#archi is musing

[exhausted-archivist]

This is something I've been mulling around for a few days now, and the more I rotate it around in my brain the more I really like the idea.

Anyway, Varric would be a better sobriety coach/sponsor for Cullen than Cassandra. It would have been a great way to not only explore Cullen's relationship with his addiction and the Chantry in a more neutral not duty oriented space like he does with Cassandra, but there is also the added layer of Varric knows what he did in Kirkwall. He was there.

I don't always think that the devs should cater to meta knowledge of the player, because let's be honest, the Inquisitor has no reason to hold any sort of negative perception of Cullen outside generalized dislike for Templars. There is no reason for Cullen to divest his guilt, trauma, or even work on his deradicalization with the Inquisitor who he has only known for less than a year or at most a year by base game canon. Varric though, he was there, he was there while Cullen was going through initial withdrawal, through the cleanup effort, he saw Cullen at his worst and saw him working to be better.

Cullen's story in dai doesn't need to be about his deradicalization. It should and is primarily about his sobriety as well as learning that he is more than his time and role as a templar. Something I think Varric would be really, really good at.

Debating on how much I want to delve into explaining this thought.

[sharkwing]

There’s a “fairytale character types” trend going around on bsky right now (originally from drakthug on twitter) and since the Once Upon a Time hyperfix is back in full force after YEARS of dormancy I had to classify my S1 blorbos. Justifications + original template under readmore!

JUSTIFICATIONS

Rumple: Right off the bat I think this could be controversial, but Villain/Jester feels so much more true to his character than if I’d tried to stick Magician somewhere in there. He’s SILLY

Regina: Unfortunately there’s no Horse Girl type so we’re going basic for her. I actually changed my mind from when I posted (the crusty versions of) these on bluesky, I think Witch/Queen fits her vibe more than Villain/Queen.

Belle: Just Hero/Princess does her such a disservice imo but I couldn’t just leave her out ☹️ if there was like a “Scholar” type or smth she’d be Hero/Scholar

Snow: Self explanatory but I just want to say that I stan her bad S1 Enchanted Forest wig 🤍

Red: Also self explanatory and I FORGOT HOW MUCH I LIKED HER WHERE TF WAS SHE IN LATER SEASONS

Jefferson: *i’m insane i’m crazy asylum vid*

Emma: I debated a lot over this one but I think Hero/Divine fits best with how both the characters and the narrative treat her. Still feels a little weird to me but I’m sure she also feels weird going from “bail bondswoman Emma Swan” to “🕊���✨The Savior✨🕊️”

Henry: SHOUT OUT TO THE LITTLE MAN WHO MADE IT ALL HAPPEN. PRINCE/HERO FOR A LEGEND

Original:

[gunslinginnhogtyin]

SMOOOMCH 💋 (ft @ssnowbunnii )

[breakingmyreverie]

Fuck you queensland 😭😭

[the-silver-peahen-residence]

"You may sit upon my lap." - Jay to Archie

"W..w..what!?" Archie blushed red hearing the words from Jay's mouth. Though, he didn't know how to react towards it feeling all nervous now.

[divertinirip]

if someone doesn't let me use my khobe muse im gonna RIOT.........

[dive2themellow]

"The readings I am getting are...peculiar. Perhaps we can discover the 'why' together." This is not an offer, it is a demand.

[kaitlinamberxo]

“I want to be more than just your errand boy. Or pit boss. Or casual hook-up. I want to matter, Ronnie.”

kaitlin's 100 favorite fictional muses — 47/100: Reggie Mantle

[exhausted-archivist]

So there has been some conversation around Taash's story that I've seen that has got me thinking about how something I've really liked about the da games is you always have at least one under 25 who is not well established in their identity character.

I think that is genuinely important for the series because it allows younger players to have at least one character they relate to. It also allows older players to relate to any identity issues they're having later on in life. Personally, for me seeing Sera and her struggles with various topics got me thinking not only of my own but how some people in my life struggled with the same things as Sera and how that impacted me.

