#and then betray her bc of it?? the fact that they go into these marriages KNOWING they’re there to force a hostage situation. fucking crazy

[meteortrails]

I really do like big mom as a character bc like. one piece DID need more toxic mothers to balance out all the angelic dead ones and by GOD does charlotte linlin fucking deliver…. genuinely I love how so much of the whole cake island arc is set within the context of like, Intense interpersonal family dynamics. linlin’s obsession with her dead, secretly evil mother and with family and belonging and the way that translates into her authoritarian chokehold on her children’s lives and the country that she’s running….. she needs all of them to stay, and the only way to make sure that they stay is to make sure they’re scared of her (after all, loving her wasn’t enough to make her mother stay). she needs a world where she can be accepted and belong and the only way to get it is to be the one in charge of it, to be somebody that no one can deny. god like she even has horrific emotionally scarring family brunches she’s PERFECT

[neyafromfrance95]

what's your opinion on sauron being celebrian's father? i have seen a few people theorize that he is the father but i don't think trop will make it happen. which makes me sad 😭

i think, like many other scenarios, it's a fun concept to speculate about or to explore in the parents aus.

i'm open to and enjoy the variety of theories and the fun of indulging in them, and while i think that one could argue for a possibility of sauron being galadriel's babydaddy, i do have an unpopular opinion when it comes to what i like about sauron x galadriel's "relation".

i think there is something tremendously more tragic and romantic about the fact that all they share is but a cosmic connection. and yet, that cosmic connection is something so grand and special, it's beyond and far above anything explainable within the limits of that which is common and earthly.

it's not an alliance they share, it's not the realms they share, it's not the marriage or the children they share. it's something much much more, much bigger than any of that. not something anyone else but they would understand. something entirely unique. it's their fate to never unite but to have their very beings bound for all eternity.

all they have is this love and hate and longing for one another and it's like a secret that'd be dirty for everyone else in the world but is sacred for them. that's why it's more intimate than anything else could ever be, bc it's something between them and them alone in the entire world.

it's just the two of them, and the eternal connection of their souls. "galadriel and sauron share the deepest connection to another being either of them has ever experienced."

that's why sauron is obsessed with groping for galadriel and her only. that's why galadriel feels alone even though she has family and friends.

they are betraying their own selves and are being selfish at the same time by indulging in this pursuit (sauron) and temptation (galadriel) but this dynamic won't ever manifest into anything other than the essence of the dark and the light and their battle and dance.

this only thing they share is so metaphysical, mystical, it's the connection above the flesh, does it even matter if it is so immaterial? it does to them!!!

or one could argue that one thing that did come into existence from their relationship and symbolizes it, is nenya. makes the fact that galadriel never took it off, even when it didn't have any powers anymore, still wore it when she went to valinor, so much more significant. with added trop context, it means that she could never let go of the one and only reminder of her connection with sauron.

and i think all of this is utterly beautiful and heartwrenching and different and thinking about it drives me insane a bit. quite a lot, actually.

[ichorai]

ok ok HEAR ME OUT‼️ i know that the poll for your jaime fic has been decided and the casterly rock au lost…. but what if we potentially got a few headcannons for it?!?!? like maybe a little blurb…. a few hundred words abt bitter wolf going stir-crazy not knowing where her nieces are or her and jaime finding a genuine routine of just being with each other. his only request being that they eat meals together so she cant isolate herself. GGGIOIDDDD I LOVE THEM

casterly rock au where bitter wolf and jaime get married headcanons !! read the actual fic here :)

this au would happen given oberyn never dies, tyrion then wins his trial, and tywin lives. it's a very big chain of events branching from canon haha that's the beauty of grrm's universe, one little thing changed and the entirety of the story is altered!

onto the actual jaime/bw headcanons:

bw is completely restless in the castle, she's unable to sit still and is very irritable at everything (southern culture is always grating her the wrong way)

she tells jaime she misses home all the time, and his eyes would soften as he listens to her stories about her siblings (bw takes care to avoid talking about ned)

she goes horseriding often and jaime always follows - both because he's afraid she'll try to run away on her own and because he wants to spend time with her

getting married to jaime does have political advantages for bw: she would definitely use the support of jaime/tywin to her advantage and send more cavalries searching for arya and sansa.

bitter wolf is also negotiating retaking winterfell from the boltons; she would have tywin's agreement given a lannister heir becomes warden of the north, and obviously most of the north wants to see a (true) stark back in winterfell. winterfell would definitely be hers for the taking.

but the negotiating and planning takes many moons, and bw is stuck in casterly rock until then

bw tries to find ways to find and get in touch with brienne who they sent off months and months ago looking for sansa, and would ask jaime for his help in doing so

jaime finds himself practicing calling bw his wife when he's alone, but he never ends up actually calling her that. to him it feels like it demeans her - she feels like something more than his wife. after all, before a few moons ago, she wasn't his wife at all

their marriage remains unconsummated for several moons and jaime never pressures her to do anything she doesn't want to

in fact, they slept in separate chambers for a long while. it was only when they began to stay up late at night together, telling each other stories of old did they end up accidentally falling asleep together

jaime likes to watch her sleep, as creepy as that sounds HAHA he likes to watch how soft her features get when she rests, it makes her look so much younger

they're sooo skittish around one another during the first few weeks of their marriage, like they both want each other's cookie so bad but neither really says anything about it HAHAHA

one night jaime just caves and kisses her, fully expecting a slap to the face... and she does push him away out of shock, just a little startled shove... but she pulls him back just as quick to kiss him again

jaime makes bw read over his letters to tyrion on the wall before sending them to make sure he hasn't made any mistakes (yes bcs he's dyslexic but also bcs it gives him an excuse to talk to bw!)

cersei is unable to visit due to her duties (or her delusions of duties) to the crown but trust that she's absolutely SEETHINGGGG that jaime "betrayed" her

she's definitely fantasizing about ways of having bw murdered

bw spends a lot of time in the godswood. not because she's particularly religious, but just because it's one of the only parts of northern culture she still has to herself :( it's something they can't take away from her :(

jaime would have a new longbow made for bw, watches her practice shooting :( she tries to show him how to shoot properly, but his golden hand makes it awfully hard

bw would definitely convince jaime to get rid of the golden hand and use something more practical and less heavy

though bw isn't good with close combat or swordsmanship, she offers to spar with jaime completely knowing he could best her even with his missing hand - she also wants an excuse to get close to him

the topic of having heirs is something jaime randomly brings up over breakfast one day and this 100% freaks bw out a little bit and jaime picks up on it and quickly changes the subject

he wouldn't bring it up again until bw mentions it herself a few days later - tywin wants an heir (specifically a male heir) to become warden in the north. she tells jaime that by right, winterfell belongs to sansa now, regardless of whether you have children or not, and the priority should be finding sansa, which they still haven't

so jaime's take away from that convo 1) sending more guards to look for sansa and 2) having a child is somewhat (?) still on the table

communication abt important matters really isn't their forte LMFAOO

nonetheless jaime is always treating her with so much patience and respect :( even when bw has her angry outbursts

tells her that he would have wanted to marry her whether or not he struck the deal with tywin

bw pretends like his words don't affect her, but her heart is racing a mile a minute

ugh i love these two to bits and pieces! writing up these hcs were so fun :(

[celestie0]

If someone looked at me the way Gojo was looking at Y/N after ugly crying I think I’d be carrying their kids tbh…

Poor Y/N is so scared to let someone in she puts up wall after wall the moment things get a bit too real 😭 but I get her. Every meaningful relationship in her life has been “temporary” (for lack of a better word) so far: her father left them, Choso abandoned her the moment he wanted Yuna’s pussy (although he was gone way before that), and her mom can’t really be there for her anymore through no fault of her own. I get why she has walls up when it comes to Gojo, they entered the relationship knowing it wasn’t real so why set yourself up for the inevitable hurt when it’s over.

