viajeraentrelibros - Tumblr blog

[viajeraentrelibros]

Zoldyck Poison Immunity HCs

SO! I’ve had this idea in my head for a really long time about how exactly it is that the Zoldycks are completely immune to poison/venom, and I wanna share.

As far as I know, HxH does a really good job of keeping all the limitations of its world very even, and most of the ‘Laws Of Magic’ in HxH are very much believable - even rooted in real-world science on occasion. Of course, it is a world of magic, so we DO by necessity have to take everything with a grain of salt.

However, something has always bothered me - the supposed immunity to all poisons - and venom as well, I’d assume - that Killua boasts about.

While it IS possible to build up a tolerance to poison, it’s usually not something applicable across all kinds of poison, because different poisons/venoms affect different bodily functions, and some poisons are so deadly that exposure training probably isn’t possible. It’s also something that fades over time, so Killua’s poison tolerance would drop the longer he spends without training for it.

And yet, in the Chimera Ant arc, Killua is completely unaffected by what’s more than likely supposed to be a neurotoxin or a myotoxin, given that his response - collapsing as a result of ‘losing muscle control’ - is accepted by his attacker. This indicates one of two things:

1) That Killua has been training himself for poison immunity (which I can’t imagine Gon, Bisky or anyone around him being okay with) or,

2) That Killua (and the Zoldycks in general) do not require constant immunity training.

Since I can’t imagine the first option being something Killua would do, this leaves the implication that the Zoldycks don’t NEED constant immunity training. Which- doesn’t really make sense, for supposedly plain-human (albeit monstrously strong) beings. Unless - and this is where I get pseudosciency - Killua’s resistance to poison/venom isn’t a matter of tolerance (ie, his body functioning at homeostasis while the toxin is in his bloodstream) but instead is a matter of active resistance - or in short, his immune system counterattacks and quickly breaks down the dangerous components of a toxin, rendering it ineffective.

If this is the case - ie, the Zoldycks are immune to poison because their bodies dismantle the toxic chemicals incredibly fast - then that means they could essentially treat their immunity like a vaccination - try a nasty neurotoxin once every ten years, and your body continues to know how to break that kind of toxin down for a while afterward. And, an immune response this powerful to any kind of foreign substance would probably be hereditary - meaning that Killua’s poison immunity may be part of the reason he’s the apple of his parents’ eye (as unfortunate as that is).

However - and this is why I like this headcanon so much - this ALSO opens up a TON of potential angst material. In a situation like this, a high enough dose of a poison, venom, or other toxin would be able to overwhelm an immune response, thus leaving any Zoldyck of choice proverbially up a creek without a paddle. And an immune response such as this likely wouldn’t differentiate between “good drugs” like painkillers or medicine, and “bad drugs” like actual drugs or poison. 

So yes, they’re immune to everything - including things that are supposed to help them. 

Anyway, that’s just a headcanon I’ve had floating around in my head for a long while, and I wanted to share. Hope y’all enjoy my pseudosciencing!

[viajeraentrelibros]

Theory: Killua’s Pose

Idk if this has been addressed in canon bc I’m only on episode 10, but it occurred to me that Killua might have a purpose behind the way he holds his arms while in a neutral position. Most people’s resting position for their arms is hanging at their sides. This means that if they’re threatened the must raise their arms to defend themselves, thus opposing gravity. Killua’s resting position involves keeping his arms raised. For Killua, switching from a resting to a fighting position involves lowering his arms. The advantages of this would include:

Faster reaction time: acceleration due to gravity is about 9.81 meters per second. While the distance between arm positions might seem too small for this too matter, remember that a lot of sports use timers in nanoseconds (one billionth of a second); even the smallest difference in technique can and will have an impact on the situation’s outcome.

Less energy expended: Killua doesn’t have to waste energy going against gravity if he’s lowering his arms as opposed to raising them.

Increased fluidity of movement: while most people switch to a fighting stance by tensing their muscles to lift their arms, Killua must relax his arms. This might sound counter intuitive, but as someone who has competed Jiu Jitsu, I can tell you that going into a fight all tensed up is one of the worst things you can do. It makes your movements all jerky and makes it harder to flow from one technique to the next.

I also imagine it helps maintain good posture.

[viajeraentrelibros]

It never ceases to amaze me about how many different dehumanizing labels Dream is cast in. The tyrant, the green boy, the bad guy, the wrong’un, the villain, a psycho, psychopath (which tbh are already rather kinda extreme for his supposed crimes especially at the beginning when they started). But then they go further, calling him a snake thing, pure evil, a monster [clip], a freaking ghoul [clip], even to the point of calling him Lucifer in the finale - The Biblical incarnate of evil [clip].

And what’s really interesting is the inconsistency in which Dream reacts - because on one hand he should stand up for himself, but on the other maybe he should just lean into it and maybe they’ll leave him alone. Maybe the fear and label can be his defense instead of their offense. And that gives him control over it, turns him from the victim to the victor.

