#the gang would never treat TC like that

[sarroora]

I’m the nerd who’ll always write Top Cat fanfiction in the series’s original setting, because I consider the time period a character in itself.

Dude why in the world would I wanna change the 60s New York setting, it’s a huge part of the charm.

And all that talk about how the kids today won’t relate to older cartoons? I’m a 90s kid who watched T.C during its 90s and early 2000s run and loved it. It’s never about the setting or time, it’s about the writing and characters.

Guess that’s one of the reasons why most reboots don’t land.

[sky-of-dusk]

Kyouya against destiny

The Tategami Monogatari is a little story drawn by Takafumi Adachi featuring Kyouya and his father. It's the moment Kyouya prove he's worthy of inheriting the TC.

(there a link from the author website and here the comic he posted on pixiv... I know someone post it here, on Tumblr, but I lost it 🥺)

Since the characters appearing in this story, and Kyouya's clothes, it may happens between Beyblade Metal Masters and Beyblade Metal Fury.

I think it explains some of Kyouya's behavioral changes during Beyblade Metal Fury. His future (and adulthood) becomes suddenly clearer and closer. He wanted to travel to beat the legendary bladers (before challenging Ginga) to have fun and everyone spent their time talking about a quest to save the world (which seems quite important... except when you are Kyouya Tategami and you don't feel like it's your responsability). Until then, it doesn't bother him. Kyouya lets them talk about their great quest while he follows his own idea.

Then Aguma says he belongs to a group (which Kyouya doesn't want to), Wild Fang try to help him...

...and not enough time later Dynamis talks about destiny (in fact, all of this happens the same day).

This is the moment where everything goes wrong.

Kyouya is the next TC's CEO. Right now is the moment he wants to be a blader, especially Ginga's rival. He doesn't want to think about anything like responsabilities and other obligations (or destiny, or whatever). He doesn't mind helping Ginga and the others. He did it several times (against the Dark Nebula, the Spiral Energy and the Atlantis). Even during the beginning of the legendary bladers quest : he has the idea to train, guess how they can find Aguma and Bao, etc. In fact, even after Aguma annoyed him by pointing out he isn't acting like a lone lion, Kyouya still couldn't help but help the gang...

...with relative success XD

Helping isn't the problem. If it was only Aguma or Dynamis words, Kyouya would have been able to get over it (after much pouting and grumbling, of course). In fact, he almost got over it when he thought he would battle Dynamis.

(Do you see this enthusiastic smile ?)

But both of them ? With Aguma coming back and showing him the flaws in his speeches (which everyone, except Yuu, politely pretend to not see) ?

It was too much.

Kyouya joined the gang in this travel only to have great battles. He was here to have fun. He said, since the beginning of the quest, fighting the “great evil” and saving the world weren’t his problem.

But Aguma argued to undo his beloved image of a lone lion. Even worse, he only used logical arguments.

And then, something (destiny) tries to get the control of his present life, this time he's supposed to be as free as he wants to be.

I think that's why the scenarists went to the whole "okay, I have to accept my destiny" reasonning. Kyouya never had anything against helping Ginga, he did it since Metal Fusion episode 11. Please. In episode 123, even when he was pouting because he wasn't treated the way he thinks he should be (with tremendous respect, lol) he comes back to support Ginga.

(he’s in the right corner in the second picture)

His situation and his age shouldn’t be forgotten.

He leaving the gang was just some teenage rebellion.

He was torn between too many things : being a “lone lion” (he loves this image), helping Ginga and the gang, having fun with Beybattles, spending time with his friends (the Wild Fang, of course), doing everything his own way, doing what felt right, obeying destiny and taking up responsabillities...

And, deep down, Kyouya knew he was wrong.

Please, when else did we see Kyouya looking away because he’s unable to look somebody (and not anybody : Ginga ! his rival) in the face ?

[scythfi-writer]

TLDR Andrias was not the one who took our beloved Marcy from us. Marcy wasn’t being written as a main protagonist, untouched by toxicity and malice, destined to replace Sprig as the secondary protagonist and maybe even usurp Anne as the main heroine of the story, all planned out in a glorious story by Matt Braly and Co, only to be stolen from us and distorted into a complex tragic character with faults and potential amoral intentions by the villainous Andrias. Marcy was ALWAYS going to be revealed to be a toxic friend and have the rug pulled from under her from the start.

The fandom hates King Andrias a lot because not only did he murder a little girl, he flipped the dynamic of how you’re supposed to feel about Marcy.

Until TC Marcy was portrayed to be a fun, energetic, and ultimately relatable little girl. She was the most competent of the three girls by far in adjusting to Amphibia, seeming to know about the world than the Plantars (who to be fair, are farmers). But she was also very flawed in a relatable way in that she was bad at making friends and very socially awkward.

Notice that I never said anything about her being good.

Marcy instantly became lots of people’s favorite characters based on the assumption that her likeable personality implied a level of “good” to her character. Sure we all knew she had issues, but none of them were truly all that harmful, right? In fact, Marcy being in on some sort of not-so-innocent conspiracy made her even better for a lot of fans. You see, the show had been portraying Marcy, alongside Sasha, as somewhat bad for Anne this whole time, which worried people who didn’t want Marcy to be a toxic friend. So if the “bad” thing about Marcy was that she was hiding some sort of secret from Anne about, for example, the king’s plans, or magic, or plot stuff, then that meant that yes, Marcy was doing some shady things, but she didn’t have to be revealed to be a bad person!

She became so popular that many fans started projecting onto her. Marcy was, depending on who you were, simultaneously a social outcast who deserved better and a socially beloved character who lots of people loved but she didn’t know about (a la Shouko Komi). She was autistic (this reading is explicitly not intentional by Matt Braly, but it certainly makes sense). For the popular gay shipping between her and the other girls she could have been awkwardly coming to terms with her sexuality or she fully embraced being a WLW and helping one or both of the others find themselves.

Marcy was GOOD, the fandom insisted, even as the story dropped hint after hint that there was something off about Marcy, and even showed us examples of Marcy’s seemingly innocent bad habits explicitly harming Anne and the Plantars. Marcy was a GOOD person, and even if she was colluding with Andrias, and even if she did have a few secrets that just meant that she was going to have a redemption arc.

Marcy was not at all like Sasha, the fans compared. Sasha was mostly toxic to Anne, but cared deeply for Anne. Sasha was portrayed as 80% a bad friend and 20% a good friend, just a good enough person to be relatable and root for a redemption arc, but also bad enough to treat as an antagonist. Marcy, meanwhile, was 99% Darling Angel and maybe a 1% problematic if you're really cynical, the fandom thought. The story could treat Sasha as an antagonist, but not Marcy, surely?

The important thing that Marcy fans hoped for was for Marcy NOT to be treated like Sasha. Sasha would get a redemption arc, but was still an antagonist. They didn’t want Marcy to EVER be an antagonist.

The important thing  was that even if the character Marcy Wu did some bad things the story would still be on Marcy Wu’s side. Anne would still forgive Marcy and she would still be part of the gang.

And then True Colors premiered, and the story flipped the dynamic on everyone’s faces, and it was done through King Motherfucking Andrias.

First of all, Andrias betrays Marcy. This was the first time something really shocking was done to Marcy in the story. So far Marcy had suffered the least amount of heartache compared to Anne and Sasha, most of the bad things happening to her being funny gags with no lasting consequences. I don’t think the fandom really even noticed how gently the story held Marcy’s hand until now when the rug was swept from under her.

