#until i am for real thinking about a real person as a romantic object and suddenly nope i like being single 4ever

[moinsbienquekaworu]

Confirmed. There is something going on with me

[lavenderyoonji]

pretend this isn’t me you’ve never seen me i don’t exist

[weirdmageddon]

why i think aradia and john work so well

(with some stuff i’ve been wanting to yap about for ages)

have you guys ever given arajohn / johnradia (idk if its popular enough to even have a standardized ship name) any thought …? i know it seems kind of out of left field. i’ve considered it and i think its. really really good. i have a bunch of thoughts to unpack. come join me. and maybe grab a snack or something because i didn’t realize how much i'd actually have to say about this

(fantastic art by skeletood)

the other day i made a tweet that did rather well where i said, “john and aradia shouldve talked more. its so simple but i like how she actually earnestly answers his questions. so many characters in this comic are so mean to john for just wanting to know more give him a break”

putting it out there now im not big about shipping for the sake of shipping. there needs to be real chemistry. i need to sense that as a reason why two characters would potentially be a good influence on each other. i never knew why i was always so obstinate about this because it’s fictional and not materially hurting anyone, but i think it might be because i’m not sure how to justify it or explain it if not.

i strongly believe john and aradia would have had it made out for them if circumstances allowed it. (what i mean by “ship” or “johnradia” extends to any kind of interpersonal dynamic, even if just a good friendship. it doesnt even have to be romantic, just some sort of dynamic with them.)

unfortunately aradia originally committed herself to staying out of trolling the kids over their timelines, so john and aradia never talked until year 3 on the ship in the dream bubbles but they never had a truly proper one-on-one without outside meddling. i think if john knew aradia better and her story beforehand, she had more time to explain herself and her history, he wouldnt have been unsettled. and also of course if his experience with the trolls didn’t suck so bad because he already had expectations for how antagonizing most of them were.

i found people’s sentiments about johnradia elsewhere too. i remembered that they were both on the song art for ascend, and searched ao3 to see how many fics have been written to gauge how substaintial it’s been in the homestuck fandom. only 17 of them turned up. but the people who do talk about it are either curious about it or really do like it, and that interested me.

clearly it’s pretty niche character relationship to be depicted in any fanwork and i can understand why. despite being so small, from what ive seen it seems universally agreed upon to be nice. i haven’t seen a single person object to it. what ive seen falls into two categories: “wow i didnt think about this before but i actually dig it” or “(starving) finally some good fucking food”

the pattern im seeing is that people think it’s “random”, but i disagree. there is something there substantiating it even if they’re unable to articulate it.

the fanfic these comments are from is chronology of wind. that fic is really, really good, and sadly unfinished. i have more abstract reasons to believe why aradia and john would be good in theory, so actually seeing someone else actually make something with them helped me read it in action, to get a more tangible feel of the dynamic beyond what we have in canon.

i wouldn’t normally make claims about a relationship with regard to homestuck canon by looking at their relationship in a fanfic, because i think you all know by now i am very nitpicky about accurate characterization, and it does not go unnoticed by me when people get it right because for some reason it feels like a one in a million thing (even though it really shouldn’t be?). so this was a special case. the tone was completely consistent with canon. this fic is so in-character i’d basically consider it an extension of canon. to me it’s like they took the same characters and plopped them into this scenario to see how they’d interact. guys… i love that stuff so much. i love fanfiction or fanworks that depict realistic extensions of canon and stays true to the energy and tone of the source, but deepens it. there isn’t enough of it imo. i want to see more of it.

anyway, what i read of their conversations in that fic basically aligned with what i was thinking in my head about what i’d expect it to be like. i was able to compare how aradia and john talked to how aradia and the other characters interacted, their comparative attitudes towards each other—how they’re treated by others compared to how they treat each other.

have you noticed john and aradia’s communication values are both based on sincerity, being in the proper know, treating people fairly, and thanklessly taking on the necessary work that “must be done” in order to have what they really want — a good time that feels meaningful? and they accomplish this without any adjustment in how they talk to each other.

john is always subtly (or not-so-subtly) asking the people around him to answer him soberly and to the point so he knows whats going on and what that means for what his options are. he needs to know to what end he will be applying his absurd energetic drive into making shit happen. aradia honors his time before john can even become uncomfortable with the amount of time being eaten up by conversation. contrast this with rose, who seems to go on for a while with prose-like conversational adornments. in dire situations that need rapid explanation and definitive answers so he knows what to do, this is really the last thing he needs. aradia doesnt waste john’s time. she answers all his questions, and does it politely to boot. his time talking to her doesn't feel wasted.

john's impatience with this sort of nonsense is also why i can’t see something like dirkjohn working out, for example. to me it feels like @entropicbias also deeply understands this on some level because i literally couldn’t have demonstrated what i mean by it any better myself than that. i'm gonna have to to hit him up about how much i genuinely respect that like tbh hes one of the few i absolutely trust to handle writing and depicting these characters in situations and their interpersonal dynamics. and also care about doing their characterization justice as much as me.

of course people are still entitled to like whatever they like, ship whatever they want to. i dont care. but i just don’t think it would work from the perspective of the minds of the canon characters, how they generally think and approach situations. and i can already tell people might ask me how do i know this? what makes me an expert? i’m not more than anyone else is (although i have been called a "characterization expert" from my friends), but i do know that i can pick up on the energetic chemistry between people, including characters, honestly precognitively, without even thinking? like if it’s stiff or tense or awkward, if people aren’t free to express themselves uninhibitedly, if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable. i can sense this almost instantly. it’s something that’s a visceral feeling in my body i cant express and i have to rationalize it after the fact. like i’m doing now in fact writing this big analysis.

> listen to me talk about my special interest boy

for the next section to make sense, you probably want to read this post. i initially started writing it within this post to explain but there was so much brewing i had to explain the context that it turned into something i wanted to post on its own terms.

> okaaaaaayyyyy i read all that

thank you, really. my main point is using the conceptual tools provided by this system to expIain why aradia and john feel nice together and why i’ve seen people positively perceive the idea of a relationship between them even if it seems “random”.

framing them in this system, it wouldn’t be random! there’s a good reason they seem to fit nicely. this is because john and aradia have complementary forms of information metabolism. information metabolism is talked about in this section.

Jung’s psychic types are the types of cognition, or intelligence. But it would probably be easiest to call them types of IM [information metabolism], since the main difference between the types of people lies in their exchange of information with the external world.

Aushra Augusta, Commentary on Jung’s Typology and Introduction to Information Metabolism

aradia megido’s type of information metabolism (otherwise known as a TIM) is LII. john egbert’s TIM is ESE.

aradia and john’s types are duals. you can read more about what that entails here. in theory, their interactions would reflect the duality dynamic. reading chronology of wind, that one really in-character fic that explored their dynamic made me excited because they do!

michael pierce gave an overview of his impression of the characteristics of this intertype dynamic. despite only rough knowledge in socionics while he wrote this, his understanding of duality was spot on to me from my experience and others and i wanted to share it here. (fittingly, i believe he is also LII.)

Now we have the famous duality relationship: in a nutshell, this role is characterized by two traits: 1) a very close psychological distance or intimacy, and 2) a great ease of interacting with each other. It is sometimes described how meeting one's dual can be the event of a lifetime, because it inspires aspects in each party's character that they had never expressed before: the pair may even drop out of society for a time in order to focus on just each other, and to explore themselves through interaction with each other. The curious thing in this relationship is that these parties are rather different in outlook, and when they are not actually interacting as potential friends it's probably more likely for them to dislike or mistrust each other because of how different they are. […] However, when they are able to interact normally, it is a strange and wonderful discovery to realize that the interaction is unexpectedly smooth and invigorating. It's hard for people to describe, but as I understand it: while both parties recognize their differences on the surface, these differences are created by a root structure that coincides perfectly with each other, so that the differences on the surface are entirely complementary and cause no friction at all.

it’s also meaningful to consider that the structure of my own psyche is LII as well. so i’ve got a bit of a bias towards aradia and john.. not in the sense that what i actually say about them is personally biased, but that the bias is moreso my personal attention to people and characters of these two types in particular to see how my own experiences are reflected in them. i really do feel of a reflection of my own thought and work process in aradia and in the more abstract sense she is like an extension of myself. when people say they like aradia as a character i get secondhand joy from that because shares certain specific traits with me. of course i am still my own person though.

these are some of the most apt profiles i've found for these types at a glance. again, think about these characters as you read these descriptions. [from here (ESE / LII)]

ESE (Ethical-sensory extrovert) - john

The trademark quality of this type is a focus on socializing and guiding social situations and interactions so that the people involved can have fun and enjoy themselves. ESEs are typically in the middle of what is happening socially and know about the latest events and what people think and feel about them. They are skilled at bringing people together in fun and interesting ways and making everyone feel actively involved. Their friends know them as people who love life and feel most at home in social situations surrounded by other fun people. In their pursuit of fun-oriented and stimulating social interactions, ESEs typically neglect to structure their own thought processes and views in a way that would help them know exactly what they think and why. They are receptive to others’ attempts to help them introduce more structure and logical consistency in their life and thinking processes. They gravitate most to people who open up to fun and emotional interaction easily, yet are also skilled at systematizing thoughts and views and explaining ideological matters.

LII (Logical-intuitive introvert) - aradia

The trademark quality of this type is a focus on logical, structured thought and generating true assertions and views. LIIs are typically strict thinkers who are concerned that everything fits together in a logical way. They are skilled at understanding, generating, and criticizing logical arguments and instilling their views in the people around them. Their friends know them as people with well-organized thoughts and opinions who know what they think and can elucidate their ideas to others. In their pursuit of logical understanding, LIIs typically neglect their external social interactions and activities that would help them lighten up and experience a connection with other people. They are receptive to others’ attempts to create these fun and lighthearted situations for them. They gravitate most to people who are interested in their opinions and understanding of things, but are also skilled at organizing social interactions and creating a sense of emotional unity.

ive recently consciously experienced the feeling of duality for the first time since i've been communicating with my mom's high school classmate, and it is definitely a real thing. i even remember mom pointing out she noticed when we were all talking on the phone over a year ago that i perked up whenever he said stuff. here is how i explained it:

its bonkers how only once i experience something for myself i’m able to explain in detail what makes it so great based on what my impressions about it were because i tend to have a peculiar way of describing the qualities of an experience. my specialty is deep precision in my analogies for what it’s like. so now i can tell you how conversations with your dual feel… heres the status report. it’s weightless. its so strange. like the topic conversation stretches into infinity that you can pick right back up at any time. it’s hazy and unfocused but still pleasant (unless you’re particularly self-conscious and need to unlearn hiding your true self). but the best parts of it come when you have a specific issue or insecurity that comes with being your most natural self that the world seems to misunderstand about you, or just not give you what you don't even know you’ve been looking for. i think you might mutually intimidate each other at first because you're lowkey both expecting to be made fun of for your inadequacy with certain types of information that the other is nuanced with (and you’re not), but it never comes. you don't feel like what your dual wants in life is wrong. your dual seems so talented in all the ways you hope to shine but you’re always unsure of. for the introvert (me) wishing they felt their own active presence as an object (Se, Ne, Te, Fe) like the extravert does. for the extravert, wishing they felt their own relationships with other objects (Si, Ni, Ti, Fi) like the introvert does. any other intertype relationship (ITR) vs. duality is like the difference between 99% and 100% totality of a solar eclipse, except it’s the level of understanding with another person, like the eclipsing of your own information metabolism with theirs. of course there are other things that influence how well your relationship with this person goes, but i am talking strictly about when it comes to basic communication, the level of understanding you share. sometimes it might feel like you dont have much to talk about or the topic is unfocused, because you two ARE opposites in many ways after all, especially at a glance (domain of interests usually come with specific macroelements. theories about thought structures—like socionics, for instance—are in the domain of intuition, while physical interests and experiences are in the domain of sensorics.) i’m LII in the NT club (researchers) and my dual ESE in the SF club (social-communicative). so they’re constantly providing you with information from their own niche in life that you may be entirely unfamiliar with, but for some reason still interests and relaxes you to hear. you might not feel like you have a lot to say about the topic since but you are fully amazed by this person’s activity. it also makes you feel more sure of yourself and more confident that people truly appreciate and need your natural abilities.

> let’s break it down

here’s some lightly modified descriptions of the information blocks in LII and ESE's information metabolism models from pyatnitsky so you can get an overarching impression of how their type contributes to the informational sphere. i added some of my own adjustments and borrowed some sentences from stratiyevskaya's descriptions. additionally, you can click on the name of the block for an explanation of the role it plays.

i put about a week’s work into these collages but my goal with them was to actually show where i think these information blocks are most pertinent in these characters specifically and where they apply so it’s not just some abstract thing, just as supplementary examples as needed. (for the meaning of these information elements individually you can refer to cysia’s document.)

LII (Logical-intuitive introvert)

EGO (-Ti? -> -Ne!). Analytical thinking. They are well aware of the interrelationships of some objects or phenomena with others, and what laws are in effect or not in effect. On the basis of a comprehensive analysis, they put forward insights about the global essence of specific objects and phenomena, their possibilities. They acutely charge the situation with potential energy. For every situation, there is an archetype.

Super-EGO (-Fi? -> -Se!). Normative ideas about relationships between people and ways to get out of unpleasant ethical situations. Understands ethics as founded on the principles of fairness; to do to one side of the equation that you do to the other. Volitional manifestations in order to protect their living space are carried out only on the basis of personal experience. Because of the limited opportunities to fight back, they react painfully to attempts of any interference in his life. Does not respond to any arbitrary crudeness or volitional pressuring. Does not compromise goals, stubbornly clings to them. Avoids direct confrontation if possible, would rather talk civilly and earnestly. Uses their naturally strong sense of the conditioning of objects over time to avoid collisions with their material interests. Due to this, they may appear as someone with very little weaknesses.

