NO WAY HERE IT IS part 1 of MY TEAM'S COMIC!! FOR @hotguycomiczine !!!!! :D
I pour my blood sweat and tears into this one fr. HGCZ is the most insane project i've been in and I am so so proud of it <3 Big giant shoutout to everyone that ended up in my team, without any of you I couldn't have done it and ty for putting up with my shit HASHDSAEHEGLP. <333
If you haven't yet checked out the entire monster of this amazing zine, def do so here! 🏹
Part 2 will be posted tmr but if u dont want to left on a cliffhanger. pspsppspssps🪤
the thing I keep coming back to about TAZ Balance, I think, is that there's heroes — lots of them, even — but there's not really a hero, not a singular one. when our characters try to save the world all on their own, and oh, do they try, their arcs — while eventually culminating in happy endings, for the most part — are, at the time, cast as tragedies. lone heroes, in TAZ Balance, are invariably tragic heroes.
Lucretia can't gather all the Grand Relics and defeat the Hunger on her own. Barry can't find Lup, much less sway Lucretia from her plan, on his own. Lup, crushed by guilt, sets off to neutralize her greatest mistake without even facing her family as she leaves, and that decision sets the story into motion in the first place. their intent to spare their family, to shoulder the burden alone so no one else will have to, fixes little and leaves them isolated. lonely. trapped.
even Magnus, rustic Folk Hero of Raven's Roost, fails to avenge the community that took him in. he sets off on a solitary mission to do so, never opening up about his pain to even his closest friends, but he never sees Kalen again. yet, maybe not too late, he learns, or rather, remembers — the strength to protect and avenge others comes from the strength to ask for help. the last thing helping anyone is trying to do this alone.
Lucretia assembles the Bureau, and as soon as she sees a way, brings Tres Horny Boys back under her wing. Barry, the very same day that Lucretia recruits them, sees the Phoenix Fire Gauntlet surface, and realizes it's time to put his trust in his family again — he shows himself to them soon after, and even with him putting up a facade, that's progress. and Lup, with endless time to reflect, is possibly the first of all of them to see where she went wrong. she won't be making that mistake again.
there's not a singular hero of the story, because taking on the burden of saving everyone is no task meant for one person. there's "our heroes," Tres Horny Boys, and there's the secondary, "secret," but no less important heroes who complete the ranks of the IPRE, but none can defeat the Hunger — nor reunite their family, nor vanquish an old foe — without leaning on each other, and on the new bonds they forged on this cycle. leaning on Johann, Kravitz, Team Sweet Flips, and the whole ensemble; every single connection that convinced them not to flee but to fight.
accepting that none of them can, that none of them should, be the hero alone — that's what averts the tragic end. the Hunger, terrible as it is, is wholly united, sharing and amplifying each other's despair. the only way to victory is to rely on each other, to care for each other, to learn how to be cared for, and to let your loved ones grant you hope.
sometimes i think about feanor naming his third child, the one with his mother's hair, strong-finwë, and wonder if it wasnt a desperate howl to the heavens that this one would live, be strong, not leave him
I firmly stand by the point that the strawhats would fall apart and Robin would be taken if sanji (and zoro) were not present during water 7 and Enies lobby. These are some of the things i loved the most about sanji during Water7 and Enies Lobby arcs :
(1) Protecting the captain AND the crew : When Luffy and usopp were fighting over merry, at one point sanji instantly kicks Luffy to shut him up.
His empathy, protectiveness and foresight really shines here. He knew that Luffy wouldnt be able to forgive himself if he kicked Usopp out, but at the heat of the moment he was about to do just that. So he protected Luffy and became the voice of reason in Luffy's incredibly vulnerable moment.
At the same time, sanji showed empathy towards Usopp by standing up for him. During this fight, Usopp was physically and mentally weak, and seeing that at least one of his crewmates stopped the captain actually helped usopp feel like less alienated in the crew. This way Sanji became the (violent) rock for both Luffy and usopp in that moment.
(2) Trust : Some people make fun of this panel but all the Strawhats were deeply CONFUSED with Robin's participation in iceburg's assassination (which is normal cz she hadnt been with them for long and she was an enemy before joining the crew). But sanji could tell that she was lying and he trusted his crewmate (NOT BECAUSE SHE IS A WOMAN). Sanji never doubted Robin's intentions for even a moment and he was fully prepared to go save her (not question or clarify with her like the others wanted to) from the very first moment.
