#sailormoonweaver

[utilitycaster]

Honestly I just have to say that reading your blogging about BH finally convinced me to let go of C3 because I’m just. Not enjoying it and knowing that the problems I have with it don’t improve has let me let it go gently instead of just digging in for the few things I enjoy. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and taking time to articulate so many of them, it’s been very helpful.

You're welcome! Yeah my personal feeling is I think it will be interesting to see it out, I like the combat and lore work, and I happen to really love critique and analysis of why a work isn't working just as much as why it is but if you're not finding some enjoyment why do it?

[theladyragnell]

Have you heard of/read The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy? It’s a romance that I personally find wonderful with really interesting world-building details and a cool overarching concept that seems like it could be up your alley!

I did read this one! It got such a lot of hype in its release year and I had high hopes of it, because I do enjoy a You've Got Mail plot done well and I was excited about the thought of a fantasy You've Got Mail plot. And the worldbuilding was fun!

Unfortunately, this one really didn't hit me the way I wanted it to. I have no objections to the fantasy aspect! Fun on that count, even if I could have used a bit more scaffolding. But the romance fell short for me! Actually this book got me thinking a whole lot about enemies to lovers as a trope and how there are kind of two flavors of it and they're on opposite diagonals of a quadrant.

Okay I made this graphic at the time and I have just updated it with the parentheticals in each quadrant:

So I think there's a tension in enjoyers of this trope between top right quadrant and lower left quadrant. And as you might guess, I am very very fond of top right (when the divergent purpose isn't, like. One of them is Actually Evil, to be clear. I am not defending Nazi romance here, that is not a thing I am doing) and not as fond of the lower left.

I love You've Got Mail because it's the top right! Kathleen and Joe banter so beautifully in both of their personas, and if there's antagonism in the real-world banter, that's imposed on them by the conflict of their divergent purpose, which is clear after their first conversation, before she knows who he is--their "F-O-X" banter is so fun! It's fast-paced and shows good chemistry! The conflict in this romance comes from their jobs, and the ending is bittersweet, and Joe's behavior is pretty shitty and we all hate that The Corporate Store Wins, but that gives the "enemies" of "enemies to lovers" teeth for me.

Hart & Mercy ... like, to be clear, You've Got Mail's predecessor, Shop Around the Corner, does the lower left quadrant! Hart & Mercy is more properly an adaptation of that and I wish it had been marketed as such even if I get why it wasn't, but no shade for that. It's just that I read the book and went "these two genuinely dislike each other. It's not cute, it doesn't feel like sexual tension even if they have weird nicknames for each other like no normal human person has with their nemesis, I think they should probably both date other people" and then there were just very few moments in the book where I changed my mind on that at all?

The 90s romcoms understood argumentative banter that read as collaborative and an actual sign of chemistry, but I feel like a lot of contemporary romcoms that market themselves as enemies or rivals to lovers don't, and for me, The Undertaking of Hart & Mercy missed that mark.

(Which. I am so sorry to write an essay on why a book you very kindly recommended did not work for me. It's just that I'm in the swing of things from doing the opinions meme and now that I've written this all out it seems like a waste to delete it. A lot of people enjoyed this book heaps, that's why it was so buzzy! It just turned on my writer analysis brain and helped me pinpoint why enemies to lovers is such a hit or miss trope for me.)

Anyway, to share a fantasy romance enemies to lovers that DID work for me, The Sorceress Transcendent by Casey Blair is a novella that starts with the tried-and-true "show up on your enemy's doorstep saying you didn't know where else to go" trope! And contains love interests who fought on opposite sides of a war, where the blame comes firmly down on the warmongers who sent them both to war in the first place!

[revvethasmythh]

You’re going to the live show too!!! Gonna wave at every Veth I see in case it’s you. I can’t decide if I want to do Full Jester because it’s going to be so crowded and hot and there’s so much makeup and also a tail involved and I think I might do a “human” style Jester with mostly my wig and horns?

Aw, that's so sweet! If you see a Veth in a sexy little corset top sleeveless number with a knitted shawl and some little antlers on, that'll probably be me. I'll wave back!