I was 19 when I started playing Inquisition, and it was my first time engaging in a game that actually tackled the topic in that capacity. I'm not speaking on the quality or delving into opinions on Sera's writing. But just that how Sera was written, and the fact that she even brought up the themes and topics, got me thinking about them.

This leads into the fact that I've come to the opinion that I personally don't want all of the cast in the game to be older and feel established in their identity. I know we have plenty of older characters who have an element of it (Cullen, Morrigan, Blackwall, Bull, Oghren, Isabela, ect) but its not the central focus of their story.

I want the young babies new to adulthood that are exploring and tackling different elements of identity issues. The different flavors we've gotten through Alistair, Carver, Bethany, Sera, Cole, and now Taash. They're all 20 y/o (20-22 for Taash) who are figuring out what their identity is in some capacity.

I would like to see an and instead of an or when it comes to see these stories. Seeing both a young and older character going through identity issues that are the focus of their stories. To have them feel different because of the different sages in life they are but also feel similar because they are tackling similar issues. To see them both talk to each other and muse through the confusing, complex, and messy topics that come when one is questioning an element or the entirety of their identity.

Something else I think is important to contextualize why we're likely getting these stories through younger characters is because of a simple thing people might not like to hear: They are not meant for those established in their identity. They aren't meant for the people who don't want to rehash that questioning period and that's fine. Not every companion is for everyone and nor should they be.

Conversations with Dorian, Krem, Taash, and even Sera are a little clunky and messy because they're meant to be something those who have either never questioned or are actively questioning to explore these topics. They're meant for those new to the journey, new to the conversation. They're written by the writers to be for those like their younger selves and are a type of catharsis, or they are echoing where the writers are right now in their own journey.

I think the writing of these characters as young characters is vital and important. Because it is the Queer community writing stories they want to write the stories they've wanted or needed. And they're dragging them through the mire of difficulties that are game development and capitalism.

Spoilers for Taash's story under the cut. But I broke down the identity stories the young characters work through. I wanted this higher up but to block spoilers is... well down here it goes.

Alistair with accepting his birth/figuring out his responsibility and if he is leader material. With figuring out that his identity as a person exists outside being a people-pleaser or useful.

Carver figuring out who he is outside of Hawke's shadow. How does he make a name for himself, how does he feel like he matters and what his identity outside of "Junior" is.

Bethany with figuring out her identity as a mage, the impact it has on her family, as well as what it means to be a noble woman.

Sera in what her role is in the world to a lesser extent, her internalized racism, and how what she does matter; she struggles with contextualizing her identity in where she fits in the wider world. She knows where she wants to, but she doesn't feel like she fits. Partially due to trauma and her internalized racism as well as her religious beliefs.

Cole is figuring out what it means to be a human. If he wants change and evolve in that or reinforce his own original nature. There is fear over a thing he could potentially become, and we get to watch him learn one way or the other and lean into it while also seeing how the fellow companions are impacted by it.

Then Taash you have not only their gender identity and imposter trans imposter syndrome but also the cultural imposter syndrome they have where they try to figure out and reconcile with their Qunari heritage and the Rivaini culture they grew in and learning that it is an and and not an or.

[tophthedaydreamer]

y'all i'm really tempted to preorder sonic x shadow generations now

[sentient-rift]

(Continued from here.) @snatchfreedom

"Yep. The Multiverse. Turns out, there are many out there. If you think a good guy Dr. Eggman is strange, there's also an evil Sonic on the enemy team..."

Meanwhile on the Dreadnought... (@fallen-symphony)

"Alright... Ears are twitching... Who's talkin' about me?"

Back with RiFT's crew.

"Anyway, wanna go meet the guy in charge? I heard he was doing more recruiting, but I'm sure he'll still have time to answer your questions and to send you back to your dimension."

