#and also kind of still a coping mechanism

[auren-zagarra]

Your psychological analyses are so cool to read! Normally I'd skip something like that but it caught my eye since you're in the profession and I'm more receptive to that (It doesn't help that I have the same opinion as your conclusions and while people can think what they want....it's satisfying to feel like you're right and have proof lol).

Would you consider doing an analysis on Jamil sometime? He's my fave and I'd like to understand his mind a bit better. And maybe you could make an educated guess on what he'll do in the future (like will he continue staying a servant, will he break free from it, will he keep contact with Kalim? I'd love to see him break away from servitude but still work for Kalim in a good position, like how Jafar was for the Sultan)?

Jamil Viper: A Psychological Analysis

Disclaimer: Although this post is written by a professional psychologist, it is not intended to serve as a formal diagnosis. Rather, it is a character analysis of Jamil Viper, created out of personal interest and passion for world-building. In psychological practice, accurate assessment should never be based solely on external observation.

Author Notes (edited): Hello! First of all, thank you so much for being so sweet - you're all incredibly kind, and I really appreciate the support. I just want to clarify a few things: Jamil’s analysis was especially challenging because his canon material differs between the Japanese version and the official English translation. So, I decided to stick with the fan-made translation of the original game. That said, his character is quite difficult to diagnose, it was a pain to write that </3. I just want to also clarify something: Jamil’s situation wasn’t one of ownership or slavery. There’s an important distinction between being a slave and being a servant, and I believe his case falls into the latter. That said, it's still a form of systemic abuse. Also, it’s important to recognize that his parents played a significant role in shaping who he is. Their influence likely contributed just as much to his personality and emotional responses as his role within the Asim household.

Jamil Viper is introduced as a dutiful student of the Scarabia dormitory and vice housewarden under Kalim Al-Asim. Jamil is the son of the Viper family, which has served the Al-Asim household for generations. From childhood he was raised explicitly as Kalim’s attendant, trained never to outshine or disobey his master. In practice this means Jamil maintains an outwardly modest and compliant persona: he avoids drawing attention to himself and consistently downplays his own abilities (as he notes in flashbacks, he “could never surpass Kalim” and would “pretend to be incompetent” whenever they played together). Narratively, Jamil initially appears as a loyal, if somewhat reserved, companion to Kalim, however, in the story’s fourth book (Schemer of the Scalding Sands) his long-suppressed resentment bursts forth: he concedes he plotted for years to unseat Kalim and publicly betrays him. In summary, canon portrays Jamil as a complex character shaped by his birthright - ostensibly a humble guard and confidant, but one whose hidden ambition and bitterness drive a dramatic reversal in Book 4.

Personality and Coping Mechanisms

Psychologically, Jamil exemplifies a blend of traits that reflect his upbringing. On the Big Five dimensions, he appears highly conscientious (dutiful, disciplined, tradition-bound) and relatively neurotic (internally anxious and resentful). For example, he meticulously plans his schemes and strictly adheres to social protocol, yet he harbors deep anger and frustration beneath the surface. He is neither overly extroverted nor warmly amicable; rather, he is soft-spoken and measured in public, which can be interpreted as moderate agreeableness mixed with a hidden competitiveness. Openly he defers to Kalim and maintains cordiality, but privately he covets recognition for himself. This duality may reflect Freudian dynamics: Jamil’s superego (internalized duty and family honor) conflicts sharply with his id impulses (rage and ambition).

Psychodynamically, Jamil’s behavior fits with classic defense mechanisms: repression of anger and frustration, and reaction formation. By unconsciously blocking (repressing) unacceptable impulses, he avoids direct confrontation. His loyalty and conscientiousness can be seen as a covert expression of anger, where he over-compensates with dutiful service (a form of reaction formation). Anna Freud’s definition notes that such defenses are “unconscious resources” the ego uses to reduce internal conflict. For example, Jamil may sublimate his anger into work and organization; by exerting rigid control over his duties he gains a sense of agency in an otherwise powerless role. Cognitively, he likely maintains schemas (core beliefs) of inferiority and duty, which shape his interpretation of events. When Kalim’s behavior upsets him, Jamil might use rationalization or justification to cope (e.g. reminding himself it’s his duty). In short, psychological theory suggests Jamil copes by erecting internal barriers and strictly controlling his outer world, keeping his true feelings buried beneath a calm facade.

A Life of Servitude: Trauma and Its Effects

Jamil’s upbringing meets the definition of chronic childhood trauma. Generations of Vipers have effectively lived under a hereditary servitude contract to the Asim family, and Jamil himself has known no other life. In clinical terms, prolonged exposure to such inescapable stress in childhood (akin to slavery or trafficking) predisposes a person to complex PTSD (CPTSD). According to ICD-11, CPTSD arises from prolonged or repetitive trauma from which escape is impossible - explicitly, authoritative sources list slavery and childhood abuse as triggers for CPTSD. Symptoms of CPTSD include persistent negative self-concept, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties in relationships. Jamil’s behavior aligns with these: he often feels worthless or trapped by fate (a negative self-view), shows intense anger when pushed but must hold it in (emotion dysregulation), and struggles to form normal peer relationships outside duty.

Learned helplessness also describes Jamil’s condition. Psychologist Martin Seligman showed that when subjects endure repeated, uncontrollable aversive events, they eventually stop trying to change their situation. Jamil has been “subjected to Kalim’s carefree whims” for years with no real power to refuse; he may have learned that resistance is futile. Thus he often simply complies, suppressing his own needs (which is consistent with learned helplessness and with repression). Over time, this could internalize into chronic stress and depression. In sum, Jamil’s servitude is a form of developmental trauma: it likely imposed persistent stress hormones in youth, disrupted normal family roles, and taught him to expect lack of control. Psychological research shows such trauma can cause long-term changes in self-esteem and mood; for example, people with CPTSD often harbor deep shame and guilt over “failing” or “not doing enough”. In essence, his life resembles a cycle of trauma: he was never free to refuse tasks, learned helplessness made him passive, and the chronic abuse of status lowered his self-concept - all factors that theory links to complex trauma outcomes.

Manipulation

In the events of Book 4, Jamil’s darker side emerges as he actively manipulates others to achieve his goals. Canonically, he hypnotizes the protagonist and even classmates to remain in Scarabia and remove obstacles to his plans. Psychologically, these actions exemplify Machiavellianism. Machiavellianism is defined as a personality trait marked by cynicism, self-interest, and strategic manipulation of others. High Machs “lack empathy” and see others as means to an end. Jamil’s calculated use of magic to control peers aligns with this: he calmly bends others’ will without overt remorse, and he prioritizes his objectives above their autonomy. His demeanor during manipulation is unemotional and goal-oriented, much like the textbook “ruthless and self-centered willingness to exploit others” seen in high Machiavellians.

Possible Diagnosis

His chronic childhood trauma and internalization of servitude suggest complex PTSD (ICD-11). CPTSD is characterized by the core PTSD symptoms (re-experiencing, avoidance, hypervigilance) plus enduring disturbances in self-organization. In Jamil’s case, the prolonged nature of his servile life (listed as an example trauma in ICD-11) likely led to chronic negative self-concept and interpersonal difficulties. Thus an ICD-11 diagnosis of CPTSD (code 6B41) is plausible: he shows affect dysregulation (repressed anger that flares), shame and guilt, and persistent relational issues. Under DSM-5, these symptoms might partly map to PTSD or an unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, but CPTSD is a closer fit due to its long-term scope.

