#and listen im not saying that all characters need to have issues and trauma and etc

[harmonysanreads]

hi! i love the way you write aventurine, could you give me some tips on writing for him bc im struggling her to grasp his character :(

if you don’t have the time then that’s alright!

Hello, nonnie. Thank you so much :') Since you didn't mention whether this was in the Yandere context or not, I'll list some general tips. I hope you find these helpful!

— FOR BASIC CHARACTERIZATION

One of the most important aspects of Aventurine is that he's insanely smart, but they always sign it off with luck at the other side of the equation. This is intentional of course and whether or not luck really is the ultimate deciding factor isn't really the question we should be pondering about for a video game. Everything Aventurine does is through careful strategizing, scheming and calculating. What you need to remember is that ‘luck’ is more like a protective layer on top of it all. When deciding upon a plot, try your best to keep Aventurine's intelligence in mind. Then you can seal it off by using ‘luck’ in classic Aventurine style, or use dramatic irony with this point.

I think, for Aventurine, having a reader who surprises him is very convenient. It doesn't need to be a head-on challenge, sometimes the strongest impressions are made through silence and passivity. Remember, Aventurine is an incredibly observant character. For example : when he offers the Trailblazer ten thousand Credits after their first encounter, if you refuse politely, he becomes extremely pleased, as opposed to his somewhat miffed reaction if you pick the other option.

As you know, he's often partial to extremes. His ‘all or nothing’ motto can be useful to stir inner conflict.

Body language is very important for building his character. Instead of writing a whole paragraph about how beneath his bravado, he's always scared of losing, they conveyed much more through revealing the fact that he hides his left hand behind his back during all daring gambles. Aventurine isn't the type to be upfront about emotions that can make him vulnerable — that's detrimental to survival. So I think you can reveal those emotions through body language.

He's a very... unconventional gambler. His tendency to pose things as gambles and bets is more like a shield than anything. In any case, it makes for a great tool in adding drama.

— FOR DIALOGUE

Aventurine is a pretty complex character so I often forget certain things if I don't stay in practice, listening to his voicelines really helps me get a quick refresh in those cases. There's this channel on YouTube that compiles the characters' scenes individually, it's very helpful.

I think we all can agree one of Aventurine's greatest strengths is how he weaponizes words against others. There's more to this though. Be mindful to the upward and downward inflections in his sentences, the pauses between phrases and which words he's putting emphasis on.

He's also an interesting mix of straight-forward and roundabout. He says he prefers people to be direct and he often is direct himself. But with his ‘insults’ in particular, he's very roundabout. By the time you realize what he just said, it's already too late to shoot a comeback and he has you exactly where he wants.

— MISC. TIPS

Keep his backstory in mind and be respectful to it, but don't let it stop you from experimenting.

He has religious trauma, survivor's guilt, trust and commitment issues, as well as a complicated attachment style. Do you research on how these things affect people in relationships.

Aventurine's arc hasn't ended, which is why many things about him aren't definite. Consider how you might use it to your advantage.

[chickennuggetdreamland]

god i hate liking genshin bc if i ever had to tell anyone what i like about the game its like. well. it has potential. to be good. if the writers, character designers, gameplay designers, etc etc didnt suck ass.

[blood-stained-lollipop]

advice for you based on your favourite pasta

Jeff- Are you excited about the When We Were Young festival? I hope Dan and Phil come out with the gay flag and kiss just for you <3. How are your anger issues? Playing your music at volume 100 isn’t a substitute for therapy. Please go hug someone babe, having Jeff as your favorite in 2023 means you definitely need it. 

Ben- I just know you’re funny, like your friends fucking love you. Either play video games or have a creative hobby. Ben stans are literally the best. Probably have awesome taste in music. My advice for you? It’s okay if you aren’t the happy one all the time, you aren’t a robot babe <3

Jack- I get academic overachiever vibes from you, like, you’re smart, and you know you’re smart. You probably read and have a letterboxd account. You’re effortlessly cool, and probably hot, but it’s okay to fail sometimes, you don’t have to be perfect <3

Toby- Hello mentally ill gay people no im jk all of you are mentally ill and gay its the creepypasta fandom lolz. You probably feel like you’re really annoying and cope via having Toby as your comfort character. Either you’ve been in therapy since you were twelve or you need to go. Try and prioritise yourself babe <3

Helen- ITS OKAY TO DO THINGS ALONE!!!!! You probably feel insecure about your lack of friends, or you feel like your social life sucks. Doing things alone is okay, it doesn’t make you a loser. You probably like art, and you’re probably fucking great at it. Don’t compare yourself to anyone babe <3

Liu- Do you have family trauma and/or feel like you’re gonna be alone for the rest of your life? Yeah checks out. Spend more time with people, I promise they aren't all bad. Go pet a dog, stand in the sunshine. Life is great sometimes <3

Jane- psst… it's okay to let your guard down. Idk if you knew that, but here I am telling you anyway. You’re a bad bitch, I know. You’re hot, I know. But not everyone wants to hurt you. Also, stop trying to take care of everyone around you <3

Nina- you probably got/get bullied for being different. I think its hot that you’re different. Sure, you belong in a 2007 scene meet-up and i’m sorry you aren’t there rn, but you have SO MANY secret admirers. Keep being you babe, don’t change for anyone <3

Clockwork- okay i’m just gonna say it. Sometimes being mean to people and pushing them away is a bad coping mechanism. I am saying this because I have the same coping mechanisms. We are the same. Please for the love of god stop clenching your jaw and let your guard down!!! <3

Sally- Either you’re one of the younger fans or you have serious trauma. You can’t go to places or listen to certain songs without wanting to throw up. Your hands are burning from holding onto your inner child so tightly. Hang in there, it’s gonna get better <3

[melobin]

i think it’s funny? like the spaces thing? everything that girl said is what he gotten hate over the past few weeks. bitching about me writing about riize when everything was happening as if i was the only blog to do so? 😭 “she doesn’t see them as people only characters” and you can’t come and talk to me straight up and instead you have to go behind my back and bitch about me instead? like yes i found it stupid people were acting surprised about riize’s brand reputation falling when people are literally boycotting the group like we knew this was going to happen i don’t understand what’s wrong with me saying that but i digress.

people cannot handle sitting and discussing things with the people they have an issue with because they don’t want to deal with listening to proper and logical reasonings for things, instead they have to go to others who agree with them because they need validation.

yes i’m a smut writer, yes i posted about riize and seunghan during october. i also took a break from posting out of respect for them and so i could process everything that happened. i am most definitely not the only account who began posting smut about riize again so don’t fucking label me as some sort of villain when multiple blogs were doing it too and do not sit and accuse me of not viewing them as real people.

