#she just does not show things like kindness traditionally if that any of that even makes sense

[tellie-vision-art]

I’m gonna be honest I lowkey want to draw Axel or maybe her with Priya but I don’t normally draw fanart and I am scared 😭

And also I would hate if people followed me explicitly for that BC I don’t normally draw fanart and I know it would be disappointing to see my OCs all the time. Like would any attention I receive from it be worth it if no one’s interested in my actual art rather than just the characters in it. Like there’s no demand for my art would anyone who follows me even care if I drew fanart 😭 it’s a double-edged sword

And like interacting with fandoms always ends poorly for me (Scream Queens bc harassment, Squid Game bc lots of gross people) what if I draw it and post it and the TD fandom gets ruined for me too somehow, I would die 😩 I fear interaction outside my target audience (followers and my friends) I suppose

[melonsharks]

MORE TRANSFEM DIPPER!!! SHE IS MY LIFEBLOOD 😭😭😭😭😭

(ur art style is so nice btw)

dipper pines and the art of repression

notes below the cut for funsies haha.

its kind of interesting to me to watch gravity falls with the lens of transfem dipper because when you watch it like that, its like. shes trying SO hard to push it down. it kind of reads like shes trying to convince not just everybody else, but HERSELF that shes a boy. like the idea that anybody could even think shes a girl is terrifying to her (this kid really does read as trans in any direction LMFAO i love dipper) but like. why transfem? right… full hc territory here, please be nice to me.

-she doesn’t like her deadname (its traditionally a masculine name, as far as i know 😭) so she goes by the nickname that as given to her because of her birthmark…

-she gets made fun of OFTEN for not being manly enough even throughout the show and so she associates femininity with Bad Thing To Be. so she CANT be a girl because being a girl would be a BAD THING FOR HER TO BE. shes 12 years old yk so like. this deep, deeeep repression sets in.

and so:

-she overcompensates. shes not just going to be manly, but shes going to be SO manly that nobody is going to make fun of her for it again. sometimes to the point where she feels like she cant even really be herself.

i feel like she doesn’t even really realize it in canon,,, its probably post-canon. but the realization would hit her SO hard. like a truck. and it would be so scary at first but then its not, then she feels Right and it feels GOOD and shes so happy and her family would love her and accept her so much and whatever WHATEVERRRR.

anyways, i was just rewatching gf and this was really making the rounds in my head the more i watched, because its kind of how i experienced being trans myself (and im transmasc so LOL) like. just repressing the thing i thought was bad and overcompensating like crazy, until i realized… that its not a bad thing to be. other people making you feel bad about it doesnt MEAN its bad. and then that realization that your identity not being what you thought it was doesn’t mean you change as a person. you’ve always just been you. but it feels better. it feels real.

[pumpkinpaix]

You have questions! We might have answers.

What is this collection?

As Maria puts it: this collection is a critical look at some of the things that we, the editors, think have made CQL such a hit around the world. Of course, part of that success comes from the webnovel MDZS and the show CQL themselves—we love the characters, the mystery, and the drama, who doesn’t?! However, the authors in our book also look at topics like translating danmei (both officially and unofficially), adapting danmei for new audiences, and interacting with fandoms and fanworks. The larger argument of the book is that all of these things played a huge role in CQL’s visibility and success, and we wanted to start making those moving pieces visible, especially for audiences who mainly watched CQL in translation.

You keep using the word “academic”—what does that mean, exactly? 

Maria: Ok, not to get pedantic here, but this actually touches on some things that I’m really excited about for the book. Traditionally, academic work is written by people who have a deep expertise in the subject (signified by having a PhD and doing specific kinds of research), and then the work itself is peer-reviewed (i.e., sent to other experts in the field for them to evaluate whether it’s sound, original, and interesting enough to publish, without knowing who wrote it). And both of these things are true about our book—our authors have deep knowledge and the book was peer reviewed—but also. We specifically asked for chapters from younger scholars and from fans who also have deep knowledge about topics that academia doesn’t always know or value enough, and we include an interview from the fan-translator K. who did the Exiled Rebels translation. So the hope is that: this book is academic, and also—more!

Who are you? 

Yue studies adaptation, fantasy, and popular culture texts using a feminist lens. She wrote an early, influential article about danmei adaptations and also has a book about feminist adaptations of Chinese fantasy.

Maria studies fanworks, contemporary fantasy, and genre literature. She’s scrambling to finish her dissertation right now.

How were the chapter spotlights chosen?

Voluntarily! The concept of a small social media promo was kicked around by some of the contributors and those interested in the idea filled out a short interview with what they wanted to share. We'll be posting about 2 introductions and 2 spotlights a day for the next week or so!

Who's running this social media campaign anyway?

Not the publishers! A few enthusiastic collection contributors got together and, with the assistance of the editors, have put this promotion together. We do not in any way represent Peter Lang in an official capacity! We just worked hard and wanted to share. :)

Are you making any money off of royalties from this book? 

LOL not even remotely

What about this promotion?

also no. alas

Where can I find this book? 

You can find our listing on Peter Lang’s website here. As for other retailers, a quick search should turn us up!  

How can I access this book if I cannot buy it from Peter Lang / [book retailer of choice]?

As collection editors and contributors who signed a legal agreement with Peter Lang, we have granted Peter Lang exclusive right and license to edit, adapt, publish, reproduce, distribute, display, and store our contributions, and we must cooperate fully with the Publisher if the Publisher believes a third party is infringing or is likely to infringe copyright in the contribution. 

That being said, these are academic papers, which means that contributors may make copies of the contribution for classroom teaching use! (These copies may not be included in course pack material for onward sale by libraries and institutions). Of course, any linking, collection or aggregation of chapters from the same volume is strictly prohibited.

(FAQ may be updated periodically!) (all posts on Catching Chen Qing Ling)

[fordlee]

Trans woman!Stan who comes out to Ford when they're out at sea. She finally feels comfortable enough to stop denying who she is, and she trusts her brother enough to accept her. And he does. He loves her. No matter what form she takes, he'll always love his twin.

She keeps her name. To her, Stan is not a guy's name so much as it's one half of a name she shares with her brother. It's special. It's theirs. And it's something she never wants to change.

Ford's incredibly supportive. In fact, he's the one who pushes her to try indulging in more traditionally feminine things. And Stan likes trying out girly stuff, don't get her wrong. She's just more of a sitting around in a tank top and boxers while drinking beer kind of gal.

Even still, Ford gets advice on painting nails from Mabel, and Stan chooses a tasteful black nail polish. Stan grows her hair out, and Ford always offers to help brush it out. He learns to do her hair up in pretty braids. One time after they make port, Stan swipes some nautical-themed earrings from, ironically, a tourist trap. When they get back to the boat, Ford uses a sterilized needle to pierce her ears like they're a couple of teenagers.

One night, when they're both a little buzzed and hitting up a town they're staying in, Ford dares Stan to purchase a dress from a nearby shop. For safety reasons, Stan feels like she has to present masculinely in public and says there's no way. So, of course, being the loving brother he is, Ford buys it for her. Stan rolls her eyes and shakes her head at the gesture, but the smile on her face says everything.

Back on the Stan O' War II, they drink long into the night, talking and laughing together. At some point, Ford remembers the dress and insists Stan try it on. Stan is hesitant, but stumbles to her and Ford's shared room to try it on.

After a long while, Ford gets antsy and gets up to check on Stanley. What Ford finds is his sister, stuck with her dress halfway on, fabric tight against her body as she struggles to grab at the zipper on the back. Of course, she'd be too stubborn to ask. Ford stays in the doorway for a moment, taking in her half-naked state. Then, he approaches. The sound of his footfalls nearly make Stan jump.

"Whoa, Pointdexter, little privacy?" She slurs out.

"Let me help you," Ford replies.

"Whuh?"

Ford is less drunk - purposefully, of course. He wouldn't be able to help his sister properly if he were too intoxicated. But, Stan knows he's been drinking, so any possible repercussions could be blamed on the alcohol.

It's easy to turn her around and pull up the offending zipper. The dress is snug around Stanley, but in all the right places. Her chest, her stomach, and it showed off her thighs so well. Stanley exhales in wonder, looking down on herself. Her smile is contagious and Ford can't help but return her grin.

"How do you feel?" He asks, taking her hands in his.

She laughs. "Pretty- pretty great, I'm not gonna lie. I feel... I feel nice. Like, like I'm-"

"Beautiful?"

Stanley practically glows under Ford's praise. But she turns away, her smile bashful.

She tries to wave him off. "Ah, you're jus' sayin' that."

