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Nickel and Balloon's arc and why you may be wrong about it, and why you are wrong about Suitcase and Nickel as well.

Nickel didn't trust Balloon because Balloon was a dick on s1 (something that the fandom forgets so fucking much), and of course he wouldn't trust Balloon being a part of the alliance either since Baseball (Nickel's best friend) and Suitcase (Nickel's ally/Baseball's closest friend) were part of it. "But Nickel didn't care about Suitcase-" he did, Adam himself did say he did care for her, but he strongly lacks emotional intelligence to truly get her. So of course, he didn't want to risk it, even if he does believe that Balloon wants to change, he doesn't want Suitcase to get involved with the guy.

Although Nickel doesn't want Balloon near and is an asshole towards the guy, I think that all of you kind of also forget that at one point on s2, Nickel did say that he thought that Balloon wanting to change was something good, but that he still didn't want to be associated with the guy. Which is, yes, shitty on his behalf, but it makes sense character wise. It's a case of "it's great that you want to be a better person, but i don't want to be near you even so", which is something most people felt at one point of their life.

Adding to this behaviour of his, again, it wasn't just because "Nickel is a dick without excuses", protecting his loved ones (his alliance) is. Kind of his whole thing. You know. He cares about them but sucks at showing it (this includes how he treated Baseball, looking at you all), he has the thought that if he's on control of a situation, no one will get hurt. He sucks at communication. Hell, it's even said on the series, he is afraid of change and also about accountability. ACCOUNTABILITY.

So yes, the way he treated Balloon isn't justified, even Nickel says it himself, but he has his reasons as to why he acted like that. But I think that you guys also need to remember some more important stuff as well. Nickel wasn't like this because he fully wanted to, but his behaviour towards Balloon was also constantly justified by Baseball.

And so here's the main question that troubles everybody so fucking much it's stupid.

"Why did Nickel change his mind on Balloon on s3 like that? It doesn't make sense"

Listen.

The reason as to why Nickel actually gave himself a chance to know Balloon properly is because of two very important factors. So I know that some of you might not be familiar with the official II comics, but the first reason is in one of the comics actually.

Especifically on the Letters Comic.

The plot of the comic is Balloon writing letters to those who he wronged/had a bad relationship with, and this includes pretty much all of the S1 cast (excluding the ones that are still on S2). And guess what, Nickel gets a letter as well.

There isn't a canon outcome as to what Nickel did with the letter. We don't know if he threw it away or took a look at it. But to me, I think that he did took a look at it. I will explain why later on in this post.

The second reason as to why Nickel's behaviour with Balloon changed on S3 was because, Baseball wasn't there to try to justify Nickel's hatred towards Balloon. In fact, what he got instead was Box, and we know that Box is like, Nickel's best friend on s3. What Box does is basically telling Nickel to get his shit together, stop holding onto stupid grudges and do it for the team.

And he does! And mind you, that was on the first episode of season 3! He decided to put away his petty feelings so the team could work, which pretty much already tells you that meanwhile early s3 Nickel has as much snark as S2 Nickel does, he actually recognizes when it's time to play on the game and when it's time to be petty. He's more of an nuisance towards Balloon on the first ep all things considered, but it seems that unlike S2, Balloon has grown a lot of confidence as well, and isn't sad at Nickel's comments, but rather calls him out on them. And even IF Nickel didn't exactly like to side with Balloon, as the eps went by, despite Box was the main reason as to why they were hanging out, Nickel was actually experiencing Balloon's change. He didn't want to be involved on s2 because BB told him that his distaste was justified (and that ended up messing everything for the Grand Alliance), but now he's "forced" to accept and know the guy because Box told him it was the best for the team. On early s3 they tease eachother, yes, but their relationship seems to be better than before.

As well, it wasn't out of nowhere either way, since Balloon does imply that both Nickel and him hanged around just to mess with Yinyang back at the Hotel.

That's my main reason as to why I think that Nickel DID read the letter in fact, but still had very complicated feelings towards Balloon, because in his mind, to him, Balloon was the reason as to why Suitcase, someone who Nickel really got attached to (even if you can't believe it), "betrayed" him. But we know that's not true. But at the end of the day they do end up hanging around well.

"But Max, why did they end up having a fall again? Aren't they supposed to be healthy?"

First of all there is a reason, second of all, oh my god conflict won't fucking kill you. You see. Nickel SUCKS at communication. He can't let out his feelings as much as he would like to do so, because he's scared of getting hurt and such. So yes, Nickel and Balloon were good friends there, but the down fall was necessary for them in order to ACTUALLY be a healthy friendship. The problem is that Nickel doesn't get that he fucked up a lot more than he thought and that he is the problem.

He still thinks that Suitcase left his side because of Balloon and of course that hurts- but he feels so bad about the way he treated Suitcase as well, even if he's not fully aware of why he feels like that. So that's why the conflict HAD to exist. You can't just expect them to be okay like nothing without talking about S2 properly, it doesn't work like that. Yes, they both care about eachother, but they STILL had to talk about it.

