#ooc: i'm sorry this isn't the first post on the blog. it took a long while to write it out.

[confusingangels]

IN HIS YOUTH, Rob Cantor would often feel left out and forgotten. It was because of this that he decided to start a band with a high school friend named Zubin Sedghi, who would go on to invite another person (who they knew through a mutual friend) named Andrew Horowitz. After this, the three would end up being contacted by Bora Karaca, who had an interest in joining the band after seeing them start it.

They would agree to letting Bora in, and he would be appointed Lead Guitarist. It was around this time as well that they would meet Steve Gallagher, who also was interested in joining a band.

The four members would let Steve in, and he was appointed the Drummer. However, after a short while of him being in the band, he would leave abruptly. No one quite knew why. Perhaps he just did not want to be the Drummer anymore, because of creative differences or something similar.

After he left, the remaining members began looking for a new Drummer, which they found through one of Bora's old friends from school, Ross Federman, who was interested in drumming.

They held a sort of, 'audition', mainly because at the time there was another man who wanted to join who appeared more skilled to Ross.

However, they heard Ross play, and they wanted him in the band more. And so he joined, and the completed band would be named Tally Hall, after a closed food court which was close to where the members (besides Andrew) grew up.

They would tour around the United States upon completing their first album, Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum in 2005, which was named after a museum that they would visit consisting of old, coin-operated machines and a lot of interesting items.

But after a while, things began to get..a little strange.

During concerts, someone would almost always mess up a couple songs in some way. No one knew what was happening, but it started to get a little worrying after a while.

Stranger things would happen as well. Someone suddenly bolting off stage when performing, instruments being dropped, them playing the songs off-tune and barely singing the lyrics. A lot of things happened.

One day, on stage, everything was going normal; things were being played well, everyone looked happy, nothing looked wrong.

But something felt off. Very, very off.

During 'Just Apathy', Rob seemed..almost scared to start singing. Nobody knew why until nearly the end of the song when he collapsed on stage.

Everyone immediately set their instruments down and ran up to him, and people in the back of the crowd would try and peer forward to see what was going on, why they had suddenly stopped playing.

There was a curtain lowered, and the five members didn't come back out again that night.

After three days of that incident happening, a band member (Most likely Zubin Sedghi, the media is lost) would go on to talk about what was next for the band.

Someone would say, “Oh, Rob's fine. We were just really excited to play that night, is all,” when he would infact not be fine.

Tally Hall would go on to play one more concert before suddenly going on a break. All they would say about it is, “We're terribly sorry to anyone excited to go to our future concerts, but we have decided to go on a break for a while.”

No one's quite sure how long they would be on break for, but whenever they would appear on a radio show or an interview, Rob would not be there. Fans started to get concerned; the man was, essentially, completely wiped off the face of the earth, as he didn't post on any of his social medias either.

They still don't really know what happened to Rob. He was just..gone. He had posted something only once, three days after the break, and then never again.

Missing posters started to appear around town, even; but no one would ever call the number, because no one had information on him.

Those posters would get more faded every day and eventually just disappear.

Nobody knew if he was even still alive, and they still don't.

But, eight months after the break, the Tally Hall recording studio would start to receive mysterious packages and letters that were highly believed by the band members to be sent by Rob.

Ross would often be the one opening them, and the contents would vary from scribbled out drawings and messages to stuffed animals and even more.

These would severely unnerve Ross, and so he never told any of the other members about these things until the third one came in; a package with four stuffed animals, each one with a note on it to each Tally.

We're not quite sure what they were, as they never said, only showing the box as proof of a send-in from somebody.

The post that contained the image of the box read, “We got a rather strange package in today. The address wasn't specific at all, so we don't know how it could have possibly been delivered here.”

But the rest of the packages and letters are a different story.

For now, no one has seen Rob in a long while. We hope he'll show up again in something soon.

[chordata-on-alterhumanity]

best way to have/cause memories, if possible?

