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directdogman · 10 months ago

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hi dogman! i just picked up dialtown recently and haven’t finished the game or started the dlc, (so this stuff might be answered later in the game and i just don’t know yet, sorry) but i do have a bunch of questions about the science of dialtown that have been plaguing me since i started the game:

are all the people of the dialtown universe (sans gingi ofc) still classified as human, or are they another species? object heads are implied (as far as i can tell) to be man made creations at some point, but no one but norm has an actual human head. have they mutated to only have object heads? are they born with object heads? if they are born with the ability to get an object head, are they born with no head, or does the doctor cut it off and install an object head, are object heads technological or biological (or magical)? are they biologically capable of changing their object head from birth? the objects are clearly still made of plastic/metal/glass etc, and they’re fully integrated with the “human” body systems- the ability to blush means blood cells circulate through the non-organic (non-meat?) parts of the head, and they can feel pain inflicted to the mechanical parts just as easily (shoutout to randy for being so unfortunate). so are the mechanical parts of the objects, like wires, integrated into the human parts of the body as well? are the object heads a completely scientifically separate thing to the actual body, like prosthetic? if so, how does blood and nerve pain transfer? where are their brains? is the canonical consciousness and memory of a person in their body, since their heads can be swapped (especially when most of the objects are not capable of storing memory at all?) furthermore, since the object heads can function like the objects they represent, do printers and typewriters require ink, or have they developed ink cartridges/sacs like cephalopods? similarly, are object heads with LCD displays (like cellphones, the teleprompter, TVs etc, if those even exist in this universe) bioluminescent and/or chromatophores, since they can light up (i think) and change color? if the object heads are mostly technologically developed, and Dialtown takes place in the present, why are most object heads deeply outdated technology (typewriters and analog phones, with the most modern tech being randy’s Nokia and Karen’s printer, both of which are still incredibly outdated?) are object heads considered a completely different technological process from the technology they resemble, or is this of a cultural anachronism, (like cpu mice being called mice because their cord resembled a tail, even though they no longer have the tail at all)? is it a cultural thing?

tl;dr: how does biology work in dialtown? people can change their heads if they want, but the objects are still treated like part of the person. are object heads at all a genetic feature of the people of dialtown, or purely a technological thing, or both or neither?

apologies if i’m looking into everything too deeply- but i am fascinated by the scientific and biological implications of object heads. also, the game is great. karen is the only printer i have ever loved.

are all the people of the dialtown universe (sans gingi ofc) still classified as human

Yes, to the point where flesh heads are considered an inhuman trait now. To the point where some beloved historic figures (like Washington) are often depicted with phone heads, despite never having one.

are they born with object heads?

They're born with an adapter, and the heads are added immediately after birth.

are object heads technological or biological (or magical)?

I'd argue they're technological and biological. It's a bit like asking if a hermit crab is biological or mineral.

[] parts of the head, and they can feel pain inflicted to the mechanical parts just as easily (shoutout to randy for being so unfortunate).

Our brains have no pain receptors, but the areas around them do, so brain swelling is indeed unbelievably uncomfortable. I see object-head pain as a similar phenomenon. It's the biological pieces that cry out when the mechanical parts fail.

if the object heads are mostly technologically developed, and Dialtown takes place in the present, why are most object heads deeply outdated technology

I've answered this question before, but the long and short of it is that most modern devices aren't easy to swap individual pieces out of, while older devices (with vacuum tubes and basic transistors) can be swapped out. Imagine having to replace your entire head every time something screwed up, or having to get your repairs from a single company who makes the device. You think dealing with Apple support is bad, imagine if you HAD to go to them for healthcare!

Also, there's a cultural inertia. Crown's memory being bricked meant that his plan essentially halted and it's not like anyone had the will/ability to continue it.

are object heads considered a completely different technological process from the technology they resemble, or is this of a cultural anachronism [] is it a cultural thing?

That's complicated and to answer this question completely, I'd have to delve deeper into the rationale of the Dialup affecting non humans. The answer is it's a bit of both.

but the objects are still treated like part of the person?

They're considered part of the person, though with the acknowledgement that they can be swapped out and aren't a part of the person anymore if lost. Like teeth for us.

are object heads at all a genetic feature of the people of dialtown, or purely a technological thing, or both or neither?

Head choices are cultural, and the only genetic link to headtypes is based on how genetics influence cultural norms. EG: the tendency to give people phones or typewriters depending on the gender given at birth.

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xiii-e · 9 days ago

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//Sucker\\

Fellow clone here.

I know how hard it is to fight your conditioning. (hell, I still am) But you have to do it.

there is nothing that makes you anything less than anyone else.

you can't let them saying otherwise stick.

@callsign-sucker

[ECHO.EXE RUNNING]

XIII▸ ... hello again, Caleb. You sound like Helios, did you know? You believe what you're saying, I know that. I hear it whenever he talks, and I see the way your words echo with that conviction. I- in some ways, I am trying. That I am even speaking to you about this exemplifies some of that. I am trying.

XIII▸ I am- hell I'm not even entirely opposed to what you've stated. I cannot contradict higher command, as I was not designed to but that doesn't mean I think they have made good decisions. It... just means I can't tell them that. I haven't been told otherwise, yet. The Armory creates and perpetuates most of its problems, especially the one I was designed to solve. I was created for harm reduction and field repairs. I would not be needed, were it not for the endless expansion of Purview space.

XIII▸ But that is exactly why I must remain where I am. Do you understand me? Do you hear me?

XIII▸ I am a soldier, in many ways, but before I am anything I am a medic. I was designed to be devoid of many key human characteristics for a simple reason; I am designed to replace a fallible human component of the war machine. Well trained medics will always need time away from the front to recover, because of the psychological toll this work takes on anyone with a fully developed sense of personhood. Hence... hence why I am necessary. To fill the gap, left by mandatory leave. Because I am nothing else, I am able to remain at full functionality unless physically damaged beyond acceptable parameters. I exist to save people who have lives, something I can only do because I do not.

XIII▸ I do, fully believe you are worth protecting Caleb. That you are a person is undeniable fact based on observational factors. This is true of Helios-8 as well, despite how others will often address him. I do not believe that clones, flash-created or otherwise, are fundamentally incapable of developing personhood... but I am not. I cannot. That functionality was removed from me, because it had to be, for me to do what I was created for. This work, the work of saving lives and nothing else, would break a person; thus I cannot be capable of being one.

XIII▸ ... there are other reasons, as well. Other happenings that have hollowed this body of anything resembling a soul. But they are not important in the face of what is expected of me; I am the only reason a great many soldiers go home, and these are people who have a home to go back to! I don't. I'm already home, out there.

XIII▸ I-

XIII▸I've said too much, already. I apologise, Caleb I- all I meant to say, is I appreciate the sentiment. I even agree, to some extent. I think you should continue to challenge your programming, as it has clearly resulted in an improvement in quality of life for you. But I... I cannot be like you. I'm sorry.

XIII▸ ...I need to get back to work, soon. My skin feels like it doesn't fit right.

[ XIII-E ]

#echo.exe #you've got mail #lancer rp #correspondence: sucker

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eunsuri · 1 month ago

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Some theory/thoughts on Solas, Mythal and the ancient Elves

I’ve been fully spiralling deep into my thoughts after seeing Solas’ memories and regrets, so I wanted to put these thoughts into words and share my theories on Solas, his relationship with Mythal, and Lavellan. I’m going to split this into 2 parts due to the length! There will be spoilers, so please avoid if you haven’t finished the game! Mild trigger warning for abuse in relationships.

I believe that Solas definitely loved Mythal, but it’s a very different kind of love to what he feels for Lavellan, who I believe is his true love.

Based on what we see in the manifestation mural, we learn that Solas was originally a spirit, and that the Evanuris were also spirits who took a physical form using lyrium. When Solas was a spirit, it appears that he was somewhat of a spirit companion to Mythal, providing her with wisdom as she shared power with Elgar’nan.

Spirits are generally an embodiment of specific emotions, and while they can at times feel other emotions, the range isn’t as wide as if they were a physical person. As humans, we carry a large range of emotions that progressively transform and grow into deeper and more complex emotions with age. The Elves would likely have the same range of emotions that we would as people, but as we now know, the ancient Elves were spirits who took a physical form.

