#lbd writes meta

[imminent-danger-came]

https://www.tumblr.com/acoraxia/751189590385328128/i-do-want-to-like-macaque-but-the-way-the-only?source=share

I feel like this post is wrong, and not just bc I love macaque, just the shadowpeach relationship and the parallels they provide to other relationships and macaque parallels to other characters feels like such a vital part to lmk as a whole. But I'm not good at words, so asking for your imput

I don't want to, like, "gossip" behind anyone's back or anything, so I'll open this up to a discussion with @acoraxia! Hello, how are you, I hope you're having a good day.

(Here's the post if others are interested in readin' it!)

Now, I love Macaque, and I think he's one of the most important characters in the show. I presume "theater kid antics" is referring to Macaque's dramatic nature, but I'd hardly call that his defining characteristic. Macaque is a loser: he's spiteful, he's selfish, he's cowardly, he's paranoid, he's god awful at communication, he's obsessive (particularly over Wukong)...but we've also seen the ways he can put the world/others above himself (3x13, 3x14, 4x10, 4x14), and how he's capable of self-reflection and overcoming his past hurt/hatred ("Wukong was on a path of self-destruction...we all were"). We're, dare I say, at a point now where I'd even call Macaque reliable, in his own way. He'll show up for MK & Wukong, he'll "stick his neck out" for them, and I'm honestly so proud that he chose to stay till the end in 4x14 (versus his choice to run in 3x10). It's wild to me that he's the only 3 of the monkeys who has actually had a positive character arc, but that's just where we're at currently.

I think the claim that you could "remove him from the story and it wouldn’t change much" is greatly downplaying Macaque's role and importance to Wukong, both narratively/thematically and as a character. DBK and Wukong weren't close, but for Macaque, Wukong was his entire world. He (along with Wukong's fear of mortality) was the reason the great Monkey King reached for power in the first place. Both DBK and Azure had their own goals outside of Wukong (not that DBK particularly cared for SWK anyways)—what's important about Macaque as a character is that his motivation and loyalty was only for Wukong, and not towards any greater purpose or goal. Macaque and MK are very similar in that way: neither of them have lofty aspirations, and they are completely content with "quitting while they're ahead" ("Why didn't he just stop, right here? He was already so much stronger than anyone ever needed to be" ; "You're the one who wouldn't quit while we were ahead!"). Both hate change, and both have been hurt by their belief in Wukong.

I'm admittedly a bit...I guess confused, by this opinion, as entire episodes (1x09, 2x07, 3x04, 4x10, 4x11) are centered around Macaque and his relationship to both Wukong and MK. Macaque is there to show us the ways in which Wukong has both abandoned and hurt the ones he loves; he's a very important foil to both MK and Mei, as well as other characters like Azure. That's Monkie Kid's main theme right, the fact that you'll hurt your loved ones and they'll hurt you, but you love and care about them anyways (I have a whole tag around lmk's hurt/pain theme, for those interested).

Let's look at a few examples of this, particularly involving Macaque, Wukong, Mei, and MK:

Macaque: "Come on! Show me the real Sun Wukong! The old you would have leveled this whole mountain range to stop me, but you're scared of hurting some kid? Pathetic!"

(1x09 Macaque)

-

Sun Wukong: "STOP! If you hurt that kid I'll-" Macaque: "-What. Make things worse for MK?"

(3x09 The King, the Prince, and the Shadow)

-

Mei: "Time and time again I've watched you put MK in danger leaving him to figure out EVERYTHING on his own. Don't you realize you're hurting the people who care about you the most?"

(3x10 The Samadhi Fire)

-

MK: "Until I know what I am, what my destiny is? I can’t risk hurting the people I care about—the ones I have left."

(4x08 The Brotherhood)

-

(the 3x10 and 4x08 ones are direct parallels in particular, which I know I never shut up about them, but they're so, so important to understand for the Monkey's (+ Mei) arcs.)

In seasons 3 and 4, both MK and LBD have posited that no matter what you do, whether or not what you think you're doing is right, it all leads "to pain". That's an extremely consistent thread throughout the entirety of the show, going as far back as 1x01 ("Whenever I try to do anything, I just gunk everything up!" -> "No matter what I do, it’s going to lead to pain [...] it doesn’t matter if I want to help people or not! Everything I do just- it just makes things worse!"). While Wukong never wanted to hurt his loved ones (for the sweet sweet "This isn't what I wanted!" Azure parallel), he did. He's a very flawed Monkey, but he does try and he has changed for the better, and that's what's important, right? That's something even Macaque has understood by the s4 special ("Monkey King really was a bad guy?" "That's what I believed...what Azure would have you believe. Then, he met him: the monk.")

You can't really...pawn-off Macaque's role onto other people. Structurally, we needed a tragic best-friend character who was deeply wounded by Wukong in the past, who has then come to accept/forgive him (for the most part, give-or-take). That way, you can have someone who has seen/experienced Wukong's flaws then defend him, both for MK's sake and in contrast to Azure having a literal world-ending breakdown over (his crush on) Wukong. DBK can't be that character, Azure can't be that character, and the Mayor is a much weaker antagonist for s3, unable to provoke MK + the main gang in quite the same way—as well as being completely removed from the themeing and Wukong's hero/warrior dynamic.

Macaque, as demonstrated in 2x07, views the "hero" as someone who leaves, someone who abandons their friends to the shadows. MK completely up ends that world-view in 3x10, refusing to abandon Mei "when she needs" him ("We're heroes! It's what we do!"). It's literally one of my favorite scenes in the whole show, and it completely hinges on Macaque being there and then leaving (much like Macaque's arc hinges on Mei being the fourth ring).

I'm just like...I personally can't imagine a version of lmk where Macaque isn't there to be a foil to both MK and Wukong. I rewatched Shadow Play just yesterday, and that episode is so delightful, let me tell you:

"Welcome, viewers, to a shadow play the likes of which have never been seen! It follows the tragic tale of a legendary Warrior, and how those who bring light into this world inevitably bring darkness to those they hold dear..."

