#I'm so glad people have enjoyed this story

[tuttle-did-it]

I've spent almost 40 years giving her many, many chances. She could have been completely removed from the majority of episodes and they would barely change.

Yes, that's a general failure of TNG in particular, but especially for Troi. Nearly every one of her storylines revolved around with whom she was fucking. The show never took her seriously, the show never allowed her to turn into anyone more than that, and that's is a terrible thing.

But they had many similar storylines for Tasha and Crusher, cos sexist writers. But I cared about Tasha. I was devastated when Tasha died. I cared about Beverly. Beverly was the primary reason I continued to watch the show. Gates and Denise managed to imbue their roles with something more. Something beyond the sexist stories and four words they were allowed to say. Because, frankly, I think they were far better actors than Marina. All three women had way too many moments where they were over-sexualised. They all deserved so much more. But Beverly and Tasha managed to move beyond that, for me. Because of Gates and Denise. And Troi never did.

There are a handful of episodes where Troi is significant-- that don't include her in lingerie. Where her existence matters to the story and I vaguely care if she is in the story. Maybe one or two where I cared if she was in the room. But for the most part, I couldn't have cared less if they killed her character off when they killed Tasha. In fact, I probably would have been happy about it. And almost nothing would change except a very cringy romance with Worf that never should have happened.

As far as I'm concerned, Troi was a cringy character who only *started* to get a personality was when she was forced into a Starfleet uniform by Jericho and started to have any ambition or... anything of value to offer. Yes, it helped that she was less sexualised in these episodes, but at least she started to do... something. Something besides saying 'well what do you think?' And 'how did that make you feel?' And telling the captain that a screaming person in the view-screen was 'angry.' So glad we have a betazoid. Thanks. Could have never known the screaming alien was angry or the Romulans were untrustworthy.

After nearly 40 years of watching ad nausea, I just couldn't get the energy to care about her. And I still cannot. I have rewatched TNG dozens and dozens of times. I've tried to like her. I've tried. I've tried to care about her. But more times than not, I honestly wish she was not in the show. I think the majority of the episodes would have been better without her there.

I have nothing against Marina, and I think she did as much as she could with the nothing she was given. But I don't think she was a strong enough actress to layer the character with more the way Gates and Denise did. The way Michelle Forbes did for Ro Laren. Or hell-- even the way Diana Muldaur did for Pulaski. You know, I knew more about Pulaski, And liked her 10x more in her single season than I ever cared about Troi in her 7 years plus movies plus Picard. Same with Ro. The vast majority of the time Troi was on screen, I wished it was any other character because she was almost as annoying her mother. If I could have traded to keep Ro and get rid of Troi, I wouldn't even think twice. Or Pulaski to drop Troi.

I'm glad you like Troi. Keep liking Troi. We can all agree all the women on the show deserved so much more. I am glad she has defenders, and I'm glad she has people who see her value. But I'm never going to come around on her. I'm never going to care if she is there. There are episodes where I dislike her less. And even a few where I don't care if she is there. But I cannot think of a single episode where I enjoyed her, was glad her she was there, or felt anything for her character more than annoyance or just downright dislike. And's especially if her life was in peril, not a single episode where I cared or hoped she would survive.

Again-- I am glad she has defenders, and I'm glad you enjoy her. Yay! Honestly, I really do-- not being sarcastic. But after dozens of rewatched-- maybe hundreds-- I just cannot care about her.

Oh-- PS- Picard made me hate her so much more. In fact, it made me hate all of them so much that I never want to watch TNG again. But I was apoplectic when they fridged Ro Laren. As in, I can never forgive them. Troi? Couldn't have cared less if they'd killed her.

star trek characters will literally go through the most life changing traumatic multidimensional extrasensory eldritch hell torture imaginable and then they're fine and the next episode they gotta deal with a guy who is bald

[piastri-fvx]

A Ferrari fan and a Red Bull Driver. Max Verstappen.

Pairing: Max Verstappen x FerrariFan!reader, Max Verstappen x Leclerc!reader, social media and a very short irl part

Summary: When Max Verstappen develops a crush on a Ferrari fan, who happens to be a Leclerc.

Word Count: 1,089

Face claim: different girls from pinterest & Sabrina Carpenter

Disclaimer/s: None!! Just fluff and a bunch of bickering.

Authors Note: yayyyy second story, here we go!! Hope u enjoy reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it!

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@yourusername

liked by maxverstappen1, charles_leclerc, arthur_leclerc, alexandrastmleux, lorenzotl, jade_distinguinn, charlotte2304 and 637.581.274 others

yourusername family day in the paddockkkk ❤️

| view all comments...

alexandrastmleux trop belleeee liked by creator

-> yourusername my wife 💕

-> charles_leclerc ???

user1 okay but Max posting her...

-> user2 HE DID???

-> arthur_leclerc he did?

-> user3 i smell overprotective brother

-> yourusername @arthur_leclerc don't even

charles_leclerc my favorite little sister ❤️ liked by creator

-> yourusername i'm your only sister?

-> user4 damn 💀

-> user5 i'm so invested in the Max and Leclerc stuff

user6 i need more footage of y/n meeting people in the paddock 😣

-> user7 real

jade_distinguinn 🥰🥰🥰 liked by creator

-> yourusername my loveee 🩵

-> user8 awwww

maxverstappen1 loved meeting you liked by creator

-> user9 what is going on

-> user10 someone please pinch me

user11 you are gorgeoussss liked by creator

-> yourusername thank youuuu

user12 woahhhhh 😍

user13 oh to have y/ns life

@maxverstappen1

liked by yourusername, user1, alexandrastmleux, landonorris, estebanocon and 4.284.395 others

maxverstappen1 finally summer break

tagged: @yourusername

| view all comments...

yourusername forza ferrari 🥰

-> maxverstappen1 no

-> user1 i'm afraid she slayed

charles_leclerc why are you posting my little sister???????

-> maxverstappen1 what? which sister? you have a sister?

-> user2 damnnnn, the gaslighting

user3 i'm so invested in all of this

landonorris i don't know about you guys, but this looks like a girlfriend appreciation post to me 🙃 liked by creator

-> user4 i fear he ate

-> user5 damn, lando has a point

-> arthur_leclerc they're not dating

-> user6 he refuses to believe it lmao

user7 the leclerc brothers being in denial is my favorute thing ever

-> yourusername real

-> user8 omg hiiii

-> user9 is that a confirmation?

arthur_leclerc no

-> user10 overprotective brother alert

user11 MAX LIKING LANDO'S COMMENT ABOUT Y/N BEING HIS GF????

-> user12 i'm so glad i get to live in this world

user13 okay but why is no one talking about how pretty she is?? like damn liked by creator

scuderiaferrari she's ours

-> redbullracing she won't be for long liked by creator

-> user14 not ferrari and red bull fighting over her 😭

user15 just fell to my knees in a parking lot

-> user16 valid reaction

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Sitting in the passenger seat of Max's Aston Martin, y/n let out a thoughtful hum, directing her gaze to Max. He glanced at her, noticing the weight of her gaze on him.