Hey! Sorry this took so long for me to get to. I've had a ton going on and I really wanted to properly sit down and collect my thoughts to give you an answer. That said, I'm just me and I'm bound to not be able to look at this from every possible perspective, so I'm sure other people will think of things that should be said about the topic or tips on how to make/find memories as a linker that I can't think of, so if someone reads this and thinks of smth additional, please add it in a reply or reblog of this post!!!

-didn't proofread this. Sorry about typos!-

(edits this almost a month after posting) I just realized that i answered this pertaining to otherlinking even though the ask doesn't specify that... I guess my mind assumed that's what it's talking about because I mostly talk about linking on this blog currently. Hope that was the case or my information is helpful regardless. Anyway, edit end -

Memories as an otherlinker can be made or come to be through a wide range of causes. They can be intentionally crafted or come unexpectedly. What really matters isn't the way they're gathered, but how they feel. A memory needs to feel "right", "correct", "true". You can try spending a lot of time convincing yourself that xy event happened as your linktype, but if it doesn't sit right (i.e. feels out of character, too ideal to be realistic, etc), it'll be a lot harder for you to incorporate it into your linktype's past.

For me, personally, memories seem to ring the most true if I don't have to do much thinking about them. I like the random sort of memory aquisition most. I'll have a random thought, I briefly question if it's connected to my linktype, and if it fits, I feel it fits. If it doesn't fit, I get a negative feeling. The exact feeling can vary in both form (distaste, discomfort, irritation, annoyance, ...) and strength (mild to strong). I can also feel neutrally about it. I tend to not view memories as mine if they make me feel neutral or negative. The positive ones, I consider.

Once I have such a memory than can stick to my linktype because it feels "right" (in character, I feel good about it), I can let that sit for a while or immediately start thinking about the story around it. Why did that happen/Why was that a thing? It's basically the same process as before. Whatever explanation feels "right" can most easily lead to more memories.

Otherlink memories don't have to be memories of specific events, btw. It can also just be general knowledge. That's called noema, with the plural version being noemata (this term was coined for otherkin but is free to use for experiences from other groups as far as I know). Like, you can remember that your favourite pair of shoes was red, but you don't know that because you remember an exact moment where you put on your shoes. You can remember a fact, not an event. But remembering a fact can lead to remembering events and vice versa!

Triggers for creating/getting memories can be utterly random. I'm so sorry I can't give you specific tips there. I'll talk about my experience for a little.

For my Raihan linktype, I had the random thought that it'd be funny if Raihan had a Beautifly, and then I thought "Well actually why not?". It felt ooc at first, but then I realized it's exactly something that fits into the Raihan I am. This spun into a whole bunch of memories, going off of my relationship to Beautifly, my living situation, how I wasn't particularly fond of being seen in public with it because it didn't fit my public image, but that conflicted with how I loved spending time with it in nature. Then the - you can call it worldbuilding at this point - rolled off away from Beautifly and to other people I don't have in canon and how I met them. A vacation in the Hoenn region, meeting a Tropius there... Can you see what I mean with one thing leading to the next?

What I just described wasn't information I sat down for and gathered within a day. It instead happened over weeks, months. Once you find a memory that feels right, don't rush into finding the next. Let your mind process it for a while and get comfortable. If you rush things, from my experience, it becomes harder to find more potential memories that feel true.

Dreams about your linktype can also be triggers for memories! They're very potent ones because dreams come with feelings, so it becomes easier to adapt the experienced events as memories because there's already an emotional connection there. I don't recommend blindly accepting all dreams as memories, though. Dreams can be non-sensical, chaotic, and also uncomfortable or downright nightmares. Do yourself a favor and dismiss dreams/nightmares that'll drag you down if you dwell on them. Or at least think it through properly first.

It's also helpful to try searching for memories that are related to, or a re-interpretation of your irl life. For example, if you really like bugs, you can think about whether or not you caught bugs in your linktype's childhood. Or let current events inspire you, i.e. whatever weather it is where you're at - are there any memorable things that happened as your linktype while in similar weather? Walking through rainy puddles while in a large city as your linktype, having your clothes blown in your face by windy weather, roasting in the sun during sunny we... Think about the most special or most mundane things. Or inbetween. Anything could be your inspiration and lead you to ideas that resonate as memories!

