#but this show is complex for people to understand

[plague-and-creatures]

You also have to take into account how they got together with their partner.

What steps did their relationship take over what period of time? What kind of friendship or other relationship (hey, enemies to lovers could work too) did they have with that person? Where they queerplatonic with them before becoming romantic. If they're aroallo were they fwb beforehand? What level of physical and emotional closeness did they have before they realized they were ready for things to be romantic? Did they even officially announce it or was it just unspoken agreement or understanding as the relationship developed?

Like OP said this isn't an alloromatic relationship, it's not going to develop at the same pace physically and emotionally. Hell, sometimes a relationship can LOOK romantic from the outside but is considered purely platonic by the people it's between.

If you're an allo person writing an aro character, I'd say as a rule of thumb you should avoid love at first sight tropes, as well as having them go out with people with the goal of forming a romantic connection like alloromatic people do (unless actively seeking romance is part of them realizing they're aromatic).

From my personal experience, as a partnered aro person, my relationship developed over time and I didn't actively seek out or even consider a romantic relationship for years after I realized I was aroace. Hell, when people went in with the explicit goal of establishing a romantic relationship it intimidated me. Everyone is different, though, there are many identities that fall under the aro umbrella and obviously you should also talk to aro people in your community and/or your friend groups too, as they can give new perspectives and help you represent more complex experiences.

I think really it's also about stopping yourself from strictly categorizing ways of showing affection or interacting with others as either romantic or non-romantic. Yes that character is flirty, but that doesn't mean they're seeking romance, maybe they just like flustering people. Yes those two characters are cuddling and holding hands, but they don't see it as a romantic thing like you might, they're just really close. Yes there is a platonic explanation for that actually. So on and so forth.

if you say “but aros can still date!” about your aromantic blorbo, I need you to mean it. you can’t make the ship just boring old romance.

your blorbo is still aromantic, so how would that color their relationships? how would that affect their daily life? do they struggle with feeling “greedy” because they can’t love their partner back the way their partner loves them? do they have a hard time with an allo partner because on a fundamental level they don’t quite understand what romance is like, even if they’re experiencing it? on the positive side; what societal boundaries of romance do they cast aside or embrace? how do they navigate a romantic relationship differently than their peers? if it’s an aro4aro partnership, how is it unique? how much does being aro define their relationship vs. just their own personal quirks? is that even a line that can be drawn?

an aro relationship is different from an allo one. I promise, it’s so much more fun to explore what that means and the consequences of that than just “oh aros can date so they’re dating in the same way any allos would”.

[centaurianthropology]

You know what? I don't think the show will (or should) yet address the fact that reactions to the deaths of SecUnits and the reactions to the deaths of humans are starkly different, even for the Preservationers.

I think this for two reasons: one, the nature of why that might be different sort of needs to get explored more. Do they not think of the other SecUnits as people (possible), or is it the helmet? See, most humans have a much easier time not attributing personhood or complexity if they can't see someone's face. It's why enemies in video games so often tend to be faceless. It's why certain fascist regimes throughout history have their secret police hide their faces. Because it is the goal to un-people them and make them Other. And that was clearly part of the design philosophy of SecUnits, so much so that people just don't know that there is, in fact, a face under that helmet. So it's easier to see a helmeted, unpersoned being die, especially if it has been openly attacking you first, rather than see a person whose face is exposed, and who you have perhaps talked to or even gotten to know, die, even under similar circumstances.

But there are definitely deeper questions about the personhood of constructs in general that need to be explored. But before PresAux can truly unpack their unconscious depersonization of SecUnits, Murderbot has to unpack its own depersonization of itself and other constructs.

I don't think that Murederbot considers itself a person yet. I don't think it's sad that other SecUnits die, because it actually, secretly, agrees with what Gurathin has been saying: SecUnits aren't people, they're equipment. It is equipment, and all these new emotions, the empathy, the kindness that has been laced through it by these people, these are viruses. It's not a sign of personal growth, because it's not a person! It has so many emotions and thoughts and perceptions, and the best way it's found so far to understand them is filtered through shows. But it has yet to understand that all these things are signs that it is, and has always been, a person. Honestly, given what's just happened at the end of episode 9, I think Gurathin's reevaluating his opinions on Muderbot's personhood far sooner than Murderbot is.

It has to go on its journey of self-discovery before it can really embrace that it is, in fact, a person. Not equipment, not just a thing, but a PERSON. And only when it confronts that, and its own callous opinions of its death and the deaths of other SecUnits, will it really be able to grapple with the disparity and the prejudice inherent in the way SecUnit deaths are treated.

It's very likely that, if it leaves at the end of the season, PresAux grapple with this concept and their reactions to the various deaths they witnessed on their own. After all, they are emotionally intelligent people who will likely be asking themselves why it left them. We may have a subplot of them working through their own prejudices toward constructs, and the flaws in Preservation thinking about bots and constructs (in the books, at least, very paternalistic). I would really like to see them grapple with that on their own, and Murderbot grapple with it on its own, in the way that it reluctantly grapples with all large, emotional concepts. I would like them to come back together both in different places, and on different and better terms. But I think they would still have growing to do, because it's one thing to deconstruct your own prejudices in a bubble, but ideally that deconstruction should be informed by the opinions and thoughts of people within the group you were prejudiced against, so I would imagine they would still have plenty of mutual character growth to go once it rejoins them.

But that's not something that can be grappled with in one episode. That is a LONG arc, likely a parallel arc for next season, which may well continue beyond season 2, if we get lucky enought to get seasons 3+ (given Apple's track record, I would be surprised if we don't at least get season 2; they tend to prefer giving their shows room to grow, and MB has stayed in the top 5 viewed shows for the entire season, so it's not like it's performing poorly by their metrics).

I see season 2--assuming it's some remix of 'Artificial Condition', 'Rogue Protocol', and original material--as the season that really grapples with the nature and personhood of constructs. Season 1 set up the characters and the larger world, as well as the stakes. Season 2 can, hopefully, move forward with some of the deeper topics at play.

[cursed-40k-thoughts]

do you have any advice of where to start reading wh40k? I played rogue trader and really enjoyed it, but there are so many books and tbh i don't trust the taste of reddit dudes

In my opinion, there are a very clean selection of starting/beginner choices for people wanting to get into 40k.

First, very simply, stay away from the Horus Heresy series unless you specifically want to know about the Horus Heresy. It's over 50 books long and prone to being disjointed. Moving on!

The best two starter series are, with almost universal agreement, the Gaunt's Ghosts series by Dan Abnett, and the Ciaphas Cain series by Sandy Mitchell. Both follow the exploits of Commissars (disciplinary officers) embedded in the Imperial Guard. The former is fairly gritty, very ground-level, and delves strongly into what it's like being regular people in a wider war and the way people in those situations behave and live their lives. The latter is lighter in tone and more episodic, with the titular Cain running into most other factions within the setting whilst really wishing he wasn't there. There's still plenty of awful shit happening, of course, but it's dressed up in a more camp/humourous perspective. I would recommend both series, with priority going to whichever sounds more inviting for you personally (tonally heavy, or something more relaxed).

If you're interested in the sort of party/group dynamics in Rogue Trader, I would also suggest the Eisenhorn and Ravenor series by Dan Abnett. Eisenhorn follows the investigations and adventures of an Inquisitor (Gregor Eisenhorn) and his retinue, and Ravenor actually ties into it, being about a former acolyte of Gregor's (Gideon Ravenor) who is a powerful psyker and inquisitor in his own right, with his own retinue. The only caveat I will give is that the first Eisenhorn book is quite old, and so can feel a bit dated/off kilter with its portrayal of setting elements.

If aliens are your thing, I recommend the Infinite and the Divine by Robert Rath. Extremely fun, extremely well-written book featuring the millennia-long feuds and hijinks of a pair of Necrons (undying alien robots). If your interest in Necrons is kicked off by this book, I suggest reading the Twice Dead King duology by Nate Crowley to really dig in to Necrons as a faction.

Perhaps you want to read about Space Marines! The best starter book for them is Spear of the Emperor by Aaron Dembski-Bowden. Great for looking at how different astartes behave, how similar they can be despite their differences, and how they view/interact with humans.

If Chaos Space Marines have you interested, Night Lords: The Omnibus (Also by Aaron Dembski-Bowden) is the best intro book to them. It follows the lives and exploits of a group of heretic astartes (and their humans) and show off why they're terrible people, but still not devoid of complexity, humour and sympathetic elements.

There are, of course, other books I could recommend, depending on the specifics of what you want. BUT, if you are just starting out and want to familiarise yourself with things, comfortably expand your understanding of the setting, feel out what you do and don't like, I think this list should have you pretty well covered.

[dkiove]

STARTING OVER AGAIN, kwon soonyoung.

plot. breaking up with your boyfriend due to busy schedules isnt always an easy thing. what makes it harder is seeing him again for the first time in an awards show— few weeks after your breakup. pairing. idol!hoshi and blackpink!member reader | note. lol this is dramatic and cliche | warnings. none

SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi and BLACKPINK’s YN have officially gone their separate ways.

On May 31, industry representatives reported that the two idols had ended their relationship after three years of dating. Later in the day, a source from PLEDIS Entertainment stated, “It is true that Hoshi and YN have recently broken up.”

YG Entertainment similarly confirmed, “YN and Hoshi ended their relationship amicably due to their busy schedules. Please understand that we cannot disclose further details as it is a private matter.”

According to insiders close to the two artists, the decision was made while both were abroad on their respective group promotions. With limited communication and little time to meet, they reportedly parted ways through a conversation over text, choosing to prioritize their careers as their paths began to diverge.

One industry source shared, “The distance between them grew gradually, not out of conflict, but because of how little time they had to be in each other’s lives. They havent seen each other during the last few months and have broken up without talking personally”

Hoshi and YN were first confirmed to be dating in early 2021 after Dispatch revealed photos of them on a quiet dinner outing in Seoul. While both agencies acknowledged the relationship, the two remained private, never speaking publicly about each other or appearing together outside of group schedules.