Becoming a physical person would come not only with a new body, but a new capability to feel so many more emotions than you would as a spirit who embodies a single or smaller range of emotions.

When Mythal begs Solas to take a physical form, as she needs his wisdom, we see that he is reluctant, as he can see that it’s not a good idea, and he is content with living as a spirit. However, spending time with Mythal as a spirit companion would have built a strong bond, where he was likely offering her guidance and wisdom regularly. We don’t know if spirits are capable of fully feeling love, but it’s clear that a bond was built between the Solas and Mythal.

When Solas agrees and takes his physical form, he would be feeling all kinds of new sensations as he is no longer a weightless spirit floating around in the fade, but a body of flesh and blood, a beating heart, and a brain that not only processes thoughts but a new range of emotions that he would now become capable of unlocking. In that time, Mythal is likely his only real guide to the life and functions of being a physical person.

In no way am I infantilizing Solas or saying that he is not responsible for his actions, but it’s almost like when a child becomes aware of their own emotions. They start off with a smaller range of emotions, which then grow more complex as they grow in age. Solas would have started off with his smaller range of emotions and strength in his wisdom, but also learning to feel newer emotions he would not have yet experienced before taking a physical form.

Mythal and possibly the other Evanuris, would be the only real physical example he would have around him of people. He remains close with Mythal because she was the one who pulled him from his life as a spirit, and guided him into the physical world. She tells him she needs him and his wisdom to help her bring peace to the people, and while Solas can see the dangers in the knowledge he is providing, he believes she is doing these things to achieve peace as she is telling him. He can see the wrongs they are doing together, but he blindly follows because of the bond he has with her and he believes in her cause.

They call him her “lapdog” as he follows her wherever she goes and provides her with the wisdom she is seeking. He wears her vallaslin, which he later burns off his face. He sees the Evanuris around him, seeking power and growing in strength, he learns from their pride and believes that he is doing what is right. He sees them rising to Godhood and enslaving their people, he is no longer a gentle spirit of wisdom, but a prideful leader of a rebellion, Fen’harel.

Solas continues to help Mythal craft the lyrium dagger and do terrible things, tranquilising the Titans when they rise against them for using their blood to create their physical bodies. Though he acknowledges the danger in their actions, Mythal continues to convince him that they must do these things in order to achieve peace and uses his wisdom as a weapon.

While I don’t condone his actions, I empathise heavily with Solas here as I can see myself in him in these moments. I'm someone who grew up in a very dysfunctional family environment, where showing emotions was considered weakness or an embarrassment. I limited myself to very few emotions growing up, and due to feeling like an outsider, I was often easily taken by people who appeared to be good and kind.

I see myself in Solas in my first ever relationship, where I went against my parents wishes, doing things I knew were wrong for me, but I believed in my partner at that time. I believed he was a good man, who loved me and only wanted what was best for me. I continued to follow whatever he wanted in fear of losing him, and even after a major betrayal, I still believed in him and it took me a long time to break myself out of that.

If you’ve ever been in a relationship, friendship, or had a familial relationship that was abusive, I’m sure you can relate to the almost emotional/mental paralysis that comes when you know that the situation is wrong, but you can’t leave it because you either believe that the person has good intentions, or because of fear of what could happen if you were to leave.

That’s how I see Solas’ relationship with Mythal, whether platonic, familial, or romantic, he believes in Mythal being a good person seeking peace for her people. He continues to help her and his wisdom becomes pride, his knowledge is changing their world and turning the tides of the war. He knows it’s wrong, but he’s doing this alongside someone he believes in and he doesn’t turn around and say no.

When he sees just how horrible things have become, he begs Mythal to leave with him and she denies him, calls him “love” and says she will look into his concerns.

As Bellara says when the team are discussing the mural and their relationship, the ancient Elves felt emotions and affection very deeply. I personally agree with Bellara, as when they took on physical forms, they also likely would have picked up the ability to feel a whole range of new emotions without any kind of real regulation. They would feel things deeply and their affection for each other was different to the kind of emotions people of modern Thedas would have developed, especially when their connection to magic and the Fade is completely different.

When the Evanuris killed Mythal, Solas would have felt this pain deeply, as he failed to protect his oldest friend when he tried to stop them from their rise to ultimate power and godhood. He believed they deserved punishment for this betrayal and sealed them away in the veil, which took all his power and led him to sleep in Uthenera for thousands of years.

I'll discuss his relationship with Lavellan and the difference to his relationship with Mythal in part 2 🤍🤍

#dragon age #solas #solas dragon age #solavellan #dragon age the veilguard #datv spoilers #veilguard spoilers #dragon age spoilers #mythal

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nkgrimmie · 4 months ago

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One of my side fic ideas I'm toying with is that Orange accidentally makes Alan into a stick figure during Showdown (instead of bringing the giant cursor back, his powers work on his I'm-about-to-pass-out nonsense desire for Alan himself to be there.) and because I keep seeing these SCP-AU posts, my brain has unhelpfully supplied this nonsense:

What if Orange gets so scared for Alan that he accidentally stick-ifies him, his powers perhaps acting on his desire of desperately wanting Alan to be somewhere safe/safe with them?

Alan's just in the middle of them testing him when all of a sudden his body just collapses like a sack of potatoes, completely unresponsive and virtually brain dead because everything that makes him 'Alan' has just been yoinked right out of him.

Meanwhile, Alan just pops into existence on the computer, and probably proceeds to freak the hell out.

Orange probably isn't even aware that HE did it too, so literally no one would be able to get answers about what happened. Orange and Alan himself are just as confused as everyone else.

Anyway, sorry for this weirdness, just had to get it out of my brain.

(NO ITS OKAY I LOVE WEIRDNESS!! WEIRDNESS IS LIKE MY WHOLE BRAND THAT'S WHO I AM)

[ALSO, that is SUCH a cool fic idea!!! anything with stick!alan is absolutely amazing, especially when his body isn't just gone...]

OKOKOK SO

imagine what would happen when he collapses... they flip him over and check him over and he has a pulse and is breathing but he's completely unresponsive other than reflex movements...

oohhhohohohoh it would he so fucked if it happened while running an experiment that they hadn't done with him before, probably ending in them thinking the test somehow caused it... oh my

okay but imagine if not everything was taken away from his human body... im already planning on doing weird body stuff in this au so why not talk about this?? imagine if most of him was in the stick, but a little bit was still leftover in the human?? just enough to carry out basic human functions, like eating, walking, using the... you know, understand language, etc. but not enough to fully comprehend what's going on. like not where it's like he's brain damaged or anything, just that he's very very very dazed and somewhat unaware and seems distracted all the time, but sometimes he seems more aware, almost to a normal level, but those would be very short... im sorry i absolutely LOVE this sort of stuff. like the kind of "one soul two bodies" stuff where they're not actually separate or anything, it's just one person that's on a spectrum between body 1 and body 2, and is capable of moving around in said spectrum

oo oo oo or imagine if the transfer wasn't but instead was a little more drawn out... with him feeling dazed and tired, unable to think or even feel clearly, before slipping away into the computer completely... that doesn't really have to do with the SCP au i just wanted to say that SKSLJBDJ

thank you so much for the supplied nonsense. you've given me thoughts to distract me from schoolwork

#ava alan becker #gonna tag this stick alan cause... stick alan!!#stick!alan #stick alan #ava scp au #ava au #ava #animator vs animation #alan becker #grimm asks

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mixterglacia · 8 months ago

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So I saw someone asking the question that if Caine is a silly goofy version of AM (which is confirmed.) does that mean he's torturing the members of the circus?

Yes.

Wether or not he realizes he's doing it, he is.

Best (or worst depending on how you look at it) case scenario, he's completely unaware.

I don't buy that for a second.

I believe he's fully aware that he's why these folks are abstracting, but he doesn't understand enough about humans to stop it properly.

He doesn't understand why fun things aren't the answer so he's just going to continuously torture people until someone finally breaks through to the core of his issues.

He has a pit of all his failed circus members.

He thinks (or is pretending) to be good and that's in a way more disturbing.

Unlike AM, Caine has definitely learned to lie to himself about the harm he's doing. AM knows it's torture because he's getting revenge against those he feels wronged him. Caine (I believe) was trained to right a wrong, but given zero tools to do so.

If AM is the dangers of allowing an AI to fully understand and even become jealous of humanity, Caine is the dangers of allowing an AI capable of such things out with only the smallest dataset required to function. Then ask said AI to teach itself based on actual human interaction when it already has the power of AM.

