#one of those instances where it's like i have no desire to argue with people online really

[autumnrory]

losing it at a post that popped up on my facebook memories where i was basically saying women know more about what's misogynistic than men do bc women are the ones experience it and this guy wrote a fucking essay on there about doing his best and whatever shit and i'm just like why the fuck did he feel the need to do that sjkdfks

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

You seem like the kind of person that would a) know this and b) not jump down my throat for asking, so I need to know: Is Dick Grayson actually, canonically Roma or is that something the fandom made up? I see so much discourse about this and no one has any receipts. I do read comics but not for Dick Grayson so I don’t know if it would’ve been in his solo or Urban Legends or what.

hi anon,

so I want to say upfront that I have no idea if Dick being Romani is currently canon; I don't really know what's been going on since Rebirth and I only very tangentially keep up with developments in contemporary comics. I will read it someday, probably, after I finish chewing my way through New Earth and then the New 52.

having said that: yes, in New Earth it was canon that Dick was Romani. as far as I can tell it was introduced to his character by writer Devin Grayson around the early 2000s; if it was referenced in earlier works featuring Nightwing, such as prior iteration of the Titans, I'm afraid that I haven't read those yet and would love to be corrected. whether or not Devin Grayson handles it well or in a way that's culturally sensitive is up for debate, but for better or worse it did become part of Dick's lore that Grayson sprinkled in fairly often.

one of the earliest instance I can remember of this being referenced is Lian Harper mentioning it to her babysitter in The Titans #6 (August '99), written by Devin Grayson:

and it comes up again in The Titans #16 (June '00), where Dick's father speaks to him in what Devin Grayson claims is Romani; I have no way of checking that for authenticity but I would genuinely kill to get an actual fluent speaker to look at it

and here's Gotham Knights #16 (June '01), also written by Devin Grayson, in which Bruce has a dream about his parents arguing with Dick's parents and Thomas Wayne calls Dick's parents an ethnic slur!

so, yes, it was canon in that sticky comic book sense where, at least when Devin Grayson was writing Dick, it was true that he was of at least some Romani ancestry.

again, there are many criticisms of Grayson's depiction of Romani people that I think are very warranted; in general I think she has kind of a blunt force approach to race and culture that leaves a lot to be desired (her handling of Roy Harper as a sort of honorary Navajo is, dare I say, pretty cringe). and like I said, can't speak as to whether or not this is currently considered true about Dick, but it's not something completely invented by fans.

[s0lk]

stannarrator is an odd and confusing ship to me because i can enjoy it but only when it’s not framed as canon. that’s not to say i’m completely against the ship or that i haven’t consumed/made content of their canon selves in the past, but i’ve been doing some thinking and i feel like there’s a lot of pretty concerning aspects to their canon dynamic that are either downplayed or flat-out ignored by the fandom. (fandom mischaracterises characters for the sake of shipping, fork found in kitchen, i know, i know.)

i feel like people tend to reduce them to “toxic yaoi”, which… i mean, “toxic” is accurate, but i feel like the label is generally used to mean an enemies-to-lovers couple who fights often and usually has some kind of sadomasochism involved. this is what i generally see with fanon depictions of them - stanley is a cheeky little brat and the narrator is a cool sexy dom who like ties him up with the adventure line or something. i admit i was very much one of these people for a while. the thing is that they aren’t toxic in the sexy internet sense, their dynamic is genuinely unhealthy and harmful. there’s a massive power imbalance between them - which is very much exploited by the narrator - and while a power imbalance isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the key issue is that stanley is never seen to take the same enjoyment from it as the narrator does. if we take the narrator’s description of his emotions to be true, stanley is often pretty damn terrified by the things that happen to him, and if we take the description to be false, then the narrator still wants to cause suffering. he wants stanley to be afraid, to cower and beg for mercy, to do exactly what he asks of him, no matter what. in the ultra deluxe announcement, stanley runs from the narrator. he tries to be free of him, but there is no freedom to be found. he is trapped.

despite all this, we (the fandom) still like to have stanley be the silly, disobedient, sort-of-masochistic little critter, and i think the main issue is that we project ourselves so much onto him. we disobey the narrator, so naturally stanley must do the same. we play the countdown ending, think “goddamn he sounds hot” (which, i mean, i’m not going to argue with that) and decide that stanley must obviously feel the same way. there isn’t much to his personality in canon, so we decide that that makes him a blank-slate self-insert character, but that means that most stannarrator content ends up feeling more like player x narrator instead, with stanley being merely a vessel through which to enact our own desires.

there’s nothing necessarily wrong with characterising stanley this way, obviously. you can do what you want with him, and that’s the fun of it. it just annoys me when stanley acts as the player generally does, and it’s framed as if this is him, this is absolutely the canon version of his character, because the narrator says stanley makes those choices so obviously this is who he is! what this interpretation completely fails to consider is that, unlike with most video games, stanley and the player are two entirely separate entities. isn’t it so much more interesting to consider the implications of that, or to explore who stanley could be without the player’s influence?

this is why i really like AUs, because you’re awarded a degree of creative freedom that you don’t have when you’re working entirely off canon. want stanley to be a real person, with no one puppeteering him? go for it! make him a mischevious little fellow, because now it is actually him thinking and feeling for himself! you can even find workarounds or solutions for the more problematic elements of their dynamic, by putting them in scenarios where there is no power imbalance (coworker AUs for instance) or getting the narrator to actually acknowledge and rectify his own flaws and cruelty to stanley. the latter i particularly like (and it’s what i’m trying to achieve in my own fic), because it doesn’t deviate too far from canon but still allows for their relationship to get a little healthier. the thing with that though is that it takes Time, and i mean a Lot of time. and even when the narrator has improved as a person, it doesn’t really feel right for them to suddenly jump into a relationship. or even have a relationship. there’s a lot that goes into rebuilding a bond after that sort of treatment, and stanley has every right to not want anything to do with the narrator, whether romantically or at all. i do like the thought of them at least being friends after all that recovery (i’m a sucker for happy endings), but realistically there’s no reason stanley has to fall in love with the narrator.

anyway. yeah. once again, i don’t hate them as a pair, and i completely understand why people portray them the way they do, but it just… bugs me. dunno if this makes sense or if anyone feels the same way about this as i do, but here it is.

[littlebittyhollowbugs]

what do you think of tiso x hornet (or just ships involving hornet in general)? i'm pretty neutral on the ship but i'm curious what other people think :)

Aside from the canon couples, I have a few fan ships that I enjoy, but I almost never join a fandom for or because of romantic ships tbh.

With Hollow Knight, the family relationships are what pulled me in and what I tend to focus on.

I'm pretty neutral on the vast majority of fan ships. Hornet x Tiso included.

I have nothing against the ship, I'm sure some people enjoy it. (I actually have no idea how popular this pairing is?) But yeah, it's not for me.

The most I can get on board with when it comes to a romance between the two is maybe Tiso being infatuated with her after meeting her. She is an incredibly quick and powerful warrior who possesses focus and determination. We know that he admires those traits. I can imagine a bit of a one-sided attraction.

On Hornet's end, though, I really struggle to imagine her developing any romantic feelings towards him. Tbh I personally don't think she would have many positive feelings towards him at all.

Tiso came to her kingdom as a warrior seeking glory through combat. Which we know from the official Quirrel comic, makes him the exact type of bug she guards Hallownest from.

Quotes from the comic: "This place is a corpse. It will grant only death. As will I to those who'd seek to desecrate it."

"Yours is the stance of a warrior. Hallownest has already suffered enough like you."

He's also pretty egotistical and brash and while some people might have her argue with him over these flaws I personally don't see her giving any attention to him at all. She seems like she wouldn't waste time on a bug whom she has no respect for.

Then there's the fact that he's a fairly negative person when it comes to most anything outside of battle.

Which, I don't think that type of person would be good for Hornet, who, similarly finds most of her fulfillment through combat and is otherwise surrounded by so much regret and ruin that she is hesitant to be hopeful or think positively about the world.

I don't think she'd be the best match for him either.

When it comes to ships, for me to really get into them, I need the characters involved to improve each other in some way.

My favorite dynamics include these two things:

- opposite or differing personality traits.

- similar goals/beliefs.

The opposite traits help them to balance each other. For instance, one character might be humble and shy while the other is bold, one might be calm while the other is quick to take action. One might be more logical and the other more emotional. All of these attributes can be good, and the characters can help each other when it comes to developing the attribute they struggle with.

The only similarity I really need is for them to have similar overall beliefs/desires/motivations. They need something to connect over, to make it believable.

And if their fundamental beliefs do not align in any way, I can't imagine the relationship would last. (Or even that it would begin in many cases)

There are some cases where beliefs and motivations shift throughout the story so that by the end the two have that connection. Or cases where they do share that connection in the beginning and their relationship disolves as those shifts occur.

I enjoy seeing all types of relationships, but for me to really actively ship something I need to belive the characters improve eachother.

I think Tiso and Hornet have almost the opposite of the dynamic I just described.

Their personality traits are similar. (Confident, brave, serious, no-nonsense, quick to action etc.)

While their goals and beliefs are very different. (Tiso wants to prove his strength and skill as a warrior. A very self-centered goal. While Hornet wants to preserve and protect her home as a way of honoring her family.)

Obviously this doesn't make it a bad ship. It's just not a ship I'm interested in myself.

Thank you for the ask <3

[starlit-soothsayer]

How did you unironically reblog a post about callouts being bad on your callout blog?

You may want to sit down for this one because it will be long.

The point of this blog is not callout posts, and I have never made one. The two closest instances are:

Me saying "I find this person to have an unpleasant personality" in response to someone asking why I don’t like them

And

A post going over details of events that happened several years ago where my conclusion was that the person everyone else is currently dog-piling was not an active threat

Both of these have gotten me a significant amount of backlash rather than support. In the case of Patricia Taxxon, you could argue that my unbothered stance in comparison to the majority of the "Lily Crit Sphere" makes the idea that my post was intended as a callout post fairly silly. I have no desire to 'callout' Patricia. I have said several times that I have little to no opinion on her as a person. Not only is it a waste of time to do any kind of callout, there is nothing to call her out on. She is fully transparent about what has happened, and she even made a post about that. There is no awareness being raised here, because there's nothing new to be made aware of.