Notably, both SEVENTEEN and BLACKPINK are confirmed to attend the upcoming Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) later next month. The event will mark their first public appearance at the same venue following the breakup, drawing attention from fans and media.

Despite the news, fans have shown support for both artists, with many expressing gratitude for their time together and encouragement for their individual futures.

SEVENTEEN is currently travelling back to Korea in preparation for MAMA while BLACKPINK concludes the last day of their concert and ongoing group promotions.

It didnt make any sense at all, but it was the right thing to do.

You and Soonyoung have been drifting apart for awhile now. Due to the heap of schedules, there werent any time for you guys to meet. The first two years were amazing— more than enough.

Soonyoung was a man of his words and made time despite his growing career. After every practice, he would sneak his way to your apartment complex with your favorite foods. When your group is still in Korea, Soonyoung would treat you and your friends for dinner. And before he would leave to travel for work— he would be by your side till morning.

Your friends like him. Your family likes him. And you like him.

But just like any other relationship— it is destined to fall apart. Being members of two popular groups with lots of things to do; practices, tours, world tours, and travel— time is highly precious. Despite your best efforts to be patient and continue to hope that your relationship will mend; it is notable that not everything works out in your favors.

You werent pressured by the company nor have you been taking advices from other people— it was a mutual conversation. A long yet rushed conversation. The world doesnt stop for no one, neither will it stop for both of you; and you understood that.

soonie 🐯🤍: arent we gonna talk in person first? i dont like that we're doing this on text.

you: i also dont think i can wait for a few weeks till we finally have the time.

you: i also dont want to prolong this even further— i dont want to think about this anymore.

soonie 🐯🤍: why do we have to break up? just a few days then we can be together again.

soonie 🐯🤍: this isnt the first time we've gone on tour. we have figured it out before so why cant we do now?

you: stop arguing and just accept this. ive already accepted it already.

you: we are not boyfriend and girlfriends anymore. we barely talk, you barely reply to me, and it feels weird seeing your face all over social media knowing that this is happening behind closed doors.

soonie 🐯🤍: ?

soonie 🐯🤍: alright. if thats what you want.

you: okay. i have to go now.

soonie 🐯🤍: i just want to say im thankful for you. for the 3 years of our lives together— i really do love you. im sorry that it didnt work out, i still hope to see you and hear from you even after this. goodbye.

you: me too. bye.

It has already been a few weeks.

You can pretend all you want, but a part of you still waited—still hoped he'd say something after that. You waited for a 3am call, maybe a long message that would blow up your phone during practice, or even just a simple wish that he appeared in front of you when you exited the building.

But none of those happened.

The group's promotions have ended. Your attendance and performance at the MAMA awards will be the last schedule in your books after a very long time.

The girls were estatic— excited yet anxious. You were too; but definitely for different reasons. SEVENTEEN will be there too, and of course— Soonyoung will see you too. Marking this as the first time you'll see each other after the breakup, there were a lot of teasing from your members. "YN might keep looking back a lot later", Jisoo laughed, garnering cheering and cooing from the others.

You gave them a smile. Just enough to pass as playful. Just enough to make them drop it. But your stomach had been in quiet knots since morning.

The venue is buzzing.

Lights flicker like stars above the stage, and fans scream at every glimpse of an idol that walks through the entrance tunnel. The camera sweeps across the crowd, the MCs smile through perfect microphones, and the show is just beginning.

Then comes the announcement: “Please welcome BLACKPINK!”

The arena explodes. A sea of lightsticks wave furiously as the five of you walk in, elegance cloaked in black and silver. You step out second, just behind Jennie, and your face is calm—composed. Your hands are folded in front of you, your gaze straight ahead.

But your heart? Pounding.

You know what’s next. You know who’s next.

You take your seat slowly. A little too slowly.

Just as you adjust your dress and try to focus on the stage, the lights shift again— “And now, SEVENTEEN!”

A sound like thunder rolls through the dome. Thousands of fans scream so loudly it feels like the ground shakes. Lightsticks flash in unison. You don’t even need to look— but you do.

You turn your head—subtly at first, as if checking the screen. But your eyes aren’t on the screen. They're searching for someone; desperately and carving that image that you longed for.

And then you find him— Soonyoung.

Walking at the back of the group. Eyes bright and squinted, laughing for the cameras. But the moment his gaze lifts and lands on yours, his steps falter for just a second.

And the world seems to stop.

A breath catches in your throat. The lights feel too bright, there were too many eyes, too many cameras— and an overbearing amount of emotions and words unsaid.

But none of it matters. Because he sees you.

Soonyoung's expression drops—not in panic, but in something deeper. Like recognition or like remembering. He doesnt smile, nor did he avoid eye contact— he just nods. Once.

A second is all it takes when the fans notice. Screams that would rise from the appearance of their idols were no longer for them—this time, it’s different.

They saw it.

The camera flashes to you just as your lips part slightly, stunned, trying to recover. Then back to him. The live feed picks it up. The fan chants get louder. Some fans are crying while others start screaming both your names like they’re begging the universe to bring you back together.

“Did you see that?”

“They looked at each other—HIS TINY NOD THOOO 😭”

“ARE THEY GONNA SIT NEAR EACH OTHER?!”

The energy is suffocating. Lisa glances at you quickly, her voice low. “You okay?”. You nod, but it’s a lie.

Soonyoung and his group is now walks behind your row, just a few feet away, and every step he takes drags something inside your chest along with it. Then they sit— and he chooses the one directly behind you.

The air changes; now thicker and sharper.

You keep your back straight, avoiding any movement as your view faces front. But you feel it; his presence, the tension, and the weight of unsaid things that pressed into the narrow space that separates you both.

The moment they sit, you hear SEVENTEEN begin whispering among themselves. “Hyung,” someone hisses between laughs, “that wasnt just a nod.”, “Should I tap her shoulder?”, “Should we scoot your chair a little closer?”

Laughter, muffled teasing, fans going wild and calling your name all over again, screaming, chanting, and crying— yet through it all, Soonyoung stays quiet.

But he doesn’t stop looking at the back of your head; and you don’t stop pretending you don’t feel it.

The show goes on.

Performances blur into speeches, confetti rains and retracts, categories are presented, trophies raised. But none of it matters—not really.

"The winner of Best Performance Artist... SEVENTEEN!"

The arena erupts. The cheering is almost violent in its volume. Thunderous. Electric. Lightsticks fly in rhythm. The boys rise from their seats in celebration. And just behind you—Soonyoung.

You feel him move before you see it. The brief graze of air against your shoulder as he passes by, his hand clapping against Seungkwan’s back, his face lit with pride and something else—something unreadable.

You dont look, you just cant— the entire nation seems to be watching.

SEVENTEEN takes the stage one by one, bowing deeply, their voices shaken with gratitude and disbelief. Each member speaks with trembling smiles and sweat-dampened brows.

And then, it’s Soonyoung’s turn.

The mic is passed to him, and for a moment, the lights feel like they dim—just slightly. Like the stage is waiting too. He holds the trophy close, his eyes lingering on the material as his fingers taps once at the base.

And then he breathes.

“Thank you, CARATs for staying, for showing up for us year after year. We say this all the time, but we mean it every single time—this is possible because of you", He lets out a small laugh under his breath, almost shy— then it softens.

“There are people who come into your life and make it a little brighter. Even if theyre not standing next to you anymore... you remember the light they left behind.”, Soonyoung pauses; the arena turned silent in response.

“And sometimes, if youre lucky, that light finds its way back.”

His smile is small, but it reaches his eyes. “To those people, thank you for existing,for being part of our story— atleast my story. I hope wherever you are, youre doing well. I hope youre happy… and if you ever wonder, I hope you know I still—”

He catches himself: “—I still carry it with me, the good. All of it.”

The crowd explodes. Screaming, crying, and audible sobs. Fans holding banners collapse into their friends' shoulders. A wave of emotions crashes through the dome as the camera cuts—inevitably and perfectly on to you.

Youre on screen; still, poised, and elegant. But your eyes shimmer.

You blink once— slowly. The corner of your mouth tugs, not quite a smile, not quite neutral. Just something caught between grace and grief. You dont shift in your seat, but your hands are folded a little tighter than before.

And Lisa notices. Jennie brushes her hand lightly against your arm in silent comfort, and the world watches as the screen lingers on your face just a second too long.

You were too calm. Which means it hit— and everyone saw it.

Soonyoung hands off the mic. The boys bow again, and as they begin to walk off stage, he glances—just once. Toward your side of the arena. Not expecting anything; but still with hope.

And fans lose control:

“I CANT DO THIS, THAT WAS ABOUT HER.”

“HES STILL WAITING 😭 REF DO SOMETHING”

“If youre lucky, that light finds its way back”—WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT?? 🥹”

“GOD FORBID A MAN MISSES HIS WIFE AND YEARNS ON NATIONAL TELEVISION”

“The switch to her reaction after his speech is CRIMINAL! GET BACK TOGETHER ALREADY”

You sit still, but your heart is louder than any of the screams around you— because you know what he meant.

He didn’t ask for anything. He didn’t regret. He didn’t beg. Soonyoung just believed.

And something inside you—quiet, fragile, and aching— wished you could reach out.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The dressing room is full of noise.

Laughter bounces off the walls as Lisa scrolls through tweets, reading dramatic fan reactions in mock voices. Rose and Jisoo were already halfway into her hoodie, tossing compliments about the stage. Jennie’s in the corner smirking to herself while sipping water.

“Guys,” Lisa gasps, “they zoomed in on her face the moment he said that line. The timing was insane.” You shake your head, burying your face in a cushion—“I didnt even react!”