“she claims to be ot7” yeah ive also had to sit and explain to people why im so distant from my feelings and why i was so logical about this situation but slay i guess, melobin’s feelings and personal trauma doesn’t matter when you’re selfish 😚✌️ also bringing up ninona and saying the same thing as everyone else says because no one has any actual evidence or proof that she’s ot6 .. give it a rest

anyway i love you all im really not doing well right now so i haven’t been active but i just wanted to make a little post about it bc i saw the video and i just find it bizarre. thank you for being so patient with me and hopefully i’ll be able to feel a little brighter and be more active soon ���

[bleue-flora]

Hate to intervene on the discussion about the genuine finale, but Tommy did apologize previously to the nuke going off and he did it before Dream even killed him, Im not sure if it was intended for him to say the apology so early on if at all but it did make me a little confused when the reaction to the apology was dream focusing on tommy dismissing the revival book and then killing him. Its not that out of character or anything, it made sense for Dream to be paranoid and lash out especially considering Tommy accused him of being the same person the whole time within his apology, but it did make me feel bad for tommy, as well as the fact he didn't get a sorry in return but then again had the nuke not dropped and no reset, Dream probably would of apologized for his own actions once he really processed what was going on which is rlly the only issues i had with that final convo

Regardless on my opinion on that part of the stream, you've definietly highlighted why many dislike it and I completely agree. Dream and Tommy had closure, while pretty much no one else in the server really did, not sure if punz even did, many character arcs didn't rlly end, stuff was left ambigious, ranboo had their ending on twitter, we got nothing about dreamxd. killing staged duo off is just a repeat of everything before and it just makes the moral that violence is the answer to trauma and multiple characters in dsmp use violence as revenge and the ending having that would just be like saying that was okay. But the fact it instead took this understanding morally grey approach and ended that destructive cycle gave it a much better moral. Solid essay btw.

[context]

Always feel free to intervene, just know you’ll probably get an essay in response lol. ;D <3

In regards, to Tommy’s apology [clip] I am of the opinion that anything Tommy said before he died was not really genuine because he was stalling for time. He only asks Dream what his point of view is the server because he needed to stall. And even when Dream is explaining his side [clip], instead of really understanding it or even having remorse he mutes and says “Come on, Tubbo.” He’s not really listening, and his apology shortly after isn’t really sincere. He keeps repeating how Dream was always like this, so if he was apologizing it wasn’t because he realizes he actually hurt Dream. He even questions how Dream can be upset about burning down George’s house “it wasn’t even your house.” Language like “you could’ve got over that” tells me he isn’t seeing the point. He does not see how he might be in the wrong nor how much he hurt Dream.

So honestly, I think this apology is really just manipulation, trying to get Dream to stay. And honestly, that makes sense, because if you want someone to stay you’re not going to keep pissing then off, or at least he learned this because that was his first strategy. But that was only making them want to leave or kill him, so he changes tactics, getting Dream to talk [clip] “take as long as you need.” So yea, it doesn’t really count in my mind, just as Dream’s “I’m sorry” in prison doesn’t necessarily count.

If however the nuke hadn’t happened, and Tommy had actually apologized, now beginning to understand Dream more, then perhaps Dream would also. But to be honest that would be pretty out of character for both. Character growth can only go so far in one stream.

And I think Dream doesn’t feel sorry, not really. I think he regrets things getting out of hand and going further than they should have, but I think he’s so hurt by Tommy that he feels justified in his lashing out. And unless, Tommy were to express actual remorse for his actions and see them as wrong vs the “that was just me having fun with my friends” we got, then I don’t think Dream would apologize.

If the nuke hadn’t happened, I don’t necessarily see Tommy changing his behavior, only his view of Dream. I see him still being Tommy and pissing Dream off, just not viewing Dream as this evil devil out to get him. So honestly the reset was probably good because might as well go out on this nice moment when they understand where the audience can be optimistic about what could’ve happened vs seeing what the actual aftermath would have been. Certainly better and different but I don’t think things would change as much as we’d like to think.

Certainly Dream and Tommy had a satisfying wrap up where some other characters did not, but I would say it is pretty fitting that they would have a more dramatic actual resolution considering they have been the center of a lot of conflicts from the very start.

I do think though Punz did complete his character arc, perhaps not as satisfying as we’d like but still. Throughout the whole thing he has been in the background and more secretly Dream’s ally, but finally he was able to stand beside Dream and speak his truth, and be openly his friend, openly defend him and have his back. That was a good ending for him. Instead of being a bystander like in the disc confrontation this time he got to speak up and be heard. He finally got to die alongside Dream, instead of watching Dream die for him. He finally got to be included. It’s not perfect or as well thought out, but it works.

Have another essay I guess lol, glad you liked the other. <3 <3 and yea for sure sending a good message to the audience is super important (again something that Supernatural failed at) and to say let’s talk it out and try and see each others point of views instead of just continuing the cycle of violence is certainly a very important message to highlight. :)

[peachpopfizz]

yk the first couple of episode drops were a bit ehh to me but like.. these two just hit Right. maybe bc i knew what to expect pacing/story wise now? either way, they're def my faves so far, especially ep 5. that's my Favorite favorite :]

spoilers for both eps under the cut, mostly just me blabberin abt what i liked (warning: its alotta alastor)

for ep 5, at first i thought charlastors/radiobelles were winning (and while i don't ship it myself, i was happy for em) but then the realization of 'wait wait wait this isn't romo at all, alastors tryna be a FATHER FIGURE?!' hit instead and i went WILD bc thats 1000% my preferred dynamic for charlie and al. so uh.. yippee dadlastors, sorry charlastors..? gsjahafdaj

also the "Ha! Fuck you." im normal im normal im NORMAL im SOOOO FUCKIN NORMAL (IM CRAZY IM VRAZY I CRAZY IM CRASTY IM FUCKI)

mimzy!! (mimzie??) her intro was abrupt, but she seems like a doll, and her hug with al was real cute. tho i do think she needed that metaphorical kick in the ass abt al's thoughts when it comes to her leeching off his strength for protection. about that..

