#there are many characters that have little or no meaningful canon interaction but who i feel would have a strong connection

[ladyimaginarium]

“you can’t write that plot or expand the worldbuilding in that universe!! it’s too far out!! it’s too complicated!! it’s too unrealistic!!��you’re just throwing random twists and connecting narratives together and linking these characters in the plot via time period or character relation!! besides it's not canon!! those characters would never meet or get along!! you can't just make new narratives or perspectives or skillsets for that character!! you can't racebend white characters into muses of color!! you can't hc that character as trans or nonbinary or genderfluid or gay or bi or aro or ace!! you can't write villainous, toxic or abusive characters because that means you condone those behaviors!! you can't hc that character as mixed or jewish or native or autistic or neurodivergent bc you're self projecting!! you can't write about social issues and the grievances you suffer through your muses!! you can't make your female characters overpowered or they'll be mary sues!! you can't—” 

[wellofdean]

Sorry ,for me personally, it has to be out loud acknowledge to even remotely make up for how badly they treated fans over the years, the out loud queerbaiting in one breath and mocking in the next. The in text gay jokes, sexism and homophobia. The digs at their own fans.

They want the credit without having to do it. Again. They want the pat on the back they need to earn it this time.

Years of baiting for views and profit needs a payoff imo. Sorry people downplaying how important the canonization of this ship in particular is just hurts to see over and over. Stop letting them off the hook please. You deserve more. We all do.

It’s important. It does matter.

The cas/destiel hope baiting continued with the Winchesters and that’s why I’m at a put up or shut up moment with Jensen and the writers. He and Danneel kept the hype up every week that the show was airing all the while knowing cas doesn’t even get a name drop. He’s not even hinted at. Mary/john paralleled destiel so many times yet refused to call it want it was.

They could have shut it down week one, they interacted on tweeter a lot during airing and knew what fans thought there was going to be an acknowledgment or hint that never happened. They are smart people, they saw the speculation and hype but didn’t step in with a gentle ‘sorry guys this is about the new crew’ they fanned the hope instead with ‘something big happens’ that was just dean meeting the new team.

Loved the Winchesters as a show, sad it got dropped cause I loved the new cast so much. That said the baiting hurt and wasn’t necessary, the show was good.

Everyone is looking back with rose colored glasses and rewriting history. But things were ugly with the spn team/cast/writers at times. The homophobia was pretty out loud in a way it was allowed to be in the early 00s. They’ve grown and that’s wonderful but it still happened.

They need to earn the praise they want imo. No hate! Glad you are happy! just feels a little unfair to say we should all let them off the hook again and be happy with nothing while praising the benevolent straights. Just my two cents 😅💚💙

I want to answer this sympathetically, because I know it's disappointing that no one has been willing to just say "Dean and Cas are gay for each other" out loud, and I don't think there are many people in this fandom who picked up what the narrative was putting down, and were not disappointed in the finale for LOADS of reasons, only one of them being that Dean never had the chance to acknowledge what Cas said to him. I understand your feelings, my anonymous friend, I really do. I too found the end of Supernatural deeply frustrating, because they managed to erase the meaningful journeys of every single character, not just Dean, though what they did with Dean was the worst. I completely understand wanting them to JUST FUCKING SAY IT. I do. I get you. I simply do not agree.

My argument, which I have made many, many times, is that what you want is THERE in the narrative. They made Cas Dean's ride or die, they made it obvious that Dean can't carry on without Cas -- that the loss of Cas means Dean loses his will to live. That was explicit. They made it clear that more than anyone else, EVEN Sam, Cas is essential to him. They structured the narrative around Dean and Cas's emotional beats. They let Cas say the obvious thing out loud, and then showed us Dean behaving exactly as Dean would in a situation like that -- in the midst of his existential crisis about who he is and whether he has ever had free will, and with the world falling around them -- they showed us Dean unable to speak, unable to respond but overwhelmed with emotion. Like, remember that when Mary died when Dean was four, he was unable to speak? Is it really so hard to imagine that he loves Cas with all his heart? To read love in Dean's watery eyes, and the way he chokes down his heart and begs Cas not to do this? Not to being saying goodbye? I mean... I CAN DO THAT MATH. Literally everything about the story supports it. IT IS THERE.

Fandom always argues: if Cas were a woman, we wouldn't have any questions, so what I am just wondering is, why do we have questions again? Is it because we (homophobically) can't just see it for what it is because it's gay? Because, when it's gay we lose our ability to interpret narrative, and we need to be told, like we are 5 years old, what's happening in a perfectly obvious story? Or, is it a skill issue? Is it because we need the creators of the story to affirm our interpretation? We need the actors to just TELL US what they meant when they did that thing with their faces? Do we need their permission to understand it for what it is?

I've said many times that calling what happened on Supernatural 'queerbaiting' because no one ever made out or fucked on the maps table is really offensive to me actually. Don't you know that there are queer people in this world who never get to live their truths? Who just ache and yearn and want, and never get to have? Like, that there are in fact queer people who are afraid to say what they feel, or who don't understand or embrace who they really are and what they really need until it's too late? Are those not QUEER EXPERIENCES? I love Dean and I love that story because it's queer as hell and it makes ME feel seen, because I am like him! I am a queer person of his age who didn't ask myself those questions seriously enough in time! My own queerness is very fucking real, and it is UNLIVED. That HAPPENS to actual queer humans, and like, it's not queerbaiting when it's just queer, but didn't tell you the queer story YOU wanted it to tell. You saw years of tease? I saw years of choices, and love, and accretion of deep wells of emotion. I saw a clear romance, and a character becoming. It was a story I needed, AS A QUEER PERSON.

And the Winchesters was just joyful if you went in with that understanding of the previous story. It was like getting an A+ in Supernatural week after week from Dean himself. I can accept that the stars didn't align for Cas/Misha to come back in the first season, accept that if he were coming back, it needed to be more than a cameo to make it right, and that it didn't work out. I am so sad it was cancelled, but I can accept that it was leading someplace it didn't get to go. That's not queerbaiting, either! It's telling a story that was aborted, and I think if you don't see that, then that is DEFINITELY a skill issue.

I'm not looking back with rose coloured glasses; Supernatural is fresh in my mind. I watched it again without the internal pressure of expectations that aren't going to be met, and let it tell me what it was really doing all along. I am happy. It's a really compelling, deeply romantic, deeply queer story. I don't need permission from anyone involved to think that, and I don't need it explained to me. I understand wanting it to just be fully explicit, but I would not trade the story it did tell for a simpler, less engaging one, that asked less of me. I love it very much AS IT IS.