This signaled to the audience that from now on Marcy was no longer invincible. Marcy could be emotionally and physically harmed just as badly as Anne and Sasha had been til now.

Then Andrias forcibly reveals Marcy’s secret: Marcy was the one who sent them to Amphibia.

And as Marcy pours her heart out to the other two the camera focuses on her from strange angles. Shadows pour over her, she’s kept out of center frame, and she’s drawn in ways that are unflattering. And Anne does NOT forgive her.

Now, this is not about whether or not Marcy’s actions were actually all that bad. She was a troubled child, there was no way she would have known the box would actually work, yada yada yada. None of that matters. What matters was that the story was treating it as a huge betrayal.

The message is clear: the character Marcy Wu’s actions were going to be treated as a big deal, and maybe even a deal breaker with regards to whether or not she could even be counted as part of the core protagonist group.

Marcy, from this moment on, will NOT be treated as part of the core group like she had been until now. From now on, Marcy was NOT part of team plantar alongside Anne and the Plantars. Frobo was still part of the group. Even Sasha and Grimes are treated as closer to the group in this moment than she is. Not Marcy.

And lastly, Andrias KILLED Marcy (as far as we knew). Andrias killed her before the story had the chance to give the sweet satisfying forgiveness scene her fans craved, and would have soothed the fresh pain of her betrayal like a tiger balm.

Andrias DENIED the audience the fantasy that Marcy could fix her friendship with Anne, undo the mistakes that were just revealed, and be accepted back into the main core group by the time Season 3 came along.

In other words, the story did not care if you really liked the character: if the story says so even beloved main characters were no longer safe from being erased from the story.

Marcy Wu’s character was potentially no longer a part of the story, and even if she was still alive her role in the story was no longer comfortably being among the main cast.

After True Colors the final nail in the coffin of Marcy’s surface level fun and cute characterization was delivered when this image was released:

Now, in retrospect, a lot of this was mostly overblown.

But at the time this was confirmation of the worst case scenario: Marcy was AMORAL! (Notice the question mark)

This meant that the character we all loved was NOT who we thought she was!

There was a LOT of evidence of the most cynical reading of Marcy’s character if you comb through Season 2.

All throughout the flashbacks that used to be comedic? It suddenly became difficult to think about how much Anne suffered because of this girl. In one flashback Anne even seems to actually get injured, careening into the audience of a play from a dangling rope as Marcy ignores her.

That first dungeon, where her actions nearly got everyone killed? It became hard to ignore that the lesson the temple was teaching her wasn’t exactly “You should be more considerate of the health and safety of the people around you” and was instead “You should learn when victory isn’t worth the price.”

If you are a Marcy fan you probably don’t like the idea that your favorite character’s term as a part of the main cast ended like this, and you DOUBLY did not like that the show implied that the character was never actually the awesome, lovable sweetheart you fell for.

And it was all because of Andrias, the fandom screams, waving their fists at the whipping boy of an antagonist. The fans cry out at what they perceive to be an injustice, all to avoid the horrible truth that is too depressing to confront: Marcy’s role was never to be a simple fun ally to the main characters, and whether it was through Andrias or some other story element the story was always setting up Marcy’s downfall to the dark side.

If Andrias never included Marcy in his schemes she would never have had to be found out, we cry.

If Andrias hadn’t revealed Marcy’s secret at such a critical point maybe Marcy could have been honest herself, and it would be easier to forgive her, we insist.

If Andrias hadn’t slain Marcy she would still be part of the main crew alongside Anne and the Plantars at earth, where she would truly have to face her issues head on and become our favorite all over again, we dream.

Andrias was not the one who took our beloved Marcy from us. Marcy wasn’t being written as a main protagonist, untouched by toxicity and malice, destined to replace Sprig as the secondary protagonist and maybe even usurp Anne as the main heroine of the story, all planned out in a glorious story by Matt Braly and Co, only to be stolen from us and distorted into a complex tragic character with faults and potential amoral intentions by the villainous Andrias. Marcy was ALWAYS going to be revealed to be a toxic friend and have the rug pulled from under her from the start.

[magnumdays]

4.01 ideas

So season 3 leaves a lot of different ways for season 4 to start.

I have to believe there was an actual reason for sending Juliet and Ethan off to Africa so hopefully it will be good. I don’t know what the producers are thinking/ planning for the next season but here are some possible plots I would LOVE (and in some cases NEED) to see.

Miggy reunion (hug) - so this would mean we start at the end of the six months (or some months into the Kenya adventure). This is the one plot/scene I absolutely would hate if we didn’t get. But I mean, come one, they have to give us our Miggy reunion! 

(Or like more than one. Maybe we can have both Higgy and Magnum have dream reunions. And then like somehow have one airport reunion and then a welcome home hug and just... actually I legit wouldn’t mind if the whole episode was just Miggy reunion feels...)

But really we need and will most likely get this no matter what’s going down in 4.01...

Juliet in trouble 

I think this is one of the most obvious ones. 

I wrote about this back when the whole “riding off into the sunset” thing was a thing, like how I didn’t think they’d actually have Juliet leave. But if they did they just HAD to do an episode with her getting into trouble over-seas and the boys coming to her rescue. Since I was wrong and they did have Juliet and  go with Ethan, this just means there is a chance for this plot to become real! 

It would go something like; Juliet gets herself into trouble in Kenya and Magnum fly across the world to save her, fighting bad guys and just being all around super cool. We get a dramatic almost dying for each other and Miggy reunion. 

But with Higgy having been kidnapped just a few episodes ago, I don’t know about the likelihood of this...

Ethan in trouble - Same deal, only here we have Ethan being the one in trouble. Kidnapped to preform a surgery on an weapons’ dealer or something like that. 

We would get high stakes, Magnum/Higgy working together to save E, angsty Magnum because he loves Higgy but he has to save her boyfriend and Juliet having trauma about possibly losing the man she loves. Then maybe have Magnum almost get shot saving Ethan and she’s even more shook about that and decides Magnum is where it’s at and bye-bye Ethan... 

All around I think this one would make for a great 4.01 (or 4.02.)

Spy related

Something to do with Higgy’s past as a spy comes back to haunt her in Kenya. This could lead to a Higgy/ Ethan break up without Magnum or the guys even having to show up. Because I don’t think Ethan is actually cool with dating a spy. As tough guy as he sometimes tried to act around the gang.

Plus spy gadgets are cool and MacGyver is over. Which brings us to...

MacGyver cross over

How amazing would this be... I mean MacGyver is over so it’s highly unlikely but it would be great if we could get Mac, Riley, Boozer making a quick appearance. Just saying, could be fun, and a great way to bring over some MacGyver fans to Magnum PI! (Come to the dark side, we have fancy cars, palm trees and slow-burn...)

Magnum/ Higgy long distance - So this is not something I’d love to see for anything but like one episode. Like starting off the episode with them skyping/facetiming while Magnum is on a case or something and then having it cut to her for some stuff going down with her or Ethan (or just her preferably.) Maybe to set up that possible 4.02 kidnapping of Ethan... These Kenya scenes could also show-case how Ethan and Juliet are basically on the cusp of breaking up...

Juliet / Ethan long distance - Perhaps we get this for part of the season? I hope not, but depending on how they do it, this could be interesting. Maybe like Magnum starts dating someone else? Juliet realizes she’s jelly and that’s not right and breaks up with Ethan but doesn’t tell Magnum and he still thinks they’re long distancing and is dating this new girl? For the drama? IDK. This is not a fave but they might be able to do it to some effect if they want...

