#this is such an interesting question their dynamic is fascinating

[maxdibert]

Hi! I just saw your post on “terrible characters” (or characters that behave in morally questionable ways) and how you enjoy them, my question is do you think you could ever include the marauders in that list? I mean they were obviously very morally questionable (each one is firmly in the grey category to me except for Peter ‘I’ll trade my friend’s infant son life for security’ Pettigrew). If you couldn’t ever see yourself liking them/being interested in them, what do you think is specifically about them that is causing that kinda block for you? Love your posts!

Okay, so my problem with the Marauders is that I can’t stand James or Remus. Like, James doesn’t interest me at all. He’s just a rich kid whose parents raised him with love and care. But unlike Draco, who was raised with prejudice and classism drilled into him from a young age, James supposedly came from a progressive family. His parents were supposedly good people—not like the Malfoys or the Dursleys, who actively encouraged their kids to be bullies. So James just chose to be an asshole for no apparent reason. He didn’t do it because of abuse, a toxic environment, or because his family was like that—he just decided to be a jerk, and that’s something I find utterly uninteresting. There’s nothing to dig into; I just think he’s a git, plain and simple.

Then there’s Remus, who’s a considerably better person, but he disgusts me. I’m a heterosexual woman, and a 38-year-old character getting a 24-year-old pregnant and then leaving her? That’s something my feminism and my experiences as a young woman who’s dated older men cannot tolerate. It’s purely personal, but it grosses me out.

On the other hand, I really enjoy Sirius as a character because he’s a constant mix of contradictions and discrepancies. Plus, he’s a big kid with mommy issues, and I find that kind of thing super entertaining to analyze, along with dysfunctional families—which he has, and the potential dynamics are fascinating.

Oddly enough, I also find Peter more interesting than the other two. The problem is that we never really know what drove him to switch sides, but honestly, a guy who was basically just a cheerleader for his friends’ abusive behavior and then betrayed them for people with even more sociopathic tendencies is definitely worth studying. And honestly, he doesn’t do anything in the saga that triggers me enough to hate him to the point of dismissing him entirely.

[hoboblaidd]

Solas and Elgie are pretty Spicy at each other. Was there EVER a time Solas thought he should help or trust Elgar'nan, or that he wasn't beyond reason or redemption?

The way the Solas writing part of my brain short-circuited at "Elgie" xD

I don't think they ever really got along because they're too similar (see also Solas with Vivienne and Morrigan). Solas admits on several occasions that he and Elgar'nan are incredibly similar - which itself is so arrogant, to compare yourself to essentially the king of the gods. If they're like brothers, as Rook can suggest, Solas is the very distant younger brother who can't hold a candle to the oldest brother.

Solas witnessed firsthand Elgar'nan's actions during the war. Elgar'nan to me is like a charismatic, unrelenting force of nature. He was The General of the wars, and I imagine he was incredibly ruthless and cruel. Mythal and Solas weren't much better, but Solas at least felt bad about it lol. Elgar'nan is like General Grant in the back half of the US civil war without the introspection: sacrificing so many men just to gain a military advantage, scorched earth policies, and underhanded tactics. Remind you of anyone else in the latter half of his rebellion?

There's also the Mythal factor, which brings with it jealousy. Elgar'nan and Mythal ruled together as equals - maybe not perfect equals in Elgar'nan's estimation, but close enough. Solas was always her Second and left hand, and most loyal to her. It's like two people arguing and trying to prove who mom loves best, even while Elgar'nan is trying to undercut her power. Sawyer (not @ing because they haven't finished the game yet) had a great analysis on the hugely problematic Andruil-Fen'harel situation that is very applicable to Elgar'nan and Solas. Basically, her actions in the story were to place herself above Mythal by using Solas as an instrument/metaphor. I'd argue that's how the Evanuris saw Solas - as an irritant and, at most, a method of putting themselves above Mythal by conquering her (once) most loyal general.

As for respect, it's a respect for his power, not as a leader, and it's born out of fear. Elgar'nan's power is vastly superior to Solas' and all of the other Evanuris. Solas was genuinely afraid to tangle with him in the second memory we find because he knew there's no way in hell he could win. And he didn't, he just kept him occupied long enough for the people to escape, and got hurt in the process. I do think Solas' plea to Elgar'nan in the Blood of Arlathan is earnest - "you could heal it - you have the strength to repair the damage [to the world] without the blight." But I don't think he was under any delusion that Elgar'nan actually would. Elgar'nan wants domination and a world built in his own image with people utterly bent to his will. He doesn't care that the world is broken, per say, he cares that his vision for the world is broken.

[literaryvein-reblogs]

bunny x cat dynamic?

Like, adhd bunny and grumpy cat dynamic? I'm going to try writing a bit where the dynamic of the main characters are fleshed out. Any input on what people often enjoy about these for me to take into account?