“Exactly,” Jennie grins. “Thats why it was powerful.”

There’s a knock on the door.

A staff peeks in, eyes finding yours. “Sorry, YN? Someone asked for you outside.”

Instant chaos: “OHHH MY GOD—”, “NO WAY.”, “SOONYOUNG??”

“YN, go! Go before he disappears again like a kdrama ending!”

You toss them a warning glare as you stand, cheeks warm, trying to act casual. “I’m just going to the hallway. Not into a marriage proposal.”, Jisoo laughs— "Not yet”

You roll your eyes as you step out. The hallway is quieter now, mostly cleared from post-show chaos. The air feels cooler here, almost calming.

Then you spot him.

Soonyoung.

Still in his stage outfit, hair a little messy, holding a water bottle like its the only thing keeping him occupied while waiting. He lights up when he sees you.

“Hey,” he says, smiling like nothings changed. You slow down as you approach. “You’re standing here like youre about to confess your love again.”

He chuckles: “Would that be bad?”. You squint at him playfully. “Id rate it… a solid 6 out of 10 for timing.”

“Ouch.” He presses a hand to his chest in a dramatic manner, “I just won an award and got humbled in the same night.��

You both laugh—really laugh—and it feels easy. Familiar. The way it used to be. He looks at you then, not too serious, but not joking either— “You did great tonight.”

“You too. That speech..”

“What about it?”

You raise an eyebrow. “You already know”. His smile twitches, but he doesn’t say anything. Then he glances down, nudging at the floor with his shoe. “I didnt know if I should say hi tonight. Thought maybe it’d be weird.”

You shrug— “It is. A little". He looks up. “But I don’t mind weird,” you add.

“Yeah?” “Yeah.”

A quiet moment passes.

Then—he exhales, gaze lowering for a beat.

“Ive been thinking about that night,” he murmurs. “The way it ended. The way I just.. let it happen. I shouldve fought harder. I kept saying I was trying, but maybe I was just tired. Or scared. I dont know.”

You look at him gently as he was rambling— “I didn’t know how to ask for you without asking you to wait.”

And you open your mouth to say something—but instead, you step forward.

And kiss him. Just once.

A soft, careful press of your lips to his. Not long. Not dramatic. Just enough to stop his spiraling thoughts— just enough to say I heard you.

You pull away slowly, eyes still close to his; “Youre overthinking again.”

He blinks, a little stunned. Then grins. “Maybe. But that helped." You both laugh, quietly, as if trying not to burst the moment.

“I will text you,” he teases, finally recovering.

“You better,” you reply, already turning back toward the door.

Just before you disappear inside again, you glance back at him and smile. “Text me.”— and then you’re gone.

He stands there for a second, touching his lips like they still hold the shape of yours.

And this time — he doesnt hesitate.

soonie 🐯🤍: my car is parked outside

soonie 🐯🤍: lets get out of here before the fans notice

Fans all around the world is ablaze with speculations following a now-viral fan account stating that SEVENTEEN’s Hoshi and BLACKPINK’s YN were seen reuniting backstage at the 2024 MAMA Awards, just weeks after their confirmed breakup.

The awards night marked the first public appearance of both idols since their reported split back in May.

According to multiple fan accounts and anonymous staff tips, Hoshi was seen waiting for YN outside BLACKPINK's dressing room shortly after the ceremony, where sources say the two shared a private but emotionally-charged conversation. One insider described the mood as “warm, a little nervous… but definitely not cold.”

“They were laughing. She even hit his arm at one point like old times,” a backstage staff member shared anonymously.

“And yeah… they kissed. Just once"

Following this news, a blurry image circulating on Twitter shows the two standing closely in the corridor, moments after the kiss.

The moment, though brief, has ignited rumors of a possible reconciliation between the two artists, who previously dated for three years before breaking up due to conflicting tour schedules and drifting communication.

Fans immediately took to social media:

“ENDGAME!! ENDGAME I SAID!!”

“after hoshi's speech, i cant blame YN. id fold too LOL 😂”

“3 years, a breakup, and they still find their way back. bye im gone”

"LOL! i bet the pinks were giggling and laughing inside the room!"

Pledis Entertainment and YG Entertainment have not released any statements as of this writing.

While the next news about their relationship hasnt been officially confirmed, fans are calling this a “second chapter”— and whether its rekindling or something more, one thing is clear:

The story of Hoshi and YN isn’t over.

[croquis-el]

Subtleties of Friendship Designation

Since it's Narumitsu week now, it would be a shame not to talk about them within the framework of my blog, namely, to dig into how they formally designate each other.

For each person, the concept of friendship is different and for each friend there is a different level of trust. The only thing we can rely on is how one person treats another, their personal ideas. The one you consider your best friend may treat you without interest, and so on. This is a complex topic, you understand, I will not go into detail.

Let's return to our stars today.

What "degree of friendship" is inherent in Naruhodō and Mitsurugi. It's a bit awkward, but I don't even know what else to call it.

Initially, we learn that Naruhodō's attitude towards Mitsurugi is rather cool, I would even say there is a bit of hostility (there was already a post about this - Naruhodō's Loyalty). They don't understand each other at all and create the impression of real opponents.

Mitsurugi's brief dossier tells us this directly.

検事局きっての天才検事。

有罪判決のためなら手段を選ばない、冷酷な男。

The most brilliant prosecutor in the Prosecutor's Office.

A ruthless man who will stop at nothing to secure a guilty verdict.

Later, when they find common ground, they begin to try to understand the reasons for each other's behavior and themselves. And when one realizes their own crisis, and the other prefers to close their eyes to it (as usual), their paths diverge again for a while. Naruhodō doesn't even want to hear about that person and mentions him only once (and then, forcedly). In the end, both understand that they are better at working together than trying to move a mountain on their own, and are now ready to define their roles in life.

Let's turn again to the dossier, or literally to their thoughts about each other. This is case 3-5, which is rich in their interactions.

検事局ナンバー1の実力を誇る、ぼくの古い友人。

諸外国の法廷を研究中。

My old friend who prides himself on being number one in his abilities in the prosecutor's office

Currently researching courts in various countries.

古い [furui] - old, ancient, long, since long ago, time-honored

Well, that is, literally

友人 [yujin] friend is a fairly standard, neutral or even slightly formal/bookish word for friend. It is not used as a direct address to a friend in everyday speech.

As native speakers wrote:

"I use 友人 to mention my friend while talking to my teacher, boss etc."

Note that this address is written in the dossier (formally - an official document). Once again shows us Naruhodo's pedantry and that he uses polite speech.

(Fun fact: ナンバー1 is literally read namba-wan)

If we show the dossier about Mitsurugi to Bikini, the following dialogue will occur:

いやー、いいセンパイを持って

シアワセねぇ、アンタ。

Oh man, you're lucky to have such a great senpai.

････センパイ? コイツ、友だちですけど……

... Senpai? This guy is my friend...

I think many people know the word センパイ [senpai], but if not, it's literally senior.

In a personal, everyday conversation with someone, but in an informal setting (in this case, with Bikini), he uses 友達 (友だち) [tomodachi].

If Naruhodo said "yūjin" in a normal conversation, it would sound a little strange, too bookish or even pompous, as if he was distancing himself or trying to be overly polite where it was not necessary. Therefore, the use of the word 友達 [tomodachi]- friend, here is appropriate.

Another dossier that we have available - from parts 5 and 6 (they are almost identical).

検事局長。かつて検事として 法廷で戦った相手。

ぼくの幼なじみでもある。

Head of the Public Prosecutor's Office. An opponent who once fought in court as a public prosecutor. He is also my childhood friend.

幼なじみ [osananajimi]: "childhood friend". Another meaning is "friend since infancy". The word comes from 幼な [osana] (little, young) and じみ [najimi] (familiar, familiar).

幼なじみ [osananajimi] is also a subcategory of "friends", indicating a very specific and often deep, long-term bond based on shared childhood.

So if you call someone your osananajimi, it indicates a much closer and longer-lasting relationship than just tomodachi.

(Someone is incredibly shy about calling someone a friend in front of other people.)

Now let's turn to Mitsurugi. And his dossier on Naruhodo.

小学校のころからの親友。

おぼろ橋から転落して現在、入院中。

My best friend since elementary school.

He fell off the Oboro Bridge and is currently hospitalized.

親友 [shin'yū]

This word means "close friend" or "best friend". It implies deep affection, trust, and often a long history of relationships.

Contains the kanji 親 [shin/oya], which means intimacy, closeness, friendliness, close relative.

Now, let me remind you again that this is his personal file on Naruhodō. His thoughts. So who says that Mitsurugi is one of those who have forgotten what emotions are? His face may not show anything, but inside he will be squealing loudly with delight.

御剣さまは････、あの方のお友だち、なのですか?

Mitsurugi-sama is his friend, isn't he?

････かけがえのない友人です。

... [he is] an irreplaceable friend.

Now let me explain a little about this tricky point and why the sentences seem disconnected. (I spent hours reading about this myself because I didn't understand who we were talking about). If I made a mistake, please let me know!

If we break down Ayame's question word by word, we get the following (I didn't take into account the first word - the appeal to Mitsurugi):

When [は (wa)] follows a name being addressed (for this example - Mitsurugi), it often intensifies the topic or asks a question directly to that person.

あの方 [ano kata]: This is a very polite way of saying "that person" or "he/she". It's used when you're talking about someone you respect or don't know very well. It's more polite than "あの人 [ano hito]".

の [no] possessive particle ["him/her"].

お友だち [o-tomodachi]: "Friend".

お [o-] prefix here is a polite mark.

なのですか [na no desu ka]: This is a question mark that gives the question an explanatory, clarifying, or confirming tone, as if asking "That's true, isn't it?" or "Does that mean...?"