Personality-wise, Jamil exhibits subclinical dark traits. He demonstrates entitlement and exploitation (mirroring Cluster B narcissism), yet lacks grandiose flamboyance. He also shows hyper-conscientiousness about duty and order - features that could hint at Obsessive-Compulsive Personality tendencies - though his motivations are rooted more in fear and shame than mere rigidity. We can say Jamil’s profile aligns most closely with trauma-related disorder criteria and some personality disorder traits (notably narcissistic/dark traits).

In summary: Complex PTSD is the most fitting diagnostic framework, supplemented by subclinical narcissistic and Machiavellian traits, all rooted in long-term emotional trauma, identity suppression, and chronic stress from a life of servitude.

[hollow-writing-place]

The Ghost King and The Firecracker

Chapter 7: The... uh... End?

Word Count: 5574

Masterlist for this work/info about the fic

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Chapter Summary:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

CLOCKING IN AT OVER 5000 WORDS! LET'S DO THIS!! SO GLAD ITS DONE

---

- Previously -

---

The emotionless mask of the Knight tilts, scanning the room. There’s a silence unlike any silence Tim had ever had to sit through. The calm before the storm, or perhaps, the eye of the storm. It’s the quiet of the void of space.

Jason’s armor crackles with embers, smoke twisting from his mask in mesmerizing swirls, like gravity doesn’t really matter. The two parties are at a mutual, silent stare down.

Then, like a bubble popping, the air shifts.

The countless arms of the King draw into his form, eyes blinking closed and density shifting, pulling in until all that is left is…

Oh my god is that fucking guy from the warehouse . The ghost from the warehouse, identified by Tim’s research as Phantom, hero of Amity Park, Daniel Nightingale, and now the fucking Ghost King, smiles weakly and waves.

Oh what the fuck.

---

- Now -

Nightwing knows his jaw is dropped, but he can’t do anything about it. What the hell is going on?? He frantically looks towards Tim, who looks just as stunned. That offers no reassurance. Their plan had been so well thought out! Nightwing mourns.

-Batcave - maybe a day or three ago -

Tim is pacing again.

Dick normally leaves him to it, not one to judge thinking/coping mechanisms, but… he looks kind of ragged.

He’s in his corner of the cave, pacing a path into the stone. The other bats designated, consciously or unconsciously, that wall to Tim. Or maybe he just took it over? Either way, it was his. Nearly ten square feet of corkboard and papers scrawled with words in a script none of them had quite cracked, the Collection offered an insight into Tim’s mind rarely shown to anyone.

And thank God.

A real peek into the prodigy's mind would probably break the average person.

Still, family of detectives and all. Dick’s proud to say he thinks he’s figured out the yarn color coding system. Kinda. Maybe. Look, that’s not important right now. Tim looks worse off than he normally is.

Dick cautiously approaches, like one would with a feral, cornered animal. Tim gives no indication he’s noticed. He's muttering underneath his breath, and all the words blur together so much Dick can’t make any of the ramble out. Dick winces, hissing a breath out through his teeth. Ooh yeah, that's bad. 

Dick slides a step closer. “Heyyyyyy, Timmy.” He says, voice deceptively cheerful as he sets a hand on Tim’s shoulder to halt the pacing.

Tim whirls on him, and for a second, Dick thinks he might lash out.

He doesn’t.

Instead, he looks up at Dick with wild, crazed eyes and a toothy grin. It is… unsettling, to say the least. “I cracked it.” He says, and his voice is rough from overuse. Dick tries to smile.

“That’s great, bud. Hey! How’s about you come with me and… and we’ll go… uhm. Somewhere else. That’s not here. Somewhere away from here.” Dick loops an arm over Tim’s shoulder, attempting to guide him towards the stairs.

Tim doesn’t budge.

Tim also doesn’t seem to be blinking.

...

The sheer amount of coffee cups littering the ground nearby might give Dick a clue as to why.

“Can’t leave. I cracked it .” He says, stepping back and away from Dick’s arms. Back to his boards. Dick watches him eye the lines and lines of string with a healthy dose of brotherly concern.

“Right. You cracked it. Good job!! What…” Dick takes a deep breath, still smiling as best as he can. “What did you crack?” Dick quickly taps the emergency button on his watch. Alfred, please hurry.

“I know how to find Jason.” Tim says, turning his head to peer at Dick over his shoulder.

Dick winces yet again. They’ve all been dealing with that whole… situation… differently. He thought he and Bruce were handling it worse, but clearly he’d been blinded by his emotions too much to notice how it affected Tim.

“Alright.” He lowers his voice, speaking softly. “Alright. You can tell me all about that after you take a nap, yeah? When's the last time you slept?”

Tim’s slightly unhinged smile drops at this. “You think I'm crazy.”

“I wouldn’t say that… maybe just… not completely in your right mind?” Tim huffs an exasperated breath, and Dick just knows he’s chosen his words wrong. “Ah- in the sense that- well-” He stutters, rubbing at the back of his neck. Tim just rolls his eyes.

He grabs Dick’s arm, tugging him forward, closer towards the Collection. “Look.” is all he says, pointing up to one of the boards. One covered in primarily red thread.

Dick thinks, not totally sure, but he thinks red is for really important stuff. Or maybe for manhunts. Or theft cases. Honestly, he’s not too sure. Regardless, Dick humors Tim and scans the board.

It’s covered with grainy pictures of a green tinged figure, newspaper articles from a town called Amity Park, and bunches of that indecipherable script Tim uses for the Collection. Dick nods and hums like he gets any of this at all. His head hurts just being in close proximity to the Collection.

“Soooo. What am I looking at?” He says after a long, awkward moment.

Tim again huffs and rolls his eyes. “Did you read any of it at all?”

“I tried! That code you use is hard to break!” Dick defends, crossing his arms over his chest.

Tim looks confused. “Code? That’s-” His face falls into a displeased deadpan. “Dick, that’s my handwriting.”

Dick blinks.

“ That’s your handwriting??” He whispers, sounding far more horrified that he intended to.

“Oh shut up. Just- Okay.” Tim takes a deep breath, before launching into an explanation.

It’s only half coherent, with lots of wide gesturing and starts and stops. He walks over and starts pointing to an entirely different board, explaining the connections between the two. Dick recognizes pictures of Daniel Nightingale on that one with some displeasure. He’d really hoped Tim would stay out of it. Dragging that poor man into this case just because he was a friend of Jason’s felt… wrong.

Tim sounds delirious, but Dick tries his best to follow the winding loops of the story. Tim barely pauses to breathe, and the pacing begins again.

“-so then, if it goes well, we summon a ghost and use that to get into the Otherside, right?? EXCEPT! The only ghosts capable of opening portals are incredibly strong ones. At least, according to this super old site I dug up. So, we can’t summon any old ghost, not that we’d even be able to- I mean- half the rituals I've found are for the Head Hunter or this Time God thing- honestly all the other names were super intimidating, so I left that alone but-”

Dick feels lost. He feels crazy. He definitely zoned out and missed something because what is Tim even on about?? He sees Alfred enter the cave from the corner of his eye and relaxes.