To me it's so cute because she considers herself more as an annoying dog but for him, he considers her to be a cute, hyperactive bunny (that's kind of useless to (literal) death but let's put that aside, or not)

The ideal response to this would come from your readers. If you've already established your reader base, try asking them their preferences and expectations. Of course—still, write the story you want (and need) as a writer. And there it is, in your second paragraph. The idea is that if you write what you want, the people who also prefer this dynamic will find your work and stay for the rest of the story, and will more likely enjoy your other work as well (this is essentially what most successful authors advise new writers—write what you want, what you enjoy etc etc). But striking a balance between your readers' and your own preferences would be great too.

If you don't have a reader base yet, I'd suggest going through your favourite literature/films and finding ones that depict this particular character dynamic. Then you yourself, as a reader/viewer now, could answer what you find enjoyable about these pieces of media, and incorporate that in your writing.

Also, here are some tropes that I think have similarities with the dynamic you described. Same suggestion with finding books or films/TV shows you like that feature these tropes. But also research their readers'/audience's feedback to find out what they enjoyed about these character tropes, and this is what you can take into consideration for your story.

Grump and sunshine. One character is so grumpy all the time; the other character is so bubbly all the time. And somehow, through that power-of-love thing, they end up balancing each other out. The grump sometimes has sworn off love.

Savvy Guy, Energetic Girl. This is a potential pairing (platonic or otherwise) between a pragmatic guy and a girl who is very full of energy. One partner in the pair will be lively and optimistic while the other is savvy and more slothful, quiet, or otherwise less expressive. EXAMPLES:

In Corpse Bride, Emily and Victor. The former is a dead bride who is rather lively and spiritual for a corpse, while the latter is a live man who is shy and awkward almost to a fault.

This defines Anna and Kristoff's relationship in Frozen nicely. She is a spunky princess willing to do whatever it takes to bring her sister home, he is a grumpy, rough-around-the-edges ice harvester helping her along the way.

In Pixar's Up, the quiet and timid Carl befriended and eventually married the energetic Ellie.

Uptight Loves Wild. He's stuffy. She's untamed. It's true love. Mr. Stuffy is in a rut: Life is boring because he plays by the rules. Along comes this wild and crazy woman to show him how to live life to its fullest, and she just might learn a few things along the way, too. EXAMPLES:

Enchanted: Stuffy, cynical divorce lawyer Robert meets fairytale princess Giselle.

The Sound of Music: Maria isn't "wild", but she is a Blithe Spirit in the face of the extremely uptight, Captain von Trapp.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Quite thoroughly deconstructs this. A relationship like this doesn't always work and after the falling-in-love part, it causes more pain than joy; so much so that both parties opt to have their memories removed of each other. The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is also far more complicated: "I'm not a concept, I'm just a fucked-up girl looking for a peace of mind".

Opposites Attract. EXAMPLES:

The Princess and the Frog has Tiana and Naveen. She's a Workaholic, no-nonsense waitress and he's a fun-loving, lazy prince.

Tangled gives us the jaded, worldly-wise thief Flynn Rider and the spirited, innocent princess Rapunzel.

Treasure Planet has Captain Amelia and Dr. Doppler. She's a tough-as-nails Action Girl, he's a bookish scientist, not to mention they're basically an anthropomorphic cat and dog, respectively. The two grow closer throughout the movie, and by the end they even have several kids.

Sources: 1 2 ⚜ More: Writing Notes & References

[quatregats]

Also minor and likely underinformed complaint but for all that I absolutely love the dynamic in "The Frogs and the Lobsters" I do think it completely erases and simplifies the politics of Brittany at that time and place

[skitskatdacat63]

— Emperor Charles VI's diary entry on Count Althann's death

[text: "My only heart, my comfort, my most faithful servant, my soulmate, who loved me dearly as I did him for 19 years, [we] had a true friendship, we were one heart and one soul, and we never concealed anything from one another. He will always be in my heart, [my] beloved friend..I. have lost everything."]

[embright]

you guys just don't know how to write angst anymore. putting people who say they like "toxic yaoi" in my dni cause they have no idea how to actually write toxicity

[cherrymoonvol6]

.

[c-is-for-circinate]

God I am so endlessly fascinated by the world of possible options we have for what Steve's parents are really like.

(And I am even more fascinated by how rigidly and firmly different fans insist that they have the One True Interpretation and everybody else must be wrong.)

[mcyt-rarepair-tournament]

*walks up to the mic* Sashannarcy from Amphibia

tbh, sometimes the “platonic explanation for this” is the more interesting one

[lady-of-endless]

Front Man/Hwang In-ho (player 001) x player!reader headcanons (season 2)

Author's Note: This season cured my writer's block. I'm sorry but I'm down bad for this red flag. I hope you'll enjoy it! Click here for a masterlist because there's more to come.

- He infiltrated the game either to make sure everything goes accordingly, either for a sick wish to mess with the players because he's empty inside (but not for long), or both.

