#idk he doesn’t really have like. à personality so it’s kinda. how would that work

[shot-by-cupid]

I’m obsessed with this little freakazoid but would it be weird to ship with him

[saltyaro]

topsydead a réagi à votre billet “Arophobia and the ace community: a few bullet points”

I'm alloace. I haven't seen this behavior in other alloaces but it is concerning and I accept the call to action. It's clear that people don't understand the SAM and don't acknowledge aros. What can I do to help?

You probably don’t realize you see it because you’re not the...target? of arophobia, but I would be very surprised if you’ve actually never encountered it! Maybe you’re really lucky.

I’m glad you’re willing to challenge this habit, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to give you concrete advice. I’ll try though.

From my point of view, because ace people are oppressed under our society’s assumption that everyone feels sexual attraction, and are often seen as subhuman because of that, there’s this kinda desperate desire to be seen as still valuable “despite” the lack of sexual attraction. As a result, alloaces kinda rely on their romantic attraction to gain “approval” from other people and society. That’s because romance is seen as the most important thing in people’s lives, so, from an ace’s point of view, it makes sense to...double efforts, to “make up” for the lack of sexual attraction? I think it’s important to first realize “why” amatonormativity and arophobia are so rampant within alloace’s communities. Of course, that it’s something understandable, doesn’t mean it should stay that way. That’s my hypothesis on the matter: not necessarily that the alloaces’ arophobia is stronger than in the general population but rather, that the emphasis on romance and amatonormativity is pushed more obviously. If that makes sense. So, the arophobia is extremely visibly and harmful to us (especially because of our shared spaces).

So yeah that’s the way I do things, I try to understand the systems behind things. This is the first step, now what to do?

I’d say, try to train yourself to recognize the assumptions of romance. Try to do a parallel with the sexual assumptions, the systems are very similar. Not going to lie, this is gonna be difficult, because amatonormativity is very strongly ingrained in us, to the point where we perpetuate it without ill intent. It’s pretty sneaky. For an example, you can take the sentences like “we can still love!” as part of this shit. The concept of soulmates, is another instance (yes, even when people try to argue soulmates can be platonic, doesn’t change anything). Or, the constant invisibilization of aroaces/using them as tokens. Everyone’s different, but as a general way of thinking, it’s pretty disrespectful to assume aroaces prioritize their ace identity and will relate to alloace posts. Idk, I’m not ace (i used to identify as aroace though) so it may not be my place, but back when I was in the ace community, everything just seemed so...focused on being in a romantic relationship while ace. It’s not bad to have these resources, they’re needed, but if your blog/activism focuses on that, then it’s not “ace activism” but “alloace activism”. Nothing wrong with that, just, don’t pretend any ace can relate. Aroaces can’t, and I’m sure a lot of non-Sam aces can’t either. Basically, does the post (or anything of the sort) assume “ace” means “alloace”? If yes, then it’s alienating. 

Those behaviours are also harmful to non-ace aros, of course. Because we’re sibling-communities, and (allo?)aces have more visibility than us. If someone places romance over any other kind of relationship, this is amatonormative. Beware of that, don’t ignore it. Obviously no one can be on edge 24/24 but it would be nice to have some alloaces challenge those thoughts!

Basically, before you can do anything, I think it would be useful to read through some aro blogs! There’s mine of course, but I’m a non-sam aro so it could be cool to also read from aroaces and alloaros. We all have different experiences with the ace community. 

Challenging those thoughts takes a lot of work. Stop putting romance on a pedestal, challenge any relationship hierarchy that pretends to be universal - it’s fine if it’s personal I guess but not if it’s supposed to be the norm - and challenge the very idea that what makes us humans is love. Regardless of the type of love I’d say. 

As another example, when you have an ace character in some kind of media with no explicit romanticism...don’t assume they’re alloace. If you know the content the character it’s from, read critically. Maybe there’s no answer but there often is. I’m thinking Jughead, who’s either non-sam ace or aroace, but without romantic feelings anyway. When shitterdale straightwashed him a lot of people were like “he can still be ace! We can still love!” when...yeah, but he’s supposed to be aro to. The “ace” part wasn’t what we were worried about. Same thing happened with (I think, don’t take my word on that) Raphael from Sh/adow hunte/rs, and again, the alloace community rejoincing for the ace rep. How shitty is it to rejoice over the erasure of an aro character? This second example wasn’t great rep from the start apparently, but yeah. Still an asshole move. I also think it’s important to be critical of how all ace rep either is, or is washed to be, alloace rep. Alloace rep is cool and important, but not at the expense of aroaces. Also, I think it’s worth mentioning that aro characters aren’t made to be alloaros so there’s definitely a double standard. Bo/jack for an example, “became” alloace when a lot of aroaces related to him at first. That’s what he was coded as but the ace community pushed against it and the creator decided to make him allo (probably in good faith!). 

So yeah, maybe try to react when alloaces get angry when people draw pride art and. Draw the ace flag as a single person, because again “ace” doesn’t mean “alloace”. The “ace” community is shared by allo aces, non-sam aces, and aroaces. 

Please be aware if you see di/s/k h/orse things, when ex/clusio/nism is discussed, of the aromantic erasure that always happens. Even when the ex/cl/u mentions aros, the inc/lu’s answer systematically ignores that part. There was this survey last year, on this topic, and it was shown that people who include aces do not necessarily include aros. Of course, I didn’t see any alloace mention that, even though they showed the results to be all “see everyone/most people think(s) we belong!”. Without mentioning that very important and very telling aspect. I would have loved it if an alloace had mentioned it, and had tried to open a discussion about it! But I didn’t see it happen. I know this is a very specific example, but basically, I think what would be nice, would be for some alloaces to stick for us aros whenever something like that happens. I’m not saying to actively look for such things, but if you follow ace blogs, you’re going to see it happen. 

Oh and also, I don’t know what’s your stance on this, so I’m going to write it just in case but. “Aspec” means aro + ace. It comprehends everyone: non-sam aro, non-sam aces, aroaces, allo aros, and allo aces. It’s not the same as “acespec”! It’s really erasing us aros whenever someone uses “aspec” to mean “acespec”, it’s alienating us from our own community. There’s the aro community, the ace community for our specific, different needs, but the aspec community is supposed to be our shared community so. Definitely “call out” (by that I mean comment on) people who do that! They may not have bad intents but the result is still here, and it’s just. Spreading everyday, and pushing aros further under the bus.

So yeah all it boils down to is, try and comment/reblog posts that antagonize us? Within the limits of your energy and mental health of course. And maybe try to spread knowledge about what amatonormativity is (I have a tag but you can also google it, there’s an easy to find definition), why it’s harmful, and how it operated, within the ace community. As an alloace, maybe you’ll get more attention than aros (whether we’re also ace or not, people don’t listen to us). I personally think it would benefit everyone (including alloaces) to get rid of amatonormativity but for now, pointing it out - whether for yourself or in a more public manner - should be a good beginning. 

