#ice is long suffering

[unlawfulchaos]

Mav: Am I in trouble?

Ice: Take a guess.

Mav: No?

Ice: Correct

Mav: Really!?

Ice: No, you idiot.

Ice: If you really think you're not in trouble for what you did to Admiral Caine's car, then you're even more delusional than I thought.

Mav, under his breath: It was worth it.

[bonefall]

Hey, what makes a character a 'plot device but not a character'? And how do you not do that? I'm trying to do it on purpose but also I need to still make them interesting because it's on purpose, yknow?

A good skill to pick up is to learn to criticise criticism itself. A "plot device" is simply a thing that moves the plot along, it's a neutral literary analysis term! Usually, when people are angry that "a character has been used as a plot device," it doesn't mean they hate plot devices. It means they're gesturing at something deeper.

Runningwind and Bumble are equally plot devices in their deaths. They are both killed by the antagonist to escalate political tension. Runningwind is rarely "accused" of just being a plot device, and yet, we're talking about Bumble for the same thing.

So, why?

Well, Runningwind is just a background character, but in life, he was a part of the community. He was characterized as impatient but responsible. Yet, he wasn't SO important that he died with a bunch of unresolved plot threads.

He is mostly an extension of the entity of ThunderClan. His killing by Tigerstar, and the fear and paranoia that settles on the group after this, feel like a progression of the story insteas of something forced.

Bumble, on the other hand...

Is hated immediately by Gray Wing, when she's established as Turtle Tail's friend. Bumble's abuse at Tom the Wifebeater's hands invites even MORE investment. The rejection is shocking and upsetting. There's a story there about our main characters being imperfect; jealous, bigoted, and judgemental.

But, she is simply killed off. Everything they set up for this character is gone with little personalized fanfare. It's not a tragedy with a lesson about cruelty, or something anyone regrets.

It's just... plot. Gray Wing whinging that no one will like his shitty brother now that his body count is 2.

More than that, in the discussion of women in particular, "Fridging" was coined to give a name to the way women characters often don't get their stories told at all. There is a CULTURAL trend of female characters facing disproportionate violence, for the sake of advancing male plots.

Bumble has a lot going for her. Petal had a lot going for her. Turtle Tail had a lot going for her. Bright Stream had a lot going for her. When they died, they took their potential with them.

It's not always wrong to kill off a character of high potential, mind you. In Gurren Lagann, Kamina's death is sudden and shocking, leaving a massive hole in the hearts of the cast that never heals. Grappling with that loss, but also letting his memory fuel them, is a major theme of that story.

All that to say... there's no formula for avoiding it. You've gotta identify what the deeper issue is, in your specific narrative.

I can't say for certain what that will look like for your story, but here's some things I keep in mind;

When you make characters who exist to die, make sure they're people before you axe them.

Ask yourself; what about them does the cast miss?

If they just miss them because they were (pre-existing relationship), go back to the drawing board.

Fluttering Bird as an example. Who was she? Dead sister. Why do they miss her? Dead sister. No traits until after her death.

Runningwind was short-tempered and helpful. Kamina was a valuable leader who made people believe in a brighter future. Swiftpaw was fiesty and desperate to prove himself. The better characterized, the more profound the loss usually is.

If this is a female character who is dying just to serve the plot, be aware of cultural bias and tropes. How is the gender ratio looking in your cast? Is this happening disproportionately with your girls?

Note how Quiet Rain's litter had both a boy and a girl, but the girl was chosen to be "weaker" and wither away.

And how most of the time in DOTC, whenever a man had to be upset, a girl would get killed for it.

If you ever feel like the character on the chopping block is NOT a full character, ask yourself why it needs to be a character at all. You don't need to spend narrative time building out someone when a literal object of high value might suffice.

"My sister died when I swore to protect her and I can't face my family" = Old. Tired. Ive seen this.

"I lost my heirloom sword when I swore to protect it and I can't face my family." = Fascinating. Why was the sword so valuable? Will they really not take you back? How did you lose it?

When you do kill off "high value" characters, try to make sure you're not leaving too many plot threads hanging. Or at least make a point of how they will never get closure.