"Penny for your thoughts, mijn liefde?" He spoke up, his voice softer than usual. He seemed to have noticed her thoughtfulness as her mind seemed to be racing. He knew the expression on her face all too well.

"What if they're mad..?" She then spoke, her body visibly tensing at the thought. Her shoulders slumped, making his eyes meet hers again, now filled with concern.

"Lorenzo, Arthur and Charles?" He asked, despite already knowing the answer. Of course she was talking about her brothers, she had been quite anxious to tell them about her relationship with Max, and Max knew that.

She tilted her head, her eyes full of nervousness. "Yeah," she simply said, nodding her head and biting her lips, looking out the window of the car to try to distract herself from her thoughts.

"Why would they be? You make me happy. I love you and you love me. They should be happy for us," Max calmly spoke, attempting to make her relax a bit. And he seemingly succeeded, as she slightly relaxed.

"Yeah, you're probably right," She couldn't help but feel butterflies in her stomach as he said that he loved her. He had said it before, since they had been dating for multiple months at this point, but it still felt like the first time.

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@charles_leclerc

liked by arthur_leclerc, scuderiaferrari, redbullracing, landonorris, lorenzotl and 1.384.294 others

charles_leclerc me when my little sister hangs out with my rival 😒

| view all comments...

maxverstappen1 did someone mention me? liked by creator

-> user1 max verstappennnnnn

user2 lestappen?

landonorris wait until you see his newest post, charles liked by creator

-> user3 i love how invested in this lando is

-> user4 he's just like us

-> user5 he lives for the drama

user6 y/n mentioned

maxverstappen1 me when y/n leclerc 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

-> arthur_leclerc i will fight you.

-> lorenzotl me too. back off, verstappen

-> charles_leclerc i will crash you into the barriers on purpose if you hurt her

-> user7 them wanting to fight max is so funny to me

user8 the last few months on f1 social media have been so amazing 😭

alex_albon max has rizz

-> user9 true

-> user10 preach, alexander albon

user11 do do do do max verstappen

-> user12 i live for that song 😭

@maxverstappen1

liked by yourusername, redbullracing, charles_leclerc, niallhoran, louist91, liampayne, joaofelix79 and 5.482.385 others

maxverstappen1 girlfriend appreciation post

| view all comments...

yourusername mon amourrrrr 🥰 liked by creator

-> maxverstappen1 forever yours ❤️

-> user1 your honor, i love them 😭

-> user2 we got y/n and max together before gta 6

user3 i mean, we did get lestappen ☺️

-> user4 yeah, just with a different leclerc than we thought

-> user5 this is so cute

user6 i hope they get married

-> user7 same

louist91 so happy for you both!! liked by creator

-> yourusername thank you, lou!!

-> user8 i love that she's friends with zayn, louis, liam, harry and niall 😣

liampayne yayyyyyyy!! now she won't have to pine when we text or call and talk about how amazing you are and how much she likes you liked by creator

-> yourusername i'll still do that, what are best friends for? 💕 liked by creator

-> user9 i love her sm

-> user10 i love their friendship

zayn my boy finally got the girl liked by creator

-> maxverstappen1 such a romantic way of saying it

-> user11 so real of them

niallhoran romeo and juliet minus the dying liked by creator

-> user12 so slay of niall to be here

harrystyles wanna write songs about you and him with me? liked by creator

-> yourusername check our chat 🥰

-> user13 HS4?????

-> user14 featuring y/n?

-> user15 y/n in her singer and songwriter era?

-> user16 oh, i am SO here for this

joaofelix79 congratssss liked by creator

charles_leclerc don't your dare break her heart, verstappen liked by creator

-> user17 he wouldn't

-> maxverstappen1 i wouldn't, she'll be my woman forever

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A/N: woooooo!!! second story in two dayssss!! thank you so so much to everyone who liked and reblogged my story, and thank you to everyone who follows me now <333 let me know if you have requests or you want to be on my permanent tag list!!!

[asexualbookbird]

Ah, I read some books in 2024, huh? And eight rereads? Who am I. Tried a lot of new things this year which yay! Go me! Branching out! Not all of those were successes, but I did it and therefore no one can criticise me. But we all know what's important here. So here you go, THE BEST AND WORST OF 2024 (in no particular order)!

THE BEST BOOKS OF 2024

The Adventure of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty - yes, I am still thinking about this, thank you for asking! A full entire adult of a person, a mother even, going on adventures? Fighting and killing and fucking and living? Hell yeah! More of this, please! I would also love to see a prequel of Amina's adventures before the book timeline. Everything about this was so great, I look forward to rereading it.

The City We Became by NK Jemisin - I was wary about this because it was so polarizing to readers. On one hand, even my least favorite Jemisin was still fun, on the other hand, I know nothing about New York. HOWEVER. The audiobook was FABULOUS. I wholeheartedly believe the audio is why I enjoyed this so much. This was FUN this is what reading should feel like all the time.

When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb -FRIEND TO MY SOUL. Again, beautiful audio performance. Beautiful story. I need my own copy so I can reread this to my hearts content. It's cute, it deals with heavy topics, it's gay, it's the friend to my soul.

WORST BOOKS OF 2024

The Novice by Taran Matharu - Ugh. Bought when released, knowing nothing, which seems to be a Theme with books sitting on my shelf I end up not enjoying. Learning about the history of this book made me more angry than the book itself. What do you mean his entire series was bought and published without an editor? It shows, but. Come on. Wattpad born and it shows.

Last Heir to Blackwood Library by Hester Fox- this was only for a summer reading bingo challenge, but come on. There are ways to pull the memory loss, or altered memory plot line and have it work. This did not do that. Wish a library would eat my memories of this book so I never had to think of it again.

Red Sister by Mark Lawrence - Mark Lawrence is one of those authors who writes long books because he thinks it makes him a Good Writer. Mark Lawrence is one of those writers who is afraid to write adult characters because he thinks they won't sell, but continuously puts them in adult situations to show how Hard their lives are and Isn't This Dark And Gritty And Sad without doing the work to actually get there. It toes the line between fantasy in scifi, but not well. It feels more indecisive than anything else.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Firebreak by Nicole Kornher-Stace -more like fireBROKE MY HEART!!!! It was on my tbr list for years, and I finally found a copy and I'm glad I own it so I can reread it at my leisure. It's what Ready Player One could have been if it was actually good.

Godkiller by Hannah Kaner - Okay honestly, this and City were fighting for a spot in the main top three. Either could be there. I do honorable mentions for this very reason. I was surprised to learn this was a tiktok book, because yknow. It's actually Good. Witcher vibes, but with more respect towards women. Why isn't book three in my possession right this second.

Someone You Can Build A Nest In by John Wiswell - I Am Normal About This Book. It was fun to read and annotate it for a friend. It was fun to be around as two friends read it and I loved seeing their reactions to it. Loved cheering on Shesheshen, still think she deserves to eat more people. Friends and I will still share biting goop memes with the caption "Shex3 posting". It's safe to say this has rewritten my brain.