In the disc confrontation, Tommy calls him pure evil and asks “how do you sleep at night”, to which he responds “just fine” [clip] {oddly, directly contradicting his comment to Techno about no sleeping btw lol…}. Later, he talks about building the prison with a “little bit of evil” but then counters Tommy’s accusation of calling him evil again with “evil is in the eye of the beholder” and “you’re evil to me” [clip].

In the finale, towards the end, Tommy talks about how he saw Dream as nothing but The villain but that isn’t true, and surprisingly Dream disagrees by saying “I am. I tortured you” [clip] {also contradicting what he says to Sam in Daedalus…}. Which is interesting. In the finale, he also makes statements like ‘we can’t because we’re soo evil’ and “we have done plenty of evil evil things” [clip] (which Punz actually counters with “not for no reason.”) But in instances when they call him a psycho and psychopath he has a different reaction saying “huh, I mean, I wouldn’t say that,” [clip] “I’m not a psycho. Everything I do is deliberate” [clip] and, in the finale, “you guys are psychos. You broke in and tried—and killed me in my own house—the prison.” [clip]

One of the keys here I think is the distinction of having reasons - he’s not evil for kicks, he has a reason and motive and logic behind it. Something, in the finale, he questions whether Tommy has, first because he broke in and killed him unfounded and then towards the end of the stream asking about why he constantly steals and griefs and stuff, “why are you trying to ruin everything all the time.” [clip] - What was your reason? Because that mattered to Dream, someone can do evil things but they have their reasons, it’s when they don’t that they are more so truly evil.

He may have done evil things, he may even be the villain, but in his mind he’s not a psycho or pure evil, or a monster because he has reasons, there is a reason he did the things he did, there is a reason he ended up here. Not that those make his deeds justified and less evil (like Sam and Quackity more so believe) but that just makes him a person, who sure does evil, but also feels, and has reasons, desires, and motivations…etc. Just like everyone else. He doesn’t even see Quackity, who confessed to being sadistic and spent months torturing him, as pure evil or even a psychopath instead saying sarcastically in Daedalus, “like Quackity ‘cause he’s full of feelings… He’s totally not a sociopath…” because that distinction between sociopath and psychopath in Dream’s mind is important. Quackity is a bad person but he isn’t the embodiment of evil, he’s just a person who did evil things.

During the first war, Wilbur calls him a little lizard snake thing, to which Dream responds “I’m powerful” [clip]. Which is strange and kinda sad to me that despite being called an actual animal(s), one more importantly often representing evil like Lucifer the snake, he doesn’t counteract it. Maybe because he’s tired of Wilbur calling him similar dehumanizing terms or tired of arguing with Wilbur in general, since everyone believes him anyways. Regardless, he instead rephrases Wilbur’s words - maybe I am a lizard or a snake but you better not step on me because I am venomous and powerful. Which aligns pretty well with his monologue [transcript] where he talks about “Do snakes just bite?” or is there a reason. Because maybe he can’t change Wilbur and Tommy’s metaphor and maybe he can’t change the label of evil despite his attempts because everyone believes them instead, but maybe he can try and use their own words to defend himself. Maybe then they’ll see him as an actual person. {or not…}

[viajeraentrelibros]

[viajeraentrelibros]

also okay so these are my interpretations of each of the Pantheon's realm

Elgar'nan — Vengeance, protection and righteous anger. Lord over and under the sun, father of Gods, Magnificent among the rest of them. Lord of War, victory and love which knows no bounds. Bearer of loss. His is the light of the sun and the task of protecting the future of the Elvhen, there where no justice can serve.

Mythal — Justice, protection and wisdom. Lady over and under the moon, who comes and rules the sea, mother of Gods, Magnificent among the rest of them and loved by Elgar'nan. Lady of Strategy, public rejoice and stability. Bearer of growth. Hers is the hope in the night and the task of seeing over all civic life.

Dirthamen — Knowledge, Secrets and Piety*, of the unwavering loyalty and quickest of understandings. Heir to the time of Endless Creation which is to come after the War and, therefore, Heir of Mythal and Elgar'nan. Lord of Serenity and quiet but undying passion, his are the mountains and the stars. Undaunted by Fear and Deceit, all lies and betrayals are abhorrent to him. His is the task to record all history.

*Not to be mistaken with solidarity between peoples.

Falon'din — Time and death. The one untouched by Blight, who cannot be tainted by the Void. Scryer of the futures of Elvhenan because only he knows the weight of time involved in their becoming. Shepard of the Dead. Considered the Eldest in merit of the children of Elgar'nan and Mythal, first of the children to bear a realm. He's the only Creator/Evanuris who can actually understand and feel the passing of time. Because of this, he is owed reverence.

Sylaise — Creativity, diplomacy and peace. Lady of Fire and Home, who reminds of the importance of temperance in one's endeavours. She who gave the Elvhen the gift of creating beauty for beauty's sake. Lady of mourning, as she bears all that for war is lost. Hers are the arts, the gift of gab and of medicine, which she rules over with her brother Dirthamen, Heir of the Elvhen. Her is the task of peaceful resolution of disputes.