Taxxon, while she may have experienced some personal fallouts for it, is not being seriously hurt by the people drumming up controversy around her. Her (non-ask) posts regularly get hundreds or thousands of notes, significantly more than the 50 or so the biggest Lily Critical blogs get on average (and I do specify average, since there is some variance). It's the equivalent of throwing pebbles at an elephant; mildly annoying and nothing more.

In all my years I have never seen someone successfully take down a large content creator with a callout post or repeated stalking and harassment. Maybe a drop in their numbers or a reduction in content, but as far as removing them from the internet entirely, it's a fool's errand. Unless people like Lily make the decision to remove themselves from the public eye (and they likely won't), they will never go away.

I also personally do not consider it a victory to bully users off the internet, which is often what callouts and blogs like "Lily Crit" blogs exist for. If someone actually is an abuser, if they are truly doing terrible things, they will not stop those things even if their current pseudonym is taken down. People have influence outside of the internet, and people can make infinite accounts online to cause as much harm as they wish. On the internet, there is no such things as distance or identity.

The idea that there is some form of nobleness or goodwill to any of this is just a cover for what is really happening; people saw an easy target and took their shot. Going after Lily or Sparky is unquestionably punching down, and others likely assumed going after Patricia would be the same, only to find out this was not the case.

[rnsk-kousatsu]

On Cherubimon's evolution

One thing that people often don’t realize about Shuuji, despite it being fairly obvious from the beginning of the game, is how easily influenced he is by those around him. Although he seems stubborn on the outside (at least initially), he’s actually quick to yield to external pressure and bend to others’ wills. You could argue that, initially, he only kept giving in because he kept getting outnumbered. However, this tendency to relent to others is still apparent even in the Truthful route, where he’s no longer pressured by numbers the way he was during the beginning. For instance, when he suggested moving in order from the shrine with the strongest barrier, Aoi objected, insisting they should start with the weakest one instead, and they ended up following Aoi’s suggestion. This shows that he hasn’t fully shaken his habit of giving in to others even when he’s outgrown his other early game traits.

Part of why I think this behavior remains in Shuuji is because of the way he was raised by his father. While it’s true that Shuuji — very much like Aoi — has a strong sense of responsibility, I believe this sense duty also comes from his need to meet the expectations others have of him. His urge to fulfill these expectations seems to be driven by a desire to be accepted, as his father has made him believe that living up to these expectations is the only way to gain approval. In short, he constantly seeks external validation by repressing how he truly feels and following through what other wants.

Cherubimon’s evolution scenario seems to address this persistent trait of his and attempts to make him grow out of it even if just a little. Due to the simplistic scenario presented in it (much like any other affinity-based evolution scene in Survive), perhaps not many notice it’s meant for that. However, ever since the first time I watched it play out, I’ve been intrigued by how this line by Cherubimon is worded:

“シュウジが責任感だけじゃなく、自分の中に見つけた『正しさ』を信じたから、ボクにも力が湧いたんだ”

This line (very literally) translates to “I was able to find strength because you (Shuuji) didn’t just rely on your sense of responsibility; you also believed in the ‘rightness’ you found within yourself.” Something to note is that I couldn’t quite come up with an appropriate word to translate “正しさ”, but we’ll get back to this later. English localization has it translated to “Believing not only in your duty, but in your own righteousness, you filled me with strength,” which isn’t wrong per se (it’s correct and it flows more naturally than the very literal translation I’ve come up with, in fact), but translating “正しさ” as “righteousness” in this context doesn’t really click in my opinion. Let me finally explain why.

While translating “正しさ” as “righteousness” isn’t necessarily wrong, “righteousness” often has a stronger moral or ethical connotation, implying a judgment of moral superiority or adherence to a strict set of principles. For me, this feels too heavy or “formal” in the context where Shuuji is simply discovering and trusting his own sense of what is right rather than claiming a broader moral high ground, which I believe is the case here. It’s probably why it’s written in quotes (『正しさ』), perhaps implying subjectivity since it comes internally from Shuuji’s own judgment.

Now, to connect my interpretation of what “正しさ” means with what I said earlier before about the line intriguing me: the line makes it seem like Shuuji’s sense of responsibility/duty (責任感) isn’t necessarily the same thing with what Shuuji believes to be right. The way Cherubimon puts it implies that duty is external, and this new thing that Shuuji discovers comes from within and it’s what has triggered the evolution. In other words, Shuuji finally finds it in himself to just follow what his heart believes without getting too concerned about what others think of it, instead of constantly focusing on fulfilling duties and obligations in response to external expectations, which is represented by his strong sense of responsibility.

The dialogue that comes after that line drives home the point even further too — Shuuji wonders if what Cherubimon calls his “rightness” is just his ego talking (the Japanese word used for this is literally also “ego”/“エゴ”). Instead of saying he’s wrong for thinking about it like that, Cherubimon reassures him that he doesn’t care whether his “rightness” is driven by his ego or his selfish desires (身勝手), because to him, it still holds value if it can be shared with and understood by others. Essentially, Cherubimon is saying that Shuuji’s own personal beliefs or actions are valid as long as they resonate with someone else, making them his form of justice or righteousness (as a note: “正義” usually translates to “justice” in English, but I think this is where the word “righteousness” would be appropriate to use). He wants Shuuji to realize that personal motivations can still lead to something meaningful and just when they connect with others. I personally find how this is incorporated in Cherubimon’s evolution beautiful — it’s in the way  Shuuji finally allows himself to embrace his personal beliefs after struggling with trusting his own heart (since it’s been long overshadowed with his need to meet the expectations imposed on him), and by doing so, he doesn’t just empower himself, but also enables Lopmon to reach his final stage of evolution.

Note: Something else I noticed just now, even if not very relevant to this writeup, is that Cherubimon uses the pronoun boku/ボク in that particular line, which is inconsistent with the pronoun he usually uses (watashi/ワタシ). I wonder why that is, but I figure it’s simply just a slip-up.

[whitexwolfxx310]

I Love You In Every Universe

Pairing: Bucky x female reader

Summary: Trying to mend your relationship with Bucky is going so painfully slow. And then it's not.

Warnings: Spicy content! 18+ only! Cursing, oral sex MTF, penetration, praise kink, small amount of submissive kink, and I think that's all?

Word Count: 3428

A/Ns: I needed to write a total smut post. Those seem to be pretty popular haha. We have Baker Bucky! I got a few requests for that! Anyway, enjoy! I'll continue the storyline in my next post!

Previous Part

Masterlist

Finding out that your brother is not only alive, but that he is the new face of Hydra, is one of the biggest twists that fate could spit out. After the terrifying realization that occurred in your office, you’ve been thrown into countless meetings and conferences where you were probed for information on Luke that wasn’t already disclosed in his military files.

Steve and Tony had constant questions and concerns about the situation. They felt that maybe Luke would try and reach out or maybe there was some hidden information that you would somehow be privy to. But it had been two years since everyone thought that he was long dead.

The tension in The Compound rose. Your job got put into question, certain people wondering why you would even apply to intern here in the first place. Are you a double agent? Finding and leaking information to Hydra from within? Your morals had never once been questioned until now.

Bucky was the only one who didn’t make the whole situation feel like an interrogation. He remained supportive, being the person to suggest you take time to recollect yourself when it became too much. The only one who didn’t have questions but was always silently there in the corner watching and listening, taking every bit of information in.

A task force was assigned to try and track Luke, in hope of him not being too far gone. It had been done with Bucky, could it be done with your brother as well? You were also chosen for this mission, which did not go over well with Bucky. Him and Tony had argued over using yourself as bait to draw him out. In the end, it was your decision, and you would chose to go.

Even with the stress of the current situation, you used Bucky as a welcomed distraction. Leaning on one another as you both grasped onto your undeniable tethered connection. There was still a long road to recovery for both Bucky and your relationship. But he did his damndest to make you feel as though you weren’t under constant surveillance (at least from him). When the daily brainstorming sessions were over, you both avoided the topic of Luke. It was still difficult to process the concept that he was still alive. It just didn’t seem real.

Taking things slow with Bucky has always been an understatement. A part of him is apprehensive, more so now than ever. There has been close to no physical contact. You truly don't know everything that he went through overseas, but it was apparent that he was still working his way through it. You had your 'boyfriend' back. Yet in a sense, you didn't. And still, his presence still left the same, if not more, desire in it's wake.

Bucky was given his own apartment within The Compound for the time being. Although there was nothing to be 'afraid' of, everyone, except yourself, felt that it was necessary to slowly ease back into his routines and not just cannonball into the deep end.

Spending time together had always been your favorite thing. But now, it was like everything was exciting and new once again. The two of you were dealing with the 'holes' Bruce had warned you about- and the dark cloud of your brother hanging over both of your heads. These said ‘holes’ were more along the lines of not remembering how you take your coffee and other small instances. He remembers you, and most of the time that you had shared.

You filled the limited free time in your days together with simplistic dates and doing things that he really took interest in. Going to the gym together, long drives with the windows down listening to music playing, but most of all... Bucky loved being in the kitchen. It was as if he had a new found passion for cooking and baking-something simplistic to lose himself in. But he wouldn't share that pastime with anyone else, feeling like he may be judged. Although, you had no complaints. There was no shortage on baked goods and even homemade bread from scratch.

Bucky is in the kitchen, covered in flour and chocolate. The clear evidence of him indulging in his guilty pleasure.

"Mmm. These are seriously the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had." You mumble.

You didn't want to be rude by talking with your mouth full, but he eagerly watched, awaiting your reaction to his creation of the day.

"Really!?" He asks, excitedly.

Nodding your head and smiling, you go to take another bite of the cookie. Since it is still warm from recently coming out of the oven, it partially breaks- melty chocolate all over your face and hands.

There's a moment of silence- you and Bucky are looking at one another until his nose scrunches and he starts hysterically laughing. A sweet sound that I have missed for so long. It's contagious. The next thing you know, you're both laughing to the point of just wheezing. Your cheeks hurt, the place where your abs once were before he entered the baking scene, hurt. It wasn't even that funny, just one of those simplistic moments where you get to fully be yourselves. A core memory.

