#and he has such a gray multifaceted personality

[beauty-and-passion]

This is going to sound really strange but the most recent GRWM video has. Some of the best Janus characterisation I think we’ve seen in a while?? Also he canonically sheds now, so

You are not wrong, anon: this is the best characterization in a while. It's way better than the last one, in which Janus was mostly a drunk idiot, and it's way worse than SvS. This one sits in the middle: it's not bad, it's not amazing. It's good.

Just like Mr. Sanders' last videos regarding Sanders Sides, this GRWM is okay. Not groundbreaking, not impressive, not deep, not stupid. Just okay.

And trust me, this is the best possible outcome! When I found out Thomas was planning a video with Janus and it was a GRWM and Janus had questions to answer... I wasn't just scared, oh no. I was absolutely terrified. I feared to see the destruction of Janus' character. I feared to see him being all like: "YASSS QUEEN all I love is WINE and nothing else, also being SASSY is my religion BIATCH".

And we got a bit of that, sure. But it was a bit, not the avalanche I expected. I was bearable.

After all, this is just a random video. There's nothing plot-related here. Heck, there's not even too much Sanders Sides stuff, because this GRWM clearly was Thomas' attempts to reconnect with the character. I shouldn't care too much about it. I shouldn't overanalyze it.

But you know me: you know I love to over-analyze. And if you know me, you also know that Remus is my favorite child, but Janus has a special place in my heart and if one little thing about him is off I will start rambling.

Hence why I will overanalyze the shit out of these 9 minutes of a video and I will do what I shouldn't do, i.e. look back into the past's characterization. Not for shaming Mr. Sanders for not remembering it (even if the videos still exist and he can watch them too if he wants), but to remind you all of Janus' personality. The public needs to remember what kind of character he was and who he became.

So I'll over-analyze everything and no, you can't escape. You're stuck with me here, so put your seatbelt on, because you're in for one of the things I love the most: talking about Janus.

The importance of nuance

Let's talk about make-up a little bit. Don't worry, by the end you will understand my point.

The current make-up isn't even comparable to the past one. And if a lot of people complain about it and prefer the old one, it's not because they're all demanding: it's because of nuances.

Let me explain and let's start with the current photo Mr. Sanders showed to promote the GRWM video:

If you look at this make-up, your eyes will inevitably be drawn towards that sharp black line. And as soon as you will look at it, you will immediately register it as a drawn line.

It's so clear and so evident it's a line, I can literally see the black liquid eyeliner, the tip and the hand tracing that line on Thomas' skin.

But this line isn't supposed to be a line: it's supposed to be/resemble a snake's mouth.

Now, look at the past make-up:

The line isn't sharp black: the line is nuanced. You can see a bit of brown and a hint of red/pink to give it depth and emphasize the shadow.

Also, this color is very similar to the little shadow given by Thomas' upper lip on the lower one, so it looks more natural against his skin tone. It doesn't seem like something added on him, but on something that was already part of him. And isn't that the goal of make-up? To add something and disappear, so people won't notice it exists in the first place?

Look at the eye as well: the past one is a softer, more nuanced pink. It looks more natural, against Thomas' skin tone. The present one is so dark, it looks more like a bad bruise.

So the problem with the current make-up isn't just that the colors aren't the same: it's that the current colors are too much. They're too sharp, too saturated and, consequently, too fake. It's clear that Thomas wears make-up, while in the past the blend was softer, the colors closer to Thomas' actual complexion. Consequently, the make-up faded and gave us an illusion of reality.

I know Mr. Sanders had skin conditions and everything, but I'm talking about colors and nuances here. Two things a make-up artist should know better than me, an idiot on the Internet who loves art, color theory and learns from artists on the web. You can obtain these things independently of the used products.

So my opinion on the make-up would be: please Mr. Sanders, switch for softer tones, no sharp black and no coral. Too much. Nuance is the key.

And not just for make-up.

---

The fakeness of reality tv

Janus enjoys reality television because nothing about it is real. His specific words are:

I very much enjoy reality television: the scheming, the plotting, the lying. Every person for himself and even on top of that, all of the production none of reality television is actually real. It's just delightful.

I get the idea behind it and I understand why Thomas thought it was a good choice. On paper, it works: Janus should enjoy this kind of show because it's made of lies and he's Deceit.

But if I follow this line of thought, I inevitably meet with Janus from Into the Unknown:

[Patton]: Well yeah I guess you'd like it, everyone all dressed up, disguised as someone else... [Janus]: How is it we've had so many of these visits and you still know so little about me?

Janus himself said that not everything associated with lies is something he enjoys. And it makes sense, because Logan too said the same thing in the last Aside:

"Is that all I am to you? The reading guy?"

So now I'm asking: why does he like reality tv? Just because it's fake? Then why is he so happy about it being fake? Reality tv should represent reality, it should mirror how society works. And thanks to SvS, we know Janus doesn't hold society into high consideration:

[Deceit]: Society itself is a lie! (...) You get enough people to share a piece of land and breathe the same air and... you've got a society. Why? It's just a bunch of people in the same general area. It's an abstract concept, as real as the monster under your bed! But we obey these rules or get punished for breaking them. All in the name of society. It's absurd and terrifying.

Just like society, reality tv has a group of people put together and they make a society. It's an abstract concept, as real as the monster under your bed. And these people must obey the rules or get punished for breaking them.

And yet, Janus doesn't think reality tv is "absurd and terrifying", but "delightful".

Again: why does he like it? Why does he like something so similar to what he hates most?

Maybe you can live with the "It's fake" explanation and that's good for you. But what if instead of liking reality tv because "it's fake", Janus likes it, because it perfectly mirrors the flaws and the emptiness of society? What if he enjoys it, because he loves the irony of society using its own means to unmask itself and show its real face? What if he watches it, not because "it's delightful", but because it's bittersweet to see such an inability to understand your own flaws?

Which explanation do you think is more fitting for his character?

---

Remus eats glue sticks

Of course he does. His digestive system is probably able to digest molten lava, so glue sticks are a walk in the park for him, bless his chaotic soul <3

(Have I already said Remus is my favorite boi?)

---

The possibilities of shedding

Okay, the "Have you considered not having pores?" is hilarious and I love it on multiple levels.

Well, here we are. Janus sheds, two to four times a year. And I know the fandom went crazy over this and I'm happy for you... but I never really cared too much about it.

I mean: it's fine, but I can't really think of anything truly special to headcanon about it. Snakes shed their skin all the time and they just chill around, while slowly peeling their skin off. It's not dangerous, it doesn't hurt, it's just exfoliation time✨. I mean, does it hurt you, when you remove sunburnt skin? Don't think so. The worst thing for snakes is probably not being able to take the skin off with hands, since they don't have hands.

But hey, this is canon now, so I should probably integrate it in my headcanon. And I can do it in two different ways:

The shedding is just part of Janus' routine: twice a year he gets one day off, takes a reeeeally long bath and slowly peels off his skin until he's done.

I can take inspiration from this fanart and imagine the shedding as a real "leaving your body behind" process, in which Janus slowly gets submerged into his room and re-emerges as a form of pure power and instincts, which then solidifies into a new body. I think I like this idea more, because when I go with Janus, I need something that makes him look either more god-like or more monster-like.

And since we're talking about snake traits, how many more does he have? Because I already added a few on my list, like:

sunbathing

climbing trees

laying everywhere (especially on trees)

taking long relaxing baths

And I'm just waiting for an excuse to add "mating". But I suppose only future will tell.

---

What you don't like

"An important aspect of being oneself, in addition to knowing what you like, is knowing what you don't like and saying to that thing: ew get away from me, I don't like you... Roman"

Okay, that was genuinely funny and it made me smile, so kudos for that, Mr. Sanders. It was a clever move and I enjoyed it.

Also, for more reasons I will explain further down, this makes me want to write a conversation between Janus and Roman, to study how they work together, why they don't like each other and their personalities in general. My only problem would be to put it on a timeline, because I don't like to write things suspended in a temporal vacuum. If inspiration strikes, maybe I'll do it.

---

Religion... and self-preservation

Now, I don't know who made that question about Jesus Christ, but you. You. You gave me real fear... but also indirectly confirmed one of my headcanons, so thank you, I suppose.

I was bracing myself, waiting and hoping Thomas didn't say anything stupid, because Janus and religion have a super tight bond and one misstep can lead to me rambling for the rest of my life, all while throwing canon into the trash because no one can say anything wrong about the relationship Janus has with religion, not even Mr. Sanders.

But the answer was... okay. Harmless. A bit simplistic, maybe, but I can accept Janus saying that Jesus is cool for having followers and turning water into wine.

What really struck me the most was when he said Jesus is his style because "he refuses to die".

