#bc i'm not hating on the game i'm just expressing how i'd change things

[thewardenisonthecase]

Reworking some of the companions quests

The companions quests in Veilguard, the final ones, they all feel a bit same-y. They all have one villain they have to beat and they all have one final big decision. So this post is how I would change them.

By the way, this is not me saying the companions quests suck, this is how I personally would change things to make them better.

The quests that I wouldn't change much would be Harding, Emmrich and Davrin's.

Harding's quest could be better explained (because I'm still somewhat confused on the whole red harding thing) and also maybe don't frame the final decision as something of 'this will affect Harding's personality' (because that's how it came across to me) but actually focus on truly either letting go of the titan's rage or honoring them. Honoring them could harden Lace but its kind of an in Alistair being hardened way - personality wise stays mostly the same, but Lace is perhaps even more aggressive towards Solas and she connects more with dwarven culture. It could be a keeping or chaging the status quo decision.

Davrin's, I just think the final 'where the griffons go' choice is stupid. Idk, because we don't have epilogue slides at the end, we don't *actually* know what the consequences are. Besides, I think you can just slip the griffons in half and let on group in Arlathan and one in with the Wardens. Edit: Now that I've given it more thought, the griffons should always go to the Wardens but the choice is: will Davrin make it known about Isseya and everything or will he keep it under wraps. Like we know Davrin would probably say something but having the choice of him possibly keeping it under wraps, using the reason of 'this secret would break the order, you can't say it' could add conflict + this could Harden Davrin. Alos adds to how shady the GW can get.

Emmrich's quest is my favorite and I wouldn't change anything tbh.

So let me focus on others.

Bellara - I think you can keep the Anaris situation BUT the final, important choice should NOT be about the archive - it should be about Cyrian. I had a feeling that this whole quest would end with us deciding if Bellara should kill her brother or not. That seemed like the biggest conflict for her and that should have been the final choice: allow Cyrian to live and repent for his mistakes or let him die/kill him. Look I don't think he was that badly injured and considering Bellara has a pretty good healing ability, its feasible that she would be able to stabilize him.

And in that moment, Rook could be presented with the option of either helping Bellara heal Cyrian or encouraging her to kill he brother. Letting Cyrian live would allow for him and Bellara to mend their relationship, let Bellara be rid of her guilt and be in theme with the whole redemption thing.

Letting him die could be something that hardens Bellara. She's maybe not as chipper as before, but she is also free of the burden of her brother's death and his actions (I also think hardening should not equal taking away healing abilities (that should be reserved for only Neve and Lucanis in the minrathous v. treviso choice imo)).

Having an option like this would also allow for Rook to have a different type of personality: someone who maybe doesn't believe in redemption/second chances, or someone who's willing to kill anyone who seems like a threat.

Neve - I'll be honest, Neve's quest is the most confusing to me, as in, I'm not really sure what is happening most of the time. Aelia is just not a great villain, she's just a generic blood mage who has some history with Neve that's not really explained.

Neve's final choice is about either becoming an inspiration or a vigilante for Dock Town but uhm, I'm not sure that that really makes sense for her quest? See what I mean about this quest being all over the place.

I think what I would do is: Explore more of Aelia and Neve's relationship. Make them be friends, a long time ago, perhaps even partners in being detectives, but seeing how bad things were in Dock Town, Aelia turns to blood magic, so that she'll be powerful enough to actually protect the city, but now, its gotten to her head. In fact, I think you could almost make a comparison between her and Solas in this scenario - the original intentions were good but they have been twisted that now they are hurting the people they swore to protect.

I think the quest could even turn into just how far would Neve go to protect Dock Town. I think if we're in Tevinter, we need to explore more of the implications of blood magic and Neve could be a good way. At some point in the quest, there could come a moment where something bad happens and Neve contemplates that maybe Aelia was right and they should use blood magic.

I think having a choice here kinda sucks, but maybe that's cause I didn't have a choice cause I didn't save Minrathous. But also because I feel like being a protector and an inspiration can both happen. Also, not all companion quests need a final decision!

With Aelia's death, Neve can promise to find a way to help Dock Town without turning to such means, and also show that one does not need to turn to blood magic, serve as an example as someone who came from nothing and still protects Dock Town.

Idk, this quest is wild to me and I'm sorry Neve.

Taash - First thing, Taash's quest should not be about their heritage/background. It should be about the fucking fire. Also, the dragon king can stay but he needs a big reworking.

When we first meet Shataan, she reprimands Taash for using their fire so out in the open. I think we could go a bit further with that. Have Taash mention that they've always had to keep their fire under wraps and not explore this ability to its full extent because of their mother being afraid of what could happen.

The Dragon King can serve as an example - Taash grew up hearing a story from their mother about an adaari who was uncontrollable, who used their fire to hurt people and that is why Taash needs to keep it cool. Shataan was under the qun for most of their life, it also makes sense for her to be wary of this ability, and since she lacks the knowledge to help Taash, she'd prefer if they did not use the fire that much.

Also, have the dragon king have a different name. I mean, we all know about Qun and the whole name thing, so when Shatann tells the story, she uses the DK's name under the Qun, before he broke away.

Then, when the Dragon King confronts Taash, they realize that oh shit this is the guy from the story. Ultimatly, Taash's final decision is do they embrace the gift of this fire or do they stick with the idea of 'its dangerous and shouldn't be used.'

Repressing the fire would harden Taash, and once again, show a different type of Rook - someone afraid of what's different, or who's so cautious to the point of preferring Tassh not to use it. Also, I think it'd be better if the Dragon King killed Shataan with the fire, so that Rook can use that as leverage. The quest could also be used to symbolize the different between the fire that kills and the fire that creates, and of the past and the future/sticking to traditions and fears of the past (repress) or making a new way forward (embrace). Taash, as the youngest companion, really could be used as a way to showcase the difference between past, present and future.