"You're a hot mess," Bucky says, trying to compose himself by fighting through the laughter. His cheeks are burning red. The harder he tries to subdue the laughing, the more he fails. "Come here..." He reaches for a dish towel, dampening it under the faucet of the sink before taking a few steps closer.

You abruptly stop laughing, taking in how suddenly close in proximity he is to you. Aside from the hello/goodbye awkward hugs that you look forward to just being in his arms for a moment- this is rediscovering old territory.

Your mouth opens slightly as you hold your breath, awaiting to see what he does next. Covering his thumb with the cloth, he ever so gently wipes chocolate off of your bottom lip. His eyes fasten their grip with your own, occasionally breaking contact to look down at your lips.

Kiss me. Your inner conscious is screaming, begging and pleading for him to make a move. To just be wrapped up in all that is him- to let go of the past few months and just be yourselves. You can feel your chest instinctively move closer to his- which is rising and falling deeply. Bucky's mouth opens slightly as he takes in a shuddering breath.

Yes... His eyes are now solely focused on your mouth. You impulsively bite your bottom lip, willing it into the universe for his lips to be on yours. You're met with glacier blue eyes, now looking deep within yours. You cannot help but look up at Bucky with pleading, desire filled eyes.

Please.

"I-" He starts. Time is standing still as you hang onto what he will say. "I...um-" He breaks the eye contact as he takes a step back. "I have to clean this kitchen. My OCD is getting the better of me." He nervously chuckles once.

"Oh." There is no hiding your disappointment.

Bucky grabs a nearby plate full of the cookies that he had just made.

"Here...some for you to take home." He offers, sounding hopeful that you’ll accept.

He's kicking me out. Point taken.

"Oh, okay. Well, thanks. I'll see you tomorrow?" You can only focus on the plate that he handed you, trying to hide the humiliation. Not even waiting for a response, you quickly dash out of his apartment.

Breaking into a full sprint in the hallway, your back at your own residence. Quickly shutting the door behind you and laying your back flat against it, your mind starts racing.

We will never get back to the way we were. Giving him time and space isn't enough. Maybe after all he has been through, he has moved past this relationship? Past me? But I love him. I promised I'd wait...but is he just prolonging the inevitable? Will my brother become the new thing to try and get between us? I can't just let him go... I can't. He needs to know.

In that moment you dropped the plate; The shattering muffled slightly from the softness of the cookies. You didn't care. Turning around to open the door and run back to his living quarters- professing your love and need like some girl in a romcom you would make fun of.

You swing open the door, about to dart out when you smack into something. Someone.

"Oh, sorry I-....Bucky?" Shocked is an understatement.

He's standing at your door with an anxious look on his face- still covered in flour.

"I-..." He starts. Your heart is pounding- the sound of your heartbeat swooshing in your ears.

"Fuck it." Bucky breathes as he takes a step forward. Cupping both sides of your face, hungrily pressing his lips into yours.

Immediately you liquify into the kiss. His lips taste sweet- the remanence from his all day baking. Your arms interlock behind his neck as he steps forward- pushing you backwards into your apartment without his lips leaving yours.

It doesn't matter that you clumsily stumble behind, Bucky keeps you steady by holding each side of your waist while sustaining the kiss. Once through the doorway, he uses the back of his boot to loudly kick the door closed- not caring who might see or hear.

Guiding you against the wall of the hallway, Bucky reaches behind his neck and grabs your hands to pin them on the surface above your head, his metal hand still on your hip. The assertive motion causes a chain reaction- a small whimper from your throat echoes into his mouth. Being held firmly in place, your hips hungerly try to buck up into his body, greedily needing every point of physical contact possible.

His lips break away, but only for a moment as they move down to your neck. His tongue grazes, teeth nip occasionally through the soft suction noises his mouth leaves behind. You know that you'll be marked in just a matter of time. But it is his public claim on you that you'll proudly wear.

While keeping your hands pinned against the wall, Bucky's free hand starts to explore your body; painfully gentle he traces along your side, the bottom of your stomach, between your breasts, etc. But he's being cautious. He knows how to manhandle you and this is not it. Call it selfish, but after a total of 2 months of not being with him, you want aggressive Bucky.

"Bucky..." You breathe. The sound of his name makes him stop.

His body leans more into yours- touching chest to chest, which is growing more difficult due to the heavy breathing. Pressing his forehead into yours, his vision still focused on the trail of red blotches he's left behind.

"Hmm?" He answers as he adjusts his posture slightly so that his thigh is now between your legs. If you pressed your hips down the tiniest bit against him, the evidence of just how desperate you are for him would be all over his leg.

"Don't hold back." You say softly, but confidently. Bucky's eyes blaze to yours with a look of exhilaration dancing across them.

"Don't worry..." His voice is deep, husky.

The hand that he was using to pin your arms above your head lets go- letting it gradually slip down to your jawline. He hooks your chin between his thumb and pointer finger, encouraging you to turn your head. Bucky leans in, his breath hot against your cheek.

"I'll take care of you." It comes out low, from the back of his throat. The throbbing between your legs starts to become fierce. In addition, his tongue presses flat to your cheek, licking the side of your face just once.

Using one prompt motion, Bucky is now carrying you bridal style. His lips rashly press back to yours. Even with your eyes closed, you can feel the gentle sway of him walking- the sound of his footsteps pressing down into the floor.

He sits you on the edge of the bed, getting down on his knees and hooking each of his pointer fingers into the waistband of your jeans to start shimmying them down. Lifting your feet barely off the floor to get your pants the rest of the way off, Bucky discards them and encourages you to lay back on the bed.

Still on his knees, Bucky leans in and places one velvety soft kiss on the inside of your thigh. The lack of touch for months has left you on a whole new level of sensitive. A low moan in the form of a hum reverberates in your throat. The warm air resulting from a tiny snort from him already making your legs twitch.

Hitching your knees over his shoulders, the tips of his fingers gently caress the inside of your thighs. It's almost painful how good it feels. Taking his warm pointer finger he swipes once in the middle of your folds- above the panties.

"You're already so wet for me. What a good girl." Bucky purrs.

I'm about to get absolutely fucking wrecked.

Your eyes roll back and close as your back arches, gripping the bedsheets already feeling like a volcano about to erupt just from Bucky's heated breath.

*Thwap*

The slight sting in the groin takes you by surprise. Propping yourself on your elbows, you look down to Bucky with confusion. He's gazing into your eyes and a playful smile.

"I want you to look at me." His voice is still smoky and deep.

Being so hyper focused on everything he was doing, including looking up at you from between your legs, you wouldn't even need to be touched to lose control at this point. Even just the thought of his body covering yours is sending cold shudders of ice down your spine.

Without warning, he shoves the back of your thighs so that your head is between your knees. Now kneeling on the bed, he holds you in place, leaving yourself completely exposed; propped up right to his face, occupied with a content and cunning grin.

Fuck.

With locked eyes, Bucky focuses on your face as his mouth simply presses directly on you. Allowing for you to have a small moment before he starts to work his magic. You gasp at the connection; your knees going weak as you grip onto the bedsheets underneath you.

'I want you to look at me.' His voice rings in your head. It takes every molecule in your body to hold his gaze with his head between your thighs, but you do. Just like the obedient woman that you are for him. His ridged tongue sweeps over your labia as a form of slow and delicious torture. The licking over your sensitive skin causes you to whimper- Bucky looks at you through hooded eyes as he makes a few small reverberating sounds in his throat as approval.

Moaning, you can't help but grind your hips against his face. It feels incredible. He feels incredible. The leisurely, steady, sensual motions tell you that he's enjoying this as much as you are. You're practically coming off of the bed, but Bucky holds you in place as you start panting- the sounds coming from your breath are pleading, begging for that outer body, earthshattering orgasm.

"Please," You sigh, as your hand digs and grips tightly into his hair; knowing full well that it's slightly painful but don't care. Your quiet request is received as his tongue swirls around the entrance of your core. Once, twice, three times and then you come apart.

Unsure if you are screaming his name, thrashing against him, or whatever else, as you can only see stars in the moment. There is no room for any sort of coherent thought. Spent and exhausted are an understatement as Bucky lifts his head- His eyes practically glowing as he licked the lips of his sinfully wet mouth.

"I love it when you squirm," it comes out as a purr.

He carefully lays you back down before crawling over your body like a panther, his hips pressed in and down against your own. You're pleased to find that he is already naked from the waist down, raring to go.

Bucky's hand tenderly grazes your cheek as your chest still heavily rises and falls. It isn't long until your fingertips are dragging across the hot, soft skin of his chest. His hips settle between yours and you instinctively lock a leg around them. You can feel him press against your entrance, wanting, needing to be inside of you. Now you're lasered focused on him as you wait for that sharp breath as he pushes himself in and his eyes practically roll back in his head.

"I want you to look at me," You think to yourself and completely understand the fascination in that moment.

Beginning to press inch by precious, thick inch, you're grateful for the remanence of your orgasm which helps to ease his way inside. "Fuck," he breathes out as he looks downward to watch himself enter. You smirk to yourself knowing just how tight you are and can feel your walls contracting around him, a silent invitation to bring his enormous length in deeper. Once Bucky was fully inside, down to the base, his eyelids fluttered shut for a moment as he took in the sensation. Once they opened, his gaze was sealed on yours.

Taking in a deep breath in unison, he waits as you become accustomed to stretching around him. His hips wriggle the tiniest bit before he pulls back and shallowly thrusts in once; The sound escaping from his lips makes every single nerve ending in your body light up. You suck in a sharp breath as he finds his rhythm, his pubic bone teasing your clit with every push. The smallest adjustment and he is now inclined so that each ridge can brush against your g-spot with every stroke. Forward and back. Forward and back.

Bucky almost growls as you claw at his back and practically scream in pleasure. Your lips mesh against his bicep, stifling your moans ever so slightly. You come again. And again. He relentlessly keeps the same pace, your body shuddering under his to the point that your mouth is wide open but no noise is coming out. You start to feel the familiar pulsing inside you, filling you. It's warm; a few degrees hotter than his body pressed against yours. His fingers dig into your hips as he thrusts harder, coming over and over again, (which you didn't even think was possible).