The guilt of lying to someone you love even though you know it’s probably for the best is so painful, I hope Y/N allows herself some grace. Mourning your parents so young, at any age really is never easy and she’s doing it all alone too. I hope she has the happiest of endings because I feel like she’s going to need all the support she can get as her mom’s illness progresses 😭

Y/N is so much stronger than me because I’d probably have taken him up on that sex to blow off steam option even if he wasn’t being serious (I feel like he’d be so down though) 🤷🏽‍♀️

I’m super excited to see how their relationship progresses. The emotional connection they’re developing is actually extending my lifespan.

Thank you so much for the chapter, this is genuinely one of the best works I’ve ever read so I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your work with us 🥰 I hope you’re doing well and that life is treating you amazingly! Can’t wait for the next chapter, I know it’ll be fantastic

(P.S - his mom’s wedding ring fitting her perfectly had be kicking and blushing 😭 if that isn’t a sign they’re meant to be then IDK WHAT IS)

hi my love oh gosh i could CRY!!!!!!!!!! this ask made me so happy because you 100% hit on like literally every single point that i wanted to emphasize in the chapter and also even managed to predict things that are to come as well??? i ask for your hand in marriage pleaaasseeeee 💍💍

HAHA yes i liked writing the parts where she’s like basically just blowing her nose on him 😂

aaaaaaa yess she definitely has sm walls up bc of how many people have left her and/or betrayed her, i think an additional heartbreak is the fact that she is literally a night shift nurse who saves lives, but isn’t even helped by the very system that she serves (healthcare)…i would be so jaded if i were her too :”( but tysm for having empathy for her!! i think it would take a very patient person to be w her n i def think ihm gojo is that guy hahah

YES ihm will have a sweet ending and we will see as the series progresses that reader softens and starts to reclaim her life once more :) but you’re so right! one of the devastating things about caring for a loved one w dementia is weighing the white lies vs the potential distress over relaying the truth…having grace w oneself is def so important

LOL ya i think he would be so down too 😂 it’s funny cause like? reader? girl? i mean you’re already stressed tf out why not at least get eaten out on a regular basis while you’re at it LOL (the time will come)

ouuu i’m so happy you enjoyed the chapter n thanks so much for interacting so meaningfully w it 🥺 a lot of stuffs u touched on in this ask are elaborated much further in what i have planned for series so i’m so excited to bring that to you!! much loveee (and yes the wedding ring fitting was literally a sign from god LOL)

[mzannthropy]

The Count of Monte Cristo limited series Episode 7 thoughts

Haydee is about to end one man's whole career as Edmond's revenge is nearing completion. It's getting tense! (Spoilers under the cut.)

ETA: The below text includes my unjustly harsh thoughts on Mercedes. Having rewatched the series and done some internal revising, I now feel much more positive about her, especially this version of Mercedes. I don't want to delete or edit the recap, as that was how I felt at the time, so just including this here as a warning.

The episode begins with an entertaining scene of the counts Monte Cristo and de Morcerf in a sauna. Our titular hero approaches Fernand and brings up the topic of arranged marriage between Albert and Eugenie. Fernand tells him that they've planned to do this years ago, but Monte Cristo plants a seed of doubt--he hears that Danglars is now preferring Count Spada as his future son-in-law. So Fernand comes to Danglars's office to clear this up.

The scenes of Danglars and Fernand together are among the best points of this adaptation, largely due to Blake Ritson, who's an absolute gem to watch as Danglars (I never would have thought that Danglars could be made into such an interesting character). It wouldn't surprise me if it turned into a popular ship. In fact, I think it should. And this scene is particularly funny, bc Danglars reveals to Fernand that he does intend to marry Eugenie off to Count Spada, at which Fernand is, understandably, hurt, and taking out some of the lines, it is as if the two of them were going through a breakup.

Danglars wants the marriage to take place asap for financial reasons (he is investing in those railways mentioned in the previous episode). Poor Eugenie is distressed and her girlfriend comforts her, saying they will find a way to get out of it.

Jacopo and Caderousse go to pick up a boy named Gaston, who sleeps rough under a bridge. This is the illegitimate son of Villefort and Hermine, who lives a common thief. The count has him settled at Caderousse's apartment. Jacopo, looking concerned, asks the count if he plans to use the boy, and the count responds in the affirmative. I thought Jacopo would have a villain arc surpassing even Edmond's, seeing how he killed the orderly at the mental institution, but here he is worried about his employer's choices. I'm glad of it, bc I want Jacopo to get out of this alive.

Gaston doesn't appreciate the count's actions and, when he wakes up at night, he steals money from Caderousse's pocket and runs. Out on the street, he is quickly seized by Boville, who has been watching the house, but Gaston, using the knife he has concealed on him, stabs the inspector. Exit Boville. Gaston does a runner, but not before a woman, who lives in this neighbourhood, witnesses the crime.

Gaston is caught, but nobody else is incriminated, as the count has Caderousse's apartment cleared out--he suspected Boville was watching the place. He then rewards Caderousse for his services. Caderousse plans to move to New York and open a tavern there. The count says that in America they are called bars and advises him to set up one near stock exchange so that he has wealthy clients. He tells the count "I hope you find peace one day, Edmond" and Edmond responds that he hopes so too. If this is the last we see of him, it looks like this Caderousse got a redemption arc--and I kinda like it? I think it's an interesting choice for this adaptation, though of course there's still an episode left and it might go differently.

Danglars is involved in getting the information about the man formerly known as Fernand Mondego and his actions in Algiers. Now that they fell out, he is happy to reach out to his contacts in Algiers to dig up the dirt on him. This then gets published in the Enquirer, a newspaper where Beauchamp works at. Fernand is called to parliament. He denies ever betraying Ali Pasha, but this is when Haydee steps in, with receipts!, and tells her story. And thus, the count de Morcerf is finished.

Edmond thanks Haydee as she is boarding a carriage, to which she says: "yes, but at what cost?" She then gives him a half-hug, and it looks like that's all we're getting, bc I strongly suspect we won't see her again. I've been saying we're not getting the Edmond x Haydee endgame, but saying it is one thing, and keeping a hope alive in your heart is another. Ah well...

All is not well in the de Morcerfs' household. Fernand tells Albert: "you brought Monte Cristo into our lives, so you should remove him too". How heroic of you, Fernand, asking your son to fight your battles. But Albert takes on the task, and challenges the count, as you know, in the scene they released a few weeks ago.

In the meantime, the marriage between Count Spada and Eugenie Danglars is agreed upon.