June — Resourcefulness, material creation, craftsmanship, commerce and mastery over one's actions. Giver of joy and kindness, pillar of peace as there cannot be peace in lacking, protector of quartermasters and workers alike, to whom nothing is impossible. Husband of Sylaise. His is the task of invention, as he bears the weight of curiosity and love which asks for nothing in return.

Andruil — Fortune, chances, sacrifice, births and rot. Lady of the Hunt and of Survival. Master of swiftness and over-looker of Oaths — to swear on her name and not complete the task is to invite bad luck to the oath-breaker. Lady of resolute action, who is predator and prey. Thematically, she is the most opposed to Sylaise.

Ghilan'nain — Dire circumstances, guidance, overcoming obstacles and navigation. Lady of crossroads and pathways, hers are the river-ways and trails. Protector of trailblazers and patroness of the inevitability of choice. Most beloved by Andruil. Bearer of travelling, and therefore, of yearning, distances, but also of discovery.

Fen'Harel — Deception, lies, illusions, missed opportunities and trickery. The compass to what is Not. Teacher of bitter lessons. Lord of Lost Youth, false hopes and exile. Bearer of Guilt and the cost of Pride. He is an omen of danger and is drawn by fear. Thematically, most opposed to Dirthamen.

[viajeraentrelibros]

Demands of the Qun, or How the Inquisitor's Choice Answers the Iron Bull's Most Important Question

I was having a chat about the Iron Bull and his personal quest with some friends and one person said in response to something I said that I should make it a Post, so here it is! And a usual disclaimer: this is not about which in-game decision is "correct"--it's an RPG, there's no wrong way to play the game. I just want to talk about the meaning of this decision for Bull's character and for his future.

Dragon Age: Inquisition’s “Demands of the Qun” is, for me, one of those quests where the RPG format of “player character makes major decision for companion character” really works. I do not see this as an example of game mechanics taking away agency from an NPC. I think Bull has agency in this situation.

The Chargers are not Inquisition soldiers. They are mercenaries, and Bull is their commander. If the Inquisitor makes a call he doesn't like, he is free to say "Screw you" and take his people and leave, because they are not soldiers, they're independent contractors, so leaving isn't desertion, it's just quitting. If he were already certain he wanted to leave the Qun, he could simply call the retreat himself, take the Chargers and leave. Similarly if he were certain of his loyalties and willing to sacrifice the Chargers for that purpose, he could do that, regardless of what the Inquisitor says.

He lets the Inquisitor make this choice.

The Iron Bull has had one foot out the door of the Qun for a long time now. But he's gone back and gone back, submitted himself for re-education and done his best to keep serving the Qun, because he believes he needs the Qun. To him, becoming Tal-Vashoth means losing himself, his identity, his purpose, his very sanity, and as the Fade tells us in "Here Lies the Abyss," this is quite literally his greatest fear. Bull could never bring himself to leave the Qun with nowhere to go instead, nothing to give his life purpose and meaning—and no one to entrust himself to should he doubt his own sanity.

But in his work in the south, the Iron Bull has found community and identity and purpose outside the Qun. The very name he has given himself speaks to that, as does his close relationship to the Chargers.

Right from the beginning, there is tension in "Demands of the Qun." Bull remarks that he's gotten used to the Qunari being "over there" during his life in the south. I think Bull has a very potent anxiety when he meets Gatt again on the Storm Coast, and introduces him to the Inquisitor and their party. To me, it very much has the vibes of introducing two friend groups, where you're not only pretty sure they won't get along, but you're also very aware that they know very different sides of you—and neither of them are going to like seeing the other side. Bull's discomfort is visible both when Gatt speaks freely about Bull's work in the Ben-Hassrath, and when the Inquisitor's other companions make disparaging remarks about the Qun. His two worlds have collided, calling into conflict two sides of his sense of self that he has thus far managed to avoid confronting.

And this is likely part of the point. The Qun does not truly respect alliances with any outside the Qun. I wouldn't say for sure that the Qunari set up this whole situation just to test Bull—it's possible they knew exactly how many Venatori would show up, but they couldn't have known precisely how the Inquisition would respond. That, and their desire to root out the Venatori is no doubt sincere. But I do think they are watching Bull's actions very closely throughout this proposed alliance, gauging his loyalty. Gatt tells him outright that many already believe he has betrayed the Qun.

Bull's internal conflict quickly becomes an external one when the Venatori reinforcements show up, and Bull is faced with the decision of whether to withdraw the Chargers or defend the dreadnought at the cost of their lives.

The thing is, Bull is not neutral on this. He tells the Inquisitor what he wants. He wants to save the Chargers. If the Inquisitor says that the Chargers still have time to retreat, Bull agrees. When Gatt tells him they need to hold position, he says in a low, intense tone, "They're my men."