And, please: point me to this fabled abuse of fans. I have never really seen an example of it that is not easily debunked with a little bit of context.

[eddiediazismyhusband]

I totally get you with the bait vibes and I am apprehensive about buddie/its timing this season. My only thing is that Oliver has spoken so much in the past over worrying about baiting people with buddie and Ryan has spoken with so much care about these characters together that I just can't see either of them suddenly going all in on baiting with buddie without knowing that there are good things coming for them. Not saying they'll go canon in episode 2 or anything but they likely know the general arc/storyline for the season and knowing how much we and they care about buddie, I don't see Ryan or Oliver toying with the fans for fun and being careless or meanspirited about it unless they felt assured about where things might be going this season

this is why the fact that it’s on the official 911 account worries me. because it’s not just ryan and oliver posting, it’s olvier filming a video he was told to for the official account that ryan was also in, and the conscious decision for that video to be posted was made by someone who knows all the attention buddie brings in. if it was for olvier’s personal instagram then maybe id be a little less concerned about it, but the simple fact that it was for a video on the official 911 account doesn’t give me good vibes

i think often times in fandom we view the actors as having a lot more say in things than they actually do… obviously i don’t know what rules and regulations regarding social media involvement the cast have to follow, but i think the fandom automatically assumes that ryan and oliver get veto rights on things just bc of how involved in the show they are, when that’s often not the case— most of the time in show business, actors have to get things approved before they post them to keep from accidentally spoiling things.

that video wasn’t just ryan and oliver goofing off on set (i mean it was); it was intentionally chosen by someone on the 911 team and approved for the official account. it was chosen and approved bc ryan and oliver together means fandom interaction. it’s the same reason we had so many ryan and oliver interviews before s7 with all this pr talk of “they get closer than ever” and “they have such a strong bond” just for buddie to have very few actual meaningful moments onscreen. it’s textbook baiting, and tim has shown he’s not afraid of that.

i know oliver and ryan both feel strongly about buddie and both want to be careful about not baiting, but they’re not the issue here; the issue is that they are both employed by this production, and that means that sometimes they aren’t allowed to say “no” to how something is promoted.

(small addendum)

in regards to the “general storyline of the season” thing you mentioned (and i do not meant this to come across bitchy or rude at ALL) but tim has also stated that he doesn’t plan out seasons. he may bring up storylines he has ideas for and have an idea of where he might go, but he himself has said he doesn’t plan out full seasons (which is….. kinda what his whole job is supposed to be but i digress) and on top of that, we saw in s7 how quickly he made the decision to completely scrap his original ideas for 7b, scrapping a storyline w abuela that was mentioned, as well as bringing e*y and l*u back for more episodes than they were originally supposed to appear in, and creating that god awful “vertigo” mess…

im sure ryan and oliver are told “oh yeah we’re aiming for buddie canon this season” just like the show tries to do to us with the interviews and bts content, only to change their minds a few episodes in because they intentionally convolute/switch up the plot and say “ohhhh it just didn’t go there naturally :/“ (which is complete bullshit for reasons i shouldn’t have to explain to anyone)

overall i think fandom is too disconnected from how the show works/has worked in the past, and that we often ignore things that have been said in favor of the shiny buddie bait from the production (which is the whole point of the bait to begin with) and all that does is sets us up for disappointment in the long run because we convince ourselves that buddie is happening based on oliver and ryan talking about it, when oliver snd ryan most likely are also being strung along, and don’t have any veto power in that.

[inkblackorchid]

Hi! How do you feel about the Crashtown mini-arc?

Ahhh, Crashtown. Honestly, I’m extremely in two minds about the arc. See, here’s the thing. When I watch it, it’s a great deal of fun. It’s a very self-contained little story that has all the necessary setup and payoff built into itself, and the cowboy aesthetics in Crashtown’s unique setting, while technically still being part of 5Ds’ largely futuristic canon, are absolutely hilarious. Not to speak of the excellent dramatics, what with Kiryu being in his depressed bitch era and needing the Power of Friendship to remember why it’s nice to be alive. So, in isolation, I find Crashtown very funny and its self-contained story compelling.

However, sometimes, I get a little frustrated knowing how many episodes this arc takes up, because where the larger narrative is concerned, Crashtown accomplishes… Well, nothing, unfortunately. It doesn’t interact with the main plot in any way, doesn’t develop Yusei’s character in a particular way (because we already knew he’s a special kind of loyal-as-a-dog-devoted when it comes to Kiryu; if anything, Crashtown only shows us that he’s also a little more gullible than usual when Kiryu gets brought up), and while it does give Kiryu meaningful character progression, he’s sadly never relevant again after this point in the show (literally the only two times he shows up after this point is during the flashback of everyone cheering Yusei on during his duel with Z-ONE and in the epilogue as he loses to Jack). Worse yet, the whole arc begs the question of why only Kiryu and no other dark signer got this kind of tying-up-loose-ends treatment. (The answer, I believe, is that he’s specifically the dark signer who has the strongest ties to Yusei in particular, which awards him special treatment. That does nothing to justify why Carly, who I’d go as far as saying is at least equally important to Jack as Kiryu is to Yusei, doesn’t get anything like this, though, and is instead sidelined because she has amnesia. You know. Amnesia. Everyone’s favourite trope. Which Kiryu, curiously, also doesn’t have.) And considering how often I lament about the things I wish 5Ds canon had spent more time on, I don’t think it comes as a surprise that it leaves a slight, bitter aftertaste in my mouth that an arc like Crashtown that adds nothing to the larger plot or any character other than Kiryu gets so many episodes while many things I wish the show had addressed don’t get a single one.

So, Crashtown’s kind of a mixed bag for me. I think the best way to sum it up would be this: If you handed me the reins for a full 5Ds rewrite, one of two things would happen. Either the show would gain another twenty or so episodes where I’d try to give all the other dark signers similar treatment as Kiryu in Crashtown, developing both them and the main cast members they interact with more (and also try to make them at least show up one more time before the Ark Cradle arc, even if only to cheer Team 5Ds on during the WRGP), or Crashtown would be left on the cutting room floor entirely, because if the only way to improve the main cast and plot were to find time for all the necessary adjustments within the exact same episode count we already have, Crashtown (and all of the pre-WRGP arc’s pure filler episodes) would be the first thing to go.

Don’t get me wrong, the yeehaw arc has excellent aesthetics, excellent dramatics, and is great fun every time I rewatch it, so I don’t fault anyone for loving it to bits, I absolutely get it. My inner overanalyst/canon rewriter just can’t unsee how many episodes it took up that were desperately needed for other stuff sometimes.

