#that guy couldn't write a good romance to save his life no hate to him tho

[deathandnonexistentialdread]

I feel like Kant's baby brother Babe should be given more credit. He read William Shakespeare and got legitimate romantic advice from it.

[rebeccathornewrites]

I have an MFA in writing, 5 years of therapy, and far too much time. buckle up for my analysis of Gayloy from burning shores

Ok the MFA is coming in 3 weeks, but WHOO BOY i have thoughts.

Click below for spoilers. DO NOT READ UNTIL YOU FINISH.

As a bi woman who writes lesbians professionally, I want it known that I was 1000% on board with them as a couple, and cleared literal days of my schedule to play it and confirm.

And I still don't think Aloy is ready for romance. I think The Kiss is the least plausible, and least enjoyable, of the three endings.

Let's dive into why.

It starts at childhood, as always.

Aloy has grown up an outcast. She relied on herself and Rost--and then Rost died, and it was just her. Every single chance she's had, she's rebuked romance. She wrote it off as "I'm saving the world" or "I just don't know how people work yet," but the reality is that she doesn't know HOW to rely on people.

Vulnerability is a learned skill.

I'll say it again. VULNERABILITY is a LEARNED skill.

Some people, those with healthy households, learn this skill early on, and practice it often. Those are the people we see giving everything of themselves to someone they love. They feel deeply, empathize well, and have happy relationships.

And then there's people like Aloy. Someone who was shown love from one person--and a whole lotta hate from the rest of them. Someone who grew up being told that she couldn't rely on a tribe--because if she failed the Proving, there wouldn't BE a tribe to rely on. Rost hoped for the best... and prepared her for the worst.

Then she dove into the world at large, and was presented time and time again with romance opportunities. The Sun King is the biggest one--obviously his infatuation ran deep, but of course it would, finding the one person in a whole kingdom who'd challenge him. She turned him down, and in her mind, she probably reasoned it away in a neat little box.

"I'm not like the other suitors he's met. He only likes me because I'm different."

This can be true.

"But he doesn't know who I really am."

This can be true--but it's also a defense mechanism. A barrier Aloy placed to protect herself from rejection. Because if she convinces herself these people don't really know her, it's easy for her to keep them at arm's length.

Easy to be the lone warrior.

We see the same kind of thing with Varl, hoping to follow her into the wilds. With Erend, so excited to see her, so irritated she doesn't reciprocate. Kotollo viewed her admirably, although I think his personality is a bit too subservient to truly challenge Aloy (essentially his commander) into the growth she needs.

Man after man demonstrated their affection, and she held them all at arm's length. For the good of the world, right?

So, okay. She's a lesbian--or at the very least, bi or pan. We can reason away the men, certainly, but she uses the same techniques with the women. Talanah, our fan favorite, was truly a perfect match for Aloy. Strong, resilient, excellent fighter. They progressed in the same way Seyka did--and yet, Talanah was deep in the throes of another man.

Which was probably a huge fucking relief to Aloy. Because if Talanah was after a guy... then she wasn't an option for Aloy.

Which means Aloy didn't have to do any intensive introspection to discover why they might be a good match.

She could wave Talanah away, and feel absolutely no remorse or grief when Talanah returned home. In fact, Aloy might have even left that experience feeling satisfied that she helped a friend--and be utterly oblivious to the chemistry they could have had.

This is how avoidant people--those who haven't learned to trust, to rely on others, to show vulnerability--experience the world.

And this is somewhat devastating, because Talanah's quest came at the exact time that Varl was teaching Aloy how to empathize, lean on people, be vulnerable for the first time in her life. Aloy didn't have to do it alone--and if Talanah had been in a position to receive it, I think they could have had a spectacular romance.

But it didn't happen.

So, we move on.

Aloy loses Varl, learns to lean on her friends, learns to let people in. This alone is spectacular character growth--but it's easy to have friends. Humans crave it. We need companionship, so once Varl laid the groundwork, Aloy was able to embrace this.

We don't see her embracing romance.

Until Seyka.

This is where the potential had me--and the execution lost me.

Because Seyka is presented as this fantastic option for Aloy--and the starving, desperate fanbase standing behind her. From the first interaction, I had high hopes. When Aloy says, "you must be confused," and Seyka basically responds with "confused about why you'd FLY towards that TOWER OF DEATH, maybe," I was ready for someone who challenges Aloy.

I wanted a love interest who was more competent than Aloy in some ways. I actually liked Varl in that way, before he found Zo: the fact that he challenged Aloy to push her own comfort level in order to embrace others was a great complement to Aloy's abrasive nature.

Seyka, while fantastic, almost feels like an Aloy clone.

They're both competent, capable, and closed-off. They're both hiding secrets to spare the others' feelings--when in reality, they're sparing themselves from tough conversations.

Because that's what Aloy, at least, has been trained to do. Bear the burden alone to spare the others. Fight the machine alone to keep the others safe. She protects fiercely, which means that she never has to be the one experiencing loss.

How convenient. >.>

I love the idea of Seyka. I can't wait to see where fanon takes her personality. But right now, with just the DLC content, it feels like she's the caricature of a romantic interest for Aloy. The perfect girl--in theory. But not when you consider psychology.

There was a huge missed opportunity when Aloy finally revealed Nemesis's existence, in my opinion. Aloy protected Seyka from this Big, Dangerous News to help her morale--and to keep from ruining what they've developed with something possibly devastating.

She finally told Seyka... and Seyka responded by literally fleeing the room in horror.

I get that everyone needs time to process these things. But in my mind, all that reaffirmed for Aloy is, "My instincts were right. I can't rely on others with this Big, Dangerous News. They can't handle it. So, I have to handle it for them."

There was SUCH an opportunity there. A chance for Aloy to tell her, and for Seyka to contemplate it for a moment, smile, and say, "I'm glad you told me. Let's tackle it together."

Something to show Aloy, in that concrete moment, that this is a person she can rely on.

That is what would have made Seyka great, to me.

Everything that followed after is a series of insta-love, in my opinion. Aloy looks at Seyka with near-literal hearts in her eyes, but it didn't feel earned. By the end, I don't feel like Seyka did anything unique that Aloy's friends in Forbidden West hadn't already done to her at some point: rescue her, adventure with her, stop a massive scheme with her.

Seyka, in my mind, doesn't currently have enough personality of her own to stand out. She's just another soldier in Aloy's army.

There will be [straight] people angry at the LGBT+ rep here, and I don't even feel that our community can argue it. As far as lesbian rep goes, that was not a great example of a natural romance. It felt forced for most of that DLC.

But that romance could be great. And that's where I love that the developers added options other than the kiss. As much as I loved the idea of them kissing, I still don't buy it with the scenes we were given.

Seyka latched onto Aloy because Aloy treated her with admiration at a time when Seyka's tribe nearly disowned her. Fair. I believe Seyka might truly be in love with Aloy.

But Aloy herself? There's no way in hell she'd be diving into a romantic relationship after one single adventure with this girl--even one as sweeping as this. Aloy doesn't know who Seyka is. Aloy hasn't seen Seyka in a relaxed setting--only one where she's panicking for her tribe, her sister, and the future. And Aloy's brain will be too logic-entrenched to succumb to emotional impulse alone.

Because that's the interesting thing about avoidant people. They rely on themselves, and their logic. That's what's kept them alive until this point. If Aloy showed vulnerability in the past, she put herself at risk in every sense of the word.

Even Seyka wouldn't be enough to break that barrier right away.

But I do think she could try in the sequel, and that's why I'm thrilled for this character. Someone the developers can truly use to force Aloy to grow emotionally.

To do that, though, the developers will have to dive into Seyka, and show me why she's the person for Aloy. What about her history makes her The Candidate? It can't just be that she's "an inspiration." I need more than that. I need to see Seyka in a relationship, coaxing Aloy through the moments of panic and shattering the barriers Aloy erects out of fear, under the guise of "logic."

Show me that, and I'm on board with a kiss.

Until then, I'll go write some fanfiction.

Sincerely,

An avoidant working through her own shit.

Thank you very much for attending my TED Talk.

[lyon-amore]

'Three Days Before' Extra Oneshot

Oneshot that I have always wanted to write of how I imagined a scenario of three days before Hannah's disappearance, both as the canon of the game, as the 'What if...?, I hope you like it 🤭

Sorry that everything is so separated, I have passed everything from the phone

---------------------

*Macie POV*

If there's one thing I can't stand, it's having to be the girl from the café: 'Macie, bring me a cappuccino', 'Macie, bring me a venti', 'Macie, have my macchiato', 'Macie, a lungo for me' , etcetera etcetera… And of course, who pays for those coffees? Exactly: me. As if it hadn't been hard for me to save for the blouse I've been wearing today. I have to divide the money between the house, Henry's needs and my subscriptions that keep me going in these chaotic days. Sitting on the couch… Turning on the TV… And watching the romance between Elena and Stephan, and Damon's sexy smile. If it weren't for them, I don't think I would survive.

And last night I needed it after that date. I have to let Lian introduce me to the boys, but of course, if she was lucky to meet such a lovely man, why trust her?

Or maybe it scared them when I look at them closely, as if analyzing them. Although thanks to analyzing them, I found out that one of them was hiding the fact that he was married. Ugh… It's sad that I now use these skills to find a boyfriend. Why can't I use it at work as well with some news?    “Also because I'm too picky… “ I comment as I carry the coffees “Well, this was the lungo, this was the macchiato…” I say as I walk.   The phone rings and I stop walking, answering.    “Hello?”    “Connors, there’s another coffee order” my superior says, speaking quickly “, bring me an Americano.    “What?” I put the phone on my shoulder, to press it against my ear “But I'm already halfway there!”    “Then it’ll be okay if you turn around and buy another one.”    “But Mr. Jones-“     When I was about to continue the discussion —or try to, because he's my superior—, a guy pushed me, spilling the coffee beans on my blouse. My blouse! My €75 blouse!    “But what are you doing?!” I yelled, glaring at him.    “I am sorry!” I see how he takes out some coins and leaves them in my hand  “Goodbye!” He runs off as if it cost him his life.    "This costs more than a few coins!" Came back! He yelled, watching her leave.     I tried to get his face, but he was wearing a mask and hood. I only kept his eyes. And with that, I can't do much. But would they really take a complaint for ruining my blouse?    “Great...” I look at the blouse and finally, the coffees “No, no... They're going to kill me... My money...”    “Hey!” I look up, seeing a policeman approaching me “Have you seen…” he takes a breath as if he were hungry, tired “Have you seen a guy in black and carrying a big bag?”

    I stare at him, unable to speak. He probably doesn't remember me, but I do, he was one of those who messed with me in the past.

I open and close my mouth, wanting to answer. But the words don't come out.

I press my lips into a thin line. Nervous.    "He's gone" I say, raising my hand "over there." I point to the opposite side, automatically. As if I wanted to ruin his job. Make him look ridiculous.    “Thank you!” He is going in the direction I told him.     I take a deep breath. I can't believe what I've done. I look down at the coffees and sigh. This doesn't look good and I don't have more money for more coffees. I have to get money from an ATM and I'm going to be late.    "This day couldn't get any worse...”

    I had bought me an ordinary T-shirt. While the blouse, I left it at the dry cleaners. I had bought the coffees again. How I hated it.    “Where have you been?” Lian approaches me, nervous “They haven't stopped asking about you” she walks next to me, taking little steps “And the blouse? Why do you get a smiley cat t-shirt?”    "Because I need something to cheer me up right now" I reply quickly, while I am taking almost leaps and bounds ”. I'm sorry, I'll tell you right now." I walk away from her, going to the meeting room.     I knock on the door and wait for them to order me in. I keep waiting, until they finally open the door for me, almost as if they were going to throw it down.    “Where were you?” Christian asks me quickly.    “They threw the coffees at me and-“    “I asked you where you were, not to tell me what happened” he takes the coffee trays and closes the door for me.     I close my eyes, taking a breath to calm myself from going in and yelling at him.    “You’re welcome.” I reply, walking away from there.

    I return to my desk and see the latest news messages to post on the website. There is always a lot of work and they pass everything to me. Someday I will have something good to tell. Of that I am sure.

Maybe twenty years from now.

