#Stefanology

[frustratedpker]

Hey there,

I hope I'm not bothering you, but I have a question that needs answering and I figured that you as a Stefanologist are probably the best person to turn to with this One

I'm currently writing one a few Camera Nine Fanfictions, since I felt inspired after rereading some of the Comics and seeing the Content here on Tumblr

They are mostly going to be focused one the possible friendships between him and Layla, which works really well but the Proplem I run into is that i don't know how he would respond to being asked a question about his past ( by Layla, as well as possible strangers )

The past itself isn't the proplem, ( I have to admit I have the whole thing planned out in detail based on the scraps we got from the comics) but how he would answer it, if at all.

Would he avoid the question at all costs?

Would he give some cryptic answer?

Would he just tell Layla because he knows he can trust her?

I don't know, honestly. But without some answers given, a real friendship isn't really possible (and would make for a pretty boring fic)

What do you think about it?

(Also I'm really sorry this ask got so long)

Hello!!

You are not bothering at all, on the contrary I am very glad to talk about my favourite camera guy! No ask is long enough in this case!

First let me say that whenever you write the fic, I will be your first reader, we need more of those! I love possible Stefan and Lyla interactions!

And thank you for considering me as your first choice to talk to about this, it's an honour, but let me say that I am no authority, nor expert, so don't let my opinions confine you.

Now, to answer your question:

I think that whether or not he would reply and the way he would reply depends on the moment. When is Lyla asking him, at what point of the story?

If the question is asked early in their friendship, I don't think he would answer. He would either change the subject or ignore it. If he got asked later, he could provide a very generic or cryptic answer. I could also see him lying by omission.

Now, telling Lyla everything is tricky. I could see him doing that, but only under specific circumstances. If their friendship has progressed enough, maybe he could tell her the whole truth, but I can't see him getting into extreme detail.

I think that it would be easier for him to talk unprompted. At a right moment I think that he would open up by himself and share something. He definitely trusts Lyla. He knows that she has secrets too, so he would feel that there's some kind of leverage in his favour. He knows that she can't and wouldn't betray him.

Another scenario where I could see him telling the truth would be if his past got relevant in the present. For example, past enemies coming back or consequences of past actions resurfacing. In this case, I could see him revealing his past if asked under pressure, or to protect Lyla.

Also, I think that the way that he gets asked is important. A very direct question like "Tell me about your past" wouldn't have effect. Stefan answering simpler questions like "have you been in X", "do you know X" seems more possible to me. Generally 'yes or no' questions are more difficult to dodge, so they make excellent starting points for a conversation that will later reveal more important stuff.

Please, have in mind that this is just my opinion. You are free to address the subject in the way that makes the most sense for your story. After all, fanfiction is a what if...?

I hope this has been helpful

TL;DR

It all depends on when and how Lyla asks him. Put them in the "right" conditions that make sense in the context of your story and you couldn't go wrong!

Writing is hard, so have courage and keep going! I can't wait to see what you will come up with, dear stefanologist!

Allow me to tag @madmachaca whose opinion on the subject I'd like to hear (and whose Stefan fics, here on Tumblr, are the most in-character I have ever read, in my opinion)

[frustratedpker]

I was actually having the same question while reading your fic the other day!

I think that it would be exactly like you described it in your story.

Stefan is definitely not accustomed to being touched, at least not anymore. His living circumstances, plus his lack of close friends, don't offer many such opportunities. I don't think he would object to it though, should it come from someone he doesn't loathe.

I skimmed through all of the stories featuring major appearances from him and the only occasions when he touches people is when he is actively trying to save/restrain them.

Since he values one's secrets so much and is very protective of his space, I think that he would equally respect others' personal space. It would be a matter of principle for him. So, I don't see Stefan casually initiating physical contact. I can see him offering it though should the situation call for it (a pat on the back, even a hug maybe), as he has enough emotional intelligence to understand such cues.

After all, physical contact is a result of trust and part of a bonding experience, two things that Stefan has reasons to avoid. He wouldn't like someone to get that close to his secrets, so keeping people at a distance is the easy way.

In conclusion, I believe that he has reasons to indirectly avoid/be indifferent to physical contact, without minding it though, and while being capable to do it should he deem that the situation calls for it.

@frustratedpker & @madmachaca

I hope you don't mind me tagging you two, but while I was writing the little fic, about Stefan and Lyla hugging, I noticed something that I feel like is worth discussing

Namely, how our secret filled Duck would even react to physical contact (like, well a hug)

After all, we don't see anything like that happening in the comics, aside from his "wonderful" colleague shaking him or carrying him down the stairs (looking at you Mike)

I'm bad at putting it into words, but I guess my question is, what do you think is his take on it? Does he dislike it? Does he simply not mind? Enjoy it even?

