#i have always been sort of repulsed by the idea of using streaming services for watching anything though

[shoechoe]

i was worried my mom would find it weird that i wanted to buy DVDs in 2023 but not only did she help me out but she also bought me a new portable DVD player. neat

[jarienn972]

Whump Profile

I was tagged by my wonderful fellow whumper, @hookaroo on this and I feel like I’m going to really date myself here with some of my answers, but here goes!

Name: On Social Media, I’m jarienn972 in honor of my first original character.  In real life, Amy

How old were you when you first realized you liked guys getting hurt?: I think it started to sink in when I was about 10 years old when I discovered I was far more interested in cop shows over the family shows my mother preferred that I watch.  I started with Hill Street Blues, the A-Team and Simon and Simon realizing that as a girl, it was a nice twist to see the guys put in vulnerable situations instead of always the women.  

What was that very first scene you remember gave you those glorious butterfly feelings?: I don’t remember the first one exactly but I’m pretty sure it was an episode of Miami Vice or the original MacGyver.  I was in middle school when those premiered and got sucked in very quickly.  Whump wasn’t particularly graphic in those days, but it was quite prevalent. 

When and how was it that you realized “Hey, I’m not so messed up in the head!” and that there’s a definition and community for this sort of thing?: I think I finally realized that my tastes might not be so out of the ordinary when my cousin and I went to see the movie Under Siege in the theater in the small town where she lived and did our usual running commentary on the action, not repulsed in the least by the destruction and injuries.  We had the guys a few rows in front of us laughing at our jokes and we weren’t even being loud so they had to be really listening closely.  It wasn’t until much later that I discovered the whole whump community, learning only a few years ago that it was an actual thing and it has been nice to have found so many wonderful people who share my tastes in vulnerable men!

What’s your favorite whump trope?: I don’t know if I have a particular favorite.  I’ve used stabbings a lot when I write because sharp objects are far easier to obtain (and you can get really creative with them).  I’m also a sucker for the can’t get immediate medical attention trope whenever it extends the suffering.  Oh yeah, I’ve wrote that a few times, haven’t I?

What’s a whump trope that you hate?:When the whump is glossed over.  If you’re going to include it in the story, then you damn well need to discuss it!

What’s your favorite whumped character?: Oh, goodness..that could be a long list... How about I go with a few TV characters, classic and current:

Some early faves:  Sonny Crockett from Miami Vice, the original MacGyver, Nick Slaughter from the series Sweating Bullets (known as Tropical Heat outside the US) and either Chris Lorenzo or Tom Ryan from Silk Stalkings (yeah, really dating myself with these, aren’t I?)

Later faves included John Crichton from Farscape, Matt Cutter on Sheena and Harmon Rabb on JAG. Currently, my favorites to watch are of course, Killian Jones on OUAT, any of the guys on NCIS:LA (they all look quite good covered in blood) and Steve McGarrett on Hawaii 5-0.  

There are so many more I can’t even think of right now, some from shows long forgotten.

What’s that whumped scene(s) that you’ve watched over and over again. (We know you do it and we understand): I’ve watched all of Killian’s scenes over and over, partially because Colin just plays it so well.  I love that so many old shows are being shown again both on TV and on streaming services so I get to revisit some favorite whumped characters again.

Bullet or stab wounds?: Definitely both, simultaneously whenever possible

Fevers or Hypothermia?:Tough one...  Fevers are always good, especially when they get delirious and start to hallucinate but there’s something about watching someone wandering around in the cold, shivering, without proper protection that leads to some good comforting potential later. (Think body heat sharing)

Emotional or physical?: I lean toward physical, but since physical can lead to some good emotional angst and scarring, the two tend to work well together.

Injured and asks for help or tries to cover it up?:Oh, I love it when they try to cover it up and act all tough for a while when you know they want to scream.  Always backfires so spectacularly.

