#p: doesn't matter
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Manny's brows knit together in confusion now, uncertain where Noah got that idea from. "I never said I didn't," he replied, his tone just as soft and sincere. His gaze flickered over Noah's features, trying to understand, to find unspoken answers. He pursed his lips together and then gently cupped both sides of Noah's face as he leaned in for a soft, brief kiss in hopes the physical contact would be reassuring. He could do physical still even if it seemed that was all Noah was interested in now that he thought to be on the same page as the cambion. "Course I still want you. Sorry, you kinda just caught me off guard with that after talking and sharing feelings. Not that the sharing feelings was bad..." He smiled sheepishly. "I was not mentally prepared for the transition from vulnerable to horny to be that quick," he chuckled.
Why had Manny's smile faded like that? Noah noticed, he couldn't help but notice given how close he was. The shifter didn't push him away, even agreed, but there was a hesitation in the kiss that wasn't usually there. If they hadn't just had a whole weird conversation Noah probably would've ignored it but he couldn't seem to. Did all that shit they'd just talked about change things for Manny? Was it all fucked up now anyway because....because Noah had been too honest? Still, he kissed him for a long moment, leaned into him and the fingers in his hair to just enjoy all those different feelings for a long moment. Finally, though, unable to stop worrying about it, he broke the kiss and pulled his head back a little to look at him. "What?" He asked, quieter than he meant to then cleared his throat. "Don't you want me anymore?" Noah tried to make it sound rough, angry, but he didn't really succeed outside of a sort of brittleness to his tone that was still more vulnerable than he wanted. He stayed pressed close even as he waited for the answer. He was so stupid to have talked like he had, it always got fucked up when real emotions came out.
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The desire to atone is important to redemption arcs: this is because it's one of the features of sincere contrition.
Actual, concrete atonement is less important: this is because redemption arcs are at their core dependent on mercy, not on justice, and thus the question of whether or not complete atonement is possible is kind of a side issue.
#this is of course an intensely christian not to say catholic view of the matter#but that doesn't mean i'm not right :P
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@feanorianweek #6 Ambarussa - summer
On hot days they went to one of the many lakes around their grandfather's house.
+
@feanorianweek #6 Ambarussa - verano
En los dias calurosos andaban a uno de los muchos lagos alrededor de la casa de su abuelo.
#mis trazos#feanorianweek#feanorians#ambarussa#amrod#amras#tolkien world#silmarillion#sons of feanor and water series#yeah yeah I know tecnically there are no summers there#but lemme have this#let's not think too deeply about it or we'll start wondering about the hobbits having potatoes#which granfather? doesn't matter :P
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I've basically been gunning on teaching myself comics (with a few wrong turns 🥴) the last few years and I've been pleased at everything I've learned so far and proud of the projects I've completed! But I think I really need to accept that the way I draw is just not social media friendly 🧍♂️
#really wish i could be super cool and be like social media has no power over me#but i just feel awful every time i log in to anything#i know i'm only at a certain place in terms of technical skill#and need to really keep improving#but i always feel like no matter what fandom i'm in or what i'm drawing i'm just leagues behind everyone else#my stuff is somehow missing some key thing that has appeal#p sure my 'skill' if i have any in art is sequential storytelling and not the actual art itself tbh#doesn't mean i'm not a dumbass who's just like surprisedpikachu.jpeg every single time lmao#i think my parents going through more health scares is making me just freak out about my life actually lol gonna delete this soon enough
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Semi related to the other day's post about people calling OP a hypocrite for not wanting to kill people, it also really annoys me how often this fandom (even in corners like MegOP where OP is ostensibly one of the main characters) just disregards or does not care about how Optimus feels. Or seemingly doesn't even comprehend that OP having his own emotions/goals besides validating Megatron/whoever else he's being shipped with or interacing with. Or they think that every time OP is "mean" to someone else it's bad and awful, but when any other character does bad things it's justified because they were upset/hurt.
It's not really a commentary on character apologism or morality so much as it is annoyance that the spaces I've been around in near universally don't give a crap about how Optimus feels ever. Like, to use MegOP as an example since that's my main context of seeing Optimus content, I always see takes like this that only center Megatron's experiences/feelings while completely ignoring anything Optimus feels.
Like. TF One? It's okay for Dee to turn on Orion because he feels betrayed by him "siding with" Sentinel and Orion is such a jerk for banishing him from Iacon. But god forbid that OP might be a little upset about being dropped down a pit by his own best friend (and then said best friend immediately tries to kill him again when he comes back) and want Megatron to get the hell away from him if he's gonna be so violent.