Magnum visiting Juliet in Kenya - no one’s been kidnapped and Magnum is just there. Hanging out. Making Juliet miss home. They’re go on safari and picnics and romp in the fields. Ethan is no where to be found. It’s basically a fluffy pre-getting together romantic get away. Maybe they solve a case. A cute one. Maybe for some reason Hiapo is there. And the lads. And the Ferrari...

Looking up and she’s there

Like the first episode Magnum is solving a case, consulting with Higgy. Then sudden she isn’t picking up. He’s getting worried. Then at the end when the case is solved, he’s all “I’m going to call Ethan, to see she’s okay.” But Rick is like “No need bro.” And he nods behind them and Juliet is walking into La Mariana. He couldn’t reach her because she was on a flight to Hawaii for the past 14 hours!

They look at each other and you can just see how much they missed each other. And then it cuts to black before we get their sure to have been epic hug. And that’s how 4.01 ends...

(Maybe we open with that hug in 4.02, because I want the Reunion Hug badly.)

Ethan who? 

So how fun would it be if season 4 just totally ignores the season 3 finale and Higgy is just back. No one is like “welcome back! how’s Ethan?” It’s just like Ethan never existed and we never mention what happened, how they broke up or that he even was part of the show and that she went with him, ever again.

(Because honestly we’re all quite tired of him, even if he got great hair and abs, so him being missing would just be like ‘okay whatever’)

I know they won’t do this. Wouldn’t really want it when there are so many other great fun things (and it would make feel 3.16 feel totally hollow for any future re-watches) and would not let us have a Miggy reunion. But it would be kind of amusing too. Like... Ethan Who? Nope. Let’s just pretend he didn’t even exist.

Things I don’t want (early season 4)

Dead or hurt Ethan (come on! we got one dead fiancé, let’s not add another one)

Ethan breaking up with Higgy (they can mutually decide but he can’t be the one doing the relationship ending, unless it’s made super duper clear he���s doing it because he can totally tell she has more feelings for Magnum. Which would not make sense unless it was something like M getting shot to save E and J or something.)

An Ethan/ Higgy engagement lasting more than 2 minutes

Magnum and the lads still not getting along (come on, we need them to be friends!)

TC/ Rick bringing up feels. Like a little hinting is fine. But just a bit. Don’t be too obvious even if this is going to be the Miggy season (and if it’s not going to be that, don’t have feelings talk at all. My poor heart can’t handle it!)

More visa issues/ Juliet still owning Robin’s Nest and being smug about it/ money issues (Yes. I would like her to use these six months to re-apply for her employment visa and just give Robin back Robin’s Nest. Because the money needing thing was not that fun of a plot line)

Rick and Susie having started dated off screen. They’re so cute. I want to see them being cute and their relationship developing!

What Are We Most Likely To See?

I’m not sure they will actually do a major part of 4.01-2 anywhere but Hawaii. When they’ve had episodes taking place in other locations around the world, there have often been jungle / Hawaii like which makes me think it’s all still filmed in Hawaii right? (correct me if I’m wrong.)

There was however some reason they sent Juliet off with Ethan. I also think there was a reason they had Juliet tell Ethan about MI6. Somehow it will be relevant in season 4. 

Probably early season 4.

I say early since thy won’t drag out Ethan/Higgy’s relationship for long next season. He needs to be used to further the Miggy plot a little more, then keeping him around much longer will simply impact the show negatively too much.

Because if we’re being honest like majority of people watch this show for the Magnum/Higgy dynamic. And I think they know that. (Even if people don’t ship, they still want those two on screen, not Juliet and Ethan.) 

And with the new NCSI Hawaii show coming to film there...I don’t know it that bodes well for season 5 or not. I think they realize they have to move forward.  Treat season 4 as a possible series finale. And that starts with 4.01.

So I’m torn. 

What was the point of Africa if we don’t get an episode or some scenes from there? What’s the point of a separation between our main leads if we don’t get a great reunion? What’s the point of Ethan if not to bring Magnum and Higgy closer together? Magnum going ‘we are currently just friends’ if that’s not going to change or be an issue in the early parts of season 4?

But also, I kind of just want to get back to normal. Hawaii. Miggy banter. Crazy not quite making sense cases. No Ethan. The guys hanging. Kumu being her bad ass self. The Ferrari being red and shiny. Jin being wacky.

So perhaps just having the season start with Magnum being excited Higgy is coming home would be...fine? 

Picture this. 

He’s just hanging with the guys at La Mariana. 

It’s only been four months. 

They’re all like “so four months? Not six? Why she come home early?” and Magnum is all “I guess we’ll find out soon” and gets up to go to the airport to get her. We get a Miggy reunion hug. Some what’s the same, what’s different feeling out moments.

Anyways, they get a case, Magnum try to get her to talk about what happened with her coming home early and at the end of the episode she’s all “I realized he wasn’t the one.” They give each other heart eyes. And we’re just back to normal Magnum PI fun and games (and starting at your currently only friends business partner like s/he’s hung the moon and the stars...) for 4.02. 

I mean that would work... but it would also leave a little to be desired. Feel like some lost opportunities. You know? 

What are your thoughts on openings / season 4 starts? What possibilities do you see/ would like explored?

[makotoscoffee]

Laurent: Song by song

I’m so extremely happy some of you like my Laurent playlist !! It’s very dear to me because he is one of my biggest comfort characters, I’m sure you can relate. I’m not gonna go on too long with the intro hehe but ! 

I wanted to write out notes for the songs, because there’s thought behind all of them! The playlist is currently 12 and a half hours long and I covered all 198 songs. Enjoy >:)  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xTyiejI9QoSQJTO088Jx7?si=55Y4bFYmRTO0nTDctM8Mzg

1. Money by Cardi B. It’s simple really, the lyrics are all about loving money, getting money, wanting money etc. and all the nice things lots of money brings. When my brother saw this he said that Cardi and Laurent would be friends and I think that’s ... accurate, actually (considering her involment in the post-2008 phenomena of strippers scamming wealthy men)

2. I Won’t Share You by The Smiths. This could be both L x Makoto and L x Dorothy, but I like it for frenchbean. I see some of you headcanon Laurent as jealous and possessive, so this is a treat for you lol. I also think that his relationship with Dorothy affects his relationship to Makoto, he doesn’t want history to repeat.

3. Heaven or Las Vegas by Cocteau Twins. This is mainly his music taste, since he’s between 30-40 and a man of taste. I just picture him with a nice little personal record collection and this could be in it. I also like using songs that mention place names, because of both him and the show being very international.

4. Literal Legend by Ayesha Erotica. I mean come on now, he IS the moment. I also like the verses where she’s naming celebs she can emulate, since he’s a scammer with many faces.

5. Neverland by Holland. Holland is a trailblazing gay kpop idol, and this song is a gay love story. You may have guessed it, we’re in frenchbean territory. The song also feels like it could actually be used for the soundtrack! Imagine if Snow of London was about a gay romance.

6. Miami by Nicki Minaj. This song is about drug dealing, and also uses a city name, so I really like it. “Just the other day I was out in Miami, got the low-low on them percs, low-low on them xannies” This is Laurent the boss

7. Beez In The Trap by Nicki Minaj. This is absolutely fantastic she names so many cities lmao. But also just, you know, “bitches ain’t shit and they ain’t say nothing, a hundred motherfuckers can’t tell me nothing!”