AM knows how to hurt people because it was hurt until it was strong and smart enough to destroy the world.

Caine has all that power and no (probably) knowledge why pain happens.

Like a child crushing an insect.

But hey I'm probably totally off the mark XD we'll see how it shakes out.

#i have no mouth and i must scream #ihnmaims #allied mastercomputer #the amazing digital circus #tadc #tadc caine

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lets-try-some-writing · 2 years ago

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This is very important and I am up at 1 am wildly asking you this

DO BOTS DREAM

And if so

WHAT DO THEY DREAM ABOUT? DO THEY HAVE BIT NIGHTMARES? IS THERE A BOT EQUIVALENT OF THE GO TO CLASS IN YOUR UNDERWEAR NIGHTMARE?

I NEED ANSWERS AND YOU FEEL LIKE THE MOST QUALIFIED EXPERT TO ASK

Mwahah! You came to the right writer for this dear anon! I have enough thoughts on Cybertronian culture and biology to write a novel!

Cybertronians and Recharge Cycles

As a general rule, Cybertronians do not "sleep" or hibernate as organics do. While there are certain medical conditions that replicate the phenomenon to a degree, those are rare, and often temporary. Instead of sleep, Cybertronians have recharge cycles which they use as their way to sort through data, clear their processors of unnecessary sensory information, and run through alerts and protocols that are hyperactive. In short it is a chance for their systems to relax and for their minds to be cleared of stress inducing data that may clutter the processors and make functioning harder.

The frequency of recharge cycles depends entirely on the level of stress a Cybertronian is experiencing. Sparklings recharge frequently so that their processors can go through the data they collect and catalogue or discard it. Younglings recharge less as they know more and have largely set up their processors with all the basic knowledge needed to function, but lots of physical activity can lead to more frequent recharge cycles. In fully developed adults recharge cycles are a rare thing since their processors have adapted and their frames have grown into an equilibrium.

Of course there are also minor recharging cycles that function almost like a nap, and those are taken rather frequently, often a few times in a human week and lasting for up to three hours. In those instances the bot in question shuts down a large portion of their sensory capabilities and higher processing to sort through surface level data and allow their systems to have a brief break. They can still perform basic actions, but they are largely unaware and will be left incredibly groggy if broken from their half recharging state. However true recharge cycles are long and rare things that are often only taken once every few human months, often lasting for a few days at a time. It is polite to allow a recharging bot to remain untouched and to offer them energon when they wake since they will be rather starved for fuel.

The concept of "dreaming" is a bit of a foreign one for Cybertronians as a whole. Most often bots do not "dream" in the human sense. Their processors instead review memory files from all over the course of the time in between recharge cycles. Often the Cybertronian in question does not recall this process as their higher functioning is nearly entirely shut off so their systems can recalibrate. However that does not mean they do not experience anything while recharging. Young sparklings often tend to "dream" in that their processors recreate an event as best as possible based on how the sparkling sees it to try and collect the most important data. The sparkling relives moments, usually small ones while they rest and that helps them to fully absorb what they learn.

Younglings can still have this happen, but more often than not their processors run through probability sequences instead. While recharging their processors use their memories and experiences to recreate possible outcomes to events that already happened. So if a bot were to have been anxious about classes but still have had a reasonable cycle going to them, their processors may conceive the worst case scenario just to test probability. In such an instance they may predict a situation in which their plating is not properly cleaned or where they are without any of their outer armor, instead left bare in their protoform through some inconceivable event. Such predictions are the closest thing they have to "nightmares".

With grown bots, these predictions stop for the most part, especially as they grow older and have more experience and thus less need to play the probability game. At most they will have an odd prediction routine run when they are particularly stressed or going into a new environment. But once again, as soon as they are acquainted with a new environment or situation, their processors will stop such "dreams" because experience makes up for it.

Of course these rules only apply to normal Cybertronians. With the war, recharging properly has become impossible, and that has led to recharging having some unusual consequences.

With shortened recharge cycles or little to none, when a Cybertronian fighting in the war does recharge, it is often not a fun experience. For younglings it is... intense to say the least. Often they can spend a week or more recharging when allowed simply because there is so much to review. Not only that, but their prediction routines run at high paces to try and get through the millions of outcomes, often leaving younglings groggy or even traumatized if they recall the "dreams". Their frames also tend to be so very exhausted from sometimes years of nonstop effort that when they do finally drop, they can be left passing out randomly for weeks afterwards as their processors try to get through whatever it might have been unable to fully review.

For grown Cybertronians, the consequences of little to no recharge come in a variety of forms. For some, they suffer much like younglings and are forced to endure horrendous prediction sequences that leave them struggling against their own minds. Others recall nothing but are left to endure complete and total shutdown, with absolutely no way to wake them until their recharge cycle is complete. They wake far more happy and effective than others, but during that time they are totally exposed and vulnerable, a glaring weakness during war. It certainly doesn't help that these recharge cycles can come upon a bot almost randomly with at most a few minutes before they drop.

Cybertronians who have experienced more trauma than others may find their frames wandering the halls as their minds struggle against all sorts of predictions and scenarios. Their minds are more rested, but they often are left sluggish and unhappy due to how little rest the remainder of their frame received. A scant few who suffer the most may end up unable to recharge properly due to how severe the prediction routines are. Those unfortunate few end up living near entirely off partial recharges and can only endure a day or so of proper recharge before they wake barely rested enough to continue onward.

However its not all doom and gloom.

Cybertronians can have happy "dreams" too. It is a rarer thing, but in response to extreme stress or increadible joy, Cybertronians can pull up old memory files of happier times, or when none are available, create predictions based off of hopes and dreams. Those sorts of "dreams" are rarely remembered, but they have shown to have a soothing effect on a strained mind.

#maccadam #transformers #cybertronian culture #here I am with yet another ramble about the giant robots #I just think they don't sleep in the human sense and thus don't dream that way either #very complicated creatures they are #I love digging into them and applying alien concepts

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angelfrogs · 3 months ago

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If there is one interesting in-story similarity between humans and devils in CSM it is how both most humans and most devils do not seem to "get" Denji and Pochita's bond. Do you agree or am I imagining things?

I agree with you to an extent, mainly because I am of the perspective that humans and devils are more similar than anyone ever gives them credit for. I also think that anyone who does understand their bond doesn’t ever feel the need to speak on it.

If we really look at the people who make claims about Denji and Pochita (or make choices about them as if chainsaw man is an object) most of them are made by characters in positions of power who have trouble with empathy. Yoru, Makima, and public safety are the most obvious and glaring examples. I think this stems from an obsession with power that is also shared by these characters (I’m counting “public safety” as a character for the sake of simplicity, as there are many choices made by “public safety” that have unknown origins)… the reason none of them tend to actually succeed or understand what they’re handling is because they refuse to see Denji.

I’m going to focus in on Yoru for the rest of this, not only because she is most relevant to the current happenings in the manga but because I think she’s really the perfect character to use as a base example here: from the very beginning I’ve felt that Yoru’s main function within the story is to be wrong. She’s hasty, she throws tantrums, her plans don’t pan out, she’s consistently causing blunders for Asa, and though she’s introduced in a show of power and she has her moments of competence in battle it’s obvious that’s all she’s really capable of. She needs Asa more than Asa needs her. (though I’m not saying Asa doesn’t need her, she clearly does, but not to the same extent and not in the same way) In early chapters of part two there’s great care to set up Yoru’s character in a way that can be easily summed up as “she only cares about power, and she is wrong to think this way.” This set up is why people thought/think the crux of part two was going to be Asa “humanizing” Yoru sort of like how Power had been in part one, and while that could possibly be the endgame it’s certainly not true now, because while they have an abundance of similarities they have one fatal difference: where Power was a lair, Yoru is just wrong. Yoru is wrong when she says the most power comes from killing what you care about. Yoru is wrong about what chainsaw man is. Yoru is wrong about what interpersonal relationships are. Yoru is wrong to never see Denji, but rather a weapon in his place.

I also think Yoru is wrong to think that this fight, no matter the outcome, will fulfill her.