Lastly, does anyone know about this addiction of yours?: Oh, I have quite a few friends and family who know how much I love whump.  My cousin is one of my best enablers and was always suggesting ideas back in the day when I was writing Miami Vice fics. (Long before I knew there was a fan fic community out there too)  My aunt has read most of my posted works on AO3 and understands my forte.  I don’t think my husband has quite picked up on it, but my youngest daughter is starting to show signs of being a whumper at 9 so I have a new generation to teach!

I’m not going to tag anyone specifically, but any fellow whumpers who’d like to tell us more about their favorite whump is welcome to play!

[dia-luneris]

Character Development Questions: Hard Mode

(answering OOC, and regarding current time-line Lady)

1. Does your character have siblings or family members in their age group? Which one are they closest with?

Lady doesn’t have any siblings, but she sees her friend Shay as a brother. She is also close enough to Khatayin to consider her a sister. 

2. What is/was your character’s relationship with their mother like?

Lady has a pretty good relationship with her mother. They’re more like friends really with how they interact. They’re pretty close, and like-minded.

3. What is/was your character’s relationship with their father like?

Lady loves her father dearly, but their relationship has seen strain across time. They used to argue a lot when she was younger. But things have settled down now.  

4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?

A man attacked her once, when she was seventeen. He had intended on raping her, but she got away from him. It’s well known, being that the man was taken to court over it, and got away with it. 

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

A lock picking kit, some sort of candy, her house key, some string.

6. Does your character have recurring themes in their dreams?

She dreams a lot about birds, things with wings.

7. Does your character have recurring themes in their nightmares?

She does still have nightmares about a person from her past. Someone who scared her, and maybe still scares her.

8. Has your character ever fired a gun? If so, what was their first target?

Nope, she has no interest in guns.

9. Is your character’s current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?

Yes, she makes her own money now. When she was younger, she would be given an allowance from her wealthy family. She’ll always be a noblewoman, but she makes her own way these days.  

10. Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?

More clothing.

11. In what situation was your character the most afraid they’ve ever been?

She was surrounded by more void sent than she could handle once. And the first thing that came to mind, was wondering if she was going to die. And if she would see her loved ones again.

12. In what situation was your character the most calm they’ve ever been?

Falling asleep with her significant other holding her, listening to the cat snoring at the bottom of the bed :) 

13. Is your character bothered by the sight of blood? If so, in what way?

Nope, not really. Being that she has worked in an infirmary, and is now a field medic, blood is something she’s desensitized to. It would have to be a lot of blood, to rattle her. Like someone being near death.

14. Does your character remember names or faces easier?

She remembers faces easier than names. Despite having to memorize the names and titles of all the other families. 

15. Is your character preoccupied with money or material possession? Why or why not?

Umm... she wouldn’t admit to it, but she is a plushy addict. And since those are material possessions, then yes?

16. Which does your character idealize most: happiness or success?

Happiness for sure. What’s the point in success if you’re not happy?

17. What was your character’s favorite toy as a child?

A wooden duck on wheels, with a piece of twine attached for walking it. She called it Quackers.

18. Is your character more likely to admire wisdom, or ambition in others?

When she was younger, it would have been ambition. These days it’s wisdom.

19. What is your character’s biggest relationship flaw? Has this flaw destroyed relationships for them before?

She’s very headstrong. She’s only ever been in one romantic relationship, but I can see this being frustrating for her partner, as it was for her family. 

20. In what ways does your character compare themselves to others? Do they do this for the sake of self-validation, or self-criticism?

I think it’s more self-criticism... She feels inferior to other people who she sees as stronger than her, or more skilled than her.

21. If something tragic or negative happens to your character, do they believe they may have caused or deserved it, or are they quick to blame others?

Lady is way more likely to blame herself. She’s not really the sort of person to blame others. It’s always could I have been stronger, or attracted less attention to myself somehow.

22. What does your character like in other people?

Kindness and a sense of humour.