Lucanis - I have made a whole ass post about Lucanis quest so I'll keep this short. Final choice should be wether or not Lucanis accepts to become First Talon. If he accepts, he is hardened and becomes more ruthless. If he doesn't, he is finally able to defy his grandmother and carve a life for himself, and not follow what someone wants for him.

Once again, the choice of encouraging him to become First Talon could show Rook also as a somewhat "power hungry" person: the framing could be that if Lucanis is FT, then he could provide an even bigger help to the team by moving more of the crows. It could show a Rook willing to sacrifice the personal freedom of their friends in favor of guaranting they'll have more power.

[anonzentimes]

hiya zen ! i'm sorry if this has been asked before but it just seemed like such a fun concept to explore.

on to the question, which of the seven deadly sins do you think fits nagito best ? honestly, he's so complex and putting him into a small box is already difficult enough as it is, but combined with the fact that... pretty much none of them are accurate to his character, it's pretty difficult to tell.

i've seen people (on r/danganronpa, so not too surprising) say he's wrath, which feels ,,, iffy to me. that doesn't feel like it fits him at all. his desire of wanting the very best for others seems to contrast with wrath. honestly, willing to bet those people just went "oh evil person who does bad things bc it's fun ok must be wrath then".

one i have mixed feelings about is envy, which... fits hajime better than nagito imo. sure, his entire worldview is kind of based around talent, but it doesn't feel like jealousy to me. the core of his character is that: due to trauma and the talent-obsessed society around him, he starts to hate himself... and instead of trying to desperately give everything away to change that like hajime , he just... accepts it. he accepts it as a part of himself, or hell, as the entirety of himself, as if that was all there was to him. hell, he even states *twice* that he doesn't envy the ultimates. once in the beginning of chapter 2 during his monologue, where he states that:

"Ah, just so you know, what I feel is different from admiration."

"Admiration is... wishing you could be like the object of your admiration."

"But, what I feel is more... pure. More like a selfless love that wants nothing in return."

And, once at... the beginning of the OVA i think ??? it's been a long time since i rewatched it so I don't really remember but he says something about how... the star of the show is such a demanding role, and how he'd rather remain as he is or something ???

pride is crossed off for obvious reasons LMFAO.

greed isn't accurate to him either. his only motivations are for others, not for himself. and even then, he wishes for an " absolute hope that can overcome any despair " . he doesn't even wish for an material possessions, if that makes sense. can hope be found through those material possessions ? i mean , probably. but like... what he wishes for is.. not only selfless , but also... so abstract ? i don't think he'd be a big fan of the idea that you could achieve pure hope through something material. he views it as absolute good, an absolute good like that would usually be found in other things than just something so limiting as material possessions. I'm pretty unsure about this part though.

lust is... eh. lust is almost always interpreted in a sexual sense, but it can also work in other contexts, though i'm not sure what definition would be in that case. i guess he's lustful for wanting the best for people LOL ??? that sounds so weird.

the people who say nagito is horny all the time would argue nagito is lustful in the sexual sense, and i mean , maybe but not really ? we know he compares hope to sex in one of the songs written by megumi ogata (which i'll consider canon), but he we also know that he absolutely isn't a sex freak by any means and in the games and anime, is actually pretty chaste. he also views sex as something intimate to share with a person he loves. something to share with a person who loves him enough to be intimate with him as well, and pretty much just... mutual expression of trust and intimacy ? i'd interpret lust to be like.. sex obsessed, pretty much. which, of course, kind of contradicts nagito.

anyway, i briefly considered sloth for him, in the sense that he doesn't want to put in effort to achieve something great for himself. it's all for others. he's never going to put in effort for something if it is self-serving, and... even though he ends up significantly influencing other people's lives, he plays a much more passive role in his own life if that makes any sense ????? oh, and it could also be telling of his luck in a way, in the sense that he's kind of... bound to it and can't escape it ? i have no idea 😭 to be honest, this one is atleast slightly understandable, unlike all the others which are just blatantly inaccurate to his character LMFAO.

i don't know, those are just my thoughts. what do you think ?

I just need you to know what I was giggling and kicking my feet over how much of a Nagito understander you are,,, this is such an interesting question it absolutely has not been asked before!!!

That being said, I’m honestly on the same page as you are. I’m a little stumped since none of them really describe Nagito properly? Sloth is the closest one that you could twist into a way of it fitting him, but otherwise most of the others are blatantly inaccurate to important aspects of his character??? I know that isn’t really helpful, but man is it hard to assign him one when he’s so unique. Nagito and Hajime are different sides of the same coin, and I don’t think Nagito’s selfless love, “envy,” or “admiration,” fits into any of the boxes that are provided. The end result feels like he doesn’t fit any of them, but the goal here is to assign him at least one of them right? So I guess Sloth in this situation is the best option, supposedly reflecting specific aspects of him and how he basically never does anything self serving. I mean, at the end of the day I’d like to have slightly understandable over blatant mischaracterization LMAO. So yeah, I think I would agree with Sloth over the others.

