#that autism sure be autisming orz

[headfullofdolls]

I do genuinely think making Frankie intentionally autistic would be a natural evolution in understanding their character. Like a realization that the traits are core to their character beyond just them being new to living, things that would stick around much longer than them just getting used to existence. An understanding from the writers that if their character can so easily "unintentionally come off as autistic," perhaps the core of that character inherently aligns with and strikes a chord with that experience.

Snippets from the leak (and very long analysis) below.

They have the ingredients, if only they take the opportunity to embrace it.

There's potential for a similar evolution with Lagoona.

We've already seen in the show that Lagoona has idealized, fairy tale (scary tale) ideas about love, and specific archetypes in mind. If her arc is about learning real relationships, including romantic ones, aren't like the ones in fairy tales and telenovelas, you could organically take that in the direction of her first major romantic relationship not working out because it was built on these idealized notions. Especially considering our first time seeing Gil in the show is as the dream guy in Lagoona's story, you could create an arc around her idealizing him, falling in love with him, but then realizing the relationship doesn't click as well or easily as she thought it would (not necessarily from anything bad between them). She could start to recognize love in different shapes than she'd expected, in different places than she'd usually look, and surprise herself with what she finds.

There's no reason Lagoona needs to be straight, or otherwise. But within her arc, there's an opportunity to go beyond her learning about real relationships and romance, to explore a character discovering their orientation. It'd also draw a more distinct parallel to her growth from her initial false friendship with Toralei—based on dependency, uneven dynamics, and abstract ideas of what it means to be friends—to finding real friendship with Draculaura and co—based on mutual trust and acceptance.

Again, I don't think they'd need to paint Gil in a bad light for a potential romantic relationship between him and Lagoona to not work. In fact it'd be better and more meaningful if they didn't, both within the context of the arc itself being about Lagoona's self-discovery, and the context of their rocky relationship in g1.

Of note, Gil's only mention in the version of bible that got leaked is in relation to Lagoona.

Given the g3 show's current track record, it's undeniable his character will get expanded on beyond a relationship to Lagoona. And that none of that shows up in the leaked version of the bible is one of the (many!) things that points to it being a document in ongoing development (I could honestly make a whole other post about the characterizations that don't align with the final show).

On that note and as a final point, same as with Gil, Howleen's only mention in the leaked bible is in relation to Clawdeen.

Here, there's an idea of Howleen being a yet-unknown relative to Clawdeen, not very expanded upon. However, Howleen being a yet-unknown younger sister to Clawdeen, in addition to maintaining the relationship they had in g1, also makes a more compelling story than Howleen being a younger cousin of various relation. The main issue is figuring out how that fits with the timeline of their mother getting stuck on Beheme. It's probable making Howleen a younger cousin was an idea considered mainly because it avoids that issue entirely.

That being said, there's enough timeywimey shenanigans surrounding Beheme, and open-endedness around Selena Wolf's disappearance, that they could've still worked something else out.

But there's also potential to explore Howleen being a half-sister, or becoming an adopted sister later on. Both would be interesting dynamics not often too represented or explored in children's media, and could be valuable as relatable or teachable experiences for the show's target audience.

These are just my ideas of how Frankie, Lagoona, and Howleen could be expanded upon from the initial concepts in the leaked version of the bible. What I'm getting at is there are ways to get from this point, the specific version of the bible that was leaked, to a final show where Frankie is autistic (and maybe AuDHD), Lagoona is bi/pan/ace even, and Howleen is in some way Clawdeen's sister. Because, like I said in my last post, show bibles change, develop, and get updated as writers work on the show.

And as I mentioned earlier, there are several characterizations in the leaked version of the show bible that also don't line up with what we've seen in the finalized show, already halfway through the first season.

The leak doesn't provide any canon confirmation or deconfirmation. It just provides insight to how the writers were thinking about certain ideas at the time it was last updated.

[spinchip]

can you write something with meri perhaps I know they're my oc but like :autism stare:

aaaaaaaa (dats me yellin) I hope this is okay ORZ

“I have a question.” Meri says, swirling the whiskey they’d poured from Broden Voss’s crystal decanter. They wouldn’t drink it, Broden knows- they hated the taste. Couldn’t stand to kiss him after he’d had a sip. It was more for something to hold, he presumes.

“What now?” He’s sitting at his desk in his chair- authentic leather, the best money could buy. He’d given up on any work, shelving his email response to Stella for a time where Meri wasn’t bothering him. He used to find these meetings amusing... The novelty had worn off. His voice is clipped, annoyed, but Meri either doesn’t notice or foolishly still believes they’re safe.