I...hope this answers your question? 

[lydsfm]

funny how i’ve had this bitch for a good year or so, began using her in january, Stopped, and have absolutely no recollection of the bg i made up for her since it’s likely in a dm i’ve lost track of SFSGFLDK so we’re starting over !! i’m gonna make this short and sweet bc dealing with three kids under the age of ten when i could’ve been wrapping this up a few hours ago took me O U T, not to mention i’m watching masterchef as i type this, but i’m kat, about to become an old hag come sunday bc i turn 22 and.. idk, i could use a glass of moscato right about now sdfjlkgdf enough about me bc you’ll see me bitching about something soon enough, so with that i’ll introduce you all to miss lydia hyunh ! stats will be up later hopefully, plots..... we’re going off the cuff with them until i cave and make one up so until then —

╰   * ✶ . ever notice lydia hyunh kinda looks like hillary trinh ? they’ve got 4.8m followers on instagram, but that’s no surprise. their instagram bio says they identify as cis female and go by she/her. they just turned twenty-one, right? word around la is they’re kinda vainglorious and nonchalant, but you couldn’t tell online. does it matter when your family’s net worth is $270m? ❪ kat, she/her, gmt-2:30 ❫

she comes from a new money family at the helm of a hong kong-based real estate development firm, but her geographical background is a tad more complex than that sijfg

not to mention her mother being a miss universe contestant-turned-supermodel who still walked the occasional runway after two kids à la the iconic 2010s victoria’s secret models, but anyways —

her dad’s a british national ( and started off as a financier, then switched to real estate, tHEN became a cfo of his own firm fdgsdklfdgfl ) as are she and her brother, so while he and his family were busy building up their company with many trips abroad, lydia, her brother and her mom hung back in london for the most part — though some of her summers were spent in hong kong or along the beaches of the mediterranean when she wasn’t embracing the countryside of her home country during term breaks

however, at age 10, she and the family moved to edinburgh so she could attend a more prestigious private school — and so they could be a bit closer to her brother who was spending time at the renowned st. andrew’s university 

.. basically, i need a sister in arms when it comes to bastardized accents, so have this british bitch with a scottish twinge FDSGJSHDGFSLK

speaking of her brother, they clearly have a sizeable age gap, so while they do love each other and all that, they aren’t necessarily close. he’s primed to be something of an heir and he’s more than cool with that, while lyds is more keen on taking her time to figure out what she wants to do with her life and her parents encourage it..... not to say he was ever pressured but, y’know

all the while, mama hyunh was busy appearing on.. idk, something like america’s next top model and project runway when she could — maybe even masterchef ?? GJSFGF — trying to work her schedule around lydia by taking her with her on sick days or during the summer months

so lydia had a taste of hollywood during her early teens with these trips, absolutely enamoured, fucking gobsmacked that her mom was in the industry bc with the way they lived back home it was as if she was merely privileged as hell

connection idea right there folks !

should note bc it feels weird to glaze over it even if it disrupts the flow, but lydia ?? LOVES her mom. so much. she’s a family girl in general, but she really does look up to her mom and appreciates the little things she does to help or impress her

we’re all about wholesome family relationships here, js SLKFDGJSLFD but anyways

she keeps up this lifestyle of studying in edinburgh, travelling wherever the fuck her parents wish to take her and getting ( almost ) whatever she wants

bc if there’s one thing either of her parents put to her, it was to know her limits and to at least recognize her privilege, even if they knew she was a little too spoiled in her own way to be thoroughly humbled. sounds fake but i always thought of them as traditional hard workers who want their kids to be the same, so 😔

and with that, upon graduating and attending uni in glasgow the following fall, lydia kinda.. separated herself from some aspects of her wealth, wanting to be a normal student with some obvious luxuries bc. she can’t help herself fsdgljgdfs

especially when you have a damn model for a mom and you’re Kinda known to be her kid

and yknow what, it worked out for the most part. ofc she couldn’t hide her roots so people knew this annoying brat came from money, but they weren’t complaining bc at least it meant they had some GREAT parties bc of some loans she’d give out for the sake of having a good time herself

long story short, she loved uni, still does, but she loves the breaks even more as she’s been consistently visiting hollywood since she was 18. mama hyunh became more involved in being a tv personality now that both kids were out of the nest and her husband kept himself occupied with work ( when he couldn’t see her, which ofc is routine as he recently moved up to be ceo ), so she spends much of her time in beverly hills 

so much so that lyds’ summers were spent reconnecting with her mom, and having a wild time on the side too gfsdkjgfd

this year, however, her dad decided to open an office in l.a. to be more present with his wife. and to capitalize on the market

and after hearing that.. something in lydia Snapped. ksldfgjkldf like she v quickly decided to take a break from school and stay here for a bit

which some would find weird bc really ? NOW ? when your parents are around ?? but eh....... using the excuse of “ family bonding ” to really take advantage of whatever ounce of star power she has here is fine by her LFSKDGJSDFG

probably lives with her two cousins to save her ass from being dragged

PERSONALITY AND OTHER SHIT

according to my little blurb on my p much Dead indie: “ ( upper middle class-turned ) trust fund baby who tries to downplay her privilege but usually fails; adventurous and charming, she's a soft player who likes being pursued so long as she calls the shots ”

so uh.. that hasn’t changed much GFLKSDFL

i love the ( closet ) sad little rich girl and all those classic tropes as much as the next person, but lydia happens to be one of the most unbothered chicks you’ll probably ever meet FGJKSDG

vulnerability ?? don’t know her ! she’s just here for a good time and doesn’t know anything But !

laidback af, not to mention i never saw her as particularly defensive of her status and such, and i’m sure her uni life reflected that all by itself

the fact that she’s had it relatively easy in the sense of no real trauma or family issues helps, who knows fdsjglk

doesn't mean she won't lay into you if the time calls for it, especially if you have a god complex or something. she’s of the mindset, “ you do you and i’ll do me, but act like a fool and i’ll happily remind you of it for the rest of your days, ” so it's safe to say that someone could bring out the bitch that lurks beneath if they're not careful SGFJDKLGF

can she be selfish and indulgent ?? .. yes, but does she carry herself as such ? ………. also yes, bUT not by much, which makes a difference ! 

LKSFDGLF jk, but she is restrained in how she displays these tendencies ( for the most part ) or else she probably would’ve gotten her ass handed to her back in uni. thank god she’s well-mannered enough

wild child ! gets around ! don’t think i need to elaborate aside from the fact that she’d rather NOT get an sti or wind up in the er over dumb shit, so there’s a sense of caution with it all

basically, she can be materialistic as hell and takes advantage of the shit she has while she has it, but she’s practical enough to know her limits or to just. know better

idfk, i feel like this makes zero sense bc i’m so drained, that this seems like it could be the setup for a m*ry s*e which..... ew, and that i’m missing a lot of extras but i’m DEAD so we’ll leave it there fdklgjsg

[erratic-erotica]

When You Dare (Dicks Out For Harambe)

What up, bitches. It’s me (DD) again, hittin’ hard and fast with another one.