Ah you mean like...hurting the people you care about the most, perchance.

2x07 parallels 4x02, especially between the shadow-lamp itself and the scroll—while Wukong's MIA, Macaque regales his memories of Wukong, imprisoning MK's friends and forcing MK to fight "dark" versions of them? Sound familiar?

(familiar tales...new adventures...)

Which, that's a bit of a tangent, but I do think it demonstrates the ways in which Macaque is important to the foundation of this story. MK and Wukong, Wukong and Macaque, MK and Mei...those are the core dynamics of the show for me, you know. If Macaque wasn't there, I quite honestly don't know where we'd be

[galwithalibrarycard]

i thoroughly enjoyed nmtd! it was a good keyboard smash lol.

i think that it holds up really well. the only thing that was "eh" on holding up well was the hogwarts houses question in an early q&a, but it's something very much of it's time so it didn't really bother me. it wouldve been weirder if something from 2014 didnt have hp in it.

both the writing and the acting were superb. it felt like there was history between all of the characters and that they weren't just saying that there was history. it actually felt like kids vlogging and putting up vids for the lulz rather than something stilted like with lbd.

the kazoo cover of the bbc sherlock theme for dogberry & verges' vids got me every time.

Thank you for coming back and letting me know your thoughts! It’s so lovely that you think it holds up, I’m so glad you enjoyed!

I agree that the acting feels incredibly natural and real, especially compared to some of the higher budget literary webseries at the time (all love to lbd, but stilted is exactly the word I’d use tbh.) It is so impressive. And I’m sure a lot of that is because the writing feels so natural too- I’m not even a little surprised that some of TCW are making actual TV in Aotearoa/NZ now!

And of course some references feel painfully 2014, but I agree, it actually just reinforces the time period now even if some of those references are painful in current context- you know there was no ill intent. Haha I almost forgot about the kazoo Sherlock theme! (Also a fandom that didn’t age well though. Sigh.)

Anyway, yay!!! NMTD is one of my all time favorite things, and I’m so thrilled that people are still discovering it and that you chose to share with me that you did!!! Thank you for making my day! 🦩🥭💖

(Of course the real questions are, what are your ships, and are you going to watch the sequel Lovely Little Losers? I have a very love-hate relationship with LoLiLo myself. Just know it’s extremely angsty and best enjoyed with @beatriceeagle and her sister’s meta-analysis posts in hand - and also, if you need fix-it fic, beadick fluff, and/or missing moments fics, I’m your gal!)

[night-faye]

Don't worry about it :) 50% of those asks is me flipping alongside you on those scenes, 50% is sharing something new. That suspicious time-skip and white tail is the most interesting imo. I AM ALSO THINKING ABOUT IT ✨ 🤝 😁 Truly something evil you can do there as the infamous drill person...*backs away slowly* There is SO much LMK content to catch you up on between videos and fanfics. *sigh* I'm gonna have to hunt down so many fics for you eh? Luckily I have some author names I can toss at you before finding the individual one-shots around. That ought to keep you fed for a month :D alright time to zoop the final. Thankfully Macky hardly shows up in S4 at all so I can take a nice nap from talking about him. *cue sounds of Faye going *WHAT* it's okay because when he does, it's quality and carries weight ^_^ start and end, that's all you're getting <3 but 👀 you get some sleep. you're going to need it for the ~ flashbacks ~ for ~ baby ShadowPeach ~ the wittlest, fwuffiest I say. What a long journey, now you finally get some context rewards! But only half. Suffer with the rest bc we're STILL waiting. 1) LOVE the slo-mo freeze frame on Wukong reaching out and everything bursts into flame! Too little too late, and YES for pausing there because sure, Macky was frosted over more than an 8 year old's birthday cake, but?? blue chains??? perhaps attached to his spirit 👀 hey, did you know LBD actually possessed Bai He pretty close to Macky's theatre? like the literal next door alley because of that glowing neon sign. What if she was looking for Macky? What if, instead of a 2nd compass, this is how she could always find him? He was literally tied to her even before the ice. oh great, now I'm thinking about cryogenically frozen monkey corpses again. but note: one of the chains higher up. if you're delusional, there was a chain on his neck too. now also NOTE 👀 the way Macky instantly looks at both wrists, say. hey hey hey do you think he always felt those chains on him. he's been walking so funny lately, do they drag on him. yes he IS so happy 🥺 first genuine glee and respite after so long, and I think the line weight in his eyes changes or something here. they flicker in some way. 2) MY FAVORITE SCENE HELLO TRAUMA BELOVED OHOHO WHEN CHARACTERS ARE LIKE THIS TO EACH OTHER IM SCARFING DOWN THAT POPCORN EVEN FASTER 👀 when trying to beat up another guy isn't just rough for the heck of it but instead a cinematic narrative into their twisted relationship and psyche, that is beautiful. Idk I can't explain, it's like when ppl write deep meta about conversations one guy has holding a knife to another guy under the chin and pinned to the wall. sometimes it's with a sword. but with more trauma and past history. Wukong is SO angry, and Mac-quackers what were you YAPPING about trying to fight him if this is how scared you get? Better yet, how did you let MK convince you into fighting the one guy capable of and who HAS (quite possibly) killed you and the one demon who tortured you this whole season. Oh speaking of. We kinda 🤔 wonder if LBD literally revived Macky in S1 sometimes since his ep is right after skeleton key, which would be wild, but recently I wonder if LBD was expecting to lose to Wukong since "when the time came" and was waiting for a future comeback, so maybe Macky died/revived BEFORE the Monk sealed her? but then we wonder what he's been doing all this time. he wouldn't be doing *nothing* for centuries and it's been said that he "suddenly came back." So odd indeed. fun fact: after LBD in JTTW is when Wukong leaves to find out that Flower Fruit Mountain burned down, killing many of the monkeys :) :) :) anyways. 🫡 shout out to the fics who have possessed Wukong kill Macky. bro knew what he was doing and walked in anyways. Mr. "I will do anything to stay alive."

