#even though she doesnt really look like it shes supposed to be zero

[eudico-my-beloved]

JWEKFKDLF I DID ITT :D

[jfkisonthemoon]

they honestly couldve done so much with junpei beheaded/dismembered and im disappointed that it ended up just being mira. so much of his character and his relationship with akane is characterized by his lack of bodily autonomy, and him being openly beheaded during the nonary games would be the ultimate example of this. its perhaps the most brutal death in the game, and it never really gets explained or developed beyond the one puzzle that we get with it. junpei has been shown repeatedly to be subject to akane's plans or follow her blindly and i just think that would have been a really interesting angle to approach his beheading from. junpei has willingly signed up for nonary games in two different timelines just because he knew he would see her. he was infected with a deadly virus trying to find her. he grew desensitized to death as he took underground jobs to try and find her. his safety always comes second when shes in the picture, and his beheading wouldve been a prime opportunity to 1. exploit his willingness to let himself die/be injured for her and 2. make akane confront the fact that her confidence that junpei will always follow after her is not necessarily a positive thing.

[dullgecko]

Freshman year Riz and Fig headcanons

Fig used to try to get Riz to sneak out every other night. And yes, Riz could most definitely sneak out unnoticed by his mom, but he’d end up telling her where he went, leaving a note and texting her updates. Much to Fig displeasure.

Fig was trying to get Riz to update his wardrobe and ended up taking him to (fantasy) Hot topic and Spencer’s. And she probably should have hist told him what is in the back instead of warning him and making it sound like it was some cool secret. In the end it just became a shopping trip for her.

(We don't have Spencer's in my country and I had to look it up and LOL ok adult toys)

Riz is an excellent rogue, if he wants to sneak out of somewhere you generally won't notice he's gone until it's too late. As it stands though Riz thinks his mom has /enough/ on her plate without having the added stress of her son disappearing and not knowing where he's gone so he leaves a note. It's then that he remembers she's on the late shift and he'll be back before she's home anyway and sends her a text as well.

His mom is fine with it, mostly because he points out Fig would go alone if he didn't tag along, and just asks him to be careful and stay safe. In the grand scheme of things going to a 24 hour mall in the middle of the night is by far one of the least dangerous things he's done this year.

So Riz let's Fig drag him out of the apartment in the middle of the night (out the window and down the fire escape because that's what you're supposed to do when sneaking out). He's only mildly annoyed about getting pulled away from what he was working on, but its not like she woke him up and maybe stepping away for an hour or two will refresh his mind a little bit.

Fig doesn't tell him where they're going at first, just pulling Riz along by the hand and trying to be 'stealthy' as they wind through streets and alleys until they get to the mall. The bard tutting when she notices Riz texting his mom to let them know where they'd gone before he shoved his crystal back in his pocket. "You know you're really ruining the whole 'rebelious teenagers sneaking out thing' by telling your mom right?" Fig teased, still practically dragging the goblin as she lead him across the carpark and into the store. "Yeah well, I don't want to be an article with the headline 'disappeared under mysterious circumstances'." Riz winced as he was pulled into the bright lights of the mall, eyes having adjusted to the darkness outside and taking a second to get used to his now well-lit surroundings. "What are we even doing here? I thought you were kidnapping me for like... midnight ice-cream or something." "Oo! Good idea for next time but no." Fig grinned stopping in front of one of the stores and gesturing at the entrance with a floruish. "Weeee are going to get you some better clothes." The rogue gave Fig a confused look, tilting his head to the side as he looked at the clothes displayed in the store window. "I don't think they're really..... I like my clothes? Whats wrong with my clothes?" "Well for starters, I've seen in your closet and you have zero casual wear." "I do too." "No, those are all button ups and suit-pants and before you argue one t-shirt and a pair of shorts doesnt count. I know those are your pajamas even though you never wear them, and everything else you own makes you look like a background extra in a movie set sixty years ago."

Riz just frowned at that, the bard rolling her eyes and dragging him into the store with her. Everything there certainly suited her style, he thought to himself, letting her shepherd him along and point out things she thought he might like. She was mostly grabbing things for herself though, holding them up against her front as she looked in one of the mirrors against the wall. "I don't think any of this stuff would really suit me Fig." Riz gave a pair of pants a very skeptical look, wondering why someone would pay that much for something that seemed to already be damaged. "Well, we're not leaving until you pick something.... stop looking at the price tags too. You're not buying it I am, as like... a friendship gift. We can get matching outfits."

That made Riz pause, pupils narrowing to slits as he thought hard about it. Friendship outfits would be nice, he liked Fig a lot and they were friends and this is a thing friends did. He heaved a sigh, letting Fig shuffle him along to another section of the store with no resistance this time.

"Ffffffine. Okay. But just like, a t-shirt or something. Something normal not like" Riz waved his hand at a shirt that looked like it had more holes than fabric, Fig nodding enthusiastically now that he finally agreed. "Awesome! Go pick something then, i'm going to go try these on. Just don't go in the rear section you wont like it."

It took Riz a while to find something he was okay with wearing, mostly because he thoroughly traumatised himself by doing exactly what Fig told him not to do the instant she went into the changing rooms. It wasnt his fault, she set up a mystery about the back of the store and he was bored. It was like dangling a carot in front of a horse.... a now sort of traumatised horse.

Either way, they left the store after a few hours. Figs arms overflowing with bags compared to Riz's single purchase, he hadnt gotten away with just a tshirt but Fig was pleased with herself because now he had a 'normal teenager outfit' to add to his closet (even if he was confused as to why his new pants had to be already ripped).

[mdhwrites]

It really does feel like the writers just kind of dont care about the world. When i first saw it, i was really interested in just how wild it was, a whole world based of hieronymous bosch? Cool.

But then they just contradict themselves, dont do anything with it or it just doesnt make sense? for example:

-In the first season the world is presented as this brutal, hostile place, where walking down the street can get you killed. Characters dont know what hugging or shaking hands is. The schools are brutal, teachers being downright vile at points. In season 2 they have a whole school dedicated to darwinian logic. But... later the teachers are suddenly nice, the world feels less hostile and they have therapists? what? in a place where you get thrown in prison for writing fanfiction?

-Some jokes are made that are 'haha get it cuz not human' but they make no sense. They have bard magic, walking guitars and bands, but when they have to look after luz, they suddenly think nightmare noises are a banger? Or how willow makes a '40s cartoon' joke, gus has a pb&j samwich, etc.

-Potion magic makes no sense. How is it a coven when you can do it WITHOUT magic. what happens when you get branded? do you just lose all magic? is it a pity coven for bad witches?

I feel on its own these things are nitpicky, but when they pile up it just feels like they were only thinking about making the place LOOK cool while having zero substance.

So you're correct that a lot of these are either nitpicks or just really lazy jokes on the part of the writers. In fact, the lazy, fish out of water jokes came back in S3 and make Amity just look like falling in love literally drained her brain out of her ears. However, that doesn't make them invalid, especially in a show with little worldbuilding. They pile up into making the whole thing feel like a construct.

Luckily, you don't have to go to nitpicks to point out that the writers didn't give a shit. Dana herself is one of the worst writers as far the worldbuilding goes. After all, she wrote Reaching Out.

She was the one who treated being a Wild Witch like choosing not to go to college.

She also co-wrote The First Day where, you know, they don't even acknowledge that multi-tracking is explicitly illegal in this society so why would an EC funded school EVER allow that?

There's SO MANY of these sorts of things peppered throughout the series that makes the ONE part of the world building we ever get, that is anything close to making this world actually unique besides implications, a straight up lie. It'd be like if Avatar made being able to multi-bend something you chose seven episodes in and suddenly slaughtered the entire point of the Avatar being special. It doesn't though because WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT!?

And there's no way to call this a nitpick. It's the hard basis for one of the main cast, even though Eda's status as a criminal is ALL OVER THE PLACE in S1, especially for people giving a shit about it. It's effectively the core of the villain's plot and the society they created. Any crack in the coven system becomes a crack in your main plot... And when it was first introduced, rather than nine, their were hundred, a fact that persisted into S2 when a character VOICED BY DANA talked about joining the Cute Cat Coven. You know, a coven theoretically not affected by the draining spell.

It's even important thematically. It is the oppression that Luz is supposed to fighting against. The way that self expression and being true to you is repressed is through the coven system and the laws surrounding it. Those need to actually function for those themes to feel like they have weight or they fall apart. It's part of why TOH struggles with thematic consistency because self expression doesn't feel like a core part of it when no one gives a fuck what you do. When there is no actual pressure to conform and hide yourself. At least, not for a story like this.

It's probably the biggest reason why when I hear people exclaim that TOH has great worldbuilding I just have to look at them funny. After all, none of this is even new or actually unique *gestures at Dystopian Fiction in general and D&D wizards school of magic* and it's told like shit. And for a story like this, your fantasy epic about sticking it to the man by showing how special you are, it NEEDED to be told better. It needed to have point.

But it never did and it just makes the writers look either like they didn't care or are just incompetent, let alone when the show director themselves is shooting their core concepts in the head.

======+++++=======

I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!

I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead. If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.

A Twitter you can follow too

And a Kofi if you like what I do and want to help out with the fact that disability doesn’t pay much.

[her-canine-teeth]

decided to not make a whole analysis bc. thats much so im just gonna like write my thoughts to each line! slay.

spiracle by flower face - notes

!!i dont have like many symbolism here yet. and with that i mean almost nothing; i was mainly, like, testing the waters or smth bc it was the first one etc and i wasnt really familiar with anything just yet.

I want your quiet, your screaming and thrashing

jackie's quiet, shauna isnt.

The salt on your lips and the hands that god gave you

'salt' -> ocean -> water

And I want your violence, your silent sedation(....) who ever she killed not sure

violence is pretty obvious i think; sedation sounds kinda sterile to me and the clip too

Your moon eyes, your telescope,

literally had no other ideas

morbid fixation

it does seem. morbid sorta

And I want your pyro,

fire

your born-again virgin

she wasnt a vigrin when she died. but for a pretty long time. and shes like 'born again' in shaunas mind yk??

Your hands on my insides, your fingertips crawling

makes sense

And I want your Jesus,

I THINK she sorta looks like holy?? savior typa IDK how to say that. but it reminds me of jesus.

your suicide mission

died

Your lips on the microphone,

bc shes like leading, actively the captain

soft disposition

looks rlly soft <3

And I want your parties,

party

the shark in your water

fit somehow im not sure anymore ahhh also dont have any notes. but i still think it fits

The scrapes on your knees and the blood that spills over

blood that spills over = cheating

And I want your zeroes,

sorta seems at a low point

your polluted marrow

.sorta obvious i think

The sweat on your palms and

bc shes like nervous, she doesnt know what to say

your surveillance shadow

she still there, in the distance, watching over shauna and she cant get closer; if jackie is a shadow, then shauna is the light.