ALASTOR ACTUALLY CARES. HE CARES. (seemingly, at least). LIKE, HE ACTUALLY LEGITIMATELY, NON-FANONILY, GIVES A DAMN ABT THE HOTEL. HE WENT OUT OF THE WAY TO PROTECT THE PLACE AND TOLD MIMZY TO LEAVE IF SHE DIDN'T COME FOR REDEMPTION. MAYBE ITS IN HIS OWN WEIRD-GUARDED-PETTY WAY BUT FUCK FUCK HOOOLLLYY FUCK ALASTOR CARES

and one more thing b4 i move onto ep 6, i've already seen some ppl comparing what al did to husk in the hall to angel and val's dynamic, and while i do agree the two are both trapped in unsavory deals (loser, baby literally confirms this) i don't think al's ANYWHERE near as bad as val. was what he did fucked up? oh, yes, definitely. but it really?? shouldn't be surprising??? al's in hell ‘n has all this status for a reason, so i was really just waitin for a moment like that to happen. however, it didn't do any lasting damage. at least i really wouldn't say so. most it did was scare the shit out of husk for a minute, nowhere close to what val does to angel on the daily (see: episode 6). tho im willing to admit i might be lookin thru rose colored glasses bc i love al as a character. my opinion might change when/if the actual conditions of al and husks deal are revealed, but as of rn, i think al acted as he did there bc husk attacked a reeeally sensitive subject. he would've just been the petty bitch he always is if husk said like.. anythin else. oh and uhh yeah im abt 85% sure he and lilith have SOMETHING goin on. idk who the hell else would be powerful enough to have alastor on a leash

..oh yeah, lastly, lucifer was cool :] silly silly guy (with lotsa trauma) that hit me right in the daddy issues. funny tho, i rlly dont have much to say abt the guy despite the ep literally being focused on him. his song with charile was spectacular though, i need to listen to it on its own immediately

okokok, episode 6, finally, hopefully shorter than the mess of text above

first off. vaggie = fallen angel theorists, i would like to bow down and apologize for ever doubting you. i was one of the skeptics, i really was, but the show did it in a way that (albeit rushed, but what hasn't been so far?, thaaanks, 8-episode limit..) made it seem believable, with assdam calling her out for it..

but putting adam aside, uh, lute?? maam?? holy fuck, step on me??? please???? i mean uh. sick character design yk ahah ^^

whats her name.. emily? the younger seraphim girl, i liked her, she was a cutie. she really did just seem like heavens version of charlie. and the older seraphim woman i (expectedly) have mixed feelings abt. i feel like all would've be great it adam got outta her damn ear cause she might've actually be down to try the hotel with em gone.. angel was doing so well

speaking of angel, ANGEL!! oh lookit that character development, charlie's gonna be so fuckn proud!!! also, CHERRI!!!! saw someone else say cherris the devil on angels shoulder while husks the (heh) angel, and i have to say i agree. they both want the best for him, they just have different ways of goin about it.

unsurprisingly, fuck Valentino. although i did notice he was wearing a dress today, so. (through gritted teeth) slay.

thiiink that's all i gotta say for today?? besides the fact that next week is gonna be agonizing, ofc :] buckle up ppl we might get a genuine, emotional chaggie fight come next thursday

..oh yeah!! molly!!! we briefly saw molly!!!! i hope youre absolutely thriving girl, you deserve no less <3

[insanescriptist]

Hii~ so this is a question for Umei, if thats okay? I really resonate with how she writes God in her stories but im new to all of this and i wasn't sure what..denomination(?) She is? I have religious trauma and ive been trying to work through it and just what she writes...how she writes about her faith and how she incorporates it into her stories..it really really speaks to me and it's made me interested in learning more but im not really sure where to go from here and what resources i should be looking into?

From Umei,

Firstly, I'm really sorry that people you should have been able to trust have taken advantage of you. You're so, so brave for facing up to that and keeping going despite it. I'd suggest finding an up-to-date translation of the bible as a starting point; I like the New International Version (NIV) but there are plenty of other options out there. One that you find readable -or listenable, if you want an app, there are online translations- and just reading the Word. Start with the New Testament and the gospels, to get used to who Jesus is in his own words, but do read all of it. Jesus says that if we know him, we know the Father (John 8:19 and John 14:9) and we get to know Jesus' character through reading the bible. I know I'm still finding new revelations in my daily readings. Prayer! You can talk to God directly any time you want, and it's good to make space in your day just to listen to him. That's all he wants from us: that we be close to him. If you want more material on how to interpret what's in the gospels and hear good, solid theology I can recommend Ellel Ministries International, as they're non-denominational, have local centres all over the world and excellent online material as well as courses you can take. I know the director, who is a really kind and humble guy, if that helps! Don't be afraid to take your time. The bible explicitly instructs us to test everything against the word of God, to make sure it's trustworthy, so don't feel you need to rush into picking a church. Get to know Jesus through the Word, get to know God generally through prayer, and know that God won't push. Anyone or anything trying to force you into something you're not ready for is not of God. God created free will! You get to choose what you are up for, every single step. Safe travels!

From Izzy,

First off, I'm quite fine with being asked to relay a message to Umei. She can be quite hard to reach otherwise

Second, as to religious trauma... There's quite a large difference between people who claim to be Christian and people who are. That is Faith

Real faith is amazing to behold and motivates people to be kind and help others, to let them know that they are not alone in their struggles. It is the hand held out in friendship, to help, to cheer and comfort. It is the ear that will listen, the heart that chooses to heal

Fake faith is a social performance, complete with social policing and ostracizing of those who fail to perform believably. That's how you get fear-mongering, zealotry to the word and no actual True Christian behavior, because they're not living the principles of the faith

Izzy lives in the Bible Belt of the US, so Izzy's seen both. In all kinds of denominations. A Church doesn't determine your faith, it determines your community. Your faith is determined by you and your relationship with God.

Congrats for having kept that hand out for Umei to have reached. You had the faith to reach out and you've been answered for it.

Third, the KJV (King James Version) of the Bible is the most popular, but it's also the one of the oldest modern translations. Like 1611, or 1612 Izzy wants to say? It has issues inherent in that, as it was written to stop the fracturing of the Church (Calvin and the Protestant Movement says hi) by providing a cohesive book for the common man and not just the church. By virtue of being widely available and so popular before printing became a thing, it's also the version most prone to being misused by anyone who means to do so, because most people don't read it or truly study it

Anyway there's been a lot of scholarship and debate about how things were translated, because languages have nuance that doesn't always translate. There's a lot of contextual difference between Ruler, King and Tyrant for example. So if you want a bible with more pure scholarship behind it, a lot of the modern translations are what you want. There's probably annotated versions if you look.

Lastly, as Izzy's not particularly devout by common definitions and not a dedicated scholar of theology, Izzy can't really recommend any sources to look up. Izzy's certain there there's lectures of seminary classes on the internet somewhere to watch though. Seminary classes being meant to train priests, rabbis and the like, you can see what they're meant to be teaching and how they're supposed to teach it

may kind thoughts find and comfort you, Izzy

[trekkele]

Hello! I'm the Anon who asked about Bruce being self-aware.

When I said "Also, there's something of a difference between being self-aware about himself and when it comes to his kids." I meant that he says or does super hurtful stuff that he just doesn't seem to think was wrong or reflect upon when it went downhill or realising too late or sb had to spell it out for him.

