#he's a strange guy to meet

[themeraldee]

I don’t want anything, I just have homelander thoughts to share.

So I’ve been thinking about the weird stuff about HL. Granted, all of him is weird, but the uncanny valley things about him is something I love to think about. His canines are just a bit ✨too✨ long from having so much V in his system. Eyes a bit too blue; in his youth, his hair is just a shade of yellow from being unnatural. I feel like he doesn’t blink all that much, and when he’s not in performance mode, he’s too… disjointed? Like his movements might not flow into one another as much, like a puppet controlled by different operators in each joint. Or maybe they flow too well. I just have so many thoughts about it.

You're so very right. And I love everything you just said. Reminds me of this post because he stands in such an awkward way. There's always been something uncanny valley about him. But it's interesting when it's just the combination of all these normal things that in a normal human we wouldn't notice. Or at least not think it's weird.

I feel like the suit must be really awkward to walk and stand in so it's forced him to act like a puppet; just like you describe. But part of it is definitely his upbringing. When every step you make is analyzed by scientists for well over a decade, you'd too grow overly aware of the way you look and how you move.

He's good at performing his role but when he strips down to his 'undercover' outfit he looks so strange in it. Still walking as if there was a cape swishing behind him. Just his posture is very different from the norm. There's very little natural fluidity to him, one we'd only see from him when he's flying, but besides that it's all learned and performed.

Have you ever seen that husky who grew up around cats and now sits like one and plays like one? That's what Homelander reminds me of. He's just imitating what he's seen everyone else do, not truly understanding the natural flow that comes with being normal. It's not the way he was brought up so that's why it feels so disjointed.

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

oh hey! i was reading a fic the other day where Wangji was once misspelled as Wangu. which leads me to: MDZS Pingu-style??? noot noot!

Do you think love can bloom on the sea ice?

[blluespirit]

TL;DR: Zuko is not winning any Liar of the Year awards here, but he's by not a ‘bad liar’ either. He's also (apparently surprisingly) not sharing his every deep-seated thought and feeling to anyone and everyone and can in fact, keep a secret.

a canon vs fanon Zuko thing thing I see fairly often that I personally disagree with is that Zuko is constantly over-sharing and telling people too much about himself and his problems.

People love to use the Book 1 finale incident when he talks to Aang's unconscious body in the cave, but that feels like a bizarre example because... he's more talking to himself. He's not really talking to Aang. Aang can't hear him. Aang is literally none the wiser. It's not an inappropriate time or person or unreciprocated, and honestly the whole thing is more for the audience to get a sense of what in gods green earth is going through Zuko's mind considering how reckless this action was. And even if Aang was awake I still don't know if you could call it oversharing considering Aang has genuinely tried to reach out to Zuko before and tried to understand him (e.g., the Blue Spirit). Of all people, Aang would likely be the most receptive. Like... net zero information gained...

I've seen people use some examples with Iroh which I personally think is pretty ridiculous to count because it's not like he's saying anything Iroh doesn't already know??? Iroh is like the only one in Zuko's orbit who actually knew all the details about his banishment and trauma. I don't know how any scene Zuko could have with Iroh that you could call over-sharing. Zuko also never said shit to his crew about any of his past for like. two whole years. The most they thought of him was angry and spoiled. They didn't actually know anything about him. like... at all. Jee thought his scar was from a training accident.

People like to also use the scene on the ship with Mai in Book 3 when Zuko is returning to the Fire Nation, but even that feels like a bit of a stretch. Yeah, Mai dismisses him and tries to play it off, but nothing Zuko says feels 'too personal' especially when Mai is supposed to be his girlfriend and Zuko has literally not been home in three years. Telling your girlfriend/someone you trust how you feel in a obviously emotionally turbulent situation is not sharing too much, no matter their reaction or whether they asked first.

MAI: Aren't you cold? ZUKO: I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long, over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed. MAI: [Yawns.] I just asked if you were cold, I didn't ask for your whole life story. [Zuko frowns at her sarcastic response. Mai giggles and holds his face in her hands.] MAI: Stop worrying.

Another example I see is when Zuko rants to the badgerfrog. Again, not really an example since the badgerfrog is not a person and the story needed Zuko to Say Things Out Loud so we have some clue about what he's thinking. It's the same thing with the unconscious Aang. It's not oversharing. It's venting. And once again - net zero information achieved!!

Like, none of these instances feel like he's revealed too much information. None of it feels inappropriate in the context of the story.

I think people get 'over-sharer' and 'openly wearing your emotions' lines confused sometimes, but even that gets misconstrued in fandom.

I don't think that Zuko being more open with his emotions than other characters is an incorrect conclusion to make, however, I think there's something to be said about Zuko in book 1 and 2 using anger and rage as a coping mechanism rather than being vulnerable with his emotions.