I want your secrets,

fits with jackies line

your clementine fields

i googled clemetine meaning and it means innocence and i thought that fit like rlly well

The ropes that you climb up,

sorta a stretch; the ropes are jeff (that shes climbing for a 'normal', heterosexual life). jackie wants this (otherwise she wouldntve been with jeff pre crash) but shauna is the one to eventually actually climb them/marry him.

the parts that won't heal

still succumbs to violence or however you want to call it. thought it more fitting to her killing adam bc the rabbit required like precision n shit

I want your safe word,

idk

your passive resistance

shauna doesnt want it, but still isnt active.

The sickness you foster, your favorite addictions

quite obvious too i think. personally one of my fav parts

And I want your nightmares, the ghost in your doorway

shes a ghost, shes in something sort of resembling a doorway

Your paralyzed sleep and your- [scream]

thought it was funny, also it is indeed true. if i like had to choose then the scream is my fav part i think esp bc it just lines up so wellll like the death scene and everything really

I want you, butterfly, I want you, sailor

actually asked sb what theyd say who is who but since ive watched it like a feww times and: jackie is the butterfly bc shes a beautiful (and seen as such) and fragile (was the first to die). also she has a butterfly shirt (which is worn by shauna later on - which was actually the reason I asked sb! bc i was unsure if i should use shauna in the shirt. but then i decided against it, mainly bc i didnt like the vibe of the clip and i wanted them to interact). the symbolic meaning of butterflies doesnt really fit her (transformation, change, growth)(really its more the opposite) BUT it doesnt fit shauna as well.

shauna is the sailor bc she like sailed away and left jackie behind, a million miles apart and unable to do anything but to dream of each other (which jackie is doing then). technically, jackie is leaving here, but this is still jackies last goodbye (even though its imagined)

I am your lover and I am your jailor

originally 'I am your lover' was supposed to be 'thats not what youre hungry for' but i changed it. Not sure why (like id do it again but idk why) but its like. shes (the picture) her lover shes gone she wont (cant) ever come back (not rlly) shes representing everything that was and thats been lost (everything thats irredemable. shauna herself.) shes her lover but shes not real (shes not even a hallucination that only shauna can see, but a picture that everyone can see and does see bc its on a really big screen on a get-together with many people; shes not shaunas, she doesnt belong to shauna which she never has - even though thats all that shauna wants. (I think jackie thinks, or at least feels otherwise. whcih shauna doestn know, of course, cause their communication is ATROCIOUS)). shes never been real, actually, cause whats shown on the screen is the jackie that shes been showing them, not the one she really is (today she is pretending for shauna, too. she doesnt, cant see her real self, who she really is; theres nothing beneath the surface of 'jackie, homecoming queen' anymore)

shauna is the jailor bc she wont let jackie go. in doing that (and in living the life jackie was supposed to live, represented by jeff being with her at the function) shes also her own jailor

[primalspice]

Ratty - 🚗, 🎮, 📚, 💯, 🚫, 🍎, ❤️, 🖤, 🥯, 🧐, 🤩, 👨,

🔧

🚗 — does your oc have a driver's license? can they drive/operate any automobiles/machinery besides cars?

She has a driver’s license AND she’s forklift certified <3 she doesn’t particularly enjoy driving, though, because no one follows the rules of the road like she does. Shes the only good one everyone else is a fool.

🎮 — what are three of your oc's favorite hobbies?

Her favorite hobbies include building/fixing random shit, listening to music, and crying. She’s never had much time on her hands until very recently, so shes got no idea what to do with herself. I think she should get into art tho. It would free her soul. 

📚 — what level of education has your oc most recently completed/is currently in (GED, undergraduate, grad school, phd, etc)?

She didn’t really graduate highschool traditionally bcz she went to the military at 16 but she has the equivalent of like a bachelors or trade school level education ig??? She has much more hands-on experience than things that look good on paper just because of the way that the region zero military tends to run things, which i suppose has its pros and cons (great for doing things efficiently in a factory, NOT great for being the president and making decisions and being diplomatic about your special interest). She has certifications in different areas that she can at least show; power plant operations, nuclear arms safety/handling/exports, aforementioned forklift certification, etc. She’d probably have like a GED and a bachelor’s in engineering if I were to compare her actual schooling to something normal. And just a lot of varied job/trades experiences. 

💯 — share three random facts about your oc that others may not know.

We dont talk much about the MANY years she lives in an apartment by herself but maybe that's for good reason. r/malelivingspace meme passing.

least expected recreational drug enjoyer bcz shes a timid geek but if she lived in a free and fun world she'd be trying more. she doesnt really tend to have a fun time on alcohol or pills (vague) or shitty region zero weed or even cocaine but she still tries <3 not like she can make her brain much worse than it is

Her eyesight is awful and she's had glasses since she was like 11. she would wear sports goggles before ever trading them out for contacts no matter how annoying they get; she thinks they look good on her (shes right) and is comforted by the fact that they partially hide her face.

🚫  — does your oc drink/smoke? do they do it regularly, or is it more on occasion or for special events?

She drinks recreationally or occasionally smokes (although harder drugs are preferred 😐). If coping counts as a special event then it’s only for special events, but oh how she’s always coping.

🍎 — where was your oc born? do they still live in/around their place of birth or do they live somewhere else? how do they feel about their birthplace?

Harvey was born in the north-east of the region, which is not a particularly citizen-friendly area so much as a space for industry and military operations. Lower-class families such as hers are its major populace. She moved out quite quickly, since she dormed with the military in the (south-eastish) starting at 16 until her early 20s-ish. Once she got a job that wasn’t directly with the military, she moved back to an apartment somewhat near her hometown, but more for convenience than wanting to be near family. she has mixed feelings about her hometown; it's much of what made her into the person she is today with the passions that she has, but theres also a lot of painful memories there. everythings a painful memory tho, isnt it.

❤️ — what are three of your oc's positive traits?

Shockingly she has plenty of positive traits *smiles* she is HARD-WORKING she is HUMBLE she is KNOWLEDGEABLE (bonus: she is cute)

🖤 — has your oc killed or seriously wounded anyone before? have they broken someone's heart and/or broken someone's trust?

Shes not….. Directly killed anyone LOL. Although those who are critical of the things she let slide in terms of nuclear waste production and disposal might say otherwise….. Shes quite traditionally nonviolent and wouldn't really ever fight or hurt someone physically (altho she could probably fair pretty well tbh), not a fan of violence at all she just really enjoys weapons <3 Cognitive dissonance swag. As for broken hearts/trust, not really??? Faust was quite offended when she indirectly let her army get so out of hand that they start sister-killing but thats quite the jump to make. Although she probably shouldve at least condemned it LOL.

🥯 — what does your oc's typical breakfast look like? do they usually eat breakfast?

Shes not a big breakfast-eater because she likes to suffer ig. If left to her own devices she’d probably just have a coffee, but she’d usually get like a bagel or some oatmeal or something pushed on her while working in the capital. 

🧐 — is your oc more logical or emotional?

It’s complicated LOL. shes an ISTJ n all but she also has severe anxiety that dictates every part of her life so I might say shes more emotional. Her fearful loyalty to the status quo and worries life in region zero allow her to make poor decisions even though she knows the outcome might be poorer than if she were to make decisions that were more against-the-grain. She struggles to make decisions that make her uncomfortable or afraid, even if they’re logical.

🤩 — is your oc a planner, or are they more spontaneous in their actions?

She definitely prefers to plan. She enjoys having a routine and likes for life to be mostly predictable. It would make most ppl insane but she’s lucky enough that such a thing works for her. Any sudden deviation from the Usual makes her scream and cry and piss tho

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 — how many people are in your oc's immediate family? how many people are in your oc's extended family? do they have aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc? who in their family are they closest with? are they close with their birth family, or do they have a found family?

Her immediate family consists of just her, raymond, and their mom and dad. Im sure she has an aunt/uncle or two as well, and some cousins, but not really any that she was particularly close with, especially considering that she was quite distant even from her immediate family. She’s had 3 or so generations of family members living in region zero and Most of them are dysfunctional and cold and working-class so perhaps all this is a curse she was born into. She had to become ok with being alone at a very young age and shes worse off for that <3 Raymond was, of course, who she was closest too but that got taken away pretty quickly. Things aren’t really the same now, even though hes not really dead. 

[sos-amchespin-sendhelp]

SOS CQ DE 40.4166N; 3.7038W? = CQ PLS

SRY FOR BEING A DEBBIE DOWNER BUT THEY SAY VENTING IS HEALTHY SO

IDK WHY IM SO PRONE TO LONG WINDED DIRE WARNINGS

MAYBE BECSE I NEED AT LEAST SOME SENSE OF CONTROL

LIKE IM ACTUALLY DOING SOME GOOD BY BEING ALIVE AND HERE; A NET BENEFIT

BECSE IF I WAS A HORRIBLE PERSON BEFORE MEMORY LOSS; THEN THAT DOESNT ERASE ANYTHING

I FEEL LIKE A REAL MOTHER IN LAW KIND OF PERSON SOMETIMES

SO THE PHOTOGRAPHS I WANTED TO SHOW YOU ARENT COMING THROUGH; SIGNAL NOT STRONG ENOUGH

WANTED TO SHOW YOU THINGS; HAD A WHOLE PHOTO SERIES PLANNED; BUT WHAT NOW?

I WANT TO BE A GOOD PERSON TO SOMEONE; THEN ID BE A NET BENEFIT AND NOT SOME ASSWIPE WITH A KARMIC CLEAN SLATE. I WANT TO GO HOME; BUT I DONT REMEMBER ENOUGH ABOUT HOME TO MISS IT WHICH IS FUCKED UP

AND EVEN IF MY FRIENDS AND LIFEBLOOD ARE HERE THIS WORLD WILL NEVER BE HOME EITHER

ALGERNON IS A STUPID ASS NAME

GOING TO ZERO ISLE ON SOME FLIPPIN CARAVAN IS A BUST; THERE WAS NEVER GOING TO BE ANYTHING HERE FOR ME BESIDES THIS PHONE

AND EVEN IF THERE IS SOMETHING TO THIS CANDLEWICK PHANTOM CRYPTID; THEN I GUESS ITS MYTHOS WONT UNRAVEL ANYTIME SOON

SO THE ONLY POWER I REALLY HAVE IS TO SCROLL TUMBLR

(K SO I SUPPOSE THERE IS ONE THING I HAVENT TRIED YET BUT)

THIS BLOG WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN SOS

ASK ME ANYTHING; IM A CHESPIN; SEND HELP.