3) that gasp :O and "oh I effed up" escape and then getting YOINKED out of his own shadow???? That was COLD. and by the NECK- WUKONG MY GUY. The way he rears back his fist!! the darkness cast over Macky's face as he stares in PTSD, how he shuts his eyes and turns so the one that is ALREADY BLIND gets hit instead. oh right, still gotta write blind Macky fics. but WHERE is that ~ bravado ~ nah, at his core. Macky will crumble when Wukong is genuinely ticked. I wonder how slow his teleporting is, it was so fast with MK you'd think he was letting himself get punished but he seemed too honestly scared for that. ALSO the way Wukong's fist shakes, the tentative way Macky opens one eye heyyy its your buddy Tang to the rescue XD the UGH way that Macky is WHEEZING AND TWITCHING straining my ears to see if there's little noises, he's shaking and Wukong gets angry hearing LBD maybe he gripped his neck tighter, and he just stares and watches Macky squirming in his grip like the pathetic flea he is and then just COLDLY DROPS HIM LIKE AN OLD BAG OF FUR. the plop sound as he hits the ground like a puppet with the strings cut off! And Macky never leaves. Doesn't even back away from Wukong, and mm 👀 here come the faces. strike 1 when Wukong is explaining his *actual* plan. yeah your crazy ex-friend would do that huh. I mean you did say he didn't have a real plan anyways 😆 but it's another thing hearing it from him. a thousand years, and still the same. SPEAKING OF. *knock on door* *opens letter* Yeah alright, I'll wait until the Special to return to this episode. Beautiful stunned look and slow blink at the "we're heroes! it's what we do!" hero speeches making someone's brain explode never gets old. CLEARLY thought something during that instant back step teleport. Sadly I think Wukong's style of jumping off a cliff onto his cloud arms crossed was cooler </3 but ngl, Macky's fighting style is pretty slick next season. and the next. he's so TRIPPY. and Wukong's scream as MK throws himself in danger and the LOOK afterwards it has LAYERS almost like you just watched someone succeed where you failed which ahahaha is literally this entire episode ngl, that's why ShadowPeach is flipping so much with their expressions. what did I say before? oh yeah, so we think their fight happened **after** the journey, so it's confusing to wonder how LBD could have revived Macky while sealed. Hence the S1 theories. Iirc it was the lack of circlet on him in the flashback but hey! these are biased! hence that brief angst genre of memory manipulation fics.

(I am very much looking forwards to the fan content holy shit 👀👀👀)

[eldritchlittleblackdragon]

A Sort-Of Meta-y Post on Possession and Manakete Degeneration in Fire Emblem

Cross-posted from Pillowfort

My roommate @curiousobsession101 and I have been talking about Manaketes/Dragons in Fire Emblem and while there are a lot of inconsistencies, there are some threads that show up again throughout the various games. (Even if they don't take place in the same world/continent setting.)

And I've found certain threads make more sense if you're familiar with elements of earlier games. There is one in particular though that's been on my mind and that's manakete degeneration in the setting that Archanea/Ylisse, Valentia/Valm, and Jugdral all take place in (and my understanding is that they're all in the same world, just on different continents, as opposed to Elibe, Magvel, Tellius, and the Fates Setting).

In Awakening, you're told about how Grima basically selectively bred a line of human to create the perfect human vessel to posses (Robin/the MU for Awakening). Now, for the longest time my roommate didn't understand why this was even necessary. Once he gets resurrected and has a physical form, why does he need a human vessel?

It didn't occur to me to mention until recently, but there is a reason for that, and the reason is given by older games. Specially, Echoes/Gaiden and Geneology of the Holy War. I think the latter has the example that's easier to explain though. In Geneology of the Holy War, one of the main antagonists is Julius, half-brother to the second gen protagonist, Seliph. Like Robin in Awakening, he possesses a brand likely as a result of a dragon pact made by his ancestors, and it's through this mark that the ultimate big bad, Loptyr, is able to possess him. The reason for needing a human vessel in Geneology is to stave off degeneration, a problem that has plagued dragonkind since the series inception and has been a common thread through the games (I think save the Elibe and Tellius games). The main problem with degeneration is insanity and an affected dragon losing access to their mental faculties. Most manaketes choose to seal their power away in dragonstones and take on humanoid forms for most (or all) of the remainder of their lives in order to prevent or at least slow degeneration. However, possessing a human with a dragon's brand who is best attuned to them is another method of retaining one's mind for longer as well. Given this information about why Loptyr needed a vessel such as Julius, I think it's safe to extrapolate that we have a similar situation with Robin in Awakening. As much as Grima hates humanity, he saw a method to stave off degeneration that didn't require sealing his power away and assuming a weaker physical form. While the human vessel is an anchor of sorts, from what I can tell through stats and such in their respective games, Loptyr and Grima are forces to be reckoned with (the latter more so on higher difficulties). He can stave off this terrible fate, and retain the power he wants to destroy humanity (and everything else. Good job Grima, you racist old fart). Unfortunately, as my roommate pointed out, because of the thread in Geneology of the Holy War, there could be some unsavory implications as to Robin's family history. In Geneology, in order to create Julius (Loptyr's perfect vessel), Seliph's mother Dierdre was kidnapped and her memory erased before she was placed in the path of Arvis by one of the other bads. The intent was for Arvis and Dierdre to wed (which they did) and have kids, as those two would be the necessary parents for this to happen. That being being because they descended from the same bloodline (in fact, the two are half-siblings, if memory serves). It's possible that a similar situation could be the case with Robin's parentage, but little to no information is given about Robin's mother save for the fact she tried to run away and keep her child out of Validar's (Robin's father's) reach. So it's completely possible she might not have been a genetic relative of Validar but still had the requirements that Grima desired in order to create his perfect vessel. The fact it's a completely reasonable conclusion to come to though is... a bit unsettling to say the least. Considering real-world examples of inbreeding among plants and animals in order to foster certain results though (and the fact this is something that's come up in Fire Emblem), it does seem like something that, again, seems like a real possibility. Now, I mentioned Echoes+Gaiden being a potential example. While I haven't finished the game, I am aware of certain spoilery things. So, hear me out. At one point in the game, it's mentioned that the Zofian Royal family is descended from Mila herself (and this is the same family Celica and her brother Conrad descend from via their biological father, King Lima). It's a bit of a throwaway line but, from the outset of the game it's mentioned that Alm and Celica both bear special brands marking them as being 'chosen'. Given that information and the fact Jedah tries to convince Celica to offer herself to Duma (as many witches and cantors of the Duma faithful have), my mind keeps tugging at a certain idea: The idea is that the brands in question are in fact pact marks the likes of which Julius and Robin had (or at least potentially so). Due to this and their royal bloodlines, they are probably better candidates for Duma (or potentially Mila) to possess and escape or at least slow down his degeneration. Now you would think Alm would be the ideal candidate because if the Zofian royal family is descended from Mila, it's reasonable to conclude the Rigelian royal family is descended from Duma. So it would make sense to go with the bearer of the mark are directly related to him, no? But it still is probably possible for him to possess Celica because Mila is his sister, and while the connection might not be as direct, it would still make her a good candidate, and Jedah probably thought her an easier/more important mark to go after. The whole possession to stave off degeneration could be part of the reason why Cantors and Witches exist as well, although instead of Duma trying to posses one person, he's in some way trying to make use of multiple people. Whatever issues I have with the story and characters in Echoes, I appreciate that there is enough evidence here to support this train of thought. It's possible by the time I reach the end of Echoes both me and my roommate could be proven wrong about this, but for now, this is what I strongly believe about what's happening. Now Fates has a similar situation but the way it's addressed is a little different in that most dragons gave up physical forms entirely, save for a small number. We do see a character get possessed by a dragon (Takumi), but it's for an entirely different purpose, and What all of this does leave me with are questions concerning the nature of manakete degeneration. Is it a disease? A genetic defect? A curse or some other malicious magical malady? I suppose for now this is something to be thought of and worked on in the domain of theory and fanfiction.

