#If you want you can send me asks abt them!!!

[feralcoffeebug]

i saw in the tags of ur new fic that hua cheng has BPD in ur hcs…. if ur willing to talk abt it id love to hear abt it 🙏

Hi!!! Ofc I’d love to talk about it.

So Hua Cheng is one of the characters that I hold super dear to my heart, in that fic he wasn’t quite old enough for the actual symptoms to start showing in ways that would be super obvious hence the whole “it’s not really shown/explored here” that I mentioned. But! Let’s get into it!

There are 3 suspected subtypes for BPD, not really “officially” used in the dsm5 but! Hua Cheng fits Really Well for quiet BPD, which is often where the symptoms are more internalized rather than outward. As a child and teen when he was the little boy and little soldier the BPD symptoms are more outward, as is extremely common for people with quiet BPD that they do not start with this presentation of symptoms.

Since I love researching especially for my headcannons this will have me pulling from the DSM and using that lol. Sorry if this isn’t quite what you wanted! Feel free to send another ask in that case! I love answering questions haha.

SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THE NOVELS

The diagnostic criteria means you need 5 of the main 9 symptoms of BPD to be diagnosed with it. A lot of these behaviors start around 13, HOWEVER it is very difficult to diagnose in children and teens due to regular hormonal changes and a developing mind can often mimic the same instability that comes along with BPD. Please do not use this as something to diagnose yourself.

Hua Cheng, as he is, meets a few of the symptoms. I’ll go symptom by symptom to explain them a bit more

1. Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment (not including sh or sui behaviors as it is covered in a different criteria).

Throughout TGCF Hua Cheng often spends a lot of him time attempting to be useful or good enough for Xie Lian, He gets very anxious and fearful around areas that might make Xie Lian leave him or be disgusted by him.

As Hong’er, he often changes entire things about himself with just a small off-hand comment from Xie Lian. He picked up the saber and focused on it because Xie Lian told him that he would suit it well. He panicked every single time someone tried to remove the bandages covering his red eye because he knew that it was something a lot of people hated or treated him badly for and was disgusted by, and he didn’t want Xie Lian to see it. When Xie Lian found out about the fact that he was born under the star of solitude and that meant he was cursed he had a breakdown about it, only calming down when Xie Lian assured him that he was believed that he wasn’t cursed. He showed anger at anyone else where for Xie Lian he would do anything (except talk haha)

I can’t say much about Wu Ming or him as a ghost fire; mostly due to not having gotten to his chapters yet. But my brain wants to use the part with the 33 heavenly officials and his anger at Feng Xin and Mu Qing as proof as well. Along with his devotion to Xie Lian.

As Hua Cheng, he often looks to Xie Lian when he’s not sure what he will think of things, often changing his likes and dislikes when it comes to him. He changed his form to be one that Xie Lian might have liked more, being extremely insecure about his true form while trying to play it off that he was ugly, which obviously Xie Lian didn’t agree with. And once he saw that Xie Lian wasn’t as disgusted by his actual form he uses it more often along with (At least in the manghua) he incorporates some parts of it in his San Lang form.

All in all, usually he sees things that could displease Xie Lian as being bad, and I believe this comes from a place of fearing abandonment by Xie Lian.

2. A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation

This symptom is a hallmark of the disorder, and most of the other symptoms are what leads to this symptom to showing up. For Hua Cheng, his relationship with Xie Lian is pretty constant and in this context he would be his Favorite Person (FP) (will be discussed later) but his relationship with others are far more unstable. He goes between not caring for those he barely knows to being extremely angry and vindictive if they even so much seem as if they are insulting or disrespecting XL. He also seems to not have very steady relations with those he is simi closer to than strangers (such as yin yu and black water, the only two that, outside of XL, he has around him decently often enough, which honestly probably shows more so that he is attached to Xie Lian like a person with Bpd is to their FP). His opinion of those people seems to be very dependent on how they’re effecting his current situations as they happen, at least from what I’ve seen myself. He also holds very little regard for people outside of Xie Lian, which honestly might point to something like ASPD or something but in my opinion HC fits BPD more so than the other one but I could see the argument for it.