[elysiaishere]

Genshin Thoughts/Theories No One Asked For, (Spoilers) —Relationship Edition Part 1

At this point, this should be a series because I'm lost in the Genshin sauce, and it doesn't seem like I'm coming out of it anytime soon.

So, here are some mostly inane thoughts I've had about various relationships in the canon:

1. Nahida and Wanderer

Nahida and Wanderer have a beautiful friendship.

On the surface, a friendship between them seems unlikely. He's arrogant, rude and at times, downright cruel. Nahida, on the other hand, is a warm and forgiving spirit. But, if we consider their past experiences, we are able to build a clearer picture of how Nahida and Wanderer are able to not only get along but complement each other as well. Both endured long periods of isolation and loneliness, and from what the canon has shown us, these periods have largely shaped who they are today.

For all that she's the God of Wisdom, Nahida is young and inexperienced. Her imprisonment prevented her from forming authentic, meaningful bonds with her people, and, as such, it suffocated her own self-confidence and ability to connect with others. Even now, she doubts herself.

In contrast, Wanderer is an experienced combatant and seasoned leader. His time as a Fatui Harbinger, no doubt, taught him how to coordinate people and communicate his expectations—even if his expectations were otherwise cruel and unfair.

These differences, however, are key to why their dynamic works so well. Nahida is able to build him a safe space to explore his own humanity without judgment. On the other hand, Wanderer is able to both protect Nahida from physical threats and model self-confidence in a way she can easily emulate.

It's unorthodox, sure, but their friendship showcases a phenomenal example of how, sometimes, we find the most fulfilling and meaningful relationships in the strangest of places. Truly, I hope to see more of them in the future. I'm always delighted by their rapport. She obviously enjoys teasing him, and despite his enormous pride, he allows it.

2. Furina and Neuvillette

In an earlier post, I briefly touched on the speculations I have about who Furina/Focalors is to Neuvillette and vice-versa. In this post, I intend to dissect what information—or lack thereof—is available to us. After all, as the Hydro Archon and Hydro Dragon, respectively, their destinies have no doubt always been intertwined.

In Neuvillette's character teaser, "Watcher in the Deep," Neuvillette admits that he longs to find the answers to the many questions he has regarding his identity. He has no leads, no starting lines, and even states: "It's as if I've forgotten something since the very beginning."

Then, some seconds later and out of frame, we hear Furina:

"So, why don't you find the answers for yourself?"

Her voice is soft, encouraging, and a stark contrast from the shrill, theatrical young woman we've come to know throughout the 4.0 and 4.1 Archon Quests. This suggests that, at one point in time, Furina and Neuvillette were once close.

In comparison, their interactions we've seen thus far are a pale shade of that. He often seems exasperated by her antics while she expects him to yield to her whims, no matter how unreasonable those whims might be.

I liken it to a relationship between a spoilt little sister and an exhausted older brother. Entertaining, fun, and downright hilarious.

Jokes aside, I don't think he's indifferent to Furina. In fact, we're shown on a handful of occasions the exact opposite. Just before the iconic Primordial Seas cutscene, he tells the Traveler he's reluctant to leave Furina alone with Arlecchino and, as such, asks the Traveler to watch over her throughout the meeting. Then, in the aftermath, while the Traveler and Neuvillette are talking outside the Opera Epiclese, the scene focuses on Neuvillette watching Furina sneak away. The Traveler is none the wiser, but based on how he tunes out Paimon and watches her leave, we can deduce that he's worried about how out of character Furina seems.

I'd also like to highlight that this is the first time we've seen Neuvillette call her simply "Furina" instead of "Lady Furina." I think this is quite indicative of a more nuanced relationship than what has been observed so far.

As for Furina, I find her to be a living, breathing dichotomy. Initially, she appears spoilt and immature. A young woman who feels insecure, so she overcompensates with glamour and entertainment. But, if we gleaned nothing else from her meeting with Arlecchino, it's clear that she does, in fact, take her status as the Hydro Archon very seriously. She cares about Fontaine and its people.

Moreover, Furina, I think, carries a lot of care for Neuvillette as well. She seems comfortable in his presence, so much so that she doesn't feel the need to perform for him. Or, at the very least, Furina doesn't feel the need to perform him much. She seems to feel much safer and settled during her initial meeting with Arlecchino than she is in the second. Implying, to some degree, that Furina trusts him to look out for her if a situation turns south.

With that said, I think something strange has occurred that's led to the formation of their current dynamic. Perhaps the "curse" Arlecchino mentioned. And whatever has occurred, curse or not, it has totally reshaped their relationship. However, I simply can't deduce what.

[threshergm]

My Halo: The Series pitch The Silver Timeline 2.0 Character Notes

I was generally pretty satisfied with what we got in season 2, but after a lifetime of watching sci-fi television, I know it could have been so much better. So I decided to take a crack at writing Halo: The Series my own self.

I had three goals in writing this.

Preserve as many of the actors and characters from the OG Silver Timeline as possible.

More closely adhere to the story elements of the core canon than the OG Silver Timeline did.

Make the Halo universe accessible to people who have never picked up a video game controller in their lives, while also not pissing off the long-time fans.

A point that I disagree with from many longtime fans of Halo is that they ought to be the "main audience" of any Halo adaptation for TV. But I disagree with that. Any "main audience" for a successful TV series has to be the average TV viewer. We therefore need to make the story of Halo accessible to the average viewer.

What I came up with was something of a cross between Halo, Stargate: SG-1, and the 2003 Battlestar Galactic reboot; and I think it satisfies all three of my goals above.

The biggest single change to my characters is that THERE ARE NO STUPID PELLETS IN THIS UNIVERSE. The Spartans are still going to be confronted with their humanity, but the narrative mechanism driving this will be something that actually happens in the core lore: the Spartan program being made public later in the war for morale reasons.

Silver Team

The Master Chief [Pablo Schreiber] - He's an amalgamation of the John we see in OG Silver Timeline season 2, plus a heavy leavening of the books. He's laconic, but not the silent protagonist of the games. Like most Spartans, he struggles to socialize with anyone outside the immediate sphere of their operations. But due to his exploits and leadership, he's looked up to and we see him become the legend he's regarded as by the rest of humanity.

PO3 Kai-125 [Kate Kennedy] - She's Kelly's personality, Linda's job, and Kurt's amiable gregariousness. She's Silver's sniper and secondary medic. Definitely the most human of the Spartans of Silver Team. Silver will wordlessly drop into a trench filled with beleaguered Marines, while Kai will grin behind her helmet and shout, "Morning, boys!" We'll see her lifting Warthogs on a bet, playing knife games with Marines, and even flirting playfully. We'll also see her crying quietly in a deserted compartment, after those Marines are killed on a mission. "If we can't protect them, what good are we?"

