#black can and golden retriever

[3hks]

How to Write the "Black Cat" Character

A trope that's becoming increasingly popular right now is the "Black Cat and Golden Retriever" dynamic! And with good reason: their opposition in character makes such a cute and fun relationship! So today, let's explore the "Black Cat" character and how to write them!

OVERVIEW

The Black Cat is known to be introverted and can seem harsh at times; they tend to avoid people and might not talk a lot. They also dislike showing vulnerability or sensitivity, which results in their genuine emotions getting concealed more often than not. In general, they aren't great at dealing with other people.

DIALOGUE

In general, the "Black Cat" is not known for making a lot of friends and getting along with everyone. One of the main reasons for this is because of their communication, which we'll explore!

**SUBTEXT**

Like I said, this character archetype is not honest about their true feelings towards people. When talking, they have a tendency to avoid or lie about the topics they may find sensitive or don't want to share. Thus, their dialogue isn't all that reliable.

So instead, subtext is the key to portraying their emotions.

They could lie and say, "I'm not scared", but their tenseness and darting eyes betray their words, offering the truth without speaking. Those actions are the subtext.

This creates a contrast between their words and their actions, forming a more dimensional person! I'm not saying that they're dishonest all the time, but they will absolutely make something up if they have to, which makes communication with them just that much harder.

**SPEECH PATTERNS**

Everyone has their distinct speech patterns, and this trope is no different! The "Black Cat" is concise and terse with their speech. They're the type to respond with short, curt answers, which makes holding a conversation difficult because they don't feel the need to butter up their words. As a result, they can be quite blunt.

Obviously, that can pose a problem.

Additionally, more often than not, they're unaware of their ruthless honesty and/or struggle to understand why it could hurt someone.

On the other hand, they may say stuff they do not mean (much like word vomit), which can also be hurtful.

Tone-wise, they tend to have a blanker manner of speaking. Not necessarily in an emotionless way, but they speak more to get their point across than to express their emotions. So naturally, their tone is more consistently calm (or even cold) and involves less emotion.

Lastly, there's vocabulary. These characters are unlikely to use slang and generally don't stutter. They might have a richer vocabulary but also may not show it off when talking.

PERSONALITY

Let's break down some of the standard characteristics of this trope!

**FLAWS**

Blunt

Stubborn (Unwilling to accept help)

Closed off

Lack of communication skills

Struggles with empathy

Sometimes (unnecessarily) mean

Cold/Apathetic

**VIRTUES**

Intelligent

Analytical

Unbiased (Unless it the "Golden Retriever" is involved)

Highly skilled (Or a wide range)

Independent

Responsible

**GENERALIZED TROPES**

Tsundere

Apathetic

Mean/Cold

This is just a quick overview of their characters as a whole; the tsundere generally is softer compared to the other two. Although they act disinterested, they care deep down. On the other hand, an apathetic is one that strongly lacks empathy and emotions. They typically don't care about anything and may or may not be mean--it's up to you! And finally, there's the mean/cold type. Obviously, they have more hostile tendencies but sometimes it's a defense system in which they have no control over.

If you can't tell, this archetype is introverted with a more neutral temperament (it depends on how you write them, but the point is that they aren't all sparkles and butterflies). Most of their struggle consists of connecting with other people and building on that relationship. Normally, this is because they may feel that others weigh them down--especially if they themselves are gifted--or that they don't need anyone else because they can sustain themselves just fine. However, when they are close with someone, they're protective, if not overprotective of them.

**CHARACTER**

Another important aspect to keep in mind is that because the "Black Cat" won't show as much emotion and is considerably more serious, this character can easily seem too robotic. So how do we avoid this? We give them some more personal traits!

For starters, slowly establish any fears and/or weaknesses that your character has. The fact that they have their own vulnerabilities demonstrates that they are still human while adding some depth! I also suggest including backstory and dreams to build onto the dimension.

Following that, when they do open up, I recommend not skimping out when it comes to describing the importance of the moment! It doesn't have to be every time, but it allows you to demonstrate the value of their honest expression! Yes, it's mainly just for fun and fluff, but it doesn't hurt to be a bit dramatic about their elusive smile or laugh!

To finish up, the point of view the story takes place in is also crucial. If you're telling it from the "Black Cat's" POV, you have more access to their thoughts, which is pivotal when developing the character. However, they may be less self-aware about how their demeanor affects others.

On the flip side, if you're telling the story through the eyes of the "Golden Retriever", you get to establish how the other looks from someone else's angle and how they handle such a character.

Personally, I prefer to switch the perspective from time to time to get the full picture!

RELATIONSHIP

Here's the fun part! How does the "Black Cat" and "Golden Retriever" trope really function?