"I mean it, Stan," Ford pulls her into an embrace. "You're beautiful."

His hands roam down from her back, down to her sides.

Stan gasps. "What're ya-?"

He gropes her stomach through the tight fabric. Ford can feel her take a step away, and he grabs at her thighs with both hands and pulls her back, their clothed crotches pressed against one another. Another hitch of her breath. He can feel that she's excited. He can feel that she wants it.

Stan's face is so red, and she looks perfect. She always looks perfect. She is perfect.

One hand holds Stan at the waist, another palms at her chest. Ford presses kisses to her lips, her jaw, her cheeks, her neck, all drawing whines from her throat.

"You're beautiful," he tells her between kisses.

The hand clutching Stan's waist descends lower, past her hips, under the hem of her dress. Stan opens her legs wider for him.

"I love you," Ford confesses. "My beautiful, beautiful sister."

[amourrs]

Some sick!reader + Ellie headcanons I've been thinking about for you Ani <3

• You aren't too sure if it's a coincidence or Ellie is really just That girlfriend, but when you're feeling unwell, all her plans get cancelled out of the blue for her to lay on the bed next to you on her phone quietly glancing towards you from time to time to make sure you're happily enjoying the drink she fixed for you.

• She also goes above and beyond to distract you from the pain,- physical or mental; and probably talks to you to a point where you have to attack her with kisses all over her face for her to stop infodumping for a second and just enjoy the show y'all are watching

• Back rubs.. belly rubs.. arm caresses.. temple kisses.. small pecks.. knuckle kisses.. and boob holding for comfort??? Ellie-

• If you start to feel better by the evening, she tells you not to frown about the missed date and hand crafts a blanket fort "Girls night" as she likes to ironically call it and laugh about it(I'm a sucker for Ellie being traditionally girly dont look at me) She basically makes you watch old movies, does your hair and lets you paint her nails.

you don’t understand how happy this ask made me like omg. 18+ only due to suggestive content under the cut! expansion below (also featuring a couple of sneaky ai audios right at the end…) cw for vomit.

this is so cute i’m gonna cry you just understand all my daydreams!!! she’s so gf i love her… btw it’s canon that cups of watery, kind of awful tea ABOUND in your household when you’re sick and you don’t have the heart to tell ellie they’re bad. she’s looking at you and prompting you with her eyes to take a sip and you have to conceal your wince as you do it. “it’s good tea, right? dunno if i left the teabag in for long enough… google said two minutes. was that right? it’s good, right???” you wait for her to stop but she just keeps rambling and you feel so bad for her that you just have to nod along and swallow down the tea 😭😭

the infodumping… god, the infodumping. you’re just trying to focus on a show through your thumping headache as ellie drones “honestly, i think taissa did do it to allie on purpose, even if she doesn’t realise it-” until it gets to the point where you thwack her with a pillow and she pouts at you before pecking your forehead with her lips and snuggling down next to you.

also i see your boob holding and raise you tit sucking… because yes you’re sick but, well, ellie’s still ellie, and so of course she still wants to do horny things. she’d spring it on you right as you’re waking up from your mid morning nap, eyes all soft as she looks down at you all curled up in the little cosy nest of blankets she meticulously arranged for you.

“hey baby. you just wake up? i can make you another cup of tea if you want,” ellie offers happily. she must see the slightly apprehensive look on your face because her eyebrow crooks up as she continues: “or, well… i was thinking… what if i, like, sucked your tits? just a little? think it might help ease some of the aching… after all, my mouth is kinda magical, if i do say so myself.” you’re unable to contain your splutter at the terrible joke. ellie grins and keeps pushing it. “in fact, this might be a miracle cure!” she says with all the drama of someone announcing they discovered a new planet in the solar system. “you might never get sick again!” comes her next line, hands gesticulating wildly in the air as your chest begins shaking with unbridled giggles.

a fake depressive look turns your girlfriend’s lips down as she dramatically sweeps a hand across her forehead. “okay, maybe that’s a bit far… stop laughing at me. you’re gonna make yourself throw up again,” she teases, except you both seem to realise at the same moment that her last statement was probably true. your eyes lock as ellie dives for the sick bucket and you do in fact puke, her calloused hands holding back your hair from your face <3

as for girl’s night- i feel like she would probably make you a little mocktail because even though you’re not well enough to be drinking, cranberry juice is really good for you and lemonade is almost one of your five a day if you really think about it… and “mint’s basically a vegetable. like, it’s green enough, right?” when you’re forced to take the opposing side on the is-mint-really-a-vegetable debate she acts like you’ve just hit her with a hammer and insists on calling jesse to settle the matter.

“ok, i need your help with a super important decision,” ellie says, a stern expression on her face. the way her eyebrows are wrinkled in the middle looks extra cute, you think, and lean forward to kiss her. instead you’re met with a hand to the sternum and an angry glare. “damn. okay, important decision,” you agree, eyes lifting to hers in curiosity. your girlfriend sucks in a deep breath and you brace yourself… “should i paint my toenails green or pink?” ellie asks innocently. you feel like thumping her- why do i ever take her seriously?? you think, heart slowing back to its normal pace as you throw her a dirty side eye.

“wait, actually… that yellow looks kind of cool-” you cut her off with a thump to the head with your pillow. “OW!” comes her pained response, your lips tilting up into a smug smile as ellie shoots you a look of pure betrayal. “ok… OK!” THUMP! “i get it! no yellow…” the pillow lifts again as if to drive your point home for a final time and… THUMP! “ow! fuck! wait, why is your pillow so fucking solid?”

+ as promised, the ai audios… as i mentioned on my blog before, my bot isn’t anywhere near perfect yet so please excuse if these happen to sound a little funky!

[naetaesarya]

i remember there was some discourse on how the reaction of the books and the ending was the reason grrm hasn’t released the books specifically suggesting that it’s daenerys ending and her “mad queen” arc but i think it’s because grrm is returning to the original outline with its major house stark points being an antithesis to the faux feminist show ending (sansa’s death, tension between jon and bran, incest between jon and arya)

Hi anon!! This will be a bit of a long long answer :) :) :) Happy Halloween!

From my foggy hazy addled memory, GRRM was having issues releasing Winds years before season 8 bombed and exploded its viscera everywhere. We'll have that goo staining the carpet for years :( GRRM seemed to believe the books would end roughly in the same place as the show... until after seeing season 8 whereupon he was like... well...

You know I had a lot of input in the beginning of Game of Thrones, partly cause I had these books out there. But at a certain point, as the show went on, I found I had less and less influence, until by the end, I really didn't even know what, what was going on. Some of these things I watched like everybody else and and, "oh...okay..." That's...

Source

Yeah.

I think it's also very important to consider what kind of messaging would a mad queen Dany send?

Dany is one of GRRM's lead female characters and she has existed as the protagonist of her own narrative since the very beginning. She defies a number of feminine conventions and is anything but a passive support sidekick character. As GRRM said, Daenerys can do anything, she can literally make up the magic as she goes. When Dany loses her husband and her child, as well as her position as Khal Drago's khaleesi, she creates and leads her own khalasar made up of misfits. Upon her brother's death, Dany is now responsible for returning the Iron Throne to her family's dynasty and what is traditionally a male's job becomes Dany's job. As such, Dany gathers forces, commands armies, plans battles, and at only 16, she is a leader and queen in her own right. This small and formerly timid 16-year old girl is now the most powerful person in this world.

When GRRM conceived this story in the late 80s-early 90s, action-oriented girls who defied convention and were the central focus of their own narratives didn't really happen. That's why shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer hit that special kind of nerve in the 90s, became so influential in the decades when ASOIAF was being published, and had a lasting influence on media since. Writer and producer Bryan Fuller remarks:

"Buffy showed that young women could be in situations that were both fantastic and relatable, and instead of shunting women off to the side, it puts them at the center."

Source

GRRM does just that with Dany and Arya -- Dany and Arya are active participants in the centers of relatable situations with fantastical elements. Of Arya, GRRM says:

I can’t say there’s any one specific model [for Arya], but a lot of the women I’ve known over the years have had aspects of Arya with them. Especially some of the women I knew when I was a young man back in the ’60s and ’70s, you know — the decade of the sexual revolution and the feminist movement. I knew a lot of young women who weren’t buying into the, “Oh, I have to find a husband and be a housewife.”

Source

It's a reference to a certain physical type, and a certain indication of what Jon finds admirable. It's like someone who reminds you of, you know... Other people might be put off by this, you know, hair that looks like small rodents have been living in there. It doesn't put him off because he is used to that.