And then, when Gatt tells him in no uncertain terms that calling the retreat will make him Tal-Vashoth, the Iron Bull looks to the Inquisitor.

Again, he is not neutral. He knows what he wants. He is standing there basically begging the Inquisitor with his eyes to save his boys.

So why doesn't he just make the call himself?

Because just as this whole situation is in part a test of Bull's loyalty, this is also a test of the Inquisitor.

What Bull needs to leave the Qun is not simply for someone else to make the choice for him, but to believe that there is a future for him outside the Qun. That he will still be himself, that he will have purpose, and meaning, and that someone else is worth trusting. Bull cannot bring himself to leave the Qun if it means he will be left utterly alone with nothing but his own mind and his deepest fears. And if that's what leaving the Qun means… then in his mind, it would be better to stay.

The Inquisitor's choice will answer that question.

To sacrifice the Chargers leaves Bull with nothing outside of the Qun. He has just watched his closest friends die, and he cannot trust the Inquisitor. With Krem and Rocky and Skinner and Stitches and Dalish and Grim, the new sense of self that the Iron Bull has found in the south also dies.

Of course he turns back to the Qun. He has nothing else left.

But if it's the Inquisitor who makes the call to save the Chargers… Bull can leave. He has friends who care about him. He has purpose. He has someone whose command he can trust. He has hope. None of this makes the choice easy for him. It is quite clearly very painful and difficult, and I don't think there's any way it could be otherwise. But he has a way forward nonetheless. The choice makes leaving possible.

The Inquisitor doesn't force the Iron Bull to become Tal-Vashoth. Instead, Bull implicitly asks a question, and the Inquisitor by their choice gives him an answer.

[viajeraentrelibros]

Solas as Courtier

Offering a counterpoint to some of the smooth/suave Solas metas out there today, because I have a somewhat different understanding - both based upon the canon material we have and what, to me, is essential to correct/refine about the canon in my own writing.

My understanding of Solas is that he is essentially Castiglione’s ideal courtier. He loves the intrigue of Orlesian politics because it is very similar to the politicking he learned in Elvhenan. The goal is to be helpful, complimentary, and - above all else - entertaining to those in power, and to do this with sprezzatura (i.e. in a manner which makes all the effort that goes into being charming and helpful and entertaining seem effortless). 

The goal of successful courtiers is proximity to the ruler. Proximity means you have the ruler’s ear, and thus can persuade favors for friends and family, and have the chance (and responsibility) to steer your ruler toward correct and moral leadership.

Solas can feel the way the wind is blowing when the Herald wakes up. He immediately identifies who will be the main source of power because he has so much practice in this sort of environment. He tries to be helpful, charming, and clever. He schmoozes.

With a romanced Lavellan, he also compliments and engages in word play. He tells her he loves her. Again, these elements are all common to courtiers who wish to gain the favor of women rulers - it is, for example, the type of environment that was eventually turned against Anne Boelyn to accuse her of infidelity. But the love of a courtier to his mistress is meant to be chaste - he can write as many poems as he wants about her, profess his love to her, etc. - but of course he does not expect to actually sleep with her or rule beside her.

This is a problem for Solas. Of course Lavellan doesn’t know these conventions. She has no knowledge of the inner workings of any of the courts of Thedas (and of the ones we’ve seen in great detail, only Orlais seems to have anything of this political structure). Lavellan doesn’t know the steps to the dance Solas has initiated, so she responds in earnest. 

Has he ever experienced that before? Has he ever had a friendship or relationship (with someone who isn’t a spirit) that wasn’t essentially transactional in nature?  Obviously it’s impossible to say with the lore we currently have, but I think it’s an important question to ask given what Solas tells us of the political dynamics of Elvhenan. 

So, for me, when I’m trying to divine Solas’ fundamental character, beneath all the sprezzatura, I’m looking at scenes where the courtier falters. This happens in basically two scenarios. The first is with a low approval Inquisitior, where Solas refuses to pretend he agrees with viewpoints that he believes are harmful or unethical. There are limits to what Solas is willing to do to gain power within the Inquisition, and unreservedly backing an Inquisitor who he believes will do more harm than good is one of them.

The second scenario is the romance. I would argue that we see his courtier act drop in each of the romance scenes, but most noticeably in Crestwood and Trespasser. 

Here’s the thing: Being a great courtier is, in many ways, about being a great liar (or maybe a great actor if you want to be more charitable). You are on stage every moment of your life - not just when you’re in the public eye but often in private moments as well. You are “on” at every moment of the day. It’s an exhausting existence. So when you let that facade drop - as Solas does in the romance - it happens either because you cannot help yourself, or because you want someone to see the “real” you. I think you can interpret Solas’ motivations either way (or both ways).

But anyway, getting back to my initial point of why I think suave Solas is a product of life as a courtier versus who he truly is: If we believe that everything he shows to us as a courtier is a carefully constructed fiction, then we need to look at the moments where he can no longer be the courtier to find the truth. 