Now, on the yet, most controversial scene when it comes to Nickel's arc: Clover's therapy.

Some people say that Nickel didn't have to just be talked like that and that they expected more, but dare I say, that's exactly what he needed. To talk properly about his feelings. It's like you guys didn't catch up on that. Nickel's thing is being overprotective over those he loves, and seeing the things that might harm said loved ones or himself as threats that he needs to get rid off in order to be okay, and that he is afraid of change. Nickel knew he messed things up, but he still kept on thinking that Balloon was the one that made Suitcase betray him, when that's not really true.

He needed the talk to realize that it was truly his fault. Please take note at the way he looks to the side once he realizes it. It wasn't just a recent thought, it was always there, but he was scared of it coming true. Clover's talk made him open up properly about it and Clover also says it, "but don't you want to?" and then he says "mhm, maybe", but he really does want to, which is why he changes so much on Ep 16.

So before you say that Nickel didn't regret what he did and that he only did because of Clover: how can you be so wrong about something.

And, oh.

Oh, episode 16.

It treated them so well.

What Nickel says here is that he was scared of falling in Balloon's tricks, he was scared of being manipulated. Again. It wasn't out of nowhere. The way he treated Balloon WASN'T out of nowhere.

Is it justified? No. Does II or Nickel himself ever say that it is? No. The series as a whole is telling you that it was awful of him, characters do call out Nickel on his shit behaviour (even if you think they don't, they do, calling out isn't always strong words, sometimes calling out acts as feedback. as pointing things out. of course he also gets called out in the other way on the series, but PLEASE don't say that he didn't get called out because of his actions, he quite literally died because of them), Nickel HIMSELF recognizes that he was awful to Balloon and he is okay with the possibility of Balloon not wanting to forgive him either way.

But they ended up talking things out in the end. They ended up okay, because Balloon can genuinely see that Nickel wants to change. The walls he put are gone. He can see how genuine the guy wants to be.

"But Balloon shouldn't forgive Nickel, not after all the pain he caused to him"

Listen. Both of them commited mistakes. Balloon recognizes that he wasn't a good person back then and wanted to change things. Nickel finally got that and Nickel also showed Balloon that he does mean well. People that had complicated relationships CAN work things out, crazy I know, and I'm saying this as someone who had beef with their now best friend over similar stuff. We apologized and now we're close. It happens.

Balloon really cares about Nickel. And Nickel really cares about Balloon.

And Nickel is okay with Balloon winning because that's his friend now. Nickel changed for the good. And it makes sese character wise.

Nickel regrets what he did to Suitcase and Balloon as a whole. And Balloon and him are best friends now.

So, no, Balloon and Nickel aren't a toxic relationship, much less a problematic ship given all of the circumnstances, and saying that they are is missing on the whole arc they went through. They were complicated and they both had their reasons at the end of the day. No, Nickel wasn't purposefully an asshole to Suitcase, he was seeking to protect her, but ruined everything on the process. Yes, Baseball and Nickel needed to be separated in order to grow because they weren't healthy to eachother. Yes, the Nickel and Balloon arc had to go as long as it did in order for it to end properly, and it's not even done yet, Baseball and Suitcase are still waiting. Yes, Nickel meant good with the things he did. No, it doesn't justify any of the things he did. And, finally, the Grand Alliance arc is well executed, just because it's complicated it doesn't mean it's bad.

And those are statements that can coexist.

Thank you for reading. :]

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sorry guys (i agree)

Reasons why I HATE Bickel + a lil bit of me defending Nickloon but mainly my reasons why I hate Bickel:

1. Baseball and Nickel are shown to be best friends since the beginning of season 1, of course; that makes them a good candidate to be shipped together. HOWEVER, it has been 3 years since their last interaction and even so, majority of their interactions are genuine casual friendly interactions. I don’t like how people interpret the time Nickel reassured Baseball that he is a good leader as something “romantic” or “lover-coded” like NO. That’s normal saying to your friends they’re doing their best.

2. Baseball is over Nickel’s elimination and is completely aware Nickel was wrong for what he did and forgave Suitcase for voting off Nickel and genuinely cares more for Suitcase in the whole Grand Slams drama. Meanwhile Nickel still has a long way to go of apologizing.

3. Baseball quite literally feels he wasn’t a good leader to his team and acknowledges his pervious hypocrisy of when he voted off Testtube and went on to say, “Nothing personal”. With episode 15, it shows me Baseball would rather focus on bettering HIMSELF more than anything, even more than wanting to see his best friend. Because Nickel wasn’t his only friend or someone he cared about. It was the Grand Slams he cared about. And also EVERYONE KNOWS: Never get into a relationship before loving or bettering yourself first. Baseball still needs to fully apologize to Suitcase, and ask/question Nickel about his past actions.

4. I’m fully aware Cakebrunch did do fanart for Bickel and so people say they’re canon for that, BUT REMEMBER: They were in charge of the storyboards and I like to mention how I’m pretty sure Nickel canonically winked at Balloon offscreen based on III17 storyboard. That’s my counterattack, because I think it’s hilarious how people think Bickel is good, for me it’s obviously not good.

