#like this is about conflicting headcanons and discourse and everything

[snailmp3]

casual reminder that im so incredibly non-serious about a lot of the things i say and do online. im just here to hang out and have fun in fandom spaces and while there are things that absolutely matter, none of it is enough for me to get mad at anyone else

i dont have any malice when i say dumb shit, and i assume most people on here dont as well. benefit of the doubt and all that

[gauntletgirlie]

Adding my two pence in to the Sauron shipping and sexuality discourse since I am a fan of Tolkien’s written works and The Rings of Power show whereas quite a few people debating this seem to fall into one camp or the other (not all, I will clarify, just from what I’ve personally seen).

Before I start, I’m not out here trying to cause strife, I’m trying to advocate for people to be nicer to one another about their conflicting views.

I love The Silmarillion. When I first read it, and in subsequent readings, I did not interpret either Melkor or Sauron sexually at all. I just didn’t. Not that I thought they were asexual or aromantic, I just didn’t think of them in terms of sexuality. It’s not what I was focussed on when I was reading and it’s not the vibe that I personally got, even when looking deeper at subtext and in between the lines.

I heckin love Angbang though. The art, the headcanons, the crack, the writing, the goofy stuff, the sexy stuff, and everything in between. I arrived on tumblr, stumbled upon Angbang and that was me seduced! I have space for my original interpretation of Melkor and Mairon and then the Angbang interpretation. I enjoy both.

I had fun watching The Rings of Power. Admittedly, Season 1 was a bit “eh” for me, but Season 2 slapped in my opinion. I think Charlie Vickers is doing a fantastic job of portraying Sauron. I was, and am, excited to see one of my favourite characters given more exploration on screen.

Charlie Vickers’ depiction, along with the writers’ and directors’, is just one interpretation. One based on limited and often vague literature (the appendices of The Lord of the Rings). The same way that Peter Jackson’s all-seeing, fiery eye atop Barad-hûr was an interpretation.

Peter Jackson’s LOTR films, TROP, Haladriel, Saurondriel, Angbang… they’re all interpretations based on Tolkien’s works, people’s own worldviews, people’s own preferences, and how people view Tolkien as an author. None of them are wholly “correct” and none of them are wholly “incorrect”.

So please for the love of Eru and the sanity of Tolkien lovers everywhere, stop acting as though your definitions, your ships, your perceived ideologies of a character, are the only correct ones. Let people enjoy what and how they may, without attacking one another.

Also as an added aside, when I make TROP memes, crack, and headcanons, they are solely for the characters as portrayed in TROP. I have my own headcanons and crack for written work Tolkien characters. I enjoy both. I love hearing other’s ideas and analysis, even if I end up not seeing it the same way. I appreciate not everyone can compartmentalise like that, but for me it allows me to enjoy more of Tolkien’s works. Heck, if I didn’t, I would not enjoy Angbang and what a sad world that would be for me because Angbang is ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥.

So go forth and ship and let ship!

[toffeeinhun]

EVERY NUMBER FOR INHUN BECAUSE I LOVE READING PEOPLE'S TAKES ON THIS SHIP and I also love your takes

Aww thank you!! I love your takes too 💕

1. What's something you like about it?

Ahhhh so many things! I love how ideologically/morally opposed they are which makes their dynamic really interesting to watch and explore. Even as Young-il, he was challenging Gi-hun throughout the season. And the fact that they went through such similar things but turned out so differently. It's fun to see how their dynamic plays out differently in AUs. There are just so many cool things to do with their characters.

2. What's something you dislike about it?

Hmm this is hard. I don't think there's really anything about the ship itself I dislike. I think I dislike the discourse in the fandom surrounding the ship more than anything, but that isn't really unique to Inhun.

3. What's your headcanon about them?

Just one thing? hrm... I think In-ho likes to buy Gi-hun new clothes all the time, but he buys increasingly more revealing clothing with each shopping trip. Starts out with some nice fitting pants and shirts, then he starts getting thin shirts that can be easily seen through before moving onto mesh/netted shirts. Gi-hun is very embarrassed by this.

4. Which one fell in love first?

In-ho, definitely. He probably fell in love while keeping tabs on Gi-hun in the 4 years between games.

5. Which one confessed first?

I can see this going either way depending on the circumstances, but I'm gonna say Gi-hun. I think In-ho would be too in his own head and insecure to think Gi-hun would feel the same way as him especially after everything. So Gi-hun would realize In-ho isn't picking up on his feelings and have to be more blunt and just confess.

6. What song do you associate with them?

I have a few from the 2 bands I've been listening to recently

Shallow - Magnolia Park

Shadow Talk - Magnolia Park

Cult - Magnolia Park

Warmer Weather - Old Neon

What Do You Love - Old Neon

Better Things - Old Neon (makes me think specifically of their relationship in Love Thy Enemy)

I swear I listen to other music just not recently

7. How should they end up?

HAPPY!!! ALIVE!!!! pls i'll cry if anything bad happens to them 😭

8. What would their typical date be like?

I already answered this in a serious way so I'm giving you a silly answer that @niterose and I talked about one day

In-ho can't behave when they're out in public on their dinner dates. He'll bring up how good Gi-hun looked tied up in the back of his limo, bleeding and beaten, and the waiter overhears and gets freaked. They are slowly getting banned from every restaurant in the city because he can't stop talking about how hot Gi-hun was risking his life in the games, and everyone who hears the convos think they're a very kinky couple and get very uncomfortable waiting on them because In-ho will just not shut up for 5 minutes when other people are in ear shot.

9. What characters would support or hate their relationship?

I can't think of anyone who would hate their relationship really. A while ago I made a post with some thoughts on Jun-ho's relationship with In-ho's wife, and I mention Jun-ho would feel conflicted about In-ho and Gi-hun dating because he feels like In-ho is replacing his wife. He eventually accepts it and is happy for them.

I also think Ga-yeong would approve, and she and In-ho would get along really well.

10. If they could be drawn as any classical/iconic romance scene, what would it be?

Okay so. I know this doesn't technically count as ""romantic"", but my first thought was this scene from Saw

It's romantic in my heart 🥲

11. Why should or shouldn't they be together?

Answered here!

But to summarize: they're hot and perfect and there's absolutely no reason why they shouldn't be together 😤

12. What is your favorite scene with them?

So I actually got an ask weeks ago asking this question and I answered it here!

But I'll also add on any time Gi-hun smiles at In-ho. Like after their reunion during mingle when In-ho separates from the group, and when In-ho tells his dumb joke about Gi-hun's last name.