His unstable relationship mostly goes in relation of himself and his self image, which are very dependent on Xie Lian.

3. Identity disturbance: marked and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.

For this criteria, this mostly means changes in personality, likes, dislikes, goals, and role. Often the only sense of self people with BPD have is that they are bad or evil, which we see a lot in Hua Cheng, his view of himself is very negative. He often does not feel as if he deserves to be treated nicely by Xie Lian.

4. Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentionally self-damaging (e.g. spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating. Not including sh or sui behaviors.

Idk why for this one specifically but in my heart I feel like he is very impulsive even outside life or death situations. I cannot for the life of me recall why right now

One of them is him betting his ashes in the fight with the 33 gods, while that could be seen as him being confident in his ability to win it is still very dangerous. I’m unsure if this would count as impulsive or just sui behavior lmao.

5. Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior.

As Hong’er, He was going up the wall to die. Not only that but when he was in the army he often put his life on the line specifically trying to protect Xie Lian, to the point that Feng Xin mentioned offhand that it seemed like he had a death wish and that he had no concern for his own life. All of Hua Cheng’s deaths actively involve dying for Xie Lian, as he decided to live for the man as well.

6. Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g. intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).

Hua Cheng’s mood often shifts very quickly from extremes, there seems to be very little grey area for his moods. Often times, he is happy and content only for a small thing to bring his ire and anger, especially when it comes to his time with Xie Lian. This is often set inwards, anger at himself for not being able to protect him. But this also is directed at others as well as seen by his reactions when Feng Xin and Mu Qing show up.

7.Chronic feelings of emptiness.

In my headcannons this is very true. He is often bored, he often acts very bored in the donghua when something doesn’t have to do with Xie Lian.

8. Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger.

I don’t know about you, but I think a lot of Hua Cheng’s emotions include anger. He hits He Xuan because of a situation that endangers Xie Lian. He is known for getting into fights over small things. He killed 33 gods for simply disrespecting Xie Lian. He often has outbursts in anger at Mu Qing and Feng Xin, using a lot of sarcasm. These outbursts often happen when Xie Lian isn’t giving him attention or when they are disrespecting/looking down at Xie Lian in some way, shape, or form.

9. Transient, stress-related paranoid idealtion or severe dissociative symptoms

This symptoms often comes up when in response to something that may be relating to possible abandonment. Hua Cheng tends to get more quiet and withdrawn when situations have to do with himself or when something comes up that Xie Lian might hate him over. The topic of E’Ming makes him start to try and move the topic off of it’s emotional responses, when he hurt Xie Lian he gets quiet and stares where Xie Lian left for a long while, getting quiet when Xie Lian apologizes for the situation before nearly crying over it and apologizing over it.

Now, a lot of the reasons behind why I say a character has a mental illness usually does not come from what criteria they meet, but I felt that explaining what could possibly meet what criteria is a fun way to get the conversation started. A lot of BPD is the mental process that gets the reactions, or what causes the reactions. I’m going to get into the like, less official practical and professional view of BPD and go more into it as someone who shows a lot of BPD esc symptoms and the research I’ve done from other people with the disorder.

In BPD, there is a thing called a Favorite Person, also shorthanded to FP. I mentioned earlier that Xie Lian would be his FP, and I stand by this. Often to a person with BPD their FP is everything to them. Their emotional wellbeing and sense of self is often based on the person. It is often very intense and their FP is often what is the root cause of their symptoms showing up. Often FPs are caregivers, friends, crushes, and other things. It can be a very unhealthy relationship for both parties due to the fact that a person with BPD rely heavily on their FP for regulation.

This is something we often see with Hua Cheng and Xie Lian. Hua Cheng relies on Xie Lian for reassurance, taking every grain of it. He does everything in his power to appeal to Xie Lian but also doesn’t mind if Xie Lian doesn’t know about him or hates him as long as he can be useful to him. He also does all he can to get Xie Lian’s attention and praise. He bases a lot of himself and his environment around Xie Lian. I think that the opinion that some of the fandom has of him that “everything revolves around Xie Lian for his character” is a very good example of this. I do not agree with this sentiment, obviously, but it is very common for people with BPD to base almost everything around this FP.