For me, that's the most important part of the video. You can take away everything else, because this is the only part that matters for me.

Why? Because this is the essence of self-preservation. Because, as I said in the past, self-preservation is that force that protects you from dangers, threats, even yourself. And it protects you from death. It's part of that intrinsic will to live that defines all living creatures.

So, since Janus encompasses this role too, it has always been implied (at least for me) that he's that force that will fight against death until the end, just to make Thomas live a little longer. In my headcanon, he literally refuses to think Thomas can die before his time, because he's built to not make this happen.

Hence why when I saw Janus putting such emphasis on the idea that Jesus refuses to die made me immensely happy, because it's (implied) canon. Janus refuses to die, because he will never surrender to death. Because it's his nature, to never surrender to it.

---

Deceit or Ego?

The snake telepathy part was fun when mentioned, then it was followed by the "memememe I'm gorgeous" part, which is perfect if you're the representation of Ego, a bit less if you're deceit.

Speaking of that, I think there's a bit of confusion in Thomas' mind regarding these two aspects. And since they're represented by two different Sides, the contrast is even more jarring.

Janus is confident and this is part of his personality. But confidence isn't repeating "me" in your head 400 times and telling yourself that you're gorgeous and handsome even when sitting still. This isn't confidence, this is Ego. This is something Roman could say to himself... and he did it, in the past. He looked at himself all the time, called himself gorgeous, asked if his makeup was okay because the prince's gonna slay, said he dramatically serenaded himself in front of the mirror. All these things are a constant reconfirmation of yourself and this is what the Ego does: it constantly reconfirms you're great and cool and gorgeous.

Confidence, on the other hand, doesn't need constant confirmations. If you're confident, you already know you're great, you don't need to repeat it yourself. You just do your things and if others criticize you, you shrug their reprimands off.

One example of confidence from this video? This part:

"What are my guilty pleasures?" Guilty pleasures? Why would a pleasure be guilty? I've got none of those. Indulge in your pleasures guilt-free, people: life is short.

This proves Janus is confident, WAY MORE than him repeating how cool he is. This is the tone he should've had for most of the video, not that "Oh, look at how cool I am".

Also because it may seem a paradox, but the more you repeat how cool you are, the less people will believe you. That's why people who constantly show off are perceived as weak and insecure: because they search for a constant reconfirmation they would probably never need, if they were truly confident.

---

All of the selfcare - and what else?

Aside from the things I already mentioned, the rest of the video is mostly made of advice like "your opinion is the only one that matters/others are less than you/don't give a shit about others".

I don't know if this is Mr. Sanders making a reminder to himself to not indulge in criticism too much, but okay, let's ignore it XD

These pieces of advice can all be traced back to another aspect of Janus' personality: the self-care one. The last canonical one.

And since it's the last, I can understand why Thomas latched onto it and made it be like 60% of the video. It's probably the part of Janus' character he remembers the most.

And it's the easiest too, along with the "sassy" aspect. Put them together and you get the sassy queen who tells you to relax dear, don't give a fuck about the rest of the world.

So I understand you, anon, when you say this is the best characterization in a while: it is, because it's based on the last canonical piece of Janus' character, mixed with the "sassy" aspect that developed more recently. Of course it seems more coherent with Janus' character, compared to him being drunk for an entire video.

But even if canonical, self-care is just an aspect of Janus' personality and it makes most of the video. The remaining part is a huge amount of Ego, which shouldn't even be here, because it's Roman's trait.

And the other aspects? Nowhere to be seen. No distaste for society, no cryptic language, no wittiness, barely any lie, barely any real confidence, barely any body language and zero foreseeing ability.

I know what you're thinking and yes, I said at the beginning that this video is clearly just a way for Mr. Sanders to reconnect with the character. So I understand why Janus' personality is like that and that there are mistakes or incomplete things. I am not blaming Thomas for trying.

I am writing this post, to remind you Janus' full personality. To remind you that he's not just "sassy wine aunt/self-care queen".

On the contrary, I think present Janus is exactly like his make-up: the traits are similar to the original one, but the aspects are too sharp. They should be here, they are part of him, but they're not in the exact shade or nuance to be him. They are similar, but off, because something is missing. And that something is nuance.

In the end, that's what this post is all about: nuance. Past Janus was more nuanced, because he was more than one aspect. Present Janus is less nuanced, because he's stuck between two aspects - which is a truly cruel irony, considering his entire thing is being a gray, multifaceted character.

My only hope is that, just like with the make-up, Mr. Sanders will find a way to bring nuances back into Janus' character and make him at least similar to who he used to be.

[motimatcha]

"nostromo"

PART 1. The Nostromo Killer.

parts: one | two | three | four | five

dbd Xenomorph (alien) x fem!reader. attention: not detailed murder, feeling of fear, chase. I'm a vicious child of the internet and I have nothing to be ashamed of! And so are you.

The World of the Essence is multifaceted and large, but even taking into account this knowledge, hardly anyone could imagine something like this. The knowledge of where you ended up naturally appears in your head: the Nostromo crash site is a location unknown to anyone, large and open, with a minimum number of bushes in which you could hide from the soulless eyes of the killer, but you were pleased with a large number of smooth, different-sized stones, behind which, theoretically, you can hide.

You found yourself alone. On one side there was an exit from the monster’s lair, on the other side there was a smoking and collapsing spaceship, which was ready to explode at any moment if a person stepped on board carelessly. Your gaze glances across the sky, and although you know that it is not real, you cannot help but be surprised by its beauty: a large satellite against the backdrop of billions of stars illuminates your path in the darkness.

However, there was not a second to lose if you wanted to at least escape from the Nostromo; the four of them could only hope and pray to the Entity to escape.

There is a generator behind you, two more stand out against the gray background inside the fallen ship - it is better to get rid of this triangle, first of all, without giving the killer an advantage. This was a new trend - a fashion - for the “triangle”, as other survivors called this phenomenon, and it must be said that it was very successful, since not many managed to break this vicious “circle” and escape, at least through the hatch.

Thinking about this and hoping that the new (really new?) killer won’t figure this out, you finish repairing the generator, when at the same second you hear a scream from one of your comrades. Very far away, the aura is barely visible, and you can only see a vague red dot between the opened outline of another generator and the two previous ones. A lump forms in your throat, and cold sweat runs down your temple. The thoughts in your head become chaotic: should you go to the rescue? Continue repairing generators? What if someone has already gone to help and you lose precious time?

You can't take risks in new terrain. You don't know where the windows and planks are to escape the killer, and the limited number of places to hide only makes matters worse. With heavy thoughts, your only solution is to continue repairing the generators and hope that someone will save the wounded man.

It's loud and scary on board the Nostromo. Jets of either hot or hungry steam emerge from all the cracks, sparks are heard from damaged equipment, and blood and its smell will forever remain on board. You walk around a couple of corpses of former crew members, trying not to even look at the cause of their death. Every step you take echoes through the empty corridors, but eventually you reach another generator in splendid isolation. The equipment turns out to be a little more than half wound up; Apparently, before being hung on a hook, someone was painstakingly fixing the local generator.

“Thanks for your hard work…” You close your eyes for a second to show your mental gratitude to the other survivor before getting to work. You're almost done with the generator before you make a ridiculously stupid mistake. Sparks, a loud explosion and nervously shaking hands. - “If only he didn’t come! If only he hadn’t come!” - you pray, frantically sorting through the wires in the generator, just to make up for the lost result.

Somewhere below there is a noise of muffled groans. Man, old man… apparently it's Bill! He was repairing the generator and was able to escape from the killer. A joyful thought crosses your mind, but immediately disappears when the seasoned veteran suddenly falls to the ground from the blow, an inhuman cry of victory is heard.

Heart beats faster, like a cornered animal. Thudum, thudum, thudum, thudum.

You walk away from the generator as if from a red-hot piece of iron, afraid to even look in its direction. There were seconds left before you could finish it to one hundred percent, but the fear for your own life was much stronger. Peering out of a hole in the spaceship's hull, you notice a new killer - a creature from outer space. Moving on four legs, having sharp claws as a weapon and a long tail similar to the edge of a knife, you understand that it is unlikely that anyone will be able to escape.

Bill was lucky, he was the first to suffer.

The creature, clad in a durable black shell, lifted the man in front of him to carry him to the nearest hook. Having seen a lot in his life, the old man did not resist, he himself understood that he could not escape the grip of the Entity under his ribs, and therefore did not delay the moment. With a wave passing through the earth, the Entity took the first survivor into its possession. At the same time, like a ray of hope, another generator was repaired. If you return to fixing your generator now, the three survivors will be able to escape.