He collapses on top of you like a weighted blanket as he tries to level his breathing. Bucky's body continues to tremble against yours. A moment later he shifts his weight to lay next to you. Placing a kiss against your temple, Bucky pulls you in close against him; The coolness from his metal arm almost bites at the beads of sweat across your skin. The familiarity of his body spooning into yours is so comforting that you drift to sleep.

During the night you stir, reaching for Bucky on the other side of the bed to only be met with cold sheets. He's gone. Your heart drops to your stomach as you sit up, holding the blanket up to your chest to cover yourself as you stare at the emptiness beside you.

Maybe it was too fast.

Something catches your attention out of your peripheral vision. You quickly look to the corner of your room, which is especially dark for the time of night. You squint, seeing something- But unable to make out what it is. Though, your stomach jumps in excitement.

"Bucky?" You ask, sounding almost too hopeful. As your eyes adjust to the bold darkness, you can see his silhouette in the corner. But he doesn't move. It doesn't even look like he's breathing. He sits so completely still that it's... terrifying.

"Bucky...?" Calling his name softly, you realize that this might be one of those moments you had been warned about. Your mind is racing and blank at the same time as you reach for scenarios and resolutions- but come up with nothing.

Until...

You clear your throat softly, pulling yourself into a sitting fetal position. Why of all things this came to mind, you have no idea. You're hoping, praying that you are wrong. You cringe as the word slips out.

"Soldat?"

"Ya gotov otvechet." Ready to comply.

Fuck.

@peaches1958 @aquabrie @elsie-bells @pono-pura-vida @redbloodedgurl @almosttoopizza @beware-my-thorns @prettylittlepluviophile @annoyinglythoughtfuldestiny @calwitch @ozwriterchick @roofwitty779 @lessersole @lil-darhk @agoddoesnotplead @saranghaey @floralwsloki @erinallene @fafafalafel @mrsvxder @elizabeth916 @winterassisin84 @cjand10

[brainbrowserhistory]

Unironically Fabulous

When I decided to start this blog, I told myself I wasn't going to get political or dive into specific issues that weren't entertaining to me in some fashion, so I'll do my best not to swing into that territory with this topic. Why?

Because some people are just blind to the realities of history.

For context, this X post has been making its rounds on my various feeds lately:

Now, from what I'm gathering, this particular person is not okay with one of the main characters being lesbian, while the other has options to pursue male and female romances putting them in an interracial relationship, among other things they don't agree with pertaining to the writing and gameplay. I get that everyone has their opinions, you can't please everyone, all that noise.

However, it made me think a little bit more, and it occurs to me that there are quite a few people that don't know just how gay history really was.

If you haven't heard of it before, there's a wonderfully entertaining podcast out there called Gayish that breaks down gay stereotypes with every episode. "Bridging the gap between sexuality and actuality," is what the hosts say at the beginning of every episode which are full of interesting insight that tickles my info hungry brain every time I listen to an episode. They also go over the history of their weekly topic if there is any to be had as can be heard in their episodes about Japan and Rome. I point those out purposely because when you listen to the podcast or look into it deeper than what you'd find in a typical history textbook, they were pretty gay.

Before I continue, there's a pretty important/cringy definition I need to go over. Trigger warning to be safe due to the subject matter.

Do you happen to know what pederasty means? Oxford Languages, the publishers behind Google's English language dictionary and the Oxford Dictionary, defines pederasty as "sexual activity between a man and a boy or youth." Why does this matter? It matters because ancient civilizations were rife with pederasty.

The Greeks practiced it.

The Romans practiced it.

And yes, so did the samurai of Japan.

So since this particular person that made the post is taking such an issue with a lesbian kunoichi or a depiction of Yasuke, the only recorded instance of a black samurai in Japanese history, having a romantic relationship with a Japanese person (male or female, depending on the actions you take in the game), I have a legitimate question that I think needs some clarification:

Would folks like the OP prefer to have played a samurai that practiced pederasty in a time where samurai having relations with their young apprentices was not only customary, but idealized to form bonds of loyalty and comradery? Because if so, then being mad at the idea of a female ninja having a lesbian relationship seems quite unfair. Even if one wanted to argue the idea that lesbian relationships weren't considered common in Japan during that era, to think that there weren't any women who lived out a homosexual desire to its fullest publicly or privately is plain naivety.

At the end of the day, history was pretty gay. The modern world is pretty gay, too. So why bother getting angry about it?

[mywitchyblog]

@shiftmaxxer

masterlist

In response to your post:

Thank you for your thoughtful contribution. It’s refreshing to engage in a counter-argument and have meaningful discussions that don’t devolve into insults or death threats. This kind of respectful dialogue is what allows for growth and understanding, even when we don’t see eye to eye.

Part 1: Clarifying Intent and Addressing Misrepresentation

First and foremost, it seems there may have been some misunderstandings regarding the purpose of my original post and the intentions behind it. I understand that you’re critiquing my previous rant, which I admit was written in a heated moment. In hindsight, I recognize that I should have taken the time to calm down before writing, as it might have conveyed my thoughts more clearly and without the emotional charge.

You mentioned, and I quote: "Calling other people of color 'pathetic' for what I believe to be perfectly understandable reactions to race-changing is reductive." I want to clarify that this was not my intention at all. The individuals I labeled as "pathetic" were those who, unlike you, resort to insults and threats, using logical fallacies as their only arguments—arguments that aren’t even valid to begin with.

The only other instance where I used the word "pathetic" in that post was in reference to certain white individuals who oppose race-changing without providing proper arguments. Here’s the passage in question: "As a person of color, this issue is especially relevant to me, yet the opposition I see frequently comes from individuals who don’t share my lived experiences—often white people who have no stake in the matter, telling me what I should or shouldn’t do. They’ll throw around terms like 'DNI,' 'I don't wanna argue with you,' 'if you support race-changing, block me,' or brand me as a bad person without engaging in any meaningful dialogue. It proves that they are cowards, pathetic, and that their claims hold no weight and reek of insecurity."

This quote is crucial because it explains why I referred to these individuals as insecure and pathetic: they immediately resort to name-calling without providing proper explanations. The "bad person" I referenced is someone who attacks me with labels like "racist" or even "pedophile"—terms that have nothing to do with the actual debate at hand. This is an example of a Strawman Fallacy because it misrepresents my argument by suggesting I called all POC "pathetic," which wasn’t the case. My criticism was aimed specifically at those who rely on insults and threats rather than valid arguments.

Part 2: Addressing Claims of Hostility and Spite

You also pointed out that I "completely dismiss any opposing arguments, calling it 'close-minded.'" Yes, I agree—logical fallacies and insults are indeed close-minded arguments. The only counter-argument I had is the one I mentioned earlier; feel free to check it out. So yes, I called it close-minded because that’s exactly what it is. Furthermore, accusing me of writing with ChatGPT is an Ad Hominem Fallacy, which targets my character rather than engaging with the substance of my arguments.

Regarding your statement: "You've stated yourself that you argue in a way to 'spite' people who oppose your opinion." Let me clarify—spite plays a dual role in my approach. On one hand, I genuinely want to uplift and educate people, sharing knowledge and perspectives that can help others grow and expand their understanding. On the other hand, there’s a part of me that’s driven by a desire to challenge and provoke—to make people think harder and question the status quo. Sometimes, that means making people uncomfortable or challenging their deeply held beliefs, especially when those beliefs are rooted in ignorance or prejudice. It’s about making them confront their biases to the point where their limited thinking is forced to evolve—or at the very least, be exposed.

And yes, I will not budge on the point that ad hominem attacks, threats, and insults are not acceptable forms of argumentation. They don’t contribute to meaningful discourse, and they certainly don’t challenge or strengthen any position.

You mentioned that my tone "is hostile and full of what I see as 'conversation enders' (you argue in a way that shuts down discourse rather than encourages it)." I apologize if my tone came across that way; it was not intended to be hostile. In the future, I’ll make an effort to use better disclaimers and perhaps even include tone tags to ensure that my intent is clear. My aim was never to shut down conversation but to challenge the status quo and encourage intelligent debate, free of ad hominem attacks—much like the approach you’ve taken in your response.

Part 3: Hypocrisy and Nuance in Race-Changing Discussions

You also raised the point that I’m "hypocritical for disregarding the value of people's hurt and frustrations and calling it a desire to be 'empathetic.'" This is not the case. In my essay, I acknowledged that there’s a fine line between empathy and the potential for fetishization, romanticization, and even racism if not handled carefully. For example, I specifically stated that "race-changing in reality shifting can serve as a unique and valuable tool for promoting intercultural understanding, challenging racial prejudices, and fostering a more empathetic and inclusive society" when done thoughtfully and ethically (Essay, Part I). If I were truly disregarding these concerns, I wouldn’t have included the parts of my essay where I emphasized the importance of treading lightly and being considerate.

Initially, I planned to argue that race-changing was entirely okay and not disrespectful at all. However, as I continued writing, I recognized the need to include those critical nuances—because nothing in this world is black and white. Consequently, I changed the direction of my essay to reflect this, and I quote myself: "By maintaining this careful balance, race-changing in reality shifting can serve as a unique and valuable tool for promoting intercultural understanding, challenging racial prejudices, and fostering a more empathetic and inclusive society. As with any powerful tool, its value lies not in the practice itself, but in how we choose to use it."

Originally, I might have said something like "Race-changing is okay and a good thing," but instead, I concluded, "Race-changing can be a good thing, but we need to be careful not to be disrespectful, as we have a duty and responsibility."

Part 4: Loaded Questions and Hasty Generalizations

You asked: "You would rather shift to be another race to 'understand' a race than engage with their media, their lived, documented experiences, or talk to others about their experiences? Are others' experiences meaningless to you unless you physically ARE them? If you lack that amount of empathy that you have to become another race, I don't think empathy was ever in the cards for you." I’m not sure if you’re addressing me directly here, but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt.

As for me, I never stated or implied that in my previous posts. Moreover, asserting that race-changers shift to another race because the experiences of POC are meaningless to them, ergo they never had any empathy to begin with, is a Hasty Generalization Fallacy. Additionally, the framing of the question is a Loaded Question Fallacy because it presumes a lot about my intentions without evidence, and frames the question in a way that makes any answer seem incriminating. It's an unfair setup.

