#but it also happens with the supporting characters & relationships and i love love LOVE analysis of this shit

[amorremanet]

seeing a post that has interesting canon analysis and wanting to reblog it until you get to the last paragraph and just

[laurelsofhighever]

On Lucanis and ace representation

I have mixed feelings about it. Spoilers ahead, obviously.

On the one hand, I have been writing ace representation into Dragon Age fandom for at least five years by this point; I have made posts speculating which characters in the franchise could be read as aspec, I have critiqued the conflation between apparent aspec identities and brokenness that happens so often in mainstream media, and I have longed for a canonically aspec character in the stories I love. To me, however, this new declaration about Lucanis does not feel like a victory.

It feels convenient.

Mary Kirby tweeted six months ago that she specifically wrote Lucanis to be a disaster bisexual, not panromantic demisexual. In the real world, of course, people can discover new things about themselves and change their labels, and it’s fine. The problem is that Lucanis is not a people, he is a character with a static set of responses to a limited set of inputs from the player. In other words, he is what he is. That this change in Word of God about his sexuality comes directly on the heels of the very poorly received AMA from the devs is something I don’t view as a coincidence.

To be clear, this isn’t an attack on Mary Kirby, nor is it a tantrum about not getting a sexy Zevran 2.0. I am ace – I love slow burn emotional depth before physical intimacy, and I was drawn to Lucanis because of his struggles with alienation and the softer playfulness that’s there to see if you look for it. (And the voice, and the wings, but that’s not relevant here.) However, there is something severely lacking in the connective tissue of his romance. For the first two thirds of the game he is unresponsive to flirting to the point where the game feels like it’s bugged. Multiple people have pointed out that it’s almost impossible to tell when the romance is locked in without looking at the companion screen – I myself only realised when took him to Rivain with Taash and they started talking about him popping out the wings. The idea that this woodenness was a deliberate choice does a disservice to everyone who has pointed out a valid critique of the content – mechanically, rather than narratively – of the romance.

It is also immediately contradicted if you don’t romance Lucanis. Because instead he gets together with Neve in a relationship that not only lacks the emotional closeness that is required for Rook to lock in a romance, but also gets physical far more quickly, which is the exact opposite of how demisexuality works. For Rook, romancing Lucanis requires repeated declarations of support and care, and he will only fully reciprocate once they have battled through his inner demons to encourage him to start healing from his trauma. Even after that there is no physical touch between them until after Rook is pulled from the Fade prison. Neve, meanwhile, is one of the locks on his cage, but creates a ‘hats off’ rule for Spite. It's like watching Aveline run around finding marigolds for Donnic all over again. Not to say that all ace experiences are the same, but if someone described these two relationships to me, I would assume only one of them involved a demisexual character.

Truthfully, however, this isn’t really about the evidence for whether Lucanis is or is not demi. You could argue that back and forth all day because interpretation goes both ways. For example, he says he’s inexperienced in relationships, but then he’s arguably more competent than the other companions who ask you for romantic help, more lacking in confidence than skill – and analysis of that is a whole other post. But it’s not useful. There isn’t one way to be aspec, and I’m certainly not saying he can’t be read that way.

What this is about is the way representation feels like it has been retconned in as a response to the genuine critiques brought up in the AMA and elsewhere. Excusing the gaps in his romance by saying it’s because he’s demisexual feels like a cheap attempt to divert attention away from weak character writing. Perhaps I’m just being cynical, but after all the dodged questions and misrepresentations from the devs in almost every aspect of this game, if Lucanis had been planned as aspec from the beginning then the TRANS WOMEN ARE WOMEN game would have made a huge thing of it. I know this, because they did it already, they stated all the companions were pan (except for Lucanis who was bi).

And I don’t know what’s worse: it not being planned and only trotted out as a smokescreen to avoid engaging with the flaws in the writing; or it being there from the beginning without any care for how it might look to have the ostensibly aspec character be a literal abomination whose interpersonal issues stem from being imprisoned and tortured. Again.

A good slow burn would have addressed Lucanis’ relationship to attraction, though hopefully with more nuance than Taash was allowed. A good slow burn would have not made one character exchangeable for another in a romance regardless of the personal journey Lucanis can only take with one of them. A good slow burn would have at least had him reacting to the things the PC says to him. But this is not a good slow burn and the devs are using a token attempt at queer rep to cover for whatever went on behind the scenes to give us such a patchy final product.

[tarotofhope]

PAC: ୧ How do you view Love? ୨

(Please Read My Pinned post *IMPORTANT NOTE* before selecting a Pile)

🩵 All dividers on this blog are provided by @uzmacchiato 🩵

Masterlist | Paid Services

Pick an Image by meditating and selecting the image you feel called to. You can be attracted towards more than 1 image. If you are not able to select maybe this reading isn't for you.

࿚ Pile 1 ࿙

Cards: Knight of Pentacles, Devotion-Saturn in the 7th House in Libra, Alchemist.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 1. Love for you, is a slow and steady thing. It doesn't come like a gush of wind nor goes away easily. You believe it stays. You also believe that people fall out of love but it cannot happen easily if the feelings are very strong. You seem to have left/rejected toxic, shallow and flaky people, unreliable and untrustworthy people, people who are backbiters and cheaters, it doesn't matter who they were to you once. Because of this, those that you left/broke up with, and also other people might think that you're a person of questionable character and not reliable. They think your values/morals/beliefs are wrong and you're very demanding and uncompromising in relationships. But, you are loyal. They think it's very hard to impress you and also they cannot expect/ask you to give them a certain kind of love because you'd do as you please. For you, love is fixing things up rather than replacing them. You'd kill as well as die for your loved ones but you're not the ones to bow down to anybody in the name of love. You'll never beg for love neither you'd chase it. With Saturn in the 7th house in Libra -Devotion, you believe in equality in relationships, and you'd be a devoted and mature partner. You're the one to wait for the right person to come in, rather than jumping directly into any relationships or friendships. You believe that if love is given in the right manner, it can heal people, so you will never settle for anything less than you deserve.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 1.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

࿚ Pile 2 ࿙

Cards: Strength, Isolation-Saturn in the 6th House in Virgo, Martyr.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 2. Some of you might also be attracted to Pile 1. You are of the belief that love makes people strong, that love is more of strength than weakness. Love can help people heal but for you, love can push people to become their best versions. Love can cheer people up. Love can make weak people shine with confidence. Love stands. Love endures. Love fights for their people's rights. Love is when one doesn't run away when life gets tough. Love is supporting your loved ones when they do not believe in themselves. Love means seeing all good and bad in your person but sticking to them no matter what because you chose them for a reason. You're also the one to talk and fix things up with your loved ones but if they still don't want to be with you, you'd never beg them to stay. Your love is fierce and bold. Eminem's Mockingbird comes to my mind. Just like pile 1, you'd never be with someone who doesn't respect you, your boundaries and your choices. You're goal oriented and independent, so you'd always choose people who'd never snatch your freedom away from you, be it any kind of relationship. You'd rather stay single than committing to the wrong person, to wrong friendships, so you take decisions after a lot of rational and emotional calculations and analysis. Most of the times, you may feel like you're better off staying single than handling the burden of sharing everything with another soul who might leave you someday. You mostly stay focused on your career.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 2.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

࿚ Pile 3 ࿙

Cards: 6 of swords clarified by 4 of swords, Influence- Mercury in the 7th House in Libra, Student.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 3. The way you view love has largely been influenced either by your own bad experiences in love or due to other people's experiences, for some of you. You or someone close to you might have dealt with toxic friends, parents or partners. For the others of you, you do not even have time for relationships, you're either a student or you want to stay single for a while or you have false notions about love because maybe you overthink a lot or you've been brainwashed by others. You believe that love brings chaos and people have really falsified the meaning of love. You believe that people just get into relationships just for the fun of it, they just like the romantic part of love and they do not realize how beautiful and pure love is, in itself. You value your peace of mind more than anything. Some of you could also be taking a break from relationships and enjoying on their own while others of you might have recently gone through a breakup/divorce or even left your family/friends. Some of you, with Mercury in Libra in the 7th house, could be very good at flirting or you like to be in casual relationships and don't want anything serious. You might be indecisive in love and relationships too because you have commitment issues, you don't want to be trapped or get stuck by any chance. You also dislike very serious, slow, clingy and dependent people. Also, you would never sacrifice yours dreams for anybody.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 3.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

࿚ Pile 4 ���

Cards: 6 of Cups, Harmony- Sun in the 7th House in Libra, Bully.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 4. You consider love as a beacon of hope and peace. You don't want love to destroy people and you also don't like unnecessary conflicts. Love is supporting and comforting for you. You might have faced a lot of bullies in your life. You might have a childhood trauma due to the bullying or you might have always been teased for how you look, dress and behave. You are of the opinion that if people cannot accept you for who you are and with all your good and bad habits, with all your quirks, then such kind of love is of no use. You value your peace of mind a lot. You are someone who would give their all and love with every ounce of your being, you've been hurt so bad but you never let the hurt turn you into something like your abusers. Your trauma could either be related to your family or school/college life. Life has not been fair with you earlier so you demand a better life with all the respect, confidence and self-esteem that you lost in the process. A very few of you could also belong to the rainbow group and people do not treat you well. You believe that love should involve equal give and take with the 6 of Cups here and with Harmony-Sun in the 7th house in Libra. You have a lot of love to give but you fear that you might fall prey to toxic people so you only be with people who give good vibes. You believe people cannot survive without love, as human beings we all crave love.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 4.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

࿚ Pile 5 ࿙

Cards: 4 of Pentacles clarified by 5 of Pentacles, Health- Sun in the 6th House in Virgo, Fool.

