#but with other canon characters you're at least somewhat guaranteed that you know what their personality is

[sylviareviar]

Curious but how did you come up with your OC? Is she her own fandomless OC you have verses for, or has she always been one in the Persona universe?

Truth be told, Sylvia is a self-insert OC. I have other verses of her, and her background is usually different in every one, to better explain her circumstances. It's just, her Persona verse is the most active one I have on Tumblr. I came up with her in middle school, when I was at my lowest point, and Sylvia became my go-to comfort character ever since, because... she helped me escape.

But the truth is, I have lots of verses for her. Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's is one (which I don't actually use on here since I don't have any 5D's moots, but I am writing a fic about it on Wattpad-- it's the kind of fic that I'm not really proud to have, but I'm too attached not to write it, so into the trash bin it goes, I guess). I also have verses like Pokemon, in which she only accumulates her trauma after going out on a Pokemon journey, or Fire Emblem, where she's a glass cannon mage tasked with defending her lord (and maybe falls a little ill because of all the magic she's got inside her).

There are others, of course, but at the moment I can't think of many, since right now I'm hyperfixated on the Persona series, but if there are any other fandoms I like that I want Sylvia to be a part of, chances are she's there, with at least a basic background that I can build on if I start focusing on it again (like My Hero Academia). Oh, but I don't actually watch popular anime like One Piece, Bleach, Death Note, or Demon Slayer. Especially not Fullmetal Alchemist; I watched it when I was younger and got traumatized by the chimera dog. It's a little bit tricky, but I mostly find myself attracted by JRPGs, which is when I start to wonder, "I wonder what it would be like for Sylvia here? What kind of background would she have? How would she interact with the characters?" Building her up from there, coming up with funny scenarios with other characters, creating mischief and angst and blending the two into a believable character... It's all a lot of fun for me.

Sylvia being a self-insert doesn't mean that I take everything personally when I RP. Instead, the way I act with her feels more like she's a "doll" or an act that I play with. If other characters have personally hurt her, that's not an attack on me, nor is it an attack on her. It is an in-character interaction, much like how two actors who act out characters on stage that fight one another doesn't mean that the actors themselves are fighting.

The way she looks and is as a character is built in ways I can relate to, and it helps me to cope with the real world and real traumas I have. In a way, Sylvia could actually be my own personal Persona-- a mask I wear to get through the real world.

Sylvia's appearance is based purely on what I would find ideal on myself, and is sorta like what I think my personality looks like if it were a person. Her background, though, is something I have fun playing around with and building with the world, and I do my best not to break the boundaries of whatever world she's in, but bend them a little bit to make her seem unique without trying to take attention away from other, more important characters.

I guess you could call Sylvia almost a "trauma response," but I prefer to think of her more as a "special interest," because through her, I can learn better how to write, how to behave myself, and simply have fun interacting with canon characters.

Also, exhibiting some of my own personal habits through her helps me identify my faults as a person, and figure out things that I need to work on versus what things may be cute or fun in an objective sense, which I could leave alone after a bit of moderation. Such as...

...m-my habit of rambling. Or my dislike of loud noises.

But not everything Sylvia does is the same as me! For example, I don't actually live on a farm like Sylvia does in both the Pokemon and Persona 5 verses. My home is actually in a suburban area. Sylvia's location also isn't exactly the same as mine, and depending on the verse, her skillset isn't the same as mine either-- the only things that remain the same are her like of drawing, singing, and writing. Sometimes it isn't possible for her to play a flute, or to play video games, or even to just ride a bike. So really, how close she is in depiction to the actual me depends on the verse, but all of it is simply to have fun.

I hope that explained Sylvia as a concept sufficiently. I know a lot of people are uncomfortable RPing with self-inserts, so I'm already very grateful for the people who are willing to RP with her, and who haven't dismissed her as cringe or disgusting. Believe me, I've tried to let her go years ago, but every time, it never worked. So I'm sort of stuck. But I think if I practice with Sylvia long enough, I could start writing other characters with their own silly nuances and overly specific habits too.