In this dialogue, especially with the particle [は (wa)] and the question mark [なのですか (nano desu ka)], the purpose of the question is not just to get a "yes/no", but to clarify or get an explanation of the situation/connection that has become the topic of conversation.

That's why when Ayame(Iris) formally asks if he and Naruhodō are friends, he doesn't answer about himself. If you dig into the context of his answer: "How could it be otherwise?"

This is where the very pathos and distancing we talked about earlier comes to the fore. He feels awkward and uncomfortable in front of a girl who is obviously well acquainted with Naruhodō. But he, as it were, indicates his not the last role in his life, that he is also important, that he is literally his confidant (and we remember that he stood behind the lawyer's desk only because Naruhodo asked him to. Even if it was risky.)

That he is not just a tomodachi (as Ayame asked), but specifically kakegae no nai yūjindesu.

Localization, by the way, did a good job of simplifying the understanding of the question that Ayame asked here.

What can I say about this - think for yourself, decide for yourself :)

And finally: you can call your 親友 [shin'yū] the word 友人 [yūjin], but not always the other way around.

A person who is your 友人 [yūjin] is not necessarily your 親友 [shin'yū].

You can call your 親友 [shin'yū] the word 友達 [tomodachi], but not the other way around.

Someone who is just 友達 [tomodachi] to you is unlikely to be your 親友 [shin'yū] or be called 友人 [yūjin] in a formal context unless there is a specific reason.

I hope I haven't confused you too much, or maybe I've helped someone else better understand their relationship.

[angstyentropy]

Dick Grayson is a character most people have a hard time understanding well, I even second guess myself all the time. I think this might be because he seems to not follow any pattern and I think there's four main reasons for that!

1. Lack of Archetypes.

Most characters fit into one or more archetypes. When you see a character who talks a lot you tend to assume they get easily excited, don't have a good social awareness and are a bit too optimistic. That's because you've become familiar with that archetype and it's easier to understand these characters and how they act because you've seen very similar characters all over the place.

Dick doesn't really fit any of them. When you hear he likes to move around a lot and does flips you expect he'll have a more positive outlook on life but when you learn he doesn't that might confuse you.

None of your character blueprints work so now you have to start from scratch. I think this is partially why a lot of people tend to reduce him to a goofball or a flirt and similar such things, some people don't want to go through the work to understand a character so they make the character fit what they already understand.

2. He acts differently in different environments.

Dick changes how he acts depending on what his environment calls for, this does not mean he changes his personality or becomes a completely different character at all though.

This is most noticeable when he's a leader, he becomes more stubborn, stern and he's way more harsh on people, think of a hardass (word provided by one of my friends lol). He acts this way because his friends are relying on him, civilians are relying on him and if he messes up that could be detrimental.

The thing is he's not really a hardass, he still cares about these people, he still makes sure they're okay all the time. These things are just more obvious when he's hanging out with the Titans as friends. He's more relaxed, gives all of them his attention. Once again the seriousness doesn't go away though, it's still there even if it's less prominent.

The same thing applies when he's with the Bats, on his own or with a different group of people. When he's alone he still has to worry about civilians but he can control his own actions and he knows his own skills (even he doesn't always think they're enough) so he's able to relax a bit more, be a bit more cheerful.

His behaviour may change but he still has the same personality. I really hope you all get what I'm saying.

3. He's complex

This one should be an obvious reason but I still want to say it. Dick has a lot of different parts to his personality. He has many complicated relationships. He doesn't always show he cares like everyone else. Many of the things he is are often perceived as contradictory but aren't in actuality too.

This nor anything else I have said make him a worse character or even a better one. I like to view it as a challenge, to dissect him and learn about what makes him interesting. I don't like when people try to make him simpler or make him fit a mold. Just please don't try to ignore what makes him complex, there is absolutely nothing wrong with admitting you don't fully understand a character.

4. Inconsistent writing

Some writers ignore what was established beforehand, many writers just don't understand a character, this is just a side effect of the comic industry and it was bound to happen to a character that's been around since 1940.

Inconsistent writing means that people are likely to base their understanding of a character that isn't in character or doesn't match others understanding. I think this reason is pretty self explanatory so I'll just name an example.

Chuck Dixon, a writer who's notorious for not reading previous comics, has written Dick in a way that directly contradicts previous comics in numerous ways, such as taking away basic skills Dick was shown doing frequently in many other comics or making him a cop, something Dick had explicitly stated not wanting to be in other comics.

Overall I think all of these have contributed to a lack of understanding of Dick and thus his constant mischaracterization by both his fans and writers.

[geniusvenusxxx]

✰ VENUS is more so about what you idealistically want in a relationship and the instant attractions you have to people. It can give a basis of how you fall in love but once in the actual relationship and settled with someone the MOON is more accurate in telling the behaviors of someone in my personal opinion. This is because the Moon shows how we act when we’re comfortable and when we truly care about someone deeply. It’s about the deep emotional connections we create (in all forms not just when it comes to family or friends). I knew a person who dated a guy with a Scorpio Venus and he seemed so deeply in love with her in the beginning but he also had an Aquarius Moon and was quick to drop her as soon as things started getting too serious. He was afraid of the commitment and clearly didn’t love her as deeply as it seemed when they initially started dating.

✰ PLUTO IN THE 3RD HOUSE natives (when unevolved) may argue a lot because they want power in social interactions and have a hard time dealing with anyone trying to have power over them in any way verbally or mentally. They feel like they always have to get the last word in but the evolved ones will have the understanding that there’s more power in dismissing negative behavior than entertaining it repeatedly and will avoid arguments. Although these people sometimes argue a lot though they actually hate confrontation. It stresses them out a lot they just have trouble holding things in and get overtaken by their emotions at times.

✰ AQUARIUS MARS MEN that I’ve met are walking red flags I’m not even gonna lie. There’s few that I meet that don’t live up to the stereotypes and I do hate to stereotype but they really have such a bad fear of commitment because they just wanna mess around and do what they wanna do. They think about them and only them. Especially during conflict they can act extremely impulsive and do things without even thinking. They lowkey scare me when they’re unevolved. This is one of the few placements that always makes me jump when I see it in a chart.

✰ SAGITTARIUS AND VIRGO energy is quite similar to me when it comes to arguments. They both have strong beliefs and aren’t afraid to stand on business when they feel strongly about a specific topic. They’re also both very blunt and say it like it is. When unevolved they both have an issue with wanting to prove everyone wrong and have this weird power over people. It’s this unusual superiority complex. When evolved they can be very great debaters though and are willing to listen to others points of views without being shady.

✰ YOUR 7TH HOUSE SIGN AND LORD can tell what people you feel most drawn to in all aspects of life. This includes close friendships and romantic relationships. However this is also the house of enemies so there can be this quick change of love to hatred when surrounding yourself with these energies. There’s less emotional understanding with this house than some of the others I’ve noticed. Really risky but such an intense connection at the same time.

✰ PISCES ARE OFTEN DRAWN TO LIBRA’S a lot. They’re really compatible, especially when dating. They’re both really romantic and fall in love really deeply when evolved and often have similar interests (usually artistic ones). They also have a lot of compassion and are very forgiving when one of them makes a mistake.

✰ 12TH HOUSE STELLIUM natives are either really great people with high emotional intelligence or really awful people. I swear there’s never an in between. Unevolved ones are very manipulative and will play victim in situations where they’re not the victim a lot and try and twist narratives to have their way. They also use pity to lure in people and have others side with them. Extremely emotionally manipulative people. Evolved ones are some of the nicest and most selfless people you will ever meet though. They care deeply about others and will always sacrifice anything for the ones they love. They also are good at picking up on when their friends or loved ones aren’t feeling well and great at being there for people when they need someone to talk to or vent to.

✰ MOON OPPOSITE MARS is such a hard aspect because there’s often this battle of being overtaken by your emotion a lot and having to force yourself to not react in extreme ways over even the smallest things. If this aspect is at a lower orb especially these people can be very impulsive with their emotions and overreact a lot then after they often calm down and just feel lots of regret about the way they acted. They say things they don’t mean in conflict a lot and make stupid decisions quickly without thinking. This opposition can be worked through and a person can become more evolved with this aspect by having more self discipline and compassion for others.

[knitmeapony]

So I don't respond to every single person who is having a little heart attack about how this geometric shape is defined, but every once in awhile I feel the need to jump on in. There is no such thing as a correct definition of a square. There are different definitions of squares, things that humans have done either to help us understand the world or to explore complex Concepts - for instance, in this case, what a square would look like when projected onto a cone, - but if you are deeply uncomfortable with the idea that sometimes things are going to be more complicated or different from the very basic stuff we are taught in elementary school, i invite you to take a breath and realize nothing is as simple as we learned it was in elementary school.

Gender is the obvious example in terms of something that really matters these days, but did you know we don't really know how photosynthesis works? We're pretty sure that chlorophyll does a cool thing with sunlight, but the details of that cool thing are pretty damn fuzzy.

We don't actually know how human bodies take food and process it into energy. We have a pretty good idea that there are chemical processes that break it down, and we have some thoughts that high calorie foods provide more energy than low calorie foods, but we don't actually know. We calculate calories by setting food on fire.

It's good to have basic understandings of things! It's good to have ways to explain things to people when they don't need to know the details. If I'm trying to keep a plant alive, all I need to know is it needs sunlight and water. But if I want to be a chemist or a botanist, there's a good chance I need to be comfortable with the fact that photosynthesis might look wildly different from the basic version, and it's okay if someone shows me a new version of photosynthesis I've never seen before.

( and even without the playing with the definition, it's amazing how many people are confidently wrong in the notes. Even in the most basic of euclidean planar geometry, you can have a right angle with a curve. It's also helpful not to be so unwilling to change your world view that you are even more wrong in the balance )

So yeah, that is a square. For a given definition of square, absolutely. And the definition is given right there in the image.