Welcome to your reading, Pile 5. Some of you might also be attracted to pile 4. For you, love has always been about healing, something that cures you, nurses you back to health. You too, like pile 4, have a lot of trauma due to relationships(any kind). You might have been abandoned by someone you loved and respected so much, now it can be a parent, sibling, friend or even a romantic partner. You might have even dealt with narcissistic and toxic people. You don't want all that bs again in your life. You pray for good people to enter your life or you try to be that good person. Your whole view of love has not changed but rather polished, you've become more alert, maybe you ignored or excused people for their bad behaviour or you just tried to look at the bright side of people but then their dark side started to become so overwhelming that it ate you one day. You still believe in love like you did before but now, you've become more worried of people's intentions towards you. You might have even built large walls around you. You only talk to people when it's really required. Your experiences make you overthink and you think of worst case scenarios in love. You might also be a little possessive and clingy in love but you know you'd give your all. You're the one who'd even die for your loved ones. With the fool here, I think you want someone who's light-hearted and funny but also honest and assertive. Someone who would speak their heart out. Someone who would genuinely love you.

That's all I got for you, my dear Pile 5.

Love, light, peace and hope to you..🌸🍁🌻🌼

Thank you so much for being here. I post PAC readings every Tuesday and Friday. Do love and support by reblogging, liking or following.

——————————— ♡ ♡ ♡ ———————————

[helluvathings]

Some thoughts on Ozzie's response at the trial

One moment that caught my attention, and I've seen a few reactors comment on it too, is that Ozzie's defense of Blitzø's right to a fair trial is lukewarm compared to Bee's. She gives a character reference, speaking about him almost fondly, while Ozzie offers one understated line.

He speaks lightly, but isn't that the kind of phrase usually accompanied by a side-eye and a pointed, "You do have a good explanation, right?" And I've seen a lot of Ozzie call outs for not just "sharing the truth," since he "knows what's really going on."

But the more I think about it, the more I feel like his slight involvement probably makes things look worse from his perspective. Tbf, the dialogue disparity could be timing constraints and wanting to make use of Kesha. Still, I honestly suspect Ozzie knowing more than Bee would make it likelier he'd be reluctant to outright vouch for Blitzø's character even if he supports a fair trial.

I do plan to touch on a few separate points. But the BIG thing I haven't seen brought up: Ozzie is the only person in that room who may know the extent to which Blitzø's use of the grimoire has actually, undeniably endangered Hell. I feel like this fact has sort of slid from people's minds, but as a reminder:

IMP obliterated part of Ozzie's ring directly outside his club. In a setting where there are likely security cameras, and at the very least, his bouncers were shown to be in the general vicinity. And there were cherubs with high tech battle suits visibly involved. Assuming Ozzie investigated this, his additional knowledge isn't actually in IMP, Stolas's, or Blitzø's favor at all.

Rewinding to touch on what Ozzie actually knows about Stolas and Blitzø's situation:

Ozzie is aware that Stolas has feelings for Blitzø.

He could guess, if he ever thought about it, that Blitzø must’ve been getting to earth a different way beforehand since his business precedes the crystal. However, he's never told this. Depending on how much he cared to look at the particulars, it possibly didn't occur to him at the time (though if he looked into the Lust Ring attack, he likely figured it out).

He also has no confirmation that Blitzø has feelings for Stolas. Fizz has probably speculated, maybe he shared Blitzø had come to Lust for toys—but Ozzie has only seen them together at Ozzie's, when he was more concerned with helping Fizz revenge-ruin their date than drawing any relationship analysis (except in the ways that helped him revenge-ruin their date).

Ozzie may also know about the anti-Blitzø parties, or at least that Blitzø has a poor history with relationships. Fizz knew his "love life [was] a pile of shit," and that giving the stage to Verosika during House of Asmodeus would get results, so at the very least, he seems familiar with Blitzø's bad habits. If Ozzie doesn't know Stolas is different, a very possible explanation might be that Blitzø had been using Stolas’s feelings to get the book. Not "forcing himself," but not really Lust King-approved.

I.e. Ozzie can assume “not forced,” but not “mutual feelings,” or “Blitzø did nothing wrong." Blitzø has also told him one of his skills is "killing things without giving fucks," so again, the background knowledge of Blitzø isn't necessarily a good thing here.

Then after Apology Tour, Blitzø went into a depression slump and probably cut off contact with friends, including Fizz. From Fizz and Ozzie's perspective, the day Blitzø got the crystal, his thing with Stolas outwardly ended, and he likely never shared much about what happened (if he didn't deflect outright). Fizz may have noticed and commented on Blitzø acting strange, but the circumstances are ambiguous.

To summarize: Ozzie can guess Andrealphus is full of shit, and that some sort of setup is happening. But he doesn't know "the truth," in the sense he could speak up and clarify everything.

What else he possibly knows:

IMP had a massive fight with well-armed heavenly beings in the middle of the Lust Ring.

This was shown to have caused substantial damage. Loona destroyed what looked like one of his buildings, on top of other property destruction, right in front of his club. If they had security cameras, Ozzie probably knows this. Like I mentioned before, two of his own bouncers were outside, alongside dozens of witnesses. If he investigated at all, there are ways he could piece together what happened.

A frequent reaction has been, “Ozzie knows everything Blitzø did was above board, he could’ve clarified.” But Ozzie has a lot of facts that actually look awful? Depending on what surveillance caught from that fight, Ozzie very well could've connected IMP to cherubs coming to Hell. To his ring specifically.

Two conclusions to be drawn from this:

If Ozzie has recognized as much, he hasn't said anything. Which is both him already covering for IMP, but it also means he's hiding something Satan would desperately want to know.

Ozzie has a legitimate reason to be upset at Blitzø and Stolas for bringing him into this. First because Stolas wasn't up-front about the formerly illegal details of Blitzø getting to earth (let alone moments like in Truthseekers where there's already been major transgression). Then afterward, when the spillover of their indiscretion caused damage to his ring and possibly got Lust Ring demons killed.

Ozzie is involved enough that all this could cause trouble for him if he's implicated

I've seen people say he'd be immune because of his rank. But while he'd physically be fine, Mammon was already going at him and Bee about their partners. Mammon has also threatened that Ozzie would "regret revealing" his love for Fizz, in pretty clear foreshadowing. Ozzie has a big, well-known weak point.

Also, Blitzø was on trial about unlawfully going to the human world (or doing it "unwittingly" as a pawn of the evil Mastermind Stolas). And this all happens while he has a registered Asmodean Crystal on his wrist. He even tries using it to get to Stolas while they're dragging him away. The more Ozzie speaks up, the more closely Blitzø is examined, and the clearer it is that Ozzie is involved with something illegal.

The legitimacy of Blitzø's behavior on Earth is a bit dodgy as well. Remember how Verosika let Blitzø win that bet because she was wary of getting into trouble for the conspicuous monster? They’re clearly supposed to keep a low profile. If Ozzie linked IMP to the Lust Ring incident and realized they've been stirring up trouble topside, his lack of interference may indicate he's already making allowances he legally shouldn't be.

Do I think the imagery of Ozzie and the other Sins falling in with Satan during the song may go complicated places? Possibly. And Ozzie clearly did want to help after Fizz’s text and seemed to feel he couldn’t. I don't think he's exactly blameless, in the sense he's aligned with a messed up system here. I also have no idea if the writers considered any of this, or if we're ever going to see Ozzie's thoughts or feelings about the attack on Lust. Maybe that was just a cool fight scene to set up the cherub/DHORKS threat, and it won't have further relevance.

But honestly, the fact that illegal use of the grimoire brought trouble to Ozzie's doorstep makes me more willing to shrug off his muted response at the trial. Even if Ozzie isn't aware, Blitzø and Stolas's lawbreaking led to an attack on his ring. If he is aware? It’s already iffy to expect he'd stick his neck out in a hopeless situation where it’d only get scrutiny turned his way. Wanting him to do so despite associating IMP with a heavenly threat and massive property damage? That's a big ask.

Maybe overthinking, especially if it’s revealed he doesn’t have much intel on the Lust Ring attack. But I feel like Ozzie knowing more about Blitzø's situation makes it harder for him to intervene, as opposed to easier. He may even have legitimate reason to feel like IMP has been endangering Hell, but has kept quiet for Fizz's sake.

Mostly, I wonder if it's coincidence that the show made that Lust fight visually, noticeably destructive, then next time we see Ozzie, it's Bee vouching for Blitzø's character, while Ozzie's statement focuses on getting an explanation. Her defense seems to be "he's cool, I don't think he'd do this." Ozzie's is more coded like, "It's fair to see what he has to say." Like maybe he's thinking it would be in character for Blitzø to have done something illegal and ill-advised that puts Hell at risk, so he'll stick with a safer defense. And honestly, I love Blitzø... but I also get why Ozzie might be ambivalent.

