#i just think that him being connected to war and nature and peace and life and poems and death andandand

[floralovebot]

recently i've been a little obsessed with the character designs in dislyte and naturally i've been thinking of the winx in it and like,,, helia blessed by morrigan... dudes.....

[piracytheorist]

So about that grenade pin...

On first glace, this is certainly a top-notch proposal scene. A spy and an assassin, who are hiding their identities from each other, arranging their marriage for mutual benefit while fighting criminals, and the proposal ring coming out of a grenade pin, followed by an explosion from said grenade behind them? It's so absolutely badass and fun and as wacky as the story goes.

But I also like over-analyzing this story and making that everyone's problem, so I would like to share with you my thoughts on the symbolism of that gesture.

1. It's unconventional.

Twilight's original plan was to use the diamond ring from the repossessed artifacts to propose to Yor. In his mind, he wanted to create a family that's as conventional as it gets, in the hopes that it won't attract too much attention. Losing that diamond ring is a sign by the narrative that there was actually no chance this family would be anything but extraordinary. A grenade pin is not only unconventional for a proposal ring, it's also the result of impulsive thinking, of using what he has on hand.

Over time, this family will cause Twilight especially to act more impulsive than he's used to. All three of them will also be able to be themselves within this family, without putting any acts - Yor has already started feeling more confident than what she started as. There won't be any need for fancy diamond rings, or for any part of the family to be the perfect husband, wife or daughter. They will feel free to be themselves and know that they won't be judged for their secrets.

2. It represents the life of violence both Twilight and Yor are living.

Being in dangerous situations, protecting themselves from such dangers, and killing people is by now second nature to both of them. Throwing a grenade at a group of thugs after them is nothing out of the ordinary for them. It's very fitting to connect that with the thing that brought them together - the mutual need for a cover spouse.

But it also represents a truth; Twilight lies to Yor about the reason why he's being pursued by murderous thugs, and Yor lies to Twilight about how she became so good with self defence tactics. There's a TON more violence in their lives than they let on. The grenade ring is kind of a symbol of all that violence they're hiding from each other, and almost like an admittance of it, from the narrative at least.

3. Despite its catastrophic nature, it's a gesture of defence.

Twilight might have stolen back the stolen art pieces, but getting shot at by the first thieves was not a fair retribution. Plus, they weren't shooting just at him, they were also shooting at Yor, without knowing for sure whether she was an accomplice or not. She did kick a few of them unconscious but neither that nor taking the art pieces back guaranteed the death penalty. So he was acting out of defence when he threw the grenade at the people shooting at him AND Yor. Yor, on her own, only attacked a thug when she saw he was directly targeting Loid, so she was also acting in (self) defence.

And this parallels the reason behind their motivation for their jobs; Twilight wants to stop a war from happening and to avoid all the pain and casualties brought by one, and Yor wants to stop violent people from causing pain to her family or other innocent people. It is dirty work, without any consideration of their own innocence and well-being, but it's one they do for someone else's peace and safety.

That's what that grenade did. It killed the thugs, but it kept both of them safe.

4. They match each other's freak.

I don't think I need to point out how downright wacky it is for someone to propose with a grenade pin. We joke like "If my significant other doesn't propose to me like this they shouldn't even bother" or something, and it's a good joke, but in reality we would be horrified to see someone pull a pin from a grenade, throw it at a group of people, then propose to us with that same pin while those people are being blown to pieces right next to us. We would also be horrified at the prospect of us being the person to pull the pin and propose like that.

Yet neither Twilight nor Yor find any of this weird in the slightest. Twilight doesn't hesitate for a second to use the pin as a proposal ring while he's reciting his vows to her, and Yor accepts it wholeheartedly and even looks at him with admiration, not even worrying about the fact that this near stranger is holding her hands in his - a kind of proximity that would normally cause a violent reaction from her.

Not only is neither of them weirded out by the whole situation, not only do they not suspect the other might find this whole thing weird... their inner thoughts even match here. Cause the main feeling in that moment, for both of them, is a kind of relief that their plan for a cover spouse was successful, much faster and much easier than anticipated, and a security that they don't have to fake their feelings to each other. Until Twilight's mission and Yor's real job do them part.

I can't be certain how much of all that was intentional, but it was fun looking for what that grenade pin could symbolize. And I'm always down for an excuse to go meta on this story :D

(anime only here, don't spoil me for the manga)

[a-force-dyad-in-space]

So I've been rewatching the Twilight movies and certain scenes from them recently, and there's something that caught my eye while going through the post-battle scene in Eclipse.

We have Jane and the others show up, being like "blah blah blah, you guys did pretty well against all these newborns, how curious, blah blah" before Jane notices that one of the newborns is still alive, pointing out Bree.

Now, here's where it gets interesting for me. Because Jasper immediately moves and stands next to her protectively.

And yeah, sure, he's the newborn expert, he's in charge of all-things newborn vampires, so in that sense alone it makes sense for him to associate himself with her in that way, but I think it's a lot more than that; namely something that is always mentioned in passing in the movies, but never really pointed out as something significant (unlike Edward's telepathy and Alice's precognition, which are always mentioned first in terms of desirable acquisitions of power). I of course speak of his pathokinesis.

Bree is scared. At this point she has realized that she's a vampire and what that means for her life, but she has no idea if she will come out of this stand-off alive, so naturally, she is nervous.

And thanks to his pathokinesis, of course Jasper can feel that. So I think he's standing with her, almost protectively, not just because he's in charge of her, but because he can feel her fear and tries to comfort her with his presence (she with her vampire sight can of course see that his skin is decked out in scars, so that intimidating display alone probably tells her him being on her side is a good thing).

And then we come to Jane starting to torture Bree, and me having another observation.

When she falls to the ground and is screaming in agony, we can assume that Jasper can feel that, too (not the pain itself, but the mental anguish connected to it). And look how startled he seems when he sees her fall and looks from Bree to Jane.

This moment here makes me think that this is probably the first time he's ever seen Jane's power in person. Of course he knew about her, knew what her powers are. Alice probably filled him in in detail about the events in Volterra from New Moon, and I assume Carlisle has shared many stories over the years, too.

But hearing about something and actually seeing it first-hand are two very different things.

For someone like him, who can feel what other people are feeling, from their happiest moments to their most devastating mental pain, watching Jane not only use her powers, but relish in their effect without a second thought since she can't feel the pain she's causing, must be absolutely nauseating, for lack of a better word.

Jasper's experienced several lifetimes of anguish by proximity and is trying his best to make others feel better, while Jane deals blow after blow with her powers without any consequence. It must feel wrong and unfair to him.

Anyway, back to the point.

This is the face of a man who has fully realized what the antagonistic force is capable of, and he'll be sure to be prepared, next time they cross paths.

And lastly, something sad.

He turns his back on Bree, probably because he can't deal with watching her die on top of feeling her fear and pain. Neither he nor the other Cullens can stop Bree's death from happening without declaring war on the Volturi in the process (because I'm certain that's how Jane and the others would see their push-back).

So all he can do is turn away, and maybe make an effort to lessen her pain (it doesn't look like he did, but I think it would make sense if he used his powers to make death less frightening for Bree).

Anyway, rest in peace, Bree, you would have made a wonderful addition to the Cullen family. ♥

[moo-blogging]

Being inspired by Levi's backstory in Bad Boy:

Levi said it so naturally about why he held cups at its brim with his fingers. Gabi and Falco were apologetic for asking such a sensitive question. Levi shrugged and sipped on his tea. You studies his face carefully, but finding no sadness or remorse in his face, just peacefulness.

It had been 2yrs since the war ended. You stayed in Marley with Levi, rebuilding the country together. Levi once told you that he found peace in rebuilding than destructing like he used to in the army. It was true that everything turned red when Levi swung by with his blades. And now his hands grew new life and hope.

You might have asked Levi why he held his cups the way he did when you were on Paradis Island, but you couldn't recall. Levi stared at you from the back of his palm, and you blushed. You felt as if there was more to Levi than you had uncovered, and you were embarrassed that you knew almost nothing about him. But the soft look that he gave you showed that he was ready to unveil himself to you.

That night he unloaded more about his life in the Underground to you than he ever did. You cried with heartache and Levi was comforting you. There were tears in his eyes as he spoke, but he felt lighter. You kissed him again and again, holding you in his arms. Levi stroke your hair lovingly, assuring you that he was alright now.

A couple of weeks later, you took a stroll with Levi down the new street in the evening. New shops showcasing attractive products on the window. Your fingers interlaced with Levi's as you walked, taking in what you had rebuilt together.

And you came to a pottery shop with a Closed sign on and signalled Levi to enter the shop. Puzzled, Levi pulled you gently, "Y/n, my love, it's closed. We can come back tomorrow morning."

You smiled at him and shook your head, "it's opened for us, Levi. Let's go." You led him onto the steps and into the shop. There was a dim light at the end of the shop and a young storekeeper greeted you. He shook your hands and thanked you for helping him rebuild his father's business after the war had ruined their lives. And he was thrilled to have these private tea set making sessions with you.

Levi's eyes widen and you nodded to assure him he could make his mother's tea set from scratch. The young storekeeper asked for a design. You looked at Levi expectedly. Instead, Levi signed and smiled gently. He said, "I think we'll make a new tea set for ourselves." He turned to look at you, "Y/n, I know you are trying to have me connect to my mother. I love you for that, but I would like to make this tea set for us. A new one with a new design." Tears were gleaming in his eyes as he looked into yours. You nodded and you pulled him in for a hug.

You spent the evening designing your very own tea set, adding yours and Lev's personal touches to it. For the next few days, you came back to the shop after it closed to work on the tea set. Your hands were cold with wet mud as you shaped the tea cups. Levi worked on the saucers. The young storekeeper guiding you here and there and helping to fix any defects.

A few weeks later, a box of beautifully glazed tea set were sent to your house. Gabi and Falco had come to swe the tea set you had been working on. They bought some new tea leaves from other countries. Levi brewed the tea in the tea pot and hot tea were shared.

