#i'm so chuffed by this anon i never get asks lol

[invisiblegarters]

genuinely really curious about this: in your thk rant you mention clear favoritism and I was wondering whether that was referring to kt?

I don't actually know whether I agree or disagree with your take fully yet but I will say that his, what i used to call a work crush, on kt is pretty noticeable. similarly I feel as though you'll see a difference in how he treats his earlier actors and works and another pairing that he seems to "favor" is pondphuwin, just loosely based on how he talks on social media (you mentioned you dont have Twitter which is where i think it is most prominent). does that get into the way of his shows? I don't know. but I thought it was interesting that Ive never seen anyone discuss this before

Okay, putting a read more link here because once again, there's gonna be at least hints of THK impressions based on the novelization.

Well, yes. I am absolutely talking about KT. It's not like Jojo's tried to keep it a secret lol.

I do want to clarify that it is not necessarily a bad thing. Khaotung is a great actor, he'll do the thing very well. This is in no way meant to be a critique against him or even Jojo's very obvious work crush (love that using it forever now) on him. It just so happens that I find it personally irritating when that means that Jojo has First freaking Kanaphan right there and chooses to do absolutely nothing with him because he prefers someone else.

But also this isn't a treatise against pair brands in general or FK in particular either - I like them together a lot, they're probably my favorite cp at the moment, anyone looking through my blog should be very aware of this (although they should both be able to kiss errbody for funsies). I would still feel this way if it were a mostly gen or het ensemble and First was being relegated to the love interest and not much more (it's also why if the rumors are true and he is in Scarlet Heart I will just wait for gifs I am NOT putting myself through that for a five second cameo or whatever I love myself too much).

Because I think he's amazing but underrated. That is also extremely obvious if you go through my blog. His particular style of acting just does it for me, okay?

And yes, OF was where I first noticed it, but it's pretty obvious Jojo does it all across the board once you know what you're looking for. And that's honestly his right, and as I said before: if I dislike it enough that all I want to do is complain about it I can and will shut it off (if only so my poor mutuals don't have to listen to me go on, lol. I can think of one in particular who is probably breathing a sigh of immense relief if they're reading this). Favoring a certain actor isn't actually that big of a deal. Tons of directors have their favorites; you see it everywhere.

Basically I am heading into THK with low expectations of personal enjoyment (and to see what Dunk does as Style, because I just have a feeling that he's going to knock this kind of character right out of the park and I feel like if I keep watching this show it might be for him (is this First fangirl blasphemy? It feels like it but that doesn't make it less true)), but that by no means means I think it will be an incoherent flop. I really hope people love it even if it isn't for me.

I don't really think it gets in the way of Jojo's shows, tbh.  I think that like with a lot of other things, for some people it is a dealbreaker and for some it is not. For me personally I love a ton of his shows and rewatching I can usually point out who he likes best but it doesn't detract from them for me in general. For me, it really depends on who he's screwing over (in the lightest possible sense - either way these people are getting work and getting paid which is mercenary of me but well. A bag is important whether you like it or not. Also important: they all seem to be having a blast) to make way for his favorite. If it weren't First getting shafted I probably would notice because it's one of those things that once you see you can't stop noticing but also, my level of give a crap would probably be a lot lower, lol. I make no claims to objectivity here.

And you could argue that if there were no such thing as cps, Jojo would be free to pick whatever actors he likes to fill his shows with and there would be no discrepancy in material. But well. That's demonstrably not true because we've seen him do het (which historically gives more freedom as as far as I know there is no cp framework to adhere to) and he does the same thing. It wouldn't matter who he put in THK, because most of the meat would go to the same place.

[okamirayne]

Hi Rayne, I'm such a big fan of your writing! I've read the BtB series three times now and I'm always taken aback how amazing it is. Your talent is astounding! That series is one of my biggest writing influences and a safe place.

I hope this is not a rude question, but I wanted to ask you about your original work. Can you tell us readers and fans something about it (the world, the theme, some characters)? I know you're currently in a burnout which must suck and you should take all the time you need, but I (as many others, I'm sure) would love to know a bit about it. I'm a curious kitty, what can I say? Give a sis some details, I'm dying over here lol

Jokes aside, I wish you all the best. Forever a fan and an admirer! <3

...*reads, unsuspecting and unprepared*....

*processes*.....

........... *takes a moment*

.....

....

2 mins later...

So yeah, my attempt to compose a response within the same day as reading your message utterly failed, Anon. I needed more time to contain myself.

Firstly Sweetheart, I'm so thankful for your incredibly warm, personal, and downright amazingly supportive feedback. I am so chuffed you feel that way about the BtB series, and that it is a crazy ride you're happy to revisit! Thank you for giving it that love. <3

I hope this is not a rude question, but I wanted to ask you about your original work.

Can you tell us readers and fans something about it (the world, the theme, some characters)? I know you're currently in a burnout which must suck and you should take all the time you need, but I (as many others, I'm sure) would love to know a bit about it. I'm a curious kitty, what can I say? Give a sis some details, I'm dying over here lol

*gets steamrolled by her feels*

Yep. Lost that battle.