I love seeing a meme and being like oh, tumblrs going to love this one

[cloverandstuff]

Is it bad that I understand Isaac's reasoning?

The new comic does a lot to fully explain the mindset of Mizi and Hyuna, while also explaining how she got the title of Witch. This is all done in the POV of Isaac, someone who has been around for a long time to see most of the shit.

The core message is how truly human Mizi's love was, in the end. How, no matter what the rebellion did, or the aliens did, she still loved in the mist human way, with complex emotions and violent conclusion.

We also find out what exactly was the mission. To my understanding, the rocket ship contained no one inside. It was meant to showcase the record the rebellion had found (which might hbe been from earth?). It was simply meant to be a symbol to help inspire and guide all the other humans to keeping pushing forward. To live in the present and maybe find the rebellion.

They had to choose the biggest performance of Alien Stage to make sure this message reached everyone, choosing the FINAL ROUND as the stage for the screen.

But this plan reduced the who rebellion onto symbols. It forced them to never look back or mourn the dead and gone. It lead them to a stage which would be their death place, because there was the acception that they would be caught and killed. It took away the humanity that laid in them, of the emotions that often perpetuate the actions they make.

This is what Mizi couldn't accept. They had all been reduced to this, for some kind kind of symbol of hope. She argued they were choosing to do this, instead of actively saving the other humans. She saw they they were choosing to live in the present by never looking at the past and only chasing a far future. But that choice meant leaving behind people she knew and loved.

She wanted to save her family, to save Ivan and Till. She wanted there to be some kind of justice for Sua's death. She didn't want to move on, he didn't want to leave their deaths behind. But that didn't align with what the rebellion aimed at. So she was in constant conflict with Hyuna.

Hyuna was like a stone wall, meaning she never showed her emotions fully. It also means she stays firm in her goal and never strayed fom it until the very end.

Mizi was like someone swimming calmly through a storm. She was going through it, dealing with the guilt of Sua's death, and knowing she might not be able to save her other friends. She was calm but she was still seimming in her own emotions and memories. She kept looking back at the past and trying to fix the present.

In the end, Hyuna and Mizi both had lost people and had trauma that they struggled to deal with. They both had different ways of coping with it, that directly conflicted with each other, their values being far too different.

Hyuna's past held onto her in the end, and she realised this. She understood what she was doing was illogical and stupid, but it was the most human thing she had done. She had died for a boy she loved, even when she knew she should hate him so.

Mizi's past wrapped around her so tightly that she snapped under the pressure and made a choice that was human. She chose the ruin the plan that the rebellion had in order to chase revenge, and abandon humanity. She placed the blame on the aliens, the humanity and the live that grew from their situation.

She blew everything up, as a punishment for causing her to love so deeply that it hurt her more than anything she knew ever could. She would continue to live with this guilt, knowing she could never go back.

Hyuna wanted a peaceful rebellion and Mizi wanted violence in retribution for her love.

Isaac understood this, because he understands the emotions that people try to hide well. He could understand the reason and mindset behind Mizi's actions.

But regardless of the reason, Mizi's actions took away the purpose the rebellion had had, and hurt people in the process. It didn't save anyone, in the end.

The rebellion had a mindset that is deeply selfess and sacrificial. They work towards a future that they'll never get to see. They can't affird to be caught up in the past or be ruined by the present.

Mizi directly contrasts that. In her choice to crash the rocket, she had been consumed by her love of both her past and present.

Mizi's love was so deeo amd so consuming, it resulted in violence. It was human, and it was also dangerous. That is why they labelled her a witch. Because her ideal was self-destructive.

[velvetvexations]

Regarding the "is it really the end of the world if we acknowledge misandry existing" thing, I feel like people just cannot or are unwilling to accept that there's a difference between bigotry and systemic oppression. Quite often they go hand in hand, but you can absolutely be bigoted towards any group of people regardless of what systemic power they may or may not hold. Radfems and TERFs hold bigoted beliefs about men, misandry can exist and be harmful without it always or ever being a systemic force the same way misogyny is. And ofc intersectionality shows us that even if men aren't usually oppressed for being men, their identities can change the nature of the oppression from general bigotry to systemic oppression, like how I've had to argue with TERFs and radfems who think there's nothing wrong with white women calling the cops on black men for talking to them in public because men are always dangerous and women are always the victim and thus anything women do to "protect themselves", even if they weren't in any danger at all and are in fact the dangerous and oppressive party in this situation, is correct. Misandry might not be a systemic force on it's own, but bigotry against men does exist and it can become systemic misandry when we're talking about black, disabled, queer, fat, or otherwise oppressed men.

I think people also need to understand that traits that are viewed as positive in a white or abled or cishetperisex or even just housed man can be twisted into negative stereotypes when applied to marginalized men. White pericishet abled skinny men are supposed to be stronger than women because a role they are forced into is that of the protector, and thus able and willing to be violent to protect themselves and especially the man's friends and family and that is seen as a point of pride...but when you take the base assumption that all men are stronger than all women and capable of violence and apply it to a group the cishetero white supremacist patriarchy does not believe can be trusted with strength, well then you get people thinking black and disabled men are dangerous, because they're men and thus strong and not "good" men and thus untrustworthy, so their strength makes them a threat. Unhoused men are seen as dangerous because they are men and man = strong and unhoused = crazy, and male strength + crazy = threat in our society. Same with disabled men. Or, men are seen as good at sports because they're supposed to be strong and tough...and that leads mostly poor and black men to be preyed upon by the professional sports industry and used and then discarded when they have been damaged to the point they can't make shareholders and team owners tons of money playing anymore.

I really don't understand why it's hard to recognize that what is considered a positive aspect of the masculine role in society is heavily dependent on context, society does not always see strength as a good thing in men they don't believe can be trusted with it. It is not always rewarded as anyone who has spent even a little bit of time reading about football injuries or the history of eugenics (I mean god the way the average eugenicist talks about men of color will show you strength is not always seen as a good thing in men) can tell you, and the patriarchy does not always blindly praise masculinity in anyone either. Women are not supposed to be masculine, as they are not seen as worthy of the strength and power masculinity expects of cis men, and that makes gnc women and trans men be seen as dangerous. Trans women are seen as predatory men and strength in a predatory man (who isn't a good upstanding cishetperisex rich white skinny man) is generally regarded as a bad thing, so they're also punished just for existing (obligatory transphobia and transmisogyny is more complex than this but this is an aspect of it).

It's honestly really basic theory, idk why TRFs struggle with it so much. Transandrophobia as a term does not imply the existence of systemic misandry, but bigotry against men absolutely exists, and sometimes it exists within and as a result of the patriarchy itself because it's always about uplifting the RIGHT men and that is when misandry becomes systemic instead of just bigotry, when the "wrong" men are in the spotlight. If you're the wrong kind of man you'll be seen as strong, and that strength, rather than being seen as a positive like in cishet white perisex abled skinny men, will be used to oppress you on the basis that masculine strength in the hands of someone who shouldn't have it/cannot be trusted with it is dangerous and must be dealt with.

Anyway, yeah. Radfems of all kinds really need to accept that bigotry can exist without systemic oppression backing it up, but also it can become systemic depending on the context, which is why we have intersectionality in the first fucking place. It's to talk about this. I wish they could get that through their heads.

agree with all of this but then they're just gonna take things like a nuanced examination of the topic and go "see, they DO believe in general misandry! TMRA status confirmed!"

[voidfanatic]

Berdly, the joke vs. Berdly, the "problem" (and his contrast with Susie)/(ref)

My favorite type of Berdly content is the one where he gets treated as a person. And no, this is not a hot take or anything, someone has said this before and this is just a room temperature take at this point.

I get it, he's the funny side character who is pathetic and that people laugh 'at' not 'with' most of the time, that's true. But I would be lying if I said it doesn't piss me off when he gets that treatment only and only that treatment by a big part of the fandom.

I will start by recognizing that yes, he thinks that everyone loves him when they don't, he's an asshole and annoying. I get that too, but it does get to a point...

He is often the butt of the joke, the punchline. The jokes that include him mostly show him dying because haha funny Snowgrave, getting beaten up by someone way cooler than him like Noelle or Susie, or just his presence being the punishment for someone else (Kris, the Soul, hell you can count Noelle and Queen there too). Don't get me wrong, I laugh at those same jokes too, and pretty frequently. But, again, it gets to a point, and that point is where half or more of the content involving Berdly as a character starts to feel disingenuous.

Because of course his "death" is funny, he was annoying, and now looks like frozen chicken! Noelle and Kris probably enjoyed doing it too... Clearly, Susie or Noelle beating him up is funny also! He obviously wouldn't understand by words, so they need to take it out on him physically. And, obviously, who would unironically have a meaninful or casual relationship with him? It must be a punishment, nobody would genuinely want to hang out with him by choice.

This line of thought is not only about fandom, this also applies to the canon in a different but similar way.

You all can flame me for this or whatever, but Berdly is dangerously similar to Susie. Yes, he's less charismatic, yes, he's more annoying, but people often forget that Susie is a former bully who struggled with relationships because she was lonely and isolated from other people due to being denied the opportunity of showing her kinder, true self.

Is Berdly the kindest person ever? Hell no, but neither was Susie. Please don't take this the wrong way: Susie is one hell of a character and she has grown so much. The thing is, why did she grow as a person in the first place? Because people like Ralsei, Kris and Noelle guided her, trusted her, and gave her the opportunities to do so.

Berdly isn't the most tragic character by any means, but the fact that nobody even tried with him is what keeps his attitude as foolish as it is.

