strangeunknownarbiter

[strangeunknownarbiter]

I love the fact that Steve is smart before the serum, perhaps best shown by how he handles the flag during the training montage, but just like in CACW, he's actually reading. Yes, he's reading strategy and more but he's also reading fucking Nietzsche and science and other philosophy. He recognizes that it's not just about brawn, that the ship needs a heading, and he's the one who needs to be able to steer clearly in that great new superbody.

[strangeunknownarbiter]

A lovely and poetic take.

So many CA:TFA fanfics I’ve read have been the most heart-rending, wholesome, fascinating, healing experiences. They’ve helped me through the worst of times by reminding me that pain is only a moment in the vast ocean of human experience, and by embracing the emotions of others I am repaired and refilled for another battle.

Depression and anxiety are terribly isolating. Thank you to all the people who refract the light of creativity to illuminate the night.

God I love the collaborative nature of fanfiction. the yes and of fanfiction. the oh, what if nature of fanfiction. The endlessly unfolding, expanding, fractalizing, personalizing of fanfiction. The, I hear you, I love you, but I want to see it through another lens, of fanfiction. The way canon endlessly spawns ideas, and each spark of concept prompts another dozen lights to glow.

It is deeply human to refract a story through yourself so it can shine a light on that one specific emotion you needed to find. And it is the best of humanity that our instinct is to take what we have made, and share it with others.

[strangeunknownarbiter]

On my knees frothing at the mouth BEGGING someone to make a Bucky edit to the Boots poem by Rudyard Kipling

[strangeunknownarbiter]

Does anyone remember that Christmas-themed fanfic on AO3 in which Steve gifts Gabe a trumpet after searching through every store in London? And Howard and Bucky are both Jewish?

Help, please! I know it exists but my two neurons can’t remember the title!

[strangeunknownarbiter]

Question for the community:

How do you think each commando would handle a Karen in customer service? I need to know your thoughts.

[strangeunknownarbiter]

I stumbled across a genuine bona-fide Nazi in my TikTok feed tonight. Now, to be clear, I enjoy TikTok very much and it’s been an invaluable resource of knowledge, entertainment, and rent money for me. But…just like all social media apps, it has its special little circles of rot and ruin.

Not gonna lie, I’m genuinely very shaken by this blatant reminder that we live in a country that is French-kissing fascism. I know neo-Nazis have existed for several decades and the Ugly Man himself took inspiration from the U.S’s treatment of minorities. I know, it’s not new. I’m just very unsettled right now. The next four years are going to be frightening — not just because of Trump. Because of the people who follow him.

If you feel the same way, I hope you take some comfort in our tiny little Howling Commandos community here. They give me the extra courage I need to wake up, turn my face to the sun, and plant myself in defiance of the hate that’s so common in this country. Even if you���re scared, remember the Seven Stellar Fellas who have your back.

Dugan would start (or finish) a fight for you.

Or maybe Jim would slap your back and spit out a factual one-liner that’d cut through all the bullshit.

I think Monty and Gabe would be still and calm by your sides, flanking you with soothing cool on the left and comforting warmth on the right.

It’s quite possible Frenchie might present a hypothetical idea to distract you with enthusiastic discussion.

Or maybe Bucky would check in and lead you through the motions of calming your anxiety. Lord knows he’s had to do it countless times after Azzano.

And after all, Cap would encourage you to stay planted. Tell the world to move if it damn well wants to, but you remain steadfast in your convictions.

That’s the comfort I take, anyway.

[strangeunknownarbiter]

^ Morita

[strangeunknownarbiter]

AND AND AND, we have to remember he has exceptional control of his body with superhuman balance and spacial awareness, so it stands to reason he’s able to move with agility and silent grace when necessary.

When he was bumbling through New York city, we have to remember a few things:

1. Erskine had just been shot! Murdered right in front of Steve’s eyes! People are often clumsy when they’re full of emotion and adrenaline.

2. He’d JUST gotten the serum like, what, five minutes ago? Of course he’s going to be unaccustomed to maneuvering with all this extra weight and height, plus the sudden increase of attention required to slow his own inertia.

3. Not only did he have to get used to moving in his new chunky body, he had to get used to moving like an athlete. Knowing how to run more efficiently, how to regain his footing after stumbling to the ground, how to accurately judge the distance of a jump. All of this is important.

So ultimately, I think writers should be aware that every scene is contextual and Steve isn’t a big meathead just because he bumbled and stumbled during a singular section of TFA. Hell, if anyone’s clumsy it’s gotta be Dugan.

There's sometimes a trend in fanfic where Steve is written as louder and more clumsy or bad at stealth compared to Natasha or Bucky.

I've read many where Natasha claims he wouldn't be good on a stealth mission.

I think that comes from the scene right after he gets the serum and he's running through the city, stumbling and crashing into things as he gets used to his new body.

But we see from his mission into the Hydra factory, the stealthy take down of Batroc's men on the ship in Winter Soldier, and his ambush of the Raft in Civil War that Steve very quickly and consistently is able to move quietly and stealthily, so I think that's a misconception.

I think Steve can be scarily quiet when he wants to be. Maybe he uses the preconceived idea of his stealth capabilities to his advantage and catches people off-guard when such a large man moves so quietly.

[strangeunknownarbiter]

^ me to the next right-wing boomer who judges me for not celebrating Thanksgiving

[strangeunknownarbiter]

^ Colonel Phillips

[strangeunknownarbiter]

^ Dugan

[strangeunknownarbiter]

Found a typo, hehe.

[strangeunknownarbiter]

Y’all think Gabe can play other instruments aside from the trumpet?

[strangeunknownarbiter]

Dernier’s kinda like a bird, if you squint.

[strangeunknownarbiter]

Thinking about this little 650-word AU fanfic from 2011.

My two favorite bits:

1. Drunk Thor mistaking Falsworth for Fandral.

2. Dugan and his potted plant.

My one critique:

Where the hell is Dernier?

[strangeunknownarbiter]

^ Steve

[strangeunknownarbiter]

^ Falsworth