Caveat:  I did actually more or less enjoy this one, so it won’t be nearly as scathing as the one for Hard Night: Penis Patrol.

Anyway, without further ado, here comes When You Dare by Lori Foster.

ALTERNATE TITLE: CROUCHING CHEST HAIR, (BARELY) HIDDEN PENIS

So, When You Dare starts out with our hero, Dare McIntosh (aka Biceps McGee) out on an extraction mission in Tijuana to recover his friend’s sister, Alani, who has been kidnapped by human traffickers. Sucks, man.

So he busts into to where this poor girl is being held, casually executing the Expendable Guards, and is like “TADAAA. HERE I AM TO SAVE THE DAY,” which, you know...valid.

A couple of the other girls being held there just sort of…flee into the night. As you do. But besides the girl he’s there to get, there’s another one who is clearly in bad shape. And so Biceps McGee does what any noble hero would do given the circumstances and goes, “Well. Don’t mind if I do, then,” and just fucking…takes her with him?

So after delivering Alani, Biceps McGee is just like, “Shit. What do I do with this woman?”

Woman solves this conundrum by waking up and kicking him straight in the face.

That’s what you do with this woman, my dude. You get kicked in the face.

Anyway, Biceps McGee is not a doucheyacht, so he’s like, “Alright, fair play to you, lady.” He explains he’s a Good Guy and has smuggled her back over the border, and would she like to go to the police, a hospital, or a hotel?

Lady opts for hotel (because shower), and I honestly can’t be all too judgy about that? I’d want to shower, too, after being kidnapped and beaten for nine days.

Lady introduces herself as Molly Alexander (hereafter Self-Effacing Heroine), and she doesn’t want to make a police report just yet, because she is actually a famous writer (no really, Ryan Reynolds is attached for the film adaptation of her book) and can’t believe she was abducted by accident…which means someone in her life is no good asshole.

So let’s meet our suspects:

Self-Effacing Heroine’s ex-fiancé, Adrian: they broke up over her not buying him new rims for his car, I guess.

Daddy Warbucks: Heroine’s rich and snooty father who is just all about appearances, to which heroine and her younger sister have never measured up. He also drove Self-Effacing Heroine’s mom to suicide and then married himself a new, equally obsessed with appearances Stepford Wife.

Readers: APPARENTLY, Heroine did a bad and ended up putting in a plot twist that nobody liked, and now she’s just fucking swimming in death threats! Oops!

“Cool,” I said to myself at this point, “It’s probably the step mom. No need to stray too far from the Evil Stepmother trope.”

After her first shower in like a week and a half, heroine goes, “Hey, dude, you’re like, the only person I can trust right now. Big ask, but could you maybe help me find out who arranged this?”

And Biceps McGee is like, “Sure. Wait. Why did I say sure? I was gonna drop you off somewhere and wash my hands of this mess. Is this what having feelings is like?”

After some nighttime snuggling due to nightmares (also justified), Biceps McGee and Self-Effacing Heroine are off for Kentucky, because that’s where Biceps McGee lives, on his palatial lakeside estate, with his two Labradors that he calls “his girls” and his live-in gay personal assistant-slash-best-friend, Chris.

Heroine has a nice vacay there for a bit, doing some writing and hanging out with dogs, doing her damnedest not to get in the way and to be a good guest. She has another Convenient Nightmare, which justifies another sleepover (just sleeping, hand to god).

Did I mention that Biceps McGee can cook? Because that’s honestly the sexiest part of any hero. It’s nice you got biceps and all but fucking feed me.

Eventually, around page 200 or so, there is finally a by-the-docks snog sesh. Whoooooooop, whooooooooooop. SOUND THE SMUT ALARM. Except, no. Just, like – the fingering whistle. Maybe a kazoo? I’ve got it: the FINGERING HURDY-GURDY.

And Biceps McGee is just like:

Anyway, Biceps McGee has a little tête-à-tête with Self-Effacing Heroine’s father to determine if he’s behind it all, presumably while looming threateningly. Every girl wants to get with a guy who threatens to destroy her father, after all.

Then they book it back to bumfuck, Ohio, where Heroine is from, to do some more pro-level investigating. Self-Effacing Heroine and Biceps McGee have just returned to her apartment (to find it trashed, natch).

But, THEN! Surprise appearance by ex-fiancé, who comes in while macking on some rando. Of course, Biceps McGee and Heroine are all like, “DAFUQ, DUDE.”

Ex-fiancé helpfully explains that, well, he came by to check on Self-Effacing Heroine and maybe try to get back together (???????) and since she had just up and disappeared, he took it upon himself to use her apartment as a shag pad.

Gross. Anyway, after some strange flirtation with Biceps McGee in front of her ex, presumably to evoke jealousy, they toss him and his rando out, and proceed to bang it out. Extra gross, my dudes. Change your sheets, first. Jesus. You don’t know where your ex has been at this point. This is also the point in the plot where Biceps McGee definitely catches feelings like they might as well be an STI.

Shortly thereafter, Self-Effacing Heroine’s sister sneaks in the apartment, too. Clearly, Heroine’s apartment is just the hottest joint in town. Sister has brought her boyfriend, who is ex-FBI, and currently a private detective. How perfectly fucking convenient. Anyway, not much comes of this. Sister is apparently the only person who knew/cared that Self-Effacing Heroine went missing for over a week, and she was just, like, hella worried and shit.

This development is followed by more smut, this time in the bathroom! Guys, that is dangerous. Do not try this at home! You will straight-up kill yourselves, and I will laugh at you. At least they eventually have the good sense to move the party back to the bedroom, with no more inconveniently-timed surprise visitors.

The next day they decide it’s about time to confront Daddy Dearest one more time, because he’s got some sketchy business connections. It’s also about the time that Biceps McGee just kinda casually drops the, “Hey, why don’t you come home with me and we’ll see where this thing goes?” line.

Of course, Self-Effacing Heroine is all like, “HOT DAMN. I mean, I can work from anywhere.”

So it’s off to Daddy’s mansion they go at last, and there they are met by Stepford Wife/Stepmother Kathi (with an i!).

Daddy Dearest rebukes Self-Effacing Heroine for showing up uninvited because he is just so dreadfully ashamed that she got herself kidnapped and shit. Won’t anyone think of his reputation?!

Biceps McGee is like, “Come at me, bro,” because ain’t no one talking down to Baby Girl. Ain’t no one. There’s some more familial bickering, but ultimately they leave Daddy’s house again, because Biceps McGee doesn’t actually think Daddy had anything to do with it, even if he is a piss-poor father.