[terrainofheartfelt]

2, 11, 18, 20!

2. Tell us about what you’re most looking forward to writing – in your current project, or a future project

With the holidays over, I’m looking forward to really sinking my teeth into the p & p au. I didn’t mean to write it — you know S, it started as a joke, and then I was like. Oops I’m really writing it now. But it poofed into my head around the time I wanted to work on the Miloverse, so I wrote a big hunk of it, then put it on ice. But with the Miloverse (mostly) done, I want to make time to work on the P & P now. I’ve given you lots of deets in the dms but for the folks at home: Bennets = van der Humphreys. Dan as Lizzie, the unreliable narrator. Vanessa Abrams bring her own fabulous twist to Charlotte Lucas. Nate is Bingley—Serenate is Jing. Blair is Darcy, rich pretentious snob who has to undergo some character development. I don’t want to give too much away, but I am really happy with the way the Jenny (Lydia) subplot pans out, it was the last big hunk of story I wrote before shelving it in the autumn. It’s not quite an au of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, bc Dan as a character I don’t think is the type to vlog like that lmao, but LBD as a blueprint of the modern au inspired a lot of ideas. There’s also going to be appearances of characters I haven’t really written before, like Ivy Dickens and Aaron Rose, which is fun! (But I’m not gonna give away their parallels 😉)

There’s a couple little things I want to get up on ao3 and here over the long weekend, and then it is Austen time babeyyyy

11. What do you envy in other writers?

Thinking in terms of our corner of the gg clubhouse…it’s the trust for the reader that’s there, if that makes sense? The last time I wrote fiction was in junior high, so I learned how to be an academic, research writer (especially in grad school), so I have this compulsion from that experience to want to explain everything, which isn’t necessarily what you want to do in fiction. so when I read fic that leaves space to breathe, for the reader to take up space, I’m like “wait, do I do that? I have to give everything a context, I don’t think I do that?”

18. Do any of your stories have alternative versions? (plotlines that you abandoned, AUs of your own work, different characterisations?) Tell us about them.

Until like, the last drafts of it, in “sweet, wonderful you” & “as long as there are stars” I almost mentioned something about Louis cheating. Like, I think it’s no secret on this blog that I hate that guy, and we only have Estee for an episode and a half, but in this universe where Blair and Louis have a legit marriage, him having an affair with Estee didn’t seem that far-fetched. But it was one of those things that if I slipped it in I would have to address it and give it some sort of closure (Chekov’s gun and all that), and I didn’t really want to, because I thought it would detract too much from what was already going on, and make it seem like Blair ended her marriage over an affair. Not that that wouldn’t be a good enough reason, but I wanted the core of it to be that she just wasn’t happy, that she felt disconnected from herself and her friends. That her leaving Louis and the monarchy had to do with her, and not some side character that only barely matters. That, and like, homegirl had been through enough, it would have just been a hat on a hat.

20. Tell us the meta about your writing that you really want to ramble to people about (symbolism you’ve included, character or relationship development that you love, hidden references, callbacks or clues for future scenes?)

This is so open ended I love it so I am gonna tell you TWO things

The first is the bit in “as long as there are stars” when Dan says that while they were drunk, he and Vanessa made a deal that they would get married if they were both still single when they were 40 (while I ruthlessly and repentlessly ripped the gag from himym) it comes from an outline of a prequel to “somewhere you feel free” that has a little bit written to it: it’s a remix of Cece’s Irish wake, and Dan finding out he’s one of Cece’s named beneficiaries. But really, it’s a peek in how Dan is feeling as a single parent to a toddler—the custody battle is done, and he’s still adjusting to his role as a father being legally reinforced, and how he feels kind of—separated from his friends, because they’re just people in their 20s figuring shit out, and he has a baby, and he’s kind of given up on being anything but a parent, and how money from Cece changes that for him.