He frantically waves Alfred over, dropping the gesture the second Tim turns to look at him. Tim frowns, probably sensing somethings off, but continues on his rant.

“-think I know where to find the right book since finding a valid summoning ritual for the actual Ghost King online is a struggle, but they’re totally our best shot since Constantine said there’s a new one a bunch of meetings ago. You remember that, right? Right. Better to get on their good side or at least find out if they’re a tyrant like the last one. Win-win either way! And the supplies are easy, just-”

Dick blinks the morse code for SOS at Alfred, who picks up the pace ever so slightly. He’s at Dick’s side soon, poised and proper as ever. He raises one eyebrow, looking over Tim and the whole… ordeal… with his usual air of grandfatherly judgement.

“Did you bring the stuff?” Dick whispers lowly.

Alfred nods and passes him a mug of coffee. They’ve done this song and dance far too many times. It’s easy now. How Tim falls for it every time, they don’t know.

Dick makes the appropriate hums and nods, holding out the mug of coffee. Tim absentmindedly grabs it as he paces by, taking a sip near immediately before jumping into his rambling spiral again. Dick and Alfred just wait a good five minutes until the mug is drained.

Tim stumbles, blinking heavily, before turning a frustrated gaze on Dick, who smiles and shrugs. He quickly catches the mug as it slips from Tim's hands, passing it to Alfred, before moving to catch Tim himself.

“Sorry baby bird. Bedtime now.” He crows, much to Tim’s fading displeasure. The teen quickly falls into soft snores, and Dick relaxes that little bit more.

“I will take care of the mugs. Please return him to his bed.” Alfred says primly.

“Will do. Thank you.” Dick murmurs, scooping Tim into an easier carry. Alfred just nods and turns away.

Dick gets Tim to bed no problem and only holds silent worried vigil over him for an hour or two before he manages to pull away and get back to work.

...

Of course, when Tim appears at the dinner table the next afternoon, carting two cork boards clearly pried from the Collection and a distinctly rested expression, Dick realizes maybe all his talk the day previous wasn’t a sleepless, delirious, emotional breakdown after all. 

-Present-

“You.” Comes the cold growl from Batman.

He takes a step forward, but Constantine’s aggressive head shaking stops him. Batman gives him his patented glare to which Constantine responds with grit teeth and another panicked gesture to get back, dammit!

Daniel looks back and forth between them before tugging at the collar of his hazmat suit. He looks far more anxious than he should for a being that was supposedly THE Ghost King.

Dick worries his lip between his teeth, trying to decide what needs to be said. All his usual peacekeeping and easy conversation skills seem to have fled at the worst time.

Again, Dick glances over to Tim, who now has his hands tangled into his hair, tugging at it and muttering.

Dick inches his way over, eyes flicking back and forth to make sure his subtle movements are not caught.

Then again, he can’t tell if Jason’s visor is tracking him or not. (Is that even Jason still??? God, Dick is almost scared to find out.) Jason, or whatever was piloting that suit of armor, piloting his body, hadn’t moved since he was set down beside Daniel.

Dick smooths whatever expression he was wearing off his face as Tim turns to see him. “Red Robin? What’s-”

“This- This has to be because I screwed up the circle. The modifications- The-��No-” Oof.

Okay, so Tim won’t be any help here.

Bruce is still arguing with Constantine just through looks and minuscule gestures, Tim’s out, and Robin has… disappeared. That’s not good.

Daniel is still inside the circle, though he looks like he’s getting antsier by the second. Jason- or whatever- is still entirely too still.

Why does Dick always have to be the adult? He steps forward, closer to the circle than the rest of them. Of course, as he draws attention to himself, he feels the weight of eyes on him. Not just Daniel’s, but the other bats behind him. He tries for a relaxed smile.

Daniel tenses though, and Dick is reminded of their last encounter. Of the sound Daniel made when Dick’s escrima sticks made contact with his arm.

Suddenly there’s a sort of pit in his stomach that he really doesn’t like. Daniel doesn’t look evil. He doesn’t look like a monster that brainwashed Dick’s brother, forced him into a raging fire, and pulled him into a swirling green pit to a place they couldn’t follow. He looks… scared.

Dick nearly falters on his cautious approach, but then his eyes wander and find Jason again.

Jason, still, (unmoving, which is so wrong, it's so wrong), practically drowning in thick plates of armor dripping magma.

His resolve strengthens, and he stops just a few yards from the summoning circle. The circle continues to glow an unbothered green, pulsing with light like a galaxy.

“So. The Ghost King, is it?” He remarks. “I will say, when we called you up, we didn’t expect you to be the same person- er, thing? that stole our brother!” He quips, smile tight on his face. He recognizes he’s treating this quite a bit like a hostage situation, like Daniel is one of their rogues, and by distracting him, Dick can get a hand up. Reality threatens to overwhelm him.

This isn't a human he’s talking to. It’s some undead- or just dead maybe - thing that had his brother captive. Still, this isn’t exactly something Bruce trained them for, so he just has to use what he’s got. God, why wasn't there a protocol for this?? Bruce anticipated everything expect for ghosts being very real and, apparently, very dangerous.

Daniel bristles, literally, his hair floating up like it was unaffected by gravity. There’s a low hiss from Jason, and the flames visible between his armor plates seem to get brighter. It’s something though, some sign of movement from him. Dick doesn’t know if that’s good or bad.

“I am a person. I am not a thing.” Daniel speaks finally, voice echoed and layered.

A chill runs down Dick’s spine, but he hides it easily.

Constantine comes up behind him, Dick can tell from the smell of cigarettes and panic, and he doesn’t startle as the magician whispers close to his ear. “I don’t know what the hell you’re doing, Nightwing, but that thing -” he spits the word as he gestures at Jason, “That is not your brother. Not- not anymore. That’s the fucking Knight. The King’s right hand.” There’s a barely there tremble in Constantine’s voice, just under the anger and franticness.

Dick’s heart drops further.

“Okay. Noted.” He whispers back, forcing his voice to remain level.

He pushes the feelings beginning to bubble up in his chest into a tiny little box, which he promptly tosses off a mental cliff. Surely it’s not as hopeless as Constantine just painted it. He focuses his gaze back on Daniel, who appears to squirm slightly under Dick’s white-cold mask.

“Alright!” He lifts his voice so that it carries across the distance once more. “Now, about the stolen brother? Let’s talk about him.” Dick gestures at the armored form.

Daniel shifts his body slightly, halfway hiding Jason from view. It’s a protective move, and it confuses the criminal profiler in Dick. The number of things that don’t add up freak Dick out, but he’s so far into panic that he’s reached the fuzzy numb state that lies beyond terror. He's always been good about that.

“I didn’t steal him!” Daniel protests avidly, looking legitimately startled at the accusation. 

“Good! Then give him back.” Dick pushes.

“I- I can’t do that.” Daniel shifts on his feet. Dick files that reaction away too.

“Okay then you kidnapped him.”

“I didn’t kidnap him! You just don’t understand!” Daniel barks, an eye or three opening up on the visible skin of his arms and neck.

“Okay then explain!” Dick snaps right back. Whoops. There are those emotions. Bad. Put those away.

Tim staggers to Dick’s side. “I- I don’t know what you’re trying, but it seems dangerous.” He murmurs. The tone of his voice is warning, but the way he grips his bo staff shows how ready he is to support Dick. Dick tilts his head to acknowledge both points before he gestures at Daniel in a ‘go on…’ motion.