🫠🫠🫠

[s-ephiroth]

that said, (my rambling in tags in the previous post) i think i'm taking a lil break on here (not that i post much, i mostly just reblog things i vibe with) to reevaluate some things

fandom recently has been a lot; i've unfollowed friends in other socials whose content changed into mostly blogging about discourse, i've seen people leave, i've heard of old bullies trash talking me and i've only gotten the surface level aftermath of recent events because i was keeping myself sorta away to renew the writing muse/write

(and i've cried, a lot, missing what things used to be like back in 2015-2017... easier times, for sure)

i'm making a post on this instead of doing my usual thing and vanishing randomly because i want to remind everyone that if i share something from other people here, unless i'm outright stating i vouch for that person as, y'know, a person, i'm not necessarily endorsing that person on whatever personal conflicts they may have, i just share content that appeals to me; if people have trouble with each other, they gotta communicate and sort it between themselves

my fandom view has always been, after all, to assume the best scenario unless proven wrong; i don't place hard blocks on any of the events i run unless people are very visibly bullies or had beef with me that was too stressful, i'm socially anxious but always willing to talk to people over shared interests and the like, and i mostly stick to rare pair content nowadays for my peace of mind: a segment of my main/first ship's fandom has partially burned me out on it on a different site with their behavior and ooc views on my favorite character (i still love said ship, but would rather see it the way me and a few folks i consider friends handle it)

so if i naively shared content from someone in particular after going on a ship tag dive to calm myself down, don't blindly assume i necessarily endorse anything and everything from them on a personal level

and don't assume i'm up to date with whoever is beefing with who and for what reason, because i never keep up with that kinda stuff, and i don't come to fandom spaces for this kinda stuff, i come only to see good art, good writing, headcanons and to share my stuff sometimes

if you ever have issue in general with the content i'm sharing based on the original poster (or hell, with me in general) being involved in something, by any means, do reach out and inform me of things

i will NOT mediate conflicts for anyone, because i've done that before and it ended up with me gaining a stalker on an occasion and trying to vouch for someone else i had to later block on a different one, but if i'm told of what happened, i'll at least listen (and try to assess all sides before deciding for myself whether or not to continue sharing content from someone)

i'll still be sharing links and such to my own fics or art and i'll be in my other corners of the internet if i'm needed, but otherwise just assume me to be in meditative silence

[tonydaddingham]

I would like to know how Neil's interpretation of a scene he didn't write as not being a sex metaphor somehow means he's suddenly decided Aziracrow aren't in love. With how much the Good Omens fandom insists that all headcanons are valid, why does Neil sharing his for one scene suddenly mean he needs to be tricked and bullied into having Crowley and Aziraphale kiss or be otherwise romantic?

Is it because he said a dramatic last ditch attempt at communication in the form of a completely non-sexy kiss is just that? He didn't say it wasn't a romantic kiss, he said it was a non-sexual kiss. He said, to him, the oxrib scene was not a sexual metaphor. He has not said, anywhere, that Aziraphale and Crowley are not romantically in love.

Neil does not need to be bullied or tricked by Michael and David or anyone else to make Crowley and Aziraphale be and show they are in love. He's doing a remarkable job of making them that way all on his own.

hi anon!!!✨ okay, so ive pondered over this ask, and i can't quite parse out from the tone if you might be generally asking/ranting, or if you believe that im - put simply - anti-neil in this whole discourse fiasco? because if it's the latter, i'll happily share my personal thoughts on the matter as to why that is definitely not the case. initially, just to support my point, take a look at my tags on this and this post, because that will give you a little flavour as to my opinion.

essentially, i completely agree with you. first, for full disclosure - i know that there have been quite a few comments that neil has made (in interviews, tweets etc) over the years that have fed into this discourse that i do not have receipts for; so anyone that wants me to take these into account, please feel free to send me them.

okay, now i'll try and summarise my thoughts on this (and some may repeat points you have very rightly - imo - already made):

good omens, and in particular the show, is very diverse, and inclusive. it is a triumph in this respect. specifically, i think aziraphale and crowley's story has been written very cleverly and quite sensitively to provide or reflect representation for a wide array of sexualities, gender identifications, and in general queer experiences.

my second main thought is that there is a difference between author/writer original intent, author/writer interpretation of their own work (retrospectively, as a consumer or critic in their own right), and audience interpretation. none of them have to perish for others to exist; they can exist together, even if they can conflict each other in their conclusion/s. the best stories imo are those that can be read multiple ways.

the ox-scene in ep2 (and im also going to lump 40s minisode in this too... plus multiple other specific Acting Choices throughout the season) can be interpreted sexually. i don't think there are two ways about it, it definitely can. it may not be the author's intent (bearing in mind, whilst likely overseen by neil, ACtO was written by john) to write it sexually, but the direction/acting choices are, i think, undeniably sexual in subtext and tone.

that being said, whether or not this is what the writers had in mind when writing the episode (and im not saying they absolutely did, im not psychic), the literal written narrative is not sexual at all. it's crowley tempting aziraphale into eating, an earthly pleasure that we know aziraphale later enjoys. it is therefore perfectly reasonable for some people, i imagine particularly those that are aspec, to read this scene non-sexually. whether metaphorical for sex or just a complete mukbang on aziraphale's part, i read it as an uncomfortable, intimate, eldritch-like scene. all interpretations are correct, and none are wrong. it caters for many.

the kiss scene is, to my mind, not particularly romantic, and it's certainly not sexual. crowley meant it out of love, no doubt, and hand-in-hand with that love, out of desperation and as an 'everything else has failed' way of communicating. i personally read it as a temptation, as something desperate but almost on the cusp of being possessive and cruel - thats my personal opinion/interpretation. i'll be completely honest, i don't personally see how anyone can possibly read this scene as sexual (imo kisses are not and should not be gatekept by those that are sex-inclined), but where someone does, id be happy to learn why, to try to understand that interpretation. the romantic element is a little more questionable - technically speaking, yes, it probably is romantic, and i do understand how/why people read it as that, but for me it isn't.

the story in totality is however, to my mind, romantic; in my opinion, there is love of the romantic kind between aziraphale and crowley. furthermore, neil has stated that that is the writer's intent; he intends for it to be romantic.

taking the writer intent out of the equation however, for a moment, admittedly i think their story even throughout s2 could be seen as very lovingly platonic, right up until the kiss. but even then - as I said before - the kiss for me doesn't read as completely romantic. i think one could argue that crowley just simply saw it as something he could do because 'humans do it!'. the script itself doesn't confirm outright it is romantic - it strongly alludes to it, sure, but there has been no indisputable declaration of romantic love. therefore (whilst, again, i do not personally think this to be the case - i do see romantic love here) it is entirely possible to interpret the narrative, text and subtext, in completely different ways and those interpretations still be valid.

where the story, and their relationship itself, goes and concludes is unknown. they could have multiple kisses of the romantic variety in s3, or they may never kiss again. they could just hug, or hold hands. they could have a full-on sex scene, or potentially have a scene that could be interpreted as leading to one. they could even have a conversation about being willing to try sex, another human experience, but agree that if neither of them like it, they don't do it again (but will still love each other), and the conclusion is left purposefully ambiguous. there may be a love confession, an outright declaration, or something could be said in a subtle way such that can be interpreted as both platonic and romantic.

i agree that neil doesn't need to be bullied by anyone into writing the story he's going to write... there will however be jokes about it, mainly from the hyperbolic perspective of michael being quite vocal that he too sees aziraphale as being in love with crowley. michael has admitted (jokingly? professional research?) to reading fanfiction that helped inform him on this personal confirmation, and this may have informed him on his acting. there are some of us that joke about the 'feral-ness that is michael in being hellbent on getting a sex scene' etc., and i know some have taken that joke further in saying that michael should essentially campaign for one, but i think we can all safely say that neil will write what he writes, and michael will continue to play aziraphale absolutely perfectly, and according to the script and direction offered to him. they are professionals, colleagues, and im fairly certain are definitely friends; the jokes are jokes (on this blog at least, anyway).