(3) Bravery :
Robin was scared out of her skull during this arc even though she was putting up a tough front at first. But sanji understood her desperation and the urgency of the situation. And like a dumbass, he got on the train ON HIS OWN after leaving a message to nami. Franky and usopp being there was his dumb luck but he would've been dead with the choice he made in water 7.
(4) Chivalry : It can't be a sanji admiration post without mentioning his endless chivalry. People may call him a pervert (which he is). But he actually respects women and he stood firm on his morals even in the face of death. This is a real Prince like man he didn't counter-attack kalifa even though she broke his teeth, turned him into a block of soap and pushed him from a high floor.
(4) in a crisis situation sanji showed Usopp that he believed in his capabilities, not with sympathy but with logic. Even in the face of danger he was sharp in the mind and empathetic towards his friend. This eventually led to Usopp actually succeeding to snipe the keys to robin and franky on the bridge of hesitation and that move is what saved Robin from being dragged to the gates of justice.
We can see how Sanji's words encouraged Usopp and propelled him into action.
(5) Intelligence :
While on the train, sanji devised a plan to rescue Robin before reaching Enies Lobby.
At enies lobby when they were up against the the Government's elite assassinators, Sanji came up with the plan to collect the keys and save Robin.
The strawhats would be deadmeats if sanji didnt sneak out mid fight to close the gates of justice. The whirlpool is what let the strawhats escape. So, Sanji's foresight and intelligence is what finally saved his crew from a national level buster call.
(6) Emotional Intelligence :
Sanji quietly kept tabs on Usopp from time to time the entire period he was out of the crew. Let's all acknowledge Usopp would've probably died in that Aqua Laguna if sanji (and chopper) didn't go warn him about it. And he was very considerate in the way he didn't do it directly to not hurt usopp's pride.
Moreover in the water 7 filler arc we can see how sanji was still keeping an eye on Usopp and that he was planning to return to the crew. He didn't cut off his friend just because the crew was going through a rough phase.
(Someone joked how Usopp probably had to be put on suicide watch during water 7 and i was like THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT SANJI HAD BEEN DOING THE ENTIRE TIME THANKS FOR NOTICING )
@openphrase123 your fanfic(s but i mainly made art of the mira and siffrin one because i cant remember words for the life of me for i do not speak french) IS???? ? SO GOOD. SO GOOD IM FOAMING AT THE MOUTH finally something to look forward to in the week fr
Mild spoilers for it ig!! But nothing too explicitly groundbreaking i dont think it'll kill your mom to look at these without having read the ff first
Don't mind the shit quality i??? I drew all these so fast theyre kinda shit and i have yet to fully acclamate isat to my artstyle so it's mid
Teehee me when i make shitty rushed fanart to show my appreciation that i cannot put into words for my faovorite games and also authors
idk it sounds reasonable to me for a teenager to run away bc they didn't want to eat their veggies!
one hopes that by the later stages of childhood a parent will have figured out which veggies and preparation styles work for the kid, and the kid will have resigned themself to what they do and don't have to eat according to their parents, and it's all settled into an equilibrium instead of a daily fight. and hopefully as a teen your palette is expanding and you're even willing to eat more veggies then you did as a child.
however, if the kid is extra picky and stubborn, and the parent is extra determined to make sure they eat a good variety (or just eat whatever the parent prepared no matter what it is), it could absolutely continue to be a regularly-repeated fight. and if something is a continued point of contention throughout childhood then it absolutely makes sense for a teen to go FUCK this, i am nearly an ADULT i am done being told to eat my veggies i am gonna prove my independence and make them realize i don't have to just sit there and let them boss me around!!
like, the childishness of the fight is exactly why a teen would run away about it.
i love my curse user!reader sm because they’re soooo fucking pathetic . they have beef with several children . they live with their ex. said ex has two daughters who want them Gone. they can only sleep comfortably if they’re hugging one of their curses. they pick a fight with everyone they interact with (and laugh while getting their ass beat.) they’re sooooo lonely. they reject help they reject healing they still stare at suguru’s smile in the only picture they have of him. etcetc
Steve spending the night at Eddie’s because his parents are home and they’ve been arguing so he doesn’t really wanna be at home. Didn’t go to Robin because her parents might not let him stay the night and also Robin has work tomorrow and Steve doesn’t. The odd case of them not having shift together.