Zuko will talk about his feelings a lot more in Book 3, which is actually super important to his arc, since he doesn't actually talk about his feelings in a real way in Book 1 and 2 (he's angry most of the time, and the only times I can remember when he does really talk about how he actually feels is usually when things have gotten Real Bad like when Zhao takes his ship or it's the anniversary of his banishment). In Book 3, he's really thinking and reflecting on how he feels and how he felt in different situations.

Even the 'Zuko is a bad liar' gets WAY over-played in fanon!

Yeah Zuko is not great at thinking on his feet when confronted, but it seems very context dependent, actually.

When in dangerous situations, while he's definitely not winning any Best Liar Ever Awards, he's not a bumbling fool either -

Zuko lies to Zhao about the Blue Spirit swords:

ZHAO: I didn't know you were skilled with broadswords, Prince Zuko. ZUKO: I'm not. They're antiques. Just decorative.

While not ultimately convincing, his delivery of it is far from terrible. The circumstances are against him here, though, after all, there are few people who hate Zhao enough to commit treason to stop him from capturing the Avatar than Zuko.

Zuko lies to Zhao about having found the Avatar:

ZHAO: [Pulls up alongside Zuko and smirks.] Two years at sea have done little to temper your tongue. So, how is your search for the Avatar going? ZUKO: [Aggressively.] We haven't found him yet. ZHAO: Did you really expect to? The Avatar died a hundred years ago. [Close-up of Zuko, as he slants his eyes.] Along with the rest of the airbenders. [Close-up of Zhao, whose face contorts in an evil expression.] Unless you have found some evidence that the Avatar is alive? ZUKO: [Faces Zhao and responds very clearly.] No. [Stares back in front of him.] Nothing. ZHAO: [With an expression of disbelief on his face, as he rises from his chair.] Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. [Leans in and faces Zuko.] If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you found. ZUKO: I haven't found [Looks up at Zhao and his tone becomes slightly more aggressive.] anything. [Close-up, as he continues on a softer tone, slightly mockingly.] It's like you said. The Avatar probably died a long time ago. [Gets up.] Come on, Uncle, we're going.

I'm not trying to say Zuko is secretly this great liar, but his effort here is commendable. It's his directness that gives him away, but he's not afraid, or nervous, or stumbling over his words like he's often portrayed to be.

Zuko confidently lies to Jet about not being a firebender:

[while on the ferry; you can see Zuko thinks for a second Jet knows who he really is. Jet doesn't pick up on this, and Zuko plays off his fear].

JET: You know, as soon as I saw your scar, I knew exactly who you were. You're an outcast, like me. And us outcasts have to stick together. We have to watch each other's backs. Because no one else will. ZUKO: I've realized lately that being on your own isn't always the best path.

[during Zuko and Jet's fight]

JET: Bet you wish he'd help you out with a little fire blast right now. [As Jet swings at Zuko's feet, Zuko stabs one of his broadswords through the hilt, pinning it to the ground. Jet looks at it with annoyance before focusing back on Zuko.] ZUKO: You're the one who needs help.

Zuko, throughout these interactions, plays off Jet's comments. He's learnt to be vague sometimes (like on the ferry to Ba Sing Se) and be confident when refuting someone. Yeah Zuko did go straight for Bodily Harm but that's very on brand to me.

Zuko lies to Chit Sang about the escape plan without hesitation:

SUKI: But how are you going to get the cooler out? CHIT SANG: [From the staircase.] Yeah, how are you going to get the cooler out? [Jumps down.] SOKKA: [Covering up.] What? We didn't ... w-we didn't say that. ZUKO: Yeah, you heard wrong. CHIT SANG: I heard you hatching an escape plan, and I want in. ZUKO: [stern] There's nothing to get in on. SOKKA: Yeah, the only thing we're hatching is ... an egg? [Zuko lowers his head and Suki covers her eyes while they both sigh in annoyance.]

Zuko comes up with a lie to tell the guards at the Boiling Rock about keeping his helmet on:

MALE GUARD: Hey, new guy! I know it's the rule to have your helmet on at all times, but this is the lounge. Relax. ZUKO: [plays it up] But what if there's an incident? If I'm not prepared, someone could strike me on the head. [The guards laugh.] FEMALE GUARD: Give it a week, he'll loosen up.

However, Zuko most often has the most difficulty lying to people who are kind to him (and who are Azula tbh) -

In Crossroads of Destiny, Zuko and Iroh are now refugees and Zuko bungles this conversation with Song:

ZUKO: [Nervously] Yes, we're travellers. SONG: you have names? ZUKO: Names? Of course we have names. I'm, uh ... Lee and this is my Uncle, uh ... Mushi?

