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rose-tea-and-strawberries · 1 year ago

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I'm kinda curious about your view on vil and your thoughts on the trauma he possibly or could have inflicted on Yuu during book 5.

I have this headcannon inspired by this one shot by uniquethingtastemaker

https://www.tumblr.com/uniquethingtastemaker/720073081338626048/neige-x-reader-white-beaches-and-a-spring-morning?source=share

The headcannon: Basically Yuu (who is female for this) hides the fact that she's a girl for safety reasons (I mean not only is Yuu magic less in another world, she's also in a all boy school. Yeah that doesn't scream good idea). The only who knows are the teachers, Crowley, Grim and later Ace and Deuce when she's comfortable enough to tell them. At some point before book 5, Yuu is allowed a small vacation out of NRC for the crap she had to deal with jamil in the previous book; during her vacation goes out as herself and runs into neige. They become friends and stay in touch with one another. Yuu made Neige promise not to say anything about her actually gender as a few know in NRC.

*Also have a headcannon where Yuu is a school idol like love live and secretly helps Neige and the dwarfs write a song and dance that works for them for VDC. Yuu and Neige were already writing a song together just for fun since Yuu missed being a school idol and hasn't written a song since coming to twisted wonderland 😅

Plus it's something she has a choice in and would fun doing with a friend. During book 5, Crowley literally forced Yuu's hand by threatening their plumbing and Vil just dub them the manager without asking if it was okay with them. There's also how forceful he was being. . . .

There's no rule that has she can't and she's not even in the group.

Sorry for rambling 😅

So I've written about my thoughts on Vil before and honestly he's kind of one of my - if not my most - least favourite character(s).

I've cut this up for length:

I know that he has a lot of trauma and that he's a character that lots of people can mischaracterize and hate irrationally but he just rubs me the wrong way - and I'm saying this as a former gifted child and as someone who has witnessed people go through burn out both in Primary and Secondary school. I feel sorry for him and I understand that the pressure of perfection can be an incredible burden to bear but the way he treats others is just so grating that I can't say I like him that much.

Honestly, Book 5 is my least favourite book (then it's 3 then 4) and I have so much to say for everything; the blackmail, Vil's behaviour, Vil cursing our food without telling us, having to share a dorm with Jamil when he used Yuu and endangered them for his own gain (and then Kalim for sweeping it under the rug), Vil almost making Deuce cry, the Neige hate, Vil facing absolutely no consequences for trying to murder someone and then nearly killing everyone and destroying a building.

Yes, I agree that Epel has a mindset of toxic masculinity and yes, it should be addressed and challenged. But Vil's military dictator training and forcing him to do things that he hates (and even making him hide his accent - something that connects him to the home and family he loves) is not how you do it. I don't despise feminine things like he does, but even I would hate to live up to Vil's standards every single day (especially when Vil degrades far more times than he praises).

Something I really really hate about the twst fandom is how lots of people put down Neige or make him the butt of a joke just to make Vil better. I've seen so many jokes or fanfics or imagines where Neige gets rejected or laughed at or treated terribly just so that Vil can be seen as superior and as someone who actually really likes Neige and has Snow White as their favourite princess ever since they were in reception, I just can't stand the Neige hate. Especially when he was almost a victim of a poisoning plot - as in Vil literally tried to kill him for absolutely no reason at all (before he then tried to kill us for 'seeing an ugly side of him' which we are supposed to forgive because of course we are)

I really loved that Neige story and I actually do headcanon that Neige and Yuu are really close friends and they text each other 24/7 (and also with Prince Rielle). I did make a #JusticeForYuu post where I said that I wanted Yuu to just send the entirety of NRC (minus Ace and Deuce) to coventry and not give them the time of day so I thought it would be just delicious if Neige is the one that helps Yuu with all things fashion related since he's just as famous (if not more so) than Vil with his own line of clothing and make up and would have access to things they would need.

And I think you somehow managed to read my mind because I have this Yuu that's a theatre kid (this is not relevant at all but this fem!Yuu was also Christine Daaé in her theatre's performance of Phantom of the Opera) with the voice of an angel that's best friends with Neige and the two of them totally duet together - I did kind of toy with the idea of Neige hyping her up to sing something for VDC as a closing performance and her blowing everyone away but I digress...

You know what? I am actually against the headcanon that RSA is filled with snooty, condescending, stuck up rich kids with a holier-than-thou attitude - I'm under the firm belief that the RSA students are actual sweethearts who are kind and caring and aren't the type of people who would inflict trauma on an innocent magicless teenager. The only reason why I don't want Yuu to transfer to RSA is because they'd have to leave Ace and Deuce behind (as well as the Ramshackle ghosts) and those boys are literally everything to me so I like to think that Yuu likes to go to RSA like once a week or something to spend time with people who don't try to manipulate or mistreat them.

I do have a lot more things to say but my brain has gone to mush and I can't think of anything so here

#twisted wonderland #twst #twst yuu #asks

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aiyexayen · 2 months ago

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Oh oh oh!!! Do an AITA for your choice of HanWenZhou *chin hands* pretty please *blinks my big brown doe eyes at you* 💜

AITA for stalking my boss after he quit the job and didn't tell me?

Good morning, internet. I need a wider range of opinions on this issue.

You don't need my name. I (23M) have been working for my boss (30M) for approximately ten years. He saved my life and took me in off the streets. Obviously, my dedication to serve him in turn will last even into the next life. Technically we both work for someone else, but my boss's boss (details confidential) has little to do with our department and barely knows of my existence beyond a name in a list so I have always considered my loyalty to be to my boss above all else and considered my boss's boss and the job as a whole to be secondary.

A year ago, my boss quit the job suddenly. He didn't say, but it's likely due to the death of his family who also worked the job with us, even though it had been something like eighteen months since that incident and my boss had shown no indication that he was slowing down or preparing to leave. If anything, he worked everyone harder than before.

One day he sent me out on an errand and then not only quit but vanished completely before I got back. Nobody knew where he'd gone, he left no contact information, and his position was already being filled.

My life is devoted to my boss entirely. Wherever he goes, I will follow; whatever he needs, I will be. I know he knows this for a fact, so I expected to find some instruction left for me or some word sent back. I waited weeks and heard nothing. I would have quit, too, in a heartbeat, but I stayed so I could use the resources at my job to look for him. I even got myself sent out on a business trip to a few cities where I thought I might find some clues.

It wasn't only for myself that I was searching--no one had reliable information about his departure, but I gathered that he seriously injured himself as an excuse to quit and I was deeply concerned for his health. Luckily, I know him well enough and I found him in only a matter of months.

My boss didn't seem upset to run into me, but he wasn't thrilled, either. I was glad to see him in good health--he had found a significant other in his travels and also taken on an apprentice. However, something seemed off in the way he dismissed me.

Even though he told me to go back to work and leave him be, I hung around town for a couple of weeks, still on my job's dime, following him through the streets to keep an eye on things. It was fortuitous that I did, because one night he went and got drunk after a fight with his new S.O. and only the fact that I was able to carry him out of there and to my hotel room kept him out of the gutter. And I was correct--something worse was wrong. He was refusing treatment for his self-inflicted injury, and it was secretly killing him.

He insisted that I leave him to die. I know him, though, and if he took on an apprentice and started dating again, what sense does that make? I offered to travel with him to take care of him, but he said he didn't need my help and ordered me to go back home.

Technically, I did, but only so I could keep using my position at my job to do research on methods of healing and recovery. Meanwhile I kept tabs on my [old] boss and his S.O. and apprentice's whereabouts. I knew he'd be pissed, but I was certain if I presented a comprehensive treatment plan with all the tools he needed, I could change his mind.

It got more complicated over the following months due to my boss's boss also trying to hunt down my boss (long story, irrelevant) to try and get him to come back to work while I was put under investigation for suspected unauthorized use of company resources.

Long story short, I stole what I could from my job and fled to the house where my informants told me my boss had settled down. I didn't make it out cleanly. I guess my boss's boss and my boss's replacement saw it coming and had me followed and shot and I arrived at my boss's place half-dead.

That was a few weeks ago now. I'm recovering just fine, and my boss seems to have reached some agreement with the company. He also seems to be doing a lot better mentally and has finally agreed to not die. However, he won't talk to me at all now. He hasn't kicked me out of his house, and his S.O. and apprentice seem to like me quite well, but they also seem to be on his side.

I will be the first to bow my head and accept correction, but in this case I can't imagine having done anything different, save being quicker on my feet to not get shot, or stealing more on my way out. I would give my life for his without question; how could I do less? I don't expect gratitude. I just don't know what's going to happen next, or if I'm missing something about this situation.

Am I the asshole?

#word of honor #ask game #my writing #han ying #shan he ling

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anakinsafterlife · 2 years ago

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I have so many things to say about Kenobi and I am certain that I can't say all of them. But point one: this show is as close to perfection as this franchise will get and it brought me to actual, honest to the stars, tears. This was, after so many decades of waiting, Star Wars for adults. Not only was the storytelling skilled, but the plot was a complex exploration of both personal and intergenerational trauma and dissociation. This is the prequel that we were promised in the nineties, but that George Lucas, bless his heart, never delivered because he was trying so hard to straddle the line between children's entertainment and mature film making. That said, Kenobi is, perhaps, only a story that Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen and James Earl Jones (as well as fantastically talented actors for original secondary characters such as Bail, Owen and Beru, who absolutely get their moments here, especially Owen) themselves could tell, a way of bringing their own experiences with these characters--who quite literally changed their lives as well as exerting influence on the lives of millions of viewers--full-circle.

In addition to exploring Obi-Wan's own PTSD, the show also finally confronts the dichotomy of Anakin's identity as the dissociation and trauma response that it is. We hear everyone around him who has prior experience with him referring to him as Anakin including Obi-Wan, Reva, and Palpatine himself (who refers to "your past"). By showing Vader's immersion into memory of training with Kenobi on Alderaan, we are physically shown that Vader references "Anakin's" memories; we are shown that he is the same man as that teenaged Padawan, and the "change" from Anakin to Vader is not some kind of demonic possession, but only a legal fiction which he leans on as an extreme coping mechanism. It is a coping mechanism that is sadly apparent to everyone who is aware of his past, and it is only when Vader's mask is cracked and Obi-Wan sees the ravaged face of his former student and brother-in-arms, when he is forced to confront his own ugliest deeds, that he retreats from reality himself and embraces Vader's insistence on his seperate personhood, and it is clear that he does so because living with the knowledge of what Anakin became after Mustafar is simply unbearable.

If that weren't brilliant enough, not only does this show at last confront the real horror of Anakin's actions in ROTS, but it also gives us a contrasting development in Reva. The Inquisitor was peer to the Jedi children Anakin butchered. She was inadvertently spared from the slaughter, and in her pursuit of vengeance is tempted to become a monster of Vader's own kind. Yet she is unable to bring herself to murder Luke for his father's deeds, and in sparing the child she spares herself from Anakin's fate. Reva"s entire function is to prove to the audience that, whatever Anakin claimed or felt, he absolutely had a choice not to commit the most heinous of crimes in the supposed pursuit of "cure" for his wife (and that he is responsible for her death as well is proof of enough that it was never his true motive, although I believe that he convinced himself that it was). The ultimate point is that there was NEVER a "good" Anakin and an "evil" Vader. There was always a deeply flawed boy and man called Anakin Skywalker, whose early traumas lead him to desire power above all things--power to determine his own fate, and yet we see him fall again and again into the emotional trap, the trauma of his past, which not only makes him erratic and unreliable, but lures him repeatedly into the service of others, this despite his claim to desire to rule (we always see him pursuing this kingship with or for others). That he cannot even concede his own identity, and thus his culpability in his own misery, means that he will remain a prisoner of a Mobius loop constructed of rage, sorrow, and dependence on a self-inflicted delusion that can only lead him deeper into confusion and darkness.

#star wars #obi wan spoilers #star wars prequels #anakin skywalker #meta #trauma and memory #my problematic fave #anakin skywalker is darth vader #my thoughts

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gopeachllama · 3 years ago

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Why I think Feysand were OOC in ACOSF

I hope that no one misunderstands from the title but let me say this is a 100% PROfeysand post. so if you hated feysand even before acosf, then this post isn't for you.

So i've seen a lot of interesting theories about feysand's and in particular rhys' behaviour and choices throughout acosf. and while alot of them seemed possible and may have been the case canonically speaking, even as a feysand stan i just couldn't seem to wrap my head around some of the things they said and did in the book. they just both seem OOC, its the only pausible explanation for me.

To understand why feysand were OOC in the book we have to look at this through a narrative perspective. as in we have to ask why would the author write the character/s in this way?

a quick overview of what a character arc is

so there can be a lot of variations of a character arc in a story but the basics is as follows (how does the character go from point 'a' to point 'b'):

the 'big lie' - the views/beliefs/actions the character has at the start which will be challenged throughout the story (this is point 'a')

the 'incident' - a plot point in which starts development of the character. something that spurs the character into action, this most ofter happens when they are placed in an unfamiliar situation. this usuallyy is the intial challenge to their 'big lie'. at this point the story will move forward and theres no going back.

the midpoint - the character changes conciously or subconciously, they start to recognise their own flaws in the 'big lie'.

world collaspes - this is usually on the heels of a victory, the character reaches the lowest point in their journey. they finally confront 'the big lie' and forces to stop this deception they inflict on themselves. they can destroy it or it will destroy them.

the climax - the reason for the story. the reason why the character had to take this journey in order to get to this moment. the moment that the character will decide once and for all whether they will go forward to point 'b' or regress back to point 'a'

the resolution - the character reaches point 'b'. their view/beliefs/actions have changed, they no longer believe in the 'big lie'.

