#character-driven stories

[dianeandlyka]

One

Word count : 1,699 Summary : The start of a beautiful partnership

Diane had no idea how or why it happened, but the poor thing was suddenly sucked into a swirling vortex and unceremoniously expelled on the other side. The sensation was suffocating and constrictive, making it hard to breathe, but soon she found herself in a new place. She clutched her trembling head in her hands, feeling the weight of her predicament. This was exactly why she was never allowed to join her siblings on missions; these kinds of chaotic, dangerous situations seemed to find her alone. She was stranded by herself. {Where were they? Where was Tyra? Where was Xavier? No, no,} her thoughts spun frantically.

She forced herself to her feet, feeling the energy around her body falter; this universe was unfamiliar to her, and her instincts screamed that she was out of place. She stood in a park, the encroaching darkness signaling that nightfall was near, which only heightened her anxiety. Her magic was running dangerously low, as if it had been siphoned away from her very essence. She needed to find shelter quickly.

At just twelve years old, Diane was far from ordinary. Despite the urge to panic, she remembered Tyra's advice: never panic, no matter the circumstances. She had dark brown skin and long, curly black hair tied up in a tight ponytail. Her attire was a pair of cute pink shortalls, which did little to hide her small and fragile frame. A cut on her arm stung, but she was managing as best she could. Finding somewhere safe was her immediate priority.

In the depths of the forest, a wolf prowled with keen senses attuned to the scents of the wild. His nose twitched with every whiff of the breeze as he hunted for something to satisfy the gnawing hunger in his belly. The sharp, metallic scent of blood suddenly penetrated his senses, filling him with a primal thrill. He followed the scent eagerly, his nose guiding him through the trees until he emerged into a clearing.

There, he spotted Diane. Instincts told him to be wary—humans could be dangerous and unpredictable, even if they didn't look it. However, the scent of blood was too compelling to ignore. The wolf remained hidden in the shadows of the woods, his silver eyes locked on the girl as he observed from a distance.

Diane scanned her surroundings, but her senses were too depleted to detect anything following her. Despite a nagging feeling that she wasn't alone, her waning energy couldn't pinpoint any nearby entities. In the distance, she spotted a tree with a large cavity—an option for shelter. It looked spacious enough for her to squeeze inside, and she needed warmth. Venturing into a city was too risky; things could go wrong fast. She pulled out some leaves and discarded the twigs before crawling into the hollow. "I'll stay here for the night... Tyra and the others will come back for me... if they're not shouting their heads off," she muttered to herself, trying to reassure herself despite her racing heart.

The wolf approached slowly, his movements deliberate. Though his mouth remained still, a voice emerged clearly from him. "Only a fool would choose to stay out here." This wolf was far from ordinary; it resembled an alien version of a wolf, with two tails and front limbs much bulkier than usual. He circled the area around Diane's hiding spot, emitting a low growl as he spoke, "It's dangerous out here. Many creatures would relish a meal."

Diane's eyes shot open the moment she heard the voice, her anxiety spiking. She inched deeper into the tree cavity, trying to escape the growing dread. What was that thing? It couldn't have been a wolf—its appearance was too grotesque. She was frozen, unsure of how to respond. The creature's ability to speak was unsettling, though she had magic herself, so it wasn't entirely out of the realm of possibility. "...Are y-you one... o-of those animals?" she stammered, her voice trembling.

"I could be," the creature replied, continuing to circle the tree. "That being said, if I were, I would have attacked you by now." He paused, something like a sigh escaping him. "Why are you here? You seem too young to be wandering around alone. I would ask if you're in danger, but that much is evident."

Diane pressed her lips together, debating whether to stay silent or speak. She didn't want to provoke the creature any further, but she also knew that remaining quiet might not be the best strategy. The tree cavity was likely not the safest refuge, but it was her only option for now. She took a deep breath and chose her words carefully. "I-I'm lost... I got separated from my family. Am I... am I trespassing in these woods?"