LTJG Vannak-134 [Bentley Kalu] - He's basically Fred. Dry and acerbic wit, but frequently unintentionally charming. Silver's deputy leader. The most Spartan-like of the Spartans, but with a very soft spot for kids. Team demolitions and heavy weapons expert. Giving him Jorge's backstory here; he's from Reach and speaks Hungarian. He'll have Jorge's death, too. There should be a subtle-but-obvious something going on between him and Riz. Lots of meaningful glances and lingering touches.

WO2 Riz-028 [Natasha Culzac] - Linda's personality and Kelly's job. She's the intelligence and communications specialist for Silver Team and primary medic. She's the most socially awkward of the Spartans, but probably the most hungry for human interaction; she just doesn't know how to be around non-Spartans. Has her little quasi-relationship with Vannak and shares his soft spot for kids.

The Pillar of Autumn Crew

Captain Jacob Keyes [Danny Sapani] - CO of the converted colony ship the Pillar of Autumn. In his 50s and should be an admiral by now, but an unspecified scandal early in his career has kept him sidelined to backwater postings throughout the war. But he has his friends and allies still, not least of whom is his estranged wife Doctor Halsey. His daughter is his shipboard science officer, but that relationship is concealed from the audience for a while.

Commander Tom Lasky [Actor TBD] - Rescued by the Master Chief from the ruins of the Corbulo Academy of Military Sciences in the opening days of the war; represents those who grew up with the war, having never known service before the Covenant. He has absolute faith in the Master Chief. He's married to another UNSC officer, a Chyler Silva, serving at FLEETCOM on Reach.

LCDR Miranda Keyes [Olive Gray] - Science officer aboard the Pillar of Autumn and only child of Captain Keyes and Doctor Halsey. Goes by the last name of Keyes, but can sometimes have a strained relationship working under her father. Torn between her innate aptitude for science and the desire to be a serving line officer and command warships like her father.

Cortana [Jen Taylor] - Ostensibly a gift from Doctor Halsey to look after her estranged husband and daughter, Cortana's real mission is to find evidence in the Outer Colonies of Halsey's hoped-for "latchkey discovery" that can turn the tide against the Covenant. Initially willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to obtain leads or the thing itself, she quickly learns to value her crew and humanity at large, and isn't willing to spend lives unless absolutely necessary.

Marines and ODSTs

Sergeant Major Avery Johnson [Bokeem Woodbine] - Senior NCO for the regular Marine battalion we see deployed groundside in the pilot episode; he takes on the same job for the scratch combined Marine/ODST force aboard the Pillar of Autumn after the evacuation from. Brash, boisterous, and always joking; he's pretty much game and book Johnson. Often comic relief and always quick with a one-liner.

Corporal Talia Perez [Cristina Rodlo] - The everyman character meant to be the audience viewpoint and represent the lower enlisted ranks. A wide-eyed draftee private when we first meet her, she spends a lot of time as a fire team leader and we watch her grow into a hardened Marine. A devout Catholic and extremely virtuous; everyone's little sister and her fellow Marines are extremely protective of her. Absolutely going to be the one we torment the most, mostly to take advantage of Rodlo's acting range.

Major Antonio Silva [Anson Mount] - Commanding Officer of an ODST company, absolutely hates the Spartans due to a fatal incident between some of his men early in his career and a teenage John-117. Old buddy of Ackerson, but possibly an asset of Parangosky. Playing both sides. Definitely not a white hat, but he has his reasons.

WO Carol Rawley aka "Foehammer" [Actor TBD] - Dropship pilot of Pelican Echo-419. NEEDS FURTHER DEVELOPMENT.

The Covenant

Makee aka "The Reclaimer" [Charlie Murphy] - Abducted early in the war (probably from Harvest) at the age of 6, she was raised up in the Covenant religion and is a true believer. As such, she hates her humanity, and her arms and thighs are covered with cutting scars. To the Covenant, she's a "Reclaimer" or "Blessed One," told that she alone can activate Forerunner technology. It's a lie, meant to allow the Prophets to make use of her in the least politically and theologically damaging way possible. Her one friend is Fleetmaster Var 'Gatanai, whom is responsible for her.

Fleetmaster Var 'Gatanai [Actor TBD] - Commander of the Fleet of Solemn Accord, primary artifact hunters for the Covenant. Is a respected leader amongst the Covenant and one rung below the High Council. Commands over 100 ships and thousands of troops. Often personally leads ground troops in the field. Is rare among high-ranking Sangheili in that he has only one wife. Honorable warrior, and a believer in the Great Journey, but not a vicious fanatic. Has a daddy-daughter relationship with Makee.

Commander Rtas 'Vadumee aka "Half-Jaw" [Actor TBD] - Fleetmaster Gatanai's right-hand Elite and all around bad-ass. Commands special operations troops. Lost half his mandibles to a bare-miss by a Spartan sniper some years ago. Doesn't hold a grudge.

Prophet Truth [Actor TBD] - Complete cynic, master politician, and absolute asshole.

Back on Reach

Colonel James Ackerson [Joseph Morgan] - A career soldier who went intelligence later in the war after leading Ranger units against both Insurrection and Covenant. A dick, but not without a heart, and certainly not a coward. He genuinely believes that humanity can fight the Covenant to a standstill - if they use the right tools in the right way. He sees Halsey's Spartan-2s as a waste of resources; techno-saviors too precious to risk, when humanity needs effective soldiers it can spend. Hence his Spartan-IIIs [which are teenage volunteers, not children].

Doctor Catherine Halsey [Natascha McElhone] - The self-loathing genius polymath who oversaw the creation of the Spartan-2s because she saw no other option. ONI was going to have its super-soldiers one way or another, and wanted automatons at that. At least she was able to fight for them and help them retain some of their humanity. Lingering guilt over this is probably why she treats the Spartans like they're her children - and why she's estranged from her actual daughter Miranda and husband Jacob. Politically, Halsey knows that the Covenant can't be beaten in the traditional sense of the term, and that humanity's only hope is a so-called Latchkey Discovery - something out there in the black that will change the game and give us the edge. She believes that Halo is that very thing, and that we have to find it first or else all is lost. And she's right.

Admiral Parangosky [Shabana Azmi] - She's the unaccountable, power mad spook; the very personification of the State run amok. Charming, quiet, almost grandmotherly - and utterly amoral in her pursuit of power for herself and ONI. It is not at all clear if she cares whether or not humanity survives the process. But at the same time, not ineffective in Humanity's defense.

