#since they helped him discover himself and define better who he is and what he wants.

[avelera]

So remember in season 1, Viktor has visions directly given by the Arcane and that's how he comes up with the idea of the Hexcore - and he also says that "the Arcane speaks through mages". So, even back in season 1, the idea that Viktor has been chosen by the Arcane was already alluded to! He was always on his way to becoming a mage, even before the Hexcore and the merge.

Do you think Jayce subconsciously felt it? Jayce, who was always so fascinated by magic that he was ready to commit suicide rather than live without it, who immediately told Viktor how "beautiful" magic was and then used that very word to describe Viktor himself in season 2 - did he realise that his fascination was always with Viktor in particular, do you think?

Oh man, Anon, there's SO many ways to answer this, where do I begin.

1 ) I wish we got more of what magic means to Jayce, because the tastes we get are so tantalizing and btw, I think the show gave us the right amount, it's for us to explore in fic and stuff after, but the implications are SO JUICY.

I absolutely headcanon (with evidence) that Jayce's evolution into wanting to create Hextech went like this:

Jayce as a kid: I want to be the mage who saved us! Look at my drawing of myself as a mage with a magic HAMMER just like my dad has, as the perfect fusion of everything I want to be when I grow up! :D

Jayce as a teen: I'm crushed to learn I have zero innate magical ability BUT I've still got this hammer and an entire upbringing as a member of a family of tool makers. What if there's a tool out there that would let me be a mage in another way? I will call it HEXTECH!! :D

Jayce as an adult: Now I have a degree, and a patron, and I have to be very careful about letting people know about Hextech because I'm from a city that was founded on a hatred of mages, so it needs to be presented to the world as TECHNOLOGY as meant for the BETTERMENT OF OTHERS. I can't be selfish, I have to draw inspiration from the mage who saved me by making magic about helping others. But deep down, part of me will always be that kid who didn't want to have to unlock magic with technology, who always wanted to just be the mage. Magic was secondary, the Mage was always the true first love, the true inspiration that changed my life, and I have been chasing that high ever since.

2 ) But one reason I wish we had gotten to explore this just a little more (cuz I'm an addict not because it would be a better story) is because I think there's a bit of an inherent tragedy to Jayce always wanting to be the mage and, in the process, falling in love with not one but two people who have the Arcane speaking through them?

Then you can also sort of loop it back around to a rather common queer awakening which is, "Do I want this person or do I want to be them?" and for years, Jayce thinking he wants to be the mage but once he's an adult, realizing part of that feeling was love, that he wants to be with the mage.

(And just to be super duper clear, Viktor rescued Jayce and then bounced out of there, immediately, I see Jayce discovering his feelings for the mage as being like a very early-days moment of inspiration that planted itself in his psyche and then years and years later, when he began to think about things like love for the first time, maybe then part of him realized that what he's mistaken as love for magic or Hextech was always love for the mage who saved him, on some level. I just want to be super duper clear that you can have an awakening moment as a child, something that will later define what you want out of life, without it necessarily being romantic at that point in life because I've seen some people be weird about it and I don't think that's what's happening there even if I think it's an element and now I'm rambling OK MOVING ON)

So Jayce has now canonically been in love with two mages and yeah, I think that is very much playing into my take and what we see in canon, he loves magic, but he loves the mage more, and maybe part of what worked as attraction for him was that he could feel the Arcane in them.

But I also wonder if spending so many years trying to find a practical, technological, scientific way to access magic obscured to Jayce the fact that it WAS magic? Like Viktor is right, they're treating magic like a tool, JAYCE is treating magic like a tool, because he comes from a family of TOOL MAKERS. To expand Hextech, they needed to think like mages. And Viktor is the first one to let the Arcane in, to let the Arcane set the course instead of them trying to bend it to their will (which maaaay have been a bad idea, I think the Arcane is way more complicated than that, yin-and-yang, requiring balance and they were actually meddling with forces they couldn't understand, clearly).

So to go back to your question:

1 ) Jayce thought it was the magic that was beautiful but it was ALWAYS about the Mage for him, and he got a fixation on mages after that which even HE isn't fully aware of.

2 ) I don't think Viktor was always destined to be the Mage, but that's a personal preference, I'm not a big fan of "magic genetics" in general and I vastly prefer systems where magic and fate is a choice. So I actually find it MORE BEAUTIFUL that Viktor becomes the Mage because of Jayce's love, because Jayce brought him in on Hextech, in the cycle of Viktor then taking the magic Jayce gave him to go back and save Jayce and inspire him with magic, like that's so tasty for me. But I also think sure, deep down, there was always a subliminal attraction to the Mage which could have played into Jayce's attraction to the person of Viktor, because they're the same person

[islandofsages]

darling heart.

summary: in which you are someone who participates in/identifies with jirai kei culture.

characters: heartslabyul boys x gn reader

tags: relationship not specified, fluff, imagines format

warnings: mentions of mental health, mentions of self-destructive tendencies

author's notes: hiiii this is very self-indulgent bc i am a jirai kei babe,, im specifically a jirai danshi <3 i might do for other dorms too, depending on my motivation lol you can find out more by searching up jirai kei tho dont just read the jfashion wiki for it, it's more than just a fashion style. also beware of potentially triggering stuff since it deals with mental health and all

Riddle Rosehearts

He’s intrigued by this subculture that you participate in and he’d ask you more about it, if you don't mind telling him - he’ll do his own research too anyway

When he finds out it's basically a subculture consisting of people with emotion dysregulation issues and is generally controversial, he checks up on you and asks you if you're okay or not

You laugh then – you’ve had your ups and downs but really, so has everyone. You hope reading about it hasn't scared him off

He’d feel like calling you a “landmine type” is too insensitive but you assure him that there's nothing to worry about and that people who participate in the subculture has reclaimed such stereotypes and fully embrace it

He’d really enjoy seeing you decked out in jirai kei fashion; he may want to try it himself but he’d insist that it's not in his place to participate, only support from the sidelines

You do get him to try out clothes that are similar to or inspired by the culture though – he seems to be comfortable in the style and you're happy that something that you enjoy can also bring the same joy to him

You’ll also recommend some songs to him, especially ones that you think would help him in studying despite the sometimes concerning lyrical content

If someone tries to bully you for identifying with the subculture, he’d step in immediately and defend your honor

“What right do you have in deciding what (Y/N) identifies with? That's what I thought. I’m always in the right.”

Through your downs and ups, Riddle will always be there for you.

Ace Trappola

He has heard of it before but he thought it was only a type of fashion, not a whole subculture with more substance to it than clothes

You’d infodump to him all about it and your journey with it, whether you just discovered it or have been identifying with it for a long time – he listens to you curiously all the while

He’s caught off guard for a moment by the more controversial and depressing part of it but he quickly recovers

He’s happy for you and glad that you’re comfortable having such a culture define a part of you

Though he implores not to do all the self-destructive stuff if you could and he’ll look out for you more just in case

He definitely thinks you rock while wearing your jirai kei outfits; it’s not his style but he wouldn’t mind trying it once, just to get a feel for the style

“Yeah, this is definitely not my thing… you, on the other hand, look pretty awesome.”

You’d give him a link for your playlist (or a playlist you’ve saved) and he’d listen to it when he’s bored – ends up adding a few songs to his personal playlist

If he finds anyone stereotyping you unnecessarily, he’ll call them out, saying as if they’re any better

Despite everything, you are still uniquely you in his eyes.