[hatigave]

@saltuary cont.

means   not   to   be   greedy,   but   finds   himself   crossing   the   line   into   such   territory   all   the   same.   not   too   different   from   a   weary   traveller   coming   home   at   the   end   of   a   grand   journey,   eager   to   sink   back   into   the   familiarity   of   that   which   was   once   left   behind.   ignores   that   it   has   not   been   long   since   he   was   allowed   to   relish   in   the   comfort   of   having   faramir   at   his   side.   born   with   the   heaviness   of   esurient   longing   lodged   deep   in   his   chest        ;        an   ailment   not   even   the   greatest   of   healers   could   ever   hope   to   cure.   it   is   the   crime   of   wanting   that   he   brings   to   a   table   he   was   never   meant   to   sit   at.   places   it   down   with   his   lips   at   the   shell   of   the   other's   ear   and   hopes   that   the   whisper   of   his   breath   is   enough   to   convey   his   gratitude   for   being   invited.

❝   you   could   wrestle   me,   ❞   has   no   illusions   of   his   own   strength   surpassing   faramir's,   but   is   still   brash   enough   to   leave   a   kiss   against   the   back   of   his   jaw   all   the   same.   has   bitten   his   tongue   around   many   captains   before,   sees   no   wrong   in   alluring   this   particular   one   !   ❝   but   perhaps   that   is   exactly   what   i   am   after,   that   and   that   shirt   off   your   back,   and   what   a   pity   it   would   be   to   indulge   me   when   i   am   so   clearly   pestering   you.   ❞   tone   drips   with   sarcasm.   playful   in   nature,   much   like   his   wandering   hands.   undoes   a   single   clasp   in   the   same   manner   he   wishes   to   loosen   the   burden   he   can   sense   on   faramir's   shoulders.

archie   has   rarely   won   in   life        ⎯⎯⎯        dances   effortlessly   from   one   unfortunate   situation   to   the   next   and   hopes   that   tomorrow   will   be   kinder.   but   the   bed   is   welcoming,   and   his   love   follows   him   into   the   pleasure   of   a   kinder   comfort,   so   perhaps   he   has   won   at   something   after   all.   forgets   the   cruelty   that   has   no   place   indoors   now   that   he   can   feel   the   soft   vibration   of   his   own   laughter   and   his   hands   are   free   to   tangle   themselves   up   in   hair   that   looks   darker   now   than   it   would   under   kinder   light.

❝   not   yet   my   love,   there   is   one   more   thing   i   want,   ❞   frees   one   hand   to   wander   down   faramir's   back,   claws   at   little   remaining   fabric   as   if   it   is   a   prayer.   off,   off,   off   !   demands   like   a   spoiled   child,   but   stomps   no   foot   all   the   same.   tangles   himself   up   in   limbs   and   fabrics   and   furs,   but   mostly   in   the   smell   and   sensation   of   him.   action   is   intentional,   dreams   of   staying   until   the   end   of   days.   ❝   i   want   you.   wish   for   you   here,   with   me,   bare   and   not   at   all   thinking   about   anything   but   this.   you   may   call   me   selfish,   but   only   later,   only   after   i   have   kissed   you   a   hundredth   times.   ❞

hooks   his   finger   underneath   faramir's   jaw   now,   drawing   him   up   to   steal   the   first   kiss leaving ninety-nine for later.   commits   the   crime   of   wanting   once again,   but   won't   be   tried   if   it   is   given   willingly.   ❝   that,   and   i   want   to   feel   you   later,   when   you   inevitably   do   have   to   actually   leave and i cannot keep you here for longer.   ❞

[folliesofmiceandmen]

open to: @murdcrofcrows (archie) with: darcy where: honestly this could be literally anywhere

it's startling, always startling, when darcy sees his brother. his fog clouded mind is always just a little slow to catch up, the face striking his memories in a way that surprises him, delights him even, though there's always that pang of sadness as he looks at the face and wonders if it's real or a figment of his imagination.

technically speaking, darcy knows that archie is still alive. technically speaking, darcy knows that it's not a ghost or a whisper of the past or even a psychosis induced hallucination. but nothing in life ever feels real and that includes any time archie is standing in front of him, that look of exasperation littered across his face like it's the only one he knows how to make, and it always takes him just a minute or two extra to really lock in and figure out what's happening.