Source

Jon is endeared to Ygritte because she reminds him of Arya, a character who GRRM patterned after the real world women he knew coming up amidst second-wave feminism. As Arya wants options outside of typical gendered choices for highborn ladies, Dany is also kind of thrust into this sudden and pretty unconventional role. She emerges from the inferno unburned with three baby dragons and what's left of the khalasar after it has been deserted.

Arya and Dany are both thrust down unconventional paths as they navigate their environments and who they are in relation to those environments. Dany continues to explore her sexuality with Irri and later, Daario. She works hard to turn away from any dark inclinations (inclinations which all of our characters experience) and the last thing she wants to be is like her father.

What would it say if GRRM took this figure and made her "mad" or filled her with homicidal rage and hate, especially at a time when proactive action girls are not a commonality but so rare. What would that be saying? What idea of GRRM's would this be supporting?

I also struggle with Dany being mad in the books because while D&D ascribed credit for King Bran, burning Shireen, Hodor's origins to GRRM, and even shades of Jon/Dany, that definitely didn't happen with Mad Dany. While much of season 8 is divisive, what I'm gleaning is that Dany's turn was among the most controversial -- if not the most controversial -- element. Wouldn't D&D let GRRM shoulder some of that blame if it was a GRRM thing?

My own feeling is that D&D tried to recreate the Red Wedding with Mad Dany -- ambush audience with big surprise twist (whoops, Dany's been triggered by bells) and then shock, shock, shock, tragedy, and look at that artful blood.

but i think it’s because grrm is returning to the original outline with its major house stark points being an antithesis to the faux feminist show ending (sansa’s death, tension between jon and bran, incest between jon and arya)

Yeah, I think that outline is still relevant. I think there will be a succession crisis of sorts among the remaining Starks: a Littlefinger-backed and sponsored direwolfless Sansa; a Manderly-backed Rickon; a will and/or Stannis-supported Jon, and the heir whom Robb believed dead -- Bran Stark. Then there's Arya who:

is currently believed to be the Lady of Winterfell;

identity was used by the Boltons as the "key to the North"';

and is "the Ned's girl" for whom the mountains clans fight:

Even prisoners have ears, and she had heard all the talk at Deepwood Motte, when King Stannis and his captains were debating this march. Ser Justin had opposed it from the start, along with many of the knights and lords who had come with Stannis from the south. But the wolves insisted; Roose Bolton could not be suffered to hold Winterfell, and the Ned's girl must be rescued from the clutches of his bastard. So said Morgan Liddle, Brandon Norrey, Big Bucket Wull, the Flints, even the She-Bear.

(The King's Prize, ADWD)

I think Arya would choose Jon if forced to choose. There was a bitter rift between Bran and Jon in the original outline and that could manifest in the remaining story as well, perhaps over Winterfell or something at the Wall.

What did GRRM say about happy families 😭

[cobalt-canary]

A Dissection of Episode 6's Shared Bed Scene

Generally how this trope plays out:

The lesbian character with a seemingly unreciprocated crush actively tries to cuddle at best and do actual sexual things at worst with said crush before bed

When they wake up, the lesbian character has touched their crush in their sleep, resulting in very sexual and compromising positions ranging from very close cuddling where their bodies have no distance between them to full on groping

The lesbian character is depicted as very perverted, depraved, and forceful in the entire trope & they're only thinking about sexual advances

The crush slaps or physically retaliates in some kind of way

How the trope plays out in episode 6 of I'm in Love with the Villainess:

Rae jokes about them cuddling, but doesn't try to physically act upon it. She even tries to keep Raelaire on her side of the bed, further supporting the idea Rae is not serious about her advancement.

When they wake up, Rae has touched Claire, but their bodies are still at a respectful distance and she's just holding Claire's hand. Said hand holding most likely occurred after Rae woke up and saw Claire crying and was trying to comfort Claire in a respectful way after drying Claire's tears.

Rae is actually very respectful with her actions, despite what she said initially.

Claire still slaps Rae as a result because she's still surprised by this action and doesn't have the context of what she was doing in her sleep so she doesn't know what Rae's intentions actually were

I think this scene really sums up a facet of Rae's character: her facade vs her true character.

In almost any other anime with that 1 lesbian character with a seemingly unreciprocated crush, the lesbian character would be depicted as a depraved pervert trying to constantly physically force herself on the target of her affection.

And yes Rae does appear to be that on the surface with her constant flirting and teasing, but her actions show that she very much doesn't fall into that stereotype. It's a facade of hers, she's genre aware enough to know what role she's expected to play, but can't actually go through with it because she loves and respects Claire too much to do so.

The set up and the punchline remains very similar which helps create the facade of following the tropes traditionally, but the actual execution of said trope shows the true characterizations.

It's just very interesting to me that the writer of this series is very aware of certain tropes in the Yuri genre + how the LGBTQIA+ is depicted in Japan, gives a very similar set up to some of the more problematic tropes, and then subverts them in a much more respectful and realistic manner creating much deeper and complex characters.

And yes a light novel reader I know there's more stuff like this coming too :) .

[ro-rogue]

can i just talk about unordinary and feminism for a sec?

many fantasy works attempt to position themselves as feminist; they show female characters who can fight better than the guys, who are rough around the edges and not like other girls. they often have a male character who is misogynistic, and who gets his ass handed to him by the female character. uno takes another direction: it does not even address sexism at all, in any way, shape or form, and that makes it much more feminist than these kind of works. (that is not to say that there are no other fantasy works that are highly and effectively feminist, of course; this is simply a generalization based on a frequent observation.)

the world of uno is so unique because even now, over three hundred episodes later, we have yet to see a character be in any way sexist. john calls a few girls a bitch, but he seems to use it only as the female version of 'fucker' or 'asshole'. never does he look down on girls simply for being girls. (he looks down on them for existing as a participating member of their society, though.)

on top of that, the way in which the female characters are written is really really great. many authors struggle with writing characters of the opposite gender, but uru-chan clearly does not suffer from that ailment. she writes her female characters like she writes her male characters: that is to say, diverse and different, with distinct personalities, and more or less feminine or masculine without it taking away from the depth of their personalities. their gender is simply another aspect of their character, that does not take away but instead adds to it. at no point are characters stereotyped, and any lack of character depth is due to them not having enough screentime. (the notable exception to this is, of course, zeke.) sera likes shopping and boba and pig-themed games. remi is kind and wears a bow in her hair and her naivety is unique to her and no other female character. elaine had a crush on arlo but got over it after he treated her badly one time too often. cecile is scheming and cunning and she plays the game of the hierarchy well. there are female characters with traditionally 'bad' feminine traits, whose flaws are discussed not in the context of them being women but them being people with unique and distinctive experiences. remi, for example, is naive not because she's a girl but because of the way she was raised, the people she's interacted with, and the experiences she's had. her brother was just as much of an idealist and also believed in the good of the people around him, until he saw proof of the opposite. and furthermore, women never put down other women for being 'too feminine' or anything like that.

moreover, uno does not attempt to position women as either better or worse than men. girls fight just like guys; the male characters have no problem fighting a girl just because she is a girl, and they don't hesitate to hurt them the way they would hurt a guy. to be honest, i really struggled with this when i first started reading uno: i felt as if it was morally wrong for john and arlo to fight girls like that. i have since come to the realization that that view is inherently misogynistic, as i did not have such problems with them fighting guys. uno really portrays women in the most feminist way possible: as truly, fully equal to men, with no caveats, no exceptions, no special treatment.

the casualness with which uno depicts men and women being completely equal in society is quite possibly the most feminist thing it could've done, as a webcomic about superpowered teenagers fighting against terrorists and the evil government.

[goldentriowins]

hi. thoughts on transfem harry. also thoughts on how you think romionarry got together. me personally they all were extremely codependent to the point that one day they just woke up beside eachother and was like “yeah i cant live without any of you” and thats how they “got together”

Hi! Tysm for the ask! ❤️

I have a LOT of thoughts on transfem Harry.

Overall I love it. I personally headcanon him as bigender: sometimes a guy, sometimes a girl, but also sometimes he’s just Harry. he/they/she pronouns in different orders depending on the day.

Harry sometimes describes really overly feminine stuff (Umbridge’s office, the coffee shop he and Cho go to, Valentine’s Day in 2nd year…) in the books as kinda gross or off-putting and I don’t think he’s exactly lying but it reads to me as a boy who secretly likes it and is like, compensating for it in his head by acting like he doesn’t. lol. Not that liking feminine stuff makes someone transfem, but I think if it weren’t the 90s and if Harry wasn’t so easily embarrassed/defensive/etc he would really like some traditionally feminine stuff and that’s kinda part of it.