What I see in those scenes is a person who is not confident but deeply afflicted with self-doubt that often becomes self-hatred. I see a person who has never made a decision in his life without second guessing it and, usually, immediately regretting it. I see someone who is very, very clever but very, very terrified that the mask will slip and people will see how hard he is working to make it look so effortless.

[viajeraentrelibros]

one of those things that's really striking and interesting to me is how often it's simply not addressed when discussing low approval Solas + inquisitor that Solas is, in many ways, acting out his role as the fantasy trickster god. he comes to you in a very humble format; an apostate mage elf, which in the social dynamic puts him veeeeery low on the podium. one of the first things he does in his first conversation is address the fact that HOPEFULLY, the Inquisition will remember who helped, and who did not -- because it is a very real possibility, again, in the context of the social dynamic, for him to be fucked over supremely by the inquisition -- to put him back into a circle, etc. once it's over. of course, Solas knows, and we the player know, that this will never happen, because he's Fen'Harel and such and such. but when interacting with him IN GAME? that social dynamic is vital to understanding why Solas acts the way he does around you. it's fairly easy to rack up approval--simply make the effort to consider a perspective other than your own, a perspective from someone who society has deemed very low (elven mage). slam him down and be belligerent? it only confirms that the leadership here is rooted once again in power hungry individuals who will step on the lowest classes for their own gain.

it's quite literally... fantasy trickster god testing the hero to see if they will treat the humblest person with kindness, or need to learn the error of their arrogance. solas APPROVES almost entirely of things that promote elven and mage freedom, helping the needy, freeing those who need freeing, not playing into being an arrogant leader. when you punch him, in the social dynamic, you are exerted an abuse of power and authority that now goes beyond the verbal, into the physical. could HE, if he were a simple elven mage, defend himself? no. because an elven mage hitting the leader of a holy army back could have him be put to the death. none of this excuses Solas' own flaws, his faulty reasons for his actions, etc. but like, taking into consideration the actual social structure of the game and what kind of power dynamics are going on here, it's necessary to UNDERSTAND the character and what kind of choice you make here, and how it all informs Solas' idea that either 1. he's wrong, this world has things worth saving, but he cannot diverge from his course, even if he on some level wants to be stopped, or 2. this world is just as terrible as the one he left behind, and it needs to be undone.

[viajeraentrelibros]

rewatching the prison podcast stream because it's one of my favorites and what really strikes me is how c!dream asks about c!ranboo and when c!techno confirms he knows him and asks how dream knows ranboo, dream deflects pretty hard.

techno: so how do you know ranboo?

dream: um. [pause] that's just a long story.

techno: oh well we don't have any time to hear it do we. we're just so busy right now. what with the bell.

[both pause to hit the bell]

dream: [mumbling slightly] i mean, i don't know. i don't really know him that well. he visited a couple of times, that's all.

it's obviously he's lying. techno knows this, it's clear by his skeptical tone. before this point in the conversation, c!dream had said that it was c!ranboo that visited the most, other than c!quackity, and marked ranboo as one of the nicer visitors, alongside with c!bad. dream also seems to assume that techno might not know ranboo at first and for the most part, dream has been pretty forthright with answering techno's questions. he admitted that his best friend said he would kill dream if he ever got out, conceded the point techno made about church prime as well as giving more info about the revive book when techno asked.

so it's a pretty notable shift in his willingness to talk, especially when you consider that 'how did you meet this person' is, usually, a pretty benign thing to ask. and since c!techno also knows c!ranboo, it's definitely not a weird or suspect thing to ask.

and now, knowing what we do about the final confrontation as well as the purpose of the prison and ranboo's involvement with the tnt, it definitely seems as though dream was trying to cover for ranboo as best he could.

which is ironic considering that c!techno was probably the best person he could've been honest with.

[viajeraentrelibros]

fanon c!rivals duo: they're best friends and they love each other

also fanon c!rivals duo: neither of them are friends, they don't care about each other

canon c!rivals duo: a complicated relationship between two people who find it hard to trust others, who have sided with each other more than they've been against each other but still have reason to be wary of each other. two people who tease each other, who joke around, who understand the other is possibly the only real threat to them. two people who claim to not be friends but still acknowledge that it's the other that has not betrayed them. who have put themselves at risk for the other; c!techno entering the prison, with one life, and willingly offering up that life because he trusts c!dream to bring him back, c!dream stepping between his torturer and techno, not leaving unless his allies were with him. a relationship between two people who care about and are willing to die for each other but still can't fully trust the other because they know what happens when you trust someone.

[viajeraentrelibros]

I would just like to say c!Dream having an entire giant hell prison constructed basically "just in case i need it I guess" and then deciding to put himself in there is the single funniest character choice cc!Dream could've made and I support it wholeheartedly.

Also just in general I really like/enjoy the whole "c!Dream knew 85% of his plan, but for the rest he was just trying shit to see what worked" because he's not an evil mastermind, he's smart!! He plans things!! but like. Sometimes you gotta throw science at the wall and see what sticks. He's a human person, he was someone desperately trying whatever they could. He didn't know exactly what he was doing, but he did whatever he could to keep pushing forward regardless of whatever price he paid.