[mapoeggplant]

skip to loafer chapter 65 analysis // spoilers

the girl who's chasing the sun and the boy who's finding a way to walk by her side: how much kindness is needed for one to forgive themselves and finally listen to their heart?

for this month's review, i wanted to do something a little different: i'm going to divide it into two parts. the first part will be about the chapter, of course, and address some points that i think are worth discussing. the second part, i'd like to focus much more on the message of kindness that skip to loafer brings to its readers. so, here we go.

finally, the long-awaited date is here. i confess that i always felt a little uncomfortable when people demanded so much for this date to happen faster, to sensei “get over with it”. i know, i was also looking forward to it, but the whole build-up that led us to this moment made it even more impactful and even stronger. to build a story, you need not only a beginning and an end, but a middle that supports both events. the story of shima and mitsumi had its beginning and now we're facing the middle. no, the breakup didn't bring the end, it was just a complement. an event as big as this one needs to be sustained with enough strength to have the necessary impact. so yes, the “delay” that many complained was extremely well used and made their night together even more special.

now, about the actual date. it’s beautiful to see how they managed to find a space in all this confusion to make their friendship prevail and the discomfort that they both felt before dissipate. of course, their relationship didn’t go back to what it was before, but i don’t think that would ever be possible: relationships change, no matter if good or bad things happen. the way we relate to people grows at the same speed as we grow. and, to keep it alive, it takes a lot of humility, kindness and, of course, love.

since the chapter is slightly more focused on shima, his insecurity and fear are much clearer and more palpable. shima is a character who still carries a lot of regret for everything he did, even for things that weren’t his fault, like his past and the mistakes he made along the way, guided by people with ill intentions. the breakup with mitsumi left a huge scar on him, since he still firmly believes that he is the one most to blame for their friendship almost falling apart. mitsumi is one of the few people who genuinely wants to be with shima and he knows it — but that doesn't change the fact that he is still very afraid that she will never really get to know his "real self" and to like him for who he is, specially because shima himself doesn’t really know what all of this mean. shima feels disappointed that mitsumi has "fallen" for his false kindness because he feels that he is not only deceiving other people, but also one of the most important people in his life. lying to mitsumi not only brings a pain to his heart, but also an enormous insecurity that he will never be able to convey his feelings for her, because he will never be able to overcome this wall that he himself created. when he himself admits that his feelings for her are much deeper, he finally get in touch with the desire to be completely exposed to her, to be accepted by her and that he could finally stop using the facade he hates so much against her.

what he doesn't know yet is that mitsumi can see beyond his mask — and much more than he even imagines: mitsumi sees the real kindness within shima. as much as he insists on saying that this is just a way of protecting himself, mitsumi can indeed find in shima's actions a kindness and affection that are far from being fabricated. it saved her so many times before so, if what she felt was real and valid, why wouldn't his intentions be truthful as well? mitsumi sees shima for who he is, and respects all the past that he is still afraid to show, that’s why she never pressured him to open up and respected every time he changed the subject. there was no need for her to dive deep into something that didn’t involved her, so all she could do was show that she would be there for him when he needed and when he find the right time to tell her all about the little shima she never met. mitsumi sees the kindness he holds in his heart and all the good intentions he had when he helped her before, something he lies to himself and say it was “only a facade”. he still can’t see how much he wanted to protect her and be by her side all guided by his own heart and good faith, not the lie he made up. the real shima was the one who wanted to do all that, not the “fake” he created. when mitsumi chooses to end their relationship, she’s truly thinking about his feelings and a way to save their friendship before both of them came out completely hurt by it (but i want to point out something very, very important: they are both teenagers. of course they will act impulsively and end up hurting each other without realizing it. shima doesn't know which of his actions hurt mitsumi, just as she doesn't know which of her words might end up hurting him. they are at the beginning of a long life and a long journey, so why not give them the kindness they so deserve?). 

shima finally manages to take a step forward, getting closer and closer to walking side by side with mitsumi. as he becomes more in touch with his own feelings, shima sees a huge need to change and start being more sincere. in order for him to become a better person, in his own eyes, he now needs to start putting the mask aside and embrace who he truly is. no longer listening to others or fulfilling desires that are not his: now is the time for him to look inside himself and, above all, listen to his own heart. from now on, the path he will follow is his and his alone.

now, for the second part: i really want to talk a little about how skip to loafer has an extremely delicate writing style that focuses so much on kindness, whether it is the kind we export to the world or the kind we internalize.

those who usually follow my analysis must be tired of hearing how much i talk about the message of “i love you for who you are” that skip to loafer values ​​and explores so much. but it’s no use: the more i talk about it, the more i admire the dedication that the sensei puts into writing completely real and human characters. it is always a great joy when people come to me and say how much they saw themselves in one character or two, and how that made them feel embraced. it warms my heart that people can see, thought these characters, the kindness they deserve. It’s very clear to me how sensei is always so worried with showing the reality of their journey of loving themselves in a way to bring the reader closer and learn from it. 

of course, shima and mitsumi's friendship and relationship could end with the breakup. or, from another angle, it is clear that they could have started a relationship much earlier and maintained it despite all the challenges they still have to face with themselves. but... is that valid? is that fair to them? is that kind to both the characters and the readers?

by opting for a gentler writing style and a story more focused their lives rather than taking a romantic road trip (after all, it is a slice of life), skip to loafer delves into a great lesson about compassion and acceptance that no one is perfect. we will all make mistakes during the course of our lives, but it is up to us to get up and move on, building other stories and sharing beauty with whoever is by our side. we may not see how kind we are to others, but there is certainly someone by our side who admires us and is grateful for everything we have done for them.

and i'm grateful for you for reading my analysis 💛 thank you. don't forget to support sensei and send her lots of kindness!!!! skip to loafer will be on break next month, so see you in december :)

[2-old-to-guard]

Trailer Analysis!!

Hello kiddos and welcome to The Old Guard trailer analysis!! This might beome multiple parts if they more than one trailer but for now it's stand alone.

I've linked the whole trailer on my blog so click on it to watch the whole thing:

So the first lines in the trailer are between Nile and Andy. This eases my fear that they were gonna sideline Nile in this movie. But from the beginnig of the trailer Nile is front and centre. I think there might be a flip of roles in them. I think Andy might be the naive one now whilst Nile is more cautious. With Quynh returning, I think Andy's love for her might blind her to traps. This is supported by a little clip of Nile saying "we're playing right into her hands".

Secondly, I think this scene might take place early in the movie and serves to set up Andy's character arc for the rest of the film. She's at peace with her life which will be immediately interrupted by the arrival of Akasha.

I also think this scene will be at the beginning of the film. Not just because Nile's line ("Didn't look that peaceful when you were shoving that guy out the window") references this scene, but also because it reminds me a lot of the Sudan mission from the beginning of the first film. Director, Victoria Mahoney, said there was gonna be a timeskip from the first movie to this, link here. So, they need a scene to establish the new relationships between the characters.

Also, aww Nile copying Joe's move from the first movie!!

So this scene is from the final battle (I believe) so I think this means that all the immortals, plus Tuah, make it to the end of the movie. I heard some rumors that Nicky might die but there six motocycles so unless something untoward happens I think he makes it. (Also whoever started that rumor why would you scare me like that!?!?!)

I think this is from the final battle as well, supported by the outfits they're wearing and the setting, so we know that Booker joins them again. I love to see Nile taking charge of the team and Andy letting her go first (a reference to the first movie). Also, bold move of Andy to let Booker walk behind her. This might be to show that Andy still trusts him even after his betrayel though he may need to prove himself.

So I think this is a flashback of some description. For the life of me I can't figure out who this is (if you can please comment below). I currently have three theories. The first is this is Andy's first death and rebirth as it looks like they're in mid-battle. The second is maybe after she escaped from the Witch Trials and killing the priests who took Quynh. The third theory is that this is Akasha when she was first turned immortal. Maybe as a way to flush her out as a character. But again, I can't tell who this is at all I'm sorry!!!)

This collection of shots blew my mind. Knowing that Akasha was there at Quynh's trial makes me think that she's always watching the immortals as a sort of spirit. I wonder how they're gonna explain why her hatred of Andy for 'choosing humanity over the immortals' when she let this SHIT happen. Like did she give Andy the choice to turn to the dark but when Andy chose to stay a hero that when she began to hate her??

I completley understand why people don't like Akasha character. You can find the post here. But I tHiNk I understand what they're trying to do. In the comics, Quynh (Noriko) was lost at sea during a shipwreck.

She was lost at sea for a couple decades before washing up on shore. She hid from the group, letting them think she was dead as she built a criminal empire. She reveals herself to the others when she has enough power to defeat them.

But with how Quynh's story has been crafted, this would seem impossible. Because of their budget, they couldn't stage a CGI shipwreck so went with the iron coffin. In the original script, Qunyh escaped the coffin at the same time the group was at Goussainville. But in the current, version, she doesn't escape until later. She doesn't have the same experience with the modern world that Noriko does and therefore wouldn't have the same pressence. In the first movie, many of Andy's fight scenes carried this aura of being the most skilled fighter in whichever fight she as in. Having Akasha be the "oldest of the immortals" means she has more knowledge of fighting and stragedy than Andy which puts her at a disadvantge. Furthermore, it explains how she was able to create an empire which she will probally have. Not that I am saying she was a good addition and why she HAD to be Uma Thurman. But I think this was a marketing ploy.

This scene supports my theory of trying to put Andy at a disadvantage. This library gives Library of Alexandria vibes and I think this is supposed to represent all the knowledge Akasha has but Andy has lost. Unlike Andy, who has been out in the world doing something with her immortality, Akasha simply watches, learns and records. This makes her a much different villain than the arrogant, irrational and ignorant Merrick.

This is the first lines for the other new addition, Henry Golding's Tuah. I first thought he might have been a traitor who was working with Akasha but I now think he's geniunley helping them. I can't tell but I think he's wearing a bathrobe in this scene so he might be a down-on-his-luck character who's brought into the fray and given a purpose. This also seems to take place in the library from the last shot so might take place at the mid-point, like late act 1 early act 2. I am curious as to his relationship with the others are. This might be a rather out-there theory but he may be a adaptation of Zeus, Andy's adoptive son. This would further the movies themes around paternal love, similar to Booker.