[frozen-seagrass]

Thinking about Mav being unsure of what Ice's eye color is

Of course he's not going to do the normal thing and ask the man, so he settles for finding ways to get up close and personal to try and see for himself without being obvious (-> he fails)

But every time he gets a close enough look they're different. One day they look blue but the next they look hazel. One moment they look brown but then he turns his head and a different light catches on them and they look almost green

It turns into one big game of "How close will he let me get? How much will he let me see?" And it's not until he's gotten to the point of being a breath away from Ice's face- close enough to brush lips- and standing under the bright white LEDs that he realizes that they're gray

[aphemera]

shipping braime is so embarrassing because why am i giggling over jaime complimenting brienne’s eyes even though he literally insulted her a few sentences ago

[tiredcowboyy]

Merlin connecting to arthur through his dreams: arthur morgana has a secret plan to attack you, heres how to stop her!!

Arthur who wakes up and doesnt even question how merlin told him or weather he should even follow what he says since it was a dream: leon!!!! Ive got a new plan!!!!

Also merlin a few hours later: arthur I have magic

Arthur, who followed what dream merlin said and it turned out to be right: WHAT??????

——

I genuinely cant get over it like??? I mean I guess he could have forgot bc he was in shock of being stabbed and merlin actually saying it but still cmon arthur bffr. Like does he just listen to everything dream merlin says in hopes that its true?? Or does he think he managed to figure it out himself and that his brain simply chose to project the information through merlin? And the implications there speak for themselves really.

[goldenamaranthe-blog]

Smooth Operator

Yang: (driving a snow-specified version of Bumblebee 2.0 across a large, frozen lake just outside of Argus - dials Weiss on her scroll)

Weiss: (answers her scroll from a cozy, lakeside resort) Yang? Where are you? I'm surprised you didn't call Blake.

Yang: (through a headset in her helmet) Hey, Weiss! How far away can you make those dust statues with your glyphs?

Weiss: (Looks at Ruby trying to help Blake learn to ice skate a little ways away and sees a glint of yellow off in the distance closing in) .....Why?

Yang: Is there a chance you can make a bouquet of ice flowers in my hand? (Raises hand high)

Weiss: (Sees the raised hand) ......I could.

Yang: Awesome! Can you do it right now?

Weiss: Why?

Yang: Trust me!

Weiss: Never and Always (sighs and hangs up before using her glyph to send a blast of ice dust to Yang’s hand)

Yang: (watches as a bundle of ice flowers form in her hand) Nice shot, Weiss! (Twists the throttle one last time to give enough speed to get her to the shore, slides off Bumblebee, grabs on to the end of the seat, and skates her way to shore)

Ruby: (holding on to a shaking Blake) You're doing great, Blake! You'll get this done in time for Christmas on Patch! (Notices a ball of gold barreling in) Is that Yang?

Blake: (skitters her feet to regain her balance) Yang?

Yang: (coasts into the skating area, releases Bumblebee and the motorcycle gently nestles itself into a snowbank like a bike rack, and slowly slides to a halt in front of Blake before presenting the ice flowers) For you.

Blake: (blushes but rolls her eyes in good humor as she takes the flowers) No one likes a show off.

Weiss: Oh, my, GOD!!! You did NOT just use my semblance to flirt with your girlfriend!!!

[moonshynecybin]

hockey marc would ABSOLUTELY be an instigator (towing shenanigans :3 face), he draws sooo many penalties and then converts the power play like a dream. like he is both naturally and on purpose irritating <3 and uses it for EVIL!! (if you are the opposing team, it’s very good for HIS team)

its so funny cuz i dont think he chirps a bunch i dont think hes super fighty. its just that annoying ass marc marquez intrinsic quality that drives poeople crazyyyy... that plus the nhl's clear love of body slamming tiny skilled wingers to the moon if given half a chance

[bina-a-k]

One of my first fan arts

I'm proud in myself with my girls. I wanna draw them like coven (yes, i can let Sam having powers, why not)

Yes, I stole Bumblebee from the movie poster, I'm sorry, I can’t in robots (yet)

Also posted here:

[voidcat]

leaning in for a peck on the lips and telling your windbreaker darling they're so sweet they give you toothaches... only to be hit by a real toothache hours later

[mistdad]

I stole all ur wine

... Why?

