#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.

[foxcort]

listen its not that tamlin locking feyre in a manor is ‘not a big deal’. its that sjm parallels tamlin and rhysand way too much for rhysand to be a viable, healthy option for feyre.

rhys put a whole city under a lockdown so severe people forgot about its existence (and from what the wiki says, the city was kept hidden for centuries even before, for the safety of its citizens) but tamlin locking feyre in a manor, so she wouldn’t follow him into an unsafe situation was crossing a line?

[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

[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!!!!!!

[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

[greenelight]

life    has    certainly    taken    a    turn    for    the    better    ,    especially    now    that    he    uses    his    piano    talents    to    perform    in    jazz    bars    for    those    seeking    a    peaceful    moment    while    they    nurse    a    beer.    a    talent    he    once    hated    due    to    his    mom's    exploitation    of    it    is    slowly    healing    now    as    he    plays    songs    he    actually    enjoys    ,    the    reaction    from    the    crowd    not    always    met    with    applause    ,    but    no    one    seems    to    dislike    it    ,    so    that's    a    start    at    least.    it    also    helps    that    he    has    a    partner    in    crime    in    eliza    cecelia    who    often    will    join    him    on    vocals    from    time    to    time.    amazing    how    they    both    were    sort    of    pushed    to    work    together    by    the    owner    one    random    night    &    they    managed    to    improv    a    song    together    despite    never    having    performed    before.    they    did    well    that    night    &    every    night    ever    since    ,    &    it's    nice    to    have    not    only    someone    with    amazing    musical    abilities    to    join    him    on    the    stage    ,    but    someone    he    can    talk    to    in    between    their    sets.    with    the    bar    filled    with    very    few    people    &    most    of    them    focused    on    their    drinks    versus    the    stage    ,    it    seemed    as    good    a    time    as    any    for    the    pair    to    take    a    break    ,    allowing    them    to    vent    about    their    personal    lives    &    maybe    about    their    current    frustrations.    mason    has    been    currently    struggling    with    the    concept    of    possibly    dating    again    now    that    it's    been    a    few    years    since    things    with    brad    disintegrated    ,    but    he    keeps    telling    people    he    isn't    interested    in    relationships    right    now    ,    more    focused    on    his    work    &    with    spending    time    with    friends.    it's    alright    to    not    want    to    date    &    to    focus    on    yourself    for    a    little    bit    ,    but    he    knows    people    worry    that    maybe    he's    trying    to    run    away    from    something    ,    &    he    isn't    !    or    at    least    .    .    .    he    doesn't    think    he    is.

he    opens    up    to    @strnza    &    she    merely    looks    at    him    with    that    same    winning    smile    that    seems    to    always    win    over    even    the    rowdiest    of    patrons    at    the    bar.    somehow    she    seems    so    wise    despite    being    a    bit    younger    &    she    prompts    mason    with    a    question    that    simplifies    everything    for    him    with    amazing    ease.    ❝    you    need    to    ask    yourself    ﹕    in    this    moment    ,    are    you    letting    yourself    be    led    by    fear    or    by    love    ?    ❞

anyone    who    knows    mason    well    enough    knows    he's    a    hopeless    romantic    ,    even    if    he    claims    he    isn't    one.    he's    always    dreamed    of    finding    that    perfect    love    one    day    &    would    do    anything    to    fight    for    it    &    keep    it    ,    even    if    it    isn't    easy.    it's    part    of    the    problem    &    why    he    stuck    around    in    his    previous    relationship    for    so    long    ,    &    he    is     working    through    that    in    his    weekly therapy    sessions    ,    but    .    .    .    eliza's    words    seem    to    really    hit    him    in    that    moment    &    there's    really    no    way    for    him    to    avoid    an    answer    or    spin    this    in    a    way    that    he    can    dismiss    it    fully.    is    his    decision    to    not    date    because    he    wants    to    find    the    perfect    love    ,    or    is    he    still    afraid    ?    is    he    afraid    of    making    another    mistake    &    getting    hurt    again    ?    a    part    of    him    knows    he    can't    possibly    get    hurt    to    the    same    degree    as    he    did    last    time    ,    but    what    if    he    did    ?    what    if    it    is    worse    &    he    comes    out    worse    than    he    did    the    first    time    ?    all    these    thoughts    come    crashing    down    on    him    &    all    because    of    one    single    question.    mason soon    realizes    he's    been    quiet    for    a    little    too    long than he should be    ━━    eliza    surely    will    want    to    hear    him    say    something     in    response    to    her    question    ,    but    he    can't    bring    himself    to    admit    to    the    obvious.    he    can't    admit    to    the    fear    ,    he    just    can't.     admitting to it will make it true , will unveil more issues with himself than he wants to deal with. instead    ,    he    just    puts    on    a    smile    as    he    stretches    out    his    long    fingers    ,    hovering    them    by    the    piano    keys    so    that    they    can    continue    with    the    next    song.    ❝    guess    i    still    have    a    lot    to    think    about    ,    huh    ?    ❞    he    says    with    a    laugh    ,    though    deep    down    he    is    still    thinking    &    he    knows    the    answer. & judging by awkward his reaction , eliza probably knows the answer too.

[comfied-chriterature]

SHY episode 10 had me bawling so hard I am in tears I am a mess it is 5 AM and I'm sobbing

The way we watched this impoverished single mother convince herself that her child hated her because she thought she could never make her happy I'm so broken