---

Auburn was only pretending to sleep, as he often did. He could hear the tell-tale tip tap as Algernon pecked away at the cracked phone screen with a stylus. It — this blog and its contents — was an unhealthy coping mechanism and everyone knew it, but Auburn supposed he shouldn't be one to judge. And if the mechanism was clearly working, then whose to say it was ultimately unhealthy? (The important thing to know about Auburn is that he is very good at convincing himself of things.) Leland had taken first watch tonight, as the Oshawott was most attuned to the weave of Zero Island Center and could give warning if, say, the floor warped back on itself and crushed them, or some dungeon-construct Pokémon somewhere activated a trap and everyone began turning into food, or if the sky simply started to fall as though the world was hollow and you could touch the sky. To make camp in a mystery dungeon was to court the unfathomable. Woe to those who rested too long. Yes, given Leland sprang from that same clade of unfathomable, she was a shoe-in for first watch. The Pikachu found he was proud like a brother would be at what she'd grown into. (Neither of them talked about the early days anymore when Leland would scream about relatives who didn't exist, and sometimes the two would start hitting each other because they had no other way of laying themselves bare without speaking and shattering the fragile dichotomy they had built, and so one day she heads out to at least buy a punching bag and comes back after several days with a Chespin.) Grovyle, on his part, was snoring like a log. Imputent snot, Auburn wryly added to himself, as another self-induced distraction tactic. His sleep-drifting thoughts kept sailing back to the Algernon Quandry, and then the captain of his ship yelled "No! Port anywhere but there!" and so the ship of Auburn's mind reversed course, and the dungeons out at sea set them to a random heading and they sailed into the eldritch dawn, and soon Auburn was no longer pretending to sleep. "Why, where are you off to, Ratty?" asked the Drilbur in great surprise, grasping him by the arm. "Going South, with the rest of them," murmured the Pikachu in a dreamy monotone, never looking at him. "Seawards first and then on shipboard, and so to the shores that are calling me!"

[thefandomsurfer]

Favorites-Re: Zero

I love Re: Zero so much I just had to find a reason to talk about it some more so-Here We Go.

My top 5 Favorite Characters:

1. Rem

Even after a season goes by her impact on me is still here. She makes me feel so soft and warm. Her story of going from 'sisters replacement' to herself was so satisfying and heartwarming to watch. Shes also fuckin adorable and I love how loyal and protective she is over Subaru and her sister. Her backstory was tragic (Not overly so though) and it revealed so much about her and why she acts the way she does. We also find out in the novels just how self sacraficial and hardworking she really is-I love her so much.

2. Ram

Ram, oh Ram. My sassy queen. Her wit, confidence, and sarcasm all drew me to her. She starts out as someone your supposed to see as inferier to Rem but we learn through her backstory that really, Rem was 'inferier' to her the whole time but due to tragic circumstances Ram can no longer be who she once was. But she also doesnt seem to be held back by this-Shes made peace with it. And her love for her sister, her devotion to her, it made me lover her and now I love all these other aspects to her character.

3.Subaru:

I know a lot of people dislike him-or flat out hate him-But I honestly...never did? I thought he acted a fool at once point in the story, The royal selection bit-But I never hated nor disliked him? I always felt so bad for him and thought he was rather funny. I think his character if fabulously written and his development is phenomenal. He starts out as a whiny kid who expects things to fall into his lap and turns into a more mature and reliable person. I also relate very, very highly in his backstory regarding school.

4.Beatrice

She literally went from 'mildly annoying' to 'precious child who deserves no hurt'. I didnt enjoy her at first because I thought she was just another character who was 'angry but will become soft later' and, while I'm right, theres so much more to her character. From lonliness, to abandonment problems, to wanting to die she went through a lot of phases. But then the 'choose me' scene happens and I just. Fell more in love with her then before and now she is one of my favorite characters and has one of my favorite relationships in the show\novel.

5. Emilia

Emilia is odd? For me? Because I really, really enjoy her sometimes. And I feel so bad for her because shes truly lived a sad life, filled with discrimination and loss, and she loss even more in season 2 with puck, but I also find her...strange in the sense that I get bored of her. I think its because of her personality-she seems very bland at times. But even then-I think shes grown so much-Both in the novels and in the series. Shes grown from a neive child to a more mature leader. And I think thats wonderful for her.

Best looking Male:

I. Honestly dont think any of the guys look good at all. Other than this guy at lease. Young! Wilhelm looking fine.

BI couldnt find a gif-Sorry. ^^

Best Looking Female-This is super hard because mosst of the women look great. But I'll say...

Theresia.

Shoutout to Ram, Emilia, Priscilla, Carmilia, Secmet, and Crusch.

Favorite quote-

Oof...I could actually do four because...I love these three equally. Theres so many memorable quotes to chose from.

“No matter what happens, even when it looks like you’re gonna lose, when no one else believes in you, when you don’t believe in your self, I will believe!” – Rem

“You don’t get it, A million sorry’s is not equal to 1 thank you.” – Emilia

“While we talk, look forward to making up for all the time you’ve wasted looking back! We can start by talking about tomorrow. You can say anything like, whether you’ll make Japanese or Western style breakfast tomorrow, or whether you’ll put on your right or left shoe first. It can be something silly like that. No matter how silly it is, you can talk about tomorrow because you have a tomorrow.” – Natsuki Subaru

“You stole my sister’s horn and stole my reason to live but that wasn’t enough? Now you have come here, and stole my reason to die, too?” – Rem

Favorite Couple- haha Subarem. Sadly, very sadly.

Their bond just really hit me somewhere deep down. I could feel their closeness and how tender they are. And, Especially in the novels and in the special chapters, how blatantly Rem flirts with him. And its how much trust and care he has with Rem, how he says in the novels 'his weaknessess belong to her' and calls her 'my Rem'. Her impact in his life is so massive and his on hers was also huge. She calls him out, fills him with hope, and gives him her love. All in return for the fact that he did the very same for her.

Favorite Platonic Couple-

A toss up between...

Rem and Ram-

I have a big weakness for sibling relationships, and twin ones go double for that. Theres not much to say expect I just love their closeness and how much they care for each other. Ram shows a very special softness for Rem she doesnt show anybody else and Rems love and admiration for her sister is blatant. I just adore them.

and

Beatrice and Subaru

And thats about it! I could othat they grew into something so big after all that happened between the two. Subaru very obviously cares for her a big amount and she always wanted his attention due to her loneliness. And him helping her turn from someone who wanted to depend on another person to shave away her fears into someone who will protect and save others-Also how much he seems to adore her and her little tsundereness about it, even though she pouts when he doesnt give her proper attention-Its adoreable.

And thats about it! I could on and on about this so please-If anyone wants to talk to me about it or ask about please, please do so. I'd love to ramble on about it more.

[thepoodlepack]

What's wrong with goldenpoodles? I'm genuinely curious because almost all of my dogs are mixed breeds and behave fine. So I'm curious if there's something else I'm missing

jeez this feels like bait but u kno what, you got me

alright, so it goes like this. the doodle really began with a guy in australia being like i need the temperament of a lab for a guide dog but these ppl are allergic to dogs, so i need a poodle bc they have hair, not fur. so he bred em together. years later he’s like damn that was a mistake.

now, why, exactly? alright so first of all he only needed that mix bc labs on average tend to adapt better to situations that are largely exclusive to service dog work than poodles do. i can go into what this means at a later date, but that’s basically how it is. but either way, people jumped on this creation and it kinda spiraled out of control. soon, poodles were being bred by everyone and every breed. suddenly, they were a marketing scam more then they were a dog breed.

oh theyre hypoallergenic! all of them, all the time cause zero allergies! look theyre so much better than poodles! theyre friendly and easy to train, not like poodles of course, just like labs! they’re better than labs bc none of them shed, ever! they’re super healthy bc breeding labs and poodles together wipes out all their health problems, of course!

lies, lies lies. the aussie guy, whose name i’m not going to look up bc i’m lazy but who you can find if you google creator of doodles, straight up says that even the first litter(s) of labradoodles he bred had puppies that the people he bred them for were allergic to. he very carefully tested the litter and the reaction the person had before placing a puppy that was not going to hurt them.

think of the punnet squares we all learned about in 5th grade science class. you draw the squares and one parent has two fur genes and the other parent has two hair genes and what do you get? well if you have four puppies, one might have hairhair and the next one might have hairfur and the next one might have furhair and the next one might have furfur. and so guess what? only hairhair pup is going to be the best choice for allergic people. additionally, you can see why the non-shedding thing can be bullshit, and that in particular is also a guessing game. you may be able to test allergy sufferers against the pups, but that does not necessarily mean they won’t shed. hairfur, for example, may be a good choice for some allergic people, but perhaps they’ve got just enough fur to shed anyway. also, lets look at salukis (and frankly, most long-haired sighthounds). salukis are still considered dogs with fur, not hair. they also still shed, even though it’s just a little. and yet they’re still considered good for allergy sufferers.

(ps poodles do actually shed. but they shed like humans shed. your hair comes out, doesn’t it? like, esp folks with long hair, aren’t people always complaining how you clog the shower drain? yeah, like that. ALSO obviously the situation is more complicated then super simple punnet squares and as an ex-groomer i have something to say about doodle coats but i’m going to save that for later, put a pin in it.)

oh and wait a hot minute there. i said best choice, didn’t i, not hypoallergenic. well, that’s because no dog is hypoallergenic. poodles, and a few other dog breeds, they have hair, like we do. but the thing is both humans and breeds with hair still produce the dander, though they’re different kinds. breeds with hair happen to produce the least amount possible that dogs can produce, which is why they’re a better choice for allergy sufferers, but that’s still not a guarantee. my roommate Dakota is allergic to dogs. if i don’t wash my dogs for an extended period of time (which has never happened, ever, in my life, idk what ur talking about), thus giving the chance for the dander my dogs still produce, he will have a very, very mild reaction when touching them. it can be countered by him washing his hands after touching them and also me just giving them a fucking bath, i need to stop forgetting, but still, there you go. ALSO people might not be allergic to dogs bc of their dander. they might be allergic to the saliva of dogs, which poodles or any other breed with hair still produces about the same as other dogs. so, yeah, not hypoallergenic, not at all.

the people who taut their hypoallergenic dogs for sale largely don’t do the testing required to check if they’re actually providing a dog to someone who won’t react to it. not acceptable at all.

so, labs are friendly and easy to train right? not at all like poodles, right? no. absolutely incorrect. some labs are friendly and easy to train. some labs, a lot of them when they’re puppies, are nightmare fuel. personally, i have a theory that everyone’s vision of labs in their heads are either a) service dogs or b) those old labs who are slightly pudgy (or morbidly obsess, which is a different topic) and who are graying in the face and just want to lounge around because they’re seniors now. alright, so here’s why thats bad. labs are a working breed. a retrieving breed. they’re supposed to be bulky and strong and driven. service dogs are highly trained, to a point that most pet dogs will never see, and if you see them with their actual disabled handler, they’ll probably be around 2.5 yrs of age and out of their most wild days. old labs are well. old. sleepy. maybe a bit achey. and well out of their most wild days. oh, and it’s the same type of thing with goldens by the way, the other most popular doodle type. poodles are also easy to train, especially if their parents have a decent temperament. they’re all about equal if you actually start training them when they’re puppies and just pay for some training classes, like everyone should. in the puppy classes i’m in right now, Euphoria is leaps and bounds ahead of doodles, goldens, and labs that are her age or older. I train her properly and she’s got amazing parents. that’s it, that’s the trick. not breed, not necessarily, and def not in this case.