It's the night before the duel and Mercedes visits the count of Monte Cristo. She knows about the duel, bc she has had Marcel, a servant, follow Albert. She doesn't say "Edmond you will not kill my son". She says "So you will kill my son?" I think it's better, I never thought that line in the book was particularly strong and I don't get what people see in it. They have an angsty dialogue, throughout which I kept shouting "fuck off Mercedes" at the screen (I woke up my cat who thought this was directed at her), so I can't tell you much about it, but I do know that Mercedes was not a bit bothered about her husband's newly uncovered misdeeds. Like, not a tiny sliver bit, and this is something that would affect her son, on whose behalf she has come to negotiate. They call each other Mercedes and Edmond in this scene and he reveals to her that it was Fernand who framed him. She begs him to spare Albert and tells him she has always loved him. Unfortunately they kiss (albeit it's short) and I have horrible flashback to another limited series book adaptation where I had to watch Sam Claflin kiss a woman I didn't like when it was not canon. Sigh. Edmond's like, I guess I die then, and Mercedes is like, no! and he says, but he has insulted me. Does she not know how duels work?

The morning of the duel dawns, Edmond is at the location with Jacopo and Maximilien, while Debray and Beauchamp are there for Albert, who has not yet arrived. It goes as it should go--he rides in, explains that he was mistaken and offer apology to the count of Monte Cristo. They shake hands.

Fernand comes to Monte Cristo's house, ready to confront him with his sword. This is when he finds out Monte Cristo's true identity. So, he leaves. After he is gone, Edmond smiles.

Fernand returns home to witness his wife and son packing up. He goes to his desk and takes out a pistol. The shot is heard while the camera is on Albert and Mercedes as they are in a carriage, leaving. Exit Fernand de Morcerf.

[sarascamander]

Okay since the trope reveal I have a theory! I don't believe Cole will ever approve of Ava and Eli marrying, let's be real here. ESPECIALLY marriage for convenience, like what would be the reason for the marriage? Cole is rich, Aidan is rich, what issue could they ever land onto that they need to marry?

So my theory is that Ava went somewhere far from home maybe for her concert or something but on the way had an accident and got amnesia (one of the tropes). So she doesn't remember who she is or where or who her family is. Enter Eli, who everyone knows stalks Ava and finds out about the accident and takes her in. He didn't tell anyone except maybe Creigh about the fact that he found Ava so while everyone at home is freaking out searching for Ava, Eli made a deal with her for them to get married and sold it to her like "you don't have a home, you're alone, I'm your last and only choice" or "if you marry me, I'll do my best to search for your family and who you were before" and Ava agrees.

I just can imagine Cole (and I can definitely see Landon ratting Eli out) finding out Eli hid Ava the whole time and there and basically storm into the house ready to fucking kill Eli. And Ava felt so betrayed bc he knew about her this whole time and knowingly kept her away from her family and stuff.

God I actually like where this is going 😂 but who knows what's going on in Rina Kent's mind.

[undertalesyafiqah12]

Gaster Gang did you know and fun facts: part 2

Welp- not really old and new facts or anything, but I can sense most people didn't know about the gaster's backstory lore so... Here are some lore about the gang + Swapfell

Wingding: While he's just the normal gaster around him. Got PTSD dure of war and he was just a kid who had to be mature to his brothers (Sans and Papyrus). Technically after fall to his creation, he accidentally open the portal to other gasters that close to him. He always overwork and being his grumpy side. And everyone, especially Swap treats him like a child (since he's youngest)

Swap: Born to a culture that's about riverperson. His father left his mother at young age. Left his culture after marriage(?) but got divorced after his wife committed adultery and he got full custody on his sons. He blames himself for Papyrus's bad habit. He's happy go lucky to cheer everyone up to not remind himself on his past

B: Was actually born prince. He was flirty and very gentleman. Born to be a king, forced to be a advisor after his kingdom got destroy and lost his eye as a result. Gave 40% of his soul to Sans, his apprentice/kin. And first to leave the war to hide. Act strongly to humans but he's chill most of the time... Unless he's on heat. He never met Papyrus dure of Sans and Papyrus separate at birth.

Fell: Abandoned at just newborn. Got move to different foster and orphanage at his young age, he decided to run away to with the doggo in his timeline (and fun fact, Fell wanted to fit in so he sharpen his teeth). Married to a woman named Rosanna to actually protect her since she got pregnant by a rich guy but he left her bc his reputation is more important than a random girl from a farm. Unfortunately, he lost his wife and child so he joined the war. Adopted Sans and Papyrus after their family home got burn down years after the monsters trapped underground.

Stars: Half alien, half monster (no, this is not a joke). His father is a high rank alien from "The Order" in his planet. Often got bullied because of his half monster side but proved them wrong as he can destroy and create stars. Left his planet to research (although his father don't like it but he left him anyway). Actually married to an alien but he didn't know it. Becomes a scientist and Sans being his student. The only one doesn't know how bad humans are dure of him exploring the world while monsters attacking humans. He's a kind and sweet person... But the person that you shouldn't made mad at.

Swapfell: Lost his family at young age yet had to live with a very strict and bad orphanage. He developed schizophrenia a bit. And time goes by, he became a doctor and married a singer and have a family. But lost his wife and his mental issues git worse. He tried to commit suicide but failed. He got welcome to the gang. But betrayed them by spiking them, hurting B and almost experiment on him when Fell stopped him. He's the main reason why the gang being cautious.

(Note: This is based of my memory that I line up. So any mistake please tell me right away :))

(A/N: Correction for Fell's wife's name, it's actually Rosanna, not Rosalina. Her nickname is Rosey/Rose)

[sirsnortsalot]

YOUR TAGS ON THEEEE TOM LOOKING AT GREG ACROSS THE AISLE POST I DSDJKSDJSKJDJKS we shake hands that ep is my entire life for so many reasons i hhhhhhhhhhh. tom's suit being called a gregory. the two of them dressed in black and white when greg says "i do" true to marriage tradition. the fact that when tom sits down in front of greg he literally looks like he's getting on one knee. the way their knees are touching. the way they are sitting so close. the way the two waiters in the background are playfully smacking each other on the ass with towels and both greg and tom look at them wistfully before talking like god i wish that were us. the way greg teases tom a little with the well... keeping him hanging on a little bit. the way greg says "of course". the way their conversation [in that connor asks willa if she really wants this, bc she's kind of giving up her soul wrt money and she says yes i am and i do like the security and wealth but she also likes connor for himself, and connor talks about the age gap!!! and discrepancy in their positions and how they met and came to be and how everyone is always making fun of him/their relationship but she takes him serious and confirms she does want it and then they giggle and laugh it off just like a certain other couple] and body position mirrors connor and willa as well as the cinematography/shots who do actually get married in 4x03 [alone. without the siblings there. almost like a secret ish wedding. hmmm]. the way that nb said 'they wish they were getting married' and the way these mfs act you Know that's actually true and real. the way tom drops the "sporus". the way that after they shake hands, greg's arms twitch out as if to hug tom but then he decides against it bc he's not sure if tom would like that and he doesn't want to ruin this, because everybody else shrinks away from his touch or is disgusted by him but tom opens his arms and greg leaps at the chance, taking tom's shoulders and pulling him in slightly and hugging him tightly, tom literally jostled by the force of the hug.

i Think about the "come with me, sporus" scene a lot.