Super-ID (+Fe -> +Si?) Attracts information about a good mood, a specific positive state, or a feeling. They would like to think that they can eliminate serious inconveniences, make the environment around them more comfortable. This skill needs to be evaluated. They are unconsciously activated when there is a need to make the environment more comfortable, which should lead to a better state, raise the mood at least in the immediate environment. In friendly, comfortable, and informal company, their cool exterior thaws and they start lighting up with joviality.

ID (+Te! → +Ni?). Has developed guidelines and methods that relate to specific practical activities, technological effectiveness, and resource use. Spontaneously feels the correct allocation of resources over time, which allows them to effectively solve tasks at an unhurried pace. This pace is deeply rational in nature.

ESE (Ethical-sensory extrovert)

EGO (+Fe! -> +Si?). Perception of the world is fundamentally emotional. Feels the emotional atmosphere well in any situation, knows the relevance of the way of expression, the place and weight (importance) of the internal state in each situation. Flexible approach to solving problems of managing and expressing emotions. They show bright emotionality both negative and positive. Creatively produces around themself comfort, coziness, conveniently arranges space, surrounds others with beautiful things, changing thereby the general condition and mood. Usually opinionated about their tastes.

(wow i really went all out on that this one that tumblr wont even display it in full resolution, so here. john just has so many more lines to choose from, sorry!)

Super-EGO (+Te! -> +Ni?). Practical and technological thinking is tightly based on acquired knowledge and patterns of solving similar problems. Methods of business activity in both general and specific areas are selected based on the opinion of reputable sources, or adjusted to one of the mastered templates. Predicting specific changes in the sphere of their interests is carried out only on the basis of personal experience. He is not able to compare his own method of forecasting with others, so he is sensitive to criticism of poor timing or deadlines, does not like situations that feel like a waste of his time; he is lost in connection with negative events. Guided by purely personal experience, he chooses specific times and deadlines for various tasks with a normative understanding of business activity in general.

Super-ID (-Ti? -> -Ne!). Attracts information about the order, specific logical relationships in the field of activity or interests. Needs someone to suggest specific ways to make connections between phenomena, patterns, and rules. Tries to be reasonable himself, even though he knows that this is not characteristic of him. Sometimes he openly talks of his actions that were poorly reasoned through, as if inviting other people to laugh at his thoughtlessness. The ordering and systematization of thought opens up a new way of understanding of events that are happening around him, as well as new prospects, potential, and capabilities. He likes to think that he understands the essence of a situation and lights up with new ideas. This skill needs to be evaluated. It is unconsciously activated when it is necessary to create order, clear consistency and clarity on a particular issue, especially if their abilities are recognized.

ID (-Fi? -> -Se!). Involuntarily keeps track of communications in their social circle. Without hesitation, they use a variety of ways to establish and maintain relationships that have been developed in his personal practice. Good relationships are important for personal inner confidence in a situation. To prevent unfavorable relationships, they are inclined, often without even realizing it, to act with pressure, forcing a showdown, forcing the partner to change the relationship for the better. Frequently demonstrates his resoluteness, persistence, and purposefulness, as if proposing his behavior as a model for imitation. Usually tells in much detail what obstacles were created before him, and how he overcame them, what he was told in response, and what he replied with, and so on and in the like.

(full res)

you might be able to see already how they would complement each other's thought process nicely. here are some descriptions of what the communication between these types is like:

+Fe! : program function of ESE and dual-seeking function of LII

The ESE periodically tells emotionally charged "program" function stories, telling of how somebody has acted and what they have done. The main orientation of ESE's leading ethical program is: "No one should be offended." The LII carefully listens to these statements, and, demonstrating a full understanding of these issues, develops logical basis for them, e.g. in calm persuasive voice he explains how the ESE has acted justly and fairly. The effusion of turbulent emotions coming from the ESE is counterbalanced by their absorption by the LII, who breaks them down into fragments by asking clarifying questions of the ESE.

-Ti? : dual-seeking function of ESE and program function of LII

The ESE is tuned to accepting information when it's relayed in clear logical form. He issues requests for logical explanations delivered from a point of view of generalized rules underpinning specific life events, which he receives from the LII, who delivers clear unambiguous interpretations, places the dots over all "i's", and demonstrates good understanding of problems that are of concern to the ESE. Not receiving information of this kind, the ESE begins making demands of those around him to be "intelligent" and understand the reasons of his actions.

-Ne! : activating function of ESE and creative function of LII

The ESE feels uncomfortable if he doesn't extend his help to people who are in need of it. His subconscious orientation is: "care and guard the talented", be kind and attentive towards other people. The LII usually meets such criteria by proving in action his aptitude at uncovering hidden capabilities, winning trust, passing on the knowledge. The ESE creates supportive conditions for people who are capable but lacking in assertive "push-through" qualities, among whom the LII finds himself, and a special work regime that protects such individuals from overloads on sensing functions. Newly discovered possibilities inspire and promote the pragmatic and business-oriented activities of the ESE. He can support a new undertaking or initiative with an enormous amount of energy and enthusiasm, light up by new ideas. Only the LII is able to, even having a vague general notion about the subject, construct a developed theory or idea of any issue. This theory shows to be promising in the process of its concrete application within its field.

+Si? : creative function of ESE and activating function of LII

LII tries to take care of their well-being, but may gravitate towards demonstrative asceticism, exhaust himself with work, studies, or exercise. The ESE periodically takes care of creating an environment that "charges" the LII with pleasant sensations: a reception of guests, a good meal, a visit to a theater or a concert, an interesting trip, and so on. At the same time the ESE takes pleasure in this himself.

+Te! : role function of ESE and observing function of LII

The role function of the ESE manifests as business-oriented activity and initiative, supplying interesting information, provision with material assistance to those who are in need, general restlessness and fussy busyness. This function is normative, i.e. the ESE seeks to comply with the norms and accepted ways of doing things. The nuancing of the understanding of these norms, i.e. introduction of activities that go beyond them, is possible only by considering LII's advice and recommendations. The LII serves as a director of this function, adjusting its workings by advocating the necessity of practical application of some beneficial ideas, rejection of useless though spectacular ideas, and the need to ensure standards of life not below average by rejection of equalization.

+Ni? : vulnerable function of ESE and demonstrative function of LII

The ESE poorly feels the flow of time, both physical, which manifests as running late and poor distribution of his strengths over time, and historical, which manifests as poor ability to anticipate consequences of actions and tendency for traditional ways of solving problems. The ESE finds it difficult to make radical choices. The LII fully takes this aspect onto his shoulders. He has an unconscious ability to distribute activities in time, thereby avoiding work stress and overloads, and is capable of making a radical choice. The LII is able to calmly wait and in the necessary moment get to work when the wasteful fussiness of the ESE reaches its critical point.

-Fi? : ignoring function of ESE and role function of LII

On this function the ESE gives advice and makes demands concerning the creation of appropriate psychological distances in form of proper behavior, courtesy and politeness, denouncing rudeness and boorishness. In this manner, the ESE adjusts LII's role function, which in itself contains a set of large psychological distances: a sullen stubborn look, unsociability, etc. With such fine-tuning it becomes easier for the LII to come into contact with people, whereby he becomes more animated, resolves many of his ethical problems that previously frightened him, gains greater insight into human relationships and a more accurate understanding as to whose side to take in situations of conflict.

-Se! : demonstrative function of ESE and vulnerable function of LII

The LII finds it very difficult to exert pressure on other people from his own will and initiative, especially in cases when he needs to attain something for himself. He finds this difficult to do - to press ahead in certain situations, to gather all the required paperwork, to stand in lines and queues, to petition for his own interests, even the ones that are of vital importance to him. He finds it difficult to push a person away, to sharply refuse someone, to quarrel loudly and defend his rights, to put an end to relations that have exhausted themselves. The ESE doesn't directly affect this function, i.e. he doesn't verbally criticize and teach the LII on this aspect, but takes over its functioning completely. The ESE exerts a constant, sometimes intrusive and imposing pressure on other people if there is a need to achieve something, to defend justice and demand fair treatment, to protect interests of those who are close and dear to him. The ESE goes to the right jurisdictions, inspires people around him and directs them towards work and purposeful activity, keeps up a high pace of life himself, and breaks off relations with those who don't deserve trust.

and some miscellaneous excerpts from literature i liked a lot. (i can't remember the sources i used since i've been working on this on and off, for the past week and i was just spilling things onto the post. i think stratiyevskaya?):

Mood - that’s what matters in this dyad - emotions and feelings. Anything that suppresses and overshadows good mood is considered unethical in this dyad and is strongly condemned.

The ESE does not allow the LII to limit him in the possibilities of consuming the amount of pleasures and joys, which he considers to be necessary and sufficient. Fortunately, both partners in the dyad - LII and ESE - are obstinate and unyielding. Both are demanding, unwilling (and not allowing anyone else) to lower the bar of their requirements, unable to give in and make concessions (especially in anything that is of principle for themselves). Both know how to make their partner reckon with their interests and insist on the fulfillment of their demands.

LII is impressed by the emotional generosity of ESE and his spiritual responsiveness. All this finds the deepest understanding in LII, since he is tuned to the same priorities and values. For his part, ESE admires the ability of LII to speak clearly and definitely on every issue. ESE is struck by the harmony of the reasoning of LII, the amazing clarity, accuracy and laconicism of his statements. To ESE it seems that for LII, there is nothing incomprehensible in this world; he can give a comprehensive explanation on every issue. And everything that ESE thought about before is gradually being built into a definite and clear system of views, which he can now very freely and naturally present. Confusion and chaos in his worldview gradually gives way to a stable logical order, as if someone patient and careful was sorting all his thoughts into shelves. Such clarity inspires and activates ESE; he begins to see some prospects for himself, new opportunities. His energy and activity, in addition to emotional and ethical expression, also receives sensory realization: ESE begins to take care of LII and carefully looks after him. If LII is a colleague with whom ESE is especially pleasant to communicate with, he begins to treat him with something tasty, homemade; will make some small, but beautiful and necessary gift (for example: new cologne or a warm scarf).

> okay that's great and all but when are we talking about john and aradia specifically?

yes, that was the point of this post. i just had to build all that up first so i could walk you through my thoughts in a fully substantiated way.

considering chronology of wind again, john doesnt realize it but he needs aradias frankness and insight. even if she’s unable to explicate on vague things, she states the reason why instead of making him feel stupid (it would create a doomed timeline) but thats all john needs to hear. she is self-effacing and only tells him the truth, and we know other people can take advantage of john’s suggestibility in this way. aradia tells john who is or isnt trustworthy, what actions would be useful/necessary and which ones wont, without any selfish personal motive a la vriska or terezi.

^ (juuuust the record my nitpicky ass doesn’t agree with the truth of the classpect interpretation on behalf of the author in the last bit BUT that is beside the point here. the point is that she is answering john’s question in a way that is meaningful for him)

aradia doesnt realize it but she needs john’s friendy goofiness to brighten her up because she is surrounded by people who antagonize her when she’s literally not even trying to get under anyones skin. everybody gets frustrated at her “spooky nonsense” because theyre afraid of their own mortality, basically telling her to put a lid on it because thinking about hard truths makes THEM personally uncomfortable. but to her it’s always just been a fact of life. plugging your ears to reality is ignorance, but at the same time that doesn’t mean there’s no meaning in anything. she wants to help people see this and she dedicates herself to becoming a psychopomp for the deceased and earnestly trying to make people feel emotionally and physically comfortable in their situation through exploring their memories.

john isn’t hostile towards her. by being herself she is immediately able to earn john’s trust when they initially talk. this is also true in canon; the one time they talked when john initially comes up to her, saying “can i ask you something? seem reasonable, and pretty nice.” unfortunately he asked her the one question she didn’t have much to say about, and i can’t blame him for expecting all the troll girls to be basically insane at that point. but i don’t think aradia is insane. yes she is odd, but i think it’s evident that she has a good head on her shoulders with knowledge of the way the universe around her works, and in the end wants to simply bask in watching it play out. i think she deserves to get childishly excited about it, especially considering she was dead for most of her developmental years.

aside from getting his answers answered, john shows curiosity about her and her species and even care about her well-being and state. this naturally comes from their conversation’s ebb and flow. aradia tells this straightforwardly, without bells and whistles and without trying to trick him, unlike the other trolls who seem keen on well..trolling him.. and providing him with unclear answers to those sorts things. maybe aside from vriska, but she did have a little bit of an attitude about it wherein her and john’s dynamic felt uneven or off-rhythm, with a large psychological distance. it’s a different feeling with aradia, however. they exchange information on the same rhythm and so are able to achieve a closer psychological distance in communication.

there are no judgments coming from aradia about john being “stupid”. she doesn’t underestimate him. it’s not just that john wants to understand (although he does), but he needs to understand what he is doing. aradia compliments john about the traits he possesses that allow him to be effective. i guess in a way i’m doing the same thing with john right now.

john is so mobile and strung along by being the action hero going from place to place as a can-do deliveryboy that he never has time to reflect on his losses, think through them, and accept them.

literally who else is more qualified in all of homestuck than aradia for talking to john about these things?

on top of all of this, they have objectively significant connections beyond just mutual self-realization in a way i think could've been fleshed out. there is potential here.

for a story, i can think of a way that a conversation between them could plausibly happen using the systems established in homestuck's mythology. in canon, we see that john never met aradia until year 3 on the golden battleship in the dream bubbles when he goes to sleep.

but john still dreamt out in the furthest ring. that means during those 3 years it was possible for john to have had a dream with her in it, or at least aradiabot. i know john didn't know aradia's name beforehand but let's just explore the possibility that they could have had met before that. remember that all these aradiabots were once this person.

aradia had obtained john's crosbytop, his dads hat, and his wallet quite a while before their sgrub session. theres your entry

imagine john seeing that

memories of dear old dad get stirred up through the link of seeing those items

the dream bubble transforms

john is forced to stand in his memories and explore grief and the meaning of life with aradia

physically being in the space around him would definitely help john reflect easier i think because it will force him to actually exist within the space and talk to someone, taking some time out for this. he wanted to know if anything could've been done or if he was just too late to save them. i know aradia would be able help him slow down and introspect. don't forget the opportunities created by the properties of these spaces that are glubbed out in the furthest ring by the horrorterrors that meld the labyrinthine time and space of their surroundings to the memories of the people and finding others through common points in memory. i would imagine that objects known by multiple people would provide a common point in memory to bring them together.