“Do you know… who I am?” Meri stops swirling the drink, resting it in their lap. They’re perched on the edge of his desk and they’re tense and uncomfortable. They are staring at the wall, expression steely, waiting.

Broden leans back, threading his fingers together and scrutinizing them. He sighs, reaches towards his desk and opens the drawer- Meri doesn’t flinch, but turns to watch him like a hawk- and pulls out a slim box. He pops the golden clasp to reveal… a plain box of cigars. (plain isn’t the right word. They were imported, expensive, exclusive.) Meri deflates, staring down at the cup. They're upset, but not at Broden. He lights one up and savors the taste, “No.” He answers finally, “I don’t.”

Meri jerks in surprise, spinning to face him, “Are you being serious?”

“I never saw the need.” His words are characterized by a smoke trail from his lips.

Too relieved to pick up on the thinly veiled insult, Meri visibly relaxes, “Whew!” They fiddle with the cup again, frowning, “Y’know, Cyrus does. He looked me up.”

Broden goes very, very still. “Is that so?”

“Yeah! He vetted me, the jerk.” Meri scowls, “He said he couldn’t let me get too close without making sure I wasn’t dangerous. Isn’t that messed up? Just when I thought maybe...”

Meri had always overshared when it came to Cyrus Borg- they’d learned it riled Voss up, and a pissy Voss was funny. They hadn’t considered how Voss might act once he was finished playing their game. They keep talking- too long, too clueless of the way the chessboard changed.

He interrupts them during another tangent about Borg that Broden didn’t care to listen to, “I could, if i wanted to.” He says softly, traces of venom in his tone.

“Could what?”

“I could find out who you are, where you work when you’re not stealing from me- even where you live.” He leans forward, reaching over to wrap his hands around the cup. Meri face is a menagerie of emotions. “I never did because I have never seen you as a threat. You’re in my building, Meri. If i wished you dead, you would be.”

There’s a look in Meris eyes- the refusal to believe. A rat caught in the trap that can’t allow itself to comprehend that.

He takes the cup- no use wasting good whisky. “Meri, Meri, Meri…” He sighs, sitting back, “I’m bored.”

There- there it is. Voss doesn’t call the security drones in right away- he was waiting for this. Meris face crumples, dawning horror- the realization, the shock, the fear, the awe- all of it for him. Because of him. Finally Meri realized their place in the hierarchy. They knew exactly what they meant to him- what their very life represents in his-

Absolutely nothing.

Their eyes are wet, and it's the closest to tears Broden knows he’ll get. He doesn’t waste another breath, bringing the cup to his lips as Meri scrambles off his desk, backing away in fear. Their hands shake, and their eyes look wildly around the room- waiting.

He taps a button on his wristwatch, and activates the security drones.

[case-57-with-the-enclosure]

Chapter 4

of lost in the dark (he's got a heavy heart) by @definitelynotshouting!

( 1 & 2, 3)

"For a long moment, Grian stares at them, mind as fresh and blank as new snow. It feels like he’s circling something, drawing inexplicably closer to its event horizon with each new revolution– like any minute now it will pull him in, and he’ll fall, forever tumbling to regain his balance."

oh the spiral,,, love the use of event horizon here hell yeah

"It only takes a few simple ingredients to invert a healing potion. All he needs after that is a little time to brew them, when nobody else is looking."

extremely personally attacked bc -and this might shock you /s- my special interest is this block game and as soon as Tango mentioned potions the entire chart popped up on my brain.

this one, almost exactly. backstabbed by my own autism once again

"Three or four." Grian keeps his face carefully neutral. "I dunno, maybe five?"

WHATS THAT LIKE, 15 HEARTS OF DAMAGE? 30 IF HE GIVES HIM HEALING II???? GRIAANNNN

"It's a familiar tic, and the aching thing in Grian's chest spiderwebs out in fragile fractures. He's never enjoyed lying. Half-truths, sure, and he's always loved a good loophole– but outright lying? That's not his normal style. Tango is right, five is an absurd number– it's a miracle he's even entertaining the thought."

"spiderwebs out in fragile fractures." AUGH oh how i love literature fuck yeah. that hurt

"But five will be enough to make sure. No last minute resurrections, no sudden rescues. Just himself, the void, and the universe they all belong to. He wonders if it will sing to him as his code falls apart."

*dies*

"You weigh like, nothing, dude," Tango informs him, and there's a little hitch in his voice Grian doesn't want to parse. It makes something in his chest shudder and curl up, tight and cold. "What the hell."

there's something so infinitely funny to me about the direct contrast between the narration and the dialog- its like tango is a muppet starring on a Noir film. very good.