Okay the other thing I’ve been itching to talk about is the recurring theme of home in—well it shows up everywhere in my writing but specifically in my Date AU series “And you can have this heart to break.” All of it is a remix of s4 (where everyone is 100% gayer), but the central part of it is Nate and Dan as an established couple. Which is interesting for many reasons, but it throws everything Juliet tries to do to Serena into a new angle. (I have worked out how I want it to go down, I just gotta get the spoons to write it out) Because she’s ultimately successful in isolating Serena because Serena’s circle themselves feel so isolated. But what if Dan & Nate & co. are actually mostly fine? Or at the very least, are able to all lean on each other. So the home thing was a major part of that, especially for Nate, who spends two-thirds of the show squatting in his friend’s spare room of a hotel penthouse, never really get to make his own home, which I think is Stupid. So the fic opens with Nate giving chip the finger (which I love bc I’m petty), and effectively moving in with Dan. Also on the petty front, with the source material tossing its characters asunder in tumultuous relationships, I wanted to demonstrate with this fic that no matter what bullshit is going on around them (Jenny’s Parsons drama, Serena’s gf drama, Blair’s gf drama, the Juliet of it all), Nate and Dan were going to be and stay rock solid. So in each “episode” work in the series, I’ve been very intentional that they all begin and end with them coming home to each other. I think I have the x-files fandom (aka Nads) to thank for introducing me to the concept of The Touchstone, because that is what they are to each other in this series. The port in the storm, as it were. That, and I just love domestic fluff. :)

Fun meta asks for writers

[websthetics]

I should be sleeping.... which means it’s time to write a very long post.

What I’m really craving is some Check Please! meta-analysis like back in the days of the Lizzie Bennet Diaries when it’s seems like every tiny thing from each character’s relationship to the camera to nature of costume theater was being analyzed and I was living my best life (or maybe I was just following the right people and I mostly don’t follow any new people anymore and instead rely on tags which can be yikes.)

These days (*cough* old person alert!!!!) it seems like you can’t go into a fandom tag without stepping in some discourse. Contrary to discourse (everybody has an opinion and will fight for it), there is meta-analysis (everybody has a perspective on the media and will have a coherent discussion to come to a better understanding of the media.)

Check Please! reminds me of the LBD a lot with regards to it’s transmedia nature (re: the vlog within the comic, and the additional story elements provided by the twitter.) And comics as a medium lends itself to hybrid form work (Has anybody except me read Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud??? It’s So Foundational, honestly.) However, it’s greatest difference is in that these two works appeal to a different audience. As a literary adaptation the LBD naturally appealed more to people who were more versed in classics and literary analysis. Whereas Check Please! appeals to a queer audience, which puts more emphasis on analyzing a queer narrative.

Also, while I may not have been reading since the Very Beginning I have been reading for a Long Ass Time (since early 2015 in case you were wondering) which is why I express my surprise that I saw in the tags that Check Please! was starting to read like RPF (my apologies for not linking/crediting! I am too lazy to scroll back through the tag again) when, from my opinion the author has always treated her characters and narrative like a work of fanfic. I don’t mean that in a bad way!! It’s one of the comics’ strengths that it can generate a cult of personality like it does. And I remember reading in the tags of a Very Early Post that the author said that she basically treated herself as the First Fan of her webcomic. However, an outcome of this is that CP story and fandom has always had an especially fandomy feel to it, which is also another thing that makes it a unique piece of media.

it is now over an hour past my bedtime But I have so much more to say about this comic if anybody is Interested. (I didn’t even get into any specifics I’m still speaking in generalities.) (well, I’ll write more if this comic continues to be stuck in my head... I’ll write until i can be free. But unfortunately as you probably already know, recent updates were So Much and I can’t stop thinking about them.)

[littleblackdomicile]

HOW MANY CHARGING CORDS ARE IN YOUR LIFE?

We are a society that loves our electronics.  We are power junkies.  Many of us have one or more cell phones, tablets and computers, that at the writing of this post, all have power cords.  These cords, needed to keep all of our devices charged, are now our lifelines.  Even though we make lofty plans to be less “connected”, for most of us we nearly go into withdrawal when we run out of a charge!

CORDS,CORDS,CORDS

Almost no one is happy with the cords and power packs laying all over the kitchen counter.  If you are one of the few that have successfully figured out how to prevent yourself, your family and friends from plugging in “just for a minute”….you get mega kuddos and 5 stars!

If you remain like the rest of us, keep reading on this Motivational Monday and join in the conversation of ways to deal with these mini snakes.

THE PINTEREST APPROACH TO RECHARGE OUR DEVICES

Pinterest is an endless resource for showing ways to create Charging Stations.  We agree, many work in theory and others are just so darn cute.  As designers we repeatedly help our clients plan these stations that are built with the intention of everyone in the household placing their numerous devices in designated places.

The problem begins right away.  We all have too many devices to house them all in the stations at one time and we are too dependent on these mini computers to ignore them while they are charging in a hidden spot.  “What if I get a text?!”

HOW WE REALLY HANDLE CHARGING OUR DEVICES

The truth is most of us need want to see our devices when they are charging.  Messy or neat, the task of charging all of our devices out in the open is happening on a regular basis.

WHAT WORKS BEST FOR MOST

No matter how you choose to conquer the cord clutter it all boils down to our humble outlets.  Better known as receptacles in the construction design industry.  (a little snobby and after 35 years I still call them outlets)  Although our trade resources keep touting that wireless charging is very near, it will be some time before we have a cord free life.  Remember how computers were to eliminate paper in our worlds?  If this had happened as predicted then I would not be the scan and shred it queen of the family.

Charging Is A Personal Thing

Below we will look at the simple recommendations we build into our designs, for ourselves and clients, that can create charging stations that really work.  Before we do, here is the Number One Trick For Controlling Cord Clutter we promised.

Each Person Must Find “Their” Special Spot To Charge All Devices

What?  But this tip is not a cute little Pinterest board nor does it require anything more than an outlet  receptacle.  Correct.  Take a few minutes, or watch for a few days, and see where each person in the house plugs in most.  It’s human nature that when one space is full we hunt for the next available.  What if the “next available” was your very own designated spot and only your devices could be charged there?  A spot set up with permanent cords in place and plenty of spots for each device.  No one to borrow your cords or your free flowing juice.  With a little effort, and minor cost it can happen.  And these systems are totally portable so if one spot is not working we can adjust till it works.