In Tales of Ba Sing Se, Zuko struggles to find even ground with Jin and doesn't know how to answer her questions:

ZUKO: You have ... quite an appetite for a girl. [He fiddles his thumbs awkwardly.] JIN: [Uncomfortably.] Umm ... thanks? So, Lee, where were you and your uncle living before you came here? ZUKO: Umm ... well, we've been traveling around for a long time. JIN: Oh. Why were you traveling so much? ZUKO: We were ... uh, part of this traveling circus. JIN: Really? What did you do? Wait, lemme guess. [She thinks for a moment and quickly points at him.] You juggled! ZUKO: [Zuko folds his arms and looks annoyed.] Yes, I juggled.

In Zuko Alone, he's at a loss for words when asked his name:

SELA: Does this guy have a name? ZUKO: [Nervously.] I'm... uh... GANSU: [Off-camera.] He doesn't have to say who he is if he doesn't want to, Sela. [Cuts to shot of him standing with his family.] Anyone who can hold his own against those bully soldiers is welcome here. Those men should be ashamed to wear Earth Kingdom uniforms.

Listen, he's not weaving any incredible tales here, but he's not this bumbling little uwu boy who's completely helpless without Iroh or the Gaang that for some reason is incredibly persistent in fan depictions of him.

[crowskullls]

Zam wants to be ♠️ with Minute SOOOOO bad. And Minute has no idea why. He’s so confused by it. Reluctant and honestly pretty tame Kismesissitude

[ertrunkenerwassergeist]

Regis' reaction to learning that he has a sister young enough to pass for his own daughter was definitely Something. Nobody expected him to know that many curse-words, that's for sure.

Regis stared at the tiny slip of a girl sitting across from him. All bony wrists and elbows and knees, wild hair and large eyes that stared back at him with a distrustful glint that made Regis's heart squeeze in anger and pity.

They sat in a pub, at a table tucked as far out of the way as possible, but still they could not escape the curious glances of the Galahkari in the room. Regis dearly wished they could do this in a more private seeting, but his sister had clearly not been getting enough to eat. The man sitting beside her, staring at him like he was about to murder him if he made one wrong move, also did not help.

Despite the ambient noises of the pub, the silence had settled heavy and uncomfortable between them.

His sister clutched at a steaming bowl of some kind of thick stew, waiting for it to cool a bit after the first bite had burned her tongue.

"Now," the man said, deep voice cutting though the air like a claimore. Still, Regis could not look away from his sister. "What do you Lucians want with the girl?"

The man had a thick accent, much like everybody on the islands who spoke Lucian, though he was more understandable than most others.

"And who is asking that?" Clarus demanded, matching the man's agressive tone of voice.

"Kapil, Head of Clan Ostium. I ask again: What do you want with one of our children, a Clanless one at that?"

Regis tore his eyes away to look at the man. "I am looking for a missing relative, my Lord," he said with a polite tilt of his head.

A disgusted snort was his answer. "Cut that shit out. There are no lords here. Why would someone like you look for a relative here of all places?"

He did not want to do this, but Regis knew he wouldn't get anywhere otherwise. At least someone was looking out for his sister, even if only to protect her from suspicious strangers. Never in his life had Regis been treated like a suspicious stranger. So he reached into his coat pocket, slowly under the sharp eyes of the adult Galahkar in front of him, and pulled out a folded paper. It was a copy of his sister's birth certificate, stamped and notarized.

Kapil snatched up the paper as soon as it touched the table between them and opened it. Few moments later the man paled at a rapid pace.

Beside him, the small girl took a bit from her stew with an audible slurp.

[fadedrainbowbookshelves]

Getting to know your new neighbor.

[licorishh]

*FONTAINE SPOILERS*

Y'all laugh at the fact that Tartaglia randomly falling into the Abyss one day as a kid ended up being the catalyst for Fontaine's eventual predicted destruction but all this means is that from the start Tartaglia was intended to fall into the Abyss and become a Harbinger and thus has always been doomed by the narrative

[metukika]

post canon/future teru... single mother with no children idk

[quitesins]

Fictional men who seem really polite and well adjusted but there are moments where you see something in them that makes you shiver a little

[faaun]

i feel rly sad and conflicted abt one of my best friends on earth but idk who to ask for advice bc i usually would have consulted her in this situation lmao

[im-smart-i-swear]

some lore. this may all change lol im still figuring stuff out but this is the general gist

[skoulsons]

the father-daughter relationships where they start off pointing their weapons at each other not liking the other to literally flying home together in the span of like…two days. or less. no but really. I’m dying over here.

[fictionadventurer]

*

[godblooded]

unexpectedly had a series of wholesome ovw comp matches where i gained four random friends on my list and the entire time on a 4-3 payload win we both kept complimenting each other on either side. had someone literally say ‘wow don’t usually get along this well’. it was genuinely adorable. awful experience somehow mitigated by the power of friendship.

[knbposting]

hi sorry i disappeared, i stopped wanting to write and have been rotting instead

[mewhenifreakit]

curled up by the fire, tail waggin