#she’s also more outgoing

[cobaltfluff]

who has the best sister ?!?!

bonus: winning over Nanako with REAL magic tricks and crane game prizes

[lemurballing]

The Tangleification of Whisper

aka a catchy title for my musings on how Whisper's characterization has changed overall across IDW - and to bring up some thoughts on what it might imply that Whisper is given this clear resemblance to Tangle herself.

If you haven't read the 2024 winter annual yet, this post does contain panels lifted from that -- read at your own risk.

First of all, let's look at where Whisper started - what she was like before the 'Tangleification' - so you can see how big a change it is from one section to the other. I do understand that 'characterization marches on' and being free to re-evaluate and adjust a character's interpretation over time can fine-tune a story into becoming something greater - but I will also try to explain why this specific character evolution is significant to my eyes, and implications it carries.

We first meet Whisper in Issue #8, where she displays pretty clear signs of avoiding people not just to keep to herself, but because of social anxiety. She trails Sonic and supports him from afar, but as soon as they notice her she gives up her immediate goal and leaps away to lose their attention:

And from Silver's comments, she was evidently this evasive for the entirety of the Forces war:

With the benefit of hindsight and retroactive application of motive, one might assume Whisper was keeping out of sight so Mimic would continue to believe she was dead and not track after her, but seeing how she acts in these and the next issues (at least, her appearances before Tangle & Whisper), that's definitely not the initial aims with her character.

Whisper shows no reservations besides her own displayed social anxiety to the idea of joining with someone else as a team, or affiliating herself with them. If Mimic was a thing in Whisper's story at this time, she wouldn't be smiling at the idea, she'd still have the same reservations she brings up later with Tangle.

Additionally, the way other characters behave around and address Whisper reinforce the idea that this aversion to company is an issue of anxiety or discomfort: that Whisper is definitively introverted and likes to operate alone (besides the wisps), instead of being forced to.

One of the bigger reasons I want to resurface this initial characterization of Whisper is because it is so interesting to have a member of the cast who IS genuinely introverted and doesn't want to deal with a large number of people. Even the more antisocial/lone wolf of Sonic's friends are that way because they simply don't connect or see a reason to become close to other people, not because it bothers them in particular.

Whisper, at this point, is a very unique example of someone shy still involving themselves in the fight, instead of the more common bombastic or loud personalities. Espio is probably the only other 'quiet' character, and that's still different because he isn't really 'shy'.

Then we see a little change in Tangle & Whisper, upon first being introduced to the idea that Whisper's current quiet personality is due to personal trauma and not simply a facet of the person she is, in seeing her pre-trauma personality be more enthusiastic. (BIG EDIT: I could elaborate more in a separate addition, but pre-T&W, Whisper is seen smiling far often than in T&W proper - so this is relegating the smiling to pre-trauma, instead of adding smiling at all - but the enthusiasm is new!)

This is every line of dialogue we see from pre-trauma Whisper in Tangle & Whisper. We can see only two panels where she's smiling; in one, with her eyes wide open, and in the other, with her eyes closed as is more typical of Whisper as she was introduced. The other three panels only contain dialogue, which does allow some inferences on Whisper's demeanor and personality.

This 2-panel sequence has the most information to speculate off - Whisper makes a statement in two parts. The particular decision to make "Tank inbound." a separate separate sentence implies it is spoken tersely, or while Whisper is in 'mission-focus', and less likely with a playful tone. This then contrasts her "Never mind!" and giggle in the next panel, building an impression that she's typically got a serious focus (at least while on a mission), but lets humor leak through when things go their way.

The other thing to note is that these panels are a very limited sample set, and the visual appearances are biased - when expressing gratitude to someone, or taking a group picture, it's only natural to put a smile on, even if you don't typically smile most of the time. We also only see Whisper around individuals she's already familiar with, so there's not necessarily any proof that at this point Whisper doesn't have any social anxiety, or that she would necessarily conflict with her earlier appearances around Sonic and Silver and everyone else.

So while Tangle & Whisper introduced the idea of Whisper being louder before losing her teammates, it's the 2024 annual that REALLY dials it up:

Whisper not whispering in the slightest, and in fact being a motormouth!