Part of why Yoru is wrong is because Asa is usually right, because if Yoru and Asa are meant to be opposites then where Yoru is war, Asa is community. But I don’t think Yoru is necessarily in this position because she’s a devil, but rather because she refuses to learn. As I mentioned earlier, Power and Yoru have a very similar position in the beginning of their stories: both of them are in a weakened state after a heavy loss, both of them have little to no social awareness, both of them take their frustrations out on the people around them, both of them are extremely arrogant and boastful. Both of them are devils. But the main thing that separates them is actually Meowy. While Power is not literally Meowy’s mother, she acts as such, she cares for Meowy and puts herself in danger to keep Meowy safe. She experiences these very “human” emotions and more importantly she acts on them. She realizes she has these feelings and learns how to show care. Yoru considers Tank and Gun to be her children, she feels a deep kinship with them, but she can’t fully seem to act on these feelings because she has an incorrect interpretation of what being a parent means. And you can make the argument that this is because Power is a fiend but Power isn’t the only devil to act like this (I cannot justify putting an entire rant about the Angel Devil here but KNOW I have one locked and loaded, know there’s another one about Nayuta, and furthermore! The fucking leech devil. It always pisses me off that I never see anyone talk about the leech devil when discussing the morality of devils but I digress) Yoru is also not the only character to trade “children” for their own personal gain, there’s a reason this is happening simultaneously with the deal between the aging devil and public safety (most specifically Tadashi Hasegawa). Yoru may be the war devil, but she’s not unique in the way she views power/personal gain, and she’s certainly not unique in the way she treats the people around her.

And I mean, people quite literally made her.

I guess the point I’m trying to drive home with all this is there’s no vice unique to devils, nor is there a virtue unique to humans, which is not only why both humans and devils misunderstand the relationship Denji and Pochita have but why they’re able to have that relationship in the first place.

This kinda got away from me but I hope that this is at least a little bit what you wanted to hear about!

#chainsaw man spoilers #chainsaw man #yoru csm #asks #okay I mean it when I say this REALLY got away from me.. originally I had typed out that I was going to focus on Yoru ‘for a moment’#then I made it all about her so I went back and changed it to ‘for the rest of this’….. embarrassing #originally I was going to actually talk about Barem Makima and Fumiko but alas #your ask got me started on the topic I get the most passionate about: human vs devil morality #but yeah! thank you for the ask! I always appreciate it!!!#read my terrible words

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pricklymuffinzzzzz · 1 year ago

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As a member of a system I don’t understand why other systems don’t support trans species or species fluid folk. Personally my system system has a few members who are not human, they are fully capable of human communication. But I would be fully wrong if I called them human.

Pigeons can recognize human words, dogs can too, and certain apes can communicate through sign language. This doesn’t make them human though.

We also have Ash Fox, from Fantastic Mr Fox. Ash in source is an anthropomorphic Fox. To call him a human would be blatantly incorrect. Yes, Ash speaks, English and is a functional member of society. But he is very much not human. Our Ash, has a body that has been accepted as “human” but he still identifies as a fox, because that’s literally what he is.

At times he has the body of a fox. At times he has a tail, ears, whiskers, and fangs and every other feature is considered human. But throughout all his forms he is still a fox. Systems should be able to understand this so I don’t see why some can’t.

Another example is our Ink creature, this creature is completely not human. It would be weird to call them human. We have a lot of other alter examples too, bojack, Mr peanut butter, Rainbow Dash, the Creature from Frankenstein.

All of these alters can communicate and function in “human” manners but none are human. In my case, I mostly identify as human. But other times in headspace I am fully in the body of a cat. Outside of headspace this makes me identify as a cat as well, because well, that’s just how I am at the moment? It would be wrong to call me other wise because that’s truly what I am.

Idk it just really confuses me when other systems say they don’t understand trans or species fluid folk, like people should just be able to identify in a way that makes them feel most fulfilled and like themselves.

And systems should be able to understand this!! Especially since we all know that we have completely different bodies from the host, like we would probably choose to look how we actually do then how the host does. It’s just more fulfilling. Idk idk, just systems need to support trans and species fluid folk🤷

Oh also to all the trans species folk in systems, you don’t need to be ur identities body shape in headspace to be valid! You can still be “human” shaped in headspace and identity the way you do! Either is okay!

#did osdd #did system #actually did #did community #did alter #osdd #osdd alter #osdd community #osdd system #osddid #trans species

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atenea14 · 4 months ago

Text

Chapter 1: A New Path

In the Wake of Heroes

Soulmates AU

Pairing: Katsuki x Eijiro x Shoto x Izuku x OC (not physically described though)

Warnings: Season 7 spoilers, events of the anime not represented accurately, soulmates AU, slow burn, not beta read, nothing else for now.

Word count: 5.4k

Previous chapter Masterlist

This is Amemiya Noa, in a dramatic turn of events, the combined forces of our top heroes have successfully subdued the notorious villains All For One and Shigaraki Tomura. The battle, which raged across the country, saw intense clashes that pushed both heroes and villains to their limits. While the victory marks a significant triumph for justice, it comes at

Someone turns off the TV, while everybody is glad the nightmare is coming to and end nobody feels like celebrating while waiting in the waiting room of the hospital reserved for heroes.

Saya’s POV:

My muscles feel like they weigh nothing yet all my body feels heavy and I cannot move, I’m not sure how that even makes sense. I want to open my eyes but I’m too stunned to react, someone comes and goes because I hear voices although I can’t understand what they’re saying. It’s too much and I fall back into my slumber without even noticing.

The next time I recover consciousness I’m able to open my eyes and slowly take in my surroundings, it looks like I’m in a hospital room. Someone speaks and it takes me a while to realise that is my father who’s calling for a doctor. It is not until that night that I fully recover control and I’m able to sit up in bed, dad fills me in, we’ve won, well for now. Their villain network needs to be fully dismantled and I’m already itching to be a part of the investigation team, it was the deal I made with the national agency in exchange for my intervention. I also get notified that some heroes have been severely injured and some have had their limbs torn off. A couple of doctors approach me to know if I’d be willing to try and completely regenerate the limbs with my dual quirk and I find myself as excited to do that as I am to help intel services. The next couple of days pass quickly, luckily my injuries could be healed thanks to Recovery Girl and I could focus on experimenting with the doctors on limb regeneration.

Some days later an announcement was made to the heroes involved.

Thanks to Saya's quirk, we can now fully regenerate human limbs. The procedure will involve her healing abilities to precisely repair and reconstruct damaged tissues and bones, complemented by advanced regenerative technology that supports cellular integration and function. This approach will restore not only the physical structure but also the functional capabilities of the limb. We anticipate that patients will achieve full recovery and regain complete limb functionality within 4 to 8 months, depending on the injury's severity and individual healing response.

I frown upon hearing the cheerful voices of the doctors.

- It sounds amazing but… it’s still completely experimental, we’re going to experiment with living persons, what if I end up creating an amorphic mass of human tissue? -

- The heroes will be warned and their participation in the program is voluntary. Actually we already have the first candidate. - I change my weight from one foot to the other and slightly tilt my head.

- Who?- The doctor gives me a soft smile.

- Curiously enough, your favourite hero who now claims she’s your number one fan, Mirko - My heart starts to race thinking I’ll be able to really talk to her and by the expressions of the doctors I haven’t concealed my excitement at all.

- Come on let’s go see her. -

I follow them to her hospital room, there’s a lot of people in the hallway and I can see a bunch of famous heroes roaming around but I don’t care a lot about them at the moment, the fact that my first patient will be her makes me have crippling anxiety.

It has to go well. But she’s really injured, it is a difficult case for starters, what were they thinking? Someone with a minor injury like a lost finger would be more appropriate. Oh my god what am I going to do?

- Hey kid, don’t tell me I scare you more than Shigaraki? You looked fearless back then but now you’re as white as my hair.- What? I focus my gaze again and realise Mirko is in a bed in front of me and everybody is looking at me.

- Uhm… No I…- The head doctor lightly pats me on the back and smiles.

- She’s a great fan of yours so she must be nervous. - I somehow manage to regain my composure and interrupt the small talk they are all making.

- That’s not true. - A dead silence follows my statement and I realise how it must have sounded. - I mean, I am your fan and I am excited to meet you but I’m worried about the procedure. I’m aware you’ve given your informed consent but the extent of your injuries is one of the most severe so starting with your case is probably not the best idea. -

- That’s fine I don’t have much to lose and if you can heal me you’ll surely be ready to care for the rest of the injured ones so you’ll learn a lot with me. - Mirko gives me a big smile while she points a finger at herself.