Deuce Spade

He apologizes for not knowing too much about it when you bring it up and you tell him it’s okay because it gives you an excuse to ramble about it

You tell him what it entails and how you’ve come to find out about it, sifting through your past experiences both good and bad

He tries very hard to be understanding, even if he doesn’t really get it. You’re just grateful to have his support

“I don’t really get it but it gives you a sense of community, right? I think that’s pretty cool!”

He’s also a little concerned about the mental illness part so he’d regularly check up on you to make sure you’re doing okay

He’d ask you to tell him more about your experiences with the subculture if you have any more and if anything exciting happens, you go to him first

Such as acquiring a brand new article of jirai kei clothing for example! He thinks the style is super pretty and fits you really, really well

He’d listen to the music together with you, sharing earphones and all – maybe he would even listen to them while he tries to do anything

He’ll be your guard dog and bite back whoever dares to make fun of you for being part of the subculture’s community you’ll have to calm him down sometimes

You couldn’t ask for a better cheerleader than him.

Cater Diamond

He’s always known about the subculture and although he doesn't participate in it, he thinks it's really neat

You tell him more about it and about the misconceptions people have about it so that he doesn't misunderstand

He’s super stoked that he knows someone in real life who actually participates in the subculture since he gets to see how it actually is in reality

He mostly knows about the fashion and when you come rocking up to him wearing the classic jirai kei look, he tries his best not to fanboy

He compliments you then proceeds to ask you where you got it – though cute styles like it aren’t his thing, he feels like he can give this style a try

He’d match with you on days he doesn’t feel too uncomfortable with more cutesy styles and snap pictures of you two to post on Magicam

He’d also go scouring for the music online to add more songs to his already rapidly growing playlist. He’d share some recommendations with you too!

Unintentionally got you more jirai kei friends since some people saw his posts about matching with you on Magicam; even people you already know commented on his post

“Look at us, (Y/N)! We’re totally Magicam-famous now~”

You laugh with him, head thrown back while the seeds of your relationship bloom behind where the two of you sit.

Trey Clover

He doesn’t know too much about it so he’ll ask you to explain to him what it is – to which you excitedly agree to

You tell him everything from the origins to how you’ve come to participate in the subculture – he nods patiently all the while

The mental health part of it has him questioning you a bit but he has no ill intention, he’s simply looking out for you and is worried about you

He’s supportive all the way and thinks it’s nice that you have something you’re passionate about. He’d even do his own research when he has the time

He’s pleasantly surprised when you show up wearing jirai kei fashion one day; he definitely thinks you look striking in the get-up

He wouldn’t mind going with you if you were to shop for more jirai kei-related things – he would joke you’ll have to repay by helping him out another time though

He’ll listen to your song recommendations and if he likes them enough, he’d listen to them while he’s in the kitchen. He likes that they remind him of you

“Oh, this one’s pretty catchy. …These lyrics though…”

Going places with you certainly catches attention sometimes but he doesn’t mind, as long as you’re happy and comfortable in your own skin

His name truly defines him – you sure feel lucky to have him in your life.

[tyrranux64]

00 - THE FOOL Sora is the most foolish of innocents, especially when he leaves his fate to the machinations of others. And when he does have his own agency he tends to be too reckless and headstrong. Of course his inherit knuckleheaded nature can be his best quality, pulling out an unexpected surprise that not even the most carefully calculating villain can possibly account for. And since the beginning of his quest, he's never really needed the conventional outdated wisdom of so called "Masters", he has always forged his own path.

01 - THE MAGICIAN It is no secret that Tony Stark is a creative genius. After all he was able to develop a revolutionary perpetual energy reactor the size of a human hand in a cave with but a bunch of scraps. Is it any surprise he was even able to casually discover time travel whilst in his pajamas? And don't even get me started on all the razzle dazzle he tends to put on his wonderful toys. Guess the line between science and magic truly is a razor thin one....

02 - THE HIGH PRIESTESS The knowledge of what the future holds is something reserved for God, but alas such knowledge has been dropped right onto Tsukino Usagi’s lap. Her marriage to Mamoru, the existence of her future daughter Chibiusa, the fated ascension to Neo Queen Serenity and the rise of Silver Millennium. All just dumped before a high school student who is already having trouble just trying to graduate. It is a lot to unpack and Usagi must now prepare herself to take on the inevitable burdens before her. To trust her instincts and learn from her past mistakes. She has a lot to learn ahead of her and not as much time as she thinks she has to do it…. 

03 - THE EMPRESS For what else is the Princess of Friendship but a surrogate mother? What else are the people of her kingdom but her adopted children? They are not subjects to be ruled, they are her family. This is why Twilight Sparkle ascended to the heights of an alicorn, to uphold the responsibility of being a parent.

04 - THE EMPEROR There is no question his allies and friends look to him as a "leader", though that is more because of him being the biggest fish among them and their resulting dependance on his power. And as a father figure? Well, it is quite telling that his most defining act as a father to his son Gohan is a last ditch effort to fix the mess he created himself. But hey, better to be the father that sacrifices himself to save their child than the one that leaves them to die in the lion's den....

05 - THE HIEROPHANT As Bruce Wayne, his political influence upon the world is limited to the amount of charity money he can dish out, still having to abide by the system that puts him in the one percent. People just don't take him seriously enough to listen. But as the Batman, he can move droves of people with action. His battle against crime garnering the respect of even the police, those that faced his judgement have no choice but to heed his words. The cape and cowl is unbound by the petty status quo of society, he has no strings to hold him back. Everyone listens to the bat.

06 - THE LOVERS The Freedom Fighters don't just have one heart, they have two. Sally Acorn, the one to think up the plan of action. Sonic the Hedgehog, the one to take action. Two halves of the same singular ray of hope to guide the rag tag group of resistance to victory. Though they do not think alike (and can sometimes get on each other's nerves) they are still harmonized, able to work together at the most dire of straights. With only one of them, the Freedom Fighters are compromised, without both they are lost....

07 - THE CHARIOT The four Ninja Turtles were taught ninjitsu purely to survive in a world that would not accept them, told to stay in the shadows where it is safe. But perhaps because of their excess of superhero comic books or just their mutant ability to feel empathy, they cannot help but jump into action when someone is in trouble. They are always tapping into that most primordial of heroic traits, the will to act.

08 - STRENGTH It takes more than just "strength" alone to tame an eldritch horror like the Bird of Hermes. Whatever the bird sees in this one Integra Hellsing it has formed a bond that cannot be truly explained.....perhaps it is not as simple as a monster recognizing her as a strong human being? Perhaps....he sees her as a similar breed of monster?

09 - THE HERMIT There are those that work alone and then there's the self proclaimed "Terror that Flaps in the Night". So intent on doing things his way, so hellbent on getting all the glory, so desperate to prove himself to the world that the very idea of getting help from others ruffles his feathers. Of course he is not above having a sidekick but that is more someone doing things his way and not stealing his spotlight...

10 - THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE Many are at the mercy of fate, but none are quite as vulnerable to it as Matoi Ryuko. Her luck flip flops between good and bad so often that it's hard to tell if fate favors her or is out to get her. Sometimes it feels like she loses more than she wins. Not helping matters is how she is at the forefront of destiny, one of the few among the many that are the most important players for what destiny has in store. Lucky her.... 