"i didn't do it." it's knee jerk, automatic, like he's sure that he needs to defend himself from something. his hands lift in a surrender that he isn't even sure he needs to make, eyes a little wide and unfocused, but his lips still quirk up into the kind of annoying grin that he's sure drives people mad. "how is my favorite ghost today? are you haunting me because you missed me? i get it, i'm the best brother there is."

[paulagnewart]

Sonic the Oz-Hog Act 12/12: Carry On, My Wayward Sonic!

Sonic the Hedgehog issue 266 AU Publication Date: 29th December 2014 Price: $8.50

Carry On, My Wayward Sonic. There'll Be Peace When 'Botnik's Gone. Lay Your Weary Legs to Rest. Freedom Fight No More.

Obligatory parodies aside, there comes a time when everyone has to stop and say goodbye. Sometimes it's sudden, others gradual and methodical, yet its lingering hurt remains the same. As the space year that is 2024 reaches a close, there's still time for one last super sonic spin back to 10 years ago, when Australian fans prepared to pour one out for their favourite comic book.

Farewells were equally present at the box office. After knocking Katniss Everdeen from her three week domination, eager moviegoers entered a war on which final installment of a trilogy would reign supreme. They paid tribute to the dearly departed Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney, neither of whom lived to see Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb while Christopher Lee and Ian Holm bid goodbye to in what would prove their final film roles in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

But with goodbyes came new beginnings. The final few weeks of 2014 belonged to Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars when their acclaimed collaboration Uptown Funk worked its magic all the way up the charts. And if someone from the future materialised to proclaim Uptown Funk would not only be among the top 3 selling singles of all time, but remain popular enough to feature over seven years later as part of a dance sequence in the second live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movie? Fans would probably reply "There's a *second* Sonic movie?!"

It can be hard to imagine there was a time the Blue Blur's big cinematic feature almost never happened. When news broke in June via The Hollywood Reporter that Sony were deep in developing such a film, fans met the news with extreme trepidation. A live-action/animated hybrid like their successful Smurfs films? The latest news being a conversation a month earlier with co-writer Van Robichaux, whom already proclaimed being a big fan of the series, announced their script was aiming for a PG-13 rating for violence. Fans openly pondered a potential dark and edgy hedgy awaited them. None of which would be found in the equally perplexing rumours of something called Sonic Runners.

So what of the local political scene? After fifteen months in the top job, that oft-quoted "honeymoon period" was well and truly over for Tony Abbott. He may have coerced voters by a grand sweep of electoral reforms including that pivotal "No cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS!" promise, but the usually complicit conservative mainstream media smelt blood, and begun the usual trick of turning against their once-adored conservative Prime Minister.

2014 saw the proverbial dominos fell. A harsh annual budget built on electoral backflips and $5 billion dollar deficit, heavy losses in the Victorian election and South Australia by-election, to say nothing of pushing unpopular policies such as deregulating university fees. "Yes, it's difficult..." Abbott (con)fronted the press a week prior. "...but step-by-step it's getting done and I think the public in the end will focus on the substance and not on the soap opera." To Abbott's credit however, he vowed to "sweat blood" in achieving constitutional recognition for Australia's Indigenous population, but not before a pre-Christmas cabinet reshuffle. Ironically said reshuffle played in the favour of conservative colleagues Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton, both of whom destined to play pivotal roles bringing Abbott's leadership, and the prospects of Indigenous recognition, to an end.

As for the increasingly cultural dead zone that was free family entertainment, Toasted TV joined the ranks of trundling over to exclusively digital channel Eleven, and on that day aired a flurry of Care Bears: Welcome to Care-A-Lot, Mia & Me, Pokemon XY, Totally Wild and Lalaloopsy repeats. Only a new adventure of Wakfu at 7:30am was there to break up the cavalcade. Channel 9's output offered little better; a whole day of repeats ranging from Digimon Fusion and Max Steel, to Winx Club, Power Rangers Megaforce and Super Megaforce, along with perennial Thunderbirds half-hour 'cliffhanger' edition of 'Brink of Disaster'. As with their competition, only a single new toon that day; the classic Yu-Gi-Oh! episode 'Unwanted Guest: Part 2', ironically once rival Ten's media darling, this and the entire fifth season were skipped, instead chosen to purchase the supposed white-hot Yu-Gi-Oh! GX.