- Unfortunately for "player 001", his charm and manipulation are obvious to you and you're not that pleased to see him getting close to the team you're in. Gi-hun (player 456) team. What could you do? Manipulate the manipulator.

- A game within a game, a calculated and dangerous play. In-ho senses and accepts this indirect challenge from you. He's interested, he feels excitement once again after such a long time.

- However, that's not his priority. He will push away his aroused interest to keep his duties as the Frontman and keep the game going despite Gi-hun's tries to end it.

- But one day, he noticed your mask falling for a moment, a crack in the role you played with him and that got him hooked again. He wondered what it took to break through that facade of yours and see the real you.

- There's a thrilling dance of fake smiles and fascination between you two that no one else sees. Just two capable, trustworthy, charming players.

- In-ho has a very cold but intense gaze, especially when he's shamelessly admiring you. However, you can't tell if he's admiring you or scheming against you.

- When your glass is full, you come up with a plan to corner him and confront him about his intentions with the team, without alarming the others. The plan was flawless in theory. In-ho sensed that something was up from the moment you asked him to join you under the bed bunks for better safety during the night. He complied out of curiosity, with a smirk on his lips. Every plan that's perfect in theory, it's never perfect in practice. The closeness, the intimacy, the tension, and the pent-up frustration all lead to something else entirely. Your planned interrogation switched to pure instincts and denied feelings.

(If you like this idea, let me know, I'll write a one shot)

- Since that night, something has shifted in your dynamic. During the games, it seems that he's trying to... protect you? It was clear to you during the mingle game when he was dragging you forcefully with him no matter the number the speakers announced. You didn't question it, you just followed him. You didn't have a choice; his grip and determination were too strong. God have mercy on those who try to attack you to get inside the room with him. You already saw his impeccable fighting skills so it doesn't surprise you when you see him in action. However, it's shocking when he gets to even drastic measures for you (like eliminating other players, we've seen it).

- In-ho is guilty of many things and one of them is also jealousy. He's subtle with it though.

- There's something unsaid between you two. He doesn't know if it's attachment or not, thinking that he might not be able to feel that again. Especially for you. But he's wrong, and he sees that clearly when, during a risky game, you almost got eliminated. He was about to lose it; his fingers were digging into your skin when he embraced you to "congratulate you." It was more than that. There was something desperate in the way he held him against you and you could feel that.

- At night, after that incident, he tells you his reason for participating in the game. Even though you can't decide if he tells the truth or not, you can see his expression getting vulnerable and his eyes watery nonetheless.

- Since then, whenever he stares at you, he's thinking of a way to take you away from this mess, next to him. He also thinks of ordering the guards secretly, to make some circumstances in your favor during the next games.

[marksbear2]

Can i request Kraven x male reader headcanons? 🤭 also seen you were sick, hope you’re feeling better. 💗

Kraven the hunter x male reader

Dear anon you probably don’t even remember requesting this from how long it took for me to post this 💔💔. I hope you don’t mind and enjoy the fic.

1. Wilderness Dates – Instead of typical dates, Kraven takes you on hunting trips, teaching you how to track, set traps, and survive in the wild.

2. Protective Instincts – He’s fiercely protective of you, always keeping a watchful eye when you’re in dangerous areas, even if you insist you can handle yourself.

3. Animal Affection – Kraven’s pets, especially his lions and leopards, are unusually affectionate toward you. He says it’s because they recognize you as his mate.

4. Trophy Gifts – Instead of flowers or jewelry, he brings you trophies from his hunts—like a beautifully carved bone knife or a rare pelt he insists would make a good cloak for you.

5. His urge for dominance – He treats you like his equal but has a deeply ingrained need to prove himself as the strongest, often challenging you to arm wrestling matches or sparring sessions.

6. Soft for You – He may be a ruthless hunter, but when he’s alone with you, he becomes oddly tender, brushing his fingers through your hair and pressing soft kisses against your temple.

7. Cooking Experiments – He insists on cooking meat he hunted himself, sometimes with questionable seasoning choices. You once had to pretend to enjoy an overly spicy jungle stew.

8. Jealousy Issues – Kraven doesn’t handle jealousy well. If someone flirts with you, he looms behind them like a predator, silently daring them to back off.

9. Old-School Romance – He believes in grand, dramatic gestures, like carrying you bridal-style over a river or slaying a beast in your honor.

10. Hunting Together – If you show any interest in hunting, he takes great pride in teaching you, even letting you lead small hunts to boost your confidence.

11. Battle Couple Energy – If you’re a fighter, he adores the idea of battling side by side, reveling in the thrill of combat together.

12. Survival Training – He believes you should be able to survive in the wild without him, so he occasionally tests you by disappearing for a few hours and watching from afar to see how you handle yourself.

13. Affectionate Nicknames – He calls you things like "Little Wolf," "My Lion," or "Prey-Turned-Predator" depending on his mood.

14. Body Worship – Kraven is a man who appreciates strength, whether it’s his own or yours. If you work out, expect a lot of lingering hands and admiring glances.