[demonkinguwu]

hey i know you're not in the ahit fandom anymore but i have to ask, why did you ship vanessa x snatcher? not to be mean but i was just curious this whole time it's okay if you don't wanna answer

Well, this is certainly a surprise lol

While I'm not really into AHIT much anymore, it'll always be special to me, so I don't mind answering this for old time's sake

[Warning: I will talk about Snatcher x Vanessa in a sort of positive way. Please don't read or send me any hate if it's not your cup of tea or don't like it. I know this warning might be a bit much but I have received harassment over this topic/liking Vanessa before, so I feel it's needed. Please feel free to block me/ or ignore this if it makes you uncomfortable. Thank you👍]

Personally, I think they're neat.

Yeah, it was a toxic relationship in canon, probably for the best they aren't a thing anymore. But the thing is, even in canon there are tiny hints that the current Snatcher might even have a crush on her or at least doesn't care too much about her [though admittedly yes, he is somewhat bitter over his death]. Just look at the Seal the Deal DLC

"We all have a soulmate, supposedly. I know I do, she's waiting for me, I don't see anyone waiting for you."

Always thought this line was weird if he 100% hated her. like, he could have told HK: "I had a soulmate once, let's just hope if you have one, they'll be just as wonderful as she was." Like, he's already giving the child death threats, I don't think he's above wishing HK a similar fate to his.

I'm sure there are more instances but I just got the feel that Snatcher, while somewhat bitter about his death and all, he's pretty much doesn't fear her or anything, maybe even finds her evilness kinda hot now, who knows?

Canonwise, I don't really see them working out as he is too mad about what she did and she doesn't recognize him/hates him but that leads to the actual reason why I liked them.

AUs Listen, Imma be real with you all, most of my enjoyment of AHIT was because of AUs. IDK, for me this game was so easy to make AUs of, especially the Subcon Forest chapter. I like to think of alternative endings or heck, fill-in lore and all. I think Vanessa being an ambiguous character helps a lot in this regard [I mean aside from my preferences of evil women n yanderes in general]

I know she went crazy after she 'caught' the prince and florist but I like to wonder why, as I do have a personal belief no one is truly born evil, I just think they're influenced into coming it. I also like to wonder about different scenarios and all using these characters. I just think in concept they could be neat.

That's not to say I only made AUs to ship them, I mean, [points at my RoleSwap AU where Vanessa literally hates/fears Snacter more than Canon Snatcher hates Vanessa] But the bulk of them are little what ifs and giving them a chance to either fix things or work things out.

Anyways, yeah, I just like them cause there are just two people who are intertwined, it's easier to make AUs of them and explore Subcon as a whole in general. Yes, I'm also one of those who like character redemption arcs. Hell, one of my OCs was an absolutely obsessive bastard man that I thought would never get redeemed or like much but whoops, me n partner like him now to give him two whole bfs.

So yeah, that's pretty much it. I'm sure I would have written an entire essay before but I'm not really much into this game as before. The only thing I'm invested in currently involving AHIT is a crossover AU that came from RPing in which my RS Vanessa has a tsundere crush on my partner's horrible AU MJ unicorn guy who she will take the hammer and FIX HIM

I will probably replay sometime later this year but currently busy with other stuff and fandoms. I can't guarantee I'll be back into it, but hey who knows, maybe I will.

[tedturneriscrazy]

As all two people might know, at one point I was working on a fic before the announcement of the season 2 premiere. Despite my initial intent to continue it, I ended up abandoning it, mostly because it turned out I had made assumptions about Amity's character and motivations that proved to be incorrect, among other things. I know canon divergence is a thing, but ultimately the wind was taken out of my sails, and it remains incomplete.

However, I did end up writing a fair amount for chapter 2, and for the heck of it I decided to post what I managed to write here.

Anyways, have what I managed to write of chapter 2 of Tea With the Emperor.

(You can read chapter 1 here if you're interested)

2. The Proposition

If this had happened even a month ago, this would’ve almost certainly been the greatest day of Amity Blight’s life.