This shot is the cutest fucking thing I've seen in a while. I can tell this scene is gonna break and fill my heart. I've read a brilliant post about it here, so I invite you to read it. But overall, I think this scene is one of comfort. I think they might be comforting each other after seeing Quynh again. We sort of missed out of that in the comics so I would love a scene where Joe and Nicky talk about losing her.

Having, probally Akasha's men, be the ones to find Quynh insted of having her escape by herself, changes her whole story. Veronica Ngo's acting is SO good in this short scene. You can almost see Quynh become confused that Andy isn't the one she's staring at. One of the things that also puzzled me about her villain arc was the idea that she blamed Andy for her imprisionment. I felt like if Andy told her that she tried but couldn't find her it would convince Quynh. But having Akasha be the one to find Quynh and then manipulating her into believing Andy abandoned her would make more sense.

Got to love the manipulated manipulating. This is has clearly been filmed during 2022 insted of during the original filming process as Veronica and Matthias look slightly different. The audio doesn't match her mouth so it makes me think it's an overlay. I wonder what she was actually saying but it is probally manipulation.

This helicopter has been in all the promo for this movie so I wonder if this is when Charlize gets on the helicopter or if it's at a different point.

Another bit of evidence that supports Nicky's survival is this scene. If you look behind Joe, you can see the faint outline of Nicky's murder hoodie. So I'm convinced that he makes it to the end. This scene must also take place during the final fight, costume, location, etc.

I am officialy a child of divoce. I'm not sure if this is the first scene Andy and Quynh interact but it's probally the first scene they fight. Love Nile stood in the background like the 🧍emoji. I think she'll try to help but Andy will hold her back. Andy will let Quynh fight her as pennence. I also think Quynh is working for Akasha as a way to get back at Andy and the gang. My theories are she'll either join with the main gang by the end of the movie or she'll become the main villain for the third movie.

Ahhhh this scene confuses me and I can't figure out what it means. The depressed part of my brain thinks that Booker has also lost his immortality and his line "nothing that lives, lives forever" is him cracking a joke at his position. Or, this scene is meant to mislead the audience into thinking he's betrayed them again. Maybe he's working undercover with the villains and then switchs sides at the end of the movie. IDK, I have no theories guys it seems like it's just there to give Booker ANY scenes in this trailer.

OMG this scene make me scream out loud. I love that Nicky has no fear that Joe will catch him and Joe having no doubts about catching him. I think this scene might be a reference to the opening pages of the Force Mutiplied comics where Andy and Nile drive similar cars to the one Nicky is driving to escape the police. I love the retro car Joe is driving and it makes me think that they have been ambushed by Akasha's forces and just had to grab a nearby car, similar to Goussanville. Also, the car explosion early in the trailer!?!?!? I don't think Nicky and Joe die, as they ARE in the finale, but I think it's meant to show the upped stakes of the sequel. And the upped budget.

I have gone after this shot over and over to try and figure out who was stabbed. I know it's not Joe, Nile or Andy. I also don't think it's Nicky or Booker as neither of them wear rings like that. It's most likely Tuah as he's the only 'mortal' character left. I think this would be a truly tragic moment, especially if he is a close person in Andy's life. It would be a moment in the finale to give Andy an extra emotional push for the final fight.

I love the symbolism of Andy "hammering her bloody fists" against the glass almost like she's the one stuck in the iron coffin. I cannot figure out what she's mutters in this shot but it's clearly important. I wonder if the final fight is gonna be a trap as a subversion to the fight in the first movie.

As I was saying before, Uma Thurman's inclusion in this movie is a huge part of marketing given how much this emphasis this fight is given in the trailer. But it also works from a symbolic standpoint. I think Akasha is supposed to represent Andy's previous form, an immortal cynical violent warrior. But unlike Akasha, Andy has grown and become more optimistic and caring. In a sense, Andy is fighting herself. I also notice that Akasha looks tired so I think her power has been removed during this sequence, leaving her on the same level as Andy. I also wonder if she's also lost her immortality and so this will be a fight to the death. I also wonder if Andy will be seriously injured in this fight

Conclusion:

So here are my thoughts on the trailer. Feel free to add anything you noticed in the comments!! I'm so excited guys!!! I'm gonna be insufferable on July 2nd

[ilikepjo24]

On The Ashes of the Academy...

This will be a full review/analysis of the newest atla comic, now that I finally got my hands on it. I'll duel on some things more than others but overall, I'll share my unfiltered thoughts and feelings about it.

SpoliersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilersSpoilers!

First things first, this is such a hit-and-miss.

We're all glad Ursa is looking after Kiyi and we're all glad she sees that there was somthing wrong with Azula's upbringing, but ma'am, the school is not the problem. Sure, a bad learning environment doesn't benefit children in any way, but Azula's main problem was what was happening in her home, not in her school. Maybe, since you're finally considering taking a look in your daughter's childhood, you should also start looking inside and taking note of where you failed her. This just seems like an attempt at making Ursa look blameless by saying "Oh, look, Azula isn't inherently evil, it's her school that messed her up. Certainly, Zuko's perfect mom didn't contribute to it at all!"

I mean, if you want my opinion, you lost her when you subconsciously decided to give her less attention than Zuko, which, tragically, could have been before she was even born. But this series of panels, once again, does the same thing I mentioned above; passing the responsibility around. Ursa didn't lose Azula to someone or something. She let her go. And that's assuming that she even had Azula is the first place, at any point, which could be just wishful thinking. While Ozai, and the FN as a whole played a part, Ursa can't keep viewing them as the only parties responsible instead of holding herself accountable.

Zuko pisses me off her as well because he's doing the exactly same thing, but in a different way. He removes responsibility from Ursa, but instead of placing it on the school or his father, he seems to place it on Azula's very own nature, implying that her problem was just that she was Azula, and other kids under similar circumstances would have done better, simply because they are not Azula, which is simply not true. Azula's problem isn't that she's Azula, it's that she is a product of systematic propaganda and domestic abuse and neglect.

It must take lots of nerve to hire a person that's a product of Ozai's rule, that actively and publicly supports Ozai's way of doing things, and then being bothered and flabbergasted that this person wants to do things Ozai's way. Zuko, my man, hire a new headmistress. I've seen this lady once and I know better than to trust her. Are all that survival instincts Zuko ever had sliding right off his smooth, shiny brain? Either he is actively trying to sabotage himself, or he's just that stupid.

DOGSHIT. Arguably the most annoying thing about this comic, methinks. Such a lazy way of trying to redeem Mai. I understand that she's meant to be Zuko's love intrest, so she needs to be good and support his deals, but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, this must be the worst way to do it. This is just anti-Azula propaganda by this point.

If you want to redeem a character, hot take, actually redeem them. Instead of actually moving forward with Mai's character, they're backpetaling. Instead of adding redeeming qualities, they are removing the bad ones in an underhanded way. Very lazy, very bad writing. Both Mai and Azula deserve better than this.

I have way too many thoughts about these bit specifically, but this is an overall review of the comic, so I don't want to duel on one thing apecifically. I' ll talk more about everything that I hate about this "twist" in regards to Mai's character and her relationship with Azula in a different post on a different day.

Can't wait to show this to the "Azula is abusive for thowing fire at an apple that was on top of Mai's head" people. Behold! Mai started throwing dangerous shit at Azula first. This is them becoming friends. If Azula is abusive for continuing the tradition, what does tha make Mai, the one who started it?

This is more amusing to me than frustrating, if I'm being honest. They are trying so hard to make Azula out to be this inherently evil hell creature, that they don't even realize how terribly they're failing. The only thing making this interaction intimidating is framing. Azula is genuinly just being a normal kid here. Seriously, I dare you to antagonize a kid and count the minutes until they pull the parent card. I've had kids tell me that their parent works in the environment of political figures and can get me fired unless I let them run wild. Children are terribly aware of their powerlessness even if they don't show it. Borrowing mommy and daddy's "power" to wield as a threat is very typical behavior, especially in new environments. Azula isn't any more evil than any other first grader is. Which, to be fair, is reletavily evil, dependend on who you ask XD.

"Being friends with her sucked. Yeah, she was the only person I had growing up that made me feel like I mattered, since my dad used me and my mom wanted me to be an unemotional porcelain doll, but she was evil."

Two faced. Too fake. Do better. I am officially a certified Mai hater.

At this point, Mai confuses me. On one hand, she acts as if Azula is the antichrist and being mean just for the hell of it. Then, when Kiyi asks, she seems to display some actual understanding towards Azula's situation. Seems to acknowledge that who Azula is right now is the handywork of a third party, the intentions of which Azula herself doesn't fully understand, but blindly follows anyway because what else can she really do? The third party includes the only parent that pays attention to her after all.

Listen closely, because I will say this once. I better not see any of you haters blame Azula for this. "Oh, Azula is still trying to take the throne-" Shut your bitch ass up. Azula is not talking to those guys. She's working with her Fire Warriors and has no interactions with those dudes. Their actions do not reflect on her in any way, shape, or form. Them waiting for her doesn't mean she's working with them or that she has promised them anything at all. They're popping off in the assumption that she's coming back and the assumption that she'll reward them when she does. Key word beinh assumption.

And that will be all for now folks. All in all, this comic sucked. It attempts to redeem Mai and to demonize Azula and, franky, it fails at both those tasks as far as I'm conserned.