final point; i think neil has a fairly difficult task - whether he actively pays a deliberate mind to this or not, or it just comes naturally - in continuing to write a story that can be representative of everyone. he has his intent, sure, and his later own interpretation, but he has provided something amazing; characters and a story that is supernatural in setting, but entirely human in nature. that can speak to so many people, of so many different walks of life. that everyone can see a bit of themselves in these characters, can recognise parts of them in their own spirit. sees them go through decisions and experiences and joy and pain that each of us have at some point probably encountered ourselves.

that balancing act - again, whether he purposefully does pay this any mind or not - cannot be easy. i do not personally see him as homophobic for what he said in that tweet. i do not personally think he has queerbaited, or led anyone on to think that the characters/narrative is something that it's not. that's my opinion, and i fully respect that others will have theirs (and id be happy to hear them!), but i think he is respectful that people will have their individual interpretations, and leave it at that. he may even agree with some of them - he has said that he has liked metas etc based on merit and effort, out of respect too i imagine, but not necessarily as a veritable stamp of approval that the post agrees outright with his original intent or personal interpretation.

in any case - why would he agree to one interpretation if that could mean that that could upset someone else with a different one? that's not fair on anyone, so i think it's more than fair that he sticks to confirming what he intended in what he wrote, and not comment on how it should be interpreted. its because of this - brass tacks time - that i think any questions about interpretation should be kept out of his askbox... sure, ask about what is literally in the script, or what physically happens on screen, or background 'canon' info, but don't ask him for how you should interpret it, because i think it's fair to say he is only ever going to give back his original intention, or how he personally interprets it.

that doesn't automatically mean that he thinks any other interpretation is ridiculous or inaccurate, or not valid; everyone else's interpretation can exist at the same time too. he might disagree privately, but that's up to him - same as the rest of us✨

[anneapocalypse]

rvb fandom for the choose violence ask game! 1, 12, 17, and 24.

🔥 choose violence ask game 🔥

Obligatory disclaimer that I'm a few years out of the loop on RvB fandom at this point, so take anything I say about "the fandom" with that in mind, and a huge grain of salt.

1. the character everyone gets wrong

I freely admit that I've always been brutally picky about depictions of Carolina, and I think I've griped about most facets of that in one meta post or another over the years! There was the Freelancer-era hate for her of course, writing her off as caring about winning above all else and ignoring her demonstrated concern for her team members (something even later seasons seemed to forget happened), the awful bitch who broke precious perfect York's heart, etc etc but there was also a sort of overcompensation that happened later, where people liked Carolina and wanted to portray her sympathetically but seemed to struggle to reconcile that with the fact that she is, in fact, prickly and difficult a lot of the time! So you'd get these sort of smoothed-over versions of Freelancer and present-day season 10 Carolina that were certainly well-intentioned, but still, for me, kind of off-base in terms of who the character actually is.

12. the unpopular character that you actually like and why more people should like them

Since I just talked about Carolina, and since I think she is in fact fairly well-liked these days as female RvB characters go, I will say instead that Kimball is a wonderful, complex character who deserves so much love always and forever. I don't think Kimball is unpopular in the sense of being hated, but more in the sense of having fallen out of relevance in recent canon and becoming, along with the entirety of the Chorus arc, tragically overlooked.

My hottest take about Kimball, I guess, is that for a lot of season 13's conflicts, she is objectively right and Doyle is wrong. The arc she has to go on in season 13 isn't realizing that Doyle is right about combat strategy (if you listen to what he's actually suggesting, his ideas are almost universally terrible) but recognizing that he, as an individual person, is not responsible for what happened to Chorus or to her people, that most of the surviving Feds are inheritors of the conflict rather than instigators of it, that the people they were originally rebelling against are all dead, and that working together to fight back against Charon is Chorus's only hope for survival. Flattening that into "both sides are wrong" is kind of insulting to Kimball and I think misrepresents the nature of the conflict. Also, I think her season 12 characterization is so important and everything she does in 13 needs to be read in light of that. Her greatest strength is the faith she has in people.

17. there should be more of this type of fic/art

More love for Chorus in general!

24. topic that brings up the most rancid discourse

Mental illness headcanons as a cover for "my fave is the best/woobiest/poorest little meow meow and your fave sucks and is an abuser/war criminal" slapfights. (Please note I am not saying mental illness headcanons are bad in and of themselves, just that I've seen them tangled up in so much terrible discourse over the years.) If there's one thing I can confidently say about RvB, it's that everyone's a war criminal and they all have PTSD and are wet and sad. Let's move on with our lives.

[schaeferlusaque]

3, 16, 24 for the fandom of your choice!

3. screenshot or description of the worst take you've seen on tumblr

Lmao that person who said that maybe Finan’s brother Conall let his men gang rape his wife because she drove him to it and maybe Conall was actually a good guy and only doing the right thing. Lol. Lmao, even.

16. you can't understand why so many people like this thing (characterization, trope, headcanon, etc)

Reader fic. I’m sorry but I simply do not understand it.

24. topic that brings up the most rancid discourse

Any discourse is rancid enough if you try hard and believe <3 no but I know I say this literally all the time but the misogyny in this fandom really is astounding. I think in other fandoms I’ve been in, it’s at least hidden behind a thin veneer of would-be progressivism, but TLK fans are some of the most open woman-haters I’ve ever encountered. I think a lot about how Ingrith was literally written to be thee perfect partner for Finan and people still hated her because she had the audacity to not be Eadith. Or how Aethelflaed is a bitch because she didn’t give Uhtred everything he ever wanted or fall down at Aldhelm’s feet or whatever their current complaint is. What if conflict drives a plot and sometimes it’s the male character’s fault. What then.

[rokudaimehole]

I am once again asking for your Izanagi headcanon, I vaguely remember what it was 🙏🙏 Please supreme ratticus

Hiya!

I’m not sure which headcanon you’re specifically referring to, but I can try to parse things out for you. I realize in my great purge, a lot of my posts were lost (aka — I did not save them, whoops) so there is a chance I may backtrack on my ten year old headcanons.

More under the cut!

So, from what we know in established canon, the Izanagi is one half of a whole jutsu — the Creation of All Things (CoAT). It’s been wildly speculated and theorized in the community that in order for it to be “perfected” that 1) an Uchiha must have Senju DNA and 2) it’s variable. Now, a lot of this discourse comes from the fact that the manga does have conflicting information (as with most things…) but when it is first stated, it’s important to remember Obito was fed those things by Black Zetsu. Please consider: is it unreliable narration from a heavily manipulated character or is it a retcon when it is disproven later on?

I leave my thoughts out of this as an Obito sympathizer. But let’s be real: it’s probably a retcon.

In any case! For the sake of my headcanon, ignore both of those facts because I don’t consider either of them — and yes, I will explain.