Admiral Hood [Keir Dullea] - The poor bastard at the top of the heap, overseeing a losing war, and trying to keep all the plates spinning. A professional Navy man to the core, he's just trying to keep humanity alive. Wherever he throws his weight behind is the faction in the Reach/Earth political dog fight that will win.

[ablogofsapphicpanic]

We need to have a talk about @sjmcrackshipmonth and the labeling of crackships in this fandom in general. Yes I am tagging this month specifically because I had a conversation with them about this already, that seemingly did not stick and this time it's gotten a little more personal. What's more is that it's a problem that's not just unique to this blog, but a concept that this fandom seems to struggle with

About a month ago, I messaged this blog raising some concerns regarding their tagging on their announcement post. They had tagged Emorie and Azris, which are two of the most LGBT prominent rarepairs in the fandom. I didn't really feel good seeing that a month for crackships had tagged two LGBT ships that are not crackships. I'm going to get a bit technical here, but please stick with me.

Fanlore defines a crackship as "is a ship that is highly ridiculous, bizarre, disturbing, and/or unlikely to ever become canon. The characters don't have any chemistry, never interact, are in different canons or timelines, are different species, one is an inanimate object, etc. Fans can and do sincerely ship a crack ship, but generally they don't take its chances too seriously and may like it precisely for its implausibility."

I understand that this month is for fun, and I love a good crackship. But seeing those LGBT ships labeled as something with that definition? As somebody in the LGBT community who loves to see the tiny bits of representation on the page we do get, I wasn't a fan of seeing a crackship blog in the tags. Hence why I messaged them last month and explained my problem.

The runner was very polite, and we had a discussion on the use of the term crackship, and why I felt it was inappropriate to tag those ships and include them in the month.

I understand they have good intentions with this, but I pointed out that they had a different route to go. Emorie and Azris were not the only rarepairs tagged, which is why I do believe this person was being earnest about their reasoning, but they were the ones that rubbed me the wrong way.

I was trying very hard not to come off as attacking this runner, especially after their explanation. I know crackship is used fast and loose in this fandom, especially considering many artists are doing 'crackships' on their patreons and whatnot that are really just rarepairs, and not just LGBT ones. But there is a serious problem with calling LGBT rarepairs crackships when LGBT ships are so scarce in this fandom. People call ships crackships just because they don't like them, or it doesn't match their own personal ideas of what will happen in canon. Which is extremely not cool, but seemingly not the intent behind this blog, and I'm not saying that, I'm just pointing out it's a real problem in this fandom. It’s one of many casual forms of homophobia that we throw around

But the problem came to a head yesterday. I had previously discussed this blog with @ofduskanddreams, who is a pretty prominent (and amazing) Azris content creator, because the tags also rubbed her the wrong way, but they were resolved and I had heard back from the runner that they would abstain from involving Emorie and Azris in their month.

That is the entirety of our conversation in all those pictures, including their promise to avoid using Emorie and Azris in the month. Everything was fine until yesterday when Kate realized they had reblogged one of her Azris moodboards. She didn't like that, and didn't want her content for a rarepair that she puts time and effort into to be thrown onto a crackship blog.

This was sent yesterday, more than 24 hours ago, not long after crackship month reblogged her post. As you can see, there is no response and the post remains on the blog. It was frustrating enough that in the span of a month, this person completely forgot or decided to ignore what I thought was a meaningful conversation, but now they're just blatantly ignoring a creator's wishes regarding their content. It's not okay.

I understand that people have lives off of tumblr. Outside of running months. But if you're going to take on the responsibility of a month, you need to be accountable, and you need to respect creators. Especially creators' wishes not to be involved. Especially when a creator doesn't agree with how their content is being portrayed in its involvement.

I don't know who's running crackship month. I don't know what their life is like off of tumblr. But I do know that this whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth regarding the event and the runner. I'm not saying people can't participate in crackship month, nor am I saying they shouldn't. But I think you should be mindful of your content that you include in it and what you label it as, and even more mindful of how you treat other peoples' content.

Azris is not a crackship. Emorie is not a crackship. Tamcien, Rhyslin, Rhycien, FeyMor, Gwynesta, Morlain, so many others. None of these are crackships. Your LGBT ships are not crackships simply because they are not canon. And people need to stop labeling them as such, whether it's because people are just being outright hateful - which is oftentimes homophobic as well - or because people don't know what a crackship is anymore.

Edit: the runner has responded here and here and I encourage you to read their responses. Again, this was never intended to imply this runner was being purposefully harmful, or doing this with ill intent. It has simply been a long-running issue in this fandom that I wanted to acknowledge.

[detective-casserole43]

Okay, so according to the first episode of Hazbin Hotel, the pilot IS canon!

And I might just be talking nonsense of whatever, but like... Angel Dust has a stronger relationship with Travis than Husker until like Episode 4.

HEAR ME OUT-

Maybe it's my poor memory or the fast pacing that has my mind jumbled. But I seriously cannot remember a SINGLE meaningful Angel Dust and Husker interaction until "Loser, Baby." And if we're really stretching, maybe you can count the fight they have at the beginning of the episode. They don't even talk in Episode 2 despite being at the hotel together!

Meanwhile, Travis has a one night stand with Angel and actually seems quite familiar with him to some extent. In isolation, I might not have thought anything of this interaction... But seeing as the pilot IS proven canon and Travis is seen working with Angel at the studio, I think there could be a bit more to their relationship than not.

Now, Hazbin Hotel's weakest point is probably character interaction/relationships. With them introducing so many new characters within such a small time frame, while they are already struggling to fit all the other information they're trying to share- It makes sense that not all the characters we see would get the interactions we desire.

But the fact that Angel Dust, one of our most important characters from the main cast, only has three meaningful positive relationships (Charlie, Cherri, and Husker), one of which only shows up halfway through the first season is BONKERS.

And the fact that we have such little time to see our characters sharing time together means guys like Travis, who are background characters at BEST, technically have more important relationships with our character for over half the show run!

Just compare it for a minute-

Travis is Angel Dust's coworker and technical superior (If we're considering the fact that Travis is the director), who had sexual relations with him behind Valentino's back. Because let's be real, I don't think Valentino is too keen to be renting out his best actor off company time without reason to one of his lesser employees.

Meanwhile, Angel and Husk never got involved in anything more than uncomfortable flirting till Episode 4, which is halfway through the season! While I get this is supposed to come to a head for their eventual reconciliation in Episode 4, most of their time spent together beforehand is uncomfortable flirting. Anything more than that is said to be off-screen or rushed in a 5 minute interaction at the end of the episode, most of it being in a song.

