#idgaf about your marriage issues i want to know more about the world and see you react about it

[randomnameless]

Nobles bad?

I said I wanted to make a post about Lorenz and how refreshing he was from the general trend of putting all ills of society, FE wise, on “ugh nobles”, but I forgot.

Of course, in the course of the story (or stories) the people who are doing shit are nobles, because they are the one able to raise armies/mercenaries to give us red units to fight and exp to farm.

But, in previous FEs, it has never been reduced to “nobles bad”.

Even in FE Tellius (I know).

In FE Tellius, a certain hero disses on “nobles” because he’s a country bumpkin and generally thinks all nobles are poop. And, for some reason, some characters agree with him, even if, hm, he is actually hired by a noble who wants to return to her home to assume the throne by getting rid of the mad king who invaded.

This certain lord ditches the noble title he received during the course of the game - and returned to play mercenary with his little band while two countries are rebuilding with more or less success.

But what is a noble in FE Tellius? Is it only being a stuffy prick ? Are Tellius nobles only Begnion Senators? What are we supposed to think about Elincia then? She’s in charge of a land with people living in it, and those same people are killing each other. What is she supposed to do? Can she just “fig off” and disappear with a band of merry friends until the plot calls her back? Micaiah is bound (lol) by her duty to the people of Daein. Are they stuffy nobles? All of their stories involving drama (thus plot) happen because they are in position of power, and yet have to deal with what it means, how can they protect their people when their people want them dead and/or they have to fight a pointless war else they will all die?

Naesala is called a Good King - despite his dastardry - because he always thinks of his people. 

IMO, being a noble, in Tellius, means accepting the responsability to lead people. Some are lousy (Valtome, Lekain, Hetzel, Numida, etc etc) but for the ones we see and follow? It’s a hard job. Nobles aren’t only lousy moustache twirling vilains, they have, sometimes, to make hard choices.

Nobles bad? What was Naesala supposed to do? Kill Lekain? Let his people die? Ask Tibarn for help which would have led to “kill Lekain” + let his people die? Smash a watermelon? Ditto for Elincia, what was she supposed to do? Abdicate? Kill her people? Run away and let Crimea fall to anarchy with Ludveck as the new regent?

So when That Lord sprouts his nonsense about nobles, when Elincia had her arc in Part 2, and happens as a deus ex machina because the devs couldn’t stop their right hands to solve everything, it sucks. But at least the duology is consistent, Ike abandonned his title because he didn’t want responsability to lead people, so at the first given occasion, he also ditches his so called family to sail to unknown lands with his BF of choice.

which would lead to another piece being written about Ike’s wish to lead the GM or rather lack of but that’s for another day

Awakening gave us Virion, who ran away from his home to seek help, and is welcomed... not with flowers when he returns to Rosanne. Virion feels like he failed his people, and his people don’t like him. He doesn’t just fig off somewhere else with his wife of choice, nope. Virion has a duty to his people.

Still, FE Echoes came with the “Alm is nobilty” controversy. To be fair, I never understood it as, apparently, fandom did, the point wasn’t to reveal Alm is secretly a noble so all the game speeches about nobles being inherently better than peasants is suddenly tap water, but Alm, despite his magical blood, was raised as a peasant. 

Nobility in FE15 isn’t about blood, it’s a social class. Fernand, Clive and Berkut belong to that class, but they never do anything “noble” - which should be their alley, because they are “nobles”. Clive the Knight and leader of Zofia’s hopes doesn’t go to rescue a small girl kidnapped and brainwashed by blue people. Alm does. Alm isn’t a noble because he has shiny brand or because he is Rudy’s kid, Alm is a noble because he has a noble heart, even if he was raised as a peasant.

(then he becomes king and defeats Duma because while I’d like to read a story about Bob the Baker who is super kind and gives bread to everyone, I don’t think Bob’s plot would be pleasant enough to warrant a game)

Berkut “silence Woman” hunts peasants for sport - there’s nothing noble about him bar his title. 