Can't even count the number of examples in IDW1. Megatron is traumatized and oppressed so that means he can do as many crimes as he wants and hurt Optimus as much as he wants because "Optimus should've just listened to him better" never mind that OP literally did listen but no one besides dedicated IDW OP lovers ever points out that OP has a right to be pissed off at Megatron for some of the shit he did to him. People get mad at IDW OP for making Megatron give a speech denouncing the Decepticons because it's mean/controlling/anti-revolutionary or whatever (never mind that OP letting Megatron go free on a space adventure is incredibly permissive and informed by his personal bias towards Megatron) but they could care less about the fact that OP is staying on Cybertron dealing with the remaining Decepticons + shit with the neutrals and might maybe want Megatron to pull his weight deescalating the post-war situation so that Optimus has an easier time trying to manage.
It's very much a thing that heroic characters are held to higher moral standards than villains and grilled over doing similar things that villains are cheered for. But this isn't even some strictly moral thing, it's just. So fucking bizarre how ready people are to demonize Optimus because "he hurt X" or "he got in the way of Y" or "he sided with Z when he should've sided with A" but completely disregard all of the many, usually valid reasons Optimus has for doing what he did! It's all about poor woobies who suffered so much and are doing bad things because they're upset and justified from their perspective. But all of a sudden when it's Optimus, his feelings don't matter and how things look from his perspective (his goals, values, obligations, what he feels is right or wrong, the depression he often has across continuities) doesn't matter either. He did something that made someone else feel bad therefore he's the literal worst who only does things out of hypocrisy/self-righteousness.
It's not like Optimus could ever experience emotions like depression, anger, frustration, fear, loneliness, urgency, etc etc that drive him to do what he does. Optimus has no internal struggles between what he desires as a person versus what he feels is the right thing to do/what he's obligated to do. Getting sympathy for the very real hurt and struggle he experiences is just for every other character except Optimus, I guess. Swear to god the majority of the fandom doesn't actually see Optimus as a character and instead just sees him as a prop to either validate their fave or to act as a scapegoat for whatever's wrong with the plot.
#squiggposting#the way i described it in chat wrt tf one was basically like...#it doesn't really matter who you think is right or wrong (nevermind that they both have reasons to do what they did)#but if you're gonna defend one of them with the argument of 'but he felt like this from this perspective'#it naturally follows that the other is equally defensible on the basis of what he feels/perceives#but the problem is hardly anyone does it#OP's feelings p much never matter in this fandom he's only ever a satellite to what someone else wants/feels#it's how you have ppl unironically writing MOP content where OP apologizes to M for being so 'wrong'#but M never has to apologize to OP for his moral wrongdoings or the ways he deliberately tried to hurt OP
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I'm convinced that the people saying Chuuya is never anyones first option have only ever seen the horrible destruction of characters and their relationships that bones has animated.
#you literally cannot convince me otherwise#yall are anime onlys#and while thats fine in and of itself#you cant just start arguments with people who are reading the actual source material about how significant a character is#bsd#bungou stray dogs#bungo stray dogs#dont get me wrong i like bones studio animations#but everyone knows bones destroys character relationships#ESPECIALLY SOUKOKUS RELATIONSHIP#bones has yall convinced dazai doesn't matter to the ada and that he and Chuuya hate eachother#please PLEASE P L E A S E im BEGGING you to read the manga and the light novels#youll have no idea how beautiful soukoku is until you do#soukoku#bsd discourse#skk#skk 15#bsd light novels#bsd manga#bones studio#bones ruined so much#they actively changed some scenes and they mixed up the timeline soooo much#meta#bsd meta
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hi I love your tags so so much! they were so sweet and so interesting and creative and the whole Aphrodite type of beauty thing sounds really interesting do you have any articles and recommendations to read further into it??
-hogoflight
Hello my fine feathered (I am assuming possession of feathers if you are, indeed, capable of flight) @hogoflight! I'm always always happy to hear that people appreciate my frenzied rambling in the tags :D! I have a lot of articles and recommendations :D!! Ancient Greek notions of beauty and representations of it in their art and sculptures is a pretty well studied topic! There isn't any way for us now to know definitively what the beauty standard was (it varied widely from region to region and culture to culture after all) but here are a couple of my favourite reads about Aphrodite and what her representations tell us about idealised beauty!
Probably the most empirically extensive one I can list is Krönström's thesis which compares statues of Aphrodite and literary text referring to both the goddess and mortal women to determine physical ideals for women in five specific eras of Grecian antiquity. Including measurements of the statues there are many descriptions of Aphrodite as 'curvy' with a 'voluptuous figure' and with 'ample buttocks and bosom'.