My headcanon has a few prongs, so let me list them:

1) The Izanagi is defined by the limits of the user’s belief.

2) More than blindness, those who survive the use of the Izanagi pay personal costs for playing god.

3) The effectiveness of the jutsu is directly tied to the user’s bloodline and their mastery over yin-yang release.

Now, if you’re seeking specific headcanons about Ayame’s journey you will have to direct message me because while I do plan to maintain the same arc, it’s slightly different now so 🤫

To explain the headcanon:

Those who possess the ability to activate the Sharingan don’t necessarily need to have Hashirama cells. Does it help? Yes. Having Senju DNA helps everything in that universe. However, it’s still something that users can do, even if it’s limited.

The limits of a user’s belief directly impact the result of the jutsu: an Uchiha with a god complex is going to come back strong and hitting. A panicked, insecure user may not be able to reshape reality to the fullest of the jutsu’s capability. A confident, nearly beaten hero grasping at desperation may get what they want and more.

What personal cost would they have to pay besides blindness? I headcanon that they also sacrifice a portion of their chakra. It just never comes back — that’s the price for shaping reality. You’re alive, but you’re weaker for it.

How does bloodline matter? Well, just like any type of ninjutsu! If you come from a stronger branch of the Uchiha family and hold mastery over yin-yang release, you have a better shot at the results you want. Reality takes less to shape. It’s not always a guarantee, but it helps.

Since this is kind of long, you’re welcome to ask specifics. I’d be glad to dive back in! I have a lot of worldbuilding around the Uchiha clan and their dōjutsu, as I am sure many of you remember.

[ragamuffinsage]

Edelbert and Dimidue were two of my first Fire Emblem Three Houses ships (yeah I have a type), and over the four years the game has been out I’ve noticed they get a very different treatment, fanwork-wise. Within the context of the story, both relationships are very different in terms of how the characters came to know each other, but specifically from a meta perspective, there’s a pretty obvious double standard. Edelgard and Dimitri both have significant positions of power over their vassals, and both of them do their best to treat them as equals regardless. They go out of their way to humanize them even while being surrounded by a society that would encourage otherwise. And while that’s not the norm of the culture they grew up in, and it reflects well on both of them as people that they defy that, it’s should still be considered basic human decency. Especially if you’re writing them in a relationship.

With most Edelbert fics I’ve read, Edelgard’s treatment of Hubert tends to be treated as more of a given. While their uneven power dynamic is often a point of conflict, Edelgard sees Hubert as a peer and a confidant, and she’s not usually portrayed as a saint for doing so. With Dimidue, I’ve seen a lot more fics that focus on how wonderful and giving Dimitri is for doing things for Dedue. And I’m not saying it isn’t meaningful or significant that Dimitri cares deeply about Dedue’s wellbeing. However, making the main focus on a fic about their relationship how much Dimitri does for Dedue- especially when Dedue is much more likely to be written as a satellite character than Hubert is- can feel like it’s playing off white savior tropes. And this goes double when everything Dedue does for Dimitri feels minimized in comparison.

Again, Dimitri is doing genuine good by standing up for Dedue and seeking justice for Duscur. And it’s work that the rest of Faerghus isn’t doing. The problem arises when their relationship is explored solely via the lens of Dimitri being the most amazing person just for wanting justice for a people subjugated under the kingdom that he will inherit. Reparations for Duscur should be a priority regardless of his personal relationship with Dedue. There’s also the issue of fewer writers focusing on everything Dedue does for Dimitri. He cares for his health. He fights for his legacy. In Crimson Flower, he literally gives up his humanity and dies for him. All while having not even a fraction of the societal power or resources Dimitri does. Even more egregious is when fic writers put so much emphasis on what Dimitri does for Duscur without going into everything Dedue canonically does for his own people in his endings.

The ironic part is Edelbert doesn’t actually need to be written as nuanced as it often is. It’s a relationship more inspired by medieval fantasy tropes than real world power imbalances. If you want to romanticize the hell out of their power dynamic or turn it in to a cut and dry sexy master-servant relationship, I won’t stop you. I don’t think it’s particularly in-character, but it’s not really playing on tropes that are actively harmful. Dimidue on the other hand needs to be written with more thought put into how these characters are being portrayed because their canon relationship is informed by racial politics that reflect the real world. The discrimination Dedue faces at the hands of Faerghus isn’t allegorical or fantastical; it’s a much more realistic portrayal of scapegoating and genocide than is typical for Fire Emblem as a series.

There’s a lot of great Dimidue content out there, but it’s uncomfortable to see fics and headcanons that essentially boil down to “isn’t it sweet and romantic that Dimitri thinks racism is bad?” get attention when Dedue constantly has his importance to the narrative- and to Dimitri- diminished.

I’d love to get other people’s thoughts on this too; just please don’t turn this into a generic house discourse post. I have my own options on the different houses, but this isn’t meant to be a petty ‘beagles stans are better writers than blions stans’ post or whatever. It’s a post about how characters of color and stories that don’t center a white European narrative tend to get shafted by fandom across the board.

[skyguyed]

honestly………one thing i love about rebels………..there’s no discourse

[kaeyamonsoon]

IT'S ABOUT TIME I FINALLY HAVE THE MOTIVATION TO WRITE SMTH ABOUT KAEYA AND DILUC IN THE HIDDEN STRIFE EVENT (it's more of a summary and further explanation + my personal hcs/theory + kaeya character story + webtoon + minor discussion about Kaeya and Collei but it's just my usual nitpicking of connecting the dots—)

this includes spoilers of the hidden strife event with scattered interactables seen in the overworld after completing the last quest of the event

So if you interact with the shiny thing at the top of the KOF HQ, you'll see that Kaeya hid things that are of sentimental value to him.

So apparently Kaeya had the initiative to save this certain piece of paper where his “Father” helped him to improve his handwriting + snippets of Khaenri'ah lore that reveals their clan's purpose(?) and what they've done to serve the royals, stepping up as regents.

Since they're said as regents, then Kaeya isn't exactly royal blood but is able to step up as one to rule Khaenri'ah if the first line of royals aren't able to do so. Him being a prince or a ruler might still be a probable theory, as he's said as the “hope” of their homeland as well as being placed as a pawn in Mondstadt.

Now that it's revealed that he's actually a regent and have probably told that to Diluc the night they fought—

While Kaeya's Character Story — Vision, mentioned that he anticipated Diluc's anger, in the paper here he wrote— it seems like he didn't expect any conflict? Based on my understanding, he knew that he would be angry but not to the point where “violence” will be included. That's understandable as Kaeya and other people have always described and seen Diluc as a kind gentleman flawless etiquette, who's perfect in any way. With Alice revealing that she had been observing Diluc for awhile now, mentioning that Diluc had taken care of Klee well when she was out catching crystalflies in the vineyard, accompanying her bacm home and even replied to Alice's letter saying that they're most welcome to visit and the head maid shall provide them with sufficient snacks for them (🥺).

So Diluc actually pointing his sword at him might've been a bit unexpected but Kaeya seeing reason through everything and technically has a 4D mind (+ underlying guilt), he felt that he deserved it or unsurprised, quoting "he asked for it" considering he really chose the time where Diluc is in the moment of grieving.

