#op rambles

[w0lp3rtinger]

I have been rereading my Discworld books, and there's this visceral feeling I get when I look at the back of my older paperbacks to see a smiling face with bright eyes and a caption which reads, 'Terry Pratchett lives-...'

And there's this weight to the paper, and you feel it, and regardless of everything else, yes, there is a part of you that knows it to be true, one way or another.

Pratchett lives, just as the Turtle Moves.

[self-insert-hell]

My f/o could be sitting doing nothing and I’d still swoon over them.

[shadowxamyweek]

It really should be acknowledged, in one way or another, that Amy saved Shadow's life.

Not Sonic. Not Rouge. Their contributions later cannot be understated, but in a pivotal moment where it can be argued it counted most, Amy was the one to save Shadow's life by asking them to give everyone a chance.

By extension, she was asking Shadow to give themselves a chance.

And Shadow took it.

[obsessedwithgale]

Sinday Confession: Gale overstimulating you with magehand while he drinks his tea or coffee and reads a book or is working while he listens to your squirming in the background is canon and you cannot and will not convince me otherwise.

[marcarella-pizza]

Just looking at the kazurei tags on ao3, it makes me happy to see that there’s such a wide range of sexuality representation. I can’t say I’ve ever seen such open diversity in fandom opinion for a ship in the past decade.

Also I love how everyone there seems to just agree that they’re every single possible combination of a queer relationship at once. No ones wrong. Your kazurei and my kazurei exist as one. They all embody one. Kazurei is kazurei.

Yay to representation!

[trashland-llamas]

sometimes i'll see Astarion from a certain angle or pose and just think of this bitch from Shrek.

is it Tav that sorta fulfills the y/n aka reader slot? whoever it is, i don't think Astarion would let them live it down. just being like 'i can't believe you view me akin to that imbecile.' that is if it's implied that Shrek exists in BG3 universe. eh, fuck it. it does now.

wait, i just remembered that Astarion doesn't know what he looks like since transforming into a vampire or whatever vampire adjacent thing he is. pulling a 'do i really look that? why i look magnificent.' somehow there's not a sense of arrogance to his voice. rather that of fondness.

anyways now that i've made it apparent i haven't played the game, i'm gonna go sleep. night.

[cartoon-character-competition]

ngl a sokka v. katara final wouls be SO fucking funny

[dapperinsanity]

While I may be a fan of Alastor, I can’t help but to think about how easy it would’ve been for the show to “cut out” the offensive parts of Alastor. They didn’t take out the voodoo symbols and sometimes, Al resembles too closely to a wen**go. While I don’t mind him being a literal deer, Al could’ve just been simply that…a deer and radio demon. Remove the offensive appropriation and nothing really changes about him. He’s still a deer and a powerful radio demon with unique powers/abilities. Even his powers don’t change when you remove the symbols and imagery.

[koopaling-au]

What and/or who Introduced you to the koopalings, and how/when did you start liking them. Like what was your earliest memory on fantasizing an au with the koopalings :D

I know that was like 6 questions but you get it, right :3

Yeah I get the question, I actually really like this question too!

I think since I was young, I was always into Mario, I think the first one I ever played was New Super Mario Bros Wii, and the Koopalings were in the game. I never really payed attention to them then. (Fun fact: I didn't even know their names and who-was-who when I found out their names. For a while I thought Larry was Bowser Jr. LOL.)

The game that really got me into the Koopalings was Bowser Jr.'s Journey. The storyline? PERFECT. Character roles? AMAZING. It was just SOOOOOO GOOD. That's when I started paying more attention to them. I replayed the scene where Ludwig revealed himself that he was pretending to be Beef like a million times. I started shaking when I first played. So good.

I've always had a GIANT imagination, but I never really thought about having an AU until November last year. But before I even thought about creating an AU, the first scene that is actually in the AU that was created (while daydreaming) was this and that. The one who inspired me to create a AU blog was @thekoopalingsandstuffs, and I saw the storyline [In case you are curious: the first post I saw by this blog was Iggy and Rango after the funeral so I didn't know what the hell was happening], and decided I want to put my imaginations and ideas out there into a storyline. I really hope you guys are liking it. :< (I apologize for future storyline, because I may have a lot of trauma going to happen...whoops.)