In my essay, I made it clear that "shifting allows for experiencing life through different perspectives which can be enlightening as fuck" (Essay, Part I). The goal is not to dismiss or undermine anyone’s experiences but to gain a deeper understanding through direct experience in another reality, which is a legitimate and complex method of exploring identity and empathy.

Part 5: The Complexity of Reality Shifting and Allegory in Fiction

You also wrote: "For people from the racial identities being appropriated, witnessing individuals casually adopt and discard their race can be distressing. It can feel as though their experiences and struggles are being reduced to mere fantasy elements rather than being respected and understood. This disregard can contribute to feelings of marginalization and invalidate the real-life challenges faced by those of different races."

I completely agree with you that this can be distressing, and I cannot invalidate your feelings—you are entitled to them. However, I must disagree with the notion that race-changing "invalidates the real-life challenges" faced by those of different races, simply because in the context of reality shifting, the line between "real" and "fake" life blurs. If you meant "OR," then I retract my disagreement.

However, to suggest that some race-changers do this with the intention of causing this effect on POC is reductive. As a POC myself, if someone were to tell me they shifted to a reality where they are the same race as I am and then shared their experiences of discrimination, I would feel a sense of joy that they finally understand my pain—rather than dismissing it in this reality with statements like "Oh, come on, you’re exaggerating," or "It’s not so bad after all." Like, why don’t you walk in my shoes before saying that? Oh wait, they did, and now they get it.

You stated: "Being black and being a 'werewolf' aren't comparable in any version of reality. To trivialize a lived experience of an inconceivable number of people (because remember, this is the multiverse) is extremely bold." I have never trivialized or reduced the pain of other POC or marginalized communities. I merely pointed out that they share some similarities in that they are perceived as monstrous, discriminated against, and persecuted. The difference, of course, is that one is considered fictional in this reality, and the other is not.

It is you who is being bold by claiming they have nothing in common. Consider that some writers create fictional races as allegories for what marginalized communities face in our world. A prime example is the Na’vi from Avatar. James Cameron, the director of Avatar, explicitly stated: "Avatar very pointedly made reference to the colonial period in the Americas, with all its conflict and bloodshed between the military aggressors from Europe and the indigenous peoples. Europe equals Earth. The Native Americans are the Na'vi. It's not meant to be subtle."

In this context, someone shifting to be a Na’vi could be seen as analogous to race-changing to be a Native American, only with a superficial, fantastical layer added on top—a "pink bow" if you will. While the Na’vi might be fictional, their creation is deeply rooted in the real experiences and histories of Native Americans, particularly their suffering at the hands of colonial forces. The narratives of exploitation, resistance, and survival embodied by the Na’vi are direct reflections of those faced by Indigenous peoples.

Thus, shifting to become a Na’vi in a desired reality is not just adopting a fictional identity but engaging with the complex and painful history that the Na’vi represent. Whether or not the person shifting acknowledges this connection, the allegory remains. The act of shifting to a race that is explicitly crafted as a stand-in for a real marginalized group comes with inherent implications, making it far more than a mere fantasy element.

Therefore, equating the Na'vi with werewolves, and dismissing the deeper connections between these fictional and real marginalized groups, misses the point entirely. The comparison trivializes the intent behind these allegories, reducing complex social and historical narratives to mere fantasy. It's not bold to recognize these connections—it's simply understanding the truth of how fiction often reflects reality.

Part 6: Logical Fallacies and the Nature of Empathy

Regarding your statement: "Discrediting one's lived experiences (ergo, attacking their credibility) is not just questioning the validity of their personal story; it's denying the nuanced realities that intertwine us as people. If you can do that so easily, how can you become better and more understanding from rcta alone?" If I were discrediting my fellow POC’s experiences, I wouldn’t have brought a nuanced perspective to the subject. I acknowledged that it’s a topic that requires careful handling and that it’s not black and white, even though I tried to simplify it but couldn’t.

However, your assertion that "It won’t fix or better your empathy because you already lack it from the way you react to those who don’t agree with the practice" is an Ad Hominem Fallacy. You’re attacking my character without providing evidence to support your claim that I lack empathy.

In my essay, I discussed how "morals and ethics are not universal constants but are shaped by cultural, temporal, and situational factors" (Essay, Part I). This underscores the importance of understanding that empathy and moral considerations can vary greatly depending on the context and the reality in which they are applied.

Part 7: Nuanced Perspectives and False Dichotomy

Finally, I want to emphasize that it’s okay to feel offended by those who race-change. I won’t dictate your feelings—you are entitled to them. But you also need to acknowledge that not everything is black and white; not everyone who engages in race-changing does so to invalidate or trivialize the lives and experiences of other people of color.

You said: "But refusing to be accountable for the real reasons you race change (and why at least 50% of us shift) is disingenuous." If I were truly being disingenuous, as you claim, why would I have written in my essay that the issue is nuanced? By acknowledging the fact that we must tread lightly and be careful, I’ve already implicitly stated that those people exist. If I didn’t acknowledge that fact, I wouldn’t have discussed it at all.

You also mentioned: "There is no morality play. People don’t shift races to 'grow' or just because they're 'curious'. You make such an (understandably) loaded and controversial topic more innocent and sweet than it is." Let me stop you right there. I do not make a controversial topic more innocent and sweet than it is—I made it more nuanced.

Stating that race-changing is inherently bad is a False Dichotomy Fallacy; it reduces the topic to two simplistic notions when there are other perspectives. I acknowledge that some POC may be offended by it. But they must also acknowledge that not everyone who engages in race-changing does so to trivialize their experiences—quite the opposite.

How many POC (myself included) have been so sick and tired of having people dismiss our pain, wanting them to understand instead of diminishing it? I can’t recall the number of times I wanted those people to walk a mile in my shoes just to see what it feels like. And with shifting, they can.

Part 8: Conclusion and Invitation for Further Discussion

You concluded with: "It makes you someone who can't and won't make room for those who feel invalidated by those who race-change frivolously." So, what do you propose we should do? I specifically said in my post that we shouldn’t be frivolous about it—that we have a responsibility and a duty when engaging in such practices. And yes, I admit that saying "DNI," or "block me if you support race-changing," may have been too much, but when those same people are the ones who insult and threaten me, I cannot be blamed for making such assumptions about them.

To conclude, I really enjoyed your respectful perspective on the subject. However, stating that people who race-change immediately do it for disrespectful reasons is simply wrong. You should understand that nothing in Reality Shifting is purely good or bad, black or white; it is a spectrum of gray.

I’m also quite curious to hear your stance on bi/multiracial shifters who choose to change or "suppress" one of their races.

Ergo i have to refute those arguments, it was delightful to debate with you.

I wish you good luck and success in your shifting journey

Kind regards,

Luno

[amysubmits]

Have you ever found yourself in a heated argument with your dominant partner? If so, how do you navigate this situation, especially when rules might be involved? For instance, if you accidentally lash out or swear during an argument, what would be the protocol? Additionally, what's your perspective on swearing in general within the dynamic? Is it acceptable as long as it's not directed at the dominant partner? Lastly, if one partner struggles with quitting smoking despite efforts, is it fair to enforce a no-smoking rule with potential consequences, or how else could this challenge be addressed within the relationship?

Sorry for the delay on this, I forgot about it until another ask came in that made me check my inbox on here. I have childhood trauma that basically caused me to get detached from the 'fight' trauma response. I have a really hard time getting myself to feel primary anger for similar reasons. When others are heated (even strangers) it causes me to shut down and fawn (the trauma response). So, I've never really gotten into a back-and-forth heated argument. The most I've ever done before 'shutting down' is about 3 snips. For example, I snip at him, he snips back, I snip again and then shut down if he snips back. We've never had an argument get more heated than that as I just shut down and freeze or fawn. In general, I think the questions you're asking are totally dependent on the relationship and what has been agreed to. In my opinion, if you're anywhere close to arguing, you should be in a "meta-talk" meaning you are not seeing the sub as having less authority in that particular conversation. Some couples have a policy where someone has to announce or request a meta-talk, others will just say if we're talking about certain topics (including our dynamic) then those conversations are being had as equals in authority regardless of whether we've specifically announced or requested a meta-talk or not.

What's your perspective on swearing in general within the dynamic? We are small town midwestern people who were raised by rednecks. My family is made up of a lot of truckers, factory workers, etc and they swear a lot. I remember being shocked as a kid when I got old enough to realize that "mother fucker" and "cock sucker" had more meaning than I had realized when I was little (which was to basically just think they were made-up words that mean something similar to 'damn it')...but I knew those terms for YEARS before I was old enough to know anything about sex. I don't use the more crude phrases like that (at least not with any regularity), but CD doesn't care if I swear. It's just normal to us for adults to swear in casual settings. so, swearing has never been involved in our dynamic in any way. I wouldn't want to swear AT him in a disrespectful way (like calling him names or insulting him) but that's just about respect it's not specific to swearing or not.

Lastly, if one partner struggles with quitting smoking despite efforts, is it fair to enforce a no-smoking rule with potential consequences, or how else could this challenge be addressed within the relationship?

I personally think it's best to avoid using D/s to try to resolve addiction issues or mental health issues. Smoking is certainly an addiction, often physically AND emotionally. I would not suggest addressing it with consequences as that's likely to add in guilt which can just make the situation even heavier emotionally than it already is. If you're going to do anything with it D/s wise, perhaps some sort of reward system for when they are doing well, or supporting them with alternative coping methods. For example, if they know that they have a spike of desire to smoke when they feel stressed, you could implement some sort of routine for what they do when they notice their stress spiking, like texting you to let you know that they're in need of emotional support and encouragement or something.

[mysticwolfshadows]

Taken - Zutara - Part 87

First / Previous / Next / Masterpost

Katara had held her tongue throughout the whole colonies discussion. She hadn't had a chance to visit any of the cities, and while she hoped one day she would, she couldn't exactly speak on those people's behalf at the moment. It felt wrong to do so without having met any of them.

Instead, Katara spent most of their lunch break thinking of various ways the South could have a more even trade with the Fire Nation. She sat with her mother and brother, her father off somewhere with Zuko. She wasn't worried, though. Despite believing her father's opinion would change with their developing relationship, her father still thought of Zuko as a good man. A good man for her. Spirits, he might even be more ready for them to marry than she was, and Katara had known that was a likely possibility for months.