So obvisouly the main character in acosf is Nesta. What sjm does in her books is that every plot point and development of secondary characters is in service to the arc of the main character. None of the character's outside of Nesta have their own development. Not even Cassian, any sort of changes or developments he undergoes is in service to Nesta (a complete missed opportunity for Cassian but that a whole other point). And before anyone tries to say otherwise, you can have development for characters even if they are secondary ones (and for a book that is 800+ pages long it is definitely possible). An example is with his can also be seen with Gwyn. Her leaving the library for the first time was a huge moment for the character, but she did so, in order to comfort Nesta after her big fight with Cassian. It was also so that Nesta, Gwyn and Emerie could all be together in Illyria so they could be kidnapped and forced to enter the blood rite (where the final showdown occurs with Nesta and the villan).

so what has this got to do with feysand and why are they OOC?

In fact the entire plot with feyre's pregnancy was made to give chracter developments for Nesta. There was nothing written in the book that suggested any developments for feyre and rhys. it did nothing for them. Nesta needed to become central to the story and the only way sjm thought to keep feyre side lined was to make her pregrnant. It was also just lazy writing and world building bc there is no way that rhys would have though of this when he and feyre were trying for a baby.

SIN #1 The Shields

Rhys practicing shields (shield thats doesn't even allow anyone to even touch her) on feyre, which she just allows. the book explains because of the fact that there is more danger to her now that she's pregnant. Narratively, this would make sense if there is a payoff. Like later in the story if feyre was in physical danger and the shield saves her or if the shield became a detriment to her in some way. But no nothing like this happens. Rhys 'practices' the shield on her and thats it. Rhys, who was the same person that trusted feyre enough defend herself against the weaver. It was totally out of character that he would shield her to the point that Cassian can't even kiss her on the cheek (sounds familiar huh). and the same goes for feyre, who has no problem with this (*cough* tamlin locking her up *cough*). Thats is some OOC behaviour.

So what were the point of the shields? well since sjm made it canon that fae can smell when a female is pregnant, the biggest way they came into play was in the scene when rhys lifted it long enough so that everyone could sense that that feyre was pregnant. And It could have been just that, feyre and rhys were expecting a baby, and Nesta can go along with her development, they did not need to intersect. But it did, and we'll come back to that later. This scene is a lighthearted moment in the book, one of the rare few where all the characters are happy and celebrating a good thing. acofas we knew that rhys and feyre decided to try for a baby, and seeing it pay off here was enjoyable for the readers.

But what else does this scene do? through Nesta's perspective, we can read her thoughts on it, and though she doesn't reveal much its an important character moment for her. the readers can see that she can feel happiness for someone else beyond the self-loathing she guards herself with, it shows that she is a character worth rooting for.

SIN #2 Rhys concealing the dangers of the pregnancy from feyre

oof this one is a doosey. this was the most baffling thing to come out of acosf for me. there is literally no reason or explanation that would make sense for rhys to lie to feyre like that. It offers no development for the two character it affects the most: rhys and feyre. there no fallout on rhys' end for lying to her, and there is no turmoil for feyre such as falling into depair like we told she would (the whole reason that rhys was hiding it in the first place).

When Nesta finds out that the pregnancy was most likely going to kill feyre and the baby. instead of Nesta disagreeing and urging Rhys to tell feyre, she doesn't say anything and forms a temporary truce with him, a character she has always had conflict with. It also serves as the incident that allows Nesta to have her 'world collapse' moment in her character arc. How else was Nesta going to realise what a shitty person is was being if she didn't do something so absolutely shitty? in a fit of rage, Nesta reveals to feyre that the pregnancy was going to kill both her and the baby. she get taken away on a hike in illyria (because???) and she reaches rock bottom after she comes to term with what she did. the story is taken away from velaris and the inner circle, and any conflict and resolution that happens between feyre and rhys, if it even happened at all, happens off page. again furthering my point about the pregnancy having no impact on the two characters is affects the most. After Nesta's fleeting moment of enlightenment, and her swordplay sex marathon with Cassian (urgh) she returns to velaris and nothing has changed between rhys and feyre. there isn't really much of a development with Nesta's relationship with feyre, their 'reconciliation' occurs all of less than one page and doesn't even happen out loud, just mind to mind. Now that Nesta has had her important character moment, nothing else matters (again lazy writing).

SIN #3 Everyone dies

ok so yes everyone has said their two cents about this and i agree with it. Feyre and nyx had to die so that Nesta could have her climax moment. It is the climax of the story since it is the big story development right before the resolution. and about the bargain - feysand decided in acofas that they were going to try for a baby. meaning that it was after this decision that they struck the bargain that they would die together. so at some point they would have thought of the fact they would have a child/children when the both die. im sorry but do they seem like the kind of ppl that would make a suicide pact even if it meant leaving their children behind? TOTALLY OOC for me. and i dont know i guess also the stakes weren't high enough with just the threat of feyre and nyx dying.

So feyre and nyx are dead and rhys will soon follow and Nesta intervenes to save them. Its also a self-sacrificing moment bc she has to give up her powers in order to do this... Showing that she does truely love her family and the depths of her powers. (seriously idc how you stan or hate how does anyone this good book?). don't doubt that in the future books sjm will find a way for Nesta to get her powers back (whatever they are (pure death WHAT DOES THAT MEAN???))

So Nesta saves the day, everyone is fine and nothing has changed except Nesta is nice now probably. the end.

welp this got way longer that i expected but anyways long story short there was nothing about the pregnancy that gave development to feysand characters and it was all for the development of the main character.

i don't claim acosf!feysand and sjm better fucking leave them alone in the rest of the books.

#acotar #acosf #anti acosf #rhys #rhysand #pro rhysand #feyre #pro feyre #feysand #pro feysand #nesta #this is not an anti nesta post #at least i dont think it is #but this is definitely a fucking anti sjm post #anti sjm

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chessinventor · 3 years ago

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Of the nature of war crime of systematic rape and sex abuse by Russian toward Ukrainian females.

It would be hard to dissuade the thieves that are already robbing someone's house and selling them on the market thus they are getting something in return and had personal benefits. It especially worked its magic when those soldiers are poor so that worked to improve their livelihood, they had a better chance of survival than before. That would be somewhat comparable to Ukrainian peasants trolling the Russian tanks to sell when those properties originally belong to Russia military, it is close to being a thief when taken with(out?) consent of the owner. I don't know if the act of invasion which created a situation of war that could negate the ownership of those tanks when both are capitalistic countries.

Another war crimes is systematically rape and sexual torture and abuse of young and not so young Ukrainian females, here we had the situation of soldiers engaged in act of aggression that is surely cause retribution and retaliation that would aim to kill the perpetrators of the war. Thus it is logical and rational for them to fear for one's life after first bullet is fired, thereby there would be part of human instinct to maximize one's chances of survival and propagation and continuation of one's gene. Giving the chance one would be killed in one way or another, to try to continue one's bloodline by any means possible would seems to be wise (especially for those who are young and single with little experience in love and dating) when facing the chance of revert into non-existence in any moment. Of course it is also pleasurable to have sex with opposite sex of Ukrainians be the females want it or not, it acted as a sign of power and a message that they are the stronger ones and human love to feel they are in control of the situation in a helpless and cruel world.

The humiliation and physical and psychological pain induced to the female victims is what those Russian general abuse to weaken the will of the Ukrainian defenders when the Ukrainian forces are unable to protect against such abuses from happening. Biological rape is indeed a means to reproduce when semen from the male are shot into wombs of the victims to make them pregnant (against their will). That is again the weapon of choice deploy by the high ranking officials of HKSAR popo against the demonstrators in 2019 Anti-ELB movement. Like it or not, human nervous system still conceived the coupling or rape as "pleasurable" when unconscious can't say no according to Freudian Psychoanalysis. The prospective of being pregnant in such a fashion came as the secondary punishment to the female victims. While being the stronger one (to inflict the pain to the weaker one) is, by the unconscious, seen as advantageous for reproduction and attraction of females who still had a choice of coupling/dating those soldiers or not.

And such a sexual advantage is hard to resist to everyone who had the chance when Freud based his understanding of human psychology on satisfaction of basic needs. My understanding of human psyche had a lot to do with the social situation one is in, when there are no deterrence of doing the "wrong" things in the normal context what they felt like is just like those sex tourists when they first visited Shenzhen and other places in CCP China that is infamous for very young female prostitute which offer themselves for a reasonable price, that is the consumer and sexual "freedom" people of HKSAR doesn't experienced in their native place with the laws prohibiting prostitution as well as sexual intercourse with those below 16 or those below 12. The exploitative nature of this freedom doesn't matter for those who can afford to pay or the dominant side. There are also those Russian soldiers who had limited dating/sexual experiences who are very eager to expand their sexual horizons via any means, especially in the case when their lives is under constantly threat. They had the job or career being a soldiers which has a salary to pay for the livelihoods of their families that supply their basic needs. It is the psychological mechanism that Putin abuse to keep his war against Ukraine afresh when those soldiers who committed war crimes had vested interests to keep the war going so to minimize any prospective of punishment and penalty. In such a way Putin hopes to propagate this war indefinitely unless he is being assassinated.

#ukraine #war #russia #russieukraine #russo ukrainian war #putin #war crimes #war in ukraine #russian agression

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jimmyironwood · 4 years ago

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james!

jimmy, jimmy, jimmy, my favourite man

Top Three Ships:

Hard to choose just three when he deserves everyone ever but IronQrow Irondeath Ironclock

Least Favourite Ships:

IronLion (james x lionheart) cannot imagine him doing anything but throttling the traitor in a non-sexy way, War Crimes because Tyrian scares me and I refuse to put one thought to him in a romantic setting, Silver Shamrock because clover gives me "im irish because my nan's best friend's painter was irish" vibes.

Biggest Criticism:

Whatever the fuck happened in volume 8 with the mantle bombing but at the same time that version of him does not exist in my mind I cannot criticise what isnt there. Also James darling just accept you never unlocked your semblance and have stubborn man disease instead of whatever the fuck Mettle is.

Favourite Thing:

Words do not go deep enough to describe the joy I feel when I think about him. He is my favourite thing.

But if I had to pick it would be his temperament. Even when being yelled at or receiving literally the worst news ever he took a moment to stop or lean against the wall or redirect his anger at an object rather than a person.

Headcanon:

I have so many.

He has a massive sweet tooth and his favourite sweet is mint imperials. He keeps some in his jacket pocket for on the go. Giant sweet tooth make soft thicc half metal man and that is ok

He is Fria's son.

He's actually a good headmaster and keeps tabs on all of his students.

Before he got his prosthetics, he had axe as his weapon, but afterwards he found he simply didn't have the mobility for a large weapon anymore and changed to Due Process

What I would change if I was making a rewrite:

I have a love-hate relationship with Mettle. On one hand it's dumb and it's a personality trait and it didn't even show up in the show and on the other hand it has so much potential and it is in every single fic I write. I'd like to make it more obvious. His eyes were a lot darker in vols 2-3 so let's say Mettle makes his eyes bluer when it has more of a hold over him.

I'd also like to see or hear a change when its in effect. Maybe his voice is more monotonous and cold, he stands straighter and moves stiffer. I'd make its effects stronger too, his altered mental state means he hyperfocuses until his task or goal is achieved, even if that means missing sleep or meals to do so (have the Ace Ops mention this. A simple line of "he hasn't left his office in... days" would suffice). Have it get to the point where he couldn't answer simple questions that aren't about his goal because every effort of his mind is dedicated to it. As his goal gets further away it makes him more desperate and his decisions seem more rash, but in his affected head they are the next logical choice to regain the ground he has lost even if he cannot see how irrational they are. The semblance is literally self-inflicted mind control! Go crazy! But have him voice it so we the audience can understand his thinking. Give him a lil character quirk of thinking out loud so that we're not left behind in an otherwise very mental and self affecting semblance.

Finally, I would like to see other characters acknowledge it. I feel it was hinted that Ozcar was going to go and talk to him in volume 8, I'd like to have seen that. He obviously has respect for Ozpin and Ozpin is one of the few characters who managed to change his mind before (see volume 2 scouts/flagbearers convo). If Oscar can convince two villains to finally make the switch to his side, he, with the help of Ozpin, can get through to James. Maybe RWBYJNR discuss it as part of their plan, ie, "if we can break his aura we have a chance of getting past his semblance, since that's when he's at his weakest" - this also affords insight into how aura affects passive semblances since it's otherwise unclear. Qrow can talk about it in the prison cell with Robyn, ie "I'm going to beat the semblance out and the sense back in". It would go great as part of their conversation about how semblances can negatively affect people.

Let. Ren. See. His. Petals. Or lack of petals. Imagine if Ren had used his shinigami eyes during the fight and seen no petals at all until his aura was broken, at which point he became so swamped in petals that Ren could barely see him.

Also I am getting rid of the Mantle bomb plot. And the part where he fights Winter twice within like an hour. She already anime moment beat him up, we didn't need to see it again. However I think Watts hacking the bomb once he's out of jail is a fun plot point to bring people together in the event that the bomb wasn't used to blow up Monstra. Also goodbye green fart cannon. Yucky. If you want him to have a big weapon give him an axe.

