#to just have a teacher who clearly doesn’t believe in you really

[jrwiyuri]

That gorgug scene is so depressing to me… it’s so.. sigh

[coolshadowtwins]

SVSSS fanfic that I will never write-

LBH post canon accidently goes back in time. How? I don’t know, it isn’t important. If I had to pick a stupid reason, then in PIDW had a storyline where LBH went back in time to a wife’s past to like… learn more about her? To help her in the trauma? IDK but what I do know is that Peerless Cucumber would have ranged for hours about Airplane adding in the concept of time travel and then doing nothing else’s with it.

And guess who the subject of the wife plot is now??? That’s right- SQQ. Except the wife plot took the body and not the soul, and now Binghe is back during SJ’s disciple days.

LBH somehow, as the main character, manages to convince the peak lords of the time that he’s of Qing Jing! He is, really! He really laid on the charm here.

Previous Sect leader: I don’t know if I believe you, but since you look like such a polite young man-

LBH gets escorted away to a room by the head disciple. And who is the head disciple of the sect leader peak??? It’s Yue Qi, sad and depressed and lifeless because LBH managed to find himself in the period of time where YQY thinks SJ is dead!

LBH: I want to meet my young Shizun. Shen Qingqiu- Shen Jiu I think now?

YQY: …. Xiao Jiu is dead?

LBH: Maybe in the future for like five years but not right now!! He’s my super awesome Shizun! …. Do you want to drop everything to go look for him?

YQY: Oh boy, do I!!!

So the two bounce from the sect with no warning, looking Shen Jiu. Luckily, now knowing that he is alive and didn’t die in the fire, it’s pretty easy to follow the line of gossip that follows WY and SJ. And of course, the entire time, LBH is praising his Shizun.

Now, he hasn’t said that he was married to his Shizun. He didn’t want to spoil that just yet! He’ll reveal that to his younger Shizun himself when they find him. But until then, he can still tell YQY how awesome his Shizun is, and how nice, and how close he was to SQH and LQG and even to YQY himself! (That last one was a bit of a fib, of course. SQQ was always a little uncomfortable around the sect leader. But YQY was eating all of this up, being so happy that his childhood friend was so happy and well liked, and well…. It was only a small fib)

They finally catches up with them, and quickly dealing with the other guy, YQY and SJ have a nice reunion, having both think the other was dead! And of course, it was incredibly clear that YQY had been looking for SJ this whole time, which does wonders for his abandonment issues. SJ may yell at YQY for leaving the sect so suddenly and risking everything just for him, but on the inside, he is bursting for joy, trust me.

LBH is not bursting for joy. Like, at all. He had been so excited to see his Shizun but young and now that he’s here…. Something inside of him and screaming that this wasn’t his Shizun.

He had no reason to believe that. This was very clearly SQQ at 14~. But of course, he’s the 200 IQ protagonist and figures it out quickly that his wonderful Shizun/husband took over his body when LBH was 14 and that this was his shitty Shizun that made his early years in the sect awful.

He’s fully ok with that. If his husband needs to possess another man to be with him, than who is LBH to judge? Only the best body for him! The problem is, of course, that he has spent the entire trip over ranting to YQY about how good of a teacher SQQ was to him, and now YQY is excitedly telling everything he said to SJ. LBH can’t just…. Back track now! That would be weird, and if they think that someone will possess SJ later, then what if his husband never shows up??

So he goes along with it. It isn’t hard- he doesn’t hate SJ, not like PIDW him would. He was only under him for three years~ and a lot of what happened to him was still being justified in his head. So it’s just… whatever, to him at that point. He confirms what YQY had been saying, spins a charismatic lie to the sect about why they left and how GREAT SJ will be as a disciple in the future, and then he leaves. Just, fades away in front of everyone.

And now this is SJ’s life. He thinks he’s a good Shizun in the future, even if he can’t stand kids. He think that he becomes friends with SQH and LQG, which is oddly hard to do?? LQG angrily wants to fight him every time he sees him, which is super annoying, and SJ is 88% sure that SQH is talking to demons but, you know. If another version of him managed to become their friend without future knowledge, then he has to do it now! He has a head start on the race here, no way is he losing it!

He does become friends with them, and is still incredibly close to YQY as they grow up. He’s still… him, but his major heart demons- the abandonment by his Qi-Ge and being unsafe even in the sect- aren’t there anymore. He even manages to be an ok Shizun to a young LBH, somehow. He’s pretty sure that he’s sucking at that, btw, because the little brat gets on his nerves when they are in the same room for more than five minutes, but he’s being mostly polite! He had to wonder what the other version of him did to get such a glowing review from the future version of his disciple, because it has to be more than this.

Ironically, because I think it’s funny, this is the timeline that our LBH finds himself back in. The time travel was always meant to be a stable one timeline kinda thing, so anything he changed in the past affected the future. I imagine in PIDW that LBG didn’t do much of anything but maybe comfort his future wife, for Airplane’s fear of making a confusing paradox for himself. But this Binghe? Oh no, he did so much!

Because he saved SJ some heart demons, and helped him make friends despite his trauma, he’s not as prone to Qi divinations! Which means that he didn’t have a fatal one when LBH was 14! Which means when LBH gets back to his time after all of that, he takes one look at his ‘Shizun’ and knows that this isn’t his husband. Which means that his husband never possessed SJ!

He’s horrified, and spends a whole day moping around the peak, trying to think of ways to fix this. He has just gotten himself worked up to go and do something drastic when NYY finds him.

NYY: There you are!! Shen-Shidi has been looking for you all day!

LBH: H-huh?

NYY: Why are you moping around, huh? Did you and Shen-Shidi have a fight? Don’t worry! He’s your husband, I know he’ll forgive you-!

LBH: WHAT.

And that’s how he learns that while he isn’t married to his Shizun in this timeline, he is married to his Shixiong, Shen Yuan! Shen Yuan, who got shoved in Willy nilly when the system realized that SJ wasn’t going to die when he was supposed to.

There’s probably some sequel where LBH has to fake that he has memories of what happened in this timeline, which I imagine is somewhat close to Svsss? The system was still running around, even if a major player has changed. And LBH would just be so bad at faking it in front of two people and two people only- SJ and SY.

SY: Binghe, don’t you remember our first date? :)

LBH: …It wasn’t the water prison!

SY: ….that statement is correct but also the wrong answer.

And

SJ: Beast, you’re not coming to this Immortal Convenance. Don’t you remember meber what happened last time?

LBH: …. You didn’t push me into the endless abyss?

SJ:… That statement is wrong and I was also going for the HHP tag alongs you obtained.

[wheredidhiseyebrowsgo]

POPULAR DEREK SIMPING FOR NERD STILESSS (please <333)

Sure thing!

Come Along Because I Love Your Face by cardel

(1/1 I 1,035 I General)

Derek doesn’t mean to stare, he knows it’s rude but he can’t seem to help it. The guy has been talking to his circle of friends for the better part of the lunch period and they’re all listening, riveted, just like Derek.

Hot Nerd Alert by alisvolatpropiis

(1/1 I 4,537 I Not Rated)

Derek can't believe he's actually doing this: taking a selfie snap of the guy he’s been crushing on for weeks to prove to Danny that one, yes, he really does exist, and two, he really is that hot and thus he is totally justified in being too scared to make a move.

Or you know, even talk to the guy outside of the class they share.

In his defense, this isn’t just any guy. This THE guy. Hot Nerd. The utterly adorable but still somehow insanely sexy freshman in his twentieth century American Lit class who he’s been lusting over since the first day of the semester. If there were ever a time for him to be that person who tries to be subtle while taking snaps of other people, this is it.

Game On by stilinskisparkles

(1/1 I 6,391 I Teen)

Derek first sees him from across the quad four days into fall semester. He’s sitting on one of the long benches, a marker pen in his mouth, grinning at something the kid lounging on the bench beside him is saying. When he laughs properly he pulls the pen out and throws his head back, his neck a long, lean line Derek is entranced by. He flicks the page in his book and highlights something, tossing the cap up in the air and catching it with his teeth.

Playing Hard To Get by stereksterek

(3/3 I 6,911 I Not Rated)

“Is that your best pick-up line?”

Derek was taken aback by the blatant call-out from his clearly intelligent mate, but if anything it just made him grin.

“I can do better.”

“Then why would you start with something that wasn’t your best? Maybe you’re not really that interested in me and could go and reflect on that somewhere else?”

Before Derek could refute his mate’s doubt with all the ferocity of his wolf, Stiles turned back to the bookshelf and continued searching for the book he'd been looking for. Apparently his mate wanted to play hard to get, but that was fine with Derek. He didn’t mind a challenge.

“Trust me. No one could be more interested in you than me.”

living in a movie i've watched by thoughtsandthings

(13/13 I 20,995 I Teen)

Stiles scrambles to his feet and holds his hand over his heart like he’s about to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. “I solemnly swear I will try my damnedest to woo the crap out of Derek Hale.”

Scott laughs and tosses a couch pillow at his head. “Deal."

Stiles and Scott shake on it.

But Then What... by Stoney

(3/3 I 24,343 I Explicit)

Senior year is almost over, and all Stiles needs to do is keep his head down to survive. A teacher calls in a favor, leaving him stuck tutoring Derek Hale, one of the most popular jocks in school and a member of a group of douchecanoes who have bullied Stiles for years. He's someone Stiles totally hates. Totally. Like, doesn't like him even a little bit. DEFINITELY isn't attracted to him.

Except that is a total lie. Fuck his life, seriously.

[cerise-on-top]

Hi!!

I really love your works and writing on cod! I really enjoy reading it! ❤

Can I request Konig, Nikolai, Rudy and Alejandro reacting to reader speaking to their native tongue?

Take all the time you need! ❤🐱

Hello, I'm glad I can write something people can enjoy! And of course you can, even if I'm not sure I understood this ask perfectly! I wrote it as reader speaking the native language of the lads with them, so I hope that's okay! If you wanted reader simply speaking their own native language, please let me know! Thank you for the request, this one was very fun to write for!