The carefree days of early morning children's entertainment were long gone, as was the Sonic fandom's critical reception landscape. Social Media had by that point permanently wired itself into its collective consciousness, making it further difficult to gauge unified reactions. Yet at least four vanguards of the message board days remained standing. Sonic Retro… didn't talk about the story, instead focused on speculating the lineup of Sonic and Mega Man's impending Worlds Unite crossover. The fine folks over at Power Rings were in a similar boat. Archie Sonic was still their bread and butter, however its remaining users had shifted more towards sharing their own sprite comics and fanfics. And as for Sonic Stadium, any reviews swiftly disappeared under a flurry of soon-to-be-deleted pages debating Sonic's status as "a Free Spirit that can't be controlled!", or whether Ian would keep his word on Shard making a comeback. It's telling when independent sites like Arcade Sushi were giving the comic more attention.

For any self-respecting Archie Sonic enthusiast still looking to dig deep into their favourite comic, Ian's very own BumbleKing Forums remained the place to be. Cracks were slowly beginning to appear which would ultimately cause the board's demise, but for that moment, its hundreds of rowdy regulars still went about happily posting their comments and speculations. Or at least some were happy.

"Plotwise it was really neat seeing Sonic in a situation like this." They started. "He's so worried about the Werehog hurting people and it makes sense all he knows is he Hulked out and wrecked some stuff and he's not going to let that happen. People keep talking about how a more "Segay" Sonic can't have character development but I've felt more connection with this archie-Sonic than the one Pre-Reboot. I can really truely see that this Sonic is a hero he wants to help people he'll do whatever it takes he'll trin with Moss to make sure he doesn't get anyone hurt.". Such was the enthusiasm that "I never really felt that with Pre-Reboot Sonic he also felt like the moron that SatAM played him as who treated everything like a game and saving lives was an after thought. I really couldn't see Pre-Reboot Sonic staying behind to make sure the Werehog didn't kill anyone. He'd more wing it and hope everything turned out okay."

"Moss is starting to grow on me! :(hearty laughter):" Said another pleased user. "No, but seriously, Moss just became my new fa-vorite character in this universe (Sorry, Relic). Its like, he's cool & calm, can can give sonic a run for his money (In the jungle that is, but probably other places too), & seems like hes trolling even though hes giving wisdom! I also kinda like the idea of Mighty leading his own team of freedom fighters. That would be an interesting concept"

Not everyone shared this sentiment. "Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have our first post-reboot Mary Sue. Meet Moss: A representa-tive of (some vague version of) a real-world religion, whose teachings in that religion--despite not be-ing at all related to Sonic's beliefs--are just what Sonic needs to hear so he can solve his problem. (Hey, just 'cuz he's not accepting any Personal Lords or Saviors today doesn't mean it's not preachy.)" the complaints began. "Moss is so wise, in fact, that Mighty (who before the reboot was peaceful because that's just the kind of guy he was) now owes his ability to keep his cool to Moss's teachings, and preaches about how wise Moss is at every opportunity. Moss is even so wise that he can crack wise at Sonic, and condescend at every turn, and still have Sonic (grudgingly) respect him! (What is he, the SatAM version of Sally?) But Moss brings more to the story than just wisdom: He can also give Sonic a run for his mony in a race! How does he do this? While he may not possess Sonic's speed, he is able to use his environment to his ad-vantage in ways Sonic can't, just like Knuckles did in the Genesis games. Ugh. If I were in Sonic's posi-tion, there's no way I'd train with this guy to help me control my anger. Every time he opens his mouth, I want to punch him!"

Other users joined in the debate, going so far comparing Moss unfavourably to the likes of Master Spliter or Yoda. A sentiment not universally shared, yet more often than not "…definitely getting on my nerves, and for more than one reason. He's cliched like all heck, but that's not what really bugs me, it's that he's overshadowing Sonic's friends, who belong in Moss's role much more than he does. Tails mentions "we can help [Sonic]", and yeah, he's right. Why is Sonic trusting this random hippie when he has his friends to fall back on to help him control the Werehog?"