11 - JUSTICE Diana of Themyscira doesn't just embody truth, she is the Spirit of Truth. Thus is her mission, to bring truth to the world of man, to be a guiding light towards peace and prosperity......a task that becomes increasingly difficult and nigh impossible with each passing year. Luckily, no task is too daunting for an Amazon, and no matter how long it takes she will bring man to a better place than it is right now... 

12 - THE HANGED MAN Kurosaki Ichigo is not the hero he should be, no, he is more of a plot device. A pawn used by both ally and enemy, not allowed to have any real agency of his own. A slave of fate caught in the same loop of trying to be a hero, fail miserably, go through "training" to receive new strength, fail again, deus ex machina just giving him the win. It's like whatever god is willing the stars of his universe is an incompetent who has no real concept of how the hero's journey is suppose to go. And what other choice does he have but to surrender to the cycle? His constant self sacrificing is what keeps the world spinning. And of nothing else at least he gets to keep becoming a better Ichigo than he was before right? Right?  

13 - DEATH Optimus Prime is well acquainted with the concept of change, is it after all hard wired into his very race's biology. But more than that, his years in perpetual war have shown him plenty endings and new beginnings, perhaps more of the former than the latter. And so long as he lives he will always be in the very company of death itself, looming over him, his allies and his enemies. Such is the nature of war.

14 - TEMPERANCE How long has Kiryuin Satsuki waited until she could finally be free of her vile mother? How much longer would she have waited to finally avenge her father? She waited years of her life for one moment to finally drive her blade through that vile woman, she didn't care if she succeeded or failed she has waiting for that moment long enough. And it seems that though her attempt did fail, that evil woman met her just deserts regardless, in the end fate still saw fit to reward Satsuki's patience.

15 - THE DEVIL Thanos is a very sick man. He is driven by his obsessions and desires, trying to hand wave it as "inevitability" or "higher purpose" when really it is but his own selfishness running rampant. And in his delusion he insists that the greater universe abides by his desire, worse even share in it. No matter how much he tries to change or has seemingly learned his lesson, he'll relapse in no time at all, going right back to his genocidal addiction. He truly is a lost cause....

16 - THE TOWER Uchiha Sasuke acts like he's the only one suffering, that his pain is more important than everyone else's. As such he pays no heed to that which he ruins or those that he hurts. Everything he touches, he destroys. Enemies, allies, friends, it matters not so long as he can get what he wants....which is constantly switching out. One minute he wants to get revenge on his brother, the next he wants to avenge him, and then he wants to be the one Hokage to "break the cycle of war". Whatever, he's always spin doctoring the horrible things he does to have some "deeper meaning" like he were a far right politician rewriting the bible. One has to wonder if he truly wants to use the darkness to bring about "positive change", if you ask me, he merely loves causing misery.

17 - THE STAR Sometimes it's easy to lose hope, just ask Peter Parker. Too many times it feels like no matter how hard he tries, even with spider powers his best is just not good enough. Most seem to believe so, most see him more as a menace doing more harm than good, especially Jameson. It's easy to forget what one is fighting for.....but then in his most dire moments, he can hear Uncle Ben's voice in his head telling him to not give up. Telling him about the few that do look upon the friendly neighborhood Spider Man as a symbol of hope, a star to look towards even when all other lights dim. And like that his strength returns to him, like that he gets back up and keeps fighting.

18 - THE MOON Ryoko Hakubi is both beauty and beast in one being. Not only does her power inspire fear, so too does her temperament whenever her pin is pulled. And even aside from that, she is one mystery after another, never will you truly understand how her mind or heart works. And not helping matters is her fluctuating moral compass that is comparable to mood swings. You'd have better luck figuring out women that you'd have trying to figure her out.

19 - THE SUN It's hard not to see that giant burning ball of gas as but a blight, a bleak reminder of the inevitable. But for the Last Son of Krypton, it is the source of his power. His true power, the power known as the best in humanity. That big Red S that shines like that very star inspires all to be the best they can be, igniting hearts with the strength to stand tall and proud even if they are not the strongest. Even if not everyone can be like Superman, anyone can be that which lights the darkness, anyone can be a hero.

20 - JUDGEMENT To become a Power Ranger is to be reborn into something beyond a mere human. To be infused with power for the sole purpose of answering the call to arms. Only a select few ever get to wear this mantle, and those that do must take up the fight against pure evil to their dying breath if necessary. As such the quality to become a Ranger is the resolve to always stand, to always get back up and never stop fighting. To be a Ranger is to be the one that has the resolve to fight the most important battle.

21 - THE WORLD So few can truly say they beat the Devil and got their soul back, but Albert Simmons is one such person. Perhaps it did not bring him the closure he was hoping for but it did bring him closure none the less. When he remembered the truth of his relationship with Wanda, remembered why exactly he was never allowed to have her back, he was finally able to let go and move on...

[aspoonofsugar]

what do you think of Millie as a character and her relationships in Helluva boss?

Hi,

I love Millie! I talked about her here.

In short, Millie is linked to the two main themes of Helluva pretty neatly:

Relationships - She and Moxxie are Blitz's ideal relationship. They represent the kind of bond Blitz wants, but thinks he can't obtain. This is why he stalks them and spies on them.

Classism - She is a stereotypical imp, who was born in a pretty standard family and fits all the boxes for what a perfect imp should be like: strong, violent and easy to anger. She expects not much from her life, but thanks to Blitz she learns her race and class do not define her. She discovers she can become a better version of herself.

What's interesting is the way she is used throughout the series:

In season 1, she is mostly linked to Moxxie. A lot of focus is given to their relationship, to what she is for Mox and to what their bond means for Blitz. This fits with Blitz having to unpack the way he approaches personal relationships - both platonic and romantic.

In season 2, she starts getting more individual focus and it is through her that we get a fresh exploration of the theme of classism. Through her we get a glimpse of what an everage citizen thinks and we understand how impactful Blitz's actions are for imps as a whole. This fits with the story becoming broader and tackling Hell's classism more directly.

Basically, Millie gaining more focus marks a shift for the story imo. As Blitz grows, the themes become bigger and we go from personal relationships to classism. Similarly, Millie starts as pivotal in Moxxie's arc, but then starts getting more and more personal development.

The episode which highlights this shift is Unhappy Campers. There we see a change of focus from Moxxie to Millie imo.

Unhappy Campers is the last Moxxie-focused episode in season 2. It is also the first one where Millie gets some exploration. After it, Millie is the one who gets more focus: she gets a short with Sallie May, shares an episode with Blitz and has more focus than Moxxie in Sinsmas, when it comes to the pregnancy reveal.

Unhappy Campers is also the episode where Moxxie's flaw (his low-self esteem and cry for attention) takes the best of him. This is nothing new, as Moxxie has had these traits since the beginning. For example, he lets Strike provoke him during the Harvest Moon Festival. However, this is the first time Millie refuses to coddle him. Not only that, but we realize Millie herself might have some self-issues. Basically, husband and wife act as mirrors of each other:

Moxxie: All week it's been "Oh look at Millerd! Isn't HE great?" "Oh, look how talented Millerd is!" We have a job to do, and you're off dancing for views! Why does it matter SO MUCH how these yokels feel about you? Millie: It doesn't. It matters how I feel about myself. And for once, I feel like… tears forming like I'm important. Like I'm someone to be proud of… And I had hoped that my husband would be there to support me half as much as I've supported him this week!