The bubbles allow the players of Sburb/Sgrub who have lost a life to continue dreaming. The reality constructed in the bubbles is a combination of the memories of everyone inside the bubble accessible to any who has learned the bubble's nature. According to Aradia, it would be quite difficult to exit a bubble to get into a new one, however someone inside a bubble can travel to another one through common points in memory, taking their own memories with them to be integrated into the new bubble. These memories mix and combine, but in general, no new memories are created. Additionally, the bubbles store the consciousness of a player who has lost their dream selves and their original selves, making them double as a form of afterlife; the player is then capable of accessing the memory of anyone else who has gained access to the bubbles. Living players, who have lost or become their dream selves, appear in the dream bubbles when they are asleep. It is in this fashion that the bubbles can be used as meeting places between the dead and the living; even those from alternate universes and doomed timelines can be found in a bubble. Furthermore, in addition to memories, the bubbles can to some extent reflect the thoughts of a player. Beyond that, the bubbles can also behave similarly to Skaia's clouds, showing things that are in some way relevant to the player - such as when coin-flip Dave saw alpha Dave grieving over Bro's corpse - something he was not aware of before being shown it by a bubble.

physically reflect the thoughts of the player…… rubs hands

john and aradia share points in memory related to those objects, and to top it all of they are directly related to john's dad on the same day he died, while aradia grew up with them as bizarre alien artifacts from an archeological dig. the memories are more emotionally charged for john, and i think that distinction would probably be relevant to them both.

to be honest i think after speaking with him for a bit she would readily tell john that she regrets not talking to the kids from the universe her team created sooner before she died, but is glad that she can in the afterlife. in canon, alpha aradia told a doomed dave, "i think its absurd i never introduced myself to you in all that time i spent moping around the lab. guess i wasnt in a very good mood".

now not all the aradiabots would know who john is, because the trolls only found out about the humans once they created the genesis frog and hid out in the lab in the veil from jack who infiltrated their session. the aradiabot in the lab was the last one that survived. so if any one of them would know who john is, it would be the aradiabot that exploded. aradia's dream self ascended to god tier in jack noir's rampage on trolls' derse and took those memories with her which we can assume is what made the last aradiabot explode. its known that any original copy that dies when another rises up becomes a ghost and lives on in the dream bubbles, which would include her. a doomed aradiabot we see in the comic, which was the one that originally landed to alternia in the past, becomes more lighthearted after she dies, a bit more like her alive counterpart.

oh yeah, and the more obvious surface-level connections to top it off? ghostbusters? john ain't afraid of no ghost girl. john would be genuinely interested in what aradia living as a ghost irl on her planet and not as a gaming abstraction in the furthest ring would be like. i imagine she would be able to explain the subjective experience and that she had to prototype herself into the kernelsprite order for her server player to see her. there's also no way john hasn't seen a movie as classic as indiana jones and judging from her poster i can imagine he probably thinks it's sweet that aradia's strife specibus whipkind is a reflection of her own personal tastes, interests and hobbies.

so yeah i've just been chewing on all of this and thinking about it but i know i needed to just get this out there somehow. obviously since i spent two weeks putting this post together i'd be happy to hear your thoughts

[chaifootsteps]

some reassuring comments under that Forced Positivity video:

I swear to god if Apology Tour is just Blitzø apologizing to his innocent little owl boyfriend I’m gonna lose it

I really don't like how much of a hypocrite Stolas was in this scene, and i REALLLYYYY hope that it was an intentional scene of him being hypocritical and not the writers genuinely trying to make us think he's in the right here.

on my hands and knees begging that this scene was an intentional character flaw on stolas' part that they will have him work through in future episodes, bc ong there is no way they just completely forgot abt every single character interaction stolas and blitzo have had until this point and sure stolas was secretly craving a relationship, but only the viewer was let in on the secret and he never talked to blitzo at all about being more than hook-up buddies. blitzo was completely valid with all the points he made in the argument and if they try to make him feel sorry or apologize to stolas I will be so mad …

I'm glad you addressed Stolas' gaslighting efforts with Blitzo. It was always about sex as far as Blitzo was concerned. Blitzo wasn't around for or made privy to Stolas' revelations that he was exploiting Blitzo for sex. It's like Stolas just expects Blitzo to inherently know how he is feeling, when Stolas is very forward when it's about sex, but closed off when it isn't.

I really really choose to believe this is an intentional character flaw, Stolas is sort of short sighted and emotional, I think he'll realize. He'll probably realize. Please. Please let him realize. i love him way too much for them to make him this stupid and then act like he's right. please. i didn't even consider they might do that.

This is why I’m aggravated by people who are on Stolas’s side after the argument. People forget that all the emotional/sympathetic moments that we (the audience) have seen from Stolas in season 2 have not been seen by Blitz— Blitz has only seen the horny, disrespectful, unserious Stolas that we also knew him as in season 1 before Ozzie’s. Stolas has NEVER taken Blitz seriously, so how was Blitz expected to all of a sudden believe that Stolas had real romantic feelings for him?? I know it’s because Blitz has low self worth and doesn’t believe anyone could love him, but it’s also because Stolas has only treated him as a sexual object up until this point. I am going to be so upset if the show treats this as if Blitz was in the wrong for yelling at Stolas

feel bad for that second to last person honestly - like Stolas absolutely was stupid before this point but in the first season it was framed as a flaw and in the second it was the blink and you miss it text exchange they used to address Ozzie's with where he couldn't tell what Blitzo was upset about after just being told

What this reply roundup feels like to me.

[sgiandubh]

I’m reading the new Clanlands book. I was hoping it would be a fun read like the first one, no narrative. I’ve now read two different passages in the book where Sam talks about running into a woman he finds attractive whether it’s a hotel patron, hotel staff, or shop worker, including this passage about Valentines Day. He hoped to ask the woman making his smoothie on a date and instead ended up alone in his hotel room on Valentine’s Day dreaming about a romantic night in his hotel room with the fantasy date that never came to fruition.

I wish for once we shippers could get a win instead of taking one step forward and two steps back if you know what I mean. It’s hard to hold out hope of Sam and Cait ever coming out publicly when there’s interviews and books filled with the narrative.

Dear Valentine's Day Anon,

You start with a lie. You are not reading that book. You have read someone else's (dutiful Marple, as always, all hands on deck) choice of salacious/commercial/crappy sentimental passages of a 150 to 200 pages book chock-a-block full with other things. You, therefore, have an F- from me for laziness and naïveté. When you speak about a text, any text (and this, Anon, scarcely is literature), please be honest with yourself and wait until the end. The same way you should never judge a book by its cover, do not judge a book by some excerpts someone picked up in order to show you how desperate the author is to sell it.

Reading is a personal affair. Buy the book. Read it all. And then you'll be qualified to have a grounded opinion. I am not in a hurry to read it and I certainly had no hopes he would give us a single ounce of his reality or truth in a commercial companion to a TV show, as this book clearly is.

Then, there's also that: it is a ghostwritten book and not a very good one. Travel books are also always rife with false self-references and I hope, for one, you do not believe there is anything remotely objective in Marco Polo's Book of the Marvels of the World (some say he never got where he told all the Western World he did!). And if Marco Polo himself lied shamelessly, why wouldn't SRH do exactly the same, for the needs of a scantily cobbled show where he is playing the decoratively fit clown along his older, wiser, nerdy companion?

I was shown the reactions to those dutifully poisonous posts. A mob, cackling and the host gleefully throwing gasoline on that fire (but oh, no: she is not a hater - my foot she isn't). The only comment that truly broke my heart, Anon, is this one:

What a terrible person must the woman who wrote that be! What a horrible, empty life she must have! Please, for the name of everything holy, leave Chrissie Heughan out of your putrid pettiness! She raised her boys by herself and with very little. Whoever wrote this comment should really, really be ashamed of herself. She can even say whatever she wants about SRH, but she should leave his family out of her hatred. Not a single woman in that thread corrected or challenged her. Not. A. Single. One.

You also tell me you are tired with the tango. I also think no real shipper could fall, by now, for these tired tricks. And if you do believe the interviews and books more than they should be, you are the perfect fodder for those interviews and books that can and should be questioned, as anything else in this strange story is critically questioned every single day.

So you see, Anon, I will perhaps be interested in your grounded opinion the day you will come back after reading the whole book, not Marple's Reader Digest version. If anything, your uninformed, gluttonous curiosity backfired. Unless you came here to spread the holy shite on this doorknob, too. But that is your problem, Anon. Not mine.

[pinkeoni]

The Importance of Lonnie Byers in Season 5

After much theorizing and consideration, I am confident beyond a shadow of a doubt that not only will Lonnie be present in season 5, but that he’s actually crucial to the main plot of the story.

I’m going to first explain why I think his appearance will be important from an objective storytelling point of view and then theorize what I think his role is actually going to be.

TW: Discussions of child abuse.

Lonnie’s absence has created major unresolved conflict with both Will and Jonathan

I wanna start by saying that I’m looking at this from an objective storytelling point of view and not in the context of real world situations.

Lonnie has only appeared in season 1 and has not made an appearance since. In fact, he hasn’t been mentioned by name, only indirectly mentioned majority of the time by Jonathan. Will and Lonnie haven’t even shared a scene. This creates a huge hole of unresolved conflict between Lonnie and his sons. In fact, the only member of the Byers clan who has resolved their conflict with him is Joyce.

When Joyce is in an emotionally vulnerable state, Lonnie shows up and she clings to him, despite how much he belittles her. Eventually Joyce stands her ground, defends herself, and then demands that he leaves. We can see that Joyce has finally moved on from him once she has moved on to different and better romantic partners in later seasons. She hasn't even mentioned him, not in the way that Jonathan has.

In each season, Jonathan has brought up his father through dialogue. It usually revolves around Jonathan's inner conflict of fearing that he is becoming like his father, and that his father has affected who he is today.

And given that this has been brought up in every season, we see that this hasn't been resolved yet. Lonnie returning would be a good opportunity for Jonathan to come to some kind of self realization.

In the case of Will, it's pretty unclear how he really feels about his dad. Aside from a few lines of dialogue from season 1, we don't get much in the way of Will's point of view. However, I do think that Will misses his dad. I think this could also create interesting conflict between Will and Jonathan; Will is highly receptive of their dad coming back and Jonathan is not. Jonathan and Will have never really had any conflict before, so it might be interesting to see them fight about something. If everyone is on the exact same page about Lonnie, and there was a simple resolve, it wouldn’t be interesting to watch.

Again, as stated above, I want to be clear that I'm looking at this from a fictional storytelling standpoint. I don't think that abuse survivors need to confront their abusers in person in order to find closure, however when discussing fictional characters and character arcs, leaving the show without any confrontation from either Jonathan and/or Will would leave that conflict open.

Lonnie's absence tells me that they are holding out on something big from him

The fact that Lonnie has not shown up in the past three seasons informs me that when he does show up, he'll likely be the catalyst for a major plot point. Think about it this way, if Lonnie were connected to some kind of major plot twist (such as Will's powers) then it would make sense to not bring him back until the last season, because doing so prematurely could set in motion some of the larger set pieces that needed to be saved for the ending.

I think if Lonnie were truly unimportant to the future plot, then they could have wrapped up his arcs with Will and Jonathan earlier. I think he could have easily fit in to season 2, especially with the focus being so heavy on the Byers family in that season. But no, they are holding out on him until the very last season, which speaks to the importance of his role in the main plot of the story.

Lonnie is likely connected to Will's powers

Now that I've explained why he is important to season 5's plot, now comes the part where I theorize about what his exact role in the story will be. Namely, I believe that he is connected to Will's powers.

I'm not going to go into all of the theoretics involving Lonnie and Will's powers, that would just make the post even longer than it already is. I've made a few posts in the past exploring Lonnie's possible connection to the lab, which I think is highly likely. You can read them here, here, and here.

I have another large theory post where I discuss how Lonnie may have even been the trigger for Will's powers here, which relates to another long theory post I made regarding Will's childhood memories here.

There's a lot of different ways this could go, but either way, I think Lonnie is a major part of Will's powers and is likely connected with the lab. Will doesn't remember this very well, but seeing his dad again could likely jog his memory.

Lonnie could likely die, following a pattern set by the show of abusive figures dying

I've theorized about how this could go in a number of different ways, but the ending is still the same. If Lonnie were to die, it would be the third in a pattern of abusers dying that started with Billy's death and was continued with Papa's death in season 4. There also seems to be a string of deaths involving father figures, starting with Bob and season 2 and again continued with Papa in season 4. Either way, Lonnie Byers your days are numbered.