Also I'd give him a backstory. You don't make a character half metal and then not tell your audience why.

Sorry that became a whole essay about Mettle

What I think of his allusion:

I like the tin man allusion! It was easy to spot early on but the way it was used wasn't clear later on. Did he lose it? Did he use it too much? Did he begin to wish he didn't have one? I believe in the latter two but there is plenty of room for interpretation for the former.

I think there was room for the secondary allusion of Atlas the titan who holds up the world and I know a few people did indeed see that but I think it could've been reinforced in the show a little more.

#james ironwood #rwde #idk if this is actually rwde #i just wanna be safe #answered ask #ugh talking about him makes me so happy #sorry thats a whole mettle rant

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wisteria-lodge · 3 years ago

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badger primary (or paragon lion) + badger secondary (or battering ram lion) (bird model)

hi, wisteria! i'm so happy that i found your blog as i tumbled down the shc rabbit hole. i love this system, it's been super fun to analyze characters, friends, and family-- but i'm having a hard time seeing how i might fit into it. i was hoping you could help? i'm pretty confident that i'm not a bird. i believe in divine guidance/intuition/whatever you want to call it. feelings that guide us in ways that we just can't explain.

So far that’s sounding like a Lion primary’s subconscious reasoning.

the center of my morality, though, is people. no matter how someone dresses it up, i don't believe that anything could justify inflicting pain others.

Could be a classic Paragon Lion - you’ve got Badger tenants to your morality, but you feel it in a Lion way rather than a Badger way.

some of my earliest childhood memories involve me crying in an anti-bullying lesson because i could imagine how i would feel being called names. another memory is me deciding to pay attention to the teacher because he would feel bad if he knew that i wasn't listening. my empathy runs deep, for better or worse.

I don’t think true “contagious feelings” empathy is actually tied to anything in particular. But the example with the teacher does make me think you use interpersonal connection to exist and do well in the world. That example could be Actor Bird - it is important to be a good student, this is what Good Students look like. It could be Snake... I will do X thing in order to make this person happy. It could be Courtier Badger... although I’m thinking that Courtier Badger would have needed to find some way to *actually* be interested in what he was talking about.

i don't think that i'm a snake... i'm what you might call a 'big tent' person-- there's room -- there's room for everybody, come as you are. that leaves me with lion or badger. i think that if i am a lion, my morality is badger-flavored.

So far, I’m inclined to agree.

i don't think that i know what's best for everyone or that there's just one way of being.

my god, I *hope* not.

what works for me isn't going to work for someone else, and that's okay. i'm leaning badger, but i would love to hear your thoughts!

Could honestly go either way. And I’m bad at telling Badgers and Paragon Lion apart. This is could be a Badger using Lion language, or a Lion with Badgery morals.

secondaries now--sorry this is so long--

apologies are often the sign of a burnt secondary, not sure if the case here.

i think that i'm either a bird or a badger secondary. i admire lions, but i'm not loud or charge-y. i'm determined, for sure, but in a quieter way. if i want something to happen, gosh darn it, it's going to happen.

Do you identify at all with the battering-ram Lion? Because this sounds like a battering-ram Lion.

i graduated high school early, made the bball team, got into my college of choice, etc., by putting my nose to the grindstone and working hard. sounds pretty badger, right?

Definitely could be, especially when paired with the community-building stuff with the teacher. You talk about being too long, but I just want more details. What does work look like for you? Also, why did you decide to graduate early? How did you pick your college? That kind of stuff could really help nail down your primary.

i do some bird tool-collecting, but i think that's more for fun than anything. i love history, english, and foreign languages. i'm a well of random historical facts that i find interesting and other people likely find boring. sometimes i get excited about how many cool things there are in the world that i can explore and learn about. maybe this is a bird model, one that i have for fun?

Could be.

typing all of this out leads me to think that i'm a double badger with a bird secondary model for fun. what do you think? i appreciate your time and your thoughts!! thank you so much! :)

If that’s the definition that’s working for you, I’m all for it. I might suggest reading some more about Lion, both primary and secondary, because there seems to be a *slight* amount of flattening and simplification going on when you talk about it, but apart from that... fantastic work.

#sortinghatchats #sort me #lionpri #lionsec #badgerpri #badgersec #badger primary vs lion primary #badger secondary vs lion secondary #bird secondary model

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thecottageinthedark · 4 years ago

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Sorting Glass-Maker’s Dragon

I’ve been working on this for a looooong time, and finally it’s complete enough to post. I’m using the Sorting Hat Chats system, basics of which are explained here by its inventors and here by @wisteria-lodge.

A lot of GMD is flexpoints and inferred stuff, but this is, at least, the way I read the main eight.

Chuubo: Snake Primary, Badger Secondary. His Snake ambition isn't immediately obvious because it's backwards to us; he's an Imperator and a god of dream and probably the Spirit of the Age, but those were just things that happened upon him. He doesn't want fame or fortune; he wants a peaceful human life, or at least a human-style one, and his drive to achieve this has literally reshaped the world itself while still being, at its core, all about him.

His Badger Secondary is hard to see because of the one big gimmick in the way; the Wish-Granting Engine, that supposedly allows instant results with no work, and the way he uses it whenever possible. But the thing is, the WGE is both dependent on his Secondary and in some senses what he uses when he can't draw on that Secondary itself.

Badger Secondaries have to mean what they do; they put in hard work when and where they are motivated to do so. For Chuubo, that's not schoolwork, which is where he as a high schooler is socially expected to, and so he gets a rep for being lazy. Where he does put the effort in, is with his friendships, and in 'learning the ways of Fortitude'. With those, he doesn't cut corners. He doesn't pull out schemes. He patiently and consistently puts in the work. His Secondary is on full display in the way he persists in trying to be friends with Leo, even in the face of Leo's hostility. Chuubo doesn't try to win Leo over with subtlety or with grand gestures; he just doggedly carries on offering support, company, and good-natured teasing.

So where does the Engine come in? Think of the Wishing Map. It's the friendships and connections he's worked at creating and maintaining that help Chuubo's wishes to succeed. Wishes based on whim are almost certain to go wrong.

The wish for a best friend is maybe the most telling part of all. Or rather, what happened after it. Because despite having acquired Seizhi through unnatural means, it never once occurs to Chuubo to continue their association by those-to lean on miraculous or mundane coercion and create a relationship that all goes one way. Having acquired someone to love him, he just proceeds to love them back, with a generosity of spirit that is entirely genuine.

Like a lot of Snake Primaries, Chuubo has a Primary model that he uses to fill in the gaps where his ambitions and his loyalties aren't relevant. His is a kindly and expansive Badger Primary. He lives in this model most of the time-until there's a threat to his inner circle or to his hard-won quiet life. Then he'll set the model aside and act from his real Primary to keep hold of what's his. (Being a snake sometimes helps.)

Seizhi Schwan: Snake Primary, Burnt Snake Secondary. Like Chuubo, their huge ambition is for something that most people just get handed on a platter; to be real, to matter, and to be loved. Their Primary and his instinctively understand each other about this-and also understand each other perfectly about the importance of treasuring and being treasured. (They're all but making big eyes at each other and swooning, in fact.)

Seizhi's Primary is somewhat wobbly in one regard; they're the sort of Snake who has kicked themself out of their own inner circle. After all, they reason, they're not real-not yet, at least-so why should they value themself? There's nothing there to value. This is linked to the burning of their Secondary; their supreme and miraculously-enhanced ability to fit into any social context is something that gives them pain, because it's just more unreality. Over and over they reach out, hoping that this time they've found a destiny; over and over, they stop sustaining an Intention, and the whole thing fades away. Even mundane uses of the Snake Secondary toolkit feel tainted-deceit and lies-and that's a problem, because this is the best and most practiced skillset they've got. They're trying to cover up this lack with a Badger Secondary model, because that's what they feel like they should have, what a Real Person would have-the slow grinding authenticity of method. (Possibly this decision is linked to Chuubo being a Badger Secondary.) But they don't like it. It feels like crap. It doesn't even work that well. And when they're in trouble, they drop the attempt to Do Things The Real Way and start shifting and adapting and reacting like the Snake they are.

As of the start of GMD they're still hoping for the magic to happen, to wake up transformed into a Real Person who bears little to no resemblance to the 'fake self' they despise-for the Badger model to smother the Snake to death. The situation's in flux. Under pressure, they might begin to find ways to accept themself for what they are, and realise they are loved already; but it's just as likely that they will crack and fall into despair. If that happens, they'll probably Burn their Primary too, cutting themself off from Chuubo and from anyone else in their inner circle. This they'll frame not as a way to protect themself, but to protect the inner circle. A fake person has nothing real to give. How can they inflict such a horrible creature on the people they love? Might as well feed them fairy food and watch them starve, as do something like that.

That unpleasant possibility aside...unlike Chuubo they haven't yet created a Primary Model when the game starts. They might do so during the course of it, though-they will, after all, need to make a lot of decisions, and they won't always be able to relate those back to 'will it help me become real' or 'will it help Chuubo'. I don't think they're likely to copy Chuubo's Badger for this; it fits him fine, as an inherently peaceful Serpent, but Seizhi is an Actual who has had to fight just to exist, and isn't prepared to lay down arms just because things are now somewhat better. What'd work better for them would be a valorous and fierce Lion Model based on that of their brother Laodemus, or a wider Snake Model with an inner circle encompassing 'everyone I know' or 'the whole of Town'.

Leonardo de Montreal: Lion Primary, Lion Secondary. This poor man.

Oh, he'd love you to believe he's a Double Bird, or a Snake/Bird mix of some kind. He'd probably pick one of those Houses out if he had the choice! But that's...actually for pretty superficial reasons. He likes science so he figures he's a shoo-in for the 'smart person house', he's snappy and standoffish so equally he thinks he's in the 'mean asshole house'. But in the SHC system neither of those really fit.

Let's look at his Primary first. He's not a Snake, right away-because he doesn't have an inner circle and he's okay with that. There's no 'my people, who are most important' and 'everyone else'-even when he's not leaning on his Friendless wound, when he's prepared to concede that he cares about Chuubo or Jasper. If he were a Snake, those two would be the most likely inner circle candidates-but they're not in there. Not because he doesn't care, but because he doesn't do the Snake style caring where his people are the centre of his world and the place he gets his morality.

Where his morality does come from is the Song of Hell, his 'love for the wicked'. It's intuitive, not constructed, and centred in himself, not reliant on others. (When he loses his heart, he doesn't draw up a systematic list of ethical principles to live by instead; he creates the Mechanism of Original Sin, which emulates the feeling of having an internal conscience as well as the function.) And the fact that he's a fallen angel means that at some point in his past he gave up Heaven on ideological grounds. The Song of Hell is just right, and therefore he follows it. Any justifications he makes for that decision come after the fact. And so he follows his Song, and becomes heroic-it's not just Jasper he saves, he's got a whole Thing about helping people. That's Lion Primary.

And though he's smart, he doesn't act Bird under pressure; he charges. He responded to Jade's death by first ripping out his own heart to save her daughter, then marching down to the BA to throw down with its Headmaster. He probably has a Bird Secondary model to help with Science, though-and he uses this model to back up his real secondary. Charge in throwing nightmare devices at the problem.

Natalia Koutolika: Bird primary, burnt secondary that's probably Bird or Lion.

Natalia's frozen heart sounds like a Petrified Snake thing, but it's not any specific person that makes her realise thawing is a possibility-it's Fortitude. And that's not because Fortitude is nice, the way a Badger might un-Burn on being accepted into a welcoming community, but because it's magical. The rules of the universe work differently here...so maybe that means things can be possible for her now that weren't possible back on Earth.

I thought at first her primary was burnt, but...freezing her heart made her lose faith in human goodness, and in her capacity for being happy, not in her ability to discern truth. She trusts her cynical System; actually, I think her looking like a Petrified Snake is down to that thing Birds do where their systems often come out looking like the other Primaries. Natalia has decided that the Petrified Snake morality is the true one...but when she arrives in Town, she reconsiders, and begins to edit.

Her Secondary is where she's burnt. Because part of the cynicism of her Primary System is the idea that there's no point trying. Use whatever methods are available, who cares? They won't work, because you can't do anything that matters-the world doesn't work like that. Most of the time she'll use Bird or Lion methods because those come easily to her, given she's a genius and a martial artist, so it's probably one of those. But then again...she doesn't seem to get any joy from them. I think her Arcs will (hopefully) involve healing the burning-and that could look like learning to trust in her charging or her knowledge base, or like finding that what she really feels Right about is putting in the work like a Badger or thinking on her feet like a Snake. (Burnt Badger secondary would be especially poignant, as it'd be her learning to rely on community as a source of strength.)

Jasper Irinka: Bird primary, Bird secondary.

She starts out with her system based on her mom's Heaven-style Lion primary; it doesn't work, and leaves 'a hole in the world' for her. So she starts looking for ways to make it work by picking up ideas from all sorts of people-her dad, her friends, the Moon Prince and assorted other NPCs-and either adjusting it by adding these in or making a new system entirely. And her matching secondary helps her to do this very effectively. Her Primordial ability to shape herself as she likes by growing limbs that she can then use and discard as she pleases is really Bird Secondary-and the fact that those limbs manifest from other people's Hopes? 'I know a guy' Bird.