If you decide something's a memory, and then later realize that it doesn't fit after all, feel free to change your mind on it. You can "drop" memories.

I'm trying to think of more, but I think that's all I got... I hope this helps!

[aelaer]

Hey dear, do you still play the ask game? If you don’t mind, here’s 🎁💡💘? Thank you so much for your answer!!!

From this post.

This one actually reminded me that it existed and I finally had a couple hours of energy to answer them yayyyy.

💘 Is it easier to write angst or fluff? I can write both, so long as neither is romantic in nature ahahahah. I don't know if either is easier or harder in nature--it more depends on my mood? I think it's harder to write a contained plot with fluff that isn't wildly OOC with the characters I write. It's definitely possible, and done quite well by some authors, but I think it can be harder. There's more angsty situations presented in canon and by the nature of their personalities.

💡How many WIPs do you currently have? Oh boy. So I am *not* counting the ones in the LOTR fandom that have remained untouched for like, a decade, haha. RIP LOTR. With the MCU... *sigh*

Ones that have a lot of content for them (one-shots are over 50% done, multi-chaptered fics have at least 20k written): 4 pieces

One-shots that have a scene written for them that I'm still planning to finish and publish: 2 pieces

Multi-chaptered fics that are unlikely to ever be finished/published due to being crossovers that I was way too ambitious about: 2 pieces

One-shots that have outlines that I still plan on completing: 3 pieces (these are all prompt fics requested in 2019 and 2020... I'm so sorry... the asker likely isn't even in the fandom anymore, lmao)

One-shots that are remaining prompt asks that have nothing planned yet: 2 pieces (including the new 2022 one from blossom, I'm so sorry, lord know when I'll get to it with this current schedule)

Floating snippets that are just ideas with no set plot to them, and thus may never be published beyond this blog: 3 pieces. Snippets really.

So 6-16 depending on what you count as a WIP.

🎁 Have a piece of a WIP you want to share? I posted two of the snippets in the other asks. Here's one from a one-shot that's like 90% done, I just need to figure out how I want to end it (which is harder than I'd like -- endings can be rough for me. Will probably need to ask my beta for her ideas because it hasn't gone anywhere for 2 years >.<)

.....

It was during one passing group, just as he was about to give his excuses, that Wong learned that the kid had super-hearing. A rather unfortunate time to discover such a fact.

And once Peter learned the news, it was just a matter of a few texts before every Avenger knew.

"We'd like to help out," Tony said, being the first to call Wong. Wong had given his number to a couple Avengers on the off-chance Stephen was wounded while working with them. He hadn't expected his number to be used in this fashion.

"Us sorcerers handle our own affairs," was Wong's gruff reply. "Besides, aren't you supposed to be retired?"

"Special occasion."

Wong said, "We're fine," and hung up before Tony could retort, then sighed. Stephen would be displeased if Iron Man ended up dying after all the work he did to save him in the multiple future fiasco. He was just happy Stephen managed to get to 16 million (and severely lower the amount of time it took to get everyone who left back), but that was another topic altogether.

Then Tony gave out Wong's number to the others.

"It really would be no trouble," Steve said. "We consider all of you our allies after Thanos."

"You're supposed to be retired, too," was Wong's exasperated retort.

A pause. "Well, I did pass on the mantle of Captain America to Sam, sure, but that doesn't mean I don't go out in the field here and there. Just less public."

Wong hung up on him, too.

"We really would like to see him safe," was Bruce's call.

Bruce was a little harder to hang up on; he had been visiting the New York Sanctum frequently for meditation purposes, to better understand and work with the other side of his personality and come to some sort of balance with it. According to Stephen, Bruce had achieved something like this on his own in other futures, but he was certain the resources at Kamar-Taj could help him achieve this faster and with potentially better results.

Still, Bruce Banner was not a sorcerer. "I appreciate the offer, Doctor Banner, but this is a matter for our order," he told him, then hung up before the other could retort.