Most of the BC's character development actually happens around their partner or loved ones. This is because alone, they have no reason to change and they're perfectly fine with how they're functioning. However, with the GR, they must put in more effort into communication, opening up, asking for help, etc.

That slowly builds character development!

As expected, in their relationship, the BC is the most reliable and organized of the two, balancing out the GR's more reckless nature. Part of their enjoyability is the sheer opposition in their persona, but they should also break out-of-character for each other every once in a while.

What do I mean?

Well, like I mentioned before, although the BC is stoic and distanced, they should be willing to express their vulnerabilities and might even act uncharacteristically shy with their partner. Conversely, the happy and loveable GR may have serious moments when concerning their loved ones. That's how you can tell they do care about each other and that's what makes this dynamic so cute!

CONCLUSION

To summarize, the "Black Cat" is terrible at dealing with emotions and communication. As a result, their actions speak louder than words, so subtext is vital when their writing dialogue! Most of their development happens around their partner--not everything will change, but that's the beauty of this character!

Guys, I'm SO, SO sorry for uploading less recently; school is a mess right now so I'm trying my best to make it up! Homework is getting a bit overwhelming, and my tennis season is starting so I'm still trying to figure things out. With that being said, fall break is only a week away and I understand very well now that I need to prepare beforehand 😅 I genuinely apologize, and I'll working hard to clean my schedule up!

On a separate note, I appreciate all the asks I've been getting, it makes me so happy, so if you need something, please reach out! Thank you so much for making it all the way to the end, expect a post on writing "Golden Retrievers" soon! ;)

Happy writing~

3hks <3

[artbysarf]

The Moth and the Lizard are married actually

[unicornpopcorn14]

Ppl don't realize that if you want to write skk's dynamic properly, just picture a cat vs dog fiasco and run with that.

They are the definition of black cat and golden retriever energy. It's literally canon.

(Oda describes Dazai as a burnt black cat. Chuuya gets called a dog every other episode he's in. Asagiri isn't even trying to hide that fact.)

And while I think Chuuya's got more of a chihuahua energy than anything, it doesn't erase the original point of this being my go-to drive force whenever I write them.

Dazai's upset? Think of what your cat would do. Sulk and ignore, give you the silent treatment, either avoid you at all costs or confront you with bared claws and an intent to destroy, depending on the situation.

Chuuya feeling threatened? Let him growl or snarl, bare his teeth, lunge squarely at whoever's imposing the threat. Let him be possessive of who he's protecting, let him be vocal and the loudest person in the room.

What happens when a cat and a dog clash? Yeah, exactly. Disaster.

Yet at the end of the day, when their energies dissipate, you'll find them cuddling with each other, asleep with no care in the world, because they're together.

You're literally writing about a black cat and a ginger Chihuahua, skk writers!!!

[milkbreadtoast]

(OC) boyfriends..... 🤭🧡💜

[cheeseburger443]

Today's Frollo sketch~

[stormcallart]

thought i was gonna be an astarion girlie all the way but then here comes this giant boulder of an elf with a heart of gold and arms like tree trunks.

[kelongt]

There is no heterosexual explanation for rich and Jeff's relationship

[wigglebox]

Suptober Extended [x] - Day 16 || Crossover [inspo]

[julissart]

Special delivery 💛💚

Ko-Fi

[demidruidart]

₊˚.☆ A Star from the Sky ☆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁

Guess who took forever to post because college is a thing, and so is work, lol. But I got it done anyway, and I'm pretty happy with it, so here is my version of Babe~, who I've named Ember or E for short :]

‎‧₊˚✧ ☆ Babe headcannons because they are silly ☆ ✧˚₊‧

☆ Any pronouns but prefer more neutral or fem terms

☆ Bisexual/Demiromantic and genderqueer

☆ Trilingual (English, Filipino, Spanish)

☆ Love language: words of affirmation (won't say no to a snuggle, tho)

☆ Alt/romantic/fairy/mall goth ⋆˖⁺‧₊☽◯☾₊‧⁺˖⋆

☆ Is a tattoo artist and cosplays for fun (taught herself how to sew and embroider)

☆ Surprisingly bubbly but quiet

☆ Made and has worn a Miku bender

☆ Plushie collector (Asher gave them plague doctor couple plushies

☆ Them, Amanda and Darlin love doing each other's nails :]

☆ Wears a pronoun bracelet with swappable beads (pink for she/her, purple for they/them, blue he/him, and yellow for any)

☆ Always has candy on her person.