Examples being:

him reading Dick's diary after taking him in as a ward to figure out what Dick wants instead of just asking, thus creating the Robin suit after Dick's designs (God, it was a Batman or Robin: year one comic book, I'm pretty sure but I don't rememer which),

saying "commendable" instead of just "I'm proud of you" to Damian (basically his "emotional constipation" as a whole, like being unable to understand or even recognize his kids feelings and then failing to say just the most normal praising/comforting/loving things.),

ignoring (or acting as if) when Damian apologizes for direspecting/ignoring previous orders and holds a cute speech about trying to listen now but Bruce just turns around like "Did you say something?",

not telling Dick that Jason is now Robin or that Jason died even though Bruce said he would call Dick (yeah, he was being petty or grief stricken, but still)

Tim's sixteenth birthday "present"

I hate to bring this up but the whole Batarang to the NeckTM situation in UTRH. His resurrected son confronts him and he fails to show a single emotion, instead immediately debating ethics and morals with him.

anything with Jason in future comics where Bruce beats him up and acts like Jason asked for it or that Bruce didn't have a choice but to do that.

bringing Jason back to Ethiopia to the warehouse where he died, so Bruce could maybe find a way to resurrect Damian after Heretic killed him (I think it was Heretic, but maybe it was sb else)

beating up any of his kids for any reason. The most he should do willingly is defend himself with defensive moves only or seeking distance. But not charging in like he wants a fight.

sending only Damian to save Alfred from Bane, which just allowed for Damian to be captured and then having to watch Bane snap Alfred's neck, and then Bruce says to Damian's face "If I had been there, I could have saved him." (Bruce prioritised his own grief over his son's grief and trauma and all that)

Bruce tells Cass she doesn't need a real life and sectret identity, that she only needs a costume and a private batcave and she'd be fine

Bruce instigates a fight where he and Cass get drugged and can communicate about their feelings through fist fighting.

Taking/ Trying to take Robin away from sb for their "own good". I don't mean benching, but full on "You're not Robin anymore, never again." but then folding a few issues later anyway. (It could be seen as very shitty parenting ig)

Like you said, Bruce gets written very inconsistently and I tried not to cherry pick too much of what I wanted to say, so I made this mess of a bulleted list. While a lot of these examples do come from his communication issues, I still wanted to include them anyway because it's taken too far with some writers (can't say "I love you" or hug his kids, although he doesn't have a problem with doing that with Clark or Diana) or he doesn't reflect on those moments or he repeats them over and over again.

I swear I love Bruce, I'm not a hater!!! He's actually my favorite character!!! 😭😭😭

(Making this list really hurt. Just so you know.)

Hey listen, im going to answer these by number* and then probably delete this ask in a few hours because. I hate all of these!! Maybe 3 are in character!! I dont want this terrible Bruce on my blog!!! But also i dont want you to think i asked for clarification and then ignored you so feel free to send another ask when you see this lol. Or if I have once again missed the point.

* because I misunderstood this ask again and also most of these gave me hives lmao and also also I think like 75% could be answered with "we needed someone to mean to [character] and Bruce is convenient el oh el"

Anyways:

1. This one is in character, a little bit, because as much as we understand kids needing privacy now, i can see the way Bruce was raised (Alfred would have absolutely read his diary, that feels very in character for him) and the way Dick was (sneaking out to find Zucco) leading to him panicking and monitoring him as much as possible. That doesnt make it right mind you. The thing is if Dick hacked the bat computer Bruce would probably be proud of him, so not entirely hypocritical.

2. Also possibly in character, because again, thats how Alfred probably spoke to him. Not great, and i think the current Batman and Robin run does a much better job with their relationship, but can be chalked up to bad writing tbh.

3. No this is shitty writing. Sorry it just is!

4. This could be its own post but in summary: decisions made to launch another chracters solo or in order to make a different character look good are ignored. They wanted a Nightwing solo and decided a good launching point would be a big fight between Dick and Bruce. No thanks.

There have also been panels where Dick talks about ignoring Bruce’s calls during that time period, so this could be chalked up to mutual miscommunication if you insist. And i prefer the pre crisis origin for Jaybin, for multiple reasons.

5. I haven’t read this, ive heard of it, and its weird. It feels like point 4, but for Tim. The writers wanted a villain for his birthday comic, Bruce is right there.

6. Nah, Jason fucked around and he found out. He wanted a Batman that kills criminals, he just forgot he was also, now, a murderer and a criminal. Im only half kidding here, but the problem with UTRH is that exactly. Also the fact that Jason spent like six months doing absolutely horrible shit in Gotham, and that like 15 minutes before this showdown Bludhaven was blown up, Bruce has no idea if Dick is alive, and Jason mocks him for possibly losing another son. Also Jason is the one demanding Bruce cross his very personal boundaries here, ethics and morals are a very necessary part of the conversation!!

7. Anything where Bruce beats someone near death or uses lethal force is technically out of character. Jason comics outside of DITF and UTRH do not do enough work to give his actions the context necessary for them to be in character. RHATO #25 Is shit writing.

8. It was heretic, on Talias orders, and that whole storyline is dumb. This does feel in character, because Bruce response to grief has historically been 1 become Batman 2 attempt to commit suicide by cop/criminal so points for that consistency? I really hate this plot tho. Stop killing Bruce's kids!! The man is unstable as it is!!!

9. Out of character. I know it gets used for some god awful reason but it is so out of character unless the writer is willing to give it some serious work to provide context, (or unserious; see; Zur-En-Arrh in Gotham War. It's dumb, but it provides plausible context for Bruce beating his kids ie: it isn't technically him). Barring mind control, rejected.

10. No!! What the fuck!!! Bruce is not sending one of his kids alone against Bane there is an entire comic where he drugs them so that doesn't happen stop that!!!!

As a side note when I read that the first time I understood it as "I should not have sent you in alone because it was a task too big for you, If I had been there to help we could have saved him", but I am an optimist with too much faith in DC.

11. Absolutely bonkers statement from "please let me fire you from robin so you can have a normal life" McGee. Chalking this one up to racism and misunderstanding Bruce's character and that stupid "Bruce Wayne is the mask Hur dur" thing.

12. Ok this one feels in character actually. Somehow. At least they're talking?

13. Also feels in character actually. This one is weird because you'll see those stupid "child soldier" arguments side by side with "how dare Bruce take away Robin!". Pick a side. It's either bad parenting to let Robin exist or it's bad parenting to not let Robin exist, it can't be both!

And since these are comic books, and you need to engage with the genre in good faith or you'll have a miserable time of it, Robin exists! And is allowed to exist! At the same time, as a mentor Bruce has to be able to bench Robin, that is also a function of the mentor/mentee relationship! Basically - Bruce should be able to bench an injured/at risk Robin, but the writing for those scenarios usually wants him as a villain.