Alejandro, Rodolfo, Nikolai and König with an S/O who Speaks Their Language with Them

Alejandro: He’d definitely be surprised if it comes out of nowhere, but he’s anything but mad. He can speak English fluently, has no problems whatsoever with it, but if he can speak Spanish then he definitely won’t mind either. If you’re a beginner and it’s evident by how you stutter in Spanish, then he’ll be patient with you. He’ll speak slowly and clearly so you can follow while also getting a good feel for the intonations the language has. However, when he just wants to tease you a bit then he’ll speak the way he’d usually speak while also not shutting up either. Alejandro can be eloquent in Spanish if he tries, but he barely ever does, only when he wants to confuse you with words you’d likely only hear from people who are 100 years old. The more you look like you’re in despair, the more it cracks him up. He will apologize afterwards, though, and give you a kiss on the cheek. If your Spanish is already pretty good, however, and you just wanted to surprise him, then congratulations, he’s likely going to speak a whole lot more Spanish with you than before. Just because it’s a popular language doesn’t mean everyone speaks it, so when he wants to tell you something for your ears only while there are people around, he’ll say it in Spanish. It’s comfortable for him, getting to speak his mother tongue with you. He thinks in Spanish, so it’s a whole lot easier for him as well. Tells a lot more jokes in Spanish too, even though they’re some of the worst ones the language has to offer. While they may not be Ghost-level lame, they’re something else still. Come up with your own and he’ll be so proud of you, rewarding you with more awful puns he came up with. He’s just happy he gets to share his language with you.

Rodolfo: As soon as you come up to him somewhat timidly and strike up a conversation in Spanish he’ll be a bit surprised, but absolutely smitten. Since it’s obvious you’re still learning he’ll try to use “nicer” Spanish on you, so more words that aren’t just exclusive to his dialect, or Las Almas in general. Very supportive, he would never judge you for making grammar mistakes while speaking, taking a while to remember a word or mispronouncing something, it’s part of learning a language, after all. Might nudge you in the right direction or correct you gently, but he’d never mean it in a bad way, he just wants to help you. He’ll speak clearly to you, slowly as well, so you can learn from him. It’s not often he gets carried away, but sometimes hearing you speak Spanish is just so cute that he might chuckle a bit or be a bit more excited than usual. A very patient teacher, who can appreciate you trying to learn something new. Now, if your Spanish is already pretty good then he does like holding a conversation with you in Spanish every once in a while. It’s just nice to turn your brain off without having to translate every other word into another language since he, too, thinks in his native tongue. Soft petnames from time to time, or maybe just mixing English and Spanish together when he can’t think of the word immediately as well. Somehow, as soon as he knows you speak Spanish, he’ll believe you’ve taken an interest in the corresponding culture, so he’ll teach you more about Mexico if he can. Teaches you how to cook the food, the customs, what the people are like in general. While he may not be as connected to his culture as Alejandro, he does like talking about it from time to time.

Nikolai: The second you greet him with a cheerful privet he knows you’re in for something. You should have expected such from him as well, though. It’s a gamble with him, he’ll either speak more quickly than he usually does just to mess with you or he’ll hold a prim and proper conversation with you and it all depends on how playful he’s feeling that day. Overall, he’s pretty chill about it, though. You wanna know how to pronounce something? You wanna know what gender a noun has? What his neighbor was yelling about again? He’s got your back. You can ask him the most embarrassing questions a million times, he won’t mind. Besides, if you want to then you can come to Russia and experience everything there first hand. Nikolai knows all the good places in Russia that are suitable for someone who’s not usually there, so you won’t have to worry about anything either. If you want to hold a whole conversation about how tortoises have survived for millions of years, then you can. Besides, hearing you botch the pronunciation from time to time is just the most precious thing there is. Will smile a bit when you pronounce something incorrectly, but won’t ever outright mock you for it. As mentioned before, he just thinks it’s cute. And when you know Russian very well, then he still won’t speak it too often. Nikolai knows eight languages, he doesn’t always think in Russian, usually in English since that’s what most of his closest friends speak with him. If you really insist on speaking Russian with him, he will, but won’t think too much of it. Many people know the language, Russia is a big country, after all. If you want to, then you can spend some holidays there and he’ll show you around since there likely isn’t a better guide in the whole country than him. But he will not make a big fuss out of it.

König: German isn’t a very popular language due to its grammar, so you can imagine his surprise when you walked up to him with the most adorable Grüß Gott he’s ever heard. He could just squish you then and there, but he refrains from doing so and instead focuses on trying to have a meaningful conversation with you. Doesn’t matter if it’s good, doesn’t matter if you’re just asking him how he’s doing, a conversation is a conversation and you’re learning. Besides, you learning German, especially if it’s just because of him, does move him just a bit. Might not always initiate a conversation in German with you because what if you’re not in the mood? But you can always just talk to him in German, he doesn’t mind it at all. Though, he might not be the best person to learn German from since he uses regional words that people his age use. While he does try to speak high German with you, he does not really care much for it, so his dialect slips in every once in a while. But hey, at the very least you get to learn his dialect. As soon as he hears you call someone Hawara he becomes oddly proud of himself, thinking he’s doing well as a teacher even if he barely does anything. He loves Austria, so if you really want to see it, he’s more than happy to take you home, show you Vienna, Styria and Lower Austria and make you try some good old Brettljause. If you already know German, then chances are you’ll only know high German, which is alright too, but please know that from time to time, König will speak his dialect with you, which you might not always understand. He barks quite a bit when he speaks too, making it a bit harder to understand him as well. However, he’s always more than happy to play translator for you and teach you words no one uses anymore, such as hal. Austrian words are a must know for you, therefore you’ll learn fairly early on what a Seidl or an Erdapfl is.

[icyminghao]

(pretty) hungry

pairing: minghao x gn!reader genre: fluff, drabble, established relationship word count: 0.6k warning(s): mentions of food

summary: minghao attempts to flirt with you in chinese, but ends up getting extremely shy when you confront him to translate whatever he said for you.

from the universe of i don’t understand (but i love you) and you nailed it! but can be read as a standalone. inspired by jem carstairs from the infernal devices by cassandra clare!

“Baobei*, ni hao piao liang**,” Minghao randomly pipes up, breaking the silence that loomed over the both of you in your weekly reading session.

You look up from your book, ears perking up at the sound of Minghao speaking in his native tongue. “What does that mean?”

There’s a pause. Minghao seems taken aback. You quirk a curious brow at him.

“It means I’m hungry. Let’s go get some food,” Minghao places the book he was reading down on the coffee table before getting up and walking towards you.

You would have believed his translation, if not for the fact that his ears were tinged with the deepest shade of red you’ve ever seen.

Minghao extends his hands for you to grab onto to get up, and you withhold a giggle at how hard he’s trying to hide the blush slowly creeping up his cheeks. You willingly grab onto his hands and lift yourself up, a teasing smile appearing on your endeared expression.

“It means ‘I’m hungry’? I could use it on Junhui the next time we meet, show him how good of a teacher you are,” you smile, eyes focused on his reaction. “Baobei, ni hao piao liang.”

“You can’t tell Junhui that.” Minghao replies immediately. You don’t know how it’s possible, but Minghao only gets redder as he practically squirms under your gaze, looking down at his feet to avoid your eyes. You simply grin wider at how cute he’s being, all because of a few simple words from his native language that he’s refusing to translate for you.

“Why not?” you feign innocence, lowering yourself a little so you could make eye contact with his lowered head. “It’s a pretty useful phrase, isn’t it?”

Minghao sighs, lifting his head up. His face is completely red now. “Well, yes, but it can only be used in specific contexts.”

“Specific contexts?” you raise a brow at Minghao, leaning closer to him. “Do enlighten me, Hao.”

“You can just Google it, y/n,” Minghao presses his lips into a thin line, obviously trying to avoid the topic, “what do you feel like eating?”

Unfortunately for him, you do not give in easily.

“But Hao,” you whine, removing your hands from his to shake his shoulders for dramatic effect, “why would I need to ask Google when I’ve got you?”

You stop shaking his shoulders after a while, moving to cup his face in your hands instead. “What does it really mean? I promise I won’t laugh.”

Minghao’s eyes widen. “How did you know it doesn’t mean ‘I’m hungry’?”

“That’s because you taught me that phrase before, silly. Your excuse sucked from the beginning,” you giggle, booping his nose with your finger before going back to rest your hand on his cheek.

Minghao sighs, reaching up to rest one hand over yours, resigning himself to his fate. “It means you’re really pretty, love.”

Now it was your turn to be flustered. Your hands on his cheek stiffened just a little bit, clearly not expecting the words that came out of Minghao’s mouth so easily. Your gaze fell on everything else but Minghao, and he chuckles in amusement.

“What’s wrong, Baobei?” Minghao teases, leaning closer towards you.

You lightly punch his chest in mock frustration. “You can’t just say stuff like that out of the blue!”

“Well, you were the one who pushed for me to tell you what it meant,” Minghao retorts playfully, smile growing impossibly wider. You huff, and Minghao reaches to take your hand in his.

“Okay, let’s finally go eat, hm?” Minghao smiles softly, turning to lead you towards the front door.

“Wait!” you call after Minghao, and he stops in his tracks before turning to you with a confused expression.

“Ni hao piao liang.”

Oh, if only you took a picture of his stunned, absolutely flustered expression to keep forever (and maybe use as blackmail). You guess you’d just have to keep the image in your memory.

*: Baobei (宝贝) — Chinese term of endearment for “baby” or “love”.

**: Ni hao piao liang (你好漂亮) — “you’re really beautiful/pretty”.

a/n: i love hao sm can u tell (also i may or may not have written this bc of that weibo live earlier omg minghao needs to stop like rn.)

taglist (send an ask to be added!): @slytherinshua @xomingyu @pepperonidk @belladaises @tastymintchocolate @dahliatopia

masterlist

[bliss-in-the-void]

Gege Akutami, You Do Not Understand Gojo Satoru, and Here is Why

I was reading this article to help me cope with the traumatic events of Chapter 236 when a certain portion didn’t sit right with me.

Long post, click to read the full analysis:

(this is probably the most important post I've made so far)

Now, we all know that Gege doesn’t like Gojo. They don’t make it a secret in the slightest. Which is fine in itself, as an author you are 100% within your right to hate a character you created, and I respect that—it gives dimension to the dynamic of a story.