You sat next to Levi, sipping on some foreign tea, listening to Gabi and Falco quarrelling about something you could hardly understand. You turned to watch Levi, and he was staring at the new tea pot. He noticed you staring and he stared back at you. Mirroring each other's soft smiles, you lean in for a kiss. Happiness filled your chest. You could feel the warmth radiating from your skin. What a beautiful you had started with Levi.

"How do you kiss like that?" Gabi asked loudly. You both turned toward her at the same time. Levi had one eyebrow raised. Gabi clarified, "I mean, how do you know when to kiss? Like you didn't even ask but you just moved your head together and MUAH you kissed!"

"Gabi, that's inappropriate to ask!" Falco tried to shut her up. You shared a look at Levi, you grinned as Levi smiled, and you leaned in for a kiss again.

[tadc-harlequin-au]

Heyyyy I need to know what Swap!Harlequin Pomni's living situation is, and how her Caine fits into it... No reason in particular..

(Totally not for a fic I'm cooking, not at alllll)

;3

Her living situation is the fact that I was thinking: she's living in a large underground hideout (one of those war bunkers) hidden inside a broken down shed that sat abandoned for years until roleswap!Pomni and Abel found it and repurposed it for themselves. Since they're on the run, they can't exactly risk on staying on a big mansion like Harlequin!Caine does in the canon story.

On the surface, it looks like a very dilapidated bunker entrance and opening the surface entrance door would lead to an "unstable" walkway down that had seemingly collapsed in on itself, but if you were able to put in the effort of moving the "debris" out of the way, You'd realize that it's actually just a coverup to make sure the place never gets explored beyond the "collapsed" walkway. How is this coverup possible? One of Pomni's many magic tricks.

Opening the inner door and hopping onto the open elevator with barely any protective railings on it, it's layers upon layers of rooms, and there's a small open space in the middle of it all, with a tall high beam support connecting the layers to ensure that the place doesn't collapse in on itself. Caine likes to use these beams as like an obstacle course of sorts for getting up and down.

This is a rough layout on how I think it'd be, not the final look obvs but it is a start that I can improve on later down the line

There's a number of 'broken-but-still-kicking' Puppets living in this space, all being taken care of and attempted to be fixed back into their prime to give them a shot at living a life that was robbed from them. Not exactly in tip top shape, but hey. At the very least, they have a safe space away from their abusive masters, and the duo never claimed they were good at this kind of thing anyways.

Pomni does have an office, but it's significantly smaller, very homely and she doesn't spend as much time in there unless it's wanting a small enclosed space to simply smoke in, thinking of a gameplan for their current situation or figuring out what to do for the day, and the day after that. Even more surprising is the fact that Caine likes this area the most and stays in there for extended periods of time, whether Pomni is in or not. He's in a calmer state when that happens, so Pomni lets him be.

Speaking of Caine, how does he fit into all this? He just does. He's actually not as energetic as Harlequin!Pomni, being an Assassin Harlequin instead of an active fighter; he's much more toned down and surprisingly well-behaved in the grand scheme, if at all irritated at the entire situation and how he had let his guard down enough to be roped into her mess. Passive-aggressive and speaks in a low tone like he's constantly judging, which he is lmfao.

... But that doesn't mean he doesn't ask for a target Puppet to locate, capture and bring back (if he can't kill them lol) to be inaugurated to Pomni's cause. He's still acting on directives like a normal Puppet would.

He does find out one day that he has a knack for making/fixing mechanical things, after finding Abel's pathetic attempt to reverse engineer an old mechanical wonder. This newfound passion of his could occupy him for hours (or days usually) on end, and frankly? it's nice to have peace and quiet instead of him going off on her ear about how the whole place is a damn OSHA violation completely.

Even goes to the extent that he knows the ins and outs of a Puppet body like an expert surgeon would with the body of their patient, which... Pomni finds quite interesting because as far as she knows, there's only one person in her eyes who could be a natural at something like that.

[thelovelylolly]

Moments On Pabu

Summary: You watch the sunset with Tech Warnings: reader is described as short and smaller than Tech Word Count: 780 Notes: season 3 has broken me and we're only 3 episodes in IM SCARED i have theories and im convincing myself tech is alive (because he is wdym hes dead?) i have so many thoughts its insane (also this may become a lil series idk)

Sunset was the best time on Pabu. Ever since you befriended Phee and she showed you Pabu, you made sure to watch the sunset every night. You made routines and plans around it. With the galaxy at war with itself almost constantly and your life being turbulent before coming to Pabu, the sunset gave you peace and a sense of stability. Things may change around you, but you will always have the sunset.

Phee introduced you to the Bad Batch when they first arrived on the island, and you instantly clicked with Tech. It was a silent connection, but when he smiled back at you, you knew you were going to like him.

He was more reserved compared to his brothers and sister, but he quickly opened up as time went on. You loved listening to him ramble about anything that piqued his interest. You two tended to gravitate to each other, naturally sitting next to each other at gatherings or finding each other around the island and walking together.

That led to you asking Tech if he'd like to join you to watch the sunset.

"Where would we watch it?" He asked in reply to your question. "The beaches and docks tend to be a bit crowded during that time, and I don't particularly enjoy those kinds of situations."

"Don't worry about it, I know a spot where it'll be just us," you quickly replied. "I don't mind if you don't want to go, I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

He thought for a moment, then gave you a small smile. "I suggest we leave now so we don't miss it."

You smiled and took his hand in yours, leading him down the winding paths of the island. You had found the alcove one day when wondering the island, and no one else knew of it. Or at least, they didn't go there.

Tech's eyes widened a bit when you two arrived at the empty beach. The blue waves gently lapped at the shore, filling the alcove with the soft sound of waves crashing. The setting sun made the horizon a beautiful, bright orange while the rest of the sky was still a light blue. You led him closer to the water, showing the setting sun to your left.

"This is a beautiful beach," Tech commented before looking at you, "no one else has found it yet?"

You shook your head with a smile. "Not yet. I usually come here by myself when things get too much or to just watch the sunset. I don't bring anyone here. Well, except for you now."

You noticed how his cheeks turned pink before he looked away.

"I feel honored that I am the first person you brought down here," eh said softly.

Now you felt your cheeks heat up, a contrast to the cool sea breeze. You ignored it, instead taking your shoes off and placing them in the sand. You walked closer to the water, stopping when it just covered your feet. You turned and looked back at Tech, who was watching you.

"C'mon, it's just a little bit cold," you called with a smile.

He returned it and quickly followed your lead. He took his shoes off and joined you in the shallow water. The sun dipped lower and lower as the minutes ticked past. You two watched it from your spots in the water, letting the waves splash against your feet and onto your lower legs.

You took a deep breath, closing your eyes and tilting your head back. The peace of sunset by the ocean always made you happy, and Tech made it so much better.

When you opened your eyes and looked back down, you caught Tech looking at you. You smiled, squinting a bit when the sun got in your eye.

"What is it?" You asked.

"I-it's nothing," he answered, "you just look very...peaceful. And happy."

"I am, but I think I'm really happy because you're here with me," you replied. You reached for his hand and gently took it in yours. "You wanna take a walk down the shore?"

He smiled, ignoring the way his cheeks continued to heat up. He intertwined his fingers with yours. "I would like that very much."

You led him down the shoreline, keeping your feet in the water. You two walked hand-in-hand as the sun continued to set. You glanced over at him and saw him bathed in the golden light from the setting sun. You felt butterflies in your stomach as you looked away, continuing down the shore.

You liked the quiet moments on Pabu, but you liked them more with Tech by your side.

[idv-sunsxin3]

Diggers // Dating Headcanons

Note// I gotta write this since i successfully managed to bring him home;;; 🥺

____

Diggers is canonly a hippie. He is based on them, his voice lines often tell how peace is better than war- I don't have the mind to interpret him with many kinds of hippies stereotypes because I'm still skeptical about some things that I don't even know better- 🤔🫠

There may even be misunderstandings because it actually really happened to the hippies from the 60s sometimes -

Diggers cherishes the times he gets to talk with you, always looking forward to seeing every day and getting to know you...

He is even eager to share his passions while he learns to understand yours as well. He has always been accepting and non-judgmental, ever since you first met. No matter the flaws.

It's probably how he treats everyone because of his moral standards- but it's also more than that... because it's you.

He definitely senses something different about you the moment your fingers touched..

You're his muse, "the sunlight from the mornings, the starlight of the night.... his whole universe." Yes, he said that to you once once--- 😭🫠🥺

But well, he loves showing some of his works of art - well, only the ones he managed to keep. He most likely does graffiti and flower power aesthetics.

Imagine there is a time you two painted a mark of your initials inside a heart with a paint spray on the same bench you both sat in where you first met each other--- it would be fate for sure smh;;;;

Hangouts usually would be staying with him at the back of his van with the doors open, so the windy day can go through. You sometimes lay down on the carpet he places down. You would hear him play his guitar as he sits across from you, serenading you with his slow, soothing tunes.

The sight of the grassfield's landscape can be seen from the van's back seat, along with the small silhouette of London from afar. Once Diggers stops playing, he tends to place his hand on your head and give it headpats... slowly massaging your scalp after as you try to stay awake.

He loves pampering you in his own way, letting you rest with him during lazy days.

He is a sweet, laid-back lover... He trusts you enough that his jealousy levels are low to none just by simply thinking of the many things that can make you feel safe and happy with him- having himself being part of your life is already an honor to him.

But of course, I can imagine he would be like a kicked puppy whenever you ignore him for too long... like not seeing for 3 days can already make him feel droopy;;;

You'll do a lot of outdoor activities with Diggers when dating him-- he would always say things like like "be one with the forest" or "connect with mother nature" while making you these pretty flower crowns to adorn them on your head,,,

Camping in a forest is one of the common things you two do, Diggers knowing lots of things about how to survive in the wild while only having his van as a refuge.

Don't underestimate for his slender figure!!! He can even name you many kinds of herbs, flowers, and berries. Even point out the ones that are venomous or poisonous. He can't do math or this deep insight science, but at least he is knowledgeable in certain fields.