Sure, she inspires people. But it’s not a Lion inspiration-being so completely and ferociously her own glorious self that others are attracted to her radiance. Jade probably worked like that, from what we know of her, but Jasper inspires because she deliberately does things to inspire Hope in people, using a toolkit of stuff she’s picked up.

(And of course Leo is fascinated with her-not just because she's 'Jade Irinka's daughter', the shine on that would wear off fast-it's that she's a Double Bird like what he wants to be! And she in turn is loving Leo's double Lion because that's what she thinks she's supposed to be like!)

Rinley Yatskaya: Badger Primary, Lion Secondary. Of course the Storyteller Arc kid gets the 'protagonist sorting'.

Rinley's stated purpose in their playbook is to be the social glue of the party, and their powerset makes them really good at it. They first save then make friends with Prince Eduard despite their family's feud with the Rats, and when they see Iolithae in the Titov shrine, they go to rescue her, because Eduard and Iolithae are people and that matters more than Eduard being a Rat or Iolithae being a dangerous sacred horror. In other words, they're a beautiful Universal Badger. As far as Rinley's concerned, you don't just see someone who's injured or imprisoned and then not help them, even if they're meant to be an enemy on ideological grounds or even grounds of prudence. And to help people, they jump right in and Do Something. That's textbook Badger/Lion.

Principal Entropy II: Exploded Badger primary, Badger secondary.

This guy is just community-building and caretaking all over the place. He shows up, he does the work-as the Angel of Fortitude he's literally fixing potholes and curing peoples' ailments! And he's doing that by going to the people and creatures of his Gardens, calling in favours.

And he's doing it because people are important. The denizens of the Evil Island, the people of Fortitude. 'All things can earn their recompense through love'.

The problem is, though-he's doing the dehumanisation thing that Badgers are so infamous for. He's not going 'some people are Enemies Who Must Die, and therefore are not really People', though, which is the usual form of the trope in fiction. That's the mode of a Badger at war, and E2 isn't fighting a war. He's going 'some people need to be Sacrificed for the Greater Good of the Community'. And that's not an easy thing for a Badger to believe. If he was an Idealist, or Snake who is comfy prioritising an inner circle, he could just hold that belief without problems. But being a Badger, he can't. If he sacrifices people, he has to either feel horribly guilty about it...or stop thinking of them as people.

One big group he tends to dehumanise are School students. School exists to create tools to fix the world. It's okay if he makes students into cursed Hall Monitors, it's okay if he turns SEED students into prototype world-trees and weirding walls. That's what they're for.

He also dehumanises himself. He's Other Than Human, Set Apart. He refuses to acknowledge his needs, and overworks himself-he's even, at game start, nullified two Divine Health Levels to make his Code Novae binding on the Evil Island, meaning that if you can get past his Immortality power he's actually the squishiest PC of the lot. So he's an Exploded Badger, sacrificing both himself and others to his community.

Miramie Mesmer: Bird Primary, Badger Secondary. She shares this sorting with her former self, Melanie Malakh.

Melanie's Bird Primary used the Bleak Methodology as her truth system. Coupled with her persistent, hard-working Secondary, this combination made her a star student at the Bleak Academy-a 'prodigy of hatred and despair'. However, when she left the Academy, things fell apart for her.

At the Bleak Academy she'd been sheltered from experiences or ideas that could provide any real challenge to the Bleak worldview. Because of that, her system wasn't as robust as she thought-and she didn't know how to shore it up or how to cope if it shattered. Which-along with the glass dragon-it did; her time in Town, the things she had seen and done, had led her to doubt the truth of ultimate futility. The last straw was the dragon itself. Melanie, through the work of her hands and mind, had created something that was not futile; a master-weapon that could destroy Town, just as she had intended. The very fact that she was able to do that gave the lie to the Bleak Methodology. Unable to deny this truth but just as unable to live with it, Melanie Fell so hard that-as Strategists sometimes do-she lost her identity and became a new person.

Unable and unwilling to use Melanie's system, Miramie has begun to construct her own, drawing on various sources-the communal and peaceful mores of Fortitude, Hideo Hayashi's belief that even unlikeable misfits do not deserve to be left alone without support systems, the other Archive kids' idea that outcasts should stick together, and Chuubo's Snake prioritising of personal ambitions and loves. Since she's not had much time to do this, it's nowhere near finished-but it looks likely to be robust. It also seems to me that she's likely to be able to edit it as she needs rather than Falling-or, if worst comes to worst, to Fall but get back up as herself, rather than shattering again or reverting into Melanie Malakh.

Her Badger Secondary is a contrast to Chuubo's, as where his is socially based and linked to personal relationships (Courtier Badger), hers is more focused on the more usual definition of 'work', and on community in the sense of history and tradition (Bookkeeper Badger). It's her Secondary she brings to bear on the tasks of setting up a cafe from scratch and helping maintain the Archives. It's also what she uses to keep herself going under the weight of the world's wrongness, to keep making art even though it's doing so that activates her Curse. She just keeps slogging away.

I can also see the Badger Secondary in Melanie's construction of the glass dragon. She sat herself down with Hideo Hayashi and learnt glasswork from scratch, putting in the time and effort to both master this new skill and to bring Hideo himself fully under her control. Simple, honest work, even though used for deeply destructive ends.

IN CONCLUSION:

Chuubo: Snake primary, Badger secondary, Badger primary model Seizhi: Snake primary, Burnt Snake secondary, unhealthy Badger Secondary model Leonardo: Lion primary, Lion secondary. Bird secondary model Natalia: Bird primary (with a system that starts out looking a lot like Petrified Snake), very burnt Secondary that is likely Bird or Lion Jasper: Bird primary, Bird secondary Rinley: Badger primary, Lion secondary Entropy II: Exploded Badger primary, Badger secondary Miramie: Bird primary, Badger secondary

#sorting hat chats #glass-maker's dragon #cmwge #gluubilis #gmd #harry potter #gmd pcs

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tigerkirby215 · 4 years ago

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5e Kai’Sa, the Daughter of the Void build (League of Legends)

(Artwork made for Riot Games)

Dammit I couldn’t help myself. Sorry mister T B Skyen but Kai’Sa is queen. I just find her fun: I still think her design is awful but man she’s fun to play. Also Kai’Sa is queen of K/DA and Ahri is a thot. Evelynn > Akali > Kai’Sa > Seraphine > Ahri don’t @ me.

GOALS

A moving target lives longer - In order to survive the void you need to improvise. Dodge attacks and keep ready for danger from all angles.

This skin lives on me, and hunts with me - If you want to fight back you need to adapt with a suit that doesn’t just fight with you, but fights as you.

Prey marked - To overcome the void you need to cut it down to size with deadly plasma clinging to them and slicing through their armor.

RACE

Kai’Sa is a Human but being forced to survive against the Void gives you more than a bit of variance. And hey: Tasha’s exists, so how about we use some Tasha’s rules on a Mark of Finding Human! Normally Mark of Finding increases your Wisdom and Constitution but I’d instead suggest increasing your Intelligence by 2 and your Charisma by 1, to learn how the void acts and somehow look great while doing it.

Regardless of your Ability Scores you get Darkvision which humans don’t normally get, Hunter’s Intuition to add a d4 to Perception and Survival checks, and Finder’s Magic to cast Hunter’s Mark once per Long Rest, for a low level Caustic Wounds mark. You can also cast Locate Object once per Long Rest with this feature once you hit level 3 to search for Tears.

If Eberron content isn’t allowed: The reason I opted for a Dragonmarked race is because there aren’t many interesting feats that work for Kai’Sa. However Sharpshooter, Prodigy, Mobile, Alert, Observant (increase Intelligence), and the Tracker feat from Tasha’s are all good.

Elemental Adept is also good if you choose Lightning, however please discuss with your DM the specific wording of this feat! You won’t be using spells with this feat which means that depending on interpretation Elemental Adept may not work!

ABILITY SCORES

15; INTELLIGENCE - Survival is more than just instinct. Yes I am aware that Survival is a Wisdom skill in 5e, but you need intellect to create the tools to survive the Void.

14; DEXTERITY - The life of an ADC is one of constantly running and gunning. 14 DEX will give us enough maneuverability as an ADC for something important.

13; CHARISMA - Apparently the Void does wonders for the complexion, as you’ve got the looks to make it in K-Pop.

12; WISDOM - Hey here’s where that Survival proficiency comes in.

10; CONSTITUTION - You’re an ADC with an ADC’s health bar but you’re still allowed to not instantly die.

8; STRENGTH - The suit does most of the lifting; all we need to do is shoot.

(Something something feel free to swap WIS and CON if you want better HP and worse RP.)

BACKGROUND

There are quite a few backgrounds that would make sense for the daughter of the void, but the most logical one would probably be the Haunted One background from Curse of Strahd. Survival proficiency is a must and you can opt for either Arcana or Investigation proficiency as your other skill. (I personally took Investigation.) You also get a language of your choice (pick whatever you think Shuriman is) as well as an exotic language: Deep Speech is likely what they speak in the Void.

Your feature Heart of Darkness lets everyone know that you have seen the Void, and it is coming. Commoners will extend every courtesy to try to help you, as long as you’ve not proven to be a danger to them. They will even take up arms to fight alongside you, should you find yourself facing an enemy alone. "The monsters are coming. We'll be ready. I'll make sure of it."

(Artwork made for Riot Games)

THE BUILD

LEVEL 1 - ROGUE 1

Starting off as a Rogue because the first step in survival is being skilled. Thankfully you get four skills, so grab Stealth, Insight (important later), Acrobatics, and Performance. Because you need to be able to do the dance numbers after all! You also get Expertise in two skills that you’re proficient in: Survival will help you survive (yeah duh) and Stealth will help you hide (also yeah duh.) And finally you get Thieves’ Cant: a secret code you can speak so that the creatures of the Void don’t listen in.

But of course the main feature of being a Rogue is Sneak Attack. If you attack an enemy with Advantage, or if the enemy is within 5 feet of an ally, you’ll inflict a Caustic Wound to do an additional d6 of damage. You can only Sneak Attack with a Ranged or a Finesse weapon, and you haven’t got the suit yet so opt for a Crossbow until then is my advice.

LEVEL 2 - ROGUE 2

Second level Rogues get Cunning Action to Dash, Disengage, or Hide as a Bonus Action. You won’t be Supercharging your suit to turn invisible yet because... well you don’t have a suit. But if you can’t fight you must take flight. "It's fight or flight, only now I do not run."

LEVEL 3 - ARTIFICER 1

To survive the Rogue you need to make it part of yourself. Artificers don’t necessarily bond with Void symbiotes, but they do create tools for survival with Magical Tinkering. You can apply a bunch of effects to small, non-magical items such as sounds for distractions, smells for distractions, or messages for messages. Read over the ability to see everything you can do.

You also get Spellcasting as an Artificer. You can learn two cantrips from the Artificer list: for a bit of a boost to your abilities take Guidance for the extra bit of human determination. If you want to coordinate a team up with your support Message will let you keep your plans relatively secret.

You can prepare 3 spells from the Artificer list: Longstrider will keep you in the fight while staying away from danger, and Featherfall will give you and your friends a safe way out in a pinch. And taking Heal is never a bad choice as an ADC, so grab Cure Wounds in case of emergency.

LEVEL 4 - ARTIFICER 2

Second level Artificers get Infusions, which allows you to turn regular items into magic items. To keep the void away your main tool will be an Enhanced Weapon, making your shots just a little more deadly. To make sure you (or your allies) can see any incoming danger Goggles of Night will either provide or improve darkvision. To keep your items on hand a Bag of Holding will allow you to carry everything. And for your final infusion Armor of Magical Strength will help you fight against tanks and knockups. Well, knockdowns anyways. You can also prepare another spell like Disguise Self, because skins equal wins.

LEVEL 5 - ARTIFICER 3

Level 3 Artificers can choose their subclass and it’s Tasha’s time! The Armorer gets a suit of armor that lives with you and fights with you. Tools of the Trade gives you proficiency with Smith’s Tools as well as Heavy Armor, both of which don’t matter because we won’t be using them much.

But you can use your Smith’s Tools to make any armor (not just heavy armor!) into Arcane Armor. The main initial features to note is that you can use the armor as a spellcasting focus, the armor can’t be removed against your will, it expands to cover your entire body (although you can retract or deploy the helmet as a bonus action by pressing F6), the armor replaces any missing limbs, and finally you can doff or don the armor as an action.

But this is all secondary to your choice of Armor Model, and we will be going for the Infiltrator armor. You have Powered Steps for +5 movement speed and a Dampening Field which makes your Armor provide Advantage on Stealth checks. I should mention that if you haven’t already you should grab some Medium armor: a Breastplate would be your best bet without giving Disadvantage on Stealth.

But the best feature is the Lightning Launcher. It counts as a simple ranged weapon, with a normal range of 90 feet and a long range of 300 feet. It deals a d6 of lightning damage, and once per turn when you hit a creature you can deal an extra d6 lightning damage to that target. Now here’s the thing: it may use INT to attack but Sneak Attack works on any ranged weapon, regardless of what stat you use to attack! So RAW you can sneak attack with the Lightning Launcher!

Additionally because I’m obliged to mention it you get The Right Tool for the Job, allowing you to make a set of Artisan’s Tools over the course of an hour. You also get Magic Missile and Thunderwave as Armorer subclass-specific spells, for some Icathian Rain and some support peeling.