Hua Cheng also wants to spend all of his time around Xie Lian, which is often seen with people with Bpd and their fps.

A lot of this headcannon also has a lot to do with seeing myself in Hua Cheng, seeing behaviors I’ve done for past FPs and even my current FP. I see my relationship with my current FP (which is my boyfriend before anyone asks) in Xie Lian and Hua Cheng. I am a lot more unstable in my relationship with my FP than Hua Cheng is to Xie Lian, but I also feel like Hua Cheng often would turn his anger inward a lot more than I do and fall heavily into self blame for any issues. Along with that, I feel as if Hua Cheng is also pretty inclined to feel as if he overstepped and to internally berate himself for thinking he could have or do or feel whatever unstable emotions and feelings and devaluation towards Xie Lian.

Anyways here’s a small, very tired and sleepy explanation. I’m sorry if none of this makes sense. I just woke up to write this and I’m probably heading to bed.

[hexcia]

So. I made an Errorinkberry shipkid because im deranged.

This is Acrylic! They were created by Ink accidentally and has been the three's child ever since

They have a stylus pen that works in a slightly different way than Ink's brush does and they really like pepsi

they are very smug and silly and I'm love them.....

[dizzybizz]

al lsasints steret 🥺

i lvoe alll saints stereettttrahghghhhh

[heartorbit]

a mob of emus for an artstyle game on twt! ^_^

[lotus-pear]

consider...chuuya and navia hat swap!!

now THIS is a concept...

who would slay harder

[gio-cosmo]

I’m sick rn so forgive me but ur cool. Only discovered Strega recently (never really got into persona three like I did the other games in the series) any suggestions for Strega-based content I could eat? awesome sauce and other such phrases

Hi!! Sorry for answering this late, my inbox refuses to notify me of new asks sometimes lol. I hope you feel better soon!! Feeling sick sucks.

Strega based content is unfortunately rather hard to come across. Besides in-game content, here’s what I can think of off the top of my head:

- Strega Days by Narihara Tonmi. You can find scans & translations online!

- Tartarus Theater Wild - Again, scans & translations are available online.

- You can find them featured in the Weird Masquerade stage play, but I can’t find a translation for it (if anyone has one lmk)

- Someone posted on here with scans for Shadow Cry (untranslated) a bit ago which is fully dedicated to Strega, but my dumbass lost it and can’t find it so umm I’m actually kind of hoping someone will respond to this post and give it to me 💔 LMFAOO

- They are also featured in the P3 movie!

This is all I can think of off the top of my head but I feel like I’m seriously forgetting a LOT of stuff…forgive me, I’m so incredibly forgetful that I’m sort of bad at stuff like this LMFAO.

But besides official content, there’s of course fan-content as well! I’m always searching tumblr for fanart, and if you’re interested in fanfiction, there’s some fics written abt Strega on ao3. Some of which have changed my brain chemistry for real…fellow strega fans, you guys are so awesome. I love seeing everyone’s different perspectives on the characters!!

OKAYYY RAMBLING SESSION OVER. I hope this is helpful!! I’m always happy to see more people getting into Strega — they are such an interesting trio of characters and I adore analyzing them ❤️

In general if you guys ever have any Strega-related questions or queries or just want to share your thoughts on them in general I’d love to hear it!! My inbox is always open, and if I ever take a while to respond, it’s likely just bc tumblr doesn’t notify me sometimes ^_^

[bunnihearted]

regardless of the "learn how to be alone" dravel, being lonely actually is really bad for your mental health and can be very painful :p

[faaun]

i feel rly sad and conflicted abt one of my best friends on earth but idk who to ask for advice bc i usually would have consulted her in this situation lmao