I am in charge of decorating the page a bit, following the instructions. Lian walks over to my table, grabbing a chair.    "Details, now" she tells me authoritatively, "have you met the boy from last night?" Is that why you have other clothes than this morning?    “No, an idiot who was running has thrown all the coffees on me.”    "Oh! Just like in romantic movies!” Lian gets excited and I return to the computer, not really wanting to talk “And? What happened? Has he given you his number? Have you given it to him?”    “Coins.”    “What?"    “He gave me some coins, he said ‘I'm sorry’ ” I put on the most pitiful voice I can do “and he ran away. And it's not like I saw his face, he was covered.”    "Have you checked to see if you've been robbed?"    "No, he hasn't robbed me" I sigh exaggeratedly “. I hope I never see that guy with bad manners again or if not...”    “You’re going to kill him for destroying your blouse.”     My blouse… my precious blouse… I put my hands to my head. It's better not to tell Lian what happened next, because I don't even know why I did it myself. Why did I help him after ruining my clothes?    <<His eyes… he looked quite desperate.>>     "Earth calling Macie" Lian snaps her fingers, waking me up from my thoughts "And the boy from yesterday? What happened?”    “Well…”    “Well?”     I shrug. I hadn’t gotten to have that special connection I’m looking for. Maybe Lian is right and I’m too picky.    "Maybe it's time to accept having a rabbit farm or… Do you think Klaus will still be free?"    "No" she holds up a finger "don't drag yourself into the past Macie, but don't try to find everything wrong with the guys you know, okay?"    “I don’t, it’s just-“    “But what exactly are you looking for?”     I start to think, what do I want? I want someone who will impress me when he speak, someone who will make me feel like before. A man who when he speaks makes me think: I want to hear you forever even if I have no idea what you're talking about, but I find your emotion adorable. I don't know. A man who makes me sigh because of his way of speaking? That his way of thinking is surprising?    "Someone I can get into when we thinking and we can… I don't know, have fun with the smallest things we can." I tilt my head, continuing to think.    “And if you're looking for that so much, why do you reject them after one date?” Lian places her hands on my shoulders, shaking me “Where is the second date to meet him?”     I laugh and carefully stop her. Not wanting to hurt her because of the pregnancy.    “Because my instinct tells me that it is not what I am looking for.”    “Your instinct fails” she moves away little by little “what are you waiting for? The guy you've been waiting for so long to send you a message without him having your number?”     I roll my eyes, with a smile. Chosen my future: I will have a rabbit farm.

As night falls, I stretch out on the couch with a bowl of yogurt and chocolate cereal. Henry jumps onto the couch, coming up next to me.    "Why do you think the police would be chasing him?" I ask Henry, remembering the guy from this morning "Maybe he's stolen something? He was carrying a rather large bag and seemed heavy…” I start thinking about him. My curiosity can me, it's in my blood. But then I remember what he did and I'm mad at him again “. Let's leave it. Choose Henry. Today we have the next chapter of Vampire Chronicles or we see Twilight?” Henry ignores me, as usual “Yeah, maybe I could start watching something else.”     I start to eat and decide to saw 'Fallen', today we will change the fangs for the wings.

*Jake POV*

I had arrived in the city earlier than I expected. I had managed to evade police surveillance at the station again. Blending into the crowd had worked. I always had to choose the time when there were more people, It is easier to be invisible and for no one to pay attention to you, they are so absorbed in their thoughts that I do not exist for them. I am just a shadow, a figment of the imagination of someone who thinks they have seen a person. I'm nobody to pay attention to.

I look on my cell phone the way in which to get to some buildings in the area of the university. There are always too many people there for them not to remember me. An area where every day there is always someone new. They have been abandoned for a long time because the construction company made them with unreliable materials, so when the town hall found out, the guy who was in charge of building them fled. I think it will be good for me to spend time there. I have to save a little, I have already paid enough for the bus ticket. And I have to take advantage of the fact that at the moment they are not going to knock them down. I look up from my phone, seeing a guy steal a lady's purse. <<Do not get in mess.>>

  It is what I think. It is what I want to do.

<<Shit.>>

I silently approach the thief and doing his same trick, I manage to get the purse without him noticing. When I want to stealthily return it to her, she gets ahead of me, screaming.    “My wallet!” She yells, looking at her pockets “I've been robbed!”     I groan under my breath, tossing the small object into her hands.    “The thief! He is!” She yells just as I run off.     It is the last and only time that I helped someone. Never again.

I run out, being careful with the bag in which I have all my equipment. I jump down the stairs, from one railing to another. I hear the policeman from a long way away say to stop.

I keep running and look back for a moment, to see if he is still following me. I notice a strong blow, I have collided with something.

No. It is worse.

With someone.    “But what are you doing?!” The young woman yells at me.     I see that I have spilled several coffees on top of her blouse, but what happens today?    “I am sorry!” I quickly took out the coins that I had in my pockets, to give them to her as an apology “Goodbye!” I run again, getting away from there.    "This costs more than a few coins! Came back!” she yells at me and I mentally apologize to her several times.

    This was not what was planned.

I am running into a dead end. I curse under the mask. I remain silent, listening to the conversation.    “Hey!” I peek carefully. The policeman has stopped the girl “Have you seen…” he speaks with difficulty, I have made him run more than he can stand “Have you seen a guy in black and carrying a big bag?”     I see she does not answer. I am worried. I have pissed her off enough, surely I have given her a good reason to give me away.    "He's gone that way." I frown when I see her pointing to the opposite side where I had gone. Isn't she going to give me away? Why?    “Thank you!” The policeman leaves in the direction indicated by her and I stay looking at her quite strangely.    <<I better not be tempted by curiosity again, we already know what happened last time.>> I wait for her to leave and go out. People are my camouflage again.

Arriving at the buildings, I see a couple of cats in front of the back door.     “Go away” I tell them quietly, gently brushing them aside with my hand “. Come on, do not make me angry.”     The gray cat rubs between my legs. Too weird, they usually do not trust people. Maybe someone takes care of them. I enter the building, looking for the electrical panel. Locating it, I pull out the voltmeter to check the electricity in the building.    <<Perfect, seems to work.>>     It is better to use this method than having to turn on the lights to get attention. The first few months I used to not be careful about it and I always ended up running away from the place.

I climb the stairs until I reach the top floor. I prefer to have a view from above to see who is approaching the building. I take out the lock picks and begin to open the door. I had to learn a bit about vandalism, not that I wanted to, but it is necessary if sometimes I canot afford to stay in a motel to save a little and not spend too much.

As soon as I enter, I look at the floor. It is small, a student. It has furniture. They really had it all figured out to want to rent them out. I lower the blinds, but not before checking again to see if anyone followed me. I put the backpack on the ground and start to open the travel bag. I check that my equipment is correct after running off like that.    "Okay, looks like everything's perfect." I mutter, beginning to pull out the computer tower and screens. Sometimes I feel like I had to bring too many things, but It is all I need to feel safe. If I destroy everything... maybe I would go crazy. More still can.

As I assemble all the equipment, I start thinking about that girl again. Why did she do it? She is supposed to tell the police that he is chasing a criminal where he has fled to.   "Or maybe I am thinking about this because I do not have anything better to think about." I comment as I continue to run the cables.     For years I have been careful in everything I do and just today it seems like everything went wrong. It is as if life laughed at me, knowing how paranoid I have become with the fear of believing that they are watching me all the time, following me.

I finish putting it all up. I turn on the computer and put the protection programs. I leave the backpack in the room and go to the bathroom. Luckily there is no mirror to look at my face. It is not like I dared to do it either. Do I deserve it? So that? To know what I judge myself for what I did? I knew what I was doing, but I never thought it would go to that extreme. I check the water, unfortunately, no hot water comes out. Luckily the showers I take are quick so as not to waste time.

I dress quickly, frozen. Although the cold does not bother me as much as before, I have had to sleep on the street at times because a motel was full.

Night falls and I see that I get an email notice. It is been years since I used that e-mail and I stopped using it because of a person. Only one person could send me a message to that email.

I read her message and worry invades me. For her to ask me for help after so many years after having cut all connection with her is strange. Due to the situation, I make an exception and call her by video call.    “Hannah!” I exclaimed as soon as I saw her.     She sighs in relief, even smiling at me.   “Jake!” Good thing you called!    “What happened?! Where are you?!” I ask worried.     I try to look around, but everything is very dark. I manage to see something similar to a house and trees. Where is she?    “What has happened- Ah!” A gloved hand appears, pulling her closer to her mouth, covering it.    "Hannah!" I exclaimed nervously, beginning to not be able to breathe. The cell phone falls to the ground, revealing her shaking feet “Leave her! Leave Hannah!” It's stupid to yell that, like it's going to work.     I put my hands to my head, worried, what do I do? What do I do, what do I do? I can't call the police!

I have no alternative.

It is to risk or not to do.

I return to the computer, trying to get some of Hannah's contacts, like Lilly. They have to know. They have to know!

I open a chat and add their friends. A boy named Thomas answers. ---------------------------------

Thomas Hello, stranger ----------------------------------

What am I doing? This may be too risky for me! I bring my hands to my head, thinking again about what I am doing. This is for Hannah. Come on Jake! --------------------------------

??? Hannah is in danger.

[captnjacksparrow]

Hey, really liked your analysis of Hinata. I feel almost the same way about her. Even though generally I dislike female characters who are naturally meek, subservient and pointless with no character arc in any type of media, what made me absolutely hate her character was how she treated Neji. If Kishi wanted to show her arc being developed organically, instead of proposing to Naruto that removes her stuttering and gives her new found confidence (because girls only get confident when proposing to guys 🙄), Kishi could have shown her talking to Neji after he literally told his bitter story on the chuunin exam grounds in front of everyone. She is shown like she is sympathetic but didn't do anything about it. She didn't even talk to him after he was hospitalized. She knew exactly why he was the way he was, and yet she fights him as if it was his fault. She, an heir of the clan, could have asked her father to support Neji, she had some clout. But nope. In fact, it was Neji who apologizes to her in a way, he is the one who trains her and help create a new jutsu for her. What did she ever do for him exactly? And Neji didn't have to help her. She was in the best position to help and understand Neji but what did she do? A lot of fans like her character because she is reserved but kind and sympathetic. She is reserved but a coward. She was not kind towards Neji. He died for her when he didn't deserve to, he had dreams and goals that were much bigger than Hinata's entire existence. She couldn't even see her own cousin's pain and she claims to understand Naruto?? Really??

Even Kishi said she was a pitiful character who only watches from a distance. He deliberately made her that way, no goal, no backbone and no lines. And I think she sucks the most after Danzo.

WoooW!!!! Thanks for the ask, Anon.

[[Hinata and Sakura fans!!!! Please stay away and don't interact. I fucking tagged them properly]].

Even though generally I dislike female characters who are naturally meek, subservient and pointless with no character arc in any type of media, what made me absolutely hate her character was how she treated Neji.

We definitely share the same thoughts on this one, Anon.

I am really tired on most of the media for their poor treatment of female characters.

The last time I was amused by a female character was from 'Game of Thrones', I loved Cersei Lannister, who is an absolute biashhh and Sansa Stark, started out as an annoying rose tinted princess but ended up winning everyone's heart. Both are non-combative, soft spoken and somewhat powerless women in a world dominated by men. But they just didn't let the inconveniences stop them and instead they learned how to fuck that world back and take control. Both are similar and yet very different.

After seeing, such well-developed characters..... For me girls in Naruto series, is blehhhhh..... Nothing to get inspired from them. And I knew it by episode 3 itself. I have no idea how can girls, in real life, treat Sakura as some feminist icon, which makes my skin crawl for number of reasons. If you point her mistakes out in any discussions, they will pull the misogynist card to your face. When in reality, I am also a girl and my world views are entirely different from Sakura or Hinata. There is no way a 12 year old girl would want to look at the Duck of another boy.

And the problem is, They form the majority, I mean people who can connect with Sakura or Hinata. So, as long as girls like them exists, we really should suffer from these crap portrayal I guess.

That's why I advise people that If you want to see a good woman character, Narutoverse is not the place.

Having said that, I find Temari, Konan, Tsunade were better (I mean inside the Narutoverse). Though their motivations or reason to achieve a goal revolve around their men, I find their attitude relieving. Unlike Sakura or Hinata, they don't wet themselves on the sight of the men they love.