"When the beauty traits are described in the texts, they are never extreme or anything that could not be found in normal people just that they are more beautiful in every aspect. Furthermore, the sculptures’ physical forms look healthy, they are tall and have distinct curves. Great examples of this are the Knida sculpture and de Milo (the Melian) sculpture."
Of course, these images are still idealised, and there was still a concept such as 'too fat' or 'too skinny' found in written records (and this thesis even includes analysis of pornographic writings and descriptions of the fashion and stylings of pubic hair of women from different regions!!) but from an interpretational standpoint? There is absolutely no reason why these can't refer to a fuller figure. Height was also a very important factor after all and over the course of many eras, it seems like being well proportioned in addition to the length and appearance of one's hair were the most important factors (and, like Apollo, greater beauty was given to those with curlier hair)
Mireille M. Lee's 'Other Ways of Seeing' essay which talks about the forgotten female viewers of Knidian Aphrodite which is also extremely illuminating on how Aphroditic sexuality and sensuality was perceived totally differently from the well documented male voyeuristic gaze (which was overly preoccupied with the statue's nakedness and therefore over-sensationalised the statue's physical appearance) vs women's perspective on the statue which is more centered on the beauty of simplicity in Aphrodite's garment and decoration and in her power and ability to captivate both in her finery and without it. I think it's especially useful in exploring the importance of finery, jewellry and adornment in representations of Aphroditic beauty.
"Some of the small-scale copies are heavily jeweled, especially those from the eastern Mediterranean, for example the Hellenistic gilded terracotta statuette in the Çanakkale Museum (Fig. 5) in which the goddess wears, in addition to the armband on her (right) arm, the following: a necklace with multiple pendants; cross-bands extending over both shoulders and hips, with a cascading pendant in the center; a coiled snake armband on the left arm and another snake on her left thigh, and a twisted anklet on her right leg. (The left leg has been restored, and might also have featured an anklet.)"
"Jewelry is especially associated with Aphrodite in Greek literature. As seen above, in the Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite, the goddess adorns herself with gold jewelry, dress-pins, and earrings in the shape of flowers (162–3)..."
Finally, and to me, the most important one in the argument for an interpretation of Hyacinthus as fat, beautiful and fundamentally Aphroditic comes from Brilmayer's brilliant brilliant thesis done on Aphrodite's work and influence in Archaic Greek Poetry which does away with all of that masculine preoccupation with physical proportion, measurement and bodily ideals for a focus on a Sapphic Aphroditic ideal centered in clothing, ornamentation and, most importantly cunning as symbols of Aphrodite and ultimately a feminine idealised form of beauty. This paper also discusses Pandora and Helen in these terms and it is just kind of a wonderful read tbh.
"Combining Homeric and Hesiodic elements with her own ideas, she [Sappho] alters the way female beauty is viewed. For example, the Homeric war chariot – a symbol of male, military prowess - comes to symbolise the totality of Aphrodite’s power uniting in itself male and female qualities. Having addressed the concept of beauty directly, Sappho then concludes that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. With the help of Helen of Troy and her beloved Anaktoria, Sappho sets out to reinvent the concept of female beauty as a godlike, subjective quality that may be expressed in many ways, yet remains inspired by Aphrodite."
The conclusion to all of this of course is that Aphroditic ideal beauty is much more fluid compared to its stricter Apolline masculine standard. The nuances and understandings of both are of course, constantly being studied, analysed and scrutinised but really, if Dionysus who was both bearded and clean shorn, effeminate, birthed and rebirthed (and twice gestated!) and strongly associated with vegetation can be popularly portrayed as fat and handsome, why can't Hyacinthus?!