Alright so here comes my word vomit:

I personally think Diluc did that as a means to see Kaeya's "true" self probably because he believes that "in the face of death, everyone's true self will be revealed" or to be a bit realistic, his anger might've blinded him to do so, an outlet perhaps.

In relation to that, Kaeya used that same method Diluc used "against" him to allow him to reveal Collei's true colors the time where he faces her off. (I've seen some discourse about how Kaeya is a bad guy for hurting a literal child, but can you really blame him when she herself is a threat, at first, due to the fact that she was the cause of the fire and the death of two Snezhnayan diplomats, with a person— no matter what age, who has the capability of becoming a threat to the lives of Mondstadt wouldn't go unnoticed or ignored by Kaeya imo :'()

I like nitpicking so I'll also headcanon that Diluc using that kind of method to Kaeya was also learned from his father, Crepus, as he used an unknown power that Diluc didnt know he possessed, meaning Diluc learned that people will use what they got no matter how reckless it is once faced with death. Maybe it's also a reason why Diluc uses violence against the Abyss Order (specifically the Abyss Mages) in order to spill the truth.

It's my personal views is all ^^

[bluecatwriter]

jonmina, holward (if you have done them already, helward)

Joke's on you, I'm answering all three because no one can stop me! :D JonMina (Jonathan Harker/Mina Harker)— HECK YEAH! 1. What made you ship it? Jonathan and Mina embody a whole bunch of tropes I absolutely love— childhood friends-turned-lovers, young married couple facing The Horrors, a very stable, respectful, and loving relationship that's mostly buffeted by outside forces, etc. I was in love with them even before I met Mina in the story. 2. What are your favorite things about the ship? I'm a really big fan of romantic partners who are genuinely best friends and deeply in love, looking out for each other as they face conflict together. I'll admit a lot of this is a sort of self-insert enjoyment: my spouse and I have been married ten years but are frequently mistaken for newlyweds because we're super annoying affectionate. I love angst and conflict as much as the next person, but sometimes I just want a couple whose love is one of the great stabilizing forces in the story, and I adore Jonathan and Mina for that.   3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? Jonathan avoiding the oath to kill Mina and vowing instead to follow her into vampire hell instead is incredibly romantic (and hot as hell), but I don't see it as an unqualified good decision, and in fact see it as one of the few times he won't respect Mina's choice in a situation. It's pretty much the only decision Jonathan is capable of making at that point, given what he's been through and how he feels— but it still denies Mina's agency in the situation, which makes for an interesting tension. I think that tension makes their relationship even more compelling! Holward (Arthur Holmwood/Jack Seward)— Yup! 1. What made you ship it? I always thought their friendship was sweet (I'm a sucker for dudes comforting other dudes when they're crying, even if it's just a repressed manly squeeze on the shoulder like Jack manages at Lucy's funeral), but it wasn't until I wrote a fic about them (Words and Voice Fail Me) that I came to appreciate their romantic potential. 2. What are your favorite things about the ship? They're a classic sunshiny-golden-retriever paired with a sullen-wet-cat dynamic, which is always fun, but on a more serious note they're just complementary in many ways: Arthur tends not to overthink things while Jack runs in mental circles all the time, Arthur's used to abundance while Jack is in more of a scarcity mindset, and Arthur is very emotionally open while Jack is repressed. But sometimes Arthur really does need to think more carefully, not assume that everything will go his way, and keep his emotions in check a bit more, so Jack is helpful for him, too. They're a good match. I think they're sweet. 3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? I honestly don't know enough fandom discourse to know which opinions are controversial. ;) Helward (Abraham Van Helsing/Jack Seward)— OH YES 1. What made you ship it? A vast amalgam of Tumblr posts, plus reading the text itself. This is one of those ships that feels absolutely canon to me— any version of the story without Jack and Van Helsing at least pining for each other feels like an AU at this point.  2. What are your favorite things about the ship? There are so many different ways to write/headcanon it! There are tons of potential obstacles between them— whether Van Helsing's marriage, the age gap, the former student/teacher dynamic, the internalized homophobia, you name it— and so many different possibilities for how their relationship can play out. It seems that no matter which way it goes, there's always a lot of delicious tension and pining and angst.  3. Is there an unpopular opinion you have on your ship? I've never seen a version of Helward that I didn't like in some way, so I think my opinions are pretty mainstream… considering that there's, like, seven of us who ship it in the first place. ;)

[shotorozu]

after quarreling

character(s) : shinsou hitoshi, bakugou katsuki, todoroki shouto

legend : [Y/N = your name] they/them pronouns, quirk not specific

headcanon type : mild angst to fluff

note(s) : i had this idea in my head for the longest time omg, probably since november— but i’m glad i finally got to write this out. in this post, i don’t really go into too many details with what your fight was about, and i deal on how they try to make up with you and stuff.

»»————-　♡　————-««

shinsou hitoshi

you guys never really fight, since both of you aren’t petty to drag out a topic to a point there’s some serious discourse

pretty calm throughout the entire thing. no one yells in this argument, more of sarcastic remarks

not the type to immediately want to solve the conflict, because he might make matters worse if he added insult onto the injury

but he won’t tolerate it if you purposely stop hanging out in the places you usually go to because of him (if that makes sense)

like,, lets say he’s already in the hero course, and his room is literally infront of yours. he wouldn’t like it if you waited until noon to leave your room because of him

hitoshi really doesn’t want to make you uncomfortable, even if you guys are feuding

but lets say he’s sorry, or he fucked up in some way— like he wasn’t taking care of himself, or he said something out of hand (which is quite rare)

again, he’ll leave you be for now— but once he’s alone in his room, he’ll start thinking a lot

like “are they going to break up with me? did i hurt their feelings to the point they’re miserable? are they afraid of me?” stuff like that.

it’s really sad seeing him like that

but even so, he’ll still treat you the same. he’ll buy your favorite snack/drink, and hitoshi will ask your friends to give it to them, but they have to promise that they won’t tell you who it’s from

he’ll conveniently place anything you’ll need on your desk like “oh.. where did this hair tie come from? i needed one.”

then, he’ll look at you when he feels your eyes on him— and theres this silent agreement between the both of you; that you don’t want to be like this anymore

he’ll be really happy to have you in his arms once again.

bakugou katsuki

fights happen but not like to the point you guys are at each other’s throats 24/7 or to the point it’s getting toxic

if you think bakugou will admit he’s wrong in a fight with you, then you are wrong

his pettiness will reach the highest of levels, and his endearing ‘insults’ jabbed towards you will be filled with venom, with wrongful intent

there are times he’ll come to apologize to you, but that’s when he knows he really fucked up, like for example.. he accidentally attacked you during an exercise by accident

then, he’ll definitely apologize to that

but him ‘fessing up his mistakes first is once in a blue moon, and definitely when pigs start flying. it’s harsh, and while you’re used to it— it doesn’t mean it hurts any less

it’s mixed. lots of yelling involved, which isn’t the real issue here— you’re used to bakugou being loud, but he will get louder during those squabbles.