In a writing sense Harry is also fun because he encompasses a few archetypes that aren’t typical for male protagonists, like the “princess trope.” Best way I can summarize it is that he’s this Cinderella-like character who helps take care of the house and is mistreated by his family, only to be taken away to the “ball” (Hogwarts) by his “fairy godmother” (Hagrid). I would also personally argue that Ron & Hermione are his “prince” (the people he loves, who love him, and who make him want to stay in the Wizarding World more than anything). There’s a really good essay written about this I’ll try to find…

Also in a writing sense Harry isn’t the typical “big, strong, warrior male” type that a lot of guy characters in media are. In fact, not only is he not big and muscular, but he’s repeatedly described as very small (especially 1st-4th year) with beautiful eyes and (in the 7th book) has hair down to his shoulders. He encompasses a perfect mixture of his parents: intelligent, fiery, a bit impulsive, but ultimately defined by his love and kindness. Even his Patronus plays with this a little bit. For male protagonists in other media you might expect it to be a lion (like Gryffindor) or something powerful like that. Instead, it’s a stag. Representative of his father but also of a gentle, graceful, kind demeanor. Stags are definitely powerful and can be associated with masculinity but a deer in general is often more associated with femininity in media I would say. Overall very fem coded in these ways and taking that further can be really interesting and fun.

I think Harry would feel uncomfortable being placed into a box, but I also think he wouldn’t be able to find the words for it. Maybe when he’s a bit older and cares less what people think he’d do a lot more experimenting. I feel like as a young kid he was probably caught trying on Petunia’s makeup or something, was told off for it, and internalized that.

Generally in my art I like to give Harry more feminine features/clothes/roles so that will show up a lot, lol!

As for romionarry getting together, I think it’s the slowest of slow burns. The entire series is just a massive slow burn for romionarry to me /hj.

Over time their feelings for one another mature and change. The amount of physical affection they give starts to increase, and I think Hermione is the one who initiates it most, but Ron does it unconsciously a lot. And eventually they get to the point where Harry is starting to be comfortable initiating it and that marks when they are basically together but not aware of it even though everyone around them definitely knows.

Things just sort of become more intense over time and they really are one another’s soulmates— they would even say that but they’d still think it’s platonic even though they’re living together and sleeping in one another’s beds and doing small intimate things like playing with one another’s hair.

They wouldn’t have the words for it for a LONG time. They start kissing and suddenly it feels like it’s not platonic anymore but no, how could they possibly all be going out…??

I agree with what you said, also. They’re so codependent and they each think “I can’t live without them” and they swear they won’t.

I honestly think that either 1.) one of them would take the leap calling them girlfriend/boyfriend/partner and the others wouldn’t correct them and suddenly it’s official or 2.) someone else would bring it up, tell them that YES it’s possible for them all to date, and they’d be like “… sooo I guess we ARE, then??” and it’s official.

[hislittleraincloud]

Fandom fic thoughts no one asked for:

I am highly, highly against Wednesday having any dialogue in which she speaks like her parents to her loved ones, i.e. all of that "Mon cher!" garbage towards Enid. It's cringey:

1. It's traditionally romantic and excessively cheesy, and [Ortega's] Wednesday is not. She just isn't, and y'all should know better. ETA: In regards to love, her parents are like Pepe Le Pew and a willing/enamored skunk (I forget if Pepe ever found his equal, but I do remember the girl cat got 🧠 'ed into behaving like Pepe usually does, which gave him a taste of his own psycho stalker medicine...ah, we had some fkd up cartoons back in the day). Wednesday would be like Michigan J. Frog...animated with only one person, in private...and that's still not a guarantee that she would ever want to emulate her mother, with whom we know that there are severe issues between them. Ridiculous, exaggerated displays of affection define Gomez and Morticia. To have Wednesday behave like that would be sacrificing the one thing that keeps her from turning into a total clone of them.

She can end up wanting to have love and a partner, and even a family, but that does not change the public mask [of a narcissist], and the notion that she would be perceived exactly like her mother upsets her. Direct reasons aren't given by the show, but by how they interact, we can see that Wednesday believes that 'everything is a competition'...but it's not [Morticia's] accomplishments that she rattles off that are the problem; it's somewhere, Wednesday picked up some terrible, terrible "I'm not good enough, I will never be as good as she is" blows to her psyche. From Wednesday's POV, she believes her mother is a narcissist (her self-awareness of her own narcissism is for its own post); only a narcissist would purposefully break someone else's chances of either being equal to or surpassing their greatness, and they get envious (and ego hurt) when it happens.

(...God, now I wanna program Ortega's voice to sing the fkn frog's song 🤣💀)

2. She doesn't want to be like her parents, and that would just...make her be more like her parents. This is the most major personal growth theme in the whole of the show, and it can't be ignored, otherwise it just turns Ortega's Wednesday into a generic iteration of a 'Wednesday character'. If it were one drabble or fic, alright, that's AU, but I see it in nine out of ten Wenclair 'drabbles' (if you can call straight-on dialogue shorts drabbles...we did not, back in the day) that clog up my fyp.

3. Her parents are extremely cultured and speak those love languages/romance languages as a whole together, to each other. Enid is not that kind of cultured at all (she can't spell, has bad grammar, and is just not interested in the same things Wednesday is). Enid would think it was cute, too, and Wednesday doesn't do cute, either (ever! EVER.**).

4. Again, Wednesday doesn't want to be like her parents, and it would be unfunnily mortifying to her to speak like that in public and in front of other people, even if she were fucking Enid. In private? See #1 and 2.

5. In Afterburn: It pained me to have her let slip the Spanish to Donovan on her birthday, but I did it because it was an unintentional slip, it was in private, and it wasn't a pet name, it was a command. She is very much like her mother in bed, but she also knows that Donovan isn't as cultured as her parents, and thus, she will refrain from that "mon cher/mon amour/whatever non-English pet names" crap.

6. There are so many other things Wednesday could call Enid (or Tyler, or Xavier, or whoever the Hell's she's paired with) without becoming a clone of her mother. Resorting to Gomez and Morticia's horribly cloying phrases is not charming, it's laziness. *channeling my inner Bianca here*

7. Now this goes back to #2 and #4, but on that note: There are obvious issues between Wednesday and her mother, and sounding like her disturbs the Hell out of her (or behaving like her, which is why Wednesday's eyes just about shit themselves in different directions when Fester said that her "death stare of disapproval reminded him of her mother").

It's almost like she has a glass eye.👀 It's there bc the AI picked it up hard I guess & it affected my outputs.

There is no way in Hell, no matter how juicy-tasty Enid's furry twat is, that Wednesday would suddenly decide that she should mimic Morticia.

I know all of this is gonna piss off a whole lot of people, but I don't care. It's not Wednesdaying right to have her call anyone by the same pet names her parents use, no matter how fluffy the relationship is. She just doesn't do relationships the same way her parents do. It's far more OOC to do that than even my pairing her up with Donovan is (which needs its own reasoning, probably in a different rant).

Rant over, and y'all can keep goin', but that's not gonna make the dialogue sound any less terrible and embarrassing.

**Afterburn Wednesday does do 'cute' with Donovan in private, but it's because of the fundamental differences from N/Canon attached to her core personality, i.e. she's hypersexual and has some regression issues here and there. Even still, she has a very hard time calling him any pet names because once again for those in the back: She does not want to be like her parents or associate her love with her parents' love, even as she recognizes that she is a lot like her mother. 🤷🏽‍♂️

(Also, I just read an incorrect assumption. Morgues have blood samples. They don't keep whole ass blood bags like blood banks/hospitals do. Get that right before you write me some Yoko & Wednesday.)

[princesssarisa]

Snow White and domestic work

I have plenty of misgivings about Snow White (2025), but I do think some of the venom being hurled at it is slightly over the top.

For example, the way some people on the Internet have lost their minds over the trailer's one-second clip that shows Snow White dancing and singing "Whistle While You Work" while the dwarfs clean the house around her.

Suddenly everyone has decided that the new Snow White is nasty, lazy spoiled brat who forces the dwarfs to do the cleaning. And maybe she will be, for all I know. But maybe some people are jumping to conclusions: the clip in the trailer is barely a second long. I'm sure that in the full scene, Snow White will pitch in and do her share of the cleaning too. Secondly, it's nothing new for the dwarfs and Snow White to clean the house together. The 1955 West German film version has a long sequence where they do just that.

