#also consider that modern AU Hector is super into that one DDR-esque drumming arcade game lmao

[birb-tangleblog]

I have a headcannon that the Dark Kingdom's culture definitely had some Asian-based aspects before it fell. (Evidence: Adira's essentially Korean according to her character designer, Hector's pets are from Asia, and the moon is super prevalent due to the Moonstone) Hector is also a skilled martial artist with a gifted sense of rhythm (Evidence: RatGT). This all makes me headcannon that Hector likes to practice taiko in his spare time (a traditional Japanese style of drum performance).

More specifically I like to envision him doing stuff very similar to the famous troupe Drum Tao: The Martial Art of Drumming. Their passion and style remind me so freaking much of Hector. Here's some videos for reference:

https://youtu.be/QsuYZ-1ZP00

https://youtu.be/lE6N_QD99C8

(Spoiler alert I'm going to try to incorporate this onto one of my Ao3 stories. We'll see how successful I am. 🤣)

I get a similar impression as you, actually!! My HC or guess would probably be that a neighboring country or trade partner of the DK is East Asian-inspired, but I can definitely see some cultural diffusion and mixing happening there too. And I wish the show had leaned into it/shown us more, but the DK having this unique aesthetic w/ the furs, darker palette, paint, and hints of other influences is intriguing enough.

I feel like I've seen a few takes that give Hector some artistic inclinations or hobbies but Idk if I've seen any that had him as particularly musical! Him playing smth as aggressive and physical in its performance as drums (and taiko!!) seems fitting too- it definitely has to do w/ the passion and flare, like you ment'd- so I'm on board w/ this HC. 🥁

It seems like that style of drumming is often practiced in an ensemble- so maybe the other Brotherhood have training in it as well and can also play, tho it's more of a hobby/interest for Hector particularly? Them performing together for a ceremony or smth would be v cool ngl ngl

Maybe the DK also has a practical purpose for war drums and uses or used them as a form of communication across the kingdom? So it's performative and an art form, but also has utility as a skill.