So he ends up with Eddie and in the morning he is having breakfast with Eddie and Wayne and they discuss their plans for the day. Eddie and Wayne have some plans for the day. You know, to spend some quality family time maybe? Or maybe they have just some errands to run, stuff to figure out because of all the shit that went down during spring break.. Whatever, they have plans for the day and Steve.. doesn’t want to intrude any more than he already is so he is not going with them. Even when they say he can come too.
And it’s summer time so the kids are busy with whatever the teens are busy with. And Steve loves them dearly and loves spending time with them but he tries to give them space and not smother them with his worrying so yeah he can’t spend the day with them either. They’ll come to him if they need him.. He could always go bother Robin at work but going to your work place on your free day because you have nothing better to do sounds a little sad.. So maybe he’ll just have to suck it up and go back home then.
But then Eddie offers that he could stay. You know he doesn’t have to leave just because Wayne and Eddie do. Like he could stay, it’s fine. They’ll be back by 6 or so and they could have dinner together then? And since Steve really really really doesn’t want to go home right now he accepts (after asking about thousand times if it’s really okay tho).
So soon he is left alone with a “Feel free to educate yourself with my music collection while we’re gone” and see you laters. Steve didn’t really have any plans for today and he kinda left in a hurry too so he didn’t bring much stuff with him but oh well he’ll figure something out.
He starts collecting the breakfast dishes and well he could wash them. He has the time and it would be just nice little gesture since the Munsons let him stay and all. And then it just makes sense to wipe the counters and the table after that. Like who would wash the dishes and then just leave crumbs all over the place? Oh. And I guess he just got some of those crumbs to the floor now. Well it’s just a quick little sweep. Could vacuum the whole place now too since he started. But first he needs to declutter a bit because goddamn Eddie why are your clothes and books just everywhere. Might as well do some laundry while he’s at it.
When Eddie and Wayne come back home around 6pm the place they’re in for a quite a shock. Not only is the place spotless but they’re greeted with the smell of food as well. “Oh you’re back! I’m making dinner, it’s just about done” Steve welcomes them enthusiastically but start to doubt himself a little after seeing the surprised faces. “I.. hope that’s okay”
Only then Steve realizes he may have got little carried away with his cleaning spree. Like maybe cleaning the windows was a tad bit too much.. Ugh he so hopes they’re not too weirded out.. Honestly he didn’t even realize he basically spent all day doing household chores that and it’s not even his own house. He glad the Munsons don’t comment on it too much tho, other than “you didn’t have to” and slightly awkward thank yous.
They start eating and now they drown Steve in compliments.
(“Wow this is so good, what brand is this?”
“Uhm.. it’s not a-.. I made it”
“…Like from scratch?!”
“Yeah..”
“Holy shit dude this is seriously so fucking delicious”
“Language. But he is right son, this is fucking delicious”)
At some point during dinner Wayne makes a comment about it starting to rain and Steve lets out a shocked gasp “my laundry!” and rushes out to collect it from outside where he hung it to dry. Wayne asks amusedly if Steve is a housewife or something, just ready to crack little jokes there but then spots the dopey smile on his nephew’s face, gaze still lingering in the doorway where Steve run off to. He smiles knowingly at Eddie when he finally looks back at him, now starting to blush and trying to stammer some sort of reply.
Steve comes back in and they finish dinner and hang out a bit together until Steve and Eddie go to Eddie’s room. Steve again apologizes because he got so carried away and hope he didn’t cross any lines. Eddie little amusedly asks if Steve really thinks they’d be mad at him for tidying up the place? Just helping them out a little so they can relax? Like in all seriousness, after all that shit show that happened during spring, Wayne could use a little break and just relax.
(“And you couldn’t?”
“Well sure I could, but in this case he needs it more. If you haven’t noticed I’m not much of help in the cleaning department”
“Oh yeah, I’ve noticed”
“Hey!”
“What? You asked!”)
Eddie then asks if Steve “educated himself” with the music. Steve tells to educate him himself. Eddie takes that as a challenge.