Obviously the Disney remake has made this change in the name of "feminism," and I can imagine it being handled in an annoying, ham-fisted way, which makes Snow White seem like an entitled brat who's unwilling to repay the dwarfs' kindness by working. But at the same time... isn't it slightly valid? Countless women are burdened by the fact that their husbands, boyfriends, or other male housemates view housework as "woman's work" and don't do their share. Statistics show that even women with full-time jobs still do most of the housework at home too. Is it really so bad for a family movie to speak out against this tradition and show male and female housemates doing their housework together?

Of course the backlash is all part of the current postmodern trend of defending traditionally feminine characters from all the detractors who label them "anti-feminist," and arguing that they really are positive, empowering role models. That's all well and good, but sometimes I think the defenses go too far – they sometimes seem to deny that there's anything outdated about these characters' portrayals, and cry "Internalized Misogyny," "Girlboss," "Not Like Other Girls," etc. any time a heroine rebels even slightly against gender conformity. Sometimes it feels as if postmodern feminism wants all women back in the kitchen.

I've written about this issue in Snow White before, but I'll do it again. Both of the above statements can be true:

(1) A heroine who cooks and cleans isn't "anti-feminist" in the least. These are essential chores, regardless of gender, and demeaning them does no good to anyone. In the case of Snow White, she doesn't just do domestic work because she's female. The dwarfs do her an immense kindness by letting her live with them, not only because she's another mouth to feed, but because she's a fugitive whom the country's evil and powerful Queen wants dead; as Grumpy points out in the Disney version, the dwarfs are risking their own safety by hiding her. It's only natural and right that she should repay them in some way, and since she has no money, the best thing she can give them is work. They dig in the mine all day, with little time to clean or cook too, so it makes sense that she should do those chores for them; it's a fair and reasonable division of labor, with the dwarfs as the breadwinners while Snow White takes care of the house, even if it is traditionally gendered. The fact that she's willing to work shows her good character, especially since she's a princess, yet humble enough to keep house for seven peasant dwarfs. And in the Disney version, cleaning and cooking are the chief skills she knows, because her stepmother has denied her a traditional royal upbringing and forced her to work as a scullery maid. Yet not only does she not let this oppression break her spirit, she turns it to her advantage by offering her domestic skills in exchange for a new home.

(2) Snow White's cleaning and cooking don't exist in a vacuum. By putting so much emphasis on the domestic work she does for the dwarfs, both the Brothers Grimm and Disney were portraying her as an ideal female by the patriarchal standards of their day. And those standards are outdated. Heroines of today shouldn't have to cook and clean to be considered role models. Nor should children be taught that cooking and cleaning are "woman's work," or that a girl who lives in a house full of men should automatically be the one who does all the housework. In a modern reimagining of Snow White, it's valid to want to downplay her domestic work, or to portray the dwarfs as helping her around the house – which they've already done in versions from as early as 1955.

[natasha-in-space]

how would the RFA + minor trio react to a punk MC?

Yoosung

Will be impressed. Yoosung is among those who won't be that surprised to learn about your love for all that is punk. He's the youngest in the group and attends university: he's definitely no stranger to alternative fashion. It is quite different from how he presents himself since he tends to stick to a more casual, soft style of clothing, partially influenced by his parents, who would often remind him of just how important it is to maintain a 'respectable' image of yourself. His parents are pretty traditional in that sense. But, he holds no ill feelings towards those who choose to express themselves differently. He actually finds it kind of admirable! He thinks it is so cool how you found your own unique sense of style and stick to it, regardless of what people think. You inspire him to try out different styles for himself every once in a while. Will go out of his way to buy you some new accessories, or a certain CD you rambled to him about the day before. It'll take him some time to figure out what actually fits your aesthetic, but once he does, prepare to be spoiled rotten.

Zen

Will be surprised. Not so much because of your punk look itself, but because it is so different from the way he pictured you in his own head. Even if you told him about your punk tastes before you first met him face to face, his eyes will still widen and his mouth will fall open a little bit once he sees you. Zen is a huge romantic, so he is a bit guilty of projecting a certain image onto you at times. He wants to be your perfect knight in shining armor, and he wants you to be his prince or princess. It's not a bad thing, though: in fact, Zen will be quick to form a huge soft spot for your edgy look. He can and will dress up to match you. It's not at all a surprise that he can rock a punk look like it's his second nature, and it is also a very fun way for him to recontextualize his teenage years in a more healthy and positive environment. If you're someone who doesn't mind being in the public eye, you two will definitely have a few fancy photoshoots, with his motorcycle in tow. With Zen at your hip, you'll hardly get any weird looks.

Jaehee

Will be puzzled. In her case, it heavily depends on when she'll first learn about you being punk. Telling her about this early on will cause her to be a bit taken aback by it. Jaehee is someone who grew up without many opportunities to express herself, and she struggles with inner shame whenever she does try to do something that is not considered traditionally 'acceptable' in her social circle. The way she presents herself visually is hardly the way she actually feels on the inside. It's partially why she admires Zen as much as she does. He is not afraid to be himself, and she lives vicariously through him. So, she'll be a bit awkward around you at first, as she doesn't want to come off as disrespectful, but, at the same time, it's hard for her to understand why you would choose to present yourself in such a bold way. If you tell her somewhere in between the events of her route, though? She'll be very curious. Jaehee's way of showing her affection for you is by engaging in the things you love, so she'll be very interested in learning all about your choice in how you present yourself to the world, and what it means to you. She's also the type to be very mindful of the tiniest of details, so be prepared to be asked about or complimented whenever you see her with a new accessory or a small change in makeup. Out of everything, I think she will appreciate punk cinema the most. You two will arrange cozy movie dates, during which you will watch your favorite films.

Jumin

Will be intrigued. It might seem like Jumin would be a bit put off by your passion for punk culture, but that's not the case at all! He finds it so interesting and compelling how differently people can present themselves to the world and what communities can arise from it. Furthermore, he's not one to make any judgments upon a person on their looks alone. He'll be looking at you as a person, your clothes and your tastes come way after that. So, he honestly wouldn't react much initially. But, he will be curious, so be prepared for many questions on his part. Some of them are thought-provoking while others are a bit silly. Jumin is someone who loves to learn, and he sees no shame in being open about his own lack of knowledge on the matter. It's rather sweet. You will never feel judged next to him, and he will find it rather foolish how other people can judge you based on your looks alone. If you're someone who's not only into punk aesthetic but punk music as well - congratulations, you have created a monster. I don't know why, but I always thought Jumin would appreciate punk music on a deeper level than others in the RFA. So, Driver Kim will have to get used to him now playing a carefully curated punk playlist whenever Mr. Han needs to get somewhere.

Saeyoung

Will be giddy. It's clear that Saeyoung is well-versed in different subcultures, both for his job and his own interests. His love for expressing himself through clothes, makeup, and accessories makes him very open to experimentation and trying out new looks every once in a while. The possibility of him actually having a few punk-themed outfits in his extensive and clattered wardrobe is not that low. Of course, he'll know about you being punk from his initial research on you, but he won't bring it up until you do so yourself. There won't be much time to discuss this during your stay in the apartment, but once he opens up to you, be ready to get doted on. Saeyoung will gush about your sense of style extensively, and he will ask you for tips concerning his own looks. You two will definitely match from time to time, and he will ask to style you every so often. He just thinks it's so admirable how you found your way of expressing yourself that makes you feel validated. It makes him smile to see you strut your punk outfits. Will do your makeup for you as well! Oh, and how can I not mention punk music and media? Saeyoung will become a huge nerd on those, if he's not one already. You'll never feel bored or invalidated with him.

Jihyun

Will be fascinated. Jihyun is an artist at heart. He adores meeting all kinds of difficult people and finding inspiration in all the contrasting life experiences each individual person holds. If you think about it, you expressing yourself through your clothing and/or taste in media is similar to painting over a canvas. He finds it beautiful to think about. Much like Jumin, he is someone who loves to learn, but his questions can be... a bit strange at times. It's easy for him to get all philosophical and sentimental, so you may be a bit taken aback or overwhelmed by some of his questions at first. It's all in good faith, though. I can't see him getting into punk culture himself, except for the music, but he is certainly a very supportive partner. He will try to engage in your interests in his own 'Jihyun' way, and it may be a bit silly at times, but he's just too much of a sweetheart for you to pay any mind to that. What he is definitely not lacking in is compliments. Oh, boy, does he have a natural talent for turning you into a blushing mess with just a few words. Being an artistic soul certainly pays off when you need to woo your partner with a poetic remark about their new edgy boots.