Moxxie tells Millie what he should tell himself and Millie reveals to him the hard truth: no matter what others think, but what Moxxie thinks of himself. It is important that after this fight, Moxxie seems more self- assured, whereas Millie gets a chance to breathe as a character.

MILLIE'S RELATIONSHIPS

When it comes to her relationships, the most important one is her love story with Moxxie. Theirs is clearly a bond pivotal to the themes, which is why their stories parallel each other. In particular, season 2 is a mirror of season 1:

We meet Millie's parents in season 1 and Moxxie has to gain their approval/ We meet Moxxie's father in season 2 and Millie has to protect her husband from him

Moxxie gets a bonding moment with Blitz in Truth Seekers, which is pivotal for Blitz's development /Millie gets a bonding moment with Blitz in Ghostfuckers, which helps Blitz mature

They are also complementary and play with gender roles:

Moxxie is soul and Millie is body

Moxxie fights from long distance, whereas Millie fights melee

Moxxie is linked to Greed and Millie to Wrath

Moxxie is feminine, but society expects him to be more masculine, so he has some toxic masculinity traits. Millie is masculine and happy with herself, but I would not be surprised if we discovered she feels some kind of societal pressure. This might get explored more with the pregnancy subplot

In general, I am expecting Moxxie and Millie to integrate more and Sinsmas seems to hint at this. After all, they fight Andrealphus with each other's weapons. Millie uses a bazooka and Moxxie a sword. This is the opposite of their usual fighting styles.

In short, I love Millie and I think she and Mox are super important thematically, as they are linked to complementary parts of the series. I also appreciate Millie gets fleshed out and has her own depth, despite not having any particularly traumatic backstory. Her short with Sallie May is my favorite short so far.

Thank you for the ask!

[whattraintracks]

13. Worthless - TMNT 1987

Some thoughts on Raphael, master of disguise.

There's this scene in "Raphael, Turtle of a Thousand Faces" (s05e16) that I think about a lot.

So Raphael is taking a remote class on undercover detective work, and the other turtles make fun of him practicing disguises for an assignment. Splinter checks on him after he storms off, and it's such a short conversation, but I think there's more going on under the surface.

First of all, Splinter's reaction to learning about the class is hilarious. His face is fun to watch and he's so baffled he literally gasps. But then you can tell he tries to be patient and understanding. I wish I knew what he was thinking. Is it, why would you want to be anything other than a ninja? Or maybe, you've never expressed interest in this before, where is this coming from?? If you've ever worked for a while with the same group of kids or adolescents, you may be familiar with this thought.

At first glance, Raphael's response breaks my heart. He tells Splinter he's taking this class to make "more of a contribution to the mean green team! You know, something special." My immediate thought is that he's feeling a little worthless. But then I step back and wonder if I'm reading too far into it. Taking the time to learn a new skill to better support your teammates is a worthwhile endeavor. This is not, on its own, necessarily an indicator of low self-esteem. But what bothers me is that nobody knew he was doing this. Again, not explicitly a bad thing, but it seems weird to me that he wouldn't involve the other turtles or at least let them know about it so they can support him.

So Splinter, of course, immediately reassures him they're all special. Also not sure what to make of how he says this because it sounds some combination of fond and amused but also just conciliatory. What's interesting is what Raphael says next, and how he says it causes me to question that initial assumption again. He agrees, almost genuinely? Like he says "maybe" but not in a "yeah, I guess" choosing-not-to-argue-but-feeling-otherwise kind of way, he sounds sincere. Now, this could be him saying, well, duh, we're special, how many other crime-fighting turtle men do you know? This would line up with stuff he's expressed throughout the series. But he finishes very showy and cheerfully with, "But I'll be the only master of disguise!" So maybe that first impression was wrong. Maybe this is just a teenager branching out and discovering other interests. Maybe the secrecy was because he was worried the guys would make fun of him—which they did. Or maybe, he wants to distinguish himself from the other turtles, wants his own thing. 

And I wonder why he might feel like he needs his own thing or specialty. One of my favorite parts about the team dynamic in this series is that they don't really have designated roles. Leonardo is the leader in that he keeps them rallied and on task, but they all take turns offering plans and solutions, serving as the distraction, playing bait, or, more practically, just driving or flying. But since Leonardo has a defined role as the leader/master ninja, Donatello as the inventor/the one who gets them out of trouble (see one of my favorite Raphael lines at the end of "My Brother, the Bad Guy"), and even Michelangelo as the chef/pizza guy, maybe he's feeling some anxiety over his own ambiguous role.

But I can't get rid of the feeling that he thinks he's not enough and the others are brushing it off. Especially after their weak apologies—"We didn't know you were actually serious about this disguise thing." Especially as he tries so hard to prove his dedication and skill and ends up in a lot of trouble in the rest of this episode. Especially when he gives up private investigation but immediately throws himself into chemistry at the end of the episode, once again on his own and without help.

This happens in one episode, and as far as I remember, they never talk about it again, but he's my little guy, and I worry, okay! I just want him to be happy and know he's loved and valued.

[puckish-rogue-archive-deux]

I've been thinking about something very specific regarding Django, and it involves the day he woke up from his five year coma. I can't help but wonder how he felt once everything had settled down after his prison break, and he had a chance to see his own reflection. How did he feel? Was he able to recognize himself? I would imagine it'd be difficult to go from this kid who just turned 21, look into a mirror, and find what's practically a fully grown man staring right back at you.

I genuinely believe that would be the moment where everything hits him all at once. Not only would the passage of time be felt, but the uncertainty of his own identity as well. Among the obvious places where doctors had fixed up whatever numerous injuries he had received from the explosion, was this still Django Foley? Or was this someone entirely new. A different kind of beast than what was there before.

Identity is something that is very important to Django. He practically had no such thing growing up. No real sense of self, let alone any idea of what his place in the world might be. It's why he went out of his way to find himself, as silly and as cliche as that might be. He was frustrated and desperate to make sense of himself. And in doing so, he discovered something very very surprising. Something that he wasn't aware of until the Saints gave him that chance to let it out.

But how much of that was left behind after the botched assassination? Was the idea of Django Foley strong enough to leave behind something, anything that could be seen as a connection to his past. Or was this merely the next step in his transformation? He wasn't sure. He was confused. Sick to his stomach. Angry! So very angry over what had been done to him.

These are emotions that I think were essential to the way he would handle the resurrection of the Saints and the subsequent takeover of Stilwater. A key reason as to why he went to the lengths he did, and how those actions would continue to define him in the years to come.

It may have been years since waking up from his five year nap, but there's still plenty of baggage that The Boss has yet to sort though. Yet that begs the question; will he? As far as he's concerned, there doesn't seem to be a need to. What's done is done, and the most he can do is put up with those scars that will never heal. The ones that act as a constant reminder of the time he had lost, and the significant ways in which he has changed. For the better? For the worst? Don't bother asking him. He couldn't give less of a shit.