It all comes down to the line @garlandgerard​ translated in their Hanneman post, in the Jp!Version, Hanneman defines what it means to be a “noble” to him, it isn’t about being born in a specific line or having magic blood, nope. It’s all about what you want to do. Or at least it used to be (willy’s era?), but no matter what, Hanneman still strives to be a “noble”.

But given what NoA came up with and shoehorned in their support “That is one of the reasons I decided to leave that nonsense behind, and dedicate myself to the study of Crests” I am not surprised how “nobility bad” became a trend.

And here comes our man, Lorenz.

For sure, he acts like a loser in his first supports, and everyone pushes the “nobility bad” act on him. And yet, through his supports, Lorenz finally makes his POV known, it is not that he is a stuffy noble, but acts like he thinks a “good noble” should act - he has to protect commoners, so he shouldn’t be their friend (Raph support). Lorenz also believes nobles are far more important than randoms, because nobles have a duty and responsability to their people, they must be held accountable if something bad happens (Catherine support iirc). In his Leonie support? Lorenz explains he has to help “commoners” because it is his duty as a noble, and oh, all those taxes he and his dad are levying?

They were used to pay Jeralt (who most likely spent everything in a pub).

“It is a noble's duty to give to the commonfolk. In return, the commoner need only pay respect.” / “Yes, the commonfolk give the fruits of their labor— willingly I might add—as a token of that respect”.

Lorenz believes in some sort idealised... contract... with a hierarchy and people having to do something in exchange of something else. Hm. Offering protection to someone in exchange for their “respect”? Where did I hear this? Hommage? Feudalism? No, it can’t be.

Leonie, one of the few commoners with no background and presumable no money in the playable cast, says “Turns out, he just has this grand idea of nobility he's trying to live up to...” + “You weren't wrong about nobles and commoners each having their own role”.

Nobility isn’t bad - Lorenz is trying to adopt the standard of what he thinks is a “noble”... Just like Hanneman.

On a negative note, Dorothea’s views about nobility are never challenged.

Ferdie makes her understand he is not a “stuffy noble” because he can bake sweets and wasn’t oogling her back then but admiring her - but Ferdie doesn’t explain what is nobility, why it apparently sucks in Enbarr and what ideal he is chasing after. Lorenz? There are some perks in her support, but when the guy explains he has to find a woman of noble status to raise the position of his house in the Alliance, Dorothea doesn’t understand - thinks he could find a suitable wife with the masses and grows angry when he refuses because his house’s status in on the line. Dorothea even muses that Lorenz believes in the “lie” that is nobility, never giving him, or anyone else, the chance to explain that no, nobility is not a “lie”.

Just like Berkut might be a Prince but is no noble, the nobles who treated her like dirt are “nobles” but do not have noble qualities. Leonie understands that all nobles are “noble” and if every rich guy she met was a true noble, like Lorenz, the world would be a better place. Dorothea? She doesn’t.

Just like knights and “true knights” in a certain series, FE always tried to make a difference between “rich aristocrats who inherited a position and are asshats”, and “rich aristocrats who inherited a position but try to do the Right (tm) things with their powers and have responsabilities to the people they are lording over”.

Lorenz, just like apparently Hanneman, are “true nobles” because they want do do noble and heroic things. Randolph? Not so much.

Tl ; Dr : Nobility isn’t Bad - People are bad. 

All nobles aren’t bad, just like all commoners aren’t good. In a game which gave us Lorenz, I thought that point would have been more discussed, but apparently not because the guy has a silly haircut and the BE are very loved by the (localised?) fandom.