This is just me, but I love a Diggers giving his s/o the passenger princess treatment. No more questions/ih

He talks to you in a very honeyed and flowery voice, you don't even know if he's ever angry at you even while being this upset---(to be true, he never brings himself to be angry at you-- it wouldn't be cool) With how he calls you "Honey", "Baby ", "Love", and so much more, you'll probably need a sleeping bag because man, his voice;;;

He is very affectionate - maybe a bit touchy even. Lots of hugs, kisses, hands on the small of your back, waist, or hip - he always has this tendency of keeping a hand on you when you're around.

If you give him the consent(because consent is beautiful✨️), he doesn't feel embarrassed when pulling you to his lap or holding you so close from behind around anyone.

His holds are meant to be pure and innocent. Having your bodies touch helps him charge his batteries from any stress he ever has to experience in a fast-faced world you both are living in.;;😔

He always likes to carefully plant soft kisses on your forehead, eyelids, cheeks, hands, and shoulder,,, (neck if he really wants to make out with you;;; 👉👈 *gets bonked for not being normal *) Lots of smooching when he finds the lovely opportunity.

He is 100% honest with you, never lies at all. Even would tell you his honest opinions in a sincere, half-hearted manner. Otherwise, it would be against his principles of a peace and love relationship. He wants to love you unconditionally no matter the future struggles that may happen between you two. Always avoiding toxicity and any form of hate towards you.

He loves taking care of his body, eating natural and non-processed food as possible, and going on vegetarian diets. He wants to share his little routines with you, if you want to, of course,,, it is pretty much a way he shows that he enjoys living life with you and taking care of you if you allow him to once in a while. It's like a sign of building trust for him. 🥺

It's so cute when he wants to try and persuade you to try these vivid color clothes with lots of patterns on it, even having these flower matching Keychains.;;

No matter the path you want to go to, he'll always support you and your choices,,, he'll encourage you to do anything your heart desires to achieve, as long as you're true to yourself. 🥺✨️

Overall! He is such a walking green flag. What else can I say to support that? You probably might have more ideas, and the floor is always open for them, my friends 😌✨️💅

[nadiajustbe]

Don't think I'm finished on "Movie is how Howl tells the story..." statement. Because it's fundamentally wrong.

Look, I get it when you want to say that the hmc movie is its own story with an original plot — because it is, mostly, the only things that remain are the concept and some hits given here in there that lead to nowhere. However, movie is absolutely not how Howl would tell the story. It is, in fact, pretty opposite of it in some aspects.

Even when talking about Howl self-image, wich started it all, I think people keep forgetting how self-aware Howl can be. He knows he's vain and cowardly and an absolute loser and he doesn't want to be respectful whatsoever. He even tells Michael that, quote

“I know I’m slapdash, but there's no need for you to copy me"

And the whole ending sequence is just him being honest with Sophie and telling her the truth about who he thinks he is and his weaknesses. He pretty much states all he flanks are weak — he knows it, and it is true. Would he try to make it all more romantic and cool and so he would make himself seem less of a loser? Yes, absolutely. Would he make it by erasing absolutely everything about his character being unique and standing out turning it into a whole-blown "love peace not war" story? Absolutely not.

He may not mention him getting with another women every week, that's true. But he wouldn't leave out his stupidly-"romantic" nature while he was doing so, and he would not leave the guitar courting stuff out just because it's connected to it, gosh, he thinks it's cool.

Yes, he is quoting Shakespeare and John Dohn and he is poetic and sometimes overly romantise thinks to make it more dramatic, but that does not mean he's gonna achieve it by leaving out all his shenanigans whatsoever. Also, note, he does not want to be seen perfect by everyone, just by ones he thinks is important to him or his life or his stupid decisions. After all, he was the one who started the rumors about Wizard Howl being a heart-eater. He was the one to ask Sophie to blaken his name — to show him in the worst light possible.

"He wants to be seen perfect by everyone" is such a... mediocre analysis of his character, honestly, it might work with appearance, in Ingary at least, but personality wise. He want to be seen so only when it benefits him and people he thinks highly of. When he thinks that too high thoughts about him would bring him into trouble, give him unwanted attention or make him actually works, that his last wish ever. That's the whole subplot of the book — Howl does not want to be seen too good by the king because it's gonna lead him somewhere he doesn't want to be. Hell, he even denies doing something just because he wanted to help, saying that he "did it for money".

(it doesn't mean he wants people to see him as someone great, it's just that's pretty selective and his "perfect" persona is as fake as his "horrible wizard one)

Movie!Howl might be Book!Howl propaganda, but definitely not ALL of him. Some parts, some scenes, some moments might work (and that's actually the most accurate thing out of all statement), but I don't personally think this is the EXACT way Howl would tell his character.

Him telling about Sophie is the whole other thing. He LOVES Sophie for how crazy and stubborn and nosy and moody she can be — there's NO WAY he's not gonna give weed killer a half an hour or screen time just to talk about what haos of a woman his wife is. Yes, some of them might not fit into his "perfect picture" but he loves Sophie, and he loves what she does with this "perfect picture" and he's gonna give another hour on them bantering just because Sophie is being Sophie. He's NOT gonna leave out everything he loves about Sophie making her kind-hearted quiet protagonist with one mean line, the ones she was supposed to be the opposite, the caricature of.

There's also no way he would make Michael into a... white about six years old child? He may see him younger than Sophie does due to them growing up in a different environments, true, but 1) not that much 2) the whole thing about Michael is that he's the most responsible adult-like person in the whole Castle, despite being the youngest of all them, and Howl also KNOWS that. Also there's no need to change his skin or hair colour, as well as making him having no role in the story. I don't think he'll mention Michael trying to catch a star because of his nephew's homework — this is embarrassing, after all, but there's so MUCH more of Michael than that.

He's not gonna may ms. Pentstemmon a villain of any kind. Letting alone mixing her with Ben for some reason (who to hell is ms. Suliman, seriously?? W H Y). He highly respects her, to the point he's ready to attend her funeral even If it's gonna make him dead. If anything, he's gonna show her figure even more heroic than she is, maybe adding a whole sequence with her heroicly fighting with WoTW and loosing with an epic SGI. But making her a villain? No. Just not. There's no reason for that.

There's also no WAY he wouldn't mention Wales. He LOVES his country, he outright states it with "I love Wales but Wales doesn't love me" quote. Yes, there's jokes about Megan being a war metaphor, but Wales is not just Megan — it's also Mari, Niel, his old rugby team, his childhood and teen years, his memories and his experience. He would not make that portal If there was no things he wants to go back for — it's such an obvious weakness of his that WoTW notices it right away. He may not mention getting drunk before a fight, but he's gonna mention Wales.

(also I think people exaggerate Howl's hate for Megan. Yes, their relationship are far from perfect, but they still talk, she lest him go into her house announced and her family is what triggers him to fight with his evil ex in the first place. They may not be on a good terms but they DIDN'T cut off their connection. And "hate" is def not the word for that. Don't forget his first reaction to Sophie being in danger in CITA is "send her to Wales to his sister". He sees Wales as safe and reliable place, this is his first solution for dangerous situations. Even when he's not the biggest fan of his sister herself.)

He's also not gonna leave the sister subplot simply cause it was funny. He may change WoTW because he doesn't like her but he's not gonna make her live with them and feed her with a spoon, for the God's sake, that's disgusting. Him making himself Ingarian is the last thing he would do. He would NEVER.

(he's also not gonna leave out Shakespeare quoting in the sake of "romantise sequence you guys are talking about.)

Also, he could not care less about the war. I've seen a war with my own eyes, and... this is really, eh, too optimistic image of it I might say. Somehow realistic in showing it, but not by the way it provides solution, honestly. "Let's all just create love and King's gonna cancel war" IT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS. NO.

When he did attend war in CITA, he literally have won it by bringing IBUPROFEN onto the war field. Ibuprofen and bandages. What a "all-giving" reckless hero, really.

Book!Howl is a caricature to everything Movie! Howl is, and otherwise would not tell the story providing cliches he himself is the opposite of. He's a loser and an idiot and we love him for that.

It's two completely different stories. There's no need to connect them. Please.

[proffesionalalpaca]

I need more theories about Avatar 3 because I'm going to go crazy until the premiere 😭 I'm so curious how Spider will react if Quaritch really joins Ash's na'vi or worse kidnaps him again and forces him to join too

Let me just get my hat on *rustles of foil*

-

To put it simply I think if Spider was to find out Quaritch had joined the Ash clans, he’d be a mess of conflicting emotions: both pride at the fact his ‘not-dad’ is capable of connecting with Pandora and the Na’vi like that but also, from the nature of the ash people, be disappointed in who he has decided to connect with.

But for comedic effect here’s the initial reaction:

‘Quaritch joined the Na’vi’

Spider: YES!

‘It’s the Ash people’

Spider: FUCK!

-

Quaritch would, in my mind, definitely try to make his ‘totallynotmyson-son’ live with him, because being accepted by a group of Na’vi is what Spider wants right? But of course spider is a gentle person whose closest friend maybe the embodiment of Eywa herself, he wouldn’t want to be apart of a culture that values cruelty like severing and wearing kurus as trophies, or potentially having any affiliation with the RDA/human side of the war - who the ash people may be allying with.

I feel like the Metkayina will be where spider finds himself as a man and their pacifistic way of life being antithetical to his biological father would only attract him further.

The ash people will likely be the Opposite to everything the reef people & tulkun represent, much like their opposing elements - and while spider is a warrior at heart with an ever burning fire that may endear him to the ash people, I just can’t think he would be on board, though he would again feel conflicted if they were completely ready to accept him despite of all his differences. Everything he wants if he leaves behind who he is.

If Quaritch forced Spider to join the ash clans (which I don’t think it’d get quite that far but not for lack of trying on Mile’s part), Spider would resent his father for making him join the clan that’s trying to kill his ‘people’ (kiri, Lo’ak & etc…). It would, from in spider’s point of view, be little different from being forced to join the RDA directly.

-

Extra theory:

Themes of this film will likely be about war, forgiveness & rebirth.

War - obvious reasons but specifically about the cycle of violence of being wronged so you must take revenge which then creates the feedback loop of conflict that never ends. The ash people were likely on the losing side of a conflict/ many conflicts a long time ago and they still hold one hell of a grudge - which is why they’ll join the humans to defeat their ‘shared’ enemies.