or he will become silent. like really quiet, to the point it looks like his mom is scolding him.

depending on the severity of the fight, he’ll either make up with you on the spot— or he’ll leave, just so he doesn’t end up accidentally setting off his quirk.

moving onto examples. let’s say for instance, he accidentally said something harsh. like.. you’re distracting him from important things

and i’d be swinging at him if he told me that, but you’re really offended and hurt. but you don’t want to make matters worse— so you leave.

and he’ll assume you’ll just come back to him, acting like nothing has happened, but you don’t soo..

he starts thinking, and that’s when he knows he fucked up. he can’t just act like that for the rest of his life, he can’t be the best version of himself if he doesn’t make a resolve.

sorry won’t immediately fly out of his mouth, it’s quite hard for him to say it himself— so he’ll start doing things better

he’ll make something when it’s breakfast/lunch/dinner, and he’ll ‘make too much’ food. but he’ll leave it in the fridge for you to eat

glares at anyone that pokes fun at you too much, but it’s from afar. you guys are still fighting but that doesn’t mean he won’t be protective of you

then finally, when you’re alone— he’ll look at you, practically pulling you towards him, and also so you guys can talk things out

he’ll totally act like nothing bad happened, even though it was so tense hours ago. but he’ll be clinging to your side for the rest of the day.

todoroki shouto

again, similar to shinsou— you guys never fight. he’s clueless for sure sometimes, but you’re rational enough to clear it up before it gets bad.

but there will be a couple of hard patches, just like any other relationship.

he doesn’t really know what he did wrong at some points, and even if you point it out to him— he’ll still stand by his point

and he has no filter sometimes so sorry, he won’t be afraid to be brutally honest. but don’t get me wrong, he doesn’t do it on purpose. he’s just not conscious about it

but honesty IS honesty

shouto usually freezes up whenever terrible fights happens, because of his childhood (which is an explanation in itself) and because of that, he will avoid the conflict as much as he can

he’ll brush the situation off, and he won’t speak on it, completely ignoring it to the best of his abilities. he’ll also be really down— he’ll get really quiet. literally no one wants to mess with him

with the help of the dekusquad, he’ll realize that he can’t stay like this way forever. and he has to face his mistakes eventually.

from the getgo, shouto is that person that’ll give you space after a fight, and he wouldn’t pester you about making up with him. he’ll give you time

the first thing shouto does is showing that he’s sorry through his actions.

he’ll definitely ask midoriya to ask about you to your friends— because your friends will only talk to midoriya lol and

similar to hitoshi, and also very subtly he’ll put the things you need right infront of you “oh. i needed a pen! good thing this one works.”

during the winter, he’ll grab your jacket and heat it up like normal. then during the summer, he’ll fill your water bottle with cool water.

shouto will send you looks during this entire ordeal, checking to see if you’re ready to talk.

and you honestly can’t stay mad at him, because man literally looks like a kicked puppy. someone save him

he’s not stubborn like bakugou, so he’ll admit he’s wrong after realizing it himself— and he’s not shy on apologizing either

after you guys make up with each other, shouto will literally hug you close to him— completely forgetting about everything even if it’s just for a moment

he’s just really happy that he didn’t lose you.

»»————-　♡　————-««

likes and reblogs are appreciated, thanks for reading!

i do not own bnha/mha and it’s characters. boku no hero academia/my hero academia belongs to horikoshi kohei. i only own the writing, and i do not profit off of my hobby

do not plagiarize, reupload, translate, or use my work for audio readings without my permission :))

[rissynicole]

14 and 23 :)

Hey, Faith! It’s been a little while. Hope everything is going well!

14) Unpopular opinion about your fandom?

In essence, I think the release of Enter the Florpus poisoned the fandom.

Let me explain my reasoning behind this: people who only joined the IZ fandom after ETF may have immediately assumed the fandom was always toxic and full of arguments and discourse. After all, that’s the case with many fandom communities online. However, it was simply not true for IZ. I certainly didn’t see discourse on that scale, anyway. I credit the release of ETF for making the landscape of the fandom a very different place because it introduced TONS of new people to IZ. That’s awesome, and I’m always glad to have new people to talk to. Definitely don’t want to come across like I’m gatekeeping a fandom. What I’m saying is that the huge influx of people brought with it a lot of toxicity and turned what was once a very relaxed, chill fandom into a fandom wracked with conflict and discourse.

The toxicity didn’t exist (or was incredibly minimal) prior to August of 2019. Then, with the release of the movie, a huge surge of people came. The new people brought with them petty squabbles and disturbing ways of harassing others. A few of my friends who were longtime fans left the fandom out of fear, which still breaks my heart and leaves me more than a little resentful even years later. Some of these people had been actively making art and fic for the show for over a decade prior to ETF. Many of them weren’t even doing anything deemed “problematic”; they were just worried they’d be harmed somehow in all the collateral damage. Seeing them disappear off the internet out of straight fear was awful.

The rise of toxicity is the reason why I block liberally and vet people when I meet them, which is something I didn’t worry so much about before.

Not to sound like a snob or an old-timer, but I sure wish folks could see what the fandom looked like before ETF.

(All of that said, I’m not generalizing. Both bad and good people joined the fandom following ETF. I’m still close with many of those people today. Without ETF, I never would have met some of my best friends.)

23) Unpopular character you love.

This is a tough question because I feel like I usually have the opposite problem. Everyone will fall in love with a certain character, and I’m stumped by it because I have no strong feelings on the character one way or another.

I guess one character that I think gets slept on in this fandom, however, is Larb. I’ll never understand how Tenn could show up once in canon as a one-off character and get fics written about her, fanart drawn of her, and headcanons thought up about her. Larb, however, appears multiple times in canon and is shown to be the bootlicker poster child for the Irken Empire and nobody in the fandom wants to do anything with that.

[postmodernbeing]

Shingeki no Kyojin headcanons: 104th training corps (College AU)

Hello, Postmodernbeing here. This time I wanted to write about things that I actually know, since I’m a college student and I’m studing History and Social Sciences I found myself wondering about what would the 104th training corps focus their studies on if all of them had chosen humanities as their career. I hope you find this funny and at least a bit accurate.

IMPORTANT:  I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin, only these HCs are my own. // Might contain a few spoilers from the manga. // English is not my first language and I study uni at Latin America, so scientifical terms/words/concepts may vary. Anyhow, I thank you for reading and for your patience.

Eren Jaeger

He’s passionate about Military History, not to be confused with history of army. Eren’s rather focused in strategies, weapons and semiotics involved in military speech.

First started with books about great wars in modern era. The use of certain weapons took him by surprise due the technological development.

Then he took classes about discourse analysis, semiotics and such, and felt inspired by the discourse reflected in emblems, uniforms, flags, etc.

Eren doesn’t really have a preference between occidental or oriental, North or South, Modern or Ancient settings. He would simply devour all the books that deal with military strategy and warlike conflicts. Although he has more experience and information about great wars in modern era.

He’s fascinated with the inexhaustible human desire of freedom and the extent that it can reach. This fascination might not be very healthy, he concludes.