I am once again going to say that labs and goldens are more often used as service dogs than poodles because of their adaptability, but it’s the ability to adapt to situations that most pet dogs will never have to worry about.

jeez this is a long post. i’ve still got more to cover too. alright, on to super healthy, or “hybrid vigor” as the nerds call it. uhh, it’s bullshit. thank u for ur time.

okay, but actually why on gods green earth would breeding two completely different breeds with little to no research make them super healthy? now i want to preface this with i’m (generally) pro-outcross projects. Euphoria’s dad is half mini poodle and half standard poodle, which isn’t technically an outcross bc all the variations are of the same breed, but if we’re going by genetic diversity alone minis and standards are different enough to actually be different breeds.

so, to be clear, outcrosses, given the proper thought and planning: good, results in healthier dogs (see: lua dals). randomly breeding two very different breeds together with no planning other than to sell the puppies to randos who won’t continue the outcross: bad. especially when you’re doing it to cash in and don’t health test at all, or don’t health test the major health problems with both breeds (if you’re doing an f2 breeding or anything like that). no the poodle’s health problems don’t get canceled out by the goldens or labs or whatever the other party’s health problems are, and vice versa. and yeah, i’ve looked at a lot of doodle breeder’s websites and yeah, most of them don’t health test at all, or at least don’t health test properly. do you know i own one doodle and currently live with another? yeah, i got them both from breeders and do you know how much health testing their parents got? if your answer is none, good job, you’ve been paying attention. in my defense, i was like 13, i didn’t know what i was doing.

alright, so those are the big points. this is kinda gonna be just... a mix of my other complaints. here we go, hope you’re ready for more. argument the first: i feel like it’s pretty disrespectful to reputable breeders. now, i actually have two reasons why that is. reason one: most reputable poodle breeders don’t want their breeding stock bred with other breeds, for various reasons. i’ve even met a few who used to be okay with it and then as the doodle scam got bigger and more out of control, they stopped being okay with it, even to the breeders who they had been fine with it in the past. that means a lot of doodle breeders out there have their breeding stock because they scammed poodle breeders into giving them pet quality, not breeding quality, dogs or because they’re getting their stock from non-reputable breeders. i also feel it’s disrespectful to breeders who are actually trying to create new breeds. quite frankly, a breed with the size, strength, and adaptability of a lab or golden that doesn’t shed and that has the train-ability of a poodle, lab, or golden sounds pretty interesting to me. did you know you can actually make that breed? and it wouldn’t be a cross with unpredictable... well, everything. it would actually be a true dog breed.

Look at Silken Windhounds and Biewer Terriers who began both development in the 1980s. Biewer Terriers were recognized by the AKC this year, and Silken Windhounds still haven’t been. And yeah, that’s the problem isn’t it? Making a real new breed takes a lot of time, planning, and care. People would rather just cash in. I think it’s sad and I think it’s disrespectful to the breeders who do work so hard to make actual new breeds.

and finally, unpin being an ex-groomer goddamnit. guess what? doodles are awful to groom! they’re terrible on the grooming tables because people want to have in both ways: they want a dog that doesnt shed at all and they want a dog who doesn’t need to be groomed. well guess what, that dog doesn’t exist and you can have it only one way. and also, bring back the goddamn punnet squares because a lot of doodles have awful coats. if you have hairfur and furhair over there, guess what, their coat fucking sucks bc it’s not meant to be like that. it wants to mat bc hair but also it wants the mats to slide out bc short-ish fur but its too thick for the mats to slide out bc thick hair. and yes its more complicated then this and that means its often more awful then this. its awful, it makes me want to cry. and maybe it’s slightly easier to get away with it with a shorthaired dog like a lab, or, you know what, even a golden, okay, even a slightly long haired dog like a golden but people are doodling akitas? border collies? bernese fucking mountain dogs? i am crying. i am crying right now as i type this.

lets do a sum up to this disaster of a post. look, i don’t go out there attacking or yelling at every doodle or every doodle owner i see, alright? or any of them really. i might engage in conversation to one that’s interested, but that’s it. i love my doodly Isis, okay? shes tiny and she’s adorable and I love her more than life and i will never, ever get another doodle. i don’t like the way they’ve gotten so prolific, i don’t like the reasons they’re now widespread, and i don’t like almost all of the people that create them, including the ones i’ve literally given my (parents) money to in the past. i wish they were better but i just cannot approve of them, especially not in the environment they exist in now. that said, i do support them in their original use case as assistance dogs, and i do not care about them if they’re shelter dogs.

[milkacchan]

Request for anon: Gib the angst with grandpa enji and grandma rei. Grandbb gets hurt b a d due to smth and 😬😬😬

(Ojiisan is granddad in Japanese, the fir al version of it anyway. Jiji is informal, baba is the informal version of grandma)

Hero work was risky. Enji knew this. He knew better than anyone you can be fine one minute and dying the next but he still never fathomed it happening to /you/. He didn't /want/ to.

And then he gets a panicked call, from Shouto, and it sounds like he's crying, like he can't breathe. And in seconds, his retirement is thrown out of the window. His old costume is on and Reis concerned- he doesn't even have time to explain it all to her, just that you /need/ help.

When he arrives, the scene is at a stand still. Heros unsure of the next move, unsure of how to progress without hurting the situation and Shouto- although his exterior remained calm, endeavor could see it in his eyes. He was panicking. The facade cracked a little upon seeing his father, his expression turned sorrowful, sour and concerned, all at once; for just a split second before he returned to collected.

"She's in there, in the rubble. She got hit before he went down. He's in there with her but he's hurt. They both are."

"Negotiator?"

"Tried, he won't budge."

Enji nodded, mentally racking over plans and strategies- that green haired kid would be useful right now. But he was away, in America, probably watching it all go down on tv. So for now, Enji was alone in strategizing.

"I want the building stabilized and watched. Men on ever corner, exit and window of this place. The girl is first priority. If there is a choice between her and him, let him go. Do I make myself clear?"

There was a chorus of 'Yes sirs', both from special forces and heros that would be initiated in the plan.

He gaze flickered from the building back to those in front of him and he continued his explanation. This needed to be executed carefully- very carefully.

Casualties were at a low but he sure as hell wasn't going to add to that number, especially with you.

His plan was explained and he received confirmation, then it was put into action. His son on his right and ground zero on his left, the plan was initiated.

They used distractions and the stormed the building- probably not the smartest, but it's all they had right now.

Enji didnt care about anything else but you. He didn't care about the chaos ensuing around him. He didn't care about the others he saw. He did however, care about that blood trail. It could be you. Or it could be him.

He looked over to Shouto who nodded. "I'll take this one, you take the other."

"Got it," Shouto agreed with a small nod before taking off in the other direction.

Enji followed it, eyes scanning his surrounds with frevor- analyzing everything in his path. The blood trail dotted; it got light until it stopped, just outside a closed door. He wasted no time opening it. He scrunched his nose. It smelled foul.

Then he saw you. Crumpled in the corner in a pool of blood and his heart stops. It feels like the world is crashing around him because Fuck- you looked dead.

"Shouto!" He calls, his head turning towards the door but his gaze remains on you.

He's quick to get to you, kneeling down and putting his finger under your nose

You're breathing. Oh thank fuck, you're breathing.

He gently moves your arm, which is cradled over your stomach. It looks broken- its bruised and swollen and he doesnt like the blossoming purple patches along it. But your suit is ripped too, theres a large gash on your stomach and he cringes at the blood. He gently moves the sticky fabric off the wound. It was deep and tissuey- he could vaguely see the bruises beginning to form on your ribs- he didn't like that either. You were hurt, bad. Really bad.

He slides an arm under your back and the other under you leg to pick you up, almost crying in relief when you /move/. It's just a squirm but it's something, at least

He's /praying/ that you make it through, immediately thinking of the worst scenarios. They're playing over in his head.

A groan pulls him from his thoughts and he looks down, watery eyes peer into his. They're lidded and tired and scared; he let's out a breath he didnt know he was holding.

"Oj-Jiji-" You groan out, gripping his arm. Your head his on his shoulder, hair knotted and dirty, face covered in layers of dust and dirt. But the tear streaks are obvious.

"Firefly," He whispers, "it's okay,"

"It hurts," You whimper. "It hurts so much-"

"I know, I know. We're getting you out of here-"

"Did you find her- oh god," Shouto paled upon seeing you. He stumbled into the room, placing a cool hand on her cheek. You leaned into the touch.

"Dad," you kept her hand on Enjis arm, your grip tightening.

"Princess you're gonna be okay, alright? It's not- It's not that bad. We're gonna get you out and to a hospital,"

"If you're gonna lie," you mumble, "make it convincing. I know it's bad."

"You're gonna be fine baby, I promise you, you're gonna be okay."

He gently hands you to Shouto. "Go, I'll take care of things here. I'll meet you at the hospital. Go quickly."

"Jiji-"

"I'll be there soon, Firefly," he kissed your forehead.

"Jiji I love you," It was small, panicked and scared. But you wanted him to know, you wanted him to know in case you didn't make it. You'd lost blood. A lot of it. He could see it in the way you spoke. The adrenaline started to wear down by the time Shouto had entered the room.

You were crashing again and he hated it but there was nothing else he could /do/.

"I love you too, Firefly."

You let out a quiet cry, gripping your fathers shirt, looking behind him at your granddad as he carried you out. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to keep your eyes open. Black dotted your vision and you could vaguely hear someone calling your name as the world faded.

Rei sat quietly in the waiting room chair, her leg bounced and she chewed the inside of her cheek. Her hand held her son's tightly as her husband paced in front of them.

He should've gotten their sooner, he should've known it was happening. He should've been there to help her.

"Enji," Reis voice ripped him from his thoughts. The nasty thoughts running through his head a mile a minute.

They'd taken you in for emergency surgery. The bruises- those were from him. But the gash was deep. Deeper than Enji had originally thought. And with the blood lost, it wasn't looking too good.

"Are you alright?" His deep voice rumbled, the concern evident.

"Baby, come here." She whispered, holding her hand out. "You've been pacing for hours. Sit down. Relax."

He hesitated. Could he really? Could he really just sit? Shouto had zoned out. For what felt like forever his just stared at the ground, before he fell asleep with his head on his mothers shoulder. Natsuo and Fuyumi were somewhere- he wasn't sure where at the moment.

He supposed he could calm himself down enough, try to breathe through it. So he did. He walked over and sat down, sighing when her hand slipped into his.

"She'll be okay," Rei whispered. "She's strong. She's resilient. And there's a great team working on her. It's-It's going to be okay."

"I don't know," he mumbled. "She looked bad when we finally got to her. She was so pale," he squeezed her hand. "And there was so much blood. I should've gotten there sooner."

"No, you can't blame this on yourself. This isn't anyones fault. You did your job and you brought her home."

"But did I bring her home right? Did I bring her home alive?"

"Yes."