Daniel takes a deep breath, does he even need that??? , and begins to talk.

Or, he tries.

Jason, the Knight, steps forward finally.

It’s so sudden it takes nearly all of them aback, even Daniel. Another thing Dick numbly files away.

The Knight pulls from beneath his cape the same smoldering sword from their last time seeing each other. The air feels different though. Settled. None of that chaotic, out of control burning from before.

Constantine takes a sharp breath beside Dick, and when Dick peers at him from the corner of his eyes, he looks more on edge than Dick had ever seen the man.

The Knight brings the sword to rest in front of him, both hands resting on the pommel, the tip of the blade kissing the metal of the floor.

“You guys never learn your lessons, do you?” His voice is so suddenly, startlingly Jason . Dick didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t this.

“Get the Bat to drop his weapon and the littlest bird to stop creeping over and I'll explain.” The Knight growls.

Dick finds himself torn between searching the room for Damien and walking over to Bruce to make him drop his batarangs, which he was surely holding.

The tension in the air seems to stretch the seconds. Dick clenches his jaw so tight he's worried for his teeth.

Finally, a shadow detaches from the wall just behind the circle and crosses to stand in line with Constantine, Dick, and Tim. Damien. He’s clearly displeased, arms crossed over his chest, but at least he understood the importance of listening.

Soon after, the sound of metal clattering on metal rings out as a couple batarangs are dropped to the floor. Dick breathes out in relief. They all know that’s not all of Bruce’s weapons, but the Knight seems to take that as enough. 

The air is thick as the Knight begins to speak.

---

Jason is frozen.

The warp of the portal made him sick. For a long moment, far too long, he thought he had been lost. He couldn’t feel the chill of Danny, couldn’t locate the sound of his core through the scream of the portal. It was petrifying .

Then he was encompassed in the same chill as when Danny first grabbed a hold of him to bring him into the warp, and he relaxed. Being bodily wrenched from the void by a hand about as big as he was was startling, but far from the oddest thing to happen to Jason in the past days. He’s set rather gently on the ground, which, after the disorientation passes, appears to be made of metal.

His eyes slowly focus, and he reorients himself in this new space.

A familiar space…

Oh hell . They’re on the watchtower.

They’re face to face with half the bats and fucking Constantine . Jason grits his teeth, eyes narrowing on the magician.

For some reason, during their very brief  interactions, Jason felt the man was wrong . Was it appropriate to say his vibe was off?

It felt juvenile to articulate but was probably the best description Jason had at hand. He did not like the slimy feel of the air around the magician.

That was clearly the least of their worries now, though. The man looked more nervous than anyone else.

Jason’s eyes flick away from whatever the Bat and Constantine were communicating, instead taking note of the demon brat. Damien is skirting the far wall, melting into the shadows just as easily as Bruce does, and clearly taking the long, slow route to get closer. There’s a flash of a katana and Jason wants to sigh.

He dismisses that and focuses on Dick and Tim. Tim looks like the weight of the world has just landed on him, and Dick just looks… he looks tired. Worn, even. Every so often, Jason catches the slight tilt of his head that signifies his gaze turning on Jason’s impassive mask. The solid white film in his mask may hide his eyes, but Jason’s trained well enough to notice the micromovements. He remains still though.

Just as Jason thinks it, Dick’s straightening up and plastering an easygoing expression on. He strides forward like there’s not a care in the world.

Jason feels frozen still. Danny’s saying something, bristling like a cat, blocking him from view.

The room rings with a distressed sound, like the ‘thwump’ of snow caving just before it rolls over into an avalanche. It’s so loud Jason shifts, feels his own core pulse an angry sort of sound. Clearly no one else hears, or else they wouldn’t still be talking.

Jason needs to tune back in. He needs to focus and move .

Dick has a near snarl on his face, and his words register as hostile. “- Then explain!��” He barks.

Danny shifts, breathes in deeply like he’s trying to calm down. The distressed sound emanating from him doesn't stop though. If anything, it ramps up. 

Jason snaps out of whatever trance he was left in from the portal and the suddenness of seeing the bats as the sound of snow tumbling over into a roar begins.

He strides forward with solid, purposeful bootsteps, drawing the blade at his back. Settling it in front of him, he steels himself much as he had before his Knighting ceremony.

His awareness of the room stretches, and it’s like he can see and hear everything. He mentally clocks this as a very-new-very-startling occurrence, and probably some kind of Knight stuff to bring up to Danny, before pushing it aside.

Damien still slowly makes his way closer in the depths of the shadows, trying to get behind them. Bruce has three batarangs spread in his hands like playing cards, the metal ready to sing through the air at any wrong twitch. Tim is at Dick’s side, a silent, defensive support to Dick’s steady stance. Dick’s true feelings and thoughts are only given away by the tick in his brow. Constantine is hardly breathing it seems, and Jason is almost surprised he’s still standing. He looks ready to pass out.

The new wealth of information on the room and its inhabitants is overwhelming, but Jason just sighs.

“Y’all never learn your lesson, do you?” He says, low Gotham drawl coloring his words.

Danny has relaxed ever so slightly at his side, the sound of his core reduces to powder snow crunching beneath skis. Surprisingly, Dick also relaxes where he stands, miniscule as it is, like a weight has been lifted.

Jason feels the tension in the air and, as much as he’d like to avoid it all, knows an explanation is needed to keep the peace.

“Get the Bat to drop his weapon and the littlest bird to stop creeping over and I'll explain.” He growls lowly.

Damien jolts from where he stands in the corner, just a few yards from their circle, swords drawn. He grumbles something Jason’s sure only he hears, tucking the swords away after a moment and pushing off the wall to join the group in front of Danny and Jason.

Bruce looks conflicted, but it takes just a moment for him to drop his handful of batarangs onto the ground. Jason takes it as the miniscule win it is.

“Good. You can listen.” There’s a snarky note to his words, but he thinks he’s in the right with this one. He leaves both hands on the sword pommel.

How best to go about this? He’s always had a flare for the dramatics, but he gets the sense there are a lot of misunderstandings going on. Best clear up questions first.

He turns his head to Danny. “What is the issue?”

Danny looks meek suddenly. “They- uh- they think i kidnapped you?” comes his voice, wavering ever so slightly. Maybe a held back laugh, maybe that earlier panic.

Jason blinks, despite knowing it can’t be seen. He turns back to the gathered bats and magician.

“You thought I was kidnapped??” He blurts, voice chock full of disbelief. It seems to catch them all off guard. “Me? Kidnapped? By him???” He says, gesturing at Danny.

Danny puffs up. “Hey! I could kidnap you if I wanted!!” He protests.

Jason drags a metal gloved hand down his helm in a mimicry of a face palm. “No. No, I don't think you could.” He groans.

“Well what were we supposed to believe??” comes Tim's exasperated voice. “One second you’re with a green glowing man, the next, you’re throwing yourself into a bonfire! Then, you come out different and get whisked away! What would you conclude?!” He sounds haggard.

Jason pauses, then winces. “Okay, yeah, I can see how that looks.” he trails off. “But you’ve got it wrong. Like, completely embarrassingly wrong. I’m here of my own free will.” He tries to explain.

“Is he making you say that?” Bruce finally speaks up in a low growl.