Oh my god y e s just that one scene felt like peak tomgreg in like 1000 ways 

ESPECIALLY because it’s right after shiv calls tom and tells him about her plan and his IMMEDIATE reaction being “okay, this is my chance to finally hit her where it hurts after her ‘death-by-1000-cuts’-ing me for years, but first i need to make sure greg is safe and on my side” like BEFORE anything else (just checked the script books and greg walks over to him RIGHT after he gets off the phone with shiv, no time to think about anything else) AND THEN ”SPORUS” AND THEN THE MOST ROMANTIC SCENE THAT HAPPENS IN THE (WEDDING) EPISODE AND THEN TOM ‘KILLING’ HIS WIFE I JUST. AUGH THE NERO & SPORUS SHIT MAKES ME GO BATSHIT ISTG HFSKJGHDFKJGHJDFKGHDRKJHY (also while I was in the script books I saw that the hug was unscripted??? It was meant to be just the handshake??? Just like the forehead kiss was unscripted too??? Matthew Mcfadyen is an absolute GODSEND (& nb I guess but yknow) for just ADDING those in UNPROMPTED he’s such a tg truther oml) 

Also can you IMAGINE how greg must've felt at the beginning of the tomshivorce, seeing him and tom going out together to hook up w random models or whatever (i think they were playing it up quite a bit and just wanted to spend time with each other but yknow)  and having the realisation somewhere that “do you wanna come with me, sporus” AND THEN THIS could have been referring to tom wanting to be with greg? Like we know greg knows the story, and we know he knows that tom betrayed shiv and he knows that the tomshivorce is resulting in tom getting a lot closer with him very quickly and he’s not stupid, he can put 2 and 2 together and see himself getting remodelled into the romantic partner for tom that shiv isn’t anymore for him, AND HE DOESN’T SHY AWAY FROM IT! LIKE LOOK AT 4X01, IS THAT THE BODY LANGUAGE AND BEHAVIOURS OF SOMEONE WHO IS AVOIDING THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL PRESENCE OF TOM WAMBSGANS FBSKJGHDFJGDFKJY

(i will never shut up about the timeskip <3)

👏 HEART 👏 EYES

[charmixpower]

What kind of arc or character development would you have wanted to give the characters in the series? Ex. in the case of Timmy, what would his character have been like if they had been more interested in developing it?

This is on top of their already present character arcs

1) Bloom learning to be a leader

2) Expansion on the Charmix plot point where Bloom says shes lost faith in everyone and regained it back

3) Stella dealing with her flippant behavior during serious situations (I swear this is an outgrowth of her thinking people only like her for her looks)

4) Stella learning to like other parts of her self (Stella clearly holds her looks up in highest regard bc she thinks that's the only part of her people like and she wants people to like her, so low self esteem is just a natural consequence)

5) Literally anything for Flora

6) It would have been cool if Flora started out with her late seasons character of being a pushover into her s2 character of being more strong willed

7) Tecna acknowledges the fact that she holds winning above living in a lot of situations (aside from that no notes, Tecna character arcs slay)

8) Musa overcoming her insecurity and dealing with some of her attachment issues (Musa's hostile reaction to Stella, and her immediate obsession with Riven are such "please pick me" behavior. I love her)

9) Attaching Musa's insecurity arc to her being more comfortable in her femininity (Musa constantly mocks Stella for her stereotypical traits and that's on "I'm not like other girls")

10) Aisha clearly hates royal decorum, and politics, and all that stuff, so it always felt weird to me in s3 she flips around to being okay with most of it except for arranged marriages. That should have been dealt with. Either by having Aisha stand up to her parents and reject it all, or by having her parents make concessions and her love of her people outweighing her hatred of royal stuff (Aside from that she slayed on the character development front, no notes)

11) Sky needed a s1 Riven arc. Like, it could have been in s2!!! He was being such a fucking control freak at Bloom, he should of been beatened with the "consequences stick" until he had a "I have a heart" moment, thank you

12) Brandon probably has something going on with putting everyone but himself first and being unable to express his emotions from the child soldier thing and I would love to see that addressed

13) Timmy has a character arc in the background it's just never acknowledged??? Every season they just act that that's how he always was, would love to see Timmy becoming more confident as a part of the narrative and not something they just did bc the plot said so

14) PUT RIVEN'S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT BACK AND STOP FUCKING TOUCHING IT SHOW!! IF HE WAS JUST ALLOWED TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING THE WAY HE WAS GOING IN S1 AND S2 ID HAVE NO NOTES AND YET

15) Literally anything for Helia

16) the Shab stone route is cool, low self esteem perfectionist is so conserned about fucking group projects up

17) Nabu learning what the world is like after being sheltered for so long would be amazing (s4 lies to you, Nabu gets all his romance knowledge from books and Disney movies, he couldn't give relationship advice if the answer punched him in the face)

18) Diaspro has Riven's problem but worse, at least they never regressed his character back to villain. Like wft!!! Diaspro's character should have been allowed to grow after s2

19) Roxy has an actual arc from hating magic to being cool with it instead of just flipping from one to another when her life is in danger. Like I get it, but that wouldn't make her like magic, that would just make her tolerate it bc it saved her life

20) Galatea realizes that Melody has a huge poverty problem and vows to fix it

21) Chimera realizes her mom sucks and helps Stella (this one is Rus wish fulfillment baybe)

22) The Trix actually reacts to the fact that they've gotten their ass kicked every time they fight the Winx and always get betrayed. Like let them have a mental break down and lash out from rage but mostly Icy

23) Seeing how the Trix ended up following the ancestral Witches. NOT LIKE THAT. I vote cult for Stormy and Darcy, and Icy is just kinda like this. Some people just

24) Mirta and Lucy having some sort of conversation, idc if they make up or stop talking I just want SOMETHING

25) I wanna see an older Anne meet Aisha so bad

[akiizayoi4869]

It's been a long time since I made this AU or talked about it, but thankfully I remember it. It's not very Iroh or Zuko friendly though. I made them the antagonists in this story bc in this AU neither had any reason to be redeemed.

Also I really liked the idea of having Iroh be the bad guy because I thought it'd be fun to have the Gaang be against a very capable antagonist (not that Azula isn't, she definitely is, but I always got the feeling that Iroh would be much more capable than her if he actually wanted to fight and that it was a very good thing he was redeemed before canon). Also this AU used to be "Zuko pretends to be good and a teacher so he can capture them later" until I realized it makes perfect sense for Azula. So Azula's arc mimics Zuko's in a way.

************************************************************************

(tw death, marriage, arranged marriage, abandonment, genocide, abuse, betrayal)

So Lu Ten never died (I actually don't want him to be part of this story. So maybe he doesn't even exist), so Iroh took over Ba Sing Sae. He also adopted Zuko. Ursa's out of the picture. I don't know how, but when I do figure it out I'll make her a larger part of the story. The original plan was that after the Angi Kai Ursa took Zuko and appealed to Iroh for help, which he granted. So now they live with Iroh.

Azula kind of was left behind, though, with Ozai. She and Ozai were kind of disgraced bc what did they do compared to the amazing awesome dragon of the west.

Then the Avatar arrives, and Ozai sees an opportunity. He wanted to do it himself, but Azula volunteers herself. She doesn't want to be in the arranged marriage Ozai's planning for her (to get more status). On Ozai's orders, she cuts her hair and dyes it so Iroh and Zuko will have a harder time recognizing her (he doesn't want them to know it's Azula daughter of Ozai doing this until it's too late. Bc that's probably treason and bad.)

Then she fakes joining the gaang to backstab them. And they need a firebending teacher. Perfect opportunity. But then Zuko and Iroh show up. And Azula has to help the Gaang from being captured, and she's the only one skilled enough to actually do something. Which makes her an enemy of the fire nation.

Ozai ends up pretending he doesn't have a daughter anymore once news gets out.

And therefore Azula is pretty much stuck now. She can't go home without Aang, bc Ozai will punish her for making such a huge mess.