And yeah I had a friend also considering going as Jester and then ruled against it for similar reasons of it being a bit too much of a hassle--she settled on Vex instead--but a human-style Jester might be a lot more doable! I'll give a wave to any of those I see, just in case

[vethbrenatto]

If I can add my two cents to the Vex conversation, I think Keyleth falling gave us such a wonderful opportunity for Vex’s growth—if she had been the one to go down, we would have seen them all panic and then Keyleth would have struggled with her magic again, which we’d already seen with Cass and would have been almost exactly the same. With Keyleth in that position, everyone else’s reaction can remain unchanged but VEX. Oh, Vex. Vex who has said time and again that she only trusts her brother, who is mildly disdainful of the party’s weaknesses and shortcomings, who is keeping herself at arm’s length and is especially critical of Kiki because of what it could mean for her own relationship with Vax— First, she loses Vax’s trust. Then Cass betrays them. Percy goes catatonic. She’s right, she’s right about everything. Except—Grog swims through ACID to save them and lets Kiki sunbeam him, Scanlan exhausts himself keeping them safe, Percy pulls his shit together for his new family, Pike is sending her spirit thousands of miles to protect them. And Keyleth DIES FOR HER. How could she not trust her? How could she not love her? We’re starting to see her truly open her heart to the group and this one change gives her so much nuance and I’m gonna be insane about it forever.

I don't have much to add to this, just agree agree agree.

[cranesofibycus]

@sailormoonweaver replied to your post I could see that happening, yeah...:

I also think it’s interesting that where the Chroma Conclave is similar in a world-changing plot way, it feels very different narratively. At that point in the campaign it genuinely felt like the breaking of the fellowship, because VM didn’t know why they were together anymore. The dragons just forced the issue and they knew they couldn’t break apart.

On the other hand, the M9 have spent the last however many episodes digging their claws into each other and hanging on, realizing that their bonds and unbreakable BEFORE being confronted with this change—and Lucien’s involvement is really cementing that fact. So it’s something totally different for Matt to use and play with and potentially use against them.

Aaaah, yes! That is so true, their group dynamic is entirely different in the face of a campaign-defining event (should something that big actually happen anytime soon). 

You know what I find particularly interesting about this? The Mighty Nein started as this very loose group of people who distrusted each other, lied to each other causing the group to almost fall apart on numerous occasions, but by now they have kind of become a more coherent group than Vox Machina were throughout most of their campaign. That’s not to say that Vox Machina’s bond wasn’t as strong or that they weren’t deeply committed to each other, but they were very clearly seven heroes, each with an individual hero’s journey, coming together for the big plot. The Mighty Nein, on the other hand, have had a ton of interpersonal struggles to overcome before they ever saw themselves as a group. And that created a bond that is not depended on any plot anymore. 

Idk if I’m making a ton of sense here, but this just reminds me of that one post I wrote about the different battlefield dynamics of the two groups.

[kittybennett]

And there’s something I’m supposed to say
But can’t for the life of me remember what it is - “moon song” / phoebe bridgers @sailormoonweaver

[honeysidesarchived]

I’m very late to the party and I technically have a partly incorrect answer because John is not your oc, but I am referring Very Specifically to the way You and ~Only You~ write him when I say if your characters were a dating sim I would immediately be dialing up my lost little lamb southern girl charm and “accidentally,” “oh no my eyes are so very wide and guileless and your teeth are so bright and sharp” wandering right into the middle of the Honeyseed parlor thank you very much.

hey birdie i hope u know that actually now we have to get married because this message me my cry in the taco bell parking lot sorry i don't make the rules

(but fr i love you sm and those two little monsters would be so lucky to have u,,,,)

[consumedkings-archive]

Fact swap!!!: Jude has rhododendron blossoms tattooed on one of her thighs in a very dreamy shade of pink with super delicate linework. It’s the state flower of her home in West Virginia and it’s one of the only soft and sentimental things left on her.