DISHONORABLE MENTIONS

Legacy of Ash by Matthew Ward - I was hyped about this book before release. I bought book two before even reading this because I was that sure I'd enjoy it. What a fool. This did NOT have to be 800 pages. It was another example of someone writing many words because they think that's what Good Writers Do, and not stopping to think about what those words even SAY. Which, in this case, was ~Absolutely Nothing~

Ghost Station by SA Barnes - crying sobbing this book was so fucking stupid. Best thing to come out of it was seeing a friend read it and confirming that yes, it was That Fucking Stupid. Learning the author mainly writes YA Paranormal explained why everyone had Too Stupid To Live disease.

I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons by Peter S Beagle - Admittedly only here to make things even and because it's still pretty fresh in my mind. I was soooo excited when this was announced, and now I'm soooo happy I didn't preorder it. More boring than anything else, but I don't wish it was longer because it already felt Too Long.

Once again, ignored rereads because I feel like that's cheating somehow. Let these be for highlighting new and fun books I discovered! I feel like the last few Bricks I've read have been Very Bad so I hope a couple of the bricks I have planned for 2025 are actually good. Considering one of those is Labyrinth's Heart, I think we're okay.

[yonakuu]

۶ৎ- What a Way to Start a Year⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

Kaiju no. 8: Hoshina Soshiro

Word Count: 1.3k+

Pairings: Hoshina Soshiro x Reader, a side of some Hibino Kafka x Mina Ashiro.

More Author's notes at the end, enjoy your reading!

۶ৎ Laughter bursts from the person beside you- awfully eased up and giddy with the help of alcoholic drinks.

Background check: The third division officers on duty tonight are hosting a quaint gathering for the new years, I mean even in work you can still celebrate with singing, dancing, and a lil booze right?

Thankfully kaijus have been lenient these winter holidays. A chance for all of you to enjoy your time with your loved ones.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚

"Does he call that dancing???" Clutching his stomach, the Vice Captain of the third division, Hoshina Soshiro, laughs breathlessly at the sight on the dance floor.

You follow his teary eyed gaze there, trying your best to not add fuel to the flame by laughing and encouraging more judgement.

The cup shakes in your hand, drink almost splattering as you elbow him. "Please, as if you can do any better!"

"Hey I could if I wanted to, just saying." Plenty of talk but no action.... Still you can use that to your advantage.

Though your pushing- which barely nudges his ground, only intensifies the flush on his face from the drinks. "Nah, it's their time to shine, wouldn't want to take all the lights."

Cue you trying to coax him into the middle of the room to show off his said skills.

"Yeah? Go on then show us.", There your dam breaks in flooding laughter- drink forgotten in a random table with all your focus on eachother.

You both grin stupidly in the sidelines causing a mini ruckus. But thankfully nobody pays you any mind- cause it's quite the sight to see.

Both of their superiors messing around-

"No, I'll go if you go!" Again you spin around to move the precarious situation to his side.

"What about ya go first hm? So I feel less guilty!" Soshiro continues, changing your position so your back is now nearing the bright lights of the floor.

-Though even if they notice, they'll just flash a smile and look away. This party is a time to unwind after all.

Even their Captain is getting pulled to the dance floor to let loose.

"Wait Huh???" Caught off guard, you tense. Also capturing the attention of your play enemy- following your daze.

.....

"Kafka- is he serious?" With Soshiro's jaw also slacked in surprise, ready to save, but you hold him back to see what happens.

"Captain Mina's able to body him if it makes her uncomfortable you know?"

"But you know captain gets a bit confused with all the clamor in these things- don't you think?" -She plays along with it actually, only awkwardly. Only on close doors does Mina actually ease up. Being the captain of such a faction, some level of sterness is needed to lead with no hitch.

With this outlook, other people try to stop Kafka's shenanigans with terrified faces. Afraid for the party to end without it even reaching the time for new years.

But Mina shrugs them off with a smile, hand in hand with said man. Letting herself get led in the dancefloor to celebrate just like any other. Forming their own bubble, the crowd parts for them like some fairy tale story.

"I'm glad they're all enjoying themselves nonetheless" Sighing, he slumps as well. With the sight of smiles around them, infectious as they are. He cracks one himself.

"Ah see, they're actually super cute I guess they did share some bond outside this work of ours." Smiling you lean into the other's arm, satisfied.

Seeing this eases you up as the girl is also your friend, you can see all the weight she carries. And you are glad that someone eases that burden by even a bit. This feeling is shared by all the onlookers as they continue on with their own fun.

"Yeah if only the one beside me did so as well."

"Nah not enough. I meant you should finally dance Hoshina!"

"Oh? i'm enjoying myself plenty, Whaddya mean?" He prods, poking you with a toothy smile.

....Sigh, you won't let him get out of this room without embaracing himself won't you?

"Fine." Defeat in your banter looks good on him,

"So long as you dance with me. Grace me with your presence?" Before you could complain he does some added dramatics. Bowing, with his palm open to you.

As if waiting for your sweet yes.

"Fine I would be glad to join you-" Interlocking your hands with him.

"I think...." You continue with a tease. Getting dragged abruptly for it with following laughter.

Though you guess it'll still be fun so long as your not the only one embarrassing yourself. You're not that evil to leave him hanging.

Now only on the sidelines of the floor you first move stiffly, laughing at every movement. You both can't seem to believe you're doing this.

But as time goes by, trace of embarassment vanish from his face only amusement. Spinning you around till your dizzy hanging off his arms in breathless splendor.

As the lights change color matching the mood of the upbeat music.

Like in the field you adapt ever so smoothly, moves sharp to smooth.

It's like having a dance battle of sorts- one involving stepping on people's shoes. A blur of movement and laughter as you apologize. you haven't had this much fun in ages.

"Ah it's only a few minutes left till new year!" An officer informed, checking his phone while dancing.

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚

Breaking the most of you from your stupor, blood pumping in excitedness.

"Aint there gonna be fireworks when the clock hits 12?" A head pops up in the crowd up to ask and make sure. Some nod, before scattering to find a good viewing point.

Climbing towards the rooftops, near the windows- even to different floors.

Paid no mind by others. Only dancing to the music left behind by someone's spotify playlist.

But you don't move a muscle, rather content in your position. Hence getting left behind, abandonned in the dance floor, in eachothers embrace.

"So.... d'you have any new year resolutions to start off the year?" You break the silence with a rough mutter- throat scratchy in constant disuse but laughter.

"So I can protect the people I love." A firm squeeze done by the hand on your hip to accentuate. "To stay by their side until the next year to do this again."

"Let's see...." Hoshina's voice drifts off in thought.

"....Hmm maybe to get even stronger."

"Just until next year?"

"Until the end of time, you know that." Soshiro huffs, pinching you at the jest.

"How about you?" Through all that clamor you stay entertwined speaking ever so softly.

"1 more minute guys!" Someone howls in anticipation, eyes glued to the screen of their phones to observe the changing pixels. Starting a low count down,

Everything on your mind you say, as there is no soul in ear shot but you both.