She now has to find a way to bring Aang to Ozai without being caught while plausibly pretending to help the gaang while sabotaging their plans. I don't have any scenes from this point on, beyond Azula freaking out once the Gaang realizes that firebenders loose their bending on the day of the black sun and trying to figure out if she should tell about the invasion plans or not.

Though if I had to give a guess, Azula likely spends a lot of time thinking about when to betray the gaang and how to do so (she only has one shot at betraying the Gaang, she doesn't want to loose it until she's 100% certain it's possible) and eventually ends up not doing anything until she's a certified enemy of the fire nation and it's too late. The fact that she doesn't want to do anything suspicious helps.

There's a period where she considers joining Iroh and Zuko in the process, by appealing to Ursa. I don't know if she does it or not.

Mai likely helps Zuko (though she does recognize Azula but doesn't tell anyone) while Ty Lee is on Azula's side. With Ty Lee's help the Gaang can actually beat Zuko and Iroh most of the time.

Oh damn, this is a really interesting au idea! I would love to read it if you ever wrote it.

[tenthhell]

Totally didn't forget I was going to add Ori's opinion to this discussion or anything. I don't think that marriage is exactly something native to the Infernal culture or really something most are willing to touch with a ten foot pole for the specific reason that it's essentially a culture of lawyers; they know intimately just how nasty it's going to get if either of you ever want to back out of that agreement, and tbh, when you literally only ever die if someone murders you? I don't know that 'til death do us part' is ever actually applicable to their lives. Eternity is a long time, and there's a whole awful lot that can change in that time.

( As a side note for those who don't know, there are in fact courts in the Hells, but they tend to be p severe. You cannot cheese your way out of things unless you're using loopholes and the like, ie you're not going to get out of the problem by being particularly charismatic, bc that's a really great way to be found guilty and eaten / turned into a lemure / probably a bunch of other horrid shit. Therefore, all of their workings are strictly evidence-based. If you can prove it, or prove why your opponent's evidence is something that you are able to behave in x y z way bc of, permissible. I am by absolutely no means, however, terribly familiar with law anything, so it's an area I'm not getting too specific with -- particularly since my brain structure puts me at a disadvantage to being able to be accurate to the harsh, difficult to worm your way out of legalese that devils adore. )

ANYWAY. That in mind, Orianna sees it as a weird practice and doesn't understand why anyone would put themselves in that kind of situation willingly. Cool that you love each other that much and all, but why go to the lengths to get a binding pact together over it? So it's unlikely she'd ever actually agree to it. I'm not going to say impossible bc there's a possibility she might if it was super important to her partner, but uhhh........ There would likely need to be a strict understanding of 'if you ever betray me in any way, I'm obliterating your entire existence, and it's going to be legally within my right to do so.'

[a-libra-writes]

Hi Libra 💕 I’m back again for your opinions & to pick your brain juuust a little again. I LOVED your answer (about the free cities in Essos, doing my due diligence in researching the Wiki for the fic 🫡). Again, this is a “do you think this makes sense? Could this happen?” Very loaded, I’m so sorry.

So, I decided that the foreign woman in question is a bastard of Tywins. Her mother was a wealthy merchant from Braavos, trading in Westeros. I’m thinking their short-lived affair was about 5-10 years after he became a widower; she resembled Johanna just enough & Tywin was deep in his cups so he was like ok time to ✨make a dumb decision✨. He sent the pregnant Braavosi woman away with a lot of gold, very hush hush. Her daughter was raised well; with the gold Tywin gave, the mother decided to focus that on bringing up his bastard daughter well-educated & refined. I’ve got some more plot points (if you’d care to hear them I’ll be happy to share it!!), but essentially: the bastard daughter arrives in Westeros. She knows of their customs, and very clever + capable within the politics of Westeros.

My questions are 1) do you think Tywin, with a seat now being within the Crown, would legitimize her - especially after she proves herself - and marry her off to a lord for political gain? My reasoning is that his only daughter was already married off to King Robert, he has three Royal grandchildren & his brain is working hard on how he can turn this situation into something he could benefit politically from, potentially

2) Roose is kinda my hyper fixation character rn & I was thinking, to further his own goals, like betraying Robb in the War of the Five Kings (and his pockets - she’d had to have a high dowry being a foreign bastard to sweeten the deal, I think) would he accept or otherwise offer a marriage to her?

(I kinda have this scene of Roose & her getting into a fight. she gets upset, forgets her Common Tongue, and swears at him in Valyrian & it’s givin me a giggle. He’s just like 🧍pls don’t tell ur lord father & she’s like 🤬 *string of Valyrian he assumes is either a threat or continuous insults*)

Thank you, again, if you’re able to find the time & energy for this!! 💕 i decided, I wanna give the foreigner a LOT of power & leverage (I.e, bastard of Tywin) bc Westeros is scary & while she’s capable of protecting herself, lineage is a big factor into how well situations can go.

Thoughts below -

I honestly don't think Tywin would want to keep a bastard around, or he'd at least hide the fact she was his (they do keep Joy Hill around because that was the only child Gerion fathered, and Tywin def had a lot of guilt/emotion about his death even if he denies it). She might be passed off as another Lannister's kid. But this is a central part of your fanfic so let's handwave and move on.

Her being more Westeros-educated and not ""foreign"" would certainly help, with any traces of a Braavosi accent or dress probably coming across as 'interesting' or 'exotic' because it's just enough and not too much.

I don't think she would be legitimized because that would mean Tywin Lannister is admitting to 1) having a bastard in the first place, therefore frequenting whores and 2) he's willing to totally, stubbornly disregard Tyrion as lawful heir (no Jaime is NOT coming back dude he's Kingsguard you can't overturn that STOP THINKING YOU CAN), so I can understand him totally disregarding an out-of-wedlock daughter that is clearly his. That said, like Joy Hill, she can still be used as a bargaining chip because she is still half-Lannister and could come with a dowry. If there's something Tywin can do, it's find a way to use a piece, no matter how it's overlooked by others or not considered. So even if he feels negatively or indifferent of her, she's fair game to be used, like anyone in his family.

as far as roose accepting/gunning for a marriage, you can easily twist this. He accepted Walda because that was the terms of Frey turning on Robb to assist Roose - it's not clear what Tywin gave Roose, but i bet it was less a bribe and more a threat: 'we'll pull back and stop the war, because you know you aren't going to win this, also if you refuse I'll make sure Frey betrays you and Robb dies anyway, so really this is the best option for you getting out alive and on top'. Totally feasible for him to get your character as a bride instead, while Walda is given to some other Northern house to helps or to some Lannister. Brides and girls are just bargaining chips as far as most nobility is concerned, after all. And don't forget how Tywin arranged for Robb to upset the Freys in the first place with Jeyne Westerling!

Anyhoo, those are my thoughts. It's your fic so you can twist and play as you desire; and you could always alter certain events just so in order for things to puzzle out easier in your head. War is chaotic, and alliances (esp those forged through betrayal) can be shaky.