I do have that the empathy Mai showcased towards Azula is the begining of something. That her new role as a teacher and her mission of helping clean up the rooten system that raised Azula will develop into a teaching moment for the cast and the fandom. That it'll show them that Azula isn't inherently evil and therefore not beyond redemption. I genuinely hope that, eventually, we'll get the redemption Hicks teased in The Spirit Temple and that she's just playing the long game.

But for that to happen, some things have to change. The sytematic abuse needs to be showcased even more. We need to see the neglect Azula endured at home. Ursa needs to be held accountable for her failures. Azula should be given the chance to be a kid, not a weapon. I want to see a comic taking place before she displayed her firebending abilities for the first time.

Do better, Hicks.

[telluriannovice]

I greatly enjoy pompous pep because it’s the only place where you can get a certain type of character and relationship analysis.

Canonically, in the one good scene of Phantom Planet, Vlad tells Jack he’s a half-ghost and that it was the accident that Jack caused that made him that way and that he’s been trying to kill Jack this entire time – and Jack apologizes. Jack could possibly forgive Vlad of pretty much anything, but would he forgive Vlad having sex with his son? Maybe if Danny is an adult, but otherwise? It’s an evil that can’t be brushed aside with apologies and understanding.

Jack wouldn’t notice any subtle signs, he’d have to walk in on them fucking to know it’s happening, but how would he react to that? Would he immediately break Vlad’s neck? (probably not) Would he doubt what he saw and come up with an innocent reason it just looked like they were having sex? (most likely) Would he actually support it, because it could mean Vlad becomes his son-in-law and legally part of the family? (not unlikely if Danny’s an adult when it’s discovered)

And how would Maddie react? She might immediately start hunting Vlad for sport, but she also has more reason to gaslight herself into thinking she didn’t see what she saw. She wouldn’t pick up on any subtle sign either, since she knows Vlad is, or at least was, into her, so it wouldn’t make any sense for him to suddenly be into Danny from her point of view. And there’s an even more interesting, angsty option: that she’s grateful that Vlad’s creepy obsession isn’t on her anymore. She’s disgusted with herself for thinking that and it could fuel her immediate Vlad-hunt and she tortures him for how he made her feel, or she could wallow in guilt while letting Danny take the bullet for her. She’d feel even worse if she confronted Danny about it and the reason he gives for the relationship is “yeah, it was to get his attention off of you and dad.”

Why is Danny doing it? Did Vlad give Danny an ultimatum? Or maybe Danny subconsciously noticed that Vlad wouldn’t attack his parents if Danny gave him intimacy of some kind? It is 100% in character that Danny would literally go through hell to keep his parents happy and together. Maybe Jack confronts Vlad about it who explains that, he just doesn’t have the self-control, that Danny came to him asking for this kind of relationship and Vlad gave it to him, like giving a kid candy for dinner – you know it’s bad for them, but you just wanted to please them. And that’s what happened! Danny the endling found another of his kind and desperately clung onto him and Vlad was too lonely and desperate to listen to his better judgment.

Though, there's not a lot extra stuff from "why Vlad is doing this" side of things, there are very interesting ideas for how it changes him, or how he refuses to let it change him. Vlad could get better, not likely, but finally having someone "love" him might make him a more reasonable person. And he could develop so much morally, he has a crisis of whether or not to keep the relationship going - how much has he really changed? Or he could get worse, fully just focusing all his obsession on Danny. Getting what he wants once might encourage him to just try harder to get the other stuff he wants, you know, world domination and the like.

How would Jazz react? She would notice the little signs, but she waited for Danny to come out as a half-ghost, would she also wait for Danny to come to her for help with this too? He wont do that if he’s “taking the bullet”, and this is a worse situation, so would she try to confront him about it? Could she do anything about it at all? The last time she tried to get at Vlad, she ended up needing Danny to save her – would she realize that she just doesn’t have the power to fight Vlad off and can’t risk letting Vlad use her against Danny to make his situation worse, or would she not notice or not care and try anyway? Is there literally anything she could to if Danny’s the one who made the choice to take the bullet for his family’s happiness? If Danny’s the one who’s in love with Vlad?

And Sam and Tucker are in the same sticky situation. If Danny doesn’t hid it or they find out, who are they going to go to? They know they’re no match for Vlad, they’ve never even tried to fight him themselves. Sam knows police and judges can be bought, and Vlad can easily get rid of the ones he can’t buy. Does Danny dismiss their concerns with Vlad the same way he dismissed their concerns with Paulina and Valerie, Danny’s other villain love interests?

Not to mention Dani! Like, non-consensual cloning is often viewed as a metaphor for sexual assault, and there are interesting and complex ideas of parenthood and relationships to be explored with that metaphor.

I just think pompous pep allows for a kind of character and relationship exploration that can’t really be explored in non-pompous pep content.

[musicalmoritz]

Do you have any bsd hot takes or any popular ships you don’t like

Oooooooh I love this question!! BSD hot takes are my specialty so I’m just gonna rapid fire some with zero elaboration

• Saying that Dazai hasn’t changed is a fundamental misunderstanding of his character, as well as the major themes of the manga. This shouldn’t even be a subject that’s up for debate

• As for ships, I temporarily really disliked Soukoku but it’s grown on me again. I think my most controversial shipping takes would be that I really dislike FukuMori and Atsulucy

• I wish people talked about the Hunting Dogs more!! Like their actual characters, not just simping or ships (not that there’s anything wrong with those things ofc). Jouno specifically is soooooooo interesting to me

• Dazai being suicidal is another subject that shouldn’t be up for debate. Saying he’s not because “his attempts always fail” or “he wants to live” is a horrific misunderstanding of how suicide ideation works

• The reason Atsushi doesn’t feel like the protagonist is because most of the light novel content focuses on the supporting cast, which then gets integrated into the show and gives Dazai more screen time. Reading the manga by itself, Atsushi actually has quite a bit of screen time and development. There are also two light novels focused on him so like,,,yeah

• I’m sorry but it will always be WEIRD to me how many fans switched up on Mori when Yosano’s backstory got animated. It’s fine to like him ofc but why are ppl allergic to focusing on the female characters

• The plot is very straightforward ya’ll it’s like one of the most basic plot structures of all time. Stop acting like it’s impossible to comprehend

• It’s also WEIRD to me how so many fans deny Higuchi being abused by Akutagawa. We see him hit and berate her multiple times, these are textbook examples of abuse. Especially within a professional relationship like theirs that has a power imbalance…again, no idea why this is even a debate

• Look personally. PERSONALLY. I do think Mori is intended to be a pedo. I know a lot of people probably just rolled their eyes so I want to clarify that I have read every analysis you’re about to recommend me that says otherwise. I see that perspective, however it really seems to me that people are doing mental gymnastics to deny the obvious. Again this is just my interpretation so pls lower your guns

• I fucking love Fukuchi he’s one of my favorite antagonists

• Nikolai is queercoded

• I so desperately wish we got more focus on Gin. What we have on her is already so compelling and I would love for Asagiri to flesh her out more

• “Dazai leaving the mafia was a good thing that ultimately saved his life” and “It is rational that Chuuya would be upset over his partner abandoning him with no explanation” are two sentiments that can and should coexist

• Not really a hot take but the Buraiha Trio is my favorite dynamic in the series. I need an entire spin off that’s just them meeting up at Bar Lupin except nothing bad ever happens

• Oda’s death scene is one of the most impactful moments from anything I’ve ever watched or read. It genuinely changed my outlook on life

• And on that note, The Dark Era is my favorite thing to come out of BSD

• It shouldn’t be controversial to say that Dazai was abused by Mori. Not physical or sexual like a lot of fans suggest but child endangerment and manipulation are definitely at play here. Mori’s actions in the Dark Era should be considered an act of abuse on their own

• I don’t care much for The Guild as a whole but the individual characters are super compelling!! Fitzgerald’s comeback is one of my favorite parts of the series and I absolutely adore Louisa, Lucy, Poe, Margaret, and Mark. I hate Nathaniel tho

• I do believe that Ranpo is autistic coded due to Untold Origins, however a lot of fans get very stereotypical and weird with that headcanon. I don’t see that as often now as I used to but it’s still a thing to some degree

• Most fans only look at half of Dazai and Akutagawa’s arc together and completely ignore how it was pointed out to us that Dazai is trying to show Aku the light and make him stronger by pairing him up with Atsushi. He hasn’t stopped training him, he’s just doing so from a distance now because he’s aware he caused Aku a lot of trauma. Not saying their dynamic is entirely positive, but it has changed. There was a whole chapter to point this out!! But people exclusively look at every scene with them through a negative light and it leads to the fandom undermining the development we see from both of them

• Oh and btw, Akutagawa and Atsushi’s partnership is amazing. I’m a big AtsuAku shipper but setting romance aside completely, I love seeing their characters interact. Their banter is so funny and omg the mutual respect between them??? The parallels between their arcs??? The way they help each other grow??? Absolutely fantastic, Asagiri ate with that. I must confess I like them way more then Dazai and Chuuya as a duo

• All these male partnership duos and not a single one for the women, c’mon Asagiri😔 Give us a toxic lesbian pair (I would say Higugin but technically Gin’s partner is Tachihara so they don’t count)

• Kyouka is easily the most underrated character in the series. She’s incredibly well-written and, not to mention, one of the main characters. We see her more than Chuuya and Poe but do people talk about her more than Chuuya and Poe??? No, my baby gets ignored. Sad times we’re living in

• I do believe in the whole “abuse cycle/web” concept, however there is also a healing cycle that is far more important to the story and I hate seeing fans overlook that

• Dazai’s talk with Kyouka at the end of The Guild arc is one of my absolute favorite scenes from the manga and I wish people talked about it more

• Fans joke a lot about Atsushi calling Dazai a good person but I do genuinely believe Asagiri wants us to think of him that way. He is morally gray for sure, but currently he is dedicating his life to saving others, therefore most people in-universe would consider him good. His past actions don’t matter to the every day people he saves on a daily basis. Imo this line was an attempt to challenge what we generally consider to be a “good” person

• To elaborate on that, it directly parallels the scene at the beginning of Dead Apple where Atsushi points out that Dazai is visiting a grave. “Do I look like someone visiting a grave to you?” “Yeah, you do” / “Do I look like a good person to you?” “Yeah, you do.” Atsushi was right the first time, so I believe he was intended to be right the second was well. Why else call back to it???