The creature, sitting just outside the tree, shook his head. "No. The forest belongs to no one. Life simply continues as it does." Despite his intimidating appearance, his demeanor seemed surprisingly calm, showing no immediate intent to harm her. "Where did you come from? I doubt there is anyone nearby. How did you get separated from your family and end up here?"

Despite the intimidating presence of the creature, Diane couldn't help but look down at her knees, avoiding direct eye contact with the wolf. "I... my sisters and brothers were fighting something, and I got in the way," she explained, though her mind raced with the real memory of being thrown through a vortex. The fight against demons was ongoing, and she had inadvertently been caught in the crossfire. "Something attacked me and I—" She hesitated, not daring to mention the vortex. "I, um, hit my head, I think, and must have strayed off the path because of the dizziness." Diane was never very good at lying, and it showed in her voice.

The creature paused, a look of disbelief crossing his face before he broke into laughter. "You hit your head? And ended up all the way out here, in the middle of nowhere? Either you took quite a knock, or you've got a terrible sense of direction." His amusement turned serious as he continued, "If you're dizzy, you'll be an easy target for the creatures that roam this forest. There are other beings like me here, though not as intelligent. Monsters make their home in these woods."

As the wolf's laughter subsided, Diane felt a flicker of irritation but remained wary. "Monsters, you say?" she asked, trying to keep her composure. "Then I suppose... I should probably get out of here as soon as possible, right?" She hoped that by expressing her intent to leave, the strange wolf might lose interest in her and let her go without further trouble.

"Oh yes, of course. And how do you plan on doing that? I assume you are familiar with these woods? You know where the nearest settlement is, I'm sure? Unless you hit your head and ended up in a different forest." The wolf's tone was clearly mocking, his eyes glinting with amusement as he observed the young girl.

Diane felt her face flush with frustration at his taunting. "I... I think if I retrace my steps and go back the way I came, I can probably... find a settlement, or... maybe some humans will find me." Her voice wavered, betraying her uncertainty. It sounded like a thin excuse, and she was aware that the wolf might be playing with her, exploiting her confusion and fear.

The wolf's expression shifted slightly, though he maintained his circling motion. "I could get you out of here. I just so happen to know the way. All I ask is that you make a deal with me—a simple deal, nothing too bad." He stopped pacing and looked directly at her, his silver eyes reflecting a hint of something unreadable.

"A deal?" Diane echoed, her voice trembling as she remembered her father's warnings about such bargains. But faced with the prospect of escaping the forest and avoiding further danger, she knew she had little choice. "Uhmm... yeah, o-okay. Yeah. Wh-what do you want? I don't h-have much. I could offer money, but I can't give it to you right away or anything."

The wolf tilted his head slightly, dismissing her offer. "I do not want money. What could I possibly do with money?" He gestured toward himself with a flick of his head. "No, the deal is this: You are wounded, and that will attract others. You will be the bait as I lead you out of here. Whatever shows up, I will deal with. I am very hungry, you see."

The arrangement didn't seem too bad considering her situation. Her healing factor was compromised from the landing, but she wasn't worried about infection; her half-breed divine blood had always attracted demons, though this place was different. Diane wondered if the wolf—now revealed as a mere boy—could actually handle whatever came after her.

"Yes, I—I've noticed. Alright, I-I accept this deal..." Diane agreed, her voice steadier than before. She took a deep breath, then cautiously crawled out from the tree's cavity, her back pressed against the bark, her fear palpable.

To her surprise, the hulking wolf was gone. In his place stood a young boy who appeared to be about her age. His black hair was matted and unkempt, and his face wore a curious expression. He was dressed in tattered rags resembling a medical gown, with heavy bandages wrapping his left arm from wrist to shoulder. Despite his ragged appearance, he moved with an otherworldly grace, as if deeply connected to the natural world.

He extended a hand to her. "Lyka," he said simply.

Diane stared at him, taken aback by the sudden transformation. The boy looked as though he had just emerged from some sort of ordeal, contrasting sharply with her own relatively clean appearance. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly reached out and took his hand. "I-I'm D-Diane," she replied, her voice a mix of apprehension and curiosity.