Watch The Surge While You Multiply 

Dual receptacles represent the majority of outlets in our homes and businesses.  The adapter below quickly offers 3 plug ins and 2 usb slots.  This one is also a surge protector which is so very important when charging our expensive devices.  I carry one while traveling.  Not only am I able to charge safely in any public environment, but I can be the darling of the airport and “share” if I am in the mood.  Airport manors could still use some improvement.  Sorry, back to the subject.

See Link Here

Take A Stand 

There are as many iPhone/iPad stands out there as there are devices.  I did not think I needed one for a long time.  Just another “thing” on my desk or counter.  However, after I began using an iPad for recipes, I quickly learned how nice it was to have the iPad perched like a cookbook while working on a new creation for Mr. LBD.  Here is the one that works for me.  I place it in front of an outlet and keep the cord that charges both my phone and iPad in the wall.  The cords are somewhat hidden behind the knife block front when charging.  The phone can still be seen for that important text that might be coming in.  (at dinner time it’s usually much needed girlfriend gossip catch up)  The kitchen is where I naturally gravitate towards for charging.  It’s my spot.  Remember this post?  A mass of wires is not the best way to make our kitchens look their best!

See Link Here

This little caddy shows a phone with the similar idea, but can also hold a tablet.  Same theory and I do like the scissors having a home.  This one has the benefit of the multiple slots for the charging cords and can even attach to a computer.  I can see this one on a desk or the kitchen counter.

See Link Here

Both Mr. LBD and I are Apple product users.  He used to belong to the android dark side but crossed over at my urging early this year.  I wanted the new iPad Pro (yes the one with the pencil I use for work everyday now).  Perhaps this works the same in your household.  When one wants a new device and justifies it by “gifting” our current, couldn’t live without it device to our beloved.  Thus he became a full fledged member of the Apple community…watch and all.

He’d probably like a charging stand like this if he still used a desk.  Since his “office” is now his favorite chair, he is all set up with an outlet, multi port surge adapter and all the cords for each device neatly perched on a stool next to the chair.  It’s his natural spot.

See Link Here

Start Training Early 

We have many savvy parents who are teaching the little ones to take control of their own devices and all the attachments that come with them.   Fun stations can be placed in kids rooms and playrooms.  Love the color options for each kiddo.  Being portable makes it easy to “revise” the locations as needed or to have a time out.  It happens!

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See Link Here

When we are hired to design mudrooms and family stations, we always plan for a minimum of one outlet for the kids to be able to use as their place to charge.  In many cases we also place an outlet up higher for Moms to be able to monitor a bit.  One Mom we know has a curfew for all devices to be in their cubbie so bedtime happens and school mornings are controlled.  Smart gal!  Here’s a few examples again from Pinterest.  Wouldn’t the colored charging stations above look so nice in an open cubbie area?

    Containing The Cords

One thing we highly recommend is to have multiple cords for the same device.  Keep one in the spots you choose to designate as the charging stations.  Being able to leave a cord in place and have a spare to travel with is an affordable luxury.  Plus if one fails, you have a spare.  This is also very important with the larger, more expensive battery packs for laptops.  There is no good time for a laptop to be without a charge and no way to charge it.  I’ve got two.  One is secretly hidden in the sofa which is my favorite place to work on blog posts late at night.

I really did not know too much about retractable charging cords that are compatible with so many devices.  They do control the cord clutter a bit and are nice in the car.  Easy to slip in a work bag or backpack.  Now if someone could make a mini version of this to stick on the back of the phone we’d really be in good shape!

  See Link Here

Always Have A Backup

People who use their phones and tablets for business are pretty in sync with having a backup source to recharge the devices.  These backup devices need a place to charge and can follow the same theory as above.  With the cost of these backups so low, every one can have their own and charge them in their own designated spots.  This can become as much of a habit as charging a phone and can make a difference in a lot of situations where our beloved outlet is not available.  I for one, am getting too old to camp on an airport floor with the masses coveting the dual receptacles.  I recharge my phone with a backup device often.

  See Link Here

In light of our countries recent storms, Mr. LBD and I were prepared with one of these “do it all” backup devices.  This one is about the size of a beverage can and offers 3 different ports.  The charge is powerful and can recharge phones 4 times, tablets twice and a laptop once.  It charges itself quickly when needed.  I can see this being nice for other than emergency situations.  It is pricey but gave us peace of mind when we needed it.

See Link Here

The last charger is one that can go in the car and charge a number of different devices.  There are many smaller units that can charge a phone or tablet in the car.  This one can do a computer, or any device that needs a true 110 outlet. Combined with an internet hotspot on a cell phone, a fully charged computer is a mobile office.  In a storm, a tank of gas is more than a means of transportation.  It’s an outlet that can refill all the battery backups we need.

See Link Here

You may be thinking this is a little over the top and there will never be a time when you couldn’t go without your devices.  Perhaps.  I agree we can all disconnect and interact with each other more often.  For me, that will have to be while our devices are charging in their designated spots!

Thanks For Spending Some of Your Day With Us!

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                Charging Elephants – The Number One Trick For Controlling Cord Clutter HOW MANY CHARGING CORDS ARE IN YOUR LIFE? We are a society that loves our electronics.  We are power junkies.  

[imminent-danger-came]

This may be a reach but

Both MK and Mei having something inside them that could be world-destroying, god-killing, and being afraid of it (with a bonus of Wukong hiding it from them both but idk if u think swk knew of the monkey form beforehand)

Bonus with Mei and MK having someone that can/has helped with training and mastering their abilities (Redson & Wukong respectively)

Oh boy, do I think SWK knew about MK's origins!