Don't get me wrong, I loved watching Hazbin Hotel and I think it's amazing to see how far Viv has managed to get her shows, but I can't deny how fast the pacing is either and how it's been impacting the story. I know there was a certain vision they were trying to achieve for the finale with the next extermination- But we've only sacrificed important character building and relationships in turn for meeting these specific deadlines. Hell, 5 months go by in the first six episodes, and we don't even find out about it until Adam says it out loud!

I, like so many people, wanted so desperately for this show to do well, and I think it's brilliant what we've received so far. And I'm glad to hear there's even more to come, with a longer Season 2 for hopefully more meaningful character interactions!

But it's so obvious that so many things were sacrificed to make this story happen, and I just wonder what could've been if they dialed back the stakes a little bit and focused more on the main concept of the show.

[bat-besties]

As I do sometimes have complaints about DC fandom, I think it’s only fair to have a post focusing on the positives, so here are some things I really love and enjoy:

I've read so many characters I would have taken a lot longer to find! Vic Sage, Mia Dearden, and Rose Wilson, for example, and I'm about to read some Kate Kane and Roy Harper

People bringing their own experiences to the characters! Gifting a character with a funny story from childhood, sharing sports teams and video games, or nationalities and neurodivergency, or personal experiences like grief. I think it’s so wonderful to see how people’s varied life experiences change how they interact and understand different characters. 

Those web-weaving posts with quotes and art all relating to a character or theme are beautiful 

People posting fun/sad/interesting panels with the issue number cited….thank you 

Character. Essays. 

I can read two completely conflicting takes on a character and both are well-argued, well-sourced, and intriguing, and I’ll come away from both with a deeper and more nuanced take on the character. 

Reading lists!!!!! I would not survive without these, I absolutely love them and appreciate people who take the time to write them. 

I really like looks at the production of comics, the editorial powerplays, and the comparisons of different writers. Canon not being taken as unchangeable or infallible is really nice. It’s especially important when discussing literally any character who isn’t a white man. 

I like that, because of the many timelines and series, there’s no answer to what any character, relationship, or place really is. How different people choose to analyse the comics, prioritise different versions, and synthesise a final interpretation becomes a personal and creative process. It’s really lovely to see the range of opinions and how meaningful they are to people. 

Sapphic shippers u mean the world to me.  ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

I love the fanart! Everyone has such cool ideas for hairstyles and clothing and unique drawing styles to express it in. 

I especially love art which has more symbolic or narrative elements - I see Duke with the sun and I lose my mind 

Anyone who takes their fan appreciation into another medium, like baking or fibre arts or Lego, blows my mind 

Disability being part of characters to be accepted rather than seen as a weakness. Whether that’s canon disabilities which get magically cured or retconned out, disability coding which isn’t fully explored, or injuries which should have been disabling and weren’t. (Losing a spleen might have a little impact, DC) 

People’s takes on how two characters who haven’t interacted in canon or have only interacted a little would get along. Bonus points if this is presented as an idea for a comic crossover.

[xhanisai]

hello evil booper 🥘🚿🤩 for the ask game!!

Good evening mah d00d UwU~ I hope you're having a good day so that I can make it better by evil booping when you least expect it again :)

🥘What wip are you most excited about?

I'm really excited to start my AU multichapter fic when I can! It's where Gabriel is the Black Cat holder, Adrien is the Butterfly holder and Marinette is still Ladybug but she's orphaned (a slight life swap between Marinette and Adrien in canon-ish?). It's something I brainstormed about in 2020 and somehow four years have gone past lol...

I really want to write about their team and rival dynamics, the trials and tribulations they'll face and how they take on the villain who is a mysterious Peacock holder. The lovesquare is going to be so fun to write too and it'll be so interesting to see how a more open and honest Adrien interacts with a closed-off, distant Marinette.

Oh, and Gabriel accidentally killed Emilie when Adrien was a kid so the latter has a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge grudge and the former is a wet-cat pathetic man who is genuinely trying to be a better person~

🚿Where do your best ideas seem to strike?

When I'm not writing 💀 I could be trying to focus on drawing, brainstorming, portfolio site managing or music and then suddenly boom. 100K fic idea decides to twerk in my brain as if it's the next Ricardo.

🤩 What's the most meaningful comment you've ever received?

Every positive comment I get is so meaningful and makes me happy it's so hard to choose just one! I've been sharing fics online since I was thirteen too and I've received so many!

If I had to think of the few that stand out to me, it has to be the ones that mention how they enjoyed the way I handle really dark topics such as torture, mentality, brutal experiences and so on. Especially if said readers mention that they're usually not one to read topics like that.

In my last fandom, I wrote a fic that focused on the psychology and crumbling mentality of one character because canon really, really fucked up and I was an unsatiated little shit. I didn't expect it to do so well and sometimes I reread the comments and reviews I received on that story.

Comments on my feel-good, happier stories are amazing too! But there's just something about your readers connecting to the vulnerabilities and the suffering you portray in your story and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

THANK YOU FOR THE ASK, MWAH MWAH MWAH

[wildissylupus]

(im the last anon) i don't hate pharmercy either, i just wish they had done things better, not gonna lie i wish to see a f/f couple from the game but i want it to be the way we deserve, like the fandom has being asking for years, and they could do that but i dont feel like it's there yet ? and agree with what you said about pharah, and think she deserves better… i personally like her with symmetra, and also they could do like they did with tracer and give her a gf outside the game ? again no hate to the ship/shippers, i just want what fits better to lore and makes sense too!

Yeah again I do think the writers fumbled a bit with Pharmercy, they have had years to start pushing it, even if it was in a more subtle way, but they haven't. Either because executives said no or because the original writers never planned on making Pharmercy a thing outside of fandom.

With doing what they did with Tracer, I would like to see that but I think that would end the same way that all the other realationships with civilians ended. Cause Emily and Lena's realationship is very much the exception for Hero x Civilian in the Overwatch universe, not the rule. I went into detail on Angela's issues but Pharah has her own issues too, specifically she tends to put work above her personal life (like mother, like daughter-), which would lead to a relationship with a regular person a difficult task for her. Not only that but I think a lot of people would see them doing this with Pharah as a cop out? Especially if they do what they do with other civilian love interests and not give them much of a character (I am still upset about Martina), I don't think they could do that though because they have been updating the lore more and it's not just stuff that's happened in the past.

It's the reason I like sympharah and kiripharah, both ships are with someone who is similar enough to Pharah to know and deal with her issues and flaws, while also being different enough to not enable Pharah's more toxic behaviors. Like Pharah being a workaholic or not being able to see nuances of certain situations.

