#but the four we've lost so far have had some of the most prominent personalities

[technicolordreamgoat]

We're back at 0 days since I've ugly-cried in public because miss my goats ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[ctrl-alt-tahu]

The Everyman Problem

So, I've had a kernel of a Bionicle post rattling around in my for a couple weeks that I haven't quite been able to articulate, but I think I might have the angle to explain it now.

I'm an "old Bionicle fan": by which I mean, I'm old enough to have got into Bionicle in the "Mata Nui" era (2001-2003). A glance at the notes on my big [unfinished, looking abandoned] alt-canon fanfic shows that I'm old enough to have disliked the change of the Toa from Mata to Nuva... in 2002.

So, which that as background, remember that I'm old enough to remember a time when it wasn't known at all that Matoran, Toa, and Turaga were all the same "species."

Thinking back on it, I don't think I initially "noticed" the revelation that no only were the Turaga were former Toa, but the Toa (Metru) were Matoran before that--Takanuva too, but he was something of a special case. In 2004, I was really just absorbing that Vakama, Onewa, etc. were former Toa--that "Toa" might mean something other than "single demi-urgic hero of each element." I got there eventually, as far as acceptance goes, but it part of my age-related fade out of the Bionicle fandom.

2006, on the other hand, emphasized the other part that I'd ignored more during the LoMN/WoS era: that Toa came from Matoran. I still don't love this, but until last night I couldn't really lay a finger on how to express why.

I thought it might just be my habitual stick-in-the-muditude: you changed Jaller from Captain of the Guard! You changed Matoro from Nuju's stoic interpreter to a worry-ridden saviour.

I also thought it might just be the genre shift: it's all fantasy, of course, but it's a different thing from the island mythology-vibe of Mata Nui to the Lost City of Atlantis vibe of Metru Nui (and then the vibes beyond). I like the Toa more as unique elemental avatars than evolved Matoran, but that's not really it either.

Last night, though, I watched later era Marvel movie--it doesn't matter which one, because they all have this problem--and as the credits were rolling, I realised that the reason I don't really like the MCU is much the same as this "problem" I had with Bionicle: if just about anyone can be a superhero, you lose the "ordinary" members of the story.

Putting it another way, I realised I prefer "chosen one" stories to "X-men" stories. This is probably the Tolkien fan to some extent: you can have a world full of magic and heroes and super-powers, but if it also has "ordinary" folk, their specific importance in the story is that they ARE ordinary: Gandalf and Aragorn are heroes and amazing, yes, but Frodo never "levels up"--he is a greater person at the end of the story than the beginning, but it is the growth of an ordinary person.

Because superheroes are so common in the MCU (or DCU, etc), it's hard to have ordinary people be front and center--and harder still for them to stay ordinary people. And something like that is my problem with where Bionicle went that I don't think ever fully resolved for me: part of the wonder of Mata Nui, the whole storytelling point of MNOG is that the Matoran contribute to the victory too: they have no mask powers, no elemental powers, but they are there to help the heroes and do their part and its essential.

This already starts changing with MoL, it changes more with LoMN, and by the time we get to the Voya Nui arc, we've gone "Full MCU": everyone in the story can be a Toa.

I think, if the Inika had been "four or five" new characters and only one "already-known" Matoran, I'd have been much happier. But when you take the most prominent Matoran from every tribe and make them all Toa... who's left? The headcanons that the Chronicler's company become Toa too both satisfy and don't work for me for this reason. They satisfy me if they leave the Inika as Matoran, because I think that was a better way to go; they annoy me if they're BOTH Toa now, because that exacerbates what I think is the "problem" here.

It's not really a problem, objectively, but it is my subjective sticking point. And it's the reason that even though I might keep most of this lore, despite the grumbling, I'm willing to jettison completely and utterly the idea that "only some Matoran are destined to become Toa." Destiny is always a hard thing to make work in the story, but the Doylist result is that Matoran now come in two categories: Special Protagonist and Ordinary: and the Ordinary is now completely swept off the stage and I really don't want that: I want the story to include a real focus on some powerless, ordinary individuals.