"10! 9! 8!..." The counting gets louder, as the numbers get lower.

"So that's it, Let's strive harder together. As always."

He continues, "I'll be by your side throughout." Leaning close to you to aid in comfort.

"You promise?"

Hoshina hums in response as cheers explode all around.

"1- Happy new year!!!!" Your lips touch, slotting perfectly like a puzzle. In the same time as the fireworks rising up to the tippy top of the sky, before exploding into beautiful colors.

"3, 2..." Instinctively you both tilt your heads in a magnetizing trance.

Illuminating the space with reflected lights painting a mystical sight. People jump around cheering, Crying, laughing all at once.

Calling all their loved ones to greet them with a smile.

The scenery is lively, as it should be when meeting a new year. As we don't know what'll happen. But as long as we have eachother there's hope for the future. We all will pave a way, that's our job.

Kafka greets his captain- childhood friend with a smile whilst still hand in hand. Spouting resolutions to do better this year. So he can be able to fight alongside her, much to her amusement-

˚ ༘ ೀ⋆｡˚

Speaking of the person always beside the captain he turns to find him.

Greeting people along the way. Then his gaze falls on the blurred image of some mop of purple hair.

"Vice Captain Hoshina! Happy new- waw!" His gaze falls on the hand on the back of his head, moving towards the other he's entertwined to so passionately.

"Ah! That's one way to celebrate, like okay!-" Forming supportive thumbs up at the sight- Before getting cut off again midway his flush by a hand,

"Happy new years everyone." Mina adds before all the attention is bought onto the ones left behind in the floor. Focused on something other than the fireworks- An awesome save by the Captain.

"Let's observe the fireworks more, the team really worked hard in setting them up."

'Indeed, a shame for it to be wasted.'

Getting met with nods of approval, people push up to the glass in awe.

They sight see for last the fireworks for last. Glancing at the now parted people, forehead touching in bated breaths.

They nod at eachother with matching smiles. Leaving you both for now.

So Hello! Yona here.

Yeesh i'm already messing up at my first post.

My bad, this was supposed to be posted at new years eve- a shame I get easily distracted by karaoke.

Had to burn through my vocal cords and didn't notice the time until some loud honking noises stopped me.

I was done with the fic but it wasn't proofread yet, didn't wanna risk posting a half baked fic. All the best for you guys :b

A narumi fic is next to this, i'm super late on sched... So look out for it later.

Now done with that, I wish ya'll a Happy New Year muah muah!

[calware]

I am getting back into HS because of you! I actually have been thinking about it for a bit... Something I've been feeling recently though, is the idea that my interpretations, my works, my views of these characters could not reasonably sit next to others', whose are all more nuanced, more in-depth and researched... but I really enjoy your takes, and I'm gradually understanding tjat even if I'm not a true Halwarrior, or a Jake Jingler, I can still make meaningful works with these characters even if I don't know Every detail of them or nuanced perspective on them. I suppose I feel like my output in the fandom, in relation to canon, has been lackluster! It's been almost 10 years since I got into Homestuck, and even now I blank on vital stuff... but I really appreciate your takes and art and creations, because it makes me feel more at ease and intrigued by things I don't fully comprehend (like how I've read the comic 5 times and still feel like a bucket of mud after reading the dialogue boxes more than 2 sentences LOL), rather than hesitant to create. I hope this all makes sense, it's kinda like I'm typing whatever comes to mind right now. But all in all, thank you. I've had my fair share of rough times in this fandom, but I love it dearly. And even though we don't know each other, I'm glad there is somebody like you out there. Stay strong, and have a wonderful new year.

hi thank you for taking the time to write this all out it makes me really happy to hear that you're getting back into hs :)!! i definitely know what you are feeling and often feel the same way, i see a lot of people who have been around the scene much longer than me who've done a lot of thinking & writing about the story who have much more interesting & well thought-out things to say compared to me. but i think of the two cakes theory and remember that we all have something unique to contribute! i don't really think there's such thing as a "lackluster" contribution to fandom because there's no requirement to contribute to fandom at all. even if you wanted to just sit back and see what others do, or not even engage at all, there's nothing wrong with that. this is not a class that we are trying to get a good grade in, it's a community of fans that we all engage with because it's supposed to be fun and enjoyable. i share my thoughts because i would explode if i didn't get them out and i like to draw little things because it's my way of expressing my love of this comic. even if i may disagree with people from time to time (frankly, i think my new year's resolution should be to be less of a hater), i still like to hear other people's perspectives and interpretations, and what really makes the hs fandom stand out to me is the community i'm part of where we can exchange our thoughts and ideas

i am so glad to hear that you enjoy the things i make because i love sharing them with others and it makes me happy to know that it makes other people happy too. if you want to contribute, don't hold yourself back :) and i hope you have a great new year as well!

[the-crooked-library]

You made such excellent points- in OG book vampirism is imposed on Mina by outside force and Mina actually can be cured from it if they kill Dracula. But if not Jonathan is ready to become vampire himself. Ellen meanwhile was born like that - with her psychic paranormal abilities. Orlok didn’t make her like that, that’s her forever part. But Thomas essentially wants her to be normal, while she never was in the traditional sense and can’t be normal and in his hunt for Orlok seems to believe that killing him would not only save but cure-fix Ellen too. It won’t. I mean Thomas is the one, who proceeds to have sex with Ellen when she’s not even feeling perfectly coherent, not entirely self, because he wants to show his masculinity or idk. Imagine if after Dracula’s attack on Mina and Mina telling about it Jonathan would immediately proceed to have aggressive sex with her instead of just comforting her, because he needs to reestablish his husband’s rights or something? Like that’s not. But that’s the part of why book Jonathan and 2024 remake Thomas are different characters.

Thank you - I'm glad you've enjoyed them, and they do actually connect to the scene you're mentioning here!

There is a lot to say about this particular sequence, mainly because it forces two characters to deal with each other and face the reality of their marriage, while both are emotionally stripped to the bone and unstable. The result is an incredibly revealing scene. It digs into the Hutters' insecurities, fears, hurts - and even though they largely fail to communicate within their fictional framework, the viewer gets a veritable feast of information regarding them both.

Throughout this scene, Ellen is evidently in a psychic trance; as demonstrated by Von Franz and his needle, during these "fits" she is at least partially astral projecting; her soul is not entirely housed in her body and she often appears to be sleepwalking (which might be a reference both to the original 1922 Nosferatu and Eggers' earlier project The Witch). In this state, she is also not in control of the baser, more physical, less rational passions and desires; she is unbound, stripped of her usual repression - and what lies beneath is a lifetime of neglect, loneliness, and disrespect, as well as all the pain and rage she consequently feels. This is not a surprise for the viewer, who has already witnessed her suffering, her lack of autonomy, and her argument with Harding; but it is absolutely a surprise for Thomas.