And Rei was right. He did bring you home alive. The surgery was a success. You stabilized, you regained the color in your face, normal breathing and heart rate.

They stitched you up, fixed a few broken ribs- sewed up that cut on your chin. They used a quirk for your arm, that seemed to be the easiest but for the others it was too risky.

So the Todoroki family sat in the small hospital room, around your bed, just waiting. They held small conversations, took turns sleeping; though Todoroki needed it the most. He kept putting it off.

"Aw- don't tell me you've all been waiting here. You all are getting soft," a voice mumbled.

Enji looked up and smiled. "You're awake."

"Princess," Shouto leaned foward and kissed your forehead. "How're you feeling?"

"I mean- all things aside, fine. It's a party in here though, you having fun?"

"I'm going to hit you." Natsuo narrowed his eyes.

"Can't hit a cripple," you hum. "Nice try though, Uncle."

"You almost died, yet here you are, cracking jokes."

"Yes. That's how I handle uncomfortable situations. You know this. I blame Auntie."

"I blame your father." Fuyumi rolled her eyes.

Shouto looked up, saying something back. Enji had turned them out.

"You feel okay?" He asked, eyes trained on you.

"I mean, it hurts a little but I'm okay." You smiked softly. "Thank you for finding me. I'm sorry you had to though."

"Don't apologize. You did nothing wrong. I'm just glad your okay," he swiped his thumb across your cheek gently.

It was okay after all.

[writerofshit]

I know the usual interpretation in fahc is that Ryan shares his woes with the other gents, but I just really love the idea of Jeremy overhearing him on a voice call with Meg (either gaming together or while she's preparing for a hit) moaning about how the new guy in his crew is cute and funny and hotter than the arizona desert and she's just like "pics or it didn't happen. Also ask him out, if he says no you can fake your death and come work with me"

Oh my GOD yes, I am absolutely here for this idea.

I love love love their friendship so goddamn much, especially in the FAHC universe. Because she's not in the crew, never really even worked with them all that much, just happens to be good friends with them. She's roped Ryan into so many various shenanigans over the years, including: making him go on 6 am runs with her, having him help her plan Gav's birthday party one year, assisting her with a hit during NYFW (which is when the 'Ryan as an undercover model' thing began) and what they refer to as 'The Strip Club Incident'.

Meanwhile, she's become the one Ryan trusts most with anything personal. He's not going to break in the middle of a heist to ask anybody else whether they think he and Jeremy would make a cute couple. He also isn't going to ask if they think he's capable of settling down, or complain about how running affects his knees.

Meg has told him a thousand times that he can absolutely be part of a disgustingly domestic couple, he's made for it, really. She's set him up more times than he can count, never once with any success. Every other week she calls him up with "So I have a friend..."

"How many goddamn friends do you have Meg? And how many do I have to embarrass myself in front of before you stop?"

And then Jeremy joins the crew, and Ryan falls head over heels for him. Just falls so fucking hard it's unbelievable. He mentions it offhand to Meg one night, which he immediately regrets. He tries to play it off like "New guy in the crew, kinda cute, its whatever." But she zeroes in on it.

"The fact that you even admitted he's cute means you actually like him."

"No.... Come on, if that were true I wouldn't have said anything at all!" Which is bullshit, because he knows her well enough that had he avoided any opinion, she would have jumped to the obvious conclusion. He thought the tiny admission would make her assume he wasnt really interested. An attempt at reverse psychology that failed horribly, of course.

They argue back and forth for a bit before he hangs up on her, threatening to make her run alone if she ever brings it up again. Except shes Meg, he literally cant say no to her, and she cant let anything go.

She pesters him on and off for about a month before something happens. He's on the phone with her while she's on a drive to a hit somewhere, lamenting his ever growing crush on Jeremy. "He's hot and he's funny, Meg, this isn't fair."

"Oh my god, so are you, you self deprecating asshole." She says, with this exasperated sigh like they've had this conversation a million times. They have, but she doesnt have to point it out like that. "You're an absolute catch, Ryan, Jeremy would be lucky to have you."

"You and I have different views of me."

"Yeah, I'm right and you're an idiot. And hey, if it all goes to shit I could use a partner. You'd be driving right now and I'd be sleeping."

"Thanks so much. At least I have a fallback career as your chauffeur."

It's a fairly standard conversation, except for the fact that Ryan's in the garage and has her on speakerphone while he fiddles with his bike. It is admittedly, extremely cliche to accidentally discuss someone while the subject of your discussion is listening at the door. Cliche, but also par for the course of Ryan's luck.

"Are you guys talking about me?" Comes a voice from behind Ryan.

Ryan freezes, and Meg laughs through the phone. "Oh shit, Ry, is that who I think it is?"

"Are you- do you like me, Ryan?" Jeremy fully ignores the listening ears on the phone.

"I- Meg, I'm gonna need you to turn around and come help-"

"Sorry Ryan, I'm going through a tunnel!" She says, completely clearly. "But text me and let me know how it goes!"

"Liar, don't you fuckin-" and then she hangs up, and Ryan is left alone with Jeremy. Jeremy who is staring at him, looking mostly confused, and slightly entertained.

"Ryan?"

"Um. I can explain? How- how much did you hear?"

"Meg thinks I'd be lucky to have you and you have a fucked up perception of yourself."

"Oh. I- I have no explanation, actually." He supposes working with Meg wouldnt be too bad. He's not keen on getting stuck with every driving job that comes along though.

"She's right."

"That I'd make a good chauffeur?" Because jokes. Jokes are the way to get out of this.

"I would be lucky to have you. Just... Never thought you'd be interested in me." Jeremy says, and Ryan's brain short circuits.

He says something that he intends to be 'are you serious' but comes out sounding a lot more like his brain just keysmashed. But Jeremy only smiles at him, and Ryan falls a little more.

A week or so later when hes recapping the whole thing over text to Meg, Jeremy sleeping peacefully beside him, he leaves put the part about flubbing his confession. She still calls him out on it though.

'Bet you didnt even say you liked him, just bleh-ed at him until he got it.'

He regrets being friends with her sometimes.

[icharchivist]

hello icha!! i finally got around to finishing the stranger haha,, by which i mean i just watched it today. was veryyyy excited for it as i really like the poster design for this one. anyways. this event starting w/ the sort of portrait format or whatever / that narration is like. god. threw me right back to autumn troupe. I kind of love that the storytelling format itself is so distinct for autumn! the moment I realized it was omi I started getting teary… like oh man oh man… omi…. And the connection with him taking photos! ahh!! now that I think about it… omi kind of seems a bit like early version tsumugi, huh? also I keep forgetting this man is a college student lol. suspension of disbelief I suppose. onto the play i think like. mankai should invest in a fainting courch for tsuzuru. i also went to watch the play and 1) im betting yuki had a hell of a time costume design wise like the vines on the body? such fun costuming wise and 2) the ethical implications of whatever this play has,,, fun fun. tsuzuru was clearly having some kind of thoughts. i love zeros design and am always up for a3 characters crossdressing bc 1) i think its fun and 2) the costume design. i also dearly wish this whole thing was animated bc I feel like it’d be o fun to see taichi act as zero. or at least I hope this event gets full voiced one day... moving on to the scene where omi adds soy sauce to the paella I know it’s just like haha homare funny so lets five him a lil bit but like everyone in autumn troupe making their comments on the paella and like homare just jumping in. homare autumn troupe besties. just thinking. also the way they just r like. no no no omi it’s fine if u made a mistake!! it’s ok! we like it (you) anyways <3 it’s got it’s own special taste. something something omi’s perfectly pleasant as he is now but even if he weren’t on his a-game and was dealing with all of the biker gang stuff they would love him just as hard. another thing that got me was omi telling banri that he’ll give him something sweet so juza will stop grinding his teeth in his sleep… guys… guys you’ll give him cavities…. mb omi is a college student after all lol.

anyways when i saw the actual costumes. appreciative of them, i like the lil circuit-esque detailing on banri’s outfit, and that sakyo and taichi (nine and zero) both share that like collar detail? its very symbolic and probably also literal but its a nice way to sort of signify their relation to each other visually! also sakyo just looks nice. seeing him without glasses is so great. whoever thought up the like two mole detail for him was doing gods work.

something that confused me was ryo mistaking juza for nachi for a split second? like. does juza… look similar to nachi? or was it just that ryo only heard juzas voice and made that mistake. if it’s appearance wise too. kumon nachi confirmed. I’m joking lol bc I feel like I would’ve heard at least something abt it in one of the like small conversation comments, plus that doesnt seem like itd fit summer troupes style and kumon is for sure the wrong age… but still.

i really like how for this event, the roles for taichi and omi were kinda reversed. and taichis just so like. idk. smiley. rly lifts ur spirits. its kind of nice how this event contrasts to that cg where taichi is crying on omi. I also think like. idk. considering the story of the stranger. wolf gives zero a sense of purpose and life and I think that zero helps wolf lose his apathy. it’s about “the stranger” and the ending makes him like… not a stranger, right? because he’s got a companion. in the same way, taichi brings omi out of his emotional isolation. the picture taking! also the stickers coming back… thats such a good setup! the found family of it all!!

when he was trying to work out zeros character as soon as taichi mentioned a sharp speaking style I KNEW it was Yuki… yuki would never be as honest as zero is though lol… to me i imagine she’s got a sort of juza internal monologue feel? anyways. the taichi yuki dynamic intrigues me. havent yet decided how I feel abt it but when I do… yes. sorry that I make literally no sense. I think it’s very obvious that yuki is my fav chara kind of? I’m just. hmmm it makes me think! I’ve been monologuing to myself abt the yuki and juza dynamic lately which, to my a3 knowledge so far, doesn’t exist, but its ok bc I’ll make it exist! uhhh anyways this event was very good i liked the pacing. i think it didnt drag too hard and it really properly honed in on just omi and taichi, which was quite nice. they really did a lot for just an event!

time to listen to the event song,,, ok so. ah. i rly enjoyed just for myself it was very much to my taste so. out of curiousity i was like ok lemme look up the composer / producer AND IT WAS YUYOYUPPE....... that guy is like!!!! one of my FAV producers ever!!!!!! i know him from like. his vocaloid days and god leia is still one of my fav songs to this day...! this knowledge gives me so much joy omg!!! like wow!! wowwww!!! like i knew yuyoyuppe was out there doing other stuff (i know he worked on a lot of babymetal music which is cool) but like idk. to suddenly encounter it like this. heheh.... its so nice! made me soooo happy. going to relisten to leia now haha

WAIT ONE MORE THING. i was like "haha let me look at other songs i remember liking a lot" which. for me was rakuen oasis and don't cry. anyways. rakuen oasis is ALSO by yuyoyuppe???? oh my god!!! oh my god... sigh. feel like im in heaven.

OH HI FRIEND!! so good to see you with an a3 update!! :D

godd yeah The Stranger started so strongly and the idea to still incorporate portraits in his story was really something to make us cry!