When they finally went back into the meeting, Katara took deep breaths, and spoke up before anyone else.

"Since it seems like an issue," Katara said, voice firm and heavy as she stood. "I suggest we discuss the Fire Nation and Southern Water Tribe's dealings instead of continuing the colonies discussion."

At first, the Earth Kingdom delegation looked like it was going to argue, but Kuei was already nodding, clearly interested. She glanced at her father, who only nodded his approval for her to continue.

"In the past, Fire Lord Zuko used his personal ship, the Wani that Ambasador Jee captains, as a merchant ship to trade Water Tribe on our behalf. We'd like for this to continue, and work out some kind of trade for our own vessel and our people be taught how to man it. We'll even take the old Fire Nation ship that was abandoned in our waters."

"There's no need," Zuko said immediately, his amber eyes locked on her. "As penance for what was done to your people under Fire Lord Azulon, the Southern Water Tribe can have their pick of any model sea vessel they desire."

An opening. Katara put her hands on the table, leaning forward just so, and making her eyes big and wide. "Just sea vessels?"

From the other end of the Southern Water Tribe section, she heard Somka grit out an "ew."

Zuko balked, his face growing red. "Katara, you know that the airships aren't something I can just give away."

Standing straighter, Katara shot a look at Kuei's advisors. "I know. In fact, a ship like the Wani would be best, as we're already familiar with it. We don't need a big cruiser just for hauling what little we have in exports. However, as this is a discussion of equal trade, I also have a proposal that I've been working on for a while. One that can even be offered to the Earth Kingdom in a few years.

"As many of you know, waterbenders have the potential for the additional skill of healing. I myself am a very experienced healer." She ignored the way Zuko twitched. "And I was, somewhat, under the mentorship of a Fire Nation Physician. While the two sets of skills are different, they do help each other, I think that healers from the Southern Water Tribe and physicians of the Fire Nation could have a sort of exchange program. One where we can learn and help one another in harmony."

From his spot at the table, Kuei leaned forward. "I trust you, Princess Katara. You were a great help to me when everything was revealed to me. But I have to ask... Why wait to introduce this in the Earth Kingdom? These mixed hospitals."

Hospitals. Yes, Katara supposed that was what she had been thinking. A waterbending hospital in the Fire Nation.

"I am the last natural born southern waterbender," she said. "There hasn't been another born since myself, and the other benders we have are refugees fleeing the Northern Water Tribe. Many that are healers, came to our tribe to have a chance at something more, something they choose. We can't ask them to leave their new home just to do what they left their last to escape. In the Fire Nation, I myself would be running the first instance, to organize everything to a set standard of expectations." Her gaze slid back to Zuko. "If Fire Lord Zuko accepts my proposal."

Zuko was watching her with a great intensity, as if she had something strange. It wasn't until he was nodding that she realized she'd used 'proposal' instead of 'plan'. She moved back into her seat, reaching for the provided tea and trying not to look anxious. Zuko was still looking at her as he stood.

"I accept the proposed plan," Zuko said. "When we return to Caldera, a building for a trial clinic will be found. Please have a list of equipment you'll need ready as soon as possible. I can send it ahead to the Fire Nation to have it ready by the time we arrive."

With that, he sat back down, turning to Kuei. The Earth King was looking at them contemplatively, as though trying to figure out if the decision was really fair and equal. Finally, he sat up straight.

"You both are wise beyond your years," Kuei said. "You've helped me and shown that you won't let yourselves be distracted from what is good for not just your own people, but each others as well. I hope that You will show me the same courtesy." Nodding to Zuko, Kuei knit his hands together. "We were interrupted earlier, but I would like to hear your current thoughts on the colonies."

Katara held her breath, watching Zuko carefully. He stood slowly, taking deep breaths that she recognized from his meditations. When he glanced at her, as if for reassurance, she smiled. Whatever he suggested, it would be fine.

"I want to buy the colonies."

First / Previous / Next / Masterpost

[horizon-verizon]

The truth is out of the bag: I hate Jon Snow, it seems.

I remember distinctly saying that I didn't hate hate the guy, but I guess I was unconvincing when I expressed I didn't think Jonerys (the ship) was lasting and/or possible in canon and beceause of what Dany would have to go through to keep Jon versus Jon endangering her possible hold on power for being Rhaegar's bastard son.

What exaclty do you think makes Jon exactly like Rhaegar in personality, experience, psychological development, values, purpose, etc.? Dany like Lyanna? Because they are leaders for the "people", ful stop? Without stipulating that their similarity comes with different conditions, goals, philosophies, etc., that's almost like saying that bec Dany and Cersei are both queens, they can be near perfectly made out to be very similar people! Even the exact same sort! Could not be farther from the case.

I also never argued that Lyanna was "a means to Rhaegar's end". Espe because I call bullshit on the idea that he sought her out merely for the prophecy and needed a third child! I am not one of those who agrees with that theory. Not sure where you got that impression if you actually read anything I wrote about Rhaegar and Lyanna!

The argument above is an ad hominem, a logical fallacy where the person attacks the arguer's perceived or real identity and/or actions not havign to do with the argument topic or the arguemnts at hand, but meant to discredit the person and/or distract them and the possible audience to derail the conversation. Attacking character. Within it is also a strawman argument as the person has tried to make make as if I was ever judging Jon through his parents...very strange. The purpose is to transpose their own feelings about Rhaegar, transmute it as the topic, and use the "objectivity" of Rhaegar's deplorability to argue that my favor towards Rhaelays says somethign about me. Funny enough, this commentator did not bring up my arguments for why I argue Rhaegar was not the devil incarnate, but they do not care because that would mess up their aim--to discredit my rationality and throww some possile doubt on their own. If this was in an ask or a oublic thred, but thei was a DM, so I think they wanted to stir some doubt in me & shame silence into me.

but let's get back to this section:

You want the last legacy of a girl who risks her son's life to disappear. It's misogyny. What you're so excited about for Daenerys? Why do you do it with the son of a woman? What they did to Daenerys with Rhaego? Please stop belittling Lyanna and Jon because you're not a fan of Lyanna.

There's so many assumptions being made here.

First - The principal assumption here is that I am "belittling" Lyanna when I say that Jon is not politically safe enough a possible royal consort for Dany, one of the very few and only Queen regnants that have ever existed as she is capable of becoming and is currently being!

You want the last legacy of a girl who risks her son's life to disappear.

"Last legacy" implies the only one that gives any strong and valuable meaning to the woman/girl. IF you are talking about Lyanna, [3rd point below], she didn't do that. Doesn't work for Dany either. So who? If Lyanna, Jon is supposedly her only legacy (that matters or that you could detect and speculate), and I think that this is rather a sexist reading on your part as it assumes Lyanna only has Jon as an "accomplishment". Why? Because Jon is that badass so it stands to reason that Lyanna's "sacrifice" was necessary for his rise? Does this sound like it's in close proximity to another possible instance of the trope of a woman used--and worse killed off--for a male character's development in fiction? Same for Dany, except feministly, she lives and her son dies (without her desire but it happens) is accidentally used in part of a process that leads to her "birthing" dragons back to the world. In your schema of badass-Jon, a woman is narratively sacrificed for the man to be badass. This is not the case for Dany whatsoever!!! You should rather be the one NOT throwing a woman's importance to the bin! Truly, what was the connection here? Either way, any "legacy" that Jon would inherit from Lyanna would be tainted by his bastardry sociopolitically/in-world. It only matters differently to fans, as in-world, it'd be more a revisiitng of a scandal that led to a war if there had been no Long Night to face, which then would really be all about Jon's efforts and legacy, not Lyanna's! As of now in the books, Jon has more "legacy" or an inheritanc eof such from Ned, not Lyanna...bc of the whole thing being a secret still!

Feminism is not "a womans' son will give meaning to a woman's death & being". Feminism says "I spit on the whole thing, and maybe, in fact, I will reverse it and let the woman thrive."

There's a another sub-assumption about the world needing Jon more than they need Dany even thought you mention Dany as somehow disrepected by me precisely because you talk more about your dislike of me "hating" Jon, when I say what I say for Dany's interests alone. You don't seem to like that Dany could and should be separated in one's considerations of characterization and roles and development or narrative importance. To you, I think that Dany only matters bc Jon exists to give her meaning and a role and to make her actions in Essos have purpose instead of Dany's journey being a potential solo saga in itself about questioning rulers and subverting gender and sexuality! If you took Jon out, Dany's story--as it already has--would enthrall enough people to be a cultural phenomenon and she already is the most popular character of this series if you see the stats or had eyes. For goodness, sakes, her story ALONE won GRRM his Hugo award! I am not biased--look it up, these are the facts.

What does Dany's queenship have anything to do with Lyanna and Lyanna's death other than "granting" her a bastard nephew who shouldn't be a real political threat but is bc of this sexist world and the Dance's precedent and the Blackfyre Rebellion's example (sexism and xenophobia/racism-ableism)?

Why does it seem that the validity and very existence of Dany's queenship is narratively, socially, etc dependent on Jon's political success? As if she must needs be subservient to Jon to have any success in Westeros or to maintain any shred of power and credibility elsewhere? that we should look to her looking to Jon for an endured reign for herself when the text has given time and time again Dany is more than capable of ruling by herself and needs no "co ruler"...that a male "co ruler" is actually dangerous (Hizdhar) bc of how muc societies (that Dany will rule but still have to deal with local authorities there with their own rules, histories, etc. that she'd navigate as she does in Meereen) allow/credit men over any female relative or partner?! Whether the man is "nice" or not--was never about that and it's inconsequential to how the SYSTEM set against Dany anyway.

Second - How the hell do Dany's and Lyanna's "legacies" match"?! Lyanna is already dead while Dany is actively and currently doing stuff that only adds to what her leagcy would be after she dies!

Even if you manage to argue well for anything abt Lyanna's death to bring Jon into the world being Rhaegar just using her for her womb then informing the audience about Dany...Rhaego is DEAD, Dany is the one who lived! Nothing that happens to your version of Lyanna is going to happen to Dany and vice versa of Jon-Rhaego!

