#I dont have the effort to put into making this into an actual post

[angels-heap]

Asides from the whole age gap valhoun discourse, why do you actually ship them? Like whats their dynamic im genuinely curious,,, i probably dont see it bc i cant see it as a cannon thing bc when I get interested in smth i often find myself sticking close to cannon unless its an AU

Oh yeah, valhoun's about as canon as freehoun (which is to say, Valve 100% did not intend for anyone to ship these two), but I'm a multishipper at heart despite being a canon stickler elsewhere. I think it's fun to imagine how Barney and Alyx would interact if they were put into Situations or if they spent more time together in canon. I've talked about the appeal of valhoun before (specifically here, here, and here that I could find), and other folks have also shared their thoughts. To summarize:

Unlike Gordon, Alyx and Barney are both (relatively) fleshed-out characters with known voices, mannerisms, personalities, and motivations. They don't seem to know each other well in canon, but this is never stated outright, so there's lots of room for interpretation. They're both a bit goofy/snarky, so there's potential for some excellent banter between them, and I personally find it easier to get into their heads (relative to Gordon's) and imagine them interacting for writing purposes, since I don't have to start from scratch.

Despite their age gap, Barney and Alyx have a lot in common and a lot to bond over (arguably more than other popular pairings; see the "none of us are free of sin" venn diagram). They've spent the same amount of time living on Combine-occupied earth and lost a significant chunk of their lives (Alyx's childhood; Barney's young adulthood) under Combine rule. They're both uniquely connected to Black Mesa and the resonance cascade. Perhaps most importantly, they're both involved with the Resistance, albeit in very different capacities, which entails shared goals and loyalties.

Because of their age gap, they're bound to encounter situational or interpersonal conflicts, which are an essential component of any compelling story. For instance, Barney remembers things and people from the Before Times that Alyx doesn't, but probably desperately wants to — possibly including her late mother. Alyx is optimistic and resilient in a way that Barney never will be but may find refreshing, because despite her best efforts, she can't fully comprehend what was lost and thus has not developed the same bitterness. I can also see her canonical empathy and naivete coming into play in a relationship with Barney (or anyone else, for that matter). I've said before that she approaches him like he's a stray dog she wants to rescue, and he regards her like a gift he doesn't deserve (that might also be a ticking time bomb). While I could go on for hours, I think that about sums it up.

There's potential for a whole "star-crossed lovers" dynamic here, if you squint. Whether they're just friends, or they're in love, or they're just hooking up to try and feel something, the fact remains that they can't develop any sort of meaningful relationship while Barney's undercover and Alyx is such a valuable Combine target. Any interactions between them are likely to be fleeting and dangerous and/or public. I like to imagine they're mutually attracted to one another, and they try to make it work for a while, but they end up taking one too many risks and someone (probably Barney) calls it off after a close call. Maybe they rekindle things post-canon, or maybe they don't. It's a choose your own adventure where the adventure is delicious angst. And on that note...

Valhoun can exist between HL1 and HL2 canon. Honestly, a big part of the appeal of valhoun to me as a writer is that it gives me an excuse to explore what all our favorite characters were up to while Gordon was in stasis. What was the Resistance working on in the years leading up to Gordon's return? How did Barney seemingly become Dr. Kleiner's personal bodyguard? How's he holding up mentally in such a miserable situation, and what does his job actually entail? What was it like for Alyx to come of age as one of the youngest people alive, surrounded by middle-aged scientists? How did those experiences shape her into the person we meet in HL2? Sure, we don't necessarily need a shipping angle to explore these things, but interpersonal relationships are a big part of the human experience, so a little sprinkle of valhoun adds some extra flavor.

Alyx and Barney are both hot. That's not the whole appeal, or even the main appeal, but it's worth mentioning. I am a filthy bisexual and I want to make the hot dolls kiss. So sue me.

I'm not arguing that valhoun is the "best" HL ship or even my favorite ship, but it's got plenty of room for humor, angst, and character development and hot people kissing. I hope this post helps other folks see my/our vision and get on board. A little variety is good for any fandom ecosystem. :)

[kacievvbbbb]

I think that swords definitely talk to Mihawk and Zoro like not even just their sword but any sword of worth but especially the "cursed" ones. Like I mean full-sentences talking that only they can hear. And not the general hum of power or bloodlust that people like shanks hear -

And Shanks does not realize that Mihawk means he is having full conversations with his sword when he says Yoru talks to him. Until Mihawk translates something Gryphon says and Shanks is just like 'I'm sorry.....what???"

Shanks: What do you mean you can talk to swords Mihawk: I told you this 🙄 Shanks: I thought you meant like the general humming, Not that they were conversationalists! Mihawk: So did you think all this time I was just talking to myself? Shanks:....I thought it was a symptom of your lonely childhood.....

