#about fj

[allimili]

Alone time

[followerofmercy]

Oh my God I just realized the reason Arlecchino is Like That is because she's never known a parental figure as anything but an antagonist. Essay incoming:

I saw some really good analysis pointing out that Crucabena's existence was almost certainly a retcon for the Knave/Director of the House of Hearth's unforgivable behavior, and I agree. Nobody's ages make any sense without having to do a mental contortionist act and there was a distinct vibe of the Chasm Hearthlings being particularly brutal.

(That is part of why I don't usually get into super long-running stories. There will inevitably be some half baked ideas that you have to introduce early on for foreshadowing, but then the rest of the story moves in a way where there's a better option, and then you have to find a way to make the new idea work with the groundwork already laid. Personally, I think a footnote saying "We changed our minds - this is the edited version" is perfectly acceptable. A story is a conversation between the audience and author but whatever)

ANYWAY! It feels so fucking weird saying this because while I'm on the "they should be Worse, Actually" train 99% of the time, this is that 1% where I think Arlecchino being on the very very light side of morally gray makes for a way more interesting story than if they had've kept her true to the original idea.

I love evil women more than the next guy but I think the continued operation of the House of Hearth being a spit in the face to the Fontainian government and the Fatui and the idea of how a 'normal' family should look - because none of these kids are normal and that has directly led to their abuse - and that being a good thing is. Idk. Refreshing? I think it's a much more powerful message that Arlecchino was the only goddamn person that actually got results trying to do something about all these abused children. She is actually doing some incredible work in a terrible situation. In a world where these kids’ options are “being trafficked” and “Fatui pawns,” I think “Independent child soldiers operating under the Fatui banner but staying true to themselves” is a pretty damn good alternative. 

It’s also important that the rest of society’s lack of care is directly responsible for the continued existence of the House of Hearth as it is. I mean fuck’s sake, Fontaine has a community of people living in the SEWER. If there was a public orphanage that wasn’t operated by predators, I’m sure most children would be there instead! But no. Nobody wants these kids. And, God forbid Wriothesley decided to do something about being sold. The victim blaming is off the charts. There is no way for Arlecchino to operate peacefully within the existing system, so she made her own. 

So the actual point of this essay: It’s everywhere in Arlecchino’s story, dialogue and actions that she wants her children to support each other, but because of how Crucabena raised her, she can’t really envision herself as part of that family (even if she actually is part of it and the majority of the kids love her dearly.) A parent is something to be feared, eventually killed, and removed from the path of their successor. Everyone likes to highlight little Perurere asking if it’s normal for biological mothers and daughters to argue. On some level I think she knows it’s wrong, but still. Literally all she’s ever seen is a parent as an obstacle to overcome. None of the children in her care had good parents and, if they did, the parents are dead. 

(Also hot take that Crucabena probably thought extremely highly of Arlecchino and gave her special treatment. She felt that Clervie was holding her actual favorite daughter back. I imagine Arlecchino also has very complicated feelings in Crucabena’s role in raising her to be as strong as she is while also being an objective monster, but that’s a topic for another time.) 

Even Arlecchino’s constellation talks about her being alone while instructing her children to care for one another. That separation ties into her being outwardly contradictory about rules. In her story quest, she spends the majority of it aware that her children are disobeying her, but as long as she doesn’t catch them, she can’t rightfully punish them now can she? Now excuse her while she makes herself scarce so they can get up to their mischief. She lip services - and by that I mean lies - about the importance of rules. She Actively Encourages her children to disobey her so long as they do it smart, which is a way to teach them how to circumvent the unjust laws of Fontaine and the Fatui without getting caught. If her kids fuck up bad enough she’ll “punish” them before they get actually killed by something worse than her, and if they successfully trick her (with her blessing), then there’s a good chance they’ll live. (Or, yk, if they wanna leave she’ll let them asldfj) 

So, again, I'll keep preaching that Arlecchino's whole MO is that she is setting herself up as an antagonist for her children, and her children's allies, to test themselves against. She actively encourages rebellion against her, unfair rules, the system, the Fatui, Fontaine, etc, because that's how she survived her own upbringing and the only way she knows for her family to protect themselves. She is keenly aware that she is Not Gentle, Not Fair (even if I do neglect that part in my own writing), and that there probably is a better way to do things. That’s why she wants Lyney specifically to succeed her. She cannot envision a perfect Hearth with her in it because she is the Parent, and historically, Parents are obstacles to be removed. 