Thomas cannot fathom why Ellen would be angry with him; in his mind, he has done everything right - provided for her, prioritized their financial advancement, came back to try and save her from the monster he knows is after her. However, what he fails to understand that he has also cut their honeymoon short, that he left her right after that to travel to another country, that she never cared about wealth beyond being able to afford a somewhat stable existence; what Ellen wants, above all else, is to be known, understood, and respected - and Thomas has failed to give her that. He discourages her from talking about her dreams, he does not understand her priorities in life, and he cannot help but patronize her, even when he is attempting to express his affections. Her visceral anger is a shock to him, it catches him entirely off-guard, and then she drops a final bomb - "you could never please me the way he does."

What Ellen means here is that Orlok, a monster, is the only one who has ever understood her - because she is herself a monster. What she is trying to do is bait Thomas into exposing what she believes he truly thinks of her, now that he has seen what she becomes, liberated by the nightfall.* This is obviously a toxic thing to do, but Ellen is not a healthy or balanced individual, and this is a gothic story, so yes, she baits him (rather blatantly, in my opinion; but I've seen people confused about it, so who knows. Admittedly, I have a rather specific sort of practical background, as far as relationships go). Point is, what she expects from him is a rejection; and what she craves, desperately, is his acceptance.

What Thomas hears, however, is that another man has infringed upon what is legally his - and that his masculinity is in question, rather than Ellen's humanity; which lands a critical hit against his already damaged, patriarchal, 19th-century-misogynistic ego.

To fully understand his reaction, we must really dig into his overall narrative context. From the very beginning of the film, and throughout the story, Thomas Hutter's struggles revolve around his continuous emasculation. He is a low-level part-time employee at a real estate firm that is run exclusively by older, well-established men. He is played for a fool by foreigners who steal his horse (they were just trying to save his life, seriously, they didn't think he'd hike the fucking Carpathians on foot in the winter, but that's not how he perceives that situation). He is trapped in Orlok's castle - and, given the sexual allegories of vampirism, arguably assaulted. I'm not going to go into the full background of queerphobic stereotypes and opinions; still, suffice to say that not only would that experience have been traumatic (understandably so), but also that the act of submitting to penetration (here, biting) by another man has been historically seen as inherently emasculating and degrading. In the context of Nosferatu (or Dracula, or Interview with the Vampire, and others), this scenario is, on a largely Doylist level, a bodice-ripper fantasy; however, that doesn't make it any easier for Thomas to accept. To submit to another (even a richer, older, infinitely more powerful) man is a problem - but to enjoy that position is unforgivable.

All that to say - by the time Thomas returns to Wisborg, his sense of self-worth is in shambles. The narrative has assigned him the role of a Damsel in Distress, which he fits perfectly and obviously resents. Thus, when he hears yet another insult from his wife - who may be higher-born, but still his wife, and thus below him - he reacts accordingly, with fury.

Again, in anticipation of discourse wank - this is not a good thing; his reasons are clear, I understand them, I do not excuse him. What Thomas does at this point is attempt to aggressively reassert his claim and right to Ellen as her husband. He's rough, but uninventive; he also doesn't worship her the way Orlok did; and, ultimately, even as he tries to demonstrate his continued interest and desire for her, he ends up proving her anxieties. When faced with a hallucination - a fraction of her psychic gift - he flings her away. Crucially, he cannot "show" Orlok their love.

After that, he does try to reassure her, be gentle with her, declare his love - but, really, he might as well mark that off as another failure. She has seen how terrified he looked, and she will not believe a word he says.

The whole scene is a distillation of their dynamic. It's one disconnect after another, strung together by his inability to listen, her lack of trust, and their shared resentment. Thomas and Ellen's relationship is hindered at every turn by the misogyny, queerphobia, and repression that are built into the cage that is their society. The film is an exploration of that cage. Its bars are the driving force behind the plot.

* NIGHTFALL - the diurnal, or gas-lit (it's on the nose. it's SO on the nose) scenes are a visual shorthand for the "normal" accepted society. It is Rational (hence the scientific "gaseous" light), it is godly (sunlight), it is the domain of the Hardings and Sievers of the story. The moonlight and firelight provide a similar distinction to the scenes that delve into the Emotional and the demonic, removing the subjects from the usual societal restrictions; those light sources are generally considered to be magical, primal, raw. It's fascinating, seriously - if you ever watch this film again, try to pay attention to the lighting!

[mbep]

DAV Solavellan ending musings

This is too long to post on Twitter so it's going here, on the blog I haven't touched in years, because I have to scream into the void. I can't possibly compete with the hardcore Solavellans who have been following this saga for a long time (I only got into DA last year by playing DAI and the DLCs) so this isn't a comprehensive or deep analysis by any means, but I love them all the same.

I got into DA because the Twitter algorithm put Solavellans on my timeline and I am eternally grateful for that. I already knew all the story beats (and the big reveal that he's Fen'harel) before playing DAI and I enjoyed catching the moments where he's obviously hiding something. The scene in Crestwood and the parting in Trespasser still made me emotional, even knowing what was coming.

The final scene in DAV was short, but no less meaningful. I think that was mostly to avoid creating such a big gulf between romanced and non-romanced Inquisitors and I'm glad Bioware didn't create that inequality, on behalf of the non-Solasmancers.

The first thing I will say is that Gareth David-Lloyd does a phenomenal job with the acting. They've been great since DAI, and they're a big reason why Solas is such a charming, nuanced and compelling character. The whispered "vhenan", the strained "Mythal", the sobbing, how quiet "ar ghilas vir banal" is… They deserve at least an award (all of them in fact) for that.

The animation is amazing too: how Solas doubles over when Mythal finally acknowledges how she set him on this path and shares the blame, his wet eyes and facial expressions looking at the Inquisitor… The thing I love most is him not looking back when leaving, and her putting her hand on his shoulder as they enter the Fade. Very Orpheus and Eurydice, but he does what Orpheus could not: he does not look back. He trusts that she is there and if she is not and has a sudden change of heart and leaves him, he will not blame her. But she is there, and lays a guiding hand on his shoulder; "Ma ghilana, vhenan", as the Inquisitor tells him in Trespasser.

There are a lot of Trespasser parallels and a lot of people more knowledgeable that I have analysed them, but I love how much this scene is a response to that. So here's my two cents: "I walk the din'anshiral. There is only death on this journey." = "I am here, walking the dinan'shiral with you." Weirdly they spell "din'anshiral" differently in the subtitles LOL I personally think the Trespasser spelling is correct. This is the line that hits hardest, in my opinion. She says this the first time they see each other again, when they don't even know they are leaving together. She means that all this time, the years apart, she has walked with him. She has not stopped searching for him, trying to find a way to change his heart (as the epilogue of Trespasser says). All this time he thought he was alone, she was there with him: both have been feeling the pain of their separation, the burden that his duty to Mythal has put on each of them (him having to fix their mistakes and her trying to change his mind), the regret they both have that things might have gone differently.