[captaingimpy]

Review of HBO Max Original Anime Ninja Kamui

Initial Impressions Ninja Kamui immediately brought back memories of why I fell in love with anime in the first place. Stylistically, it reminded me of the iconic Ninja Scroll with its visceral, gory action and Tenchi Muyo in its ability to weave humor into even the most tense moments, thereby deepening the portrayal of character relationships. This balance of tone keeps the narrative engaging…

[haveacupofjohanny]

A Zany Adventure in a Post-Apocalyptic World: "So You Survived The End of the World 3" by K.C. Cordell

Jump head first into the dystopian chaos of "So You Survived The End of the World 3"! 🌍✨ Follow Sebastian's journey through danger and dark humor. A must-read for YA sci-fi fans! 🚀📚 #WeekendRead

Genre: YA sci-fi, dystopian Format: E-book Rating: 4 out of 5 stars In “So You Survived The End of the World 3” by K.C. Cordell, readers are taken on a journey with Sebastian Yun, a teenager who finds himself in unexpected and dangerous situations. When Sebastian’s rushed heist coincides with a bandit competition, he must participate in it to escape with his life. However, it’s not just the…

[joncronshawauthor]

The Heart of Fantasy: Exploring Character-Driven Epic Tales

In the realm of high fantasy, where worlds are as vast as they are fantastical, it’s not just the sprawling landscapes or the intricate magic systems that keep the pages turning. Oh no. It’s the characters – those flawed, multifaceted beings who are as likely to stab you in the back as save the world. It’s their journeys, struggles, and triumphs that truly enchant us, making character-driven…

[crazydiscostu]

The Issue With The Mandalorian And Modern Star Wars

Happy Star Wars Day!

For many fans The Mandalorian has veered significantly off course since it first appeared on our screens. The Kung Fu influence (and episodic Western format as a whole) has been abandoned and replaced by overly-treaded franchise tropes, locations and tedious screen-time wasting. How did we get here? Star Wars is an iconic franchise that has been captivating audiences since its inception in 1977.…

[maranull]

anyway, Elden Ring is about love and hope

Marika burns everything she has build out of sorrow

Ranni banishes the Outer Gods and also fucks off the Lands, giving agency back to the normal beings of the Lands

Fortissax endlessly fights Death for his friend/lover

Melina burns herself and Erdtree in hopes of a better world in the hands of the Tarnished

Blaidd fights against the very reason he was created out of love for his sister

Ranni and Rykard always keep an eye on their mother, protecting her

Radahn evokes so much love from his troops that they organise a whole festival to give him a honorable death even in his madness

Radahn learns an entire new school of magic in order to still ride his favourite horse

Boc's love for his mother, his mother's love for him

How all but two endings are build on the hope that this new era (whatever it might be) will be good

Miquella attempting to create an whole new world-tree to host the forsaken and the damned

Miquella turning on the faith he was raised and even believed in to an extent, when it was unable to cure his sister's curse

The Cleanrot's loyalty to Malenia and their endurance of the Rot, only to stay in her service

Malenia marching through the entire continent in search of her brother

Finlay traveling all the way back on her own, carrying the incapacitated demigod on her back

Tanith's love for Rya

Dialos' entire questline

Edgar being driven mad after his daughter dies

Vyke embracing, to a point, the Frenzied Flame in order to save his finger maiden

or you know, that's just how I see it

[lilianade-comics]

My brain gaslit me into believing that Valerie got her outfit upgrade in D-Stabilized because she was the only remotely acceptable thing about that episode, so imagine my surprise upon watching Flirting With Disaster again and Technus, Lord of Drip and Shipping Gray Ghost, shoots her with the drip-upgrade beam and she (and everyone else standing around her) doesn't even question it.