Here's a rough timeline of my prediction of how I think the season could go:

Lonnie returns very early on after the time skip. He claims to be there to make amends with and spend time with his boys.

Joyce and Jonathan are weary of his return and intentions but Will is excited to see his dad again.

Joyce decides that Will's feelings about his dad should be up to him, while Jonathan is more combative. This creates tension between Will and Jonathan.

Unsurprisingly enough, Lonnie is there for his own personal gain, probably connected to the lab. Most likely sent in by Owens

As Will discovers the extent of his powers throughout season 5, his childhood and the extent of Lonnie's abuse will likely be revealed to him, forcing Will to contend with the fact that his father is a monster

The above bullet is a mirror to El's arc last season with Papa. Except now, Will will likely be horrified to learn this information and will want to see his father as good as much as possible.

There is a final confrontation between Will, Jonathan and Lonnie which is likely the climax of whichever episode it's in, likely episode 6 or 7.

Lonnie's arc ends with his death.

I know that a lot of the details are a little loose toward the end, this is something that I'm still theorizing about and putting together. Regardless of specifics, Lonnie's importance and likely appearance in season 5 is something I'm still highly confident in. Let me know what you guys think, or any predictions that you have!

[hollyhomburg]

Oh wow i thought mc just poisoned the don/beta but she did it. Was she eating poisoned treats at the end? Like was she trying to poison herself afterwards?

I need to go reread the beginning bc now im like is she more clever than previously thought. Like did she pick yoongi for safety?

she was eating the poision treats at the end in an attempt to poison herself! i honestly think her drive to keep living in that moment was like- so minimal, she just wanted to feel a little bit of something.

this is a really interesting question in particular, i think about it really often, but i think like initially- yes, the m/c did choose yoongi for safety. mostly because there were so few people she could interact with without geumjae hurting her for it at the time she met yoongi. it was litterally just moonbyul and hyejin- but i mean- we all know that relationship and how it functioned- so that wasn't exactly safe either. At the very least when she was seeking yoongi out it was with safety in mind. "i can be your friend without it being a threat to my safety."

however this very quickly changed once he started to talk about the pack and she started to realize "oh, he's actually a good person, not just a bad person pretending to be good," and then "i'm never going to have a love like he describes, but it's nice to hear him talk about his pack. i wish someone would love me that way, yoongi is such a good beta, he'd never go for me as damaged as i am"

i don't think she ever thought he even /could/ have feelings for her until he kissed her (wow how am i just realizing he kisses her in the same room she killed the don and beta in???? woooooh), and then of course once they're mated and kind of stuck with each other forever it gets a little bit more real and concrete and their feelings for each other have a foundation to stand on.

before then, i don't think yoongi was trying to save her so he could love her, i think he was just trying to save her because he thought his brother was treating a lovely soft person so violently and objected to it on a moral level. his own feelings of how attacted and how much he liked to be around her be damned.

After they were soulbonded they both realized "oh, we can actually have this" it's worth the refresher that they did not consumate their mating bond until several months after they'd bonded, after they'd moved into the house and had been living there like- i think it's along the 20's in terms of chapter- when you see that flash back of their first time.

i think before then- they hadn't really been so certain of their feelings, that it was a truly romantic love that they were feeling or just a product of their circumstances.

[silver-wield]

Hi! I feel like I've found my people in you. After beating Rebirth, I've had extremely complicated feelings towards the ending and though it's slowly marinating with me. One of the reasons why the ending has been bothering me is because I've just felt off about Aerith's characterizations.

I was endeared by Aerith in remake but in rebirth I totally see the qualities that some people in og did with just how tone deaf she can be. In a way, I find that her character is interesting since she's flawed but her pushiness to cloud just rubbed me the wrong way. If ppl get Aerith in chapter 8's date we see Cloud clearly mourning Jessie and the only thing she cares about is if Jessie was a gf...like girl come on. Do people not see how this comes off?

Which brings me to say, I just don't get Aerith. The devs portray tifa and aerith as close so clearly she knows about Tifa's feelings and even seems to push the two together at times but then she constantly seeks Cloud's affection and even says they went on a date in front of Tifa? That's where her character loses me. Her constant seeming to push CT together yet constantly seeking Cloud's affections despite knowing Tifa has feelings for him and a shared history just doesn't sit well with me.

I can appreciate Aerith recognizes she doesn't know the real Cloud but this is why I'll never understand why Cleriths are so insistent that CA are "romantic" - she dies so she *never* gets to see who the real Cloud is. They clearly have a deep bond that helps enrich the story but the fact that Tifa's role was greatly expanded on in part 2 should be telling but some fans and Cleriths just straight up ignore that. Cloud is also the one who initiates everything with Tifa...the only time he's ever vulnerable and VERBALLY opens up his true feelings is with Tifa (Gongaga) and it baffles me how Cleriths just bypass this entirely. It makes me realize they're just here for the ship and not for the overarching story.

I just feel like I'm being gaslit by Cleriths or some fans who insists that Cloud loves both girls. I'm definitely not denying that the og had more leeway with this but in Remake and Rebirth? I would say the opposite. Tifa is the best suited for Cloud *and* he feels the same way. I am all about shipping whoever you want but CA's are always spewing nonsensical things. The theme songs, the over analyzing hand holding debacle and bringing up japanese culture as if a kiss isn't the most intimate thing between two people regardless of culture. Ignoring the most central theme of the songs which are regret (Cloud's guilt in hollow of failing to save her) ...Yes NPTK is about Aerith TO Cloud but we never see anything from his perspective TO Aerith. Guess who does? Tifa. Cleriths also conveniently ignore that Tifa was pushed to the forefront the entirety of rebirth until the final 2 chapters for obvious plot reasons and they all dismiss Gongaga's near kiss between CT.

Then there's Aerith's dream date at the end...Cloud has no agency in that date, he can't even choose the items himself! It's HER dream and things are predetermined for him. And is it just me or is Aerith basically re-creating her date with Zack in CC? I get why CA's think that dream date is romantic but objectively it doesn't read romantic at all...it just reads tragic because Aerith knows she's about to die - one last ditch effort for her which just doesn't amount to anything other than Cloud caring deeply for her as a person/friend. Or am I just not seeing something that "everyone" else is? Aerith herself sounds unsure how she feels towards him. Yes she has feelings for him but she's never been able to fully define them ("There's liking and there's liking"...huh?) This is also the perfect opportunity for the devs to have both girls in equal footing and cloud still doesn't kiss her or makes his supposed romantic feelings known. I like to understand the "bigger picture" in the narrative and the bigger picture to me is just obviously spells out Tifa in the end - just from a pure narrative standpoint.

And do Cleriths not see how Cloud reacts to Aerith? As someone who actually likes Aerith minus her pushiness to Cloud, even I was surprised at how he straight up told her to stop calling it a date in Costa Del Sol. Cleriths argue it's "cute banter" but this is where they lack media literacy because lmfao if anyone said this to me irl I'd be mortified because Cloud really does not give any indication that he's "joking." And Cloud doesn't even remotely have any kind of dialogue like that towards Tifa at all...even all of Tifa's optional choices are sweet at best and neutral at worst but you can straight up be an ass to everyone else including Aerith.

I just hope that in Part 3, the devs just kill the LTD with finally cementing CT and tying everything nicely with them and Aerith and Zack. Zack is one of my favourite characters ever and I feel like they did him so dirty in this game...having Marlene straight up tell him to his face that Aerith loves Cloud like???? He deserves his happy ending and perhaps WHEN Aerith and him reunite (cause they're both dead they have to right?) then it'll all click to her.

Also, Cloud is a really well written character and I really do not think he'd go after his dead best friend's girl who he just remembered. It's such a disservice not only to Zack but to Cloud's own character. The fact that Cloud says "Zack fair, head over heels for Aerith" is telling, no? Objectively and narratively CT and ZA make the most sense but again I feel like I'm constantly being gaslit into seeing CA when I really don't and the only thing CA has going for them are the last 2 chapters which are Aerith heavy for a reason because you know...she dies lol.

Sorry I didn't mean for this to be long but just wanted to have some engagement on the topic (I know you always get asks but just wanted to get something off my chest!) Thank you so much!

Couple points: hollow isn't about Aerith in any capacity. Hollow is set before Cloud arrives in Midgar and an instrumental of it plays in the wasteland outside Kalm near where Zack died, so yeah, not about her.

And nptk is about zack. If it wasn't then why tf is she crying at the end? If it's about Cloud then why doesn't he acknowledge this obvious confession in her date or any other? Why does he take Tifa's hand? Literally the opening verse about how she didn't know how much time passed until she saw someone who reminded her of Zack is the only part featuring Cloud and it's hardly complimentary. It highlights she only took an interest in him because he reminded her of Zack. Idky anybody would want something that skeevy.

Tbh I hate both songs. They're shit.

Gaslighting is what those dumdums do. They don't play the game, they skim YouTube and lie about the clips they saw.

The best thing to do is block and ignore them.

[jmdbjk]

The maknae line

Much has been seen, said, done, thought and fought over when it comes to Jungkook, Taehyung and Jimin. 

These are just my opinions about Jimin, Jungkook and Taehyung from spending hours and hours watching content. I am missing years of witnessing content as its released, but hopefully I have done my due diligence, gone back and watched and I’ve seen enough to come to logical conclusions. 

And like everyone, I noticed the connections between these three as well as their relationships with the rest of the group. They all share closeness due to their respect for each other, their commitment to the group, and their passion to their craft. 

All I want to do is write some stuff down about each of their personalities and my impressions of how they act with each other and what it might mean. These are my opinions and might be stuff you all have heard before but here they are anyway. Feel free to disagree and form your own opinions. Also, please feel free to point out if any of the images I used were edits because I just searched and grabbed some just for illustrative purposes.

I formed my opinions based on my fandom experiences throughout my life including my journey with BTS which began early 2020 because that is when I actually started paying attention to the individual members. Ok, it was Jimin. Jimin is who I paid attention to at first. (hahahaha) 

Then I started this blog as a way to discern what I was seeing between Jimin and Jungkook, so I will use this as a jumping off point to describe my interpretations of the relationships between Jimin and Jungkook, Jimin and Taehyungie, and Jungkook and Tae.

RelationSHIPS...I knew what shipping was before BTS, but it wasn’t until BTS that I learned there was an actual word for it. Shipping is a construct of fan culture (as we know) and involves pairing two individuals together and creating romantic or sexual fantasies and imagining extended narratives about them based on what is observed. Or actually, based on nothing other than a fan being (sexually) attracted to at least one of them. Fanfiction and fanart are sometimes manifestations of this shipping mechanism that allow fans to have something “real” that bonds them to the objects of their obsession. Fanfiction and fanart can also be simply expressions of fandom and have nothing to do with shipping.

Most rational people still understand that shipping is fictional, but some are not able to distinguish the difference and believe their fantasy is reality. Please hear me out.

All the members are aware of shipping culture. It’s been part of Kpop since the get go. There’s no way to NOT know about it. And because Army is so huge, there’s a lot of shippers. I think the members most likely don’t pay much attention to it.

Anyway, because I am going to talk about pairing them off, I wanted to speak about my opinion of what shipping is. Now to say my thoughts about each member of the maknae line:

Talking about Jimin first because I’ve been paying attention to him the longest: He is a deep thinker. He is meticulous when it comes to details. 

Jimin is very empathetic, has very strong compassion towards others. We call him emotionally intelligent because he can sense when someone needs support and doesn’t hesitate to offer it. He can be openly emotional. He feels emotions at a very deep level. At the same time, he can be very closed off and we have no idea what he’s going through. This would be the super-private Jimin. 

And we know he cares very very deeply about those he loves. I also think he has a hidden need to feel that appreciation and care and trust reciprocated because of deep-seated insecurities about himself that he’s had to work through over the years. 

When it comes to his work, he can be extremely laser-focused on goals. He has a work ethic and ambitious drive that is off the charts. He is a natural self-starter and a natural leader. 

Other words that describe Jimin: Professionalism. Perfectionist. Constant self-reflection. Humility. He has stated a few times that when he realized Army was still standing by them throughout the pandemic, he thought he could have or should have done more in return. 

Jimin lives to be an idol, we’ve heard him say that and we know from years of content that he puts his heart and soul into his singing, dancing and performing. He used to be so hard on himself if he wasn’t perfect. This is his perfectionism and insecurity. 

He has said when he dances he is in his own world. To me, that means he feels a high level of confidence and freedom when he dances and this allows him to be the bold and assertive Jimin that we saw for so many years.* (refer to notes at the end of this post)

In his WeLive last week, he assured us he was living a very emotionally calm and routine life these days. His days are filled with the work it takes to make music. He looks forward to a return to the stage soon to see us because he’s an idol and that’s what he does. He is actively taking care of himself to be the best idol he can be. Jimin has found a version of himself that makes him happy right now. 

We know Jimin is not really a loner. He reminded us during Festa dinner in June. He is not a soloist, he is part of a group. It is part of his MBTI make up. Personality tests like that will ask the same question over and over, just in different ways. His answers would have leaned toward feeling more comfortable with people, most likely his circle of friends, and not being comfortable when alone. He needs someone to play off of socially otherwise he shuts down. 

And apparently his “recharging” mode is sleeping.**

As I said, Jimin LIVES to be an idol. He thrives when he’s with the other members. 

Because Jimin is not a loner Jimin needs people in his daily life. People that he trusts, that know all of him. It would make sense that it would be people who can really relate to his lifestyle and life’s work.

At Hobi’s party, after getting over his initial apprehension in an unfamiliar environment, Jimin mingled and spent time with many guests. Instagrams are full of pics of him and others at the party. 

