#imo it really deserves more love

[blackseafoam]

✨SHIN✨

[bonefall]

So, your Clear Sky post is absolutely horrifying, but it was very needed, so thank you. What are your general thoughts on tackling his abuse for the AU? Like you've said, pretending he's a good guy is not the way to go, but are you planning on toning down *some* of the situations, just to give some of the cats a break? Clear Sky is a very realistic depiction of abusers, but that seems to come across even without victim number 25, yknow? I'm very curious about how you'd like to go about this.

My most recent big change was bringing Slash back into the fold, because I realized that it was actually a disservice to not address where DOTC's themes dip into Colonialism. It's a hard topic, and I'm still trying to work out the details, but I realized it was important.

With how BB!DOTC is such a MASSIVE overhaul, to properly address abuse and the ways it impacts you, ableism and its violence, and xenophobia broadly, a huge reworking of Slash belonged here too. He's one of the greatest examples of how badly WC demonizes non-Clanborn cats. I shouldn't dance around it.

That's what I need to do with Skystar.

MANY of his victims have happier endings than canon, though. Bumble is one of the most famous, bumped up into a major character and directly responsible for the formation of ThunderClan. Bright Storm is taking most of Gray Wing's roles. Birch and Alder are getting examined, with either a father who wants his kids back or Milkweed as the mate of Misty.

A lot of people will die because of him, even more will be hurt, but I see BB!DOTC as a story about victims and survivors.

Others might grab POVs here and there, but as a response to canon which I feel is Clear Sky's story told in many parts, I center this rewrite around Thunder Storm. The path of kindness he marches down, with love and with anger, and the people he helps.

So BB!Star Flower...

Previously I was playing her as ENTIRELY just manipulating Clear Sky. She was loyal to One Eye and trying to get at Skystar to bleed him dry for 8 lives to sacrifice; but connected to Thunderstar over recognizing him as a victim who deserves her idea of justice. So, she offers Thunderstar the final kill, so her father will be grateful to him and he'll get power AND the death of his abuser.

(When Thunderstar looks upon Skystar, pathetic and neutralized down to one life, he thinks about the collateral damage that will descend upon the forest if he accepts the deal. He decides that he has found the line between Justice and Justification. Of course he wants the power to make his enemies cower, protect his people, and eliminate Clear Sky so he never threatens them again; that's not the problem.

He can still do these things. He wouldn't NEED the power of a war god to do so.

But if One Eye returns, he will be endlessly hungry, ruthlessly dedicated to revenge, and set out to devour the whole forest. Everything would get worse, and even more people he loves would die. It's where his desire to destroy a monster would lead to him BECOMING one.)

Even on its face, it was previously missing an element. There's a step between "Starf decides to bring One Eye back" and "Starf offers Thunderstar the final kill" that was bare. This is the piece that was missing-- That she, herself, is trying to reach out to the only person who's ever really understood her.

But more importantly... I do feel this topic belongs here, in BB!DOTC. Abuse is a MAJOR theme. SKYSTAR is a monster already. He's harmed two wives in BB (Bright Storm and Falling Cry) and played toxic games with all three kits (Thunder Storm, Pale Sky, Tiger Sky).

And I'd avoid Star Flower being abused... why? Because it's uncomfortable to confront the pattern that Clear Sky displays? That in-canon, he tries to cut all his victims into the same ideal shape, from Storm to Thunder to Star Flower? ...it should be uncomfortable. Everything that I described in Clear Sky Is A Monster is rooted in the same desire for control, power, and punishment most abusive people share, he just happens to be a severe example.

Yes. That includes how he treats his child and romantic partners. The parallels that are drawn between Starf and Thunder are there because he wants power in the form of obedience. Starf replaces the son as a narrative award for his "growth" of not killing random people anymore for a while.

A cookie cutter is an effective tool because IT ONLY MAKES ONE SHAPE.