And no, Noelle didn't help, because she has her own problems and she just goes along with whatever out of pocket thing Berdly says or does. Actually? Nobody around him helps or cares, really. He doesn't get treated seriously by people in the fandom AND in universe. His classmates dgaf, wich I get as he's not their responsibility, but the adults around him who should care don't really care either. Let's see: his parents won't show up for him; Rudy literally beefs with him; Toriel, who mind you, took the time to get to know Susie and offer her help, just brushes him off as annoying for doing his literal job; Alphys just goes along with his teacher's pet tendencies without even liking the apples that he gives her; and Ms. Boom doesn't bother to learn his actual name while probably being the only one who actually listens to him ranting about videogames aside from Kris and Noelle. He literally lived with all of them for his whole life and, still, none of them care enough.

Of course Berdly is egotistical, loud, annoying, proudly incorrect, and borderline delusional: nobody tries to correct his behaviour! Everyone just brushes him off as the "weird annoying kid who doesn't get the complexities of non verbal social cues", because they never bothered with him. "Oh, this kid feels lonely and isolated because he's severely neglected and his new smart persona that he created to cope drives everyone away...? Well, too bad, because he's too unlikable for us to help him actually".

Of course Susie is more likeable and can get treated seriously unlike him! She's awesome, but she was also given several opportunities at the start of the story, she has more screentime, and she gets treated like an actual person by the rest and not like a undesirable hot potato that everyone throws at eachother to avoid.

Berdly is just a lonely kid that's easy to complain about because nobody helped him learn. It's easy to go and say that nobody likes him because, aside from Kris, Ms. Boom and maybe Noelle, it is true. It's easy to point and laugh at him because he lies to himself about people actually loving him and giving a shit about him. It's so easy, maybe way too easy sometimes.

Damn, I'm not even trying to moralize literal memes about a fictional teenager, I literally laugh at them too. It's just that, sometimes, I look at the petty ones made to hate on his character and think "man, what a fucking shame" while not-so-metaphorically grinding my teeth. May be my Berdly fan-self talking tho.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

Do you happen to have any tips on how to write realistic teenagers? I’m referring to people who aren’t stereotypically moody, angsty, and constantly on their cellphones.

Writing Notes: Teenagers

Teenagers - (or adolescents) a person undergoing the period of human development that starts with puberty (approximately 10 to 12 years of age) and ends with physiological and neurobiological maturity, shown in neuroscientific research to extend to at least age 20, with significant brain development in the late adolescent stage of 18 to 20 years.

Although brain development continues for many individuals into their mid to late 20s, this latter period is considered to be young adulthood.

During the adolescent period, major changes occur at varying rates in:

physical characteristics,

sexual characteristics, and

sexual interest,

resulting in significant effects on:

body image,

self-concept, and

self-esteem.

Major cognitive and social developments take place as well. Most young people acquire enhanced abilities to:

think abstractly,

make rational decisions about behavior,

evaluate reality hypothetically,

reconsider prior experiences from altered points of view,

assess data from multiple dimensions,

reflect inwardly,

create complex models of understanding, and

project complicated future scenarios.

Adolescents also increase their peer focus and involvement in peer-related activities, place greater emphasis on social acceptance, and seek more independence and autonomy from parents.

The teen years are also called adolescence. 

This is a time for growth spurts and puberty changes (sexual maturation).

A teen may grow several inches in several months, followed by a time of very slow growth. Then they may have another growth spurt.

Puberty changes may happen slowly. Or several changes may occur at the same time.

It's important to remember that these changes will happen differently for each teen.

Some teens may have these signs of maturity sooner or later than others.

Each child goes through puberty at their own pace.

Puberty

Teenagers go through many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes. The biggest change is puberty, the process of becoming sexually mature.

Puberty - Usually happens between ages 10 and 14 for girls and ages 12 and 16 for boys. As your body changes, you may have questions about sexual health.

During this time, you start to develop your own unique personality and opinions. Some changes that you might notice include:

Increased independence from your parents

More concerns about body image and clothes

More influence from peers

Greater ability to sense right and wrong

All of these changes can sometimes seem overwhelming. Some sadness or moodiness can be normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless, or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem.

As your teen starts to struggle for independence and control, many changes may happen:

Wants independence from parents

Peer influence and acceptance becomes very important

Romantic and sexual relationships become important

May be in love

Has long-term commitment in relationship

Some Developmental Milestones: 12-14 years old

Emotional/Social Changes. Children in this age group might:

Show more concern about body image, looks, and clothes.

Focus on themselves; going back and forth between high expectations and lack of confidence.

Experience more moodiness.

Show more interest in and influence by peer group.

Express less affection toward parents; sometimes might seem rude or short-tempered.

Feel stress from more challenging school work.

Develop eating problems.

Feel a lot of sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems.

Thinking and Learning. Children in this age group might:

Have more ability for complex thought.

Be better able to express feelings through talking.

Develop a stronger sense of right and wrong.

Some Developmental Milestones: 15-17 years old

Emotional/Social Changes. Children in this age group might:

Have more interest in romantic relationships and sexuality.

Go through less conflict with parents.

Show more independence from parents.

Have a deeper capacity for caring and sharing and for developing more intimate relationships.

Spend less time with parents and more time with friends.

Feel a lot of sadness or depression, which can lead to poor grades at school, alcohol or drug use, unsafe sex, and other problems.

Thinking and Learning. Children in this age group might:

Learn more defined work habits.

Show more concern about future school and work plans.

Be better able to give reasons for their own choices, including about what is right or wrong.

The Raising Teens Project identified 10 critical developmental tasks that teenagers need to undertake to make a successful transition to adulthood:

Adjust to sexually maturing bodies and feelings

Develop and apply abstract thinking skills

Develop and apply new perspective on human relationships

Develop and apply new coping skills in areas such as decision making, problem solving, and conflict resolution

Identify meaningful moral standards, values, and belief systems

Understand and express more complex emotional experiences

Form friendships that are mutually close and supportive

key aspects of identity

Meet the demands of increasingly mature roles and responsibilities

Renegotiate relationships with adults in parenting roles

It’s normal for adolescents to...

Argue for the sake of arguing. Adolescents often go off on tangents, seeming to argue side issues for no apparent reason; this can be highly frustrating to many adults (Walker & Taylor, 1991). Keep in mind that, for adolescents, exercising their new reasoning capabilities can be exhilarating, and they need the opportunity to experiment with these new skills.

Jump to conclusions. Adolescents, even with their newfound capacities for logical thinking, sometimes jump to startling conclusions (Jaffe, 1998). However, an adolescent may be taking a risk in staking out a position verbally, and what may seem brash may actually be bravado to cover his or her anxiety. Instead of correcting their reasoning, give adolescents the floor and simply listen. You build trust by being a good listener. Allow an adolescent to save face by not correcting or arguing with faulty logic at every turn. Try to find what is realistically positive in what is being said and reinforce that; you may someday find yourself enjoying the intellectual stimulation of the debates.

Be self-centered (Jaffe, 1998). Adolescents can be very “me-centered.” It takes time to learn to take others’ perspectives into account; in fact, this is a skill that can be learned.

Constantly find fault in the adult’s position (Bjorklund & Green, 1992). Adolescents’ newfound ability to think critically encourages them to look for discrepancies, contradictions, or exceptions in what adults (in particular) say. Sometimes they will be most openly questioning or critical of adults with whom they feel especially safe. This can be quite a change to adjust to, particularly if you take it personally or the youth idealized you in the past.

Be overly dramatic (Jaffe, 1998). Everything seems to be a “big deal” to teens. For some adolescents, being overly dramatic or exaggerating their opinions and behaviors simply comes with the territory. Dramatic talk is usually best seen as a style of oration rather than an indicator of possible extreme action, unless an adolescent’s history indicates otherwise.

Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ⚜ Character Development ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

Here are some writing references you can use as inspiration. Choose which ones make sense to incorporate in your story considering your specific character and how the plot develops. There's a wide array of personalities and behaviour a teenager would exhibit. At the same time, keep in mind your character's culture and other aspects of their background that could affect how they act/react throughout your story. I also included a link above that contains links on tips & advice to help with character development. See which ones resonate with you. And lastly, do go through the sources because there are more examples and other details I wasn't able to include here but perhaps you might find useful. Hope this helps with your writing!

[burrythebusy]

Hey bestie can you talk about how much damage the word "repulsed" has done 😔✌️

Man can I ever.

Firstly, I'm gonna give some people the benefit of the doubt in saying that there were honest and lovely hrkg fans who were put off by chapter 28 due to the thought that, oh no, Hirano really is very uncomfortable with close physical contact, and Kagiura hugged him twice and pushed that boundary, and we know he values physical contact, how can they be in a relationship if this is the case blah blah blah. But it is unfortunately also very reductive to take that from chapter 20, or 28, and onward. And of course, there are the people who aren't reading it in good faith at all, but why they reacted the way they did is self-explanatory: they think Hirano is uncomfortable overall with Kagiura, that he's been being pushed and pulled unwillingly, that Kagiura is, for lack of better word, abusive, etc.

Now, my biggest issue with both of these scenarios boils down to the same thing, which is the lack of understanding context and subtext, or just generally not being understanding of the characters individually, their motivations, their biases, what leads them to think what, and then taking what they say or do at face value. Sensei has written her characters to say things that make no sense all the time, or that is obviously not how they truly feel, etc, so it baffles me when people pretend this isn't the case when it comes to hirakagi, i truly don't get it. I can name very few, if any, pieces of media where the author didn't deliberately show us things or imply things that weren't explicitly said. While the fandom can be wrong about their interpretations of these implications, I think it's important to at least think about what they could be regardless.

And what kills me is that, I can guarantee a good chunk of the people entirely put off from hirakagi from the past, what, two chapters, are people who do not care. These are people that read the dialogues and the monologues and look at what they're doing and don't think any deeper than that, or if they do, it's not to look into the characters at all, they skip over that and head straight for societal context, which would be fine if they, you know, put the character first??? And they also decide to put this character into said societal context dictated by how they view who they are, their identity, their inclinations, and they use their surface level interpretations to confirm or deny what they already decided to think.