That's what you thought. So you set to work with enthusiasm, and then one woman’s scream was heard, then another… and now you were left alone, on the Nostromo, next to the working generator. Going somewhere seemed risky, but you could try to save someone still hanging on the hook, while simultaneously praying that you wouldn’t get caught.

Climbing up the wall on trembling legs, you take a bold step forward. Then the second, third, and so on until you reach a fork: you can go straight to your first generator or turn left, going to the last generator from the triangle where your comrades are hanging. It was impossible to take a detour, if only because you would lose precious time and other survivors, by the time you came to the rescue, would sooner find themselves in the arms of the Entity. You had no options…

What had once been a meeting hall or a dining room was now a deplorable sight, because half of the spaceship was shamelessly destroyed and its fragments here and there were stuck deep into the ground. Having looked around the clearing under your feet and the crash site, you quickly find Claudette’s gaze and a girl unknown to you hanging a little behind.

“No! Get out of here!” Morel screams heart-rendingly before engaging in battle with the entity. “He's behind… behind you!” the last thing the girl manages to shout before the spider-like appendage of the Entity pierced her stomach and lifted her into the air. The stranger followed her.

It was scary to turn around. It seems that if you don’t look at the problem, it will disappear on its own, but in reality you feel and hear heavy footsteps behind you, the grinding of metal from the collision with the tail blade, and breathing. Hot, heavy, wet. The creature stands close behind you, with the skin of your back you can clearly feel the loaded plates and bones of the exoskeleton. Thick saliva drips onto your shoulder, viscous, like glue, and will be difficult to wash off your clothes.

“God, what are these thoughts in my head?” - a thought occurs to you before a nervous chuckle escapes your lips. This is from nerves, from the awareness of imminent death.

The creature hisses, its voice is surprisingly high and shrill, and then next to your head, almost centimeters away, there is an incomprehensible something. Everything is covered in saliva, it turns slightly at an angle, first one way, then the other, and the fangs (God, it has fangs!) seem to bite the air. Or maybe it sniffs like that?

There is no strength left to move. Not when there is a strange something dangerously close to your head, the owner of which is standing behind your back, one of whose arms can clasp your entire body and inadvertently break it. You don't want to check the latter. The creature speaks again, and then you understand – it’s time to run!

The energy accumulated over many seconds passes into the legs. You start from your place, as Meg taught you, and run straight along the stones and pieces of metal. The creature, slightly behind you, ran after you and tried to hook you with its sharp claws; slash across the back, and deep enough to leave scars. And although the latter will still disappear, they will be cured in the world of essence, the feeling of blood on the back, skin torn to the flesh and bones, is not pleasant. You turn sharply to the side, just at the moment when a huge paw whistles dangerously close behind you and rushes towards another, smaller, destroyed spaceship.

Perhaps out of fear, but you thought there was a hatch there.

Luck was on your side. Perhaps the offering in the form of a jar of Vigo worked, or maybe the entity itself decided to take pity on you, but you manage to get to the hatch. And before you fall into the fog, you sneak a second to look behind yourself.

The killer stands motionless in place. The killer is watching. And you understand

It is remembered It is developing.

this paragraph:

This work was written as part of the game dead by daylight, because, despite my familiarity with films, it is simply easier for me to write in the setting of this game. If you're not familiar with the game, but want to read how the Xenomorph does its dark work, you're welcome.

should have been at the beginning of the text. I decided to remove it, don’t ask why.

[princessmotif]

what iroh should have been, and how it would've impacted zuko and azula's arcs

in terms of canon atla, aside from my criticisms of the orientalism woven into the show's fabric, its pattern of telling not showing, the tumor-like presence of filler episodes that don't do enough as character studies or dynamic studies (mostly in book 3; in book 1 i'm more forgiving of these since atla was still finding its groove), and my issues with zuko's redemption arc not challenging his political beliefs in a meaningful way, the thing that i would consider its biggest failure writing-wise is the fact that iroh is not intentionally portrayed as a morally gray character.

the thing about iroh is that he is a longtime war criminal. they try to soft retcon some of that in book 3 by making his nickname "the dragon of the west" about him pretending to have hunted the dragons into extinction and by making him a part of the white lotus, but this to me is not only grievously boring but also a waste of his character.

i understand why the idea of iroh as little more than zuko's loving, wise, and kooky uncle makes people happy. it means zuko gets to have a father figure who loves him unconditionally and makes him feel safe. that's a lovely concept! but not a very interesting one in terms of the narrative, nor is it one congruent with iroh's initial characterization.

think of the absolute contempt and terror he struck into those earthbenders who tried to arrest him in book 1. think of the fact that he besieged ba sing se for 600 days straight well into his adulthood (his age is unclear, but i'd presume he's somewhere in his mid to late 50s throughout atla, so he would at youngest in his 40s when he lead the siege of ba sing se). think of the fact that iroh only changed his mind about his very active part in the war as a grown man once his son was killed. think of the fact that iroh spent 3 years with zuko in exile without ever once actively making a real effort to help zuko unlearn the fire nation propaganda he was indoctrinated with from birth or to truly help him understand that ozai abused him. think of the fact that the white lotus didn't really do much of anything throughout the war to end it.

what picture do these facts paint? is it really that of a reformed war criminal? no, not really.

iroh loves zuko unconditionally. he is patient and kind and loving with zuko. i don't think there's much, if any, room to argue with that. i am not denying that to zuko, iroh is a loving, wise, and kooky uncle.

however, i am saying that iroh is multifaceted. he is zuko's loving, wise, and kooky uncle, and he is also a war criminal who, despite the show telling us has reformed his ways, is not shown to have done so in any meaningful way. he does not do much to help zuko to unlearn imperialist propaganda, does not do much to discourage zuko from trying to capture the avatar, and does not do much at all to end the war.

this makes for an incredibly interesting and dynamic character! this is a character who believes that his personal kindness absolves him of his heinous political misdeeds. that is why he does not do anything meaningful to challenge imperialism where he sees it. that is why he is also a kind, loving man. he's hugely flawed, but he also has virtues that make you want him to overcome his flaws! there is so much room for him to develop whether it's negatively or positively, and there is so much that can be done with the relationships he has, especially his relationship with zuko! furthermore, this is the summation of what the canon material overall most strongly presents us with.

but it's not how the narrative wants us to view iroh, so it's not how the narrative treats him.

instead, we are told that iroh is a reformed war criminal (and later even the notion that he was in the wrong for his military service to the fire nation is soft retconned) who is now nothing but a loving and supportive uncle to zuko. he's unfailingly kind to both zuko and the gaang, ty lee lets slip that she actually rather likes him despite azula's contempt of him to show us that ty lee is an antivillain who will be redeemed (despite her political beliefs never being actually challenged in a meaningful way), and really the only people iroh is unkind to or who dislike him are azula and ozai to highlight to the audience that they are villains.

this makes for an incredibly static character who essentially only exists to love zuko and act as his moral tether despite the fact that iroh never actually challenges zuko's political beliefs. iroh does not need to grow or develop within the narrative atla tells us exists. he has already done his self-reflection and repented for his behavior. he is a figure of moral authority. while this makes him feel safe and good to viewers who accept what atla tells them without question, in addition to not aligning with what's actually shown, it also makes him insanely bland from a narrative perspective.

but what if atla intentionally portrayed him as morally gray? what if they leaned into his shortcomings?

here's the thing about if iroh is intentionally portrayed as morally gray: zuko's redemption arc improves drastically, and azula's is given a much better opportunity to begin.

hear me out. if iroh is morally gray, then he is not solely there to show zuko what real, unconditional love looks like so that zuko can replace his abusive father with a loving father figure, giving him the strength to do the right thing and join the gaang. i'm not saying iroh no longer serves this function in the narrative; i'm saying that now that iroh does this, and his failure to meaningfully repent for his war crimes and to challenge imperialism creates conflict with zuko. you see, if iroh is morally gray, then his failure to challenge zuko's political beliefs (i.e. imperialism is good) is something that zuko is forced to reckon with throughout his redemption arc.

this would mean that zuko is finally actually challenged in his political beliefs as opposed to simply accepting that people are afraid of him because he is a destructive firebender/the prince and thus representative of the harm they have endured throughout the war. furthermore, it means that zuko has to go against a father figure who has treated him well, so his redemption is no longer a matter rooted in kindness but in moral conviction. zuko doesn't have to lose his love for iroh to do this; in fact, that would be a very boring way to portray this. it is far more interesting if zuko has the internal conflict of both loving his uncle and condemning him politically as he struggles to do the right thing in spite of that love.

the idea of zuko managing to grow beyond iroh and do the right thing even though it is hard, even though it means not only going against ozai's malice but also iroh's complicty, is one that would round zuko's arc out better.