"Var lath vir suledin." "I wish it could, vhenan." = "There is no fate but the love we share." The translation from elven is very sweet, but a very interesting choice. In elven she actually says "Banal nadas. Ar lath ma, vhenan." Two sentences that Solas says in DAI: "Banal nadas." / "Nothing is known for certain." Said by Solas to the nightmare demon in the Fade when it taunts him by saying "Your pride is responsible for everything that has gone wrong; you will die alone." The same quest reveals that Solas's greatest fear is dying alone. She reminds him of what he said then, that the nightmare demon is wrong: he is not alone, he can change that fate. "Ar lath ma, vhenan." Solas's confession of love to the Inquisitor. I don't think she ever actually tells him she loves him in DAI. Eight-ish years later, she says it back to him, proving that their love did indeed find a way to endure.

"I cannot bear to think of you alone." = "But you do not have to go alone." He is once again leaving to right a wrong. In Trespasser, he was leaving to do what he thought was best, what he wanted to do to fix his mistakes. Here, he is leaving to seek atonement, to soothe hurts not with violence, but repentance. And she once again offers to go with him. (I personally didn't choose this dialogue option in Trespasser because I don't think my Inquisitor agreed with what he wanted to do, but it's a very sweet line nonetheless) This time, with all that has changed, he is more open to letting her go with him, but he still cautions her: "Where I am going is terrible." I love the translation of her reply: "It won't be terrible if you're with me," because the order of the pronouns is interesting to me. Not sure if it's intentional, but I feel like I would have said "It won't be terrible if I'm with you." It's very subtle, but I think there is a difference: "if I'm with you" puts a lot of emphasis on the Inquisitor, i.e. "I make things better"; "if you're with me" means the same thing but it's humbler, less prideful, i.e. "I will be there for you to make things better".

The parallels in animation are also great. The way he turns when she speaks as he's leaving, the bow when he says "ir abelas, vhenan"… THE KISS. God, the way they hold hands like they do in Trespasser is insane.

The music in this scene is the best in the game, and it's a crime that it's not on the official soundtrack. Not just the atonement music, but the way it shifts into "Lost Elf Theme" from Trespasser once the Inquisitor steps forward gives this scene the emotional weight the music in DAV honestly doesn't have. The music is a big part of why I cried watching this.

Side notes:

-My Inquisitor looks nothing like she did in DAI LOL Hey, I was already hours into CC, it frustrated me that the presets were so different from DAI and I did not have the patience to tweak everything. Also I'm horrible at distinguishing faces. She still looks pretty so I guess she got a glow up during their time apart LOL Vivienne and Leliana took her to get a makeover in Val Royeaux.

-The DAV soundtrack honestly isn't bad. I enjoy quite a few tracks on it; "Where the Dead Must Go" and "Not the Chosen One" are among my favorites. The main theme isn't compelling though, and "The Dread Wolf" track would have made a better main theme (it's the best track on the album). The OST lends the atmosphere that music is supposed to, but it doesn't have the character on its own that the music in DAI does (thank you, Trevor Morris). I could be anywhere in the world doing anything and if I heard the DAI main theme I would lose my mind. "Lost Elf Theme" always makes me so emotional; it's a plea, a feeling of hopefulness and being resigned to one's fate at the same time.

[erin-unknown]

Thank you, thank you so much someone finally said it...

I wonder if some people even subconsciously expected that "latin lover" stereotype, or perhaps someone darker and edgier, influenced more by his personal demon(s) and carrying that energy over into the romance... but honestly, I am so glad to have missed out on either of those possibilities.

I'm 110% here for this demisexual bi virgin who spooked himself with his own flirting and feelings. There's a gentleness he brings to this story and to his romance (or his romance with Neve, who is equally gentle, in her own way, even when hardened) that I find really special. He could have been so many things, and that Lucanis, the assassin and abomination, is this - it's just lovely.

It's fine if a romance isn't for you (for example, Harding's isn't quite my vibe), but some of us gotta examine how we might be unconsciously interacting with something that we aren't enjoying before we start saying shit is just... objectively bad. Maybe it's just not written for you.

this might get me tarred and feathered, but I'm actually glad they didn't have the hot spring scene for the Lucanis romance. I don't think it would've matched the character he developed into, at least not during the game timeline.

it's a nice thought, but I don't think it would've fit.

[foundnthestars]

For the things we lost au, has there ever been times where Stan tells stories to Dipper to calm him down after a traumatic experience or just before bed or just in general?

I know currently Dipper’s and Stan’s relationship hasn’t gotten to that point yet but I’m curious!

Also what other tricks besides teaching Dipper how to use a gun and stealing does Stan ingrain in Dipper? Does he teach him all the tricks he knew from his days of the street?

And since Dipper’s still growing does Stan teach Dipper how to conserve their money, how to shave, how to barter with people/ being okay with talking with crowds or how to do certain math problems (because Stan has worked on the portal for a long time you can’t tell me that he didn’t pick up some things even if begrudgingly)

Does Stan teach Dipper all of his best Uncle Jokes/funny stories, and despite saying he (Dipper) hates all of them does Dipper secretly appreciate them ever once in a while?

Does Dipper help Stan with stuff too? Like does Dipper learn to read different Alien languages just so he can help Stan read stuff or does he steal a little bit of extra food because he knows if Stan doesn’t get enough for the both of them, all that food will be put towards him sl Dipper gets more to help Stan?

I know that Dipper had helped Stan with his hearing aids but what other things does he do for Stan?

DO DIPPER AND STANLEY EVENTUALLY GET A PIRATE ADVENTURE?! Please say they get a space pirate adventure!!!

Also do both Stan and Dipper pick on some alien languages because with Stanley picking up Spanish and Dipper’s interest in learning new languages I don’t think it would be too much of a stretch for them to learn

wow, HELLO! :) you literally made my entire morning when i had to peel myself out of bed at 5am to make it to my shift, and i've been thinking about these asks like all day. thank you anon!!! thank you for giving me an opportunity to rant about this wonderful, beautiful, tragic au. i'm so glad you're enjoying it!!

first off, yes, 100%. there's actually quite a bit of that in the next chapter. as dipper's walls begin to come down and his anger toward stan slowly but surely ebbs away, so too will stan's walls. in canon, stan doesn't share really any of his childhood (at least from what we see) with the kids until atots. in ttwl, it's implied that stan tells dipper more or less the same story we got in that episode (just minus ford's perspective/part of the story), but he will be sharing a lot more of his backstory, life advice, and stories with dipper as the fic progresses. this will help dipper understand stan's motives and will help move the healing process along for them. a lot, if not most, of dipper's anger toward stan is just resentment for being left in the dark (dipper famously hates not knowing stuff). and stan wants so badly to regain dipper's trust. he also wants to protect him from the things he feels he's failed him on this summer already (read: bill). 100% we will see stan rambling about this or that or this to a traumatized and or terrified dipper just to keep him out of his own head and to reinforce in the kid's head that he has someone beside him that he can trust.

side note: stan (and ford's) struggle will be in trying to maintain the kids' childhood and trying not too force them to grow up too fast. but they aren't perfect people and the circumstances are obviously awful and not conducive to helping maintain the kids' innocence. they'll fail and fuck up and they'll get some things right, too. but i can definitely see stan trying to lighten the mood/share stories as i can see ford taking mabel on light-hearted, low stakes adventures when things with the portal become too intense and her mental health begins to fall by the wayside.