Elsewhere Sally Acorn was undergoing her now-standard cycle of revolving lovedom and hatedom, some arguing her place as being "bland" and "a blank slate" in the new timeline. A female character put to task by fans over personality problems? What a surprise. Nor would she be the last, when one member emphatically demanded "Why are Cream and Big sidelined ? I mean, Sonic Heroes took place in this world, didn't it ? Like, seriously? I know Cream is a little girl, but come on! Shes like the only one who barely gets do anything! The only thing Ive seen her do was just serve tea & cookies like 2-3 times now! Heck, even Big is at least doing something in the next SU arc! If Heroes, Battle, & Advanced 3 happened in this world, She had at least have some sort of skills that can allow her to go on mis-sions! I mean she can fly, use cheese as a freaking projectile, she can do a spin like everyone else (I think almost all sonic characters, or at least 7 of them can), & with two other people, she can use thundershoot! & Its not like she has to do missions by herself but let her have some of the spotlight at least!". Others agreed, declaring "For cream it's like old continuity amy rose all over again.".

From the more mixed side of Mobius, "I enjoyed the issue, but does anyone else feel like Sonic gained control over the Werehog way too quickly? For all the trouble it's been giving him ever since he got gassed back in "Countdown to Chaos", it feels kind of cheap for him get it under control so easily after only one out of control transfor-mation." however "I'm enjoying Sonic and Mighty's continued interaction in this storyline. They finally feel like actual friends, unlike the old continuity where their friendship was more of something that was just talked about rather than shown for the most part.". Elsewhere fans had just about their fill of Robotnik's newest creations hogging the spotlight, declaring "I really hope the staff is getting all the E-100s out of their system, because that's a ridiculous amount at this point.".

Archie Sonic's sweeping reboot was proving something of a mixed bag among fans both new and old, with a rift forming between the optimistic and pessimistic. "This isn't going to be over in a year." One fan openly opined in what would prove frighteningly prophetic. "It'll be amazing if The Shattered World Crisis is even over in 2016. I say this as someone who's actually enjoying the Arc/Saga/Epic/Whatever and think's it's the bet the books been in a long time but there's such a thing as a story being too decompressed."

It's a story thousands of Australian fans would miss.

Comic imports were in steep decline, and by late 2014 only a smattering of DC, Archie and Dark Horse titles remained. In spite of being one of distributor Gordon and Gotch's longest-running and best-selling comic imports, the future of Archie Sonic was abruptly cut. Issue 267 was still solicited for a 29th January 2015 release but would never see the light of day. How ironic the comic ended on Sally Acorn, once a media darling and face of SEGA World Sydney, take a hit and collapse from Robotnik's horde. Not exactly a subtle "out with the old" policy.

Beyond a handful of sporadic Super Digests, Sonic's near-unbroken streak of 22 years standing proud at newsagents, toy stores and supermarkets across the land down under was over. Sure fans could visit comic stores for later issues, but those were (and still are) rare compared to newsagents.

It outlived Image, Malibu, IDW and even Marvel imports. It continued the adventures of Sonic between the extensive breaks between cartoons. It was readily available to virtually every town who ordered newspapers. It offered affordable adventures for those of us who lived through "the recession Australia had to have".

In an era of numerous self-aggrandising social media infuenzas who claim everything before a certain year is rubbish, or love pedalling out that ever-present pathetically playground-level buzzword about Archie Sonic being "weird", or those superficially pointless debates over what's a superior canon, none of that matters. Above all else, the comics made so many fans happy. It sparked imaginations, driving them to read more, to create stories and artwork of their very own.

Quite the way past cool legacy.

[playingwithstarsabove]

To this day, I still can't help but wonder what the Archie Sonic adaption of Sonic Frontiers would've been like. Would it be like the official comic or would the other Freedom fighters join in and get stuck in cyber space with only Nicole out? Would Nicole and Sage have interactions? Who know what might have been. But that's all in the past now, and the only way is to move forward with what we have now.

[lesbojughead]

halsey tonight….. HALSEY TONIGHT….