[wizardingworldlibrary]

One Word Fic Titles Masterlist (2)

part one

Antithesis (ao3) - Oceanbreeze7 remus/tonks, james/lily T, 417k

Summary: Revenge is the misguided attempt to transform shame and pain into pride. Being forsaken and neglected, ignored and forgotten, revenge seems a fairly competent obligation at this point. Skylar is the boy who lived, that’s why he’s important. I’m not Skylar. Going to Hogwarts is part of the plan, waking the basilisk is part of the plan, taking potions, learning spells, being tortured, murdering others, watching people di-

Azoth (ao3) - zeitgeistic draco/harry, milliecnt/hermione, lavender/ron E, 88k

Summary: Now that Harry is back at Hogwarts with Hermione for eighth year, he realises that something’s missing from his life, and it either has to do with Ron, his boggart, Snape, or Malfoy. Furthermore, what, exactly, does it mean when one’s life is defined by the desire to simultaneously impress and annoy a portrait? Harry has no idea; he’s too busy trying not to be in love with Malfoy to care.

Conditionally (ao3) - Lomonaaeren T, 39k

Summary: Harry finds out that he’s Snape’s son. It goes as badly as possible.

Deep (ao3) - noarc harry/ron E, 10k

Summary: When Seamus claims that Harry has a thing for him, Ron finds himself struggling to find a reason why they couldn’t possibly be more than best friends. (Shameless smut follows.)

Deliberate (ao3) - sifshadowheart teddy/credence, albus/gellert T, 73k

Summary: Harry by now should know better than to touch things that he’d been assured were harmless.

Too bad that circumstances aligned to give him no other choice, resulting in him and his godson being tossed back nearly a century into the past leaving him with a significant choice to make: did he keep his head down and try and avoid changing the future?

Or did he take a very deliberate step off of the pre-worn path and see if a few changes - just here or there - could create a better future for everyone, including him.

A time-travel a/u featuring a/b/o, soulmates, and a gentle-hearted Harry with a very big axe to grind the more he discovers was lost in between the time he was born and the time he found himself living in thanks to a meddling magical artefact.

Different (ao3) - my_thestral scorpius/hugo E, 26k

Summary: Scorpius Malfoy has always been different. For the longest time he could share with no one what makes him so, and it’s slowly killing him inside. Until the time is right for someone to step forward and pull him out of the world of shadows into light. Someone bold and intuitive, and quite different himself

Dissident (ao3) - Constance1 draco/harry E, 181k

Summary: In a world of Alphas and Omegas, Harry is surprised to discover that he is a rare male Omega. He assumes his pull towards Draco Malfoy is because the Slytherin is an Alpha, but there is more at play here than even Harry knows.

Embers (ao3) - shiftylinguini draco/harry E, 41k

Summary: Werewolf Alphas aren’t meant to be alone, or to suppress their ruts indefinitely like Draco has been since he was bitten eight years ago. He needs company, companionship, to knot ― he needs an Omega Heat Companion. At least, that’s what the Healers say, and even Draco can admit contacting the person they’ve referred him to might be nice.

Of course it turns out to be bloody Potter.

Fortuitous (ao3) - mrsren hermione/draco M, 93k

Summary: Recently divorced Draco doesn’t believe in the ideology of having one true love. He certainly doesn’t expect to meet his match in a Halloween themed coffee shop, but fate has a peculiar way of giving you just what you need.

Herbology (ao3) - Celandine neville/luna E, 3k

Summary: Neville gets an idea from an old Herbology book, and needs Luna’s help.

Holidate - danpuff draco/ron, pansy/ginny T, 11k

Summary: Draco and Ginny aren’t ready to come out, so they decide to “date” for the holiday.

Irradiance (ao3) - Brief_and_Dreamy scorpius/albus M, 48k

Summary: Al starts Hogwarts knowing exactly who he is and what he wants from life. When the things he takes for granted fall away, he holds fast to the one truth that remains - he loves Scorpius and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep him safe.

Kiss - xErised draco/harry T, 10k

Summary: For the second task of the Triwizard Tournament, it’s not Ron that Harry rescues from the Great Lake, but Draco Malfoy. Hogwarts-era.

Lumos (ao3) - birdsofshore draco/harry E, 41k

Summary: Harry never expected to spend eighth year listening to Draco Malfoy wanking.

Outlet (ao3) - La_Matrona, ShayaLonnie hermione/harry E, 161k

Summary: War wounded Harry and Hermione return to Hogwarts for their last year, but there’s something wrong with Harry. Hermione makes it her mission to help him find an outlet for his unexpected frustrations only to realise that he has become hers, and they are both way in over their heads.

Realignment (ao3) - Puzzled T, 65k

Summary: The year is 1943. The Chamber lies unopened and Grindlewald roams unchecked. Neither Tom Riddle nor Albus Dumbledore is satisfied with the situation. Luckily when Hogwarts is attacked they’ll both have other things to worry about.

Seasons (ao3) - starlightpeddler scorpius/albus T, 35k

Summary: From the moment Scorpius and Albus get on the Hogwarts Express for their fifth year, things start to change. Albus starts to gain confidence both in the classroom and out of it, and Scorpius’ realization that he has greater feelings for his best friend threatens to leave him more alone than he’d ever imagined.

Slithering (ao3) - astolat draco/harry E, 27k

Summary: Draco found the nest down in the Manor’s cellars, while he was clearing them out.

Turmoil (ao3) - Metalomagnetic sirius/snape E, 64k

Summary: Two lost boys taking all the wrong turns.

Vortex (ao3) - xanthippe74 draco/harry T, 20k

Summary: “Don’t worry, my dearest one,” Draco’s mother told him when he confided his worries to her. When he was old enough to feel the pangs of adolescent longing, but still too young to sense the storm gathering around them. “Magic will overcome any distance or obstacles to bring two soulmates together when the time is right. Circumstances will arise that steer them in the right direction; strange coincidences will make their paths cross again and again. Then the most wondrous moment arrives, when you both realize that your soulmate, your perfect match, stands before you, and from that day forward your hearts will be one.”

Ten years after that conversation, the idea of perfectly-matched soulmates feels more like a curse than a blessing to Draco. Who would want a soulmate who was a schoolyard bully, a Death Eater, and a convicted felon? Certainly not Harry Potter. And Draco is determined to take this secret to the grave.

[undercover-author]

Marble Hornets + UnderTale soul color assignment list!!

Jay: Red - Determination.

No matter what, he never gave up, for better ... Or worse. Even before he was shot, he called out to Alex, determined to reason with him and to solve things non-violently. Though, because of this, his determination wound up being his downfall. Didn't anyone ever tell him that too much of a virtue could be a vice?

Masky: Orange - Bravery.

He certainly was brave, alright. Bravery isn't the lack of fear. No, true bravery is perseverance through your fears. Along with that, Masky's first solution to any problem is to tackle it. If that's not bravery, and maybe a little bit of stupidity, I don't know what is.

Alex: Yellow - Justice

While yes, Alex is a murderer; he was, in his own, sick and twisted way, looking for justice. He believed that because of this fact, his actions were justified. My opinions on Alex Kralie are a topic for another day, but I will say, I do not think he is a good person, nor do I think he was justified. Nonetheless, he tried to kill Tim in the name of justice. He tried to kill everyone he knew had the Operator Sickness to destroy the Operator. For Justice.

