#Nancy’s character description is based on one of my irl friends

[the-redcrate]

Ooh, I’m curious! For the “choose violence” ask (choose however much violence you feel like, no pressure): 1, 3, and 20.

First off, you are literally the sweetest for sending me an ask! Secondly, we have been mutuals for so many years, and I have been on and off Tumblr, in and out of Fandom Culture for so long, that...I am not 100% sure which fandom connected us? But I'm pretty sure it was hockey (which I still read, and I still love the Hurricanes), but I don't really interact with at all. So. I really hope this whole endeavor won't be boring for you haha.

Cuz it's gonna be Stranger Things based. 😅

1.the character everyone gets wrong:

Nancy Wheeler. In fic, she's either an ex lover but good friend to Steve (and it's almost never awkward for the two of them) or she's a raging bitch. And I get it. She's a "secondary" character in the types of fic I read (typically steddie). But I really think she deserves more care and consideration. She's not a great person, but she's got awesome qualities. I'd just really like to see more nuance in Nancy when she's written in fic as a key secondary character. She doesn't need to be a cardboard prop.

3.screenshot or description of the worst take you've seen on tumblr

I don't have any screenshots, and I don't typically interact in any fandom Discourse after literal years of the same ole themes popping up. But the worst take I generally see in fandom culture are the asshats who are violently in your face about moral high ground when it comes to hating a certain character (especially fictional characters—I can lend some leeway for fandoms built on RPF whose faves end up doing terrible shit IRL...but that's a whole different topic and even then I'm Live and Let Live these days). I don't care if someone else thinks writing a character I like/find interesting is a piece of shit, but don't throw it in my face by coming into my space to shit all over what makes me happy.

20. part of canon you found tedious or boring:

Hubs, who is not a fan of ST, but was in the room when I binge-watched season 4 for the first time will attest to the fact that I couldn't care less about Hopper in Russia or El recovering her powers and confronting One (I did watch and teared up during the scene when El killed Papa). I literally fast-forwarded through all those storylines. Hubs was baffled and annoyed by this as he had been tangentially paying attention 😈And this was BEFORE I was shipping Steve and Eddie. I have always been more into the kids figuring out and fighting the Upside Down than the rest of canon events.

Lol after answering these, maybe I don't have the most violent takes on stuff? But it was fun to share my opinions. Thank you for asking, friend! 💟💟💟

[jack-of-aces]

“Say it. Say it out loud.”

Three teens stood by the edge of the forest in the setting sun. Tony, the speaker, was a pale boy in a leather jacket, with greased back hair that implied he had motorcycle keys and a comb in his pocket.

“Tony, Nance, come on you two. This isn’t funny.”

Asher, Tony’s boyfriend, stood between the other two. He had messy, blond hair and tanned skin. He wore a small pink scarf and a flowing pink skirt that had a poodle design sewn into it, looking to all the world like he belonged in the last century.

“You’re a vampire.”

Nancy, the speaker, had dark skin and frizzy black hair in ponytails. She wore overalls over a striped shirt and a thick pair of glasses. Her backpack was covered in pins proclaiming every one of her political opinions under the sun.

“Guilty as charged.” Tony dipped his head in a mocking bow. Asher put his hands up in exasperation.

“And you chose to spend your eternity in public high school?”

“Well it wasn’t my first choice, but when you’re permanently 17, there aren’t exactly a shit ton of options.”

“Seventeen year olds can be in college.”

“Oh. Yeah. Let me just reach into my endless well of money so I can pay tuition for the next forever. I can see the headlines now.” Tony put his hands out, as if gesturing to a billboard. “‘Teenage prodigy studying at college for hundredth year in a row.’ Nothing suspicious about that.”

Asher interjected into their debate. “Nance, trust me. I’ve already argued this with him, he’s had decades to fine tune his points.”

Something clicked in Nancy’s head. “Decades to fine tune his points? Asher, get away from him.” She pulled Asher towards herself protectively. “He’s preying on you.”

“I’m what?” Tony asked.

“He’s what?” Asher asked at the same time.

“I can’t believe you’d romance someone a fraction of your age!” Nancy put herself between Asher and Tony. “He’s worrying about what to wear to prom, and you probably personally remember the Louisiana Purchase.”

“Actually I was turned in the 50s. But that’s not the—“

“And another thing—“ Nancy started, before Asher put a hand on her shoulder to silence her.

“Nance, it’s alright. I’m a vampire too.” He pulled on his lip to reveal a fang. “We were dating before we turned. We’re the same age.” Asher thought for a moment. “Well. Almost. Tony’s a year older.”

“Oh.” Nancy was taken aback by this reframing of the facts. There was an awkward pause for a moment. “Sorry about assuming the worst.”

“It’s fine! You were just looking out for me. But no need to worry. We’re both 50s teens.” He twirled to watch his skirt in the wind, walking to stand next to Tony. “I never could let go of the fashion. Or the boys.” Asher stole a quick kiss from Tony as he added the last part.

“So. The 50s. That means you probably weren’t cornered on a foggy cobblestone street. How did you. . . You know. . .”

“It’s a funny story actually, someone—“ Asher’s tone strongly suggested that that ‘someone’ was Tony “—joined his first biker’s gang, and—“

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Tony blushed slightly, flipping up the collar of his jacket.

“—It was actually a front for a vampire coven. He brought me to initiation for moral support and they bit us both.” Asher pulled down his scarf slightly to reveal an old scar from a vampire bite.

“The coven is gone now.” Tony took up the story, probably to heal some of his pride. “I turned them in to a few hunters after being turned. They’re fine letting vampires exist if we’re not hurting anyone.”

“Cool. Cool.” Nancy nodded.

It was silent for a moment too long. Nancy reached an internal decision.

“Since I exposed you two’s secrets, it’s only fair I expose one of mine.”

Asher was quick to reassure. “Nance, you really don’t have to—“

“No. It’s only fair.” Nancy made it clear that this was the end of discussion.

“Go on,” Tony prompted.

“I’m actually a werewolf.” Nancy held one arm in her hand shyly. “You better not think it’s weird, or pull up some kind of feud bullshit at me.”

Asher and Tony exchanged a glance, and Asher smiled.

“I think it’s nifty.”

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