But Daddy’s got suspicions of his own, which are, shortly thereafter, confirmed. It was Stepford Wife/Stepmom Kathi with an i all along. For those of you playing along at home, the score is DD: 1, Novelists: 0.

Although it is not directly stated in the story, I prefer to imagine Kathi-with-an-i with crazy eyes at this point in the story. She did it all for her husband’s reputation! Self-Effacing Heroine’s books are depraved! What would the neighbors think?! Also, she’s been sleeping with some other dudes, but she did it for love and continuing social position!

But Daddy Dearest is just like, “Get thee hence, hoebag,” and just pawns her off on the police or something, idk. He’ll never be a contender for father of the year, what can I say.

Meanwhile, Biceps McGee and Self-Effacing Heroine have arrived back in Kentucky (but why Kentucky, my dude? You are like, hella rich), reuniting with Chris and the dogs.

But wait. Stepmomfordwife Kathi had one more trick up her sleeve! A bomb or some shit goes off, and it’s chaos all around! Luckily, no one is seriously injured. And Self-Effacing Heroine takes a trip back into the flaming house to retrieve Biceps McGee’s doggo, thereby cementing her place in his heart F O R E V E R.

The bad guys are quickly subdued, because you don’t fuck with Biceps McGee and Company.

We close on “Hey, let’s pick out rings,” because it’s always a great idea to marry someone you’ve known for about a week. Everyone knows trauma bonding is the basis of true love!

All in all, porn with (fairly decent) plot and enjoyable. I give it a 5 out of 6 and a half inches.

Until next time!

[firecrackerroot]

Dear DC3, here’s the answer you deserve....

Once again, my friend, once again you manage to make me tear up at work and spend an entire day thinking about how to reply to you. But I’m going to try. AS best as I can without starting to cry again ahahaha everything you said is in bold and my answer will be bellow each part. Here we go....

Your mind? Unmatched. Your writing ability? Flawless. Hotel? Trivago.

Okay, so two three things first:

1. I’m not sure if you can see my email (I had to put it on the form to submit this), but just in case you can I want it to be known that middle school me did not know how horrible a person real life Randy Orton is. I have since come to my senses and no longer stan.

- I completely understand because I too have an embarassing email and it’s too late to let it go ahaha

2. I’m sorry this took a century to get to you. My only excuse is a winter storm that the States had wrecked my internet connection (and my will to do anything productive, tbh). To make up for it, I shall share my thoughts on both chapter 10 and the epilogue at the same time so it doesn’t take me another hundred years to message you about the last chapter.

- I would’ve waited another century, don’t worry :) as for the storm, I hope the only thing it damaged was your internet connection and that other than that, everything else is okay. And just like your internect connection, I hope your will to do anything productive has been restored!

Sidenote: I’m finishing writing this at 4:30am where I live, so I’m going to go ahead and apologize if most of this has spelling errors or doesn’t make sense. I’m going to try and go back over this before I submit it so you don’t have to read a whole mess………. but also I’m tired so….. sorry :D

- 4.30am??????????? On a week day?????????? Holy shit! Thank you for your bravery, truly ahahaha 

Anyways, onto my favorite fic ever…

- *blushes*

I love how you were able to explain The Marine 6’s plot in a way that didn’t take away from the story you were telling. I believe that even if I never watched the film, I would still be able to understand what was going on… but since I did watch the whole thing, I greatly appreciated how you structured this chapter in a way that you didn’t explicitly need to recap everything that was going on in the movie. It made for a much smoother read, so thank you.

- Phew! I’m glad to know that, both those things. The structure and the plot. Because I struggled a little bit with making sure everything would fit and make sense and I had to keep thinking about the movie and plot holes where I could fit my story so.... It was a lot of juggling. And fun fact: I tweeted the director of the movie about how long he thinks the action of the movie took, just to be sure my hours were correct but he didn’t get the questions and told me how long it took them to shoot the movie so I just went with my calculations ahahahaha

“In fact, had Maddy stayed in their apartment another minute or two, Cassie would’ve been on her knees pleading for her not to go.” I love this sentence because of how easily you were able to express Cassie’s love for Maddy in four short words: “on her knees pleading.” Picturing tall, strong Cassie so willing to show that type of vulnerability to Maddy is just so… i can’t think of the word… idyllic? idk… it was just a really gentle moment between the two. I genuinely enjoyed that simple sentence.

- Now that you mention it, I’m actually picturing tall strong Cassie on her knees begging Maddy not to go and it hurts. But I get what you’re saying. Is a type of vulnerability not everyone is willing to give/feel and we don’t get to see every day. But those two? They’re on that level.

Also, I love how you were able to insert your own universe in actual movie events without it being a reach. For example, having Cassie be the reason the boat and Cat showed up was a really nice touch and such an effortless way to express how much Cass looks out for Maddy.

- Cat actually shows up because Maddy asks one of the guys to ask her to return and bring the rest of them but, while Cat is driving there, she can still tell Cassie what’s happening. As for the boat, it felt so random in the movie that I had to explain it. Like......... She’s supposed to hold Sarah hostage in the building and then leave so why would the boat be there? Makes no sense ahahaha

I’m not sure if I’ve ever properly addressed this (and I’m still not sure how to word it correctly), but I love how your foreshadowing(?) comes off almost offhandedly? Like, you mentioned once about the significance of Cassie’s name in Greek mythology and then you subtly had that theme pop up in Maddy’s musings about her in past chapters… and if you weren’t paying attention I feel like it’d be easy to overlook those little tie-ins you so seamlessly include. I think it’s referred to as a motif? I’m not really sure, though, I never really spent time trying to understand that stuff in school and now I’m kinda regretting it lol. But anyways, I believe this is the first time you outwardly used that mythology connection to Cassie’s “predicting” an event in this chapter à la the drowning nightmare she had after watching a scary movie before bed. And that’s not the only thing that you would reference to in a past chapter and then repeatedly tie into something going on in the current chapter (like the life-changing car ride moments, the knife, etc.)… This story was so connected and thought out it blows my mind because I feel like that’s the type of writing I usually see in actual books and not fanfiction.

- Tbh I have no idea what it’s called either ahahahahaha but....... I truly like full circles. In shows and movies and books. And when they’re, like you say I do, easily overlooked, it makes everything more awesome because whenever you go back, you find something new. And I like that so.... I write that................. One thing about Cassie’s predictions tho. The mythology about her said no one believed her predictions and Maddy didn’t believe she shouldn’t go and, well, look what happened.