(Artwork made for Riot Games)

LEVEL 6 - ARTIFICER 4

4th level Artificers get an Ability Score Improvement but I’m going to instead suggest the Skill Expert Feat from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. You can increase an ability score of your choice by 1 (increase Intelligence because it’s uneven and it’s tied to your Lightning Launchers), you get proficiency in one skill of your choice (I opted for Arcana because to defeat the Void you must know it inside and out), and you get Expertise in a skill of your choice. (I went for Insight which will be useful later.)

You can also prepare more spells with more INT but we’re going to wait for...

LEVEL 7 - ARTIFICER 5

5th level Armorers get an Extra Attack, allowing them to attack twice instead of once with the attack action as the name “Extra Attack” implies. More attacks means more chances to Sneak Attack, don’t forget!

You also get access to second level spells. Armorer Artificers get Shatter and Mirror Image innately, for some AP offense and some MR defense. You can also grab those spells I didn’t prepare earlier: for some more defense take Blur to give enemies disadvantage to hit you, and to turn invisible with Supercharge grab Invisibility!

LEVEL 8 - ROGUE 3

Hey remember when we were a Rogue? Third level Rogues get to choose their Roguish Archetype and here’s something out of left field: we’ll be going for the Inquisitive archetype. You have an Ear for Deceit so you can’t roll below an 8 on an Insight check to determine if someone is lying (meaning that with Expertise you can’t roll below a 15) and Eye for Detail lets you make a Perception or Investigation check as a Bonus Action.

But remember when I told you to take Insight expertise? Well Insightful Fighting lets you mark a foe with Caustic Wounds to do more damage to them. As a bonus action you can make an Insight check against a creature's Deception. If you succeed, you can use your Sneak Attack against that target even if you don’t have advantage on the attack roll, but not if you have disadvantage. This benefit lasts for 1 minute or until you successfully use this feature against a different target. This will be how we’ll Sneak Attack while still remaining on the move, which on that note your Sneak Attack damage increases to 2d6.

LEVEL 9 - WARLOCK 1

(Shit meme by yours truly.)

Hi hi ecks dee Warlock time. More specifically an Archfey Warlock for more K-Pop fame.

Your choice of Warlock subclass doesn’t matter too much. Celestial, Fiend, and Great Old One also work well but I felt that Archfey made the most sense given the abilities. Technically any Warlock works, but I didn’t opt for the other Warlocks as they have abilities that Kai’Sa doesn’t have. (Flight, Tentacles, Summoning Ghosts, etc.)

As an Archfey Warlock you have Fey Presence: as an action you can cause each creature in a 10 foot cube to make a Wisdom saving throw against your Warlock spell DC. The creatures that fail their saving throws are all charmed or frightened by you (depending on if you do K-Pop Dances or use your Frightening Void Suit) until the end of your next turn. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

You also get Pact Magic, which is like spellcasting only you have funny meme spell slots! You get two cantrips from the Warlock list: to do some general void shenanigans take Prestidigitation, and for a Void Seeker you’re likely not going to use because your auto attacks are better take Eldritch Blast.

You also get two spells from the Warlock list and the main one we’re here for is Hex to mark your enemies with more Caustic Wounds. Other than that? Eh: Comprehend Languages might be good after being in the Void for so long. Truthfully there’s little in particular that we need from the early levels other than Hex.

LEVEL 10 - WARLOCK 2

Second level Warlocks get access to Eldritch Invocations and man am I happy that Tasha’s made Eldritch Mind available to all Warlocks, because I don’t have space in this build for Warcaster. But Eldritch Mind gives you Advantage on Concentration checks to keep your marks up! Your other invocation doesn’t matter much: I personally opted for Devil’s Sight but we’re going to end up replacing it eventually.

You can also learn another Warlock spell like Charm Person if you need to persuade people to follow your cause.

LEVEL 11 - WARLOCK 3

Third level Warlocks get their Pact Boon and hey wouldn’t it be funny if I took the new and all-around “worst” Pact Boon because none of the other ones make sense? The Pact of the Talisman grants a talisman (yeah duh) that you can wear or you can give to an ally. If the wearer fails a skill check while wearing the talisman they can add a d4 to the check. They can use definitely-not-Guidance a number of times equal to your Proficiency bonus, and the talisman regains all uses at the end of a Long Rest.

I’ll be honest: this item is already pretty bad, and the fact that it only works on failed skill checks just makes it worse. Talk to your DM about potentially just making this a bottle of Guidance. You know what isn’t bad? Second level spells like Misty Step for not Flash.

(Artwork made for Riot Games)

LEVEL 12 - WARLOCK 4

4th level Warlocks get another Ability Score Improvement: cap off your Intelligence for a deadly duo with your armor.

You can also learn another spell and I know you already have Invisibility as an Artificer spell but it doesn’t depend much on your Charisma, so better to take it as a Warlock spell and prepare another Artificer spell. Which by the way: more INT means you can prepare more Artificer spells, but I won’t mention them for now.

You also get another cantrip like Mage Hand for some utility. Who says the suit can’t grab stuff off the high shelf?

LEVEL 13 - WARLOCK 5

5th level Warlocks get more Eldritch Invocations. You know what’s fun for someone with levels in Rogue? MORE Invisibility! One With Shadows lets you turn invisible with an action if you’re in an area of dim light or darkness. The invisibility stops if you move, but if it works for Teemo it can work for you.

You can also learn third level spells like Blink from the Archfey list to make it even harder to hit you!

LEVEL 14 - WARLOCK 6

6th level Archfey Warlocks can Flash and Dash into invisibly with Misty Escape. When you take damage, you can use your reaction to turn invisible and teleport up to 60 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. You remain invisible until the start of your next turn unless you attack or cast a spell. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

You can also learn another spell like Tongues, in case the creatures of the Void want some last words.

LEVEL 15 - WARLOCK 7

7th level Warlocks finally get the Eldritch Invocations we want! Firstly grab Relentless Hex for some Killer Instinct to quickly close the distance with a foe. Is this massively redundant for a ranged build that can Dash every turn? Yeah probably, but it is in-character.

Additionally you can replace one of your other invocations with Protection of the Talisman, giving you another set of d4s that can be added to failed Saving Throws! So now along with being pocket Guidance the talisman is also pocket Bless! But you have a proficiency bonus number of d4s that you can use on Saving Throws in a pinch, which also come back on a Long Rest.

You can also learn 4th level spells and how about we just stop becoming visible entirely? Greater Invisibility from the Archfey list lets you be invisible even if you attack! Yeah it’s unfair, but the Void doesn’t care. You can also get rid of regular Invisibility for a stronger mark thanks to Elemental Bane: make an enemy lose resistance to Lightning damage and take extra damage when you shoot them with your Lightning zappers!

(Artwork made for Riot Games)

LEVEL 16 - ARTIFICER 6

About time we finished upgrading our suit. 6th level Artificers get Tool Expertise, which is exactly what it sounds like: double proficiency when making checks with tools.

But more importantly you get more Infusions: for a better +1 blaster that can be used Defensively a Radiant Weapon can be used as a flashlight, and you can use a reaction to blind an enemy that attacks you. So you can either choose to flash away or fight back. If you need to do more AP damage instead a Spell-Refueling Ring will let you restore a spell slot of third level or lower once per day. Adaptability is key to survival.

And speaking of adaptability: you can prepare some new spells like Invisibility that we ditched from Warlock, as well as See Invisibility for some control wards. The support can’t be the only one warding!

LEVEL 17 - ARTIFICER 7

7th level Artificers can save others after saving themselves. Flash of Genius lets you use your Reaction to give yourself or an ally a boost to an ability check or saving throw equal to your Intelligence modifier. You’ve spent so much time in the Void that you know every step to survive, even if Survival is a Wisdom skill.

LEVEL 18 - ARTIFICER 8

8th level Artificers get an Ability Score Improvement. Hey wouldn’t it be funny if we ignored our secondary spellcasting modifier and just made our blaster better? The Sharpshooter feat gives a number of benefits: you can attack at Long Range without Disadvantage (meaning that you can Sneak Attack from 300 feet away), you can ignore half and three-quarters cover, and before attacking with a ranged weapon you can choose to take a -5 penalty to the attack roll to do +10 damage if it hits. This means against weak foes with low armor you’ll be shredding through them with ease!

You can also prepare another spell like Enhance Ability to further adapt to danger.

LEVEL 19 - ARTIFICER 9

9th level Armorers can get six slotted thanks to Armor Modifications. Each piece of your armor counts as a separate item for the sake of infusions, and you can make two more infusions as long as they apply to your armor!

You can also prepare third level Artificer spells: as an Armorer you know Hypnotic Pattern and Lightning Bolt, one of which is far more in-character than the other. But if you want to just be harder, better, faster, and stronger take Haste. Just don’t lose concentration and get stunned in a team fight.

LEVEL 20 - ARTIFICER 10

Our capstone is the 10th level of Artificer to actually get 6-slotted thanks to Magic Item Adept. You can attune to up to 4 magic items, and you can also craft magic items more cheaply like that matters at level 20.

Being able to attune to more items is good because you can make more infusions like a Cloak of Protection for a bit more protection (duh) or a Helm of Awareness for advantage on initiative checks and the inability to be surprised.

It should also be mentioned that your Enhanced Weapon infusion is now a +2 instead of a +1, so it might be good to replace the Radiant Weapon with something more deadly.

But most importantly you can prepare another Artificer spell like Aid back at second level, because you are allowed to get defensive stats as an ADC. But above all else you finally at long last get ANOTHER ARTIFICER CANTRIP! Take Mending to fix your dance dress and pretend that a new utility cantrip at level 20 is in any way useful.

FINAL BUILD

PROS

This skin is fashioned for survival - Who would’ve guessed that a character in power armor with half a dozen ways to turn invisible or otherwise be harder to hit would be evasive? You’ve got ridiculous mobility by dashing every turn, tons of spells to make it all the harder to hit you, and of course a Breastplate that gives you 16 AC. Which pro tip: RAW you can equip a shield and still use your blaster! Heck, you can equip a sword too so you can defend yourself in melee range!

And honed by instinct - It wasn’t really my intention but you’re quite the little skill monkey, with a good spread of proficiencies and Expertise in some very useful ones like Insight.

Marked by the void - Your damage without aid isn’t amazing, but you have plenty of marks to easily up your DPS without jumping through too many hoops to do so.

CONS

Void rule number one: don’t die - You invested a lot in damage... not so much in the other areas. Sub-par saving throws, bad health, and even if you have a lot of skills you have even more that you don’t know jack about.

Take your time, Kai'Sa - You need a few rounds to get to your full effectiveness. At a bare minimum you need two rounds to buff yourself. Not to mention that all your best abilities are limited throughout the day by spell slots and charges.

Stay alert, stay aggressive - Your kit is rather loaded with many options clawing for your bonus action or reaction, and many Concentration spells that are difficult to keep when your CON saves are at a flat 0. (Even if you have Advantage thanks to Eldritch Mind.)

But you’re not here to be perfect. Your job is to survive and then save the world. Become one with the end of the universe, and then go in to destroy it. Be ready for anything that may come your way, be it giant monsters, little deadly critters, or a potential music label.

(Artwork made for Riot Games)

#dnd #dnd 5e #dnd build #dnd guide #League of Legends #League of Legends Kai'Sa #Kai'Sa #The Void #void #voidposting #k-pop #dnd artificer #dnd warlock #K/DA #k/da kai'sa

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mittensmorgul · 5 years ago

Note

I always thought Anna said "only an angel can kill an angel" because the idea that a human (or anything else) could ever obtain an angel blade was so ridiculous, they didn't even consider it. As for Cas not knowing who was killing angels, I now personally interpret that Cas was such a blind soldier (or recently back from obedience training with Naomi) that the idea a fellow angel would be working against them just didn't compute until he saw it for himself. Shaky, I know, but it's all I got 😜

Confession: I am watching 4.16 AT THIS MOMENT. As I type this. It’s on the tnt loop this morning :’D

First off, it’s not Anna who says that line, it’s URIEL. Aka, the antagonist of this episode:

URIEL: Alastair was much more powerful than we had imagined.CASTIEL: No. No demon can overpower that trap. I made it myself. We've been friends for a long time, Uriel. Fought by each other's sides, served together away from home, for what seems like forever. We're brothers, Uriel. Pay me that respect. Tell me the truth.URIEL: The truth is, the only thing that can kill an angel...A blade slides out of URIEL's sleeve into his grasp.URIEL: ...is another angel.

What Anna says, before she stabs him:

CASTIEL: You can't win, Uriel. I still serve God.URIEL: You haven't even met the man. There is no will. No wrath. No God.Between each phrase, URIEL punches CASTIEL. The last time, he raises his fist and is stabbed through the neck from behind.ANNA: Maybe. Or maybe not. But there's still me.

I just wanted that clarified, because it does change the tone of the line, and informs how much stock we should put into that judgment, you know? Considering the level of manipulation Uriel employed throughout s4 to this point, it’s pretty blatantly Part Of The Grand Plan, and therefore should be examined critically because of that. Uriel... wasn’t stating this as a blatant fact, but more in the way of a villain monologue confession “Yes, ’twas I that burned down the house!” sort of deal, you know? Okay, back to the actual question! :D

My working theory is “It’s Chuck’s fault.” I mean, the show just confessed that everything bad is actually Chuck’s fault. But it’s kinda been saying that since s4, too. Yes, a lot of s4 (and 4.16 really began this framing) as “a betraying element in Heaven who sided with Lucifer causing dissent and disobedience among the angels, but when asked, all the angels and archangels stated their reason for going forward with the apocalypse was that it was God’s Will, you know? This was the Grand Plan. But it went deeper than that, too.

