#I project my feelings onto characters too much..

[huginsmemory]

OH THIS THANK YOU @kerink!!! The simple fucking fact that Bill can literally rewire Ford's fucking brain to obey him if he wanted to (due to Ford AGREEING to possession) hits the nail on the head to display that Bill cares for who Ford is, and so vastly prefers Ford to join him 'willingly'. Afterall, if you just make someone love you (via fear, like Bill's usually ruled, or via brain rewiring...) it isn't the same as someone willingly choosing to love you, like Ford did, and Bill desperately wants that back (and subsequently leans on his usual tactics of fear to try and get it back once Ford refuses to speak to him). To digress, the actual extent of Bill's power is a bit unclear; especially as Bill lies, and the most powerful (beyond weirdmageddon) he tends to be is usually within the dreamscape emulated as real life, which he has immense control over... But then also you have direct evidence of Bill rewiring Ford brain with Fordtramarine, so that IS within his scope of powers, at least within the contract of possession. Also... taking a step back to a Dolyelist explanation, GF is a comedy and follows a narrative (especially looking at TBOB), so lots of Bill's powers directly stem from what makes sense narratively, and/or is something comedic, so I also have a distinct feeling Bill's powers less follow a Watsonian explanation.

Also I completely agree that Bill sees himself in Ford; they're so similar when they meet, and much like in some ways Ford projected onto Dipper, Bill projects himself onto Ford... and I think that's why he assumes Ford would be ultimately fine with Bill's take over, especially Ford openly does wish violent retribution regarding being treated poorly for being different (ie, Ford's comment about Rudolph). However (small peanuts here tbh) I wouldn't perhaps say he wanted the exact same experience from Ford, to destroy his dimension; I think already Ford's falling out with Stan is strong enough of a resemblance for that imprinting... Mmm it's more like I don't think it was a conscious thought within Bill, but also wouldn't be surprised if he would also be eager about that parallel if he was consciously aware of it (and may have been unconsciously eager about it). I think Bill really is a reactive person more so than someone who is actively planning what they are doing; I think that as a conscious desire in Bill is a bit too much for a character that is very reactive, and I think Bill more was driven by the desire of I want Ford by my side. And I think that also influenced his thoughts that Ford would end up agreeing with him; sometimes when people (especially if they're more self-focused) assume that their desires are their partners desires, (cough, projecting, like previously mentioned) even when it's very much not true.

I think (as a watsonian explanation) that's also why you have Bill ridiculing Ford when he confronts him about the portal; even though he wants Ford to continue to be at his side (and it doesn't make sense to ridicule him if it pushes Ford away). First of all, to a degree he DOES recognize what he's doing is bad even if he denies it 'as improving Earth', and that Ford has compunctions about what Bill's doing; that's the reason why he lies about it, but also mocks Ford in doing something he'd normally never agree to. Secondly, I don't think Bill at this point doesn't quite realize Ford means a LOT to him yet, and hasn't really thought much about the portal reveal, only just vague, it'll be fine, in the end he'll agree sentiment likely due to what I outlined above. Thirdly, Bill's self destructive and thrives on (unhealthy) power dynamics, especially as you know the two of them have had some strained interactions by this point, case in point when they both accuse each other of essentially cheating. It's Bill putting Ford into his place, and he can't resist that. And so it all culmulates into him doing what he ALWAYS does when the truth comes out, and he ridicules Ford. And it goes spectacularly sideways, for Bill especially as @itslikepoetrythat excellently points out, Bill immediately SPECIFICALLY ridicules Ford's intelligence, Ford's load-bearing concept of self-worth... on top of the fact that Bill has been providing Ford's sense of selfworth for a good long time now, especially with Bill's I'm a god of knowledge, and I choose you because you are so special and smart shill. Which of course has Ford feeling immensely betrayed by the person he's closest to, just like Stan, as everything around him that he's cared about and worked towards collapses all around him, but it's worse because he was played like a fiddle and on top of the horror that he's been building a portal to kickstart the end of the world. And so Ford, cuts Bill out of his life. Also like ehhhh more small peanuts perhaps in different opinions of Ford's internal structure in response to everything, but I would say it's less if I can't have this then you can't have this about the portal, but rather a reactive horror to the situation; that's not to say there isn't a revenge aspect at all, but I think it's a very reactive I want nothing to do with this (but also this is my life's work tension thrown in) and a very tangible desire to not want the end of the world to happen (who knows what Bill would do).