The thing that's hard for me is: (I'll be completely honest) I lack self-confidence a LOT. I'm nervous that people will hate my stories and ideas and stuff. I can't really help it. I really, REALLY, thought a lot of people would HATE The Rise Of Koopa Kid, and it would flop so hard. All the fanart I've been getting related to the story makes me emotional sometimes, because I NEVER expected it.

Anyway, I really appreciate your guys/girls' support :)

(Also: I think I'm probably the youngest in the Koopaling Community, if I'm considered a member of the Koopaling Community.)

[w0lp3rtinger]

@biolover9 <3 eeeehehehehe - @lambpaca and I have talked about this. Like, even outside of the parameters of Shadow and Amy getting together. This is just general conversation.

I've mentioned this a bit about it before on the sideblog, but I just... never could see Shadow ever wanting biological children. Truthfully, I don't think he could have them even if he wanted to, not without a massive amount of medical intervention.

Like... if you're making the ultimate weapon, the ultimate life form, why would you ever give it the ability to make more of itself? That lessens your control over it and runs the risk of causing your enemies to get their hands on a weapon of their own. You don't want that.

(I'm saying 'it' because like... that's how GUN viewed Shadow. 'It'. Even Gerald viewed Shadow as 'it' in the end in his diary. What Shadow wanted didn't matter to them. )

Beyond that though, I can see Shadow looking at their own biology and not wanting anyone else to have to endure it. Especially working off of the idea that they're still young and all the ramifications of genetic testing and mutation on them haven't really come to fruition yet (looking at you, 'immortality'). Why would he be selfish enough to pass a potential curse like that along?

That's not to say Shadow doesn't like kids. We've seen them be extraordinarily patient with characters like Cream, Tails, and Charmy both in-game and outside of game. I think for them to want kids though, they'd need to have certain needs met. They'd need to be free from GUN, they'd need to feel safe, they'd need to make a lot of peace with themselves and grow as a person. Essentially, they'd have to go through hell and then also a lot of soul-searching before reaching the conclusion of, 'I want to be a parent.'

But Amy? Oh without question, I think Amy wants kids. Doesn't matter if they're hers or someone else's. I've joked about her having a vision binder listing out three kids and names and everything. Amy also has been shown to want a domestic future after she's defeating Eggman. She wants to enjoy the peace and the every-day magic of just existing to exist. I think a lot of people agree that Amy would want kids to be a part of that domestic bliss.

Personally? I think there's also this idea that kids are hope for a future. Amy has spent her entire childhood fighting. There's no way to get that time back, no way to undo that which she has seen and had to experience. She forced herself to grow up quickly in order to protect both herself and the world. Amy wouldn't have kids unless she felt safe enough to do so.

I also think Vanilla being Amy's main parental figure that we see in almost every iteration of the Sonic franchise helps. Vanilla is, by all accounts, a loving, kind parent. That would have made a positive impact on Amy not only in regards to who she becomes as a person, but also, her own expectations on what being a parent entails. Seeing someone who wants to be a parent, who likes being a parent, who likes their kids (both their biological kids and the ones they pick up like a wet cat off the street), that means something, you know?

All the Sonic Gang solidify that family is what you make it, family is a choice, but Vanilla shows that parenthood is also a choice, and one that can be done with joy.

How does Gigi factor into this? Well, I kinda touch on it in The Home You Make, and then I show it in Late Evening Talks, but effectively- Amy and Shadow both make each other feel safe, they help the other grow, they help the other be their best selves, and in the moments they struggle, they're there for one another. This creates an environment for the two of them that allows them to entertain and discuss the notion of being parents. Without question, I can see them covering it before they even really start dating. Shadow in particular, not wanting to mislead Amy, would make his stance/circumstances abundantly clear, but now, fully committed and comfortable with one another in a way they were not previously, the subject would come up again not as a nebulous 'well maybe' but as a 'are we gonna do this?'

And they decide, 'yes.'