Let’s talk about Kim Taehyung now. 

Social butterfly Kim Taehyung is definitely an intensely playful personality. He has a great imagination and is very skilled at spinning up a character on the spot and thus acting comes easily for him. 

And this leads to one of the main things we love to see in he and Jimin’s relationship: their ability to spontaneously jump into roleplay with each other without saying a word.

Tae has hinted that he’s felt “trapped” (maybe not the right word) in his BTS persona. We’ve heard him talk about wanting to show us other sides of himself as well. He has said that he tried to keep V of BTS and Kim Taehyung separate. This might be something they’re conditioned to do as trainees? I’m not sure, but in Kpop, it’s been said that group members are given a role to fulfill. I don’t know if BTS adhered to this much. If they did at first, they eventually shed this as not being authentic. 

But being one to “act out,” Tae can look at people like they are the love of his life, he has this gaze where it looks like he’s about to take them back to the hotel and jump in bed with them and it is not limited to anyone in particular. The times I mostly remember seeing this are during performances. When he does this it is Tae in full “V of BTS” mode. 

As much as he’s said about wanting to go beyond V of BTS or to find Kim Taehyung, I don’t think he realizes his idol persona TODAY is really not going to be too far off center from his real self because typically as we mature, we just tend to naturally and unconsciously shed behaviors we no longer need to fit in with our peers and social circles. All the members have experienced this. 

Writing this, I realize I probably have not seen enough of the real Kim Taehyung to really say as much about the private Tae as I can about Jimin and Jungkook.

I think private Tae can be very sensitive emotionally. His family is important to him. He doesn’t like rules much (actually I think all three of these guys pick and choose which rules they want to adhere to hahaha).

Tae explores what’s out there in the world, he is more cosmopolitan and lately, he’s really shown us how far and wide his interests span in his tastes in art, fashion and other passions. He’s kind of an old soul with an avant garde streak.

Tae makes friends very easily and is very at ease with his other male friends.Tae is the kind of person who can maintain many friendships at a high level because of his very social nature. He has no problem introducing himself to others as we witnessed during the Grammys this year.

Of all the members, I believe Tae would be the one to handle his album release in a similar manner as Hobi did, having a listening party and it be like a laid back piano/hookah lounge vibe type thing where everyone is sitting around on sofas drinking martinis and eating canapes and couple dancing.

At Hobi’s party, Tae flitted about from person to person, danced in the middle of the dance floor like nobody was watching and pretty much was in his element. 

Here’s Jeon Jungkook:

I don’t know how you can hate Jungkookie. He’s like an open book. What you see is what you get. What triggers people to hate on him? I have no idea.

But Jungkook’s personality... to describe him is to just watch him in action ... I would say Jungkook is the most quirky personality of all the members... the weirdo of the bunch. 

Jeon Jungkook is an anomaly: starting so young and then finding such global success at such a young age in the cutthroat Kpop industry and still be the sweet, unassuming person that he is, is a testament to how he was able to handle the hard work, grinding schedule, and good luck of having god-given talent and the influence and support of the other members...ESPECIALLY the influence of the others that surrounded him as he grew up.

He is a free-spirit creative. Passionate about singing and dancing and whatever thing is fascinating him this week. The man has perfect pitch vocals and dance skills that are world class. He has a desire to be different. He’s not very outgoing, but like an expressive introvert. Almost what we call a wallflower. Not exactly moody. Aloof? Anti-social is not really correct either. I will find the right word... but definitely NOT an alpha to all you fanfic writers HAHAHA! Definitely NOT the conversationalist that Jimin and especially Tae can be. 

Half the time, he appears to just be along for the ride, but I don’t think much gets by Jungkook. Very observant. Very intelligent. Very good memory. But sometimes just can’t stay focused which manifests in being fidgety.

Not an instigator. But not really a follower either... A FREE SPIRIT I SAID! I think he is slightly impulsive too. Has a competitive streak. He has stated he is lazy which to me says he is not a natural self-starter but when he puts his mind to it, will learn a skill or become very disciplined... examples: his boxing pastime and adhering to his conditioning regimen for performing.

Jungkook has matured enough to take care of himself well these days. When in situations that make him uncomfortable or with unfamiliar people, he can now handle these types of instances with confidence but he had to learn how to do this. Jungkook being the type who is not a self-starter, he needs a motivator in his life, but once he gets started, watch out, the golden maknae will become the master. 

At Hobi’s party, after checking out his surroundings, Jungkook mostly either sat alone or danced with Hobi. 

NOTE: Of course, I was not at the party, no one except the people who attended can really say how the members were while there and who they hung around most. I only have the available photos to illustrate my points. 

Jimin and Tae:

Their documented history is well-known. They have talked about and displayed their emotional connection many times. I already touched on their roleplay and their soulmate relationship. 

Jimin and Tae butted heads at first, same-agers, young and hungry to be successful at their careers when they debuted, still rough around the edges.  We’ve heard from the other members that Jimin and Tae were most likely to have disagreements pre-debut and in the early years. Still learning how to live and work as a team. Which led to the infamous dumpling fight. The dumpling fight supposedly led to what sounds like an emotional soul-to-soul talk. 

The story goes, they went around sulled up for a while, then got together, talked it out. Probably some (alcohol-fueled) words were said to each other that peeled away layers and layers of emotional self-protection. If you are able to  reach that point, it is very liberating to bare your soul to someone and have them accept you as you are.

I think Jimin’s natural compassion touched something in Tae so profoundly, it made Tae look at Jimin in a totally different light. I think Jimin allowed Tae to feel like he could take (emotional) risks (as a male) that maybe he had not considered or was uncomfortable to do before. And this is the foundation for their level of comfort and ease with each other. They worked it out and the word “soulmate” got stamped on their relationship from there on out. 

Today, I believe all the members would consider each other mutual soulmates on some level, but Jimin and Tae were the first to reach that level and maintain it to this day.

Jimin and Tae have told us they speak to each other often. I think they are great supporters of each other’s well-being but I don’t think they spend a lot of time together when not working. Their interests are too divergent.

Tae and Jungkook:

From what I’ve seen, it’s a classic close sibling relationship. I see a lot of rough housing puppy play especially when they were younger. They were partners in crime when it came to being mischievous back then. A lot of physical closeness and skinship. Teasing, some big brother/little brother love going on.

Nowadays they just seem like best buddies slinging their arms around each other. I think Tae naturally falls into his hyung role very easily with Jungkook. I think sometimes Jungkook is done with it though. It’s like super-intense Tae clashing with laid-back Jungkook... a push and pull that is very subtle but it’s there. 

I watch carefully but I don’t see a really noticeable emotional connection. 

Jungkook and Tae have a great work relationship as does the entire team. That’s what makes them the top of the game. I see A LOT of interactions between Tae and Jungkook while performing, while they are in front of cameras. I don’t hear much about what goes on between them when they aren’t performing.

I don’t think Tae and Jungkook spend much time (if any) together when not working. Their interests are too divergent. 

Jimin and Jungkook:

Though they basically grew up together, Jungkook was able to mature into adulthood under the watchful eye of Jimin who was years ahead in maturity.

I would say everything Jungkook knows about being compassionate and empathetic toward others, he learned from observing the other members but mostly Jimin. Everything he knows about work ethic, he learned from Jimin. Everything he knows about enjoying life and celebrating other people, he learned from Jimin. How to navigate uncomfortable situations, he learned from Jimin. He’s said more than once that he watches Jimin and its obvious in all the years of content that he’s always watching him.

There is a palpable level of chemistry between them on-camera. This is the type of thing you can’t really fake. You either have it or you don’t. We’ve seen movie actors have such great chemistry on screen, and then we hear about them actually dating and sometimes getting married in real life. You can’t fake the chemistry. 

I think Jungkook enjoys a comfort level with Jimin that he does not possess with the other members. I think we all agree on that. There is an intimacy and closeness in their body language and tone of voice toward each other. It’s been a documented fact by staff and people on the street that they spend a lot of time together during work and off work. What they have in common is their approach to their work and what they choose to do off-work.

There is also a push and pull that is sometimes noticeable between Jimin and Jungkook but they are not really like the others. The thing that sets them apart is the lack of honorifics, the body language and the facial expressions. You just have to watch closely. This push and pull is more about their personalities than the age difference/honorifics customs. 

I could go on and on about Jimin and Jungkook because, in my opinion, they have the closest bond amongst the maknae line. I am certain we will continually see this bond between them express itself no matter where they are. 

What does all this mean “shipping-wise”? Since in my mind, shipping means an imagined romantic/sexual relationship, I will say I am not a shipper. Vmin are not dating in real life. Taekook are not dating in real life. 

I will be honest here, when I see taekook trending, I DO look to see what it is and it will be Tae and Jungkook next to each other in whatever the latest content drop is and that’s fine! But I can never scroll very long before I reach a post that is an edited image (edited Jimin out and inserted Tae with Jungkook, etc.) or toxic/negative/hating on Jimin so I stop looking. I never see this level of toxicity with any other shipping groups.

If any of them are dating in real life, it would be Jimin and Jungkook. Not fantasizing, not creating a narrative. Just watching and seeing things as they happen. We know what we think from the things we’ve seen, but the truth is something only they know. 

=====================================

Further explanations noted with the asterisks:

*That long break during the pandemic almost shattered Jimin’s ability to hold on to those parts of his idol persona that were what we call “shameless and bold”. Where did “shameless” Jimin go? Why are we suddenly confronted with so much “shy” Jimin? We heard him say he wondered during the pandemic what his purpose was since he could no longer perform. Jimin lives to be an idol. I would venture to say all that anxiety really wore him down and made him question everything. And the lack of immediate feedback of an audience during all those recorded performances made him lose his confidence somewhat. His subconscious was telling him “what’s the point of this?” But as they returned to performing with live audiences, we saw hints of the old Jimin returning. During the Vegas concerts we really witnessed Jimin getting his mojo back finally. 

**Comprehensive personality tests will also describe a person’s natural recharging/rest mode. Some people get recharged by being active like participating in sports, being outdoors, or some other highly physical activity, some recharge by reading, gaming or doing another low physical energy/high brain energy activity, others recharge by socializing with people, and then there’s those who recharge by sleeping. All are valid and natural reflexes according to personality research.

[baroquespiral]

hello. i saw a video featuring aella then saw your twitter through it. i immediately stopped watching the video as i do not agree with many of their takes, but i would like to understand them without watching a video about kinks through the lens of the political compass. could you possibly explain what gender maximalizing is, what a gynocratic traditionalist is, and what the sphere you operate in is called? Thank you. (there was an article when i looked it up but im not going on medium)

wait what video with Aella am I in lol. anyway most of the things in my Twitter bio are at least partly a bit, do not represent any kind of relevant external movement or phenomenon, and you are not going to find explained anywhere else anyway so. "gender optimizationist" is a kind of contrarian response to the formerly popular position of "gender nihilism", a framework that tried to decentre the discourse of innate identity in justifying/accounting for gender fluidity, transition etc. by basically adopting the maximally deflationist position that gender is entirely an ideological construct covering material oppressive systems but letting people identify & do whatever they want with it is truer to the premise of its abolition than restricting specific behaviours and identities as actually existing "gender". I actually do find this useful to bring up when TERFs claim stuff like "trans people believe in innate gendered souls or what role you fit determines your gender" etc. but still think it concedes too much so my own position of "gender optimization" is like, gender is real at least insofar as something we consciously construct, people's identities aren't less objective than their historical origins and we can and should continue the project of shaping and rebuilding it until we make it something that can accommodate the maximum of everyone possible (and leave exits for people who don't want it)

"gynocratic traditionalism" is not entirely compatible with this and while I didn't take either completely seriously I used to struggle with this more before I got into Thelema and clarified my spirituality & ontology in a lot of ways. for completely personal poetic/psychosexual reasons I was simultaneously inclined to read gender as actually real in a metaphysical/spiritual sense, albeit one that doesn't map to biology or patriarchal gender roles and mostly derives from reading The White Goddess by Robert Graves way too young. almost nobody remembers it now but that book was part of the broader "matriarchal antiquity" trend, a huge influence on Wicca and the New Ageier side of second wave feminism, and argues that the original religious/magickal tradition was the essentially henotheistic worship of a Great Goddess of life, death and nature, who was self-sufficient but produced for her own pleasure a secondary male god who dies and resurrects with the agricultural cycle. human gender is then a reflection of this higher metaphysical order, with woman as the superior term in the hierarchy, and the "warrior" dimensions of masculinity being descended from a form of sacrificial kingship ritually representing the life-death cycle of the Goddess' lover. I'd basically argue the "gender optimizationist" position relative to left queer theory but this relative to right-wing mythopoeic traditionalist accounts of gender, which as an intensely capital-R Romantic personality I did at least get the appeal of and offered it as a "feminist" alternative to. people like RFH have kinda picked up the baton of that now although I have some obvious issues with her framings. I used "gynocratic" instead of matriarchal bc one of the interesting things about Graves' version of this hypothesis is it doesn't actually focus on motherhood and reproduction as much as the wombyn TERF stuff; for instance instead of the more famous Wiccan "maiden/mother/crone" formulation for the Goddess' three aspects he uses "maiden/nymph/crone", implying that the default adulthood stage wasn't necessarily settling down and popping out babies but a freewheeling sexuality where reproduction was an individual choice supported by the community, controlled by abortifacents etc. should probably clarify that, after quite a bit of going back and forth on it and my Twitter presence was designed to be plausibly deniable in either direction, I am pretty much a low-Kinsey bisexual cis guy who socialized into predominantly queer, especially trans spaces mostly just due to neurodivergence and general nonconformity. a lot of my weird gender politics is subtly in dialogue with MonetizeYourCat-era Tumblr stuff (imo the more honest version of today's mainstream heteropessimism) about whether it's even possible or ethical to exist as that you didn't mention them but just to have on record re: the other stuff in the bio, "presuppositional leftist" applies the idea of presuppositional apologetics to my left commitments in the sense that they're not premised on any descriptive claim about reality but rather presuppositions of why politics would even matter to me in the first place, and "Canadian materialist" is a joke on Canadian idealism. my Substack bio is more up to date with where I'm at now but I like keeping the Twitter one around bc every now and then someone has a really funny reaction to it I don't really have a "sphere I operate in" so much as I float around the edges of different subcultures, study them and make friends with people I find interesting. currently I feel like I'm kind of in tpot, kind of in the "irony left" and kind of in parapolitics/esoteric "schizoposting". and also trying to carve out a niche in the online subcultural arts scene: my major passion project rn is my indie press and in particular our serial fiction journal (new issue coming out this month!) featuring two of my novels

[spectermansion]

taylor swift legacy challenge 🦋✨☔️🧣🕊️🐍💕🌲🍷🕰️

— SURPRISE!!! hi!! welcome to my very first written out legacy challenge. it’s no big surprise that i love taylor swift AND the sims, so here i am, combining the two. she has ten albums, legacies have ten generations, there you have it. the hashtag for this will be swiftlp because i cannot genuinely think of anything better. let’s get into the…

rules below the cut!