Anyhow. Damn these two are the gift that keeps on giving for character analysis...

Really can't get over the CAN WE TALK? stickynotes. And I mean I think part of it really kinda clicked when I've seen some fanart about it. We really see in TBOB that Ford after beginning to hear voices slipping through the cracks and questions Bill, to learn what Bill really intended, ENTIRELY shuts down his communication with Bill. And you see Bill when he gets questioned in that moment responds with a heavily implied dialogue along the lines of "haha, yeah I tricked you, I'm here to overtake your dimension". But Bill still expects Ford to respond to him in some way, and it's very clear that Bill is shocked when Ford REFUSES to talk to him. And what's interesting is Bill doesn't just IMMEDIATELY begin with threats; he actually leaves stickynotes first, before Bill realizes he's FUCKED UP big time and gets really nasty. There's something pleading with the CAN WE TALK? sticky note. There's a point where Bill does realize he's not getting what he expected, that he's missing Ford, and that he's willing to possibly even smooth some things over, explain things better (maybe even the part that the nightmare dimension is unraveling perhaps) or persuade Ford into Bill's plans. But Ford refuses, and it's already too late for Bill because just like with Stan, Ford feels betrayed and when Ford feels betrayed he'll mercilessly cut the person out of his life. Ford deeply, deeply holds hurt and betrayal and as a result he has zero desire to speak with Bill again (and also uhhh big red flag to take over the world, so also. Yeah).

And it's interesting because it's a slower ramp up until Bill is desperate and threatens, uses violence, because that's what he's always used when it comes down to it, and an ultimatum is given. It wasn't just threats out of the gate; Bill DID try to speak to Ford (btw this is not me being like Ford should have spoken to Bill and it would be magically healthy, cause no matter how you slice it it's just a toxic mess tbh). Threats out of the gate would have been faster; there's over three weeks in the timeline, before Ford goes through the portal (althought we don't get too much context around exactly when everything occurs). That's a lot of time! But Bill didn't threaten Ford immediately. And I think part of that reason is because Bill expected Ford to speak to him, expected their relationship or at least their project to mean enough to Ford that Ford would speak to him and then continue their work, once his anger cooled off. And I think also part of it is because Bill cared about Ford, not that he'd admit it in the moment; but he'd rather Ford willingly be alongside him, then have to force him through threats to do the work on the portal. You see that, even after Ford spends 30 years trying to kill him and nearly even does, when he offers him during wierdmageddon to be a henchmaniac. Bill cares about Ford, wants Ford beside him. But then Ford continues to refuse to engage with him at all, and Bill realizes he's lost Ford, and progressively gets more desperate and angrier as he's still refused, and falls into the violence he usually uses, to get Ford to cooperate.

Anyhow it's one of those things that you wonder what would've happened if they DID speak, but that would ultimately be defying a big part of who Ford is... So in a way it's a juicy juicy tidbit to chew on, the implications beyond the writing on the sticky note.

[theokusgallery]

Hiiii I saw you say you have Notes on your Remus and Janus designs 👀👀?

Could we see/hear some tidbits?

FOR SURE !! Here's what the original doodles for their designs look like, first off, (I know you didn't ask for Virgil but I did these three at the same time)

When I drew this I had just finished an exam and had to wait another hour until I could leave the classroom, so I wrote down enough notes that I had to flip the page instead:

Virgil:

- Virgil has light brown hair that he dyes black (badly). It is essential that the dye job look like shit. It looks artificial, his roots are showing, there's patches where the color didn't take, etc etc.

