snowcoffeee - Tumblr blog

[snowcoffeee]

Thank you @raccoon-robyn, I will cherish this Patch Of Moss forever.

@imtrashraccoon @naturaldreamer @not-found3 @vii-naught @owl-bones @nukos-last-tour @liliallowed

Have some moss :D

[snowcoffeee]

Note: this is a long analysis of Swap Dream and Classic Nightmare's character designs in relation to their roles as corrupted guardians (and for Nightmare, in relation to his personality). See more under the cut if you don't mind reading what appears to be a rough draft for a literary/artistic/character analysis essay LOL

I love "evil designs" for the dreamtale twins--Swap Dream and OG Nightmare--but i wish Swap Dream got some more love because i literally didn't know about him until a few weeks ago. Both of their designs, either unintentionally or intentionally, play into their roles as the corrupted guardian in their respective multiverses. Anyways i am now going to analyze the designs of og nightmare and swap dream. However, take this with a grain of salt because all of my knowledge of utmv comes entirely from tumblr/instagram fanart and AO3 fics, so i actually dont know much from the "canon" (if there is one). This analysis is not arguing that the designers intentionally put these design aspects to convey the traits that I describe. This analysis is more about how the elements the designers put into these characters align with their character traits. Additionally, as you will see in my Nightmare design analysis, I'll also discuss how original design elements have since coincided with fans' interpretations of the characters.

SWAP DREAM DESIGN ANALYSIS

Swap Dream's design has huge golden wings, and his crown turns into a floating halo-like object--the angel imagery is VERY apparent here, but it's juxtaposed by Swap Dream's manic expression, which is an indicator of Swap Dream's character as the "evil twin" in SwapDreamTale. Additionally, while his crown is pretty much the same as og dream's crown, it appears to have a completely different symbolism in the context of Swap Dream--the simple and elegant design that would symbolize the gentle nature of OG Dream now resembles a broken halo (otherwise known as a fallen angel's halo) in swap dream, which is emphasized by its larger radius and ability to float. The fallen angel symbolism adds more depth to the angel imagery by illustrating how Swap Dream isn't just someone who resembles an icon of goodness and purity; he is someone who used to be pure but has since fallen from grace.

This next part might be a stretch, but it may also add to this idea of turning away from goodness and becoming more corrupt. I have noticed that Swap Dream is often drawn with a long fur coat and "fancy" clothing that is typically associated with wealth, which stands out because of the idea in religion that angels are servants of a higher God-like being and are thus detached from the idea of material wealth due to their closeness to spirituality and transcendance. This could be connected to the fallen angel symbolism, since a turn from spirituality towards material wealth can be a part of corruption in a religious sense. I can't say much about Swap Dream other than his design because I don't know anything about his personality, but the symbolism in the angel/fallen angel motif emphasizes how he is the Guardian of Positivity fallen into corruption.

ORIGINAL NIGHTMARE DESIGN ANALYSIS

I originally wrote this post as a "hot take but swap dream's design is better than og nightmare's," but as I was writing it, I realized that Nightmare's design has some subtle symbolism in it--at least, it's more subtle than the symbolism in Swap Dream's design.

One aspect of Nightmare's design that I feel like is overlooked is his attire, which is pretty much OG Sans' clothes but covered in Nightmare's corruption. Nightmare's casual attire greatly contrasts his dramatic, serious personality and his formal mannerisms, but what I find interesting about it is that these specific clothes are associated with the Murder Time Trio--Killer, Dust, and Horror--who are almost always part of Nightmare's Gang, no matter the fanfiction or fanart. This contrasts Cross's attendance, for example, because in some fics he is either in Dream's group or is absent entirely. Although the murder time trio is subordinate to Nightmare, many fanfiction writers like to portray the Bad Sans Gang as a found family with Nightmare as the father figure, illustrating a sort of intimate closeness between the boss and his employees. The hoodie and shorts attire may play into the idea that Nightmare isn't someone who is detached or distant from the people he cares about; he is not untouchable or out of reach.