[lovesickangelz6137]

hey guys, time to vent abt how every blood relative i have every trusted (save for my great grandma and my grandma) has either viscerally wronged or betrayed me or just straight up exploited me.

today's topic? my aunt. yes, the same aunt that treats me like i am incapable of making logical and critical decisions for myself or giving accurate info bc i have psychosis.

a bit of context: my aunt lived a very lonely life until around 2007. she had never been married despite being well into her 40s and even close to her early 50's. now, not to say that marriage is required or makes ppl less lonely, but it made her happy and less lonely because she genuinely craved a romantic relationship in life. she met my uncle in 2007 and started dating him. they LOVED eachother, and i am so happy i met them. my uncle also loved me and my younger sibling to the extent that he would buy us ANYTHING as long as we asked. i was a poor kid and very easily entertained, so i never asked for expensive gifts. i have an MCR jacket somewhere that he got me for my 13th birthday that i love and cherish to this day. in 2009, him and my aunt got married. they were very happy together and had a wholesome marriage. my uncle had his issues and was quite traumatized but together they worked through them. they always had a "never go to bed mad at eachother" attitude. unfortunately, in 2017, my uncle passed from cancer. this devastated my aunt, she had finally found her true love and he ended up only being with her for 10 years.

she did not date again for roughly 3 years. in 2020, she started taking me to my physical therapy appointments for my legs (i have a chronic condition with them). one morning, we got breakfast together after. during this meal she excitedly told me that she had started dating again. she had met a man online. i told her i was happy for her, i asked his name and how they met. i also asked a few other questions just to learn some things abt him and show general interest.

as she answered my questions, i quickly came to realize that this man was.... a catfish. the things he said just didnt line up and paired with the fact that she had never video called, and everytime they tried to he came up with a variety of excuses, i knew immediately that he was not who he said he was. i brought this to her attention but she was already too enamored and refused to believe me. she didnt cut ties with me, i told her that i wld be there for her regardless, so she wld tell me abt their relationship here and there.

i come to find out less than a month later that she had been sending him money. not just $20 here and there. $200 minimum atleast once a week. there were times that he wld request $500 to $1000 from her for various bullshit things. he scammed her with bitcoin and such until she literally got banned from cashapp, and then she made a cashapp in MY GRANDMAS NAME, and got my grandma banned from cashapp.

i told her to stop sending money to this man. she insisted that this guy was going to pay her back. but everytime he sent "money" or a "check" it was always "pending" or the check wld bounce.

a year into the endeavor i discovered that she was now stealing money from her mother, MY GREAT GRANDMA, to send to this guy. both of them are on fixed income. my aunt is on SSDI, my grandma is also on SSDI, as well as pension/retirement. i was furious and informed my mom and my other uncles (her brothers) who were now trying to find a way to get my grandma out of her legal care.

end of 2024, she tells me that her and this fake boyfriend broke up. thank god. next sentence, she told me she found a new one. fuck. once again, he is a scammer, probably the same guy? or working in tandem with him, who knows. once again, taking her money by the fucking thousands.

early January of this year, i ended up in a situation where i was about to be homeless. she said that i could come live with her, i just need to contribute to the household as much as i can. i agreed. i have been living here since.

often times, i offer to help with bills and i almost always help with groceries. occasionally, she asks for money and she always tells me what it is going towards. maximum, she asks for $150. i recently got my taxes back, around $2.1 is what i recieved. i paid off a few things that i had gotten behind on and paid ahead on my storage unit. i also got myself some stuff that i needed for college, as well as hygeine products that i was low on. she saw me carrying in my 3 boxes from the stuff i ordered and said "i see you're saving your money well."

sigh. i told her "first off, these are hygeine products and school supplies. second, it is my money and what i do with it is none of your concern. i am a 25 yr old man who manages his own finances."

i go back to my room to do some things. later, while i am in the kitchen, she walks in and says "im gonna need $300 from you, just fyi." i didnt mind, as i said, i was willing to contribute. i responded "oh, okay! do you need it for the electric bill and some groceries?"

she responded: "it doesnt matter what i need it for, just get it to me asap."

full. fucking. stop.

i swear on my fucking life that if you start DEMANDING money of me and begin sending it to your fake fucking boyfriend, i am going to crash the fuck out.

you have exploited my grandma, which is enough to piss me off. you have disregarded my fucking warnings on these strange internet men. i WILL NOT be punished for your own ignorance and unwillingness to listen to everyone around you.

i didnt say this, i nodded and went back to my room. but i am furious. im fucking pissed.

TLDR: my aunt is now trying to steal money from me like im a fucking idiot to send money to someone who is scamming her.

[bitterpngs]

hmmm i feel like i probably missed/forgot some details, but in this film you have eri, this 20 year old woman that meets this sweet guy called haruji and they end up really liking each other and they frequently hang out. and it’s a cute romance, but later the older brother finds out that eri is actually married and isn’t being honest with haruji.

however, eri is basically trapped in this loveless marriage with this significantly older american man (ex soldier probably - it’s a 1956 b&w film, so post wwii). eri goes behind her husband’s back and has flings with various men, but apparently haruji is the first man she’s become serious with.

in the film, natsuhisa, the older brother, ends up warning eri to stay away from his younger brother bc he cares about him, but later in the same conversation tells her to have a fling with him so he won’t say anything to his brother (bc according to him, he’d be heartbroken and leave iirc). eri slaps him, but then natsuhisa kisses her. eri bites his lip and makes him bleed and there’s this moment where they stare at each other before eri seems to give him this slow and hesitant smile and they end up kissing again. the older brother ends up pursing her a lot later on and eri always accepts and has sex with him.

looking back, she’s never happy with the older brother, unlike when she’s with haruji, the younger brother. at some point she even tells him to stay away and never come back. the older brother ignores this and claims he’s in love with eri and ends up seeing his younger brother as competition.

at some point, the younger brother plans a camping trip with eri but because of certain events (a intercepted letter that says eri wants to meet a day earlier), natsuhisa ends up going to the meeting place and leaving with/taking eri instead. eventually haruji finds out, looks for them, and ends up finding them. eri is happy because haruji ended up looking for them/for her, but haruji feels so betrayed that he ends up killing both of them with his boat.

ANYWAY. basically it’s interesting to see ig. you have these “sexually deviant” characters that aimlessly kill time, constantly hook up, are constantly bored and don’t value the things the older generations do, etc. except haruji.

and even though eri’s situation is a sympathetic one, it feels like the story is still punishing her. we dont really know how or why she got married (and i feel like i’m missing important information tbh), but she’s clearly unhappy and i’m not rlly sure how possible a divorce would be or how it was perceived back then. she has had flings with men, she’s a woman that’s sought out sexual pleasure, and at the end she ends up dying. despite the potential sympathy, despite the fact that the movie seems to imply she felt pressured to have this hidden relationship with natsuhisa. and even if you look at the end as tragic, at the end of the day, haruji is the more morally upstanding, innocent man that gets revenge on eri and his brother. despite his heartbreak, he lives and gets to continue his life.

ok that’s all i need to do this assignment

[horizon-verizon]

@martianmeerkat

Like i said in te comments, plz reblog in answer to me from now on, I hate the clogging.

You say this:

I agree it would not be fair to have a complete overhaul of Dany's character just to push the two of them together but have no change from Jon. And since you're insisting it has to be a big change for Jon. The dude is dead. He's going to be revived, we know that, but we also know he will be different because death comes at a cost. As we see with other characters who've come back from the dead, it's mainly their hearts goals right before they died that become like an obsession. He wanted his sister back, he wanted his home, he wanted to stop Selyne's men from hurting Wun Wun, he wanted the horn of Joramun to stop Wun Wun from hurting anyone else, he wanted to protect the realms of men. That's what he wanted before he died. As far as emotionally safe, Jon openly sobs and cries and shows his emotions. His friends are close to him because they know he defends them. He gives them gifts, he teaches them to always have each other's backs. He protects and loves them openly and without shame. He even protects those who openly hate him because it is out of duty. Politically, we know Jon wanted winterfell, but not for the power, he wanted the name and the love of his family. But instead he chose the watch because there would be no point in having winterfell if his family wasn't there with him, and winterfell would only be his if they were all dead. Even when he believed them to be dead he rejected Stannis out of loyalty to his family's gods. He did not want the lord commander position, nor did he ask to be the wildlings king (if he even realizes he is). He just wanted everyone to stop fighting each other and focus on the problem. Why the hell would he want Dany's crown?