For the entirety of her school career, she had worked hard to be the best. To be the kind of witch that is indisputably one of the elite. To be the kind of witch that would be considered for the prestigious Emperor’s Coven.

To be the kind of witch unbound by anything her parents might have planned.

And now Emperor Belos had commended her efforts, praised her achievements, and strongly hinted that she was good enough to not only be in his coven, but even to eventually lead it. He had all but guaranteed her a position in it, no signups, trials, or duels necessary.

All she had to do was possibly give up what could very well be the love of her life.

Amity was still in a daze as she stood at the door to leave for Hexside.

The past week, all things considered, had been busy but relatively uneventful: recovering from her injury, attending classes, participating in after-school activities, fending off the occasional jab from Boscha, reading to the kids at the library, hanging out with Willow and Gus when time and opportunity allowed (despite it still being a tad awkward), and spending “quality time” with her parents and the twins via mealtimes and “private sales.”

And now two momentous messages had come in the same morning within minutes of each other. One she had been waiting for all week, while the other, in a sense, she had been waiting for nearly her entire life. If Amity played her cards right today, she could very well secure the future she had always wanted. At least, what she thought she wanted. Certain recent events had somewhat thrown that into question. Certain people, too.

Well, one certain person, anyway.

Amity shook her head to clear out these thoughts. After all, she was going to meet the Emperor himself this afternoon. Not just meet him, but presumably talk with him, as well. He didn’t need to know that she had been hanging around with the human that had very publicly escaped from the Conformatorium with a wanted criminal that had been moments away from being petrified. He definitely didn’t need to know about the massive crush she was currently harboring on said human.

She smacked herself in the face. Pull yourself together, Blight, she thought to herself. You’re going to meet Luz later tonight. For now, focus on making a good impression with Emperor Belos. Then your spot in his coven will be secure.

While Amity was hardly reassured by this internal pep talk, at the very least it returned her focus to the moment. She finally opened the door and stepped out to head to school.

When Amity arrived on the school grounds, she noticed that the other students looked at her as she passed by, speaking among each other in hushed tones. Great, she thought, everyone already knows. Exactly how they knew was a mystery to Amity, as it always was. One way or another, BBN-HXN could never hope to match the speed and efficiency with which news spread throughout the Hexside campus. Despite their efforts to keep her from hearing what they were saying, and despite her own efforts to ignore them, she could catch a few stray remarks as she made her way to the entrance and through the halls.

“Yeah, by Belos himself!”

“What do you think he wants with her?”

“Man, being rich gives you all the perks!”

“Guess she’s gonna get a head start on bootlicking…”

“Not so loud! She might hear you!”

Amity rolled her eyes slightly but otherwise gave no indication that she heard any of this. If she was good at anything it was being stoic and aloof. Besides, nothing she had heard was worth getting worked up over anyway. Just the usual gossip and chatter. No big deal.

On her way to the Abomination homeroom she caught sight of Willow and a noticeably taller Gus. They were chatting about something excitedly, but Amity couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. She approached them, waving to get their attention.

“Well, if it isn’t the Emperor’s personal guest!” Gus greeted playfully.

“How does everyone know about that already?!” Amity asked, exasperated.

“Well, you know how it is,” Willow explained, “word travels fast around here. But if I were to hazard a guess, I’d say your brother and sister probably had something to do with it.”

“That wouldn’t surprise me,” Amity grumbled. Considering what they had tried to do with her diary and what they said about the “Azura Book Club,” she would not put it past them. Sure, they might disguise it as bragging, but she was certain getting on their baby sister’s nerves would be their primary motive.

“Anyway, give us the deets!” Gus said eagerly. “Why did Emperor Belos invite you over to his castle?”

This question caught Amity off guard. Sure, Kikimora had given an explanation, but she could only guess at his true motive. Perhaps he really was simply interested in meeting the top student of Hexside. Then again, Amity supposed that, as the most important and powerful witch on the Boiling Isles, he would hardly meet with any one person without a purpose in mind. Certainly not a teenage girl he didn’t personally know.