• Tbh it is objectively hilarious that Dazai doubts himself being a good person directly after saving the city. I understand why but like…sir, cut yourself some slack

• I think the fanon family dynamics are super cute but people should be able to acknowledge that a lot of them aren’t canon (besides, like, Fukuzawa and Ranpo or Bram and Aya). Ranpo and Yosano’s canon relationship is best friends, you can absolutely view them as siblings but don’t treat it like a canon fact

• Yk that post that said “Who the hell gets into bsd and looks for a healthy ship?? Take your sensitive ass back to Haikyuu” ? Yeah. I second that

• As an OCD-er myself I am TIRED of people calling Kunikida OCD. Yes I’ve written him that way before but it’s another thing that people treat as canon which it just…no, that’s not what OCD looks like😭 I could see OCPD or autism tho

• Yes, Kouyou abused Kyouka. Yes, Kouyou cares very deeply about Kyouka. Both of these statements can coexist. Every decision Kouyou makes is motivated by what would be best for Kyouka and if you don’t get that then you won’t understand her character very well

• I want to see Dazai and Kenji interact. Asagiri please

• Since I mentioned Kenji I wanna point out smth very weird I’ve noticed where, when people bring up healthy bsd ships, they tend to only mention the straight ones??? Even if it’s a mischaracterization or the characters have never interacted. It gives me a very weird vibe

• I think Tecchou and Jouno should kiss each other

• Fyodor is probably my favorite antagonist, the chapter with him and Ace is one of my favorites. He’s a good parallel for Dazai and I just love his whole aesthetic. I love the Decay of Angels as a whole, all of them. I’ll also note that his fans seem to understand the manga very well so shoutout Fyodor fans

• Tachihara has an amazing character arc and I hate that the anime cut it out

• Higuchi is so…ugh I love her to death. Her character is the perfect mix of comic relief and tragedy. I once saw someone point out that it’s nice how Asagiri is able to use her for humor without making the jokes misogynistic and I fully agree (although I do have some qualms abt Aku hitting her being used as a joke in that one bonus page). And her finding her place in the mafia, realizing how important she is to the people who work for her???? I adore her, I hope she gets a satisfying ending

• Higugin has so much potential to be explored in fanon and I hate how they always get reduced to the token fluffy wlw ship or how some ppl only like them for the aesthetic. Give me angst!!! Give me toxic doomed yuri!!! Or give me death!!!

• I really like Fukuzawa’s backstory and want to see more of it

• I’ve seen a lot of interesting headcanons for Dazai’s mental health status, and a lot of them feel realistic, but personally I think he’s very obviously intended to have MDD. Nothing wrong with other headcanons ofc, I’ve written him many different ways, but I think since a lot of people downplay the severity of depression, they overlook that option when trying to psychoanalyze severely mentally ill characters

• The light novels have some of the best bsd content and more fans should read them

• I don’t like the “all lesbians love Chuuya” jokes because I am a lesbian and I’m not down bad for him. Do I love him?? Yes. But not in a simp way. He’s more like my gay brother

• Speaking of which- I do really like the gay hc for Chuuya and the bi hc for Dazai but I wish fans weren’t so afraid to step out of the established box!! Nothing is fully confirmed guys, we can headcanon them as whatever we want. Let’s get creative with it

• I wish more fans humanized Yosano the way they do with the male characters. We see from her backstory how much being out on a pedestal hurt her and so it just seems weird that she’s upheld as this flawless girlboss. Yes, she’s a totally badass and a hottie and I love that but there is so much more to her. She has her weak moments just like every other character, and she has such an incredible arc

• On that note I hope everybody who told me Mori is more interesting than her dies in a fire (I’m joking) (ik how Mori fans like to tussle)

• I happen to really like both the Tanizaki siblings. Actually that’s a lie I used to hate Junichirou. I can’t remember why, I think I just found him annoying. No idea what my current opinion is but now I feel kinda bad for hating him so I’ll say I like him now

• Idk why ppl get so pissed when you suggest that Dazai self-harms like. Okay fine ik it’s not fully confirmed that that’s what the bandages are for. But let’s use our brains for a second…

• Ango did nothing wrong

I could go on but this is already absurdly long (edit: cannot believe that autocorrected to wrong, I have never been wrong about anything in my life) so I’m gonna end it on that doorknob confession. I miss my bsd hyperfixation sometimes, the TikTok fandom got on my nerves but it truly is one of my favorite series ever. And not JUST because of Dazai, clearly I have a lot of thoughts on everything about it lol

[gayofthefae]

There is something in a story structure called a cave. It is when all hope is lost, the lowest point for a character; they hit rock bottom. It happens right before the climax to force them to make an important decision, force them into a dilemma.

Every scene has one, every episode has one, every season has one to varying degrees. But Stranger Things as a whole is also a single story. A 5-season single story.

It's why season 4 is the only time they lose the battle. It is at the perfect point of the cave in the story - 4 of 5. "All hope is lost". It is the cave of the story as a whole.

So, though it may be played as his season climax, Mike Wheeler's story cave is this:

"Forced to make a decision between bad and worse" in my screenwriting teacher's words, he chooses that she live and he lie irrevocably over that he be honest and risk her dying. I once said he spent the season wondering whether he would have lied if he'd known it'd keep her safe; now he knows. A dilemma.

And I must say, it is genius to place it right here. Exactly here. The perfect way to convince you. It is his season climax: everything he's wanted achieved...But it is his story cave: rock bottom.

Yes, he achieved what he originally wanted - to love her. But he has reached the point in the story where he realizes what he wants and needs are not only different but at odds. He always wanted to love her. He always wanted to love a girl. He always wanted to avoid this fate

But unfortunately, he really did end up loving El, not just in concept or cover, so when what he needed was to be true to himself against their relationship, he acted in favor of his previous wants - and of her, not his needs.

Mike's story is confirmed to be incomplete. This is why.

Additional support to this analysis if you have doubts:

Will's decision would much more obviously be considered an all time low in this same structure. He had a dilemma Mike and El continuing to be sad or himself being sad and chose to sacrifice himself.

This clearly supports that the structure is being applied. Narrative structures aren't just applied once. That would make an incoherent mess in an ensemble cast. Mike and all characters follow the same structure we can prove is present with Will.

Will built up to giving Mike the painting, what he wanted to do all season, but sacrificed what he needed, to share his feelings. Mike is the same. Mike cannot be different. That's just not how writing works.

[corviiids]

hello! how do you find consistent friends in fandom? as in, how do you find people who stick with you through different fandoms and listen and read your work. also, how long have you been writing for and how long did it take you to get so good at writing and character analysis.... your work is such an inspiration to me, genuinely one of my top 3 authors across ao3. i hope the writing goes well!

hey! this is really sweet, thank you very much for your lovely kind words. 💖

re: friendship: i don't mean to be a downer about this so i hope it doesn't come across this way, but i do think the concept of friends where you follow each other through all your fandoms and continue to read each other's work etc kind of... either doesn't exist or is just a rare phenomenon and not a 'type' of friend per se more than it is something that just happens out of luck. i am lucky enough to have friendships which have persisted through all of us changing fandoms, but the reason those friendships last is actually because we found connections that went beyond common interests. i think sharing a fandom/interest is great as an initial point of connection and a way to meet, but for a relationship to last, you need to have a deeper bond than both being into the same thing--so contrary to what you've asked about (oops sorry) those friendships im speaking of only last because we didn't follow each other into different fandoms, really. we didn't have to. along the same vein, i'd respectfully argue that it wouldn't be productive or fair of me to group 'reading my work' in as an element of friendship, so to speak--i definitely don't expect my friends to read my fic and vice versa, we all understand that we can support each other in our creative pursuits and lives in general / in the abstract without needing to be a fan of the same things or even necessarily being fans of each other's work (although of course it's always nice). i know this doesn't really answer your specific question but i hope it doesn't come across as pessimistic as it might sound. i truly and genuinely believe it's a positive thing that the idealised friendgroup traipsing through fandoms together doesn't really exist (or if it does exist, it's luck and not something to shoot for in itself), because this just tells me to look out for these great opportunities to form bonds that last beyond superficial interests.

in terms of how to make those friendships to begin with, im honestly even less help. my friendships kind of just happened to me. im actually quite terrible at reaching out to people and i am notoriously difficult to reach myself hahaha so honestly all the credit for my friendships goes to my friends for being patient and sticking with me despite that. i am honestly just very lucky in that i've been able to talk out loud into the void and have had wonderful people reach out to me because of it, but that's hardly a reliable strategy... i guess i'd encourage you to be more like my friends, who are the anime protagonists wielding the power of friendship to my prickly antagonist, or whatever. oh another thing to remember i guess is that some friendships just don't last this way and will stay within fandoms and may peter out, and that's ok. i don't consider those relationships less real or valuable for being less lasting.