When asked why now, and when Dean asked why me, the answer at the bottom of it all was because I’m tired. Raphael in s6, Gabriel in s5... they just wanted it all to be over. They were tired of trying to understand and live by God’s Grand Plan.

But Gabriel has also said, in 5.08: Why do you think I've always taken such an interest in you?Because from the moment Dad flipped on the lights around here, we knew it was all gonna end with you. Always.

It was always gonna be Dean and Sam. Gabriel started messing with them years earlier. We know Chuck began writing the Supernatural books at the beginning of the series, with The Woman In White, but that he’d been setting things in motion for the apocalypse to happen since long before that, at least as far back as 1973. Or possibly the earliest timeline point in canon-- When Sam met Samuel Colt and Dean killed a phoenix with it in 1863. You know, Chuck had to set all that up if wanted Sam and Dean to actually have a chance of releasing the Leviathans, you know?

Even the orders Chuck supposedly left the angels with when he flapped off for parts unknown long before the start of canon were contradictory, forcing them to choose which set to follow. Cas’s line has always been that the purpose of angels was to watch over humanity, while other angels (Michael, Raphael, et al) have always insisted that their purpose was to enact the apocalypse to bring God back to the world. So what did Chuck actually tell the angels? BOTH things are probably true. The angels CHOSE what to do with the time that was given to them, and Cas always chose humanity, while others always chose obedience to the Grand Plan to end it all. It was still always a CHOICE. Even 5.22 framed it as a choice-- Lucifer told Michael they could just walk away, but Michael was convinced that they had to go through with the fight because it was destined. He could’ve chosen differently, but everything that had led him to that point had convinced him that he was making the right choice in fulfilling that destiny. Only TFW overrode that choice.

Because Chuck manipulated EVENTS and SITUATIONS. And then left the choices to PEOPLE. He reminds me so much of Ruby in s4: I just gave you the options, and you chose the right path every time.

We’ve seen the mind-boggling level at which Chuck can manipulate events and people-- snapping his fingers and everyone on the planet can just lie again. But compare what he is willing to snap his fingers over, and what he makes excuses for and refuses to snap his fingers over. And what he ACTIVELY MANIPULATES into being despite his stated intentions, you know?

He actively manipulated 4.18 into being. Yes, it was Ruby manipulating Sam throughout s4 into total reliance on her, total alienation from Dean, and making him believe that her way was the only way to “stop Lilith.” She’d stated it from the start, from s3, that the only thing she wanted was “Lilith dead.” And that was TRUE. She just... dodged telling them the WHOLE truth.

I think Chuck is very much the same. Very much the angels in s4 and s5 like Zachariah who “avoided certain truths to manipulate you.”

And in retrospect, Chuck would’ve had the power to just snap his fingers and make every angel just forget they had an angel blade for half a year (or a year, or even several years as he ramped up the events of the apocalypse). But he also could’ve snapped his fingers and made the angels content to watch over humanity for an eternity, you know?

Because the real question Sam and Dean shouldn’t have been asking wasn’t “Why Us?” The real question was “why NOW?” If all of these events had been destined since the beginning of time, why was Heaven and Hell scrambling to make it all happen now?

Cupids had to make John and Mary Winchester meet, fall in love, and produce Sam and Dean. Demons had to interfere throughout Sam’s life (we learned from Lucifer in 4.22). And events of s2 had to be arranged to push Dean to sell his soul for Sam in 2.22, but really it had been the events of Dean’s entire life that had prepared him to actually do so.

The entire apocalypse could’ve fallen apart if ANY of these things hadn’t happened in the prescribed order, you know? Which we saw the proof of in 14.13. One wish on that pearl that pulled John out of his original timeline before the beginning of canon as we know it was enough to undo the work of angels and demons. The apocalypse just... never happened in that wish-changed universe.

So for something that was “always destined to happen,” it was shockingly easy to undo, you know? Just like Zachariah had the power to implant false memories in Dean and Sam in 4.17, just like Gabriel had the power to force them to “play their roles” in tv show after tv show, that’s kind of what Chuck’s been doing their entire lives.

In 5.08, Gabriel didn’t force words into their mouths, you know? He didn’t dictate what they would choose. Their free will remained intact. He was just nudging them to make the choices he wanted them to by dropping them into specific situations. And they still resisted, still kept trying to find another way out. I really do think 5.08 is an excellent metaphor for just how Chuck has been meddling in their lives all along (and again, that aspect of Chuck is very “Gabriel,” you know? He does have the other archangels’ characteristics as well, but his Chuck persona-- the part of him that waffled and denied he had the power to fix anything in 11.20-11.23, the part that taught himself guitar and wants to be pals with creation-- is basically Advanced Gabriel.

And just... deciding the angels shouldn’t have swords for a while could’ve just been an “interesting writing choice” for him at the time. Maybe he just wanted to see what would happen. Maybe he thought taking away their main weapon would make it easier to bring on the apocalypse.

Because I’m sitting here watching Alastair nearly killing Cas right now, and I find it IMPOSSIBLE to believe that in that situation, if Cas had an angel blade, he wouldn’t have pulled it out and stabbed Alastair with it. Instead he relied on Ruby’s knife to inflict pain on Alastair, even though it wasn’t able to actually kill Alastair. But an angel blade WOULD’VE killed Alastair, you know? And in theory, it would’ve killed Lilith, too...

During a season where most of the angels truly believed they were trying to STOP the apocalypse from happening (only a few knew the true plan, confessed by Zachariah in 4.22), if there HAD been a confrontation between an angel and Lilith before the end of the season, it would’ve been a matter of a bit of a stabbing and then BOOM no apocalypse, ever.

And this whole situation that Uriel created in 4.16 was framed as “we must stop the demon responsible for killing the angels!” As if his secondary plan was simply to foment dissent and distrust among the angels while intensifying the drive to battle the armies of Hell.

And through all of this, Cas’s lesson via Anna is about learning to choose for himself, to think for himself. Basically... he’s learning how to be human, and what it means to have free will.

It’s only after he’s resurrected by Chuck in 5.01 that he suddenly has an angel blade again. And it’s only after that point that ALL the angels suddenly have them. When NONE of them had angel blades throughout the entirety of s4.

So when Uriel said that in 4.16 (which... I’m literally watching that scene RIGHT NOW), I think it was literally true. Uriel had the only angel blade in existence as of that moment.

#spn 4.16 #spn 4.22 #spn 4.17 #spn 5.08 #spn 5.22 #spn 4.18 #spn 11.20 #if you say 'mysterious ways' so help me i will kick your ass #supernatural weapons #that's what free will is #Anonymous

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randomoranges · 5 years ago

Text

companion piece to Oranges as Peace Offerings

Look at Me [And Tell me Why]

Edward is having a pleasant chat with a friend, when he stops mid sentence and nearly does a double take. He can’t say that he is necessarily looking forward to this meeting, but he’s come to enjoy them – somewhat – or at least, see their potential and he is catching up with a friend he hasn’t seen in a while, when he spots him from the corner of his eye.

At first, he doesn’t think it’s possible.

At first, he thinks for sure his mind is playing a trick on him.

At first, he almost wants to run to his old friend. (At first, he almost wants to punch him in the face and ask him if he ever meant anything to him. Shake him by the shoulders until the anger and sadness inside of him get justice.)

Then he remembers that they haven’t really spoken in far too long and a myriad of conflicting feelings rise in him. (Anger. Hurt. Worry. Bitterness. Resentment. Frustration. Longing. Longing. Longing. Longing. Damn it – he still misses him even if he’s moved on and closed off that chapter of his life. What happened to their friendship? What happened to late night promises and whispered secrets? What the fuck happened to Étienne?)

But all of that is secondary to the shock he feels.

There are two things that shock him and they both happen simultaneously.

One, Étienne has shown up to a meeting. Two, he doesn’t look good.

Edward politely excuses himself from his friend and goes to take a seat. He watches from the corner of his eye as Étienne looks around, hesitates, and then sits at the far end of the table, away from everyone else. He watches as Étienne shirks off someone who approaches him and Edward frowns – this isn’t like Étienne. He knows what Étienne is like (or at least he knew – once upon a time he knew the smell of Étienne and the taste of Étienne – once upon a time he could recognise the sound of his laughter in a crowded room – once upon a time...)

He knows Étienne usually comes to these things for the social call. He knows he doesn’t particularly care for these meetings. (He remembers a time when they’d go just to spend the day together. Play hooky and run away together. He remembers times when Étienne would take him out to these delightful restaurants and shops he had found out over the years. He remembers always being impressed at how much Étienne knew about the places they went to. How charmed he had been. How much he had loved him then. How much – no. He was done with that.)

It pains Edward to see Étienne isolate himself so much. He’s known Étienne for a long time. He’s seen and been with him through some of his lows (Étienne opened up to him – they’ve opened up to one another – over the years. (Does Emma even know as much? Does Élyse?) He knows about the marriage. Knows about the pregnancy. Knows about lost love and lost hope. He knows the weight and burden Étienne has carried. The punishment he’s inflicted upon himself. He’s known his euphoria and his sorrow. How many people can say they truly know Étienne Maisonneuve? Let the person who knows about Étienne’s past and knows him best stand tall, he wants to say.) – Has heard of some of the others, but he thought... he thought Étienne was doing okay. And the shocker comes when he realises Étienne isn’t doing okay.

There are so many visible signs that immediately jump at him that he sort of wants to mentally kick himself for not having checked in sooner and he briefly wonders why no one else in Étienne’s entourage has bothered – until he reminds himself that maybe they have and that maybe Étienne is being obtuse – again – and that Étienne is not his responsibility. Anymore.

(Étienne has never been his responsibility and maybe that’s the problem. There came a point when his friend felt more like an obligation than an escape. When the easiness went away. When the atmosphere hung heavy around them and whatever had brought them together felt more strained. And to this day he has no idea what brought it on. How it went from bad to worse. How an image on his feed sends his heart reeling and his mind spinning. (How did they even become friends? Had he been bold? Desperate? Had Étienne tried to reach out to him and he hadn’t noticed?)

He has theories – with time he’s mulled it over and he’s been able to point to some things – events, distance, time, errors, but there are so many bigger gaps that make him wonder if Étienne hasn’t been some drug induced dream (nightmare?). But before he can go down that path again he reminds himself of the good times – because there were many of those and – that’s what angers him – that the good times got swept up in their chaotic mess – that apparently, they weren’t worth the bother – that the good times couldn’t sustain them through the bad parts, until the tide changed again.)

That it’s over. Really and truly.

Still – it hurts and stings to see him so closed off. So disengaged. Étienne is bright and funny and full of life. He’s smart and curious and has a craving for local culture. He’s easy with a crowd and makes others feel at ease and – and he’s a great friend and Edward fucking misses him. (And it’s taken up until this moment – up until Edward has really allowed himself to see Étienne that it dawns on him. There’s no more contact between them, Edward has no idea what’s going on in Étienne’s life (except for those nights when he binges through Étienne’s profile and holds back from reacting to everything – from asking about everything) and it fucking hurts and he’s supposed to be beyond that.) (He’s beyond that. He’s beyond that. He’s beyond that. He’s moved on, Christ! He’s done! Étienne means nothing to him. Nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing. Nothing.)

And yet...

And yet nothing. They had their chance.

There’s a slouch to his shoulders Edward is too familiar with, paired with dark circles under his eyes that have him wondering when he last slept properly. His hair isn’t its usual artful mess of curls, but instead looks unruly and unkempt. He looks haggard, he looks sad and Edward wonders where the usual bright and easy-going Étienne went off. He wonders what broke him and what’s been plaguing his mind this time around.

Really, he wonders if he has anyone he can talk to. (Would Étienne even want to talk to him? Does he deserve Étienne’s trust? Would he want Étienne to trust him? Does he trust Étienne? Would he trust Étienne? Has he ever trusted Étienne?)

They used to talk – before. They used to talk through letters. (Letters had been easy. Letters had always been easy. It was so easy to write one’s feelings on paper and then forget about them. It was so simple to grab a sheet of paper, jot down thoughts and whatnot, seal it off, have it delivered, and regret it later, instead of second-guessing every word. Maybe they should have kept at it. Maybe they would have had a chance if they would have locked each other up in different rooms and written everything out. Before they got to this sad and pathetic point. Why was it so hard to reach out to one of his oldest and dearest friends? (Were they even still friends? Did he even want them to still be friends?) (He did – he really did.)

For so long that’s all they had. Letters that would come every now and again – letters that somehow or other made the trip from one part of the country to the other – letters that became more frequent over the years as technology evolved – letters that turned into meetings that turned into phone calls that turned into actual visits – and now that they had all the tools in the world to communicate all fucking day if they so wanted to – they weren’t. (How was it, that it had been easier to be in touch with Étienne in the goddamned nineteenth century, than right now?! How?)