15. Animal-Like Comfort – He’s not above curling around you like a big cat when you’re resting together, nuzzling into your neck as he dozes off.

16. Tattoos and Scars – If you have scars, he traces them with fascination, praising you for being strong enough to earn them. If you have tattoos, he asks about their meaning and if he can add one to your collection.

17. Loyal to the End – Once Kraven has claimed you as his, he is unshakably devoted. Betrayal is unthinkable, and he would cross the world to find you if you were taken from him.

18. Drunken Boasting – After a few drinks, he brags loudly about your strength, intelligence, or cunning to anyone who will listen, making sure the world knows you’re worthy of standing beside him.

19. Traditional Courting – He has an old-fashioned view of romance and might insist on proving himself to you through trials, like hunting a beast in your name or bringing home an impressive prize.

20. Predator and Prey Dynamic – Sometimes, just to mess with you, he’ll playfully “hunt” you in the jungle or around your home, only to catch you in his arms and whisper, “You are mine.”

THE END

[wlwmedarda]

I'm honestly just looking to rant and this might be long depending on how fast I get irritated the more I type so if this isn't coherent or well written I apologize in advance. Since it looks like Ambessa will take on a more antagonistic role in arcane season two, I would like to unpack the fandom's antiblackness that you guys are either blind to or aware and too pussy to call it out as my gut is telling me it's gonna increase and if no one is gonna start the difficult conversation then I sure as hell will.

Sevika:

Mel:

Starting off strong with the definition of "you guys want complex female characters but can't even handle her". Mel Medarda is in quite the predicament seeing how she's morally grey, a black woman, AND "gets in the way" of a mlm ship so she was kinda screwed from the start. A cunning politician disowned for her pacifism who acts as a sort of bridge to Noxus' slow introduction, and is THE ONLY CHARACTER IN THE SEASON 1 MAIN CAST SPECIFICALLY CREATED FOR THE SHOW. She's treated like satan incarnate or a Jezebel (highly suggest looking into that if you don't know what that is), GOOD character analysis is rare, and when she is talked about positively, it's so often chalked up to appearances that I'd rather yall not talk about her at all. Oh you love Mel? Then can we talk about her relationship with her mother? Unpack her dynamic with Jayce? Maybe more fanworks centered around her? I've seen yall's fake asses dropping the shittiest fucking takes about her only to turn around and gush over how pretty she is, and yall think you're slick about it and you're not. I would say I prefer the ones who are loud and proud about their hatred but that'd be a lie, they're two cheeks on the same ass; annoying and couldn't give a decent break down of her character if a gun was pointed at they head even she's perfect to dissect. I could talk about her more but we'd be here all day and so many black women even from outside the fanbase have already talked about yall so there's no need for me to add on 🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️.

Quick question, have you guys ever tried to talk about her in a non sexual way? Yes, Sevika is undeniably sexy and you could argue that true stans of hers talk about her outside of horny time, but a good half of the fandom is a different story. In a similar case to Mel's, deep dives into her character are rare to find which is crazy when she acts as Zaun's own "kingmaker". She's loyal to her city and the cause, never to a specific person and will not hesitate to betray you. She could be your right hand man one day, and the next she might find a better kingpin to follow and stab you in the back like it all meant nothing. "Were you tempted?" "Not for a worm like him". Simple and subtle and probably my favorite Sevika scene; she comes to realize Silco is no longer the best leader for Zaun, but he's as good as it gets for now and so she sticks by him. I remember a YouTube comment breaking down how she's essentially the quintessential Zaun: a brute warrior molded by her environment, who defied Vander's peaceful ways and embraced Silco's cruelty. Her mindset and goal is interesting and you'd think it'd result in some fascinating meta or exploration of her upbringing when we got a hint that she potentially has some daddy issues right? Obviously, but what do we get instead? White sapphics treating her like nothing more than a sexual object. How delightful!

Ekko:

This might partially be Riot's fault because — and I hate to sound like a league lore nerd — Ekko is quite underdeveloped compared to the richer origins of his former pre arcane self, but I'm gonna hold off on that till the season finale to see how they handle him. Anyways, at this point the fandom clearly sees him as Jinx's trophy husband. When you talk about him, she is brought into the convo 90% of the time. That's exactly why I prefer black timebomb shippers over the nonblack ones because I trust they actually love Ekko as a character on his own. Even though I have my complaints regarding how's been written so far, I still know he's too good to be reduced to Jinx's loverboy. He fights and cares for his city, the only character that you can confidently say is pure of heart, and is the revolutionary leader Zaun really needs. He's just as smart as Jinx too, he is literally going to create TIME TRAVEL. Why does no one wanna talk about that? Can we be excited for his character development and arc not just for the timebomb scenes you'll get out of it?