What irritates me was, Kishimoto could've easily put a character like Temari or TenTen or Tsunade into Team 7. It would've made my viewing experience a lot better. If he doesn't want the strong girls to take over the attention from his boys, then he should've introduced a meek character like Rin Nohara. She is silent and cute but atleast she was willing to die for the Village and never wetted herself over Kakashi, though she loved him. And she treated Obito like her best friend. But he deliberately made Sakura hateful and he never stopped.

Sakura and Hinata were the lowest of the low, compared to any other side characters. And, in the end, they got the main Character's Ducks without actively doing anything. For me this tells me three things

He was using these girls as a shield to close the hetero normative mouths while in reality hiding those boys true feelings under that shield.

He really hated these kind of girls and constantly showing his hatred on them at every given chance and never redeemed them back. 

He knew the target audience’ mindset and he simply caters them by giving them what they need and at the same time writing the important arcs according to his wish.

I think, it’s the combination of all three. 

Just to give you an example.

There is this delusional SS shipper Who justifies Sasuke was acting Tsundere throughout the war arc. I mean, come on!!!! 

I came across this post because, the Original Poster was an idiot who comes into the anti SS tag and reblogged my content and saying I was wrong... So, I don’t mind sharing that person’s content.

So I don’t know where this delusion comes from... It's truly pathetic.

There are millions of idiots who believe in this kind of shit and Kishi is deliberately feeding them with bits and crumbs while making his boys go out and save the world.

These delusional mindset tells us they don’t give a single shit about the story as a whole. They watch it purely for the pretty faces and getting high over them. In this case, Sasuke.

It’s as clear as day that Sasuke didn’t care about anyone other than Naruto when fighting the war. You don’t have to be a shipper but even a non-shipper can point this out. I mean Sasuke wouldn’t have saved Jugo either, if he didn’t come to Sasuke and advice him. Do you think Sasuke would’ve tried to look for Jugo and saved him at all cost???? It’s just that he came to Sasuke and he helps him back. But Sasuke would’ve saved Naruto from the bomb blast even if he was standing a mile away.

So, if these delusions reflects the mindset of the majority of the women audience, then the creator will never try to give anything better but instead give us some low-life characters like Sakura and Hinata. 

So, Anon, your expectation for Hinata’s character could’ve been developed much better is just a wishful thinking. Because, Hinata is a character for these kind of people and not for us. And the author deliberately did it. 

She was in the best position to help and understand Neji but what did she do? A lot of fans like her character because she is reserved but kind and sympathetic. She is reserved but a coward. She was not kind towards Neji. He died for her when he didn't deserve to, he had dreams and goals that were much bigger than Hinata's entire existence. She couldn't even see her own cousin's pain and she claims to understand Naruto?? Really??

For me, this also irked me a lot. 

Hinata could’ve tried to talk to Neji about his problems even when he was a child. But she was simply playing innocent when in reality, she is just a coward. Even after the Chunin Exams, there was no apologies from her side, like you said. Because she is from the Main Branch. That hierarchy never changed. If she had the gall, she could’ve easily broken that hierarchy by saying, ‘I want Neji Nii-San to take over our Clan, He is the best candidate for this and I can gladly help him with all my efforts’.  A single line and just 2 or 3 panels, it all takes.

For me killing Neji is where Kishi asking us silently, 

Do you really want these pair to happen despite having a blood stain of another character??? 

Most people said, ‘Yes!!!’, because they don’t give two shits about Neji. As long as Hinata gets Naruto, the main character’s Duck, that’s all there is to it. It doesn’t matter who dies, who lives. 

That's why Kishi is shitting on them by making her as a non-existent woman in the Boruto Manga.

Even in real life, there are many hopeless foolish little girls who would do anything for the man she loves. I've seen them and I always stay 2 miles away from them. I mean, they even ditch their own friends and spends her entire time with him and when he dumps her later, she will come back to her friends for consolation. I think Sansa Stark is the best example for this. She started out much similar to Sakura and Hinata, believing in Princes and shit, she even naively betrayed her father for the man she had crush on. But the author made her to learn her lesson in a much painful way and later she came out as a Queen who no longer needed any man at the end. I think, this is called Development.

At the end of the day, Romance and Sex is all that matters. The author knew it. So, he is feeding these girls with some low quality cookies and they are very glad to take and eat it.

[lovee-infected]

♦ Anon asked ~ Okay how would guys and their darling react to being slapped by Eliza? Feel free to write for any of those who got slapped ^^ Gender is neutral

Aaa this one was really sweet so I did it for all guys (who got slapped-)

I reached my 10 pic limit and had to sacrifice twins ixkskxksos

[note : re-posted his because my tags weren't working]

♦♥♠♣

Poor boy remained silent for a few minutes after that mess with ghost princess , still unable to talk

His cheeks are flushed that proved him being embarrassed , making him look greatly...cute

Just as much as you loved seeing softer sides of him you can't see him this sad , so now it is your responsibility to lift him up

He is upset with both failing to help and being an idiot in front of Eliza

The whole thing proved how soft he can actually be , which fascinated you . You hadn't ever thought of him being like this ; shy and... helplessly childish with girls

Deuce is a bit worried with the way you see him now , he doesn't want his picture ruined . But as a matter of fact you like him even more now , he could be serious and strict at times but still , he's a soft boy inside

You ask if he feels any shy around you and it makes him turn his head away to add a nervous : " M...me? Absolutely not- why would I .??"

You now know that he actually does but it isn't something he needs to hide , that actually makes him look awfully cute

He still seems sad though so you give him a small kiss on forehead , making him blush even harder

Well even if he's shy with you you aren't ; after all he is your boy

Trey himself couldn't help laughing at what had happened. He tried his best to be a gentleman , and he really was . But seems like Eliza had more different standards than he was expecting

Trey's mind just wasn't ready to go from his normal self to a high-level prince , but he doesn't find singing a part of a prince's duties either

"My my , it really messed up," he says as he joins you and the others in the losers' bench

You knew that the proposal was all fake , but Trey just wasn't one who could act it all ; he didn't have Vil's pure talent of an actor or Leona's charm of a prince , yet he did his very best

You tell that you really liked the way he presented himself , pretty much of a mature young man he really is and he gets blessed . He isn't much of a romantic guy and he appreciates that you like him as he is

You give him a "Ghost bride surely lost a great option , " to lift him up and it did , making him wink adding : " Well, perhaps she knew that I have a better one myself ,"

Finally after posting 34 pics of his slapped face along with other supplies such as his fake tears , dead flowers and some broken-hearted captions with tons of #Ghostbride #Puishmentoflove #illfate #brokenheart and and and you managed to have him looking off his phone for a second

You tell how he's making an issue out of nothing but he'll just laugh : " Who cares that it's all fake ? Teens are gonna love it ! ,"

He must be thankful that Eliza didn't see this part pf him or he should've spammed pics of his broken legs and hands instead

He takes the best advantage of being slapped and you wonder how he's just being all excited about it , what if the same thing happens while he's seriously proposing to someone ?

You ask if it bothers him , the feeling of being rejected and he goes silent for a moment not looking at his phone but the ground now , perhaps thinking of an logical answer

You drop your head regretting what you asked and then , he cuts you off with a small kiss on your cheek : " That's simple , my dear (y/n). Not a single soul likes being rejected no matter what the reason is , so that's why I always make sure that I won't get rejected before asking ; today was just an exception ,"

You get a bit confused at the answer , wanting him to give you an example

He slightly smirks before adding :" Well , ‌you didn't reject me , did you ?"

For the heaven's sake ; you couldn't be any more thankful that he got rejected . From the very moment they announced that princess was looking for a prince you feared of her picking Leona , a real prince

Leona is already prince charming of his home town ; Not a single soul could say no to him

The second he got slapped , his eyes - You were trying to feel sorry about it but the way he glared at Eliza as if he was a chubby cat pushed into water ; it was beyond hilarious

Leona has his own ways when it comes to attracting ladies , making him almost irresistible to many including you , but not the ghost bride

He seems really pissed off at the whole thing ; not that he liked the ghost bride that much , he just hates being rejected

With him being a growling cat for the rest of day , you decide to spoil him a little ; letting him take naps on your lap and rubbing back of his ears make him a whole lot better , but he won't say a word of satisfaction

You are used to his cringy behaviors and can't help loving them , you are really thankful that your cat would still be all yours - even if it was supposed to be a fake marriage

He just - Froze

Sword skills ? Were they a thing he lacked ? Was it just one of those royal fancy rules or could it be a serious problem ? He now was concerned

You found him getting slapped pretty unfair since not many these days are familiar with sword skills ; but there were no argues on that point since Eliza once lived as a girl from more than 500 years ago , so she surely ends up having more complicated standards comparing to you

You tell Jack about it and that it's fine , but he refuses to believe

He had heard of Sebek together with Silver being well-trained sword men which meant that this tradition still remained necessary , so he now is seriously thinking about picking it up

You couldn't blame him though , once he feels like he needs to be stronger that's it ; but you don't want him overwork himself

You insist that sword skills are pretty silly to him while he's got his powerful fists and the secret unleash the beast , but he still seems to have a doubt about it

Since he looks pretty certain with his choice , you don't try to stop him but you make promise that he wouldn't overwork himself , which he does

He intends to get stronger to protect his beloved ones , including you so there was nothing that could hold him back if it was because of you

♦♥♠♣ Jade Leech

Jade still doesn't get why Eliza didn't like the flowers , yes he didn't like them either but aren't flowers ladies' most appreciated gift ? How confusing , he thought

You slap the ice-pack against his face , just who on earth would give away unwanted flowers from his terrarium as a bouquet ?

Jade doesn't get why he shouldn't have , he was benefitting both himself and Eliza , right ? Or could that be that surface girls followed different romance traditions from underwater ? He needed more information then

He asks for ways to make a girl fall in love , which made you laugh , you told that if he's going to retry the thing with Eliza , he would end up needing way more than one ice-pack

He agrees with you on that point , so he wonders if he can practice tactics with you since you are a pretty gentle and calm partner , and it makes you blush

You tell him to focus on not being slapped again as long as this ghost marriage lasts and in return , you then can teach him some tricks with ladies

♦♥♠♣ Floyd Leech

He didn't really like Eliza from the very beginning so there was no way the two of them would end up together even if he wasn't slapped

Floyd isn't into this type of girls which are too strict and loud ; he prefers softer and cuter types , something he can dominant

You expect him to get moody and pissed off , but he just doesn't seem to care

thanks to him Jade as well got slapped -very hard- and that successfully lifted his mood up

You ask him if he wants to take a walk and he agrees in deal of you paying for his candy , and you gladly agree

The two of you have candies together and make fun of others getting slapped back there

Both of you agree on Jade's expression being way more hilarious than Azul's

When you finally get back to others trying to find a way , he whispers into your ears : " If I ever were to propose to someone , I'd prefer it to be to someone like you"~

Man , he's really pissed off. Talking too much will usually be beneficial while dealing on a contract , mostly because of the way it confuses dealers and gives them an unconscious vibe causing them to believe you ; strange yet helpful

Azul hadn't thought of proposing being this different from making contracts , and it was odd to him

He now is supposed to be looking for a way to save his boardgames club friend , but another thought keeps haunting him :

What are the correct ways of... making someone fall for you ? To attract a lady ? Isn't having a good face and using sweet words like enough ? He needed more lessons if he wanted to be an ideal dealer

You sigh as his serious replies , disappointed to see how he really had no idea about emotional terms

You tell him how life isn't always about business and benefitting , but sometimes about feelings and well , loving

He mumbles saying how useless emotions are , a waste of time and brain cells to him

You suggest teaching him more about emotional situations which may be helpful , and charming to others , which sounds like a great deal to him , but he doesn't accept you giving it to him for free, saying that you as well must set a price

You aren't really sure what to ask , so you just want him to invite you to a fancy dinner after having this case with the ghost bride solved

Just as you hear the sound of him getting slapped , you know that it was bad news

Vil is trying his best to be calm but...it doesn't really seem to be working . His fist's shaking in anger as if he's gonna slam it against the wall or maybe someone . He got rejected and he couldn't take it ; he

wasn't one to accept such a thing

Although he isn't a real prince , he had anything needed to be a real one : Elegance , Charm , Nobility and maturity ; he was perfect

He is really furious now , specially thinking at how Lilia intended to avoid Malleus from showing up in fear of his high chance of being accepted . He wasn't one to say that he would surpass Malleus , but he wasn't any lower than him either: if a dog was the only reason he got rejected then Malleus as well would've been...but wait- doesn't it mean that Idia too shouldn't have been chosen since he loves cats ?