So I'd rather it be that ANYONE can turn into a Toa: they don't, maybe, because the circumstances lead there, but every Matoran has that potential. Because if anyone COULD be a hero, then at least when they do become a hero, it's more ordinary.

But I'd still rather that none of them could--but I'm not sure that is a concept you could return to without retconning Gen-1 so far that you end up with Gen-2. And I don't think I want THAT either.

[anarmorofwords]

Hi! You're probably not going to like this ask, but before getting into it I'd just like to say that this isn't meant as Kamala hate or anything, and I don't really want to offend.

Having said that, wouldn't it make sense that we get to see how Kamala treated Anna after she came out? It's in all likelihood one of the things that's weighing on Anna the most.

Obviously Kamala had her valid reasons: her parents aren't as liberal as the Lightwoods, she believes (knows?) their love is conditional as she's adopted, she's not white and not being heterosexual could further any treatment she's suffered from being different... Her reasons have already been listed multiple times by multiple people. Kamala has the right to stay in the closet and fear coming out. And while that shouldn't be villianised, we can't forget that closeted people can harm those around them.

If Kamala had kept treating Anna like a good friend, rumour would've sparked, and even if it was denied, she'd have been harmed by merely associating with Anna. Especially with the life Anna began leading; she could have been labelled as one of Anna's 'conquests' by the Clave. That, as we've established, is detrimental for her safety.

But at the same time, it would create a breach between Anna and Kamala. And Anna had the right to be hurt by it and weary of it when Kamala said she wanted a relationship.

If we look at it from that perspective, Anna's actions (though inexcusable in how they treated Kamala --who was also at fault for not accepting a negative for four months) make sense. Kamala wasn't only a fling of a week*, but also the girl she lost her virginity with, who asked her to be her secret (until she married Charles, after which Anna's affections would be discarded), who hid her sexuality for two years and sat back while Anna suffered from homophobic commentary, and who now wants a relationship hidden from most of the people that know her.

Kamala shouldn't be forced to come out; but the harm that can do to the women she may engage with is reflective of what happens nowadays. I can mostly think of examples with gay men, so my apologies in advance. But how many women have seen their marriages ruined by their husband having affairs with men?

Creating characters that reflect a toxic part of the 'hidden' LGBT community shouldn't be seen as hating or villinifying. Thomas isn't out and he isn't labelled a villain by the narrative --because his actions don't harm anyone. The hate Alastair gets in-universe is because of his past as a bully, not because he's gay. Matthew's not fully out and he isn't villianised --like Thomas, because the decisions he makes to keep his sexuality hidden don't impact anyone negatively.

I'll even go as far as saying that not even the narrative villianises characters like Kamala and Charles. If it were, they'd be seen more like Grace in Chain of Gold. We'd see how Kamala's actions are affecting Anna's in more ways than anger (that in itself put the fandom against Anna), and the characters would note so. We wouldn't see scenes were Cordelia empathised with Charles, nor Matthew said he loved him.

Be it as it may, Kamala and Charles represent ugly parts of being closeted that can naturally occur when someone is in their position. LGBT people are human. Humans, when put into very difficult situations (and Charles risks his career; Kamala her safety), can make decisions that harm those around them. Consequently, the people they're harming have a right to feel, well, harmed in whatever range of ways --this goes mostly for Alastair, and very partly for Anna, whose treatment of Kamala was horrible.

Readers need to understand what is pushing these 'villianised' characters to harm (again, mostly for Alastair) the more prominent characters and go beyond how they are instantly depicted. Because these are complex characters based on complex real people influenced by very ugly realities we will move on from someday, but sadly not yet.

By the way, Charles and Kamala's situations aren't that similar beyond the closeted thing, but I crammed them together because of a post I saw you reblog.

Please understand I'm not justifying Charles's actions; that I understand the pain he's put Alastair through, and know that he shouldn't ever be near Alastair. Nor am I trying to justify Anna's actions nor hate on Kamala.