Oh my dear, Curious~Kitty Anon...please know, there is no universe, within the great multiverses of existence, in which your question qualifies as rude. I am moved beyond measure by your interest in my original works...I mean, if I get the warm glowy fuzzies from your interest in BtB....can you imagine what kind of supernova goes off inside my writer's heart when you express interest in my Original Works, worlds, and characters?

Do you know what that does to my crumbling British decorum?

*behold crumbling British decorum*

Seriously though, you're an absolute sweetheart. I NEVER presume interest in my originals, which is why when a reader expresses interest...I experience myself at the event horizon of a beautiful meltdown (the good kind)...

Wow...where to start to even begin to answer your question(s)? Tropes sounds like the easiest way to go, as it's a really underrated way of bringing clarity...ha, kind of like AO3 hashtags/tags.

The world: There are several worlds floating within the dark matter inhabiting my brain, namely three big-world series I want to write in my lifetime. Though the most present WIP is the world from which Tsubasa Hibari, Tsubasa Kitori, Mizugumo, and a few other BtB cameo OCs originate. Needless to say, it's a fictional world inspired by Far East Asia; in NO way meant to represent any historical portrayal (given that it's got anachronistic elements), though leaning heavily on, and inspired by, the relevant tropes of certain eras of those times (such as samurai, ninja, feudal society, etc.). Throw in characters enhanced by a vital-energy magical system based on Asian (namely Chinese/Taoist) philosophy (not dissimilar to many fictional 'magic' systems, such as Kishimoto's Indian/East Asian inspired "chakra" system but not as high-fantasy in nature -- which is why I'd classify mine as magical-realism rather than pure fantasy)

The theme: ragtag group of heroes/anti-heroes/questionable-moral-compass-people, unite and embark upon (a.k.a. are reluctantly thrown into) an insane adventure/quest/wild-ass-ride-or-die-mission to save a divided world that is fast going down the crapper. Time is of the essence, and all that nail-biting jazz. Loyalty. Betrayal. Love. Hate. Angst. Humour. War. Passion. High-road or low-road moral drama. Oorah! I mean, hell, you've read BtB...so you know how I roll with the glorious trainwreck of humanity and enjoy stopping at all its crazy stations.

Some characters: Well you've met one of the main characters already (albeit it an extremely watered-down or BtB-altered version), Tsubasa Hibari, along with his crazy mama, Kitori, and his power-drunk father and sociopathic uncle, Fukuro and Ozuku. Although within their own world, they are of samurai/daimyo class...which would make Hibari a rōnin, rather than a rogue-nin (lol). Mizugumo features, as a ninja, and is still peddling her various poisons, little pink-pills of paradise, purgatory, and perdition. Other OCs abound, and some monikers among the characters will be familiar to BtB readers, such as the inescapable "lovebird".

I know, I've trope-ified the shit out of things, but you know what? It works. Or maybe it doesn't and Curious~Kitty is thinking "Rayne, wtf? That doesn't tell me shit." ...in which case, I gotta revise my entire "AO3 TAG" approach...and invite you to ask me whatever you want to know (my only caveat being any non-response from me is based on the grounds of SPOILER ALERT, 'HERE THERE BE DEMONS' or "IT'S A SURPRISE"...)

Thank you.

Thank you sincerely and supremely, for the amazing show of kindness, interest, love, and all-round super awesome support. And bless you, also, for your consideration of my being presently stuck in the ass-end of burnout. Messages such as yours lift my heart from that smoking black pit and grant me a flicker of the old writer's fire. That flame WILL catch again and when it does it will be in no small part thanks to readers such as yourself, who reached out like a hand in the dark. Big love here. I am an atomic wreck of appreciation. Thank you. <3

[okamirayne]

Helloo, another BtB fan coming out of the woodwork lol

I completely second anon’s post about your humor, I find myself giggling like an idiot at ungodly hours re-reading your work more nights than I feel confident disclosing (as well as seconding the ask about burnout and your mental health, I would hope the majority of Okamirayne stans understand the absolute necessity of mental health breaks in the arts, and if not then there is a strong minority of your fans that will fight anyone who prioritizes the product over the author 👊💥)

Anyway….

I’m not much of a writer, and I think most ppl have articulated my feelings in asks much better than I could ever hope to, so this is just me writing a long winded “I AGREEEEE” to already existing asks. But god, when I found the BtBverse my eyes were opened to how amazing fics and headcanons can add on to already existing universes and characters. Maybe this is elementary level reading comprehension, but I’ve never been able to get immersed into worlds like I have in your fics. Normally when I read, I feel outside of the world, reading dialogue and an occasional sprinkle of world context that helps me understand what’s going on, and so many fics I read seem to relegate the characters to caricatures of their main personality traits (shikamaru is lazy, neji is a hardass, naruto is goofy, ino is obsessed with self-image) but in your writing I feel like you give so much respect to each and every character, adding the context of WHY they are the way they are in the canon universe. You’ve expanded so much of their characters that I pretty much think of your universe as canon (Kishimoto..and his disrespect of his female characters..jaded me from the canonverse a long time ago) More than reading words on a page (or a screen, I saw one post a while ago where you had a printed out copy of BtB and I’ve been yearning for one ever since), I feel like I’m actually inside your universe when I’m reading. I can actually see the entire scene you’ve laid out. Again, this is probably beginner reading comp, but when I read your work I’m actually imaging each character and their perspective, looking through their eyes (and yours) from every possible angle — what are they seeing, how does it coincide from what I’ve read about the other character’s pov, etc etc etc.