You know what's more uncomfortable? Reading canon!DOTC and seeing someone who hurt you reflected almost perfectly in the character the writers think did nothing wrong. Because of "good intentions" that were not there.

I will say though, just to be clear; I don't see a purpose in being more than PG-13 about serious topics for this project. I promise none of my intentions have changed. Nothing will be more graphic or gorey than canon WC-- just more intentional.

I'm keeping the sacrifice because it's dope. No one is taking this from me. Girl Moment: Killed her awful husband 8 times to count as 8 sacrifices and offered the last life to her buddy as a show of good will. How else do you make friends outside of high school

But I know now that Star Flower NEEDS to keep the canon fact she has very little agency, UNTIL that moment she snaps.

She's sacrificing one abuser to try and bring back a bigger, badder one, because in spite of everything, her father One Eye always made her feel safe. Even though he promised her off to Skystar, and expected her to be willing to die for him. She's followed every command, every order, past the death of his mortal vessel.

The first, and only, selfish choice she's ever made was in reaching out to Thunderstar to offer him the power of her father.

Thunderstar's Justice is a story about a Thunder Storm at the pinnacle of his arc, how the survivors of his Clan are settling into the new normal after the carnage of The First Battle, how Skystar's arrogance brings a violent god to the Forest... and the connection Thunderstar makes with the daughter of a monster.

[local-limebug]

jason todd has so many underrated canon love interests. essence, isabel, artemis, and rose are all characters i love with him. like those are good ships. why is everyone ignoring them?

[licorishh]

Neuvifuri nation I forgot to tell y'all that I did Furina's SQ with the intent of seeing what all the Neuvifuri hubbub was about, and I regret to inform you all that I still don't get it. 😔 I tried. In my head they feel more like two halves of the same person to me than anything else. They don't feel like friends, they don't feel familial, and they don't feel romantic. They're a secret fourth thing (darn secret nth thing syndrome >:/).

I actually genuinely wanna understand because in fanart and stuff it's such a pretty pairing and I wish I got it like y'all did but I just don't see it.

Anyway, what about it is appealing to y'all? I don't mean this sarcastically. I mean it genuinely. Tell me all about it! Infodump as much as you want! I'm a Neuvia fan, but I love analyzing character interactions and behaviors and I'd really enjoy discussing this, so feel free!

[justsunandstars]

my take on wriollette soulmate au

bcos why the hell not

Everyone knows that dragons don’t have such thing as the One. They live too long, and there are very few creatures living just as long. Such fate really broke partner limitations for them but also left them alone, forever, without the promise of having someone out there, who’s intended for them from the beginning.

Wriothesley, as many people in Teyvat, knows this legend of course. Being in Duke position he somehow gets the info, that Neuvillette is hydro-dragon. He’s still in doubt, but Iudex visiting fortress and sealing the well leading to Primordial Sea only confirms his thoughts on the matter.

So Wriothesley stops his attempts to find out Neuvillette’s name (there wasn't much hope anyway that unreadable symbols on his chest have any sense at all. It’s neither familiar writing of Fontaine nor it is how other nations of Teyvat write their words). He used to look at his reflection a lot, but he stops eventually, coming to terms with never knowing what is written on his body.

His acceptance is the main reason he doesn’t really notice the look Neuvillette’s giving him, reading his first name on the man's bare chest, right above the heart, written in a language long gone, language used even before the existence of Remuria.

[pekoeboo]

ugh I keep thinking about.... them 😭

please do not remove caption or repost. also on deviantart

[bug-and-such]

Also finished final season of Enterprise.

As for the last episode, personally, I don't hate it, but it's very VERY underwhelming.

You can tell it got cancelled in the middle of filming and were told they can have 1 final episode to wrap things up and it just didn't work.

Oh well...