Thank you for your ask, this was so interesting to think about!! It made me so happy to read how thoroughly you thought about this, and how much you understand his character <3

[goldentigerfestival]

I know a looot of ppl nowadays in the fandom don't know Vesperia 360, but I'm feelin' hella nostalgic for it and might just hang out with a playthrough of it on in the background sometime... I know I've said it before, but in my opinion the 360 version is way better and makes more sense. OTL there's some stuff I would've liked from the remake in the original, like Flynn being playable just for the Alexei arc, but it also made the one singular time Flynn was in the party - the scene of him, Yuri and Repede fighting off the monsters in Hypionia - waaay more special because you never get him before or after.

overall I didn't like most changes in the story, including Raven losing agency at the second Weasand of Cados visit just for a stupid pervy joke (and my Crestoria goers around here might know about how much I hate the pervy jokes with Orwin, given that he's such a good character and then regularly reduced to nothing else except that pervy trope when he's not being totally awesome). perfectly awesome Raven moment? nah let's just remove that for a good ol' pervy joke about a 35 year old man talking about a 19 year old's body! that wasn't even originally there in the first place!!!

new camera angles? cool and very nice! but those didn't affect anything either way in the story and such, and most things that did affect the story I ended up not liking in comparison more than the original (or I just outright didn't like it).

also, the filter on the DE version just looks awful. the original 360 version was way more crisp. the PS3 version is somewhere in the middle and I'm having trouble seeing if there's a tiny filter on it or if that's just color correction, but ultimately I think the 360 graphics look best.

granted I have a large history of not liking remakes more than their originals so this is not a new opinion for me LOL. I think the only case where I prefer the remake is Destiny DC in most areas (there are some things lost from the original that I really wish made it in, but at large I lean toward DC), though I can't speak for Hearts bc I'm largely unfamiliar with the DS version. but as for Vesperia, I feel like altogether, most of the changes hurt it than did any good for it.

this is under the cut because I wanna mention it as part of why I have a preference to the original, but I also just want to express my opinion here and am not up for arguing with ppl about it. you don't have to have the same opinion, but I'm basically saying this bc my mind isn't gonna change no matter how much I discuss it, so that's why I'm saying I don't want to argue abt it and that it's just my opinion and I'd rather be up front about that. it's just. this is my blog and I wanna talk abt it here lol. just. not argue abt it.

yes, I know the original was "planned to have Flynn and Patty, so they were always intended!". but the problem is, they weren't there (in Flynn's case, playable), so the game had to go on without them and fill the story properly without them. when the remake happened, they got shoehorned in to now fit into an already completed story, and while newer players can't always tell the difference between character A speaks -> Patty interjects -> character B responds the same way they already did in the first place without Patty's middle comment, thus rendering her input useless, it's reaaaally jarring for me (and probably other 360 players) to see just how many of Patty's lines are literally useless in a conversation that doesn't apply directly to her. in Flynn's case, they just had him... not speak LOL. he usually gets one or two useless lines that either nobody responds to or it's the same result Patty gets.

basically, you pull them out of the game and nothing important changes, because it was already made without them, so now what they do have is virtually useless. Flynn gets a little more leeway on having impact on the changes because he was there in the first place... but I still think his place in the original story was perfect the way it was, because it really, truly encapsulated his story in contrast to Yuri's.

that said, I think Vesperia also not being "completely" remade had a bad hand in this. there are pros and cons to a full on remake, but I think Patty and Flynn just suffered a lot from being shoehorned in instead of naturally integrated, which would've taken a full on remake to fix imo. like I said, I know it's harder if not impossible for DE only players to understand or even see as it happens, but for people who had the story memorized before the DE was even a thought in Bamco's lil mind (i.e. access to the PS3 remake in the west), it's super jarring to see exactly where all of Patty and Flynn's comments make absolutely no change whatsoever. like from my perspective it sorta looks like everyone's just ignoring them lol. the only major times this wasn't the case was newly created skits, and Patty's input to the story in any capacity is pretty isolated to her own arc.

basically, I mean that I think Patty and Flynn's playable inclusion would've benefitted more from a full on remake, because without it, they were just forced into existing content that went on without them anyway. it's this idea of like... you make something, plan something, it doesn't happen, you finish the product, and then you go back to cover it over with what you wanted to begin with, and/or try to weave in something tiny between the spaces. I do not have good explanatory examples here LOL. like. idk. maybe. crochet? or something? LOL. finishing the crochet product and then trying to expand on it?

that said those aren't my only gripes that make me prefer the 360 version, but... just some major examples.

anyway tl;dr I'm nostalgic for the 360 version and might put it on in the background for myself at some point or even watch it online. I can't play it myself anymore bc my sister gave our copy of the game away to a friend who she ended up no longer friends with, and as you can expect he just never gave it back bc some ppl just like to use "we're not friends anymore" to justify theft (tfw when I had to buy a new copy of Dark Cloud 2 my beloved bc of the same issue OTL), but I also can't see myself playing it in English anyway given my visceral reaction to it LOL. I'm not sure even my 360 Vesperia nostalgia can get past that for a nostalgia playthrough.

[mybrainproblems]

the thing is i'm hyperaware of the fact that i'm Weird About Andrew Dabb but it comes from a place of me realizing back in fall 2021 that i wanted to identify why exactly i didn't like him and deciding to do a close watch of his spn eps. and when i realized i was enjoying parts of it, i decided to see what i could turn up any of his non-spn work. (this is something i've always tended to do with creatives: tracking down older stuff for a more holistic view of their work.)

i was so stuck on how much i hated some parts of his writing (s7 dabb-loflin is horrendous) and couldn't get past that... then i found out independently that he was showrunning the upcoming netflix resi show (a franchise i both love and have complicated feelings about) which filled me with dread that the guy who co-wrote 07x22 would helm a show with a predominantly black cast -- especially with the ultimate villain, albert wesker, played by a black man (RIP lance reddick, you are dearly missed). i wanted to be optimistic but i was ready to be infuriated and was so nervous that i'd hate something i'd been looking forward to as some camp horror tv.

but then. oh. OH. it was everything i ever wanted from resi and never thought i could have. i could not conceive of a resi like this. a resi where women and poc are treated with empathy and as nuanced characters with interiority. where they are the central characters. the video games have their own issues but the movies are truly egregious when it comes to black characters. so to have a predominantly black cast (and a black female protag, no less!) and have them treated respectfully was amazing. this was a show that had heart and a somewhat diverse writer's room and bts crew (not saying it was perfect) and you could see that difference in how characters were treated and how the plot and direction was handled. (i think having female directors and producers in particular helped a lot.)