Ambessa:

Can't even deny this woman is awful but her presence on screen enthralled me after a couple of rewatches and I also love bad mothers in media so I've settled on a love/hate relationship. Yes, she's definitely gonna have some influence on Caitlyn, which makes sense since she has now lost her mother; she's vulnerable and as we have seen, naive. She's practically free real estate for Ambessa. My recent worry though has been how the fandom seems to be willing to put all of Caitlyn's actions on her as if Cait isn't a grown ass woman who can make her own decisions. Of course being grown doesn't mean you're immune to manipulation, but I've seen some Silco and Jinx comparisons and it is NOT the same. Mind you we haven't even seen the first three episodes; we don't know how far Ambessa's manipulation is going to go and we can't really tell what the dynamic is gonna be like based off of clips and trailers that are likely shown out of context on purpose to throw people off. I'll never defend her actions, hell I'll join in on the lashings, but my black ass is also not gonna sit here and let yall talk about her weirdly or pin all of this on her.

Some might say I'm overthinking this, but I've been here since November 2021 and have sat back and observed for 2 years. You don't have to write deep, philosophical conversations 24/7, I'm sure it's not all in bad faith and I won't act like I don't thirst over Sevika or marvel at Mel's beauty. I'm not saying you have to like these characters and that you're racist if you don't. My frustration comes from the lack of nuanced conversations and hypocritical opinions surrounding black characters in this show. When you try to say something about this, you're hit with excuses; it reminds me of how man obsessed fujoshis act when they're questioned for not giving two fucks about female characters. They're either reduced to one character trait, only admired for their looks, or only discussed when it's about the white character they're connected to. Do NOT under ANY circumstance be black and morally ambiguous, you WILL be held to higher moral standards than everyone's wittle blorbos who can do wrong and are defended from all sides when you dare to take the rose colored stan glasses off and criticize them. What's really ridiculous is you hear the "complex characters" bullshit every two to three business days and some of you have the nerve to boast about this series being diverse while simultaneously ignoring the complexities in the characters of color. This is the main reason I took a step back and with season two around the corner I thought "Hey, maybe it'll be better this time!" and it was a mistake. Good to know yall still have an underlying racism problem you don't wanna address but with some extra classism thrown in. "What will we do once Arcane ends?" hopefully get a job, touch some grass, and reflect. Lord knows yall need it. The faster yall sizzle out the better. I'm done that's all I have to say lol goodnight 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽.

[blackwaves]

#btw this is why dazai sets him on atsushi #because atsushi is the reverse #he is entirely self preservation #he has trouble moving forward and he freezes #when dazai says “he's better than you” #that's what he means #he's saying see that? do you see that cowering weepy cat? that is the better extreme. #and then he keeps bringing them together because they need each other #atsushi needs akutagawa to be brave enough to act #and akutagawa needs to see what a will to live looks like from someone capable of absorbing the brunt of the fight #also as a reminder. akutagawa is not real. he is a seinen anime character with superpowers. #anime is a stylistic and exaggerated medium #do not work yourself up by dragging them from their context to frame their behavior as if theyre irl high school aged students #the pencil drawings are not hurting each other and cartoon violence is not 1:1 with real violence (tags from OP)

pm!dazai didn't abuse akutagawa. he reacted proportionately to the threat akutagawa posed to himself.

when dazai smacks akutagawa around in canon, they're running drills. dazai is not hitting him in misdirected anger or because he is venting his own suffering on him. akutagawa does not instinctually protect himself. in his fits of hyperviolence, he seeks to kill and be killed, and nearly is in beast, and in the course of his initial pursuit of atsushi.

he does not have the reflex or will or instinct to defend himself, and he is slow because he is having to consciously process the effort. his automatic reflex is to attack, but that will not stop him from being shot or overwhelmed or blindsided.

what they are doing in those scenes, what dazai is uniquely able to practice with him since rashomon can't pierce him, is not unlike cognitive behavioral therapy interventions. akutagawa is wired such that when he is triggered, he develops tunnel vision, pressing forward relentlessly without registering danger or responding to negative stimuli. this is a pattern developed from when he deemed dearh inevitable, and one which is liable to get him killed regardless of whether he has a reason to live.

he needs to consciously retrain his instinctual response, and he has to consciously and consistently reinforce it against his existing, much quicker instinct. he has to do it before he has the conviction or will to do it. and he has to do it over and over again, even when it isn't immediately life or death, because the instinct is self reinforcing, and the pattern he is trying to supplant it with is not yet.

skills are part of their users' framework for responding to their environment. jun'ichiro is anxious, but he can hide within light snow. kunikida has his notebook, but it has rigid limitations that he adapts to, similarly to how he works within the limitations of reality to keep from becoming consumed by his ideals.