[bonetrousledbones]

yknow i try to not actively hope for specific things for deltarune’s story because who KNOWS wtf toby’s plans are for that but if there’s one thing i genuinely really really hope for its that papyrus gets to be treated as an actual serious character instead of just comic relief or whatever

[lameow-l]

so wait… furina is the name of the archon role that “furina” had to play

wouldn’t make more sense narrative wise to give her a name of her own?? like scara gets his own epic chapter about him ridding himself of his past and adopting a new name then proceed to ignore said name in favor of “hat guy” but the actress playing “furina” doesn’t get to be known for her own name?

like people of fontain (partly maybe) know the truth so why not let her free? let her enjoy the simple human life she so so longed for? even the other furina wouldn’t want this

[merlinmerlot]

I could play one of the most beautiful well crafted video games on the planet and it will never be as appealing to me as one that kind of sucks shit but has soooo much potential

[nightmareonpeachstreet]

I reeeeaaaallly really like Brave Bernadetta....finally they didn't do my beloved Bernie dirty....

[mangora]

On one hand Trevek is canon which is infuriating and terrible because Trevor deserves better and Derek is a nothing character with no likable or sympathetic traits beyond occasionally having funny lines and Emily is literally right there. On the other hand Trevek is canon which is awesome because Noahh’s character had to kiss a man

[just-a-funny-little-brain]

Death, Again

Critical Role: Bells Hells, Laudna, 880 words

Summary: Laudna is greeted by the Raven Queen's Champion.

tw: death, canonical character death

Read it on ao3

---------

Laudna was greeted this time.

That was the first thing she noticed. The silhouetted figure was tall, a cloak obscuring the details of their form as they approached. 

The second thing she noticed was the calm. It was almost comforting, even. The chaos of the battle preceding it—

Dust blowing. Yells. Run, Laudna! Orym falling. Ashton running. Feet against dirt street until—

Now, it was still. Dark, but she could still see. Silhouettes of trees scattered through the distance— or were they nearby? Last time... well, she didn’t want to think about last time.

After a time (what is time when you’re dead?), the figure stopped. Closer now, Laudna assumed, though their size hadn’t changed. She could see more detail now. The cloak was rough, made of some overlapping material. Scales? Feathers? The figure had long, flowing dark hair, somehow visible against the dark sky. Their face… they had the head of a raven, yet also a humanoid. She squinted through the overlapping illusions.

“Welcome,” the figure said. He had a smooth, calming voice.

“Hello,” Laudna replied, feigning confidence she did not feel. “Erm… where am I, if i may ask?”

The figure looked at her. “I think you know.” 

He began extending a hand towards her, then stopped. He took another step closer, the raven head fading into his humanoid one. Half-elf, she could see now. Gently, he cupped her chin with his hand and tilted it up towards him. 

“You’ve been here before.”

A statement, not a question. Laudna blinked, then nodded anyway.

“You weren’t here last time.”

The figure sighed. “I know. I did see you, though.”

“What? How?”

The figure dropped his hand from her face. “It does not matter. This was many, many years ago. I was someone else then.”

Laudna cocked her head. “So was I. Tell me.”

He looked at her for a moment, before looking intently into the distance, examining something unseen.

“My name then was Vax’ildan,” he said, meeting her eyes again. “Myself and my… compatriots had traveled to Whitestone to remove the Briarwoods. When we arrived, we found figures waiting for us on the Suntree.” He sighed. “Including you.” He looked away. 

Laudna breathed out an “Oh”. Then, “You were part of Vox Machina. I stayed in the area for a little while, you know. I heard about you. People really liked you.”

Vax’ildan bowed his head. “I am so sorry that happened to you.” He took a breath and met her eyes once more. “And I am sorry that I was not there to greet you. But I am now. Come.” He turned and began to walk away.

Laudna bounded after him. “I have so many questions. Did you really—“

Vax’ildan held up his hand to silence her, then paused, as if listening intently.

“It seems… it seems now is not your time. Your thread had broken, but it is being repaired.” He turned and looked her in the eyes, the sudden intensity startling her. “You have some very lucky friends who love you deeply. Treasure that, and never let them go.“

Laudna? Laudna, please. 