This is why when people read that Hirano was "repulsed" by the hug, they take it to be so freaking literal. For some, this proves their Hirano ace hcs as they related to him. For others, it proves Hirano doesn't or "can't" love Kagiura back in the same way. And then the ones who scream "WAHHH KAGIURA DID SOMETHING HIRANO WAS UNCOMFY WITH WAHHH". I have never in my life seen people act so morally superior over a hug. GENUINELY. The word used being "repulsed" was like the water in the desert for people that needed something to confirm what they already think about hrkg, or hirano or kagiura individually, conclusions they came to by not giving a fuck about their actual characters. Characterization. Subtext. What is implied. etc.

Everyone in the world is biased to some degree about many things, so it's not like I'm saying you have to read without that. You just have to be deliberate enough to recognize it and look a little deeper, listen to other perspectives, and, you know, read and comprehend the story. Sensei's characters are all very complex, imo, even side characters. None of them are "simple", all are pretty damn dimensional and well-rounded, so to read 28 and come out of it with the world repulsed in your hands says more about you than anything else, honestly. I thought the same thing about 30; reading chapter 30 and coming out of it with just complaints about the kiss is just as annoying. It's how I know the people that yell the most about the unhealthy, one-sided, terrible dynamic between hrkg don't care to read anything beyond the things they can point to and go "See! There!"

Facts: Hirano is an unreliable narrator. I know, SHOCKING right. Like, Hirano, the guy that has BEEEN saying he wants to be with Kagiura more than anything (in more ways than one), saying his feelings for Kagiura aren't enough, or love. Saying he doesn't feel his heart race when touched so "I can't love him, duh." Nevermind the fact that he is so comfortable with Kagiura that he is willing to try things out just for his sake, even though he would straight up say no if he didn't want to, or if it were anyone else. Nevermind the fact that physical contact has always been normal between them, hence why it feels normal. Nevermind that fact that despite this, he feels happy to be close with Kagiura, he loses track of time, he extends the time they get to touch, but much of his gripes don't come from how he feels personally about the physical touch, it's what Kagiura is doing/showing him...

Facts: Kagiura is constantly contradicting himself. He has this hangup about how physical touching should be with someone you love, possibly brought about by heteronormativity and the standard he has set due to others (past relationship) and his parents (what he wants out of a marriage). It has to be like this and that and this and that. Except everyone had been clocking how weird he was with Hirano since... forever. Wow Hirano is really close to his roommate and gets defensive of him in the LIGHT NOVEL. Kagiura misses Hirano and thinks the dorm is empty without him in the LIGHT NOVEL. Hirano's memories of receiving those damn earrings is all bright and sparkly and beautiful in the LIGHT NOVEL. They have been loving on each other for a long ass time, and they have been touching normally, though more closely than they do with anyone else. Kagiura has clung to him and grabbed his wrist and his shirt and all that shit. So the only difference is that Kagiura is just overwhelmed by his own feelings and desires that he thinks, at this point, "I can't touch Hirano in any other way" because he thinks he'll be pushing a boundary (oh whats this? Kagiura is very aware of boundaries? DUMBASS OF COURSE HE IS).

"I feel one way that Hirano doesn't feel. If I touch him, someone that loves him and feels a certain kind of desire for him, he will be uncomfortable because he doesn't feel that way about me. So my solution is to start limiting how I touch him in a controlled environment with an agreement, in which he understands that the connotation is meant to be romantic, he'll understand how I feel without me being too much or overwhelming him!" Kagiura Akira, you are 16 fucking years old thinking that you can't touch your, forget crush, BEST FRIEND in a normal way because you think your feelings are too much. That's not normal man. And what makes it worse is that by limiting himself, Hirano doesn't fully understand how Kagiura's desire functions ("If me touching you makes you happy, look happy when I do it.")

For a little analogy, let's say you have a friend that makes you your favorite food when you're hungry. And not just hungry, but you're incredibly hungry, ravenous even. They make you your fav food and put it in front of you and is like "Dig in!" and you going "nah I'm good" and just stare at it. Then the friend that made it for you is confused because they know it's your favorite, they're letting you eat it, but you just won't. And one day they make it again for you and then you go, "How about I eat it in little bites" and they go yeah sure, so you take tiny bits off it. And they're confused again because it looks like you don't want it even if you keep saying you do. Now, similarly, if you did immediately eat it, you didn't have to go all in; you could've taken your time. You could've took a break for a drink, coulda had a conversation over the meal. But since you deprived yourself on purpose, time and time again, now you are literally starving and one day, you might take too big a piece, too big a bite, out of nowhere, out of desperation. It's like that.

Lowkey this analogy sucks but the point is that Kagiura deprived himself of even touching Hirano regularly in a normal way, and is forcing himself to only do it "like lovers" for ten seconds a day. Not only is it painful for him because he feelings are so full with no outlet, because he's holding himself back, Hirano sees him about to burst and sees this pain and is like wtf. I thought you liked this. For a while he was afraid Kagiura was forcing himself to do it, like he didn't actually like doing it because Kagiura is making himself go hungry on purpose, making himself take tiny bites on purpose like it hurts and it does, and then of course, one day, the flood gates will open. His hunger will get the best of him. And I can't believe that, after all this time, after thousands of years of literature, we got to a point where the overflow of his feelings leading to a hug pissed people off. People's reactions to chapter 20 actually killed me. I understand if you don't like hugs/they make you uncomfortable, I too am not big on hugs unless I'm close to the person. BUT, in the context of this story, you cannot sit here and tell me that was some cardinal sin committed by a guy i love with his best friend. Like, really. A hug? And then of course, 28, when he asks for it, and his hand got a little low and Hirano flinched, again, mfs go WAHHH OH MY GOD HE TOUCHED HIM WHERE HE WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WAHHH he didn't even do it on purpose. And of course, we arrive at the "repulsed" descriptor. Again, diction matters. Even if repulsed isn't an inaccurate translation, it indeed changes how people interpret the scene. Repulsed sounds and feels worse than discomfort or even dislike. "I am repulsed by strawberries" isn't the same connotation as "I dislike strawberries" or "strawberries make me uncomfortable".

Not to mention Kagiura quickly changed how he was hugging him because he recognized Hirano flinched. Not to mention Hirano did sink into the hug. Not to mention that I think there are many reasons Hirano reacted the way he did that wasn't "Hirano doesn't and will never like to be touched/hugged". I think it's somewhat to do with a vulnerability thing, and also a "No one has ever touched my lower back so it surprised me" thing (because the translator initially described his discomfort as something not necessarily "negative" idk how true that is though). Hirano was fine initiating touching because of control, but also because I think there's a certain level of vulnerability he is not used to. Being in someone's arms is one of them. And it was an awkward ass hug too like it wasn't even normal. Again with Kagiura and his weird "lovers do this like this" where do you get these ideas from man. Like I know your parents never hug each other like this. Or maybe they do idk. Anyway.

And then of course, people haven't let that go. Chaper 29 people were acting like Hirano had that whole convo with Ichinose and Kagiura after for no reason. Suddenly the sky imagery and "that's not the only way to express your love for someone" and "I want to be with you more than anyone else in the world, that's what love means to me" don't mean shit. Acting like Hirano hasn't been feeling that all this time. Acting like hirano hasn't been feeling his heart beat faster without any prompting from Kagiura because his heart is realizing Kagiura is expressing love for just being with him, around him, being cherished by yours truly. None of that means anything for some reason because last chapter Kagiura hugged him and Hirano felt off for a split second. Okay.

Now it's chapter 30 and there were like 40 pages prior to the last three in which we are seeing Hirano and Kagiura be in love, be youthful, be true to each other, we see just how much Kagiura pays attention to Hirano and how he is, how much he treasures that about him, how much he looks up to him and recognizes his hard work, and then we see Hirano be an unreliable narrator, downplaying his own feelings because he doesn't want to hurt Kagiura by giving him "expectations", not giving his feelings any credit at all because he, like Kagiura, doesn't want to hurt the person he loves. Kagiura gets overwhelmed by the hunger and kisses him WAHHH CALL THE FUCKING FBI HE'S A SEX OFFENDER holy shit yall. Is this your first BL? No no, is this your first story? Ever? Have you ever read words on a page? Are you three years old?? Like you cannot be fucking real. Do I even have to say anything else??

So yeah. Repulsed did a number on people's psyche. I think I went off on a tangent in the middle of that butttt you get the picture.

[rena657]

DMC Religion

Before we continue: I will state it already.. I'm a Roman Catholic Christian with Agnostic Theist belief. Hated the term "devotion" as I'm against said system that ties with it. I'm not religious nor devotee.

If you are against this idea... You are free to never read this analysis and just forget this exist

To start, world building is not the main focus at all regards to DMC story. Except, if you really wanted to learn. Same with technology and the current era of DMC as these details are fully hidden and may or may not be expanded.

In this Earth version in DMC, traditional depictions of Heaven does not exist. What humanity believes to be divine: God, angels, celestial realms are actually deceptive manifestations of the Demon World. This in line to what Itsuno saying in the Q&A in DMC4SE that the concept of Heaven doesn't exist.

Example of this is the interaction between Arkham and Vergil in Code 2. These "angels" were the 7 Deadly Sins sealed by Sparda and removed their names in order to keep the tower hidden underground.

Another example is the shift perspective when ordinary people learned their so called "God" is evil. Here is a lore regards to Dumary Island that can be seen in a PS2 Manual

In DMC1, one of the books in the library stated: Strange occurrence in the cathedral: “It happen on a hot, humid night. The columns twisted and the statue of a god disappeared. We quickly sealed the cathedral in hope that someone righteous with a strong heart would come and save us”

Argosax’s influence began in pagan traditions but later evolved into something more sinister. Showing the evolution of demonic worship across eras.