You’re such an intelligent writer and I’m not sure if I just never paid enough attention to other fics before or what, but I feel like I haven’t seen the same amount of time, dedication, and thought you put into your work be replicated in the same success in anything else I’ve read on ao3. And that’s not to say that other stories I spent time reading on that site weren’t good or the author didn’t spend as much time as you did on their story… but idk dude, there was just something so special about your fic that I had to say something. Honestly, I think that’s what made me reach out to you, to begin with. I just needed you to know how fantastic this story was because it touched me in a way other fics haven’t. But lemme stop this ramble here because we have more of the actual story to discuss…

- *insert photo of Becky, crying, holding her title close to her chest after the Last Woman Standing match* 

I’m not sure if it was how I was reading it or if you meant it this way, but once Michael helped Cassie provide Maddy another means of an escape through water, I feel like Cassie’s panic over the situation skyrocketed and that feeling was replicated in the way you wrote her thought process. I even started to read the chapter a bit faster to find out what was going to happen next, which caused me to miss things; I had to go back and force myself to slow down and absorb your words properly- something I feel like Cassie was also doing as to not prematurely freak out over a situation that hasn’t happened yet. So that was kind of cool “bonding” moment I had with Cassie there lol.

- I love that you bonded with Cassie for all the wrong reasons ahahahaahahahahahahhahahahahaah but yeah, I meant it like that. The fact that Michael sent the boat didn’t help Cassie calm down. It only worsen the situation for her because all she could think about was her dream and it was suffocating her.

“This time, Cassie’s heart was sinking lower and lower in her body. To a depth she had never reached.” STOP WITH THE DROWNING REFERENCES IT HURTS MY HEART!!!

- I’M. SORRY.

“IF YOU DON’T CALL IT, I WILL PICK UP THAT PHONE AND I WILL MOVE HELL IF I HAVE TO.” I imagine if this was a movie that this would be the part where the audience would cheer the main character for not sitting idly by and letting the love of their life die and also where the gays would weep because "they love each other so much” 😂

- True and every true ahahahahahaahhahahaha

“I’m not going to lose the love of my life because of someone who never loved her enough.” Okay, wow, the power of that statement hurt but also YASSSSS CASSIE. It’s ridiculous how much you’ve made me love these characters. Like I feel actual happiness that Maddy has someone like Cassie to love her that perfectly (and i’m a lil jealous because why can’t I find my own Cassie?)

- Confession: I had to stop writing after that line because I started crying about it. And that was one of the lines I didn’t have planned. I was doing my thing, thinking about that dialogue and suddenly I hear Cassie’s crying voice say that in the back of my mind and I had to sit down because well, shit. (you’ll find your Cassie unless...................... you’re Cassie!)

Also, it is so refreshing to have a healthy parental relationship being shown here. Honestly, the fact that Michael, without question, gave up a favor with the coast guard all based on Cassie feeling that something was wrong is HUGE. Michael could have used that favor if something went wrong in a deal and they had to hide evidence in the water or something… like it could have been a “get out of jail free” card and he didn’t even blink when deciding to use it on Cassie’s whim. I’m so, so, so happy Maddy found the Knox’s. She deserves this level of  love after the bullshit her father has put her through… When you expand this universe into little one-shots, I would love to see the Knox family dynamics where Maddy is concerned. Like the process of how each member fell in love and accepted this broken Irish girl into their family and the maddening moments where they could tell Maddy didn’t understand how important she is to them. I can just imagine how many headaches her obliviousness gave the Knox’s throughout the years.

- Michael might be a mob king but he’s a very Soft man. And not only did he knew how much Maddy meant to Cassie, he also wasn’t willing to lose Maddy. Which means that if he could do something to save her, even if it meant giving up a “get out of jail free” card, as you say it, to help? Then so be it. Also isn’t it painfully interesting that Horus destroyed Maddy’s life in more ways than one but at the same time, he was the one that gave her the Knox’s? Makes you think.......................................... As for your wish, consider it granted. Title of the story? “Michael and Beth: 2 times they realized they loved Maddy and 2 times they wished she understood.”

When you switch back to Maddy’s POV and she basically says she deserves to die because of the choices she made, I wanted to grab her out of the water and strangle her myself for being so DUMB to believe she deserved it and for how SELFISH she was by giving up because Cassie doesn’t deserve a dead girlfriend!!!! Ugh, I love her so much but sometimes I really want to ram Maddy’s head against the wall lmaoo.

- Same, my friend, same ahahahahaha when I imagined the scene and proceeded to write it, I remember laughing because c’mon Madssssssssssssssssssssss, the girl is waiting!

“Beth, her mother, was waiting by the hospital door and no one seemed to be around. Strange for that time of the day.” Ah, I see the “great lengths to protect” Maddy conversation we had on tumblr came to play here. Again, I’m so glad she has this family in her life.

- That’s exactly it. Michael emptied that aisle of the hospital just so Maddy could be taken in without being seen.

Also, did the importance of the mausoleum ever come into play? Maybe I’ll answer my own question when I reread the epilogue to write my comments on that… Speaking of, I can’t believe how long this post already is and I’m not even on the epilogue yet.

- Not explicitly, no. Since the Hayes left when Nora was killed, her body was left behind for others to bury. Others being her family that never approved her marriage to Horus. So, obviously, they’d bury her on their terms, with her name. It was also a little bit of foreshadowing that Maddy too wouldn’t be buried in the mausoleum.

“To know it was real and that she hadn’t been fed false hopes only to crumble to her knees by a hospital bed.” Hmmmmm, is this a subtle nod to earlier in the chapter where Cassie was going to drop to her knees and beg Maddy to stay? ‘Cause then you do the same thing with the, “Everything was calm. The storm had already passed. And they both reached the shore. Safe and sound.” lines. Tying it back to the beginning of their relationship where a storm was roaring until they stopped being stupid and gentle rain awarded them after they finally embraced. It’s poetic really.

- I didn’t meant that kneeling to be a subtle nod to the beginning of the chapter but I did mean the storm passing one. Good eye!!!!!!

I don’t even want to talk about the following paragraphs that lead to the end of the story. They’re too perfect and heartbreaking and there’s nothing for me to say because you already have. Brava, my friend.

- I feel you but let me just say that I felt a little bit of pride with the last two lines Michael and Beth said. The whole “we’re asking you to marry our daughter”.

–

Onto the epilogue…

Honestly, I’m not sure I’m going to have a lot to say on this because this whole chapter is just so perfect to me. You couldn’t pay me to come up with a better ending than this… Everything just came so full circle, it’s beautiful. I can easily picture the epilogue being an end credit scene of the film where you think the hard parts are over and haynox is living an idyllic life out in Ireland, just for the ending seconds of the film to close out on the two kicking ass and being the badass partner in crime duo we know them to be. I love it, I love it, I love it.

- Yeeeeeeeeeees, that’s what I meant for it to be. End credits, wrapping up everything. And when it all looks nice and smooth, the fire starts to burn and our partner in crime duo start to be badass again!