akutagawa's skill, meanwhile, is wildly fucking disproportionate to akutagawa's constitution which is a problem when akutagawa wont react defensively. akutagawa is canonically frail, chronically ill, thin, and short (he's 5'8", but asagiri insists he's itty bitty every time he describes him in prose). rashomon, meanwhile, is monstrously powerful and hungry. it lends a false sense of untouchable violence when akutagawa himself is weak, and also is just really difficult to focus and control such that using it brings akutagawa into coughing fits. rashomon is also terrifying even in visage; it invites others to react with violence proportionate to their terror against the spectre of rashomon — but akutagawa is small, sick, and human; what is proportionate to rashomon is IMMENSE overkill if aimed at akutagawa. which is especially egregious because akutagawa will let them.

in other words, when dazai meets akutagawa, rashomon is as dangerous to its user as to anyone else. skills should not get their users killed. dazai is right. it's a shit skill.

akutagawa is vulnerable and self-destructive, and he and dazai are working to rewire his instinctual evaluation of his stakes. even when dazai punches akutagawa after akutagawa kills the mimic soldier, it's not a random act of violence or unregulated anger. the mimic soldier was not going to lead them to gide, there was no reality where they restrained him before he bit his cyanide, and he'd attacked dazai. but instead of reacting defensively at the opportunity, akutagawa fell to the former instinct, leaving himself wide open.

dazai reacts how he does because:

they are supplanting an ingrained instinct that is self reinforcing, the correction needs to be consistent to change the pattern and the former instinct needs to be discouraged with the same severity as the threat it poses;

by punching akutagawa first, dazai gave him notice and time to consciously muster the defense reaction theyre working on;

akutagawa needs to build an association between the defensive reaction and the triggering stimulus for this to work;

the context in which this happens is the exact sort of threat that rashomon is then ill equipped to handle— gide can see into the future, like oda, and mimic are military trained gunmen.

when dazai tells akutagawa that he couldn't ever defeat oda, he's not taunting him, he's right. akutagawa is relying on swift killing blows, but against someone who can see into the future, akutagawa is as vulnerable as a baby. and then, shortly after, that's what happens: gide wrecks his shit and is about to murder him dead when oda swoops in to grab dazai's dumb horrible baby kouhai who's trying to kill himself with the ambitious gusto of a horse.

as long as akutagawa fails to seek self-preservation, he is remarkably vulnerable. he's weak, and he's going to get himself killed. dazai doesn't coddle him about it for the same reason fukuzawa slaps ranpo for scampering into a police car with a murderer. you dont get praise for self endangerment.

dazai is not going to affirm a version of akutagawa that is trying to kill the boy dazai promised to save.

***

(also, this explains why akutagawa hates taking baths and being without his coat. dazai tried to instill in akutagawa the vigilance to register danger. in his absence, akutagawa strove to be worthy of demanding his approval by diligently practicing. but he's dazai's dumb baby kouhai who. takes things too far lmao.)

[maryallenc]

now that c3 is ending, im looking back and figuring out laudna's arc as a whole. and if i'm remembering it correctly, marisha mentioned that she wanted to create a character that has gotten over and made peace with her trauma, and yet the narrative and the foundations say otherwise, and laudna pretty much became the complete opposite: a character whose most of her actions are so informed by it.

she kinda really regressed from that intention, hasn't she?

not saying it's not a valid type of character development. or that there was supposed to be only ever one specific trauma she can or cannot be over or not.

but it's fascinating in a way to remember that she started off serenely telling her death to orym, and stating that she could smile so happily because "the worst thing that could happen has already happened"...

...to lashing out at orym because of him picking up a sword that had killed her previously.

side tangent, but laudna and orym's dynamic are lowkey one of the more fascinating dynamics out of bell's hells. they may not be the closest, but i definitely find them more interesting than even laudna's closer relationships.

anyway, laudna's story was then concluded with essek's help. and delilah's locked inside laudna for good, and can't even communicate or talk to laudna. officially exiled to the back of laudna's mind, shackled within the valleys of her chest above her heart.

delilah is still in there.

and it feels like a mirror to how laudna started. everything's all fine and dandy, actually! she'll never have problems again.

and so there's that contradiction again. delilah has no power over laudna anymore. and yet, laudna... still kinda defines herself with delilah, from her clothes to the fact that she still can get power from delilah. just like how laudna started the campaign defining herself as the obviously dead woman.

and it makes me question if she has actually ever even changed, or was just broken down to her bare essence for everyone to figure out how she actually works, and rebuild again with some minor upgrades, with no substantial improvement. it feels like she's still stuck, even with the new experiences and connections.

the raven queen said it's possible for her to be alive again. and yet, laudna seemed like she might not even want it.

maybe because she actually has to change. move past the stage of death she has now defined herself in. to actually grow as a person. change, not only with the people she surrounds herself with, but with laudna herself.

would she, though?

[haedalkoo]

Hey! I thought of a question for you. What in your opinion was the most revealing moment of jikook's relationship, from a korean language standpoint? I know it might be very hard to answer since there are so many moments, but pick your favorite 💜 thank you! 🫂

OMG this is such an interesting question, and so hard to pick. I think most of the jikook moments that scream in whispers that they might be something more than friends are not just through the language, but everything that surrounds the familiarity and comfort and trust that surrounds the way they speak to each other.