Whisper with wide eyes and/or a smile in virtually every panel she appears in, and thriving while in the thick of the group or having one of the others' attention on her, and...

...Whisper pulling this specific expression, which quite resembles the expression Tangle made while also seeing someone else display a really cool power they have.

It's almost strange to me, because we do have a good reason for Whisper to become more outgoing and outspoken... but that's in the present time period due to Tangle's influence, not necessarily her pre-trauma self!

The choice to rebuild Whisper as someone as inherently extroverted and attention-loving as Tangle also builds a comparison between the two: the idea that they started out so similarly, you can't help but wonder if the implication given is that Tangle going through Whisper's situation would result in the same personality developments, because Whisper's quiet personality is retroactively attributed to the trauma she gained, instead of being her natural personality.

Personally, I'm very fond of the characterization Whisper has closer to her introduction, and I would find it boring to effectively reduce her and Tangle to the same base personality, give or take tail powers and some trauma, instead of leaving them as distinct people at core: that even if they had gone through the same experiences, they'd still come out a little different, but they strive to understand and work with each other anyways.

...I've also got a meta-gripe in that you can write Whisper positively with Tangle's traits, but Tangle's in the thick of getting judged for having them...

[isiayami]

[iceclew]

Noo...I'm not dead..I just can't finish sh*t right now, instead I start new shit each day, to add to my pile of shame.. :|

it just keeps happening, I don't know why..I know exactly why, but whatever

Soo, I came up with this idea, of two new OCs for the Kaijuverse...but it turned out kinda..complex..

What I thought of was the Hoshina-family tree (with the 1st and 4th son thing, you know what I mean). I tried to come up with an idea for the "middle" siblings....and I made them twins....aaand kinda smashed the Pacific Rim AU onto it just because.. 🫡 Yeah, I'd thought of a reason why they haven't appeared yet, and this is what I came up with:

Besides the issue with low combat power and mediocre performance with the sword, the two sisters where not quite what you'd call "presentable" for a formal reknowned kaiju slaying family clan. Even in modern times some might believe in twins to be a bad omen for a family and the lack in sword skill was seen proof of that by some.*

So when in highschool both where sent to leave for an exchange year to the U.S. Away from home and disapproving looks they finally thrived. (In this version of the AU, I kinda imagine the Pacific Rim methodics to be the American way to handle with Kaiju attacks, where they can upkeep a stable society and stuff just like Japan).

While failing to fight Kaiju in a combat suit, they are now outstanding together as jaeger pilots, preferebly using no additional weapons, but the adapted Hoshina hands-on fighting style, which they mastered and altered to their needs, 'till it could be perfectly transmitted to a jaeger. Despite their success abroad, the Hoshina clan is not eager to spread more news about them than necessary. While Soshiro couldn't grasp the events around his sisters much, due to his young age, Soichiro was especially hurt seeing his little sisters leave. It might caused him to try not to be as attached to his last remaining sibling. But when he saw how his bragging got Soshiro on his toes and skyrocket his training, he thought he'd found a way to prevent his brother from his families displeasement. Even if it meant giving up on a close bond with his brother in exchange.

Now, grown-up, the twins don't have contact with the Hoshina clan, or their father, but occasionally chat with their brothers just to catch up.

---------

*I am so very anxious when talking about another cultures law. I am "educated" by limfamy's youtube videos, and saw this one, where he explained that Japanese families frowned upon twin and/or tripplet births before the 2nd half of the Edo Period. Of course this has changed in modern times, and my accusement there might me people still believing in old ways, is a sheer assumption for the sake of my plot.

So VERY sorry, if I get this wrong, please don't hate me, and I'd love to be corrected if there's need to!

(This is also why they are nameless btw, I don't dare trying the find fitting names that work in japanese with the 1st,2nd,3rd and smth... if anybody knows more about this stuff and has suggestions you're more than welcome to share, i'd love to hear them!!)

[spasikonik]

ester on the brainnnnnn (he/she for the character!!)

[mikuyuuss]

Being both a Giyuu and a Mitsuri stan is a weird experience to say the least. Both of my favs (and their stans) aren't connected to each other. I got people who only follow me for Giyuu and people who only follow me for Mitsuri.