You show a faith in Jon that some simply do not have in regards to the ressurection thing. The other side to your thing is that, yeah Jon had goals before death as Catelyn had revenge before hers...but Jon was BETRAYED by his own men, and that's goign to take an effect on his approach to power. Again, that is one counterargument about what Jon might turn out like.

As for him showing emotion and compassion, many cite him selling people to get his way and what he does to Gilly that will not appeal to Dany at all. So...idk.

It's not about what Jon wants; it's the fact that he is Raear's son reardless of wat e wants. Once again, citing the Dance, bc Rhaenyra did not get to rule and despite the greens' comparative total loss, it still set a stronger political precedent against women to the point that if a woman were to rule in er own name se would need to use dragons/force/be the "bad guy". Then the Blackfyre Rebebllions raised a bastard's possible esteem and place to te point tat even Cersei ad most of Robert'sd bastards killed to lower te risk of tat danger to her own OFFICIALLY non-bastard, bastard children, aside from jealousy. If it hadn't been for the War of the Five Kings and te people's weariness and te chaos and the hatred for the Lannisters, Dany would have had a much harder time to expect supporters from the nobles for her side in any plans for conqueroring Westeros. If it is known that Jon is her nepew/er older broter's son, te fear is tat even though Jon's a bastard, even if the realm doesn't consider any speculated marriage/elopemnt b/t Rhaegar and Lyanna leitimizes Jon like it did in the show...

Jon's very PUBLICIZED presence can inspire anyone who wants to oppose Dany to target her and those closest to her. Even married, like oter consorts wit connections tat tey or oters around tem ave used aainst a monarc in real human history, Dany would be always in political danger of WHO Jon is, not what he wants for himself.

----------

You also say:

As for him not liking "non-warrior" women, and claiming that her being a conqueror but not a warrior will matter as if he only cares about martially trained women. Let me refer you back to when Jon was first building his group of friends at the Night's Watch and he defended Sam and encouraged Maester Aemon to take him on and teach him, we see Jon holds the belief that all kinds of people are necessary.

I said he had a sexual/romantic PREFERENCE for warrior women. anon does imply he also thinks nonwarrior women are inferior regardless of his own attraction or unattraction. Again, you misunderstood ME.

----------

You also say:

Jon isn't as shallow as the majority of the fandom seems to enjoy painting him as, especially considering the society he lives in. Do you honestly think that he would see Dany and go "ick, she's too ladylike to be worth anything", especially when she arrives as the breaker of chains and mother of dragons? With a fleet of ships and armies at her beck and call? Jon knows the worth of even the smallest things, that's why he's so good at juggling the violent factions at the wall.

People have preferences; it's okay to prefer warrior women sexually over non-warrior women. That's different from demeaning women for not being a warrior-kind and being "girly" bc "girly=frivolous and weak".

Even here, you cite Dany's POLITICAL attractiveness more than HER AS A PERSON as Jon's prospectie lover; you're kinda provin many of my anons' point--that Jon stans look at Dany as more a poltical helpmeet to Jon than her as a chaarcter with her own necessary SEPARATE, unique arc. That you think of her in terms of what she can do for Jon instead of what is good for her, her rule, AND her role as a revoluntionary feminist character beyond just asoiaf.

Jon Snow’s misogyny toward feminine women who brush their hair and wait for knights to rescue them vs. Daenerys being feminine and wanting a man to carry her off is another clear indication of how incompatible Jon is for her:

In her dream they had been man and wife, simple folk who lived a simple life in a tall stone house with a red door. — ADWD, Daenerys II

Starlight and seafoam, Dany thought, a wisp of silk that leaves my left breast bare for Daario’s delight. Oh, and flowers for my hair. —Daenerys IV, ADWD

In my Seven Kingdoms, knights go on quests to prove themselves worthy of the maiden that they love. — ADWD, Daenerys IV

How beautiful, the queen tried to tell herself, but inside her was some foolish little girl who could not help but look about for Daario. If he loved you, he would come and carry you off at swordpoint, as Rhaegar carried off his northern girl, the girl in her insisted, but the queen knew that was folly. — ADWD, Daenerys VII

Another proof that Snowstorm shippers just see Daenerys as a self insert and don’t really know, like, or enjoy her character. Daenerys is NOT a warrior woman. She’s never had the privilege of being militarily or martially trained or given weapons to duel with. She likes brushing her hair and keeping it clean and bathing, things Jon seems to take issue with women doing.

Daenerys is willowy and tiny in stature as well, not hardened and tall. Yet more proof she isn’t Jon’s type and is exactly the type of feminine woman Jon reviles and is repeatedly derisive and misogynistic toward in his POV.

And I hate Jon’s line because Daenerys is a vulnerable and young orphan girl who suffered severe abuse from her brother. She wants to be rescued and protected. I don’t care about what Jon wants, except when it conflicts with what Daenerys wants.

This is an actually pretty good point to consider. Has there actually been some evidence that Jon would "make an exception" towards Dany or otherwise value ttis aspect to her for jonerys/snowstorm fans?

[slightlyrebelliouswriter23]

What's your opinion on Vivi? Cos I'm re reading the series and have just finished twk and while she does love her sisters I'm reminded of why I don't like her much there's always something that never struck me right about her mainly it's the whole situation with Heather and how Vivi glamoured her and everything else but also bc of how she deals with her sisters

DISCLAIMER: this post is about defending Vivi Duarte with what little information we are actually given about her, for those who are genuinely open to interpretations on her. if you've made up your mind and do not like Vivi, that's fine, but this is probably not the ask for you!

i love most of the characters in TFOTA. in fact, unless it's Balekin, Valerian, Asha, or Locke, you can be sure i will probably take the time to defend them.

Vivi is funny, outspoken, and (like most HB characters) complex. but i think people's dislike of Vivi is along the same vein as their dislike of Taryn.

both betrayed their sisters in one way or another–Taryn through more obvious modes of betrayal (the Locke situation in TCP and tricking Cardan in TWK), and Vivi through more covert modes (questionable sisterly neglect). but if we look at a person's actions as facts about their character, rather than the result of nuanced motivations, it's easy to dislike them.

i like them precisely because liking them is so much more difficult. not impossible, though—we just have to do a little digging.

I. Words and How They Bind

something very interesting about Vivi that i think is hard to remember for the duration of the series is that, in the prologue of TCP, she vowed to hate Madoc forever:

“'I hate you,' Vivi proclaimed to the tall man with a viciousness that Jude was glad of. 'I will always hate you. I vow it.'”

this isn't something to be taken lightly. it's not a rage-filled but mostly empty threat of a child that can be later assuaged with a few kind words or a handful of sweets. it's a proclamation.

it is explicitly a vow.

to the fae, vows and promises are absolute. just how the people of Elfhame are bound by their word when they pledge themselves to the High King/Queen, or how the fae bind themselves through vows in marriage, Vivi is literally bound to her word.

she will hate Madoc forever.

additionally, it's almost as if she pledged herself to a life of being the opposite of whatever Madoc wants her to be. he wants her to live in Elfhame? she will move to the mortal world when she's old enough. he wants her to attend classes? she will stop going. he wants her to go to the revels and socialise? she'll stay at home and read comic books.