for those who have not seen the anderson/jovovich movies: there is always a token black character and they will always die by the halfway mark bc they make stupid decisions. it's non-stop tits and ass shots of jovovich (which feels super weird when the director is her husband). alice (jovovich) is an Action Girl who is frequently subjected to sexualized violence but unfortunately, i love the camp horror of it. it's complicated. the video games have their own issues with the portrayal of women and ada wong being DLC feels really shitty when she's so pivotal. women are largely either helpless or Strong Sexy Action Women.

like i really cannot express just how much 8 episodes of tv so wholly changed my opinion of a writer/showrunner bc it showed such growth. a showrunner is only one piece of the puzzle of a tv show but they are the ones guiding it and the ones who have substantial influence in the hiring and development/direction of the story.

it's like. i don't forgive dabb for 07x22 and the shit he wrote with loflin (or solo, tho he improved a lot without loflin), but to see how resi turned out and to read/watch interviews with him and the bts crew is like. oh, okay. i think this person gets it now. i don't think i can forgive and forget bc s7 makes my blood boil, but i can accept that growth has happened here and that's what we should want from people.

also i'm gonna say that when i look at how i am Weird About Dabb and take a step back, i can see that i'm about as weird about him as some folks are about other writers and actors from spn (and willing to acknowledge his faults). i just chose a weird writer to be Weird about.

sorry but i just have a lot of feelings about resi.

[longeyelashedtragedy]

i'm still not 100% if you are thee catmanu on ao3 and if you're not please ignore me 🙄 but i wanted to ask if you would mind answering 38 and 39 for the ask game. and, only if you feel like it (!!!), 18. tysm and ily.

YES! i am indeed...THEE catmanu! nice to meet you 👋🏼 ah i forgot i'd reblogged the ask game! let me see...

38. What is something about your writing process YOU think is Really Weird? good question...i once wrote a large part of a fic while walking down the street bc it gave the fic the right energy. but that was a one time deal. i'm not sure if i do anything that other people don't do? i do have a very particular song that i put on when i have serious writing fatigue and sometimes it helps me.

39. What keeps you writing when you feel like giving up? i hate to say it, but certain ao3 comments. but also, the drive to tell a story and express myself in my most comfortable way (the written word). ultimately i can never give up on that.

18. Choose a passage from your writing. Tell me about the backstory of this moment. How you came up with it, how it changed from start to end. this one is hard for me because it's generally my fics as a whole that have a backstory and changes, not specific passages. but i'll give it a try and take it all too seriously:

“I don’t understand why you are afraid of me.”  Granit sounds like he’s talking underwater...Granit lets go and Mikel gasps and he feels something inside him suddenly wake up. Everything is different now that he’s had Granit’s hand around his throat.  And now he doesn’t have to hold back.  God, he doesn’t have to hold anything back.

“I think I like being afraid of you.”

A shiver runs through Granit, his sweet Granit, his beautiful beast.  His hips snap.  The candles set his eyes on fire; light glows in streaks across his perfect skin.  “That’s fucked up, man,” he whispers. 

“I know.”

this moment i feel like i've been a broken record about but this was my first Xhakarteta that i was writing back in november/december. it was really fun to write, though it was very challenging (as these two are) and i had most of the fic done but it felt kind of aimless. like okay, in the fic it's hot that granit chokes ashley westwood and then mikel realizes he too likes breathplay, but it just felt like it had no point. like okay, all that happens, and so? (i'm still not into the full on PWP; i want my fics to have some sort of point most of the time)

then as i've recounted, i was walking to put some laundry up when the line popped into my head: I think I like being afraid of you.

without revealing some Personal Details suddenly it all made sense--not just the point of this fic, but things about this ship that are so hot to me, and a potential trajectory for how i wanted to develop the ship. and then these few lines just flowed and i think they sound good and feel good and every time i read it i'm just like, Who Wrote This?

I think I like being afraid of you is a concept I don't see explored a lot in footie fandom but it's a really good one if you're wired that way, so hey. life changing moments!

[mistresseast]

can you explain in more detail why you think the PT weren't good friends for akiren? i'm not asking out of hate or to start drama, i just never interpreted things that way and i'm genuinely curious. i don't think them being brainwashed by maruki makes them "bad friends", but i don't know if that's what you meant either. i'd love to read a proper explanation on this that isn't just people arguing in the notes of that post.

Hi! Yeah, I know the ~discourse~ climate is pretty touchy and not a good place to exchange ideas, so I’ll do my best to put my thoughts on this matter into words. 

Settle in, bc this one is long.

I’ll start off by saying I don’t dislike the PT, nor do I think they’re bad people, and honestly I think they love Joker a lot! Ryuji calling Akira after his fake death and talking about how his ideas on what makes a hero have changed because of Akira genuinely makes me emotional, along with dozens of other scenes with the thieves! They’re good kids who could be really good friends to Akira but that’s not what’s shown in the game. I don’t think it’s controversial to say Akira’s relationships with all of his friends are transactional. That’s kind of the point, all of his confidants arise out of deals, give and take, and in the metanarrative of the game, that’s how it works. You as the player help these characters solve their problems, and through ranking their confidants up, you get access to more gameplay perks. So it’s pretty even!! But like,,Akira, the character, isn’t the player. There’s no in-story mechanic by which he can cash in friendship points for being-good-at-killing-things prizes. Yes, he uses those abilities to not die in the metaverse, but there is no literal, in-universe way to explain how hanging out with someone translates to [insert gameplay perk here]. So you have to look at what is physically happening in the story. Akira hangs out with the PT, stands there while they have drama with another irrelevant character, and then one way or another their problems get solved and they swear to be Akira’s blood brother or whatever. Akira is a crutch for these characters, and they say multiple times that they wouldn’t have been able to do what they did without him. So all of their shit gets handled and Akira gets?? Like actually gets?? What? Inquiries about his well-being? Offers to help him? Questions about his life, his interests? No,,,not really,, But he gets access to a super powerful persona!! Yay!!! Bc everyone knows he’s just a little shadow-killing machine, right? And even the relationships he does get something tangible (as in separate from the mechanics of the game) out of, like Kawakami’s, are built on the notion that if Akira stops providing for whatever reason, the relationship will end. So essentially, Akira is under the pressure of filling whatever role his friends need him in for however long at any time, and he’s been led to believe that if he stops or fails, he will stop receiving any reciprocal care and acceptance.