re: writing: i want to caveat that i don't think i'm fairly able to say (or comfortable saying) that i'm particularly good at writing or character analysis, certainly not to an extent that i'd be willing to hold myself up as an example of it, but i really appreciate that you feel that way about my work and am incredibly honoured to be considered an inspiration in any capacity!!

with that disclaimer made, i'll do my best to answer for whatever it's worth. i've liked writing ever since i was a very little kid, but i will credit any actual progress i've made in developing the skill to writing fanfic because i think that being able to focus on building character and logical flow in plot progression over other things like creating characters, worldbuilding, inventing plots wholesale, etc--which has allowed me to sort of expedite those skills in particular and which i think are helpful in writing more broadly. (this also answers the 'character analysis' part specifically--when you don't have to/get to invent a character, you have to spend more time taking them apart.) anyway, i started writing fic about twelve or thirteen years ago, and there have been periods within that where i've progressed faster or slower depending what's going on in my life haha. i do think time played a massive role in any skill developments i've made, but i also know people take less time or more time to make similar progress (caveat again: progression is subjective, this is very approximate), so i think the other key ingredient besides time is engagement. if it's helpful, i went into that a little bit more here, but as stated i have a lot more to learn and would never present myself as an expert lol

[writersglockrambles]

Without Context, What are we? An Andor Analysis.

So, as many watchers of Andor are aware, the show was originally going to be 4 seasons, instead it was compressed into 2. With the second season being even more compressed into 3 episodes per week that take place respectively 4, 3, 2, and 1 year before the battle of Yavin.

Now, like most other fans, i adored season 2, yes there are flaws but overwhelmingly its a brilliant show and some of the best Star Wars content we've seen in years. But, i do have to stress how badly the lack of context in season 2; effects my overall enjoyment of it.

My main critique of this issue will be aimed at the relationship between Mon Mothma and her husband Perrin Fertha, as some people who've seen my blog are already aware: i really love Perrin.

To start off with, throughout the first half of the second season, we can see that Perrin and Mon's relationship isn't as rocky as it was in season 1 (Yes, barring his jealousy of Tay Kolma.) Perrin is seen as supportive of his wife and protective: which we can see in Episode 6 (What a festive evening.)

firstly, we have Perrin organising their social calendar, conferring with Mon on the issues of timing and investiture dinners that are making it difficult for him to plan accordingly. Next, we have the art collection scene from the same episode:

Throughout this scene, Perrin is trying his hardest to hinder Mon's (admittedly righteous) anger toward Krennic. Putting himself (physically) in between them.

Even in a later scene, he's doing his best to calm Mon down. This man clearly cares about his wife. Yes, their marriage was arranged and when referencing the mask of fear by Alexander Freed, we can see their marriage was very turbulent in the beginning, but he does care about her, about her political career. Which brings me to the scene i admittedly hate.

I will try to be as unbiased as possible with this section.

at the end of episode 12, this small clip of Perrin and Runai Sculdun appears very briefly. And this brings me to my overall complaint with season 2: where is the context? We have literally nothing to go on as context for what is happening in this scene, or what has led to it. Instead, its only after the finale that information pertaining to this scene and Mon's senate speech, came out.

To paraphrase the video here: Mon and Davo Sculdun had some type of unspoken alliance, Davo was supposed to be the owner of the news network incharge of broadcasting the senatorial sessions, and he would've declined the request to turn of the broadcast. This in turn would leave both Mon and Davo being disgraced and fleeing from the empire. But the scene was cut, and the context gone with it.

We then go onto to the next issue. Perrin knew all along about what Mon was doing:

Again this deleted scene would've provided much needed context and also have redeemed Perrin in the eyes of many viewers. He knew the entire time that Mon was funneling money to the rebellion "You could've trusted me." vital character development was left on the cutting room floor and now we're left with a single scene that makes it look like Perrin just decided to shack up with Runai, instead of the actual reasons behind that scene.

I understand the showrunners had limited time and space to add scenes like this, but there are quite a few scenes in the show that hinder the pace.

Not adding important context like this, just robs the viewer of vital reasonings for characters motives.

I love the show, season 2 is brilliant, but the egregious lack of context is baffling at best and frustrating at worst. Most viewers of the show won't go hunting round for clues on what these scenes really meant. As a result you have people being left with a sour taste in their mouths at the lack of context for important scenes.

All we really needed was a few lines of dialogue at any point within the show to clear up the unanswered questions.

(Added the meme for levity.)

[sweetvixen1996]

Looking at the Kiss the Villain Playlist: Part 1/14

Power by Isak Danielson: This song is about feeling trapped in a relationship, realizing the other person never really loved you, though you put everything into it. All the narrator wanted was someone to adore them, but realizing this will never happen makes them finally seek liberation from the toxic relationship.

He's My Man by Luvcat: This is a lovely little ballad about a woman who is obsessed with her partner to the point of not wanting to let him leave her side for a single minute. When love and attachment turn into a toxic obsession, it leads to the narrator poisoning the man to make him stay forever.

Daddy Issues by The Neighborhood: This song is about two destructive people in a likely doomed relationship through no fault of their own. Because of their treatment at the hands of their different fathers, they can empathize with each other's pain but are struggling with how to truly trust each other enough to have a real relationship.

Strangers by Ethel Cain: OOOOHHHH BOY! This is a crazy one. Because of Cain's unique vocal style, understanding the lyrics of this song is a bit difficult. Upon first listening, mostly due to the chorus, it can seem like a sadly romantic song about longing for a distant partner. HOWEVER, because this is the last song on a concept album, it is impossible to remove Strangers from the larger narrative of the character, Ethel Cain's, tragic life and eventually horrible end. The album chronicles Ethel's birth into a small town as a respected preacher's daughter, her fleeing her sexually abusive household in search of the stereotypical American Dream, to losing her first and truest love, and finally being abducted, used, abused, and eventually killed and cannibalized by a man named Isaiah. Strangers is about Ethel, now dead, watching on as she is consumed; wavering between her horror at her fate and her lingering desire to still be loved by this horrible man while also addressing her mother, who will never know Ethel's fate. This song and the larger album are genuinely fantastic -especially if you love lyrical analysis.

Apocalypse by Cigarettes After Sex: Finally, a hopeful song! Here, the narrator acknowledges that his new partner has suffered in her past relationships. However, he urges her to let go of the heartbreak, and the fear of feeling let down and to embrace the beauty and pain of a new relationship. Ultimately, it is a song about trust, and how it is needed to let a relationship grow.

So, what can this all tell us?

Well, for one, we can guess that Gareth is in for a hard time. It's clear to me that Gareth suffered his own share of trauma from his childhood with Killian -who I do believe behaved abusively toward him- and the pressure he felt to be the family's Golden Boy. And, considering that Daddy Issues is a song about two people with similar trauma finding comfort with each other, it's possible Kayden understands Gareth's pain and anger. I'm willing to bet that Gareth, probably without wanting to, finds himself drawn to Kayden as a source of comfort and support. Which would be sweet, except that all these songs point to an element of manipulation and misuse of one partner to the other. Now, because of God of War, we know Gareth thankfully won't end up killed and cannibalized by Kayden, but I do wonder if this relationship will have a happy ending.

[danielmolloyshole]

@ahubofreadersandmagicians:

Why would Daniel hate Marius? He’s already read the “forced prostitution” and “Marius de Romanus” folders from the Talamasca’s Armand file, we’ve seen them. His only response was to shame Armand for talking abt the Arun/Amadeo days and imply he was lying. Even knowing Armand was telling the truth. Daniel’s bad w/abuse victims generally and hates Armand. Sadly, I think he’ll be ok with Marius.

This got stupid long and also needs to broken into parts to try to minimize how all over the place I am so let's gooo. Friendly disclaimer that this is my opinion but I am literally trained in media analysis like this so I promise I am coming from a place of knowledge. I'm gonna start with my interpretation of Daniel's character and go from there.

RE; Daniel is bad with abuse victims

I'm assuming you are saying this because of how Daniel talks to Luis about his abuse. The way Daniel approaches this topic is, frankly, awful. Daniel is not good at it. However, he is not supportive of it. He calls Lestat out on how badly he was treating Luis, the racial dynamic (again, said in a really bad way but later we do see Lestat minimizing Luis's feelings about how he is treated as a black man so he wasn't wrong). I also think about the rent boy line, which to me was more directed as a snide remark at Luis and his assumption of what their relationship is. Not saying it wasn't also supposed to be a jab at Fake Rashid (by this point he is suspicious and annoyed and staring all the time and in general does not know what to make of him, which Daniel doesn't like), but Daniel was in active conversation with Luis and not Fake Rashid. Daniel is mean, this is not in contention. He is not a good person. But he does not ignore or get down with abuse and instead calls it out into the room, both explicitly and implied.