Trying not to dwell on this, Amity simply repeated what Kikimora had told her an hour ago. Neither of them seemed entirely convinced by this.

“I don’t know,” Gus mused. “Seems like the Emperor would be a pretty busy guy. I doubt he’d have the time to be meeting with students like that, even the top ones.”

Amity shrugged. “I don’t know what else to tell you, that’s all she would say.”

“Enough about that,” Willow said. “Have you heard from Luz yet? She’s returning to school tomorrow!”

Amity stared at her incredulously. “What?!”

“That’s right!” Gus added. “She called us earlier this morning and told us she was coming back. Didn’t say much else though, only that she’d explain when she got here. I thought she would’ve called you, too.”

“Well, she didn’t call, exactly,” Amity said. “She actually sent Owlbert to deliver a note to me. No mention of returning to school or anything, but she did ask to meet her tonight.”

“Wait, you’re meeting her tonight?” Gus asked, seeming confused and a tad surprised. “Why would she ask you to do that?”

Amity caught a glimpse of Willow’s expression at this revelation. Unlike Gus, this didn’t appear to faze her. On the contrary, her eyes betrayed satisfied, even smug, knowledge.

“She probably guessed that talking to Amity via scroll or crystal ball was out,” Willow answered. “After all, Mrs. Blight could be monitoring those lines. And Luz would know what she’s like, at least a little bit.”

“Uh, yeah, that’s a good point,” Amity said, somewhat hesitating. That possibility, much to her embarrassment, had not occurred to her as she tried to call Luz all those times. After all, her mom was a member of the Oracle coven, so that would be fairly easy for her to do. Then again, even when she had been forced into that Everlasting Oath, her mom had not mentioned any of those attempts, so it was hard to say one way or the other.

Still, Amity couldn’t shake the feeling that what Willow said wasn’t the actual answer she had in mind. Perhaps she was seeing things, but Amity swore she could see Willow’s mouth form the tiniest smirk.

"Fair enough," Gus said, seemingly satisfied with that explanation. He put his hand to his chin, obviously thinking about something. Suddenly a look of dawning comprehension--and...concern?-- came across his face.

"I just had a thought!" he said, almost shouting. He then leaned in to whisper, "What if the reason Belos wants to see you is because of Luz?"

A chill went down Amity's spine. It seemed like there were so many things lately that hadn't crossed her mind. Some thoughts, like this, she sincerely wished hadn't.

For a brief moment she was furious with Gus for putting such an idea in her head. She did her best to quash the urge to yell at him. After all, it was a valid question, and it wouldn't do to shoot the messenger.

Perhaps sensing all of this, Willow interjected, "Come on, Gus, think about that for a second. If he really wanted to talk to anybody about Luz, he'd probably have one of us brought in. Y'know, the ones who were with her at the castle? And rallied a crowd to call for Eda's release on live TV?"

"Good point," Gus conceded, turning to look at Amity. "He probably doesn't even know she's friends with you. Even if he has time to visit specific students, he couldn't possibly have time to look into their social lives!"

"Yeah…" Amity said quietly. She wanted to be reassured by this. His reasoning seemed sound enough.

However, yet another unwelcome thought crossed her mind: Grom. Even if Belos had more pressing matters than the intricacies of school life, he almost certainly would have heard about the events of Grom, considering Grometheus was a force that affected all of the Boiling Isles. The fact that there were two Grom Queens for the first time in history would have been especially notable.

Not to mention who those co-queens were.

Amity decided not to bring this up. Worrying Willow and Gus about this wouldn't help anything; if anything it would only add to her own stress. The tea was happening this afternoon, and she could ill afford her nerves being more shot than they already were.

Suddenly a simultaneous ringing and screaming sound filled the hallway. It was the warning bell for classes. The young witches said their farewells and headed toward their respective homerooms, promising to talk later.