(And I know this is all gameplay stuff, I know it has to be like this to codify the complicated process of human relationships, I know all of that, I’m just trying to find a deeper layer bc that’s what I do.)

This whole thing comes into pretty clear focus for me during the third semester when you visit everyone in the false reality. Everyone is happy to see him, of course, but they’re clearly wrapped up in their own happiness. Which is understandable, again, I’m not saying the PT need to be attached to Akira to be good friends, but it all still feels off to me.

If they know Joker, then they’d know it’s weird that he just shows up and starts asking these pointed questions while they’re in the middle of something. All of their other interactions with him have been led by them. Yeah, Joker approaches them bc the player has decided to hang out with them, but the other character always chooses the activity and leads the discussion. Akira showing up out of nowhere and asking them to “remember” and “move on” and whatnot should be raising some major red flags. And it clearly does, since their memories do start to return, but they’re all too scared of losing their happiness that they nope out of the conversation as soon as possible, without stopping to consider why Joker might be trying to reach out to them like that. They’re his friends; they should know he wouldn’t just be trying to hurt them or make them unhappy. After all, their entire relationship with him up til that point has been exclusively about Joker trying to help them. This doesn’t make the PT bad people, running away is a totally natural reaction in that situation. They’re just kids, and their minds have been manipulated to a point, but it’s not like they don’t remember Joker or the way they’ve grown since meeting him. In fact many of them mention how much they’ve matured recently, but they never actually relate that back to Akira, despite him being the primary driving force behind most of their personal arcs, even though they definitely remember him. Translation vagueness or deliberate nod to the idea that the PT don’t actually credit Akira with all the hard work he did after their initial lip service? Hmmm. Anyway, their failure to recognize that Joker is struggling just demonstrates to me what was set up all throughout their confidant links, that their relationships are transactional and that they don’t necessarily consider Joker and his individual needs outside of what he provides for them. And when they no longer need him bc that hole has been filled, he simply doesn’t occupy the same place of importance in their lives. 

Makoto’s flashback in particular stood out to me, bc it was from a moment where she was specifically talking about feeling like she finally found a place to belong with the Phantom Thieves (and by extension, with Joker), but then she desperately tries to brush it off. Obviously that sense of belonging wasn’t meaningful enough to her for her to want it back. And I’m not blaming her, of course, any teenager would choose to have their father back over being in a vigilante group lmao, I just thought it was telling that the devs decided to show us a scene that was originally meant to be heartwarming as an example of the harsh reality Makoto wants to forget. All of the flashbacks are from defining moments for the thieves, but that one specifically got me like *thinking emoji*

So his friends are hesitant, despite the fact that they must know something is wrong. It’s understandable, they all stand to lose a lot if someone messes with the status quo. I genuinely don’t think I would react any differently. But there is someone who reacts differently and against his own self-interest. It’s Goro, the one who has arguably the most to lose, who doesn’t turn away from Akira. He seeks Akira out and teams up with him to uncover what’s really going on, even though he has every reason to believe that prodding too deep will literally mean the end of his life. He forces Akira and himself to face the truth because he knows anything else would just be an insult to what they’ve suffered so far. He’s the only one who never flinches, and that, more than any of his friends’ come-to-jesusing (which Akira still has to initiate) is what Akira needs in that situation. For the first time (outside of the brief instances in the tutorial levels), we see a situation where Akira is actually the dependent one, the one who needs help, who needs support. And the only one who has ever provided that, unconditionally, without demanding anything in return, is Goro. I could go into how Goro’s confidant blows all of the others out of the water in terms of building both himself AND Akira as characters, but it’s been said already and by smarter people than me. But basically, despite competition being a core theme of their relationship, Goro is the only character who is portrayed as Akira’s equal. Their contests are all in the name of improving not just Goro, but Akira too. Goro is the only character who expresses an interest in Akira’s inner life and development, and as such he knows Akira better than anyone else. So when Maruki tries to trap them all in a gilded birdcage, Goro won’t stand for it and he knows Akira won’t stand for it either. That’s why he’s so betrayed if you choose to accept the dreamworld. You’re negating the basis of your entire relationship with him and going against your own principles. Out of every character in the game, the one who knows Akira best and refuses to abandon him even when that could mean his own death is Goro Akechi.

I want to reiterate: I do not hate or even dislike the PT!! And tbh I don’t really think they “abandoned” Akira. That post, imo, is supposed to be kind of hyperbolic. Unless it’s referring to how many of them literally sprint away when he comes to talk to them lol. I look at it more like a commentary on how thoughtlessly the PT act as soon as their wishes are granted. I know it’s set up linearly for story purposes, but isn’t it kind of sad how no one checks up on Akira in the week he’s going around talking to people? Especially after he’s been acting so comparatively weird? It’s not unusual that they might be caught up in other stuff, but while you’re going around and visiting everyone, you don’t get a single text or call from ANY of the thieves, for a whole week!! Goro even comments on it directly with his pointed little “I’m sure you’re just as close as you were before” comment. God, he’s such a bitch. Ultimately, the PT do get their acts together, and it’s partially out of the realization that Akira is struggling alone against something and needs their help, which I love and appreciate. I think they are good friends who want to support Akira, but they can’t understand him past the role they’ve placed him in, and until they do, they’ll never be able to be what he needs. Akira loves his friends and knows he can rely on them in most ways, but those relationships will always be dogged by the pervasive fear that he must constantly earn the right to have the relationship at all. What he needs MOST is someone he doesn’t have to perform for, and from what we see in the game, none of the thieves fit that bill. Except Goro. 