it's also one that would open up the gates for an azula redemption arc a lot more than what canon does (although canon azula is still redeemable).

if zuko outgrows iroh enough to challenge his inaction, then he has outgrown iroh enough to start to really see his flaws.

one of zuko's main flaws in canon is that he has a very black and white way of thinking. this is a hugely defining flaw for him. it's why he struggled to accept that ozai abused him, why he struggled to see that his pursuit of the avatar and thus the war as a whole was wrong, why he got physically ill when he was confronted with the fact that he was harming people, etc.

but if zuko starts to see that iroh's inaction as a flaw despite the fact that iroh loves him so sincerely and is so kind to most everyone, then he can start to break this black and white thinking. like ozai, iroh is no longer on a pedestal in zuko's mind. this would lead to the unearthing of more of iroh's flaws.

in conjunction with the fact that zuko has now seen proof of azula's pain (her psychotic break in the last agni kai), this means that zuko can start to place blame where it's due with people over her pain.

i am under no delusions about the state of zuko's relationship with azula in canon. i've expanded on my thoughts about the love between them here if you'd like to see them, but i can sum it up as so: while azula cares about zuko in her own deeply screwed up way, zuko doesn't really care about azula because he is shortsighted and struggles to empathize with her or even see a need to.

however, seeing proof that azula has been harmed too means that zuko would finally see a reason she is worthy of his empathy. the first, most obvious, and easiest to identify (for zuko) perpetrator is, of course, ozai. like with the war, ozai is clearly malicious. now that zuko has admitted and accepted that his father was abusive to him, it is much easier for him to admit that their father is responsible for azula's pain too. this much i believe is likely in canon as well.

the next person for zuko to look to, which can only happen if zuko has opened his eyes, is iroh. like with the war post 600 day siege, iroh was not malicious in his treatment of azula, but he was still complicit. iroh may not have abused azula, but he did neglect her entirely. he did not give her a chance to ever be anything but what ozai told her she should be. he did not show her love and compassion the way he did zuko. furthermore, he not only failed to encourage zuko to ever try doing so, he actively discouraged him from attempting to.

to be clear: i don't think zuko should be a mentor figure to azula during her redemption. like azula, he's just a kid. he's still growing and learning himself. he also doesn't really understand her at all, even if he has realized that she was hurt too. he doesn't understand how she was, and he's going to have to spend a lot of time reconciling the way their father's abuse colored his perception of her with how she actually is. furthermore, their relationship is complicated and full of pain for them both, so relying too heavily on it to help azula recover and redeem herself would end badly if we're being realistic.

but zuko seeing that azula was abused by their father and seeing that their uncle's failure to ever give her a chance to understand real love is crucial to him realizing that the asylum is not somewhere that gives her a real shot at recovery and redemption.

whether or not azula takes that shot when it's given to her is a more complicated story that would involve both zuko and azula having to reflect more wholly and honestly on ursa than i think either of them ever have before as well as some likely very painful conversations challenging the way she, like all other fire nation citizens, was indoctrinated, but do you see how interesting treating iroh as the morally gray character he is could be?

even if you don't want to see a redeemed azula (i personally do, but the possibility of her rejecting the idea of redemption is also quite fascinating and tragic in this context), zuko's arc and the commentary made about redemption and second chances overall are made so much more interesting and nuanced by this simple choice.

[cosmics-beings]

My thing for those worried about Starscream becoming a villain in ES is that you have to accept that he is multifaceted, and if being a villain or being morally ambiguous at best impacts you that much to the point where you stop liking his character or you think it's ooc, then I don’t think you fully understand his character. And you have to accept that he is a morally gray person to appreciate him.

But at the same time, ES is filled with plots that have in depth complexity and take us for a ride. Starscream doing something ‘evil’ because the summary says so doesn’t necessarily mean he is going to be an evil character. As what is evil for others may not actually be evil to the Decepticons. Star is also the Decepticon leader in Earthspark, so there is a chance what he is doing may be for the good of the Decepticons as he sees it, but may wreck havoc for others.

And then ofc, he might just be evil, he might do something evil, and it’s revealed that he is meant to be evil. Do I want him to be a one dimensional evil person…Naur not really. But if that’s it then that’s it, and I will still love him regardless. Transfomrers Earthspark has already given us a shit ton of complexity toward Starscream, and we were given a very multifaceted perception of him that I absolutely adore.

I also don’t think it’s bad to delve into aspects of him that show us why he became a Deception, and show us that a lot of his problematic tendencies existed before he was a con/before he met Megatron. And that’s okay. If you want Starscream to have a redemption arc you, which I do think ES might push, you also have to acknowledge that he is not a good person by default and never has been. He has to change. I don’t doubt, ES will expand on that.

I for one really like Starscream being able to be multifaceted, if written right. I like him to have empathy and nuance woven into his narrative, but I also like when we are reminded that is a villain and can be evil and can be a villain. If ES is a show that preaches changes and forgiveness then that’s just something we’re gonna have to experience with Starscream and we’re gonna see him be evil if we want a change. Or hell we may just see him be evil, either way I love him.

but more importantly, give the show and the writing a chance before you shit on it. We have a month, next month we'll see!! so be chill

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

Brightest Star

Synopsis: In a world eager to give and receive love, you fail to meet expectations. Foul Legacy shows you that you’re perfect the way you are.

Foul Legacy Childe x Reader Pronouns: Gender Neutral (no pronouns mentioned) Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Happy ending Warnings: Mentions of vomiting, nervousness, death, self-loathing, reader has a difficult time romantically loving other people, reader has difficulty accepting love from others, reader feels like they are “broken” because of this

Note: I realize that the contents of this fic might come off as very insensitive to people who are part of the aro/ace community- this is not my intention. This fic is partially based off my personal struggles with the concept of loving, dating, etc, and is not meant to invalidate anyone’s identity. Please proceed with caution if you think this fic might be upsetting to read for you.