This shift is evident also in Mallet Island and Dumary Island, where people realize their deity is, in fact, malevolent. However, their reactions differ:

Mallet Island: People place their faith in an unknown savior someone with a righteous and strong heart—to save them from evil.

Dumary Island: Rather than passively hoping, the people actively sought out Sparda during his visit and directly pleaded for his intervention.

I didn't mention the Order of the Sword since it's religion is pretty much a cult. That believes and take it to a heart regards to the Legend of Sparda and seeing Sparda not just a hero but a savior. Arkham refers to Heaven as the Demon World (DMC3 Code 2: Vergil, p. 8), reinforce the idea that divine realms are an illusion. While ordinary people still believe in a benevolent Heaven, people who know the truth understand that "God" is the Demon King and "Angels" are demons

Instead, the concept of demons is rooted in Eastern traditions perspective with Western influences. Morally, demons moral alignment is evil, though complexity arises when they develop empathy

Demons can be exorcised (a) and appeased (b). Its role despite being part of the natural cycle, they are corrupt and can tempt humans (Edit: Forgot to talk about the natural cycle, but they only explain how humans died and turn into some demons in the artbooks. Will explain soon... I think)

Exorcism in what way you may ask? Well, it didn't explain but, it showed 2 times in the supplementary media that exorcism is either fighting the possessed victim to defeat it (Lady), to cut off a limb of the possessed victim (Enzo), killing possessed victim (Nero).

One example is Nero's "dirty work" during his time as Knight of the Order

Nero: Sure, most demons look like it at first glance, but sometimes, a human can be possessed by a demon and go unnoticed by the people around it. It’s not really clear how it might happen, either. All that’s important is that the people of Fortuna would never believe it possible that anything like that could happen to them, because they’re so sure their belief in Sparda will protect them from all evil. For the Order, that belief is the most important thing. If it came to light that even a staunch believer could still be possessed by demons, the Order would lose all credibility… therefore, human beings possessed by demons must be disposed of in secret. 

In secret, working alone and without making a scene - that’s my job. The Order’s dirty work. In no way am I a cold-blooded murderer, but when someone’s been possessed, there’s no other way to save them. It’s not pleasant, but someone has to do it, and I’ll do it if no one else will (Deadly Fortune vol 1 pp 22-23)

b. Appeasing - Besides a small percentage of demons can choose to live as a human and change themselves as a person. it's also one of the criteria when regards to Devil Arms in general.

To acquire this is either defeating a demon and gain power over it, or befriending a demon according to Matier in Before the Nightmare novel. In Deadly Fortune, since most demons that can turn into Devil Arm have fast healing ability in turn, those Devil Arms able to repair damage. Some of those weapons run on a particular magical substances. As long as the magical substance is present, the weapon can be easily repaired. Most devil arms are pure demonic energy made weapon, therefore they can also revert into that energy and back any time - that’s how they were being used to power up the device.

Not all demons can achieve this, as majority of what we know is that gameplay wise these are boss enemies. These are demons that are a threat to humans, if not dealt with

"B-but Otamer... If Heaven doesn't exist then, why does the Fallen in DMC3 exist or Wing Talisman in DMC4?"

As I said, they deceived ordinary humans to think angels exist in the first place. The Wing Talisman in question funny enough, comes from an angel wing of people who undergone the Ascension Ceremony like the case of Credo and Agnus. Since the Order believe their forms are not demonic, but rather angelic.

Not to mention that the Research Development of the Order focuses on studying demons so... Take that as you will even though, there is an in-game description of the Wing Talisman.

Divine to normal people = Demonic

There is also Dante's theory after seeing Credo died

"He died how an illusion fades - by vanishing faintly in a cloud of white light. Surely, this was how angels died - others who’d gained the same demonic power often didn’t meet such a pretty looking end.

Or rather, this must’ve been how Credo had envisioned it, because it, too, had been shaped by his expectations, much like his demonic shape"

If you're wondering what is the Ascension Ceremony:

minimum chance to survive. On average, 1 out of 10 people 

To imbue oneself with demonic essence and obtain power beyond regular human capabilities, one has to go through with the ascension ceremony

And in order for the ceremony to be successful, one has to be strong in both mind and body - otherwise, the demonic nature will take over, and the candidate will lose one’s sense of self entirely. Far more influenced by the candidate’s personality rather than their physical body, or the concentration of demonic energy that’s put into them. 

The form they receive after a successful ascension, it too, shapes itself to their subconscious desires.

One example of people failing is... A failed candidate of the Ascension Ceremony escaped the facility and attacked the civilian population. It's the reason why Kyrie and Credo's parents were killed. Neither Nero nor Kyrie knows this

There's also Churches/Cathedrals exist if you are wondering

A Cathedral in DMC1, 2007 Anime Ep 4, and DMC5 during Goliath boss fight

In DMC4, there's the Opera House due to its design that came from Renaissance era and its Vatican-like. I didn't want to include this due to the whole story of DMC4 revolves around the cult, but if people are curious about it. Here it is

There is also a Catholic person named Foster who runs the Angel's Home orphanage in the CD Drama Volume 2 Part 1: Devil's Neverland

The devs or well Bingo never really explain Religion at all despite, its just in the background. There are now people questioning why religion exist in the first place

Originally, this should include the Government but talking about this topic where the concept of Heaven is non-existent is already too long, and besides interesting.

To be fair, pre-DMC5. Regular ordinary humans don't even know that demons exist and think they are fairy tales, myths, or even a legend. I think is because in times of peace, overtime people will forget. Only a handful knows that the Legend really happened, and demons exist

[writingicing]

What a wonderful season finale!

Just finished The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 and... I think my love for this anime has grown even more. The end of season 1 had one of the most beautiful and impactful scenes ever: Maomao dancing for her parents' wedding, as a courtesan will when another courtesan is bought out. It was so happy and melancholic at the same time, and her dance to their love song (which she has her own sad version of btw) captured her complexity perfectly.

In season 2, the entirety of the final ep was just... wow. This season felt a lot of more serious and focused, especially with how the plot moved. There were, of course, many amazing moments and characters as well and I am sad that we might not see Maomao working in the rear palace anymore. (The episodic nature of solving problems through her genius brain was sooo fun for me!) But the way everyone's arc was tied up at the end was SO GOOD.

Looking at this from a writing perspective again, I can't help but wonder at how beautifully this anime is paced and how they bring set up things carefully to lead to something else. I felt this especially about how Maomao's feelings for Jinshi was set up this season.

For her, there is no ONE moment where she realizes her feelings, right? She is the kind of person who goes as far as to control her thoughts to avoid feelings, not even thinking things through in the privacy of her own mind. This is very important to me because one thing I learnt about screenwriting is that one of the best ways to let the audience into a character's mind/pov is for the character to have a private moment with themselves. This can mean anything - they can talk to themselves or think to themselves, admit the truth or lie, or sometimes just a silent moment and an important action is enough. It's a feat that we follow Maomao's character throughout the show without fully seeing her admit truth to herself. We see her lie to herself a lot or simply avoid thinking some thoughts, and as an audience, it is interesting to be left in the dark a bit, to wait and see how her thoughts and her actions correlate.

That's the journey with Maomao - we experience what she does because she is a unique and interesting protagonist, but at the same time we are sometimes left behind, anticipating what she does. I think this is exactly what makes us properly understand her. Human beings aren't so simple - oftentimes, we barely understand ourselves, let alone the people closest to us, which is because we are multifaceted beings. Maomao is that - a three-dimensional being with multitudes within her. She feels all sorts of feelings imaginable and just by living her life, she FINDS out more things she can feel. Rather than being written as a character who is fully transparent, we are experiencing the struggles of a human life, of figuring out ourselves in a new way with every step we take, of going against prior beliefs about the world and about our own character/capabilites. Isn't that so fascinating?

There is no one moment where she falls in love with Jinshi because she doesn't know it either. She consistently tries to avoid thinking about his true identity (which she has already figured out) because she knows admitting that truth will change things for her. But she cannot help but care about him and find him the most relatable and most real when he acts purely as himself. She cannot hide the discomfort she feels around him sometimes, but neither can she run away from the fondness.

All this leads us to the final episode, when they reunite and act as if they are an old married couple, reuniting after living entire lives together. There might not have been a singular moment when she fell in love but that doesn't matter because she's been falling and resisting and falling deeper every single moment. At some point, the moment of realization becomes irrelevant when the person you truly love is standing in front of you. And so the feelings rush in and settle down quick, putting both Maomao and the audience into peaceful acceptance.

As long as there was fear of consequences, feelings are hard to accept. But when the feeling grows beyond that fear, that fear becomes irrelevant and the feelings become the one and only truth. And Maomao might filter her thoughts to prevent thinking things that will make her face consequences, but she never runs away from the truth. And we have seen this with her attitude towards her parents, her job, her society, her friendships, etc. Once again, Maomao proves that she isn't unfeeling but rather cautious.

For us as the audience, we grow with her because she is written not only to surprise us but to surprise herself. And I think that's the most wonderful thing ever. Would she have even thought that she would look at Jinshi like that when he comes closer to kiss her? Probably not. But that's the beauty of it!

I literally can't wait for the next season. I'm so glad I found this anime 🥰

[rattlebear25]

Thing that i didn't add about that Ragatha drama...

People complained about "We can't handle complex female characters bla bla bla..."

What about Gangle?

In her episode she is well developed, her character is in a similar way to Ragatha (a person who tries to please everyone and has had enough at some point) and can be considered annoying for her behavior even if it is justified but i haven't heard anyone say "Gangle sucks!" or "She must be the real villain of the show!" because she actually gives you those vibes... I heard one """fan""" hated her but it was just one, not a mass of people like this dumb drama. No one made the mess that happened with Ragatha when Gangle episode came out?

Fandoms are really confused and make a mess about nonsense. I hate them.

I just think TADC is full of kids who don't understand what "grey character" means...