to rekindle old friendships

It’s (most of) the Southlands getting back together and mending what was broken

It’s Joel working with Scar and others without being reliant on his allies

Real Life was about healing what was so deeply fractured, about wordless apologies and smiles that made all the pain melt away. Do you know why Real life was merely a joke and not really canon? Why everyone wasn’t there? Because the lifers would never truly be allowed to be happy like this.

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Hermitcraft microfics 7

Magic mountain 

That was what Scar had called this place. It could have been any number of synonyms or poorly thought out plays on words but no, he just had to choose that name. There was no way it was just a coincidence, sure things went over Scar’s head fairly often, but he couldn’t forget about that. Joel didn't know what to do, should he talk to him? This was the first chance they really had to just talk, not have to worry about looking over their shoulder or never opening up because it could end at any moment. 

Joel let out a deep sigh, looking out over the warm pink forest that covered the mountain top. That’s right, he was standing on top of the mountain this time. He wasn’t scared to be up here, he wasn’t left alone in a cave because he refused to take the kinds of risks that Scar didn’t even think about. 

He wasn’t alone. 

Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all, it gave him a chance to replace all of those cold memories. After all, blood was only a deeper shade of pink.

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Traffic Character Analysis - Pearl

Pearl is loyal and kind. If she trusts someone, she will stay by their side no matter what, do anything for them. Is it too much to ask for the same care to be reciprocated? She is slow to trust, she wants to make sure her allies are worth it, but she needs them just as much as they need her. Loneliness claws at her chest and eats her up inside, it chips away at her soul until it drives her mad. If you break Pearl’s heart, it is only a matter of time before yours finds its way out of your chest. She is not afraid of a little blood on her hands, of making sure those who have wronged her pay. Red, is her favorite colour afterall, it is the colour of love and blood, poppies and pinpricks. It embodies her duality, she cares fiercely, and fights with the same venom. She knows her worth, and that's what makes being abandoned all that much more painful. If someone doesn't want her, she will do everything in her power to prove how big of a mistake they are making. It doesn't matter how much blood drips from her blade, every drop is another broken promise stitched back together with the same tattered thread she used on her own heart. She’s alright on her own, she can take care of herself, the twisting in her gut and the tears that carry her off to sleep don’t matter. Who cares if everyone else thinks she’s crazy, she’s doing just fine. Is it really all that wicked to smile at the pain of those who've wronged her? Because if it is, she’ll gladly take the compliment.