"If it annoys Madoc, it pleases Vivi." (TCP, ch.2)

so it's interesting that Madoc, right after Vivi has made her vow to hate him, tells her not to shirk her responsibilities as the eldest child—and, consciously or not, she proceeds to do exactly that. and perhaps even more interesting is Madoc's constant emphasis on "family over everything", juxtaposed with Vivi's almost apathetic absence from it.

this isn't to excuse Vivi of everything she never noticed with Jude and Taryn by pinning it on some magical vow she made when she was nine. but i do wonder if, because of her vow, there's a little more at play than just carelessness here.

still, even if we are to believe in Vivi's free will, imagine growing up being forced to live with a biological father you viscerally hate, and having your younger sisters—whose parents (and yours) were literally murdered by him in front of your eyes—treat him as more father than murderer.

at that young of an age, i suspect it would be hard to understand why Jude and Taryn didn't hate Madoc viscerally, too. to Vivi, i think it might even feel a little gaslighty.

Jude hints at Vivi's feelings about this in TCP:

“When Vivi wasn't reminiscing about home, she was a terror. She broke things. She screamed and raged and pinched us when we were content. Eventually, she stopped all of it, but I believe there is a part of her that hates us for adapting. For making the best of things. For making this our home.” (TCP, ch.2)

if you're alone in hating someone, it is probably a very isolating experience.

II. Coping or Cop-Out?

Vivi is portrayed as this impulsive, rebel-child with her head in the clouds. her main focus is on escaping a life she never chose for herself. in fact, i think one of the ways Vivi tries to take control of her own life again, after Madoc upends it by murdering their parents, is through escapism.

we see this in her constant fixation on the mortal world, through her voracious consumption of the comics Heather draws, and how she only has one friend in all of Faerie: Rhiya.

“All our new memories are of here, and Vivi has only a passing interest in those.” (TCP, ch. 2)

suffice it to say, she has not bothered putting down roots.

one fascinating theme, which has become apparent to me recently, is that the Duarte sisters each have a very distinct way of handling the trauma they've endured.

Jude carves out a space for herself through strength, skill, and intellect- fight

Vivi seeks any methods of escape- flight

Taryn relies on relationships with others to ensure her security at court- fawn

each of these is a psychologically recognised trauma response. so if Vivi seems distant or detached from the happenings in Faerie, it's because of this coping mechanism.

however, the difference between Vivi's response and that of her sisters, is that hers is a coping mechanism for a memory of the past. Jude and Taryn's responses are survival mechanisms for current ongoing trauma.

i don't think Vivi, as one of the fae, recognises the privilege she has over her sisters.

if there's anything negative to be said about Vivi's character, it is this. that she either presumes that since Madoc claimed Jude and Taryn as his own, they would be just as accepted by the fae is she or Oak is, despite their being mortal; or worse, that she is as Jude suspects—altogether oblivious to the plight of mortals living in Elfhame.

either way, it's not as if any of them talk about it.

but if Vivi's words truly do bind her will, i wonder if existing in a space occupied by Madoc is difficult. i wonder if it weighs more on her than it does on her sisters. i wonder if noticing details of other people's lives is difficult when your mind is totally consumed by a hatred for one person.

i think Jude, of all people, might be able to understand that.

III. Age is Not But a Number

we sometimes forget that, although she is older than Jude and Taryn, Vivi is still a kid herself. i believe she is said to be around 19-20 in the books.

now, i know the "adult" age for humans is 18, but frankly that doesn't really mean anything in our world, much less Elfhame. even with my 25 years (which is still quite young btw), i look back at years 19 and 20 and think about how immature i was then.

i was barely able to care for myself sufficiently. i was in no way qualified to care for a whole other person (or two).

there's this weird theme in YA fantasy novels where the fate of the whole world often rests on the shoulders of kids. where the only adults they know are either obsessed with power or dismissive and impervious. and while i do think kids are capable of a lot, and it's certainly neat to imagine a world where they are given enough respect and credibility to affect positive change in their societies, i don't think it's good or fair to conflate capability with responsibility.

just because someone is ostensibly capable of doing something, it doesn't mean they should have to do it. especially not alone.

which brings me to my biggest point: it was never Vivi's responsibility to raise her sisters.

even when they lived in the mortal world, where the twins were relatively safe, it was presumably Eva and Justin who made sure all of their needs were met. it wasn't Vivi's responsibility then, and it isn't when they get to Elfhame, either.

so my question is, do you actually have a problem with the way Vivi specifically treated the twins? or are you frustrated with her lack of protecting them from the way they are treated by Elfhame in general?

because in my mind, that burden is entirely Madoc's to bear. he assumed the responsibility of protecting them when he murdered their parents. he even says so himself in the prologue of TCP:

“'They are the progeny of my wife and, thus, my responsibility. I may be cruel, a monster, and a murderer, but I do not shirk my responsibilities.'"

yet, how are we meant to believe he honoured his duties to them when they lived every day terrified?

we, as a fandom, seem to have many excuses at the ready for Madoc:

"he loved them in his own way"

"he did the best that he could in raising them"

"he didn't treat them any differently, he regarded them as his own, what an amazing complex relationship!"

and while i think these are commendable and true statements, i also think they should be able to coexist with:

"he didn't do enough to protect them, he should've done more"

"because he was obsessed with power, he was also a bit neglectful"

"he had his own interests in mind more than his children"

so if the twins ever felt unsafe or unwanted in Elfhame, we should only have Madoc (and potentially Oriana, whose guilt is by association) to blame.

IV: Heather the Harbinger of Clarity

to me, Vivi glamouring Heather at Taryn's wedding in TWK was the panicked action of a young person who felt guilty for letting something bad happen to someone she loved. much in the same way as the time Vivi whisked Jude and Taryn back to the mortal world for a few days because they missed home, Vivi just wanted to make the problem go away quickly.

and much in the same way as their escape to the mortal world when they were little didn't fix the girls being homesick, glamouring Heather didn't fix anything like Vivi thought it would. it only made everything worse.

so was it a good move to glamour Heather without her permission? no. it was a mistake.

i don't think she realised the gravity of what she was doing, and it showed the audience (as well as Heather) that maybe she wasn't quite ready for a relationship.

i do think Heather is an important piece of all of this, though. because Heather's problems in Elfhame will be the same or similar to Jude and Taryn's problems. the only difference is, Vivi is directly responsible for what happens to Heather, since Vivi is the one who brought her into the world of the fae.

i'm hopeful that their relationship will shed a light on the subject of mortals in Elfhame that Vivi had yet to see. and perhaps someday we will get to see her make amends with Jude and Taryn, too.

TLDR:

Vivi is bound to her vow of hatred for Madoc, and therefore, is isolated by being the only one who truly hates him.

the way she copes with that is by running away to the only place she's ever known love (the mortal world). this makes her appear detached and neglectful in protecting the twins, which rubs people the wrong way.

but that was never Vivi's job. it was Madoc's.

we see Vivi acting like a kid because she is one. and part of being a kid is acting impulsively and selfishly sometimes.

at the end of the day, Vivi is learning how to best care for herself at the same time as she is learning how to love others to the best of her abilities.

i don't fault her for making the mistakes she does. that's part of growing up.

—Em 🖤🗡

more on words & vows in the fae

more theories & analysis