Arlecchino’s greatest wish as the King of the House of Hearth is to be dethroned, and I think that is WAY more interesting than the abusive, violent tyrant Hoyo teased at first.

[crimsonvulgarian]

[shorthaltsjester]

have been watching some of my fav cr2 moments all day bc if criticizing one campaign does anything it certainly reminds me what i cherished about previous ones and genuinely man i think fjord & jester might be one of my favourite love stories and i have a horrendously long draft i’ve been working on for months analyzing why i think their story is so well done but like. it truly has such a good build of friendship to confidants they allow to see pieces of them no one else does to the pining and then swapping who was pining and them growing to be steady supports and protectors of one another and after All That. they actually get into a relationship and find love with each other. and now they’re looking for wedding venues on the moon . get me out of here i love them so much

[lovelikeghostsmp3]

No Choir

Aged Bourbon/Henrivy One Shot

Note: Hi okay posting this. I guess. Very nervous for some reason.

Tags: Fluff, kissing, one (1) singular sex joke

Word Count: 716

Ivy was sure that if heaven existed, this is what it would be.

The small campfire that Henry had built crackled in front of them. They were both far away from any sort of civilization, with nothing but trees and mountains surrounding them.

From this spot, Ivy could even see the Milky Way, since the light pollution that normally clouded it from sight was gone. It was gorgeous, and they could never get tired of the view.

Ivy pulls the fleece blanket wrapped around their shoulders closer, the cold mountain air biting against their skin. They’re grateful that Henry has an arm wrapped around you, as he always seemed to radiate warmth.

Henry had suggested getting out of town for a few days. Ride up to the mountains on your houses and camp out under the stars. Ivy had happily agreed, packing up the necessities and the horses to head out on his favorite trail and camping spot.

“It's so quiet out here,” Ivy murmurs, turning to rest their chin on Henry's shoulder, studying his features like it's the first time they’d seen him.

“It will not be for long if you keep looking at me like that,” he replies, giving Ivy a boyish grin. They push away from him and gently smack him on the shoulder, causing a soft laugh to rise from his frame.

Ivy shakes their head in disappointment and huffs before assuming their previous position. “I saw a raccoon on our way up here. I think they’d be cute to have as a pet.”

Henry stiffens and looks over at his wife. “A raccoon,” he repeats. “You want a raccoon as a pet?”

Ivy shrugs. “Probably not, but it’s cute in theory. Plus, I think it’s illegal to own one here anyway.”

Henry relaxes at that, now understanding that this was simply one of the many random thoughts they voiced to him daily. He had become used to them over the 3 years they’d been together, though some of them still gave him pause.

They sit together in silence again, watching the fire crackle and the smoke rise. As Henry begins to feel Ivy leaning more heavily into him, he speaks up again.

“You are getting tired, aren’t you,” he observes, and at his words Ivy buries their face into the crook of his neck.

“No,” they lie, as the yawn that immediately follows gives them away. Henry can’t help but smile and goes to place a kiss to the top of their head. Ivy makes a small noise at the gesture and tries to bury their face deeper into Henry’s shirt.

They slowly pull their head up to face him, and Henry can just barely notice tears pricking the corner of Ivy’s eyes. Though their eyes tended to water and the smoke from the fire had made it more prominent, he could tell that these were tears from genuine emotion. He’s startled, as just a second ago they were making jokes and seemed to be in a good mood.

Ivy doesn’t give him a chance to ask what’s wrong. “I don’t know how I got so lucky to have you,” they confess, and Henry can’t help but soften as he listens.

“Ivy…” he begins but trails off as they hurriedly scramble onto his lap, clinging to him even more tightly. He wraps his arms around them instinctively and turns downward to place a kiss to the top of their head.