In that case..it must've had another reason : He wasn't good enough

You knew that Vil would never be satisfied no matter how many times you told him that he was already gorgeous , he wanted to be better

It was useless trying to take his mind away from being rejected through the same ways so you had to sacrifice yourself :

You go to Vil asking is he can join you for a second -until others get slapped try to propose because you are having some... beauty issues

You try to get him talking to you as much as possible ,from importance of having an organized sleep schedule to forbidding laughing too much since it will bring you wrinkles

You know that if there's one thing that Vil would always be proud of , that would be speaking of his high-key beauty skills which he couldn't ever get enough of

He could go on all day if Leona didn't cut him off : " Oi , aren't the two of you done yet ?"

Even with Leona pissing him off , he now seems to be a lot better and that was a success for you . Even if he doesn't notice how you were trying to secretly lift his mood up

Lilia is...crying ?

Your heart melts at the sight of his soft tears falling down his pale face , making you as well cry

You don't know why you are being overly emotional but who on earth would slap others because just because of being too cute ?!

You can't help but to be mad at Eliza , wanting to punch her in the face just as she did to Lilia , but Lilia stops you , wondering why you might want to do such a thing

You angrily express how unfair you think what she did was , telling that she shouldn't be treaten las if she has the right to do whatever she'd like

"Just HOW is cuteness considered to be a bad thing ?!" you argue , loud enough to gain attention to yourself . Lilia takes you out before Eliza could've heard

He then sits beside you , trying to see what could've been wrong with you ; were you sick or just in a bad mood maybe ? He couldn't tell

" I'm sorry I just , got really mad with what she did and after you cried..." you mumble slowly , making Lilia giggle

" My my darling , I wasn't the only one who got slapped and also , I just cried at how my whole presentation keeps getting ruined by my... appreance . You know , it's a bit frustrating to be called cute after living hundreds of years as a terrifying dark fae ," he says , shaking his head in a playful manner

You are relieved knowing that he wasn't crying of pain or being heartbroken , and now he as well seems to be better

He asks of you're ready to return inside and you quickly agree , admitting that you might have been a bit too emotional

Just before you two get to others , he brings himself closer to ask you something : " You as well agree that I'm cute , don't you ?"

"How dare she- I see now why master Lilia didn't let master Draconia approach - this disgraceful spirits don't deserve having the slightest sight of him..."and and and were the words you keeped up with untill you grew tired which was 20 minutes later . You really wish him to have a turn off button sometimes

Sebek feels really offended specially because he was just about to get to the best part of his speech about Malleus but got slapped in face

The sight of his mouth getting shut as Eliza slapped him was priceless , perhaps she and Malleus were the only ones who had ever got to shut his mouth

When he finally cools down , his puppy side is brought up : " (y/n) , maybe I didn't present myself good enough in front of her and caused her to take young master lightly . Is it my fault ? "

You keep telling him that Eliza just didn't like how he brought Malleus out of nowhere and started to ramble nonsense about him when he was supposed to be proposing

Sebek doesn't take your comment as a polite one at first , bit he had to agree , maybe it would have worked out for her if this ghost knew who the great Malleus Draconia is and that was why it all went wrong

You sigh at how he doesn't get your point at all but you don't say a word , he deeply appreciated Malleus after all ; Thought Malleus had to be removed surgically from him

Since he doesn't seem to be giving up , you say that you'd really like to hear that best part about Malleus , making him flatter and start talking like a parrot again

You don't really care what he says or how great Malleus can actually be , but if that's what makes him happy you are fine with it

[licuadora-nasir]

Which of MCL's LIs do you like and which you dont like?

Hi there! 💞

Oh, man. My route in mclHL was Kentin, followed close by Castiel. I know, a weird combination. A little part of me is a sucker for the friends to lover trope, only when it's well done, though. Kentin is so sweet, so caring towards Candy, there's no way I couldn't love him. And yeah, he was my route and will be my route forever so I hope we get mclAL Kentin or otherwise I'll crawl to a corner and cry.

Castiel is also great, but Castiel HL >> Castiel LL >> Castiel UL. He's entertaining, funny, sweet, hot and rich, the perfect man. Maybe one of the things I think says most about him is how regardless of your relationship with him, he still saves Candy's business. He's always been kind and caring, even in HL. Definitely much more than "a bad boy".

Eric is interesting and hot. I didn't play love life cause I didn't have any crush I was passionate about, but If I had played it, I'm confident I would have ended up with Eric. Not because I adore him, but for the sake of the drama. I loved the cheating plot, I think it's the best thing Love Life has to offer.

I didn't like Lysander in mclUL. Y'all gonna kill me, but I found him dull and boring. The only part of him I found interesting was his jealous side, which make me laugh a bit and find him more human and real, he was too perfect for my tastes. I like him waaaaay better in AL. If he had been a love interest in Love life, I would have played it as my route. He's more confident and interesting now, also I'm a countryside girl, so I like his way of living.

Armin is cool. I didn't like him romantically cause I've dated a "gamer boy" before and let me tell you, he'll totally choose League of Legends over you, (Not that I can blame him though, I'd choose my games and books over him too). He was funny to befriend and I always enjoyed his dialogues. I started liking him better in Iri's arc, and I'm very excited for his possible return. Also, he has a hot brother (Evan), he'd be a hell of a brother-in-law.

Rayan was meh. I was thrilled about the forbidden relationship between student and teacher, a shame we never got to do it in the campus. His writing in UL was well paced and great, but it became boring for me in LL. If I hadn't lost interest in him romantically maybe he could have been my route in love life cause the plot was great, but I can't stand his long, boring, philosophical speeches.

I don't have much to say about Hyun. That already says a lot 🤣. I'm not a person who searches for stability and the opportunity to found a family, so I was anything but interested in his plot. I don't like soft boys either and I found his marriage proposal very creepy. "Now, we'll be together forever." Iugh. Step away from me, sir.

Dare to tell me he doesn't look evil here:

I was excited about Priya at first, we didn't have any wlw routes before so I was genuinely interested in this one. I didn't really like it. Many of Priya's speeches were... EJEM, not to my tastes, to say at least. If you want to play a good wlw romance route, I suggest any of the wlw routes of Seduce me which is free btw, and especially Diana's in Seduce me 2: the demon war. Livia's route in Errant Kingdom is also great.

I'll be brief. I despise Nath. Ofc that doesn't mean I dislike Nath stans, I'm very glad and happy you could have him during three seasons. He's what I would call in Spanish a "mosquita muerta". Reasons? I hate he acts like a good guy when he has a little demon inside him. He plays nice but he can be a real nightmare when he wants to and even arrogant. To romance him properly you have most likely to agree with his way of thinking and share similar interests, also I think that sometimes he thinks he's better/more intelligent than Candy or that his job is more important than hers, but that's just probably me disliking him.

An ironic thing since he was my route in University Life. Yeah, I pledge guilty, his plot absorbed me into his route. He reached his peak in UL anyways. But what I most hate about him, what I truly despise.... Is that he's way too hot. Look at him goddammit

A pity he's a jerk and not a good one 😔

[toujoursmiraculous]

Thoughts and Reaction to Gang of Secrets!

I'm very late today at writing this because life ;-; You know it's a bigger episode when they start off with a problem. Ladybug doesn't want to detransform so she's desperate to find reasons to remain Ladybug. I love how the entire time, Chat Noir knows something's wrong and wants to get her to talk about what it is, but she just tries to pretend she's fine. If anything, Chat Noir would probably be the best person to talk to considering everything he's dealt with too both with Kagami and his responsibility as Chat! She could mention that she was seeing someone but they broke up because of her secret, and she could tell him how much being the Guardian's having an affect on her. All perfectly well and good without exposing any identities or things like that with questions for details asked. Instead she puts up a front with him and pretends she's okay in front of him and it's just so sad. :/ I understand why she doesn't, probably because she doesn't want him to know how much she's struggling. But ugh my heart hurts for her. Chat: I know where we can go where we won't have to talk! Ladybug: Yes, take me there Chat! *in the theater* Ladybug: You lead me into a trap. I MEAN HE'S NOT WRONG THOUGH! Not many places you can go where it's okay or encouraged to not talk without there being an awkward silence. But that cracked me UP. Also that casual attempt to wrap his arm around her lolol still hasn't give up, I see. I also find it simultaneously hilarious and extremely depressing that Ladybug's ranting like that in the theater because of a romance movie. When your heart is broken, that's probably the last thing you want to be doing. And Chat Noir yanking her down asking that she be quiet 😂 Literally just rants her entire love life out for everyone including Chat to hear in that theater. CHAT NOIR, YOU BETTER BE LISTENING BECAUSE SHE'S TALKING ABOUT ADRIEN HERE "She takes a long time to tell him and stutters and blah blah blah" lol sound familiar, sunshine? If anything please have him recall this later and be like, wait, didn't Ladybug say girls stutter around a guy when she likes him? BAM. Then he's off on his path towards Marinette. I can dream. Ladybug: And how do you know if he loves her? IMPOSSIBLE. Adrien: No, Marinette couldn't possibly be in love with me. *eyetwitch* But at the end of the day. This is Marinette ranting to Adrien about how she had to give up on Adrien and then couldn't make things work with Luka because of her secret. Ooof. And poor Chat having to apologize for everyone because Ladybug's disturbing them XDD THE GIRL SAVES EVERYBODY'S LIVES PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY AND THEY'RE PISSED SHE'S RUINING A MOVIE THEY CAN JUST REWATCH? 😂 She's clearly having a hard time right now, c'mon people! Chat can tell she has a broken heart. This boy is so sweet. He wants her to at least admit that and talk about it so she can feel better but you know, Ladybug's stubborn. I WANT TO GO SWIMMING LET'S GO SWIMMING CHAT, WOO HOOOOOO! Ladybug acting like Chat to hide her pain just like how Chat acts like Chat to hide his pain. YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S FINE. :') It doesn't matter how much pain she's dealing with, those pictures mean too much to her to remove them. x3 Thanks Juleka for showing us how sad Luka is now, that's very helpful. Marinette's been going into the bathroom at school to cry, and then had planned stupid looking glasses to hide her tears so people wouldn't have to know she's cried because wearing a ridiculous pair of glasses that's embarrassing is better than being asked what's wrong. Because the pain I feel for her wasn't already enough. Ugh I adore Trixx. Trixx being the voice of reason when Tikki's not there, trying to help and letting her know that Tikki may need to rest too when she's so upset it doesn't cross her mind. And the tears in her eyes when she apologizes to Tikki for not thinking of her like she should. ;-; SO MUCH PAIN. OH DANG Alya was literally a second away from seeing a detransforming Marinette lol But she did say DETRANSFORMATION or well in the English dub it'll be "Spots

off" I love Rose, she's really sweet. and considerate But she also shouldn't be touching things in others rooms like that. I never liked it when my friends went around my room touching stuff. Also didn't help that a couple of them stole from me... but it's just not a cool thing to do. Would've probably ended up much better had she not had to desperately hide an exposed Miracle Box. But then we wouldn't have had what happens so it's all good c: Marinette saying she doesn't want to be friends with the girls anymore

It hit Alya deep. Everyone else is like *le gasp* but her eyes all shrunken like that, you can tell it really got to her hard.