They'd take the adoption process slow, looking. They’re not really looking for a hedgehog- the species doesn’t matter. It’s the kid that does. I don’t even think the two of them really know what they’re looking for when they start. I mean, how do you put parameters around this sort of thing? Ultimately, Gigi wins them over. She’s funny, she’s creative, she’s sweet even if she’s a hellion, she’s protective, she gets into fights- she’s them. They see her in them. They get this kid. The child care staff warn them about her being 'stubborn and standoffish,' and overall ‘difficult to work with’. That pisses Shadow and Amy off royally. Not like that's unfamiliar territory- they’ve been this kid, frankly. When they meet Gigi, they’re smitten, and frankly, them coming from a place of understanding with her helps her warm up to them. When they fully decide to go for Gigi, they take the process slow, letting her get to know them, letting her decide if their home is the place she wants to be.

And she decides, 'yes.'

[ghostflowerhotpotch]

I have to admit, the bad thing about being obsessed with this movie and discover new layers and such, is that when you switch to almost anything else, it becomes so dull it hurts.

[shadowxamyweek]

Is Shadow being immortal canon? I thought it was just a generally accepted headcanon by the fandom

...Yes?

The pause and questionmark are not directed at you, they are directed at Sega.

I confess, I'm a bit of a stickler for what lore I consider canon. If it's in the games, it's canon to me. If it's anything outside of the games, including the game manuals themselves... then it's not.

I have such a narrow-bracket view of the story and these characters due to two things:

1: There seems to be a disconnect between the different 'branches' of the Sonic Franchise. There's the Shadow we see in games, there's the Shadow we see in marketing and social media (like Twitter Takeover), There's the Shadow we see in IDW, and then there is the Shadow we see Sega write about in character profiles like on Sonic Chanel and the official Sonic the Hedgehog website. This exists with all the characters to a degree, but I feel Shadow presents an egregious case of it. 2: Sega has a tendency to retcon things or change their language or act like stuff didn't happen and... I don't like it XD But they can't change games that have already been published and played. As such, to me, in-game dialog/play/story/etc is the crowning jewel of truth within the Sonic story.

But that these are *my* paramaters. They do not have to be *your* parameters.

So while there hasn't been any mention of immortality *in game*, there has been plenty *outside* of it. Lots of different official Sega sources say Shadow is 'immortal', but no examples or specifications have been provided in game. There's also plenty of times the whole 'immortality' portion is omitted. Most noticeably, it's not mentioned in the Sonic Channel character profile, nor the character profile provided on the official Sonic the Hedgehog website. At best, it is mentioned intermittently in game manuals and external sources.

(And I know we see Shadow in stasis in 06- I'm aware- but I'll also point out we don't know *when* he went into stasis. Furthermore, I cannot help but wonder if, much like Black Doom in SHtH, Mephiles took a portion of truth and twisted it to scare Shadow. (Also, like.... Shadow was under such heavy security when GUN put him down for an ice nap the first time. Why would they just leave him out and about like was shown in 06? I doubt the truth of what Mephiles shows Shadow.))

I actually reached out to @squid-in-a-party-hat, @fyeahsonicthehedgehog (x), and @forgottensonicfacts (x), as well as some friends of mine like @shadamyheadcanons for help collecting information to provide you with as well-rounded answer/opinion as I can. In fact, Squid has a video on this very subject XD They do a great job of weaving together all the different types of canon (comic, anime, social media, etc) so if that's how you prefer to operate, I really, really recommend them.

Anyway, Here are some game manual examples in chronological order.

SA2 (2001):

Sonic Heros (2003):

And...I want to take a moment to show something interesting between the original Japanese and the English translation. The japanese translation says 'unaging and undying' which gives us narrower guidelines, but the Heros profile is the only time I've seen that.

Shadow the Hedgehog (2005):

Which OUT OF ALL OF THEM you'd think it would be mentioned in his title game but like... *gestures*

Sonic 06 (2006):

Sonic and Mario at the Olympic Games (2020):

Then there are these online examples, stemming from both Sonic Chanel and the Sonic the Hedgehog Website. They are both officially owned and operated by Sega/Sonic Team. Note they don't mention his age or the immortality at all.

Sonic Chanel, 2007:

Sonic Chanel, 2010:

Sonic Chanel, 2022:

This is the character profile put up on the Sonic the Hedgehog website 2024, separate from Sonic Channel but still official.