[navree]

"rhaenys could have ended the war by dracarysing all the greens right there" yes because a distant relation to the throne deciding to barbecue an anointed and publicly positively hailed king and his entire family who is well loved within the city and in multiple other parts of the country for the sake of the succession of a far-away princess no one was ever on board with who hasn't been seen by the populace in literal years, her psycho husband, her three obvious bastards, and two toddlers from the psycho husband would go over super well with westeros and especially in king's landing where scores of the still-cheering population were killed for no reason by that same dragon who would do the barbecuing, because when targaryens act unilaterally without thinking of how the people would react there's never any problem, which is why the storming of the dragonpit and robert's rebellion were actually just collective delusions dreamed up by readers who hate rhaenyra and not key parts of the story and house targaryen's history that directly contributed to their demise and are intrinsic to the plot

truly team black stans are made up of only the most genius and media literate amongst us

[prideprejudce]

the more i think about Oppenheimer the more disappointed i get because at its core it’s such an interesting story to tell. like the whole manhattan project catapulted the entire world into a new atomic era that we could never go back from whether we were ready for it or not. and the fallout from the project not only changed and devastated the lives of hundreds of thousands of people (including of course the victims in hiroshima and nagasaki + the people living in new mexico where they tested the bomb) and the continued generational trauma of the bombs. also just the general mass panic and fear that the Cold War instilled into every citizen in the states who were literally waiting to one day be just annihilated by a nuclear attack. the whole creation of the atomic bomb had so much impact on the world. so doing a deep character study of both oppenheimer and his colleagues on the moral ambiguity of their work in the project and the outcome of it is such a great movie concept. but the film didn’t feel like that at all. instead Nolan gave us the watered down story that he’s best at and spent almost three hours forcing us to watch whether oppenheimer had to lose his disneyland government fast-pass due to his communist ties or not (spoiler: he does) and how strauss doesn’t like him because he got his feewlings hurt once. all the other scientists and physicists were given one or two minutes of screen time and were really just names to a face. the actual bombs creation was given a sidelong glance and trivial explanation at best. and of course to tie it all off the main female side characters were either naked/having sex for 80% of their screen time or was given the character depth of a piece of tissue paper

[color-beyond-lines]

It’s how the kids “raised” by Tony are all affected differently as adults.

Babe, who believes his life is only worthwhile because of his special senses and skills. Who pretends to not need love but is longing for it. Who thinks that he cannot be loved because he is unworthy of love.

Charlie, who believes his life is worth less than other people’s and would rather sacrifice himself than see others suffer. Who thinks he shouldn’t be loved because it will put the people who love him in danger.

Jeff, who believes his life threatens anyone who knows his abilities, so he keeps everyone at an arm’s length away. Who thinks he cannot be loved because it will only lead to hurt and frustration.

Pete, who managed to escape Tony’s grip, but is still entangled in his web. Who saved himself and is now desperate to help others do the same. Who hasn’t given love a chance because he’s still only relying on himself.

Way, who believes he can force love if he tries hard enough. Who never considers life beyond Tony’s influence because he doesn’t think such a future is possible. Who is desperate for love but doesn’t realize that he is already loved and surrounded by a family of his own.

Kenta, who believes that if he does everything Tony asks of him, he will be loved. Who doesn’t understand that a man like Tony does not love but only uses. Who has lived in exile for so long that he’s lost sight of love and only knows loyalty.

It’s how they are all survivors and how they learn through the course of the show what love is and what it isn’t. And that they are capable and deserving of love despite what they were taught as children.

[unhelpfulfemme]

Damen's also a victim of gaslighting if you think about it, and it explains so many things about him.

Kastor seems to have taken care of him a lot while he was growing up (based on the amount of childhood memories that Damen has with him) and Kastor also fucking hated him. A child in that situation will sort of self-gaslight, they'll convince themselves that they don't see what they do so they can maintain a fundamental sense of safety despite their objectively unsafe environment. The end result is exactly what Damen is - someone who's pretty bad at telling apart those who love him from those who mean him harm.

If Kastor treats him like shit - Kastor fucking stabbed the barely teen-aged heir to the throne in the guts, mind - that's because Kastor is treating him like a man, he's giving him tough love and not coddling him because a prince doesn't need coddling, he needs tempering and seasoning instead. Damen is lucky to have a brother who'll stab him in the guts so he can become a better man and ruler, unlike those arrogant, spoiled other princes who get *checks notes* affectionate relatives.