"It's pretty slow right now; you'd be doing everyone a favor in letting us help," Natasha admitted when she called.

Wong pulled the phone away from his face to sigh; if it weren't for the very slim chance of Stephen potentially calling him, he would have turned off the damn thing. "Weren't you supposed to retire from field work, too?"

"People like me never retire," she answered. "Think on it, Wong."

He grimaced and hung up.

"You have to let us help!" was Peter's plea. Peter had been barred from the Sanctum until the issue was settled—Wong knew that Stephen wouldn't want the kid involved—but apparently Tony Stark was more than happy to give Peter Parker his phone number, as well.

"Stephen would want you to stay out of this," he told the kid without ceremony, and hung up on him, too, though he felt a little bad doing it.

This was getting ridiculous. The other Masters had decided the Avengers shouldn't be involved, but if they had to endure what Wong was enduring, maybe they'd change their minds. Besides, the extra eyes wouldn't be a bad thing to have, at least in Wong's opinion. 

By the time a sixth call from an Avenger in under an hour occurred, Wong was ready. He positioned himself in the Masters' strategy room as they discussed leads and next steps, then let the phone ring beside the others.

They caved in less than two hours.

[itsclydebitches]

(Not "Tai's Joke Anon" but on that topic) I agree with you on pretty much everything: Yang being very obviously a victim in her situation and not responsible for what Adam did doesn't mean Yang is no longer reckless. Ruby growing increasingly irresponsibly reckless in V6-onward doesn't mean Yang is no longer reckless. Ruby and Blake having made strategical blunders doesn't mean Yang is no longer reckless. Weiss's "accidental magic" emotional semblance use doesn't mean Yang is no longer reckless. It feels silly to act like Yang can't have flaws just because she was a victim and others also have flaws. I think you're right about all this.

That said, I do have to agree with the other anon that I think Tai's 'joke' was horrific. I was shocked and angry when I first heard it, and not even writing Yang to laugh made me feel any better about it. I recognize that humor is a valid way for people to cope, but imo, it should be up to the victim to decide when joking is appropriate (like in Yang and Nora's arm-wrestling match) and not the able-bodied person currently yelling at her about not being ready for the world. Plus, even if it was okay for him to joke about her situation, the joke itself seemed heartless. He not only is using humor to speak over her and tell her what she is and isn't capable of, but he throws in a jab at her intelligence, too.

I like Tai. I really do. He's probably my favorite RWBY parent. And I liked Yang's recovery arc, outside of that line. And I have a lot of respect for you (and this hasn't made me lose any or anything, jsyk) and I agree with basically everything else you've said. But I'm sorry, I think that joke was crossing a line, and while I agree that it isn't entirely fair to judge 4-5 by 6-8 standards, I do think that the recent pattern of blatant, admitted ableism in the Penny and Ironwood arcs, with the added bonus line of Yang telling the audience that humanity stops at flesh and everything else is 'just extra,' makes the joke seem even less like an unfortunate blunder on RT's part, and more like the first sign in what would eventually develop into a long history of ableist writing that, at this point, can no longer be denied.

Aww thanks, anon! 💜 Yeah, as said, it’s a very contentious choice and it looks less and less like a positive the more RWBY goes on. Back in Volume 4 it was a (mostly) isolated moment that some fans enjoyed and others absolutely did not. However, four years later, it’s now a part of a pattern. For some that moment, if it was ever okay, will retroactively be made worse by what comes later (particularly Yang’s “extra” line). For some, if it was ever okay, it will be an example of when RWBY was writing disability better, further proof of how far the show has fallen. For some, if it was never okay, Volumes 5-8 just made it a thousand times worse. Congratulations, RWBY. You took what we thought was a one-off misstep and turned it into a whole philosophy. Nice work!

For me, I’m.. all the camps at once? lol. I enjoy nuance in media and that moment, for me, does have nuance. In that yes, we’re supposed to believe it has crossed a line. There’s a reason why the scene gives us shocked expressions. Not just Yang’s but Port and Oobleck’s too. Omg, how could you say that? 