What in the world makes you believe that what we can relate and equate noble-privileged-even-she-is-a-teen-girl-Lyanna's decision to run off with Rhaegar to what Dany being sold (thus against her will) to Drogo and becoming a bridal slave?! Was Lyanna sold into sexual slavery by her own brother for an army in threat of mass r*pe if she didn't "comply"? Is Lyanna a queen now? How does what happens to Rhaego relate in anyway to HOW Dany's child was murdered for you to be comparing Rhaego to jon Snow, a bastard more privileged than most who, unlike Rhaego, got to grow into an "adult" (quotes bc he is one in his society and most of the world and that matters bc he gets to acquire a certain sort of authority because of it, esp as a man)?!

Obviously the assumption being made is that Rhaegar raped Lyanna and/or stole her away from her family or people against her will. The text gives SO MANY clues as to how this is just false. i already argued why and how in my earlier posts and reblogs of others sayign the same under "rhaeyla" or "lyanna and rhaegar"--tags in my blog. Since I reject this assumption and until you or others bring something that actually addresses what I argued, there's really no point in me addressing this assumption from you that is the foundation of your accusations other than:

Rhaegar and Lyanna were not tragic bc Rhaegar raped her or kidnapped her; they are tragic literally Romeo and Juliet styl;e where the love was impossible for their families' AND their individual sociopolitcal positions and they had no time/space afforded to them to be able to be totally fulfilled even if they had never met each other--critiques of whether a man and a girl could AND should be written as a love story to "teach" readers that such relationships are okay in real life is a different matter altogether [see bullet 3], and you don't have to like it, but you should not be denyign facts of story like how many green stans do with the whole Jaehaera v Daenaera bullcrap

you seem to like to waste my and others' time to feel smart

don't like this? Take it up w/GRRM. There is such thing as Watsonian readings of canon and Doylist readings of why the writer wrote what they wrote. I speak of what the story is telling its readers

Third- When did Lyanna "risk" Jon's life? Lyanna laid in the Tower of Joy for almost the entire war, pregnant with Jon, what "risk" is she putting fetus-Jon through? We can't even say Dany does that w/Rhaego bc SHE DIDN'T KNOW THAT MIRRI WAS GOING TO USE RHAEGO'S LIFE FOR DROGO'S!!! You make as if there's a possibility that this is true. So who are you talking about?!

Fourth - Somehow, I don't like Lyanna.

Person, this is the only girl of the Dead Ladies Club I care about and adore, partly bec she doesn't really fit even though she's definitely dead and her death fosters Jon's character (Knight of the Laughing Tree). Yeah, she and Rhaegar are a package deal narratively....Elia does not stand as a character without being Rhaegar's wife, though? And I don't like characters simply bc they are victims and happen to not be able to do nothing for themselves wehether they are partially to blame for that or not at all. And Lyanna, unlike Elia, is a packaged deal w/Rhaega bc from them comes. It's not fair to Elia that she is married to Rhaegar bc Aerys essentially wanted to make his own son less popular (Westerosi xenophobia against Dornishmen) and she grew sicker and bd bound in her gendered "duty" to provide him heirs...or that their marriage was not one Rhaegar would have chosen for himself. But sexism. Part of the point and something that negatively impacts Lyanna as well, NOT fans' insistence of "hating" or truly hating Jon!

Perhaps there is a racial bias against Elia on GRRM's part that makes him put a horrible fate on a darker skinned woman, even though Elia is NOT PoC in the way we think of PoC or what we are familiar with. In fact, she's a "white" woman who is not "white" like Italians and Irish people were at one point in the U.S. But all that would be on GRRM and a Doylist reading, NOT a Watsonian/in-text/story one!

And side note & jic, no Lyanna and Rhaegar's relationship was not one that made Jon legitimate or socially recognized as one bc Rhaegar did not contest polygamy against the Faith of Westeros after the Targs implicitly gave that up for the sake of peaceably marrying themselves in the Doctrine of Exceptionalism. Maegor may not have either, but he managed to dispel of his opposers to the marriages and thus they are "real". rhaegar, if he had married Lyanna, could not do anything like other the doctrine or killing off his foes, so Jon IS a bastard regardless.

[l0stfoster]

butterfly anon yet again, bc why have I just finally processed something…to speak in memes once more, imagine the megamind ‘no bitches’ meme but instead its ‘more death designs?!’

the potential…..symbolism…..

(I’m such a nerd this is ridiculous how excited I am for metaphor potential)

aNyway, in the death design post I noticed Johnny refers to Death as she, so (as you’ve said death is they / them) was this just retconning/change of mind, or did Johnny not know/perceived death more feminine? (Coughmotherissuescough)

also, even though that post said Johnny’s perception changes, would his be the most accurate? (As Death can mess w/ his death tingle (take that Peter tingle) does that potentially mean Johnny sees Death how they desire to be perceived?

WOAH WAIT HOLD THE DING DANG PHONE

DOTS HAVE BEEN CONNECTED

wait I can’t find the post I might have made this up, dots unconnected thrown in incinerator

Moving on to similar dots, Paul’s ancestor, curse creator, would they not have met death? Wait wait would there have been a discussion? Cause like Death big powerful and this witch just made big curse? Is this in relation to why Death is featureless for Paul?????

(Paul anon if you have thoughts pls join in theorizing, Paul is your blorbo you probably know more)

I love watching you realize things it's so awesome I noticed that Johnny refers to Death as she, so (as you’ve said, death is they/them) was this just retconning/change of mind, or did Johnny not know/perceive death as more feminine? (Coughmotherissuescough)

- Although I personally use they/them when referring to Death, I do feel that they can be referred to with, quite literally anything! It's a matter of a person's own perception, and I also felt like it was better to use a proper set of pronouns for Death rather than calling them it, which takes some of the human nature out of them. I also didn't want to use she/her or he/him at the time because that might make people automatically gender Death as male or female. They're beyond gender, that's a whole-ass borderline god. - Death uses any/all pronouns, call them whatever you'd like! I do they/them for writing's sake; since switching up actively might confuse people. - Johnny usually uses she/her for Death, it's mostly the mother issues. In this AU his mother's the one who 'killed' him, hence his meeting Death.

Also, even though that post said Johnny’s perception changes, would his be the most accurate? Does that potentially mean Johnny sees Death how they desire to be perceived?

- You could argue that Johnny holds the most accurate perception of Death, yes, as the first time they appeared to him was the form they specifically chose to appear to him in. (Novva made a comic for it, but Death appeared very motherly to him) - His perception of Death usually abides by that, but sometimes they're more masculine, or sometimes they don't have identifiable features. Sometimes they're just a void of darkness; something that can surround him and provide a sense of security when he really needs it. He sees Death in his dreams on occasion, so there are multiple instances where she'll change.

Moving on to similar dots, Paul’s ancestor, the curse creator, would they not have met death? Wait wait would there have been a discussion? Cause like Death, big powerful, and this witch just made big curse? Is this in relation to why Death is featureless for Paul?????

- You're pretty close!! The Witch did meet Death once, yes; likely at the end of their life. Usually, you only meet Death when you're in limbo, but I think they can choose to change that. There wasn't much discussion; Death absolutely thought the curse was overkill (we discussed the idea that maybe the witches' partner was killed and the curse was set as a kind of revenge, but it's not canon right now) and unnecessarily made things so much more difficult,, but then Death claimed Johnny, and suddenly they knew the lengths a person would go for those they love. - Death is featureless for Paul because he's never truly thought of them as anything; save for the obvious association of butterflies with her. Once he starts to associate Death with Johnny, Death would likey to change to hold some of his features as well; similar to the way that Dally views Death.

[curlybraceyourself]

Fan mail #1

Once again, do not harass any of the individuals discussed in this post. Particularly in this instance, where several persons mentioned have expressed a desire to no longer be involved in Lily-Critical discourse.

I thought I should take a moment to respond to this comment, left on the blog's primary post:

@queenvaleriapple , thank you for your inquiry. Wondering why a blog such as this exists is a reasonable question. As this response will involve multiple images, we have chosen to respond in post form.

It is true that Sai has an alt-account for purposes of posting about Lily Orchard. However, and this is a critical difference:

Sai's alt account is not used for purposes of anonymity. Quite simply, Sai posts on this alt so that the majority of her fans (who have little to no interest in Lily-Critical material) can ignore that stuff while still engaging with her art posts.

Linking Taffer and Curly-B did strip Taffer of one layer of anonymity, but her ability to comment on elements of the Lily-Critical community was in no way compromised. Taffer/Curly is welcome to continue providing commentary and art criticism (to those who would like to receive it), as long as she is willing to accept the consequences of doing so. More importantly, as she has now expressed a desire to not be involved in this discourse any further, I will be honoring her request from hereon and encourage any viewers to do the same.

You could argue that (for lack of a better, gender-neutral term) there should be a gentleman's agreement in these spaces- "Don't harass or start discourse with fans of Lily orchard, except where those persons instigate discourse themselves". If someone says they don't want to be involved, then don't involve them. If someone is not involved, do not involve them (which Taffer violated when she involved CelestialAlpacaron into the mix). And critically, if someone tries to leave the arena, for gods' sakes, do not drag them back in with you.

Which brings me to my next point:

I find it curious that you would bring up EredWolliw on Curly's Blog. For the record, EredWolliw is a young artist who, two weeks ago, responded to two posts about Lily orchard. They received harassment for those responses, and then stated their intent to stop posting about the subject:

Since that point, you, Queenvaleriapple, have persistently harassed this person and accused them of stalking Lily when they have done no such thing. You have thrown unwarranted shade on their artwork and accused them of racism for... having complex POC characters?

It's not unreasonable to assume that your above ask, sent to Curly-B, was an attempt to get Curly-B involved in this harassment as well.

This behaviour, quite frankly, is abhorrent. I strongly, strongly urge you to cease this inexplicable crusade, and to reflect on your behaviour. Do not engage people in drama, when said people have made every reasonable effort to step away from it.

Once again, thank you for your inquiry.

[highfantasy-soul]

NATLA - Episode 1: Aang (3/4)

[Masterlist of my NATLA thoughts]

An explanation of what I'm doing here and my history with ATLA.

Of course, full spoilers ahead.