Considering the significant events that were taking place that day and evening, the school day itself ended up being rather unremarkable. Sure, Amity did have a few students bold enough to ask questions about her upcoming meeting with Belos, but overall it was a fairly typical day. There wasn’t much further discussion about the teatime or Luz with Willow and Gus, since they all agreed that there wasn’t much else to talk about. Well, other than the one thing Amity refrained from mentioning.

Before she knew it, the end of the school day had rolled around, and it was time to head to the Emperor’s castle.

As Amity exited the building, she could clearly see her ride. An ornate carriage--white with gold trim and curtains, as well as a large Emperor’s Coven sigil on the side--was parked right at the entrance to the school grounds. Harnessed to the carriage were a pair of alicorns whose colors matched the carriage; white bodies and wings with golden manes, tails, and horns. Standing by the carriage were two masked members of the Emperor’s Coven, with a third holding the harness in the driver’s seat.

A crowd had predictably gathered around the carriage. After all, it wasn’t every day that the Emperor’s Coven paid a visit to Hexside. However, the crowd was not too close to the carriage, and Amity could see a clear path leading to it. More than likely this was the doing of the EC members.

Amity made her way to the carriage and stopped in front of the coven members. The one on her right stepped aside, opened the door of the carriage, and gestured inside. “After you, Miss Blight.”

Amity muttered a quiet thanks to the coven member and stepped inside the carriage, aided by the other coven member. The interior of the carriage stuck to the theme of the exterior and the alicorns, mostly white with gold accents. The exception were the seat cushions, which were a shade of bright red that somehow complemented the interior rather than clashing with it.

Once Amity took the seat nearest the door, the coven members stepped inside and sat across from her. One of them pounded lightly on the wall, signaling to the driver to start moving. Shortly after the carriage started to rise into the air, and was soon flying toward its destination at a brisk pace.

[theangrypokemaniac]

I'll state from the beginning that the images below display the sort of sweet synchronicity to which only love can give life:

MaAndPaShipping is the best ship, and here are five reasons why:

1. It Made James

Like the boy do yer? Ever felt the slightest tingle of warmth at the mention of his name?

Well get down on yer knees and give thanks to his mother and father for gifting him to the world!

Where would we be without their remarkable commitment? Could James have grown into the dandified dream boat of your desires if deprived of the safety provided by his parents?

Had they not brought him up, he'd be dead, The Dog of Flanders fantasy made reality. If miraculously he survived, foraging in the wild is not conducive to a foppish personality.

Is that to yer fancy? No? Then let's have a little respect. The luxury Ma and Pa gave enabled his macaroni tendencies to reach such heights.

Their love created him! How can it not be celebrated?

You lot would ship Jessie's parents but you can't, because she has no dad, and I don't suppose you'll ever assent to his obvious identity of Windy Miller, although 'Jessie Miller' has a wonderful ring to it, so what can be done?

Should a Pa Jess be conjured for the purpose, he still buggered off, didn't he? Where's the allure in a faithless git?

I can't comprehend the obsession with Ma Jess. As soon as here she's stiff, and what is there to remember but coercing her daughter into eating snow?

Hey, I named her. What more do you want from me?

I'd rather have the living, visible ancestors, if you don't mind.

Yeah, says the history fanatic.

Why not make the most of the chances offered, and follow a devoted couple whose love made a difference to your existence?

2. Canon!

There are many ships which I find repulsive for involving depravity, or absurd as the subjects haven't met, or don't inhabit the same fictional universe.

Video et taceo: I see and I say nothing.

Neither does anyone. Forcing decent folk in to incest, bestiality etc. is quite alright.

Perverted ideas are left alone, but woe betide a Rocketshipper, because that's offensive.

It may be the only original ship left standing, with proper evidence and sanctioned by Nintendo, but no, it's fair game for undermining. People pick at your arguments, quibble constantly and NEED to register their objections NOW. You MUST be made aware of opposition. You're not to be permitted your views the way those with twisted tastes are indulged.

Why, out of tens of thousands of combinations, does making Jessie and James an item provoke hostility?

The strength of negativity actually serves as validation, for why be so concerned if it's an impossible relationship?