“But you love and respect your wife so…” Ahhh!!! it’s so weird seeing them call each other that, but (if you couldn’t tell) I love it! It’s what these dummies deserve. Also, I have a feeling it might have gone over my head, but is the necklace metaphor about their love/Maddy not being able to slip away? Like the necklace is tying down the ring so it can’t do something stupid like, say, DROWN IN THE WATER? 😂

 - Huahahahahaha Maddy feels the same way, she’s also not used to the new term but they’ll get used to it. They have a lifetime to do so after all. As for the metaphor, it’s two things actually xD The first one you’re very close. I don’t know if you watched Jennifer’s Body but the only reason why Jennifer doesn’t die when Needy stabs her is because of their friendship necklace and when Needy rips it off, she dies. It’s like she’s tied to life by it. And the same can be said about Maddy and her necklace + ring. (it also means Cassie has Maddy by the throat which relates to their bedroom shenanigans but lets leave it at that ahahahah)

Also, the whole funeral scene was gold. From Cassie wanting to burn Horus alive and then realizing Hell will do that for her to Maddy being an idiot for considering leaving the car but allowing Cassie to have the control in confronting her father and finally ending her story with the Hayes. Ugh. Genius.

- Initially, I had planned for Cassie to set his car on fire and then drive away but as a I was writing, it sort of happened this way and I like it much better ahahah And we all know Maddy is an idiot but Cassie avenged her properly so it was all good.

Speaking of, you handled the time jumps so effortlessly and I could see you going back to certain events in your side stories- like Cassie helping Maddy through her fear of water, their first Christmas together as a couple, Maddy realizing that she was wrong before and that warm home she didn’t believe she could have again in Ireland was always possible with Cassie by her side… so many possibilities. (Also, I’d 100% be content with just playing them out in my head, so don’t feel obligated/overwhelmed to write them!)

- All of these have been added to my to-do list ahahahaha but I’m on vacation right now so unless you want to talk about certain parts of that before I start writing, we can. If not, starting February 22, I will HOPEFULLY make it rain again.

Okay, so the reasoning behind Maddy’s new name is perfect and everything I never knew I needed. And I totally see Maddy in you with the “…was more than what you thought you deserved. And more than you could ever thank them for.” bit. Newsflash, my friend, you and Maddy both deserve what this story has given you. I hope that one day you both can accept how wonderful you are and how much you deserve the praises you get on the world’s you create.

- All I can say to this message is thank you and I truly hope you’re right because in this moment? I can only vouch for Maddy when I say she deserves the world. Can’t say the same about myself. But I appreciate your words, all of them and I’m forever thankful for them. I hope you know that.

Weird coincidence, but I recently stumbled upon the song “Call Me” by Shinedown and have been kind of obsessed with it so when I found out that the pub and shop are called Sinners and Saints I was shooketh™ because that’s literally a line in the song… Anyways, I love the name of the buildings. I feel like that fits who they are so perfectly, you know? They are not one or the other, hot or cold, in or out, they’re always a perfect mix of both.

- I just heard that song and it’s preeeeeeeeetty cool and can actually fit Maddy, if you think about it. The names of the buildings actually came from the song that names the chapter because I feel it perfectly recaps the story. But yes, they’re a mix of both and isn’t that the best place to be?

And my god, we do not deserve Cassie. Her buying the shop? Painting the door green? Doing the research to find out the name of the pub that Maddy herself forgot? Having an auto shop be RIGHT there????? It’s fate. The red string theory. All the people and events they had to go through brings them right back where it started because that’s where they belong. It’s beautiful, so, so beautiful.

- When Cassie bought the shop, she asked for the history of it, previous owners and all that to get the information about it. And the auto shop was built from scratch because it wasn’t there. The red string theory always comes into play and especially here because, if you think about, they would’ve met at the pub even if Maddy’s left hadn’t changed. Think with me. Maddy would keep working at the pub, unknowing about the rest and one day Cassie and Michael enter to greet Horus and say their brewery is branching into Europe. It would’ve happened anyway.

I love that you showed Maddy calling Michael. She finally has a father that not only cares about her but is someone Maddy feels like she can go to and express herself to. And I love how you wrapped up her life in America. I can’t remember what chapter it was in, but I know you mentioned that even though Maddy does bad things, she always tries to make sure the innocents are spared so they don’t have to experience what she had to. So to see Neptune, the shop, and the rest of her employees being taken cared of instead of just forgotten after her “death” is perfect and such a Maddy thing to do. I’m thrilled you included that small bit.

- She could’ve called Beth but she wanted specific information only Michael could give. And yes, she finally has A Father. That’s her motto. That and the fact that it was never about the money. So she always paid her employees handsomely and if they needed help with a children tuition of something, she’d gladly pay for it. Knowing about that dependency, she would obviously leave them her car shop money if anything was to happen. Which she did.

I also love that haynox didn’t have to give up everything they wanted to be safe. In fact, they got everything they ever wanted- they’re married and in love, Maddy has her car shop she worked so hard for, Cassie has the brewery that she gets to build from the ground up, they’re both still involved in the crime business, and they both get to live in a place they consider to be “home.” You could not have written a more perfect ending.

- Everything they ever wanted is their, so long as they work for it. And they did. And now it’s time to enjoy every second of it. Together. 

You gave them paradise.

- And you gave me many reasons to smile. I’m beyond thankful for the day that you decided to follow my story and felt so............. compelled by it............... that you decided to reach out and overwhelm me time and time again. Thank you. So much. For everything. I hope you stick around for more and I hope you know how awesome and kind and giving you are :)

[shslenergytransferspecialis-blog]

45 development q’s or w/e

TW for car accident (mention?) and death (mention?)

also uh. fetish talk? discussion? mention? i’m not sure what to classify that as

I said I’d redo this after endgame like cue and farren but unlike cue I did not do this in advance whoops

if a question is bolded that means there’s NEW INFO WOWIE

1. Does your character have siblings or family members in their age group? Which one are they closest with?

Nah. *typically makes his OCs only children so he doesn’t have to develop siblings bc he’s way too lazy*

2. What is/was your character’s relationship with their mother like?

It was good! I mean I don’t really have anything else to say about it, but they were close.

3. What is/was your character’s relationship with their father like?

Same as above tbh

4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?

Yes. Holly. (And for that reason maybe Michiko but idk)

New: okay so. shit I guess I’m just gonna dump the big spoiler in this question right here.

Masashi has symphorophilia. He is sexually attracted to staging and watching disasters. This is ultimately the reason he got into his talent of making rube goldberg machines.

anyway. he discovered this after witnessing his parents’ car accident that ultimately led to the end of their lives. and yeah he told holly at some point about his parents so.

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

In-game, usually just his ID card. Outside of the game, other than essentials like ID, wallet, etc. he carries mints around.

6. Does your character have recurring themes in their dreams?

Yeah. (”What are they?” shhh)

New: i mean. disaster.

7. Does your character have recurring themes in their nightmares?

Tbh I don’t think Masashi would ever classify any dream as a “nightmare.” So… no.