And – he supposes he hasn’t been the greatest of friends either, has he? He could have been a bigger man about it and Done Something – but he needed, for once, to think about himself first. (And that’s important, he reminds himself.) He needed to focus on his needs and his life and face his own goddamned music. (It had paid off. Quite nicely, actually. He is happy. He is. He is happy. He has taken risks. He has finally made the choices he needed to – has literally aired out his closet and it has worked out. For the best. He has a boyfriend. He is in love. His boyfriend loves him. He knows where he stands with his boyfriend. He doesn’t have to second guess his feelings or what they are. They work at their relationship. It isn’t always easy, but they actually fucking talk to one another about things. Calvin is good to him. He tries his best to be good to Calvin. On most days, he believes he’s doing it right. He’s doing his best. He’s overcome most of the demons of his past. He’s embraced his past. His family doesn’t hate him. Even when the going gets tough he knows that deep down, they don’t hate him. He is working on himself – he is doing things he wants to – he is embracing his quirks – being himself – being true to himself and his heritage, he is working on –being authentic...)

Authentic.

An old word.

It has to take Étienne actually sitting through a meeting for the word to resurface. He isn’t going to think about it.

It doesn’t mean he had to ignore his friend nearly two decades down the road though, right? (And what about Étienne – he could have done something –said something too. This wasn’t a one way avenue. Issues put aside, Étienne could have said something – at any point – over the last few years, but he hasn’t and Edward supposes that should be a big enough sign for him. He didn’t even deserve a fucking postcard from Mexico. Or from anywhere Étienne travelled to. No letters. No calls. No nothing. (Edward briefly wonders if Étienne moved – if he changed his number – remembers he doesn’t even have Étienne’s cell number, ignores the ache it causes in his heart.) He should take that to mean Étienne is done with him and really move on, but it still stings and he still yearns and he hates that fact.

And sure, there were moments, from before, that could have meant something, and sure, for a moment Edward thought they could start bridging the gap in their friendship, but then that had fizzled out as well. (Maybe that had been another dream. Maybe Étienne had tried to reach out to him then. Maybe he had failed to read the signs, too caught up in his own new life and ignoring the ache he still feels for parts of the old one.) Just because they want different things, doesn’t mean they can’t still be friends, right? They’re their own people – they have their own lives, but... is there still room for each other in them? (Sometimes, he still wonders why someone like Étienne was ever even friends with someone like him.) (He has to remind himself that he no longer thinks that way. Still, though. He wonders.)

Now he just feels angry. And sad. (And the longing for the easy friendship of before still lingers and tries to claw its ugly way out of his body.)

On most days, he’s fine. He has moved on from whatever clusterfuck the end of the century was. He’s a better person now and he’s able to recognise that he was in a bad place for a long time. Étienne was both terribly good and terribly bad for him at the same time, but before all that, Étienne had been a real and dear friend to him. The loss of that is what he really misses.

He’s scared they can never go back to that – that no matter how hard they try (if they ever do) they’ll always be a little awkward around each other. Maybe it’s why he’s held back all these years. It’s easier to pretend – easier to ignore and miss the Good Old Days (part of them, anyways) than have an actual confrontation and receive confirmation that Étienne has shelved him for good. But even though it’s easier, part of him still screams for validation and for answers. He wants to know and yet he’s afraid to know. A never-ending cycle that leaves him unable to face this particular fear.

What if Étienne has meant more to him than he has ever meant to Étienne? (Would Étienne have humoured him for that long though? There’s being polite and then there’s overkill.) However, something in the back of his mind tells him that he’s wrong – it replays moments from the past that could have meant something else – shows him those evenings when they stayed in, comfortable around each other, enjoying each other’s company and nothing else – those times Étienne had been vulnerable around him – reminds him of the warmth he had always felt from Étienne.

He doesn’t care if he and Étienne never kiss again. He doesn’t care if Étienne never romantically loves him back. He doesn’t care if Étienne meets someone else and actually settles down with them. He doesn’t care. But he does care about their friendship and he doesn’t want to lose that. Étienne still means a whole fucking lot to him and he’s just sad he’s waited this long to admit to it and attempt to do anything about it. He’s going to do something about it. He’s going to be brash and brave and forget about old Edward and reach out and – and hope for the best. (He already knows he’ll be a mess if Étienne shuts him down.)

Edward knows what he has to do. He needs to reach out. Someone needs to do it and maybe that person has to be him. Maybe Étienne has tried in the past. Maybe he wasn’t ready then. Maybe he needed to see Étienne look miserable to remember how alienating these meetings can be. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what it is, but Edward decides that he’s done with this wishy-washy nonsense. It ends today. (One way or another.)

It ends today, but he has to wait a little longer for lunch break to track Étienne down. He politely declines an invitation to lunch from a friend and instead tries to find Étienne. He curses himself when he loses track of the other man and lingers a little, in case Étienne isn’t far.

He starts to think Étienne has used an escape route to avoid everyone and he kicks himself for having lost sight of him. Edward figures he can always try catching Étienne later and instead starts heading out towards the main lobby, thinking maybe he can catch up with his friend, when, for the second time of the day, he spots a familiar mass of curly hair.

FIN

#pc: edmonton #Edward Murphy #canon #fic

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roaldseth · 5 years ago

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Gale, and/or Angel!

NOTE: these answers are in relation to Digital Devil Saga.

WARNING: there are Digital Devil Saga spoilers throughout these answers.

____________________________________

GALE

[ NOTE: answers are in regards to AI Gale unless stated otherwise. David Gale will be referred to as “David.” ]

First impression:

Before I had even played the game, I had seen an image of the back of the box art. There was an instinctual moment where I was wanted to try to assess who my favorite would be solely off of first impressions through visual design choices.

It was a tough decision because no one in particular had stood out in terms of my character design preference (which, in hindsight, makes sense because it wasn’t until I got to know them as characters to where I could invest into the Embryon). However, after an agonizing amount of time, my ultimate decision was “the guy with the hood and green hair would probably be who I like the most.” And the rest is history.

So, somehow, I was able to blindly pick out my favorite character of the time.

Impression now:

I am quite fond of him: relatable and hits many personally pleasing personality attributes. I would not have suffered and bleed over crafting a cosplay from nothing if I did not.

Favorite moment:

youtube

There’s something bitter-sweet to this scene because Gale’s character development stretches out for such a long period of the games. Gale confronting Angel in this way was a satisfying fruition of this developmental journey.

Idea for a story:

Pyriphlegethon’s (fanfiction) truest potential as a story about love. It was meant to be so much more than what the limitations inflicted upon it during the time caused it to manifest as.

It needs to inherently explore theoretical consequences of linked and transferred data’s to get to that ultimate goal and message, so the main focus rests on Gale reconciling with David’s data, David’s feelings for Angel, as well as Lupa’s data (since Gale had gained a skill through him) on top of it all. Gale’s inquiries to Lupa creates a secondary focus with a Lupa-Greg-Roland tree, in which Lupa kind of has to rely on the “some things must be felt, not comprehended” approach because Lupa doesn’t have a good understanding of Greg, unlike Gale’s understanding of David.

So, the format of the story would be a back-and-forth banter between Gale and Lupa unraveling feelings of love that aren’t wholly theirs and love that is.

Unpopular opinion:

Last time I was asked for an unpopular opinion about Gale, I was unable to supply a sufficient answer. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how it is perceived, the stance has not changed. I really have no qualms with Gale. It doesn’t help that the general consensus is that everyone adores him either.

Favorite relationship:

Jenna Angel/Gale or Lupa/Gale; one doesn’t have precedence over the other.

Favorite A headcanon:

Gale was meticulous with his diet and consumed a sizable amount of calories prior to the mass exposure of Atma in the Junkyard. As much as this is said because he is noted for being muscular (and that mass needed to sustain itself), it is also said in regards for optimal functioning like with strategizing and sleeping (brain functions). His diet mainly consisted of carbohydrates—but he always eats a protein alongside with whatever he is eating to balance digestion and stabilize blood sugar levels—and foods/meals of high caloric content, meaning he doesn’t not necessarily have to eat a lot in terms of quantity.

____________________________________

JENNA ANGEL

First impression:

Neutral. I just kind of took her and her role as is, not really thinking about it too in-depth.

Impression now:

Pity and sorry in the sense that it’s unfortunate her character doesn’t get to know peace in life, distraught to the point she does not want to accept Gale as a part of David. The fact she state she feels at peace on the Surface of the Sun makes the point that she was only ever going to be happy/content again in death (with David). Hatred is a terrible force/stress, there are parts of myself that empathizes with that struggle, however I can not empathizes with how she deals/copes with it

Favorite moment:

youtube

Idea for a story:

Something exploring the dynamic of distaste between Angel and Roland.

13:4 (Mithrigil, fanfiction) has been an inspiration to me about what can be done with Angel and Roland’s relations; hoping to aspire to create and explore this aggressive divide between the two like this fit has done. There are aspects of 13:4 that have lost their initial appeal to me, but it’s still something revered and special.

I can only hope that one day I will be able to rectify a fic that is worthy to see this potential.

Unpopular opinion:

I can’t think of anything off of the top of my head.

Favorite relationship:

Jenna Angel/Gale.

Favorite A headcanon:

Angel’s field of study was biomedical engineering.

It causes a bit of a conundrum—that I don’t have much of an answer for—with her position as Chief Technical Director within the Karma Society, because that position has the implication for expertise of computer science fields, when her previous experience is with the International Environmental Stabilization Committee. Not to mention David believed she’d find a cure to Cuvier Syndrome.

#thanks for the ask!#13:4 has good descriptions and phrasing #and the formating

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creativityworks-s8 · 6 years ago

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Ichi The Killer Review - what a bloody statement - Simon R Pires

@simonrpires

Instagram: simonrpires95

There are some films that have a certain goal in life. Ichi the killer has one and that is to disturb you or as for its classification: shock genre, to shock you. Yet when watching this film you can’t help but laugh at it and feel a sensation to support its villains. In any case, my name is Simon R Pires. This is the Ichi the killer review. (I will do my best not to spoil)

Directed by Takashi Miike who is most know for his J horror films such as Audition (1999), Visitor Q (2001) and the cult film Ichi the killer (2001). Ichi the killer is filled with various types of beating and torture scenes that would make the saw franchise blush, this has one sole purpose and that is to show that this film is ultra-violent, based on an ultra-violent manga of the same name. Exploring the underworld of Japan and in some ways the twisted nature of human beings, that only through pain can we understand ourselves but other people, examples of this is shown throughout the film, especially when we are introduced to Ichi who is a broken character with a sick and disturbed outlook of the world, as an upset child lashing out at the world, but with blades on his feet. Which add some gory kills to his kill count, without going too much into spoilers, there is a scene where he slices a man in half with his weapons. This, however, is nothing, why should we be disturbed by a man being cut into pieces we have seen this is in so many other films, With Ichi the killer it has a seductive ability to show the power of violence and to alienated us with images of woman being beaten almost to death and people hurting themselves just so they can feel alive.

What is the story of this film? It is based on Hideo Yamamoto manga, which follows Kakihara a sadomasochistic mobster, who wants to be killed or experience pleasures of almost being killed, so when we are introduced to Ichi who is a serial killer and assassin who leaves his victims in a bloody mess, its Kakihara goal to find this killer and fight him to the death. The is a lot more to the story, the problem with the story is that it is ultimately hard to follow due to it being almost this long episode adaptation of a multi-volume manga series, split into a mob drama than a mystery with action, the film itself is classified as a horror, but I honestly did not feel any horror from this film, but more of a American crime drama, with some changes. The most important thing of this film is to understand that Kakihara is called in to find the mob boss; he is willing to go any distance to find him. His sadist methods and disturbed acts bring him to discover Ichi and slowly become obsessed with him. Ichi is a conflicted person who has a carer and mentor called Jijii who uses him and takes advantage of him to control him. So when we see Ichi on screen, the audience will mostly see a young man with macho insecurity and the strange taste of what it means to be a man that woman want.

Going deeper into the characters we can easily make comparisons with Kakihara to the joker, due to his scars on his face, his calm and self-assuring body language, helping him come across as this charming punk. Who stands out due to his wardrobe choices, which almost screams out attention. As for the secondary characters we have crooked cops Jiro, Saburo and Kaneko who is the mob's bodyguard and his son who is bullied and meets Ichi and slowly beings to admire him.

Ichi the killer is a more like a filthy comedy mixed with an extreme form of S&M, that uses disturbing forms of violence to bring attention to its self and did it in such a way that it may have inspired filmmakers to create some iconic films such as Hostel and saw and even short filmmakers such as myself. The film successfully sells in shock value and humour especially when we see scenes of inflicting pain, I myself I’m not disturbed, but when you see someone bleed like a busted water pipe and limbs flying around like nothing, you feel like you just entered a mature cartoon instead of a film. As for the deeper meaning to the film and what characters represent, we can say that Kakihara goal is to live and feel alive and no form of drugs and sex can remove the inch that torments him throughout the film, his very iconic look shows how far he is willing to go for that ultimate thrill. Tho he is the leader of the gang, he is in his own little world until Ichi was introduced to his life. As for Ichi his sexual frustration and his ability not to understand what it means to be a man slowly became deformed, due to what he saw growing up and experienced so we can not hate him but in somewhat praise for the fact that he didn’t go alright mad and killed everyone on sight. Ichi reminds me of a pit bull, it is animal that has a bad reputation, however, it's not the breed thought it is the way that it is raised and brought up that will ultimately shape the dog stereotype it will be.

So what do you think of Ichi the killer, do you think it deserves it Cult status. Will you be watching it? If so leave a comment and support the blog, have a wonderful day and keep filming.

#ichi the killer #film #filmmaking #darkcomedy #manga #japan #japanesefilms #2000s #simonrpires

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theonceoverthinker · 6 years ago

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OUAT 2X06 - Tallahassee

Who’s ready for a vacay?! I’m thinking Florida!