#ginger rambles#ginger answers asks#Once again I do not care how it happens or who I have to pay#I don't even care how much research I have to do#All I care about is more unique portrayals of Hyacinthus#Literally that's it#I will go through every academic hoop to make that possible if that's what peeps need TRUST#No because there's a genuine conversation to be had about a Hyacinthus who is split between masculine and feminine qualities#Likewise there's a wonderful conversation to be had wrt Apollo's fluidity in terms of presentation and how it does not reflect on his gende#the way Dionysus' fluidity reflects on his#Apollo is ALWAYS masculine no matter his ornaments garments makeup or action#It doesn't matter that he has the prettiest curls or wears elaborate dresses for his kitharody and dances#or values the deep dyes of the lapis - Apollo is ALWAYS male and that cannot be concealed by any finery or garment#Aphrodite however is an ally in this measure because through her beauty bridges the gap between the mortal and the divine#And we see this constantly in the way mortal beauties are able to attract the eye of many gods and how glory and ultimately immortality#are gained from these things#After all even after their deaths or betrayals or tragedies#We still tell their stories and remember their names#And what is Apollo if not the one who recites all of these beautiful memories - what is Clio if not the one who records these histories#ANYWAY PLEASE DRAW FAT HYACINTHUS#PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE#I AM ON MY KNEES I AM BEGGING (no pressure seriously I'm being very lighthearted) BUT ALSO PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEEEE#TOGETHER WE CAN KILL THE PATROCLES/HYAPOLLO VISUAL PARALLELS WE CAN DO IT I KNOW WE CAN#ANYTHING SO THAT XANTHIAN DEVIL ARISTOS ACHAION DOESN'T GET ANY MORE PARALLELS WITH APOLLO P L E A S E#This is of course entirely because of my own biases and such there's nothing objectively wrong with comparing and paralleling#Hyapollo and Patrocles - however and I cannot stress this enough#P l e a s e#Thank you for the ask <33 Always a pleasure to provide more relatively obscure references mmhm#Hope this helps!#oh almost forgot
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I just think that if Scott is the sun then Stiles is his ever loyal moon and Lydia is his brilliant shining stars and Allison is his comforting swirling clouds
#the sun is often seen with the moon following close behind#while the stars help the moon watch over the nights#and the clouds protectively blanket them all#hey guys did you know I'm fucking in love with them#and that I'm also in love with sky imagery#you can take this as platonic or romantic or half r half p whatever it doesn't matter to me#I meant it as romantic but#as long as they're all together in one way or another#sciles#scydia#scallison#stydia#stallison#allydia#mcmartinski#mcargentski#scott x stiles x allison x lydia#really just listing everything I can think of depending on what you're looking for here#scott mccall#stiles stilinski#lydia martin#allison argent#teen wolf
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Small this morning, have a Jordiebeast.
#buddy posts#other posts#p: arson#stuffed animal#stuffed animals#allplush#safeplush#plushie#plush#jordiebeast is arson nickname#tagged w buddy and other bc idk who i am and it doesn't matter too much#uh#agere#age regression
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WIP Wednesday
Tagged by @dirty-bosmer, @nostalgic-breton-girl, and @theoneandonlysemla, thank you! I tag you all back and also @sheirukitriesfandom, and whoever wants to join. :3
A short break from Isanna and co. for a little post-Trespasser Amaryllia and Samson, enjoying their first picnic together after he showed up and started helping at the clinic, with a bonus continuation under the cut:
She rolled onto her side to nestle against him, and after a moment of surprise, he shifted his arm to cradle her. “Gettin’ cozy, huh?” he asked with a fond smile that she returned with a mischievous one. “You’re very comfortable,” she pointed out. “And it’s the perfect weather for a nap.” As if in response to her words, a soft breeze rippled through the branches above them, sending the dappled sunlight dancing across them like so many drops of gold. “Mm,” he agreed. “Can’t argue with that.” Their gazes grew serious as love welled between them, and very gently, he pressed a tender, lingering kiss to her forehead. Her eyes closed in pleasure and her lips parted slightly as she savored the feel of his own, and when her eyes fluttered open again, she breathed, “Raleigh.” “Sweet dreams, sweetheart,” he said fondly. “Sweet dreams, dear heart,” she returned with a smile. She nestled closer to him to bury her head in his chest and breathe deeply of his scent, and a wave of contentment washed over her. They might never be able to know each other as intimately as they would like, but this, she decided as she felt sleep start to take her, this was enough.
She woke feeling rested and just as content, only to be struck by a jolt of fear as she noticed someone standing over them. She blinked herself awake, and when she discerned who it was, her heart leapt with joy. “Cullen!” she cried, grinning up at him from where she still lay at Samson’s side. “Come to join us?” “What?” he asked, too taken aback to be angry, though he quickly scowled when he realized just what she had asked. “No. Absolutely not.”