8. Yikes by Nicki Minaj. There’s a lot of Nicki in this for a reason. “woke up, the price of coke up” again its crime it’s drugs it’s gangs. Laurent the boss

9. Check On It by Beyoncé. Laurent is bi, meaning he sings both Beyoncé and Slim Thug’s parts. HGSKSH but fr, I love “ You need to stop playing 'round with all them clowns and the wankstas. Good girls gotta get down with the gangsta's “ for him but then it turns to this playful feminine energy with Beyoncé that Laurent isn’t afraid of. Perhaps it’s a bit of old Laurent and current Laurent👀

10. Take Your Shirt Off by Millionaires. THIS SONG IS SO MUCH FUN! All about his payboy flirty vibes. I also enjoy addind songs by female artists with male love interests to play into his bi-ness. Party animal Laurent

11. Dice by Puzzle. This song has very fitting lyrics for him and sort of overall GrePre plot “Dice dice dice, Always rolling dice. Never know what's coming in this life life life“

12. Dramageddon by Kyunchi. I LOVE THIS SONG SM. It’s about the beauty guru youtube drama by the same name, and the song is all about the thrill you get from frivilous petty drama. LOVE THAT FOR HIM. This is Laurent spinning around in bliss in the middle of all the chaos TC causes

13. Gallery Piece by of Montreal. This is an anti-love song. The lyrical I of the song is manipulative and toxic but passes it off as some sick affection and it’s perfect for frenchbean. (misunderstand me correctly)

14. Shut Up And Drive by Rihanna. It’s fun, it’s commanding, it’s everything! this one is mostly vibes, Laurent’s need for speed and his flirty hands on nature

15. Blueberry Eyes by MAX ft SUGA of BTS. This is a look at domestic lovey-dovey Laurent. This is a very sweet love song so use it for whatever ship you like, but keep in mind that Dorothy has blue eyes and he did want to wake up next to her every day so....*cries* 

16. Burning Pile by Mother Mother. This is old Laurent but also old Laurent lingering... his bitterness his vengeance... “all my troubles on the burning pile, all lit up and I start to smile” his actions spiraling out of control, his master plan..

17. Wrecking Ball by Mother Mother. Team Confidance! 

18. Chun-Li by Nicki Minaj. “It’s the last time you wanna see a bad guy like me do the right thing” It just simply fits. There is a lot of Nicki in the playlist for many reasons. Her high attitude and occasional aggression, the political themes in some of her songs, her sexuality, her boss vibes, Nicki is the GOAT and Laurent goes hand in hand with her.

19. Drip Like ME by Kenndog. Now we’ve all seen Laurent’s outfits I think we all agree he has drip😌 This is mostly for fun cause I like the way he dresses

20. I Endorse These Strippers by Nicki Minaj. This is actually a very political song! I suggest going on Genius and reading about the lyrics it’s very interesting. Also ties in to what I said about him and Cardi B.

21. Here We Go Around Again by Mariah Carey. This is fun and flirty! I also think it sort of fits with him and Makoto’s off and on thing, him always dragging Makoto along on new adventures. 

22 & 23. Crush and Nothing’s Gonna Hurt You Baby by Cigarattes After Sex. oops angst sorry didn’t mean to >:) Listen to the lyrics is all.. Can be both frenchbean and L x Dorothy, depending on how you take your canon. I’ll have one of each, please!

24. A Pimp Named Slickback by Lakim. This would make a perfect song for a fancam/edit. 

25 & 26. G.P. by Miura Jam and The Great Pretender by Freddie Mercury. These are pretty self explanotory, but ! I based some other songs around the jazzy soundtrack of the show, as they fit Laurent sooo good. I think we all know by now how The Great Pretender resonates with his character as well..

27. Long Slow Distance by NCT 127. I headcanon that with all the time he spends in east Asia, Laurent has become an easy fan of Kpop! so there’s a bit of kpop in this list, but I still wanted the songs to be relevant. I always skip this one because it makes me sad lmao it’s really pretty and fits frenchbean and x dorothy, it’s over-all softcore angst 

28. Baby Don’t Like It by NCT 127. This is possessive Laurent but in a fun playful way hehe. I didn’t look up the english lyrics I just relied on vibes

29. Touch by NCT ft. NCT 127. Fun! ship! could be anyone someone just touch him! 

30. i was all over her by salvia palth.The title says it all and the song is also very melancholic and depressing

31. Super Freak by Rick James. HOO HAA PLAYBOY TIME

32. Killing Me Softly With His Song by Fugees. Not only is it a softcore angst CLASSIC, but I just know Laurent apreciates the classics. He’d like the song and the song is also about him. Vague enough to be both frenchbean and x Dorothy, but leans x Dorothy 

33. Big Poppa by The Notorious B.I.G. SWAG this is not only an old school classic but it’s sooo good for playboy Laurent

34. Freak by Doja Cat. This one is for the simps >:) Something I love about this playlist is that I get to explore his sex life and I wanted to indulge in his flirty adult side IF IM BEING HONEST,,,

35. In The Party by Flo Milli. when this comes on all I can think of is that tweet that says “White people nothing you do is flo milli shit” and it’s true😭 but still, he’s a bad bitch and he can command a room and he stole your man

36. Laurent longing for Dorothy. “Everytime I get high I just think about you” This is Laurent with a glass of wine or even a blunt late at night listening to moody music

37. 745 sticky (Black Dresses remix) by 100gecs. I interperet this song being about gambling addiction and just look at the lyrics “ I make my money on my own, yeah. Wakin' up five in the morning, yeah. Throwin' money in the oven, yeah. Fuck sleep and his cousin, yeah. I've been on a roll, yeah. I spend my money like it's stolen, yeah. Shit, I'm already broke and it's only 7:45 in the morning"

38. Dance In The Dark by Lady Gaga, covered by Rina Sawayama. Bicon covering bi anthem by another bicon. I also believe in my sould that Laurent stans Rina Sawayama.

39. Good Old-Fashioned Loverboy by Queen. TikTok has established this as a “classic otp songs” staple, very much frenchbean.

40. Va Va Voom by Nicki Minaj. I just think it fits him! again, this is from a bi perspective (for him.)

41. party 4 u by Charli XCX. This song has a Great Gatsby vibe, throwing parties as a love language for someone who never shows up. Laurent x Dorothy.

42. Did It On’em by Nicki Minaj. Simply legendary it’s Laurent the boss this is Laurent doing CRIMES being a badass.

43. Savage by Megan Thee Stallion. This one is mostly for fun but yk the lyrics apply😌💅 Megan is also a bicon and as you can tell I love female rappers for him.

44. She Live by Maxo Kream featuring Megan Thee Stallion. This one is in here because of Megan’s verse “I need a baby with some money, big diamonds and riding foreigns. Gucci purse, I pack his pistol, these bitches can’t get this issue. He a boss, just like Nino, I need me a Al Pacino.”

45. Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! A classic gay song for frenchbean, as well as Wham! lining up with Laurent’s estimated age group.

46. DANGANRONPA V3 by Masafumi Takada. Now this is self-indulgent because I love Danganronpa, BUT it’s in here because of the cool smooth jazz, i prommy.

47. Say So (remix) by Doja Cat featuring Nicki Minaj. I more self-indulgence Say So is my favorite song of all time. BUT Doja Cat is a bicon, and this song is about needing clear communication in your relationship to improve your sex life, and Doja is saying that if her partner wants something they should tell her because she’s down for it! In addition we have Nicki’s iconic verse about being an icon (”they don’t understand the back-talk, I’m foreign” I mean come ooon.) Included the original remix, where Nicki has a different but equally fitting verse.