Grian's chuckle is a small, reluctant thing, breaking in his throat midway, but Tango's entire demeanor brightens as if he'd burst out into howling laughter. Something swells in the air around them, and it takes a moment for Grian to pinpoint that feeling as hope.

HEAD IN HANDS orz I'M- (sobs) I'm a weak man i see hope and i go nuts

Maybe it's the knee-jerk fear that makes Grian do it, the bone-deep terror that this will somehow pollute his resolve– or maybe it's just cruel impulse. Either way, this question has been spinning in his mind ever since they found him in the void, and Grian blurts it out before he can swallow it back down. "Why are you even here?"

i loooooove dread and terror man, hooting and hollering for cruel impulses

"I'm serious, man." Tango sets his jaw, then heaves a sigh, glancing up at the ceiling. One foot taps anxiously against the wooden floor. "It's… okay. Okay, I’ll admit it. It's actually because of Jimmy." It takes a beat for that to sink in. When it does, Grian’s eyebrows rocket into his hairline, incredulous. "Tim?"

gay people?? on my block game????? more likely than you think

ok i didn't grab any specific fragments of Pearl's appearance but oh boy oh buddy oh fuck if my back didn't tense up :^> ass clenched i fear

====================================

Closing Thoughts

i know it will get worse before it gets better. but i can't help but to hope and i think that's a wonderful thing to achieve while writing angst <3

i have the urgent need to do ANYTHING minecraft-fiction related, so i might start workshoping something with my friends and i's mc ocs :Dc idk im inspired

[taonsil]

end of year fic summary \o/

this is copied over from dw so isn’t a tagging thing, but please do take it if you want~ it was in shareable format originally.

dhjfd I set my w/c goal at half of what my actual output was last year because I hoped to do more art, I didn’t realise it was gonna be because of the block from hell. but! the last minute burst of enthusiasm at the end of the year got me there, just makes for a pretty repetitive summary orz

january: - february: autochoris yeol, chansoo drabble march: april: may: june: round trip july: watch the time cause no one's watchin' august: september: october: suyeol drabble november: sparkle dust, unbeleafable december: useless husbands wip!

total number of fics (edited and reuploaded drabbles included): 7

total word count: 61k

favorite: gonna have a lot of same-y answers this year as there's less to pick from OTL but favourite, definitely unbeleafable. I really had a love-hate relationship with creating it, but I'm so pleased with the final result. It's a 'verse I'd happily have continued writing if there hadn't been a deadline

the best: unbeleafable. maybe it was due to lack of practice or coming out the other side of a massive writers block, but my style changed a little and I think it really benefited this fic! but also it was my first real attempt at writing explicitly nd characters and a plot that revolved around those themes. I'm the first to hold my hands up to my first attempts at other subjects having been clumsy, so I feel like I spent months just tweaking and editing it;; I really bonded with the characters in this (and the sideplots/supporting characters) n, yeah, it's just something I'm really proud of

most underappreciated by the universe: round trip! it's probably the only true gen fic I've ever written, and pokemon au. I found it very fun and cutesy to work on and (again, probably bc of the block that was getting me down most of the year) I was pretty happy with how the details worked into it. it's not super interesting, but I did hope it would be enjoyed ;u;

most fun to write: sparkle dust and unbeleafable. sparkle dust was ripped from a draft I created around march, and it was awful. it was when I could barely string a sentence together. it got real fun rewriting it once I felt back on my feet and feeling more confident of the direction it was going in, and that it's on a subject I enjoy, as well as knowing it was a gift for cat :'D unbeleafable was much the same - I started it in may, dusted it off in october and basically rewrote the entire thing at a personal best speed once I felt connected to it and comfortable with how the writing was going (and I enjoyed adding in little details so much, I was honestly laughing like a loser at some scenes while I was working on them). also the gross husbands wip I’m working on rn, it’s 6k in and I’m enjoying it a lotttt

sexiest: I mean..it's sparkle dust bc its the only one with actual sex in lol (if it could go to a character it would be tao in watch the time though, before he knows that yeol isn't up for anything his dialogue and actions are pretty sexual). and the wip but I can’t really talk about it cause it’s not up yet D:

“holy crap that’s wrong even for you”: everything was just standard Me this year imo.. it's not /wrong/ in any way, but writing an explicitly autochoris fic was pushing my own boundaries wrt comfort writing a subject. I mean I guess a sloppy blowjob wasn’t very Me but

fic that shifted my own perception of the characters: unbeleafable and watch the time. watch the time because that was also lifted from an old (2015) work, and writing the 'verse in more detail changed the character's attitudes. it's the first time I've written a tao who is so charming, mature and relationship driven, while cy is softer and more anxious (where as previously he was usually my filler character when I needed someone loud). and unbeleafable was just uh..honestly jm's depression was an afterthought. it wasn't in the original outline (which in fairness was only aiming for a 4k meet-cute, not the extensive slow burn it turned into). that his depression started to become detailed and was then a major plot point basically developed as I wrote, and I was backtracking to adjust earlier details to fit it. that jm really defined himself and I had to catch up;;

hardest to do: watch the time, god. I think I spent four months on it. I can't even words how terrible my block was this year, it really got me down. even when I was writing stuff that I can look back at now and see was ok, it was like I couldn't even tell if what I was reading made sense. it's the slowest I've ever worked on something and it was a really painful process, but I loved the idea of it so it felt like something good to work on when I was in a bad spot. (unbeleafable caught some of that too - I was poking around the same 5k of it for several months and considered dumping it so many times orz)

biggest disappointment: sparkle dust..a bit..bc I'm still terrible at smut lmao even with the context of the scene I just feel I could have done it better

most telling: I mean, everything. watch the time is chantao, ace themes, gender themes, (there's even a mention of tao's tattoo) it's a very very Me fic. a few people guessed unbeleafable was me. in a different sense that was telling, because I wanted yeol to be so loveable and worked hard to portray issues that matter to me in good lights

a thing I’m surprised at: that my w/c is as high as it is all considered djhf but no like, really the biggest surprise I've ever had in all my time writing fic was how positive the response to unbeleafable was. I was so genuinely shocked, I was even saving screenshots of some of the comments in case they were deleted or something. I still am surprised tbh.

what pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you never would have predicted in January? chantao and chansoo were probably the only thing I did expect tbh. pokemon au, subaek smut, suyeol..none of that was exactly what I anticipated, considering last year and previous was mostly focal around suchen and sutaohun

story with single sweetest moment? hnnn the lil chansoo drabble about yeol cutting his hair is overall entirely affection based. and there's two scenes in unbeleafable - when cy hugs jm after their sort-of-date and jm buries into it, and when cy offers jm his sleeve to hold while they're talking. (djhfd also this marrieds wip. they’re Very married, there’s a lot of gross husband-ing)

the story that made you cry: unbeleafable 🌿 the entire theme of it is personal to me, both yeol's autism and jm's depression. at times I was letting it write itself, and I got quite upset when they reached the point of being unsure if their communication issue would resolve. it was hard writing those scenes, because I absolutely couldn't change yeol's character to make it easier, but at the same time I really felt for how desperate and hurt jm was. (also in a nice-cry kinda way when they resolved things I was just, YES ; A;) (hmm also watch the time a lil bit when they had the confrontation and yeol was sure they’d have to break up)

easiest story to write: round trip was kind of a breakthrough wrt the block, after a lot of struggling it came pretty easy and got done in a day or two~

most overdue story: watch the time. I've wanted to write about sex repulsion for a long time but always skirted around it. also literally, seeing as it took me months longer to complete than intended :'D

did you take any writing risks this year? what did you learn from them? mmm kind of, in the subjects I chose. writing about an autochoris experience and writing a repulsed ace wasn't uncharacteristic for me but my confidence was very low at the time and I felt very uncomfortable about it. and unbeleafable honestly terrified me, I felt so vulnerable waiting for that to post and probably wouldn't have done it if it weren't for the fact it was anon initially. for me it felt like a big risk posting something that I felt could get a bad reception to an fest. I nearly contacted the mods at one point to ask them if it was even a good idea orz (also I feel my style just..changed somewhere, idk, but I decided to go with it instead of trying to change it back. its going ok ??)

in regards to writing, what did you learn this year: dghfd that blocks do end and that forcing yourself to produce has varied success. most importantly, I learned that sometimes bad things /dont/ happen :P

do you have any fanfic goals for the new year? I'm gradually working through my list! from last year I've achieved 4k+ averages for smaller fics and also writing 15k+ longer ones. and even managed something rated :P hmm idk though. I've always said 'more plot and a chaptered fic', but I wonder if I even want to do that anymore? it was more just something to tick off than a personal goal. I kinda would still like to write something plot driven but I'm accepting that my niche is what it is and it's probably what I'm best at/won't get bored doing. it feels like it's taken me until now to really decide and gain the confidence to write about the kind of people I want. so a very gentle goal for the new year would just be regaining my confidence, getting around to making that inspiration/techniques page I've always meant to have, continuing to polish up my style, and enjoying! writing!! again so I can get back to having fun !! upping suyeol’s page count also sweats