#dragon age#dragon age inquisition#warden surana#raleigh samson#my writing#my oc#amaryllia#knight's star#text post#it doesn't matter what happens in veil/guard because ama will still be enjoying her retirement ; p#though i do want to know if she can have her radioactive green eyeshadow in that game...#as much as i want them to kiss and as much as they want to kiss each other there is something very beautiful about it remaining platonic#they know how they feel <3
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Highly doubt I’m the first one to point this out with seven months since act II released but. y’know the sentient terminal theory from the p-1 entry
[Start ID. An ULTRAKILL screenshot of the terminal at the end of the level 5-3: SHIP OF FOOLS. It has been tipped over on its side from the Leviathan capsizing the ship, and its Tip of the Day has been replaced with the word “Ow.” End ID]
#nothing more to say about it really. but i never noticed cause i never realized the entrance and exit are the same for this level#you will all be subjected to more ultrakill theorizing and rants by the way. i'm brainrotting over this game so much right now#i also feel like there was something in the p-2 entry about this so maybe this doesn't matter anyway but idk yet. actually refusing to spoi#this for myself for once. yippie#terminal ultrakill#ultrakill#bots#i like them actually...ai friends :]#peridots-nonsense#does?? this count as spoilers???? for p-1 i mean. i don't think i'll tag it as such cause it's been a while anyway. also it's speculation#alright gonna stop here. i have a related art piece that i finished yesterday but i've been procrastinating on posting it. hopefully should#be up tomorrow!#update got the time wrong. i thought it was sep not aug
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OCtober day 10 - personality ✨
another bachelor/ette from my [farming game that only exists in my head]! naia sucks 💜
#2024#bweirdOCtober2024#bweirdOCtober#oc-tober#day 10#art#original#my art#my ocs#chamomile#naia#(<- they/she/he)#gender is p fluid but idk the neutral term for bachelor? naia is fine w either term tho so rlly doesn't matter ig#naia also works as an apprentice tailor but doesn't rlly do any work lol? essentially just a model#smtimes they don't even show up to work >_<#they like going to the cafe and sunbathing and annoying their older brother :)#i think it'd b good to do a relationship chart for all of the bachelor/ettes mb i can use that for next year if it has a similar prompt
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thinking a lot about wildbow's early works (worm, pact) and his more recent moralistic works (ward, pale) and the sheer difference in narrative empathy
in worm and pact you have characters who do fucked up things but it feels like a lot of effort is put into understanding the people behind them and where they're coming from. rachel's dogs maul people but there's a whole Arc of taylor learning to vibe with her and befriend her and of rachel getting what she needs (a place alone with her dogs where she can let other people in at her own pace) and growing as a person. all from the angle of 'this is genuinely good for rachel and helpful'. we want her to succeed because we care about her.
in pact we see how sandra duchamp grew up, how she's just as much a victim of her family as she is someone who perpetuates that harm, and while she's an antagonist the story doesn't spoonfeed it to us--we're allowed to see her human and sympathetic moments and we're allowed to feel bad for her while also wanting her stopped.
it felt. i don't know. like the story in general respected these characters, respected the reader's ability to empathize with those characters while also knowing Murder Bad or whatever.
but then the major worm fandom interpretations shifted. you had reddit and other popular sources going on about how taylor was actually horrible and an unreliable narrator, and how the undersiders were actually ~super fucked up and evil criminals~. pact and twig were spared this for the most part by virtue of being less popular with those crowds.
and i'm not sure if the morality discourse got baked into wildbow's brain by osmosis or if he felt like he wouldn't be appeasing his fandom if he didn't address it or what.
but by ward suddenly that narrative empathy, for the most part, is missing. it becomes conditional -- the protagonist and others do not extend empathy towards others until they Properly Recognize What They've Done Wrong. any improvement, any attempt to do better isn't legitimate unless the Bad Deeds are addressed and atoned for by whatever inconsistent standards the narrative adheres to. what matters isn't riley being in a healthier place and making connections--ward thinks that we should be rooting for riley because she recognizes she messed up and is constantly making up for the atrocities she committed.
i think it's kind of reached its peak in post arc 13 pale though. every time empathy is extended it's near-always accompanied by a patronizing little reminder of "mmmm, well you did Bad Things too".
you aren't allowed to just say "well damn i sympathize with charles", for example, because the narrative constantly reminds you that actually he is Still Doing Bad and therefore you aren't allowed to feel for him. it doesn't help that the story continually one-ups itself on thinking of ways to make charles over the top evil either.
but either way it's just. bleak. in a story purportedly about community building it's shockingly uncaring. you can't just sympathize with a morally grey character or take them As They Are without the story casting judgment and constantly reminding you of their verdict. it's just exhausting and makes any positive message the story tries to send feel hollow
OBLIGATORY NOTE: this essay does not mean "actually all fallen and e88 and etc should be empathized with". what it does mean is that in a moralistic work it becomes telling when ex-nazi rune gets her own interlude and a bunch of pagetime to show how she's 'doing better' while that same courtesy isn't extended to many villains who are traumatized and might have, say, legitimate reasons to not want to be arrested or feel like they have no other option, or legitimate reason to not support the heroes, but oh. they do Crimes so actually none of that matters as long as they're still Doing Crimes.