This is a giant ramble to basically say, not only am I grateful to have such a brilliant and beautiful work in the Shikaneji fandom, I am also grateful to have been exposed to your writing. I’ve always been a stem girly, but reading your work has opened my eyes to the beauty of what writing is capable of. BtB has helped my brain reintroduce its love for reading, something I thought I lost long ago. Of course, I am constantly yearning for more and more HHU installments, but, to reiterate already existing asks and comments, I am so incredibly grateful for the already existing work that you have produced. I hope that whatever your future holds, whether it be more HHU chapters, your own independent worlds, or just doing whatever the hell you want, you keep on writing. You probably know this already, but you have such incredible writing skills, and I’m sure whatever you decide to do in your future will be brilliant.

- love letter from a longtime fan

Hello there, Long Time Fan!💖

So ridiculously excited and happy to hear from you! Thank you so much for making the time to hit me up here on Tumblr with this phenomenally kind, sweet, thoughtful and all out awesome message. I'm gobsmacked but will endeavour to respond. 🫶🏼💜

Firstly, so chuffed you enjoy the BtB humour, luv. *high fives* Solidarity in the giggles to dilute the angst! I also thank you for your support regarding my burnout and what you mentioned about prioritising the author over the product. That means a lot and I appreciate it, especially when there is so much content flooding out to be consumed and the pressure to create feels immense at times. 🫠💀

I’m not much of a writer, and I think most ppl have articulated my feelings in asks much better than I could ever hope to, so this is just me writing a long winded “I AGREEEEE” to already existing asks.

Just the fact that you took the time to write to me, means everything. I love, appreciate, respect, and treasure every single comment or response I get - as they are as individual to me as the person writing the feedback or sharing their thoughts at the other end of the screen. Each message or comment reads different and hits different to me and are uniquely precious. 🥰

But god, when I found the BtBverse my eyes were opened to how amazing fics and headcanons can add on to already existing universes and characters. [...] I’ve never been able to get immersed into worlds like I have in your fics. Normally when I read, I feel outside of the world, [...] so many fics I read seem to relegate the characters to caricatures of their main personality traits [...] but in your writing I feel like you give so much respect to each and every character, adding the context of WHY they are the way they are in the canon universe.

Ah, you hit me right in the feels, luv 💖. I know I repeat this a lot but the characters are the most important part of the storytelling craft for me. If they have weird quirks or habits I wanna know what's behind it all and I am so delighted and touched to know that the deep-dive into these characters has engaged you and gotten you invested in the BtB-verse. I am glowing right now. The characters are the heart and soul of it all. Expanding on them, acknowledging them as the heroes of their own stories is so important - extrapolating from that, that's why each individual review means so much to me, because a person is a character on the other side of the screen with their own reasons for connecting with my work, and I acknowledge how varied that is for each person. 🥰

[...] I feel like I’m actually inside your universe when I’m reading. I can actually see the entire scene you’ve laid out. Again, this is probably beginner reading comp, but when I read your work I’m actually imaging each character and their perspective, looking through their eyes (and yours) from every possible angle — what are they seeing, how does it coincide from what I’ve read about the other character’s pov, etc etc etc.

In no way is what you're describing beginner reading comprehension. We never know what's going to connect with us. I am so touched by what you've shared here...especially as it relates to two of the most important elements of the storytelling craft for me. 1) To do justice to the characters 2) to deliver an experience for the reader, and if not that, then entertrainment and escape - but "an experience" is always what I aim for...and you've given me such an incredible validation with what you described in your message, so THANK YOU, so, so much...THIS is why I write and invest so much into the writing. So that someone can feel that sense of immersion into the world, into the characters. I'm beyond thrilled that you feel this way. 💖💜🫠🥰

I'm so thankful to have you as a reader and am just buzzing to have received this beautiful message from you.💖🥹💖

[...] BtB has helped my brain reintroduce its love for reading, something I thought I lost long ago. Of course, I am constantly yearning for more and more HHU installments, but, to reiterate already existing asks and comments, I am so incredibly grateful for the already existing work that you have produced.

💖....just, wow. Seriously. Thank you.

I hope that whatever your future holds, whether it be more HHU chapters, your own independent worlds, or just doing whatever the hell you want, you keep on writing.

Messages like yours remind me why I want to keep doing it. Thank you so damn much for the love, support, kindness, insight and amazing solidarity your words have expressed and gifted me with. 🥰🙏🏼 Receiving messages like yours will always mean more to me than I can ever do justice to in words (which is always a bittersweet irony).

Thank you. Sincerely. Wholly. Utterly. Thank You. 💖💖💖