Forgiveness - this is Neytiri’s theme, she needs to learn to let the past go in order to achieve inner peace and move on in her life without holding onto all that pain and anger. Especially towards Spider, where she’ll see that the ash people are the result of this blind hatred for the actions of one’s ancestors being put upon an innocent party. How petty & pointless it really is, especially how it can poison a person’s soul overtime. She doesn’t need to forget but to recognise that Spider and many humans are not all guilty of the crimes of a few terrible people. Maybe this will even aid in her journey to understanding humanities plight on Earth?

Rebirth - I’ve said before with project phoenix and the cultural symbolism of fire, there are huge indicators for rebirth to be a major theme and I think that will be Quaritch’s theme going forward as he sheds the identity of the human Quaritch and becomes the Na’vi man he lives as now, whether that is with the ash people or not is another matter but I think they will be crucial in finding his connection with Pandora, with Varang as a key point in this journey.

I also think from the leaks of spider that rebirth will be apart of his character arc, overcoming the limitations of his human body to truly be apart of Pandora. And kiri who could be reborn as the Avatar of Eywa herself.

[mortalityplays]

It's obviously kind of an oversimplification to say Gomorra is 'about' homosexuality. It's about a lot of things. But it's also completely true and I would even possibly argue that it is the load-bearing point of the show.

On a macro level, the whole thing is about the endlessly bloody and destructive struggle of a life in organised crime. But even in that sense it puts a very specific thematic point on the way love, relationships and blood relations are constant casualties of this way of life, and the effect of that relentless human loss on the players who keep choosing war over peace. Ciro blazing his trail by killing women, children and parents specifically is not a 'kick the cat' villain beat, it's the whole point of the material. Genny being perpetually struck down by his own nuclear family because he is competition to them is part of it. Being in the life means eventually sacrificing those you love on its altar. You murder your wife, you send your son to die in the jungle, you send your father-in-law to prison.

As we absorb that, we're presented with this succession of queer characters living in the periphery of the story. One by one they're introduced to us, they explicate themselves as divergent from heteronormative sex and gender roles, and then we watch them die or disappear. It's heavily implied that the 'lesbian' from the tower blocks may be a trans man, but she doesn't exist in a context where articulating that is an option, and she dies in a white wedding dress inherited from her father. Conte's relationship with a trans woman can only exist behind closed doors. He dates her sister in public, he puts off introducing her to his mother, he appeals to his catholicism to distance himself from his own sexuality. Gege panics and folds because he's afraid for his boyfriend and his daughter. What do I care about the guy fucking you in the ass? Genny sneers, before he beats Gege to death with the watch that signifies his connection to a mob family. Much like the harrowing shit the show delves into around race, the message is 'there is no mercy here'. There is no oxygen for the articulation of queerness. It can only survive unspoken, in negative space.

And there's no argument that the show is about the negative space between Genny and Ciro. Neither of them know how to articulate their relationship. They're best friends, they're worst enemies, they grew up together, Ciro raised Genny, they're brothers, they're father and son. They use the word love. They also use the word hate. They come as close as anyone ever gets to putting bullets in each other's brains. They keep taking turns to ask each other can we do this now? and the answer is always not yet. Even when they're on the same side, they can only discuss the nature of their relationship by proxy, through their mutual relationships with others. Pietro is one. And I could write a fucking essay on the Enzo situation.

The negative space is physical, too. They hover around each other. They talk nose to nose. In the first season they can't stay apart, they grab each other, they pepper each other with kisses. After the life erases all of their visible human connections and sets them at odds, they're shot like orbiting planets. Empty space takes up entire frames between them. Ciro is fucking constantly looking at Genny, to the point that shots are composed around his furtive glances. After they finally reveal themselves to Analisa, Ciro catches Genny by the arm to pull him away from the meeting. That's not a gesture we ever see between other characters, especially in a context like that. They are constantly either 1 inch or 12 feet apart.

But most of all, there's negative space in the title. Gomorra. Yeah it's a play on Camorra. Don't worry about it. Don't think too much about it. Just ignore the primary association with that word that floats into your head when you hear it. It's absent from the show, right? It's absent from the life. This is a mafia show about two straight friends.

[twsthc]

savanaclaw headcanons and projection 🦁

...this is what the poll from like last week was for. sorry heartslabyul and diasomnia fans teehee </3

⚠️ warnings: self harm, eating disorders

last updated: may 4, 2024

LEONA KINGSCHOLAR !! 🦁🥩

🇲🇱🇹🇿🇰🇪 UNLABLED + INTERSEX TRANSFEMNEU (she/him)

APPEARANCE HCS:

Leona is actually the twst character I've drawn the most

I hc all beastmen to have fur everywhere thats elastic and akin to mink skin

You know the texture of squishmallows? It's like that.

╰Doesn't include the thick hair in other places (head, facial, armpits, chest, pubes, etc)

Lots of scars in general + healed dermis self harm scars on thighs

Has a flat nose like a cat

RANDOM HCS:

Savanaclaw mom/big sister...

Overstimulating thunderstorm? Go whine to Leona. Diasomnia students bothering you? Get leona to deal with them. Your food is too hot? Cry to Leona.

During freshman year she was way more outgoing and extroverted but eventually She mellowed out (depression moment)

She used to change hairstyles a lot before settling on freeform dreads

Also got into way more fights back then (also how she became housewarden)

Now she is (kind of) calm. Tranquil. At peace. Has depressive episodes. Relaxed.

Mostly does her own thing, and if that "thing" isn't sleeping it's some other bullshit the underclassmen roped her into

SHE CAN SEW AND MAKE JEWLERY

╰While wandering the castle one day, Leona stumbled upon the servants quarters. They taught him life skills (mending clothes, cooking, etc :3)

Despite being a big sis figure if she doesn't want to do something she Will Not.

And if she does do it afterall it's because she gets something out of it.

NPD, GAD, PDD (persistent depressive disorder)

RUGGIE BUCCHI !! 🍩🌼

🇺🇸🇧🇷 UNLABLED + TRANS MAN (he/him)

APPEARANCE HCS:

Similarly to Leona he has a furry textured skin

Though his body hair is more coarse and longer due to him being a hyena

He has a lazy eye and tipped ear similar to Ed from The Lion King

Probably my second most drawn twst character :3

Healed epidermis self harm scars on inner wrists 🥶

RANDOM HCS:

He's like the cooler afrolatino Luke Blovad

He's either winning the idgaf wars or dying on the battlefield

Has an insane collection of weird shirts from thrift stores

And he makes it work every single time! his outfits go crazy!

More connected to his AADOS/Gullah side than his Brazilian side

Though he does speak Portugese!

In fact, he speaks multiple languages because polyglots are marketable

The type of person to take a half empty bottle of ketchup and rotting apple from an empty ass fridge and make dinner happen

Constantly going to Scarabia to snag their party leftovers

Used to be a scene kid!!!! This is canon and true!!!! Pls trust me

diabetes, GAD, MDD, undiagnosed ADHD

triggering content ahead !!

he has bulimia nervosa

╰fun fact! a lot of food insecure people have eating disorders

self harmed a lot from the ages from 10-12 before eventually stopping at 13

he stopped after his grandma found out and started checking his arms regularly (#projecting)

JACK HOWL !! 🐺🌵

🪶🇪🇬 PANROMANTIC ASEXUAL + GENDER CURIOUS (he/they)

APPEARANCE HCS:

WAY thicker fur than leona and ruggie

Trims his body hair a lot because he overheats in savanaclaw easily

RANDOM HCS:

The type of guy to be totally in love with the world and nature

They're just like. Wow. We were put on a spinning rock. With food to eat, and water drink, and air to breathe. I love being alive.

Had a little garden back at home and named every single plant

Remembers small things about people and brings them up in conversation

╰Hey dude I got you a Chipotle bowl. How did I remember your exact order? You told me. Yeah, I know it was a year ago, but--

Random but I think he dresses how Tupac did

Not even to be tough

But because he's a black suburban kid

(I'm a black city kid but this is probably how black suburban kids dress trust)

Loooves chewing on things. Has one of those chew necklaces

Autistic with botany and physical health special interest

[shiorihyugawrites]

Diamond Of The First Water

In the aftermath of war, Paradis finds itself in need of powerful alliances. When Emperor Armand of Valoria offers his military aid in exchange for the hand of his daughter, Princess Solina, in marriage, Captain Levi Ackerman is thrust into an engagement that begins as a political strategy but soon becomes something much deeper.

Princess Solina, sheltered from the world and unaware of the realities of love and war, finds herself drawn to Levi—the man known as Humanity’s Strongest Soldier. As they navigate royal customs, public expectations, and the growing threat of Marley, the bond between them deepens into a genuine connection.

But neither Solina nor Levi are prepared for the challenges of a political marriage, the weight of intimacy, and the secrets that lie beneath the surface. As Solina enters a new life with Levi, her naivety is tested, and Levi faces a battle unlike any he’s fought before—the fight to protect his heart.

Can their love flourish in the midst of war, duty, and danger? Or will the forces conspiring against them tear them apart before they can find peace? (Levi x OC)

Chapter Thirty Six

The dining hall of the Ackerman Estate was aglow with the warm light of chandeliers, their reflections shimmering off the polished silverware and crystal goblets set meticulously on the expansive dining table. Solina had spent the entire day overseeing every detail, from the arrangement of the centerpiece to the selection of dishes that would cater to both Valorian and Paradisian palates. She wanted everything to be perfect, and as the evening progressed, it was clear her efforts were paying off.

The emperor sat at one end of the table, with Lady Solana gracefully seated to his right. Soleil, Solenne, and Solandor were spread along the length of the table, their laughter mingling with the chatter of the scouts, who had been strategically seated to foster conversation and camaraderie. Levi sat at the opposite end, his sharp eyes observing the room, though his gaze frequently drifted to Solina, who was glowing with pride and enthusiasm.

Solina moved effortlessly between conversations, her emerald eyes sparkling with joy as she engaged with everyone at the table. She had even prepared small anecdotes about the dishes being served, explaining their significance in Paradisian and Valorian culture.

“These herb-crusted roast lamb chops,” Solina said as a maid served the dish, “are a Valorian delicacy. They’re seasoned with spices grown only in the gardens of the Rose House.”