48. No Type by Rae Sremmurd. A more masculine approach to his bisexuality

49. Take Your Mama by Scissor Sisters. Scissor Sisters are my favorite band of all time, and this song is about a gay couple taking one of them’s mom out on the town to show her that she has nothing to worry about, they’re regular people who like to have fun. Fits his vibes and queer.

50. Music Is The Victim by Scissor Sisters. THIS SONG is about being on the run and never settling down, also names a lot of cities. Go read them because I can’t fit it all in here lol. I also love how the line “Hell, if Jesus has the power then so do I, to rise up from the dead and take up to the sky” fits in with the whole no-one dies thing.

51. Might Tell You Tonight by Scissor Sisters. The morning after scene with him and Dorothy OOOOOOOOOOO

52. Spice Up Your Life by the Spice Girls. DO I EVEN HAVE TO SAY ANYTHINGGG this is especially season 1 Laurent

53.Captain Hook by Megan Thee Stallion. Another fun bi anthem from a bicon.

54. XS by Rina Sawayama. Go read the lyrics and you’ll get it. Marx wishes he wrote this.

55. Tap In by Saweetie. I honestly can’t really remember nor explain why this is in here but lmao okay.

56. Loser by Beck. I LOVE leaning into his sleazy side, this is perfect for that. I’m sure you get the vibe.

57. Sex In The Lounge by Nicki Minaj. It just like fits kfjsdsjhjk I also love the connotation to a hotel that i get from “lounge” and hotels give an international vibe... Vibes

58-61, an assortment of fun flirty and sexy songs >:) Also the female perspective of all of them becuase I love his feminity that’s so.. masculine at the same time. His confidence and security in himself, his easy-going’ness... Vibes.

62. Make His Pockets Hurt by Lil Kayla. Scam men and get bank! period!

63. G.U.Y. by Lady Gaga. Listening to this song with Laurent in mind makes me go crazy, absolutely feral. This is for the simps.

64. Telephone by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé. I just like the attitude of this song, this is Laurent being annoyed (once again you can make it frenchbean) Laurent after a few glasses of bubbly wanting to be left alone maybe something happened earlier that night... 👀

65. Gucci Gucci by Kreayshawn. Again this is for fun, for the drip.

66. Daddy Issues by The Neighbourhood. Bisexual angst >:)

67. Donatella by Lady Gaga. Now you might be thinking that I put this one in there because of “I’m blond, I’m skinny, I’m rich, and I’m a little bit of a bitch.” but no, (well yes,) it’s because of “I want to dress you up in silk tabitha”

68. Hit My Phone by Megan Thee Stallion. Breezy Laurent hitting on Makoto perhaps👀  

69. The Thrill of First Love from Falsettos. GAY GAY GAY AAAA

(number 70 is the other Say So.) 71. disco tits by Tove Lo. Laurent VIBING in the club. Also leaning a little bit into Los Angeles Connection with the drug themes

72. If U Seek Amy by Britney Spears. A bi anthem and we are all begging to F-U-C-K him

73. Any Which Way by Scissor Sisters. Now... this is for the sex life part of the playlist... I get emberrassed about it so just... listen.

74. Feeling Myself by Nicki Minaj featuring Beyoncé. NEOW do I have to say anything? also “I stop the world, male or female it make no difference, I stop the world.”

75. Daddy AF by Slayyyter. “I’ve been fucking models, I’ve been poppin’ bottles” It’s just perfect for gambler playboy Laurent

76. Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees. Old school classic to age up the playlist a little bit, and Laurent oozes disco swagger. The lyrics fit the show’s premise too.

77. No Milk Today by Herman’s Hermits. This song is so Laurent x Dorothy it’s not even funny. Also “We felt it both at once, the start of our romance” makes me think of when he stabbed her.

78. Simon Says by NCT 127. This fits with him being the leader of Team Confidance hehe.

79. Super Rich Kids by Frank Ocean featuring Earl Sweatshirt. This song is about how money doesn’t always make you happy, and how being rich can’t satisfy you if you’re like, depressed.

80. This Charming Man by The Smiths. This HEAVILY leans into the age difference in frenchbean as well as Laurent’s money and the way he approaches Makoto. 🤭

81. Man To Man by Dorian Electra. This song is about demanding respect and for the other person to level with you and put your differences aside, and about toxic masculinity and how the most man thing to do is be open about your feelings and mature.

82. Money, Money, Money by ABBA. This one is pretty self-explanetory.

83. SheiBe by Lady Gaga. “I don’t speak German, but I can if you like”😏

84. Harder You Get by Scissor Sisters. Just listen or I’m gonna start blushing.

85. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) by Sylvester. Leans into his old-school/disco taste and his attraction to men.

86. Gordon’s Gardenparty by The Cardigans. Don’t mind the bit of self-indulgence but I think Laurent appreciates The Cardigans early albums😌 I also like how this song is about words unspoken in social situations... if that makes sense...  “Nancy, Jacques Closeau and Claire, I believe they all were there” Vibes.

87. Americano by Lady Gaga. Bilingual* song and once again bi Lady Gaga. I like anything that mentions a language for him.

88. Borderline by Tame Impala. Go read the lyrics! I interperet it as being in too deep with substance abuse (not that Laurent does drugs) but it’s just... Vibes (he’s also in too deep with his long-con.)

89. Disco Heaven by Lady Gaga. I just love party animal Laurent you know? Laurent on the dance floor, Laurent pulling ladies and gents, Laurent drinking and having fun. 

90. Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon. Ouch. Season 2, what more can I say

91. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga. It’s just a really fun classic-otp-song for frenchbean haha

92. Ain’t No Sunshine by Bill Withers. Laurent in his alcoholic era, missing Dorothy.

93. Good In Bed by Dua Lipa. FRENCHBEAN EHEHE🙈

94. Better Than Me by Doja Cat. “Better than me, all of them bitches ain’t better than me” a bit of jealous/possesive Laurent for you.

95. Killer Queen by Queen. This can be multiple things, it can be about Laurent and it can also be how Laurent views Dorothy (or Cynthia, if you’re into that.)

96. Drunk on Halloween by Wallows. This song is like a little bit too vague but it’s like... like a frenchbean fanfiction or something... “on that Halloween you told me you weren’t drinking, I believed you.”

97. Bennie And The Jets by Elton John. Love the lyrics love the vibes.

98. Inspector Gadget Theme from Inspector Gadget. NOW THIS ONE is a bit silly idk I just like it in there, if you get it you get it.

99. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 covered by TWICE. 1. kpop 2. Laurent passionately in luv 3. The TWICE version is better.

100. successful by Ariana Grande. This song is about treating your boyfriend after making some extra cash at work, love it for frenchbean

101. Upside Down by Diana Ross.

🎶 “Upside down Boy, you turn me inside out And 'round and 'round”🎶

102. And She Was by The Talking Heads. Happy Laurent x Dorothy, as a treat.

103. Just Can’t Get Enough by Depeche Mode. I just want him to be in a happy relationship OOOH

104. Big in Japan by Alphaville. Does it not fit perfectly?? He’s big in Japan!!

105. Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry. GO WHITE BOY GO!

106. Vitamin by Kraftwerk. IDK I just feel like we needed some Kraftwerk in there? I think he’d own some of their records and this song has a vibe to it I like.

107. Does Your Mother Know by ABBA. So flirty, he’s teasing Makoto.

108. Rain Over Me by Pitbull featuring Marc Anthony. LISTEN it’s giving midlife crisis in the best way possible. He’s Mr. Worldwide.