What I don’t care for is the reasons Akutami lists for their dislike of Gojo.

Reason #1 as stated in the above blurb of the article: Gojo doesn’t have depth.

To me, this is a wild statement to make as an author, but especially as the one who wrote Gojo. Where does he lack depth? Genuine question.

I believe he is an incredibly complex character.

He is the first sorcerer in centuries to be born with the Six Eyes and Limitless techniques, which automatically sets up so many nuances. Coupled with the fact that Akutami has stated that he grew up spoiled, that right there should tell you some things about why he is the way he is. He has a bit of an inflated ego when it comes to his powers. And why wouldn’t he? From the time he was born, the people around him treated him like some sort of God. How else was he supposed to grow up? He’s told his whole life he possesses unparalleled power, and he’s going to believe that.

Even still, it really isn’t as unchecked as Akutami seems to believe it is. Despite his distaste for authority, Gojo still reports to the higher ups, goes on missions, exorcizes curses, and works collaboratively with his fellow sorcerers. If he was really the giant egomaniac Akutami argues that he is, he’d say ‘to hell with authority’ and run off to do whatever he wants like Yuki. I mean, COME ON, this guy is the most powerful modern sorcerer and he still attended all four years of high school. He could have easily never attended—who was going to stop him?

He has a peculiar sense of humor that can get inappropriately timed in certain moments, but it’s obvious that it’s a deflection and a coping mechanism for the horrors of a sorcerer’s reality. He doesn’t just joke about death and dying because he doesn’t care. He cares too much and he doesn’t know how to deal with it, so he suppresses and laughs it off. Moments like this are seen after Suguru dies in JJK 0 when he was clearly crying afterward, but had to put on a cheerful facade for Yuuta and the other students.

He is a very good teacher. It’s hard for a naturally gifted prodigy to effectively teach things which come automatically to them, and somehow he finds creative ways to do it. Teaching Yuuji to control cursed energy by using one of Yaga’s dolls and giving him a movie marathon? One of Yuuji’s favorite hobbies? Genius and so considerate for Yuuji. He’d just been thrown into the sorcerer world, learning all these new things, and Gojo decided to introduce a foreign concept to him through something familiar and comfortable to him. That is amazing, and the mark of a very kind, understanding teacher. He’s also really patient with his students. Yes, he gives them tough love sometimes by throwing them into missions, but it really is to make them strong. How else will they grow if they aren’t put under pressure?

His motivation for being a teacher is very selfless. He himself has stated that he isn’t suited to be a teacher, but that he has a dream to raise a generation of strong allies to prevent isolation from occurring like what had happened to Suguru. He felt guilty about growing apart from him, didn’t see the warning signs before he snapped, and regrets not being there for him more. His entire purpose now is dedicated to making sure the new wave of sorcerers have a tightly-knit network so that no one ends up alone and on a dark path like Suguru.

He constantly sticks his neck out for the helpless even when it’s far from his benefit. He paid off the Zenin clan to save Megumi, the child of the man who ruined his high school years and nearly killed him. He then raised him. He threatened the higher ups to keep Yuuta alive, and then did it again for Yuuji. He does this to preserve their youth, because his own was taken away from him. His whole life he’d been controlled by the higher ups and people around him because of who he is in the sorcerer world, so by waving his own status in front of authority to hold them back from his students, he acts as a sort of shield to take as many burdens off of their shoulders as he can so that they can remain carefree. As much as he can within his power.

With all of that being said, I really don’t understand where Akutami is coming from with lack of depth, but another argument I say to that statement is: well, you’re the author, give him the depth you think he’s missing. (Personally, I believe he’s one of the best-written characters in any anime I’ve seen).

Reason #2 is that according to Akutami, he doesn’t have a likable personality.

What about his personality is unlikable?

He is cocky, but not to the point where he stops caring about others, not to the point where he never considers how other people feel or how his actions affect other people, and not to the point where he never feels guilt and remorse about his shortcomings. Like I said, he lives his life trying to prevent his past from repeating itself, to save the fates of others.

I really don’t get it. In JJK 0, after Nitta gives her report on the shopping mall, Gojo thanks her and praises her. Would a cocky asshole do that? No. If you wanted to characterize him as unlikable, you could have made him dismiss her, or ignore her.

He makes pop culture references, he has endearing flaws like not being good at drawing, being a lightweight drinker, and overdoing it on the sweets. He’s funny, he’s kind, he’s considerate…he is a very likable character.

Honestly, the self-absorption he displays when he’s fighting is probably a result of his upbringing. Being told you have so much power you have so much power you have so much power over and over again instills this belief that yes, he’s needed by Jujutsu Society to fight curses as a weapon. As. A. Weapon. The Six Eyes & Limitless user is a formidable weapon, but what about Satoru Gojo, the person? The only time he feels useful is when he’s fighting curses. That’s where he gets his self-worth. We can see that expressed in this panel, from Chapter 236:

In the second half of Gojo’s second text bubble, he says, “でもどこかで人としてというより生き物としての線引きがあったのかな”.

This translates to: “But I wonder if somewhere there was a line drawn between being a creature rather than a person.”

Rather than having drew the line himself, being constantly treated like the strongest, being handed over the difficult missions, being relied on so heavily pushed him away from other people. It distorted the perception everyone had of him, and it distorted the perception he had of himself. He also believed he could never lose because he let his human side fade into the background. The world didn't need human Satoru Gojo, they needed sorcerer Satoru Gojo, the one who could bend rules to his will with his might, the one who could exorcise any curse and save the day no matter how bad things got. Why would he remain human when that part of him was treated as non-existent? The only person who did treat him as a person with weaknesses and flaws has been dead for eleven years. Of course that voice of reason is going to fizzle out.

How can you possibly vilify him for that? It would be a disservice to everything he has had to endure his entire life.

Reason #3 and the last point I want to touch on is when the article says, "Akutami believes that much of this adoration is based solely on his striking appearance, overshadowing his more abrasive personality traits."

Okay. Where to start?

Honestly, and I know this is probably not Akutami's intention, but that comes off as so condescending. It's so presumptuous. It's as if to say we're all going "ooh look at pretty man, pretty man do no wrong because too pretty" mindlessly with dilated pupils and drool coming out of our mouths. Uh. No.

Yes, Satoru is a good-looking character, but no, that is very far from why we like him so much as a character, and it's also very far from why he's so popular. Aside from all of the points I've made above explaining why he's so universally loved, I'll make another one that isn't superficial and tired.

He's so relatable.

This is a man so incredibly traumatized by his high school years that he is mentally and emotionally unable to move on. Suguru Geto was his very best friend, and for reasons he took too long to understand, chose to abandon their friendship for his own goals. For anyone who has grown apart from a best friend, this hits so hard.

Because of his upbringing it was hard to become close to anyone. But somehow, Suguru was able to break past his walls, and for that, he became entirely too dependent on him. This is common for anyone who finds it hard to make friends and get close to others. Once someone is allowed in, you cling so hard to them and imagine them being there for your entire life. So, when they leave, you take it entirely too personally.

Everyone has a right to live their own lives, and as we see with the divergence of Suguru and Satoru, sometimes our paths aren't leading to the same place. It's not personal. But Satoru took it personal, and that's so beautifully human. When you lose a best friend who was important to you, you think "I like being around this person, they put me at ease in a way no one else does", and you assume they feel the same way about you. So when they leave and show you that no, they didn't feel the same, it hurts. It's almost as if they're saying "I actually do think you're unlovable like everyone else, that's why no one likes you, you are too much."

Someone you thought was safe, isn't anymore.

That is such a relatable thing to watch a character go through! Especially someone as awe-inspiring and charismatic as Gojo! As an audience, we think, "he's just like me!" and we like him for it.

So, as I stated in the title, Gege Akutami, you don't understand Satoru Gojo at all. I commend you for writing such an amazing, iconic, universally loved character, but I will never understand nor respect the superficial way in which you perceive him.

[blazingstar400]

Incorrect Scarlet and Violet Quotes Part 6

Just everybody’s typical school lives.

[Clavell after catching Juliana, Nemona, and Arven riding Koraidon in the school halls]

Clavell: All of you are in big trouble for not only riding Koraidon in the school’s halls, but for also having three people, a very unsafe number, for riding just one Pokémon!

Nemona: Shoot!

Arven: Wait, three?

Clavell: Yes?

Juliana: OH MY GOSH FLORIAN FELL OFF!!!!

[Florian finally shows up to class after missing a few days]

Jacq: Where have you been?

Florian: Asleep.

Jacq: For four days?

Florian: Yeah.

Clavell: Good job, Arven.

Arven: Thanks, dad.

[Everyone freezes]

Arven: Why is everyone staring at me?

Penny: You just called Director Clavell ‘Dad’. You said ‘Thanks, dad’.

Arven: What? No I didn’t!

Clavell: Do you see me as a father figure, Arven?

Arven: No! If anything I see you more as a bother figure because you’re always bothering me!

Saguaro: Hey! Show your father some respect!

Arven: He’s not my dad!

Juliana: I just find it surprising you attached on to Clavell of all people.

Arven: I didn’t! But even if I did, who else would I attach to?!? Raifort?!

Raifort, who is on the far side of the room reading a book: I really don’t appreciate being brought into this discussion.

Arven: You see?!

Juliana: Hmm.

Clavell: Alright, I believe you.

Arven: Thank you!

Clavell: …Son.

Arven:

Clavell: Do you want to talk about this… over a game of catch?

Arven:

Arven: ……I’d like that…

Juliana: Do you ever just see something that changes your life and you’re just like ‘huh’.

Kieran: I saw you.

Juliana: That’s so nice and sweet and it makes this really awkward because I was just gonna show you this drawing Drayton made of Carmine as a monkey.

[The gang about to head out on a field trip]

Cyrano: Now before we take off make sure that all small things are secure.

Drayton: *leaning over to Kieran*

Kieran: What?

Drayton, smirking: Do you feel safe?

Kieran, through gritted teeth: Stop—!

Kieran: Despite what everyone thinks, I don’t actually hate everyone in this class.

Carmine: Are you sure about that…?

Kieran: Well actually Drayton is completely terrible.

Drayton: Ouch.