The sound of powder under skis escalates to the sound of cracking ice over a lake. “No! I’m not making him do anything!” Danny bristles, standing taller.

“Then let him go!” This is possibly the worst time for Bruce to show he cares about Jason. The worst time.

“I’m not going anywhere!” Jason snarls, whirling about. The magma between his armor plates flares brightly, white hot.

“Your issue is with me . Not him. Leave Danny out of this.” He spits. “You want an explanation, I’ll explain .” He’d always been protective, but right now, the urge to keep Danny away from this whole mess is overwhelming .

He picks up his sword and paces forward but is stopped by the edge of the circle. It glows ominously, and he doesn’t risk going further. He doesn't want to push his luck with magic. He's got enough problems right now.

He makes sure to turn his visor to look directly at Bruce.

“I was dead.” He says finally, voice low. Bruce twitches back, and Jason knows if Bruce weren't channeling Batman so hard right now, he would've full on flinched from the abruptness of the statement.

“Now I don’t know if you know this, but being dead leaves some lasting effects.” He gestures at his full body. “This is part of that. I didn’t come back all the way. I’m still half dead.”

There’s a whispered, “oh, what the fuck .” from somewhere in the room that threatens to make Jason crack a smile. He shakes his head and continues. This is serious.

“There’s a lot of ghost shit I can't explain, and you wouldn’t understand, but Danny saved me. He- he got rid of the Lazarus effects and helped me figure out, well, honestly everything .” He gives an incredulous laugh, still amazed at everything that happened. "I was always half dead. Even when I believed myself to be alive. The pits did more than make me sick. They blocked this half of myself off, choked it out." He clenched a hand into a fist. 

This time, he’s sure it’s Constantine that murmurs a curse.

"But Danny saw the problem. He knew more than I did and it's over now. I look different. I am changed. But this-" Again, he gestures to himself. To the armor. "This is what I should've been from the start. And it's not like I can undo any of it, so you guys need to suck it up and get over yourselves." He says with a note of exasperation and finality. 

“ So, to conclude, no, I'm not in danger. No, Danny didn’t kidnap me. And, since I'm sure you’re thinking it, no , I am not brainwashed .” He says finally, ticking each point off on his fingers. ���Anything I missed?”

No responses, and Jason nods.

“Good. Then you guys can let us out now, right?” Something about the circle feels wrong, and it grates at Jason’s skin. It must make Danny uncomfortable too, but he doesn't say anything. The pinch of his brow is enough for Jason to know he’s affected.

“Now hold on a minute!” Constantine says, eyes wild. “Like hell we’re just going to let you out!”

He pales and turns to Danny. “No, uh, no offense, your… majesty? No offense meant.”

Danny just arches an eyebrow, part condescending, part questioning.

Dick crosses his arms and stares Jason down. “He's got a point. How do we know for certain you aren’t brainwashed?” He says, cop voice in full action.

Jason groans exasperatedly, wanting to face palm. Then, “When I was younger you made us watch ‘Marley and Me’ and at the end you cried so hard you threw up on the nice carpet and we had t-”

“Okay okay!!! We believe you!” Dick shouts, voice tinged with franticness. He didn't even let Jason get halfway into the story! Still, Jason can't help but grin beneath his helm.

Dick squirms under all the sets of eyes on him, and he rubs at the back of his neck. “It’s him. Tim, get them out.”

Tim shrugs. "Alright. I'm convinced."

Constantine sputters. His cigarette lies abandoned on the ground in his protests.

Danny relaxes. “See? All just a misunderstanding.” He sighs.

Tim steps forward, murmurs some words, and scuffs at the paint mix with his shoe until the glow dissipates.

A weight leaves both Danny and Jason, and they sigh. Jason shakes out his arms, ridding himself of the staticky feeling of the circle. He then sheathes his sword and steps out. 

Danny follows, floating over the runes like the idea of touching them makes him sick. “If there are any other questions, I'm happy to answer. Uhm. So long as it isn’t, like, the answer to the universe or something crazy.” Danny gives a stilted laugh, eyes darting. Jason eyes Danny, who looks suspiciously like he knows something he doesn't want to say. Maybe he asks about that later. 

“Good. I have got so many questions.” Tim chimes up, an odd book in his hands.

Is- is that human flesh?? Why does Tim have a book bound in actual human skin? Jason shakes his head, awed.

“Don’t overwhelm the guy.” Dick chirps, stepping up to Danny and Jason. “And I also have questions.”

Constantine's eyes are wide as saucers as the group passes by. Bruce shoots Constantine a look and then trails after Jason and the bats.

As they go to find a more comfortable place to rest and chat, Danny speaks up again. “Oh! I have a question too!” 

“Fire away.” Dick says, already seeming to have warmed up to the halfa. Too easy... Jason knows his brother is going to have endless questions for him, and he's not looking forward to it.

Danny grins. “I just want to know how you knew I was the King. I mean, no sane person would just summon The King. You had to have known.” At the prolonged silence, Danny freezes, smile dropping.

He eyes each of the bats individually as they avoid eye contact and shuffle down the hall.

“You- you did know, right? Right? I mean, you had to have! Right?? No, don’t walk faster! Did you know??”

Jason drops his head into his hands. 

---

The house is a mess of cardboard boxes.

Jason sighs in relief, throwing himself down into a kitchen chair in his apartment. His real, not safehouse apartment.

Danny carries in his last box, bumping the front door closed with his hip and setting the box down with a hiss of air. He stands and stretches his arms out before sighing.

“Wow. So much for helping your boyfriend. You’ve got the muscles here! Why am I doing all the work?” He huffs, mock upset.

Jason rolls his eyes playfully. “If you recall, I was the one that got most of it. And I carried up your bed frame! If you could just be happy with my setup, maybe this would’ve been different!” He teases.

Danny whirls on him, actually offended now. “Jason. Your bed was on the floor . No box spring. No frame. Nothing .” He crosses his arms, eyes narrowed. “Like hell am I living here and sleeping on a floor mattress.”

Jason averts his eyes with a cringe. “Yeah, okay." He admits weakly. "Got me there.”

“Heck yeah I did, now get over here and help me get these to the living room. I’m about to introduce you to the wonders of useless throw pillows and blackout curtains.”

Jason groans good-naturedly and gets up to help.

---

Danny could burst, he’s just so happy.

The future, as it pertains to the Ghost Zone and its King and Knight, isn't known yet, but Danny and Jason have plenty of time to figure it out.

…

After they navigate life as it is now.

I mean, Danny’s first two meetings with Jason’s family were disasters! And, apparently, he hasn't even met all of them yet! Don’t even get him started on how little of Danny’s friends and family Jason knows about! Jazz is going to have his ass when he breaks it to her he’s got a boyfriend…

for life…

and for afterlife.

Oh Ancients. That’s barely the beginning. Seriously, Danny-

Jason calls Danny’s name from across the living room, and he snaps from his thoughts to turn and look. He’s barely made eye contact before a pillow smacks him dead in the face.

Jason barks out a laugh while Danny fumbles to grab the offending pillow. “Oh that’s funny, is it?” He says, deadpan.

Jason’s laughing so hard he’s doubled over at the waist, but he manages a nod.

“I’ll show you funny, Firecracker.” Danny says, grin uncannily wide.

Jason has the sense to pale as Danny rears back to hurl the pillow. The room devolves into all out war.