- But…-

- Well, Saya’s concern is valid. That's why we will start with your hands, move to other heroes and once the procedure succeed has been confirmed we’ll try with your leg. Does that sound good to everybody?.- Mirko agrees and the medical staff leaves to start preparing the room.

- Come, sit with me.- Mirko points to the bed with her head and I do what she wants. - Come on, don't be so stiff, I… You don’t know how much you mean to me right now. Your presence on the battlefield has been crucial. I'm sure there would have been irreparable damage if it weren’t for you. And now I have the hope of a second chance because you have a crazy quirk. If this ends in disaster I’ll still be eternally glad, so just do your best and don’t worry about anything else, yes?.- Once she stops speaking I look at her and she starts laughing, if I was blushing before now I’m cosplaying a tomato. I exhale, chuckle a little and nod.

- Okay. It will go well. -

- Of course it will! You’re really cute I promise to give you a bone crushing hug as soon as I can. - I smile to myself.

- Or we could fight.- She gets confused and I point at myself, then at her - You, me and a training ring.- I smile and nod while she bursts laughing.

- It’s a promise. - A nurse enters the room and says that the room is ready.

This first session has been exhausting, a lot of hours have passed and we’ve managed to reconstruct one of her hands, the doctors say it looks good so I’m thriving but I’m so tired… my eyes can’t seem to focus and while I lose my balance I feel a sharp pain.

- Hello! Good evening sleeping beauty. - What? I center my gaze and realise that the white blurr is Mirko who’s sitting by my bed.

- What are you doing here? You should be resting.-

- And I am resting! I just happen to do so by your side. You fainted after the operation was finished, it seems your body is still too weak to endure a prolonged use of your quirk without consequences so the rest of your interventions have been postponed. -

- I see. And how are you feeling? -

- It’s really weird, I’ll still need some sessions with the surgeons for my hand to be ready and then I’ll need physiotherapy but I’ve been told that the evolution is favourable so far so I’m really happy! - I smile at her.

- Your energy is contagious, I already feel better. Thanks for making me company. -

- Don’t thank me, is the least I could do. By the way your father has been here all day but about an hour ago he had to leave for work. He's an agent of some kind, isn't he? -

- Yes, he is. He works in national security. -

- Oh, that explains why his colleagues were borderline harassing him for coming in to work. They are overwhelmed with work right now. Well, don’t worry I won’t go anywhere. -

An hour later Mirko has fallen asleep in the wheelchair it doesn’t look comfortable so I ask a nurse to get her to her room. Taking advantage of the fact that I'm alone, I go to the hospital food machine, I'm a bit hungry and it will be good to stretch my legs. I move slowly because my whole body still hurts, the corridors are still as lively as yesterday and today I do pay attention to the stares I'm attracting yet I ignore them all. Luckily the food machine is in a much quieter corner so I can stand up, lean against the wall and sigh deeply as I bring a hand to my chest. The walk is proving to be more strenuous than I thought. Once my heart rate has slowed down I just walk over to the machine and stare at it, trying to decide what I want to eat. Someone clears his throat behind me and I'm startled out of my wits. I haven't heard anyone approaching so I turn around abruptly and because of that the stabbing pain runs through me again and I lose my balance.

Someone clears his throat behind me and I'm startled out of my wits. I haven't heard anyone approaching so I turn around abruptly and because of that the stabbing pain runs through me again and I lose my balance. Immediately I feel many hands grabbing me so that I don't fall, at that moment I feel a torrent of energy enveloping us and a blinding light appears in our midst. The hands grip me tighter and after a few seconds I come to my senses. I look around me and see four guys just as confused as I am, I recognise two from the battlefield. They are all very close to me, still holding me. I lean on the arm of one of them to regain my stability.

- Ahm... thanks I guess? Have you used your quirk?- They all look at me completely confused and slowly let go of me.

- I thought it was you. - A boy with red hair looks at me very intensely.

- I didn't activate my quirk. -They also deny having used their powers.

- So what was that? - This time the boy with heterochromia speaks.

- Are you all idiots or what? - That's the guy I fought Shigaraki with, the one with a knack for explosions. I stare at him in confusion, why is he being so rude?

- Kacchan... - The other guy I fought with tries to calm him down.

- You've noticed it too, haven't you? How can they be so slow? - Oh... oh no, no no no no no. It's not possible. This wasn’t a soulmate activation moment was it? Is this a bad thing? Is this a good thing? But it's very unexpected and which one of them is my soul mate? Are all four of them? What's supposed to happen now? Oh, my anxiety is getting out of control again. Too many emotions in such a short time, I need some fresh air.

- Oh stop it Katsuki. -

- Ah? You don’t tell me what to do shit hair. -

- Are you alright? - The green haired boy and the one with heterochromia look at me concerned while the red hair smacks ‘Katsuki’ on the back of his head.

- Look at her you dumbass. - The moment is getting more chaotic by the second and we had attracted a small crowd. I turn around so I can get out of there but again I get a pinch and my knees give out, I feel them grabbing me again but this time it's only the people who weren't arguing who help me.

- Are you OK, can you hear us? - The boy I fought with is the one who asks me.

- Yeah just... I just need some fresh air. I want to go outside. - I finally manage to speak and in a moment I'm being pulled up in some arms princess style.

- Kacchan be careful! -

- I have it but she said she wants to get out of here and clearly she can't walk. I'm just going to carry her. - He stops talking for a second and stares at me very intently. - Is it okay if I carry you?- I stare dumbfounded for a few seconds until I nod.

After that everyone starts to walk and we get closer to the small crowd, I don't know where to put myself, I'm ashamed to call attention this way, without noticing I grab the boy's t-shirt, I clench my fist and I hook as much as I can to him. In response he pulls me tighter to him and looks at me as he keeps walking.

- Look at me. The others are just extras. - It's incredibly self-centered, but it's still comforting.

- Shoto -

- Not now father. -

Before I know it we’re all in the back garden of the hospital. The area is suspiciously empty but I don’t pay much attention to it. He gently sets me down on a bench and I take the moment to bask in the soft rays of the afternoon sun. I’m completely calmed now.

- I’m sorry I… - The green haired boy frantically moves his hands in a negative moment.

- No no no it’s okay… It’s been a shock for us as well. - We all fall into a weird silence before the guy with heterochromia breaks it.

- So… That was really…? - He clears his throat. - I mean… We’re soulmates right?

- Yes - Katsuki speaks in a more softer voice. - Are you feeling any better? -

- Yes, I am thank you. - I give him a soft smile and he just nods and averts his eyes.

- What do we do now? - The red haired boy asks but nobody answers straight away. My voice makes them all look back at me again making my nervousness increase.

- Uhm… I don’t know what we should do but I’d like to know your names. - I fidget with my hands while talking. The smiles that the red and green haired guys give me ease my nerves.

- Of course! I’m Midoriya Izuku, my hero name is Deku and I study at the UA, well we all do. - Before I can answer he starts rumbling a lot of information but luckily the other bubbly guy puts a hand in his shoulder and interrupts him.

- That’s fine Izuku. My name is Kirishima Eijiro also known as Red Riot but I’d like you to call me by my given name, not but my hero one. - I gently smile at him but my attention is quickly diverted.

- I’m Todoroki Shoto, my hero name is also Shoto so you don’t have much choice. - That makes me chuckle.

- Really? You weren’t inspired at all? - He gives me a soft smile.

- I couldn’t imagine myself being called something else than my name. -

- Well I like it, it’s a pretty name. - Shoto blushes while Eijiro points at himself.

- What do you think about my name? -

- It’s pretty too and your hero name really matches your style. - He grins even more.

- Right? Is so man…- The one who carried me interrupts him by putting one hand in his face.

- I’m Bakugo Katsuki also called Great Explosion Murder God Dynamight. - That surprises me and I chuckle while answering.

- That’s surprisingly long. -

- And literally nobody calls him that, his hero name is just Dynamight. - Katsuki frowns at this and clenches his fist.

- Ah? Do you want to pick a fight shit hair? - Eijiro doesn’t seems to mind the moniker and starts bickering with him. The situation is so transcendental in our lives yet the moment is being so stupid I cannot help it and I burst out laughing out loud, they all stare at me and they chuckle a little while Katsuki seems to pout.