- He also has blue eyes, which I decided on mostly because it makes it even more clear that his hair isn't naturally black.

- He wears earrings, but his ears aren't actually pierced — they're fake little little clip-on things.

- He wears black nail polish at all times, but it's always chipped because he gets the cheapest stuff he can get his hands on.

- His hair (especially his bangs) get very long at times because he gets too socially anxious to go to the hairdresser. Back in middle school, he used to have Janus cut them for him (Remus could have done a better job but trusting him with scissors would have been a mistake). Now he mostly cuts it off by himself — it looks about as good as his dye job.

- Virgil's purple hoodie is a leftover from Remus' fashion design endeavors that Remus thought didn't look weird enough.

Janus:

- He has naturally strawberry blonde hair. The length is very important to him — he started growing it towards the end of middle school. (He allows Remus to experiment with hairdos sometimes as long as he doesn't cut anything off. I need to draw that sometime)

- I'm not entirely settled on his eye color. I know at least one of his eyes is a very pretty brown, but I have half a mind to give him a yellow glass eye for his left side — I'm not sure it'd make any logistic sense for his situation, though

- He got his ears actually pierced when he was 16.

- He also may or may not have a forked tongue. Not sure how I'd ever be able to show that off — but if he does have one, then Remus definitely was the one to encourage him to do it.

- His fashion style was definitely influenced by being around Remus (who may have used him as a mannequin/dummy because he's small.) so much. Remus also attempted to make clothes for him, but Janus is very fancy and picky, so he doesn't wear those clothes very often (though he might accessorize with stuff Remus made for him occasionally).

Remus:

- He has naturally very dark hair. He uses temporary/surface level dyes a lot, but if he's using permanent or semi-permanent dyes, he's usually limiting himself to the grey streak — it's kind of a sample strand, since it's already bleached. He 100% copied his hairstyle from Roman's.

- He (and Roman, of course) has greenish blue eyes.

- Janus paid for him to get his ears (and eyebrows) professionally pierced because otherwise he was just going to do it himself with a sewing needle.

- He has a lot of very shitty stick-and-poke tattoos he made/makes on himself. They're almost always hidden by his outfits.

- Speaking of which, Remus makes most of his outfits costumes himself. The quality of the work may vary, but they are always way too over-the-top for casual wear, because he stands out anyway, so... in for a penny, right. (As I said in the tags of a post: he is very creative and has no shame or social anxiety at all, so he had his whole aesthetic ("overdramatic green") figured out by the time he was 13)

- He also has SH scars, but, again — they're hidden by his outfits 99% of the time. He's a slut who never shows an inch of skin

[greenieart]

Finally done with the fullbodies for all three of these characters for a new project! I’ve been working on these designs for the last couple of months, and I’m super fond of them and excited to write more about them 💚

[cuddlybelphie]

Satan and Lucifer.

Satan because he and I have many similar things in common, such as interest in books, being academically book smart (I used to be.. I'm working on myself right now, so I'm not as good as him obviously.)

I love cats as much as he does and I, as well, have temperamental issues. I try my best to keep it low but sometimes it can leak out if I'm irritated enough. And most importantly, he and I both share hatred for Lucifer~

As for Lucifer, I hate to admit how similar we are, whether it be mannerisms, how he talks, his behavior, his mindset and just overall almost the entirety of him. I don't like being similar to him, but I cannot deny that I'm prideful in a similar way to him, that is one of the many reasons I just can't stand him.

🩷February 20 Questionnaire🩷

Which character can you feel you can relate to the most?

Optional: and why?