This entire exchange right here. Alya's glance at her in the first picture is piercing, like I can feel that OOF feeling in my chest when I see it. The new music dramatizes it so well that a lot of people probably didn't pay attention to it the first time around. Can we just appreciate how these animators got all these emotions so right and did such a good job animating everything for us? And those that work on the music too? Everything's so spot on. Marinette's red-rimmed eyes is so well done. "No, it can't end like this!" Awww Alix getting super upset too x3 I honestly think Alix could be the next one.... you know what I mean BUT I'll wait until the end to talk about it. Trixx pulling a Plagg and rescuing Marinette! x3 I seriously love Trixx, I really do. I know the other Kwami's got mad, but if he hadn't done that it would've been disaster, probably. And the episode wouldn't have ended how it did! And Plagg knowing it was Trixx who caused the Eiffel Tower to be all weird xD Why do I get the feeling the relationship between Trixx and Plagg would be like that of Chat Noir and Rena Rouge? And I want to point out, we got 7 whole seconds of Adrien again! Aren't we lucky? The last time we got so little of Adrien in an episode was when we had his parallel episode Lies. I don't think that'll happen this time but I do hope it means more Adrien later on. Ladybug: They're after Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Chat Noir: Okay but remember everybody likes her (so don't go thinking she's a bad person for causing their akumatizations) Yes, I read between the lines. Ladybug being able to get through to Lady Wifi and have her deakumatize herself was absolutely amazing! I know Chloe was the first to fight off being akumatized but once you're akumatized it's obviously extremely hard to break. That says a lot about Alya. "Because you're an incredible friend, Ladybug." One, AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW Two, did you notice the little jerk of her head, gesturing to Ladybug like that when she said it?? It's the little details guys that make this so good. 😍 "Chat Noir, nooooo!" Guys, we got our tiny little Marichat scene! It's not actually real, but still! (okay but why do I also get this really weird feeling like something like this may end up being real later?) Alya giving Ladybug that hug 😭 Marinette has such good, supportive friends. I love them all. x.x YES THANK YOU. Alya's finally realizing there are more things going on with her than just boys. One of the things that's always irked me since Chameleon is that any issue Marinette has, be it with Lila or otherwise, she always assumes it has to do with Adrien. Of course, at the time she didn't know she was Ladybug but she should've still listened and realized there's something else up. But now she finally is noticing and I love how she was going to respect her regardless and not push. Pushing has always been one of Alya's characteristics, but she knew whatever it was was something too big and serious to push her on. "Marinette, I'm your best friend, and I always will be." 😭😭😭 This episode brought me so close to tears so many times. Marinette admitting she's keeping secrets, lying to everyone. Admitting that that's why she draws a line between her and Adrien, and why her and Luka didn't work out. Alya saying however heavy it is, they'll carry it together (MY HEART) And then Marinette saying "If I tell you, things between us will never be the same. It's going to destroy everything, change it all." It sounds like this girl is thinking about Chat Blanc and oop there's the sound of my heart breaking again. So much paaaain. "Je suis Ladybug." YESSSSSSS Why they had to leave it off on a cliffhanger But YESSSSSSS First, the expressions she had flash on her face, the gasp 😮, then the expression like she's trying to get her mind to process. Then if you notice, Marinette gives a little nod, as if letting her know that it's true. Then the way her eyebrows furrow and pulls her into the hug as she understands all that she has on her shoulders as that music plays. I'm getting

emotional just writing this. 😭 This episode is just so amazingly good in so many ways, I don't think I can actually cover it all. I'm very impressed. I've loved nearly every episode this show has put out, even those that a lot of people seem to hate. But this one, I don't see how this could actually be hated if you're trying to think of everything that happened from Marinette's point of view, her thoughts, feelings, struggles, depression. I will say, personally I hoped Chat Noir would learn who Ladybug is first. He's been such a good partner, very thoughtful, always putting his life on the line. He's also been dealing with a lot of the same struggles. I felt like he deserved to know first. However, this isn't about who deserves what, it's about what Marinette needs. It's not that she doesn't want to tell him who she is! Don't misunderstand. There are many times throughout the past 3 seasons where she wants to or regrets not being able to. But now, Chat Blanc's in her mind. She knows what could happen if she tells him with Hawk Moth still there, so she can't do it. So instead, she tries to pretend in front of him that she's fine even though talking to him about everything would help and fix so much. In her mind, that's not an option. I just hope that when he finds out she told someone else first, he doesn't think that she doesn't trust him enough to tell him. Next I thought maybe Alix. That way it'd be more understandable to Chat that she'd know, after all future Bunnyx clearly knows and said to Ladybug that she chose her because she's capable of keeping secrets (notice how Alya said that to Ladybug in the alley? I bet Alix will find out in the near future. Maybe not this season, but she'll find out.) But that's for another time. But now Alya knows! Her best friend, the one to have her back and will no doubt have it even more so now! Watch out, Lila. Alya doesn't hold back so I can imagine how vicious she could be to her (and I can't wait). And that brings up a very interesting thought. Alya will realize Adrien has been the only one to have her back in Lila situations. Why would he do that, hmm? When everyone else was so sure Lila's an angel and Marinette must be bad for saying anything negative about her. Journalist Alya, incoming! There's also the matters of Alya bringing up Marinette's feelings for Chat Noir because duh, everybody can see how much she loves him! There are even photos of them kissing, one of which happened in front of Alya's own eyes! Though affected by an akuma, they all know that kiss didn't happen because of it. And of course, Alya has brought up twice in the show so far that Adrien and Chat Noir could be the same person. And last time Alya said that neither of them could be Ladybug and Chat Noir. Except, she's now found out that Marinette is Ladybug. So maybe Adrien could after all be Chat Noir. I look forward to seeing how their new dynamic is. I wonder how this affects their relationship with the other girls. And I'm most curious about how Nino and Adrien may react to this change. I thought during Truth and Lies both that their best friends were going to find out about their breakups. Gang of Secrets was Alya finding out. Even though I feel like another parallel episode is just wishful thinking, I can't help but think it may be a possibility. Nino and the boys are going to wonder what's up with Adrien too. They're going to wonder why he's not with Kagami anymore so suddenly. So what if i the end, Chat Noir ends up telling Nino? I could see it, if this takes place shortly after Gang of Secrets, where she tells Chat that she's confided her identity in a very close friend and somehow they agree that he can tell someone too that he trusts to make it fair. It'd be an amazing way to exercise Ladybug's trust in Chat Noir too. Then we'd have both Alya and Nino in on it, keeping their best friend's secrets for them without knowing about the other one. Oh that'd be so beautiful! And also let them keep their Miraculouses too after the charms are given to them and Alya has the ability to break

free after being akumatized. I adore Rena and Carapace so much I'd be ecstatic if they kept them. 😭 Anyway, so much potential can come out of this episode and I honestly cannot wait until episode 4!!

[zukoshotleafjuice]

The funniest thing about june teasing katara and zuko about being a couple is that she just sees a pretty girl and an attractive guy, both looking almost the same age which immediately makes her go "you two must be a couple" and it just reminds me of zvtara shippers, you know what i mean? I'm convinced one of the reasons a lot of ppl ship them is bc of their looks. katara being the female protagonist and also a pretty, smart and powerful girl & zuko, despite not being the male protagonist, being the most attractive guy in the gaang. Boom, a "bomb ass ship". It is worth to recall that "people ship zutara bc they projected onto katara and had a crush on zuko". And if they say they don't ship them for that reason, then it's bc they read too much between the lines in every interaction they have. So, back to june, she didn't even care if they had chemistry or if they were friends or anything, she just straight up teased them about being a couple lmao. Because in all honesty zvtara can be an appealing ship in anyone's eyes but THAT'S IT, it doesn't go further than that. I can be testimony of that😅Before even watching the show i was like june, one day i saw a zk fanart and was like "wow aren't those zuko and katara from atla? They look so good, she's gorgeous and he's hot" i already knew kataang was endgame and that mai was zuko's love interest but seeing zuko and katara together was pleasing to my eyes. However once i watched the show for the first time (2 months ago i think) i realized there was really no romantic chemistry between them, nothing, literally nothing, i mean, i wasn't even waiting for the zvtara content in the show that made ppl ship them so much, i was actually very neutral about ships, i couldn't care less about them, but i still realized nothing was happenig between them and that it was obvious since book 1 ep 1 that kataang was endgame. Zuko and katara were two teenagers from opposite sides of a war that tried to kill each other multiple times and when zuko changed sides they developed a completely platonic relationship. As i said, people either ship them because it's an appealing and aesthetically pleasing ship (water/fire, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, the common red & blue ship) or they just love reading too much between the lines, OR BOTH, because they were so thirsty about it they ended up convincing themselves there was romantic tension between them, that they liked each other and that zvtara was scrapped when it was never planned in the first place. Not to mention the reasons why they claim zvtara should've been endgame are based only on symbolism and things they have in common that are just so ??? Random. e.g. (i saw these on a post on facebook and the comment section was hilarious, it was full of ppl being sarcastic about it & making fun of it) saying they should've been canon bc:

1. "They both lost their mothers at a young age" (?)

2. "katara was good but had rage in her heart and zuko was bad but had good in his heart so it was like yin and yang, and that was the main purpose/topic of the show" (?)

3. "they both had alter egos (painted lady and blue spirit)" (???) this one sounds like saying maiko was canon bc zuko worked in a tea shop and mai worked in a flower shop😂

4. "Zuko was the only one who supported katara in taking revenge on her mom's assassin" (?) if you ask me, that just proves zuko is not right for katara, he led her to do something she was gonna regret later (not trying to hate on zuko, i love him, and since i love him i acknowledge his flaws. I understand why he thought it was the best thing to do, he's an impulsive and resentful boy (he would've done the same if it was his mom) and he noticed how thirsty katara was for revenge, ofc he wanted to help her + he wanted her to accept him and thought it was the right thing to do in order to gain her trust, but it wasn't) unlike zuko, aang tried to make katara come to her senses and do the thing that was best for her: forgive and let go, and it was basically what she did at the end. She didn't do what zuko expected her to do. She did what aang expected her to do. She didn't forgive her mom's assassin, but she forgave zuko, and she didn't do THAT thing she (and aang) knew would regret later. Aang knew katara and what was the best thing for her to do.

5. and the most ridiculous one, "they both saved each other's lives in the final agni kai"(???????) and the funniest part is that it was followed by "WHAT MORE PROOFS DO YOU WANT???". Honestly wtf did ppl expect? Did they expect zuko to stand there and watch katara die? Did they expect katara to just stand there and watch zuko lay on the floor & die? And this has been said a million times and i am going to join and say it once again: zuko would've done that for ANYONE from the gaang, he would've done the same for toph, sokka, suki and aang. Because he learned to care about them. As for katara, she would've done that for anyone too wtf she healed aang once too and even brought him back to life. (I wouldn't be surprised if zk shippers used that as a parallel for romantic zvtara proof bc they're just like that💀)

There were more "reasons" but they're just so stupid and taken out of context like "they care for each other" & "katara was the one who encouraged him to talk to his uncle" like yeah that's what friends do. Basically all zvtara shippers do is REACH.

Also, i just can't see it happening. I like the enemies to lovers trope, maybe if the writers really intended to make it canon, i would have been down for the ship, it would've been interesting to see how it developed, but,, they didn't, and later i came to the realization that if it would've really happened, it would've been so... weird. Time to bring up the "colonized and colonizer ship" and how some ppl feel uncomfortable about it. Besides the fact that a relationship between zuko and katara wouldn't have worked (they're incompatible af, katara is a girl with a strong character and zuko is a guy with anger issues that takes everything personal, they'd be at each other's throats 99% of the time) it's just weird to think that katara would choose to marry a man from the fire nation, the nation that caused a big war that traumatized her, the nation that took her mother away from her. Imagine katara ruling along with zuko a nation she despised for years. Fire lady katara doesn't sit right with me, and i'm sure it doesn't sit right with a lot of ppl as well. I don't see katara doing that, and yes, i know she forgave zuko, but still, she would've never done that 🤦🏽‍♀️ i think it would've been so OOC tbh.

Another thing i laugh my ass off at is when they say "zuko should've chosen katara instead of mai" as if they were ever in a relationship for zuko to say "ok imma choose katara i wanna be with her". As if katara was EVER an option for him. They never showed interest in each other, what's not clicking?????? And zuko only had eyes for mai, not to mention that despite zuko and mai had a rough relationship, no girl would've dealed with zuko's bs better than mai. Can you imagine katara dealing with zuko blowing up over everything? Because i can't. Also people saying things like "zuko deserves someone who is always there for him and listens to him" (and ofc they're talking about katara) like, ok, you hate that katara is aang's "therapist" but you want her to be zuko's therapist. Logic? Where? And I do remember mai being a supportive gf and trying to cheer him up multiple times. Did they watch the same show as me?

Zvtarians try to play the victims about how they were "robbed" bc some voice actors shipped them and from what i've read people who worked for the show suggested to go for zk, but that's stupid, it doesn't count as "they planned it but scrapped it, we were robbed". The only word that counts are the creators' voice and they have stated they were always rooting for kataang, so no, you were not robbed.