Also especially with kikipharah I think both ships would have more natural build up?

Sympharah, though they have never met in canon or have that many meaningful interactions in game, have a similar theme of identity. They also contrast each other in the way of Pharah being sure of her self while Symmetra has started to question herself and Vishkar, questioning her postition and identity. While Pharah would help with that I think Summetra would help Pharah with maintaining a heathy routine and structure.

Kiripharah, despite being the least popular of the two, has grounding due to their interactions in game. As I stated in my little explination of Kiripharah, I read this interaction;

As competitive flirting. Not only that but their other interactions already has them questioning each others morals and outlook (something we also saw with Sympharah in OW1 btw), despite them not meeting in canon yet we still have some kind of build up with them.

And the biggest thing for me with these ships, Pharah wouldn't have to wait. I'm fine with the trope of waiting until the time is right before starting a relationship, as long as it's mutual. What they've established with Pharmercy is just Pharah waiting for Mercy, something that I don't like specifically because of Pharah's lore.

With these two ships she wouldn't really have to wait, Kiriko gives me the vibe of someone who would be fairly open if she liked someone, and Symmetra, though she is struggling with her own identity, is a very upfront and straight forward person.

Again Pharah deserves better than to have to wait for both her family and her love life to sort out their issues before they have time for her. Waiting for her family is enough.

[astriiformes]

I know it's very likely to end up romantic in the show but like I am choosing to see Huntlow as Queerplatonic until otherwise stated because it's just so sweet

I'm going to tell you fun little a secret anon: You can see it as queerplatonic no matter what! There's no rules against it!

Like perhaps this is something we lost the plot on a bit in back in the aspec discourse mines of 2015-2018, but there's nothing wrong with preferring a duo as queerplatonic instead of romantic -- they're both meaningful types of relationships that, depending on the people involved, can look incredibly similar. I'm a little baffled by the fact that so many people talk like you can only think that up until a point.

People ship non-canon ships, I don't see why we're not allowed to do the opposite and say we like it when two characters that appear to be a couple are actually into each other queerplatonically. Especially with characters where the shoe really seems to fit. I know I happen to like queerplatonic Willow and Hunter because the two of them remind me so much of my and my qpp (Which is one reason I'm not a fan of how a lot of shippers tend to talk about them -- it's fine to prefer it as a romantic relationship, but looking at their interactions and saying the "only" explanation is romance or there's no way the two of them stay "just friends" makes me feel pretty uncomfy, seeing as Willow and Hunter don't really act any differently than she and I do with each other)

Anyways, that's just my two cents, but I really do hope more folks take it to heart. I've seen a lot of people saying they would like to interpret them as aspec or in a queerplatonic relationship but feel like they won't be able to anymore if the show does certain things, to which I say: Be free! Queer headcanons are tethered to our wants and desires, not some specter of what we're "allowed" to do. Queerplatonic partnerships are not obligated to exist only until eclipsed by romantic desire! We are allowed to steal them back!

I know I've got at least one aspec Hunter fic idea I intend to write sometime after TOH ends regardless of how things play out in the show (and possibly even influenced by them), as does my qpp if her curse allows, and I hope other folks who like aspec/queerplatonic Willow and Hunter as a dynamic will join us.

Queerplatonic-ing ships is good for the soul! Don't settle for having dynamics that bring you joy stolen from you! People like us are allowed to take up space and tell stories too!

[tenpintsof-sundrop]

I have so many thoughts (as usual) about all of this. (This is also my third time writing this).

I don't think I've mentioned it here, but I am a fic writer. Except I haven't posted anything in months despite writing a lot during that time. Part of it is just me being so very busy and so very tired, and a little sad. But some of is just exhausting because when I did post often, I didn't really get a lot of comments. I can recall about 2 comments off the top of my head, because they were such specific things which I loved. I have those two comments saved, like pieces of paper in a scrapbook.

I also haved saved my own comments on Nisha's writing and our interactions. Because part of the joy of being human is experiencing things and sharing things with people. Part of the wonder is taking a not saying to go and befriend fic writers or to leave long essay comments (though they are nice). I'm saying to have meaningful feedback and conversations with them.

I have more thoughts. Some about specifically you, because out of everything you've written for I've only genuinely interacted with one of the canon sources (Harry Potter). I was here two blogs ago (and a url before pinkchubbiebunnie), but you came back and then I came back and have been more active since but that's a different message. -Rotten Anon.

Thank you for sending this!

You are so right! A huge part of the joy of being in fandom is interacting with people. MAKING FRIENDS. My fandom friends are the only ones I interact with every single day, because with my chronic illness - I don't go outside often (maybe once a month, or less than - I literally only go outside for doctors' appointments. that's it) - so these are the people I am closest with. my fandom besties know more of me than 90% of people irl

And idk if I have mentioned this - but I have written fics that I haven't posted (for example, a follow up to Honey, which is one of my most popular fics ever, and the follow up is not smut but a commentary on sexuality and how people are valid if they don't follow one specific label) - Jaycen has said recently fanfiction is my 'love language', so I write fanfiction for literally every thought that crosses my fucking mind. And a very large chunk of those fics don't make it to being posted because they are too raw and too personal and I know if someone commented publicly on those fics in a way I didn't like - I would be upset. So I don't open myself up to that

Fandom is supposed to be about making friends. It's not supposed to be about increasing the number of words you have read in a year or reading whatever is most popular or 'hate reading' something just to yell at the characters. Fandom is supposed to be about making friends and enjoy the same characters with those friends.

It's the difference between attending a cooking class with your friends and going to the grocery store or a takeout place by yourself to eat in silence. Like you are not supposed to be here for the stuff - fanfiction is not a product. You are supposed to be here for the fandom and the companionship, and the fanfiction is supposed to be a way to bond over those characters with friends.

You are supposed to seek out fanfiction that has been posted because it means the person on the other end of that fic - the person who created it - also likes the same things and the same characters that you like.

And it is great if someone with a writing style you already really like posts fics from something you haven't seen before - because you might get into that show or you might just get some cool fics out of it - but still, discuss those fics with that person like a friend. That is like watching someone bake while chatting with them, keeping them company, and licking the spoon even if you don't intend to have a piece of cake in the end or even if the cake is meant for a party you're not going to.

Just, again - fandom is about friendship. Fanfiction is not a product.

[thescions]

you guys were lovely to ask all of us some wol questions so have a scions/mun question! : what are both of yours top three favorite scions? ✨

Aw, thank you so much for this!