~ * ~ You’re not an ideal lover. Oh, how you wish you could be, as the concept of being held in a special someone’s arms fills your chest with warmth; sweet little daydreams imagined in your head. You see couples on the streets- partners, friends, newlyweds- all celebrating the different types of love they have for each other, and in your eyes, it’s beautiful. A wonderful occasion, worthy of the highest praise, and you clap and cheer and wish you could find someone to love on your own. But wishes rarely come true, and your desire to adore and be adored entirely is overshadowed by the stone-cold truth of impossibility. For you have never loved, and don’t know if you ever will love. Surrounded by all walks of life in Liyue Harbor, you drifted through existence alone, putting on a polite smile of false security. To satisfy your thirst for understanding, you would observe the people of the city, taking note of each and every laugh, argument, and rejection that passed by your eyes, and more and more your curiosity grew. Love is multifaceted, and it both soothes and burns the souls of mortals and gods alike, a flickering candle and a roaring flame all at once. Ah, how you sometimes wish to have it in your hands. By the time you were grown, you had made relative peace with life, content to watch and celebrate others loving and being loved if you could not have it for yourself. It was an excellent type of joy- happiness, to you, has many forms- to see your dearest friends so elated, their cheeks warm with both embarrassment and delight. Perhaps in those years you had mastered a type of love, platonic love, and you cherished and protected it as your most precious treasure. But still, sometimes it hurts. No matter how many times you reassure yourself that you don’t mind, it always feels like something is wrong with you, thinking about romance and fantasy. Because no matter how much you yearn for it, you just don’t seem to be capable of loving a partner- even less so being loved back. It’s lonely in the Harbor, and you are the star of its melancholy, hiding your worthlessness behind your malfunctioning heart. It was sheer coincidence- or perhaps fate- that your paths intercepted, the thread of your life crossing and looping around his as you look up one day, out on your daily walk, and catch the cold azure eyes of a stranger. But those eyes simply curl upwards as the copper-haired man dressed in gray waves to you, the garb of the Fatui outshone by the beaming smile on his face. The Eleventh Harbinger, the Lord Tartaglia. Something sparks in your heart like fireworks and you stumble, disoriented. It fades to background noise as he rushes over to help you to your feet, but it’s still there, you can feel it just out of reach, and it makes your cheeks grow warm in confusion. Is this what dying feels like? There are butterflies only you can see, brushing their wings against your cheeks and making your stomach twist and turn. But Tartaglia laughs kindly, giving your grasped hand a firm shake, and suddenly you find yourselves acquainted. For Tartaglia- or Childe, as he goes by in Liyue- acquaintances are little more than friends who’ve barely met. Somehow he keeps finding you at corners, shops, even when you’re simply eating alone, sauntering over to sit down beside you and talk your ear off. All the while you’re silent, conflicting emotions of nervousness and delight and trepidation and perplexity whirling around until you’re a mess, a muddled disaster who only wants to scoot closer and lay your head on Childe’s shoulder, if only you were brave enough. Is this what love is? That’s impossible. You’re supposed to be broken, condemned to a life of loneliness. Or are you just breaking more? It only gets worse when Childe shows you Foul Legacy, his monstrous half originating from deep beneath the world, from a vast Abyssal ocean of stars. He’s a creature of destruction and decay- yet you’ve never met anyone sweeter, Foul Legacy sweeping you off your feet and holding you to his chest upon first sight, happy trilling noises slipping from his fanged maw as he hugs you and purrs. You didn’t even know Abyssal monsters could purr. Or maybe they can’t, and Foul Legacy is the exception. Either way, Childe bashfully admits that Legacy shows what he truly feels, rather than hiding them under a cover of charming grins, and soon all your outings end with an armored moth-beast snuggling against you while rumbling in delight. Foul Legacy likes you, Childe says- he likes you more than anything. Then, as always, the Harbinger trails off and averts his eyes, and the flame in your chest glows warmly when you see the blush dusting his cheeks before you grow nauseous with nerves for the umpteenth time this month. It’s a vicious cycle of nausea-happiness-fear-delight whenever you’re with Childe, human or Foul Legacy, the excitement of loving balanced by the terror of a new, raw emotion, an emotion you had convinced yourself that you’d never feel. Your friends, so experienced and knowing, catch on immediately, crowding around you and asking who the lucky person is, what’s their name, what do they look like, are they kind, are they flirty, who, what, when, where- You feel like vomiting, and stumble over your words. They can never know he’s a Harbinger, for his safety and theirs, and you retreat to a quiet space once they leave, head fuzzy and blank. You love him, don’t you? Were you deluding yourself into thinking you were broken? But that’s worse, isn’t it, if you do truly love him. Because you can never love him enough, not as much as he deserves. How does one “show love”? Nothing makes sense to you. Slowly you realize that it can only end in heartbreak, and you curl in on yourself and scream in agony. It’s raining the next time you’re supposed to spend the day with Childe, so Foul Legacy arrives instead, shaking water from his glittering wings and kneeling to your height so you can dry his ginger hair with a towel. It’s soft and thick, and you decide to forgo the towel in favor of brushing Legacy’s hair with your fingers, his blissful purrs coaxing a bubbling laugh from your throat. Then doubts trickle in, filling your mind like thick, murky water, and the laugh fades into silence, your gentle pats slowing to a stop. Foul Legacy whines and nudges your hand, your fingers trembling as your lungs constrict and your blood turns to ice; a sculpture that could shatter at any moment. “Childe- Legacy- I-” You don’t get any further before tears start running down your face. Large claws move to gently clasp your hands, and with a simple touch you break and begin to sob. You want to love him. You desperately want to reciprocate his affection, to give him the same easy, constant adoration he gives you. But something is just wrong with you. Everyone you know can love so easily, but you, you! You’re stuck, not knowing if what you feel is truly love or if you’re just fooling yourself because you want to have what everyone else has. You don’t want to be lonely, no matter how much you say it’s alright. But you don’t know if you can love either, because you’re broken and always have been. And if this dancing fire inside your heart is indeed love, you don’t know if you can love him enough, as Childe deserves so much more than you. You don’t know anything. Finally your endless, rambling sentences trail into nothingness, and you’re left with tear tracks on your cheeks, gazing shamefully at the floor. For once, Foul Legacy is silent, and you burn with self-loathing, hating that someone as broken as you has to stand in front of him, who’s perfect in every way to you. Something swipes underneath your eyes, making you blink and glance up at Legacy, gently brushing your tears away with his thumbs. He tenderly croons to you, the softest sound you’ve ever heard him make, and gingerly picks you up to place you on his lap. Exhausted from crying, you lean against his chest, the thumping rhythm of his strong, loving heart filling your mind as he curls his talons over your hands once again, leaning closer to press his forehead against the top of your head. Not broken. It feels like you’re speaking to both Foul Legacy and Childe, even if Legacy can’t talk in the way that you do. Not broken. Rumbles begin filtering from the Abyssal monster’s chest as he wraps his arms around you, pulling you close enough to kiss. Not broken. Because you never were broken, not now, not ever. Love is fickle, temperamental- it comes and goes at its own pace, hopping from whichever person it wants to another and never staying in one spot. Some love everyone, the entire world is their friend, and no one is an enemy. Some don’t love at all, fulfilled without needing romantic relationships. Some love themselves, and inspire others to be kinder to their body and mind, as mortals only have one life. And some are like you, unable to see themselves loving or being loved, only to find that their harshest critic is from within. Not broken. You’re not broken, because both loving and not loving are perfectly reasonable ways of existing. Childe will not ask you to love him- he wants the emotions to be yours, not something you feel obligated to do in order to be “normal”- he’ll never stop loving you either way, even if you don’t feel the same. You’re crying again, overwhelmed by everything and nothing, but the fiery feeling in your chest swirls and bursts into something steady and beautiful, like firelight on a dark evening, and you give Foul Legacy a watery, grateful smile. Ah, you said it at last- those meaningful words. I love you.

[solovivopaz]

Kitamura Biography

Name: Kitamura

Species: humanoid sea urchin

Gender: Women

Role in the Band: Drummer

Appearance:

Splatoon 2:

Head: Its head resembles the entire body of a sea urchin. It has soft, short quills, giving it a distinctive and adorable appearance.

Outfit: She wears a black dress with a gold tie, matching the other members of Ink Theory. This outfit highlights her position in the band and her unique style.

Facial features: His only visible facial features are his eyes, which have white pupils and white outlines with short eyelashes, giving him an innocent and striking expression.

Accessories: She wears pink ribbons on her head, but in Valentine's Day art, she is seen wearing black ribbons with gray polka dots, showing her versatility in fashion.

Splatoon 3:

Outfit: She wears a long black dress with metal spikes at the end, which gives her a more punk and modern touch. On top, she wears a translucent white shawl with ruffles, adding a delicate and elegant contrast.

Accessories: Its ribbons have been replaced by an ornate green flower with purple leaves, along with a cluster of lime green beads, possibly inspired by the "sea grape" species of algae (Caulerpa lentillifera or Caulerpa racemosa). This change reflects his evolution and maturity in style.

Personality and Traits:

Band Mascot: Kitamura acts as Ink Theory's mascot, making her an adorable and beloved symbol among fans.

Acute voice: His high-pitched voice is distinctive and gives him a charming and memorable character.

Fashion Follower: She regularly follows new fashion trends, which always keeps her at the forefront of style.

Independent but Responsible: She lives alone, which shows her independence, but she pays close attention to her curfew, showing her responsibility and discipline.

Vibrant Energy: Her vibrant energy and adorable demeanor make her a standout both on and off stage.

History:

Splatoon 2: He first appears as the drummer for Ink Theory. Her role in the band and her unique appearance quickly make her stand out among fans.

Splatoon 3: He joins a new band called Yoko & the Gold Bazookas, where he continues to demonstrate his talent and energy.

Relations:

With the band: As the band's mascot, Kitamura has a close relationship with the other members of Ink Theory and Yoko & the Gold Bazookas. Her energy and dedication make her loved by her colleagues.

With the Fans: Her adorable style and fashion following make her very popular among fans, who see her as an icon of style and talent.

Curiosities:

Fashion: Her attention to fashion is not only reflected in her clothing, but also in how she changes her accessories and details of her appearance to suit different occasions and trends.

Musical talent: Despite her adorable appearance, Kitamura is a talented and dedicated drummer, able to maintain the rhythm and energy of the band's performances.

Kitamura is a multifaceted character who combines his love of fashion, adorable looks, and impressive musical talent to create an unforgettable presence in the Splatoon universe. Her evolution in style and her role in bands demonstrate her growth and adaptation, always keeping her relevant and loved by her followers.

(On this occasion I have never drawn Kitamura but I hope to bring him one, I also hope you have enjoyed reading my biography, as I said; I'm not much of an English speaker so maybe the translation is wrong).

[adelarsims]

Anonymous OC question of the day!

If you could make a character real, which of your OCs would be:

your bestie

your spouse/partner

your secret lover!

your friendly rival

your enemy

BONUS: do this for other people’s OCs too!