Kieran: I dislike Crispin because he’s Crispin.

Crispin: Really bro…

Kieran: Juliana was clearly cheating in the training session yesterday.

Juliana: Wha—

Lacey: Juliana winning isn’t called cheating…!

Kieran: Amarys was being particularly annoying this morning.

Amarys: I just said ‘excuse me’ because you were blocking my way…

Kieran: And Florian said ‘It’s not appropriate to yell at other students.’

Carmine: Soo you hate everyone then?

Kieran: Well maybe if all of you stopped being so irritating I might like you better.

[Geeta and Rika being called into Clavell’s office]

Clavell: Juliana got into a fight today.

Geeta: Is she okay?!

Rika: Did she win?!

Juliana: Just forget about it, no one got hurt.

Miriam: You had a concussion!

Juliana: No one got seriously hurt.

Miriam: You were in the ER for six hours!!

[Dendra when she just became a teacher at Uva/Naranja Academy]

Dendra, waking up in a panic: Shoot, I’m late to class!!!

Dendra, lying back down: Eh, but I already gratulated…

Dendra:

Dendra:

Dendra, sitting back up: Shoot, I’m the teacher!!!

Clavell: Florian, did you happen to hear my announcement?

Florian: I hanged onto every word.

Clavell: I’m going to assume that’s sarcasm.

Florian: Correct.

Clavell: So you didn’t hear my announcement?

Florian: I’m barely listening now.

[Juliana after helping Arven and Kieran study for a upcoming test]

Juliana, beaming: Alright guys, I think you’re both ready for that test!

Arven: Great, I just want to test my knowledge real quick. Give me a word.

Juliana: Oh, okay!

Juliana: Um… what’s a synonym for ‘abandonment’?

Arven: Oh, I know this one!

Arven: My childhood!

Juliana: What—?

Kieran:

Kieran: I was going to say something different but actually I second that.

Juliana:

Juliana, tearing up: Aw, you guys—

Nemona: *actually studies, gets good grades*

Juliana: *doesn’t study, still passes*

Arven: *gets Bs*

Florian: *low Cs, doesn’t care*

Penny: *cheats and gets away with it*

Drayton: *cheats, and gets caught*

Crispin: *gets a B-, and is happy*

[At lunch hour]

Juliana: Arven, we’re hungry!

Nemona: Yeah, Arven, we’re hungry!

Carmine: Hurry up, Arven!

Penny: What’s taking so long, Arven?

Florian: Arven, what’s for lunch?

Arven: *screams*

Kieran: Look, I don’t want to talk about it.

Juliana, pulling out a guitar: Would you rather sing about it?

Kieran:

Kieran: You make it so hard for me not to murder you sometimes—

Juliana: Trust fall!

Clavell, from the other side of the room: I’m not going to catch you.

Juliana: Trust. Fall.

Clavell: No.

Juliana: I’m falling!

Clavell, launching himself over the table to catch her: WAIT—!!

Drayton: What are you doing?

Crispin: Homework.

Drayton: There was school today?

Crispin: *nods*

Drayton: I thought it was a long weekend.

Crispin: It’s Thursday.

Drayton: Oh, it’s almost the weekend. No point in going now.

Jacq: Florian is late again.

Penny: I woke him up at 8 and pretended it was 11.

Nemona: I wrote a fake schedule saying we started at 9 instead of 12.

Juliana: I set his clock to PM instead of AM.

Jacq:

Jacq: You all may have overdone it.

Florian, bursting through the door panicked: WHAT YEAR IS IT?!?!

Tyme, walking into the classroom: Alright, so today— *sees ‘Turn down for —’ written on the board*

Tyme, confused: Turn down for what?

[Suddenly ‘Turn Down for What’ blasts through the speakers as the whole class gets up and begins partying]

The sv gang: TURN DOWN FOR WHAT!

Yes both Geeta and Rika grew so attached that they are practically Juliana’s adopted moms lol.

[lovingdabeessss]

Mini ramble cause I’m tired I’ll expand later probably

Blake and Weiss have trouble with their emotions because of their different kinds of abuse they’ve experienced but they still clearly have them, you know? They talk about them and they talk about it a lot their was a whole arc that was just them talking about their emotions very loudly at each other so having the emotions or expressing it doesn’t really bother them that much

or at least not in every environment, Yang and Ruby are the safest space they got they’ll fight each other to the death around them if they’d let them if you want to have unsavory emotions and unsavory words they’re the two people they’re both comfortable doing it around

It seems like they’re biggest issue with having negative emotions is how other people perceive them and how others react and putting up a front around others unless really comfortable

(What an incredible life changing experience it must’ve been to have that kinda safe space with people who care about you for no reason other then because they do and not for any ulterior motive after so long of not feeling like that to love someone so much you could safely hate them and they’d still ask you include you in ever conversation, it’s like that one measurement of love and comfort where if your kid complains and whines about things you make them do to you then they love you and think your safe to be around and if they’re silent and obedient and distant they think your not)

However with Yang and Ruby it’s not a front they’re not pretending to not feel the emotions they’re actually just not feeling them

They’re refusing to outright

Ruby doesn’t vent till she’s in a universe where GRIM DONT EXIST and then the emotions overwhelm her so much she DIES

Yang does let herself have negative emotions but ONLY anger which is controlled and specifically when she can take that kinda heat she expresses anger not only with the acknowledgment of the risk to herself but also often when other people are also already upset

Yangs semblance is clearly designed to make it easier for her to take hits for others this expression of anger goes along with the fact that it lights her on fire and makes her big and bright she’s making herself a bigger target

Cough cough not subtle metaphor cough cough YOU KNOW LIKE WHAT YOU DO AGAINST BEARS?!?! GOLDILOCKS!?!?!? Cough cough not subtle metaphor cough cough

(And Yang and Ruby will sometimes have breakdowns because of this where everything totally boils over and they have no way of dealing with it and they end up sobbing but even then they usually manage to do it in a closed off room)

Their lives have been centered completely around becoming huntresses and surviving through and killing grim it’s been their whole lives if the grim are attracted to negative emotions it doesn’t matter if you don’t show it on your face it’s GETTING you

To be a hunter you have to choose either:

1- go fucking crazy (all of the teachers at beacon for whatever reason)

2- be good enough at your job to be mentally ill (qrow)

3- DIE

So they just couldn’t feel shit cause they didn’t hav the skill level as children to allow that and survive

And obviously they do feel these things but it’s SOO repressed (Ruby I believe less so but it’s still beneath the surface so she’s good)

Blake and Weiss had a ton of shit to worry about but Blake was always more focused on other people as enemies and only had to personally worry about that after she joined the white fang and learned how to fight and I GENUINELY believe that the forest with Ruby was the first time Weiss’s isolated SKY CITY looking ass ever saw a real grim in person and not her sisters fake ones

And I think this is just really interesting because of how long it might’ve taken Yang and Ruby to realize the difference between their partners and them and why I think it might’ve led to interesting interactions but they’d probably never outright talk about it with them because it might lead to emotions

[morocorra]

Aglionby Academy dashboard simulator (circa BLLB) I’d make if I knew how to make those:

post 1:

madonnashenry: *poll on whether Gansey is fucking Ronan or Adam* *results are almost evenly split*

tadtheman: I told you guys I saw Lynch and Parrish basically having eyesex in Latin class today

thingtwo: for the last time Tad you are delusional, you probably just wanted to have eye sex with Parrish and weren’t thinking clearly

post 2: *speculation on the various possible causes of Kavinsky’s death, if he slept with Ronan or Gansey or both, if Ronan or Gansey or both of them killed him, concludes with a Heather Chandler level memorial note*

post 3: how long will we have this new Latin teacher? Is the position cursed? Is the new Latin teacher cute?

post 4: it’s so annoying how we only have one day in the whole school year we go hunting, and this and letting trailer trash in shows how the school has gone downhill —- not two people dying last year? —- no not that

post 5: we can’t find drugs as good as Kavinsky’s! Do we need to start a trading thing with Mountain View High?

post 6: now that Gansey has quit the rowing team who will be the captain? Henry? Should we recruit Declan — Declan doesn’t even have a tumblr

post 7: I saw Adam Parrish survive a building like fall on him basically do you think he made a deal with the devil? — Yeah I could see that he gives me the creeps.

post 8: guys… you’ll never believe what I saw! I saw Dick Gansey in his car — we’ve all seen Gansey in his car —- with a girl! —- oh was it his sister Helen she’s crazy hot — no! It was this short chick with spiky hair and this weird shirt that made it look like it was made out of soda bottles. And it was at night! They seemed like they were sneaking around. —- is he cheating on Ronan and Adam… with a girl??? —- what…. Gansey is straight??? That can’t be.

post 9: So now we really are doomed to take French classes. Kill me now.

[thegurlwhoisntthere]

Okay, so I can’t believe I’m writing this, the Maribat/Daminette fandom has me by the throat so, here we are

There are a lot of fics where Damian comes to Paris and they click and he gets the Black cat miraculous for various reasons, and also a lot where Marinette goes to Gotham with generally the same outcomes, but what about a fic where Damian and his class go on a trip to Paris before Hawkmoth first attacks.

Like, he’s 13 and forced into this trip because the fam wants him to experience more than just being a vigilante and he hates it. His school has a program with Marinette’s, so at the beginning of the year they pack up and plan to spend two weeks in Paris.

This trip just so happens to coincide with when Master Fu is looking for his new Ladybug and Black Cat (y’all see where I’m going with this?)

In this Au, Adrien makes it to the school sooner and misses Master Fu because he’s testing Marinette. Adrien still gets to go to school, because he deserves happiness, but he’s able to get there the first day, and so avoids the whole gum thing that make Marinette hate him, but also sees what Chloe does to Marinette which really changes his initial perspective of school. He would definitely be a temp hero later, but he gets to enjoy being a normal rebellious teen.

Anyway, so Adrien Misses Fu, so who’s going to be the Cat? Well, Damian’s school pulls up at the same time Adrien would have.