I know this was long and rambly and probably pretty disjointed but I wanted to be as thorough as possible and all of my thoughts just sort of gushed out. Obviously ymmv about all of this depending on how you interpret the game, but this is what I arrived at thanks to my analysis so this is what I have for you! Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk

[qilwashere]

Kenma Kozume

"...Which is why PlayStation is better than Xbox." You conclude your argument to Kenma, your best friend and gaming buddy.

You're both in his room, supposed to be studying but he got bored and decided to start a game of Animal Crossing. You glance over at him to make sure he's listening, and notice that he has, yet again, changed his position to laying with his legs against the wall and his back flat against the floor, holding his new Switch directly in front of his eyes with skinny arms.

“Mhm," he mumbles, not really engaging in conversation but still acknowledging that you're speaking to him. You're used to it though, he's never been the talkative type.

From the computer chair you're sitting in, you scoot slowly across the floor to see what he's so interested in on that tiny screen he stares at for so long. You know he notices you but he does nothing in response, so you climb out of the chair and crawl next to him, mimicking his position and trying to get a good look at his game. He shifts it ever so slightly so that you can see better, and you smile to yourself but quickly cover it up.

"Whatcha doin'?" You ask casually, since although you do occasionally play with him, you're still very clueless about how to really play Animal Crossing, or any game for that matter.

"Catching fish," he mumbles in reply. You stare at the screen and wonder what could be so interesting about casting a line and reeling it back in with the click of a button. He doesn't seem willing to elaborate, so you drop it and just listen to the relaxing music coming from the device.

Before you know it, it's getting dark out and you have to head home. You pack up your bag, organize the very few notes you took at his house and tell him bye. He grunts in response, his eyes glued to the screen. You look down sheepishly and smile at him again before stepping outside of his room, skipping down the stairs and jogging out the door, towards your home.

As soon as you get in your room and flop on your bed, you pull your phone out and see if there are any texts.

New message from: Kenma Kozume

Your heart skips a beat, since he never, ever texts you first unless it's super urgent. Your thumb hovers over the notification, trembling, before you finally press it and read the text:

Kenma: You left your pen

You sigh through your nose, cursing yourself silently for thinking it would be something romantic, or at least a conversation starter.

Y/N: Ah, haha. That's alright, give it to me at school tomorrow

You throw your phone on the bed and bury your head in your pillow. Suddenly your phone pings, and you check it again to find - much to your surprise - a message from Kenma.

Kenma: You could come get it now

You're shocked at that six word phrase, but try to keep yourself civilized whole you carefully type:

Y/N: Well I mean it's getting late... I'd hate to bother you haha

Y/N: Really, I could just get it at school tomorrow

Your heart pounds in your chest. You wait for his response and wonder why you're getting so worked up over this. Your phone flashes again and you lunge for it:

Kenma: Just... Come get it

Kenma: please

You were trying to keep your excitement down but now it all came bubbling up in a loud squeal. You cover your mouth foolishly and think hard about what to say. You obviously can't be too eager, that would make it awkward. You finally decide to reply with:

Y/N: Okay, but only because you said the magic word. Be there in a few

You fist bump the air and throw on your jacket. It's freezing.. You never got a chance to change out of your school clothes, and the leggings aren't doing much to protect you from the cold. Pulling your jacket closer around you, you pick up the pace and jog briskly down the block to Kenma's.

Once you arrive at the front door, you realize his parents are going to question why you're returning to their house so late. Butterflies seem to be running into the walls of your stomach, but they all fade away when...

Kenma opens the door, his blond and black hair messed up and his eyes looking down, refusing to make eye contact.

“H-hey--" you start, but he interrupts you."It's cold out here. You should have something warm on. I'll get you something to wear on your way back." You blush and nod at the gesture, but hope he thinks it's from the cold.

He motions for you to come in, and the breeze blows the door shut behind you. Your hands fidget without you telling them to as you mumble, "So, my pen..." You trail off, looking at your feet.

“It's upstairs."

"Oh. Do you want to bring it down or..."

"No." His face seems to go red but you think you're imagining it.

"I-- Well-- U-um, okay. I can... I can go up and get it if you'd like.."

"Come on." He goes to take your hand but hesitates and pulls his own back, leading the way up the steps.

You follow, dragging your hand along the dark oak banister and skipping the steps. Walking up you feel your fingers scrape over uneven pieces of wood multiple times. Once you reach his room and scan the desk over once or twice, you can't find your pen and wonder if Kenma had just placed it somewhere else.

Out of nowhere he says, "I lied. I don't have your pen." You look straight up and your eyes fix on his, his hazel irises engulfing you, taking you into a world of their own.

"I'm sorry. I know I'm not good at expressing my feelings too much or too often but I want you to know I'm here for you, and I care. I know I tend to focus more on a screen than on you but... But I really do love looking at you. I love the way you seem so curious about the things I play, and the way you intertwine your fingers when you're nervous."

He takes a moment to let that sink in, or maybe he was thinking of what to say next.

"I'm sorry for making it seem like I don't enjoy being with you..." He pauses, running his fingers through the black part of his hair and trying to find the right words, "but honestly, knowing that you're right across the room, knowing that you're here for me, it's the best feeling in the world."

You feel yourself go beet red. Your eyes are wide, staring right at him, and as you drown in those bright brown abysses, you know he means it.

"I love you. Don't... I love you, okay? Don't forget."

You nod quickly, fumbling with your words, and try to get out "I love you, too" but just ends up sounding like a series of whines and stutters.