And linking Omi and Tsumugi like this is pretty interesting :O <hat is your reasoning exactly? :O

For the fainting couch for Tsuzuru LMAO and i'm letting you know there's a webcomics that addresses it in Act 2 (hough there's no spoilers aside from the fact Chikage is here)

Im glad you liked the costume and the play!!! yeah i love the designs and it is always a blast to see them this into it, and yeaaah Tsuzuru has thoughts huh. It'll get voiced sooner than later hopefully and there we'll see more in details :3c but also that's what made the seiyuu live so fun bc they perform the songs in play cosplay and replay a bit of the play everytime and it's *chief kiss*

HOMARE AUTUMN TROUPE SOLIDARITY YES. LOVING IT.

And yeah the scene itself was so cute TwT they all want to reassure Omi and be there for him it's so sweet :( but yeah i love how you say it all, Omiimi TwT

and dLKFJDFLKJFDFD Giving Juza cavities is the price to pay for sleep i guess??

yeah agreed on the costume they all look so cool! and nice catch on how those three seem linked like that with their costumes, Yuki (and the designers) does such a good job! and god yeah for Sakyo.. yeah. He has sucha good design dLKJFDF

aND DLKFJD yeah no Juza is supposed to look like Nachi physically, but mostly his face? like i think Nachi was had green hair? we see a sprite of him in a future story, and yeah, everything is in the eyebrows. so Kumon should be safe? Omi mentions he sees a lot of Nachi in Juza, and while it is mostly due to their passions i think, the fact they're also rough looking guy with a heart of gold must play a part as well. but yeah, he does look like Nachi a bit.

and i love your deeper analysis of the event yeah!!

I feel like Taichi is really an emotional core of the troupe in the sense that is, he tends to catch on what others are feelings easily. And he uses it in the early chapters to ease off the tensions and stuff, but he was being held back by knowing he was deceiving them. So now that he's more free, he can be more of himself. but yeah i also love the contrast with how Omi was the one to help Taichi through his breakdown and guilt, and now it's the other way around, it's Taichi helping him through it. and the parallelism between the play and their dynamic is spot on imo! well said!!

and god yeah the sticker things made me cry sO HARD, and the pictures! and everything!! sobs it's such a sweet found family i'm going to cry :(

And! i love what you say about Yuki, Taichi and Juza on this one. I love that Taichi keeps bringing it back to "that childhood friend" and it's always like. so obvious who it is for us rip. But it can make you wonder if Yuki was more honest as a kiddo when Taichi knew him, though now he's clearly not. I love the mention of how Zero is more like Juza's internal speech (which, if anything is another argument about why you should let Juza wear a dress, cOWARD)

but also your mention of the Yuki and Juza thing, while i can't think of them having a dynamic per se yet, but i actually wrote a post during my reread about how i was baffled at the fact they treated Muku the same way?? like both of them tried to push Muku away because they were scared of how people would react if they say pure, sweet Muku was associated to them. And i find it fascinating because i guess those two are pretty aware of how the world see them, and it used to stop them from fully allowing them to be themselves.

I also find it relevant with the fact Yuki says in his personal song that while all of this way people judge him weight on him, he rather be himself, and "I want to love myself". Meanwhile we have Juza who's also aware of the way people judge him and it weight on him, and he wants to change himself from this person he hates, this self loathing - and in a way, he can grow in a way to be "someone" he may not hate, even on stage. I feel like those two have quite a bit in common in this way of being rejected by their peers in some sort of way.

I really want them to share some stuff at some point because there's really a groundwork on it all :(

But i'm really glad you liked that event!! agreed on the pacing and i do love what it brings to the characters! it really fleshes them out and have them move forward a little and it's pretty sweet.

AND OMG THAT'S SO COOL FOR THE SONG!! i'm so glad you liked it, but that's incredible it turned out to be from one of your fav producer!!! ahah sometimes life is like that where you end up finding the stuff you loved back into new stuff! and the fact Rakuen Oasis was from him as well... that's so cool!!! just, so so cool!

im pretty sure he has more songs going forward so i hope you'll enjoy the ride even more!!

thank you once again for sharing your thoughts about a3 :3c it always makes me so happy to see them!!!

Thank youu <3 have a good day :3c

[shinycorvidae]

Head Cannon Dump Part 4 of 6

The two Vs, NV/Vic/V Part 1: Physicality and Personality

-NV is Vic, my V, a nomad

-Hiro or SKV, her roommate, then friend, then lover, Street kid background (vaguely), hes @smilepal s

Basic/Physical:

She's 28, at game start

Half Cuban, half white and has lived in a desert for most of her life so she has warm brown tanned skin. Warm yellow/brown eyes which can look piercingly through you or soft and understanding depending on her mood.

Her hair is a blue color with a tinge of green. It was supposed to be a forest green but her sister grabbed the wrong bottle of perma-dye when they broke into the local ripperdoc's clinic to dye their hair.

Her lips are also permanently colored. She likens it to war paint but she doesn't want the hassle of applying it/worrying about it rubbing off.

Ex-nomad, sleeps like the dead anywhere because she's used to having people around to watch her back

Her bones crack like fucking glow sticks.

-Johnny: how are your bones in worse condition than mine were?? I was in my 30s?

-Vic *just finger guns*

Vic sleeps like an idiot, all contorted and sideways

-Hiro tries to push her back into a normal situation so she doesn’t wake up with her back hurting more than usual.

Has a snake tattoo snaking around her chest for Viper, got it with funds from the first mission with Jackie. She also has a devils head and Chippin' In lyrics on her back from her teen years.

V really didnt want to admit to Johnny that she was a samurai fan so she goes out of her way to not look at her back while hes in her head. "Who? Is that some bushido reenactment shit?"

This goes well until Johnny has control of her body and goes to the bathroom to check on her ribs, thinking he broke them.

-J: "I know, Vic."

-Nv: "What?"

-J: I know about your secret."

-Nv: "Ehehe secret? Wha-"

-J: "I SAW YOUR BACK V"

-Nv: "oh fu-"

-J: "BUSHIDO REENACTMENT MY ASS."

Pansexual.

She has a pair of mantis blades, which are basically a safety blanket for her, weapons that can't ever be taken away so she's never helpless. So when she's nervous/feeling helpless she runs her fingers over the seam of them.

They’re her weapon of last resort though so if you find her at home cleaning the blood off them, you know a mission went fucking sideways

They were her dad, Michael's, which he got from the army so they're military issue high end suckers. Also around 50 years old lmao.

They make Vik weep because finding replacement parts is impossible

V only smokes the occasional joint and gets drunk once in a blue moon. She's managed to avoid smoking completely and is pissed that Johnny tried to sabotage that.

“She gives him the occasional cigarettes "as a treat"

"Aww Johnny you were actually a decent human being, here have a cigarette"

"I'm not a fucking cat V"

"Just say thank you, Dickhead"

"Fuck off"

"Love you too"

Has a bullet wound scar on her thigh which is covered up with a simple black band tattoo. Her only other significant scars are some on her chest from a motorcycle crash as a 16 year old. She's always had decent access to a ripper doc so while she's been injured a lot, she doesn't have many scars

Personality:

V is a sweetheart. She honestly believes the best of everyone. She grew up in a nomad community where everyone worked together for the good of everyone, and kind of expects the same of everyone in night city.

She continues to trust people blindly, despite being burned a couple times. She has faith in herself to be able to fight her way out of a bad situation should she get backstabbed, so shed rather bet on people being generally good.

Life can be rough in the badlands. Resources are scarce. Vic learned how to conserve resources from a young age. Shes frugal with her money, hoards anything that might be useful, and is really into reusing/recycling things. Shes brought Hiro cyberware she pulled out of dead bodies and is generally handing with mechanical fixes.

This also applies to food. When youve had days were literally the only thing you had to eat that day were some dusty grasshoppers you managed to forage, your standards for food fall drastically.

This drives Hiro and Johnny nuts who often have to stop her from eating random/possibly poisoned food.

The fact that shes a blindly trusting person just amplifies this.

*V walking in with a plate of cookies*

"..whats that V?"

-Nv: "Oh hey, the neighbor gave me these cookies! Want some?"

*Johnny and Hiro who both know you shouldn't accept random food from strangers in Night City, immediately disposing of them.*

-Nv: "What a waste of food :("

-H: "HOW MANY DID YOU EAT?"

-J: "How did you live before us?!"

-H: "Jackie. It was definitely Jackie, the Saint."

-...Not very long later,

"we see you V, don't eat those out of the bin"

-Nv:" :("

She's very secure in her sexuality, a naturally attractive and sexual person. Her clan had very little sexual stigma at all, its hard to have any shame over sex when there's only tents without soundproof walls. Her whole clan was definitely also very into free love/poly/open relationships, to the point were most kids didn't know who their parents were and were raised communally. Having sex was just a platonic thing that just sort of happened.

-Nv: “It’s hard to get all embarrassed about privacy when you grew up in a place with only tent walls. It’s just sex.

-SKv: “V, you blush and get tongue-tied whenever the hot neighbor even vaguely looks your way.

-NV: “WELL I didn’t normally have to ASK for sex, it just kinda happened and flirting is HARD, AND YOU NIGHT CITY RESIDENTS ARE ALL SNEAKY ABOUT IT”

Shes used to having sex with her platonic friends, her first couple of one night stands in NC were just an absolute mess--then she tried to sleep with Jackie which went predictably well.

-NV: “Do you want to have sex?”

-Jackie: *Chokes on his tequila. “What?! I’m with Misty??”

-NV: “...and?”

-Jackie: “I mean...I mean you never gave any signs?!

-NV: “Signs??”

-Jackie: “Hermana, most people in NC don’t just sleep with their friends. I mean. They do. But they don’t. It’s complicated.”

-NV: “Obviously.”

Considering that, V is. HORRID. at flirting in Night City. She's never really had to do that kind of verbal dance before and a lot of come on/innuendo goes over her head. She also has zero body shame and often walks around their apartment naked and will change nonchalantly in public.

-Nv: *Noticing people staring at her at the club and going into work mode*

-Hiro: *Noticing Nv counting the exits*

"what's wrong?"

-Nv: "That man's staring at me. Maybe he's Arasaka."

-Hiro: "He's staring at your ass, V."

-Nv: "Oh."

Definitely has the occasional “why the fuck didn’t you just say so?!” moments with the boys

*Cue SKv trying to be seductive all day, dropping things and bending over to get them all slow, changing in the living room/working out shirtless, ect. Nv is appreciative but she doesn’t really do anything, and by the end of the day*

-SKv: “For the love of god JUST FUCK ME ALREADY”

-Nv: “What? Alright, geeze all you had to do was ask.”

As trusting as V is, she's an amazing soldier. Her ex military father has been training her to kill people and protect their clan since she was six. She killed her first human at 9 years old.

Due to this while she is a friendly, happy person when she's in a fight or during a mission, she becomes a cold and calculated person, all emotion wiping from her face. She makes quick, decisive decisions, cutting her enemies down at the knees before they have a chance to fight back.