“They smell incredible,” Sasha remarked, her eyes wide with anticipation. “Can we eat yet?”

Jean rolled his eyes. “Sasha, wait until everyone is served.”

“Let her enjoy herself,” the emperor chuckled, surprising the scouts with his warm demeanor. “Good food is meant to be savored.”

Sasha leaned over to Eren and whispered, “Well, that’s unexpected. I didn’t peg him for someone who appreciates casual humor.”

Eren smirked but said nothing, his focus on Mikasa, who was quietly observing the interactions between Solomon and Historia across the table.

Levi, seated to Solina’s left, couldn’t help but admire how natural she seemed in her role as hostess. Her laughter was genuine, her gestures graceful, and her ability to make everyone feel included was nothing short of remarkable.

“You’ve outdone yourself,” Levi murmured.

Solina paused, her cheeks flushing slightly at his words. “You think so?”

Levi gave her a small nod, his lips twitching into the faintest smile. “I don’t just think so. Look around. Everyone’s happy. You’re doing great.”

The encouragement in his voice sent a rush of warmth through her, and she gave his hand a quick squeeze before moving on to speak with Soleil and Hange, who were deep in a lively debate about the merits of combining Valorian and Paradisian farming techniques.

Meanwhile, Solomon had taken the opportunity to engage the scouts. “And what about you, Mikasa?” he asked, his gaze lingering on her. “What do you think of Valorian combat strategies compared to your ODM gear?”

Mikasa, ever the professional, gave a measured response. “They’re different, but both are effective in their own ways. The ODM gear allows for unmatched mobility, while your formations emphasize discipline and coordination.”

Solomon nodded thoughtfully. “A well-rounded perspective. You’d make an excellent strategist.”

Jean muttered under his breath, “He’s laying it on a little thick, isn’t he?”

Historia stifled a laugh, overhearing Jean’s comment. Solomon’s attempts at engaging Mikasa had not gone unnoticed, and while they were subtle, it was clear he was still intrigued by her.

As dessert—a decadent Valorian honey cake paired with Paradisian berry compote—was served, the emperor called for Solina to sit beside him for a moment.

“You’ve made this estate a home,” he said, his deep voice filled with approval. “Your mother and I couldn’t be prouder of the woman you’ve become.”

Solina’s eyes shimmered with emotion as she leaned in to hug her father. “Thank you, Father. I want to make Paradis a place we can all be proud of, a place that reflects the values you’ve taught me.”

Levi, watching from his seat, felt a pang of emotion at their exchange. He knew how much Solina idolized her father, and seeing her receive his praise only deepened his admiration for her.

But the dining hall’s warm, lighthearted ambiance took a sharp turn when Hange, her sharp eyes gleaming with curiosity, placed her fork down and leaned slightly forward, addressing the emperor directly.

“Your Majesty,” she began, her tone pleasant but laced with the unmistakable edge of determination, “I can’t help but marvel at the potential uses of the ice burst stone. What, exactly, do you intend to do with it?”

Levi subtly shook his head, his narrowed eyes silently pleading with Hange to let the matter drop. But Hange was Hange—curiosity was her driving force, and she didn’t notice, or perhaps chose to ignore, Levi’s silent warning.

The once cheerful conversation at the table hushed immediately. All eyes turned to the emperor, who paused mid-sip of his wine. His eyes reflected calmness as he placed his goblet down with deliberate care.

The emperor smiled faintly. “The ice burst stone is a remarkable discovery. Its potential for innovation is vast, and my intentions, as I’ve said before, are to use it to benefit both Valoria and Paradis.”

While the emperor’s response seemed calculated to satisfy, Hange leaned in further. “That’s a noble sentiment, Your Majesty, but surely you have a more specific plan in mind. Gas, energy, weaponry, transportation—what exactly do you see as the stone’s future use?”

Levi’s jaw tightened, his hand gripping the edge of the table as he cast a quick glance at Solina. Her brows furrowed slightly, and he could see the glimmer of offense in her emerald eyes. This wasn’t good.

The emperor remained unruffled, his measured voice carrying a tone of authority. “Commander Hange, I assure you, my focus is on innovation and collaboration. Specifics will come when the time is right.”

Hange, however, wasn’t ready to back down. “And when might that be? The stone’s potential—”

“Commander Hange,” Lady Solana interjected smoothly, her gentle voice attempting to diffuse the tension. “This is a dinner meant to celebrate unity and progress. Perhaps this topic can wait for another time?”

Solina’s knuckles were white as she gripped her napkin. Her gaze darted between Hange and her father, and Levi could see the internal battle she was waging to keep her emotions in check. The faint tremor in her voice betrayed her frustration as she finally spoke.

“With all due respect, Commander, I think it’s quite rude to press my father in this way, especially during a formal dinner.”

Hange blinked, caught slightly off guard, but she maintained her polite smile. “My apologies, Princess. It’s just that these questions are critical to Paradis’ future.”

“Perhaps,” Solina replied tersely, “but there’s a time and place, and this isn’t it.”

The tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. Solomon, sensing the growing hostility, cleared his throat and interjected with a diplomatic tone. “My sister is correct. This dinner is a time for unity, not interrogation. Commander Hange, your enthusiasm is appreciated, but maybe we can revisit this in a formal meeting.”

Despite Solomon’s calm words, Hange leaned back with a slight frown, clearly reluctant to let the matter rest. Levi, recognizing the fragile state of the atmosphere, decided it was time to step in before things escalated further.

“Hange,” Levi said, his deep voice cutting through the silence, “enough. The emperor has answered your questions. Let it go.”

Hange glanced at Levi, surprised by his stern tone. For a moment, it looked like she might argue, but then she gave a short nod and leaned back in her seat.

The emperor inclined his head slightly toward Levi. “Thank you, Captain.”

Solina, still visibly upset, cast a wary glance at her father before excusing herself from the table. Lady Solana followed her daughter without a word, her expression unreadable.

As the dinner slowly resumed, the lively energy from earlier never fully returned. Levi glanced at the empty seat where Solina had been sitting, his gut twisting with unease. He hadn’t intended for the evening to spiral into such discomfort, and now he feared it would take more than a few words to smooth things over with his wife.

Hange caught Levi’s eye and mouthed, Sorry, but Levi simply gave her a curt nod, his focus already shifting to how he could fix this. He would need to speak with Solina as soon as possible.

He excused himself and found Solina in the drawing room, sitting on the plush settee near the window. Her back was straight, her hands resting in her lap, and her gaze was fixed on the garden outside. The soft glow of the candlelight illuminated her face, and Levi could see the tension in her jaw and the slight quiver in her hands. She was upset, no doubt about it.

“Solina,” Levi said softly as he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. His voice was gentle, careful. He didn’t want to make things worse.

She didn’t look at him. “Did you put Hange up to that?” Her voice was steady but tinged with frustration and hurt. “Did you tell her to ask my father those questions?”

Levi sighed quietly, stepping closer but keeping a bit of distance. “No. I didn’t. Hange acted on her own.”

Solina finally turned her gaze to him, her emerald eyes sharp and accusing. “But you’ve been asking the same thing, Levi. You brought it up weeks ago, and I told you I didn’t know the details. And now Hange is doing the same thing? It feels like… it feels like you don’t trust my father.”

Levi shifted his weight, his arms crossing over his chest briefly before he dropped them back to his sides. He sat down in the chair opposite her, his tone calm but firm. “It’s not about trust, Solina. It’s about transparency. Your father is keeping something from us about the ice burst stone. Something important. I don’t think his intentions are malicious, but he’s hiding something, and that makes me cautious.”

Solina frowned, her expression softening slightly but still tinged with hurt. “Why didn’t you say anything while we were in Valoria? You seemed fine then. You even agreed to this marriage to secure Paradis’ future, knowing my father was part of that deal. Why the sudden change?”

Levi leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands together. “Because I didn’t have a choice back then. We were desperate. Paradis needed Valoria’s military aid, and your father’s support was crucial. I wasn’t going to jeopardize that by questioning him during our negotiations. But now that we’re here, with the stone being mined and your father’s involvement still unclear, I can’t ignore it.”

Solina shook her head, her voice rising slightly. “Levi, my father is not some scheming tyrant. He loves his people. He loves me. He’s not going to do anything to hurt Paradis, especially now that I live here. Can’t you see that?”

Levi’s gaze softened as he looked at her. He could see how much she wanted to believe in her father, how much she trusted him. And it wasn’t that Levi thought the emperor had ill intentions—he didn’t. But something wasn’t adding up, and Levi’s instincts wouldn’t let it go.

“I see how much your father loves you, Solina,” Levi said quietly. “And I respect him for that. But love for you doesn’t mean he’s being fully honest with us. Whatever he’s hiding, it’s big enough that he won’t even tell Solomon, or at least Solomon won’t tell me. That’s what worries me.”

Solina looked away again, her hands gripping her dress tightly. “It just feels like you’re turning this into something it’s not. My father has always acted in the best interest of Valoria and its allies. He doesn’t deserve this kind of suspicion.”

Levi stood up, walking over to her and crouching down so he could look up into her eyes. “Solina, I’m not your enemy. And I’m not your father’s enemy either. I’m just trying to protect the people I care about. That includes you.”

Her gaze flickered to his, and for a moment, Levi thought she might push him away. But then she sighed, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. “I know you’re trying to protect Paradis, Levi. And I know you care about me. I just… I don’t like feeling like my family is under attack.”

Levi reached for her hand, holding it gently in his own. “I’m not attacking your family. I’m just being careful. And I’ll try to be more considerate of how this makes you feel, alright?”

Solina looked down at their hands, her lips pressing together before she nodded. “Alright. But promise me you won’t let this cause a rift between us, Levi. I don’t want to feel like I have to choose between you and my family.”

Levi squeezed her hand lightly. “You won’t have to. I promise.”

Solina’s lips curved into a faint smile, and Levi felt a small sense of relief. The tension wasn’t completely gone, but they’d taken a step in the right direction. Now, Levi just had to figure out what the emperor was hiding without letting it come between him and Solina.