SECOND, there's so many things stan will teach dipper! but, i'm willing to bet that stan didn't exactly take the best care of himself during those years he spent on the road. so there will be a lot of things he will have to learn himself! like, where stan spent weeks and weeks skipping meals because he had to, he can't stand seeing dipper do the same. he won't allow it. he'll have to push himself even harder to make ends meet than he did during those years. he wants better for dipper.

as for the things he teaches dip, i'll just list some of them out. you'll definitely see these things play out in ttwl but this question is fun and it's a fun sneak-peak:

stealing (pickpocketing and petty theft both)

how to put on a half-way decent con (in journal 3, ford mentions having to talk his way into food and shelter, and stan and dipper will 100% have to do the same. i imagine he'll actually catch on pretty quick but he'll absolutely hate doing it.)

how to read a face (i.e. is this person full of shit. everyone knows a good con man can spot a con right back)

how to drive (later)

how to shave DEFINITELY. dipper will start growing a little stache or goatee and stan will practically shove a razor in his direction the second it starts coming in.

how to be a ladies man (they'd have their roadside attraction arc and dip would learn basically that confidence is in himself and not in stan's fake womanizing "skills")

things dipper should be learning in school. stan clearly wasn't at the top of his class but you're right in saying that he learned a lot of things when he was building the portal. and dipper's a curious kid, they'll both seek out ways to help him keep on his education in some shape or form.

life experience/advice/etc. stan has 58 some years of life under his belt and he'll share whatever wisdom he has. can't promise all of it will be good lol

there's definitely more that's slipping my mind at the moment, but yes to all of these. and yes to the horrible uncle jokes. none of that stops. and once dipper starts being able to bear him a bit more, he'll secretly love hearing them. he'll love them for the normalcy they help him feel and because if stan is able to laugh and make jokes then maybe everything will be okay. maybe it's okay for him to laugh too, even if everything is so shitty.

as for reading alien languages, there's actually some plot explanations regarding translators that will be explored next chapter. as a resident guardians of the galaxy fic writer, i know all about writing about sci-fi translators and the like. i'm keeping the same explanation for how translators work in this fic too. meaning, dipper and stan will be able to read most alien languages really soon. though, because i like the idea of stan and dipper being able to speak some of the languages they learned during their time across the portal when they get home, they'll probably still try learning some alien languages without the need for translators. i imagine they'll get home and just start speaking, i don't know, like Galactic Standard with each other and ford will pop in and chime into the conversation without missing a beat and mabel will just be standing there wide-eyed and entirely lost for words.

AND YEAH. dipper will do lots of things for stan! besides the unintentional things that dipper does that he doesn't know about — like giving stan a reason to get up in the morning and filling him with happiness and purpose — he'll do his best to reciprocate favors! like, 100% if dipper noticed stan was skipping meals so he could eat more he'd steal something on the side for stan or lie and say he isn't hungry. they'd also both do little things for each other like steal or buy little trinkets or items the other person might like. stan'll buy dipper a notebook to chronicle their adventures and dipper will steal these chocolates he knows stan likes or a funny little doodad or whatever. maybe a gun or a knife if he's feeling crazy.

dipper will also sacrifice his own sleep a lot in order to take watch. the kid's an insomniac already, and stan is older and needs more sleep to recover from brawls with giant alien creatures or running from the law, so dip will do a lot of selfless things like that for stan. both of these guys tend not to think of themselves much so they'll probably both try to sacrifice stuff equally as much. of course, stan wont really let dipper most of the time.

and, i'm not opposed to a space pirate adventure. inquiring minds want to know more.

[pushing500]

Hi there! Two days again, I binged the entirety of your Rimworld comic and finished yesterday. Now, it is bittersweet to see it all end. I love it so much with its characters, the stories; the art. All of that contributes to its amazing charm. I guess all I have to say left (besides list my favourite characters) is I hope The Animist Alliance enjoy a lovely life, wherever they deicide to live among the stars.

ฅ ̳͒•ˑ̫• ̳͒ฅ

P.S Off the top of my head, my favourite characters are Irwin, Hazrov, Fafo and Henry and favourite couple is Daz/Zonovo (they're too cute ♡(>ω< ✿) ). Also, do you plan to draw out the next colony you make? You don't have to if you don't want to do it.

Hello! This ask made my day. <3 <3 <3

I never thought of any of my work being binge-worthy, so thank you very much for telling me!! I'm so glad you enjoyed the story!

You have excellent taste in characters. Those are some of my particularly cherished colonists, too. I drew them for you!!

I hope you like them! :D

And I will absolutely be drawing more RimWorld colonies, don't worry. I've already got so many ideas for things I want to try, so I hope everybody is ready for more rambling posts and hastily scrawled doodles!

[technically-human]

Can you draw something with Doom Patrol!Edwin and Netflix!Edwin?

Maybe something about Dp!Edwin talking about his feelings for Charles with N!Edwin?

It's just something I've been thinking of, make it a little angsty?<3

Glad you asked

ko-fi

[pallysuune]

"‘You won’t believe how I got here,’ (Sevatar) said to Rushal.

The Raven didn’t reply. He hadn’t replied to anything since Isstvan V. It was difficult to speak without a tongue."

-Prince of Crows by Aaron Dembski-Bowden

The fact that this is how the book casually tells you why Rushal never speaks (three quarters of the way through the book, I might add), tells you a lot about the narrative style. I love it so much.

[echoes-lighthouse]

This is your sign to publish your self-insert fanfiction as a reader-insert story on AO3 because people will compliment your reader character and they will indirectly be complimenting you and you will feel very devious and flustered and also they will cheer on your relationship with the characters and it will make you feel so very loved and fulfilled (>w<)

[shalomniscient]

natlan 5.1 was batshit insane but i won't deny cookery when i see it. last 1/3 of the archon quest is just brilliantly done in my opinion, from writing to level design to soundtrack. just genuine excellence

[sketchy-tour]

Its funny that I could feel my WH hyperfixation slowly morph into just my genuine special interest. I worried at first, cause I thought my love for it had died. Because it was duller. But no no. Now it sits comfortably and idly in my mind. Unshaken. Comfortable. At home.

[rmorde]

Trigun Manga Reaction

Now, back to Volume 1 Chapter 9!

Insurance Ladies know they are going above and beyond what is normal here. But, they still continue as consummate professionals.

THIS IS SO ADORABLE!!! SO CUTE SO CUTE SO CUUUTEE!

I like the tiny little details that hints something about the characters too.

The most obvious things are Milly's childish expression (playful) and Vash's one leg raised on the seat position (gremlin). However, "no nonsense" Meryl's feet are placed inside the table's rings! You'd expect her to put them by the side of the table but nooooo!!! They need to be IN the ring (she's not above them all!). LMAO.