- this legacy will require most packs other than batuu and the kits - aging must be turned on, but you can have it at any length you wish (normal/long recommended!). i'd recommend pausing aging during generations three and seven's university runs. - each goal must be met before the new heir takes over. - as for partners, they can have random aspirations/traits unless specified! they don’t need to complete it. - don't give the sims dramatic makeovers or personality adjustments (again, unless specified). slight changes to the appearance are fine but leave their facial features be! - there should be no need for money cheats other than like…freerealestate. there will be plenty of opportunities to grind for those simoleans. - if you do this challenge, tag me or use the hashtag swiftlp! i’d love to see it!

🦋 gen 1 - debut

“oh, i'm just a girl, trying to find a place in this world…” ever since you were a little kid, music has been your biggest dream. now, you’re a ditzy, daydreaming, young adult who is out on your own for the first time in your life. life is full of adventure in your humble opinion. you’ve always wanted to make people smile, so the only logical choice is to establish a music career before you dream of settling down later in life. - traits: music lover, cheerful, ambitious - aspiration(s): musical genius, big happy family - career: entertainer (musician branch) - world: any non-city objectives - master the singing, guitar, and charisma skills. - reach level ten in the entertainer career before you finish adulthood - date around during your young adulthood before marrying your best friend when you become an adult. have two children after you get married. - finish the musical genius aspiration before having your kids. then, switch to the big happy family aspiration. - optional: have a garden!

✨ gen 2 - fearless

"but with you, i'd dance in a storm in my best dress, fearless." you grew up in a perfect, loving family. you believe in all of those fairytales that your mother told you, even though what they consist of is fake. there's one thing that's real in them though: love. you want nothing more than to grow up and fall in love. yet when you grow up, you discover that real-life love isn't all it's cracked up to be. - traits: bookworm, romantic, childish - aspiration(s): soulmate, best-selling author - career: freelance writer - world: any, copperdale objectives - meet a sim in your teen years that you have an on-and-off relationship into adulthood with. break up twice and get engaged. break up and after this, stay apart. - have a great relationship with both parents until the end of your teenage years and move away from home. they don't approve of your relationship. - master the writing skill. write mostly romance novels. - have one child with your rocky romance. move them into your household as this will be the heir. - never finish the soulmate aspiration. switch it to best-selling author after you break off your engagement. - move to a secluded part of copperdale (or any woodsy-ish world) to raise your child. you don't need them getting hurt! adopt as many cats as you want. go nuts. - optional: have a dog named white horse

☔️ gen 3 - speak now

"you learn my secrets and you figure out why i'm guarded. you say we'll never make my parents' mistakes..." after the life your parent had, they are extremely overprotective of you. they just want what's best for you, right? you don't know much about their life before you except that they had a rocky relationship with your other parent. oh well! that's their business. you're off to college in a new town and ready to mess things up. you're only young once! - traits: genius, cat lover, outgoing - aspiration(s): friend of the world, serial romantic - career: social media (any branch), critic (food branch) - world: britechester, windenburg objectives - get all a's until you graduate high school. - attend college at either school you'd like and complete your degree. i'd recommend turning aging off during this time. - never date until you are in college. your parent forbids it. once you can, date around all throughout your young adult life. - master the charisma and mixology skills. - reach level 5 in the social media career before switching to the critic career in your adulthood. mid-life crisis! - marry the fling you had the highest relationship with at the end of young adulthood. have as big of a family as you'd like! they're your soulmate! - ...until you have an affair with someone during adulthood. have a child with them. this will be the heir! - optional: have your sim master the guitar skill.

🧣gen 4 - red

"ugh, so he calls me up and he's like, "i still love you." and i'm like, "i just, i mean, this is exhausting, you know? like, we are never getting back together, like, ever..." you are the black sheep of your family, but you could never exactly figure out why. as soon as you're old enough, you get out of there to make it big in life! it's your dream to make it as an actor. school was never really your thing, so you drop out early and move to del sol valley to find yourself. - traits: creative, gloomy, perfectionist - aspiration(s): master actor, mansion baron - career: actor - world: del sol valley objectives - participate in drama club until you drop out. - master the acting, wellness, and violin skills. - date two people in your lifetime. the first is a relationship so bad it ruins your perception of love. stay single until you meet your second love interest on set. have a big white wedding! - reach level 10 of the acting career as an adult. - have as many kids as you'd like with your spouse. - move to tartosa to settle down before you retire. - optional: have your sim wear red lipstick with every outfit besides sleep. no one wears lipstick to bed.

🕊️ gen 5 - 1989

"heartbreak is the national anthem, we sing it proudly!" you grew up in the spotlight and LOVED it. heck, your parents are famous celebrities! they were humble people who loved their family as much as they could. you got everything you wanted and more. you might be spoiled, but you deserved it, right? what do you mean you have to be a responsible adult all on your own now? - traits: outgoing, high maintenance, non-committal - aspiration(s): city native, party animal - career: simfluencer (teen), style influencer - world: san myshuno objectives - move to a nice apartment in san myshuno as soon as you turn into a young adult. your parents love you so much that they bought it for you! - attend every festival - go out at least twice a week and throw parties once a week! you're a social butterfly for a reason! - oh no! spend all of your money and move to a needs tlc apartment. - date around until you get pregnant from a one-night stand. marry them, but never have a high relationship with them. cheat on them with hired help. - master the singing and charisma skills. - move to a penthouse once you're back on your feet - only have one child. - optional: have your sim's favorite drink be wine

🐍 gen 6 - reputation

"but i got smarter, i got harder in the nick of time. honey, i rose up from the dead, i do it all the time." you never had a real connection with either of your parents; everything in your childhood was superficial. all you ever wanted was a real family. if you weren't hanging out with your butler, you were on the streets of san myshuno late into the night. darkness called your name, so you abandoned everything you knew for another life...the life of a criminal. - traits: active, evil, family-oriented - aspiration(s): public enemy, super parent - career: criminal - world: any objectives - have a non-existent relationship with both parents, but a high relationship with the live-in butler. - master the fitness, mischief, and parenting skills. - reach level ten of the criminal career (either branch). - have a relationship with a sim that has the exact opposite personality as you (good, friendly, etc.). marry them as an elder. - adopt one child and be very close to them. give them the best life you can. - optional: throw a party every new years eve if you have seasons

💕 gen 7 - lover

"and there's a dazzling haze, a mysterious way about you dear. have i known you 20 seconds or 20 years?" you may not have had much growing up, but you had love. love, love, love. this love showed you that the world is a good place and nothing bad ever happens, right? wrong. when your parent tells you that they're a criminal, your world comes shattering down. everything else sucks outside of your little bubble. can you make the world less cruel? - traits: good, overachiever, romantic - aspiration(s): academic, soulmate - career: law (private attorney branch) - world: any objectives - have a high relationship with your parent until your late teenage years. - meet a sim during childhood and become best friends, later high school sweethearts. marry them after you finish college. - pursue a distinguished degree in history as soon as you finish high school. - master the charisma, logic and research and debate skills. i'd recommend starting early so you can get that distinguished degree. - reach level ten of the law career - have as many children as you'd like. - reconnect and become best friends with your parent before they die. even have them move in! - optional: have a child named betty be the heir!

🌲 gen 8 - folklore

"i want to watch wisteria grow right over my bare feet 'cause i haven't moved in years." you grew up in a chaotic but loving household where there wasn’t a moment of quiet. of course, you love your family, but you are a loner by nature and always preferred to spend your time with your pets or doing art. you come out of your shell during your teen years, but are you making the wrong choice? - traits: loner, creative, loves the outdoors - aspiration(s): country caretaker - career: sustain yourself off of your farm and royalties from painting and writing - world: henford-on-bagley objectives - have the highest relationship possible with your pets. even higher than your siblings. - make one best friend as a child. - during your teen years, date a sim you meet at school. break up when they cheat on you at the beginning of your young adulthood. woohoo with them one last time and “surprisingly” end up pregnant. - immediately move to henford-on-bagley after you graduate. have no contact with anyone except your best friend. you can play off the grid if you’d like. - master the gardening and painting skills. if you’re feeling funky, master cross-stitching and writing, too. - publish books and sell your paintings in addition to running your farm. - marry your best friend as an adult. - only have one child. - optional: have three cats!

🍷 gen 9: evermore

"long story short, it was a bad time; long story short, i survived." you grew up on a farm isolated from the rest of the world. even though you had loving parents and all the animals a child could want, you wanted nothing more than a big family. as soon as you could, you knew you'd have the picture-perfect family you'd always dreamed of...or so you thought. - traits: good, foodie, proper - aspiration(s): big happy family, master chef - career: culinary (chef branch) - world: any objectives - as soon as you become a young adult, move out of your parents' house and to a new world. - get a job in the culinary career to support yourself. - become romantically involved with the first sim you meet. have a whirlwind romance and get married only to find out that they have the hates children trait. - reach level 5 of your career before quitting to focus on family and saving your marriage. - have four children with your spouse. - when you become an adult, divorce them and move your family to a new world. your spouse gets weekend visits. - rejoin the culinary career back at level 5 and continue to level 10. it is okay to cheat to get here! - master the cooking and knitting skills. - marry a coworker and have two more children. - optional: open a restaurant called olive garden!

🕰️ gen 10: midnights

"i'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror...it must be exhausting, always rooting for the anti-hero." your family is a big, blended mess of people who aren't exactly the best, but they tried. and now it's your turn. you always wanted to be better than your siblings, but your parents always preached that all of you meant the same to them. can you prove your worth as the best to them and yourself? - traits: self-absorbed, ambitious, adventerous - aspiration(s): extreme sports enthusiast - career: part-time barista - world: mt. komorebi objectives - have low relationships with each of your siblings. - master the skiing, snowboarding, fitness, and rock climbing skills. - meet and date a sim you meet on the slopes. - have a family after you master one of the winter skills. - reconnect with your siblings - optional: decorate with midcentury decor!

[desktopcalendar]

Okay tbf it’s not technically christmas anymore but it was when i wrote the first bit so let’s just pretend :) also i am writing more businessman!joel but it’s taking my brain 5eva to think of it so please enjoy this <33

just because it’s christmas… BnBowner!joel and recentlysingle!reader who has already paid for a non-refundable trip for christmas. (apologies because i change from 3rd to 2nd person)

tw for cheating, a half second of nsfw(there will be more if i continue it) moments of angst, uncooperative suitcase, no use of y/n, not proofread

reader who just got broken up with who forgets they have a non-refundable trip booked in a cutesy cabin in a hallmark town, the “perfect place for couples” until they get an email confirming their arrival time and then all of a sudden the very real and very non-refundableness of the trip was brought to the forefront of their mind.

You aren’t quite sure if this is a good idea. But the last thing you were sure on ended up to be cheating on you for over a year, so maybe being unsure was a good thing.

The owner wasn’t lying when he said it was secluded, it was literally in the middle of nowhere. Perfect for a romantic getaway -hopefully also perfect for wallowing in your ruined relationship thanks to your piece of shit cheating ex-boyfriend.

You haul your suitcase up the snowy path towards the cabin, thankful that the cab was even able to make it this far, and for a moment you feel exactly like Amanda in the holiday and who knows? maybe you’ll meet an upsettingly handsome man. Maybe.

Probably not.

-

Joel watches from you from the porch for a little longer than he probably should before striding over to you, arm outstretched, ready to take your bags.

“Hey! i’m glad you found your way here, it’s not the easiest place to find.”

You look up from your uncooperative suitcase to lock eyes with perhaps the most attractive man you’ve ever seen (including Jude Law with glasses on) walking towards you and you’re so taken aback that you are definitely not prepared for your suitcase to start cooperating which in turn sends you flying into the snow.

Apart from it doesn’t, so you’re a little confused when you don’t hit the cold ground but are caught by a pair of warm, strong arms.

“Easy there, I’m happy you’re here too but you could’ve bought me a drink first.” Joel jokes as he sets you back on your feet.

“omg i’m so sorry it’s this stupid suitcase that refuses to move when i want it to i mean it i’m really sorry this is so embarrassing and i..” You trail off when you realise that Joel is in fact laughing. “what?”