“I just love you a lot,” they whisper against the flannel of his shirt. Henry can’t help but allow himself another small kiss against Ivy’s hair before coaxing their face up from where they had burrowed into the crook of his shoulder.

He cradles their face with his free hand, feeling how the Wyoming wind had made Ivy’s cheek cold to the touch. They look at him with wet and wide eyes, though a small smile still graces their lips.

“I love you, too,” Henry reassures them, before placing a kiss on their forehead. Ivy snuggles back into him, this time their face buried in his chest.

The wind picks up once more, blowing smoke in Henry’s direction. It makes his eyes sting and water, so he buries his face in Ivy’s hair, breathing in the fading scent of their shampoo.

divider credit: @/saradika-graphics

[graciehart]

kate beckett i love you so much

[hisame-chan]

Lelouch in R1 Audio Drama (E08): refuses to get onto Rivalz's bike because he "never liked the idea of hanging onto some guy's back"

Also Lelouch, when "some guy" is Suzaku:

(and a bit of rambling in the tags😅)

[words-after-midnight]

Out-of-context exchange from the zero draft of my goofy little side project. It's funnier when you know their age difference is *checks notes* six months.

[archduchessofnowhere]

Youtube algorithm: we have a new Empress Sisi video for you!

Me: is it a nuanced take on her life based in updated historiography with cited sources or is it just the poorly researched cliché of "Sisi was always a miserable victim tortured by her evil mother-in-law"?

Youtube algorithm: it's a good video trust us :)

*I play the video* *it's the cliché of Sisi was always a miserable victim tortured by her evil mother-in-law*

[followerofmercy]

Watching She-Ra with family and oh my god the interpersonal relationships in this show

[minuitdanslalune]

low quality fanart of keeping secrets fanfic

[demenior]

“How did you know how to do that?” Jester asks. Eadwulf shrugs, “it’s easy to redirect lightning. Mages do it all the time.” “Why aren’t they all dropping dead?” “Most of them think you can only do it with a circle for safety, to take some of the load so you don’t explode when the energy passes through you,” Eadwulf pats her hand, over his new scar on his chest. “You could have exploded?” She feels his pulse pick up speed as she digs her nails into his skin. The worst case of events springs to life in her minds: a heartbeat, two, Jester watching hopelessly as a second passes. Eadwulf takes the lightning, and he dies. There’s nothing left of him to save.  And Jester is alone. Eadwulf’s grin shows teeth. “I’m not like most mages. I’m better.” Jester kisses him just for the excuse to get her teeth into him.

Read Chapter 25 Here

[leatherbookmark]

hello! i have seen a post and I must scream.

节哀顺变, or just 节哀, seen as "restrain your grief" in shitty subtitles, does not actually mean that.

i mean, if you take it super literally, it does. but the actual phrase, as it is used in real situations, is used to console the family of a deceased person. if you look up how to say your condolences in chinese, this is what you'll get.

it does NOT mean "omg, stop crying, who cares that your family member/loved one died, get a grip". it means "my condolences", "I'm sorry for your loss"!

i kind of wish people would like... stop for a second before making their judgement, especially when you're dealing with obviously wonky translations. sure, not everyone knows Chinese or can check the actual wording in the original text, but this is precisely why it's good not to trust the translation 100% and 1:1! and check more than one source...

[fitzrove]

this photo is deeply funny and sad to me. Rudolf's not even cold yet and these mf's are out there like "we are reaffirming our deep commitment to the alliance" JFJDKFJJFJ. Like damn they learned nothing

[luxites]

I have so many JJK chibi sketches but idk who to do next cuz I have a list of like..... almost every character? and I just draw whoever I feel like in the moment or whoever a friend says to do al;sdkfj

if there's someone specific that you wanna see me color (or draw if they're not in these screenshots) just let me know!

[cahootings]

I should have known better going into the s2 finale because s1 eps 9 and 10 were released at the same time, so it really did feel like a nice full two part finale, and those eps are inseparable in my brain because of it. Definitely why I felt bereft at the s2 finale at first