...I was kind of hoping for Disney, but *shrugs* whatever.

Anyway, under the cut for my thoughts on this OUAT vacation.

Press Release With the hopes of finding a magical compass that could help her and Mary Margaret get back to Storybrooke, Emma takes a journey with a not-too-trustworthy Captain Hook up a treacherous beanstalk in an attempt to steal the item from a murderous giant. Meanwhile, Emma’s past is revealed to be anything but magical when she meets up with a fellow thief who wants to make an honest woman out of her. General Thoughts - Characters/Stories/Themes and Their Effectiveness Past This was a really well put together segment! What makes it work for me is the care they brought to Neal while constructing his backstory in regards to Emma. It’s actually been a while since I’ve watched an episode with Neal in it, and I forgot about a lot of his charm and dedication. At the same time, the episode doesn’t make Neal perfect at any point, showing him be a thief and getting angry, exasperated, and even a little stupid. That stuff makes the betrayal of Emma’s trust, for as saddening as it is, feel like something that could feasibly happen, especially as the audience can interpret to some extent (Until it’s explicitly laid out a few episodes later).

I have an unpopular opinion among my fellow Emma fans. That is, I feel like she’s a character that doesn’t necessarily need a ton of backstory. That’s because episodes like these are so impactful for the exact reason that they're rarities. when someone lets Emma down in just one flashback, we understand how important that moment was to Emma and how it shaped that one facet of her personality so specifically. well, I feel like had they had too many Emma flashbacks, they wouldn’t have been as effective because they would have been akin to laying on a bed of nails: An overabundance of sob stories just makes one feel exhausted more than sympathetic and so much more of Emma’s depth is revealed from the parts of her that are not spoonfed, such as her one off lines about the effects of her lonely upbringing. Present I’ll go over this soon, but trust is a big theme of this episode, and Emma’s trust for Killian in the present is framed to be at a contrast with her trust for Neal in the past. And to a degree and not a small one, that does come through. There are a lot of subtle moments that show growth (Killian being able to read Emma, Emma confessing that she was in love once, Emma’s concern for Killian’s wellbeing). However, I feel like for in order for Emma’s betrayal at the end to make more sense as a move that frustrates but is still understandable, they should’ve shown a bit more growth in Emma’s trust for Killian. As it stands, their interactions feel like they more or less reset at the start of every new scene between them. Emma makes her distrust for Killian clear, the two of them do something (Climbing, knocking out Anton, exploring Anton’s castle), one of them gets in physical danger or something is otherwise exposed, and 1% of trust is added. I really feel like there should’ve been a bit more warmth or more obvious progress because not only on its own, but especially when compared to Emma and Neal’s story, it’s not as effective when Emma locks him up because I can’t help but feel like that’s something she probably would’ve done at the end of “The Doctor” too. What changed and does she regret her choice? It doesn’t seem to be the case because there’s not much within the segment itself to compare the moment to.

On a more positive note, in addition to just Killian’s interactions with Emma, we get a lot of insight into his character on his own. For instance, Killian, despite working for Cora, doesn’t trust her, adding to the later-on emphasized concern for self preservation. We also see the first of Killian’s signature impatience. It’s weird. After over 100 years in Neverland, Killian has definitely shown how patient he can be, but as his revenge gets closer, practically insight, we see how that patience just drops to nothing. One could conceivably even call that a fault in his character, but I’d argue against that given how we've also seen later on instances where Killian has had no patience with his revenge right in front of him, so it does make sense. It's also very interesting parallel to Rumple, who in later episodes is shown to experience similar behavior. All Encompassing The issue and theme of trust (Or rather, destroyed trust) is prevalent through the two main segments. In the past, Neal betrayed Emma’s trust, and taking from that experience, Emma betrays Killian’s trust (And to a smaller extent, Snow’s trust through not telling her about her favor from Mulan). This episode also has a really nifty parallel to its own predecessors. Now, in a lot of episodes of season 2 thus far, we’ve see characters internalizing a bad lesson in the past, but rejecting it (mostly) in the present (Rumple being more cooperative with Belle’s needs, Regina refusing to inflict the same pain on Henry that Cora inflicted on her, and Regina being able to let go of Daniel). However, for the first time this season, we see a character who internalized that lesson in the past (protect yourself because you don't know when someone will betray you, even if you trust them), but actually refused to move on from it in the present. Emma, despite seeing and even acknowledging that she does to a large extent trusts Killian, still leaves him cuffed atop the beanstalk (“I can’t take a chance that I’m wrong about you.” Insights - Stream of Consciousness -I love Killian in his robes! He just looks so snuggly, even more so than usual! -”Bad form” makes what I believe is its first appearance! -Killian, watch that! That’s your soon-to-be mother-in-law talking! -I like how the mythology of the giants factors into the present story. Keeping in tune with one of the secondary themes of the episode -- that things are never what they seem -- the giant’s were described as brutes (As per Killian’s story), they were (As we later learn) more like isolationists and he war of giants and men was flipped from the known storyline. Watching this episode with the knowledge from “Tiny” already in mind makes all the scenes where the giant’s history is described so gruesome. -Has anyone ever written a fic where Cora actually does accompany Killian up the beanstalk? -”Emma Swan. Good name.” Am I the only one to connect this to Rumple’s “Emma. What a lovely name” line? -I know Neal gets a lot of flack for the “women” line, but I’m not entirely convinced that that was what he was going for. Instead, I feel like he’s playing to the cop’s sexism. I feel this way both because of the really over-the-top-but-in-a-way-that-one-can-tell-it’s-fake weasel-y smile he gives the cop and the “we” he says regarding his and Emma’s escape once the cop goes away. -”You’re not gonna argue with me?” “Would it do you any good?” I like that subtle display of Emma and Snow’s growing bond! -”Well, you never forget your first.” Now I really want to know what Killian’s first beanstalk was like! -Does anyone know what an Apollo bar is? Like, I know that it’s a fake candy bar, but what’s inside? -Random dude in the shop: Just yell “He’s stealing!” And why did you guys not chase after them?! -”Are you sure? Is this...what you really want?” MY POOR EMMA!!!! She’s been let down so many times! -I just realized that after the events of “Awake,” everyone in town had nightmares for months! How much you want to bet there was an Insomnia Club that was formed afterwards? XD -I like how Aurora’s grown to trust Snow so much given their rocky start! (Sleeping Snow, anyone?) -”It’s where the Final Battle was.” I know A&E had absolutely no knowledge as to the Season 6 finale, but I can’t help but snicker anyway. -”It’s rum, and a bloody waste of it.” I feel like this line would’ve worked better with that deleted scene from when they were climbing the giant’s beanstalk. -”Maybe I was once.” I find that this is such a good acknowledgment of trust that Emma now has in Killian. -How strong is Killian that he can get such a loud sound out of that simple pounding with a bone? -I love Anton’s costume! It’s so cuddly! -”I’m the worst human around!” I wonder how much Killian truly believes that. Like don’t get me wrong, Killian’s a baddie and a bad baddie, but does he consider himself worse than Rumple or was that line just part of the ruse? Because it’s Killian, I could honestly buy either. -Jack is so fucking extra. Who puts their own name on their sword?! -Emma just has the most beautiful hair ever! -I love seeing how much Emma’s willing to fight for her happiness when she knows she has it. As soon as Neal tells her he can’t go to Tallahassee, but instead needs to go to Canada, Emma’s all ready to go! -I sometimes forget just how Neal and Baelfire are the same person. It’s not like it’s executed badly or anything, but it’s such a change. -”You know your rights?” I’m not a cop by ANY means, but I’m pretty sure the cop has to actually say the rights (Correct me if I’m wrong). -”We do it side-by-side and fast.” Another line that shows Emma’s increasing trust for Killian! -”You gotta promise that you’ll be there for me.” “I promise.” LIAR! -”Money’s not what she needs.” August, she has roughly ten years left before she can break the curse AND she’s an ex-con. She might need that extra money! August, I’m not liking you in this episode! -How did August send Neal a postcard in his wooden form? -*Bites Anton to get freed* Emma, I don’t know what your dental plan (Or lack thereof) is, but stick with it! Also, more characters should bite to solve their problems! XD -Emma’s gotten so comfortable with a sword! -”You’re wrong.” [About all humans being killers] Emma, saying that while waving the sword isn’t helping your case. -”Now go before I change my mind.” Anton, you precious bean! You can see him trying and failing to be a badass! -”A jump from a beanstalk.” You’re one hell of a daredevil, Emma! Arcs - How are These Storylines Progressing? Emma and Snow getting back to Storybrooke - We get both half a means of a return journey as well as a future means of communication between the realms. Favorite Dynamic Emma and Anton - I honestly stuck this here because I figure I have talked (And will talk) about the other main dynamics, so why not go a touch more obscure?! So, what I like about Emma and Anton’s connection is something that connects her to both Neal and Killian, but gets its due emphasis here: Emma and Anton believe themselves to be alone and have learned not to trust others. And Emma, after understanding Anton’s story, position, and his victimization at the hands of those who bastardized his history, she shows him understanding and compassion, and Anton returns that. Writer We’ve once again got one new writer (Christine Boylan) and one old writer (Jane Espenson). It’s a pretty decent premiere! The past segment especially was fantastic, painting a story about Emma and Neal that was simple, but it worked for that reason. The present segment, well I have a bit more issues with it. I feel like there was this tug of war. they wanted to keep the characters consistent but also tell a story about trust and how Emma’s past ruined that growing trust, and while it’s possible to do that, the journey needed more room for more overt growth. Now, I like the more subtle shows of growing trust (As I said before, confessions of love from the past and concern for each other), but it also felt like those subtle bits didn’t really move Emma and Killian anywhere meaningful, making the climactic moment fall flat, and that’s frustrating because I can't help it feel like this was easily fixable. Why couldn’t Emma and Killian have a moment where they were talking a bit more comfortably, perhaps right before the scene before Anton re-enters the castle, and Killian says something that echoes something Neal said to her in the past segment (Think like when Felix called Calhoun a “dynamite gal” in Wreck It Ralph)? It would’ve contributed more to the crossroad that Emma found herself at the end of the episode and would make her decision (Again) more understandable for as frustrating as it is. Rating 7/10. I really hate giving this episode this score. It’s an okay score for an okay episode, but after the first five episodes of the season scored 10’s or Golden Apples, it feels worse than it actually is to have to put that number down. I loved this walk through of Emma’s experiences with trust. It paints this really vivid image of the types of disappointments that Emma has seen through her lifetime of abandonment, but gave a good deal of nuance and understanding to Neal, someone who ordinarily may have been just straight up villainized. I took points because I felt that there could’ve been just a bit stronger of a growing trust between Killian and Emma. I felt it, but to be a parallel to what Neal and Emma had, I just wish it was stronger because it really just feels like Emma did exactly what she would’ve done to Killian in the previous episode. I want to see her journey and previous experiences shape her actions and while I felt like it was done okay, it was still too weak to contribute to what should’ve been a more tragic payoff. Flip My Ship - Home of All Things “Shippy Goodness” Captain Swan - “Don’t think I’m taking my eyes off you for a second.” “I’d despair if you did.” Those two lines are just the best! Everything one would want from chemistry to animosity is there and it’s just fantastic! The same goes for the famous “I love a challenge line!” Also, in two weird CS/SF parallels, (1) Neal calls he and Emma a we, whereas Emma calls she and Killian “we,” and (2), Neal calls their escape “home” to Emma in the past and Emma does the same with Killian in the present. Also also, I just genuinely love the way Emma worries for Killian after the giant falls, shouting “Hook” as loud as she can. Also, also, also, “Everything we need is right in front of us.” Note how the two of them were looking at each other. Swan Fire - I like how in Emma and Neal’s first scene, Emma raises an impressed eyebrow to Neal as he’s lying to the cop. It’s such a sign that she’d found a kindred spirit! It’s also reinforced when Emma smiles at Neal’s second request for drinks. I like how Neal upgrades their lied about relationship from “girlfriend” to “wife,” subtly signifying how their relationship has truly grown. Also, “this little guy saved us!” I know that was totally not intended to be about Henry necesaarily, but fuck it, I’mma imagine it! Also, the kiss afterwards was adorable as all hell! As was the conversation in the hotel room, and it makes their tragic downfall all the more tragic! Also, there’s a Snowing parallel I just noticed! In the hotel scene in the flashback, Emma talks about how dreamcatchers (Which is kind of her thing with Neal) kept the bad dreams away. Meanwhile, Charming used a candle (Fire = Balefire) to ward the nightmares off from Snow. Also also, “what you want” seems to be a bit of a line between them, akin to “I will always find you” and “I’m a survivor,” said twice by Emma -- once to confirm and again to reaffirm her dedication to Neal! Finally, I just love how Neal initially stands up to August on Emma’s behalf when he says he’s her guardian angel. ()()()()()()()()() Thank you for reading! And to the fine folks at @watchingfairytales to putting this project together and helping me keep the lights on!

Next time, let’s hang out with some moon kids! Season 2 Tally (57/220) Writer Tally for Season 2: Adam Horowitz and Edward Kitsis: (20/60) Jane Espenson (17/50) Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg (10/50) David Goodman (10/30) Robert Hull (10/30) Christine Boylan (7/30)

Operation Rewatch Archives

#ouat #once upon a time #watching fairytales #ouat 2x06 #ouat rewatch #jenna watches ouat #ships mentioned #swan fire #Captain Swan

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