I think Zoro has to hold the sword to hear it speak but will eventually grow to be like Mihawk where he just has to be in the area to hear it.

[eshithepetty]

"Haha Dream BBQ is so random and incomprehensible" "did they take drugs to make this lol" "you're actually not meant to understand anything in this series it's ok" "Joel G just makes up stuff on the spot based on what would be funny" "it's just random for random's sake" "is this AI" "stop theorising, it's not that deep" SHUT UPPPPPPPPPP

[akkpipitphattana]

okay like. i've been trying NOT to make a big long post about this because i don't want it to seem like i'm starting unnecessary discourse, but i also think the conversation brought up here is a good and interesting one to have, even if the interaction with this specific person on this specific post was unsavory.

because i keep seeing this take from many, many people that the heart killers is an adaptation of 10 things i hate about you and not of the taming of the shrew, and while i think there's merit to the idea itself, the problem i have with it specifically is how very dismissive people seem to be about the shakespeare aspects.

like, i've seen the whole "the difference is important!" and to be totally honest, i don't think the difference IS all that important. because regardless of whether jojo himself based the plot and idea of the heart killers around solely 10 things or not is honestly irrelevant - because the fact still stands that 10 things itself is based on taming of the shrew. so, there are going to be a lot of things that carry over, and there's still merit in analyzing it as a shakespeare adaptation in that way, even if some of the things from it might seem watered down.

but even beyond that, it is clear that there has been thought and effort put into the show when it comes to referencing the actual play - and other shakespeare works! - as well. i'm gonna once again link my thk x ttots tag for those that would like to take a look at all the direct parallels i've found (note: these are just the DIRECT parallels to the play that i've noticed, and i'm sure there are even plenty that i've missed and there's even a couple i can think of off the top of my head that i haven't made into parallel sets) and then i'm also going to link my taming tag as well because i've written up an awful lot of meta comparing the two at this point in a broader sense as well.

and it's not like i don't understand that not everyone is going to take note of all of these things or even think of them or understand the shakespeare of it all because not everyone has studied shakespeare or read taming and a number of people probably don't even know much about the original play. and i understand that and that's okay! but that's also why i make so many damn posts pointing out all of these things and why i want people to ask me questions about it because this show deserves the appreciation of being a shakespeare adaption! jojo and the team deserve to have these things pointed out because it's so clear how much work and thought and research went into every aspect of the original play that was incorporated into the show.

and it's just. makes me very sad how so many people are willing to dismiss that aspect of the show or call it watered down because they personally aren't catching it or because they personally prefer 10 things and view it more as adaptation of the movie. which, like i said, it's fine to view it as more prominently being a 10 things adaptation, i think there's merit to the idea and see where you're coming from. but it also doesn't negate the shakespeare of it all, either, and i just don't understand the need to dismiss that aspect. it's a huge discredit to the show to do that.

[crustyfloor]

Watch Till get decked out in white in round 7 to symbolize his and Luka's equal chances of life and death

[sadkachow]

if i hear one more pro-ai take i fear i may start exploding people with my brain

[oneroomjestershow]

Hmmm I think ur stuff is super underrated it's kinda sad...Never stop creating you are doing super well!

nonono actually im doing okk!! im good here in my hole dont be sad this is my own doing

also thank youooo dont worry i will create until my body collapses

cute skeleton heart beam

[hiveswap]

Im going to fucking throw up

[undermostcorgi]

drawing other people's dnd characters based on the image i made of them in my head and NOTHING ELSE because i'm evil

[qumiiiquinnquin]

my art will never be good enough !

[orcelito]

Half tempted to just delete the post and not remake it bc I'm sick of fucking thinking about it lmao

I think it's Still not showing up in the tag which means it's probably not showing up on the dashboard too.

[venomgender]

scott cramer worlds best youtuber

[mbat]

im so sick of looking in the pantry and the fridge and the freezer and its all food for other people and theirs never goes empty but theres nothing for me and when we go to the store its always 'sorry, i dont have the money to get more than 1-2 of that' but they have a ton of other stuff in the cart, and theyre probably not even going to make it in the next month while my food goes out within a few days and i end up left with pasta and cereal like always. always pasta and cereal. i think im gonna vomit if i have to have any more fucking pasta and cereal.

[snekdood]

i think i'd be a horrible vampire, like, in terms of my comic's version of them- i'd be too lazy to do all that shit zero does.

[rampant-testiculitis]

the stars aligned in my personality so that everything i convey is either a warped version of what was intended something blatantly different

[skitskatdacat63]

Its basically to keep track of what characterization notes I want to push but. Why am I writing myself comments on my wip that read like comments I would leave on ao3 😭😭 would this be considered egotism