[arom-antix]

Viktuuri week day 6: Love

[psychesmoon]

CHEWING ON DRYWALL GNAWING AT THE BARS OF MY ENCLOSURE WHERE THE HELL IS YURI ON ICE!!!!!!

[trigshoot]

Gladion, deadpan staring at him being a creature in the communal kitchen at 2 am.

" Get out. "

the kitchen is shrouded in darkness except for the thin strip of light streaming from between the fridge door left ajar. vash sits crouched on top of the table, palms laid flat against the surface, a whole assortment of snacks gathered around from a pack of cookies to a half-eaten box of ice cream. white feathers lay scattered across the floor here and there, the shape of them strangely elongated, a far cry from the delicate, uniform shape of bird feathers.

as soon as more light streams in through the open door, his head snaps towards it with an unnatural angle, eyes gleaming like halogen lamps against the tinted lenses of his glasses, giving an illusion of two perfectly round, glowing circles staring back from the darkness. he tilts his head.

blink.

a grin stretches across his face, the hand still holding onto the ice cream spoon raised for a wave, the cookie dangling in his teeth swallowed down.

before he skitters off of the table, vash hastily shoves the rest of the opened bags – and the ice cream – into his coat pockets, reaching impossibly far from where he is standing to gently push the fridge closed.

he straightens himself fully only as he reaches the door, having entirely ignored those hostile words of the stranger – well, he could pull some conclusions out of the color and shape of his hair already.

" hey, you a night snacker too? here you go, " he places a bag of mini donuts into the boy's hand. " don't tell anyone, though. i'm not supposed to leave my cool enclosure after 10pm! " and he's off, a few more strange feathers falling on the floor from seemingly nowhere before he disappears behind the corner. / @aetherceuse

[opens-up-4-nobody]

...

[compacflt]

v common trope in this fandom but, how would your ice react after mav 100% crashes his bike or does something stupid after they've talked about "it"

maverick is canonically unkillable so ice would just shrug and ask him if he wants a new bike

[maskednihilism]

“You might have mentioned it once or twice, yes”, or a thousand and more times, really. It was a sentiment Aventurine didn't feel like sharing. While he could take the compliment about his fingers being skilled, he was very much aware that his dear rat favoured those in their entirety. Without the gloves they would always remain a reminder of what had been. It wasn't a secret they both were terribly stubborn. So Sampo repeated the praises about his hands relentlessly to get it into his thick skull and vice versa the gambler repeated how the conman did not have to work – especially not himself to the bone. Both seemingly did not get any further than they had before. A door opened and then closed, his arms come around his beloved's chest, chin resting on his shoulder. “I think we spooked the little one.”, surely the other might not have noticed the sound, too distracted in the bliss the blonde had tried to supply.

@aluckiicoin || continued from here! || From Aventurine! || Muses mentioned: @ice-and-lightning 's Gua!

"I need to say it more." He purred in pure bliss. The fingers, the hands that would break many men down, that have killed before, were taking care of him. Lovingly, with compassion. That's all Sampo knew them as. Even before they got together, they felt more than simple weapons or things to get pleasure from.

Aventurine's fingers were an extension of his beloved's love. To be touched bare with them was his way of being naked to the thief. And Sampo gladly made sure he knew that. Each and every time. Another loud gasp, another knot removed from his sore back.

Unfortunately for him, he didn't hear the door open or closed. He was too enraptured in bliss to hear anyone else but his dear partner. Feeling his hands now on his chest, Sampo opened his eyes. Face red from the embrace. And finally realizing what his dear was telling him.

"O-Oh. Did we? But we didn't— I don't think..." For now his mind raked through thoughts, wondering what they could've done to spook the child. It wasn't until a bit later he realized that Gua probably heard them being a bit intimate.

By that time however, he would've made his way to the Silvermane Guards apartment. To "visit" him while ma and pa had "adult play time."

Only Sampo would get an earful from the Captain.