Yeah, Danny feels pretty good about this whole thing. They've got plenty of time.

---FIN---

Finally done cross posting this! I'll say what I said in the notes on Ao3. I'm glad this is done! I'm thinking about making a lighter, slice of life type thing where I can focus on just shenanigans now that this is done. It would, of course, be like a book two to this one because I like what I've established so far.

Any ideas, (or plot holes you want covered), should totally be dropped in the comments! Id love to hear them!! Thank you all!

[kinsey3furry300]

Great analysis: might I add, I would not be surprised if Fizz is in a group chat for people who work at Ozzies, and given Verosika works there part time, she might also be in the same chat, so Veronica has a professional relationship with both Pringles's polycule AND Fizz.

Fizz knew in advance that Stolas was acquireing an Asmodian crystal as a gift for Blitzø because Ozzie asked him if it was okay first in "Oops". Ozzy also had a legit reson to inquire to Stolas if Blitzø had accepted the Asmodian crystal or not, as its kind of important to his work, given the whole "You'd technically be under his jurisdiction" line Stolas says when presenting it in Full Moon.

Verosika has two separate sets of work friends, the Ozzie staff and the incubi from the office opposite I.M.P, who would know in advance that Stolas was offering the crystal as a romantic gesture, and could immediately know if it went badly. And there are three separate ways the info could get out (Blitzø crys to Fizz, Ozzie asks Stolas, Pringles Overhears).

It would be almost more surprising if she didn't know the gesture went badly by the next day when she's only two degrees of separation from both Blitzø (Blitzø->Fizz->Her) Stolas (Stolas->Ozzie->her) and Pringles (Pringles->Polycule->her).

And while I do think she was low-key stalking Blitzø, and was pretty petty and cruel to send Stolas that invite the day after the breakup, she also knew the whole time about them illegally acssesing the human world, given she's one of the few demons who can legally acsses it, and she never ratted Blitzø out for the highly illegal business, so my headcanon is that while she is still angry at him, she's not actually trying to ruin his life, so much as support his exe's and, primarily, work through her own feelings. She never seeks him out or rubs the Halloween party in his face, (its been going on for years and he only finds out when Stolas tells him) he shows up in her space to bitch at her, not the other way around, and she never seeks an apology from him.

While she's clearly not over it, or over him regardless of what her song says, I don't think she bears Blitzø any ill will, I think she just seeks closure by collecting his various ex's for thier little anual catharsis ritual, weird as it may be. It's not a healthy coping mechanism, but it's better than Blitzø or Stolas's.

Again, everyone in this universe needs therapy.

Contexing the dots

Just got asked this elsewhere. And now I'm kinda worried that others might have missed how Verosika knows about the fight between Stolas and Blitz

So have this...

Apology Tour is only a few hours after Full Moon. Which could make it really odd that she thought they were dating, and now broken up.

But Verosika was working at Ozzie's the night of their disastrous first date.

And Stolas' head butler, Pringles, was also out with his polycule to Ozzie's the same night.

They could have been random hookups, except that Ozzie is always booked months in advance, and they have rule about couples only.

There's 6 people at Pringles table. So they're all on a date with him, and bend the rules for even number polycules.

Two of his dates are Kiki and Milky, who are part of the crew that worked with Verosika during spring break.

Kiki is one of the ones who attacks Moxxie, and backs Verosika up when Blitz suggest the demon duel.

And Milkie was working the crowd when Verosika's was singing.

Also Josh and Ace were on a date together at Ozzie's too.

Making it very likely that Pringles, Milkie, Kiki, Josh, Ace and Verosika would have all gossip together about what just happened, when Blitz and Stolas go home sad from their date.

Which gives Verosika a way to have tabs on Blitz and Stolas' relationship.

Pringles knews this is the big now or never moment to Stolas. He says "he'll die alone if things go bad tonight".

So yep he's assuming their on again off again relationship is over if things don't go well.

And things did not go well, with Blitz screaming through the house.

Something the whole staff probably heard. Assumed it meant another crap work day full of picking up bottles, again.

And Stolas is drinking wine first thing in the morning after all. So yer they probably had a very craptastic night already.

Can't tell me there wouldn't be a group chat between Pringles and the people he's seeing.

And another between Verosika and the people she previously worked with.

Yes, I do consider Verosika actions to be a type of stalking, because she's using this to keep tabs on her exe's relationship.

She only worked with these people as a freelancer for one week.

But she gotta making sure Stolas has it in mind that they are well and truly over.

Stolas just said he wanted some space from Blitz to get his head together, and that the invite made him feel awful.

So it's pretty unlikely he'd have went without Blitz turning up.

Stolas calls the whole thing immature, silly, and petty.

Only considering going because it annoys Blitz. Very petty😛

Verosika can't even wait for the post to send that invite, because she thinks she's saving people from the horror of dating Blitz.

So she's gotta slip in before even Blitz can scail that garden wall.

Also Blitz hasn't been home all night.

He's been just sat in the van, stressing about how to fix this. (It would have worried Loona if he'd come home early. With how hard she and M&M were trying to make sure it was a good night for him).

Blitz probably has a change of clothes in the van, because he was expecting to stay over.

And then spend the rest of the night and morning listening to love songs, and sending memes to try and get Stolas to text him back.

And then Blitz immediately jumps the wall and ran over when he saw Stolas was up.

Because Stolas always texts him back instantly, so what gives!

[sincerely-sofie]

The whole “crown is mentally torturing Narinder” thing kinda recontextualized everything. I’m not saying Narinder couldn’t have gotten into the destructive and unhealthy mindset of trying to force some kind of forgiveness naturally, but man, what a coincidence that the person being MENTALLY TORTURED WITH GUILT by another would develop an unhealthy coping mechanisms. At some amount this whole situation also feels like the crowns fault. Even if just partially. Like would things have ended up the same way if the crown didn’t torture Narinder with guilt in his dream? I know it’s not necessarily the crowns job fix Narinder’s mental state/stop him from making a really big mistake but when Narinder starts hurting Firn again, the person that the crown supposedly cares about, maybe think back on your actions and wonder if you had a part to play in this. Now *puts on tin foil hat* I think we can take this one step further. The crown intentionally drove Narinder to such a shitting mental state so that they could get back with Firn. By, again torturing Narinder, drove him to self destruct with guilt. By the looks of it when Firn killed Narinder neither of them are injured and previous comments about how no one can get close to him either with how powerful he is. Which leads me to believe he let himself be killed in some guilt addled delusion that maybe he could be forgiven if they did. And the crown happily goes back to Firn completely ignoring the distraught look on their face because the only thing the crown cared about was getting back with Firn. Even if Firn got hurt along the way, cause the crown got what it wanted and that’s all that matters to it. *takes of tin foil hat* this most likely is not the case, at least for the tin foil part. I still believe the crown played some part in how Narinder turned out. I’m not trying to absolve what Narinder did, he still crushed Firn’s heart and Thanos snapped their bones, and he’s a bitch for that. I feel like that teacher form The Incredibles who is trying to prove dash has powers and is messing with him. Thinking about it now maybe being a way from the crown will help Narinder’s mental state. You know… if he wasn’t dead. L bozo. Sorry for the rant and thank you for coming to my Tedtalk.