<previous/next>

I like the change from Sokka being ham-fistedly sexist (though I would argue that in the animated series, it's a defense mechanism due to his feelings of inadequacy and him belittling girls is a cultural side-effect of that rather than the root cause) to him being strict in his leadership role and wanting Katara to 'fall in line' for everyone's safety.

As I saw another post explaining: Sokka is really shown to be the one holding the physical aspects of the village together - defense, food, shelter, order. Katara isn't only focusing on that - she's of course helping out (helping Sokka fish for instance), but she's also concerned about keeping the culture/spiritual/emotional side of the tribe alive.

Sokka thinks that his physical survival focus is the most important, which is where their clashes come from - not him just being sexist. Yes, he does have sexist tendencies, but he justifies them with 'real' reasons that aren't just alluded to like they are in the cartoon: Katara isn't taking the dangers of the world seriously and he feels like it's his job to protect her and if she gets hurt because of that perceived 'naivetee', then he feels he's failed.

It's a much more nuanced exploration of his sexism and machismo - something he and Aang both share in the sense that they both feel like it's their job to protect everyone and that protection, they first try to accomplish through control - Sokka learns against this as he sees how capable Katara is in the world and it comes to fruition in the Northern Water Tribe - where he shares this revelation with Aang. (I've written a little piece about people complaining that Sokka's sexism was 'erased but not erased' here - and there's another really great analysis by another person here).

 This is something they argue about right off the bat - Katara not backing down as she insists on the importance of her role, too. Her anger at the way things are and passion to fight as well as keep bending (and strange bald people falling out of icebergs) alive is front and center.

We see Katara taking a mothering leadership role already even though many of those gathered are older than her when she ushers everyone out of the igloo where Aang is passed out and tells them they need to let him rest. Even Gran Gran respects her role as a caretaker.

Zuko's introduction here gives more hints at how much time has passed without outright saying it. Iroh doesn’t want Zuko to get his hopes up to be dashed again, Zuko is steadfast in hunting down every last trace and rumor - even if it takes another 3 years so that he can return home and take his place as next in line to the throne.

I think this insistence of his that his goal is to take the throne, despite his uncle trying to sway him otherwise, is a great set-up for his future arc - him realizing that it's not the throne he really wants - or needs to attain, that it's ok that his real goal is to just have a family and it's ok to put aside the expectations others have set out for you.

I've seen many people writing off the show 'as soon as Zuko said he wanted the throne' since that's not where his motivations END during the story, but I think it would have been a weaker choice and undercut Zuko's story if his motivation off the bat is explained to be his desire for a family, not the throne. Here's another instance where the show isn't holding your hand and telling you explicitly what's going on in Zuko's mind: at this point, even HE thinks that his goal is to capture the Avatar to go back and take the throne. Those who've watched the animated show know that while that's the surface goal, it's because he thinks that's what will get him his family back. His motivations are nuanced and he verbally states things we know aren't entirely true - this is part of his character.

Aang waking up and immediately wanting to play with the kids is a great homage to him immediately asking Katara to go penguin-sledding. It shows he's just a kid who isn't scarred by this war yet and shows everyone that he really does have a whole bunch of joy in him that hasn't been stamped out yet.

Plus, Aang's immediate concern for where Appa is sets his character up just as well as it was in the cartoon

I like Gran Gran being the one to recite the animated series' opening monologue - positioning it as a story that everyone knows and presumably tells/talks about often - but it's new information to Aang - and the watcher who is just now realizing how long he's been in the iceberg.

Aang and Katara's chat about growing up fast is an homage to her saying 'I haven't had this much fun since I was a kid' and him replying 'you still are a kid'. It's a different tone the conversation takes, but the sentiment is the same: when threats loom, kids don’t get to be kids, they have to grow up fast.

Aang explains the theory of bending to Katara - I like how intrinsically they're weaving the spiritual aspect of bending into the world - Katara has no idea what she's doing and has been muscling through it, overthinking how to get water bending to work.

Aang is able to explain a different approach and this is what unlocks Katara's skill - she needed to change the way she viewed it in order to succeed - changing from focusing really hard to connecting to the ability with her feelings and the energy around her - as an extension of herself.

Because while Katara knows one of her primary roles is to keep alive the culture and be nurturing, there is still the warrior side of her that she tries to use waterbending to tap into - though we know she will be a great fighter with waterbending, how she goes about that, contrary to what she's been taught a warrior is, is the key to her success.

Just as in the cartoon, once Katara is shown something, especially the basic moves, she picks them up incredibly quickly. I like the choice to make her even worse at waterbending in the live-action than she was in the animated because it makes sense to me: she's never seen anyone waterbend before, she's the only one, there's a ton of danger surrounding bending, and she has a traumatic memory tied to her bending. All this adds layers and more space for her to grow in the season.

Condensing the three episodes into one, it makes sense that Aang doesn’t leave Wolf Cove (btw, LOVE that they gave 'the southern water tribe' and 'the norther water tribe' settlements actual names), but rather he stays and when Zuko comes with his warship, he's already there. In the animated version, he sees the village being attacked and comes in to stop it - in the live-action, he lets Sokka try to talk the fire-benders down - after all, he doesn't actually know what kind of threat they are and how quick they are to violence.

Aang's desire for peace and to avoid direct conflict is coming out and obviously he doesn’t want to be captured, so letting Sokka try his diplomacy is a way to keep the peace. He watches as Sokka defends the village, and when it's clear that he doesn’t stand a chance, Aang jumps in to stop the violence.

I don't think this undercuts Aang's character at all - letting Sokka try diplomacy and then a little bit of fighting isn't Aang hiding from conflict, it's him believing there was another way than him fighting - in the animated version, Zuko is already burning down the village, so there's no place for Aang to wait for diplomacy.

Katara's point about 'hope is just as important to keeping people alive as food and shelter' was such a great reinforcement of the themes throughout the series: after 100 years of war, people are beaten down and tired of fighting - having the Avatar come back gives them the strength to carry on and fight harder - a theme that's a connecting thread through the season both for the good guys and the bad.

It shows that, though Sokka doesn't understand the spiritual health Katara is always going on about, he still respects her opinions and is able to be swayed by her arguments. He still is angry that Aang lied to them and brought danger to the village, but his sister is able to talk him down into finding another way

Katara stands her ground and her empathy, hope, and anger all swirl together in her confronting her brother who is ready to turn Aang in to the fire nation in order to save the village - in the animated series, Aang isn't there, so Sokka doesn’t have to make that choice.

Katara's argument to Sokka also pushes home another major theme: kids have to grow up too fast - she acknowledges how hard the responsibility has been on him rather than dismissing it wholly as 'playing soldier' like she does in the animated series. Though they both think they're still right and think their contributions are more important, they have the emotional maturity - beyond their age - to be able to acknowledge the strengths of the other.

Without that compromise, Wolf Cove wouldn't have survived.

This gives Sokka his character developing moment where he faces down the Fire Nation army alone and stands his ground to protect his village and everyone in it - he does 'try' diplomacy, but then challenges Zuko to an honorable duel - just as Sokka would do in the animated version - using his brains to get any advantage he can.

I love the addition of the child defenders fighting back as well once Sokka is defeated - they don't take their invasion quietly, they try to fight back the best they can.

I think this section of the episode was phoenomenal at setting up the characters, their motivations, and flaws they might have to grapple with in a compelling way.

[bugeyedfreaks]

Blossom - 1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12, 16, 20, 23

A bounty of Blossom questions, yay! 🥰

1. Why do you like or dislike this character?

I think at this point my blog could probably be described as both a general PPG fanblog AND a platform dedicated to defending Blossom… so I think I’ve exhausted myself on describing why I like her so much, and I feel like if I wrote it all again I'd just be repeating myself. But I mean, she's great! She's the kind of character who could (and sadly sometimes does) get easily written off as the "boring girly one," but she's so much more than that. She has a lot of very strong positive qualities and just as many interesting character flaws and quirks that I feel get overlooked by a lot of people.

4. If you could put this character in any other media, be it a book, a movie, anything, what would you put them in?

Nothing. She’s been in way too many fandom crossovers as it is and it drives me bonkers. 🤣

6. What's something you have in common with this character?

I've been told by maaany people that I seem to have a lot in common with her, but I guess at least two things we share are the innate desire to want to do good and to be perfectionists in whatever we do (and, of course, we get really irritated when we don't reach our desired level of perfection).

7. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you like?

Gosh, well... I guess one thing is that she usually looks beeeeautiful in fanart. 😌 My opinions on older versions of Blossom (and those versions of the girls in general) are very nuanced, and I can be weird and picky about it, but I do really like some of the fits I've seen fanart of Blossom in (like yours for instance, her outfit is cool!). Many people make her look very fashionable, and I appreciate seeing my fave treated well like that.

8. What's something the fandom does when it comes to this character that you despise?

I've written a lot about the mischaracterization of her character and how the fandom sometimes treats her so... weird (i.e. with shipping and stuff.. you know what I mean... 🥴). I also don’t like it when she’s written off as just some stuck-up, bossy jerk because… okay, yeah, she can be one, but that’s not all that she is! Not that Buttercup and Bubbles don't have their share of nuance, but I'd argue that Blossom has a whole lot more nuance to her. A lot of people don't seem to pick up on that, and the result is that she's either written off as preachy and boring or completely devoid of personality (which is... more often the case, unfortunately).

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

I kind of like the idea of her growing up to be a detective (or at least doubling down on her superheroism), mostly because of this plotline in one of the chapter books where her idea of becoming "grown up" is ditching her sisters and starting her own crime-solving business.

16. What's your least favorite ship for this character?

PPG/RRB and any of the ones that exist outside of the world of the show. Dexter’s Lab and Samurai Jack, for example, don’t canonically exist in the world, even though there’ve been little Easter eggs in all of the shows/some CN crossover stuff, and I’m a dopey little stickler for canon (…well, most of the time, anyway!).

20. Which other character is the ideal best friend for this character, the amount of screentime they share doesn't matter?

Me. I'm never onscreen but I play the role of "audience member" and so we should be besties. 😆

23. Favorite picture of this character?

Every picture of her is my favorite picture, but this one popped into my head when I started thinking about it. She looks so delightfully goofy, the queen of backyard cereal meals.