For Grey ---

This is SUCH a difficult question. I'll attempt to keep my reasoning brief. In reality, I love all of the Scions for reasons that relate solely to them. How they function as a narrative vehicle, how they've been characterized by their VAs, etc. If I pinch myself enough, I would narrow my top three to Estinien, Minfilia, and Papalymo.

Estinien, because I relate to him so immensely, because his is a perspective I continue to explore in my own writing. I look at his experiences with Nidhogg as a mirror manifest of Complex PTSD, literally and expositionally. The insidious nature of having been trapped in an abusive relationship. Except, your abuser lives in your head as much your world and there is No. Escape.

How must it feel to have a being not unlike a god consistently pumping your heart with venom and vitriol, targeted or otherwise? How must it feel to know that you, likely alone amidst even the others of your role, may have a meaningful impact on the influence driving a centuries long war? The weight of it. The responsibility, self-imposed and otherwise.

As the player progresses through the game, we are deadened to the enormity of having fought hyper-terrestrial beings, just as the characters would be. The other Scions may also share in our experiences, but it is only Estinien who knows what it is to have power to genuinely match ours. At least, for a while. Even Minfilia and Krile only borrow a finite glimpse of the like.

With that said, my affection for Minfilia knows no bounds. Not only do I resonate with her as someone raised femme who also enjoys the feminine on a deeper level than aesthetic, I also deeply vibe with the proposed mentality of someone who would sacrifice their all for the greater good, whether you have faces to assign to it or not.

She may not be lobbing axes at folks with us -- but perhaps that is for the best. Because the moment she has the power to fight, she fights to the point of near annihilation, using every ounce of that strength to achieve her desired outcome. Her restraint to hold out, to do as much as she possibly, possibly could, and then some...

I too, and many of you, I am sure, have burned that proverbial candle. Or perhaps I am dramatic. ;)

As for Papalymo: oh, I just love a nerdy older man who is exasperated by his promising, younger colleagues, of whom he will tend to fullness. Are any of our followers big Buffy fans?

As for Lanna --

Tough, tough question! But I am choosing Tataru, Thancred, and Ryne. (The twins are on the same level as Ryne -- but I couldn't pick one over the other!) My reasoning for all three comes down to growth.

From Tataru the secretary, to Tataru the boss bitch entrepreneur, who even for a time tried to learn how to fight to help protect us! Tataru represents the home of the Scions. Her "welcome home" at the end of EW and anytime she starts crying out of worry for us makes me sob. She isn't a warrior but she is so strong. She took over Minfilia's role of being the Scions' core emotional support while also evolving past that to really become a vibrant individual.

For Thancred --I'll admit, a lot of my reason for him being one of my favorites is because of the headcanons and development Grey and I've put together for him. But those are all based off of his canon interactions and, again, the story he goes through throughout the series. The man is clearly so godsdamned depressed, and (if the story would let him) we can see so much potential conflict with him letting that get the better of him. And of course, allllll the development for him throughout Shadowbringers with Minfilia and Ryne. He has healed so much. I'm a little confused as to where his story/development goes now in DT -- I feel like it is done, and he should be allowed to go retire happily with Ryne on the First. But if there's more for him to do, I'm happy to see it! As long as he's not just the 'flirty naked guy' again. Then I'd be disappointed.

Ryne is such an amazing character because we really only knew her for one expansion. She didn't have the same amount of time to develop as say, either of the twins, and yet immediately her story, her conflict with her self-esteem and sense of identity captured my heart. Her history was like Puella Magi Madoka Magica in Final Fantasy for me, so that totally hit all my vibes. But more than anything, she remains generally innocent even throughout the Eden raids. Innocent and kind, but not weak. And that is so rare to find these days. Ryne is a treasure -- a blessing ufufufu -- and I can't wait for her to rejoin the MSQ. WITH. GAIA. MAKE EDEN RAIDS REQUIRED, YOSHI-P!

[aita-blorbos]

(Au/personal interp of canon characters, but from something so obscure with so little characterization that they might as well be my own ocs at this point)

Aita for not confessing my feelings to my god?

I (528, M) am an undead spirit permanently bound to the island I called home in life. I was a rather devout follower of the island’s god, a giant who I’ll label D (Immortal, M) and although he was dormant at the time of my death his residual power still lead to me becoming undead. In this state, I am essentially in limbo, and cannot be seen by or interact with other humans. D, however, CAN still see and interact with me- and when he woke up from his dormancy roughly 500 or so years later after my death, I took it upon myself to help him become reacquaintanced with the island.

D is, generally, a very kind and gentle soul, and I found myself growing fond of the behemoth- when the only being capable of interacting with you in any meaningful way is your god, you really don’t have many options. I would love to confess my feelings to him- but I’m afraid he wouldn’t feel the same way. I’m not nearly as powerful as him- I am not on the same level as a god.

However, he seems to have taken notice of my strange behavior around me, and seems worried- I’m not sure what he’d be worried about, since I don’t believe the undead can, say, become ill, but he seems worried nonetheless, and I don’t want him to keep fretting over me when nothing is wrong- but I, also, am still too nervous to tell him how I feel. What is the verdict here?

[marukrawler]

Honestly, I can't ship marudan because it feels wrong for Marucho. Pre-s3 Dan has very low empathy and couldn't even cheer Marucho up when Preyas got taken. Marucho, on the other hand, is heavily empathetic, a bit of a people pleaser, and looks up to Dan. Dan would just walk over him like he already does with Runo.

MS1 already showed us the differences in dynamic between shundan and marudan tbh.

that's fair! i wasn't saying that people should ship it (because as much as i can point to marudan moments that can be considered shippy, i can list just as many moments where dan is a dick to marucho) but merely that there's a larger basis for shipping those two than what can be found with shun and dan (from a canon perspective! i absolutely ship characters who have very little to no canon interactions lmao)

my main takeaway is that because of marucho's appearance, most people will have reservations about shipping him with other characters regardless of whether he canonically has feelings for them or not. but there are no such reservations when it comes to other characters who don't have as much chemistry or shippy moments as marucho has with dan, ren, katie, jewls and alice. shundan is just one example because of its popularity and lack of any real depth.

i understand why people may feel this way about marucho but i still think it's a shame. not only because marucho's important relationships (dan, the brawlers, ren, preyas) are easily overlooked as a result but also because of how marucho himself as a character goes unappreciated in part due to his looks.

i was also trying to make a point about how dan has a seemingly more meaningful friendship with marucho than he has with shun but i digress tee hee.

but yeah i agree with you. marucho would have a hard time being in a romantic relationship with dan because dan is just not emotionally mature enough for that. he would definitely become yet another runo rip