Taking away Robin completely only happens to Dick tho, and since it's after he gets shot on the job I do think it's in character.

As for "I tried not to cherry pick" babe please do so!! It's comics!! It's not canon unless you want it to be, and if you want these truly terrible Bruce's to be canon all the power to you! I want to set them on fire tho. And snort WFA like it's cocaine until all this is a bad memory jfc DC screen your writers for daddy issues I am begging you.

[relaxxattack]

prefacing for maxs followers who dont know who i am but stating this as like. autistic queer person. who also has a lot of other things going on in the brain. i think a lot of autistic n adhd n queer ppl (ESP white auti adhd queer ppl) need to remember that likeee. not everything we relate to . is necessarily an us exclusive experience. and sometimes the thing being judged as 'bad autism rep' or whatever wasnt really.. a character being autistic . not every character whose an outcast or blunt or has problems in social scenarios or behavioral problems is queer or autistic or has adhd and judging a character off of whether theyre good rep for those groups often comes off as. ignorant of experiences outside of autism and queerness n adhd. not to say you cant relate to characters meant to rep a different experience, just that you need to acknowledge that experience and treat it as just as needing of rep as you.

n like it shows up in like. perception of mituna. or isabela from encanto. and ive heard abt white autistic ppl seeing a black character avoiding eye contact w white people as an autism thing. and its like. fuck man not every outcast is autistic or queer or has adhd. brain damage from head trauma is a very real thing and maybe mituna Could be autistic but he isnt bad autism rep just because you (general you) dont want to think about how neurodivergent includes people with head trauma or other disabilities that may cause increased vulgarity and mood swings. isabela Could be a lesbian but that doesnt mean ppl shouldnt also consider how her story isnt like. a lesbian story just because she doesnt like the man shes supposed to get married to its abt how young women get married off n how common it can be in family oriented cultures. avoiding eye contact isnt inherently an autism thing esp when youre a poc and any little thing could be taken as a sign of aggression esp if youre black

n like i get it. when youre queer/autistic/adhd its hard not to try and grab for every little piece of representation you can get. god knows i always take a chance to hc a character i like as a lesbian. ive always been prone to making white characters black. even if a character is clearly nt i will project onto them anyways. but i think the sorts of ppl who will complain abt mituna being bad autism rep often miss the fact that like.

if your projection and desperate need to see and find people like you. gets in the way of showing proper respect to people who Arent like you but face similar issues. then you might need to take a step back and think 'fuck am i overstepping? am i ignoring others need for representation in media in my own pursuit of rep?' . yknow? i think a lot of ppl would have an easier time respecting and learning about other cultures and experiences if they just like. sat down for a bit and thought about the world outside of their own bubble. bc sometimes there gets to a point where it feels like the overall communities i mentioned care more about being listened to than they care about having an actual conversation. and all media really is a conversation. if that makes sense . ok im done now i just have a lot of thoughts abt this.hi max -🎭🎪

yeah this is all pretty interesting and fair actually and tbh id never heard of some of that stuff since im not in that fandom but its an interesting look at this concept

[tenobelisk]

having symptoms and diagnoses commodified and consumed as social decoration has really served to devalue each node of potential support in the community.

i find this especially with care workers and support specialists whose job it is to listen to me explain why i am having trouble leaving the house, finding work or generally seeing any fucking point to waking up again.

'oh yeah i have that too and this is what i do to help with it' or 'oh yeh i get them all the time' ..coming from people who must be amazing illusionists to be able to have an employer consider them a reliable and consistent source of support for people who need it.

sure, yes, absolutely you can be in support roles and have the problems i have, but when i see someone who is part of 'the fully operating world' with the same issues it does not fill me with hope that 'ooh i can do it too!' ..it makes me feel like i am somehow not overcoming it hard enough.

the assumption i always make is that i am less than everybody else, and that is a trauma response not an opinion that can be magicked away by Empowerment Methods. it may be human nature (i really wouldnt know and im not saying that to be edgy) to echo what someone else is going through, or find commonality, but the commodification and ..kindof.. Trinketism going on with symptoms of mental illness is serving to devalue warning signs as a result of flooding the market.

its like everyone's playing in the ball pit and showing each other their toys like 'heehhee intrusive thoughts' or 'yeh i have to check the water heater before i leave the house' ..it just goes nowhere. mentioning a problem should be like holding up a bleeding hand. i think it should encourage immediate attention to the wound, not have everyone else quickly shoot up their hands going OOH OOH look i scraped my finger earlier! then looking around smiling to see who else has a booboo.

see, growing up i always associated selfishness as something that isolated oneself from others as a consequence, but what im noticing more is the kind of selfishness that rampantly feeds off of others, under the illusion of sharing and happiness, but ultimately serves to elevate the individual alone. yes, this is still relevant to mental health issues.

this attitude is also something that is conveyed in advertising and media in general through concepts of approval and unity. we are all together in this and look how special we are. something you would think would work toward making individual struggles more important, but instead i think it has reduced our most vital struggles to a costume piece we buy in a microtransaction for our characters.

mental illness hasn’t been destigmatised but commercialised

[irresistiibles]

was that im jinah? oh no no, that was just pearl, a canon character from steven universe. they are ten thousand+ years old, use she/her, and are aware that they are not actually from washington dc. too bad they can’t stray from this city for long.

how long has your character been here

around a month or two. she’s used to the basics and has settled into a job but she’s still pretty upset about everything going on

what is your character’s job

works part time as a mechanic and part time as a ballet teacher. a weird mix but she likes it. she probably also occasionally tutors. listen pearl has plenty of money saved up and very few things she actually needs to buy, so she just does whatever interests her.

where has your character been pulled from in their fandom

after the movie but before steven universe future cause i had some mixed thoughts about that.

has any magic affected your character

nope!

any other info!

part of an alien race that essentially are sentient gemstones that can create humanoid forms to exist in so her name is pearl but she is also quite literally a pearl

immortal but not indestructible, it’s just difficult. her gem has to be shattered to get rid of her as she can simply reform her physical body

back on homeworld all gems have a purpose based on their gems, and pearls were basically made to order servants, there to look pretty and open doors and hold things.