At the same time, the casual attire could signal Nightmare's detachment from his role as a Guardian of Negativity in the context of the original DreamTale. Nightmare's role as a guardian post-corruption is completely different from before his corruption, and this change in attire may reflect that. Pre-corruption, his attire is more like Dream's, which brings the ideas of heroism and adventure to mind--Dream sort of dresses like a cartoon adventure protagonist, after all! However, Nightmare's negative experiences as a benevolent guardian and subsequent corruption understandably and obviously have changed him into who he is in the present, and the change of attire parallels this change. His role as guardian has changed due to a different context.

Nightmare's tentacles are the most iconic and recognizable elements of his design. They give his design an unnatural element that emphasize the idea that this is not what Nightmare is supposed to look like, which is evident in Dream's perspective of post- and pre-corruption Nightmare. His tentacles also mean that Nightmare can interact with his environment without having to use his own hands, which is perfect for his character--he is a villainous boss with minions (ex. murder time trio) to do his bidding, so he doesn't have to get his hands dirty if he doesn't want to. The tentacles play on this phrase literally.

In the context of fanfiction where Nightmare isn't a completely evil person, especially in ones where he makes up with Dream or has a "Dadmare" found-family relationship with his employees, the tentacles subvert the idea of evil, corruption, and unnaturality and instead become extensions of comfort. In these types of fanfiction, Nightmare uses his tentacles to hug or comfort others, or to reprimand them like a parental figure would (ex. Holding two people away from each other so they don't fight).

CONCLUSION

Nightmare and Dream are some of the most interesting characters in UTMV in terms of their history and relationships with one another, and if you made it to the end of this analysis, thank you! It's awesome that fans created such an intriguing and complex system of AUs for an awesome indie game. Thanks to all the talented artists and authors who made it possible!

[snowcoffeee]

Aw, that's so kind of you!! Thank you! :D ♡ Void face Dust ftw!

I love it when people draw Dust in a special way, and not just "sans with eyebags and a hood on", like, when people give him a cap, or when you can only see the eyes bc it's pitch black inside the hood, or when people would only draw the MOUTH and it'd look creepy as fuck!! or when people draw him with glasses, which I've seen a couple artists do; or when they give him a face mask or even a gas mask, which I can't tell you why but I feel fits perfectly! ofc he'd have to take it off if he smokes and a solid 50% of the fanart of him I see has him smoking so yk but lol

I love any reiteration of Dust ngl, my guy deserves so much love jahsdbfgjhbs

[snowcoffeee]

Thank you so much for the tag @owl-bones!! :DD

@not-found3 @raccoon-robyn @nukos-last-tour @liliallowed @vii-naught and anyone else who'd like to try it! No pressure tho!!

thought this picrew was absolutely ADORABLE so i am starting a tag chain :DD

https://picrew.me/ja/image_maker/2069970

@apollos-dodgeball-target @morningstarthegood @quarter-noter @galloweye @mildlyinterestedcreature @apple--cid-er @ginjaninja839 @xo-linguine-pasta @clever-fandom-reference @keyboordspam @sneakyfox55 + whoever wants to GO FORTH AS YE WISH!!

[snowcoffeee]

@raccoon-robyn thank you so much for the tag!

This is terrifyingly accurate, hold on-

Some no pressure tags :D - @imtrashraccoon @vii-naught @naturaldreamer @nukos-last-tour @not-found3 @liliallowed

TYSM for the tag Ari! @thepetitemandalorian

This is FUN! Take the quiz here!

NP tags: @acrossthesestars @massivecolorspygiant @middimidoris @bellaxgiornata @moongirldreamer @souliebird @loveroftoomanyfandoms @mattmurdocksscars

[snowcoffeee]

Just read the whole fic in one day. You’re a gift from mankind and I love Dust even more even though he was my fav before this too

*Explodes into a million atoms of pure joy*

Thank you so much! You're very kind!!

[snowcoffeee]

Squealing, spinning, kicking my feet rn. Thank you so much, friend!! ;; <3

Hi!! Can I get one of those don't imagine drabbles with Dust? :D

Hi, friend~! ♥♥♥

Don't imagine doing the dishes, listening to some music in the background when a pair of arms wrap around your waist.