Ray

Will be enamored. Ray has spent months researching all about you, so he will already know everything of your love for punk culture. He wants to make sure you feel at home in Magenta, so he needs to make sure you'll have everything you need. Is it creepy to see a closet filled with clothing that is suspiciously similar to the one you dress in, and that you probably won't find in your average wardrobe? Yeah, very much so. Not to mention your room, which looks very different from the one we see in the game. Ray worked very hard to make it all perfect for you and your tastes! Whatever you need, he is ready to provide. It can be a bit smothering and overwhelming, and it all will depend on the way you go about confronting him, if you choose to do so. As for the punk aesthetic itself, he won't comment on it much, except for sheepishly complimenting you every time he sees you. You look lovely to him no matter what, and he truly thinks it is so admirable how you have the freedom to express yourself in your own way. He may shyly ask you to let him borrow a jacket or an accessory. Both because it will remind him of you when he's away, and because you encourage him to seek out this freedom of expression through your clothes on his own. He did say that he would dress way more darkly if he was allowed to choose his own clothes. Who knows? Maybe, you will convert him into trying out punk fashion for himself!

Suit Saeran

Will be intimidated. Okay, here's the thing. Suit Saeran dresses the way he does to look powerful and intimidating. He wants to feel superior to you and to all the other believers. If he doesn't feel strong and invincible on the inside, he can at least make it seem like he does feel that way. He will inadvertently project that same mindset onto you, just like he does with everything else. He will think that you are challenging him, or trying to intimidate him. So, he will do all he can to prove you wrong, even if it's all in his head. Unfortunately, he will say quite a few nasty things about your interests, just to get under your skin. It's not justifiable by any means, and he will feel deep shame for his misguided and harmful actions in the long run. Because, truth is, you were nothing but patient and kind to him. You didn't let him bring you down, but you never expressed any hostility towards him either. During his apology, he will mention all of that. He will also quietly compliment you on your aesthetic, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. It won't take away his wrongdoings, but it's a step in the right direction.

GE Saeran

Will be smitten. Much like Ray, he already knows all about your love for punk culture, and he wants to learn everything about it. It's one thing to do research from behind the screen, and completely another to hear you out face to face, seeing your eyes light up and your lips curl up into a smile. And, golly, how he will listen. Saeran is a true listener: he loves to hear you speak, whatever it may be. And, he remembers a whole lot of small details even if you sometimes forget. Saeran wants to try out so many different things now that he's free to do so, as he gets such joy just from the notion of having the freedom to do so. Which is why he is eager to engage with your passions. He doesn't know whether it'll be his thing or not in the long run, but it is so valuable to just try. Fashion, music, film, art - he wants to try it all with you. Of course, he is also very supportive of you as well. Saeran understands the value of having the freedom to express yourself fully more than anyone. His heart swells with love and pride whenever he sees you engaging in something you find comfort in.

Unknown

Will be indifferent. He doesn't care much about how you dress or what you do, as long as you don't slack off on him and don't get on his nerves too much. Unfortunately, you'll have to come to terms with wearing either his clothes or whatever spares some other believers have on them for a couple of weeks. You didn't really have a chance to pack before coming here, and, even then, only those of the higher ranks are allowed to spruce up their clothing choices in Mint Eye. You'll probably get a chance to start up a conversation about your involvement in punk subculture after a few weeks pass, and you two start to get to know one another on a deeper level than just boss/assistant. Believe it or not, he will be a tad bit interested in what you have to say, even if he doesn't show it very vividly, except for an occasional glance in your direction and a low hum rumbling in his throat as he continues his relentless typing. Unknown is someone who is very isolated, so he has no clue about what a subculture even is. Still, if we ignore the oppressive cult environment you two have to survive in for a brief moment, he is definitely someone who would vibe with a punk aesthetic. I can see him enjoying pretty much all about it: the fashion, the music, the art, even some of its ideology. It's a feeling of validation and self-expression he is very new to.

SE Saeran

Will be a little curious. Speaking of which, while you won't have much of a chance to fully include Unknown in the punk culture, the same can't be said for SE Saeran. He's a very cautious and skittish person, but if he trusts you, I can see him bringing up a few timid questions about your clothing choices or music on one day. It's all very new to him, so it's a testament to his trust in you if he's willing to come to you for answers. He's still figuring himself out... and, he's not sure if he'll ever feel fully at peace with who he is as a person, but there are some things he still wants to try. His interest is also rooted in his affection towards you: he wants to learn what you enjoy, and what you love, and he wants to engage in it, however clumsy. It's rather touching. But, I can easily see him genuinely getting into the punk subculture: clothes, music, and all the rest. Being able to express himself is something very new to him, but God, does it feel fulfilling when he puts on an outfit he likes to see on himself. It means a lot to him. You two will probably go out in matching outfits more often than not!

Rika

Will be neutral. Rika is someone who is very accepting of all kinds of lifestyles, as long as it's not harmful. She won't bat an eye at your edgy look, greeting you with the same warm smile she shows everyone else. That doesn't mean she won't address it at all, though. She loves interacting with people, and she loves learning about their passions. So, she will ask you a few questions, complimenting your outfit in the middle of her talk. She does recognize that putting together a cohesive outfit is something that is not as easy as it may look. I do think she is a little bit knowledgeable in the punk subculture, but only the basics of it. She interacted with all kinds of people, so it wouldn't be surprising. Still, she's always open to broadening her knowledge, and she is a very good listener. Out of everything, I think she will appreciate the punk ideology the most. There are several core ideas in the punk subculture that will resonate with her on a personal level. Overall, she will treat you with nothing but respect and curiosity, giggling a little bit at your new outfit and being quick to charm you with a smooth compliment. Will also offer to do your makeup for you!

Vanderwood

Will be nonchalant. Listen, as long as you're a decent person in their eyes, they don't care about your clothing or media consumption. I feel like in the case of Vanderwood, you'll have to be the one to start up the conversation on your involvement in the punk culture, as, otherwise, they won't really say anything about your overall aesthetic. It's more about actions rather than words with them. They will memorize what kind of accessories you tend to combine with a certain outfit: bringing them over to you in case you forget them at home, they will play a band you've gushed to them about while taking you out on a date, and they will watch any movie you recommend. They do genuinely care, and they make sure to show it to you with their actions. I do think they will appreciate punk cinema. You might get them interested in seeing more.

[lurkingshan]

La Pluie and the subversion of the faen fatale

Apparently me posting about La Pluie subverting major romance tropes is now a weekly occurrence, because this show just won’t quit! In this week’s episode, the show continued to give Nara a lot of time and care and generosity, and in doing so, came full circle on another major trope subversion: that of the faen fatale.

If you’ve read or watched any romance, you know the character type I am referring to: this is the ex-girlfriend who shows up to mess with our leads, insert herself into the love story as an obstacle, and generally cause drama and wreak havoc. In romance lit we generally refer to her as the femme fatale, and for the bl genre @absolutebl coined the term faen fatale, because they are endlessly clever. There are many many many examples of this character type in bl, but perhaps no better exemplar than Plern Pleng (my nemesis) from Together With Me. 

If you’ve seen Together With Me, you know how this is supposed to go. The faen fatale, traditionally, is not a nice person and does not have good intentions. She may be acting from a place of genuine hurt and dejection, but she is here to fuck shit up and cause chaos. She is cold and calculating and ruthless in her attempts to eliminate her competition and win her ex back. She is an archetype deeply steeped in misogyny, and part of the romance and bl genres’ long history of stories steeped in sexism, patriarchy, and heteronormative nonsense that they are only recently beginning to recover from. 

So La Pluie? This show that has been subverting romance tropes at every turn? Yeah, they had some things to say with their treatment of Nara, and boy did they deliver in this episode.

Even before this week, Nara has already been set up to be a sympathetic character. She and Patts had a very good relationship. They loved each other, and they were happy. She broke up with Patts after he formed a rain connection with another hearing loss sufferer, because even though Patts and Tai never actually spoke, and even though Patts told her he was committed to her, she just couldn’t handle him having that kind of connection with someone else, and felt it was inevitable that it would come between them. She ended things with Patts to protect herself. And ultimately, she regretted it. 