[fallin-flcwer]

PHOENIX LIN TRUTH BOOTH

GENERAL QUESTIONS

1. Please state your full name: I go by three names, but they’re all more or less the same, just translated differently. The name I was born with is Lin Feng Huang, which translates to Lam Fung Wong in Cantonese, then my English name is Phoenix Lin. 2. Does your name(s) have any kind of meaning? If so, what is it? Feng Huang means Phoenix in English, hence why it’s my English name  3. Do you have any nicknames? Nix, Duck Lin, Kung Pho Panda (thanks Addison), Shitlin (thanks Luca). No one really calls me it, but I also like being called Nixie. 4. Where were you born? And in which country? I was born in Violet Springs 5. What is your date of birth? 24th of October, 2000 6. Of course, the following question; what is your Zodiac sign? Scorpio 7. Do you believe in Zodiac signs? Yes. 8. Where do you live? Lilac Wells 9. What is your home situation like? (ex. do you live with your family? Your partner etc.?) I live with my mum and Duyi 10. Do you have any siblings? I have an older half-brother. We've never spoken to each other, and I don’t plan on doing so. 11. Do you have any kind of allergies? I have a small allergy to cinnamon 12. Do you own any pets? If so, what kind of pets are they? I’ve got a chihuahua called Chia and a Siamese cat called Cat. 13. Why did you apply to St Jude’s? Not gonna lie, the part of it was because my friends planned to go there, but there were also some teachers there that I admire, and still do. 14. Did you had to go through a lot audition rounds? Nope. 15. What is the current course you’re following? Netball and Swimming. I did do gymnastics and modelling but I dropped them earlier this year. 16. If you can switch courses, which one would you switch to and why? I would do modelling if I wasn’t so focused on sports. 17. What is your proudest project you’ve done? I think for sports, it’s pretty much... you know.. sport. But playing The Female for Felix’s show, The Boys, is something I never thought I'd be able to do, but I’ve found it so fun. 18. What is the proudest project that someone’s else has done? Cindy getting into a national soccer team. It cost me seeing her religiously but that’s okay. 19. Do you like FanCons? Yes. Being a sports person, you don’t get many stans the way musicians and actors here do, but it’s still fun. 20. What do you like about FanCons? Meeting the fans I do have. 21. What don’t you like about FanCons? It really does tire me out from time to time. Not all of them, but there have been some. 22. A fan memory that always stuck with you? Can be positive or negative. A little girl came to me and talked to me about how happy she was to see an Asian sportswoman. 23. Your favorite event so far? The halloween party in my first year LMAO. 24. What kind of event would you like to see in the future? Anything that has to do with travelling. 25. Would you recommend St Jude’s to friends, family. etc? If they’re pursuing a career in the Arts, yes

PERSONALITY QUESTIONS

26. What are your positive traits? Level-headed, realistic and supportive 27. What are you negative traits? I can be a bit bossy and stubborn 28. What would other people describe you as? Carefree 29. What are your pet peeves? Loud chewers 30. What makes you happy? This has to be the most un-Phoenix-like answer but watching pottery videos. My mum used to take me to her pottery lessons growing up, but I never did it myself. 31. What makes you upset? Seeing people I care about upset 32. What is something you love? Food, my mum and my friends 33. What is something you dislike? My  34. What are you strengths? Saving money (thanks mum), biology, and sport 35. What are you weaknesses? I definitely struggle with empathising with people I can’t relate to, but it’s something I want to learn to do 36. A misconception people often think of you? That I’m a very idgaf person. I like to come off that way bc it’s just easier for me, but I’m definitely a bit more sensitive than I like to let off. 37. Do you have any fears? I’m scared of frogs, but you would be too if your little cousin chased you around with one 38. What scares you the most? Losing my mum, honestly. I’d go insane at this point if it wasn’t for her. 39. What do you do to entertain yourself? Watch vine compilations on youtube. 40. What is your MBTI? ESTJ. 41. How do you deal with stress? Shut it out completely. 42. Are you a determined person? Are you a stubborn person? I’m definitely both. 43. Do you consider yourself selfish? Yes. 44. Would you like to be different? In some ways, yes. 45. Are you more introverted (focused on your inner world) or more extraverted (focused on other people and the outer world)? Honestly, I think I’m both but I lean more towards extroverted.