And if Kastor is treating him like a man that's because Damen's earned it - Damen has a particular fixation about "earning it", whatever "it" is in a particular situation, because the main issue of contention between him and Kastor is that Damen gets the throne by default, regardless of who deserves it more, and therefore (in Kastor's view) Damen is a Bad Person who's screwing him over by his very existence. Damen's answer to this is to make sure that he works hard and is the best at everything (and working hard for things is actually a genuinely good value to have, mind), because this way he DID earn it, he DOES deserve it more, the better man has the throne, so peace on planet Earth, right? But he doesn't understand how this just further humiliates and angers Kastor, who then vengefully retaliates, the truth of which Damen, who loves Kastor and seeks his approval, can't handle emotionally, necessitating the "this is tough love, because I'm a strong man" mental defense.

I think this is interesting because it really spills over into Damen's incorrect conclusions about Laurent, sometimes in kinda embarrassingly stupid ways - because Veretians are Bad and being a spoiled cunt who's never had to work hard for anything is also Bad (in a very visceral way, because it's what Damen is desperately trying to avoid being), the Veretian prince must be both, concludes Damen after a 0.5 second glance at Laurent's resting bitch face. "A prince doesn't need to be coddled, he needs to be seasoned," says Damen to Paschal about Laurent, even though he's only in the position to have this conversation in the first place because Laurent's entire family died by the time he was 13 and he is currently being hunted down like a dog by his only remaining relative.

I also think that this is the foundation on which Damen's attitudes about slavery are able to change and develop - if his idea of someone deserving something is based in whether he's earned it (as opposed to birthright), becoming a slave is an easy way to disprove his current worldview about how much "earning it" matters in a fundamentally unjust society: first of all, Damen can't earn anything if Laurent doesn't allow him the opportunity to. Once Laurent does allow it, no matter how competent Damen shows himself to be, no matter how much Laurent treats him as an equal, no matter how much Damen earns Laurent's respect, this is all still happening at Laurent's whim and Laurent can turn around and treat Damen like a servant again, praise his military prowess with one breath and threaten him with a whipping with the next, and there's very little Damen can do about it. Damen goes from a privileged man's idea of meritocracy (I worked hard for it so I deserve it) to a more 360 degree one (some people can never have what I have no matter how hard they work, because I am fundamentally privileged).

Finally, it's really obvious that Damen also loves working for it in his romantic relationships, which probably stems from the same roots as all of the above, but it's a particularly interesting framework for drawing parallels between Laurent and the rest of Damen's life. Not only is Laurent the undisputed champion of Being Hard to Get, Laurent also hates Damen because Damen unthinkingly took something precious away from him (just like someone else!), and Laurent is also very punishing towards Damen over it (just like someone else!). But this time, Damen is actually capable of earning Laurent's respect (because facts will always take precedence over pettiness for hyperrational Laurent), and then his love, because Laurent is willing to see Damen as a person with feelings- as a man who loves him and cares about pleasing him - and not just as his role in the tragedy of Laurent's life.

I just think it's interesting to think about, is all, because I feel like the knee-jerk instinct is to analyze Laurent's more overt fuckedupness while not thinking about how Damen needs to also be kinda fucked up to find the thornbush pleasing to the extent that he does.

[joncronshawauthor]

Introducing C.B. Matson: A Master of Historical Fantasy

Today, we have the pleasure of diving into the mind of this seasoned writer C.B. Matson and exploring his unique approach to storytelling in the fantasy genre. From his adventurous background to his literary influences, Matson’s creative journey is as captivating as the worlds he builds within his novels. Matson’s life has been a tapestry of diverse experiences, with roles ranging from mining…

[nadiajustbe]

"Movie Howl is better than book Ho-" Lie. Slander. Misinformation. Error. Delusion. Objectively wrong.

[books4evermorr]

Wake up everybody

Another reason to live just dropped

[gale-gentlepenguin]

There are two types of writers

1. The ones that use their characters to drive the plot

2. The ones who let their characters tell them what they do in the plot.

And the difference in writing of these two shows.

[nostalgebraist]

You know it occurs to me that Helluva Boss is basically "Trolls! The Sitcom." But like, in a good way, though