As she comes back into the story, she is quite straightforward with Patts (and with Tai before she realizes who he is) about her intentions: she regrets breaking up with Patts and wants to get back together. We also see that she had reason to hope, due to a night where Patts drunkenly kissed her shortly before he met Tai. There are no tricks or schemes here - she tells Patts and anyone else who asks straight out what she wants. In her conversation with Tai when they first meet in episode 7, it is established that Tai likes her and wishes her well, a clear signal to the audience that even as she is interfering, she is not meant to be read as a villain. When Patts finally tells her he has met his soulmate and can’t be with her anymore, he does it with gentleness and care, because Nara has done nothing wrong and deserves only kindness from him. And once she realizes who Tai is, Nara backs off from Patts immediately, apologizes and confirms that she is giving up on him, and helps them all find Tai.

That was already great stuff! I felt so warmly toward Nara at the end of episode 8, and I expected that was where the story would leave her.

But La Pluie had more to say! 

This week we get what is probably the best treatment of an ex-girlfriend character I have ever seen in any drama, not just in bl. Nara does not just conveniently disappear from the narrative now that she’s no longer an obstacle to the romance. She is still here, and her story still matters. So we get to see her go to Tai, apologize to him directly for the misunderstanding between them, and start gossiping and giggling with him about Patts (what did you whisper to him about, girl, inquiring minds want to know).

We get to see her receive care and sympathy from the rest of the group and have one final closure conversation with Patts, at Tai’s behest. We get to hear Patts say out loud that their relationship mattered to him, that he still loves and respects her, and that she doesn’t have to disappear from his life just because they can’t be together anymore, all while Tai looks on fondly. She is allowed to cry and express how hard this is for her even as she handles it with absolute grace, both with Patts and then again with Dream. We even get to see her bond with Dream and affirm that she is not going to lose the friends she made through her relationship with Patts (and that Dream in particular may become even more to her in the future, oh my).

I really just have to applaud La Pluie for dedicating story time to this. Every time we think they are about to go down a more traditional dramatic path they surprise us. I continue to be so pleased and impressed with how intentional they are in their dismantling of these classic tropes.

[khionefr0st]

im gonna put this here bc at this point this acc is just me screaming into the void and sometimes the void screams back

I’m gonna preface this with the fact that what anon did here is wrong even if what they say isn’t. Just stop barging into other people’s spaces, or going into their askbox/interacting with them when you know they disagree with you and trying to convince them of a different viewpoint in fandom.

Anyway, to the point - if the nature of two characters’ relationship hinges on technicalities like whether they call each other brother/sister in canon, or the batfam wiki, or their adoption papers by the same dude instead of the actual nature of their relationship, which for some of them, does not fit siblings at all, then you could hardly call them siblings, even by the standards of canon itself.

Like someone could just as easily make the argument that since Jason died, his adoption papers under Bruce are no longer valid. He isn’t any longer adopted by the same dude because those papers were never renewed – and they never had to be, because Jason was already pretty much an adult by the time he decided to show up in Gotham again. In the same comic where Bruce adopts Tim as his son, he admits that he didn’t adopt Dick as a son, but a ward. Does this make Jason and Dick any less of brothers? Does it make Dick any less of a son to Batman?

And some would respond to this with “well, technically-“ and it would be an argument about technicalities all over again, and it would still be the wrong damn basis for judging the nature of any character’s actual relationship.

Take Jason and Tim. They did not grow up together. On the contrary, Jason has done things to Tim that would drive any two people apart – and at that time, they barely had any connections to each other besides Jason’s resentment towards Tim, and Tim knowing Jason as Robin but never really knowing him. And then the reboot happened, and none of it was ever addressed properly. We didn’t get an arc where Jason apologized to Tim. Just a throwaway line in a N52 comic where Jason acknowledges that Tim is kind of similar to him, and he realized he wasn’t his enemy. They bond more in the N52 RHATO run, but none of it is especially in a familial way. At best, in canon, they’re amicable coworkers for the same dude, no matter how many times they call each other brother or how you argue that Bruce still has their adoption papers.

Same can be said about Tim and Damian – sure, they have the same dad. Does it make them siblings? Not by a long shot, because the nature of their relationship needs more development than mere technicalities for it to happen. And for the love of god please realize that having the same father figure does not make people tantamount to siblings.

Because that’s the problem with some of you – it’s that you force them into these boxes of typical nuclear family dynamics, like since this is the dad, all his kids are siblings, and because some of them share the same siblings, that means they all see each other as siblings! When the batfamily is a found family and fundamentally does not fit into conventional family relationships.

At best, the “batfamily is a traditionally nice, good, loving family” is a headcanon with surface-level canon content to support it (like WFA, or some moments in Nightwing). But looking at their actual, genuine interactions with each other in the past? The actual moments that relationships should be based on?

Some of them are hardly siblings, no matter how hard you try and force them to be.

Plus, Babs can definitely see Bruce as a father figure. She can definitely be a mother figure and/or a sister figure to Steph and Cass. This doesn’t mean she can’t date their sibling, Dick. Stephanie doesn’t have to be adopted by Bruce to see him as a father figure, and you can definitely think she does see a dad in Batman. Steph isn’t any less of a sister to Cass or Duke. Doesn’t mean she can’t be shipped with their brother, Tim. Doesn’t mean someone can’t reinterpret Steph and Cass’ relationship as a romantic one, either. Because, again, they do not fit conventional nuclear family dynamics.

The reason Tim doesn't have to accept Damian or Jason as his brother is because the fundamental difference that separates found families from nuclear families is that they are not born into the relationship - the relationship happens because they make it work. Their bonds are not forged by a link in blood - they are forged by choice, and with effort. Without those things there is no relationship, no matter how many parental figures or siblings you share.

So yes, Jason is still Bruce’s son, not because of any damn adoption papers or because he called his other kids bro/sis, but because Bruce loved him like a son and Jason loved him like a father, and they've both put in the time and commitment in the past to prove that to each other.

I’m not doing this to justify shipping, because the justification for that is do whatever the hell you want in fiction. I don’t care if you still see them as siblings and neither should anyone. Fiction is held to different standards than reality, and fanworks are held to different standards than canon. It is a waste of time to make it your business to form an opinion on what everyone personally ships and doesn’t ship in a spin-off of a universe that doesn’t exist.

I’m saying this because I need people to understand that happy, conventional batfamily is hardly canon. They are complex, and yes there is love and family to be found there, but their familial connections don't limit them. I think it’s a disservice to the narrative and the inherent versatility of their relationships to pretend like the batfamily is founded on traditional family dynamics. And yeah, also because “Actually, in canon-” has been used again and again to attack people who choose to make them have romantic connections instead of familial ones (including DickBabs and TimSteph shippers somehow), and half the time, like in the post above, they’re not even right because they ignore nuance and actual canon history for the sake of trivial and arbitrary criteria.

And even if it was canon, it’s not something you can weaponize against people who choose to see their relationships in a different way from you. Nothing is stopping anyone from rewriting canon either and choosing to say “Well in my headcanons and works they’re not related.” Canon or not, nobody has the authority to barge into that space and yell “Actually they’re siblings!” (And nobody has the authority either to barge into someone else’s askbox and say “No they aren’t!”) I promise you, it does not matter. If SPN, GoT and Greek Mythology didn't normalize incest some batfam slashfic between two members of a found family certainly isn't going to do it. Stay in spaces you’re comfortable with and do away with those you aren’t.

Last P.S. if you really want to read healthy and good canon family dynamics, read Flashfam.

[angelofchaos001]

Wave to your local chaos idiot!

Hi, I'm Angel, artist, writer, and dumbass extraordinaire! I mainly stick to Fandoms for my works, since I'm not the best at coming up with strictly my own ideas (Ask some of my friends, I've been trying to make my own world not based in any fandom for two years now with almost no success). Just because I stick to Fandoms does not mean I don't enjoy seeing stuff outside of Fandoms, I love seeing fun ideas bloom into something the creator truly enjoys!

Like my profile says, here's some basic things about me! I go by She/Her, and I'm somewhere on the LGBTQ+ spectrum (Still questioning it, it's just not straight I know). I'm a minor, and a furry as well, but some other neat things to know that aren't on my profile include that I'm American (Send help this country is burning down), and neurodivergent (Anxiety is amazing).

Also, wave to your other local chaos idiot, @doodlebug091 (My beloved)

I'm on ArtFight!

Wanna try your hand at my shipping bingo card?

I migrated from Fandom to Tumblr, though you can still find me on the former as Angel Of Madness 001. I've even spotted a few people I know from Fandom on here!

When Can I Talk to You?

You can send in asks whenever they're open! Here's a list of some stuff I do commonly.

-AU/OC Ramblings (I'll talk about my things for hours if you let me)

-Roleplays (I'm bored usually)

-Legitimate questions (Of course, I don't bite!)