:)

[odiledemonicat]

So...is it just me or were the extreme flaws in Arcane season 2 basically the inevitable result of the both-sides politics and general too-enlightened-and-smart-and-cool-to-have-strong-opinions attitude of the first season?

The whole "Suuuure Piltover oppressed Zaun for years through wealth inequality, police violence and ecocide buuut the Zaunites are jerks too! Look! Drugs! Prostitution! Terrorism! (gee I wonder what drove them to do all those things?) in season one became:

"and all of it is just a cycle of pointless violence that will never solve anything and that's why the Zaunites should pretty much just accept their position and patiently wait for Piltover to be nice and grant them basic respect by resolving things peacefully.

See? You can even get one seat at the council which overwhelmingly outnumbers you and still represents your oppressors. Smiles all around! I guess the Zaunites just needed to believe in themselves and be the bigger person in this fight that Piltover started. Because, as we all know, violence has never had a historical record of changing things."

(all of this right in the aftermath of the Gaza war and also Vi's voice actor Hailee Steinfield posed for pics with the actual IDF btw)

The "we support gay rights, as long as one of them's a cop so the audience knows they're not, y'know, one of THOSE gays" became:

"and that's why it's fine that Caitlyn basically coerced Vi into becoming a cop too and then struck her for not letting her endanger a child. CaitVi 5evah! Jinx just needs to grow up and stop being so selfish and jealous and possessive! This kind of volatile highs and lows and emotional turmoil are normal for lesbians, right?"

(like I've seen the whole "7 years in prison vs one month in a lesbian relationship" meme and I get the joke is supposed to be all "haha relationships toxic" but like...is that not literally just lesbophobia?)

The "yeah, we condemn police brutality, IF it's coming from nameless faceless cops who you have no personal connection to whatsoever. If it comes from a main character you're supposed to like, we'll just excuse it away bc they're hot" became:

"and so now all the blame for cops' evil actions, including said main character, will be placed on one generic evil dictator with no exploration of their complicity or the inherent flaws to policing as a system."

"We support mental health awareness! As long as the mental illness leaves you as a hardened badass with cool marketable fight scenes. Deeply rooted emotional scars and unhealthy coping mechanisms are sexy and make you look gritty and tough!" became:

"and that's why all the misery(heheh) from the first season has been ramped up to 11 to the point of feeling gratuitous so we can keep seeing characters constantly sad at all times. And also why now all the fight scenes just basically look like the characters have superspeed instead of at least somewhat believable heightened reflexes from a lifetime of constant violence, leaving them without any of the grounded realism and weight that made them look incredible before"

"Disability deserves representation! Viktor's just such a heckin' valid cool smol bean! As long as it's just basically shown as a reason to feel sad for him and little to nothing else and also he's forced by the plot to be looking for a way to get rid of it."

became

"and now he's looking for a way to solve ALL problems and inequality which has to be a bad thing for some reason and his goal is kind of turned into a suicide metaphor. Also to do it he has to take over the world because we have to keep in line with the original game (even though we already departed from it greatly anyway) and we just made it so it's out of heartbreak over Jayce. Goodness knows we can't just have him actually achieve his original intention of using science and medicine to radically improve society, that would mean fundamentally changing the system!"

[moreespressoformydepresso]

I don’t know why, but my favorite things ever are as follows:

1) take a random plot bunny and figure out how to make it happen in a way that makes sense and feels organic, and then work out what would happen as a result.

2) analyze the psychology of characters and build on it. Build backstories for minor characters that explain their canon traits while also adding stuff to their character that works with said backstory, and then explore how they deal with the various bad situations I put them through. Nothing tickles me quite writing characters healing from traumatic events they’ve been through and finding their happy ending despite being dealt a shitty hand in life.

[your-dear-memmy]

I think that Kaito would fall first as well.

Kaito is way more open about his feelings, and even though his denial would run deep, it wouldn't be as deep as Kokichi's, who we know from his own words comes from a different and possibly rougher background than Kaito, which means that he'd struggle with the situation even outside of the killing game-induced trauma.

There's also the matter of if Kaito is aware of his own attraction to guys beforehand, or if his traditional upbringing made him develop internalized homophobia out of ignorance, as it would distance him a few more steps from being able to achieve a romantic relationship with Kokichi. He'd care way more about that within a HPA AU, of course. It's one of my headcanons :)

Post-game VR AU it could become codependency from the trauma bond (Kaito never dropped his hero mask around anyone but Kokichi, Kokichi never dropped his villain mask around anyone but Kaito) but I feel like they could genuinely hang out after their insides were flayed open and raw, and that'd happen initially because of Kaito's guilt. It would dominate the entirety of their interactions at first, and it'd definitely piss Kokichi off, but after seeing Kokichi's true face I think Kaito would definitely be able to fall in love first, because he'd be able to put himself on the same level as Kokichi without feeling the need to play hero. Meanwhile, Kokichi would need a bit more time, as the guilt he himself harbors is a bit different and also he's emotionally constipated as fuck, and they would keep fighting and arguing because they're both prideful morons who aren't taking the situation well and have terrible coping mechanisms. It would take sooo fucking long for them to actually deem each other friends and it'd still make them cringe, but the basis for a romantic relationship would be there, they just need to figure it out after like... A 400k word long situationship slowburn, rivals to enemies to partners in crime to unlikely friends to qpr to lovers...

In a Despairless Hope's Peak AU it really depends, because every action Kokichi takes in the killing game is dictated by the need to hide his intentions from the mastermind, so he'd certainly act different in a less murderous context, and wouldn't need to lie to himself as much just to survive. He'd be a bit more straightforward without the death game, at least. He could present his leader characteristics more directly without the fear of getting screwed over, and he could oftentimes butt heads with Kaito due to it. I can actually see Kokichi pining in a "ugh" way in this context, as Kaito's borderline arrogance isn't displayed as infuriatingly as it is in a heavy setting. Kokichi would pine while simultaneously trying to shave off Kaito's goatee, but I still feel like by that point Kaito would be in the denial stage of pining already, too. They'd have a friendly rivalry, and they'd have real fights as well, but Kaito would probably be more inclined to believe in Kokichi. Kaito likes to chase and Kokichi likes being chased, after all, so they'd be the kind of friends that argue all the time in a way that doesn't seem playful to anyone but them. After accepting his feelings for Kokichi, Kaito would lowkey be so cringe about it... He'd still try to keep his pride intact but I think he's pretty big on romance due to his grandparents. Meanwhile Kokichi would still be hesitant- it's a common headcanon that he never had parental figures, so I don't think he really has a healthy vision of romance established in his head or even has one at all- so the slowburn shall continue 💪

Been tripping about this for a while, but excluding in-game because realistically it wouldn't happen

Who do you guys think falls first in oumota? 🤔

To me, it has to be Kaito, it probably takes a long time for Kokichi to even *think* about trusting the dude, imagine how long it would take for him to actually develop romantic feelings..

But even then, Kaito would also take ages to admit he even likes Kokichi platonically let alone romantically lol biggest slowburn ever, idiots both of them.

[recent-rose]

'man why didn't yoshiki wish for the real hikaru to come back'

yeah so yoshiki is falling in love with 'hikaru'. that's what the whole manga is about fellas

[writing-is-hard-af]

Okay, but, y'all, he ADMITTED that he was using sleeping with Tommy to make himself feel less alone after Eddie left-

[ladylaratybur]

I read it and I definitely understand your point of view more. I was assuming something different by your use of the term "military propaganda". While I still respectfully disagree, I understand what you're talking about.