#parahumans#wildbow#uhhh this discusses every web serial except for twig p much so general spoiler warnings ig#also keep in mind this is about characters who werent created from the get go to be pure antagonists#its fine to just have characters who are evil. sometimes people just suck#but theres a difference between that and the story going 'actually your circumstances and any nuance doesn't matter because you suck'
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[MK1] Bi-Han & Kuai Liang. Good brother? Evil brother? Nah, just different reactions to trauma, part 2
With the first part, I hopefully established that within presented worldbuilding,
A) characters being allied with the Good Side aren’t “perfectly pure” and may be involved in questionable actions,
B) the same as wishing to change prevailing traditions isn’t a sign of evilness, as tradition itself is not determinant of good and evil
C) there are little to no sources showing us that Lin Kuei benefits in any special way from its “honorable servitude” to Liu Kang and Earthrealm.
Before I will dwell more into details about Bi-Han, Kuai Liang and how Lin Kuei training affected who they are, let me established two more things:
First and foremost, we need to remember that during story mode Sub-Zero and Scorpion are affected by things outside of their control - frustration and grief respectively. So none of them are at their best (normal) mentally state.
Secondly, from on I’m gonna use words like “abuse” conventionally for Lin Kuei upbringing, not as I think their parents or teachers were abusive people on purpose but because installing in young children a traditional values is one thing and making them cold-blooded killers totally different matter and there is plenty to say - and condemn - about turning children into perfect soldiers (tools) to uphold someone’s authority or idea of a “greater good”.
The most vital question about the Sub-Zero and Scorpion is: how two brothers raised by the same parents, taught the same values and growing together in an isolated and hidden Lin Kuei clan could get such an opposite approach to tradition and authority?
As stated in the title, I do sincerely believe the conflict between Sub-Zero and Scorpion is not rooted in how morally or immorally characters they are at core, but how they deal with hardship (abuse) of being trained since childhood to be a secret weapon ensuring safety of Liu Kang’s Earthrealm and how this limited their life to one, dictated by someone’s else, purpose.
The game makes it clear the main theme of conflict between brothers is about tradition (father’s teaching), more precisely, whether Lin Kuei should follow the centuries old servitude or break with it. We could see this dispute between Kuai Liang, Tomas and Bi-Han twice, first when brothers were awaiting Liu Kang
Tomas: Were he here, Father would advise us to wait without protest. Bi-Han: But now he is gone and I am Grandmaster. Kuai Liang: His teaching did not pass with him. They should still guide us. Bi-Han: Guide us, yes. Shackle us, no.
and during the mission itself
Kuai Liang: We must honor his vision Bi-Han. Bi-Han: Vision is what he lacked. He was blind to our superiority. We settle for defending Earthrealm when we could help lead it. Tomas: Our clan doesn't govern. It serves. Bi-Han: That is our past. It won't be our future.
The conflict was already ongoing issue between brothers to the point Kuai Liang feared at some point he would need to turn against Bi-Han to take control over the clan:
Scorpion’s Bio: But Sub-Zero's unprecedented moves to cast off the Lin Kuei's traditional duties have frozen Scorpion’s enthusiasm. He fears that he may one day have to battle his brother for control of the Lin Kuei's legacy.But Sub-Zero's unprecedented moves to cast off the Lin Kuei's traditional duties have frozen Scorpion’s enthusiasm. He fears that he may one day have to battle his brother for control of the Lin Kuei's legacy.
On another hand, the story mode suggests that despite those fears, Scorpion did not really believe Sub-Zero will ultimately go so far as to abbadon Earthrealm in need.
Story Mode, Kuai Liang: I knew Bi-Han's frustrations ran deep. But I never thought they could inspire such madness. We can't let his corruption spread.
The game keeps each brother’s reasoning as vague as possible, however Kuai Liang and Tomas does not provide any constructive argument beyond honoring father’s teaching. There is no given reason why exactly Kuai Liang and Tomas think Lin Kuei should still uphold a system that objectively speaking does not benefit the clan as far as sources are concerned, yet both are very firm about respecting tradition and fulfilling their original duty they were trained for since childhood.