and pearl did this job happily for a little while, however the diamond she served under fell in love with earth, and since the other diamonds were using the planet to train it’s nutrients she rebelled, and pearl rebelled along with her

pearl definitely did this partially for herself, for the freedom and ability to decide what she wanted to do and think for herself, not just because she was definitely in love with her diamond, but it took her a couple centuries to realize that

so she trained herself in combat, in mechanics, in just about everything she could get her hands on

in order to win the rebellion her diamond masqueraded as a lower rank gem and eventually she and pearl faked the diamond’s death to scare off the others. it worked but it ended in almost all of the other rebel gems being destroyed and was a large source of guilt and grief in her life for a long time

eventually the diamonds left earth and she stayed with just a few other gems, and they lived there for thousands of years with little change until her diamond (now pretending to be a rose quartz) decided to have a baby

this ultimately killed her as her gem had to become a part of her kid, and pearl had a Rough time with that between losing her to a man and then literally losing her but she is such a mom at heart she really grew to love steven

anyway that is just a quick flash of the general background what is there to say about pearl

so gay so incredibly gay i love her so much

has a pile of trauma and self esteem issues but from where i’ve taken her she is genuinely doing better at working through them

a little weirdo. very blunt and sometimes rude as a result since she never was all that compelled by humans

wanted plots:

anyone she knows from her variety of jobs

and younger muses who could use a parental figure she is happy to be there

some poor human who has to help explain human things to her on the regular you would think after being on earth so long she would know and yet

any ladies she’s gone on casual dates with perhaps? listen in the show she canonically gets a bunch of phone numbers from people i don’t know how she does it

roller skate buddies! she loves a roller rink! let her have fun

literally anything this is the character who got me into multifandom rps i have a lot of love for her

[pufferfishguy44]

*taylor swift song title*

yes that’s the title

LI: love interest

MC: maine character

MC-H- hero identity specifically

MC-C- civilian identity specifically

sorry about typos, there will be many

*taylor swift song title*

in which a long standing city superhero must learn how to trust and love after losing many of the people in their life, and living a dual personality for decades

nb/nb

first person/switching perspective

angsty adult is seen breaking up with someone, walking out of the room, jumping out the window and flying/swinging/zooming/kachowing superhumanly away

switch to

mind-numbingly angsty teen is seen losing

parental figure/lover/someone important and absolutely losing it.

flash back and forth from adult to teen until their stories converge into one person, now u have backstory

LETS 👏 DO 👏ABANDONMENT 👏 AND 👏TRUST 👏IISSUUEESS 👏 HELL YEAHH

pt. 2

adult hero with A👏BAN👏DON👏MENT issues is bitter and stuck in their ways. sure nothing is going to change, especially since the death of their soulmate, they’ve lost all hope, becoming more and more brutal in their methods of vanquishing villains and criminals. morally grey, only stopping crime bc they feel its their job

NEW POV enter: well meaning, but clumsy, ND, love interest, who is a new hire at the workplace of the civilian identity. CI=head of big company maybe? high ranking big job bro? possibly assistant to MC-C. bubbly and naïve, but also demonstrates incredible information recognition skill, proves to be cool under pressure, VERY STRONG SENSE OF JUSTICE, biggest fan of MC-H

slowly grows on MC-C, despite annoyance at first

fluff scene, fluff scene, daily routine, fluff scene ALTERNATING POV’S THROUGHOUT

holy shit look LI is cAtChiNg fEeLiNgs and

MC is too, but is super scared and wont admit it. no no no i always hurt ppl, etcetera, im a burden blah blah blah, keeps trying to distance themself yadada bUT LI keeps pushing the two of them closer, even if it’s totally by accident and LI’s just autistic lmao.

PART THREE!!!

LI, finds out the secret identity of MC by accident, confrontation, omg its you aaahh!!! my hero!! holy shit!! MC takes this as disgust (?? gay ppl are dumb dont ask me), panicks and distances themself, and in the panic and lack of control, trauma from losing first love, breaks up and leaves. 😮. noone physically sees them for two, three agonising weeks

LI’s bsf has to listen to this, she’s the bisexual fat POC icon who runs the goddamn world while providing comic relief for you poor sluts out there

annnnd thats the end

just kidding!

angsty angsty angsty angst intensifies, both of them torn up, its my fault its my fault waaah i have the mindset of a 15 year old who failed drivers ed aeaeaeaeaeaeae

MC: mumford & sons i fucked it up this time

LI: youre hot and youre cold youre yes and youre no, but i cant stop loving you oh whoa

youre in and youre out youre up and youre down, but needless to say im hooked. *epic pop-punk ballad*

LI’s perspective:

theyre never coming back theyre never coming back theyre never coming back theyre never coming back theyre never coming back oh shit wait they came back

*apologies*

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE!!

“im so sorry it was all my fault i never should have fallen for you in the first place. i always end up hurting more people than i save. you should forget all about me and go on to live the best life you can. i do nothing but wrong people, please just walk away whilst you can. i-

*gets kissed*

“what are you doing??”

“what you told me to.”

“i said to go live your life!!”

“you are my life”

“why?”

“because i really like you, dummy. was that not obvious??”

“you what?? but all i’ve done- i’m not- you like me??” (a/n: this fuckin teenager)

“of course. i know you havent been perfect, but neither have i. we’re human-“

*look of objection*

“dont start, alien. just because you can kachow around doesnt mean you have to have everything figured out. you need time to figure out how to love again, and im willing to be there for the whole journey, be it the good, the bad or the extraterrestrial.”

achievement unlocked: therapy

montage of fights, and makeups, smut and breakups, both loving with their whole broken souls, each trying to heal the other, until the day they die

post credits scene: we find out LI ran a blog about MC-H’s activity, analysing every fight, rescue and recovery to see the evolution of the hero.

new post about how the MC-H fighting style is much different than anything else theyve seen in the past, maybe the MC-H finally met somebody ;)

and fucking scene jesus christ my wrist hurt and ive been writing over an hour holy shit this was supposed to be a two sentence idea for a plot

[woomycritiques543]

TW: Mentions of Sexual Harassment.

"He got upset for being in a toxic relationship and asked for consent, he's such a meanie! Poor stowas not getting to take advantage of Blitz again! How sad! :(" Wow...

Can you not? No really... can you?

Hell, Blitz didnt even "fight" him, he just stood up for himself and asked for consent instead of letting Stolas harass him like he did in Ep 2 and Ep 5, calmly told him to go away, and drove off to give himself a well deserved break from how horribly that Stolas treats him.

Im so sick of people taking this scene out of context for ship bait.

If you were getting sexually harassed and exploited constantly, you would eventually start being stern too. Yes, Stolas looks "UGU INNOCENT!" all the time, again for ship bait, but really, Stolas was the one hurting him, the scene just painted it as the opposite to make Blitz look "bad" for even thinking about asking for consent or not wanting to be around someone who demeans him for being an imp constantly. I get liking a ship, a really do, but we need to consider the difference between fanon... and canon. -and all of these headcannons about how Stolas is a "sweet cinnamonrol who deserves Blitz!"- is fanon! -and that's ok, we can have our version of the story, and the creators can have theirs! But that's all the reason why we shouldnt use the fanon to deny the issues with this relationship, that isnt just toxic... but involves sa.