I'll just finish my pointless rant by adding that I do think cc has sensitivity readers. I think she asked a gay man to go through tec (I don't know if he still revised her other books, though), and know she asked POC's input when writing someone for their culture. I don't know much beyond that, but I doubt who revises her stuff is up to her. Wouldn't that be something the publisher is responsible for (honest question)?

*I've also noticed people using the argument that they didn't know each other long enough for Anna to harbour such ugly emotions towards Kamala, but Kamala also remembered Anna pretty deeply and is 'in love' with her. I just wanted to say that considering cc writes (fantastical) romance where someone can ask a woman they met two months ago marriage, stressing over time spaces doesn't make much sense. Just my take.

hi!!

alright, where do I start? probably would be best with stating that while I can analyse Kamala's situation with what I know/see/read about racism and discrimination and reasonably apply things I've read/heard from PoC to the discussion, as well as try to be as sensitive about it as possible, I'm still a white woman, so not a person that's best qualified to talk about this.

that being said - if someone wants to add something to this conversation, you're obviously more than welcome to, and if there's something in my answer that you don't agree with or find in some way insensitive or offensive - please don't hesitate to call me out on that.

back to your points though: (this turned into a whole ass essay, so under the cut)

I don't think Anna shouldn't be able to reminiscent on Kamala's behaviour/reaction to her coming out, or be hurt by it. what bothers me is the way CC talks about it - I can't remember the exact phrasing, but the post where she mentioned this suggested something along the lines of "you'll see how Kamala sided with the Clave and didn't defend Anna after her coming out", therefore putting the blame on Kamala and completely disregarding the fact that Kamala wasn't in position to do much at all. It suggest that their situation was "poor Anna being mistreated by Kamala". therefore I'm afraid Kamanna's main problem/conflict will remain to be portrayed as "Anna having to allow themselves to love again and forgive Kamala", while Anna's shortcomings - and Kamala's vulnerable position - are never discussed. I think it would be possible to acknowledge both Kamala's difficult situation and the possible hurt her behaviour caused Anna without being insensitive towards Kamala's character, but it would take a really skilled - and caring - author to do both of the perspectives justice. CC would have to find a balance between being aware of the racism/prejudice Kamala faced/ writing her with lots of awareness and empathy, and still allowing her to make mistakes and acknowledging them. As it is however, I'm under impression that she's just treating it as a plot device, a relationship drama.

I'd say no one expects characters of color to be written as flawless or never making mistakes, it's mostly the way these mistakes are written and what things these characters are judged/shamed/

And that's - at least in my understanding and opinion - where the problem is. it's that the narrative never even addresses Anna's faults, and portrays Kamala as the one that caused all - or most of - the pain, without ever even acknowledging her problems and background.

White characters in TLH make mistakes and fuck up - because they're human and they're absolutely allowed to - but the thing is, non-white characters aren't afforded that privilege. Anna's behaviour is never questioned - none of it, shaming Kamala for not being able to come out, dismissing her desire to be a mother, or any of the questionable things she did in ChoI. Same with Matthew, James, Thomas. Alastair and Kamala however? they're constantly viewed through their past mistakes, and forced to apologize for them over and over, forced to almost beg for forgiveness. Moreover, those past mistakes are used as a justification of all and any shitty behaviour the other characters exhibit towards them now, which is simply unfair and cruel. They're held to a much higher standard.

So I'd like to say that yes, Kamala was in the wrong to keep nagging Anna after numerous rejections, and she was in the wrong to not inform Anna about Charles prior to them having sex - but that doesn't give Anna a free pass to constantly mistreat Kamala. And let's be real, Anna isn't stupid - while at 17 she could be naive and uninformed, I can't imagine how after years of hanging out with the Downworlders and numerous affairs and being out and judged by the Clave she's still so ignorant about Kamala's situation. I definitely think she's allowed to be hurt, but to still not understand why Kamala did what she did? Anna isn't blaming her for not telling her about Charles earlier - which would be fair - but instead for refusing to engage in an outright romance with her. She's being ignorant - and consciously so, I think.