People are just so in love with the idea of zuko and katara together they really convinced themselves it was likely to happen. Honestly zvtara it's a fine ship as fanon but ppl ruined it for me and what i hate the most is when they ship it and hate on aang and mai at the same time and make them look SO bad to invalidate kataang and maiko. Saying aang is abusive and mai is toxic is complete ✨bullshit✨ and lastly, it's ridiculous when they say the creators were cowards for not making it canon. They're cowards for not fulfilling your greatest childhood wish? Something they never planned? It is THEIR show. If you hate sm how things turned out then quit atla once and for all and go find another show that you know is gonna give you what you expect,,, it's tiring that they've been crying about it for 15 yrs , like, i joined the fandom recently but i can imagine how tired old atla fans must be of this.

OK so I have a lot of thoughts about this and firstly,,,anon I appreciate the dedication that it took for you to write  this, and I agree with many of your points. However, the attitude I have on this blog towards Avatar ships is far more neutral than what you’re saying.

Ultimately, romance is not and never was the focus of Avatar. Romantic development was always secondary or tertiary plot, and the entire show was far more focused on platonic relationship development. My attitude towards shippers on here - including Zutara shippers - is that people can ship what they want, as long as they’re respectful of each other and of the other characters that “interfere” with their ship. End of the day, shipping is irrelevant to the core of the show. 

People shipping something because they find it aesthetically appealing is honestly,,,fine. Personally, I think it’s reductionist, but I don’t care if you do because everyone has the right to enjoy media however they want to. 

That being said, we absolutely should call out racist or problematic tropes that we see, including ‘fire lady katara”. I also agree that it’s upsetting when people bash other characters in order to further their ship, as much of the bashing is also pretty racist and/or misogynistic. Calling that out, however, is separate from calling out every single person who happens to enjoy certain ships. 

“She didn't do what zuko expected her to do. She did what aang expected her to do. She didn't forgive her mom's assassin, but she forgave zuko, and she didn't do THAT thing she (and aang) knew would regret later. Aang knew katara and what was the best thing for her to do.”

I understand where you’re coming from, but I honestly disagree with this take. Both Aang and Zuko were approaching the situations from their own life experiences, but Katara didn’t do what either of the boys wanted. She chose her own path, by both sparing Yon Rha’s life but also refusing to forgive him. The episode is about Katara and her personal trauma and its focus should not be on her relationships with either Zuko or Aang. 

When I make posts such as this, it’s less about hating Z*tara and more about how this fandom focuses all its attention on romance and shipping, to the point where if you acknowledge a relationship’s importance it’s assumed you pair the two romantically. I don’t read Zuko and Katara’s relationship as romantic (for reasons that it would take too long to explain here), but their relationship development is extremely important, the two of them share tons of parallels and the final Agni Kai marks the culmination of both of their character arcs. Yes, Zuko would have taken the lightning for any of the characters, but it’s thematically important that it was Katara. None of this inherently means it’s romantic, but refusing to acknowledge the significance of the relationship between them is equally reductionist. 

This isn’t an attack on you, anon, and you’re 100% allowed to have negative feelings about a ship. But at the end of the day, it’s not worth getting this worked up over. If I were you I’d focus more on creating/consuming content for a ship you like than bashing ships you don’t!

[gemmaswriting]

Multi-chapter Stories

Fatefully Yours: 2/50 (NSFW)

“The two sons of Skywalker are set to inherit a galaxy once Emperor Sidious dies, but Prince Anakin and Prince Vader are bound to rules set to control their lives and forbid them from going after what they desire and love. However, one night, one party changes everything and sets Senator Amidala of Naboo, Prince Anakin and Prince Vader on a path none could ever have imagined...”

Wake your soul: 1 / 2

“Anakin knew Padme too well for such a farce. The useless battle droids he commanded would never have been able to capture her unless she wanted them to. She was the fiercest thing he'd ever encountered in all three years of the war. She was here because she wanted to be.” 

Deception: 3 / 4 (NSFW)

“They're asking us to pretend we're married… While we pretend we aren't married…" Padme can't decide if it's pure irony or a cruel joke by the Gods. Either way she can't believe this is happening… She wants to laugh and cry at the same time."

I wouldn’t have to say you were the one that got away 2 / 2 (NSFW)

“Clovis was the right choice, the smart choice, yet she sought Anakin's passion to fill a void the real life romance clearly couldn't…Even after the inevitable break up – Padme was too good to keep such secrets – he held her as she sobbed, hating herself for hurting the guy. Strangely, as badly as that had stung, he knew he'd rather have the pain she brought him than nothing at all”. 

Hold me in your arms and I’m home 7 / ? (NSFW)

“It's the ten year reunion for students from Coruscant high and more importantly, a long awaited reunion for two former lovers. (Modern AU!)”

Conference 14 / ? (NSFW)

“They talk for a little longer about Leia, her progress and where she hopes the girl will be with her studies by the end of the year before Padme reaches for the painting she looked at earlier and slides it across the table so Anakin can see it too. She just hopes she isn't about to overstep the mark with this. "This is something Leia painted. Her family." Modern AU!” 

Cause all I want is you 4 / ?

“The only way to save the Galaxy from this terrible sickness, to save her sister and Darred, was to face the one man Padme had never believed she'd ever see again. For, the mysterious and cruel Vader was someone she'd once known so very well. Someone she'd always believed so much in. Someone, she'd even come close to marrying once.”

Connection 4 / ? (NSFW)

“But if they are ever caught… He could be expelled. Jedi are not forbidden to sleep with Jedi, however she is still a Padawan to Master Windu… His refusal to put her forward for the trials adds anger to the pot of emotions boiling between them. It's inappropriate; Knights cannot be seen to have affairs with Padawans.”

Sins of the Father 22 / ?

“ROTS re-write! The fall of a hero... And a father.”

Finding Peace 4 / ? (NSFW)

“The Clone Wars are over but Padme finds surviving in a time of peace is much more difficult. When she runs into her old friend Obi-wan who introduces her to Anakin Skywalker, she discovers maybe, just maybe, she can be happy again after all.” 

It’s a Dangerous Love Affair 12 / 12 (NSFW)

“Lies, masks, blood and sex. The criminal underworld will swallow you up and spit you out again. One wants revenge and the other wants peace. Can their affair bring the downfall of the two biggest gangs of the underworld?”

Of mutated worlds 24 / 25 (NSFW)

“Nobody saw the end of the world coming. It happened overnight, no warning, no escape. They came from the shadows, biting, paralysing, and killing little by little until they were the majority. One day, everything was normal and then, suddenly, Padme Amidala Naberrie woke up in hell. Anidala/Vaderdala”

Step by Step 4 / 4 (NSFW)

“Ballet AU! In her first starring role, Padme Amidala is partnered with world-famous Anakin Skywalker to tell the story of an angel's seduction by Lucifer, the King of Hell. Can she keep up? Where does one draw the line between business and pleasure?”

Ships in the night  6 / 6 (NSFW)

“A confession changes Anakin and Padme's relationship forever. Can she come to terms with the revelation and a desire she never knew she had or is the Jedi Code worth preserving? Can there ever be more than friendship between two Jedi?” 

Home is where you are 3 / ?

“Seven years ago, Anakin Skywalker took the opportunity to join the Tatooine Dodgers, the biggest baseball team in the USA, even if it meant leaving his beloved Padme Amidala at the alter. One day, fate draws him back to their hometown and Anakin discovers he left more than just a wedding behind that day...”

Across the Stars 19 /? (NSFW/SFW)

“A collection of Anidala oneshots, prompts and AUs.”

Just you and me far beyond the sea 3 / ? (NSFW)

“After his ship is attacked by pirates, Captain Anakin Skywalker's life is saved by a siren named Padme. When this woman appears on land with a pair of legs, Anakin can't help but feel drawn to the mysterious woman. But Padme has secrets and the burden of duty on her shoulders. As the pair grow closer, she must find out which is stronger, the call of love or the call of the ocean?”

[arisamsara]

The change of relationship: breaking point of Yoo Jung

Cheese in the Trap Season 4, Ep. 30

WARNING: This post contains several spoilers of the story released up to this particular chapter. The selected plot points are needed for explanation of the chosen topic. If you haven't but plan to read Cheese in the Trap (much reccomended), please avoid this post or read at your own risk.

Cheese in the Trap (치즈인더트랩) is a Korean manhwa (aka comic) series created by Soonkki (story and artwork). It was published on online platform Naver Webtoon in 2010-2017. Later the story was published in print, translated into English on Webtoon app, made into a TV series and live action film. The English translation is in its last 4th season and still has around one year worth of material yet to be translated.

The story revolves around Hong Seol, a hardwoking and little overthinking 3rd year university student majoring business management who is suddenly approached by her same major sunbae, very rich, handsome and popular 4th year student Yoo Jung. It would seem Seol hit a jackpot, attracting attention of such a guy as Jung; however, there is no promise of typical romance in sight. Why?

Maybe because Seol knows that Jung is not as nice as he pretends to be in public?

Or maybe because the previous year Seol's university life was turned into hell and the main puppetmaster behind all those evil schemes seems to be... Yoo Jung?

Relationship that began shrouded in misunderstanding, antipathy and suspicion. Can it ever be turned into romance? Or is it just another Jung's masterplan to get back at Seol?

THE ANALYSIS

In this post I will:

1) do a quick recap of "Jung's attitude towards Seol" evolution (in approximate data graph form in interval -10 to 10 because they're business majors, duh);

2) explain what happened in this episode, what was mistranslated in Jung's monologue and what character details are hidden here;

3) clear the mistranslation of Jung's repeated "Seol" in this episode.

Important parts are highlighted with colour (setting/situation) or bolded (particular events). The words in "..." are actual quotations. The words in '...' are rephrased sentences. Lets begin!

[1st Part] RECAP

How Jung's attitude towards Seol changed since the beginning of previous year aka flashback year? Jung returned from military service to the 3rd year, Seol returned to the 2nd year; they first met during comeback drink party. Seol got wasted (she can't drink much), picked up thrown ciggarettes from the ground outside (for Bora) and kept side-eyeing Jung all evening (how he spilled drink on clingy girls). Jung's first impression of Seol was bad, around 0 to -1 (she's "pathetic"). Then Seol kept saying hello and smiling to him (he was sunbae and popular/respected as well) but Jung flat out ignored her (thought she's another leecher).

During Jaewoo's study group Seol was the only girl there (they thought she outsmarted other girls and came alone to be closer to Jung); Jung caught her laughing at him (he thought she was mocking him and saw through his "nice sunbae" mask; she was just laughing at her imagination of Jung as aloof prince) and his impression dropped to -5 as he really disliked her now. Seol tripped on waxed floor and Jung caught her saying "Be careful" (not about tripping but about her behaviour towards him).

Seol then badmouthed Jung in public (said he was distanced, chose with whom to mingle, acted a bit fake); he found out about it and started to hate Seol (drop to -8). Seol tripped again and dropped papers, Jung kicked them and said "You keep making mistakes. I told you to be careful" (again not about tripping but about making him seem WEIRD to others in public). So he began to act nice with Seol to make Juyeon (black-haired girl who crushed on Jung) jealous and ruin Seol's life (in study related matters)

Then Younggon badmouthed Jung during basketball game (something like 'Jung pities you clingy people', which was true). When everyone turned their backs on Younggon, who went to talk to him, comfort him with snacks? Seol. Jung saw that and likely thought 'So these Jung haters team up now, huh? They deserve each other'. Jung's hatred for Seol got even bigger (drop to -10). When Younggon came to Jung asking for forgiveness, Jung was tired of his sh*t and wanted to go home already (he sighed and ruffled his hair). Juyeon told Younggon he and Seol would be a great couple; they asked for Jung's opinion and he was like 'Yeah whatever you would look good' with a fake smile to be left alone and not involved in unnecessary rumours and drama. He also didn't stop Inha from taking his phone and writing Younggon (pretending to be Jung and advising to send Seol gifts etc.), because, well, he disliked Seol and couldn't be bothered thinking about her. However, Jung had no idea how far Younggon would go during summer break (stalking, threatening and assaulting Seol).

When Seol came straight to Jung and asked if he really told Younggon Seol liked him (and Jung found out how obsessed Younggon was) Jung was shocked and felt bad. Yes, he hated Seol but didn't wish her to be hurt/threatened. Then Juyeon sent homeless woman to the library where Seol was and Seol got cut with a glass. It was Jung (if I remember correctly) who secretly called security guard to save Seol (yet Seol thought Jung was there knowing what happened and did nothing). Jung was really mad with Juyeon for this.