The class stops to do a head count and give the general speech of why they’re there in front of the school and Damian’s planning on slipping away because he’s 13 and thinks this is all a waste of his time. He thinks that if he can make it back to the hotel without anyone noticing he’ll be able to make an argument that they forgot him and that he should be allowed to go home (can you see where I’m taking my inspiration from?). Unfortunately for him, Fu sees this and does his test (the fall). All his classmates don’t do anything because they’re from Gotham and are suspicious of everything (and also it’s Paris and they don’t want to be scammed) and the teachers don’t notice. Damian, however, does notice. He considers leaving anyway because it’s not his problem, but he’s been Robin for almost 3 or 4 years at this point and, contrary to what some people might say, has grown a lot. He would feel guilty and maybe even a little unworthy of Robin if he didn’t stop for 2 seconds to help this old man up.

It goes quite similarly to how it did with Adrien, he helps Fu up, but gets caught and can no longer run away from the class.

Basically, this au is a “what if Damian was The Black Cat from the start?”

I have a lot more ideas, but here’s just a few:

Damian isn’t Chat Noir, but I haven’t looked up any cat related names that he could be yet.

As the cat, Damian acts a lot more fun than he normally would allow himself. He’s not Chat Noir level, but this is the first time in his life where literally no one knows who he is and is monitoring his behavior, nor does he have anyone’s expectations on him for who he should be.

He’s initially annoyed with Ladybug, because she’s so clearly untrained, unconfident, and unprepared, but then she comes up with the plan that shows what she could be capable of, and the speech and he might have a crush, but brushes it off as grudgingly respecting her

He 100% plans on training her and their partnership is more equal than what the show portrays it as, because one of my main problems with the actual show is that chat noir, despite being her partner is often shoved aside and given the sidekick role

Damian doesn’t tell his family what’s happening. As far as they’re aware, Paris is fine. Normally he would have, but he had no time until after the fight and he really enjoyed being the cat that he’s like “I’ll tell them later” which keeps being pushed back.

At the end of the trip he somehow talks his family into letting him actually transfer to Paris so he can stay as the cat

He is baffled that this works, but they are all so happy that he’s taking an interest in something other than Robin and Superheroing that they jump on letting him before realizing that it means he’s gonna be in Paris for months.

Dick is sad about this later, so is Bruce and Alfred and the others, but he’s the most vocal about it.

Damian is also baffled that they haven’t figured out what’s going on by now and as everyday passes he gets more and more annoyed by the fact that his so called family of detectives have realized that he’s decided if they can’t figure it out, he’s not telling them.

He has not figured out that magic is preventing knowledge of this from leaving Paris and even if it didn’t, Magic is protecting his identity.

He acts annoyed by Plagg, but he actually loves him so much

His cat outfit is still fun with the ears and tail, but it’s a lot more elaborate and has a utility belt and a lot of hidden things

In fact, because it’s so elaborate, Marinette’s boring suit only stays for the first time she transforms. Once the fight finishes her little fashion designer brain can’t stop thinking about it and comes up with a new design after consulting Tikki.

Of course, she only has the idea of the costume down, because by the time they finalize it, she sees the news and has her depression moment, so the first time she wears it is when she saves Alya.

Due to this first change, her outfit would constantly be changing throughout her time as Ladybug, as she learns more about fighting and what she’s comfortable with, as well as what’s actually possible with magic and the miraculous.

By the end of the year her firs are going to be crazy (wait till she finds out she can change her actual eyes (both color and the pupils and-) hair colors and length)

She will eventually bully Damian into making some changes but he’s generally happy with the first design.

They also know each others identities a lot sooner because Damian actually knows the benefits and his cold logic is able to cut through a lot of her anxiety.

It still doesn’t happen until at least the second season tho.

Y’all I have so much more, but this is getting long and I’ve got things to do so tell me if u want more or feel free to add your own ideas!!!

[wackus-bonkus-maximus]

Same anon who just asked about why you placed Adrien as a 7 instead of a 2, only to look deeper in the reblogs of your ML enneagram post and see you already answered it haha!

In friendly defense of 2!Adrien, I’d argue that his reactions to being stressed coming off as more of a 7 rather than a 2 is actually a perfect reflection of the effects of his abuse; it’s fear that drives his non-confrontation tendencies rather his own nature. I think Risk highlighted that a bit in revealing how Adrien does desire confrontation, even if he doesn’t act on it.

(I have always found it interesting to consider the role that trauma/neurodivergency plays in shaping a character’s personality, since it’s one of the flaws I feel most personality assessments can’t really account for.)

I also think Chat’s arguments with LB were more like to be confrontational than avoidant (thinking of the times he’s called her out and his romantic pursuit being the primary indicators), up until she became the Guardian. So then with S4, I’d consider it to be a gradual relationship shift that leads to Chat no longer feeling safe and secure enough in his position to confront her the way he once did, which is why he only tries a bit in Kuro Neko before running, and then doesn’t try at all in Strikeback.

I hope this doesn’t come off as too preachy or anything, just wanted to share my 2¢! Cause either way you slice it, your Adrien has always been brilliantly written and incredibly in-character to me, so you’ve clearly got a rock solid understanding of his character. ❤️

hello november anon and sorry for the delay! thank you so much for the ask and also for going back and looking through my prev posts. you know my teacher heart loves it when you do the readings! 😌 also you're definitely not the only one who believes adrien is a 2 rather than a 7! and while i know there are good arguments for both sides, i'll explain in depth my position on adrien's personality.

part 1 of the ask:

so here are the reasons i think adrien IS an enneagram type 7

adrien's motivation seems like that of a 7 to me: he wants to experience everything and be satisfied in every way he can. if he had a disney princess "i want" song, it would be "i want to go to school, i want to make friends, i want adventure in the great wide somewhere., i want to have fun."

the literal first shot of him in the show (if we use origins as a starting point) is adrien running away. nathalie asks him to please reconsider, he knows what his father wants, and adrien says, "but this is what i want to do." according to the enneagram institute, "sevens do not see themselves as the center of a community or family, but as members of a free-floating band of fellow adventurers whose own enjoyment is enhanced by being with others." going to school and having a new experience with new people is what's going to enhance adrien's enjoyment of life - not being the center of his family unit or the apple of his father's eye.

a 2's motivation would be to be as loved as possible and to make themselves neeed by those they most care about. while adrien definitely shows a desire to be loved and needed, especially by ladybug, i think his primary desire is for experience, and it's this from which all his actions- not just characteristics - are based. take for example his reaction to getting his miraculous vs marinette's (also in origins):

adrien is excited and intrigued and ready to go, as a 7 would be when offered a new experience - and a new way to satisfy their desire to try everything. marinette, as a 1, is quite the opposite: she is being put in a situation where she must do something right or fail, and therefore is stressed tf out. while marinette's motivation to be good/perfect fuels her anxious reaction, adrien's motivation to experience everything and be satisfied fuels his thrilled and slightly reckless reaction. that's why he charges out into battle without listening to all the instructions; his motivation was to escape the restraints of his life and try something new.

in growth, enneagram 7's take on the positive traits of 5's. in stress, they take on the negative traits of 1's. i have seen adrien exhibit these behaviors throughout the show on many occasions!

according to the enneagram institute, "Sevens have fear about their inner world. There are feelings of pain, loss, deprivation, and general anxiety that Sevens would like to stay clear of as much as possible. To cope with these feelings, Sevens keep their minds occupied with exciting possibilities and options— as long as they have something stimulating to anticipate, Sevens feel that they can distract themselves from their fears." therefore, while one can argue that adrien's wealth of knowledge and fun facts is a result of everything gabriel has forced him to learn (mandarin, piano, fencing, medieval horse colors), we can assume he at least was interested in it - and that seeking new knowledge like a 5 kept him from lingering in his sadness.

"i'll help you learn mandarin marinette" "i'll show you how to fence marinette" "most people think henry iv's white horse was white my lady" "do you need subtitles my lady i speak several languages"

now as to how adrien moves to the low parts of type 1 during the show: i think the main examples of this are the instances he adopts rigid, critical, and judgemental characteristics, which is potentially unpleasant for anyone who has to be around him.

first up, adrien's akumatized forms: chat blanc, ephemeral, celesticat

i bring up the akumas because, though adrien isn't in his right mind (by hawkmoth's akumas), they are examples of adrien being in extreme stress.

as chat blanc, adrien wants to either right the world or destroy it for being wrong - the critical supreme judgement an unhealthy 1 is capable of. he lashes out when contradicted, and is quite ruthless even to marinette, who he loves, in the name of executing judgement.

as ephemeral, adrien seeks to control time. (however, this is probably the weakest example because adrien was being amok-controlled in this instance and was acting on shadow moth's will, not his own.)

i include celesticat because while this is an example of a "good" akumatization, adrien was still under so much stress that an akumatization was able to take place. yet even while being in "good" stress, adrien still shows characteristics of 1: perfectionism, righteousness, taking control of the situation. he literally turns into a pure white angelic being, an embodiment of perfection. it's what he believes he has to do in order to salvage the situation. it's one of the more healthier moves from 7 to 1 i have seen depicted in media and is entirely plausible concept under the enneagram's theory! this just goes to show the depth and richness of his character.

next, we will discuss adrien's various alter egos:

cat walker

i've said it before and i'll say it again; cat walker is another move from 7 -> 1.

as chat noir, adrien is at the height of his 7-ness. he enjoys the freedom that his miraculous powers and secret identity gives him, and uses it as a means of escape from the regular constraints of his life and obligations. then in kuro neko when ladybug slights him, she denies him the fulfilment and satisfaction in reaching his full potential as chat noir (e.g., being of equal importance on the team as her) that he should be allowed. of course he becomes hurt and angry! she's stepping on his core desire in life.

according to enneagram coach dr. tom lahue (my favorite enneagram guy ((also a 7)), "type 7's typically deal with anger by trying to avoid it or deflect it. that really is the anger type of a 7 - deflective. deflecting things away." that's what i believe cat walker is: a stress reaction, a deflection of his anger with ladybug. he deflects his painful emotions into something he thinks is positive; a new start.

adrien is usually so joyful and optimistic, but this was a huge blow for him. dr. tom says the best way for a 7 to handle this anger is to be "real and genuine" when coming to terms with it, what does adrien do instead? he turns to a new alter ego. he chases the experience of fulfillment, only he does so by adopting a persona who is serious and perfectionist. obviously this was neither what adrien or ladybug needed, and that is because cat walker is a stress reaction who adrien cannot sustain without continued levels of unhealthy self-denial. this is the hardest he has gone to 1 in the show and what it took to snap him out of it was a level of reflection, analysis, and objectivity (that this was an unhealthy behavior) indicative of a type 5 - and which shows his progression to growth.