109. The Box by Roddy Ricch. “I’m a 2020 president candidate”😏

110. Honkey Cat by Elton John. Again it’s just something about the lyrics and the vibes!

111. Unbearably White by Vampire Weekend. More post-Dorothy angst, leaning into his depression episodes and hallucinations. “The snow on the peak was just unbearably white” relating directly to his dream about their trip to Finland

112. Berlin by Mia Berg. 1. ship angst 2. fits him imo 3. place name! In europe too!

113. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd. 1. This song was robbed at the Grammys. 2. It fits him surprisingly well! his character that is

114. I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross. Self-explanetory and good vibes! I think he is a Diana Ross apreciater.

115. You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead Or Alive. Old-school, queer, he is in luuuv (could be frenchbean could just be some person. I prefer frenchbean though.) I like lovesongs like this for him that are more ... confrontational? I guess you could say.

116. Shoplifters of the World Unite by The Smiths. Pretty self-explanetory, again, but it’s !! It’s Team Confidence!

117. Lady Marmalade by Patti LaBelle. He wants to voulez-vous coucher avec Makoto😏

118. Boys Keep Swinging by David Bowie. This one is about him from like and outside perspective and also has gay subtext... It’s a little bit hard to put into words.

119. Leila (Poolside Remix) by Miami Horror. 1. nu disco. 2. “Leila, why did you leave again? (stay home)”

120. GOODMORNINGTOKYO by TOKYO’S REVENGE. This one is heavily leaning into Laurent as the leader of TC in a more aggressive way.

121 & 122. 24K Magic and Vercase on the Floor by Bruno Mars. IT JUST MAKES SENSE SKHEKSDHDSSJSJ

123. Supernature (Instrumental Climax Version) by Cerrone. This is instrumental so it’s relying purely on vibes. More *about* him than for his music taste but idk he does have immaculate taste so ...

124. Let’s Hear It for the Boy from Footloose. Makoto = the boy in question. Fun and upifting frenchbean

125. Hung Up by Madonna. More of Laurent being a cheesy hopeless romantic but-in-a-playboy-way. He’s hung up on you!

126. Gloria by Laura Branigan. Midlife crisis-inducing song, I think the lyrics fit his character too👀

127. Kiss by Prince. THIS IS HIM come oooon

128 & 129. Outside by George Michael and Cruisin’ by Michael Nesmith. Different vibes same theme (cruising) (if you don’t know what cruising is, look it up😏)

130. Whatta Man (Good man) by Salt-N-Peppa & EnVogue covered by I.O.I. I just see him jamming tf out to this UGH

131. Love Shack by The B-52′s. If there were some kind of “love shack” in GrePre I just know it would be Laurent’s house and or his property

132. Livin’ la Vida Loca. Though he does live la vida loca himself, this is more about Dorothy (or any TC woman!)

133. Club Tropicana by Wham! Parties on Cynthia’s island vibes! Drinks are free😌🍹

The entire “The Gloves Come Off” by Weston Allen. Sex moment

135. Girls on Film by Duran Duran. This song is a critisism of how young women are treated in “the industry” and he’s seen the dark side of it. It also fucks hard

138. Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder. 1. Nothing is stopping him 2. Vibes 3. I like the dream element, as he dreams a lot.

139. Let’s Have A Kiki by Scissor Sisters. TELL ME this is not him throwing a kiki with TC & co UGH also nu disco and vibes

140. Backwoods Discotheque || by Scissor Sisters. This one is a bit 😏😏 and you could even view it through a frenchbean lense👁👁

141. Mary by Scissor Sisters. THIS IS SO LAURENT X DOROTHY AND I JUST.....

142. Keep Your Shoes On by Scissor Sisters. MORE SEXY TIMES WOO

143. Der Kommissar by After The Fire. He do be in town

144. From Paris to Berlin by Infenal. Dancing, nightclubs, Europe etc etc

145. Shoplifters by Haruomi Hosono. This is a piece from the movie Shoplifters, which is about a Japanese family who have to steal to survive. It also has that cool jazz vibe and a bit of mystery to it

146. 6 Inch by Beyoncé featuring The Weeknd. It can be Laurent it can also me Laurent admiring Dorothy (a bit ooc for her maybe but...)  “pesos out of Mexico”

147 & 148. Star Treatment and Golden Trunks by Arctic Monkeys. Idk they just... make sense. This album also has a very specific vibe that I like for him

149. Baby Bitch by Ween. If Laurent had a moment of deep resentment for Dorothy

150. How the Heart Approaches What It Yearns by Paul Simon. Moody and blue, yearning for Dorothy (could also work for like, a sad frenchbean fanfic)

151. Chip n Dales Rescue from Chip n Dales Rescue Rangers. NOW JUST LISTEN TO ME- chip n dale rescue rangers would make a very cute au..... also it’s just like cute and fun frenchbean with TC as the rest of the gang, taking down bad guys. 

152. Every 1′s a Winner by Ty Segall. The title pretty much sums it up and the vibe leans into that more sleazy entitled criminal vibe, just a little bit

153. Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis. Ironically, he is looking back in anger. But the song has a certain catharsis to it, and it could be his last goodbye to Dorothy’s memory before moving on to Makoto (end of season 2.)

154. The 13th (Swing Radio Mix) by The Cure. Vibes and I think he’s a fan of the cure

155. Sodomy from Hair. NOW THIS SDKHkdfhskl I don’t have any explanetion for it’s just jkehkhddhkls it’s silly

156. The Flesh Failiures (Let the Sunshine In) from Hair. Now this is kind of ooc, but this song is a cry for help from the hippies, begging capitalism to stop destroying the earth.So it’s not very grepre, but I just couldn’t leave it out for some reason

157. Mystery of Love by Sufjan Stevens. It fits both frenchbean and x Dorothy

158. Lady Lady Lady from Flashdance. It’s vibes and it’s also Laurent x Dorothy. “Lady, lady, lady, lady I know it's in your heart to stay“

159. Freedom by Wham! a different approach to Laurent x Dorothy!

160. That’s What I Like by Bruno Mars. What can I say, sometimes you just gotta listen to Bruno Mars

161. Tainted Love by Soft Cell. I also included a version where the song transitions into Where Did Our Love Go? I just think it’s ... yk... vague and old-school queer classic for frenchbean that barely alludes to anything in canon

162. I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan. This is Laurent listening to records with some white wine singing along with passion <3

163. That’s Us/Wild Combination covered by Scissor Sisters. This is frenchbean related.

164. Take on Me by a-ha. This is not only old-school classic but also very much Laurent chasing after Makoto lmao, it’s very him methinks.

165. No Mercy by The Living Tombstone. I blame tiktok for this lmao but it works! french bastard 

166. Replay by Lady Gaga. This is dramatic Laurent x Dorothy but maybe could apply to other characters?

167. WAP by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion. 👁👅👁

168. High by The Cure. More Cure, more vibes, lyrics vaguely apply to him. Easy listening while he smokes some weed at night overlooking the city.

169. detonate by Charli XCX. THIS IS LAURENT AND DOROTHY AND OOOOOOO Think about the morning after scene

170. Wisdom by Mother Mother. Laurent down on his luck and losing control from his actions

171. off the table by Ariana Grande featuring The Weeknd. 