RE; Daniel's Past & Hating Armand

Now, what informs the fact that Daniel is such a bitch, especially when he is chasing the high of bringing out the truth? Working under the assumption of my previous post, Devil's Minion has happened. The evidence of such is, in my opinion, scattered throughout both seasons and would be a whole other post to detail. This, in my opinion, is supported by comments made by the actors and show runners that imply they have purposefully planted seeds. All I have to work with in terms of analysis right now is the book and these seeds and my last post stated that we are treating the Devil's Minion chapter as canon up until Daniel's turning, at which point Armand would have erased his memories. This implies that from 1973 until 1985, the ages of 20 and 35, Daniel's memories are incomplete. Imagine your most developmental years as an adult are now so full of holes that you wrote a memoir about how inconsistent your memory is. Your first love, your first heartbreak, the first time you debased yourself for someone's love, the first time you really fucked up with someone, countless mistakes now altered. Any self-actualization that would have made Daniel a better person is now incomplete. This includes the memory of Daniel fucking a girl with a bag on her head. It is a shameful memory, that's why Armand brings it out, but as a twenty year-old shitty kid from Modesto, Daniel might not have fully conceptualized how ashamed he is of it until it is used as weapon against him. Assuming the memories begin to return next season, either in partial or in full, this would mean that Daniel would suddenly have a much fuller context of his trauma and why he does what he does. Eric Bogosian mentioned in an interview that both he and Daniel have forgotten trauma and I do not believe San Francisco is the end of that trauma. A relationship as volatile as Armand and Daniel's, influenced by drugs and blood and danger, would hold just as much trauma if not more than the six days spent in that apartment. Bogosian went on to say that those traumas influence how someone acts and interacts without even being aware of it. I believe a lot of the development we're gonna see in Daniel is him reconciling the mean, tear-it-all-down journalist with the man he was at the height of his affair with Armand. We've already seen heightened emotion from his Paris memory (another tangent but I do not believe Alice is Armand but rather that this specific memory was altered. Daniel cares a lot less about the memory of Alice telling him she's pregnant so the inconsistency is odd).  Daniel is going to need character development moving forward. Does this mean he's going to stop being an asshole? No. He's still an asshole. I just think he'll be a different kind of asshole.

RE; Daniel Shaming Armand

I don't interpret that Arun/Amadeo line as shaming him, exactly. Asking where the lies start, implying the Arun dynamic was something of a sham (master when it's hot and convenient, etc), yeah. He's in the throes of bringing down the castle of lies, he's gotten his hit, he's basically high on exposing the truth. To me, especially given how he looks at Armand while he's on the floor, I don't think Daniel hates Armand. In book canon, it's said that he could only feel ravening desire and it is my opinion that that remains true. Daniel was gloating until the high wore off and then he was at the very least incredibly shook and definitely not making a move to rub it in Armand's face that he won.

RE; Daniel hating Marius

The show has set Marius up to be a pedophilic groomer. I don't even know if grooming was a widely-used term in the seventies but they dropped it in there and modern sensibilities make that very purposeful writing. Daniel, as stated before, does call out abusive behavior. Is he doing it in a way that reduces harm? Fuck no. Is he hurting everyone in the way he does it? Absolutely. But he has shown no evidence of being supportive of abusers and Marius has been set up explicitly as an abuser.

RE; Conclusion

Daniel Molloy is not a good person but he is not an abuser and there is no evidence that suggests he would love Marius or be in any way supportive of his actions. This is true in particular with Armand, since it is now well-established that they will have a romantic relationship in the future.

[yanderes-galore]

Romantic concept of Vaggie from Hazbin Hotel?

Hm... I can try. I try not to mention Charlie too much in this as I was trying to focus on Vaggie herself... which was harder than I thought.

Yandere! Vaggie Concept

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Overprotective behavior, Manipulation, Delusional behavior, Blood, Stalking, Violence, Dubious relationship.

Based on character analysis I have looked into... Vaggie is very codependent.

If we look at her and Charlie's relationship, we can see that everything Vaggie does is for Charlie.

She openly admits that her whole purpose is to keep Charlie happy and safe.

She's a caretaker, a guardian, a fallen angel who is quite used to fighting.

There's times when it doesn't look like she has individuality.

Her whole personality is Charlie in the show.

In that case, I imagine she'd be this way with her obsession.

It doesn't matter what she thinks...

All she cares about is what you think and want.

For that, she's probably one of the more tame yanderes in Hazbin.

I say this because she'd be focused on being supportive or her obsession rather than doing anything that could harm you.

She wouldn't kidnap you... she'd essentially be your personal 'guardian angel'.

Which is... probably better?

She'd be dedicated to her darling to the point it's self-destructive.

She doesn't care much about herself... just what you think.

In a way she's better than most as she wants to give you genuine love.

Although... That doesn't mean she doesn't get anxious when you're around others.

You see... she's cautious of everyone at times.

Her trust has been betrayed before, that's why she's here actually.

She's overly protective of you, never leaving your sight for a moment.

She tries to trust your judgement on people.

If you say they're not a threat... She'll try to be open minded.

Unfortunately, even if you trust someone, it doesn't mean she'll do the same.

Honestly she trusts no one around you.

Vaggie isn't the most manipulative yandere... but I think she still tries to be a 'voice of reason'.

In reality she's just voicing her concerns about a specific person she saw you talking to.

Why do you even need to talk to them anyways?

Vaggie claims her behavior is to prevent you from getting hurt.

If you're hurt, she's hurt.

She'd be that attached to you.

Vaggie is very supportive and caring to you... yet she has a darker side.

She's aggressive easily because she's always looking for threats.

She's paranoid in a way.

If something, or someone, makes you unhappy...

Vaggie would probably get rid of it.

She treats you like you're precious yet also attempts to allow you to make your own decisions.

She'll just... supervise you when you do it.

She's smothering, but not with affection.

Vaggie actually has a normal amount of affection compared to most.

She comforts you, peppers you in kisses when you want them...

She isn't forceful.

Her biggest red flag is her insistence of solving problems in a militaristic way.

She isn't too possessive.

She's just... overly cautious.

She struggles to lie to you, that's mentioned in canon.

She's a bad liar.

Vaggie doesn't normally lie.

She just... finds excuses on why she doesn't want you around certain people.

It's Hell after all, right?

She has to look after you....

A lot of the time Vaggie acts too much like a caretaker.

She seems like she'll baby you more than treat you like you're independent.

It feels like a habit to her.

It's like she's still an angel in some way... she just wants to look after you.

Vaggie normally holds off on murder, yet lets be honest.

If someone hurt you, Vaggie's response is violence.

She does it away from your eyes... yet it still happens.

If some demon causes you pain, her pain, they're gone.

Even if she got blood on her clothes... would you question it?

People in Hell kill all the time... She'll easily get away with it.

Also, she can't lie to you if she just... says nothing, right?

Any murder she possibly does is never admitted.

She'll just go back to playing guardian angel like nothing happened.

She may end up socially isolating you due to her own trust issues, but she knows better than to kidnap.

She's just a subtle puppeteer who controls your life and who you talk to.

Her excuse is always the same, too.

She's just watching over you and making sure you aren't hurt.

To her, you're her partner... Someone she couldn't live without.

She'd do anything for you... Even if it hurts her.

She tries to give you your freedoms, she really does.

But... eventually she'll drive people away with her inability to trust others...

She finds it's way safer if she just has you all to herself.

[nebulatrifid]

My analysis of Viktor and Sky in Arcane:

I do think Viktor and Sky were acquaintances however they weren't really close. You see this in the flashback where Viktor is playing with his boat as a child. Sky looks down at him but doesn't join him, and instead goes to play with other kids. They did grow up together though, knew each other, but essentially have the same relationship you do with the other people in your highschool graduating class.

This relationship is still something though and is why Viktor helped Sky get a job as his lab assistant. Viktor is definitely portrayed as an introvert in the show and while he probably made small talk with Sky, said hello, asked how her day was going, ect, their relationship was never anything more than coworkers. This is reinforced by him referring to her as "Ms. Young" rather than Sky. During the Progress Day Presentation, Sky also walks in with Jayce but doesn't say anything to Viktor.

After her death, Viktor feels upset and rightfully so. He is the reason she is dead. Viktor is a human being and any human would feel incredibly guilty about what happened. He does take the time to read over her notes and realized firstly that Sky thought they were a lot closer than he did. This makes Viktor feel even more guilty because they worked together for seven years, he should have made more of an effort to get to know her, but he didn't. Viktor also realizes that him and Sky would have gotten along if he knew her better, and maybe even sees part of himself in her (he didn't want to spend the rest of his life as an assistant, Sky probably didn't either).

After leaving Jayce and becoming Jesus, either Viktor or the Arcane creates the version of Sky we see in Act 2 to help him process his grief. The Sky we see is shown to be forgiving of Viktor and supportive of his actions. Their conversations are based on Viktor's perception of her from her notes, and I do think the Arcane also influences this hallucination to guide Viktor along. This is supported by Sky telling Viktor he shouldn't try and heal Vander. She also seems to be assuring Viktor that what he is doing is correct.

In order for Viktor to fully evolve though, he needs to get rid of his humanity. This involves releasing the version of Sky he created since she existed to help him process his guilt. When she says "no you won't" she is reminding Viktor that she is a creation of his human emotions, and that she wasn't the real Sky. Viktor won't miss her because she was talking to himself.

Finally, there are a lot of mirrors in Arcane. If Viktor and Sky weren't close, Sky probably invented a version of Viktor that she fell in love with. Viktor then later created a version of her that he became friends with. I don't think Viktor has any romantic feelings for Sky (this is kind of confirmed by the show creators).

Anyways yeah that's my theory. I feel like Arcane left a lot unsaid and this kind of strings together a lot of the loose threads with Viktor and Sky's character. I wish we got to see more of Sky, but she hardly had any screen time. I also wish we got more of an explanation as to what the purpose of her season 2 character was. I kept expecting them to do some big reveal but she kind of just disappeared and nothing more was said. I personally don't think season 2 Sky was the real Sky, her character just didn't seem consistent with how she acted in season 1.