Overall, I think you're definitely right about how coming out - or staying closeted - can be messy and hurt people in the process, especially in unaccepting environments/time periods, and I've seen enough discourse online to know there will never be a verdict/stance on this that will satisfy everyone. I, for one, would really like to refrain from putting all the blame on a single person - but, at least the way I see it, CC is pointing fingers. maybe not directly, but she is. Kamala, Alastair and Charles have no friends or support systems, and the only people in the narrative that defend them are themselves (ok, Cordelia does defend Alastair from Charles, but not from shitty takes about him and his "sins"). Also, sorry, but I don't like how you say "hid her sexuality for two years and sat back while Anna experienced homophobic comments" - it sounds very much judgemental. Kamala had every right to do that? The fact that she slept with Anna doesn't means she owed her something, and certainly not coming out and most probably destroying her life, or even defending her at the - again - expense of her own reputation, or more possibly safety.

As for Charles - it's a different issue here, at least imo - I fear that it'll be implied that his refusing to come out will is his main "sin", and therefore not something he can be judged for, which ironically, will be villainizing, but mostly will mean his actual sins are dismissed. This is where the scene with Cordelia feeling a pang of sympathy for him comes into play, and it worries me. I've never hated Charles for not wanting to come out, but rather for, let's see - grooming Alastair, disregarding Alastair's needs and feelings, disrespecting his mother, being a sexist prick, being low-key far-right coded "make Shadowhunters great again" etc.

As for sensitivity readers - I'm no expert, so I don't think my input is worth much. From what I've gathered from multiple threads/discussions on twitter, tho it is probably consulted/approved by the publisher, many authors push for that - and authors less famous and "powerful" than her. I'm not a hater, but seeing fandoms' opinions on much of her rep, I think she could do better. Because if she does have sensitivity readers, then they don't seem to be doing a great job - maybe they're friends who don't wanna hurt her feelings? Or maybe she thinks a gay guy's feedback will be enough for any queer content - which, judging by the opinions I've seen from the fans, doesn't seem to be true.

Again, these are mostly my thoughts and I'm more than open to reading other opinions, because *sigh* I really don't know how to handle this.

Bottom line - I really really don't want to be hating on the characters in general, playing God in regards to judging the struggles of minorities, or even criticising the characters too harshly for being human, flawed etc. What my main issue is is how CC handles those complex and heavy topics.

I hope I make sense and this answer satisfies you somehow - I also hope someone better equipped to answer might wanna join this conversation.

* I desperately need a reread of TLH before I engage in any more conversations like this, but I didn't wanna leave you hanging. So yeah, I might be remembering things wrong. Again, let me know, I'm very much open to being corrected as well as to further discussion.

* I use she/her pronouns for Anna because that's what she uses in canon

[one-boring-person]

Bit Morbid.

The Lost Boys x reader

Warnings: blood imagery, blood drinking, implied sexual content

Context: idk really, it's just an idea that popped into my head at work today😂😅

Masterlist.

A pleasant burn runs down the length of my throat as I take yet another sip of the strong alcohol in my hand, the sensation having built up over the last couple of hours as I slowly drank more and more, my tolerance naturally quite high. In my head, a small buzz has started, but it's nowhere near enough to satisfy me, my body aching for something more, something better, which comes in the form of Kai, a surfer I picked up on the Boardwalk, the cocky boy having quickly taken me up on my offer of whiskey and beer on the beach. Evidently, he hopes he'll get a good lay out of me.

Across from me, Kai has cracked open yet another beer, raising it in cheers to me briefly, before he takes a long drink from it, the alcohol going straight to his head, inebriating him further, his mannerisms already becoming looser and looser, his inhibitions long lost to the high. It was only around his fourth bottle that he started getting handsy, but it's gotten progressively worse, his left hand nearly always reaching over to caress my hair and neck, his hazy eyes roaming lazily over my body as he slowly shuffles closer, a small, seductive smirk on my lips. I'm leading him on, I know, but it'll be so with it in the end.

