#idk sorry this is messy i'll maybe be more coherent later but im already tired so this is all anyone is ever gonna get. goodybe

[darkjusticiar]

What frustrates me about the "but astarion is popular with women for a reason!" Is that it so blatantly disregards two key things. A) his flagrant racism often goes unmentioned in this scenario. Can you see why he would be as equally offputting to women because of his racism? Can you maybe see why people neglecting to mention this in terms of his "character design" have the privilege to disregard it because it doesn't personally affect them?

And B) what they're really getting at is that they resonate with his struggle for autonomy, particularly sexual autonomy, but... everyone's stories are about their own autonomy. He's not really that special.. Yes, I'm a survivor, yes I've been taught to use my body as a bargaining tool, yes I also personally have the same difficulties he has. I resonate with him a lot. But I ALSO resonate with Karlach! Who was physically altered w/out her consent, who was told she was only good for her body and the damage she could cause, who had to make sacrifices to stay alive but has worked on a truly radical kind of positivity so she can live her life the way SHE wants to live it. I also resonate with Wyll, who has been told his only worth is what he can offer to others, who has incredible burdens placed upon him that he tries desperately to fulfill, who has been sexually harrassed and violated by Mizora, who longs for romance and companionship despite it all. I resonate with all of them. The idea that somehow "well women like him" is a talking point at all simply proves to me that people are legitimately not understanding the actual content they've been given.