coyarchivist

[coyarchivist]

I personally hate the beforan trolls because it seems like they were made just to parody the audience of like 15 year olds online in a way that makes it clear the author HATES them. They’re one dimensional and not a single one of them is a good person in any way. Do you feel this way? I just hate reading the beforus part because it feels so hostile to the people reading it.

Hi, I don’t mean to be rude, but this is the funniest possible fucking ask to send to the literal sole and only Alpha Troll analysis blog. Are you new here?

[coyarchivist]

- - -coyArchivist [CA] began trolling tumblrCommunity [TC] at 05:58- - -

I have some opinions about Nepeta i wanna share during these wee hours of the morning!

Nepeta is becoming a sleeper favorite as i try to reanalyze Homestuck in different contexts. This is for a lot of reasons but mainly for my own interpretation of Nepeta as a stand in for characters in fandom who are the subject of endless debates about their characterization.

Whether its characters being infantalized because of their kindness and naivety like Papyrus or even Woobiefied like Vriska and even Karkat to a degree, if a character in a fandom has a kind heart or tragic backstory (or even both) the fans who like them can become blind to the possibility that the can be held responsible for their actions or can make mature or rational decisions. And while I personally understand the reflex of trying to justify why you like a morally dubious character or holding a character close as an example of kindness and morality it often ends up neutering your ability to enjoy nuance in characters.

I LOVE Vriska and Eridan because they are uniquely shitty due to their circumstances they are a product of their upbringing and struggles so when Vriskas attempts to be good for selfish reasonsor Eridan ends up rejecting his own potential for goodness in favor of revenge and self loathing fueled violence it paints a very deep and satisfying character that when analyzed gives the reader a lot to appreciate. How this ties into Nepeta for me is this, when you can only view a character in a certain way either rigid purist or apologist a character like Nepeta becomes nearly invisible to you, she is written in such a way where she becomes above the concept of debates regarding her character.

As a Heart player she is a very forwardly unique character and proud of it. She lets you know what she is about almost immediately and is refreshingly uncomplicated about it, it’s all right there on the tin. Her role in the comic is minimal and while this would be a detriment in most contexts when looking at her from the lens of fandom this works in her favor. You get everything you need to know about her at once and if you like her she becomes an open canvas for interpretation, can she smoke catnip? Yea sure! Would it be out of character for her to fujoshi-out over a shipping chart upon discovering Gamzee may have flush feelings for Tavros? Absolutely not! How about a more serious possibly messy exploration of her moirallegience with Equius? YES YES YES she is a very dedicated moirail!

I feel that while this has been a tad bit rambling it’s enough to open up a conversation about Nepeta being a great canvas for fandom. No the possibilities aren’t infinite but its really hard to get her wrong, you either attach to her immediately or shes not exactly your thing and thats okay! Those who do latch onto her and appreciate what she brings will do her justice enough, shes a simple and fun character who can be adapted and explored by the fans in a way the comic never did and thats a gift when it comes to Homestuck.

As a fairly new Homestuck, ive just beginning to understand how its narrative simultaneously walks hand in hand with and left an unmistakable impression on fandom as a whole. I picked up the habit of combing over the really rich narrative and equally rich characters to try and understand it better with hopes to feel the spark i felt picking up the series for the first time all over again when i attempt to create something for myself. Feel free to open up discussion with me and others about the topic im really interested in what the community thinks about Nepeta as a whole and my opinion i shared!