More things have happened that I forgot a bit, but essentially Jung kept noticing he and Seol are somewhat similar. He overheard her phone call with her parents and learned she was also lonely and not fully appreciated by her family. They both were diligent and hardworking in studying (both often were the ones who were used in team projects and ended up doing most of the work, or even did all work alone so their grade would not be affected by other people's laziness). They disliked petty drama. And found it difficult to speak their worries to others (Seol was too self-conscious and afraid to burden her friends, Jung had no one to speak to at all). So Jung's hatred for Seol started to decrease and he occasionally found himself thinking about her and even smiling when doing that (which made him frustrated and confused).

Jung looked for opportunities to speak with Seol but she always ran away, avoided to be left with him alone. During festival Jung made her a part of his preparation group, assigned her an easy job (sort out boxes) so she wouldn't overwork herself as she usually does and so that they could have time to talk alone. Jung didn't know silverware arrived earlier than planned and those boxes were heavy instead of light (Seol thought Jung gave her that job on purpose, to get back at her and just make her more miserable). While working they kept glancing at each other (Seol saw Jung wipe his sweaty face and cough - he caught a cold and felt really sick, but kept working). As others ran home early avoiding work, finding ridiculous excuses, Jung said Seol will help him clean up, but when everyone left, he told her to go just home (no one will appreciate her sacrifice and hard work, he knew that from experience). Seol wanted to leave, but seeing how Jung was sick, she went into rain to place directions towards their bar space. As she got back to take her bag, she saw Jung cleaned the place and lied back on the sofa, mumbling with fever. She couldn't just leave him there, bought him medicine, placed a wet towel on his head and fell asleep on the other couch. Jung woke up feeling better and was surprised to see Seol who was also sick and grabbed his hand in her feverish sleep (Seol's habit). The way they both tended to each other as both were sick (such caring gesture) made them closer but still confused about each other.

Jung left umbrella to Seol (she didn't take one and got wet while placing directions outside) and next day didn't take it back immediately between lectures so they could speak in person when she returns it, but that plan failed (Seol was too sick to keep running after Jung; she didn't want to be alone with him; the students' pissed her off saying 'Poor Jung, got sick working all alone'). In episode 29 sick Seol mistook Jung as Euntaek and asked him for money (initially 10$, then changed her mind and said 2$ was enough). Jung was happy to help her (he knew Seol wasn't like other students who hanged out with Jung only because of his money; also she approached him first and he hoped now they could talk) and offered 40$ (possibly all the cash he had on him, as Jung seemed to favour his card for paying). However, Seol recognized him and ran away again thinking Jung was showing off his money and pity, humiliating her. He followed her and saw her crouched (she vomited), tried to approach her but couldn't (street between them was drawn as an abyss); during next break Jung bought a health drink for Seol but she collapsed and was carried to the infirmary.

Then this episode happened (explained in detail in 2nd part). After that, Jung found out Seol was taking a study break. He was desperate to keep her at university so he could finally get close to her (it was going to be Jung's last year, so if she took a break, they would likely never meet again). Having no other idea how to do that, Jung blackmailed Assistant Seo to make his research paper dissapear (Assistand Seo had stolen and used Jung's credit card, so Jung gave him a chance to be forgiven; once research paper was gone, Jung's grade would drop, Seol would become first in business department, get the scholarship instead of Jung and stay for another year). Then the first chapter of CITT happens when Jung approaches Seol all smiles and offers to buy her dinner (bomb food and triangle rice). So during this 'realization' period which started after Younggon's assault, Jung's like/dislike bar towards Seol jumped from -10 to a decent 8.

[2nd Part] EPISODE EXPLANATION + JUNG'S MONOLOGUE MISTRANSLATION + CHARACTER DETAILS

This whole chapter is from Jung's POV, so it's a rare opportunity not only to see him behave but also hear what he's thinking. Infirmary part is the breaking point is Seol-Jung relationship: it's Jung's last effort to stop being bothered and confused by his feelings towards Seol; and his utter defeat as his opinion of Seol changed completely. Jung was getting worried of her and her health before, but here we see the extent of it. Jung is super diligent when it comes to studying (a bit later, during their first movie date at the cinema Jung was hangover and asked Seol to wake him up if he falls asleep; but it was Jung who stayed up watching boring historical film without breaking attention because it was homework; while Seol quickly fell asleep). It is absolutely outrageous to see Jung deliberately skip important lecture (which has attendance marks) in the middle of it just to go and see Seol. It shows how much he worried about her without even realizing.

Then Jung quietly stared at Seol for a long time with a serious, cynical face as if criticizing, evaluating. Although Jung has dated many girls before (they asked him out and he said ok), he has never had any romantic feelings for them and had no experience with love. So here Jung tried to rationalize whatever newly experienced softness he was feeling towards Seol, remembering past incidents (how she fell several times and got her hand cut). But his concentration broke as soon as Seol moved and Jung was controlled by the unconscious desire to touch her HAND. Seol woke up (delirious) so Jung put his HAND over her eyes to make her sleep (it mirrors how Seol put her HAND over Jung's eyes to calm his rage after Sangcheol pushed them and Jung hurt his HAND). Seol grabbed Jung's HAND half asleep, thanked he was still there and told him to go already. Since she spoke in banmal (informal language), she must have mistaken Jung for Euntaek again, as she never spoke informally with Jung before. Obviously a HAND motif is extremely important in the story. Seol keeps grabbing people's hands (usually Jung's after they became close, ex. when he asked her to become his girlfriend, during volunteering etc.) because she pushed away grandmother's hand; Seol had her hand cut by homeless woman; Inho got his hand hurt during assault; Jung's habit to tap his fingers when he's thinking. I can say this hand grabbing was one of the deciding elements that defeated Jung and last effort of resistance, but why exactly this gesture has such an impact on him is revealed only at the end of the story.

The part time job paper he found in her pocket softened him more. Jung's monologue is MISTRANSLATED in English version on Webtoon app; in essence Jung said he was frustrated about his feelings towards Seol but now feels better (weird), it means he changed (that's weirder). Seol caused a chaos of emotions inside him and she was the only one who could contain that chaos and bring back peace to his heart. He had no proof they could get along as their relationship was dissapointing so far but he wanted to try once more and make sure of it. He admitted he had never regretted his actions so much as he did now (things he did to Seol). Jung realized he couldn't run away from Seol, was fascinated by her, worried (her call with parents), touched by her kindness (she cared for him at festival), apologetic (she crouched after asking for 2$). Suddenly realization hit Jung like a lightning -  he lost the battle and got taken over by affection and crush towards Seol. Jung fell in love for the first time. And here started his obsession with food and having dinner with Seol.

[3rd Part] MISTRANSLATION OF "SEOL"

Why Jung kept repeating "Seol" like crazy? The way it's translated in English on Webtoon app, there is no difference between Jung addressing Seol as he first got into the infirmary and at the end of the chapter. In original Korean version there is a huge difference. For ex. Seol never adressed Jung as Jung; he was Yoo Jung or Sunbae (the latter even after they started dating). Titles of hierarchy or full names are used between people who are not very close and are in official respectful relationship, mostly professional. Family members, close friends and lovers use banmal (informal speech) and address each other using each other's name (there are exceptions; also Bora and Euntaek also often called Seol as Hong/Hong Seol but it may have been a tease). So people who are very close would usually add ending -ah to other person's name as a form of endearment.

When Jung first entered the infirmary, he adressed Seol formally as "Hong Seol" (a fellow student and hoohae of the same major). But after Jung realized he fell in love with Seol, he smiled and called her name softly as "Seol-ah", suggesting she became a close person to him, a dear friend and a possible future lover. Being first time in love, Jung was fascinated by how lovely it sounds and kept happily repeating it.

AFTERTHOUGHTS

CITT emphasizes the importance of subjectivity of one's point of view. This post was written explaining Jung's point of view, how he saw Seol and judged her behaviour. However the story is written mainly from Seol's point of view, so the reader identifies with her and can clearly understand only her actions and thoughts. Most of the time Jung looks weird, unreadable and suspicious to the reader because Seol sees him like that, affected by her past experiences which were caused by misunderstanding between them (and also because Jung is a complex person in general who on top of that is inexperienced in expressing himself clearly).

Nothing like that would have happened if Jung and Seol had sat down and talked everything out in the beginning. But these two do not openly speak about things. Instead they observe, overthink and internalize, judging people by subjective patterns of their own experience. Seol and Jung are similar in this appproach, only their patterns differ.

Seol grew up nice, diligent, disliked troubles and drama, smiled at sunbaes and was often underappreciated. And Jung was always at the center of attention. Seol thoght it was unfair, but she didn't know that people hanged out with Jung only for his status, money and connections, looking for personal gain. When Seol tried to be nice to Jung because she was just raised like that, Jung thought she was another leecher as he only knew such people.

Money was a touchy issue in Seol's family and she had to work several part time jobs to earn for tuition. Jung never thought about money at all or give it much importance. He was collecting expensive watches because he hd nothing better to do (habit came from the childhood as he was lonely and wanted to have a hobby). His issue was not using money for other people (paying for team dinners; Jung is generous) but for people using him only for money. So when Seol paid for her dinner (like she was raised to do) she thought Jung considered her a fool. Actually, he was impressed and surprised (sge's a first who did that) and even felt a little mocked. So he had no issue to give her more cash than she asked - 'I have money, you need it as you're sick, take it all'. She felt humiliated as if Jung was showing off.

Jung made her part of his festival preparation group only to have a chance to speak with her. She thought he did it to make her life hard. Whatever nice Jung did later, he was misunderstood by Seol as having evil intentions. Even when he "lost his paper" and gave up his scholarship so that she would stay at University, he avoided telling her the truth as Seol could (and eventually did) misunderstand and judge him resorting to blackmail (Seol is very righteous). But she would not open to him or ask him for help otherwise, so Jung had to repeatedly help her from behind the scenes and later get scolded.

Also, I wanted to clarify Jung's line "I'm all you got" from episode 27 that generated a lot of discussions about his 'inappropriate, sketchy and manipulative' behaviour. The sentence does sound creepy, but it was partly the fault of translation. Actually this sentence does not mean Seol has no family or friends and has to rely solely on Jung. It is a mistake to take this one sentence out of context, as the sentence was a continuation of Jung's train of thought about unconditional love and trust; about putting someone always first.

Read the colour coded dialogue below:

Jung Seol

"Next time tell me anything. Even if it's just a suspicion. Didn't we agree to share everything? That night, at my house... We talked about it."

"Yes we did, that conversation. Well, I was suspicious of him (Sangcheol) for being a thief so I had to be cautious."

"Seol, when you get suspicious, you had a good reason to be. You can tell me."

"What? How can you be so sure? Aren't you trusting me a little too much?"

"Of course. Who else would believe you and take your side if not me? See? I'm all you got."

Jung never experienced unconditional love and trust; his father never put Jung, his son, first above everything else. Jung was told to give beloved picture frame (mom's treasure) to a boy who simply liked it. Father told Jung to stop whining and be nice - apparently how other people saw Jung was more important than what Jung wanted. Jung's father considered him weird and the lack of trust was expressed by making Baek twins spy on Jung and report back (twins were manipulated too). Father even seemed to like twins' company better than Jung's as father was always smiling and laughing around them, but giving Jung a cold shoulder and scorned face. In Jung's mind, he was never first to Inho too although they were best friends. Jung went to see Inho's favourite musician and get autograph in Inho's name. And Inho kept reporting to Jung's father about Jung, laughed about father liking him more than Jung and caused a scandal about being a second son in the family. People at work and University also don't care about Jung as a person, only about his status in society.

Seol's life is different, she has family and friends yet she can relate to Jung a lot too. In episode 29 Seol said: "No matter how hard I try, there is someone else who's on a whole different level from the beginning. Do I really need to feel this way even at school?" and a picture of Seol's brother Joon appeared. Seol was never put first too - her brother as the only son in the family was the most important. Grandma used to favour Joon and bring him more snacks. Parents sent him to USA to study (Seol also wanted that) and sent him money frequently but Joon stopped his studies and went home. Meanwhile, Seol took a break and had several jobs to earn money for her tuition. No one at home asked how she felt, what she wanted; no one noticed how sick she was (father said no one around the house was useful). Seol had Bora and Euntaek but they had their own problems at home and Seol couldn't find strength to tell them everything thst bothered her. This lead Seol to keep stuff to herself and just brace through it alone.