5. Any ship with Baseball is automatically bad for me. The dude prioritizes his friends and team yet couldn’t do that correctly. The last thing on his mind would be a relationship.

6. Baseball obviously doesn’t agree/like with Nickel’s actions from his elimination and throughout the armless alliance.

7. Nickel hasn’t really opened up to Baseball much like he has with Balloon. Nickel is also basically stereotyped by the Inanimate Insanity team to be “Balloon’s right hand coin”. Also, when referring to seeing Baseball and Suitcase again, he says he does miss Baseball (which is normal for any of the overly obsessive and toxic Bickel shippers..) AND wants to apologize to Suitcase, that also shows his priority of wanting to move past the drama + makes a light joke about how it’d be funny if he and Balloon walk into a room with those nerdy best friends shirts. Indirect way to show how much Balloon and Nickel have gotten close.

8. Most of the Bickel shippers in general. I’ve seen so many toxic Bickel shippers constantly saying, “Bickel is better than Nickloon”, my friend made a pretty epic Nickloon post and she had to take it down from the absurd amount of Bickel shippers saying they’re toxic. SORRY YOU CAN’T HANDLE A CLASSIC ENEMIES TO FRIENDS TO LOVERS TROPE!!! (Nickloon isn’t that bad compared to maybe a ship from MHA like BKDK, they were terrible until I think season 6 and thats when they were considered good. I don’t know much but I have a friend with the initial C, who loves that ship and knows not all enemies to lovers are bad, if people like BKDK, then how would they not like Nickloon. I’d say BKDK was far more longer of being toxic than good due to the earlier seasons.

Overall, I don’t discourage you to not ship Bickel, this is my opinion. I don’t like it and that’s okay guys if you do, I just REALLY needed to let this out because of how much it’s considered good in a way. It’s giving me the vibe of: Obvious Best Friends. Not, 𝓑𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝓯𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓭.

Now I’m gone again cuz school coming soon. Also sorry if I was a bit too harsh.

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gotta take a break guys, working on the fanfic  AKA my inanimate ronpa fic + i will make art so yeaaah

sooo no posts for maybe 2 weeks or less bc i have school coming up too, sorry!

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To all the supporters of Palestine 🙏

We still need less than 1350€ to reach our short term goal of 50% ‼️

Your donations are important for our survival

Please help me reach our goal as soon as possible 🙏

We appreciate your help ❤️🙏

Free Palestine!

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Hello dears ! I am asking you to support my campaign to help me to reach my goal. I am now in bad need to your support to help me stay alive and safe. Gaza is a very dangerous place either on the level of livelihood or on the level of souls. I need your monetary support to ensble me to get the basic needs for my family till Rafah crossing point reopens to move my family to safety and peace.Pleasd help a family be alive through your small donations or througn your shares to others.Thank you so much for your stand beside people in need .

sharing this because yes. I’m more than glad to help spread this message =].

Free Gaza.

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II MOVIE REAL OMG

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pls tell me you get it

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Pointy pointy pointy

+

Taco’s Tirade

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OH MY GOSH THIS IS AMAZING!! I LOVE YOUR ART ‼️‼️‼️

SHUT UPPPPP

SOMEONE DRAW THIS ASAP 😭😭😭😭😭

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in honor of today’s episode

(some art i did before bc of the ep when i went to the tour :3)

SHES GOING THRU IT RN.

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THEY DIDDD!!

Will they

Will they ever get a reunion in S2?

(i miss them ahhwgsbqhajnsnhebGjwmsnjsbwhsjdnbdudndnhzhabsnjxjdnzm)

While I cannot say or no, it's good to know that this (and other questions about seeing certain things/characters) is what people may want. Always helps to have a vibe for that :o

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A THEORY:

Why did Cobs call Mephone4 by the end of the episode?

Well I have a good amount of reasons why.

There might be a chance Cobs found out about the fact Mephone4 remembers his memories, maybe Cobs has some sorta device? It would make sense considering Mehone4 has been in contact with Cobs UP UNTIL NOW: THE MOMENT HE GOT HIS MEMORIES BACK. I think the cube thingys gives Cobs the opportunity to call him.

Steve Cobs knows about the season and he’s gonna pull a “uninvitationals” on Mephone4. He’s definitely going to have all the mephones with him AND Toilet either held captive or maybe—on COB’S SIDE

Toilet could also be the reason Steve Cobs returned. I mean COME ON, when Toilet got basically kidnapped, maybe he was brainwashed! Or forced to say where Mephone was. Maybe one of the two or an entirely different reason but it’s possible Toilet has something to do with it!

That is all, lemme know your theories! I’m super curious and eager to here them!!

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.

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WE NEED TO PICK APART THEIR BRAINS.

OMIGOSH

LIGHTBULB SAID NO.

BASEBALL SAID NO.

OMIGOSH

SUITCASE SAID NO?!?.!?.!.?.!.?

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BTW THE TOUR CONFIRMED COBS WILL RETURN