Tbh... I think the Kaite & Vash relationship feels more fleshed out here in the manga than the anime. I guess it's because of the Rem conversation. It added more weight to their interactions.

Also, they're adorable! Kaite is one sharp kid calling out Vash's bullshit. Vash, like a dog with a bone, keeps deflecting.

Oh wow. This is a huge difference from '98. Kaite was totally alone when he approached the crew.

And this is just as painful and hard to see because, you can absolutely understand the crew's reaction and feelings. What Kaite did was wrong. At the same time tho, he is just a kid who didn't know better. Taking out their grief and fury on him is not right.

Gosh... It makes me think of Little Vash and The Great Fall.

I wonder what exactly went through Vash's head here. In my perspective, Kaite is reflecting Vash unknowingly in this scene. But it's so painful because he's just a kid. He should never have been put in this position. He is too young to be on this path for atonement and redemption! It's just wrong.

Hmmm. Another big difference. Interesting. The Plant was never mentioned in '98 at all.

So, Tristamp followed this manga arc more closely. Some elements are remixed such as Wolfwood replacing Kaite, the Gung-ho Guns substituting BDN as a threat, and the race is avoiding destroying a town instead of avoiding falling off a cliff. All beats are the same tho.

HOWEVER!

I think '98 has a more logical timeline personally because they are in a hurry to stop the ship right? It's a critical moment. If you think about it, there should not have been enough time for Vash to regroup with Kaite after the duel. So, '98 having these two events happen simultaneously is actually good.

Another benefit is Kaite's offer to help feels much more genuine when he was alone and away from Vash in '98. It really sells the idea that this is entirely his own decision despite the risks of retribution.

Of course, Vash didn't influence him in the manga too but by visually having him there with Kaite, it kinda undersells it imo.

Oi. Vash. That's no way to talk about your sister!

While I do appreciate the changes on the Plant design in Tristamp, I really like the '98/Manga more. They're both excellent designs for Sci-Fi but I just really like the 90's flavor of magical Angel Power Plant... which appeases my thing for magitek.

Tristamp tho is a modern flavor of alien Faerie Power Plant - not bad but not my cup of tea. However, the glowing lines feature is wonderful! It reinforces the idea of them being power plants because they have "circuits" in the body. Restraining myself from saying Magic Circuits!

Oh... This is a really fascinating set of panels that I think both '98 and Tristamp haven't adapted well.

'98 kinda skipped this. However in Tristamp, the emphasis on Plants is very clinical. Not sure if that is the best way to describe it, but, in the plants feels so much more objectified in Tristamp. I guess the horror element about the human-plant relationship is further emphasized there.

It's contrasting the manga which seems to be more focused on the awe-inspiring side of it like in the scene above. The scientist waxes poetic and is practically making a religion out of the whole thing.

I guess, to put it simply, the manga effectively shows how humans see Plants worthy of worship. Meanwhile, Tristamp displays how humans see Plants as just a life-essential battery.

So beautiful... Oh...

What if the re-design happened because animating expressive individual feathers would be a pain for Orange staff? GASP! Is that why everyone's hair were cut short?! Because hair is tedious to animate. OMFG... IS THIS WHY MILLY WAS CUT OUT IN SEASON 1 since she really really long luscious locks?!

I kid. I kid. 🤣

Oh. That's really clever remixing by Studio Madhouse. So '98 Miss Purple Avenger Episode is like a "Prototype" of this manga arc. This is where Vash having to prevent an explosion of a Plant came from.

Okay. Another great difference... I've been saying that a lot in this chapter. Sorry.

In '98, Vash dealt with this alone and the only witness was terrified. It focused more on the mystery.

However, here in the manga, Vash is not alone. Humans must work with him to save the Plant and everyone. He can only buy time but it's up to them to stop the whole thing. It's a really nice display of Vash's hopes and beliefs regarding human-plant relations. ----> BTW, the art in this page is really pretty and interesting! (1) The almost "gradient" like transition of Vash's coat to the bulb is so creative. (2) The drawing of the Plant resembling a blooming flower: feathers as ray florets, the plant/sister as the disk floret, and the wires as receptacle/stem.

These pages are so gorgeous and the way the slowing down of the heartbeat was shown through the interspersed tiny panels is just really good.

ROFL. The human instinct of "I don't know what's going on but it's helping so I won't pry anymore and I'll just roll with it!". Love to see it!

I think this arc is so good because it justifies Vash's often criticized brand of hope - his endless patience at giving humans chances to bridge the gap between their species.

Humans can work together and save themselves with just a little push. They won't rely on exploitation forever.

People can realize when they are wrong. They can atone and redeem themselves. They do not stay cruel and ignorant forever. They are capable of change. ----> Also, this art is so perfectly adapted in '98. This page, actually, all the pages relating to this collective effort of humans to save the ships (with a bit of an assist from Vash) is so heartwarming to read. ----> Oh... Kudos again to '98 because since they relegated the 'Vash prevents a Plant explosion' to an earlier episode, the episode covering this particular plot had him out of commission. So, the stakes have become higher. Humans must set aside their differences and work together to save each other and Vash too.

And finally, humans are more than what they seem. They are complicated. What could be an enemy at first could turn out to be an ally that can save you later.

This entire conclusion to the conflict is just good and very... Vash. This is what he wants for Knives to see and understand about humans.

I think '98 really did well in adapting the essence of this arc. Tristamp is complicated because now, on hindsight as I read the manga, the episodes are basically hard-carrying and working overtime telling multiple plot lines at once!

Let's see... in Tristamp's version of this arc:

Wolfwood was working double time in the narrative as "Kaite" and one half of the "Good/Hope of Humanity". Not to mention he has his own conflict going on too.

Meryl was the second half of the "Good/Hope of Humanity" that works with Vash (Plant) in saving people.

Unfortunately, with BDN being replaced by the Gung-ho Guns, there is nothing that echoes the "Hidden Depths Enemy Turned Ally"... character...No way... OMFG! WOLFWOOD WAS SUBSTITUTING FOR THAT ROLE TOO IN THIS ARC!!! Poor Woofwoof!

Roberto is a unique addition since he is a Tristamp OG, but I think he represents well the approach taken by Orange with Trigun. He is like the "Flaws/Indifference of Humanity". He is good but experience had turned him into someone that's jaded and refuses to rock the boat (unlike Meryl). His age and 100% ordinary human status prevents him from surviving long enough to change his disposition too (unlike Wolfwood). It's pretty in line with Orange's more emphasis on the "darker" aspects of the story.

WHA-?!!!

Eh? Eh? EHHH?!!

WHY WAS THIS CHANGED IN '98?!!! THIS IS ADORABLE AND COOL!!! AHHHH!!!! NOOOO!!!!

But... then there won't be Meryl and Milly supporting injured Vash. NOOOO!!! Augh. AND THERE WON'T BE TRISTAMP VERSION OF THIS! AHHHH!!!!

Oh. So, the singing is in the manga too. That's a surprise. I thought it was a '98 original scene.

Awwww. ಥ_ಥ