-Talking about my interests (Fuck yeah, I'd love it)

-Art requests or trades (Yep! I don't do art for money yet, mainly due to lack of a proper online money service such as Venmo or Paypal)

Don't feel like you have to stick to the list, either!

Here's some other questions to get to know me better!

What do you do on Tumblr?

I write fanfiction, make OC's, draw/write comics, and make AU's for various pieces of media I enjoy. I also love to find others who make similar content, especially AU's, since others' ideas can be so cool at times.

Tumblr happens to be my catch-all for sharing new ideas, making jokes, and meeting others who share my interests.

What do you enjoy outside of the internet?

When I'm not online, I like to keep a busy life still! Usually I'm drawing-traditionally or digitally-, reading, cooking, or thinking up new ideas for my art, AU's, or other projects! Sometimes, I hang out with my friends, though we mostly keep in contact through the internet.

Obviously, I also like to game. Excluding my video games, I play Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons the most. Including them, however, I mostly play Rain World and Pokemon. The kinds of games I tend to like are ones with heavy lore, but from an actual gaming standpoint I tend to play 2D and 3D platformers, deckbuilders, and turn based RPG's.

What do you want to do in life?

My hope is to become an ecologist, since I've loved animals for my whole life and have been branching that out to loving anything nature related. Biology often finds a way to creep itself into my fictional works, and I tend to look at things through a very scientific eye.

Tell us some more hobbies!

Alright, okay. I love Dungeons and Dragons, even though I'm stuck as the forever DM. I sing, travel, play the violin, and love watching mildly educational YouTubers (Oversimplified and such). I'm also quite the animal lover, with two precious cats and five snakes!

What Fandoms are you part of?

Alright, here's the list, broken into sections! Note that these are just the media that I actively talk about/participate in chats about/make AU's or OC's with. I still watch, play, or read other things!

Shows/Movies

-Helluva Boss

-Hazbin Hotel

-Murder Drones

-The Amazing Digital Circus

Games

-Hollow Knight

-Rain World

-Slime Rancher

-Outer Wilds (I'm normal about this game)

-Pokemon

-A Hat in Time

-Inscyption

-Dicefolk

-Worldless (I'M NORMAL)

Books, Comics, and Other

-Bugtopia (gotta love the bugs)

-Wings of Fire

-Warriors (I do not mind spoilers for this one. I've read up to Midnight.)

Side Blogs

@monarchtonone (RW Iterator)

@nine-drops-of-iron (RW Iterator)

@ask-wings-of-rain (Ask, Chat, or RP with anyone from my Wings of Rain AU)

@the-rot-parasite (Ask, Chat, or RP with The Parasite)

@ask-the-splitmind-au (Ask, Chat, or RP with anyone from my Splitmind AU)

Unique Tags

#Wings of Rain (Wings of Rain content, WoF x RW AU)

#season of blood (Season of Blood content, Warriors AU of 'If Scourge Won')

#shared sparks (Shared Sparks content, a Firecracker fancomic)

#splitmind au / #rw splitmind au (The Splitmind AU for Rain World, where Iterators have shared bodies with the slugcats)

Links to all current comics (on Tumblr)

The Story of the Iterators

Within a local group of iterators, there are stories to tell and lives that unfold, hidden just beneath a layer of dust settled on old memories. Taking a glimpse into their lives, these purposed machines of flesh and iron to solve one goal, may reveal why they turned out the way they did.

Shared Sparks (A @firecracker-pup fancomic)

Blight was the lucky pup. The one who survived at the cost of her sister's life. Ever since, she tried to live up to what she thought her sister could have managed, but was stuck in her shadow. Timelines away, Firecracker had been left to the mercy of scavengers after stealing a pearl from them as a pup, only to end up adopted by them. A call inside of it, however, still wants to learn from slugcats the things it never got to.

When their paths cross, when timelines collide, both slugcats get a glimpse into a world they never knew existed, and find similarities buried in the vast differences of their lives.

Season of Blood

Scourge has won the Battle of Blood clan with the death of Firestar and all who oppose him. The Clans are united in the forest once more, but under the cruel rule of the small tom cat. He rules with an iron paw and has no sympathy for others. Every cat has been stripped of their warrior name and given a more fitting one, by Scourge's definition. Many have been killed for displeasing him, or for minor physical imperfections. Anyone with open ties to StarClan have also been killed.

Because of a Medicine's Cat's close ties to the spectral clan, only one remains. Racoon was only a Medicine Cat apprentice when Scourge took over, but now that she's grown, all duties of the job fall to her. Tending to a massive, bloodthirsty clan isn't a small task. It's demanding, exhausting, and the whole time, she has to hide every notion that StarClan still visits her in her dreams. A single meek kitten must find a way to grow up and face the challenges ahead, persist through times of hardship, and find it in herself to risk her life to save the forest-and all the cats in it.

Greenleaf is over. The Season of Blood has begun . . .

All Current AU's (On Tumblr)

Wings of Rain (Wings of Fire x Rain World crossover AU)

Splitmind AU (Rain World, Iterators live in the slugcats' heads as a last-ditch effort to ascend)

Season of Blood (Warrior Cats AU, 'What if Scourge won?')

Starless Nights (Worldless x WoF AU)

Link to fanfics (Yep. I'm on Ao3)

Stranded in the Rain (Outer Wilds and Rain World crossover)

Starless Nights (Worldless and Wings of Fire crossover)

[stories-dearheart]

🍂🍎

🍂 leaves: what does your editing process look like? how does your wip typically change as you work on it?

Typically I write a full rough draft, take a hard look at it and make notes of what I want to change, wait a solid few months, then go back and start re-writing it from scratch. Typically I’ve already come up with multiple things I want to change while writing the rough draft. There are always cornerstones of the stories and characters that don’t change, but everything else molds around those and changes to serve them better. For instance, in Order and Chaos, I said multiple times throughout the first draft that the lady is beloved by the people of the Commonwealth and truly wants to serve them, whereas the lord is distrusted and not known well; but I didn’t really show that much. So those core aspects remain, and other plot points and character dynamics are being changed to more clearly show and emphasize that.

🍎 apple: let’s talk about friendship in your wip. do you have any favorite friend/platonic dynamics? any friendships gone sour?

Ohoho do I!! As much as I love a good romance (and do have several), friendships make me go feral in a certain kind of way. Here are some of my favorites from each of my main WIPs:

Star Wars: Exiles - Jaina and Aji’s friendship is so sweet!! Neither of them have ever had siblings, so it takes a bit for them to get used to living together, but they pretty quickly become the sisters they never had. They’re both really lonely in a lot of ways, so they find solace in each other. Since Jaina’s several years older, and a lot more nurturing and traditionally feminine, she very easily slips into the big sister role. She may be a little know-it-all and sanctimonious at times, but she genuinely cares so much and will always be there for Aji with a hug and a place to rant. Aji, on the other hand, shows Jaina how to have fun again (though that fun may or may not result in getting in trouble more times than not). And since Jaina’s not good at standing up for herself, Aji will for her in a heartbeat. Hurt Jaina in any shape or form? Woe, small Mando be upon ye!

Order and Chaos - The lady loves her attendants SO MUCH you guys. So much. She’s not able to show it as much as she wants to, but having her girls around her is what helps her keep going every day. They are all so individual and lovely in their own ways, and they truly are a band of sisters who will support each other in every way possible. And they would absolutely lay down their lives for their lady (not that she would ever ask it of them).

The Raven and The Sparrow - There are multiple friendships in R&S, but the most interesting one is definitely Jay and Mel. As cousins growing up together in the slums, they were inseparable, and stood up for each other against bullies and villagers wanting to rid their town of Spirits. But, as they got older, Jay was hurt more and more, and Mel always seemed to get himself out of it—sometimes at Jay’s expense. Jay simultaneously clung to Mel as one of the few people who even slightly cared about him, and began to hate him. After Mel’s mother died, his father told him of Ilse, and Mel decided to leave even though Jay begged him to stay. That just built resentment between them. Jay didn’t know where Mel had gone, only that he had chosen to leave; when Jay wound up on Ilse’s doorstep himself, he was shocked to find Mel there. They pretty quickly became rivals for Ilse’s attention and approval, and the resentment only grew from there. Mel was always quick-witted and charming, and the strength of his powers meant Ilse offered him positions she wouldn’t give anyone else. But she also favored Jay and kept him closest to her, and despite the abuse he suffered because of that, Mel craved the attention and even semblance of love and resented Jay for receiving it. Lots of messy character dynamics there, and it will be really interesting to explore how they reconcile during the actual events of the book!