Pass the game along (anonymously or not)

bold of you to assume that most of my OCs would give a fraction of a fuck about my existence, let alone being my secret lovers. they're so out of my league, it's kinda sad

but if we imagine that they would

my bestie: Saeran De Winter, my old MC with whom i played multiple choice games and visual novels for years. they're cheeky, sassy, not above being petty if you get on their nerves, but really understanding and supportive when it's important. they're also a good team player.

spouse/partner: it would be Leslie. he's quiet and introverted, just the kind of person i'm the most comfortable around, our hobbies and homebody lifestyles match, we value similar qualities in people and both like some alone time without our partner being glued to us 24/7.

secret lover: i think Katze is the closest to that. he wouldn't be my lover in a traditional sense because neither of us want sex, but we could have a fulfilling d/s relationship, we're pretty much into the same stuff, he wants to get what i want to give and vice versa. plus his primary need when it comes to genuine intimacy is for his partner to take things slow, and i'm always willing to move at a glacial pace for a person i care about.

friendly rival: Zach! i love the dude to death, but we'd roast each other relentlessly and lowkey try to humble brag and one-up each other on so many occasions.

enemy: hard to imagine myself making enemies, but if someone could become my enemy rather than others, that would be Kain, one of my oldest OCs (with black hair on the picture). i love him to pieces, and over many many years he's developed into a very multifaceted and morally gray person, but our ethics don't match at all most of the time. he solves problems and saves the world (at least a part of it that he cares about) on a planetary scale, and collateral damage is of little concern to him, even if it's people's lives. i would probably try to stop him and demand to change his approach, an interference with his efficiency that he won't take kindly, plus he's not the most flexible person and has a few other qualities that don't sit well with me. for example he can be uh... let's say biased against some groups of lgbt community (groups that i also belong to), i won't elaborate because he's more than that and i don't want him to be labeled as all around awful person for one shitty quality.

[apicelladonna]

Hi! I am the same anon who said that Albus & Newt has got me more invested in your fic.

I just wanted to say that I agree that Grindelwald is more dangerous and powerful than Voldemort. At least we know that Grindelwald's followers are there because they genuinely believe in the cause and not because they are scared of him (though maybe the fear plays a little factor). Anyways, Grindelwald made me more scared than Voldy ever did.

Have a lovely day!

Hi there!!! (this is going to be long, bear with me friend)

This is such a personal take and I know perhaps not everyone agrees with it. So I'm really happy hell hasn't broke loose with me saying this outloud-

Both of Grindelwald and Voldemort have their own strengths on why they earned of title being Dark Lords, powerful wizards of their times that caused mayhem, destruction and fear into the wrath of the devil.

I suppose am biased with how much deeper and more lore rooted Grindelwald's era of terror was. His character development shows a mix of idealism and fanaticism, making him a more multifaceted villain.

His belief in his cause, however misguided, is portrayed with a level of sincerity that can be unsettling and thought-provoking. There are moments where Grindelwald displays a degree of empathy and understanding, which adds complexity to his character and sometimes blurs the line between right and wrong.

Grindelwald operates in a morally gray area. His belief that his actions are for the "greater good" adds a layer of moral ambiguity to his character.

This makes his followers and some of the audience question whether his vision, however twisted, might have some merit.

This ambiguity can make him more intriguing and relatable as a villain, as he presents a challenge not just to the heroes' physical safety but to their ethical beliefs as well.

His time and movement was the catalyst for what was to come.

He’s not just about brute force; he uses propaganda, manipulation, and political maneuvering to achieve his goals. This makes him a more sophisticated and more of a people's champion.

He is more fleshed out in his ideology, more human than Voldemort's desire of deathless power.

Voldemort’s primary motive is a lust for power and immortality. His actions are driven by a desire for domination and fear of death, making him a more straightforward villain. Grindelwald’s motives are driven by a vision of a world order he genuinely believes in, adding depth to his character.

Why I am delving into this whilst fury and hatred for the author, surprises me but also merits a lovely introspection of the presented villains which mirrors the issues of their time.

This complexity allows for a richer narrative exploration of themes like power, morality, and the greater good-

Thank you for this opportunity to lay out my thoughts on this topic and I hope you are having a great day over there, anon!!! Dw Newt's going to be fine...for the next 1-2 chapter before hell breaks loose :D

[neonponders]

I need to talk about Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes for a sec:

[ spoilers below the cut ]

I feel like a lot of people are going to fixate on the concept of “the Snow family is the reason the Hunger Games exist. Coryo’s father made them start, and Coryo made them so successful that they lasted 75 years.

I need people to appreciate the contrast between what Katniss/Peeta experience versus what Lucy Gray experiences. It’s Coryo who made tributes get taken care of. Tributes were treated like animals - housed in a literal zoo - until the one person he ever loves has to go through it. Then he changes that.

Tributes are housed in their own building with the highest and luxurious of amenities. 

Tributes are fed with surplus. Coryo had to sneak Lucy Gray food.

The arena they’d been using had surprise landmines, which almost killed Coryo. His terror that feeds into his paranoid need for control make it so that they build a new arena every year. An arena with no surprises like the one he survived.

When Coryo is in District 12, he realizes that nobody has a television. The whole point of his being a mentor was to figure out how to make the country watch the games. Katniss, even in her extreme poverty, has a television.

Before the 10th Hunger Games the victors went home...with nothing. But Coryo makes it so that the victors get their own house, money, and food for the rest of their lives.

It’s so important to see how, in order to make people watch the Games and for them to last as long as they did, he actually improved the living conditions of the very people sentenced to slaughter. That doesn’t negate how awful the Hunger Games are, as a concept let alone execution, but Coryo is so multifaceted and it’s an agonizingly delicious brain rot to wonder how he would have used his insight to humanity for good rather that evil.

Additional hot take: Dr. Gaul is the real villain.

[marshmallowprotection]

Hi! So I decided to make the match up request dhdks I'd like to get your opinion ^^

Well, you know me, sort of (?) I'm multifaceted, love to do lots of things, some of them very different from each other.

Hmm I'm INTJ, the type of friends that often nags at the others but in the end I like to joke around too. I love watching series and movies, reading books and mangas, I'm into gaming (mostly indie and single player games), but I also love nature, specially animals, flowers, and outer space ❤️

My hobbies are basically drawing, sewing, photography, Cosplay, playing music, spend time with my bunnies, solving puzzles, and study things of my interest 🤔

Honestly I'm up for almost everything since I love trying new things, my life is basically a fight against boredom hahahah

I'm a huge nerd too, I love my profession, biology, veterinary, studying new languages (I'm fluent in 2 languages, can speak 3, learning 2 more, goal to be fluent in those 5 but that will be hard haha), I love debating and just wondering about deep or silly topics, learning random facts, idk, just for fun haha

My habits are a mess tho, specially because of my work. I often sleep just a few hours and then way too much on free days. I often eat fast food or snacks because I'm too tired to cook and I definitely don't enjoy exercising hahsdj

Idk what else to say?

Oh, I'm panromantic, gray-ace uwu

I match you with...

Jumin.

So, you're a very matter of fact, no-nonsense kind of person. You need to know the facts before you get into something and you'd like to keep it that way. What you value most in a partner is somebody who can meet you halfway and understand what makes you happy. You might think that somebody who is as detail-oriented as him might not fall for you as hard as he did. However, it is exactly that that draws him to you in the first place. The fact that you are someone with their head on their shoulders as well as someone who knows how to cut back and breathe when you need to.

It might not always be a case of opposites attracting, sometimes you might find something closer to home that you didn't even consider could work for you. It might be surprising to hear this, but your sense of adventure and craving to see anything and everything in this world coincides quite greatly with the same desire Jumin holds. You want to be able to experience and try everything, and while he has done many things in his life, it'll feel like he's doing them for the first time when he's with you. that is to say, when he's with you, it makes him feel like this is the first time he's been seen as himself instead of just a caricature.

All the pretenses go away and he can finally laugh. It's in both of your experiences to constantly push yourself to the brink, and to find the moments in between when you can convince him to take a break after you both get home at 2:00 in the morning to just grab some junk food. That's the kind of thing he never would have considered if it wasn't for you. You two are business oriented and even though it may feel like your worlds only meet halfway, the minutes in between during the sunset or more beautiful than anything you've ever seen.