(In talking to @forgottensonicfacts- I had asked about times Shadow had been called 'ageless' or '50.' Turns out the 'ageless' bit was written in a Scholastic's book and, so far as anyone has found.. there is no official mention of Shadow being listed as '50 years old.' I had been so sure it had been officially listed at one point in time. Really glad to be wrong on that one, frankly, because that would have been daft XD)

So this is what we have about Shadow's 'immortality' that has been put out by Sega themselves. Not the comics, not the media team, just Sega/Sonic Team.

Now... this is where I pick apart that word 'Immortal' and broaden the scope a bit.

Not to be 'that bastard,' but I popped on to the Oxford Dictionary just to get a concrete definition for you and they define the adjective use of the word as being, "living forever; never dying or decaying."

1- Shadow's already almost died. He *would* have died were it not for Eggman saving his sorry ass. We know this. It's a whole-ass plot point in his story because it's due to this he ends up with amnesia.

2- Even though Gerald was tinkering with immortality, that doesn't mean he succeeded. We also don't know how that immortality would look/work/act like.

3- In Sonic Battle (for Gameboy), several of the characters have a healing ability. Shadow is one of them. However, Shadow's healing ability is one of if not *the worst in the game.* Also, in the story itself, he get shot and is down for the count *for a while*.

4- We have not seen any of the characters physically change in game save for the big age up/design shift that happened when Sonic went 3d in Adventure. As such, we cannot personally test/see whether or not Shadow goes through any changes at all, be them aging or just changes to their body.

So... all in all... I feel this leaves a huge amount of room for interpretation.

Maybe Shadow isn't immortal after all. Nothing spectacular, it's just that portion of the Ultimate Life Form project didn't succeed.

Maybe the 'immortality' is his healing factor, and it needs to willfully be employed. As such, if Shadow WANTS to age, they need to intentionally and willfully allow themselves to do so by NOT employing the healing factor.

Maybe the 'immortality', being the healing factor, can wear down/slow down over time, especially due to overuse.

Maybe Shadow can live forever barring any really traumatic physical harm, but their body will physically change over time.

Maybe Shadow is immortal like how Oxford puts it, but there is a way to stop that perminantly if they so choose (like genetic therapy).

Maybe Shadow is immortal in the sense that they will never physically age, grow, or change. Ever.

Truthfully, that's pretty cool! Like, this gives people a lot of stuff to work with and play around with, compare notes, talk- that's the fun part of fandom! And no singular person is right! @shadamyheadcanons has this one that's fun. I personally like the idea that Shadow's 'immortality' wears down over time and gets weird, causing their Black Arms genetics to kick off (like a third eye ooooough gimmie gimmie gimmie.)

I don't know if this was the answer you were looking for. Perhaps I've just confused things further- I've been known to do that XD

Ultimately, what I'm trying to say is- it's whatever you want it to be, and nobody can stop you <3 So go have fun!

[obsessedwithgale]

I wonder if Gale would get a debuff when he gets fucked in front of the statue.

Not that I am absolutely drawing this

[divergent-paths]

Waaaaahhh~ Another year down!

Last NYE, I said my goal was draw more, and to enjoy myself whilst doing so. Did I achieve it, I wonder?

I had a huge posting pause on this blog for a number of months, but it's hard to draw when you're not motivated or liking what you put out. But on the flip side... When I did draw, it was because I wanted to, not because I felt obligated to, and when ArtFight rolled around in July, I felt incredibly motivated to give art to my fellow fighters there. That motivation followed me into Swordtember and then Cringetober (both posted out on twitter), and finally back here, where I feel happy to be drawing the boyos again, and my lovely friendo Dia (@diamondphantom) has been helping put down some of the tones, giving me a chance to make my posts look nicer and get ahead on the drafts with less stress. Looking on last years xmas/nye posts, I think I can say my style's improved a wee bit too.

So all things considered, I think I at least achieved the part of the goal where I simply asked myself not to hate myself while I created.

So what's my goal for this year? ...Let's see... How about getting through enough story posts to reach about half the badges for each boyo? A lot of work for sure, but doable if I can keep myself in good spirits! Onwards to 2024~!

[soundlessroom]

For my degenerate Galemancer follower:

Just announcing I am working on a new comic nsfw script with Gale and Womb Tattoo Magic

[merbear25]

Out of all the OP men to have an 18+ dream about why did my brain choose Caesar???