Jessica: Green - Kindness

I was tempted to assign her integrity, but she did lie to Jay a few times. Reasonably so, since at the time she had no idea who she was. But she was one of the kindest people in the whole series. She got a call from a stranger about her missing roommate and upon hearing that Amy was, in fact, not with Alex, she was willing to go to great lengths to help find her. The last thing we hear from her is that she wanted to meet Jay, asking where he was. Then, when Tim had fallen to the ground in a coughing fit, she asked, "Should I call an ambulance?!" She resembles true kindness in the hellish world that is Marble Hornets

Hoodie: Cyan - Patience

Oh, this man is nothing if not patient. Maybe a little god comlex-y but that's... actually, no, that's a part of my point. Hoodie seemed to feel that he was both in control of everything and in control of nothing. To me, he seemed to set up pieces and wait for them to all fall into place. He'd post a cryptic totheark entry and wait for Jay to crack the code. He'd lure people to places and wait for them to find whatever he sent them there for. He was patient with Jay and how thick his skull could be. Though, he was less patient with Tim in season three, when his control began to slip out of his hands, Hoodie still tried to give him time. Even in the end, when his fate was expressly clear, he simply waited for his time and when it came he let go.

Brian: Blue - Integrity

I define integrity with the definition I was told in the second grade; Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, even when nobody asks. Now, originally, I was going to assign Brian kindness. He and Jessica would have been switched. But, going off the definition I just gave, kindness would be encompassed into it. I would like to say Brian had a lot of integrity. He invited Alex to go with himself and Tim to dinner, he auditioned for Marble Hornets in the first place, wishing to help his friend with his project, so on. But I'd like to turn your attention to entry 51, this is where I feel Brian's integrity is on full display. He is anxious about trespassing, but still wants to help Alex. Once he wakes up, though, what is his main concern? Finding Alex, likely to make sure he's okay. What does he do when he discovers Tim? Brian rushes to his side with worry very clear in his voice. He even tries to help him up to get Tim the fuck outa there. (It's very likely not Tim, rather being Masky, but not the point here.) Brian could have just as easily ran the hell away, but he wanted to help his friends, even if it was risky one way or another.

Tim: Purple - Knowledge

Prefacing this with the fact that I know the canon virtue for the purple soul is perseverance and while, yes, that would fit Tim, I personally like to say it's knowledge because determination and perseverance are essentially the same thing and I think knowledge or curiosity would fit the items better.

With this one, I'd like to focus on the fact that from the start, Tim had more knowledge than he let on. Of course, it was limited due to his amnesia and, for the sake of debate, dissociation. In this paragraph, we are separating Masky from Tim and going along with the popular theory that Tim has Dissociative Identity Disorder because that is how I, personally perceive his character. But, time and time again, it's hinted that Tim knows so much more than he lets Jay see and eventually, we, too, come to know most, if not all of what he went through and the knowledge he kept

BONUS!!

Seth: Blue - Integrity

Seth really was just trying to help Alex out. Even after Alex's whole blow up at him, he still apologized.

Sarah: Cyan - Patience

If there was a color for sass, I'd give her that, but working with hot-headed Kralie, you know damn well she had to have a hell of a lot of patience working with him

Amy: Green - Kindness

Even after Alex lied to her however many times she did, she still stayed with him. It caused her premature death, but until the very end, all she ever did was love him. GOD I LOVE AMY

Tunnel Guy: Blue - Integrity

This man saw a stranger in a tunnel and went to try and help him since he was concerned for Alex's wellbeing. This man!! Saw a total stranger!! And tried to help him!! AND HE GOT KILLED FOR IT!!! BRUHH???

[eternal--returned]

A child is nothing by himself; it is his parents who represent him. It is through them that he defines himself, that he is defined in the eyes of the world. He feels it is through them that he is truly judged—judged, that is, without right of appeal, and this judgment by the world was what he had just discovered, and, with it, his own judgment on the hard heart that was his. He could not know that once become a man, one is less deserving for not recognizing these evil feelings. For one is judged, for better or for worse, by what one is and much less on one's family, since it even happens that the family is judged in its turn by the child become a man. But it would have taken a heart of rare and heroic pureness for Jacques not to suffer from the discovery he had just made, just as it would have taken an impossible humility for him not to react with anger and shame to what his suffering had revealed to him about his own nature. He had none of those qualities; instead there was a hard and nasty arrogance that helped him at least on this occasion, making him write the word "domestic" on the form with a firm hand and take it, his face expressionless, to the monitor, who did not even notice it. Along with all that, Jacques had not the slightest desire to have a different family or station in life, and his mother as she was remained what he loved most in the world, even if that love was hopeless. Besides, how can it be made clear that a poor child can sometimes be ashamed without ever being envious?

Albert Camus ֍ The First Man (1960)

[sunderedazem]

WoLposting on main for what (and how) he's doing after Endwalker-

He's starting with changing his hairstyle from the long braid with bangs to a shorter ponytail/shaggy bob cut after Endwalker because it feels like. The end of an era. And he's mourning losing his friends' constant presence, a little (even if he and G'raha are now courting and being idiot catboys about it). It's just. Cutting away what was out of grief. He's losing the Scions, at least ostensibly, because they're all splitting up and going different ways, and he's. A lot lost without them.

But also the haircut is because he doesn't want to be some folk hero and only that. Like he's cool with it, but also- he wants time to be Corrain, to figure out who Corrain is. He became the Warrior of Light when he was seventeen and has been that ever since, and before that was just a Keeper foundling in Gridania trying to complete a conjurer apprenticeship so he could get citizenship - he hasn't had the time to figure out what he wants. And sure, being adopted by Edmont and House Fortemps helped - he had a home and a family and a nation finally, even if he's sort of in the same sort-of son category Haurchefant was - but he's got little snippets of Azem's memory bleeding through, he knows there's a wanderlust in him that won't settle, and he needs Corrain de Fortemps to be someone who has the space to find out who he is. And for that he can't be clocked as the WoL everywhere he goes!

So he takes a knife and chops off his braid and then Y'shtola and Krile find him sitting in front of a mirror with this awful fluffy mess and help him shape it better, and when it's long enough to put up he just ties it back in a ponytail. And he just- wanders aimlessly. He helps G'raha a lot, they're definitely dating in a Halone-sanctioned way lmao, and he trails around visiting Scions.

And he's almost invisible. The people who know who he is know Corrain and not just the Warrior of Light, and now the bards' stories don't describe him perfectly and- he's got space to breathe. Space to discover he genuinely likes archaeology and researching bygone eras and writing about them, space to go around and record the mechanical particulars of his forays into ancient ruins and alternate worlds and etc, space to polish his knowledge about foraging and botany and learn how to travel with cookware only and make meals from the land rather than carry food with him-

And all of this to say he finds that - outside of being the Warrior of Light - he genuinely likes the kind of adventuring that comes with learning opportunities. He likes studying the things he's found, likes the challenge of discovery in the first place. He likes the kind of work the Students of Baldesion do, likes working with scholars. (especially G'raha. Nobody saw that coming 🙄) And more than all that- he's genuinely good at it. He gets to realize a lot of his own archaeological/adventuring skill, while supplemented by time-period experts, is in fact it's own branch of knowledge.