As Levi and Solina re-entered, the atmosphere in the dining room was noticeably strained. The emperor’s sharp green eyes flickered toward them, his brow slightly furrowed. He put down his wine goblet and asked in his steady, commanding tone, “Are you both alright?”

Solina smiled quickly, but Levi could see the strain behind it. “We’re fine, Father,” she said with a calmness that didn’t entirely match the tension in her body. “We just needed a moment to talk.”

The emperor nodded, but his eyes lingered on them for a second longer before returning to his meal. Across the table, Lady Solana’s gaze lingered on her daughter, her expression soft but perceptive. It was clear she wasn’t buying Solina’s explanation, though she didn’t say anything.

Meanwhile, Hange sat happily at the table, picking at her food without a care in the world. She smiled brightly at Solina and Levi as if she hadn’t just caused the tension that hung over the meal like a storm cloud. “You two missed dessert!” she quipped, waving her fork. “It was divine, wasn’t it, Historia?”

Queen Historia nodded politely, though her gaze shifted uneasily between Solina and the emperor. Solina took her seat, brushing off Hange’s comment. Levi, as usual, remained stoic, taking the chair beside her with little fanfare.

Dinner resumed, but the undercurrent of tension lingered. Levi kept his eyes on his plate, though Solina noticed him glancing toward the emperor every so often. She wished she could ignore it, but now that the seed of doubt had been planted, her thoughts were racing.

Was her father really hiding something about the ice burst stone? And if so, why hadn’t he told her?

She thought back to all the moments her father had discussed his plans for Valoria with her. He’d always been so open with her about everything—or so she thought. But as she replayed those conversations in her mind, she realized he’d never gone into great detail about his intentions with the ice burst stone. He spoke of advancing Valoria’s technology, of sharing advancements with Paradis, but his words had always been vague, much like the answer he gave to Hange earlier.

Solina glanced across the table at Solomon, who was engaged in quiet conversation with Mikasa. Her brother knew something—of that, she was certain. It wasn’t surprising; as the crown prince, Solomon needed to be privy to their father’s plans. One day, he would inherit the throne and all the responsibilities that came with it. If their father was hiding something, Solomon would undoubtedly know about it.

But her mother? Solina’s gaze shifted to Lady Solana, who was elegantly sipping her wine. Solana was the emperor’s most trusted confidant, his first and most revered consort. If anyone would know the truth about her father’s intentions, it would be her. Yet her mother’s expression was serene, unreadable.

Could she be hiding something too?

The thought made Solina’s chest tighten. She didn’t want to believe her father was capable of deceit, especially toward her. But the way Levi had spoken earlier, the way Hange pressed the issue, and the emperor’s evasive answers—it all gnawed at her.

“Solina,” her mother’s voice broke through her thoughts, soft and warm. “You seem distracted, my dear. Is something on your mind?”

Solina blinked, forcing a smile. “No, Mother. I was just thinking about the children at the orphanage and what I can do for them next.”

Lady Solana smiled approvingly, though her gaze lingered on Solina for a moment longer. “You have such a generous heart, my love. It’s one of the many things your father and I admire about you.”

Solina nodded, her throat tightening. She glanced at Levi, who was quietly observing the interaction. For a moment, their eyes met, and she saw the concern in his gaze. He was giving her space, but she could tell he wanted to talk about what was bothering her.

As the dinner wore on, Solina couldn’t shake her thoughts. The room was filled with light chatter and laughter, but to her, it all felt distant. When the meal finally ended and the group began to disperse, Solina lingered at the table, lost in thought.

Levi placed a hand on her shoulder as he passed, his touch grounding her. “Are you alright?” he murmured, his voice low so only she could hear.

“I’m fine,” Solina replied automatically, though the words felt hollow.

Levi gave her a small, knowing nod before following the others out. Solina remained seated for a few moments longer, her thoughts swirling. She needed answers. And if her father and Solomon wouldn’t tell her, perhaps her mother would.

As the grand dining hall emptied, the scouts and Queen Historia gathered in the foyer of the Ackerman Estate, preparing to take their leave. The tension from dinner still lingered, though everyone was doing their best to maintain a polite facade in front of the royal family. The soft glow of the chandelier above cast long shadows across the room, and the murmurs of conversation echoed faintly against the high ceilings.

Queen Historia approached the emperor first, bowing gracefully. “Your Majesty, it has been an honor to host you here on Paradis. I look forward to continuing our collaboration.”

The emperor nodded, his expression warm but measured. “The honor is ours, Your Majesty. Valoria deeply values this alliance, and I have no doubt we’ll achieve great things together.”

Lady Solana stepped forward, her serene smile lighting up her face as she took Historia’s hand. “You have a true queen’s grace, dear. Solina speaks highly of you, and now I see why. Please, you must visit Valoria sometime.”

Historia smiled politely, though her eyes flickered toward the emperor, a spark of suspicion hidden beneath her calm demeanor. “I would be delighted.”

The scouts lined up to say their goodbyes next. Hange approached the emperor, her usual exuberance slightly tempered. “Your Majesty, it’s always a pleasure to see such progress being made. You’ve got quite the family here, too—very talented.” Her words carried an undercurrent of meaning that wasn’t lost on Levi, who stood nearby, watching her carefully.

The emperor smiled faintly, his eyes sharp as they met Hange’s. “Valoria’s strength lies in its unity and shared purpose. I am confident that together, Paradis and Valoria will accomplish much.”

Hange gave a small bow, but her keen gaze lingered for a moment before stepping back to allow the others their turn. Jean was next, his usual casual demeanor replaced with a hint of formality. “It was an honor, Your Majesty,” he said, his voice steady.

The emperor nodded. “The honor is mine. Paradis is fortunate to have soldiers like you.”

Eren stepped forward, his sharp green eyes scanning the emperor’s face as if trying to read his intentions. “Your Majesty,” he said simply, bowing stiffly. Mikasa followed closely behind, her expression as stoic as ever, though Levi could see the tension in her shoulders as she muttered her goodbyes.

Connie and Sasha were the last to approach, both wearing nervous smiles. “Thanks for dinner!” Sasha blurted, her cheeks flushing when Connie elbowed her lightly. “I mean—it was an honor, Your Majesty.”

The emperor’s lips twitched in amusement, though his response was as formal as ever. “You’re welcome, young soldier. I hope you’ll remember this night as a symbol of our alliance.”

As the scouts began filing out the door, Levi lingered at the back of the group, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of the royal family’s expressions. He noticed how Solomon subtly positioned himself between Soleil and Hange, clearly protective. The emperor, meanwhile, remained composed, his gaze occasionally flickering toward Solina, who stood beside Levi, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

Levi couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right. The emperor’s carefully chosen words during dinner, the vague answers, and now his measured politeness all pointed to someone who was hiding something. And while Levi didn’t believe the emperor had malicious intent toward Solina—or even Paradis—he couldn’t ignore the gnawing suspicion that the ice burst stone was being used for more than what was being openly discussed.

Once outside the estate, the scouts and Historia regrouped near their waiting carriages. Hange was the first to break the silence. “Well, that was interesting,” she said, folding her arms. “Did you see the way he dodged my questions? He’s hiding something. I’d bet my entire library on it.”

Jean sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, but what can we do about it? He’s the emperor of Valoria. We can’t exactly demand answers.”

“I don’t trust him,” Eren said bluntly, his fists clenched at his sides. “He’s too polished. Too careful.”

Mikasa glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “We need to tread carefully. Solina and Solomon are part of this, too. We can’t alienate them.”

Historia nodded, her thoughtful gaze fixed on the dark horizon. “For now, we observe. If the emperor’s intentions truly are questionable, they’ll reveal themselves in time.”

Levi, who had been silent up until this point, finally spoke. “Keep your eyes open, but don’t push too hard. We can’t afford to jeopardize the alliance.”

Hange gave him a knowing look but nodded. “Fine. But I’m not dropping this, Levi. Something’s not adding up.”

As the carriages began to pull away, the scouts shared a collective sense of unease. The emperor’s visit had answered none of their questions and only deepened their suspicions. Whatever he was planning, Levi knew it was only a matter of time before the truth came to light.

…

As the carriages rumbled down the dirt road, the scouts sat in tense silence, each lost in their thoughts about the emperor's evasiveness during dinner. The only sound came from the rhythmic clattering of hooves against the cobblestones and the occasional rustle of clothing as someone shifted uncomfortably.

Then, as if struck by divine inspiration, Hange’s eyes lit up with mischief, and she clapped her hands together, startling everyone in the carriage.

“I’ve got it! I know exactly what we need to do to get Solomon to spill the beans!” she declared, her excitement palpable.

Jean groaned, already sensing chaos. “Here we go,” he muttered, leaning back in his seat.

Hange’s gaze zeroed in on Mikasa, who had been staring out of the window, her expression as neutral as ever. “Mikasa,” Hange began, her voice filled with determination. “You’re going to flirt with Solomon.”

Mikasa’s head snapped around so fast it was a miracle she didn’t get whiplash. Her face turned an immediate shade of crimson. “W-What?!” she stammered, her wide gray eyes staring at Hange in disbelief. “Why on Earth would I do that?!”

Hange leaned forward, her grin widening. “Think about it! Solomon clearly has a soft spot for you. He can barely stop staring at you, and he looks like a kicked puppy every time you brush him off. If anyone can get him to talk, it’s you!”

Mikasa’s mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. She glanced around the carriage, hoping someone would come to her rescue, but the others were either smirking or trying to stifle their laughter.

“Mikasa, Solomon has a thing for you,” Sasha said, grinning. “How have you not noticed?”

Connie snorted. “Seriously, Mikasa. The dude’s practically got hearts in his eyes whenever you’re around. He’s worse than Jean.”

“Hey!” Jean protested, glaring at Connie before crossing his arms and looking pointedly out the window.

Mikasa’s blush deepened, and she shook her head vehemently. “That’s ridiculous. He doesn’t—he can’t—”

“Oh, he does,” Hange interjected, wagging a finger. “I’ve been observing him closely. He’s smitten, Mikasa. And that’s precisely why you’re the perfect person for this mission.”