Imogen’s voice whispered through the darkness, growing stronger with each word. 

We need you. I need you. 

Laudna glanced around, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice, but Imogen was nowhere to be seen.

I can’t… I can’t do this alone. I don’t want to do this alone. Not without you. Never without you.

She looked back at her guide. Vax’ildan looked back at her, a small smile on his lips.

“I don’t want to see you or your friends here for a long time. I have a feeling you will do great things. Now, go.” He gestured behind her, and where there had previously been nothing but darkness, there was now a pinprick of gentle light, quickly growing larger and brighter.

Laudna turned towards the light, barely daring to approach it.

“And Laudna?”

She glanced over her shoulder at him. The light illuminated his face and the feathered cloak now.

“Tell Orym that Will says hi.”

And with that, the blinding light engulfed her, pulling, forcing out her non-existent breath, piercing—

A desperate, ragged breath of air filled Laudna’s lungs, and she barely had time to open her eyes as a blur of purple hair nearly smothered her again.

“Imogen?” She forced out through a parched, scratchy throat.

“Oh gods, Laudna, we thought we had lost you for good,” Imogen said her voice muffled by fabric and tears.

Brushing the hair from her face, Laudna looked up. Ashton, sitting slumped against a wall, face buried in their hands. Fearne, right by Laudna’s shoulder, looking at her very intently. FCG, standing nearby, the white glow of their eyes fading to their normal blue. Orym, standing a respectful distance away, knuckles white, clutching the edge of his shield, his face unreadable. Dorian behind him, hand on the halfling’s shoulder.

“Oh.” She looked down, now noticing something soft in her hand. Paté looked back at her, and she smiled. “Thank you,” she said, quietly. “Thank you, all of you.”

“Of course,” Fearne said. “We couldn’t just leave you. Ashton keeps saying, ‘Nobody gets left behind,’ so we weren’t about to leave you.”

And Laudna could have sworn, somewhere, distantly, she heard a raven caw its approval.

[moonsandstar-s]

one of the aspects that i love most about the confession scene is that blake & yang both already know the big truth they haven’t dropped on each other. blake knows yang is thinking ‘i love you’ and yang realizes that blake is thinking it too as the clouds go gold behind her, even though she immediately questions it with the dropping of her gaze and the uncertainty on her face - for them, it’s a matter of being brave enough to speak it into existence rather than revealing previously-unknown feelings to each other. my question is, when do you guys think blake and yang first became aware of how they, themselves, were feeling? 

[cashmere-caveman]

disclaimer something bat hornets nest something something i am aware etc and this is not intended as a hate post in any way but!

one thing that has always baffled me abt merlin is that merlin/lancelot is such an underdog relationship in the fandom bc?? u have tenderness, u have angst, u have death and deception, u have fucking sacrifice, u have understanding (lance was the only knight who actively knew abt merlins magic???? endless potential for shenanigans), u have trust and friendship, u have "came back from the dead wrong", ... like. whats not to love.

also if u must have arthur in there for merthur angst u can go ahead and add in a bit original arthuriana flavour by adding arthur/lance as the third side of the most fucked up devoted triangle u could possibly make like! idk what my point of this post is except to say that i love lance and i think it would be fun if ppl threw him into the mess that is merthur for bonus agony

[ravenousgf]

sort of bleak how there's so much compassion for sokka for being forced into the role of a child soldier to earn his place in the world--something he never had to do in the first place, ofc--while the only way ppl seem to be able to engage with azula's character is joking abt how she's a war criminal and famous proponent of the Far Right (bc us political systems are so universal obviously) despite her being. you know. ALSO forced into the role of a child soldier to earn her place in her world JUST LIKE SOKKA except she has absolutely no one in the present and foreseeable future :) ppl really hate victims of child abuse who don't turn out to be compassionate empathetic and hypersensitive huh