However sick they are, I'm not anti any ship. I can't muster sufficient interest to do it, and if I scroll on, I forget. I certainly don't attack those responsible.

Anti-Shipping is inherently nihilistic for promoting loneliness. They aren't against Rocketshipping through wanting Jessie and James to be with someone else, as an alternative is not readily available, so the outcome of it is neither finding a companion.

MaAndPaShipping attracts no sourpuss silliness, for 'tis canon beyond question. There's nothing about being 'just friends' when married with a son.

How's the state of your O.T.P.? Not looking too clever I expect, and what's your contribution: wishing, and hoping, and thinking, and praying?

Cast it off! None of that longing is necessary in these quarters, as MaAndPaShipping is a fait accompli.

Hallelujah! Wallow in that Love!

Don't you yearn for at least one ship that all of us accept by default, to the extent these aristocrats are spoken of as a single unit?

Across the internet, Ma and Pa are bracketed as 'James's parents', never 'he' and 'she', always 'they', barely counting as distinct characters. That's how undeniable the love is between them. Sheer indifference has awarded it a blessing from everyone.

MWAH-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!

Of course, now I've drawn attention to it the moaning will start, but we all know a spoilsport when we see one.

If they had any legitimate complaints they ought to have mentioned 'em before this piece highlighted the marriage!

Except it won't have occurred to 'em previously, proving the eternal, indissoluble quality of MaAndPaShipping.

You get good value with this one.

Find a post referring to Ma and Pa as individuals and I'll have written it, for that's what you call ironic.

3. It's a Fine Rocketshipping Proxy

I was at primary school when Pokémon hit the West like the bright, bearded meteor it is, atomizing all competition for a child's attention.

I have shipped Jessie and James before I knew anyone else did it, unaware shipping was even a thing.

There are other pairs where I think: 'That seems to fit', but it's incomparable to what I feel for them.

It is part of me. I bleed it.

I have shipped it longer than most Tumblerries have dwelt upon the earth.

I used to believe, what with the hints and manga finale, that this resolution was  inevitable, and all I had to do was wait.

Well I've been patient for two decades now, thus when I look at the modern incarnation, and realise it's no nearer to that goal, and instead is further away, waiting starts to wear a bit thin.

I resent the lack of appreciation shown to the fans by the cretins in charge, how any meagre shippy inclusion is done not with an interest in deepening bonds, but with the blatant cynicism of moulding us into performing monkeys dancing to their manipulative tune.

I dislike being treated like a sea lion, expected to clap me flippers at the wave of a fish, or as a panting dog begging at top table, where, because they're desperate to maintain the status quo, every scrap flung down from above now comes with an Anti-Ship kick in the teeth, just to be sure nothing progresses. Not whilst the franchise can still be milked for all it's worth.

I have lost faith Rocketshipping will happen. What passes for Pokémon today carries not the remotest indication of any intention on the so-called writers' part to finish it that way.

Even if it did, it's not my Team Rocket, it's those skeletal, gargoyle bastardisations. My Jessie and James never got the reward they deserved.

I'm somewhat in the market for a replacement. Beneath this loathsome carapace of acid and ice beats the tender heart of a true romantic, and it must have an outlet!

Shipping Ma and Pa provides a certain spurious relief, because it's as close as you can get to Jessie and James without it being them, both biologically as his parents, but they're so similar to the duo it counts as proof in itself.

Holy Matrimony! is prime Rocketshipping territory, not merely the balloon lift, but many slight additions are as important, like the haircuts matching.

Ma and Pa are therefore Jessie and James in the past, present and future:

The past for representing Jess 'n' Jamie gone Victorian, and we've all wondered how that'd turn out.

The present as it's there right now, absent of suffering the shameless whims of morons to get what you want. 'Tis yours to savour.

The future as a glimpse of Jessie and James once married with children, and they agree:

That's how they play it given the opportunity!

What, James in blue, for his and Pa's hair, and Jessie wearing purple, like Ma's, with a red shawl for her own, and Ma Jess's orange earrings to copy the beads?