[doodlejoltik]

my favourite writing device is having an un-Rei-liable narrator

[trashcanwithsprinkles]

Its actlly so nice to hear a normal perspective on this topic. Usually, its just my own(an example of thoughts I get on the daily:how do you know the water you drink is not poisonous? Sure, nothing happened yet, but what if it will??Every. Single. Time. I. Drink. Water.). Also, the only things I did see was twitter discourse. I think I depended emotionally on my fav chrctrs and projected my insecurities. And I felt I had to stay hypervigilant because theres no neutral ship name. Btw, I didnt expect you to answer the two following asks. And yeah, sorry bringing you into this, theres a reason why being a therapist is a job and I also don't want to spam your blog w/ my mental illness taht was not my intention, its for fun and discussing the two sillies in love. If u wanna answr this then so be it, but like, you can just ignore it

no anon this is kinda fascinating to me so dw, also it takes me like two min to write out a reply so this is hardly taking time off my day LMAO

absolutely not surprised you were deep into twitter discourse. that makes so much sense. hope you've left that behind by now, and if you havent, either consider leaving or learn to curate your feed to avoid the absolute batshit insane things that go down there

[violentdelightshavevioletends]

Everything I know prior to reading the first Fourth Wing book & entering the Empyrean universe:

The main character is Violet Sorrengail, she’s got silver in her hair, & has EDS (representation ow/yay) she’s the daughter of a general… and fighting with dragons?—Soulmate besties with two dragons?—Grieving a dragon? Idk… something with dragons😂She and Xaden have some tension? Everyone seems to like Liam? And her brother either died, is secretly alive, or alive and then tragically dies?

Xaden is someone everyone seems to like? Morally grey. Shadow powers? Bad boy with a good heart? And maybe has some tattoos?

Liam seems to be blonde & beloved by the fandom… maybe he’s a love triangle or best friend? Idk.

Dragons… lots of dragon… or so I presume?

That’s about it I think? … I’m mostly reading based on recommendation + it’s always in my feed & personally (while I don’t share much online this is a big one for this series… partially why it took so long cause the medical C-PTSD is hard & sibling grief is hard this time of year) but the chronic illness is chronic illnessing so I’m excited to see a character with EDS written by someone with EDS (yes I have EDS… and POTS, & MCAS, + CCI & the whole shebang of genetic connective tissue issue comorbidity misery)

[blujayonthewing]

I've realized that the problem with fursonas is that trying to engage with the concept feels exactly the same as when I was a little kid trying to have an imaginary friend; it sounds like fun, it looks like the other kids are enjoying it, it lowkey feels like something I, personally, should have, but whenever I try it just feels forced and fake and like I don't know how to do it, or that I'm doing it Wrong

[uchiha-gaeshi]

I’m calling off my SI/OC fic.

[phagodyke]

I love to talk but I rly do feel like we have to be talking for a minimum of 8 hours straight before I feel like I can even begin to rly broach things on my mind or that have been bothering me a lot that I actually want to talk abt without being vague or deflecting or omitting or lying and if the conversation takes a break at any point it resets back to 0 and its still nice regardless but.

[morninkim]

decided Wren and their world's version of Elle had a kinda toxic romantic/horny fling during that campaign's timeskip - excerpt from the thing i'm writing for it under the cut

(idk if this getting posted anywhere since it is uh. definitely smut. and i don't have anywhere to appropriately and comfortably post that atm. but mostly just using it to practice writing again and i liked this little bit so sharing it hehe)

[redstrewn]

I wonder if vere doesnt get w anyone bc its just too easy to stop caring about others (im projecting)

Edit: no hes probably too passionate for that. He doesnt wanna get w ppl bc he knows he'll be a slave to love probably.

His fatal flaw is wanting power so love would be a weakness

[infizero]

also his drawings. make me insane. im pretty sure ive made a post about this before a while ago but i just love looking at his silly little drawings it adds so much to his character. even after everything he's been through he's still got some humor and lightheartedness in him. and he's really good at drawing too!! so it's likely something he's been doing since he was a kid

[eternal-moss]

Sneak preview of Akademiya Collei TM for a comic I’m doing

[kraviolis]

trying to finish the second half of this goddamn fic but my brain is pulling me in 70 different directions

[itsalwaysdark]

have i ever related to any other characters ... who remembered