2. aspik

one can argue that aspik is more proof of adrien being a 2 than a 7 actually, as his motivations for becoming aspik were to woo ladybug. however, the stress response of a type 2 is to move to the negative qualities of type 8, which is to lash out at those who they believe have taken them for granted.

according to the enneagram institute,

"Average to unhealthy Twos seek validation of their worth by obeying their superego’s demands to sacrifice themselves for others. They believe they must always put others first and be loving and unselfish if they want to get love. The problem is that “putting others first” makes Twos secretly angry and resentful, feelings they work hard to repress or deny. Nevertheless, they eventually erupt in various ways, disrupting Twos’ relationships and revealing the inauthenticity of many of the average to unhealthy Two’s claims about themselves and the depth of their “love.”

as aspik, adrien was never resentful of ladybug for taking him for granted or making him feel rejected. as aspik, his goal was never to make himself needed by her. as aspik, he maintained some extreme levels of optimism that ignored the rational conclusion that he should give up for several thousand time loops. as aspik, he was able to let go and displace his hopes in himself to someone else - and run off to his responsibility as chat noir with high spirits (though i'm sure the ladrien kiss helped)

3. griffe noire

this has got to be the most stressful stress reaction i've seen on adrien. and you might say "but wackus he looks nothing like a type 1" and i say "JUST HOLD ON

going back to dr. tom's analysis on type 7's in anger, he says, "7's typically express their anger indirectly, e.g., through sarcasm, like 5's - like 6's sometimes... but they quickly try to move on and reframe into a more positive way." griffe noire, rather than telling jokes and puns to lighten the mood, mocks and ridicules poor toxinelle who has not convinced me she doesn't have a crush on him. 1's actually do the same thing when they are unhealthy; they criticize and blame and nag others for not being up to par, and by directing his anger at his situation onto toxinelle, griffe noire is doing the same.

dr tom goes on to say, "in some cases [7's] might take impulsive actions to try to free themselves from this feeling of being trapped... engaging in frenetic escapism in behaviors or addictions or substances to try to distance themselves from those who are frustrated with them... or their own anger/pain in life." we have seen griffe noire engage in multiple frenetic behaviors while running amok (haha), all of which are clearly attempts to redirect his pain and anger/ keep it from consuming him. for example, griffe noire takes chat noir's cataclysm to the chest as though it's a game. for another, he openly threatens to destroy the entire world with his super cataclysm. and of course, he is constantly abusing his miraculous by over-exerting his powers in a way only adults should. yet all of these destructive behaviors are still adrien's way of escaping his normal life, and his everyday pain. it's almost like his self-destruction is his addiction.

and yet by the end, it took the introspection of type 5 for griffe noire to realize that his behavior was unhealthy. he observed, he listened, he showed an inquisitiveness that brought him back from the brink. and he also upgraded his outfit so if that isn't a type 7 path to growth i don't know what is!

now i know i won't have convinced everybody, so i just want to drop this section from the enneagram institute's text on misidentifying 2's and 7's:

Although both types are gregarious and enjoy being with people, their interpersonal styles are noticeably different. The Two... would like to be the heart and soul of a family or community, the best friend or confidant everyone comes to for attention, advice, and approval. Twos want to be significant to others and on intimate terms with them, although sometimes they go too far, meddling too much and being too solicitous to make sure they are needed.

adrien is not focused on being needed by anybody, not even ladybug (although due to his romantic interest in her, i can understand why people think so). being the heart and soul of the team is not what motivates him; primarily, i think he just likes having all the experiences he wouldn't otherwise get to have without being chat noir.

By contrast... Sevens do not see themselves as the center of a community or family, but as members of a free-floating band of fellow adventurers whose own enjoyment is enhanced by being with others.... Sevens may thus exhibit a certain generosity, although their motives may well have less to do with helping needier friends than with making sure that they themselves have a good time by having others around.

this isn't to say that adrien is just focused on having a "good time." i see that his enjoyment is amplified when he is surrounded by people he loves and cares for. he is motivated to have good experiences, and be fulfilled by trying everything, and becoming close to people and forming loving relationships is just a happy byproduct of that.

now there ARE several caveats to my analysis which provide potential arguments against typing adrien as a 7 - and which i can touch on briefly before i close:

adrien's abuse: i understand that trauma and anxiety can affect personality deeply. i'm not qualified to speak on this, or on how it should or shouldn't affect any personality type. i can only say that i think adrien has acted pretty consistently under stress as far as the show depicts

inconsistent characterization: i think we can all agree that ml won't be winning any awards for its consistency in characterization. which i know sounds contradictory to what i just said about how it depicts adrien under stress, but i think there IS a lot of discrepancy in this show and over the course of 9 years with different teams of writers all trying to execute one person's vision, inconsistencies are bound to happen.

thank you again for the ask, anon, and thank YOU if you have read all the way through! tell me your thoughts, if you make it down here - whether you agree/disagree or are just nodding along and letting me indulge in my enneagram brainrot! this is an entirely in-good-faith interpretation of mine, and i'd love to see other opinions if you have them!

[miracles-and-butterflies]

Another snippet of Heartstopper AU because I was asked to share some of the locked in the music room incident between Mirabel and Moana. Albeit this is just what happened beforehand.

Specifically by @dandylion94.

“You mean… you didn’t bring anyone? Aww, Bela. It’s okay, I mean I invited pretty much all of my colleagues here tonight—”

Isabela looked up from her phone at that. “To your old school’s summer showcase?”

“Why not?” Luisa countered.

“Why? Do you hate them? Did they give you a bad shift or something?” She questioned.

“What are you talking about? Everyone is clearly here to watch and enjoy our hermanita’s performance! Stop acting like it’s some sort of punishment.” Luisa tugged Isabela over to the refreshments table, before she ended up walking into the crowd of people.

“Yeah, but our sister is just some random kid in the orchestra—”

“She’s the lead flutist, actually.”

“There’s only two of them!”

“And she’s the better one!”

“So? You can’t fucking hear the flute when they all play anyways,” Isabela grumbled, realising she wasn’t going to win against Luisa. She picked up one of the cups of juice - unlike Luisa, she wasn’t that desperate to wait in the never ending cue for bad coffee. “All you can hear is the string section. Which worked really well for Dolores when we had to watch her play in all these.”

Luisa glanced over to the stage. A group of girls, not so much younger than herself, all fiddling with the violins and violas like prized trophies for the parents that were taking Instagram photos.

“So…” Luisa muttered, quietly. “What you’re saying is… we should go collect some stones from outside, when they start performing we throw them and take out the entire string section?”

Isabela scoffed, “As funny as that would be, no. Remember the Nativity we watched? Where we got kicked out and had to stand in that fucking snowstorm all night?”

Luisa almost shivered at the memory, but nevertheless shared the mischievous grin. “I think our comments really added to the story.”

“Yeah! Fuck that stupid teacher, she doesn’t know what she’s on about. We improved her shitty play.”

“Um, excuse me?”

They both turned around. Momentarily worried that said teacher had been in earshot this entire time. Or if not her, perhaps some other old teacher who was about to throw the pair of them out before they could even sit down. But instead, and to their relief, it was Moana; one of Camilo’s friends.

“Hey,” Isabela greeted. “Are you a part of this musical thing too? I never thought you were interested in music and you aren’t in uniform, but you do you—”

“No, I’m not. Well, not performing. I’ve come to watch,” she explained, blushing a little.

“Did Camilo drag you along with him?” Luisa guessed. “Not surprised in the least. He refuses to sit with anyone in the family at school events. Is the rest of the crew here too?”

“I.. I don’t think so?”

“Lucky bitches.” Isabela grumbled under her breath.

Moana shook herself. “Anyways, have you seen Camilo or Mirabel anywhere?”

“They were here. But the orchestra lady sent Mirabel out of the auditorium to get some sheet music she left somewhere in the music department.” Luisa replied, in between craning her neck over the cue that still had barely moved. “I imagine Camilo probably has snuck his way in behind her. He’ll be setting up some prank in the classroom.”

“Or escaping.” Isabela added.

The girl nodded in understanding and disappeared off without saying anything more.

“She seemed eager to leave,” Luisa mused.

“I know right? I can’t believe Milo didn’t let me crash in on the fun.” Isabela complained, her eyes glued back on her phone. “How come both Dolores and Camilo get out of this but I have to be here?”

“No, I mean, not that. I mean… didn’t you see her? Her cheeks were all red; she was clearly blushing, Bela. And the rest of their friend group isn’t here. So there must be a reason why she came and not the others - and I don’t think she’s got the same prank-energy as the rest of them, so what gives?” Lusia broke off in a gasp. “Holy shit, she has a crush on Mirabel!”

It didn’t take long before Moana managed to slip her way out of the auditorium and eventually made her way down the music/drama department of their school. Though, to her, it felt like time was going painfully slowly. All the nerves and excitement crashing together like powerful waves and leaving her a mess.

“Hey, where the hell have you been? I’ve been waiting like forever!” Camilo demanded. Clambering off a desk he had been walking on and linking arms with Moana.

“Well, I—”

“Doesn’t matter, I don’t wanna know. We don’t have the time.” He pointed down the corridor. “Okay, so while I was ditching literature as usual this afternoon, I hid the orchestra marked files in that room. The one at the far end. It’s the one with that weird door that locks. The plan is: I’m gonna send Mirabel in, claiming I saw some papers in there - she’s currently searching one of the practice rooms - then I’m gonna send you in after her and lock the door…”

“And then?” Moana asked.

“You’ll talk and kiss and work everything out! And BOOM! Girlfriends!” He whispered-yelled into her ear. “It’s the perfect plan!”

“Yeah, I get that. How are we getting out?”

He shrugged, “Well, I’ll be nearby. Stealing snacks from the vending machines and hoping none of the adults or teachers catch me lurking. Just text me when you’re done. If I can’t get it open, I’ll just burst into the hall screaming for help. So… you ready to finally get a girlfriend?”