For Jung, Seol is his girlfriend, the girl he loves and by far the closest person he has. Despite rocky start she eventually tried to know him behind the façade. She bought him a watch (he collects them) with her scarce savings when her time, interest and honesty were more than enough for him. After arguing she would still come and try to work it out and understand him (the night they talked at Jung's house). She often worried about him to the point where she thought she would trouble him with her "small" problems. So that's what Jung talked about - he wanted Seol to share even the smallest worries with him, not bottle everything inside. When friends can be very close, they both are a couple. For Jung couple means people who are ultimate, the most important for each other. "I'm all you got" means "the ultimate/the last one/ the only one to remain with you when everyone turns their backs on you and leaves". It means that as her boyfriend, Jung is the only one who ALWAYS puts Seol first above others, supports her and is on her side no matter what, even if she is wrong or mistaken. That is unconditional love and trust they haven't experienced from their family and friends, so have to give to each other instead.

END

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

[foul-z-fowl]

I'M ANSWERING THEM ALL, SO BUCKLE UP BUTTER CUPS!

This answer will feature my OC Blondie, from my novel (if I can call it that) Time Thieves. Maybe I'll redo this later with another character, romance is one of my favorite things to write.

Blondie was in love with Hally for almost a year, before she found out about his ahem *illegal activities* and left him. Now he's in trying to build a new life with Lilac. (They will get married. Not in the book, just in my head.)

Hally loved him, and always will, but now she loves him as a friend, not in a romantic way. Lilac loooooooooves him, and they are my endgame. (He knows about both.)

Blondie is reaaaaaally touchy. He just loves cuddles and hugs and mushy couple PDA.

He doesn't like flowers. His house is so cluttered he never had anywhere to put them, and he feels awful if he throws them away.

He saved Lilac's life. Even if it wasn't romantic at the time, he tells the story like it was.

Hally took him to the waterpark once. It ended up becoming a disaster, but he still loved it.

He's not a good flirt, but he has his own brand of sweet, innocent, charm that all the girls find adorable.

A small semi-spontaneous private proposal that is in an atmosphere filled with love.

He cuddles. He touches. He hugs. Everyone around him has learned to tolerate it.

He's broken the law by illegally time traveling several times for Lilac. He doesn't regret it.

Everyone loves how compassionate he is. He always goes out of his way to help others, even if it frequently goes wrong.

When he gets stressed, he can't sleep, and when he can't sleep, he wakes everyone up so he can have company. Hally is usally his first victim, followed by Emma (the team mom), Bela (the protective older sister figure), and Dakota (the team leader).

How much of a challenge he is to write, and how he isn't special. At first it was so hard for me to get into Blondie's head, I couldn't even come up with a name for him, and so the nickname I gave him stuck (his real name is Bailey. He hates it). He also isn't important, even to the story. He's not the one who gets betrayed and has to deal with the aftermath. He's not the one who has to deal with discrimination and hatred. He's not the leader. He's not the one taken from his time and home in the middle of the night. He's not the leader, or the one who's lost someone important to him, or the newly-wed who's fighting to get back home. All of those are the people around him. He's the boring, straight white guy. He's also the only person without a specific role on the team.

He's still really touchy. He's just a touchy person.

He doesn't have any specific traditions, but he never gets tired of explaining to Lilac how a phone works.

He likes anything that's sweet and sticky and soft.

His answer to any type of date first, or fifth, or millionth is the water park.

Blondie has a really big heart, but he's terrible with technology. Falling in love over e-mail? Not for him

People he's explicitly not allowed to fall in love with. This list includes two types of girls: Cops and people from different times. Hally is a cop, Lilac is from 200 years in the past.

He loves love! He's a cheesy boyfriend, and he's very affectionate with all of his friends.

It's not that he likes PDA, he just always wants to be touching and hugging and loving on his girlfriend.

He doesn't really believe in love at first sight, but he thought Lilac was pretty when he first met her though?

Never. He doesn't read for fun.

No matter who objects, (even the person themselves), he'll just grab someone (usually his girlfriend) and just koala them as they go about the house. If they leave, he finds someone else, so they've all learnt not be guilty about running to the store when he's like that.

When he wants to wrap them in a blanket burrito and protect them from the rest of the world. When he would let them slap him and say thank you. In other words, when he's a total simp.

Nah, he likes the idea that there is more that just one person he can be happy with. He loves Lilac, but deep down he knows if he hadn't betrayed Hally, they would have ended up married. (And he's not wrong.)

YES. He falls in love so fast, poor baby.

Either at home with his girlfriend or on a date with his girlfriend. One year he was single and he spent the whole day crying and eating food Emma baked for him.

Fire. He thinks it's cozy. Lilac lives in fear of this.

Anything cheesy.

Titanic, but it's his deepest secret. He actually was on the actual Titanic for a few hours with Hally once. My favorite quotes from that short story is: "Isn't there an old movie about a blonde guy and a redhead lady on a boat?" Which is especially funny because he's a crimminal.

Lovey Dovey OC Development Prompts

Here’s a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ for you all on this corporate holiday! You can fill this out on your own, or you can ask your followers to send you numbers! (Oh, and remember that the real holiday is tomorrow, when all the holiday candy is discounted.) Have fun!

♥ (01) Is your OC in love? If so, with whom, and for how long? ♥ (02) Does another OC love your OC? If so, whom, and does your OC know? ♥ (03) Are there any romantic gestures that your OC loves? ♥ (04) Are there any romantic gestures that your OC hates? ♥ (05) What is the most romantic thing your OC has done for someone else? ♥ (06) What is the most romantic thing that has been done for your OC? ♥ (07) How successful is your OC at flirting with others? ♥ (08) What is your OC’s dream marriage proposal? ♥ (09) What is your OC’s favorite small way to show their love? ♥ (10) What is your OC’s favorite big way to show their love? ♥ (11) What do others love most about your OC? ♥ (12) What do you love most about your OC? ♥ (13) How does your OC show their love to those that are not their partner(s)? ♥ (14) Does your OC have any romantic traditions? ♥ (15) What is your OC’s favorite type of Valentine’s Day candy? ♥ (16) What is your OC’s ideal first date? ♥ (17) Could your OC fall in love with someone they’ve never met in person? ♥ (18) Does your OC have a “type”? ♥ (19) How highly does your OC value love (platonic, romantic, or otherwise)? ♥ (20) How does your OC feel about public displays of affection? ♥ (21) Does your OC believe in love at first sight? ♥ (22) How often does your OC read romantic literature? ♥ (23) What is your OC’s favorite nice thing to do for themselves? ♥ (24) How does your OC determine that they’re attracted to someone? ♥ (25) Does your OC believe in soulmates? ♥ (26) Is your OC ever the first to say “I love you”? ♥ (27) How does your OC typically spend their Valentine’s Day? ♥ (28) What is something unconventional that your OC thinks is romantic? ♥ (29) What is your OC’s favorite love song? ♥ (30) What is your OC’s favorite romantic movie?

[purgatoryandme]

;) So I hear you're doing requests and I couldn't be happier. You're one of my fav TG writers so plz write this drabble: In the Ghoul community word on the street is Kaneki has a "thing" for one Dove (Amon). Kaneki always stops ghouls from killing him cuz Amon Is Off Limits so Rumors spread far and wide mainly a romantic&smutty kind xD But is there truth to it? Can Nishiki question Kaneki? I'll let you decide. Bonus:"Oi, you, Dove, how the hell you'd get in EyePatch's pants?"

One thing that no human knew about ghouls, no matter howmany studies they did on ghoul behavior and physiology, was that they loved togossip. Word on the street could be the difference between a peaceful night (asif those ever happened), a scuffle (or seven), and a fresh grave. So, wheneversomething rumour-worthy happened in the ghoul community, you could expect it tocatch on fast. Eyepatch, the scariest mother fucker in the 20th ward, runningaround and saving a Dove’s ass every other day? That was good gossip material.The greatest gossip material. Nobody wanted to mess with Eyepatch, after all. If he didn’t come for youhimself, everyone knew the Owl would. That, or the Gourmet would try to eat youafter the Rabbit siblings had used you as a pincushion. For awhile, the rumour was interesting enough by itself. Eventually though,people had questions. Why was Eyepatch protecting a Dove? Did they owe each other some kind of life debt? Eyepatch hadn’t appeared untilrecently, however.Had Amon protected one of Eyepatch’s friends? Impossible, he was a Dove andEyepatch hung out with a pretty powerful crowd. Amon was a pretty young investigator…He was known for being handsome…And extremely stubborn about exterminating ghouls…Was this…a forbidden romance!?Ghouls far and wide argued the appeal of this new piece of news. Sure, it wouldbe fun to sleep with a ghoul-hating investigator, a really good “screw you”(hehehe), proof of the hypocrisy of humans. But, wouldn’t that get old afterawhile? Why would you keep saving the guy?Also, curious minds needed to know: did Eyepatch leave his mask on when theydid it? Rumour says he’s a cutie!Maybe he took the mask off…because they were in love! Somebody had seenEyepatch give the Dove a coffee once (originally, the story was that the Dovedemanded to know what Eyepatch ate, to which he replied with the drink, but whocares!). Somebody else had seen the Dove carrying Eyepatch in his arms (when hewas bleeding heavily, but who cares!). Once the rumour mill got-a-grinding, there was no slowing it down.

Back at Anteiku, Kaneki was waiting tables and trying toignore Nishiki’s intense stare.  It wasgetting pretty difficult though, considering that the stare was aimed t his assand every customer he’d waited on had commented on it. 

Finally, he couldn’t tolerate it anymore. The second after he refilled anothercustomer’s cup, he marched over to Nishiki and pulled him into the back room.“What is your problem????”He asked, letting go of Nishiki immediately (he didn’t have a death wish). Nishiki shrugged and eyed him up fromthe tip of his toes to the top of his head. “Just trying to figure out how you got a Dove to bang you.”NIshiki responded.And that’s how Kaneki found out about the rumours.

Amon Koutarou was walking his beat within the 20thward. Things had been…quiet for him lately. He wasn’t even sure why he wasdoing a patrol. Ghouls avoided him like the plague now, unless they were tryingto pick a fight with Eyepatch.

Where was Eyepatch today? How was he doing? Was he alright? It bothered Amon that the ghoul had been attacked so often lately. Clearly, hecould handle it, but it bothered Amon when Eyepatch showed up to a fight incasual clothes (with his mask askew,almost like he put it on in a hurry, almost like he might not put it on at allnext time). Not because he was worried about him, though. No, Amon hatedthat the casual clothes meant Eyepatch was stalking him (though he never did anything to stop the ghoul from doing so).  Frowning, Amon kicked at some gravel. He was getting kindof bored with this newdaily routine. At first, it had been exciting – ghouls would attack, Eyepatchwould show up, and a fight would break out on the daily. He hadn’t even SEENEyepatch for over a week now…Not that he missed him. He was just sulking about not getting to ask Eyepatchany questions (despite the fact that hehadn’t asked them in the…2 months, probably 2 months, since this started).  As he was lost in thought, a voice came from overhead,“Oi, you,”It said (a ghoul with a snake maskpeering down at him),“How’d you manage to get into Eyepatch’s pants?”And that’s how Nishiki broke 4 bones and Amon found out about the rumour.

“InvestigatorAmon, how do you keep getting into trouble!?”

Eyepatch demanded to know, pulling Amon by the arm out of the smoking rubble ofa broken down lab alongside some of his fellow investigators. His ghoul crewhung around behind him, coughing awkwardly as Eyepatch continued to hold onto Amon.

“It’s like I can’t leave you alone for a single second! No wonder everyonethinks we’re-“

The ghoul cut himself off abruptly, but it was already too late. Akira’s eyes sparkledwith interest and Amon felt his face turning red (

from embarrassment! Not the arm holding

!).

“We’re not dating!”

Amon blurted before covering his mouth in horror at Akira’s slowly wideningsmirk. The ghoul in the snake mask snickered and Eyepatch released his arm longenough to smack at them.

Eyepatch’s crew left quickly after that, but not before Amon spotted how pinktheir leader’s ears were against his mask. Also not before Akira called out,

“So, if Investigator Amon wants a date, does it have to be a coffee date?”

And that’s how the CCG found out about the rumours.