So by the time Dawntrail kicks off - I think he's fully considering trying to write a thesis on it, and maybe try to see if Sharlayan would give him an Archon's mark about it. Sure- he's not a Sharlayan citizen, he has strong ties to Ishgard in the vein of being an adopted son of one of the four high houses. But he's also openly dancing circles around G'raha and Artoirel is definitely interested in having a no-inheritance-threat adopted baby brother with a foothold in Sharlayan and- well, House Fortemps approved of G'raha already anyway, they're expecting that to happen.

He's definitely found himself in a lot of ways by the time the next expansion will kick off. Of course part of that is being an actual adult and a twenty-something instead of a teenager, but also- coming to terms with being nine-fourteenths of Azem, coming to terms with defining himself rather than letting what he can do define him, coming to the realization that he's allowed to like what he does and who he is.

That the hope he found in Ultima Thule is actually allowed to feel like his own, and it's not selfish of him to feel that way. That he's allowed to live for himself.

And. Like damn. Finally! but also I'm proud of him. He turns out alright in the end.

Excited to start Dawntrail with this version of Corrain. He's just so much less- desperate to prove something. He proved everything he needed to prove to himself already. And now he finally just adventure for adventure's sake.

[selchwife]

i think the function of azem in these misogynist fics is interesting tbh the more i think on it bc like

within the actual game there's a sort of ambivalence to the nature of wol's relationship with azem. they Are azem, in a sense, because they have the same soul and are reincarnated, but they are Not, because they are a new person with new experiences. this is textual. azem and wol share similarities because they are parts of a temporal whole, but they are not the same person, precisely. the wol's present identity is who they truly are, so discovering the secrets of azem's past is something of a moot point and is not really explored in the game beyond to hint that some of azem's personality traits are familiar. ultimately azem is well and truly dead, but a piece of them lives on in wol. and because emet-selch cannot square that, just as he cannot square ANYTHING about what the world has become, anything he has with wol is doomed. emet-selch's Tragic Flaw (lit class voice) is his stagnancy and his marriage to the past; he ruins what he touches because he cannot divest himself of his nostalgia and look toward a future.

so i find it interesting (somewhat derogatory) when this is sort of turned on its head in these fics. rather than their current self being the truth of their existence, many of these wols' stories are framed such that their past incarnation with azem is the true core of their identity. but obviously because these characters cannot remember being azem, it takes emet-selch to come in and reveal these things - to define their identity for them, essentially, and show them who they Really Are. he automatically knows better than these women (because once again, this shows up most often in m/f writing) about who they are because he knew azem, so the best service he can do for them is to show them. and, of course, it's usually in a context where azem is his former wife or girlfriend. rather than being his Tragic Flaw, his marriage to the past is framed as not only a positive, but as sacrosanct, because he has control over this supposed Truth of Who His Partner Really Is that he has to impose on her. and because he is the arbiter of this divine and secret truth about wol's identity and role in life she can only become fully actualized by obeying him, which (i would hope unintentionally) echoes some very dark rhetoric from the religious right in particular about women's roles in society as a whole.

and i wonder so often like, what is the spin here that makes this desirable? is it the idea of having a partner to whom you don't need to do the work of communicating? like, since he already understands your every desire and who you are fundamentally, you never need to have any difficult conversations about your needs and desires? you never have to ask anything of him because he already knows to do it? like, i can understand that, but it comes part and parcel with being constantly under his power and allowed no freedom or agency. is THAT related to like, wanting to rest? wanting someone else to step in and help you once in a while? i feel like there are less extreme ways to fantasize about meeting that particular need. i don't know. it's difficult for me to imagine the appeal of a man like this or relationship like this, especially having experienced similar in non-romantic areas of life. speaking from my OWN experience when someone else is dictating to you Who You Are and how you ought to find self-actualization and you are constantly living under his control it's not really nice and you kind of want to kill him with a shovel. so i can't imagine those things as a positive.

[wordtowords]

Soporific Venus and Mars

soporific - adjective - tending to induce drowsiness or sleep (Google)

The battle between the sexes has been waged ad infinitum for decades despite being complicated by the addition of an alternative gender. In fact, the debate between Venus (female) and Mars (male) has been so overplayed that some might feel that it has become soporific. We've been there, done that so the mere mention of the topic makes us drowsy with boredom.

 I'm going to throw a wrench in that engine. Just recently, via research, I've discovered a major difference between women and men that could just be the cause of an increase in the break-up rate among heterosexual couples: romance. Men and women define it differently. 

Although you may disagree (if you do, you have probably been married for too long), when it comes to perpetuating romantic love, romance is key. Without it, this type of love is just, well, love sans specifics. To men, romance boils down to sex. The more, the better. A romantic date to them reflects testosterone, meaning something physical must be involved. Think fishing, hiking, golfing, skiing, jogging, playing pickle ball. Am I right, ladies? If men are thinking of what their women want at all, at the end of the day, they might include dinner at a moderately priced restaurant. And they might even pick up the entire tab if they think they might have a chance at the golden ring. You know, sex. 

Women, on the other hand, tend to be more emotionally intelligent than their male counterparts. Because estrogen rules us even after it is nearly nonexistent, most of us have a love language that includes affection, poetic compliments (albeit this could be a stretch), and gestures (often a total stretch). A dozen red roses? They are a bit trite, but okay. We'll take what we can get.

I was lucky enough, or unlucky enough, to have had a 24-year romance (not a relationship) with a man who referred to himself as a "gay, straight man" because he was fully in tune with his feminine side as well as his masculine side. He was above and beyond Casanova when it came to pleasing me, both in and out of bed. And most of the nonsexual gestures had little to do with money and more to do with imagination and perhaps, genuine ardor. For example, he would cook me gourmet dinners served before the fireplace. Afterwards we would slow dance to songs we sang to each other. He would draw me bubble baths in a candlelit bathroom, frequently joining me in the tub. Since he rented a small cabin on a flower farm, to prepare for my visits, he would pick myriad bouquets and fill every room with them. Breakfast in bed came every Sunday morning for all of the years that we were together. Even though we are no longer together due to a complication that can't be helped, I will always be in love with him because of his degree of sensitivity, creativity, and selflessness. At present, I am now "unlucky" in that I am so spoiled that no other man whom I have dated since has ever been able to live up to his example. Why? Most men are from Mars; women are from Venus. Ugh. I'm feeling soporific just thinking about it.

The takeaway? Men, if you want to keep women of high value in your life, you are going to have to pony up in the romance department if you haven't done so already. Valentine's Day is vast approaching. Although everyday should be Valentine's Day in a romantic relationship, the actual day is the perfect starting off point for you to spice things up in the romance department. 

Just sayin'. 