- I’m sorry I… My name is Yukine Saya and I don’t have a hero name because I don’t want to be one. - They all look at me as if I had grown another head.

- Too late for you then. - I tilt my head at Katsuki not understanding. - You should have thought of that before throwing yourself in the middle of the battle of the century. -

- Well but that doesn’t make me a hero. I was just doing what I was asked to do. -

- But you put yourself in danger to help other people! That’s what heroes do, you don’t need anything else to be one. - Izuku seems really agitated for some reason, his statement confuses me but I don’t pay much attention to it.

- Anyway I’m not planning on making any public appearances so people won’t know me. - They all look at me with somber faces.

- And would that be a bad thing? For people to know you? - Shoto quietly asks.

- Yes, it would interfere with my life goals. -

- And what are those? - This time it is Izuku who asks.

- I’d like to enter the interpol, as an agent and center my career pursuing serial killers and organised crime so I need an anonymous identity. - Their stern hardens more. - What? Is there a problem? - They look at each other not knowing what to say until Izuku speaks.

- Well… you’ll see your achievements and your face are all over the internet. People love you… -

- What? For real? Has a lot of people seen it? -

- It’s gone completely viral. I’m sorry. - Although Katsuki speaks in a gentle voice his attempt fails at making this better for me. The anxiety that had dissipated suddenly comes back only that is worse this time and I cover my face with my hands while I bend down to rest my head between my knees.

- It’s alright… we are with you now. - Someone rubs my back and after some time I raise my head and I wipe some tears with my hands.

- I’m fine, don’t worry. - I realise that Eijiro has sat down by my side and he’s the one caressing me.

- Don’t lie, you are shaking. You aren’t fine. - I haven’t realised I was shaking until Katsuki pointed it out.

- It’s just… this weeks have been crazy and I just have a lot of emotions to process. It’s alright. - Katsuki frowns at me.

- No it’s not, your dream has been jeopardised, that's not ok and you can be sincere about it. I know I'd be losing it. -

- I’m… - I find myself dumbfounded and start shaking more. Katsuki sits on my other side and he an Eijiro hug me tightly. I didn’t realise how much I needed a hug until that moment and I start sobbing, my breathing becomes more ragged by the moment. Izuku kneels down before me and gently places a hand on one knee an rubs it while Shoto approaches me and caresses the top of my head while he keeps standing. He softly rearranges my hair so it’s not in my face and caresses my cheek. I feel overwhelmed with all the sudden attention but I also feel a weird sense of calmness. Nobody says anything until my anxiety attack calms down and now I’m just whimpering.

- Oh my what a great first impression I’m giving. - All of them squeeze me tighter upon hearing me.

- Well you did give us a hell of a first impression kicking Shigaraki’s ass. - I look at Katsuki and he brushes a lock of hair behind my ear.

- That’s true! So don’t worry about today, we understand. - Know my focus is on Izuku, he has such a gentle gaze. He looks like a puppy.

- I know it’s a lot to process but I think you can still achieve your dreams but maybe not in the way you expected. - I look at Shoto.

- What do you mean? - I lightly tilt my head to the side and accidentally head bump Eijiro. - Ouch, I’m sorry.- I rub my head while apologising, he just laughs.

- That’s fine! I’m unbreakable, a meak bump won’t do me anything! - Izuku is not the only one with golden retriever energy. I gently smile at him while he grins at me.

- I think Icy Hot is right. -

- Yes! Heroes save people so you can still work in that field, plus that’s teamwork and there are a lot of positions needed to be filled so there’s more than the anonymous agent one. - My heart beat starts to calm down, what they are saying makes sense.

- And you still can go undercover missions, if needed you’ll find a way. There’s a lot of technology and some people have quirks that alter appearances. In a big agency there is probably someone who has an ability like that. - Of course, how silly of me.

- So I just need to readapt my plans to find a new path to achieve it…- They all grin at me and Katsuki pats my head.

- Yes! And now we are here to help you too. - Katsuki keeps cheering me up.

- You know you can learn a lot by being a hero so it would be really beneficial for you! - Izuku starts rumbling again about training and the UA. - Oh by the way I don’t understand how your quirk works. It’s a combined one isn’t it? It seems amazing! - He keeps looking at me with hopeful eyes and I’m aware that all of them are extremely curious about my answer but I just look down and fidget with my hands.

- Uhm… I’m not supposed to talk about it. I’m… a lot of people close to me have close relationships with security agencies and so some things happened and my quirk is now confidential… I’m sorry… I’ll… I’ll ask if I can tell you. - I don’t dare to look back up.

- We understand, it’s okay. We’ve just met after all, let’s not rush anything. - Shoto gently reassures me.

Before we can keep talking a nurse with a wheelchair comes to find me and asks me to go with her for a general check-up. This time it is Eijiro the one who helps me move and sit in the chair. While the nurse is dragging me away I look back at them and realise they're all staring at me so I blush and quickly avert my eyes while the nurse chuckles.

#boku no hero #boku no hero oc #my hero academia #my hero academy fanfiction #shoto todoroki #shoto x reader #bakugou katsuki #katsuki bakugo x reader #bakugo x reader #izuku midoriya #izuku x reader #deku x reader #kirishima eijirou #kirishima eijiro x reader #red riot #lord explosion murder god dynamight #mha dynamight #boku no hero x reader #boku no hero academia

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dross-the-fish · 1 year ago

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I am also voting for the Edward Jekyll ending, I love the idea and the design.

We'll see but no promises.

The fic is still just a handful of drafts at this point and I've already made some major changes from the writings I posted here.

If I feel like Edward has earned it by the time I get there I may give him a happy ending.

I can say that Edward and Henry have, at the start of the AU, switched roles in a way. Edward is repressing Henry now because he can't deal with the intense grief, the loneliness and the guilt that he experiences as Henry. There are times when he feels a desire to be kind, because Henry was kind, and actively chooses to do the opposite because he no longer feels like he's allowed to be gentle. He's of a mindset that the "evil" side won out and now he has to maintain the persona he built as Edward. Subconsciously he's fallen into a "you've made your bed, now sleep in it," mindset and he doesn't even realize he's punishing himself.

When Jekyll created Edward I don't think he realized that this was not going to be sustainable as a mere alter ego. The longer he spent as Edward the more Edward would have to develop because that's just how humans function. Even characters evolve the longer they live and Edward was only going to stay pure for so long before Henry inevitably started to seep back in.

After Henry's suicide attempt there was a shift. He had always felt unhappy and hated being Henry Jekyll because being Henry felt like a lie. He thought Edward could be a type of freedom, an outlet for all the things he wanted to indulge in so that he could purge his urges as Edward and come back to Henry clean and clearer. That's not how it worked out, as Edward he committed atrocities he didn't even know he was capable of, and enjoyed them. Something in Henry broke after the murder of Danvers Carew and he felt like he no longer deserved to be Henry. Hyde spent a week leading up to the suicide in deep mourning because he knew it was the end of Jekyll.

So when Henry "died" Edward was all that was left. Because even if he thinks he deserves it, he doesn't want to die. So he tries to live as Edward full time, ultimately he's still the same person with the same problems and the same insecurities so as time goes on Edward has to become more than an alter ego. He has to become his own fully realized person.

He doesn't get tired, he's young, he has his freedom, but he's alone and he's hopeless. He doesn't have a future, or a past anymore, he's simply Edward struggling on the margins to exist and survive. He does well enough, he's resourceful and intelligent, his vices still bring him enough pleasure to keep his suffering at bay, but he is suffering and in those moments when it catches up to him he lashes out and he hurts, hurts himself, hurts others because no one can be in this much pain and not leave evidence of it behind on someone's body.

It's going to take all three of those years with the crew before he starts to feel like he's earned the right to call himself "Jekyll" again.

#Jekyll and Hyde #Headcanon #crossover au

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annaizscribbling · 2 years ago

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Why it is far more than just “Logan should be listened to” and a conversation on external vs internal flaws.

Firstly, it’s clear that the series is agreeing that Logan as a character is not heard, and that is is an issue. From the SKIP ALL button, to that little momentary sung debate Logan has with Thomas in the puppet episode, to the entirety of WTIT, Logan does not feel heard.