BABYYYYYYYYY omg i can't wait to learn more about her!!!! 👀😍 dhakhdja u KNOW i'm a sucker for sharp girls!!

in line with ancient names canon, elliot has zero (0) tattoos and technically! kept it that way when she had john do her wrath scar with a knife. in like with herald!elliot canon, however, she has several tattoos--most notably, a black snake winding from her hip down her thigh. @shallow-gravy's diana has a similar one, and that's why john calls them his little vipers ✨

[taakitz]

@sailormoonweaver HOW DID I NOT KNOW THIS!!! this explains a lot thank you very much 😭

[fatcowboys]

[id: reply by @sailormoonweaver that reads: You are 100% right about Max wanting stability/security and not being driven specifically by want for power, but I think that's a really interesting lens to look at all of the characters and the intricate web of narrative foils-one aspect of the show is that they're all vying for power, not really for its own sake but for What It Can Grant Them and oh god now I wanna rewatch and take notes and pull on those threads, please don't do this to me. end id.]

ok replying to this here bc o started rambling too much but YES like technically that writer was not wrong because so many of the characters want power for all these different reasons so like. its not necessarily incorrect but also there are So many different reasons why all of these characters Want power and also so many different ways they handle going about keeping that power

like max for example. as i said before her seeking power has so much to do with her wanting stability and wanting a Home. she does not want power for the sake of lording it over other people, she wants it so she can carve out a space for her and her people and when she is in power, she can make those things happen. and she also is not a Ruthless leader to keep her power. she plans ten steps ahead and keeps an eye on any opportunity to turn the cards in her favor and she protects her friends and her people even in the face of very dangerous situations, even when they have wronged her and while always remaining cool and measured and with a tactic ready to convince someone that it benefits them to be on her side

comparing that to eleanor (they are such good comparisons to make Okay) eleanor wants power partly out of a frustration of the opportunity being denied to her from the start. she was born to a family with money and connections and power but was denied many parts because she's a woman. and while there is an overlap in needing power to create that kind of space, her history makes it feel more like reclamation, taking this from her father who didn't want to give it to her. and another thing that contributes to that is the way she keeps her power. she is clever like max but she is very in your face and unapologetic and as many of her moves are backed by emotions and not just logic. and while she will protect those close to her. who those people are however fluctuates much more - again eleanor is often very driven by emotions, which makes the way she holds power feel much more personal, almost selfish, and reflects how we as the audience view her and her power

anyway. that got so long and i could literally sit here and analyze every character like this but i wont but. Yeah this show is GOOD the writing is good like so many of these characters have the same motivation (power, money, etc) but they all FEEL so different because of who the characters are!! power can be power but it also can be security it can be legacy it can be freedom it can be luxury it can be civilization or the destruction of it and its so!!!!!

i wanna watch black sails video essays but im afraid of bad opinions bc one time i read an article that described max as 'ever scheming max who would do anything to keep her power' and while i see why they said that also you are Wrong max is not power hungry and power grabbing she wants Security she wants Safety she wants a reliable place to rest her head and she is always planning ten steps ahead to maintain that

[consumedkings-archive]

your writing trademark for me is dialogue? It’s so natural and flows so well that it fills me with awe and also unholy jealousy. the way you create mood and tone and vibe is literally chilling sometimes, and I bow down before your ability to construct a narrative that allows for its characters’ flaws and mistakes without ever excusing them. my favorite moments are when they basically open the door to “surprise, bitch, I bet you thought you’d seen the last of me” except instead of emma roberts it’s the consequences of their actions.

AHDKDJSD BIRDIE OUT HERE FINDING OUT MY SECRET, me writing john is just “well well well, if it isn’t the consequences of my own actions”

but seriously ahadj you are WAY too sweet, so so thoughtful and kind and i just remember the first time you ever made a comment on ancient names i was starry-eyed for DAYS after!!! so so lovely and TALENTED anyway can’t believe you read my drivel. thank u angel <3

[consumedkings-archive]

ASH! The anniversary of your birth!!! Another revolution around the sun!!! You are like, my newest friend but you’re always so kind and supportive and you’re just so damn talented!!!! You do words good! You’re a good egg!!!! I hope today has been wonderful and that the next year is kind and full of beautiful things.

BIRDIE!!!! HOW DARE U COME IN HERE CUTE LIKE THIS IM

me aggressively loving u!!!!! 🥺🥺🥺 thank u thank u thank u for spoiling me with ur love!!!!