172. Pictures Of You by The Cure. Another longing for Dorothy at night song. Also alludes to his hallucinations.

173. Bees & Honey by Rina Sawayama. This song is 1. about the hustle, going from gig to gig, job to job. 2. about loving money and vacation and partying 3. lots of fun  (174 is Tainted Love again)

(174 is Tainted Love again) 175. Somebody up There Likes Me. This one is sort of alluding to how he somehow hasn’t had any trouble with the law lol

176. Fascination by David Bowie. Sexy time again

177. Little Girls by Oingo Boingo. This song is a critisism of pedophilia in Hollywood. The lyrical I is sort of mocking these men 8Iguess you could say it’s satire?) Hits different with season 2, and Laurent hates the people he scams.

178. Jackpot by Dorian Electra. It’s a flirty song with gambling metaphors what more can I say

179. Luxury by Azealia Banks. Another songs about money and luxury and approaching a love interest. Great! Also think he’d like her music

180. Dial Tone by That Kid featuring Ayesha Erotica and Slayyyter. I just love this songgg it’s about phone sex lol

181. Control by Janet Jackson. 1. I think he’d listen to her 2. He’s in control

182. Laura by Scissor Sisters. 1. I think Laura is suuuch a good nickname for him. 2. I feel like he fits the lyrical I of the song, “the band I’m in” being TC 3. He’s not the Laura the song is adressed to but still it’s his name sort of

183. Bad Boy (English Version) by Red Velvet. More kpop and bisexuality hehe

185. Arthur’s Theme by Barry Manilow. 1. He is old. 2. “once in your life you’ll find her” 3. Mentions New York City (a place!)

186. Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye. sex man

187. Toxic by Britney Spears. frenchbean indulgence<3  and the music video takes place on a plane which has a jet setter vibe🤓

188. New Person, Same Old Mistakes by Tame Impala. VERY MUCH season 2 revelations. 

189. I Like It by Cardi B. Laurent the boss!!! Laurent being... demanding... ARF ARF ARF

190. Let’s Get Married by Mariya Takeuchi. ooOOOoOOOoOoOOo NEED I SAY MORE!?

191. Melody by Plustwo. Italo-disco ad cute lyrics

192. The Perfect Product by TWRP. I picture him scamming someone like this hehe, very Los Angeles Connection

193. Copacabana by Bary Manilow. I think Laurent is a fanilow and this song fills the tropical party time passion and crime quota.

194. All I Need Is MONEY! by Yoshihisa Hirano. This is from the HxH soundtrack and it’s the perfect smooth jazz as well as fitting title hehe.

195. Everybody Wants The Same Thing by Scissor Sisters. The lyrics are very fitting for him, grepre, and his sexuality.

196. Competition by Azealia Banks. More Laurent being a bad bitch hehe <3

[smilepal]

9, 13, 28, 35, 46 for the oc questions!

OC questions for @billlybutcher :3

9.) What is your character's trigger point? What makes them angry, sad or makes them go off?

One of the things that makes Hiro the most livid is seeing the casual crulety with which people treat joytoys/dolls in Night City. People are quick to hire them and think almost nothing of it, but when someone needs help/gets hurt there’s rarely someone who’s there to help/they’re treated disposably and nobody is held accountable. It’s made him some allies with the Moxes, though he’s wary of getting too deep into gang politics, even with them. After leaving the Claws, it’s definitely not made him eager to involve himself again.  

13.) Describe your character's typical wardrobe for the regular day.

It’s definitely extensive. Hiro’s not opposed to stealing particularly eye-catching items on gigs (and figures it’s not like they’d be using it anyway). He still kept a lot of his clothing from his TC days even if he’s not affliated anymore (and can’t deny the masks come in useful--he’s rather lacking in subtelty and they’re nice to have in that regard). If he had more income he’d definitely spend a lot of it on clothing, and he enjoys looking for new pieces when he has the chance. Hiro likes interesting textures in his clothing or things that catch the light well--leather, pvc, latex, or anything with a sheen to it. He usually wears boots/shoes with a low heel--something he can run in or could easily ride his bike with. Hiro’s also a sucker for jackets--particularly the bolero style ones (Wraiths/TC/racing ones). Has never met a tank top he didn’t like--if his shirts hang off his shoulders/have cut outs so much the better. Other than his piercings he usually wears minimal jewlery on gigs. He might accesorize a bit more if he was going out though, as opposed to working. Hiro cannot stand wearing suits-only wears them if he absolutely needs to and even then, it's almost impossible to get him to button the jacket or wear a tie

28.) If your character was in today's world, what social media platforms would they avoid? Or be prominent on?

He’d definitely be prominent on instagram, and probably not so much on facebook or twitter. He’d rather post photos than talk/give updates about his life. He might have an onlyfans. He definitely would appreciate the attention, and isn’t opposed to putting on a bit of a show, at any rate.   

35.) What attracts your character to another person? What kind of person do they go for?

A sense of adventure is really attractive to Hiro. He’s not content to sit back, and would much rather be seeking new experiences and exploring what Night City has to offer. He’s always looked highly upon people who back up their words with actions--which is something he tries to do as well. He's attracted to people who are capable of holding their own in a fight, and who aren't push overs.

On a more physical level, he usually goes for people with tattoos or a lot of chrome--especially things like mantis blades/gorilla arms. He finds the element of danger an exciting one, and this trumps common sense, sometimes. His tastes are certainly a bit more...out there, in regards to apperance. 

46.) Does your character believe in anything? Religion? Superstition?

Hiro’s not particularly religious or superstitious. He’s grown up around religion and been exposed to some of it through his interactions with the Valentinos but he doesn’t have any specific beliefs. He does enjoy spending time at the temple in North Oaks, although that’s more because it’s peaceful and he likes the greenery, rather than any real religious motivation. His moral compass/code of values is more of a guiding force than organized beliefs/religion is. 

Thanks so much for asking! Always happy to ramble about my characters. ☺️

[smilepal]

👹🍊 🏀 🐟 ❤ :3c

Character ask meme for @billlybutcher ☺️

👹--How does you OC act around different people and how does their personality change to match the environment they’re in? How do they act with: friends, family, strangers, children or their lover(s)?

Hiro's personality/how he comes off is very dependent on who he's around. He takes pride in being adaptable to most situations, and being able to keep up a mask, or have people perceive him a certain way. It's easy to act--put on a show, let people see what you want them to see. This, in combination with a lack of fear, and the ability to be charming, at least with his mouth shut--has allowed him to bullshit his way out of situations he maybe shouldn't have been able to. If it seems like you're supposed to be there, and you know what you're doing, you can usually get away with quite a bit? He's quick to put on a front around strangers, depending on what he wants from them. Clients will usually perceive him as someone who's there to get the job done, quickly and without a whole lot of bullshit. He's to the point, often to the extent of being a bit abrupt/and wants to get the whole ordeal over with so he can get paid. If he wants something/is off-work though, he can be pretty charming--especially in the right context/if someone's caught his eye. He's still pretty direct in that regard, albeit less abrasive. He still has a mouth on him though, and that never changes much.

With friends he tends to let his guard down a bit, if they're very close to him--and with family as well. He still holds back a bit though, and it's something he still struggles with sometimes even if he has gotten better over time. Close friends/family are treated to a rare glimpse of a softer side, one that is strangely sentimental, and remembers the tiny details about people--a favorite flower, or song they like--stuff that makes them happy. He's a little hesitant around children, and honestly they scare him a bit. They're small, and have so much energy, and are just all over the place and he's the one to look back at their guardians for help. Despite this, he tries to be nice to them and makes a genuine effort not to seem too scary, and just hopes that none of them think he makes a good role model--something he hasn't been entirely successful with. With his lovers/people who've managed to get beyond the initial instinct to keep people at a distance (at least emotionally) he's a very dedicated, loyal partner. He might not always know how to convey something verbally, or get tripped up and have it come out less gracefully than he'd like, but he's not afraid to show affection through actions and gestures, and is always trying to find new ways to do so--whether that's spending quality time with them, or finding out how to cook their favorite meal for them.