“Nothing darlin’ you’re just the first person to apologise to me for the actions of an inanimate object, s’funny is all.” Joel holds out his hand for you to shake “incase you hadn’t figured it out, I’m Joel.”

You bashfully take it, pretending that hearing him call you ‘darlin’ hadn’t affected you in any way shape or form “Nice to meet Joel, you have a beautiful cabin, it really is magical.”

Joel’s hand is large, and warm, and a small part of you wants to feel more of his warmth. Maybe more than a small part.

He easily takes your bags the rest of the way, making light conversation with you, even though you’re still taking in him, responding with short answers and ‘hmms’.

He’s a rugged man, you think to yourself, he’s big all over, large frame, large hands. Your eyes dart towards his crotch for a moment wondering if he’s also large there. Something inside you tells you he is.

“Well here we are doll, let me know if you need anything” Joel puts your bags down just inside the door, the cabin really is the perfect place for a romantic getaway, you feel a pang with the knowledge that you specifically picked this place to spend time with your boyfriend. All you wanted to do now was forget about him, but apparently Joel could sense the singleness off you.

“Oh! where’s this boyfriend of yours, you did book for two, right?”

You freeze as he says ‘boyfriend’ debating whether it would be better to make up some elaborate lie or tell the miserable truth.

“We uh, we actually broke up a few days ago… turns out he’s not the kind of person i wanna go to a cabin with.” you eventually mumble out, followed by an unhappy laugh - mainly because you feel like you’ll cry otherwise.

“Aw shit darl, I’m sorry, and i know i’ve only known you all of five minutes but it’s definitely his loss.” A warm hand gently clasps onto your shoulder as Joel looks towards you with kind eyes.

You allow yourself to take the moment of sympathy from this kind stranger, before composing yourself.

“Thanks, Joel. I guess the only thing i need is directions to the nearest place that sells alcohol.”

“Of course doll,”

-

[gettothestabbing]

Ok so real talk, I hate that this is true, but the last guy I was talking to on the dating site really hurt my feelings.

The first thing was how he treated my beliefs as a Christian Scientist. I know most people are unfamiliar with it, and I get that. I spend a LOT of time on this site having to explain it and what I do for work (as they are related). It's also usually the reason people decide I am not worth the effort of pursuing a relationship. At which point I either get ghosted, or rejected with a clear message explaining why, or the man tries to convince me into something shorter-term, which I reject immediately on principle as an abstinent virgin.

This guy went further in that he sent me an apologetics article that calls us un-Christian, accuses us of blanket child neglect and abuse, and cherrypicks quotes from our denominational textbook without any deeper understanding of what our terminology means or how various pages connect to each other. I have heard all those accusations before, but I'm just. I'm tired guys. I'm so tired of being condescended to and treated as if I'm some freak who has to prove herself a true follower of Christ. This guy was nondenom and doesn't even believe in the Trinity. He wouldn't even show me a picture of himself. I try to go into any discussion with good-faith and good intentions. But this was an unexpected broadside. I answered all his questions but I know it will make little difference.

The other thing was, after I asked him if he could use a library Internet connection to try and upload a photo, he told me I was "tough", asked me if I would be so tough on my husband, and asked if I really wanted a husband to love and cherish or if I just wanted to be a mom and needed some guy to do it.

i feel like asking for a photo, when mine are readily available and we have been talking for over two weeks, is a very reasonable thing to ask. I have high standards in some regards, but THIS was not one of them. And yes, I have wanted to be a mother basically since I hit puberty, so for about 20 years now.

But I wanted to be a wife even before that point. My first crush was at 7. I've had maybe 200 crushes since then. I have wanted to not be single for a huge amount of my life, and I keep trying to make that happen, and aside from two brief relationships, I have gotten nowhere. Both my dad and sister have married (happily thankfully) since I was 17. I'm grateful for the relationships I have had, because they taught me things about myself and made me a better person.

My sister pointed out that I was speaking bluntly and cynically in my messages, which probably contributed to this breakdown in our convo quite a lot. But I found that people steamrolled over my boundaries when I was more vulnerable, even over text communication. So I stopped being vulnerable.

If the guy is going to treat this like an arranged marriage, where we hammer out all the things we must agree on first, then why should I act like it's some spontaneous romantic connection? He clearly doesn't think of it that way, and he's not telling me anything about himself except what he thinks theologically.

Anyway, I'm not meeting anyone of quality on this site, and I'm done. I've done my due diligence with dating sites, but I think I'm finally completely tired of them. It's been very hard for me to meet people outside of them: I work evenings and weekends, I don't drink or club, and because my schedule is subject to change at any moment, I haven't joined any regular classes or groups the whole 3 years I've lived in this state.

The guy I currently like, I met at work, and he is a friend and may not be romantically interested in me. (My brain is delulu about it so it's hard to tell objectively if he has any interest. I keep telling myself to be cautious and err on the side of 'you're imagining it.') Hence why I was continuing to use the dating site, as the account was prepaid up until next April. But really, that's just sunk-cost mentality talking.

I am turning 30 next month. My parents were 31 and 28 when I was born. They had already been married for 7 years then (college sweethearts). My sister married her only boyfriend, also her college sweetheart, 3.5 years ago, and they got pregnant the first month they tried to.

In my family, every single adult was married by my age, with the sole exception of my lovably weird uncle at 33. The adults who I've asked for advice are at a bit of a loss regarding my case. By my age, most were married with kids or kids on the way. My grandma's advice to meet someone was to volunteer for the GOP. I'm at the point where I'm actually considering doing it. At least it would guarantee some common ground.

I try not to voice my concerns about still being single and childless too much to people other than my sister. I can tell it makes people uncomfortable, since I'm basically saying, "I'm not happy where I am, and no one can tell me what thing(s) to do that could fix it, since any issue I do fix is no guarantee of me finding someone I can connect with, because that's just not how it works." I'm sure my sister is also tired of hearing me say the same things over and over. But I'm tired of saying them. I want to not be in this phase of my life anymore, but I can't force a relationship to happen.

The thing about that 'cart before the horse' accusation, about wanting kids but not a husband, is that it's painfully untrue. I would never willingly become a single mom just to have kids. I want BOTH marriage and motherhood, in the proper order. I am a virgin, yes, but I'm also an adult. I DO WANT a sexual relationship! I just know that it's wrong to have one outside the marriage covenant. I've been tempted, and I've desired people, but I know what the right way to act is, and I have stayed the course. I WANT to have children, preferably of my own, but more than that, I want that companionship. I want that deep abiding friendship that's at the heart of any good marriage. I want to live with someone, and support them, and cook for them, and read with them, and mow the lawn together, and fight about money or the cats or something. I want to find that so badly, and I'm horribly aware of time passing me by, of all the missed opportunities and all my faults.

Fringe benefit: if I was a married woman, or a mother, or both, then maybe I wouldn't be talked down to by people who are married or parents anymore. I'm not an overgrown child just because I haven't had these experiences yet. Just like an adult virgin experiences sexual desire and temptation, a single childless woman can know what she wants from a future marriage and how she would like to act as a mom. I know having the experience is different from thinking about it, but I can't force the experience to happen, and I'm tired of being treated like I'm stupid or naive just because my experience differs.

[theomnicode]

Hi! Your works and meta blows me away everytime, i'll always read, you're amazing✨

And I've been wanting to ask, what are your thoughts on Saitama literally being a romantic? (I read this one on Power4Impact's blog, very awesome lol)

Also, I feel like both of them, Genos and Saitama, have the need of touch? Touch-starved would be the word. I'll be so happy the day they finally get to have so lovely contact with another person, without this being harmful, just pure love. Even better if is between them <3

Thank you for the kind words, I try my best to make my meta thoughts compelling to read. :D

About Saitama being a romantic...there's a fair bit of references to this, one of them being found in the audiobooks where he ponders about his relationships with people being broken and he seems jealous even about other people having having happy things like romances and social interactions in their daily lives and when he became a hero, something broke in him. He ponders if he should have this issue more in mind and he sounds so far away when Genos mentions fighting for things that he must protect. Like he has forgotten the very reason why he became a hero.

Such as protecting family, friends and the heroine in the movie they watched.

Saitama: Well... It's a movie. In any case, precisely because he had someone to protect the protagonist didn't give up and tried harder until the end, right? That's where the excitement is after all. Genos: I see... but, if he was in real trouble the enemy could have seen that objecti- Saitama: That's the point of the story! It happens in real life too right?

Genos: I see... I'm writing it down! This means... Sensei had this kind of incident in the past, right? Saitama: Eh? Genos: Fighting for something that you must protect. Saitama: ahhh.... um. Genos: What is the matter? Saitama: Ah? Ah, nothing. Bells ring nearby Genos: Ah! Sensei! Fukin Supermarket is having a time sale! I'm going to check if they have anything we need, I will be back shortly so please wait here! Saitama: Ah? Ok... Saitama: Now that I think about it... I have the sensation I never had that happening. Could say I never paid it any mind either. It's not like I don't especially like it, not a complex either. However, is it really ok? No... can't be ok. Can't help but think it's something I lost In the daily battles towards becoming a hero. Am I supposed to have this issue more in mind? Come to think of it, I didn't really have time to unpack it... if it was a normal guy then...

Saitama: Ummmm... What is this feeling? Am I envious of that guy for living his youth? Mn nah I don't think that's it but, I don't know. It's just that I have the feeling my relationships with people are broken...”

Saitama: That’s not the point... I have the feeling that things like a heart to heart interaction, sharing an umbrella, warmth, are all things broken away in my life. Other people can have things like big events and circumstances happening, romances and such bringing happiness in their daily lives. I have the feeling something broke and that sweet-like fluffy, nice stuff just fell right off from me. That's what I meant.

Saitama: Genos, look, have you ever seen a hero anime without a love interest in it? Genos: I don't remember watching a lot of anime in the past.. Why do you ask? Saitama: Well, we're heroes, right? We're working and living as such. And yet, why are we indifferent towards things like love interests or girlfriends? In some way it seems obvious and logical, but is it really ok? Are you ok with reality being so much harder than fiction?

Saitama is absolutely a hopeless romantic at heart, but when he trained to become a hero, he became apathetic and started to lose his humanity. It is something he still desires though.

But as Genos surmises, such actions can be used by the enemy when they see this is the objective of the protagonist.

Weakness of the heart because he craves for that social interconnectivity. Something that was already used against Garou.

And every action by Saitama on the moon when he protected Genos' core was witnessed by OPM God.

Don't be surprised if this will be used against Saitama.

Anyways, second instance of Saitama showing interest in romance is his decently sized manga collection.

Saitama has a bunch of manga on his shelf and we cannot obviously decipher what they may contain from the covers alone. I can infer that some covers look kind of pretty though and pastel colours. Girly covers on the right side of the shelf basically, with only seemingly ladies in the spine art. But nothing conclusive really.

Except we know one manga that Genos picks up in OVA 3 season 2 when he has amnesia and then attempts to woo Fubuki.

This is the kind of stuff Saitama reads on his free time and when he's bored lol.

Shoujo romance manga. xd

Also manga about farting too. That- that as well.

I blame King.

(And King possibly offering romantic advice because he has been playing dating sims too much if Saitama was to ever ask...yaah idk about that one)

However...we may run into an issue with Saitama and romance.

The back cover of the manga and the underlying text.

"I forgot the ease that I tried to remember"

And the thought bubble spelling "Adjacent Fear 5".

It may be reference to Marianne Morris art Fear Adjacent.

This abstract landscape was inspired by a trek over the Coaticoke Gorge. 50m above the riverbead, the longest suspension bridge in Canada was a highlight on a trip through Quebec. It was as exhilarating as it was terrifying. 

Not unlike romance in general. It can be both exhilarating and terrifying prospect at the same time.

Another reference is in the manga page itself, Bad boys Saga, can refer to multiple things. Such as the archetype of bad boy.

The stereotypical "bad boy" was described by Kristina Grish in her book Addickted as "the irresistible rogue who has the dizzying ability to drive women wild" with a "laissez-faire attitude about life and love". An article in The Independent compared the term "bad boys" with men who had a particular combination of personality traits, sometimes referred to as a "dark triad" of Machiavellian traits, and reported that a study found that such men were likely to have a greater number of sexual affairs.

It is not the kind of interaction Saitama wants for with romance. Not like Suiryu, being playboy. But it may be a reference to underlying fear about romance in general.

It may also be a reference to Bad boys films from 1983 or the Bad boys franchise.

In an attempt to retaliate on Mick's behalf, Horowitz creates a bomb by planting fertilizer in a radio that he places in Paco and Viking's cell. When the charge explodes prematurely and only injures Viking, Horowitz is condemned to solitary confinement, a fate he fears more than any other.

Phobia from solitary confinement is another type of fear that can go hand in hand with fear of falling in love.

And one last reference, fear of romance in itself. Fear of falling in love.

Philophobia (from Greek "φιλέω-φιλώ" (love) and "φοβία" (phobia)) is the fear of falling in love. Not included in the DSM-5. The risk is usually when a person has confronted any emotional turmoil relating to love but also can be a chronic phobia.[citation needed] This affects the quality of life and pushes a person away from commitment. A negative aspect of this fear of being in love or falling in love is that it keeps a person in solitude. It can also evolve out of religious and cultural beliefs that prohibit love.[citation needed] It represents certain guilt and frustration towards the reaction coming from inside.

DSM-5 is Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Just like Fear Adjacent is 5th volume.

A phobia is an anxiety disorder defined by a persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation.[1] Phobias typically result in a rapid onset of fear and are usually present for more than six months.

6 months? What a coincidence. I don't believe in coincidences.