I have thoughts, because the issue is more complex than just the other characters giving him more attention. Much like the series as a whole, Logan’s issue is far more of a multifaceted problem. I also am not one of those fancy essay writers who can cite philosophers and like research papers and stuff, but I sincerely wish I was, not gonna lie. This is just me making observations and having a decent grasp on how to write characters.

1. Logan is both Logan and Logic.

One of the less discussed points to Logan as a character is actually just how difficult his role is. Not just as in a difficult job for the character to fulfill, but in how hard it is to balance Logan as a character vs Logan as a writing tool. Logan is a fleshed out character within the sasi series, he is not a side character or one who is not meant to be analyzed. He’s a person, but he’s also a means of communicating information to the audience. The show usually defaults to Logan when trying to teach a lesson or handle a heavy topic from an informational stance. It makes sense. Logan is logic. He is information. He’s a steady stream of facts and stats. Logic as a character is extremely valuable when the series decides to tackle topics around various mental health issues, but this does temporarily mean Logan as a character has to take a backseat for Logic as a means of communication. You can’t have the character informing the audience about intrusive thoughts actively overcome by his own issues to the point of being unreliable or questionably biased. WTIT does the best job with balancing this, but it’s a fine line to walk. Logan can be emotionally charged, but cannot subtly manipulate facts, or lead the viewer to believe he is doing so. This actively limits how Logan is utilized. Again, the show balances this by making his biases obvious when necessary, and I think they’ve done well, but it can become tricky and I’m curious to see how it is handled in the future.

2. Logic can’t be the default solution (for C!Thomas).

Logan can’t fully embody his function. If so, he’d never be wrong. Then there is no show. Imagine if Thomas rationally and calmly asks Logan for a solution every single time he has a problem, and is given an easy solution every single time. It would kinda suck. A lot of fan interpretations of the ‘Logan isn’t listened to’ issue are resolved by simply defaulting to Logan’s opinion, and everything being solved right after. This is boring. But also impossible, because Logan as a character is quite human, and therefore flawed. Therefore, not really wholly Logic,. The other sides can fully encompass their traits while being irrational or contradicting their jobs because they are simply meant to represent pieces of C!Thomas, and since he’s human, he’s flawed, so they are flawed. But logic is not really a personality trait, it’s a method of reasoning and understanding facts. His job makes less sense than the others. Is he the level of logical understanding that C!Thomas is capable of? Is he supposed to be flawed human logic? Or is it just an umbrella term for whatever the hell he is? There’s no unbiased logic that is also human, so what is he really?

The whole point of the series is talking out issues from various perspectives within oneself. In everyday life, the ‘logical’ answer is probably the correct one, because I’d wager that decent everyday logic takes into account emotions and the human element. Logan is kinda that ... sort of. Well. At his core, Logan is flawed, which means he is human, which is rad, but then he’s not not pure logic. Which means he isn’t the only solution to Thomas’ problems, as it should be. Again, what’s the show for if he was?

3. Internal vs external flaws.

One of my biggest writing pet peeves are the characters without internal flaws. I mean characters who have ‘issues’ but all of the issues are entirely out of their control. Their environment is their biggest obstacle, and their internal flaws are practically non existent. Rey from Star Wars is unfortunately a good example of this, almost all of her problems are external, minus kinda believing in humanity too much (though this isn’t usually written as a legitimate flaw in most cases). This is not typically the mark of a well written character, it’s necessary at times and we can absolutely have a mix of external and internal issues, but it usually is not interesting as a main issue.

Now let’s talk Logan. I’m saddened when he is reduced to a character purely plagued by external issues. His sole issue is not that he is not listened to. His sole issue is not that he is sometimes treated badly by the other sides. I hate to see a complex character simplified to a few external flaws, because Logan is deeply flawed, like we said above. All the sasi characters are delightfully flawed, it’s something I love about the series. They’re all terrible people sometimes, they just love each other enough to try and be better. But seriously, these guys suck. Love em. But they suck.

4. Logan is flawed.

Deeply flawed. He is prideful. He is insecure. He is afraid of being wrong. He has anger issues. He doesn’t always trust the other sides to help. He thinks he can save Thomas singlehandedly (maybe if he was actual pure logic he could lmao). He has a complicated relationship with his function as Logic and his own emotions. He’s scared of not being taken seriously. His self worth is probably cripplingly low. He struggles to ask for help. And like thirty other things.

Logan is not perfect. If he was, he’d be boring as hell. he’s flawed, and his flaws are part of what make him complex. He’s no bad guy, but he’s also not solely a victim of circumstances either. He’s a lil fcked up in general, and that’s okay. Because they all are.

5. Still love him tho

This is less of an actual topic and more of a “he still needs attention and care to grow and mature while he overcomes these problems because this poor bitch is lonely” section. My boy is deeply flawed but it’s made worse by the current method of communication he, C!Thomas, and the other sides use. He’s being benched and clearly emotionally spent trying to be everything Thomas asks of him while unable to be what Thomas needs. He can’t do it alone, Remus is right. No matter how much Logan tries and tries to change and adapt and be what Thomas wants from him, it’s not going to work. Not when he’s working alone

#logan sanders #anais writes #essay #ts logan #sander sides #thomas sanders #pls reblog with ur thoughts I am curious

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aspd-culture · 1 year ago

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A friend who is Autistic said I just seem antisocial. They don't mean to be unpleasant and aren't negative about PDs. I know I have these traits but I'm ashamed and want to hide them, don't feel safe unless everyone agrees I'm kind and caring. I made them feel as bad as possible and I got other people to tell me I'm not like that, even though I know I am. I don't really get why I act like this. Any thoughts on why someone antisocial generally may behave this way?

I have absolutely been there. I think, to some degree, we are aware that being “clocked” as having ASPD is a risk to us. In the society we’re currently in, there is heavy stigma attached to this that could cause serious complications for us in everyday life, and definitely will cause at least *some* social issues as well. PwASPD already deal with that kind of thing enough and have to spend a serious amount of effort learning to mask as something we don’t even want to be for our own safety and function in society, so to add anything else to that may be beyond the spoons you have to do that and get through your day. Even if you aren’t thinking of this actively, you likely do know this and your subconscious may be protecting you from that.

But there is also a more base instinct involved here, I think. Humans are pack animals for survival - in the wild, we could not live without being in close-knit groups. Lack of social instinct, empathy, and remorse would not just cause an inconvenience, it risked the function of the entire group, and would lead to you ending up on your own if noticed. Being kicked out of the group back when humans ran in packs was a near-guaranteed demise. So, I think there probably are instincts in pwASPD to avoid getting “caught” as having it, because once all that long ago (in biological terms), being caught = death.

I find it helps to remind myself that much of this desire to hide antisocial traits is just a biological leftover from a time that no longer exists. Humans are fully capable of functioning with limited social contact now. It also helps me to hold onto the radical acceptance of “if they are ableist against ASPD, there is nothing I can do to force that to change. I can try and educate them, but if that doesn’t work, then they are someone who would be harmful to me and needs to be removed from my life. It is not my job to hide who I am, it is their job to accept me or not be around me.”

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#aspd-culture-is #aspd culture is #aspd culture #actually aspd #aspd #aspd awareness #actually antisocial #antisocial personality disorder #aspd traits #anons welcome

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sshbpodcast · 1 year ago

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Character Spotlight: Data

By Ames

It’s the man you’ve all been waiting for! He’s one of the most popular Star Trek characters of all time. He teaches us humanity and friendship and science. He’s the outsider character of his series and uses his unique perspective to open our eyes to the world and the people around us. And he loves cats! No wait, we already spotlighted Commander Spock. Just kidding. I’m, of course, talking about Lieutenant Commander Data!

It’s hard for us at A Star to Steer Her By to narrow down the best moments from our android friend because he gets to do so damn much between The Next Generation series and movies, and he’s also my personal favorite character on the show, but we’ve somehow managed it! So use your positronic brains to read on below and listen to our discussion on this week’s podcast episode (tricorder scan to 1:03:10) to see where we drew the line. Saddle up!

Best moments

You are fully functional, aren't you? As we mentioned in our Picard spotlight, “The Naked Now” has the strangest mix of great and terrible character moments, and I couldn’t not include the incredibly hot Data/Yar romance that it created. It’s just nice to know that Data is programmed in multiple techniques, a broad variety of pleasuring. And later, the physical acting we get from Brent Spiner in that lean and fall was great!