I can point out Jimin's phone call to JK during his birthday live, the quiet words and the satoori slipping and that sweet "can i put you on speaker?" followed by JK refering to him as his "small and precious hyung."

I can talk endlessly about JK choosing the words pretty and cute to describe Jimin every. single. time. because his admiration for Jimin runs a little differently than it does with other members-- yes, they all love each other and he finds his hyungs smart, sexy, strong, incredibly cool and fascinating-- but his way of describing Jimin just pulls my heartstrings. Because he respects him as an artist so much, and their work ethics are copy-paste (that's why it's always these two staying for longer rehearsals, why they ride the same car on and off work, etc.) but he also finds him sexy, charming, pretty, cute, cute cute- even his toes are cute! The adjectives he uses for him are just slightly different, idk. it's so crazy

There's also this one moment from that Run BTS ep where they're both blonde and JK's mom tells JM she loves him (ALSO THAT!) where JK's saying "oh we're cooked all the other teams have smart members" and JM goes ??? YAH YOU HAVE ME? and he specifically says "넌 나를 가졌어?" which I think I already wrote a post about but basically, the verb he used was a little weird in the context they were in since it indicates a stronger sense of posession? that's why it's typically used to describe that someone is dating this or that person. Jimin was like I'm yours??? Isn't that enough for you??? (obv joking) AND IT'S JUST SO. UGHH. CAN YOU GUYS CHILL.

ALSO. god im going on and on about this but remember The NJ vlive? That's what did it for me. Jimin caressing his chest and then his chin, telling JK 'I love you' bc he was a little upset, a little pouty, and then whispering "I made my apology so may I go now?" to what Jungkook replied IN THE SOFTEST AND SWEETEST WHISPER "yeah you may" with a shy smile... I'm sorry but why is your hyung asking you for permission. Why is he suddenly talking formally and being all obedient.

Which btw, those switches to overly formal speech are so common with jikook when they're messing around, and it happened during his birthday call as well. it's always that little roleplay where JM loses his hyung privileges (only to take them back at the end lol).

Sorry, they drive me crazy.

Ahem.

I'm not sure this totally answered your question, but I'd say it's bc they are very catious with their speech and they just don't let certain things slip, or if they do, it's always under the pretense of a joke, so u can't really pinpoint one specific moment that tells-all. The complexity behind Jikook and their dynamic is what makes their bond so special and beautiful. 💗💗

[00valentina-writes00]

Please i need something with Ambessa with a reader tattooed... But not small tattoos, I mean her whole body is covered. thanks u! <33

✞⛧ Ambessa with a girlfriend covered in tattoos ✞⛧

(YESSSSSS YES YES YES 10000x YES)

✞⛧ Ambessa notices your tattoos long before she gets the chance to truly appreciate them. Even with your clothing covering most of your skin, the hints of ink peeking out from your collar or sleeves instantly intrigue her.

✞⛧ At first, she’s subtle about her interest. Ambessa is a master of restraint, but she catches herself staring whenever a sliver of your tattooed skin becomes visible.

✞⛧ The first time she truly sees one of your tattoos is during a sparring session. Your sleeves are rolled up, revealing intricate patterns on your biceps. She pauses mid-movement, her gaze lingering long enough for you to notice.

✞⛧ “You fight like an artist,” she says, her voice smooth yet amused. “I should have known your body would reflect that.”

✞⛧ Over time, Ambessa becomes bolder in her curiosity. She doesn’t hesitate to ask about the meaning behind your tattoos, though her questions are always laced with admiration rather than prying.

✞⛧ The moment she sees your back tattoo is one she’ll never forget. You’re dressing after a training session, and the design on your spine catches her eye. The way it flows down your back, accentuating your strength and grace, leaves her momentarily speechless.

✞⛧ “A spine as strong as the ink upon it,” she murmurs, half to herself. It’s one of the rare moments she openly lets her awe show.

✞⛧ Ambessa’s hands often wander when you’re alone together, tracing the lines of the tattoos on your shoulder blades. She marvels at how they seem to blend with your natural power, a seamless union of artistry and strength.

✞⛧ The tattoos on your thighs are a particular fascination for her. When you’re seated or lying down, she loves to run her fingers over the intricate designs, her touch equal parts reverent and possessive.

✞⛧ “They suit you,” she’ll say, her voice low and rich. “Bold, striking, impossible to ignore—just like you.”

✞⛧ The tattoos on your chest—especially those on your breasts—are a secret she cherishes. The first time she sees them is during an intimate moment, and her gaze is a mixture of admiration and hunger.

✞⛧ “Every inch of you is a masterpiece,” she whispers, her hands gentle yet firm as they explore the designs. “You wear your strength on your skin, and it’s… intoxicating.”