• Money!

• Bun!

• 'Tache!

• Classy pad!

• Fancy gear!

• Pampered pet!

• Identical cups of Earl Grey!

4. Original Blend

Ma and Pa have only got two fans! We care more than the entire fandom has in twenty years!

Rocketshipping art is ten a penny, so why not display a pioneering spirit, sharpen up those pencils and be inspired?

Let your mind expand and marvel at the possibilities of these unchartered territories, and I'll reblog it if it's nice.

Pay attention to the condition of it being nice. I'm not putting up with any old toss.

Real Ma and Pa is what I want too, not those Sinnoh coffin-dodgers.

It's never been done! Every drawing breaks new ground!

I don't like fan fiction, but I wouldn't say 'no' to that either. Recall the 'nice' stipulation again.

Come on, be the first amongst your friends and get ship shape!

5. It Gives Us All Hope

Suppose your favourite amour one day became canon: you imagine that's the end of the matter?

Well it ain't.

Between Ash, Misty, Brock, Jessie, James, Gary and Tracey, there are three-and-a-half out of fourteen parents (Flint doesn't count as a complete man) and one out of twenty-eight grandparents, and that's not enough!

If the series drew to a close with your beloved couple apparently walking into the happily-ever-after, there's no guarantee it'll endure. In fact, the odds are they'll split up within a few years and leave another generation to fend for themselves or starve.

That's right, so don't presume the final episode is all you need to worry about. Can you rest easy knowing it'll go pear-shaped once the camera stops rolling?

It's futile soothing one's worries with:

Oh, but they know what it's like to be alone. They'd never inflict such stress on their children.

Oh really?

Look at that poor showing of grandparents. Either Pokémon has a system reminiscent of the sci-fi film Logan's Run, where everyone over thirty is vapourized, or these disappearing maters and paters were themselves victims of abandonment.

I bet when they settled down, they thought it'd be different for their kids, they'd make sure of it, but no, off they went down that same route of feckless self-indulgence, and that's being kind assuming they intended not to repeat history.

Depressing eh? What's the good in any of us surrendering to romance, real or otherwise, if love is but a mayfly of emotion, and all dreams are doomed to die?

Then Ma and Pa arrive, and suddenly the storm clouds part for a ray of heavenly light.

It's not only that they made the effort in what was probably an arranged marriage and have stayed together from youth, it's that they've stayed together when no one else has, which augments its value.

When separation is commonplace, sticking it out becomes rarer and rarer as any belief in the sanctity of wedlock erodes with every failure.

If they didn't bother, why should I? What's the use when it won't work?

Once that idea enters your head, it's over, and your gloom-laden attitude fulfils itself.

Society is collapsing about Ma and Pa's ears, but they persevere nevertheless, refusing to buckle under the turgid malaise engulfing the arrogant and weak.

It's bloody beautiful, man!

You may suggest an environment of supreme wealth erases normality, and to their class and time period divorce is still taboo, so they don't really have much of choice but to remain wedded.

Ah, but it's not as if they simply tolerate one another for appearances, or carried on for the sake of their son (which is more than anyone else did besides), not when he walked out on them.

They've been married longer than James has lived, so at least eighteen years (don't all squeal at once), and they're still blissfully contented!

They hold hands!

They use terms of endearment like 'dear' and 'my precious'!

They were made for one another!

They work as a team!

They want the same thing for James!

It could bring a stone angel to tears it's so beautiful!

See what success can be achieved when you try? When you endeavour to love the one you're with and make yourself worth loving in return?

Better that than chucking 'em at the first sign of trouble.

Ma and Pa is such an irrevocable union even the despair of losing their only child failed to tear 'em asunder, and that'd defeat many, but not this husband and wife.

Be grateful, for it means all is not in vain.

It doesn't have to be misery and pain: love can last despite the pressure of a wretched, hollow culture bent on self-destruction. Your ship might just succeed too.

God bless 'em for keeping the magic alive!

...

Why do I have the presentiment that I'm going to regret encouraging support?