Sometimes I feel guilty when I draw Giyuu bc I feel that my Mitsuri followers are getting sick of him. Likewise I feel bad that my Giyuu followers are getting tired of me drawing Mitsuri. (but let's be real, I feel more bad for the latter. Mitsuri is just more fun to draw sorry not sorry /jk)

I know Giyuu x Mitsuri ship is a thing lately, which is great! But I personally prefer them as platonic friends, I think there's real friendship potential there, so maybe I'll draw them bonding together sometime so that I can force feed my followers into enjoying both of them at once lol /lh XD

[orcelito]

When a cat gets her claw stuck on something and just tugs at it pathetically while looking at me so I have to just grab her and maneuver her claw free. Because she's so stupid that she doesn't understand that Tugging doesn't free something that is hooked onto something. You must Push.

[lynxfrost13]

I genuinely wonder about Ariane and the Itous friendship they’re such a delightful little trio of outcast weirdo kids to me

[calysimps]

I have Bridgerton brainriot right now

I just read Benedict's book and he is living in my mind rent free I need someone to scream at

Feel free to comment or send asks because aaaaajdysk

I need him spiritually, carnally, literally, artistically, formally, poetically, musically, religiously, mentally, sickeningly, lovingly, hatefully, violently, gently, I don't know more words but you get the point

He angered me beyond measure in the book but I cannot help but want him

And I hate it because the regency setting makes me say shit like "plagues my mind" instead of more modern less pompous stuff and it sounds even more exaggerated

[shokupanko]

i hope your depression and everything gets better for you btw!! wishing you the best 🌟

｜ｏ゜）I drew a happy Nemu to cheer myself up!

[moe-broey]

I'm SO obsessed with them.

After this I believe they are both equally as unhinged as the other, just opposite ends of a spectrum about it HAHAHAHAHA

Also...

More micro organisms.............. (FAVE PANEL TBH LOOK AT THEM)

[sysig]

Sick threads where’d you get ‘em (Patreon)

[kamipyre]

suki nakamura is.... ✨ an icon ✨

[robinsnest2111]

adding to the sickfic:

somewhere between Benson getting the groceries inside and trying to come up with a plan of what the hell to do with his sick as a dog coworker curled up on his bed, in his room, in his childhood home-

he hears a cheery little tune from down the hall. A cellphone, the boy's cellphone. Crap.

Benson sprints the short distance and gingerly fishes the cellphone out of Randy's pocket. The boy only dignifies the noise and gentle manhandling with a pained groan.

Flipping the phone open, the display is lit up with an incoming call from "Mom". Of course. It's been a while since closing time. Her son would've been home by now. She's probably worried. Without much contemplating, Benson puts on his finest Charismatic (and hopefully trustworthy) Human Being persona and presses the little green button to answer the call.

Before he can get a word in, his ear is assaulted by a shrieking voice.

"RANDY? RANDY THANK GOD! I'M SO WORRIED! WHERE ARE YOU? YOU SHOULD'VE BEEN HOME 10 MINUTES AGO! DID SOMETHING HAPPEN? WHAT'S GOING ON? DO YOU NEED HELP? DO I NEED TO COME GET YOU? RANDY?"

Huh. So the boy's his boy's name is actually Randy. His last name must be Bradley, then. And his mom seems to be just a bit overbearing and overprotective. Grade A helicopter parent.

Benson clears his throat, sorting his thoughts. How does he explain just why Randy didn't make it home, why Benson's the one answering Randy's phone, why it's actually fine that Randy's with him. All without raising any red flags in poor Mrs. Bradley's mind...?

[captaindeinony]

Dawn (Masters) is friendly and cheery. She likes riding her bike and hanging out with her friends. She INSISTS on helping you over and over again. Overall is just a delight.

For some reason, Masters gives her Cresselia after implying her to be afraid of the dark. She has an identity crisis if you talk to her in the Trainer Lodge. You also learn about her love of superheroes! During a child kidnapping inside of a cave?

She’s like 10

[seiwas]

the healing and purest form of comfort that you feel when you’re reunited with your best friend—when you just feel fully yourself, like everything’s gonna be okay >>