And so we have in story mode
Scorpion: We must chart a new course. One that both honors our Father's legacy and serves Earthrealm
or
Scorpion: "Glory? We fight for duty."
or
Tomas: We can't abandon tradition.
or
Liu Kang: As you know, Bi-Han and his Lin Kuei have abandoned their roles as Earthrealm's guardians. His brother Kuai Liang has agreed to build a new clan, the Shirai Ryu, to take its place. I must go aid his efforts.
while intro dialogues adds
Smoke: With you as grandmaster, our new clan will flourish. Scorpion: Only if we honor tradition.
or
Geras: We are both sworn to serve. Scorpion: May neither of us neglect our duties.
or
Sub-Zero: What is the point of your new clan? Scorpion: To fill the role the Lin Kuei abandoned.
As Scorpion’s Bio says “Like his cherished father, Scorpion is dedicated to the Lin Kuei and its defense of Earthrealm. “, the Earthrealm’s safety is an important matter to Kuai Liang, although whether this dedication comes from his deep sense of duty alone or he actually cares for other people is up to debate. Mainly, because the sources don’t provide an insight into his motivation beyond loyalty to cherished father, his teaching and “legacy”.
Out of three brothers, Tomas was the most sidelined character, but despite sharing with Kuai Liang a similar dedication to their father, intro dialogues at least directly address his desire to save people, so we may assume for Smoke, the duty to Earthrealm is not just matter of principle but a real care for others - something most likely tied to his survivor’s guilt / trauma after losing biological family:
Sindel: It's impossible, Smoke. We can't save everyone. Smoke: Then I'll save who I can to make up for the ones I can't.
In contrast to Kuai Liang, the sources add a lot of insight into Bi-Han’s motivation. Alongside his desire for making his clan stronger - and eventual expansion of Lin Kuei’s political-economic standing, the thirst for independence and freedom are the most frequently mentioned things and such repeated theme make it clear that for Sub-Zero the cherished by Scorpion and father’s tradition was nothing more than enslavement.
Story mode:
Kuai Liang: His teaching did not pass with him. They should still guide us. Bi-Han: Guide us, yes. Shackle us, no.
and
Shang Tsung: I know that you wish to break free of Liu Kang’s control…
Sub-Zero’s ending:
“I had broken the Lin Kuei free of Liu Kang’s enslavement. We were now masters of our destiny and could take our place among Earthrealm’s greatest nations.”[...]
Intro dialogues:
Liu Kang: You have forsaken your family. Bi-Han: To free the Lin Kuei from bondage.
and
Liu Kang: Come in from the cold, Bi-Han. Bi-Han: And again kneel before you?
and
Havik: You let yourself be Liu Kang’s slave. Kuai Liang: An opinion shared by my brother.
or
Sub-Zero: I've gained the Lin Kuei's freedom. Smoke: You've only earned them infamy.
(the screenshots can be found here)
This visible difference between brothers gives us the first clue to understand the motives behind their choices and what kind of people they are.
Whatever Kuai Liang experienced as a child, he fully embraced father’s authority and build his life around the duty to Earthrealm - to the point he never wished to be anything else than Lin Kuei
Raiden: Did you ever want to be an Earthrealm champion? Scorpion: I have only ever wanted to be Lin Kuei.
even if he clearly does not enjoy the fighting the way Bi-Han does
Sub-Zero (Scorpion and Smoke): You're both unharmed? Scorpion: We are, brother. Sub-Zero: Good. After years of idleness, it pleases me to again face kombat. Scorpion: I will be pleased when we complete our mission.
and actually may not like kombat that much in general
Scorpion: As Time’s Keeper, you could have abolished kombat. Liu Kang: Even a Titan’s power has limits.
Mind you, a timeline in which fighting is abolished is a world where there is no need for Lin Kuei, as the clan's purpose is tightly tied to kombat. What gives an interesting detail about Scorpion and his dedication to duty, even at the cost of his own comfort.
In contrast, Bi-Han questions everything
the purpose of Lin Kuei
Sub-Zero’s BIO: As the Lin Kuei's Grandmaster, Sub-Zero leads his ancient warrior clan in defense of Earthrealm from external threats. For centuries, it has been their solemn task. But Earthrealm hasn't been threatened in generations, and Sub-Zero see no point in limiting his clan to preparing for dangers that may never come. Under his leadership, the Lin Kuei will come out of the shadows and fight for its place as one of Earthrealm's great nations.
the authority and wisdom of father
Story mode: Vision is what [father] lacked. He was blind to our superiority. We settle for defending Earthrealm when we could help lead it.
and
Scorpion: Father would be ashamed of you. Sub-Zero: Only because he lacked vision.
and
Sindel: I knew your father. He was a great man. Sub-Zero: Yet he never understood the Lin Kuei's potential.
and
Sub-Zero: My father was a fool to follow you. Liu Kang: He wisely honored Earthrealm with his service.
the authority of Liu Kang
Sub-Zero: Earthrealm isn't yours to rule. Liu Kang: Nor has it ever been, Bi-Han!
and
Sub-Zero: I don't recognize your creator's authority. Geras: Denying facts makes them no less real.
and
Kenshi: Why do you so resent Liu Kang’s authority? Sub-Zero: Give it time. You will understand.