A squeak leaves your lips as you turn your head and you're met with a smug grin on Dust's teeth, a quiet chuckle leaving him. You merely pout at him and playfully smack his arm with wet hands, leaving wet marks on his sleeve, and then going back to washing the rest of the dishes.

Don't imagine Dust retaliating by nipping the side of your neck, watching you slowly lose your mind as you try to finish your task, but failing horribly as you seem to lose your grip over some plates and cups.

Don't imagine Dust smirking in satisfaction at your glare toward him. With you focusing on him and distracted, Dust easily pulls you away from the sink and picks you up without missing a beat.

Don't imagine his grin widening at your dumbfounded expression as he walks away from the sink saying you can wash them later.

Maybe.

[snowcoffeee]

Thanks for the tag! :D I enjoyed this more than I should've.

@liliallowed @imtrashraccoon @naturaldreamer

@vii-naught @owl-bones @not-found3

@nukos-last-tour @raccoon-robyn @rhodophoria

Sorry everyone lol

I wanna do this but idk who to do arghhhh sobs loudly

[snowcoffeee]

Not sure if you did this or not, but I thought I tag you! ♥

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the ask box of the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you.

I didn't! So thank you, @naturaldreamer!! <3 I couldn't put these in order, but here are five things:

Getting sudden writing zoomies when inspiration hits just right. Especially during burnout, this is a blessing.

I love chatting with friends online, and every notification makes me excited!

Finding amazing content about my favorite things (cough cough Dust cough cough Bad Sanses)

A long sleep :)

When it isn't too bright outside, because I have a bit of light sensitivity.

[snowcoffeee]

Thank you for the tag!

I can dislocate my left shoulder at will for some reason, but not the right one. No, it doesn't hurt. (Though I don't do it often since it's probably not a good idea lol)

@vii-naught @not-found3 @raccoon-robyn @nukos-last-tour if you want to, and anyone else who'd like to join :)

Hey this is to all my mutuals! Ala eighth grade introductions, please share a fun fact about yourselves! No pressure, I just find it interesting!

@cheriboms

@kirks-slutty-red-tights

@spocks-husband

@emperorsfoot

@eternally-intermittent who I was inspired by

@h0l0gramglasses

@kingof-the-crossroads

[snowcoffeee]

@imtrashraccoon thank you for the tag! This was fun :D

It's post-rock Thursday, baby!

@vii-naught @not-found3 (No pressure!) And anyone else who wants to join!

i found a cool tag game on twitter and i really wanna import it (o^ ^o)

this picrew + the last song you listened to :]

no pressure tags: @blood-loving-leech @overtaken-boredom @lesbianthatyaps @kameonerd566 @hexedvampire @laczki @anonymous-shxtposter @fleurafae @flovqy + anyone who wants to do it <3

[snowcoffeee]

My day ended up revolving around boops, and I regret nothing.

Thanks again @imtrashraccoon for the infinite boops! :D

[snowcoffeee]

drew a scene from my ficccccc

[snowcoffeee]

an anatomically wonky Red for your troubles 🤲

UF!Sans belongs to Vic/Fella

[snowcoffeee]

"it's nice to have someone call you out on being lazy"

This is for kuebiko, a lovely character study piece by @rhodophoria that really stuck with me. Please go read her work, she's an incredible writer ❤️

(I'm probably going to rework the last panel, but I've been meaning to do this for a while so I hope you enjoy 💕)

[snowcoffeee]

Been following the story since the very early days (like, chapter 11 i think). I told my friend about ashen wishes while explaining undertale aus and what the fanfiction is like for the fandom, and then they were like "wait a minute i wanna read this" and they asked me to send them the link! :D I showed them ur blog and pointed out all the other anon asks i sent you before. It was really cool. You're really cool

Oh my God, this just made my day! Thank you so much for sharing this, I've been smiling for the past ten minutes ;; And thank you for sticking around and following this story (woah chapter 11 has been a pretty long time ago), and for even telling about this to your friend!! You're really cool!! :D

Also, new chapter tomorrow :]

[snowcoffeee]

Looking back @imtrashraccoon :]c