"You're really pretty, (Y/n)..." He slurs, mind struggling to catch up with what he intends to say.

"You think so?" I inquire jokingly, leaning forwards slightly, crawling a hand over the sand to his leg.

"Oh yeah, definetly. You're one of the prettiest girls I've ever seen..." He continues, edging closer, eyes fixed on my lips.

"If you really think that, then you'll have to show me how serious you are." I tease him suggestively, biting my lip.

Instantly, his hands are pushing me back into the sand, his lips moving to cover mine, body hovering over mine as soon as it can. I kiss back, pushing my hands into his hair and around the back of his neck, a dull ache starting to form in my gums, lust and hunger growing rapidly in me as he pulls away to kiss down my jaw, leaving his neck exposed to me. Mouthing at the skin, I swiftly find his sweet spot, just above the point where his pulse is most prominent, a moan escaping him as I suck at it, my face starting to contort as I feel my eyes turn, my vision sharpening as it focuses on one thing and one thing only: his beating artery.

Finally, the hunger becomes too much and I sink my fangs into the soft flesh, easily puncturing the blood vessel, my hands tightening in their positions as Kai lets out a surprised yelp, trying to pull away with a protest, only to be pressed tighter against me as his blood pours onto my tongue for the first time. I moan as I get a taste, my nails digging into his skin as I hold him as close as I can, my jaw working at the flesh as much as it can, chewing away at the tendons and muscles there, relishing the euphoria that comes with drinking his blood. Panicked screams of pain ring in my ears as the surfer in my arms continues to fight, though I can feel his life draining away from him with speed, the blood loss making his movements uncoordinated and clumsy, his voice petering out into gargled whimpers, incoherent and irrelevant to me as I pull away from the wound. A sigh of pleasure leaves my gaping mouth, his blood coating my chin and neck as I tilt my head back, a few droplets trailing down my chest and below the neckline of my shirt as I do so, leaving warm lines on my frigid skin. The sickly sweet scent of the scarlet liquid entices my senses once more, my need to feed quickly resurfacing as I move the body's lifeless head to the side, biting into his shoulder to get at a "fresher" vessel of blood.

For a good ten minutes, I remain in my position, drinking Kai's blood until it starts tasting off, at which point I pull away and let the body fall from my grip, shoving it off of me as I lay back, arms spreadeagled by my sides, a satisfied grin on my face as I close my eyes. Gradually, my awareness returns to me, the scents of the surrounding areas becoming noticeable again, the sounds of the Boardwalk a little way away loud and clear in my sensitive ears. With them comes an odd feeling, one I normally only get when in the bustling crowd of the public attraction, where I often have four pairs of curious eyes fixed on me for the majority of the night, the sensation of being watched.

I concentrate on it, focusing on where the feeling is emanating from the most, quickly sourcing it as I catch the sound of a light footstep, followed by the tell tale sounds of shifting sand, coming just left of where I am. Internally, I decide not to react, waiting to see how they'd approach the situation, seeing as I am lying beside a mauled body with its throat practically torn out, all the evidence pointing rightfully at me. Instead, I open my eyes, the grin becoming a smirk as I listen closely to them approach me, not missing the sharp inhale that leaves them when the grisly scene before them comes into view, the bloodied layout clearly not something they were expecting. For a long moment, everything is silent.

"Can I help you, boys?" I call out to them finally, fed up with the awkward quiet that has shrouded us.

"No, don't worry. We were just admiring the view." A smooth voice answers after a minute, the tone sounding genuine.

"Like it, do you? Bit morbid." I respond, licking at my lips a little, grimacing at the now-bad taste it has acquired, having been given the chance to cool down and dry a bit.

"Says the person who just killed a guy." Another voice retorts, amusement evident in how he speaks.