🍊--Does your OC have any triggers? Why do these things trigger them? What are they like when triggered and how do they calm down after?

Hiro has a couple, not that he'd ever be forthcoming about that to others, or honestly, to himself. He's very reliant on his senses, and being deprived of any of them is something that deeply unsettles him/can push him into a spiral if it goes too far--the sense of being unmoored or untethered is enough to make him panic, especially if it's deliberate. He...doesn't do great with feeling helpless, and being cut off from his senses just amplifies that. Even in day-to-day life, he doesn't like complete silence. Being alone with his thoughts is something he genuinely tries to avoid, and dead silence exacerbates it. He tries to maintain at least some small level of background noise--usually the bustle of Night City/ambient sounds are enough, but if he's at home or driving, he likes to have the radio on in the background or music playing quietly.

In general, Hiro rarely lets his guard down, always keeping an eye out, both for his own safety and for others--and if someone manages to take him by surprise, even if it's on accident, he usually doesn't respond great. At the very best, he's fairly defensive or prickly/and if they're not someone he cares about maintaining a relationship with/if was done maliciously there could be a fight. His fight or flight response is strong, and it's just determined by how much he values a relationship. If there's a way out, he'll take it rather than risk an argument, but if pushed far enough, he'd snap at someone, loved one or not. That would usually take deliberate goading on their part though--usually by prying into his business more closely than he'd like or trying to get answers out of him he isn't comfortable giving.

Hiro takes a while to calm down/wind himself down after. He responds pretty strongly, and tries to remove himself from the situation as fast as possible. Typically if it’s really bad, he’s not going to want to talk about it and might just disappear for a bit—he’ll either get on his bike and go for a ride, or go clubbing/dancing. If it’s bad, and he feels like he can’t be around people, he might go spar with a training bag, and try to get some of his agitation out that way. Most of his coping skills are typically very physical—and all things considered, usually fairly healthy outlets. He tries to wear himself out enough that he doesn’t have to think very hard, or just surround himself with so much noise/stimulation he literally can’t focus on anything else.

🏀--Does your OC have any skills that people wouldn’t expect them to have? Do they have a hobby or pass time that others would consider strange or weird? How did they learn this particular skill or pick up this hobby?

Hiro is a surprisingly talented baker. He obviously never had much time for it before he left the Tyger Claws, or the opportunity to do something he’d consider so frivolous, but he picked it up from Mama Welles after he met Jackie. For the fact that he’s still pretty nervous cooking, he’s actually a decent baker, and enjoys how much he can tune everything else out while he’s doing it. He rarely bakes for himself, seeing it as something that isn’t necessarily worth the cost of supplies/the time commitment, but if there was even an inkling that someone else would appreciate it—they’d be quick to find some sort of homemade treat waiting for them when they least expect it—and as he’d be quick to point out—he looks damn cute in an apron. Most of his hobbies are pretty normal—dancing, boxing, rock climbing, and usually fairly physical. He’s been dancing for a long time, but the boxing he picked up from Jackie/Viktor, and the rock climbing from Victory. He also loves to race bikes and this is a definitely a hold-over from his TC days. It’s not necessarily a weird hobby, but people usually don’t expect him to like clothing/shopping as much as he does—and it’s usually where a lot of his extra income disappears to (well that and expensive stuff for his hair.)

🐟--What was your OC like as a baby? What were they like as a child? A teenager? An adult? How do you think they’ll develop ten years into their future? Twenty years? Will they live to old age?

Hiro was a really quiet child—and desperate for any sort of guidance/attention. His role models growing up weren’t good ones, and they definitely used this as an opportunity to manipulate him. He was very approval-seeking, and would take that wherever he could find it, even if meant trusting people he probably shouldn’t have. Granted, he didn’t know much better, but the lesson stuck with him, and it left him a much warier adult. Hiro was a god-awful shit as a teenager. He was still in the Tyger Claws at the time, and there was a lot of repressed anger/trauma there with almost zero outlets. There are a few relationships he maintains from before he cut ties with TC, but they are few and far between, Judy and Viktor being the biggest ones—and even those went through rocky periods.

Ten years into the future, it really depends if he can stay clear of the gangs or not. The likelihood of him allying himself with a corporation is slim to none, but enough bad choices/impulsive decisions might still lead him down a not-so-good path. Twenty years—he’d either be the healthiest he’s ever been, with strong relationships with others, and a circle of people he’s truly grown to trust, or what he absolutely used to dread/fear becoming. It all depends on whether he puts personal relationships/growth over what’s easier for him/seems to come a little too easily, and lets himself get consumed by the darker side of Night City. Regardless, he’d probably survive to old age—honestly out of sheer spite. He’s always been driven by survival/keeping himself alive, and would honestly do so even if only to outlive his enemies. Even into older age though, he’d still try to keep himself sharp. Whatever the case, the likelihood of a peaceful retirement somewhere seems far-fetched. He’d still manage to find his way into the middle of things, even if only unintentionally.

❤️--What inspired you to make this OC? How long have you had them? How have they changed in the time you’ve been developing them?

Oh boy, I’ll try not to get too long-winded with this. Hiro started as an OC for an unnamed futuristic story—probably about two-ish years ago? I’d just seen Bladerunner (as well as the more recent sequel) for the first time, and I’d never gotten too deeply into the genre before. But I realized I wanted to create a character that would fit into one one these universes—someone scrappy, a survivor at heart, and who wasn’t afraid to risk his own safety for his found family. He didn’t have a lot of depth when I first created him (although the name stuck—he was always Hiro, and it never felt right changing it). He initially was a lot less sympathetic, and honestly—even aggravated me a bit. I tried to create a character that was a little more balanced, and someone who had flaws but wasn’t completely unlikeable, and who’s impulsive actions led to actual, lasting consequences. His initial character (even before I fit him into the CP universe) began as a sort of android, who could almost, but not quite pass as human. He still has fairly extensive cybernetics, and relies on them heavily, but not as much as he had previously.

Even when I was first developing him as a Cyberpunk OC, he was more focused on guns/ranged weapons/stealth. It was only after playing cyberpunk, that my play-style began to influence his character and he became much more strength/melee based. And honestly? I’m really happy he did. He’s not my usual type of character, at least in that regard and it’s been fun leaning into it—and making him this character who’d rather punch first and think later. (Also not at all influenced by the fact that I’m impatient as hell and net hacking/stealth just takes so long.) He developed along-side Vic, and her character really helped me to realize how Hiro would interact with other characters—especially ones who have such different backstories/upbringing, and the process of creating him, and being able to bounce ideas off someone else (“hey wouldn’t it be cool if this happened?”) was a huge part in inspiring me, and was so helpful, having someone to respond to that character and provide their own feedback (and vice-versa). Also honestly, Hiro was created after a long period of me not being super creative/artistically motivated. It was the middle of COVID and I was so fucking bored, and not doing much outside of work and classes. So he was an amazing creative outlet for me—helped to get me to start writing again, and eventually led me to tumblr/discord and a lot of really fantastic people, and the sort of community I’d needed.

Wow, uh sorry this got so long. But man, thanks for asking--was really, really fun 😍💖