[hyperfixated-homo]

im having a BrainMomentTM

sanders sides Main Character au inspired by a post i saw that ill probably reblog in a minute where everyone is a main character from different stories. roman is from a romantic drama, patton is from a slice of life series, remus is from a horror story. virgil is the purple-haired protagonist of a depressing tragedy, janus has been working on his murder mystery tale for all his life and logan’s a lead scientist in his scifi story.

i dont have like a plot or anything just. thinking about the world changing around them them not noticing for a while. genres combining and warping and overlapping until their individual storylines combine into one, multifaceted universe that looks so different from each persons pov but also makes so much sense?

also uh. what i mean by the world changing is that it becomes more fitting for like, a movie in that genre.

wherever roman goes, the world becomes rose colored. flowers bloom at every corner, the nearby area becomes a hub of meet-cutes and love at first sight, and people have a habit of becoming more flirtatious and confident near him.

patton makes the world soft and happy. kitty cafes seem to appear every other corner he turns, and he seems to always be lit by the warm glow of fairy lights. it feels like safety, and sometimes chaos but in a controlled way that makes you feel light and fluffy on the inside

remus on the other hand. he makes the world bleak and bleary and terrifying. it feels like buildings are actively decaying near him, monsters beyond our comprehension hiding in the shadows, of which there are PLENTY.

wherever virgil goes, tragedy strikes. car crashes and unexpected death, loss and corruption behind his every step. the world becomes bleak and gray, and it seems that he is constantly followed by a drizzling raincloud.

oddly enough, janus’ world isnt dark or dreary. its just very monochrome, in a strange way that makes everything seem out of a old film. people find themselves becoming more secretive the more time they spend around him, although somehow he always seems to see past it.

somehow, everything is both overly cluttered and incredibly minimalist when logan enters the area. things become more high speed and high tech and everyone can feel themselves getting smarter around him. the atmosphere seems to get sharper near him, blue-tinted and shiny.

i cant be bothered to actually write anything but like. thinking about combing genres with some ships. for ur consideration (not explicitly romantic):

prinxiety - romantic tragedy (romeo juliet style woo)

lociet - detective story

anciet - murder mystery

intruxiety (is that the name?) - psychological horror

royality - fantasy

rociet - drama

uhhhh the list goes on. theres like, pairings with more than two people too so the possibilities are infinite. ty for listening to my ramble o/

[drpepperhateblog]

HOT D continues to impress and depress me

First off, applauding at how they completely reject the “Kill Your Gays” trope and have Laenor straight up (gay up?) fake his death and run away. Although personally I always pictured Daemon being the one behind it somehow. Then again, the show also changed Rhea’s death to be Daemon killing her, so the whole unjust spousal murder still occurs, just differently.

While some show changed have been really bad, some changes have been really good. This episode was no exception.

The Good:

Aemond claiming Vhagar was a beautiful scene and the music made it feel even more epic. I liked that whole little montage.

Most of the characters continue to be more nuanced and interesting than their book selves. Then again, personally I find that to be a pretty low bar. I love Martin’s work, the Dance not so much.

While I dislike Alicent trying to stab Rhaenyra (see “the bad”) the dialogue there is incredible. Alicent feeling that Rhaenyra is entitled and being angry at the injustice of everything feels real.

Rhaenyra and Daemon embracing ruling through fear. Yes, give me morally gray characters!

The ????:

Did we really need that whole closeup of Rhaenyra and Daemon fucking? I was already grossed out when they did it while she was underage and he was grooming her.

Rhaenyra being fine with Laenor being gay is an odd choice, given how in the books she appears to be outright homophobic, saying that Laenor would prefer her brothers (who were under 10 years old)...

I continue to be critical of the clear bias toward the Greens. I find multifaceted characters more interesting. While I do think they did a good job with Alicent’s backstory and I don’t think her growing up to be the way she is now is too illogical, I’d prefer if she showed more skill in diplomacy, which after all is supposed to be something she’s better at than Rhaenyra and work in the Greens’ favor. Aemond being cruel is accurate to his book character, but I felt it was excessive even for his standards when he tried to kill Jacaerys with a rock and threatened to feed Laena’s children to Vhagar. While not outright villainous by medieval standards, Otto and Alicent slapping Aegon II feels really bad. We never see Rhaenyra do the same to her sons, even when Lucerys straight out stabs Aemond’s eye out. Aegon II has yet to get any real redeeming traits, other than possibly that he didn’t ask for any of this. I hope they expand on that. At the same time it makes the conflict feel weaker when he doesn’t actually want to rule and is just a puppet. Despite this however, I still feel more for Aegon II in the show than I did while reading the books. All of this however is a matter of opinion and taste, so it sticks closer to “????” than outright bad.

The Bad:

You’re telling me that Aemond just 1v4 Jacaerys, Lucerys, Rhaena and Baela? This is bullshit. The fact that he was able to fight back at all and was almost able to kill Lucerys was ridiculous. It’s 4 against 1, they’re all the same age and should be of approximately the same strength.

Alicent walking up to go stabby stab on Rhaenyra is completely out of character, even for Book Alicent who was completely unsympathetic. This feels more like post-Dance Alicent, who was traumatized and mentally ill, screaming at 10 year old Jaehaera to stab her husband. Not even Cersei did this when Joffrey was maimed!

Also, Viserys just stands there while Rhaenyra is bleeding out? Wtf?

Aemond saying his line AFTER all this has happened?

Otto is totally fine with Alicent ruining her reputation and stabbing the crown princess? Despite the fact that her looking like a lunatic gives them a bad reputation and lowers the chance of Aegon II getting approval from the smallfolk and the other nobles? If you wanted Otto to be impressed by a show of ruthlessness, Alicent requesting a literal eye for an eye would be enough.

[house-of-mirrors]

3 and 11 for the ask game?

From this game

3. weapon of choice? any particular reason they chose their weapon?

Orsinio: Poison. From the beginning I knew he was a subtle, sneaky person who lacked physical strength, and his dangerous stat came from being an expert poisoner. It was a delightful coincidence how Nemesis went.

Samuel: Harpoon. He's a monster hunter with a long history of zailing.

Lucretia: Honestly idk? She's not a physical person. If she's upset she'll throw a punch. And she's a doctor, so she'd always have a scalpel on her person.

Miles: Charms. They're dangerous when it comes to manipulating people with spellbinding words. If it has to be a physical weapon, a dagger strapped to their thigh. They've never used it on anyone though, I don't think, just when the weeping scars thing happened.

Skies captain: Gun. A pistol is practical in the close quarters they spend most of their time in.

Got a bit personal lol so under the cut

11. what do they have in common with you? how are they different? would you get along with them?

Oh boy. Well let's start this off by saying all my little guys are morally gray and I would not make the same choices they do on a regular basis sldkfjsdl, also I am in therapy whilst these guys are in the Victorian era

Orsinio is my main and very special to me lol, he gets my disabilities, adhd struggles, and trans of gender. Also being short. And enjoying Mr Wines. He's the one that when I'm having a bad day I put in the wriggler

Samuel gets the autism wins, he embodies my desire to communicate without speaking, also the inherent gender of being a dad

Miles. What is going on with you, Miles. Very little in common with them, I made them intentionally to be a villain. I suppose there is some emotion there with complex feelings about family legacy but Miles has it taken waaaay to the extreme. And I did also make them to be very gender

Lucretia gets my complex feelings about being AFAB (I'm trans, she isn't) and feeling a connection to traditional femininity and attraction* towards men (*in the most aroace and bi sense for me, whilst the character is het-ace)

Skies Captain is also short. A bit of wish fulfillment, gets to feel comfortable in their transmasc/nonbinary gender while presenting femininely from time to time, and has their emotions taken seriously despite not being very expressive

Bonus: Horatio is Orsinio's older brother and gets the mental eelness with the multifaceted anxiety disorder

Would get along with Samuel and Lucretia and see them as cool older friends. Honestly could go many directions with Orsinio with his intense personality, but at the very least we'd be nice research partners and bond over world being inaccessible and whacking people with cane. And I would punch Miles within 30 seconds of meeting (almost everyone they meet has that response). Would vibe with skies captain, we'd exchange poetry.

[alyssaaaaasblog]

Fan Autoethnography

I'm a devoted fan of several fandoms, with Disney being my main obsession. Disney holds a special place in my heart as it encompasses many of my favorite interests, such as Disney Studios, Broadway, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Star Wars, Pixar, and more. My love for Disney has only grown stronger as I've matured. My collection of Disney-themed items is extensive, including a bookshelf stocked with Disney-related books, various props, a closet full of Disney-themed clothing, and even a phone case of different Marvel comics.

Fandom has certainly served as a means of psychological fulfillment in my life, and I believe this holds true not only for fandoms but also for obsessions, hobbies, and passions. Whether one enjoys painting, crocheting, reading, binge-watching shows, or immersing themselves in films, they are engaging in activities that bring them joy. Arguably, life lacks meaning without some form of enjoyment, and fandoms offer that enjoyment and fulfillment to individuals who might otherwise be lacking it.

I am particularly enthusiastic about fictional realities, specifically fantasy worlds depicted in films, television series, and books. Often, it can be challenging to articulate one's own feelings, emotions, or experiences, but it can be equally relentless in recognizing these aspects in others. In media, like the fantasy worlds I adore, complex aspects of life are often simplified; for instance, in Star Wars, the portrayal of the division between light and dark is a clear-cut example. Objectively, only two sides exist, right or wrong, but in reality, much of life dwells in the gray areas. I find that many, including myself, seek reflections on their existence in these fictional worlds, searching for answers to make sense of the complexities of the real world without facing real-world consequences.