I also agree Isayama was clumsy and a bit in his real world references. Iirc he said once that he uses references not as a 1 to 1 allegory but so that viewers see that part and immediately draw conclusions and understand the gist of what's happening. I do not agree at all with those who state AoT is just "fantasy ww2" at all, but I very much agree that the way certain parts were handled were insensitive and honestly a little immersion breaking since it's obvious they were a reference, and without all the background that the referenced events had in real life. In turn, it makes the characters who are painted to be more sympathetic appear in a strange light, since they're not 1 to 1 allegories for people from those times and events in context, but the references can dangerously make it appear that way.

I definitely agree with your point on marketing vs the core themes and it's a problem with the shounen industry in general, which is unfortunate. To be honest I think AoT was an well written story with a lot of incredible concepts, but which weren't executed with enough time, which leads to some parts feeling clumsy and not fleshed out. I think that AoT should've been given more time, and Isayama should've spent longer on certain parts to avoid some of that. However, I still mostly like RBA's writing because children are impressionable, and it shows the dangers of brainwashing and propaganda; kind of a side note but I also like how they all have different coping mechanisms. I get your point though, and to be fair, I like season 4's first half, and season 3, a lot better than the first two seasons.

To address the Annie tags: I will admit, she's my favorite character so I'm probably biased, but I definitely agree her arc was super rushed in the end. I do want to make the counterpoint that she wasn't asleep in the crystal; she was conscious and had basically 4 years of "timeout" to think about her actions.

Attack on titan is very obviously military propaganda but i just a tiktok that reminds me of a major narrative flaw it has.

both sides of the "war" feature child soldiers but to maintain it's military propaganda stance while also (poorly) addressing its themes of systematic oppression it had to portray them very differently.

on the paradis side, the characters are shown to have full autonomy over their choices. they all chose to join and they all chose to become scouts despite the danger. furthermore, they are not treated like children despite being children. rather, they're rookies, inexperience is the root of their immaturity not their age. obviously, because it's a manga/anime the main character cannot be 18 despite his age having no impact his story what so ever. so rather than acknowledging their age and how fucked up the situation is, they ignore it and just pretend like its normal.

then we get to the Marley side which really wants to play into themes of oppression and marginalization. so not only do they have child soldiers, they have incentives and reasons for having child soldiers to highlight the desperation of the Eldians in Marley. it makes for good commentary but in turn demonizes the parents in Marley. furthermore, to make audiences sympathize with these villains they really needed them to have these tragic backstories to justify their violent actions in the beginning of the show.

on both sides, autonomy is either given or taken to justify the meaningless choice of making the characters average age be 15. at the end of the day there was no reason to not make eren 20 years. there was no reason to justify annie reiner and zeke's actions. but cowardly storytelling and trying to appeal to markets results in a story that just shoots itself in the foot. now you're left with a story that hinges on the idea that a 12 year old boy has enough sense to decide to sign up for his own death but an 18 year old could not stop and think for a second that maybe i shouldn't barrel through that wall like a maniac.

[windcarvedlyre]

While I'm talking about DR3 and its handling of themes, does anyone else feel like danganronpa's ideas of 'hope' and 'despair' became a bit flanderised sometimes?

I could be reaching- the series has always been incredibly hammy in how it uses the terms- but in DR1 they still felt somewhat grounded in the words' actual definitions and in DR2 Komaeda fixating on an abstracted conflict between 'hope' and 'despair' was presented as a bad thing. Thinking 'hope' is synonymous with 'talent' was part of the problem, but even without that he'd feel like an intentional twisted parody of Naegi. He takes the thematic conflict between hope and despair too literally; to him the concepts were less states of mind, more grand causes, and so no amount of suffering became unacceptable to him if it made for a more interesting narrative in the end.

But sometimes later additions to the series... kind of sound like him? Maybe I should revisit DR3 and give it more of a chance, but I felt like the entire narrative approached 'hope' and 'despair' in some of the ways Komaeda does. Like it kept throwing those words at me as a substitute for actual depth, because hey, it's Danganronpa, right? That's what you're here for, right? Especially considering how little interest the writers showed in non-Ultimates besides Hinata as people, making 'hope' feel genuinely associated with talent to some degree.

Similarly, in DRV3, what did it mean for the survivors to reject both hope and despair? Stripped of those words, their choice was to break out of the narrative's control, not let their reality being potentially fake get to them, and face the unknown together. Is that not 'hope'? Is that not emotionally identical to both previous games' endings? Does that not make the game's use of 'hope' completely divorced from its meaning?

If the themes were handled more coherently I could see that being done intentionally- exploring whether the series started with a good message and lost its way, and/or asking whether 'hope' is hollow if your struggles, your eventual triumph over them, everything was contrived for others' entertainment- but I feel like if that was the case the DRV3 characters should reclaim hope and reject false definitions or exploitation of it instead of rejecting hope itself. Because again, with feeling, what does that mean???

[werewolfmack]

I have been in a slow-mo argument with my mom over her being in denial about politics for years, and yesterday my dad just sat down while I visited and asked me if me and Lily follow the news and talk about it. He told me how it feels different now because you could watch the news and it kind of felt like it wasn't happening nearby, like it might not effect you, but now it's different because it's happening right now and it's happening to us in ways we can see. People are being deported, students are being removed, we all know people whose jobs have been threatened. And he talked about depression and feeling angry, in ways he's never really opened up about before, and he talked about how there are so many people in the world we didn't even realize. Sociopaths and people who love violence and people who are so gullible. He talked about how he and his wife both want to keep up with news now because he can't not look at it, it is so important, from Palestine to everything our dirtbag president is doing, it's so hard to see terrible things happening constantly but he doesn't want to look away. And he doesn't want to have pretend optimism because that's like ignoring it- it's not real advice to say "everything is gonna be okay." And having to work hard to learn what to do in each new scenario, because new things keep happening so fast. And he talked about how he thinks we have to keep making hope inside ourselves because that's always where hope comes from, you have to keep generating it because it doesn't really come from outside you. I know he was worried because I was telling him about being depressed this week (really this month). But it was so good to feel like I could talk to him, and I felt bad for worrying him but I felt so much comfort just knowing I have at least one parent who sees what's going on and sees how bad it is. And how he is struggling with stuff too but never wants to give up, and I told him I would never give up either. It was good. What a relief. Just not to have to hide how I feel and how confusing and scary it all is.

[dreampearls]

colleis personality functionally being left to the ether because her webtoon iteration is at such fundamental odds with her game iteration that any attempts to temper between the two just range so dramatically

[straybleu]

in today's episode I'll try to not isolate myself because I met a person who is super loud and proud of her disability which happens to be the same as mine but I'm still not over the shame I went through all my life and I'm beyond uncomfortable when people talk and joke about it :)

And of course I won't ask her to stop talking about it because she has every right to cope in her own way and if that means being loud and open about her experience then so be it :))

At this rate I'll push away every good person in my life (I swear she's amazing and I love her but heyy) :)))

[clarabowmp3]

in other words its my ex-bsf's birthday today and I am in no mood to wish her and idc how petty or immature that makes me

[potatoesandsunshine]

they got me again.... the silly names...