I've been a believer in this since post-s3, with there being plenty of evidence throughout the first 3 seasons to support it. Cause like, imma be honest, the show doesn't make sense if Wukong didn't know. I think by this point we can assume that choosing and training MK to be his "successor" was a cover story—Wukong LITERALLY couldn't have picked anyone else. I never really bought the whole "Monkey King gave you his powers!" explanation, especially when one of the first things he says to MK in AHIB is "Listen kid: You fought demons, and you didn't die, and you made it here! Not just anyone can lift my staff, but you did." And even MK had a different thought, thinking his powers came from the staff until 3x03. How would Wukong have even "given" MK his powers, like logistically anyways. There was just a lot that didn't line up! And then s4 came along, and implied "Yeah MK was born from the stone, and Wukong was there" and I was like, oh yeah that makes total sense.

And I'm also a believer in the Samadhi Fire Mei, Jade Emperor Azure, and Monkey MK trifecta of having uncontrollable, world-ending power (which they must also act as a "container" for). And you know, had the person losing control of the Jade Emperor's powers in 4x14 been one of MK's close friends, he would have been able to save them, I have no doubt. He already did so with Mei in 3x10—Mei wasn't even supposed to be able to withstand the samadhi fire. But she did (Yellowtusk "But he is my brother! I owe him my life!" parallel for the win, "No! Mei is my best friend!", YOU GET ME?). And it's like, in 3x10 MK standing by his friend was a good thing but in 4x13 Yellowtusk standing by his friend was bad. In s3 the gang trying to get the Samadhi Fire was "good" (even though they didn't really use it to defeat LBD by the end lol), and Azure trying to get the Jade Emperor's power was "bad". You see how the lines are blurring here. At the start of Monkey Kid, it's all monster of the week and "we have to stop the bad guys!". Now by this point it's "[blank] isn't necessarily a bad guy..." and "Every choice has consequences for someone", even the "good" ones. Is anyone hearing me.

And then don't even get me STARTED on "I can't be! I'm just MK!" "The Monkie Kid?". Because, I'll have you know Subodhi names Wukong in Journey to the West. I just read that chapter. And then in 4x06 he labels, or names, MK as the "Monkie Kid". And this "reason" just FEELS like it's going to involve a great amount of power, something that is...uncontrollable, even. And this time, this time when MK looses control, Mei is going to be the one to get through to him, aka Samadhi Fire Part 3. Like

[imminent-danger-came]

Here comes the complaining about Mei's treatment in the fandom:

Mei gets basically zero fandom attention unless it's about shipping her with Red Son tbh, and even then it's barely ever discussion about her character. I've seen nearly everything she does in S4 be somehow attributed to Red Son, her temper, her impatience, even being concerned about Heaven(?). It's like she's a satellite character, like she doesn't matter until it relates to a man.

The thing about her temper especially gets to me because it's a trait she had since the pilot, and it feels just the teeniest bit like sexism to erase it in favor of making her into a Wholesome Softgirl.

(Also isn't her temper the main reason her dynamic with Red Son works? Like they play off of each other well because of how similar they are?)

Shipping is fun, I get it. I really like a lot of the popular ships, and Red Son is probably my favorite character but sometimes it feels like people don't actually care about Mei's canon character, they just care about giving him someone to blush or angst about.

Not to mention, for a fandom that loves angst I've seen nothing about her canonically tense relationship with her family or her fear of hurting others with the samadhi fire. That and her focus ep's almost never get talked about, except for the one with Ao Lie but even then, the discussion isn't about Mei, it's about Ao Lie.

Sorry if this isn't coherent I just have very strong feelings about this.

Anyways Mei deserves better

We are holding hands anon.

This was SUPER coherent, and I totally agree with all of your points—hope you don't mind if I write a kinda-sorta-meta about it! This is a long rant, and it's full of a ton of things that have been in my head for months.

Mei is rarely discussed as a character, and it's such a shame! Mei, MK, and LBD are my favorites, and I think I need to express my Mei love here more.

I think Mei being sidelined and ignored is far too common in the lmk fandom. I saw one person complain that Red Son should have gotten the Samadhi fire, and that it was "nothing against Mei", and it just kinda left me dumbfounded.

Like, there's nothing that giving Red Son the Samahdi fire would have added to the story that would trump what giving the Samahdi fire to Mei, our main female lead, added to the story:

"MK: “Mei! You have to stop. I know you’re upset, and that’s okay! I know what it’s like to have a power you don’t know how to control—to feel like the fate of the world is in your hands and you have no idea what to do! But you always have my back, and help me through it. We, will figure this out! Together!” (3x10 The Samadhi Fire)

This sentiment of "having no idea what to do", and that being okay, is something that MK is repeating back to Mei all the way from the Revenge of the Spider Queen special. They're truly friends—best friends who are always there for each other—and I don't think MK could have even gotten through to Red Son in this situation. He got through to Mei, because if "you're bonds of friendship are as strong as you say, you will always find your way back to one another", you can always reach one another.

To me, it just feels like they want to "give" this important place in the story to a popular male side character, rather than give it to the female lead they don't care about. And it just feels misogynistic. The particular post I'm thinking of mentioned how amazing it would have been for Red Son as a character to gain back and learn to control the Samadhi fire, completely ignoring what the Samadhi fire did for Mei as a character. This is not something that could be "handed" over to any one else, not without taking away everything thematically and narratively relevant about this part of the story.

As I've mentioned in my dear Hero and Warrior meta, MK and Mei fulfill the "roles" of the Hero and the Warrior to each other. MK's choice to not abandon Mei when she needs him is a CRUCIAL choice, and something that wouldn't have even close to the same amount of impact if it were replaced by anyone else.

There's also the matter of how Mei's trust impacts the story, for better or for worse. When she makes the decision to trust someone in the name of what she thinks is right (like how she trusted Sun Wukong's plan to defeat LBD, or Azure's plan to save their friends), it leads to her being tricked. To pain—which parallels her to both MK and Lady Bone Demon in such a significant way.

However, instead of MK's-

“No matter what I do, it’s going to lead to pain. It’s like the Lady Bone Demon said—it doesn’t matter if I want to help people or not! Everything I do just- it just makes things worse!”