And then we get our answer. The answer is not, as we assume in this moment, that Tai is a horrible person who insults his daughter without cause, but rather because Tai knows his daughter. He’s making a point here. Yang is arguing that she’s an adult now, ready for the real world, and Tai is arguing that this doesn’t mean she’s ready to run off on her own. If she honestly believes that, she’s lost those braincells along with the arm. He isn’t telling her she isn’t capable, he’s telling her (as my previous posts have argued) that she’s thinking recklessly right now. The implication is that of course she’s smarter than that. Smart is what he expects of her. So stop for a moment and consider whether what you’re saying is, in fact, smart. And provides that reminder in a way that normalizes her arm. After this will be the first time Yang has really talked about it, after it became something to joke about, not just tiptoe around. 

Things have been escalating, they’re yelling, Tai makes his point via an insult... and with a smile to lessen the sting.  

And then Yang smiles too. 

(Though I also think there’s a case to be made that neither really meant their “argument.” It feels very posturing to me, the chance to just go at each other for the fun of it, not because they actually feel that strongly about either position. It’s a form of play between them.) 

I agree wholeheartedly that the victim should be in control of the humor and that’s perhaps my biggest criticism here. The scene is meant to show how well Tai knows his daughter, he’s so sure this will cut the tension... but what if he’s wrong? This could have indeed backfired spectacularly and then yeah, Tai would need to apologize for that and not repeat such behavior in the future. In a perfect world no one would ever make that kind of misstep, but people (and characters) aren’t perfect. I like that Tai is shown to take a risk with humor. That he’s not some generic Good Father Figure who only approaches trauma with the Certified Approved Approaches. This risk makes him feel human and, notably, it paid off. He chose his intimate knowledge of Yang’s personality over the generalized advice, “Treat someone with that trauma with the upmost respect and care.” That works for me personally  — emphasis on personally  — because I’m like Yang. I have friends and family who say things that sound so unimaginably insulting to outsiders about the most sensitive subjects in my life... but that’s because they know me and know I’m cool with it. That, in a weird and human way, it helps me to process the horrible things going on. Tai knows Yang and knows she’d be cool with it too. And she is! Not to attribute agency to fictional character written by, as we’ve seen, authors with a very iffy handle on disability, but I think it’s important to let Yang speak for herself. The scene is written to show that she enjoys this, that it’s what she needs, and it’s always felt weird to me to go, “No, it’s horrible and never should have happened” when clearly Yang draws a benefit and gives it her stamp of approval. The nuance is that sometimes people cope in ways that don’t work for others, are insulting to others, may even seem harmful to others... but if it works for Yang, as a disabled woman, who are we to say, “No, you’re doing disability wrong”?  

But of course, that’s all in that context of our incredibly flawed writers who, as far as I know, are not disabled themselves. So I 1000% understand why others are not at all comfortable with this scene. And certainly no one needs to be. I do want to be clear, in such a meta-filled blog, that my own love of analyzing this show is by no means meant as a, “This is the right interpretation.” I don’t think the “right” interpretation exists, let alone for a moment as charged as this one, trying to represent huge swaths of people at once. I think a scene can cross a line and be a powerful choice simultaneously, depending on who is watching it and what that person needs. Like the question of whether Ruby is endangering people or heroically saving them, whether Ironwood had a phenomenal downfall or was slammed into OOC territory, whether RWBY’s “rule of cool” creates an inconsistent mess or a fun and thrilling adventure not burdened by what it put down before... so much of how we experience media is a result of not the media itself, but us. Our experiences, our normality, our needs, whether we’re choosing to read a scene on its own or in the context of a whole series. Since no two people are the same and, even if they were, they might be coming at this with different intentions, a single scene can read radically differently to them both. 

That and my own enjoyment of the moment aside though, yeeeeeeah, the more RWBY messes up its disability rep the more it reflects badly on... well, everything. At this point, the blatant problems are a blight on the current volumes, the past volumes, the previously good rep, previously bad rep, previously debatable rep, and everything in between.