She's a brutal shot with her sniper rifle, knows her way around precision rifle and is deadly with knives both as a close range and throwing weapon.

Vic has a tactical brain/training and is always planning. Its instinct by now. Planning the exits to a room, the quickest way to take down any possible assailants, an enemys open weak points. She takes pride in her skills as a soldier as she sees it as her way of protecting/providing for her family.

As outgoing a person she is she sometimes goes too far when in 'work mode' and needs Hiro to be her moral compass/pull her back.

Her ways of tackling missions is finding a snipers nest and waiting patiently until the perfect moment presents itself, no longer how long that takes. Plus a healthy dose of stealth and pinpoint accuracy.

It takes a lot to push her to revenge but if you threaten her family, she will pick you, your backup, adult (v doesnt touch kids.) family and resources apart methodically, patiently and brutally until your the last one standing. Then she will let you stew, waiting for her final shot. It could come immediately, a week later or even a month

[handonshipper]

A Twist Through Time: Chapter One

Hope was usually a great fighter. An excellent fighter even. However, when it is her friend that is attacking her, she does not fight back as strongly. She doesnt use her strength. Which was why she lost the magic battle against Josie in which the dark witch used a spell the tribrid didnt recognize. Hope collapsed , feeling her energy leave her. When her eyes opened, she was in a bed. In a one room apartment thing. She blinked in surprise and confusion and slowly pushed herself up into a seated position.

Klaus Mikaelson walked closer to the door of Stefan Salvatore’s apartment with Stefan himself by his side after a long night at the bar. He sighed contently. “Can’t you hear that?” He smirked looking over at his old friend. “It is the sound of Rebekah not annoying us to death.” He said clearly happy his sister had stayed behind last night, doing more shopping no doubt. Truthfully he didn’t care, so long as she stayed away for most part. He was beginning to wonder why he chose to undagger her in the first place. “I never did understand what you saw in her.” He chuckled softly. “Then again, I suppose I wouldn’t. Seeing as though she is my sister.”

PMStefan chuckled a little at that. "No, I suppose you wouldnt." He said, thinking back to the memories he now had of a time he had thought he had mostly blacked out. He stopped as he reached the door and heard someone on the other side. "Do you hear that?" He questioned. He knew it wouldnt be Elena since that was earlier and he had scared her away. Finally convinced her that he didnt want her. Enough at least to keep her away.

Klaus frowned as he too suddenly heard the sound of someone inside the small apartment. He signaled for Stefan to be quiet for a moment and only after a few seconds, he forced the door open with no warning whatsoever. His focused and only slightly concerned expression soon changed into a smug one as he caught sight of a girl on Stefan’s bed. “Stefan.” He playfully scolded. “Poor girl. She must have been waiting here all night for you.” He chuckled. “Apologies. My friend here apparently does not remember when he schedules time with women. He’s charming like that.” He snorted looking the girl over a little. She did look a little bit younger than the girls his friend normally pursued. But he supposed he couldn’t really judge.

Hope inhaled sharply and froze at the sight of her father. She barely even heard the words that came out of his mouth. Her mind was turning on what could possibly have happened. How was he standing here right now in front of her? How did he not recognize her. Then she recognized Stefan. Two people who were dead.

"I've never seen her before in my life" Stefan said, defensive and concerned about the girl. He wanted to find out how he could help her. But he was ripper Stefan right now. Not good Stefan. "What's your name?"

"Hope" Hope said after a moment. "My name is Hope"

Klaus glanced over at Stefan curiously when he said he hadn’t ever seen the girl before. “Well she is in your apartment. And the door was not forced open...at least not prior to my doing.” He pointed out and then focused on the young girl who was apparently named Hope. Quite an unusual name. Not to mention she looked as though she had seen a ghost. “What are you doing here then? What do you want?” He asked taking a small step towards her. Although he didn’t appear menacing quite yet, it was clear the playfulness was gone from his eyes and was instead replaced with caution and hostility.

"I... I dont know what I'm doing here" Hope said finally. "I woke up on the bed, but I certainly did not fall asleep on it"

Klaus raised an eyebrow at her words, clearly not believing her in the slightest. “Right. You were randomly transported to an apartment.” He stated sarcastically. “Let me ask you again. What are you doing here, and what are you after? They are truly simple questions.” He smirked stepping closer to her.

"I dont know what I'm doing here. All I know is I was blasted with a spell I have never heard of and now I'm here" Hope said firmly, looking at him. She could let her pain and confusion hit her later. "And I'm not up to anything. You'd think I have some diabolical reason for being in his apartment?" She raised an eyebrow. "There isnt even much in here. What could I possibly be up to?"

Klaus frowned and crossed his arms as he listened to the girl. He definitely didn’t like her attitude. She sounded entitled and worst of all, she didn’t seem scared of him. Something that didn’t sit well with him in the slightest. “Spell. Alright, let’s say I am considering that insane explanation. Who cast the spell?” He questioned looking at her. “And more importantly, why? Surely you must have done something. Witches do not normally spell others for no reason, even as obnoxious as they are.”

"I was trying to get my friend back. Dark magic and her insecurities were controlling her" Hope replied. "As for who casted the spell, that isnt important" she said.

“Hm. Let’s see. You claim to have been blasted here with a spell. You look properly upset about it. Yet when I ask you to tell me the name of the witch who casted such spell, you claim it isn’t important.” Klaus said slowly. “Suspicious don’t you think?” He smirked and then glanced over at Stefan.

"Less about its importance and more about I dont want you to know about her." Hope said with a sigh

"You want to protect your friend." Stefan observed, watching her. "Even if she hit you with the spell that brought you here"

Hope nodded, her blue eyes lowering a little as she thought about her friend. About everyone really. It was true even if it wasnt exactly true. It seemed she was in the past somehow. But how far back?

Klaus frowned, now having realized that as well. Not that he truly cared. Unless she was there to plan anything against him, which he could tell she wasn’t. There was something going on, but it wasn’t anything he should be worried about. “Right. Well if you are through being transported to places, the door is right through there.” He said dismissively as he gestured towards Stefan’s apartment door.

Hope's heart ached at that. It felt as though she was being disowned, but that was ridiculous. He didnt even know who she was. Which hurt even worse. "Where am I anyways?" She wanted to ask the year.

But she didnt want him to look at her with even more confusion.

“Chicago.” Klaus answered observing her carefully. He could tell there were things on her mind, but he didn’t care enough to ask. “What was the last place you were in before?” Maybe he could get a car for her and she could be on her way.

Hope sighed and frowned a little at that. "I was in Virginia. But going there wouldnt change anything. I'm all alone now" She checked her pockets. "And cashless" she said, sighing. "Whatever. I'll figure something out"

Klaus rolled his eyes, the girl’s problems not affecting him in the slightest. He did have bigger things to worry about after all. Which is why he wanted to get rid of her as quickly as possible. “Here.” He said as he pulled out a couple hundred dollar bills from his wallet and held them out for her. “Now you have zero excuses in leaving my friend’s apartment.” He said with a sarcastic smile present on his lips.

Hope hesitated and took them. "Thank you" she said softly. She lowered her gaze a little and headed out of the apartment.

Once she was far enough away, her wall crumbled. She leaned on the wall in an alley, tears starting to spill. Her heart pounded a little as she struggled to breath. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out slowly, struggling to collect herself. She could handle this. She was a Mikaelson witch. She was a tribrid. And despite all she had endured, she could continue fighting. She would find a way back to Landon. No matter how much she wanted to see her dad again. To see her mom. To change the future. If she changed the future even the slightest, things could change, and she might not even be born. But how could she do this alone? She had no spellbooks. No friends. No family. Was it not bad enough that she had to endure her friends and the boy she loved forgetting her whole existence? Now she had to deal with her father alive, in front of her, and looking at her like she was a stranger?

Stefan watched her leave curiously. "Did it seem like she recognized us?" He asked Klaus as he walked further inside and opened the secret door bookshelf. He added the name of a victim to the very long list from the 20s and then grabbed a bottle of Klaus' favorite drink before walking back over to him.

Klaus frowned at Stefan’s words, his gaze remaining on the empty space the girl had been standing in moments ago. “Slightly. I noticed it too. Though if she wanted revenge for something you or I did in our time here, she has a very poor way of executing it.” He chuckled softly. “Either way I’m not concerned. She looked more lost rather than angry. And regardless, I doubt a fifteen year old girl is any match for the legendary original hybrid and the ripper of Monterey.” He smirked."Oh I'm not concerned either. It was merely an observation. Look what I found" Stefan said, passing him the bottle, label side up.

Klaus grinned at the sight of the bottle of his favorite drink. He took it inhis hands and looked it over. “My. I haven’t seen one of these in a long time. Unfortunately it will have to wait. Possibility until we have something worth drinking to.” He sighed and carefully set it down, his mind now going to all his failed hybrids. “Come. We should see if the witch has made any progress.”

Stefan nodded slightly, knowing it was better not to argue. He needed Klaus to see he was on his side. Not to figure out that he wasnt. He glanced back around at the old apartment and memories before heading out.

Hope took a deep breath, thinking. She went and bought a cheap sketchbook, knowing drawing would help keep her control a little. And she bought cheap pencils. She would prefer better supplies, but she needed to save as much money as she could. Especially since she wasnt sure where she was going to go or how to get home.

Klaus headed out of the apartment as well. He hoped there was some type of solution already. He didn’t know how much more of this he could take. He finally broke his curse, only to not be able to make more of his kind. “I swear I am going to kill this witch if she still does not have anything.” He muttered.

[kendrixtermina]

Further reactions to "The book of lost tales":

I appreciate that Idril canonically wears armor and does swordfighting.

I feel like I can actually imagine adult!Idril much better now like in armor and with open hair, distraught but ready to fight while babby Earendil does not yet realize the danger...

My first thought is that Earendil was probably cute in that baby chainmail. My second thought is OUCH, Idril and Tuor always made sure their growing baby had fitting chainmail cause they felt the apocalypse might get them at any moment. Imagine that, imagine them having the baby armor fitted every year or so :(

Its fun how much of the basic structure already exists but most of what you'd consider the main characters doesn't exist or is scattered across various minor roles The only Prince anywhere in sight is Turgon - Except for Team Doriath, theyre all accounted for. I suppose Maeglin is kinda there in name only with vaguely the same role & motivation, but looks personality and background all did a 180 since. Luthien is still pretty much "princesd classic" at this point, not quite the fearless go-getter from the final version - markedly this version tells Beren that she doesnt want to wander in the wilderness with him whereas the final one says she doesnt care and its Beren still wants to get the shiny so as not to ask this of her and also for his honor.

I mean in the finished version Id consider the 3rd and 4th gen royals to be the main characters (well, alobgside Team Doriath and the varioud human heroes) and theyre hardly here. Imagine the silm with no Finrod!