Take, for example, Star Wars and the character Anakin Skywalker. Many would categorize him as a hero turned villain, and while that's accurate, he, like real people, is not one-dimensional but a multifaceted individual who makes decisions that aren't always black and white. I tend to fixate on fictional characters who I believe reflect aspects of myself, or at least, I aspire to adopt their approach to life. Characters like Hermione Granger in Harry Potter, Rapunzel in Tangled, Katara in Avatar: The Last Airbender, Ahsoka in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and numerous others have influenced my personality in ways that have blurred the line between fantasy and reality. I've developed surrogate relationships with these characters to better understand myself and the person I aspire to become.

These surrogate relationships with characters or fandoms stem from our need for comfort, akin to our inclination to revisit the same films, books, or television episodes for the sake of nostalgia. Our generation often seeks comfort in reanalyzing these projects associated with safety, comfort, and simpler times. Fandom can offer solace during difficult days, moments of struggle, and bouts of self-doubt. When I'm having a bad day, simply thinking about a beloved character, listening to my favorite songs, or watching a cherished childhood film with my family can instantly transform my mood and behavior for the better.

Fandom has the remarkable ability to create an intimacy that transcends barriers of race, ethnicity, age, and background. If forming a connection with a character, a fantastical world, or a fandom brings happiness into the lives of others, then the way it takes shape shouldn't matter. I am a fan of many things, and my fandoms often serve as a form of compensation, and I wholeheartedly embrace that. Some individuals might argue that I've moved beyond the bounds of typical fandom and across the line to excessiveness, but I beg to differ. It raises questions as to why society normalizes certain interests, like men's enthusiasm for football, complete with Superbowl parties while labeling girls wearing pink to the Barbie movie as excessive. Thus, creating a double standard that unfairly criticizes one person's passion while celebrating another's, solely based on societal acceptability versus fandom participation.

I would like to clarify that while I consider myself a fan of certain fandoms, I don't actively participate in their online communities including creating fan content. Instead, I express my fandom through offline means, such as buying merchandise related to the shows, films, books, or characters I love and displaying them in my room. Although, I do occasionally follow, or check the Instagram of the actors and other individuals involved in the projects I watch. I also enjoy discussing my fandoms with friends and family rather than engaging in online discussions or digital communities. Privacy is important to me in all aspects of my life, not just within fandoms. I maintain strict privacy settings on all my social media accounts, including Instagram, Pinterest, and Spotify, ensuring that my boards, playlists, and posts are only visible to a select few. Choosing the format for this assignment was challenging because, although I have published articles and podcasts in the past, they have always been in a professional context rather than a personal one. Ultimately, I decided to write an essay because, as a writer and journalism major, it allows me to maintain a level of anonymity while still expressing my opinions wholeheartedly.

[jayasblog546]

Navigating the Complex World of Medicine and Humanity: The Appeal of "The Good Doctor"

Television has the remarkable ability to bring compelling stories to life, and "The Good Doctor" stands as a shining example of this power. Premiering in 2017, this medical drama series has captured the hearts of viewers around the world with its unique blend of medical challenges, personal struggles, and the exploration of human relationships. In this blog, we delve into the reasons behind the widespread appeal of "The Good Doctor."

A Glimpse into Autism and Diversity

At the heart of "The Good Doctor" lies the central character, Dr. Shaun Murphy, portrayed by Freddie Highmore. Dr. Murphy is a young surgical resident with autism and savant syndrome. His challenges and triumphs offer a fresh perspective on the medical field, while shedding light on the experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum. The show's dedication to showcasing diversity in medical professionals breaks down stereotypes and highlights the importance of inclusivity in healthcare.

Complex Medical Cases and Ethical Dilemmas

The medical cases portrayed in "The Good Doctor" are more than just plot devices; they serve as conduits for ethical discussions and moral dilemmas. The show presents viewers with intricate medical scenarios that demand critical thinking and decision-making. By exploring the ethical gray areas that healthcare professionals often encounter, the series encourages audiences to ponder the delicate balance between science, compassion, and personal values.

Character Development and Personal Journeys

While medicine is the backdrop, the true heart of the show lies in the personal growth and emotional journeys of its characters. Dr. Murphy's development as he learns to navigate the complexities of human interaction and relationships is particularly moving. The struggles of other doctors and staff at San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital are equally compelling, showcasing the multifaceted nature of their lives beyond the operating room.

Teamwork and Support

One of the standout features of "The Good Doctor" is its emphasis on teamwork and the support networks that medical professionals rely on. The series demonstrates how collaboration among different specialties can lead to innovative solutions and successful outcomes for patients. It underscores the fact that healthcare is a collective effort where individuals with varying skills and expertise come together to achieve a common goal.

Portrayal of Vulnerability

The show's ability to humanize doctors by showcasing their vulnerabilities is a significant contributor to its emotional impact. By peeling back the layers and revealing the insecurities, fears, and personal histories of the characters, "The Good Doctor" reminds viewers that those who care for others are also grappling with their own internal struggles.

Impact on Perception

"The Good Doctor" has the power to reshape viewers' perceptions of healthcare and the individuals who provide it. The show not only educates about medical procedures but also emphasizes the emotional and personal aspects of the profession. This nuanced portrayal has the potential to foster a deeper appreciation for healthcare professionals and the challenges they face daily.

Conclusion

"The Good Doctor" transcends the boundaries of traditional medical dramas by exploring the complexities of medicine and humanity in tandem. Its commitment to depicting diverse experiences, ethical dilemmas, and the intricate tapestry of relationships creates a well-rounded narrative that resonates with audiences. As the series continues to captivate viewers, it serves as a reminder that beneath the white coats and surgical masks are individuals with their own stories, vulnerabilities, and unwavering dedication to healing.

[yesfxckyxu]

Venom Verse || Character Sheet || Single Verse

NAME: Jack Neverbore.

AGE: 25.

DOB: March 28.

NATIONALITY: Japanese American.

SPECIES: human. (infected with a symbiote alien)

GENDER: male.

OCCUPATION: none.

HEIGHT: 5'7".

HAIR: black.

EYES: brownish amber.

FACECLAIM: Kōuga.

Currently, Jack is dealing with a deal he has created with a woman who goes by 'Mich' ( @/pvremighican ), and despite her sexual false personality, this deal has been to help her infiltrate facilities with her and kill. These facilities hold the alien symbiotes and researchers that deal with said aliens. Which is something that does keep Jack's interest due to wanting to get back the people who have done this to him… in a mild sense.

As, Jack only agreed because he craved the feeling of being alive. As deep down, he is chronically bored. He is bored with the everyday drill; everyday people, and feeding, and keeping himself alive by the means of survival. He wants more. That being either him being pushed to the edge or finding something truly worth his while. And as of now, the only answer he has for that is dealing with this annoying woman in Detroit, who pesters the hell out of him, and influences his symbiote to bully him. Yet, somehow, he feels it is much more than that.

But is this the best he can get?

Raised in an orphanage, always having been homeless, jack has learned early in life that he had to take care of himself first. This caused jack to grow distant from others as he aged, even to the point that he felt invisible to everyone.

One day, as jack was minding his own, he came across a flyer. This flyer was asking for people that were willing to volunteer for a project, and in turn they would get paid. As jack was poor—he thought getting some extra money wouldn’t hurt, so he applied. Which was a bad decision, as he found himself in a facility that were experimenting on the homeless/unsuspecting volunteers with inhabiting alien creatures.

Jack was a survivor, gaining a symbiote who was willing to help him escape. They tore many to shreds, fleeing with their lives on the edge. Jack currently still lives on the streets, again; moving from town to town by hitchhiking and bus rides. Always making sure to watch his back in case they were to ever find him and his symbiote.

- Henri -

The symbiote named itself, a very silvery gray monster with a loud, obnoxious personality. His appearance is that of a clownish skeleton. Even so, it was smart and clever—showing a multifaceted self with its actions. Despite it was smart, it wasn’t wise nor deep. It could be easily confused by the simplest of statements that may sound like it has a double meaning. The symbiote can create weapons that can rip its prey apart in almost a matter of seconds, having hooks attached to the end of blades. And for the neurotoxins in its tendrils can cause convulsions enough to where the victim can rip themselves apart instead.

The abilities of this creature are not simple, for both its host and others outside the host. With this obnoxious creature, it has altered Jack's personality to where the now once seemingly relaxed and understanding personality—he holds a more sinister side. Almost becoming callous in some points. This new side of his personality has caused some conflicts, and with Henri being the way it is, it has pushed Jack to show sides of himself that not even he, himself, knew about.

But wasn't that the point of being a host to an alien?