Eren, who had been surprisingly quiet up until this point, frowned in confusion. “Wait… Solomon likes Mikasa?” His tone was genuinely baffled, and he glanced at her as if seeing her for the first time. “When did that happen?”

Armin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Eren, how have you not noticed? He’s been like this since the first time we met him in Valoria.”

Eren’s brows furrowed, and he looked at Mikasa again, this time with a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance. “That guy?”

Mikasa groaned, burying her face in her hands. “This is absurd,” she muttered, her voice muffled. “I’m not going to flirt with him. That’s insane.”

Hange wasn’t deterred. She scooted closer to Mikasa, her enthusiasm undiminished. “Come on, Mikasa! It’s for the greater good! Don’t you want to know what they’re planning with the ice burst stone?”

“I’m not seducing someone for information,” Mikasa said firmly, glaring at Hange. “Find another way.”

“But you don’t even have to seduce him,” Sasha chimed in, grinning. “Just, you know, smile at him a little more. Maybe compliment his hair or something.”

“Or his swordsmanship,” Connie added, smirking. “Guys love that.”

Mikasa shot them both a glare that could have cut steel. “I said no.”

Hange sighed dramatically, throwing her hands up. “You’re making this harder than it needs to be, Mikasa. It’s not like I’m asking you to marry him. Just a little harmless flirting.”

“I don’t know how to flirt,” Mikasa snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. “And even if I did, I wouldn’t.”

Hange’s grin returned, and she leaned back with a shrug. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to wing it. Don’t worry, Mikasa. I’ll coach you.”

Mikasa’s groan of frustration echoed through the carriage, while Sasha and Connie dissolved into laughter. Eren still looked vaguely irritated by the entire conversation, and Jean muttered something under his breath about how ridiculous the whole situation was.

As the carriage continued toward their destination, Mikasa stared resolutely out of the window, silently praying that Hange’s “brilliant idea” would be forgotten by morning. But deep down, she had a sinking feeling that Hange wasn’t going to let this go anytime soon.

~

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[broken-endings]

The Earth Avatar

So one thing Legend of Korra did great was make sure not to repeat most story and character beats from The Last Airbender.

Aang was a simple monk with spiritual upbringing, communing with nature and peace. He was also out of his time, and being introduced to this world as an audience we learned about all forms of bending as Aang learned about all forms of bending. Culminating in ending a long war.

Korra was a rough and tough gal with a rural upbringing. Punch first, ask questions later. She was one with bending that came easy, because we the audience already knew about the forms of bending. One thing we never saw through Aang was the struggle to learn airbending. So like a 4th book to the first series, we got to see the avatar learn airbending. Korra was sheltered never traveling like her past life, and so we see the new Republic city through her eyes. Someone who has never been to the city. The rest of her story builds on lore in the world and the evolution of the people in it. Each season she faced a different "tyrant" whose stance has good intentions but they become villains.

I'm trying to think of what types of things neither series touched on that the 3rd series could explore. The only things we know are -They're an Earth Kingdom native -Their only past life connection will be with Korra

What kinds of stories have we not seen the avatar go through? Let me speculate below

My first thought is highly desirable but feels unlikely which would be for this avatar to be nonbinary. Having the Korrasami ending makes it feel not totally impossible. But I'm not holding my breath for this one.

Have the Avatar be an adult. The original audience of the series are all adults now. It would be fitting to have a series about an adult avatar.

Learn about the new avatar gradually through flashbacks. Perhaps there could be a mystery tied to information they've forgotten or are trying to keep hidden.

Have the avatar grow up in the city, and be forced to adjust to being thrown into a rural environment (opposite of Korra). Learning about the differences in life between the two.

Have the avatar be a parent. We haven't witnessed what it's like to be a young child with an avatar parent. We've only seen the avatar's children as adults.

Expand on the treatment of nonbenders. this was the biggest plot point that LoK kind of abandoned once Amon was gone.

Possibly discover a way to reconnect the avatar to all previous past lives. With only Korra as a guide, I feel like she might not excel at guidance, so being able to reconnect to history could empower this avatar. Just like Korra reconnected to her bending.

The previous avatar spirits have been zen and helpful. Korra's spirit should challenge that cliche. Perhaps her spirit gets angry with the avatar and she ignores them at times.

Have this avatar be an intellectual. Korra had a jock personality (gryffindor). Aang had a goofball, spiritual personality (hufflepuff). Perhaps this avatar reads and studies about everything in theory but struggled to put it into practice (ravenclaw).

Have this avatar have a physical disability. Toph was blind, we saw a waterbender with no arms. It would be new to see an avatar that is perhaps deaf or hard of hearing, be unable to walk, colorblind, or have only one seeing eye.

Have the avatar deal with death. Aang learns about all the people he lost but he never lost someone right in front of him. If this series is permitted to not be a kids show, it could deal with death head-on.

Have the avatar be one that needs redemption (slytherin). Now this is unlikely, but what if we were introduced to an avatar that rejected destiny and made selfish choices, and we learn all the things that pushed them down that path, maybe it would be too much of a repeat of Zuko's journey. But there are more ways to build a redemption arc.

[goodlucksnez]

Lovesick another oc story

I bet you all, are tired of hearing about mine and @dr-ground-zero OC'S but too bad. I love them- Speaking of love welcome our 2 newest counsel members Casanova and spirit

Casanova is basically a valentine day embodiment and their partner spirit who is basically just the embodiment of the night

this fic is like 90% set up and like 10% snez sorry- i got carried away describing them and their relationship

DO NOT REBLOGG TO NON KINK

Lovesick

High above earth clouds, ancient elemental live in peace and harmony. Well, most of the time. Beings who had been here since the dawn of the new era, who have seen wars, rebirth, society grow and expand, there is a small garden grown with ancient powers. The grasses, delicate and soft, sway gently in the breeze, their pastel hues of pale greens, pinks, and blues creating a soothing, dreamlike landscape. The trees, tall and majestic, shimmer with a mystical glow. Their leaves are a mix of silver and gold, and when the sunlight filters through them, it creates a dazzling display of light and shadow on the ground below. This is where the birth of love is made- at least that is what Casanova thought.

Casanova had been around since 300 AD, he was an idea back then and did not really gain power until Saint Valentine in 500 AD. He was a striking figure, with vibrant pink hair that matched the petals of the trees and eyes that shimmered like rare gems. He walked with an aura of light and wishful thinking. After all being the element of love, one looks at the world through rose-colored glasses, no red flags to be seen. He admired love! The artistry and dedication. The vastness of the chase and how no matter how hard the humans tried to study it, quantify it, there was something unidentifiable; so natural and raw, it left him breathless.

Now being well versed in the world of love and romance, you would think he would have a partner. Well truth be told he didn’t. He had just had a century-long admiration that if you asked him he would say they were just good friends. He wanted them to be more but every time he tried to ask them he would chicken out. “The timing isn’t right, or I don’t know if he likes me back” Numerous excuses filled his brain. And so the two of them stayed good friends, until the prior week.

Spirit had been around longer than Casanova. A tamer of wild beasts.  A model figure for the mythical and the out-of-sight. And the bringer of night. Spirit’s air is one of calm and tranquility, yet it holds an underlying sense of vast power and ancient wisdom. He is both a nurturing presence, offering solace in the quiet of night, and a formidable force, capable of invoking fear and awe. His connection to the night makes him a protector of dreams and a guardian of the secrets hidden in darkness.

Throughout his time had had seen many things, both beautiful and dangerous. He was a quiet individual wanting to stay in the shadows, an observer. That changed when Casanova began taking a liking to him. His cheery disposition and overview of life were so refreshing that he found himself smiling when thinking about him. This feeling continued to grow until finally he asked Casanova out and he quickly agreed to a first date.

Casanova had everything prepared: a wicker basket filled with delicacies, a cozy blanket, and a picturesque spot under a sprawling cherry tree. The light danced playfully across the grass and trees, creating a mesmerizing interplay of brightness and shadow. The air is filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, their petals delicate and in every shade of pastel imaginable. Yet, there was one small hitch—he had caught a cold. His nose was tinged pink, his eyes were watery, and he stifled sneezes behind tissues.

Despite his sniffles, he was determined. He wanted this day to be perfect. He sniffed back congestion and began to set out the picnic scene. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. The vibrant pink petals fluttered gently around him, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere. Just as he was finishing setting out the plates, the all too familiar feeling of a sneeze came back to him. The issue with his sneezes is they tend to take a long time. He would be sitting as one as his elements described “hitching limbo” until he finally sneezed.

He took out a tissue from his hoodie and held it to his nose and waited. Finally, after what felt like forever he dove forward into the tissue. “Hh…h-hihh… Ih'shuhh! Ih'yishuu! heh'ushuu! Ngh!”

“Bless you.” said a whisper in the night, and Casanova wiped his head to see Spirit leaning against the tree watching him. “I thought it would be best to not distract you while that was happening, glad you finally got it out.”

He blushed before replying. “Thanks, um please sit down.” As he sat down Casanova made a mental note: nothing is going to ruin this date.

 "I made some grilled cheese sandwiches, and fruit salad, and brought a thermos of hot tea," he said trying to not cringe at how stuffy he sounded.

Spirit smiled, his eyes twinkling with appreciation. "That sounds perfect," he replied, reaching for a sandwich. "Thank you for going to all this effort despite not feeling well."

Casanova blinked and sniffed before responding. “I am feeling fine, and this was no trouble at all.”

Spirit rolled his eyes “Clearly you are fine, I mean I have a flushed face and watery eyes when I feel fine as well.” Casanova opened his mouth to retort back but a tickle took his breath, and he tried to speak but he found his breath was betraying him. “I as..hehh assure you I feel- Hh…hehh…hihh..perfectly fine. Its noth- hihh ing.”

Spirit felt bad for him, he had put so much effort into this date and yet he was miserable in a place of pure beauty, he could not let this continue..

"Cas, you really don't look well," Spirit said gently, placing a hand on his arm. "Maybe we should cut the date short and get you home. You need to rest."

Casanova "I don’t Hh…hehh…hihh want to hihh ruin our chance, what if this never ha- Hh…h-hihh… Ih'shuhh! Ih'yishuu! heh'ushuu!.happens again.”