"Hey, I never said I liked the look of it." A low chuckle floats up from the group, my own accompanying it as I sit upright, pushing myself onto my elbows as I look over at them, making eye contact with their leader.

I nearly double take at their appearance, not expecting them to be so good looking or relaxed with the situation, a wave of surprise and shock washing over me as I feel an unfamiliar sensation start up in my body. It's odd, as if my body wants to get closer to them, as if it needs or desires them to be closer, my confusion spiking as I stare into the leader's eyes a little longer, before taking in the others, trying to avoid the weird feeling. To the far left of the group is a tall, lanky blonde who shifts from foot to foot, as if itching to move around properly; beside him is a smaller blonde with curly hair and a patchwork jacket, his thumb between his teeth as he watches me, doe eyes wide in the dim light; up front is who I presume to be the leader, a platinum blonde mullet wearing guy with piercing eyes, his gaze raking over my form with curiosity as he smirks; last of all is a taller, dark haired guy who appears to have lost his shirt, his only attire on his torso being a leather jacket, his nearly black eyes staring at me with no discernible emotion. Having taken them all in, my attention returns to the internal conflict between some primal instinct I never knew I had and my self control, confusion rife in my mind.

"Who are you guys?" I question them, eyes flicking between them as I wait for a response.

"I'm David, this is Paul, Marko and Dwayne," The leader points at each person in turn, watching me the entire time, "Who are you?"

"I'm (Y/n). Nice to meet you."

Silence ensues this brief exchange, during which I stand upright and look over the body, trying to ignore the urge to go over to them, my body trying to speak for itself as my vampiric features threaten to break through, the inhuman part of me craving the presence of the four boys before me. It only takes a minute or two for the tall blonde, Paul, to say something.

"Jesus, can you guys feel that?" He questions his friends, speaking quietly, as if to make sure I can't hear.

"That weird connection thing? Yeah, I feel it, too." Marko responds, watching as I pour some of the whiskey from before onto Kai's body.

The other two appear to exchange a knowing glance, a cunning smirk appearing on David's lips.

"The mate bond." He whispers, knowing I would've heard that, seeing as I am quite clearly not a human.

His words stop me in my tracks, a match lit and ready to drop onto the body, arm poised to allow the small splint of wood to fall straight onto it's target, my now-frozen fingers only letting go when the small flame licks at my skin, burning it slightly.

"What did you say?" Marko, Paul and I chorus, each if us as confused as the others.

"It's a mate bond. We've all got the same mate." David responds, eyes still fixed on me.

Dumbstruck, I stay silent, trying to process what has been said as the other two start asking questions, neither of them getting answers as their friend's attention remains on me.

"I'm your mate?! But we only just met!" I manage to force out, interrupting the barrage of questions.

"That's not how it works, (Y/n). A mate bond is something we have no control over." The platinum blonde confirms, stepping closer, entering the light of the blazing body. By now, Kai's remains are hardly recognisable, and the smell is nearly unbearable, the pungent reek assaulting my nostrils and eyes viciously.

"I guess that makes sense." I muse out loud, before realising something, "That must mean you're like me."

"It does." Dwayne speaks up, finally interacting with me a little.

"You guys are vampires? I thought I was the only one in Santa Carla."

"We thought we were, but I guess we were all wrong." David shrugs, still coming closer.

"How the hell did we miss that?" Marko wonders aloud, Paul adding to the confusion.

"I missed it, too, so I don't know what happened, but I guess we found each other." I respond, wiping my hands on my jeans.

"Indeed." The leader smirks at me, having finally reached me, his blue eyes still fixed on mine, "Wanna come with us?"

I consider the offer, quickly coming to a conclusion.

"Sure, why not."

"Great. There's only one thing we need to ask you, though." David informs me, gesturing for me to follow him and the boys as they walk back to the Boardwalk, an action I find odd considering I'm covered in blood.

"Go on."

He sends a knowing glance at the rest of boys, chuckling a little as he senses my nerves picking up.

"How do you feel about riding a motorcycle?"