☆ Learned ASL/FSL as his mom is deaf, and they have auditory processing issues (They are learning SSL)

☆ goth gf (partner) x golden retriever gamer bf

˚☽˚｡⋆‎‧₊˚✧ Design Notes ✧˚₊‧ ˚☽˚｡⋆

☆ Has an undercut and purple box dye

☆ freckles and moles galore *ੈ✩‧₊˚

☆ Piercings: nipple piercings (bars), navel pricing, septum piercing, snake bites, orbital, lobe/upper lobe, and helix.

☆ They have two half sleeves and a handful of small individual tattoos.

☆ The jade choker collar is a birthday gift from Asher. The moon necklace is a gift from Angel.

☆ Wedding ring is a moon in a gold sun with a star in the middle set with a small amethyst set in silver

☆ Wears glasses and has a cane and compression socks as a mobility aids because joint pain is a bitch

Commission info

[m-for-musings]

Halsin x Minthara Fanfiction Masterlist

Here is a list of fanfictions of this rare (and crack) ship I love so much. I dug them all from AO3, some of them are mine (forgive the weird phrases, english is not my mother tongue).

You Know It Isn't Love - Halsin and Minthara take the Dryad test at the circus

The Bear Cage - Halsin, Minthara and Abdirak have a threesome BDSM fun (NSFW)

And There Was Only One Bedroll - Self-explanatory name (this one is mine) SFW

Sharing - Halsin and Minthara are tentmates (this one inspired me to write the previous one - SFW)

Now Lie in it - Tav convinces Halsin to stay despite Minthara (SFW)

deluge - Minthara gets Halsin out of the rain (SFW)

Something Wicked This Way Comes - Explores the relationship dynamics of those two, inspired me to write the next one (SFW)

Spider's Lyre - Minthara domme/Halsin sub (NSFW)

Whispers in the Dark - Fight that ends up in sex, also mine (NSFW)

Pet - This one requires a browser tradutor (NSFW)

Bearing it All - Halsin has humiliation kink (NSFW)

Honey Webbing - (my current WIP, not sure if it will turn NSFW or not. Here's the AO3 link to it, if you prefer reading there)

Edit: Honey Webbing is definetely turning NSFW.

(this shit became too long for keeping it at roman numerals, it would start to become silly)

(art by stormcall)

[riddles-n-games]

Gray may currently give off black cat energy but as soon as he falls for his Queen of Hearts, he's gonna be the golden retriever in the relationship no matter how much he downplays it. And Lyra ain't a black cat, no, she's a straight up calico.

[wiidoodles]

Savarem siblings......

[columbiastapshoes]

happy pride month to these two fuckers.

[alohaasaloevera]

OK HERE ME OUT THOUGH…. HERO HATES THE VILLAIN WITH ALL THEIR MIGHT BUT THE PERSON HERO IS FLIRTING WITH 24/7 AS A NORMAL PEEP IS ACTUALLY THE VILLAIN AS A CIVILIAN AND THE VILLAIN HAS TO TRY SO HARD TO ACT UNINTERESTED OR NOT TO BLUSH OR SAY THEIR IDENTITY…. (the villain obviously has 154276 redeeming points and knows who the hero is by accidentally overhearing Hero telling his friends about their identity)

(Bonus points if the hero sees similarities between normal dude (villain) and villain and they accidentally call villain by normal dude’s name….)

Hero: I’LL GET YOU NEXT TIME, (INSERT NORMAL DUDE/VILLAIN’S NAME)!

Villain: W-who?

Hero: I-I, um—NO ONE! *internally freaks out because not only does Hero not want the Villain to find out and hurt normal dude, but also because they said ND’s name because them and the Villain’s bickering were similar to their conversations with normal dude*

(Bonus bonus points if the hero is a flirty charismatic ladies man and the villain is a gay emo loner who somehow pulls more woman than the hero????)

(BONUS BONUS BONUS POINTS if this is set in a sort of modern/college AU where Villain is a barista and Hero goes to the store Villain/normal dude works in for the coffee and for ND???)

Hero, as a normal college student: If you were a transformer, you’d be Optimus fine

ND/Villain: *snorts, rolling their eyes* Nice try, now what would you like to order?

ND/Villain, internally: holy shit I can’t believe they’re still a dork even outside their superhero persona

Hero: Is your number on the menu?

Villain: I’m actually going to kill myself

Villain: No, unfortunately not.

Villain: ok maybe they’re finally going to get the memo and move on—

Hero: Do you take suggestions then?

Villain: Like what?

Hero: Putting your number on the menu.

ND/Villain: fuck. I guess not.

[spongek-squidge]

As much as I love all the farmer x bachelor(ette) dynamics I’ve seen, there is one true dynamic for Sam

Top!Fem!Farmer that’s mature but loves Sam’s golden retriever energy and also has black cat energy themself thankyouverymuch