[viajeraentrelibros]

// dsmp rp

Dream: "Take a golden apple, I guess. Whatever." (4th Sam and Dream prison stream, 38:24)

Dream is so obvious with how casually he phrases this. He is showing Sam exceptional kindness, deliberately, to prove to him that even your worst enemies can be treated with basic human decency. And Sam doesn't even notice! He takes the gapples and the steak and acts like he never deserved anything less, like Dream had the moral responsibility to have given it to him sooner.

Dream is trying desperately to get through to someone who profoundly hurt him, and all he gets is that same condescension. The disconnect is astounding. It is maybe the moment that finally proves to Dream that Sam won't give him the closure he needs. In a sense, it is a setback in him putting himself back together. In another sense, it is a comfort, knowing that Sam really is as delusional as he thought, at least it wasn't all in his head.

[viajeraentrelibros]

I enjoy c!Dream's character so fucking much.

c!Dream is incredibly smart. And I mean there is no match for that man's intelligence on the whole server. Have you ever listened to any of his debates with Quackity? Have you heard how well he can argue his point in the face of someone trying to paint him as an evil tyrant? His speeches in the Vault??? AYO??? Okay green boy I know you want to seem like a stereotypical cartoon villain but why you gotta play the role so well???

You think c!Dream is an idiot? Watch Punz's behind the scenes for the L'Manburg war. The amount of effort Dream put into planning? How well he thought everything through? INCREDIBLE. The way he predicted exactly how the events of the war would go? AMAZING.

c!Dream is confident, and assertive, and he's calculating. And he has controlling tendencies, that's true. But his controlling nature mostly comes from the fact that he believes himself to be the most competent individual around (and he's not exactly wrong). And instead of just pushing decisions onto his friends, he tries to make them see reason behind what he wants so that they agree with him (how he explained why he felt it would be best to remove George's kingship instead of just taking it away immediately, even though he could).

c!Dream ruthless in the most fascinating way possible. Has he done things that should never be done or justified? For sure. But it's not that he's evil or that he enjoys bringing others pain. To him, others' suffering is just another method of achieving his goals. To c!Dream, if his methods work, then his methods are good, morality isn't a factor to him. And that is fascinating.

Anyway I really really like c!Dream's character.

[viajeraentrelibros]

I was thinking it was funny how lan zhan raced off into danger just as much as wwx did in the past but he was treated like a hero instead of a nuisance. Like funny because people think he’s some upstanding dude and poor wwx is stuck flapping around like hello???? We did? The same thing? But then it hit me:

LWJ was the son of a sect leader and the pride of his sect. He had the full support of his entire family. WWX was the orphan son of a servant that the jiang family took in… very reluctantly on madam yu’s end. He had the full support of JFM, JC, and JYL and people (aka yu ziyuan) treated their support of him as something shameful, a betrayal of their status and responsibilities. It wasn’t that LWJ was any less reckless or prone to heroism than WWX. It’s that people perceived their actions differently from the get go.

They perceived their own actions differently too. LWJ was praised by his family and by the other cultivators for always standing up for his morals. He was taught that his upstanding nature made him good and pure and the perfect lan and so he carried himself in a way that he believed would reflect that: constantly checking the rulebook, never putting a toe out of line. WWX was taught that standing up for his morals caused trouble for others. Rather, that his very existance caused trouble for the jiangs. He was taught that this kind of stubborn, selfish behavior made him a miscreant. And so he carried himself in a way that reflected that too. LWJ never looked for praise for his acts if heroism because that’s not what mattered to him, but also because he didn’t need to. WWX didn’t look for praise because it didn’t matter to him either but also because he wasn’t really taught to expect any. It’s easy to forget how young they were in the flashbacks. They met as teenagers, their entire perception of themselves was based off what others told them. Lan wangji, the pure jade of gusu lan and a paragon of his family’s creed. Wei wuxian, the lucky, shameless servant boy of yunmeng jiang. For 15 year olds? Those titles stick

[viajeraentrelibros]

I'd like to take this moment to acknowledge that nie huaisang, a boy partially raised by his brother, was the only teenager in his age group secure enough to, well, act like a teenager. He was a lazy brat! He was shy and scared of getting hurt and whined a lot! He was 15! And that remains the truth across all the verses. Nie mingjue wasn't perfect but he somehow managed to give his brother the stable environment that none of the other kids NHS's age got despite having adult parents

Within the novel/audiodrama!verse we see him mouthing off to his brother more and just generally get the sense that he's just a touch spoiled. But the way he never questions his place in his family, the fact that he was sent to safety the second the war started, how nie mingjue asks after his brother's studies without shame, his own carefree and unbiased nature, the way NHS is scared of everything but never seems to believe he'll actually be allowed to get hurt--we get the feeling that huaisang is a pretty well cared for kid.