Spirit shook his head, his expression soft and understanding. "Bless you!! We will get another chance, so do you think I am so shallow that I would let a few adorable sneezes get in the way of our love? No. I love you, all of you and if that means waiting a few more days, I can wait. I waited this long, what is a few more days. Now let's get you home so you can rest and get better."

Cas blushed and took out a pink scarf he had been wanting to put on and wrapped it tightly around himself. His nose twitched and he quickly turned away from Spirit who was already packing up the basket. “Hh…h-hihh… Ih'shuhh! Ih'yishuu! heh'ushuu…h-hihh… Ih'shuhh! heh'ushuu!”

With the basket in one hand and his other arm around Cas for support, Spirit guided him out of the garden and towards his home. Cas leaned on him, grateful for his care and understanding.

When they arrived at Casanova’s home, Spirit helped him inside and settled him on the couch. He fetched a blanket and wrapped it around him, his movements gentle and caring. "You should get some rest," he said softly, brushing a strand of pink hair from his forehead. "I'll make you some tea before I go."

Cas looked up at him, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you. You're amazing. I lo-..love…you…. Hh…h-hihh… Ih'shuhh! Ih'yishuu! heh'ushuu!"

Spirit kissed his forehead, “I love you too.”

-the end-

[dangermousie]

I am not sure what made me more !!! - the fact that we see him build a cairn and pray to/for the people he's killed (we see him flashback to the war) or the moment I realized that the flashback from an earlier episode where he is asleep in her lap, at peace, is at this tree - by the cairn to the souls of people he's killed, who torment his sleep.

I think one of the things she finds the hardest, that is driving her mad, is that the more she is around him, the more he becomes a real person, not just abstract enemy she must kill to avenge her family - she sees him be mistreated by his father or sacrifice to people he killed and things become so messy but the fact remains is that he's still defeated her country and killed her family.

That is why her anger - because she is coming to realize he is an honorable man, a duty driven warrior for the country of his birth BUT IT FIXES NOTHING! This is how you do enemies while lovers btw.

It's pretty telling he does not hide what he was doing. His method is to confront everything head on. I said he's like a sword earlier, but it's a mix of a sword and a battering ram. No wonder he was able to function even trapped as a ghost. He has such a singularity of purpose.

I love how she gets angrier and angrier but her impressions of why he's doing these things keep getting upended.

Because he regrets the necessity of bloodshed but not the fact of it, if it makes sense. He is a very dutybound person - you get the sense he gets pleasure from nothing in his life - he fought like a maniac in that battle but you never had sense he was particularly enjoying it. He executed her whole family as a showstopper but he had no bloodlust over it either. He's living as if he's already dead, driven by a grim sense of duty. No wonder he doesn't care if he lives or dies.

When she asks him this in response to his comment that destroying rebels was unavoidable to end the war quickly, his response floored me. His character is so consistent and so clear-eyed - he has no illusions and sees things (and people) the way they are. It doesn't mean he won't work to change things but he has no illusions what state things are in. And his comment is especially !!! because something being a duty not obviating it being a sin is such an amazing bit of understanding.

Once again - he does not believe this will give him peace but he hopes even as he knows it's futile. I wonder if this radical acceptance of things was always part of his nature or a coping mechanism he developed after living with his monster father.

(The fact that he ends up doing this in her arms in this very spot makes me !!!!)

She asks:

His answer floored me. Isn't it the extension of his rigid sense of what is proper? It is proper to ask forgiveness for a sin, but it's entirely different thing to expect forgiveness for that sin. Once again, those two things are not connected but most people conflate it. You ask forgiveness because it's the right thing to do, even if you don't expect forgiveness.

As I said, he's so clear eyed. And the fact that he says even though this was a sin and the blood haunts him, he'd do the same thing. He actually is very much opposite of what-if person. In modern day, after 1500 years as a ghost who cannot leave despite wanting to (!!), you still get the sense he'd not have done anything differently. Once he commits to a course of action, that's it. (Side note - for a man who wanted peace and oblivion, being stuck in the world with his memories for 1500 years is an exquisitely crafted punishment, isn't it?)

Goddddddddd!!!!!!!

He is an incredibly honorable man (within the moral precepts of 6th century warfare) and it makes nothing better for her. It makes it so much worse.

PS I love that even this early on he tries to shield her from his monster father (by lying she's a random servant he acquired for debt) and that she's the bossy one even if she's an enemy captive servant - "let's go, we don't have all day" or similar she snarls at him before their little expedition, and he - her master and terrifying Silla general, follows.

[linnoya-writes]

Aang actually *was* a Terrible Dad (and we should stop making excuses for him).

One thing I cannot get over is how people say that Aang actually wasn't that terrible of a father, and I keep hearing the same excuses to his behavior: he didn't grow up with conventional parents, he had to focus on bringing back his air-bending culture, Katara was already a natural parent and was totally okay being the housewife/mom who let Aang off the hook with most of the serious parenting duties... ugh....

Anyway, I have three points to give:

1) Aang may not have grown up with conventional family structure, but he certainly knew enough about the world (being a nomad his whole life pre-war) to understand what a healthy family dynamic looked like. He knew enough about Toph's dad and Zuko's dad to understand what a poor father figure looked like. Aang also spent time with Hakoda, in ATLA season 3, to see the characteristics of a good father -- and this doesn't even include the time he spent traveling with Sokka/Katara alone and noticing how their dad's absence was affecting them. I put a lot of emphasis on Katara, here, because she makes it very clear in Season 3 that her father leaving the family was devastating... and this girl would want a partner who understood those feelings and do absolutely everything to keep the family together. It's what she did throughout the entirety of ATLA-- Katara was the glue that kept everyone close -- and you would think Aang would pick up on those cues, rather than let history repeat itself after he had his family with Katara. Imagine how awful it must've been for Katara, watching the man she married ultimately go off with their air-bending son on these cultural excursions, and not even consider that their two other kids might want to learn about air bending culture anyway. They're a bi-cultural family, after all, right? Wouldn't that have been a prime example for the new world, showing a blended family being together and not separate? Just let that sink in for a moment.

2) Many people say that any misunderstood family dynamics between Kya, Bumi and Tenzin came to a peaceful conclusion in LOK season 2 with a happy family portrait. Here's the thing-- a posed, smiling family portrait doesn't necessarily indicate a healthy family unit. I'm also making note of LOK Season 3, when Bumi admits that he finally feels more connected to their father after he magically gets Airbending, and also that scene when Kya/Bumi arrive to the Northern Air Temple and the acolytes are shocked to hear that Avatar Aang had other children besides Tenzin. I mean... how much effort would it take, exactly, for Aang to just mention to the temple monks and acolytes that he had two other kids? Was he embarrassed to tell them they weren't air benders? Was he ashamed? In any case, he was the Avatar and he should've demonstrated pride for the children he had regardless of their bending ability or lack their-of. It goes without saying that, while Aang did grow up differently and had many priorities being the Avatar and the Last Airbender... he still made some conscious choices about how little of a "family man" he wanted to be. Aang clearly favored the air-bending life and didn't process that he was also raising a family that was part WaterTribe (perhaps because many of their customs clashed with his air-bending way of life... but that's another conversation.)

3) Yes, Bryke are notorious for writing examples of poor father figures (Ozai/Unalaq/BeiFong/Yakone/Hiroshi) and I'm also here to tell you that they're known for writing women who lose agency and turn devoted-doting-domestic-docile once they get with their man. Pema from LOK is a good example-- all we know about her is she literally gave her life to be an air-acolyte and carry Tenzin's children (the only backstory we get is Pema secretly pined for Tenzin until it became too much and she had to say something), and be the good housewife and mother to those air bending kids. We know nothing about this woman's individual wants or needs outside of motherhood. Another example is the backstory of Yakone and his unnamed wife who-- after giving this man two sons, completely disappears from the narrative and is not aware Yakone is abusing his kids. And she's still exists, because Amon refuses to go with Noatak so as to not abandon their mom. Their mother was so unnecessary as a character after she had the kids, she became this oblivious/silent character in the background who let her own kids get abused. Another example is Unalaq's wife-- again, about a father using his two kids like his henchmen and the mother isn't even in the picture. We know she exists because after Unalaq gets destroyed... Esna turns to Desca and says "what're we gonna tell Mother?"  It may have been written as a subtle joke... but the underlying sentiment is still there.

I'd say my favorite example is the fate of Fire Lady Ursa-- a woman once determined to protect her children that she was willing to commit murder and treason -- ends up choosing to forget those same children and instead wipes all her memories of them entirely to start a quiet domestic life with her childhood sweetheart, a man who very much knows the life Ursa left behind and has the power to decide what truths he wants to tell her about the world and live like there wasn't even a bloody war happening. (Don't even get me started on how The Search disappointed me. Oy).

Perhaps Aang and Katara -- even without intent -- might have fallen into that formulaic pattern when Bryke wrote out the first two seasons of LOK, because that was during the time The Promise, The Search and The Rift comics got published, and Katara's character was definitely becoming that unquestionably-loyal/no fuss/devoted girlfriend to Aang where she would go with everything he decided and sadly sit in a corner while Aang got all the praise and attention and never considering her feelings. Bryke picked up on these mistakes, however, because in the later comics like North & South and Imbalance, you can see them giving Katara some leadership moments (particularly when Aang isn't around) and Aang more of a mature, considerate approach with Katara, saying things like "I'm sorry I just left you to fight alone like that!" and "You're always asking me if I'm okay. Now it's my turn-- are you okay?"  The effort was definitely there to make Aang and Katara look somewhat more compatible than they let on. But things didn't really seem that promising in Legend of Korra... as Katara's character arc gets breadcrumbs of acknowledgement regarding what she did for the world outside of Aang's narrative.

It seems like Katara's badass individual characteristics were written second only to whatever she needed to be for Aang, including being the primary parent to his non-airbender kids while he focused on the air-bending culture.

In any case-- I'm almost certain Bryke will be bending over backwards to "fix" all of these flawed elements of Kataang and Aang as a father figure in the upcoming animated feature films, because if there's anything Bryke likes to do... it is "tell" us that Aang was a great guy and there absolutely was no other better person for Katara.