She stopped for a moment to catch her breath. From where they had stopped, she could just about see into the large room the orchestra used to practice every Monday. It was also where all the orchestra had left their bags and instrument cases for tonight, with Mirabel slowly scanning the space and tiptoeing between them to find the sheet music that should have been there. All perfect in her uniform as always, her flute still in hand.

“Yeah. I am.” She smiled, bashfully.

“Okay, great!” He snapped his fingers. “You go hide somewhere for now and I’ll convince Mirabel to check the room. It’ll be easy, I’m such a good actor!”

[tanzalatazaa]

I'm really sorry for any mistake, English is not my first language. I hope you enjoy it.

Summary: Bakugou overheard you (oc: Akira) defending him.

Maybe

Akira has been sitting on her bed for quite some time, feeling sick to her stomach. The memories vivid on her head, repeating over and over again.

It is almost midnight. The Sport Festival ended hours ago, and nobody seemed bothered, but for some reason she cannot stop thinking about Bakugou.

Every time she closes her eyes, all she can see is Bakugou's terrified look as he is tied to a post, with a fucking muzzle on top of him. She remembers looking around in horror, he was scared and humiliated, forced to be in the public eye of millions of people, and all they all did was laugh. How is it possible that no one can help him, how can no teacher do anything?! He's a 16 year old kid treated like a fucking animal in the middle of a full stadium, and no one does anything.

Bakugou has always been a tough guy, Akira didn't know him very well, but everyone noticed from the first day of class. He behaved with superiority and rudeness, and as the weeks went by, everyone realized that Bakugou was not an easy person to deal with. He showed no signs of weakness, and it was clear that he didn't want friends, Akira knew this since she tried and failed in the attempt, with only Kirishima being able to break through his walls and consider himself something close to a friend. But Akira knew that was a facade, Bakugou couldn't be that tough, no one can. She was sure there was something else under that mask. 

At some point people gave up, 'if he wants to be alone, let him be alone', that's what they said. So she knew their classmates didn't like him very much, but she never thought they could laugh at him, at this vulnerable and bound Bakugou, who was clearly asking for help.

When she looked up at him from her spot, she could have sworn she saw a single, thin tear roll down his cheek, and felt many more roll down her own. She couldn't take it anymore and ran out of the stadium, feeling like she was going to throw up. 

She locked herself in her dorm room at the academy. She was mad, mad at whoever thought it was a good idea to do that; mad at every person, every pro-hero teacher, who did nothing; she was mad at her classmates for enjoying that, and laughing; she was mad at every person in the stadium; and fuck! She was mad at herself for just running, she was studying to be a hero, and she couldn't do anything to even try to save him.

Those are the thoughts that run through her mind, still sitting on her bed. She wipes a last tear while she stands up, she won’t stand idly by. She will step up for him, even if he doesn’t like her, she will.

Akira rides the elevator down to the kitchen, she knows she can't do anything at the moment, because it's after midnight. She just wanted to make herself a cup of tea before going to sleep, while she thinks about exactly what she will do or say in the morning. With the cup in her hand she goes to sit on a sofa in the living room. Akira stands there quietly, alone with her thoughts and enjoying her tea, until she hears someone outside. Curiosity gets the better of her and she goes out to see who is sitting on the bench just outside the dormitories, to her surprise, she can see Aizawa sensei.

She doesn't know if it's instinct or the rage still coursing through her veins, but before she can think twice about it, her body heads over to speak. "Aizawa sensei" her tone is neutral. The pro hero looks at her with confusion written all over his face. "Nishimura, what are you doing up so late?". Akira sits down next to him without even asking. "I couldn't sleep" That's all she can answer as she takes a sip of her tea. "And why is that?" Akira can't contain the wry laugh that comes out of her mouth. "And why is that?" she repeats sarcastically, and before Aizawa can say anything, she speaks again "Maybe because I can't believe in this institution" Akira looks at him for the first time.

Aizawa doesn't seem to follow her "What exactly do you mean?" Akira sighs "Bakugou" she explains herself. "What happened to him?" he has the audacity to ask, Akira thinks. "What happened?" Akira is now furious, how is it possible that no one can see what's wrong. "What happened Mr. Aizawa is that you 'pro-heroes' thought it was a good idea to treat a 16 years old boy like a wild animal, that's what happened" 

The impassive look on Aizawa's face only makes her angrier "They tied him up, and gagged him in the middle of an event that is televised for all of Japan. Yeah, I know Bakugou can be difficult to handle, but that's not a valid reason to humiliate him in front of the whole world" She hates that her voice is shaking "If you feel you have the power to do that, then you are no better than the villains"

Akira is screwing up, she knows it from the blank stare Aizawa gives her, but now she can't stop, it's like her mouth is running on its own.

"I don't really know him, I'm not his friend, and even I could feel his fear, even if he never admits it, he was terrified. Being exposed and ridiculed by thousands of people, and not being able to do anything to escape, must be terrifying" Aizawa now seems to understand Akira's point, but she doesn't give him a chance to speak before continuing.

"His emotions are valid, no matter if they are wild, or if he doesn't know how to handle them. He was frustrated, and what he needed was support, good advice from the people he admires, not to be mocked by them. Because if it had been anyone else, everyone would be there helping and supporting, and saying how shitty it was, but because it was Bakugou, then all of a sudden it's funny..." 

Akira is now standing in front of Aizawa "No it's not, it's not funny, he deserves as much respect as anyone else, and the fact that none of you realize that, makes me doubt if you all deserve your title of ' pro hero'" Aizawa stands there speechless, he knows she's right, and now he feels embarrassed that his student is teaching him such a lesson. 

Akira doesn't give him room to say anything before going back inside. Only when she closes the door does she realize what she has just done.

Oh. My. God.

Fuck.

Fuck!

FUCK!

Has she gone too far? Now she's going to be expelled, and all her dreams will come crashing down, and her mother, what's she going to say when...?

"Hey" A voice interrupts her thoughts. She freezes, because it's not just any voice, it's...

Bakugou.

“Oh- ah, hey” She manages to say “Shouldn’t you be sleeping? it is way out of your usual bedtime” Akira tries to act normal, maybe he didn’t hear anything, right? “I woke up thirsty, I came here for a glass of water, but then I heard my name” He explains himself.

 Fuck, she thinks. 

“I- uh I’m-” Akira doesn't even know what to say.

She looks up at Bakugou, and he turns his head in an attempt to hide the tint of red that’s painting his cheeks. As he scratches the back of his neck he faces her again, his cheeks still a little rosy, now as he stares at Akira, struggling to find the words that could express what he wants “That was… wow” It's all he can come up with. Akira now feels her face burn “I just..” She’s been interrupted “What you said was… just wow” He waves his hands as he speaks.

"No, it was just something that needed to be said. It was terrible what they did to you, I couldn't just stand idly by" Bakugou is quiet, processing her words. He feels a small pressure in his chest, almost as if his lungs are having a hard time breathing. He wants to say something, anything, but he can't. Never in his life has anyone ever done what she just did, no one has ever defended him, not once. He knows how he is, so he never really expected anyone to care enough about him to stand up for him, and the way Akira just did, without hesitation, and despite his attitude towards everyone. She didn't care, and did it anyway. 

He knew what they had done to him was wrong, and she was right, he did feel scared, embarrassed, frustrated and unseen. But that's how he always feels, that's how it is to be Bakugou Katsuki. It's not new to him, he's used to it, to being alone and misunderstood, he doesn't mind it anymore, now he actually likes it, it's better this way. But what he's not used to, is to be seen by someone, and not only that, but also understood, and if that wasn't enough, he certainly wasn't used to being cared for, sort of.

As he overheard the conversation, for the first time he felt like he deserved it. Like anyone else, he deserved to be treated well. Ever since he was little he had been treated like a little monster that no one was allowed to be around, so he ended up believing it and making it his own. If they said he was a monster, then he would show them how much of a monster he could be. That followed him so far into his high school days, so it was no surprise to him to be treated like a wild animal at The Sports Festival, it sucked, but that's what he deserved, he thought. Well, that was until he heard her say ''His emotions are valid, it doesn't matter if they're wild, or if he doesn't know how to handle them'' and ''he deserves as much respect as anyone else'. Hearing that made his heart flutter and, even if he didn't realize it, made him truly smile for the first time in a long time. Someone was standing up for him.

“Uh, well I think I’m- I think I’m going back to my dorm” Akira speaks, waking him from his daydream. “No, wait” Bakugou says “Thank you” And that’s the first time Akira hears him so sincere, and genuine “Your welcome, Bakug-” 

"Katsuki" He interrupts "Call me Katsuki, please. You've earned it" They clash their gazes. As they say, the eyes are the gates to the soul, and for the first time Akira thinks she can see through him, she even thinks he looks vulnerable. Right there, she knows she's been right all along. Bakugou Katsuki is not what he shows people, he is more, and she is more than happy to find out who he really is.

"You're welcome, Katsuki" Akira gives her one last smile, before leaving to her bedroom, with a new feeling growing inside her, without even knowing it.

That left a lonely Katsuki lying on the couch thinking that maybe, he wasn't a monster; and just maybe, he didn't have to push people away; because maybe, not everyone wanted to hurt him; and in fact maybe it wasn't so bad to take the risk of getting hurt if it meant getting to know someone who could see him for who he really is, and not what he shows people to protect himself.

Who would've thought that a simple interaction would do so much for the two teenagers who had trouble falling asleep that night, because maybe there was a person on their minds.

And maybe this is not the end of this story. 

[asteria-argo]

🌹🪻🌸🌺🌷🌻🌼💐🥀🪷💮

🌹🪻🌸🌺🌷🌻🌼💐🥀🪷💮

🪻🌻🌺💮🌸

For To All The Better Places

(I’m not sure you specified how many actual kids are in Jamie’s class. I know “twenty some” for sure.)

You responded to one of my chapter comments (about how much I adore the students) by saying you have pages and pages of notes on the kids. And are sure most of it won’t ever make it into the fic.

Please feel free to brag or lament or gush over any and all of the kids to your hearts content here! Doesn’t have to be something that will ever make it into the story. Perhaps especially if it isn’t gonna be in the story.