[kittybennett]

Unusual Muse Associations

Elijah Rush ( larkin if / 1x1 stuff )

tagged by @ardendevereux ages ago and only just getting to this now but !!! this was v fun ty for tagging me 💕💕

Seasoning: cinnamon

Weather: rain w thunderstorms in the distance

Color: brown, green, black

Sky: dusk

Magical Power: dream-walking

House Plant: mint and basil

Weapon: pocket knife

Subject: literature / french

Social media: lmao none he’s a v pretentious and grumpy old man

Makeup product: smudged eyeliner

Candy: licorice or reese’s pieces

Fear: disappointing others / being alone

Ice cube shape: crescent or nugget

Method of long distance travel: train

Art style: realism (andrew wyeth vibes)

Mythological creature: fae

Piece of stationery: leatherbound traveler’s journal and an engraved montblanc pen gifted by his pseudo mother

Three emojis: XD // :) // <3 (what can I say??? he’s a 2000s emo babeyyyy)

Celestial body: mars

I tag: @themarcspector @gothamrains @gerrykecy @sangre @sailormoonweaver

[kittybennett]

this or that: trope edition

tagged by my beloved @ardendevereux — ty bestie!!!

slow burn or love at first sight // fake dating or secret dating // enemies to lovers or best friends to lovers // oh no there’s only one bed or long-distance correspondence // hurt-comfort or amnesia // fantasy au or modern au // mutual pining or domestic bliss // smut or fluff // canon-compliant or fix-it // reincarnation or character death // one-shot or multi-chapter // kid fic or road trip fic // arranged marriage or accidental marriage // high school romance or middle aged romance // time travel or isolated together // neighbors or roommates // sci-fi au or magic au // body swap or gender bend // angst or crack // apocalyptic or mundane

i tag: @themarcspector @gothamrains @sailormoonweaver @gerrykecy @sangre and anyone else that wants to do this

[honeysidesarchived]

elliot honeysett, far cry 5 // varya astakhova, birds of prey

nobody tagged me, i just saw @avallachs using this gorgeous picrew and had to use it! so thought to start my own little tag game 💕

tagging @faithchel @heroofpenamstan @belorage @shallow-gravy @johnnycranes @vasiktomis @lilwritingraven @stacispratt @adelaidedrubman @blissfulalchemist @shellibisshe @jackiesarch @jamesbvchanans @chazz-anova @romach @sailormoonweaver @starcrier and anyone else who wants to play! i tried to tag all i could think of but i have swiss cheese brain still 🥺 so please tag me if you make one!

[honeysidesarchived]

tagged by my wifeys @faithchel & @scungilliwoman to do this little tag game! tagging @lilwritingraven @shallow-gravy @vasiktomis @chazz-anova @belorage @heroofpenamstan @adelaidedrubman @johnnycranes @blissfulalchemist @sailormoonweaver @romach @stacispratt @shellibisshe @jackiesarch @jamesbvchanans AND anyone else who wants to play, sorry for any double tags <3

roses / cherry blossoms / orchids / tulips • winter / summer / autumn / spring • thunderstorms / sunshine / snow • indoors / outdoors • meat / fruit / sweets • extravagance / traditionalism / minimalism • god fearing / non god fearing • cats / dogs / horses / birds • sunrise / sunset • day time / night time • fire / earth / water / wind • reading / writing • rising early / sleeping late • wine / ale / neither • fur / silk / satin / lace • rubies / pearls / sapphires • horse back / walking / carriages • love / power • having company / being alone • lakes / rivers / oceans • knife / sword / bow / poison • gold / silver

roses / cherry blossoms / orchids / tulips • winter / summer / autumn / spring • thunderstorms / sunshine / snow • indoors / outdoors • meat / fruit / sweets • extravagance / traditionalism / minimalism • god fearing / non god fearing • cats / dogs / horses / birds • sunrise / sunset • day time / night time • fire / earth / water / wind • reading / writing • rising early / sleeping late • wine / ale / neither • fur / silk / satin / lace • rubies / pearls / sapphires • horse back / walking / carriages • love / power • having company / being alone • lakes / rivers / oceans • knife / sword / bow / poison • gold / silver