New: due to his symphorophilia and how Masashi handles things, he wouldn’t ever consider anything a nightmare because anything bad would still be... well, enjoyable for him.

8. Has your character ever fired a gun? If so, what was their first target?

I mean… probably. But there’s no specific event in his backstory with this subject so your guess is as good as mine.

(”Corey these are the worst answers ever” LISTEN, I’M SORRY,)

New: Masashi’s probably fuckin killed someone due to How He Is but I never created any specific moments like that in his backstory, so,

9. Is your character’s current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?

Yes. It’s higher now.

10. Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?

He typically wears “more” clothing but he’s not more comfortable with that. He’s indifferent, he’ll wear whatever.

11. In what situation was your character the most afraid they’ve ever been?

Masashi doesn’t really… get afraid. I mean he would have during his childhood but again, no specific event.

He’s definitely experiencing something in-game that could… potentially be classified as making him “afraid” but spoilers. And it’s not really related to the mutual-killing biz.

New: Here I mean before discovering his fetish, but again, nothing personally developed by me. ha ha ha I suck at developing ocs okay- 

As for the second part, uh... I honestly can’t remember what I was referring to LMAO

but I can definitely say his feelings for Holly have made him “afraid”, at least in some sort. he’s never actually cared for anyone and he knows that he won’t be afraid to hurt her even though he cares for her, because hurting someone he cares about? delightful. but yeah he’s also rational (I mean in some cases) and doesn’t want to do that to someone he cares about, he just... knows he would.

12. In what situation was your character the most calm they’ve ever been?

he always calm

13. Is your character bothered by the sight of blood? If so, in what way?

Not at all.

14. Does your character remember names or faces easier?

… Both. Neither one easier than the other.

15. Is your character preoccupied with money or material possession? Why or why not?

Both/yes? For spoiler reasons unfortunately.

New: people with money and material possessions tend to hold power and are looked up to. and if people are looking up to him he can manipulate them in the name of disaster ahyuck. so yeah he wants money and whatnot

16. Which does your character idealize most: happiness or success?

Happiness. That ultimately drives everything he does.

New: Sating his fetish drives everything he does.... which is his happiness, as unfortunate and awful as that is.

17. What was your character’s favorite toy as a child?

One of those toy piano things.

18. Is your character more likely to admire wisdom, or ambition in others?

I’d say either, but in-game points to ambition.

19. What is your character’s biggest relationship flaw? Has this flaw destroyed relationships for them before?

Ha ha ha spoiler question. Yes, yes it has.

New: Honestly all the modified questions should be very predictable for you now. his biggest flaw is his lack of empathy and actually caring about anyone due to his symphorophilia. so he tends to just have his fun with people before doing something stupid. ...actually this still applies to the very rare case he actually does care about someone, like holly, because he’ll still do something stupid eventually.

20. In what ways does your character compare themselves to others? Do they do this for the sake of self-validation, or self-criticism?

Masashi would just make observations rather than compare himself to someone, although the times he ever would compare himself to others would be for both self-validation and self-criticism… for spoiler reasons.

New: if someone is well-respected and trusted, Mash is going to Copy The Shit Out of Them... because he wants to gain trust from people. ...I didn’t do this in game because I’m a moron but. y’know

21. If something tragic or negative happens to your character, do they believe they may have caused or deserved it, or are they quick to blame others?

…He wouldn’t really care either way.

22. What does your character like in other people?

Spoiler question.

(”Corey how is that even possible for this one” HEY I’M TRYING OKAY)

New: Masashi doesn’t really “““like”““ people, so what he likes to see in other people is naivety and gullibility and... y’know. things that make it easy to manipulate them. thanks

Holly is... complicated and deserves her own post. even if it isn’t long-winded, especially because it’s me we’re talking about and I don’t go in-depth with anything

23. What does your character dislike in other people?

See above.

New: people like Yuka who are very wary of others and not willing to put trust in like anyone. (sorry Yuka you were the first example to come to mind i love her tho)

24. How quick is your character to trust someone else?

See above, even though that probably gives away the answer to this one in some manner.

New: He doesn’t really... “trust” people? but like he isn’t wary of them... he’ll go along with a lot of things. If people screw him over, well.. he’d enjoy it. Ugh

25. How quick is your character to suspect someone else? Does this change if they are close with that person?

He’s very quick to suspect someone else, but only because it doesn’t change his opinion of them. Like… he doesn’t care. As usual.

26. How does your character behave around children?

Same as around anyone else, really. Polite. Agreeable. Nice. hhhhh

27. How does your character normally deal with confrontation?

It’s kinda situational depending on who’s confronting him. In most cases he’d just try to defuse the situation/appease the person. In the other cases he’d just instigate them further and generally be a smug asshole oops.

28. How quick or slow is your character to resort to physical violence in a confrontation?

Slow. Masashi’s a noodle, he won’t resort to physical violence unless, somehow, he’s absolutely certain he’d prevail. …I really can’t see that situation happening in a normal 1v1 type confrontation.

29. What did your character dream of being or doing as a child? Did that dream come true?

Being a musician à la piano (hi Ayato). It did not come true, obviously.

30. What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?

Uh, pretty much nothing.

31. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.

Anywhere with a person/people that trust him.

32. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most uncomfortable.

The opposite of the above, I guess? But like… it’s hard to answer this and the one above like I want without spoiler so… next.

New: AGAIN, ANSWERS ARE VERY PREDICTABLE NOW I’M SURE. It’s not possible for Masashi to feel uncomfortable... I mean, like, it is, but he’d most likely be enjoying whatever the hell is happening, so... paradox, dude.

33. In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?

Unless the criticism is coming from a select few people, he won’t give a shit about it and would just blow it off/ignore it.

34. Is your character more likely to keep trying a solution/method that didn’t work the first time, or immediately move on to a different solution/method?

He’d stop and reevaluate whatever the situation is, and either keep trying the same solution/method after minor adjustments or move on depending on what he feels is best.

35. How does your character behave around people they like?

Less stiff/formal. (only slightly)

36. How does your character behave around people they dislike?

Hard to say. Masashi doesn’t really “““dislike”““ people.

37. Is your character more concerned with defending their honor, or protecting their status?

Status, I suppose.

38. Is your character more likely to remove a problem/threat, or remove themselves from a problem/threat?

Is both possible

39. Has your character ever been bitten by an animal? How were they affected (or unaffected)?

I wanna say no but I guess it’s always possible, especially if he was doing something incredibly ridiculous for a Rube Goldberg machine. Clearly not affected by it in the event that it happened anyway.

40. How does your character treat people in service jobs?

Respectfully. … Not much else.

41. Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, whether it be material or abstract, or do they feel they must earn it first?

…Mostly the former, but he’s not, like… spoiled/stupid about it.

42. Has your character ever had a parental figure who was not related to them?

Naw.