23. What does your character dislike in other people?

Forwardness in a sexual manner. She’s never been big on people advertising that they’re looking for the fucc. Or basically asking you want fucc? 

24. How quick is your character to trust someone else?

It depends on the person really, and the situation.  

25. How quick is your character to suspect someone else? Does this change if they are close with that person?

Hmm... they’d have to be pretty sketchy for her to suspect them of anything. And if she cares for that person, she’ll likely give them more chances to prove otherwise. 

26. How does your character behave around children?

She likes them well enough. She would usually offer to tell them stories, or craft with them. But she’s happy with the idea that they’re going back to Mama and Papa at the end of the day.

27. How does your character normally deal with confrontation?

She’s pretty quick to threaten violence if she feels very vulnerable. But with verbal confrontation, she will try and resolve it peacefully if the person is a friend.

28. How quick or slow is your character to resort to physical violence in a confrontation?

Ohh, pretty quick. She’s small, so prefers to get the upper hand.

29. What did your character dream of being or doing as a child? Did that dream come true?

Lady had dreamed of becoming the next Azure Dragoon as a child... but that dream did not come true.

30. What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?

People mistreating others. She absolutely detests seeing someone so broken by a person they feel beholden to. 

31. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.

If someone asks her if she would like to have tea with them. Or something else that she finds pleasant, like reading together.

32. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most uncomfortable.

If someone stands too close to her, or tries to initiate physical contact in some way. Even someone being in her personal space for too long, is offensive to her.

33. In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?

I think it’d be a lie to say she wouldn’t be defensive. Most people would be. But as long as it’s constructive criticism, and not just harsh for the sake of it, she’d be willing to improve.

34. Is your character more likely to keep trying a solution/method that didn’t work the first time, or immediately move on to a different solution/method?

She’d analyze the first method, and try to ascertain what exactly went wrong with it. Maybe it’d be a case of just adjusting what she did before.

35. How does your character behave around people they like?

As in ‘like’ like. She used to try her best not to blush around Damien, often failing. But for friendly like, she’s a lot softer in demeanor, a lot more approachable.

36. How does your character behave around people they dislike?

Lady is very stand-offish around people she doesn’t like. That or she’s cool headed, making it seem like she honestly doesn’t care, what they do or say, as long as they get lost soon.

37. Is your character more concerned with defending their honor, or protecting their status?

Hmm... this one is tough. Being Ishgardian, honour and status go hand in hand. But I guess honour is most important to her.

38. Is your character more likely to remove a problem/threat, or remove themselves from a problem/threat?

This is very circumstantial really. If she can remove the threat, then she will try. But if she can’t, then she’ll have to face that she can’t and walk away.

39. Has your character ever been bitten by an animal? How were they affected (or unaffected)?

She has been bitten by many creatures, being an adventurer. But I think the only one that actually affected her, was being bitten by a stray cat. She was sad, because she was just trying to help the kitty.

40. How does your character treat people in service jobs?

Lady is nice and polite to anyone who serves people. She knows it can’t be an easy job dealing with people day in, day out. Especially if the task isn’t exactly pleasant. 

41. Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, whether it be material or abstract, or do they feel they must earn it first?

Totally about earning it. It’s nice to be treated, yes, but she wants to earn what she gets.

42. Has your character ever had a parental figure who was not related to them?

Yes, in a sense. She has always seen Damien’s mother as a second Mum to her. 

43. Has your character ever had a dependent figure who was not related to them?

If you count Elenion, then yes. When Eleni was young, she’d treat her very much like a little sister, and she’d look after her.  

44. How easy or difficult is it for your character to say “I love you?” Can they say it without meaning it?

It used to be something that she couldn’t say. But that was because the person she was loves, was unavailable to her. Now it’s easy for her to say. She definitely can’t say it, and not mean it though.

45. What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?

Lady believes that she will return to the life stream. It seems the most plausible thing to her, rather than going to some hall of the gods.