Also, finds a cruel beauty in violence when showed in freedom and ideals are protected over one’s own life. But he won’t tell his classmates or professors. He knows is a controversial opinion for he’s still aware the implications of massive conflicts and the abuse of power.

One thing led to another, Eren is now taking classes and reading about philosophy in war and anthropological perspectives about violence through time.

He’s so into social movements besides his main interest in college: “No one’s really free until all humanity is”, that’s his life motto pretty much.

Due his readings and researches he decided it was important to develop a political stance about the world’s problems. Eren strongly believes all lives worth the same, but systems and nations had imposed over others and vulnerated other human's lives.

Yes, Eren is anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist.

Mikasa Ackerman

Asian Studies Major / History Minor.

She thinks by studying these degrees, she pays honor to her heritage. Specially to her mother. Her family is the proudest for Mikasa is also the best student in her whole generation.

Mikasa received a scholarship thanks to Azumabito family, who are co-founders of an academic institution dedicated to Asian historical and cultural research. She might as well start working when she graduates.

Although she’s passionate about Japan’s history, she has written a few articles and essays about Asian Studies themselves and the importance of preserving but also divulging by means of art and sciences.

In her essays and research work, she likes to employ tools from many disciplines since she strongly believes all humanities and social sciences serve the very same purpose at scrutinize the social reality all the same. Might as well use demographics, ethnology, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, archeology, and so on. For it proves to bring light into questions that history by itself could answer unsatisfactorily (in Mikasa’s opinion).

Even her professors wonder how she manages to organize that much information and pull it off successfully. She might as well be more brilliant than a few PhD’s students.

Armin Arlert

Prehistoric studies / Archeology

He’s so into the studies about the prehistoric humans and routes of migration.

Passionate about the ocean and natural wonders since kid, Armin believed his career would be environmentalist or geoscience related.

That was the agreement he had with his grandad since middleschool, until he read Paul Rivet’s “The Origins of the American Man” book and captured him thoroughly. The way the book explained logically the diverse theories about global migration and enlisted the challenges of modern archeology -for there are numerous mysteries- simply devoured his conscience.

He knew from the books he’d read that most evidence of the first settlements are deep under dirt or far away in the ocean whose level has risen over the centuries leaving primitive camps – and answers – unreachable. 

That’s the reason he is so eager to study and give his best to contribute both archeology and history disciplines. Also, he’ll forever love the ocean and nature, just leave him do all the fieldwork, please.

Jean Kirstein

History of industry / Industrial heritage / Historical materialism

Jean first started interested in capitalist industries and production development in first world countries. Kind of rejected other visions and explanations since he’d read about positivism studies.

His interest in such matters started when he was a just boy. He often found himself wondering how things were made and that question captured him ever since. As he grew up, he realized that machines and industrial processes were highly involved in the most mundane objects creation.

Nonetheless, he learnt that not always the best machinery was used, nor the best work conditions were available for mass production. From that moment he’d started to read about the First Industrial Revolution and his mind just took off with questions. Invariably, he learned about labour struggle and the transforming power due workforce.

Between his readings and university classes, he’d knew more about labour movements, unions. And in the theoretical aspect, he'd learned about historical materialism analysis.

One could say that Jean possesses a humanistic vision of the implications in mass production under capitalist system along history and nowadays.

Marco Bodt

Royalty's history / Medieval Studies 

I wanted to keep his canonical fascination to royalty and the best way to do that was including Medieval Studies.

Marco would study since the fall of Roman Empire until the latest gossip of royal families all across Europe.

Might get a bit of Eurocentric with his essays but in real life discussions he’s always open to debates about decolonization. He has even read Frantz Fanon books and possesses a critical thinking about colonial countries and their relations with the so named third world.

Nevertheless, Marco finds a strange beauty in the lives of monarchs and he’s interested in study from their education, hobbies, strategies, relationships, everything.

I’d say that his favorite historical period is probably the establishment of the descendants of the barbarian peoples in the new kingdoms such as the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Franks, Vandals, Huns, Saxons, Angles and Jutes (holy shit, they're a lot).

Because this would transcend as the beginning of his favorite matter of analysis.

Sasha Braus

History of gastronomy, development of cooking, antropology and archeological studies.

Sasha’s interested in the history that shows human development of food and cooking. She finds wonders when she inquires into cultural aspects from the first farming till modern artistic expressions that would involve food.

Such as gastronomy. But her attention got caught in literature’s food representation too, with its symbols and allegories, also in paintings that belong in still life movement, but also Sasha finds interest when food is used as rhetorical devices (for example: the apple in Adam and Eve’s myth).

She’s curious about primitive systems of irrigation, cultivation, food distribution, adaptation of wild species; as well as the domestication of animals, the diversification of the diet and its link with sedentary life, as well as the subsequent division of labor once the need for food was assured in humanity’ first cities.

Sasha’s convinced that alimentation is the pilar of civilization as we know it. For it involves cultural, artistic, economic, emotion and social aspects. Food is a microcosm of analysis of humanity.

Sasha hasn’t a favorite historical period or setting. But she definitely has a special fascination for first civilizations and their link with alimentation. Also, she likes to study the development gastronomy in occident world around different regions, social classes, and time.

Although, let’s be honest, Sasha would devour (lol, couldn’t help it) ANY book about agriculture, cattle raising, cooking or gastronomy. 

Connie Springer

Micro-history / History of everyday life.

Connie loves his hometown, has a deep respect to his family and traditions. That’s why he finds himself wondering about the most ordinary events that developed in his dear Ragako. 

The book “The Cheese and the Worms” by Carlo Ginzburg changed the way he used to understand history and capture him into meaningful discussions about what he learned was called micro-history.

His favorite quote from that book is: “As with language, culture offers to the individual a horizon of latent possibilities—a flexible and invisible cage in which he can exercise his own conditional liberty.”

Once deep into studying the Italian historians and their works, he decided to give it a try, and ever since he’s mesmerized with the mundane vestiges craftsmen that worked in his village left behind.

Connie’s parents are so proud of him and his achivements, but mostly because he became a passionate academic over human and simple matters, (so down to earth our big baby).

His attitude towards his essays and research works truly shows his great heart and humility. Connie is aware that academic works have no use if they are not meant to teach us about ourselves too and current times.

Empathy and hard work, that’s how one could describe the elements that integrate his recently started academic career.

Historia Reiss

Political History / Statistician

Her father’s family pressured Historia since she was a little girl into studying History just like his dad. For he’s a very famous historian that had made important researches and books about the greatest statesmen of Paradis.

She thought in numerous ways that she could sabotage her career or study any other career without her family’s consent and end with her linage of historians. But she ended up enrolling in tuition and so far, she is trying her best in her studies. Historia swears this is the right path for her.

But don’t let the appearances fool you, even thought she studies her father’s career and the very same branch of history’s discipline, she has her own critical sense and she’s so talented on her own, very meticulous with her research papers.

Definitely wants a PhD about women, power and politics. We stand a Gender Studies Queen.

Her complementary disciplines are Political Sciences. Historia also has a talent for philosophy and owns a diary with all her thoughts about them. She hopes one day she would write a book or a manifesto about an innovative methodology for research and teaching History of Politic Thinking.