And in the CQL!verse? Nie huaisang is the only kid who's immediate reaction to the Wens demanding a hostage was "no way my brother's gonna allow that, I gotta talk to him!" JC, LWJ, and WWX all resigned themselves to be given up for the sake of their sect just like that. And I get it. Their parents are leaders, they have to think for their people and I agree. BUT that's not the point. The point is that these are supposed to be teenagers! They shouldn't think of themselves as sacrificial! And yet NHS was the only one who's immediate response to danger was to turn to their family for protection. Yes, NMJ had to send him in the end but you could tell he was reluctant to comply based off the fact that he bulked up the sect upon recieving the request. I'm not saying the parents should've fought, what I'm saying is that the other kids should've at least believed that their guardians would try to somehow protect them, even if it wasn't feasible in the end

[viajeraentrelibros]

Wangxian is that dynamic: Rant Post

I personally think Wangxian is one of the most complete, compelling and near-perfect dynamics to ever be written. Like, think about it. All of our favourite pairings generally include one T (Thinking-type) and one F (Feeling-type), or both Feeling types as they are easier to relate to.

But then you have Wangxian - an ISTJ and an ENTP. Such... annoying personality types.

You have Lan Wangji, who's going to fight your procrastination for you. The guy who's stability personified and Mr. He Is Indeed Better, and then you have Wei Wuxian, who's going to argue his mouth off than take a hint; a little too aware of just how great he is and constantly onto the search for new angles of discovery.

Generally, these sort of personalities are put into the background while an INFP (or whatever) find love. These are the cliche best friends. But never the main leads.

But look at Wangxian!

Look at them being so smart together, sharing the same values. Look at Lan Wangji showing his anger by frosty, cutting words (just a few) or worse... utter disregard for you. The guy's going to glare at you with such frosty chill or go out of his way to ignore you. You're not going to get to him, and it's going to PISS you off.

Then there's Wei Wuxian and it's like...are you getting to him? Or, is he getting to you?? If you argue with him too much about his alleged failure and arrogance and quirks, he's gonna tap into them, and make you feel unstable. He's going to wield his flaws like a blade at you. You're going to just want to avoid him and the snark that filters in through his sunny disposition.

And... look at Wangxian taking the "scientific way" to sex.

"What am I supposed to do?" / I cannot believe I'm asking Lan Zhan for sex advice.

"Relax." / To the point answers only.

Also in the Extra, when discussing their CNC kink they go all the way into the story of how they're going to scene:

"So I'll do this and you resist and then I'll do this."

"Sounds difficult."

"Okay, let's switch positions."

Like... perfection??? Like go, find yourself a partner who's equally as weird as you and have your happy ever after with them: accomplished.

Not just that but the aftermath of the bichen incense burner:

"I have never been treated like this before."

"Mn." (fond smile)

"I'll chop you if you do that again."

"Mn."

Like... how easy is it to communicate ? Without any fears, without any remnant feelings, without guilt - how easily they understand each other.

And not Wei Wuxian showing his love by gifting Lan Wangji a numerous weird things, and constantly talking about exactly what he loves about Lan Wangji. Not Lan Wangji doing every sort of act of service for Wei Wuxian (and Wei Wuxian allowing it), and being calm but not quiet with his words.

"It is as it is" - loving Wei Wuxian is a fact for Lan Wangji, backed up by his actions.

They never go out of their way to think of certain events differently. Perhaps, that's what takes them so much time and 2 life times to get together. Because, hell, it's obvious to us. But you're telling me Lan Wangji wouldn't stand up for anyone who's in the right and framed incorrectly? He totally would. Lan Zhan is just that nice. Similarly, Wei Wuxian is also just that nice.

He took a brand for Mianmian. He couldn't remember her for a minute afterwards. He saved Su She. Twice. He has no idea who Su She is. So, yes. He did a lot of things for Lan Wangji but what is he supposed to be?

I love how their relationship is built upon a pact of no apologies and no thanks. Loving each other isn't a duty, a responsibility or a debt. It is just natural. There's nothing to be repaid. There's only things to discover together.

You don't need to thank me because thanking means you recognize my effort as helping you, but you are not required to - as it is the nature of things. I will help you. You will help me. We will never measure who helps each other more. You don't need to apologize for your actions, because I trust that you will not do wrong unto me. Never by intention.

And, let's talk about how they gravitate towards each other ?? Lan Wangji sitting in Gusu thinking about Wei Wuxian and his lotus seeds and stems theory. Wei Wuxian sitting in Lotus Pier thinking of Lan Wangji. Analyzing every word the other has said, thinking back to all that they have done for each other, lingering not on the pain they have caused each other but the happiness, and you know, that they'll be able to talk about the pain, through the pain, because they are people rooted in the present.

I imagine just how insane it would be for Wei Wuxian, the no golden core until the age of 9 to head disciple to one of the strongest cores to the reason why Yunmeng Jiang win every night hunt event at Discussion Conferences, to lock swords with Lan Wangji and feel, "Ah, this is an equal. This is a new puzzle to be solved. This is a cabbage to be pricked (canon)."