He smiles at you and looks down as he tiptoes over to his closet. He emerges with a thick coat, probably too big for him, let alone you, and tosses it your direction. You catch it easily and struggle to find the armholes. The sleeves are far too long for your arms, and the end is almost long enough for you to trip over. He grins at you again and stands by his door, shifting from foot to foot.

You change your mind, run back and leap into his arms, taking him by surprise. He's shocked for a second but relaxes and hugs back quickly, and you pull away, blushing harder than you thought possible. "Don't forget," he whispers in your ear.

On the walk home, you can't get Kenma Kozume off of your mind. That boy is the only thing you can think about for the whole day. You lay out on your bedsheets for the second time today and pull out your phone again.

New message from: Kenma Kozume

You giggle to yourself and open the text.

Kenma: see you tomorrow

Kenma: Don't-

Y/N: I know, don't forget

Y/N: I... I love you too

Y/N: And don't you forget either

|~Fin~|

Ok this was bad bc it’s my first one pls don’t attack me

[yomiurinikei]

Please do! I hate the way it's handled in game and I'd love a different interpretation

! Okay! so! Anon is referring to my post about rewriting Toko/Jill, mostly rewriting their DID bc guess what your boy has! 

I kept their trauma the same - I don't think we get a age, but we know the boy she loved who showed everyone her love letter was in elementary school, so she's between the age of 6 and 12 when it happened, and of course, we know that this isn't the event that made her form DID, but rather, it was the constant neglect and abuse of her parents. So in synopsis - the reason they developed DID is their parents abuse, the reason for Jill forming the way she did is due to the boy in elementary school. 

Now to actually look at their DID bc that's where 90% of the mess is! I'm changing it to OSDD 1-B, aka: DID but no amnesia between alters. As a part of a system with OSDD 1-B, here's how it works for us: We all remember daily stuff, but our host is fucked up and can't remember past... usually two years? and then everyone else has varying degrees of amnesia regarding different things. The reason I said this was because of the whole “"we share knowledge but not memory” thing which I felt was dumb? There's inconsistencies with what they remember, and it feels like another thing true to our system - I can't remember exact details of a conversation a different alter has, or if I switch while a alter is talking with a new person, I'll get confused and disoriented. 

We see Toko not know who Komaru is (See my second example) and we see Jill not know what Toko was just asked about a variety of times. But there's also a variety of moments where Toko/Jill know things they simply shouldn't - Also, the “knowledge not memory” could be something like emotional amnesia? Which is when you remember something a different alter experienced, but feel no emotion about it, so they have the knowledge of what happened, but they don't remember it, so they don't feel emotion. Considering emotional amnesia is a symptom of OSDD 1-B, it all just kinda fits! With this all in mind, let's go on to Toko and Jill as individuals.

Toko! Our host! Girl needs to chill... her neglectful background has made her have intense abandonment issues and when she sees someone she believes will be able to provide for her, she immediately intensely latches on - she only wants Togami for the money. Also, as further proof for the OSDD 1-B, she's fully aware of Jills existence and her actions and has some influence over her ability to front, but I digress. In a rewrite, I’d say just don't make her a stalker? Instead of having her creepily obsess over someone and turn everything they say sexual/get off on their existence, possibly just make her a hopeless romantic who falls in love fast and hard. And due to her minor trauma with past experiences confessing her love, maybe like a secret admirer character? 

I’d make her just a head-over-heals for love kinda girl, who handwrites love letters in flowing cursive, and then denies any involvement when asked. She’s very openly in love with whomever, but is fully convinced that the one she's crushing on has no idea, despite it being very obvious - she thinks she's terrible, unlovable, and only expresses her love secretly to make her crush feel special and so they know how loved they are. 

Jill! Actually - she's a protector. The reason she goes and murders boys she finds cute is so they can't hurt the system by rejecting them. Truthfully I don't think there's much to rewrite? She’s just like. a 15 year old who has trauma and is trying to keep herself and her host safe from getting even more hurt. Display more of her motive, and show the positive. There is one way I can see her being rewritten, but truthfully? I prefer that to be a whole separate alter, bc I can only think of one system with more than 2 alters, and that's the system from split so. 🤡, let's make some better rep!

New alter I’m coming up with, who we’ll call Jack! Let's have this one (we’ll use he/him bc yea) as a persecutor, someone who has the goal of hurting the body/system. He’s the reason Toko feels so terrible about herself, he gets Jill to think she has to kill people with the goal of getting the system thrown in jail, etc etc. People with DID/OSDD are more likely to hurt themselves than hurt others, so honestly? Having a alter like this in the system provides a good view as to why a alter may feel the need to hurt others to keep their system safe. 

And I think I’m done with that? If anyone has more questions or needs anything explained, feel free to shoot me a ask! But this is how I would've liked to see a system represented in danganronpa while still keeping the alters key elements and characterization/tendencies.

[edengarden]

Hi! May I have a romantic heaven box BNHA matchup, please? :)

I'm Flo, a 19 years old bisexual girl.

Appearance: I'm 164 cm(~5'3) tall, with slim, kinda athletic body. I have medium long brown hair and same coloured deer-eyes(probably most attractive part on me), I also wear eyesglasses. I have thin mouth unfortunately. Also, I have a tiny little scar above my right eyebrow(I opened our car's door on my head years ago lolol), it's barely visible. I'm vain and always dress like a lady: so dresses and skirts, I have a classy, elegant or cute style, depends on my daily outfit. I wear light makeup, but not all the time.