In the next episode where he's seen with Blitz, Stolas even goes out of his way to sexually exploit Blitz again and uses his status and power against Blitz over something that was his fault since Stolas was the one that wasnt looking after Via. The writers acted as if ep 7 didnt just happen, showing Stolas's "respect" for Blitz as only temporary and spoiled any potiential development it could have had if they just listened to their audience for once and made the much needed improvements for this interpretation of these characters since they ended up showing Blitz’s trauma from Stolas as a “JOKE!” which made Ep 7 feel like it was being manipulative since they never really cared about Blitz’s trauma anyway.

Stolas just- rolls his eyes at Blitz being scared and then sexually uses him- AGAIN!

Making the entirety of Ep 7 pointless.

-and you know what? All I can say after seeing this show is that some relationships arent meant to be, and that's ok.

You're allowed to have bounderies, and if someone keeps invading those bounderies they do not deserve you or your time, and you should be with someone who's actually healthy (as in NOT perfect, nothing is perfect, but stable) for you and will actually value and respect you as a living being.

-and Helluva Boss’s messages being the opposite of that is actually horrific.

But that’s for another post altogether.

what do you think of Blitzo having anger issues?

Okay I rolled your other ask "Do you blame Blitzo for being angry" As I wasn't sure if it was a specific case or in general. I personally get angry quite a lot, I have a short temper and I'm not one to take nonsense lying down so I get getting angry so often. Especially cause Blitz deals with so much and sees himself and others in such a way that makes it seems like he has to defend himself constantly.

I wish he could see through that a little bit, his blow up at Stolas in particular still breaks my heart, I just wish he could find a good therapist for all this stuff and cope and get through it all. Lord Blitz I love you but you so frustrating at points...

[wishmasters-muse]

I don't talk too much about DID on here... but I need to talk to you guys. It would mean a lot if you listen.

I... we are a system. A system that has been active since I was about 6. Starting with trauma blocking, leading right up to servere amnesia and memory loss for my entire childhood. DID became our life. Not my life... our. To simply admit being plural is soo hard. It feels wrong even now, years after my diagnosis. I know some of my alters, some have "gone quiet", sometimes there's a split that I don't find out about until months later... there is soo much to this.

There are fictives in this system too. I believe fictives are real but from my experience I have only ever encountered alters who have taken influence from other things. I,e a name or a style from a character or person. I've never experienced animal, God, fictional non human character alters. We simply... don't have any. My own opinion as to whether they exist is not strong enough to give either way.

BUT...

If there is one opinion I need to express, it's this..

ENDO SYSTEMS SHOULDNT BE WELCOMED INTO D.I.D SPACES.

Before you shit down my neck for saying that... listen.

About half a year ago I reached out. Finally more aware of my system and feeling more stable as the host, when fronting I was looking to seek advice, help others and be more active within the community. I couldn't have made a worse mistake. Prior to this I had no knowledge of an "endo system". I went on subreddits, chat rooms, groups, pages, all to try and understand more systems, learn more about my own and to be help to others.

Instead, I was met with Endo systems. People claiming I was "lucky to have trauma", people saying they just woke up with a collective of fictional characters as alters and a stream of information that not only contradicted my experience but invalidated it. I fought back. I do still fight back when I can but... one thing I hear every damn time is "well you're just ablist."

People that know me irl or have talked to me extensively to the point that they understand or know my traumas and my diagnosis know otherwise. I know otherwise. But the fact that endo systems have made a feat out of invalidating a "traumagenic" system, showing jealousy to the years of psychological, physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse I've suffered... left me feeling nauseous. All so these systems can feel what? Special? Different? Like a minority of their own?

I refuse to be complicit to that ideology. Im seeing others that suffer with this being hurt and driven to suicidal thoughts because of these people that have taken over what were supposed to be safe spaces.

I will always be here for those who suffer with trauma and have developed extensive mental health issues because of them. I sympathise and empathise with you. I'll always support you.

But endos... no. I refuse to watch that toxicity infect safe spaces and make the rest of us the "lucky ones". The "ablist assholes." The "trauma sympathisers" (derogatory). Its a human right to have a safe space. How dare you feel entitled enough to shame us and alienate for the things we have suffered and continue to suffer with.

I don't spend every day hoping to remember good things, be terrified of certain dissociating experiences, reliving those traumatic experiences, to be torn away from what safety I have.

[nick-close]

Ok now that I’m done being bright eyed over the finale I’m gonna be mad again- I don’t take back that it was the best finale it could’ve been I’m just ALSO so. GOD. This might come off as in a harsh tone, so if that’s not your thing you can skip this lol. I do still love the show with all my heart, don’t let my rant make you think otherwise.

Just. Everything with Glenn. EVERYTHING WITH GLENN.

I don’t know how many times I can reiterate he lost fucking EVERYTHING. To come to WHAT? The conclusion he wanted to be in nicks life more? and didn’t wanna be like his dad? Yeah no that seems a lot easier when he’s not,,, a single fucking parent raising a child without a support system huh!

Glenn could’ve come to that same conclusion, fought to get more time with Nick and stuff- without losing over a decade of his life, an eye, his kid, and now having to see the face of his dead wife fucking constantly.

AND GUESS WHAT?

THAT WASNT EVEN THE MAIN PROBLEM IN GLENN AND NICKS RELATIONSHIP!

The main problem was Nick idolizing his dad and them acting more like friends than a parent and child- but guess what? You know how they solved that?

It wasn’t confronting the issue or genuinely making both characters understand and improve their relationship.

It was getting rid of one of the characters. It was exchanging Nick for somebody else because hey!! Nick can’t idolize Glenn if Nick doesn’t fucking exist!

The problem wasn’t fixed!!! They didn’t LEARN from that!! Glenn being away sucked, but it wasn’t their issue! I mean again he was gone for Christmas, as a Christmas cover band. That sucks, but it was his JOB and probably the date they would make the most money so he could support his kid. Working on Christmas feels IMPORTANT for Glenn if his career surrounds that. Touring, and y’know- DJing- were how he was keeping them standing financially. And he fully hid one of those jobs for Nick so that Nick would think he was cool. He wanted Nicks approval just as much as Nick needed his.

I’m not saying Glenn’s ONLY issue was the nick and him being friends instead of family and like. The pressure nick felt to be like him- but I’m saying that that SEEMED to be the main issue that Glenn was supposed to be focused on fixing. That was what was laid out alongside Darryl’s communication issues and Henry’s lack of discipline- they all have other shit. But they had a MAIN issue.

And Glenn’s WAS NEVER SOLVED. WE HAVE NO PROOF HE HAS LEARNED THAT LESSON. Sure, he brought the minions DVD! But again- Glenn not showing interest in things nick liked was NOT THE ISSUE! Even the asmr mention- “Nick liked asmr-“ showed he does listen to things nick says he likes- Nick didn’t TELL Glenn about liking minions until the TRIAL. AGAIN, PART OF THE PROBLEM. HE DIDN’T WANNA MENTION IT CUZ HE KNEW HIS DAD DIDNT LIKE IT. THATTT IS THE PROBLEM.