Ymir 

Religion’s History / Theology

Just like Historia, Ymir was pressured into studying History. And if she’s totally honest, she still has some doubts about it. Even if she couldn’t imagine herself studying anything else.

Anyways, Ymir thought that she could build her career around topics that she enjoys. So, she finally chose theology for unusual reasons.

Her classmates had grown up in religious families or had experience studying the doctrines they practiced. But she, being an agnostic, found satisfaction in unraveling belief systems in different cultures and time periods.

Albeit she studies in Paradis’ University, she currently has the opportunity of taking an academic exchange at Marley’s University. This only made Ymir more conflicted about her future, for she wants to stay (near Historia) but she’s aware that Marley would offer her more academic opportunities for her specialization.

Nowadays she’s working in some collaborative research paper with some people from Mythological Studies from the Literature department. She’s nailing it, writing some historical studies about titans in Greek mythology and its impact in shaping neoclassical poetry. Her brains ugh, love her.

Reiner Braun

Official History / Biographies of heroes and great wars.

His mother convinced him with numerous books about great national heroes, but mostly because she knew that would mean sure job to her son. All political administration in every level requires of an official chronicler. 

When he started his college courses, Reiner felt motivated and he was actually convinced that he had the vocation. But the more he read the less sure he felt that the academic world was for him. He wondered if he made the right choice. If he did it for him or for his mother.

Stories and myths about heroes have always cheered him up. That gave him purpose and consoled him when feeling down. Or at least it was like that when younger. Reiner truly didn’t feel like himself when regretting his choices, but he couldn’t help it for he was changing in more than a way.

That’s why he decided to experiment with other disciplines and with time he would find joy in historical novels. He would analyze them just as good as a litterateur and research about historical context in the written story AND study the artwork’s context itself.

His favorites theorical books are: “Historical Text as Literary Artifact” by Hayden White and Michel de Certeau’ “The Writing of History”.·        

Heroes stories would always accompany him, just differently now.

Bertolt Hoover

History of mentalities / Les Annales

Intimate relationships, basic habits and attitudes. / Culture

Bertie has always been a much reticent and shy guy. As he grew up, he consolidated his sullen personality, but maintained a friendly attitude towards anyone who needed him. That’s why he thought that the priority in his studies was to be at the service of his classmates.

So, although he was passionate about research and was a fan of the French Les Annales current, he considered his mission to be in the Archive. As a cataloger, organizer and curator of ancient documents.

But the ways of History are always mysterious, and Doctor Magath showed him that other way of being was possible. Before Bertolt picked his specialty, he met Theo Magath, a professor who recently had finished writing a book: “The Idea of Death in Liberio’s Ghetto in Marley During its War Against Eldia (Paradis)” (long-ass titles are historians specialty btw). After Magath ended his book’ presentation, Bertolt reached him. They talked for hours and finally, he felt inspired into pursuing his true passion. Magath gifted him “The Historian’s Craft” by Marc Bloch as a way to reminding him his way.

By the time Bertolt took History of Mentalities as optional class, he already had some basic notions about Les Annales, Lucien Febvre, Marc Bloch, Fernand Braudel, Jacques Le Goff and such. 

Being the gentle giant he is, Bertolt finds joy in reading about different lifestyles in diverse cultures. He constantly wonders about the origin of social constructs and the way they shape thinking as much as identity.

This boy is a wonder, he might not be the best in oral presentations or  extracurricular activities but sure as hell he’ll graduate with honors.

Annie Leonhart

Oral history, about institutions. Particularly, police and justice system in early XXs.

Albeit she got into the same University than Bertolt and Reiner, even shared classes and hopes, Annie regularly felt disconnected from her studies. With time she realized it wasn't due her career itself but rather because of the currents that her professors had suggested her taking. Until now.

Talking with Hitch and Marlow about their doubts concerning subjects and departments it came up the topics of history and present time but also oral history. She’d never heard something like that before. So, that very same week, Annie started searching for information about that.

She ended up with more questions: is it all of this just academic journalism? Or maybe sociology? When we can talk about regular history and when it starts being present time? If she introduces interviews due oral history, then that makes it an interdisciplinary work? Which are the best systems for analyzing data? Definitely, she’ll need help from anthropology and sociology departments if she wants to keep going. 

Contrary to her initial prognostic, philosophy and history of historic writing became her new allies, and the text “Le temps présent et l'historiographie contemporaine” (Present Time and Contemporary Historiography) by Bédarida among others, provided Annie another perspective. 

Regarding her favorite topics, she wouldn’t say that she selected them freely. They were just practical preferences. For institutions own extensive archives and numerous functionaries. One way or another, she ended up tangled in judicial system and police issues.

With new tools and object for studying, one could find Annie having a blast as detective too. Even if her academic essays focus on institutions’ history and configuration, she’s also working in corruption and more. She doesn’t do it because she believes it’s the right thing, but besides, the thrill of the tea is spicy. Although she won’t admit it. 

[clare-with-no-i]

what’s your opinion on the whole “james asking lily out a bunch of times” discourse? cause a lot of fics have that in there but i know there are also a lot of people who dislike that idea and headcanon that he only asked her out that once or maybe a few times so i was wondering where u stand

this is such an interesting q thank you!!! my thoughts on this have evolved a lot since even a few months ago.

I know that there’s been discourse about whether James was breaching Lily’s boundaries or, like, harassing her with this ceaseless bombardment, which is completely ridiculous and utterly fan-concocted. that all reads like thinly veiled excuses to dislike James, IMO. in terms of canon, the truth still is that we only know he asked her out once, during SWM.

I’m honestly ok with the idea that he did ask her out a few times prior, but just in this hapless, very-bad-at-reading-signals way. I think there would have been a very stark disconnect in how they understood him asking her out: he thought he was being completely serious and trying to woo her with complex set-ups and enchantments. she thought he was taking the piss and would just roll her eyes and say no because, um, obviously.

I HC it like this: in 5th year, James’s attempts would have been this game to Lily, like ‘oh the popular boy is going to ask me out and I’m going to knock him down a peg or two, rinse and repeat next week.’ so then, in SWM, James has violated the rules of this game; he’s not just made a silly nonsensical attempt to ask her out, but he’s actually done it in a moment of harm and serious conflict. so now not only has he done something really awful to her friend but he’s also betrayed the unspoken rule of their coexistence. the game is over; he’s screwed it up. so she feels humiliated on top of everything going on with Snape, hence her reaction, and then it becomes immediately and unflinchingly clear that J and L have never really understood each other.

I want to point out something that I’ve been thinking about a lot in regards to SWM: how Harry said to Sirius, ‘why’d she go out with him? she hated him!’ and his response was, ‘nah, she didn’t.’ like!!! people!!!!!! his response wasn’t she grew out of that or he won her over eventually. It was that even in the moment that Harry saw, Lily didn’t hate James, and pretty much everyone knew it. maybe she admitted it later - maybe Sirius always had some intuition about it. but it wasn’t hatred. they both just had some growing to do.

whew! that was long. sorry about that.