Personality: Ambiverted, Virgo with Leo ascendant and Pisces moon. Slytherpuff. Needless to say, these already represent how confusingly dual my personality is. My behaviour constatntly changes, depending on who I am with: I try to sell myself, being two-faced, wearing a mask(sometimes I appear to be talkative, other times full-stoic), but to people I really do love, I'm quite blunt. Most of the time I'm caring and relatively kind person(but can be an asshole&harsh if tired emotionally). Highly critical, opinionated and rational-thinker, and I usually analyze everything: movies, books, other people, myself. HATE small talk, I always want to talk about some deep shit, sharing my opinions, thougts(only if you ask for it). Enjoy debating. Also, I'm the REALLY clumsy, like clumsy af and I have an invincible talent in getting myself into the most embarrassing, cringe situations. Hate appearing to be weak or crying in front of others(I never do), and generally I can get melancolic and depressed easily. I don't really trust even my loved ones, I always hide my deepest emotional(or whatever) issues, I just can't stand the fact being emotionally vulnerable. Also, I bottle up feelings well. But I can be soft sometimes which suprises people. One of my best friends said, I am suprising, always doing something unpredicted. Additionally, I stress over something all the time. About my humour, it's kinda ironic, dark, morbid, troll-ish; roasting, teasing people 24/7. Don't worry, despite my sometimes serious act, I can be a total dumb idiot. Selfish, vain, lazy,  snobbish hahah. Quite liberal, and I almost never judge people, I mind my own buisness. When I can talk about something I love or just sharing my opinion, I am passionate and be ready for a LONG rambling. Oh, I love alcohol and going out with friends, also I smoke those occassions. Plus, I have god-like hands, everyone told me that I could earn money bc of my massaging skills(I just know by instict how to touch people lol). Oh, and I daydream and zone out a lot. I love going out and drink alcohol with my friends(and sometimes somoke too), the drunken me can be a real asshole, but also hugs out of the blue, I get softer. Oh, and I curse fucking much, I have a disgustingly flithy mouth, bc of my rather innocent appearance and behavior ppl are suprised how much is... cruse.

Relationship: I don't really have a 'type' but I get bored easily: I takes a lot for me to really like in long-term a person, so I fall easier for complex and charismatic ones(but like I said, I can fall for other personalities too!!). I'm a quite difficult person to be with and to love, so I'm suprisingly flexible in a relationship. Only thing I need and without it wouldn't work at all: DEEP CONVOS AND SOME INTELLECT. Also, I have a quite roasting-bullying type humour, so my lover should understand and being able to handle that. Anyways, I'm not much of a PDA person(but I don't mid handholding, short hugs etc. if my partner really want to), and not romantic at all(also cannot flirt hehe), and for a long time I can be bit distant. Love language is words of affirmation&quality time, and if I have to express my feelings I'm best with acts of service. I love cuddling, ppl are suprised when I initiate hugs but tbh I love physical affection. I'm probably more likely the 'friend' lover. I need a lot, lot, lot alone time.

Hobbies/Likes: classical literature, theatre, politics, hiking, sightseeing, mysteries, reading about disappearances(crimes), trying out new things, yoga, running, horse riding, table tennis, listening to music, cats, thunderstorms, rainy days, cider, tequila

Music taste: Oh man, MIXED. I listen to literally everything except techno, it depends on my mood honestly. But if I had to say something, I think indie, alternative rock, electronic and psychedelic songs are the closest to me, but I've grown to listen more and more rap. Most of the songs are depressive as fuck, I mean I can be at my happiest, but I'd still listen some dark shit. But still, I enjoy pop(2000s pop at parties FUCK YEAH), jazz. Also, some occassions all my ears and mind need is some good ol' classical music. Some faves: Tame Impala, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jack Stauber, Fink and some Hungarian bands that no one knows unfortunately. :(

Sorry if I was too long and more sorry if I've already requested before(my brain just rots lol), then just ignore me, hehe~♡

Did you,,, did you just copy paste like 3/4 of who I am

Man when I was reading your persona I was going “RinRinRinRinRinRin-“ but I decided against it UwU

ALL IN ALL you honestly sound like my type of person?? Like deadass I’d wanna befriend you. Fuck them small talks tell me what you think of the expansion of the universe and let’s talk about what if drugs are illegal bc they make us perceive true reality-

I’m going to match you up with... Shindo!

This one is a Battle of Wits, I swear. You didn’t trust him a single bit when the two of you first met, no one even thought you’d ever become friends. Shindo could practically see the gears turning in your head and quite frankly he was impressed?? You’re a highly intelligent individual who was able to keep your guard up and seclude yourself from others while not appearing TOO unapproachable? Boy was whipped and he didn’t even realize it. While others thought you were sort of cold and pragmatic, he thought you were the most well-balanced human in the world.

You guys 100% had an enemies to lovers thing going on, but it was slightly different. YOU started off completely uninterested in him, but while he made you think the feeling was mutual, I think Shindo found himself gravitating towards you. You can bet he secretly celebrated every little victory and step forward he made with you. Boy did NOT let up.

I seriously think he’s entertaining enough for you to keep interest in him. Shindo is as two-faced as you are (if not more), and he WILL change his behaviour within a second to keep your interest (somehow no one noticed his habit of doing that when he was crushing on you?? SUSPICIOUS). Also not a big fan of small talk; if he’s interested in you, he wants to know how you tick. He wants to know what you enjoy, what you like and what you dislike. And when you tell him while trying to still keep an emotional distance from him, he takes it as a challenge. No, he doesn’t think your relationship is a game, but he does think it’s highly entertaining and interesting.

When you start softening up to him, he won’t even grow bored. He’s worked so hard to get close to you and it finally pays off and he’s so happy??

But he won’t ever initiate PDA, just because he too has an image to uphold lmao if others don’t personally know you they’d never know y’all are falling for each other.

Songs!!

- One of My Turns, Pink Floyd (“don’t look so frightened this is just a passing phase one of my bad days” just hits different for the two of you?? I’m not saying your relationship is toxic bc it really isn’t but the VIBE is there)

- Do I Wanna Know?, Arctic Monkeys

- Dollar Days, David Bowie

- You Give Love A Bad Name, Bon Jovi