Feanor had no affiliation with the royal family whatsoever, and is also generally less super. He's just the guy who won the jewelsmithing competition, not the inventor of the whole discipline. Still seems to have been envisionad as a respected member of the community who gets called to the palace for crisis meetings and is listened to when he stsrts giving speeches. From the first he already has the backstory of going off the deep end (or at least growing disillusioned with Valinor) after a family member is killed by Melkor and theyre still the first to die, but its just some other rando unrelated to the royals

The situation regarding the humans is different - instead of Melkor leaking their existence, its Manwe who explains that the other continents were supposed to be for them eventually. So Feanor goes off on a tirade about weak puny mortals comes off as a more of a jerk unlike in the final version where Melkor barely knew about the humans and described them to the Noldor as a threat. On the other hand in this one, also very much unlike in the finished product, Melkor dupes even Manwe into being unfair to the elves as a whole. In this the final version is a definite improvement, both Feanor and the Valar come off as a lot more sympathetic and though still deceived he's partially right in some things at least, so you have more of a genuine tragedy rather than a simple feud

There is something to the idea of Commoner!Feanor tho. I guess some of this survived in his nomadic explorer lifestyle and how both his wife and mother (who arent mentioned here) eventually were the ones to get that background of being not especially pretty ladies who are not from the nobility but got renown, respect and acclaim for their unique talent and contribution to society, with each having invented things and Nerdanel also being renowed for her wisdom. Hes sort of an odysseus-like Figure in that sense. I suppose later developements necesitated that Maedhros & co. have an army not just a band of thieves, which means they needed to be nobles/lords. That said this being a society where artisans are very respected and half the lords have scholarly/artistic pursuits going, the gap was probably not as big to begin with as it might have been in say, medieval England. Esoecially since Nerdanel's father had been given special honor by one of the local deities and that the social order might have been a very recent thing in Miriel's time. One might speculate that the first generation of Lords started out as warriors during the great journey, or perhaps just Finwe's friend group.

Also found that bit intetesting where the Valar have to deal with the remaining political tensions and effects of Melkor's lies on the remaining population in Valinor... - i guess with the change of framing device it was less likely for news of something like this to reach Beleriand. That, or the existence of Finarfin and his repentance made this go smoother this over in later cannon

Turgon's go-down-with-the-ship moment reaaly got to me. Im half tempted to write a fic where his wife, siblings and dad glomp him on arrival in Mandos. I dont care that none of them exists yet in this continuity i want Turgon to get hugs

I love all the additional Detail that got compressed out in the shift from fairytale-ish to pseudohistoric style especially all the various Valinor magic insofofar as it is compatible with the final version - particularly love the idea of the connection between the lamps and the trees that is now integrated into my headcanon forever

Its actually explained what the doors of night are

If I had not already read unfinished tales or volumes X to XII where this is also apparent, this is where I would say: Ah so the Valar were supposed to be flawed characters. Manwe has an actual arc; by the time he sends Gandalf he finally "got" it. I think in the published silm the little arcs of Ulmo and Manwe are mostly just lost in compression/ less apparent when only some of the relevant scenes got in but not all

It occurred to me way too late that the "BG" chars are the most consistent because theyre at the start and most stories are written from beginning to end. Finwe doesnt get a dedicated paragraph of explicit description until HoME X but my takeaway was that he's described pretty much like I always imagined him anyways/ same vibe I always got from him... charismatic, thoughtful, enthusiastic, sanguine temperament, brave in a pinch but at times lets his judgement be clouded by personal sentiment (though that last bit is more apparent/salient as a character flaw once he became the father of a certain Problem Child) ...i guess this would be a result of jrrt having had a consistent idea of him in his head for a long time.

This means Finwe's still alive at the time of the exodus which is just fun to see/interesting to know... Interestingly he sort of gets what later would be Finarfin's part of ineffectually telling everxone to please chill and think it over first while Feanor simply shouts louder (which is consistent with his actions before the sword incident in later canon where he initially spoke out against the suspiciozs regarding the Valar) - but its not exactly the same, he's more active than Finarfin later in that when "chillax" availed nothing he said that then at least they should talk with the other Kings and Manwe to leave with their blessing and get help leaving (This seems like it would have been the clusterfuck preventing million dollar suggestion in the universe where Feanor is related to him and values him) but when even that falls on death ears he decides that he "would not be parted from his people" and went to run the preparations. I find it interesting that the motivation is sentiment/attachment (even phrased as "he would not be parted from [his people]" same words/ expression as is later used for the formenos situation), not explicitly obligation as it later is for Fingolfin (who had promised to follow Feanor and didnt want to leave his subjects at the mercy of Feanor's recklessness )

Speaking of problem children. It seems the sons of Feanor were the Kaworu Nagisa of the Silmarillion in that originally all they do is show up at some point and kill Dior as an episodic villain-of-the-week. And then, it seems their role got bigger in each continuity/rewrite... probably has something to do with the Silmarils ending up in the title later making it in the sense their story that ends and begins with them. They have zero characterization beyond "fierce and wild" at this point, though in what teetsy bits there is we already have the idea that Maedhros is the leader and Curufin is the smart one/shemer/sweet-talker, though not the bit where Maedhros (or Maglor, or anyone really) is "the nice one". Which I guess explains why "Maglor" sounds like such a stereotypical villain name.

"The Ruin of Doriath" was purportedly the patchworkiest bit of the finished product, but I never noticed and it actually left quite an impression of me upon first reading, the visual of Melian sitting there with Thingol's corpse in her arms contemplating everything thinking back to how they met... she had the knowledge to warn him not to doom himself but couldnt get him to understand it because he doesnt see the world as she does.... After reading this though I wish there was a 'dynamic' rendition that combined all the best bits like, youd have to adapt it to the later canon's rendition of the dwarves, have Nargothrond exist etc. But i mean that just makes Finrod another dead/doomed relative of Thingol's whom bling cannot truly replace, like Luthien and Turin. In the Silmarillion you could easily read it as just an "honoured guest treatment" but here and in unfinished tales I get the impression that Thingol actually did see Turin as a son.

Already you see the idea of trying to make the stories all interconnected but there is less than there will be (the human heroes aren't related yet and there is basically no Nargothrond, which is later a common thread for many of the stories - a prototype shows up in the 'Tale of Turambar' tho complete with half baked prototypes of Orodreth and Finduillas

O boi im not even through yet

[raccoonhearteyes]

I kind of need to vent and am sort of looking for advice? Sorry if this is long. I've been with this girl for almost 7 years and I was totally head over heels for her; major emphasis on was. I started realizing that maybe she wasnt really the one for me, maybe 2 years after we moved in together? Before we moved in together she would get mad at really small things that kind of would ruin her day and just let it affect her to the point where I'd get very little to no responses 1/?

No matter how persistent I was she would give me small answers. I figured that was fine because its whatever she's having a rough day or I dont know the full story. It never bothered me, until we moved in together. After we moved in together everything was fine and it seemed like everything was going good. No issues no arguments nothing really out of the ordinary. We even got a cat together. Maybe a year and a halfish after we moved in she started getting irritated at everything I do 2/?

Like I mean everything I did somehow I fucked it up. I always cook dinner despite both of us having similar work schedules, maybe an hour difference between when we leave and get home. I've never had a problem doing it. Every so often she'll help and I'm fine with that, but when she watches me, like, cut the veges or something I get told I'm doing it wrong. Like how am I cutting zucchini wrong?? It almost always ends up with me asking her if she wants to do it and she just kind of  3/?

She just kind of gets mad and doesnt talk to me, like dude its veges? Anyway it happens with a lot of things. If I forget to make coffee on the weekend if I'm up for her it becomes "why didnt you make coffee?" "Oh sorry I forgot I can do it now though" "no it's fine I can do it" "are you sure? I dont mind doing it if you're yoing to take a shower or something?" "No" and that's the end of it. But then she wont talk to me the rest of the day no matter my efforts 4/?

Whenever she has a not so great day at work and she vents to me I always ask if she wants me to just listen or if she wants advice. Anytime I do that she just gives me a look like I'm supposed to know that answer and then she just says "nevermind" and sort of just doesnt talk to me the rest of the day. I always try to act like everything's fine and carry on having normal conversations with her but she puts zero effort into it 5/?

Another thing is shes kind of hypocritical? Theres times where I'll do something and she doesnt like it so I stop doing it. It's not a big deal if it bothered you then I'm sorry I'll stop it. Most of the time when that happens she doesnt talk to me for a few hours, but she'll also do what I did a few weeks later. Like let's say I was holding the cat up to her to let the cat sniff her and it was bothering her, a few days later she'll do the same thing but if I ask her to stop 5/?

It becomes a whole ordeal and she doesn't stop doing it and then I get annoyed at her and she always goes "why are you so sensi?" Like I get that I did it first but I stopped when you asked me to. When it comes to grocery shopping its the same thing. I always decide what to have for dinner or what to cook for lunch and I'm out of ideas so I always ask her. She just shrugs and says "whatever I dont know what you want" 6/?

Whenever I confront her about it she just sort of isolates herself in our room and only comes out when shes hungry or thirsty or has to use the bathroom. That's usually the end of it and it never gets brought up again even if I try to talk about it. They're not real arguments it's just shit she doesnt want to deal with. She always confides in me and tells me that shes depressed or anxious etc but anytime I try to talk about things I get brushed off 7/?

It gets kind of annoying because I can't talk about my feelings to her about work without being told "sounds like a you problem". If I let her know a friend is coming over it becomes "I'm just going to hide in the room or go out" they're her friends too. We met through mutual friends. Theres times and days where she'll only ever acknowledge the cat and not spare a glance at me and it really fucke with my head  and starts to get to me 8/?

Theres some topics that are absolutely taboo to bring up when I want to talk about them but shes totally fine to bring them up as she pleases and that's the only time we can talk about it. Sometimes I feel like I'm walking on eggshells whenever I talk to her about certain things. I dont know it iust bothers me and I really don't think I'm in love with her anymore but I dont know how to tell her or any of my friends sorry this was long hope they all went through 9/9

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Oof. That’s definitely a tough spot to be in. I’ve been in similar situations. The bottom line is this: successful relationships rely on good communication. It seems like you’re willing to talk and change to accommodate her needs, but she will not do the same for you, and instead blames you for everything. Been there. It sucks, and whether you realize it or not, is an incredibly manipulative tactic. You are actively trying to fix it, and she’s not letting you, nor is she doing anything to fix it on her end. Yet you somehow feel like it’s your fault?

Leaving long relationships is really hard, but it sounds like you don’t love her as much as you used to because of how she has treated you. Your options are 1) Be honest with her. Tell her that you aren’t happy, and tell her that if things do not change, you don’t see a future with her. This might give her an ‘oh shit’ realization, or more realistically, she’ll stick with her current pattern and blame you. 2) Just end it now. If you’re confident nothing is going to change (seems like you have a few years of data), you shouldn’t have to sacrifice your own happiness. Be ready for the ending to be somewhat ugly. If she blames you for all problems now, that narrative is not going to change once the relationship is over (and she’ll likely make you feel guilty for “bailing” on her).