✞⛧ Ambessa doesn’t just admire the tattoos for their beauty; she respects the pain and resilience it took to get them. She understands the power of bearing scars and marks, whether they’re earned in battle or inked by choice.

✞⛧ She loves hearing the stories behind your tattoos, whether they’re tied to personal victories, meaningful symbols, or moments of rebellion.

✞⛧ On quieter nights, she’ll pull you close, her fingertips tracing the lines of the tattoos on your arms and shoulders as you talk.

✞⛧ Ambessa has a particular fondness for the tattoos on your biceps. They highlight your strength, and she can’t resist running her hand over them whenever she has the chance.

✞⛧ “If I had known you were hiding this beneath your armor, I would have insisted on seeing it much sooner,” she teases, though there’s truth in her words.

✞⛧ She often jokes that your tattoos make you look even more intimidating than you already are. “Not that I mind,” she says with a smirk. “I like a woman who can turn heads—and break necks.”

✞⛧ When she’s feeling particularly affectionate, she’ll kiss along the lines of your tattoos, her lips brushing over the ink as if paying homage to the art etched into your skin.

✞⛧ Ambessa loves how your tattoos seem to shift and flow with your movements. Whether you’re fighting, laughing, or simply walking, the ink feels alive, as dynamic as you are.

✞⛧ She’s especially drawn to the tattoos on your thighs during intimate moments. There’s something about the way they frame your strength that leaves her utterly captivated. (Jiggle affects are an added bonus)

✞⛧ She loves seeing you in different outfits that highlight your tattoos, whether it’s sleeveless armor, thigh-baring skirts, or low-cut tops. To her, you’re a living work of art, and she’s proud to call you hers.

✞⛧ Though she’s seen all of your tattoos by now, Ambessa never grows tired of admiring them. Each time feels like discovering a new layer of who you are—a mystery she’ll never stop wanting to unravel.

A little smth to go along with it-

Ambessa’s gaze lingers on you longer than usual, her sharp eyes softened by the dim glow of the firelight. You’re perched on the edge of her lavish bed, your tunic slipping from your shoulders as you undo the intricate laces.

When the fabric finally falls away, Ambessa’s composure falters, just slightly. Her lips part, and for a moment, the unshakable General Medarda looks�� stunned. Her gaze traces the ink etched into your skin, flowing over the curves of your breasts in intricate, striking designs. The bold lines and delicate shading seem to move with you, alive and dynamic, as though the tattoos were meant to accentuate your every breath.

She steps closer, her usual confidence tempered by something quieter, almost reverent. Her hand reaches out, her fingers brushing against the edge of one design as if she’s afraid to smudge the ink. Her touch is featherlight at first, her fingertips skimming over the edge of a swirling pattern on your collarbone. Slowly, her hand moves lower, tracing the lines with a meticulous care that feels intimate, almost devotional.

“Every inch of you is a masterpiece,” she murmurs, her voice low and thick with admiration. Her thumb follows the curve of a delicate spiral near your sternum, pausing where the ink fades into the natural contours of your skin. She lingers there, pressing her palm flat against your chest as though grounding herself in the reality of you.

Her touch grows firmer as she maps the patterns with her fingertips. She follows a line that winds across your ribs, her hand moving with the same precision she might use when wielding a blade. Her focus is intense, her golden eyes flicking between the ink and your reactions. “These are no mere marks,” she says softly, her thumb grazing the edge of an intricate design beneath your breast. “This is artistry, written across your body for me to see.”

Ambessa kneels slightly, leveling her gaze with the tattoos on your stomach and sides. Her fingers trace the bold lines along your ribs, marveling at how they shift with your breathing. Her hand brushes lower, exploring a floral motif that blooms across your hip, and she lets out a soft, appreciative hum. “The ink here… It’s remarkable. But it pales in comparison to the canvas.”

Her lips find your shoulder first, pressing warm, deliberate kisses along the lines of your tattoos. She works her way downward, her mouth following the trail her hands have already charted. Each kiss is deliberate, reverent, as if she’s committing every inch of your skin to memory.

When her hands settle on your waist, her thumbs glide along the inked curves of your sides. Her fingers fan out, framing your strength, and she leans back just enough to admire the full picture of you. Her gaze locks with yours, her golden eyes blazing with a rare tenderness that makes your breath catch.

Her hand trails back up, following the line of your spine, her fingers tracing each vertebra as if the ink were a map leading her to some profound truth.

Her hands finally come to rest on either side of your face, cupping it with a gentleness that contrasts her usual commanding presence. Her thumbs brush against your cheeks, her gaze searching yours with an intensity that makes your pulse race. “You are unlike anything I’ve ever known,” she murmurs, her voice thick with reverence. “And I would have it no other way.”

When her lips finally claim yours, it’s a kiss full of unspoken promises and the kind of reverence that makes you feel like the most powerful person in the room—even in the presence of Ambessa. And as her hands drift back to the tattoos she’s come to adore, you can feel her silent vow to memorize every detail of you, over and over again.