And for Lan Wangji, who's equated insolence and disobedience with poor performance to suddenly come upon someone who appears larger than life, raking up answers and top spots in tests, and duelling as an equal yet never adhering to the rules, finding loopholes and shaking up Lan Wangji's whole dimension.

Another thing I really love is how Lan Wangji isn't, like, his uncle. Or his brother. He isn't his uncle in the ways that he allows himself to break rules when they don't align with the rules he considers superior - his moral calling. His hanguang-jun-ness. He absolutely loves rules; he does; and he loves his stability but he's not afraid to embrace change if it is required.

And, Lan Zhan just isn't his brother. He doesn't like you? Trust, you're gonna know. He thinks you're stupid? It's going to be translated across. He's not going to appease you, or make his presence or his wishes lesser to comfort you. He is his own person (which is so similar to how Wei Wuxian is; like poor boy was punished all the time for being himself, at Lotus Pier by Madam Yu, and yet he never downplayed his talents. He never bowed down.)

And I think it's obvious just how well Lan Wangji knows how worthless words can be if they're not followed with actions. Similarly for Wei Wuxian, he speaks a lot. But he does do what he speak. Protect Jiang Cheng? He will. Fight for Lotus Pier? He will. Protect the Wens? He will absolutely.

Thus, you see, as a couple they will never have to face those sorts of arguments where someone seriously states how they feel about A event but behaves differently when they can do something about it. As a couple they will never have to worry about the other not being themselves. Compromising is one thing - pretense is another. Wei Wuxian compromises and doesn't try to break rules. Understands that he's going to insult Lan Wangji's position by acting out. Lan Wangji compromises and breaks some rules for him. They both compromise and take care of each other's needs and habits to cohabitate together successfully, and at the same time, there's no pretense. No lying. No manipulation. No "I'm fine when I'm not."

Think of them going to night hunts together, with Wei Wuxian's easy brilliance and Lan Wangji's easy dependency. Like that guy, is strong and capable enough to protect Wei Ying. He knows that. Wei Ying knows that. The cultivation world knows that.

Think of how both of them are such healthy adults and loving to children. Lan Wangji isn't a cold dad and Wei Wuxian isn't an irresponsible one. They're both so very capable.

So, my point is - Wangxian is perfect. I will die on this ship.

[viajeraentrelibros]

Working on a theory that one of the reasons why there are such widely disparate readings of The Untamed is due to a critical division in interpretation of WWX’s character, namely whether he sacrifices so much of himself due to his own lack of self-worth vs sacrifices himself because of the strength of his love for others. Events happen the exact same regardless of what reading you take, but how you interpret those events (in particular his relationships with others) changes dramatically, to the point where it can feel like you’re talking about entirely different texts. 

For example, if your interpretation is that the root of WWX’s self-sacrificial streak is his own lack of self-worth, then a lot of your perception of the Jiang family is going to be coloured by that interpretation because you’re almost looking for he reason why he believes that. I think this is where the argument that the Jiangs “taught WWX that love is conditional” comes from– Wei Wuxian has to have some reason for his lack of self-worth, so they must have fostered this belief in him. This means when you see his relationship with Jiang Cheng, it almost feels like WWX has been taught that he has to give up everything for the Jiang clan and when he has nothing more to give he gets discarded. Wei Wuxian has to hide his strengths to make Jiang Cheng feel special, he takes Madam Yu’s verbal abuse in part because he believes it, etc. It’s also why I think a lot of people talk about WWX thinking he can give up his golden core because he is ‘expendable’. He gives up his core because his core is inherently worth less than Jiang Cheng’s, not because he loves Jiang Cheng more than his core. 

Probably the biggest split in these readings I’ve seen is in the different interpretations of Jiang Fengmian’s goodbye to WWX. If you think that WWX’s self-sacrifices come from his own lack of self-worth, then this is a horrible scene where WWX’s beliefs are confirmed and he is told ‘they are more important than you. You must protect them. You must give everything you have to protect them’. Whereas if you think WWX’s self-sacrifice comes from love, then there are no negative connotations to this scene. 

It also drastically changes what ‘lesson’ WWX needs to learn for his relationship with Lan Zhan. If you think WWX has no self-worth, then to be with Lan Zhan he needs to learn that his worthy of love, he does have value, here is the love of his life to prove that to him. If you think WWX’s driving force is love, then the lesson is ‘the best way to love people is be with them. Let them take care of you, mutually rely on them, Self-sacrifice only hurts you both’. 

These readings, and the subsequent interpretations you can make based on them, are not even close to exclusive. You can certainly think WWX has no self worth so he will sacrifice himself for the people he loves, and you can think WWX loves everyone so much but he wouldn’t go so far if he didn’t have some self-hatred. A combination is probably what is best supported by the text. I just think it’s interesting that which motivator is just a little stronger in your idea of Wei Wuxian’s character can completely change how you interpret what’s happening on screen.