This leads me to see Kuai Liang as a believer (follower of Liu Kang and father’s authority) that wants to uphold the status quo because it was so drilled into him and/or without Lin Kuei he has no purpose or identity to cling to, while Bi-Han is the man questioning the system and purpose imposed on him. A purpose that without an external threat could turn out to be a wasted life.
That Sub-Zero question authority is nothing surprising, as all major cryomancers have a rocky relationship with it, including previous timelines Kuai Liang. From in-universe perspective, this could be a reason why Liu Kang on purpose changed Kuai Liang into pyromancer, as I believe that cryomancer Kuai Liang would be much more supportive of Bi-Han’s independence streak than his fire counterpart is.
This is solely a ground on which in next part(s) I’m gonna exploit more all the nuances between brothers and from where comes their different approach to tradition, authority and their duties.
#mortal kombat#bi han#sub zero#kuai liang#scorpion#tomas vrbada#smoke#as the text grows longer i decided to cut it down in smaller parts both to make it easier to read and to focus on individual matters#but also to not keep everyone wait too long#sorry for that!#i know this part doesn't sound like any big discovery but i needed to lay the ground on which my take on lin kuei bros is build#hopefully the future parts will be more interesting :P
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The Keatons + name meanings
#family ties#family ties gifs#alex p keaton#apk#elyse keaton#steven keaton#mallory keaton#andrew keaton#debated on whether or not to put ''Alexander'' on Alex's but you know what? we don't know for sure his given name IS Alexander#he is literally only referred to as Alexander once in the entire series by Mal in the IQ episode where she scores higher than him#and the way it's played for laughs coupled with Alex's absolutely bewildered reaction makes me sort of discount it#Steven and Elyse might have simply named him ''Alex''#one of those ''no it's not short for anything; that's his entire name'' situations. i can see them doing that#anyway it doesn't matter since the name meaning is the same either way#but that's why everyone else gets their complete names rather than their nicknames and Alex stays as Alex lol#also: poor mallory
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thursday quest - no physical therapy today - make and eat lunch sooooo early but i can do it!!!!! - get ready for wedding - attend wedding! yay! (: - decompress well when i get home <3
#its thursday quest#god i'm so anxious about it autism style. so many uncertainties that i simply cannot account for alone. but i'm being sooo 'brave' about it#(keeping it to myself. except for posting about it)#taxi company hasn't texted me the drivers' details yet and i emailed them to be like ummmm your policy is to pay before the day#would you like to email me the payment details so i can do that? and they were like 'we'll send the driver details soon' ummmm#there isn't much soon left!!!!!!! it's happening tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!#they're probably just not Organised™ in the way i prefer to be. which is objectively fine it's just challenging for me personally.#i do not think it's Bad but!!!!! i've never taken a taxi before <- guy who Is Scared Of Taxis Specifically but has to face#their fears because they're disabled and have no other choice.#worst case i am down the money and no-one arrives to take me home i guess :P but it'll be afternoon AND my family are there so#in theory i could just get a lift home even though that would mess up other people's plans sooooo bad. UNLESS they have already drunk uhhhh#in which case i guess i'd just ask for help calling a taxi to the place. plany of people who can do such things easily (unlike me)#it'll be fine!!! i can ask my siblings if need be bc they are so niceys and will not get mad at me for being autistic o7#My other worry is being too hot and being in a rush getting ready bc i have to eat a proper meal due to the symptoms syndromes#and we are leaving when my lunch usually is so that's a whole thing. which ALSO doesn't matter and I can do! it's just hard!#where is that post that's like 'managed mental illness can look like absence of mental illness 😅'. NOT saying being autistic is mental#illness i am saying that the specific extreme anxiety i have is for me linked to autistic issues with 'the unknown' and boy. does this#social situation also have a lot of unknown.#BUT I CAN DO IT! and dare i say even have a nice time!!!!! it's just i get so so scared beforehand but i will not express it in a way that#impacts or inconveniences anyone else!!! i can handle it by myself at my house and it'll be fine
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