43. Has your character ever had a dependent figure who was not related to them?

Alright I’m dumb does this mean like Mash depending on someone or someone depending on Mash?

If it’s him depending on someone, no.

If it’s someone depending on him…… does Holly count-

44. How easy or difficult is it for your character to say “I love you?” Can they say it without meaning it?

Extremely easy, yes definitely.

New: Again, if saying “I love you” helps him gain more points/trust/whatever with someone, he has no problem saying it. And he never means it.

45. What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?

Nothing. He’ll cease existing, that’s the end, whatever. It doesn’t scare him, no.

[shslenergytransferspecialis-blog]

Character Development Questions ft. Masashi

I’m def gonna be like cue and farren and probably make an endgame edition as well because spoilers.

1. Does your character have siblings or family members in their age group? Which one are they closest with?

Nah. *typically makes his OCs only children so he doesn’t have to develop siblings bc he’s way too lazy*

2. What is/was your character’s relationship with their mother like?

It was good! I mean I don’t really have anything else to say about it, but they were close.

3. What is/was your character’s relationship with their father like?

Same as above tbh

4. Has your character ever witnessed something that fundamentally changed them? If so, does anyone else know?

Yes. Holly. (And for that reason maybe Michiko but idk)

5. On an average day, what can be found in your character’s pockets?

In-game, usually just his ID card. Outside of the game, other than essentials like ID, wallet, etc. he carries mints around.

6. Does your character have recurring themes in their dreams?

Yeah. (”What are they?” shhh)

7. Does your character have recurring themes in their nightmares?

Tbh I don’t think Masashi would ever classify any dream as a “nightmare.” So... no.

8. Has your character ever fired a gun? If so, what was their first target?

I mean... probably. But there’s no specific event in his backstory with this subject so your guess is as good as mine.

(”Corey these are the worst answers ever” LISTEN, I’M SORRY,)

9. Is your character’s current socioeconomic status different than it was when they were growing up?

Yes. It’s higher now.

10. Does your character feel more comfortable with more clothing, or with less clothing?

He typically wears “more” clothing but he’s not more comfortable with that. He’s indifferent, he’ll wear whatever.

11. In what situation was your character the most afraid they’ve ever been?

Masashi doesn’t really... get afraid. I mean he would have during his childhood but again, no specific event.

He’s definitely experiencing something in-game that could... potentially be classified as making him “afraid” but spoilers. And it’s not really related to the mutual-killing biz.

12. In what situation was your character the most calm they’ve ever been?

he always calm

13. Is your character bothered by the sight of blood? If so, in what way?

Not at all.

14. Does your character remember names or faces easier?

... Both. Neither one easier than the other.

15. Is your character preoccupied with money or material possession? Why or why not?

Both/yes? For spoiler reasons unfortunately.

16. Which does your character idealize most: happiness or success?

Happiness. That ultimately drives everything he does.

17. What was your character’s favorite toy as a child?

One of those toy piano things.

18. Is your character more likely to admire wisdom, or ambition in others?

I’d say either, but in-game points to ambition.

19. What is your character’s biggest relationship flaw? Has this flaw destroyed relationships for them before?

Ha ha ha spoiler question. Yes, yes it has.

20. In what ways does your character compare themselves to others? Do they do this for the sake of self-validation, or self-criticism?

Masashi would just make observations rather than compare himself to someone, although the times he ever would compare himself to others would be for both self-validation and self-criticism... for spoiler reasons.

21. If something tragic or negative happens to your character, do they believe they may have caused or deserved it, or are they quick to blame others?

...He wouldn’t really care either way.

22. What does your character like in other people?

Spoiler question.

(”Corey how is that even possible for this one” HEY I’M TRYING OKAY)

23. What does your character dislike in other people?

See above.

24. How quick is your character to trust someone else?

See above, even though that probably gives away the answer to this one in some manner.

25. How quick is your character to suspect someone else? Does this change if they are close with that person?

He’s very quick to suspect someone else, but only because it doesn’t change his opinion of them. Like... he doesn’t care. As usual.

26. How does your character behave around children?

Same as around anyone else, really. Polite. Agreeable. Nice. hhhhh

27. How does your character normally deal with confrontation?

It’s kinda situational depending on who’s confronting him. In most cases he’d just try to defuse the situation/appease the person. In the other cases he’d just instigate them further and generally be a smug asshole oops.

28. How quick or slow is your character to resort to physical violence in a confrontation?

Slow. Masashi’s a noodle, he won’t resort to physical violence unless, somehow, he’s absolutely certain he’d prevail. ...I really can’t see that situation happening in a normal 1v1 type confrontation.

29. What did your character dream of being or doing as a child? Did that dream come true?

Being a musician à la piano (hi Ayato). It did not come true, obviously.

30. What does your character find repulsive or disgusting?

Uh, pretty much nothing.

31. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most comfortable.

Anywhere with a person/people that trust him.

32. Describe a scenario in which your character feels most uncomfortable.

The opposite of the above, I guess? But like... it’s hard to answer this and the one above like I want without spoiler so... next.

33. In the face of criticism, is your character defensive, self-deprecating, or willing to improve?

Unless the criticism is coming from a select few people, he won’t give a shit about it and would just blow it off/ignore it.

34. Is your character more likely to keep trying a solution/method that didn’t work the first time, or immediately move on to a different solution/method?

He’d stop and reevaluate whatever the situation is, and either keep trying the same solution/method after minor adjustments or move on depending on what he feels is best.

35. How does your character behave around people they like?

Less stiff/formal. (only slightly)

36. How does your character behave around people they dislike?

Hard to say. Masashi doesn’t really “““dislike”““ people.

37. Is your character more concerned with defending their honor, or protecting their status?

Status, I suppose.

38. Is your character more likely to remove a problem/threat, or remove themselves from a problem/threat?

Is both possible

39. Has your character ever been bitten by an animal? How were they affected (or unaffected)?

I wanna say no but I guess it’s always possible, especially if he was doing something incredibly ridiculous for a Rube Goldberg machine. Clearly not affected by it in the event that it happened anyway.

40. How does your character treat people in service jobs?

Respectfully. ... Not much else.

41. Does your character feel that they deserve to have what they want, whether it be material or abstract, or do they feel they must earn it first?

...Mostly the former, but he’s not, like... spoiled/stupid about it.

42. Has your character ever had a parental figure who was not related to them?

Naw.

43. Has your character ever had a dependent figure who was not related to them?

Alright I’m dumb does this mean like Mash depending on someone or someone depending on Mash?

If it’s him depending on someone, no.

If it’s someone depending on him...... does Holly count-

44. How easy or difficult is it for your character to say “I love you?” Can they say it without meaning it?

Extremely easy, yes definitely.

45. What does your character believe will happen to them after they die? Does this belief scare them?

Nothing. He’ll cease existing, that’s the end, whatever. It doesn’t scare him, no.