The prophecy that Lady Shibabawa mentioned meant that 6 months from then on, Earth would be in danger. A subconscious fear, like the back cover of the book and something he cannot remember.

A subconscious fear that rose back to the surface when he saw Genos' mutilated form lying on the ground after the fight with Sea King. Because he had started to care about his disciple and seeing him like that had far more effect on Saitama than he even realizes.

That or an onset of said fear that can develop into a phobia. Or that it will.

Also paralleling the passionate soul that Boros seer saw 20 years ago in their crystal ball.

So in terms of romance, Saitama may run into issues, that he fears committing to it because he's possibly had a bad experience in the past with any type of love that he has since forgotten and which may have since become a phobia. Notably about losing said love.

More than likely, he fears the solitude that falling in love may cause him if he ever lost the person he loves, like when Genos died on him. Unhealthily coping by trying to attach himself to the last vestige of Genos and his heart.

He may also fear someone pulling the Bad boy act on him and fear people with these traits. Such a person may have been the cause of this underlying fear or perhaps him acting like a bad boy may have been one of the causes of this phobia.

There may also be underlying guilt and frustration.

Often, people can trace their fear or phobia to traumatic childhood experiences. Philophobia may be a protective response. If you don’t allow yourself to develop loving feelings for someone, you lower your risk of heartache and pain.

It would definitely explain why Saitama seems to be showing no romantic inclination towards someone like Genos, who is not shy about telling Saitama that he's amazing person and holds everything about Saitama in high regard. Despite having an actual desire and want for romance, intimacy and heart to heart feelings.

And not showing any commitment, despite apparently caring for Genos to an unhealthy degree when shit hit the fan and he lost him, to the point that these emotions burst out in uncontrollable rage and bust out a hole in space. Just avoiding the issue altogether.

He has forgotten the ease of romance that he tries to remember.

It has probably only gotten worse when Genos died when Garou ripped his core out and killed him, though he does not consciously remember it. The subconscious however, does. The subconscious remembers all the phobias and fears he may have.

All expressed here in a very neat package.

"Ge-Genos!! You scared the crap out outta me! You're actually alive!!"

(It's absolutely hilarious to me that Saitama's hero suit is conveying his feelings here by shredding his crotch zone, since his hero suit responds to his desires and feelings as Phoenixman mentioned they do for costumers and it's essentially showing his libido and going like "bro stop doing this to yourself, get some help. Allow me to assist you. Just DO IT!" Saitama's hero suit is bff.)

When you think about it, he does have a pretty excessive reaction to seeing the core on his hand, because he would not have any rational reason to think that Genos is anything but limbless torso but still alive and intact otherwise. At least as much as he consciously remembers.

He might've gotten scared a bit and sought for the cause to verify if it's true or not because having Genos core on his hand randomly is just weird, but not a reaction like this. That face reminds me of the time when Saitama got out of bed during Hammerhead saga and he looked excessively scared then too.

Every single time Genos gets brought to the brink, the fear from phobia gets more foothold. And so do the reactions from Saitama grow worse.

ONE is very careful to not allow Saitama to see that Genos can actually take care of himself or allow Saitama to protect Genos in situations where Genos gets grievously demolished. Otherwise his fear for Genos safety would lessen considerably. Instead it is much like he's being conditioned into having significant distress whenever Genos ends up destroyed or worse and that there is no way he can actually protect Genos from harm.

Apparently utter disaster romance is also up ONE's writing alley, if the newest trailer for Mob psycho season 3 is to be believed.

Complete catastrophe is looming, it has been prophesied.

(Though prophesies are also a load of hogwash according to Saitama, so it may be Saitama saying it won't happen because there is always a choice)

Though...Genos did pick up the book, so it is very probable that Genos too, has fear of falling in love. Because he fears losing those connections, so as much as he seems to show that he cares a lot, he does not commit completely and tell anybody and keeps other people at arms lenght. At least he has not, so far.

It will be a happy day indeed when these two can actually get some well deserved hugs. Because both have already made their choices to stick by the other. Though it may be a long while yet.

When they face their fears, that is when the rain stops.

[weekend-whip]

Just general headcanons? Dates? Pet names and inside jokes? What does their pining look like? It doesn’t have to be plot related I am simply Very Invested in your dorks.

*cracks knuckles* ...I'll be as general as I can then, I guess—

Kai: Hopeless flirt. Can dish it out like no one's business but crumples into a stuttering mess upon having it returned. Tries to keep his dates as casual as possible for less pressure but can be persuaded into more fancy and/or exciting things if the other party is willing. Pines in the way that he'll catch them out of the corner of his eye, adore them from afar, and usually has to be smacked out of it (and then proceeds to think of nothing but them for the next few hours). Showers his partner with a series of off-the-cuff pet names until landing on the best one that fits.

Jay: Not a flirt whatsoever, just tries to compliment the other when he can (and if he doesn't stumble over himself in the process). Loves dates that are fun and don't require being still for very long (like riding rides at an amusement park, taking dance lessons, or the arcade). Very obvious pining, couldn't hide it even if he tried, sometimes just embraces the pining to the point of being embarrassing snksnk. His pet names range from absurd inanimate objects that remind him of his other, but usually just settles for their name because what's more potent and perfect than that?

Cole: Flirts without realizing/trying—usually mistakes it as just being really comfortable with the other person and thus rattles off whatever comes to mind, potential romantic implications be damned. For dates, he loves to go out dancing every now and then, or to go try someplace new, but otherwise is just fine with a cozy night at home watching a movie and cuddling. His pining is usually quiet and subtle, reserved for stolen moments, but it can be deep and intense if it becomes something that starts to consume him. Already has a habit of nicknaming his friends, so usually just sticks with a shorthand version of their other's name, or something reserved specifically for them.

Zane: Has never flirted once in his life and yet it is a strategy that has worked for him–is just honest and upfront about his feelings and that makes it easy to go from there. He looooves winter-themed dates, but also enjoys times when he can experience something new with his partner, or if it's something his partner really enjoys (even if he doesn't understand). Has no time to pine because once his feelings click he's going for it, baby. Not a big user of pet names, but does tend to call his partner 'dear' from time to time (a trait he picked up from his own parents ;w;)/ )

Nya: Has crushes, but never really goes out of her way to flirt unless they flirt first. Tends to favor dates that are more of an experience rather than something to do just to do, but also doesn't actually hate having an excuse to dress up from time to time and be pampered. Her pining is just her constantly questioning herself: "Why do I find them so cute??" "Why do I keep staring at them?!" "Should I tell them?!" "What would even happen if I do?!" and then just keeps cycling in on herself. Despises pet names........but will make exceptions because COMPROMISE—

Jesse: Do I? Really? Need to go over him? DO I? Fiiiine...

Jesse (for real this time): Can only flirt in his "magician" mindset; otherwise gets way too flustered and winds up saying more than he means to and then has to backpedal. Will always enjoy a date as long as his partner is having fun, but always makes sure to have a list of ideas at the ready should an opportunity arise—really, he'll be game for anything if the other party is interested. Pines with a burning jealousy and also a sense of wistful hopelessness. Tends to use pet names sarcastically, but if he uses 'sweetheart'—that one's always genuine.

Olivia: Is generally flirty anyway; tends to be less so around people she genuinely likes. Isn't really "big" on the concept of dates; just likes spending time with the other party in whatever scenario they're in (even if she's in the middle of trying to murder or something). She does like presents/souvenirs, so any activity that nets her something to take home is probably a good one. Pines with subtly, but will get flustered if she's caught staring or bringing up a crush too often. A queen of nicknames, and has no problem dishing out every pet name in the book, but when it comes to something specifically for her partner it might throw her off her game a little.

Pixal: Has also never flirted a day in her life but still has a charm in her approach to things that others can't help but find endearing. At first dislikes the idea of dates, believing them to be a waste of time, but comes to understand and appreciate them after she goes on one for herself. Likes educational dates–like visiting museums or visiting historic landmarks—but also likes seeing places with lots of art or with animals. Her pining is few and far inbetween, but it still happens—and she'll blush purple or green when it happens. Doesn't normally invoke pet names herself, but will adapt to the preferences of whoever she's with.

Skylor: Master flirt. Knows exactly which buttons press and when, know how to game the system—but will stumble when confronted with a genuine show of kindness. Actually has no real preference for dates—just loves the experience of being able to even go on one, and to take a break from her work, and thus will be up for doing anything. (She's adaptable like that.) Tries to mask her pining and can usually get away with it, but if she's in too deep she'll let a few giggles or a blush loose and then have to hastily explain herself. No stranger to doling out nicknames/petnames, and will fire off the first thing that comes to mind without flinching........but anyone calling her anything will take her out at the knees swooning she wasn't readyyyyyy

[bamatrxnsplant]

On Creeps

I have posted quite often on Twitter that I'm tired, but I don't feel I've had the space to do it in a way that fully expresses why. That's because a limited number of characters does not allow me to express the nuance of how "creeps" exist in the Twitter space, and I have spent a lot of time carefully avoiding conflict. The problem is, never saying anything has done nothing to stop dealing with creeps except make me feel I can't speak because it's too late, too hard, or too delicate. In real life, it's different. It's easier to hear how a leer makes it into a person's voice. You can feel eyes on you in person in a way you cannot on Twitter. 

We all know the creeps that are easily packaged as creeps. As you'll see going around, don't retweet selfies, don't DM women who don't want you to, and don't assume someone's comfort with their sexuality allows you to say anything you want in their replies. All of us can open our DM request folder, and there will be unsolicited pictures of penises, blunt statements of what part of your body a stranger wants to see, a good morning from someone you've never heard of, or, my personal favorite, insults when their advances are ignored. Sometimes all of these are left in a public space, and your friends can be alerted too.

Those creeps can be blocked, and you can move on. Their offenses can be screenshotted, and you can objectively show why you dislike that person. A more nuanced group of men who reply to everything can be more difficult to navigate, oft referred to as reply guys. Maybe it's only your selfies, maybe they've committed to every post, but they'll have something to say. That in and of itself seems harmless. There is an energy that differentiates a reply guy from a guy who replies, one that I can even sense, and I don't know people are my friends unless they explicitly say it. You start to realize a reply guy has created a narrative, and your silence only gives them more space to decide your intent. Maybe you thanked them for compliments at first and interacted, but then you stopped. 

They don’t. And this sounds like such a non-issue. Someone compliments you a lot? Engages a lot? It’s something more. It’s overtly sexual flirting. It’s flirting with increased intimacy. It’s being uncomfortable because you know they have post notifications on. It’s going to their profile and realizing they exclusively interact with women who look like you. It’s realizing they only retweet porn of people who look like you. 

These are easy to block, too, until they aren’t. This group could be members of your circle. If you block that guy that came to that one game night, will you have to hear about it? They’re prominent in your fan community, so could it impact your ability to participate? That’s when there are whispers. “I don’t want to cause any issue,” it’s always couched because you know what can happen if your discomfort gets back to someone who could just not flirt with you. “I don’t get a good feeling from him.” Relief when they say, “I thought it was just me that was creeped out.”

You can befriend women as a man on Twitter. If I were to name the friends I have made on Twitter, half to more than half of them are men. This isn’t an every man is creeping on you post. I know when someone is replying with compliments repeatedly because they on some level, conscious or not, think enough kindness tokens get them sex and when they’re just friendly. I know which men I can go to and say, “Hey, I’m uncomfortable with you/your friend/that one guy,” and have them listen. 

I have male friends from Twitter. I have formed friendships that went from platonic to sexual on Twitter. I have formed friendships that went from platonic to a safe flirtation. I have had friendships turn romantic from Twitter. That’s because these men ensured interest was reciprocated. They treated me like a person with my own autonomy. I was not a girl they had painted into a box she is much too large for. For them, I am thankful.

That said, I also know which man said I should be led astray in our first Twitter interaction, continuing on with little to no response until I felt I had to get another man to stand with me at an event so he’d leave me alone, seemingly because another man had dibs. He proceeded to glare at me through the event enough that a friend pointed it out, and I didn’t feel comfortable saying anything for fear of blowback.

I know which man let me think we were platonic friends until I promised him he wasn’t one of those reply guys. Then in a Zoom, he created an environment that made me feel I had to leave long enough to change clothes in the hopes he’d stop being a creep under a veil of anonymity. The questions were anonymous, but watching him type them and reference the group conversation was not. 

I know which men heard me say, “I’m flattered but not interested,” and sent a barrage of insults in return.

I know which men I did not know who read my post about my discomfort and immediately DMed me offering drinks and dates and compliments to make me feel less objectified and undervalued.

I know which men make me feel I need a spreadsheet of people to watch out for because I don’t know if I’m crazy until it’s mentioned by friends since so many tweets seem to go missing when you stop speaking to a person. It’s almost like they know they did something wrong.

I know which men will either read this and out themselves by saying, “I never…” or “I was only trying…” or, another favorite, “you’re an ugly bitch anyway.” If you are feeling attacked, I encourage you to evaluate your interactions. And if you feel attacked and regularly have a back-and-forth with me, you are not the problem.

And most upsetting, I know which men I cannot share discomforts with because they won't care what someone else is doing because they "don't seem creepy."

I am tired. I am very, very tired. I am tired of the fact that I am comfortable in my skin, with my sexuality, and with my flirtatiousness. I am not comfortable with men who mistake any of these things as directed at them in particular. That they are somehow special. I do not want your feedback if you do not understand how to recognize the gulf between stranger on the internet and a friend I flirt with. If you see me engaging in a certain way with a friend and not you, consider that it is because I do not know you. I will let you know if I decide I want to. And if you treat me with kindness and respect, like you would another man, that may happen.