ROMANCE QUESTIONS

46. What is your sexual orientation? I’m bisexual. 47. Current relationship status? Single, but I may or may not be emotionally invested in Gabriel. 48. When was your first kiss? I was around 15. 49. Do you remember your first date? If so, with who was it? What did you do? It was with one of my human biology classmates. She took me out to the movies and went out for bubble tea afterwards. 50. Have you ever experienced heart-break? No. 51. Have you ever been in love? (If yes, skip to question 53) No. 52. If no, how so? I just don’t think I’ve ever felt how I’m supposed to when I’m ‘in love’ 53. How do you know when you’re in love? I wouldn’t know. Sorry. 54. What would be your ideal date? Just something indoors. We can have takeout, watch a movie, whatever. I’m not picky. 55. What is your perspective on marriage? I think marriage is a little bit overhyped. Obviously, marriage is good when it’s done right, but really it’s pretty much a relationship topped off with a ring and a fancy ceremony. Just because someone said their vows and “I do” doesn’t mean that they’re not going to cheat if they want to, in my eyes. 56. (only for non-virgins) Are you a sub, dom or switch? I don’t really believe in dom/sub roles. Like just get on with it. However, I will admit that I like being on top. 57. What do you think of relationships? As of right now, I don’t think I’m ready to be in a committed relationship, but then again I don’t believe in actively looking for a relationship. I think things will unfold over time and I’ve just gotta let it be.  58. What do you think of one-night stands? I don’t have an issue with them. 59. Are you still a virgin? No. 60. Most attractive trait in a different person? Their confidence, and as how well they treat people. 61. What matters most to you when it comes to a relationship? Honesty and trust. 62. Are you comfortable with PDA? Or would you be comfortable with PDA? Yes, but only in very small doses. 63. Are you more of a type to be asked out or the type to ask the other out? It depends on the person. 64. How do you express love to the other? I will cook for you, or at least try to.  65. Who is your celebrity crush? Jeon Wonwoo.

GETTING DEEP QUESTIONS

66. Do you regret anything? Yes 67. Is there something you would like to re-do? So, start all over again? My entire first year here 68. What is something you would never share with anyone? Pass, because that would mean that I shared it 69. When was the last time you cried? Why did you cry? Maybe like last week. I think I’m more sensitive than I like to let off 70. Most memorable event that happened in your time in St Judes? This could be anything: Halloween in my first year, when Cindy brought me an inflatable panda suit and rolled me around in it. 71. One thing you wish you could do all over? My first year 72. Someone you miss? My Grandmother 73. Something you wish you could forget? Anything involving my dad 74. Who has the biggest impact on you? My mum 75. What is your perspective on love? Is it beautiful? Does it scare you? There have been some things that have happened in my life that has changed my perspective on love dramatically.  76. What has hurt you in the past that you don’t want others to go through? Pass 77. What is something you have gained, something you have lost and something you let go of during the past year? I’ve gained some more initiative. I’ve lost some confidence but at the same time I’ve definitely let go of some self hatred I’ve been holding onto. I doesn’t seem like it makes sense but it does to me 78. Have you ever lost a friend? do you wish you would still be friends? My sports squad :( minus Luca obviously.  79. Do you have any triggers? What is the history behind these triggers and are they related to any disorders or mental illnesses? None that I’m willing to talk about  80. If you could meet your 16 year old self, what would tell them? As much as you want to be with your friends. Maybe St. Judes isn’t the best choice. And if you are as stubborn as I remember you to be, if you do go, please be more careful this time.

RANDOM QUESTION ROUND

81. Summer or Winter? Winter 82. Cats or dogs? Cats 83. Beach or mountains? Mountains 84. Phone calls or texting? Texting 85. Have you ever skipped class? Yes