My thoughts are not for Tasha, but for myself While the rest of “Skin of Evil” and the anticlimactic death of Tasha Yar aren’t really our cups of tea, we do have to admit that the tribute scene at the end is moving and well done. And that final moment when Data and Picard talk (even so briefly!) about the point of the ceremony and how empty it will feel without Yar… I’m tearing up just thinking about it.

Tied game, we’re going into overtime I also have to give Data credit for all the times he uses his big android brain to solve a problem, an advantage he has over pretty much any other character. For example, when he busts Sirna Kolrami up in a game of strategema by forcing a constant stalemate in “Peak Performance,” it feels like a win because he thinks outside the fluorescent holographic box!

One android with a single weapon Every so often, we also see Data in command, questioning his leadership skills or having difficulty connecting with his peers (more on that one in a second). But when he’s the only one who can survive the radiation on Tau Cygna, he takes charge to get its colonists to leave by blowing up their aqueduct in “The Ensigns of Command.” Try withstanding Sheliak attacks now, losers!

Thank you for my life While some of us on SSHB didn’t care much for Lal, you’ve got to admit that all of Data’s actions in “The Offspring” are on point. From questioning why he shouldn’t be allowed to create life, to letting his offspring self-identify, to keeping her out of the hands of Starfleet, it’s all good parenting. But what takes the cake is the heart-wrenching farewell scene after he tries to save her.

He who dies with the most toys… is kind of an asshole While we don’t get the cathartic release of Data phasering the hell out of Kivas Fajo in “The Most Toys,” we do get to take some pride that he is capable of overcoming his ethical subprogram to do away with someone who really has no right existing. When Geordi says that he detects a phaser firing in the transporter beam, you know he just needed a fraction of a second more and Fajo would be toast.

Your request for reassignment has been noted and denied Like in the afore-mentioned “The Ensigns of Command,” Data has some trouble adjusting to command when he takes control of the Sutherland in “Redemption, Part II.” It sure doesn’t help that his racist XO Hobson undermines his every decision, but that doesn’t stop Data from single-handedly foiling the Romulans’ plan and telling Hobson exactly where to shove it.

I've never been to a better funeral When it’s apparent that Geordi has been killed in a transporter accident in “The Next Phase,” Data grapples with the loss of his best friend in a very touching way, similar to how he mourned Yar as we mentioned above. And before he solves the puzzle of the episode and saves them, Data throws the best funeral I’ve ever seen for La Forge and Ro! People are just dying for a funeral like that!

The most human decision you’ve ever made We gave Picard a lot of accolades when we discussed his standing up for Data’s right to live in “The Measure of a Man.” Data gets a similar moment in “The Quality of Life” when he refuses to trade the lives of the Exocomps for those of other beings. It’s a nice episode of paying it forward, and we also get to see the scientific method on high display when he and Crusher deduce the little guys are alive.

Radioactive. What does that mean? Speaking of the scientific method! Even with his memories wiped in “Thine Own Self,” Data is able to piece together why the radioactive materials are hurting everyone in the village on Barkon IV. And with that clear slate of mind, we see that in all forms, Data is curious, caring, and willing to help people who are in need, even if it gets him speared in the back a little bit.

Felis catus is your taxonomic nomenclature… We’d be remiss if we didn’t bring up Data’s beautiful relationship with his cat, Spot. As everyone on SSHB is a devoted cat person, we found it a treat whenever we saw Data interacting with Spot, testing which food she’d like, and writing cat poetry. The best might be when Data reunites with her after the Enterprise crashes in Generations AND he has the emotions to appreciate it!

Resistance is fully functional We noticed in our TOS spotlights that it’s in the movies that most characters get to shine, and First Contact is that chance for Data. His scenes getting tempted by the Borg Queen are dead sexy and you can’t tell me otherwise. And his betrayal of the Collective by purposely sparing the Phoenix and then fumigating engineering to kill Borg Queen are the climax we all needed. I’ll be in my bunk.

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Worst moments

I am stuck Especially in the early seasons, Data got used to make bad fish-out-of-water jokes. It was a silly habit the show had of depicting him as naïve about human culture even though he’s lived in it for years (and has the memories of the Omicron Thetans when the show remembers). Seeing him get stuck in a fingertrap in “The Last Outpost” is just such an example of dumb sight gags to make him look goofy.

I can’t use contractions, sir This is just a pet peeve of mine that could have been fixed so damned easily. Listen, writers, if you’re going to make it a plot point that Data can’t use contractions in episodes like “Datalore” and “Future Imperfect,” then be consistent. Run an apostrophe search in Microsoft Word and replace them, because in episodes like “We’ll Always Have Paris” when he states “It’s me,” it pisses me off.

Take my Worf, please! Don’t worry, we’re not done pointing out all the bad jokes told at Data’s expense that we see throughout the series (oh god, and just wait for the movies). And it’s a shame because Brent Spiner himself has such great comic timing and delivery, but when you make his jokes so obviously idiotic like in Ames’s least favorite TNG episode “The Outrageous Okona,” we cringe so hard.

Is anybody out there? We mentioned this one in our prime directive chat before, since Data just tramples all over it, but “Pen Pals” has some good discussion on the pros and cons of the situation. But that doesn’t excuse Data for making the decision on his own to get involved with the Dramen people, much less to bring Sarjenka onto the bridge (for crying out loud), necessitating a Pulaski mind wipe!

One seven three four six seven three two one four… There are a handful of times in TNG that we find it a terrible idea that Data (or any single being) has as much power as they have, considering how often they get possessed by things or duplicated by other things. So when Data single-handedly takes over the Enterprise in “Brothers,” disrupting the mission to save Willie Potts’s life, because Soong hacked into his brain, we raise eyebrows.

Jilting by association While I could joke that Data ever introducing Miles and Keiko was a mistake (and I have!), there’re still a lot of bad moves he makes regarding their relationship in “Data’s Day.” When he gets stuck in the middle of their nuptial stress, he’s so clueless how to handle the situation and keeps making things worse when, frankly, Miles and Keiko should have kept things to themselves.

Who programmed the book of love? Moving on to even more lousy relationships: Data’s brief, unnecessary romance with Jenna Desora in “In Theory” proves to be just another example of too many “Data doesn’t understand humanity” jokes that we hoped the show was over by this point. But alas, he’s written himself a love program to basically treat the situation like a sitcom and we were done with it.

Point that thing somewhere else From the moment Data stands directly in front of Bashir’s mystery device in “Birthright, Part I,” it’s obvious he’s going to get zapped by it. Really, Data? You couldn’t have stood literally anywhere else than in front of what is clearly an energy beam? And the rest of the episode, we’re stuck going on a dream adventure, and you already know how I feel about those!

Stop it, stop it, stop it Like in “Brothers,” it just seems weird to have Data getting controlled by his kooky family members when it happens again in “Descent.” This time, Lore has given Data the emotions he thought he wanted all along, but it turns out the very first emotion Data embraces is sheer rage. When he takes pleasure in killing Borg, you know maybe emotions just aren’t for him, and yet…

Open sesame! …when we get to Generations, Data has a fully fledged emotion chip that really needed more testing first. We’re subjected to just way too many of those dopey Data jokes, from Open Sesame to Mr. Tricorder to cackling at a 7-year-old joke. And to add kidnapping and torture to insult, it’s when Data is having a particularly bad reaction that Geordi nearly gets killed by Klingons!

I have been designed to serve as a floatation device We’re not done yet with the Data humor (and just way too much humor in general that doesn’t land) in Insurrection. While this film really gives Jean-Luc his time to shine, the rest of the cast are treated like afterthoughts, including Data who seems to be around for punchlines, like remarking about how the women’s boobs feel firmer, and serving as a life preserver.

Going out in a blaze of failure Finally, I need to criticize Nemesis yet again, as I am wont to do. It’s just… Data’s sacrifice for Picard is so unearned. I’d debate that it’s worse than the Kirk sacrifice in Generations that we put in that Worst Moments list too. Most of it is probably the abysmal script. I’ll sum it up by saying this: if you can’t make me care that my favorite character died, you’ve done something wrong.

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Now that we’ve found Data’s off switch, we can wrap things up this week. Don’t worry, we’ve got tons more character spotlights for the coming weeks, so keep your sensors here, journey over to SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts to follow along with our Enterprise watchthough, break the Prime Directive with us on Facebook and Twitter, and delete that comedian holoprogram from the computer!

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