Personally I think it's probably the second, with him not purposely searching for it/ handing it out (is that how you say it ?"handing out physical contact" ? uh probably not but you know what I mean) but him not necessarily minding either. There's also a good possibility that he just isn't used to it

Is most of this going to be speculation? Most definitely, yes.

But still I would love to discuss it! So uh, what do you think?

[frustratedpker]

I can't believe I added "Stefanologist" to my bio

[frustratedpker]

It's most likely.

Also, if I remember correctly they were the clothes he kept in his work locker. Knowing him, he would have made sure to always have spare clothes stored in case an occasion like this happened.

Also, notice how it's the perfect outfit to both hide his face and also get him and out of 00 Channel without anyone batting an eye (just another reporter).

Another detail, the hat still has the "press" label (at least that's what I gather the little papers are meant to represent). But why? He's not a reporter. At least, not anymore. Which makes me think that these probably were his regular clothes. The clothes he used to wear as a famous reporter.

He could have been keeping his old "signature outfit" in his locker. Another element that could have helped Duck Avenger recognise him as Stefan Vladuck during "Extraordinary Repairs".

The fact thar these are most likely his casual / everyday clothes... camera included

[frustratedpker]

I love two things here:

Stefan immediately stops pushing for information once the topic of a secret identity comes up

He uses the formal "you"

I love that Stefan got to talk to ONE directly, and he is like

"Are you an alien? "

Which sounds like a wild guess, but it makes sense in the world they live in.

There is something interesting in their conversation too:

"Who are you? For your complexion, I would say an alien"

"It's a synthetic image made to hide my real face"

"The appearance of Paperinik's allies is as secret as his identity is secret"

"Got it"

I may be overthinking. May be speculating too much. But I feel this is ONE saying: "Hey, you seem pretty smart. Keep it to yourself if you have figured it out already (please)"

And, if that's so, ONE doesn't have to worry. Stefan is curious but doesn't do gossip.

[frustratedpker]

Hello!

I am so happy when we bring back Stefan conversations!!

I agree with @madmachaca on most things. I, personally, take the first Pk file's information as true, meaning that I believe he is actually Bulgarian.

Plus, I would like to point out the fact that the second file also mentions that he is a neutralized Duckburg citizen, so he does have a nationality, an American/USA one, that would allow him to legally work/drive etc. Well, this fact also contradicts him being stateless and almost all of our headcanons, but PKNA is known for its inconsistencies, so I'd rather take it as a bluff/plot hole of the creators and an opportunity for us to explain it with a way that justifies our personal view of Stefan.

About the name change: I agree with @madmachaca, for he became famous as Stefan Vladuck, so if he ever changed his name it must have been before that. I don't personally adopt the headcanon of the name change, but it would work nicely in many contexts. Plus, it's very common for people to americanize their names if they work abroad or have hopes of an international career. So, it would be very possible for him to change his name from Stevan to Stefan/Stephan with such goals in mind (I can picture him young and ambitious). I don't know if he would change his name legally though. I'm seeing this more like an unofficial change to facilitate work relations.

@frustratedpker and @madmachaca

Heyy you two, how are you doing? Hopefully amazing!

You can probably guess by the fact that I'm tagging you, but I have a little question about our favorite photographic reporter on my mind.

I honestly don't know which much it's worth to discuss it but I figured I might as well bring it up

To briefly explain how we got here, I was chatting with my dad a while back and somehow, I don't remember the topic we were talking about or how we got there, he mentioned that the name Stefan is often written with a V (Stevan) in Slavic Countries, which immediately got my way to hyperfixation filled brain racing.

Namely about a certain Headcanon of mine, that I've also seen flying around here on Tumblr (Thinking back at it it may even have been one of your posts!) which consists of Stefan originally stemming from (now Ex) Yugoslavia.

I tried to find some evidence about the whole "Slavic name" thing online but sadly the only one I was able to find was on this Baby name site, so I'm not sure if it's one hundred percent true, but if it were, what/could it mean anything?

I've been playing around with the concept of a possible name change, or maybe even witness protection program, for a while now, even if more for my personal Au than canon.

For example, I used to have the hc that Stefan changed his name to Steven, when he came to Duckburg and even though I no longer use this hc, I still very much like the thought of it

But then again that's 12 years old me speaking, and a whole made up storyline about our favorite duck that I'm not gonna get into now, cause oh boy that thing was wild

But I'm getting of track

I guess what I want to say is, could there possibly be a connection with the whole "Stevan" thing? Personally, likley not. Could Stefan officially have changed his name or be part of a witness protection program? I wouldn't be surprised if so. And should I ever talk about the story/Au I made up when I was twelve?

No sorry, that last one was a joke, I know one day I probably will

Anyways! What do you think?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!