[jrueships]

guess whos not going in at all this week, actually

[krbk-notebook]

hey @real-life-cloud @thatsgaybro @lyricalvicki @tempestaurora @sweetietenya @greyladyblue @moumjn

we‘re either mutuals on my main (@pecuirlig), on here, or you follow this blog — and it looks like we all like krbk ! :‘)

first of all, feel free to decline <3

would anyone be interested in making a little krbk discord group or something? :‘)

as a casual fun hangout spot for people of similar ages (i think we‘re all 20+, most early 20s?), for talking about krbk (& maybe other ships/characters/shows etc too), sharing or talking about fics, or art, or whatever we want :‘)

i know i‘ve wanted to have a space like that for years tbh lol, since i haven‘t had the luck to meet anyone irl who‘s also into fandom or specifically krbk, back when tumblr group chats were a thing they weren’t very lively lol, and the krbk discord groups i‘ve checked out so far haven‘t had active members my own age.

i would be super happy if any of you might be interested too ! :‘) but i will continue to suffer alone lmao if you should not <3 (/lighthearted)

(btw— i‘m super open to other people joining this too, so please do feel invited if you are 20+ and you want something like this too ! i just only @'ed these people because there‘s been Some interaction between us already. not having @'ed you doesn‘t mean you‘re not welcome :‘) !)

[tethrras]

my mom literally trying to gaslight me in real time is sooo funny

[rozaceous]

please ship spoilers for endgame i cant take the suspense!!!!!

you know, if i was really mean i'd lie and say it was mariko/kabuto endgame, but that's a ship that's too bonkers to seriously acknowledge, and is not a possibility lmao. maybe if it was closer to april fools

ok so i'll give the bare bones of it, but trust that there's more to say as we get there. the tags don't go up until the final chapters. i also don't know that i want ppl reading too much into it in the sense that tcba isn't abt romance, so much as it is abt relationships driving the character motivations. but i also don't want anyone to stress abt it? basically, i'll say this part and ask ppl to hold other questions til the end since the things i really want to say, i want to say with the context of the story behind me. we're not far off from the end either, guys.

obviously, skip if you don't wanna know yet

(sasumari qpr, hakumari long-distance. she has two hands, yo.)

[dbphantom]

Listen if you're gonna send me an ask about why I shouldn't interact with a person, can you at least do it off anon so I can request actual proof privately? I'm not replying to these since the only way to respond to them is publicly and I don't want to contribute to an unsubstantiated rumor about someone. That's not fair.

[baalzebufo]

This Is Love by Air Traffic Controller is sooo Gideon coded. That is all.

anon your brain is huge this is PERFECT 🙏

this reminds me I have an ancient gideon playlist from like 9 years ago and ive been thinking lately about remaking it with my slightly updated taste and im Absolutely adding this one there if I get round to that

[macadam]

I mean no fanbase is perfect but from my experience the TF fandom is pretty nice overall are there bad people in it oh yeah I’m sure but that applies to just about every fandom.

However that’s not to say I’m excusing bad things within it like misogyny and it’s good when it’s called out which thankfully does seem to be called out in this fandom.

Anyways yeah you’re right it’s not your responsibility to constantly bring up anything negative about something you enjoy.

It's not even about responsibility. It's just not necessary for me to do it all the time. Not every post needs a little disclaimer at the bottom abt how my post doesn't apply to x or y or z. I don't know why I've fallen into this need to do it--actually I do know why. It's because since I've started the habit the anon hate has gone down. It's like I'm shielding my back from every possible bad faith interpretation that could be made, and while effective it has made me just not want to post anything.

There are obviously many times when this effort and extra step need to be done but the amount of which I am doing it is exhausting and needless tbh

[nervocat]

NERVOO <33

i know this is random( like it really is but i had to stop my paperwork just to text you), i just wanna tell you how much i love you and i enjoy reading your yapping :3

( i should go to sleep blud my eyes are ready to go shut?!? )

WAIT STOP.. omg we like. Just became mutuals yesterday and you're already. Rghhhwjsbv YOU'RE TOO NICE PLS