#word-to-words, #slice-of-life, #blog, #blogging, #editorial, #reading, #vocabulary, #ReadersMagnet, #spilled thoughts, #personal-essay, #writing community, #writing, #truth, #society, #L.A.fires, #romantic love, #romance, #Valentine's Day, #heterosexual love

[matthiasxdc]

🎈

🎈 for a headcanon about my muses past

Matthias’s past is a tapestry of heartbreak and resilience, defined by tragedy but also by the strength he’s had to find within himself to keep going. He grew up in a close-knit family, where he learned the importance of loyalty and love early on. Those bonds made the loss of his family all the more devastating when they were taken from him. The night of their deaths—the night he discovered his ex-girlfriend’s role in the tragedy—shattered the foundation of everything he thought he knew. It left him drowning in guilt, betrayal, and anger, emotions he’s carried ever since. Before the tragedy, Matthias had a knack for fixing things—whether it was a broken engine or someone’s bad mood. He was the guy people could count on, a protector by nature. Losing his family turned that protectiveness into a sense of obligation, fueling his role as a hunter. It’s his way of making sure no one else experiences what he did, even if it means sacrificing pieces of himself along the way. Matthias has always had a sharp wit and a streak of rebellion, traits that helped him survive his early years as a hunter. Those qualities also mask a deep well of vulnerability, one he rarely shows. He keeps people at arm’s length because letting them in feels like an invitation for more heartbreak, but he quietly longs for the kind of connection he once had with his family. His past shaped him into someone who’s both fiercely independent and quietly haunted. While he carries a lot of pain, it’s also what drives his determination to fight for something better, even if he’s not sure he’ll ever truly find it for himself.

[countlessrealities]

@yinbug sent: Headcanon time! Given more freedom in his life, in what ways might Adrien go about discovering who he is as a person and what he enjoys and wants out of his life without his father's influence? What kind of career path do you foresee Adrien on other than modeling? How would he go about achieving that goal? What other dreams for his future does Adrien have that don't involve romance?

Considering his origins and his upbringing, figuring out his identity as an individual, separated from his father's expectations and will, will be a real challenge for Adrien. His life and purpose have always been dictated by someone else, so far, whether he realised it or not, and suddenly finding himself without the structure that has been holding up his entire existence will surely be unsettling and disorienting for him.

After all, one of the reasons why he has an easier time being Cat Noir over being Adrien, aside from the freedom he is allowed when he's wearing the mask, is that Cat Noir has a clear role, task and purpose, while all Adrien has, when it comes to himself, are uncertainty and doubts.

At first, I can see him turning to his friends and Natalie for support and guidance, possibly even unconsciously expecting them to give him the answers, since he won't know where to start from.

He has already done something similar with the matter of his student's file, where he has admitted that he doesn't know what he wanted to do with his life, nor what his actual interests are. In those circumstances, his solution has been clinging to the person he trusted and cared for the most (Marinette), putting her at the centre of his future projects, in place of Gabriel's wishes.

Thankfully, he is surrounded by people who care for him and are very willing to help him with his journey of self-discovery. I can see Marinette, Nino and the others dragging him around to try different things and activities, to encourage him to experiment with new hobbies, to experience different lifestyles. They have already done that to an extent, and it has enriched Adrien's life, helping him coming out of his shell, even if not enough to start building his own destiny.

In this regard, the two people who would be able to help him the most are Kagami and, once they'll be reconciled, Félix. Kagami has experienced Adrien's same sort of upbringing, so she knows what it means to be defined by someone else's will and vision. She is undergoing a similar struggle to find her own path out of Tomoe's shadow.

As for Félix, he has gone through the same journey of self-definition Adrien is about to start in the year after his father's death, so no one can understand Adrien better and is more suited to help him out than his cousin...with all the limitations that he has as a person.

For my interpretation of the character, I can see Adrien eventually deciding to travel around the world. Perhaps taking one or two years off before college, so that he can truly see the world. He has been abroad a lot, with his father and thanks to his modeling career, but he had never truly been allowed to take in what was around him in those occasions. Most of the times, he was either confined to his hotel room or kept under strict surveillance.

Now, he has the chance to make up for it, to learn and discover new things through those trips, both about the different shades of the world he lives in and about himself. Also, the fact that he is very proficient when it comes to languages will come in very handy.

The other thing Adrien wants and tries to do is helping people. As Cat Noir, but also without the mask.

I can see him finding a job in a world charity organisation, as someone who works on the field, in direct contact with the people in need, but also as a help in the management department, since he is familiar with the field, from the years he has spent watching his father doing business.

He would spend periods in various countries through the years, communing his desire to travel with his need to be useful.

This kind of lifestyle won't be easy to balance with his duties as superhero and, even more, with a stable relationship, but if he and Marinette end up being each other's endgame, they'll make it work, and same goes for Ladybug and Cat Noir. After all, if she ends up succeeding in the world of fashion, Marinette probably will have to travel around quite a bit too.

So, to sum it up, I can see Adrien pursuing the two things that he has been denied for so long: personal freedom and the chance to build his own destiny.

[sokkastyles]

Examining the way that various characters define loyalty. In “The Storm,” Zuko defines the plan in the war meeting as a betrayal:

Young Zuko[Zuko is shown standing up.] You can't sacrifice an entire division like that! Those soldiers love and defend our nation! How can you betray them?

Then, when faced with his father in the agni kai, defines himself as loyal to Ozai:

Young Zuko[Frontal shot; kneels on his knees and forearms, while looking at the floor.] I meant you no disrespect. [Gazes up at his father, tears shimmering in his eyes as his voice starts to waver.] I am your loyal son.

An idea that Zhao uses to question Zuko later, implying that Zuko’s status as banished means there is cause to question his loyalty:

Zhao: Prince Zuko, the Avatar is the only one who can stop the Fire Nation from winning this war. If you have an ounce of loyalty left, you'll tell me what you found.

It’s also Zuko’s association with Iroh that calls his loyalty into question, as Iroh himself is known as disgraced:

Zhao: General Iroh, why am I not surprised to discover your treachery?

Iroh: I'm no traitor, Zhao, the Fire Nation needs the moon, too; we all depend on the balance.

Iroh defines loyalty in an entirely different way, though.

Ozai: Iroh is a traitor, and your brother Zuko is a failure. I have a task for you.

Again we have the idea that Iroh is treacherous, but notably Ozai does not tell Azula that Zuko is also a traitor, but a failure. If Zuko were branded a traitor, Ozai would have to admit losing his control over him, since Zuko’s belief that he needs to regain his honor in his father’s eyes is what keeps him loyal. Better a failure than a traitor. No matter how much Ozai puts down Zuko, he needs Zuko to be his scapegoat, so he also needs to keep Zuko loyal to him. It also helps Ozai maintain his control over Azula as well, because Zuko serves as the example of what happens if you fail to keep being the golden child, and it’s how Azula defines herself, as not Zuko (until the end of the series, that is). 

Azula: I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle. But Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?

Azula also needs to believe that Zuko wants desperately to come home, to be accepted back into the fold, and that’s part of why she needs him to side with her in Ba Sing Se. Zuko carving a life out for himself (with Iroh the traitor, no less) in Ba Sing Se is a threat to her entire worldview, because in order for her to be the golden child, Zuko has to be the scapegoat. If Zuko chooses to leave that dynamic, not only is it a threat to her superiority, but a threat to her belief that her father is right and good and that there is nothing better than the life she has with Ozai. Azula also tells her mother in the finale that fear is the only way to maintain loyalty, that trust is for fools.

Zhao, Ozai, and Azula define loyalty in similar ways, loyalty to Ozai, loyalty to the regime, unquestioning loyalty in response to control through fear of being branded the other and ostracized by the regime.

Both Iroh and Zuko define loyalty to the people of the Fire Nation rather than the Fire Lord. Zuko was against betraying soldiers who served his nation loyally. Iroh said that the Fire Nation also needed balance to be maintained. This is also why Zuko and Iroh have a better concept of statecraft and a leader’s obligation to the people of their nation than Ozai, Azula, or Zhao do.