Jamie has 24 kids in his class and I am very happy to say that every single one of them have names and basic descriptions! Most of them aren't very in depth but they've all got a basic blurb that has a couple of their likes and dislikes, a couple key personality traits, and notes on their home life if it's relevant.

A lot of them are just filler characters who don't serve a lot of purpose except to fill the room, but in Act II of To All The Better Places I have an entire subplot planned for these kids, I've mapped out their interpersonal drama, I have diagrams, it's a whole thing. Particularly Shiloh, who a couple people have already guessed will be important. I have three pages of backstory on her alone.

The thing about Shiloh is that she is in essence, Jamie before the fork in the road between kindness and cruelty. She is quite literally Jamie's mini-me, she acts exactly like him. She's overly confident and rude and doesn't have a ton of respect for the authority, which does include Jamie a lot of the time despite the fact we mostly see them getting along, but is also smart and kind and compassionate, absolutely filled to the brim with ambition and talent. She picks fights on the playground and disrupts lessons a lot and has an ongoing feud with several different teachers and students that usually ends up being Jamie's problem; She is also fiercely protective of her friends, she taught herself BSL so that she could speak to Toby when he doesn't have his hearing aids in, she helps Jamie set up for class every single morning, Kareem had to cap how many library books she was allowed to check out at once because she tried to borrow 18 at once and spent her entire recess arguing with him about it because she was absolutely positive she'd be able to get through all of them in two weeks.

She exists to parallel Jamie, she's a bratty but talented problem child who has a rough home life and is acting out because of it. Particularly, she exists to show Ted who has whatever the opposite of rose tinted glasses are on about Jamie, that things could have been different. She exists as physical proof that someone like Jamie could have been reasoned with and handled with kindness, if he'd only actually approached Jamie with curiosity instead of judgement, because for as much as Ted can believe that Jamie's behaviour was insular and judge him for it, it is near impossible for him to do the same thing to a nine year old girl that is clearly going through something. Especially because Jamie? He isn't going to let Ted judge Shiloh the same way he judged him.

Shiloh, Ted learns, is Jamie Tartt in miniature. Right down to the position she plays. “I’ll be striker,” she tells her half of the team. She’s not the captain, that honour going to Miss Imara, but she commandeers everyone's attention uncaring of that little fact, her hair pulled out of her face by two neat braids with red and blue ribbons braided through “ ‘cause I’m the best at that.” “I wanted to be striker,” Jonah says, looking a little hurt. Shiloh rolls her eyes at him, patting him on the shoulder consolingly. Ted’s not sure how a nine year old girl manages to come across as condescending, but she certainly finds a way. “You can still get goals even if you aren’t a striker” she says “you’re really fast, so you’d be a better winger like when we play at the park, so if we wanna win we gotta think about that.” “Isn’t this supposed to be just for fun?” Toby asks, head tilted to the side curiously. “winning is fun.” Shiloh says, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

I have a scene, like the one above but hopefully a little more fleshed out, planned for later on in the story to really make Ted think about the parallels between Shiloh and Jamie. He already thinks they act very similar, but it's the final nail in the coffin seeing her play and seeing nothing but Jamie. Which, since you've been reading the story and already know, Ted has a bit of a problem with confirmation bias in this fic.

This answer kind of turned into the Shiloh show but what can I say I love her, she's a very pivotal character in this fic. I have more to say about the other kids but this has already gotten quite long so I will be leaving it here with this picture of my actual physical notes that I have pinned above my desk for quick reference when I'm writing!

yes, I did alphabetize the roll call, and also yes, I did create a physical diagram of who is friends with who, and also also yes, I have all of their table groups written out in accordance to that diagram so there are no mortal enemies or best friends on the same table to cause problems. I'm thorough.

[lulu2992]

Hello! I was wondering something. In Vaas: Insanity there are six visions that occur in the hotel, five of which happen in numbered rooms: 1991, 2003, 2006, 2007, and 2012. So I was thinking, what if those numbers correlate to a specific year? Personally I think that it's kinda confusing, because that would imply that for example, Vaas rebelled against Hoyt in 2012. What are your thoughts? Thanks for reading!

Hello! I don’t think I’d even realized the room numbers could be years, but that makes total sense! I’ve just watched a video of the mission and there are two rooms with the number 2012: the one in which we see the Pirate meeting you’re referring to, and the one in which we see Jason kill Vaas. The second event did happen in 2012 so I agree: the room numbers must be years!

Now, about the Pirates wanting to rebel against Hoyt… While it’s true there were tensions between them and the Privateers in Far Cry 3, what we see in that vision is strange to me for several reasons. Firstly, why is there another “Pirate Leader”? Wasn’t Vaas their only leader, especially in 2012? Has there ever even been another leader? Who is this guy he’s listening to as a pupil listening to a teacher?

Secondly, what he’s upset about is the fact they want to “take the land from the natives”. That’s an inherently infuriating concept, sure, but in the context of the story, why would Vaas be surprised and angry about that? He knows what he signed up for when Hoyt recruited him, he knows his boss hates the Rakyat, and I even believe he started working for him in the first place partly because he felt betrayed and wanted revenge. The way I see it, Vaas becoming Hoyt’s right hand and leading the Pirates is his ultimate “Fuck you” to Citra and, by extension, the Rakyat. He wouldn’t complain about their land being stolen.

Thirdly, in the vision, when he asks where the men are from, they all (except the “Leader” who’s just been shot in the leg) say they were born “here”. The problem is that, in Far Cry 3, the in-game description said the Pirates “came to the island”, implying they’re all foreigners. Also, they have nothing but contempt for the Rakyat and their accent is not the same, so I’m not sure why Insanity implies most of the Pirates are native Rook Islanders. As far as I know, Vaas is the only Rakyat among them.

I also think it’s a bit weird to imagine they have wives, children, and “normal” family lives... but maybe some of them do, who knows?

So, in my opinion, the idea that Vaas himself asked the Pirates to rebel, especially for the reasons cited in the DLC, doesn’t make sense. On the contrary, it was he who maintained the fragile balance of power between his men and Hoyt’s, and it was precisely when he died that the Pirates, without a leader, started attacking the Privateers to try to get control of the island. I think it would have been strange for Vaas to “start a war with Hoyt” in Far Cry 3.

That said, it seems the DLC’s writers believed Vaas felt guilty for not becoming Citra’s “Ultimate Warrior”, leaving the Rakyat, and convincing others to follow him. I don’t really agree with this interpretation (and Insanity isn’t canon to me anyway) because he chose not to complete the ritual, still clearly resents the tribe, and I don’t think other Rakyat became Pirates, but maybe that’s why the devs thought the rebellion against Hoyt was Vaas’ idea.

Also, because Vaas, Pagan, and Joseph are unreliable narrators in Insanity, Control, and Collapse, some of the “visions” they experience, for various reasons, either never happened or show a distorted version of reality, so maybe this scene isn’t a memory but a fantasy, a romanticization of his past and a way for him to “correct” it in his mind. It’s possible Vaas never actually started a war on Hoyt but (at least in the DLC) wishes he had done it.

Again, I doubt this meeting happened or even could have happened in Far Cry 3, but I suppose that’s why the scene exists in Insanity.

[wisteriaiswriting]

ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕒𝕤𝕥

Words: 607

Not only was Violet Sorrengail now in the Riders Quadrant, he also had to deal with you. Another child of the rebellion, only on the opposite side. And he made his feelings for you crystal clear.

Quickly enough you noticed, feeling lucky about being in a different squad. That luck would run out soon enough, overhearing him complaining to a teacher.

“Why do you need them in the squad?” Time passed and he didn’t respond, only footsteps getting closer. Only having a few seconds to step behind the door before he swings it open.

If he knew you were there, he didn’t make it clear. Instead continuing on until he turned a corner, finally out of view and ear shot.

***

Violets squad didn’t start like normal, now watching a second squad enter, with you in front.

“Alright, no–” Cut off by people stepping onto the mats, Xaden first then you followed. “Fine then.” Your squad leader finished speaking, as the other was cut off.

“Hey, you two,” Calling for your attention, “You know the rules, just don’t kill each other.” The hatred between you two was clear. As soon as they said so, the spar started. Which didn’t feel like a spar, instead an actual fight.

Xaden launching himself at you, stepping away to try something. Only for him to grab your arm, pulling and holding it behind you. Using the leverage to push you onto the mat, smiling as you tried to escape.

At first he believes you’d tap out, which you would never do. Only for your head to slam back into his. Stumbling off as you spin around, keeping him down. He could easily throw you off, everyone knew that, but he didn’t.

Instead staring up at you. Soon enough the others called off the spar, jolting him back. Rushing up and out of the room.

“So…”

“Shut up.”

***

A knock at your door pulled you from your activity, it kept going until you opened it. Finding Bodhi standing, his arm raised.

“Oh, I didn't expect you to be here.”

“It’s my room, is it not?”

“Well- Doesn’t matter, you’re needed in the courtyard.”

“By who?” Instead of responding he walked away, towards the yard. Weird. Well, it wouldn’t kill you to go, right?

***

All he said was the courtyard, but not where. So you opted for the side, waiting for whoever needed you. Cut off by, seemingly the walls shaking.

Stepping out to see two dragons perching on the walls. Xaden’s dragon, who seemed more interested in you then he’s ever been. And Xaden himself demounting himself.

Then there was your dragon. She was a [Colour] with [Second colour], and clearly, much smaller than Xaden’s. And was looking at Xaden, and you weren’t sure why. She’s never shown interest, if anything, also hated him.

Without even realizing, Xaden was standing in front of you. His hand holding your shoulder, looking slightly upset.

“Did you hear m–, huh.”

“What.”

“You really thought I’d hurt you?” Holding his hand out for you to see, in it was one of your daggers. Specifically the first one you brought here, and on the floor were a few others he’d removed from you.

“With you? Absolutely.” Huffing as you turned away. His hand gingerly but swiftly, held your chin. Turning you to face him, his eyes looked down at your lips before looking back up.

“You’re terrible at hiding secrets.”

“Wh– HEY!” With that he pulled away, and started to walk. Of course you couldn’t let him get away with that, so you ran after him. Hearing the dragons huff, or at least something similar at your banter.