-Mei instead takes on the position of "We have to try." Even if the odds are stacked against them, even if it doesn't work, even if it just makes things worse—she has to try. And that works with how Mei more often than not is the one supporting MK, always having his back. If I see one more person describe MK as the "optimist" of the group when Mei is so clearly the hopepunk girly we deserve, I may lose it.

All the way back in 1x10, MK is doubtful about their victory against Demon Bull King and Mei reassures him: "But we won...right?". Mei, AGAIN, in Revenge of the Spider Queen is the one to comfort MK that "They got this" and that they would "'Figure it out. Together". Mei assures MK in 2x10 that he's mastered so many powers and that Monkey King might not even need to come back, and when MK stares in his lemonade cup sadly, cocks an eyebrow insinuating that she knows something is wrong. In 3x04 when MK is wondering what use he is without his powers and how he's going to fight the Lady Bone Demon, Mei pokes his cheek and tells him that's why they're getting the Samadhi fire.

She has her own doubts, but she stubbornly works through them—anything to protect and support her friends.

Mei is her own character. And it's a good one at that.

(The rest of my thoughts are going under the cut, this is getting a bit long lol)

Now, this brings me to Mei and Red Son's dynamic.

"Also isn't her temper the main reason her dynamic with Red Son works? Like they play off of each other well because of how similar they are"

100% IT IS. Mei and Red Son's dynamic is lovely, and I think Red Son becoming Mei's teacher really expanded on that. Red Son giving Mei "some fire training" was a perfectly fine role for him to have in the Embrace Your Destiny Special, furthering their dynamic from Revenge of the Spider Queen.

Mei: "But...what if I fail everyone? What if I...lose control" Red Son: "My parents have succumbed to the Lady Bone Demon’s power—like countless others. You, and the Noodle Boy, will stop at nothing to free them. That’s how I know you won’t lose control. You can’t. Because you’re the only hope I- The only hope this world has left."

(3x11 This Imperfect World)

Red Son was so anti-hero originally, and yet here...he needs a hero. He needs Mei. Together they have to wrangle the wild emotions and energies around them to save everything. Mei is a feisty and angry character, rushing into things headfirst, and she couldn't do that or be that with the Samadhi fire, lest she destroy all she holds dear.

And, Red Son understands that. That's why he's there in the first place—to make sure Mei doesn't burn herself from the inside out. Red Son doesn't want to fail his parents and Mei doesn't want to fail the world. That's why I find them interesting.

So yeah, I really feel your "it's like she's a satellite character, like she doesn't matter until it relates to a man" sentiment. It's painfully true.

Honestly, I've been spinning around Mei's conversation with Ao Lie in 4x05 in my head for MONTHS, and not because of Ao Lie lol:

Mei: “What’s the point of having power if you won’t use it? Don’t you have people you want to protect?” Ao Lie: “Of course I do! But I can’t protect them with careless actions!” Mei: “Inaction is careless! If you’re not giving everything you have to protect the people you care about, you are nothing!"

Mei: I would watch my sword shatter into pieces a thousands times, so long as I used it to protect the ones I care about. If you're just going to sit here and screw around, then maybe, you don't deserve power." Ao Lie: "And perhaps with greater caution you would still have you're sword. I know a thing or two about disappointing people, about feeling powerless to protect them, but I do not sense you are a disappointment! Even now, locked away in imminent danger you're thoughts are to protect others!"

Mei: "But how am I supposed to protect everyone if I don't have my sword?" Ao Lie: "A sword is powerless without the hand that wields it."

(4x05 Court of the Yellow Robed Demon)

(omg hi hand motif) (Whenever characters (most often MK, followed up by Mei) look at their hands, it's typically as a sign of resolve or the character showing that they feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. I know I keep mentioning hand motif but god I love it so much and it's important to this convo about Mei.)

Here we see Mei all laid out: she doesn't want to be a disappointment and she's motivated by protecting her friends, which all tracks. Her first scene in the whole show is saving MK, and every damn day I think about her smile towards MK before she sacrifices herself to the Lady Bone Demon.

The dialogue "What’s the point of having power if you won’t use it?" is such a lovely paring with her "We have to try" mentality. If you have the power to do something, you should do it. You should try. In this sense Mei is bound by an incredible sense of duty to her friends and to the world.

And GOD, did we need a female character entirely motivated by helping the people she cares about, armed with a kick-ass sword and her temper. She's basically a female shonen protagonist, and I think most people don't realize that about her.

Mei's line “Inaction is careless! If you’re not giving everything you have to protect the people you care about, you are nothing!" in particular is interesting. Like I've said, she's a character whose whole motivation is protecting the people she cares about, and yet she hurt MK and everyone else at the end of s3.

There are certain things in s4 that lead me to believe she feels like "nothing" because of how she handled the Samadhi fire. Like, look at Mei's face when Subodhi mentions it for the first time in s4:

Subodhi: "As someone who once wielded the Samadhi fire, I thought that you would know that the flame that lights a candle is ALSO capable of lighting a forest fire."

(4x09 Roast of the Monkie Kids)

It reminds me of this scene from 3x09:

Macaque: "How do you still not see that he has no idea what he’s doing?"

(3x09 The King, the Prince, and the Shadow)

And, along with this parallel to MK—our poster boy of low self-esteem/belief—I just have to say I'm a little worried about our girl! I'm so excited to see where her character arc goes in the future, especially with how her own self-doubt is going to mesh with her duty to her friends.

I was thinking about it earlier—and as a fun little bonus theory at the end of this meta—I wonder if a Mei VS MK fight is in the cards for us. The line "They will destroy you, harbinger of chaos" doesn't fill me with much confidence, however I also doubt any of the main cast is going to fight MK with the intent of destroying him. So, that got me thinking that maybe they're going to fight MK to save MK, in a sense. I'm a "Mei is going to get a dragon form" truther (thank you Lego set), and Mei unlocking her dragon form while trying to save MK would be ONE hell of a way to debut it.

Anyways, I'm going to cut this off here, but tldr: Mei deserves better.