The problem was ‘I don’t wanna harsh the vibes’. The problem was ‘nick doesn’t wanna talk about his problems incase it ruins Glenn’s mood’ and ‘Glenn doesn’t wanna confront about how he’s feeling incase that ruins nicks mood’. The problem is ‘I’ll do it if it’ll impress you!’

The problem was never ‘Glenn isn’t in Nicks life enough’ or ‘Glenn is too much like his dad.’ Again- those are partially problems as well! But they are NOT NOT NOT what Glenn was meant to get out of whatever sad attempt of an ‘arc’ he got.

No, Glenn got trauma. Glenn got replaced. And Glenn got the message that he was such a bad father to his kid he deserved to either DIE, or spend a lifetime in prison and let his kid go to someone else- and y’know what he did? He fucking chose to let Nick at least grow up with a dad.

And then Glenn was basically comparing himself to a married man with a stable career who... nick...idolized....and...wanted...to..be...exactly...like.... as if the issue was actively NOT Nick wanting to impress him constantly- with another guy that’s fine! No the issue was he was... a single man... with two unstable careers..... (ofc im leaving out details like the weed shit and stuff like that- ik thats bad, I’m not here to defend that- it’s just not the point.)

Glenn was basically told he fucked up SO irrepairably BAD that- he couldn’t learn different like Henry or Darryl or (arguably tbh) Ron- no, he did such a terrible job his son would be better off NOT EXISTING. Narc isn’t Nick. Lil Nicky ISNT NICK. NICK DOES NOT FUCKING EXIST. Glenn spent 12 years of his life raising this fucking kid, even if he wasn’t the best at it. And he has nothing to show for it.

God. I’m actually pissed thinking about it- the cherry on top being bringing Morgan back ofc. Because now he’s not even learning to coparent this kid, or have a fucked up messy little family- he’s just not NEEDED as someone in nicks life. He’s a weird third party invading on this other family he was never a part of because it’s the closest he can get to having his own. Nick has 2 loving fucking parents. Demon Nick talking to Glenn sounds like, PITY. Like it doesn’t sound like he views Glenn as any sort of figure in his life- it sounds like he feels bad so much shit happened to him. And I get it! Nicky has no attachment to Glenn! He’s just trying to be nice to someone who lost fucking everything.

Glenn wasn’t given a chance to change for his kid. He didn’t make the conscious choice to try and better himself. Glenn was put in the corner and told ‘improve’ while the person the improvement was meant to affect stopped existing. Glenn developed- but he sure as fuck didn’t become a better father. Because at the end of the day? He isn’t one. Because at the end of the day, he appearently doesn’t deserve to be one.

I don’t believe every story has to have a moral. But if Glenn’s did, it would be a fucking awful one.

[caelumsnuff]

Hi, sorry this is a long ask but I really appreciated your posts! The daemon/demon allegory had been bothering me since that storyline started but I hadn't really been able to articulate why, and it brought a lot of other issues to light for me as well!

(Personally I never finished the freelancer series because the whole bridging/SA allegory really made me angry so I appreciate that someone else also saw the reasons why that decision was... poor to say the least).

And definitely agreed about the over-polarization of characters into good vs. bad!

I feel like a lot of the story decisions are based on the fact that many people are self-inserting, which unfortunately means reducing a lot of the nuance and gray aspects that would be more interesting to explore. Like with Vincent and Lovely- from a self-insert perspective, it's more 'romantic' and comforting to think that your partner would have as limited a power divide between you as possible and would take steps to ensure that, even though narratively it's not as interesting a choice. Which is also why I think the Bright Eyes storyline was axed, and why Love's obsession code was removed, and why I'm afraid that Darlin's story resolution is just going to fade into some milquetoast version of "love fixes everything!" rather than what it could have been- because people are putting themselves in the place of the listeners, it reinforces the idea that to like a character you have to endorse and agree with all their actions, so necessarily any character doing "bad" things or making darker decisions is a "bad person" and people don't want to imagine themself as a "bad person", no matter what that does to the story being told.

Honestly, Sam and Darlin' are my favorite characters which is why it pains me that their story is edging dangerously close to "I got into a relationship and it solved all my problems!" rather than two people with trust issues and unresolved trauma finding a friend when they needed one and that relationship slowly blossoming into something more as both of them come to terms with the things that are haunting them (which I agree would make more sense if Sam had either been turned more recently or if it had been clearly established that the clan is more loose-knit and not in fact a workable support system for him); honestly when the story started and it said slow burn I kind of thought they wouldn't start dating until much later, maybe even after things with Quinn came to a head, and I'm a bit disappointed we only got about 2 audios of them interacting pre-relationship. (Also I have a lot of problems with the way things between Darlin' and the pack were "resolved" in one frankly condescending and empty speech about family but I won't get into it here)

Anyway sorry again for the long message but thank you for your posts!

No need to apologize for the long message, i appreciate them You’re welcome for the posts, im happy to know that some people really enjoy them and that they’re making people think a little. Apparently a handful of people have dropped the Freelancer series because of the choices that were made in it, which is valid. I’m not exactly happy that its so bad that so many of us see issue with it, but i am glad to know im not the only person who feels it was wrong. I’m not neccesarily concerned about people self-inserting into listener characters, that is what they are for, Redacted made all content gender neutral and as inclusive as possible for this exact purpose. I think some of the issues with story-telling and overpolarization with characters does stim from Redacted’s desire to write content as inclusive as possible though. I respect this decision and desire, but i don’t think you can ever please everyone when it comes to the type of content you make without sanitizing a lot of it. Maybe this opinion stims from my general ‘doesn’t give a fuck’ attitude about creation, but he really could have just gone for it and made characters grayer (especially ones the listeners have romantic relationships with), regardless of whether or not it brings in a larger audience and pleases the most amount of people. It would be generally better from a story telling perspective. We already have ASMR content (from other creators) that caters specifically to a certain audience that excludes a lot of people (content that is very gendered, content that is racially specific with blushing and hair, etc etc), I think making content that is gender-neutral with some more complicated and grayer characters is a good middle ground, a niche that Redacted can fill. Maybe with Redacted leaving the discord server, he’ll be seeing a lot less of peoples opinions personally, and will start writing content that better fits his writing style and his characters again. It’s something that i would be really happy to see again, genuinely. Because i love Darlin’ and Sam so much is definitely the reason im concerned about where their story is going. But again, maybe Redacted distancing himself from the fanbase will save some storylines. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ who knows tho Thanks again for the ask 💖